Desire
The land is torn around you, surging with energy. Visions of empire fill a
corner, armies smashing against one another, screams and cries filling the air
along with the sound of steel and thunderous blasts. Mounds of gold catch your
eye, a serpentine figure settled into it, the light shining off of the metal
from the forge of its nostrils. Two figures walk, arm in arm, along a quiet
path, a sense of building emotions shimmering about them, a hawk and dove
circling overhead. A storm of emotion, of vital desires, thunders everywhere.
Local Conditions-
The terrain is of a jungle at night, dank and dark. The jungle sounds are muted,
but echo strangely. You stand in a clearing, beside a stagnant pool under a
large tree.
Contents:
Dorlyn
Mikloshe
Draconian_Jerifal
Romneous
Moonclaw
Tyl
Gothic
Obvious exits:
Path  

Gothic looks lost as he stumbles from the ether.
Mikloshe wraps his dark wings tightly about his shoulders.
Darkstalker walks into the jungle clearing, and stands beside the pool.
Draconian_Jerifal flaps his wings, and there is an odd glint in his eyes. He
considers a passing mound of gold, and looks away.
Darkstalker gazes into the pool, his reflection showing that of a panther.
Darkstalker turns to the others, and says, "Here. Now I will bring him to me."
Darkstalker plunges his spears into the ground, and kneels.  Mikloshe nods
quietly pinching his chin slowly.
Darkstalker draws the bone knife from its sheath, and slowly and deliberately
makes a gash on his arm.
Mikloshe's sapphire eyes spark with azure lights as he watches. 
Draconian_Jerifal passes a taloned hand in front of his eyes, and then stares
clearly at Darkstalker, watching him.
Darkstalker says, in general, "Do not interfere, whatever shall be, shall be."
He dips the tip of the knife in the blood which oozes forth from the wound, and
inscribes a series of runes in the ground before him.
Romneous watches impassively.
Darkstalker chants quietly, marking the earth, and then raises his voice, "Get
of Darkness, once mate to Luna,I call you. Hear the voice of your child." 
Darkstalker continues in a sing-song chant, "Tenebrae Sire, Father to all, and
betrayer of the same, I call you."
Draconian_Jerifal's head moves slightly, he peers at Darkstalker with a bit of
understanding in his eyes.
The runes on Darkstalker's body begin to glow softly as he continues. "By my
right as Tenebrae, by my right as Sha'Cri, by my right as betrayed, I summon
you."
Darkstalker says "I name you Teneb, Dark One, and I issue the call to challenge.
Show yourself, if you fear me not."
The hate, rage, and pain in Darkstalker's voice is felt, though muted, as if
tightly reined. He continues, "Redeem your cowardice, traitor." 
As Darkstalker speaks, the shadow about the edges of the jungle clearing
thicken.
Gothic stand silently, and watches Darkstalker with some emotion in his eyes...
What you cannot tell.
Darkstalker is silent a moment, then speaks, soft. "Show yourself, Teneb."
Mikloshe quirks a brow, his face cast in shadows by the flickering of his fiery
blue eyes.
A black shadow grows on the horizon. A whisper of a breeze blows softly
throughout the jungle clearing, accompanied by a sibilant, low hissing sound.
The shadow swells, begins to take on form. A low rumbling sound emanates from
the sky, mixed in with a faint chorus of low cat-like growls and chanting human
voices. The shadow descends. The dark form turns to regard the gathering, a
winking of emerald eyes, and a swishing of an insubstantail tail, a graceful and
deliberate movement of the body revealing its feline nature. The dark cat form
draws near.
Teneb has arrived.
Draconian_Jerifal watches, his reptilian eyes narrowing slightly. 
Teneb regards Darkstalker unblinking for a moment, then slides his dark gaze to
the others gathered. He focuses on Darkstalker again, and speaks, the words
echoing as if from a distance. "Greetings to you, my Son."
Electric blue lines momentarily trace a twisting pattern before Mikloshe's face
before fading back into invisibility.
Darkstalker tenses, his eyes on Teneb. "And to you, my Father." 
Teneb flicks his tail, eyes blink once. "Heard your call did I, and came did I,
curious. Stay I may should your words convince me."
Darkstalker's eyes blaze. "I have no words for you, but a gift." He rises,
slowly, spears in hand.
Draconian_Jerifal watches, waiting...
Gothic tenses a little.
Teneb stands quietly, but dips his head slightly, urging Darkstalker to
continue.
Darkstalker walks slowly towards Teneb's form, his eyes never leaving Teneb's.
"Yes, a gift. One which you gave to me, and I feel the need to share." 
Darkstalker advances closer, speaking very softly, difficult to hear. "I make a
gift to you of the pain I felt, every death, of every Tenebrae, slain by the
Serpens."
Draconian_Jerifal stands in a battle ready stance, wings moving slightly, but
does not look like he's prepared to intervene.
Darkstalker leaps toward Teneb suddenly, snarling, "Take it back!" he lets fly
one spear, thrown as a javelin at Teneb, and follows that up with the second,
and leaps after them both.
Teneb blinks, twice, and the spears are simply gone. He exhales softly in
Darkstalker's direction.
Darkstalker is thrown back as if by a violent wind, and tumbles to the ground.
Gothic watches, it is plain that he wishes there were something he could do.
Teneb says, his voice mild as a feather's caress, "Think you I know not this
pain? Perhaps better than you, my Son."
Darkstalker answers Teneb with a snarl, rising to his feet, flesh flowing.
Darkstalker's features narrow, becoming more feline in aspect, and his body
shifts, the bones moving toward the surface. His height nearly doubles and his
body fills out.
DarkStalker's mouth curls in a snarl, and his body goes rigid, facing Teneb.
DarkStalker hisses, the hiss mixing with a crackle of electrical discharge as a
bolt of lightning flashes from DarkStalker's teeth, reaching out to Teneb.
Draconian_Jerifal watches, very very ready... if anything goes wrong. 
Teneb's eyes flash brightly as the bolt of lightning strikes them. After a pause
of perhaps one second, the bolt flashes out of his eyes, and strikes
Darkstalker.
DarkStalker staggers back as he is hit, and falls.
Mikloshe observes calmly, occasional ripples of energy drifting about him. 
Teneb simply stands still, quietly watching Darkstalker. "Was there a
challenge?"
DarkStalker pulls himself to his feet, and glares back at Teneb, eyes flashing.
DarkStalker slashes at his forearm, drawing blood, and brings the arm to his
mouth, licking the blood, as he stares at Teneb, his eyes flashing greenly. 
DarkStalker moves toward Teneb quickly, breaking into a run. 
DarkStalker suddenly grimaces, and spits out the blood, which has turned black,
at Teneb.
DarkStalker's features blur together, his skin darkens. Blood, bone and sinew
blend together, shift, and meld. He seems to gather into himself, and emerges a
dark-furred cat.
Teneb stays still, not reacting to Darkstalker's rush at all. 
Dark_Panther leaps toward Teneb, then falters in mid-leap, and drops to the
ground, suddenly weakened, at Teneb's feet.
Teneb idly lifts a paw as if inspecting it, and then reaches it toward
Darkstalker's form, the claws on his paw growing to double their length. 
Dark_Panther lets out a choked cough, and lifts up a paw towards Teneb. A soft
breeze begins to whisper throughout the area.
Draconian_Jerifal watches, he looks for a moment like he is about to speak, but
holds his tongue.
Gothic watches the conflict intently.
Teneb's claws flash toward Darkstalker.
Dark_Panther hisses unintelligibly, and an invisible wind rages toward Teneb.
Dark_Panther howls as he is thrown backward a distance from Teneb, and thrown to
the ground violently.
Dark_Panther's bones and musculature shift within his body, and his furry coat
withdraws somewhat, his body growing slightly stockier. He stands upright. 
Mikloshe idly clenches a fist, popping every knuckle in the process. 
Teneb lowers his paw, watching Darkstalker silently.
DarkStalker leaps again toward Teneb, and moves in closer, slashing with his
claws and ripping with his jaws furiously.
Teneb's head turns to meet Darkstalker's attack, and his jaws open wide. He
grabs Darkstalker up with his teeth, and shakes him violently, throwing him to
the ground again, hard.
DarkStalker gamely leaps up again, breathing raggedly, and slashes at Teneb
again.
The fight continues at a fast and furious pace, Darkstalker continually leaping
to the attack, pushing forward, only to be thrown back again and again by Teneb,
who has not moved from his spot once. Darkstalker attacks with everything he
has, his magic and fighting form, and is repulsed violently each time.
Finally, Darkstalker lies at Teneb's feet, battered and bloody, unable to rise.
Teneb looks down on him, His expression, if one could call it that, unreadable.
Draconian_Jerifal's right foot moves, as if he would step forwards. But he
doesn't...
Teneb takes a step forward, standing over Darkstalker. His form becomes more
defined as he moves. He speaks to Darkstalker quietly. "You understand so
little, my Son."
DarkStalker gasps, taking heaving, ragged breaths, and can do nothing but clench
a fist. His form shifts, and he cries out in pain, as if being forced into the
action.
DarkStalker's features seem to blend together into a more coherent whole, and he
stands straighter, though the gesture seems to give him pause, his muscles and
skin flowing over his body, smoothing some of the wounds out. His hair recedes
from his body but for his head, his claws retract, his fingers grow longer, and
his legs straighten and elongate. He gasps with the effort, obiviously causing
him pain.
Teneb lets forth a rasping cough, the echoes heard far in the distance. The
echoes continue, constant, but begin to take on a new tone. After a time, it is
apparent that the echoes are not echoes, but answering coughs much like Teneb's
own.
The calls grow closer, then stop.
Mikloshe nods very slightly, his eyes locked on Teneb and Darkstalker. 
A shadowy form emerges from the mists suddenly, moving soundlessly toward Teneb
and Darkstalker. The features of the form can be made out as it approaches: a
dark-furred panther.
Several other forms emerge then, approaching Teneb, who has somehow moved
slightly away from Darkstalker's battered body. Panthers all, are the forms.
They gather near Teneb, as more panther-forms emerge from the mists; perhaps
fifty altogether.
A dozen or so of the forms take up position between the assembled onlookers and
Darkstalker. The remaining panthers prowl about the area lightly, silent but
ever-moving.
Eight panthers flow toward Darkstalker from several directions. 
Faint whisps of smoke waft up from the draconian's nostrils. 
Darkstalker pulls himself up painfully, gazing about him in wonder. He whispers,
"The Tenebrae.... live again."
The eight panthers surrounding Darkstalker begin to shift in a disorderly
manner, their bodies reforming, changing into human form. One of them, a dark-
haired slim female, kneels beside Darkstalker.
"No," she says in a silky voice, "No, Sha'Cri, live we do not."  
Another Tenebrae, a white-haired young-looking male, steps forward, and says,
"Only do we survive within you, Sha'Cri."
Teneb moves forward again, and the eight draw back a few steps, respectfully.
Darkstalker looks up at Teneb and says, bitterly, "Then I..." he gasps with the
effort of speaking, "am truly... the last of.. the Tenebrae." 
The tones of Teneb's voice seem to be formed from a source that smiles, slight.
"No, again."
Darkstalker looks at Teneb, questioningly, then turns slowly and painfully to
look around at the assembled Tenebrae. His gaze moves quietly to each one in
turn, considering them.
Darkstalker turns back to Teneb. "I know all Tenebrae. All are here." 
Teneb produces the essence of a quiet smile, and he says gently, "I know all
Tenebrae who have ever Been and will Be. You only know those who have Been, my
Son."
Darkstalker can but gaze at Teneb, and says, voice hoarse, "There will be more?
The Tenebrae will live after me?"
Teneb dips his head in assent, eyes glittering.
Darkstalker grits his teeth. "But never will they inherit the lands in Crinos.
That is gone forever, from them, and myself, and my Bre'hun." 
Mikloshe arches a slow brow as he watches and listens.
Teneb does not answer Darkstalker, but instead raises his gaze to flow from each
of the assembled onlookers. He speaks, to Mikloshe, Jerifal, Romneous, Dorlyn,
Gothic, Tyl, and Moonclaw. "You are here, why?"
Teneb seems to accept Romneous' unspoken answer.
Draconian_Jerifal walks over to Mikloshe, keeping his eyes on the events. 
Tyl points to Darkstalker. "He is my friend."
Draconian_Jerifal says "I volunteered... To join the hunt."
Moonclaw seems to have calmed, his anger not so prominent. "He is my Bre'hun." 
Mikloshe says "I seek this land you speak of, curiosity."
Teneb speaks to Jerifal, "Why?"
Gothic says softly, "I too decided to come for such reasons." 
Draconian_Jerifal says "To prove something."
Teneb dips his head to Mikloshe. "Acceptable, is curiosity." 
Dorlyn doesn't look at anyone as she speaks, "I'm looking for my own daemons, I
think."
Mikloshe says "Knowledge is a purpose unto itself."
Teneb says to Jerifal, "Proven, have you?"
Draconian_Jerifal says "I think I have. And that is all that matters." 
Teneb seems to be satisfied in Jerifal's answer.
Teneb focuses on Mikloshe, considering.
Teneb speaks to Mikloshe. "Entice you perhaps I can, with knowledge." 
Mikloshe watches Teneb quizzically.
Darkstalker follows the conversations, though his eyes mostly follow the
prowling panthers.
Teneb says, to Mikloshe, "Seek a way opened, do I. A way between worlds. See my
Son and his Brother returned to Crinos, would I."
Teneb says "Know of such a way, do you, and have it in your power to do so."
Mikloshe nods slowly, "It would be an engaging experiment... but I might need
assistance in navigating the way."
Teneb says softly, "Assist you, who would? And reward would they seek?" 
Mikloshe rubs his chin in thought.
Mikloshe glances back at the others.
Draconian_Jerifal snorts faintly, smoke rising from his nostrils. 
Draconian_Jerifal says "That might be interesting. But it would be highly
dangerous."
Darkstalker mutters to himself.
Teneb says "Danger does present itself."
Teneb says "Followed my Son here, have you, despite the danger."
Draconian_Jerifal says "What reward would be offered for such a task?" 
Teneb considers Jerifal, eyes glittering. "Seek what reward do you?" 
Mikloshe shifts his gaze between Jerifal and Teneb.
Teneb says "Power do I have, here and within Crinos, and... other places. But
weak am I elsewhere."
Draconian_Jerifal says softly, whisps of smoke wafting from his mouth, "Perhaps.
Knowledge may suffice."
Teneb says "Knowledge have I. The tools of drawing forth that knowledge reside
in Crinos."
Draconian_Jerifal says "I will aid, if I and my kin can walk in Crinos without
fear, and explore what it has to offer."
Teneb seems to smile,and continues, "None walk in Crinos without fear of danger,
not even my Children. Name your kin, and they will be as if born there, knowing
within themselves what it is to live as one with Luna." 
Teneb says "This, promise do I, will be a great advantage in Knowing Crinos." 
Draconian_Jerifal nods, "This suffices. Shall I name my kin all, now? I have
many."
Mikloshe quirks a brow again, glancing at Teneb.
Teneb says "Name them."
Draconian_Jerifal scratches his chin with a talon, "Too many. I'll only name
those who will possibly go... They are:"
Teneb warns, "Close kin. Your own tribe, only."
Teneb's eyes flick to Mikloshe. "Counted among their number, are you." 
Draconian_Jerifal says "Kendall, and Incinfural, my brothers. Kendric my brother
in law. Tyre, Ysengard, Pala, Dagon, Tybalt.. nephews.. They are all I
anticipate going, at least possibly."
Mikloshe nods slightly, slowly running a long-fingered hand through his silvery
hair.
Teneb dips his head to Jerifal. His eyes close for a moment, then reopen. "It is
done."
Teneb turns to Mikloshe. "Your own tribe, you wish the same for?" 
Mikloshe thinks a moment, then nods, "I do."
Teneb says "Name those of your tribe."
Mikloshe says "My father, Jenner. My brothers, Caran and Molneerin. My niece,
Rinaen, my cousins Eltanan and Lorelei. And my... lady, Dorlyn." 
Mikloshe says "And, I suppose, Galenne... for she is of my blood, though no
longer of relation."
Teneb dips his head again, and again, his eyes close for a moment. "It is done."
Draconian_Jerifal looks to Mikloshe, "This is going to be difficult and
dangerous.. But we'll learn a thing or to."
Teneb seems satisfied, and turns away. He pauses, and seems to laugh softly as
he adds, "A thing you must know. Within Crinos, your tribe," he looks at
Jerifal, "and your tribe," he looks at Mikloshe, "are the same."
Draconian_Jerifal coughs.
Draconian_Jerifal blows a bit of thick black smoke through his nostrils, and
nods.
Mikloshe grins, recognition now obvious as he looks at Jerifal. "Ain't this a
kick in the pants."
Draconian_Jerifal says "In your laws."
Draconian_Jerifal glances at Mikloshe, he snorts again, a sort of, "Huh." with a
spark to it.
Teneb speaks softly, "In Luna's eyes."
Teneb turns away, and approaches Darkstalker.
Darkstalker looks at Teneb, comprehending everything that was said, though too
weak to react to it.
Mikloshe says "I'm glad we'll get to work together in this, Jerifal." 
Draconian_Jerifal says "The experience will be worthwhile." 
Mikloshe nod agreement at Jerifal's words. "I hope we can both learn alot from
this."
Teneb says, to Darkstalker, a strange edge in His voice, "You offered me a gift,
my Son."
Teneb stands over Darkstalker, growing larger. His claws extend and he reaches
out, grasping at Darkstalker's body.
Darkstalker screams in agony as Teneb's claws enclose him, and dig into his
flesh.
Draconian_Jerifal takes a step forwards, as this occurs, his hand goes to his
sword hilt.
Teneb's claws rip into Darkstalker, and emerge from his body, pulling out a
black swirling twisting mass. Teneb dips his head down to his claws, and devours
the black substance.
Darkstalker slumps to the ground, apparently lifeless.
Mikloshe shifts his gaze to Teneb and Darkstalker.
Draconian_Jerifal stops, wondering what to make of it, and looking a slightly
greenish silvery colour.
Teneb turns again to regard Jerifal, and the others. He says, softly, "Interfere
not. Offered to me, was this gift."
The fifty or so Tenebrae quickly turn their attention from Teneb and Darkstalker
to Jerifal as he makes the gesture, and they shift their stances, edging
forward.
Dorlyn puts one hand over her mouth, paling.
Draconian_Jerifal slowly moves his hand away from his sword hilt, but does not
look at ease.
Teneb's tail twitches slightly, and the Tenebrae, as one, freeze, then quietly
back away.
Teneb looks down upon Darkstalker's form, and whispers, "No longer will my Son
be troubled with his burden."
Mikloshe watches with a calm that does not seem entirely genuine.
Teneb turns to Moonclaw, and indicates Darkstalker with a lazy motion. "take
your brother away, and see to him. He lives, but barely."
Teneb's tail dips downward, and the Tenebrae begin to move away, toward the
edges of the clearing. Those not in panther form shift to that form quietly, and
join the others.
Teneb says "Leave this place now, do I."
Draconian_Jerifal looks around the land of desire, it is obvious he doesn't
desire to be here for much longer.
Mikloshe stands stoically.
Teneb turns away, presenting his back to the others, and drifts away, walking
slowly but gaining incredible distance with each step. The Tenebrae melt into
the shadows and are gone as Teneb's form disappears.
Moonclaw walks to Darkstalker and lifts him up, carrying him out.