Lyenis

[Zet]

Common Difficulty: Formerly Lightweight, now Difficult

Lyenis the Harbor City was well known for its commerce before the changing times, causing the harbor to be devastated during the siege and set ablaze. Many of the buildings are in ruin with few remaining to be used by people resisting, but those who resist are now few and far between. Many of the boats have been damaged and burned, with a few that remain for use. Even those are likely a matter of time, making time of the essence for any who is passing through this once beautiful harbor city.

[Phen]

Their time walking through the forest after the battle only affording them a short time to administer medicine to Jax. Still accompanied by the animals of the forest as they traversed, he pondered on if they were following, guarding, or cautiously watching. Coming out through the jungles of Fauntaria, the light of the burning city only broke through the foliage as the duo was approaching the edge. As the dim orange glow of the harbor's burning boats came into view, Sorin made a grim face beneath his cowl. The words of the bandits were indeed true that this path was of much greater peril than theirs. Stopping at the edge of the forest looking toward the town in the distance, he handed yet another potion to Jax.

"We need to be in proper shape if we're going to make it through." His head turned down slightly and paused, then took his spare hand and pulled his hood back to show his face. Staring intently at the harbor's flames and the sounds of combat or terror within.

"I hate to put it like this, but if we're going to have a chance to get out, we need to move quickly. We won't have time to stop for anything except ourselves. It's already a lost cause here, so we better hope we can find a boat and get out to sea."

[shast]

Jax finishes the potion he had started on the way through the jungle. Pocketing the empty vial as to not litter and accepts the second from Sorin, taking a moment to bask in the ruin of the village before them. He nods at his ally's council and flips some loose scrap from his how shredded armor. He had owned these clothes for years but the brutal melees of the last week had truly put them to the test. Perhaps the duo would be able to salvage a repair kit or a replacement in his size from the wreckage of a shop on their way to the docks. Stealth isn't Jax's strength so he would err on Sorins guidance to navigate this suburban area, supporting him by pointing out potential ambush points as they moved.

(Jax consumes 1 potion for +24VP, 129 + 24 = 154/245)

[Wraith]

They would be able to navigate their way safely to one of the ruined shops and in so doing discover what had likely laid siege to this place. There were markings not unlike the ones they had seen at the capital, likely meaning they were beset by the black knights once more. But to go beyond that, there didn't appear to be any in direct sight, at least not initially. They would be able to hear the slow gallop of a horse not unlike the one they had faced with the mighty rider of before. There was another who rode upon the beast, its glowering eyes looking about as this one carried what appeared to be a great axe in one hand. It would be difficult to tell them apart from their armor, so it appeared as though the weapon would have to be the clear indicator. It was likely looking for survivors, of which they could find bodies littering the streets or mounted to posts for display for all to see in a barbaric display. If they waited for the rider to get far enough, they could likely make a break for one of the not burning boats. But more likely was that if they weren't ablaze yet, it was on the list of things to do that they would be opting to soon enough. If the rider was monitoring the city, there were likely others at the harbor proper or maybe even survivors.

Purchases from the General Weapon and Armor store are free of charge. Item store is destroyed and inaccessible.

[shast]

Foraging in the ruins of a dessicated shop Jax finds exactly what he needs, armor somehow in good condition despite the turmoil around it. He takes the time to equip it properly and stash his previous gear in a sack that he's been carrying his goods in. The knight that patrolled the area reminded him of the one from the city just days ago. While the challenge perked his interest the warrior knew where his priorities should be. Departure. He gestures to Sorin who had also rummaged the shop for goods to indicate his disinterest in confronting the axe wielding foe.

[Phen]

Sorin likewise was able to find exactly what he was looking for, including a generically sold spellbook which could improve his combat effectiveness. It was a great luck that the ruin had not reached these shops yet and the ones who left did so in a hurry. Out of his periphery he noticed Jax's motion to catch his attention, and then to the warrior outside of the shop they were raiding. He shook his head in agreement but reiterated the sentiment regardless.

"We only fight them if we have to, priority one is a ship or something to get out of here. Priority two can be heroics."

Sorin's clothing was fairly befitting of staying out of sight, but amongst the crackle of the harbor set aflame, his dark clothing and subtle movements afforded little, while Jax's armor would be harder to hear amongst the burning buildings. Still, re-equipped and ready, they would wait for the opportune moment and slip by the axe rider and make their way to the harbor in great haste. In the chance they could find a boat not yet set alight.

[Wraith]

Their advance took them to the docks, where they managed to elude the axe rider but found themselves face to face with another grueling sight instead. If the rider was hunting or rounding up other survivors, this was the site they were taken to. For the ones not yet mounted up, other black knights not riding steeds were impaling and butchering the remaining masses they could find. Some had been left to burn upon some of the boats, while others were being cut down. There were still a few boats not alight, though those posed a different problem for them. Near them were individuals in ragged clothes, riddled with holes and gashes. The fell arts used to resurrect them not unlike the animated mass that they happened upon at the start of the trip to the capital. These were some of the ronin who stood for the harbor city and failed, now used as sentries for the boats out. They would need to force their way through them quickly in order to not be pursued by others, especially what was likely the leader of this attack force.

[Stalking Menace]

[Phen]

His decisive show of force upon the docks had created the opening needed to make an escape possible, but the path to their escape vessel had fallen away as a result. At least the simple path was gone, swimming was an option, but they had just put the risen in the drink for fear of defeat. Jax might be able to make it in a mighty leap, but that was a risk all its own if he missed. In the moment as the docks were falling away, Sorin kept looking for a solution other than one he was already aware of.

The solution presented to him years past, to pact with this one present within. The same name he had muttered in the city earlier, the name he had given the presence he felt within. It had not spoken in the traditional way, but at a certain age its powers began to manifest, and natural aptitude with dark magic, basic magic formed in his mind naturally and he could feel within something making these changes happen. Its form had appeared to him once after he had begun traveling, having manifested abruptly as he was still settling down in a new town and its visage wreathed in roiling shadows soiling his reputation quickly. Though it only attempted to reach out to Sorin himself at the time, the only sound it seemed to make was what he had taken to be the name. It seemed to respond to it, so it was well enough. Sorin could tell that Sizz'ik wanted something, it seemed all he had to do was to consent and see what happened, but he had never taken that chance. But now he wanted something in return, he could tell whatever Sizz'ik was, it held power that he could use to create a chance at escaping certain doom, and better to take a chance than die.

In the moment he allowed the standing offer to be met, he faltered on his feet as if feeling a sudden loss of blood, stumbling backward but catching himself before falling. Sweating, he looked to the boat, then to Jax, and steadied himself. Shadows roiling around his torso, a faint pale light grew at the edge. The swirling of shadows like water contained within the light grew more violent, and in an instant exploded out of his back from the light. Wings dripping with inky shadow sprouted from Sorin's back and the light which had tried to contain them fell upon the darkness splattered out. The pact, or whatever was to call it, was complete.

Stepping up slowly to Jax, he reached out to the giant man and took his hand by the wrist, leading to his own. "Don't let go of me, I might not be able to hold a grip" were the only words spoken, done so with a weary look from beneath his shroud. Without waiting for a response from his silent companion, a beat of his new wings lifted he and his passenger off the dock into the air toward the boat. As expected, his body fell limp as the first major wing beat pushed them toward the boat, and barely conscious amateur gliding would be able to make it the rest of the way to the boat. The landing however was not in the plan, and as soon as they were clearly above the still intact vessel, the wings faded away leaving the two to plummet onto their escape vehicle.

[shast]

Jax gripped his weapon tighter as the dock gave way. Sorins shadowy visage gripped his free wrist and at his allies comment Jax responded with a return grab. The large man was surprised that his companion was able to lift the both of them into the air as high as he did given Jax's large size and heavy weapon but was more relieved at not being in the water with the undead.

He felt Sorins body ragdoll at the apex of the ascent, dropping them onto the boat below. While they fell Jax gripped the wrist a little tighter and double flinging motion slung Sorin onto his large back to act as a cushion for the fall. As they were about to strike the deck Jax brought his bardiche to bear to act as a counterforce to buffer their descent to a reasonable level and further protect Sorin.

Now on the boat Jax put his weary partner down and proceeded to attempt to get the boat ready to move. Knowing a minimal amount about sailing, only that a sail was involved, he set about trying to unfurl that sail and tie the rope down to something that looked appropriate.

[Wraith]

Time was of the essence, but Sorin's contract and Jax's knowledge of the situation they found themselves in would have them able to prepare to set sail as haphazardly as possible in these circumstances. That was all it would take for them to begin to set sail for a destination with a faint hope that they would hopefully make it to their planned destination. A dark cloud hung over the harbor city as they left as if to signal the storm that was coming in... and the very one that passed them now. Even from this distance they could feel it peering back at them, ominous crimson orbs with the devilish glint behind them. Cold air crystallizing beside them as if it was breathing with them as they departed, the loud and powerful neighing of the horse in the distance. They had escaped the den of darkness to be cast adrift, but for how long and to what end? What would they do next? And what of those that would be left behind in the ruin to follow? Would Jax have anyone to return to for those left behind to protect what was left of their sect with knowledge that some of them yet lived?

Those were thoughts no longer required for those who managed to survive. All they could do was think about how to continue doing just that and hoping that the dark shadow of death would be eluded for a time longer still...