Act I-The Beginning And First Offense

It was a rather busy afternoon at "The Wailing Woman" inn. Being the most
prominent lounge and a provider of many resources within the walls of
Magangora, one would rarely find the place empty. But on that particular day,
business was flourishing.

"Oi bartender! C'mere and gimme another glass of yer fine fire-whisky" bellowed
a middle aged man sitting close to the bar. He had a foul smell about him and
his dirty black hair clang to his sweaty face, mostly covering the man's
features.

The bartender eyed him for a moment, his nose wrinkling in obvious distaste at
the sight of the piled glasses and spilt whisky on the counter in front of the
drunkard.

"No partner, I think you've had enough for today"

"Oy don't yer tell me when'tis' enough, shut yer hole and fetch me another
glass!"

A chilling draft made its way into the inn, followed by the squeaking swing of
the front doors as a figure dressed in a heavy, hooded robe entered the common
room. The figure's features were entirely concealed due to the dim lighting and
heavy clothing.

The figure made its way to the counter and beckoned at the bartender, only a
single dark finger extending from within the robes' wide sleeve. A silky
masculine voice whispered "I would like something to eat. Anything would do as
long as it is of reasonable quality and a glass of fine wine. Deliver these to
the table sitting at the furthest corner" and with that he gestured towards the
table with his hand.

"very well, very well. But I would have to see your gold first partner. Nothing
personal, just trying to make a living"

The figure smirked quietly and to the bartender's delight, produced a small
leather sack containing a generous amount of coins.

"You shall have our very best sir!" exclaimed the bartender and with that, he
scurried off to the kitchens to take care of the order.

"Where did yer get so much gold laddy?, yer mum's whoring no doubt, eh?"

The figure turned sharply towards the drunkard. "What?!" he hissed, his voice
both quiet and deadly, like poison.

"Nuthin' Laddy" the drunkard smirked and turned his gaze to face the figure
when his voice got caught in his throat. Clear blue eyes, no visible pupil in
sight, gazed at him from within the hood, drilling into his head. "ayugh, nut'a
thing" the man finished.

The figure waited a moment longer before walking away towards his chosen table.

"Oi, Dlen" the drunkard nudged at another man who sat to his right. "Did yer
get the looks on that fella?" he smirked quietly.

"Ralph you bloody idiot, you're gonna get yourself in trouble!" muttered the
man beside him. He seemed younger than his drunken mate, and even though he too
was drinking, he did so in small and measured sips. His features were sharp and
his eyes still focused.

"Lighten up, damn yer hide! Me's gonna have some fun with the lad" Ralph said,
a stupid grin beginning to form on his sweaty face. Dlen was used to his
friend's behavior by now but he was worried still, something wasn't right about
that damned robed person.

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Act II-The Judge

Reyn seated himself at the corner table and leaned back in his seat. He was
weary and no matter where he looked, some measure of peace was beyond his
reach. Why was his pact with the Supreme Lord severed? Was it the Lord's will?
He hoped he hadn't displeased Lord Luciphage to such a degree that He would
sever the pact on His own volition. Or perhaps it had something to do with
those dreams, those flashes that bothered him day and night of a city where
memories dwell still, even though their home is long ruined.

He deliberately came to the inn dressed as a wanderer. He wished for some peace
and indeed, the disguise offered him a good deal of anonymity. Lately, his name
became well known- with one of the Empire's noble houses recognizing him as
their kin and his admittance into the inner circles of the Dark Clergy, he had
a lot more to accomplish and he had trouble focusing. He just wished to get
away from it all for a short while.

He was mildly vexed and dreamily envisioned how that lowly man would squeal if
he was pinned to a cross. However, he decided against it for he believed the
other matters to be of greater importance. It did not bode well with his
original plan to try and rest and so, he dismissed the drunkard's comment from
his mind and allowed himself some rest as he waited for his order.

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Act III-Second Offense

The bartender got back from the cellar, holding a rather expansive looking
bottle of wine. He moved to set a clean wine glass upon a small tray and titled
the bottle to pour some of its contents into the glass, filling it to the brim.
He did so in an over-extravagant gesture which woke a few giggles and mock
clapping. The bartender was too abashed to notice the drunkard's hungry gaze,
or the stupid grin that was smeared across his filthy face.

The bartender picked up the tray and began to make his way towards the figure's
table when Ralph, with surprising speed, snatched the glass. To the bartender's
dismay, the drunkard gobbled down the glass' content, down to the last drop.
Ralph then turned to face the hooded figure, raised the empty glass in mock
blessing in its direction before he burped and patted his stomach in barbaric
pats, like an animal swatting at flies.

The hooded figure rose slowly and made its way across the room and departed,
disregarding the inn keeper's requests that he stay and have a room for the
night or some other benefit "free of charge". After a few seconds, after
repeatedly snatching a glimpse at the doors to make sure the hooded man wasn't
going to return, Dlen remarked "You're insane, you could have gotten yourself
killed!

"Augh shut yer pipe" roared the man as he began to chuckle, almost choking
Dlen with his breath.

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Act IV-The Scales Are Set

Enough is enough, Reyn though as he made his way outside. It was one thing to
disregard the words of that scum, but to allow that rank-less dog of a man to
humiliate him publicly?!.

The sun was descending and the sky was a picturesque mix of red and yellow
hues. Reyn stared out into the horizon and whispered sharply "perfect, a
bleeding sun for a bloody trial".

He removed the robes and threw them aside, revealing his dark Nihilistic
garments. He then lowered his head and began to chant softly, the words coming
out beautiful and horrifying in a guttural low whisper. His body began to shake
and he grunted in pain as he harvested the gifts of Nil. Black scales erupted
upon his skin, embracing him with a glistening coat of armor, his tail
thickened and lengthened, its tip now sporting a deadly sting, gleaming with
deadly secretions. From his shoulder blades, sprouted two gigantic black wings,
they slowly extended and unfolded to their full girth, the sun painting them
with crimson tear-like streaks.

Reyn's chanting grew louder as he gestured to his right and a black cloud began
to form, black tendrils of some dark substance writhing and expanding rapidly.
Slowly the pace of growth slowed to a halt and the cloud began to recede,
slowly unveiling a dark minion of Nil. The abomination stood well over six feet
tall, its face, an assembly of sharp features, fangs and burning crimson eyes.
The Archdemon hissed and knelt, it's eyes closed and head lowered in surrender
and submission. "Rise, thrall, we have a trial to execute".

The Archdemon chuckled quietly and turned towards the inn, extending a single
crooked finger in a beckoning gesture.

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Act V-Let The Trial Commence!

"Ralph, I have a bad feeling about that person"

"Hmm? Ack yer still groaning about that cross dresser? He's just an outsider.."

"I don't know Ralph, I think I saw the emblem of the legion…"

"Yer must be joking!, he's but a wee kiddy.." suddenly the drunkard fell from
his stool and bellowed a disgruntled sound as his form was yanked across the
floor in an alarming speed, crashing into people and furniture alike. His yelp
soon became a scream when he crashed headlong into the wall, breaking through
it with a loud splintering sound as the wood gave in and cracked. The
drunkard's body was flung across the street like a puppet on a string until he
came to a halt, his whole body bruised and bleeding from many cuts and
splinters, his head was bursting with pain. He slowly opened his eyes and a
yelp of surprise escaped his mouth as he came to regard the two figures
in-front of him.

"So, what was that enlightening observation regarding my mothers' practices
again?" The Aslaran asked in a cynical, harsh tone.

"M, my lord I never meant ter.."

"silence!" the ordered with a whisper. "To your feet, dog!" Ralph began to sob
hysterically as he felt his limbs being manipulated like a puppet. His eyes
fell on the Archdemon and to his horror he realized that the Abomination was
moving its finger as if they were attached to invisible cords, the very cords
that are now pulling at his limbs!

"Lord! I beg yeu, I never knew!" The man cried out "please don't hurt me"

"Silence!" the Nihilist hissed as he pulled the man forcefully by the collar.
He reared back his tail like a scorpion, the stinger pointing directly at the
drunkard's face.

"No! no sir I plead!"

"Why?!, why should I spare a scum like yourself?. How dare you even speak in
the presence of a Priest of Nil?!"

"I never knew! I never would have talked if knew yer got ter believe me!" the
man begun to cry like a child, his whole body shaking violently and the stench
of urine filled the air.

Reyn leveled his gaze with the drunkard's eyes. The man kept shaking as he
stared into the Aslaran's blue eyes, they were cold…so cold…His heart was
beating fast, he was certain that it would break open his ribcage soon enough.
"I beg of yea, I never knew…"

"Fine, you pathetic excuse of a man, go!" Reyn shoved the man violently away
from him and he toppled to the floor.

"Oi sir I thank yea kindly, thank yea for sparing a poor man's life" the man
groveled at his feet. The Aslaran wrinkled his nose in distaste and spat "you
revolt me, go, now!"

Ralph got up, his legs barely holding his wounded frame and turned towards the
inn and away from the Nihilist. He silently thanked all Gods, men and beast for
still drawing breath.

Reyn nodded at the Archdemon and it opened its mouth in a grin full of sharp
fangs and malice. The Archdemon pointed a clawed finger at Ralph's direction
and heavy metal shackles appeared out of thin air, binding the man's limbs and
causing him to fall from their enormous weight.

"No.. sir please! Yer promised!"

Reyn disregarded the man entirely and clasped his Archdemon's shoulder. With a
violent shove, the Abomination leaped at the helpless man, extending claws that
were now extended with sharp metallic contraptions of pain. It roared fiercely
before plunging its claws into the man's flesh, rending and cutting in slow and
deliberate digging movements. The man's horrifying screams echoed throughout the
Empire long after the sun finally set. And so, Night fell.