Stranger
(RPed on 2-14-04)
Jael sat on his bed, legs crossed in Indian style. He was meditating deeply. Rysina walked through the halls quietly. She stopped at Jael's door, knocking softly. He opened his eyes slowly. "Come in."
She walked in, closing the door behind her. "Is this a bad time?"
"No, not at all. Something bothering you?"
"Yes. I've been worried about you for the past few days. You're going through quite a rough time right now. I just want to make sure that you are okay."
"It's part of life," he said simply without moving from his position, only look at her. His aura would have a different feel to it than usual and his eyes appear somewhat darker than they should be for an elf. "How are you?"
"You just seem...different. It's a little...well, scary." Rysina took a step towards him. "Are you sure that you're okay?"
"Do I frighten you?" He shook his head. "I'm always fine."
"Fine? That doesn't say anything."
"But doesn't it?" He uncrossed his legs and stood up off the bed.
"Please. Tell me what's wrong. I know that there's something...I don't mean to pry. I just...care. You know that."
"Of course I do." He stepped forward to her slowly. "You know that I admire that of you greatly." He stopped a few inches short of her.
"Then tell me."
"I think it's beyond you." He reached out to touch her chin.
She grabbed him by the wrist, softly. "Stop avoiding."
His eyes twinkled a bit as they dimmed a little. He smirked, and it wasn't a 'Jael' smirk. "The things I could show you..."
"What do you mean?" She grew more worried.
"Do you know the things I can do? And no, no, not just for myself, but for us. For our people!"
She sighed and turned away from him. "I have no idea what you are talking about, but I want to understand. I just want to help you."
He stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders. "Then let me show you my soldiers." With force, he turned her around to face him.
She stepped backwards, a little scared of him; he was worse than what she had originally thought.
"What's wrong?" Jael asked, noticing her stepping backwards.
"I might ask the same question of you. What's happened to you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" He advanced on her. "You'd think someone would appreciate the things I've done? Especially you!"
"You're not yourself."
"Why, because I'm not quiet and brooding anymore?" He grinned at her.
"Who are you then?"
"I'm Jael Do'Urden. The one and only." He still advanced on her, in an attempt to pin her to a corner. "The things I want to share with you, Ry...I couldn't share with Ceria or Crys. They wouldn't understand in the way you would."
"Stop it. You're not Jael. I know you're not. Is something controlling you?" She continued to step backwards, growing more afraid of him.
"I think I've finally grown a back bone. Something pop always talked about. Before, of course, my cousin's brother decided to give him the good ol one two in the gut." Jael pushed her against a wall and smelled her neck. "So innocent. Ahh." He stepped back after a moment. "Tonight...after twilight has settled in...find me and you'll find out the truth."
After trembling for a few moments, she stepped forward and grabbed him by the arm, tight. "I don't know what's causing this, but it must be stopped!"
"You ain't seen nothing yet." He brought her into his arms and dipped her slightly. "Things are going to change around here." He then pulled her back up from the dip, let go, and smiled as he went to the door and opened it.
She ran forward and tried to push the door shut as he opened it. She didn't want to let this evil 'Jael' out into the world. As she did this, she also tried to push him away from the door. "I won't let you out of here. Not like this."
He laughed softly. "Can't get enough of me?"
"I'd rather have less of you the way that you're acting now. I can't let you out with the chance that you'll cause harm to someone. You'd thank me later."
"Cause harm?" He leaned against the door looking at her. "Aww. It's so cute."
Her eyes narrowed, as she became more disgusted of 'Jael'. Jael snapped his fingers and two other presences could be felt. "I've love to ... stay and chat, but I have things to attend to for tonight, love."
In the shadows, two pale figures came forward, behind Rysina. She quickly turned around. "What?"
She quickly tried to push him hard, away from the door. The two figures grabbed her and pulled her back.
"The dead can be such a great...companion," Jael mused out loud, touching her nose, then opened the door and left.
She was speechless, though not by the sight of the dead. She'd seen similar in the other world she had lived in. Rysina screamed out in frustration at the 'Jael', and tried to pull away from the dead things. They let go after a few minutes, enough time for Jael to have cleared the halls. She ran as soon as she could to look for 'Jael', but to no avail. She had to do something, so she ran to where the only person that she'd be able to tell would be.
Rysina knocked on the door, rapidly. Crysolite opened the door, surprised to see Rysina. Her eyes narrowed.
"I must speak to you. It's about Jael." She breathed heavily, having sprinted to Crysolite's door.
"What?" Crysolite sighed. She didn't want to let Rysina in her room, so she decided they could talk in the doorway. It wouldn't be that long of a conversation anyway.
"Something is wrong. I was just in his room speaking with him. He's not acting like himself at all, and he has some kind of new power...He called forth two dead figures out of nowhere, and he might be planning something tonight. I'm scared, Crysolite..."
Crysolite just stared at her. "That's pretty big news. Why should I believe you?"
"Because...if you don't, people may die, and Jael might never be the same."
"So he's evil...Why don't you help him accomplish what he wants? You helped Tatl. How is this different?"
She slammed the door shut. Rysina hit the door with her fist out of anger, then she retreated to her room, hoping to try and make sense of everything 'Jael' had said.
Jael had disappeared off to a secret part of Gaelon. The air was thick with evil and worse things to come. He was naked from the waist up as he found refuge in his dark altar he had constructed within the past week. He couldn't explain what had happened to him. At first he thought it was the stress and the banishment of Ceria and probation of Rysina, but now he understood. He had a power and it was time for Gaelon to crumble.
Odd symbols had been drawn onto his chest by a hot sword. Some were in diamond shapes that outlined Elven characters, while others appeared to be more of a Japanese character. "The night and I will be as one. The dead will live and breathe through me." He had dark thoughts of Tatl then, of killing him slowly and painfully. He smiled at this, enjoying the thought. "Those that have harmed those I love will taste pain..."
The whole earth surrounding Gaelon shook for two minutes straight before stopping. Rysina grew more worried at the pass of each minute, enduring the endless amount of "what ifs?". Sitting on her bed, she climbed over to the side and reached underneath the bed. Pulling out her sword, she held it out in front of her. Even though it was a weapon of violence, the thought that she had it comforted her slightly. She was afraid for what lay in the future.
After sitting on her bead, thinking, for quite some time, she left her room, heading for the jail. She paused when she came upon the guard that had the keys. Leaning over to him, she whispered, "Lanta kaima."
After having spent a great deal of time meditating, and after carving yet another symbol above his navel, Jael stood up and flexed his muscles. He looked up to the skies as they darken three hours early.
Having casted a sleep spell, she caught the guard as he fell, then removed the keys from him. Rysina set him down gently before continuing to Tatl's cell. Tatl perked up, hearing someone coming. He was relieved when he saw it was Rysina. No Jael to try and accuse him of something, or Crysolite either, for that matter.
"Tatl, something is wrong with Jael. I'm afraid he's going to do something bad tonight...All I know is that he isn't acting like himself...and he can raise the dead, " she told him quickly.
"Way to go Jael!" He smiled. It faded when he saw the grim look on Rysina's face.
"I may need your help. I couldn't get Crysolite to. She doesn't trust me." She began to unlock the cell with her stolen key.
He stood up. "Wow..."
She turned the key, and the cell door opened. Tatl stood for a few moments, then stepped out. "Are you going to be okay?"
"I don't know...but will you help me?"
This might be his chance to get back at Jael...but he didn't say that to Rysina. He just nodded.
A knock sounded at Crysolite's door. Crysolite sighed, thinking it would be Rysina again. Reluctantly, she stood up and opened the door. Jael stood in the doorframe. His hair wasn't blonde anymore, but had taken on a dark colour, and his attire was odd. Black legging with a black vest where his chest could be seen.
"Hello cousin."
She took a step back, surprised. Crysolite didn't say anything for a moment. "Jael?"
"That's right."
Could Rysina be right? Maybe I shouldn't have shut her out like that... she thought. "Cause if it is, I love the costume. What are you supposed to be? Some biker dude? Maybe the Lord of the Dance guy? What's his name? Michael Flatly? I think that's it..." she rambled.
She didn't want Rysina to be right, so she tried her best to make up excuses for him.
"No, and no. Has little Ry been around...?"
"Yeah." Her face changed and showed a look of hatred. "She's spreading lies about you."
"Lies?"
"Yes. Saying you're all weird and evil. I told her she should help you, since she seems to be good at that. I think she's going to do something evil tonight, and blame it on you. We should stop her."
"Me? Evil? Never..." He looked at her. "I don't want to hurt her."
Though she was looking straight at him, at the same time she seemed to be looking past. She shook her head, as if in a trance. "I'm sorry. Having one of those feelings again...What should we do about her then?"
Jael watched her. "Find her. She most likely...went to your brother. I don't like your brother. He's fascinated with her." He brought a sword up to view.
"Why would she go to...him?"
"It's a feeling I have. When I was talking to him...he spoke of her as if they were friends."
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Sure, I'll find her..." Don't expect them to come back alive, though...she thought.
She walked down the hall, mumbling to herself, "There must be some costume party tonight...And I wasn't invited...grrr..."
She saw, as she passed through some halls, some awfully pale bodies taking the place of where Elves are supposed to be, and one slain body, but wasn't particularly surprised by them. Crysolite seemed to be blinded with hate. She walked to the jail, plotting what she would do to them if she found them. upon entering, she noted right away Tatl's empty cell, the door open. Crysolite knew he must be in Rysina's room. She walked briskly back outside.
/Rysina...where are you?/ Jael tried to reach her mentally.
Rysina was in her room. She was surprised to hear him, but she didn't reply. Crysolite tried to knock somewhat softly on the door to Rysina's room. Jael walked the halls, raking his hands against the walls in a pompous manner. Rysina, slowly and cautiously, went over to the door and opened it slightly. Crysolite immediately pushed it open, causing Rysina to trip backwards and fall onto the floor.
Rysina held her hand up toward Crysolite. "Tinechor!"
A protective shield, which basically looked like a wall of light, appeared in the doorway. Crysolite tried to push through, and even shot a blast of energy at it, but couldn't get through. Rysina stood, her hand still outward and aiming at the shield she had created. Hearing the noise, Jael started to jog in the general direction.
"Crys?" he called.
"Rysina is over here!"
Rysina made a small glare toward Crysolite. Jael rushed forward and stood at the door. "Rysina, Crys, stop it."
Rysina showed no sign of taking the protective wall away. "What do you want?"
"Thought we had a meeting?" He stretched out his hand. "Don't make me, Ry."
"I never agreed to any meeting."
Tatl walked out of his hiding place, now visible. "Hey...how's everyone doing?"
"You."
Crysolite stirred uncomfortably upon seeing him.
"Rysina, what have you done?"
"What have you done!? Haven't you seen all of the guards outside, Crysolite? Most of them are...weird...and a few are even dead!"
"Leave her out of this, traitor!" Jael hissed the words. "I should've listened to her from the beginning. That world did twist your brain, didn't it?"
Each sentence he spoke shocked her even more. Her spell weakened slightly, losing some of the concentration. "You seemed okay after you got out of...that place. What twisted your brain? Or are you just insane?"
"You side with a murderer? Who killed my parents, who killed his own brother…who played with my cousin's mind." He stepped forward. "Rysina, I thought you were one of us." He glared at Tatl.
"I thought Crysolite killed the other one. She used the sword. If she could control her feelings better he wouldn't be dead. How does acting like this separate you from acting just like Tatl when he killed people?"
"She was under mind control you selfless bitch. Because it's my right!" He waved his hand and behind them three zombie like bodies formed.
She bit her lip. She knew this wasn't Jael, but she still felt hurt by his words.
"Rysina!" Tatl pulled out a sword and swung at the zombies.
Rysina continued to try and hold up her shield. "Tatl! We have to get out of here!"
And slowly, more zombies filled the room, trying to latch themselves onto Tatl and or Rysina, biting, scratching, and punching at them. Still holding her hand up, she took her sword out with the other hand and swung around, trying to keep the zombies away. She tried to hack her way towards where the balcony was.
"I'm sorry Rysina, but this is the only way! Gaelon must be destroyed along with Evaelon." He looked at Crysolite. "You know this, right?"
She stared at him. "I just want to get them, not Gaelon or Evaelon..."
Rysina didn't say anything, trying to concentrate on both holding up her spell and slashing at zombies.
"They're part of Gaelon, and their evilness will spread to Evaelon...They must all be purified."
"Not if they're dead..."
"Yes, Crysolite, when they're dead."
"We don't have to destroy whole towns! I'm beginning to think Tatl is controlling you!"
He looked back into the room. "After Tatl is eaten alive, he will harm no one. After they eat Rysina, the betraying will stop." Jael grinned. "Tatl is nothing compared to what I am."
Rysina finally reached the balcony. "Tatl!"
"Everything must come to an end! You'll see cousin."
"Then why shouldn't you die too?!"
Jael walked away, laughing. "Because I am righteous!"
"You want destruction!"
"It is I they have wronged, and it's my job to set it right!"
Rysina tried to help Tatl, but couldn't see him.
"Rysina was right!"
He paused. "Oh, Crys, I suggest you should leave as I am. This place will be crawling with my zombies in a matter of seconds. They're...quite...feeble minded. Now it's time to set Ceria right." He turned on his heel again and walked forward. Within minutes, Jael had exited the palace and had gone to the stables.
Rysina lowered her hand, and her protection wall vanished. Closing her eyes, she raised her hand and her sword up, then aimed where many of the zombies were. "Ram en' tessa."
A large energy dome formed, and within seconds disappeared, leaving anyone caught in it paralyzed for the time being. She lunged forward, pulling motionless zombies away, looking for Tatl. She had no idea how long her spell would last. She saw a few zombies move, and when she reached them, found Tatl underneath, trying to get out. Rysina pulled him up and helped him to stand.
He looked at her. "Wow…" he had many bloody gashes on him from where zombies had grabbed at him.
Groans and moans sounded from the zombies. Then hoofs sounded. Hoofs leaving the area.
"Come on!" She stepped over zombies and pulled him over to the balcony, where they jumped down. They hit the ground and tumbled slightly, having jumped off in a hurry. They didn't move for a moment, resting from the combat.
"Wow...Jael is hardcore..." Tatl stated after a moment. "Kinda lazy though, if you ask me."
"Yeah..."
Jael rode out of Gaelon and crossed the bridge that led to Evaelon--Ceria's hometown.
/Ceria...It's Rysina. Listen to me carefully. I think Jael is headed for Evaelon. Something is controlling him. He's trying to destroy Gaelon and Evaelon, and can raise the dead...He's evil.../
Her response was delayed a moment. /What? Jael? The mime elf evil?/
Crysolite was flying in the sky, in an attempt to search for 'Jael'.
/He almost killed Tatl and I with...zombies/
/Zombies...? Are you.../ She paused. /Tatl?/
/What?/
She quickly stood up. "Let's go!" she ran for the stables.
/That's what I'm wondering. Tatl? What does he have to do with this?/
"Sheesh...I'm not as active as you are. I've been sitting in a cell..." ::he stood up and limped after her::
/I needed his help...we'd both probably be dead otherwise./
Jael rode hard and as he came into distance of Evaelon, he slowed his horse down and got off of it. His ears perked a bit as he looked around. He sprung up to a tree and pass from tree to tree, and used this system into getting into Evaelon in secret. He made no noise at all.
/By the evening star. What...about Crysolite? The other elves?/
/The other elves are not in a good condition at all...I don't know what happened to Crysolite. Like I said, we were attacked my zombies, and I didn't see her after that./
They both reached the stables, Rysina before Tatl. "Hurry up. I'll leave you if I have to. Evaelon is at stake!"
She quickly mounted a horse and immediately took off. Tatl groaned. He mounted a horse as well, though much slower, then galloped after her.
After bypassing the wall, Jael jumped silently onto the grass and looked towards the large palace where Ceria stayed with King Elroand and her two brothers. Though during this season, her brothers would be gone to their grandfather's. He smiled.
"Ceria, Ceria. I thought your banishment was uncalled for...while it was needed," he whispered to himself, amused.
/Ceria, you have to get out of there/
/I won't leave my people./
/Or he'll...kill you/
Ceria stared into the flames as she stood up from the sofa. The fire crackled and rose. Goosebumps raced throughout her. She wasn't alone.
Crysolite landed, now very near to Evaelon.
Jael rubbed his hands together, then directed his energy towards the palace before he ran towards it.
Rysina rode the horse as fast as it could go, desperately trying to get to Evaelon.
Ceria moved to the fire mantle and drew her Elven sword. "Jael?"
She turned around as Jael stepped out of the shadows slowly. "Hello there."
Soon Rysina came to the forest; she had been riding on the plains.
/Rysina...he's here./ "Jael...nice...change you have there."
She dismounted her horse, practically jumping off of it at full speed, and sprinted toward Evaelon. Because it was night, she rendered herself invisible.
"Thank you for noticing." He stepped forward. Every now and then a tremor would run through him.
/I'm coming as fast as I can. Be careful./
"Ah...all you female...things. So complicated. Always failing for the baddies." He advanced forward and looked down the blade of her sword. "Is that anyway to treat a Prince soon to be King?"
"It's protection. Back off, Jael. I won't hesitate to stab you…"
She eventually reached the entrance, and climbed up. It took her several minutes to get over, since it was probably rather tall.
He grabbed the blade tightly, ignoring the deep cut and yanked her off balance. Ceria stumbled forward and Jael smacked her soundly where she fell to her knees. He grabbed her by her hair. "Where's daddy?"
Rysina looked around, then ran toward where she thought 'Jael' would be. It wasn't hard to sense him.
"Kela!" Ceria yelled and Jael flew backwards.
Rysina found a way in, but upon entering, she became visible again because she was inside.
Jael chuckled loudly. " Mmm…was that good for you as it was for me?"
Rysina ran toward the chuckle. She burst into the room. He stood up and with a wave of his hand, a zombie appeared and latched itself onto Ceria. He looked to who burst through. "Rysina! Darlin'!"
"You aren't very good at making sure we're dead."
Ceria groaned as she fought off the zombie.
"Who said I wanted you dead?"
She advanced toward 'Jael'.
"I love you, Rysina. Or at least I thought I did."
"You tried to have us eaten alive! That isn't dead?"
"Big difference. Then again, it would've been interesting making you and Tatl puppets of my creation...So what shall we do with ourselves?"
"Yeah...you have to have puppets and zombies to do everything for you. As Tatl said, you are lazy. You have to stop this. I know you're in there...somewhere...Jael."
Ceria yelled things in Elvish and the zombie rolled off of her. She fought it off until it hit the flames.
"Why would I? I'm stronger than any of you."
As the zombie hit the flames, Jael winced, as if in pain.
"Are you okay, Ceria?" She quickly glanced at her.
"Oh...yeah...I'm great."
She wanted to ask Jael the same thing, but it wasn't him.
A hand holding his rib, Jael glared at Rysina. "Where's your friend?"
"I don't know..." Maybe she could convince him that Tatl had died with the zombies. "I haven't see him…"
He raised his left hand in the air and a blue aura surrounded it. "You shouldn't have come here."
"I love you, and I must stop you from doing this."
"How so?" He laughed.
/Crysolite! You must kill all of the zombies with some sort of fire spell! It's the only way! Please! For Jael!/
Crysolite quickly headed back towards Gaelon. She had almost reached Evaelon, too.
"So how will we end this?"
"How about with you losing this...power?"
He looked at Ceria and with a move of his hand, she flew back and hit the wall hard and passed out from the hard contact.
"I hate being interrupted." Jael started to walk around her. "Losing it? Nah."
"I find this new attitude of yours quite rude." she watched him closely.
"I thought you'd like it; you like Tatl's so much."
"Jael isn't Tatl."
"Why should it matter?" He narrowed his eyes at her. "I never get my due when it's needed. I play the silent one always looking after you pigs."
"Because I love Jael, not Tatl."
"Amazing what people decide to say when they're about to die."
She hoped Crysolite would soon reach Gaelon. She couldn't buy too much more time.
"So...how do you want to do this?" he asked again.
"I don't."
"That isn't a choice, now is it?" He rolled Ceria's sword up on the toe of his boot, then he tossed it up to his hand.
"Then does it really matter? You're the one who's going to kill me."
TBC...