Sherlyn knew that the situation was not good. The makeshift hospital behind the second gate was going to get swarmed by the charging orcs, goblins and dark elves soon. Not to mention the traitorous humans and the undead ones.

But she was a Priestess of Light, a Blade Dancer of Life. She would stay with those that she had nursed until they were safely evacuated. That was her duty. Though she was hardly on the frontlines unlike the guys and some of the other girls, she still had to bear the responsibility.

You didn't escape from combat just because you were a healer. You took the risks all the same. That was war. Especially one to stop the Devil from commiting genocide. Genocide of God's people, that is.

The wooden door of the hospital broke open, and the bodies of the two guards were flung to the ground. Steeling herself, her eyes flared with anger and determination. The priestess swept up her white staff of reinforced oak wood. This staff had been with her for a very long time, and the funny thing was, there was no mark or notch in it. It was that strong.

Orcs began to flood the room, and soon a throng of around thirty to forty orcs gathered before her, roughly-forged swords and axes gleaming before her. Behind her, a group of carriers ferried the wounded men to the third wall. They had no weapons, and all were lightly armoured to lighten their load.

She was their only defense. She was the only thing that delayed the orcs from killing them. Sherlyn raised her staff menacingly.

An orc charged, only to fall to a graceful yet devastating blow to the neck. Another came, and this time the staff cracked across his skull, knocking him dead. Sherlyn breathed, and her eyes saw four orcs jump at her at once. Her pupils widened.

Suddenly a pair of wavy steel blades, like the shape of a flame, came down, and an orc lost its head. Shermien, her sister stood beside her, eyes blazing, smirk on her face.

The Blade Dancer of Fire.

From her left an orc ran, but a rapier plunged through its chest, and a sabre swept the body away. A girl in a black jacket stood there, rapier in left and sabre in right. Melodie, with her usual half-smile when she danced, spun in a circle and landed perfectly.

The Blade Dancer of Water.

The third orc was a little more hesitant in attacking, and yet that proved to be its downfall when a brown-clad girl rammed her twin long knives into its chest. Shannon turned around, crossed her blades, took a bow and pursed her lips, and broke into a wide smile. "Hi!"

The Blade Dancer of Wind.

The last orc managed to sneak around them, in the violence that took place a few seconds before. Now behind Sherlyn he raised his dagger...Only to feel incredible pain, and looking downwards, he saw the tip of a short sword stick jut out from his chest. Apparently, someone had rammed it from his back. Falling to his knees, he heard someone behind speak in a chirpy voice: "Trying to backstab my friend huh? Just remember, I'm the rogue-in-training here. If there's any backstabbing to be done, the person to do it is me!" Sharyl pouted, and removed her blade from the carcass.
 
The Blade Dancer of the Blizzard.
 
The five girls now stood together, not side by side, but in a formation. Slowly, they moved in unison: staff, flambards, rapier and sabre, twin long knives and a short sword moving in a myraid of movements that seemed to read each others' minds even though not a word was exchanged.
 
All of the Dancers, now tuned to the Great Song of God's Creation, twirled, leapt and spun, and as the remaining orcs charged, all of them seemed to pause for a second.
 
Then the moment passed, and one of the greatest victories ever recorded in the Siege of the White Fortress began.
***********
Hello all.
 
That was a excerpt from the "White Fortress". Yeah, I figured that if I placed all the rest of the main female characters in one excerpt, I wouldn't have to waste so much time. Now I can start writing about the guys...US! Hahahaha! More madness from Ephraim, Joshua, Ian, Leon, and possibly some other characters (Sir Samuel, Prince Terence and Adrian, The 'Berzerker' Zhiwei, etc...) GImme sone suggestions. I NEED THEM!!!
 
Oh, and btw, I'm not saying Sharyl's a backstabber. 'Cause she and Shannon are rogues in the story, which means one of their most powerful attacks is backstabbing, since rogues have the ability to sneak around without anyone noticing...Until its too late.
 
It's been around 2-3 weeks since I last updated. Really really sorry. Several things have been distracting me and all...
 
The 'O's are coming. And I'm shaking in my pants. Even as I write this my Chinese assessment book is on the computer glass table. I'm finished.
 
Warcraft. is. FUN! Okay, mebbe just creating the characters is...Though I'm hoping with the newest additions to the game, we would be able to complete that map.
 
Now for the actual rants:
 
Sometimes I feel really unhappy about the things in life...Why am I blessed with so little while other's are given so many? Good looks, good moves, a healthy and strong body, high intelligence, inceredible talents at music, great athleticism... Why don't I have all these? Why am I so dislikeable? Why can't I make others laugh like some do? Why?
 
I know, I know, I am beautfully and wonderfully made by God, but why am I not the best at something? Titus can sing better than I do (how many people have said that already?), Ming Zheng, Shannon, Jonathan, Daren, and more, can write so much better than I can. Acting? Leon beats me left, right, up, center.
 
Sometimes I don't understand, how a person can have so much stab wounds in his back and yet not fight back with stabs of his own. These are the people whom I really admire, the people whom return hatred with love. Respect man.  
 
Sometimes I doubt my own God. Can you believe that? Doubting the incredible love and power of our Risen King. The grace and sacrifice of the Crucified One. There are sometimes when I think: What if my God doesn't exist? Then life would be so meaningless, all the laughter and tears, useless... There are sometimes when I think: What if the Word of God was...changed by men to suit their own purposes? Then wouldn't everything that we've believed in be for naught? I don't know...I don't know.
 
God help me. If I lose You, everything would be lost. My faith gone. My life gone. My hope gone. God, open my eyes to see You. God, set me on the everlasting Rock of Ages, that I may not falter on sinking sand.
 
Sometimes, I think almost every single teenage female in the world is evil. How many of my friends, how many of them get knocked down by them just because i.e they wanted money, better looking guys, more fame, or even because of freaking peer pressure?
 
Y'know, even my teacher says, that you cannot believe how many girls have demanded huge sums, their children, their property, their life even, from their so-called 'soulmates'. Or they suck, and suck, the blood, time, money out of a guy, then throws him away.
 
Sometimes, I feel like the whole world is screwed, the whole world against me, the whole world with their burning stakes, with their accusing fingers, with their staring eyes of hatred, with their mocking laughter,...And in the background the screams of the lambs resound, again, again, and again.
 
...Enough of this. I think that's enough delirium for today.
 
Tution starts in a few hours time, and my compo's not even done. Haha. See you soon.
 
I hope.
 
By the way, the next is an excerpt from "The Restorers". Decided to put two excerpts up today since I haven't updated in such a long time. Hope you like it.
 
***********
His mismatched winter grey and midnight blue eyes took in the sight of the two.

He shook his head. What a fool I was, thought Joshua. What a fool I was to try to fulfill everyone's wishes, to try to alter him, to try and straighten his creases out. It would be easier taking on Lucifer himself!

Immedaitely after he thought that, he regretted it. Lucifer was much more powerful than him, even though he was an Aspect Ruler, a Vassal King of Christ. He remembered how Satan had knocked him aside with a single blow.

But then again, both tasks are about the same difficulty... Joshua thought sardonically. Looking down at the sweet-looking girl who lay sleeping in his arms, he smiled. At least Shannon and Claresta's safe now. But now the enemy is someone I will not fight, and cannot fight anymore...

He looked at the couple again, who now held each other in a tight embrace and was kissing each other. The Swords of Blood and Fire were merely triggers. Beforehand, he was already under the influence of Lucifer. That he should refuse the offer of Satan was good, but the Swords managed to fill in the gap that his heart had.The Time Lord shook his head sadly. In a totally wrong way.

Suddenly a seductive and forceful voice spoke in his head. Forget about him. What about yourself? Remember, Claresta lies in your arms right now. Bring her back to the Heart of Time and Destiny-your home, erase her memories and fill it with 'favourable' ones, that she may become the Lady of Time: your wife!

Shocked and utterly dismayed, Joshua took a step back. A split second later, he could hear another voice in his head.

This time, it was still, soft and quiet. Yet he sensed overwhelming volumes of...something behind it. It whispered in his ear: Do not do it, Joshua. Know that I will pour out upon you the blessings of heaven in due time. Know that I alone can, and shall grant you the desires of your heart. Know that I died for you so that you may live. And remember my son, that love, should not be aroused, nor created until it wishes to do so.

Joshua got a hold of himself, and realised what was going on. As a Vassal King of Christ, he was placed on the frontlines against the Fallen Archangel's forces, so he would be even more susceptible to Satan's temptations. However, God was good as usual, and was there when he needed him.

Yet...He shifted his arms so that Claresta would be more comfortable as she slept. He shook his head.  Two different decisions, two different endings...
 
It was a long time before he finally decided on what to do.

josh fatesealer turned back time on 7/20/2004 03:00:00 pm.