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EM Fiction Shadows and Smoke

EM_Troubadour

UO Event Moderator
UO Event Moderator
Stratics Veteran
The return trip home aboard the Brigand's Revenge was again a long one, but one filled with a feeling of elation as the long sought after goal was finally coming to fruition. The Book of Truth was in his hands. Perhaps now she would be pleased.

Like a wraith, the shadow crossed the gangplank and the sun-baked sandy beach to disappear into the shadows of the jungle to a little shack amongst the trees and ferns. Fumbling with the latch, the Shadow opened the secret passage and descended into the cool caverns below.

The Lady had proven most difficult to please. Flowers withered at her icy touch, a touch that still sent shivers up his back. Bright gems didn't compare to her cold beauty. Treasures beyond price didn't satisfy her though they had been provided beyond measure. With a single-mindedness of purpose, she set seemingly impossible challenge after impossible challenge, but each had been overcome. Surely now this latest treasure, the Book of Truth itself would appease her and earn him his just reward.

In the rough-hewn passages cobwebs dangled in the faintly moving air, he moved closer to his home. The Lady surely awaited him there. Turning a last corner, a faint light shone ahead welcoming The Shadow to his journey's end.

Within the house, The Lady sensed the return of her plaything. Quickly covering the mirror in the bedroom, she descended the stairs to meet him at the door. One more... just one more she smiled to herself.

As he approached the door, it opened and there she stood smiling... a smile that sent a cold fire through him. Quietly, she turned and led him up the stairs to the bedroom past the covered mirror, but she did not stop and continued further up to the 3rd floor. At the top of the stairs, he noticed that many of the treasures were piled haphazardly off to the side of the room. On a central table lay the Candle of Love, the Bell of Courage, and two more empty spaces. Taking the Book of Truth from him, she carefully placed it upon the table.

"Only one more, love." said The Lady. "One more and our dreams will become reality. We'll have the power to rule worlds and more. All we need now is a world-gem. Lord Blackthorn will know where one is. Perhaps the Meer or Wisps may know of one as well. You must hurry for all must be ready before the next eclipse. Time is running out."

Quickly, the Shadow was ushered out of his own house and sent on his way back the the awaiting ship.

Inside the house again, The Lady returned to the bedroom and removed the cloth from the mirror. Deep inside the glass a small flicker of flame and the shadow of smoke could be seen. Taking up a small dagger, The Lady pricked her finger and smeared a drop of blood across the surface of the Mirror. The image within swirled and a grim demonic face appeared.

"Who dares to summon the Greater Demon Arcadion?" roared the image within with such force that The Lady's hair fluttered from the breeze coming out of the mirror. Seeing The Lady before him, the Demon smiled showing charred fangs. "Do you make an offering of this Blood? Or is this another trick to command my favors?"

The Lady smiled in return and knelt before the image of the Great Demon. "My Lord Arcadion, all is almost ready. Within a fortnight I will have all that is needed to set you free so that we can rule the shattered worlds together."

"Then rise lovely lady and let us discuss in detail what remains to be done. If you succeed, I shall insure that the beauty that I have given you becomes everlasting and will grant you immortality that you may serve me forever."

After a long conversation, the Great Demon's image faded within the mirror leaving only a reflection of The Lady. A Reflection that showed the fangs and horns of her true self.
 

EM_Troubadour

UO Event Moderator
UO Event Moderator
Stratics Veteran
The time was right. With the Bell, the Book, and the Candle finally in her grasp, all that remained was to gain the worldgem, and to cast the proper enchantments before the eclipse, to open a doorway between worlds. The foolish Shadow had been tempted and seduced into stealing the required items in exchange for an ethereal ability and the promise of love. A promise that would be broken. Like a broken toy, he would soon be discarded.

Climbing the stairs to the treasure room where gold and gems lay scattered across the floor, The Lady approached the table which contained the the three greatest treasures of Britannia. The Bell of Courage, Book of Truth, and the Candle of Love.

Stolen Goods.jpg
Taking up the Book of Truth, she hugged it to her breast knowing that the falsehood of who she was would be enough. The Demoness within and the lies she had told soaked into the book leaving it corrupted and sickly looking. With a smile on her face, she placed the Book of Falsehood upon the table.

Book of Falsehood.jpg

Next she approached the Candle of Love only to see it flare up and reach out to her. Love may love unconditionally, but it seemed to know it's antithesis. Carefully taking up the candle, she quickly bit into her tongue and spat the blood upon the flame. Hungrily, the flame consumed the blood with an evil hiss, tainting the candle with the hatred that burns in her blood. Quietly, she placed the Candle of Hatred upon the table.

Candle of Hatred.jpg
Finally, she took up the Bell of Courage and listened to the clear tone that rang from the bell. This one would be easiest of all. In a world filled with mortals, who had not felt fear at the sight of an attacker? Who had not taken cowardly flight at one point or another? Reaching out into the ether, she gathered the cowardice into a pool and dipped the bell into it and watched the bell take on a tarnished hue. As she replaced the bell upon the table, the clank of the clapper upon the bell sounded dull and flat.

Bell of Cowardice.jpg
The Bell of Cowardice, the Book of Falsehood and the Candle of Hatred. Only the Worldgem was lacking now. The Shadow must return with it today. Today was THE DAY. Soon the door between worlds would be opened and the Demon Lords would enter Britannia.

With another smile on her face, she descended the stairs to await The Shadow.
 
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