Hunt Tonight

[Steel DarKnight]

Steel slowly slid the amulet over his head, tucking the amulet inside his tunic.

Quickly, he made preparations to depart.

He replaced his broken blade with one crafted for him by his father. The blade, having seen him through countless battles was the last remnants of his parents that remained. Though well worn and nicked from use, still carried a fine sheen and was still as sharp as the day it was crafted. Steel had yet to find a blade with the same balance and craftsmanship.

Stepping out into the chill night air, Steel upon his steed Honor, set forth for the Trinsic moongate. His destination the homes of the Arcane Cohort in Malas. Specifically, he seeked Liz Shue, perhaps her magic would find the answer to the riddle of the amulet.

Steel rode swiftly through the night. The masters of the Army of the Sands would know have been informed of the taking of the amulet. They would seek its return.

The night itself was bright, with the stars above lighting his path Steel, his senses alert, looked to and fro to seeking a enemy that could appear…. but to his fortune thus far had not. The only sounds, the one of his steeds hooves pounding a steady beat upon the cobblestone road below.

The trip itself was swift, his steed setting a relentless pace seemingly sensing the urgency of its master. The moongate itself was just ahead he could see the dull light of it and he clicked his heels against his steed pushing it even more.

The dull light of the moongate suddenly glowed bright……

A dark reddish misshapen body stepped forth from the moongate. Its wings flapping slowly it eyed Steel’s approaching form…and hissed loudly. From the moongate yet another form appeared, and another,….and another…..and another.

Steel, with shocked expression on his face yelled….

“No! No! No!…No!.”

Quickly, he wheeled Honor about seeking to turn back….He knew that the forces before him were more than he could handle alone. His hope, to return to Olympus and gather reinforcements.

His hopes were quickly dashed as yet another portal opened behind him. This one having been created by arcane magery. The creatures pouring forth though were the same. Steel recognized these…Gargoyles, Demons, their number countless and awful to behold.… It seemed as if the Abyss itself had emptied in

order to stop him.

Wheeling Honor about once more Steel knew his only hope lay in reaching the Moongate. Clicking his steeds flanks he urged it forward. Unsheathing his sword he yelled…

HONOR! HONOR!

Crashing into the evil spawn, he thrust his blade from side to side seeking to clear his way. His pace while quick as first slowed as the evil spawn reached for him, and his steed, seeking to tear them to the ground.

With an evil cry the hordes pushed against him. As one would fall, it would be replaced, by another, and another. Steel spared one moment to look towards the moongate… Yet more of the evil spawn poured forth.

With a cry of victory, the hordes tore Steel from his mount. Its pitiful cries moving though the air as it was brought down…then silenced

Steel himself was covered with blood…his enemies and his own. Although he had quickly leapt to his feet after being demounted, he could not move forward, nor back. The bodies of his foes lay piled about him…along with his shield, having been battered by use. His tunic soon joined the pile as it too failed him.

His enemies seemed to increase……

Steel knew at that moment that he has failed and his death was assured. He seeked only to take as many of the Demon spawn with him as he fell.

His breath was heavy, his wounds many…he had fought for a time that seemed to be hours.

With a rush the enemy brought him down…He felt the chain and the amulet being ripped from his neck…. he had failed.

As sudden as it had come, the enemy departed…. Steel slowly pushed a body, skewered by his blade, off of him …and looked about.

He saw the last of the enemy move through a portal that had been opened to the side of the moongate. Slowly Steel crawled forward in an attempt to follow. Yet as he looked up one form stepped through portal.

Larger yet than the daemons he had fought it was, it wings lay tattered upon its back, its skin a motley grayish brown. Leering down at Steel it spoke.

“Foolissssshhhh Mortal……you have failed…The time of your Guardianssssss…issssss over…. Our mastersssss wisssssh your Death.”

“Come mortal…..your death awaitssssssss you’sssssss……”

Steel slowly rose to his feet. Coughing and spitting blood to the side he spoke…….

“I……….Shall……..not……. LOSE!!”

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This hunt is based on the full story posted at:

The full story (trapped armoy of the sands)

Mission meeting at 8:15pm est tonight at Olympus.

This time, we ARE truly going to hell. Be prepared Guardians.

Strength and Honor.