The First Tale - Part Alpha
The room seemed rather unsuited for the ritual being performed, the cream walls and the large bay windows really didn't give that ominous a feel. Granted the black robes, and the circle of candles helped to maintain a reasonable atmosphere, but when summoning death, you really want something like a gothic cathedral or some such. Regardless, the members of the Order chose to use this room, after all who needs style when you're doing something perfectly.
The chanting rose and fell as the ritual started to near completion, and magical charge filled the air. Suffice to say, all the members of the Order were rather excited, after all they were about to become immortal. This ritual was the completion of three lifetimes of work, and enough money to buy several small countries outright. This was the crowning moment of the world.
With a sharp crack, and rather unneccessary smoke, the ritual was completed. The Grand Master, not waiting for the smoke to clear, called out, "Death, show yourself, and make us immortal!" Gradually two shapes could be made out in the center of the summoning circle, neither making a step forward. The first looked about the size of a man, whilst the second shape towered over pretty much everything except the ceiling.
"Hallo, it iz my discrete pleazure to meet you all, my name is Hänsel, und this iz my compatriot, Grendal. I am afraid ve are not ze death zat you seek, howefer ve are a form of death. I vill offer you all choice, eizer die here, or run avay und die later."
"Ha, ha, you cannot fool us death, besides you cannot leave the summoning circle, we shall not be tricked out of immortality so easily," retorted the Grand Master.
The two figures began to grow more distinct, and the smoke alarm went off. The shorter figure was dressed in a business suit and looked, to all intents and purposes, human. The second, much larger figure was more like a creature of nightmares, giant and monstrous, though still humanoid. The short one, Hänsel spoke, "vell, ve varned you."
Slowly, Hänsel walked forwards to the edge of the summoning circle. The members of the Order were looking slightly nervously at each other, after all, this didn't look like death, and the sheer arrogance of the man was astounding. With deliberate show, Hänsel crossed the supposed barrier and bowed. The eyes of the Grand Master bulged so much that it rather suprising that they didn't fall out of their sockets.
"Do you vant any?" Hänsel called back to Grendal, who made a growling sound, unintelligable to almost everyone. Then, Hänsel smiled.
Placing his hand on the head of the nearest Order member, Hänsel began his work. From the outside, it simply seemed that the unfortunate Order member toppled over, what actually happened was actually much, much better for the multi-verse, but much, much worse for the Order member. With a smile Hänsel quickly moved to the next, then the next. At this point, the Order began to attempt a hasty escape, though it didn't help.
When it was all over, the mouths on Hänsel's palms licked there 'lips'.
"Vell, zat vas a good start," the only response was a grunt from Grendal.
The chanting rose and fell as the ritual started to near completion, and magical charge filled the air. Suffice to say, all the members of the Order were rather excited, after all they were about to become immortal. This ritual was the completion of three lifetimes of work, and enough money to buy several small countries outright. This was the crowning moment of the world.
With a sharp crack, and rather unneccessary smoke, the ritual was completed. The Grand Master, not waiting for the smoke to clear, called out, "Death, show yourself, and make us immortal!" Gradually two shapes could be made out in the center of the summoning circle, neither making a step forward. The first looked about the size of a man, whilst the second shape towered over pretty much everything except the ceiling.
"Hallo, it iz my discrete pleazure to meet you all, my name is Hänsel, und this iz my compatriot, Grendal. I am afraid ve are not ze death zat you seek, howefer ve are a form of death. I vill offer you all choice, eizer die here, or run avay und die later."
"Ha, ha, you cannot fool us death, besides you cannot leave the summoning circle, we shall not be tricked out of immortality so easily," retorted the Grand Master.
The two figures began to grow more distinct, and the smoke alarm went off. The shorter figure was dressed in a business suit and looked, to all intents and purposes, human. The second, much larger figure was more like a creature of nightmares, giant and monstrous, though still humanoid. The short one, Hänsel spoke, "vell, ve varned you."
Slowly, Hänsel walked forwards to the edge of the summoning circle. The members of the Order were looking slightly nervously at each other, after all, this didn't look like death, and the sheer arrogance of the man was astounding. With deliberate show, Hänsel crossed the supposed barrier and bowed. The eyes of the Grand Master bulged so much that it rather suprising that they didn't fall out of their sockets.
"Do you vant any?" Hänsel called back to Grendal, who made a growling sound, unintelligable to almost everyone. Then, Hänsel smiled.
Placing his hand on the head of the nearest Order member, Hänsel began his work. From the outside, it simply seemed that the unfortunate Order member toppled over, what actually happened was actually much, much better for the multi-verse, but much, much worse for the Order member. With a smile Hänsel quickly moved to the next, then the next. At this point, the Order began to attempt a hasty escape, though it didn't help.
When it was all over, the mouths on Hänsel's palms licked there 'lips'.
"Vell, zat vas a good start," the only response was a grunt from Grendal.