The Search for Power

[Strazio Rockwell]

Welcome to the Pale Moors, place of desecration and darkness and death. It was only fitting that a devil such as Dracula would make his home here. A slight smirk crawled across my face, I would be lying if I didn't feel a sort of giddy anticipation. My boots crunched against the muddy gravel road, I was unsure of where to go, but in this place of damnation I got the feeling that action would find me sooner rather than later. A thick haze hung in the air and everything was silent, except for the sound of my boots crunching against that gravel path. For hours I walked, hood drawn and silent slogging forth into the unknown and unfamiliar, oh god how it was boring.

The gravel path came to an abrupt end, as if the road itself was swallowed by the gloomy drear of the moors.Stretched out before me was a decaying swampland, vast and ominous. The occasional groan and creak of dying trees called from the marsh. THe rancid water bubbled and frothed, entranced and perhaps a bit naive I watched the water curiously. From the murky depths below a black tendril, slimy and slick launched forth. Instinctively I pumped energy into my legs and jumped to the side, narrowly dodging the tentacle. My feet skidded across the muck-covered gravel and I fell my knee.

"Shit" white lightning sparked across my body and I tried to move fast enough to avoid the inevitable. The thick ropey tendril slammed into me and sent me tumbling into the ditch besides the road. My arm roared with energy as I tried to charge a blast, but the creature wrapped its fleshy appendage around my chest and pinned my arms around my waist, The energy diffused and fizzled as I was drug deep into the murky swamp. Deep below the the rancid bog the creature dragged me. I came face-to-face with a large blood-shot eye as large as a dinner plate.
I had to think fast, the creature was crushing my torso and trying to force air from my lungs. My body sparked with white-hot magick, energy arced into my core and began to well up. A wicked beak was brought to bare, revealing a gaping maw with rows of razor teeth. The creature brought me close to the snapping, grabbing beak. Deep in my chest the roiling energy bruised my already burning lungs. Mere inches from death I released the stored energy in a devastating shockwave. The tendril wrapping around my torso was incinerated and the creature was probably blind and burnt from the explosion. Using my remaining energy I swam towards the surface. I breached the surface of the water and took a deep breath. The disgusting water stung my eyes and nose, but that was better than being eaten alive by a disgusting bog creature.

This place was much more dangerous that I originally thought, I needed to be more careful and alert. The water was thick and soupy, but the creature seemed to not be interested in my anymore and I was able to easily swim to relative safety. My body was sore and I took a few moments to catch my breath and squeeze the water from my cloak. The gravel path was no where to be found and I had completely lost my bearings. Then I realized that my leather book was soaked, every page was completely drenched with that rotten water. Frantically I opened the book, but the pages melted into a soupy mess. A lifetime of work gone in an instant, gone with one mistake.

My fury peeked. I yelled out in vain and charged an attack. I launched a bright white lance of energy into the swamp, than another one and another one. I didn't stop assailing the pool of water until my arms burned and the water began to boil. Dejected I threw my ruined tome into the water and launched one final lance to make sure.

"Dammit"

[Strazio Rockwell]

Strazio knew he would have to be more careful out here in the Pale Moors. His anger subsided and he rubbed his arm, sore from his recent display of power. Still he felt something odd during that outburst, his magick felt unrefined. Energy that once poured into him effortlessly was fleeting and difficult to control. Either magick was fundamentally different here or Strazio was weakened from the trip. He slogged forward, away from the marshland and out towards the darkened grassland. Around him darkness and haze swirled even the air in the moors was uninviting Annoying Strazio thought, he had been wandering through the moors for about an hour and a half and all he managed to do was get waterlogged.

As he walked shadows darted just out of sight, crawling through his peripherals and causing him to double-take more than once. Shadowy whispers spoke into his ears and sent chills down his spine. The clouds grew thick and the sun was barely a pinpoint of light in the sky.
"Something foul is a foot. Show yourself devil of the darkness" energy crackled and jumped through Strazio's fingertips. His whole body started to sizzle and steam drifted from his damp clothing. He was prepared for something, anything; or at least he thought he was.

From the shadows an inky humanoid figure emerged, it came from behind and tried to wrap itself around Strazio's shoulders. Startled, but not frightened Strazio pulled back and launched a short blast of energy from his palm. The blast disintegrated the shadow, but in its place another one emerged from the darkness. The shade was met with another withering blast, obliterating its fragile form. Whispers and threats swirled around Strazio, as did wicked shadow creatures. As they came forth he would blast them back into the void, but their numbers seemed endless.

"You're trapped here forever Strazio" The voices taunted and in return he launched a bolt of energy, scattering the darkness if only for a moment. The darkness closed in and the air became thick and muddled. More blasts of energy were fired into the darkness and Strazio began to feel the toll of his magick. His palms were singed and his arms bruised. A shadow wrapped itself around his waist and tried to drag him to the ground.

"You won't be able to kill him Strazio, you're going to die here alone" another blast laid the specter low. Strazio yelled into the darkness "Is that all you have? I can take whatever you can throw at me!" From the shadows a man stepped forth, covered in a dark red cloak. The face was unmistakeable and his voice even moreso.

"Come on Strazio, come and kill me" the man laughed and Strazio roared in anger.

"Damien! You bastard!" Strazio rushed forward and in a puff of smoke the man disappeared, thrusting Strazio into the heart of darkness. Another trick, whatever was taunting him could see into the darkest reaches of his mind. Coughing and fumbling, Strazio found his power waning and his body weakening. The darkness was consuming every fiber of his being. His last shred of power coalesced into his chest, this was his last chance. He fell to his knees and kindled the fire in his chest. A hand from the darkness touched his chin and lifted his head. A woman dressed in plate around smiled at him. Her hair was short and ruddy brown and a scar ran across her neck.

"Mara..." Strazio almost lost concentration, the sight of this woman was enough to illicit hesitation. She knelt down to his level and leaned in close.

"You're the reason I have this scar..."

"How dare you" He released the energy in a massive shockwave, scattering the darkness. The voices dissipated and the shadows disappeared, Strazio was left with his pained breath and the maddening silence of the moors.

[Strazio Rockwell]

Bruised and battered Strazio held his tender ribs. To use so much power in such a short amount of time put a great strain on his body and he was certainly feeling it. He shuddered as he thought of Mayra, his old companion. How did that thing know about her and Damien? Strazio shuddered at the thought of some malevolent entity poking around in his mind. It knew exactly what to do and say to get under his skin. His memory of Mara was crystal clear and he remembered the fated day when she lost her voice and gained that wicked scar across her neck. She could never say it, but he knew she held resentment towards him for that. Hell, he even hated himself for what happened to her. He shook his head, trying to free himself from the pervasive thought.

In the distance Strazio saw a couple men holding torches, they appeared to be ready for battle. They marched along a dirt path, only about a mile from Strazio. There was about twelve of them and they appeared human. They also looked like they knew where they were going, something that Strazio certainly couldn't say. He figured if he could survive bog creatures and hellish shadows he should be able to take on a couple of humans. Even still he approached them cautiously, he lowered his hood and cut them off at a nearby bend in the road. The soldiers slowed to a crawl when they notice Strazio, after a few agonising minutes they were upon him. The lead soldier, dressed in red and blue stepped forward and addressed Strazio.

"Who are you?" the man looked more like a farmer than a soldier, his armor seemed to be one size too large.

"My name is Strazio Rockwell, and yourself?"

"Seargent Rumford of the Darkshire guard, formerly the Captain of the New Tristram guard. I'm presuming you're a Prime, what business do you want with us?" he eyed Strazio carefully, he obviously understood the power of Primes. Strazio raised an eyebrow at their caution, but considering what he endured in just a few hours he could understand their paranoia.

"I'm lost Seargent, I guess I'm fresh off the boat you could say and I have no idea where I'm going" he laughed a little bit, hoping to lighten the mood. The soldiers murmered amongst themselves and Rumford laughed a little bit.

"My advice Prime, head back to the gate. There is nothing but death for those who come here" he motioned for his men to continue marching and they walked past Strazio, parting as a river would around a stone. Strazio turned around once the soldiers were past him and began to follow the group, walking stride-in-stride with Rumford.

"Then why don't you leave and head somewhere more hospitable Seargent?"

"At this point, I'm used to it. Anything else would seem unnatural to me. Now unless you're willing to help us, I'd prefer it if you left us to our fate."

"I'll help you with your problem, if you help me in return Seargent, what do you need done?"

Rumford laughed a bit "Alright I like your spunk, reminds me of a hero from my homeland. We've recieved reports of a large patchwork undead in the area and we've been tasked with eradicating the beast. If you help us I'll give you any help that I can"

"Deal!" Strazio was excited at the idea of actual progress. In his experience undead were frail creatures and he was confident in his abilities to fell the beast. They walked along the dirt path for half an hour, both parties staying silent except for the occasional order from Rumford. Strazio took mental note of their equipment and the general "look" of the group. The soldier's of Darkshire seemed haggard at best and outright unqualified at worst. Civilians forced into a makeshift militia to fight back horrors of the night. These people needed all the help they could get and slaying a few of the big baddies around would surely gain the attention of Dracula. Strazio would help the people of Darkshire, until it would no longer benefit him. The group came to a ruined town at the edge of a forest and they spread out, inspecting the recently pillaged town.

Strazio was reminded of his home town, walking amongst the death and destruction. He frowned and stepped around a pile of corpses, the size of the slaughter was surprising, even the guards were hacked to pieces. The captain ordered his soldiers to build a funeral pyre and Strazio watched in morbid curiosity. The soldiers worked late into the night, piling the dead high and covering them with the remains of their village. They lit the bodies aflame and Strazio pulled his cloak tight, to cover his mouth and nose from the stench of burning flesh. The soldiers hung their head solemnly and Rumford offered a prayer of passing.

[Strazio Rockwell]

A low rumbling emanated from the forest. Strazio watched in morbid curiosity as the rumbling crescendo reached its peak. Twisted humans, horrible and disjointed ran to the smell of burning flesh. The soldiers watched in horror as their numbers grew, eventually reaching a couple dozen of the sinister ghouls. THey moved much quicker than their twisted forms seemed capable of, Behind them trees toppeled and a massive hulk of flesh bounded out of the forest. Large and bloated the corpulent monstrosity looked to be a human sewn together from various chunks of flesh and limbs. In one hand it held a massive cleaver and in the other a chain dragging a large hook across the ground. A third massive arm jutted from the side of the abomination and it was bent at an unsettling angle. The creature seemed like it would burst as every massive step sent jiggles throughout it flabby flesh. The ghouls spread out and surrounded the soldiers, their sunken eyes were bright pinpoints in the hazy smoke of the fire.

The monstrous creature spoke with a deep bumbling voice "Hehehe I see they sent out some little pigs to slaughter" he chortled some more and a couple stitches burst, releasing putrid gas. Strazio wasn't used to undead like this, in his realm undead were slow fragile creatures. He took a few steps forward and walked towards the towering behemoth. THe creature laughed some more as Strazio removed his hood and stood no more than a few feet from him. The soldiers watched in awe at the audacity of Strazio.

"What is your name foul creature?" he spoke without fear.

"Gnash" the creature stopped laughing and raised his cleaver high into the air. He quickly brought the blade down, aiming to cleave Strazio straight in half. The speed at which the abomination could move caught Strazio off-guard. Energy surged through his body and he dove to the side, barely dodging the devastating chop. Gnash's strike set the ghouls free and they tore into the soldiers. THe ghouls were ferociously quick and ruthless, despite this the soldiers held their ground. Strazio got to his feet and was rushed by a snarling mass of teeth and claws. Strazio pushed the ghoul away and blasted a hole through it's torso. Gnash swung wildly, using the flat edge of his cleaver as a club. Strazio dashed backwards, dodging the wild swing. Another ghoul charged him and he incinerated the wretched creature with a well placed lance of white energy.

"Come here little pig!" Gnash roared and threw his hook at Strazio. The prime stood his ground and energy began to swirl around his arm. He waited, patiently as the massive hook flew towards him. The hook was only a few feet away and Strazio punched forward releasing a massive bolt of concentrated fury. THe bolt ricocheted off the hook and knocked it off course. Strazio immediatly launched another bolt, directly at Gnash's bloated belly. Gnash recoiled backwards and yelled in discontent as the bolt bored a hole through his body. Another pair of ghouls rushed Strazio and he blasted one away as the other tackled him to the ground. The ghoul slashed through Strazio's cloak and left a gash across his chest. The ghoul cut another line of fire across his shoulder and he yelled in pain and anger. Strazio managed to get both of his hand's under the ghoul's chest and let loose a concussive blast of energy, sending bits of the ghoul flying into the air.

The battle was far from over, but Strazio was feeling battered and was at his breaking point. He forced himself to his feet and stared down Gnash, who was reeling in his hook. Gnash's third hand pressed against his new wound, trying to keep his rotted guts inside his belly. Strazio laughed weakly and Gnash responded in kind with a hearty chuckle.

"I should be the only one laughing here, Prime. I'm not the one that's about to die" he reeled back and readied another throw.

"My name is Strazio Rockwell and I'm the one that's going to blow your head clean off" roiling white-hot energy wreathed itself around Strazio's right arm. Gnash released his hook in a wild overhead arc. Perhaps Strazio was being brave, or maybe he was being stupid, or even more likely he was just pissed off but whatever the reason was he didn't bother to dodge, he didn't even flinch. The hook crashed behind Strazio and Gnash pulled the chain taut. THe hook collided into Strazio's back, piercing through his right side and draping itself diagnolly across his back and over Strazio's left shoulder. Strazio roared in agony and rage as his feet skidded in the dirt and he was pulled forward. Without wasting a beat Strazio brought his left hand up to the chain and shouted one word.

"Shatter!"

The force of the blast splintered the metal link where the chain connected to the hook. His right arm was almost pure energy and through the pain and brought it back.

"My name is Strazio Rockwell and I will not fall " A roaring beam of energy exploded from his arm. Gnash didn't even have time to speak as the devasting beam of energy incinerated his head. The mass of flesh tumbled backwards, crashing onto the ground and spilling guts and rotten flesh across the ground. His stitches and seams ripped open and all sorts of gas and bile poured forth. Strazio fell to his knees, a pool of blood had already begun to form around him. His vision blurred and the sound of battle was distant and muted. With the last of his energy he launched a blast of energy to break most of the hook and heat up what was left, leaving only the large chunk in his abdomen. He hoped that the heated chunk would staunch the bloodflow and he hoped that the soldiers of Darkshire could win the battle. With an anti-climatic thud he fell into the dirt, unconscious and vulnerable.

[Strazio Rockwell]

*In another time and in another place*

"We are very disappointed in you Mara Strongwall, you have betrayed not only your brothers and sisters but you have also betrayed your own oath, the oath of the Hexbreaker" Primarch Karrisa spoke with the authority of her position. Her armor gleamed in the open courtyard of the Hexbreaker's headquarters. She stood mere feet from the battered and beaten Mara, who was lashed to an upright board staked into the ground. A small regiment of Hexbreakers stood on guard and watched as their former sister was punished. This was the price of Mara's betrayal, to be excommunicated and executed in front of her fellows. Mara spoke weakly, her body ravaged from days of torture and starvation.

"I have broken no oath of mine."

Karrisa scowled and continued her diatribe "when you joined us you were but a broken shell of a woman, someone who had witnessed first hand the wickedness of magick. We had such high hopes for you, we took you under our merciful wings and gave you purpose we gave you the power to avenge your husband, your child."

Strazio watched Mara's excommunication through Fateweaver's mirror. Fateweaver's aged face looked ancient as he frowned and watched as Strazio clenched his fists. Strazio glared at Fateweaver and pulled at the blue robes covering his gaunt frame. Strazio yelled and pointed at the mirror.

"Bring her here like you brought me! You said we were both important, so bring her here before that psycho slaughters her!"

Fateweaver pushed Strazio away, his old body belied his strength and Strazio was unable to resist him. "I cannot Strazio, it pains me greatly but I cannot bring her here. At least not yet." Strazio's body sparked with magick and he spoke with the force of a crashing wave "You will bring her here Fateweaver, or I will annihilate you."

Karissa unsheathed her sword and pressed the point against Mara's breastbone. A small pinprick of blood dripped onto the signature blade of the Hexdrinkers, a sword known across the lands. "I will allow you to die with some honor Mara Strongwall, repent and forsake your allegiance with that forsaken magus. Do this and your name will not follow the same fate as your body." Mara raised her head, her eyes were grey and listless she smiled slightly and spoke weakly

"I will not"

"Very well" Karissa swung with lightning speed, slicing Mara's neck open. Blood poured forth and Mara gagged as she tried to scream in pain. Karissa shook her head and sheathed her blade. The Primarch turned her back and left the fallen to suffer and bleed out.

*Present time in the Omniverse*

Strazio opened his eyes slowly, the room was bright and he winced as they adjusted to the light. He looked around and saw Seargent Rumford sitting at his bedside, head down deep in thought or maybe even prayer. Next to him a young girl held him tightly, she was watching Strazio intently. She noticed Strazio stirring and tugged at Rumford's arm and pointed at the bedridden Strazio. Rumford looked at him and revealed an eye-patch and a fresh scar across his right eye.

"You're lucky Strazio, the clerics and medics here in Darkshire are some of the best"

"What happened?" Strazio tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in his gut forced him to lie back down. He lifted his shirt and noticed a large scar, right where Gnash's hook had pierced him. Rumford handed him a wooden cup filled with water and he eagerly drank it down.

"You saved my men and me, if you hadn't tagged along there was no way that we could have brought Gnash down, let alone his escort of ghouls. You fell in battle, but you did enough that we were able to fight back the ghouls and get you back here. I'm always surprised by the regenerative ability of Primes, of course you still would've died on your own but as I said our clerics are used to treating grievous wounds" he then pointed at his eyepatch "unfortunantly most of us aren't Primes and can't make full recoveries like you and your kin can."

Strazio clenched his fist tight and then let go softly "Sorry, I wasn't strong enough" Normally a fight like that would have been a walk in the park for Strazio, but in this realm his powers were greatly diminished. He could hardly even feel the magick coursing through his body, let alone control it. Rumford whispered something to the girl and she ran out of the room. Seargent Rumford pulled his chair closer to Strazio's bed he looked down at the floorboards and then back at Strazio.He wrung his hands together as he spoke.

"Before I was brought here I lived in a place known as New Tristram. It was a shabby little town, built near the ruins of its predecessor. I was a simple farmer with a wife and daughter before a star fell from the sky."

"Why are you telling my this?"

Rumford continued his story without missing a beat "When the star fell our dead began to crawl out of their graves and attack New Tristram. The undead attacked our farmhouse." His voice faltered and he fought back tears "When they attacked I... I hid in the cellar. My wife and... They weren't as quick and I listened to the undead tear them apart. My family... my family died because I was too terrified to save them." He took a pause to collect himself and Strazio could see the pain in his eye.

"When I finally worked up the courage to leave the cellar their corpses were gone, already reanimated and shambling towards New Tristram's walls. I made my way to the settlement and I was greeted as a hero for being able to survive the undead onslaught. I didn't tell them of my cowardice and they made me the captain of the guard. I couldn't even protect my own daughter and they charged me with protecting the village." He rubbed his cheekbone and wiped away a tear. He looked at the door that the child left through and pointed at it.

"Many of us are ripped from our families when we are brought to the Omniverse, that girl's name is Rika. She came here with no family around the same time that I was ripped from New Tristram. So why am I telling you this? You asked me why I don't leave and head somewhere less dangerous than the Pale Moors. I don't leave because I have taken it upon myself to protect that girl and this town. My past sins and failures can never be erased or forgiven, but dammit I will not make the same mistake twice."

"I see" Strazio thought back to Mara and clenched his fist. He stood up slowly, gritting his teeth through the pain from his wound. He smiled at Rumford and stretched his shoulders. "Alright Seargent, you've inspired me. I'm assuming you guys need all the help you can get around here. I'll put my magick to good use and crack some heads for Darkshire."

"Thank you Strazio, I'll take you to see Lieutenant Dobson right away."

[Strazio Rockwell]

Strazio's meeting with Dobson was underwhelming to say the least. Rumford led the fresh prime to the Darkshire headquarters and after a few minute of waiting the two were ushered in to meet with Dobson. He was an unassuming man, standing as tall as Strazio but much more lanky. Strazio smirked slightly and kept his face hidden under the shadow of his hood. Rumford stepped forward and spoke, motioning towards Strazio as he did

"This is Strazio, the prime that saved my men and me from that patchwork giant. He wishes to help defend Darkshire."

"Oh... uhm ok, one second" Dobson shuffled a stack of papers around, in front of his desk was a large diorama of Darkshire. Strazio stepped forward and took his time studying the lay of the land and tried to commit landmarks to memory. The entire room was one large battle station, maps and battle plans covered almost every inch of the walls. So this is it. This is why he's the commander, all of these maps and tactical documents are impeccable. This guy must be some kind of tactical genius. Dobson pointed at a spot on the map and spoke quickly

"Ok, so far east right here we've established a watchtower, sort of a hard defensive point against any small forces trying to flank Darkshire. You'll report to Dmitri, understand?"

Strazio raised his eyebrow and lowered his hood. A slight spark jumped through the tips of his fingers. "You're putting me on guard duty? Sorry, but I think that's squandering my talents a bit, I'm more suited to knocking down doors and cracking heads." Rumford looked at Strazio with a mixture of surprise and apprehension. Dobson looked away and then back at the prime.

"Sorry, but we need your talents there... you're strong, but you've only been here for two days. You'll have to trust me, you're most needed with Dmitri"

Strazio scowled and tried to speak, but Rumford grabbed his shoulder. Strazio didn't want to admit it, but Dobson was probably right. He clenched his fist and quieted the white sparks jumping across his skin. Dejected he turned his back on Dobson and raised his hood. He raised his hand and with a flick of his wrist he left with Rumford in tow.

"I'll take you to the armory so you can get weapons and armor"

"No thank you, I don't know how to use a blade or bow and armor just slows me down."

"Very well, suit yourself. But unfortunately this is where we must part ways Strazio. Stay safe, stay strong" Rumford extended his hand and a smile. Strazio paused for a second, it had been a while since someone had been so courteous to him. After a bit of trepidation he gripped Rumford's hand and shook it. He smiled and gave Rumford a cheesy thumbs up.

"Will do, just remember I won't be around to save you next time you get in trouble. You stay safe as well friend"

Several hours and one boring trip later.

The watchtower wasn't very large, a small stone and iron spire perched atop a hill. Strazio frowned 'what a shitshow, forcing me to play watchdog' he lowered his hood and walked up to the iron door. Strazio knocked several times, sending an echo of metal throughout the building. Above him a voice, gentle and soft asked

"Who are you?" Strazio looked up and say a man in tactical combat armor. His hair was short and brown and his face was coated in stubble. Strazio kicked the door softly and spit at the ground

"I am Strazio Rockwell, Dobson sent me here. Are you Dmitri?"

"I am, how do I know you were sent from Dobson?"

Dobson gave Strazio no charter and since he didn't visit the armory he had no Darkshire isignia. Strazio scratched his head and shrugged "You don't, I guess you'll just have to trust me" The two stared at each other for a long time. Dmitri frowned and then shouted to someone behind him.

"Well I am a gambler, come on up we need more men."

The door unlocked and swung open, Strazio was greeted by a large bear of a man. The inside of the tower was much smaller than it appeared on the outside. It had a small cooking area and an even smaller sleeping area. The only way up was a worn wooden ladder, strapped to the stone walls with iron brackets.Without skipping a second Strazio climbed the ladder. Even with Strazio and Dmitri being the only people upstairs Strazio felt cramped and restrained. Dmitri greeted him with a soft smile and a warm handshake. Strazio looked around and noticed several very large ballista mounted onto the top of the tower, obviously this place was meant to do some damage.

"The view is pretty impressive yeah? It was much better in the early days, before everything went to hell." Dmitri smiled and motion out towards the moors.

"This place used to be something other than despair incarnate?"

"Yeah, used to be beautiful man, picturesque even. Much better than the hell hole I came from"

[Strazio Rockwell]

Dmitri sighed and looked out across the wasteland he reached into his pleather jacket and retrieved a pack of cigarettes and a silver zippo-style lighter. He flicked the lighter opened and snapped his finger against the starter. Strazio watched as Dmitri continued trying to light his cigarette in vain. The smoker cursed his lighter and looked over at Strazio expectantly.

"Do you mind?" Strazio laughed and held his finger up to the smoke stick. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, he forced himself to think of Damien. Sparks jumped across his hand and after a few misfires one arc finally connected with the cigarette's tip. Strazio took another deep breath and rubbed his hands together. Dmitri took a deep puff from his cigarette and let loose a cloud of smoke. Strazio shuddered and pulled his hood tight over his head. Dmitri raised his eyebrow and took another drag.

"Where did you go killer?"

Strazio sighed and quieted the white hot sparks crawling across his body "My magick is influenced and controlled by my emotions, if I'm not angry or at least upset I can't invoke anything"

Dmitri laughed and patted Strazio on the back "that can't be healthy for you"

"No healthier than a smoke stick Dmitri"

"Yeah I suppose that's true" the two of them shared a laugh and Dmitri reached for his rifle at his side. He laid the rifle on one of the ramparts and pressed his eye up to the scope. Something was out in the distance, a humanoid shape shambling across the Moors. Strazio watched as the sniper followed the figure through his scope. Dmitri exhaled and fired, several moments late the figure in the distance fell to the ground. He flicked his cigarette over the tower and looked up at Strazio.

"That's what we do here, pick off any stragglers and radio back to Darkshire if anything crops up that we can't handle. Pretty boring, but I'd rather relax than be out on the front lines wouldn't you?"

"I'd rather be in the thick of it Dmitri, I've been fighting my entire life it feels weird to just be hanging back playing guard duty:

"To each his own, I'm heading downstairs for some rest. Keep an eye on things up here, if you see anything kill it or call up Cork."

"Cork?"

"Yeah the big guy downstairs, he doesn't talk much. He's part-dog or something, not too sure on that one."

Strazio raised and eyebrow, but did not say anything as Dmitri climbed downstairs. He lowered his hood and stared off into the distance. I need a new notebook, something to keep my thoughts and ideas straight. When he was in the Nexus one of the other primes told him about summoning items, using a small bit of omnilium he could create anything he wanted. I just need a blank book, that shouldn't take too much omnilium should it? He closed his eyes and held out his hand and tried to visualize his object of desire. A small tome, big enough to fit in one's palm with a clasp across the front and a hole cut in the corner so he could attach it to the loop on his belt. A small ball of white light formed in his palm and began to take the shape of a small book. Strazio watched in amazement as his desire took shape and form, perfect to his specifications. After a few more minutes of effort the fruit of his labor dropped into his palm, a leather-bound book with fresh crisp pages. He leaned against one of the ramparts and began to write with the a leather-wrapped stick of charcoal he kept on his belt.

Strazio's Journal Entry #1

I've been thinking of Mara a lot lately, it has been several years since we parted ways and I still can't stop thinking of my failure to protect her. I've been told by other Primes that I'm capable of summoning others from my universe to act as partners, or secondaries as they call it. Even yet I've been hesitant to try it, I've already caused her enough trouble and ripping her from her world seems selfish and short-sighted. Besides I'm not even sure how she would react to seeing me again, we didn't exactly leave on the most amicable of terms. I wonder if I could summon Damien Alabaster? No, that's probably a bad idea if he arrives at similar strength to what he left with, well I don't think I could beat him. Even still... that's something to keep in mind.

I also have a theory about the Omniverse in general. The nexus must serve as some kind of hub, some kind of connection to every possible universe. The verses are permanently connected to the Nexus, or the connection must be very strong. My universe must only have a weak connection with the Omniverse, but it is connected somehow. I refuse to believe in one-way trips. At any rate I theorize that Omnilium is my ticket home, Omnilium is basically wish-fulfillment made manifest. With enough of it one can theoretically do anything, even strengthen the bonds between worlds. At least that's what I hope is the case, I'm not sure what to do.

Final thought. The people of Darkshire amaze me many would yield in the face of such overwhelming adversity and yet they stubbornly entrench themselves and fight. Even still I don't think they could have gotten far without their commander. Despite his appearance and his questionable decision to station me on guard duty he seems to be some sort of tactical savant. I get the feeling that with the right Primes and a bit of luck the people of Darkshire could concievably push back against the darkness and reclaim the moors. At the end of the day I'm just here to gain enough power to return home, but they seem to have endeared themselves to me. I'll help as much as I can, but if I have to choose between a way home and stopping Darkshire from burning... well I think the choice is obvious.

[Strazio Rockwell]

Lost in thought, Strazio did not notice Cork clamor up the ladder. Strazio closed his book as he noticed Cork looming over him, the big guy was pretty quiet considering his size. The man was large, one of the largest Strazio had ever seen. He wore loose fitting cloths, a white T-shirt and black sweat pants. A vacant look was etched onto his stone face and he stared off into the distance. The shadow casted by Cork swallowed Strazio and he chuckled a bit nervously before raising an eyebrow.

"Uh, you're Cork right?" Strazio found himself stumbling with his words, a very rare occurrence he was not intimidated often.

"Mrhm" Cork grunted in what Strazio thought was agreement.

Cork ambled over to the reinforced ballista and began loading a massive bolt. It was at this point that Strazio noticed an oddity with his robust friend. Two dog ears one pointy and one floppy in place of human ears twitched on Cork's head. Strazio tried to contain his snickering and asked

"You're part dog?"

"Mrhm" Cork seemed slightly annoyed at Strazio, but continued with the ballista. The tower began to shake slightly and a rumbling could be heard off in the distance. Strazio stood up and looked out across the moors, a large centipede-like beast was crawling towards the tower. Unsettled Strazio stumbled backwards and pointed at the creature, if there was one thing that frightened Strazio it was insects. His body trembled and he managed to choke out a terrified sentence.

"That's a bug... a huge fricken bug!"

"Mrhm" Cork did not show the same fear that Strazio did. He fired the large bolt into the creature, skewering one of the sections but ultimately the beast was not abated. Strazio tried to call upon his magick, but fear played havoc with his manifestations. Energy arced from his hand and diffused into the stone ramparts. Cork payed no mind to Strazio's bumbling and continued loading another bolt. The giant centipede skittered ever closer and continued charging through another ballista bolt. Strazio's arm sparked and started glowing white, he closed his eyes and tried to focus his magick. If he couldn't fight a damn bug, how could he possibly hope to kill Damien? Roiling white hot energy consumed his forearm and he focused on the burning pain as the magick started to consume his flesh.

Another bolt.

The sound of skittering crawled closer and closer and Strazio shut his eyes tighter.

Focus, I've only got one shot. I can't let a... a bug beat me dammit. Even if it is... massive.

The crawling was close now, only a few meters away. The tower shook and the ground rumbled. The monster must've woken Dmitri because he clamored up the ladder rifle ready. Dmitri yelled something that Strazio couldn't quite hear followed by several gunshots. Strazio opened his eyes as the centipede crested the tower. Shiny and crimson the creature was terrifying, two large pincers threatened to crush the tower. The prime yelped in fear as he stumbled backwards and released his magick. A bright white beam erupted from his fist and carved into the centipede beast, tearing through the thick chitin. Its armored shell cracked like glass, sending it crashing back to the ground. Smoke drifted from Strazio's arm and he held his arm tightly as blood dripped from it. Dmitri leaned over the tower's ramparts and looked down at the shattered beast. Viscous yellow-red fluid was splattered across the base of the tower and the surrounding area.

Dmitri reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a cigarette "Disgusting, looks like a damn Jackson Pollock painting. Are you okay Strazio?"

"I'm fine. I just, I don't like bugs"

"No, I mean your arm is bleeding."

Strazio looked down at his arm and rolled up the sleeve of his cloak. His skin was burnt and small drops of blood seeped through pinholes in his flesh. The wounds would heal soon enough, but the pain was still great. "Yeah, I'm alright. I think I overdid it a bit."

"Better to overkill than underkill I suppose" Dmitri tried lighting his smoke and yet again the light refused to ignite. Cork walked past Strazio and climbed down the ladder. Strazio walked next to Dmitri and raised his finger up to the cigarette, a small spark of energy ignited it. The centipede's corpse was crumbling and decaying at a rapid rate, even the yellow-red fluid was sizzling and evaporating away. A sigh of relief and a pat on the back, Strazio felt better as he watched sun set.

"A lot of action for my first day huh?"

"Honestly I think you're bad luck, its not often we get something that large out here, Cork should already be radioing back to Darkshire."

Strazio furrowed his brow "you mean he can actually speak people?"

Dmitri spoke through a coughing fit "yeah, he's just quiet. Listen, you must be tired. Get some sleep I'll keep watch"

[Strazio Rockwell]

Sleep came slowly for the Prime, his arm ached and he had to stretch it every few minutes so it wouldn't cramp up. He really overdid it or he was much weaker than he used to be, but more likely some combination of both. It wasn't so much the pain that kept him awake, but rather his overactive mind kept sleep at bay. The olive green cot was stiff and he shifted about often, trying to find a comfortable way to rest. Every little itch felt like a centipede or some other nasty creature crawling across his body. He clutched his cloak tightly and rolled over a couple of times, making a cocoon out of the blankets covering him. Eventually, after a few hours Strazio found himself asleep.

Strazio was wakened by Cork shaking him. Strazio looked up at the mountain of a man and groaned. Cork tore the blankets from Strazio and helped him to his feet. The mage rustled his own hair before pulling his hood over his head. "Hey, calm down buddy I'm up, I'm up. Jeeze, we got any food? I'm starving" Cork pointed upstairs and Strazio sighed. He noticed Dmitri was asleep on a cot nearby, Cork must have been the only one on watch for a while. Reluctantly Strazio climbed up the ladder and was greeted by suppressive drear of the moors. A small table and two chairs were set up and a small plate of food was set out for Strazio. Bread, water, and sludge that he assumed was porridge of some kind. The thought of using Omnilium to summon a feast crossed his mind, but he pushed it to the side he needed every scrap of power he could get. The meal left him unsatisfied and grumpy for the morning. He secretly hoped that a target would appear on the moors, he felt like taking some frustrations out.

Time passed slowly on watch duty, nothing to watch expect for the slow roll of the ever-present clouds. After a few hours Dmitri climbed up the ladder with a guitar strapped to his back. The mage glanced over his shoulder to acknowledge his commander and Dmitri simply waved at him as he tried lighting another smoke. This time his lighter flared to life and ignited the cigarette. Strazio stretched across the ramparts and raised his eyebrow as Dmitri sat down and began to play his guitar. Through a crowd of smoke Dmitri began to play a slow upbeat tune. Strazio had never heard anything quite like it, he furrowed his brow and lowered his hood at Dmitri continued to play. Strazio closed his eyes and listened to the light strumming of the guitar, it was some folksy song that made Strazio smile. Dmitri finished the song and Strazio turned and looked at him.

"Who died?" the Prime asked.

Dmitri laughed and asked "No one died, what are you talking about?"

"You played music, where I come from we only play music at funerals."

Dmitri shook his head and smiled through a cloud of smoke. "That's kind of depressing actually, where I come from music is more than just an expression of mourning, I play that song for my Mirna."

"Your Mirna?"

"My wife Mirna, she loved that song. I play it every so often in hopes that she'll somehow hear it, kind of silly I know" he took a pause to take a drag from his cigarette and looked longingly in the distance. Strazio thought of Mara and shook his head trying to erase the thought.

The prime looked at Dmitri and smiled "That's not silly, we have to keep hope somehow. I liked your music, can you keep playing for a while? It'll make the time pass quicker."

This was how most of their mornings went, Dmitri played his guitar and Strazio listened pensively. Cork hardly ever slept and would often pick up the slack when neither two could stay awake. Except for the occasional creature encounter things stayed quiet, boring Strazio to no end. Day in and day out Strazio found himself withering away due to inaction, asides from the occasional conversation with Dmitri there was little to stimulate the poor prime. Monotony was never more a fitting word than Strazio's two week stay at the watchtower. It was during the thirteenth day of his stay that Cork came upstairs early. He sniffed the air and looked out across the moors, Strazio looked at him and asked.

"Something wrong big guy?"

"Mrhm" Cork spoke the first actual words Strazio had heard "someone is here. I can smell them."

"Wow you can talk. What do you mean someone is here?"

Cork sniffed the air again and his ears twitched "Mrhm, I can't see them, but their scent. Their scent is thick in the air." The dog-man stomped around for a few minutes before finally shrugging and climbing back downstairs. Strazio sighed and continued his vigil I wonder if the stagnation is getting to him, we haven't seen anything for the past few days. Dmitri is nice company, but I think I'm going to head back to Darkshire in a day or two. Hopefully Dobson will give me something with some more action, this quiet life might be acceptable for Dmitri and Cork but I need action. He heard something move behind him and he turned around, coming face to face with a ghost of his past he gasped out loud. There she was Mara in the flesh, her shoulder length hair was fiery and red. Across her throat was a pale scar and her body was covered in heavy armor. She looked terrifyingly angry and raised her longsword.

"Mara... is it really you?"

She glared at Strazio and swung her sword downwards, forcing Strazio to jump back. Another swing pushed him against the ramparts and he cracked a smile. The third swing came inches from slicing his throat open and he growled at his assailant.

"I guess not, if you were the real Mara I would've been dead by now. Who are you?"

Mara took a step back and a shroud of darkness began to consume the tower. She smiled wickedly and her eyes began to glow red. The visage of Mara began to dissolve, replaced by an armored man wearing a gas mask. Three red eye holes burned lights in the darkness and Strazio's arm started to glow with bright white light.

The attacker's voice was low and rumbled with contempt "I am fear Strazio Rockwell, I am Nemesis."

Strazio released a bolt of energy at his opponent. Nemesis's figured dissolved and faded into the shadows, dodging the attack. Strazio began charging another attack as Cork came scrambling up the ladder. The howling darkness began to shift and form into images of skulls and screaming faces. The mage fired another bolt, trying in vain to but through the darkness. Dmitri climbed up the ladder as well, his rifle was ready and he looked panicked.

"The radio isn't working, what's going on?"

"I'm not sure, some kind of shapeshifter. He dissapeared, I think."

Cork shook his head and sniffed the air "No, he is still here. Mrhm I smell him." Without warning Nemesis materialized mere feet from Cork and swung his black blade diagonally, slicing a deep gash across Cork's chest. Dmitri yelled out as his friend fell backwards. Almost a second later the gash erupted with malicious energy, the slice tore itself open and sent blood spraying across Nemesis. Before Strazio could react Nemesis faded back into the shadows. Dmitri rushed over to Cork and tried to stop the massive amount of bleeding. Strazio watched in horror as the blood began to morph into skittering bugs. He yelped and pressed his back against the ramparts and tried to kick the blood bugs away.

"What the fuck is happening?! Where did all these bugs come from?" he shouted in fear.

"What bugs? What are you talking about? Come on Strazio help me out!" Dmitri was desperately trying to patch Cork back together, but the wound was deep and torn wide from the apparent magic of Nemesis's blade. Strazio shook his head and rubbed his eyes, the crawling bugs dissapeared. He tried to move forward, but Nemesis appeared in front of him. Beetles crawled out from under Nemesis's mask, causing Strazio to stumble to a halt.

"Are you scared Prime?" Nemesis laughed and swung his blade horizontally at Strazio. He ducked to avoid the slice and he thrusted his hands forward, pressing them against Nemesis's stomach. Two blasts of energy wracked Nemesis's body, sending him stumbling backwards. Strazio charged forth again, trying to tackle the opposing Prime to the ground. Nemesis side-stepped Strazio and sliced his arm in passing. Strazio yelled out in pain as the wound erupted with the familiar red burst and sent blood splattering across the ramparts. He clutched his wounded tricep tightly and gritted his teeth against the pain. Nemesis pointed his sword downwards and pointed to the glowing red line running along the blade's length.

"Darkfire, pretty nasty stuff. It reacts with blood to produce a volatile explosive, tearing apart your flesh like it was nothing" Nemesis chuckled and pointed at Strazio's wound "you might want to look at your arm."

Strazio glanced at his wound and to his utter horror all manner of cockroaches and beetles began to crawl out of the wound. He screamed in terror and tried to smash the skittering insects. This isn't real, this can't be real. He shut his eyes, hoping that when he opened them the crawlers would be gone. The bugs weren't the only things that disappeared, Nemesis was no where to be found. Dmitri can't protect himself while taking care of Cork, I need to get this guy away from the tower. This'll be a gamble, but we don't have much choice.

"Alright you bastard! Show yourself and I'll go easy on you!" he sounded much more confident than he actually was. Strazio backed himself against a rampart and kept his eyes peeled for any movement. He kept energy coursing through his legs, ready to dodge anything that Nemesis might throw at him. The hunter appeared in front of Strazio and swung horizontally, forcing Strazio to leap onto the rampart behind him. His foot slipped and he tumbled backwards. His hands reached out and he managed to grab the edge of the wall. He looked down and saw a teeming mass of maggots and bugs squiggling and squirming. Above him Nemesis stood, chuckling softly. Now is my chance! he pumped energy into his upper body and with a burst of force he lifted himself up high enough to reach for Nemesis's leg. Strazio let go of the edge and gripped the hunter's leg tightly, dragging Nemesis along with him.

They both fell and during their rapid descent Strazio charged an attack. He let go of Nemesis's leg and fired a shockwave blast into the ground, hoping the force would soften the impact. The attack did slow his descent, but the impact still hurt like hell. Strazio groaned and rolled over, forcing himself to his feet. He noticed that Nemesis was still reeling from the impact of the fall, he didn't have anything to slow his descent and ate the brunt of the impact. Strazio charged a breach attack and fired it at his opponent. The white hot bolt struck Nemesis dead center and his body exploded into a swarm of insects. Another fucking hallucination. He tried to collect himself but before he could Nemesis appeared in front of him, sword raised high and ready for a downward slash.

Focus, I can't dodge this in time. If I screw this up I'm dead.

Time seemed to freeze as Strazio moved to intercept the strike. He raised his left hand upwards, palm parallel to the blade. As the slash came down he fired a burst of energy to knock it off course and at the same time he stepped forward, placing his other hand on Nemesis's chest. A miscalculation caused the blade to carve into Strazio's left arm, cutting a line of fire and blood.

"Shatter!"

A white hot burst of energy ripped into Nemesis's chest, forcing him back. Moments later Strazio's fresh wound exploded and he screamed in agony. Once again Nemesis dissolved into the shadows and left Strazio alone.

"So Strazio, I see you've abandoned your allies once again. WIll Dmitri end up like Mara I wonder?" Nemesis cackled from every direction, his voice blending in this the shroud.

"I'll kill you"

"Just like you'll kill Damien? You couldn't protect Mara you couldn't protect your family and you certainly couldn't protect Valerie. Tell me how someone weak like you could hope to kill fear incarnate?"

"Shut up!" Strazio yelled and fired a breach bolt into the darkness, his anger was peaking. Nemesis laughed and continued speaking.

"You're like an open book Strazio, so predictable."

Damien Alabaster materialized in front of Strazio and began laughing at him. The apparition was met with a breach bolt, dispelling it into a puff of smoke. Another hallucination of Damien appeared, followed by another and another. Each one was greeted by a breach bolt and each one was another damn hallucination.

"Stop fucking with me!"

From the shadows stepped another Damien, but this one carried Nemesis's sword. Strazio began charging another bolt, this time allowing the energy to sit on his arm and grow. The facsimile of Damien dashed forwards, with his sword ready to strike.

"Are you afraid Strazio? Are you afraid of your death?!"

"I am Strazio Rockwell! The avatar of rage! and I am not afraid, just fucking pissed!"

The two charged at eachother and collided with destructive force. Nemesis slashed Strazio across his chest, not a particularly deep gash but brutal enough. Strazio followed through with his attack and released a fully charged breach bolt into Nemesis's chest. The beam sent Nemesis flying backwards and tumbling across the ground. Strazio laughed as he watched the body tumble away. He felt the blood drip from his chest and then was knocked on his ass by the resulting eruption. Oh god, this hurts. He rolled over onto his side and pressed his hands against the chest wound, trying to stifle the bleeding. The shroud had been lifted, but he saw Nemesis still squirming about. Come on, this isn't over. Move body, dammit move. He crawled to his feet and stumbled over to Nemesis who kneeling on his hands and knees with his head in the dirt over a pool of blood.

"Its... its over Nemesis"

The hunter tried to laugh but ended up devolving into a coughing fit "I just figured it out Strazio."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your greatest fear, I figured out what you are the most afraid of."

Strazio grabbed his shoulder and turned him onto his back. To his astonishment he was face-to-face with a cackling mad copy of himself.

"You're afraid of yourself Strazio"

Strazio yelled into anger and gripped his doppleganger's neck, squeezing as hard as he could. A blast of energy, a simple shatter attack punctuated the end of the battle, tearing a hole in Nemesis's throat. Strazio was left with pain, silence, and anger.

[Strazio Rockwell]

Strazio fell to his knees and slumped next to Nemesis's corpse, his body ached and blood dripped onto the ground. His breathing was labored and he felt weak, after a few seconds of panting he slowly lowered himself to the ground, laying on his back. The gash across his chest wasn't deep, but the darkfire had ripped it open wide. He looked over at the tower and smiled weakly, Dmitri was running over to him with a first aid bag. The sniper leaned down next to him and began to tend to the Prime's wounds.

"I've already radioed back to Darkshire, they're sending a few more recruits."

"What about Cork?" Strazio asked weakly. Dmitri shook his head and Strazio cursed openly. Dammit, if only I was stronger I could have protected him! Strazio clenched his teeth and slammed his fist against the ground. Eventually Dmitri managed to stifle the bleeding, but not before Strazio's cloak and undershirt was ruined. The sniper helped him to his feet and acted as his crutch, leading him back to the tower. Dmitri led Strazio to his cot and helped him lay down. Strazio tried to move, but Dmitri lightly held him down.

"Rest now Strazio, you did the heavy lifting. I'll take care of the rest."

Strazio frowned, but even though he didn't want to admit it he was in no position to disagree. Sleep came quick to the injured prime and he managed to sleep the entire day away, waking up the next afternoon. His body was bruised and stiff and sore, but he was alive. Upstairs he heard a familiar song being played on Dmitri's guitar. Sore, but not immobile Strazio managed to suffer to his feet, fresh guaze was wrapped across his cheat and around his arm. He was so exhausted that Dmitri was able to clean his wounds and refresh the gauze without waking him. Grunting and groaning Strazio managed to climb up the ladder and meet Dmitri. He smiled and listened in silence as Dmitri finished his song. Cork's corpse was gone and the blood was cleaned, Dmitri certainly busted his ass getting things back in order.

"Sorry I wasn't strong enough" the prime apologized after Dmitri finished his song.

"What?"

"I'm weak, I couldn't protect Cork. Hell I barely even beat Nemesis, every fight I've had so far I've won by a very thin margin."

"There was nothing you could do Strazio, Cork knew the risks. Don't beat yourself up over it."

Strazio hung his head low and clenched his fists. "I could have been stronger Dmitri, I could have saved him."

"Listen, Strazio" Dmitri paused to light a smoke and take a drag "you can't protect everyone, and one day you will get beaten. Especially in a place like the Omniverse . You're only weak if you refuse to improve."

Strazio bit the insides of his cheeks and managed to meet Dmitri's soft smile with a smile of his own. The old sniper coughed before taking a deep and long puff.

He continued "Now you've been here for two weeks and I've enjoyed your company. But Dobson is sending several new recruits to take Cork's place and I know you've been getting stir crazy. We're going to have five counting you, that seems a bit cramped you're free to leave and adventure elsewhere."

"Yeah, I know..." Strazio ambled over to the ladder and looked down "I'm going to get stronger Dmitri, next time you see me I'll be tearing the gates off Dracula's castle. Mark my words"

Dmitri chuckled softly and continued playing his guitar as the Prime descended into the heart of the tower. He gathered up his few belongings and held his hand outwards. His cloak and shirt were ruined in the battle so he took a few minutes to construct identical copies from omnilium. And so after two weeks of serving at Dmitri's watchtower the prime left for Darkshire. I need to leave the moors, at least for now. I'm not strong enough to storm any castles and playing watchdog for another two weeks would kill me from boredom. I'll return to Dobson and then I'll leave the moors in search for more power.