A Moments Release

[Malakim]

((I suppose I can have some fun for the holidays, Mal deserves a little fun))

Malakim walked through the streets of Orgrimmar, at least his body did. The demon had taken control and it was obvious he wasn't letting go anytime soon, at least that seemed like that plan.

It was into the Winter Veil celebration and he hated it, all the decorations and people pretending to be nice to each other, as if they really cared. He couldn't fault the goblins for trying to cash in peoples stupidity, it seemed to work well for them.

If Malakim hadn't needed to restock on arrows and food he probably wouldn't have come back to this place until after the holidays were over all that cheer wasn't good for him. He walked through the Drag and into the Valley of Honor, that's when heard it...

There across the way was the orphanage, His orphanage, and from their little spot nestled away from most of the town he could hear them, the kids, His kids. They were singing little songs and giving each other gifts, and he couldn't look away. The troll's body began to ache it hurt as if...

Malakim dropped to his knees clutching to his chest, he let out a sharp growl. Rising to his feet he looked out over the Valley towards the orphanage and smiled, "I'm home"

[Malakim]

"I'm home."

It was like a dream, he had never thought he would have a chance to reclaim his body. Here he stood able to move his own body again, to see out from his own eyes to the world around without having to be in the shadows of his own mind to do so. It felt great, there was so much he should do though. He had to make sure Vilmah was alright, That Kiwi was fine, he had to apologize to Khiskiva, if she would even want to hear of it. He had to spend time with the kids... The kids.

That's what set him free, at least for the moment. It was their cheer that brought him this freedom, he was able to breathe in free air once more because of them. He began his walk over to the orphanage, as soon as the children saw him they screamed and jumped on the troll.

"We thought... We thought you were dead, that some monster had killed you."

Even the matrons looked relieved to see the silly hunter, "Don't do that to these kids again you fool, you had them close to tears after those weeks."

Malakim sighed looking at the kids, "I am sorry to worry you all, there is a darkness looming and I have been trying to fight it as best I could for so long now. I hope I can stop it from coming back, but if not I am still glad to be with you all today, for the holidays."

The children started to scream, "What did you bring us what did you bring us or Winter Veil?"

Malakim's eyes grew wide, he knew the demon didn't do much holiday shopping. That's when he reached into his pack and pulled out a bunch of random junk...

"Well you see kids, I thought... I thought I would make you all something so you can see some of the fun things you all can work on when you get older."

Ya that's a great excuse

The troll pulled out a bunch of tools and started to work, and in moments there was a little squirrel bouncing around making little whirring noises and the kids all screamed, "I want one I want one!"

Malakim knew it was going to be a long day, but he was glad he could spend it with people who needed him... The real him.

[Malakim]

He had spent most of the day with the children making them toys and sharing tales of his past adventures... Well the parts that weren't all evil and deceitful. That was not what he wanted them to learn, he didn't know how long he would have to hold off the demon, that's when he decided he had to hear from her to talk to her.

It was amazing that he was even able to get a hold of Khiskiva let alone not have her just scream at him for all he had done to her. He talked to her let her know what had been going on, what he had become, and revealing more of her past to her. At least some of her past with him, she didn't seem to shocked about it all which surprised him. He didn't tell her that they had been an item yet, but then again it was just for a few hours.

He almost expected her to laugh in his face, even as he talked to her it was an almost impossible story to listen to, it sounded stupid to him and he knew for a fact it had all happened. Through all the talk she actually offered to help him, to help him regain who he was, it didn't make any sense to him. Not too long ago he held her prisoner in a cage, and yelled at her degrading her, and here she was offering him her help.

She had surprised him from the first moment he had met this trolless. She seemed so week being carried off by her brother, when he decided to save her from his ravage, and here she was offering to save him from his own "Brother" his life had truly been turned all around. That's when he had to renew his promise to her, telling her that as long as he still drew breath in this world he would keep her safe from harm, even if that harm was from himself.

[Malakim]

The troll stood there amazed at the offer from Khiskiva, still thinking in the back of his mind that he had tried to take everything he could from her. He felt the enjoyment the demon had taken in mocking everything she was, and she was still willing to help him be free of this all.

He was in a sea of orphans and his mind drifted to all he had to do, the people he had to check in on because he had no idea when the demon would be able to wrest control back from him. He looked at one of his little orphans, a little tauren by the name of Urok, the hunter handed him a letter and asked him if he knew where the guild hall for Sanctuary was.

"Oh, ya I know where it is Kalgor got adopted not long ago."

Malakim smiled, "Well that is good news indeed... I need to to take this letter to their warboss or at least to their banker, though do be kind to him."

Malakim waved the little tauren off, "Now don't lose it, that's pretty important stuff." Malakim sighed as he remembered what he wrote in the letter.

Vilmah, I am sorry for any problems Kiwi has caused if he has even made it to you, but I had to let you know. There are things out there looking for you, strong powerful things. I am not sure what they want with you, but I had the pleasure to meet an entertaining firelord who wanted to know where you were badly. He is no more, but I am afraid I had to give up a lot to hold him off...

The darkness I once tried to silence when you first met me has arose again, he has already caused a lot of problems for some people I know and I wouldn't put it past him to come after you as well. As of this writing I have managed to regain some control, though I do not know how long it will last. So next time you see me I may be something else. Something that would stand against you, and cause those ideals you stand for harm. This darkness is very strong and cunning do not take anything I do from now on lightly or at face value, it may be a trick to get you to do something... bad. I know I said I would be there for you when you need me, but I don't know if that will be able to come to pass now, I do trust though that if I get out of control that you will stop us, and make my end quick.

Malakim

Oh yes, and happy Winter Veil

[Sulajin]

The blast of fire hit Malakim in the back only moments before the mage landed on his shoulders. Without waiting for a response from the hunter Sulajin had his claw wrapped over Malakim's head, grinding it into the dirt.

Children were screaming and running for cover. A few dragging another by the arms. The poor creature twitched a few times otherwise laying still. The Matron had shown quick resolve and was hearding the stragglers to safety. He didn't care.

Sulajin grinned down into Malakim's ear. It was a face that promised that life was about to get very interesting, but if you were lucky it would not stay interesting for long.

"Ello, mon. Rememba me?"

[Malakim]

His back was burning from the flames that still kept their dying embers on his back let alone from a very pissed off mage. He recognized the voice he knew why he was so angry with him, but he was not going to let him have his way here. Not in this orphanage or with these kids.

The hunter slammed his head back against the cocky mage's jaw not caring if it broke his jaw or his own head, he had to get his assailant off of him. He twisted and turned, wracking his body into all kinds of unnatural positions, until he got his body where he needed it. He brought his legs up behind the mage, around the back of Sulajin's head and around his neck. In a quick motion slamming his legs back into a neutral position to pry the mage off of him.

Getting to his knees and rubbing his back Malakim yelled at the other troll, "The hell do you think you are doing, here of all places, while my back is turned, and in front of children do you have no honor?"

[Sulajin]

Sulajin snarled rubbed his neck and laughed. For a brief instance the laughter echoed around everywhere, thrumming out of the very air as the mage vanished with a crack. He crouched on the roof of the orphanage, leering like some perverse gargoyle.

"Honor? Choo attacked my wife, hid behind Ogres an' tried ta kill de pair of us. Honor is a luxury mon. I don' have any need fo' it.

An' I attack ya here because here I have de advantage. Choo have ta worry about the whelps. I do not be concerned wit' such t'ings."

[Malakim]

"I did nothing to you or to... her. It was I that set her free from that cage that my.... brother put her in." Malakim sighed as he looked at the children frightened and worried, his heart sank at this.

"But, though it was he that wronged you, I am still in control of this form." The hunter looked up at the mage,

"And... I must make amends to not only her, but to you." He lowered his head and closed his eyes, "I await your punishment, have at this form as you desire I will not stop you."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin quirked his head at the figure below him for a moment. Someone was going to sit there and let him get his justice as he saw fit?

He dropped down to the ground in front of Malakim, pulling out a long knife.

"Fine. Open up choo mout'. Gonna make sho choo neva come nea my wife again."

[Malakim]

Malakim stood up as tall as he could, he tilted his head back and opened his mouth, silently thinking to himself that he deserved this...

I hope you enjoyed your time brother

His body began to shake, and a new pain began to shoot through his body forcing him down to his knees. "No, not now... Kill me fast" He yelled at the mage, but it was too late.

He arose from his knees with a purpose, his eyes glowing a deep red. Grabbing onto the blade of Sulajin's knife he snapped it at the hilt dripping his own blood to the ground. With his left hand he wrapped his fingers around the mage's throat, and with a free hand he commanded the shadows... Made them bend to his will.

The darkness surrounded Sulajin, wrapping around his body with a purpose, removing his reagents his rocks and runes and pulling them away from him and spreading away from them in all directions. Malakim threw the mage down on the ground and laughed.

"Now, lets have our fight, let us see if you can truly avenge your foolish wife, come face the darkness if you aren't too afraid now that you aren't pouncing from the shadows."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin laughed harshly, blue flames dancing off of his body and pushed the darkness back.

"Choo want me ta kill ya, mon? Fine. But not hea. We go out ta Duratar befo' de guards intafere."

[Malakim]

A small smirk formed on the trolls lips, "So eager to fight in front of children, yet a few guards scare you? So be it" He made a small gesturing hand, "Lead the way firefly."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin scoffs.

"It be an issue of time, choo want me ta kill ya right hea an' now dat's fine. But choo want ta test ya strength against me, den ya gonna have ta make sho dat dere don' be any intaference."

Without a further word he turned and walked out towards the bridge to the Barrens.

[Malakim]

Malakim followed the mage walking out of the city and towards the bridge. When the mage stopped Malakim knew they were where he wanted, it was most likely some form of trap or at least terrain advantageous to him, but it didn't matter he succumbed to a few ogres not too long ago this would be easy.

"So are you finally ready then, or are you afraid that the pigs might interfere now?" His mocking tone continued, "Oh, and nice legs are they new."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin grinned back. Such petty banter, so amusing.

"Of course mon, but he don' be new. He be old."

A section of boulders in the side of the mountain shifted. The Grom'ja swung a massive fist downwards to crush the hunter.

[Malakim]

Just as he had thought, this mage was nothing without his little tricks. How he had ever thought he had the power to remove his "Brother" from him was beyond his reasoning.

Malakim jumped over the giant rock monster's hand as it impaled the ground. Landing high on the Grom'ja's arm he ran up and sat down on it's shoulder. "So firefly, you like to play with pets do you? Then I have a new friend for you to meet."

The hunter made a strange gesture with his hand before saying, "Labyrinth your master calls of you, rise from the shadows and play with our friend."

The shadows around the mage began to move and clump together, taking on the form of a giant cat. It's eyes glowing red like it's master's, it let out a growl before disappearing and reappearing in front of the mage ready to take a bite out of his new legs.

At the same time the hunter had plans for the rock monster, he pounded it on the head to grab it's attention. Watching the giant hand come back to where he now sat the hunter waited for the precise moment to jump off the rock to watch the rock smash his own face, knocking it to the ground.

[Sulajin]

((Damnit, no one makes a fool of my abomnible sin against the elements...))

As the creature fell it lashed out with a leg. A short impact followed and the fel cat went flying against a nearby cliff.

Sulajin grinned to himself watching the hunter fall to the ground, which was now rising to meet him in a plume of fire and slagged rock.

[Malakim]

Malakim shook his head as he got up from the ground, he had gotten a little careless, no matter it wasn't as if he had never met the ground before. In his pure mocking tone he spat out to the mage, "You know if all you can do is trip me up you should have brought more friends or is your dim witted pet rock all you can do?"

By this time Labyrinth had already reappeared next to his master's side growling at Sulajin the dark beast charged at him picking up incredible speed as he went. Leaping at the air in front of the mage the cat disappeared and reformed behind the Grom'ja pouncing on it's head with all the speed it had gathered, again returning him to the ground his master had left it.

((I will mock all the elements))

[Sulajin]

The Grom'ja didn't miss a beat but slowly reached up to remove the clawing cat from it's head. The cat easily avoided the slow strike, but the Grom'ja had allready swung it's other hand around to intercept it.

Sulajin, meanwhile was busy striking at the hunter with blasts of Arcane energy.

[Malakim]

Arcane energy... it was so familiar much like those days he fought with his brother for control back in Zul'Farrak. That girl's brother threw arcane powers around constantly and he had fallen easily, this mage would be no different.

Malakim reached for his claws as he charged recklessly for the mage not bothering to stop for the pain of arcane energies tearing at his flesh, the pain felt wonderful. The hunter actually smiled as he aimed for Sulajin's throat.

Labyrinth was busy with his own fight. Leaping and bounding around the Grom'ja clawing at the stone. All the while melting and reforming around the rock monster to keep it off balance. Though the attacks didn't seem to be doing much damage it was keeping the rock busy.

[Sulajin]

Sulajin stood back watching the lunge. It was strange. Everyone knew hunters were strong witha bow and arrow, or occasionaly guns of a sort. But whenever he fought them they decided that it was best to get in close. No matter.

Sulajin dropped quickly to the ground bringing his obsidian claw to slash at the face of his attacker as he went by. A brief surge of power returned the mage to his feet, grinning.

"Choo gonna have ta do betta den dat, mon. Alot of people try ta tackle me. Dey don' have much success eida."

[Malakim]

The hunter slid to a stop to turn and face the mage, blood surging from the side of his face, maybe this would be fun after all. "Oh, but firefly you really should consider all aspects of an attack before you think yourself to be my equal." The hunter pointed down towards the mage's feet, laughing as a sheet of ice began to spread out over the ground where Sulajin was standing.

Taking aim at his foe, the hunter unleashed a series of volleys at the mage, watching to see what he would do next.

[Sulajin]

Sulajin took no note of the volleys of arrows. A few hit home, a few glinted off of his obsidian arm, most missed. Robes had one tactical advantage often overlooked by the general public. It was damned hard to place where the body in it was, certainly it was in their, but the body mass often left a lot of empty space as well.

A volley of obsidian shards rained down over his adversary as Sulajin vanished from the grip of the ice.

[Malakim]

"How cute, you and your little rock powers, and your disappearing act. Then again what is to be expected you never really wanted to fight me. You just wanted a cheap easy kill, that's why you attacked my brother from behind wasn't it? Because you have no true power, you talk the talk but when it comes to it you are a coward only able to hide from view while hailing pathetic energy down on those you consider powerless. Perhaps that flower, was right in choosing you for her foolish mate, those of weakness belong together."

With that the shadows radiated from hunter as if pulsing, and he stood there allowing the shards to rain down upon him. Scratching at his skin and tearing minor holes into him he laughed. "Now, this is the wonderful pain I remember. It has been too long since I have felt the real thrill of battle, I suppose you aren't much, but you do better than ogres."

Malakim took aim again this time at the giant rock across the way, "If you just want to run take your leave fool, I am sure I can have a little fun with your pebble."

[Sulajin]

"Big words mon. Butchoo haven't done anyt'in ta back dem up. Choo keep sqawkin about challenges like ya be out ta prove somet'in'."

Here the tirade was interupted by a fireball.

"But choo have ta learn dat dere's mo' impo'tant t'ings den de challenge. De less t'reat ta life an' limb choo have when ya be takin' out choo enemies, de betta. Less likely ta die, an' den choo can kill even mo' foes. Any whelp knows dis."

[Malakim]

Malakim flipped away from the fireball with ease, "Oh, I didn't know we were fighting yet, I thought this was just the warm up. Tell me you weren't using your full strength this whole time, that would leave me sorely disappointed, I mean I know that a few ogres are too much for you, but this is just pathetic. If you want to step it up a notch though I am more than happy to play."

The shadows began to rise up Malakim's legs, slowly tapping his feet along the ground he squeezed his hands one last time to make sure his claws were on tight. He charged up towards the mage faster than before, as he was about to strike at him he instead spun around the side of the mage kicking out at his legs, watching him lose balance and slashing at his back as he wobbled.

[Sulajin]

Sulajin fell and rolled away. From where his back had been struck a thick viscous something splashed out. It sank through the cracks in Malakim, or whatever was possesing him, armor and began to burn into his flesh. Soon the smell of charring meat filled the area.

Sulajin wasted no time, but began a low chanting. Intoning to Ogoun to pox his enemy before him.

[Malakim]

His skin burned, it wasn't the first time but it was never a fun experience. It would seem as though this mage was more than just a regular troll, he had enough of this. Enough toying with him, burning wasn't his idea of fun.

Ripping his armor from his body, the troll stared up at the mage as his flesh began to drip and fall from him, "You just had to go out of your way didn't you? You just had to interfere today, remember as you are screaming your last that this was your doing. You started it and now you will die."

The troll stood there hands out to his sides, and the shadows quivered and began to move all around. Slow at first engulfing the hunter, snaking their way around his body until there was just a giant orb of darkness. The orb shattered revealing the true demon inside, he no longer resembled a troll or any other race that mortals most often saw. He was a being of shadows, much taller than before, with a massive set of horns emerging from the darkness on his forehead. Turning his glowing eyes up towards Sulajin he spoke in a voice that seemed to echo from all around, "I suppose the time for playing truly is over."

[Sulajin]

((...looks like I'm saving THAT trick for a later day...))

Sulajin's eyes stared blindly ahead as around them the world began to stretch. Lightning was striking heavily, though no rain fell. No clouds blotted the clear blue sky, yet the land grew dark. The air was scintilating in a myriad of colours, odd sparkd dancing off of the rocks around them as Sulajin continued his chanting. Something big was coming.

The air stretched around them, as though a giant finger had pushed it inwards.

[Malakim]

The odd weather didn't even enter the demon's attention, he was focused clearly now on what he wanted. "Praying will do you no good now." The demon disappeared melting into the ground and reappearing behind the mage, picking him up with his large hands and tossing him against the mountains nearby, picking him up and continuing his destruction repeatedly.

"I thought you liked to play with rocks."

[Sulajin]

As Sulajin crashed into the rocks they began to bend and fold around him, finally he hauled himself out, his body dripping in long strands of magma. He had stopped chanting, but by now the distortion in reality was well enough under way. Harsh winds began to blow through what was rapidly becoming apparant as a tear. Ashes began to coat the ground around the pair as Sulajin used his newfound armor to swell up. Matching the height of his opponent.

"Nuthing wrong with a little earth. But I've allways been more partial to fire. The Grom'ja needed to be stone by necessity, as the immaterial does not make for heavy labor."

He struck down, the earth slagging into a massive volcanic pool that rapidly spread towards his opponent. Sulajin stood alone on an isle of rock above it all.

[Malakim]

The shadow stared at the lava rushing towards him, perhaps this mage did have a little more power than he gave him credit for, but it wouldn't be enough. "You just don't get it do you? I am not just the shadows here, I am darkness as a whole, and your wonderful heart is more than enough for me to feed off of you cannot destroy me with your darkness fool, I have only ever been defeated by one being. You are not even close to his power."

Again the demon vanished as the fires poured over where he once stood, reforming next to the mage, resting an arm on his shoulder he mocked the mage, "You see I can keep this up all day, while you have to call upon powers greater than you. I am using my own talents, you will be drained and tire soon. Whereas I, I can kick your ass all day long."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin laughed at the impudence of the demon.

"Darkness? In my heart? You are bluffing. There is no darkness in my heart, only fire. I lost my real heart long ago."

The depression in reality was reversing now, the center spearing outwards like a mountain, Sulajin meanwhile was busy with the long tendrils of molten stone that were threading out from his body to bind the demon's movement.

[Malakim]

He didn't care about the foolish mages attempt to bind him, he knew it would be pointless. "You actually believe it to be a bluff? You may not have a heart as you once did, but every being possesses a heart of some kind. It's what keeps you moving, and yours is as black as mine. You seek only to dominate those around you, after all how many friends do you surround yourself with? Do you ever invite them over for ale? What about that tramp you call your wife? How many times have you made her participate in something that you know she didn't approve of to further your own desires, your own wishes?"

The demon continued his mockery boring his eyes into Sulajin's very soul however warped it was, "And I don't really blame you, there is nothing wrong with doing whatever you can to further your own desires I say use the fools then throw them aside when they have outlived their uses. You though try to convince yourself that those feelings don't make you a being a darkness, that just makes you a fool. You are so much like my brother, but he at least tries to make things right you just assume things will turn out in your favor at the end. Just like everyone, what do you do? You hide behind your walls and barriers showing a brave face to the world but you are just as fake and self deluded as any of those fools."

If the demon's mouth could still be seen it would show the most sinister grin of all, "So, do you think she really loves you? Or do you think she is just using you like you are using her?"

[Sulajin]

"I care for my wife. I would not have suffered for her the way I did were it otherwise. I'm sure I could lift our curse. But I shall not, we are happy together. Something wich your "Brother" would understand."

And as Sulajin continued, T'Ihn stirred restlessly. He could feel the creature looking in to find him. T'Ihn was not happy, and the fire danced higher on Sulajin's body.

[Malakim]

The demon mocked the mage, "Oh I am sure you did it solely for her, you came to her rescue on your white horse caring only for her safety. You never thought of how hard it would be to find another shell of a being that would follow your every whim. You really are a self deluded fool aren't you? Thinking your curse to be a good thing because with that in place you can pretend you two are happy together when in truth that just keeps her bound to you unable to leave you. Go ahead though believe as you will I am sure you will anyway thinking that I am but a demon and full of nothing but lies for both of you, but did you ever ask her what we talked about while you were playing with ogres? Did she tell you that I never once lied to her about any of the things I told her, or was she too ashamed at her own pathetic truths just as you are of your own?"

"I find it amusing you would talk about my brother like that, he made that angel scream in ways I have never heard before, she ached for his touch moaned for his caress wanting more and more. Honest that she would do anything for you now, because you can twist her and you own her, but she would have done anything for him of her own free will because she loves him. She loves a memory more then she will ever love you."

[Sulajin]

"Really? Is that why she's with me, and not you or your brother? Tch. You've spent to much time with people who have no spines. I'm certain that she would have done a lot back then, but that's not the point. The point is now she is MINE!"

With that, the rising spire twisted again. The world was given an odd sense of curvature, and there was a sound like "Sknert".

The horizon had just gotten a lot closer, and the skies were lit by arcane fires in place of a sun.

"And now you are in my realm."

[Malakim]

He smiled inwardly he was getting to the mage, this was much more fun this physical pain, he had learned this from all the aches his brother had taken in his life, and how it cut deeper than any knife ever could.

Staring around at the change of scenery the demon added, "Very pretty place you have here, though I would have chosen a different smell, not very inviting for guests."

The demon's words continued, "That is my point exactly with your feelings, you hold her by force, you never give her that choice of her own. You speak of her as if she was a sword to be there solely for your discretion to do what you need when you need. My lighter half, as annoying as he is, showed her more than that. He gave her everything while desiring nothing in return he lived to see her smile. It really was cute in an sickening kind of way, so like you said she is yours you control her form. Unfortunately you will never own her heart that belongs to someone else, I feel for you I really do, she is pretty good at giving pleasure to those around her. Let's see like her brother, her priest, that goofy shaman, my brother, you, I wouldn't be surprised if she gave it up to the snakes as well. You must be truly proud to have such a fine being as a wife."

[Sulajin]

"I don't know where you come from, but I've allways been brought up to know that whatever a woman's past may be. Once she settles down, she will be her man's until her dying day. She is mine, by the ways of my ancient traditions.

As for the smell, I did not make any special conciderations to it. It spawned itself."

[Malakim]

The shadow let out a cackling laugh, "Once she settles down? How many times has she settled down in the past? So she is yours until when another month? two? a year? You must truly be a master mage in the craft of illusions how else could you believe that you are so much more special when your ancient traditions include merely binding a being to you will. She has as much love for you as the shadows do for me, they do my bidding because my will is stronger, not because they care for me."

The shadows twisted around forming a strange pedestal next to the mage, holding out as if on a platter his stones used for creating portals. "But why believe me I am just trying to anger you right? I have been lying to you nonstop since the moment I first laid eyes upon you, you possess some neat tricks. I am sure you can easily use some of your devices to see if your wife really feels the way you say she does or if I am right and have been all along."

[Sulajin]

"If that is the case I am happy with it. Nothing you can say will rob me of that. I am not some snivelling runt to be toyed with."

[Malakim]

"Master of Illusion it is, rather live out your lie than know the truth. You are as weak as I thought, just like all the other worms. So safe in your protective shell of delusion, afraid that any slight move will disrupt your fleeting vision of happiness. A shame really I figured after all one of your caliber has been through you would be as willing to seek out the truth behind everything, but in the end you are just another foolish being, who would blind themselves to the world if only to extend your limited happiness for another moment."

[Sulajin]

"And I should do what? Run off because of the words of a demon to question my wife? Your kind are known to deceive and mislead at all turns. When I find reason to question the love of my wife on my own, I shall investigate it. Until then, your words fall on deaf ears."

Behind the demon the Grom'ja managed to extricate itself from the demonic feline long enough to throw a punch at the demonic demon.

[Malakim]

The shadows swarmed over the Grom'ja, wrapping it up tight and constricting all around it till all that could be heard was the sound of rock grinding in on itself.

The demon turned his attention back to the mage, "Now where were we? Oh yes you were calling me a liar, now that hurts it really does. Here I am trying to have a nice friendly conversation, and what do you do? You call me a liar. When have I ever lied to you? I told you were your wife was when I was holding her, I didn't hide it and send out false messages. Even the words I say of you now, you may not like how they sound, but you know I am right. It may take you awhile to realize it, but the words are said and soon they will gnaw at you grind you down until you recognize that truth."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin laughed.

"You don't get it. I don't spend my life pining away on the thoughts of another. You were trying to lure me in when you took my wife. Misleading me would accomplish nothing. We clearly have no like for each other, why should you not lie to me about the loyalty of my wife? What do you stand to gain? That is why I see no reason to trust you."

[Malakim]

"I could very easily be lying to you an honestly I would if the truth weren't so much more hurtful, my brother has taught this demon quite a few things in his struggles. A lie can only sting for a few moments, for the it will always be found out for what it is. However, the truth is much more damaging, you just have to get down to the bear essentials of the truth, rip away the lies that make that truth sound sweet and kind, till you get to the raw throbbing essence it's truth."

Now it was the demon's turn to laugh, "And that is why you delude yourself into thinking I am lying to you, because you can't see what I gain, only what you will lose. Very selfish choices mage, but not too unexpected like I said you wish to cling to what you believe, because you fear what the truth will bring to you. If I wasn't sure you would get lost in the maze my mind has become I might even let you have a look for yourself if only to see the horror on your eyes as you see the truth, and horror does taste so good."

[Sulajin]

Sulajin turned to walk away, a seem begining to split in the landscape.

"And now you are boring me. We're getting nowhere fast and I have much to do. Yes, I'm sure I'm running away from the hideous painful truth, but I do have some shopping to finish."

[Malakim]

Malakim laughed at the mage, "You always run from me, that is fine. Trust me though soon in the days to come I will have no more truths to tell you, and I will instead come seeking an actual challege prepare your illusions. You will need them."

[Sulajin]

"Keep on about these challenges, then you start talking and talking when you have me ready. I'm beginning ta think choo jus' be wastin' my time. Don' choo have betta t'ings ta do?"

[Malakim]

"No I don't... I have a lot of free time, and I don't have many webs to weave and lies to live by. It really frees up your schedule living by the darkness. I tell you what, you have things to do and now I am bored with your pathetic displays of power. I will give you one weeks time to prepare yourself, and whoever else you need to present a challenge to me. After that week I will come for you, at your quaint little home, and it will be glorious. I have always desired a worthwhile battle, so prepare yourself and your friends, if you even call them that. Live your lie or seek the truth it doesn't matter anymore, I have been kind long enough."

The demon faded melting into the darkness leaving the mage with an echoing voice, "See you in a week."