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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 10, 2014 21:37:36 GMT -6
That was... abrupt.
Arcturus paused as Pearl zoomed upstairs to wave her goodbye, but she didn't notice. Two of the guards who were accompanying the commander started whispering to eachother but were silenced by the commander who apparently overheard them. The rest of the trip was silent. Even the passersby on the street didn't even speak up. As they neared the palace, Herimmus and Titus stood atop the concrete steps.
"Arcturus Galatine, son of Barbas Galatine..." Titus addressed him in a serious tone. "Allow me to observe your mother."
He slowly descended the steps as the soldiers removed the covering, revealing a withered skeleton within. Titus brushed past Arcturus, who watched intently as the emperor placed his hand on the rib cage of the skeleton and released a light flow of mana, like a fog descending upon a lake.
"Caesaria," he muttered as he lifted his hands and kneeled down closer to the skeleton. "Why did you leave me? What caused you to no longer fill the halls with joy? What caused you to hide your son, my grandson, away from me? I would have enjoyed watching him grow as I did with you. At least you were happy."
He stood up and motioned towards the guards to close the casket and turned to face Arcturus.
"You already know who you are, don't you?" He asked with a light smile. "You look like her, but more like I did when I was in my prime. Come, join me in the palace. Your new home awaits you."
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Feb 10, 2014 23:12:58 GMT -6
It had been over three weeks since Pearl was ushered into the palace by Arcturus. The time spent with other maids has greatly improved her Cleatain speech. To the point where she now referred to most people by their names rather than gender and characteristic. Her housekeeping skills were now passable, except for cooking. They tried letting her help in the kitchen once. From now on all the head maid said about it was 'Never again'. She didn't see much of Arcturus around the palace, but he was the only one she'd call master and the only one she continued showing her water form to. After witnessing her exceptional skills with most weapons, a commander allowed her to practice with some of the new recruits.
This day started like any other. She woke up in her bed and changed into her uniform, only to hear two 'Halts' from outside. They were silenced before another word got out. Slowly opening the door, she saw a women clad in exotic battle armor, wielding a lance that radiated power, with long white hair done in a french braid for today. Tackling her to the floor, she beams a smile as the other hugs her tightly, "Rhea! If you're here, then is it time?"
"Yes young one. Don't worry about these two. I didn't even touch them. Let's go home." A clear mist covers them. When it lifts nothing's there. Some of the servants rush to tell Titus, others remain asleep. The two guards wake up with one leg frozen each. They stumble the same road of the running maids.
Nothing else seemed to happen. Unless the person who saw it was a trained magician. A black aura covered the castle for two seconds exactly. In those two seconds a soul brought from depths unknown left a letter on Arcturus' nightstand. And vanished.
"It's been so long Rhea, does anyone else miss me?"
"Everyone does. Even Alucard found the time apart a little regretful. And your return will be celebrated tonight!"
"Yay! I love parties. Is Cream cooking? I haven't eaten her pie in forever." Pearl starts drooling at the thought. Rhea gave her a piggy back ride all the way to the castle. At the obsidian gates leading in, a weary Alucard stood with bags under his eyes.
"Welcome back Pearl."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 11, 2014 6:52:18 GMT -6
Over the course of the past three weeks, Barbas and Arcturus were both granted royal status and rooms within the palace. However, Barbas wasn't entirely content. He wasn't a royal, he was a blacksmith. He arranged with Titus to serve in the royal smith under the palace, where he could perform his blacksmith duties and forge weapons and armor for the palace. As a plus, he got access to all sorts of new materials to work with. Anyways, for the past few days, they had been having meetings in the morning to discuss future plans and projects. On one such day...
"Emperor Titus! Emperor Titus!" one of the male servants shouted as he burst into the meeting room where he was talking with Pollux, Barbas, and Arcturus. "There's been an intruder!"
"What do you mean!?" Titus stood up as he shouted as if to charge into battle himself. "What is it man!?"
"A woman just charged in and knocked out two of the guards!" the servant explained as he looked behind himself nervously. "All she did was take one of the servants, and I think she's gone..."
"Which servant did she take?" Arcturus asked in a plain tone as he too stood up. "What did the woman look like?"
"She took one of the new ones." the servant spoke in a slightly calmer tone. "And the intruder was wearing some strange sort of armor. She looked a bit similar to the one she took."
"Excuse me." Arcturus nodded at the servant, realizing what was happening. "I must return to my room."
He walked past and took the minute-long stroll to his room where he found a letter written in jet black ink.
Dear Arcturus
You are cordially invited back to my castle to witness her ascension. Our match can wait, but I do hope you've gotten much stronger. You may bring one guest along as well. I hope you can make it.
Sincerely yours,
Alucard
Normally, he would have crumpled up the kidnapping notice, but he knew what was going on. Pearl wouldn't be in any real danger, would she?
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 11, 2014 11:33:49 GMT -6
I wonder when he'll come today...
It had been nearly month since Elia was adopted and began living in the palace. In that time she had chosen a new name, been formally introduced to the public, learned to eat Cleatian food, started lessons with a tutor to continue learning about her magick, and now was being courted by the son of a governer. Most people had accpsted her with open arms and were doing everything they could to help her feel at home. But somehow, she still didn't feel like she belonged there. Luckily Arcturus was in the same situation, so she had someone she could talk to and relate to.
Elia was walking towards Arcturus' room, carrying a book he said he wanted to read. She had been reading it at the time, so now that she was finished with it she thought it would be nice to bring it to him.
"Arcturus, it's Odessa. I brought that book you wanted to read," she said as she knocked on the door, being careful to use her new name in case someone else was nearby.
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Post by SwordMasterEX on Feb 11, 2014 12:17:12 GMT -6
510 years ago... Again
"Why if it isn't Zappa the Guardian. I thought you died in that crumbling cave. But then again type-3s have always been slippery. Did you stop by to try and kill me? What is this, the fifth attempt? Sixth? Was the treasure not enough?" A maddening grin spread across his face. The man with wild green hair draws a glowing blue blade as Alucard draws his crackling purple one.
"I've not come to finish what my brothers started in that cave. Your riches don't interest me. I've never been able to force myself upon anyone. And the power you offer is corrupt. Unnatural. An abomination. It is the perfect representation of your soul. But now that you can finally tolerate crawling in your own skin, I cannot turn a blind eye. Alucard! Monstrous king of the night! I'll rid this world of your evil." Zappa teleports in front of Alucard with a thrust aimed for his gut. The attack was easily parried as Alucard's swing knocked him back ten feet. Zappa begins altering the gravity around Alucard. He amplifies it to the point where one of his legs breaks. This doesn't bring him down. Alucard simply laughs as a light aura radiates from him. No longer weighed down, his leg repairs itself.
"A nice trick pup." Moving faster than the eye can see, he steps in front of Zappa. "My turn." A vicious backhand sends Zappa flying into a marble statue. Coughing up blood, he manages to get back up with a broken arm. The place he tried to direct most of the impact to. With his uninjured arm, he lifts the sword above his head. A defiant glare aimed at the vampire. He brings the sword down in an arc, unleashing a beam of pure energy. Alucard blocks it, holding the blast back with his own energy barrier. In this opening, Zappa sticks his hand through a portal, blade and all. The sudden, searing pain this backstab caused Alucard made him drop his shield for a direct blow from the energy arc.
"Gah! You, finally someone, but you? The first person to ever draw my blood, past and present, was some low level thief? How?" Alucard ask the question with genuine curiosity.
"The spirit of man gives more power than you think. I've heard stories. That once you were a revered general. You disappeared. Left to find god. And you were banished from your new home. So you became a monster. How was I the first you ask? It's because I do not fear your power. Nor will I ever." He sticks his hand through another portal. With a swing he aims to decapitate him, but Alucard is too fast. He knocks away Zappa's sword with a parry and flash steps in front of him. Grabbing him by the neck, he looks into his prey's eyes.
"So what about now? Now that death is breathing down your neck, do you fear it?"
"Hah! Death has always been my companion. Why would I fear him now? But as I die, let me grant you a prophecy! As long as we're together, you will never see the light of the sun again. In that time humanity will grow, and find a new savior. And in the coming of age should darkness go free, light will not drown it. A greater power will have been forged. and I predict it will be in the bonds of a fleeting love."
"Now it is I who must laugh. Humanity is weak. You pray to gods for power and control you lack. If you had joined me, you too would have been free. Above even them." He bites down on Zappa's neck. And drains him.
----
"Pearl!" Jet is the second to hug her at the gates. Followed by everyone else. Pearl couldn't help but feel joy as she was surrounded by her sisters once more.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 11, 2014 13:02:47 GMT -6
"Thank you, Odessa." Arcturus spoke quietly as he kept his back turned to her. "Would you like to go somewhere with me?"
He didn't realize that his words sounded like he was trying to court her as he turned around to face her.
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 11, 2014 13:25:04 GMT -6
"Wait, what?"
Arcturus kinda looks like he's worried about something. But what?
Elia waited for an explantation, with a puzzled look on her face.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 11, 2014 14:07:04 GMT -6
"Of course, we need Titus' permission." Arcturus continued as he walked towards her, still not realizing how he sounded to Elia.
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 11, 2014 14:12:56 GMT -6
"Stop. Where are we going, and why?"
He's not paying any attention.
Elia reached out and grabbed Arcturus by the shoulders, and shook him for a minute until he was paying attention again.
"Arcturus, where are we going, and why? Answer the question!"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 11, 2014 15:37:57 GMT -6
"Elia, we're going to find Pearl." Arcturus responded as he escaped her clutches. "She's at her old home, Nivian Lake. The master of the domain, Alucard, has invited me back to retrieve her and told me that I could take someone with me."
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 11, 2014 15:42:21 GMT -6
"Okay, but why did she go back?" Elia asked as she followed Arcturus through the halls of the palace.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 11, 2014 16:50:17 GMT -6
'"She's having a ceremony of adulthood." He explained as they walked back into the meeting room. "At least that's what Alucard is saying. Anyways, she should be fine, as long as she didn't have any trouble getting there."
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 11, 2014 16:58:54 GMT -6
"Just now becoming an adult? She told me she's 510 years old."
Despite how strange that seemed to her, Elia didn't say anything else and just waited for Arcturus to explain everything to Titus. She was actually hoping he would let them go, because she really wanted to leave the palace for a little while.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 11, 2014 17:17:47 GMT -6
Arcturus lead Elia into the room where Titus held the meetings and looked around to see everyone besides the servant was still there.
"Empeor Titus." He addressed the emperor as he stood with the door shut behind him before correcting himself. "Grandfather, I was wondering if Elia and I could perhaps meet a good friend of mine."
"Where would you meet this friend?" Titus inquired with a half-curious tone.
"In the craft district." He lied as he nodded his head slightly. "I promise you I will take good care of Elia."
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 11, 2014 17:23:28 GMT -6
"And I'll make sure Arcturus doesn't get into any mischief," Elia said as she played along with Arcturus' lie.
The home of a vampire and the craft district are two very different places.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 11, 2014 17:55:50 GMT -6
"Well, I guess it's okay." Titus told them with a halfhearted look. "Just don't get into anything that you'll regret."
"Thank you, grandfather." Arctrurus bowed before leaving the room with Elia and opening a portal to Grangold.
Lying to the emperor... It just feels wrong.
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 11, 2014 18:04:42 GMT -6
Once the were in the courtyard of Grangold Academy, Elia thought of something.
"The craft district. Nice one, Arcturus. Now, how will we explain why we were gone for a substantial amount of time, more than it takes to go meet someone in the craft district, once we get back?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 11, 2014 18:22:37 GMT -6
"We could spend the entire day with my friend?" Arcturus theorized as thy walked towards the main hall. "He probably knows that I was lying anyways. Hopefully he doesn't think that I'm courting you, because I'm not interested in you that way. Not that you're not pretty or anything."
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Post by GX1997 on Feb 11, 2014 18:30:20 GMT -6
"I think it would be very bad if anyone thought my nephew was courting me. Besides, it's not like you look as good as Caius, so you would likely stand no chance."
Elia stopped walking for a minute, after she seemed to have remembered something. She shook her head as she sighed.
"What will he think when I'm not there today? Even though he didn't say he had planned anything, he comes by every day so we can be together. And there's no telling when we'll be back."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Feb 11, 2014 18:55:29 GMT -6
"I'll face the blame if it comes to it." Arcturus assured her as he opened Professor Alto's portal to Lake Nivian. "Anyways, dip a finger in to test it's stability before stepping in, like always."
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