A deadly mix of passion.

[Dissoni Alanacci]

Ok, so here goes my first attempt here at Althanas. This thread is not meant to be completely solo, but for the time being it is. I need time to really get my character fully out there and understood. When I am ready to have people come into the story line, I'll make sure you can tell, so if you're interested, keep up with me so you know when it's your turn! Also, when people join, I expect all posts to be in third person so that it flows better. Thank you.

___The aura of the forest atmosphere pervaded through Dissoni Alanacci's senses, bringing memories from a long time ago- or at least, a long time to his human body. Five years seemed like so much more than it really was when your body changed so often and so completely. In Heaven, five years went by in a moment, hardly noticed.

___It had been that long since Dissoni had really been through the woods, though, and he noticed it, but these smells and sights brought back his old traveling instincts, such as when to stop to eat, and that he should always check behind him every so often, never showing fear, though. His old habits had not quite died. Actually, this environment felt very much at home to him, where the spirit of God flows best- nature. Dissoni could even start to feel the angel in him surfacing, basking in God's glorious creations -

___But no. Something was off.... He readied his bow and had a hand poised to pull out an arrow. Having a limited supply, he could not afford to waste one, so he made sure that Firefaith, his sword was unbuckled from the sheath while scanning the area for enemies. Dissoni's mind started losing recognition of the native trees, grass, and rock while shooting images of potential danger. Anything that moved jumped out at him and became an orc, bear, lion, or even a demon for a split second.

___He would not be outdone in the midst of his quest. And again, this thought was lost and replaced with thoughts of the battle that hadn't even started yet. So far ten seconds had passed. When the disturbance Dissoni had noticed came out from behind a rather large tree, a large figure, an arrow was notched and aimed expertly at its head before it knew of the existence of another soul in the woods.

___"Halt!" Dissoni demanded of the dark figure. "Stop where you are and show yourself to me." The man, for apparently it was and man, started before coming tentatively closer to his chalenger, hands in the air. He had no weapon. "Now stop." The man's face was easily readable and showed no contempt, nor was there trickery in his eye. He spoke, proving with his scared, weak voice that he meant no harm. The bow was lowered a little.

___"Sir, if I trespass, I meant not to, and I won't do it again. I swear it in God's name."

___"Do not swear in God's name if you do not plan on keeping your word. Then I will kill you."

___"Oh, never, Sir! I wouldn't, Sir. I mean, I would. I mean, umm.... Sorry."

__"Well, be on your way man. I have no room for company tonight for I am low on food. And may God be generous to your soul." With that, he turned and made to leave, putting his weapons back in place on his back, but stopped when he heard the man say:

___"Wait, Sir, I have some food for you. I am only a day's journey to a town and I have twice as much day's worth food. You may have some."

___Dissoni looked at the thin man with a new light, a smile rising and the angel coming back. "Nay, Sir, keep your food. I have enough, just not enough for two. God will bless you, though, for your own generosity." And so they parted, and the Eyriee, a half angel half demon, continued on his path in good spirits as if a normal man. Little did he know that he would meet this scared man again, or the trouble that would be caused by him. He did not know that this exchange was watched by another being, or that he would be tested soon, and in a mighty way.

All he knew was the forest and his destiny to overcome this new quest.

[Dissoni Alanacci]

___Yalec was not the type of city that would shine in the in the glory of the sun or be marveled at by visitors, but rather a small town that looked as if it were trying to blend in with nature, not being a nuisance or ugly spot, not being noticed by many. It was plainly a quiet town with quiet people in the middle of a quiet forest. All in all, it was Dissoni's favorite place in the world below Heaven.

___Looking down on the "birth place," or rather where he was sent from Heaven as a babe, he could see the darker plumes of smoke in a dark sky. Again, memories wafted through his mind pleasantly with a bit of melancholy. He missed this place so. Dissoni was rather overjoyed when he received a summons from a citizen here requesting his aid in a quest. Now he was sad about the quest, for it would take time away from his time here. Also, he was a bit disappointed in himself for never finding time to visit before. But that was done, and he had work to do.

___The walk down to the village was much shorter than he remembered, but then again, he had been younger then. The town abruptly began with houses- the farms were on the other side, by a river, where the soil was better. A five minute walk brought him to a doorstep, and he knocked thrice. Dissoni's heartbeat rose and pointless adrenaline pumped through him. When an older looking woman opened the door and stood with wide-eyed amazement, he just smiled a joyous grin and hugged his mother.

___"Hello, Mom. Sorry I didn't send word, I thought the surprise might be better. How are you?"

___Rose stammered a bit into her son's chest before getting out: "Son, you've grown even taller!" She continued over him as she said, "And strong, too! But you're still too thin, anyway, you should eat more.... Come on in, come, let's see your father.... So tall, my...."

___Rose was much younger than she looked, but years of hardship had done their number. Her skin sagged slightly, her hair was grayed, and when she shuffled about the pain the was feeling just barely showed through. She was much too old for forty-six year old. When she and Dissoni walked into a bedroom and Anthony Alanacci Jr. came into view, Dissoni was sure the horror he felt was plain on his face.

On the bed, crumpled and dead-looking, lay a creature pretending to be Dissoni's father.

___Or so it seemed. He was breathing very faintly but stubbornly keeping on. When he spoke, he was sure it must be his father, or the remnants of him. "Son.... You've grown into a true man. You'll carry on my legacy and the Stories of God well."

__This sentiment faded off as Anthony faded into a slumber. It was a slumber and graciously not death, for his breathing was still existent and actually more peaceful. Dissoni looked at his mother with the same horror still, not faded, and her face was the very definition of sorrow and anxiety.

[Dissoni Alanacci]

_The next few hours were spent in the kitchen while Dissoni and his mother went over the recent years. She told of how Mrs.Tara lost her husband and went insane, of how Mr.Cawl lost a few fingers working the mill, of how four children had been borne, two of them looking promising to grow strong and healthy in the future. Good and bad were brought up, but a long while went by until the most depressing of subjects was mentioned.

_"So, Mother...." Rose looked up expectantly, and with sadness. ""How did this happen to Father? Was it the plague?"

_"No, son, this was not the plague, and a pox on the daemon who did this to him!" Her eyes lit for a moment with fury, red and burning, then faded in their own blink, faster than a second. She had no willpower left but for that moment of anger. "Last year, a seemingly great man came to our town and stole our hearts away. He seemed a Godsend, someone with all the answers and a plan to boot. He graduated from stranger to citizen, to Elder in just a few months.

"But then something happened. A little girl went missing for a few days. Search parties were sent after one day, and three days later, still nothing was found, not even a clue as to where she might be. Of course, this new man, being young and wise, led the exhibition. One day, he went missing, too. Your father led the searches that day, instead. What they found was revolting.

"In a clearing in the woods, they found both man and girl. The girl was strapped to a leaning tree, face pointed up to the sky, arms hanging down, blood dripping into a whole in the ground in the shape of a cross. The man- no, the monster was in the whole, wet with blood, smiling. Praying...." Rose burst into tears and covered her face.

_Dissoni did all he could do to help stifle the wailing and comfort his mother, but to no avail. He conceded to hold her hand and mutter, repeatedly, that it was fine, that it was all over now. After a while, she went on to say that his father had attempted to stab the man with a dagger but could not penatrate his skin through the now unholy blood. The dagger broke into pieces when he thrust it harder and his skin touched the blood. It had immediately turned black, and Anthony blacked out. He had been in extreme condition since then.

_"That was almost a month ago. The monster ran away into the forest. The poor girl had died long before we had arrived...."

"Mother, was it Father that sent a summons for me to vanquish the daemon-man?"

"Nay, it was probably Thisk, as his daughter was the little girl. Victoria. She was so sweet...."

"What was the man's name in the town?" She was silent for a time. Dissoni waited. She would say it when she could. She answered:

"Cecil Alanacci."

[Dissoni Alanacci]

_While searching the town for Thisk, Dissoni pondered this new revelation. The daemon had used his last name.... Why? The only possible explanation was that there was another Alanacci family somewhere and he had been a part of it, whether by force or coincidence.

Thisk was to be found at his house, situated between the Town Hall and the Butchery. He was attending to the garden without expression on his face, but his slow, deliberate motions gave him away. He was being careful not to think of the past, and Dissoni had comet to remind him. He hated causing grief, but it was necessary. He approached Thisk, and asked:

_"Sir, if you remember me, I am Dissoni Alanacci, I come to ask you of a little time." Fisk stared blinking for a second or so, then attempted a smile.

"Why of course, son. I remember you. What would you like of an old man like me?"

"I would ask on the subject of your daughter.... I'm truly sorry for your loss." The smile completely disappeared from his face. "I now know what happened, and I was wondering if it was you who had summoned be to slay the daemon."

Fisk looked confused, then said, "Nay, t'wasn't me, young sir, although I probably should have. You look strong enough and that monster deserves Hell, where he came from."

Dissoni nodded. "Do you have any idea who did summon me, then? I must speak with my contractor. I will do the deed anyway, but for courtesy to both of us, I must speak to them."

"Nay, son. I know not. Good luck in your endeavors, though. And Godspeed."