The Feast of 1,000 Deaths

[Prince Eros]

Truly, if Eros had listened to every time someone told him to stop something, he would not be as talented as he was with certain situations. He would not be able to escape his room or open any door within the castle. He would not be able to sneak past his father's robes or his mother's eyes. He would not be able to sneak into the kitchen where people actually appreciated him worked and lived. Eros looked up at the Prophet again, his small warm hands waiting gingerly on the Prophet's ankles. He was frightened beyond all belief and the growing red river coming towards him was forcing him to press himself tighter against the Prophet's legs.

"I can get you out!" Eros said loudly, trying to drown out the screams in his mind. Taking a small metal pick from being cleverly hidden in his braid, he frowned as he jammed it into the lock of the shackles. He had to work fast and without the quiet, he wouldn't be able to hear the locks unfasten. His heart raced quickly, but Camine could sense a calm about him. In his blindness, Camine could see that Eros had a bright light about him. But not only did he have the bright light, but the woman-like figure behind him did as well. The woman watched Eros protectively, looking up once to stare intensely at Camine.

Suddenly, the pressure around his left ankle vanished as the sound of metal hitting the floor could be heard. Eros let out a happy gasp and tossed the shackle aside. He looked up and smiled at Camine.

"Just one more!"

Looking around quickly and noticing his son had disappeared, Osirus growled in anger. If that boy escaped, he would have more trouble than he could deal with on his hands. Even though the doors were locked and guarded, he had begun to notice that the Prince had very clever ways of getting things in which he was deprived of. As Israfel sent a man flying across the table, Osirus reached up and grabbed Israfel's chain. The Knight looked to him.

"The Prince! Bring him to me!" Osirus ordered. Without a nod or any form of confirmation, Israfel yanked the chain back and leaped onto the table, smashing plates and goblets under his heavy armored boots. He stomped across the table straight towards Camine. He even ignored the knife swipe at his leg from Adrian. When he was within two feet of Camine, he opened his arms and his golden chains snaked from his arms and flung themselves to the floor. Creeping underneath the table, a shrill cry told him the chains had grabbed the Prince.

Eros could barely breathe as the chains wrapped tightly around his chest, lifting him up from under the table. He choked as the chains lifted him well into the air above everyone else. Israfel then turned back to the King and walked to him, stepping right through food and bodies as the chains kept Eros hoisted into the air. Eros looked down at his father in fear as Israfel began to lower him.

"N-Naahra! Naahra!" Eros cried.

Laying on the table, Adrian's world span around him. The blow to the head had completely knocked out for a few seconds. Regaining consciousness, he felt pain so immense, he could hardly move. The poison was moving quick and soon, it would ravish his body to the point where his vast storage of antidotes would not work. Being a spy himself, he knew very well the poisons in which assassins use. But like a fool, he had not brought the proper equipment with him. Looking up through blurry eyes, he could see the King right in front of him. The knife in his hand was cold, but hatred in his heart made it burn like a red fire. He wanted so much to kill this man.

"Remember that I don't want you to die so if it does become life or death get out and try again when you're in a better condition."
Well, would Dulcimer consider this a life or death situation? Both he and Adrian would agree. Now was the time to flee. But fleeing would mean Osirus would soon be after Adrian. Adrian, the son of a merchant man would soon be hunted for escaping a massacre. Would he just transform completely into Dulcimer? No...He had to protect his family still. He would still retain Adrian's persona, a now hunted man.

Gathering what strength he could, Adrian pushed himself up from the table. He was releived to see that the Assassin had been grounded from his punch. As blood leaked from his side, Adrian smirked, allowing a little of Dulcimer out.

"Heh, sucker..." Adrian glanced around the room quickly and immediately saw his escape. A window. A single window on the north wall, right above Osirus' dragon head. Getting to his feet, he noticed Osirus was too busy with his possessed Knight. Stumbling forward, he ran at Osirus who turned to him and ducked just in time as Adrian leaped into the air, jumping from the chair to the dragon head. Grappling onto the well stuffed dragon, he clambered up its scaly head and didn't waste as second as he threw himself out the window into freedom.

"Draken! Go after him! Finish the job!!!"
Osirus let out an angry roar as Adrian escaped. But with only a few seconds of warning, Osirus looked up to see the dragon head shudder on its mount, then fell right on top of the King.

[Princess Naahra]

Naahra's eyes narrowed slightly as she watched her mother pull off such a wonderful murder. Slowly, she stood again, ready to attack again, but her brother's cry made her head snap in his direction. For a second, her eyes faded to their beautiful emerald color, and she took a step in his direction.

"Eros!" she cried, her hands going to her pendant, just for her to remember that it wasn't there. Sighing, she turned her head away, her eyes returning to their ghostly blue. Like a wraith, she silently stepped back, simply giving her brother a strange smile that almost seemed to say, 'You did this to yourself, Brother!'

Slowly, she settled back down into her chair, crossing her legs and twirling a lock of her ebony hair, humming a little tune to herself. Despite the fact she seemed rather into her hair at the moment, many other things were running through her head, like what those ten creatures were... Well, whatever they were, they certainly were interesting, and certainly worth trying to draw! /Once I'm finished, I'll show them to Mother and Father and they'll love them!/ she said happily, making her enigmatic smile turn to an ecstatic grin. /I can't wait!/

[Prophet Camine]

<sub>They’ve all gone mad… Humans… The prophet thought as he looked down on his lap. “Forgive me, Erosceles… I cannot help you…” He said as he crossed his legs and continued to stare blankly at the hall. He closed his eyes slowly, relaxing against the chair lightly. For several minutes, he sat there, calm and unmoving until the ground suddenly shook. Camine opened one of his eyes slightly, his eye looking in the direction of where it began. An earthquake? he asked himself, No… The elements are clashing against something… Where did it start? The temple?

A gasp escaped him as his body was suddenly pressed up against the chair by an invisible force that had soon followed the quake. His breath pushed from his body as a silent scream escaped him. His eyes snapped open revealing milky blue eyes that faded into a white as his body went rigid and jerked against the chains holding him. The prophet’s body fell into what appeared to be a seizure of sorts.

Visions attacked his body, flashes of events in the temple appeared in his mind and the… Death of his brother? No, it could not be. No, never, not his brother, not Baphomet! Camine’s fingers dug into his palms causing himself to bleed. Suddenly the seizure stopped as Camine’s spirit left his body.

He stood in the temple of Nocens Atrum, in a frozen scene. Blue eyes looked around at the crumbling temple quietly before his eyes fell upon the Prophet, the ancient, and the traitor. Camine frowned slightly before he moved towards the handsome body and gently placed his hands on the frozen face.

“Brother…” he whispered softly, his eyes turning to look at the chimera. “Won’t you be reborn? Won’t you come back to us?” He asked looking back at him. He knew the answer.

Camine pulled away as he continued to take in the scene, before pausing and looking at the traitor. Curious, he slowly made his way towards the frozen man and looked up at him, noting the change of colored eyes and the obvious power flowing from him. “This power… It seems familiar to me…” he murmured softly. A pause before his eyes went wide. “Nocens Atrum?”

“That’s right,” The traitor’s lips suddenly moved and Camine took a surprised step back. Laties grinned as he moved towards the prophet, a blade forming in his hand.

Camine took several steps back, in fear? Surprise? He did not know. This couldn’t be happening, he shouldn’t be moving, this was nothing more than a photograph he could move in, but… Laties was moving. “You are not Laties Elidd Luhma…” Camine whispered as he backed up against a wall. A smirk formed on Laties’ face as he stopped a few feet away.

“That is correct.” He whispered as he moved the blade to his side. “I am Nocens Atrum.” he chuckled as he swung the sword in a wide arc.

A pained scream escaped the prophet as his spirit flew back into his body and the front of his robes stained red. The prophet’s head jerked back against the seat, his chest heaving feeling the wound across his chest bleed. His eyes were closed tight as he a small whimper escaped him before he slumped against his chair. “Osirus…” He whispered softly not caring if the man could not hear him. “I bring you a vision.”</sub>

[King Osirus]

Only for a moment was the King trapped for after a moment, the King blasted the dragon's head off of him as he stood up, blood rushing down his forehead. His anger was palpable as he let out a furious roar. Draken had gone after Adrian and Takashe was nearly finished with the rest of the men. Israfel lowered Eros in front of him, but the King took one look at him and slapped the boy away. Camine's scream of pain was lost in the final notes of the slaughter requiem. Blood stained the walls, the tables, and every where else. The dining room had been changed into a pool of crimson. But Camine's words snapped Osirus back into reality. As the smell of blood and death grew heavy in the air, Osirus blasted the tables into a shower of splinters as he walked straight to Camine.

"What did you say? A vision? Tell it to me now..." He growled as he slammed both hands on either arm rest. His long black was dripping blood onto Camine as his angered face was brought close to Camine.

"Tell it to me..." He growled. He then snapped a finger and Israfel manipulated the chains to open the doors where maids and servants were waiting to clean up the mess.

[Prophet Camine]

<sub>For several minutes, Camine said nothing before he slowly lifted his face and opened his eyes to a half-lidded state. Milky blue eyes meeting black dead on. “You are no longer alone…” he whispered slowly, his voice shaking slightly as his body trembled with pain from the bleeding wound on his chest. He took a deep ragged breath.

“In the south, where you had sent your troops, the Ex-General Laties Elidd Luhma has made his way to the Odium sword. The long haired thing you called your weapon’s dealer has failed to bring the sword to you and will never be able to return it to you.” Camine moved to sit up straight, wincing slightly as he did but still continued to move till he sat in a proper form. “The Odium sword has been destroyed, it’s pieces can be found scattered in the tomb, but it is no more than useless metal to you know. What Nocens Atrum has sacrificed to create that sword now resides in a different soul. The phantom that caused so much mischief in the south had taken the sword and now is revered as a God in the desert sands of Gurella. The man you once knew as a powerful General has taken a part of Nocens Atrum. The phantom has made its core inside him and has become a second Nocens Atrum…”</sub>

[King Osirus]

Osirus stared at Camine for some time before slowly standing up straight. He never left Camine's blind eyes as he stood, his long hair falling over his shoulders. This was a blow. No, this was more than a blow. This was devastating. Osirus' breath had visibly increased, his rising and falling chest easily seen even despite the heavy garments. His whole body shook, his fingers clenching into a tight and painful fist. His long nails dug into his palm, blood rushing between his fingers. His jaw was set as struggled to gain control over his body. But control was slipping fast as he sucked in air through his clenched teeth.

"The Odium sword...is destroyed?" He finally broke eye contact as he raised a shaking fist and glanced at it. His rich crimson blood fell to the ground with a faint plip ploop sound as his blood mingled with the pools of others underneath. He sucked in breath again, but it looked like as if it did not suffice him. His breathing was becoming irregular and labored. His eyes suddenly shifted color, now brimming with red as he glared at the Prophet below him. Then, without warning, the air in front of Camine exploded. Osirus let out an angered scream as he tossed his head back, his hair billowing out behind him. His face contorted and twisted until his mouth had grown twice its size to hold a large jaw of white jagged teeth. His lips were a bright red color and his ears had grown and split at the tips. Osirus was no longer himself. He had been swallowed by Nocens Atrum's anger and now, the dark god was visible through the King's skin. With speed unseen, a tremendous black arm, clearly not human, but attached to Osirus, slammed into Camine and lifted him, snapping the metal from around his wrists and ankles as he lifted the Prophet into the air.

"You say the Odium sword has been destroyed!? What being could do something like this? Who would even dare to touch that sword? You say what I sacrificed to create that sword has been taken away!? Impossible!!" Osirus' voice was not his own anymore. It was low and grating, like a demon straight from hell. He roared in anger, servants and maids screaming and fleeing the room in fear. He glared at the Prophet in his hand.

"What a worthless Prophet you are...tell me, there better be a way to fix this or I will add your blood to what has been spilled tonight!" He bellowed.

Eros lay sobbing in the blood on the floor, his white clothes stained with red. His arm hurt terribly, as did his face. He looked to where Naahra sat contently and closed his eyes against the pain. He had lost his sister. She was gone...again. He let out a sob, but it was short lived as Osirus suddenly attacked the Prophet. Eros gasped and sat up. Camine is in trouble...Erosceles...be brave...Nocens Atrum will kill the Prophet! He will not let your father live! You must do something...[/b] But what can I do? I have no power and my sister won't help me! I am with you Eros...if you do my bidding, I will always keep you safe...Just touch your Father...Nocens Atrum will not be able to withstand the unfathomable love you have for your family...[/b]

Eros swallowed and frowned. He was frightened beyond all belief as he stared at the monstrous hand that grasped Camine. His heart raced, but he knew he had to do something. So, without another thought, he ran at Osirus. Gasping onto his hips, Eros wrapped his arms tightly around the King.

"What the..." Osirus looked down at Eros with his blood red eyes. He growled irritably.

"Get away you little pest!" He growled. As he raised his hand, however, suddenly, he lurched forward, releasing the Prophet. His eyes widened and he looked back down at Eros again.

"What the..." He roared in anger and shoved the boy away, but it was too late. Osirus' body gave a violent lurch and all marks of Nocens Atrum dissipated slowly, leaving the King standing there, gasping. Bringing a hand to his head, be beckoned to Takashe and Israfel. [/size]

[enigma]

"Sssooooo... I sssuppossse I missssed all the fun?"

As the doors opened and the slaves stepped in, there was one distinct figure amongst them that managed to slide in silently, except for the silent hissing of twenty serpents that writhed about her head. "Forgive my tardinesss, majessstiesss," she hissed, bowing to the king and queen. Based on seeing the servants fleeing due to the king's anger, Marissa realized that his Majesty must not have been in a good mood... The smirk upon her ruby lips twitched and grew slightly as she tightened her grip upon her zanba-tou. "I would've come earlier, but it ssseemsss I have found a worthy sssource of information in one of the wormsss in the Blood Chamber... He ssseemsss to know quite a bit about three femalesss... The Lusssstful Prophet, a mysssteriousss fox-like artissst, and that bunny-eared lieutenant of yoursss... He ssseemsss to know here they all are at the time..."

The marax let out a quiet laugh, which, in all actuality, was more like a series of quick, short hisses. "And, for your majesssty, I have left the worm alive, ssso you may quessstion him yourssself..." Her tongue slipped from her mouth and licked away a spatter of blood upon her cheek. "Though, if you want to sssee him, I sssuggessst you come quickly... I didn't leave much life in him..."

[heavensinger]

A single candle, split the darkness into shades of gold and grey. The room was small, cold and covered with mould. The walls were bare, naked except for the mildew and fungi clinging for dear life against the large bricks. Furniture was held aback in this room, to say the least. a bed, crudely made from splintered wood and rust nails sat against the western wall, elevating a tired, lumpy, stained old mattress.
The eastern facing wall held a box made of drift wood. Its contents consisted of womanly materials, a single well worn dress and a lock of hair, black, with a slight kink. The strands looked mature- like they had seen many days but little labour. This was the kings hair, held together with a pink ribbon. The room looked hundred of years old and forgotten.
That is, except for one female form. She sat in the half-light, on her knees before an old trunk which had never been opened and a ancient, and a white candle propped up in a green wine bottle.
Miao watched a grim massacre ensue through her bedroom window.

The large, crusty window looked across a courtyard to a dinning room. Her meager candle swallowed whole by the kings glorious chandeliers. Miao must have been sitting here for a while. A few hours at the most, waiting for the dinner to start. Yes, she had been invited but chose not to come.

"Come to the dinner or wait in your room, I don't care..."

The kings words filled her with joy. Dancing through her broken mind like a rag doll. The King had saved me! Miao smiled. The king must care, for he saved my life- she thought. Not even considering that maybe King Osiris didnt care too much whether she lived or died so, left the invite open.
This didnt bother Miao. Miao's almost insane adoration for King Osiris had left major holes in her reasoning. She almost thought that she graced the earth only to be by the Kings side, to aid him. To adore him from afar. And quite possibly, this attachment to the King would consume her.

But for now, Miao watched every death, every move from the king. From her bedroom window opposite. Because she would hear if he called. Miao, could sense it.

[King Osirus]

Osirus stood there for a moment, his breath torn from him in ragged breaths. His whole night had just blown up in his face. His whole flawless plan had been destroyed by an incompetent assassin and a tricky little fly. He had suffered more injuries in this one night than his whole life combined and yet, it was as if everyone was ignoring it. He was furious. Not to mention that the Odium sword has been destroyed. Destroyed! Its gone! Nocens Atrum's sword has been destroyed![/i] It was the worst scenario in any case with the exception of all of the swords being destroyed. But it couldn't top the frightening experience he just had. His own son, blessed with the white purity of Lumen had touched him. Touched him and sent Nocens Atrum fleeing from his body for who knows how long. He was vulnerable, powerless...but he could not let anyone see this. He would not let anyone know how powerless he was at this moment. As Israfel came to his side, Marissa had entered as well. Two of his most powerful underlings. He needed to show his power over this situation or he would strike uncertainty in the hearts of those around him. Taking a breath, he beckoned Israfel closer to him.

"Israfel, I want Laties dead. I don't care what it takes. I want his head on a silver platter in my lap. I want you to kill him. But we must first destroy the Order so he has no one to protect him. You and Takashe must hurry and prepare the attack. We must kill them as fast as we can," Osirus growled. Israfel nodded and took leave quickly. He then stood straight and tall as he addressed Marissa.

"The Lustful Prophet huh? I know nothing of this artist you speak about, but I am quite interested in the Prophet and finding my Lieutenant. I will be in the Blood Chamber soon enough. I will meet you there," he said. He then turned to the others in the room.

"Takashe, make sure to be prepared for this war. I will not have any mistakes made on my behalf. Naahra, take your brother and toss him in his room. And someone tell Maio to meet Marissa and I in the Blood Chamber. And get this mess cleaned up..." Osirus grumbled as he walked across the pool of blood to follow Marissa.

::Israfel, Osirus Out:: [/color] [/size]

[heavensinger]

The females figure bowed silently. Her alien-like eyes sparkling delightfully before a dieing candle. The wind whistled through the door. A pale, mysterious creature haunting the bowls of her dwelling understanding all that she had seen. All that had happened. In Miao's clenched fists, the kings hair lay pinned to her chest. And from her lips, poured a prayer just for a Nobel. Commoners prayers were not strong enough. Not elegant enough for such a man of high stature. A smile danced on Miao's white face, a twisted smile. From a woman, addicted...

"I will go to the blood chamber now... I serve only you...." The candles light, went out...

.:Miao's of to the blood chamber:.