Ray of Hope

[Zell]

Cobalt swung his blade to the side and then to the right. Cobalt stopped practice when he heard the sound of swords and spears clashing. Cobalt ran as fast as he could to the fight. When he made it there he saw some demons fighting each other. "This isn't possible I thought demons hated humans but these demons are trying to free the humans and the leader is a tiger demon could it be." Cobalt said to himself as he watched the fight go on.

[2ndPower]

"This could have gone better," thought Rail as he bit the throat out of the demon facing him. The demons that made up his force were considerably more powerful than the demons they were facing, but they were severely outnumbered. He and his group were hunting for food when he picked up the stench of a demon scouting party. Scouting for what, noone knew, but they were carrying a small amount of human slave bodies with them, so it was obvious they were part of the oppressive demon regime. They had an elaborate sneak attack on the scouting party planned, which they executed perfectly, but noone had scouted the area out before hand, and as it turned out, the scouting party was only a compliment to a larger raiding party. Currently, Rail's demon rebellion faced numerical odds of about 3 to 1. "This battle would be so much better," Rail thought, "If Rail had the time to wield his weapons." Claws and teeth worked fine against the scouting party, but once the raiders came up, their armor made things more difficult. Of course, with him being the largest combatant on the field, no one was willing to give him that time. Ducking under an opponents sword slash, Rail punched his adversary hard enough in the chest to cause a dent in his armor big enough to make it much harder to breathe, following with a thin energy blast from his claws that scoured the demon's helmet's surface. He didn't have time to gather the energy for anything more powerful. "Perfect!" Rail mumbled quietly as he used his nature magic to cause the grass around him to grow to over eight feet high. A minor spell, but it would serve to both conceal his position and slow down his attackers as he readied his spear and applied a poison that would make the afflicted more sensitive to pain. Hearing a demon hack through the grass to his side, Rail leaped out, which was just what one of his comrades was waiting for. That comrade, a dragon demon, breathed fire into the overgrown grass, setting it ablaze. "Thank you, Dragon-brother!" shouted Rail as his jabbed his spear through a weak point in his opponent's armor, causing him to fall on the ground and writhe in pain. The odds were certainly improving, but it was hard to see how Rail could get his entire rebellion out of this situation intact.

[Zell]

Cobalt thought to himself again" That is my father I remember he taught me how to fight unarmed I didn't think I would find my father." He then into the battle and started helping Rail fight the other demons. The enemy armor was nothing compared to Cobalt's Shadow Blade. He cut through them like they were nothing. The rest of them looked at each other and then ran away. They were scared pretty bad. Cobalt turned and looked at Rail and said " Father I finally found you I thought you and mother had died in the raid.Cobalt then put his arms around his father and hugged him.

[2ndPower]

"Rail's... son?" said Rail. Things were happening quite quickly, and Rail was still trying to comprehend it all. First, a mysterious half-demon jumped into battle and took out well more than his fair share of enemies using an unusual sword, then, this half-demon hugged Rail and called him father! Rail needed a little time to adjust. This half-demon certainly resembled his son. Rail leaned down and took in a big whiff of this half-demon's scent. Ah! There was that scent he could never forget! "It is Rail's son! It is Cobalt!" Rail lifted Cobalt off the ground in a massive hug. "Rail, we don't really have time for this now," said one of Rail's comrades, a dragon-demon named Donovan. "We need to get back home, it's only a matter of time before the regime realizes a force is missing, and we still need to get food." "Yes!" said Rail. "We shall go home, and have a feast for Rail's son."

This "home" did not really look like much. These demons wanted to remain as hidden as possible, so they made their dens and warrens in hollowed out trees, large holes in the ground that could easily be covered and in well-hidden caves. Rail's den was the largest of all, it was in the hollowed-out log of a fallen millenia old tree. The "feast" wasn't much either, mostly just different varieties of meat and only water to drink. After the feast, Rail took it upon himself to fill Cobalt in on what has happened since they were seperated. "Rail knows you might be getting your hopes up, but he has to put them away now. Rail did survive the raid, but unfortunatly, your mother did not. Rail found her body in the remains of our old home, and buried her with the rest of the humans in our village. The demons struck while Rail was off hunting. Rail heard the noises of battle, and ran back as fast as Rail could ripping apart any demon who got in Rail's way. Of course, being the only demon in a village full of humans, many thought Rail was on the demon's side, and fought against Rail. When Rail got to our home, your mother was fighting back against the demons with all she had. She was not a strong woman, but boy was she clever! She had set up various traps around the house using only household objects. Rail had gotten there, and fought back against the demons as well as Rail could. Many a demon died that night! However, Rail could not keep up with their vast numbers. Rail was knocked unconcious, and the demons probably thought Rail was dead. But I tiger demon is not so easy to kill!" Rail says as he thumps his fist against his chest. "When Rail came to, the house was burnt to the ground and your mother was dead. Rail looked all around for you, but could not find you and Rail thought you were dead. Rail could not live with his failure and left to live far away from people. During this time, Rail learned to use nature magic, as well as to use herbs and such to make poisons and healing supplies. After a while, Rail realized that he was being stupid, and needed to fight back against the demons. So Rail searched far and wide for demons like Rail, who had loved humans but lost them. Most of these demons were too fearful of the demon regime to join Rail, but Rail got a few to help. Which leaves Rail and all his rebellion brothers and sisters here."

"Now Rail has a few questions for you." Rail said. "What has Cobalt been doing all this time, what is that strange sword you wield, and, most importantly, will you join our rebellion and show those demons that they cannot get away with what they have done? We have a strike against a convoy carrying weapons to a demon brigade planned for tomorrow, and we could dearly use your help."

[Zell]

"I will join you and defeat the demon leader when we confront him" Cobalt said "Now my turn When the village was attacked mother told me to go hide in the barn. I ran to the barn as fast as I could and when I turned around I saw humans being killed from left to right. As I made my way to the barn I was stopped by the demon leader he looked upon me and said Do not waste this mixed breed's blood you will just be wasting your time killing this one. This mixed breed is pathetic and worth it. I couldn't do anything to stop him. After the village was raided I ran away and tried to look for another home but no one would take me in because I was a mixed breed. One day I stumbled upon a cave and when I went in I found this sword the legendary Shadow Blade. When I touched it I felt a power like never before in me so, I vowed to avenge you and mother's death by defeating the demon leader. I have been training and saving humans trapped by the demons." After Cobalt was finished talking he waited to hear what his father was going to say.

[2ndPower]

"Hehe" chuckled Rail, "Fool demons always underestimate the half-childs. It is true that half-demons lack the strength and power of the full-bloods, but they come with the potential and growth native to humans. Hopefully that will come back to strike them. We have a few half-childs in our militia as well, and now one more, with Cobalt."

"And now, on to business." Rail said, addressing everyone in the room. "When we split up after our last strike against a demon base, one of our insightful comrades happened upon a large wagon carrying a huge supply of weapons. This ingenious being," Rail pointed at a small demon, with delicate features, gossamer wings, and a large bow, "waited until nightfall when the wagon came to rest and the guards started to drink. When one of the guards left to relieve himself, our Wind-sister appeared before him and got the details of their trip from the drunken fool demon. They are delivering weapons to the base near the remains of the town of Doren. As many of our better-traveled rebellion brothers and sisters may know, there is only one path up to that mountain town. We, of course, shall be waiting in ambush. Now, Rail suggests all the demons and half-children get some sleep, for we leave before the sun awakens."

The next morning, they were in position and everything was ready. It had taken them about 2 hours of straight running to get to this position, where the trail became steepest. His rebellion was used to such travelling, but Rail was impressed that his son had kept up. "And why wouldn't that half-child?" thought Rail. "He is the son of the greatest tiger demon ever!" All his forces were now in hiding, prepared for when the wagon arrived. This was the part that Rail hated the most, waiting until a target passed through. He was a tiger, more accustomed to tracking his prey down than waiting for it to pass in front of him. Hearing the sound of wheels scraping against the ground, Rail motions to his force, causing all of them to instantly jump to awareness. Rail glanced at his son, feeling a sense of pride. He didn't know how the boy learned what he did, but he was performing as well as the best among his demon rebellion, and had not even gone through any of the rebellion's training. "Most fathers don't ask their sons to actively take part in a war," Rail thought, "But Rail is not most fathers, and Cobalt is obviously not most boys." The wagon was within easy sight now, it would pass in front of them shortly. Everyone knew their orders, Rail had explained it on the way. They were to hide, then those who had distance attacks would unleash them at the wagon, attempting to destroy the wheels or anything else that would prevent the wagon from moving if they were destroyed then they were to take out the guards. Rail could clearly see the wagon now, it was being pulled by 16 human slaves, and guarded by 7 slender creatures without noses or mouths and wielding swords, as well as a four-armed centaur easily twice as tall as Rail. "Hmm.." thought Rail, "This looks fun." As they wagon passed in front of Rail, he shouted "ATTACK" and then leaped at the centaur as the other warriors unleashed their blasts and distance weapons at the wagon.

[Zell]

Five of the demons were hit and killed by the attack but the two that were not hit seemed to stronger then the others. "Let's get to work." Cobalt said to the others. Cobalt jumped toward the centaur with a jump slash but it was blocked. A demon then kicked Cobalt in the side and the centaur threw him into a tree. The tree broke when Cobalt hit it. Cobalt got up and said" I'm going to finish this now." He then used Shadow Realm on the two demons and the centaur. Cobalt came out of shadows and killed with ease. The shadows went away and light shined again. "Well that was easier then I thought it would be." Cobalt said to his father.
(OOC:Tell me if I my character beat the enemy to fast.)

[2ndPower]

(OOC Nah, this works for me.)

"That was much easier than Rail thought." ,said Rail. "Very impressive, my son. If everyone is still in perfect condition, Rail thinks we'll move on to attack the base." Seeing nods all around, Rail says, "After all, those fool demons still need their weapons delivered. Those who need weapons, take what you need, the rest will be used in our assault." "This couldn't have gone more perfectly." Rail thought. They are currently in prime condition and position to strike at the base, which was home to the demon regime's top beast trainers. If they could take this base out, it would certainly put all the regime's mounted forces in serious trouble. Rail smirked, as he started to form a plan.

Dakerek, demon battallion commander at the base at the remains of Doren, looked over his troops. All were excited over the new shipment of weapons coming today. Not that anything happened around here, but all the demons here were in training in the ways of riding a variety of beasts. Those who were assigned new weapons were graduated and sent to join the main militia. The demons were quite restless, some were even picking fights with other demons. Ah the fun. The weapons should be here any moment, and Dakerek was getting fairly restless himself. Not that he would graduate, but new weapons generally meant more bloodshed, and Dakerek loved bloodshed. Glancing to his left, he saw a demon who wasn't taken part in the festivities, who was just laying on the ground. Looking closer, Dakerek saw a sword sticking out of his chest. "Hmm... Seems like someone got a little too festive. Oh well." he thought walking back toward his seat. Sensing some motion, he stopped suddenly, and a spear fell from the sky and stuck into the ground directly in front of him. Looking up, he saw a small group of flying demons hurtling weapons at the demons below. "BATTLE, DEMONS!" He yelled. "And get the Drake Riders out here!" "Fools," he thought. "Out mounted drake squadron is the best ever." He watched with a little bit of pride as the first drake exited its cavern warrens, already with a rider, and began to take flight. Before it could get too high, however, an extremely large tiger demon tackled it to the ground. As the next drake rider exited the warren, another demon appeared and knocked it back inside with a war hammer, effectively blocking off the warren until that drake could get up. Feeling extreme anger at the way things were going, Dakerek rushed towards his nearest adversary, the tiger demon. Sensing his approach, the tiger demon raised a hand. Dakerek saw the claws glow, then unleash an energy blast. Then Dakerek saw no more.

Things were going well at the moment for Rail. The drakes were temporarily incapacitated, and it would take a minute or so for the other forces to get here. All they had to do was finish these guys off as quickly as possible, and be ready when reinforcements arrived. After clawing up the face of the drake and biting the throat out of the rider, Rail took a moment to ready his magical axe, the Reaver, and check on how his son was doing. Cobalt was strong, but he was still Rail's cub and Rail was still his father. There was no way he was going to allow himself to lose his son a second time.

[Zell]

Cobalt was blocking and slashing from left to right. "It seems this will be more of a challenge."Coblat yelled to his father. He then jumped over one of the demons and cut him down. Cobalt was being out numbered by some of the demons. He blocked a side slash but was hit by two slashs. One on his back and the other on his chest. Blood flew out but not much. Then there was a sound of foot steps it was the demon reinforcements. "This not good we now have to battle the reinforcements and if i'm right the leader of the reinforcements will be Gray the dragon demon." Cobalt said to his father. Cobalt finished off the reast of his demons when Gray appeared and said to Rail and Cobalt " Looks like I'm to be killing a kat and it's kitten." This was not going to be an easy fight.

[2ndPower]

"Fool dragon will do no such thing!!!!" roared Rail. "Rail shall slice you open and eat your heart!!!!!" Rail knew he shouldn't be getting so worked up, but he had an ego, and being called a mere kat just rubbed him the wrong way. He was the greatest tiger demon ever, and this Gray needed to learn the proper respect. It seemed like Rail and Cobalt were going to have to teach it to him. Rail assumed a classic Shaolin axe stance, axe at the ready, weight balanced between both legs, slightly squatted. Rail had yet to face a demon that knew of the powers behind his axe, and hopefully this fool demon would be the same. Cobalt seemed to know this demon from a previous time, so maybe Cobalt would know how to fight him the best. Rail stood still and waited for Cobalt to make the first move, prepared to back him up in any way.

[Zell]

Gray's claw was sharp as hell and it could cut Cobalt like he was nothing. Cobalt ran past Gray and to the large tower. "Father I need you to hold Gray off with your Soul attack and don't hit Gray with regular attacks he will just grew in strength. I'm going to drop this tower on him which should hopefully knock him out." Cobalt said to his father. Cobalt cut threw the demons to get to the tower. When he made it he started hacking at the tower bottom trying to knock it down. Gray payed no attention to Cobalt but to Rail. Gray then started his second strongest attack. The ground started to crack all over and fire was coming out the cracks. Gray's mouth started glowing with an energy that has never been used before. Gray then launched the beam at Rail. Rail would have use all the great power he had to stop this attack. and Cobalt had to hurry if he wanted to save his father.

[2ndPower]

The beam was coming at Rail much too fast for Rail to dodge, so Rail would have to think of a way to block it. He called upon his nature magic to influence the area around him. Rail's magic gave him power to control his environment, and this Gray had put fire into the environment. Rail collected the fire spouting from the ground into a solid form and collected it right in front of him, forming a sort of fire shield. The beam hit Rail's fire shield, then burst through a moment later, but the shield had bought him enough time to leap out of the way. Cobalt had said to refrain from hitting him with regular attacks, so Rail brought his spiritual axe to bear, and rushed at Gray, swinging many times. Gray dodged every swing. Gray swung his claws at Rail. Rail stepped out of the way, but a little too late. He roared in pain as Gray scored a glancing blow on his left arm, slicing through a bit of flesh. Damn, those claws were sharp! It would only take one solid hit for Gray to finish Rail, and Rail was already exhausted from his fire shield trick. Fire was a wild element, and both commanding it and forcing it into a solid took great amounts of energy, especially as fast as he did it. Rail feinted to the left with his axe, then brought it in from the right with all the speed and strength he could muster. The axe went through Gray's neck, leaving no scratch or cut, but causing Gray to stagger back. "Wow," thought Rail, "that slash should have severed fool dragon's soul from his body, but it is still there. Fool dragon is even stronger than he appears." As Gray was staggering, Rail used his magic to affect the earth, calling it up underneath Gray. The earth formed itself around Gray's feet, holding him in place. It would only take Gray a few seconds to rip himself free, but it bought Rail a small amount of time. "Tower better fall soon, or Rail's in trouble." Rail thought.