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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid11879212 \tab The First and Forsaken Lion grin}{\insrsid7370864 s}{\insrsid11879212  under his Soulsteel helm.  The action t}{\insrsid7370864 akes him by surprise.  It has}{\insrsid11879212 
 been centuries since}{\insrsid7370864  the last time he smiled.  He is so close.  It is here, he can}{\insrsid11879212  feel it.  He breathes in the musty air as he surveys the multitude of
 derelict ships which form Blue Haven.  One creaks under his heavy boots right now.}{\insrsid11697569 
\par }{\insrsid11879212 \tab To his left The Shadow\rquote s Clever Feint snickers.  Her body is the same, her voice is the same, yet her soul is not.  Clouded by the presence of Walking on Laughter\rquote s vile m
ind her thoughts are repressed.  She smiles cruelly, \'93That behemoth Kimberry brought killed every single mortal in Blue Haven that quickly?  I\rquote m impressed.  It must be an old one.\'94
\par \tab Lion\rquote s grin fades.  \'93It is one of the oldest.\'94  He sniffs the air for a moment before cursing under his breath.  \'93Another one is here too.  It is a dead behemoth of some type.\'94
\par \tab Despite Feint\rquote s intrigue with the horrible power of the behemoth, Betrothed of Pain d}{\insrsid89640 oes}{\insrsid11879212  not share her optimism.}{\insrsid89640   He has changed much since}{\insrsid11879212  Echo }{\insrsid89640 last }{
\insrsid11879212 saw him.  His once human face is now contorted.  Armor bones jut from his bod}{\insrsid89640 y at irregular intervals.  H}{\insrsid11879212 is thick }{\insrsid89640 limbs look}{\insrsid11879212 
 as though they could tear apart an Imperial Trierarch.  \'93We\rquote re outclassed master.  Are you certain this is the right place to be?\'94
\par \tab Lion nods slowly.  Had this been any other day Pain would be dead or worse for saying such a thing.  Today, however, }{\insrsid3541474 i}{\insrsid11879212 s a day of celebration.  This }{\insrsid3541474 i}{\insrsid11879212 
s the day the First and Forsaken Lion claim}{\insrsid3541474 s}{\insrsid11879212  the Mirror Abyss and cast}{\insrsid3541474 s}{\insrsid11879212  his spiteful Malfean lord into oblivion.  }{\insrsid8792800 \'93Calm yourself Pain,\'94 He replie}{
\insrsid3541474 s}{\insrsid8792800  casually. \'93I am outmatched by neither behemoth...\'94 His voice trails off as he sees a familiar figure darting between the ships.  He continues with a hiss, \'93Nor upstart Deathlord.\'94}{\insrsid11879212 
\par }{\insrsid8792800 \tab Profane Footfalls in the Resplendent Silken Ash of Hessiah\rquote s Pyre sprints in the distance through Blue Haven in a frantic search for the Mirror Abyss.  Lion laughs out loud \endash  another first in some time \endash  }{
\i\insrsid8792800\charrsid11500541 the fool }{\i\insrsid11500541\charrsid11500541 i}{\i\insrsid8792800\charrsid11500541 s still looking for an object}{\insrsid2833013 .  Only Lion kno}{\insrsid8792800 w}{\insrsid2833013 s that the Mirror Abyss i}{
\insrsid8792800 s an Ex}{\insrsid2833013 alt.  He i}{\insrsid8792800 sn\rquote t entirely certain of the powers the M}{\insrsid2833013 irror would have, but he assumes he\rquote ll}{\insrsid8792800  figure out ho}{\insrsid6686759 
w to manipulate them to his end eventually. }{\insrsid8792800 
\par }{\insrsid6686759 \tab The darting figure pauses at the sound of Lion\rquote s laughter and disappears into the shadows.  Neither the Dea
thlord nor his Abyssals can follow the movement.  Less than a second later Feint gasps as she senses a presence behind her.  All three spin, weapons drawn.
\par \tab Profane smiles }{\insrsid2833013 broadly.  \'93}{\insrsid6686759 Your plan to destroy the Malfeans is at an end}{\insrsid2833013  Lion}{\insrsid6686759 .  I\rquote m going to send y
ou back to the Underworld and claim the Mirror as my own.  Then I shall become the first among the Deathlords.  You, on the other hand, shall be cast into the Abyss.\'94
\par \tab The First and Forsaken Lion remains silent for a moment.  He flexes his mighty gauntlete
d hands and stretches his neck.  He stands nearly nine feet tall and with his armor weighs over five-hundred pounds.  This whelp of a Deathlord has the dimensions of a mere mortal.  Despite the size difference, the Lion remains cautious.  Failure here wou
ld doom him to the Abyss.
\par \tab \'93Feint, Pain, retrieve the Mirror for me.  I will handle this little puke.\'94  Lion says}{\insrsid16128649  darkly.}{\insrsid6686759 
\par }{\insrsid16128649 \tab The Abyssals retreat.  Both are grateful to be away from the angry Deathlords.}{\insrsid4741583   As they move quickly through the deserted city to claim their prize, Pain counts on his fingers.  \'93
Two behemoths.  Two Deathlords.   Abyssals.  Solars.  Lunars.  A dozen or more Terrestrials.  Likely some Sidereals.  Fae.  What the hell are we supposed to do in a situation like this?!\'94}{\insrsid16128649 
\par }{\insrsid4741583 \tab Feint raises he}{\insrsid2833013 r}{\insrsid4741583  hand and signals them to kneel in hiding.  Her reply is icy as she regards Kimberry\rquote s fetish demon}{\insrsid2833013  standing before them}{\insrsid4741583 .  \'93
I think the best we can do now is survive.\'94
\par }{\insrsid8792800 \tab 
\par }}