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Tal Rivselis
The Nether Journeys.

MESSAGE TO readers: I speak of things I mentioned in other stories. I am going to scrap these, so maybe I should refresh a little. This is also NOWHERE near to complete. I mean this whoever is reading this, so sorry for any errors. Also, in RTF format, I can't seem to save this right, so It might be called untitled... sorry. I expect to see you again soon!
To refresh:
Important Characters: (Tal not included)
Wraith Elfs:
Jalla: A long time friend of Tal who was killed be an angry mage when she was very young. Somehow resurrected,

Kot (Introduced in third or fourth chapter): Tal’s “Shadow”, an unknown wraith elf.

Ohirion: Tal's mentor for about three months. Killed by a Jono horde on Tal's homeworld

Creatures:

Thumpers: The Chronomancers of Tal's homeworld

Hulks: Large purple creatures who feed on magic.

Jonos (Jono-Jeebas) Large Orcish creatures, taller, faster, but not quite as strong, their intelligence is matched by that of orcs.

Humans:

Jeeks: Master Fletcher of arrows who Tal killed in a duel.

Wraith Elves are elves with ghostly powers. They can turn invisible, commune with ghosts, add the powers of rot to their weapons, walk through walls, and call spirits into form to fight for them. Wraiths are the liches of Wraith Elves. Tal is the future sage of time. He is a mix of Elven and Wraith Elf blood.

Tal traveled through time in preparing to become the sage of time.

Wraith (N), 1: Specter, Ghost, Spirit, Poltergeist, Shadow, apparition.
2: Figure of Nightmare
3: Elf type, Ghostlike
            4: Secretive in the deepest nature.
Endekin (N), 1: Creature, unknown beast, monster, threat.
   2: Beast of timelessness
   3: Large, Skeletal Creature known for defying the gods themselves,
    4: Three distinct varieties include:
Horn: Bleach White, Made of Bones.
Onyx: Black and Red Muscled Bones
Icador: Gray, with no other coloration except the red eyes.

(Author's Note: Most of these events (In the first chapter) happened on the net where I role-played Tal on the Net. Socra is a character that was created by a friend of mine called ShamedShadow who is a great rper. In this, thumpers are represented as Revenants, and Endekins are the representation of Wraith Elfs.)

Before I begin I would like to thank:
The Guy who made the Summer Version Of Ticondera for starcarft Broodwar. The map is a GREAT example of the time and energy you must have put in the map. Good Job!
Shamed Shadow, for the creation of Socra.
Kotor[life], for being a good rper. (Arcada too)
The person who created the character Kain on the net.
Baal_Returned for rping with me and shamed.
Odkill_none (I hope I got it right) for crushing newbs with me at Marine Tug o' war.
Darkcampainger for being the great prison in the rp where I met him and Shamed.
WarHammer4000, for being a true friend, and for giving me a partner who could match my skill at Marine tug o' war. Od will carry his torch well.
Darklink_7373 for being the one Kain in my life. (And for my online screen name.)
Clan ICD, (C), NCK, and (NI) for being great clans who harbored me, and helped me to grow. (Grow? yeah right! Quote of Kirai[ICD])
‘ Whoever invented Ibprofin, (Sorry about the bad spelling!) for saving me from headace pain.

Endekin Might.
"And that Socra of all people would know Tal's plight of anger incarnate, and that Tal would be able to comfort, only to know Socra's plight in turn."

Tal was awake at night again. His veins flared with the moon’s power.
Then, the world started to go hazy and the moon started to disappear.

The next thing Tal knew he held his scythe, but he was standing in a much different place. The land was green, full of life. Revenants walked around. Revenants were human like zombies who were cursed to hunt their killer. Tal stood up.
In his mind, information pushed forward and suddenly... he was two people, one, Tal, Son of Talla, the other, Tal son of Modar the Endekin. Tal looked around at his surroundings. He saw healthy trees, a bounding ocean, the walls that his father had used as a fort wall.
One of the revenants walked forward. "Tal, you know this place, but yet you don't. Tal, here, on Ticondera, we are the same as thumpers. We are your servants and witnesses."
Tal nodded in a agreement and then asked: "Why the two worlds? Why two lives?"
" Your timeline is split for a reason, it is your way to learn. Life is choices and each choice spawns a thousand happenings like bowling pins or dominoes. Your time here is alternate, nothing but sleep will keep you back on your prime line. Now adventure, sleep is eternal here for you. But that party you go with will be sort lived. Only hurgo a human will remain loyal once you depart, with the three of the last four wraith elves."
Tal searched his new apparent memory and found that he was there so that he could adventure, so he set off.
For a day he traveled along some well known roads and to the west. After a while a large kingdom loomed where troops paraded around all day, and nobility was in no short supply. Tal turned towards the capital, hoping he could do some work for hire.

At this point a young man named Socra was talking to his elders at the Temple of Arswong, where he had been trained to become a Protector of the temple.
"Leave for the south west, to the kingdom of Hurdy, where you will meet another who can help you."
Socra nodded. "Who is this person?"
The elder sighs and replied. "Person one is a prince of Hurdy, the other is anger incarnate."
After hearing his Elder's words Socra picked up is bow and walked out of the temple, only a few hours away from Hurdy's kingdom. He hadn't really listened because his elders always spoke in riddles.

Tal had searched for a couple of hours to find someone important to ask for a job. But through all of his attempts all he had managed was to almost be trampled by the parading troops. So he walked to an off duty guard and asked, "Know any good jobs for a mercenary like me?"
The guard spat and laughed, "ask the king" he said with a slight sneer on his face, so Tal turned around and started to search for the castle.
After some searching he found the King's hall and he walked in. From four pens dogs snarled and barked. Tal backed from them in unintentional fear which just made the dogs even more bloodthirsty.
"Don't worry, there are bars there you know,"  A large man in a robe said in a loud noble voice.
Tal composed himself and turned. I'm looking for job."
The king just stared, he the drew his sword and struck. Tal blocked every blow without thinking, and even managed a counter of his own.
After their small bout, the King and Tal talked more seriously.
Ò So, a scythe fighter, rare these days, and you didn't even flinch as I tested your worth! You can have a job pertaining some goblin encampments to the east of here, goblins have started to rip trees down and to spread, go with my son, Kain, he can guide you there."
"King Hurdy, how may I help?" Standing in the door way was a tall man who carried a large bow.
"Are you Socra of the Arswong?"
"Yes I am, I am here for that mission."
"I am King Hurdy"
"I know that old man, now give me the job!"
Hurdy laughed and nodded his head, "Go with Tal and Kain. Socra, your temple will be paid dearly."
So Socra turned, and followed Tal out.
When they got to the gates, Socra started to ask around for Kain, "Hello, we need the prince, Kain.." he asked the guards who were patrolling the gates."
"What do you want him for?"
Tal shoved through towards the man who stood behind them in a rich red armor, and a great sword in his hand. The man turned around a motioned to the guards. The guards backed down.
"Who are you to shove through my guards?" Said the apparent prince.
Tal just grinned for a moment, and then replied Ò King Hurdy sent us to find you, we were commanded to rout a goblin encampment."
With a small round of introduction they set off.
Kain nodded "Well, met, Tal, and Socra., we head out soon."
With that he turned and readied his sword and armor.
Tal sat down near a tree and started to rest and think. Then a flashback took him.
His father, Talla stood before him, and then so did the beast he knew as Modar. Then the two disappeared to a voice. "Tal, you have crossed a  boundary in time. You exist in two places now. One is the other, yet, one is also not the other. Only two other mirror your feat."
Then a revenant stepped from the dark of Tal's flashback, and held his hand, out. Then a flash of light, and then....
Tal snapped back to reality. He stood up and walked back to the gate. Kain was there with Socra, and they were ready to depart.
As Kain led them Tal tried to separate memories in his mind. Then a blade of realization hit. If modar was his father here, then what about modar back in his world?
"That the sage would see time clearly like a happening and the effect of that choice, yet also the power to affect that which has no choices, the winds above your head, the actions of a mindless animal, to be able to move, change, reset... but yet, knowing that he is absolute, except in his own fate."
Then Kain stopped. Before them the reek of Goblins and dank creatures filled the air. Socra scouted ahead. He soon returned with a slightly fearful look on his face. "The goblins are better prepared than I thought, a giant commands them with fury, we couldn't win."
Kain thought about this for a moment then shrugged
"We could wait for night..."
Tal shook his head violently "Those eggs around the place look mature. We wait too long and they will hatch."
At this Socra and Kain couldn't help but agree. So they attacked. Suddenly revenants appeared from the air like true wraiths and surrounded them. They breathed heavily and seemed to radiate a fire of fury. "We will help." So they attacked.
Suddenly Goblins and Serpents attacked. The first wave fell to the wrath of the weapons of Socra, Kain, and Tal.  Then, with the second wave, Socra got hit with some poison and tripped. Tal quickly slew the offending serpent, and turned to help.
Then a goblin decided to attack.
The goblin had decided to hang off Tal's back. The claws dug in deep. With a small howl of pain Tal fell down and started to change, his flesh seemed to disappear, he grew to ten feet tall with large bony white hands that were large enough to knock small houses down. When he finished he had no more skin or muscle. He threw the offending goblin into a small goblin hut, leaving a hole in the wall.
Tal stood up, as this large monster he was a walking terror to behold. His large white bone-white body gleamed in the sun as he shredded the defenders and quickly laid waste to the camp. After the place was totally wrecked he then proceeded to stomp out the spawn of the goblins.
By now, Socra and Kain had stepped back to tend their wounds. Eventually, Tal calmed down, and he quickly returned to his own form. Tal walked through the camp, another wave of memories flooding his mind. A destroyed school, a wrecked camp, terrified faces as he rampaged through the lands.
Socra Greeted Tal "What happened back there, you were like death itself, like such a  mons-"
Kain quickly stopped Socra with a icy glare and continued to repair some dents in his armor.
Socra took the hint, and not much more was said.
The next day Socra was to return to his Temple, and Tal was to return with Kain to receive his pay from Hurdy. As they parted ways, a revenants voice rang out, "We are witnesses to time travelers, and we see much that happens, continue to be noble, and this world has a chance.
Tal didn't heed the words, he knew his path, but Kain seemed, disturbed, he was sulking and he had started to walk a little faster.
When Kain and Tal entered the gates of Hurdy's Kingdom, Kain hung back and Tal continued to the castle.
After running past the guard dogs Tal hailed Hurdy "We have succeeded, the camp is in utter destruction."
Hurdy laughed and tossed a bag of gold to Tal. Tal swiftly caught them and thanked the king.
Tal set out again, he traveled to Socra's temple. He only knew the direction so it took him a  while. No goblins surprised him, and the trip was quick.
At the temple, Tal had to tell the guards his intent to pass "I have money to deliver."
Just then Socra appeared and Tal got through.
"What are you doing here?" He hissed in a nervous tone.
Tal tossed Socra his bag of gold and turned to leave.
"Thanks Tal, I forgot about the money!" Socra called as he left the temple. Tal made his way to his father's camp. He had need of rest and supplies. His father also wanted him.
"That the fallen prince would have witnesses everywhere, and that the time wanderer would be his witness, and Tal who is the best witness, and the time wanderer his trusted servant and witness also."
Socra stood with his elders in a back hall of his Temple.

"Socra, are you ready to discover your destiny?" the Elder and his lore masters said close to the walls.
Socra paused, he wondered if it was the correct choice. But a potential chance festers like an acid wound, so Socra said yes.
"Yes I am."
Then a flash of light took the temple, and a dark blade’s journey was born.
Tal had arrived at his home. The bustling mercenaries, the bowmen walking proud.  Store, inn, tavern, they were all familiar to Tal. He marched through the sea platform camp to his father's chambers.
"My son, you have to master your anger, so that you will not be uncontrolled when the time comes to tutor another."
"My friends were hurt in the attack, father." Tal explained the attack.
So his father, the Black Endekin before him understood.
Modar, Tal's father in his current line, was also an Endekin. With jet black bones, like those left in flames, large red veins running through the bones at points, and a small aura of lighting sparked from Modar.
"Tal, your time comes, as does another's. His power will match yours through darkness, but he will commit a crime worthy of the god's attention..."
Modar then dismissed Tal, who then noticed a pillar of light reaching to the sky.

Socra was changed. He was large. He could see the marks in the stone wall where he had unwillingly ripped the rock away. He looked at his hands. They were red, bony. Like Tal, He thought with a  stab of Horror.
A lore master stepped forward "Behold our weapon, the weapon of our Temple!"
Socra could feel the power, but something lingered, a picture of Kain's face as his father was mentioned...

Kain had traveled to the caves near Socra’s temple. He had killed goblins, and serpents in unmatched fury. He kept going on, until a witch in her Black Cloak Stood before him.
"What do you want gypsy?"
"To awaken your power, and as such, I shall die as you curse my words! Your father condemned you and Socra to a fate. A fate the god's let your father choose, and a fate only a true Endekin can break. You know this"
Kain just spat and drew his sword.
Then with a shout, he lunged and cleaved the Warlock in two.
With an evil laugh, the warlock died, her last words being  "The Temple's weapon isn't true in his fate! But you ARE!"
The witch died laughing,
Then Kain screamed.

Back at the camp, Tal noticed another pillar of light. Except it was dark. A scream teamed through the night. Everything suddenly stopped. The night air was till, the animals quiet. Tal rushed back to his father’s chamber where Modar was sitting. A look of worry crossed his face.
"What was that?"
Modar stood up. A look of grim fury crossed his skeleton face face. "I feared this moment! Someone has fallen prey to primal anger. That person now turns to kill his father. With that death... no I cannot let this be!"
With that Modar stormed from his hall.
Tal moved after him.
At the temple, Socra had been testing his new strength. He had lifted four of the elders, even good old fat turkey eating Arcada (That's for you Kotor!) Then when the primal scream and dark light had filled the air he had left for Hurdy's kingdom to watch.

Kain was different. After cutting a swath through a forest to return home, he entered his father's gates. A black cloud seemed to come from him. He moved through the guards. They seemed afraid.  Good, I am noticed. He thought in a sneer. Kain moved to the king's hall.
In the hall Kain walked to his father.
"Kain! So good to see you my son!" Hurdy Greeted his son with a cheery smile.
Kain spat "Liar"
Hurdy stumbled back. A look of horror on his face as Kain drew his sword. The sword was Steel, with a  black handle. Kain prepared a strike until Socra came.
"Kain! What is the meaning of this?"
"My father is a liar and cheat. He was fooled by my mother. I have killed her too."
Socra stepped forward, his large hands were forward.
"Kain, don't, the gods control this!"
"No, they gave his a choice. They said I was a well child! Yet he didn't heed the warnings."
You can't control your fate!"
"I know Socra, and have you noticed, that you and Tal can?"
"What do you mean?"
"You haven't been observant my old friend, Tal has fought against everything he is against."
"Kain, killing your father isn't the way."
Socra reeled. In his mind he saw the chance. Then with a flash of realization. "Yes, Tal's anger."
Kain drew his sword back again ready to strike. Hurdy was standing there, his sword missing from his scabbard.
Then revenants appeared.
"Witness, we bear witness to your crime Kain! That you would condemn your own father to our fate...Ó
Kain stopped he looked back. ÒI want him to suffer your fate!" he screamed in fury.
Our fate is cursed, that we haunt this world, always observing, that is, after we haunt our murderer to death."
Kain spat "That is his fate!"
The revenants started to laugh "You are using death as your tool, with time's servants as your witness. You fool. You are not death. The elements, Fire, War, Dark, Prophecy, rule this place as gods. Prophecy is different."
"I know the gods, and the sages fools! Sages, the highest servants of the gods rule this earth!"
"But you don't know of the sage of time, do you?"
"I don't care MY FATHER WILL PAY!"
With that, Kain drew his sword back and beheaded his father.
The revenants howled "Despair and Die! Despair and Die!"
Kain shuddered with a new black aura. His blade was dark. His eyes glinted in the light and he seemed to burst with more power.
"Kain what in the?" Socra started.
"I am the ripened fruit my father planted the day of my birth! he knew I would plunge this world into darkness! Only war's best servant can rival me, and he is but a little child who is untrained in any weapon!"
The revenants spoke up again, their eyes glazed over in living death, their decaying flesh causing a bad smell to fill the air. "We help the sage of time through our death, he sees you now, although his line is split and separate. Kain, you have only spurred your friends, but, of course, you only think of the things before you like a fool. War's nearest incarnate is also like time. But war sleeps, but his servants is also time."
With a large crack and a puff of gray smoke, the revenants disappeared.
Socra turned to leave Kain. Kain sheathed his sword and turned. "You will make this my tomb! Won't you Socra? I was wrong also, War is very much awake and able then. How does one gain such a pedigree? War and time, what a grand combination"
Socra didn't answer him.
Tal was running. He had felt darkness erupting from the air. Tal rushed to Hurdy's kingdom. Just as he was about to enter a force pushed him back. Tal tried to strike it. His scythe bounced off. Tal turned again, this time he would head for Socra's temple.
Tal and Kain reached the temple at the same time. Kain had somehow summoned an army, and Tal felt his anger boiling...

Socra had ordered the guards to seal the King's hall. The guards had tried to get in, but Kain had thrown them back out with a terrible howl of dark power. After he had helped them to seal the place, he had ran back to his temple. Socra then heard the commotion at the gates.
"Two people, one from the south east, another from the south west!"
Socra went to the walls along with the temple elders.
"Socra, both of these people were your friends. One remains your friend. Meet them both. Destroy the one who is corrupted. You are our weapon and mind! Do our will!"
Socra nodded. He then marched down through the gates, his horns scraping the arch of the gate.
Kain and Tal stopped before Socra's temple. Tal heeded his friend who drew his sword and struck. Tal blocked again and again with his scythe. He then kicked Kain in the stomach to knock him back.
"Kain! Tal! STOP!"
Socra rushed in to stop them, his hands pushing them away.
"Kain, you must leave. You cannot be trusted any more. One who kills his father is no Ally of ours."
Kain just looked grim and Intimidating.
Tal started to back off. His hands had started to bleed. His fists were clenched so hard.

"I AM DEATH! I WILL KILL THIS WORLD! YOU CAN'T STOP ME!" Kain roared.
"Kain, death is a tool, not anyone person! Anger is alive in every person, but for the one of time, anger is strongest, because good and evil get angry, and when white and black mix, you get gray!
Kain turned and killed the nearest revenant who had spoken.
"That the sage would realize that anger is akin to time, but that anger is more corrupted than the observer. Anger can't resist lending his power to see the results, while time only gives it to those who are destined for it."
"Kain, do not slay them, you have done enough!"
Kain just laughed an disappeared, only his old sword lay on the ground.
Tal suddenly threw up. Socra looked at him. Something was wrong. His bones were growing, his face starting to look like sun bleached bones...
Tal quickly transformed into the Endekin he had transformed into for ages. Tal stood up quickly. Socra moved to stop him, but Tal had control.
"Socra I am fine, my time, is beginning."
Modar stepped forward the remains of a cloud of dust behind him. "Tal, it has began. Darkness has started your transformation. Try to be calm Tal."
Tal sat down, his legs stretching out far. Nothing happened although Tal's mind had moved through the split in his timeline to where he had sat with his thoughts on a  moon less night, him, the Wraith elf.
Then he snapped back. Nothing had changed.
Tal stood again "It has really began father."
"Tal, you forget time when you enter your own world! It's been an hour at least!" Socra seemingly screamed when a goblin arrow entered the tree next to him.
Kain reappeared. Goblins and filth followed. Kain urged them on, to attack.
"Like my pets from the prison to the south?" He answered with an evil laugh.
"Mot really Kain!" Was all that Tal could manage before he attacked.
Tal hurled a small boulder towards him, knocking down a group of goblins and serpents. Kain seemed to dodge it though. Kain motioned for the attack. The wave rushed in.
Tal and Socra instantly turned to attack the wave. Tal was a bleached terrors, his large body hurling Goblins and Lizard men into their friends. Socra was a red and white monster who had left waste to most of the archers around. Modar was literally throwing goblins back with the force of will. The goblins would lunge and et thrown back into each other. Modar then moved to attack a  giant to the east that as about to run into the fray.
Arrows flew through the air as more goblins leapt to attack. They were going to try to surround the two Endekins.
Surrounded on all sides, Tal and Socra quickly found that they had been pushed to the center a  large circle of troops. Kain walked forward and started to laugh. "You have been defeated! Now I can begin my conquest!"
Then three arrows split the air, leaving a trail of plague. Kain almost stumbled back but he seemed to be, dazed.
Then Kain regained his composer.
"Nice trick elder of the Temple, making elves that look like ghosts!"
Tal's head snapped back at this, and he instantly turned to attack, his anger rising like a wave.
Tal broke upon the goblins, tossing them into each other and the ground, they bounced up, like they were fired from a cannon. Goblins squealed and cried as they flew.
Tal was feet away from Kain when the Lizard men started to attack. They hit Tal with their swords until Tal back handed then back.
By now, Socra had broken free of the ring, his anger rising too, Socra had turned on any enemy in sight, killing with his large bony hands.
Kain looked, his goblins were defeated. Tal and Socra had killed most of them. Tal marched to Kain, his eyes alive with fire.
"Kain, my son has beaten you fairly, and yet you do not wane, your pride will be your fall."
Modar stepped over the bodies and branches towards Tal.
Kain cursed loudly and started to attack Modar. Modar just stood, looking as if he  couldn't feel the strikes.
Then he picked Kain up. His hands started to clench to choke, until Kain exploded in a burst of dark power to push everyone away.
"Kain, stop! Leave my father alone!"
"Tal, shuttup! You are such a thorn in my side!"
Kain lunged to stab Tal, but a Light started to glow.
Modar gave a small groan and his eyes started to glaze over.
Then Tal disappeared.

Tal awoke in a stream of sorts. A stream of light that was bending and twisting. A voice hailed him:
"Tal, you hear my voice now, your powers of premonitions flourishing every day. I am Prophecy. I am your servant in the god's circle. For now, I control fate. Your time split, is your learning. Your witnesses come from these nether journeys as does the realization of a new power. The power that wraith and Endekin as one and the same, but different realms hold different rules. You now know this.  You now have full power, back in Ticondera, you have obtained full form of power. In the regular timeline, you have also obtained that, expect the power when you awake!"

Tal was back. His head hurt. Modar was missing.
Only Socra seemed to be around.
"Tal, are you okay? Modar is gone, and you've.... changed."
Tal sat up clumsily. His limbs seemed longer and somehow stronger.
Socra smiled at his plight. Tal now looked much like his father. The now silver like gray bones, the horns. The only difference seemed to be the age and height.
"So Tal what happened, and what really are we?"
Tal looked at his friend closely for the first time. He had small hands for an Endekin, but his fingers were long and pointed sharp, his horns were even sharper if that was possible.
"Well?"
"Endekins. We are Endekins."
"Okay, great, I'm never going to be human again am I?"
"Not likely. Don't worry, at least you had some shattered remains of self control."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I DON'T WANT TO BE A BIG FAT UGLY MONSTER FOR THE REST OF MY (Enter rude censored word here) LIFE!"
"Calm down Socra, it's not that bad!"

"I'm ten feet tall, with a face that would scare little children from their bed!"
"Yeah, at least you haven't rampaged through a school!"
"BUT I"M NEVER GONNA BE FREE FROM THIS CURSE TAL YOU IDIOT! MY ELDERS WERE RETARDS THE..."
Socra stood. He lumbered off to cool down.
Tal just looked after him for a moment, and then laid back down to rest.
Socra returned. He had quickly scythed down multiple trees in fury, but now he understood. Tal was anger incarnate, and maybe even war incarnate, but he had both blind rage and control because he was an Endekin. Socra now realized he could use his new power to change himself, to master his mind. But Tal was still different.

Tal sat. Gray energy then began to flow again. Then...
"What? How could it be? The watchers said..."
"Socra was brought in too."
"No, watcher ICD, It canÕt be a mistake."
"No, he could only be here with Tal if he was a time wanderer..."
"We must tell, or Socra will corrupt like Kain. Kain is now an enemy. Tal will fight him for his first life, and again when he awakes."

Socra and Tal both awoke. Tal recognized the time stream he was sitting on and the bursts of light moving around.
"Where are we Tal?" Socra asked hesitantly
"We are in the time stream Socra, you have been here, because of Tal, and because of your fate. You are a time wanderer." A gentle woman's voice  answered
"What's a time wanderer? Some kind of cult member?"
"No, a time wanderer is a person who can go through time to witness the evolution of people and things. You are now a witness. Embrace the right!"
"What? I can go through time?"
"Not of your own accord. Tal is the sage of time. That is why Kain seems to recognize that Tal can change his fate."
"So I can too?"
"No,  not totally. You can change yourself, your image, personality, past. In the end, you will always be a time wanderer. Tal is chained, he cannot change his status as sage of time."
"So what happens to Socra when I return to my own timeline?"
ÒHe will be a cross, he will always be an Endekin, but, he will blend in as a wraith in your timeline."
Then, the strands of time illuminated.
"What the?" Was all that Socra could manage.
" The strands of time lay before you. Each strand runs into the rest like a home spun blanket, they all effect each other. That is my job, as god of prophecy, I must tell humans of their fate when the strands say that I will. These are spun by unknown people, or even it just spins itself, but for the time, Tal can cut strands, move them, shape them. He knits them to form!"
Tal just stood, he looked like the wraith elf he was. "Not yet Prophecy, I have been given the one gift of a life down here, where I control the strands of my life."
"Yes, of course, I forgot. You can even correct me! The gods envy you Tal. Although they posses limited ability to change the fabric of time, you best them. You rule indirectly over man."
"Then what is my fate?" Tal asked quickly
"I have told you! You just like to trick!" The woman joked
With that, Prophecy disappeared.
"So, I guess we are bound?"
"Socra, You are not cursed, now, you will know my power. That is good."
"Really? I don't want to know your true self Tal!"
Then the time stream disappeared, and Tal and Socra stood at the base of a large prison.

Prisoners toiled and worked. They chipped rocks with pick axes and hoisted rocks and gravel out of the ground to increase the size of the jail.
Slaves were dirty, their cells squalid and dank with the smell of rotten food and spoiled water.

Tal looked up the prison walls. The sounds of pain escaped from inside. Tal suddenly noticed something. Since he and Socra had left the time stream, they were normal!
"Tal, unknowingly, you unlocked the way for you and Socra to revert back to human form. Use it well, you may change at any point in time."
Tal nodded then continued over the wall. Once inside, two guards suddenly ripped from their conversation over the effects of having toads in the court grounds to attack.
Tal drew his scythe, his bow missing. Tal block the guards sword and club, and then dealt one a quick blow with the pole of the scythe. He then jumped back. The guard started to prepare for his strike when Tal leaped back towards him, and cut him down.
Tal walked to the gate and hefted the bar off to open it. Socra walked in, his bow ready.
Without a word they moved, twin spectres. Tal sneaked behind one person nd dispatched him. While Socra quickly shot another guard.
The complex was circular. On one side of the complex were the guards quarters, on the other was a set of pulleys and ropes that hoisted rock and rubble to the surface. Next to the hauling block was a set of stairs that led down into the pit that dominated the center.
Tal walked to the pits edge and looked in. The pit extended for a large way down towards where some prisoners where toiling to bury the bodies of the recently dead.
At the bottom was a creature who  held a sword that was alive with orange flame. His body was jumbled, with a bony arm and hand here, a metal fused something on the a leg. His head was a black skull with red eyes. His hand was a molten orange flame that shined in the dark.
Tal almost gasped. What is a wraith doing here? Was all he could think. Socra then tapped him on the shoulder so he would move.
"What is that Tal?"
Tal turned towards Socra. His eyes seemed sunken and his face was an ashy white.
"Tal, you look like a ghost!  What's wrong?" Scora asked a hesitant tone in his voice.
Tal stood, picked up his scythe and moved away from the hole.
"Come on, we should get out of here." Tal said quickly.
Tal walked to the doors and opened them. He walked out, and Socra followed. Then outisde, Tal just concentrated. More of the light of time appeared, and Tal and Socra disapeared...
Socra appeared. He was alone. He looked around the time stream again.
"How are you here again? How is it without Tal that you are here?"
"Prophecy, I brought us here."
Tal stepped forward. He was clothed in a ghostly gray, his cloak tatered and ripped. He wore his bow on his back, and he carried his scythe in one hand. His skin was slightly transparent, his hair unruly and everywhere.
"What in the world has happened Tal?"Socra asked, his own skin going white with shock.
"Socra, I am a wraith elf. When Kain mention elves that looked like ghosts, it made me angry."
"So you are really a ghost elf?"
"Tal! You have now just revealed your own self on your own prime plane... Thank you for saving me the effort."
"Your welcome prophecy. I am eager to get home. Socra must learn. I am unknowing as well, but I know more of the endekin and Wraith ways than he does."
"Hey, are you calling me dumb?"
"No, I am saying that you have just began to learn when you will have to adapt quickly. I am sage of time but I can barely control my own strands. Odd how I being an endekin can change myself except my fate as sage of time. Odd how even being a ghost, with power of those defeated by death, I can watch death like a parent."
"The fabric of time does many things. I can answer every question in the world, becuase I see the strands of time in fullfillety. I even counsel the gods. That is my fate included in the blanket. But your fates are different but entwined. Your fates are uncertain.  Changeble. As a result. Other fates can be changed. Tal is a seamtress of sorts. He can change the weave, the movement of fibers and threads to change the whole. You, Socra, will be part of this, his tools, thread and needle."
"Well, fine, but what about Tal? There is no such thing as a ghost elf on my world."
"Socra, Tal is not really from your world. He moved through a  rift in time, so that he could learn more, and that you could eventualy see his world. Even more worlds await!"
Tal vieled and moved behind Socra, invisible.
Tal then tapped him on the shoulder.
Socra turned and saw nothing.
"What the..."
"I told you I was just like a ghost." Tal chuckled.
ÒThen what was that creature at the bottom of the prison pit?"
Tal shivered unwillingly. "It was a wraith, a true one. They are the highest example of a wraith elf's power. Lesser ones like Tomb and Grave Wraiths are only creatures that we summon,  while true wraiths are really wraith elfs that have been transformed."
"Like a Lich?" Socra asked.
"Yes, only very few are ever transformed. It hardly ever happens, and they are quickly disapearing, I could never attain that blessing..."
"Tal, in the end you will be a wraith. A true wraith.  You don't see it. Do you? In the end, Tal, you will be a wraith. A wraith elf is your form now. Being an Endekin is still part of you. In the end, a wraith will rule time."
The time stream pulsed and started to rumble.
"I have done a first... I said something that was uncertain. I... I... Even went as far as to forsee something that is totaly situational... the fabric of time ripples, because I have seemingly fooled what was forseen..."
"Socra, we must go, Time is changing. I am getting sick of fate. I hate being thrown into things I never even planned."
Socra could understand fully.
Tal and Socra returned into the prison walls. Tal was seemingly normal, but he had withdrawn into his mentle shell.
They walked inside. After Socra killed two guards, Tal leaped forward, killing quickly without a sound. Eventualy, they made it to the stairs that lead down the pit.
After moving  down the hundreds of steps (and about ten guards later) they came across some cells.
"Help! We need some help, Borf has been hurt!" Came a muffled woman's voice from a cell.
Tal moved  to unlock the cells. He moved down the line opening the doors. Most of the prisons came out, dark eyes, beaten and scarred backs. All had red rings around their wrists.
Then the last cell. The prisoners in this cell instantly came out, chains and their picks in hand, ready to fight. These prisoners moved down the stairs, killed guard, and then moved to release more prisoners.

At the bottom of the pit, the Wraith stirred. He sensed a presence. Something... Famillar. The Wraith used its power to call the guards, and then prepared to fight. The wraith knew of fights, and he would be ready to face this foe, sword in hand.

Tal and the prisoners continued. They cut the ropes leading to the top to stop the rock and ruble from going up.
A new prisoner was found near the wall. He had been chained in place. His back ahad ridges from the whippings he had recieved, his face scarred, from the look of him, it appeared he also had a limp. His eyes were on fire. Tal cut the chains with his scythe, and the prisoner fell, then stood up.
"Thankyou, I must find a staff. Preferrably my height made of oak."
A prisoner found such a staff and heaved it to the large man. The man caught it and hefted it. Then he joined the group.
So then, they attacked.
Running down the stairs they met the gaurds.
While the prisoners held off the guards at the steps, the rest of them leaped of the stairs, to attack.
Tal forced into the small wave of guards before them. The guards, their red uniforms, and short swords really fought well. Then Tal cloaked.
Invisible, he ran through the small ranks of the guards killing as he went. At the end, he started to hit weak points in the guard's setup.
The wraith turned. It sensed the pressance again. It knew the presence well, and taking it as a challenge, the wraith spread its wings of hell fire, and flew into the battle.
Some prisoners instantly ran away at the sight of the wraith. The wraith flew in and then continued to beat back the attacking prisoners. Prisoners flew as thr wraith hit them with the flat of his sword.
Then , the large man came forward, and he attacked the wraith, his large quaterstaff twirling in the dark of the pit. The wraith had to move quickly to block the hard stick, but he managed to. Then, witha  fluid motion, he took his right hand, and backhanded the large man back.
Socra had been fireing arrows at the guards. He had killed many, but that was when the wraith attacked. Socra had ran up the steps, so that he could stay away from the melee fight.
Tal looke around. The wraith had killed as many guards as he had prisoners. Now, only Tal and the wraith remained.
The wraith turned towards Tal and saw him. The wraith swung his sword, but Tal jumped over the blade. He then slashed with his scythe.
Blows started to fill the air, as they striked, then blocked, then striked again. It was a repeating cycle, as they matched each other. The wraith was stronger, but Tal had the speed to dodge the somewhat slow attacks of the wraith.
Arrows suddenly hit the wraith, making him cringe in pain. So Tal took the moment and beheaded the wraith. The skeleton head rolled across the floor of the pit, and then disentigrated in a cloud of smoke. The rest of the wraith buckled, and then faded, like a ghost.
Tal was happy for a moment. Then, the world shifted, his sight grew hazy. Socra seemed to be acting the same way.  The world disapeared and twisted, became something like a nightmare.
Then, they both appeared, back in the hollow where Tal and his companions slept. Only Hurgo the monk even noticed the presence of another person, but being asleep, his mind didnÕt care.

Socra stood. He still had the same build, slim, strong, black hair, blue eyes, but he wore the garb of the wraith elf, and his bow had changed to a bow with a rams head sight. His arrows were black and seemingly rotten, they pulsed with an aura of plague.
Socra suddenly sneezed. He sneezed again and turned invisible.
Tal chuckled and just watched. Socra had noticed his new form of sight, and was trying to go back.
I guess we both have things to learn, me as sage, and he as my friend. Was Tal's thought as sleep once again captured him, layed down his mind, and finaly brought him peace.
"That the sage would learn to abandon his armor at times, that he could be free of some chains for a time. The sage always seemed to learn that not worrying, taking a high ground is the way. He also learned of the Endekin might, that they can change the way that they interact with the world, even being a bone tower."- Prophecy

NOTES FOR CHAPTER TWO: The nether Journies are going to become Tal's main storyline. I am sick of trying to include other people's ideas into  my own stories, as such, the other stories before will be referred to  in the rest of these stories. Also, the structure of Gods, Sages and follows goes as this:

"The One God"
l
Weave of TIme/ The weaver
l
The Sage of Time
l
Earthly Gods (Fire, Earth, Wind, Air, war, dark....)
l
Sages
l
Creatures of Time (Revenants, Thumpers, Endekin, some howlers other such creatures also,)
Also good to note is that the Sage of time can also be known as the Mender, also, the Weaver is the true god of time, such, the sage of time is not above the god itself. The "One God" is above all others, and dictates what the weaver creates in the weave of time.
As to wraith elfs, they are of equal power to Creatures of time.
Hulks, do not belong on these lists, as they consume any magic power in the world. This makes them dangerous foes, and often their power depends on how much magic they have consumed.
Prophecy bears no true power, except to open new time paths that were uncertain. Otherwise, she hold the same position as the sage of time, except a different role.
The working of time goes as this.

"One God"
l
The Weaver and Tal.
l
The Weave of Time
l
Prophecy
l
Chronomancers
l
Creatures of time.
( Technicly, the weave can break it's following of the One God's plan, allthough I placed it where it is because of its generaly complacent nature.)

Clan ICD, I hold up my honor, for yoru memories drive me. Also, there more I write in this, the more I realize I can see the whole picture, but that it’s the details in the middle that make it hard to write. (I know my goal, but don’t know which way to go to get to it!)

CHAPTER 2
The Curse of People
The moon flared in power, clouds moved, the wind at their backs. Tal lay in the grass, worlds unfolding in his mind, only heard by him. He hadn’t slept in a long time. Something happened when the sun or moon appeared. His true elf blood gave him sensititity to the sun, and the wraith, moon sense. The night held no terrors for Tal, except for the things that spawned in his mind.
He rolled over a little to see Jalla and Socra sleeping. Socra really was meant to be a elf of Tal’s kind. He loved the stealth, embraced the power. Tal could understand his love for it, but something pinged in Tal’s mind every time he thought of the ages. He hated seeing every event for the last billion years, he hated jumping over the worlds.  He hated his unfightable fate, even though he was gifted beyond years. Son of ghost and life, unknown incarnate of war, Tal was a true prodigy. He could control time, he had abileties on the battlefield that rivaled every foes, but he wasnÕt content.
Tal sighed. I never wanted to be anything, except a little elf, who had to learn, yet I am cursed to be more than my limits, to control something I barely understand! How do godÕs folly like this? Socra was dragged into their plans too, be he likes the power, and Jalla, she was brought back, even though her time expired.
Tal had few friends, only when alone, or with his closest frineds did he ever act like he wanted. Whenever he was near people he werenÕt close to, he would clam up, start saying things to push them away. He hated people, acting like idiots. He had seen two boys jump off the roof of a building, onto an awning, and to the ground. Tal had thought suddenly that one of them would crack their necks.... and it happened, one cracked his head off the ground as the awning collasped. Tal hated being right about death. He could see ghosts, apparitions, even the lost souls, who were nothing but.... lost.
Tal tried to stop thinking, but sleep wouldnÕt capture him.

Morning came, and Tal had captured some winks. He stood up, but then he noticed that Jalla and Socra were up.
Tal was around, 5 feet, 5 inches. Tal was about the right age for an elf. He carried longbow and Scythe. His eyes were gray, as was his hair. His skin was pale, and he always looked transparent, visible, but there was always a slight tinge of the things behind him showing through.

Socra was at the stream, sharpening his new scythe, it was as long as Tal’s but the blade was tiny compared to the large carving blade that tal had. Socra liked Tal’s scythe. It was large black, and radiated rot, it was heavy, yet Tal swung it like one would a regualr scythe. Socra was content with his small scalpel though, even though he had much to learn about defense. Tal had effectively disarmed him through five different scythe strikes, one horizontaly that had just pushed his away, a backhand, that sweeped SocraÕs feet from under him, a quick jab with the stick end of the scythe left Socra sprawling into a nearby tree. The other two had been so fast that Socra didn't know what Tal had done.
Socra set his scythe down and crouched to get a drink from the stream. The water was cool and fresh, and it filled Socra. Jalla was off making a breakfast of some deer meat Tal had shot. Socra was a good archer, more accurate than Tal, but TalÕs bow always required more strength to pull back, but Socra also had better arrows. Socra had made his own arrows of nice ash wood, and he had even plucked a rocÕs feathers himself. His arrows had an odd metal head, one that would turn to liquid in a body. TalÕs arrows were bought from a guy named Jeeks.  Tal had more kinds of arrows, but he hardly ever used them anymore.
Just then, a needle thudded into a hare next to Scora. The hare had been eating some grass shoots when Tal had sighted it. (A needle is a arrow with a very thin sharp point, pefect for hunying because it leaves a very small wound. Think gunshot wound)
Socra grabbed the creature as Tal walked over, bow in hand. Tal looked at his catch and grinned. “Looks like we have a new lunch Item.”
As Tal moved to skin the animal, Jalla finished her stew. The deer meat had been cooked in a nice broth of some herbs and greens she had found. Jalla had started to mellow. She no longer was all battle fury and energy. Her time on the ghost plane had taught her to not burn out her energy, or else, she would fall easy prey.
Socra went back to his scythe and bow, sharpening the arrow head and the scythe blade. Then, a flash of gray, like a time stream covered his vision. The same happened to Jalla and Tal, who both turned and looked at Prophecy who climbed down.
“Tal, Jalla, Socra, you three who walk along time’s road.  The weaver has... slipped so to speak. Every million years or so, he slips, the weave of time becomes slightly flawed. You three didn’t spawn itself from this, but your powers might have, but only the weave itself can even give an answer.”
Tal looked at Jalla and Socra. Socra was looking slightly eager, Jalla looked as if she wanted to see the weave.
“Tal, the weaver calls, he has explanations to, make, as is dictated by his master... I am time’s messanger, the lead herald of teh calling, while the weave’s minions spread the wishes across the land, where direct power cannot work!”
The area changed, and the three wraiths moved through a  rift.
“You have come, my creations... fear not the booming sounds, all words become loud here.”
“Are you the weaver???” Tal asked
“Yes, Tal, servant of Weave and Weaver, I have brought you and your companions here. I have need to explain.Ó
A large figure walked from the dark into the light. He didn't seem to have a real shape, but his face was kind.
"I see a question coming, hold off, while I explain my weave."
Jalla stopped, mouth open ready to speak, to listen.
" My pet, the weave is the way the One God rules those below him. The weave was independant for the start of time, endless as it is. For the first trillion of years, it expanded to acompany the time. Then it decided to spawn a person to control its expansion. That was my birth. The weave is unable to truly speak, only through its closest person may it speak. Although unable to speak, it is the greatest intelligence born to our times. He made me perfect for this job, honestly weaving, content to weave. My only joy in this life is explaining my weaves and making them. I was fine for a time... but I have some flaws. I had no directions to go with the weave.
The weave created another ruler. One who would govern my weaving. Now I weave, and only every once in a Yore's time I mess up. I slip with my needle and thread. Only five times have I slipped. Once, I acidentaly caused a hero to rise past humane powers. He went on, and actualy helped the world. Another slip brought Kain the Scourge into light. That slip is second in importance to my greatest slip. When I created you Tal, my hand slipped so much that your line intersepted ProphecyÕs own, and the line of Jalla and Socra. Alas, I also crossed you directly over Light and Dark in equal parts... and so, another like myself was born... it was the worst slip to ever come, and it has caused the life of a person to suffer. But, now you can help... you now have the power to repair, mend and change where I slip, you can now cut, tie, rearange the pattern without disturbing the rest...
"So, I was a slip?" Tal looked at his line of thread, it was ghostly gray as it shimered with power. Then, Tal saw his line connect with a large bunch of thread that made a blood red line straight through the fabric of time.
"You see my last part of my slip. I cannot tell you directly what that mass of thread is, only you may figure it out..."
"How were we dragged into this?" Jalla asked, her face with a look of concern.
"My two last slips, less than the last, but this time, it was you two who crossed his path and leeched some of his power... to consider also that the closer you are to him... the stronger you get like taking water from a well, you draw power! My mistakes are causing
chaos, and that"s why maybe you were born.”
A voice peirced Tal's thoughts. It was the voice of a knowledgeable one with great wisdom and power, but their was also a note of regret.

“Young Tal, my creation of concern. Hear me now. The weaver”s slip was caused by me... I decided he needed insurance should he ever be... distracted by people around him, that i caused his hand to move awkwardly. Forgive my actions, but it had to be done. I am ever possibilety... every answer, person, thing, and idea yet I can do nothing but watch my own creations as they plunder through life. I am not against my position, being made for a purpose means you will be good at it... but you were not made for the purpose you hold...”
“Then why do you not change it?”
"I cannot... it is done, and that is final. I wish to release you of your fate Tal, I can do that for time... let your frineds test your loyalty... or else they might not trust you in all moments." The weave releashed a sigh. "Yes, test your worth against your friends."
The weave then muttered “demsha, I will get you the package, do not worry...”

Tal woke again back in his normal world but only Socra was with him.
"Tal, we have recieved instructions from the weaver. The news is, troubling..."
Socra sighed, "We are to test you, and Jalla was told to test you first, you must go alone." Socra's face turned grim. "Come, I have to show you the way to Jalla. The weave manipulated things, she has been waiting for at least three days now, and the weave will gets us whatever we need to test you..."
Tal didn't like the news as they walked. He felt a twinge of rage, but he forced it down. Now isn't the time to turn into an Endekin Tal! I must do this! But I don't want to challenge my friends. Sometimes, power sucks!
Tal noticed a goblin eating some fish he had found. Goblins had started to appear in all worlds as a general foe.
Tal drew a dart, the arrow that would split into a thousand blades taht would shred unshielded foes. The blades totaly ripped the goblin to pieces.
As they continued, Socra was silent. Tal had an itch to whistle or make conversation, but Socra was in thought. Tal recognised the kind of thought. The thought of Restlessness, Socra obviously didn't agree with this plan, but he definately knows what he's going to do...

Morning came and went. Finaly they reached a cave. The cave had moss covering the floor and walls, and water dripped in a slow patern. Socra stopped "I must start the preparing of my test, I'm sorry Tal, but we must do this."
Tal nodded and continued into the cave.

Darkness was the way of the cave. Animals knew the darkness, and so did Tal. He felt a sliver of the moon's power in the cave, although he knew it was the power of the night. Then, Tal noticed the stench. A Jono was in the cave. Tal could tell, so he suddenly hurried.
Wait! This is a test, and Jalla knows my one vengance! She would plant them so that I would fall to anger.
So Tal slowed and continued along the path he somehow knew.
Then, a Hulk ran straight into him.
Tal jumped over the beast and striked at the hulk with his scythe. The beast didn't notice and clawed at him. Tal striked again like lightning and again. The beast started to feel pain when Tal drew bow and fired a dart into the creatures gut.
Tal moved past the dead hulk.
In the next cavern, an Image of Ohirion, his old mentor, appeared, scythe ready.
Tal then  drew his scythe realizing it was Ohirion's true spirit.
"Tal, you must defeat me to go past, you know this." The spirit of Tal’s mentor said with a small grin.
"I know teacher, and I will honor you with this fight."
They attacked. Tal recogonised the strong but fast moves of his mentor, and Ohirion's composure as he attacked. Tal would strike, block, strike jump back,and then strike again.
It continued for a while, then Tal started to change. He controled it as he turned into Modar's (From chapter one!) form. The gray horns, the sharp curved fingers, the large mouth that could spew plague upon an enemy, Tal became the Endekin that he was.
"Tal, I see now the result of your time curse!" Ohirion grunted, his breathing slow and controled.
"I think you are wrong, I am more powerful here, but easier to spot!"
They clashed again. Tal's bony limbs could block any strike Ohirion made against him, and his bony composure blocked the rot that radiated from Ohirion's blade. Then Tal attacked. He backhanded his mentor into the corner and started to strike him with the curved claws.
Ohirion fell, his scythe clattered to the floor as a cloud of rot erupted from Ohirion's body, and Tal went on.
Tal kept going, stopping only to dethrone some goblins that stood in his way. He quickly returned to wraithe lf form.
As he stepped over a hole in the floor of the cave he noticed a large ninix. The ninix had brown fur, large fangs, and bat wings. But the ninix had one feature: a human face.
The ninix lunged, fangs barred as it fluttered around hoping to strike at Tal. Tal drew his bow to shoot.  He first drew a light arrow, but then decided a nice bounder would do. So he prepared to fire three when he remembered: he would have to shield himself. So he shot the arrows and readied his gauntlet.  The arrows bounced in the cavern and started to fly really eradicly around. The ninix was killed by the arrows as they bounced along, and Tal had to quickly block an arrow with his gauntlet. Eventualy, the last arrow thudded down the path behind him.
Tal stopped for some food and drink. He enjoyed the bread and water, and then the small bit of stew that he had left.
After he finished, he started to walk down the depths of the cave again.
Then, at the bottom stood Jalla. Her back was turned, and she was... counting...
"1000, 10001, 10003.... Ah Tal, you've made it!" She said as she turned.
Tal somehow didn't like her enthusiaum.
Tal drew hi scythe and she laughed. "You know I would win! Before we fight though, you must overcome your anger!"
Jalla drew back her hand and summoned a massive wave of Jonos. They seemed to not notice her, but they all noticed Tal. They turned as one and advanced, while Jalla stood laughing. "Come on Tal! You can kill them all!"
Tal didn't hesitate, he moved to attack, uncloaked and angry.
As Jalla watched Tal jump and attack the Jonos she noticed how he didn't waste a single movement. His moves moved to destroy, and the Jonos fell like leaves. As Tal moved to sweep through the horde, his scythe covered in the green blood of the jonos, Jalla couldn't help but fear Tal's battle fury.
As Tal attacked, he was oddly calm. Parry thrust, slice, cleave, all these were natural to him. His scythe worked as his omen of death as the blood of his enemies rained along the floor. Tal quickly moved, as more and more creatures swarmed.
Then, the battle slowed and Jalla could see fully through Tal. She could see his heart beating as he turned to attack. With each move his gray heart started to glow like a firefly at night. The light grew until Jalla had to turn away.
As the last Jono fell Tal turned. He pulsed with bloodlust, and his eyes held no compassion. He had felt war's icy embrace, and he had taken his chance to seize power.
Tal moved again, confindent and without most other feelings. He spotted Jalla and attacked.
His scythe made a arc as he swept the ground with it. Jalla barely blocked the blow when another sent her back into the wall.
Tal readied another blow but flinched. In that moment Jalla could see his personality in all parts. Even as a true Wraith did Tal almost attack. Jalla saw the lonelyness of just being secretive in the way Tal always was. She saw his hope and then his power. Power stretched to every other trait and drawed streangth from them. An tune of war started to play as Tal raised his hand back, hellfire spurting out of his gauntlet, which had fused to his hand, making it molten metal with hellfire making it diamond hard. Jalla cringed and then a new power broke from the smallest section of Tal’s heart: Trust. It joined directly with Jalla and with Socra (Who was about a mile away). Tal suddenly stopped. Jalla also noticed how only three or four lines extended from his small amount of trust. Then, she realized. Lonely, because he doesn’t trust! Lonely as he is, people doing stupid things only drives him further away! Then, he also starts to hate, and that leads to anger, which in turn turns to raw power! That’s how that mass of thread effects him. I think I read about it in only one other person, ever! The curse was called, battlelust or bloodlust or something. Only Xer’oth’s ever overcome it…, but Tal also has different powers!
Then Tal suddenly changed back to human. His senses had flared, and his power had surged. Then he had felt like a light had scanned him… He didn’t really like the feeling.
Jalla stood. New understanding was on her face. A final thing had shown as he had changed back. Jalla wouldn’t bring it up. Tal had gone through enough.
Tal hated tests. He hated the power. He didn’t like being scanned or seen. He wanted to disappear and just be gone. Of course, time would never be finished with him. Something felt different. It almost felt he should trust Jalla more, but Tal’s habit didn’t die. Tal had never liked people much. They were doing stupid things, knowingly. To Tal, that was the highest form of being primitive. He hated those who hated to learn. Learning often unlocked more power. Tal hated his power, but never regretted actually having it.
Jalla couldn’t stop thinking either. She had thought of her test. To Jalla it wasn’t very good, but in reality, it had worked. Forcing Tal to fight his metor and hated enemy had turned his anger unloose.
In time’s chamber Porphecy was realting about Tal.
“War is tied to anger and Time. Anger often brews War, and often helps it along, while Time watches. Wars happen all along time, and as such, they are connected closely. Anger, is also like time, because it can last forever under the right circumstances, but it is different as it cannot stop lending power out!”
A voice asked “Even if Tal is tied to war, what will happen?”
Prophecy looked around. Only chronomances sat asking questions. “Tal, although of time has another possible fate. He could become of war, he is the strongest person born of time, and will always be. War feeds directly to him, and Tal has all his implied powers. Tal can choose to help war, or to regulate time. But, only one fate remains uncertain. I dare not mention it yet, for it may happen!”
Prophecy dismissed the chronomancers. She hated explaining things. She had started to see an idea form. The idea started to grow…

Tal and Jalla marched into a swamp. A large beaten castle rised in the distance. The battlements lay in ruins, the rock of the castle broken by siege weapons. The castles had a flag flapping in the light wind, a hand with a finger missing was the emblem.
Tal and Jalla continued through the swamp towards the castle. When they reached the cracked and mossy rocks, they prepared to go in.
“I can hear him, I am to enter this test. He was able to observe my test…”
Tal didn’t like that idea.
In fact, Socra had seen it through Jalla’s own eyes. It had frightened him to see a tendril coming from Tal’s trust rigt towards Jalla and himself. It had surprized him how much power was contained in Tal’s own heart and mind. Socra had also seen something else, but it was the darkest reach… only if it was so hidden, would it even be worth seeing, would it unleash something darker?
Socra really hoped it wouldn’t.
Tal and Jalla went in the dark castle.
It was damp, dark, and very gloomy. Skeletons of dead peasants and warriors sat in the halls, starvation their doom. Treasure was common. It was littered everywhere, on the floor, in the rooms, under books, in skeletons mouths, and even in some bookcases.
Tal suddenly heard a breath. It was heavy, corse, and full of hatred. Then, a large totally clear creature dropped from the ceiling. It was a Scalian, a nether beast. Scalians came from the futhers reach of the world, and they hated all things aligned with good and evil. The Scalian attacked, claws ready. (Think human with zergling flesh and claws, but standing upright.) Tal barely blocked the fierce claws, when more atatcks came. Tal managed to jump over the beast’s head, and with a  move, turned to trip the Scalian. The beast  roared and sent a glob of acid straight up. It hit the top of the hallway ceiling, and the acid started to chew through the rock. Tal drew a needle and shot straight into the Scalian, pinning it in place.
Tal continued as the rock of the ceiling fell on the beast, killing it.
Socra stood in the final room. He was looking at a tapestry of the kingdom’s history. The final of the image had a horrible image of spirits killing the men within, as spirit golems wrecked the castle.
Tal recognized the scene. In a story told by Ohirion, his father and a group of other elves had assassinated the king, and then laid waste to the hall.
“Do you like the fruits of your father’s attack Tal?”
Tal had nothing to say.
“Look around, what if this had been my temple, Hurgo’s school?” (Hurgo is a monk companion of Tal’s, said Sage of Oriental arts.)
Tal yet again had nothing to say.
“Tal, do you realize every person you meet is not out to get you? You only seem to trust those who are skilled enough to stand against you for more than a minute!”
Tal clenched his fists,