((Due to the lack of response on the current realm wide storyline, it is being closed out. Below is a summary of what would have happened should the posts have continued onward. If you have any concerns about the below conclusion, please feel free to PM me via the forums. Thanks!))

An Evening in Augustgrad

After recovering Jass Strata, Verial Akilara and Maxim Redmont set off towards Lumine's stronghold. Though the Emperor Ravenholm was not present, the undead witch Aubrey was and it was upon meeting her that the first revolt against Lumine's forces would begin. Verial took Maxim as a "prisoner" to Aubrey who waited. She readied Verial's reward - the cure for Kyrian Akilara - as Lumine had promised.

Jass Strata strayed behind lingering in the shadows until the right moment approached. After Verial had given Maxim over to Aubrey, her delight in possibly seeing Maxim suffer overwhelmed her and she forgot to keep her guard up. Hastily handing Verial over a vial containing a cerulean blue liquid, that which would cure his son, she kept her eyes focused on Maxim. It was in this second that Verial struck out at Aubrey, delivering a blow to her face. Her gaze turned from Maxim now, this gave the two men enough time to draw their weapons. Though the witch had proved an equal adversary, Maxim and Verial were able to detain her long enough so that when Jass stepped out, Aubrey's fate to return to the underworld was final.

The cure to Kyrian's illness in hand, the three quickly departed from Augustgrad before the guards noticed their leading lady was no longer present. It was not long after running through the streets that they heard thundering footsteps and shouting voices chasing after them. Despite the close encounter, the three were able to flee as Verial shifted to his dragon form and flew off towards Aleris.

Word travelled... through Augustgrad, to Aleris and most importantly, to the Redmont Headquarters. There was a renewed sense of hope that Aubrey had been vanquished and quickly the people began to gather for a fight against Lumine that would hopefully reclaim Aleris.

The Messengers, Cassandra and Aldrick Redmont

Cassandra had way made her way back to the Redmont Headquarters safely after the confrontation in Grand City. She had reported to Daphne that Ainsley Redmont had been captured by Lumine and while she readied herself to possibly assist in rescuing her cousin, Daphne had another task in mind for the Black Widow.

Cassandra and Aldrick Redmont gathered together with Daphne in the Redmont Headquarter's meeting room. Alerion was with the Queen of the Bloodline as the two Redmonts approached. Daphne issued their newest mission - to visit two of Aleris' Outer Gates in hope that the may forge an alliance and have their forces strengthened. Daphne sent Cassandra to locate Reino Del Hielo, Kingdom of the Elements, and Aldrick to Eternelle Lune home of the Eternal Empire. A Redmont spy had let Daphne know of the news of Maxim's attack against Augustgrad and knowing her husband all too well, she could only assume he was now on his way to Aleris and that they must assemble an army and meet him there.

The two Redmonts were happy to oblige with the wishes of Daphne and Alerion, after all... anything that might put an end to Lumine.

Two's Company; Three's a Crowd

Odin had been kind enough to show Ainsley Redmont exactly what she had been seeking - the Lost Soul of the King that had caused all of this trouble in the first place. With her magic flow cut from her, wounded from battle and kept a prisoner in the Aleris castle dungeon, Ainsley unfortunately did not have many choices. The only thing that would bring her close to the soul was to gain Odin's and Lumine's trust.

She had joined them and pledged her allegiance on her knees to the Ravenholm Empire. Thankfully her little act had won over Lumine, but she was still none too happy that he would not release the collar around her neck keeping her magic away from her fingertips. Though she was allowed to clean up and have her broken arm mended by the Ravenholm healers in the castle, her new position meant being Lumine's pet... in whichever way he wanted.

Ainsley was not often permitted to leave Lumine's side without pleasing him in some manner, which gave her little time to actually win over Odin. Instead, she watched the son of Dravvin Kirk quietly from the sidelines until Lumine got tired of her. Her initial thought, upon giving her devotion to Lumine and Odin, was that she might have some equal time with both of them. However it appeared Lumine took much delight in seeing some pain behind Ainsley's indigo eyes.

This began to bother Odin as Ainsley's current situation was not his original intention. It was true at the time that he was angry and wanted to see her locked up, but now he was often forced to watch Lumine with his new play thing and he could tell that Ainsley, despite her apparent allegiance to the Ravenholm Empire, did not enjoy her new position at all. And Odin, torn between what to do, started to see the evil that plagued Lumine and that the Ravenholm Empire possibly had no intention of helping him resurrect his dead father at all.

On one evening while Ainsley caught a few moments of rest, Lumine had awoke her and nudged her towards Odin. Lumine had finally received word that a revolt was forming and was on its way to Aleris led by Maxim Redmont. Though meeting his old "friend" overjoyed him, he was annoyed with having to plan defenses and the like. In his haste, he ordered Odin to take Ainsley away so that she might not overhear any plans and said for Odin to, "Have fun, Odin, but make sure to always keep her within your eye sight."

As soon as they were alone, Ainsley began to speak hurriedly as if it might be her last moment to speak with Odin. "You are doing the wrong thing," she began holding her hands in front of her.

"I know," Odin started and his hands now cupped in front of him held the glowing sphere of a soul, "and we leave tonight, to return this to the rightful owner. My father would have been disappointed in my theft."

"But it is not too late to make him proud of you."

Together, while Lumine had his back turned, the two of them fled the Aleris castle and headed towards the snowy fields where Elysia's Temple was.

Reclaiming a Lost Daughter

Victor Sage and Khory Bannefin had tracked their daughter to the Redmont Headquarters where her captor Kaine Redmont was. Arriving at the Redmont Estate, they were ready to issue their demands and if necessary, kill anyone in their way. However, the whole place was in an uproar getting ready for what looked like an approaching war and they were pointed in the direction of Kaine without any further questioning.

Kaine, still feeling on the edge after Daphne's reprimanding of his recent acts, felt bittersweet about finally seeing the faces of Khory and Victor strolling through the door. Words were only reserved for the important matters at hand - the kidnapped daughter. Kaine agreed that he would of course let their daughter go, but under the condition that the two would assist in the upcoming war against Lumine Ravenholm. Daphne had been under an enormous amount of stress the last few days, rallying whatever numbers they had to fight against the Ravenholm Empire. Adding skilled warriors to their ranks would only soften Daphne's hatred towards Kaine at this moment.

However, in the end it was Victor Sage who offered another proposal. Let Khory leave with the child and that he would stay and fight alongside the Redmonts. It was unfair to have their child be caught in the midst of the war, and if Kaine did not oblige to Victor's request... well he would have just felt the wrath of an angry father (who coincidently has yet to meet his daughter).

An agreement met, Khory Bannefin headed off somewhere to safer grounds while Victor stayed and helped the armies that were assembling.

Reaching the Outer Gates

Aldrick had reached Eternelle Lune first. Though he was not able to meet with the Empress, Duvessa de Sade, or the Emperor of this technologically advanced realm, he was able to have a gathering with Ameerah Amunet and Valorius de Sade. This was good enough for Aldrick, since both of them were willing to listen to the current situation and even consider joining forces. For a few days Aldrick stayed in the company of the de Sade family until Ameerah and Valorius returned. Approval was granted from the Empress and the two de Sades began gathering the troops to assist in the war ahead. Whatever their reason might have been to benefit, Aldrick was relieved that the Redmonts would be charging onto the battlefield with Eternelle Lune.

Cassandra had a more difficult time in her quest as the realm of Reino Del Hielo was not so clearly defined. It had been one of the new Outer Gates so unfortunately after speaking with many people along her travels, she was only met with a mysterious looking portal. With no one else to ask, Cassandra followed her instincts, jumped through the portal and was luckily met with the Kingdom of the Elements.

Once inside she was able to meet with Emily Kirk, wife to the deceased Dravvin Kirk. Cassandra explained their current situation and that should Lumine gain complete control of Aleris, conquest might reach Reino Del Hielo as well and their beautiful land could be taken. For a while Emily thought alone, not having her son around as extra guidance or opinion. Cassandra, patient, watched the Lady of the Kirk family and it suddenly dawned on her just how much she resembled the young man that had assisted in the capture of her cousin, Ainsley Redmont. Cassandra wondered if she should mention something about it, but thought better of it as it might hinder Emily's decision.

Eventually terms were drawn up and Reino Del Hielo readied for battle as well.

Reclaiming a Throne

The assembled armies of Aleris, the Outlands, Eternelle Lune and Reino Del Hielo had reached Grand City before Maxim and his company of Verial and Jass. The number of skilled fighters and mages had nearly tripled, however the Outer Gate regime would still find themselves outnumbered against the Ravenholm Empire. The fight raged below in the streets, in buildings and on hills - wherever one might find footing, there was a fight.

Being that the season of summer was still present, Tempesturo's powers were still in full swing. Joining the fray, the deities of Aleris posed an additional threat to the Ravenholm forces - one that did not go unnoticed. There were very few times when the deities had come together, but in this moment they fought alongside their more mortal defenders and tried to help regain control of Aleris.

The real climax would not come until the ebony scaled dragon flew through the night sky towards the castle. Verial dodged flaming arrows, cannons and gun shots that flew their way making sure that through his evasion his passengers Maxim and Jass were not harmed or thrown off his back. He descended and landed a few feet away inside the castle gates letting the two dismount first before he shifted back into his raven winged form. The three drew their weapons and headed through the otherwise eerily quiet castle halls.

They were met with few people and those who did stand in their way on their path to Lumine, were quickly detained and thrown to the side. When they finally met Lumine, he was sitting alone in the throne room appearing rather smug and confident as if he had just expected them to show up, and in truth he had been saving all his energy for this very moment in which he would come face to face with Maxim again.

"I guess my task was too much for you to handle, Verial Akilara," Lumine began. "And Maxim... always relying on others because you're too incompetent to come here and face me alone. Oh well. All this extra company will not help you."

Lumine wasted no time after his speech and was the first to attack. Together Maxim and Verial fought the beast that was Lumine Ravenholm. It seemed he had shifted to his more demonic form, the one that was shared with Christopher Ravenholm and was even more of a threat as he charged at both of them and fought each one viciously. They were on their toes, nevertheless, and were also trying to give Jass Strata time while she summoned a spell, one which would hopefully seal away Lumine and the company he kept inside of him.

Verial became more of a distraction as Maxim worked to unhinge the armor that kept Lumine safe and a near unstoppable force. It was during this time that the army started filtering in through the castle; the Ravenholm forces had been taken in Grand City. As a few people had poured into the throne room, the sound of the thundering footsteps drew away Verial's attention from Lumine. Concerned with whether they were more Ravenholm forces or not, this new gathering turned his attention away for a split second too long. Before he could jump away or block the dangerous claws of the demon, Lumine had sliced a blade like claw through Verial's abdomen. Poison and a hole gaping open in his body, Verial fell knees first to the floor sliding away almost easily from Lumine's blood soaked talon.

In this defeat, Lumine stole his chance to gloat, one which he should have not taken. Though his friend had been mortally wounded, Maxim had wrenched the armor from Lumine and before the Ravenholm leader realized it, Maxim was now fighting the side of Lumine that was more man then beast. In a final, agonizing slash Lumine's head tumbled down from his neck screaming only momentarily as it rolled across the floor a few feet. Maxim turned to Jass and gave her the signal to unleash her spell which sealed the armor and soul of Christopher Ravenholm that Lumine once wore.

Maxim looked down at his fallen friend and noticed in his hand strangely Verial still held the cure that would cure his son Kyrian. Verial was still breathing, though faintly, and had fallen unconscious from the poison in the wound. Even after Lumine had been defeated, there was little time to celebrate. After all, there was so much more to finish - for everyone.

Loose Ends

There are some outcomes which are certain and others which are not...

Lyseria had revealed herself as the Goddess of Winter, Elysia. While no one seemed upset by this, she thanked as many as she could for helping return the realm of Aleris to their rightful king and hoped that the continued visits of Eternelle Lune and Reino Del Hielo folks would continue. Elysia has since returned to her temple still waiting to find the lost soul of Alerion's brother before another uprise should occur.

The body of Alasiah Bluefield had never been found. It is unsure of whether she died at the fight at the Redmont headquarters a long time ago or not.

Able to reclaim their home, most of the Redmonts head back to the Outlands and began to rebuild under the command of Daphne.

Ainsley and Odin had finally neared Elysia's Temple with the soul in hand. Unaware that Lumine had been defeated, both focused on restoring the rightful balance of the Alerian people.

Not quite ready to become a father yet, Victor lingered on in Aleris helping restore the city that had been ravaged throughout the battle.

Leaders of the Outer Gates had returned back to their homes but a more formal alliance was drawn up with King Alerion, one that opened up trade and free access between gates as long a peace between the nations remained.

King Alerion, having settled back in the castle, began to repair his city. And although most of his people were still under the soul sickness, he was confident the balance would be restored soon, as well as his beloved Grand City.

Verial Akilara, shortly after the battle, had been taken back to his home, the Villa, in hopes that his mother would be present. He was carried by Maxim himself, but the Kinslayer did not linger there. He only stayed long enough to let Sorvynia know that the liquid he held out to her was the cure Verial worked to get for his son.

No one was quite sure of Verial's survival rate under the care of his mother, an expert healer, or the destination in which Maxim Redmont went afterwards.