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New Quest Objective

- Find Amaryllis

You’ll be playing Grey Steel, a minotaur with a burning desire for vengeance against the creatures that destroyed his life.

***

Femoral bone sticky with the blood and bits of brain matter, Grey turned the weapon in his hands, wondering how many more he would need to kill. The battles, the trials, the struggles he’d faced alone were more than enough for anyone, and yet the Lightbearer continued to test his resolve. The mounds of bodies he saw all around him grown larger still with those he had sent to the underworld. The silence broken up by the jangling of chains and soft whisper of the breeze as it shifted the balls of magical light through the blood soaked dungeon. The fury and adrenaline he had felt in battle steadily fading away leaving behind a dull ache that was soon replaced by a deep longing. The victory he had gained here, empty of all joy at the thought of the many lives that had been lost. All of them killed by that thing that dared to breathe the same air as he.

Breathing haggard, he looked up to meet the vampire’s knowing gaze and felt the fire reawaken inside of him. The swirling tumult of rage, despair, and hopelessness that ate away at him roaring to life. But as Grey looked into the creature’s golden eyes he saw no fear, nor anger...only...sadness.

Fire dimmed at the unnatural sight, he recoiled back.

Calain splattered in blood, naked as the day he was born. Stood there alone. “I know your people aren’t fond of my kind, but this is not my doing. I did not wish to shed their blood, nor that of any of my kindred of whom I gave birth. We need each other to survive. Your friend won’t be able to help you here.”

Grey shook his head furiously from side to side. The code was clear. It dictated that he correct his mistake and end this perversion that claimed the same air as he. And yet, it was right. Despite the vampire’s threats to slay Grey, Calain had done nothing to harm him. And even now he could sense no danger from the creature. Still the code…

Movement flickered out from the corner of his eyes, spine tingling at thought he had missed one of the filthy little beasts, Grey whirled round shifting into heavy stance, and saw a dazed and terrified Sky appear from behind. Left eyebrow twitching frantically, Sky took in the bloodbath with wide eyed terror. The usually talkative minotaur for once silenced by the gore, limbs, innards, and bones strewn all around them. The bodies hanging above swaying from side to side, while the ceramic bowl full of blood made a ga-luping sound each time a drop of blood fell down into it. ”Grey? Where are we?”

Turning his back on them, Calain dropped down to begin stripping one of the kindred of his clothing, while Grey tried to come up with an explanation that would not shatter his friend’s soul. The life Sky had led, may not have been a kind one, but at least he had always known the safety and comfort of his village. Whereas Grey had seen this type of needless slaughter many times before. (New Companion Added.)

(Click here to reply with a brutally honest response.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Seeing no reason to lie to him, Grey replied, “The dark one brought us here so that we may be fed to that vampire over there and be turned into one of their ilk. It seems Lord Colmar has much bigger plans than corrupting the entire south with his lies.”

Sky’s gaze shot over towards Calain, before swinging round to look back at Grey in disbelief. The vampire warrior chuckling darkly as he resumed stripping the dead kindred of his armor and equipment. (While this could be considered to be an honorable act. Sky has become distracted with this new knowledge and has a decrease of - 10 resilience and - 10 magical resistance for the next three engagements. Luckily for you, you’ve gained + 2 Honor, and after the next three battles Sky will return to his normal stats with a permanent boost of + 5 for both resilience, and magical resistance.)

(Click here to avoid worrying Sky.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Not wishing to alarm his friend, Grey replied, “The dark one brought us down here to use in some dark deed of hers, but with the help our new ally here we were able to break free. But enough of that, we’ll have time to speak more of it later.”

Grey’s skin crawled at calling the servant of darkness an ally, but what else could he say? Sky would need to know eventually, but for now with all that had happened, there was no need to worry Sky even further. Distractions here could prove fatal.(While your friend is still willing to trust you, Sky can already sense that you are lying to him.)

Clearly wanting to ask him more questions, Grey turned his attention away from Sky’s shocked expression and back to Calain. The vampire warrior, now clothed in the armor of his dead kin, the black leather giving the tall, hawk eyed vancloren an added sense of menace that emphasised his incredibly pale skin. “Here, you will need these,” he said.

Stepping over still twitching corpse of one of his kin, Calain handed Grey a short steel sword, the weapon far too light and flimsy in Grey’s large hands, but it would have to do for now until he could recover Tamrel. (Short Sword has 3 attack dice.)The thought of losing the ancient blade that had been in his family for centuries, worried Grey more than he thought it would. Calain handing a second short sword to Sky who took it wordlessly, the young minotaur all but ogling Calain’s yellow eyes.

“How do we leave this place?” Grey asked. The thought of going back up to face Colmar while a welcome one, could well spell doom for them all. The lordling would not be alone, and despite what Grey might think of him, he would be no match for Colmar in his current state. What he desperately needed right now was a moment to breathe, but that would not come until he had found Amaryllis and made sure she was safe.

Calain turned and pointed towards a bookcase at the rear of the dungeon. “When Aalissa thinks no one is watching she disappears through a hidden door behind that bookshelf. I believe that will be our way out.”

Moving with the grace of a dancer, the vampiric prince strode towards the rows of bookshelves, studied the shelves full of scrolls for a moment, before leaning forward to press his palm into an indentation. The bookshelf splitting open down the center to reveal an iron reinforced wooden doorway nestled directly behind it.

Not in the least surprised the vampire would know the way out, Grey moved to follow him, then paused to search the cages. The prisoners lined up against the bars with haggard expressions, their empty eyes void of all emotion.

Stepping closer to get a better look inside, the prisoners shyed back away from him with only one remaining in place. A former warrior judging by his build, he stood there with his huge fists clasped around the bars, the tips of horns painted gold, and body scarred by many battles.

“What’s your name warrior?”asked Grey.

With several teeth missing, dark grey fur, ragged and dirty, the warrior spat into the cage at his feet. “Why?”

A little taken aback at the hostility he heard in the minotaur’s voice, Grey opened his mouth to try reason with him, when Grey saw the warrior’s gaze shift to Calain who stood there waiting by their way out. The hatred and loathing written on the warrior’s face enough for Grey to see his anger was not directed towards Grey, but to his new ally. A mutual feeling all too familiar to him.

Grey however still needed information, and so he decided to try a little diplomacy. “I am Grey Steel, and this is my companion Sky,” Grey said with a curt nod of his head towards Sky who was still looking a little dazed. The dried up blood on his forehead made him appear as though he had only just returned from battle. “We are looking for a young temple priestess with green eyes, and delicate white horns. We got separated from her, and I believe she was captured as well. Please I must find her.”

Whether it was the desperation in his voice or the words he spoke, Grey saw the minotaur's expression soften as though remembering a bittersweet memory. “Your friend is not here. The dark one had many of us moved from this place, along with the tainted ones. Creatures like he,” he said pointing to Calain, “She may be with them.”

The minotaur's voice lost to Grey as he heard the distant echo of footsteps come from tunnel behind, followed by Calain hissing, “Hurry, we must leave now!”

But Grey no longer cared, the bubbling hope that he would find Myrllis here safe and unharmed had been dashed against the rocks, his heart crumpling up inside of him. But even as he felt the well of despair, he had to ask, ”Do you know where she’s been taken?”

The minotaur shook his head sadly, taking away the last shred of hope.

Mind spinning with so many regrets, Grey heard Sky and Calain urge him to move, but what hope was there left if he could not protect those closest to him. How could he become a Honor Blade if he could not even save one life. He had trained his whole life to avenge his family, but it seemed at every turn Grey had failed.

Hot tears spilled down his cheeks, but Grey brushed it all aside. His uncle’s words reminding him time and time again the necessity of keeping his mind clear, to never become attached to anything. Yet for Grey it seemed far too late. Perhaps he could not save Myrllis as he had hoped, but that did not mean he should stop trying. Besides there were still lives to be saved here.

Fire roaring to life inside of him, Grey raised his head with renewed determination. “Where are the keys?”(+ 100 Health Points.)

Easily reading his intentions, the minotaur smiled wistfully. “The dark one has them on her. Go. Leave here, and live. If you see my sister Dawn, tell her. Tell her, her brother Dusk prays she is well.”

“You heard him, Grey. We have to go!”Called Sky who moved to grip his shoulder.

But Grey would hear none of it. Live or die, he must follow the way of the Honor Blades. Abandoning these people now would be too much like abandoning his dreams. If he ever hoped to become an Honor Blade, he must stand his ground and fight.

Short sword in hand, he advanced towards the foot of the tunnel’s entrance, the darkened staircase leading down would funnel the enemies toward him, and perhaps increase his odds of survival. Though how he could free the prisoners at the same time was another question.

Turning to look over his shoulder, Grey spoke to the only friend he had left in the world, “Go Sky, leave without me.”

Sky’s scowled at Grey in frustration, before snarling, “Fine, let’s die here together.” The wily scoundrel that had become an important part of Grey’s life stomping over towards the cages to pull out a small concealed knife from his boot. “Try to hold them off while I pick the locks.”

The well known trouble maker of the village, surprising Grey yet again with his willingness to risk his own life, even though Sky could have simply saved himself. It made Grey realise, that he did not truly know his friend as well as he thought. Beneath the survival instinct Sky had used to shield himself from the rest of the world was the spark of a true warrior.

Still, it would not do for him to die here as well, he turned to tell Sky as much, and let out a startled gasp of surprise at the sudden appearance of Calain behind him. The vampire’s glistening yellow eyes staring into Grey’s with an amused expression. The way he had snuck up from behind Grey, unnerving him.

“I never could understand why your people always valued honor above their own lives. You say, you know you’ll die here? So why stay?”asked Calain.

Nostrils flaring, Grey refocused his attention on the tunnel again, heard the sound of footsteps again and spat, “You would not understand. There is nothing but darkness beating in your chest. You are free as you desired now. Be gone already. I have no need of you.”

Calain chuckled lightly, his face becoming somber. “Perhaps you are right, horn head. My heart is black, but that does not mean I have no understanding of sacrifice. The path to becoming one of my kind means losing everything. Few if any remember who they were before they were reborn, and many others never get that choice to decide. It seems to me, my people know more about sacrifice, and honor than you do.”

Flooded by a surge of anger, Grey whirled around. The vampire’s taunt landing squarely on Grey’s shoulders, he snarled, “What do you want from me?!” His anger mirrored in those golden eyes that shone back at him in reproof.

“I want you to realise there is much more to your existence than your precious honor! There is another path you can take! One much harder! But it could save both you and your friend’s life.”

Forced into silent contemplation, Grey tried to think what it could possibly be he was talking about, when Calain raised up his left arm to hold out a jar full of blood. “Drink, and you can save your friends. Drink and you will gain the strength, speed, and power of my kind, if only for a moment. The choice is yours.”

“This will make me like you?”Grey asked.

Calain shook his head. “No, I would need to drain you past the point of death and feed you my blood for that to happen. This, This is simply a gift.”

(Click here if you accept the jar of vampire’s blood.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Grey could not say he was not tempted by the thought, but the idea of drinking another creature’s blood while abhorrent to him, could very well mean life or death for those behind him, including Sky.

With that decision made, Grey took the jar from Calain and before he could regret it, drank it all down in one huge gulp. The blood coursing through his veins like red hot acid, before shooting wave after wave of pleasure through his entire body. (- 100 Honor.)

(These stats will return to normal after four engagements.)

(Click here if you decide against it.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Grey could not say he was not tempted by the suggestion, but the idea of drinking another creature’s life force did not sit right with him. It would mean any victory he gained here would not be due to his own prowess, but that of Calain’s. (+ 10 Honor.)

(In the next stage of the story you will need to free as many prisoners as you can. There are eight cages in all, and after each battle with the Kindred, you release 10 prisoners who will each increase your Honor stat by + 1. You can click on the last choice at anytime to continue the story and complete your escape.)

Praying he had not made the wrong decision, Grey readied his short sword as the first kindred began to appear.

x 1

(First cell opened.)

Dealt with swiftly, Grey turned to see the first cage open with Dusk helping to lead the now freed captives out of the first cage.

(Click here to face the second wave.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Ears pricked at the sound of more footsteps, Grey gritted his teeth.

x 2

(Second cell opened.)

(Click here to face the third wave.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

And held his ground.

x 3

(Third cell opened.)

(Click here to face the fourth wave.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Blood sprayed through the air.

x 4

(Fourth cell opened.)

(Click here to face the fifth wave.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Bodies stacked up all around him.

x 5

(Fifth cell opened.)

(Click here to face the sixth wave.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Images of his mother drifted through the back of his mind.

x 6

(Sixth cell opened.)

(Click here to face the seventh wave.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Her gentle smile filling him with such agony.

x 7

(Seventh cell opened.)

(Click here to face the eighth wave.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Her face lost time in the swirl in the battle.

x 8

(Eighth cell opened.)

(Click here to retreat.)

Spoiler: Spoiler

Calain, dragging Grey backwards, Sky rushing over to help as they raced for the safety of the doorway. Grey trying weakly to break free of their hold, but he had nothing left to give. Surrounded by dozens of warm bodies, Grey was lifted up onto their shoulders, and carried through the hidden door. The kindred swarming the ground behind them.

To be continued...