The goddess stood at the edge of the chamber and watched the pendulum as it inched its way closer to her token with every swing. Her time was coming. She did her best to hide her anticipation from the others. They did not notice. They never did. Their focus remained fixed on the pool in the center of the pit, their window into the world that had cast them out. Now the Twelve perched around the circular depression that dominated their eternal prison and waited for the Balance to reach their pi...

There was no warning when it happened. Few had survived the attack; those that did were used for kindling to set the building on fire. Their screams had alerted a wandering patrol nearby, but it was too late. By the time the alarm had been raised and help finally arrived on the scene, there was nothing that could be done for the burning men but end their suffering with a quick and merciful thrust of a blade. This was not the work of common thieves or street thugs botching an attempted robber...

It was still dark in her room when Maereth Raevern woke up. Her body was tingling as her eyes suddenly flew open. The room was silent beneath the soft, rhythmic panting of her breath. Nothing stirred, even in the cold air. She swallowed hard, forcing her respiration to slow to a more comfortable pace, which allowed her to think without panic. Something had startled her completely from her deepest sleep, though she was not frightened. Fear was not unknown to Paladins, who are considered among...

Sugo gazed outside the window watching the rain from her seat. She had not seen any of her friends this day, nor anyone else from the Fellowship. It seemed as if the rain had driven them all away, but she knew the weather had little to do with their constant comings and goings. Everyone had their own affairs to attend to recently, and it rarely included her. The waitress appeared and reached down for the empty bowl in front of Sugo, asking "Would you care for another helping, dear?" The crook...

IN MOURNING Wake up in mourning everyday Just like a thousand times before Seasons pass and turn to gray My world is lost, once more The future is uncertain Until I find myself here Pulling back the curtain We sense the end draws near Childhood slips away from us all Our innocence claimed by Death We've come so far only to fall Gasping for every breath The power of Good and Purity fails Beneath an iron gauntlet, crushed For all our lives we hope to prevail Who knew it would mean so much? Our ...