The land was ended before it barley begun. Shadow creatures roam the land freely, the sky is covered by a permanent black cloud and the dark king who rules it all destroys any who dare oppose him. People live in fear every day, fighting for their lives. The only salvation comes from dreams, where a blessed few are able to walk upon a land of light and hope. A beautiful place, where there is no darkness or war, where the people are happy and at peace with eachother. It is an ideal land for all, and what many strive for. But it is also feared as well, for it has driven men mad who are plagued with these dark times. When the light begins to blend to darkness however, those who walk between worlds must figure out what is truly dream....and what is reality. Are they seekers of light? Or bringers of darkness...?

The kingdom of darkness is located within the dark world. In this world, most of the land is barren and dead, little grows within the cold and hardened ground if anything at all. Villages are run down, kingdoms are a shadow of what they once were. Large ruins can be found throughout the land, as well as large fractures within the earth's surface. Some are said to be bottomless, others are said to have fire and lava at the bottom, and some vent toxic fumes into the air above. The sky is permanently covered in black clouds, making it impossible for anyone to ever tell if it is night or day. There is no sun, and no moon. An eerie fog usually stays low to the ground in many places throughout the land. Dark creatures run the land, taking what they want and commanding the land.

They are ruled by a dark king, who has claimed all of the land for himself, taking whatever and whoever he desires. He destroys whoever gets in his way, causing the people to live in fear and have no choice but to serve his needs whenever asked. They have little hope and salvation, other than a land brought to them by their dreams. Few are blessed with it, making many question. They both love and are afraid of this world traveled to by dreams. The thought of a place where things are peaceful, beautiful and light is nice to hear. At the same time however, this unobtainable world has also driven many who seek it mad, since to them there is no way it could possibly exist. It has become a law to report any who are having these dreams to the overlord's men or to turn them over directly.





The kingdom of light is the kingdom those chosen from the world of darkness are able to visit through their dreams. In this world, there is no war. There is no fear or anger, the people live in peace and happiness. It is typically always sunny and beautiful within the weather. The skies rarely having clouds, though when it does they are white and calm. The moon and the stars shine over the night sky when the day is done. The land is graced with lush forests, soft green grass, waterfalls and various bodies of water. Many bountiful crops grow here, and all of the food tends to be very flavorful and delicious. The people are kind and warm, lending a hand to those in need when they are able to. They stand typically as brothers and sisters, a united front even if not family by birth. The main capital consists of a white palace, where the world is ruled over by a kind and just king and queen. The people love their leaders. Animals are happy, and even the world itself seems to be happy. The world naturally gives off a calming and serene effect to those within it. Little else is known about it for the moment.

1. NO GODMODDING
2. Respect all members of the rp
3. PM profiles to me titled Kingdom Of Dreams, or they will be rejected, this is to make sure you have read the rules.
4. Yaoi and Yuri are allowed, Romance, etc within reason.
5. Follow all Mene rules.
6. Keep OOC in the OOC NOT IN THE RP. (A major pet peeve of mine that few seem to follow.)
7. Players MUST write a GOOD SIZED PARAGRAPH OR TWO PER POST. NO ONE TWO OR THREE LINERS AT ALL!
13. Rules will be added and subtracted as needed.


***(Please remember to add a color where it says "color" in the pro skeleton. Also, txt goes OUTSIDE the color area.)

[CENTER][IMG]character Image[/IMG][/CENTER]
[SIZE="1"][COLOR="color"]☨Username:[/COLOR]
[COLOR="color"]☨Name:[/COLOR]  
[COLOR="color"]☨Nickname:[/COLOR]
[COLOR="color"]☨Age:[/COLOR] 
[COLOR="color"]☨Gender:[/COLOR]
[COLOR="color"]☨Sexuality:[/COLOR] 
[COLOR="color"]☨Race:[/COLOR] 
[COLOR="color"]☨Position:[/COLOR]  (who you are in the rp. what your character does for a living (knight, king, shop keeper, etc.). Those who are in the dark world but able to go to the light one in dreams post here. Be warned, not all will be able to go to the light world.) 
[COLOR="color"]☨Appearance: [/COLOR] (Give a description of your character here. Include whatever you wish that is not seen or etc. from the picture)
[COLOR="color"]☨Skills And Abilities :[/COLOR]  (Don't go crazy with powers, use your imagination.)
[COLOR="color"]☨Weapons and Equipment:[/COLOR] (whatever you use in battle or typically carry with you goes here.)
[COLOR="color"]☨Personality:[/COLOR]
[COLOR="color"]☨Flaws and Weakness':[/COLOR]  
[COLOR="color"]☨History:[/COLOR]  (don't forget to explain which world your character is in)
[COLOR="color"]☨Extra:[/COLOR]  
[/SIZE]

OOC

Accepted Profiles




~ Rune (Kiyoto)
~ Reina Nightengale (Kiyoto)
~ Maela (Aoi Kazuya)
~ Gael (Aoi Kazuya)
~ Zoldolyo (Midorikawa)
~ Angelique (Midorikawa)
~ Althae Reesa (Esmme)
~ Abel Mattthews (Esmme)
~ Momiko (Kilia)
~ Opal (Q U E E N)
~ Eadade (ClariusFlorina)
~ Eclipse (ClariusFlorina)
~ Akira (flamethrower1391)
~ Setsutarou (flamethrower1391)

I

II

III

~Rune~

The air was crisp and clean, beautiful as it typically was within this world of light. The skies bright with sun and not a cloud in sight. For a moment, the male seemed content just lying in the lush grass benieth a giant tree. Pink pear shaped fruit swayed as a breeze rippled through the leaves. He smiled, hearing a voice calling to him a moment later. Sitting up, a woman and a boy he knew as Lilly and Fernir were standing just down the hillside. Odd, in this world they refered to him as their brother, but in his world...he was alone and did not have any siblings.

What was even odder was that Lilly in this world was the princess to the king and queen. It made him chuckle a bit, what an odd thing for his mind to do, portray a princess and young prince as his siblings within this world. He knew better, but still it was nice. He had managed in his visits to keep away from the castle though, he was not to interested in meeting with the king and qeen, though Lilly and Fernir often attempted to suggest he do so. He stood, allowing his feet to plant themselves in the grass. The breeze struck again, and for a moment he closed his eyes.

For a dream, this all felt so real..as real as the real world almost. He sighed slightly, if only right? "Brother come on!" Fernir's voice energetically called to him, they were going to the stables today, he had agreed to teach the young prince to ride. Smiling, he gave a wave of his hand "I'm coming." He took a step, then another, making his way down towards their smiling faces, before he froze at an odd jolt within his head. His hand moved to his head, as it felt like an odd pulse. It had felt it before many times. Why, why now? Lilly's eyes seemed to turn to worry and sadness, as she began to call out to him and move to come to him.

He caught the slight sound of Fernir saying what sounded like brother as their voices faded away. The world began to dull, and the male realized he was falling backwards. One would typically expect the ground to catch them, but it was as if he fell through it. All of the colors turning to smoke as he fell through empty black. The next moment he was sitting straight up, gasping a bit for air. He had been laying on hard barren ground, under the twisted remains of a lifeless tree. The same black clouded sky he remembered above him. He was awake again.. A sigh escaped him, as he ran a hand through his slightly dampened hair.

"Help!" a voice catching his attention. He stood, grabbing his bag and a large sheith that had been by him with his sword. Down from the hill, he could see a woman and a boy running for their lives from a hoared of shadow creatures. They looked like they could have once been men, but their skin was so tight you could see their bones. Their bodies tall and lengthy, almost like storied of monkeys he had heard. Their teeth sharp as any animal and their eyes were red, while their skin black. He turned, running along his higher vantage point, keeping up with the group. He watched as they neared the forest, all of the trees leafless, twisted and black.

It was a cursed forest, some believed the trees were alive . Few dared to go inside. The woman and child would stand no chance if they got inside there. He noticed one of the beasts speeding up, before it suddenly leaped at them. It was now or never. He grabbed the hilt of his sword and jumpped, flying down from the higher ground and slicing his sword through the air. He herd a distinct cry, and a rush of black smoke told him his blade had met its target. The other creatures roared, moving forward to swarm him as well. He kept his feet moving, not hesitating and his mind focused.

Turning to the side, he brought his blade around with him in time to meet another of the creeature's middles. It roared, errupting into a puff of black smoke as well. He moved on to the next, blocking one as sharp claws grabbed onto his sword, and the creature's face roared inches from his own. Its' fowl breath making him feel ill for a moment, before he used his weight to knock it away. He swung his blade, doing away with the head, the body collapsing and soon vanishing into smoke. His breath a bit off, his muscles heated and adrinalene running through him. Many of the creatures kept at bay now, hissing at him and growling.

He pointed his sword at them, and slowly they dispursed. He turned then to the woman, holding the child close fear in both of their eyes. "You're safe now" he smiled, "I'm Rune."

Sometimes it amazed people that the tanned elf could navigate his way through the perilous lands of the world without his sight. They thought that perhaps he lifted his blind while he traveled, only keeping it on for his performances. That was not true.

Since he'd been given the piece by Maela, Gael had not removed it, save for when Maela removed it herself. He didn't really feel the need to explain to people that he could see just fine even with it on through the use of his other senses. But that was alright, the people in this town knew him by sight now, they didn't feel the need to stop and question him, or to even watch him warily as some townspeople had. Some even ventured to call out greetings to the young elf, for his kindness was well known in these parts. A rare thing in these times.

He paused in his movements when a child attached herself to his leg and he bent down, lips curling into a smile. There was a giggle as he offered her a hand and she wrapped her digits around one of his fingers. Slowly, he got back up and walked her back to her mother, nodding in greeting before moving on.

His destination was Maela's workshop and home. He was due back for a visit, and he worried about the elf-woman.

" 'ela? Are you in here?" Gael called, stepping into the workshop. Silence greeted his ears so he continued further in, listening and feeling for any sign of the female. There was a sigh from the direction of the house and he turned his face in that direction, a small smile on his lips as he felt a hand brush his cheek and arms enveloping him in a hug.

There was a brief moment when he really was blinded as his eye cover was lifted off.

"Well look who decided to come back~" Maela teased, a smirk on her own lips. Her expression was mischievous, but Gael thought nothing of it as he blinked in the dim light.

"Did you not have work to do today?"

Maela's expression soured at the mention of work. Her hands dropped Gael's blind onto a table and she grabbed his hands, moving them to rest on her hips as she drew them closer together. She reached up to cradle his face in her hands before drawing him forward to press their lips together.

Gael went along with her motions, he'd long accepted that this was just the way she was. Others spoke of her behind her back, warning him that she was just using him. But he owed her his life, and was willing to give anything to her as long as it made her happy. He didn't care of messed up this kind of relationship looked to others, because he was a pretty messed up person himself. It only made sense, right?

She never cared to hear about his travels, or news of the world. She wasn't much of a dreamer, content to be where she was, away from everything. Maela was a selfish woman, and she knew it. Even as she drew Gael with her deeper into the house, moving from the workshop to a more private setting, she knew she was being entirely selfish in keeping him with her. But she couldn't brign herself to care. As long as he never left her, she would be fine. She didn't want to have to share him with anyone else, so long as he continued to return to her side. She'd do anything to keep it that way.

Gael wished he could convince the older elf to travel with him, to make her see that maybe it was time she stopped her lazy ways. But he also understood it was futile. But as long as she trusted him then he was fine. She would never harm him. Not on purpose at least. Not in the way that would hurt him the most.

"I've only just got back...'ela...don't I at least get a moment to rest?" Gael asked as her fingers worked at his clothes. He would question her, try to get her to talk with him. But he wouldn't stop her from doing what she wanted. Eventually she'd get him into the bedroom and he'd let her have her fun.

He'd tell her about his travels later then, and the things that had been happening in the world outside while watching her tinker away. He knew she wouldn't listen...but it was nice pretending that she was.

The faerie had reorganized the shop countless times in the past month, and today wasn't out of the ordinary. He was currently placing various jars and bottles on a shelf on the other side of the store. The job was menial and kept his mind from wondering too far. Just as he placed the last jar, the bell rang, signalling a customer had entered the shop.

"Welcome to Eadadels Emporium. Can I help you find anything?" He said without turning. By the way the person stomped, he knew it was a hefty man that had entered the shop.

There was a pause before the man answered, "I'm looking for a trinket for my wife... Though I am unsure of what to get her."

"On the east wall there are some small bottles of perfume. On the west wall next to me you can find some brooches and jars of sweets." Eadadel now noticed some items on the west wall had collected some dust, no sooner did he pull out his handkerchief and began taking each item off the shelf's and tables to wipe them down.

The man took a rather long look around the shop, barely stopping at either wall to look at what Eadadel had mentioned. After Eadadel had finished wiping off a majority of the items the man finally replied, "I don't know, I just don't see anything she'd like. Would you happen to have anything special stored in the back?" The man was already peering towards the counter, and eyeing the curtain that separated the shop from Eadadel's living area.

Eadadel slammed the metal statue he was wiping onto a table. "If your not going to buy anything," he began through clenched teeth, "and you're not going to sell anything, stop wasting my time with your pointless babbling and leave my shop." He was looking down at the man's feet, and scanned the man's body. He didn't have much for weapons on him, and he didn't seem like he had any intentions to rob him either. Still, he didn't like when customers lingered. Lingering meant continued conversation, and he didn't feel like conversating with anyone today.

The man swallowed whatever he was planning on saying, and walked out of the shop without another word.

Eadadel hadn't noticed he was holding his breath until he let it out. He looked back at the statue he had placed on the table, and noticed part of it was bent. He didn't care whether it was that way before or a mixture of rage and his ice abilities. Either way, another day passed, and another customer had been chased away.

He went back to his room. In the corner, lied his best friend of countless years. Even though she was encased in ice, her fiery red and purple hair showed through as if she was in a glass box. Her lips were still as pink as ever. He imagined the serious look she gave for almost everything. Sometime she would smile, it had to either be something really stupid or ironic for that to happen. He placed his hand over her heart, and hardened the ice. His icy blue wings appeared for a moment, making the room glow a cold blue, and vanished in an instant.

"What now Eclipse?" he whispered as his hand lingered over her heart.

The chase was thrilling, while it lasted. A lithe shadow darted among the monsters, flitting this way and that with a quiet laugh. He could taste the fear of the mother and her child. It was a beautiful feeling. That single emotion was so strong! How long had it been since he'd tasted it's sweet touch?

As the woman cried for help, the tall shadow seemed displeased. Pushing the monsters onward, he knew it was time. It was time to push this pathetic creature and her child into the forests. There, he could toy with their minds until they, too, were tainted and broken.

The shadow chuckled to itself, laughing as the two innocent creatures were pushed toward the sickly trees. Soon. So soon, he would see them breaking. He wasn't going to be alone.

There was action. Something burst in from the side, taking down the first of the beasts. The shadow stayed back, blending with the darkened smoke of dying horrors. Lesser beings fled at the threats of the warrior, who had performed an act that many would have been too frightened or selfish to commit. He was brave, this one. He had a strong heart.

"You're no fun." Abel Matthews sighed, seeming to materialize from the black smoke left behind from the monsters Rune had slain. Rune had kept the mother and her child from running into the forest, which would have been much more exciting for the tainted male. "They're weak. They don't stand a solid chance of survival here."

The words were calm, and soothing. The child who clung to their mother stopped crying. Abel lifted a hand, catching a moth that flit about him. Entrapping it within slender fingers, he offered it out to Rune. "Nothing survives in these lands," he stated quietly. "Why prolong the inevitable? It will only cause them more suffering in the end."

A nonexistent breeze tugged at the tall male's hair and clothing, carrying wisps of shadow into the world about him. "What do they call you, warrior?"

Rune eyed the man who had come out of nowhere. He was not taken in by his voice, knowing better than to let himself so easily be swayed. He noticed the child calm though, placing himself between the two. He ignored the moth, his eyes staying unfaultering on the one who held it. "My name is Rune, and I will not stand by as innocent people are hurt" his voice holding its strength, even as his mind wondered a bit if this was going to be a bigger battle now then he intended. "They are of no use to you, allow them to go in peace" was his next choice of words. He lowered his blade a fraction, but that did not mean he was not prepared to use it if needed.

He wondered why such a being would be out here like this..then again, in this world, it was not so much of a mystery. He hadn't asked the other his name, he would make a note to, depending on what the next move was. Would the other engage him, or allow the mother and child to return home without hassle. He had a feeling there would be terms, there always were. Dark creaturs in this world were known for making deals, no one often got anything without giving something in return. A sighe escaped his lips, as his eyes for a moment moved to the family to make sure they were alright. Once he was sure, he returned his attention to the moth man.

Eclipse layed in the middle of a clearing, surrounded by the Star-Flower Woods. The treetops held their name-sake: Large flowers that would take both your arms to hold. The flowers had five triangular petals, forming the shape of a star. The flowers were a bright yellow against the dark green vines and leaves of the trees. Vines weaved through the treetops, and hung down carrying small pale white and blue flowers with them. The sun was just starting to sneak past the trees, letting direct sunlight shine on Eclipse's face.

She took a deep breath and kept her eyes closed, focusing on the warmth of the sun. This spot was always quiet, apart from the occasion birds chirping and the rustling of leaves. Eclipse used to travel the land, exploring more and more of it. The more she explored, the more the world changed. She'd always find water right when she needed it, and the rivers were never in the same place twice. Sometimes this clearing was deeper into the forest, sometimes there were empty cabins near the clearing. The only aspect which remained constant was the king's castle, a person was never more than a days journey from it by traveling to the east. Recently, she has been trying to come here everyday just before the sun peeked in to the clearing; it was her favorite spot during the day.

The faerie took the key from around her neck, and began looking at it. She had many questions: why does this world feel so amiss? What is this key for? What is my purpose?

After staring at the key for a little longer, a faint vision took over her.

She was in a dark room, the only light was shining through a window. The room was mostly empty: apart from a desk, some book shelves, and a cot. There was a man in an ornate blue coat and vest standing beside her. He was looking down at her, on the brink of tears. Finally he brought his hand towards her chest, but a glass case stopped him. As he closed his eyes, icy wings appeared behind him. Something else began to shine though, an item just under his vest. Before she could take a closer look, the glass became much thicker, distorting her sight too much to properly see through.

It wasn't the first time she'd seen that vision. Sometimes the man looked calm, others he was crying. There used to be a bed in the room, but ever since she saw the room ravaged, a cot has been it's replacement.

A shiver came over her. She quickly sat up, crossing her legs, and began rubbing her upper arms.

"Should I be looking for him?" Eclipse whispered.

Akira heard a commotion up ahead. Her brother Setsutarou was standing beside her with his hand on his katana, ready for anything that might attack. It had been days since anything interesting had happened. The two were headed to a town on the other side of the forest for a woman who was alleged to be a Lightwalker. Whether the accusations were true or not, they didn't care.

The demon woman sprinted forward, her weapon a kusarigama. She stopped when she saw a man protecting a mother and her child. She didn't know what from until she turned her head to the side to find a man on the other side of a tree to her left. By then, her brother was beside her, blade drawn.

The man looked odd. Everything about him screamed evil. Not that it bothered either of them. They knew evil. They worked for the Overlord, their adoptive mother died from evil, they were demons. Evil ran in their blood. But there was something else different about the man. He looked as if he was one of the tainted. Neither of them had seen a tainted before, but they had heard enough storied of them. Why the man was here, she could only speculate.

Her attention turned to the other three. The man standing in the front had to be a warrior of some sort. The way he stood and carried himself said it all. He was protecting the other two. Were they family? He looked nothing like them. Was he just some random passerby? Why bother risking your life for two meaningless ones against a tainted? Maybe one of them was a Lightwalker. They weren't too far from town. Maybe the tainted worked for the Overlord as well.

"I don't supposed any of you have been to the Light World? If so, I know of a place where you all can be safe from people like, well, this creeper," she said with a sweet smile. Her brother just stood there stern and focused.

Angelique watched as the man counted out what he owed her. She had just guided him from a town that was over a week away, to the current one. She ignored the eyes that watched the two...well rather her. It wasn't everyday that you saw a woman with wings and a dragon. Dragons in a town, in broad daylight was not common at all. Once the man finally finished paying her, she simply walked away, looking around the town.

After walking around a bit despite the continuing stares, she found what she was looking for. Some simple non-expensive food. She bought enough for her and Heath, and then she left the village, finding a nice spot away from it to relax. Sitting down she pulled out the food, splitting it up between the two of them.

"Do you want to stay here or go elsewhere for our next job?" Angelique looked up at Heath as she heard his question.

"Somewhere different. We won't obtain work here. The people seemed too fearful of us," she told him, taking a bite of her meal.

"Understood. We should go further outside of the village to sleep tonight and then leave early in the morning. No point in being too far from civilaztion at night, otherwise we could be in danger," he explained, eating his own food.

Angelique simply nodded in reply. Once the two finished their meals, they rose from their seats on the ground and began their trek further away from the village, looking for a spot to camp for the night.

"Rune," the male repeated the name calmly, releasing the moth. "The hero." Abel tilted his head a bit, taking the male's readied weapon and strong features. "They are of no use to anyone, let alone someone like me. They will succumb, be it today or tomorrow. Perhaps they will be haunted for years, nightmares tormenting their minds."

A flicker of darkness flashed from his upraised hand. The shadow breezed past Rune and toward the two innocents. The child's crying returned. Fear tainted the air, bringing a smile to the creature's lips.

Abel didn't move as though he were part of the material world. Shifting back slightly, the darkness filtered about him like a deceiving fog. "I would be much obliged if you stepped aside, Rune. I haven't tasted fear in days." A slight smile teased the tall creature's features. "I see that you're protective of them. I'm not sure why, but ... I suppose we can come to an agreement."

He disappeared in shadow, flickering back into view a few feet closer to Rune. He was close enough to reach out and touch. "I need something to recompense for loosing a long-awaited meal, Rune. Do you have anything of value to one such as I?"

Abel tilted his head a bit, suddenly seeming to notice the arrival of two others. His gaze never left Rune. "Why would you interfere?" The male's tone was calm, almost hurt. "It isn't causing enough trouble to draw the attention of your kind." Dark tendrils flickered over his skin as though trying to comfort him. Abel frowned a bit, obviously becoming uneasy. Three? There were too many now. This meal might not be worth his time....
-

Blue eyes lifted from the map she held before her. Althae Reesa frowned. Was this the right place? She really needed to find this medicine woman she'd heard about....

Tucking her hands into her over-sized coat, the young woman continued walking. The map was good for a long-distance journey, but she supposed it was time to start asking around. Oh, wait! Maybe there? A disgruntled man left a shop to her right. The sign looked interesting. Eadadel's Emporium? It sounded like a good place to look around, and maybe ask a few questions.

Glancing around, Althae pushed the door open. The soft sound of a bell made her smile. It reminded her of a shop back home. The smell of dust and musty space brought a smile to the girl's face, and she breathed deeply. Of course, that was right around the time she finally opened her eyes and looked around. Trinkets and oddities were everywhere. She didn't know where to look first!

Althae found herself immediately distracted by an interesting bottle a few feet away. Completely forgetting to look for someone inside the shop, the girl was entranced by the color of the liquid inside the container. What was it? Was it some kind of dye?

She reached out to pick up the bottle, fingering it carefully. It was ... warm? Was the liquid warm inside the glass, or was she just imagining it?

Rune refused to move from before the two people he was protecting. He noticed the shadow move past him, clenching his jaw slightly. He watched as the one he was speaking with vanished, then appeared closer to him. His blade shifted a fraction, following his movements. His eyes remained strong and focused, he had no intention of stepping aside. He would do what he could to help these people. When the other asked about a trade, he paused in thought for a moment. Did he have anything to offer? What exactly would the other find of use? He heard the other two approaching from a bit off, his eyes not leaving the man in front of him when the girl spoke up.

She spoke of the light world, which immediatly made his body tense a bit more. He hid it though, he could not allow it to show. This was common, people seeking out those who were able to visit the light. It was no secret that the dark king wanted to see them all dead. For a moment, Rune was slightly glad that none of them seemed to recognize him. Seemed either they were not working for the dark king...or they were just bad at it. "The light world is a legened...nothing more" he said, placing some distance between him and the man now. He moved to the mother and child's side. "It is forbidden, and you will find nothing here" he nodded to the mother, who began moving away with her son. He would follow soon enough, to make sure they remained safe and out of harms way back to wherever they lived.


Anubias

The room was dark for the moment, silence within. The room itself was pretty nice, lush, well designed. It was located within the highest tower of the dark overlord's castle, and within it, a man laid upon the bed. He had been there for awhile now, since he had come to this world. He remembered it, he had been injured and unable to fight back. Because of that, he had been found quite quickly by the overlord, who had taken an immediate intrest in him, and forced him here.

He doubted many knew about him, only those closest to the lord that he trusted knew. The king had taken quite a fancy..bordering on obsession..with him. It was partially why the room was nice, and not a mere dungeon cell. The king had no trouble making his want for the man known, and it made said man sick. As if this king could win him over by merely giving him a nice room, when he was holding him as a prisoner here.

He was never allowed out, unless specifically designated by the king. And when he was summoned, he was forced to wear a collar that kept constant dark energy flowing through him. He hated that they had seemed to be able to find a weakness so easily. He was suseptable to darkness...to the influence. The dark energy from the collar helped to keep him in line, able to cause immense pain at the lords command, as well as make him a bit more...compromisable. He clenched his teeth a bit, feeling disgusted with himself now.

He was not someone's pet, to be collared and used at will. He sat up more on the bed, light filtering through the windows now. Well, at least as much light as could be from the constant overcast. He stood, moving to one of the windows, looking out it. Guards below, black birds overhead, shadow creatures slinking everywhere. The entire castle was under constant watch. He had little chance of getting out unnoticed, and if he did test the boundaries and got caught...He had seen what happened when one was designated for punishment by the lord.

Beatings, mutilations, torture....they had many creative meathods that would make one beg for death. He knew there were fates far worse than death itself, and the king seemed to enjoy installing them on others who pissed him off. It made him slightly glad that the other did have an intrest in him. He would not risk causing harm to his exceptional body or looks. He glanced at himself in the mirror tilting his head a bit.

He had never really been one to look at himself that way, but he was used to using his looks and such in situations. His personality in many ways showed that. Perhaps...He sighed, looking back out the window. Perhaps it was time he started using that and the lord's intrest in him to his advantage. It was a disgusting thought, but a thought none the less. He needed to think of a plan and soon, he could not sit around here forever. A black bird flew close, as if eyeing him.

He stepped back from the window, turning away from it. He moved to a table within the room, running his fingertips over a few books that the lord had allowed him to have in his spare time. He wondered what the man was planning to do with him. He had refused so far to tell him anything about himself. He knew he was hunting those who were able to visit the light world in this one. What if he discovered the truth...His hand lightly clenched on the cover of the last book.

Another thought crossed his mind for a moment, and he glanced at the door. Someone was coming. Moments later a knock came. A maid entered with two guards. He sighed, seemed it was time for breckfast. The lord always 'requesting' his presence at meals or whenever he desired. One of the guards stepped forward with the collar, he gave a slight glare, but allowed it to be placed around his neck. Fighting would do little good. The only one with the power to remove it was the lord.

He was thankful he was not forced to wear it all the time, but he wondered how much the lord more enjoyed it when he was. A chill slightly moved over his skin. He felt the darkness begin to fall over him from it, a haze setting in over his mind. He hand to hold onto the table for a moment to support himself. The haze lightened a bit after a moment, but he could still feel the darkness sinking in.

It was taking his concentration to keep it at bay. He could not afford to slip anymore than he already had....The guard nudged him a bit and he sighed, stepping away from the table. He followed the maid who was in front, the guards to his back. They began their decent from the tower towards the large dininghall in the giant castle that was the lords home. He was not looking forward to this at all.

Akira ran to block the path of the mother and child. It was clear they were trying to make an escape with the help of this warrior. If any of them could access the Light World, she needed to know before they got away. She moved her wrist in a circular motion, causing the sickle at the end of her weapon to spin. With her other hand, she flipped up her eyepatch, revealing a deep blue eye with an intricate symbol. Bright light was coming from the warrior, and she knew who her next target was.

"The boy and the woman may go," she turned her attention to the tainted, "unless you want them. You, sir, however, need to come with me. The Dark Lord will make quite the prize of you." And with that, she swung at the warriors head.

By that time, a katana was swung at him too as Setsutarou began to form right out of the shadows. He didn't like that fact that his back was turned toward the other man. Who knows what he might try, but his goal seemed to have been the other two until this prick showed up. Maybe the man would go after the others and leave them be.

The sounds of a hammer pounding against metal could be heard coming from the workshop now as Maela set to work on her pile of commissions that Gael had prodded her to do incessantly after she'd had her fun. He just didn't seem to understand that she didn't want to work that day. She'd already gotten a couple done, the pieces sitting on the table closest to the wall. Gael had pulled taken a seat on the dusty floor, plucking away at a stringed instrument that he's brought back a while ago from one of his past journeys and had kept in his room in Maela's home.

Between the warm metal below her fingers and the soft melody playing from Gael, Maela was content again. This was fine. Living like this was good. She did what she had to to survive and didn't meddle with things that should be left alone, and in return she had no trouble from the Dark King of this land. Her eyes trailed back to Gael after a moment, drinking in his features. He was too trusting in her. And she herself had grown too attached to him. Would he always keep coming back to her? Maybe she should treat him kinder...he snorted and turned her eyes back to her work, ignoring the questioning tilt of Gael's head.

She couldn't see his eyes since he'd put that stupid blind back on, but she didn't comment on it. She knew he needed it to keep himself sane. He'd tried explaining it to her before. She hadn't really understood, but it was fine with her. His eyes were a privilege only she had to see after all, and she was completely fine with that. Lost in her work and thoughts she didn't notice the sad curl of Gael's lips as his head was kept angled in her direction.

His fingers continued to pluck out a melody as his own thoughts raced. He hadn't been completely honest with Maela. As much as he'd told her about himself. There was one part he'd never told her. And that was because he knew that she would not take the news well. He hadn't realized it at first when it had happened, merely accounting the dreams to delusions his mind had formed to torment him with. But no...they had continued after that. A light walker...how messed up was his situation?

As completely dedicated to the older woman as he was, he did not know how deep her loyalty for him ran. He knew she'd prefer not to have anymore troubles, which was why she had such a lazy personality. The less she got involved with things, the less she'd have to deal with. But...Gael didn't know how much longer he'd be able to keep this secret of his from getting out. There were those out there who could see, with just a glance, who could walk in the World of Light. And if they knew of his connection to this woman...what then? Would she sell him out? He felt terrible doubting her but...his shoulders slumped in shame and his fingers paused for a moment in their playing, absently curling around the strings of the instrument. Before Maela could notice, he had quickly picked up the tune again. He would find a way. He had to.

It was irritating. Rune was frustrating him. Abel could not alter Rune's mind with his words. They seemed to have no effect on the male, which was highly surprising. Most people felt the deceit as a calm, soothing voice that would change their perspective. This, though ... this was yielding no results.

The tainted male watched as Rune took a step back, speaking of the light world. This seemed to catch his attention. Perhaps it was worth more than just a meal.... Perhaps the two strangers were well worth their convenient timing and distraction.

"I would never turn down a pleasant experience." Abel's words were in response to Akira, who mentioned allowing him to take the two mortals should he want them. The shadowed creature suddenly disappeared in a flicker of dark mist, getting out of the way as Akira's blade swung at Rune.

An interesting turn of events! And such intriguing emotion....

Abel tasted the air as a snake might, becoming a mere shade that flickered near the others. His attention had conveniently left the mother and her child. He could find more humans later....

Star-Flower Woods. The large yellow star shaped flowers could easily hide the small male who gazed at the vibrantly colored flowers. Red eyes looked them over for a few minutes before he climbed up one of the dark colored vines that was covered in smaller flowers. His goal at the moment was to grasp one of these star flowers to use, well to make a bag out of it so that he could gather a bunch of the smaller flowers for his job.

What he did not notice was the female that was sunbathing on the other side of the tree, on the ground below him as he worked on getting the flower free from the branch it was attached to. He finally managed to get the flower free, causing it to fall onto the female as she sat up, still having not noticing her. He quickly made his way down to the ground, blinking in surprise as he ran a hand through his white hair, his white wolf ears laying flat on his head as a worried look crossed his features.

"I am so very sorry!!!" he said to her as he tugged it off of her, sounding almost childish as his eyes seemed to fill with tears. He bite his lip as he clung the flower to him, it almost completely hide him as he peeked out from behind it at the girl, looking her over as he clearly had not seen her before and she was by far the most interesting thing he had seen in a while.

He brought his sword up, blocking her shot. He then moved it in an arch, which was a normal sword move. Due to his greater size and weight, it forced her sword away enough that would send her off balance for a few moments. During that time, he took a step back. He raised a hand, a blue electric like energy corsing around his hand. It sent out a wave, which kicked up the blackened dirt around them towards the other three. It would not do much, but it was cover enough. The woman and child had taken safely off, and now it was in his best intrest to do the same.

He knew the land pretty well, turning away from the others. The trees helped to also cover his exit. Standing and fighting right now would do him no good, especially not with three of the Kings goons on his tail. Man, today was certainly shaping up to be something. He sighed, shaking his head. The trees began to get thicker, he glanced back only for a moment, before making a right. There were a set of underground caves near here, that could make even the best explorers lost unless they knew their way.

Luckily he did, but since they were not to well known, he was banking on those other guys not knowing. He brused some branches away, to show a large entrance in the face of a huge rock. Taking a breath and sheathing his sword he stepped inside. Immediatly he was sliding downwards, it was like the steep edge of a cliff. He kept himself silent, as a few roots knicked him. He soon landed below on solid ground, glancing back, he couldn't even see the light from outside. It was dark, so he made a small orb of energy in his hands to light his way. It would not give off to much light for him to be followed, just enough. With that, he set off.

Eadadel still had his hand over Eclipse's heart when the door bell signaled someone entering the shop. He took a moment to calm down before walking to the front again. If fate has brought him another customer today, he wasn't about to chase them away as well. He took one last glance at Eclipse, reassuring himself that nothing could happen to her while he was gone. She may look like she's in glass, but that ice could withstand a building crumbling above her.

Eadadel walked to the showroom, quietly drawing the curtain closed leading to the back. He scanned the shop, and saw no one near the register. As he began walking towards the front he noticed a woman in simple cloak swirling a random potion in her hand. Was she looking for anything specific? Or was this the first thing to catch her eye? He stopped six feet away from her.

"Is there anything I can help you find Miss? I have quite an array of potions, dried herbs, and powders." Now that he thought about it, he had just placed the enchanting powders on the other side of the store, but maybe it was better to keep those seperate. He wasn't an alchemist or potions expect, but he knew better than to mix the powders with various potions.

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One of the star-flowers landed in Eclipse's lap. She blinked in surprise, wondering what would've caused it to fall from the tree tops. She soon heard something carefully but swiftly climbing down the tree she was closest too. Before she knew it the flower was already outside of her lap and on the ground next to her. A child seemed to be hiding behind it. As she heard his apology, and looked at him closer, she noticed white canine ears peaking out from his snow white hair.

She turned to face the flower and it's new handler. He sounded on the verge of tears. Was he really that emotional over the flower? Or was he acting this way to lower her guard? She knew it couldn't be the second one, what would he want from her if it was?

"It's no problem at all little one." Eclipse started in a matter-of-fact tone. She paused for a moment, deciding where she wanted to go with the conversation. In the end, she realized she couldn't keep calling him a little one, for he did not appear to be that young of a child. "You can call me El, what do people call you?"

Akira fell back and watched the warrior run. The little trick with the dirt wouldn't work with her. She could see him a mile away with how brightly he shone. It was only a matter of time until they had him. No one ever made it away, and this man was not going to be the first. She ran after him with her brother right on her heels.

But then the light disappeared, and she stopped abruptly. Where could he have gone? They weren't far from where it disappeared. There had to be something out here that they couldn't see, but what was it?

"We best head for that town. Maybe he'll show up there to check on that woman and child," Setsutarou spoke up. He really ever spoke, but when he did, it was always to his sister. And it was a good idea. There was said to be someone in that town who was a Lightwalker. Maybe it was him, and he was dumb enough to return.

Akira nodded,"We'll pay this town a visit indeed. One they won't like." And with that, the two kept walking. Whether or not they found the man when they got there mattered little to them. They would find him again one day, and this time he wouldn't escape.

Momiko cocked his head to the side as he got a relieved look upon his face, he was rather happy that she was not upset with him, that she was just as calm as everyone else that was around the area. His ears that lay flat on his head perked up at her voice, he looked her over once more seeing that she was rather beautiful and he could see himself dating her, possibly.

"My name is Momiko but everyone calls me Momo. I really am sorry for disturbing you but I am collecting flowers and did not expect anyone to be here." he said to her as he tugged one of the vines down, beginning to make the flower into a bag before he started to load it full of the tiny flowers that were around them. He kept glancing at her, wondering what she was doing way out there in the middle of the words.

His heart was racing at the anticipation that she could be something that was interesting, possibly dangerous and the complete opposite of what everyone was like in this world. That was unlikely though, this world was peaceful, and there was nothing bad in it, not a single thing could ruin any of the peacefulness. That did not mean that he didn't enjoy the peacefulness that was around him, he did but he just wished for a change. "El....why are you out here?" he said to her as he wished that was something dangerous.