Illusion Vale: A Spirit's Cry

[Wolfsister]

Largos and Len

Len stayed silent as she moved up, a little awkwardly with only a little command of her new legs, up to Largos's side. She touched his arm with a familiarity that spoke volumes to the people that were looking for any excuse to sweep aside their tenous trust in the Vampire that stood before them. Then, feeling a little wobbly on her legs, not having gotten the hang of using her knees, she turned around and went back to her seat on a spread blanket by the fire.

She was sitting close to Fara, quietly watching Largos handle the large group of people, including what seemed the honourable Pechanian. She absently stroked Fara's hair in a comforting manner as she slept quietly. Not once did it occur to Len to speak. After all... she had been a bird since her birth. True, a bird that could project her thoughts into another's mind, but a bird none-the-less.

As she watched Largos, another man quietly approached her. It was a foxman with a pelt of light brown fur peeking from his open shirt. He was obviously interested in her, but she mistook the lust in his eyes for the a friendly smile. She smiled back as he knelt in front of her.

"Listen to me, don't say a word. Come with me and I'll take you away from here. I know you've been captured by this vampire. I'll take you some place safe," he suddenly whispered, laying a hand on Len's, gripping forcefully.

Len was slow to answer, simply because she was figuring out how to talk, to frame the words she wanted to say. Her head was cocked to one side, much like a bird's, and her eyes were clouded with puzzlement. "Why would I go with you. Largos is my friend and I would never part with him," She shook her head, "I'm sorry, but you've got the wrong idea." Then she retrieved her hand, firmly, from his grip.

Aaron rose, an angered glint in his eyes as he gritted his teeth. "Why do you say that to me? You should come back to the settlement with me? At least there you will be away from that vampire and safe."

Only then did Len seem to realise the true nature of the creature before her and recognise the hungry, lustful look in his eyes. Her eyes sought out Largos's and a silent plea communicated between them when he looked her way. He answered immediately, taking the foxman in his fist and clearing him away from her.

Only then did she realise her heart was beating rapidly, fear locking her limbs together. No-one had ever looked at her like that, and she wasn't sure she wanted it to ever happen again.

She watched the following confontation, her eyes wide and wishing she could do something to help her Guardian. But fear had locked her limbs and her mind. She could not think, in her current form, of anything that could help him. Luckily, though, Largos proved to be a rough diplomat. Then he was walking back to her, a large smile on his face. She couldn't help but smile back.

"What do you say Len? Do you wish to go with them to their settlement. I know that neither of us know them but they seem to be okay and I hope that they might keep us at least a little safe, at least for a little while."

She lowered her voice, so that only his enhanced hearing could detect it, "I go where you go Guardian. But... perhaps Fara could use with some care from a healer..." she smiled up at him, willing to let him make the decision.

 

[Wolfsister]

Silverfang and Varic and Eric

Varic lowered his head in a formal bow to the spirits as the Diggers placed the last shovel of dirt onto the mound grave. He did not cry, he did not speak. Instead, he showed his reverence in his silence, his blueberry hair bound up in a solemn ponytail. Once the Diggers had patted down the damp earth, only then did he come forwards and finally speak to those present.

That is; the Diggers, himself and the trees around them. No-one had know of Than's presence, no-one had even known that Varic was amongst them, even though he was more widely known.

"When I found you, Than. You were like a long lost friend that I had not met yet. We laughed and shared stories. I will never forget yours, they were filled with wonderful and terrible visions of a world beyond ours. I know that I will miss you."

Then he knelt and placed a hand over the mound grave. Bowing his head, he silently freed the spirit of the Guardian Giant that had come to him a few months before hand and laid him to rest, giving him peace in the after life. If there was such a thing for a Guardian.

Silently, Varic grieved for the loss of both a friend and a powerful ally. He could remember that morning when he had awoken before his massive friend. A commotion alerted him to something amiss in the adjacent room and before he could gain access to his Guardian's room, his life had been sucked dry from him by none other than a Shadow Wraith. Minions of the Dark Ones. The Former Guardians.

The horror and rage and helplessness that Varic had felt upon finding the lifeless body of the one being he had been charged with protecting had almost overwhelmed him. But soon a resolve deeper than anything that he had ever felt before settled over him. He hid his anger deep inside him, his heart a cold lump of vengeance.

He would hunt down Than's assassin and he would do unto It things that even It could never have hoped to dream of. But first... he had had to bury his friend.

Raising up, his eyes cold and distant, he left the burial site. Far away from South Haven, he flipped two gold coins to the Diggers, though that was far too much. He knew that their families more than needed it. Before nightfall, he could be found well away from The Spirit Forest and heading northeast. The tingling in his Soul was enough for him to track the Shadow Wraith to Its resting place. Though, he was unsure why it was going inland, rather than to the sea.

Many days passed, soon blending into weeks and Varic abandoned the horse that had collapsed under him. For once not heeding the plaintives of the dying horse and going against all that he had been taught as a child. His need for vengeance was relentless and allowed no peace in his heart.

The trail took him deeper and deeper inland until he finally hit the Ethari Plains. A wide desert with patches of rough savanna as well as sand dunes that seemed to roll with the winds. He did not hesitate at its border.

When he finally met up with his quarry, he found it strangely standing still. Its wavy form shifting in the winds, but curiously, neither did it turn at his approach, nor did it seem to acknowledge anything that was around it. It seemed to be waiting for something. Varic didn't care to find out what.

*****************

Wiping his blade free of dark stain in the sand, Varic gritted his teeth, his fists clenched around the hilts of his blades. It was done. The Shaow Wraith was no more. The magic and the skill needed to take down one of those creatures raised goosebumps on his flesh and prickles of sweat rolled down face and body. He was panting with effort as he finally stood and surveyed the rolling wasteland of sand surrounding him.

His mind finally cleared and he realised that he had been starving himself, having run out of food within the first day of entering the Plains. He shook his head, taking stock of his supplies for the first time since his journey from The Spirit Forest.

He shook his head, realising in what state he was in. Did not even know if he could get out of the desert alive. His only hope, rather than going back, was to go forwards and try to navigate his way to Nariel, the only city in the wastes. His mouth turned grim at that thought, Elves and Centaurs did not necessarily get along.

Shaking his head, he began to walk the ardous journey he knew it would be. He had felt no satisfaction when killing that Shadow Wraith, however much he had felt some sort of release when he had. He wasn't sure he wanted to examine that reaction and so left it at the back of his mind.

Night soon fell and Varic knew that he would have to find some sort of shelter soon, otherwise the extreme cold would come to rattle his bones. Suddenly, as night fell, a green flash struck the sky and Varic whirled around to investigate. He looked, his keen eyes searching the flat ground before him.

Then something came to him. A form heaped on the ground where a moment before there had been none. He blinked slowly and then more rapidly as he approached the bundle. Soon he realised that he was actually looking at a being. It was strange.

A four legged creature with wings and a tail that did not seem to fit its wolven head. He cocked his head to the side and then all of sudden a whooping, screeching filled his head. No, not his head, it was outside. It was coming from a bird that had appeared from the sky and now flapped indignantly at his ear.

"Go away!! Go away!!" it screeched at him.

Varic took one look at the creature and then looked at the bird. Then his eyes went wide. "You're a Guide!" he exclaimed, and then held up his hands in defence, "I am Varic. Son of Malas and The Spirit. Surely you know of me. I have not come to harm your Guardian."

The bird, now revealed to be a magpie of some kind, settled on the ground before him. It hopped on one leg for a moment, undecided. And then it seemed to come to a decision. "Very well... you are Varic. I've heard of you. But why are you here? I am this Soul's Guardian. I thought you had your own,"

Varic shook his head. "Mine... ran into some trouble." Switching the subject swiftly, he said, "Would you like me to accompany you? Perhaps two Guides are better than one. And besides, this Guardian may be some trouble if he wakes confused. He is a rather large beast."

The bird once again cocked its head and then squawked into his face, "Very well. My name is Eric."

Despite his hunger, the Elf settled down with the bird then and waited for the draconic wolf to awaken.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Eeth

Eeth listened to Rolyn answer his question as he ate and nodded at the appropriate times. Eeth found it hard to believe that he had the strength to have driven that blade to the hilt in the rock, but yet the evidence was right before him – actually, behind him. He continued to sit and eat for a few more minutes while he thought this over. He had the potential, as demonstrated by the blade, but how to tap into it on a conscious level was another matter.

Eeth roused himself from this train of thought to ladle out a fifth plate of food for himself and switched to thinking about how he would deal with his unruly Magi. The Magi was making it difficult to communicate. The first time Eeth had come face-to-face with the Magi, Eeth had been his human self, a Navajo Indian, and the Magi had been an Elf. Neither of them spoke the language of the other, and therefore didn’t understand each other. That meeting ended with the Magi conjuring up some very strong winds and literally blowing Eeth back into reality.

The second encounter with the Magi had ended in a similar fashion. This time Eeth was the elf and the Magi was the human. The Magi got impatient and brought down trees to try and crush Eeth. Eeth eventually got pinned and was subsequently knocked back into reality by a very large branch.

Eeth thought his way through some logical and reasonable thinking, and by the time he had finished the plate of food (his fifth), he had come to a decision. Putting aside the plate and taking a long drink from the skin provided, he then laid back and began to meditate once again.

 

[wolfknight20]

Perhaps two Guides are better than one. And besides, this Guardian may be some trouble if he wakes confused. He is a rather large beast."

The bird once again cocked its head and then squawked into his face, "Very well. My name is Eric."

Despite his hunger, the Elf settled down with the bird then and waited for the draconic wolf to awaken.[/QUOTE]

Silverfang tryed to block out the noise he was hearing then realized he should not be hearing any noies at all his loft was sound proof and he lived alone he tryed to open his eyes and was hit by a flash of pain and fear for what set before him on the sand that souldnt of been there in the frist place was a creature right out of tolkien and a bird that looked like a magpie he tryed to get up and put some space tween his self and his visters and triped over his tail and thats whene he realy got scared cuse he knew he deffintly didnt have a tail last he knew not expecting an answer but hoping for one none the less he yelled at the two before him who are you what are you where am i and by the dragons claws what did you do to me

 

[Wolfsister]

Silverfang/Varic/Eric

"Who are you? What are you? Where am I and by the dragons claws what did you do to me?"

Eric ruffled his feathers, squawking loudly at the Guardian's sudden outburst. Just a moment before, he had been a motionless lump on the ground. And now he was a snarling knot of anger and confusion. His tail swished impatiently as he waited for the strange people to talk to him.

Varic just sat there calmly, the outburst not having had the slightest impact on him. It wasn't that he had done this before, even though he had, it was just that to be alarmed would just escalate the situation.

He held out his hands, palms outwards in a universal gesture of peace. "Calm down, Guardian. There is no need to be afraid," he chuckled slightly, "So many questions. Let me see if I can answer them all..." he paused and then tilted his head to the side, much like the bird, to think.

"I am Varic, son of Malas. And this here -" he indicated the indignantly flapping bird beside him, "- is Eric. I am an elf and he is a magpie, though he has some special abilities other birds do not. You are in Illusion Vale. A world that is vastly different to your own. You were brought here, via magic, in answer to a call made by the Spirit - the resident Goddess - to help us save a land in trouble. And lastly, but not leastly. You are the way you are because your form in the other world would not survive in this one. So you were transformed while you were transported here."

Then Varic put down his hands calmly into his lap and quietly waited for Silverfang's reaction. Not before asking, politely that is, for his own name.

 

[wolfknight20]

"Who are you? What are you? Where am I and by the dragons claws what did you do to me?"

Eric ruffled his feathers, squawking loudly at the Guardian's sudden outburst. Just a moment before, he had been a motionless lump on the ground. And now he was a snarling knot of anger and confusion. His tail swished impatiently as he waited for the strange people to talk to him.

Varic just sat there calmly, the outburst not having had the slightest impact on him. It wasn't that he had done this before, even though he had, it was just that to be alarmed would just escalate the situation.

He held out his hands, palms outwards in a universal gesture of peace. "Calm down, Guardian. There is no need to be afraid," he chuckled slightly, "So many questions. Let me see if I can answer them all..." he paused and then tilted his head to the side, much like the bird, to think.

"I am Varic, son of Malas. And this here -" he indicated the indignantly flapping bird beside him, "- is Eric. I am an elf and he is a magpie, though he has some special abilities other birds do not. You are in Illusion Vale. A world that is vastly different to your own. You were brought here, via magic, in answer to a call made by the Spirit - the resident Goddess - to help us save a land in trouble. And lastly, but not leastly. You are the way you are because your form in the other world would not survive in this one. So you were transformed while you were transported here."

Then Varic put down his hands calmly into his lap and quietly waited for Silverfang's reaction. Not before asking, politely that is, for his own name.

well that answeres my questions last i knew my name was Silverfang Wolfeian Nightwing now that introdution are over what is it this godess needs from me and why did i get turned in to a wolf with wings and a tail that looks tike genso knife i slept with under my pillow and what eles can i do since i asume least one of you guys is me guide

 

[Wolfsister]

Silverfang/Varic/Eric

Eric fluffed up his feathers, rather importantly and began to sqawk. Of course, because of his special ability, Silverfang could hear him speaking English inside his head.

"Nice to meet you, Silverfang. I am your Guide here. I'm supposed to answer all your questions to the best of my ability as well as help you adjust to the new world around you."

Varic stood and bowed formally, "Aye, I am pleased to meet you too, Silverfang." Then he looked down at Eric and raised his eyebrow, asking if he could field the questions so far silently. Eric just nodded and shook his bird head.

Varic continued. "In this land, there are none of your kind. That is, none of what you were before in yoru world. There used to be, but they became corrupt and evil and were banished from his realm. However, this land is in trouble and the Spirit - the Goddess if you'd like - deems that you are strongest and most able to save this world. Because your Guardian bodies were banished from this realm, you were transformed into what you would have been born as had you been born here. I personally, have never seen your kind before. Though I have heard of wolven-draconic hybrids. Though, they are rare."

His speech over with, he waited to see what Silverfang would say next.

 

[wolfknight20]

silverfang/varic/eric

ok but that doesnt answer the big question what am i able to do imean are theses wings just for show or are they working do i have some cind of magic sense im part dragon can i do magick whats the deal here V

 

[Wolfsister]

Silverfang, Eric, Varic

Varic chuckled, "Even more questions. You are an inquisitive one, aren't you?" he nodded thoughtfully, "That is a good thing. Especially for you, a Guardian."

Eric suddenly piped up, having been left out of the conversation for long enough, "We don't know your abilities yet. Neither do you. Its all a learning process, see? You have to discover what can do. As for magic... I don't think Hybrids have much, and I dont' think they ever had a Magi," he chirped and cocked his head in question towards Varic.

Varic nodded, his blueberry hair shining in the late dusky sky, "Aye, I've never heard of a hybrid having a Magi. Perhaps you can attempt to fly? Eric can probably help you in that regard," he suggested helpfully.

 

[wolfknight20]

as to being inquisitive i am that i also dont miss much that goes on around me its some thing that payed off in my prire life but any way so erick lets try the flite thing maybe we can see something to eat im starveing

 

[MilkManDan007]

In The Hovel

The small dwelling filled quickly as the four of them entered through the small door. Lira and Rylia continued to eye one another with contempt before Lira followed the Drider from the small structure, leaving only Asterion and Kat in the dingy room. She sat on the packed earth floor and brushed the stray strands of hair from her face. Her hand stopped briefly on her horn and a brief look of confusion swept over he before she spoke.

“Forgive me, I am still learning this new form I am in. I keep forgetting things like horns and tails are commonplace to these people but to myself it’s all new,” she said with a light chuckle. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes slowly tracing her form and searching for meaning in her words. Maybe he wasn’t the only one. Maybe these guardians he was destined to kill were merely mortal men in strange bodies as he was. He began to wonder if his dreams, his visions of what was to come, were true. Certainly someone this small and frail, not to mention one with her lighthearted attitude, could stand beside him and lay waste to this land. And Fell, he had told Asterion he was to kill the other Guardians, but the guardian he had been shown was certainly not this woman who sat before him.

“So tell me, Asterion what do you know of this Spirit I am off to meet.? I seem not able to get an answer from my guide, do you have anything you might be able to tell me?”

He unclasped his axe from his back and sat across from her on the earthen floor, his hand resting on the head of the axe as it leaned against the wall. He breathed deeply and thought carefully of his words before he spoke. Nearly a minute passed before he began.

“There is little I know of this place, other than that I know I am somehow different, somehow out of place. This is a new world for me as well, a new body, a new beginning,” he watched her face carefully, looking for any glimmer of response from her that would tell him that she was once as human as he was. “All I know of the Spirit is what my guide has told me, and that is very little. I was told to seek out the others like me, the Guardians, before traveling to see the Spirit.”

It was specific enough to get her talking, but vague enough to keep him from letting his true motivations from coming to the surface. He certainly would not mind the company of another woman, but as with Lira, if she became a nuisance or stood in his way, he would have to deal with her severely.

“It was a true surprise to find myself here, in a land I never knew existed. One day, it was just another day, and the next day, I was here.

He paused for a second, staring blankly up at the sagging ceiling before continuing.

“And what of yourself? How did you find yourself here and what sort of life did you leave behind?”

 

[Wolfsister]

as to being inquisitive i am that i also dont miss much that goes on around me its some thing that payed off in my prire life but any way so erick lets try the flite thing maybe we can see something to eat im starveing

Eric hopped closer to Silverfang, inspecting him silently. "Well, you've got wings, so that's a good start. But I'm not sure about your body. You've got four legs instead of two and you're very heavy looking..." it was evident that this magpie was a young one.

Varic stayed silent, content for Eric to guide his Guardian.

"I can just lift off, but I"m light," continued the bird, cocking his head slightly, "So maybe you have to have a run up. Just run in a straight line and flap your wings. When you get up enough speed, jump."

 

[wolfknight20]

ok silver stood up and started to run knowing there had to be more to this than the magpie said which ment if he was to be his guide by his self silver was in big trouble but as he ran he felt a tingling in his wings and looked dowun and realized he wasnt running any more he was flying low to the ground he reared his haed up to howl and almost crashed in to a bush for instaed of a howl came a small blast of fire followed by a blast of ice whene he thought it to hot for fire after which he did crash right in to the side of a dune not far from Varic and Eric

 

[DarkPhantomLynx]

In the Hovel

Kat raises her eyes as she speaks to Asterion watching him closely as his eyes slide over her as if assessing her worth. Her eyes flash, her temper starts to flair but then she stops herself. He is no different then she, they both are testing the water’s here. Not sure of the other’s intent or purpose in this drama.
Why would no one tell her the answer to her questions? Why was she here, who was this spirit and when was she going back home?
The Drider had said in time all her questions would be answered, but Kat was by nature very curious. And at the moment this creature before her was stirring that curiosity to the extreme. He was huge, muscled and soft spoken but she sensed something much darker lurking within him.
She watched as he settled onto the floor across from her with his large hand upon the axe she trembled thinking of the power it held and the damage it could do. She smiles without realizing it, her eyes sparkling with a pleasure very close to arousal. Funny the attraction not so much to him as a mate, but the power he represents to her. Yet with her usual candor she suppresses those feelings and moves on in her mind. Funny if they were back in her world she wondered what he would be like.
Hearing him speak of others like them she nods wondering what forms they had taken. The drider spoke of them taking forms they would be born here as. Her eyes once more traveling over his body she smiles. “And once you have found them, what then beast? Do you plan to join them as friend or kill them as a foe?” Her question tossed out at him to see where he stands. As an ally he would be everything she had dreamed of, as an enemy she knew he could kill her easily, even with her newfound power.
As he speaks of his life before and his appearance here she nods slowly. Knowing her story to that point is similar. His questions of her former life stop her, looking at him she wonders if she tells him her job if it will frighten him away or draw him closer to her. With a deep breath she straightens showing a great more strength in her character than she had since arriving at the village.
“Back there, believe it or not Asterion, I was a prison psychologists. I dealt on a daily basis with some of the most dangerous and deadly that were incarcerated. I picked and probed their minds trying to set free what demons held them. Only to find myself here one day after work as a demoness myself.” She looks at him her tongue slips out dampening her lips. “What of you? What did you leave behind?”

 

[MilkManDan007]

The Truth Revealed

“And once you have found them, what then beast? Do you plan to join them as friend or kill them as a foe?”

He laughed loudly and heartily at her question. It was so blunt, so to the point that there was no way misconstrue its meaning. She was the first being here to speak to him without clothing the words in riddle and mystery. It was a welcome departure.

“I’ll have to play that by ear as I meet them,” he said as she continued.

“Back there, believe it or not Asterion, I was a prison psychologist. I dealt, on a daily basis, with some of the most dangerous and deadly that were incarcerated. I picked and probed their minds trying to set free what demons held them. Only to find myself here, one day after work, as a demoness myself. What of you? What did you leave behind?”

As her words rolled from her tongue, his stomach began to knot and twist itself. The way she spoke, the choice of her words, it was all too familiar. . . . to set free what demons held them . . . “ He had heard those words, those exact words, before. Even the way she wet her lips, seductively but she did it almost subconsciously, not meaning to be so enticing, but being so nevertheless. He knew who she had been. Dr. Kat DeBruce. He couldn’t believe he had let it slip by him. She seemed so familiar at first, and now he knew why.

She had worked with him from time to time during his incarceration, but she had always seemed more interested in the details of his crimes than actually helping him. He often had wondered if she was truly the benevolent force she made herself up to be, or rather just another wolf in sheep’s clothing. He was about to test his theory and find out where her intentions truly lie. He stood and sat next to her, placing his back firmly against the wooden door before he spoke.

“The life I left behind, Dr. DeBruce, was one I shall not return to. Caged, analyzed, isolated. Locked away for the things I had done simply for survival.”

He did not look at her, but instead stared ahead at the far wall, his gaze fixated on the haft of the dark axe before him.

“I was given a new life here, a new beginning borne from the end of my old life. Where the life of Todd Jones ended, the life of Asterion began.”

 

[Wolfsister]

ok silver stood up and started to run knowing there had to be more to this than the magpie said which ment if he was to be his guide by his self silver was in big trouble but as he ran he felt a tingling in his wings and looked dowun and realized he wasnt running any more he was flying low to the ground he reared his haed up to howl and almost crashed in to a bush for instaed of a howl came a small blast of fire followed by a blast of ice whene he thought it to hot for fire after which he did crash right in to the side of a dune not far from Varic and Eric

Varic watched with some degree of amusement and curiosity as Silverfang gave his first go at flying. To both Eric and Varic's surprised, he actually managed to get off the ground on his first try. But, even more surprising, was the fire and frost that came from his mouth.

Obviously, this hybrid didn't have a magi. That in itself could be both dangerous and helpul.

Varic trotted over to where Silverfang had landed and leant down, touching the downed hybrid on the shoulder, grinning, "Are you okay, Guardian?" then he frowned once Silverfang answered, "How did you spit fire? Or ice.. for that matter?"

 

[wolfknight20]

how in tne spirts name should i know your the experts here not i but bird brain and i have to talk bout the landings in any case where to from here and what do i do once were there

 

[Wolfsister]

how in tne spirts name should i know your the experts here not i but bird brain and i have to talk bout the landings in any case where to from here and what do i do once were there

Eric ruffled up his feathers with indignation, "My name is Eric, not bird brain!"
Varic scooped up the magpie and held him in his hands, soothing the bird with strokes along his wings. "Its not a good idea to be rude to your guide, Guardian," the blueberry haired elf said.

Then he cocked his head to the side, looking up at the sky. "Head that way," he pointed to the northeast. He was going to lead them to Nariel, the capital city of the centaurs.

Eric squawked up, "When you want to land, thrust down with your wings hard and straighten your legs so that you can land on them squarely." Then he went silent, still waiting for Silverfang to apologise.

Varic kept silent himself, except he was still thinking about the fire and ice that had shot out of Silverfang's mouth. He would have to duplicate it. But not now. For now, they needed shelter, food and water.

 

[wolfknight20]

if you await a apolegy you will wait a long timefor i was taught in a ninjas school where we were taught never to apoligize it was a sine of weakness but i will promise eric not to call you a brid brain agine even if you are being one like not mention before i took off or during flite how to land ill simply say your being a bb fair anuff if so lets go where varic says

 

[DarkPhantomLynx]

Truth realized

Kat smiled at Asterion, wondering just what this great beast was thinking. But pleased he seemed as honest with her as she was being with him.
She watches the change of his facial features, tightening with some unknown feeling. Fear, not from this beast, Anger perhaps? But all she had done was answer his question of what she had left behind. As he moved closer to her she sat up a bit straighter wondering what was to come next.

“The life I left behind, Dr. DeBruce, was one I shall not return to. Caged, analyzed, isolated. Locked away for the things I had done simply for survival.”

Gasping looking into his face, he was staring off at the other wall, who was this man and how did he know her name?

“I was given a new life here, a new beginning borne from the end of my old life. Where the life of Todd Jones ended, the life of Asterion began.”
Hearing that name of all others shocked her far more than she cared to admit. Her body trembled with the knowledge he was this close to her again. Now she knew why his sense of power even in the dreams had drawn her to him. When she had worked with him at the prison she had finally removed herself from his case because she had sensed the changes in herself when she was around him. His talks of his crimes, though disturbing to hear had also excited her the power and passion he had in doing them. She knew it was wrong and had someone else take over before she fell victim to her own dark desires. And now here she was in another world, faced with him again. How had he survived the execution to come here?
Standing slowly, swaying a bit from it all she turned around slowly in the hovel noting for the first time how incredibly small it was. Her senses were in overdrive she wanted out but she wanted to question him. She turned to look at him, her mouth opening to say something only to snap shut again. Running a hand through her hair tugging at its curling mass she closes her eyes trying to figure this all out. Her tongue slips out dampening her lips again, such a nervous habit for her. She opens her eyes taking a deep breath and looks down at him.
“So tell me what do we do next? You know who I was, and I know now who you were, are we to be friend or foe? Personally I would rather have you on my side than against me. But I shall leave that up to you.” Her chest is heaving at the attempt to look casual as she speaks. When inside her pulse is going wild, her head is humming with the touch of wild excitement at the thought of seeing him let loose in this world to do the things he did back there, and with no one to stop him. Smiling she lowers herself down again next to him. She chuckles to herself wondering just how she got so lucky to stumble upon this guardian.

 

[Mantra]

Jay

"Have another try Jay. Perhaps this is just a test.... perhaps this is your Magi's way of warning you of the power that you could possess and seeing how you react?"

*Yeah, maybe. A test.* He thought back.

Although he said the words, Jay wasn't quite sure about them. This magi thingie, he made Jay think of a nsake, all cloiled up and ready to strike, just sittng there, waiting for some dumbass to stick their hand close enough.
That the 'snake' looked just like him didn't add any to his confidence. Still, he closed his eyes and tried again to imagine himself walking along the edge of the lake. He calmed himself before looking into the water.

Except this time, the reflection was just a reflection.

*Well, this sucks..* he thought to no one in particular. With a sigh, Jay opened his eyes, blinking them for a moment to bring Caldron back into view.

*Nothin.* he projected, a little disapointedly, but at the same time, exhaling a great sigh of relief.

*Can I try again a little later?*

 

[MilkManDan007]

A New Life

As he spoke, he could feel her body trembling next to him. His eyes did not go to her as she stood, but he saw her rise from the corner of his eye. She stood and swayed, unsure of her own footing before she seemed to straighten, run her hands through her hair and wet her lips once again.

“So tell me what do we do next? You know who I was, and I know now who you were. Are we to be friend or foe? Personally, I would rather have you on my side than against me. But I shall leave that up to you,” she said as she sat back next to him on the floor. He could almost feel her heart as it thumped heavily in her chest.

“Doctor, I did what I did in my life as Todd Jones, I did only to survive,” he said to her, his eyes still staring blankly at the far wall of the hovel. “In that life, I was powerless. I was a wanderer set upon the earth, destined to roam with no chance of bettering myself.” He turned to face her as he continued. “But here, in this place, in this body, I have the power to rise above the common man. To become someone who is respected and feared. I don’t know how I came here or inherited this body, but one thing I am sure of is that I will never go back to being a nobody. Never again will I be just another faceless beggar on the corner, another nameless body in a room. If that means I have to kill again, if that means I have to collaborate with my demons, then so be it.”

He rose and moved to the center of the room, turning to face her. He did not move to his axe, nor did he move to block the door should she attempt to leave.

“All I know about why I was brought here and my execution stayed for the time being is that my guide has told me that I am charged with finding and dispatching the others who have been brought here to protect this land. And if that is what is required of me to continue this life, then that is what I shall do. I will not go back, that is one thing I am absolutely certain of.”

 

[Angelus]

Largos/Len/Malakiel

Largos looked at Fara for the briefest of moments, finally realizing that she was there. In everything that had happened between the group of settlers and himself she had been wiped from his mind. He looked back at her and knew that he should move towards her; to help her up but wondered how it would be perceived by everyone standing before him, given the situation that he had put himself into. As he turned to look at them he could still see the fear that was in their eyes and thanked god that they hadn't heard Len call him a guardian. He knew that there would have been no way out of it after that.

"I think that it would be wise if we went to the settlement with you. I know that Fara does need a healer; I hope that you have one."

A large smile appeared on Malakiel's face as he looked at Largos, "Good, good. We have probably the best healer in the district, apart from the ones at Vale City that is so Fara will be in good hands once we get to the settlement. I hope that you do not think me rude for saying this to you but I think that we should get going now. There are things out here which do not like us very much."

"Yeah, like vampires," Aaran said which caused Malakiel to glare at him.

Largos watched as Malakiel grabbed Aaran by the scruff of his neck and drag him back to where the group was which left him to move back towards the camp, now totally aware that Len was still beside him.

"I hope that you do not mind that I made the decision that I did Len. You were right when you said that Fara does need to be healed and these people do seem to be the right sort. I know that both of us need the company after what we have been through."

He hoped that he wasn't being too rude as he walked away from Len towards where his horse still stood as if waiting for him to jump on and ride away from this place. He walked towards the other side of the horse and began to tie his belongings behind the saddle all the while watching the group as they stood in a loose circle, obviously discussing something. He wished that he knew what they were saying and it was at that point that he heard Malakiel's voice as if he was standing next to him.

"-there is no need to say something like that Aaran. If he had wanted to kill us I am sure that he would have done so by now. I know it is not the best thing to bring a vampire to our settlement but right now we need all the help that we can get. Whatever is taking our people might come back as soon as it is dark and having a vampire there might make it think otherwise."

"You cannot trust that thing Malakiel. He will turn on us the moment he has stopped whatever it is."

Largos watched as Malakiel turned his head to look straight at Largos, "I don't think that he will do that. There is no way that the avian would have stayed with him this long if he was evil and why would he have saved that foxwoman from the slavers?"

"So that he can kill her later."

"That is enough Aaran!"

The first thing that Largos wanted to do was shout out because his ears felt like a cymbal had crashed over them but he knew that if he did that the group would know he had been listening and would not take it kindly. He closed his eyes and waited for the ringing to stop and was surprised when he came face to face with Malakiel when he opened them again.

"Are you ready to go?"

Largos looked around and was surprised to see that everything had been packed up, everything except Fara.

"I am ready but I do not know about Fara. How long is it until we reach your settlement?"

Malakiel looked down the road and Largos knew that he was thinking the same thing. He then turned back to look at Largos, "Not long. You could carry her there."

Largos knew that was the last thing that he should do to her, given the situation that she was in and wondered what he was going to do then slapped himself mentally when he touched his horse."

"Can you help me. I think I know of a way."

Without another word Malakiel and Largos helped carry Fara to the horse where Largos placed her onto the saddle. He just hoped that she would not fall off until they reached the settlement, where ever it was.

 

[Wolfsister]

if you await a apolegy you will wait a long timefor i was taught in a ninjas school where we were taught never to apoligize it was a sine of weakness but i will promise eric not to call you a brid brain agine even if you are being one like not mention before i took off or during flite how to land ill simply say your being a bb fair anuff if so lets go where varic says

Eric just stared at him, blinking slowly with his feathers ruffled in the slight breeze that wafted across the plains. My, what an arrogant one this is, he thought to himself, silently. Then he hopped up and into the air, circling the two others while they made their way towards the capital city of the centaurs.

Varic said nothing on the matter, if Silverfang continued to be rude and use such behaviour, he would soon learn that it would get him nowhere in this land. He did say, however, "You'll find that here, things work a little differently. I don't know what kind of harsh world you come from... but a sign of weakness here, is death." He said it in all seriousness, his mind still grappling with the sheer hate he held for the death of Than, his previous Guardian.

 

[Wolfsister]

Jay and Coudron

*Can I try again a little later?*


Coudron sighed, he knew that Magi's were notoriously hard entities to gain the trust of, but not having one himself, he was sure that he couldn't imagine how hard. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea," he said and then shifted on his little boulder. He had actually been sitting there for a long time, Jay not having known just how long he had been 'meditating'.

It was already darkening into night.

"We should get to some better shelter. The winds along this feild can be chilly this time of year," not that it bothered the Fire elemental, but still, he was thinking of his Guardian.

As Coudron sat there, trying to remember the layout of the grassy plain other than the knowledge that Vakare lay about northeast of their position, a strange sound came to their ears. It sounded like the howl of a wild animal, the call of a beast.

But after a few seconds, he realised it was a scream. A scream of defiance, anger and bloodlust. It was a cry to war.

Just what would want to go to war, he didn't really want to know. The mere sound of it went shivering up his back.

There was something vaguely familiar about it and Coudron stood, hushing the horse next to him. He looked around, cocking his head as the scream into the night sounded again. Then his blood ran cold... He suddenly knew where he had heard that sound before... and from what.

"Nightstalker.... " he breathed.