Bloodbath [Open]

[Augustus Nacht]

"Are you kidding me?"

"Nope. You saw for yourself back then, now didn't you?"

The Druid had been talking with the bandit for awhile now. Old friends that hadn't spoken since a few years ago, back when Hargus still reigned. One the effeminate featured Augustus Nacht and the other, the masculine Georg. Unlike Nacht who had been busy evading pursuit, Georg had been left free to focus on building up his own bandit gang, even managing a nice fortress hidden in a deep set of woods. Still, the more physically inclined of the duo tapped his fingers on the edge of the table that the two sat at.

"The power to raise the dead... I thought that had long died out. And if you get enough of those souls, you can revive the big man himself?"

"That's right. You scratch my back on this Georg and Hargus is sure to repay the favor once he's back again. We came close that first time. And all those "heroes" are either old and tired or flatout disappeared. We've got the edge. The whole aspect of surprise is completely our's." Nacht put emphasis on a certain word, spitting it out with venom.

Georg began to tap his fingers quicker, a hand reaching up as he rested his chin on the balled up fingers. "This is a hell of a thing, Augustus. I'm not prepared to put a target on my head."

"But think of all the rewards. Think of everything that you've wanted. It can all be your's." The Druid grinned, in that self assured way of his. "Georg, we've got the chance to take the reigns again. To remind people why they fear us. All you have to do is work with me and you can have whatever you want. All I need are those souls."

Georg looked Nacht dead in the eyes. They stared at each other for a moment, as if waiting for one or the other to budge. Red eyes looking into blue, the will of the evil Druid clashing with the will of the bandit leader. And finally, Georg's fingers stopped tapping and he removed his chin from his fist as he sat up straight.

"Alright, Augustus. You've got a deal. There's a village near the edge of the forest. Fairly sizable, but we can wipe it out no problem. We can hit them tonight. My boys and girls get whatever they want and you get what you want." Georg grunted, crossing his arms as he finished talking. "You better be right about this, Augustus. I didn't survive this long just to get cut down now."

---

The village of Derren was a peaceful place, free of bandit attacks and even the presence of the Ilians. It was nice, simple, utterly average. People came out during the mornings, worked through out the day, and then went home at night, eating a nice dinner with the family before turning in to bed. It was this night that things would change in that village, however. It was this night that the village would be marked in a very extreme change.

The Bandits formed by Georg and influenced by Nacht began to circle the village from within the woods, plans prepared for how to hit it fast and hard with plenty of time for looting. They numbered high, higher than that of the people in the village. It would be a complete slaughter.

And Nacht grinned before issuing the signal to attack.

Bandits charged in, burning down the thatch roofed homes with lit torches before starting to drag people into the streets, killing and maiming. The siege of the formerly quaint and peaceful village was underway and the Bandits certainly looked to claim that easy victory that was claimed before.

The Druid strolled along, whistling a tune as more souls flowed into him. Oh what sweetness the slaughter is! And no one around that could stop them!

Hahahaha!

[Burt]

"What in the world is going on", spoke Burt as he rushed outside his room. With his war axe in his hand he looked around to see fire and smoke.

Burt was just returning from his younger brothers funeral and was on his way back to Lycia. He had stopped in the village to enjoy a war bed and rural Bernesse hospitality. However his pleasure trip seemed to take a turn from the worse as he awoke from his bed by the sound of a scream. The fighter placed back on his armor and threw his cloak over it. He then grabbed his axe and rushed outside. There his eyes were meet with chaos and fire as Bandits moved all around him looting and plundering as they pleased.

"Where are the guards", spoke Burt, but the fighter was not even sure if their was even a guard. This was a small rural town. They probably did not even have a need for a guard.

"There one", shouted a voice as a bandit zeroed in on Burt. The fighter raised his axe and prepared to defend himself.

[The Madness]

Oleg flickered his ears as he looked towards the town he had just passed. It seemed like that bandits had attacked it... And attacks mean business. Business means income. He grinned, drawing his sword as he ran towards the small town. If he helps the townspeople win, they might give him some gold for the trouble.

Oleg reached the insides of the town, having luckily not seen many of the bandits on the way, he noticed someone familiar in the distance... Butorega? Oleg frowned, running towards him as he yelled. "Buto, what are YOU doing here?!"

[Augustus Nacht]

"There's one!"

Three bandits began to approach Burt, one a woman wielding a sword and the other two burly men wielding axes. "Hahaha! Look! He thinks he's gonna defend himself with! Just give it up and die quickly!" One of the men charged, the other starting to move around to take advantage of the other's distraction. The woman started to go at him as well before turning toward the sound of a voice, a swordsman running up that seemed to know the orange haired man. She turned to him, barring her blade.

"Wait a moment."

The green haired Druid appeared now on the scene. He was covered in some blood already himself, but didn't look any worse for the ware.

"Ah, yes. You're the one from that mountain city. What do they call you now? The "Chaotic Influence"? Very nice." He began to grin while looking at Oleg. "You know, I believe I heard you're a mercenary, right? No job too dirty? Well, I've got a great proposition for you."

[The Madness]

Oleg slowly furrowed his brow at the green haired druid, trying to remember where he had seen him before. He then suddenly spoke. "... Sure. We can discuss payment afterwards... Including mayhaps... You not spreading that name around." He nodded, turning towards one of the escaping and wounded militiamen as he stabbed his sword trough his back. Now to hope Butorega would be smart enough to join him in the job. It would not be nice to kill him. Or be killed by him.

[Burt]

Burt and the charging bandits axes collided in the air as Burt fought against the brigands. The second bandit moved around to get a better shot at the Historian. He swung his axe and hit Burt's shoulder. The shoulder pad on Burts armor absorbed most of the blow, but left some of the shock still got through through the steel. However the Brigand was expecting a kill shot. Such resistance to his blow caught him off guard and made him pause for a moment. This was the window Burt was hoping for.

In a flash Burt countered attack with a axe swing of his own. The man had expected him to aim for his upper body, but Burt slashed him across the thigh instead. The blow caused the brigand to fall over holding his leg as Burt began to deal with his partner.

The other Brigand swung at Burt and sliced off the man's grey cloak to reveal a set of black riding armor.

"Is that armor", spoke the bandit. At that moment Burt saw an opening. The fighter lowered his body and took a shot. with one swift move he dunked the bandit onto the ground taking the advantage in the fight. As the two men struggled Burt pulled out a knife from his back pocket and stabbed the man in the face.

Not over yet, thought Burt as he looked up. He expected the swords-woman to already be upon him, but it seemed that she was busy dealing with another guy. Yes, Burt had heard the man call his brother name as he approached, but more pressing matters caused him to ignore it. "You know Buto", spoke Burt before a green haired man appeared and began to speak with the man. It was then the man suddenly went traitor and stabbed one of the milita.

"What kind of people did my brother hang out with", shouted Burt in both frustration and surprise.

[Augustus Nacht]

Nacht whistled, muttering something a moment later beneath his breath. Unseen to the eyes, the souls of the two victims filled him, along with a number of others from around the village. "Not bad, you've got some skill at arms, don't you? Well, what do you say to joining me as well, hm?" Nacht queried with a chuckle. "Free reign to claim whatever you desire for loot. Doesn't sound so bad, does it?"

He paused a moment, his mind drifting back to the name "Buto" and the brother factoid. "Buto... Butorega, is that it? Yes, a shame he died before I could bring him into the fold as well. He had promise." Nacht sighed dramatically. "Look, I'll make you a simple offer. Join me or die. Because really, that's all there is to choose. You may think you can overcome my swordwielding lady friend here, but you won't overcome me. Much less all of the other warriors here that are under my guidance."

The Druid reached back, withdrawing the scythe that he usually had hung there, holding it in one hand. His other hand began to glow with a pale violet aura, shadows around him starting to dance to an unheard rhythm. "You've met your match here, my soon to be deceased friend." A brief look of amusement then passed over Nacht's face. "Or you could turn right around and run, I suppose. Give my people a chase before they cut you down?"

A couple more bandits began to join the growing group, another burly axe wielder and a gruff looking spearman. "Go on Oleg, feel free to reign some chaos on everyone else. I've got this handled, yes? And don't forget to kill everyone except our's, hm?"

[Burt]

Burt looked at Natch and looked at the men around him. He could try to fight, but that would soon end in his quick death. The only real advantage he had was the fact that his armor was hidden under that cloak. With that now removed it would be easy for a bandit to place his axe. The second option was to run. However running was not his best skill, plus he was wearing a set of heavy riding armor. The armor was useful in a fight, but useless in fleeing. The last option was to join them. Burt hated the idea. The very idea of joining up with these men burned deep into Burt's soul. He did not know what kind of man his brother was, but he was not that man. Teaming up with low lives like this was not a option for him. However survival was more important than his pride. With Butorega dead he was the only person Yashi had. He could not die in a place like this.

"Very well", spoke Burt as he grabbed his grey cloak off the ground. "I will join up with you", spoke Burt as he looked Natch in the eyes. In the back of his mind Burt began to think about ways to escape. He needed to let people know what happen here and to inform them of who was in charge. Burt could not help but remember a man back in Bern's early history. The man was separated from his unite and forced to join the enemy. For ten years he worked under them doing their bidding and aiding their cause. For ten years he waited until he gained their trust. Then he struck betraying his enemy and causing their forces to crumble. Burt was going to have to wait. Maybe not as long, but he was still going to have to wait. His time would come.

[The Madness]

Oleg nodded towards Nacht as he begun to slice his sword around, cutting trough escaping militiamen and civilians. As he swung his sword, his mind wandered elsewhere. He did not really want this. The killing part, that is. Money was needed. Eh, maybe he could try to hoax some extra and wash the blood away with that, and then walk away before he gets too into it...

[Augustus Nacht]

The slaughter would continue after the acceptance. People died in droves as the village was stained a permanent crimson. Looting and pillaging set in by all of the bandits and soon enough, torches were lit to expand fires all over, causing a great expansion of flame to light up the night and smoke to cloud out the stars. In due time, all the bandits headed back into the woods, back to their base of operations. However, a few remained behind just yet.

Nacht tossed down a tattered flag near the village, one that resembled the banners used by the Bernese Rebels. He looked on at the flames with a self satisfied smirk, looking back to the two that had joined him in the village, as well as the other bandits that followed after him since that point. All were covered in blood and carrying plenty of gold and other valuables.

"Well, this was fun, wasn't it? And they'll be chasing after those Rebels, of course."

He looked to those bandits of Georg's. "Head on back. Oleg, you head back with them. Introduce yourself to their boss. I'll be along momentarily." The trio began to depart, not really caring about the mercenary that suddenly threw himself in with them during the chaos. It was primarily just Nacht and Burt now.

"Well, how'd you like it?" He chuckled, those bloody red eyes of the Druid's looking into Burt's own for a moment before looking towards the burning village and back again. "Feel free to leave. No one'll believe you, but hey. Consider this a free pass. Maybe you'll find something nice to do with that loot, eh?"

Nacht began to walk off into the woods, the shadows of the darkened woods consuming the form of the blackhearted Druid. "Enjoy life more, big boy. It's worth it." He looked over some of the pricier pieces that he himself had taken. They were worth a decent bit, but it wasn't really the money that Nacht was after, after all. He was after the souls. And he'd just made quite a bit in that department.

[Thread End]