Lyon's Travels

[GlassRain]

By request of Killthorne I am going to open a Character thread. Please don't post as I want to keep it open for other IC posts about Lyon. Think of it as a continual story. If you have comments catch me on IRC, name GlassRain or GR, board PM's too (edit yes I am an idiot). Thanks and hope you enjoy:

"Bad Habbits"


The sun shown brightly this day as, Lyon looked up from his book bringing in a deep breath of the purity that was Daggersprings. He closed the book on a finger and slowly began to smile watching the passing people and listening to the laughs of the conversations. This was peace, this was beauty, this was home, he thought to himself as he pushed off the tree. His armor rattled as he began walking stuffing the book away into his belongings. A nod to a nearby ranger.. the warmth that the returned smile and nod brought.

His smile began to fade. His dream was shattered and his expression turned weak as he reached the tavern door. Lyon pushed his way through the door and into his shadow. A nod to the tavermaster, Nina, the one who had defended his own honor against a known friend. He shook his head at the realization of what he had destroyed by his presense. His hands began to shake and a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead in the cool climate of the room. He reached for the upstairs door handle as his vision began to swim, Continuing up the stairs reaching the inn room as his mind began pounding to be free from his skull. falling through the door he slammed it shut pausing in darkness of his world, free from the stares, free from the judgement, but aware of his own feelings. bringing his hands up to either side of his head trying in desperation to hold it together. The room began to spin, his eyes closed. "How weak I have become", he thought, his eyes opening again as he made slow strides for the bed using the wall to steady his uneasy step. he pulled at his armor unstraping it in haste letting the metal fall with a clang to the floor in his wake. he turns and falls back onto the bed waiting for it to pass.

letting out a long breath thoughts broke through the pain, only to intensify it. Thoughts of his own past, his sins, his failures. They all poured through his wrecked mind. "This is not for me," he assured himself in a weak voice "I cannot rise above it.. I must." the room finally pausing as his concentration began to win. Lyon sat up at the foot of the bed his bare chest sweating at the images that shook his sanity."She needs me free of these shackles.. they.. need me." He shakes his head as it bows, "No... I need them." He pulls a dagger from his belt and held it up using it to look at his appearance. "you are damned, even your skin betrays your mistakes." he runs a finger over one of his scar and turns his attention to his pack laying on the floor. the dagger fell to the floor, the sound absorbed by the need of what his pack could offer. Using his foot he drags the pack across the floor. "What would she think now.." his hand darted into the pack and produced a small vial or red liquid. "would she again forgive me.. no, I cannot let her this time.. not yet." the small cork falls to the floor with a tap, sounding clearly in the silence of the room. He tilts his head down looking at the neckless hanging from his chest. "she will forgive me, when I forgive myself." He let's out a long sigh "I am trying... " he turns the vial up drinking the entire content and falls back against the bed. "you are my vision, paladin of tyr."

[GlassRain]

"Renewing Old Vows"


The night air swirled and wraped around the frame of Lyon's body. His posture urged to shiver in the cold, dale air. His mind resisted. He stared forward in the calm of the forest, alone. This was his fear. The sounds of the wild reaching his ears through the helmet that covered his expression from opinion. In the chaos of the fight against the twig creatures he had realize. He had become aware. He had known. His blade did not serve him as well as it used to. His dabble in the arts of magic had weakened a vow he once took. He had forgotten to honor his code. He drew his blade, the little moonlight that shown through the canopy of the forest could not penatrate the cold blackness that was it's edge. The tip of the greatsword sunk into the earth before Lyon, as he slowly dropped to a knee. His helmet facing upward toward the handle which he gripped so tightly. His voice came now like thunder:


"I kneel to my Blade

My Enemy
My Companion
My Veneration
My Strife

It tastes of my Passion
It tastes of my Anger

My Damnation
My Redemption
My Pity
My Judgement

I will not part with it
It is my Own
I will not dishonor it
It is my Soul

I Live
I Die

I kneel to my Blade"

[GlassRain]

"An Act Of Heart"


The sounds of battle surrounded Lyon now, it was not unlike the other nights. The sounds of battle cries of elf and man alike, the creeking of trees, the clangs of blades. This was perhaps.. home to him more than any place, more than any house. There, another leaped from the tree line. Lyon drew his blade up and charged forward, his swings wreckless but powerful he had to break through the natural armor of the creature. "Sh*t" he thought as 3 more drew forth. His mind focused. Knowing full well Seva was fighting much the same battle he was reassured. His blade swung true and the creatures fell apart at his feet. A nod as he pulled from his combat stance.

A cry of pain, no, not human. "What!?" the question shot through his mind like an arrow striking him ignorant to why his feet moved in the direction of the sound. He stepped through the gates to the lion who had called for his help and the twig creatures it battled. Confused but unshaken Lyon drew his blade up and leaped forward at the creatures. The battle was long, perhaps too long but it ended with victory.

Lyon's chest heaved as he looked at the wounded lion. One of the fangs, "I need a healer!" the warrior called back into the village with no reply, no time for one. The cat darted into the woods a bloody trail following in it's wake. "Damnit" Lyon muttered but held his sword long out to his side and ran off after the injured gaurdian. Again the cat was engaging enemies. Why? What drives him? What makes him so willing to die for this? Questions that would find no answer in the heat of battle as he went to the Fangs aid. The dust settled and the lion stumbled but still it pressed on. "ENOUGH!" Lyon shouted "A gaurdian you may be but I will not let your courage end your life!" His hand shot up pointing back toward the village, "Home!" The creature responded, limping back to the gates of Daggersprings and on to it's pen, Lyon at his side.

Seva, still standing tall in his duty to gaurd the Village watched as the creature fell to the ground it's life bleeding slowly from it's various wounds. Lyon knelt beside it. Thoughts rattled the frame of his mind. "this creature.." the words swimmed behind his forehead "it is a warrior? but no blade..." Lyon looked down at the paws of the creature and the great claws that extended from them. "It fought by my side.." He looked to the lion's eyes as he pulled a bottle from his belt, "I fought beside her." Shaking his gauntlets free he unwrapped the necklace from his sword hand and clenched it between his teeth. Uncorking the bottle he ran a hand down the spine of the creature before pouring the content onto it's wounds, holding the fang down as it whimpered. Lyon watched as a number of the wounds sealed and nodded producing a roll of bandages from his pack. Slowly, carefully he begins wrapping the remaining wounds. The creature pulled it's head forward sniffing at Lyon who extended a hand as he had seen many do. Strange... the fang licked Lyon's hand before falling back to a resting possition. "Rest well gaurdian of Daggersprings" Lyon's voice aloud now letting the necklace fall from his teeth into a waiting hand.

[GlassRain]

"Questions Too Many"


Lyon's step was heavy now. The day of patroling the paths that lie just beyond the springs had finally caught up with his endurance. He smiled to himself as he passed through the gates of the village that had accepted him with open arms. His hands to either side of his helmet he pulled it free holding it under his left arm. His right hand rested on the handle of the blade that he could not use, Malek's Revenge. The blade brought a great amount of discomfort to Lyon though he would stand strong in his vow to Arakiel.

I paused at the fence that played home to the fangs. The gaurdian still rested, his bandages held however. So much has happened of late.. too much to understand and yet the questions still haunt me.

A sigh escaped his lips.

Rest will have to wait for me.

He wandered across the bridge toward the structure whos sign marked it as the lumber room. He turned toward the left and stepped into a clearing between two trees. His pack fell from his shoulder and he tossed it to the feet of silent audience, his helm following swiftly.

The twig creatures.. what are they. Wood, yes but why now? Why hasn't this happened before? They villagers are terrified.. no this hasn't happened before, this is new.

His hand reached up to his greatsword handle and he drew it in a single motion. Lyon's feet spread apart and the blade handle came up to eye level.

They resist the blades edge. There are so many.. but the rangers...

His blade dropped through the air slicing the breeze with a powerful swing. The blade held still to his side. His forward foot began to rise slowly. the blade pulling back into his gut before his power was released in a thrust, his foot slamming down infront forcing leaves and dust to rise from the ground.

They fought just like me. They.. Arakiel?

The greatsword pulled back from the invisible enemy as Lyon's weight shifted to his back leg. His eyes level with the edge as it pointed forward, he paused. His hands drop past his waist the blade turns and darts downward in response. Lyon's back turns as he pushes the blade up past his own height.

Where was he? He was with us, then... Warrior of Tyr. He is capable of change. I will not damn his exsistance because he felt duty, but I cannot damn his blade is his act of dishonor. I wish to understand..

Lyon spins and swoops the massive blade downward bringing it up again to his beginning position.

Seva. Who are you? do you even know anymore? You swing your blades and follow your orders but what are your reasons? This is just a life for you? You have no emotions, no feelings about how others veiw you... no, no matter how much one sees there is still emotion. When death claims you and you stand at your lords judgement, what will you say Seva of the blade? Will you just be silent...

He stomps forward taking swings high left to low right, high right to low left. His motions continuous in the absense of his mind. The world around him fades and it is just him, his thoughts, his blade, his code.

The elf. The elves have only shunned me. Why? Why is it I feel I can trust him? I have tried. I have tried for so long, but I cannot do it anymore. I need his counsil. Why now.. why is this happening?

His teeth gritted as his muscles stressed in his practice. The day has absorbed his strength and now his mind was set to better it. The blade continued to swing now, without pauses, without planning. The battle he waged against the wind was his own.

The lion. The villagers.. Nina. They have accepted me even when I could not accept myself. Can I turn away? Can I turn again on this path like many other times and refuse my new charge? Why.. how could I, I have a vision. The elf made sure I understood I did. No, I cannot turn.. I will not turn. Arakiel, in your moment of ignorance you have made me realize every ignorant act, every childish path I have ever taken. It is perhaps in your honor, perhaps in your eye I wish to deem myself worthy. Perhaps.. if you, Arakiel, can accept me...

Lyon's blade froze in the air as his breath was heavy and his mind shaken. A nod as his eyes closed to his blade and he stood upright, placing his blade back into it's resting place. He knelt before his belongings and put them in order slinging the pack over his shoulder. He turned to meet the gaze of one of the ranger leaning on her bow her head tilted looking at him. An uneasy feeling sunk into Lyon's stomach and he nodded breifly before turning toward the Tavern. Visions of a red liquid reminded him how far he had yet to go.

[GlassRain]

"Prayer To Blind Eyes"


This town, this tragity, these people. The child at his poisoned mothers side, sword drawn. Such passion for one so young.. so much hate. I turned away. Arakiel was right, we could do nothing without knowning what we were facing. Death would again claim an innocent and I am powerless to stop it. The news that the gnome would give my group did little to ease the thoughts that coursed through my mind. We were blind, and there seemed to be no light to guide our way. A sickening feeling now rested in my gut as I am reminded of that night in the woods when I was free of the light and delivered into the fear of the darkness. No, I cannot let my thoughts wander.

We followed Arakiel, the elf and I. Had it not been for the vow he had made before me I would have perhaps thought differently.. acted.. differently. For now our blades would stand together. Though my mind felt no joy in this. Arakiel had questioned me before, about things that I could not, will not, speak of. He wishes to perhaps.. know.. me. How long you have yet to go child of Tyr before I will show you the injustices that are my past.

Standing outside another door, the gloom that surrounded the town broke free as Arakiel spoke the word "paladin". The word shot through my heart as fear and curiousity pushed me to follow. An old man greeted us then, with words that told of his experiences.. or perhaps the toll they had taken on his own sanity. I introduced myself, again I let my name slip past my protection. Foolish, but needed I suppose.

The door pushed open and the elf pulled the bow back, why? I drew my sword in response and prepared for the imaginary battle that lay ahead. No, Seva, Rhekka, they stepped through the door and looked on at our welcome. Twice, foolish I am. I laid my blade to rest in it's sheath and turned. Arakiel had mentioned a shrine of Tyr here. Perhaps..

I wandered the Paladins home as the others discussed what was already a doomed topic. Fear still tearing through my heart as I found the entrance to the shrine. An open door, welcoming all. No, there was not even a door to open. Tyr.

I stepped through the archway and into the room, a shock of pain errupted from my spine as the thought of Kiriste etched itself onto my expression. My thoughts, my sins, my paths, can you find time to judge me Tyr? Would you doom my exsistance and brush me away into the gutter of the lands and label me a lost soul? Is my faith so far from your own that you will not hear my words? I stepped forward to the alter. I could not face it as my head bowed without mind. My gaze resting on my right hand.. I know this hand. I took a knee before the alter as I pulled the gautlet free revieling the necklace I knew so well. Carefully my hand spun to unwrap the symbol of Tyr from it resting place. I held it forward my eyes fixed on the only thing I had left of her. My voice spoke queitly under the arguements from the other room.

"I have shared time with those you have called your faithful.. even in my taint she found it in herself to forgive me. I have sinned against those who follow in your path."

My voice fell silent. I fully expected the wrath that my confession would bring and my eyes never left the symbol in my hand. Nothing... why does he toy with me? No, he isn't listening. Why would he?

"I carry your symbol in hopes.. that someday you will forgive me, as I am trying to forgive myself."

My words ment little to me anymore. Any man could speak them. It was now the actions I took, the reality I spun from my breath. It did not matter if he was not listening. I would prove him wrong about me. I will prove them all wrong... I wrapped the necklace again around my sword hand. A place where I could remember why my blade arm still swings, where I can remember her. The gauntlet felt comfortable as I replaced it hiding away my tragity. My love. I kissed the palm of the hand that held so much for me and reached forward to touch the alter before me. No, not yet. I let my hand hover inches from the surface.

"Some day.. Tyr, I will have the courage to stand tall in your judgement."

My fear began to subside, but the truth in my words did little to help my posture. Fear his judgement.. yes I do. Fear that he will not allow me a second chance. My child. My second chance. I turned away.

"Some day."

[GlassRain]

Author note: These are Lyon's thoughts at the time, which were product of a multitude of IC interactions. These are in no way attacks at the players characters and all who are involved in this bit, who I both enjoy playing with and speak to on a regular basis. I appologize if anyone finds this to be offending to thier character, it was not my intent. Those of you reading this understand that this is completly IC and that Lyon is a deranged mind. In saying that, enjoy:


"Why"


I slammed the door with fear and stepped back from it, I was alone again. This isn't happening. The village, the Mother.. the child. We walked away. Turned our backs. FOOLS! We were her only aid.. no.. this is a lesson.. it has to be. Evil is going to conquer her. What did I think I could do? Save her? My blade is ment to end lives. I have lived by my blade.

Arakiel. Your faith is but a tool you use to hide behind and you don't even realize it. I have seen your faith. I have seen how easily those of your kind fall. No, I am stronger. My will was to do something I could not. I was foolish then. Your shoulders now hold that burden not mine. I will not hold the death of the woman over my head! NO! I won't!

Seva. you are an idiot of your kind. No longer do you hold my respect as you once did. You swing your blade, but you fear me. I can see it. You too hide behind something. You hide behind your rage.. your ignorance. It must be nice, Seva of the blade, To be such a fool and have others look at you for strength. Try to swing at me, why? I only return the insults you have shown onto me. Is your heart so fragile? Does the blade of truth burn so deep in your wounds that you must lash out at me?

Laughter filled the room.

Rhekka. I do not know your reasons. I do not know your path. I do not care. You stand beside the barbarian. No, there is nothing to understand. You hide just as the others. No, I don't care.

Lyon sits at the edge of the bed rolling a vial of red liquid around his fingers.

I had offered my prayer to Tyr. He had not been listening. No, he wouldn't, he thinks himself better than me. Someone did listen though. An old wound has been reopened this night. I was a fool.. I was hiding. I do not need them. I have my blade. I do not want thier forgiveness.. I have done no wrong! What have I done... Kjorn.. my blood. My brother. I have become lost. Where are you now, when I need you the most.

The gauntlet flew from Lyon'r right hand striking the wall of the inn room.

This curse. Was it worth it? This pendant, Kiriste... did I really think I could rise in her eyes? No, Foolish. but.. my child. why is this happening...

Lyon fell back as he downed the vial of liquid the symbol of tyr clenched in his fist.

No, I play the game. I turned away from my duty. I turned away from the gift given to me. I turned away from my damnation... but it did not turn from me. Why?

[GlassRain]

"Who am I to Judge"


Running, again. My strides steady and my heart beat slow. I know these roads. I have traveled many like them, before, as I run. I knew full well when my stay had outlived it's welcome. I knew full well when to move on. I had stayed too long this time. I knew the risks when I turned my back on my only friend. I knew there was too much time between towns. Too much time between rests. Too much time for my thoughts to run through my mind. Too much time to be alone. I didn't care. I never have.

Myr. You carry the wound of my friendship.. of my sin. I have left my mark on you as I have on so many others. I could not release you as I have them, you would not let me. My will was to destroy you that day. I don't know how else to live. You became a part of my life, a part of my sin, in my moment of ignorance I made you a victim of my world. There are creatures that will not let me forget the past I have left behind, my friend. They will not let me go so easily into the light of forgiveness. You cannot save me.

More twig creatures now lay at my feet defeated like my dreams. It is not my problem. I will not turn back. I continued on. A creature like that I have never seen does battle with a group of men and women alike. I draw steel and go to thier aid, a dwarf lays in a pool of his own blood. I lose myself in the combat, I lose myself.

It is not my problem, I turn from the group and continue on. The creature was dead the dwarf was alive, it was not my problem. I continued on.

The serenity of the forest watched as I dragged my taint through it's womb, but I could not turn back. The trees turned away from me in the dale breeze. I smiled knowing that this is "right" this is how things should happen.

Arakiel. Your faith. You stand tall and believe in it. I have seen those of your kind fall, but here I run from my own form of faith. Fear driving me from the one place I thought could help me. I am no stronger than you, Arakiel. You have family, faith, a home. I am a wanderer a lost soul. Yes, a damned soul.

Seva. Foolish? perhaps in some ways, but no different from I. You hold values and stand up for them even in the face of those who would insult them. Those like me. Fear me? No, the creature was wrong. No, I was wrong. I who walk now, out of fear. Who was afraid of who? You are not running Seva of the blade. I who cannot even decide on a path to follow...

Rhekka. A smile on my face now, as I know your kind. I know the anger they have pointed in my direction. I would lie if I were to tell myself that I cared about you. No, I don't care, but I don't know you. Myr has shown me a man is capable of change. Perhaps.. perhaps a woman is as well.

What am I to do? Keep running? Yes, that's what my master wishes. His messenger said so himself. My master... Do not look down on me, my blade. I wish for death, but I cannot stand down. This should be easier. I have lived in hatred of those who judge others. I have shown arms and killed those who have treated me as less than a man. Now, in my fear I have judged others. Damn you for not listening in my time of need, Tyr.

On this path, on this road I have told my story. I have told it in my step, I have told it in my tears, I have told it in my blood. In my blood. My damn blood. Did I really think it would be so easy to look away? That no one would be watching? I am lost. I am damned. I am a coward. Who am I to judge...

[GlassRain]

"New Paths"


"What have I done?"

the question cycled through my mind as I stepped free of the village. This place did not know me, and I was at peace in knowing so. For alittle while at least. This place, these waters, these trees, did well to remind me of the springs. Though the anguish of my mistakes still haunt my mind.

Myr, had been victim to me, and I to him. What will the others think once they finally figure out that it was my bolt, my anger, my mistake that bore a hole into his shoulder. Will they again offer me thier trust? No, it would serve them little now, as it would serve me little now.

I have finally made my confession. I have finally.. made my choice. Seva.. you might even be proud of the strength I have shown now. You will come for me however. You, much like the others will want thier justice. I will not let you have it though, not yet. I have a reason to live that will defy the laws, the justices even the fabric of my own being. A reason I have entrusted to two people. My confession.. lies inside the mind of a creature that I was misstook for a lonely Panther... Ahleera. Hold my hopes well in these coming days, elf. Hold your promise as I am about to seek the destruction of a wound.. or perhaps.. I seek the cure.

The pond. A smile forces itself upon my lips but I feel little joy. Tonight will show my strengths for what they are. The vials that now lay beyond my sight.. beyond my grasp below the waters surface, will prove my will. I welcome the torment that I will endure, because I know the elf battles her own torments. I will survive because she will survive. Will I survive?

It's starting...

The figure of the warrior bent over in the shadow of the night. His hands began to shake and a knowing smile spread across his face. His eyes closed.

No way out this time. No way to make the pain disapear. A slave to it? Perhaps not. I had been unwilling to suffer the path to redemption. I had been unwilling. Now it comes to it and I am afraid. I know the pains that lay ahead, but will I be able to defeat them? What if I am too weak? NO! focus. I cannot be too weak this time.

Sweat began to run down from Lyon's brow. The night air did little to cool his body as the effects of his choice began to over take. The tree line shifted slightly. His eyes closed and opened to watch them shift again. His eyes closed.

I am vulnerable. This is what I am reduced to. A warrior that much endure the path of weakness.. the path of pain. Why? My child. Yes, my child. Ahleera was right. I could not face my child like this. It is for my child my faith is broken and my path realigned. It is..

Fear broke his thoughts as the world around him began to spin back and forth. He dropped to his knees. His breath began to quicken, and his eye lids pinned back watched the ground move from beneath him. His body began to tremble.

Focus.. focus.. focus.. focus..

A shout of pain broke the silence of the night as Lyon fell to on side gripping his chest, scratching his armored fingers against the plate there. His mouth lay open much like his eyes as he began to gasp for breath. His back arched up as his muscles flexed. He fought with the pains.

I will not.. submit..

His jaw snaps shut his teeth grinding together. Snaking his way away from the water edge.. deeper into the forest. He turns and crawls tearing at his armor unstrapping chest plates.

This is all you can do. this is all you have. I will not bend so easily. I have made my .. ARRRhhhh..

His voice screamed in the back of his mind. The pain overwhelmed his thoughts, replacing them with need.

I must have it! No, think about what is happening. Will I be a slave? Will I be a father or a slave?! ANSWER NOW! THERE IS NO GOING BACK FROM HERE!

Lyon took to his feet stumbling, crashing into trees as he strided forward away from the pool of water that held his only release.

Blood be damned, I will fight you till my death, devils of mine! I SEEK MY REDEMPT..

The warrior collapsed, his head striking a rock. His mind drifted into blackness. The darkness of the forest only witness to where he lay.

[GlassRain]

"Consequences"


I have chosen. That much was true. I had seeked her and I had found her. Kiriste. Even with the child showing in her figure her courage would not be swayed. When I chanced upon her that day, I felt her inside my heart. I felt the distrust in her words. I felt the feeling I had feared since I began looking for her. The pendant that I had held onto was her only comfort. The way I had left her, the way I had laid my past onto her and then turned away. She had all the reasons in the land to hate me. I cannot hold back the smile now as I recall our conversation.

I had finally been given my chance to make things right. I poured my heart out before her, showed her the path I meant to follow. I barred nothing. Not even the fear I felt in traveling it. Her mind was changed though, she intended to keep our child. My, child. I did not wish to be left out. I have lived and I would die for this child of ours. When kiriste embraced me, she knew so. She does not push me away, no that is what I do. She did not judge me, that is what I do. She placed her faith in me. Her Faith. Tyr's faith. How far I have come, Tyr.

In my need I had been blinded, however. The evils of my past did well to seek me out. I felt the voice inside my head, the voice telling me I must obey. A voice that threatened my childs life. What choices I have to make. My child, Kiriste, my evils know I live for them. A sigh escapes my lips as I remember that I know something they do not. In thier attempts to bribe me into helping, in thier tries to scare me into turning back on my path, they had missed something. Yes, I live for my family, but I am willing to die for them as well. I will fight. Tyr.. protect my family.

Tyr..Will you allow me a chance to show you I am right? To show you I mean well? A paladin of your order offers me her trust, and I have given her mine. The symbol I wear now around my neck is not a mockery, but a reason to strive on. For the name I have carved onto the back of it, a reason to strive on. I do not reject you Tyr. I seek your judgment now as I seek my own acceptance. The veiws of others concern me little above the views of Kiriste and my Child. I do this because I must be right. I must clense my hands of the sins of my past errors to hold my child with purity. I will fight for this, Tyr. I pray you hear me in my time of need...

Arakiel, son of tyr, my.. sword brother. You hold no ill regard towards me. It is twice you have accepted me. In your interuption the secret I have tried to keep from you is obvious. My child, is why I force on. Understand I am not whole, but I intend to make myself so. You are the closest thing I have to family, Arakiel. In your harsh judgment, in your acceptance. You are truelly my sword brother. It is in your honor that I return to Dagger Springs, that I raise my sword there against the evils as you travel. Rest easy Arakiel, I await your return.

Dagger Springs. I was once asked where I hail from. I can hardly keep myself from laughing at this question as I have never dared call any one place "home". My answer had, however, troubled the man who asked for it. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps everyone needs a place to call home. My home. My home resides beside, Kiriste. A home I will not dare return to until I have destroyed the devils of my past. I pray she will forgive the risks I will take. Dagger Springs, for now.. you are my home. It is in your arms I will retreat when my battles are at an end.. when either I or my enemy lay dead.

A paladin of ilmater argued that there was no pleasure in a kill. That destorying someone and denying them a chance at the pleasures of life was wrong. Perhaps. I don't care anymore however. I will not be denied my second chance, Gaeden. The pleasure I gain from the blood of those who seek to currupt me, the joy I feel from the death of those who would destroy me, the power I gain from the souls of those who would keep me from my child, my family, are the gifts of my path I will cherish. I will be a slave no longer, Gaeden. I will fight, I will kill, I will not have second thoughts. This is my chance, my life, my will. May Tyr see the good in my actions. I will not turn back.

For the words that Ahleera gave to me, I cannot turn back. She sees me open hearted. She sees the parts of me I wish no one to understand. In letting her know me, I have let her understand me. I value your advice, Ahleera. I fear, I hate the enemies in my path. Understand my blade will not rest, I will not rest until my path is complete. Yes, you understand. You are the only one who has. You made me realize my path, made me realize my weakness, you are my freind, Ahleera. Our paths will cross again.

I am coming, Devils of my own. With Blade in hands I am coming. Fear me as I once did you... I am coming.

Lyon walks along the trail to Dagger Dale, disapearing into the mists of the new morning, his blade drawn.

[GlassRain]

"New Pains"


I stand naked, alone, before the mirror. I know the image that stares back at me. I know the eyes, I know the body, I know the scars. The scars strike at my mind, reminding me. Naked like my mind to the evils that ravage me. They partake of my mind, and torment my body. I know these evils like I know myself. My past will not let me go.

In the cold of the crypt I had again been reminded. I was flawed, but my heart was steady. She tried to take those in my company, tried to squeeze the life from my friend. I stood tall even in my fear. I feared for the lives of those in my group, for my own life, for the minds of my companions. I continued on, I had to. What would it be should my courage fail. I had to be strong, I feared my weakness.

My companions. Myr, Arakiel, Arien, Borian, the names that hold fast in my mind. Myr... you fool. First to delve into the crypt, first to be visited by our silent guest, first to nearly fall. First.. why, what are you trying to prove? You are my freind. You cannot let your courage blind you to your death, Myr. Think! Why do you not think?! It wasn't your fault all those years ago my friend. YOur cousin, let it go. Do not waste your life before you can prove that you are truelly a man worthy of legend. No, you are already a man worthy of legend. You are my friend, Myr, my friend. Do not throw your life away.. not now.. not for this.

Arakiel, Arakiel, Arakiel, Sword brother, companion, son of tyr. How you stand by my side still. I watch a smile form across my lips in the mirror that shows my sins. You trusted in my choice, trusted in my judgement. You stood at my side before the unknown, you stood at my side. Your blades, your bow, your will are characteristics that make you known to me. Known, to me as sword brother.. as brother, as friend. The kind words you laid upon my ears in the church, the faith you showed in me.. I am not worthy of such things. Son of Tyr, you do not know me yet. Soon.. perhaps I will have the courage to show you. Will you be willing to hear me? Will you frown upon my past and ignore all that I have become? No.. my fear is speaking again. I can see it in my expression. Why do I fear judgement?

Arien, druid of the circle, natures gift... gift. You know me. You know what Kiriste has so easily let slip from her lips. I cannot look at myself now as I know the thoughts that run through your mind. My past, my future, my body, my scars, my blood. Why do you wish to know? You wish to earn my trust. What will you gain from sharing my burdens? You defended me once, before those of your home, before your husband, before your friends. You were foolish then.. no.. you were understanding. You wished to give me a chance that others would deny me. I do not understand you, Arien. The words that escaped the open lips of the paladin of Tyr are little insight into the curse that courses through me. She knew me because she deserved to know. Ahleera knew me because I was foolish to confess. You wish to know.. to gain my trust. I do not understand you.

Borian, dwarf. Master dwarf. Your shield is thick and your skull perhaps thicker. The courage you showed, the battles you waged, you are a brave dwarf. I have stood beside few dwarves that I would call companion, few that I would call my equal, few that I cared for. Why is it you now interest me? Perhaps your caring for Myr, a common friend. Perhaps the respect you have shown me.. I don't know.. my thoughts are swirling I cannot focus.

Her... I knew her. She currupted the woman, took her for her slave. She knows me. Too well she knows the scars that I glare at now. Too well she nows the words that leaped from my forked tongue. Why then, would she not attack me? Why would she choose Arakiel's body over my own? What is it she wishes from me.. for me to suffer? The devils before you have taken away your chan.. no the church. It was you. I close my eyes as the pain is still too real, my finger running along a scar on my face.

Lathander.. I have wronged you in the past. I have taken from those under your watch. I have bled dry the innocents at your gates. You know me, you know why I fear you. I feared your halls this day, I feared your judgement. I am trying Lathander, but today your preist showed me something that was not of your wrath. Standing outside the entrance to your holy ground I felt it.. burning.. under my skin. I didn't understand, I thought.. no I didn't think. My curiousity over powered me. I stepped through your door and into your presense. The pain. I felt fully the fires of hell wrap around my body in a bitter sweet embrace. Your faithful, your priestess, stepped forward. The burning only became stronger.. I was laid low, turned to my knees before her. I was powerless in the pain. The others, they thought they could save me from what I believed was your wrath. The touch of your faithful seered my skin. I couldn't think I couldn't feel, only pain, only burning. No, it wasn't your wrath that spilled smoke from my body.. that caught flame to my eyes. It was her. She toys with me, plays with me like a child with a toy.

My path is set. To my Vow I will hold true. If pain is to be my guide then I welcome the flames embrace. I will hunt you devil of my past. I will bleed your life over my blade, I will take my judgement from your flesh, I will rend my redemption from your soul. I will find you, she devil. I stand here naked, naked without lies, Without pain, without fear. The Tyr symbol that hangs from my neck reminds me that I will see the day of my judgement. In Tyr's eyes I will finally recieve my forgiveness. My path begins with your death, creature of the hells, with the justice I will judge you with. You will not stand in my way.

I turned away from the mirror.

[GlassRain]

"Dreams of Sin"


Her voice came like a soothing wind to the fires of my mind. The order was simple, and I felt the warmth of her welcome, of her embrace guiding me. Guiding me back to the graveyard. Back to the crypt. I laid my hands on the door and the broken bones in my left hand throbbed. I was dizzy, the world darkend but I would see her.. I had to see her. Seva. Why is he here?

"I have to go in alone." Lyon's voice was calm.

Seva's lips moved, as they often do, and my mind ignored. He cared for me less than I for him, we understood this. I needed to see her..

Lyon's shoulder pushed into the crypt door and it slided open. The warrior vanished into the darkness and down the steps inside, "Ir eln vrock, ifmor ne talshin, ryn ne lo neth." The infernal words rolled from Lyon's tongue, his arms extended out to each side. In the expectations of Lyon's mind.. there was only silence. No response came, no guiding hand materialized. Only the swift strike of the handle of a blade to the back of his head. he stumbled forward, "Why, what.. leave me!" He shouted at Seva who only approached and again struck him, Lyon fell to the floor with a deafening clang. Lyon turned to his stomach and clawed at the stone ground as Seva dragged him by his foot up the crypt stairs and out to the soft graveyard earth. Seva did not stop, nor did Lyon. "Release me! It is my life, I have to see her! Let me go!" the words fell on deaf ears. They approached the graveyard gates when Seva turned and clubbed Lyon hard with the flat of his blade. The shaken warrior shook off the blackness and escaped blows effect. Seva grew angry as Lyon jumped to his feet. Seva threw the first punch, Lyon dodged and threw one of his own. the two danced in fight until a solid blow shook Lyon's mind and a second knocked him from his feet.

I fell back as the world around me spun, my eyes closed breifly as I struck the ground. I opened them moments after and looked around. Blackness.. what? Seva?

Lyon crawled to his feet and surveyed the landscape. There was nothing, blackness stretched for miles. He looked down at his feet which were entangled in dark matter. His body.. he was naked, his armor was gone. Fear began to set in, he takes off in a full sprint.

What is this place? Where have you taken me, Seva? Wait.. something moved..

He paused in his tracks and slowly turned around. Nothing. "Whos there!? Show yourself!" Lyon tossed off his fear and shouted into the darkness.

ksshhhh

The sound of steel cleaving steel, Lyon spun to face a man stumbling out of the darkness. His chest ripped wide through his armor and the few remaining breaths of life escaping his lungs. The man fell to his knees, as low gurgle spewed from his lips as blood ran down his chin and he collapse into the darkness. Lyon's expression turned to horror as a glint of light struck off a peice of steel behind the corpse. A laugh echoed around Lyon until it finally centered on the weapon that emerged from the shadow. A greataxe, bloodied, came forth. "Do you miss it?" the familiar voice sent chills up Lyon's spine. "No, I don't suppose you do. You never had the backbone for it. Always swinging your hips spouting complex words and thinking yourself better than me." The figure stepped from the shadow and let the greataxe fall to his side in a relaxed grip.

"Y..you..your.. not no.. your.." Lyon's voice stuttered in his fear.

"Dead? Yes, your right. The wounds of your betrayal still mark my body, Lyon." The mans eyes flared like burning coals and he grinned with fanged teeth. The human was naked, as was Lyon, standing as confident as ever, an open hand burned into his chest. "Have you forgotten how you betrayed me? Too busy striving for.. what do you call it.. redemption?" The man tilted his head as smile faded, eyes narrowing, "Let me remind you!" His arms threw back as huge wounds on his body became visable fire leaping from the openings in his flesh. It was as if he had been torn apart then placed back together without the proper use of magic.

Lyon sheilded his eyes and looked away, "I never meant it to happen, Kjorn." His head bowed, "I have regretted it ever since."

"Regret?! Dare you speak of such words in my presense, brother! You made your choice when you bedded the Paladin! You turned from me! Your family, you let me DIE, Lyon!" Kjorn barked at Lyon anger rising in his voice.

"I.. I'm sorry, Kjorn..." Lyon's voice defeated as it trails off.

"Sorry?" Kjorn smiled wickedly, "Well since you put it so nicely.. brother.. I will kill you quickly!" He drew up his greataxe and lumbered toward Lyon rage in his eyes.

"NO! Kjorn! WAIT!" Lyon jumped back as the axe swung toward him barely catching his abdomen, his blood sprayed free and was absorbed by the darkness. "I don't .." He ducks another attack and rolls to the side, "Want to fight!"

"You have grown weak in my absense, Lyon. You are no longer worthy of being my brother! No longer worthy of the gift that was given to you. I seek to make things right once again. Your life... is mine!" Kjorn again lunges at lyon cleaving his left arm open. Lyon stumbles back.

"WAIT!" Lyon yelled holding his good arm up.

SHHRRRRK

Lyon's eyes grew wide staring into the grinning, blood covered face of his brother. The blood, Lyon's, rolled down Kjorn's face. Shock took Lyon's body as his eyes fell to look at the greataxe burried in his chest. He gasped but found no air, only the feeling of his own blood welling up in his throat as it began to run from his lips down his chin. His eyes again came up to meet Kjorn who still grinned but his skin began to boil and pull back distorting, Lyon could only watch in awe as his brothers skin morphed taking on the features of Seva, a wicked grin on his face. Fear took the remaining life in Lyon's body as he watched Seva turn to Arakiel, Arakiel to Myr, Myr to Arien, Arien to Ahleera, all holding the greataxe which now split Lyon's rib cage in two and cut straight to his backbone.

Darkness began to over come.

What hell is this... am I dead? Why is this happening? Whos puppet have I become?

Just as Lyon exhales his last remaining breath a burst of light explodes from Ahleera, blinding Lyon breifly forcing him to close his eyes. They open to see a woman, Kiriste, standing away from him. She takes steps forward, her robe hiding the round stomach that houses their child. He looked down to the greataxe, to find nothing.. the wound closed. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he feels the serene presense of his love. Lyon looks up to meet Kiriste's smiling gaze. "Kiriste, what is go.." she brings a finger up to his lips to silence him and smiles wider. She steps forward and presses her lips to his, a kiss that Lyon yearned for. She breaks away still smiling as a sudden flash of pain overwhelms his body. He looks down in horror as Kiriste's hand is pushed inside of his chest. She slowly pulls it free, wrist and hand dripping with blood.. Lyon's blood, and his beating heart in her grasp.

Kiriste only smiles as she backs away holding the heart with both hands low infront of her stomach. She stops and tilts her head looking at Lyon. He grips his chest unable to speak unable to breath watching her. he tries to scream, but he can only hear the screams of pain of his love. A clawed hand bursts from Kiriste's stomach snatching the heart from her hands squeezing it. The creature begins clawing it's way free of the paladin. her screams finally cease, a look of pain forever etched into her expression her eyes staring at Lyon, glassed over, she begins to fall backward as the creature leaps from her stomach still holding the heart. Kiriste's hand comes up, her index finger pointing at Lyon before her corpse crashes through the blackness of the floor.

"Father!" the creature cackled. It's bat wings flapped as it's hooves stomped on the ground. "Look what you have done." The black eyes of the creature stared on from red skin as it stroked the bloodied heart with it's clawed fingers. It's tail swished side to side and it grinned with fangs, "You killed mother." It's muscles flexed and it began to grow, flame swirling around it's body as it came to a stop towering over Lyon who was now huddled in a ball hugging his knees, tears running freely from his eyes as he watched the madness. Lyon's son bellowed with laughter watching his father, "Rise father, I am what you have been waiting for am I not?" Lyon, shaking violently stood up. the hairs on his entire body stood on end. "TO RETURN YOUR LOVE!" The creature roared tightening his hand around the heart bursting it, the blood exploding from the fist. Lyon gripped his chest and fell backward his eyes shut tightly as he fell through the floor.

Lyon struck a solid mass knocking the breath from his body. The pain vanished and he was again at ease. His eyes opened to see not blackness, but instead he was surrounded by light, a warm light that allowed Lyon peace.

Kiriste.. this isn't happening. None of this is real. No, it can't be.. why is this happening..

The necklace around Lyon's neck begins to levitate and pull from Lyon's neck. He looks down with interest but is quickly yanked to his feet by the force of the symbol of Tyr. The cord snaps free of lyon's neck and the symbol breaks away rolling along the marble floor. Lyon hurries after it stumbling trying to snatch it. A quake shakes the ground and he falls to the floor watching the symbol takes flight. An uneasy calm returns to the room and Lyon slowly pulls up to his feet looking up at the tiny symbol of Tyr. The pendant begins to grow shaking the room again. Finally the room pauses as the enormous symbol hovers over Lyon's head. He throws a foot back as if ready to run as a clang echoes in the room and a dent forms in the symbol. Again. Lyon takes off running but falls, skidding along the floor. He turns back to watch the symbol fall to the ground barely missing his feet as he pulls them up into his body. A Human hovers where the pendant once did, missing his eyes and his right hand, but his gaze is heavy on Lyon.. he knows this god.. Tyr...

"LYON KROSS!" The entities voice booms around the warriors head. "I FIND YOU GUILTY." Tyr hovers down to the floor covering Lyon in his shadow. "YOU HAVE TURNED AWAY FROM THOSE IN NEED, YOU HAVE DAMNED YOUR ALLIES, YOU HAVE DAMNED MY FAITHFUL, YOU HAVE MURDERED JUSTICE, YOU HAVE MURDERED GOODNESS, YOU HAVE TAKEN EVIL AS YOUR WORSHIP, YOU HAVE SOILED THE LATHANDER CHURCH ALONG WITH MY OWN." A long sword shimmers in the gods hand and he draws it up over Lyon's head. "YOU ARE DAMNED, LYON KROSS, YOU WILL NEVER HAVE YOUR REDEMPTION, YOU WILL NEVER HAVE YOUR SECOND CHANCE, YOU WILL NEVER HAVE MY FORGIVENESS. I SENTENCE YOU, TO DEATH!" Tyr's hand comes down with the blade and impales Lyon's body. He screams in pain as his skin burst into flames and his eyes shut trying to close out the pain.

What is happening?!

Lyon's eyes again open to see only flames, to feel only flames. He is on his knees the fire engulfing his body whole. "MAKE IT STOOOOOP!" Lyons voice peirces the sounds of crackling flesh and a vision explodes before him. The flames throw themselves off of his body and onto the image of Dagger Springs. Lyon watches, eyes wide, as the place he calls home burns and the corpses that litter the pathways. Tears break free from his eyes, the image begins to roll back. The flames subside and the people come back to life. The vision pulls Lyon into it dropping him at the beginning of it all, at the gate of the springs. "no.. no!" his voice mute as he watched himself step through the gates. He watched the past, when he first arrived at the springs.

What have I done..

The vision blurs and begins to spin around Lyon. He looks around as the image pauses and the villagers of Dagger Springs step forth arms extended pointing at Lyon. Hatred in their eyes. Accusing eyes.. accusing Lyon. Nina steps forward from the pack her finger pointing at Lyon, "You have damned us all!"

"No! please... I didn't mean to, I just want.." His voice is claimed by terror as nina bursts into flames and her skin is melted away to ash and bone. Lyon looks around as flames leap from the ashes of the villagers. The rangers, the commoners, all lay witness to Lyon in his damnation. The flames light the images of more faces standing just beyond them.

Arakiel, his sword drawn glaring at Lyon.

Myr, a bolt sticking from his shoulder, he turns to face Lyon bow drawn.

Arien, swinging her mual watching Lyon.

Seva, a hungry look on his face, rage in his eye.. blade and shield drawn.

Ahleera, watches Lyon breifly before turning her back on him.

Please..

Shock numbs Lyon's mind as he watches them all turn away. They turn toward each other. They raise thier blades and lunge and each other. Lyon screams, "NO!" but they cannot hear him. Their blades rend flesh, Arakiel against Arien, Seva against Ahleera, Myr...

Myr?

Lyon turns from the bloody conflict to see Myr coming at him two blades drawn, anger and hatred in his eyes. "No! MYR WAIT!" Lyon's voice weak but his instincts take over, he rolls under the first swings and grab at where his greatsword should be. His hand touches steel and he pulls his weapon.

Too fast.. it happened too fast

Lyon gasps as he sees the lifeless expression on Myr's face, his greatsword shoved through his chest. Lyon drops the blade and the body falls to one side. He crawls backward across the blackness and looks up to see his companions, wounded, bleeding from the battles with each other stepping through the ring of fire. Their fingers all pointing at Lyon.

No, please, no, no, no, please make it stop. I can't take this.. I can't don't please.

Lyon's eyes close as his mind begs for release. Tears running from his eyes along the scars in his skin.

"shhh, my pet. It is all over now." A soft, soothing, female voice reaches Lyon's ears. He opens his eyes to see a woman.. an angel, her wings flap quickly in the darkness. She runs a finger down Lyon's cheek, "No one will keep you from me.. the next time, you will come" she whispered softly to him.

"I.. but.. I can't.." he managed to speak in a hushed voice.

"You can. You will" her voice reassuring. Her fingers pull his eye lids down again, submitting him to darkness, "Rest easy, my pet."

Her voice came like a soothing wind to the fires of my mind.

Lyon's eyes slowly pull open to find himself in a bed. He knew this room. He was safe...

[GlassRain]

"Sacrafices"


A smile felt it's way across my face. I had finally pushed myself too far and had strayed into a dream. It was so real. Her hands in mine. I didn't want to open my eyes, I didn't want to wake up. The winds carressed my bare chest and I felt her forehead against mine, her fingers along my skin tracing the scars I had done so much to hide away. Scars that she labeled "beautiful". A word that had never known it's place in my heart until now. I opened my eyes to see her smiling back at me, her eyes looking into mine. For the first time, I belonged. I turned away.

The tears that flow from my heart cut thier own paths into my skin as they are never ending. I feel no joy, no hope, no warmth. I feel only the pain and the echo of her weeping voice. It faded in my mind. Even now I wish only to hear her crying.. so just to hear her. To know she is still here.. still with me. I don't know why I turned away. The fabric of my soul threatens to break free of this torment I call redemption. I cannot stop it.. I won't stop it. Hell has manifested in my body and taken captive my emotions.. killing them.. torturing them. I turned away... why did I turn away...

The cold steel between my finger.. the symbol that is it's surface...

"I will not return this to Kiriste and tell her your fight was for nothing"

The voice of Arakiel echoed through my mind. I have fought for nothing, Arakiel. I breath in a nightmare and exhale my dreams. For every sacrafice I make, I lose another part of what makes me human. I am a slave as I always was. Shackled by my hopes of redemption, whipped by my sacrafices and lead by the acceptance of others. What have I gained from my pains? What honor have I been given? Friendship.. the friendship I gain from turning from everything I have known. Your trust has it's price just as all others. Why am I fighting..

Kiriste.. I can only shake my head. I feel nothing for you. I was a slave to you.. trying to prove myself.. I was a lie. My emotions were laid open to you the night we shared our lives.. and now the child that grows in your stomach must come knowing that it's mother is not capable of love. No room in her heart for another beside Tyr. No room for a man that sacrafices everything. Everything. I have never stood in wonder, I have never questioned my reason.. but now I see. I was a slave. I was.. a pet. No more.

My eyes close breifly to capture the image of my mistress.. calling to me. Her blonde hair blown by the winds of my mind. She is in pain, her hands covering her face as sarrow wrapped it's claws around her. The sounds of her crying knifing thier way into my skull. I open my eyes wide and shake away the vision. Sleep will grant me no peace.

I have felt like an outlander these long years. Always playing to be accepted. Always a slave to the expectations of other. Never me, never what I wished to be. I have lost my own desires and become another mans creation. In her arms I find that which I have forgotten, that which I have sacraficed to be a slave. I have found myself, my blood, my will, my happiness, tucked away inside her breast. The things I have been running from. My true nature..

There are those who would help me along my path. Guide me to become the man they wish me to be. Throw the thoughts of my child into me as if I need to be reminded of my greatest sin. I know well my past. I thought I knew well my path as well. I have fought against my nature, trying to desperatly to defeat it. I would tell myself that I was facing my past, when I only hid from the truth. I am what it is I fight. If I should continue I will finally defeat myself and become nothing more than a shell. A vessel for my damned soul to travel in. I am again lost on my path.. again.

I have pushed away the one being that would have me no matter what my nature was. I turned from her to face you, Tyr. I know not where to go from this place. I have turned from everything I knew and everything I was and have come upon a place where I know nothing. I feel nothing but sarrow and regret. Yet I wish it not so. I still beg for your judgement Tyr.. still seek it, as it is to you who I have commited the greatest crime. If this is to be a test of faith, then father.. my heart is losing. I would welcome the physical pain of hells before seeing her crying before me. She cannot be lost because of me. I.. I have killed us both..

The graveyard holds few answers to all of my questions and little confidence to all of my doubts. I am alone as I have always been. I have sacraficed all that is dear to me, and so.. I am alone.

[GlassRain]

"True Lyon"


Lyon pressed his back against the tree in daggersprings. The areas was peaceful, and the wind did little to disturb the quiet happenings of the village. Lyon did not notice as he struggled with his thoughts, thoughts of his choice. Regret. A wave of exhaustion swept over his body and his eyes begin to close. The steel of his armor slid against the tree snapping away bark as he fell to a seated position on the ground. His body went limp and his head rolled back resting against the tree.

His eyes snap open just as quickly as they had closed. He was standing, alone, in a place he knew too well. His eyes surveyed the area and he looked down to his right hand to see his holy symbol still tied in place. Mixed feelings for the symbol stood the hairs on his forearm on end. He looked away and turned around.

Where am I? This place.. I know this place..

The sounds of a woman weeping echoed from his surroundings and centered on Lyon.

No..

His hands come up to his forehead as the womans sarrow is inside his head. He begins to bow his head but pauses. His hands break away from masking his face as he realizes the sound is coming from somewhere.. somewhere here. He spins around franticly. "Where are you?!" his voice desperate as he calls out, but there is no reply. He begins to run, searching.

Where are you..

A fog in the distance, a figure. He runs to the edge of it. Joy and pain fight over Lyon's heart as he watches her fall to her knees, tears in her eyes.

What do I say?! How can she forgive me now..

"No.. I am not going to leave you" His voice reasuring as he wades into the fog his arm outstreched, reaching for the woman.

Not this time

He is nearly to her when her head pulls up from her hands and turns to look back at him. He is paralyzed by the feel of her saddened gaze. She rises from her knees and turns to him. Lyon pushes his feet forward drawing him closer to her.. his head bows, "Forgive me.."

Please.. you are everything.. I was wrong.. I was a fool.. forgive me..

The weight of her eyes presses down on Lyon's posture as they roam over his face. Her hand reaches for him, tracing his jawline, her hand trembling.

Why is she shaking? No, this is my fault..

Lyon's hand quickly takes hers holding it steady and bringing her palm to his cheek. He leans into her touch. His eyes finally meet hers, a sad smile forces itself upon her lips and they part, "You have already chosen..." her voice broken from the countless tears she has let fall.

Lyon shakes his head entwining his fingers with hers. He presses his lips to her open palm and fights back the tears, "I was wrong" his voice fails as it tries to stay strong.

Her voice only a whisper now, "It is too late."

"No.. please.." He begged of her.

Barely above the wind her voice again whispered,"It is dead in her.. I am dead in her now"

"I.. I don't understand.." Lyon's voice was loud but defeated.

She regained the strength and spoke clearly, "Never has another had the power to hurt her so.. she will not allow it again." At the final word tears begain to stream down her face, a sight that only weakened Lyon and torn his soul apart.

Desperatly Lyon puts her hand to his chest over the burn mark, a place she was fond of. He leaned forward coming closer to her, looking down at her. "NO! I am here.. I am not turning away!" his voice strong.. but desperate.

She brought her gaze up and looked upon his face with shattered eyes,"You already did." Her body came up into his and she pressed her lips against his lightly before breaking away. She starts to fade away as Lyon throws his arms around her. He pulls his arms in to hug her.. they cross and press into his chest. She is gone.

"I have killed us both.." His voice rings out for only his ears.

What hell am I to give birth to.. What grows in my mind? What?

Lyon's lowered gaze catches a glint of gold beneath the shroud of mist. He slowly lowers to a kneel and reaches for the object. Pulling back his hand he eyes a golden ring. Rolling it between his index and thumb he reads the lettering burned into it's surface.

Gwynrakel.. her.. her name. A thread of hope does hang taunting me with this dream

Lyon unties the cloth at his left wrist and pulls free his glove. He holds his naked hand out and runs the band over his ring finger. He speaks in infernal, "I will find you again." his words barely are spoken as he feels something pulling at him, he fights desperatly trying to remain. Again his words come in the devil tongue, "STAY WITH ME!!" He shouts before he is finally torn from the image, his vision blurs. Again, his senses return and he is in a strange place.

What is this..

A forest, but a shrine or some sort. He starts walking toward it. A figure in red armor stands before a burning stone. Her dialect, infernal, shakes the very ground on which Lyon stands,"They will pay!" Her voice is a low growl.

What..who?

Lyon approaches her tossing caution to the wind. His emotions blinded by curiousity he walks to the side of her and tilts his head. He looks over her armor and the helm which hides her identity. Again the womans voice comes, thundering in the tongue of devils, "I will Destroy what has taken him from me!" Flames spout from the heavens and the ground shivers with fear. Lyon stands calmly as the voice is all too fimiliar.

Lyon finally speaks, his forked tongue calm. His infernal words came as, "I am here." He waited for her to turn to him but looked up in shock as she raised the whip and lashed it. He tried to dodge but the whip struck him. It passed through his body without pausing and she did not turn to face him.

I am.. a spirit. How is this possible? Why can she not hear me!?

He stepped around to the front of her and peers into the slits of her helmet, meeting gaze with the glowing red eyes that lay hidden behind the visor.

You are a mirror of myself.. but I have turned from my anger.. turn from your own.. come to me.. please..

He tried again, speaking infernal, "Come back to me." Hey eyes only stared through him and onto the burning pillar. She spat and muttered in the feind tongue. Lyon slowly reached with his left hand to touch the exposed skin around her shoulder. He watched with a pained expression as his hand passed through her. His hand recoiled.

I do not know how to speak to her.. am I always to be this helpless..

Lyon's head bows as Gwynrakel tossed her head back and screamed of pain and rage. Tears began to run from his eyes. He did not care about the shaking ground or the errupting fires, only from her. "My choice.. my mistake.. I have caused this.." The infernal dialect spilled from Lyon's lips.

I only wish..

"I only wish I could have chosen differently" The language came naturally to Lyon.

Gwynrakel narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists, infernal words, "The She elf! This was her doing!" Her whip cracked as she screams the words, "She will know this pain!"

Lyon came as a final attempt,"If you can hear me but one time, hear me now.. The pain you suffer you do not bear alone. I have felt my very being break in two when I foolishly turned away. Do not blame others.. come for me.. claim me.. my soul is in hell apart from you." as the last feindish word rolled off his tongue he looked hopefully at Gwynrakel. There was no response, only the crack of her whip against the pillar. He closes his eyes and bows his head.

I can take no more..

His tears continue to flow, from frustration, from sarrow, from regret. He hisses "All will regret this.. I will see to it!" Gwynrakel's eyes blaze with hatred.

None.. will regret more than I

The woman turns and walks away from the stone and begins to walk away. Lyon remained, his eyes opening to watch her again step out of his life. He spoke again his voice barely a whisper, "Gwynrakel." His eyes widened as she jerks to a halt pausing at the edge of the shrine. She looks around, scanning the area. "Gwynrakel.." His voice drifted to infernal "come back to me.." He waited, his heart begging for a response. She shudders and gasps. Reaching up to her helmet and pulling it free, she let's it fall to the ground. Her head spins and she looks toward Lyon, though her gaze still peirces him. His hand reaches up to her face and traces the outline of it as well as he can. The womans expression turning from rage and hatred to that of pain. Pain that shown fully through the red in her eyes. "Gwynrakel.. speak if you can hear me.. please.. speak..." he begged for a response.

Please.. speak..

The whip dropped from her hand. She quickly raises her hands to the sides of her head covering her ears as she cries out (inf)"No! Do not torture me so!" She drops to her knees trying to shut him out. Lyon kneels infront of her and places his arms around her. he tries to hold her but finds only his own tears as his arms pass through her.(inf)"I cannot have this weakness" she hangs her head.

(inf)"I will not turn away from you, Gwynrakel.. I will not abandon you.. I was a fool before.." Confidence returns to Lyon's voice as he is sure she can hear him.

She folds into herself and screams in pain. her voice now a sobbing whisper, (inf)"you already did.."

(inf)"I am kneeling before you, Gwynrakel.. I don't know how I am here..but I will fight to stay by your side.. I will kill if I must.. I am not letting you go!" he leaned in to see her expression just as blackness consumed him. His eyes snap open, "NO!!" he leans forward from the tree. His cheeks wet with tears he looks down at his left hand and quickly pulls at the gauntlet there. A burning sensation pulsed from his ring finger.. the finger that still held the golden band from his dream. Lyon drew in a deep breath as his confidence returned. His will only strengthens as he feels a warmth come from the burn on his chest. A palm laid upon it and the echo of a crying woman. His muscles flex as he places his hand on his chest.

My path is again, changed.. I will not abandon you, my mistress. Pulling myself to my feet again for the last time. I will not fall again.

He stands tall, eyes narrowing, curling his left ahnd into a fist. His gaze washes over the village of Dagger Springs.

Never have you been my home. Never have I belonged within your walls. The past I have run from, must now strengthen the path I seek to take. I have spent too long.. sacraficed too much.. for nothing. I will never be at peace within the walls of these towns.. these villiges. My place is in the outlands.. fighting the creatures that haunt the commoners nightmares. I no longer seek the acceptance I once did. I only seek her.

[GlassRain]

"When a Brother Falls"


Where do I go from here, Arakiel?"

The question sounded through my mind like an echo through an empty cavern. I see only a blured reality of my nightmare folding inward on me.. around me.. I shut my eyes. The vision of you standing beside me.. the respect you held for me.. yet I say nothing. My eyes are open again as I cannot escape the memories of you.

They say you died well.. died well. Your family is left behind and I am robbed of the only family I knew. Died well. I should have died by your side.. I should have been by your side. I failed you sword brother, I failed. Tyr toys with me, Arakiel. You were to be at my side when I went before him.. where do I go from here?

I stare at the blade that caused so much between us. Bringing both hatred and friendship to us.. and now it comes to me to carry it. My hands are stained with too much sin to touch it's handle, Arakiel. It's image at my belt haunts me with the memory of when we shared an oath together in the springs that day. My respect for you blazed that day. I cannot carry this burden...

In the days before your passing I said nothing.. I did not open my mouth. Now there is so much I would say, so much I wish I could have told you. Tell you of the respect I hold for you. Tell you of the trust I give to you. Tell you I do not blame you for my choices. Tell you that the things I do are because you believed in me..when others only judged me. tell you that I will not dishonor you. Your life slips away from me and my words fall deafly away from your ears. now other words wish to be heard.. I will let no harm come to your family. I will protect Dagger Springs as long as breath still holds in my chest. I will Carry on my faith Arakiel, I cannot fail at this life.. you have reminded me how short it truelly is.

Arien.. I cannot bear to look at her now. She is strong, but for how long will she last. The children she must raise in your absense, Arakiel. Your children... WHY! WHY DID YOU DIE!? YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR! SO MUCH YET TO ACCOMPLISH! YOU HAVE CHILDREN, YOU HAVE ARIEN!

"WHY TYR!? What game is this that you force me to play? How much must I sacrafice? How much will you take from me? When will you finally end my punishment? Why do you take Arakiel from me?! ANSWER ME!"

My words find no reply in the night air of the forest. Left only to the cold breeze in my blade before me as I kneel. Even the symbol that I hold in my hand mocks my pain, with the name that is etched on the back of it...

Forge my own path, Ahleera had told me. I wade through my sarrows and regrets to a goal I pray will be my salvation. Perhaps I will finally have my redemption at the price of everything dear to me. When all of my companions are dead and I am left nothing more than a broken man.. exsisting simply to exsist, I will finally be welcomed. When all my emotions finally are swept clean of me, and I feel nothing but the pain of my past.. Arakiel, Kjorn, Gwynrakel, Kiriste, my child.. my child. Will the destination set me free, or will I be too dead to feel? It doesn't matter..

I have run for so long. I have come so far. I have sacraficed so much. I have gained so little. It does not matter. I will strive on regardless of what others feel, regardless of the pains I must endure. I will strive on because I must. This time, however, I strive on for me. I know my heart is pure, as I still wear the scars of every sin.. of every pain of my former life. I know honor, and I live by it. The things that I once seeked are small in comparison to the destination I quest for. I am not worthy of Tyr's grace.. I only wish his judgement. I wish to live the life that was stolen from me. Wish to do the deeds that I have been denied. I am a good man! I have to be..

Watch over me, sword brother. My brother. My friend, my family. Watch over me as I need your guidance, Arakiel.

[GlassRain]

"Life Fullfilled"


Gaeden lay sleeping now. The Road stood in the distance as they made camp, and Lyon took the first watch. He wandered away as not to wake his companion with his words. The cold wind whispered through his armor carressing the scars of his past sin and left him.. he could almost hear the crying of the breeze as it moved on through the forest. His hands found the blade at his side, Arakiel's blade. He drew it carefully as not to touch the handle and set the tip of the edge to the ground. His knee swiftly followed and his helmet fell to the side. His pure black eyes peirced the pommel of the sword and he bowed his head.

"Brother to you I pray, to you I beg that you shall hear my words."

His breath fell silent and his hands twisted on the blade which he found to be incredibly sharp, his hands began to bleed even in his gentle touch.

"As my blood runs like a truth over your blade that I am not the man to weild it. It only answers to those true, and I will wait for your son to carry on the tradition. I have been blessed, Arakiel, with a child. A daughter. She has been given to me on the wings of your death. A life, perhaps, for a life. A pain, for a love.

I was "allowed" to hold her. I have not the words to describe the beauty of my daughter. She of course has her mothers skin."

Lyon laughed breifly before continuing.

"She however, has my eyes. I feel such peace when I look into them. As if the world around my simply fails to exsist and I am alone. Alone with the girl of my dreams, alone with my daughter. When I see her I cannot justify the evils of my life.. to hold something so pure in my arms I am reborn again. I am again given the strength I need to face something that I have been running from. However, my part with her mother has been distressing."

Lyon's teeth gnash together as he continues and his eyes narrow.

"Kiriste does not trust me. I do not ask for it. She does not love me. I do not care for it. She does not however offer me the respect that I have shown unto her. I have sacraficed my way of life. I have atoned for my sins, and I have bled for my beliefs. Even still, Kiriste thinks me an enemy. She named the child without speaking to me. I was forced to hear my daughters full name for the first time amung men I did not trust."

Lyon breaks his hand away from the blade and bashes it into the earth. Rage ripping across his face as the final words pour from his lips.

"In a single breath Kiriste dishonored everything I have ever strived for!"

Snarls the line and pauses, regaining his composure.

"No, I will not let the anger consume me, brother. It is why I return home. Home to Dagger Springs. Though I would have you know my childs name as I would call her. Raykiena Reyek. her first name.. unknown to me, Letitia. I asked that she be named, Raykiena.. in your honor brother. Without you Arakiel, without you brother, I would not be the man I am today. I would not be able to hold my child without the strength you have given me. Raykiena now holds the symbol of Tyr that has guided my blade, my will. It is to her my love goes. To her that I ask all others to grant their faith as they once did in me. As my life is complete.. save for one final task..."

His hand takes hold of the blade again and he looks up through the trees.

"I have fullfilled my lifes quests, Arakiel. I am finally ready to stand before your faith, before Tyr. I have left Raykiena in the care of Kiriste and Talias, a paladin of Torm. Now I seek to take the final step, the step that I asked you to be at my side for. Be at my side, brother, be at my side in spirit.

Give me the strength I require to see past my anger and stand tall in the face of justice. Give me the strength I require to see me confess my sins. Give me the strength I require to fear not Tyr's judgment. Give me the strength I need to be free of my burdens. For Tyr, for you, for Raykiena, for Gwynrakel, I will face my final judgment. For me, for Redemption. Do not fail me Arakiel, as it is your blade that must judge me."

Lyon leans in and places his forehead to the handle of the blade.

"Be at my side, brother."

He stands and turns back toward camp.

My angers laid to rest...