Chronicles of Valtorex; Book Three: Life, Love, and Destiny; Chapter Four: Rest, Relaxation, and Hellfire

Valtorex at the Academy: Rest, Relaxation, and Hellfire  

 

“Vacation is the best time to get work done.”  

 

The five of them, Myrstaline, Valen, Valinor, Valrie, Valtorex, are walking down a barely existent road in the elven forests. As they are walking along the path, they talk about their plans. Myrstaline says, with a sigh, “It looks like I’m going to be stuck in court all summer. I hate entertaining guests.” Valtorex says, “I keep telling you, you can come with us.” Myrstaline replies, “And I keep telling you, if I don’t show, then my father won’t let me return to the Academy.” (Then stop complaining) (Bad Ian) They drop the subject and continue on in silence. After a few moments, Valen asks, “So, Valrie, how many kids will you guys be having?” (To RAT, to answer your question on the 1^st about Valrie) Valrie abruptly turns, her face red. (No Word! She doesn’t turn her face red! She turns and her face is red!) She punches Valen, and even his lightning reflexes aren’t good enough to prevent him from being staggered. He stumbles back, his hand cupping his jaw. Valtorex and Valinor laugh. Valrie turns back and heads on down the road. Valen, not wanting to get on Valrie’s bad side leaves it at that and follows. They keep walking until the sun goes down and they make camp. After dinner, Valtorex pulls out one of his spellbooks to study. Valrie walks over and grabs the book from his hands. She checks the cover, sees it is a book about combat spells, and tosses it back in his pack. She says, “We’re on break. Relax, have some fun for once. It doesn’t have to be all study.” (Crap, I have two chapters to do this month. Why does Valtorex get all the time off?) Valtorex sighs and says, “Alright, I’ll relax a bit. If we get killed, though, don’t blame me.” (No, blame Canada!) (Does Canada even exist in this world?) (Fun reference) Valtorex stands and goes over to the rest of the group. He sits down with them, Valrie sitting next to him, and they begin talking, joking,  and just having fun.  

They are abruptly interrupted by the arrow that lands in the ground right in the center of the group. Before the rest can even blink in surprise, Valtorex is up, his crossbows (Andrew, he has two crossbows) drawn, ready to shoot the attacker. He then sees there isn’t just one attacker; there’s a lot more. Around them are twenty elven bowmen, all with arrows knocked and bowstrings drawn. An elf dressed in gold armor walks out of the trees and Valtorex takes aim at him. (Yes Jeff, the elf doesn’t dress in gold armor. He already is wearing it.) (Hey hey, it was like two when I wrote that) Valen sees this and says, “Don’t bother. He’ll dodge anything you shoot at him.” Valtorex replies, “Sure, the bolts, but can he dodge Assassin’s Lightning? How about Phantasmal Killer? Maybe Wail of the Banshee. It’ll take ‘em all down.” The elf in gold says, “You will be dead with forty arrows in you before you hit the ground or a syllable leaves your mouth.” Myrstaline sighs and stands. She steps in front of Valtorex and says, “In the name of King Silanto doth lo Lün, stand down.” The elf, most likely a captain, retorts, “And who are you to use the name of our lord?” Myrstaline replies, her voice taught and somewhat annoyed, “I am Lady Myrstaline doth lo Lün, daughter of House Tria Lün. Stand down in the name of my father or face the consequences.” (She’s annoyed because she didn’t want to reveal who her father is to her friends. I’m annoyed because neither did I, but what’s done is done and I don’t feel like changing it) (Eh, I never see why royalty characters don’t ever want to reveal their status) (They don’t want it to influence the way people treat ‘em I guess) (“Eh” Andrew? Maybe you’re from Canadia) The elves quickly put away their arrows and hold their bows at their sides. The captain bows and says, “Pardon me, m’lady. I did not recognize you.” Myrstaline sighs and says, “It is to be expected. I’m rarely ever allowed out of the court.” The captain says, “My lady, you are back in elven territory. You may dismiss your guards and we will escort you back to the palace.” Valen jumps to his feet in protest, but Myrstaline cuts him off, her voice haughty and noble now. “They are  not my guards. They are friends of mine from the Draconic Academy. They are here on break, as am I. I expect you to show respect to them, especially my mentor in the Arcane.” She gestures to Valtorex. Valtorex bows eloquently before standing back up. His crossbows never leave the captain. The captain, obviously irritated at having to show respect to non-elves, says, “Very well, my lady. We will escort you and your ‘friends’ (I think he should make air quotes too and speak in a French accent) (I think not) to Tria Lün. We will make camp here to protect you.” That night, the two groups have a tense camp.  

As soon as Valtorex falls asleep, (He actually sleeps, I thought for sure he’d be standing guard or something.) (Yes, well, he didn’t think or something. I’m too lazy to write more dialogue for Myrstaline too) the elves get up and bind the four cabin mates with rope. Before they are finished binding him, Valtorex wakes up. One elf holds a finely crafted dagger to his throat. The fine elven craftsmanship (CRAFTSMANSHIP is one word!!!!! I’m surprised you missed that Andrew! Jaff, I’m not so surprised. Unless he holds a ship full of craftsmen at his throat?) (Be glad I spell-checked YOUR comment…Jaff?) (Inside joke Andrew…) (From Ch. 3) gives it a razor edge and amazing lightness. The fine dagger with all of its intricate designs and precious metals and gems melts like any other with a word from Valtorex. Valtorex kicks the elf binding his feet and pulls the Knife of the Ancestors free and cuts the rope around his chest. (How does he pull his dagger free if the rope is binding his chest, including his arms?) (His arms were next to his KNIFE) Valtorex jumps to his feet, throwing his knife at the nearest elf, piercing his gut and turning his green tunic brown with blood. (Red and green make a brownish color, I’m guessing. Art people, correct me) (Not in art, but you’re probably right. Besides, you have exclusive author powers-what you say goes.) (lol) (NOOO! Not text speak!! Tis my greatest enemy!!!) (A pretty silly enemy to have) The elf falls back, his hands grasping futilely at the hilt as his blood flows freely out. Valtorex draws his swords and attacks the other elves, cutting Valrie, Valinor, and Valen’s bindings as he reaches them. The other three enter the fray as Myrstaline is awakened. She screams when an elf falls at her feet, his skull cleaved open by Valinor’s greatsword. She tries to kick the brain matter off her shoes, but she can’t get it off. She now realizes why Valtorex always wears red. (And not because Valtorex loves the color redJ) (Just the author, just the author…) The camp falls into chaos, the captain trying to marshal his troops. When he realizes he’s lost half of his original group, he calls a ceasefire. (Sure, ceasefire came about once we had things that actually fired projectiles, but let’s just assume it’s about Valtorex’s flame magicJ)  

The captain and Valtorex meet in the center of the camp, their respective parties behind them, hands on weapons. Myrstaline hesitates in the center (,still kicking brain matter off her shoes,J ) before standing behind the captain. The captain says, “We’ll accept your surrender in exchange for a reduced sentence. You killed ten loyal members of the Elven Kingdoms. That is death for you and all in your party. If you surrender we may be able to reduce your three accomplices’ punishment to life in prison.” Valtorex replies, “Those ten were killed in self defense. I will neither apologize for my party defending itself nor surrender when we’re winning. Actually, I’d never surrender to dishonest scum like you.” The captain moves forward to strike him, but Myrstaline commands, “Wait! What’s this about ‘self defense’?” The captain yells, “Lies!” Valtorex replies, “They were binding us with rope to leave behind. Just look, you’ll find the rope cut by my swords near where we were sleeping.” Myrstaline does look and sees what he said. She also sees a rope in the hands of an elf with a knife in his gut. She comes back, carrying the rope. She demands, “Captain, explain this!” The captain replies, nervous now, “My lady, please understand. We could not allow the royal name, your name, be sullied by these barbarians!” (Maybe not a French accent, just make him speak french!) (Why? Are you calling the French cowards?) (Just words from your mouth) Valen interjects, “Hey! I’m from here!” The captain continues, “Imagine what the people would say! The only reason we tolerate the Draconics is by order of the Great King! A lady of your breeding should not be with foreigners!” Myrstaline, pissed now, yells, “I’ll marry a foreigner if I want! I dare you or any of the other isolationists to stop me!” The captain slaps her and she goes down. Realizing what he just did, but no longer caring, he picks her up and orders his troops to open fire if Valtorex and the others try to follow. He goes off, carrying Myrstaline. At Firstlight, the elves withdraw. Valtorex, knowing she will be safe, resigns himself to letting the elves escort Myrstaline to the city.  

The four of them continue on their way to Valen’s village. On the way, they talk about Myrstaline for awhile, but when the others realize there’s nothing they can do, they give up. The fall into an uncomfortable silence for about an hour before Valen asks, “So, what do you guys want to do once we get there?” Valtorex asks, “What is there to do? You never described your village.” (Or if he did, you guys didn’t hear it and I’m too lazy to describe it as if they are seeing it) Valen says, “Well, there’s an inn that has good wine, but not much else, a brook in the woods nearby that is good for training, plenty of animals to hunt, and ruins to explore. Not much else though. That’s kinda why I asked you guys to come along.” (Misery loves company) (When I first read that I thought it said Myrstaline loves company) (Well that too)They stop talking for awhile, not having much else to say. They keep walking and that night make camp. (Word! Night isn’t the one making camp! They are!) They fall into the routine they adopted earlier that year, marching all day, making camp, then waking up the next morning to march again. After a week of break, they finally reach Valen’s village. Valtorex then informs them he could have teleported them. Valrie is mad, Valinor is confused at the impracticality, but Valen understands why he did it. He defends Valtorex from Valrie. “Valrie, look at it this way. The longer it took us on the road, the longer it’ll take for us to get bored here and be at each other’s throats.” Valtorex then says, “Besides, we’re here. Let’s check in at Valen’s and go to the inn for something to drink.” Valen then grins sheepishly. Valtorex just looks at him in that, “what did you do?” (I know that look well) (The look I always give you during Halo) sort of way. Valen says, his nervousness clear, “Well, that’s the thing; my parents don’t really let me drink. They still think I’m too young.” (Lesson: Never drink and fire arrows) (J) Only Valrie is shocked. She says, incredulous, “But you’re sixteen! Look at us! Valtorex and Valinor have been drinking for the gods know how long and me, well it was my choice not to drink!” Valen counters, “Yes well, if I grew at the rate of the other elves, I would be learning how to spell my name right now.” Valtorex jokes, “So you’re behind?” Valrie and Valinor laugh, but Valen’s face just gets red. (Don’t worry RAT, I know you learned your name last year. J Sorry, couldn’t resist) Valen tries to cover it and says, “All joking aside, my parents aren’t likely to let me drink, and they know the bartender.” Valtorex says, “We’ll just have to talk to them about it.” Valen sighs before sarcastically saying, “Good luck with that.”  

They walk into the village and are quickly stopped by a pair of elven (I hate that whenever I see elven, I first read eleven!) (Dyslexic) (Jeff said he writes it that way too! And it’s dyslexic not dylexic) (non-uniqued: Same thing, litterally. You wrote the same word twice. And, BTY, Ian, I only said that to make you feel better) guards. One of them speaks in elven to the other. Valtorex gathers they are talking about Valen in an insulting manner. Valtorex says, in flawless elven, “Leave him alone, he could kill both of you without your knowledge.” Valen, surprised that Valtorex knows elven, says, in elven, “Thank you.” Valtorex replies, in common, “No problem.” One guard then says, “Very well, you may enter. But, boy, if you cause any more trouble. I’ll kick you out for good.” Valen nods, obviously uncomfortable. They follow Valen to his parent’s house. Unfortunately for Valinor and Valtorex, the house is, like most elven houses, in a tree. Valen practically jumps up the tree, barely using his hands. Valrie gets up, although with much more effort than Valen. Valtorex finally gives up and uses a levitation spell. Valinor, with no such advantage, uses his daggers to climb up. When Valinor finally crawls over the edge of the platform built into the tree, Valen knocks on the door. (When I first read this, I thought you said Valen knocked Valinor off the platform, heh) (Funny, I considered it) After a few moments, Valen’s ten year old looking sister opens the door. When she sees Valen, she slams the door shut. A light, delicate, female voice calls, “Dear, who is it?” Valen’s sister replies, “No one, mom! Just some beggars!” (This is what happens when you don’t wash your clothes for a whole school year) (lol) (Andrew! Look into work as a comedian!) (Thank you, I’m here until Jeff fires me) (Fire you, I’ll give you a 100% raise!) (To what?  I don’t get paid as it is) (2 times 0 is still zero!) (Jeff’s wallet cheers) Valen knocks on the door, this time calling, “Mom, it’s me, Valen! Tell Skithor to open the door!” Valen’s mother calls back, “You know your sister hates that name. Call her Skathera.” Valen sighs before saying, “Fine, tell Skathera to open the door!” Valen’s mother calls, “Skathera, please open the door for your brother.” Skathera asks, “What about the beggars with him?” Valen yells, “They’re not beggars, they’re my friends from the Academy!” Valen’s mother says, her exasperation showing, “Skathera, let him and his friends in.” Skathera sighs and opens the door. Valen walks in and the other three follow him. Valen leads them to the main room and they are met by a beautiful elven woman sitting in a chair, weaving. She says, “Hi honey. Who are your friends?” Valen says, “This is Valrie, Valtorex, and Valinor.” He motions to them as he names them. Valrie asks, “Hello, how are you?” Valinor says, “It’s a pleasure.” Valtorex says, “Greetings ma’am. (I gave up trying to spell it right) (There is no way to spell it) (I believe it’s m’am) (Wrong, ma’am) How are you?” Valen’s mother replies, “Very well. Thank you. So Valen, what brings your friends here?” Valen replies, “Well, I was, um, kind of wondering if they could spend the summer here. We, uh, have that spare guest room for Valrie and Valtorex and Valinor could stay in my room.” Valen’s mother says, “Sorry dear, but the guest room is taken by a nice young man. Your friend will have to stay at the inn.” Valen is about to protest when Valrie says, “That is fine. Thank you anyway.” Valtorex then says, “I wouldn’t want to impose. I’ll stay at the inn as well.” (If you’ve noticed the dialogue discrepancies with my characters, notice it is who they are speaking to. I tried to make it more realistic by changing their speaking habits based on company) Valinor quickly says he will do the same. Valen says, “I might as well stay with them.” (Crap, I keep following the beat of my iPod on my keyboard!)  

The four of them go to the inn and get two rooms. When they get their keys, (Andrew, I don’t use quotation when I am narrating) (That’s Ian who keeps quoting them) Valen takes both and tosses one to Valtorex. He says, “Valinor and I will take the one with the west facing window. I hate it when the sun wakes me up.” Valrie is shocked into silence. Valtorex asks, somehow sounding sincere, “How many times were you dropped on your head as a child?” When Valen just looks at him in confusion, Valrie says, “That puts Valtorex and I in the same room.” Valinor has already figured it out, but Valen still doesn’t see the problem. Valen asks, “What’s wrong with tha-“ Valtorex cuts him off by grabbing Valrie and pulling her to him. He kisses her quickly before letting her go. Valrie is stunned. Valtorex says, “That. Remember?” Valen finally gets the point. He says, “Wanna trade roommates?” Valtorex says, “Sure, me for Valinor.” (Two reasons for this, one, I want to allow some character development for Valen, and two, RAT, sorry, but I won’t even trust a fictional girl with a fictional character based on aspects of youJ) (Right, so you trust her with a fictional barbarian?) (Better than RATJ) (Sad, but true) Valtorex tosses his key to Valinor. The four of them go upstairs and get settled in. They return to Valen’s house and meet his father. The seven of them, Valen, Valinor, Valrie, Valtorex, Skathera, and Valen’s mother and father, eat dinner, and after talking for awhile, the four friends return to the inn.  

They wake up the next day and go to breakfast. For the first time since the start of the year, Valtorex makes breakfast for them. (I’m going to try something new. I’ll devote a day to character development on each of the three side-mains) That day, they go to the brook. (Why can’t I spell it ‘brooke’? I’m supposed to be British, right? I get to add letters wherever I wantJ) Valen decides to show them around. “He says, “This tree is where I first learned to snipe at people. I’ve hit my sister a good many times with a slingshot from up there.” They then go on, walking through the brook. Valen says, “Let’s explore the ruins a bit. I haven’t done that in awhile.” Valen leads them to a stone door almost hidden under all of the vines and overgrowth. Valen presses a panel, hidden under a thick layer of growth and caked mud. The door slides down into the ground, revealing a dark tunnel winding deep into the ground. Valtorex says, “Weapons out. I’ll cast light.” The four of them draw their weapons and Valtorex casts light on Valen’s longknife, Valinor’s greatsword, Valrie’s rapier, and his longswords. Valen, having been here before, leads them down the tunnel. He remembers the thrill he always felt at exploring this place. He becomes lost in the nostalgia and is greatly surprised when a skeletal figure emerges from the earthen wall.  

The skeleton is carrying an old elven shortsword. It swings at Valen and he barely blocks the attack. Valen ducks under the skeleton’s swinging arms and lunges in with his knife. Too late he realizes the skeleton has no stomach to puncture. He jumps back, narrowly dodging the skeleton’s still effective blade. Valtorex, Valinor, and Valrie back up to give him room to fight. Valen jumps forward and slashes, cutting into the skeleton’s spine. Its legs useless, the skeleton falls and starts stabbing at his feet. Valen jumps over it and throws his knife down. His aim flawless, the knife slides right between the vertebrate in the neck, killing the skeleton. (Wow, is Valen that fast, or is everyone else too lazy to help?) (Remember, only enough room for one person at a time) (Maybe you should have said that) (I F-ing did!) Valen pulls his knife free and picks up the elven shortsword. He says, “That was easy. I didn’t know that was there though. I guess things have changed a bit. Oh well, more to kill at least.” Valen now sees that the shortsword is made of some sort of magically enhanced silver and seems to be a Keen blade as well. He also notices it is far lighter than most shortswords. He places it on his belt and they move on, carefully watching every wall.  

They don’t notice the two skeletons that come up from the ground until they are swinging their swords. Both have rapiers that appear to be of the same material as Valen’s new short sword. Valen tosses his longknife into his left hand (That must have hurt, impaling his hand with his own knife! J) (Medicine, Ian?) (Never again) and grabs his shortsword in his right. Valen begins blocking and deflecting the skeletons’ assaults. The earthen walls, floor, and ceiling begin crumbling as the blades of the combatants are deflected into them. Valen finally severs the spine of one of the skeletons and pushes the other one back. He dispatches that skeleton with a kick to the gut, breaking the spine. (Valen: 3, Co.: 0) He picks up the rapier and tosses it to Valrie. She puts it at her belt. Valen puts away his longknife and picks up the other rapier. He switches hands with his weapons. Valtorex casts light on his rapier and shortsword. Valrie switches to the new rapier and Valtorex casts light on it.  

The four of them continue on, Valen still in the lead. They keep walking in the tunnel, going down hundreds of feet. Finally, they reach a large stone door. Valen is going forward to open it when a large minotaur skeleton rises from the earth. The skeleton is wielding a massive silver battleaxe. It swings the axe and Valen barely has room to dodge. Valinor, Valtorex, and Valrie back up to get out of Valen’s way. Valen keeps fighting, dodging the massive axe. The axe head embeds itself in the ground, throwing up a large cloud of dust that makes visibility impossible. Valen rolls away and then charges straight into the battle again. The minotaur pulls its axe free and swings. Valen jumps over the speeding mass of metal and yells, “Die! Die! Die! Hahahaha!” (Fits RAT to a T) (I know, I could just see him doing it)He stabs into the minotaur’s skull with his shortsword before severing the spine with his rapier. (Valen: 4, Co.: 0, How many kills do minotaurs count for anyway?) Valen picks up the axe, surprised at its relative lightness. It only seems to weigh about half as much as his 110 pounds. He gives it to Valinor who easily straps it to his back, over the greatsword.  

The four continue on, going through the stone door. They enter a large, dark room. (Developing pictures? J ) In the center is a large stone diaulos. Around the diaulos are men and women in black robes. On the diaulos, standing in the center, flanked by two demons, is Torment wearing black robes. She turns and sees the four. She says, “It looks like you have intruded upon my master again. Necrolytes, make their bodies dance for me!” The black robed men and women stand and turn to face them. On all of their lips are the words to killing curses. Knowing they can’t win, Valtorex collapses the entrance to the ruins. They turn and fight. The curses fly, but so do the arrows. The four of them manage to avoid being killed, Valtorex taking the brunt of the blows on shields and himself. Of the original twenty Necrolytes, only four are left at the end of a few seconds. Those four quickly fall under a hail of arrows from Valen. Valen advances on Torment, his swords out. Valtorex, Valrie, and Valinor watch Valen, ready to jump in if he needs it.  

Torment screams and rushes him. In a blur of metal, Torment goes down with a gurgle. Valen stands triumphantly over her corpse, his blades wet with demon blood. He says, his voice changed by bloodlust, “That oughtta teach the bitch.” (Valen: 25 kill-tacular) (Killing spree!) (I reiterate, fits RAT to a T!J )The four of them look around and find a secret door in the back of them room. They walk in and discover this is a ritual room. On the ground, they see the corpse of a young woman, about their age. Her body is twisted as if she died in agony and her blood is pooled around her and soaked into her gown. It appears she had just died moments ago. Valen feels the elation of the kill die as he looks into her vacant eyes. Valen looks at Valtorex and asks, his voice a barely audible whisper, “Why?” Valtorex bends down, his knees in the blood and touches her neck and looks over her wounds. He then examines the strange symbols etched into her skin and the floor around her. He says, “Kaedros is doing something big. He needed a virgin sacrifice. It appears she was drawn in by the cult. She was probably deeply depressed and wanted a family. Kaedros offered one and became her father. The worst part is, judging by the runes, the sacrifice had to be willing.” Valen asks, still in a whisper, “How did she die?” Valtorex shudders briefly and says, “Judging by the varying ages of the wound, she died from blood loss over the period of days. All of the wounds are shallow bites and clawing. Demons are brutal and I’m amazed she lasted even that long. He probably promised her life unending or some other hollow promise.”  

Just then they hear a seductive voice say, “Oh, but it wasn’t hollow. I gave Father everything. My life, my blood, my body. He gave me the place of his beloved Torment you just slew.” They turn and Valen nearly vomits when he sees the girl standing behind them. She is clad in the nearly shredded black robe of Torment. She appear much like her old self, the same straw blonde hair, the same height, size, everything, except the eyes. While her eyes had been a bright green, they are now sunken and black. Her skin is a bit paler now and she appears to be stronger ( “and she appears stronger.” ?!!! I’m ashamed!) (Fixed, you happy?). She looks into Valen’s eyes and sees the reflection of herself. She is terrified by what she sees. The anger, the fury, the pure malice on her face makes her twisted soul ache. Her eyes are what terrify her the most. Those dead orbs that used to be so full of life will haunt her memory for all eternity. She instantly hates those hazel orbs showing her all of this. (I know you can’t see that detailed of a reflection in some one’s eyes, but hey, who gives a crap? It makes for good plot at leastJ) She runs at Valen, a dagger now in her hand. Valen drops his swords and reaches out for her. She reaches him and stabs him, but he embraces her. She is shocked by this, not knowing who he is. As he loses consciousness, he lets out a ragged breath with one word, “Chisa…”  

Chistine, not having any memory of anything that happened before the ritual, feels a faint tug in her mind at the name. She looks into those eyes again and gasps. She staggers back, her mouth agape. She screams, her distress evident, “By the gods! What am I? Valen! Valen don’t die! I need you!”(Too late, he’s somewhere in Nevada) (lol) (Seriously Andrew! Think comedian!) (Okay, I’ll consider it) She tosses down the dagger and kneels next to her love. She tries casting a healing spell on him, but she finds she can’t anymore. She pleads, “Valen, I love you! Don’t die!” Valtorex, who was about to kill her sees what happened. He restrains Valinor and Valrie with a word and bends down with her. He finds the wound and casts a spell that will cauterize it. (Burn all your problems eh?) (It works, doesn’t it?) Valen, unconscious gasps as his flesh is seared. Valtorex stands and says, “That will stop the bleeding. I don’t think he will die, but I will need to stay and watch him. He turns to Chistine and asks, “Did the master of this place keep a store of ingredients?” Chistine nods and shows him to them. Valtorex sacks (sacks? did you mean racks? Cause I don’t think he has the authority to fire it. It might have a family!) (He means sacks as in ‘ransack’) (Exactly!) the cabinet of alchemical ingredients and returns to Valen. He says, “The passage is blocked off and we won’t be able to dig out. Obviously, there is some alternate route that allowed the necromancers to get here undetected. Chistine can lead you two there. I will stay here with Valen and try to help him recover. Valinor, you’re in charge.”  

Chistine leads Valinor and Valrie to a concealed tunnel under the diaulos. She then says, “I am sorry, but I must go. My Father calls me and I can not disobey.” Chistine disappears. Valrie and Valinor return to Valtorex. They tell him of the exit and he says, “Very well. Orders stay the same. Tomorrow, go down the tunnel and find an exit. Get help and return to Valen. Valinor, you’re still in charge.” The three of them make a cold camp in the ritual room, after Valtorex gives the body a proper burial in the ground and cleans away the blood. They take turns on watch and Valtorex applies an ointment he made to Valen’s wound. The next day, they set out.  

Valinor leads Valrie down the tunnel. They keep walking until their path is blocked by a group of zombies. Valinor draws his greatsword and rushes them, cutting them down left and right. Valrie stays back as there is only enough room in the tunnel for Valinor to swing his massive sword. The zombies keep falling, some missing limbs, some hacked in half, and others with their heads cleaved in two. Valinor, his blade drenched in blood and other liquids says, “Come on, we have to stop them.” He charges down the tunnel, barely stopping to cleave a zombie in two. Valinor reaches the bottom of the tunnel to find his path blocked by a large ogre zombie with a massive club. He replaces his greatsword and pulls out the axe. He charges the ogre, swinging his axe. The ogre smashes down with his club, crushing the skeleton of another ill-fated warrior. The ogre swings his club again, this time at Valinor. Valinor blocks with his axe, jarring his bones. He grits his teeth and keeps fighting. Valinor yells, “Valrie! Get out of here! Now!” Valrie ignores him and watches for threats. Valinor keeps fighting the ogre, occasionally cutting it. On a particularly lucky swing, his axe bites deep into the ogre, tearing open its stomach. A noxious smell permeates the air from the remains of the ogre’s last meal before it died. The ogre, no longer feeling pain, just keeps attacking. The fight goes back and forth, Valinor eventually cutting the ogre’s leg and breaking the bone. The ogre, no longer able to balance, falls and Valinor cleaves into its neck, severing the head. He replaces his blood axe and says, “Another foe defeated; another number closer to mine.”(Valinor: 1) He steps around the ogre carcass and opens the door. He walks through into a hail of spells. He draws his greatsword and rushes into the room, one much like the one before, and begins slaughtering the Necrolytes. Valrie races in after him and begins killing the cultists as well. (Crap, I lost count) (Oh wellL)  

Soon, all of the cultists lie dead. Valinor is locked in battle with Despair. With a scream, Despair feels Valinor’s blade sink into her flesh and hit her bone. She falls to the ground, her hand over her severed jugular. Valinor says, “She is dead. Just another soul to add to the list.” Valrie turns just in time to see Valinor blasted back to the entrance of the room by a powerful spell. She runs to him as Agony says, “Yes little girl. Run away. Run far away. I’ll catch you and I’ll drink your blood!” She reaches him and grabs Valinor. Valrie drags his unconscious form up the tunnel, running as fast as she can with the warrior that weighs over twice as much as her. Agony smiles evilly as she walks up the tunnel in pursuit. Valrie reaches the entrance to the tunnel and shoves Valinor out. As she is about to leave as well, the door slams into her, knocking her back. She winds up flat on her back staring up at the hem of Agony’s robe. Then, everything goes black.  

Valtorex hears the door and runs to the tunnel. He sees Valinor lying there and realizes Valrie is still down in the tunnel. He tries the door, but when he finds it is barred shut he curses bitterly. He moves Valinor back to the ritual room. He returns to the door and spends the rest of the day and all night using his potions on Valen and Valinor and using every spell he knows on the door. (Note: that’s quite a lot of spells too) (Yeah, I know. Pretty much everyone out there. Some of them may even be from D&DJ)  

Valrie wakes up hours later in an iron cage. She sits up, her head aching. She notices she is in the tight fitting black robe the succubae (Hah! I was right Jeff! It is succubi instead of succubae!) (non-uniqued: Once again, same two words) and Chistine were wearing. Then, Agony walks into the room, dragging a young woman by the hair. At her command, the door to the cage opens and Agony tosses the girl in. She tosses a sack in after her. Agony slams the door and leaves. The young woman struggles up, her brown hair covering up her face. Valrie helps her up. She says, “I’m Valrie, what’s your name?” The woman replies, “I’m called Sara, although in a few days, I’ll be Despair.” Valrie is shocked. She asks, “Do you know what the ritual entails?” Sara replies, “Yes, I do. I will be put in that summoning circle over there. The Father’s Sons will come and I will be with them. When I die, I will return as one of the Daughters. It is the greatest honor.” Just then, another girl is brought in. She is laid on the summoning circle by Agony. Agony turns to Sara and says, “Dear, you will not take the place of Despair. We have a special place for you. You, the most devoted of the Father’s children will become more than a Daughter. This girl will be the new Despair.”  

The new candidate for Despair has red hair and hazel eyes. Agony stands back next to the cage. Agony asks, “Jane, are you ready?” Jane replies, “Yes, mistress.” Agony says, “I am no longer your mistress. You may call me sister now.” The ritual begins and the demons appear. The ritual continues for days, Sara and Agony watching eagerly, Valrie becoming sick often. After four days, Kaedros appears and finishes the ritual himself. Jane dies with a sigh, surrounded by her own blood. Several minutes later, Jane walks through the door, now in the black robe of one of the Daughters. (This cult will reappear in the story often) She says, “Greetings sister. It feels wonderful to shed that living corpse.” Her hazel eyes have turned black and dead looking. Her skin has lost almost all coloration. She looks down at her corpse and kicks it. She laughs as the blood splatters a bit. Valrie vomits at the horrendous sight. Valrie yells, “What’s wrong with you? Why would you give up life to be that?” Jane replies, “I have a family now. Before I was alone, but now I have brothers and sisters, and… and a father! Yes, a father! Where is Father? I must see him!” Agony says, “Patience sister. He is enjoying Torment. You will be called to him soon enough. Just enjoy your new body, your new abilities, your new power. Go, see your power over mortals.” Despair giggles in glee and runs off. (…O.O, and the elves never noticed this how?) (They’re elves. Sweden didn’t know they were invaded till their babies came out German. To those of you who are Swedish, oh well. Have your army declare war on me. Lol)  

Agony turns to Valrie and asks, “Did you enjoy the show? Despair lasted a long time for a mortal. So, are you ready to join the Father yet? You have one day to decide. Tomorrow you will begin the ritual. If you are willing, you will become one of the Daughters. If you are unwilling, then you will suffer for days and be cast into the Abyss.”  

That night, Sara tries to convince Valrie to follow the Father. Valrie is nearly convinced that her friends have really abandoned her and she really is alone. The next morning, when agony drags her out of the cage, she is almost totally convinced that the entire cosmos is against her and the only one willing to give her a chance is Kaedros. When she is roughly tossed onto the still bloody ritual circle with Chistine, Jane, Agony, Kaedros, Sara, and a group of demons pressed into the room, she feels as if she finally has a family. Kaedros asks, “Are you ready to become my Daughter, Valrie?” Valrie, her mouth dry in anticipation and nervousness replies, “Yes, I am ready to submit. I am alone, but you are my family. I am devoted to you…Fath-“ Just then, a loud explosion jars her out of the fog that led her to this decision.  

Valtorex, feeling a horrible panic grip his heart, puts everything he has against the door in one final (FIN AL 2 words!!!!! Jaff, you can not be serious!) (Please don’t rant at every mistake…we’re human you know?) (Geez! No need to guilt trip me!) (It’s ok, he mispelled serious) effort. He feels Valrie’s turmoil and fear and pushes every fiber of his body to the limit, forcing every ounce of power in his body into one spell. The door, barred by the powers of the Abyss, shudders and splinters against Valtorex’s will. As Valrie speaks those fateful words, Valtorex feels his connection with her dying. He forces the door down and it shatters into tiny splinters that incinerate against his wrath. He charges down the tunnel, his swords at the ready. Valen and Valinor, now recovered, race in after him. Valtorex reaches the ceremony room to find it packed with Necrolytes. Valtorex, knowing he does not have much time, ignores all but those poor souls unfortunate enough to get in his way.  

Kaedros commands, “Start the ritual. She’s given herself. As long as we start it now, we can finish it anytime.” One demon moves forward, eager to take his part in the ritual. As he moves on top of Valrie, he is turned to ash and dust by a ferocious spell. Valtorex, flames dancing over his body, is standing in the doorway. His voice ominous and furious, he says, “She is not yours for the taking. Leave her now or be damned. Now you will face the wrath of the fires that scorch hell.” Valrie sits up, her heart leaping at the sight of Valtorex. She jumps to her feet and tries to run to him. Kaedros strikes her and yells, “Stay bitch! You’re mine now!” Valtorex, his rage fueling the fires around him, walks into the room, roaring, “That was a big mistake. I will make you wish you were never born.” The demons rush him, but they are incinerated as soon as they reach the aura of flame. (Flame is not 2 words either Jeff!) (Oh! Now I know why things I fixed didn’t make it to this version)  (Guys, I write fast and don’t proofread, get over it) Kaedros knows now is not the time to fight Valtorex and orders a retreat. He calls back his demons, succubae, and cultists and teleports away.  

The flames around Valtorex subside as Valen and Valinor walk into the room. Valrie is lying on the ground, drained from hunger, thirst, lack of sleep, and grief at what she nearly did. Valtorex walks over to her and she weakly apologizes. Valtorex jokes, his voice now back to normal, “Don’t talk, you’ll only dig yourself in deeper.” He then picks her up and carries her out of the room. They return to the blockage in the tunnel leading up to the surface. Valen dryly notes, “Even with all of that, we’re still stuck.” Valtorex says, “There is no way in the Abyss I’ll let a little dirt stop me.” He thinks for a moment before saying, “I saw a barrel of water in the main ceremonial room. Bring it up here.” He puts Valrie, now asleep, down and casts a spell. He teleports to the other side of the blockage. Satisfied by what he sees, he teleports back. He moves Valrie away from the blockage and Valen and Valinor come back up with the water. Valtorex takes the water and teleports back behind the blockage. He opens the barrel and drenches the dirt, turning to mud. He casts Mud to Stone (The D&D group can testify, this is an actual spell in the book) (Tis true) and the wall is quickly turned into a stone facade (I appreciate the accent, but it’s incorrect) (Word did it, not me) backed by dirt. He begins pushing on the stone, trying to use the weight to force the dirt down. He yells, “Start digging on that side!” Valen and Valinor begin digging and eventually the dirt gives way. Before the stone can tumble down and crush his friends, Valtorex casts Stone to Mud (Also, surprisingly, an actual spell from D&D) (That’s a truism!) and the heavy mass of stone becomes a wave of mud. Valen and Valinor are soon coated in mud. Valen asks, “Was that really necessary?” Valtorex replies, “Would you prefer me to have left it as a giant rock?” Valinor jokes, “A giant rock I could use Valen’s like a wedge to stop. Mud, well, I hate mud.” Valtorex goes over and picks up the still sleeping Valrie.  

The four of them return to the inn. Valtorex says, “Valinor, room with Valen tonight. Valrie and I have things to discuss.” Valinor nods and tosses him the room key. Valtorex then carries Valrie up to his room and lays her in bed. He covers her up and goes back down stairs. He goes up to the bartender and says, “I would like some bread, some cheese, apples, and some salted meat please. I would also like some water and a skin of wine.” The bartender refuses. He says, “I will not serve you until you pay your tab.” Valtorex sighs. “By the gods. Alright, how much do I owe?” The bartender says, “Twenty gold so far.” Valtorex sighs and reaches into his pack. He pulls out a drake and tosses it to him. The bartender takes one look at the coin and slams it on the bar. He says, “We don’t accept barbarian gold here.” Valtorex takes the drake back and counts out twenty gold. He asks, “What does everyone have against foreigners here?” The barkeeper, apparently pleased with the gold, replies, “You foreigners come here and bring nothing but ill-fortune. Since the Draconic Empire opened up trade relations, the frequency of bandit raids has doubled and piracy has quadrupled! More and more half breeds are being born because of you fiends, like that freak you are friends with. I’m sick of being walked over and so are the other elves!” Valtorex’s response is swift. He grabs the barkeeper and presses the point of his knife into his neck. Valtorex says, “After centuries of isolation, the elves are weak. As a nation, there are two options. You can be neutral and avoid the world, or you can go out and conquer. The Draconic Empire conquered and is now the strongest force on Archemos. The elves hid in the trees and are now walked over by everyone.” (Yes, the elves are the Sweden of the D&D world, and like the Swedes, they are known for beauty, music, and culture, but never seen as a threat. This is mostly because it’s true) The bartender replies, steel in his eyes, “One day, the elves will reclaim Archemos and drive ( “and drives you bastards…”? Really Andrew?) (Well at least you remembered to space) you bastards into the seas, just like we did with your ancestors.” (“Sir! Sir! The elves are invading!” “Very well, release the trained Chihuahuas.” “Isn’t that overkill, though?” You get the pictureJ) Valtorex replies, his voice cold, “Your ancestors have hid in the trees for all of recorded history. There has not been a single war that the elves fought outside of their forest since before the Draconic Empire formed thousands of years ago. “(Are you sure they’re Sweden and not France?) (Stop dissecting sentences with quotes!) (Ian, you just insulted France by calling them cowards. Yay! You’re an real American now!)

I suggest you serve me as you would serve any other guest or I will show you exactly what we can do. Our steel may not be as pretty, but it cuts just as deep.” The bartender serves Valtorex, giving him the requested items, and Valtorex goes upstairs. He sets the food and drink on a table and sits on Valrie’s bed to wait.  

Hours pass and Valtorex just sits there thinking. Every once in a while, Valrie whimpers in her sleep, most likely reliving what she has seen over the past few days. After sun down, Valtorex lights a lone lamp and sets it next to the bed. A few hours before Darkwatch, a nightmare finally causes Valrie to jolt up in bed with a cry of fear. Her heart is racing and she is in a cold sweat. She looks around, surprised to be in the inn. She then sees Valtorex sitting on the edge of her bed. Valtorex asks, “Hungry?” Valrie, realizing she hasn’t eaten in days, nods. Valtorex goes over and gets the food for her. Valtorex sees she is still shaking from the nightmare and asks, “Water or wine?” Valrie looks up, and realizing they are alone, says, “Water, just to be safe.” (Safe? What am I, a Health movie?) ( and I quote “Abstinence is the only way to prevent teen pregnancy and STDs) (Wine does not help abstinence) (No comment) Valtorex pours water for himself and Valrie and they eat together. Valtorex sees the dark circles under her eyes and realizes he must look just as bad. He says, “We should probably get some sleep. I haven’t slept in four days and you can boast much more sleep than I can.” Valrie shudders before saying, “I don’t think I can go back to sleep. Those images. That poor girl. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep again.” Valtorex goes over and gets the wine. He pours her some and says, “This will help you sleep. I don’t recommend it as a permanent fix, but it’ll work in the short term.” Valrie drinks the cup of wine and quickly feels more sleepy. Her eyelids feel heavy and she lies back. Instead of hitting her mattress like she expected, she hits Valtorex. She forgot he was behind her. (And apparently she forgot he’s wearing very sharp, very hard armor, and apparently so did IJ) Valtorex holds her as she falls to sleep.  ( It was so hard not to change to sleep to asleep) (Grr, you’re killing the sentences!)  Once she is asleep, he finally relaxes a bit and realizes just how tired he is. Within moments, Valtorex is asleep too, Valrie in his arms. (Wow, this is so frickin’ PG) (Awww…) (Yes aww, no action for Valtorex.  Kidding!)  

The next day, Valtorex wakes up with the dawn. Valrie stays asleep and he just sits there, watching her peaceful face. Valtorex hears a knocking on the door and gently lies Valrie down on her bed. He goes to the door and opens it to find ( “and opens it to finds” this is getting annoying!) Valen standing there. Valen barges into the room, asking, “So, how did things go with Valrie?” Valtorex whacks him over the back of the head and whispers, “She’s sleeping.” Valen whispers back, “Sorry. So how’d it go?” Valtorex refuses to answer. Valen is a bit disappointed in him when he sees Valrie lying on top of her covers, no apparent change to her clothing (I re-reiterate, RAT to a T) . He then notices that Valtorex’s bed hasn’t been slept in and feels a bit of hope. (Valen trying to get Valtorex in bed with someone becomes a recurring theme later on) At about Highsun, (Although my times are absurdly obvious, I’ll still tell you this is noon) everyone is up and around. Valtorex makes lunch for everyone and they decide to hit the shops. Valtorex gives them all a drake and twenty gold. Valtorex spends most of the day at the Mage’s Shop and the Apothecary. He comes out with a few new spellbooks, a set of crystals, an enchanter’s kit, an ingredient pouch, and a portable alchemist’s lab. Valinor spends his time with an elven weapons master. Although Valinor does not gain any material, he does gain allot more skill and knowledge. Valen spends the day learning how to fletch and gets a fletcher’s kit. Valrie spends the day at the clothier and walks out with a cloth bundle full of clothes.  

They meet back at the inn and decide to put their stuff away first. Valtorex goes to Valen’s room and finds the door is locked. He knocks on it and Valen pops his head out. He says, “You’re rooming with Valrie, mate.” (No, he’s not British, I’m just calling RAT a WeasleyJ) Valtorex tries to get into the room, but Valen slams the door on him. Valtorex shakes his head and goes to Valrie’s room. He finds her leaning against the wall, a scowl on her face. He then realizes he still has the room key. He grins sheepishly and she slaps him playfully. He opens the door and ushers her in, acting very formal. She curtsies the best she can carrying the bundle of clothes. They begin laughing at each other. They walk in and Valrie says, “I need to change. This dress is a mess.” She goes behind the partition and yells, “If you look, I’ll gut ya!” Valtorex jokes, “Why would I spy on you? What’s there to see?” Valrie, not catching the sarcasm, is hurt. (Periods go at the end of the sentence!!!!) (Well yeah, duh she takes it seriously, she’s a girl! Oh crap! Jeff, your sexism is rubbing off) (It’s true as far as I know) Valtorex then says, “Joking.” Valrie, wanting revenge yells, “Hey, at least I have something to hide! I almost feel sorry for you!” Valtorex retorts, his pride a bit wounded, “Don’t make me prove you wrong, ‘cause I will.” He then realizes what he just said and is completely embarrassed. When Valrie begins laughing, he feels a bit relieved. He then says, “Well, I’ll experiment with alchemy for awhile.” Valrie replies, “You do that. I have a lot of clothes to try on.”  

Over the next few hours, Valtorex creates several potions with varying effects. Then, Valrie comes out from behind the partition wearing a black, form fitting dress (That left much to be desired description-wise) (Editors: Please elaborate here. I have the fashion sense of a gerbil so you guys need to help me out here) (Not quite, gerbils don’t wear clothes) (Hah hah. I need a fashion kid. Valrie bought a wardrobe and I suck at describing dresses) Valrie whistles to get Valtorex’s attention. Valtorex looks up from his alchemy and sees Valrie. Valtorex, his mouth agape, says, “Wow.” as he drops the vial in his hand. He is so enraptured by Valrie, he doesn’t even notice that he dropped the vial until, “Dekouw!” (Pronounced de-KUH. Draconic for sh*t when used in this context) He looks down to see smoke pouring out of the hole in his robe from the acid he just dropped. He jumps up, brushing at the acid and just manages to spread it more. Valtorex runs over to the water and cleans the acid off. Valrie laughs and says, “Looks like you need to go to the clothier tomorrow.” (And apparently the armor shop because the acid just burnt through his leather leggings too) (I think we all agree the price was worth it) Valtorex turns and looks at her. She is still laughing at her joke when Valtorex grabs her. She gasps in surprise, but her gasp is stifled by the kiss that follows. (Oh, how romantic…makes my stomach churn. I only write it because people seem to like it, and if that makes me a sell-out, so?) (This is becoming a recurring problem…) (What, me complaining about romance?) (Well there’s that )  

The door swings open and Valen strides in. (Mood-killer) Valtorex and Valrie jump away from each other, faces flushed. Valen says, “Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt. I’ll leave you two alone. Just do me a favor and name the first one after me.” (Unless it’s a boy right?) (lol. I’ll tell RAT you said that) Valrie lunges for him and Valtorex laughs. Valen narrowly escapes and an angry Valrie slams the door and turns, her cheeks even redder than before. Valtorex asks, “So, shall we continue?” Valrie just glares at him before stalking off to her bed. She flops down with a huff and rolls to her side. Valtorex sits down next to her and puts his hand on her shoulder. He says, “You know we need to have the talk we put off yesterday.” Valrie asks, irritated, but also fearful, “What talk?”(THE talk) (J, yes that one) Valtorex replies, being as patient as possible, “I know you nearly gave yourself to Kaedros. Why?” Valrie, wanting to avoid the uncomfortable question, tries to kiss him to distract him. Valtorex grabs her by the shoulders and shoves her down. He demands, “Why would you be so willing to give your soul to Kaedros? What was your reasoning?” Valrie struggles to get up. When she finds she can’t, she sighs and replies, “I was alone. I have no family. My father’s long dead and my mother doesn’t want anything to do with me. I have no siblings. I was alone in that horrible, dark cell with those maniacs for four days. I had seen horrendous things and was afraid. I was told I could give myself to him or be cast into the Abyss. I hate being alone. I want a family.” Valtorex laughs. He lets her up and keeps laughing. When a confused, hurt look comes across her face, Valtorex grabs her and holds her close. He finally stops laughing and they just sit there in each other’s arms. He begins rubbing her back, making her feel safe. He then says, “You have a family. You have had us for nearly a year. Valen, Valinor, and I are your family and we’ll stick by you no matter what. (Awww…J ) Kaedros’s twisted family will demand your life, body, and soul. All we want is you. Valrie, my sister, my love, (Symbolic, not incestual, for you gutter minds out thereJ) you will always have me. The four of us are a family no bastard demon can break. Just ask Valen and Valinor. We’re family, whether you like it or not.” (And she so wishes otherwise) (Very funny Krug)  

Valrie whispers, “Thank you.” Valtorex lets her go and helps her up. He sees the traces of tears and offers her his sleeve. (That is THE most romantic thing ever…J) (Sarcasm doesn’t befit you Andwuuu) (Give it time…) (rofl) She dries her face and they go downstairs. (WTF! Word, she does not drive her face!) Valen and Valinor are waiting for them when they arrive. Valen asks, “So, how did it go?” Valrie finds she is not as angry with Valen now as she would have been before. Valtorex makes dinner for them and he even manages to sneak Valen some wine. They have beef, stew, cheese, and bread. (Not like anyone cares what they eat) Once they are done and Valen, Valinor, and Valrie are good and drunk, they call it a night. (They just have to be drunk, don’t they?) (Ya, pretty much) Valen and Valinor stagger to their room and pass out on their beds. Valtorex leads Valrie upstairs and gets her into her bed. Valtorex lies down in his bed but finds he can not sleep due to a sense of unease and dread. After several minutes of that feeling, the red haired succubus from Kaedros’s cult appears at the foot of his bed. Valtorex reaches under his pillow and yanks out the Knife of the Ancestors. He holds it threateningly between himself and Jane. Jane giggles quietly before seductively saying, “Drop the knife so we can have some fun.” Valtorex replies, “Go back to the Abyss, demon.” Jane sidles up the bed to him and says, mock hurt in her voice, “That’s not very nice. Why don’t you like me? Every man likes me.” Valtorex replies, his voice cold and resolute, “I don’t like you because you are spawn of my enemy. (Actually, Kaedros is the spawn of Valtorex…Irony)  I don’t like you because you are an abomination.” (I would also point out that that’s been said of Valtorex too) Jane pouts, “Come on.  Don’t you want me? Your girl will never find out.” Valtorex, feeling incredibly tempted to do as she says, replies, “No…I can’t. My…loyalty is to Valrie. My honor…lies with her.” (Wow, his honor is very weak and nearly dies many times) (lol. Valrie can still kick your ass even if she doesn’t exist) Jane shrieks in fury and claws at him. She is rewarded with a long slash along her forearm. To Valtorex’s surprise, the wound closes and heals without a scar.   

He then hears a gasp and looks over to see Valrie sitting up in her bed, staring at them. Jane looks at her and says, “Don’t mind us, dear.  I’m just having some fun with your boyfriend.  I’ll get to you soon enough.” (And your little dog too) (Beastiality, Andrew? Didn’t think you thought like that) (Ewww… I just got that) (No dog in this story) (You said it)Valtorex slashes at her, cutting a deep gash across her torso.  Even as Valtorex is pulling back for a second strike, the wound closes up.  Jane laughs at him.  She says, “The Father is sovereign here now. He is like a god. His chosen sons and daughters can’t die. No matter what you do, we will win.” Valtorex replies, “That may be true. We may lose, but I guarantee that I will be a pain in the ass till my last breath. As long as I live, Kaedros will not be able to rest in peace.” Jane begins laughing with wild abandon. Valtorex can tell her sanity has started going the way of her soul. Jane is laughing so hard that she does not notice Valrie until the rapier has sliced deep into her neck, severing her spine. Jane keeps laughing, but with the airway severed, all that comes out is blood. Jane then grabs her head and rights it back on her shoulders, the wound healing. Valtorex dives out of bed and grabs his swords. He and Valrie cut and hack at Jane until she is nothing but ribbons of flesh and shattered bone on his bed. To their amazement and disgust, Jane reforms on the bed, covered in blood. (For decency) (Nice) Jane says, “Father calls.  I must go now.” (Yeah, that’s a good excuse) She teleports away, leaving Valtorex’s bed a bloody mess and Valrie nearly sick. Valrie reaches out to embrace Valtorex, but when she pulls back, her white night gown red with blood, she vomits.(That must have made him feel better.  Blood and vomit) Valtorex holds her hair out of her face and tries to comfort her. They can’t go back to sleep, and even if they could, Valtorex has no bed to sleep in. (Preempt: No already!) (Are you sure?) (Are you Andrew or RAT?) (I might just be filling in for him) The next morning, Valrie changes back into her battle dress and they go downstairs to meet Valen and Valinor.   

When Valen sees Valtorex, he yells, “Good job, mate! I could hear you from down the hall!” (Ok, so maybe Valen is of the Brit/Aussie line) (He really must be dense if he couldn’t tell the difference…) (no Aussie accent, just mate, which was common to the Brits for awhile) Valrie, not getting it yells, “And you didn’t help?” Valtorex rubs the bridge of his nose in half frustration, half amusement. Valen replies, a bit taken aback, “Um, as much as I like you and all, I uh, don’t do that.” (Are you really sure you don’t want him to burst into their room and help?) (Andrew, he hasn’t figured out they were fighting yet. He still thinks they were doing something else that starts with an ‘F’) (Jeff and I debated on, according to this comment, whether or not Andrew got that last part) (I got it, I was making a crack at Valen’s willingness to be included) (Andrew, stop fantasizing ’bout my characters) Valrie, still oblivious, retorts, “What? Help your friends when they’re attacked by one of Kaedros’s succubae?” Valen, finally realizing the error in communication, just stands there with a confounded look on his face. Valinor and Valtorex, who had been holding back this entire time, burst out laughing. Valrie then gets what he meant. Her face goes bright crimson, making Valen laugh. Over breakfast, they tell Valen and Valinor about the encounter with Jane. That day, Valinor goes back to the weapon’s master, Valen practices fletching and does chores at his house, and Valtorex and Valrie both go to the clothier. (They are attacked and yet they still go on as if they hadn’t been?) (When it happens this often, you stop caring) (They go through clothes like nobody’s business!) (Yep, or she has no where else to go in the village)  (Sure she does, but she’s a girl, and thus is attracted to expensive, bright colors. There Ian, this makes your last sexist comment not look that bad) (Yay!)

At the clothier, Valtorex buys two more sets of robes, one blood red like his old ones to wear to bed, and the other black for alchemy. Valrie buys more dresses and other articles of clothing, intent on having enough clothes to function as a diplomat. (No, she is not vain. She wants to go into espionage, and that requires a crap load of disguises) Valtorex, as a joke, (You guys can see where this is going) holds up a short, form-fitting, nearly indecently cut, black dress and asks Valrie, “How ‘bout this?” Valrie, annoyed and embarrassed, but wanting to beat Valtorex at his own game, replies, “Sure, why not? That dress looks expensive and it’s your money. Don’t know why you would want to wear that, though. Doesn’t even look like it’ll fit you.” Some girls in the corner giggle at her joke. Valtorex responds, “You’re right. It is my gold. I think I’ll get it.” Valrie, knowing she made a mistake in trying to beat Valtorex sighs and asks, “Alright, what will it take for you to not buy that?” Valtorex counters, with a grin, “Oh no, it’s not buying it that’s up for discussion. The question is, who will see it?”    

An hour later, they walk out of the clothier, Valtorex carrying another cloth bundle full of clothes, including the dress. Valrie hurries Valtorex to the inn and they go up to their room. Valrie puts away her clothes and Valtorex says, “I need to stop by the apothecary and pick up some items.  I’ll be back shortly.  Valtorex leaves and returns about twenty minutes later carrying a wooden crate.  He sets it on the desk he commandeered as a workbench and unpacks it. Valtorex looks at her and notes with concern the ever darkening rings under her eyes. He asks, “You thirsty?” Valrie replies, a hint of nervousness in her voice, “A bit. Why?” Valtorex responds by picking up a vial and tossing it to her. She catches it, and at his behest, drinks it. (There’s some OE for ya, Ian) (Haha, you said behest) She quickly feels tired and whispers, “You bast-“ (I can see where this is going…) (Wow, pervert) (I know, I try) before crawling into her bed and falling asleep. Valtorex works on his alchemy for several more hours, creating a few more useful potions. (Maybe not…) (You realize I’m deliberately being vague as to what he has because I am lazy on two counts. 1: Too lazy to come up with effects. 2: Too lazy to figure out what he will need in the future and plan for it) He takes out a piece of parchment and writes a short letter to Valrie. He leaves it on her bed, next to her head, and goes downstairs. Hours later, after Lastlight, (Figure it out) Valrie wakes up, feeling refreshed. She sees the note and (“ad remembers” ?!!!) (I swear you are reading a very old version of the story) remembers why she was asleep. She unfolds it and reads it. It says,   

“Valrie,   

Sorry about having to do that, but you were exhausted. I could see you were about to drop so I helped you along a bit. Besides, you probably feel better than you have in months. I’m not the only one that needs to relax. When you’re ready, come down, Valen, Valinor, and I have a surprise for you.   

With love,   

Valtorex”   

Valrie is still a bit angry at being drugged, but two things keep her from being furious. One, she is curious about the surprise, and two, she knows he is right. She smoothes out her sleep-wrinkled dress and goes downstairs. When she reaches the bottom of the stairs, her three friends yell, “Happy birthday!” Valrie asks, “How did you know?” Valtorex replies, “One day earlier this year, I visited your mother in East Port and she told me.” (Hint hint, gloss writer) (grumble…details…grumble) (Ha ha! Glossmeister!) Valrie is amazed that her friends did this for her. She asks, “How long have you guys planned this?” Valen replies, “Valinor and I have known about it since this morning. Valtorex has been planning for weeks.” Valrie looks at Valtorex, her gratitude evident in her eyes. Valtorex replies, “It’s the least I could do for you after all you’ve been through with me.” Valrie begins tearing up. (Are tear-ing and tearing really spelled the same?) (I hope not, because that would sound very painful) Valen, preempting tears, says, “Let’s eat!” They laugh at Valen’s obvious discomfiture before sitting down to eat. Valtorex has put together a dinner of beef steak, venison, salad, cheese, bread, and an odd concoction even he can not name. (There is nothing wrong with guys cooking, as long as it has something to do with meat, preferably steak) (Amen to that) They eat dinner, trying to figure out what the mystery food is. Valen guesses, “It’s horse meat stew, with some mandrake root, goblin tongue, and spider venom.” Valinor says, “It is warg flesh boiled in the blood of an ogre, mixed with basilisk egg yolk.” (W…T…F) Valrie just shrugs and says, “Whatever it is, it’s good.” Valtorex sighs, shaking his head. He looks at Valinor and says, “You missed the troll brain, crushed minotaur horn, and ent bark. Good guess though.” Valrie, incredulous, asks, “How did you collect all of that in one day?” Valinor and Valtorex begin laughing hysterically. Valinor, the first to stop, says, “He didn’t.” Valtorex then finishes, “It’s rabbit stew.” (No Word, ‘it’s’ as in ‘it is’, not the possessive. That requires a owner, which I did not include) Valen and Valrie have a good laugh at this.    

Valtorex then asks, “So, are you ready to open presents?” Valrie nods. Valinor gives her his first. She opens it and pulls out a disguise kit. Valinor says, “I know you’re into spying, so I figured you would need some makeup and stuff.” Valrie thanks him. Valtorex then says, “I got you two, one practical, one not. Here’s the practical one.” She takes it and opens the box. Inside is a crystal bladed dagger. Valtorex says, “The crystal won’t break and won’t dull. You can keep it under your pillow to defend yourself or bring it with you to use in ‘elimination’ missions. Most detect weapons spells only detect metal, so that will get through.” (Basically, it’s a CIA letter openerJ) Valrie says, “Thank you. I’ll make sure to keep it close.” Valen then hands her his gift and says, “There are two layers. The first is a gift to us all, the second a gift to Valtorex.” Valrie jokes, “Oh no. You have me worried now.” (Before you read on, try to guess what they are) (The dress?) (How would ‘they’ be ‘a’ dress?)

She opens it up and takes out a kit of various soaps, lotions, and other cleaning/cosmetic items. Valen says, his voice light with a joke, “Yep, now you can bathe. Thank the gods!” They laugh at that for a few moments before Valrie picks up Valtorex’s gift and asks, as sweetly as she can, “Mind if I practice my aim?” They laugh even harder, except Valen who eyes the dagger warily. Once they have settled down and Valrie has put the dagger away, Valen says, “Under the parchment is the present for Valtorex.” Valinor groans. “You didn’t did you?” Valen nods. Valinor holds his forehead, trying not to laugh. Valrie takes the parchment out of the box and tosses it aside. She peers in and her face goes crimson in embarrassment. Valtorex looks in and then looks up with a grin. “Thanks, I love ‘em.  I bet Valrie does too.” Valrie slaps him before pulling out the dagger and holding it threateningly at Valen. She yells, “You got me those? What in the Abyss were you thinking?” Her voice drops to a deadly whisper, “Why would you get me underwear, especially some like that?” Valen corrects her, “Not for you, for Valtorex. You just wear them.” (Sorry, it’s the meanest joke gift on the planet, especially if your boyfriend/girlfriend is there. I couldn’t resist, and knowing RAT, it would be an injustice for the character based on him to not do something like that) Valrie slashes at him, nearly cutting him. Valtorex grabs her arm and whispers in her ear, “Don’t be mad at him. He ran it by me first. Besides, they’ll go great with the dress.” Valrie hisses, “I will kill you in your sleep tonight.” Valtorex replies, joking, “You really think I would make a sleeping potion and not carry spares?” Valrie, no matter how hard she tries to avoid it, laughs. She says, “Alright, you guys had your fun. Can you let me go so I can open my last present?” Valtorex, against Valen’s plea, lets Valrie go. She puts away the dagger and Valen breathes a sigh of relief. Valrie opens her last present and gasps. She exclaims, “It’s beautiful!” She pulls out a necklace, made of sapphires and rubies linked together with platinum. She puts it around her neck, the gems gleaming brightly. Valtorex says, “That’s not all. Look in the bottom.” She does and pulls out a crystal potion bottle. He says, “Smell it.” She unstoppers it and rubs some of the liquid on her palm and sniffs. She says, “It smells good. What is it?” Valtorex replies, “It’s a secret mixture of flowers, nectars, and some less pretty ingredients.”  (Damn, I was wrong about the gift) (Edited for lack of content) (I never noticed this…but that was what I was going for anyways)

Valrie says, “Well, thank you very much. I love the gifts.” They continue to talk for awhile, but eventually call it a night. Before they go up, Valinor says, “Valen and I have one more gift for you two.” He hands Valtorex a bottle of elven wine and says, “Valen thinks that will ‘help things along’.” A crimson flush colors Valrie’s cheeks. Valen and Valinor both tell Valrie, “Happy birthday.” again and they all move upstairs. Valen and Valinor turns in, but Valrie and Valtorex decide to stay up. Valrie says, “I know what’s supposed to happen now, but I don’t know if I’m ready.” (Dun dun duh…J) (J) (Why do the good die young?) (WTF was that about, Krug?) (To answer Andrew, ’cause Billy Joel said so) Valtorex replies, “You’re not. I’m not going to push you. Just relax and have some fun. It’s my job to get the ulcers.” They share a laugh at his last comment before Valrie says, “Well, I guess I should go to bed.” She then looks at Valtorex’s bed and sees it is now a coagulated, bloody mess. She shudders and Valtorex notices this. With a word, the bed burns to ashes. Valtorex goes over to the corner and drags the bronze tub behind the partition. He casts a spell and the tub fills with water. He then magically heats it and suggests, “Maybe you should try the bath stuff Valen got you. Relax, slow down, take a breath. You never know when you will get another chance.” Valrie nods, going behind the partition and preparing her bath. She gets in the tub and Valtorex goes over to his alchemy bench. After several minutes, Valrie asks, “So when is your birthday?” Valtorex replies, “I don’t have one. I gave up my birthday when I gave up my life to pursue revenge. I haven’t celebrated it in six years. Actually, seven.” Valrie asks, “But when is it?” Valtorex, not wanting to fight with her, sighs, and says, “I was born on Midyear’s Solstice. (Middle of school year) It has already passed this year, so give it up.” Valrie murmurs thoughtfully.   

After awhile, Valtorex has failed to come up with any potion other than an extremely potent acid. Valrie gets out of her bath and changes into a white night gown. (With Valtorex just sitting there?!) (Behind the ‘F’ ing partition!) (Ian use your brain; Jeff, the explanation helps) She walks over to Valtorex and taps him on the shoulder. He looks up from his work and sees her smiling. He asks, “What’s made you happy all the sudden?” Valrie replies, “Nothing. I just realized that there’s only one bed in this room and we both need one. So…” Valtorex asks, “Are you suggesting we share?” Valrie nods. Valtorex says, “You’re still not ready.” Valrie responds, “I know, but sharing a bed doesn’t mean we have to…” Valtorex stands and scoops Valrie up. He says, “You have a seriously inadequate understanding of the term ‘sleeping together’.” Valrie smiles, a bit nervous, “Think of it as a test. Let’s see if that famous self control of yours applies to me too.” (Like waltzing on a razor’s edge) (And you would know this from experience?) (Lying in bed with someone that your attracted to and vice versa, if that ain’t a razor’s edge, what is?) (I meant walking on a razor’s edge) Valtorex jokes, “Self control? With you around, that’s not possible, but, I’ll do my best.” Valtorex walks over and gently deposits Valrie in bed. Valtorex stands there for several moments, looking into Valrie’s eyes. What he sees worries him. Admiration, love, total and complete trust. Those three things are what allow him to win his own internal struggle against temptation and lie down. (I know, some of you think this is too far, the others think they aren’t going fast enough. This is why I hate moderates. You try to please everyone and everyone gets pissed) (Ah so true, but you try and it’ll just have to be good enough) Valtorex and Valrie embrace. Valrie, still nervous, says, “I…lo…love…you.” (Aww… Her first words) (NWoC (Not worthy of comment)) (Wow, I didn’t know Ian’s brain could devolve more than it already has) Valtorex replies, silently swearing to himself he would die to protect her, “I love you too.” They spend the night in each other’s arms.   

The next morning, Valen opens their door and sees them, holding each other close, under the blanket. (Wow, maybe I do belong in kindergarten. I accidently wrote blankeyJ)(Somehow that doesn’t surprise me, seeing as you have a kid bro and all) (lol) Valen closes the door, content with a job well done. Soon after, Valtorex wakes up and sees Valrie in his arms. He has a brief moment of panic before he remembers he restrained himself. (To me, that proves his sexuality or nobleness, take your pick)  (Have you ever had a girlfriend? They get pissed if you push ‘em too far) (Single) He keeps holding her while she continues dreaming peacefully. At one point, she has a nightmare and quietly cries his name, her heartbeat increasing. He holds her tighter and whispers in her ear, “It’s ok, I’m here.” (No Word, nothing owns the ok!) This seems to calm her and her heart goes back to a regular rhythm. Around Highsun, she stirs from her sleep and looks up at him. Their eyes meet and they draw closer to kiss. Just then, Valen comes through the door, clapping. Valtorex doesn’t even look. He levitates one of his potion bottles and smashes it on the ground at Valen’s feet. A puddle of flaming oil spreads that forces him to run out of the room. The oil burns out quickly, leaving a black circle on the wooden floor. Valtorex slams the door and locks it magically. Valtorex pulls Valrie close and they kiss. (I’m nearly dead from all of this romance. I, and most likely my editors as well, am praying for a Kaedros) (But…but….you do realize you write this stuff up?) (Yes, but 1: I don’t think when I write and 2: I need to get them to a point where a Kaedros will make at least some sense) (Boo hoo Jaff. Stop complaining and keep writing!) (At least I write what I complain about! You have to take my stuff!) (Kaedros is busy, call back another time) They eventually stop kissing and change into their travel clothes. They go downstairs and meet Valen and Valinor. Valinor, having thoroughly ‘convinced’ all of the ill-timed jokes out of Valen, asks, “How did you guys sleep?” Valrie replies, her voice full of energy and enthusiasm, “I slept wonderfully.” Valtorex just shrugs in response.    

The four of them return to the ruins that day and find evidence another ritual has taken place, this one was far more bloody. (That’s the thing about all automated editors. They’re all the same. Word, gmail spell check, Ian, all robots are the same. They always look at letter instead of spirit. Sure, more bloody may not be correct, but it sounds a hell of a lot better than bloodier) (It had to be done, or Ian would moan about it forever) (Moooooaaaaan…) In the bottom room, Valtorex finds evidence of a new site. He shows Valen a rough map he found, and Valen says, “Hey, I know that place! Let’s go!” Valtorex says, “Let’s go to the magic shop first.” They do, and an hour later, they come out with backpacks of holding. They follow Valen to the location on the map. They find a freshly made clearing around a large marble diaulos. In the center of the diaulos is a crystal pedestal with a sword stuck, blade down, in it. Valtorex is walking forward, drawn by some unknown force to the sword. Valen grabs him and holds him back. He yells, “No! That’s the Sword of Eternal Damnation!”(Really?  Let me try!) Valtorex, snapping out of the mental fog, asks, “The what?” Valen replies, “The Sword of Eternal Damnation. Anyone who touches it is destroyed both bodily and in their mind, and their soul is enslaved. When I was growing up, a young girl got curious and touched it. They’ve seen her tortured soul roaming the woods ever since.” When Valen sees that calculating look in his friend’s eyes, he says, “Don’t bother. They’ve tried it with gloves, to the same result. It cannot be used as a weapon.” Valtorex sighs, accepting the truth. Just then, they hear a rustling in the brush. They duck for cover in a nearby pile of branches and leaves.  

Kaedros, Jane, Chistine, Sara, Agony, and a large contingent of demons and cultists walk out of the woods. At the head of the demons is a man that appears to be a half demon. He has flesh like a human, but he has the demonic armor plates over his body. Valen whispers, “Chisa…” Valtorex whispers, “That man in the lead of the demons must be one of Kaedros’s ‘Sons’.” Kaedros steps up to the sword and asks, “Is this it?” Agony drags forward a young elven maiden by the hair. The woman, face stained from crying pleads, “Yes! Yes! Please let me go!” Kaedros orders, “Tie her up, but don’t gag her. I want to hear her scream.” Kaedros then raises his hands and lets out a demonic roar. All around the diaulos ritual circles appear on the ground. There are twenty circles. Kaedros commands, “Begin the ritual!” (Dun dun duh…) Ten of his male followers and ten of his female ones walk forward. They each enter a ritual circle, alternating male and female. The demons march forward. The ritual with the female cultists is the same one they have seen before. The one with the males is a more combative one. The male cultists fight with the demons, taking countless wounds from the claws. The ritual continues and as the men fall, they are killed. The ritual draws on for three days, while Valtorex forces his friends to at least drink water, but they cannot hold down food. On the third day, all of the men are dead and the last woman dies before Darkwatch. The blood has soaked the ground and the twenty bodies are piled around the pedestal. All grows quiet until Firstlight when ten of the demon-man hybrids and ten succubae walk out of the woods, drenched in blood. Kaedros yells, the bloodlust evident in his manic voice, “My children! The time has come! Sons, each of you take a contingent of 100 of my demons and command them on to conquest and pillage! Daughters, go and convince others to join your Abyssal Father! Go from town to town and spread my family to every corner of Archemos!” (Basically, Kaedros is intent on taking over Archemos without a single battle) (A crazy genius!) (And they would get away with it if not for those meddling kids) The hybrids salute him and the succubae bow. The ten of each walk off, the Sons leading a contingent of demons and the succubae disappearing into the shadows.   

Kaedros then says to the remaining host with him, “I will now prove my might! The elf wench has admitted this is the Sword of Eternal Damnation! The sword that none can touch! I will now draw it from its rock to prove my supremacy!” He is reaching out to grasp the hilt, but Valtorex bursts forth (Jeff! He doesn’t come out 4th in line! Forth not fourth!) from concealment and rushes him. His three friends run out after him. Kaedros turns and motions to his demons. The demons run forward, compelled by their unholy master. Valen begins loosing arrows into the mass of unholy warriors. Demons begin falling, arrows puncturing their throats and chests. Valrie, Valinor, and Valtorex meet the demons head on. Valinor, having become much better from the secrets he learned under the tutelage of the weapons master, quickly out steps Valtorex for kills. In moments, the area has been reduced to a bloody, chaotic, slaughter. After several minutes, the last demon falls under Valinor’s axe and the three friends charge on, Valen keeping watch on the succubae. Kaedros orders, “Necrolytes, kill them!” The remaining cultists advance on the three, holding daggers out. Valinor feels a sadness at the grim necessity to kill the nearly defenseless opponents. Valrie nearly cries as she slides her rapier through the heart of a young woman about the age of herself. Valtorex feels nothing. No happiness, no satisfaction, no sadness, no pain. The cultists fall, blood flowing freely from the unarmored bodies. (Idiots…) (The dumbest form of kamikaze or suicide ever)  

The succubae laugh as they watch the mortals be slaughtered. Kaedros feels only the small discontent at losing so many possible shields. As the last cultist falls, mortally wounded, Valtorex looks up at Kaedros. Kaedros says, “It will end now. I won’t let you live this time. I will claim the power for myself!” Kaedros and his Sons and Daughters attack. Valen fills them with arrows, but to no avail. Sara, at Kaedros’s order, stays back. Jane and Valrie fight each other, Jane furious at Valrie for being the reason she failed to tempt Valtorex, Valrie wanting to rip her to shreds again and again for trying to take Valtorex. (Showdown timeJ) Valinor fights Agony, neither having a special interest in their fight. With tears in their eyes, Valen and Chistine fight, both trying to make it look like they’re trying while avoiding hurting one another. (A sad attempt if they are both crying) Kaedros yells, “Kor! Help me deal with this pest!” Kor, the hybrid from earlier, and Kaedros fight Valtorex. Kaedros’s forces are obviously outmatched, but their inability to die tips the scales. (How unfair) (Well they need it to even keep up) 

Valtorex yells, “Fall back!” Valen and Valinor disengage, but Valrie and Jane keep fighting. The succubae are now freed up move on Valrie. Kaedros, seeing an opportunity, orders Kor to attack Valrie. Valrie, unable to fight with four to one odds against immortal opponents, goes down. She is covered in cuts and scratches, her dress torn into loose rags hanging from her. Kaedros laughs and says, “Looks like your girl is gonna die! Order her to surrender and I’ll make her one of my daughters.” Valtorex sees Kor raising his clawed hand for the kill and yells in fury. Without thinking, he dives and grabs the hilt of the Sword of Eternal Damnation. He screams in pain as he draws it and rushes Kor. He reaches him with inhuman speed and slashes with one furious strike. The sword slices into Kor’s back, eliciting a scream of pure agony. Kor falls to his knees before falling forward, his body turning to dust before hitting the ground. Valtorex turns and runs Agony through, turning her to dust that falls to the ground in a cloud. He turns and runs at Kaedros. Before he can reach him, he collapses. (Now for the first Tribunal) 

Valtorex finds himself behind a oak podium. In front of him is a stone semicircular table. Behind the table are three people. One, on the left, is a beautiful female elf wearing dazzling white robes. He can only see her face as her hood covers everything else. (Silesta) On the right is a sickly looking man in robes of the deepest black with hollowed eyes and a generally gaunt appearance. (The Devon!) (NOOOO!!!!) In the center is a calm looking man in red robes. (Kilri) The man in red says, “You most likely know why you are here Valtorex.” Valtorex replies, “Esteemed personages, I do not. I must assume I am dead, however.” The woman comments, “He takes death a lot better than most his age.” The man in black replies(with a cough), “Yes, and he is not one of my followers.” The man in red says, “You used the Sword of Eternal Damnation. The guardians of the sword failed to punish you accordingly, so an emergency Tribunal has been called. (The equivalency of jury duty for gods) We will decide your fate. Silesta, do you have any questions?” Silesta, the god of life and healing, asks, “Valtorex, why did you take the sword?” Valtorex replies, “If I did not, then Valrie would be dead. I took up the sword to protect my love.” Silesta seems pleased with this. “Devon?” Devon, the god of death and decay, asks, “Did you know the consequences of your action?” Valtorex, knowing his very soul is on the line, replies, “Yes, as I do now. And as I do now, I did not care as long as I did what was right.” Devon seems displeased. Kilri asks, “Valtorex, why do you show no respect for gods?” Valtorex replies, every part of his being aware what his response will mean, “Because it is not deserved. I have seen thousands killed in my life. I have seen good men killed and have killed them myself. Abominations like Kaedros roam the land, spreading evil without pause. Mortals cannot survive on their own and all you gods do is sit in your own little planes, bickering over petty things and trying to make a bigger temple than the rest. Your complacence will lead to your downfall and total war. So, no, I will neither respect nor fear you.(It’s like Aroon with Google!) As soon as I find a god above petty squabbles and actually concerned with the people, then I will follow him into battle.” (Wow, sounds like a good Christian man!)  

Valtorex manages to offend both Silesta and Devon. Kilri says, “Well then. What have you done to fight Kaedros?” Valtorex laughs before replying, “I’m here aren’t I?” Kilri laughs, pleased with his answer. Silesta and Devon both agree to send him to the Abyss. Kilri says, “Think of it this way: Valtorex is upset because innocents are dying. Silesta, does that not sound like something you can agree with? He’s frustrated because he cannot see with his mortal eyes that we are working. Take pity on him.” Silesta decides to change her vote to allowing him to continue on to Celestia. When the vote comes, it is one to send him to the Abyss and two to send him to the Plane of Judgment. (Basically it’s where souls go to be evaluated as to whether they belong in Celestia or the Abyss) Silesta says, “You may have broken the rules, but you did it to preserve life and I cannot punish you for that.” Devon explains, “You broke the rules and slew my followers. I cannot allow you to go unpunished.” Kilri says, “I can see both sides of the argument. You did break the rules and attempt to use a divine weapon, but you did it for the right reasons. I think you should be judged on your life instead of one instance, so you will be sent to the Plane of Judgment. Any protest?” Valtorex protests, “If I go to the Plane of Judgment, I will be cast into the Abyss anyway. I have killed far too many for it to not be so. I ask that I be allowed to return to the Material Plane and face these guardians. If I win, I will be returned to life. If I lose, then I can be punished in any way you deem fit.”  

They agree and Valtorex appears in the clearing. (Like I haven’t heard that a million times J) (You are attacked by goblins…) Kaedros and his followers are gone and Valrie is weeping over the dust that was his body. Valtorex yells, “I’m here!” It appears as if Valrie can’t hear him. Valtorex then remembers he must win against the guardians first. Suddenly, two men appear, both in red robes. One man says, “Valtorex, you will face us in a fight to the end.” The other says, “We know you do not deserve to die, but we will not hold back.” They say in unison, “We are Honor, the fire of the people, and Glory, the lightning of the land.” They then show who they are by drawing their swords. Honor has a longsword that has a ruby hilt and a blade made of pure flame. Glory has a longsword with the same hilt, but a blade made of crackling lightning. Valtorex draws his swords and salutes them. The two guardians return the salute and the battle begins.  

Honor and Glory fight in perfect unison, but Valtorex blocks just as well as they attack. When Honor’s blade hits his blades, it cuts them a small bit. When Glory’s hits his swords, Valtorex is shocked. (Not surprisedJ) (What’s the mailbox for?) (Didn’t type it. Google added on conversion) After several minutes, Honor and Glory have thoroughly outclassed him and destroyed his swords. He is on his knees, ready to face judgment and about to be beheaded. Honor asks, “You have been an admirable foe. I commend you to the next life.” Glory asks, “Any last words, friend?” Valtorex, with Valrie in sight, finds that for the first time in seven years, he actually cares whether he lives or dies. Knowing it is too late for that, he says, his voice heavy with sorrow, the six words that have been the most influential in the history of the Age of Mortals, “Kai Zanaria… Kai Manäïen…Kai Kaeje.” (I thought he was going to say “Tell Valrie I love her”) (That’s only five Ian) (How would that affect the entire Age of Mortals?) Honor and Glory nod. They remove their swords from his neck and say, “You are loyal to the people. You deserve life, and you deserve help. Leave your broken blades and take ours. We will fight with you.” Valtorex stands and salutes them. They salute him in return before disappearing, leaving their swords on the ground. Valtorex picks them up and sheathes them, amazed they do not damage the sheathes. Honor’s voice says in his head, “The blades will only harm the enemies of the people. They will not damage anything you do not wish to be destroyed.” Valtorex then looks over and sees Valrie, tears in her eyes, reaching for the Sword of Eternal Damnation.  

Valtorex yells, “No! Don’t!” She looks up and sees him appear out of nowhere. With an exclamation of joy, she jumps to her feet and runs to him. (You see, I am most certainly not Shakespeare) (Yay!) She jumps into his arms and he catches her, holding her close. Valen and Valinor run over to meet him. They ask how he survived and he tells them everything. They return to the inn and go to sleep. They fall into a routine. Every day, Valinor trains with the weapons master, Valen hunts in the forests and trains with a master bowman, (Does he train with bowmen or a bowman, because you said with a master bowmen?) (I did this in less than ten days, ok) Valrie trains with a master of stealth while working on her wardrobe, and Valtorex practices alchemy and magic on his own, not able to find a teacher that can meet his level outside of the Academy and the Council of Arch Mages. Valtorex and Valrie continue sleeping in the same bed, but never go further.  

Then, on the night before Newyear’s Solstice, (New Year’s Eve) Valrie is out late with her stealth instructor, still training. Chistine, Jane, and Sara appear in his room, around his bed. Sara says, “You killed Agony. Father is pleased you have become so powerful. I am not happy you killed my Son, but Agony I can do without.” Jane giggles at Sara’s comment. Sara continues, her voice practically dripping seductiveness, “We have come to offer you an alliance. You join the Father and he will make you co-ruler of the Empire and master of Archemos. To seal the deal, Father has offered you any or all of us for your enjoyment. You will be a god to the rest of the mortals and can even become immortal through the ritual. You will be able to claim anyone, anything as yours. This is too good for you to pass up.” Valtorex, fighting an internal struggle against temptation, does not notice until it is too late that Jane has crawled into his bed. She pushes him down and tries to take off his robe. Chistine, obviously morbidly depressed, joins her. Sara joins her ‘Daughters’ and they all try to weaken Valtorex’s will into accepting their offer. They think it is working, Valtorex barely breathing, right up until Jane screams in agony. She jumps back, a dagger in her stomach. Valrie had forgotten and left the gift from Valtorex under her pillow.  

This shocks Chistine and Sara so much that Valtorex is able to jump out of bed and grab his swords. He yanks Honor and Glory from their sheathes and the two blades nearly sing in joy. Jane rips the bloody dagger from her stomach and laughs insanely, her mind nearly gone. She licks the blade and exclaims, “Mmm! I wonder what yours tastes like?” (Say hello to the men in white coats for me!) She advances on Valtorex, bloodlust overcoming her. Valtorex just flicks Honor through the air, slicing open her chest and burning the flesh. Jane screams when the wound doesn’t heal and staggers back, hitting the wall and sliding down. Sara, figuring out a possible trick, orders, “Chistine, teach your lover’s friend a lesson.” Chistine, tears streaming down her cheeks, walks forward, begging, “I can’t disobey! Please! Kill me! I can’t take it anymore!” Valtorex replies, “And I can’t kill you. I do have an idea though.” As she reaches him, he (no r on he) slaps her thigh with Glory. Chistine screams as the lighting shoots through her body, causing her to jump back. Sara commands her forward again, and Valtorex slaps her again. They keep this up for several minutes, Chistine covered in burns from the blade, but not seriously injured. Sara screams, “Attack him and don’t stop till he’s dead!” Chistine pleads, “Kill me! Please!” Valtorex shakes his head. With a wail of hopelessness, Chistine runs at him, the tears flying behind her. Valtorex slaps her across the chest, but continues forward, slamming her into the ground and pressing the flat of the blade down with all of his strength. The massive amount of electricity shooting through her body finally knocks her out. (KOed!) (Finish her!) (WTF! He’s trying not to hurt her!) Valtorex advances on Sara and says, “You I will gladly kill.” Sara disappears, (wimp!) taking the still moaning Jane and unconscious Chistine with her.  

Valtorex lies down and goes back to sleep, after cleaning off Valrie’s dagger and replacing it under her pillow. (Amazing how the inn keeper seems to not care that they have death matches every other night and Valtorex burnt a piece of furniture to ashes. Oh well, that’s lifeJ) (They have a death matches? Get your plurals right he, said to a bowmen!) (Ian, don’t make me come over there) The next morning, Valtorex wakes up around Firstlight, Valrie in his arms. Valrie begins to stir around Highsun. When she opens her eyes, Valtorex kisses her on the forehead and says, “Good morning, love.” (He’s not British, only his dialogue writerJ) Valrie smiles up at him and asks, “Isn’t today Newyear’s Solstice?” Valtorex replies, “Yes, I think so.  I could have overslept, though.” They get up and change into their day clothes. (To Ian: Valrie stands behind the ‘F’ing partition!J) (Mailbox again?) (Ian’s inbox must be overflowing) They go downstairs and meet Valen and Valinor for lunch. They eat and then go about their day, agreeing to meet back at the inn for dinner. At dinner, Valtorex cooks, and the four of them enjoy dinner, joking and talking. (No, Valtorex is not the only one who can cook, he’s just the only one who can make his own grill) After dinner, Valrie, Valen, and Valinor all yell, at the same time, “Happy birthday!” Valtorex responds, “One, it’s not my birthday, and two, I don’t have birthdays.” Valrie says, “We know, but we felt bad about missing your birthday and decided the half way point would be a good time to make it up.”  

Valtorex replies, dryly, “You still missed the point. I don’t celebrate my birthday. It’s not a good time for me.” Valrie asks, “Why? It’s supposed to be fun.” Valtorex responds, “When my mother was taken, it was one month after my birthday. I spent the next two years training ever day. Including my birthday. I decided that celebrating my birth was not as important as trying to save the one that did it. Once the demon returned and I fought him, I hunted him for two years, not stopping for birthdays. I spent my fifteenth birthday as cattle to a clan of vampires and my sixteenth I spent in an ancient temple fighting the undead.” Valrie counters, “There’s no one for you to save right now and I see no vampires or other undead. I’ll celebrate the day you were born, and you should too.” Valtorex sighs, acknowledging defeat. (Good thing too, it’s 2:00 A.M. and I’m running out of argumentsJ) He says, “Fine, I’ll celebrate.” His three friends jokingly cheer.  

Valen gives him a package and Valtorex opens it. Inside is a calligraphy set, chalk, and parchment. Valen says, “I know you like practical stuff and I know you write a lot of spells and shapes and stuff, so I figured you could use it.” Valtorex thanks him. Valinor then hands him a bundle wrapped in warg skin. Valtorex unwraps it and finds a set of rune stones. Valinor says, “I saw you got an enchanter’s kit, so I figured you could use these to enchant stuff.” Valtorex thanks him as well. Valrie says, “I took a page from your book and got you two things, one practical, one not.” She hands him a package and he opens it. Inside are alchemical tools. Valrie says, “You’ve been playing with that infuriating alchemy set so long that I assumed the tools were worn out. I found you a masterwork calcinator, alembic, retort, and mortar and pestle. There’s also some extra razors, vials, and a precision scale.” Valtorex says, “Thank you. Your assumption was right. My kit is nearly wiped out. Thanks.” Valrie nods and says, “One last present.” She hands him a neatly wrapped package. He opens it and finds a letter on top of a layer of tissue. He reads the letter. 

“Valtorex, 

Hope you don’t mind regifting. I could not think of anything I could give you except for one thing. I don’t think Valen will mind if I regift his present as a hint. My present is one I’ve debated on for weeks. Figure out the rest. 

Love, 

Valrie” 

Valtorex removes the tissue and looks into the box. (Yay! Jeff is learning! I didn’t have to put the letter in italics for him this time) (And you’re delearning! No ‘y’ in didn’t) He sees the dress he got Valrie and the second present Valen gave Valrie. He calmly replaces the lid and asks, “Are you sure?” Valrie nods. He leans forward and kisses her. Valen boos and jokes, “Get a room!”(They already have one) Valtorex, having already put away his other gifts, puts Valrie’s last gift in his pack and picks up Valrie. He says, “I already did. See you tomorrow.” He looks at Valrie and continues, “Or the next day.” He carries her up and sets her down in their room. Valrie asks for the package and Valtorex takes it out and gives it to her. She goes behind the partition to change. While she is changing, Valtorex asks, “What changed your mind?” Valrie, her voice slightly higher than usual, replies, “Three things. You passed my test of sleeping with me without sleeping with me. You gave your life to save me when you took that cursed sword to fight of Kaedros’s minions. Finally, you gave up the chance to effectively rule the continent and have any woman or women you want for me. Yes, I saw what happened last night. I got back and was coming through the window when I saw the succubae. I watched what happened. I want to thank you for being so loyal and caring towards me and my wishes.” (Sounds like she’s about to knight him for service to queen and country. I can’t write this stuffJ) (Why? Sir Valtorex sounds cool!) (He already is, remember?)

Soon after that, she steps out from behind the partition, wearing the dress Valtorex got for her. Valtorex’s jaw drops open and he stammers, “W…wow. You…you’re gorgeous.” Valrie asks, trying…and failing to sound seductive, “Shall we begin?” (Heh, a succubus can pull it off, but I just don’t see Valrie being the seductive sort) Valtorex restrains himself enough to not laugh. He says, “Two things. One, sexy, seductive does not work for you yet. Stick to sweet and caring, you know, the truth. Second, you might want to drink some of this.” He goes over and picks up the bottle of wine Valen and Valinor gave them earlier in the summer. She, mistaking this as a shot at her, demands, “Why? You don’t think I’ll be good enough sober?” Valtorex laughs before saying, “One, sobriety usually helps coordination, which is kinda key, and two, that’s not why I suggested it. The first time is not that pleasant (So I’ve been told) and I suggest something to dull your senses a bit.” Valrie takes his advice and drinks the glass of wine he pours. Valtorex, at Valrie’s request, even drinks a glass. After another glass, they embrace each other and kiss. After several minutes of kissing, they lie down in bed. Valtorex whispers, “I love you.” Valrie replies, her voice weak, “I love you too.”  

 (I know, I’m a bastard for getting you guys all excited then pulling that, but I want this to be R at the worst if made into a movie. Then again, Hollywood gets away with worse, but I digress. Basically, I can’t write that stuff even if I wanted to, so I won’t attempt. I’m sick of romance and want to get this over with. If you want more, flood me with emails and I’ll see if I or one of my editors can meet your twisted needs. Hah, flooded with emails. I wish) (No comment) (I think this still only brings it to PG 13 at best) (That’s just you Andrew…) The next morning, they wake up some time after Highsun. Valrie looks up at Valtorex and they stare into each other’s eyes, not wanting to get up. They stay in bed all day, talking sometimes, just enjoying being together the rest. As night falls, Valtorex says, “I love you Valrie. I did before last night and still do.” Valrie, not able to find words to respond, just snuggles closer to him. They fall asleep in each other’s arms. (Surprised there was no interruption) (By Valen?) 

The next morning they wake up and dress. They go downstairs and meet Valen and Valinor. Valinor, no matter how much ‘convincing’ he tried, could not stop Valen from capitalizing on this moment. He yells, “Good morning! You weren’t kidding when you said an entire day!” Valrie flushes in embarrassment, but Valtorex laughs. He says, “Have you seen Valrie? It was hard for me to get up today!” This makes her face grow even more crimson. She punches him lightly on the shoulder and he takes the hint. He wraps his arm around her and they sit down next to each other. The four of them eat breakfast before going off on their separate ways.

They continue in their routine for several weeks. Then, one day, the four of them are at the dinner table and Valen says, “My mother has invited us to dinner tomorrow. She wants us to meet the traveler that’s been staying at her house.” They agree to meet there for dinner the next day. They go to sleep, Valrie and Valtorex in each other’s arms, although they have not slept together since Newyear’s Solstice. The next day, Valtorex creates some new potions, Valrie practices stealth, Valen practices archery and hunting, and Valinor trains with the weapons master. That night, they meet at Valen’s house and his mother invites them in. They are shown to the dinner table and sit, Valen next to Skathera, Valinor sitting next to a vacant chair, Valen’s mother and father beside each other, and Valtorex next to Valrie. (Is it a square table, because the mother and father usually sit at the two ends?) (Yes, it’s a square) Valen’s mother says, “John should be along soon. He was visiting some friends today.”

Just then, the door opens. The guest walks in and walks to the dining room. Valtorex offhandedly looks over before jumping to his feet and drawing his swords. Kaedros is standing in the doorway, glaring at Valtorex. Kaedros strides forward, his sword drawn. Valen’s mother yells, “Put down your swords!” Valtorex, hatred burning in his heart, but respecting the owner of the house, slowly slides his swords back into his sheathes. Kaedros, deciding to torment them instead of killing them, and returns his sword to his side. Valtorex and Kaedros sit at the table. The dinner is spent in silence, Valtorex and Kaedros glaring at each other. Kaedros then says to Valen, “You must be Valen. Your mother has told me so much about you. I’m so glad to finally meet you.” (I can just imagine the venom dripping from his voice and burning hole in the table) (lol) This is Valen’s last straw. He slams his silverware down and warns, his voice cold and deadly, “If you ever get near my family, I will hunt you down and kill you and your whores!” Valen’s mother rebukes, “Valen! I did not raise you that way!” Kaedros replies, “It’s ok. He’s just jealous that his girlfriend likes me now.” Valen’s father rebukes, “Valen, what did I tell you about that Chistine? It was bound to fail. I knew that she would stop liking someone as wild as you.”(Ohh that son of a…) (Why can’t they just fight to the death already?)

Valen counters, “She only follows him because he turned her into a demon!” Valen’s father yells, “Valen! Out! You’re not welcome here!” Valen, his rage overpowering (Overpower is one word Jeff) (k) him, jumps to his feet and storms out of the room. He yells, “Kaedros! If you touch them, you will die! I don’t care if they hate me! I will not allow you to hurt them!” Valen then leaves and slams the door behind him. Kaedros laughs before saying, “Give him time. He’ll come around.” Valtorex, furious that Valen has been forced out of his own home, says, his voice cold, “Kaedros, you are an abomination and I cannot allow you to live. I will respect the wishes of Valen’s mother and abstain from bloodshed here, but if I ever see you outside, you will die.” Valinor, Valrie, and Valtorex leave, returning to the inn and meeting Valen. Valen’s mother asks, “Why did they call you Kaedros, John?” Kaedros, his face taking on a cruel sneer, replies, “Because that’s my name. Valen was right by the way. Valtorex may be willing to not spill blood here, but I have no such qualms. I will allow you to live as long as you keep those fools out of my business.”

They continue their routine, Valen no longer going back to his house. One night, Chistine walks through the door to the inn while they are eating dinner. (After they are eaten dinner?) (Less talking, more correcting) (Let him. It makes him feel good about himself) (So…) Valen jumps up and runs to her. He attempts to hug her, but she says, “No Valen, my life is over now. I made a major mistake and now it’s over.” Valen pleads, “It doesn’t have to be, Chisa! We’ll find a way to save you!” Chistine sighs and falls into his arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. She says, “I’ve been sent to tell you that Kaedros wants one last fight. He will wait at the brook tomorrow for you four to face him and his cult. He said to give you this. I have also been given the night off to do as I please, so I will spend it here.” Valtorex says, “That’s great. This means we can free you. (This mean we can free you…? Jeff be caveman now?) (Ian, don’t make me sick Krug on you) Come to my room tonight. Until  then, enjoy some time with Valen.” (Basically, Valtorex just turned the tables on both Valen and Kaedros) (?) (I don’t get it) (Valen’s been intent on getting Valtorex in bed with someone, and Kaedros has been using Chsitine against them. Now, Valtorex got Valen in bed with someone and they’re using Chistine against Kaedros)

Several hours later, near Darkwatch, Chistine knocks on the door to their room. Valrie lets her in, not wanting to distract Valtorex who is working frantically. Chistine watches him for several minutes until he suddenly stands up, gathering up the materials he had been working with. He goes over to Chistine and hands her a vial. He says, “Drink that. It will dispel any mental effects you have on you.” Chistine, seeing no reason to not trust him, drinks the fiery liquid in the vial. She coughs as the potion burns her throat. He then hands her two gold bracelets studded with gems. Valtorex says, “I can’t break Kaedros’s hold on you, but I can change it. Basically, it will add me as a controller so that I can order you to not obey him.” He produces a leather sack and hands it to her, along with a necklace with a silver vial on it. He says, “The sack contains crystals. Swallow one to counteract mental effects if you have to remove the bracelets. The silver vial contains a potion that will let you teleport away from danger. Now go. Be with Valen and don’t leave him till dawn.” Chisa, thanks in her eyes, nods and leaves to go to Valen’s room. Valtorex and Valrie go meet Valinor downstairs. Valinor tells them, “I need to prepare for battle. I have no one I need to be with, so I can focus on war. You two should be together tonight. Tomorrow night, one of you may be dead. I’ll see you at dawn.” Valtorex looks at Valrie, questioning in his eyes. Valrie nods. Valtorex picks her up and carries her back to their room.

The next morning, (Nice vagueness! J) (Lol, don’t wanna take away creativity) the five of them meet downstairs. Chisa and Valen holding hands, (holdings hands… Seroiusly, get your plurals straight!) (Ian, if you spent half as much time chasing after girls as you do my mistakes, you would be able to fill a day care (Come on, fix day care and make my day)) (I don’t appreciate that…) (Yes, well, anyone who knows you does, ’specially A Hsu and me, go ahead, do it) (Thanks, made my dayJ) Valrie and Valtorex doing the same. The five of them eat breakfast before Chisa leaves to join her master. Valrie and Valtorex kiss before suiting up. The four of them march to the brook, Valtorex leading Valrie and Valinor, while Valen climbs into the tree he used to fire his slingshot from. Kaedros is on the opposite side of the brook, demons and hybrids arranged behind him.(Opposite side of the brook they are?) Kaedros yells, “You will not survive this one! I have some new weapons to kill you with!” With that, he raises his arms and two swords appear in his hands, the one in the right having an onyx hilt and a blade of pure darkness, the left with the same hilt and a blade of shadow. (Darkness and shadows, same thing) (No, shadow is lack of light, darkness is opposite of light, or at least when it comes to spells) Behind his army, three planar gates open. The right, judging by the demons marching out, is to the Abyss. The left, based on the devils, leads to the Infernus. The central gate seems to be a mass teleportation outlet. A large mass of cultists armed with swords and shields marches out. (Not as defenseless as before)

Kaedros roars, “Charge my children! Show those fools who their master is!” Kaedros’ horde moves out, marching through the brook. Valen opens fire, dropping demons, devils, and cultists. Knowing Valtorex is the only one that can kill them, Valen, Valinor, and Valrie do not fight the hybrids and succubae. Valtorex uses Honor and Glory to slay all hybrids that reach him. The hybrids fall, one by one, their limbs burnt off and their flesh cooked from lightning. Valinor slaughters demons, devils, and cultists. The demons’ acidic blood burns the grass and chars the ground. (and turns the brook a sickly yellow color, killing all the aquatic life in it) (Demons blood isn’t yellow) (But you don’t deny the killing of fish?) The devils’ blood fuels the flames caused by the demons’ blood. As Valinor slaughters the mortals that rush him, he faintly feels sorrow at having to kill so many, but the screams of the dying are drowned out by the roar of the living enemies. Valrie is mortified as she is forced to kill people the same age as her. The cultists, although some are adults, are for the most part misguided youths just looking for a family. She sees a young girl at her age with a face like hers, eyes like hers, and hair bluish-black like hers. Unlike her, she is not well trained. Valrie lets a tear fall from her eye as she slides the rapier through her ribcage. The girl gasps, (…the girls gasps…! Are you doing this on purpose?) the enre battle slowing to a crawl. Valrie sees the girl’s eyes fade as her heart slows. Thump thump.Thump thump..Thump thump…thump. And no more. The battle speeds back up to a normal speed and the girl falls back, her eyes wide and her mouth locked in a silent scream.

Valtorex sees the flux of battle turning against them as more and more of Kaedros’s army crosses the brook. Valen fires as fast as he can, but even his prolific speed can’t stem the tide. Then something that has not happened in ten years happens to him. Valen pulls back, his arms fatigued from the constant strain, and lets loose. The arrow flies and hits the ground beside a demon. (The Abyss must be freezing over!) Valen nearly falls out of the tree when he realizes what just happened. He curses at the miss, but resolves to not do it again. Valtorex, realizing that Valrie is too emotionally stressed to keep this up, orders her to run for help. She disengages and runs. Soon after, Chisa reaches Valtorex and says, “I’ve been ordered to kill you. If I don’t they’ll kill me.” Valtorex commands, “Go to Valen. Take him to the inn and be with him. He missed a shot and needs to be soothed.” (Valtorex, “Basically, you’re supposed to kill me or get killed. Go sleep with Valen instead”) Chisa, tears of gratitude for taking her out of the battle in her eyes, runs off to Valen. Valtorex and Valinor fight back to back, the last two on the battlefield. (Activate improbability drive J) (What’s improbable? Valen and Valrie were the only others with them) They keep fighting, slaying the demons, devils, and cultists. Honor and Glory practically sing in joy as they flash through the air, slaying their foes.

Kaedros roars in fury as Valtorex slays his Sons one by one and Valinor massacres his cult and army. Kaedros charges in himself, unheeding of the dangers and risks. He slashes through his own followers, intent on reaching Valtorex. (Nice guy…) (He’s just compounding the problem) Valtorex slays the last hybrid commander before seeing Kaedros. He yells, “Let’s end this! You and me, one on one!” Kaedros yells, “Men! Stop! Your Father shall slay the heretic!” The devils and cultists, and even the demons, pull away from the press on Valinor and stand back. Valinor steps away, giving Valtorex room to fight. Valtorex and Kaedros face each other down, circling slowly. Kaedros says, “I see you have Honor and Glory. I’d like to introduce you to their dark counterparts, Blood and Fear. Unfortunately, it appears Mercy and Grace can’t be here. How sad. Are you ready to die?” Valtorex replies, “Kai Zanaria! Kai Manäïen! Kai Kaeje!”

Kaedros’ face takes on an evil sneer as he rushes forward. Valtorex blocks his determined, hate filled, attacks. As they fight, Kaedros growls, “Why do you refuse my offers? I offer you land, women, power, anything you want, and you repay me by slicing open my concubines’ chests? She healed, of course, but she’s been moping since and I have to order her to bed! I have to order a drasked succubus to bed!” Valtorex replies, “I refused your offer because I am loyal to the Empire and Valrie.” They keep fighting, more interested in talking, however. Kaedros demands, “I offered you succubae and all the mortals you want! You could have two women for every mood! Why do you cling to that drasked bitch?” Valtorex, his masculine pride feeling attacked, retorts, “Because she’s the one that goes to bed willingly. No orders, no mental illnesses, no threats. She wants me and I want her. It’s called love. It’ll be your downfall, you son of a bitch abomination!” With that, Valtorex attacks with even more power. (Why isn’t the balrog helping?) (No need. Honor and Glory are more powerful than Blood and Fear. If he started losing, then the balrog would come out) Valrie arrives back at the battlefield to see the duel. She managed to rouse one guard member who quickly runs off to warn the others.

The duel continues on, going back and forth. It seems as if the blades have minds of their own as they dance back and forth, blocking each other. Kaedros and Valtorex continue their dialogue, Kaedros yelling, “Your bitch of a love isn’t even loyal to you! She has already devoted her soul to me and almost gave me her body!” Valtorex responds, “She never finished the oath and you never collected! And, she already gave herself, so you have no claim on her!” Valrie, surrounded at this point by elven guards she does not know, blushes a deep crimson. Kaedros yells, “How can you bear to share your bed with her? You could do so much better!” Valtorex yells back, “I love her, and that’s all that matters! I would die for her! Who will you die for?” Kaedros yells, “I am immortal! I cannot die! Even the gods fear my wrath!” Valtorex, intent on disproving him, doesn’t answer and focuses on the battle at hand. Valtorex and Kaedros fight for several hours, both reaching the point of exhaustion. Finally, Kaedros slips up and Valtorex cuts a long, wicked gash along his chest with Honor. Unfortunately, he can not capitalize on this as he falls back, completely drained. Valinor and Valrie run forward and face off against the succubae. Valtorex and Kaedros both get to their feet. Kaedros says, “I’m done for today.” Valtorex says, “Ceasefire.” (Union mandated breakJ)

Kaedros’ army falls back behind the brook, the elves holding a steady line to guard the crossing. An elven guard captain comes up to Valtorex, exhausted and supported by Valrie, and says, “You fight well for a human. From the conversation, I gather you know each other.” Valtorex replies, “Yes, he was created when my soul was possessed by a balrog.” The guard captain, ignoring the outlandish claim in light of the demons on the outskirts of the village, continues, “We sent a message to the capital asking for help. I included a description of you to see if that spurs them into action. My men can hold till tomorrow. Get some rest and hopefully the king will come through.”

Valtorex thanks him, and, with Valrie’s help, returns to the inn. He finds Chisa and Valen sitting at the table, both looking exhausted, but happy. Valen says, (in his aussie accent,) (like I said, no accent) “Thanks, mate.” Chisa thanks him as well, but for a different reason. (Valen for getting him in bed with Chisa; Chisa for getting her out of battle with Valen) Valtorex says, “I know you two are going to hate me, but I need to ask this of you. Valen, can you take one for the team?” Valen nods. Valtorex continues, “Chistine, can you reward Valen to the best of your ability?” Chisa nods, a bit taken aback. Valtorex finishes, “Valen, I’m asking you to stay with Chistine tomorrow. Chistine, I’m ordering you to be with Valen until I tell you it’s okay to stop.” Valen turns paler. Chisa nods, accepting her orders. Valtorex says, “I’m sorry, but it’s the only way to keep Chistine safe.” Valen nods and says, mock sadness in his voice, “Well, if it must be done to keep her safe, then I will do her…I mean it.” He smiles as Chisa slaps him playfully. (There is a reason for this. Chisa must follow any orders Kaedros or Valtorex give her. As long as Kaedros is kept away, she’s safe. The problem is, he has to order her to do something, and since she is a succubus and the best orders are the ones that are the most likely to be obeyed, well you get the picture. Besides, it gives her time with ValenJ) (Lol, just to protect her right?) (RightJ)

 They eat dinner, discussing plan of attack. Valen will stay in their brook facing room with his bow in case the demons get through. Valtorex stresses, “You are only to leave Chistine unattended if you have something to shoot.” Chisa jokes, “I’ll make sure he has no reason to leave bed whatsoever.” Valen turns red, but the rest laugh, even Valrie. “Valinor,” says Valtorex, “you are to stand with the guards. Make sure Kaedros’s forces don’t break through the lines. I will go for Kaedros and his ‘Family’. You should probably meet with the guards tonight and help set up defenses.” Valrie, thinking she has been left out, asks ,the hurt evident in her voice, “What do I do?” Valtorex replies, “Tonight, you give me something to fight for. Tomorrow, you make sure I stay alive long enough to do it.” Valrie nods, not quite realizing what he just said. The other three do, Valinor chuckling, but Valen and Chisa burst out in laughter. Valrie then realizes what he meant and goes crimson.(Ah, still so naive) Valrie says, trying to cover her miss, “I…I didn’t mean it like that.” Valtorex asks, “How else could you mean a nod? Besides, too late now. Good night everyone.” He then picks a weakly protesting Valrie up and heads towards the stairs to the laughter of their three friends. Valrie, giving up her half hearted struggle, waves over his shoulder and calls, “Well, I guess it’s good night!” He carries her up to their room and they begin laughing. He sets her on the bed and wraps his arm around her.

Valtorex says, “You know you don’t have to if you don’t want. I just wanted to boost morale (Morale not moral. I think they’re morals are long gone) (Agreed) (Amoral isn’t that bad, they still have honor, chivalry, and loyalty) (Right….) (who changed amoral to a moral?) with a few jokes.” Valrie jokes, “How will you boost my morale?” Valtorex kisses her and replies, “Like that.” They laugh for a few moments. Valtorex asks, “Seriously, you sure you want to?” Valrie responds, “Yes, but it’s just not fair.” (I’m going to boost your morale with some good jokes, or at least jokes that are so bad you laugh anywayJ) Valtorex asks, “What isn’t?” Valrie, a smile on her face, says, “Well, you get me on my back all night, and tomorrow, I’m stuck watching yours. Where’s the justice in that?” They laugh at her joke for a while. Valtorex then replies, “Well, you won’t bleed as much in your job. Mine will get me killed.” Valrie laughs at this, not knowing whether she should be insulted or not. Valrie asks, “So, are we going to do this, or joke about it all night?” (I support the latter, but my editors would have my head, so) (Eh hem!…) (To be honest, I don’t care if you do or don’t, I’m enjoying the jokes) (Ian, I could write ten pages of sex jokes. You wanna edit that?) (I would skip the pages…) (Point proved) Valtorex responds by kissing her. 

The next morning, Valtorex wakes up, Valrie in his arms. (I’m just suprised she’s not pregnant yet) (Give it time…) (Not gonna happen. They don’t sleep together again until like next year)(Do they even have contraception?) He smiles at her as she rouses. They get up and prepare for battle. Valtorex says, “Remember, stay away from his hybrids and succubae. I’ll take those. I want to take his ‘Family’ out of the battle quickly and crush the army’s leadership.” Valrie nods, strapping on her rapier. They leave the room. Valtorex goes over to Valen’s door and listens. Valrie does the same. Inside, they can hear an argument. Valen pleads, “No more! I’m spent!”(There are worse ways to be tortured) (True, true) (Agreed. Seriously, Ian’s right, comedian) Chisa replies, “Dear, I will do it with or without your consent. I can always tie you down again.” With a sly grin, Valtorex turns and goes downstairs. Valrie follows, glad Valtorex is nothing like Chistine. They find that Valinor is not there. They continue on to the brook and see Valinor digging trenches and putting up sharpened stake barricades. 

Valtorex and Valrie take position in the front. Kaedros raises his hand and then lets it fall. His horde marches forward, (The hordes go marching one by one…J) intent on wiping the elven village and its defenders out of existence. An elven captain yells, “Volley one!” In the same second, one thousand elven arrows rise into the sky, falling upon the enemy host. Before the initial victims have even hit the ground, the next volley is up. And so it continues, the enemy troops falling en masse under a barrage of deadly projectiles, and elven spearmen driving the front ranks away from the barricade. It appears they will hold the demons off long enough for the capital to send reinforcements. The slaughter lasts long into the night, the only concern being running out of arrows, but that won’t be an issue for days. Then, after the fighting has stopped, Kaedros brings up a large creature, roughly turtle-ish, that seems like it’ll be impossible to take down with arrows and hard to kill with spears. Kaedros sends the war turtle lumbering along. The behemoth monster ignores the arrows that are nothing more than needles to it. It reaches the elven lines and walks right through the barricade, scattering the spearmen. Kaedros sends a battalion of demons through the breach. Valtorex rushes to the hole and tries to seal it. He orders, “Archers, on the demons! Spearmen, take out that thing!” The elves, not hearing anyone else, follow his orders. The demons reach the breach and swarm Valrie and Valtorex. They fight a good fight, (Like in the Good Book) (Que? How does the Bible apply?) but are forced back by the sheer number of foes. Valinor then reaches them with his detachment of the town guards. The elves and three friends battle the demons, eventually driving them back. The spearmen finally take down the war turtle. Both the town guard and spearmen took heavy casualties in the assault. Valinor begins repairing the breach. To the dismay of the men, Kaedros brings up five more of the monsters. It appears, however, he is content to wait until morning.  

Valtorex spends all night working with his alchemy kit, only taking time to eat a quick meal at Valrie’s demand. He finally speaks, although what he says surprises Valrie to no end. “Do you know how to fire a slingshot?” Valrie answers no. Valtorex then goes to the captain in charge of the archers. He says, “Get your twenty best men skilled with slingshots and have them meet me at the inn.” The captain is too dumbstruck to disobey. An hour later, Valtorex, Valrie, the archery captain, and twenty elves are standing in the inn. Valtorex says, “I know you all are probably wondering why you’re here instead of out there and why I am requesting slingshoters. Those creatures that Kaedros has brought up are a danger to the front. I remembered my friend talking about attacking his sister with a slingshot and had an idea…” 

The next day, Kaedros lines up his five war turtles, each one with one battalion of demons and one battalion of devils behind it. At his signal, the lumbering giants begin their slow trek forward. The archer captain yells, “Fire first volley!” Valtorex yells, “Slingshoters, hold ready!” The twenty men of the slingshot brigade, as they jokingly call it, four on each turtle, pull back the elastic thong on their weapons. Each slingshot has a vial held tightly in its pouch. As the first volley lands and the second is fired, Valtorex yells, “Hold!” the turtles are now 500 feet away. Third volley. “Hold!” 250 feet away. Fourth volley. “Hold!” 50 feet away. Fifth volley, and with that volley, Valtorex yells, “Fire!” The twenty slingshotiers release their projectiles, the vials sailing through the air, and, for the most part, hitting their marks. The vials shatter, releasing the highly corrosive acid Valtorex discovered earlier that summer. The acid burns away the flesh of the turtles’ legs and the shells that protect them. By the third volley, four of the war turtles are dead or dying. The fifth turtle continues on, but with all fire now directed towards it, it falls just five feet shy of the barricade. From then on out, it becomes a slaughter. The slingshoters, still reveling in the glory of victory, continue using the acid to attack the demons and devils. The demons are mainly unaffected by the acid, but the devils burst into flames as their blood comes in contact with it. The archers destroy the battalions of Kaedros’s army, forcing a retreat.  

That night, an army of skeletons and zombies bursts forth from the ruins, marching across no man’s land to reach the elven lines. The elven archers quickly find the only way to fight these creatures is steel. The spearmen crumple, their stabbing weapons useless against these foes. The town guard and light infantry fill the breach while the spearmen change weapons. Valtorex, Valrie, and Valinor each take different points. Valinor takes the already weakened center, Valtorex takes the right flank, and Valrie takes left. Over the next few hours and through heavy losses, they drive the undead army back. That morning, to the surprise of the defenders, a large mass, about one thousand, of Kaedros’s cultists march out onto the battlefield. They (Again with the the’s instead of they’s) stand in the center of the no man’s land, letting the elves slaughter them, sometimes taking their own lives with daggers. Once they are dead to a man, Kaedros raises his hands and bellows out a mighty spell. The thousand corpses rise up as zombies and join the remaining undead army. (That’s actually a brilliant idea, but the implementation sucked.  He should’ve had them fight, instead letting them get slaughtered) (If they fight, they’ll be hacked into pieces, thus worthless to him. This way, they only have arrows or small puncture wounds)(I guess…)

As the zombies reach the barricade, the spearmen ready to fight. They are much better prepared, now carrying a halberd and a shortsword. The three friends keep the same positions as the night before. The center has been strengthened to match the flanks. Valrie, lacking the leadership experience of her comrades, falls first. Her position is overrun (I think overrun is one word) and the town guard rushes into the breach to help her reclaim it. Once the zombies have been driven back, the guard captain takes over, sending a shamefaced Valrie to Valtorex. Valtorex sees Valinor is having a tough time of it and sends her to help him. By midday, the beleaguered defenders have forced back the last of the zombies. That’s when the next group of one thousand walks into the center of the field and commits suicide.(Once again, a waste in men) As the new wave of zombies marches towards them, Valtorex realizes they cannot win. Kaedros will just keep sending troops until it is over and the village is conquered. Then he hears the most beautiful sound of the day. A clarion horn sounds in the forest to their right, signaling a cavalry charge. At first he is afraid that Kaedros is bringing wargs to bear, but then recognizes the shrill, lilting quality to be of elven make. The king came through. 

Moments later, a woman in dazzling white atop a white mare charges out of the woods, running down the zombie army. Behind her comes a battalion of elven lancers. The zombies are crushed by the surprise cavalry strike. After them come four full battalions of elven light infantry, and a full battalion of the Elven Palace Guard, the crack troops of the Elven Kingdoms. The defenders let up a mighty cheer, their hoarse voices still sounding victorious. Myrstaline directs her forces to join the defenders. She rides up to Valtorex and dismounts in one fluid motion. Valtorex is struck by the natural beauty and grace of her every move. Her dazzling white royal garb makes his bloody and sweat stained armor look barbaric. (As if it didn’t alreadyJ) They quickly discuss what has happened in the battle so far. Valtorex suggests, “We need to take out their portals. A cavalry charge on their flanks would allow me to take a battalion of light infantry and hit them hard in the rear. Once they are engaged on three sides, the town guard, spearmen, two battalions of light infantry, and the royal guard can strike the front. Our archers can cause chaos by peppering their center while they are slaughtered on four sides. Once they are thoroughly engaged, I will feign a retreat, falling back into the woods. Kaedros will either attempt a retreat or hunt me down and attempt to slay me. Either way, his men will move away from the three sides they’re still engaged in, and abandon the portals, allowing our mages to shut them. I will fall back to Valrie and Valinor, each of them leading one of the remaining light infantry battalions. The cavalry and infantry Kaedros leaves will then crush him against our units.” The commanders and his friends both accept his plan.  

 The time to put the plan into action occurs. The cavalry charge both flanks, Myrstaline leading left, her cavalry commander leading right. The cavalry attack works like a charm, drawing the defense of both front and back to the sides. Valtorex then springs from the woods in the rear, charging into Kaedros’s ranks. Kaedros’s men don’t bother to wait for orders and form a ‘U’ style defense, guarding the rear and sides. Then, the infantry charge from the trenches and rush across no man’s land. Kaedros organizes a hasty front to block the infantry charge, but his weak guard is nothing compared to the veteran Palace Guard. Kaedros’s army collapses into a jumble of units, each defending itself. Then, the defender’s archers open fire, showering Kaedros’s men with deadly projectiles. Kaedros notices Valtorex’s unit wavering and sees his chance to escape with his army still intact. Kaedros focuses all of his army on Valtorex, intent on crushing him. Soon, Valtorex’s unit breaks and runs, Valtorex running  after them yelling, “Come back you cowards! I’ll kill you myself!” Kaedros’s army needs no further instruction and rushes after them, leaving the defenders far behind. Finally, they see Valtorex has rallied his unit, although it looks like only half are still there. As his army approaches and engages, Kaedros’s sees Valtorex’s face. On it is not the look of grim resolution he would expect from an opponent fighting to the death, but instead, he sees a triumphant smile. From the brush comes the other half of Valtorex’s unit that had been crouching to avoid detection. With them comes Valrie’s and Valinor’s battalions, each full strength and eager to fight. Kaedros is about to order his army to fall back when he hears the clarion trumpet and turns. He is faced by a wave of cavalry, bloody lances angled down to skewer him and his men. Behind them, he knows will come the infantry. Acutely aware of Chistine’s absence, he calls Jane, Sara, and his hybrids to him. He and his ‘Family’ teleport far away, utterly defeated and humiliated. As the last of Kaedros’s men fall, the soldiers let out a cheer and return to the town. On the way, they see the portals being torn down.  

That night, after burying the dead, those still alive celebrate themselves and their comrades in the way soldiers have done for centuries past. Over a cold drink…or five. Valtorex, Myrstaline, Valrie, Valinor, Chisa, and a sick looking Valen sit around the table, talking about the battle. Chisa then tells them, “I no longer feel Kaedros’s hold. I think he has abandoned me. I’m going to return to the Academy this year, but I think I’ll stay with Valen. She nudges him in the rib. He falls out of his chair and lands with a groan. Chisa quickly helps him up. Valtorex laughs. Valen looks balefully at him before saying, “It’s not funny. I never want to sleep with anyone ever again.” Chisa nuzzles his neck and whispers, “You sure?” Valen replies, his voice back to its normal high pitched level, “Well, maybe once more…” The group laughs, especially Chisa. (Remember, this is a medieval esque time. Not being married by thirteen is rare, so this should not be surprising. Besides, at least it’s not as bad as reality) They eat dinner, Valtorex catching Myrstaline up on everything and finding out about what she did. (If you want to know what happens, bug Glossman Andrew) They finally break down and get a third room that Valinor and Myrstaline share. (No, not happening) (Ewww…) That night, Valen and Chisa celebrate victory by going to sleep early and in separate beds. Valtorex and Valrie sit in their room, Valrie drinking wine, Valtorex drinking a new and improved version of his mixture. The night ends with Valrie getting sick from drinking too much and Valtorex holding her hair whilst (Still liketh ye olde English, Ian?) (Yay and verily!) she vomits and finally tucking her into bed once she falls to sleep. Valtorex spends the rest of the night figuring out how he could have performed better in that battle.  

 The next morning, they all wake up late, except for Valtorex who never went to sleep. (Much like me) Myrstaline stays in town, deciding to return to the Academy with them. Valtorex and Myrstaline practice magic together during the days while Chisa practices (Seriously Jeff. Work on mastering your plurals) archery with Valen. Valrie and Valinor train in their solitary arts. They fall into the grove, Valtorex and Valrie still sharing a bed, but not sleeping together after the battle. On the last night before school, Valtorex and Valrie are alone in their room. (Uh… Duh!) Valtorex had been out gathering ingredients and returns to find Valrie in a red dress, similar to the black dress, but of a higher quality. He tosses his pack to the ground and walks forward. He embraces her and comments, “You’re wearing the perfume I got you.” She nods, leaning into him. They stand there for several moments, swaying back and forth. (To music that isn’t there…) (So? You calling them crazy?) (I don’t know… Is it not obvious?) (It’s obvious that they are way past crazy) Valtorex then kisses her. They kiss for several minutes, until Valrie pulls back and asks, “Shall we?” Valtorex, his knees about to buckle with the sheer power of the ‘Yes’ he wants to yell, replies, “No, let’s just have some fun, bond a little. Let’s play the Valrie gets drunk, Valtorex gets puked on game.” Valrie laughs, leaning against him for support. He begins rubbing her back, offhandedly, while thinking. Valtorex then says, ‘I have an idea. We can play a little game I learned when I was young. I can’t remember what it’s called, but it’s something like someone either has to answer a question truthfully or follow an order. Do you want to play?” Valrie nearly bursts out laughing. She asks, incredulous, “Truth or Dare? I haven’t played that in years!” (And yet, it’s still the best way to get to know someone) Finally, she gives in and they play. She soon finds that Valtorex’s dares are too brutal or too embarrassing for her to pick anything other than truth. Valtorex can usually pick dare because Valrie isn’t creative or twisted enough to come up with the imaginative torments that would stop him. They end up exhausted from each other’s insane dares and finally go to sleep in each other’s arms. The next morning, the group wakes up and Myrstaline and Valtorex teleport them to the Academy. 

Tags: Chronicles of Valtorex, fantasy, fiction, Jeff Patterson, JPAT, Valtorex