The Struggle Within

[Arkelos 1027]

Chapter 1 - The Hopeless

Syrila walked for what seemed like years now, her trusty axe Bloodmourne now consumed her with her blood-lust, her mate, Tassel still missing after all this time, was she safe, how was she doing? What is she doing? Why can't I get her? Syrila kept asking those questions to herself. Over and over as she trekked the heat soaked deserts of Asulon, her clothing drenched with sweat as she took to a nearby oasis to bathe and change, if she was to survive, she would need to relax.

"Tassel" Syrila sighed as she laid her exposed body into the oasis, the hot water cooling her body as her mind slipped, there was no one around, she relaxed herself and slept in the oasis, Torches throwing monsters away from attacking should her rest last into the night.

Syrila dreamed while she slept inside the oasis, but all of it riddles amongst clues, A falling Phoenix who's ashes would never rebirth, A vision of pain and rebirth from another source that laid so dormant within a small orb, a vision of Syrila's body laying in a river of silver, her breathing calm as golden petals covered her body, her eyes staring into the sky as she opened her mouth, but no voice came out, an entrance to another vision.

This one more distressing then the others.

This one was of Syrila, unable to contain her rage, sorrow and anger, unable to keep the beast within tamed as guards tried to take her down, those poor guards were under-geared as Bloodmourne ripped into their bodies, the severed corpses laid there as they seemingly deteriorated into the blood soaked earth. Syrila roaring with bestial vigor as even her shaman spirits tried to stop her, Syrila stared at them both, glaring as she easily outmatched her fire spirit, years of training and years of guidance from Ar'tmos left her at an advantage, since the spirit himself was at his peak of potential, but he did not die, instead he was turned, his once black body with fur of red flame and purple eyes now a White body with purple flames, it's eyes now a crimson red as the Halberd appeared, it's massive size being wielded inside the powerful jaws of the fire spirit and it's dark fiery aura that surrounded it was passed to her as she threw it in one quick fluid motion, the weapon now a projectile as it blasted through a wall, the crashing noise so loud it could be heard from The Caverns of Menocress, the spear landing at a vital point as Syrila bolted for it, using the Halberd as a jumping board as she flew into the air, giving her spirit enough time to rip it back out and catch her, Syrila commanding her spirit as she went towards the keep, the spirit her and her axe roaring as Tassel, her lifeless body laid on the back of the spirit.

"Pay pay pay, ALL OF YOU WILL PAY! TASSEL'S LIFE FOR ALL OF YOURS!" Syrila shrill cry ripped through what now was the frozen tundra of Hanseti, The cold death consuming those who met her axe, this vision continuing for what seemed like an eternity, even in the snow, flames beckoned and glowed, Syrila's rage would be felt for years.

Syrila's eyes bolted open from her sleep as a surge of tears rushed to her face, it all felt so real. The loss, the pain.... THE RAGE.... she knew that her time was running out, frustrated, tired, confused, the flame in her mind became much more vibrant.

Syrila Gripped her head hard as her mind split into two, closing her eyes as she saw it, Syrila's manifestation of all her negativity towards anything showed herself. She gazed back at Syrila, the white of her eyes consumed by evil, rage in her heart, her eyes, the left one a golden yellow while her right eye went purple, laughing madly at Syrila as tears rushed down her face.

"You need me..." the manifestation spoke with a grin, looking at Syrila as her smile went crooked. "You want to save her, right?" The manifestation looked at Syrila as she nodded. "I want to save her... but not under your terms!"

"Then you will die here, or I will haunt your mind for eternity!" The manifestation voice boomed as Syrila went to reach for a weapon, taking Sur'Sureth, her jagged Scythe made from gold and diamonds gleamed in the "Sun" as the Manifestation glared and roared in defiance, taking a corrupted version of Bloodmourne, looking at Syrila with a burning hatred, the axe now consumed with purple flames as she went for an arching sweep towards Syrila’s midsection, Syrila jumps back, Taking Sur’Sureth and doing the same, covering it in the strong red flames of her spirit and clashing with the Glowing Arch made from the manifestations attack.

Exploding in a glorious fury of colors the ball of flame began to shoot out wildly, fireballs being shot at both entities as Syrila took out Kre and Kro, her throwing axes as she did her best to deflect the majority of the attacks, one or two singeing her “outfit” as she grimaced, however the manifestation was being assaulted more then Syrila, the deflected attacks hitting her as the manifestation roared in pain, it’s hair burning wildly as it took out Sanguvine, Syrila’s former Zweihander as a dark shadow poured out of it, slicing the ball of flame into nothingness as she lunged again, Syrila throwing her Axes for the manifestation's shoulders as she ducked and went for her scythe, landing a close range slice to it’s midsection.

Grunting and roaring, it began to draw the corrupted Sur’Sureth, Syrila looked at the scythe in horror, it’s metal head covered in the flesh of the dead, and most shocking of all the sights, an eye began to move and see, Syrila knew she hand one shot, taking out one of her special golden daggers as she threw it at the eye, it connecting as it close shut. The manifestation looking at Syrila as it growled loudly.

“This is not over, you haven’t won yet DAMN YOU! ” The manifestation roared in agony as the walls of Syrila’s metaphorical mind began to crumble. Syrila concentrated on her visions, looking for a way, an opening that she could take, since it was HER mind, Syrila changed it to look like cave, the stone very real as she took out Bloodmourne, it’s bloodcurdling roar ripped the air as it echoed, Syrila getting ready to Swing at the manifestation as a large chunk of rock fell, Syrila timed it, and in a blink of an eye, Bloodmourne sent the rock flying towards the manifestation, hitting her as she roared in pain, her body limp as it muttered... “There can be no light without darkness.... This... isn’t OVER!” Syrila’s mind restored to what it was meant to be, if only for now.

Syrila spent a day in the oasis soaking as she woke up, sitting in the warmth of a fire she made as she covered herself back in her loincloth. “The struggle, consumes those unable to take destiny and shape it” Syrila looked into her palm, closing it as she close her eyes, another tear falling down her face.

“Tassel, I’m coming my love” Syrila said, her pack wolves following behind her as tears fell from her face, evaporating into the humid air.

[Lawrence Berell 226]

((Oh gawds... how will I win this contest now?))

[steelersfan1221 300]

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