Fandom Power Rangers Sentinels

[Lady Insanity]

"Hey you beheaded her, not me!" April bickered with Dylan in a most friendly way. Seriously like beheading something and claiming its head for a trophy is just way too dark for her liking! Most things would be dark t someone dress in white! No such thing as dark white is there? With that being said she wasn't opposed to cutting this monsters head off again. Just how sharp is their sword, exactly?

Impressive fighting from everybody out of the equation, Morag still had the upper hand. Upper fin, more like. Clinging to her staff April yelped and shrieked as Morag continuously assaulted them and got a lot stronger as it seemed over time. She wanted to believe in Erin's words but they had been fighting Morag for what felt like months now! Panting for breath and using all of her willpower to not just scream and scream she quietened herself. "I don't want to give up..." April muttered silently. Galloping in the distance was a... Hey. Wait. All the gallops is the Centaur and it's attached as an arm right now? "What is that?" April asked blindly as everyone witness the beautiful figure emerging afar. Unicorn! A horse with a big horn on its head! Pearly white, too! Nice coloring, April totally digs it. Unlike Erin, April actually partook in a girly squeal and jumped up and down with excitement. "New Zord? And it... It's beautiful!"

Beauty is in the eyes of more than the beholder. As is sheer power, apparently. Unicorn attacked and gave Morag what for! "It wants to join with us?" She asked. This thing literally came out of nowhere, but it had done so when they needed it most. She felt her heart beating faster and faster! Unicorn dissembled and joined with them for armor and a spear. Once again...head removal. Fitting name! "Avalonian Titan Megazord!" Saying it after Erin felt odd but right! This thing...it's like it chose them. To help defend the realm!
"Me!" she declared when Erin offered up a chance. April giddily controlled the lance to fire shiny projectiles at Morag, purifying the space around her radiantly! Sparks flew and made her dance like a fool!

 

[PenBlade1326]

With chit chat about heads flopping off, Benji felt his lunch wanting to return. Rancid smell of the woods or the talk one had made his gut go into a frenzy. Knocking around at the hands of a giant Kelpie did not help, either. Multiple animals making a big humanoid shape is weird enough without getting sick from it! Dylan did get a nice kick in edgewise, so good on him.
"Yeehaw!" Clay abruptly exclaimed whilst gripping his staff in the slot. Morag is a lot tougher than meets the eye. As if she didn't already stink so bad she could out-stink a dead skunk on the side of the road. Fighting and being all reborn and shit must have lessened her already poor hygiene. Getting tired, he rested his hands on his knees in a squatting position for a second when they weren't being hit. "Gotta keep ya head up," he told Erin when she pointed out things were bad. He'd have literally perked her chin up but that seemed like just the not right thing to do.

"Ain't no way we're stoppin'!" Clay shouted to the top of his lung when Morag monologued.
"Just hold on everyone," Benji said to his friends all in a row beside him. Salvation had to come. Thinking of all of the people in this place depending on them, and then their own home, they knew they couldn't just quit. Something had to help. A sign!
Sign.... huh? Glancing over they both beheld something amazing. A unicorn! Bellowing through the woods to contrast the weary sights it shined bright like a diamond in the rough. Staring with eyes open the guys looked at it charged it and attacked Morag. "Wow!" Benji and Clay unified.

As it combined with them through its own means, probably another factor in thus realms fate, they shouted "Avalonian Titan Megazord!" with April after Erin named the knightly-looking and lance-wielding Titan. "Yeeeeeeeehaw!" Clay shouted and felt a new wave of energy rush him. Benji just glanced around the cockpit. A Unicorn? A real unicorn... cool!
"Welcome aboard, Unicorn. Let's see what you can do!" Benji said to the Beast, waving his arms to swipe the lance across Morag's chest following April's attack.
Clay excitedly jumped up and down in his spot and slapped his knee. Not wanting to take away from anyone else he just formed a shoulder rush against Morag, using the full weight of the armor and Zord to push her back with sparks and a lot of comeuppance! "We oughta finish her off!"

 

[Steel Accord]

Dylan was about to fire back in his defense at April when Morag unleashed a devastating assault upon them all. Erin put on a display of confidence so Dylan followed her lead and climbed to his feet, ready to continue to fight. Luckily for them all, their savior came in at that particular moment. Dylan was in awe once again. A unicorn, a pure being. The kind that existed in the unspoiled Garden of Eden, an immaculate beast. Dylan bowed his head in respect of the being, hoping the Megazord would read his movement or at the very least the unicorn would know what respect he was imparting to it.

Upon the combination, Dylan shouted "Avalonian Titan Megazord!" along with the others. The combo they now unleashed seemed to be hurting her at least. When Clay said they ought to finish her off Dylan said, "I killed her once, we can do it again!" Dylan took over from the shoulder thrust, spun on his heel to make the megzord do the same and let out a strong forward punch to thrust the lance straight into Morag.

 

[marorda]

This knightly looking new Megazord was amazing! Erin felt full of energy, watching her friends deal some nice blows with the new lance. This creature was beautiful and magnificent, full of sheer power. Obviously Morag was less happy with this turn of events: now she was on the receiving end of the blows. And the unicorn was so bright too! She raised her arms to cover her eyes, hissing at the new Megazord. "No! This can't be!" Morag called. "Where did that come from?"
"I sent him," Nimue called from below, showing herself in all her majesty. "Sentinels, the Unicorn's aid is yours. Use his powers wisely." Then she disappeared, back into the water, assured Avalon would now be in safe hands.

"Was that....?" Erin stammered, blinking repeatedly. Did they just see the actual Lady of the Lake give them a Unicorn? By Odin's Glorious Beard that was epic! The surprised look on her face turned into a smirk as Dylan suggested to kill her again and Clay suggesting they finished this off. "High time to deal with this Kelpie once and for all, indeed," she said. Morag sparked heavily after all the punches and being tackled. Especially so after getting a lance thrust into her gut. Yet still the monster stood, albeit staggering. Time to see what the finishing move of this new combination was. Time to just go with her gut-feeling here. "Finishing Thrust!" Erin called. Really now? Girl needs to work on her originality in naming things, seriously. But it appeared the Unicorn Zord addition to the Megazord knew what to do. The lance glowed with pure cleansing magic. The Megazord stepped backwards and charged towards Morag, lance extended like a knight on a horse would hold it. The Megazord rn past Morag, thrusting the lance at her chest, knocking her over in a blaze of sparks and smoke. A glorious victory for the Avalonian Titan. The Megazord stood tall behind her while the downed Morag exploded at last.

"We did it!" Erin jumped up and down in the cockpit, slamming everyone on the back in a friendly way. "We actually did it!" And it was all thanks to Dylan gaining the trust of Nimue to grant them the help of Excalibur. For several moment in this battle she had been terrified this would have been their last, but help came just when they needed it the most. They had a new Zord! They had slain the monster that was responsible for Gawain's horrible fate. Avalon was, for a while, safe. And they had all made it out alive! Erin was relieved. She wouldn't know what she'd do with herself if someone on this team died an unfortunate death. Or a heroic one. She just didn't want anyone on the team to die. But no reason to worry about that. The day was saved.

The Beasts had all returned to wherever they had come from, briefly making Erin wonder if the Unicorn was hiding somewhere here until they needed him again. They all joined up with Gawain on the ground. He had avoided the slime and muck when it had splattered on the ground, but one could easily tell it was only barely.
"You all have my gratitude for slaying Morag," he said, lightly bowing his head to them. While he had wished to be one to slay her himself after everything that had happened after their last encounter, he was glad nonetheless to see her gone at last. And hopefully for good this time, too.
"We couldn't have done it without Dylan," Erin said, turning to the hero of the day.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Bestowing a lot of justice on Morag felt great to do. She'd caused so much devastation to this forest and she would do more if she got out. High time they put an end to this fishy thing! April agreed with Erin and Clay it was time to put her out of the worlds misery when Nimue appeared. She glanced down and rubbed her visor. A lady.... gave them the unicorn? "Whoever you are.... Thank you!" April brightly called to her on the ground. She didn't know that it was Nimue, as April still has a lot to learn about certain parts of lore for places.

"Finishing Thrust!" April joined Erin in calling that just absolutely amazing title of an attack. Bravo! Glittery magic covered the lance as they swept it through Morag, running past her and having to get a wiff of that foul odor one more time. April definitely needs a bath after this is done. When she finally blew up, April giddily cheered. Kicking one leg back and hopping up she victoriously shouted "We did it!" Avalon had been saved again, and the day just got a whole lot purer. After Morag's death, the entire area just felt cleaner. Better area, no more monster, and best of all? Nenet didn't get what she wanted. However she did leave with a creepy...what was it, a riddle? Isn't she famous for riddles? She sure doesn't tell a lot of riddles. Riddles aside, the stupid sphinx didn't get Excalibur. But something felt bad, still. What is about to happen that has April in knots? Maybe she's just hyping over nothing. But they won!

April went around in the cockpit, cheering with everyone and basking in a quick celebration before getting back on land and bidding the Beasts farewell. "Bye Unicorn! See you next time!"
April curtsied before Gawain, happy to help slay Morag. She was after all the reason for his eternal plight. About time someone did something about that, she thought. But really Dylan's the hero, here. He killed her in the first place! "Yeah! You did great, Dylan. Look Benji, looks like some of the slime is off of the trees, too!" April said joyously. Happy time!

 

[PenBlade1326]

"Who is..." Benji trailed as the lady of the lake revealed herself, and that it was she who had sent the Unicorn their way. Veering back into the lake she had helped them greatly by sending this creature. But something made Benji wonder. Is this creature a permanent new friend...or a one-time only sort of deal? He'd hoped for the former as opposed to the ladder half of it.
"Mighty appreciate it!" Clay hollered down Nimue's way. Aye, that kind of rhymes! Darn tootin' Avalon's in good hooves now!

Morag felt the pressure, surely. She was finally getting on the receiving end of things. So much anguish had been caused, no more anguish today. She's going down. Down down, like a merry go round...sugar we're going down--alright that's absurd. But the fallout of her reign is over! Wait... oh damn. Benji and Clay both merged their power with everyone's as the finishing thrust had been unleashed. What is it called? Oh the finishing thrust! "Finishing Thrust!" They yelled and proclaimed victory over Morag as she erupt in explosions post-slash across the torso. "Demon demolished!" Clay said, wrapping his big arm over Dylan to get him to say it, too. Hey, isn't that what Erin says? Or does she say something else entirely? Oh well, they all deserve to just bask in victory! Chaotic as it's been, this is a good moment. Nothing bad can happen now!

Bowing in his wake, Benji and Clay smiled for Gawain's gratitude. Morag deserved to die. Usually it isn't in someones hands to determine that or not. However in her case? Most definitely. Benji watched the Beats ride off through their portals, wondering if Unicorn would come back to help one of these days. He (or she) was really a shining star among them all. Power, beauty, purity, what more could a Sentinel ask for in a noble Beast? He wanted to add to his statue in Ebongrove, now. Maybe give his piece in the art gallery a friend? a Unicorn sculpture maybe?
Clay slapped Dylan's back as any southern pal would. "Yeeeeeehaw! See Gawain, Dylan here is the hero now. Ain't nobody gonna tell us otherwise," he said in pride. Under the radar Benji grinned when April noted the forest looked less disgusting. Whew! Their little Spriggan tree friend's home was clean!

 

[Steel Accord]

Dylan smiled, awash with all of the praise being given. He didn't hip or hoorah with his friends though.
"Thanks guys. Really, thanks." He walked a little away from them and took his helmet off. He looked at it and gave a deep sigh. "You know . . . it's funny. I've always wanted this in one way or another. Seeing the myths I grew up with coming to life, battling evil, . . . being a power ranger. I guess, I just wish I could have done more. He turned to look at them again. "Although, I guess, saving Avalon with the blessing of the Lady of the Lake is a good note to go out on. A light began to shone above his head. Little flecks of him started to lift upward. "There was a catch to using Excalibur. Like the Holy Grail, only the truly pure could use it . . . and live. Lancelot died before he saw the grail. Arthur wasn't pure and paid for it with his life and kingdom before it returned to Nimue. Now," he walked back toward his friends, the halo following him, "I'm a part of that myth." A little tear fell down his face but evaporated and flew upwards.

"Do you guys think . . . you could hold me. Until I go?" He didn't even look at them, like he was embarrassed.

 

[marorda]

Erin stopped het excited jumping as Dylan took his helmet off. She looked at him strangely under her visor before she demorphed. Why did he sound like he was about to go on a bout of nostalgia? Sounding like he was giving up or something utterly horrible was about to happen? Nenet's words echoed through her mind. You will not leave without a loss.... no. Erin shook her head. They had all had a long day. They were just tired, that's all.

"Dylan, what are you talking about?" she asked. "You sound like you're leaving... you're not going anywhere, are you?" Her heart sank asa the bright halo appeared and Dylan started to... disappear? Erin turned to look at Gawain, sentinel of light. "Knock it off!" She called to him, sounding worried... or terrified. "This is not funny!"
"I'm not doing anything!" the knight defended, raising his hands and demorphing as well. Dylan saying he was now a part of the legend... What if...? And he was disappearing right in front of them. Little flecks disappearing into nothing. Her heart sank even further. This was her fault. It was all her fault. If she hadn't ordered him to go after Morag... Again Erin shook her head, unable to get herself to move.

Again stared sadly at the disappearing Dylan. If he had known Morags defeat would come at such a cost, he would have been the one to head into the water instead. After all, it was Morags fault he was here, had been here for so long. It had long been since his time to go, and now Dylan was taking his place? Even in her defeat Morag had claimed another victim. He approached Dylan as he kept disappearing bit by bit. Was this what his friends had witnessed the they left him? Safe for the fact that Gawain had been unconscious throughout the entire ordeal. He placed a hand on Dylan's shoulder. "You have my eternal gratitude for slaying Morag," he said. "This sacrifice will not be forgotten. I swear it."

 

[Lady Insanity]

Climactic celebrations really aren't their thing, now are they? April 's smile faded off of her face, demorphing just as everybody else seemed to be doing other than Dylan, simply removing his helmet and going on like he's just basking in memory lane. "A catch to using it? What do you m--?" April asked, arms folded, looking up at the in-fading light halo above Dylan's head, slowly but surely clearing him from existence. Air dissipated from her lungs and her heart stopped for a moment. Nenet... what she said before.... could she mean...

April took Erin's hand as she hadn't known how to respond, thinking it's a joke by Gawain. She let go of her hand as if to calm her so she herself could go to Dylan. What did he mean by not entirely pure? Did the legendary blade have to deal with not being a virgin or something? Having spilled blood? Never cursed? Everything that may taint somebody's purity slipped into her brain trying to process what was happening. "You can't be.... dying?" she whispered when close enough, a tear down her face as well. For so little time she had known Dylan but he had grown to be one of her best friends... Fighting evil really connects people, you know? She wrapped her arms around Dylan's waist and placed her head on his shoulder. Almost like it was a romantic gesture. Emotion overwhelmed her. If he's going.... April wouldn't let go until the end. She promised that much in her heart. "Dylan....no...." April broke a little bit but held it together. The shock of this legend coming to fruition really had her shook. Words didn't come to her so easily now, just whatever she could make in her head. "I don't want you to go." She didn't want him to go.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Magic made their suits to disappear as they demorphed. The mood of the group really turned a 180, hadn't it? Dylan really let his memories out. Like someone on their death bed or something. The woods still had a lot of death in them, maybe just the influence of it all turned him a bit goth? Alright, not even funny, goth people aren't all about death. Those are the emos! Ahh, emo kids. High school and early social media's biggest stars.

As the light shone above him, Benji and Clay understood what was going on. Nenet's warning, Dylan knowing the legend of Excalibur. He's...he's dying. Fading away into nothing, Dylan's going away. Where? Into the abyss? Heaven? They don't understand. "Hey I don't get it... Not pure? You're the purest person I can think of," Benji said. Save for April. Really the two of them were goody two-shoes, but that's a good thing. Because he used the blade, Nimue had a price. Breaking the cycle for Gawain cost him his life. That isn't fair. Benji rolled a tear on his cheek, shoving Gawain in a fit. "Make it stop. Please make this stop... Dylan can't die, not because of your myth here! Fate wouldn't send him here to die, she had to know this would happen. She and Novus they... They... Damn it make it stop already," Benji said, visibly and verbally upset, having just learned a friend and protector of Earth is fading because he did his job? Bull shit!
"Dylan please don't go, man. Please don't... if anyone should be going it's me, I'm the weakest, the team needs you.." Benji pleaded and grabbed Dylan's forearm. "You don't deserve to go out like this."

Clay took off his hat and held it over his chest. He'd experienced this before. Not someone turning into light after killing a monster because a lake woman says so. But watching someone he knew and cared for pass on. "Are you... are ya in pain?" Clay asked. He held Benji's shoulders, seeing the scrawny one being incredibly upset. He watched old family members and friends pass before in hospitals, sometimes at home. Usually that was old age, or on one occasion a cousin being really really ill. Gently he rubbed Benji's stressed shoulders and stroked April's hair. They're so upset... Imagine how Dylan feels, though.

"You're a mighty fine man, Dylan. I hope you don't have any regrets?" he said. Clay just handles death like an old friend. He hasn't seen too many people pass but this isn't an unfamiliar feeling. Not to say he didn't shed a tear of his own. Screw if this makes them look weak in front of Gawain. Per Dylan's request for them all to hold him until gone, Clay rubbed his back and put his hat on Dylan's head. Cowboy's way of saying farewell... Just a hat? Oh no, it's more than that. "Darn tootin," he said, standing with Dylan until it was time.

 

[Steel Accord]

PenBlade1326
Dylan shook his head.
"No. I'm not in pain. Just . . . feeling a little lightheaded. You're not weak Benji. Weak man don't destroy their own creations because they've been perverted. Weak men don't fight in spite of their fear."

marorda
"It was an honor to meet you Gawain. Your respect means a lot." He turned. "Erin, you were a great leader and a better friend."

Lady Insanity
"I don't want to go either. There was so much I wanted to do, so much I wanted to see. But this fight wasn't going to be won without sacrifice. Just-, . . . He held on to them a little tighter as the last of him began to fade away. He wanted to say something inspirational like to keep fighting. "Just remember me." Dylan had faith. Immense faith. But faith came from believing in what you didn't know for certain. He didn't know what was going to happen next. "God be with you all, my friends, I love you." With one last hard embrace on his friends, his grip faded away as he did and what remained of his body ascended into the glow. A magical effect specific to the realm they were in or true ascendance? Who knows? Dylan did now, but he couldn't ever say again.

So went the tale of Dylan, the Blue Sentinel Power Ranger.

 

[marorda]

"I wish I could make it stop, Benjamin," Gawain spoke softly. He did, he really did. If only there was anything he could do to make sure Dylan could stay. "If anyone here should be going, it's me. Not you, not anyone of you. I have been here for centuries. The world I once knew no longer exists. Benjamin, Dylan... you have friends and a family to go back to. I've got nothing." Ouch... painful, but wasn't it true? The generation of Sentinels he was a part of was long dead. The world had moved on nine centuries since he had last walked the Earth! And other than that... hadn't he sworn he would not let anyone fall victim to his fate? One person being stuck in a world with no escape was already one too many. Gawain had never wanted for Morag to claim another victim, and here they were. About to lose a Sentinel, fully aware of his fate, or his death. And no matter how hard they might wish, no matter how much they might want things to be differently... there was no changing to what had already been done.

Despite everyone having moved closer to Dylan, holding on to him as he had asked, Erin stood still right where she did. Not because she didn't want to hold on to Dylan... she just found herself unable to move. Even now, in those last few moments... She listened as Dylan said his last goodbyes, calling her a great leader and friend... If there was anything she still had to say, still had to do, it was either now or nevermore. Erin broke herself free from her trance, rushing to Dylan, pushing them aside after Dylan had hugged them a little tighter. She hugged him as tight as she could, mere seconds before he disappeared. Tears rolled down her face as she embraced Dylan. "I'm so sorry..." she whispered. "It's all my fault. I..." whatever it was she wanted to say, it was of no use. Dylan faded from her grasp, leaving Erin standing there, just hugging thin air. "NO!" she called out, sinking to her knees and letting her tears flow freely. This hadn't just happened... This couldn't have happened! Please just let this all be a bad dream. Her friend, however short she might have known him... he hadn't just died... just disappeared into... into what? Heaven? The beginning of this time loop? Only Dylan would know.

Was this what Nenet meant when she told them they weren't going to leave without a loss? This defeat was worse than when the Legion got their hands on the Eye. At least that time nobody had been injured and they had saved trapped spirits. The forest might be somewhat brighter now, Avalon might be safe for now, and they might have gotten a new zord, but what did al of that mean now that they had lost one of their own? Erin sat on the ground, crying as all those thoughts crossed her mind. Gawain looked down upon her, slightly shaken up by having been pushed aside (seriously this girl had some power to just be able of pushing him around. Or maybe he was just nver paying enough attention, but mostly shaken up from having watched Dylan fade. He was gone now, truly gone, with nobody to twll for sure where he went. Gawain went down to one knee next to Erin, placing a hand on her back in an attempt to comfort her. He hadn't known her for long, though, so he wouldn't know what to say.

 

[PenBlade1326]

"Now don't you go on talkin' like that," Clay told Sir Gawain, regaling in his own tale. Dylan slipping into the light, dying, however you would put it, is hard enough. Gawain shouldn't be saying that, it shouldn't be anyone dying here. Legends and fate be damned, this is an unfair destiny to fulfill. Wishing and wishing things could change did not make it so easy, unfortunately. Cursed Kelpie is to blame for this. Thank God for Dylan cutting her head off., and for the Unicorn arriving when it did. but damn that lady of the lake having a cost to pay for using the blade. But... at least Dylan's not feeling pain?

"I still don't know why you're going and not me... Dylan, no... " Benji muttered with his breathe shaking more than a Chihuahua. Just in general. Those dogs are such rigid little things. Rigidity. A word that can be used to describe Benji as of now, shaking and trembling a mess. Fading away right before his eyes, Dylan told everybody what he could before slipping into a glistening light from above. Loss is such a cruel and wicked force of nature. No matter what good may have happened today it will not outweigh losing one of their own. What about Dylan's grandparents back home? His friends, other family, work or schooling? Dylan leaving this world can't be happening. "We will always remember you, Dylan Drake." Benji promised him. He promised to his very core.

Being shoved aside, Benji and Clay let Erin get her hug in on Dylan before finally disappearing and... then that was it. No more Dylan. As Erin sink to the ground, Clay knelt in front of her, hand on her shoulder and looking right into her tear-stricken eyes. "We... We're gonna miss him, too," Clay said empatheticly, pulling Erin into a mournful embrace. Without a word he held her tightly. Thinking about Dylan... and the crashing of waves.
Benji sat in the leaves, hugging his knees and leaning on Erin's side gently. The Sentinels were down by one. But never will they forget him. Never. Vorkalth and his damned legion are in for a world of hurt.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Purity and strength are two vastly different things. Working in alignment they pair well together. Purity, what Dylan claimed he did not have and that's why he's fading under the laws of Excalibur. Strength, something he also has and is displaying immense levels of right this very moment. His heartbeat slowed, either due to his end nearing with each passing second or calming in the presence of people who cared about him. They had hardly got to know him but the impact of this moment cut deeper than any knife ever could. Hearing he wanted to see so much more broke April's heart. He'd never get to do so many things. "We... We'll see everything for you. Wherever you're going now, I promise we'll see everything for you. One day we may even tell you all about it," she stated. Afterlife promises touched a lot of people. Let's hope that one day, if they end up all in one place, she can follow through with that. Big talk for some low end waitress in a diner, eh? She felt Erin's rush take her over, letting go as Dylan tried gripping tighter.

And then, as quickly as he entered their lives he was gone. Twinkling into the light, April sniffled and looked up at the light fading away. "Goodbye, Dylan."
April knelt down and hugged her friends, pulling them all closer together, crying as well, feeling the ache of this moment. Dylan is gone. So is a part of their spirit. Spirit... oh no, poor Deluvian. April tightly gripped Benji and Erin's sleeves, blanketing herself over everybody. A gentle breeze swept over them. As if it were a reassuring kiss from motherly spirit, Ainya.

 

[marorda]

Erin sat on the ground, surrounded by her friends but feeling defeated. She hid her face in Clay's shoulder, felt Benji leaning against her and felt how April embraced them all. They had lost. They had actually lost, and it was a painful one. Someone had just died. Because of her orders, because the Legion was too strong. Erin wasn't sure how she was going to cope, or how they were going to handle themselves from now on. Would they just have to manage with four people from now on, five including Gawain? Would they even be able to form the Megazord now that they missed the one in control of the Capricorn? What had happened to Deluvian? So many questions, and no answers at all. Erin stared at the glistening blue Charm in her hand, unable to tell if it glistened because of magic or because her eyes were full of tears. Dylan... he was part of a legend now, just a memory to them to never return. What if in another nine hundred years another generation of Sentinels would drop by and deliver the same news to Dylan as they had to Gawain? Or was Dylan just actually erased from existence entirely? The lack of answers made this loss sting only worse. Erin closed her fist tightly around the Charm. "You won't be forgotten, Dylan. I promise..." And the Legion.... the Legion was going to pay. That Erin swore.
---
If he had returned enough to show facial expressions, Vorkalth would be smiling. They might have failed in obtaining Excalibur, yet still the Legion had been victorious today. The Sentinels were down one man, a crucial part of the team, and their trust in the Guardians had been damaged. Rightfully so, he would add. The red glow that was his gaze landed on Nenet and Avlazor. "Today we have truly shown the Sentinels that the Legion is not to be meddled with. Their friend has perished, and it won't be long before they follow. Our time is truly upon us now." His cloak raised slightly as he spoke, bony arms with claw-like fingers raising into the air. For a short moment his gaze fell on his arms. Far from what they used to be, but he was starting to materialize again. Almost, almost now he was whole enough to step through tears himself. He would not be capable to fight the Sentinels just yet: that was a task he would leave up to his minions until he had materialized enough to show the Sentinels his true power. Vorkalth stood up from his cold throne and drifted down. For now he was mostly a shadow with a skull and a few bony limbs poking out, yet already this appearance would strike fear in the hearts of mortal men.

"Master..." a new and unknown voice sounded in the Underworld. Vorkalth turned to face the new creature that had entered the Legion's domain. She was about as tall as the average human, but her arms were long and clawed like talons. She had a long, sharp beak, and small eyes with an orange glow to them. Her body was largely covered in black feathers which had a midnight blue shine to them. "I am ready to serve you," she bowed deeply. "Let me help you to reclaim Avalon from my brother."

END OF TALE 7

 

[marorda]

Tale 8: War of the Lightbringer

The days after Dylan's passing a darkness spread through Avalon. The corruption that had long been lingering in every corner of the Realm was coming to a true fruition. Dark clouds were tightly packed in the sky. A tense atmosphere made the air everyone breathed heavy. Every single person in Avalon was on edge, anticipating. As if a storm was about to break loose and all they had to wait for was the first stroke of thunder to break the sky and rain whatever awaited down upon the world. The tension hadn't spared Camelot. Rats infested the halls, ravens and crows flocked the walls, people fought and argued. The guards had their hands full in keeping the peace, and even Arthur and the Knights couldn't come to a compromise as of what had to happen. They all knew something big was about to happen. Something threatening and evil, powerful and dark. Vorkalths power was still seeping into Avalon, more and more each day. Gods be praised the Legion didn't get their hands on Excalibur, but still their victory seemed to have more and stronger of an impact than anyone could have anticipated.

Gawain knew it was going to be today. He wasn't sure why, but every fiber of his body told him it was today. Today the storm would break loose. Today everyone would have to fight in order to save their world and lives. Even in the days before Sir Dylan's death, his nights had been plagued by dark dreams. Ever since seeing the Ryxens and recalling his days as a Sentinel, his nights were filled with dreams of darkness, of hordes marching on the walls. Dreams of the dead rising, of friends turning into foes. Dreams of darkness and cold, with not even a single ray of light. Most unsettling, seeing as how his spirit was Aurelius and Gawain himself was the Shining Light Sentinel, despite having forgotten about that for the last lot of centuries. Even more unsettling since it had long seemed his connection to Aurelius had been severed and the man would be nothing more but an ordinary knight. If the lack of light meant Aurelius would abandon him... But that could hardly be the case, could it? Gawain had spoken to the spirit the day they lost Dylan. Today, he felt, was the day his visions would become true. And so he had been staring out of his window all morning, gazing at the woods. They might have been saved for a moment after Morag was slain, but the corruption from elsewhere had caught up, turning the woods into a dreadful swamp. The lands as far as Gawain could see looked gloomy and dead, depressing and dark. Gawain had hardly seen the other Sentinels after they had lost their friend, and he understood. But he knew that soon they would have to fight again. All of them, despite the loss. Despite the fact they were bound to be outnumbered and in greater danger than ever.
---
Erin hadn't really said a lot the last days. In fact she hadn't even been out of her room too much. Mostly to eat, always attempting to avoid the others. She couldn't bring herself to face them after her direct orders had led to the death of a friend. What if it would happen again? She couldn't live with herself if April, Clay, or Benji would face a fate similar to Dylan. Fate... that damn owl. Had she known about this all along? Had she willingly put Dylan in danger because it was 'supposed to happen'? Erin clenched her fists. The owl and the fairy had a lot to explain when they'd be back in Ebongrove. For now, Erin was just grieving, wondering how much longer they would have to stay in this world before they could go home at last. She had always loved the Arthurian Mythology, but now that it had cost her a friend... she hated it. She hated it all. The dresses, the castle, having magic and being expected to be the responsible leader... All Erin wanted was to just go home. But she knew they couldn't. The darkness was still in Avalon. Ironically it had become worse after the Legion's most recent victory. Not to be depressing, but Erin hadn't seen sunlight in days. As if the entire world was mourning Dylan. While in fact, the darkness was more of a sign that their battle was far from over. That it was only about to get much, much worse.

She rolled herself of the bed, pacing around the room. Occasionally her eye fell on the Blue Charm she kept on a tiny table near the bed. Erin would swear she could hear the crashing of waves, faintly in the distance as she held the charm close to her. Impossible, since she had no connection to Deluvian whatsoever. Igneos on the other hand....
"I promise you, we're going to make the Legion pay. You, me, all the others," a voice spoke up from the hearth. Erin nearly jumped, turning to the fire faintly taking on the outlines of a face. "What? Thought we could only appear inside your heads?" the spirit questioned.
"I... well... yeah. I honestly did," Erin stared in absolute amazement, confusion, slight terror... all of it at the same time.
"Sweetheart, we're magical beings nearly as old as the one who started this mess. Just because we don't often show ourselves, doesn't mean we can't." Yeah, Erin supposed that made sense. Probably meant they could eventually notice each others' spirits too, right? Gawain had mentioned something like that when they first met. Her gaze drifted from the hearth to the window. Pitch black and dark gray clouds covered every inch of the visible sky, and it sure seemed windy. Not the pleasant breeze, but that kind of wind that carries all the signs of something ominous. She definitely did not like the looks of that. And then there was the thick mist rolling out of the woods again.... Last time that didn't bode to well. Now wasn't going to be any different.
---
Vorkalth had anticipated this moment for a long time, and now the right moment was finally upon them. He could feel the corruption in Avalon, the darkness lingering in everyone fueling him. It seemed as if with each passing day he could feel his body growing back, his power returning to him. The unrest in Avalon was at its peak, so if they would strike now the chances of success were at its highest. Their new ally had provided them with a lot of useful information too. Secret passages into the Castle that would make the Legion's forces able to get inside the walls and cause a massacre among those who would not bow to the rightful leader. Blood would flow in the streets, the Sentinels would fall, and little by little the Veil would be torn to shreds.

Today he had called his generals and the new ally before him. "It is time," he announced. "Today we strike. Today, the Legion shall claim Avalon. The Sentinels are still weak, and with Venecorva at our side, those inside the castle do not stand a chance."
Venecorva humbly bowed her head. "I will gladly do what I can to take this Realm back from my unworthy brother," she said, dark eyes glistening. Long ago her brother took the realm from her, and now she would claim it back. Her brother would pay for his deeds with his blood, and Avalon would soon be in the hands of someone worthier than him.
"Nenet," Vorkalth addressed the sphinx. "You have done well in the latest encounter, but this battle is too great for you to spend your magic on." The skull then turned to the other, less intelligent but no less intimidating general. "Avlazor... This is your time. You will go with the Ryxens and Spawners and march upon Camelot. Spare none but those who join your side."
And lastly he turned to the crow/humanoid being. "Venecorva, you will show our forces the way into the castle. Ensure that nobody escapes alive, and you will be rewarded greatly."

Once everything was ready, once the armies of the dead would near the walls of Camelot, Vorkalth had a little surprise in store for those pathetically struggling, trying to protect Avalon from the Legion's endless forces. Everyone would behold what he could do, despite being far from who or what he used to be. His power was still weak, but it would be more than enough to show everyone, once and for all, who the most powerful being was here.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Looming senses of dread and sorrow consumed visitors to Camelot. Dylan's death. No, his... departure. That's the word to provide just a little bit more comfort closer to someone's dea--.... departure. Dreary weather, a chaotic atmosphere to the castle, and the overall feeling that some omniscient being was watching over them all singing a merry tune about the inevitable nightmare that will overtake Avalon. Blood can only be repaid in blood; Dylan's passing will be one Hell of a charge on the Legion's account. Everything is about to get a lot worse, from the looks of things outside the castle walls.

Much like Erin, Clay had not left his room often. For food, and that was it. Gloom and doom overtook him by storm, disabling him from really enjoying anything about the place. The damned woods, cursed waters, and the stupid sword Excalibur. For all the trouble it was worth, the darn thing should have gone to the Legion. At least then it would have been one of them who had to pay the ultimate price. Tossing stones from a small pouch against the wall, Clay recounted all of his memory of Dylan in a short but deep thought. Suddenly not hearing him walk down the halls, hear his voice at the table, or see his face on the daily was all too much to handle. As he tossed one final stone, it echoed off of the also-stone wall. "Clobber something, clobber anything and everything," Grondo spoke up through Clay's mind. That, or from the stones he had been tossing. Come to think of it, a few of them landed and formed a little person-like shape on the floor. Saying nothing, he glanced out at the darkness outside through the window. Clay had spoken to the King, Lady Guinevere and all he could the night before. He asked them about their plan for when the big attack comes. They all knew it was afoot. Not one more person dies because of the Legion. Not. One. More.

Benji, contrary to his friends for the most part, had actually left his room often. To visit with the children, mostly. Being around kids lifted his spirits, reassuring him off all that was positive with the world. One of the little boys in the village looked like a younger Dylan. Trying not to think about it, he just waved the boy good day when out and about. The forest still hurting hurt Benji inside. His connection to nature, the trees, it felt like it burned. Morag's death only lifted part of that pain. Feeling dark and saddened like this reminded him of early life as an orphan with his older brother. Sharing that misery of not knowing where you'll be the next day or if you would still be in familiar company. If his parents hadn't been stupid, they wouldn't have gone to prison now would they? Boy he needed his brother, now. Derek would have the answers on how to handle this dread. A plant in the corner of the village stand Benji worked at danced, as if it were Sylvan trying to communicate. Or was that the Spriggan they'd adopted recently? Benji has grown attached to the little guy. He painted on canvas and other assorted things, helping a village market stand repair art or other goods. As dark as it is outside, and creepy as it is, Benji wanted to be around people. Not at all overprotective of all life, now...
---
Dancing around and around, Avlazor gaily pranced in the depths of the Legion's home in Hell. His weapon used like some kind of dancing instrument, he and the Spawners, Ryxens alike celebrated the most glorious victory. Time of prophecy, a dead Blue Sentinel, and now Avalon is near submission! A lot of broken bones and crying weaklings make Avlazor a happy basilisk warrior. "Dead blue man, Avlazor go happy dance more!" he stated and continued his celebration with the foot soldiers, much to his masters delight no doubt. After all, what better way to prepare for an invasion on Camelot? Avalon would soon be theirs for the taking.
"Venecorva be good help, new friend. Nenet did good, now Avlazor kill everything! Avlazor destroy Sentinels!" Under Vorkalth's orders he slammed the end of his large weapon on the ground, Spawners and Ryxens going crazy in joy. The surface is never going to be the same. Blood shall be the main course tonight! The dine in Hell!

 

[Lady Insanity]

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down thy long hair. A handsome prince in any other story would be below the window of the castle wall calling up to the maiden letting her hair down in the fresh air so he may climb up and claim a kiss.
This is no fairy tale. Hair being let down is a result of a particular girl not caring about her appearance, her medium length hair freely dangling from her head as she gaze out upon the dark and overwhelmingly sad sight of Camelot. April could feel something stirring by the speed of the wind. The birds, the people, even the rats were letting everybody know something's coming and it will not be fun. So she didn't get ready for a medieval carnival where she could knock down bottles with a ball and win a rag doll shaped like a dragon. Oh no. April had confined herself to her room for the last little while while mourning Dylan's death. Not even to eat, April refused to come out. This all had been made too real. The fighting, the magic, the power, the evil, all of it splashed her in the face like cold water.
Tragedy does not inspire anything but grief. Ainya carefully moved the wind to call out to her. Child, do not remain in mourning. Your heart aches, but you have to hold up Fate's calling. She clenched a fist and smacked the wall. "Fate. As if I want to hear what she says now. She can't have known this would happen. Or did she and she just sent Dylan to die? What are she and that fairy hiding from us?" April asked in a fit of... Not rage. Not sorrow. Not anything really. Likely a new emotion brewing! Seeing the mortal danger first hand snapped this into perspective just when she thought she knew what was going on. And that mist coming back? Not good.
April changed into her gown, elegant and flowy, putting her hair up and presenting herself more. She slipped into those medieval shoes and bolted down the hall for the first time since Dylan died. Something bad's about to happen? She is going to find out what. April marched herself down to Merlin's surrogate Coven space. "Something's coming, isn't it?" She wanted an answer. Not angry sounding, just...alert?
---
Plotting a way into the castle, lining the streets with blood in the future, rejoicing in the death of the Splashing Water Sentinel. Holidays were rare among the Legion but this is clearly the exception. King Arthur Pendragon's own sister would be reclaiming her rightful place and tearing down the established mess of a kingdom in Camelot. Nenet pet the head of Venecorva as any master does its pet. Good servant, very good servant. If she thinks's she is an equal then she is a fool, Nenet does not so widely share this power with anyone other than her fellow general and her lord.
"Ah, yes Vorkalth." So she is to remain here, then? Very well. She wants to pay with her power more anyway, the Sentinels exhaust her mentality. They always find a way to be in the way. But now there's one less to worry about.

"Truly this is Time of Prophecy. Avlazor, allow me to empower you and our forces with bolstering magic? I believe you will find it truly impressive," Nenet offered and whirled her hands around, magic glowing on his and the Spawners/Ryxens weapons, making the blades more jagged and sharp, Avlazor's weapon getting a little bigger.
"And for you, dear Venecorva, a weapon of true power and worth. Claim your prize, you are with us now," Nenet opened a small portal before the bird-like creature. All she had to do was reach in and grab a weapon forged by her inner desires, something worth slaying Arthur with and taking Avalon with the forces of the undead.

 

[marorda]

"Something..." Merlin nodded. "Something very dark indeed." His eyes hadn't stopped watching the Scrying Window ever since the Sentinels had arrived here. Granted, he had gone to eat, bathe, sleep... but his daily work consisted of keeping an eye on the comings and goings in the Realm. To see if everything was still going according to the ways they should. Such is the task of a Watcher. Needless to say, things hadn't been going as they should ever since there was a need for the Sentinels to travel here. Morgana was gone, soon Gawain would no longer be a part of the legends (as if originally was supposed to be, but still), Nimue had needed to hand out Excalibur before its time, Dylan had passed because of this... and then there's of course the corruption growing everywhere. He could not look into the future anymore now that the course of the stories had been altered, but Merlin recognized the signs from long ago. "Not much longer now, and a large battle will be upon us. The fate of Avalon is at stake." He sighed deeply and scratched his short beard "It had been a long time since Vorkalth got this far." Today had a chance of becoming a dark day, a very dark day for everyone.
---
In her mind, Venecorva smiled. Today was going to be glorious. She reached out her talon-like arm into the portal Nenet had created in front of her. As she pulled back, along came a staff, tipped with a large and sharp onyx black as midnight. The staff was decorated with black feathers, dried talons, and small crow skulls. Truly befitting for the weapon of the crow-witch. "Now then..." she said, admiring her weapon for a moment before bowing again to Vorkalth and the generals. "I shall lead a group of Ryxens and Spawners into the castle, behind the walls. We will open the gates from the inside out and keep them open so that Avlazor can march in with the rest of the troops."
Vorkalth nodded in approval. It had been too long since he had witnessed the death of a king. It wouldn't be something he'd want to miss. He reached out his hand, just as how he had done when making the small tear in the veil to let his magic deep into the lands. Only now he ripped it further, opening a portal for his forces to slip through. "Spare no one who does not join us," he commanded.
---
Rolling thunder, the sky breaking open with a lightning bolt that couldn't be natural. So this was how it would start. Gawain stared at the sky, turning darker and darker, almost as black as midnight while it should be midday. The wind picked up too, that ominous chilly howling. It made the dead trees of the woods-turned-swamp rustle and crack, the leaves looking like an endless sea while sounding like a thousand dead whispers. He did not like the looks of this in the slightest. Gawain wasn't fond of the dark, and not just because it was the polar opposite of his element. Just.... you never know what lurks out there. Especially not with evil magical darkness cast upon the realm by a vengeful ancient demon. It was time. Time for the battle he had both anticipated and feared. Time to set things right. And perhaps, although 900 years overdue, he would finally go home again. Gawain straightened his back and took a deep breath. If the Legion was soon to march upon the walls, he'd better be ready to face them. As a knight and a Sentinel.

He walked down the halls, heading down to the market square inside the walls. People were tense, he had noticed it before. People argued in the streets over all sorts of little things. Quarrels, fistfights, ravens and crows watching from the buildings, and rats in the streets. Gawain knew that, if a war was upon them, many of those innocent people would not survive. The knights and the Sentinels could fight all they wanted, but a war was bound to make victims. And the people who could not defend themselves were the easiest victims. Gawain rushed around Camelot, gathering knights and able bodied men to ready themselves for the fight that was bound to come.

Erin perked up as the lightning cut the sky. It felt... odd. Sure, anyone who has known about Vorkalth and the Legion could tell this wasn't a normal storm, but this was... different. Erin wasn't sure how she'd put it in words. Is the weather even capable of feeling evil? She rushed to the window, leaning out as far as she dared. She did the same as when she first got here. Back then it was to admire the view. Now... now it was to see if even through the dark clouds she could see silhouettes at the horizon. Warriors marching upon the castle. Nothing yet, but they were coming. And once they'd arrive... Erin would be ready, and they would pay. Much to her own dismal, Erin hoisted herself in one of the dresses, tied her hair together, and rushed down the halls. She wasn't sure what to expect, other than the Legion... but who could tell how many forces they would send? What they would send? The not-knowing made her nervousness worse.
"It'll be okay," Igneos reassured her from the torches as she ran by. "Avalon will not fall today."
---
The moving plant was indeed the Spriggan, hanging around the square in his invisible form, playing with plants and baskets like the mischievous little thing he is. Was he unaware of the fact there was a war about to break lose? Or did he simply choose to enjoy the small things now that he still could? "Pyuu!" he leaped out of the plants towards Benji, clinging onto the Sentinel's legs, looking up with his glowing eyes. He seemed... scared? Maybe the sudden thunder and lightning had frightened him. Maybe he knew more of what was about to come. Anyone around who is fluent in Plant and can ask?

 

[PenBlade1326]

Shiny magic, dark magic, pulsating magic powered up the weapons. "Now our weapons kill harder!" Avlazor praised and thanked Nenet for her contribution to the energy of their forces. With these enhancements, the Avalonians wouldn't know what hit them. Gates would break, bones would break, everything would break and all will bleed under the force of the Legion. Seething with hatred and anger, the Legion of the undead would storm the castle and take the lives of all in their way. Today they will have victory and lay waste to it all.
"Avlazor wait for gate to open. Avlazor take monsters and kill everything!" He chanted, gloriously pumping into the air as the rip appeared at their masters hand. All there is to do is to wait for Venecorva to do her part, and he would be waiting on the other side. To the fall of Camelot!
---
Crash!
Lightning! And not the lightning that would suggest a new hero has entered the arena in a classic fighting game back in the 1990's. Clay jumped at his window, leaning out as well to see the darkness surrounding the sky, something definitely beyond the horizon and on its way. Chaos already plagued this land and now it is about to get ten times worse. Grondo silenced, but pounded the rhythm of battle into the cowboy's heart while he grabbed his newer hat and slapped it onto his head, strapping himself into better clothes and buckling up for what was bound to be a ride of life and death. If the Legion is about to do something, Clay will be standing up against the evil with his chin up and boots on. Sharing the idea with a female friend of his, he marched on down the hall, narrowly miss Erin on her own stroll through the castle as he made his way to Merlin's sanctum. He had arrived just in time to hear Merlin's latest statement. Large battle fate of Avalon, Vorkalth being up to no good. He knocked on a table to announce himself. "It's a war, ain't it? We're gonna get out britches deep in shit?" he asked, leaning onto the wall with a leg perked up on its toes. "Well, darn tootin' that old varmint ain't gonna cross us again and walk away happy." Clay vowed.

Spriggan leaping onto his leg caught Benji off. He didn't know whether to be startled by it or the sky breaking into thunder at the blink of an eye. Commoners jumped as well, dreadfully staring up at the sky in dismay knowing what is to come. They were more in the know than he was. Scrawny and shaking, Benji held Spriggan up close like a little baby needed to be held by a parent and excused himself from the market stall he'd been helping at. Never a good idea to run towards something bad going on. That is, unless you live a life such as this. Now this job is becoming more mundane and eye-opening. "We need to find the others and get ready," Benji told the Spriggan, running off with him and shooing away the townsfolk to safety. With luck, he'd come across Gawain gathering the knights, or Erin basking away wherever she was. Just to find someone and get together. It's about to get bad and Benji knows he'll only be able to help under his friends' orders.
"Erin? Gawain?" Benji called out, searching.

 

[Lady Insanity]

"Heh. Streets flowing with blood. Flowing like water. Water like the dead Sentinel. Ha! With one of their own out of the question, they won't stand a chance against the might of the Legion," Nenet preached, bestowing her power to the forces before her. Taking the castle will come easy to their army under lead of an inside source. How enchanting it will be to see it all destroyed on the surface.
---
Swallowing and shivering, April held her chin up under Merlin's unsettling delivery. Peaking through the scrying window she could see what's building up and just how much bad mojo is coming their way. "I wonder why Vorkalth's putting his full efforts in motion now?" April asked herself quietly, massaging her hands back and forth nervously, tapping her foot and pacing around the room. As wind blew outside and rustled the trees, she was inside with Merlin still. From the moment Dylan died things had gotten worse and only worse.
"We should have just melted that stupid sword down. Then maybe the legends would change for the better," April declared, head snapping back to Clay making his entrance. She'd been spooked! He's not an evil freak, so that's good. His face and overall presence felt comfortable. She'd seldom come out of her room since the tragic thing happened so seeing Clay is refreshing.

"I guess we are gonna get...britches deep. I hope what we've learned so far is enough..." April drifted.

 

[marorda]

Merlin briefly glanced over his shoulder as the cowboy entered his sacred space. A simple nod fell from his head. "A war it is indeed. One this realm hasn't seen in ages. The most epic battles from this realm will seem like nothing compared with what is to come, if history is our teacher." Merlin very well remembered from the last time the Legion had marched the land. Armies of the dead reaching from horizon to horizon, thousands of bodies to count. Spawners and Ryxens under the lead of Avlazor and whatever dark creature had joined Vorkalth this time around. With Morgana having disappeared, Merlin feared for the worst. If Merlin was to believe the information he had received from Fate --and he most definitely did-- this was going to be a dangerously close call. These Sentinels were far from as trained and experienced as others before them had been, and Vorkalth had risen stronger than ever before since the beginning of time. Merlin wouldn't speak his thoughts out loud, not wanting to trouble the Sentinels even more after the most recent events. The Watcher turned his attention back to the Scrying Window, peering at the mist that was an omen of the battle to come. Any moment now they would see the Legion's forces marching through, headed for the gates, for the innocents. Out to murder, out to conquer.

"Vorkalth is a patient man," Merlin said. "He waits until the time is right, until he sees a proper opportunity, and then he strikes. In this instance I would argue the corruption spreading and my successor's recent passing were the perfect set-up." He sighed sadly, knowing deep down inside that this was exactly what had happened. The Legion obtaining a powerful artifact, and then crushing some spirits by -albeit indirectly- be responsible for the death of one of the people defending the realm... Any villain would see that as the perfect opportunity to strike. He shook his head at the mention of melting down Excalibur. "It would have made things worse, if anything. Without the blade you wouldn't have gotten the unicorn's aid, and then the Titan would have fallen in the battle against Morag." A bitter and hard to swallow pill, perhaps, but a much needed reality check. Altering a legend hardly changes things for the better.
---
Much to her surprise, Erin ran into nobody on her way through the castle and to the outside. Where the others already there? Where they still in their rooms? Or perhaps they had all gone to Merlin? She headed outside, staring up at the sky still packed with dark clouds, occasionally broken by lightning cutting the sky and rolling thunder in the distance. Almost like the beat of a war drum slowly closing in. The strong gusts of ominous wind pulled her dress and hair. Benji's voice calling out her name was nearly carried away in the wind, but she managed to hear him. "Benji!" she called back. What if he'd run into trouble? Her heart started racing faster. She didn't want another person to get hurt. Not a single one more. She ran around, trying to trace Benji's voice while telling the townsfolk to get to safety as she crossed them. "Get inside. Barricade your doors!" she called to them. So many innocent people in the face of danger. They were probably aware of the threat, but didn't know how to defend themselves. Somehow Erin thought that torches and pitchforks may not be effective against hordes of Spawners, let alone Ryxens and whatever else Vorkalth may send their way.

She finally spotted Benji, carrying the Spriggan around and shooing people to safety as well. "Thank goodness, there you are!" Erin let out a sigh of relief. "Any sign of the others?" She glanced around again, not spotting any of their other friends around. The thunder-reminding-her-of-wardrums rolled again, sounding closer and closer this time. Erin shuddered lightly, expecting dangerous undead to leap at them any moment now, even within the safety of the walls. Speaking of which...

"Man the gates! Everyone be ready!" a voice commanded from up one of the walls. Gawain! He had taken on his knightly duties, commanding the guards and knights below him to get into position. Even his fellow Round Table Knights did, in this instance, not escape the Sentinel's commands. "Sir Percval, man the West Gate. Sir Kay, South Gates. Don't let them breach the walls. I want every entrance to the Castle to be guarded." The knights begrudgingly did as they were told. Of course they did not want their home to fall, but even among them the corruption stirred. Gawain could just feel it. He spotted Erin and Benji down the walls, telling the people to head to safety. He waved down at them, signing them to find the other two Sentinels. They were going to need everyone out here, and quickly! Gawain turned to glance at the distance again. The thick fog slowly crept over the ground, and much like before, Gawain was convinced he heard the voices being carried on the wind. Grunts and groans, marching of hundreds upon hundreds of feet. His heart beat so loudly Gawain was almost sure it would break out of his chest any given moment now. He silently prayed to his Gods and Aurelius. Avalon was going to need all the help they could get.

Erin nodded back at Gawain's sign and looked at Benji. "Let's find April and Clay. They're probably with Merlin." Just as she turned on her heel to head back and find them in Merlin's sanctuary... She froze. Time itself seemed to freeze for a moment...
---
With the rip in the Veil, the Legion's forces marched through, pouring out in an endless stream. A group led by Venecorva headed undetected, concealed from the eye by powerful magic, to the hidden entrances that only so little people knew of. It would take a bit for them to get there, but they were on their way. The remainder and much larger portion of evil forces marched upon the walls, led by Avlazor. Many lines thick, they marched through villages, laying waste to where they threaded. Sparing nobody, like their Master commanded, only when they pledged loyalty to the Legion they would be spared. And those that fell...? Only more bodies for the Legion. More Spawners and Ryxens for the ranks.

Vorkalth watched from the Underworld, satisfied with the chaos and bloodshed that only empowered him further and further. Through the tear that he made, a dark and twisted form of Essencia seeped through, making its way to the Shaman. Vorkalth took a deep breath. "Ah... yes..." he said, feeling his powers grow stronger and stronger, slowly feeling his material body come back. More... he needed more power. The Realm needed more chaos. He reached out into the nothingness, magically conjuring a warhorn, smooth and black in color. He held the end into the portal he created, and brought the other end up to where his lips ought to be. Vorkalth blew on the horn, it's sound echoing throughout the realm, stirring even more corruption and darkness in the hearts of those who heard it. Those who had already been corrupted would now be even easier preys to his influence, if it wouldn't make them join his side right away. Those poor souls in the Castle had no idea how severely outnumbered they would be.

 

[PenBlade1326]

"Vorkalth ain't nothing but a steaming pile of horse shit," Clay immediately threw in, stepping assertively to Merlin regaling as if the big guy in charge of demonhood is someone they can talk about with respect. Power or no power, he's a little shit who's gonna grab the wrong bull by the horns one of these days. Patience; who cares about patience when that patient being is dark and twisted enough to launch assaults on different realms wanting to get fat on power? For real! Clay simmered down enough to take back a little bit. Slowly he massaged his temples and cracked his knuckles. "Give us a reality check if ya want, Mr Wizard, but I ain't just gonna let history repeat itself. It's time to get serious and get that there varmint quick." Clay's words may be aggressive but his tone and facial expressions are not. He's had it up to here with this shit! But getting mad at the people on their own side won't fix anything.
---
He could hear it. Erin's voice telling people to get inside. Should some people not be standing? Times like this you see villagers and commoners from all walks of life stepping in with the pitch forks for torches ready to fight for their home to help the trained warriors. Effective against and undead Legion? Okay maybe not but they need all the numbers they can get. Contrary to his clear thinking, Benji's mind ran in more directions than possible to fit on a compass.
Found her! She found him! Found each other! Running to meet her with Spriggan in his arms, Benji swallowed to moisten his drying throat. "All I see are townspeople running around, no idea where the others are!" Benji had to raise his voice over the thunder. It's getting louder, closer, whatever you want to phrase it like.

Up on the ramparts Gawain commanded the knights. Good to see he's keeping busy and doing something about this. Sounds like he's preparing for a siege. Captain Obvious to the rescue! Nothing gets by him! Benji being the Captain, not Sir Gawain. "Pyuuu?" Spriggan felt and looked so pitiful.
Nodding accordingly, Benji stroked the little tree gently. "Right behind you." As he inched forward, time seemed to freeze as did he. Erin froze. Suddenly it got very very...still? But nothing froze, really. Not literally frozen but frozen like a victim in a horror movie. Make sense?
---
Portal travel makes Avlazor's tummy hurt.

Tummy aches are best treated by means of filling it with potent medicine or getting so good old fashioned grub down it. He has an appetite for misery and death. Lucky for him, he marches through lands where it is fresh out the oven. He can hear the masters horn, darkness and primordial evil stirring about. Unfolding before him were Ryzens and Spawners prematurely swinging weapons away before they'd even gotten to the castle with Venecorva. Laughing, Avlazor skipped along with his massive weapon dragging behind him, etching jagged marks in the ground. With a heavy swing he cleared three villagers of their breath and possibly their life.
Stomping in a puddle, he was reminded of the Water Sentinel. "Bye bye!" Avlazor stomped the puddle again and laughed, cracking a brave but foolish villagers bone on contact. Walls were what stood between him and slaughtering many knights and the rest of the Sentinels! Avlazor stood headfirst of his band the Spawners and Ryxens, castle walls in sight from his location. The castle is within reach, all he has to do is march!

"Castle ahead! Kill everyone!" Avlazor coherently announced, Legion behind him screaming with weapons held high. Blood of the innocent stained steel, and soon blood of the knights and Sentinels will run rapidly on the streets. Marching quite a ways away, Avlazor gave whomever was atop the walls a fearsome sight while he approached.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Sword melting down would have made it all worse so by using it as it was, a death is perfectly okay? Yes, some sacrifices of the one have to be made to save the many. Stages of mourning are tricky minxes. Denial had to be April's current stage. Anger slipping it's way into the mix as well. Shit, she has to concentrate and deal with what's happening around her. Hair being brushed from her eyes she cleared her throat softly contrasting the tone of Clay's outburst. For a happy person, he really caught her off guard. Gently, she touched his arm in concern. War is coming and any second things may go to Hell. Or Hell may come to them. Taking a deep and blissful breath, April encouraged the same in the Watcher and Clay. "Please, try and calm down. I get you're angry, Clay, but try to remember who your friends are?" April suggested kindly with perfect intention. "And Merlin, I know you're telling us what we want to know but do try and go about it more to our understanding? Right now we're on edge, just please give us a little break while we can afford it." April did not let anyone go free of her comments and opinions. Not even a powerful wizard, former Sentinel and Watcher of this dimension.

Vorkalth is going to pay for this. She swore on Dylan's memory. He will not take Avalon, not today. If war's coming... let it. She felt washed over with dread... something bad is going down outside, she knows it. "I want to find the others...now," April said softly.

 

[marorda]

That horn.... that awful sound of a horn blowing in the distance. Like in the classical movies of great battles. A war horn being blown to initiate the charge. And somehow, this horn just sounded particularly dark. It didn't take Erin very long to realize this horn could only mean one thing: the Legion was well on it's way. She glanced over her shoulder, back towards the wall where guards and knights ran around frantically.
"Gawain!" she shouted up, barely audible above the sounds of the chaos. "What's going on?" Any indication of how bad it was about to get would be very welcomed. Or maybe not... if things looked especially terrible.

"Get up here," Gawain shouted back. "And see for yourselves." He wasn't quite going to be able to put into words what he was beholding at the horizon, marching closer to the Castle's walls. A terrifying sight, that much was sure. All around him guards and knights, as well as all of the able bodied men, mumbled prayers to God in the hopes of living to see the light of another day. Things looked particularly bad. As if Hell itself had opened and was spewing... or spawning its demons all over the realm. Not that far off, technically. Gawain restlessly rubbed the Charm in his bracelet, the Essencia faintly shimmering in the lack of normal light.

It wasn't pitch black darkness over Camelot... just that unsettling 'something horrible is going on' kind of darkness. Clouds in the sky, still the ominous wind, lightning and thunder... No sun in sight but still present enough behind the clouds. Thankfully, at that. Gawain didn't like the darkness. Not at all. He didn't like the Legion either, obviously. Neither did he like the prospect of so many people at risk. Let's just say Gawain did not like this day in its entirety . He was tense and alert. Recent talks with Aurelius had let him know his Spirit had not abandoned him, so he would be able to help out the Sentinels again when it would be needed. But he was afraid. Afraid of what was ahead, afraid of what had happened in his past, afraid of what was going on now. These new Sentinels seemed new to everything and already they had lost one of their own.
This is not the time to be afraid, my son, Aurelius spoke in his mind. This is the time to fight, to do the right thing. Innocent lives are at stake!
Gawain nodded. He knew that. He knew that so well. But his inner storm and conflict was as strong as the storm going on out here and now. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath, turning his gaze back to the approaching hordes.

Erin glanced at Benji, concerned. If it was so bad that they'd have to see it for themselves... "Let's go," she said softly. "Seems like we've got a castle to defend soon." She walked up the walls, knowing Benji would be right behind her. Possibly after hiding the Spriggan somewhere that was likely to be a safe spot. They wouldn't want the cute little tree spirit to be in danger!
---
Merlin sighed, worrying that at least some of these Sentinels might not be taking Vorkalth's threat seriously enough, underestimating the Shaman's capabilities. Merlin had fought him once, and saw many others fight him afterwards. Thinking they could quickly take care of him and his Legion was what would lead to their downfall. He had expected, as cruel as it may sound, that after their most recent loss they'd be more cautious. Of course he understood their anger just as well, but what they had witnessed so far was just his lackeys doing the dirty work. They had not seen the Shaman itself directly at work yet. And unleashing such a large part of the Legion... that was something only he could do. Merlin smiled softly at April. He did understand them, most definitely. But the problem was...
"I would have loved to give you a break, if circumstances had allowed it. You have most definitely deserved a break after the most recent days, but..." He was silenced, sending the same looming thread April did.
"Your friends are on the wall at the main gate," he told them, watching Erin and Benjamin climb up the stairs to join Gawain on the walls. "Be cautious. Avalon depends on you."
----
Soon after the four Sentinels and Gawain stood on top of the wall, looking out over the fields towards the fog that crept ever closer. Through the fog they came marching. Avlazor in front of Ryxens and Spawners. Hundreds upon hundreds of undead creatures. Some some... non-undeads? Among the Legion's ranks were humans from the villages that they had passed. Those with darkness in their hearts, who had heeded Vorkalth's call for war and joined the Legion to take Avalon and claim what was theirs. Among them also were corrupted knights, lords who had been stripped of their titles, criminals, witches. Among them even seemed to be some of the innocent villagers that had been slain and raised again as mindless minions. There seemed to be no end to them. And they ever marched closer to the gates. Soon, very soon now the charge would start.

Erin swallowed hard. The sight of so many enemies at once was absolutely terrifying. This was it. All or nothing. She glanced at her friends.
"Are you all ready?" she asked. She was honestly intimidated by all the forces coming their way, but she was determined to fight. The Legion took Dylan away from them, and today he would be avenged. She gripped her Charm tightly, her worried look making place for determination. "Essencia Awaken!" she called on the top of her lungs, call audible above the storm. Red energy swirled around her, the fire burning in her soul spreading to every nook and cranny of her being, almost feeling like it was about to burst outwards. Almost. "Scorching Fire Element! Red Sentinel Ranger!"
"Essencia Awaken!" Gawain followed the example, radiant light surrounding him, bright as the sun. "Shining Light Element! Gold Sentinel Ranger!"

They all stood in lineup on the wall, capes flowing behind them in the wind, when a dark rip appeared in front of the Legion, and an even darker laughter came out of it. Immediately Erin's arm started to sear in pain. That voice... that voice they had heard only once before. Vorkalth. The Shaman stepped out of the rip he had created for himself. For the first time this generation of Sentinels actually got to behold the master of their enemies. From this distance it appeared as if he'd stand at least 12 foot tall. His most prominent feature was the deer skull-mask concealing most of his face save for the burning red eyes. Tattered robes his the rest of his body as he floated slightly above the ground. He raised his blackened, more skeletal than fleshy arms.
"Aaah... Sentinels. At last we meet each other," his piercing gaze staring in their direction almost made Erin's heart stop. "I shall give you this one chance to surrender and end your lives quickly. If not..." he turned around, moving before the front line like a general inspecting his soldiers. "We will spare nobody. Avlazor has a fine army hungry for blood."

"We will never surrender!" Gawain called. "Avalon shall not fall to the likes of you! We shall fight until our final breath!" The knights on the walls recovered from their initial shock, raising their weapons high in the air and cheering loudly.
"Pity..." Vorkalth shook his head. "However I was expecting as much." He raised his arms into the air, dark magic forming between them, bolstering the strength of the Legion even further. Now even their weapons seemed to glow with pure vile corruption.
"Remember well, Sentinels... This is only the first time we meet." With those words, Vorkalth turned back to his portal and disappeared. The same dark horn sounded again, even louder than before now.... and the Legion charged.

Spoiler: references for the Legion army