Underdark- Unending Abyss Region

Empire of Night- Fortress of Midnight

Jacob ducked the swing of the ax and kicked out forcing the defender further into the building. Jacob charged in, other attackers following his heels as other defenders swarmed the invaders and slowed their advance. Jacob sent a series of jabs and slashes at the ax wielder as another attacker slammed a mace into the back of Jacobs' knee. Jacob stumbled and tried to right himself but the ax rose and descended toward Jacobs' neck and stopped right before contact. "FUCK!!" Jacob cursed as he looked back.

Of the five other attackers, three others were 'dead' and the two remaining attackers were being driven back out of the building. "Enough, stop and reset." a Sergeant called out over the din. Four dead attackers out of six and both sides were just using physical attacks, not magical efforts had been employed. It could have been far worse for both sides.

Fighting building to building denied the Legionnaires their inherent advantages, unit cohesion, and support because attacking mages could not see inside the buildings they were attacking. The Crossbowmen were similarly hampered and explosive potions or poisons could rack up a civilian body count or destroy the buildings they were trying to capture.

"You idiots, once you get beyond the threshold slow your attack and wait for your brothers and sisters to push in. Employee the tactics that you have been learning these last few weeks. DO NOT fight alone, you are LEGION, don't ever forget that. That applies to both attackers and defenders.' The Sergeant called out glaring at both sides. All of them saluted even Jacob. 'Attackers move on to the next building, defenders you got ten minutes to rest then you will face your next assault." Jacob walked away with the other attackers.

"Having fun?" Zakoc asked as he emerged from another 'building'.

Jacob snorted, "I am beginning to feel like I am slamming my head against a brick wall." Jacob replied. He was making the urban warfare training mandatory for both the Legions and guild members. With what could start happening to the north and the Obsidion Kingdom, they would all need the training.

"Too bad we don't have anything like flash-bang grenades, it would disrupt any defenders within a building.' Jacob frowned at Zakocs' comment and considered the larger man's words. 'What are you thinking?" Zakoc asked.

"Why can't we? It's not as explosive as a Pheonix or Alchemic Bombs, maybe Abraxxus can think up something. He is a mad scientist, figuring out an Alchemic formula for something that sets out a bright flash and a loud sound should be easy compared to other things I have seen him do." Jacob replied and made a mental note as he followed the six-man squad down the street.

Surface- Valley of Origins

Empire of Night- Eternal Forest

Jacob was meditating and pushing his worries away while Nila and Cathrine talked in the background. He was trying to center his thoughts and mind as he had learned before. Slowly the sounds around him were pushed back as nothing remained but Jacobs thoughts and the energy around him.

Alert...

Ability Unlocked...Meditation

Alert...

Jacob dismissed the thought as he heard someone yelling from the tree line and Jacob noticed a large man emerge glaring at Nila and the wolf. Jacob glanced at Nila who was fidgeting and the wolf was getting to her feet. Cathrine gave the man a reassuring smile and tried to calm him down but the large man was furious. He started to stalk toward Cathrine and that stopped Jacobs hesitation from interfering.

"Whatever your problem is, deal with it like a civil adult, but lay a finger on my wife and I don't care what Nila says, I will tear you apart," Jacob stated evenly as he strode over. He placed Moonlight in its sheath but kept it in hand, the huge man glared at Jacob in unrestrained hatred but nodded.

"Now, use your words and tell us what your problem is," Jacob stated.

The man glared at Jacob before turning that glare on Nila, "You gave your word and made a covenant with my people. You have broken your word Queen of the Eternal Forest."

Jacob glanced at Nila who was biting her lip in worry as Jacob strode over. "I am sure she is keeping her word. She made a deal with me and my people and she fulfilled her part of the bargain."

The large man chuckled darkly, "She broke it already." the man snarled as his eyes started to glow golden and confirmed Jacobs' suspicions.

"Why don't we take a walk?" Jacob told the irate man.

"Why would I want to take a walk anywhere with a blood drinker?" The man snarled.

"Because despite you obviously being a dick, I am still being civil to you. So, up for a walk?" Jacob replied. "So, want to tell me what your problem is?" Jacob asked the irate man.

"It has nothing to do with you Vampire and everything to do with Nila. We made an agreement, she failed to uphold her part of the Covenant." The Man growled out.

"I assume this has something to do with the other Werewolf?" Jacob asked softly and the man froze next to him.

"Yes." The man softly responded.

Jacob snorted, "So why is that a problem? You think I am just going to attack you or your people?"

The man stopped and studied Jacob, "Yes, I do think that."

Jacob frowned, "Why would you think that?"

"I would think that because that was the environment I grew up in. That is the environment I survived, and you are trying to tell me everything has changed." The burly man stated.

Jacob simply nodded, "Things change, I am Jacob Longstrider." Jacob stated as he offered the Werewolf his hand.

The huge man considered the offered hand before taking it, "Kormac Swiftfeet, Alpha of the Blackstone Pack."

"I am not my people ancestors, you grew up in a different time. You don't have to live like that anymore. You can start anew, or at least try." Jacob told the Alpha.

Kormac frowned and looked away, "Maybe, maybe not. What assurances do I have from your people?"

"Make it part of the Covenant that I have with Nila. Add it to the Covenant that we can not attack or persecute your people unless it is self-defense. That means Nila will be forced to uphold the agreement and an attack on you is an attack on her." Jacob told him.

"Why help us?" Kormac asked as he started walking again.

"Multiple reasons, first and foremost because its the right thing to do. Second, because your packmate helped me to no gain for her." Jacob replied as they started walking back toward where the others waited. "So what are you going to do?" Nila asked.

Jacob frowned, "I don't know. I know what I must do, I know what I can do, but if I do it, hundreds if not thousands could die." Jacob stated as moved through various stances and whirled Moonlight through imaginary enemies.

"You have to make a choice, but it is up too you," Nila stated.

Jacob whirled through a series of stances and moved Moonlight through a series of defensive positions as he thought of what the Dryad stated. "True, and I have to make a decision. The price though..."

"You won't have to worry about the price or the Empire of Night soon enough." A cloaked figure stated from the edge of the tree line. A half dozen others were with the figure and all of them were staring at Jacob.

All of them were armed with knives in their hands, Jacob immediately equipped his armor. "Nila, take the Werewolf and go, NOW!!" Jacob quickly Analyzed the intruders.

Name: Unknown

Level: Unknown

Health: Unknown

Abilities: Unknown

Jacob frowned, it wasn't a god or goddess, he would have been warned by an Alert if it was someone with a Mantle. "Who are you and what do you want?" Jacob asked as conjured a Shadow Bolt but didn't release it.

"We want you to join us, our Lord has given an order and we will see it done. One way or another." the Cloaked figure stated as he darted forward. Jacob snarled and threw the Shadow Bolt forward and a barrage followed after. The lead attacker ducked under the oncoming barrage but the two closest attackers received a face full.

One attacker lost his head and the other was sent trembling backward tripping up two others. Jacob activated Piercing Lunge, the lead attacker managed to deflect the attack and it pierced his shoulder but before Jacob could compound the attack the being disappeared.

Jacob continued his assault on the attacker the was closely following the first figure. Jacob sent a series of slashes and cuts toward the newest attacker. The three attackers that had been tripped up regained their feet. "Stop fighting, you will join us. Our Lord will put you in a position of great power and call you brother. So why are you fighting us?" The original attacker stated as Jacob triggered Battle Stomp, Invigorating Shout, and War Cry as Jacob danced among his enemies. Suddenly a blast of magic slammed into his back.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Chaotic Touch: Increase all damage (+5%) from all sources (Duration 1 Minute)

Battle Alert...

Jacob dismissed the Alert and it revealed his attackers as he staggered upright and activated Hemorrhage. Suddenly pain exploded from his back as one of his attackers got a Backstab in.

Battle Alert...

De-Buff Bleeding: 100 DPS (Duration 30 Seconds)

Battle Alert...

Jacob grunted as he looked at the furthest enemy and activated Leap. The attacker tried to scream as Moonlight slammed through his chest. Two down and four to go as Jacob whirled to face the remaining four. Jacob quickly checked his Health as he sent a barrage of Shadow Bolts at them, Jacob was sitting at 75% and dropping. Jacob quickly felt at his belt and he only had one Small Healing Potion.

All four cloaked figures raised their hands and launched Chaos Bolts toward Jacob who raised his shield and blocked almost half the damage. Jacob grunted as the combined assault dropped him down to almost 50%. Jacob glared at them as he activated Dome of Darkness and breaking combat for a short time.

Suddenly screams rang out, soul-searing screams Jacob had only heard a couple of times on either world. As Dome of Darkness dispersed all that remained were corpses, Jacob and an armored Succubus. "I expected more from someone marked by Lilith." The Succubus stated as she walked closer to Jacob. She wielded twin daggers made of Hellfire.

"Who are you?" Jacob asked, not letting his guard down.

"Who I am, does not matter, I would suggest you start bringing bodyguards with you everywhere you go." The Succubus stated as she conjured a portal and walked through. Jacob studied the remains, they had been torn apart by the Demon. Their daggers were odd as well, they still glowed faintly with a kaleidoscope of colors. Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Knives of Chaos (Set Knives)

Level: Epic (Scalable)

Damage: 100-135

Properties: Increase all Primary Stats by 5%

Properties: Increase Resource Regeneration by 10%

Properties: +10% Increased Experience gained from slaying beings or followers of Light/Darkness

Properties: Ability Unlocked Chaos Binding

Requirement: Chaos Acolyte or Chaos Bound, Level 10

Durability: 800/800

Description: These blades were forged for the sole purpose of serving the Assassins of Chaos. Each blade crafted then infused with a portion of the power of Chaos.

Note* Chaos Binding: Upon striking a killing blow, there is a 50% chance of binding the being to the Lady of Chaos. Jacob dismissed the information, at least they were not a Spark of Chaos. "Finally, I thought she would never leave." Another stated causing Jacob to whirl around and stare at a large armed and armored form that was leaning against Big John.

"Who are you?" Jacob asked as he studied the man. He wore plate and mail armor with a large two-handed sword strapped to his back.

The man smirked, "Don't you have a guess?" the man asked as he stood up. He was six and a half feet tall, bright blue eyes, and blond hair.

Jacob frowned at him, "If I knew that, I wouldn't ask."

"True, but telling you could spoil everything. However it would be so fun...ok, I will give you a hint, my first name is Alexi." Alexi stated as he studied Jacob.

Jacob frowned, "Ok Alexi, what do you want?"

"I want you to join our side, you have so much potential. If you worked with us instead of against us... there is no limit of what you could do. With the strength you have already amassed and what the Lady of Chaos could unlock within you. You wouldn't ever have to worry about the Slavers Union, their allies, or the Council of Light." Alexi stated.

Jacob frowned, "The Empire of Night is strong enough to stand against them." Jacob stated as Alexi started to laugh.

"You are amusing and naive. The northern nations are fractured for now, but when they do unite. They are far stronger than you boy no matter what you might think." Alexi stated.

Jacob snarled at Alexi, "They would never unite, they are too fractured by their differences."

"For now they are fractured. You and your people will give them a reason to unite them." Alexi stated.

"Who are you and why do you care?" Jacob asked.

Alexi rolled his eyes, "I used to be a king, I used to rule an Empire, then...then my armies were defeated...My people became Cursed, and I was thrown into a prison with a powerful being. Figure it out yet?"

"Alexi Sunstreaker, the last king of the Empire of Night, before me," Jacob stated.

"Finally...Live and in the flesh, it's time for us to talk boy!!" Alexi stated with a smile.