Pleasure Kingdoms: Second Attempt

[Armphid]

Taren

Taren blinked at Zarl's response. Okay...he hadn't expected anything like that. "Er...so...be it then." He knew he was blushing somewhat awkwardly at the turn this conversation had taken. "Glad I could help out...."

He still didn't like it...but it was Zarl's call. "Well." "Perhaps we should see about moving on then?" "Everyone is rested and healed, and I imagine we have much ground to cover."

 

[roleplaylifer]

Ritsuko looked up sharply from her reverie as Zarl exploded into laughter. Taren appeared somewhat disoriented by the unexpected response as well, blushing softly beneath his tan.

The proud samurai paled slightly at the mention of the imminent discomfort in Zarl's future. Her mind struggled vainly to wrap around the concept of a Macrai-Itoche being raped by anything. Of course....Chupa and Tanzer had both been male.....it had never occured to her that she had never seen the females of Zarl's kind before.

Still, what could she do? It was clear in Zarl's tone that he would brook no harm coming to his future assailant. No comfort, nobody to lean on during his trial. It didn't seem fair.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

Zarl noticed Taren's discomfort, and bit his lower lip to keep from laughing again. The half-elf was so serious. He looked the man over, realizing he seemed to be a warrior only. It was true, the macrai-itoche tarined for battle a lot, but their culture did not dwell solely upon such things.

There was darkness enough in them. He smiled. "Yes, Taren. That is the way it will be. Besides, you would do well to live your entire life without ever seeing a Macrai-Itoche female." He shuddered, thinking about the females of his kind. "They are misshapen things. It is only because of our great and hardly controllable lust that they are ever able to mate with us. And even then, it resembles more of a fight than anything you Fae could understand as sex."

He turned sober, sitting straight and stretching. "They are more powerful than us, in body and magic. You fight and struggle, but the fear and revulsion make it hard to think, and they're so strong,... After a while, all you can think about is getting away, not looking for opening to attack. They get you then, and pull you in. It's then the terror really hits you. When they have you, trying to get you to respond with them. They do things that would normally make your blood rush, but instead it turns it cold, and your stomach twists. But once they have you, there is no escape. They eventually get to you, even through the disgust, and then the real torment starts,..."

He shook himself out of his thoughts, and glanced around at the others. He frowned, and got up. "I'm sorry. This is not Fae business. Perhaps you should get going. I will stay here, and perform the rites. There is water nearby, so I may cleanse myself,...when it is over. Perhaps we could meet back at the town?"

He looked around, and cleared his throat as he stepped away. "I,...Wish to be by myself for a few minutes, now. Excuse me."

He quickly started off, wondering what had made him share those things with them. It was not for them to know, they couldn't understand. Well,...he wasn't sure if any of them had been raped before. But even that, he thought, did not come close to what he would so go through, again.

Knowing that it WOULD happen, that it HAD to happen was so different from the fear it MIGHT. To them, it was a torment for a time, but passed. To him,...it was a way of life. How could they ever begin to understand what it was like to live with the darkness?

 

[roleplaylifer]

As the first stirrings of the dawn brushed across the horizon, sending the first rays of golden light across the land, two figures slunk slowly back towards the treeline, as of yet unseen.

"It was as his lordship said......"

A teenage youth whispered softly to his robed companion, who merely nodded slowly in acknowledgement.

A second voice rasped ever so slightly against the morning air, its wheezing undertone causing the youth to grimace beneath the chitin mask that covered most of his face.

"The Moon Child fled to old Garreth, yes. Not knowing that he died at my hands years ago, that he did, the old fool. Just as she too will die by our lordship's wishes. Her clan hungers for her presence in the next life....."

Slender hands traced a still healing wound as the ninja found himself again aggravated by his near fatal meeting. She had bitten less than a quarter inch into his flesh, cutting through his meticulously kept armor as if it hadn't even been there. He had watched in horror as his comrades toppled into the next realm almost simultaneously. Cold eyes narrowed in anger as he relived his humiliation for the hundreth time that day.

The Void Mage saw, and understood, smiling almost imperceptably at the unharnessed hatred that now stood at his command.

"Calm yourself. She has found allies, yes. But these allies are not infallible. You heard yourself that one of them plans to conduct a ritual of great magnitude tomorrow. He also has warned any of his comrades from attending this holy ceremony. Already they begin to divide themselves, and as they divide, they will perish."

The youth found his teeth grinding at the patronizing he was recieving. Did this man actually think he didn't see that? A mage he was, and one of the master's favorites, but a tactician he was not. In fact, as one of his cheif rivals for the dark shogun's favor, the cunning ninja hadn't bothered to mention just HOW he had lost his last battle. He could only hope that his tormentor was foolish enough to battle Ritsuko Hitari at night, when both his magic....and hers....were at their best.

Once again the mage interrupted his thoughts.

"When the monster leaves to conduct his ritual, you will send a dozen of your best men to make sure he does not return. His kind are a tenacious lot, and do not die easily. MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT FAIL."

Again, he winced at the harsh words. He would not fail again.

"I will cast a spell on the Moon Child, rendering her helpless for a time. This spell can be broken by a preistess of some power, much like the one that they have in their group. It is very likely that its breaking will tire her considerably however."

By now he had regained his impassive composure, nothing in his face hinting at the curiosity that now raged within him. When did he enter this picture?

"That leaves us with what few warriors yet remain, with perhaps yet another spell caster. I wish I'd have been offered a better look at that dark elf, truly a beautiful specimen she is."

Not even the thick chitin mask was able to drown out the snort of derision from beneath it. Like this mage would ever be able to have a chance with or against the likes of her! With a sharp glance, it seemed that the Void Mage was content to let the insult pass......how weak.

"I will claim the last of the Hitari clan on this day. Twice yesterday she hovered near death, and twice she was robbed from me. With my magic, your blade cannot fail."

He bristled again. He didn't need this skeleton of a man or his magic to kill Ritsuko Hitari.....he only needed to learn from his mistakes. No more would he assault her or her companions at night, as was once the way of his clan. The strike would come during the day, and this time, it would mean death.

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine ~

Hating the fact that they had to leave him behind, thinking of those things that had attacked earlier. What if they come back while he helpless? Whoever this person is, will know to take down the biggest one will hender any party. Shivered at the thought as she watched Zarl go off.

"I don't like this, something doesn't feel right about this place, and its not just what Zarls' story told. Its something else, I can feel it. Like we are being watched."

spoke like no one else was around, not sure if anyone else was listening as she turned as went back to her horse and started to gather her things. Not like she'll be able to sleep till she knew Zarl was back with them all and .... considering... Safe.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche

Zarl headed back to the group as dawn arrived. He nodded to his comrades. "I go now, to perform my ceremony. If you will wait here, I will return, but I know not when. If you choose to go on, I will meet you again at the town. Feel no need to wait for me, though. I shall be fine. Considering."

He turned, and made his way off, towards the trees. He continued in until he had found a suitable place. He drew his sword, and shoved the tip into the earth. Kneeling before it, he took a crystal in each hand, and began to chant. Golden lightning arced between the crystals and the sword hilt, and he released them as they began to spin. He chanted in the tongue of the Macrai, and a bolt of golden lightning shot into the air. Zarl was thrown back as a great shock wave went past. No other creature or bit of earth felt it. It was magic, and only Macrai-Itoche could feel it. He got up, rubbing at his chest, and took the crystals, setting them aside.

A sound behind him drew his attention, and he pulled his sword from the earth as he turned. "Who goes there? No man or monster may interrupt the Calling! Begone!"

 

[roleplaylifer]

All was in place. The Macrai-Itoche had separated from the group to conduct whatever ceremony the monster held sacred.

Hidoshi Yamana smiled beneath the mask that covered all but his piercing green eyes. A hand ran almost cockily through his short brown hair....it would be different this time.

A simple gesture, a motion of his eyes, and a full dozen ninja were in pursuit. They would wait...patience was a virtue after all...until the creature had chosen his ritual site.

Confident in the abilities of his warriors, Hidoshi remained behind. He personally had no grudge agains Zarl, other than the remaining bitterness left behind from the knowledge that it was his kind that were partially to blame in his initial failure to kill the Hitari elf girl.

Another fleeting smile graced his otherwise stony visage. He was not the only one to have failed his liege. The Void Mage, Varkahn, had failed twice to pull her soul into the next realm when Ritsuko had lain near death. Twice, the pitiful excuse of a wizard had been robbed by the white robed priestess that the samurai now travelled with.

Samurai....phaw! Ronin more like it. A masterless worm now.

He checked his own resources. He still had another two dozen men to lead into the main assault. That and Varkahn's magic should provide a crippling blow to their forces. He only hoped that the Void Mage would prove himself more reliable than he had in the recent past.

He did not have to tell his ninjas of who their prey was. Each had been promised a rich reward of gold and rare spices should he or she be the one to lay hands on the Hitari clan scroll, a feat that could quite obviously only be done if the last scion of the Hitari clan lay dead in a pool of her own blood. Any who stood in their way could join her....

Hidoshi looked out silently upon the faces of his men. In turn each silently saluted him with their own gaze of hatred and greed. The soft whisper of an arcane chant drifted to his ear, the sharp tang of a musky incense being burned beginning to fill the concealed glade....

Door to life, close to death
And free this wretched soul
Deny my victim of her breath
Cast her down oblivion's hole

Suffocate

An outstretched hand....and they moved as one.....a dark shadow moving silently across the ruins of the battlefield...

----------------------------------------------------------

Ritsuko glanced up from the dying embers of the fire. Her sapphire eyes glinted softly with unspoken concern as she watched Zarl slowly walk away from their campsite. She couldn't even imagine how worried Lavastine must be...Ritsuko hadn't ever seen the two of them apart before. She had gotten used to seeing the two of them together.

She risked a short glance at the dark elf. Her grief and concern were her own, and should remain a private thing unless she sought solace, something the samurai was fairly certain that she'd never do. Still....

The smallish elf woman rose slowly from her place at the fire. She made no attempt to move silently, indeed, she hoped she'd be noticed as she moved to stand behind Lavastine. She spoke no words, she felt that none were needed. They would all keep an eye out for his return, of that she was certain.

Her mind reeled over the night's past events. Such serious things discussed. Alliances, dead clans, dead kinsmen....

Feeling herself being pulled back into the previous night's melancholy, she turned to gaze back into the remnants of the fire.

She turned to say something....that perhaps it would be best to leave soon before the day grew hot beneath their feet....

The barest of croaks issued forth from her slender throat. Puzzled...she lifted slender fingers to her neck....

What.....?

It felt like something had lodged deep in her throat....like she was choking. Puzzlement gave way to alarm, as she gagged softly, trying to force air into her lungs.

I can't breathe!

Her focus effectively broken, she never saw the first of the many shuriken launched in her direction as the morning's few remaining shadows exploded toward their camp.

 

[Sky Jade]

Sometime during the morning Evee had reverted to her dragon form. She felt it was best to save her magic and let the dragon use hers since his was more powerful overall. She let out a large yawn as she had fallen asleep for little bit before she was stirred by a strange feeling in the air.

Her golden eyes blinked a few times as she looked around for a few moments, noticing that Zarl had left to attend to his ceramony. She was about to close her eyes once more when the scent of other beings nearby whiffed to her nose. The sudden movement around the camp caught her eyes as well as she roared and dove towards camp, causing a large down draft with her wings.

She landed a few feet from Ritsuko and Lev, releasing a fireball into the midst of the shadows.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

Zarl brought his sword up in surprise, hearing the sound of metal on metal. He glanced around. More, more of them. At least a dozen. Snarling, he threw himself into the fray of battle.

The sounds of metal on metal and blood filled the night air. At random moments, screams filled the air. Sometimes in pain, sometimes in death. It was nearly half a hour before Zarl fell back against a tree at the edge of the clearing.

Only Five of his enemies remained. On of them was missing an arm, blood running down his side as he swayed with blood loss. Zarl was deeply wounded. Blood poured from over a dozen wounds, and his wings lay strewn amongst the dead. His vision blurred. The five advanced on him, and he groaned in pain.

He could not kill them all. Even if he gave his life. Suddenly, all the world broke out in light and pain. Six screams of pain rose in the night air, and five ended in death. Zarl fell forward on his knees, and felt a breeze as wings beat. Turning his head up, he met a vision that tormented his eyes and his mind.

A soft cooing voice told him he would be fine, and he collapsed into unconsciousness, crying in torment and pain.

The female looked around, and retrieved the crystals. She collected his wings, and brought them to his body. Arranging this, she began a great ritual of pain that would revive him, and make her need the trip back to their homeland. But it was needed.

He was the chosen, he was the Tzir.

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine

Felt the presence of the other female behind her. Expecting her to say how sorry she was, if there is anything she could do... all that sorrowful lines that people always feed.

Yet, nothing came from the girls lips. It was strange though, the air seemed to have gotten thinner. Making it a bit harder to breath, Lavastine tried to ignore. Instead it only increased, her lungs getting tighter seeking for air. In the distance she could have sworn she heard sword fighting and screams. That was hard to tell while the dizziness filled her thoughts. Noticing that the horse was now laying down as it too was seeking for air.

Knew she had to fight this, there had to be some spell she could use. But there was none that she knew. Falling to her knees, fighting to stay awake.

 

[Khadgar]

Dreant Firebane

Crowds of people, dancing, milling about, bartering, shows in alleys. Dreant was surrounded by a swarm of people. happy people. they went past him and smiled, or payed him not attention, much like they did to the others. a small fug on hus fur brought his attention to a couple of small children, selling fist sized red things, the ones in the trees that were juicy. Dreant grinned wildly. there was no screaming, or if there was, it was certainly not directed at him. the kids did not run, all was well. Still looking a tthe children he noticed them sway, back and forth slowly. Startled he looked up, watching the crowd. they were all stumbling, and in a moment as if i gust of wind had caught them, they all tumbled to the ground in one solid thud.

Dreant snapped into a sitting position, shaking hsi head from his strange dream. blinking away sleep he hoped into a perched position on the stone he had found a couple dozen feet from the rest. there was the dragon, and two of the girls, the rest were still probably obscured by other rocks still in camp. but one of them was laying on the ground, and the other seemed to be following. looking around in confusion Dreant watched as the first of the spikey things flew past.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan stood off a little distance from his friends in the camp, he watched as Zarl had headed off. He grazed peacefully in his unicorn form, knowing his smell and hearing would serve him better this way.

His head jerked up and he looked in Ritsuko's direction at the first sound of a choking gasp. He raced quickly to her side, he felt the pain as the shuriken sink deep into his skin, effectively missing the intended target. He stumbled, but regained his feet solidly between her and the oncoming rush of figures broke from the surrounding trees.

 

[roleplaylifer]

Hidoshi paused for just a moment in his charge. He could feel more than see or hear the extreme magical discharge behind him. More than that, he could feel the death, the hollowness of the surrounding area, after the energies had subsided. This was not good.

The young ninja scowled in annoyance once more, as his form faded slowly back into the treeline, unseen by his men. Fully a third of them had been incinerated almost instantly by the fiery breath of the dragon. Where the fuck had that dragon come from anyway?

Already his men's morale faltered, awed despited their intentions, in the face of the revered creature. The more greedy of ninjas still continued to plunge forward in an attempt to kill and claim the reward of gold and their master's favor.

It was useless. With Varkahn occupied, Hidoshi knew that they were no match for the dragon. He scanned the small group of allies for the priestess. If she fell, there would be nobody there to break the Void Mage's spell.

The form of a unicorn standing over the stricken samurai brought another jolt to the Shadowmaster. TWO legendary creatures? Where had Hitari found such allies?! He didn't even allow himself the simple pleasure of knowing that Varkahn's spell had seemed to have ensnared the lovely dark elf as well. Perhaps that was how he planned to drive her into submission. From the way he spoke of her earlier, Hidoshi very much doubted that he'd let his magic run amok and actually kill her.

His mind drifted back to the hours of teaching he'd had to endure to please his masters. The long days of nothing but droning lectures and annoying exams. His scowl deepened even further beneath his mask as just a snippet of that tutelage came back to him.

A unicorn is the embodiment of life itself, just as the dragon is a symbol of power and holiness. The horn of a unicorn can cure nearly any wound or illness with a touch, regardless if said illness is magical or mundane in nature.

The young ninja cocked his head as he continued to watch the ensuing battle from a distance, ready to disappear into the foliage at a moment's notice.

I wonder if Varkahn had planned on a second healer in their group? Things might not go as easily for him as he'd like.

Slowly, his form faded into the treeline, wrapped feet making the slightest whisper to mark his passing. It seemed he knew almost instinctively where to go.

The day didn't have to be a total loss. Should Varkahn fail with his magic to drive the elven samurai into the next realm, he could always ensure it was the last mistake the mage ever made.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Ritsuko stared wide eyed as Logan moved his own body in front of hers to intercept the shuriken meant for her. Vaguely, she heard him grunt with pain through his unicorn form. Even more alarming was seeing Lavastine's normally fiery eyes cloud over with confusion as they met with hers for just a moment, before becoming stricken with the same alarm that she herself must be showing.

The samurai had expelled all of her breath trying to force out whatever strange obstruction now barred her from drawing in the life giving air. Her head swam, and colors ran together in one big blur as she stumbled again, this time falling to her knees. She barely felt pain as her knee struck the rock she had sat on last night, its rough surface abrading her delicate skin through her kimono.

Frantically, Ritsuko tried again to force out whatever was blocking her throat, pouring her rapidly dwindling strength into every attempt. Slowly, her slender frame began to slump forward as unconciousness reached for her.....

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan stod only moments as he saw the charging line falter, some taken by Eeve's fire and others from shock of seeing the dragon, they had fled the scene.

This gave him time to turn his head to see Ritsuko and Levastine collapse. He had no clue of what ailed them but knew if it effected both it had to be magic. Pulling on stories he had been told he turned and lowered his head, concentrating as he touched his horn gently to Ritsuko's throat, that is where the spell had seemingly settled, so he hoped that things were truthfully told to him as a child, that his innate magik would break or heal illness, wether natural or spell created.

He did not know if it would work, but if it did he knew he would have to move fast as Levastine had already collapsed as had her horse. He had to try and to hope it would work, for he could still hear footsteps of those approaching behind him.

He hoped that Eeve would be able to take out more before they arrived behind him. But he felt them draw near, and while concentrating on helping Ritsuko anmd Levastine, he would be prepared to strike any that drew close enough behind him to be in reach of his powerful hooves.

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine ~

Wasn't about to let this beat her, specially if she didn't know what had happened. When she saw Ritsuko drop into either death or just unconciousness, Lavastive growled through her teeth. Slapping the horse hard on its rump causing it to jolt from the camp. Grabbing her daggers just in time to see the figures running towards them.

Much to strong to let some spell over come her. Whispered a small chant to herself;

Flames from within
Burn that of which has been casted against me
Protect me from the unknown

Her eyes returned to their intense stare, looking back down at the girl that had fallen. Lavastine had to wonder if the spell was meant for Ritsuko, if so, why did it affect her as well?

Later... fight now.. kill now... questions later..

Bent down to see if the girl was still alive, feeling some life still in her;

"She still has life in her, for how long I do not know."

Just as she stood up to walk towards where the dragon stood, her chest still felt a little tight but it was easy to ignore it. Watched for an easy target, placing her daggers into the bracers while raising her hands together infront of her, one above other.

Burst of flames!

Within a moment a fireball escaped her hands leaving a tail of flames as it hit one of the ninjas that were running towards them. He started screaming and flailing his arms, running into another that was running at his side, putting him into flames as well.

Still feeling weak from what had happened moments ago, forcing herself to stay focus. Looked back for a moment to see Logan trying to help Ritsuko. The horse caught her eye, noticing that he didn't get very far, laying back down. Figuring that he should be ok, still not sure as to why or who this spell was directed to.

Searching the feild for anything other than the charging ninjas'. For something or someone within the trees, since that little breathing issue from moments ago, things were still slightly on blury side. It was clear that she was forcing herself to stay and fight.

 

[Sky Jade]

Evee's spirit appeared above the raging dragon for a few seconds, looking very ghost-like. She wanted to see for herself how bad it was, not just hear from the dragon. She could see that Ritsuko was in trouble, but for her to try and do anything would probably be very bad. The best thing was to let the dragon fight his battle.

The dragon roared again, her golden hide glittered in the morning light as she landed on the ground in front of Logan to protect the others from the greedy ninjas. Her claws swung wildly as she caught a few of the ninja, slicing them open. She even grabbed a couple, biting their heads off before chewing and swallowing them. She roared again challenging the rest to more combat.

 

[Khadgar]

Dreant Firebane

Dreant watched as the battle played out before him. fire met metal and flesh, searing it free. there seemed to be little contest in this fight. not even for the numbers of black shade figures against all of them, but the dragon alone, perhaps with this other fire user seemed perfectly capable of beating back the attackers.

Dreant turned towards to oncommers, their ranged weapons heading towards those who were fighting. once in a bit a suriken would head in his direction, missing or brushing past his fur as he bent to avoid them. seeing how much damage the dragon was doing, one of the black figures turned his way, charging towards him, comming closer and closer untll he had lept up, comming over the large boulder Dreant was perched on. the black figure unseathed it's sword and let it fly, Dreants body twisting, only letting the blade trim the hair in part of his side. leaning back foreward both of Dreants hands latched onto the fabric of the mans shirt, and pulled him around, throwing in aother direction.

Dreant turned with his movements, ready to defend for more. the man however went head first into another large rock, hitting hard and tumbling to the floor motionless.

 

[roleplaylifer]

Hidoshi emerged silently from the underbrush that had kept him concealed thus far. The sound of Varkahn's chanting filled the tiny clearing as the dark robed human's hand wove the fabric of another arcane offering. The Shadowmaster tried hard to concentrate on the sound of the words being recited as he slowly approached.

The nearer he came, the more fervently it seemed the oblivious wizard chanted. Words poured like liquid mercury from his lips, too fast for the young ninja to possibly follow. Hands traced a delicate tapestry in the air. Hidoshi could almost swear he saw the air shimmer slightly wherever those long spindly fingers passed.

Even as the young swordsman watched, the air shimmered and grew dark before him. Ever so slowly, the very darkness itself seemed to writhe and convulse, shaping itself to the whim of its master....assuming the form of a hideously misshapen, yet vaguely humanoid figure.

"Without light, there can be no shadow."

It was the first time Varkahn had spoken since Hidoshi had entered the tiny glade. He found himself stepping backward defensively, reaching for his wakizashi as he continued to watch the proceedings.

The Void Mage's eyes looked sunken and tired when he finally turned to look at his "guest."

"A Void golem. Its very touch is death, drawing out the souls of all but the most stolid of warriors, consuming them to continue to live on. IT will succeed where your men have failed."

Hidoshi scowled fiercely beneath his mask.

"The revered one will make short work of your golem, wizard."

Varkahn cocked his gangly neck slightly at the impertinance the youth showed.

"I presume you mean the dragon. Fire is not likely to harm the golem, not even a flame as hot as a dragons. More importantly, it can only travel during the day...so your rival will not find it so easily dispatchable as your pet kirin . Your men have failed, Shadowmaster. Go now to our lord and tell him of your failure."

The smirk on the old mage's face infuriated Hidoshi. How dare he treat in such a condescending manner? He was no child! Coldly, he began tallying the ways in which he could do away with the irritating Void Mage.

His thoughts must have shown somewhere in the depths of his emerald eyes. Varkahn scowled deeply at the delay, his hands already beginning to trace the makings of a defensive spell.

The glade filled with the cracking of bone as the startled ninja and mage both witnessed the unexplained collapse of Varkahn's right arm. The wizard's scream resounded throughout the woods.

Even as he sought to deal with the pain in his arm, the appendage burst into flame, causing the already injured mage to howl once more in pain, and the ever cautious Shadowmaster to take several steps back from the mage and scan the foliage for hidden spell casters.

"How DARE THEY!"

Hidoshi turned again to observe Varkahn, who now no longer cared about the errant ninja. Looking much like a burned scarecrow, Varkahn painfully patted out the flames with his good hand. Turning to his newly created creature, the wizard let his venom spill out in the form of orders.

"Kill them. Find the ones that broke my magics and kill them all!"

----------------------------------------------------------

The darkness seemed to recede with a painful slowness. Clarity coming in a rush as her eyes opened. Ritsuko finally showed signs of life again in the form of a low moan of relief.....

Her body had arched violently against the touch of Logan's horn, the unicorn's purifying magic driving away the taint of Void Magic that had threatened her. Her small lungs strove mightily to draw air into their expanses once more....

By the time she had awoke, it was much the same as the day before. Charred bodies, broken and mangled corpses, and shattered weapons littered the ground of the campsite.

"Sigh....starting to get used to this."

It wasn't until she noticed the sharp edged shuriken buried deeply in Logan's shoulder that she truly took note of just who her attackers were. Her already pale elven visage took on a chalky appearance.

Reaching up, she tried to wrap slender fingers around the edges of the offending missile, pulling it free from her companion's body.

"I'm so sorry, Logan.....everyone.....I had no idea that they would find me again so soon....."

The samurai bit down slightly on her lower lip as she looked out over the carnage of this new battlefield.

"How did they find me?"

Even as she pondered the question, sapphire eyes fell upon a lone figure slowly approaching them....

 

[katalynn]

LAvastine was shaking her head, snapping out of the daze she was fighting. It bothered that this spell affected her, it was clear that it was aimed towards Rit, so why did she get a taste of it as well?

Cussed herself out again for thinking... kill now,, questions later... that simple. While she scanned the field for anything other than the racing ninjas, in the far distance she saw shimmering and two figures. It took a few seconds to adjust to that distance but she was able to see the man was a caster. It had to of been him. Before she was able to stop the spell, the third form appeared.

She was already in the middle of the cast, aiming at the ninja next to the wizard. Knowing that the fire blast would hit them both. Instead something hit her shoulder and made her aim a little off. She wasn't sure if she hit him or not till she heard the scream emit from that direction. Smiled, though sadly, she would regret hitting the wizard. she was no match for this wizard, or any for that matter.

Ritsuko was apologizing, but Lavastine never looked back towards her. Her gaze was stuck on this thing walking towards them. Shiver ran up her spine when she recognized what it was.

"Guys... We are not finished here... But, sadly me and the dragon can do nothing against what is coming... It is immune to fire."

Remembered seeing a few things wiping out villages back home, killing many of her kind. Struggled hard to remember what it took to take care of these things, but it was so long ago. Only childhood memories.

"What ever you do... Do NOT let it touch you.. If you wish to live, you will not allow that thing to touch you. It will take your life while keeping itself alive.... If I remember right they call those... Void Golems.
Sadly I do not remember what it takes to distroy them. Just remember them being immune to flames."

Never took her eyes off it except to look back towards the wizard every so often. Hating him by the second.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan winced as Ritusko pulled the shuriken free from his skin. The blood began to flow freely from the wound, but he paid it no heed.

He listened as she began to apologize. "Do not worry Ritsuko, no matter why or how they found you they will not take you." She had helped him when he would have been taken down by those nasty trolls and he would die trying to protect her.

He turned to face the newcomer to the fray. He saw the wizard as his arm burst into flame and then as he seemed to easily pat it out. He barely heard his words but saw what had reacted to them.

He had heard the stories of his families battles with the void creatures. He could only hope that he was strong enough to face this one for his friends would need Logan's innate magic to defend themselves against it.

He knew he may be one of the only ones that would be safe against it, maybe against it's powers gut not against it's strength. His own magic, just the opposite of the void creature's magic, would defend him against it's soul stealing. He knew it could harm him in other ways though and if he went down the others would be hurt.

"Ritsuko help me keep the others away from that creature. I can do my best to help everyone escape it for now. It's too dangerous and this is not the place to fight it."

He kept his eyes upon the creature as it slowly rambled forward. Good thing, he thought, it's size would give Logan an advantage against it, to a degree. He looked to the mage, if he could get to him and avoid the creature, he may be able to defeat the creature, by destroying it's maker.

He couldn't do it alone, "Ritsuko, can you fight while astride a horse? If so get on my back, we have to face this thing head on or try to destroy it's maker. I will need help."

 

[roleplaylifer]

"Guys... We are not finished here... But, sadly me and the dragon can do nothing against what is coming... It is immune to fire."

Ritsuko's head shot up at the hissed warning, easily finding the last remaining threat to their encampment. Slowly, she forced herself back to her feet, her lungs finally slowing in their frenzied gasping for air.

"What ever you do... Do NOT let it touch you.. If you wish to live, you will not allow that thing to touch you. It will take your life while keeping itself alive.... If I remember right they call those... Void Golems.

Void Golems.

Ritsuko found herself nodding in agreement to the dark elf's warning. Though she'd never even heard of such a thing before, the samurai could swear she saw some long buried horror surface in Lavastine's eyes before being washed away by her sheer determination.

Even as she paused to consider the meaning of this, she felt the gentle bump of Logan's equine body brushing against her. His voice sounded softly in her head even as she turned to look askance of him.

"Ritsuko help me keep the others away from that creature. I can do my best to help everyone escape it for now. It's too dangerous and this is not the place to fight it."

The proud samurai acknowledged her companion's honorable suggestion by sketching a swift bow, awaiting orders as to what part she would play in all of this.

"Ritsuko, can you fight while astride a horse? If so get on my back, we have to face this thing head on or try to destroy it's maker. I will need help."

Her chin tilted almost scornfully at the question, a smile fire of mischief set alight in her sapphire orbs.

"My people were trained well in riding, Logan. Where I come from, a good horse was worth very nearly as much as gold when it came to judging one's wealth."

Not wasting any time, Ritsuko had vaulted herself onto the unicorn's back. She tried not to worry about what had happened the last time she had dared to raise her steel against a wizard, the futility and pain that action had brought.

Elven eyes narrowed as slim fingers closed upon the hilt of her katana, her knees pressed firmly against Logan's sides to keep her astride his long back.

"Command me."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan lowered his head tilting his horn downwards a moment, before once again looking over the battlefield in search of the one who commanded the golem.

He reared slightly and then moved easily over the field. "Hang on Ritsuko and be prepared to avoid a swing by the creature." He ran straight on at the thing and at the last moment dodged to the side swiping at it with his horn. He slashed the creature as he dodged out of it's way, moving quickly, but smoothly enough so as not to unseat Ritsuko.

It was then he saw the wizard once more. He lowered his head and charged. His gait taking him faster and faster towards the wizard.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green and red and wounded all over)

His wings were stumps. Many of the deeper wounds had been filled in, but the lesser ones still bled. He was missing a few fingers from his left hand, the void in his body displaced to fill in the many cuts over his body, and replenish the blood spilled over the earth.

He had stopped her from giving herself to him. She had two departed souls to return with. One life was not worth the chance of losing two, or maybe even three souls. He stumbled out of the undergrowth, and his eyes transfixed on the scene before him.

A void golem, the elf girl, Ritsuko, riding Logan like a heroine out of some story, and his gaze shifted to where they were going. A man, but,...the area sizzled with dark energies. He gazed at the golem, so close!

He turned back to the wizard. He would defend himself, and a direct void attack could rip them in two. And he blinked, seeing another man there. The odds were against them.

And against him reaching the golem in time. Without something there to guide it, void of that strength would rip apart the world around it as it left the world, if it got two close to the others, it could wound or kill them. He thew his hands in the air, waving his arms like mad, even as tired as he felt. He cleared his throat, and began yelling.

"Hfir! Hfir! Hfir! Hfir!"

 

[roleplaylifer]

Ritsuko leaned hard to one side as a misshapen hand tried its best to land a blow on the smallish elf maiden. Blue and yellow sparks flew as Logan's horn connected solidly against the normally intangible mass. The flow of life met with the emptiness of death with a thunderclap that jarred the samurai to the bone.

She struck then, her katana sliding smoothly from its scabbard in a near perfect strike........the keen edge having no apparent effect, its edge passing harmlessly through the amorphous body of the unholy construct.

And then they were out of immediate reach, barrelling towards the irate wizard at breakneck speed. Elven eyes locked with the dead pits of the human's, no love, compassion, or even tolerance could be found in those dark orbs. Only the faintest flicker of surprise as the boldness of their attack finally dawned on Varkahn.

Even as they drew near, another figure stepped from behind the injured mage. A gasp sounding in Logan's ear as recognition was made. Ritsuko had been expecting the hatred projected at them by the mage, but the young man who now stood before her seemed to radiate it like an aura. Memories tumbled chaotically back to a desecrated temple.......

Emerald eyes met sapphire briefly before narrowing dangerously. Slowly....purposefully....the ninja drew his katana from its scabbard, the well oiled steel not even making the slightest of whispers.

The air shimmered softly around him. The stirrings of some vague chant whispered across the dry morning breeze and carried to the ears of elf and unicorn alike. Slowly....Hidoshi lowered himself into a crouch.....prepared. His katana held outward in a cross body stance, Ritsuko paled slightly as his actions stirred a deeper....long forgotten memory.

"Logan, stop!"

Even as she watched, she could almost invision the smirk of victory beneath the Shadowmaster's mask as the chant was completed. Every hair stood up on the back of the samurai's neck as she awaited the attack that she somehow knew was coming.

Falter Step!

Feinting to the right at first, Hidoshi came in hard, charging straight at the pounding hooves of the unicorn, smirking in defiance as Logan's horn lowered almost naturally in defense. The form of the Shadowmaster elongated, blurring and distorting to confuse his opponents just long enough.......

Logan's horn tore through shadow, a seemingly perfect strike passing harmlessly through the carefully cast illusion. Hidoshi loosed a yell of triumph as his katana sprang forward towards his hated rival......

The ring of steel jolted the ninja back to reality, as a wild parry by Ritsuko nearly clipped Logan's ear, but effectively diverted most of the attack. Instead of being the fatal blow it had been intended as, the sheer force of Hidoshi's attack blasted her from her position atop of the unicorn.

Landing heavily, and none too gracefully, the elven samurai rose rather unsteadily to her feet. The cocky gaze of her rival once more burned into her, just as it had when he had dropped her father's sword at her feet.....followed by his severed head....mere days before.

"You've given us a rather annoying chase, Ritsuko Hitari. I commend you for finding such strong allies so quickly. It seems these parts of the world are a little less unscrupulous when it comes to masterless vermin such as yourself."

Ritsuko flinched slightly at the insult before drawing strength from the kinds words of a half-elven warrior....spoken over the glow of a firelit night.

"I am the last survivor of clan Hitari. That alone makes me my own master."

Hidoshi scoffed, "A master without a clan is equally worthless."

The elven samurai smiled sadly as she contemplated his words, a respons already having occured to her.

"Perhaps. But as a woman, I can rebuild the clan....through my own body."

Any glint of mockery she may have noticed before disappeared as the Shadowmaster considered this. One hand reached for a small bag at his belt.

Ritsuko dropped silently into a defensive crouch, preparing herself for the worst. She was by no means prepared to see the small, delicate glass talisman that dropped into the youthful ninja's gloved hand.

Moving swiftly for another such pouch, Hidoshi held the talisman up in mock salute to her. Mischief and malice fighting for dominance in his eyes.

"Then I hope you'll forgive me if I can not allow such a future for you to take place. Simply put, my lord will not allow it."

Opening the second pouch, the teenaged ninja through the contents into the air. A thick black dust caught the breeze breifly, easily carried by the slight wind to swirl across the battlefield. Hidoshi watched in amusement as the samurai tried to put together just what was happening.

"Besides....I believe there is a saying that holds very true, Ritsuko Hitari. No rest for the wicked. I'll be watching you and your "friends" from the shadows to claim that which my lord desires. Say hello to your father for me."

With that, the Shadowmaster hurled the talisman against the jagged remnants of a trollish shield. The delicate glass shattered and the samurai was forced back by a near gale wind accompanied by a silent bright blue flash of light.

When her eyes finally refocused, he was gone. But not the aftermath of his last action.

 

[Khadgar]

Dreant Firebane

Dreant cocked his head to the side and watched the stone monster amble foreward. the others seemed scared of it.... perhaps it was too powerful for them. perhaps it was a creation of the great squirrel.

Hatred flowed through his veins as that thought came to his mind. He scurried over to the elf whom he had met hearlier, she had been hit in the shoulder by something. she was staring at the stone, and at the man far down the field. coming out of his crouch some, he bit into the metal object and took it out, some kind of thanking for the kindness she had offered him earlier.

then it hit. there was a monster comming.... and he had no idea what was going on, theyall could die.
run run run run run hide, run and hide. hide and run. you cannot hide if you run, but if there is no running, hiding will not help

Dreant shook his head and grabbed the sides, trying to clear his thoughts, they wern't making any sense again. he grabbed his tail and scratched it absently.... a clearing. off all the things they had been put in, a clearing, where there was no use for the land in battle.... except.

Looking up to the elf Dreant cleared his throat a couple times. "hole. Water. Pond. Pond is deep, and full of water, water slows, Stone monster will not escape hole." Dreant then scrambled up a boulder just to his side and looked down on the elf, following her gaze to the lumbering creature.