Pleasure Kingdoms: Second Attempt

[Jacobo_Curious]

"You haven't heard of the Temple of the Goddess?" Shizura blinked, and then chuckled. "Well, I guess I shouldn't talk. I probably would've never even heard of the Wizard's College if it weren't for my tutor. The Temple of the Goddess is the grandest place of worship there is, devoted to the Fae Totem, the Creator, in all its manifestations. Of course, the Creator mostly appears as a woman, the Mother Goddess... so that's why they named the temple the way they did."

She took a few moments to eat a little more, and saw Taren and Hotaru murmuring to each other before the violet-eyed beauty placed her hand shyly on top of Taren's. The young magician girl blushed a little and looked away.

Of course... they probably know each other or something.

She picked up her mug of tea, taking a calm sip -- before suddenly, without warning, sputtering and dropping her mug on the floor, spilling the little tea that was left. She gasped for breath, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Logan!" she said, standing up abruptly before she could even catch her breath. "Logan's in trouble! He found some trolls! This is serious... they must be close to the town! How did they get so organized?" She turned to the pink-haired priestess. "Evee! We'll need your dragon form, and any fire magic you have. Trolls are tough and hard to kill, but they like the damp..." She shook her head, and her eyes looked a little frightened. She narrowed her eyes and steeled her resolve almost instantly. "Whatever it takes, we have to beat them if they're getting close to the town. If we can force them to retreat, they might be stupid enough to lead us to their lair."

She stood up. "I've got to go upstairs and get my weapon! I'll call for everyone else!"

Shizura rushed toward the stairs and almost knocked Seth down on her way up. "Oh, Seth!" she said, startled, staring at him for a few moments. She was tempted to think of something snappish to say about the previous night, but words failed her, so she went straight to business. "Logan spotted trolls near the town. I'll need your help, okay?"

"Wake up, everyone!" she called, knocking on all the doors that she knew her current party had rented for the night. "Let's get it together!"

Despite myself, I can't help feeling excited...

She rushed into her room, grabbed her mace, and rushed back down. As everyone struggled to get their acts together, Shizura spun, still backing towards the door at a jog. "I'll go support Logan in case they follow him! Come as quick as you can and tell Laramie and everyone where I am! I won't be able to do this myself!"

She turned back around and ran out the inn doors, practically running against someone once again -- this time, a unicorn. "Logan!" she said, relief in her voice as she reached around and hugged his equine neck. "Are you alright? We'd better go and keep the trolls occupied so they don't come too close or we don't lose them."

 

[Armphid]

Taren

The half-elven warrior blushed as red as the setting sun when Hotaru placed one delicate hand atop his own. The heat from her skin was startling, he hadn't realized how warm another person was. He shook himself free to listen to Shizura talking about the Temple of the Goddess, when the bright-eyed magician girl sprayed tea onto the table.

"Logan's in trouble! He found some trolls! This is serious...they must be close to town!" As Shizura gave orders to the pink hiared priestess, Taren gave Hotaru a faint smile before rising. An eager fire was burning brightly in the depths of his leaf green orbs, though his face was all business.

"I'll go out and see what I can't do for Logan. Please stay behind me, Hotaru. We'll need your healing powers soon, but I'll kkeep them off you so you can work." Taren burst from the Inn, eyes darting as he looked for any sign of trolls coming for the village. Instead, he skidded to a halt at the sight of the massive unicorn stallion that turned its head to face him as he and the others rushed out of the Inn. "Gods!" The beast was looking at him with concern, and some amusement in its eyes...eyes that were familiar somehow. A few things mentioned earlier clicked into place. "Mister Unicorn...Logan? If it is you, that's a very impressive change. Ah, Shizura is getting the others. I think we should keep our eyes open in case the trolls followed you."

He was about to say more, but then Shizura exploded from the Inn, paused and hurled herself into the unicorn like a javelin. The unicorn barely moved despite the heavy impact of the lovely missile, lowering his head slightly to butt hers in a comforting way. Then Shizura told him they were going to go ahead and hold the trolls off.

He felt a familiar stirring in his blood, the surge of anticipation of battle beginning to make his heart sing. "Not to intrude, Shizura, but count me in on that." He reached back and pulled the twin shotels free of thier straps. "We should use numbers against these things as much as we can, you know? Lead on."

 

[Sky Jade]

Evee giggled softly as Taren called her Holy one as he introduced himself and Hotaru.

"There's no need to call me Holy one. My name is Evee and it's a pleasure to meet both you and Hotaru. And good morning to you Shizura and Logan."

She gave a soft smile to both of them as she choose to stand and listened to the others talk. She usually listened more than she talked so she could learn more around the world around her.

"Enjoy your walk Logan."

She smiled after Logan before she turned her attention back to the conversation, studying Taren and Hotaru softly. She blinked and stepped back as Shizura suddenly jumped up from her seat yelling about Logan and trolls.

"I'll do what I can Shizura. We shouldn't have any problems against a small group of trolls."

She nodded and ran outside after Taren and Shizura, her robe floaring out around her. She smiled when she saw the unicorn from the day before was here and was unharmed.

"Shall we get to those trolls now? I think they should be punished for trying to harm this beautiful creature."

She grined softly as she looked from Taren and Shizura, her golden pendent shimmering in the sunlight.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Flesh)

He had to stand still a moment, to control himself, keep from jumping her and undressing her before they even left the room. He licked his lips, thinking how good a travelling companion she'd make, and how good it would be to have steady sex in between travels.

He smiled, and walked over to her, pulling her tight against himself and smiling. "Then we'll have to give you another taste later, huh, lover?"

Just then, there was a great ruckus in the halls. Zarl heard the magician girl talk of... His smile grew wide at the thought of feeding him other darkness. Today was going to be a good day.

"C'mon, Lavastine! It seems today starts with much excitement!"

He grabbed his belt, pulling it on and checking to see if his blade was clear in the scabbard as he threw his pack on. He turned to her, smiling as he opened the door. He turned from her, excited with the prospect of battle and blood, and raced downstairs, moving outside where he saw a gathering of explorers.

"Did I hear of trolls? Not too late to join in, I hope?"

 

[vbabe2001]

"Logan.. in trouble?"

- Hotaru felt alarm in her body and stood up, following Taren outside to where she saw a unicorn, and Shizura rush to it.. -

"That.. that is Logan?"

- Hotaru watched as the others exploded onto the scene, all here to fend the trolls off. Still, this feeling of the battle seemed so familar to her...

But she wasn't here to battle, she was here to be the healer. She couldn't battle, not yet.. she didn't know half of the people here and she couldn't reviel herself yet.... not unless it got too out of hand.

The group of warriors looked more than able to handle themselves, her own violet hues fell upon Eeve as the goddess made her impressive entrance yet again.

Everyone there was so beautiful, if she was a troll she wouldn't even try to get the group of formidable foes. But she wasn't a troll, and she was glad for that.

She adjusted herself, taking a soft breath before she heard another voice.. a voice of man that still was kissed with droplets of sweat. She blinked and carefully took a moment to analyze the situation..

Taren was infront of her, standing and ready for battle. Logan was obviously in unicorn form being guarded by the beautiful Shizura, the new guy had shown up on the scene also ready for battle, but as she watched the unicorn she felt something burn agianst her chest...

Around Hotaru's neck, tucked tightly under the fabric of her dress, was silver pendant.. but it wasn't just any ordinary pendant as she plucked it from under her dress and laid it over top...

It hung from a chain and was a silver heart that burned with a bright pink aura right in the middle of it.


It was her chalice.... -

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan

He didn’t stand outside the Inn long before Taren stepped out with Hotaru following, he looked to him, they could tell he must have run hell bent for leather, as a light sheen of sweat covered his dark brown coat. "Mister Unicorn...Logan? If it is you, that's a very impressive change. Ah, Shizura is getting the others. I think we should keep our eyes open in case the trolls followed you."

“That would be a good idea, but it takes something faster than a troll to keep up with a unicorn in full gallop.” the words seemed to form in Taren’s mind as Logan spoke directly to him.

He caught the glint of something shiny as Hotaru pulled a necklace from her shirt, and he turned his amber gaze towards the girl. It was then Shizura rushed out and right into him. He nudged her gently with his nose as to help her balance from the collision. She flung her arms about his neck in a hug thankful he was ok.

“Shizura, there were two, but there smelled like there were more in the area. They weren’t attacking blindly, they were actually working together.” As Shizura let him go and stepped back a little he shook his head and neck and lowered his head, letting the rope slip free of his neck.

He then lifted his head and looked back the way he had came from as if saying to everyone that he was ready to go.

 

[Armphid]

Taren

"Uh, right." Taren wasn't sure he liked the idea of someone talking inside his head...but he realized the necessity. The unicorn would need to communicate, and it was efficient. He shook himself, feeling the need to appear confident in front of the assembled women. "I do think you're right, Holy One, er, Evee. And we need to teach them not to come so close to town." He nodded to the new arrival, a swordsman who was grinning broadly and eager for a fight. Then he looked to Shizura, "Whenever you're ready, give the word...but we shouldn't wait much longer."

Taren stepped back next to Hotaru, glancing down his eyes widened at the shining pendant. Was this preperation to use her magic? "Good idea to get ready, Hotaru. Um, you don't have a weapon or armor...would you want to use my shield? I have extra weapons also, I don't know if you need your hands free to cast or not." She looked so vulnerable...yet at the same time he felt strength building within her. There was an air about her, as though despite her appearance, she was no stranger to battle. He lowered his voice, "I know you might not need it, but I'll do all I can to protect you once this starts."

His eyes then flickered to Kevin. "Mr. Kevin, you're not armed either." He went over the inventory in his bag as he looked at the shaggy maned youth. "You're a farmer right?" "I might actually have a few things you'd be familiar with, unless you're staying here."

 

[vbabe2001]

Good idea to get ready, Hotaru. Um, you don't have a weapon or armor...would you want to use my shield? I have extra weapons also, I don't know if you need your hands free to cast or not." He lowered his voice, "I know you might not need it, but I'll do all I can to protect you once this starts."

"I.... "

- It was thrilling to her almost, and she was strangely flattered that he would offer to protect her as such.. -

"I do have a weapon... I mean, I have more use to me than just... a healer.. I just don't like to fight... "

- 'Well, until someone gets hurt.. '-

"And everyone here looks very formidable.. I'm just kind of suprised to see Logan in that form"

- The pendant around her neck kept its steady warm glow and she found herself moving closer to Taren, she didn't know if it was because he comforted her.. or because she really didn't know if she could handle herself against some ugly trolls as such.

She could transform, now, at that moment, she would be not only embrassed, but if the trolls weren't that much of a threat... it would appear she revieled herself for no good reason... -

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan

He listened as the others prepared to go into this fight with the trolls. Taren was offering Hotaru and Kevin items to fight and protect themselves with.

"And everyone here looks very formidable.. I'm just kind of suprised to see Logan in that form" he heard Hotaru's voice over the noise everyone was making. He turned his head and looked her way directing his words to her.

"It's ok Hotaru, sometimes it does tend to surprize others as does the change back if not expected. I wish I had had the chance to tell you."

He turned and looked over the others, he wished he had been able to get a better count on the trolls. He also knew if he had let them drag them to their camp, then he would not have made it back to warn the others.

 

[Sky Jade]

Evee tapped her staff on the ground a couple of times for a moment.

"I think we better get moving. I don't think the trolls will stay away for long."

She toook a moment to look around the square, and smiled seeing it was mostly empty. There were only a few townspeople milling around, which left plenty of room for her to change.

She strode out to the middle of the square, a little ways from the foutain. She held her arms up to the sky as she closed her eyes and held her staff into the air. Her lips moved wordlessly for a few seconds before a golden light began to descent down from the sky towards her.

The light was a small ball which slowly engulfed her head, and then her entire body. It pulsated for a few seconds, growing bigger and bigger. Soon it began to fade away, slowly revealing a large golden dragon, a little bigger than a stallion in hieght and just under twice as long. She roared for a moment and then snorted, looking towards Shizura and the group.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Flesh)

"My Shizura, you sure know how to pick a group. A few fine warriors and some beautiful women. And, it seems, a good overlap of the two. Very nice."

He licked his lips, watching as the woman with pink hair moved away. She had a good body. He wondered if she'd be willing to share a bed with him? He grinned at the thought, watching as she transformed into-.....

His pupils dilated immediately. He wondered if people were panicing? Then again, not too many people would be outside this early. His mouth opened and moved, as if trying to get his voice to work. Fionally, he found it, and a single word formed.

"Dragon?" It wasn't seeing the dragon that surprised him the most, it was the knowledge that it was a person.

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine ~

I kept silent as Zarl spoked to the mage girl. The scent and voices of others that were new, wanted to look up to take a peek at them, instead I kept my head lowered. Till Zarl sputtered out the word dragon, this I had to look up just enough to peek through the hoods slit. It was the dragon that we saw out in the valley, the one that came here to terrorize the town. Just laughed to myself as he sat there stunned.

Bit my lip to hold back any comment that I wanted to say, after all I'm supose to be blind here. Instead I pulled out the daggers and kept them hidden within the cloak ready for battle. Watching and listening to the others for a signal to leave.

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

Shizura drew her mace and twirled it, and looked back at Zarl, a little surprised. Of course, he had mentioned beautiful women, so maybe he was just looking for action of an alternate sort, but still...

He's helping...

She frowned a little, thinking for a few moments, and then bowed to him and Lavastine with a mild smile. "Thank you for deciding to help us fight the trolls," she said, her voice musical, but not nearly as sweet as the cleavage that was revealed by her bow, of course.

Kevin looked a little flustered, obviously made nervous by the upcoming fight, and so hadn't responded to Taren. "Kevin," Shizura said gently, "stay in the back. If things get bad, well... I'm sure there are ways you can help."

As long as I'M not the one who has to take off her clothes.

"So we ought to--"

She stared at the reappearance of the dragon twice her height, eyes wide, breath caught in her throat.

"...Evee! You SCARED me!" she finally said, shaking her head. "Tell me when you're going to take the form of your totem!" She smiled a little weakly. "Heh, but I guess with a dragon on our side, this fight will be much easier. Don't get too close, though, hun. Your scales are strong, I'm sure, but if they hit you with a club, I don't want any of your bones broken. I don't know what the lasting damage is when you shapeshift back." She didn't even notice her own addition of the affectionate term, turning back to Logan.

"Laramie and Seth aren't here yet... but I don't know if we'll have time to--"

Ssshhhk.

Everyone froze as Shizura stared down at the arrow near her feet. Squeaky hoots and calls suddenly stared as several goblins, perhaps four or five, stepped out of the bushes with surprisingly polished small bows and quivers -- with the two eight-foot trolls leading the way, charging.

"They're... attacking us? But... we're so close to the town...!"

Shizura shook her head wildly.

"What's wrong with them? Even if they loot this place, the army will come, and they'll be annihilated. How can they be so organized and so stupid? What are they planning?" She shook her head. "No time! Let's fight!" She closed her eyes, and hissing in a deep breath, began to concentrate, pulling off a spell without a chant for the sake of speed:

"SOLAR SPIKE!"

With a small blaze of white light from her heart, crackling with electricity and little whisk of wind around her -- a human's Air spell -- she thrust her mace upward, and an arc of lightning shot upward, hit an invisible point in the air, and blasted right down, sending two goblins flying, squealing.

"Everyone, stay strong and be brave! Take evasive action!"

 

[Sky Jade]

The dragon gave a nod to Shizura at her request to warn her next, and then tilted her head as Shizura spoke affectionately of her. She blinked and snorted as the arrow dug into the ground in front of them and jerked her head up to see the goblins and trolls.

She reared back and roared before launching a couple of fireballs at them. She missed with the first fireball, but the second caught the back of a goblin, senting him squealing as the quiver on it's back caught on fire.

With an another roar, she launched into the air and took off after the retreating goblins. For some reason the need for fresh meat was sparked and the goblins seemed as good of meal as any to her dragon-side.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan

Logan spun as the arrow hit the ground at Shizura's feet, the trolls had friends and were a little more organized than he expected.

He watched as Eeve sent a few fireballs towards the goblins, he reared and as his front feet hit the ground, he lowered his head and charged.

He had practiced before and knew how to use hooves and horn as weapons, he actually fought better in this form than with his sword.

He came to a stop fairly close to one of the trolls, and reared once more. He struck out with his forehooves, and and heard the troll grunt in response to the contact his hooves made.

He then spun and kicked with his hind feet, sending the troll staggering backwards. He would not be able to take the troll out alone, but knew if he kept up the kicks it would give the others time to run in as well.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Flesh)

Form of her totem? He mentally cursed. That meant she was probably a member of the Dragon Temples, as the Legendary Beasts were given such high esteem. Which meant, unfortunately, he'd have to actually give consideration to his responsibilities much sooner than he'd planned.

But, that could wait. He pulled free his katana, giving forth a cry of battle as he raced forward. He mentally cursed them attacking so close to town. He dare not let free his wings this close, but fighting with them hampered was most uncomfortable.

He came upon the goblins first, and slid his blade home in one of their chests, jumping over the body as it fell to the ground and pulling his blade free, moving past them to the trolls beyond.

"TaserBlade-Omnihusiro!" His katana cam,e to life, small arcs of lightning moving along the blade as he called upon his Fighter's Trance, using it to add strength to his attack as he brought the sword around.

The troll hefted a large club into the air, and the electrified blade slammed into it's forearm, dispersing the magical lightning into it's arm as the blade cut deep into flesh and met home in bone, pulling forth a pained cry from the creature.

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

Four of the five goblins were already downed in the charge, but the last one seemed to have vanished, and the two trolls were starting to feel the bloodlust, apparently. Shizura wiped her brow free of the sweat from anxiety and the spell she had cast and moved forward toward Zarl, figuring the humanoid monster would have a tougher time against a troll than Logan the unicorn.

To her surprise, the Macite cut cleanly across the troll's forearm, loosening the monster's grip on its weapon -- a clever move, but not as effective as it should have been, considering the troll's tough muscle and much tougher bone. She paused, impressed at Zarl's skill, and thus didn't notice the goblin rearing from the shrubs near her until the arrow clipped her stomach.

She cried out loudly, doubling over and clutching her lower torso. A small trickle of blood began to dribble out slowly, and she winced heavily, biting her lip hard so as to not begin to cry. The pain was unbearable, even though it had not hit any vital points. She let out a rasp of pain and began to concentrate, obviously preparing a healing spell -- but the goblin was already there.

"Ehhh!?" Shizura stared down, eyes wide, as the goblin held a knife to her throat. His other small hand was on her breast.

"Don't you move, dearie," he hissed softly, his eyes dancing with a pleased light that suggested something not pleasant at all.

Intolerable!

"Hands..."

It was lucky, really. The pretty magician girl suddenly fell backwards to the ground from her sitting position, the goblin sliding back off her legs in surprise, and her knee came up in an attack -- striking her enemy right under the chin with surprising force, snapping his head back and knocking him unconscious in an instant.

"...OFF!"

She winced and rubbed her breast as if wiping the taint off.

"Intolerable," she repeated, this time aloud. "Disgusting!"

She placed her hands on her stomach, and tried to focus her energies, but the pain and her frustration at herself for letting the goblin touch her disrupted her concentration. "Lifeblood Heal!" she finally managed, but her cut only half-healed, and the pain did not subside much.

That was when, recovering from his kick by the unicorn, the troll stumbled back and fell over her, collapsing on the ground and struggling to get a hold so he could raise his heavy body. Meanwhile, the troll Zarl had hit recovered with surprising speed, and had switched his club to his opposite hand without even another wince of pain for his bleeding arm. Though one was prone and one was fighting with his off-hand, Shizura and Zarl were now surrounded by two trolls.

"Oww," complained Shizura, rubbing the back of her head where the troll's heel had snagged.

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Seth

Shizura blew past me going upstairs, then by the time I had regained my balance she was one again knocking me over heading down. Somewhere between the fly-by I heard her mention Trolls and Logan, so I turned and ran back to my room for my staff. By the time I had made it back downstairs, the Monsters were outside, the priestess was now a dragon, and Logan was a unicorn again and had just clobbered a troll, and the whateveryacallhim was in close combat with the other troll..
Ahhh, the peaceful life of a traveling wizard. Weeks of uneventful travels broken by moments of sheer terror.
Between the Dragon, the variant of Arc of the Valliant that Shizura had cast, and the Unicorn attack, the goblins were in pretty much a full retreat, and the trolls were shaken by the ferocity of the attacks. It looked like Shizura had picked a powerful group to travel with. Everyone was holding their own, and working as a team, without coaching.
Then I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye. Turning I noticed that now Shizura and Zarl were facing off against two trolls. One was down, but Shizura looked hurt also.
Spear of the Father
Come to my call
Strike down my foes
So that I will not fall

LIGHTNING STRIKE

A bolt of light speared down from the sky, enveloping one of the trolls. With a sharp crack the troll was enveloped in a bolt of lightning, and blasted back to lie still on the ground, his hair and clothing burning while the smell of roasting meat and hair filled the glade. I rushed forward to Shizura. When I got there I found her blinking back tears from the lightning strikes flash, but she was basically unharmed. I looked over at the battle between the troll and the monster. Blade and club were a blur, and it appeared to be an even match. I gathered my energy, focusing my will on the Flow, and cast a spell

INVISIBLE BLADE

In my hands an ethereal blue blade appeared. It shed a pale radiance, and looked like a broadsword. I raised my blade and moved in to help Zarl with the troll.

 

[vbabe2001]

Hotaru

- As luck would have it, one goblin latched onto her.. knocking her petite fragile body to the ground. -

"Oh my god! Get off of me!!"

- Its the first time the little Hotaru had actually rose her voice, but as more goblins began to approach her and jump ontop of her while the others were distracted.. she found it hard to breath...

She could feel their slimy hands tugging at her body, the one goblin that had found its way ontop of her was actually drooling on her.. drooling!

Her violet hues seemed to flare as she struggled to get out, the stone on the necklace began to glow brighter... -

"I SAID GET OFF OF ME!!"

- There was a blast of pinkish energy that had sent all 3 goblins flying off of her. Hotaru however was on the ground, breathing heavily as part of her outfit was ripped and revieling the soft creamy skin underneath...

Her chalice was still burning bright... -

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan

He could smell blood in the air, and it wasn’t from the Troll he was fighting but it was close. He was about to move back in on the troll he had been fighting when it was struck by lightning. He stepped back and the smell of blood grew stronger, he turned his head and noticed Shizura was close.

He could see the blood on her clothes. ”Shizura, are you ok? You need healing.” He turned to face her as troll they had been fighting had been dispatched by lightning. He saw a goblin hovering close, moving towards her. He lowered his head and slashed at the goblin. It jumped over the low swung horn, but Logan countered its jump by raising his horn and letting the goblin’s weight impale itself on the horn.

He shook his head to dislodge the body of the goblin. It was then he spotted Hotaru on the ground. He moved closer to protect her so she could stand. "Hotaru...Hotaru.. are you alright?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Flesh)

Zarl battled with the thing, trying to keep it's club away from himself when the man came. He had this strange magic sword. Zarl let him help, thankful to be able to rest. He glanced over when he heard a female yell, and saw a woman with her outfit ripped, showing skin.

He drolled, and found himself on the ground after the troll kicked him. Groaning, he pulled himself up, and yelled, moving forward. He went into battle with the man, they'd block the troll and take slashes and thrusts towards it's unprotected middle, causing it to become more angry, making it less rational and more open to attacks.

He pulled his arm back as he thrust forward, sliding his blade up into the troll as he amassed energy for a spell. He reached forward, grabbing the blade and dispersing the magic into it, conducting it through the blade into the trolls insides.

"Lightning Dispersal!"

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine ~

I was a better backstabber, but with the rush of things coming at me there was no real time to react. Slicing any unknown skin that came reaching for me, either poisoning the blood within that skin, or igniting it from the daggers. Criss - crossing my the slicing action, round kicks. All the while the cloak stayed over my face, never revealing any of my dark skin, like the cloak was apart of me.


FLAME SHEILD ~

Roaring out the words as a flame surounded me, burning any of these disgusting things that tried to touch me. Soon I had trolls and goblins all round me, some amazed and daring themselves to touch me. When one did it went off screaming as it was burned, sliced, or kicked hard into another. Or all three. I wasn't about to have these filthy things touch me.

 

[Armphid]

Taren

"HOTARU!" Taren burst into motion as she flung the goblins from her. As the filthy creatures struggled to rise, he fell upon them, blades spinning. Overture stabbed down into the earth, pinning one to the ground long enough for Finale to slice in and send the hairless head arcing high into the air. "Get away from her!"

The second creature snarled at the blue clad warrior, stabbing at him with a cruelly jagged bone knife. Taren stepped into the strike, letting the knife skip off his breastplate as he rammed Overture's curved length through the thing's skeletal chest. Purple blood gushed over his hand as the thing stared up at him in disbelief. Taren pivoted, his shouders surging as he brought Overture, the goblin still on the blade, up and over his head, snapping his wrist so the dead body flew off he weapon with a steely whistle.

Taren rose, rushing to Hotaru's side. "Sorry I wasn't faster." He flushed brightly seing her exposed skin, nearly dropping Finale. "Whoa!" He spun, facing the trolls, his face burning. "You're not hurt are you?" He felt torn...he wanted to stay be her side, though Logan was likely protection enough, but there was still a troll left to deal with. He looked over his shoulder at her, the blush still staining his cheeks. "I'll be back...I've got to help the others." "I'm sorry." His leaf green yes met those of the unicorn, "Protect her Logan."

Taren smiled at Hotaru once more, then turned back to the remaining troll. He wasn't sure his normal attacks would get through that hide. He had been working on an attack...no better time to test it then now.

Taren lifted his arms over his head, elbows bent so that the tips of his wickedly curved shotels tapped against his shield. He centered himself, summoning and channeling the power of Trance into the blades. Golden energy burst into life around the blades as he brought them forward with all his might, throwing them at the troll's broad chest. "REAPING THE BLOODY WHEAT!" The swords spun through the air, slicing into the troll's shouldes, then spinning back again, and again to slash at the brute of their own accord. Taren leaped high into the air, reaching into the pouch at his belt and feeling his hand close around polished wood. At the apex of his jump, he pulled the weapon free, gripping the five foot shaft in both hands, the long curved blade of the scythe high as he plummeted down in front of the monster that was swatting futily at the flying swords. "RYAAAHH!" At the last second the troll looked up, it's bestial eyes widening as the scythe blade burned with the same golden power as the shotels. Taren cut as he fell past it, a blazing gash from one shoulder to the beast's waist.

Touching down, he hopped back, the energy flickering out from the scythe blade. Behind him, Overture and Finale fell in the earth, sinking in enough to hold themselves up, hilts skyward. "Huh." "It worked." "But was it enough?"

 

[vbabe2001]

((ooc: My back hurts, I feel like an old lady... T-T;; ))

"Taren... "

- She was surprised at his attacks, and as she watched him fight she was truly impressed by the way he handled himself against the goblin and trolls.

It was then she flushed red, noticing that part of her black dress was torn.. this wasn't good at all... -

"... oh my... "

- Taking a deep breath she stood up and walked towards Taren -

"Taren I think.. I think you killed him... "

- Her smile was soft as she desperately used her slender digits to cover the parts of her dress that were ripped. -

"I think we are scaring those ugly things away... "

- Her violet hues looked into his leaf green orbs, and she blushed again, looking at Logan.. -

"Thank you Logan, for your kindess.... I think we are all doing a good job of scaring those trolls away..."

- However, a soft light still radiated from her pendant... -

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan

He stood close to Hotaru as he watched the others finish off this small band of Trolls and Goblins. He turned to look as Hotaru spoke to Taren then to him.

"It's not a problem Hotaru. I don't mind prtecting pretty girls." He noticed the pendant upon her neck and the soft glow still emanating from it.

"Um Hotaru, do you mind me asking about your charm there? I've noticed it glowing for some time now. It must be something special."

As he mentioned her charm he thought about the very one he wore about his neck in both forms. Not only did it allow him to speak to someone in unicorn form, it was an artifact of sorts handed down through the generations.