angel 1.1.

Sinner + Saint
Prologue/Epilogue to Sonnet Le Drich

IX
when the dawn broke and the skies became illuminated, a loud crash woke her and she knew the events were fated. an asura emerged from the dunes and pointed it's sickle
to her direction. silently she mouthed a chant for protection.
the creature slowly approached, weapon raised as if in a killing position. it's scales were gold and it's eyes were bloodshot, as it drew nearer, she knew she had at least one shot. she held her bow and loaded the arrow, she aimed for the head to send the creature back to it's barrow.
amazingly, the asura catched her projectile, though the arrow did not kill it, the asura's hand was burned. she was perplexed with the reflexes of this "reptile" and how it seems that the tables have turned.

X
the ground rumbled and she was petrified by what she saw.
beyond the horizon an army of asuras darkening the desert's scarlet sands without flaw. thus was a sight that would make even the hardest souls cower and even make the most ruthless warlords shiver. then, when she was about to abandon all hope, there was a shard thrown from behind her. it was nothing like she has ever seen.
as soon as it landed on the ground, it exploded into a blinding light of green. one by one the asuras disintegrated into a scarlet flame,sent back to the bowels of this desert from which they came.

XI
"where did that come from?" she said silently as she picked up the arrow on the ground nervously.aimed at the direction from which the shard came from. heavy footsteps approach and she felt her heart beating like a wardrum.inch by inch a shadow lingered from a distance. it occured to her that this was an old accquaintance, "wha?! askari?" i thought you were dead?...
the man (or what's left of a man) in front of her, dark as ebony.the man who betrayed his master; banished to angustia to rot, all because of a promise of power. he, who used to be the father's high guard, guardian to the seat of the synod protecting it with light grenades shaped as crystal shards, the ability to summon a lycan and also the ability to summon serpent wards.

XII
"my spear is missing" says he,
"i've been searching for what seems like an eternity. i am already dead; the father was right to punish me. how can i be so foolish to trade everything i have and to become so greedy?. i am still searching for my penance, but i wonder of the reason you are here.you are not alone now, do not fear."
"i am here to find the temple of Erra epos, to retrieve a certain stone." says she.
"and you seek to confront Erra alone?"
"honestly, i don't know."
"i'll assit you, but we'll need help from the drow."

XIII
into the ruins called "Intunericul", the askari escorted isobelle to the elven archer svartalfar. the lair where they hide from the light was of the color of tar.
she was a bit concerned about the situation, for in these parts, these elvenfolk are of high concentration. fiendish eyes that are yellowish in color,is all she sees while she looks on in terror.
"you don't look so good" says askari, "don't fret because i know how to barter".
after an hour's hike they reach the ruin's center and there finally, she meets the elven archer.

XIV
"welcome... angel" the archer said in a low pitched voice.
his words echoed through the chambers in an eerie noise.
he was darker than askari, with a long white beard. he has brands on his skin and clothes that are blood smeared.
"how do you know about me?"
"you cannot hide, even if you are already a mortal, your scent tells me of your real side. do you know that we are tasked to shoot your kind down from the sky? and before we eat your flesh, it is custom to gouge out the eyes?. so tell me now... angel, give me one good reason why... why i should not give the command to feast and watch you die?"
"she is with me!" askari shouted, "she is already mortal and she can be trusted. we came here not for war... hunter! we came for a trade, three shards for the devil's winter."
"four shards and a griffin's claw. that's the only thing i would accept from you."
"a griffin's claw? what? for your wounded crew?"
"it does not concern you soldier. we are vast in these lands but there are a dying few."
"in two weeks we will be ready with what you need."
"hmmm... in two weeks? if it takes more than that, with her flesh we will feed."

XV
a mighty spell was cast and a high wind had blown,
the askari found himself outside the ruins alone.
he tried to go back for the angel, but the number of elves at the entrance has grown. he then realizes that he is on his own. each elf has a weapon pointed towards him. he must find a griffin's claw in two days before isobelle suffers a gruesome fate at the hands of the grim.so the journey begins for the man cursed to walk this world alone. though he does not know what happens next, the future is never set in stone.
******************************

ENTER the "Harteloos"
I
"how may i help you sir?"
"...sir?"

the askari was stunned at what was in front of him, a beautiful gypsy wearing all green with gold jewelry.
he wonders why such a beautiful creature is where she is. then he snaps back to reality.
"uh... yes... i was wondering if you could help me?"
"and where do you need to be?"
askari replied: "Harteloos".
"there is a chance that you may not return when you enter that land."
"i know, but i'm doing this to save someone, do you understand?"
"someone from the past i presume?"
"not your business gypsy, i've buried everything in what used to be my tomb."
"ok i will help but for a price. bring me back a dufflebag of "solanum dulcamara" and griffin eyes."
"but where do i find these?"
"same place you are going... "Harteloos."
"is there anything that could be of use? a map, maybe?"
the gypsy handed him a bag and said: "go now! and don't be lazy. the directions are inside so is the potion to prevent you from going crazy."
"i have something for you when you return; be safe now soldier and don't get burned."

II
it was now noon; he can tell from the position of the sun that the day is about to be over soon. the four moons: valka (war), muerte (death), hambre (famine) and mor (pestilence). are about to assume their respective places in the sky. the askari is quite worried because it will be another nail to his coffin if the angel dies. he reaches into the bag and finds an old parchment with it the potion, a horn, and an enchanted armament. in the "map" it is written:
"if ye can cross the "Surujen Joki" (river of sorrows), beyond it thee will find a city called "hemicrania." (megrim) once inside the city, go north. beyond the walls, ye will find "Harteloos." but a word of caution, before entering the city,use half of the potion on thyself and the other half on thy way back. be ready for an attack. be lost and ye are lost for eternity." on the horizon, the askari sees the river. a raft is on the shore. the breeze made him shiver, and he remembers that in the bag, there is a spiked club, which he can use as an oar.

III
once in the river, he is attacked by a hydra. he sees that the waters of "Surujen Joki" is surrounding a caldera. the heat imminating from it made the waters boil. the hydra was thrashing in the waters violently gripping the raft in it's deadly coil. askari bashed at one of it's head with all his might. t'was a ghastly sight, "five more" he said.
they fought for hours till
he bashed all six of the hydra's heads.
(tiamat/horn)