Games Knights play (Rp)

Plot
Everyone's favorite psychotic game show host, the Game Master is back but this time he has trapped your character in a mid evil role playing game where the object is to defeat an evil who is basically a demigod in that realm. One of the main rules is to Survive with your party to defeat this evil force.

Rules

 * 1) The Ultimate skills are only usable once you hit level 5 but don't expect leveling to be fast and easy
 * 2) Brudikai222 controls the Gamemaster and the demigod Yamige
 * 3) Their is not a limit on how many characters can take a certain role but for maximum efficiency their must be atleast 1 character in playing a role (meaning if their are 3 knights 2 theives, 1 beserker and no mages the team will most likly die due to no healer.)
 * 4) level cap is 10
 * 5) The game master dictates which dungoens the party go into and other important decisions. Other than that the party is free to wonder the land
 * 6) Subclasses can be gained at level 5 just like a mmorpg the heros must do a certain number of tasks to become that sub class.

Berserkers-
Are wild strong people who can wield two handed weapons like axes, sword, and clubs. Due to their great strength they have the highest attack power and can take a bit of pain but not a lot. Their Ultimate skill is Bloodlust of the Ancients, where their pain tolerance and attack power is high than usual then slamming the ground ripping the ground apart damaging enemies. They can lift heavy objects like rock and columns that block the parties' path.

Subclass:
Slayer gained at level 5 Weapon: Scythe/ Destroyer Weapon: Great Axe

Knights-
Are strong willed and can take take a lot of damage thanks to their armor and shield. The usually wield one handed swords. They are not as strong as Berserkers but have more defensive ability. Their Ultimate skill is War cry of the Honorable where they let out a yell that powers up their and allies defensive power. These knights are skilled in blacksmith-ing. They can craft their own weapons and weapons for the rest of the party.

Subclass:
Gladiator Weapon:Steel sheild and clay-more/ Paladin Weapon: War hammer

Mage-
Are undoubtedly magical masters who excel in Magical attacks like lighting, fire,ice, and healing magic. They Have moderate defense Their Ultimate skill is Light from the Heavens, where sword rain down damaging enemies and healing allies. They are the smartest and can figure out puzzles.

Subclass:
Dark mage Weapon: Demon staff/ Elementalist Weapon: Book o' Spells

Thief-
Thieves have the fastest attack speed and the lowest defense than all the other classes. they wield knives and daggers and their secondary attack is to set traps to stun enemies. They can pick lock doors and disarm traps so the part can progress through dungeons.

Subclass:
Ninja Weapon: short sword/ Spy Weapon throwing knives

Characters
The Game Master- Overseer

Axel the Hedgehog- Beserker

Asonja the Hedgehog - Mage (Used to be Thief.)

Amanda the fox-Dark Mage?

Grief the fox-Berzerker?

Indwick the Fly-Knight with poison damage?

Lizzy Eventide -Thief

Urd- Mage

Raven the Panther - Knight

Arctic the Cat - Mage

Komerl "Aden" Hedgehog - Beserker

Act1 The Overseer's pass time
"Your character wakes up in an open field with the clothing and weapons that matches their role types. A kingdom can be seen in the distance." a voice echoed in the darkness of a room.

Axel woke up like the voice said. "Ugh the last time I ever drink from Asonja's scotch stash..." He held his head. " WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CLOTHES!!"

Asonja was already up, crossing his arms. "Well, first of all why were you drinking from my Scotch Stash, it's entirely secret. Secondly, I am just as confused as you are." He checks out his two black daggers he has, as if impressed by them.

"Ok 1 Being a leader can take its toll and 2 sweet dagger, you went shopping?" Axel said standing up.

"...Do you think I go shopping for weapons on a daily basis?" Asonja asked, putting his two daggers away.

"Theres a first time for everything." Axel saw this two handed sword near his feet. "DUDE LOOK AT THIS!!" He picked it up with ease. "Its soo cool!!"

"Dude, you're gonna chop someone's face off with your ignorance..." He grumbled.

"Ohhh I can easly take part in helping him!!" The voice sounded again. "Hello again my most favorite pawns it is I, The Game Master and welcome to a game I like to call : Champions of Harthon!"

"Game Master!!" Axel shouted to the sky. "Why dont you ever leave us alone!!"

"I'm just at the point where I don't care anymore. It's just...gotta happen." He took one of his daggers and fiddled with it for a while.

"Well I'm not playing." Axel sat down on the grass.

"Aw cmon Axel don't be such a party pooper. Play the game." The Game Master replied.

"Nope." Axel replied back.

"Ok then *Ahem* Axel dies due to a stamped of oxen." The Game Master simply instructed.

"Wait wha--" A stamped of Oxen appear out of nowhere trampling over Axel his screams are muffled by the thumping sounds of hooves.

"Axel receives a blessing from the gods and revives." The Game Master Instructed and Axel woke up.

"Are you gonna play the game now Axel?"

"Y-Yes Game Master." Axel replied shivering from the coldness of death.

"Well...shit. That just kinda happened..." Asonja shrugged and put the dagger back in his belt.

"Well what now?" Axel got up dusting himself off. "Next ox I see I'll kill it and eat it.... possibly not in that order!"

"Wait, you just said two things and the only possibility for that to be in a different order is 50/50...so I think you DID mean it in that order. The reverse way is just...kinda wrong..." Asonja stated.

"I'll eat it while it's still alive how can I make that any clearer." Axel said putting his sword on his back.

"I just said that it's gross, dude. What the hell kind of a mind do you have?" Asonja growled a bit.

"You ate beef raw countless times this isnt different its just that its alive." Axel replied.

"Yeah, and you're eating it like a cannibal does! I eat raw meat from the store where it's frozen and wrapped, not were it's completely fresh out of the animal where it's screaming for mercy! That's terribly gross!" Asonja replied back, his fists clenching a bit. "This is exactly why you shouldn't be a leader! You're not smart, and you act like a total idiot! Straighten yourself out, and maybe I'd reconsider!" He stomped away, grumbling.

"Asonja was teleported back to the open area unable to move." The Game Master said and was so. "Not so fast Mr. Whining Bitch. We are just about to play, The goal of this game is to defeat the evil Demi God Yamige and save the land of Harthon. But you will need the rest of your party and level up if you even what to take out 1/10th of his health. Good luck nehahahahahah!" The Game Master's laugh faded and Asonja's legs unfroze.

"Arrgh! Fine!" Asonja growled. "Asshole..."

From the sky fell a spiral of purple, grey, and black. Soon after, a short black feline crashed headfirst into the ground, a small dagger landing next to her (along with her specific weapons?).

(Theives use bombs, traps ie. rope, bear. and daggers and knives. Later on you can add a status effect like poison to your weapons)

Asonja helped her up. "Oh hey, are you okay?" He asked. "Pretty big fall you just had..." He looked up and then back down.

"I'm... uh..." She staggered a bit, fixing her jaw back into place. "Okay, that hurt..."

"Weird. Is the Game Master just shoving random people in here?" Axel wondered.

"Late entry, continue..." The voice of the Game Master replied.

"If only we had a mage to give you a quick heal." He helped her up onto her feet. "Huh...I've never seen your face around here. Have we met before?" He asked.

"I... heal quick," She replied, looking about for the voice. "And... no we probably haven't... met... before- what's going on here?"

"We're in some kind of weird place by this Game Master dude. He's been doing this for a long time...I'm kinda used to it but I escaped Death many times. It's hard to explain but if only you came a bit earlier, not saying that is a bad thing..."

"The Game Master, A bloke that keeps trapping me and my buddy here in various games the first 2 where game shows and this seems to be an rpg type deal which means..." Axel walked over to a mouse minding its own business, He lifted his foot and stomped on the mouses neck killing it. after it died an entire treasure chest popped out. " AWESOME IT WORKED!! Rpg logic oh how I love ya. "he opened the chest and took out A beserker chest cloth that had 1 attack power stat than the one he was wearing.

"W- poor... thing," The feline looked sympathetic and the previously-alive body. "So we're in a video game?" She looked at her supplies. "Those are mine I'm guessing?"

"Okay, first of all, we're not buddies Axel. We're like the relationship with Russia and the U.S.A...wherever those are. And second of all, that was brutal to what you did to that mouse. Thirdly, yes, those are your stuff." He pointed to the supplies on the ground.

"Okay, tension apparently," The cat stepped back from the two of them. "... Did you give your names?  I don't recall.  Going a bit fast here."

"Oh, right. That's Axel, I already pointing him out. I'm Asonja, also a Thief."

"Also-... Wait I'm a thief now?" The cat asked. "Er- I'm Lizzy also."

"That's just your class, Lizzy. As a Thief you have abilities that are exactly the same as mine. We're not that strong but we're the fastest and we can disarm practically any traps, doors, chests, and...you know, do what Thieves normally do: Steal stuff for experience, gold, and other unique things we all need."

"im Axel Zaru Kiowa, thats my full name but you can just call me Axel. this is my buddy Asonja hes like such a downer at times, we are part of a Freedom Fighter Guild we protect the innocent although Mobius. Im the leader and Asonja here is like third in command i dont know he never works. Axel ingored what Asonja said with the introductions.

"... Okay, wait I'm already fast... and," She looked off a bit. "W-well pretty strong, but, wait does this mean I can't use my powers?"

"Unfortunately, no. I don't have much power in me already so, I already know how it feels to be useless. It's painstaking..." He sighed.

"... No way," She punched a hand at the ground, trying to phase through it.

"Okay okay, please calm down. We cannot waste our strength here but on monsters so we can level up, buy new gear, and get this over with."

"Cant use my vector control or plasma magic.... this sucks!!!"

"Boo hoo.... now the party makes their way to the kingdom of Darvenha to get a quest from their queen." The game master's voice sounded and the party members started walking.

"what the hell i can't controleth myself. alas thee game mast'r giveth me backeth controleth of mine own limbs!!" Axel started talking in the language of that era. "what, what the hell hath happened to mine own voice! i'm talking liketh those people winneth the theat'r shira at each moment drags me to and i just falleth alseep! Asonja holp me prithee!! (Yes I hath wasted my time to find a translator.)

"Dude, you're being a bit over-dramatic..." Asonja sighed.

"Pardon the intrusion, oh fairest screamer," Lizzy replied, "but as the stars align, I grow ever tired of loudness... That was a joke by the way, I'm not talking like that."

"Thank god, it sounded like this entire thing was a disease. It was pretty good by the way, it sounded Classy."

"Thanks," She looked to Asonja, then back to Axel. "Seriously though, dude, you okay?"

"Nah, he's probably having a Mid-Life Crisis. We should go before something else happens...there's a town nearby." Asonja pointed to some lights.

"Im fine seeing the castle made something that was sleeping in my brain just burst out. Could it be all those books I read when I was a child... ugh."

"A hoard of Goblins block the path they can bee seen rolling a gaint bolder." The Game Master's voice sounded.

The goblins stopped at the sight of the party and took out their weapons. One screamed and they all ran towards our heros.

"AWESOME TIME TO FIGHT!! HEHEHA " Axel took out his two handed sword and ran towards the goblin hoard.

"... 'Kay then," Lizzy pulled out her daggers, running at the goblins.

"Ehhh...I think I'll stay back from this one..." Asonja stated. He was a Level 1 Thief with 150 HP, which wasn't a lot. He had no EXP gained.

Lizzy sliced at one of the Goblins.

Axel cut one down the middle its body splitting apart. then he swung his massive sword into Trolls club blocking the attack. (I always thought trolls where really big goblins hopefully im not the only one) "Whoa... what are they feeding you.." The troll roared knocking away Axel's sword with its club. "ok then.. time for strength to come into play. " Axel tackled the troll into the boulder and started to punch it repeatedly.

Lizzy scaled one of the trolls with her daggers, plunging them into the back of the head of one.

"Asonja ran towards the fight drawing his dagger and cutting one goblin's ankle." The Game Master's words forced Asonja to perform the action. (Cmon dude you gotta fight to advance the plot)

"AW COME ON I DID NOT ASK FOR THIS!" Asonja got his dagger out did exactly what the Game Master controlled him to do. "Okay, please, I do not really want to kill anything/anyone right now. I do not feel like I'm in the killing mood."

"Asonja decided to help his friends in killing the goblins to get to the castle safely." The Game Master ignored Asonja's cries.

Axel picked up the goblin and body slammed him onto the ground he then grabbed its club and started beating it over the head repeatedly 10 times til it died. He let out a yell of victory as the Game master's voice sounded. "Beserkers are blood lusted warriors from the distant land of Barmata, they eat, sleep and live battle ever since they where 5 years old."

"Well, it kinda fits Axel well, considering he's sometimes an idiot." He muttered, slicing a goblin into two. "Not to mention, this battle mechanic is extremely wonky..."

Lizzy threw a dagger into another Goblin, hammering it in with the butte of another.

"Seriously, I hate killing things, it's ridiculous..." He groaned as his body killed another one.

Lizzy looked over at Asonja while knocking down her third Troll. "Isn't there like... a healer class thing you can be?  They don't kill I think."

Axel picked up his sword and put it on his back. waiting for the others to finish.

Asonja actually struggled to stop his body from doing the action. "Come on, enough with this already! I don't want to go up a level!" He muttered and then looked at Lizzy. "I can't change to a Mage, Lizzy. I wish I could so I wouldn't have to fight, but I'm no where NEAR supportive either. I stay in the back where I belong."

"You want me to kill you they way I did Axel and not revive you?" The Game Master asked.

"Alright, hold up!" Lizzy made a time-out motion. "Voice!  ... Game Master, can you just make him a healer instead?  He's not doing anything otherwise and I'd rather he y'know... NOT have his brain broken by killing when he doesn't want to."

"Look, I can accept being killed or becoming a Mage/Healer or whatever. I just don't care anymore, okay?" Asonja growled, stopping himself in place.

"Ugh never played a game where the characters told you no... Fine you assaholic cry baby your a mage now." Asonja's clothes changed to a mage's clothing. "But you still have to fight things or your party including yourself is SCREWED!!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. As long as I'm healing them or whatever and not getting near any battles, I'm okay with it." Asonja rolled his eyes a bit.

"Guys, can you knock it off with all the positvity?" Lizzy rolled her eyes. "It's infectious."

"Yeah, see, I totally agree." Asonja crossed his arms and sighed. "Lets just hurry this up, this is getting boring."

"The characters who fought in the battle gained 50 exp each. and continued on their way to the kingdom, but the bolder was still in the way.

"Oh I got this guys! here Asonja hold this." He threw his two handed sword over to Asonja whic was much heavier than it looked. He then proceeded to lift the bolder with ease carring it over a goblin who tried to crawl away and dropped it on him. (wow I think I made axel into an asshole with no regard for life)

"... Would have been nice if I had my powers back then I could have just-" Lizzy stopped herself. "Whatever.  Thanks.  Let's go," She walked onward.

"I'm not a mule, Axel! Why not just unequip it or put it to your back?! It's not that hard!" Asonja grumbled dragging the sword on the ground as he tried keeping up with them. "Please do not level up to 2....please don't...."

"The party stopped at the gates of the Kingdom of Darvenha. A patrol of guards stopped them." The game master's voice sounded.

"HALT WHO GOES THERE?" The guard captain said walking forth.

Asonja decided to let Axel handle it, to see what would happen. Since he's "the leader" after all. That was Asonja's thoughts that spoke just now.

"We come here to speak with Queen Terari, please?" Axel said looking up at the captain that was taller than him.

"Oh Axel from the land of Barmata good to see you again the Queen is waiting for you and your friends.

"How did you know my name.... how did I know the queens name?" Axel question but it fell on deaf ears as the guards opened the gates for them. "Holy shit... look at this place!!"

"Wait how did we know about a queen?" Lizzy asked.

Asonja looked dumbfounded at Axel, then was also highly uninterested of castles. "Meh. Looks pretty okay."

Axel walked through the gates. The people of Darvenha were festive and calm. the party walked to the castle doors.

Asonja sighed and walked behind them.

Lizzy walked to the side of both, looking about.

"So, what's the next thing we gotta do?" Asonja asked outloud.

The Guards were notified of their arrival and opened the doors. As the party walked to the throne room trumpets sounded as a voice called. " Queen Terari presenting Axel ,Lizzy, and Asonja, The Shatterguard." The man called out. "Shatterguard I kinda like that name..." Axel said as he instinctively bowed to the queen. "welp once again I cant control my limbs...."

"Neither can we. I'm just gonna not do anything because I'm literally worthless at this point..." He growled quietly.

"... Hi," Lizzy nodded her head slowly.

"Hello, Queen Terari." Asonja said in the most polite way everyone has ever heard him speak. DAMN IT GAME MASTER I WILL MURDER YOU IN YOUR SLEEP!! Asonja angrily thought.

The queen was wearing a white gown with a golden trim. a golden crown on her head. "Rise Shatterguard, once again I seek your aid. Ragnar the Shepherd has had his sheep eaten by wolves please reduce their number and report back to me and I shall reward you." She said her tone calm and wise.

A man on her left turned towards the team of Shatterguard. "Do as the queen said, and DO NOT fail her I'd hate to see such warriors to waste their lives in the dungeon."

Axel got up looking at the man. "Uzarth nice to see you again..... Wait this is the first time I saw him how do I know his name?!?"

"Don't be so friendly to me savage. I still haven't forgotten what happened in the mountains of Gar." Axel's question fell on deaf ears once again as Uzath spoke.

"Tirak cheated you know this." Axel replied. ''WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!! Axel thought.''

"Just do as the queen asks or the bar fight at Gar will be the least of you worries." Uzarth threatened.

"Cmon Shatterguard lets go do this task." Axel walked off.

Asonja sighed and nodded. He signaled Lizzy to follow.

A smaller sized guard behind Uzarth grabbed its sword and ran off to catch up with the leaving group. "Wait up!" It called. "Don't leave me behind again!"

Asonja stopped and noticed the guard. "I'll stop for you. The others wont be stopping any time soon..."

The guard huffed as it slid to stop. "Why is that every time Nimagi goes on an adventure, I'm usually late to it?" It muttered. "Well, that's probably just me.. Thanks for stopping for me Asonja."

"You're welcome...wait...I know your voice." Asonja stopped and turned to the guard completely.

"You should, I mean, we've known each other for about a year now." The guard responded.

He smirked a little bit and chuckled. "Alright Raven, quit screwin' around and lets get going."

Raven grinned under her visor and nodded. "Alrighty. Let's get this show on the road, then."

"Agreed." He patted her armored shoulder and went back to walking.

She followed a bit slower then him, and looked around through the small holes in her visor. "I love medieval times.. Especially since the tournament."

"I had an interest with it too." Asonja said, slowing down a bit for her. "Its history is so...unique in its own way. I have to collect, and research its secrets."

"True. But I'm just a bit mad that we're only here because of the.." She shuddered. "Game Maker again.. But at least I'm not wearing Comedy Relief."

"Axel's full of it. Ever heard of the Dunning-Kruger Effect?" He asked Raven.

"Nope. What is it?" She asked out of curiosity.

"It's an experiment. It's where the Dumbest people believe they are smartest by their ignorance, and the Smartest people believe they are the dumbest by being doubtful."

"Wow. That's a good theory.." She muttered. "You're the second one, easily. I don't know what I am, though.."

"You're in a minority; You're smart, but you don't doubt your abilities as you have stronger determination and confidence to get yourself to believe that you're smart. Not a lot of people are like that."

She shrugged. "I guess so. But how do you know? I've never really done anything 'Einstein Level Smart' on Nimagi. But I guess only time will tell." She flicked her plume. "Note to self: Do something 'Einstein Level Smart' on Nimagi.." She muttered quietly.

"That is not necessary. As long as you know that you're smart in your head and you can solve puzzles, speak, and think rationally and critically, you are Einstein Level Smart in my book any day." He smiled a bit.

"Heh. Thanks." She replied quietly. "So, do we have any plan to reducing the wolf level?"

"Well, we'll have to find the wolves first. I suggest asking around for any recent occurrences so we can find them and kill them as soon as possible." He said. He seemed to think of that really quickly.

"Wow. That was fast.. But it sure is a good plan. I was thinking once we found them I could distract them while you guys kill them. Sort of a Cat Vs. Dog distraction." She explained.

"That just might work." He nods. "I'll cover you with my healing magic in case something happens."

She tapped her armor. "I think I'll be fine with these." She replied, grinning through her visor.

"I'm not suffering Freedy Kruger effect Asonja. Nice to see ya again Raven, when did the Game Master throw you in here?" Axel said without turning around.

Asonja grumbled quietly with arms crossed, "It's Dunning-Kruger, idiot..."

Axel stopped walking and turned around getting in Asonja's face. "Listen you, I'm not an idiot! I might not be book smart like you or everyone else on the island but I am a brilliant fighter and strategist. So I would appreciate it if you'd stop with all the idiot insults please!"

Raven pushed them away from each other. "Don't get grouchy, guys.. You've been here.. What, 23 minutes .5 seconds? And you're already getting into your 2nd or 3rd argument."

Act2 Forest of Wolves
"Tch" Axel turned back around and continued walking.

(Trisell thank for bringing this issue to my attention You are an excellent rper with excellent ideas. I'd hate for someone to drop out a rp, from now on I'll try my damnedest to wait for fellow rps to catch up on events happening. I cant control your actions but if would like to drop out thats ok -Brudikai222)

(That's very humble and respectable of you, Brudikai and I appreciate that.  Thank you. ~Trisell)

Lizzy continued to follow the group silently, looking crossly at her weaponry. She'd occasionally tense up a bit more, squeezing at them.

Asonja looked over to Lizzy, a bit concerned for what was going on with her, but decided not to question it as he continued on quietly as well.

Raven trailed in the back, once in a while glancing around. "I'll be honest.. But how do we know where we're going? We've never been here before.."

"The Game Master controls everything, even our own actions. I was forced to kill, which I hate doing." Asonja said, sighing.

"Queen Terari said that a Sheppard needs our help so lets go the outskirts of town where the farmers are." Axel said still not turning around.

"Have any of you seen the Game Master?" Lizzy asked from behind them.

"Once." Asonja nodded.

" twice" Axel replied. "Hes an echidna with multi colored spines. Hes insane but he can trap you without you even noticing."

"Oh Axel you are too kind." The Game Master's voice sounded.

"What about you?" Lizzy looked to Raven.

Axel stopped infront of an old shack. "You guys stay here and talk I guess I'll try not to be long.." Axel walked to the shack.

(just gunna leave this here)

Raven held up two fingers. "Twice. But you'll wish you never had.." She said to Lizzy. Then, she strode over to a tree and sat down on one of the roots. She laid her sword beside her.

"Yeah, two times is already enough..." Asonja sighed sat down on the ground too. "I cannot feel my legs..."

(We shall wait for Trisell)

Lizzy paused for a moment before walking over next to Raven. "You're the only other girl here and you're not arguing loudly so is this space free?"

"Yeah, it's all free. Come and sit down." Raven said, and moved her sword out of the way for Lizzy.

Lizzy walked closer, but just leaned against the tree instead. "You lost your powers too, huh?"

Raven looked up at her through her visor. "Not exactly.. I never had any to lose."

Axel came back. " YO follow me I... unfortunetly have a scent marking of the wolves that attack the shepherds sheep."

"... Oh... well I guess this is par for the course then huh?" Lizzy walked back over toward Axel. "What's that mean exactly?"

"It means the scent is leading to the wolves.. Most likely." Raven said, blinking.

Asonja got up, popping his back. "Arrrrgh I don't feel like walking right now! I feel like drinking some good ol' fashioned Sco-...uhh...Orange...Juice?"

"Why are we after wolves?"

"They destroyed the shepherd's sheep, yada yada.." Raven said as she got up. "And Asonja, no.. Especially now that your fire powers are gone, you don't have a reason." She growled and poked him in the chest.

"Actually, I'm a mage now. So I have MORE than fire now!" He chuckled a bit. "Ah, but don't worry. You're fast, awesome, and you can arm and disarm traps. So that's kinda cool."

"You're talking about Lizzy, right..?" Raven said, a bit confused.

"Well, actually, I was referring to the both of you since you have the same class." Asonja states.

"... Thanks?" Lizzy replied. "So this is part of our quest thing?" She asked Axel. "To get stronger?"

"I'm not going above a 1. That is final." Asonja muttered to himself. He was already 1/3 of the way to get to Level 2.

"Asonja, tell me what I'm wearing." She said.

"Uhh...you're wearing armor." He says. It sounded more like a question. "Oh! Oh! I'm sorry I thought you were a thief! Jesus, I'm all over the place..."

Raven nodded under her visor. "I was considering it, but I ended up liking guard.." She replied.

"So I'm the only thief," Lizzy huffed slightly through her nose. "Fits.  Anyway..."

"I thought you'd both be good as Thieves but I guess not. I was one but when I realized fighting still isn't my forte, I switched to Mage." Yes, he STILL has a fear of fighting even in a game.

Axel followed the scent like an animal. sniffing the air in his vision the scent was a crimson color that only he could see. "The party walked bravely through the forest, the howling of wolves could be heard. Soon the party was ambushed by a pack of wolves, an Elven creature hopped out of a tree wearing cloth from a wolf's pelt." The Game Master's voice sounded.

"Smelly travelers trespass in wolf territory. Wolves eat trespassers!!" The elf howled and the wolves started running down a hill towards our heroes.

"Whoop, I'm gettin' in the back!" Asonja moved to the way back, starting to glow green as he prepared healing spells.

"Why is an elf impersonating a wolf? Wow, that kid had big dreams.. CHARGE!" Raven yelled, and grabbed her sword and sprinted forward.

"Get the pointy-eared one!" Lizzy threw a knife at the elf, grinding her daggers against each other.

"I'll get some wolves!" Raven yelled, and started slashing her sword at the first wolf.

Asonja kept an eye on everything in the back, keeping watch over their health. If they dropped below 30% total health, he would heal them.

Raven moved to the next two wolves, after taking a few small blows from the first one.

(Awaiting Brudikai) (Ye)

Axel swung his massive sword chopping a wolf in the skull leaving his sword in there he charged towards the elf. " Your the one commanding the wolves to attack sheep!!!" He punched the elf and it retaliated by rippering claw marks in Axel's cloth.

Asonja jumped a bit and gave Axel and Raven a quick healing spell.

Lizzy grabbed hold of one of the Elf's arms, tugging over to throw the elf on her backside, a dagger jabbing at her chest.

"Well duh, the elf's the one commanding them! If you haven't noticed, the elf is the only one who can actually speak! But I mean, if the elf were dead, they still wouldn't need him. They travel in a pack and act to the according will, and, heh, everyone gets a little hungry now and then, don't we guys..?" Raven rambled as she decapitated a wolves head.

Asonja stayed silent, staying in the back and just watching with Healing spells still ready.

Axel back away and ran towards his sword still lodged in the wolf's skull when he was knocked to the ground another wolf then 3 started to dog pile him. "Ok this is kinda unfair." Their claws digging into his back and face as he stood up with the pile still on his back. " HEY ASONJA a little fire magic would be good right now!!"

Lizzy stopped stabbing the elf, throwing a dagger into the wolf's back as she went to kick them off Axel.

"Uhh...?" He fired a fireball as it was the only magic spell he had that was fire related. It caught one of the wolves on fire, making it tumble and roll on the grass. "Aw man...I already feel guilty..."

(Guess we wait till tomorrow for Dusk) (Agreed)

(Thats no fun but alright)

"DUDE THESE THINGS ARNT REAL!!" Axel shouted. ( only typing to make sure this stays alive cuz i have fears this will go to the graveyard like a Yu-Gi-Oh card)

(R.I.P Yu-Gi-Oh, you were a good series which everyone stopped watching.. Blue eyes white dragon :P)

Raven pivoted on her heel to turn to the next wolf, and started hacking away at it.

Asonja was a bit grossed out with all this blood going everywhere. He wasn't a fan of realistic-styled games. Eww...I feel like I'm gonna puke later... He thought.

A wolf bite on the arm, his only response was to bit it back. It yelped and ran into the trees. Axel looked at his scars. "Cool trophies of battle."

"You just bit that thing..." Lizzy noted. "Aren't those infected with stuff?"

"If he's infected with Rabies, I'm not fixing him." Asonja crossed his arms.

" Little baby afraid to get dirty.." Axel said using a Russia accent. "Plus you can only get rabies if it bit you.....which...it...did. There are no curses for rabies at this time period.." The words Status effect: Rabies appeared over Axel's head. "Shit... welp cmon lets go to the shepard then back to the queen for our rewards.

(Can we just wait for Trisell?)

yeah)

"Just keep your distance," Lizzy noted while following. "I don't want that spreading."

"it's only gunna spread if I bite you. and usally in these rpgs theirs a potion that negates all status effects we just gotta find it." The status effect took 40 points from Axel's 240 health bar. " AND FAST!" Axel started running to the shepherd's house.

"HARK!" a voice called from the house before slapping Axel out the door.

"What the...."

"I... guess try knocking?" Lizzy shrugged. "Who says 'hark' anymore?"

"I BEG YOUR PARDON!?" A loud, slightly high-pitched male voice asked from behind them.

"The hell are you!?" Axel turned around.

The figure jumped upward, going over and then atop Axel's head. "Urd Wallace Breckem IV.  PRAISE ME!"

Axel pointed his sword at Urd. " Stay back demon I have rabies and a sword!"

(Waiting for others)

(yep)

Asonja just stood there, slightly confused at what is going on. He gave Axel a quick heal so the effect wouldn't kill him.

Axel still held his sword at Urd.

"Alright alright, get off." Asonja sighed. "We have more important things to do other than...doing whatever is going on here."

"HERACY!" The short bear-like man cried as he hopped down and began promptly poking Axel's sword. "What brings forth such company of yours."

"... This... this is happening..." Lizzy muttered.

"You know dis dude?" Axel said turning to Lizzy.

"... Nnnno- why are you asking me?" The black cat answered with a raised eyebrow. (Waiting for Dusk?)

(Ye)

(eehh idk)

( woop)

Raven sheathed her sword and glanced at Urd confusingly. "Er.."

Axel stabs his sword into the ground and leans on it. "Once again who or what the hell is this thing.."

(Floop the pig)

The Urd Man slapped Axel promptly, having to jump up a bit to do so. "Urd is no thing!  I am the almight Urd!"

"Urd be cold cuts when Axel remove sword from ground." Axel threatened in broken english.

"Okay, Urd, what do you want?" Lizzy asked.

The Urd Man shrugged. "Adventure is what your group seeks, correct?"

"Yes....." Axel said removing his sword.

"Then I will acompany!" He proclaimed, waving his arms in the air spaztically.

Arctic walked up behind them and spoke in a happy tone  hello

Asonja noticed Arctic. "Oh, you're here too?"

"HARK!" Urd cried out at Arctic. "Tis a fellow traveller!" He zipped over, shaking Arctic's hand quickly.

she said and twitched her tail in amusement holding in laughter

Axel just continued to the Sheppard's house. "Look If i wasn't slowly dieing I would love to stay and chat but...." The status effect took away 40 more points from Axel's health. "Gotta go!" He started running again.

she yelled after he started running

"What ales him presently?" Urd asked the group.

"He-" Lizzy paused when Arctic screamed. "hee... has a... poison... thing..."

she smiled and pulled her hood up walking away

"Where are you going?" Lizzy called.

 just going to go get my bag i'll be back in a sec  she was back in a few min's and sighed to her self  ugh i with i had my power's that stupid evil game master would regret ever meeting me She hiss (... You mean "She hissed."?) (Yeah x3 i type to quick xP)

"... Yeah I don't really know how to respond to that," Lizzy walked after Axel. "Hey, Axel!  You're not dead yet, right?"

"I'm surprised he isn't. I've been healing him for the past 2 minutes and my mana is already getting low." Asonja sighed.

As Axel made it to the Sheppard 's house he glowed green healing him and of the status effect.'' The party has leveled up to level 2" The Game Master' voice sounded.

"WOOOOO!" Axel cheered.

"NOO! I DIDN'T WANT LEVEL 2!" Asonja collapsed to his side. "Nyeeeeeeeeeh........"

"Wait I'm only level two?" Lizzy asked. "What was the Elf for?"

"Everyone in the party is a level 2 now. I want to go back to level 1..." Asonja complains quietly.

"Sorry cant move back so shut up and deal with it." The Game Master said.

"Blech." Asonja pouted and sat back up.

"Why don't you want to level up?" Lizzy asked.

"It's a long and complicated story. The more I get stronger, the more...'Evil' I get. That's all I can give." Asonja seemed tense.

"... And you're only letting us know that now... Hey, Game Manster!  You knew this?" (*Cough cough*)

"no..." the Game Master said.

Axel ran back to the rest of his party. "OK guys im healed of the effect lets go back to Queen Terari to get our reward."

"Right..." Asonja nodded. He was getting less talkative now.

"Hold on," Lizzy held up her hands. "Are we going to have a psycho-killer on our team at some point?" Urd slowly stepped into view. "No, not you," She informed. Urd stepped back.

"oh hey Asonja I heard about you getting more evil when you get stronger. You do know this is a fictional fantasy universe.... Ya know I don't care anymore if you turn evil I swear that I will not hesitate to cut you down Honest." Axel said. "Lets hope its after level 5."

"Dude!" Lizzy snapped at Axel. "Not helping!"

"You don't understand how many times he turned evil through out our adventures I'm not even shocked anymore. Its inevitable like death." Axel said crossing his arms. with a bored face.

"What'll be a surprise for you, that I'm suddenly strong AND on the good side? Would that surprise you?" Asonja asked, his arms crossed.

"No one's getting killed," Lizzy stated, giving a cross stare to Axel. "Could be a little supportive of your friend here... Are you friends?" She looked to Asonja.

"Think of our friendship like the countries of Russia and U.S.A: We're allies, but we still mildly hate each other." Asonja described.

(We should wait on Dusk) (Indeed)

(yeah) "You being strong and on the good side is something that I tried to help you with for years yet your always "Ugh I hate training UGH I hate getting strong Ugh Why are you always stronger than me. I know I'll turn evil, turning evil will make me stronger." Axel said imitating Asonja's voice. "You wanna know why I'm stronger? Cuz I take the initiative to work hard and fight all evil that might destroy the island all you do is sit on your ass and drink scotch and complain!!" Axel stormed off to the castle.

"Did I mention that Beserkers are very easily pissed off?" The game master said laughing a bit.

Arctic laughed at Axel she didn 't really know him but his anger was funny to her she then said '' so what? if you arent strong you can try to help i saw your healing magic it really good so far i mainly use fire magic '' she smiled

Axel made it back to the kingdom of Darvenha waiting for the rest of his team when Uzarth walked up next to him. "You finished already? I have another task for you, you'll be glad to here that its in your homeland Barmata."

"Im listening." Axel replied.

The old beserker catacombs,Queen Terari wants you to get the sword Dragon's Claw from there thats your reward. She has new weapons and armor for the rest of your party."

" Then why make me go all the way to Barmata to get mine?" Axel questioned.

"We here at Darvenha look down on your kind because of your eat, sleep, war philosophy." Uzarth answered. "We dont carry beserker weapons and armor."

Komerl is currently running around the area trying to see if there's anything to do. He then sees a strange person talking to Axel and decides to go over and speak to him.

(Currently wondering why we're still going without Dusk after everyone agreed to wait.) (That would be axel putting in all those parts not me x3)

( In my defense I would have forgotten about this rp if it went an entire day without an edit.)

(Bookmark it)

(If she doesn't respond by tomorrow, we can move on, but in the meantime, can we please go back to before Axel left?  Maybe JUST after?)

(Always move on without me, I'll just catch up XD)

Raven meanwhile, during all of this, stood there blinking. She seemed lost in thought and didn't pay attention to the actions going on around her.

Asonja wasn't either; He was picking some flowers as if wondering if they were real and if they were, what kind of flower would they be.

Raven shook her head and her senses returned. She glanced at Asonja, and her face swelled up. She was trying to hold laughter back.

He threw the flower he had already to her face. "Oi, at least we're just as confused as what happened. Don't start laughin."

Raven couldn't help it, she ran behind a tree and started laughing. "You're.." She said between hiccups and laughs, "You're picking flowers man.. Hic.. I'm sorry, but I just find that.. Hic.. Hysterical.. Hic..!"

He groans and facepalms. "Of course my ingenious mistakes get me in a load of shit. Just get me out of here so I can just die..." He sat down, tapping his knee.

Raven slid down the tree, her laughing starting to fade away. "Ah geez.. Hic.. I'm sorry man, I've just never seen a guy.. Hic.. Pick flowers before.. Hic.. No offense.. Hic.. I wasn't being serious, you do what you.. Hic.. Want."

Axel came back. "Alright heres the deal you all go back to castle to get your rewards without me, I'm going to Barmata Homeland of the Beserkers. Follow Raven's instuctions as if they were from me from now on until I get back She's the party leader. Cya later." Axel walked off heading into the forest when the wolves once was.

"Oh thank god..." Asonja sighed in relief.

"Well, that's a big responsibility.. Alright, well, let's start heading there I guess." Raven announced as she walked out from behind the tree to face them all. (Let's wait for Trisell) (Gotcha, fam)

(The section down below is what I was working on before the waiting process begain so bleh)

"... Where did Axel go anyway?" Lizzy asked.

"He went to the Beserker Homeland Barmata, The snowy city of savages like him. I sent him there to pick up his reward because here in Darvenha we don't carry his type of armor and weapons."

"... Right, okay- wait where's o- actually never mind," The Black Cat stopped. "Where's the city?"

"Barmata is over those mountains from the highest peak you can see Barmata I suggest you wear heavy clothing its call land of the ice giants for a reason." Uzarth. "Take this it will keep the ice giants away." He held out a crystal in the shape of a snow flake.

"Right...well, I'd hate to be in the coldest place on here so I suppose we'll go somewhere, buy some heavy clothing and go." Asonja stated.

(When the party moves to barmata use the next chapter)

"Good, hurry up." Uzarth urged.

Lizzy took the crystal and began jogging. Urd chased after them.

Test of Honor, The Berserker Homeland
As Axel entered the Bamata catacombs he saw the skeletons of his ancestors stabbed to the walls or hung by a noose. "Recari Ti pame" he mumbled which translated to Rest in peace. As he came to an open area that was the size of a large village in the middle the sword Uzarth told him about. "There it is." As he walked to pick it up a show appeared before him the shape looked feminine. The figure spoke to him. "Lovely Axel of the Berserkers. Fancy meeting you here."

"Djinniyeh Succubus of Barmata What are you doing here?" Axel backing away.

"My master the demi god Yamige saw through the all seeing glass and sent me here. He has a plan for you the first step is for you to die. But I dont want that at all deary." She floated around him. " I can protect you from him all you have to do is quit the shattered guard and umm kill queen Terari and your friends."

"Out of the question, there is no way I'll kill the one person I'm sworn to protect nor my friends." Axel said about to draw his sword.

Djiniyeh held his hand to the handle of his sword. " They're only holding you back, Real berserkers would jump at the chance if it meant getting stronger or rank. I can offer you both just do as I ask and you can have all you ever dreamed of, even someone as glorious as me."

"No." Axel's voice was sturn.

" You care about that parade of losers so much I'll make sure they join you in hell!" She took axel's sword arm and twisted it. her free hand was covered in dark magic burning Axel's face. "Thats it scream I'll give you one last chance to do what I say only cuz Yamige infuriates me!" The dark magic started to wrap around Axel in chains. "I'll let you sit here. hopefully your friends come by so I can eliminate them also.

(Just as a heads up, tomorrow being Fathers Day means I'll probaby be gone most of the day so just giving that here ahead of time. ~Trisell)

(its cool)

"This sucks." Axel said sitting next to an old column that held up the cavern.

"This can all be over if you follow my intructions~" Djiniyeh rubbed his head.

"Ya'know they are gunna follow my trail and kick your ass right?"

The group arrived at the Barmata.

The gates were tree trunks roped together. Two beserker guard stood infront. Their bodies covered in battle scars.

"Look Ull soft bloods from Darvenha." One of then said.

"Soft bloods wish to enter hm? Forget it Soft bloods are not welcomed." The one called Ull mocked.

"... Yeah okay," Lizzy walked up to them, jabbing the butte of her knife at the temple of Ull.

Ull stumbled sideways. "Damned soft blood has courage, respectful but not enough. Kaj Block the gates and summon the ice giants.

Kaj blew a giant horn. two rocks started to move the ice giants rose from the snow. " Ice giants kills the soft bloods!" Ull commanded.

Komerl walks towards Uzarth and waves. "Hello there....Um, I need some help with my way around and I just got here. It's kind of complicated.."

"what are you trying to find?" Uzarth questioned.

"GREAT SCOTT!" The Urd man yelled before shooting fire magic at the giants. Lizzy simply walked back over at Ull, striking at him a second time. "I don't have the patience for that.  Move it."

The ice giant swung its club down aiming for Lizzy.

Asonja stayed back, preparing some fire magic as well. He stood next to Urd as they were both mages. He shot a fireball at the ice giant's club so it wouldn't hit Lizzy.

The club came down 5 feet from Lizzy and it turned to Asonja. "Fire.. HATE FIRE!!" It roared as it blew its ice breath at Asonja.

He jumped and created a fire Shield around him and Urd, deflecting the ice. Except, it just turned the ice to steam, hurting them a bit. "Argh! That was a bad idea! Now my robe is going to get wrinkled!"

"Back to this," Lizzy span around, fan-kicking her heel at Ull.

"Glorious protective abilities on your part," Urd patted Asonja on the side.

Ull blocked it " Before Ull crushes softblood's spine in 5 diferent places why are you here?"

The black cat paused then moved her foot back to the ground. "Axel.  Know who that is?"

'He is respected warrior son of a noble, family's rich. his father is the general of our army. Ull saw Axel going to the catacombs but thats where Djinyeh a succubus lives. He hasn't come out for 3 days. Even Ull fears that Djinyeh has him." Ull snapped his fingers and the ice giants stopped. "You friend of Axel?"

"Like... uh-" She looked over to Asonja. "What were the countries you named?!" (You talking to Asonja or Ull?) (Asonja.)

"Russia and the U.S.A?" Asonja responded.

"Yeah, like those," She replied to Ull.

"The hell are those... anyway are you friends of him or not! Otherwise you can turn around and go back to Darvenha, the general has it hard enough trying to get his son back."

"We're friends... allies," She corrected.

"Ull doesn't trust soft bloods but you mentioned Axel first so I'll let you in. BUT do anything a tourist wouldn't do and the general himself will cut your heads off putt'em on a spike." Ull snapped his fingures and the gates opened. "Welcome of Barmata soft bloods."

(Just realized, Dusk) (She hasn't really been on all day.)

(yeah i was just gunna say lets wait but you beat me to it. you jerk lol) (Mwahahaha)

(boop) (You keep my mother out of this) (uuuh)((X{D)

Komerl then replies to Uzarth saying with a bit of a dark tone, " Well, where I would start exactly would be good I guess. I am a newbie in a way." He then takes pulls out a black sword out of one of his straps and twirls it around.

"By place to start, what the hell do you mean?"

(HELLO)

"Can we just go now? I'm freezing cold right now." Asonja shivered a bit.

(I was just waiting for Dusk honestly, but... yeah we've waited long enough.) "Yeah," Lizzy nodded to Asonja before walking forward. She stopped a bit, not looking to Ull, but saying briefly "Thanks for... not, attacking anymore," and then walked on.

(She said never wait on her) Ull just huffed as the gates closed behind the party.

(Oh... well that's nice of her.  Too bad though.  I hope she doesn't miss out on things in the future.) (Yeah.)

Asonja was still shivering, trying to heat himself up with fire magic but he couldnt use it as he was out of mana.

The towns people looked at the visitors some with hostile glares. the children huddled behind their parents.

Meanwhile at the catacombs Axel was still tied up Dajinyeh paced around the floor infront of him. "Your worthless friends are on their way. This is your last chance before they get ripped apart."

"Me killing them Is worse than you killing them, either way Im not gunna let that happen!" Axel tried to get out of his trap.

"How your chain to a column by my magic, your only a level 2 while I am a level 5 you can't win." Dajinyeh replied

"I.... I....go to hell."Axel Sat back down.

"Oh don't worry I'll meet you there." Dajinyeh mocked.

"Where's the catacombs?" Lizzy asked one of the people.

They backed away refusing to talk to the outlanders. Instead they pointed to the mountains, a tunnel could be seen. It seemed like an old mining shaft.

Asonja groaned a bit. "Welp...I knew I was going to die at some point and it happens to be where my old fear takes place..." He facepalmed.

Urd repeatedly patted Asonja on the back. "Courage!  We shall be at your side, oh depressive one.  Fear not!  FEAR NOT!"

"Right..." He replied, rubbing his back as it hurt after Urd patted it.

"You all better hurry up You know Dajinyeh is a succubus right? As much a a stone head Axel is, he wont be able to resist her magic for long." The Game Master's voice sounded.

"Well then let's hurry," Lizzy ran. Urd chased after.

"Hey um Dajinyeh what do I do for food? In not demon ya'know." Axel said smashing his head against the column.

"You'll get food once you do as I say, and why are doing that?" Dajinyeh replied.

"Maybe smashing my head on this will bring me a painful but swift death before your charm starts taking its affect!" Axel continued.

Asonja stayed back outside of the miner cave but grunted and ran inside, clenching his fists as his heart was racing intensely.

The dead bodies of the beserkers Axel passed 3 days ago still felt alive somehow.

Asonja passed over them like they were pits of lava and continued running. He would heal them, but had no Mana anyway.

The tunnel opened up to a large area Axel was visible. "Bout time you guys showed up."

Asonja panted, and stayed behind the group. He ran for so long, he collapsed, panting.

Urd rushed over to Axel, arms open for magnificent hugging. "HARK!  Sir Axel!"

"Yes yes it is good to see you to small goblin bear man Urd." Axel said looking around. "You guys gotta get out of here before she gets back!"

"I'd help but I'm completely out of mana. I didn't bring any potions with me at all nor bought any." Asonja shrugged. "Urd, do you have any mana potions left in you?"

"What ho?" Urd checked his pockets before pulling out some potions. "GREAT SCOTT!  The great back ache mystery has been solved!"

"Yeah great," Lizzy looked over Axel to check for anything bounding him.

"You seem a bit over-enthusiastic...I kinda like you for that." He takes a Mana potion from Urd, drinking a bit of it before handing the rest of it back. He only drank half of it. "Do you want this or shall I keep it?"

The Urd man shrugged. "All for you."

"Alright then. Thanks a bunch." He nods and caps the potion back on with a cork. Asonja hasn't even smiled once.

" Great the whole party is here~" Dajinyeh floated to the ground. " 2 mages a theif a knight and the good ol' beserker. Yamige wants you all dead I tried to save your leader here but he just wouldn't take my offer. So I'll just kill you infront of him!"

"That's nice," Lizzy immediately began throwing two knives at Dajinyeh.

Dajinyeh's magic just deflected them.

"What kind of offer would that be anyway?" Asonja asked, a bit nervous that he's standing up for himself and the group, which is something he is not comfortable with; he hates being in the spot light.

"To kill all of you in exchange for my protection and "companionship" but he cares about you losers so much he resisted my charm for a good 3 whole days. I must commend him though the longest anyone had gone was 40 minutes. But when I kill you his mind will be broken then he'll fall like every mortal." Dahinyeh sat on a rock explaining then got up a dark aura formed around her. "So level 2's there is no escaping now." The bodies of the dead beserkers came alive stumbling from the walls and the ground.

Asonja stumbled back, looking around and trying to avoid them as much as possible. "He shouldn't care that much for us, including me. I'm not that important to him at all." He stated.

"Your going to die either way." The dead beserkers grabbed their weapons ready to attack. "Kill them." Dajinyeh instructed and the beserkers ran at them.

(Lets wait for Trisell and the rest) (yeh *tfs goku voice*)

Lizzy dropped a few traps in front of herself while leaping toward a Bezerker. Urd was currently walking behind Dajinyeh having become quite bored of the talking and was currently rubbing his chin.

Asonja was backed up against a wall with many holes in them, fire in his hands. He tried to at least stun them but because of his too low mana and weak spell-casting, the Beserkers didn't get hurt at all.

Axel still stayed stuck feeling useless. "So this is what it feels like to be Asonja." Axel started laughing at the joke he made.

Dajinyeh's magic took affect on Axel's mind he imaged he was back on Nimagi but everything was on fire. " what .. What happened! Mira, Mahdi, Karry where is everyone?!" He talked out loud.

Asonja looked over at Axel and rolled his eyes. "Trust me, it isn't cool when you mock me like that." He grumbled.

Asonja's comment fell on deaf ears. "Guys who did this to you!? Why is the jungle on fire!?"

He rolled his eyes and continued trying to fight off the Berserkers, and healing everyone else that needed it

Dajinyeh chuckled a bit sitting beside Axel. "Poor thing hes having such a fright."

"No they wouldn't do that they're good poeple... the Shatterguard." Axel still talked out loud.

(ehh) (waiting on everyone else) (Apologies.  Long day. ~Trisel)

Two icicles formed atop the egg-like hands of the Urd man as he plunged them at the ear-sockets of the villain.

Dajinyeh threw Axel infront of her like a human shield. "na uh uh. one more step and he's dead.."

(Urd was behind her, as said in my previous comment " Lizzy dropped a few traps in front of herself while leaping toward a Bezerker.  Urd was currently walking behind Dajinyeh having become quite bored of the talking and was currently rubbing his chin." ~Trisell)

( sorry)

(Is all good)

(so if I read it correctly which I didnt the first time Urd shoved icicles into Dajinyeh's listening holes?)

(Attempted to, yes.)

(K) Dajinyeh held her ears in pain. " YOU DAMNED MORTAL...bear thing... WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU!" She zapped dark lighting at Urd.

The small crowned man was pushed back, wincing at the lightning as he formed regular lightning to hold it back. "FOOL!  I AM THE ALMIGHTY URD!  EXCELSIOR!"

Lizzy took this moment of distraction to throw a knife at the back of Dajinyeh's head while trying to kick off a bezerker.

A beserker got in the way but was thrown instead of valiantly taking the knife. Axel was freed from his chains. "Damned Shatterguard...." He mumbled.

(Silva?) (Oh sorry, I was waiting for things to unfold.)

Asonja managed to kick another berserker away and went to Urd after healing a few people. "This is starting to get tiring."

"Oh here this should lighten things up. Axel dear the Shatterguard who destroyed the island are in front of you, take their heads for killing your friends." Dajinyeh instructed but Axel did not move.

"Okay, no," Lizzy dashed at Dajinyeh, a blade ready to cut off her tongue. Urd began forming a fire magic tube over the lightning, moving it closer to the demon.

"Being controlled is my job, not Axel's." Asonja added, giving Lizzy a small purple glow. "Buster! Attack increase!" Asonja shouted, the glowing purple aura pulsating a bit. (I think I'm getting a bit too involved in Smash brothers now XD) (GET THE HAMMER!)

Axel threw a beserker shield at Asonja hitting him in the arm than towards Dajinyeh. " DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!"

Lizzy slammed her knife-holding hand at the demon's face as Urd bombarded with flame.

Asonja winced a bit at the shield, rubbing his hurt arm. "Why? She's evil dude, you're with us."

"you............... your just as dumb as Axel is. HE IS MIND CONTROLLED!" The Game Master's voice shouted.

Axel grabbed Lizzy tossing her into Urd standing in between them and Dajinyeh. "I trusted you guys... why did you do it.?

The Black Cat grabbed hold of Axel's grabbing arm as he went for her, yanking him down at the ground with her, a foot kicking at his jaw to release herself and keep them from hitting into Urd.

Axel rolled on the ground regaining his balance on all fours. Spitting out dirt. "Dajinyeh I can't kill them.."

Danjinyeh floated behind Axel. "And why not?"

"Not without a weapon!!"" Axel replied as he was getting up.

Dajinyeh smiled and teleported the dragons claw sword into his hands. Feeling the sword in his hands he turned around raking the sword across Dajinyeh's stomach.

"HE-... oh never mind," Lizzy relaxed a bit.

Dajinyeh held her stomach. "How.?!"

"Cant be mind controlled if I don't have a brain" Axel said smiling. "I can't believe I called myself stupid... anyway go away now We have to plan to kill your master."

Dajinyeh just huffed and dissapeared.

"Sorry guys had to make it look believable but I am completely on your side again and will tottally not try to kill you unless it was an accident or if im pissed enough." Axel said fixing his jaw. "Damn Lizzy your feet made of stone or what.."

"... Right..." Lizzy grumbled a bit as she walked toward the exit. Urd walked over, shaking Axel's hand. "Splendid performance."

"Whats up with her she mad she didnt kill dajinyeh? You'll have that chance when we get to Yamige's lair!" Axel called walking out of the catacombs.

"Oh and by the way beating a level 5 at level 2 bumps you guys up to level 3 now." The Game Masters voice was heard. "Congratz only 2 level way from you subclass missions can't wait to see what you pick."

The Urd Man fell silent at the lack of response to his congratulating but followed out regardless.

Axel walked to a building that looked more regal than the other houses. "I I dont know why but this house draws me near."

"Don't even think about it, Axel. It could be a trap..." Asonja responded like he wasn't worried. He was getting tense that he keeps leveling up more, wishing that he would go back down to level 1.

"Since when do you care about traps or anything. besides I'm getting the feeling I live here." Axel reaching for the knocker on the door.

"Suit yourself. I'm not saving you if you get bitten by a bear trap." Asonja backed up, his arms crossed.

The door opened a man built like a large bear with one eye closed hugged Axel. "My son has returned I thought Dajinyeh killed you for sure." He looked at the others with his one eye. "You bring softblood here to my doorstep.." He stepped up to the rest of the party looking down on them with a hostile glare.

(wait for everyone else)

"Okay, what's a softblood?" Lizzy folded her arms.

"It's a person who aren't like berserkers. Like weaklings." Asonja noted. "He's right about me being one so..."

"You helped my son back home safely, as custome to our society I must thank you. It is a long way from Darvenha, rest here then you can go back. Axel we must talk for a while."

"... So where's the rest of our surprise family members and character pasts?" Lizzy looked about.

"I shall be a vantriliquist!" Urd paused before correcting his vocal spelling "ventriloquist!  My puppets shall be glorious!"

Axel's father just stayed silent at Urd's comment.

"SO welcome to General Leviathan's home... wait a sec GAME MASTER!!" Axel shouted.

"I'm glad you figured it out Axel. Everyone, Your memories are stored into certain characters in this world you just have to find them establish a connection and at the end it'll be easier to infiltrate Yamige's lair." The Game Master said with a crazed laugh.

"Wait, he d-... th-... forget it," The black cat grumbled further.

"Sir Fellow Mage!" Urd walked a tad closer to Asonja. "How fairs your enjoyment of this game thus far?"

"Uhh..." Asonja thought, rubbing the back of his head. "So far I'm filled with mild discomfort..."

Axel walked into his house. Dear heads and other game was mounted on the walls a Camp fire was in the middle of a large living room the furniture was covered in animal hides and wood.

"Isn't this like... cannibalistic?" Lizzy look about at the animal materials in confusion.

Asonja shrugged. He didn't step inside at all.

"Nah these animals aren't ya'know.. the flickies their just normal animals that aren't whats the word I'm looking for.... anthropomorphic?"

Lizzy was visibly still uncomforted by the decor but decided to not speak further about it. "We're eating here or something?"

"What would you like to eat?" Axel said sitting on his couch.

"Uh... I..." She forced her gaze away from the animal heads. "We're not eating something made from these things, right?"

"No they are just for decoration" Leviathan let out a hearty laugh. "We eat great Beserker dish!" He threw down a soup-ish substance. " Jatorchka Also known as vegetable soup thats very spicy, toughen up softbloods!" He and Axel started eating with no problem with the spiciness.

(Calling all Silvas)

( I told him this but he said that Urd was supposed to lead him in. I vote to push or kick him in) (ello) (... How on Earth would I know he wants me to have Urd pull him in?  That's not even remotely my concern.)

(Well Asonja still believes it's a trap, and you didn't specify that Urd walked inside, and only Lizzy. Just saying.) (Still not my job to have Urd pull him inside.)(Alright, sorry then. I'll fix it up)

Asonja sighed and walked inside. He sat down, but didn't eat regardless.

Axel and his father was still eating.

Urd began stuffing his face until his cheeks inflated, at which point he turned to the others, giving an 'o-k' sign on his egg-shaped hands, his face metering up to a red shade

Ring of Royalty
"Rest easy guys tomarrow we head back to Darvenha. My Father and I are going to the royal family of Barmata." Axel said getting up from the table.

Lizzy scouped up some of the soup, chewing it down a bit while looking over to Asonja. "You have to eat, you know."

Axel and Leviathan walked up to a mansion type hut on the mountain The snow turned into a blizzard during the climb. "Axel my son, as you know we are at war not with Darvenha but with the dark forces of Yamige. The Barmata King and Queen have forged an alliance with the Softblood's Queen but even with 2 armies Yamige's foces out number us. This is why I've put in a good word for you to be the one who gets the word out to Shangri-La to the east, hate to say this but you and your friends."

"Oh yeah? So do the other kingdoms know about this?" Axel said was they made it to the gates.

The royalty of each kingdom gathered in one spot called the Ring of Royalty just for this time of crisis." Leviathan replied.

"Shall we not follow the Bezerker son?" Urd asked, face still red. "The last time he departed, we were forced to rescue."

"Knock yourself out," Lizzy answered, her attention barely with the short fuzzy man. "Our 'leader' can do whatever he wants."

"Quite negative," Urd folded his arms, looking to Asonja. "And you, Fair Asonja?"

He shrugged, giving no initial response. He has been awfully silent lately.

"Aww is something borthering you Lizzy? Here tell good ol' Game Master the problem." The Game Master's words rang overhead.

"Ch'yeah, no thanks," She scoff-chuckled. "Maybe if I actually asked to be part of this," Clearly there were alternative reasons, but she wasn't about to just reveal them at the risk of sounding more complacant, at least not without the correct reasoning.

"Yep somethings the problem. What are ya mad, sad, hungry, glad? Or are you kind of mad with a hint of hunger all wrapped together in a thing I call jellousy? Or are you--" The Game Master pestered Lizzy and the party at the house by talking an awful lot.

"I just ate," She replied, beginning to say something else, but falling silent.

"Cmon spit it out." The Game Master found satisfaction in his pestering. "Cmon cmon cmon cmon cmon cmon cmon cmon." The Game Master continued to say it over and over.

"Where's my earbuds?" She began searching her pockets.

Asonja groaned and hit his head on the table.

"This is a mid evil fantasy there are no such things as earbuds neheha and if their were I'd take em. I am the overseer You ALL are MY PAWNS." The Game Master burst out into a evil laugh but more on the psychotic side.

"BLASPHEMY!" Urd yelled at the voice.

"So... again, since this just got ignored last time, when do we get to see our in-game people?" Lizzy asked.

"I cannot answer that..." Asonja muttered, still hitting head on the table quietly.

The Game Master stopped laughing. " I'll let you all in on a secret, Wonder why you knew Queen Terari although you never met her?"

"I don't know her," Lizzy replied. "Axel does apparently since he was doing all the conversationing."

Asonja didn't really answer. He must've fell tired of hitting his face against the table.

"Yet you and Axel followed her orders, knowing Axel he dares not follow orders of people he never met, right?"

"You know I just met him today, right?" Lizzy replied.

"Continue, phantom voice," Urd urged.

"These classes arn't just plain old rpg classes you are playing as, the souls and memories of specific people who lived as these classes are now your memories. And your memories manifest into the world's characters. Hence Axel's father in this game is the same as his real father. I'm sure as the party progresses you all will see what I mean." The Game Master explained.

"I know," The Black Cat sighed out. "I guessed all that before Axel left.  Nobody remembers that?" She looked about, then to Asonja. "Asonja?  Ring a bell?"

Asonja said nothing, probably asleep. That was proven when she heard him snore quietly.

Lizzy groaned, head slowly lowering to the table.

"Explain Lizzy cmon don't leave your friends in the dark. heheheha."

"Explain what?!" She tensed. "I just did!"

"You said After Axel left. What happened after Axel left? hmm?"

"Before," She replied from the muffling table.

"Whatever, just what do you mean by that."

"I said 'Where's the rest of our surprise family members and character pasts', then Axel said 'wait a sec' yelled your name, and then you congratulated him when he didn't say a thing really, and I'm still waiting to know the answer to my question."

"who knows thats the fun of this game your memories are scattered throughout the world who knows maybe your memories could be at Shangri-la or it could be in the ocean or even in an old broken down hut infront of the city of thieves.. The world is of what I created. Like I said before you are all my pawns, I kill as I please, I build, I destroy, I am the god who they worship blindly." The Game burst out into a bigge rlaugh than before. "Oh and by the way. *Ahem* Barmata finds its self under attack by Yamige's dark forces."

"... Is that our cue?" Lizzy asked.

"Your que to die? Probably neheheha"

Axel burst through the doors of his house. "Guys we gotta go now!! Barmata is under attack My father stayed behind to fight off Yamige!"

Asonja tried getting up but collapsed on the floor asleep again.

"Of all the times for him to be dead weight now has to be this time?!!?" Axel grabbed Asonja by the hair and started dragging him on the ground as he ran. "Cmon guys!!"

Urd rushed out... then rushed back, sipped down some more food and ran out again. Lizzy dashed straight into a wall, falling back from the impact. She grumbled to herself "Stupid power-keepi-ugh," and instead ran out the front door.

"The party dodged monsters and reached the outer gates behind them the city was on fire the screams of barmatian people filled the air. Axel could only watch as his heritage died before him." The Game Master's voice sounded.

Axel said nothing as he walked the path to Darvenha As the the Game Master laughed.

"We're... late..." Lizzy noted. "... So we're going as a four-peop- wait... yeah four I guess, four-people army?"

Axel still said nothing.

Asonja was silent too. Except some snores here and there.

Axel stomped his boot on Asonja's head to wake him up His voice void of any emotion except anger. "Wake....the hell......... up. We have to go to Shangri-La the city of thieves there we will enlist as many as we can. then Avenge my people. When we leave this game I'll literally, shove it down the Game Master's throat!!" Axel's voice grew more and more angry. (bleh)

"Shove what down the Game Master's throat...?" Asonja asked tiredly.

"The game," Lizzy informed.

"Yeah...right...keep forgetting we're trapped here..." He groaned, drooping a bit. He was trying very hard not to slip back into sleep. He rarely sleeps anyway but when he does, he sleeps for hours.

"BY escaping the party gained 1 level, the part is now level 4." The Game Master's voice rang.

Axel ignored this and continued walking.

"STOP MAKING ME LEVEL UP YOU CRAZY BASTARD!" Asonja complained, making a groaning noise at the end and falls limp in grief.

"Y'know, it's probably best you didn't make him get more levels," Lizzy called up. "Since he'll get all crazy."

STOP THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF FOR ONCE ASONJA! I JUST HAD MY ENTIRE RACE KILLED I WOULD LOVE THIS CHANCE TO LEVEL UP SO HOW ABOUT YOU STOP BEING SUCH A CRY BABY AND HELP, TRULY HELP! FOR ONCE IN YOUR DAMNED LIFE. YOU ALWAYS COMPLAIN TO BE WEAK AND NOW YOUR GETTING STRONGER AND YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT!?! " Axel calmed down a bit. " You can't get a spark of... can;t believe im saying this... determination even when your friend's entire race was killed. You can't find that one ounce of work ethic to help him avenge his fallen people?"

"Three things." He said, not even looking up. "First of all, confidence is a better word. Second of all, it's not my problem, it's yours since its YOUR people and not MINE. Thirdly, whenever I help I tend to screw it up the situation ends up worse. So I'd rather not help to save the risk of all of your lives, and so that you can get rid of the Debby Downer of this party."

"As long as you are trapped in this game it IS your problem just as much as mine. So are you gunna help or not cuz I haven't tested this sword on real flesh yet." Axel said in a threatening tone.

He just seemed highly unimpressed and shrugged. "I mean, if you don't need an extra mage that's fine with me..." He replied.

" Just what I hate about you you always see the glass as half empty." Axel drew his sword. "Just look at this real dragon claws as the handle."

He still looked unimpressed. But he was actually highly jealous, but hid his emotions very well. "So...? It's unfortunate that's only in a game."

"Right now this is all getting half-empty," Lizzy spoke up. "It's not his fault he's here, and he doesn't want to be... On the other hand..." She looked with a peer toward Asonja. "We're here.  It's happening.  Can't change that, so suck it up and keep to being useful, and you," She looked to Axel. "What are you doing?  You keep running off without us, and if we're not having to go after you to save your life, you're running back talking about everyone getting killed.  The word's 'team' right?  Not 'peons' or 'lackies'.  How about we all try and... can't believe I'm saying this, stick together to fix the problems?  And," She looked back to Asonja, "stop wasting our breath with dragging the team down.  No one was mad at you when you helped out in the battles."

"Any input Urd?" Axel said putting his sword on his back.

"What ho?" The Urd man looked up at attention. "... Um... To battle?"

"Were you even paying attention?"

"Should I have been?"

Axel sighed. "Nah ya fuzz ball now lets get back to Darvenha before I die from not eating."

"Never journey on an empty stomach!" The Urd Man opened his mouth wide, a stream of soup shooting out to a bowl he forgot to leave behind.

"... Yeah, I'm just gonna..." Lizzy walked onward.

"Gunna what?" Axel questioned.

"Keep walking!" She called back.

" jeez..."

Asonja had the bowl in his hands. "This is actually not bad. Tastes just like Tomato Soup."

"Guys!  Come on!" Lizzy yelled back.

"Hurry up before the Ice giants get ya." Axel teased.

Asonja hands the empty bowl back to Urd. "I don't care where you got that and how, but that was the best soup I've ever had so far."

"I am the master chef!" Urd proclaimed.

"Yeah...uhh...could I have more if you can make more?" Asonja asked.

"But of course! ... When we have time," He answered.

"Alright, cool. Gonna have to repay you somehow, I just hate being the one who's not giving anything back as a 'thank you', you know?"

An Ice giant rose from the ground. "I TOLD YOU GUYS!!!" Axel yelled back as the Ice giant roared in anger.

(I been let go of you) (Fine, I just got back and I'm tired okay don't judgeth me...-eth)

Asonja stood in the back with Urd, drinking the rest of his Mana potion so he's back to full mana. He spawned fireballs in his hands. "Do you always have to be right?" He said, rolling his eyes.

"well I lived here.... so "

"Let me guess, I live in the outskirts of a desert..." Asonja joked.

"... ONWARD!" Urd picked up Asonja over his head, running forward.

"AHHH!" Asonja screamed and flailed a bit. His fireballs were gone. "NONONO PLEASE DON'T THROW ME!!" He begged.

"JUST THROW HIM!! I'll stay and fight the ice giant... I need to let off some steam, but to make it more fun I won't even use my sword." Axel cracked his knuckles getting into his brawling stance.

"Well I wish you good luck with that..." Asonja sighed, a bit tired after flailing.

Axel ran at the ice giant jumping up into the air and punched it right in the jaw.

"What ho?" Urd stalled. "Onward?"

"Yeah but please don't throw me. I'd rather not break any limbs today please..." Asonja was awfully pale, even more pale than he would be.

The ice giant stumbled and retaliated by punching Axel into the ground making a crater. "Goood this is a great fight!" Axel got up dusting himself off. "I live to fight!! GIVE ME ANOTHER ATTACK!" Axel grabs the giant's foot and used his immense strength to lift it and slamming it into a bolder. He then jumped ontop of it and started punching it's chest.

Urd placed Asonja down, walking over to Axel and the giant as lizzy ran back up, panting slightly. "I thought, we were leaving somewhere... guys..." She said.

"I thought I was going to be seriously injured..." Asonja said, trying not to hyper-ventilate.

Uzarth came from the tree. "Everyone I'm so glad your all safe I saw Yamige's forces going down this path I thought I would have been here before they arrived--- what is Axel doing?"

Axel continued to punch the Ice giant's chest although it wasn't moving anymore. His hands and knuckles started to bleed. "CMON WAKE UP I'M NOT DONE YET!!"

"Axel that's enough it's already dead!" Asonja was pulling Axel back.

"It was to weak!! Need a better fight! I'll march into Yamige's lair on my own if it means for a better figh--" As Asonja was dragging Axel away Uzath stuck two fingures in Axel neck making him go limp.

"It's best to knock him out when he gets like this, Beserker blood and all. His mind and hunger for battle will be the undoing of him. Go back to Darvenha and speak with queen Terari for you next assignment Shatterguard, without Axel."

"O-oh...that's gonna be hard..." Asonja stated, but nodded. "Alright. Thanks a lot for that. Where will you be taking Axel?" He asked.

"Nowhere without us," Lizzy noted.

"What you don't trust me? I've known Axel for years just give him me I'll make sure he gets to Darvenha safly you all should get to Shangri-La quickly." Uzarth held out his hand prepared to grab the unconscious Axel. (just gunna leave this here)

"I don't really trust anyone," Lizzy replied bluntly, "but I'm just tired of bad things happening every time he leaves, so you can leave him alone, let us tag along, or," She stepped between them, "we all get bruises."

"I kind of agree with her." Asonja says, getting up, regaining his natural skin color instead of "Vampire Pale" skin. "I mean, lots of stuff happen without Axel and we normally get hurt. I hate getting hurt regardless..."

"Its like Axel is your babysitter. *sigh* Fine lets go." Uzarth started walking the path to Darvenha. "SO Asonja I've been wondering, you've known Axel far longer than these two, how did your paths cross?"

"If I could remember correctly, we just met and he noticed how depressed I've been so he dragged me into the Freedom Fighters base in Nimagi to train me on my cnfidence or something. Hasn't worked out well..." He sighs.

Uzarth nodded. "Alright well I hope you find that confidence he's trying to help you with."

"Me too...So far I've felt nothing but being deadweight. I mean, I haven't done anything useful yet, all in all."

"You have aided in the healing during battle!" Urd reminded. "Also a master of food critic!"

"Well...y-yeah I suppose that's true..." Asonja nodded, looking at Urd for a bit. "But I mean all I can do is stay back and support. I want to like, ACTUALLY fight and be worth being in a team. If that makes sense..."

"Then how about you start getting into a battle cuz once they hit Yamige's Castle the Mage is a valuable asset."

"I guess...I'm pretty low on mana as I'm not leveling up my attributes." He said.

"We forgot about the part where him leveling up turns him psycho apparently," Lizzy pointed out.

"He has no free will over his mind or body as long as he's in my game." The Game Master's voice rang, it seemed like Uzarth was froze unable to move or talk. "I paused the game for now just to talk to my pawns. I really am looking forward to your turn Asonja so that your life long friend could possibly murder you, but that wouldn't be any fun right? So I have implemented sub classes which will activate once you all hit level 5. Mages can choose to be transform into a dark mage or an elementalist. Thieves can be ninja's or spies and good old Axel poor guy the only berserker left gets to become a Slayer or Destroyer. The only reason why cuz when you DO turn evil Asonja, I wont be bored when you both try to kill each other hehenananehaha!"

The game unpaused.

"Tch...bastard..." Asonja muttered. "Always making me the star of the negatives..."

"Yeah no one is getting killed," Lizzy passively commented.

"Hurry up be you all freeze out here!" Uzarth called a go distance away.

"C'mon," Lizzy sighed before running after. Urd picked Asonja up again, chasing after the two.

"AHH! Jesus, I feel like I'm going to be thrown when you do that it freaks the crap outta me..." Asonja says, his heart going a thounsand miles a minute.

"My nub-feet shall never allow such a respectable soup-lover fall to the dirtied floor!"

Eventually the group made it back to Darvenha. The Queen was sitting on her throne. "Oh good you all made it back!"

"Yup...we did." Asonja nods a bit. "This was an odd way of transportation to get here...anyway, what is our next assignment, Queen?" He asked.

Urd sat Asonja down.

"Oh thank you, Urd." Asonja says.

"Well after the events that just took place, Axel isn't how should I say this, mentally stable for the trip to Shangri-La so Lizzy since your the only one who has a moral compass you take control of the Shatterguard until Axel...... recovers and move to Shangri-La. The king of thieves Pasol should be able to join the fight against Yamige. If not "convince" him. I'll Let Uzarth come with you, there truly is no honor among thieves"

"I..." The black cat froze at the notion. "Shatter- oh us.  Um, what's happening to Axel int he meantime?"

"Right now he's resting trying to get over that ya'know his the last Beserker. He may never heal from this but we'll try to help him cope with this. hurry off to Shangri-La all of you."

Uzarth stepped down. "Cmon."

Asonja nodded, and he was quiet the entire time, even when he was given the assignment.

"... Alright, but I want to see him when we're done there," Lizzy stepped back to leave.

The queen nodded.

Asonja got up, stretched and followed Lizzy.

"Where exactly is Shangri-La?" Lizzy asked.

" Past the desert." Uzarth answered.

"Which should be South from here, I'm guessing right?" Asonja asked.

"West, South was Barmata." Uzarth said walking into a blacksmith shop.

"Alright, well let's go," Lizzy began jogging out.

Asonja didn't pick up with her, since he was still too tired to even keep up. "Uhh hold on I still need to-" He collapsed, falling asleep.

Urd picked Asonja up once again, chasing after Lizzy.

Uzarth walked out with a bunch of supplies. "waiteth daws (fools) Each of you take a pendant the desert isn't just miles of sand and lack of water. Sand crawlers, bandits, and Verelsi the queen sand crawler is out there. I would applaud for one of you to be eaten mainly that dumbass Axel maybe even Asonja I hate you both for different reason. But since the queen wants you all back alive. *Ahem* These pendants i'll give each of you will protect you from the sand crawlers, the bandits you'll have to fight off on your own will." He held out 3 shiny gold bracelets with swirls markings on them.

Urd rushed back, swiping the bracelets with the tip of his crown and rushing off to the others.

Uzarth followed.

"The party reached the border of the desert and Darvenha the air was hot and it seemed like the desert was never ending." The game Master's voice sounded.

"Welcome to Ru ka' Dali Desert." Uzarth said taking the lead. "ONE thing to remember don't run Sand Crawlers see through movement and sound. The less noise you make and less vibrations you make with your feet we should get through this with out the risk of running into Verelsi herself. Got it?"

"But... but..." Urd whined, gestruing to his inexplicably worn kilt as he tap-danced in place. "my destiny!"

Uzarth was silent for a moment. " Ya know what? You can run, run as fast as you can and make as MUCH noise as possible."

Asonja was slightly awake, but was having trouble standing up still. He was afraid of how this'll turn out, but he was so tired, he couldn't think properly.

Uzarth walked calmly.

Asonja tried walking but then collapsed again on his back in the sand. "Why am I so tired..." He muttered weakly.

"scream into the sand." Uzarth replied.

"Everybody shush and move slow," Lizzy sighed out, stepping forward. "Sand..."

"If we continue to move at the pace we're going we should be at Shangri-La in 3 days. A good time frame." Uzarth said looking back at the party. "We can rest at an oasis, we should be there by 4:30."

"If we posessed the ability to fly..." Urd theorized.

"But we don't so just bare with the walking." (BLEH) (I don't really have anything to add to that.  Urd and Lizzy are walking so...)

(sILVA WE NEED YOU ) (SonicSilva Rain Dance)

(*Raining tiny Asonja heads* You called? .3.)

Asonja got up, brushed the sand off and slowly followed the others. "Hey guys...wait for me.." He said tiredly.

"Why are you constantly tired, Good Sir?" Urd questioned.

"Maybe it's because of my mental condition? I don't know...I just haven't slept in such a long time and I really need to sleep for the day. Maybe I can go find an inn and go in there..."

"We are in the middle of a fu--- *deep breathing* We are in the middle of a desert THERE ARE NO INNS!!" Uzarth shouted the quickly covered his mouth.

Lizzy shot Uzarth a cross look before continuing on.

"You must get regular sleep," Urd advised. "And squat... don't forget the squats.  Did I mention there are squats involved?"

"How will squating help with my sleeping issue?"

"A good exercise helps with sleep deprivity, and toned bums are always appreciated.  SO SAYS- ... So says the almighty Urd."

"As night loomed over the desert the party stopped to set up camp Uzarth decided to take the first watch as the rest slept." The Game Master's voice sounded.

Lizzy paced in place around the camp.

"You should sleep, need your strength for day 2." Uzarth said poking fire with a stick.

"I used to get that from just the night," She sighed.

Asonja was already in one of the tents sleeping. He didn't bother doing squats anyway.

Uzarth continued to poke the fire. "So I understand your not from Darvenha originally, I know Axel lived in Barmata, Where you part of Shangri-La Lizzy?"

"I... guess that's my backstory here... What, What are you, Uzarth?" She looked directly to him. "What's the point in me talking with you if all I'm doing is conversing with a puppet?  Do you exist in the actual world?  Are you just going to vanish when he erases everything?"

" I can breathe, talk. hear, just as much as you. I feel pain, I feel anger just like you doesn't that mean I exist just like you?" Uzarth said not knowing he was in a game. "I am real."

She winced at those words, closed her eyes, and stepped away.

" what?" Uzarth questioned. (bloop)

"... It-... Nothing.  Good luck with the watch or whatever," She started toward her tent.

As Lizzy entered the tent Uzarth had a small smirk on his face, He shifted the sand violently. for 4 seconds. When he was done 4 Sand crawlers popped out of the ground roaring in anger.

"WHat the hell? The movement of the sand rat triggered them!?" Uzarth sounded surprised.

Urd charged out of the te-... oh, wait no, he was still in the tent, and now he was dragging the tent while running at the Sand Crawlers. "THE ALMIGHT URD IS TEMPORARILY BLINDED!"

Lizzy immediately span around, eyes darting between the crawlers. "Hold on a second, do these thi ngs talk?"

"No." The Sand crawlers were giant insect-lizard hybrids. "Quick the pendants!! use then to scare off the sand crwalers!" The crawlers roared again. (blop.)

Asonja was a bit startled and woke up extremely late to the party like always. He tripped out of the tent, moving away on his back from the Sand Crawlers, occasionally kicking them so he could get away.

"IDIOT USE THE PENDANT TO KEEP THEM AWAY!" Uzarth shouted at Asonja.

"Right freakin...come on!" He tried getting to it as he got up. "I should have it on me!"

"EXPECTO-PA-PLOT-MAGUFFIN!" Urd blew his tent off himself with a wind spell while spinning the pendants about, yelling incoherantly while chasing the sand creatures.

The creatures dived on Urd mouths agape trying to swallow him whole. Lizzy finally noticed that Uzarth lied to them. "Have fun shatterguard if you even survive this, which I doubt you can if the sand crawlers don't get you maybe Verelsi herself will if the desert doesn't get you." Uzarth let out a laugh and faded away.

"ARGH YOU LITTLE BI-" A Sand Crawler took Asonja by his leg with its mouth, making him scream as he was dragged away as a high speed. "AHHHHHHHH!"

Uzarth reappeared in Axel's room, Axel was still unconscious his breathing was normal. "You and your merry band of fools was supposed to die back Barmata. Your friends are in the middle of the Ru Ka' Dali, about to be ripped to shreds by sand crawlers, but don't worry when you awaken I'll back sure you join them in death. Only because I want to see the life drain from your eyes. So sleep tight savage." He walked out of Axel's room.

"GREAT SC-" Urd blasted fire into the sand creature's mouths, kicking at them.

"URD!  GET ASONJA!" Lizzy yelled as she dashed after the crawler. Urd ran after.

Asonja was trying to stop, seeming to feel really energetic, having a slight face of confusion. "SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!" He was screaming, gripping at the sand that were blistering his hands.

The crawlers retreated a bit like they were waiting for something. The sand shook abit something rose from the ground. Verelsi appeared due to the moving and shouting of the battle woke her.

Lizzy leaped at the crawlers, driving a knife into one to stop it from dragging Asonja as sparks began to appear in Urd's hands. He was charging at Verelsi.

Asonja tried running away but his legs would hardly work. "CMON WHY AM I ALWAYS THE FOOD?!" He growled in pain as he tried crawling away in the hot sand with his blistered hands.

More screaming could be heard but it was like a war cry. 4 horses galloped into the battle their rider's slashing the sand crawlers with weird looking swords. 2 riders grabed Urd and Asonja throwing them on the backs of their horses. The other two threw gas bombs into verelsi's mouth stunning it. One of them reached out his hand to Lizzy. "Gran on." the man had an Arabic accent.

Asonja winced when he got onto the horse. "Argh...legs, in very bad pain as well as hands..." He muttered.

"U-uh... okay..." Lizzy took his hand, hopping up.

Urd struggled to free himself. "THE MONSTER MUST FEEL THE WRATH!"

"All 4 rider's and the party arrived at Shangri-La. the Gates were made of gold but the people looked like beggers and low class." The Game Master's voice sounded.

"HERACY!" Urd yelled at the Game Master, still flailing.

Asonja was a bit bewildered about the gold gate and the beggers all over the place, making him feel uncomfortable like he was one of them.

"Tell me foolish ones, why where you out in the Ru Ka' Dali with crawler food?" the leader of the rider's asked.

"We were tricked. Betrayed." Asonja said sternly. "There's nothing more I hate than being betrayed..."

"Aha!" Urd lit up a bit. "Further proof to my cooking prowess!"

"Shaddup, Urd," Lizzy hissed sternly before looking to the leader. "Can you take us to Dar... uh... Darve... something like that..."

"Darvenha? yes we can go as soon as night is over." The leader said.

"One of our members is in danger," She explained.

"His name is Axel. I believe he was taken? Right? Kidnapped?" He looked to Lizzy for help.

"hm fine we leave now. get on." The leader said with a sigh.

Asonja did so, but winced so much in pain as he climbed on. "Argh...curse this pain..."

Lizzy got on as well. "Thanks."

"To skip the desert the party arrived back at Darvenha the riders left leaving the the party i front of the castle.

"My queen I am afraid to inform you that the Shatterguard has died due to sand crawlers. I tired to help but my magic had no effect." Uzarth lied to her.

"Hark!  My plot-senses are tingling!" Urd raced ahead of the others, climbing up the castle's side. (Quick question: is this where the queen is as well?)

"Thanks for the ride, guys," Lizzy nodded to the riders. "Would you... not mind sticking around a little longer?"

Asonja was having trouble standing as his legs have finally decided to bleed.

(Yeah) "It is shame to lose such great warriors Axel will be crushed to hear this." The Terari said bowing her head.

Fading Loyalty
"They will be missed my queen don't worry their deaths will not go in vain." Uzarth said fixing her crown.

After some quick thought, Asonja decided to continue on without any help, so he began limping toward the castle with a face he's never had before. He probably didn't realize it at this point but he wasn't letting pain slow him down. "I swear to god if you're in there Uzarth, I will rip you into bloody pieces..." He muttered and growled.

"EXCELSIOR!" Yelled a voice from above as Urd dove down at Uzarth, a lightning spell shooting down at him.

He dodged it easily catching Urd by the collar of his shirt. "Whao potato man.. your alive? That means the other are alive right?"

"CHOO!" Urd responded, a blast of ice to cover Uzarth's head shooting out.

Uzarth got hit with it, throwing Urd to the ground, the ice started to melt due to his dark magic. "WHat's gotten into you Urd?"

The Urd Man did not verbally responsd, simply throwing a spear of fire at Uzarth's mouth as Lizzy made her way to the throne room.

Uzarth countered it with a water spell. "My queen he must be suffering from hallucinations cuased by the heat of the RU Ka' Dali. I'll keep him under control."

"A treasonous act by a betrayer!" Urd yelled at Uzarth. "In the desert he had left us, but look," He held up a remaining pendant. "our protection: food for sand creatures!"

"What could I gain from causing your deaths, my queen do you believe him? This creature has always been a few cells short of a working brain." Uzarth continued to lie about his betrayal.

"I've known Uzarth since I was little he's been my families adviser for 30 years I doubt he would do such a terrible thing. Here I'll go get you some water." The queen got up from her throne walking to a different room. as she was out of ear shot Uzarth smirked at Urd.

"She won't believe you or anyone else. You may have survived the Ru Ka' Dali but once I get the chance I'll strike you all down myself. I have A high position in the kingdom I can make your deaths look like an accident. So move along you damned creature. every second I look upon you is another scheme I plan to end your pathetic existence. You and the rest of Shatterguard.

(Awaiting SonicSilva1)

(Sorry, Dinner happened)

Asonja then burst through, stomping his right foot, wincing in pain a little bit. "Stop right where you are, everyone!" He said sternly as he limped forward a bit, glaring at Uzarth. "You fool...you thought you could kill all of us from those...Sand Crawlers?! I managed to escape with my life still intact. You're obviously an idiot if you believed that would work. And here's your proof!" He opened his trench coat, revealing the bite marks on his ripped pants legs and the blisters from the sand all over his chest.

"Maybe try something a bit quicker next time, like killing us yourself..." He sneers.

"heheh dont temp me . Your weaker than Axel your pathetic, a waste of space, a failure, a joke to everyone around you. At best you'll last 40 seconds against me. Oh look who just woke up."

Axel came walking out his room still groggy. "Hey guys whats up...?"

Asonja growled and spawned fireballs in his hands. "I'll have you know, Axel is better than me. But you know what? I don't care. Once I'm done ripping you to bloody pieces, then we'll see who's laughing."

Lizzy walked in. "Alright, before we start killing each other, I'm just interested in the motive right now.  So what exactly was your reason, Uzarth?"

Asonja calmed down a bit, but his flaming fists were still blazing.

"Simple all of you stand in my walk for complete control of Harthon WIth you out of the way the queen is easily persuadable and Barmata is gone soon Shangri-La is next once the queen calls for it." Uzarth said shrugging.

"Wha... Uzarth what are you saying?" Axel said finally turning back to normal.

"I'm saying that I'm glad your litle village of savages are gone your the last one which means its Berserker race is critical at extinction. So cmon hit me if you dare."

Urd had stepped away, following after the queen. Lizzy began walking toward Uzarth. "I really wouldn't give a second thought about ending you right now.  Do you know why?"

"I could care less trash." Uzarth crossed his arms.

"It's because you're not a person," She informed regardless. "You're less than actual nothing.  No matter what you think you can do to us, it's not real.  None of this is real, and when it's all over, and we've won, you won't die, you'll just stop existining, because you were never alive to begin with."

"if I wasn't real this wouldn't hurt." He blasts axel with a small beam into his arm.

"AW FRICK THAT HURTS!" Axel screamed

The game paused. "My dear lizzy you couldn't have been more wrong, I case you didn't notice all these situations these characters put you through are designed to KILL you, which means if you die in the games you die in real life. Hello Jason I hope ur freaked out right now." The Game Master became self aware for this one moment. The Game unpaused.

"Like I said," Lizzy repeated. "When this is all over, you'll just stop existing," She pulled out one of her daggers.

Asonja seemed to stop, his flames going away. He looked confused and a bit shocked at what the Game Master said, especially when he said "Jason." He shook it off, and joined next to Lizzy, his fire hands igniting again.

Axel just ran past them steaming in rage. "UZARTH!!" Axel said

Uzarth just stayed calm dodging Axel's attack then poking him on the forehead.

"Not again..." Axel fell backwards unconscious. Uzarth summoned a spear. "Idiot savage!!"

(Question: Urd's looking for the queen, so how's that goin?) "We're not gonna kill you yet, Uzzie," Lizzy taunted. "We're just holding you here till the queen gets back and then we'll all show her how poorly you're little takeover was planned out."

"Like I said the queen is easily persauded." He snapped his fingers and his look changed to a damaged one. Axel was cured of his ailment. He make a crack in the wall and sat there. The queen came through a different entrance to the room. and saw what happened.

"What happened here!!"

(So I guess I'm not getting an answer on the Urd looking for the queen bit.  Also, could we maybe be able to at least try to stop all these plot-nium things from happening when they keep happening?  it's just a bit jarring that no one would try to stop him from doing that.) (If this is something that has to happen for the plot, I get it, but... never mind. If no one else seems to mind then I won't hark on it.)

(well basicly their are many different ways to get from room to room in the castle I though it was clear when she came through a different entrance and the thing with Uzarth is part of the plot)

(And I sent Urd after her, so I thought it would be clear that he'd be trying to get to her, (that wasn't meant to sound ironic) but there wasn't anything to work off on in terms of him actually catching up to her and saying/doing anything.  With the Uzarth thing, it's just bothersome not being able to at least try to do something while something happens with many options like pretending to get hurt themselves or trying to stop him in the act.  If Silva's not bothered by this, then I'll move on.  I don't want to delay this anymore.)

(What I tried to do was making Uzarth frame the shatterguard for attempted murder so that he'd take control of Darven ha wich out lead into the battle with Yamige. I'll scrap it if it causes too much confusion. In Urds case The queen left the kitchen going a different way as they didn't pass each other. It has been some time since the queen initially left.)

(You don't have the scrap the idea.  It just would have been nice to have some chance for an attempt from the players a bit more, even if it doesn't work.)

(Alright ) le waiting)

Lizzy gestured to Asonja, pointing directly on the sand creature wounds. "When you left, he tried to silence our friend here," She pointed to the unconscious Axel. "He tried pulling Uzarth off of him before Asonja managed to blast him back with a spell."

Uzarth still sat there. (or is he standing) (ello mates?)(Sorry, I've been busy doin' things lately)

Asonja nodded, confirming her statements. He was shivering, and occasionally twitching.

Axel just sat down in silence.

"I just...want...to rip you into pieces you dirty traitor..." Asonja mumbled, facing Uzarth with pure hatred in his eyes; something that is barely seen coming from Asonja.

"But you won't cuz I still have the queen on my side she doesn't know about it nor will even believe it you're wasting your breath you ass!" Uzarth said very confidently.

His right eye twitched, the flames on his hands extending to his upper-arms and turning into a blue color as it got hotter. "I will burn you in a pile of ashes..." He growled, twitching almost entirely.

(I though the queen was right there now?) (She is, but I think we all forgot about putting her in x3. Oh, by the way, best to check the other pages)

"ASONJA" The queen grabbed his arm. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING!?!" Her voice filled with shock.

The fire started to increase in temperature as he twitched, but he was mainly shocked. "P-please let go of my arm! You're gonna burn yourself!" The fire went back from a burning light blue to a calmed down red, at his hands. It didn't do much damage, but it seemed to calm down from his almost-destructive rage.

Uzarth moved one arm touching Asonja on the head making him lose his mana. "Mana cancelling spell. you ass..."He spit on the ground pretending he was hurt.

"My queen they all lost their minds attacking me for no valid reason." He continued to lie.

"Shatterguard explain yourselves!" The queen turned to them with an unpleased look on her face.

"... Alright, since we all just pretended nothing got explained," Lizzy cleared her throat. Lizzy gestured to Asonja, pointing directly on the sand creature wounds. "When you left, he tried to silence our friend here," She pointed to the unconscious Axel. "He tried pulling Uzarth off of him before Asonja managed to blast him back with a spell."

"Blasphemy my queen look at me does this look like I tried to kill someone? If anything they tried to kill me!!" Uzarth tried getting up.

"You're a lying bastard, you're doing it oh so wrong." Asonja smirked and got up hastily from his wounds. "You gave us these pennants that were actually Sand Crawler food, telling us it was to protect us." He took it off, slightly scraped from the sand. "I got dragged by one for exactly 50 meters at almost 20 miles per hour, giving me these blisters from the sand. Next time make this into Silver why don't ya." He glared at Uzarth.

"Check his wounds," Lizzy suggested. "He's not nearly as actually damaged as he's pretending."

"Ah!" Urd yelled out as he walked back. "I have located the queen! ... We are at the starting point, what?" He looked over at Uzarth. "Ah, we have confronted the traitor then?"

The queen touched Uzarth's side the blood looked real. "I... the blood looks and feels real.. I... I don't know who to believe." The queen backed away from them. "Guards watch over them if any of you move you will be thrown in the dungeon! Im serious!" The queen tried to act intimidating but without Uzarth by her side she was just a small teenager trying to act tough.

"We haven't moved at all," Lizzy noted.

"... I have," Urd informed. "Am I to be taken to the dungeon now?"

Asonja walked over and patted his back. "Fear not, Urd. It's best to take risks when necessary."

"Im just saying if you move right now!! " she hurried out the room.

"Uzarth tell me something what happened at barmata..."

"The complete annihilation of your race by the hands of Yamige's forces. Uzarth interrupted him.

"give it up I know you did it." Axel finally looked at Uzarth.

"Yeah it was me shatterguard, I am Yamige, I ordered the attack on barmata. But the queen won't believe that now would she?"

"Forget not moving til the queen gets back, I'm ending you." Axel got up the guards clutching their weapons.

"The queen ordered you not to move sit back down or we'll use force!" One of the guards barked.

"It's not worth it, Axel," Lizzy called over. "It'll just get things worse."

"I'll deal with the consequences of my actions later Lizzy, I finally have the person who destroyed Barmata and you think I'm gunna just sit and write an angry letter?"

"THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING AXEL!" The guard said louder.

The black cat slapped him across the face. "Get, a hold, of yourself.  Don't let the game play you.  Remember how this is all made-up?"

"But he shot me in the arm with a magical blast." Axel said in a whiny voice rubbing his face.

"And he left us for dead.  This isn't gonna be the last time, so play it cool, or you'll get us all in trouble..." She relaxed a bit. "... It's good to see you're not dead."

"Exactly. It's best to just sit and wait. And when the time comes, you're welcome to beat on him whenever you like. Since that is your job, and not mine." A fireball calmly went around his fingers.

He sat down. "All of my hate..."

Asonja groaned and rolled his eyes. "You're taking this game too seriously. Take a chill pill, and clear your vision. Or I wouldn't hesitate to show you." Uzarth got a sense that Asonja would be good for him, for later.

"You know I take games seriously. plus this is more than a game people died in real life 400 years ago! The Game Master said these wern't just normal old classes we're playing as. These people lived through this. My character's entire family and race was destroyed because of HIM!" He glared at Uzarth. "I felt his pain and anger. I never want to feel that again." He cletched his fist. " Can I punch him once!! PLEASE!?!?!"

"You heard what the guard said, Jackass." Asonja sneered, clenching his fist to extinguish the fire. "We're not hurting anyone until the queen gets back. Stop taking the game seriously, and chill." His hand then turned to Ice. "Or later, I will show you the TRUE definition of 'not moving'."

"Not like you'd do anything to begin with."

"Oh yeah?" He snapped his fingers and froze Axel in place with an Ice Beam. "There. Now be a good boy like the queen instructed us to."

"Everyone fighting isn't exactly helping the public image here," Lizzy noted.

The Guards grabbed Asonja. " We said no moving!!"

"Hey, hey! "Lizzy raised her hands up at the guards, walking between them and Asonja. "He was just trying to keep things from getting worse," She glanced back at the hedgehog. "Just, no magic for now, oka- where did Urd go?"

"... I have yet to have moved," Urd waved his hands, still to the side.

"He moved take him away lock him up and throw away the key!" Axel said through the ice.

"... I call this the 'Rotating Chipmunk'," The Urd Man then began kicking his legs back and forth to the sides while making a circular motion with his arms forward, squatting the entire time.

"Wait what?! You bastard, I was trying to help you out and now you throw me away like this!?" Asonja growled. He didn't struggled from the guards grips.

"Like Russia and U.S asshole!" Axel replied.

"Shut up or I'll make you do whatever Urd's doing," Lizzy shushed.

"What is he doing?"

"Squating with his arms in circles, and moving his legs back and forth all at once. He calls it the 'Rotating Chipmunk'. It looks fun, I'd love to see Axel do it."

"Im frozen so I can't move... ya know this isnt so bad." In that instant Axel fell asleep.

"Are we just waiting for the queen now?" Lizzy asked.

Meanwhile, Komerl saw a nearby warp ring and decides to jump in to find Axel asleep and another person. He seemed so confused right then and there.

"Ehhhhhhh?"

Uzarth just looked on.

Komerl then pops his head out of the ring motioning Uzarth to follow him.

(Awaiting Chimera roleplay reply)

Uzarth ignored him.He then nodded his head towards the guards saying that he can't move.

(Wait, what just happened?)

(Komerl came back after like 2 monthes of not editing)

(Ah...)

(sooooo) The queen comes back. "Why is Axel frozen?"

"That would be from me..." Asonja sighed. "He wouldn't shut up and stop moving so I froze him in place."

"This shouldn't be hard," Lizzy sighed. "Find a Sand Crawler, hold the pendant up to it, and if it looks yummy, that proves our case."

"Sigh. Well now I talked with the king of Shangri-La and the Shatterguard's story checks out. I'm Sorry Uzarth but for crimes against the kingdom I sentence you to death you execution will be at sun high tomorrow!" The guards grabbed Uzarth and dragged him away. Uzarth smiled at this. "I'll admit you won this time Shatterguard. Goodbye... for now."

"... Wait... Hey, Game Master," Lizzy called out. "Is she being serious here?"

"This DID happen 400 years ago, how many times must I say this!" The Game Masters voice replied. " They are unaware that they're in a game lizzy. This is life to them."

"Okay, none of that had anything to do with my question.  I asked if she's telling the truth here or not.  History books include lying in your world don't they?" She rolled her eyes.

"Think about miss smarty pants, if I said this DID happen 400 years ago wich mean shes being serious." The Game Master replied.

"No it really doesn't.  Unless you're expecting to me to know what happened here then I'm not  going to assume something before asking."

"VIDEO GAME CHARACTERS DON"T TALK BACK!!" The Game Master yelled. "FInish the game Or I'll end it with all of you trapped inside, no more questions!!"

Axel woke up from the ice and broke out. " Welp we got Uzarth so shall we go to Shangri-La and see it's king?"

"Yeah, maybe he'll actually give us answers unlike SOME PEOPLE!" Lizzy fumed before beginning to walk out. "Wa-" She looked back at the still dancing Urd. "... Not gonna comment," and continued out.

Axel followed. "Cmon Asonja and Urd We're leaving."

Komerl then popped out of the warp ring and stealthily followed them.

The party made it to the Ru Ka' Dali desert again this itme with their healthy leader Axel-"

"Shut up and just let us cross this.." Axel said interupting the Game Master.

"Good luck and watch out for Verelsi" The Game Master warned in a happy tone.

"Wait where's the riders?" Lizzy asked.

"oh I made them go home to make it more challenging." The Game Master said. "Can't have this being too easy now can I?"

Asonja groaned, facepalming. "Well, there goes our easy way out of this...now what?"

"Walking," Lizzy noted while continuing on.

"Arrrrgh I hate walking!" Asonja complained. "It would be much easier if I could, ya know, Levitate." He coughed.

"IM GUNNA RUN ALL THE WAY THERE!!" Axel said screaming unaware of what Uzarth told the shatterguard before betraying them.