Balast sat back.

"I was born in the void - a very long time ago.  I came here following a call of sorts.  Tell me of yourself and your history.  Mine own is of limited interest I am afraid."

"I am of the Lineage of Farsamn, and the gifts given to us are mystery and the ability to project ourselves through time. I am of the Wanderers, a sacred astrologist and cunning musician - and small-time weapons smuggler. Besides that, there's not much else to tell. I'm here because of the view of the illusionary stars. It pleases me. Now, friend, who are you to be born in the gaping Void?"

Balast sank forwards as paradox hit him.

"Dust.  That really is it.  I can't stop it and I don't think anyone can now.  How the conclave could have let this happen I don't know - they're insane or completely out of control.  They have to know they have started a war at a level they can't hope to win or for anyone else to win."

Standing he bowed to Dxacku.

"Tell Max that Raelis is dead.  He was forced to die by Ruse's actions to attempt to save the conclave from something much worse than that their own actions have unleashed.  The tree is doomed unless the conclave can be stopped but I lack the power to do it.  Marcento has been assassinated by the conclave and war is at hand.  The kind of war I remained with Marduk to prevent.  Osiris has the last word in his grasp and no-one even understands the risks that entails.  I am Balast, Voidborn aspect of Destruction.  Yggdrasil's bane and the Last to Die.  Have you travelled back in time ever to the beginning?  To when the twelve worked together to build the world?  To the breaking where three broke from the council?  To the end where Eridu died in dust?  That is the fate of the tree now unless someone can be found to stop it and believe me that is not in my power even if I had my full power."

"Hey, man, please," begged Dxacku. "It's cool talking metaphysics and Yggdrasil and all with you, man, but it's all suddenly gotten a bit heavy. Relax, have a mug of wine. It's good, I promise."

Balast laughs bitterly.

"Pass my message on.  If Max wants me he knows where to look if he thinks clearly enough.  If he wishes to remain in the conclave I have no interest in speaking to him.  The conclave is evil and my duty to the tree is to destroy it before it destroys the tree.  For yourself you will have to choose.  I have no ill-will to anyone who wishes to remain outside the war that comes but this tree is my responsibility and unless a miracle occurs I will raise the abyss to perform my duty.  Consider this - your existance and very being may now depend on your willingness to act rather than your love of inaction.  Destruction is the final fate of the tree, dust is not.  Oh and remember this Dxaku, Lis has returned and despaired on repairing the tree.  This is the end of time unless something happens and that something is not in my hands."

The portal opens around him and the dust of Litheris swirls through it.

"Sure thing, uh, boss," said Dxacku, grinning nervously.

There was a storm - a soul incarnate - final words - a death -

And Balast was in Litheris.

Maxillita returned, slightly worse for wear. She smiled at Dxacku, walking over to the table. She selected a sushi roll from what was laid out, put a little wasabi on it, and her eyes went wide when her nose burned. Once she had recovered, she spoke. "Sorry I took so long coming back! Where we we? Right! I was trying to procure some Earthborn weaponry. I'm currently.. 602,246 conclave stones conclave stones in debt, so I can't pay you that way.. perhaps a favor?

"Ah, welcome back, Max," said Dxacku, sipping at a bottle of wine. "There was a God here wanting to speak with you. Scary fellow. Black eyes. Left a message. Someone called Rayles is dead. Ruse killed him. The Tree is going to die, we're all doomed, boohoo.. um. Osiris knows his words.."

Dxacku chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry, I can't remember the rest.."

He nodded.

"Weaponry, huh? Well.. maybe we could, um, dance for it?"

She blinked."I've never danced before.. I mean, I've seen the Foxgirls dance, but I don't really know how.. what do you mean, 'dance for it'?

"Best dancer wins the lot. I'm thinking of getting out of the game, personally. Maybe floating towards a pilgrimage of sorts. As for the dancing.." Dxacku grinned. "You do not learn 'dance'. You feel dance. Dance is in the heart; it is in the family. If you have it, you have it."

"Hmm. Alright. Fierce, you know the score."

A hologram of Fierce fizzled into appearance; he was wielding a wicked eight-string guitar.

Maxilita centered herself as he began to play, a light tune like the wind..

Stars have died, planets.. have aligned, with new friends..

She moved swiftly and with grace, wind swirling around her and her sword, which she wielded as an extension of herself.

.. and in this time we have met again, are we new friends?

She swung the heavy blade, pulling herself into a tight spin balanced on one foot.

We're aligned and you're telling me it's not coincidence.. that we are the same as the stars, i don't agree.. but i like it.

She slipped out of the spin, holding a hand up towards the sky.

Fierce was focused on the guitar; but he has creating more sounds than just that. He was an entire band unto himself.

Your eyes are still black, you can't help that, I think it makes you easier to look at.."

Her movements became subtle and swift, stealthy rather than the bold movements of before.

Dark colours absorb any light that shines, like your body was built to be soft.. on my.. eyes...

The music ended, but she continued, in another world now.. one of shadows and stars, beacons of light- a spreading darkness- a flicker- standing stark against the shadows- a gathering flame- an inferno..
This message was last edited by the player at 14:28, Wed 03 Feb 2010.

Dxacku had laughed when he saw the apparition of Fierce appear to play the guitar, and had danced with Max. The Wanderer danced strongly, sharply, with all the skill expected of a species that prided themselves in their dance. The music hummed, and Dxacku blurred as he danced. The song sped up, and the two danced until Dxacku fell on his back, panting and laughing.

"I'm not sure who won that won.." he said, grinning.

"The one who won was the one who had the most fun. Honestly, I think FIerce won- he's still playing!"

The low reverberations of Fierce's rapid base solo could still be heard. He was enjoying this little bit of freedom.

"Hah, yes, I agree," said Dxacku. "Well, you've certainly impressed me. You may take the weapons. I've been looking to get out of the business for a long while, anyway. I think I might like to see the stars again.."

Maxillita recovered herself and walked to the case, gently opening it. "Oh, stick by me. I tend to get into fun situations."

Dxacku laughed. "Perhaps, perhaps. Nevertheless - take the guns. Tell me, friend, what is your plan now? Are you inviting me to stay with you, perhaps, in this fair floating castle?"

"It's pretty much open lodging- you can take a room in the guest quarters. My plan is to destroy Osiris-Ra. That's pretty much it." She said clearly.

"I see," said Dxacku. "You wish to destroy the Dread Lord of Force and Fire. A noble, if foolish, task."

Maxillita grinned. "A fool I am. Common sense is for commoners, after all! Unfortunately, I've got to head over to Anik's realm, under penalty of death as usual. See ya soon, Dxacku."

Maxillita disappeared, and a flock of white doves flew from where she had stood, disappearing into the heavens.

Dxacku shrugged, sitting back down to eat.

There was a storm - the eyes of a tiger - fifteen mechanical spiders -

And he was in Bounty!

A flock of doves flew from the the skies towards the ground, coalescing into the form of the Heroine.

Blade in hand and shield at ready, she strode towards the main dining hall where she expected Dxacku to be.

"Dxay! We have to slay a great evil attacking Alkan and trying let loose the Floods and destroy the tree or something! C'mon, it's an adventure!" She shouted, heading back across the central courtyard and heading to the most secure room of the castle, where her Methodes Gate lay in the form of an elegant pool.

Assuming Dxacku arrives and comes along, she throws a self into the pool, to Alkan.

She would then go the central altar, and place her sword there. She went to her knees.

"Divine Master Sword- the name by which I christened you what may be my last battle approaches. If we are to survive, I must know your full power and how to use it. What must I do?" she said with complete sincerity. With one hand on the blade, she awaited it's reply.

"I am prepared," said Dxacku, and he was. Dressed in glimmering, shining armour, of a deep ceremonial blue, Max felt envy at the protection - it was more finely wrought than anything else he'd ever seen. In his hands was a long blade made of the same blue metal, also crafted to perfection. Engraved upon its blade were the words: Rest in Yarkhrakash, my Brother.

They fell into Alkan.

"I speak to all metals, and command the winds and the waters," said the Divine Master Sword, once again falling silent. "I belong to you, but you are no hero."

"If I am not the Hero, then let me stripped of my strength; and let the world die for lack of a savior. I have no purpose other than being a Hero. It is my essence and my truth. I am not a True Hero; no, I have not yet earned that honor. I haven chosen, but I have yet to fulfill my destiny. Without you, I never will." She said.

"If it is your intention to quit at being a hero," said the Divine Master Sword, "Then quit. Stop playing at games larger than you can possibly imagine. You have patrons. You are lucky. You might still succeed if you can purge yourself of arrogance."

Suddenly, Max realized that paradox couldn't allow him to be in Xi and Alkan, and he disappeared, the Divine Master Sword clattering to the ground. He would have to fight this battle without it.

(Max, please try not to cheat paradox. If this was an honest mistake, okay, but  come on..)
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:31, Wed 21 Apr 2010.

(ALKAN is an RP PUBLIC, isn't it? I mean, it's an event.. if that's so then I suppose I don't talk with the Master Sword)