"Young one." The dragon said, turning his neck and lowering it down to the Human's level. "You have solved your own quandry in your own words, yet you do not realize it." Valorkoth turned his neck up to the sky and exhaled a short burst of fire. "We dragons are beings of fire; creatures of will and emotion. And so it would be that our kind would be the first to draw upon the Aether. The Aether that you draw upon is a manifestation of your intent to affect the universe around you. This much you seem to have learned. But your intent is composed of two parts. The will, the act you wish to perform, and the Emotion, the personal feeling behind the act. You are turbulent, so much like this war, and so your intent is muddled, and so too will be your spell."
The dragon looked down at the dirt and planted a claw on a rent in the earth formed by the previous battle. Light flowed from his hand into the tear, and soon it closed, seeming to be renewed.
"A healer draws upon the Aether to mend. This act is composed of the will to heal injuries. But it is also formed of the Emotion of the act. Compassion is the fuel for healing. A true healer mends wounds with compassion in their heart, a kindness of being that seeks to make others suffer less."
He then clenched his claw on a bone lying on the ground next to that patch of dirt. His eyes narrowed into slits and his teeth ground, and the bone set itself alight in holy fire, turning to ash in moments.
"A warrior draws upon the Aether to harm. They have the will to deal damage and strike down foes. Their emotion is anger, justice, vengeance, any of the above. A seasoned warrior, however, recognizes that choice of emotion is key. An Aether warrior who draws too heavily upon Vengeance as fuel will find themselves lashing out at anything that gives them cause, distancing themselves from their allies and ultimately drowning them in darkness. Vengeance and anger are powerful emotions, and should be used cautiously, lest they overwhelm their wielder. Justice is a positive emotion, but easily linked to the darker spectrum. Vengeance hidden behind the guise of Justice is vengeance nonetheless. Justice is blind, and makes decisions regardless of personal opinion, acting only as is just and right. The balance between these emotions and desires must be maintained in an Aether warrior. Seek to right your emotion to your will, and your intent will be clear, and your control more precise."
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The night air grew slightly more cold as the sound of hoofbeats approached. Crows that had previously been silent screeched in the night and alighted from their perches in the trees. A figure in blackened armor, a headless rider, approached the settlement, his skull resting in the crook of one arm as he rode. Black eyes stared ahead as the Dullahan's chilly visage remained unmoving, the head silently watching his path. The dullahan's left arm holds the reins, the Night-black shield adorning the forearm flashing a worn white cross to the night air. His knight's tabard bore the same insignia, both the cloth on his chest and the cape flowing behind him made of tattered, black cloth. The Horse made no sound, though at such a gallop it should have been panting and slathering were it any living steed. A soft blue glow emanated from its frame, though its coat was black as the armor of its rider. Where its hooves beat the dirt, the plants wither and die, leaving a trail of dying grass behind it.
The dark rider pulls to a stop in front of Sir Walter and Seth's campfire. Out of earshot of the rest of the camp, the rider lets go of his head and it floats into the air beside the armor, speaking to the pair. A menacing right gauntlet, black as coal extends out, holding a letter for the Tamer. Sir Walter takes it and peruses its contents before rolling it up and nodding. Tossing the letter into the fire he signals the Dullahan to follow. Dismounting, the rider leaves his spectral steed where it stands, having no need to hitch his mount, and follows Sir Walter. The horse shimmered and then dispersed into mist, fading into the night until its master's next call.
"Alright men!" Sir Walter's booming voice echoed through the campground, turning all eyes to him. "Prepare to move out! I want The Gorger, Sun Wu, Father Rau and Axel here on the double!"
When those ordered had gathered, Sir Walter addressed them as a group.
"Alright. You four are needed for a special assignment. Our plan of attack is a twofold diversion. The bulk of the Crusade will attack the Black City directly. Most of our group will scale the walls and attack from behind. And then you four will accompany this Dullahan through the Sewers on a hunt for General Darkraven. His name is Vildayvin Devaron, and you will obey his orders as if they were my own. He knows the Black city well enough to lead you to your target. General Darkraven will be leading his men from the Belltower of the Church of blood in the center of the city. Vildayvin will lead you through the Sewers to the Central square, where you'll have to fight your way to the Church to take down the General. Axel is coming because he knows the Undead strategy, and once Vildayvin has gotten you to the surface he can make sure you survive to the church. Axel is acting as second-in-command to this mission, and he deserves equal respect. Your lives depend on these two men. And the Entire Crusade depends on your actions as a whole. Move out as soon as you're ready. The army is moving now."
With that out of the way, Walter strode away from the group to organize the rest of his forces as they gathered up for the march.
"Right...So, we'd better move, we can introduce ourselves while we go. After you, sir." Axel said, looking at Vildayvin.
