"Dejah the Destroyer" "Fools," Dejah mumbled to herself as she crushed the hand of a young warrior with her boot. She looked down at his face as he winced in pain. "Why are you doing this?" He begged. His eyes betrayed the fear in his heart. Dejah could taste his fear on her tongue. Her cold smile was her only reply. The only reply that hundreds of his kinsmen had received. Dejah's blonde hair blew in the wind, mixing with the smoke and fire that surrounded her. Without a word she stabbed her sword into the young man's chest and allowed herself to be engulfed by the sensation of taking another's life with her own hands. This is why she did this after all. This is why she drove another kingdom to the brink of extinction. This sensation. She gave a small grunt as she pulled her sword out of the deceased man's chest. The mystic sword was giving off a strong blue aura, an aura she had seen many times before and one she would see countless times after. The blue aura of death and destruction. She made her way to the top of the nearest hill. She didn't have to look back at the burning castle to rejoice in her destructive powers. All she had to do was listen to the dying men's screams carried by the wind. She lifted her gaze to the sky..... and smiled.
Part 1: The fire at Elementhra Castle started quietly. Deep within the bowels of the castle, below even the dungeons, a spy stalked the shadows of the flickering torch light. Keeping to the walls, he made his way stealthily past the labyrinth like catacombs of the monarchs of Elementhra. Being ever so careful not to let even the edge of his cape touch the places of final resting, he followed a map in his head, noting but not lingering on, the faint echos of what would seem to be cries of distress. From the living or dead, he was not sure. One thing was certain though, the cries were human. It wouldnt surprise him in the least if indeed the cries were coming from the dungeons upstairs. Their current King, the spy almost spat on the floor in disgust, was notorious for his sick tastes in torturing his people for the most basic of crimes. Whether it be a starving boy making a last desperate attempt to feed himself, or a girl who had curtseyed a breath too short. Both had ended up shackled and awaiting his ministrations. And it was openly known that he had let his soldiers get away with crimes more henious than mere theft; ****, murder and looting were all common amoung the serving force that marshalled the people of Elementhra. They constantly lived in fear of their mad King. One who had seized power by force. The old King's brother, Aznard had killed his brothers entire family in a late night coup, all except his niece who was at that moment, unknow to all the inhabitants in the castle, except for a choice few, was sitting with the largest force of fighting men and women Elementhra had ever seen, right outside the castle. The spy spared a thought to his comrades in the other parts of the castle; those that were freeing innocent prisoners from the dungeons and leading them outside and those that were planting little pig skin sacks of powder all over the castle at key points. He held a few such packets in his hands at that moment. His job was the most vital. Though he hated to disturb the dead, he knew they'd rather this option than their beloved kingdom stay in the hands of the mad opressor. He placed the sacks at crooks and crevices in the weakest section of the oldest wall in the castle. His conscience pricked him at that moment and he found himself wondering about the innocent lives that would doubtless be lost by his actions. His right hand, out of habit, went to his face and as he felt the puckered flesh of his right cheek he remembered the reason for it. He had once been a guest of the King's in his dungeons. He and his wife had dared get married without permission from their leige lord, and thereby, their king, so as punishment he had suffered two full weeks of torture at the hands of the kings most vile of instuments. The physical pain was nothing in comparison to the gut wrenching ache he felt when he thought of his wife, Maya. He could still hear her screaming in his nightmares calling out to him, for rescue. But he had failed her. It was all he could do sometimes to get out of his cot in the morning and face what was inevitably another day without Maya. Without her laughter and gentle eyes to ease him through another day at the mercy of Aznard, the mad King. The spy shook his head and clenched his fists before he let his despair, so close to taking whatever remained of his sanity and his humanity and breathed in deeply. Using one of the many techniques he'd learned in his quest for vengence. His nostrils flared at the sharp smell of the powder insides the little sacks and mixed with the stale odur of still decaying bodies. "Soon." his first whispered word was a promise. To himself and his wife. For tonight would be the end of it all. Azard would either die at the hands of his niece, the rightfull heir to the throne, or he would not. One thing was for certain. The spy did not intend to live past the sunrise... End of part 1. __________________________ Part 2: Layla Draconis, princess and rightful heir to the throne of Elementhra gazed broodingly at the place she had called home for almost ten years. Although it was the family's winter home, Layla associated many good memories with the castle and the surrounding forest. Hiding in the secret rooms and passageways in the castle, trying to scale the north tower, and hunting with her father in the forest. The memories bittersweet as they were, were all she had of her family. So it wasnt surprising that she had some doubt about the first phase of their plan. She fidgeted slightly in her saddle and when she felt Wulf looking at her, she straightened and fiddled with the reigns of her horse, Hoshi as if she had intended to do so all along. "You are regretting your decision?" Layla continued to play with the reigns until she had her emotions under wraps and looked at the man sitting on a large roan destrier beside her. From the eastern continet, Thavidu, adjacent to Elementhra, Wulf was the leader and owner of a mercenary group. One of the most finest and sought after of all mercernary groups. He had fled from Thavidu at a young age, why was anybody's guess. Information about Wulf prior to his mercenary status was slim and the fragments that Layla had managed to piece together was that of a man who had it all but lost everything in the blink of an eye. Something of a kindred spirit, or so she thought. Wulf, like most of his brethren from Thavidu, was tall, and broad. He had a shaven head that wasnt allowed to hold even a days worth of growth. A habbit which he refused to say anything about. He sat on his horse as if he had been born in the saddle, his destrier, Pride was an extension of himself in the battlefield. His nose was lonf and arched, broken in two places, no doubt from a battle where he hadnt bothered to set it right. He had a square jaw and impossibly thin lips that rarely smiled. He was, rather a handsome man... Despite the scar marring one side of his face, running from his left temple and stopping just at the edge of the right corner of his lips. The same scar had caused him to go blind in his left eye and wear a patch. He looked at her now with a shrewd calculation and she willed herself not to flinch. "Not regretting. Just remembering." she looked back at the castle, seeing it but remembering her family. Her father, older brother, two little sisters and mother had all perished in that castle. She herself had witnessed her mother and sisters being cut down as she tried desperately to scream but finding that she couldnt even do that. She shook her head and vanquished all of them to the farthest regions of her thoughts. She did not need to dwell on these right now. They would be sought out later. Maybe when all this was over and she could finally take off her armour without fear of being shot with an asassins arrow. Maybe then she'd take the time to look at these memories, treasured yet abhorred and finally cry over them. All memories except one. Imprinted on her mind was one image that had kept her sane through the most difficult of times In her life. She closed her eyes and re-lived the death of her mother and sisters at the hands of her uncle. The screams, the smell of blood and death. It all came back to her, as always, with startling, reality... End of part 2. __________________________ Part 3: They were standing on the drawbridge. Layla, her mother Adelle and her two younger sisters, had almost managed to escape the castle when they and a small handfull of the castle guards who were yet loyal to them were ambushed. The guards were slaughtered and Adelle and her daughters were dragged kicking and screaming to Aznard. "You picked the wrong brother Adelle." Aznard stood over Layla's mother with a sword already dripping with the blood of her husband and son, the bodies of whom were tossed coldly in front of her and there they lay already cold and blue. Adelle sobbed in grief over her fallen husband and son. She was nevertheless very aware of the fact that her daughters stood behind her. One barely past four, another six and the Layla, the eldest at ten. They huddled behind their mother clutching each other, the youngest girl, Zara staring at the still bodies of her father and brother, wondering when they would stop pretend fighting and get up. Sofia, the middle daughter was pale. She was a sickly child and the nights activities had already played havoc on her health. Aznard wiped the blood from his blade onto the clothes of his dead brother and calmly sheathed it. "Now what to do with you...?" he said softly. He went over to Adelle and gripped her chin in his fingers. "So beautiful, and yet so foolish." he released his grip on her and turned away. "Kill them all." he barked out. A flurry of soldiers moved in on Adelle and her daughters. "Wait!" she screamed. "Spare my daughters!... Kill me but spare my daughters!" she dropped to her knees and pleaded with her hands. Aznard turned back. "Spare your brats?" He snorted. "Why..?" "Please." Adelle stiffled her sobs and made her voice stronger. Aznard paused momentarily as if considering. Then looking Adelle in the eyes, said. "I'll spare your daughters..." he laughed chillingly, "I hear the slave masters of Drugan are on the lookout for new girls and you know how..." He couldn't finish what he was about to say as Adelle launched herself at Aznard in fury. "Sell my daughters would you?!" she shrieked. She clawed at his face and when she felt hands on her arms trying to pry her off she used all her strength to latch on and finally yanked a dagger from Aznards belt and swiped around her in a frenzy. Her aim was clumsy yet successful but before long the dagger was yanked from her grasp and she was secured in the grip of two burly soldiers. She fought with all she was worth and managed to escape the soldiers. Running to her children she picked up the youngest and said to her two elder daughters, "Run!" Layla grabbed Sofia by the hand and half dragged half carried her back into the castle, sure that they could find a secret passageway out of the castle. They stopped suddenly as they heard a scream, Layla managed to whip around in time to see Aznard toss her youngest sister over the drawbridge into the water below and grab her mother by the hair and backhand her. Adelle beat him with her fists to no avail, she screamed and sobbed until Aznard knifed her in the stomach. Her final act of defiance was to spit in Aznard's face before she died. Layla's breath was stuck in her throat, she couldnt seem to find a breath to draw nor could she comprehend what had just happened. But then Sofia was ripped from her hands. "Sofy!" she creamed and lept after the soldier carrying her sister away. "Kill the younger." she heard Aznard order. "Her time in this world was numbered anyway." there was a wet squelch as a blade met flesh and withdrew and an end to Sofy's sobbing. Instead she lay whimpering on the cold cobblestones of the drawbridge. Layla ran to her sister's body and cradled her head in her lap, trying desperately to hold on to the last remmanent of her family. She found she was shaking uncontrolably and yet she couldn't cry. She sat there until rhe soft whimpering of her sister died down, surrounded by the bodies of her brother, father and mother and looked at the man responsible for it all. She looked at him until he felt her gaze and turned towards her. "Sell her to the hardest, filthiest slave master. I dont want my brother's soul to rest in peace any time soon." he turned on his heel and marched into the castle surrounded by an entourage of people. The last Layla saw of him was the swish of his cloak mocking her in its silken fairwell. __________________________ Layla stalked up the drawbridge of the castle, the same place where her family were slaughtered all those years ago refusing to give way to the feelings of rage of grief threatening to overwhelm her. She was looking for Aznard. It was finally time that niece and uncle had a family renunion. The battle was as good as won, the dragons had finally decided to help them in their battle and together they had obliterated most if not all of the soldiers Aznard had sent out to meet them. She had left her retinue of guards behind, this was something she'd rather do on her own. Everything that had gone wrong with her life all boiled around to one person. Her uncle. She had been orphaned and sold to slavers all in the same night. She had killed for the very first time, the same night they tried to force her to ply the trade of the Drugan pleasure houses. And then she had fled. On the run, she had beged, pliaged and stolen food to survive. Eventually running across a gang of child thieves she had been taken in. With them she had learnt pick pockets and con the unwary out of their money. She had also learnt to fend for helself, something that ten years of a royal upbringing could never do. She grew a backbone of steel and with that flamed the embers of her hate until it raged like an inferno in her heart. Tonight, when she was face to face with the man she had called uncle, she would let him feel all the anger, the grief and the terror she had stored inside herself. Precisely for this very moment. She took a deep breath and climbed the grand staircase. The time had come to cull the beast... End of part 3. __________________________ Layla lay beside the fireplace in the royal suites, weary and bloody. Her armour, forged from the breath of seven elder dragons, clung to her body. Wet strands of hair irritated her eye and she couldnt find the energy to move them. There was a dull throbbing on her side from the wound her uncle had inflicted. She didnt bother to stem the flow of blood knowing that the charmed armour would be doing its job and healing her as she rested. But even that wasnt a sure fire thing, she was feeling light headed and her vision was dimming. 'Spose it could be worse.' she thought to herself. She looked at the prone form of her uncle and laying a few feet from him, the spy. He had appeared out of nowhere, just as Aznard was about to strike his final blow at her and stabbed him in the neck. Aznard had shaken the spy off by aiming a fire bolt at him and then collapsed sputtering and coughing. She closed her eyes and just let herself be. There wasn't really anything to worry about now. No vengence, no responsibility and nothing to hold on to... She could see her family again and be a part of a whole again. To feel like that again, even for a moment... She could see them now, they were having a picnic at their favourite spot. It was a clearing at the shores of a lake. It was surrounded by wild flowers and there was an ancient oak tree that they always sat under. She remembered the place well... They had gone there often, away from the constraints of the castle to just be a normal family. Her mother was snuggled in the arms of her father and they watched quietly as their son taught his sisters to skip rocks into the water. Layla's heart hammered as she saw them, she first walked then ran towards them, desperate for the warmth they shared and the love. The closer she got to them, the less vivid they became, and the less npise reached her ears, somethibg was pulling her back... Layla awoke with a gasp. Wulf was leaning over her a smelling solution clutched in his hands. "Dozed off in the middle of a war?" he raised an eyebrow at her, his attempt at humour. It was then that she realised where she was. Far away from the battle field, she was lying in a sick tent with the other wounded while healers ran to and fro in their organised chaos. "You might want to see this." Wulf inclined his head outside towards the castle and helped her up. He helped her sit up and led her outside the tent. "The dragons found you." he said "they literally tore up the castle looking for you, but they havent stopped." Layla gaped, mouth ajar at the sight of Elementhra castle being torn apart by five dragons. They scratched and roared flamed onto the castle tearing it asunder. "Apparently Aznard was fond of stealing from dragon hoardes." he said it calmly in a detached voice but Layla could tell he was irritated. He had had plans for the castle. Layla just shrugged. It was probably best that the castle was destroyed anyway. And at least the dragons could have some fun as well. They watched the destruction of the castle together, standing in a companiable silence. Neither moving until the deed was done and it was reduced to a pile of rubble. Thunder clapped, lightening struck and there was a downpour as the heavens opened up. Layla let the rain pour onto herself, cleansing her body of blood and grime. She revelled in the sensation, not knowing whether the moisture in the corner of her eyes was water or rain, but she smiled anyway. Letting it wash away her anger and her longing for something she couldnt have. She had everything she needed right here. I rushed the ending.
Innanna's Myth Innanna was just a simple child living in a cottage when the war started, she watched her parents die in front of her and she was taken prisoner, 20 Years later after Working to her best abilities, All the kingdoms soldiers where lost in a battle with the "Forgotten Ones." Innanna Knew this was her chance!!! She dashed at the guards with the strength she had acquired while working in a cottage, moving and milking cows. She punched the first in the face and stole his sword as he fell, she then made quick work of killing the other three by actions unknown of today, then she ran out into the city. She wandered around this strange new area with a sword on her back and people staring and speaking a language she didn't know. She wandered into a crowd of strange looking people speaking all different tongues when the horses raced by them. That moment she witnessed her most fear she would ever feel for the rest of her life. There stood a Giant Ghost with a glowing blue sword. She tried to run but it caught her. Innanna slashed franticly and threw her sword into it's eye as a priest recited a spell. Innanna fell onto the ground with dust covering her, dust of a former ghost. She slowly walked to the rubble to find her sword but instead she found armor of all sizes! She carefully picked the one with the most coverage and she lifted the blue sword. She didn't know what to do, the gates where open! But at the same time, where would she go? But she knew what to do... She spotted a Beastilery being ripped apart by a creature with a crystal on its head. She didn't mind, as long a it stayed there. Innanna ran towards the castle with here giant sword, but the creature saw the sword of it's fallen brother and it ran after Innanna! Faster and faster it ran, but Innanna was smart, she had heard the legends of a creature with a Crystall on it's head, she just needed to take the crystal! The beast ran past her giving Innanna just enough time to dig the sword into it's legs! The beast plummeted and tried to get up, but it was too late. In innanna's hand was the Crystal of the shadows! Innanna new what needed to be done, she used the crystal by destroying with with her sword making armor appear on her broken armor. As the old armor fell off, she snuck in the back and made her way up the castle. Once she got to the throne room she found the ruler with no name pacing the floor. She appeared in front of him and plunged her sword in the evil mans chest, but the king was smart, Knowing you needed to be able to speak to become invisible, or take the armor of, he reached out and with his last dying breath he grabbed her voicebox with his long hands he ripped it out. To this day Innanna is unseen, just a Myth, But she is there... The last person who saw her was me, and I felt sorrow for the immortal warrior of death....
Inanna's Story There she was rallying her troops preparing for the final attack on the war beasts castle. Standing tall and strong on the top of the hill she had the advantage. "Roger prepare the men for the final attack this time our plan will work". Roger was Inanna's second in command, he was a tall man and very good at inspiring his troops Inanna liked him for this as she knew she could trust him. "Stuart any words from the scouts", "Yes ma'am they say that the war beasts are setting up defences waiting for the attack" Stuart replied "Then a attack they shall get" said Inanna. "Roger are the troops ready for the final attack yet?". Then a arrow came from the sky.Going Woosh as it zipped past inanna's shoulder leaving a gash. From behind a scream can be heard. A long scream of a solider dying. Inanna looked behind her. It was Roger. The arrow hit him straight in the chest. Roger whispered to Inanna while gasping for air "Make sure you kill them beasts; every last one of them". Then Roger dropped to his knees and died. A tear was in her eyes and fire in her heart this was it the final battle had begun. For Roger she screamed the rest of the soldiers screamed the same. They ran down the hill towards the castle. Being fired at by archers. Her archers fired back. The archers fell from the castle. Inanna smiled. For the next two hours there was hand to hand combat with neither sides gaining anything. Inanna knew this next hour would decide the war. It was then that she was struck down by a beast. The beast Rose his sword preparing to strike. Then he froze and fell to the ground. There was Stuart. "You didn't think I'd let you die did you?" "Of corse not Stuart". She smiled. After a half an hour battle Inanna's troops broke into the castle. Inanna and Stuart following closely behind. It was then that her troops fell all with arrows in their bodies. There was just Inanna, Stuart and 100 war beasts. It was then that horses came through the castle gates. Ben, Rogers younger brother was leading them. They all screamed "For Roger". The final battle had begun
NOOB "TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL" I cried as I trilled the forums then cried over not getting hired.... TO BE CONTINUED...
Inanna BE AWARE THAT THIS STORY WILL BE SAD AND DESCRIPTIVE ^13^ In the land of Creoth lived a young beautiful woman known as Inanna. Her father, Ino, and mother, Anna, lived a very happy life together outside of the castle of Nonas Creoth. They were just peaceful farmers making their way in life. Ino was a very kind man and had short brown hair. He was a very strong man and would never tolerate the smallest of fights. He always offered to volunteer for anyone that needed it, he would house the beggars and feed the hungry. Anna was just the same, she had long blonde hair and was, to every man, the most beautiful in looks and in heart. She would take care of Inanna and Ino always. She always stood up for her family and her neighbors. Ever since Inanna was young, her father and mother would be with her and eat with her until she had to depart to the Citadel to learn how to defend herself and how to care for others. Whenever she came home her parents hug her and lift her off the ground with a bright smile. "Inanna, wake up, it's time to eat," said Anna. Inanna lifted herself off her bed as her mother slid the blankets off her. At this time, Inanna was in her mid teens and was almost done with the schooling at the Citadel. She hugged her mother good morning and went downstair to arrive to a wonderful breakfast, hot eggs and ham. It was all that their family could afford with the kingdom's need for money. You see, the kingdom has been raided in the south, just a few miles from Inanna's town, Zenneloth. As she quickly gulped down the eggs, her father walked in,"Hello father." "Ahh, my daughter, you look stunning today. Remember to be good to the Abbot today at the Citadel," replied Ino. Inanna smiled and finished her meal. Afterwards, she left with her books slung over her back. She stopped and turned to wave to her parents who were now next to eachother waving back. She ventured on down the road thinking about her parents. As he arrived to the large white citadel, a feeling of fear took hold of her. She was never good at confronting others, let alone lead an entire session about what she learned this year. As she opened the door, her heart felt like it dropped into her stomach as she walked down the long candlelit hallway. As she observed left and right she noticed an odd color on the floor. She looked around the hallway and saw a boot. She walked over to it and focus on it,"The Abbot's boot? What is it doing out here?" A hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her around,"Haha, good job Inanna, I was looking for that. You know how absent minded I am." said the Abbot in a cheerful voice. Inanna barely smiled but was too busy trying to recover from how the Abbot frightened her. "Abbot, am I required to do my speech today?" asked Inanna. The Abbot nodded witha smile and led her to a large room, filled to the brim with students. She walked briskly towards the podium with her head down. The curtains behind her laid gracefully on the platform. As Inanna lifted her head and set all her notes on the podium, she saw something dreadful. Her heart started racing. She could feel the tears coming. The anger started to boil. She felt as if she was falling in a void to an unescapable doom. Each student was pale-white. An arrow stuck in each of their heads right between the eyebrows. The Abbot walked down the aisle,"Hmm, not the reaction I, or my sources, would have expected. We thought you would be too focused on your notes. Oh well. BOYS!!! BRING DOWN THE CURTAINS!!!" As the heavy curtains dropped, it unveiled the body of the Abbot, hung by a rope. At this, Inanna fell to the ground, crying,"I don't know what you want, please just let me live!" The Abbot, who was now transformed into a Dark Elf, lifted her chin,"Oh, we won't be killing you. Not yet at least. You have something we need. Your blood. You see, Inanna, you are a very rare breed. Your parents adopted you from a very distant land. Your father, Ino, found you in a ditch on the kingdoms war campaign. You were uncouncious. As he brought you to the encampment, you started to wake up. As you opened your eyes, you emitted a powerful scream. And with this, you disintegrated all tents within a 50-foot radius. The men of the army bowed down to you, but not your father. He knew what you were, a Dragonoid. A mix between the human and the dragon. While you appear human, you have the powers of a dragon. Super strength, super toughness, super sight, super hearing. You have all of these traits. However, you don't seem to remember your shouts. A shame really." Inanna, with tears still pouring down her cheeks, said in an unstable voice,"W-W-Why do y-you n-need my blood?" The Elf replied,"Well I can't be revealing that to you just yet, deary." He lifted Inanna up and started dragging her down the aisle by her hair. His minions started following him down the aisle as they came out from their hiding places. Inanna's eyes flashed in yellow. She screamed something in Drakion (the dragon language). The soundwave burst the eardrums of the minions and propelled them through the walls. She stood up, glowing yellow, and blew flames in circles around her. The dark elf took shelter. His right shoulder was burned,"Agh! Bring out her parents!" With this, the minions came walking in the Citadel with Ino and Anna. They dropped them to the ground. The man took out his blade and stabbed Anna in the back. Inanna grew furious and charged him. She bit him in the arm nearly tearing it off. Her speed was of lightning. The elf grew surprised,"Hurry!!! The father next!!!" Inanna quickly dealt with the attackers. One lured her towards the podium as another two dragged the father out of the Citadel. The elf laughed in a morbid fashion. He kicked Anna's motionless body on exit. Inanna killed the last few men that dared linger. She then blacked out and fainted. Inanna slowly started to awake. She was surrounded by city guard. "Sir! There is a survivor!" yelled one guard. A very decorated soldier came running to Inanna's side,"She is barely holding on, we need an alchemist! Get Frederick over here as soon as possible!" The guard ran off to find Frederick. The decorated soldier turned Inanna's head back and forth. He opened her mouth. As he searched behind the lower teeth, he saw two glands. Obviously no average human would have these so he immediately took his hand back and placed her on one of the pews. Frederick came running,"Leo! You summoned me?" Captain Leo nodded,"Yes, Frederick, she needs a potion. and one other thing-" His voice went into a whisper "-She has two holes behind her bottom teeth, what are they and what is she?" Frederick observed Inanna, and confirmed that there were two holes exactly where Leo said they would be. His face grew into a smile. "Leo, take this girl to the palace, she is very special," said Frederick joyfully. Captain Leo obeyed Frederick's commands and immediately left the Citadel on horse and carriage to Nonas Creoth. He entered the wide gates and the sound of hooves hitting the cobblestone welcomed his ears. The smells of freshly-baked bread filled his nostrils, and the sight of a busy community greeted his eyes. As he passed through the second gate, the community changed. They went from everyday cooking to sophisticated writers and snobby rich folk. They weren't as friendly as the people a gate ago. Leo, being a people person, preferred the first Gate Town. The people, even thought they were busy, always had something kind to share with you. The people of Center Town were more skeptical and mostly kept to themselves. As Leo came upon the castle, his joy built up. He knew the king would be pleased. He dismounted from the horse and carriage and ordered two men to carry Inanna on a stretcher and follow Leo. He opened the doors to the Great Hall where at the end sat the King on his golden throne. Leo approached the king,"Sire, I have discovered the Dragonoid in the Citadel of Zenneloth. She was unconcious, just like the prophecy said." "What about now? Why is she on a sickbed?" asked the King. "She is weak, m'lord. She put up a fight at the Citadel, everything was burning." The king looked displeased,"Hopefully the Order of the Hydra didn't do too much damage. Thank you Leo, I am promoting you to General." Leo thanked the king and left. The king stood up from his throne and slowly hobbled toward Inanna, who was placed on an elevated wooden slab. He observed her wounds, mostly burns,"Inanna, will you fight for my army?" Inanna slightly opened her eyes and nodded. She kissed the king's ring and closed her eyes again. When Inanna joined the army, she started learning "Shouts" from the scholars. One allows her to move very fast, another summons a dragon. Inanna was surprised to find out what her kind could really do. She also trained in the art of the blade and was very talented. As she just finished training one day, the war bell rang. She went to Leo, her commander, and asked for commands. "Get your finest armor on and wait on the wall for further commands," Leo said as he was walking down the hallways gathering his swords and armor. Inanna followed his commands and grabbed her swords. She hurried to the wall. As she peered over the plains, she saw a small army cracking their shields with their axes and blades. Leo walked up to the wall,"Just because they're are few does not mean we will win! Stay humble men!" the soldiers stiffened up and waited for commands. The enemy pushed up catapults. Tar-ridden rocks were loaded into them. Leo looked as if he was yelling at some soldiers. Archers climbed to the towers and waited for the command. Leo's hand went up, he paused a bit and then closed into a fist. The archers fired, taking out a good number of enemies. The enemy charged to the gate. Soldiers barred the gates and held their position. The gates jolted and slightly opened. The men on top of the gates shot arrows down on the enemy. Eventually the gate opened. The enemy rushed through like blood from a deep cut. The soldiers fought hard and starting overtake the enemy. Inanna also fought hard and spotted the enemy commander. She rushed out to kill him. As she made a jump attack. He turned around and slapped her. She went flying and smacked the ground. She was bleeding. She took up her sword tried to attack. He sliced it in half. Then he hit her again, knocking her out. Leo jumped at the enemy commander and sliced his head off. When Inanna woke three months later, a new blade and set of armor was in her room. She awoke to hear the sounds of battle. She got the armor and strapped it on. She took her blade, which was very well made and well-balanced. Her armor was blue with a blue skirt. It had gold platings. Her shoulders were protected by leather. She walked out of her room and saw an arrow fly by her head. She looked around saw fire. The men were being overwhelmed by the flames and the enemy. She rushed to the wall to see the enemy's numbers. She saw cages filled with people. The enemy would take a pig and frighten it to force it to run. They gave the prisoners knives and told them if they wanted to eat, they had to catch their food. As they opened each cage, the pig went right for Nonas Creoth. The soldiers, confused, shot the prisoners. Their city was burning and more and more of them were dying each second. The enemy was too strong. Inanna looked out and saw a dark-skinned elf. She immediately recognized him as the man she met at the citadel. She took out her bow and drew the arrow. She quickly angled the shot and let the string go. The arrow whizzed through the air. The elf, in a blink of an eye, moved to the side of the arrow and caught it. He snapped it with his fingers and started commanding his army. "Inanna! I'm glad your back, but we need your skills. As you can see, we are overwhelmed by the enemy. Their fire is too strong, and their men are too tough. We need you!" ordered Leo as he dodged arrows. The soldiers around him shot back and killed several hostiles. Then the gates flew open, Leo charged down the ramp to the gates and faught with every last breath. His guards followed him to their unforseen grave. Leo fought to protect all that was Creoth. He would die for any soldier. And that is what he did. An arrow shot into his arm. He jolted back and recovered and kept slahing at the enemy. Another arrow went speeding past his face, cutting his forehead. He still attempted to fight. The last arrow stuck right into his chest. Inanna, jumped down onto the ramp and yelled. A powerful shockwave surounded her and continued out at such speed. Every man within 200 feet was knocked back. Her blade started to glow blue, she starting cutting through the enemy swift and nimbly. Her blade grew more powerful with each strike. She killed off all the men at the gate and continued downward. Her eyes met a terrible sight. She saw her mother in one of the cages. They opened the last cage. Anna was pushed out, she crawled through the blood stained fields for the food. Inanna slice every man that dared to get in her way. As she made it to her mother, she lifted her chin to see a pale-white face, white scarred eyes, cheeks sunken in, and barely any hair. Her body was frail and her legs were broken. Inanna tried to speak to her. He choked on her tears as she realized her mother could in no way recover. Anna kneeled. Her voice was slurred. But the words were loud as the sea to Inanna, "I love you, my daughter." at this, Anna fell to the ground with a thud, her rotted teeth fell out of her mouth. Her blind eyes finally closed. She was at peace, no longer suffering. Inanna kissed her mother's head as the tears rolled down her cheeks. After her lips separated from the white forehead, she looked at the sky and gave an ear-piercing shout. Rain started to fall. Lightning struck the battlefield. The men's ears were bleeding from the shock if her shout. Fire was seen from the mountain behind. It was a dragon! The dragon's fire spread into the field. The men burned. But not the elf. He walked to Inanna and unsheathed his dagger. Inanna looked back at him. She stood up and screamed,"This is for Creoth and all my family!" she charged the elf and jumped. He put up his dagger in a stab, Inanna took her blade an sliced off the elf's head. As she landed, his dagger stood out from her stomach. The remaining soldiers watched as their hero fell to the ground. Inanna, blinked slowly, watching the blood spread from he deep wound. She remembered back to a time when he father and mother were with her, hugging her. Her tears fell slowly now as the life slowly drained from her datigued body. With one last blink, she closed her eyes and Creoth was saved from the everlooming threat of the Order of the Hydra The End There benny
The Dance of Inanna Dumuzi looked at the sky, waiting. He could hear the splash of water in the Euphrates River. The sun was setting, filling the heavens with an unbelievably striking combination of scarlet, orange, and soft tones of pink. Then the sun lowered below the horizon, and darkness embraced the sky, lit only by the moon and the stars. But one star seemed to shine brighter than the others. This was because it wasn’t a star at all, but a planet; Venus. A brutal roar filled the air, and from the planet emerged seven lions, their manes flowing around their fierce, proud expressions like liquid gold. They ran through the sky, pulling a stunning chariot. And inside the chariot, there was a woman whose beauty put the sunset to shame. She stepped out of the chariot, her flaxen, shoulder-length hair framing an ethereal face. Her splendor was shocking amidst the plain landscape. As she stepped onto the fertile soil, the dirty brown water of the river became crystal clear, and flowers began to grow by her feet. She plucked a snowy white orchid shot with streaks of blood red from the ground and brought it up to her nose, inhaling the sweet aroma. The wind whispered ancient words… “She weaves a web of confusion and demise for her enemies. She follows a path of war and carnage, leaving havoc in her wake. She enjoys playing games; games of conflict and death. Innana, the Queen of Heaven and Earth, walks among both mortals and gods, forever searching for her home.” Her voice was like a melody, ringing clearly through the silence of night. “Hello, Dumuzi. It has been so long since I left the heavens and visited the mortal world. How are things in Uruk?” He bowed, humbled by the goddess’s presence. “Not well, I’m afraid, Innana. Aratta has continued to attack, and they’ve stolen a majority of the few natural resources we have.” “Rise, Dumuzi,” she ordered, making him stand straight with a motion of her hand. “Are you planning to attack them soon?” She asked, clearly hoping the answer was yes. She could already imagine the metallic scent of blood in the air; hear the anguished shouts of warriors being defeated. Inanna was always wandering, searching for her home, but the battlefield was her home. Dumuzi didn’t reply at first, and instead stared at the ground. He watched the water in the river rush by for a while, and with a sigh, answered the goddess. “We have already tried to attack, and failed. They killed some of our best warriors, and left many more with fatal injuries. Our army will not be ready for battle anytime soon. I am sorry, Queen of Heaven and Earth; we have failed you.” No mortal dared look Inanna in the eye, so the color of her eyes was a mystery. But when she was furious, she compels one to look into her eyes, which had turned completely cold and black. Dumuzi stared into her eyes, fearing for his life. “Why did I not receive prayers for the battle?” she hissed. “Have your warriors forgotten the gods and goddesses that gave them everything, and can easily take everything away?” All color disappeared form the king’s face, and he struggled to think of a reply that would please Inanna. “Of course not! We had a feast in your honor the day before the battle, and sacrificed our best animals to you.” Apparently satisfied, Inanna relaxed and Dumuzi quickly looked away from her face. “Well, I suppose I can help heal your injured warriors… and maybe teach them some useful strategies.” “Thank you, Innana. You will not regret this decision,” he promised, filled with new hope. Innana followed Dumuzi through the dusty streets of Uruk, stone structures on either side of her, aware of the many citizens looking at her. People parted to make way for the king of Uruk and the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Dumuzi led her to the homes of the injured warriors, and with a wave of her hand, she healed their injuries. She received presents from grateful wives and children; flowers, jewelry, and a few children drew pictures on papyrus. Many families invited her to eat dinner with them to show their gratitude, but she declined. There were men with a variety of grievances; angry red gashes on their faces, arms, legs, limbs sticking out at odd angles, even tiny cuts where poison had entered their bloodstreams and was slowly, but efficiently, killing them. Sadly, she arrived too late to save some of the more seriously wounded warriors, and her sister, Erekashigal, would never allow her to bring them back from the underworld. After she restored the last man, Dumuzi assembled the warriors for training. Innana got straight to business. “Dumuzi tells me you attempted to attack Aratta. And you failed miserably. What do you have to say for yourselves?” she demanded. Her words might have seemed harsh, but this was war. There was no time for compassion in combat. The men bowed their heads, ashamed. “You all know how war works, I’m sure,” she continued. “You need to win, no matter at what cost. Today, your new training begins.” “Rule number one in war; have no mercy!” her voice echoed throughout the clearing. “One second of hesitation from either side is enough to get killed. You must always be aware of your surroundings.” She continued, describing various battle strategies and formations, such as the shield wall. Her bloodlust consumed the men, and soon, they were all cheering, shouting that they wanted to fight. She developed a formation which consisted of a shield wall and men armed with swords in front, with missile troops behind them, and horsemen on the sides. They practiced this strategy for many days, repeating it again and again, and received sharp slaps each time a mistake was made. Finally, Innana decided they were ready, and led them to battle. Inanna snapped her fingers and her sword, Lust, appeared in her hand. She wore skimpy armor, which barely covered the areas that needed to be covered. This was enough for her. In her left hand, she held a round shield, and in her right, she held Lust, which glowed blue with her power. The army marched through mountains and valleys to Aratta, followed by Enki, the god of culture, who flew overhead in the form of a dragon. He had come to watch Innana and take her away if anything went wrong, though she was sure nothing would. Some men carried bows, and some held javelins. A few rode horses. The men surrounded the city, arranged in the shape of an eight-pointed star. They were prepared for a battle to the death. The Lord of Aratta emerged from his castle, summoned by the commotion. A frantic citizen ran up to him, and informed him of the army surrounding the city. The warriors of Aratta donned their armor, picked up their weapons, and marched to the outskirts of the city, ready to defend it. If they were shocked to see the goddess of war leading their enemies, they did not show it. The goddess’s voice boomed through the city, “Are you ready for the dance of Inanna?” As if on signal, the two armies clashed, knowing only one side could win; only one could live.