Everything seemed right, the archers were in a staunch position and John was ready for his move. It was unlike Salvius to do so, but he crouched mutely into a dark, hidden shadow against the wall. Even though the plan seemed reliable, the cave didn't. The air was still, nothing but freezing cold drafts filled the room in terms of atmoshphere. It's quiet, too quiet, Salvius thought nervously, as he scanned the room for anything. The silence disturbed the Sergeant, it showed him that the vampires could be plotting some sinister trap, and by the way Ferrus was acting, he could be leading the men right into it. It was odd, even though the towering hall was soundless, you could still feel the death and suffering in the room, it was as if ghosts of many eras haunted the the caverns endlessly. However there was no sign what so ever of civilisation. The whole thought sent a chilling shiver down Salvius' spine.

As the Imperial surveyed the room, he noticed that the Lieutenant was not yet there. Dammit where in Oblivion is he! He thought angrily as his right side twitched naturally. Ladin needed to be with them, his swordsmanship would be invaluable right now. He's not a skirmisher, but a front line soldier. Salvius couldn't give a damn if the Argonian was a commanding officer he still needed to fight in the thick of things, whether he liked it or not. In fact the only soldiers who should still be outside are Garath and a few other men, protecting the rear and alarming the platoon of traps from behind.

Salvius could hear a faint, squeeking noise near by, along with the smell of urine. He looked down to see a little scruffy mouse peeing on his gauntlet. The Imperial almost yelped in the suprise, but thankfully held it in. ''Go on get outta' hear.'' Salvius spoke down to the rodent almost without noise, as he pushed the little thing away. Eventually, John started to play his act, and very well in fact. He should of pursued a career in acting instead, might of done him some good. As the tall Imperial pretended he was an innocent traveller, the vampires slowly started to show themselves. Only a small amount emerged from the gloomy shadows. They appeared crudely, hunched over but still wearing clothing and some even cheap armour, as well as wielding weapons. The sight was absoloutly lurid, vile and a complete eye sore to say the least. The creatures made sinister screeches, that could destory a weak man's soul from his body, and send it to the darkness known as the void.

The vampires started sprinting towards John with extreme momentum and speed, just the look on their faces made it clear they lusted for mortal blood. Fortunately, John smashed the smoke potion of light to the ground promply and in almost perfect timing. The vampires shielded themselves from the scintilating light, some even fell down. The archers capatilized on this, shooting their arrows with precision. The bolts sailed through the air gracefully, hitting true. The first wave of creatures were down, but more started appear from the depths. The marksmen wouldn't have time to hit this group, they moved to fast for them. It was time for Salvius to do what he felt was destined of him. It was time for war.

''Arkay take you!'' Salvius clamoured his battle cry loudly, to show his determination to destroy the vampires. He had his target in sight, but it seemed before he could take the beast unnoticed, it had turned sharply. For a second or two, the enemies circled each other. The Sergeant was waiting for his foe to make the first move, as he always did. The vampire looked weaker then his comrades, but looked just as savage. The Imperial knew to take this as an advantage. It was clear the creature had given in, it tried to ram him, rushing crazily at Salvius. The attack was simple enough to defend, Sergeant guilessly forced his the spike on the shield fowards into the vampire's chest. It wouldn't kill him as the bones would stop any penetration into the lungs. However it would stun the creature temporarily. It seemed that the skewer had got stuck slightly, at first this appears bad, but it caused the vampire to endure emmense pain. It started fidgiting and struggeling for freedom. Salvius would not let that happen, he forced his blade upwards under the the ribcage and chest. Punturing the respiratory organ, resulting in the beast to fall without breath. Causing the shield and sword to come out also. ''And stay down!'' Salvius screamed to the corpse, spitting on it in the process.

The amount of battle going on in the room would suggest that this was only the beginning. Salvius stood back from the fray to recover his breath. He watched on. However sadness engulfed him and tears formed around his eyes as the Imperial caught sight of a soldier fall to a vampire impaling him from behind. Before he could do anything, a Legion got revenge by forcing a blade straight through the creature's neck, once again from behind. This made Salvius realise that he had to get back into the battle immediatly.

Before the Sergeant could do anything, he heard and commotion going on by the door, however no-one was there. They must be outside! Salvius thought, recognizing the trap and readying his blade. Before he could warn the men, Skirmisher Garath came rushing through the door shouting at the top of his voice.

"AMBUSH!"

''Dammit!'' Salvius clamoured loudly, as Garath came sprinting through the door with Ladin. Several vampires pursued them and were closing in. The Lieutenant took one, but they'd need more aid. After a quick prayer in his mind, Salvius took out his hidden knife from his boot. He was never a good marksman, the Nine would need to be with him on this one. He launched the knife dead straight, and luckily, pierced through the vampire's throat. It gargled prefousily as blood started to bubble around the target hit and eventually, its eyes rolled back and the body fell lifelessly. Once again Salvius spat on his fallen enemy.

The Imperial had a good mind to know everyone was inside, although he wasn't certain. But he could not go back outside, it would only waste time. Whilst looking for a target, a leviathan sized figure came propelling himself towards Salvius at high velocity, mouth wide open and looking for blood. It must of been at least seven feet tall. Definatly the largest physique in the room. Sergeant was strong, but was not some kind of super human. Before the Imperial could react, the enormous vampire rammed his frame into him, consequently Salvius' body went flying away, hitting a rock as he fell. However the adrenaline flowing in his body allowed Nikotias to partially disperse the pain. The potion allowed extra agility, giving him the ability to leap back up onto his feet. The behemoth lumbered towards Salvius, giving the soldier time to recover his fighting stance. He knew that only that most powerful blow mustered would harm this thing, the Imperial pulled back his sword behind his head, tightening his grip. Sal used his legs to shift all the body weight he had foward into the swing, the blade advanced through the air at terrific speed, it would appear that the blow would be fatal to the vampire. His winning smile vanished as the vampire caught hold of Salvius' wrist. How the hell! He was in utter shock, it must of been impossible for a man, mer, beast or vampire to have such reactions.

The vampire wrenched the Imperial's wrist violently, causing the blade to drop to the stone cold floor. The two were now in a battle for pure and raw physical strength. Salvius stared with a face of hatred and vengance, think of Skellan. The creature stared back with nothing but hunger, before actually speaking real Cyrodilic words. ''Stuuupid f***ing mortal!'' With that he lifted the Sergeant by his arms and threw him to the ground with amazing power. Salvius' head and upper back connected with the cave floor, stunning him. However dust and sediment rose and fell into his eyes, blinding and hindering his sight.

''Gah!!! I can't see! By the Nine I'm blind! Someone help!'' He cried in antagonizing pain. Rarely would Salvius beg for assitance like this, but he needed to be alive. To help the group and to avenge his men. There was no way he would want to go out now.

The vampire towered himself over Sal, he picked up a heavy warhammer from the floor. It began to slowly descent downwards. If nobody helped Salvius now, he would be gone.

OOC: Yeah I played Oblivion of course, but I don't think you mentioned about them being able to be outside in your post. But no matter, it's a good thing, it helped improve my post . Oh and guys remember, we need to take our time with these posts and try make them the best we can, which means no one-liners and five posts in an hour. This will be a fun time, but it's a big event in the story, so lets not rush it .

"AMBUSH!" Zhan had heard from outside, in that familiar argonian accent. He knew now they definately knew they were coming. And they did, like a rush of plague rats the vampires swarmed into the cavern blade to blade. The khajiit having already felled one of the vile creatures watched on as the battle raged, the fight was much to intense for what he was used to. His adrenaline pumped through his body, like a primed spring the khajiit began a harsh sprint, having heard the cries for help from the seargent he started to sprint pushing a vampire out of the way the khajiit built as much momentum as he could as soon as he was three feet away he leapt, both legs out and together he propelled his whole body towards the vampire. Connecting it in the chest with a loud CRACK sound followed by the vampire grunting and falling backwards dropping the hammer beside sal with a loud THUNK. Zhanja hit the floor as well grunting as he landed on his side. The massive behemoth that had assaulted him was a big, pale green orc that looked more feral than anything. As it slowly brought itself up it seemed Zhan's kick had done little to effect it physiclly.

Zhanja drew himself up holding his side as he recovered from the technique he had caught the creatures anger and watched as it came at him roaring in bloodlust. The khajiit reacted as quickly as he could useing his agility to roll to the left. The vampire going past him and skidding to a stop. Zhan charged at it knowing it was near suicide to take on something as dangerous as an orc. But a swift kick to the groin only made it angrier. Striking zhan and sending him skittering back on the floor, the beast picked up a fallen claymore and went to swing it down, only to have the khajiit catch the haft of it in his paws, both of them locked in a struggle.

OOC: I have changed William's weapon to a steel longsword, not a shortsword.

Will fought on, not noticing anything that was happening around him. The sounds of battle grew louder and louder in his ears. Every grunt, scream and cry reached him, and every swing of his sword made him weaker.

"AMBUSH!"

William's vision blurred suddenly, but went back to normal after a second.
He fought on, the fear in his heart ever increasing, Vampires jumping out of the shadows from all sides, the sound of metal when it comes into contact with flesh...
As a Vampire jumped from the shadows in front of Will, his life flashed before his eyes. The good times at the Garrison, the many fights and arguments he had been in...
William held his sword high into the air, time seemed to slow down as the Vampire flew to air, and landed skewered on Will''s sword. he let out a battle cry and rushed forward, taking down three more Vampires as he went.
"YOU! MUST! DIE!"
He swung his sword as he approached another Vampire and sliced it's head clean off.
"YOU UNDEAD BASTARDS COME OUT OF THE SHADOWS!"

As he said this another four Vampires jumped out of the shadows all around him. He was surrounded!
William slowly rotated as he eyed each of the Vampires, one by one.
Suddenly, he rushed forwards and stabbed the Vampire in front of him through the heart, then turned and threw his sword towards another. The sound of his sword flying through the air made his heart flutter with joy, then flutter some more as the sword hit it's mark, making another blood-stain on the wall.
Two down two to go!
William drew his dagger from his boot and pegged it blindly at the Vampire to his left, unfortunately for Will. It missed.

He sidestepped and grabbed his sword of the ground, rushing forward and blinding the Vampire as he went.
"HA HA!" He laughed as he brought his sword down and finished the Vampire off.
A cold hand grabbed him from behind and Will spun around. The last Vampire! William quickly stabbed it through the stomach and pulled back.

Suddenly, the Vampires he had killed only a few moments ago rose up and started trudging ever so slowly towards him. William stumbled backwards and found himself with his back to the wall. No where to run, no where to hide.

OOC: What will happen to William?

OOC: Denoriel you pissed me off soo bad. You REALLY need to ask me before you set up an "ambush" because I had other stuff planned. That made me rly agrivated... So please before you decide to change the rp fight dramatically then f*cking ask me first. It's just really annoying for me.. Now I have to find some reason to make what I wanted to do happen. Check with me..

IC:

Ferman watched in horror as the ambush unfolded. William was surrounded by bloodthirsty bastards, and a vampire with a warhammer was about to crush Salvius's head like a melon. He had to pick who to save, and before he knew it he was rushing towards Sal. He pushed the vampire who was in midswing with the hammer, and cut him to ribbons in quite a display of swordsmanship.

The Captain looked down at Sal, and winked. A bond of friendship had just formed between him and Sal, and they both knew it. It was like speaking to each other without actually talking. This bond gave new strength to their limbs, steeled their swords.

"Hold your ground! The bastards aren't too tough!" shouted Ferrus. A vampire pushed Sal up against the wall, and he watched in horror as it swung a clawed fist at him. Recruit Janus skewered the beast through the neck.

"No problem, Sal," it was Janus's fatal mistake. He stopped to talk in the middle of combat. One of the largest vampires rushed to Janus and ripped off his head in a spray of blood and bone. Salvius cut the vampire in two, screaming bloody vengeance.

"RAAAAAAH!" howled the Captain, fighting back to back with Janus, slaying vampire after bloody vampire. I wiped the tears and blood and sweat out of my eyes and swung my cutlasses again and again.

I looked hesitantly at where Will had been standing. All that remained was a gory pile of broken limbs and blood. His ropey intestines decorated one of the vampires, draqed over its head like a turban of guts. This infuriated Ferman, and he swung harder with each hit.

Most of the vampires were dead, after Ferrus and Salvius displaying their full potential in combat. Tor and his archers dispatched the stragglers. I put an arm around Sal.

"There is a reason that he died.. He is with the Nines, now," Manus said difficulty, averting his eyes from Janus's decapitated corpse. His dead eyes seemed to follow the Captain, blaming him for his death. He sobbed, leaning up against the wall. "Come.. Let us spend no longer in this god forsaken place. We shall mourn for the dead once we get back to the outpost."

The fort loomed ahead, and the men marched on. Ferrus's heart filled with fear. The gate was open.

OOC: Nobody post anything else.. I'm making the Chapter Two post so just wait until I get that out. Also.. Vum get in your new character sheet.

Chapter Two: Blood of the Lost

The gate was open. That thought raced through the Captain's head at light speed. He had the worst headache he had ever had. He stumbled forwards, telling the men to wait there. He stumbled in through the gate and slipped on a puddle of red liquid. He was now lying in a pile of blood. His soldiers' blood. The blood of the lost. The vampire ambush had killed them all. All of his men that he had left behind at the outpost.

Captain Ferrus Manus stumbled out of the bloody outpost. "Don't.. Don't go in there. Let's just.. Leave..." rambled Ferman. "They're.. All dead. All of them.. Let us just leave.

The Emperor. The Grand Emperor. The Mighty Grandmaster of the Fighters Guild. Betrayed him and his men. No, the vampires didn't betray them. The Emperor did. "BLAST YOU KONRAD! I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD!" screamed Manus to the sky, now on his knees. He sniffled, mucus rushing back down his throat.

A figure approached him and his men. One of the troopers had survived! It was Legionnaire *Vum's new character's name*. He must have been taking a piss when the vampires attacked! A small new hope rose in Ferrus's heart. "I.. You survived... Hahahah! We have a survivor! Hah!" Ferrus grasped *Vum's chaR* in a mighty bearhug. "Hahahhahaahaha!" Ferman laughed maniacally.

OOC: Holy next time you want to kill one of my guys tell me please. I want to make him die in honour. Not in a bloddy mess of intestines.

Name: Amaridil Zilla

Age: 32

Gender: Male

Race: Dark Elf

Height: 6'1

Talents: Fast and acrobatic. Excellent with blades and bows. Though is distracted easily.

Appearance: Blood red eyes and dark blue skin, almost black. He has dark black hair in the windsewpt fasion and he is quite tall. His arms are muscular as are his legs, his chin juts out but he has small lips. His nose is fairly long and rounded. His eyebrows are thick and black.

Weaknesses: Easily distracted. He fractured his left arm when he was young and random jolts of pain will shoot throught it. Causing it to go limp and numb.

Personality: Quite friendly and humourous. But sometimes he cannot be trusted. He is friendly to most of the men in the Fort and is loyal to his leaders.

Short Bio: Amaridil was raised in the terror of the Ashlands under the Imperial rule. He had to look after his two younger siblings, Link and Amara, so this made it even harder. When he was 16 Amara was killed by bandits and Link was kidnapped by the Emperor's very own body-guards. After that Amaridil was forced to work in Fort Moonmoth in Vvardenfell where he was beaten and whipped by his superiors. When he was 20 he was moved into a Fort in BlackWood where he has served ever since.

Equipment: Carries twin silver scimitars and a steel dagger in his boot. He has an oak bow with oak arrows that are tipped with steel. the feathers are that of a Hawk. He usually wears a long black trenchcoat with leather greaves and a dark black shirt underneath. he also wears leather boots and gloves. He usually carries some garlic in his pocket to ward off blood-svckers.

ooc: sorry if were already done with the vampire scene but im just posting before chapter 2. So this post is meant to be before chapter 1

Habari Drew his sword towards one of of the vampire. The saliva dripping off their teeth sent shivers down his spine. This was the point where the thought ran through his head. "God dammit why did I join the legion again?", he wished he was inside the safety of a city right now. He had faced alot of things but vampires was his one weakness, and it lloked like this could be it for him. He tried to stab the vampire but missed and it went right for his neck. Halbari cried in pain, he was sure he had Porphyric Hemophilia now or the vampires disease. He then fell to the ground in pain, still grabbing his neck as blood came out. The fear of vampirism hurt worse than the sting, and as the vampire came for another bite Halbari knew better this time and stabbed him right in his chest. The vampire quaked in pain and fell down. Halbari was still holding his neck from the pain as he stood up on his feet and stumbled out.

OOC: Sorry about the block of text, most of it is speech.

IC:
Amaridil accepted the captain's bear hug with joy, but sadness and guilt at the same time.
He pulled back and told the captain what had happened.
"OK so I was taking a piss out the back when I heard screams and fighting, I finished up and stepped into the fort and all I could see along the entire corridor was blood and decapitated limbs. I lurked around searching but couldn't see anything, but oh boy could I hear 'em. Laughing and taunting. Scariest moment of my life sir."
"So what I done was started running. i ran out of the Fort and into the yard when a few of the bastards attacked me. I killed 'em but for a price."
He held up his right hand to show his little finger missing.
"The rest of 'em ran off some was to the east when they saw you guys comin' up here. I myself was glad that you guys were alive."
He looked around and noticed a few others missing.

"Where are the others. Will and all the other boys?"
Amaridil was genuinly worried, most of the men from the Fort were his buddies, especially Will. He was scared that they had... left.
The captain made a grim face.
"So cap'n?"

Halbari stumbled to the outpost with his neck dripping with blood. He was hurting bad and needed to lay down, he could feel the disease spreading quick and he really needed some medical attention quick. The Vampire from the battle had done quite a number on him, his sword was still fresh with the blood of his foe and he was still bleeding from the fang marks on his neck. He knew he couldn't stay here if the Porphyric Hemophilia got to him. They would kill him in fear he might feed on the others.... but no, Halbari pushed that thought away. He could beat this thing he just needed to find his potion of cure disease that they kept locked up in case of emergencys.

Halbari now stood in front of the Outpost, looking around all he found was the blood of the dead, and he felt there was very little of anyone surviving. The rotting dead bodys had already begun to stink up the place, and it made Habari feel even sicker. He started to limp faster, he had to get to the medical cabinet inside the outpost before it was to late. As he moved he coughed up blood everywhere. He couldn't keep this up, he would be dead soon. Soon he would wake up and be reborn as a vampire.

In his crazed happiness, the Captain didn't notice that Halbari, neck dripping with blood, stumble through the gate to the outpost. He frowned at the survivor's injury, but he was content that at least one of his loyal soldiers was alive, not including the warband that had assaulted the vampires.

"Where are the others? Will and the other boys? So cap'n?" asked Amaridil.

"They didn't make it. All that matters now is the present. The outpost is obviously not safe anymore.. Ladin!" he called out his lieutenant's name, pushing away the thoughts of the dead men. "Ladin?.." he wondered, he couldn't find his lieutenant.

"Ladin.. Where is Ladin!?!? Where is my lieutenant?!" shouted the Captain, impatiently waiting for someone to answer him.

Halbari fell to the ground, he couldn't take it much longer. He felt like a part of him was slowly being eaten by the disease. But he didn't give up, he knew he had to keep going. And so he started to crawl towards the gate. His wound was still bleeding and it left a trail of blood behind him. He looked up to the sky and screamed in pain, all the mistaked he had made in life had started to come into his mind at once. He screamed and screamed again into the cloudy sky letting all the pain of the world out at once. He felt the darkness start to close around him. It was about over, he didn't have much time left. His vision because blurry he could barely see now, was it from the disease or were they tears. He wasn't sure. He started to throw up more blood and he saw darkness close around his eyes. He then stood up and screamed out one final thing.

"DIVINES WHY, WHY ARE YOU SO CRUEL!!!" , then all the death and destruction flashed in his eyes at once. raqes, theft and murders all played out in his mind. It was like he saw every evil that had ever been done all at once. He then stared into the sky blankley and then fell over face down. Was he dead or knocked out it was to hard to tell.

Ladin awoke, night crept in on all corners. He groaned slightly, and opened one of his eyes, I am...Alive? What happened..., his memory was shrouded in darkness, and hurt to much to think. ''Wha...'' He started, but couldn't find the strength to finish. He forced his second eye open and looked at his surroundings.
All he saw was trees, grass and darkness. And no cave, not even the illusion of rubble. ''What...?'' He groaned and slammed his head back onto the forest floor. This isn't good...but at least your alive...

The Argonian flopped sluggishly on his side, and immediately, pain shot through his body. Ladin whimpered lowly and rubbed his temple with one of his hands, his breaths reverted to short rapid inhales and exhales, and his heart beat zoomed. What the hell happened?. Memories of what perspired only hours ago flashed through his mind. The Ambush, Ladin and his comrades fighting for their lives...then...nothing. His head began throbbing, and as he reached with his hand and rubbed the back of his head, he felt something; something wet. He brought his hand back and saw red speckles on it. Blood.
Well, this just keeps getting better and better..., he reached his hand back and felt around, until he came across what felt to be a battered bump. It felt like a iron rod being pressed into Ladins skull as he poked it experimentally.

Enough sitting...er...laying, whatever the hell I'm doing, I gotta..., He attempted to stand, but as he got himself to his feet, he stumbled forward, as if he had never walked in his life, then collapsed back on the ground, sending dead leaves sprawling about. Now lying on his stomach, Ladin sighed loudly, and blew away a leaf that had strayed to close his his face.

ooc: Tired atm, it's 1:00 AM here in Michigan.... nighty night

OOC: Whoa guys! 16 posts I have to catch up with? Man some of you are going to fast. Think about it, I don't think Korroded-Korpse got a single post inside the cave, and he was one of the most important people it that raid.

As more and more dust buried its self deeply into Salvius' eyes, his life flashed vigorously before his eyes. The younger days, playing in his garden with Benji the dog. His teens, getting his first real sword, and practicing with his father, bonding beautifully. His first time trying to cook meat with his mother, and the laughs that surrounded that day, and the embarrassment. The day when he met his girlfriend and when they shared their first kiss. When Salvius joined the Legion, and the proud look on his father's face, making tears stream down his eyes. However these happy thoughts were soon replaced by evil and menacing flashbacks. The day of when his dog died, being slaughtered and decimated by a wolf when they went for a walk in the forest. The feeling of his heart breaking when he caught the love of his life sleeping with another man in his own bed. The sight of Skellan's rotted and butchered face. And lastly, the situation he was in now.

Before the hammer annexed with Salvius, he said one last prayer for his friends and his family. But not for himself, he had run his course. ''Good.. by sweet.. but cruel... world.'' The last words the Imperial thought he would ever say. They were muttered and muffled, blood was coughed out violently in the process of speaking them. But something wasn't right, he had closed his eyes for a few seconds now although somehow his soul was not severed from the body. Salvius rubbed his eyes wildly to get all the dust, sediment and other bits of blood out his eyes. As they started to vanish, the Sergeant looked up cautiously, examining his surroundings. The battle was still going on, but the leviathan was not over him. Instead Ri'Zhanja was attacking it viciously. Although the khajit showed much courage and respect, his attempts were still futile. The two were locked in a battle for strength that Salvius would know from personal experience would not work well at all.

However before Salvius could muster the strength to get up, the Captain had already charged ferociously at the creature. What Ferrus did next was one of the most impressive, elegant and darn right awesome sword techniques the Sergeant had ever seen. Ferman grabbed hold of the thing by the arm, twisted it in the process of ducking and sliced his blade through the vampire's stomach, severing it in to pieces. The Captain proceeded to help his friend up, the act of braveness made Ferrus appear in a new light, and the friendship between the two soldiers escalated. Thank you my friend, Salvius spoke to his superior through the mind, there was no time for idle chit-chat.

The two got themselves to their feet. Fighting as a team against the bloodsvckers. One vampire managed to wrestle Salvius against a wall, but thankfully Janus impaled the beast through the neck. Although the moment of happiness and joy was short lived, Sal tried to warn his young friend of the vampire rushing from behind, but he took no notice. This mistake caused fatality, and costed Janus his life. The head flung off and blood sprayed out of the neck like a waterfall, splattering on to the Sergeants armour. ''JANUS!!'' Salvius shouted in rage to the heavens. He needed revenge. Aggression and wild swings in a fight were usually an extremely bad idea, but Sal couldn't care less, one of his best friends had be decapitated did not care for tactics and techniques. The Imperial swung with berserk and frenzied power towards the sides two-handed. This crazy move worked, the vampire was split. Before he continued to combat, Salvius took Janus' ring, and wore it with pride. Respecting his friend until his own demise. Words could not describe the emotion and pain reeling through his mind. He just wanted to die right now.

However the animosity and rage erupted, unleashing from Salvius body and spreading its hatred throughout the room. He walked menacingly towards a cowering vampire, weak and frail, the thing begged. For the first time in his life, Sal showed no mercy and killed the thing without remorse. The blade fell down on the creature from a towering height, thrusted through its mouth and down the throat, shattering all kinds of bones and bodily features. As the Imperial yanked the blade out, part of the trachea had gotten stuck to it. A vile sight to see. But unlike usual, this scene of gore did not phase Sergeant. He simply threw it across the room.

The batch of vampires were all but dead now, only two or three remained, but the archers did a good enough job of dispatching them. There were a few lower levels to the cave, but it seemed nothing else would be down there. Evident in the silence of the room. Salvius gazed around the caverns, looking for any other possible signs of more bloodsvckers around. Thankfully there were not, just dead carcasses lying on the floor, deformed and beaten. The majority of the soldiers who remained in the room were cheering and sharing hugs of victory. But personally for Sal, this was no victory. There were no winners in his mind, his comrades gone and fallen. And what was to happen next? They couldn't remain in the outpost forever, but it didn't seem like Ferrus wanted to leave. And what if they were attacked again by something? They would never be able to stop it. All these bad thoughts plagued Salvius' mind, and were difficult to get rid of. As the Imperial glanced into a corner of the hall, he spotted a sight that no man wanted to see.

His knee was not in good shape, but the Sergeant gathered up all his speed to rush to the corner. Below him was the lone head of William, the exceptional scout who made the attack possible, an excellent legion and another great friend. His body was scattered around the area, along with his intestines and organs. A gruesome, sickening and even mind-wrecking sight to behold. The foul stench almost made Salvius gag. However despite the repulsive scene it was, the Imperial still kneeled down beside his comrade and said a quick prayer from him before walking back to the Captain. Who then tried to comfort Sal with words.

"There is a reason that he died.. He is with the Nine, now." However Salvius never believed in the superstition, so as much as he tried, the Captain's words would do nothing. Sals looked to the corpse and then back to Ferrus.

''No. There was no reason. No reason at all.'' Salvius shook his head and proceeded to walk out the entrance.

As the men ambled slowly toward the fort, making groaning sounds of pain and lack of sleep, Salvius couldn't help but feel guilty and responsible about Janus' death. He remembered the promise made to the young man. ''Don't worry young man, it'll all be fine. If I don't come out of this you will. I promise.'' It had been reversed; Janus saved Salvius' life, not the other way round. It made him sick to the stomach at the fact that he didn't keep an eye on Janus, he said he would look after him, but no. Instead he got indulged with his own fights selfishly. Throughout the entire journey back to the outpost, Salvius sobbed to himself. Mourning the dead. He was so focused and unaware, that Halbari was able to sneak past him unnoticed, clutching his bleeding neck.

Appearance wise, Sal looked a complete and utter mess. Both his armour and face were covered with blood of friend and foe, dust and dirt had accumulated over his body. Scars and cuts covered his face; you could barely make out who he was. Small patches of his hair were missing, likely ripped off by vampires without knowing. His armour was dented scratched; some of the sword blows had made quite deep holes. The only thing that wasn't battered to near death was Salvius' sword, one of his most precious items. Probably because he never really had much of a chance to use it.

After a few minutes or so of trudging through marshy swampland, the remaining men reached the garrison. Salvius stood in shock and horror as he saw the gate was fully open, and he knew they had shut it as they left. Why in Oblivion?! Only bad thoughts were entering his mind right now. Before Sal could investigate, Ferrus had already darted himself inside. Promptly, the Captain returned with a dejected and solemn look on his face. He spoke to the group.

"Don't.. Don't go in there. Let's just.. Leave..." They're.. All dead. All of them.. Let us just leave.'' As the Captain had an outburst, shouting that he would kill the Emperor, it made Salvius realise the same as Ferrus. It was not the vampires who had betrayed them; it was the Empire and their leader, Emperor Konrad. This fact caused the final piece of restraint in Sal's body to snap. He went completely mad.

''I'LL RIP HIS HEAD FROM HIS NECK! I'LL EAT HIS VEINS! I'LL EAT HIS FRIENDS, FAMILY AND DOG! I'LL F*CKING KILL ANYONE ALLIED TO THAT BASTARD!'' Salvius roared thunderously, it was so loud that the gods themselves could hear him. Never in his life had the Imperial shown such a degree of hatred and anger. He was a worshipper of the Nine, but this could not be held back, he had taken too much now. Suddenly a survivor emerged from the outpost. It made the Sergeant happy for the man and raised his spirits a tiny amount, but in the long run did nothing. It would not repair the damage done to him. Once again, the Captain had shared bad news.

"Ladin.. Where is Ladin!?!? Where is my lieutenant?!" The Captain waited for an answer from anyone.

''Are you serious?!'' Salvius made a brief scan around but Ladin was nowhere. ''Oh this keeps getting better and better doesn't it!'' Salvius clamoured, kicking the ground in the process. However the anger just formed into rage. He fell against the outpost walls, slumping down them.

''This is not happening. This just can't be happening.'' Salvius burried his head into his hands. Muttering all kinds nonsense to himself and he prayed to the Nine for hope.

...

ooc: Calm down about post rates. yeah some of us are on more than others. If the story progressed abit slower and such then its fine. But it is good to let everyone get posts in on it.


ic: Zhanja felt something wet and heavy on his side, slowly that weight was being lifted off as the khajiit came to, realizing that something or someone was prying off some rocks that had landed on him during the fight. Then a massive clawed hand lifted him up off the ground slowly and carefully, it was scaley and unnaturally large. Opening his eyes, as the pain shot through his system like an electrical charge to fresh circuits he groaned, realizing it was his summoned pet deadroth whom he had used to aide himself in the fight. It grunted a few times and in a..deadroth like delicacy placed the khajiit onto his own two feet, the robe he wore was torn and bloodied the khajiit placed a paw to his head and another to the large beast "Thank you.." he muttered in Ta'Agra to the beast he was pretty beaten up but could feel balance and motor function returning. The deadroth watched Zhanja check himself over for wounds, feeling a broken arm several cuts and bruises. One particular gash going over his right eye, giving him a sinister appearance due to the freshness and how it was still bleeding. Getting onto his knees and putting a stick in his mouth, biting down Ri'zhanja placed his broken arm on the ground and gripped it, prepareing for the pain he twisted snapping the bones back into place with a deep growl. He cast some restorative magic onto his body, the break healing up slowly, some of the other wounds knitting back together as the energy worked through his body.

Pulling himself off the ground with the help of the beast he studied where he was, "Great, they must not of seen me go down out here and have gone back to..ugh..the outpost.." his nose wrinkled as the sickly sweet smell of blood fill the air. Looking at his robe now he grunted in an annoyed fashion "great...allot of blood and all torn.. strike another off my list of possessions.." he muttered and began to stalk off with the beast in tow, staying on Nirn as long as it could before the magicka would wear out and send it back to its plane.

OOC: Long posts are a good thing if they have quality.. Chriso's posts are generally very long, but they are also fun to read.

IC:

"This is.. Unbelievable. Everybody come before me! I shall take roll call." shouted the furious Captain. They soon found out Halbari, Zhan and Ladin were all missing, besides the ones that had died during the fight.

"We are without a healer and many of us are wounded.. This is just great. Who do we have to thank for this? The phony Emperor Konrad!" he yelled. Ferrus wiped the tears from his bloodshot eyes. "We will just have to make do with what we have. Salvius, you will be the acting Lieutenant unless we find Ladin."

Ferrus waved the men to stand up. "We make our way to Lewayin.. I have an idea."

John looked at the captain... ''aye sir... so about that promotion? you said if I survived I would be promoted to sergeant, Remember?'' he asked, ''I mean, assuming that my survival was part of the plan... you weren't lying... sir.''

He then felt a pain in his wrist which had been hurting for a while, but he never really noticed it. He inspected to see a bite mark and blood dribbling from his wrist. Oh... sh**.

There was no healer... and nothing to stop infection. What a great time to get bit!!!... what if they find out? I'll get killed! I need to get out of here!

"Well.. I uhh--" the Captain was cut short when John seemed to quake with pain and brought his wrist up to his face. The Captain, even from 10 feet away was able to see the blood dripping down his arm. "What happened? Are you okay, John?" wondered Ferrus, hoping it wasn't a bite. He slowly walked towards John, hand on his sword.

.... he found out! What should I do?
John thought for a few seconds. There was nothing he could do.

John looked at the captain in fear, ''I think it is.... please don't kill me... like what happened to... skellan....''

John raised up his bloodied arm for the captain to see. There was no point in lying now.

Ladin lumbered around through the dense forest, walking and stumbling as if he were drunk. The bleeding on his head had started up from adrenalin from moving around, which technically, was bad. Several times he had collided into a tree of boulder, even thought he was positive they weren't there.
Damn....vampires....playin' wit' me.... His head burned like the plane of oblivion, and the damned mosquitoes buzzing around him made everything worse, then again, he might've been seeing those bugs. He was beginning to see a lot of things, bandits, false trees (in which, when Ladin avoided those, he ran into an actual tree), aggressive beasts, and the occasional giant talking lemon. Hallucinations were the first sign of being delusional, which was one of the first sings of major blood loss.

Must....get..., The Argonian thought, swaying around as if he was loosing his balance. How long had he walked, it felt like an eternity, although at the same time felt as if he went no where. Ladin attempted to look at his surroundings, but all of his limbs felt like gravity gave up on them, and the lizard toppled to the ground. Ugh....I think I'm lost....
A sudden brushing movement caught is attention. Something in the brush, was watching him. Real or not, the sound of growling made Ladin spring to his feet. ''R-real...?'' He called out, after a few seconds, he spotted to yellow circles next to each other looking at him. ''Fake...?'' The delusional argonian asked, before a large mountain lion burst out of the brush.

Ladin's eyes shot open. It's not fake! It's not freakin' fake!, He yelped and ran. The mountain lion sprung forward after it's prey, growling, and gaining on Ladin at an incredible rate. The Lieutenant ran as fast as his floppy legs could take him, and in this case, it wasn't very far. Pain, and exhaustion flooded Ladin's body, but he refused to stop, until nature forced him too. He tripped over a small rock sticking upwards, and was propelled forwards.
He body plopped onto a hard sediment with a loud 'thump'. Ladin groaned in pain as he felt what he had landed on; It wasn't rock, bit it wasn't grass. It felt like.... Dirt! Had he discovered the path the soldiers took to the cave? He froze when he heard growling behind him; the mountain lion. Oh no....
Ladin fell on his back, and saw the creature materializing from the from the forest. It's orangery coat of fur glistened in the moonlight, and it's eyes pierced Ladin's heart.

The animal pounced.

Ladin's arm shot upward to protect his face. Shutting his eyes tightly, he screamed as loud as his lungs could let him.

But nothing happened. He opened one eye, then both when he saw that he wasn't dead...yet, and the lion had simply....disappeared. It was...., He tried to think, but couldn't muster the strength. ...fake...

ooc: If you hear the scream, don't go out to find out what caused it, Walrus. I have plans for Ladin.

The bloodcurdling scream reverbrated throughout the clearing. "Steady, men! It is probably just a lone vampire.. As for you, John, we have to amputate the limb now lest you wish to turn into one of those beasts. If you want to take your chances and wait until we get to the church in Lewayin, then fine. But on the third day from now if we haven't made it to Lewayin I will kill you," stated Ferrus coldly. Since their situation seemed to get darker and darker, he couldn't imagine killing another loyal man, even though it was the obnoxious and annoying John.

"Come, my soldiers. Our hate for the Emperor is finally realized! His blasphemies will scar this land for centuries, but if we do not take a stand then who are we to call ourselves heroes? We make way for Lewayin, the third countdom to join the Empire. When we get there we shall join forces with the Count's few loyal men and we will push out the invading Empire! We will carve our own bit of glory in this world! And a big bit of glory at that. I know not if Anvil still holds, but if we can push the bastards out of Lewayin, we can buy Anvil more time to get a good, solid defense up... I know I make it sound like we will not lose, but the Emperor has many men stationed in Lewayin, so it will be tough.. But we.. We are hardened soldiers! Not like those pompous fools in the cities! We are hardened from the dangers of Blackwood! The fierce vampires weren't enough to kill us, so neither will the Imperial lapdogs be! We have lost a good many friends today, and we will lose more. Such is a life of a soldier. This makes us hard! Cold! Over time, it makes us willing to kill anything as long as it helps whichever cause we are fighting for! The more friends we lose, the more hardened we become. This is why there is a reason! There is a reason the poor youth Janus was killed! It made all of us a little more harder inside. A little more fierce. Now let us begin the march to Glory! No, not Glory for the Emperor! Glory for the goodness that is still left in this cruel, dark world," ended the Captain, who even when the situation looked the worst, was able to get his soldiers cheery enough to be able to do what had to be done.

ignore this post, will just make new one.

Ri'zhan had heard the scream and sighed alittle, everything had gone off and wrong in so many ways now. He followed the path back to the outpost stopping short of...taking a closer look Zhan noticed it was Ladlin on the ground and bolted over to him. "Im surprised you made it this far.." he said getting down onto one knee steadily and placing a hand on ladlin's' body checking him over for injuries. having seen the blood from the back of his head and sighed, "Its alright, Im here to help you.." Where the hell is the captain. Its not like him to leave people behind if anything. Unless he got left behind like me. Interesting... he thought as he placed both hands over ladlin's heart and began to chant a moderate restorative spell.


ooc: made a mistake, gimme a break its sunday

Instead of remaining angry and pent up, Salvius attempted to disperse some of the rage away. It was not easy, but necessary. If he persisted in his current state, the men would just get worried and thus lose morale all over again. I can't stay like this... Salvius thought, taking deep breaths and stretching his limbs. There was no need for anymore shouts of hatred and madness, most of the insane feeling in the Imperial's mind had vanished, only the un-removable frustration still plagued his thoughts.

Salvius achingly hoisted himself from the ground. His muscle's were stiff and his bones felt frail and weak. Just to make any kind of strenuous movement sent a bolt of pain through his body, more noticably in the knee. In fact, the Sergeant was very lucky for his knee not to act up during the battle, it was most likely because he didn't actually move around much and the fight on a whole was more short but gruesome then a long fatiguing war. However with that said the insertion was throbbing heavily, even if Sal could still walk on it lightly. He walked over to Ferrus who was taking a roll call. The Imperial even struggled to answer his name, the thoat was saw and looked partially swollen. All the brief shouting a minute or so ago must of taken an effect.

It appeared that Ladin, Zhan and Halbari were missing from the group, they were not killed in action as Salvius could of sworn he saw all three of them in the cavern after the battle had ended, they just look battered up and hurt which was just like everybody else involved. ''Dammit we need them!'' Salvius muttered to himself in annoyance, biting his tongue to refrain from shouting. Everything right now just seemed to be going wrong and continually down hill. Every soldier was injured and in some sort of pain, but without a healer like Zhan the afflictions would have to loiter. In the long term this is much more dangerous then it seems, the cuts and gashs would become infected with what only the gods know, especially in a dirty and foul environment like Blackwood, where flies and mosqiutos breed in abundance.

It was inevitable, but Salvius didn't want to hear it. The Captain put the Imperial in the role of Lieutenant for Ladin's absence. He really couldn't deal with the pressure at the moment, stress and guilt were attacking him mentally and he was in no state to be commanding men and making ponderous decisions for the group. However Ferman looked angry, definatly in no mood for confilcts and disagreements from other soldiers, so Sal just obliged. ''Aye aye sir, I'll do me best.'' Salvius spoke with unwillingness in his voice, closing his eyes and looking to the ground spitting out any mucus, salivia or dirt still stuck within him. Although his head peeped up as Ferrus explained his simple plan, he wanted to travel to Leyawiin. By the Nine! I can't do that, I'm half dead! The Imperial thought, shocked that the platoon would have to move out so quickly. Give it a day or two and the plan is fine, but it didn't seem anybody had the ability all that way. But with that said, Salvius realised Ferrus' mental state right now, and it was a good idea just to agree and get on.

As Salvius removed his uncomfortble cuirass, leaving him only in his under-armour clothes, he heard John and the Captain mutter to each other something about being hurt. But on closer attention it appeared that John had been bit, evident in the sadened tone of voice and large bloodied mark on his arm. In truth, the Imperial felt sorry for John, the look of terror on his face was emotional, to see a man know he was going to die or be killed, and by his own comrade, is tough to take in. Even if John had acted like a unconsiderable moron whe Skellan passed, Sal didn't want him to suffer the same fate, even though it would be pleasurable irony for some folk.

Before the Captain could do anything rash, Salvius thought he would try and save John from being executed.

''Sir, lets not do anything yet, if he can get to a healer or to a chapel in three days or so, he'll be fine. Just keep a close lookout on him.'' Salvius tried to appear respectful, but assert his feelings at the same time. It was as he said this that they needed to find Leyawiin promptly. Unfortunatly, the men couldn't leave yet, it was too dangerous in their condition. But before Sal could say anything, the Captain once again made a grand yet dragged-out and mundane speech to rally the soldiers. Half way through he got lost, even with his magic amulet he felt fatigued and sluggish. But when Ferrus mentioned Janus, Salvius' mind reverted to a more concentrated mode of being.

His death was not for a reason! He should still be with us. Salvius was starting to get a little agitated at the Captain thinking Janus died for good, the Imperial agreed that it did make them a little more fierce, but who would want him dead instead of him being with them? Once again though Salvius saw no point in arguing. Nonetheless before the Captain ordered the men to move out he felt it vital that he speak his mind, it would do them good in his opinion. Ferrus wanted them to try and take back Leyawiin, which was impossible with the current predicament.

''Sir, with all due respect we cannot go now. Just look at us, we're a wreck. Right now, everyone here feels like death and to try and take back a city like this? It's impossible.'' Salvius took a pause for breath, and remembering John in the process. ''Besides, we may as well get whatever supplies from in there,'' he pointed to the outpost, ''as possible. Food, drink, weapons and whatever we need. Hell we might be lucky to find some medical supplies and something to stop the disease for John. I'm going to have a look now.'' Salvius turned back from the group, lumbering with agonizing pain throughout his body. His ears picked up a scream, but it was so faint and too far away to be bothered with. As he peered into the outpost, his eyes winced at the sight. It was even worse then he thought.

Dead carcasses lay everywhere, some even had their body parts scattered around. Limbs and bones must of been ripped and torn from each other, as they decorated the floor. Deformed heads were stuck onto candle stands, some even burning in a flame. The fact that Salvius knew all these men made him sick to the stomach, he was angry but just wanted to throw up. Intestines were thrown about the place and blood adorned the walls. But the most disturbing sight that Sal beholded was the human heart on a decorated plate, with a chunk of it missing and bit marks surrounding it. The Imperial almost shrieked in terror, and jumped back onto the spot, triping on a body and falling into one of the blood stained walls. Who in Oblivion could of done this! He thought looking around in fright, the vampires were savage, but they could not of been responsible for the events here, it didn't seem right. When Salvius observed the body it seemed to be more fresh, and all the limbs were attached, it was only when he turned the body over did the Imperial recognise the face. It was Halbari. What? How did he get here?! Sal started to panic, he couldn't of been dead but he must of been bit. As quick as he could muster, Salvius ran to the Captain outside.

''Captain, Captain! I found Halbari, he's inside unconscious. C'mon no time to waste lets go!'' Sal waited impatiently for Ferrus to respond.

OOC: Sorry for these long posts if it annoys you, but I feel the only way for me to RP well is to describe a lot and all that, soo....yeah.

"What? Halbari inside the outpost?! Egh he must have went in while we were all talking.. Blast. I don't want to go anywhere near that blasted fort. But it's necessary. Come, Tor, you're the closest thing we have to a healer right now. You know some good tricks with your first aid know-how. If we can't find a cure for John then we will have to amputate the limb.. I'm sorry for acting on the spur of the momeny, I know we aren't in any shape to travel. We will rest for a day or two and scavenge what supplies are left from the outpost," said Ferrus, realizing his folly. "Thank you for being wize, lieutenant. That is why you are the Ladin's proxy. I hope my foolishness out that has not lowered your opinion of me. Now take me and Tor to Halbari with all speed, Sal!"