Before Tom could stop her, she dived into the pool and delicately glided to the far side. Using the water as a base, she leapt out in front of the warriors, the moisture flying off her and hanging as little droplets in the air that she sent flying towards her enemies. The droplets sizzled on impact but were nothing more than a minor hinderance. She landed on the edge of the pool and in a graceful movement, her hands lifted. Muscles strained on her arms as they connected with the pool water. It began to lift and veins in her arms popped at the weight of all that water. Some warriors ran away, others tried to move towards her but they knew their doom was near. The water lifted until the pool was empty and as Sophie’s strength began to ebb, she threw her arms forward. Tom lifted his own hand and added his weight so that the wave crashed past Sophie, turning the first two warriors into statues and then it carried on, moving through the kitchen with frightening speed, destroying every molten warrior it touched. The wave reached towards the kitchen before finally faltering and silence filled the noon day.
Sophie stood there, arms hanging limply by her side. As she turned, Tom couldn’t help but laugh. Wet hair clung to a face that was red from the strain. She shivered un-controllably, with the sun barely able to pierce the thick smog from the volcano.
“What’s up?” Sam asked looking back at him.
“I don’t know.” Price muttered, searching the trees for something, “I just don’t feel right.”
Sam looked around, “Stop messing okay.”
Some birds flew up from a tree and Price relaxed, wondering if that was what he had sensed, “I’m probably just being paranoid.”
He was about to take a step again when his eyes widened. He pushed Sam into the undergrowth as a shot echoed in the alley way and sparks shot across the pavement. Price shoved Sam to the floor and he connected to the trees. They seemed to rustle and there was a moan as a branch broke and a figure fell to the floor, landing with a dull thud. With a turn it stood nimbly and even though they were concealed in the undergrowth, it was looking right at them. A gun clattered to the floor between them and Price looked from the grey skinned, long armed creature, to the weapon that was like none he had ever seen.
Price charged for the gun and his finger slipped to the panic button. Sam was behind him, but the creature was quicker. It dived on Price and swept him away with a powerful swing of his arm. Sam was braver than he had expected, and he grasped the creature’s arm just as it wrapped around the gun. The creature gave a primeval yell before jumping back. It stared down at the silhouette of Sam’s hand; his arm burnt by the freeze. Sam kicked the large gun away but squealed as the creature pulled from its belt, a long-curved blade.
Price was on his feet again and he charged, pulling for a root. Before one could break the surface, a boot caught him painfully in the stomach and the Murka slashed with its good arm to keep Sam away.
It turned again on Price, and Sam tried to kick out but the figure turned, caught his boot and span him to the floor. The knife was coming down for him before Sam could stop it, but a root snatched at the creature’s wrist. Price was pulling with all his might but the muscular arm of the Murka was slowly getting closer to Sam’s chest. Its numb, frozen arm grabbed at Sam’s neck and he tried desperately to breathe. In a last desperate measure, his hand went to the Murka’s face. Ice glistened on his fingers and the Murka screamed. The knife fell, grazing Sam’s cheek and the distraction allowed Price to pull the Murka away from him. Regaining itself, it span, grabbed the gun and smiled at them. More roots were bursting from the ground and Sam’s hands were sparkling with the ice that covered them.
With startling speed, two knives flew at Price and Sam and they ducked to avoid them. When they looked up, the Murka was charging away with a frightening turn of pace. They chased it as far as they could until it disappeared into a spinney at the end of a long field.
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The Sundering of the Two Moons
| Name: Krim Gadrika Age: N/A Species: Vassal First Appearance: The History of Ilmgral: Book One. The Sundering of the Two Moons | Power: In life, Krim was born to heal the pains of world but only by giving strength for things to heal themselves. He was supposed to give strength to all things and give none for himself. In death he became guardian of souls who do good and helped Gadrika nurture souls in the halls of Agraldin, Appearance: Krim is strong and bold, the tallest of the Ilma. He has blonde hair and flawless skin. In death he bore the torn cloak of Gadrika and at his side was a broken sword in a sheaf. |
| Backstory: Krim and his brother were born in the lands of Kuratex. Both their powers showed early but after an attack by his brother, that saw Krim nearly killed, he was spirited away and he and his brother were sundered by distance and hate. | Story Excerpt: Only around Krim, who lay in stupor upon his bed, was the pestilence of Agral kept at bay and through his power, the sickness relented. Rising from his bed, Krim saw the devastation of his brother and revealed his power. No want of glory was in his mind, and he saw the goodness in all things and all people. He sang and the oil vanished from the water and the fish were cleared of their taint. The trees bloomed again, and the flowers lost their pestilence but to Agral he did nothing, seeing then the opposites of their power. Krim could heal some wounds but only in giving strength for things to heal themselves and he could cure a small grove of disease, but Agral could heal all if he wished and could remove pestilence rather than create it, if guided properly. |
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The Sundering of the Two Moons.
| Name: Crio Orna Age: N/A Species: Vassal First Appearance: The History of Ilmgral: Book One. The Sundering of the Two Moons | Power: Crio was touched in the hall of Agraldin by Orna and was given his power over earth and metal. He is a great forger and builder. Appearance: Crio is short for one of the Ilma and much greater built. His eyes are also grey and ores seemed to run across his skin. he is covered in grey hair with a large beard, rare for one of the Ilma. |
| Backstory: Crio was born in the lands of the nomadic people on the borders of Scaraden but he was hunted and so in time came to the lands of Drage and fell into the care of the descendants of Drage, fulfilling Livella’s prophecy in the hall of Agraldin. | Story Excerpt: With that, Crio fell under the protection of the house of Drage, and he was called Crio Minton, for his work with iron but Bela died in the summer of the next year and unlike the others of her house, she was buried in the town of Amoradrage. On the coast of the north that town was built, where the mountain had been swallowed by the sea. The youngest son of Drage founded the town and Bela was buried upon the edge of the cliff, so she could look for her love. A year Crio spent with Dusan in the northern town and their friendship blossomed and Crio taught the people there how to mine the black obsidian cliffs. From that rock, he helped build the lighthouse of Amoradrage, and from its top, the peak of the mountain could be seen, crumbled under the waves. Bring, son of Drage, became high lord then. Crio built for him, from the same black rock, the dragon gate and the keep of Dragor. Turning the town that was once Cambane, into a place of strength. For the lord, Crio also forged a sword. The blade was formed from the black stone of the mountain and the handle a sturdy bone, studded with gems. Crio married at this time and his wife bore to him two sons who were also broad in stature, and they played amongst the children of Dusan, and the friendship of their house was great. |
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The vines on Price’s arms grew and hardened and these he placed through the warrior’s chest, spearing them where they stood. The vines broke off but using his power, they grew again and each time with greater strength. Soon he was by Tom’s side and together, warriors fell in a ring around their feet. They were a team as they had been for years and almost when Tom was beaten, Price sang in the language of the trees and a root burst from the ground, trapping the warrior before it had a chance to strike.
Unheard, Sophie had run behind them and the water in the root burst open, and Tom lost the warrior in a plume of steam that broke its inner fire.
The ground under Tom’s feet shifted and he saw a warrior, in the midst of its strike on Sophie, fall to the floor before it was skewered by Price. In the corner of his eye, he saw Nicole, her arms moving wildly to the shift the ground in their favour.
As Tom sliced his way through another warrior, that crumpled in a very human way, he felt his strength wavering. His body realised how hungry he was, and the constant use of his power, was beginning to tell on his limbs.
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The Sundering of the Two Moons
| Name: Camara Thera Age: N/A Species: Vassal First Appearance: The History of Ilmgral: Book One. The Sundering of the Two Moons | Power: Camara is the child of Thera, not a soul touched in the hall of Agraldin. Therefore her power supersedes that of the other vassals. She can control all waters and in time became guardian of the northern oceans. Controlling the Camara stream that brings the weather to the northern continents. Her power is mutated though and often she brings harsh winters and unforgiving summers. Appearance: Camara looks like one of the ilma but her eyes are crystal blue and her scales seem to carry a shimmer like fish scales. Her hair is a mix of silver, green and blue, like the plant life of the oceans. |
| Backstory: Camara was born to an Ilma mother, who had wed and slept with the God Thera. She developed powers quickly and was wise for her age. When the wicked Graul of the great continent came for her people. She fled across the ocean with her Thera-ilma until she settled in the north. | Story Excerpt: “Come.” Camara cried, “Our only hope is the sea, where Thera lives, and our peace may be found.” Her people hurried to the beach while their homes were destroyed, and that beacon of fire was like a signal to Thera. The sea’s rose in a violent tumult and the ships that were now boarded by the wicked Graul, were cast in ruin and the bodies of the Thera-ilma were saved and found rest at the oceans floor. Yet upon that storm a bitterness came to Camara and wind from the far north brought an icy chill and her powers of the sea became powers of storm and ice. At her feet the sea froze, and she stepped nimbly upon the wave crest, now frozen in time, “Come, come, we must flee.” Dubiously her people stared at her but as the wicked Graul came to hack and slay, they stepped upon the frozen sea and Camara charged further from the coast, the sea turning to ice on command and her people followed her. The Graul that touched that ice fell and went to the hall of Agraldin and faced punishment for all of time. So came the greatest toil of the Therailma in the early years and they marched across the wide sea in search for a place of sanctuary. Water she pulled, clean and fresh from the sea and fish presented themselves for their food but they ate only what they needed and what the sea could provide. For nearly a whole year, the people of Camara crossed the vast ocean and some were lost upon the path, killed by disease, cold or hopelessness. These went to the sea to join Thera. As summer came to this region, they began to see lands, but Camara feared this place and they marched between two continents, like dangers set to either side and as they passed, the ground to their east rumbled and the sea shook in answer, but she ploughed her people onwards. At one place she stopped, and she stared down to great depths. Thera seemed to speak to her, and she saw the things that were to come and the pain that would follow for the Thera-ilma. For they were new, created by his weakness in the hall of sanctuary and now they were sundered from the chosen Ilma. Tears she shed into the sea, to the despair of her people, “Sweet maiden of the sea.” Her handmaid asked, “Why do you cry?” “Passing this point I see things to come. Our new home draws near but beneath our feet a mountain stands and soon the seas will part, and it will rise and in time it will become our home, our citadel, our sanctuary. My grandsire, Orna, shall fashion it as he fashioned the moons, and the waters of my father will protect it.” “Such a glorious place it shall be.” The handmaiden cried but her voice became stern, “Still I see no need for tears.” Camara smiled at her, “Long shall be that path and it will be full of tragedy, for it is clear in my mind that the tragedy in our village was not all that would befall us and some that will come will be our fault. We will be few when we come to this chosen kingdom, a place to wait for our kind to die out from the tapestry, that is ever woven in Agraldin.” |
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The Sundering of the Two Moons
| Name: Drage Livella Age: N/A Species: Vassal First Appearance: The History of Ilmgral: Book One. The Sundering of the Two Moons | Power: Drage is the child of Livella, touched by her in the halls of Agraldin. He has part of her power and can control the fires of the world. Appearance: Drage has perfect white scales with bright red hair that falls down to his back. When he appears to the Ilma his hair is usually aflame and he wears still the red armour that he went into battle with. |
| Backstory: Drage became the first Vassal of Livella. he was born and orphaned, given to the church of Gadrika who raised him. Soon he was forced to flee where he came to the land of Cambane, where his fate would be decided. | Story Excerpt: Drage came down to the river’s edge and at his feet the ground warmed and the ice melted. Gasps rang out amongst the onlookers as he plunged himself into the river and where he stood, the ice was thawed, and the flowing river lapped at his waist. The lord of Cambane stared at him in wonder, “You are the one that I have heard rumours of good child.” The lord smiled, “Thanks be to Livella that she has sent you amongst us and I vow that no harm should come to you while you remain within my realm.” Drage bowed to the edge of the water, “I thank you lord and I wish that I could walk across all the river, even to the mouth of the sea. That way I could guide your father to the endless shore, but I fear that beyond my warmth, the ice lies thick for many miles, and it will not lessen till spring comes again.” “It is not your fault, son of Livella.” The lord began, “You cannot bring the stars themselves down to warm the waters.” The bowed head of the woman at his side, lifted her eyes and they met with Drage’s, and such love fell upon him for the sadness of them, that his heart was moved, “Not the stars but maybe I can do something.” He said and turning to a member of the church, he asked for a lamp. A lamp of metal was brought for him and inside Drage made a fire that burnt so brightly that none but him could bare the sight of it, but they could feel its warmth. This lamp, Drage mounted to the front of the boat and the waters around it were warmed from the light and then, like a call had come from Thera, the river current was roused. The boat lurched into the centre of the river and with Drage’s lamp at its head, the ice melted before it. Long did that lamp last and many who lived by riverside saw it as it moved towards the sea and all bowed their heads in reverence for Livella. |
The Sundering of the Two Moons.
| Name: Gadrika Age: N/A Species: God First Appearance: The History of Ilmgral: Book One. The Sundering of the Two Moons | Power: Gadrika is the bringer of life and guardian of the Flame of existence. He governs the halls of Agraldin where the flame breeds new souls that he nurtures. Through him life is sustained and restored in Besan Gretan. Appearance: Gadrika usually appears robed in and hooded. His face does not look like any creature that has ever walked or will walk in Besan Gretan but he can make himself into any creature of the universe. |
| Backstory: Gadrika was born when Agraldin as created and the power of the Gods that came before went into the flame of existence. He resides always in the hall of nurturing and in the halls where the tapestry is woven by those who have died. | Story Excerpt: “Do not despair light maiden.” Said a voice and before her walked the figure from Agraldin but he was no longer cloaked. He was garbed in cloth that changed colour as he moved. At times it was a vibrant green, at others the dark red of dusk and even at times as though he was dressed in the night sky. His face bore no relation to the creatures that would come after or maybe he was all of them, but Livella only saw a mirror of the Gods, vibrant eyes full of knowledge and a face flawless, cast in the same shadow of Agraldin. “Gadrika I am named.” He said at Livella’s shocked glance, “I come from the realm of spirit and in my halls, I nurture and preserve a balance for the universe, to see it steered to proper course. That requires life and life I gift to Besan Gretan with my flame so that all our realms may grow more beautiful, and we can finally achieve what all those who came before us failed at.” His form seemed to shift, and he became then one of the Ilma, tall and magnificent, with golden eyes and no red scales, “In me all life shall live in Besan Gretan, but they shall be free of will, guided by the tapestry of those who came before. Here on this world will come the Ilma and they will be as children of you and in them your image will be seen. They also will have power, power to control their will and though we be Gods, we will be subject to them and to them will the dominion of Besan Gretan be granted. They will see it rise to proper station, protected from the greed and taint of those who are immortal” Gadrika smiled, and he grew shorter, and red scales now covered his cheeks, “With them shall be the Graul, the servant race. Like the vassals shall be to us so shall be the Graul to the Ilma and they will serve them in all their endeavours.” |
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Tom had returned to the door. He was panting, desperately pulling to him what strength he could. His hands were bloodied from several wounds and these stung as he ignited his hands at the approach of more wolves. His brand swept upwards in a sudden flurry, cleaving the face of one of the beasts and killing it instantly. He dived out of the way of a bearded hound before a third clawed at his knee. He dropped to the ground and in a panic, a swirl of flame swept around him and forced the two wolves a-side. Kat screaming distracted him, but the wolves could not attack before he launched himself into the air and balanced himself nimbly onto one of the pews. Metal objects flew from the walls, colliding with the wolves, knocking one into the cellar and the chandelier from the ceiling crashed at another. The runts on the outside barked and nipped at his ankles, forcing him back towards the main pack and only Tom’s many powers kept them at bay.
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The Sundering of the Two Moons.
| Name: Thera Age: N/A Species: God First Appearance: The History of Ilmgral: Book One. The Sundering of the Two Moons | Power: Thera has the power to control all the waters of the universe. From the smallest raindrop, the largest ocean. All sea creatures answer to him and he is the most besotted with Besan Gretan. Appearance: Thera appears human like apart from that his skin glimmers like fish scales. His hair is the colour of seaweed and his eyes are crystal blue. |
| Backstory: Thera was born from the tear of Livella and the power Orna gave to Ilmgral. He helped provide the base for life to begin. He rarely ever leaves Besan Gretan for either of the other two realms, unless called at great need. | Story Excerpt: It glowed for a second and then the rivers of molten rock were calmed and from fissures great oceans formed. Clouds lifted above the world and the first raindrops fell in gentle tears onto the mountains. Water flowed into great bowls of the earth that overflowed and ran in many streams and rivers back to the sea. The amazement of Livella and Orna was great, but Livella moved, and her radiance was veiled so that the oceans froze, the rivers became glaciers and the voices of Agraldin lamented. At their call, a fist hammered under the frozen ocean. Livella moved quickly and she pulled towards her a star and Orna placed Ilmgral in orbit around it and set it to turn so that equally the heat of her star could fall upon it. The oceans thawed and rivers flowed again. From the great sea a figure rose in splendour. He was tall and nimble, with a skin partly like scales of fish that mirror him. His eyes were blue with hints of green and he regarded his parents with love, “You have given life to me from your sacrifice’s and from me the beginnings of life shall come. They will need guiding by starlight and moonlight.” Thera, they named him, and he parted the sea at his feet and revealed a mountain like a red sunset and another of silver. These Orna took and he shaped them and placed them as moons over the planet like silent guardians to move the tides and aid with the nurturing of life. |
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