Neam grinned, cerulean eyes brightening further as she slipped down the hall, heading for her appointed place. Priestesses of Lolth and mindflayers, prepare thyselves for Death, as she is brought to you on wings of flame today. She grinned wider, hand gripping her sword. The human form was useful, and when it became impractical, other forms were at her disposal. How would they react to fire hotter than any other, mundane or magical, being blasted at them?

((OHMYGOSH, I'm so sorry for the delay of all delays. :oops: Bad, Es!! BAD!! :feesh: And let me think . . . did I tell the twins to help someone? :lol: I forget. Let's see . . . how about this then!))

Selk glanced to the group behind her, a devilish smile spreading across her black face. "The two surface elves," she hissed, nodding to the newest addition to their group, "will strike at whoever gets closest. Aid whoever needs it." Her purple eyes flickered to Vik, and then to each of the others. "I hope to see each of you alive after this fight." Turning toward the door, she shirked off the cloak she was wearing, letting it fall without picking it up as she pressed a thin hand to the spider-engraved entrance.
"Mother," she said, pushing the double stone doors open without pausing. Undoubtedly, the people inside already knew of their approach. Such was the way of the mind flayers - mind reading creatures of the Underdark. Matron Toshiba was wise to keep them at her side.
Without hesitation the first lash was made - Selk. The leather-clad female sprinted forward, calling out a drow word as she did. Die! Her mother moved, as well as the drow hidden about the room. In total there were three priestess' and two mind flayers for Neam to deal with. The weapon's master, Fayn, despite being blind, already moved for Selk - and was able to knock her flying backwards, back down the short set of stairs before the stone throne. A group of guardians - at least a dozen - suddenly appeared from the darkness of the large room's corners and immediately set to attacking whoever they were closest to. Undoubtedly, this battle would draw attention - which is why Selk had set Balthazar and Dante on keeping anyone from finding out.
"That door stays closed!" Selk shouted, her hair flitting about her face as it slipped loose from it's ponytail. Drawing her two enchanted blades, she lunged toward the Matron again - and was met by Fayn, who easily hit her feet out from under her.
"Tru!" the young elf barked, lashing out at Fayn as she fell to one knee. It was his job to take care of the weapon's master.

((Aaaand I'll add in a new character just ahead! ;) Heck, perhaps Fayn . . . we'll see. Don't kill him off just yet, Tru!! :lol: ^_^))

Falling from the shadows above, Truinthil descended upon Fayn, sword drawn and arching downwards towards the man's left shoulder. How he had made it to the shadows above them would be something to wonder about later. His descent from the shadows was nearly silent except for the soft rustle of his clothing, and even that would be hard to hear in the current chaos of sound, even for a blind man who has tuned his ears. Truinthil did not shout, as many fighters would in appearing suddenly in combat. He loathed allowing people to realize he was there until it was too late. If they were to counter him and fight before they died, they did so out of pure skill rather than him warning them.

His strike would be a powerful downward slash with all his weight behind it. Being as tall as he was and well built, that weight would be considerable. Even were Fayn to block it the strike would likely inflict some minor pain at the very least and quite possibly leave the man open for a follow up attack. Then again, Fayn was a highly skilled warrior.

Fayn let a hiss escape his lips as Truinthil struck him. He had only been able to block the blow because of someone shouting out to him. The weapon's master immediately forced his attention to keeping his senses locked on his opponent.The short blade he'd used to deflect Tru's blow dipped slightly - his arm was numb.
The dark elf hissed a few words under his breath, taking a deep breath before turning his blind-folded face toward Truinthil. "So be it."
Lunging forward, he locked blades with the man. Raising a foot to kick at Tru's knee, Fayn's face fell expressionless.

After a moment when the guards came in Alex squeesed Holly's hand and jumped forward becoming a wolf and running to where the guards were. A growel escaped his bared teeth as he began to fight with the large group of guards. Holly rushed over after him and grabbed on of the wepons that had fallen to the floor doing her best to dodge the men they were fighting and the best she could she tried to return the blows and fight the best she could...not that that was very well. Unlike Alex she stayed around the outside of the group while he fought from the inside. Silently she prayed for his safted and Alex prayed for hers.

(is anyone going to play the guards or should I just play them all fighting?)

((Go ahead and play the guards. ;) Just be sure to get progressively closer to the Matron. That way I can pull a stunt!! ^_-))

Taking full notice of Fayn's slowed movement with the one arm Truinthil took immediate advantage of it. Spinning to his right to avoid the kick towards his knee he brought his katana to waist level, drawing back with his hands by his hip before jabbing forward in a rather unorthodox attack considering the style of blade he was using. By spinning to the right he had placed himself on Fayn's left side, the same side of the man's numb arm. Truinthil seemed to be moving faster this time as compared to the time when he and Fayn had sparred. His form was slightly warped as well. He was a bit taller, his skin a lighter shade and his eyes starting to turn to a lighter shade of red.

Neam growled, drawing her longsword and wrapping a thin, dim trail of fire around the blade. she brought it to bare on the ]nearest of her enemies, one of the priestesses. Living snake-whip lashed out to meet the blade, but the fire intensified, and Neam deftly sheared the heads off, the whip writhing in place with it's death-throes. The priestess said something, and started to cast some sort of spell, but Neam sliced open her neck, then moved on. Damn, they're closing in on me... She looked at the two remaining priestesses and the mindflayers, then unclasped her cloak, letting it fall to fully reveal her armor. She also allowed her internal temperature to go back to her normal, burning hot. She smiled, "Sorry for the damage, Selk." She shifted, more a release than anything, seeming to shimmer and grow until a colossal red dragon, big enough to swallow a man, stood there. "I do not usually fight on the ground like this, Drow, Illithid, so you might have a chance to beat me. Provided you know how."

((Hmm...Ladeda!))

The half vampire had hidden himself when they first walked into the room, blending with the shadows was a specialty of his. Waiting until the time was right, Vik made his apperance by slicing the throat of three unsuspecting guards in rapid succession moving at such a pace that he almost appeared to be a phantom. Then seeing Selk be knocked back by Fayn he saw this as an opportunity to strike at the matron. With his eyes glowing a bright crimson Vik raced towards the woman with his startling speed, with only one dagger drawn at the moment, and as he closed in he pinpointed the precise spot on her throat he planned to hit...

(Es you are playing the matron correct?)

Alex growled and pulled the swords and other wepons out of mens hands. He moved away from some men then back a different way. At some points he was completely outside the group of guards, there were about 5 or 6 of them. At other points he was right in the center. A few times he noticed Holly trying her hardest to fight back...although she wasn't doing a very good job. One man had fallen that she hit..But he definately wasn't dead. He bit a mans leg as he fell to the ground in pain. Another man came at him and he backed away almost hitting into Fayn. The guards had followed him so now they were all clumped together by the others.....Holly stood trying to hit one of the guards as he kept fighting her and pushing her backward. Soon she was going to hit the wall and wouldn't have anywhere to run to. Alex changed back into his human form and picked up a sword pushing back one of the guards and cutting his arm and causing him to drop his wepon.

((My goodness. I apologize for such a wait! *bows repeatedly*))

Fayn hissed under his breath, shifting back and away from Truinthil's attacks. Using his own blade to keep his opponent at bay, the dark elf backed toward the matron, trying to keep an ear out for trouble in her direction as well. Of course, as soon as he'd done that, his attention was stolen away by the sound of conflict. The matron was being attacked.
-

Chaos everywhere. Selk watched in content silence as Vik took the initiative and lunged at Matron Toshiba - only to witness a flash of sorts as his blade was thrown backward. A charm. A protection that only worked once.
Bringing her twin enchanted daggers up with her, the dark elf headed forward to help Vik take down the leader of the cavern.
-

"You dare strike me, fool?!" Matron Toshiba was a regal looking woman, strands of silver thread draping from her tightly bundled hair and graceful limbs. Her red eyes narrowed as Vik lunged, and she brought a hand up to merely swipe the blade away with a flash of light. It blinded the Underdark dwellers that didn't avert their eyes, leaving a few people stumbling in their own battles.
"You dare aid in her treachery?!" The tall woman drew a slow breath, mumbling something under her breath - she was casting. And it was big, by the looks of it. She was . . . summoning.
Selk's voice ripped through the turmoil then. "Someone stop her!"
-

((Ah, and if Alex could kindly move toward Fayn . . . *pushes him in the right direction* And if Tru could kindly be distracted by the summoning Matron . . . *snaps fingers in his face to keep him off of Fayn for a moment* :lol:))

Actually somewhat surprised at the flash of light that had shot his blade backwards and launched a few feet back. It must have been a protective charm, he had heard of them but had yet to see one in action until now. Not wasting anytime after he had finished sliding backwards he again found himself rushing forward to attack the matron once more and he urged his self to move faster when he heard Selk's plea. Closing in on the regal looking woman at a fast pace the half breed lashed out at her multiple times with his daggers hoping to strike her at least once or to break her concentration.

Truinthil noticed this new lapse in concentration in his opponent and did not waste even a heartbeat in taking advantage of it. Dropping low as he let his body quickly shift to his natural form, far as any of these people knew, Truinthil surged forward low to the ground with speed that seemed unnatural. His body did not quite blur with his movement, but it would take a very trained eye to follow him and keen reflexes to block his attack which was aimed at Fayns knees, his katana held to the right of him in both hands, the tip pointed behind, prepared for a horizontal swing that would be both fast and powerful. It was certainly not a killing blow, but would leave Fayn almost entirely incapacitated which would allow Truinthil leisure in delivering the death strike.

Alex moved backwards. Having one of those sword fights you would see in Romeo and Juliet between Marcutio and Tybolt. Maybe even more overly dramatic looking. He tried to force the other man backward but was having difficulties because the guard seemed to be trying to help the matron. Although it wasn't working very well. He stepped back farther keeping the man at a rather far range. Attempting not to be hit anywhere that could cause serious damage, like his stomach, neck or chest. He stepped back even farther but quickly jumpped forward when he bumpped into someone. He didn't know who the someone was but he decided that ment that he shouldn't be near them. Noticing Truithil made him relize who the man was, Fyan. He tried to move away but the guard was right there. Shoot.

(Okay is that good Esmme?)

Neam blinked at the flashes, grunting as she stepped on one of the illithids. There was a sickening crunch as she leaned her weight on it, blood spraying out from underneath her clawed hand. She seemed to smile, sucking in a lungful of air before shooting a jet of deep red flame at the enemies surrounding her. The flames rose higher as she continued the stream, apparently setting bare rock on fire.

((You didn't forget about me, did you?))

((Nnooooo . . . I didn't forget. ;) I was just wondering what to do with you. :XD Hmm.))

Seeing their ranks be thinned by the dragon, a few of the priestesses gathered, quickly chanting and conjuring up strangely glowing ropes. Magic, to be sure. Using them much as they would their whips, the group of women attacked Neam anew - they would bind her and rip her eyes from her scaly head if need be.
-

The Matron's voice stuttered as Vik's blade dug into various points in her slender form, but her vitals remained shielded by bits of magic sent to her from her remaining priestesses. Her halting tone grew in strength, and she finished her words with a flamboyant motion of her hands that drew a seemingly tangible portal of darkness not a foot behind her. She had summoned something - and the brightly glowing eyes that shone from within the black portal blinked slowly.
A large form launched itself at Vik, carrying the half-breed to the floor with a loud roar - a spectre of a large panther ripped into the male mercilessly as two others slipped into the throne room. One headed toward Selk, who darted about to avoid its claws and fangs. The other went for whoever was closest - Truinthil.
-

Fayn readied to leap over Truinthil's strike when somone bumped into him from behind. Apalled that he'd missed the movement toward him, the blind drow dropped into a roll, slipping to Alex's side. A dagger was drawn, and swiftly jammed upward into the werewolf's ribs. "For the matron," his heavily accented voice hissed into the man's ear before yanking the blade away.
Spinning to face Truinthil again, the dark elf listened for more . . . and he heard the snarls of the beasts that Matron Toshiba had summoned.
-

Just as Fayn spun to face Alex, one of the mist-coated panthers leapt at Truinthil, stealing his attention away from the drow weapon's master. Tackling the shapeshifter to the ground, the beast hissed loudly, its long fangs gnashing together not far from the man's face. Lashing out with its claws, the panther let out a yowling cry. It would kill him, or die trying.

((There you go Holly . . . hehe, Alex . . . well, if magic effects werewolves, that would be Fayn's blade. :XD))

"NOOOOO!" Holly screached shoving the man infront of her backward with such force that his neck snapped when it hit the floor. "Alex! Don't move. Oh God! Don't die! Don't leave me here!" She cried holding her sword back up, really putting up a fight against the guards this time. As soon as she finished this she had to save Alex. There had to be a way.

Alex collapsed to his knees holding his chest. It wasn't the cut that was killing him. He could loose blood, but the blade was silver, and full of dark magic. He glared up at Fyan, if the dark elf hadn't been blind it would have been a look that could kill. But he couldn't move and he had to grind his teeth together to keep back a cry of agony. "Holly, I love you." He managed to force out before blacking out.

(OH NO!!!! Poor Holly and Alex...:'( ...lol)

Remaining calm as the summoned beast lunged for him Truinthil allowed himself to drop to his back and planted his feet against the belly of the beast. Pushing hard with both legs he would send the beast straight into the air where it would be entirely vulnerable. He wasted no time in launching himself upwards, spinning as he did so, his blade aimed for the beasts neck in a motion that would likely sever it's head from it's body. He was not about to let some lowly beast get the best of him, let alone interrupt his fight with Fayn. His eyes shone a brilliant blue now as he was in his normal form, and in that brilliant blue was the light of death itself.

The half breed was pissed that his assault against the matron wasn't enough to halt her summon but he hadn't expected this battle to be easy either. As he landed lightly on his feet from his aerial attack he was launched several yards back by the first of the apparitions that Selk's mother had conjured up. His daggers were dropped from the impact as immediately the beast began tearing into the flesh of the vampiric being who let out a few grunts of pain from slashes he was receiving. The panther was trying to get his mouth around the throat of his prey but Vik was strong enough to hold him back. Quickly he brought his legs up and thrusted them into the chest of the beast and rolled backwards. Quickly he got to his feet and scanned the area for his daggers but realized they were too far to be trying to reach at this moment so he elongated and sharpened his steel like nails as he would have to fight with them until he could reach his blades.

There – a blip in Matron Toshiba’s attention. Selk lunged at her mother, knowing that the Matron was distracted for a moment. Soon the sounds of blades striking metal flit through the cavern. Their blades clashed, and both mother and daughter were locked in combat – sparks flew, as did curses and battle cries.
"Die!" Selk hissed, ducking and dodging almost too swiftly to follow. A sudden gasp was heard as the young woman's blade slid past Matron Toshiba's defenses and into the soft spot just above her collar. "I will be Matron!"
-

Fayn heard Holly's heartbroken cry, felt the tug at his own heart . . . but ignored it. What caught his attention then was the sound of Selk's victory, and the weapon's master leapt in that direction, blade aimed for the woman's chest. Selk was barely able to move, and avoided death - instead receiving a long gash from shoulder to hip - a scar that would never leave her.
Collapsing to the floor before Fayn, the defiant new Matron growled a few words in the drow tongue . . . and the weapon’s master paused, hesitating. If he killed her now, he was killing the matron of the household. Slowly letting his sword dip, he extended a black hand to Selk, slowly helping her to her feet. How swiftly loyalties changed in the Underdark – once enemies, he would now defend her to the death. It was the dark elven way.
Selk’s purple gaze lifted to the battle about her. As the former Matron drowned in her own blood, the young dark elf ignored her pleas. Instead she looked to the dragon that was crushing off the last of her troubles, the half vampire that flit about his enemies, and the others surrounded by combat and strife. It was glorious. And it was soon to be over.
“Vik!” the black-skinned woman cried out to him, motioning him over. “Gather the others as best you can. It’s over.”
As though to reinforce her words, the last of the panthers leapt away from its prey, moving to prowl about the new Matron’s feet for a moment before letting out a high pitched screech. Selk looked to the priestesses that were locked in combat with the dragon, and a few of them lowered their defenses, backing away from Neam slowly as they retreated to their Matron.
“We’re finished!” Selk yelled out, and one of the priestesses helped enhance her voice so it carried over the sounds of battle. “This house belongs to me!”
Pressing a hand to the long wound along her front, the leather-clad woman grit her teeth, forcing herself to appear strong. Blood dripped onto the stone beneath her feet, but she didn’t outwardly seem effected – yet.

Holly pushed past the guards who had stopped fighting her and knelt on the floor next to Alex. "No, this can't happen. Alex please wake up." Struggling to breath past the silent sobs she wrapped her arms around Alex's body and hugged him. Slowly his eyes opened...A fliker of hope appeared in Holly's eyes. It was gone as soon as it came. "I love you." He managed to say before dying in her arms. Tears streamed down her face and she held Alex's now dead, bleading, body tighter. She dropped her arms from around him and layed him back on the ground. Although she didn't move from where she sat and covered her face with her hands still sobbing. Alex was dead. Her love was gone, she was alone.

Vik had whipped out the throwing ring blade that was awarded to him by Selk days ago when he had agreed to help her achieve her ambition. Now with the panther stalking him as if he were it's prey Vik was in the defensive although far from defenseless. As they circled each other like two predators on the prowl the panther was finally baited and the half vampire launched the disk slicing off both of the beasts right legs in the process.

By this time Selk had engaged her mother in battle and they were squaring off putting on a show for all to see or hear. Knowing that the battle was over he walked over and ripped the heart from the panther's chest as Selk landed the decisive blow on her mother. But before he had a chance to settle in and get excited Fayn lunged at her leaving a deep gash on her side although there was nothing he could do about it. Vik had been ready to react but just as quickly as he struck he was at her side helping her up... Drow were dangerous creatures indeed.

Still not very fond of being ordered around the halfling came when beckoned by the new Matron and nodded at her request. It was simple enough since no one would wander off before being rewarded whatever they were promised anyway but at the moment there was probably only one person who would need to be rounded up. Walking over to her slowly Vik placed an arm around Holly and pulled her into his chest. She had just lost her loved one and it seemed that the role of the comforter fell on him, as tedious a job that it was. Speaking in a soft and soothing voice the half vampire said, "I know that losing him hurts but you got to stop crying... both of you knew what the risks of this battle was going to be and unfortunately he fell victim to it. Alex fought his hardest to protect you and I'm sure he wouldn't want to cry because of it." Whether he believed all the words he spoke was irrelevant, Holly needed to get herself together if only just for a moment.

By the time Selk's blade had found the former Matron, Truinthil had already severed the panthers head from it's body and landed lightly on his feet. Turning in time to see Fayn helping Selk to her feet, Truinthil nodded his head and sheathed his katana. The battle was done. He would have little more use here now that it was over. He also had no use returning to the Drow facade he had been hiding behind before and remained instead in his usual form, standing taller likely than any of the others, his white hair falling down along his back neatly as if he hadn't just been fighting. "It is done then?" He asked, striding over towards the Matron and fayn. The lack of any respectful titles or even respect in his voice was painfully obvious. Titles and the like truly meant little to him anyway here. This was not his world after all. Then again, it was likely that no matter where he went titles and social standing meant little to him. "Is there any further need for my blade in this place?"

Holly sobbed into his chest. What was she going to do now? She couldn't go back home she would feel more alone and empty. Vik's words calmed he enough that she took a deep breath. There were less tears falling from her eyes now. "He's gone. Vik, I haven't lived without him in a few hundred years!" The tears stopped falling and the saddness changed to hate. Holly pulled away from Vik and looked at Fayn. "It was his fault Alex died! Why did he have to kill him? Alex wasn't even fighting him!" The anger wasn't really there but she was hiding her sadness. All she really wanted to know was that Fayn hadn't ment anything personal by killing Alex, and he was sorry. But she didn't really expect that from him.