Using the firs Rune of Torment

*this is an account of the actions as seen by a 3rd party witnessing it and is not written in the view from Drecq's personal view.*

Standing there he was already worn down from his training session he had put himself through but he wasn't done yet he needed to keep pushing himself harder and harder, faster and faster, to become as strong as he could as fast as he could. He could feel the eyes of his enemies upon him from multiple directions. He slowed his breathing and held his sword in front of him closing his eye he could tell there were at least 5 of these monsters left. The darkness hadn't dulled his senses luckily. If anything the time in the darkness had increased the ability of his senses a bit.

He relaxed his muscles and slowly breathed out as he thought for a moment, lost in his thoughts for just a split second he heard a faint whisper within his mind, "use it...do not be afraid of the power that belongs to you...release your rage..." the voice was low and dark...if sound had color.

The monsters he was facing had started to move slightly towards him and he decided it was time to see if he could use this new power after all. He had been training and while he might be able to use the first of his powers that were as far as he was willing to go. Even then there was a small nagging voice in his mind that said he didn't want to go down that path but he had no choice now.

He drew his sword in front of him taking his stance and then slowly recited the incantation under his breath as the monsters started to move towards him again. As he chanted a rune took shape under him in a red glow that lit the dimly lit cave up slightly. The monsters stopped in their tracks the light being something they were not used to. He could feel power swelling around him and his eye it's normal green soon changed to an intense crimson red with a faint yet powerful glow residing in it.

Reaching the end of his incantation he recited the final part of the phrase, "Bloodlust, consume me, Torment of the Temple." as he stated this the run that shown upon the ground like a ring of red flared up with flames of energy that lept upon him causing his armor to take a crimson flame glow before the flame disappeared and his armor had a red tint upon it. He let out a thunderous cry like a monster preparing for war. The other monsters stood still, not moving an inch as they watched him.

From under his faceplate and vizor, all that could be seen was blackness except for his eye which held an enchanted crimson flame that burned bright through his visor. He growled like a savage as blood began to pour from the spaces between his armor and drenched his armor and clothes. Within a moment he charged headlong straight at two of the monsters slamming one with his gauntlet it was staggered. The second he brought his sword straight up and removed enough of it that it simply slumped down and fell to the ground.

The second monster was then beheaded quickly as he cried out in both Bloodlust and pain. The third monster charged him but he quickly stepped to the side bring his sword in a low sweep he removed both legs of the monster and catching its head in his hand he squeezed crushing its skull in his hand and slung it to the side. He simply smiled breathing heavily as he moved quickly to the remaining two monsters.

"Come on...if you can't put up a fight you will die by my hand!" he yelled as he approached the other two monsters. The first one caught him off guard and brought its claws across his backplate and finding one of the spots where the armor didn't reach it tore into his clothes. But he didn't slow down or even notice it as he ran his sword through the monster and pushed it back against the wall of the cave only to then remove his blade then remove its head.

The last monster charged at him, he spun and screamed right at the monster which at the last minute decided better of it and started to turn to run. However, Drecq was not going to allow that...he reached out grabbing his hunting dart and slinging it he slammed the beast in the leg then releasing another 3 darts he pinned its limbs to a cave rock.

"I don't think so...you will die." Drecq walks over to the monster dragging his sword behind him as his body is reaching its limit from the rune of Torment and blood loss. He reaches up and grabs the monster's throat and with his power, he looks down at the monster and smiles like a madman at it as he simple clutches his fingers and snaps the monsters' neck in an instant.

Soon as he was done the red glow upon his armor faded and his eye went back to normal. He staggered over to a small freshwater source in the cave and slumps next to it as his eyes begin to close. "Damn...I need to get stronger...I gotta push myself harder..." he fades out falling asleep.

Time in the Darkness

It has been many turns since I decided to descend into the darkness of this cave that the locals call the "blow hole" which I find to be a very interesting name for such a cave next to the waters located to the deep south of the Tall Grasslands where Fartown use to be and now lays in ruins.

I came here upon hearing that there were water spirits of sorts here that were numerous and could be used to train and raise one's level when they are at my stage. I find the fact that killing so many of them just to improve the smallest amount to be quiet time consuming and annoying but it is one thing that I will simply have to deal with sadly.

I have already leveled once from this cave and though it will be more time down in the darkness I know it will or should help me level again.

I have started to take time to deal with the increasing amount of power that I can feel coursing through me as I progress to my goal. I have started to perform several rites and rituals to maintain control and increase the power of my Demonic Power Bracelet not so much to give me a boost but to maintain the energy within me. I have caught several times already my eye taking the crimson color for no reason.

I will continue to do as I must and maintain the control that I need to ensure that nothing will happen.

Within the Darken Cell

I made my way into the Dark Forest and once there I made the short track North of Dundee to the Dark One's Cell. Where once the face of darkness once resided prior to him leaving the cell and bringing the demons to their knees under his power. He then used those demon armies to march upon the people of Kilica, Valorn, and the rest of the nations.

That has been some time ago but even then I feel drawn to this place for it is where the Demon Generals swore their allegiance to the Dark One. The walls of the cell are covered in ancient writings too old for most people including myself to translate or to understand. Even the runes I do know probably do not mean the same thing that they did back in the days of the Darkness.

It goes without saying that there are many that would not like someone to come here as much as I do. But in the end, I have to find a calm spot where few would travel to hone my skills in the arts of using Berserker runic magic. Though to be honest it is not magic as the Enchanters or Clerics use...it is more based on perspective and understanding of the meaning of these runes and how they affect the body and mind.

I sat upon the floor of the cell and using the art I knew to draw the rune's I needed I made a small casting circle upon it I laid my armor and clothes and my weapon. I said the incantations and watched as the circle grew red as crimson and the rune's left the circle and affixed themselves upon my armor. Once there I looked them over and saw the 4th Rune had affixed itself upon my weapon.

I pray that no one asks about these and if they do...should I tell them the truth...the dangerous games we play to become Berserkers can leave us...less than human.

The Lone Warrior Training

I can not deny the fact I have lost many months of training due to the long sleep. It will be hard for me to get back into the rhythm of things again. I awoke in N'Rolav again...I seem to always find myself there training and always falling asleep there. Now as the Lone Warrior I have to spend my time training even harder than before. Though honestly, the training I need to go through will not be easy or fun for me. Furthermore...I have to come to terms that many of the ones I once held in high regard probably do not have the same feelings I do for them. I am truly alone in my thoughts and besides myself in my feelings.

But alas a Warrior is never one to turn down a challenge no matter what, I must prove myself to be as strong as anyone.

Today training begins and when it does, I can not allow myself to fall behind again.

Journal Entry: From the Darkness

Written in the Journal of the Warrior

The long sleep, a darkened void that consumes the many regardless if they are strong or weak. It comes like a Rouge in the night and enchants your soul faster than any spell that can be cast by any Enchanter. Once you are ensnared by it you will not find it easy to break free from its grasp. The dark shroud of the Goddess of the Long Sleep is a maiden of great bewitching beauty and who's voice can soothe the soul of the mightest of warriors.

I have felt her gaze upon me more times than I care to mention, she has laid waste to my strength and my resolve more times than I can count. In all my battles fought I never feared to be defeated...but to her, I feel that defeat would be absolute, though it seems when I believe that my resolve is finally broken by her grasp...I somehow return to the place where I laid down my head. Why does she play this cruel game with me...is it not enough to watch so many of my ilk fall to her but to torture me this way is a fate far worse than the Long Sleep.