Behind the Scenes

In a dark, barely lit cave, 5 figures were seated around a circular table.

"Now that issue one has been taken care of, We should move onto Issue two: Lauren Solivar. She has been a thorn in our side for far too long. Being who I am, I have pulled all the right strings, and pulled her out of Alar-Und. She is currently held in the Gore Creations building, ran by us. Any suggestions as to what the next plan is?"

"Ah, Fal, always so eager to get things done. I am impressed. Pulling anyone out of Alar-Und is no easy task. As for Solivar... she should die, discreetly. Twould not do to make a huge scene in the building that provides most of your income."

"I must agree with Gareth. We make too much money off of MRA to cause a scene at the headquarters."

"Silvia, you're always so prim and proper. I prefer to do things loudly, money or no money." The voice laughed maniacally.

"Simmer down, Gawain. We will put it to a unanimous vote. All those in favor of assassination, Raise your hands." He paused as he looked at the raised hands.

"and all those in favor of a louder approach, raise your hands." The figure nodded and called out. "It has been decided. Lauren Solivar will be assassinated. Fal, I leave the details and methods to you."

Fal nodded his assent and bowed. "Of course Arthur. It shall be done."

.....

Silver was enjoying a nice meal inside of the dragon Roost tavern when Divine came down the stairs. The two of them sat together, and Divine ordered while Silver ate. Silver waited for Divine to finish in silence. The two of them enjoyed their meals together. It wasn't the awkward silence that surrounds two ex-lovers. It was the kind of comfortable silence that surrounds two long-time friends.

When they finished eating, Silver spoke up. "I'm gonna go adventuring a bit, see some sights and whatnot. You can come with, or stick around here and wait for Tora, your call."

Divine thought about it for a moment. "I'll stick around here and wait for Tora. He wasn't in his room, so I'll message him and see when he'll return." She smiled after she spoke. Her smile was dazzling and bright.

Silver nodded and exited the Tavern. The area surrounding it wasn't crowded, but it was bustling with activity, although the Inn itself had almost no customers. Silver headed for the city's northwest gate, hoping to find a dungeon.

.....

Earlier that day, Tora was strolling through the market area when he stumbled upon a Hooded npc with it's name reading "???".

The figure approached him and spoke cordially. "Ah, I have something you might be interested in. Perhaps you'd like to take a look?"

Tora instantly put his guard up. "What is it you have for sale?"

The man spoke but one simple word. "Power."

Tora scoffed. "And what would it cost? This "power"? My life? My soul? Or perhaps my allegiance? No. I will not sell myself for power. You will be on your way, as will I." After saying his piece, Tora began walking away, momentarily stunning the Hooded figure.

The figure snapped it's fingers and a small journal appeared in his hand. "Take this. In case you ever change your mind. One day your own power will be insufficient, and when that day comes, sign your name in blood upon the first page, and you will recieve the strength you need." After saying his piece, the black notebook, with nothing but the letter A on it, appeared in Tora's hand.

.....

Divine was waiting for Tora to return. He wasn't answering her messages, or accepting her calls. She wondered what was going on when she recieved a simple message.

"Tora: In trouble, Coordinates: XXX, XXX."

She immediately called Silver.

"Divine, whatsup?"

"Tora is in trouble. I'll send you the coordinates, I'm heading that way. I will see you there." Divine hung up directly after she said her piece and began rushing to the northwest gate.

Silver began rushing towards his location.

.....

Tora was walking towards a dungeon to the northwest of starhelm. He was constantly on guard. He felt like someone was following him. He reached a clearing-like area and thought to himself. 'This should be alright.' He yelled out. "Come out, whoever you are. I'm here and I'm waiting."

After a few minutes, a group of 5 players came out and surrounded him. All of their names read "???".

The one leading the group spoke up. Her voice seemingly distant. "So. This is Tora. Indeed, his senses are very sharp. I should have followed from a safer distance, well no matter. Someone wants this poor fool dead. We'll kill you here, and when the other two show up, we'll kill them too. We were paid a pretty penny to kill you all, so let's get to it."

The cloaked leader dashed towards Tora as he pulled his shining new spear and shield off his back. Both were a soft forest green and part of a set called "Nature's Domain". He raised his shield and blocked both of her daggers. Stabbing his spear towards her, he hit nothing but an illusion.

The figure chuckled. "Not bad, but how long can you hold out?" As she spoke, she pulled a small hand crossbow from her waist and shot it towards Tora. The bolt whistled through the air and struck him directly in the shoulder. He sent Divine a message and began playing defensively, he knew that it was likely coated in poison, but it was too fast and fluid for him to block or dodge.

All five figures began their merciless attack. He was slashed and stabbed multiple times, he was barely holding his ground. He Slammed his shield into the ground and muttered. "Nature is life, light, and darkness. No matter if you're here or there, it will grow." Plants began to coalesce around him, and spiky thorns and large vines spread out from around him. He was struggling to catch his breath; the poison was working.

The vines made it harder for the enemy to attack him, but Tora was becoming more and more sluggish. A dagger rushed towards his back, and he spun around, allowing it to stab into his abdomen. He flinched, but did not back up. Thrusting his spear outwards, he stabbed right into the chest of the assailant. The attacker dropped dead onto the ground and the other four began closing in.

A bright flash of light blinded everyone and stopped their advance.

Divine rushed towards Tora, weaving effortlessly around the thorns and vines. She appeared in front of him, Light shining from her as the element swirled around her dazzling form. She drew an elegant longsword with a white hilt. It's guard was the shape of a curved cross and it's pommel was a pure white spherical marble stone. It looked radiant. She pointed it at the attackers and spoke. "You will die here today. There is no escape from me, and you will not live after seeing Silver. Tell me, Sister, Who hired you to do this?"