Jetrall recieved summons to the SLAYERS Hall, what he was to do or why he did not know. He walked confidently but a bit of dread treaded his steps as he came ever closer to the SLAYERS Hall.
As he entered, he noticed the other Slayers standing to either side of him as his figure moved further into the room.
"I was summoned, and so I came. Good Baron Carloseus, I report to you now to prove my activity and my worth as a soldier. I've had a lot of issues recruiting - mainly the fact that I haven't been able to catch any of my possible recruits online!" he explains himself quickly.
Carloseus unsheathed sword and it glowed brightly as he pointed it at Jetrall. The barbarian came forward and knelt down before his commander with his left fist at his chest.
"Since the Night of Dark Abandonment, SLAYERS fell into the dark depths, almost too far to ever have hope to return. Such blows that would have permanently crippled other legions if not destroy them, SLAYERS stood strong and resisted with all its strength from falling to either of those. At a time when even I almost broke, several gave strength to SLAYERS, and hope to one who gives but keeps none for himself. You were one of those." he says calm and powerfully. A certain air flowed from him as he spoke, one of authority and pride.
With his sword he tapped Jetrall's left shoulder, then his right, and at last his head. Switching his sword over to right hand, he then aimed his left at the kneeling Jetrall.
"Today, SLAYERS recognizes the next step for a new leader, one of its own has proven himself worthy of Decurion." spoke again the commander.
Wind and light surrounded Jetrall for a brief moment. No visible effects came, but to Jetrall it seemed as a whole new section of his mind had been unlocked and opened to him. His thinking was clearer, faster, and stronger. Millions of thoughts and ideas now came to him in the matter of seconds and he could easily stop it or start it. To no one else was this apparent, for Carloseus had only done this to 3 others. At his will Carloseus summoned Jetrall's axe, and in his hand it glowed hot red before returning to its natural state.
"Jetrall, rise as our one and only Decurion!" declared Carloseus. Upon his command Decurion Jetrall roseand was given his weapon as Carloseus placed an arm upon his armored shoulder.
"SLAYERS is proud to have you as one amongst its warriors, and anxious to see you rise higher! Show SICK what SLAYERS is capable of, restore order to our men and give honor to us! Disappoint us not, betray us never, and at our side always stay. You are now a figure of importance, Jetrall. You now have influence over SLAYERS and its people, the only way out now is by earning it. There is no turning back now without turning your back on us all." he stated in finality.
The commander then turned to the other Slayers watching.
"Release the Beast!!" he roared.
To Jetrall he turned for a second. Jetrall knew his leader was going to give this moment to him, and from his lungs came as thunder the only thing he could think of.
No no no, don't get me wrong, I don't mind the whole "beast" idea... I mind the whole "I am the best idea", that's what I mind.
First of all, I don't mind the comment as long as you can explain what you are talking about. And don't leave, I like you and there are plenty of others that do too, they just don't say it.
And I didn't say I was the best, its just a Slayer thing, and therefore it is me that teaches it and activates it. Imagine how horrible it would be if we run out into battle, and don't need to activate it yet someone yells it and activates it for everyone. Loss of energy and efficiency. And as SLAYERS works as a team its either everyone or no one.
I didn't do a good job at explaining it, maybe that will shed some light.
What is Assassins moto? I like the Release the Beast thing. Sounds like an awesome battle cry before battle.
Not just a battle cry. If you read the short story of me and Winston, you will see that it is also a que. Only I can call upon the beast, others may say it but it will only activate at the sound of my voice. And it makes us stronger and faster, but only until the beast has its fill or our bodies tire out. Usually its the second for everyone, but me and Thasador can make our bodies last long enough for two unleashings a day. Two unleashings of a beast in a single day will take it right out of you though, you don't last long after it has its second fill.
I like that Carlos. Quite good. So, not only do Slayers grow in size, but we gain qualities of beasts? Or is that only when we can't control it?
Our motto is Unleash the Beast. Inside everyone is a beast that is bloodthirsty as hell. SLAYERS takes those who have exceptional skills without the beast, and trains them to activate the beast and therefore empower us. Our strength and speed increases, as well as white light replacing our eyes. All our senses are increased too, but not too much.
“Heh hehe.” I chuckled. Winston stood before me, a Slayer he was and now it was time for his official SLAYERS training.
“What is so funny?” he asked.
“That I’m about to work you to the ground. SLAYERS has high expectations of its members, and higher expectations of its officers. I’m going to teach you to be one of us, and with any luck you will make among our finest here.” I responded.
His demeanor changed, he was proud to have been asked into SLAYERS. I grabbed my swords and merged them, so I could better teach Winston the two-handed sword techniques efficient in battle.
“Very well Winston, we’re going to start with the basics. I’ll show you the techniques that are best for our job, even if you know them. Then I’ll let loose your beast, and see what it can do.”
“Yes my lord.” he replied.
I slashed the air, careful to demonstrate form and swing. With my sword I taught him a vast variety of moves from slashing to thrusting. Time flew by quickly and finally we came to the most enjoyable part of the training, at least for me.
“Winston, its time we unleash that beast for the first time. Now don’t be scared, let it take control. You will feel like something is shoving you aside and controlling your body, allow it to. Ready?” I asked.
Winston breathed deeply, and nodded. I stepped forward and placed a hand on his forehead.
“Nisi vestri.” Unleash yourself. I said. Winston shook violently and began screaming as he grabbed his head.
“Let go of control! Winston, Let go!” I yelled over his screams. He suddenly stopped, his back bent back throwing forward his chest and his head shot back pointing his blinded sight to the skies. His arms were bent and fists clenched tightly, and I stood back to watch the transformation. A sick rip was audible as the muscle on his arms grew tremendously, then his torso and finally his lower half. The screams became more tremendous, then finally died slowly. He breathed in deeply, relaxing forward. In place of his eyes was shining white light, and a look of complete control across his face.
“Ego sum vestri vinco.” I am your master. I told it. The beast was now in control, and it needed to know that I was its master. Winston would be unable to take control for a couple more sessions, however for now it was time to train the beast.
Winston growled at me, and his hand found the hilt of his sword at his side, and drew out the bastard sword. I split my swords, and stood ready. He jumped forward and I did the same, meeting him in the air. Savage steel met as both of us began fighting, the demon and myself. I would not defeat it yet, I would let it tire itself and help it do so in order to assert my dominance as commander. We fell to the ground and resumed the battle, sparks flying in every direction.
Slowly its attacks became more and more desperate as it began realizing I was superior. When it exposed itself I kicked the open areas, sure to make it angrier. Snarls and angry yells escaped him when I landed kicks at his ribcage or a head-butt on his skull. Eventually it became too disoriented to continue and so it stopped. His arms were tired enough that he could not grasp his own sword, and so dropped it at his side. I walked to it, and with help of arcane forces bent its knees.
“Vos mos adveho ut ego voco vos. Meus voco ero, Nisi Bestia.” You will come when I summon you. My summon will be, Unleash the Beast.
It growled in agreement, and Winston’s body shrunk back to normal. A small cry came from him as he collapsed. Winston was back.
“What the hell was that?” he asked weakly.
“That Winston, was pure power. In time you will learn to control it as I and the others have.”
“It tired me out a bit.” he said lying face down on the ground. I put my swords on my back and helped the tired Decurion up. I put his sword on my back as well and one of his arms over my neck as I helped him back to the Citadel.
“The first couple times it will deplete your energy quickly like it just did, until it gets used to your body’s reserves. As I train your beast you will find you have more control over it, and your body will triple in growth whenever you use it in training. However because of safety and control reasons I am the only one that can summon the beast. Even Thasador can’t summon his beast, the words must be spoken by me.” I explained.
“Sounds great, but am I going to be this beat every time we do this?” he asked.
“Yes. And we are going to do this daily until you gain control.” I laughed. A weak laugh came from him.
“Don’t worry though, I’ve found a new form of restoration that’s even better than drinking and sleep.”
“Oh? Who else knows?” he asked.
“No one else. We can have you good as new by morning.”
“We can?” he asked enthusiastically.
“Yes! But you don’t get to use it for another month or so, after all your initial training is done.” he almost fell as he heard me,
“Why?!” he demanded.
“Anything worth having is worth doing the hard way. You want a title suitable for only the strong, you can’t skip the hard stuff.”
“Fine, I agree. Lets get to the Tavern, I’m thirsty and exhausted.”
“I think that after that excellent teaching you owe me a slush puppy,” I said. There was no reply as we made our way around the Citadel and to the Tavern.
Well, after such a long time I decided to write a story. Here it is. :confused:
New Experiences
I woke to find myself surrounded in hair. I did not mind however. Slowly I slipped out of the large bed, and prepared for the exercises with Thasador. After armoring myself in the light plates I usually wore and my twin swords I slowly slipped out of my quarters, careful not to bother my female companion still asleep. I exited the building and took a deep breath of fresh air, at the distance was the rising sun bringing light to my day. I walked down the hushed streets, making my way to the training grounds just outside the city walls and where I would practice.
"A little late?" asked Thasador. I was on time, but he reffered to the roommate I had taken in weeks before. I smiled at him, and gave a swift nod at the other two behind him.
"Very well gentlemen, we are here to spar, and you are here to learn. You will need to learn your own fighting style, however Thasador and I are willing to let you watch us so you can learn from us." I said to Sofawall and Winston. The pair were almost inseperable, much like Thasador and I however I was of higher rank.
"So? Are we ready?" asked Thasador.
"Yes." said Winston.
I leapted at Thasador, and gave him a swift punch. He fell back and got his footing and drew his Shuriko. I drew out the massive blades on my back, and we clashed. Sparks showered us, a wicked smile now spread accross our faces. Winston and Sofawall were now backing off a bit from the action, careful not to get in the way or be in reach of our deadly blades. Not that I cared, and I doubted my friendly rival did as well.
We jumped back, only to clash again as a web of steel surrounded us. The fight began to move, and we kept up. We jumped around the field trying to gain some advantage over the other, a brilliant display of light and sparks as the fight dragged on. Nothing else mattered, nothing more than the two of us and the challenge at hand.
"So you two getting pretty close eh?" Thasador asked between the ringing of metal.
"Yea, I guess." I responded before unleashing a handful of fire onto his chest. He was thrown back several paces, and ground came up around his feet before he leapt after me and let a blast of ice upon me. My right arm froze though I kept fighting. His Shuriko showed no mercy even now that I had no second arm to fight with.
We continued the savage fight while my arm thawed, as soon as it did I gained my ground again to fight back. We were breathing heavily, the fight was slowing down though the intensity did not. I finally had my shot and i tore through his armor and into the flesh of his leg, I glanced up to gloat, only find his Shuriko sink into my stomach.
We stood there, waiting for the other to show sign of pain and therefore win. The blades were slowly drawn, and we still studied each other as we gasped at last unpained to fill our lungs. Sofawall and Winston ran over to see what was going on, I only healed my wound and Thas healed his. We shook arms, and a hearty pat on the shoulder ended the fight. Then I realized that the sun was high above us now.
"Have you two learned anything?" asked Thasador to the other two.
"Yes, never to mess with either of you." Winston laughed nervously. I shook his shoulder and nodded.
"That is good, what of the fight however?" I asked
"You two forget about your surroundings, focus in on your enemy. You both also fight on the offensive, you don't allow the fight turn against you." spoke Sofawall.
"Good! Tomorrow You guys can learn from Darkjay and myself, for now lets go get a drink." I said.
"But its so early!" replied Sofawall.
"Once you've gone through what we've done, time is no longer an absolute judge of activities." I said glancing over to Thasador. He grinned, knowing the second meaning I hinted at.
I merged my swords in two and placed them on my back where a harness kept them there. Thasador sheathed his sword as I noticed Winston eye my sword. I removed it once again, and offered the hilt to the intrigued young fighter. He took it, and it almost fell to the floor when I let go. He applied more effort, and managed to hold it up despite his arms were trembling. He swung it and it sunk dully into the ground, something he obviously had not intended. Sofawall walked over and tried to lift it. To everyone's surprise, he had much less trouble with it, He swung it around with much effort, but far more easy than Winston.
"The sword judges the handler, and that judgment is always changing. It plays with others as well, Thas you try." Thasador had handled the swords many times, even saved me with them once by using them against a great foe. Now however he was unable to lift them at all, against all logic and reason it fell to the floor making my best of friends seem weak compared to the other two. It floated up to my hand, and I put it again on my back.
"Now lets go get something to eat and drink." I said, and we left the training grounds as we walked to the city gates. Upon entering the city I noticed a woman walking towards us, at either side of her a young girl and a very young boy.
"Hail miss Thasador." I greeted her. Thasador shot me a jealous look.
"Hail sir Carloseus" she laughed back. I turned from her to the young girl. She had always been fascinated with magic, so I took her hand and on it placed a harmless flame. She squeeled in excitement and shook her hand in fright. The flame vanished, as I turned over to the youngest.
"Sammy. His namesake from Samurai eh?" I asked Thasador. He did not respond. I reached back, and drew out my sword. I seperated the two, and offered the handle to the toddler. He recognized this sword, but had not yet had the chance to touch it. He took the handle in his small hands, and to my amazement as well as the others around me he lifted it!
His balance was thrown off a bit, however he kept it straight and steady. A laugh escaped him, and he swung it straight at his father. I reacted instantly, and with magic forced the blade to change, Thasador was only hit with the flat of the blade on his chest. He was almost knocked backwards, and Sammy then directed his smile at me. He swung at me this time, sinking it deep into my right arm. I flinched slightly, and gently removed the blade from the infants hands. Everyone stood amazed at the boy's extraordinary power and already his understanding of the deadly weapon. I drew out my own sword from my arm, and healed it as we all stared down.
"You must've gotten it from your mother Sammy, because your father can't even lift this sword." I told him. Thasador punched me, and i patted his shoulder. He then walked to his wife and I turned to Winston and Sofawall.
"That is one strong kid." I said.They looked back at me in confusion.
"No matter what the sword judges, it cannot make itself lighter. This boy must be extremely strong or have tremendous favor from the sword for it to do something like that."
Thasador's family left, and we continued on to the bar.
I’ve walked the earth for many ages, land to land I roamed spilling blood of the corrupt in an effort to revenge myself against the evil that took all that I held dear. Demon, orc, and monster fell beneath my blades, hatred and misery fueled the destruction I weld. The blades I wield are the Swords of Destruction and are famous for the amount they have slain as well as for their large size. However, they were not always as large in size as they are now.
After my family and loved ones had been taken I was thrown into a dark state of existence. I lived to kill, and killed to live. For several years I was under constant travel and developed battle skills that few have mastered. Soon I would enter an encampment or even a known dwelling of demon clans and walk away to a burning village. It was not long before I became feared among minions of the great Devil himself. Soon it became too easy for me to kill a village, I longed for a city, a capital to lay waste on, to obliterate under my hand.
As I walked, one day I came to a newly burnt town. I walked through observing the still smoldering ashes where houses once were.
“Who goes there?” I heard, the voice of a young man.
“I am……..” Who am I? What is my name?
“Answer me!” he demanded, but I could not see him.
I scavenged my memory, trying desperately to remember my name, not for him, but because it was now very distressing to know I knew not my name!
“Carloseus young one. I am Carloseus the Clanslayer.”
“Ha! He is a legend. A story parents tell their children to give hope!”
I pinpointed his location and within a second a sword was held at his throat ten yards from where I was standing.
“I am not a tale, a hero on a righteous cause. I am a man, who has lost everything.” I relaxed and he stared at me.
“I am in need of a blacksmith. Where can I find one?” I said, ignoring of what I just did.
He looked away. “I know of a man that can help you, not three miles from here. Jewerl is his name, and he has a shack down this road.” he said.
I nodded, but my gaze was drawn to his shoulder which had a broken shard of metal sticking from it. How could I not have seen it before? I lifted my hand and it flew out of his flesh, into my hand. He yelled in shock, and I quickly mended the wound through magic before he realized it.
“What! How could you…??!!” he exclaimed.
“Take me to the blacksmith and I will consider us even.” I said.
We set off, and he told me of how a year ago his family had perished by hand of demons, but he had not burned down the village until now. He too had hunted down the aggressors without much battle training, and was beginning the same journey as I.
“May I come with you? I would like to fight by your side.”
“What is your name?” I asked.
“Gretnel” he said.
I was lonely, and so I said yes, glad that now I had someone to talk to. Glad that now I had a friend after all that time.
We arrived at the blacksmith’s home, and there I stayed a month. Paying a heavy gold bag, I was taught the methods and techniques of blacksmiths, and so I repaired and strengthened my armor. He also taught me methods of applying magical attributes to my armor and swords, so again I empowered my armor. Finally he taught me the secret method he had been developing. A large sword, though balanced, he showed me a pair of blades he had worked on. I tested them, testing their swiftness and balance. Amazingly, they were perfect! However, they were heavy, and in battle they would quickly bring you to your death. I did however forge a pair of my own, and constructed a sturdy brace for them on my back.
We departed, and began our journey. I taught him the methods I used to find demons, and trained him to wield a sword. Soon we were contesting, and slaying many demons. A month, six months, a year passed as we grew together. Our power had been greater than ever before, and we were close as brothers.
In our travels we came to a small town of Tristram. There we found rooms to stay in, and a hearty blacksmith who repaired our equipment quickly and masterfully as we rested. As I went to my room at the inn there, but was attracted to a woman there, Gillian, and so I spent the nights in another house. Gretnel went to the church to pray, and there he spent his whole time while we were in Tristram.
I heard rumors that the church was demon infested, and that a warrior was clearing it as well as journeying down into the crack of hell from which they were spawning. Another rumor still I heard, of the Lord of Terror behind all this devilry, and so I began training with my new swords, getting my arms used to their weight and my body with the dynamics of the large weapons. After a week, I felt ready, and so I merged my swords into the new ones, making them one. Blood from my hand merged into the steel during the forge, and I was able to merge and unmerge the two weapons magically later.
“It is time.” I told Gretnel as we ate.
“Time for what?” he asked.
“Time to confront Diablo, and to assist the brave warrior who is battling the minions of death alone.”
“We can’t! I won’t let you!” he yelled. I was startled. Quickly I finished eating and left. He followed, and I heard a sword ring as it was drawn from its sheath.
“I will not allow you to kill my master.” he said coldly. We were at the entrance of the church now, and I stopped. Turning around I looked at him.
“What?!”
“Lazarus says that we must help our Lord free himself from Hell, we must help him get to the open air where he can be great and powerful. When we do this I will be rewarded. Therefore I must kill you, and that righteous soul in order for us to succeed.” he said.
“you will not kill anyone, and Diablo will die.” I said. Lazarus has brain washed him. The evil sorceror, once archbishop, had poisoned his mind.
Drawing my swords I walked back, and slowly we began to fight. I was luring him away from the settlement, and soon we were far away as we fought. Steel rang and swords clashed as we battled through the day. I finally overwhelmed him, striking the flat of his blade, causing it to fly upwards. He jumped high, and attempted to grab it but I kicked him, and a mighty strike at the middle of its length broke the sword into two. I then dismembered his right arm, and he fell backward. I breathed heavily as I looked at him.
“You will never cross my path again, or I will kill you.” I muttered. I turned back and began walking to the church.
“Time to rid this place of the evil that has been plaguing it for so long.” I said aloud.
As I walked I heard a small noise, and a sharp pain took my back. I grabbed my sword and turned around, swung and killed him, beheading him as he turned to run. I removed the broken blade from my back, and instead went to the healer there.
The Lord of Terror was defeated, and so I left. I traveled to the Barbarian North, the land of my people, and soon led a band of Barbarian Elite. With them I became popular among the people and so I and my swords became famous and not just a rumor, or false story of hope.
The rain made a small thump on our armor as we stood on the battlefield. The clouded sky illuminated our surroundings just enough for the less experienced to see, I could see everything as if the sun shined brilliantly upon it. To my right was Fudlow, his sword he held firmly in his hand. His armor was brilliant grey, and his helm elegant with the masterful carvings and inscriptions on it as it sat comfortably on his head. To my left was Thasador, his eyes seeing far as he formed plans and tactics. His armor was of eastern make, custom-fashioned for the great samurai before me. Leader of ASSASINS, yet continuing under my command, he was ever loyal to me and to SLAYERS. Behind me were the men I commanded, few yet powerful. Ferret, and Warlord managed the small groups of the others in our legion.
“Are you ready for this?” I asked Thasador.
“Yes.” he said.
I looked at him, he was under pressure. His legion was new and untrained, he could not introduce them to battle so soon. He would have to make up by himself what his men could not.
“If you need any help, call. Any of us will assist. Clear?” I told him. He nodded in assurance.
“There are several generals we need killed. Surl ‘Tal is the high general of Baal’s army. He is the one surrounded by Baal’s elite minions. Scragia the Shrewd is general of Mephisto’s army. He is the one heavily defended by the High Counsil Members. Marsil is the general for Diablo. He is the one most fortified by Pit Lords. All three of these targets must be vanquished if we wish to make this victory a fast one. This is not a full army as those they have sent to us before, but I have been assigned in keeping this army from advancing towards the capital. Our resources on man power are thin, the other legions have been assigned to keep watch, since this might be only a distraction. And we better hope it is.” Thasador nodded, though sadly to me. Marsil was once a good friend of ours, a true warrior yet now a general for the evil we once cut down together.
“Thasador, put his troubled and tortured soul to rest. He is not the man we once called friend.” I said.
“I will Carloseus.” he responded.
Just then the horns of war rang, filling the air with the enemy’s attempt to strike fear into us.
“Lets remind them again who we are.” I yelled loudly. The Slayers laughed, and spread out. To our backs was the only way through the mountain pass, and before us were ten thousand demons wishing to cross it. The pass was not narrow, a quarter mile wide, this army would march through it in a day if any other group of warrior confronted it.
However, SLAYERS was specially trained for this scenario, and all scenarios in which we had to spread out thin and hold ground in tens what hundreds were supposed to do. Not only could we hold ground, we could push back the enemy. This was what we were going to do.
Reaching back I pulled out my twin blades, the famous Swords of Destruction. Gigantic in length and width, they were meant to strike fear into an enemy and carve a large path of death through the thickest of crowds.
“Let us destroy this miserable bunch!” I yelled. War shouts and battle cry’s erupted as my team readied their swords. The rain poured down heavily now, and our battle field was ready for the blood to be spilt.
The army of Baal approached, and began to charge at us as to overwhelm us.
“HOLD YOUR GROUND MEN!” I yelled.
“LET THEM TASTE OUR FURY!” a mighty eruption came from Ferret who was all too ready for the clash. Hungry eyes and eager faces I saw in every Slayer.
“RELEASE THE BEAST!!!!” I roared. Proud as of a lion, thunderous as thunder, and angry as that of a dragon, my cry sent the message miles away. Then, transformation. We stood ready, though not attentive for a minute. Then vision seemed clearer, sharper. My senses were better, and my motions faster and quicker than before. The beast of war, the ultimate defense mechanism which every Slayer has learned to release at command was harnessed.
The demons were close now, and they did not slow down. Fire coursed up my blades, and same to others who stood ready. Closer still, they ran, unknowing of the surprise that awaited them.
“NOW!” Fudlow yelled, and we all swung our blades forward, though the enemy was not close enough yet. The first 7 rows of demons rushing at us fell to the floor, cut in half by a collective spell we had developed for this form of battle.
“Dig In SLAYERS!” I yelled. We ran at them now, and the surviving army stopped. We quickly merged into them, cutting down tens of a time each. Arms, legs, heads, and even whole torsos were cut apart, our point was clear. We were not here to delay them, we were here to execute them.
The massacre continued, hours passed by quickly as we smiled at one another. Far ahead I noticed a large blast of fire and disturbance amongst Baal’s squad of elites as they stamped and grew angry about something. The remainder of Baal’s army joined the fight, including the elites. *Good job Thas!* I said to myself. As I cut the head off a demon imp.
We destroyed the remainder of the first army, unnerving the other two. They too charged at us when similar occurrences of unrest grew within the confines of their well protected circle, where their general was. Once the other two were taken care of, we quickly took care of the willing remainder of the armies and routed the few who did not fall by our stalking swords.
“Thasador, good job.” I said as I found him weary and blood soaked.
“That was the most fun I’ve had yet!” he answered, quite esteemed.
“Get used to them, you’ll be doing a whole lot more of them in the future. Did you notice how fast we undid with them? A day and a half! Very quickly indeed, this will help a lot when we get into some big battles.”
“But won’t that take the fun out of lasting days on end in battles?”
“True.”
He smiled triumphantly.
As we returned to the capital we found it being heavily under attack, while the few legions struggled to hold ground and not let the enemy too close to the city. We were outside though, and the enemy was not expecting an assualt from outside. We tore through the leadership of the armies swarming the sides of our capital, and routed the enemy once more. once one side weakened, our forces were able to break the line and flank the enemy too quickly, which was good because we were spent by the time we finished off the last group of generals.
"Had a good time out there?" Darkjay asked as he stuck his axe in a corpse.
"Yes, but i wish i had kept count. how about a beer over at your place?"
"Lets get this place clean first. You know the stink that comes from this place in the morning."
He then patted Thasador on the shoulder. "Good job out there, I'm glad its you thats running a new legion, your the best for your job." I looked over to my good friend and gave him a sincere nod of approval. Words could not begin to describe the pride I felt for him and his achievements. He nodded back, and we grasped each others right arm and shook.
"I know you'll do well, Thasador, may you remember this night." I turned to the forces of SICK who now were relaxing as they talked.
"Hail Thasador, Leader of ASSASINS!" I shouted.
Hail" they shouted back.
That turned the page for what would be a new chapter in SICK, the time of ASSASINS and SLAYERS, brother legions under one man, and one of the proudest moments in my military career.
Over time i have become a battle hardened soul, a thinking individual who thought things out before acting. Long ago however, I was not the same person you see before you today. After my swearing with Lord Silver I set out to continue discovering myself. I was unsure of my fate, and of the person I had become. At any time i would remember the death of the family I had started, that had been ripped away from me. I vowed I would not do that again, allow others to be hurt by me in any way. For decades I roamed, consumed with pain and hatred for the creatures that had torn me away from happiness, from the end of war and death. As the time passed I remained unchanged by it, the passing of the sun or moon would not take a toll on myself. However my pain and longing might have hurt me, it fueled me in battle, allowing me to take on odds that I would have otherwise been unable to overcome.
Travel had hardened me, war had shaken me, and loneliness had taken me almost to the point of unbearable. Anger, and hatred clawed at my core, while sadness and wretchedness sought my demise. Along my travels I met many women, many women that I could have spend life with. But with every woman or child I relived my torture, and I fled such thoughts of happiness. More powerful I became, more angry I grew, and much more did I lust for that which kept me from pain: bloodshed. I slaughtered all evil in my sight, and helped towns erradicate demon infestations surrounding them. Hero, I was named, Savior I was called, and happiness I brought them for I could not keep any. I gave men hope, and kept none for myself.
Battle after battle I fought, demon after demon fell beneath my cruel Swords of Destruction, and I was looked upon with awe as that to a god. I took these to heart, and over the thousands of years I traveled I was finally softened to the point of breaking. That is when it started.
In the lands of Westmarch the calm beneath the storm started. Valiant men shuffled around and made armors, weapons, and prepared for battle. Among the ever burning remains of Tristram a massive army drew first breath, for the marched from hell up to Sanctuary. This mass of demon and skeletal minions were more than enough to take Sanctuary, and this reached me late in. For months the two sides had been amassing, and the demon legions had long passed the count of 20,000. My experience had taught me that men strong enough could shatter armies of Diablo, but there were merely 5,000 men, who would be quickly overtaken. Reinforcements were still gathering in the cities of Westmarch, but too slowly and would reach the battlefield much too late to help any. My thoughts jumped to helped, but even I would need help. And so I remembered my Barbarian allies and took once again to the road. After a week of endless travel I reached my destination, the fort-city of Harrogath.
Upon my arrival to Harrogath I hurried to Qual-Kehk, he managed the armed forces of the Barbarians, and so he would be quickest in aiding me in my quest. within a day we set out, though we would arrive in two weeks. Despite our prolonging journey, we reached a day before the battle began, enough to ready ourselves and others mentally for what was to come. Hours came by as if days, this was what would break many other men, the calm and the wait for the inevitable. Soon they would challenge fate, and fight for their families who awaited them far away.
Finally the day arrived. The legions of Terror marched into the battlefield, and we had either to meet them or retreat. I brought out the two swords of infamy, my Swords of Destruction, and led the followers of Zakarum into battle. As we met in the thunderous clash I jumped high above the enemy line, deep into their ranks. Magic roared as it pounded my landing grounds, and I then continued to savagely attack them. I tore their limbs off, and i slayed thousands of demons. I had estimated a force of thousands, this was tens of thousands! One after another they came at me and the other armies, slowly disabling the might of the men. I roared a vicious battle cry and the barbarians yelled out battle orders and commands, strengthening morale.
Days of fighting passed by and still we fought on. Some men took turns sleeping while others fought on, but for those of the North it was unheard of to sleep while a fight was on, their passion was war. I fueled my animosity with memories, with anger, and with rage. I hacked viciously, and jumped again into another section of demons to do more damage. Slowly the barbarians began to break the line by intimidation and projecting savageness they could not hold for long, but just enough to strike fear into them. As if all of a sudden rallied, the demons began fighting with a renewed strength, but we took them and kept them at bay. I resumed my tactics, until I decided I was using too little magic. If we could break their morale we would cut down thousands in the retreat. I teleported back to safety behind the soldiers, and began concentration. I would have depleted my magic supply, but still be strong enough to fight on. Then I was lifted to the air, and I levitated in place as light emitted from me. Large meteors from the heavens appeared and began smashing into the enemy. They tore many holes into the host, and weakened them. After that the men pushed forward. We broke the line and the army, and sent them from the battlefield. Many soldiers, including myself and my friends from the North, hurried to camp for our steeds and cut down thousands of the fleeing cowards.
As I slayed my last demon I saw cheerful faces. Merely 400 had died, and 200 had been hurt. They lost limbs, and were forever scarred true, but they lived. I then realized that I had given them something they had not thought possible. I had saved their lives, their women, and their children. At that moment I realized that I could allow myself again find someone that I could share my life with, however worthy it is. The only problem now is to find one who would match my values.
i remember that battle Thasador, though you were hasty. at the time there were merely 8 in SLAYERS including me. you were new, and i trusted not yet your rageous powers. i know now where your intentions lie, and you are free to accompany us.
however the fact that they were fallens, makes it a bit less dramatic. if you noticed, the blades i weild that day were not my prized Swords of Destruction. they were weapons i was enchanting with the falling demons around me. Fudlow was having tremendous fun, we were competing who would kill the most before we drove them away. Murderface was having a little difficulty, but we were simply letting him gain more experience of combat before introducing him to Slayer work.
you however, were too hasty, and therefore clumsy. you were attacked, and fell since you were unprepared for the blow dealt to you. fudlow and i became serious and left the game to exterminate the remain demons for a miles away, as murderface sought to the preserverance of your life. he blamed himself for your death, after all he was the one to recruit you. after an hour of chasing demons we were amazed to see your wounds healing rapidly, and you woke to see us in joy.
not all is what it seems, and you allowed your anger to get the best of you, a mistake that could have cost you your life against even a low demon as a Fallen. that is why i teach and demand strength as well as reason and logic in SLAYERS, for stupid mistakes could prove deadly for some of us.
my brother i rejoice for your return to the light.
your past....... it stirs something in my memory. yes..... i recall a memory i had not remembered since i experienced it.
before i had been saved by our lord god i had stumbled accross a necromancer of evil deeds. he had torn from his teachings by rathma and had traveled the lands slaying all that crossed his path, then bringing their dead bodies and soul to torment as they did his bidding.
i unfortunately crossed paths with this summoner of the dead. he offered me wealth, power, all of my hearts desires. i refused, having other tasks at hand. as i turned to leave, in my way were his minions. a quick glance to either sides of my vision told me i was now surrounded. a second later i had unlatched my sword from its sheath on my back and was hacking at these productions of taboo. as i felled one after another the necromancer grimaced. i made my way to him, and he produced from his side a skull. he held it before me and muttered a curse under his breathe. my movement slowed as i felt my body resist. the force of will i retalliated with burst and broke the spell i was under and i caught him by surprise.
i quickly split my swords as he summoned more minions and began to cut through them. i roared a mighty battle cry and my inner strength awakened. i quickly diced the animations as i ran at him now. i merged my swords and slashed at him. the powers that escaped him scarred me as they descended. on my left hand a large mark of the black magic still shows its effect after thousands of years.
i struggled to keep from falling. my body coarsed with pain. i walked to the closest city, the great city of Kurast. i made my way through the streets as my oversized sword dragged behind me. Ormus, the wiseman of the region assisted me and i walked out the next week energized and invigorated with his help.
the pain in this memory comes from the necromancer, and the events that happened after i left kurast. i traveled the lands, and came to the barbarian north. here were legions of demons making war upon the mighty yet few barbarians. i assisted the protectors of the worldstone for as long as i could. months, years dragged by as i crippled their armies, but more came. one day came, a day when i had been woken in a hurry for the enemy was advancing and taking the feild. the long held battle was at its end, and i would take a large roll in it.
i readied my armor, my weapons, and myself. i departed alone at first, i was to cripple them before the others came. i used every spell, every glamorous attack; flame covered my blades, white fire came from my eyes, and every hit i made slaughtered many. for hours i fought, trying to turn back the army. i had somehow made my way to the center of the mass, surrounded by thousands of growling orcs and demons. the barbarians rushed to help, and tried to get to me before i was taken.
i fought and resisted being overwhelmed and taken, parting evil from the mortal plane as i struggled for dear life. then i was taken. they all threw themselves at me, and many followed them. daggers scratched at my armor, swords however tore through and sunk into my arms, legs, and chest. inability to move, panic, and death began to come to me. i struggled to keep awake but sensed my consciousness slipping away. with the last of my energy i yelled. i yelled a roar that trembled past the forests, the sea, and made it to far and distant lands. the energy i summoned was the last i could afford. my dying actions were to rid the battle field of demons, to slay them all by magic.
i lay there spent. my companions of war would arrive, but too late. i slipped into darkness, my mind thrown into a sea of my own confusion. when i opened my eyes i saw what appeared to be clouds and silver light in the sky.
"Carloseus, shall not fall this day, he shall rise to fall another day. Arise Carloseus!!" i glanced up but saw only a figure overwhelmed by the light behind him. there stood the being from my dream. Silversurfnstud. Without hesitation I arose and bowed before him. In return he granted me the gift of new life, as well as granting me only one way to die, and that was by sword.
in return, i have traveled the lands again, but with a purpose. for thousands of years i fought in countless battles in the name of my god and his next in command. in his name and service i have cleansed many lands and slayed countless horrors. time has meant no time for me.
i have prepared something for our lords, which i hope they find fit:
"Meus Deus Argentum quod Senior Elfen to order mihi. In nomen of SICK EGO vadum purgo malum qua EGO roam, quod addo lux lucis ut obscurum. Is est meus negotium, vel meus vita est forfeit." -Carloseus
"My God Silver and Lord Elfen command me. In the name of SICK I shall cleanse evil where I roam, and bring light to darkness. This is my task, or my life is forfeit." -Carloseus
my mother and father are unknown to me, i only remember the horrors of war like so many of us. Wars fought between thousands of men. I was a leader of men as i recall from my memories, a figure of power. with my two weapons of mass destruction i crippled the seemingly neverending armies that kept coming. i remember falling in a battle. when i woke i saw white light and clouds. a figure stood before me, behind him were several others.
"you, Carloseus, shall not fall this day, you shall rise to fall another day, Arise Carloseus." i thought i had dreamt it, but there stood the being from my dream, asking me to join him!! and his name was Silversurfnstud. Without hesitation I arose and bowed before him. In return he granted me the gift of second life, stating that the only way i could fall was by sword. so over thousands of years i fought in countless battles in his name and service, battles that meant no time for me. countless more fell by my hand, and then i stumbled upon a new light.
at first i was skeptical, i had no larger power, but here was a being ruling over others not with fear or promises or anything like that, but with wisdom and letting them choose what to believe in. i soon bowed before this being offering my sword to him as well as his righthand man. these two were the Lord God Silversurfnstud, and Lord Elfen Lied.
for the rest of my potentially everlasting life i will serve under the Lord God Silversurfnstud, and his Executive Council, and follow their orders with no question for they provide reason for their decisions.
this is the basic outline of my life, i have no memories of childhood or of love.
all ive known is war....
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As he entered, he noticed the other Slayers standing to either side of him as his figure moved further into the room.
"I was summoned, and so I came. Good Baron Carloseus, I report to you now to prove my activity and my worth as a soldier. I've had a lot of issues recruiting - mainly the fact that I haven't been able to catch any of my possible recruits online!" he explains himself quickly.
Carloseus unsheathed sword and it glowed brightly as he pointed it at Jetrall. The barbarian came forward and knelt down before his commander with his left fist at his chest.
"Since the Night of Dark Abandonment, SLAYERS fell into the dark depths, almost too far to ever have hope to return. Such blows that would have permanently crippled other legions if not destroy them, SLAYERS stood strong and resisted with all its strength from falling to either of those. At a time when even I almost broke, several gave strength to SLAYERS, and hope to one who gives but keeps none for himself. You were one of those." he says calm and powerfully. A certain air flowed from him as he spoke, one of authority and pride.
With his sword he tapped Jetrall's left shoulder, then his right, and at last his head. Switching his sword over to right hand, he then aimed his left at the kneeling Jetrall.
"Today, SLAYERS recognizes the next step for a new leader, one of its own has proven himself worthy of Decurion." spoke again the commander.
Wind and light surrounded Jetrall for a brief moment. No visible effects came, but to Jetrall it seemed as a whole new section of his mind had been unlocked and opened to him. His thinking was clearer, faster, and stronger. Millions of thoughts and ideas now came to him in the matter of seconds and he could easily stop it or start it. To no one else was this apparent, for Carloseus had only done this to 3 others. At his will Carloseus summoned Jetrall's axe, and in his hand it glowed hot red before returning to its natural state.
"Jetrall, rise as our one and only Decurion!" declared Carloseus. Upon his command Decurion Jetrall roseand was given his weapon as Carloseus placed an arm upon his armored shoulder.
"SLAYERS is proud to have you as one amongst its warriors, and anxious to see you rise higher! Show SICK what SLAYERS is capable of, restore order to our men and give honor to us! Disappoint us not, betray us never, and at our side always stay. You are now a figure of importance, Jetrall. You now have influence over SLAYERS and its people, the only way out now is by earning it. There is no turning back now without turning your back on us all." he stated in finality.
The commander then turned to the other Slayers watching.
"Release the Beast!!" he roared.
To Jetrall he turned for a second. Jetrall knew his leader was going to give this moment to him, and from his lungs came as thunder the only thing he could think of.
"Slayers, Prepare for Glory!!!"
First of all, I don't mind the comment as long as you can explain what you are talking about. And don't leave, I like you and there are plenty of others that do too, they just don't say it.
And I didn't say I was the best, its just a Slayer thing, and therefore it is me that teaches it and activates it. Imagine how horrible it would be if we run out into battle, and don't need to activate it yet someone yells it and activates it for everyone. Loss of energy and efficiency. And as SLAYERS works as a team its either everyone or no one.
I didn't do a good job at explaining it, maybe that will shed some light.
And Elfen, good story.
Not just a battle cry. If you read the short story of me and Winston, you will see that it is also a que. Only I can call upon the beast, others may say it but it will only activate at the sound of my voice. And it makes us stronger and faster, but only until the beast has its fill or our bodies tire out. Usually its the second for everyone, but me and Thasador can make our bodies last long enough for two unleashings a day. Two unleashings of a beast in a single day will take it right out of you though, you don't last long after it has its second fill.
Our motto is Unleash the Beast. Inside everyone is a beast that is bloodthirsty as hell. SLAYERS takes those who have exceptional skills without the beast, and trains them to activate the beast and therefore empower us. Our strength and speed increases, as well as white light replacing our eyes. All our senses are increased too, but not too much.
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“Heh hehe.” I chuckled. Winston stood before me, a Slayer he was and now it was time for his official SLAYERS training.
“What is so funny?” he asked.
“That I’m about to work you to the ground. SLAYERS has high expectations of its members, and higher expectations of its officers. I’m going to teach you to be one of us, and with any luck you will make among our finest here.” I responded.
His demeanor changed, he was proud to have been asked into SLAYERS. I grabbed my swords and merged them, so I could better teach Winston the two-handed sword techniques efficient in battle.
“Very well Winston, we’re going to start with the basics. I’ll show you the techniques that are best for our job, even if you know them. Then I’ll let loose your beast, and see what it can do.”
“Yes my lord.” he replied.
I slashed the air, careful to demonstrate form and swing. With my sword I taught him a vast variety of moves from slashing to thrusting. Time flew by quickly and finally we came to the most enjoyable part of the training, at least for me.
“Winston, its time we unleash that beast for the first time. Now don’t be scared, let it take control. You will feel like something is shoving you aside and controlling your body, allow it to. Ready?” I asked.
Winston breathed deeply, and nodded. I stepped forward and placed a hand on his forehead.
“Nisi vestri.” Unleash yourself. I said. Winston shook violently and began screaming as he grabbed his head.
“Let go of control! Winston, Let go!” I yelled over his screams. He suddenly stopped, his back bent back throwing forward his chest and his head shot back pointing his blinded sight to the skies. His arms were bent and fists clenched tightly, and I stood back to watch the transformation. A sick rip was audible as the muscle on his arms grew tremendously, then his torso and finally his lower half. The screams became more tremendous, then finally died slowly. He breathed in deeply, relaxing forward. In place of his eyes was shining white light, and a look of complete control across his face.
“Ego sum vestri vinco.” I am your master. I told it. The beast was now in control, and it needed to know that I was its master. Winston would be unable to take control for a couple more sessions, however for now it was time to train the beast.
Winston growled at me, and his hand found the hilt of his sword at his side, and drew out the bastard sword. I split my swords, and stood ready. He jumped forward and I did the same, meeting him in the air. Savage steel met as both of us began fighting, the demon and myself. I would not defeat it yet, I would let it tire itself and help it do so in order to assert my dominance as commander. We fell to the ground and resumed the battle, sparks flying in every direction.
Slowly its attacks became more and more desperate as it began realizing I was superior. When it exposed itself I kicked the open areas, sure to make it angrier. Snarls and angry yells escaped him when I landed kicks at his ribcage or a head-butt on his skull. Eventually it became too disoriented to continue and so it stopped. His arms were tired enough that he could not grasp his own sword, and so dropped it at his side. I walked to it, and with help of arcane forces bent its knees.
“Vos mos adveho ut ego voco vos. Meus voco ero, Nisi Bestia.” You will come when I summon you. My summon will be, Unleash the Beast.
It growled in agreement, and Winston’s body shrunk back to normal. A small cry came from him as he collapsed. Winston was back.
“What the hell was that?” he asked weakly.
“That Winston, was pure power. In time you will learn to control it as I and the others have.”
“It tired me out a bit.” he said lying face down on the ground. I put my swords on my back and helped the tired Decurion up. I put his sword on my back as well and one of his arms over my neck as I helped him back to the Citadel.
“The first couple times it will deplete your energy quickly like it just did, until it gets used to your body’s reserves. As I train your beast you will find you have more control over it, and your body will triple in growth whenever you use it in training. However because of safety and control reasons I am the only one that can summon the beast. Even Thasador can’t summon his beast, the words must be spoken by me.” I explained.
“Sounds great, but am I going to be this beat every time we do this?” he asked.
“Yes. And we are going to do this daily until you gain control.” I laughed. A weak laugh came from him.
“Don’t worry though, I’ve found a new form of restoration that’s even better than drinking and sleep.”
“Oh? Who else knows?” he asked.
“No one else. We can have you good as new by morning.”
“We can?” he asked enthusiastically.
“Yes! But you don’t get to use it for another month or so, after all your initial training is done.” he almost fell as he heard me,
“Why?!” he demanded.
“Anything worth having is worth doing the hard way. You want a title suitable for only the strong, you can’t skip the hard stuff.”
“Fine, I agree. Lets get to the Tavern, I’m thirsty and exhausted.”
“I think that after that excellent teaching you owe me a slush puppy,” I said. There was no reply as we made our way around the Citadel and to the Tavern.
I woke to find myself surrounded in hair. I did not mind however. Slowly I slipped out of the large bed, and prepared for the exercises with Thasador. After armoring myself in the light plates I usually wore and my twin swords I slowly slipped out of my quarters, careful not to bother my female companion still asleep. I exited the building and took a deep breath of fresh air, at the distance was the rising sun bringing light to my day. I walked down the hushed streets, making my way to the training grounds just outside the city walls and where I would practice.
"A little late?" asked Thasador. I was on time, but he reffered to the roommate I had taken in weeks before. I smiled at him, and gave a swift nod at the other two behind him.
"Very well gentlemen, we are here to spar, and you are here to learn. You will need to learn your own fighting style, however Thasador and I are willing to let you watch us so you can learn from us." I said to Sofawall and Winston. The pair were almost inseperable, much like Thasador and I however I was of higher rank.
"So? Are we ready?" asked Thasador.
"Yes." said Winston.
I leapted at Thasador, and gave him a swift punch. He fell back and got his footing and drew his Shuriko. I drew out the massive blades on my back, and we clashed. Sparks showered us, a wicked smile now spread accross our faces. Winston and Sofawall were now backing off a bit from the action, careful not to get in the way or be in reach of our deadly blades. Not that I cared, and I doubted my friendly rival did as well.
We jumped back, only to clash again as a web of steel surrounded us. The fight began to move, and we kept up. We jumped around the field trying to gain some advantage over the other, a brilliant display of light and sparks as the fight dragged on. Nothing else mattered, nothing more than the two of us and the challenge at hand.
"So you two getting pretty close eh?" Thasador asked between the ringing of metal.
"Yea, I guess." I responded before unleashing a handful of fire onto his chest. He was thrown back several paces, and ground came up around his feet before he leapt after me and let a blast of ice upon me. My right arm froze though I kept fighting. His Shuriko showed no mercy even now that I had no second arm to fight with.
We continued the savage fight while my arm thawed, as soon as it did I gained my ground again to fight back. We were breathing heavily, the fight was slowing down though the intensity did not. I finally had my shot and i tore through his armor and into the flesh of his leg, I glanced up to gloat, only find his Shuriko sink into my stomach.
We stood there, waiting for the other to show sign of pain and therefore win. The blades were slowly drawn, and we still studied each other as we gasped at last unpained to fill our lungs. Sofawall and Winston ran over to see what was going on, I only healed my wound and Thas healed his. We shook arms, and a hearty pat on the shoulder ended the fight. Then I realized that the sun was high above us now.
"Have you two learned anything?" asked Thasador to the other two.
"Yes, never to mess with either of you." Winston laughed nervously. I shook his shoulder and nodded.
"That is good, what of the fight however?" I asked
"You two forget about your surroundings, focus in on your enemy. You both also fight on the offensive, you don't allow the fight turn against you." spoke Sofawall.
"Good! Tomorrow You guys can learn from Darkjay and myself, for now lets go get a drink." I said.
"But its so early!" replied Sofawall.
"Once you've gone through what we've done, time is no longer an absolute judge of activities." I said glancing over to Thasador. He grinned, knowing the second meaning I hinted at.
I merged my swords in two and placed them on my back where a harness kept them there. Thasador sheathed his sword as I noticed Winston eye my sword. I removed it once again, and offered the hilt to the intrigued young fighter. He took it, and it almost fell to the floor when I let go. He applied more effort, and managed to hold it up despite his arms were trembling. He swung it and it sunk dully into the ground, something he obviously had not intended. Sofawall walked over and tried to lift it. To everyone's surprise, he had much less trouble with it, He swung it around with much effort, but far more easy than Winston.
"The sword judges the handler, and that judgment is always changing. It plays with others as well, Thas you try." Thasador had handled the swords many times, even saved me with them once by using them against a great foe. Now however he was unable to lift them at all, against all logic and reason it fell to the floor making my best of friends seem weak compared to the other two. It floated up to my hand, and I put it again on my back.
"Now lets go get something to eat and drink." I said, and we left the training grounds as we walked to the city gates. Upon entering the city I noticed a woman walking towards us, at either side of her a young girl and a very young boy.
"Hail miss Thasador." I greeted her. Thasador shot me a jealous look.
"Hail sir Carloseus" she laughed back. I turned from her to the young girl. She had always been fascinated with magic, so I took her hand and on it placed a harmless flame. She squeeled in excitement and shook her hand in fright. The flame vanished, as I turned over to the youngest.
"Sammy. His namesake from Samurai eh?" I asked Thasador. He did not respond. I reached back, and drew out my sword. I seperated the two, and offered the handle to the toddler. He recognized this sword, but had not yet had the chance to touch it. He took the handle in his small hands, and to my amazement as well as the others around me he lifted it!
His balance was thrown off a bit, however he kept it straight and steady. A laugh escaped him, and he swung it straight at his father. I reacted instantly, and with magic forced the blade to change, Thasador was only hit with the flat of the blade on his chest. He was almost knocked backwards, and Sammy then directed his smile at me. He swung at me this time, sinking it deep into my right arm. I flinched slightly, and gently removed the blade from the infants hands. Everyone stood amazed at the boy's extraordinary power and already his understanding of the deadly weapon. I drew out my own sword from my arm, and healed it as we all stared down.
"You must've gotten it from your mother Sammy, because your father can't even lift this sword." I told him. Thasador punched me, and i patted his shoulder. He then walked to his wife and I turned to Winston and Sofawall.
"That is one strong kid." I said.They looked back at me in confusion.
"No matter what the sword judges, it cannot make itself lighter. This boy must be extremely strong or have tremendous favor from the sword for it to do something like that."
Thasador's family left, and we continued on to the bar.
I’ve walked the earth for many ages, land to land I roamed spilling blood of the corrupt in an effort to revenge myself against the evil that took all that I held dear. Demon, orc, and monster fell beneath my blades, hatred and misery fueled the destruction I weld. The blades I wield are the Swords of Destruction and are famous for the amount they have slain as well as for their large size. However, they were not always as large in size as they are now.
After my family and loved ones had been taken I was thrown into a dark state of existence. I lived to kill, and killed to live. For several years I was under constant travel and developed battle skills that few have mastered. Soon I would enter an encampment or even a known dwelling of demon clans and walk away to a burning village. It was not long before I became feared among minions of the great Devil himself. Soon it became too easy for me to kill a village, I longed for a city, a capital to lay waste on, to obliterate under my hand.
As I walked, one day I came to a newly burnt town. I walked through observing the still smoldering ashes where houses once were.
“Who goes there?” I heard, the voice of a young man.
“I am……..” Who am I? What is my name?
“Answer me!” he demanded, but I could not see him.
I scavenged my memory, trying desperately to remember my name, not for him, but because it was now very distressing to know I knew not my name!
“Carloseus young one. I am Carloseus the Clanslayer.”
“Ha! He is a legend. A story parents tell their children to give hope!”
I pinpointed his location and within a second a sword was held at his throat ten yards from where I was standing.
“I am not a tale, a hero on a righteous cause. I am a man, who has lost everything.” I relaxed and he stared at me.
“I am in need of a blacksmith. Where can I find one?” I said, ignoring of what I just did.
He looked away. “I know of a man that can help you, not three miles from here. Jewerl is his name, and he has a shack down this road.” he said.
I nodded, but my gaze was drawn to his shoulder which had a broken shard of metal sticking from it. How could I not have seen it before? I lifted my hand and it flew out of his flesh, into my hand. He yelled in shock, and I quickly mended the wound through magic before he realized it.
“What! How could you…??!!” he exclaimed.
“Take me to the blacksmith and I will consider us even.” I said.
We set off, and he told me of how a year ago his family had perished by hand of demons, but he had not burned down the village until now. He too had hunted down the aggressors without much battle training, and was beginning the same journey as I.
“May I come with you? I would like to fight by your side.”
“What is your name?” I asked.
“Gretnel” he said.
I was lonely, and so I said yes, glad that now I had someone to talk to. Glad that now I had a friend after all that time.
We arrived at the blacksmith’s home, and there I stayed a month. Paying a heavy gold bag, I was taught the methods and techniques of blacksmiths, and so I repaired and strengthened my armor. He also taught me methods of applying magical attributes to my armor and swords, so again I empowered my armor. Finally he taught me the secret method he had been developing. A large sword, though balanced, he showed me a pair of blades he had worked on. I tested them, testing their swiftness and balance. Amazingly, they were perfect! However, they were heavy, and in battle they would quickly bring you to your death. I did however forge a pair of my own, and constructed a sturdy brace for them on my back.
We departed, and began our journey. I taught him the methods I used to find demons, and trained him to wield a sword. Soon we were contesting, and slaying many demons. A month, six months, a year passed as we grew together. Our power had been greater than ever before, and we were close as brothers.
In our travels we came to a small town of Tristram. There we found rooms to stay in, and a hearty blacksmith who repaired our equipment quickly and masterfully as we rested. As I went to my room at the inn there, but was attracted to a woman there, Gillian, and so I spent the nights in another house. Gretnel went to the church to pray, and there he spent his whole time while we were in Tristram.
I heard rumors that the church was demon infested, and that a warrior was clearing it as well as journeying down into the crack of hell from which they were spawning. Another rumor still I heard, of the Lord of Terror behind all this devilry, and so I began training with my new swords, getting my arms used to their weight and my body with the dynamics of the large weapons. After a week, I felt ready, and so I merged my swords into the new ones, making them one. Blood from my hand merged into the steel during the forge, and I was able to merge and unmerge the two weapons magically later.
“It is time.” I told Gretnel as we ate.
“Time for what?” he asked.
“Time to confront Diablo, and to assist the brave warrior who is battling the minions of death alone.”
“We can’t! I won’t let you!” he yelled. I was startled. Quickly I finished eating and left. He followed, and I heard a sword ring as it was drawn from its sheath.
“I will not allow you to kill my master.” he said coldly. We were at the entrance of the church now, and I stopped. Turning around I looked at him.
“What?!”
“Lazarus says that we must help our Lord free himself from Hell, we must help him get to the open air where he can be great and powerful. When we do this I will be rewarded. Therefore I must kill you, and that righteous soul in order for us to succeed.” he said.
“you will not kill anyone, and Diablo will die.” I said. Lazarus has brain washed him. The evil sorceror, once archbishop, had poisoned his mind.
Drawing my swords I walked back, and slowly we began to fight. I was luring him away from the settlement, and soon we were far away as we fought. Steel rang and swords clashed as we battled through the day. I finally overwhelmed him, striking the flat of his blade, causing it to fly upwards. He jumped high, and attempted to grab it but I kicked him, and a mighty strike at the middle of its length broke the sword into two. I then dismembered his right arm, and he fell backward. I breathed heavily as I looked at him.
“You will never cross my path again, or I will kill you.” I muttered. I turned back and began walking to the church.
“Time to rid this place of the evil that has been plaguing it for so long.” I said aloud.
As I walked I heard a small noise, and a sharp pain took my back. I grabbed my sword and turned around, swung and killed him, beheading him as he turned to run. I removed the broken blade from my back, and instead went to the healer there.
The Lord of Terror was defeated, and so I left. I traveled to the Barbarian North, the land of my people, and soon led a band of Barbarian Elite. With them I became popular among the people and so I and my swords became famous and not just a rumor, or false story of hope.
“Are you ready for this?” I asked Thasador.
“Yes.” he said.
I looked at him, he was under pressure. His legion was new and untrained, he could not introduce them to battle so soon. He would have to make up by himself what his men could not.
“If you need any help, call. Any of us will assist. Clear?” I told him. He nodded in assurance.
“There are several generals we need killed. Surl ‘Tal is the high general of Baal’s army. He is the one surrounded by Baal’s elite minions. Scragia the Shrewd is general of Mephisto’s army. He is the one heavily defended by the High Counsil Members. Marsil is the general for Diablo. He is the one most fortified by Pit Lords. All three of these targets must be vanquished if we wish to make this victory a fast one. This is not a full army as those they have sent to us before, but I have been assigned in keeping this army from advancing towards the capital. Our resources on man power are thin, the other legions have been assigned to keep watch, since this might be only a distraction. And we better hope it is.” Thasador nodded, though sadly to me. Marsil was once a good friend of ours, a true warrior yet now a general for the evil we once cut down together.
“Thasador, put his troubled and tortured soul to rest. He is not the man we once called friend.” I said.
“I will Carloseus.” he responded.
Just then the horns of war rang, filling the air with the enemy’s attempt to strike fear into us.
“Lets remind them again who we are.” I yelled loudly. The Slayers laughed, and spread out. To our backs was the only way through the mountain pass, and before us were ten thousand demons wishing to cross it. The pass was not narrow, a quarter mile wide, this army would march through it in a day if any other group of warrior confronted it.
However, SLAYERS was specially trained for this scenario, and all scenarios in which we had to spread out thin and hold ground in tens what hundreds were supposed to do. Not only could we hold ground, we could push back the enemy. This was what we were going to do.
Reaching back I pulled out my twin blades, the famous Swords of Destruction. Gigantic in length and width, they were meant to strike fear into an enemy and carve a large path of death through the thickest of crowds.
“Let us destroy this miserable bunch!” I yelled. War shouts and battle cry’s erupted as my team readied their swords. The rain poured down heavily now, and our battle field was ready for the blood to be spilt.
The army of Baal approached, and began to charge at us as to overwhelm us.
“HOLD YOUR GROUND MEN!” I yelled.
“LET THEM TASTE OUR FURY!” a mighty eruption came from Ferret who was all too ready for the clash. Hungry eyes and eager faces I saw in every Slayer.
“RELEASE THE BEAST!!!!” I roared. Proud as of a lion, thunderous as thunder, and angry as that of a dragon, my cry sent the message miles away. Then, transformation. We stood ready, though not attentive for a minute. Then vision seemed clearer, sharper. My senses were better, and my motions faster and quicker than before. The beast of war, the ultimate defense mechanism which every Slayer has learned to release at command was harnessed.
The demons were close now, and they did not slow down. Fire coursed up my blades, and same to others who stood ready. Closer still, they ran, unknowing of the surprise that awaited them.
“NOW!” Fudlow yelled, and we all swung our blades forward, though the enemy was not close enough yet. The first 7 rows of demons rushing at us fell to the floor, cut in half by a collective spell we had developed for this form of battle.
“Dig In SLAYERS!” I yelled. We ran at them now, and the surviving army stopped. We quickly merged into them, cutting down tens of a time each. Arms, legs, heads, and even whole torsos were cut apart, our point was clear. We were not here to delay them, we were here to execute them.
The massacre continued, hours passed by quickly as we smiled at one another. Far ahead I noticed a large blast of fire and disturbance amongst Baal’s squad of elites as they stamped and grew angry about something. The remainder of Baal’s army joined the fight, including the elites. *Good job Thas!* I said to myself. As I cut the head off a demon imp.
We destroyed the remainder of the first army, unnerving the other two. They too charged at us when similar occurrences of unrest grew within the confines of their well protected circle, where their general was. Once the other two were taken care of, we quickly took care of the willing remainder of the armies and routed the few who did not fall by our stalking swords.
“Thasador, good job.” I said as I found him weary and blood soaked.
“That was the most fun I’ve had yet!” he answered, quite esteemed.
“Get used to them, you’ll be doing a whole lot more of them in the future. Did you notice how fast we undid with them? A day and a half! Very quickly indeed, this will help a lot when we get into some big battles.”
“But won’t that take the fun out of lasting days on end in battles?”
“True.”
He smiled triumphantly.
As we returned to the capital we found it being heavily under attack, while the few legions struggled to hold ground and not let the enemy too close to the city. We were outside though, and the enemy was not expecting an assualt from outside. We tore through the leadership of the armies swarming the sides of our capital, and routed the enemy once more. once one side weakened, our forces were able to break the line and flank the enemy too quickly, which was good because we were spent by the time we finished off the last group of generals.
"Had a good time out there?" Darkjay asked as he stuck his axe in a corpse.
"Yes, but i wish i had kept count. how about a beer over at your place?"
"Lets get this place clean first. You know the stink that comes from this place in the morning."
He then patted Thasador on the shoulder. "Good job out there, I'm glad its you thats running a new legion, your the best for your job." I looked over to my good friend and gave him a sincere nod of approval. Words could not begin to describe the pride I felt for him and his achievements. He nodded back, and we grasped each others right arm and shook.
"I know you'll do well, Thasador, may you remember this night." I turned to the forces of SICK who now were relaxing as they talked.
"Hail Thasador, Leader of ASSASINS!" I shouted.
Hail" they shouted back.
That turned the page for what would be a new chapter in SICK, the time of ASSASINS and SLAYERS, brother legions under one man, and one of the proudest moments in my military career.
Travel had hardened me, war had shaken me, and loneliness had taken me almost to the point of unbearable. Anger, and hatred clawed at my core, while sadness and wretchedness sought my demise. Along my travels I met many women, many women that I could have spend life with. But with every woman or child I relived my torture, and I fled such thoughts of happiness. More powerful I became, more angry I grew, and much more did I lust for that which kept me from pain: bloodshed. I slaughtered all evil in my sight, and helped towns erradicate demon infestations surrounding them. Hero, I was named, Savior I was called, and happiness I brought them for I could not keep any. I gave men hope, and kept none for myself.
Battle after battle I fought, demon after demon fell beneath my cruel Swords of Destruction, and I was looked upon with awe as that to a god. I took these to heart, and over the thousands of years I traveled I was finally softened to the point of breaking. That is when it started.
In the lands of Westmarch the calm beneath the storm started. Valiant men shuffled around and made armors, weapons, and prepared for battle. Among the ever burning remains of Tristram a massive army drew first breath, for the marched from hell up to Sanctuary. This mass of demon and skeletal minions were more than enough to take Sanctuary, and this reached me late in. For months the two sides had been amassing, and the demon legions had long passed the count of 20,000. My experience had taught me that men strong enough could shatter armies of Diablo, but there were merely 5,000 men, who would be quickly overtaken. Reinforcements were still gathering in the cities of Westmarch, but too slowly and would reach the battlefield much too late to help any. My thoughts jumped to helped, but even I would need help. And so I remembered my Barbarian allies and took once again to the road. After a week of endless travel I reached my destination, the fort-city of Harrogath.
Upon my arrival to Harrogath I hurried to Qual-Kehk, he managed the armed forces of the Barbarians, and so he would be quickest in aiding me in my quest. within a day we set out, though we would arrive in two weeks. Despite our prolonging journey, we reached a day before the battle began, enough to ready ourselves and others mentally for what was to come. Hours came by as if days, this was what would break many other men, the calm and the wait for the inevitable. Soon they would challenge fate, and fight for their families who awaited them far away.
Finally the day arrived. The legions of Terror marched into the battlefield, and we had either to meet them or retreat. I brought out the two swords of infamy, my Swords of Destruction, and led the followers of Zakarum into battle. As we met in the thunderous clash I jumped high above the enemy line, deep into their ranks. Magic roared as it pounded my landing grounds, and I then continued to savagely attack them. I tore their limbs off, and i slayed thousands of demons. I had estimated a force of thousands, this was tens of thousands! One after another they came at me and the other armies, slowly disabling the might of the men. I roared a vicious battle cry and the barbarians yelled out battle orders and commands, strengthening morale.
Days of fighting passed by and still we fought on. Some men took turns sleeping while others fought on, but for those of the North it was unheard of to sleep while a fight was on, their passion was war. I fueled my animosity with memories, with anger, and with rage. I hacked viciously, and jumped again into another section of demons to do more damage. Slowly the barbarians began to break the line by intimidation and projecting savageness they could not hold for long, but just enough to strike fear into them. As if all of a sudden rallied, the demons began fighting with a renewed strength, but we took them and kept them at bay. I resumed my tactics, until I decided I was using too little magic. If we could break their morale we would cut down thousands in the retreat. I teleported back to safety behind the soldiers, and began concentration. I would have depleted my magic supply, but still be strong enough to fight on. Then I was lifted to the air, and I levitated in place as light emitted from me. Large meteors from the heavens appeared and began smashing into the enemy. They tore many holes into the host, and weakened them. After that the men pushed forward. We broke the line and the army, and sent them from the battlefield. Many soldiers, including myself and my friends from the North, hurried to camp for our steeds and cut down thousands of the fleeing cowards.
As I slayed my last demon I saw cheerful faces. Merely 400 had died, and 200 had been hurt. They lost limbs, and were forever scarred true, but they lived. I then realized that I had given them something they had not thought possible. I had saved their lives, their women, and their children. At that moment I realized that I could allow myself again find someone that I could share my life with, however worthy it is. The only problem now is to find one who would match my values.
however the fact that they were fallens, makes it a bit less dramatic. if you noticed, the blades i weild that day were not my prized Swords of Destruction. they were weapons i was enchanting with the falling demons around me. Fudlow was having tremendous fun, we were competing who would kill the most before we drove them away. Murderface was having a little difficulty, but we were simply letting him gain more experience of combat before introducing him to Slayer work.
you however, were too hasty, and therefore clumsy. you were attacked, and fell since you were unprepared for the blow dealt to you. fudlow and i became serious and left the game to exterminate the remain demons for a miles away, as murderface sought to the preserverance of your life. he blamed himself for your death, after all he was the one to recruit you. after an hour of chasing demons we were amazed to see your wounds healing rapidly, and you woke to see us in joy.
not all is what it seems, and you allowed your anger to get the best of you, a mistake that could have cost you your life against even a low demon as a Fallen. that is why i teach and demand strength as well as reason and logic in SLAYERS, for stupid mistakes could prove deadly for some of us.
your past....... it stirs something in my memory. yes..... i recall a memory i had not remembered since i experienced it.
before i had been saved by our lord god i had stumbled accross a necromancer of evil deeds. he had torn from his teachings by rathma and had traveled the lands slaying all that crossed his path, then bringing their dead bodies and soul to torment as they did his bidding.
i unfortunately crossed paths with this summoner of the dead. he offered me wealth, power, all of my hearts desires. i refused, having other tasks at hand. as i turned to leave, in my way were his minions. a quick glance to either sides of my vision told me i was now surrounded. a second later i had unlatched my sword from its sheath on my back and was hacking at these productions of taboo. as i felled one after another the necromancer grimaced. i made my way to him, and he produced from his side a skull. he held it before me and muttered a curse under his breathe. my movement slowed as i felt my body resist. the force of will i retalliated with burst and broke the spell i was under and i caught him by surprise.
i quickly split my swords as he summoned more minions and began to cut through them. i roared a mighty battle cry and my inner strength awakened. i quickly diced the animations as i ran at him now. i merged my swords and slashed at him. the powers that escaped him scarred me as they descended. on my left hand a large mark of the black magic still shows its effect after thousands of years.
i struggled to keep from falling. my body coarsed with pain. i walked to the closest city, the great city of Kurast. i made my way through the streets as my oversized sword dragged behind me. Ormus, the wiseman of the region assisted me and i walked out the next week energized and invigorated with his help.
the pain in this memory comes from the necromancer, and the events that happened after i left kurast. i traveled the lands, and came to the barbarian north. here were legions of demons making war upon the mighty yet few barbarians. i assisted the protectors of the worldstone for as long as i could. months, years dragged by as i crippled their armies, but more came. one day came, a day when i had been woken in a hurry for the enemy was advancing and taking the feild. the long held battle was at its end, and i would take a large roll in it.
i readied my armor, my weapons, and myself. i departed alone at first, i was to cripple them before the others came. i used every spell, every glamorous attack; flame covered my blades, white fire came from my eyes, and every hit i made slaughtered many. for hours i fought, trying to turn back the army. i had somehow made my way to the center of the mass, surrounded by thousands of growling orcs and demons. the barbarians rushed to help, and tried to get to me before i was taken.
i fought and resisted being overwhelmed and taken, parting evil from the mortal plane as i struggled for dear life. then i was taken. they all threw themselves at me, and many followed them. daggers scratched at my armor, swords however tore through and sunk into my arms, legs, and chest. inability to move, panic, and death began to come to me. i struggled to keep awake but sensed my consciousness slipping away. with the last of my energy i yelled. i yelled a roar that trembled past the forests, the sea, and made it to far and distant lands. the energy i summoned was the last i could afford. my dying actions were to rid the battle field of demons, to slay them all by magic.
i lay there spent. my companions of war would arrive, but too late. i slipped into darkness, my mind thrown into a sea of my own confusion. when i opened my eyes i saw what appeared to be clouds and silver light in the sky.
"Carloseus, shall not fall this day, he shall rise to fall another day. Arise Carloseus!!" i glanced up but saw only a figure overwhelmed by the light behind him. there stood the being from my dream. Silversurfnstud. Without hesitation I arose and bowed before him. In return he granted me the gift of new life, as well as granting me only one way to die, and that was by sword.
in return, i have traveled the lands again, but with a purpose. for thousands of years i fought in countless battles in the name of my god and his next in command. in his name and service i have cleansed many lands and slayed countless horrors. time has meant no time for me.
i have prepared something for our lords, which i hope they find fit:
"Meus Deus Argentum quod Senior Elfen to order mihi. In nomen of SICK EGO vadum purgo malum qua EGO roam, quod addo lux lucis ut obscurum. Is est meus negotium, vel meus vita est forfeit." -Carloseus
"My God Silver and Lord Elfen command me. In the name of SICK I shall cleanse evil where I roam, and bring light to darkness. This is my task, or my life is forfeit." -Carloseus
"you, Carloseus, shall not fall this day, you shall rise to fall another day, Arise Carloseus." i thought i had dreamt it, but there stood the being from my dream, asking me to join him!! and his name was Silversurfnstud. Without hesitation I arose and bowed before him. In return he granted me the gift of second life, stating that the only way i could fall was by sword. so over thousands of years i fought in countless battles in his name and service, battles that meant no time for me. countless more fell by my hand, and then i stumbled upon a new light.
at first i was skeptical, i had no larger power, but here was a being ruling over others not with fear or promises or anything like that, but with wisdom and letting them choose what to believe in. i soon bowed before this being offering my sword to him as well as his righthand man. these two were the Lord God Silversurfnstud, and Lord Elfen Lied.
for the rest of my potentially everlasting life i will serve under the Lord God Silversurfnstud, and his Executive Council, and follow their orders with no question for they provide reason for their decisions.
this is the basic outline of my life, i have no memories of childhood or of love.
all ive known is war....