It's after the awards ceremony and there is a huge banquet afterward in a grand ballroom. Anybody who is anybody is there, although there seems to be some major separation going on amongst the party members, with definant factions forming in each corner of the ballroom. It's not hard to point out the rebels and the Legions, the Crusader or the Enforcers.

Even through the separation there is a small sense of unity. In the middle of the ballroom there is dancing, and over on one wall there is a buffet and a bar. Everyone seems to be having a good time and blending in, laughing and drinking.

Everyone except the dark Draconian at the bar. He's not hard to spot, he's got an odd red aura surrounding his body and he downs shot after shot, sometimes eating the shot glasses whole with the drink in one gulp.

The barkeep is bringing the God drink after drink, each time something different. Xeonauz looks down at the shot glass place before Him, and looks up at the barkeep with an actual fire within his eyes.

"Y-y-y-yes Lord Xeonauz," he squeaks.

"I'M NOT GETTING DRUNK!"

"B-b-b-but Lord Xeonauz.... you are immortal. I.... I don't think mortal alcohol affects you."

Xeonauz raises a taloned hand up towards the barkeep, and the fire in His eyes is replaced by darkness. The barkeep clutches his left arm, and then his chest. He looks up at Xeonauz with a look of terror in his eyes. Barely squeezing out the word "mercy" he slumps over onto the bar, dead.

A woman screams (probably an Elf Xeonauz thinks to himself). The music stops and all eyes are locked upon the figure at the bar.

Xeonauz realizing He's already made quite a scene, looks at His talons for a moment, and leans over the barkeep as the room stands in silence watching Him, wondering what he's doing to the poor man.

He then turns around to reveal his bloody right hand, holding a heart. "Gonna stand and gawk at me will you!" Several gasps can be heard from the crowd, along with laughter from some of the darker races. He then throws the heart at a nearby Elven woman as smirks as she stands looking down at her now bloody clothes.

"NEXT TIME DON'T INVITE ME TO THESE MORTAL AFFAIRS OR EVEN NOMINATE ME UNLESS *I* AM GOING TO WIN!"

Xeonauz shatters into a million pieces, and dissipates into nothingness.

(by xeonauz)

Everyone came to a slight pause to what had happened, but amidst the departure of Xeonauz, the party has already regain some of it's beat, though still in much of a chaos. The elven woman hurried to wash off the blood off her dress and the laughter of some of the dark-walkers continues. A young illithid seems not to be able to resist the dead corpse of the bartender and made his move to eat the dead.

The music reigns again in the room and it seemed that everything's back on track. People are starting to dance again after a momentary pause from the dance floor. The rest of the people continues to enjoy their meals.

Walking pass a huge glass window with beautiful curtains, your attention switch to 2 human figures chatting along as you pass them.

A woman with a concerned face puts aside the glass she's holding and says:

Jelita 'Geessh, he didn't took that too well... and why is everyone around not caring of with what he just did?'

Right next to him, a young man with grey-eyes and brown hair chuckles a few and replies.

Vincent '(chuckles) 'Honestly, everyone saw that coming from Lord Xeonauz a mile far. It happens ! (shrugs)

Vincent grabs another dish of pie from a nearby refreshment table and the 2 humans seems to blend back into the atmosphere of the party.

(by Vincent)

After washing off her dress, muttering to herself, "Thanks Xeo, this dress was brand new. I was gonna return it tomorrow!" Miyaka returns to the scene of the party. She was suprised to be nominated, let alone split a win with dear friends. However, she hasn't seen her husband all evening.

She hears faint chuckling from one table, and recognizes it as Alundrel's voice. She was shocked to see him talking closely to another woman, and a human at that!

"Alundrel Calendris!" The crowd turns to see Miyaka standing there fuming, and her husband trembling with nerviousness.

"Look, honey.... It's nothing like it seems." He quivers out of his mouth.

"You better get away from her before I turn this into a Jerry Springer episode!" Miyaka rushes ofer to him, grabs one of his pointy ears, and pulls him back to the table. One could hear mumbles of apologies coming from his mouth.

They sit down back at the table. Miyaka didn't move her eyes off him for two hours.

"I think Alundrel got off lucky." said an observant drow.

"Why is that?" Asked a young student.

"She could have bashed his head in."

(by Miyaka)

'.... '

Standing is a young Lady, muttering about someone dragging Alundrel away from her. Thinking to herself, 'demit, I totally thought I had Alundrel all for myself this time…'

She sighs, fixed her hair slightly and resumed to her convident self. Looking around seeing nothing terriby interesting but different races socializing, Catherina turns and decided its time to leave the party. She turns herself, left something on a table and started her way down the halls.

On her way out, she sees Nemus smoking in the hallway to the entrance. Puffing out a breath of smoke Nemus starts a conversation.

Nemus says, 'Hey Young Lady Templar, you want to go out with a smart, handsome channeler ? *wink*'

Catherina rolls her eyes in disguist, and replies,

'If not because you are illusionist with illusions you are probably twice as ugly as a Legion Troll! don't *even* think about coming close to me.

Catherina swings her hair as she turns and left the building bringing Nemus's convidence together with her.

(by cathy)

Catherina walks outside the building moving towards her steed, only there is a figure wearing a dark cloak standing by her mount. The figures head moves as she approaches, and he speaks.

"I am sorry for startling you like this. I wear this cloak to hide my true identity from you for fear you will not listen to me."

Catherina approaches the figure with a curious look in her eyes and says "Why would I fear you?"

"I have done some things recently that I'm ashamed of. I am not one of the light such as yourself. I have lived many years, and have never felt the companionship I witness amongst you folk. I feel... out of place."

The dark figure turns away from Catherina and continues...

"I was hoping I could find a woman of the light to help me. I think if I felt the love of a woman, a good woman, maybe things can change for me."

"What does this have to do with me?" asks Catherina.

"I saw how you lost your grasp on Alundrel in there. I feel that you seek the same thing I do in a way, companionship. I felt your pain as you gained your composure. I figured you and I are a lot alike. Perhaps you could join me this evening and we can discuss this?"

"....how do you know so much about my feelings for Alundrel? How can you expect me to accept your offer without knowing who you are?"

"Because my dear," the cloaked one says, revealing a taloned hand covered in blood, "I know everything."

(by xeonauz)

A figure in a dark cloak looks down into the eyes of a lovely young templar as Argyle rides by upon his white steed, Breeze. He notices quickly that the figure's talon is blood-stained and sees several people inside standing over the cold corpse of what appears to be a bartender.

He leans down to the ear of his pegasus and whispers, "And you said it wouldn't be a good party!"

(by argyle)

Inside the party hall, a young man feels a disturbance. He who is the childhood friend of Catherina and they share an unspeaked bond. Sensing the approach, Vincent immediately threw the plate of refreshment to the ground and dash towards the entrances of the building.

Outside the building, with Argyle standing aside, a cloaked-figure is beckoning Catherina to follow..

Catherina looked dazzled as if she's under a spell, for the voice that speaks to her, though dark and evil, is irresistable to not obey.. she slowly steps towards the cloaked person..

'Catherina !! DON'T !! ' Vincent runs out from the building.

the cloaked one raised his talon a little higher, immediately, Vincent's attempt of approach was stopped, you see sweat from fear from Vincent's face.. he gain a difficult look on his face, but he gathered together an said is weak voice.

'Xeonauz.. you are NOT taking her away ! Vincent says. you can see his body shivering as he speaks..

Catherina heard the voice of Vincent, she stopped slightly and then turns around fragily, with her convident eyes now cold she replied..

Catherina slowly speaks ' ... But I want to...

Her head slowly turned back to the cloaked one and the figure beckons her once more..

You can almost sense the cloaked one smirking under his robes as Catherina continues to apporach the figure.. a few more heros from the party hall came around, but none had the force or will to stop the event..

(by cathy)

There seem to be no way around the situation from Xeonauz bringing Catherina away, an elven woman nearby kneels down and started to cry, and meanwhile, everyone else seems to be forzen in time...

Vincent's breathes are rapid, and he seems to be in fear, but he manage to vocalize again...

(with a shaking voice.) 'Damit Xeo, what have you done to her ??'

Catherina continues to approach Xeo and lord Xeonauz, under his cloak seem to have direct his visions to Vincent.

'Vincent.. yes, Vincent, I remember you.. You are a valorian, and a charmed of Cirdan, (chuckle) I don't feel like harming your sould for now, be gone !

Standing shaking in fear, Vincent seems persistent to stay... he muttered some word for a moment and made himself heard again.

'NO, I am not going without Catherina !' he shouted.

With this, Xeo's temper has been put into test, A voice echoing heavy speaks,

'MORTAL, YOU ARE PUSHING YOU LUCK ! BE GONE !' Xeo speaks.

'NO, I AM NOT LEAVING CATHERINA WITH YOU !' Vincent gathered and shouted back.

The atmosphere grew tense and the scene had attracted a lot of darkwalkers to surround scene, many utter words suggesting Xeo to waste of the human. Others keep their observations in interest.

(by Vincent)

Xeonauz now realizing everyone knows who he is throws his cloak to the side, revealing himself standing in full armor, and his two swords Warlord and Annihilation are sheathed on his back. Xeonauz turns his head back to Catherina and says "Warlord! Assist me!"

The osafune katana glows in an amber aura and rises slowly to float beside Xeonauz, hilt up as if it is it's head. It seems to shimmer when it speaks "Yes master."

"Take care of the one named Vincent for me, I am preoccupied. My hold on this woman takes great concentration."

Warlord seems to tilt forward slightly (a bow perhaps?) and then floats towards Vincent, sword edge first. The katana shimmers before Vincent and says "Vincent... I am an honorable man. I will give you a chance to draw your weapon and defend yourself."

Xeonauz upon hearing those words rolls his eyes in disgust. "I should have used Annihilation."

(by xeonauz)

Argyle being the first to arrive of the bunch, meaning many valorians are to be following, and indeed. at this time Apharion has arrived, riding on his steed Phinius. Dismounting, his seeming convidence brought a new side to the was 'one sided' battle.

He tabs on Vincent's shoulder, relieving him from some of his fear. and says.

'The rest of us will be here in a matter of time, brother, I will take care of the Katana warlord, go and rescue Catherina. Apharion says.

However, the odds againt them are still invincible. An EVIL laughter regins not far from the scene, Xeo is enjoying a good laugh himself. he smirks, shakes his head and speaks.

'Well well, if it's not Apharion himself to his childish rescue.

he paused momentarily seemingly to be gathering some of his hatred, then reliefing his evil grin into a face of anger. He continued.

'And you know what? I DONT LIKE MONKS !!'

Yet Xeonauz enjoys the act of the mortals. The crowd surrounding the scene continued to build.

Immediately, Xeonauz' speech alone seem to have already have the force to control the situation. No one who's surrounding the scene was doubting that the 2 mortals will perish. Apharion glances at warlord, concentrates, and whipsers to Vincent.

(whispering) 'Sad to say.. but Xeo is right, I won't last long enough against Warlord... Vincent.... (he depeserating smiles) Make It Count.' Vincent sees the drop of sweat from Apharion's face.

In fear still, the plan seems the only one availible at this moment. And it seems that the DeSol brothers will perish anyways... all they could hope for, is to buy some time for 'something' to happen.. Vincent nods at his brother, agreeing to their insignificant plan against the powers of an immortal...

Xeo convidently smirks, looking amused by the 2 mortals who art think their power are to match with his.

(by apharion)

riding her pegasus Melody. Next to her is a gentlegnome (gentleman?), who's holding a shield that looks a little bit bigger than him. The female gnome, looking hyper and talkative, talking like a child, uttered few words to her steed for not letting her husband ride the steed together. Seing a bunch of Valorians at the party, the female gnome said

" Gweetings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How's evewyone today? Good? Got enough to eat? Wash your dishes already? What's happening? Nemus behave today? Have you done your laundry? Feed chickens? Take care of the refugees? How's your dweam today, done anything towards it? Huh? Huh?"

in one breath and nods her head sagely. Her husband next to her said "Mine greetings..." instead and start shaking hands with the bunch, looking wise, calm and very diplomatic.

Her eyes then fixed to the gentleman who was standing in front of a Katana, a woman and a dark cloakie. Turning to her husband

"Look An, there's another talkie swordie... can your swordie get that swordie? Can it? Can it? Ghis going to see what Ghis can do"

before her husband could answer

"sir Apha, Sir Apha what's your plans?"

absent-mindedly, she went around looking for Valorians and allies, holyshielding, phasing, sanctuarying etc.. casting all protective spells on them. She went to sleep on a pillow next to her husband and woke up few minutes later saying

"Remember, spells are given out of kindness of the heart.. not demanded"

Turning to Nemus

"Seen Lord around?"

She grinned. Having a good instinct about that cloaked figure being an immortal and hates monk, she went poking oak treants, Calandra, Ilse, all the Steeds, Shamu the whale... in hope to search for the Sentinel of Dreams... in case he's standing invinsibly next to those beings.

(by ghislaine)

Argyle silently dismounts from his winged white steed and stands beside his friends, the DeSol brothers.

"Were you guys gonna hog all the fun for yourselves?" he chuckles at Apharion.

Apharion whipsers to Argyle, "Get out of here and help the others. There's no need for both of us to be in this."

A small grin creeps across the face of the tiger monk as he flashes his claws for all to see and a look of rage flames deep in his green eyes.

"The great Lord knows we would have little chance in defeating him in combat. But is he truly prepared to chance losing Warlord over an infatuation he has with a mortal?"

As the monks of Valor prepare for the answer from the Dark Lord, another figure emerges from the crowd...

(by argyle)

Alundrel walks out of the crowd of people, slowly drawing his sword. Taking a defensive stance next to his friends.

'Thought I would just sit back and not join in?'

smiling as they see their old friend Alundrel, they remember why they are standing there. Alundrel turns to his friends.

'So, what's the plan?...you guys do have one don't you???' A concerned look comes to Alundrel's face, as he turns his attention back to Warlord.

(by alundrel)

"Vendui Valorians..." speaks the figure. It is completely cloaked in dark robes and has an air of menace. The air shimmers besides it and 3 more similarly cloaked figures appear. The first cloaked figure pulls back its hood, revealing Drintazt. He pulls a pair of dark elven hand crossbows from his robes and points them at the valors. Two of the other figures do the same while the last circles around behind Ghislaine's horse and strangles it.

"In darkness' name, leave the Lord Xeonauz to his pleasure. I don't think you would enjoy a little nap from these crossbow bolts while Warlord hacks you into pieces," says Drintazt, glaring at Vincent.

Suddenly, one of the valor monks screams a cry of rage and jumps at Drintazt, fists ready to strike. Drintazt raises a handcrossbow and fires...

(by Drintazt)

...yet his shot was fired in haste, and it missed Argyle's left ear by scant inches. The two figures with Drintazt quickly step in and aim their own crossbows at the chest of the approaching monk. He realized the precariousness of the situation and, blinking, stops in his tracks, slowly regaining his composure.

Meanwhile, in an alley not 10 yards away, an odd mistling figure stands, or rather floats, surrounded by Giant henchmen. Krishim says, "Rather amusing, isn't it? It's a shame that Xeonauz had to rip the heart out of our bartender though, he had the connections for smuggling in the best Arkham ale and Elvish icewine. The casino patrons won't be happy at all..." Just then, another figure, this one a human, steps out of the shadows cast by the surrounding buildings and says, "Yes. But for the money Brona put up to hire him for this party, we can hire a couple m....Krishim, do you see who I see?" "I don't believe so." Krishim said, peering into the crouds, trying to see who his boss was speaking of. Rellion points towards the far end of the croud and says, "There's that Gnome. Standing next to Ghislaine. Doesn't seem to have any of his guards with him right now. Shall we go extend our greetings?" They both grin evily at the thought, and Krishim faithfully follows his Godfather into the crowd, both careful to blend in.

Standing, watching over the situation impassively, Anduin is startled to hear the voice of his arch-nemisis not far to his left. He looks and sees the lone figure he's come to loathe, the one who controls the criminal element that Anduin has dedicated his life to destroy. He hears something else too. Arcane words seem to flow out of thin air next to Rellion. Just then, four large Giants fade into existance. Yet the source of the utterings remain unknown. Before his eyes, columns of fire rise up to surround him. A mass of dirt bursts forth out of the ground behind him. A seemongly animate mass of windswept debris floats into view. And, almost as if on cue, Krishim slowly fades into existance as well. "And to what do we owe the honor of the Godfather and his cronies this evening?" Anduin asks.

(by Krishim)

As the giants and elementals of Krishim and Rellion inch closer to their target, Ghislaine suddenly notices the danger, and hurriedly renews Anduin's spells, allowing the Enforcer to save his mana for the coming bout. Argyle, the DeSols, and Alundrel stand silently, as Warlord and the drow quietly float by Xeonauz, who watches the assemblage with an amused smirk...

All of a sudden, Warlord seizes the advantage of the stillness and lunges at Vincent. Alundrel's parry saves the Tiger from certain impalement, and instead of a stab wound, Vincent receives a glancing slice in the arm...

In the next two seconds, so many spells are thrown as to make the hall as light as day. The drow, blinded by Alundrel's sudden flash of light, are stunned briefly, their bolts going awry. Warlord tears into the Valor monks with savage efficiency, forcing the martial artists to fall back into defensive positions to keep themselves from being hacked to pieces. Krishim and Rellion launch their attack on Anduin, and Krishim's earthquake rips into the earthbound monks and one of the drow whose flying spell was cut short. Anduin has just enough time to call on his own guards and attempt to ward off the attack. Ghislaine calls her steed to assist her, to find it laying on the ground, unconscious...

Amidst the fray, a single clear voice eminates from the darkness...

"Be heartened to know that Peace brings Joy!"

The entire landscape is lit a blindingly light Blue, stopping all combat and calming the hearts of those assembled. Xeonauz, who was watching the carnage with glee, spun around to see who had stopped his fun...

Stepping out of the shadows, with a glowing Blue Flame adorning his cheek, came the aging Aldaron, High Priest of Cirdan. At his side, gliding out of the forests, stood Loenne Lightoak, shield of Justice at his side and a divine sword at the ready.

"That's enough of this for a little while...Lord Xeonauz, we need to talk..."

(by aldaron)

Krishim is stopped mid-spell. He looks up in anger and mutters, "Yeah, I've got your peace right here." Rellion, also annoyed at the fact that yet another chance to slay Anduin was ruined, also glares at the new arrival, Aldaron. His gaze then shifts to the Paladin Loenne who has alse entered the scene. "If Alderon hadn't shown up, your boss would have certainly been a dead gnome." He mutters something else unintelligable under his breath, and seeks his solace in the shadows.

Seeing that the battle has taken it's toll an Alundrel and the Valor Monks, Ghislaine immediately begins casting her healing benedictions upon them, granting them blessings from her lord, and refreshing them from the strain of battle. Meanwhile, standing apart from the crowd of now-calmed combatants, Xeonauz stants staring at Aldaron, making no attempt to hide his hatred for the prophet of peace. Aldaron stands courageously, confident of the fact that his lord would protect him from the dark incantations of Xeonauz. He speaks in a loud, clear voice, saying, "Xeonauz, leave Catherina be."

"You test my patience, mortal. I will have her, and you shall not stop me." Xeonauz said with a fiendish tone to his voice.

Aldaron takes a step forward and says, "No. You will do no such thing."

Now growing very angry, Xeonauz turns to face Aldaron completely. His eyes turn from a fiery red to pitch black as he meets Alderon's gaze. Alderon grimaces, yet stants firm in his place, placing his wellbeing into the hands of his lord, Cirdan. Vincent notices the goings-on between them and stealthily circles around behind Xeonauz, and ends up not 2 feet from Catherina. Xeonauz, seeing that he must summon more power to slay this Alderon, begins to call out to forces whose names mortals cannot even comprehend. He summons a power from within him so dark, so foul, that many of the crowd pass out from sheer fright. Vincent summons every ounce of courage in his body and says clearly, "Catherina! Catherina! Listen to me! You must muster your strength to resist his powers." Catherina's eyes flutter. She looks about, startled, and says weakly, "W...wh...what is happening? Xeonauz, my lord? Vincent? Wha..." She suddenly looks very tired, and then collapses to the ground.

Xeonuaz, on the other hand, realizes that his control of Catherina is waning, emits a shriek of rage and emits a power that is the bane of life and mortality itself. His dark power knocks down many of the combatants and onlookers, and those closer to him suffer worse, being poisoned and weakend by the negative energies. "Warlord! Come!" Obediently, Warlord turns about and returns to its place, sheathed on Xeonuaz's back. With a loud cry, Xeonauz streaks skyward, dissapearing among the stars.

Coming to, Ghislaine, Loenne, Alundrel, and Anduin set about tending to the crowd. They cure them of their poisons and cast their benedictions upon them. Vincent kneels next to Catherina, shaking her gently, hoping she'd wake up. Her eyes flutter and she sits erect, and says, "Vincent, I owe you my life. I don't know what Xeonauz would have done with me..."

"Don't worry about that now, just rest." Vincent tells her.

Meanwhile, Krishim, still standing among the crowd, realized that Loenne and Anduin both turn their attention to him. He utters an arcane phrase and promptly dissapears into thin air, leaving his henchmen and elementals behind.

The crowd slowly begins to re-enter the party. The darkwalkers among them growl and mutter to themselves about the peaceful ending to the night, while the lightwalkers begin celebrating the happy outcome. The one sentiment all present share, however slight annoyance that there is no more bartender to serve them alcohol.

(by krishim)

the battle ended... as if it never started, no one was sure which side has won honestly. The valorians left the scene of the party, bring Catherina to their castle to rest. ALundrel came together with their party.

Catherina quickly fell asleep in a chamber for the guest. and after a brief talk with his brother Apharion, Vincent's permission to return to mortal lands voids, and he once again returned into the heavens to the garden of Cirdan. All seems well, though everyone was not too happy to see that the only day Vincent was allowed to return turned out to be a battle..

Into Xeonauz secret Chamber.

an aura of hatred STEAMS out from the corners of the room, Lord Xeonauz had NEVER been stopped by mortals, he's angry to the top of his draconian head. He sits on his throne, his eyes glaring bright red, never hating VALOR and MONKS more in his immortal time.

'CURSE !!!!!!!!!' He stood up screamed. And his throne crumbled to the force of his voice and his hatred was felt all over Thera. Everyone knew from this moment, his plans are far from ending... perhaps.. this is just the begining...

(by apharion)

Note: Later afterwards, Xeonauz managed to spoil Apharion’s wedding day but revealing that the Bride, was in fact, Xeonauz spy sent only to seduce Apharion. The whole event had caused an eternal scar upon Apharion. Making Apharion ever more determined to completely destroy the evil forces on Thera in his later years.