The Gang of Five
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Enemies Inside

The Great Valley Guardian

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Cyrix arrived still looking snow white and shaking, but he was at least able to stand and walk again. He then looked to Longtail and almost lost his lunch as well, seeing his nephew in such a deep sleep....as he asked "Is my nephew okay, he looks sick...what happened to him?"


lbt/cty_lover

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Vylor recounted the fight to Cyrix. He mainly focused on Longtail's fight.

"We were just about to bring him to you when you arrived." Said Vylor.


StarfallRaptor

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Dante walked over too, still clutching his wound.  He looked at the others, then sat on the ground and began to think about what had happened.  Then he looked at Vylor and asked...
"Why did I lose to him?  I've spent my entire life training for that, and he beats me... Why?"

____________________________________________________________________
Meanwhile, Virgil looked at Korr's still unconcious form and said...
"You lost.  But I must admit, your ferocity astounded me.  So therefore, you may continue to hunt him... Awaken."
And a small patch of shadows crawled over Korr's wound and became a new patch of skin, similar in color, but much darker...


lbt/cty_lover

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"I do not have all the answers. You must look inside yourself to answer that question. However, you are lucky I was able to defeat Dark-Eye quickly. Otherwise, you might be dead." Said Vylor.

-----

Dark-Eye stirred. "Where am I?"


StarfallRaptor

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Dante then sat for a time in silence, before he realized...
"This is about more than getting even with him. All the time I was fighting, the only thing I could think about was revenge.  I wasn't able to beat him because I wasn't fighting to protect other people.  That's what true strength is, I think... but I still need to become stronger..."
He said, a smile crossing his features as he said this...

____________________________________________________________________

"Relax.  You're safe here, Dark-Eye.  You're lucky.  That elf's attack would have killed you if you had been hit anymore.  As for now, you must rest, and regain your strength.  Then, I shall help you to become... unbeatable, and we will kill those four..."
Virgil said, looking over at Dark-Eye with an evil grin...


lbt/cty_lover

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"We must prepare for next time. They left alive, so they will return. Why would Virgil take the other two, though?" asked Vylor.

"We must work on changing our form at our will." Said Argaya.


StarfallRaptor

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"Virgil is... Utterly ruthless.  If what I saw was any indication, he intends to give them the same power as he has.  To be honest, that isn't all he's capable of, either.  He can tap the dark blood in his...and my... veins to transform even further.  I can use that power, but... it triggers a sort of berserker rage, kinda like Longtails.  Last time I used it... I almost killed a friend of mine. That's why...."
Dante said, hesitant about revealing this new detail, afraid that it would cost him his friends...


The Great Valley Guardian

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Korr began to awaken and suddenly remembered what happened and looked down at his leg which was healed, but still ached a little he looked around and said "Where is that little freak I'm going to kill him and make it slow and as painful as possible!"

------------

Cyrix was astounded as he replied "My nephew idd all that! But that would mean he's figured out how to control the Guardian's key...and that would mean....." Cyrix never finished his sentence as Longtail struggled to open his eyes and said "U-uncle....I....I did...it...the...key...h-has been...turned ." He said as he slipped back into his deep sleep.


lbt/cty_lover

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"That is disconcerting. If Virgil has access to this kind of power, us four must train to master our abilities before they strike again." Said Vylor.

"We should go to the cave and train there. It is isolated enough." Said Argaya.


The Great Valley Guardian

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Cyrix nodded and said "Yes that would be a good idea...however my nephew may be able to perfect his abilities, but if his current state is any indication...he may not survive the next time he turns the key completely again....he needs to control only one element at a time..."


lbt/cty_lover

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"At any rate, Dante, Argaya, and I will go train. Longtail can come later." Said Vylor.

The group then departed for the cave.


StarfallRaptor

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"Agreed. I guess that means that I have to show you the other power I posess.  Creation and Destruction, Death and Rebirth, All things of time created, swords of frost and flame!  Gather to me!  Come, Oblivion!  To me, Heartflame!"
And in his hands were a pair of elegant eastern blades.  The one in his left hand was pale blue, with a diamond-shaped guard, and a black snowflake-like charm dangling over his fingers.  The right sword was of a firey crimson, and had a guard shaped like four flames pointing outward.  The charm on this one was a white flame.  Dante looked at them, and muttered to himself...
"I swore I would never use these except to protect my dreams and to safeguard my friends.  Forgive me Arius, but now is that time..."
___________________________________________________________________

"Ah, good to see you awake, Korr.  Rest now, for soon... I shall grant you the power to destroy that fool Longtail.  Soon..."
Virgil said, eyeing Korr to make sure that he stayed put as he began to make preparations for the ritual...


lbt/cty_lover

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"I prefer hook-swords, staff-blades, and throwing staves. I sometimes use butterfly swords." Said Vylor. He began chanting something, and his body began to change back into its elven form. Argaya began becoming a dragon at the same time.


StarfallRaptor

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"Well, I guess we'll just have to find out who among us is the strongest, besides Argaya.  When we get to the Cave, care for a quick duel?  I need to get back into practice with these..."
 Dante said, grinning as he twirled his blades effortlessly...


lbt/cty_lover

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"I warn you. If I get you to let go of your blades, I will defeat you effortlessly." Said Vylor as he drew his hook-swords.


StarfallRaptor

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"Now, Now, Vylor.  Don't think that I'll be so easy to beat..." Dante said, twiddling his blades, adding in a toss between his hands as he prepared himself to fight...


The Great Valley Guardian

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Cyrix then appeared at the front of the cave and said to Dante "I hope you don't mind me getting to practice with you guys...and don't be fooled I can handle my own." As he then took up a battle position. "Get ready for a real fight!"


StarfallRaptor

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"Hmm... This'll be fun!  Alroght, Who wants to go first?"
Dante said, keeping an eye on both his opponents.
"Or if you want, I'd go for a free-for all..."


The Great Valley Guardian

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Taking no chances...Cyrix charged at Dante first hoping to at least throw off his balance enough to score a hit or two as he swung his hand in a downward strike followed with a upper cut punch. Cyrix then said "I choose a free-for-all."


StarfallRaptor

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"Cool!  Pile on Guys, It's time for some Crazy Fun!"  Dante yelled as he jumped into the air, landing in a handstand, then spun himself around, lashing out with his legs and tail in all directions.
"Spinning Star!"  He yelled as he did so...