Vardak's Return, Ar'kelos Fall.

[Arkelos 1027]

The characters

Ar'kelos The Deceiver

Tekaro The Retriever

Vardak The Cursed

Point of View - Vardak

Al'khazar, the beginning of all of my fights with the undead, of all the memories I hold dear to me. It's been too long... I have returned... to understand my story, we must look to the sands of time for the answers.

Day one, The disappearance.

I looked around, my body burning from the torture... the undead standing there... They thought they had me... but they were wrong... I feigned death to stop the torture long enough for me to save what I could of my body... To my surprise, the undead left me there.... and Tekaro appeared in front of me... I told him he had to go... before he was taken as well, Told him to grab my gear and run, to not look back... My body had vanished... and I was split into the lights that had been my source of power. I couldn't escape.... The undead tower took me with it to the nether...

Just like that... I had left Aegis.

Point of View - Tekaro

All of this started at the Undead tower... when I saw Vardak there... laying on the ground, as far as I could tell at that time.... he was dead... Vardak has returned to the world, he seems angry at me...

Day one, A power within.

I had done what I thought was right. I had told the world what I knew at that point. Vardak was dead and I was the Elf responsible for his "death" though I did not kill him. I met many who were sad, others who told me "Vardak wouldn't be able to live with himself if he couldn't save you" I felt a bit better, I was ready to live my life in Laurelin, as a High Elf.

And that's where it all began...

Point of view - Ar'kelos

Fools, both of them.... they can not live in the same plane.... yet they are right now trying to find a way to fight me?! Bah... I'll deal with both of them myself if I have to. You want a story? Fine. I'll tell you how I brought Vardak to Tekaro, and how Tekaro became "The Retriever"

Day one, Deception.

I wasn't returning to the nether....

I had too much to do... Vardak was my ticket back to my master plan... and I needed an idiot to bring him back.

I saw him, the Elf Vardak saved, cleaning up, trying to forget what happened already?

ARK "Elf... Your the one Vardak saved?"

TEK "Who was that?!"

ARK "Someone Vardak Regards as a "friend" of sorts"

TEK "Then yes.... he did..."

ARK "You can save him if you want...."

TEK "I want to bring him back... bu-"

ARK "All I needed to hear"

I gave him the crystallized life essence of Vardak and tasked him to restore the one crystal. The fool had no idea that i would be ready to jump into Vardak when Tekaro was done with his task... The crystals were embedded into his body, removal would be near impossible.

((below is Vardak))

And that is how it all began, how I made his way back into Aegis, How Tekaro, in all of his sorrow had found a way to repay me... And how Ar'kelos deceived not only Tekaro... but myself as well. This is all the first day... More of the story is to come. I grow tired...

Part two. The second day

Point of View - Tekaro

A slave to the undead, now I was tasked with bringing back the man that saved my life... I was ready to make this my final task. What I didn't know.... actually hurt me..

Day one, A taste of Insanity.

Getting used to the Crystals on me and in me was quite easy, but I did want them gone, they were quite bright in the sun. Left me nearly blind at one point. At night when I hunted I could feel them shake, as if the crystals were satisfied with the slaying of the monsters.

Then I saw it for the first time.

A Zombie Pigman Rushed for me. I ran for it, but he nearly got me... Cut my leg wide open. I was screaming in pain... when my body began to shake.... and my eyes began to glow blue... I felt a pulse of energy surge through me.

I felt his presence... healing me.

"You want to live... Aye?"

I didn't respond

"I'll heal you this time. Next time you wont be lucky"

The sun had began to rise, and my eyes were still a light blue. I forget what happened past this part. All I remember really is jumping around Laurelin. many said I was talking weirdly, and mentioning Vardak's return. A taste of insanity had occurred within me...

Point of View - Ar'kelos

The second day was quite quiet for me, I didn't have much to do while the fool pranced around like a loon. At least I got to see Laurelin, Quite the sight of all those trees.

What? you want a story from me? Go away, I just told you nothing happened that involved me.

Point of View - Vardak

Time goes by so fast, three whole years.... I don't have much to share with ye today...

But I can explain how I survived.

Day Two, Survival

The undead tower, A source of evil, and what was the end of my time on Aegis.

I was in the Nether now... and my body was gone.

I trust Ar'kelos would find a way to get me back, I just needed to survive and not bring attention to myself.

I found a small area in the nether that was untouched, and I hid there.

The only good part of not having a body was not having to eat. I did miss Dawn's food though.

((A chunk of this is missing, I'll get on the more important piece. The grand finale))

The summary - Before the fight

Tekaro - Crystal Completed

I had done it, Vardak had been reformed and I stood ready for a final call from Ar'kelos, the "thing" that was slowly driving me insane... I had to know what was going on. I had joined the druids with my wife to be Vertera, a woman who I guarded with my life, who I loved with each breath. Ar'kelos told me multiple times and even told my love that there could be only one of us. Vardak or Tekaro, Vertera told Ar'kelos that Tekaro would win, that he wouldn't leave her alone with his child, that Vardak's time had come and passed.

So much had changed in my life, the druids, Vertera and I had worked on a secret grove, to expand ourselves from laurelin and find new roots to sink. We found many areas suitable for a new grove, but as long as me and Vertera could see the moon, held each others hand and sing together as we watched night fall, we didn't care how far away we were. We just wanted to stay close, and I was determined to use anything to keep my place in this world. For her sake and mine.

I arrived at the Stone Dragon and waited on top of the wings for the other, looking at the moon, wishing, hoping, dreaming that Vertera was watching the moon as well, I knew she was, I could feel it as i hear the water chant in harmony with me.

The battle started in time....

Vardak - Re-emerging.

I felt the last piece slip into place, Tekaro, he did a great job, but it was time, time for me to regain the body I lost. The body I left behind so it didn't rot, though my spirit was harmed by the nether, my body didn't suffer any visible damage.

I felt Tekaro's determination, I needed to double that and then some. I neede to muster the courage and rage of the orcs. I needed to have a mental advantage, I wanted to have him think I was training him, but all I was doing was learning from him, seeing how he fought and what he brought to the fight.

I learned nothing, he was too weak to actually win. I never questioned his heart however, I made sure that I was was as prepared as I could get as a spirit, and I was ready... Tekaro rolled the spirit gem onto the wings of the stone dragon, the body bursting through as the spirit was called back to rebond.

The Battle... starts now.

[MediocreGamer 838]

I would love to hear more about it, it's quite the intriguing story. (Are you also going to tell them how Vardak is in love with Alras now ;) )

[bungo 3965]

((mindplosion BOOM.))

[Arkelos 1027]

I would love to hear more about it, it's quite the intriguing story. (Are you also going to tell them how Vardak is in love with Alras now ;) )

((Probably at the end, when I wrap up the story and give the Epilogue, to tell where Vardak is now, and where Tekaro has gone to, there's a lot more to the story. I haven't even made a dent))

[Arkelos 1027]

((I have added more to the story. Read))

[bungo 3965]

A fun read, finish it faster! :3

[argonian 14254]

((I read this but I don't get it. How did Vardak's spirit survive?))

[Arkelos 1027]

((I read this but I don't get it. How did Vardak's spirit survive?))

OOC It will all be explained on the Fifth day.

[Arkelos 1027]

THIS IS CURRENTLY BEING BROUGHT BACK

Sorry for the long wait folks!

The story continues!

[Arkelos 1027]

The Grand Finale - Part one of two

Ar'kelos Vardak and Tekaro - The Battle of Survival

Vardak and Tekaro gazed into each other with burning determination as they realized that the time for battle drew closer, they stared into the moon. Vardak broke the silence with the words...

"We don't need to fight, I see no reason to fight if we both can live here, right now as we are."

Tekaro took offense to those words, Tekaro heard from Vardak himself that there could only be either him or Vardak, but it was all wrong, wrong, WRONG! His mind raced as he called out for Ar'kelos, demanding an answer. Tekaro fell to the ground, as did Vardak as Ar'kelos formed into a shadow-ish being in front of them

"Ar'kelos... What is he meaning of this..." Tekaro and Vardak said at the same time, glaring at each other after realizing they were in sync with each other.

Ar'kelos looked at both of them, he was looking for weakness, a weakness he could shape and corrupt, a weakness he could use for his own advantage. He saw it in Tekaro, and he looked at the elf and said.

"Retriever, you have finished your task, and will be rewarded the power Vardak once had, Should you chose to accept it."

Tekaro gazed at the shadow, un aware that Ar'kelos words were merely a facade, that Ar'kelos had no form, and wanted Vardak dead.

"Ar'kelos... bond with me, let me have the power to kill Vardak, to return to my life... to return to my wife..."

Ar'kelos chuckled, he merged his essence into Tekaro, tekaro screamed in pain as his body was rejecting Ar'kelos. Naturally, Ar'kelos took the body and suppressed the weakened Tekaro. Vardak looked at Ar'kelos, Tekaro's body now pulsing with srength matching Vardak's own. In a blink of an eye, Ar'kelos appeared behind Vardak, and landed a devastating blow to the head. Vardak fell to the ground with an agonizing groan, looking up at Ar'kelos...

"You... bastard..." Vardak said, trying to get up as his legs went weak, Ar'kelos looked at Vardak, and in a blind rage, Ar'kelos began a onslaught of punches to Vardak, Unable to move, Vardak unconsciously grabbed Ar'kelos' fist and picked himself up slowly, holding the fist with a deadly grip. Ar'kelos looked at Vardak, Vardak looked back and called for his blade, it didn't appear immediately,

"Your too weak!" The combined voices of Ar'kelos and Tekaro spoke. "Why can't you just die!?!" Vardak chuckled at Ar'kelos as he stared him down. "I refuse to lose to a second rate demon." Vardak looked at Arkelos, Ar'kelos took his free hand, his blade like fingers moving closer to Vardak until he ripped into his flesh, Vardak screamed and called out for the blade again, The blade severely weakened from Vardak's spirit being in the nether, it mustered the strength of an iron sword. Vardak swung the blade wildly, Ar'kelos gazing at him as he quizzically questioned Vardak's power.

Vardak landed a powerful hit onto Tekaro's body, Ar'kelos screamed in pain as blood poured out from the giant gash. A tear falling from Tekaro's face as Tekaro realized his own demise, he was unable to see the future so clearly. Tekaro's mind went blank as Vardak swung again. This wound would prove to be fatal, but before Ar'kelos could be finished. He left the body of Tekaro, and went into the sky...

"V... Var... vardak..." Tekaro shuddered as his eyes went dull, crying as he realized that he lost, that he was tricked. "I... Need you... to do me a favor..." He asked, Vardak nodded, gripping his chest as he look at Tekaro. Upon seeing Vardak's nod, he said "My friend... Decora... Find her... Help her... She... is in trouble.... Tell my wife I lo-"

Tekaro's body went lifeless as Vardak stood there, thought to be triumphant, but he said. "At what cost... Why?! Why me of all people? Why did I have to do this.... Someone... ANSWER ME!" Vardak screamed as a voice responded....

"This isn't over yet, cursed one.."

Part Two

Ar'kelos and Vardak - Banishment, The Price of Survival

Ar'kelos looked at Vardak's bloodied body as Vardak struggled to get up, blood pouring over his blade as he glared at Ar'kelos weakly. "Indeed it isn't..."

Ar'kelos let out a laugh, and asked Vardak "You remember when we first met each other, what we said to each other?" Vardak nodded as Ar'kelos said

"We may be allies now..." To which Vardak Responded

"But as soon as I don't need you..."

"YOU'RE GONE!" both screamed, ar'kelos charged for Vardak as Vardak let out a roar, his sword begin dragged as he let out a heavy upwards cleave. Ar'kelos dodged it easily, and the shadowy essence poured into his right eye, Ar'kelos gave him a glimpse of the past, a shadowy figment of his guilt.

"Bell..." Vardak said, the image of Bell being killed over and over by the Green Sage as she begged for death.

Ar'kelos responded "You tried to save her... and you failed Vardak... You failed to save the one person who meant the world to you. She died thinking you were weak! Are you weak vardak? ARE YOU?" Ar'kelos screamed in his mind. Vardak muttered "I'm... sorry Bell... sorry I could not save you... Sorry I showed weakness, sorry for all of it. This is goodbye."

Vardak opened his hand wide as he began to claw the eye Ar'kelos went into, scratching at it as he screamed in pain, Ar'kelos was obviously taken back by this, and affected as well, He left the eye, Vardak now enraged, His left eye glowing blue as his other dripped blood, His blade glowing in sync as he stared down Ar'kelos and swung. "You have no idea Ar'kelos, Those three years of loneliness, those three years of sorrow an pain, they taught me four things"

Ar'kelos shadowy essence shrank in size slightly as Vardak continued to talk, his words granting him strength as he stood up tall, his massive frame trembling as the blue glow poured into the blade. "The first is to regret nothing, to never give up on what you think is right, to hold your head high in the darkest of times." He swung at Ar'kelos as he slice went through him, the essence glowing blue as Ar'kelos gave out an agonised scream, the Blue essence drained from Vardak and put into Ar'kelos as the energies from that power bound Ar'kelos to no longer be able to fly.

Ar'kelos began to manifest a form as Vardak's left eye began to glow green. "The second is to look forward to the unexpected, to keep all experiences in your heart, even if it be a negative thing, you can always learn to become stronger from it." Vardak's green esence poured into his blade as he let out another mighty cleave, Ar'kelos let out a terrified yelp as Vardak looked down at him. Ar'kelos' eyes now green as Ar'kelos tried to find a way out, he looked at Vardak and said the cursed words.

"Mekkata Zenkwrath Vardak"

In that instant, Vardak was back in another nightmare. reliving the day his mentor Kukro, the man who taught him how to wield a blade, then to the day where Kukro sacrificed himself to save Vardak. This nightmare much more powerful then the others...

Vardak out of this distorted nightmare fell to his knees, his sword echoing to him as Vardak, still wrapped in the illusion began toclaw at the eye again, this time, nothing. He would have to use something drastic, but wrapped in this illusion he could only do what he was doing now.

"Vardak... This curse you have... Your darkness, your dark heart... this was all inside of you...." Ar'kelos whispered to him in the nightmare. Vardak frozen with fear as he tried calling out for help.

"There is no one to help you, Tekaro is dead, and soon you shall be aswell." Ar'kelos glanced at him through his dream, his body still bound to the wing. "All I needed was you. All I ever needed was a host to enter this realm. My you rot and wither in this eternal nightmare, cur-"

Vardak in all of his fear, in all of his rage was unconsciously making his only good eye glow red, placing it in his blade, then finally his eye was to glow purple. "This is a nightmare..." Vardak repeated to himself. His body moving by itself as it drew closer to the unknowing Ar'kelos.

"A nightmare indeed." Ar'kelos responded "A nightmare you will live in for an eternity." Ar'kelos felt something hovering over his body, he shrugged it off, thinking that it was nothing. He was wrong, Vardak fell on top of Ar'kelos body, Ar'kelos screamed and roared in pain as the nightmare ended. Varrdak coming to as the blade was plunged into Ar'kelos' torso.

"In... my weakened state... I can not kill you..." Vardak said as he twisted the blade. "However... I can set you back... set you back decades..." Ar'kelos body began to glow brightly, Vardak saying the words to bind Ar'kelos back inside him...

"Mekkata Zenkwrath Ar'kelos Tro Vardak"

In that instant, Vardak fell over, the shadowy essence of Ar'kelos pouring into his wounded eye. The cursed eyes returned to their owner.

"Now to go one step further." Vardak said as he brought the power to his blade. The four cursed powers now orbs of light floating around the blade. "This is goodbye for now, Deciever." The orbs of light collided into one as they primed to the top of his blade. "I shall banish you from my body, using the powers you granted me."

The orb of light danced around Vardak's head as it plunged into the wounded eye, in Vardak's head he could hear screaming, Ar'kelos being sent back to which he came from, his final message being "Without me, you'll become a monster..."

Vardak fell off the wing, unconscious and unable to stand, his body was safely washed away, He had won, he had survived... And just like that... it was all over

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ  Fin...? ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

[Elindor 666]

[Arkelos 1027]

((Because the grand finale deserves it's own post~))

[char615 41]

Nifty.

[Arkelos 1027]

Thank you everyone for your patience while I finished, the story is as complete as I could get it. lost a lot of it in a corrupted hard drive error.

Enjoy the final part of the Grand Finale!

[steelersfan1221 300]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.