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[Edit] [Back] Lightning in the Night
Lightning crackled across the skies above the Mountains of Desolation, illuminating dim forms near and far, playing games with the eye as shadows danced across the barren landscape. Drifting unnoticed past the dark creatures of this place was like breathing for a Grey Man-- a strange crystalline spider and its tiny kin scattering only after crushing one under heel. Cursing, I attempted to wipe the sparkling pieces of carapace from my boots only to find it held firmly in place by the expiree's sticky blood. For the rest of my mission into these mountains my otherwise invisible presence would be betrayed to keen observers--channeling might have to be used to achieve my goal, regardless of the attention it would bring.
Climbing a deep crevasse I hit my first snag for the night. A towering, seven-foot-high Cyclops charged into me from behind--a disconcerting event for any Grey Man, to be sure. Stowing my trusty axes as I regained my footing, I withdrew two daggers, alight with electricity and sparking hotter and brighter with each flash in the skies above. Charging the myopic brute I was surprised to find myself flying towards not one but two eyes, each blinking at its own pace. Sliding between them I landed each dagger square between the second and third ribs of each lumbering giant. Gliding past, I withdrew the blades, allowing myself a small smile as sparks and sternum fragments alike leapt from the wounds.
Rounding again on the beasts I hesitated as each roared in agony before charging, loose rock skittering away down the slopes of the crevasse with each ground-shaking stride. A direct hit to the heart should have crumpled each, regardless of their size--this melee I would have to strike a far more obvious target. Twirling my daggers from blades forward to blades-in-hand I waited for them to close the gap...four strides to go...three...two...release.
Arcing through the inky blackness of the night and guided by flows of spirit and air, both daggers sunk home in the cornea of each Cyclops, the blades coming to rest well within the cranial cavity, the hilts bursting each eyeball like a well-lanced boil. Both bodies fell immediately at my feet, showering me in vitreous aqua as they fell.
Wiping the expunged fluid from my face I succumbed to a momentary fit of rage...two lightning bolts screamed downwards from the heavens exploding the ruined faces of my would-be assailants. Who would have thought such an innocuous fluid could smell so bad. Gathering up my soot-covered daggers I proceeded up the crevasse and into the caves of the Stone Giants beyond.
Coughing and choking on the stench that seemed to permeate my very being, I swept into the caves with little care for stealth. Luckily, I proceeded into the throne room unmolested.
The High King of the Stone Giants, Eldar Krysten, had something I needed. His elite guards flanked him on either side. Elite was hardly the term I would have given them as a single strike from my sparking blades scored wide their granite breasts, vital organs spilling forth as their shocked and lifeless bodies sank to the floor. Their fearless leader simply stood and watched, his senses paralyzing him as they were assaulted by an unearthly stench and the brutal, lightning-quick death of his best guards. Fortunately for him he had little time to contemplate, his world quickly turning black as I choked him into unconsciousness. A quick search of the limp king's person turned up what I needed: a key of emerald.
Seconds later I was in the Stone Giant's treasure room, bagging gold coins by the thousands and carefully wrapping a Star Ruby, the crown jewel of the Stone Giant Empire, before bagging it as well. Exiting the storeroom I was careful to close and lock it behind me before returning to the throne room.
Standing above the High King's still-limp body I channeled open a Gateway, at the same time ending his life with one deft slice to the throat.
My work there completed, I stepped through the gateway and into the heart of Shadar Logoth. The following day I would deposit the loot in various coffers throughout the land, assuring the Great Lord's armies would be well funded when the Last Battle was finally at hand.
Styyn
Climbing a deep crevasse I hit my first snag for the night. A towering, seven-foot-high Cyclops charged into me from behind--a disconcerting event for any Grey Man, to be sure. Stowing my trusty axes as I regained my footing, I withdrew two daggers, alight with electricity and sparking hotter and brighter with each flash in the skies above. Charging the myopic brute I was surprised to find myself flying towards not one but two eyes, each blinking at its own pace. Sliding between them I landed each dagger square between the second and third ribs of each lumbering giant. Gliding past, I withdrew the blades, allowing myself a small smile as sparks and sternum fragments alike leapt from the wounds.
Rounding again on the beasts I hesitated as each roared in agony before charging, loose rock skittering away down the slopes of the crevasse with each ground-shaking stride. A direct hit to the heart should have crumpled each, regardless of their size--this melee I would have to strike a far more obvious target. Twirling my daggers from blades forward to blades-in-hand I waited for them to close the gap...four strides to go...three...two...release.
Arcing through the inky blackness of the night and guided by flows of spirit and air, both daggers sunk home in the cornea of each Cyclops, the blades coming to rest well within the cranial cavity, the hilts bursting each eyeball like a well-lanced boil. Both bodies fell immediately at my feet, showering me in vitreous aqua as they fell.
Wiping the expunged fluid from my face I succumbed to a momentary fit of rage...two lightning bolts screamed downwards from the heavens exploding the ruined faces of my would-be assailants. Who would have thought such an innocuous fluid could smell so bad. Gathering up my soot-covered daggers I proceeded up the crevasse and into the caves of the Stone Giants beyond.
Coughing and choking on the stench that seemed to permeate my very being, I swept into the caves with little care for stealth. Luckily, I proceeded into the throne room unmolested.
The High King of the Stone Giants, Eldar Krysten, had something I needed. His elite guards flanked him on either side. Elite was hardly the term I would have given them as a single strike from my sparking blades scored wide their granite breasts, vital organs spilling forth as their shocked and lifeless bodies sank to the floor. Their fearless leader simply stood and watched, his senses paralyzing him as they were assaulted by an unearthly stench and the brutal, lightning-quick death of his best guards. Fortunately for him he had little time to contemplate, his world quickly turning black as I choked him into unconsciousness. A quick search of the limp king's person turned up what I needed: a key of emerald.
Seconds later I was in the Stone Giant's treasure room, bagging gold coins by the thousands and carefully wrapping a Star Ruby, the crown jewel of the Stone Giant Empire, before bagging it as well. Exiting the storeroom I was careful to close and lock it behind me before returning to the throne room.
Standing above the High King's still-limp body I channeled open a Gateway, at the same time ending his life with one deft slice to the throat.
My work there completed, I stepped through the gateway and into the heart of Shadar Logoth. The following day I would deposit the loot in various coffers throughout the land, assuring the Great Lord's armies would be well funded when the Last Battle was finally at hand.
Styyn