Rise of the Pheonix

Prologue

It has been almost thirteen thousand years since the Gods have walked
the earth there were seven gods five brothers and two sisters they were
Valin god of the earth and lord of the mountains, Saleth goddess of
water and master of the oceans, Dragull god of the air and ruler of the
skies, Dimt?r god of order and bringer of justice, Eisha Goddess of
life and protector of the forests, Gayahir god of fire and Carhirion
god of death and master of the afterlife.

All seven gods and goddess lived in a peaceful harmony and each one was
a member of the council. Whenever a decision needed to be made or an
argument settled all seven gods and goddess's would meet at the Island
of Thaliur. This island was in the very center of the world. At the
very heart of Thaliur was a huge mountain known as Menethon at the peak
of this mountain is a huge stone archway upon this is engraved the very
history of our world. This archway is known as heaven's gate and leads
to the Ether realm it is from here that the Gods draw their power.
Around the archway stand seven stone pillars in front of each of these
was a golden throne upon which the gods would sit when they met.

One of the god's discussed often was the creation of followers all
except Carhirion agreed that the creation of followers was a good idea
yet they could not agree on what the followers should be like. It was
Eisha who finally settled this argument, each god was to create a race
in their own image and they alone would be responsible for protecting
and teaching them.

So it passed that the first races were born, Valin brought into being
the Dwarves a proud and physically strong people who lived deep in the
mountains. Eisha created the Elves a proud and valiant people who lived
in and protected the forests. Gayahir breathed life into the desert
dwelling Tal'Enr?d. Dragull brought to the life the Draconis. These
appeared to be elven in nature yet in their blood was that of a dragon
meaning at will they could change themselves into a form of hybrid
dragon. Saleth gave life to the Kalliss these are a tall lizard like
race that lived deep in the ocean. Dimt?r brought into being the
ambitious and enduring race of men. Carhirion never created a race deep
down he created and reigned over the realms of the afterlife.

All six races lived in a peaceful harmony until a division arouse in
the race of elves some wished to leave the forests in which they were
born and explore the world others wished to stay. The goddess Eisha
decreed that the race of elves two the T?rasir and Val'shir elves yet
that although both of them would be ruled separately a council would be
formed of ten T?rasir elves and ten Val'shir elves. To settle disputes
the high priestess of Eisha would have the deciding vote. The council
of elves would be convened to decide on all issues affecting both races
for centuries the elves lived in un rivalled splendour and knew nothing
but peace.

Deep down in the depths of the world Carhirion secretly created the
demons by twisting the form of the other races using foul magic,
torture and mutation the greatest of these demons Carhirion created he
named Carfacion. Carfacion was made from Carhirion's own flesh and
blood and was fed the blood of the other races. Carhirion had grown
jealous of his brothers and sisters and sought to steal the world of
the living from them. Carfacion was created for one purpose to lead
Carhirion's army of demons yet Carfacion grew too strong for Carhirion
to control and after a mighty battle Carfacion defeated his former
master and took his form.

In the lands of the T?rasir elves the phoenix lord L?lindir Firr?ion
had two sons R?mil and D?riach. L?lindir had ruled as phoenix lord for
nigh on three centuries and as he grew tired of the world chose R?mil
to be his successor this enraged D?riach who was the eldest son.
Carfacion spoke to D?riach in his dreams he preyed on the princes hate
and jealousy of his brother. Carfacion offered D?riach power and wealth
beyond his dreams as well as the thing D?riach wanted most revenge upon
his brother in exchange D?riach would have to renounce Eisha and
embrace and worship him instead. D?riach resisted the dark gods offer
for many years yet as he saw his brother become more powerful and
popular his envy and hate grew until eventually he accepted Carfacion's
offer.

D?riach then convinced other like minded elves to renounce Eisha and
worship the god of blood as Carfacion had become known, these followers
in turn convinced others and it was thus that the numbers of
Carfacion's followers grew numerous. Then on the eve of The Awakening
the most sacred and holy day to the elven people D?riach and his
followers stormed into the court of the Phoenix lord and slew L?lindir
and his advisors.

So began the sundering of the elven nation where brother fought against
brother and father against son. After nearly two centuries of fighting
the T?rasir elves led by R?mil Firr?ion managed to push the followers
of D?riach or the Lhunur elves as they became known back towards the
ocean by the. D?riach himself was grievously wounded in battle by R?mil
and he fled with his followers with the aid of his dark sorcerers to
the far north into black lands of Mithhithion. D?riach lay dying from
his wounds on the ground when Carfacion appeared to him and offered to
save him from his fate. D?riach hastily accepted the dark gods offer
Carfacion then sealed D?riach in a suit of black armour and said that
as long as he drank the warm blood of the living every night he would
live and be strong.

The other gods were enraged by Carfacion's actions and Dragull, Valin,
Gayahir and Dimt?r fought their way into the black citadel in the
underworld and once there Dimt?r challenged Carfacion to single combat.
After a battle that lasted three days and nights Carfacion was
eventually defeated yet while he lay wounded he swore he would return.
Valin, Dragull, Gayahir and Dimt?r combined their strength to send
Carfacion into the Abyss. The Abyss was a hell dimension created by all
of the gods as a place to send the souls of the damned. Dragull, Valin,
Gayahir and Dimt?r ventured back to Thaliur here they met with Eisha
and Saleth the six of them then discussed at length the treachery of
Carhirion and how best to deal with the threat of Carfacion. Eventually
after much discussion the gods decided to leave the world and return to
the ether realm.

To deal with Carfacion before they left they entrusted to each of their
races a piece of a potent talisman along with the prophecy of the
Luindall. The prophecy of the Luindall stated that when the god of
blood should arise a warrior would rise from the dead bearing the mark
of the gods he was the chosen of the gods, he was to be known as the
Luindall and he shall defeat the god of blood and bring about the
Reckoning. In order for him to do this the chosen one must acquire all
the pieces of the talisman the gods left behind and pray at the shrine
of each of the gods before travelling to Thaliur to receive the power
of the gods.

Chapter 1: Bloodhounds

It was a cloudless and dry night, Inside Tanhilion's black raven inn
though the air was thick with smoke and full of the shouts, cheers and
laughter of its patrons tonight was a particularly busy night. One
particular patron looked particularly out of place in such a gathering.
A tall crimson armoured stranger who sat alone at a table by the back
wall. Two things marked this patron as being odd for one he wasn't
drinking and the second was that he was an elf. The elf's gaze were
fixed on the door when through them stepped a shadowy figure covered
almost head to toe in an emerald green cloak that seemed to shimmer and
change in colour.

The figure strode elegantly towards the elf as he reaches him he pulls
up a free chair and sits down merely stating in a resonating
voice

"Have you been waiting long?". A cold unfeeling voice came from the elf
as he replied to the cloaked figure's question

"Long enough are you the one called Elerosse of Dorathion?"

The resonating voice of the clocked figure issued forth once
more

"That's a name I haven't heard in a long time I am Elerosse Shadowblade
now, but that was once my name", at this time the cloaked figure
removed his hood to reveal his face. He had long blonde hair down to
his shoulders, delicately pale skin and pointed ears all of which
marked him as being elven.The crimson armoured elf cleared his throat
then he spoke again,

"I am, Cirdan Celebrindal and I have a job for you bounty hunter" when
speaking of Elerosse's profession he gave him a look of disgust
Elerosse ignored this he merely replied,

"What, and how much are you willing to pay?" Cirdan regained his
composure

"My lord, Findecano Elendil requests that you locate and rescue his
daughter Larien Elendil for this task he willing to pay ten thousand
ducats. He is also willing to pay a further seven thousand ducats for
the man responsible for her kidnapping" The cold resonating tone of
Elerosse issued his reply

"Who has her?" Cirdan's voice was full of anger as he replied

"A foul bandit by the name of Krieger Eisengaurd of the Blood hounds"
This last statement sparked a memory in Elerosse he could not hide, He
had past encounters with the Bloodhounds they were a vile bunch of
ruffians even for bandits.

Cirdan spoke again smiling slightly "I see you know of whom I
speak"

Elerosse regained his composure "We have unfinished business, tell your
lord I accept his offer I shall return with his daughter and the head
of that scum at no extra charge".

The two shook hands and as Elerosse turned to walk away Cirdan spoke
once more "You are to bring both to the Phoenix Lord's court in
Celebd?lin"

When Elerosse turned to reply he found Cirdan had vanished he cursed
himself for being so rash but it was too late now he had agreed.
Elerosse strode out of the black raven inn and into the night he
thought to his self

"This is not going to be easy".

Elerosse walked swiftly and gracefully from the inn through the long
moist grass towards the stable. Once there he handed the stable boy his
pay and walked up to an elegant looking black stallion. Patting the
horse on the neck and whispered something in elvish to the stallion
before leading him outside and mounting the horse. Elerosse whispered
to the stallion

"Looks like we have a hard job this time Ryn, Looks like we will be
going home after all". At the last words Ryn's ears pricked up and he
nodded as a sign of understanding. With that Elerosse set of along the
winding forest paths.

It took three days for Elerosse to find the place he was seeking after
travelling through the thick woodland. Elerosse noticed a clearing
ahead and some smoke rising into the otherwise clear night sky.
Elerosse dismounted from Ryn and moved silently forward to investigate
as he reached the edge of the clearing he saw that this was the place
he was seeking. In the centre of the clearing was a run down looking
two story building which had once had been the seven star inn before it
had been turned into the permanent home of the bloodhounds. The
authorities didn't bother the bloodhounds as long as they got a share
of the loot. Elerosse was one of the few people who knew the location
of the bloodhound's hideout as he had been a quest there and was lucky
to leave alive. Elerosse scanned the perimeter he was glad to find that
there were only two sentries, knowing the bloodhound's as Elerosse did
he knew most of them were probably out pillaging or drunk in some
tavern or other.

After carefully double checking Elerosse removed his longbow and quiver
from Ryn's saddle. Elerosse returned to the edge of the clearing
notched his bow and fired his first arrow it went straight through the
neck of the first sentry blood bubbled from the dead mans lips as he
tried to call out as he collapsed, Before his comrade could raise the
alarm he had two arrows embedded in his chest. Elerosse swiftly and
silently approached the decaying building as he did he was overcome
with the smell of rot and decay. Elerosse climbed silently and swiftly
up a trestle to the second floor and entered though an open
window.

Elerosse found himself in an empty storage room Elerosse moved swiftly
and silently through the room being careful on the decaying
floorboards. As Elerosse stepped through the door he saw two sentries
standing guard at a room down the hall before either man could draw a
weapon, Elerosse had fired his bow three times in quick succession one
landing in a guard's eye and the other two in the other guard's leg and
chest both men fell silently to the floor. Elerosse swiftly crossed the
hall and picked the lock on the now unguarded door.

As Elerosse entered he found himself in a dimly lit room and he was not
alone, standing in the middle of the room was a huge giant of a man
covered almost completely in scars Elerosse recognised this man at once
it was Krieger Eisengaurd leader of the bloodhounds, On his back
Krieger carried a huge two handed sword which had been aptly called
"Orcslayer" by its previous owner a templar of the black panthers call
Alric Gorefist. Also present in the room were Krieger's lieutenants
Siri Krak a huge man from the frozen north stood nothing but fur
leggings and carrying a huge two handed hammer. The other man was a
slender old man who was almost as scarred as Krieger this man was
called Valkirn all Elerosse knew bout this man was he was a Tanhilean
and he was very good with the crossbow he was carrying. Krieger
bellowed an earthshaking laugh then in a deep booming voice said

"Well, well if it isn't Elerosse thought you were dead come to visit
have you". At the back of the room there was a forth person tied to a
wooden chair sat an unmistakably elven lady bound and gagged.

Elerosse surveyed his situation then dropped his longbow realising it
wouldn't help him now. Elerosse then threw off his cloak to reveal for
the first time his armour; He was wearing a silvery suit of chainmail
and plate armour with a golden phoenix emblazoned on the breastplate,
the armour shimmered revealing its magical origin. At Elerosse's side
he carried a longsword, across his back he carried a two handed called
"Phoenix claw" this blade had a golden dragon for a hilt into which
green gems had been place to form the eyes. Across Elerosse's chest he
had a bandolier which housed a dozen throwing knifes each with a dragon
head at the hilt, tied in a holster to Elerosse's left leg was a curved
dagger.

Krieger's lieutenants stared in disbelief at Elerosse and his armament,
Krieger merely snarled like a wild wolf. In the blink of an eye
Elerosse had thrown two of his daggers at Valkirn one of which landed
in the mans face the other hit the man in the chest Valkirn screamed in
agony as he hit the floor with a thud. At the sight of his comrades
death Siri charged at Elerosse emitting a blood curdling war cry as he
swung his hammer in a deadly arc at Elerosse's head, Elerosse dodged
the mans swing and swiftly drew his longsword and there was a sound of
crunching bone as the blade was brought into the mans back severing the
Siri's spine. Krieger bellowed in rage and swung his two handed sword
at Elerosse,

Elerosse parried the blow and sparks flew as the blades met, With
surprising strength Elerosse pushed back Krieger as the giant man
stumbled backwards Elerosse run his longsword through Krieger's chest
as blood ran from the mans lips, Elerosse severed krieger's head with
his curved dagger before kicking the dead man from his sword. Elerosse
retrieved his throwing knifes, bagged Krieger's head in a sack, cleaned
his weapons with a piece of the sash worn by Krieger and put back on
his cloak and shouldered his longbow and quiver.

Elerosse then turned his attention to the bound prisoner he moved
swiftly and gracefully to her. She had an elegant beauty; she had long
golden blonde hair and wore a long pale blue dress. Elerosse hastened
to her removing her blindfold to reveal her beautiful deep emerald
green eyes. He then removed her gag and started to gently untie her all
the while avoiding her gaze. Elerosse finally found the words he wished
to speak his voice was no longer as resonant or cold as it had been it
was warm reassuring and a little hesitant,

"Are you Larien Elendil?" The elven maiden replied in a sweet delicate
voice that seemed to speak directly to Elerosse's soul

"Yes I am, May I know the name of my rescuer?" Elerosse replied in a
resonant but warm voice

"I am Elerosse Shadowblade and I am at your service my lady" Elerosse
bowed in elvish fashion and kissed Larien's hand. Elerosse led Larien
swiftly and silently out of the bloodhound hideout and to where Ryn was
waiting for them.

Once they reached Ryn Elerosse patted the horse whispering

"That wasn't too bad" Elerosse then helped Larien to mount Ryn then
mounted in front of her he then told her

"we have a long journey we I am to take you to Celebd?lin" Larien
nodded and with that they set off heading back to Veritas.

Rise of the Phoenix chapter 2 - Woodland Encounter

Elerosse and Larien were travelling through the woodland towards
Veritas. The sweet voice of Larien whispered into Elerosse sending
shivers down the spine of the experienced bounty hunter,

"Elerosse please may we rest?" Elerosse replied in a war yet resonating
voice

"we shall rest in an hour or so my lady" at this Larien nodded
wearily.

An hour later Elerosse found the place he was looking for. They rode
into a small clearing with a small fresh water pool; the ground was
strewn with flowers of all kinds in all different colours, Elerosse
dismounted and helped Larien down. Elerosse laid out a couple of
sleeping mats and made a small fire he looked at Larien she looked
upset, Elerosse spoke softly to Larien

"I'm sorry, I know it isn't much" Larien looked at Elerosse smiling
slightly

"It is not your fault I just miss Celebd?lin so much don't you?"
Elerosse removed his cloak and looked into Larien's deep emerald eyes
he smiled

"I doubt I will be very welcome in Celebd?lin". Larien looked at
Elerosse with a confused look on her face "Why wouldn't you be welcome
in Celebd?lin?"

Elerosse's smile vanished in an instant he sat on the grass next to the
boulder, Larien sat down next to him. Elerosse spoke softly and almost
hesitantly,

"It was a long time ago, my friend Imbelote always practiced our sword
fighting skills in the white tower of Masire, One day we were
practicing as usual then it happened" Elerosse paused for a second to
clear his throat and wipe away a tear from his eye then he
continued,

"It happened all of a sudden I swung a furious blow he parried but his
sword was cleaved in two in his hand. He had received a grievous wound
across his chest, I fled Celebd?lin and never looked back later I found
out he died from that wound"

Larien placed her arm round the despondent Elerosse and spoke to him in
a calming soothing tone of voice

"It was an accident it was not your fault". Larien and Elerosse looked
deeply into each other's eyes, they moved closer together then their
lips met in a gentle kiss a split second later Elerosse pulled away
jumped to he's feet and rushed over to Ryn. Larien stood up and moved
towards Elerosse she spoke to him quietly

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have please forgive me" Elerosse turned back to
Larien he whispered to her "It's not that we are not alone" at this
Elerosse drew the phoenix claw from its sheath the blade was warm to
the touch suggesting the taint of the dark powers was nearby. The sword
shimmered like an ethereal flame.

Larien took up Elerosse's bow and quiver she stared at the blade in
Elerosse's hands she spoke her voice faltering slightly

"I know that sword it's the phoenix claw but that means you're the
Prince of Dorathion but he has been missing for well over a century."
The realisation finally dawned on Larien this man was the Prince of
Dorathion son to the Phoenix Lord himself. She had no further time to
consider this there was a bestial cry from the woods directly in front
of them soon followed by a dozen more.

Suddenly a dozen beastmen erupted from the woods from where the beast
cry had issued from Larien didn't think for a second she drew
Elerosse's bow, picked her target and fired a second later a beastman
fell to the earth clutching an arrow in his throat, the beast let out a
defiant roar before being trampled by his comrades. Elerosse charged
into the fray bellowing a deafening war cry while swinging the phoenix
claw in deadly arcs beheading the first beastman he reached the beasts
head flew into the woods to Elerosse's right and blood sprayed from his
neck like a fountain of blood. A beastman to Elerosse's right tried to
take advantage of Elerosse's exposed flank swinging his crude blade at
Elerosse's back. Elerosse dodged the clumsy strike with ease and
countered by severing the beastman's arm at the elbow, the beastman
cried out in rage and swung his fist at Elerosse only to receive an
arrow in the face in return.

Elerosse soon found himself surrounded by five beastmen he was forced
to block, dodge and parry countless blows looking for an opening in his
enemies defence, then as one of the beastmen swung his axe in a wide
arc Elerosse saw his chance he dodged the blow and in one swift
movement he run the phoenix claw through the beastman's gut and leapt
over the dead beast ripping the phoenix claw through the beast cutting
him in two.

Elerosse heard a scream behind him he turned to see a beastman
advancing a Larien who had dropped her bow and her empty quiver,
without thinking of the beastmen behind him or the danger he was
putting himself into Elerosse threw three knives at the beast who cried
out in agony as he fell blood foaming at his lips. Larien paused and
then stared helplessly at Elerosse he moved so swiftly, so elegantly he
dodged the clumsy strikes of the beastmen he fought in a frenzy
striking at any beast that was unfortunate or stupid enough to come
within his reach.

Elerosse kicked the last dead beastman from the phoenix claw only to
hear a blood curdling cry from his left. Out of the trees to Elerosse's
left charged a huge snarling Minotaur. The beast was huge even for a
Minotaur it was heavily scarred it carried a huge two handed axe the
constantly dripped with blood, upon the beasts head was burned the mark
of Khorne. The Minotaur roared again this time however Elerosse leapt
onto the boulder to his left and roared a defiant war cry that stunned
the Minotaur, the Minotaur's paralysis was only temporary the beast
quickly recovered and swung it's axe downwards at Elerosse.

Elerosse swiftly stepped aside at the last second as the axe embedded
itself in the boulder on which Elerosse had been standing. Elerosse's
counter was swift bringing the phoenix claw across the back of the
Minotaur's leg severing the calf muscle, spraying the grass with the
beast's vile black blood. The Minotaur roared a tumultuous cry of pain
and then wrenched free its axe from the boulder and swung it at
Elerosse in a vicious arc. Elerosse blocked the beasts strike bright
sparks flew as the two ancient enchanted weapons connected.

Elerosse was thrown back by the sheer strength of the brute Elerosse
staggered backwards stunned by the force of the blow, the Minotaur
swung his blade at Elerosse again but the bounty hunter was too quick
for the beast he leapt backwards the axe barely missing his face. The
Minotaur bellowed again as Elerosse threw a throwing knife at the foul
creature the beast merely pulled the blade from its chest and threw it
to the ground.

Again the Minotaur swung its axe at Elerosse, which the elf promptly
dodged the clumsy blow then countered by running phoenix claw through
the beasts chest twisting the blade as it sunk into the vile monsters
flesh. The Minotaur roared in agony its vile black blood dripping from
the beast's lips. Elerosse drew his knife and slashed open the
Minotaur's throat to make sure the beast was truly dead, Elerosse
kicked the dead Minotaur from his blade spitting on the foul
being.Elerosse rushed to where Larien was standing

"Are you alright, are you hurt?" he asked his voice full of concern and
hesitant.

"I will be alright thanks to you" she replied her voice shaky and
hesitant she forced a weak smile.

Elerosse quickly gathered their belongings and retrieved as many arrows
and knives as he could he then turned to Larien

"We should move on quickly before more of them arrive we are close to
our first destination we should hurry." Larien nodded in approval of
Elerosse's suggestion and the two of them mounted and set of at a
hurried pace to continue their journey.