Illusion Vale: A Spirit's Cry

[Wolfsister]

Michael/Sila/Tula/Durbin

Sila absently ran her fingers through Michael's thick red hair in response to his absently stroking fingers on her leg. She giggled, some of her former joy rekindled at the close contact and the possiblity for adventure (which she loved). "Can we possibly go on the morrow, Durbin?" she asked, her tiny voice strong and happy.

Tula smiled, it had been a long while since seeing her daughter this way. She was only saddened that it was because of a relationship that could ultimately never come to pass. She frowned, thinking to herself then she turned to Durbin, "I think that is entirely possible. If we work through the night to get them ready for their trip,"

Durbin nodded, grinning and rubbing his hands together, "Aye, tis possible lass. I'll see ter it,"

Sila grinned and looked down at Michael, tugging his hair upwards slightly so that he would turn his head upwards towards her, "Don't worry, Mike," she smiled gently down at him, something soft shining in her eyes, "I'll make sure not to disappear again."

 

[rengadeirishman]

Michael smiled as Sila ran her fingers through his hair. "I look forward to it, what must we do before the morn, in order to leave at first light?" he asked, realizing he was caressing Sila's leg he ceased immediately. Bloody eejit, it cant happen, and surely her mother wouldnt possibly approve even if it could.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

John - a.k.a. Elmhand

"Hi, my name's Mia, what's yours?"

The Ent opened his eyes and blinked a few times. He was looking at what looked like a young woman, floating before his eyes. The woman had short, blue hair and a dark green dress that came down to her ankles, leaving her bare feet exposed.

He cocked his head a little, producing a sort of groaning sound of a tree bending in the wind. This seemed to surprise him, as he jerked his head back straight, this time producing a sound like branches snapping. He then looked down at himself, bending slightly at the waist, and appeared to discover himself for the first time. By his estimates, he was something close to 20 feet tall, and he was a tree. He straightened up and seemed to rediscover the young woman before him, looking between her and the ground, seemingly to judge how high up she was and how the hell she was doing it. He then fixed his eyes, his deep brown-green eyes that had seen so much in his life, on her. Then he spoke, in a slow, measured voice.

“I am called…,” he began, but closed his eyes and tried to think. He almost seemed to have fallen asleep, but when prompted, he opened his eyes and started over. “I am called Elmhand. And who, or what I should say, are you?”

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Fay smiled at the young woman who gave her the tea. "Thank you," she said with a smile at the girl. The avian had to smile when Faelin stretched out like that on her feet, it was amusing to say the least. But then the political tale began as Celeste spoke of how the governers came to be and how they were corrupted and such. Well, if it wasn't something straight out of CNN?

"Pheldom however, is a smart man and has made smart alliances. The Spirit herself has sent messengers to ask for him to step down, but he refused. He has made such politically powerful friends that to take him down would mean taking down the city itself. Trade, our lifeblood, would cease altogether. So other people yet are willing to destroy other nobles, or replace them, or woo them to our cause,"

"Your cause?" She asked. "Is this like a rebellion kind of a thing or are you just talking about for the good of the people in general?" Fay asked after taking a sip of her tea. The tea was rather nice.

"You have stepped into a political mess, my friends and as much as I want to ask for your help, I also wish to see you safely away from here as soon as possible,"

Fay knew that it would be best for them to get out of this death trap as quickly as possible but... there was a part of her that wanted to help. "How would we be able to help? If we were to help... how would you have us do it?" She asked it was just curiousity really.

"Many of the soldiers are like that, it has always been that way. But as of late, they grow worse and much bolder. Wickim is troublesome, but he is also loyal to my husband. Such loyalty is hard to find, so we forgive some of his... character flaws."

"Well, I suppose that maybe that makes sense..." She sighed shuddering again. "I won't have to see him again right?" She asked.

 

[Wolfsister]

Eeth/Van/Rolyn

Van padded forwards and sniffed at the prone, unconscious form of Eeth and poked him with Sticky a few times. Then, after determining that Eeth would not wake, no matter how hard he poked, looked up at the old, panting Elf named Rolyn. "Eeth out cold," he mewed and then proceeded to drag the unconscious young elf towards the 'living center' of the cavern.

He brought the fire back to life with a quick spell muttered beneath his breath, Sticky's head erupting in flames, and made Eeth as comfortable as he could. He doubted that even Eeth's ability to become trance like in lue of sleep would work after this particular exercise. He knew then that he could speak freely with Rolyn. But that could wait. At least until Rolyn had finished cleaning up the mess the elves had made in their fight.

The participants that had been badly injured were quickly and quietly sent away to get some healing, the weapons hidden once more and Rolyn received an ice pack from a fellow with a slight limp. He groaned as all was readied and sat down quietly on a log opposite Eeth and the fire. He watched in silence as Van gathered some ingredients from his magical pack and started making dinner. A delicious aroma soon wafted throughout the cave.

Wordlessly, Van handed plates full of hot crusty bread, meat and cheese as well as bowls of stew to the anonymous and seemingly endless amount of elves that shuffled out of the dark, showing themselves to be a horde of beings that were large in number but small in hope. The food never seemed to run out and when all of the elves under Rolyn's command had been given some, Van sat back on his haunches and sighed, his tail flicking.

Then he turned his bright yellow, slitted eyes towards Rolyn and helped himself to two more platters of food, scooting around the fire to sit near Rolyn, silently sliding one of the platters his way. They both ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they watched the fire's flames weave and bob in a deadly dance.

Licking his paws clean of errent bits of bread and cheese, Van looked up and mewed at Rolyn, his eyes large and round. It was as if he were on the verge of tears. Rolyn glanced his way and gave him a soft, lopsided smile and reached out, petting Van along the shoulders and back, his hand passing over Van's soft brown fur.

Still they did not speak.

Eeth stirred occassionally on his bed of soft blankets, but otherwise remained too exhausted to wake. It would be some time before he recovered, the both knew, and then it would be time to train once more. Eeth's skill with the bow and sword were unquestionable, but he had to learn to fight with anything in his possession, anything he could get his hands on. So they would teach him the intricacies of the quarterstaff.

Finally, after Eeth had shifted for the third time, Rolyn turned to the furry animal next to him, his voice low and full of weariness, "How much longer must we keep up with this charade?"

Van mewed quietly and sighed, rubbing his head absently against Rolyn's shoulder, his ears twitching, "Until we need not keep it up any longer." He answered simply, both their eyes turned to the sleeping Elf across from them.

Rolyn closed his eyes and a deep breath was dragged reluctantly from out of his lungs, then he opened them again, "Can we trust them this time?" It was clear to Van of whom he spoke and the furry cat person mewed quietly, "Maybe. I do not know, but all we can do is hope."
"Are we doing the right thing, Van-shuda?"
All the cat could do was utter a humorless chuckle, "Do you question a king now?"
Rolyn bowed his head, "Nay. I just..."
Van nodded, "You have your doubts, I can understand. There is no love lost between our species, Elf, but I would have you know, on my word, that I will do anything to restore the Eternal. You are right to place trust in me," then his lips twisted into a sardonic grin, "And right to distrust me."

Rolyn chuckled, "Force of habit, Ctarl Ctarl."
Van sniffed and looked over at Eeth once again, his eyes widening as he realised that the young elf was stirring, "Hush, he wakes." Then the strange cat person painted a lopsided grin on his face and yeowled, long and loud, "Back to our roles, Rolyn, we reveal our alliance to no-one."

Then he proceeded to scamper up with a large bucket filled with cold, clear water. He crowed with delight, mewing in excitement as he skittered around the fire and prepared to douse the sleepy, young elf awake.

Rolyn bowed his head, his voice too low for anyone but him to hear, "Yes.... Commander."

 

[Wolfsister]

Largos and Len

Len was not aware of much during their journey. Occassionally she would wake, coughing up blood through her beak as pain shattered behind her eyes. But usually she could be found in a sort of dark trance like state. It was the only way she could escape the pain. Most of it, at least. She floated in a dark abyss, Largos's deep voice occassionally piercing her prison of darkness, but most of the time she floated, senseless and for a time, peaceful.

A hand extended towards her, an inner light seeming to come from the pale, blush washed skin. The glowing apendage reached for her and she was not afraid to let its soft caress touch her, she was not afraid of the bliss that it would bring.
The darkness around her worked to extinguish the pale, blue light and she struggled to keep the comforting touch near her. A voice called to her from the distance and she strained to hear what it said. Becoming more and more alarmed, she struggled to break free of the dark, clawing at the pale, glowing hand and crying out to be heard. Crying out to be found.
The darkness clawed back, roaring in her ears, drowning out the voice and whatever message of salvation it had. A screech lifted her high, the pain crashing into her limbs, arching her back as she screamed with terror and pain. Strikes of lightning flew through her as the darkness roared it challenge into her now deafened ears.
Her heart fluttered and she struggled against the onslaught, her narrow vision focused on just one thing. The ghostly hand before her, the beckoning light and the promise of salvation. Again, this time above the cacophanic din she heard the voice. It dripped with promise, with love and pleasure. With Light.
She screeched and swam against the dark, doing her best to ignore the pain, to ignore the white hot shard of molten metal lodged firmly behind her eyes. She cawed and flapped her pain stricken wings, her beak opening wider and wider as she longed to call out to the light just beyond her reach. She gasped, pain making her body shudder violently.

She had to break free of this darkness, she just had to!

A wing twitched. Then the other. Her eyes winked open, her throat croaking as she attempted to call out, to voice her need. To live. Her breath came in struggling gasps, her eyes widened and she soon began to struggled against the invisible boundaries around her. Chains that she could not see. She cawed in panic and began to rip at her own flesh, the feathers flying as she bounded out of Largos's tunic and fell, thrashing, to the ground.

She screamed with both her beak and her mind as she lay panting, her flesh too restrained, her skin taught, her feathers wilting away. She clawed frantically at herself, curling into a furiously rolling ball that bounced and churned the ground beneath it. Her cries of agony would break any heart.

Any attempt by Largos to either catch her, contact her or even touch her were blocked at every turn as she went through her very own personal hell. Her wings suddenly shuddered and her breath was knocked from her lungs as she finally burst from her skin.

************​

Shivering, she curled up into a ball, the pain ceasing abruptly but the memory of it haunting her mind. She shuddered, drawing large gasping breaths from her mouth, her heart pumping as she cried from large blue eyes. Her fingers curled into fists, her pale skin glowing in the waning light. The feathers on her wings, black and streaked with white, shivered in the evening breeze as her body was wracked with memorised pain.

Her pale, pink lips opened wide, her breath gasping as she tried to speak. Her tongue alien to her mind, the thick, soft undulating muscle moving differently, making sounds that were alien to her. She spoke incoherently, her mind racing to figure out just how to talk normally. Her mind screaming and ranting at the feel of her body.

It was wrong!

Long ivory, sculpted legs twisted from underneath her body, her delicate toes shivering in the evening chill. The fine hairs on her body raising in an attempt to warm her naked form and sheild her from the breeze that ran cool off the river next to them.

She blinked, her eyes changed from red to a startling blue, strands of hair interrupting her new vision. Hair! She reached up, wonderingly with soft, long fingers to touch the thick, luscious curls of dark, ebony hair, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her perfectly formed lips parting slightly as she took another shuddering breath and uncurled from the ground, turning to face a shocked elven vampire.

Unconsciously, her wings arched up behind her to sheild her naked skin from the gentle breeze wafting from the running water. Her startling blue gaze fixed on Largos and she breathed his name. Just a breath, a mere whisper.

Then she collapsed.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Eeth remained in the grasp of unconscious oblivion for several hours, not even dreaming. Eeth eventually stirred, but he did not wake. The stirring was him moving from unconsciousness into true sleep, not his usual trance-like sleep. He remained in this true sleep for an hour more, for his brain was still trying to get back up to speed. During this sleep, an odd vision came to Eeth’s mind, a vision of a large, 20 foot tree. What made this tree odd was that seemed to actually have a face, and that face was looking down at Eeth. A name came to Eeth’s sleeping mind, a name that Eeth somehow knew belonged to the tree with the face, the name of Elmhand. Shortly after this name, Eeth started to wake.

And as he woke, he was greeted by pain. Lots of pain. And also a bucket of water thrown into his face. Sputtering, Eeth tried to sit up, but quickly stopped with a groan, for he had just felt his broken ribs. He opened his eyes, or at least the one he would see out of, for the other had swollen shut. He found himself looking up into Van’s face, who happened to still be holding the bucket.

Eeth took in a breath so he could say something, but thought better of it as pain shot through his chest from the broken ribs. So, he just lay there, register the fact that his face was throbbing, due to the broken nose and the swollen eye.

 

[Wolfsister]

Asterion and Fell

“I must be prepared…” he repeated as he sat up to face the wraith floating near the fireplace. “Tell me wraith, tell me what you know of these other Guardians. Tell me who they were, in my world. Tell me who they have become here. Tell me everything…”

Fell was silent for a several long moments. Its habitual swaying in an unfelt breeze was all the movement it made, no sound coming from its invisible throat. Its eyes occassionally dimmed and then brightened, dimmed and brightened again and again.

Finally, Fell hissed and moved silently towards a basin of water that had previously been ignored. Its shifting shadowy body became explicably darker, the darkness seeming to swallow what remained of the light that filtered meagerely through several slitted windows in the dark hut. It hissed, staring deep into the water.

Then it seemed to open a portion of its 'face'. A gaping maw lined with previously unseen razor teeth, filed to a point, was revealed and a cold, pale misty breath came reeking from within the Shadow Wraith's open mouth. The mist curled from Fell and settled breifly onto the still water, the reflection cast by the mirror like surface dulled and obscured. The 'smoke' reared up as the glassy surface suddenly began to shift, a small whirlpool formed in the water.

It continued to whirl furiously as Fell stared at it with such an intensity that its eyes began to burn, the water began to froth, the surface bubbling and obscuring the mad whirlpool within its depths. Fell grunted, shifting suddenly and a feeling like thunder without sound boomed throughout the small hut. The water stilled in an instant.

The glassy surface reflected nothing, not even the intensity of Fell's brightly glowing eyes. Then a picture seemed to start forming. It was misty and dark, but slowly it got clearer and clearer. As the image formed, Fell's eyes began to dim before they became just dull orbs of light that shined a grey silver. The image in the water became even crisper with the amount of energy that Fell was pouring into it.

A glade; the trees ancient and tall. Birds sang, oblivious of their silent observer from afar. A figure strolled into view then, the birds falling silent at its ambling presence, then starting their trilling song as they realised they were in no danger from this creature. It seemed as the mysterious man burned with an inner fire, his muscles bulging and had a lack of hair on any part of his body. He glowed from the inside, his mouth opening and closing as he spoke to an unseen companion, the sound not reaching the ears of the Watchers.

A horse strode, nay, stumbled into view; its expression comically confused. While it seemed like a young animal, new to the ways of both the world and its own body, there an aura of power that emanated from the majestic lookingt beast of burden. A hidden promise of something... extra.

Fell hissed and a single name slithered from his dark tongue, "Jay...."

Suddenly the molten rock creature looked up, directly at them. His brow wrinkled as his firely flesh became taut with strain, he said something distractedly to his four legged companion and then growled, this time the noise reaching them.
He reached up a hand, flamed licking along the length of his arm and then shooting towards them. The flames somehow reached them and jumped from the water towards the Shadow Wraith and the minotaur.

Fell hissed and scooted backwards from the inferno blazing from the water's surface.

Then the image shattered and the basin cracked, leaking water slowly onto the soft ground below its stand. Fell seemed to blink, the diamond light of his eyes disappearing for a brief second and then he turned to the Minotaur, who had seen everything.

"Thisss isss a Guardian... they'ss haves givens usss a namess." A terrible grin seemed to spread from the Shadow Wraith, even if it could not be seen on the creature's face, or what passed for it, "Jaysss...."

 

[MilkManDan007]

The Evening Meal

Asterion watched as the shadow focused on the small clay basin of water and bared its teeth.

“Interesting,” Asterion thought, “he’s got more hiding under that shady exterior than he makes out to have.”

The water churned, frothed and swirled before the booming sound came and stilled the scene. An image came forth from the water, almost as if a window had been opened to some other place in the Vale, a porthole to view the others. There was a muscled man made from rock and an ungainly horse. It was not the unusual man that drew Asterion’s eyes, but the beast. There was something unnatural about it, almost as if an unseen energy was emanating from it. The rock-man reached for Fell, who hissed and retreated from the water.

The flames came through the gateway. Asterion could feel the intense heat of the molten man as his hand appeared in the small house briefly before the basin shattered and the images disappeared.

The water, still sizzling and crackling from the intense heat, began to soak into the floor as Fell turned to face Asterion, grinning and baring those awful teeth again.

“Thisss isss a Guardian. They'ss haves givens usss a namess. Jaysss....”

If this ungainly horse was one of the other Guardians, Asterion lucked out. A horse. A simple horse. Granted, he’d have to make his way through the rock-man, but the Guardian was just a horse. Jay. Asterion filed the name away in his head and leaned back again.

“So, Fell, I have to kill me a horse. I can deal with that. Maybe we can make some nice glue with him.” Asterion chuckled at the thought.

There was a knock at the door. Fell melted again into the Minotaur’s shadow as Asterion rose to see who this caller was. He pulled the door open a crack and placed his hand on the haft of his axe as he peered outside. It was Hale. Asterion rolled his eyes as he opened the door and stepped outside. The fish-man was already babbling about how excited the village was to be hosting a Guardian sent by the Spirit, and how so many people had come together to make this evening meal special.

He’s nothing but a blathering fool, he thought as he strapped his axe to his back and adjusted the straps. He’d be one of the first to go, just to shut him up. Asterion walked behind Hale as he made his way back to the town center. The smells of freshly baked breads and smoking fish hung heavy in the air. The villagers had all gathered in the square, some milling about drinking ale, others already feasting on the catch that had been hauled in earlier that day.

Hale seemed to flourish in this situation. He took Asterion by the arm and led him from place to place, introducing him to this person who made the breads and this person who raised the barley for the ale. The smells were heavenly. Asterion wanted to stop and join these villagers in good food and drink, but Hale couldn’t get enough. It was almost as if he was telling his village that he, Hale, had gone out and discovered this Guardian on his own – and at great peril – and brought him back to the village for good luck. It really was getting old. The villagers were also giving Asterion trinkets, good luck charms for his journey and other tokens to give to the Spirit.

A break from the monotony came from Asterion’s left. A glint in the evening light, a reflection of one of the torches off of something polished and metal. Asterion turned to see what had been brought out. There was a man standing in the square with his sword drawn. The blade looked to be finely crafted and razor sharp. Definitely not something he wanted to deal with right now. The man’s voice boomed over the low din of the crowd.

“How do we know that this is actually a Guardian and not just some freeloader come to take from our village what he can before moving on to the next? How do we know he is a true Guardian and not an evil force in the Vale come to destroy us all? Beast! Answer me!” He began to advance on Asterion. Hale stepped up to the man and tried to reason with him, but was soundly whisked away as several villagers who seemed to share the old woman’s sentiments, wanted their answers.

Asterion began to circle the opposite direction, unbuckling his axe and readying it in front of him. If this man wanted a fight, he was going to get one. The man lunged and swung the sword in a horizontal arc. The blade whistled through the air as he cried out, promising to banish the evil force from their village. Asterion dipped the head of his axe and tensed his arms. The vibration as the steel blade struck the axe head traveled up his arms and into his shoulders. The man was hardly fazed and wheeled to strike again. Asterion stepped forward, keeping his axe to the sword side of the man as a makeshift shield, and reached out with his massive hand.

The man swung again, his sword almost too long for the quickly narrowing field as the crowd moved closer to get a better view of the action. Asterion swung at the man, hoping to connect with his fist. His opponent was quick on his feet and stepped back, avoiding the blow. Asterion smiled. This man may have the advantage in weapon fighting, but Asterion had learned to fight with his bare hands, taking by force whatever others had that he needed. As he was readying his sword for another strike, Asterion lunged and swung his arm in the opposite direction, catching the man in the ribs with his forearm. Asterion could feel the wind leaving the man’s lungs as the ribs cracked under the force. The man dropped to a knee and Asterion pushed him to the ground and brought his axe up.

The crowd gasped and several women cried out.

The head of the axe came down hard and buried itself in the ground inches above the man’s head, snapping his sword in two. Asterion leaned down so he was close to the man, close enough that he would be able to smell his breath.

“If I were an evil influence, I would have killed you.” He stood to address the crowd. They stepped back, away from this beast. Some of the other men drew their small swords and knives, looking unsure on how to proceed. “If I were sent to kill you all, I would have done it when I walked into the square and saw you all gathered here. All I hope for is a place to eat, a place to supply myself, and a place to rest. I am no threat.” He turned and reached down to the man on the ground who was fixated on the large axe that could have cleaved him in two.

“Come, let us both get something to drink and some of this fine fish.”

 

[Wolfsister]

Kat and Rylia

Rylia was silent for most of the following morning, while not being as distracted as the demoness, it was clear that both women were lost in their own world with their own concerns for the moment. The Drider sped along the ground, her legs moving with a grace that she had previously come to appreciate, even if she did hate her new body. It had been so long, though, since she had had any other that she wasn't sure, deep in her mind, whether she ever wanted to go back.

The midday meal was meager fare, consisting of hard travel bread an old, tasteless cheese, but for now they would have to subsist on that. She mused while splitting up the food and thought to herself if she would be able to go hunt in the evening. She was a fair shot with her curved bow and she hungered for fresh flesh.

She grunted in surprise as Kat turned to her, her eyes suddenly intense with a new clarity and asked her about her dream. Rylia blinked, wondering herself. She chose her words carefully.
"Kat... your path in this world is your own," curious, she added, "How did you feel when you dreamt it? Horror? Elation? Bloodlust? And how did the horned beast make you feel?"

Perhaps... perhaps everything wasn't as hard as she had initially thought. Perhaps this guardian was already on her side, she just didn't know it yet. It would make sense, seeing the form she had taken upon arriving in the Vale. But Rylia was sceptical, it would be too good to be true. Too much of a coincidence.

Then Kat did something rather strange. She tripped over a log. Nay, she threw a log. Rylia blinked, a strange and fascinating terror gripping her as she realised that the demoness had unlocked one of her powers. Telekinesis. That initial fear and terror slowly into hatred as she remembered just how she had come to be. How a demoness had cursed her with this ungainly body and an eternal bloodlust. How she was to serve that vile woman while other Dark Elves ran free. She resented them all.

Her narrowed gaze flew to Kat's eyes and she grinned, her teeth baring in a less than friendly manner. "You can move things with your mind," then she shrugged, apparently indifferent, "I don't pretend to know how it works and I don't want to know." She sniffed and resolutely clamped her sharp teeth onto both bread and cheese, stiffening and refusing to answer any more of Kat's questions about her new ability.

Things were moving far faster than she had initially anticipated and she wasn't sure if it was a good or a bad thing.

 

[Wolfsister]

Jay and Coudron

*So...Just what am I suppoosed to be doing here again? I mean, I get it that the Spirit thingie brought me here...and turned me into a horse and all that crap, but WHY was I brought here? I mean, you said that the Spirit is a powerful queen or goddess or something like that right? So why bring me here?*

Coudron pushed yet another branch out of the way of his molten form for the umpteenth time, careful not to make the branch (thus the tree) burst into flame. He grunted as Jay asked his question, trying to think of a succinct way to get it through the thick skull of his Guardian just what he was doing her. To himself, it shouldn't have been confusing, but he supposed that Jay, coming from a different world, could (and probably would) hold different values.

His deep voice rumbled soothingly as the sounds of the forest surrounded them in its earthen song, "Its always been the way that those in power need others more than anything in order to keep their power." He looked back at the still slightly fumbling four legged creature and smiled in a brotherly manner, "I'm sure the Spirit can tell you better, but from what I know, she sent out a call through the heavens. One that only certain people would be able to hear, and when they did, they choose to answer it and are transported her," he shook his head, "I don't pretend to know about magic, but..." he shrugged.

Scratching his head, he spied a clearing up ahead that would be a prime place to stop for a few minutes and have something to eat. The rocks in his stomach rumbled and he needed a snack. Slowly, his voice getting more and more gruff, he began to tell Jay about the history of the Vale.

This included the Dark Times and the following Eternal. Plus the struggles between the human race (called the Guardians) and the Dark Kin. He didn't, however, plan on revealing the previous Call from the Spirit and the results of the Guardian's going mad a few years earlier. Besides... it had been before his time.


Coudron brush yet another branch from his path as he ambled into the clearing, still educating Jay on the finer points of Valian history, "Ya see, the Guardians got greedy. That's my bet, anyway, they got power hungry and -"
all of a sudden he looked up and growled. His rocky brow drew taut as he frowned and looked around, seeming to search for something. His own molten body unconsciously stepped in front of Jay, as if to sheild him from some unknown danger.

His eyes burned bright with flame as he suddenly reached out his hand into the air, flames coming to life and writhing along the outstretched appendage. He growled once more and then in a booming voice uttered words of power as he sent his essence along the magical link back to Fell and Asterion's scrying basin, "Aerock Finelle!"

At those words, flames erupted from his open palm and disappeared into the sky at a point about five feet from above them. It seemed to hit an invisible barrier, spreading along a hidden surface, a hidden ceiling. Then it seeped into cracks that appeared in the sky, a shimmer of flame bringing a trace image of the Watchers. A shadowy figure was briefly outlined, as well as another with horns on either side of his head and a great two sided war axe in his hands.

Then the image and the flames were gone and Coudron stood there for a moment, concentrating as he brought himself back to his own body. Then he gasped and shivered as if a cold bucket of water had been thrown over his head, he bent over and leaned on his knees, panting slightly. Then he looked over at Jay and blinked wearily, "You are in danger my friend," his gravelly voice sounded drawn and tired, "And I do not know who would be your enemy..."

 

[Wolfsister]

Noah and Drakalin

Drakalin flashed the confused furry animal with another bright, yet noble, smile and then it promptly fainted. Drak blinked, sighing and rolling his eyes dramatically before lifted up from the ground and gently floating towards the unconscious man. He deigned to bend down and poke at the soft fur of the man before straightening, unable to forget the incredible softness of that brown fur. He shook his head as thoughts began to form inside his mind and instantly cleared his mind of anything but the task at hand.

As he mused silently on the absurdity of his current situation, Noah began to stir and awoke. Drak stepped back, conscious that his appearance could somehow knock out the fox man again. He remained quiet though as Noah first discovered the Dragoon once again and then seemed to discover himself. He arched an arrogant eyebrow at the exclamations and broken sentences that rambled from the Guardian and sighed inwardly.

He had been stuck with an idiot.

Drak broke through Noah's confused thoughts then, "Of course you're furry. You are a Fox Man. The exact name of your species escapes me, though I assure you it will not for long," Drakalin was very proud of his education, even if he sometimes forgot things, "And as I said, I am Drakalin. Dragoon and Lord of the Skies."

Then he arched an eyebrow again, his voice coming out slightly cold and his tone arrogant to the tenth degree, "And you would have a name also, I presume?"

 

[Wolfsister]

Danae and Sishota

Sishota was pleased when Danae stopped, what pleased her more was actually where the selkie had stopped. The sun dappled meadow was indeed a perfect place to stop and rest for the night. The horses needed time and nourishment both to recover from the day's exertions. Shota realised that she may have to have a talk with Danae concerning her underwater speed. Of course she could keep up, but the horses were a different story.

She herself was slightly apprehensive about entering the clearing and silently blessed Danae for keeping within the water. She checked around for signs of habitation (the beings that lived here were touchy about their own personal space) but when she found nothing she soon relaxed.

It was almost picturesque when Danae eventually came from the water. The flowers in the glade were starting to close themselves from the cold of the night and the single sun sat blazing low in the sky, animating a busily stirring Shota as she made a deliciously aromatic stew with herbs, vegies as well as an unkown meat. She seemed to glow inwardly as she absorbed the last visible remnants of the sun's light, drinking her fill of her daily sustanence.

She looked up and smiled, "It has been a good day, Danae. You did very well and I'm sure you're tired. Here," she handed the selkie a steaming bowl of stew and smiled, "There's plenty more too," she said softly.

 

[Wolfsister]

Michael and Sila

Sila was more than slightly disappointed as Mike snatched his hand from her leg but she kept her tongue. She couldn't possibly ask more of the werewolf than what he was giving, but she longed to with all her heart. She, herself, stopped stroking his soft red hair and sighed inaudibly. Her wings fluttered and she lifted off of his head, careful not to kick him in the face. Then she alighted on the ground and crossed her arms. Her face was blank as she felt the loss of his touch, but she was well aware of the pitying looks the others were giving her and she would not give them the satisfaction of pitying her anymore.

Tula sighed, her heart silently breaking with Sila's, "Just ready yourself for a long journey. It will be a long time before you see daylight again." She smiled and patted Michael's hand, "There is still some light left, perhaps you and -" she hesitated... made up her mind... hesitated again and then resolutely kept going, "-Sila should go see the last rays of the sun before you go. It will be many days in the darkness."

Durbin frowned but held his tongue, it was not his place to get in between a mother and her meddling ways. Although, deep in his heart, he knew that it would only get them all hurt in the end. But he couldn't blame Tula for wanting her daughter happy.

Sila's eyes went wide as Tula smiled encouragingly at the two of them and then she blinked, frowning. Then it dawned on her. For better or for worse, Tula was giving her blessing in her own way. Sila's eyes filled with unshed tears as she smiled shakily back at her mother. Behind Michael's back, she mouthed a thank you and then disappeared from view.

When he got there, Sila was waiting for Mike on a high, grassy plateau. Herds of the stranger animals that Dwarves kept grazed lazily behind them as the sun began to sink behind the moutains. She sighed, holding out a hand, her eyes wide, her lips slightly parted, her heart screaming her question.

But she remained silent, willing to let Michael come to her in his own time. She had taken the first step, now she only hoped that he would follow her.

 

[Wolfsister]

Elmhand and Mia

The Ent was slow in answering, as Ent's are wont to do, but Mia was patient. She had learned long ago, in her youth, that patience was a virtue and often needed in order to understand others strange to yourself.

She smiled brightly as Elmhand revealed his name, her voice hushed in slight awe as she said, "A strong name, Elmhand." She she formally bowed and looked up, grinning slightly as she gestured around them, "This is Redtree, a great forest in a land called Illusion Vale."

Then she cleared her tiny throat and continued, "I am a water nymph. Smaller than water elementals but much nicer," she grinned and giggled slightly. "May I?" she asked but moved without waiting for his answer, she knew that it would be a long time in coming. Perching on one of his branches, she looked up into Elmhand's eyes. Quietly, she whispered, "Do you know why you are here?"

Perhaps Elmhand had been given the memories of other Ents when he had been transformed. Perhaps their great wisdom had been instilled into his being and Mia's job would be much easier. But she held almost no hope of it, still, it could happen.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Danae waited for Sishota to signal her to come ashore and as the airwoman busied herself the selkie looked for her dress in the packs. When she'd donned it, she came and accepted the bowl grateful.

"Thank you, it's nice to have a bit of something warm." She ate a few bites. "I've been thinking tho, on the days I swim, since you aren't eating, you don't need to cook so much. I sort of....catch meals on the fly, as it were." She grinned shyly.

"Tell me, do you know if there's something speific I need to do when we get to the spirit? A certain task? Or is that on the fly as well?"

Beyond them the forest settled into the night, birds sang their last songs and crickets and toads started their night music.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Michael was a little shocked at Tula's words, but part of him was glad. He watched Sila go off to see the sunset. He smiled at Tula and Durbin, a heartfelt smile laced with a terrible sadness, and turned to follow the faery. Her scent made it easy to follow her atop a plateau, where she sat, watching the dwarven herds. Adjusting his weapons belt he sat down next to her. "Lovely weather we're having isnt it?" he asked, unsure of what he should say.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Oh... Noah knew that look... This person thought that he was an idiot. Well, wasn't that wonderful? He would have been irritated had he not been so utterly lost to begin with.

"Of course you're furry. You are a Fox Man. The exact name of your species escapes me, though I assure you it will not for long. And as I said, I am Drakalin. Dragoon and Lord of the Skies."

Ok... So this man knew kind of what was going on, or so it seemed.

"And you would have a name also, I presume?"

"Yeah...." Noah said still sitting there. "I'm Noah... Can... Do you know where the hell I am?" He asked running a hand through his hair as he looked around the surrounding forest. "I... I think this may be a hallucination... I fell and hit my head pretty hard..."

He looked to the other and tried to get to his feet, stumbling a little landing on his hands and knees.

 

[Wolfsister]

Fay/Faelin/Celeste/Aran

"Your cause? Is this like a rebellion kind of a thing or are you just talking about for the good of the people in general?"

Celeste gave her a strange kind of look as Faelin lapped the crystal clear water from the small bowl at Fay's feet. Then she settled down once again, her large yellow eyes peeking from her black fur to stare intently at the Siren. Celeste then smiled, "We do what we can, but as far as a rebellion goes, we simply don't have the numbers," she sighed, somewhat sadly and absently took a small clear goblet of some strange blue liquid from her daughter. The little girl smiled and skipped out of sight again.

"How would we be able to help? If we were to help... how would you have us do it?"

Celeste's eyes brightened as she sat, turning the thoughts in her head over and over, pondering Fay's latest question. Faelin's massive head lifted from Fay's feet and she stared even more intently towards Celeste, her soft growling voice quiet as she stated, "We need to get Fay to the Spirit. She will not have the right tools to fight dissent otherwise,"

Celeste nodded, thoughtful, her delicately shaped forehead wrinkled in thought, "But... suppose if you could help the situation here, wouldn't that be fulfilling some of her duties?" she murmured.

"Well, I suppose that maybe that makes sense... I won't have to see him again right?"

Celeste blinked, dragged out of her thoughts and then laughed, "Oh no, Aran will be sure to keep you two apart. Believe me," she gazed intently into Fay's eyes, "I know what it is to be looked at."

Faelin growled gently, pulling the siren back to the previous topic and she blinked again, "Oh yes... As I was saying -"

"You want Fay to lead a revolution, don't you?"

"What? Oh no... I mean.. that is to say... er.." The siren spluttered, but the calculating glint in her eye was hard to miss.

Faelin rolled her eyes, "Let me guess. You haven't been able to organise anything simply because everybody is too focused on their own agendas and there is no one to trust? No one who will put Abark above their own ambitions?"

Celeste sighed, "That would sum it up..."

Faelin nodded her massive black head, "And seeing as Fay is an outsider, and a Guardian, she's significantly outside of the loop. And there could be no question that she holds Abark less then herself?" she cocked her head, "And what of you? Do you have your own ambitions? Would you have Fay turn into your puppet? Or the puppet of others?"

Again the Siren was lost for words under Faelin's relentless stare, "I.. that is... noone trusts anyone. No one can come to a concensus. I mean... we hold Abark above our own aims but... no one will believe us... everyone suspects everyone else. I won't claim that it will be easy for her... but... she is in a unique position of power -"

"She's in a unique position to be abused!" barked the slowly maddening wolf.

The siren stood to her full height, indignant, "I will have you call that remark back! That you would insult me and my honor in such a base way that -"

"Enough!" came a bellowed roar from behind them. In the small doorway that led to the tunnel that led to the small shop stood an imposing figure in amor, his scales glinting in the soft light. Aran stepped into the cosy living room and shook his head, "It is a bleak day indeed when sister wolf and my wife argue in such a way..." his eyes traveled to the seated Avian, "Forgive me. Leave them to bicker and we shall discuss more pleasant topics," he strode to a seat beside Fay and took off his helm with a pleasured sigh.

His face was revealed to be entirely scaled as well. His eyes slanted slightly and a sort of yellowish green. A type of short snout protruded from his face, razor sharp teeth lining his clacking jaw. A type of forked tongue flicked to taste the air intermittenly. He turned his head towards Fay, pointedly ignoring the other two, "My name is Aran. I don't believe that I have had the pleasure to hear yours?"

 

[Wolfsister]

Asterion and Fisher's Village

“Come, let us both get something to drink and some of this fine fish.”

Tolarak blinked... his gills quivering slightly as he looked up at the towering minotaur. The monster had given a good argument, he grudingly admitted, they could all have been slaughtered hours ago. But... he blinked as Asterion's shadow seemed to move slightly, even though the minotaur himself stood motionless. Shaking his head and choosing not to trust his eyes, he joined the Guardian, giving the large beast a shaky smile.

The evening's festivities soon resumed, though there were still the occassional whispers and dark looks aimed at Asterion as he ambled through to the large line of heavily laden tables in the village center.

Tolarak gave a furtive glance towards his left and saw the hag out of his side vision. She shook her fist at him once, her mouth open and muttering things that he was glad that he could not hear. He sheathed his sword hurriedly and was soon picking up delicacies and food tidbits to put onto a pearl coloured large half shell that they used for platters.

As soon as he got the chance though, he broke from Asterion's side and pointedly avoided him for the rest of the night.

Hale shook his head, "There is so mistrust these days," he murmured, biting into a succulent spongy coral that emitted a lovely smell, "That is why the Spirit sent for you, yes?" he looked up at the beast that so clearly towered over him with something akin to a worshipping awe.

Just a country boy... idolising a monster. It happens.

 

[Wolfsister]

Danae and Sishota

Shota blinked, "Oh... I hadn't thought of that..." she looked down at the merrily bubbling stew and smiled brightly at the selkie, "I'll keep that in mind. Though I'm sure the horses wouldn't mind something to eat..." she trailled off slightly, the silence awkward.

Then she seemed to shake herself, "I must admit, dear, that I don't know much of what the Spirit will charge you with. She gave me just enough information to get you by until you two met." She leaned in and stirred the coals beneath the bubbling pot, her wispy form reflecting the flames mistily.

She looked up, "Will you be sleeping with us tonight?"

 

[Wolfsister]

Michael and Sila

"Lovely weather we're having isnt it?"

A terrible sadness came into her large blue eyes as her hand dropped limply back into her lap, having not been taken by the werewolf. She stared off at the view, an endless drop giving them a clear view of the valley beyond. She sighed, "Yes... lovely..." was all she could muster herself to say.

It seemed then that her world had shrivelled up once again to the size of the small, suffocating burlap sack. Her body quivered, invisible blows rocking her slightly as her gut twisted with despair.

She had been so foolish! So... childish!

After wallowing in her self loathing for a scant few seconds, when next she spoke, her voice came out strong, cold and distant, "I suppose you want to get some rest before our journey," she got up slowly, "I will leave you now..." she turned, hesitating slightly, vainly giving Michael one more chance....

 

[Wolfsister]

Noah and Drakalin

"Yeah.... I'm Noah... Can... Do you know where the hell I am? I... I think this may be a hallucination... I fell and hit my head pretty hard..."

Drakalin raised an eyebrow again and then swept low in a sort of perfuntory bow, "Welcome to the Vale, Noah, I am pleased to meet your aquaintence."

Well, didn't he sound like the pompass ass?

Drakalin laughed in a sort of hauty way, "Oh no, my dear furry friend. This be no hallucination, you are indeed in a world far different from your own. You see, you were transported here from your world, having heard the Spirit's call for help and thus you were changed as none of your kind can live in this realm." He paused to take a breath, "Any questions you have you may direct my way as I am to be your guide through this land. I am to take you to the Spirit as soon as I can arrange travel and when you are feeling well enough,"

He peered down at Noah, "I do so hope your head feels better."

 

[Wolfsister]

Eeth/Rolyn and Van

Van laughed maniacally, "Eeth not miss that one!!" he crowed and scampered around the fireplace, wearing the bucket on his head like some sort of crown. Rolyn just grinned and shook his head, "You know, Eeth, he's got you there, as much as I hate to admit it."

He crossed to Eeth, careful to avoid Van's capering, and knelt down beside the injured elf. He looked down and shook his head again, "You took too many risks, young One. Too many missed judgements," he waved a hand over Eeth's wounds and grinned ruefully, "I trust you won't let it happen again?"

Sometime the lesson to avoid pain was to give as much of it as the person could handle. That was the reason he had told his fellow elves not to hold back. Though, admittedly, Eeth had given as good as he had gotten.

"Still," the grinning elf said while inspecting Eeth's various wounds, "Not bad for a first time,"

He whistled and Van instantly came to his side, "I think you can heal him now," he looked down at Eeth's pain clouded eyes, "He has learned his lesson in pain." He reached a hand down to Eeth's shoulder, "I'm sorry," he murmured softly, pity in his eyes. Then he stood up and left the feline and the Guardian Elf alone.

Van whistled long and low, "Van not know how Eeth still awake...." he shook his head and began to shake Sticky above Eeth's trembling body. Then he began to chant and slowly the chant built and built then suddenly Van yelled out "Bogolah!!"

Various streamers and confetti suddenly rained out of Sticky's head and Van began to chuckled maniacally again. "Van just kidding!!" he grinned and hollered even louder, slapping his knee at a joke that only he seemed to get. "Mew!"

Then his face suddenly became stern and his voice dropped to a serious murmur, "Keep still, this will hurt."

Then he proceeded to heal Eeth. Painfully... not on purpose of course, but given the extent and seriousness of Eeth's wounds, it was just the way things went. Eeth's broken rips had to be broken in several more places before they could be set and bound properly and his broken nose was treated the same way, though they would both heal perfectly right. As if nothing had ever occurred.

His surface wounds however, while Van did clean and put fresh poultices on them, Van did not heal via magic. Rolyn nodded in approval. Eeth would have to learn to deal with the pain and heal on his own. The world was not as it once was and unfortunately warriors would need to be formed. This was the best way that Rolyn knew how.

Once Van had finished, he fished out some fresh food and dished it out to Eeth, Rolyn having stoked the fire into a roaring flame once again. Van nodded approvingly as Eeth began to eat, "Eeth be okay." He stated and that was that.

 

[Mantra]

Jay

"Ya see, the Guardians got greedy. That's my bet, anyway, they got power hungry and -"

*Yeah, and....* Jay thought back. He was rapt with attention this time. In fact, this was the most ol Rocky had said in one string since Jay had 'woken up'. Now the big dumb rock man had stopped, right at the cliff hanger. No fair!

Suddenly, Coudron held up one arm, producing a gout of flame. Jay jumped back as the flames spread outward into the sky, illuminating a..vision? of a pair of creatures Jay really didn't think he wanted to meet any time soon...or any time later..or ever.

*Whoa! What the hell was that!?!* he projected loudly as the vision shattered and vanished. His exclamation encompasing his fear and suprise both at the shadowy vision and that 'Rocky' who 'didn't pretend to know about magic' shot fire and torched it out of the sky.

"You are in danger my friend, and I do not know who would be your enemy..."

Jay just stood there for a moment and at a notable distance from the flame-throwing rock man. *Me?! What the hell did I do??*

A moments hesitation hung in the air as the two of them looked at each other absorbing the reality of their newly discovered situation.

*So um,... should we run or something?*

In the end the two of them resumed their walk. Jay still walked several feet away from his guide, whom he noticed, seemed to be tiring. Did rocks get tired? Jay thought to himself, apparently they do when they shoot fire at stuff. As they walked, Jay began to feel cold,... and jumpy. It was soon after that Jay realized that he was... he was... OK, he was scared. His whole world had vanished in a blink..literally. Maybe his life back home wasn't ideal sure, remembering the near indifference at home, the monotany of school life, the dodging of jock assholes who though Jay was an easy target, the snide, mocking laughter of girls who thought he was wierd. It sucked, but at least he had KNOWN what sucked.
Now, he was in some dream world, being lead through some forest by a flame shooting rock man, towards a Spirit thingie, somewhere, someplace and now some monster thing wanted to kill him.. oh and let's not forget Jay's favorite part, HE WAS A FUCKING HORSE!

This SOOO totally fucking blows!

*So,* Jay thought, if nothing else to keep himself from dwelling on what was happening. *This town place we're going to, it is going to be..um, safe?*