<ooc> sorry I haven't been on for a while--I haven't been able to get on hsr much and won't in the future. so...<ooc>
Kain knew something was wrong with Nero, but he also knew he had to find Taol. He was uncomfortable with the band scattered about, and was eager to be on his way.
Kain turned to the mage. "Is there any way you can find someone for us in this city?"
"I'm afraid you've already been found."
Kain, Nero, and the mage whirled around to see the cloaked she-mage, Sriz, standing in the doorway.
"Quick!" Kain instructed the mage. Is this a shape-shifter or coerced human?"
"It's not a shapeshifter," the young mage said, strain showing on his face. "But to know whether she is being controlled, I'd have to probe her mind..."
Suddenly the young mage flew backward into the wall. His eyes were wide open, but his face blank.
"Foolish boy," Sriz chided. "He thought he could probe a mind as great as mine? I did not even have to expend any energy--he injured himself trying to examine me. It seems I have caught you at a weak point. Your swordsman was easy enough to catch--we are still trying to discover his power. You see, every few generations, certain abilities unexplainable even by magic manifest themselves. Yet almost never do more than one of these abilities show up at once. To appear in the four of you...the swordsman, whom we only know has a power, yet not what it is; the half-elf, with his amazing memory enabling him to possess great knowledge; the rouge, with his ability to sense objects useful later on; and of course, the young thief, whose power is only just now showing itself. You will be very useful to my master."
"We won't be puppets like you," Kain protested.
"You won't have much choice." For a moment a look of sadness flashed over Sriz's face. "My master has many ways of convincing one to follow his will...But never mind about that. I only need to apprehend you. You will be given the choice to follow him willingly."
"You know we have great powers," Kain stated. "What makes you think it will be so easy to capture us? We do outnumber you." Kain pulled his knife from its sheath.
Nero looked down at his arm, while walking slowly backwards against the wall. "Let me fight!" the boy shouted. "I have to help him!" A pause. "I don't care if I get injured, even if it does hurt you as well! I have to fight!"
Kain did not try to figure out Nero's strange actions. The boy was pinned against the wall by his arm, probably the actions of the she-mage. Kain was on his own.
My thievery skills won't help me here, he thought to himself. I've got to use what I have... Kain opened his haversack and was horrified to see only one item inside. How could he only have this one object left? He picked up the small crystal, knowing it would save his life but hoping it would save the young mage and Nero as well.
"I'll try not to hurt you," said Sriz, "for both our sakes. It will go better if you do not resist."
Kain did not wait as Sriz summoned an orb of energy to throw at him. He leapt forward and drove the sharpest end of the crsytal into Sriz's heart. He leapt back.
"You think a single puncture can kill me?" Sriz said with a grin, though she seemed to be weakened by the crystal in her heart. "My master has given me great powers."
Suddenly Kain realized what had happened. The crystal had saved his life, for Sriz was weakened enough for him to escape. But the crystal could not save Nero and the mage, unless...Somehow Kain knew it needed some kind of energy to work. He made his decision quickly.
Kain leapt forward again and placed both hands on te crystal. The life force from his body flowed into the crystal, burning through the dark mage. Sriz screamed as energy coursed through her, rattling her bones. At last she and Kain fell to the floor together.
Nero and the mage looked on in shock. Sriz was dead, but by Kain's own choice the crystal had not saved his life. For once, an object Kain had found saved the lives of others, because he was willing to forfiet his own life.
"This isn't over," said the mage. "Her master is still out there. But I suppose Kain will always be remembered in our band."
"Our band?" said Nero.
"Yes. I will join you--and you needn't pay me. This journey means more than saving the lives of a few people. The very world is at stake. One man has already died--let us make sure no more fall."
<ooc> yes, Kain just died. now you can continue the story without waiting for me to post. goodbye, homestarwiki forum, it's been nice knowing you. <ooc>
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shop and looked for the nearest tavern. "My arm still feels a bit funny..." Nero said. Nero disregarded it, as it were most likely the effects of the stone on his arm taking place. Kain pointed to where he said they should go, and they walked inside.