Mirrodin Besieged

[Dusty]

The vast mirrored surface of the Mirrodin fields was a spectacle to see. Light compounded light as the white sun beat down upon the mirror smooth plains. Yet this mirror had more then a few cracks. Jagged twists of metal glistened as they rose from the ground. Sickening puddles of a glistening tar-like substance pooled around them.

From his vantage point on a ridge Ulanja watched these harbingers of destruction. Shifting his gaze to the distance he spotted the source of this corruption. A vast horde of horrors advanced over the surface of Mirrodin. They oozed the hateful oil that had corrupted so many of his brethren. Where the oil fell the mirror-like land tarnished and twisted. As if they were twisting the essence of Mirrodin itself.

Sadly thats exactly what they are doing, Ulanja thought to himself. He turned to see the forces that stood against the invading corruptors. He was greeted by a sight that was nearly as varied as the Phyrexians. Soldiers of every creed stood with him. He led leonin, humans, elves, goblins, and even a few vampires. This force represent one of the last bastions of serious resistance to the scourge. They had survived on luck and retreat. Now, with the Phyrexians a mere hours march away, there was nowhere left to run.

"Jub-jub! Take your warrens to the south. When the Phyrexians attack our main line I want you to flank him. Kaja, do the same with your pride to the north. We will pincer them in and they will break on our shields!" he ordered, his voicing projecting complete faith in the plan even as his mine knew there was little hope. The Phyrexians were not like an army. Casualties meant nothing to them. They would send wave after wave till the Mirran's shields gave and their spirit broke.

He had seen it many times. Each time they supplemented each wave with his former brethren, twisted and forged into new Phyrexian war machines. He had seen men and women succumb to infection by the glistening oil and turn to destroy the very thing that had been protecting.

A horn sounded. He turned to sky as a flight of sky hunters dove towards the Mirran lines. One of them broke off and turned towards the leonin commander. Ulanja took a step back as the large beast landed, its rider looking grave. "Hunter? What are the enemies numbers?" he asked.

"They have no numbers, the plains are dark with them for as far as the eye can see. They're massing large war machines behind their foot soldiers. We may survive the first wave and the second. But past that they will tear through our lines and leave us vulnerable on all sides," the rider said between heavy breaths.

Ulanja stood silently for several moments. "What of the enemy commander? Surely they have some sort of hierarchy. They can't all be mindless monsters."

"Aye. I saw a cluster of several different beings. They all looked distinctly Phyrexian, but they weren't moving with the others and they seemed to be giving orders. But sir, one of them looked like a Dragon."

"Very well hunter. Gather you flight. Send messengers to the south and east, if you find any other pockets of resistance tell them to hurry here. This is where we stand." The Sky Hunter nodded before he shouted a command. His beast took the sky with a massive beat of its wings. In the distance the sounds of clanking metal could be heard as ever advancing infection slid across the landscape.

[Nelle Kozera]

The tide of the Phyrexians was vast, looking around Asuzael realized that she was out of her element, at least to some extent. Below she looked at the oil covered razorfields of the glimmervoid, it was something that she was unaccustomed to but it was something that she enjoying more and more. Looking out at the field of soldiers, the others were giving orders and she had other things to do. Walking through the lines she large hadrons where floating over the formation that she was personally commanding currently. The Hadrons where from Zendacar, an item that she had stolen from one of her enemies on that plane, which she had now called her own.

“Asuzael…” It was Norn through one of her telepathic links, “Hang back for the beginning of this battle look for the leaders, and once they are located eliminate them.” She nodded, “Well sounds simple enough.” She sent back before looking towards the Mirran line. As the Hadrons activated she floated to the center of them though this wasn’t an attack, it was merely a function of the Hadrons themselves. It did give her a unprecedented field of view for the battlefield and she could use this perch to relay tactical information to the commanders on the ground…

From the Mirran side they would see large stone structures floating above center of the phyrexian lines. This was odd in the fact not only was it floating but the very fact that they were made of stone made them extremely alien in this plane of metal. They began to glow as onlookers could see a dragon rasies to the center of the hadrons…
___

Ravenor looked at the Phyrexians from his perch a few feet in front of Ulanja, “We are going to lose many of fine warriors today…” Ravenor had recently joined the Mirran conflict and had distinguished himself as a powerful mage and warrior. Even though this was combined with an extremely abrasive attitude, this also included rather little respect for the “Warriors” for the Mirrans. Other Mirrans had called him a butcher a title he thought was rather appropriate, the reason for this stemed from his style of fighting that often used his own soldiers for “Fuel.” While it had led him to many victories those where pyrrhic victories at best for the Mirrans.

“Right let’s get this slaughter fest underway shall we, I don’t have all day and this shouldn’t take too long…” whether he was joking or not was never clear with the extra planar harpy, “Won’t be long now before they make their push…” He moved to get a better look on the Phyrexian lines…

[Cobalt3924]

Silver gazed over the battlefield: His legion of Infected Shades behind him rearing to rend their foes asunder. It was good to be back in the command of War. He gently ran his thumb under his eyes: leaving thick smears of Phyrexian oil in an intricate pattern, but also to help counteract the glare of the White Sun's Zenith bearing overhead.

Silver raised his hand to his face and spoke into a wispy cloud of black shadows congealing around his wrist.
"Sheoldred. It's Silver. Their forces have gathered."
<Good. What can you see?> Came the eerie whispered reply from the Black Praetor Sheoldred.
"Well going by the fact I've faced the forces of Light, Purity and God-Awful cleanliness before on Alara: Their forces are a lot smaller than I was expecting. My guess is they're planning to Flank us from either the North or the South once we go in for the kill."
<That sounds quite reasonable, but their forces are waning. They won't have enough remaining troops to pull off that manoeuvre.>
"Exactly why I think it will happen."
<Very well. Let the others attack them directly from the front. Send your forces to do a round sweep from the South when the time comes. I will send my Skinrenders to assist you in the final push.>
"Thank you Sheoldred. What of Vorinclex's and Jin-Gitaxias's forces?"
<Stationed at the Seachrome Coast and Razorverge Thicket in case the Incompleat try to flee from us. Elesh has sent her newest deciple to where you are.>
"I know. She's doing the Eldrazian Hedron thing again. Has there been any word about the remaining Mirran Commanders?"
<Very little as of yet. We know one is a Leonine and another is an Aven carrying a Scythe with a Skull on it.>
"Scythe with a Skull? No, that can't be right... Unless..."
<Unless what?>
"I'll tell you later. I might just have the chance for a bit of Revenge..."
Sheoldred said nothing as her shadowy transmission faded. Silver turned and looked up at Asuzael: Using his Shadows to whisper to her mind.
"Asuzael: What can you see from up there?"

[SliceOfDog]

Sanin stode angrily through the ranks as they marched unceasingly forward, snapping at an apostle by his side "I don't like leaving Karn's side like this. I should be with my master always"
"He is safe" replied the apostle, shaking its head "We must rid his world of the incompleat before his ascension"
Sanin slowed as the two reached a ridge, and caressed his glowing orb artifact and he walked in silent contemplation. "I don't like it" he repeated "I fear for our Lord's life. What if the incompleat -"
"You haven't seen their forces, have you?"
Sanin paused, and turned to the apostle, who gestured over the ridge. Sanin climbed higher, curious, and looked over, freezing on the spot. He could see thousands of phyrexian heads marching to a distant spot, many still streaming past him, and at that spot: a small, ragged band of Mirrodin defenders. They had a passable number for a normal battle, but this would be no normal battle. Unless something drastic happened, they would all die before nightfall.
"Good..." he breathed to himself, as the apostle took place beside him "Good"

[Dusty]

"I've lost many warriors better then you," Ulanja said icily to the Harpy's comment. In the distance he could now clearly hear the steady shuffle and clank of medal as the Phyrexian horde moved ever closer. He looked to the sky to see the White Sun inching closely to its zenith This is the hour, there will be no retreat, Ulanja thought to himself.

With the minute application of his basic magic skills he amplified his voice so that the entirety of the Mirran force could hear him. "Friends! Mirrans! Comrades! We stand today, not as leonin or goblin, elf or human, we stand as Mirrans. All that we know is threatened. If we fail here, which we won't, all they we know will be consumed and used to feed this unholy beast that is the Phyrexian scourge! We must not, we WILL not let that happen! If it is death you fear, then I say fear it not! For death would be a blessing compared to the fate that awaits us. Let us make these machines pay for every inch of razor grass, for every step onto the glimmervoid!" With a billowing roar to accent his point Ulanja unsheathed his Scimitar as pointed it towards the heart of the Phyrexian lines. The rest of his warriors followed suit. A wave of roars and battle cries echoed across the plains.

As the Mirrans relished in their continued defiance, Ulanja was again watching the Phyrexian lines. He was puzzled by several large objects as they floated into the air. Then he was horrified to see a bone white dragon rise in the middle. That must be the enemy commander. But what manner of weapons are those.... stones? he wondered. Before he could ponder it any further the bulk of the Phyrexian lines began to bow out towards the Mirrans. The charge had begun.

[Nelle Kozera]

“Someone gave an order to charge…” Asuzael looked at enemy lines, “Well this should be interesting, anyway here is aerial view.” In front of Silver a large image of the battlefield would appear as it was seen through the Dragons eye. Silver would see the Mirran lines take a defensive stance, as this happened he see a few of the Mirran soldiers disappear in a flash of white light. In this view he would also a Harpy towards the back of the line looking slightly irritated. He was indeed carrying a scythe with a skull on it, the same one that he had stolen from Silver. He seemed out of place on the Razor fields of the Glimmervoid looking more like a wild animal than soldier. “He a friend of yours?” She asked.

Below her the creatures of which she was personally commanded glowed in dim white light. Like her, each of the soldiers had a exoskeleton of what looked like fragile porcelain but in actuality it was a strong as steel. Again another set of soldiers disappeared from the front lines of the Mirran forces, those looking at the dragon would be able to match these events with a wave of her front paws...

---

“This is boring.” Ravenor said looking down, a Goblin had the misfortune of walking near him, Ravenor grabbed him, “Do you want to help your comrades in this fight?” The Goblin nodded, “Grab some of your friends then, and meet me back here in a few minutes. We are going to take that dragon down…” The Goblin jumped up in Glee before running off…

[Dusty]

Ulanja looked on in horror as two large gaps in the Mirran lines opened up. The soldiers who had been manning the line simply vanished. The phenoma had also been accompanied by a flash of white light from the Phyrexian Dragon. Now they bring the forces of the light against us? Is there no end to this corruption? Ulanja thought as he neared despair.

His thoughts were interrupted however, when he watched a very panicked Goblin run away from his Harpy "Ally". He's up to something. With a deafening clamor the first wave of attackers struck the shield walls of the Mirran lines. "Hold!" Ulanja shouted as he moved towards the Aven being. Once he reached the sorcerer he wasted no time. "What do you have planned? Tell me it has something to do with that Dragon."

[Cobalt3924]

Silver smirked when he saw the Harpy in the Image.

“Ravenor… I thought I ditched his ugly ass back in Alara. At least he had the courtesy to keep my scythe."

Silver paused as he thought up his strategy. This would be his chance to reclaim some honor.

"Pass on a message to Elesh and the other Praetors for me Asuzael. My Shades will be sweeping from the south in case they try to Flank us. I’m taking a Small Strike team and Skithiryx to take down that Harpy. That Scythe is dangerous at the best of times: and in his hands: Karn only knows what’ll happen if he tries to summon anything with it. It’s made for Summoning Zombies. What’s more: It’s mine. Let me know when that Harpy starts making a Move.”

Silver turned and whistled to his forces: which branched off from the main force and charged at the Mirrans from the South. Meanwhile: He headed towards the Rear lines with his 6 best Shades to where Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon was Tethered: The Same Skithiryx that nearly killed him not 2 months earlier.

“I hope you don’t try to eat me again like you did last time.”
Silver smirked as he mounted the Blight Dragon and waited for Asuzael’s Signal that the Harpy had taken flight or taken charge. Skithiryx looked at him and snorted: Bits of Loxodon bone in its teeth.

[SliceOfDog]

After a long time of just staring at the battle below, Sanin looked quickly to Silver. He strode swiftly over, literally walking through the advancing Phyrexians who streamed past, as if ignoring that they were solid objects. He stopped directly in front of the Blight Dragon, which clawed through him sharply, with the claws also passing through as though he wasn't there. Ignoring the giant beast, Sanin yelled up to its rider.
"You! Silver! You don't think you're going off with a small squad do you? That's exactly what they want, it's an ambush. Their leaders are right in the fray, and for the moment we're not. Let the horde deal with them, and don't do anything stupid. Besides," at this he stroked the orb that he was holding close, and stared into it "things aren't as they seem. There's a force South. A large force, gathering to flank us. Another is ignoring the battle completely. Assassins, desperate but dangerous, heading straight for our heart. They seek to kill Karn while we stand distracted, then smash our forces with a surprise assault from the South. We must set up there instead, take half our forces down. Meanwhile, if you have any love of Karn, I suggest you and your squad go to stop the assassination. I would go myself, but I travel only on foot, and won't reach there quick enough."

[Nelle Kozera]

“No it has something to do with you.” He looked at the Leonin with a blank look before turning that look into a sadistic smile, “Course it has something to do with that dragon as well but for now...” He was looking at the Phyrexian lines, “I Thought I would even out the tide a bit.” He pointed at a large section of the Phyrexian lines, watching this, the Goblins returned. “Ah good you’re here” He turned to them. “You are about to do a great survice to your cause.” He held out his clawed hand. “…die…” Promptly the Goblins where drained of color they drained of their life force a red and black miasma of energy. This miasma formed into a ball of energy which Ravenor had taken for himself, he was holding it out for the Cat to see. “Life…” He held it front of Ulanja, “Is one of the most potent weapons in the metaverse, plus who cares about goblins.” He didn’t, as this happened the Mirran forces would feel a surge of Energy, becoming stronger than they were a moment before. The mass of energy dwindles rapidly though he keeps some of it for himself he had plans for it. “Now unless you have something else to discuss I’m going to take flight…” He spread his wings to begin his flight….

----

“What the hell did that harpy just do…?” The Image in front of Silver was still there, he had a perfect view of the Goblins that exploded into black and red miasma. “That’s not something I have seen before.” She decided to reposition herself along the lines being closer to the Front. She would be able to see her targets better this way. Plus it would allow her to project her presence over the area at the front line with more effectiveness. As she neared the front of the lines the faint white glow on the phyrexian side brightened a little but a noticeable amount…

[Cobalt3924]

Silver smirked and slid off Skithiryx’s back: landing neatly beside Sanin.

“For an apostle of the Father of Machines: you seem awfully afraid for his safety. Or have you conveniently forgotten that Karn’s Throne Room is at Mirrodin’s Core; and the only way to get there is through Elesh Norns Chambers?”

Silver pointed at his army of shades swinging south to intercept the flank.

“My forces are heading south already. I anticipated they would try to flank us and got my mistress’s permission to intercept the flank rather than join the front line: where I would much rather be than doing Bodyguard duties for a Silver Golem. And if you’re so scared for Karn’s safety: take Skithiryx and return to his side if you must. Just be aware of one thing Sanin Raol. My loyalty lies with the Black Praetor Sheoldred: Not with Karn. I follow her orders. Not yours. Now get out of my way: I have Mirrans to kill.”

Silver roughly brushed past Sanin to join his Attack squad: Drawing his Sword of Dusk and Darkness as they headed towards the Mirran Harpy Ravenor and leaving Skithiryx to Sanin's use. As he stalked away: He contacted Asuzael through their mental link.

<What Ravenor just did was his Life split power. As you know: I can create shades and reinforce our troops as an ability. His is he can infuse them with an insane bloodlust, as well as drain the life of some of his allies and give their energies to his other allies: Effectively Draining them of their Life Force and strengthening others. Hopefully: we have enough time to kill enough of his troops to stop him using his Life Surge effectively. His Life Surge basically drains the life of all his allies and turns it into a blast stronger than even Pathrazer of Ulamogs attack.>

[Dusty]

As the Harpy turned to leave Ulanja reached out and grabbed him arm. "Look I know you're use to having your way but this not going to work here. We can't stand alone against this infection," he growled. Cries of horror and pain caused him to turn as the Phyrexians again smashed into the Mirran line. He also noticed the Phyrexian Dragon moving closer towards them.

"Help me. We can both tackle that Dragon."

[Nelle Kozera]

“Meh, fine…” He shrugged, looking towards the dragon; she was still a ways back and out of their reach for the moment. “That dragon is out of our reach for the moment. In the mean time, we should look into tackling this first wave, at the rate she is advancing she should be here at the start if the second wave or so…” He said jumping into the fray at the front lines. He moved fast enough that he was able to strike before the enemy could touch him. As his weapon cut through the Phyrexians, each one rose again to help the Mirran side as slaves to the Blade and its master...

[SliceOfDog]

Hesitantly, Sanin mounted the beast and repressed a yell of shock as it reared and shook, growling dangerously. After a moment, it stopped, tolerating its new rider with an angry snort. He took to the skies, staring down at the legions below. Suddenly he banked left and flew towards Asuzael, curving between the giant rocks and circling her.
"We have won here," he yelled across the noise of the battle "Even if they still fight we know they have already lost. Now we must take a force back to stop their attempts to assassinate our Lord Karn. Come with me, friend, and we will crush their final hope!"

[JanetStarhatcher]

The small faerie bounced around the blind eternities for a while, eventually landing on the top of a hill. She looked around. This wasn't where she was aiming for, but at least she was outside of Oona's control. She was about to try again, when she heard the sounds of a battle. Not entirely unfamiliar to her, but this was a much larger scale than she was used to. She flew a ways down to hill to get a better look, a large mass of metal creatures was attacking a much smaller group of creatures. Something about the metal creatures seemed off, like the creatures that would wither away life, but worse. With a gasp, she rushed down the hill as fast as her wings could carry her, bathing the smaller group in white light to give them the speed to strike before the dark metal creatures. When she was done with this, she flew to the apparent leader. She believed he was a Leonin. She hovered in front of him, and gave him a smile. "I'm Ayva, what can i do to help?"

[Dusty]

Ulanja growled in frustration as the Harpy lept off into battle. If the Phyrexians don't kill me or him we're going to have a talk, He thought to himself as he unsheathed his blade and dashed to the front. The brief energy boost the Aven had generated was already diminished and once again the Mirran lines were wavering. "Hold your ground! We cannot retreat!" Ulanja roared as he lept into the battle, his scimtar violently smashing through the chest of a compleated Auriok. With another smooth motion he ripped the blade out of the creature and swung it to parry the oil laced claws of another phyrexian. The mirrans on either side quickly acted to close the gaps between them and their leader.

"Form up! Defensive formation! Don't let a blade through!" he ordered as he snatched a discarded shield off the ground. The entire surface had been polished to a mirror finish. This afforded him a view of the battle behind him, thankfully the Phyrexian's hadn't deployed their flying machines yet. With the Mirran's closing tight around him and forming an impenetrable wall of shields and blades Ulanja could spare a moment to think. The attack from the south should have happened by now.

Once again he was interrupted by a large pulse of white energy surging through the men around him. They seemd to gain vigor and speed, the Phyrexian stragglers were being cut to ribbons. Before he could questioned who had unleashed the energy he was greeted by a small being that floated in front of him, "I'm Ayva, what can i do to help?"

"Ayva? We could always use more help. Was this your doing?"

[JanetStarhatcher]

"Of course, I can't stand idly by and watch. You're outnumbered, and obviously need help." She smiled at him, "Besides, this looks like a lot of fun." She took a quick look around, surveying her work. Now, I'm in control, not Oona... "Now I have two questions, do you have any spare weapons that are small enough I can carry? And where do you need the most help?"

[Cobalt3924]

Silver gave a quiet smirk as Skithiryx reared and snorted at his rider. He didn't like the followers of the other praetors, with the exception of Elesh Norn's followers: the only praetor Sheoldred seemed to get along with. Likewise with Silver: as the only apostles of the other praetors he seemed to get along with were Elesh Norns.

"Good boy..." Silver muttered to himself. "Pity you didn't throw him complet-"

Silver stopped when he saw what looked distinctly like a Faerie race toward the Mirran lines and talk to the commander Leonine.

"Oh Bolas... First there's that damn Harpy come back for round 2; now there's a Butterfly winged midget racing around. Why the Phyrexia is there a Faerie here?"

Silver's recollection was cut off as he spotted Ravenor sprinting toward him: Unscythe swinging madly and cutting down Phyrexians only to be revived as Mirran Zombies. Silver smiled as he glanced to the south: Seeing his army of Shades completely ripping into the Flanks lines and scattering their troops in disarray and leaving them as helpless prey to the Caustic Hounds circling the area like vultures. Satisfied that he'd anticipated it accurately: He turned and charged to Ravenor: hidden amongst the Phyrexians right until he raised his Sword of Dusk and Darkness, and blocked Ravenor's Unsythe dead in its tracks mere inches from his face with a Mighty Crash.

"Remember Me Harpy?" Silver smirked and said over the din of Phyrexian sword on Mirran shield as his Shades kept Ravenors new Zombies busy so they couldn't attack him, and Silver kept Ravenor's scythe trapped with his sword so he couldn't reswing.

[Nelle Kozera]

“Silver, don’t do anything stupid.” It was Asuzael before she looked at Sanin. “I serve Elesh Norn, not Karn, he can die for all I care, it will mean that Elesh will take his place. Now if you want to help me in my endeavor here, I might think about helping you.” She sent him a Cold glare before she landed on the other side of the Mirran formation. Behind her, her legion of “porcelain” warriors looking at the Mirran lines though they had yet to make a move. Interestingly, the Dragon merely looked at the Mirran lines, her hadrons floating above her ominously.

Strange runes from even stranger magic coursed through the stones. “It’s interesting to me that you “Mirrans” still fight on even though it’s plain to see that this is absolutely lost cause.” She was easily heard by all the Mirrans, aside from Silver and Ravenor, her presence on the ground seemed to keep the Phyrexians at bay for the moment. The Longer she was talking to them the longer they would probably be alive. Even as she spoke, the Phyrexian oil pooled below her.

“I’ll tell you something, you have more than likely heard this from your spies but I think its best that you be made aware of this. Those of you that die in combat today will be nothing more than raw material for us. There are probably some of your fallen comrades in my very body but that’s irrelevant. What I’m getting at is the fact is those that come willing to the Machine Orthodoxy or to the Forges have a place for themselves. They will not be recycled; I myself am an example of this. I came willingly Phyrexian cause and I have my mind intact!” She pointed to a Leonin that walked up next to her, he had the same porcelain plates that all of those that followed her had. “The Dragon is right Mirrans, Ulanja! Listen to reason!” The Leonin was calling out to the leader of the Mirran resistance, the voice was warped slightly by the armor but it was still unmistakable. It was Ulanja’s bother Sujini former priest, now a Cenobite working under the dragon and her Master.

Next was a drone, this drone didn’t speak and was promptly crushed by the dragon’s rather large plated tail. No one in the phyrexian line even noticed. “So that is your option, come willingly?” She pointed to Sujini, “or be physically forced into the Orthodoxy.” She pointed to the very dead drone whom seemed to have been formerly human.

---

“Yes I remember you, I see you haven’t lost your touch now have you? Sliver.” He smiled, “You should know better than to think that I have nothing more than my...well you’re Scythe at my disposal.” Suddenly the Zombies exploded in flash of black energy he had made a lot of them. And having the shades tie them up like they where was nothing more than a waste of resources. He took what energy was used to keep them in motion for himself. Silver would know exactly what this was, Ravenor had used it the last time they were fighting and it had spelled his defeat….

[Dusty]

"No. It can't be. Sujini what have you done!?" Ulanja gasped as revulsion spread through his body. The horror that confronted him couldn't be true. He had seem mirran's converted before, he had fought hordes of Nuerok, Elves, Auriok, and even his own pride mates. But none had gone willing to the Phyrexians. Not to mention Sujini had been safe behind the front when he last heard from him.

He could hear the murmurs and the shuffling to his sides the Mirrans absorbed the news. "They lie," Ulanja whispered at first. Then he roared it, "You lie! You can't possibly be my brother. Your but a shell of a soul! If that! Your orthodoxy is nothing but a perversion! A deluded religion designed around heartless, mindless machines. My brother would never stand so callous as his kin were torn and twisted into these vile servants. You dishonor my name by carrying it!"

[JanetStarhatcher]

Before the faerie could receive orders from the Leonin, a dragon landed inside the lines of the smaller force. The dragon was white, but dripped the oil that was common among the other side. When it called for the smaller force to willingly give up control of themselves, it pissed Ayva off. As she hovered nearby, she felt the darker energies flowing in her. It fell in thick rolls to the ground, barely touching the legs and feet of the smaller lines. This was the energy of the night, that could wither the life of enemies. It crept up to swords and shields, wrapping her new allies in her anger. As the energy took hold, Ayva spoke, voice booking despite her diminutive size. "HOW DARE YOU..." She hovered closer to the beast, "You dare try to get these good people to willingly give up their freedom? I will NEVER allow this to happen!" Speaking to her allies, Ayva called. "If you value your freedom, fight with me!" She charged at the dragon with nothing but her bare hands, followed by a large number of creatures, all of which had her darker energy on them.

[Nelle Kozera]

“Huh? What is thing….?” She looked at the Fye as she impacted a barrier of light about a foot from the Dragon. It was easily apparent that dragon was a master of white magic, something that was normally aligned with the forces of good. What did that mean? Who was truly on the side of "good" anymore… “Little thing you’re just being silly…why are going against an entire army by yourself…? Hear I’ll make it easy for you…” Her wings began to chuckle with white bands of energy before she stopped “NO! You’ll wipe out the both sides of the entire force with that spell…” She sighed, “Fine…” The energy faded somewhat, “Well that idea is out the window, but…” She thought about for a moment, before shedding a healing light not only over the Phyrexian forces but the remains of the Mirran forces. The Mirrans would see their wounds heal before their eyes and would be refreshed by the light. “ There a small token of my sincerity…”

[JanetStarhatcher]

Having been deflected so easily, Ayva was upset. Nobody had done that to her before, and it took her by surprise. Not again, she took a few calming breaths to try to find out how to get around it. She had hurt herself falling to the ground. Then the entirety of the smaller group was healed by it. Ayva glared at the dragon, even though she had been healed by it. That white energy that was keeping it safe was something that Ayva would have to deal with. She looked to the leader of the smaller group, "What should we do?"

[macrorufus]

The Swarm's position was not obvious visually. Like true predators, the field, and forests that they waited in, revealed little of the force. Of course, any lesser creature had been smart enough to stay very quiet, such that one would know something was wrong based on how quiet it was.
Amongst the Swarm, Gan Feng sat, hidden, receiving the view of the battlefield from the projections sent his way by Asuzael. There he could witness the ... lack of fighting around the dragon. There was no disbelief, as disbelief was something Gan had left behind thanks to the Oil. The wolf's ears twitched, there was a subtle shift in the group, as creatures made way for something more deadly.
-Ah.... he comes.- Came the thought.
Vorinclex's form appeared, towering over the wolf, and twisted in fury, though, that only served to further reveal how twisted Vorinclex was already.
"Have you seen the projection? They are not fighting. The strong must vanquish the weak. That is nature's way. Act on it."
The hunter nodded.

Gan Feng's mind made contact with Asuzael's. Even his thoughts came across as feral. Wild in feeling and dangerous in thinking.
What came across the link was not words, but a flurry of imagery, that conveyed the same.
"Why do you not fight? For true development, you must test and test again that of yours against that of theirs."

[Cobalt3924]

Silver smirked as Ravenor charged his attack. Silver definitely did remember this attack: and he had long since prepared to counter it since.

"Think I'm unprepared this time?"

Silver simply raised his hand as a swirling mass of nothingness formed around his hand before he flung it at Ravenor: the black matter forming into a large blade of energy that would slice Ravenor in half if he didn't get out of the way. Ravenor wouldn't have recognised this attack from Silver: He must have learned it new as it cut down Shades and Goblins alike on the way to Ravenor.

"After you insulted me on Alara: I've been getting some proper training: Don't think it'll be so easy to beat me this time..."

Silver then lunged and locked Ravenor in fierce Melee combat. Silver knew that Ravenor's greatest vulnerability was his concentration. So long as he was too busy keeping Silver's Sword of Dusk and Darkness from taking his head off: He couldn't use his magic properly.

[Dusty]

Ulanja glared at the dragon. "We fight," he hissed to the fairy creature. "Mirrans! Don't be fooled by its lies. That object is a pawn, a mouth piece, no matter what he says. We will never bow to your level." His voiced carried across both lines. Stepping out into the no-mans land between the two forces turned to face his shoulders. "Who among you agrees with them? Who among you would turn to the enemy that has killed your family, desecrated your home, and seeks to end your very existence? If there is such a person among us them step forward!" He yelled. His soldiers glanced at one another, seeing if anyone would except the challenge. After a moment of silence, the Leonin commander turned to face the dragon. "I think you have our answer dragon." Then facing the twisted image of his brother. "I hope for your sake your soul died fighting."

[SliceOfDog]

Sanin viewed the combat from above, circling high on Skithiryx. He shook his head in disbelief as a new combatant arrived, and stood alongside the Leonin commander simply talking to Asuzael. Behind the dragon, the Phyrexian horde marched on unrelenting. Though he did not know the power of the new arrival, Sanin doubted it would be enough to turn the tide of the battle. He had to act now.

In a flash of movement, he pulled out a blade strapped to his thigh, lifted it and slammed it hilt deep into Skithiryx's skull. The beast roared and bucked violently, tossing Sanin off, though he had been ready for this, and turned the fall into a leap. Skithiryx glided on for a moment before plummeting down into the Phyrexian forces, crushing many of them. Those it landed on weren't getting back up, but Sanin knew better than to assume the dragon itself was dead. He had seen beasts like that survive much worse punishment.

Falling now, he summoned all his energy and pointed at Ulanja and the faerie, who, alongside the nearby mirrodins, began to glow with a blue haze that would both protect them from incoming spells and allow them to pass through solid objects, indeed even living creatures, to reach their foe. As this happened, Sanin's "Phyrexian" appearance, which was actually a complex illusion, melted away, revealing him to be a young human, though clearly affected by stress and fatigue. However, he was 'pure'; untouched by the oil.

"NOW!" he bellowed, just before slamming into the ground, sending up a plume of dust and metallic shards.

[JanetStarhatcher]

As the Leonin gave his speech Ayva got to work. She reached into the aether with her blue energy and pulled out a group of five faeries. It had drained a good amount of her energy and it made her drowsy, but it was going to be worth it. She gave them the task to distract the dragon that had pissed Ayva off. They were only temporary, like all other creatures created of aether, but they would last long enough to do their job. As she finished she saw a figure jump from a black dragon, and as it fell from the sky revealed itself to not be a member of the enemy, but a member of the force Ayva had aligned herself with. He pointed at her and the Leonin, making them blue and hazy. It was a strange feeling to be immaterial, and she had only done it occasionally before. This was going to work perfectly into what she had planned. She flew to the new ally as he landed. "Thanks," she gave him a big smile before flying off with her faeries. This time she was going to make it work. She and her faeries flew straight through the lines meeting no resistance, as they had been made immaterial, as well. Quickly locating the dragon that they were searching for, the faeries moved in to get into its sight lines. Glowing brightly, they flew quickly in and out. While Ayva came up behind it.

((for clarification, she summoned faerie swarm: http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Ca...verseid=158685 ))

[Nelle Kozera]

Asuzael looked at the oncoming force and during the attack she remembered something she learned during her youth.


Long time ago….


Asuzael is laying on a floating Hadron in Emeria looking down at the land locked seas below. Beside her the Archangel Iona watched with her. “Angels and those that work them are blessed and cursed with the task of passing judgment on the wicked. Whether it’s their fate to find their own demise or the forced removal from this world, it is our task to remove them from this world. But the blessed part also comes with the fact that we are tasked with the protection of those that can’t defend themselves…


She looked at the come coming attackers, “Enough of this nonsense…” She jug her claws into the metal of the Glimmervoid, corrupting whatever she touched in the process. Flows of holy mana emanated from her body through mainly her wings as the Image of the angel from her youth appeared from the Ather, though it wasn’t the angel herself, but something else. With a swing of her holy sword all of the Phyrexian warriors where bathed in a righteous light. As the attackers meant the Phyrexian force they would find that their attacks where totally ineffective against all Phyrexian forces.


“To pass judgment on the evil, the vile, the wicked. That. Is. My. Birthright!” Her Wings where still crackling with holy energy as she said. “I will lay waste to the entire void if you move another foot…” While she may have been bluffing, it was well within her capabilities to do so the Mirran spy would be well aware of this.


“Now, you are to surrender him…” She slowly raised a paw dripping with oil until it was pointed directly at Ulanja. “My friend has…words for you…” And by friend she meant Norn…


---


Rav was annoyed, though with the sudden change to his being he smiled, “Seems that our mole has returned he jumped back knowing he had a little bit of time. “Sliver ever been exposed to Blightning?” He quickly gathered the mana needed before slinging the vile blot of energy at Silver….

[macrorufus]

Gan Feng had made his way over to Asuzael during the course of the discussions. The battlefield was just another form of jungle, wild, chaotic and deadly. But traversible to the prepared. It was easier to travel unnoticed on the battlefield during combat than during a lull.
Eyes gleaming, he amused himself by wondering what changes he could recommend to Vorinclex over the Leonin that resisted. Perhaps they would be more efficient if they lost those hand-held weapons and gained a weapon on their arms. That thumb would be unnecessary. Lose the eyes, and focus on the nose or ears.

He paused, catching movement through the lines, something moving against the flow of combat towards Asuzael. He felt obliged to warn the dragon, and did so. What she did to them, was not his concern, his concern now, was to weed out the slow and inattentive. He'd watch, and he'd wait, and in time, he'd strike.