A Serene Peace

[Kyoko Oni]

((First off I'de like to appologise for the wait ><;;; Being going through a LOT of crap at school and didn't have the time nor the motivation do do much of anything besides wallow in my own self pity for the past couple days (I'm a sap I know ) But I should be fine now. ))

Ko flipped her head lightly off to the side, apparently distracted by some sound. Her nose twitched lightly at this mild distraction before blowing it off as the simple nothing that it was. A small rodent.. or perhaps a coy or something of the likes lurking nearby. She turned back toward the group that she had become associated with as the one who had done all the communicating thus far towards her. She listened, an expression on her face was glassy and inattentive but she listened all the same and absorbed what words she could to make sence of the rest.

So many questions at once, her fluttery mind tried to put them in a kind of logical sequence to formulate an answer that would make this creature happy. She licked her lips lightly, taking the moisture from them. She was soaked, her furry cloathing sticking to her body had lost its water repellancy. But, she didn't mind so much, the rain was little deterent for her, besides the numbing cold that it might bring to her. But her skin, as frail as it looked was often good enough defenses... She spent an eternity away from winter however, and it was indeed over.. but when it would come again she would find herself in trouble, seeking a more warm climate or refuge. Perhaps mans true best friend fire would become obvious to her before then.

"What is missing?" She repeated softly in almost the same questioning air that it had been asked in. Ko's mother... Ko's father..... obvious missing things..... She remembered nothing of them, but all logic said that she had them. Her occuli flickered dimmly "And.. Ko's meaning... There is more... but I will see it.. when I find it." Purpose would have been a more understandible term to them, but meaning explained it just find for her. She licked her lips again shaking her head a little letting the water fly off her delicate white hair. The prospect of getting out of the rain seemed more welcome than not.. and besides.. you never knew what lurked in the mists. "Ko would like to get out of the rain... for a while" She admitted softly still glancing around occationally, her pright pensive eyes seeming to bounce off things.

"Gods..." She thought a moment biting her lip. Memories flooded her at the simple mention of the word.. Yes.. .Even long ago when she was born they were around... THey were stronger then.. if anything.. Stronger in the minds of the people... "Earth.." As if by instinct she knew.... She was a creature of blood.. of soil... of pain... of life.. of death.. all things associated with the very lifecycle of the earth... She paused, almost as if doubting her self "Yes.. Earth" Smiling pleasently at this discovery she wrapped her arms in front of her, covering her semi exposed stomach.

"Who do you belong to?" She asked out of wild curiosity perhaps. "Why are you in the rain.. what are YOU looking for?" She spat almost every question back.. It was a sign of growing comfort with these strangers. It seemed to happen so quickly. Her eyes fell upon the two quiet ones.. the horse.. and the elvin for just a moment... But she was more entranced by the one who stood infront of her and was communicating the most right now.

[mixedblood9]

Ethida just had to smile. She would have been stupid to think the girl would have not asked the same of them. So she answered, for both of them believing it would be fine since the human woman had done all the talking thus far. Pulling her light bangs from her eyes, Ethida took a breath and began. She spoke with gentle certainty in her voice.

I am your sister allied under the god of Earth while I believe my friend behind me is of water.

She turned slightly to take in Ivalia’s figure still devoid of any sign of effect from the rain. The woman turned back to Ko and continued to address her, beginning before completely facing back at her.

As for the rain and my reason for venturing into it, I was wandering these lands on my own quest searching as well for someone when I was caught in the rain, which began while I rested with Torano under that tree over there. She gestured towards the tree behind her with her head. I have been on a quest in search of my brother and perhaps vengeance from the men who destroyed my village and killed my father.

For but a moment, her eyes flashed with rage at the recollection of the unexpected raid. She turned her head down to gaze upon the mud underneath her feet so as to not frighten the girl. Ethida regained her poise pulling herself from her memories. The human woman stood up from her crouched position, straightening as she stood. She angled herself slightly and again turned her head to address the quiet elf-maiden in the back.

As for Ivalia, I too should have been wondering the reason which originally has brought her to my place of quiet respite.

Suspicion returned to Ethida Tsukiri’s mind for the moment. She is of water… perhaps as spy. No… she said she only stayed with the elves because they had not wronged her thus far… Lies?… no… but she did say I needed not to fear her… however she also said she hated humans… yes, but male humans though… no. She trusted me enough with her personal history which is hard to give out. I should trust her. Was it all a lie? Is she a spy? No! Ethida pushed the thoughts aside. Either way, Ivalia’s reply would clear the current state up for her.

[Promise Broken]

<sup>Ivalia had little to say. Though she dissaproved of Ethida giving her status out so quickly. Such information was for Ivalia alone to give. But at the current moment it seemed to be more of a mute point and the allowing of the small child to know of her allegience did not bother the elfin maid. She had listened to the conversation between "ko" and Ethida with a mute ear. Taking in the conversation, logging it into mind, though not exactly listening nor taking heed when addressed. That being the case, she was slightly slow to respond and gave a curt smile of forced apologetics. Slipping a dry hand through her hair, she felt lost... not exactly what to say, but she assumed they spoke of finding shelter. Obviously Ethida had the horse, Ivalia did not, and obviously nor did Ko. Transport was slightly one sided, but it was a minor set back in a group discovery of shelter.

Ivalia was channelling most of her reserved energy into keeping herself dry. Funny thing being, she did not like becoming damp. Soaked attire, hair and skin always seemed to drag her down. In her own opinion. It wasn't that she didn't like the rain, she just didn't like its feel; thus the reasoning for the thin skin near barrier that lined her form in its entirety. The joy of being of water blood.

Casting a searching eye over the plains she thought it best to head towards the forested areas, the outskirts of the woods. The trees would grow thick and close and the overhang would provide a damper to the falling mists. "I fear I have drifted off.... If shelter is what you speak of I would look towards the woodland outskirts, but that is but my opinion. I fear I have fallen out of the conversation and into my own thoughts, pardon my disconnection."

The apology was curt and slightly forced, and more or less an act of politeness because she could not remember the last words that had been spoken between Ethida and Ko. For after a few moments of a double-sided conversation that did not include her, she had lost interested and begun thinking about other such importances. Like home.... she had to return there sometimes, though not for any suspicious reasoning that others might concieve. There were just certain comforts that came with common ground.</sup>

ooc: sry its not much, I was writing it while I was offline and I couldn't remember what had been said in the previous posts... so I just made something work, lol

[Kyoko Oni]

Ko shook a little, lifting her arms as the water drizzled off her form. Her white pelted atire was sticking to her skin, forcing her to shiver. She yawned again slowly, feeling the chill of the rain take a toll on her body, making her tired and distant. Her occuli lit up a little restlessly as she spied in the distance the trees that would offer some shelter. She didn't plan on waiting here for very long if any longer. The little girl began shaking her fur rappidly as the talkative women spoke again. She had asked the question, but she was growing bored of the idle chatter. Either shelter, or a hunt was in order for the small fox demon. She gritted her teeth lightly, her slightly longer than average canines catching on each other.

One of them was Earth like she and the other was Water... Hmm... She didn't really know what that had to do with anything afterall they all wore the same pale skin. She licked her lips, she was unconcerned about the war at hand, the tension that seemed to ripple through the trees didn't affect her as much as it did them. She wasn't a war-like creature, she was just a lone animal out in the world trying to survive, her allignment was no more than another senseless fact, much like her name.

The woman mentioned a 'quest' and looking for her brother and some brute who had killed her father. Ko almost seemed to brissle at this, as if she could comprehend the strong emotions that tied family, as if she could fully comprehend and knew vengence like an old friend. She almost imediately calmed down, shaking again to releave herself of the burdenous water that stuck to her 'pelt'.

Then finally the other women spoke.. the one with the larger than normal ears. She spoke of shelter again and Ko immediately purked to this suggestion. SHELTER
She said brightly with a smile "Go...rain cold" She added in as an explanation as she began to walk toward the trees slowly, crossing her arms over her bare stomach, her feet sinking into the grassy muck that had turned muddy from the pounding rain. Momentarily she glanced back to see if they were going to follow, whether they were or weren't, she was going... Her hide was of the utmost importance.

[Promise being Lazy]

ooc: just to make a point, lol - Ivalia is only part human so her ears aren't long, she is tall like the elves and graceful like them, but her face is that of a human, so her ears aren't pointed, they are very humanish, lol

u can continue Ethida, I just wanted to point that out, hehe ;D

[Kyoko Oni]

((Oops my bad ^^))

[mixedblood9]

Ethida understood Ko's train of thought when she began her move towards the woods. Actually, she did not really mind that Ivalia did not answer her question. It would be a subject for talk if it truly proved necessary for survival in the future. Gesturing to Torano, she called him to follow as she too made her way towards the shelter of the trees. Being thoroughly soaked by teh steadily falling rain, she too began to fell downtrodden and miserable. She was glad the subject of shelter had once again taken the conversation over even though she had been the one full of questions. Ethida could not help it. She always wanted to know. Knowledge was power and confidence for her. Ever since childhood, curiosity had ruled her mind and her heart. Life is so full of questions and quests for the answers, she just had to take it and bite into every day. Shifting her sword once again to rest confortably back onto her hip, she prepared herself for any unexpected events that may come their way. Looking back behind her, Ethida gazed at the tree once again remembering her encounters. The encounter with the she-elf and then with the girl. Yes, those encounters had not been very long ago, however Ethida still found herself recollecting every moment and thinking about what had happened and what may come of the small group's tiny expedition together. She enjoyed to wonder and to ask questions. It was a blessing as well as a curse. Many people may think of her questions as the tool of a spy and not a curious mind. That is the reason her sword remained by her side - to get her out of the scrapes her mouth and curiosity get her into. Once again, she had to play with her weapon. The rain had definitely soaked her attire and now it seemed determined to reveal her weapon by sticking completely to it. Ethida attempted to hide its presence by having her arm over the blade and Ethida feared either the girl or the elf-maiden had seen. She did not want a brawl between friends and she hoped to aviod it entirely but if she must, she will fight - to defend herself... or her company. Determined to find shelter from the rain, the human woman continued her trek towards the woods pulling her hair once again from her eyes. She decided she had said enough and perhaps some silence was required to regain her train of thought and maybe even a little more trust amongst the beings in this strange grouping.

ooc: sorry... kind of rushed but had to finish. not much really came to mind

[.::~*D.i.S.a.S.t.E.r*~::.]

<sup>It was here within those woods that the fire troup rested. They were scouting, scouting out the land near. Fire was a growing region, and there were some who did not beleive in the peace that was ensuing. However, they were not out to find a captive. They were here to scout the land, to determine where attacks and battle could be played with the greatest advantage for them. It was a moment of innocent overlook. They had no idea that a much smaller party was approaching.

A mage Lord led the acompniment and his powers were fairly advanced. He knew his works, knew them well. It was with this inner fire that he felt the ripple through space. The power of another magic holder. They were not alone, and in silence the company departed from their camp. The place of rest was deep in the wood, though not far from where our three journeyers were placing their steps.

MeRyk was the first to leave. His fire burning within his eyes. He was mostly human, he had the body of one... but his soul had long since been possessed by that of a demon. An age old devil that became commonly known as the Firefly - thus MaRyk had a nickname. But this was not the point, leading his group the circled the perimiter of the outer wood, hiding in the trees, bows drawn, crossbows ready. Fire flickered in deep shafts that they carried, the arrows of fire they could make. However, being as the shafts were deep, the light could not escape for others to see. It was how clever this mage demon had become. The fire dragon's were next to follow. Large brutes of orange and red, there were three. One smaller than the other, but each one when standing could not easily fit within the forest density. And it was because of this that they failed in silence.

It started as a rumble, from below the earth... it came from behind the trio, and off to each side... in a surrounding fashion. The only direction still open was escape into the forest. But was it truly escape? It was then that the fire fled the earth, though quelled slightly by the thickening rain, each hole was made and from the crumbling rock the dragons arose, each larger than the other and phuming in both rage and inticipation. However, as MeRyk eyed the scene, he saw but one that caught his eye. The enchantress, her beauty was captivating and intoxicating and he made a mental note to target her. She was the one he wanted... for himself, for his Lord.

And it was with this, that her let the fire beneath the surface rise up a forth time, but there was no dragon to follow... the fire seemed to seethe up and consume the one called Ivalia, and when the fire did die against the rain, Ivalia was not in sight.

MaRyk had gotten his victim, cloaking the beautiful woman in cold fire, he brought her beneath the earth... channeling her harmlessly back to him, where the earth once again parted within the depths of the forest. Ivalia was given unto him, and it was then that she was bound and taken. MeRyk would see her off now, before her friends had any opportunity of locating her position and saving her fate.

_____________

Focusing back on the other two, his eyes narrowed... he would take them as well if he could, but he already had one prize, why spoil it with two others...

Signalling to his followers... the dragons took the cue and began to move in...

Kaji had not ordered this patrol, but MeRyk was not a part of his Lord's hold... every village of fire was left to fend for itself in certain times... if these others wandered to close...
He did not know of their intent -- this became the demon's excuse.


Okay, here is how it goes... basically Ivalia's gone... I know the way was kindof pathetic, but I couldn't think of anything else at the moment. I'm not going to RP the dragons and/or MeRyk and his army anymore. Thus you can powerplay as him, and either live or die.... its up to you... kill whom you wish... powerplay the attackers as much as you like... and keep in mind though there are three fire dragons, they are cumbersome and slow... and aren't the greatest thinkers in the world... plus there leather hide -though- harder is still penetrable. Okay, have fun... thought this would help spruse up the thread, and would also give a reason as to why Ivalia is gone and has been captured, lol

Good luck.... however, please don't die, the numbers of the enemy aren't very high, just more than three lol - I didn't make this disaster to kill yall off... just so that u know ;D</sup>

[Kyoko Oni]

((OMFG ACTION ^^ whoot))



Head continued to turn, betraying her own internal nerviousness. As a creature of the wild she always had to be ready or thus become nourishment for something much greater than she, and for that there were many of them. Her small pointed teeth hung out below her lips, yellow eyes widening a little as they approached the leafy green forest. She froze suddenly stopping midstride. Her body seemed to almost shrink as she hunched over in fear. Her hand grasped her daggar and she pulled it from it's sheeth within her furry clothing. Teeth bared and she hissed and cried in an animal like way. The rumblings so softly under the ground she could hear. Her body quaked a little, as an animal might if they felt an earthquake about to happen.. but this was no earthquake.. her drawn dagger seemed to prove that.

The rumble grew more obvious, comming from three sides of them, errupting in the fields, growing louder and louder. The young creature huddled toward the group suddenly, especially close to the one who had talked her her. Her little body quivered and her muslces grew tight against her skin. A hiss excaped her yet again as the scene unfolded before them. The ground began to move in three particular points and from these spots grew three towers of flame, and from them three dragons. They weren't the biggest of the big, but intimidating all theh same.. afterall.. the flesh of a man looked like it would provide naught but a snack to one of them. Then fire errupted amonst the party engulfing the elvin girl and with its receed it faded.

Ko's eyes brightened and she let out a snarl uttering a single word that matched her bitter interpertation of this moment. "Traitor" She convinced herself the elivish human creature was no good, she had brought the three fire breathing heathons to them.. to kill them. Her eyes brightened as she waved her daggar around, turning briskly as if trying to sum up the competition. It was far too great for her. She cried suddenly, collapsing her body close to the ground. Her eyes brightened and she fled away from the three, heading for the "safety of the trees." In the fight or flight.. the young demon creature chose flight.

But she was met by a wall of arrows covered in flames that were.. at the very least highly resistant to the water. She swung her daggar at them as they missed their target and pierced the ground. Her accuracy in her strikes was matched by her fury. Tiny cries emited from her as she struck the arrows with calculating whips. Even going so far as to striking a few before they could pierce her. She cried pathetically, a noise a creature would make before it would admit the defeat of falling to a predator. She continued to strike at the flying sticks of death backing up slowly, too afraid to turn and run.. death was met by arrows one way, or by the mouths of dragons in the other direction.

A scream errupted in her lungs as one of the arrows caught her shoulder. Her daggar didnt' fall from her hand, rather she clenched it more tightly as she screamed in pain. Her bright yellow eyes seemed to glow almost. Fear errupted in her, the fear of death, the anger of being betrayed... the pain of being wounded. It was becomming too much for the young demon to hold back. Her cries grew louder as another arrow found its target in her side. The young creature closed her eyes, suddenly the cries stopped and she fell to her knees. UPon closer inspection she was far from silent, a deep growl rose within her chest... Betrayal...

[mixedblood9]

Unexpectedly, the earth rumbled beneath their feet. The human girl became confused and watched around for any signs of attack or natural phenomenon, while Torano danced with his nerves buzzing. Ethida’s head jerked this way and that looking for the cause of the tumults when she felt light pressure against her legs. It was Ko. There must be something wrong if both Torano and Ko are anxious, Ethida assumed. She searched for Ivalia in the confusion created by her traveling companion, but found nothing in front of her.

Heat intensified and light blinded suddenly and just as quickly it flickered out. Ethida spun on her heels protecting her vitals with her arms from the ambush. Frantically she commenced a hasty search for the elf-maiden who had been there only a few seconds prior. Nothing. The human woman rushed to where the isolated blaze had sputtered out in hopes of finding Ivalia lying in the tall meadow grasses. Unfortunately, what met her was a wave of burning arrows one of which brushed past her cloak. If it had not have rained, the rough textile would have most certainly caught fire, but she was lucky… for the time being at least. In a frenzy, Ethida searched for her loyal stallion, Torano and the young girl, Ko again. She felt a strong urge to protect them and then to chase after the villains who had captured Ivalia. She found the steed where he was before only now he fought to avoid the arrows; battles previous had taught what was good and bad to his fine health. He danced around with swift footwork doing all to avoid being caught on fire. To Ethida’s dismay though, Ko was no longer with the stallion; she found her a few meters away with her flight ceased abruptly by even more fire arrows. This was a definite ambush, one that Ethida was not willing to let happen just as the one that had taken her home and family from her.

With rapid agility and immediate thinking, the human woman fought her way to the girl who was apparently now an ally, despite her attempt to flee. Ethida could not blame her for that considering the girl’s apparent age. She promptly drew her blade from its hiding place and removed an attacker’s hand and sword simultaneously. As she plowed through the opponents to get to Ko, she managed to down three soldiers from the unit obviously allied with the Fire nation. Unfortunately, they also were able to get in a couple good hits on her. Her left arm acquired a nice sized gash just above her elbow which now with her quick movements flowed freely, while her right cheek also bled from a dagger wound created by one of her fallen victims. She almost arrived at Ko’s side when another obstacle presented itself.

A fire dragon made sure to get his hit in before she got to the girl. With a fling of his firm tail, the dragon threw the woman back against another tree. Blood burst from her mouth as she hit the trunk and she fell to her knees. Quickly shaking the shock from her mind, Ethida stood up again; she was absolutely determined to help Ko and Torano who as of the moment seemed to be holding his own. Through the air she sprung to meet the dragon face-to-face. Her blade pierced its eye shedding even more blood onto the once tranquil field. Then landed back upon the now blood-stained soil, the human thrust her sleek sword through its scales penetrated the dragon’s chest. Alas, that was only one down, two to go.

Rushing through the rest of the competition, Ethida finally returned to the young girl’s side. Her breathing was forced and her heart raced. Blood tripped down her blade as well as her arm and forehead and out her feminine formed mouth. Facing the opposite way of Ko, she took a defensive stance with the girl behind her. She clenched her teeth against the pain of the onslaught as she reached behind her with her bloodied left hand. Ethida tried to arise Ko, but found her growling. Ko…

What exactly is going on? Ivalia… hold on. I will be there I promise. This could not have all been a trap. Why would she set a trap like this for us? She did not know either of us and even if she did… would it not be with Water’s power… why with Fire? No! She did not plan this! She could not have! I trust her enough to believe this was not her doing! I trust her! Why?!? What is happening? Why is this happening?!? I can not let them do this! No! Ivalia! Ko! Torano! We are going to get through this! We have to!

Agh!… An arrow interrupted her as she gritted her teeth at the pain. One had found its target in her right thigh while another in her left shoulder blade. Her cloak now pinned to her slowed her movements a bit. The human began to have trouble. Lost blood and lack of sleep the cause. Eyesight grew blurry and her clothes became soaked with the warm red liquid and not just the rain still pouring. Her head fell and her upper half hunched over. She forced herself back up into the defensive position again. She was not going to lose this. Staring down her enemies too started to snarl like a beast. She worried about all of them; she needed to protect the girl and her loyal horse friend and she needed to save Ivalia… but she was very… weak.

ooc: That was different... cool... we finally have action! I'm just disappointed I did not think of something like this first... I figured bandits... Disaster, you're great!

[Kyoko Oni]

Anger bubbled up within the creature, along with the dark red blood that oozed from her wounds. She suddenly found that she wasn't alone, her own broken body in close relavance to the kind creature who was also aligned with earth. It just went to prove to the creature.. you had to stick with your element if you wanted to survive in this world... It was a cold.. cruel.. biting world. And this masacre was horrid, a sad attempt for food, for nourishment... She was determined not to become a meal for these fire fiends. Her body quivered all over, the rain and fire meshing together.

She heard her name and snuggled in toward the creature that knelt beside her. Her nose knew blood well. She blinked unsurely for a moment in the panic she looked up, her bright yellow eyes forgetting anger and pain as they stared up at the creature. Her expression was a saddened one, determined but sad. A hand lifted and brushed away the stream of blood that was upon the other's cheek as the arrows continued to fire down around them. Perhaps it was compassion in its most primative form. She retracted her paw imediately, staring at the red substance comparing it to her own... it was the same... no matter what you were... you bleed the same... With this mild understanding she looked down at her own blood and rain soaked pelts, they had been white, but her own blood had tainted them.

Shaking her head she broke away from the human that was pinned upon the ground. Demon eyes focused upon one of the dragons that was approaching the two. She growled stumbling to her paws, her daggar drawn. Her lips meshed into snarls as her primative mind found the strength to keep standing asside from the firery pains that were errupting in her body from the arrow wounds. Her gaze fell upon the pinned human, her clothing would prove her demise it seemed now if nothing was done. She felt.. compassion...

Dropping to her knees again her face contorted in an expression of pain that wasn't matched by her former expression... THIS was real pain. Her hands gripped the grasses, clawing at the earth and she cried as another arrow came to join the other that was pinned into her side. Snarls ruptured in her that were dark... deep... rumbling sounds. Something that couldn't have possibly come from such a little girl.

She contorted in pain dropping to the ground as her body fell into convulsions. She screamed, blood flushing from her wounds to the ground below mixing with the harmless rainwater as the heavens cried down upon them. Pain was no longer a motive for her screams.. .as her vision went black...

Her skin ruptured all over white hairs slowly pulling forth with a black oozing substance. Cries grew louder as her bones grew longer stretching her skin beyond its normal elasticity. Within a matter of moments the girl that was sitting htere was a mesh of fur and bones. Her ears grew longer, her jaw contorted and meshed, growing larger as her teeth grew at such a rate they threated to crack open her skull. Bright yellow eyes widened with a aura that was far from human. The daggar grew long spindles that formed to a necklass that tied around her neck, chains errupted from it curling around her body tightly constricting the flesh.

Her features began to resemble that of a canine as the chains obstructed her form and wrapped around her she became clearly fox-like. Her mangled skin broke, muscles and organs hanging out and black bile oozing out of her mouth. Slowly her blood turned dark, becomeing a black goo rather than the familiar red. Her body convulsed her now exposed heart beating with fury. A roar excaped her followed by mounds of bile that she expulsed upon the ground. Giant paws gripped the ground and the mangled creature finally opened its eyes, the same violent shade of yellow they had always been.. but there was no human left in there... there was no kindness.. just... hunger.. revenge.. anger.. anguish.. pain...

She lept at the approaching dragon which had been at the very least stunned by her transformation. The tackle between their two bodies made the ground shake as earth met against fire. Large teeth dug into the creatures throat, tearing through the scales her tongue making love to the wound sucking in the blood like it was water from a bubbling brook. Roars excaped her as she finished its life and continued to tear apart the body, her forpaws wrapping around it as she ripped apart its flesh tossing it aside, taking the blood but not the solids. Long ratted tail wagged behind her in.. perhaps a primal happiness.. she was enjoying the torture.

The troop didn't know what it was getting into now... Kyoko Oni had been awoken. But for now, she was interested in the flesh and blood of the giant lizard she had slain as horrified onlookers fired arrows in her direction, piercing her flesh and skin... but the lust of pain was too much for her.

[mixedblood9]

The human woman felt the girl against her back and her hand upon her blood-stained cheek. She let a weak smile be seen before grave expressions took hold once more. For a second in the chaos, Ethida felt the peace of camaraderie between the girl and herself. She felt the compassion in Ko’s gentle touch. Normally, she would have closed her eyes to get a better sense of what the gesture met, however the circumstances would not allow that for even an instant.

Mouth dropped wide open as she nearly dropped to her butt. Kyoko’s transformation caused her to forget all around her – her bruises, her blood, her gashes and fatigue. Nothing could sever Ethida’s attention from the beast that now loomed over her weakened body. Wide hazel eyes gazed on as Ethida trembled in fear. What happened to her? Where is that little girl who was behind me only moments ago? How has this happened? Ethida continued to look on helplessly absorbed in the transformation. She struggled to stand, but sadly she found her cloak pinned to the ground now and not just to her own body by the arrows. The woman reached for anything in the air to hold onto in order to pull herself up to her feet. A human voice screamed over the crunch of bones, roar of fire, whistle of arrows, and chanting of soldiers. She wished to ascertain whether Ko could still recognize between friend and foe and if she was still on the human woman’s side.

Ko!

A blade interrupted her nearly biting into her dominant shoulder. Luckily in the last instant the charging man brought her back to the fatal reality of the ensuing battle. Unsheathing a dagger from her belt she cut the man’s face causing blood to splatter upon her own face and then immediately she used the tiny knife blade as a lever to free herself from her binding by arrows. Another soldier ran in for the kill towards the seeming vulnerable woman. With feminine agility, Ethida, now free to dodge, flipped her way out of the path of the swift sword. Her dodge, however, was met by another two soldiers. How long is this going to go on? I cannot keep this up! With her reliable sword in her right dominant hand and her dagger held to her wrist by her left, the woman fought with all her might. Regrettably, that was not much now. Fatigue, pain, and blood loss all gnawed on her strength gradually. She clashed swords with the man in front of her many times and used the dagger on her left hand and her sheath strapped on her back to block most of the attacks by the other two men, though some strikes did pass her trained defenses and bite into her weathered light flesh. The pain was demanding of her mind but the opportunity to strike back at him appeared and a subtle, malevolent smirk emerged upon her commonly kind face. Sword slashed at the soldier’s leg, taking it entirely off and brought him down; if the pain does not kill him, the blood loss surely will Ethida figured. Swiftly she spun around to meet two other blades of fire. These two must be amateur fire mages by the way they cloak their swords in fire. They must be afraid of me to go to such lengths. Mischievously she sneered once more at the thought. These two were easier however than the last. They were too confident in their magics only this time fire magic was not as effective as it would be without the rain. A combination of her agile speed and the rainwater created a sort of shield against the fire enveloping their blades. Having been backed up to a tree, Ethida leaped from her small prison between swords and wood to behind her unsuspecting opponents and ran them both through their backs. My blade is forever going to be stained with the blood of these men. She could not fathom the reason one leader would attack them with this force. Who is Ivalia that they would go to these lengths to capture her and prevent us from her rescue? She turned her head to focus back on Kyoko’s changed form. The creature feasted upon the dragon’s flesh. A sarcastic grin once again appeared on her feminine features. Perhaps the bread was not enough for her… exposed stomach. Ethida’s own stomach lurched at the sight of her seeming ally in the battle; she felt a reaction to throw-up come on, but forced it back down with her adrenaline.

The human ran to meet the archers near in the tree whose target was Ko. Alas, she did not arrive. A dragon’s tail interrupted; it swept her off her feet and threw her down on the ground and crushed her between rock and scales. She felt her ribs crack then and there, but that was not going to stop her. As the dragon lifted its tail to see the damage it caused, Ethida thrust her dagger into the foundation of scales. Using this as a grip, she scrambled up to the dragon’s back and then his neck. He would not be able to get her there, however the archers could. This was their last dragon in the battle; Ethida had it hostage. Now the archers and soldiers had a choice: let her deal with the dragon in peace or attack her thereby attacking the giant lizard as well. Unfortunately, these men seemed to have one objective: kill the females and their horse. They began their attack on the being perched atop the dragon. The woman held tightly as the dragon frantically tried to escape her grip and the creature’s bite, her dagger now embedded into his neck. Still hanging on and dodging arrows, Ethida used her chaotic perch to assess the severity of the battle and find who controlled the hoard and locate her friends.

She found Torano backed against another tree fighting a soldier with his powerful hooves, Ko still enjoying her meal, and Ivalia no where to be found. Then in the protection of the tree, Ethida caught a glimpse of a figure… two figures. Both went up in flames. That was him… that was Ivalia… shoot, I’m too late. He ran away and he took her with him! She screamed with rage inside her head and then her wrath broke free of her.

AGH! What else is going to happen?!?

[Kyoko Oni]

She continued to tear at the carcass as her human friend ran around making a name of herself with her blade. Ko would normally have been attentive to the playout of battle, trying to find a means of excape, but Ko as she had previously existed was gone for the time being. All that remained was a creature that was forever subject to the yearnings of the Id. And the Id was strong, it wanted food, it wanted blood, it wanted sex, it wanted pain. It was a lustful thing that gorged itself in every emotion and sensation of living. It fed upon hate, upon love, upon fear... And it wanted it all. Like a greedy polititians love for gold, her appitite could never be filled, her thirst never quenched.

Deep growls russled in her chest and thick black bile oozed from every pore in her body, every orphas. Bright yellow eyes were drawn away from the lizard by the many that crowded around her body. She wasn't overly huge, but big enough to cause fear. Standing about 6 foot at the shoulders. She whiped her neck, the slacker chains sizzled through the air, carving their marks upon the chests of those that stood in the fierce metal's way. Arrows acompanied by flame drove into her body, foolishly avoiding her heart. Black blood. Her gaze came over them and she snarled bitterly, the ooze forming a kind of dark rain. It in itself was as toxic if not moreso than the Cursed Waters were, some might fantaize that this very creature had been the sourse of all the badness in the world, but in truth she was mearly a manifestation of it.

She lurched at them, massive jaws taking off arms, taking off heads. Taking in swords and spitting them out as if they were naught more than annoyances. No more red existed within her, except her flesh, her blood pumped thick cursed bile. Leaping she took out humans with every swerve, their gashes and blows seemed to only encourage her fury, though the drain on her body wasn't apparent the drain was still existant. Her paws thundered over the terra, arrows and lost weapons hanging from her flesh like ornaments as the wounds gushed bubbling black bile upon the ground, bile that made the grasses receed upon their touch. She was toxic, hurt.. pained. The product of her loving mother and the cursed demon that raped her; ever seeking revenge and ever tourmented.

The troops numbers were waning, either dead or fleeing. Many still remained to foolishly continue battle at the sacrifice of their flesh. Ko's jaws came down upon yet another human, snapping his body clear in half, her chains flailing with every motion, keeping the others around her at bay. Then something caught her eye once again. The last of the lizards, a human upon its back. Her eyes lit up in a hungry rage as she lowered her head, large overbaring canines sticking through her lips as she slunk forward, exposed muscles rippling with every motion.

Her breathing had already grown labored. It was an amazing phenomenon to display such unrestrained physical power, but she was poisoned by her own wastes, her own tainted blood ultimately killing her. She slunk toward it, as it writhed angered with pain and rage because of the human atop its head. A human that Ko only moments before had called friend, but now could tell one human from another. A motion to her left caught her attention to be even more desirable. Torano...

Bounding suddenly off to the left Ko charged, taking down man and mage alike to dig her teeth into something different. Lowering her head she slunk toward the horse, suddenly slowing to a crawl, demonic eyes focused upon her new and more desireable pray. For the force their numbers now running low, exausting with one kill after another. The archers perhaps suffering the least but taking a hint with the massive loss of infantry. Ko heaved suddenly spilling bile in massive ammounts upon the ground forming a pool. Her eyes finally betraying the ammount of pain she really felt, but the animalistic Id was still driving her.. and now Torano was her focus.. Perhaps its blood would cure her.

[Cerberus]

<sup>Already death had laid near the beast of hell, and twice the pain of arrow marred his skin. A ravanous hunger that causes beast to be driven mad. Or is it the madness, that caused the hunger. Cerberus is no friendly breed. So damned and corrupted that it takes supreme will to turn away froma live as ravaged as his inner personality. But Cane, had surpassed one of the greatest trials. Cane had survived escape, and the scars to prove it still lingered upon his pelt. The cycle was in a complete rotation. The peak of it. The climax. Blood flowed freely from the larger wounds -- staining the grass in his wake. But his blood was no different. It was thick and it was red, the amount given to the air seemed a death toll - and any other creature would have died. But Cerberus was cursed. He would not and could not die from these wounds. As infected as the rotting flesh could become... he was immortal to the sanctuary fo death. There would be no peace from this suffering.

The dog, recently fed was no longer hungry. In fact, there was little that the large beast could currently do. But rest, and resting he had been. Until the noise reached his ears. The sound of it, fighting. It brought up a primordial rage. The love for war. A lust so to say for blood and action. The cerberus was waking and his rage was growing. It was not a rafe against any one side, but it was a fury again life itself. War brought out a portion of the giant canine that was ravanous for action and fight.

Standing from his positon, the decaying portions of skin caught amongst the twigs and sticks, causing the flesh to catch and tear. Pain only insighted the great beast more as it lumbered towards the outskirts of the forests.

He met the archer's first. They had yet to be attacked from the duo on the plains... and they were anaware of any fiend that might attack from behind. It was unexpected. And still... Cane knew not the region of fire as he bite and slew. His teeth reigning over the fragile skin. He knew no friend when fighting. It was a rage that overtook his eyes, making friend and foe and undeterminable variable. He slaughter all in his wake, and with no chains to restrain him, or a power of hand to order him to cease... he would kill all who came across his sight. It was the adrenaline that overtook his blood. The lust of the Left, the memories of the right, and the intelligence of where to strike within the middle. Cane was perfect in fighting... a developement of warfare.

The arrows ceased to fire... most of them... turned inwards towards the beast of the dog. Perhaps such unseen foe to the duo would cause a pause, or a suspicion. But cerberus soon grew bored with the mounted assailants. Cane was a neutral antagonist as of right now... though he held a certain alleigence to Pyran. Leaving the confines of the forest, he came out on the right... the left of the duo. And the first to catch his eye was a six foot demonic structure of vile proportions... a challange greater than any of the blood stricken lessers. Though cane was shorter than the shoulder height of Kyoko -- standing only 4' the large beast had the solidity of four sturdy, massive fores and hinds... and a broad thick back... and strong thick hide. The other supported itself on two legs... and it was a proven fact that those on 2 legs, were easily fallen atleast more so than a forelegged foe.

And it was this that the three-headed demon took his challange. Charging through the lessened meat, he struck the old wounds with new ones from frightened blows of fallen men. But they did not stop him and there were not many left to stop him... thus the wounds inflicted were small.... and the archers - their numbers depleated - were stunned and greatly afeared. Their easy targets were becoming much more difficult and the land was becoming a slaughter.

It was with little thought that Cane came upon the Kyoko demon. The box like head, the powerful jaws, and the strong upper stregnth and supreme anger, malice, lust and drive drove for the flesh of the demon. The acidic blood of the other though poisonous to many, would not cause deathly damage to a fellow cursed. However, the leap and the bite had yet to come into contact with the flesh... though his attack was reasonably sudden... fate now took lead. Decayed flesh coming to contact with another, just as decayed. The attack of the three heads - and yes all three drove for flesh - had no real direction. It attacked from the forest side, perhaps the left side of the demonic creation... but Cane's mind was too heavily clouded, by rage, anger, and a lust for the fight and kill of battle... to truly see or lead a direct and calculated hit.</sup>

not finished

[mixedblood9]

Perched atop the giant lizard, the human warrior possessed the perfect strategic point to view the battle from. From there she saw the danger her loyal stallion became entwined in and the charge the once befriended Kyoko took towards Torano. However that was not all which caught the thorough eyes of the trained female fighter. A large three-headed monster bounded across the field straight towards the brawl of beasts. It looked to be in the same condition Kyoko herself seemed to be cursed into. The absurdity nearly overwhelmed Ethida who had never seen a struggle quite like this present situation. Staggering both from fatigue and blood loss as well as the strange circumstance, the woman again was forced to strengthen her foundation as the dragon resumed its struggle to remove her from its head. Then she decided enough was enough. If nothing else she needed to save her stallion from the wrestle between usually large beasts – at least they were uncommonly huge compared to the human woman’s standards.

As of the moment, she did not concern herself with the alliance to which the three-headed canine was pledged to. The beast would distract Kyoko from Torano and then she would have the opportunity to rescue her steed and life-long friend. Swift movements blinded the beast, which she stood atop, with her blade. One powerful thrust of her sword into the dragon’s eye threw his head into rage flailing about and jettisoned Ethida off the agonizing creature. Falling back to ground soaked in blood, the woman landed on her back thereby forcing the arrow already wedged in her shoulder blade further into her flesh. The shaft splintered off from her body while the still hot point merely bit harder and tighter. Pain shot through her arm, which she forced aside, and the warrior stood to again confront dragon now only more angered. With speeds unknown to those of her dead village caused by the adrenaline now rushing through her veins, she plunged her sword into his armored chest. No amount of scales, fire, or strength was going to stop her from saving her friend.

Finally ridding herself from the trouble of the last dragon as she left its dieing corpse, Ethida ran across the bloodied field towards the battle between creatures. As she closed the distant between her and the fight of monsters, she whistled and called to her chestnut stallion. Upon hearing the call of his friend, Torano’s head perked up towards her direction. He was relieved she still had energy to live and come to him. He leaped from his place in front of the tree galloping to his human, his charge. In doing so, he also leaped from his place of danger with the struggle between canines.

ooc: sorry it took so long and also if it isn't up to the level I usually write... kindof rushed on time and I just needed to get something here for you guys 'cause it seems you're waiting for me... thanks though you don't really need to unless you're killing my character ;D

[Kyoko Oni]

((Sorry for the big wait, exams have been getting me. And regretfully I won't have a lot of time over vaction to do much at all, if I have internet that is. Spring break, heading off to the Cape for a while ^^.))



Kyoko snarled, her jaws forming what might have been concidered a grin. Her chains lashed out at the equine, slamming into the trunk of the tree carelessly. She was playing with her meal, trying to avoid the vicious assault of hooves that would strike her vulmerable heart if she wasn't careful. Teeth gritted as she stalked the creature. The equine was quite a warrior, and she hadn't surprised it. But... She was indeed a creature of brute force, her four paws clawing at the ground, muscles coiling ready for a timed lunge. But the lunge wouldn't come. Occuli shifted gently to her left, toward the forest and toward the flash of black that came thundering towards her. She hadn't even seen it untill all four of its paws had already left the ground, three vicious heads already soaked with blood and thursting for hers.

Her pupils dialated in startlement, and her left shoulder dove for the ground, leaving her back exposed. Her back was the strongest part of her. For her underside was a labarynth of exposed organs. Stomach, heart poking through twisted broken ribs, lungs heaving inside their cage, raspy and filled with her own sick bile. A morose groan excaped her as the two bodies collided. While she was in fact taller than the large brute that took her, she wasn't as starkly built.

Pain errupted as fear set in. The startlement of the situation forced her to feel pain all over her body as the heads clamped their jaws upon her rotting flesh. Bile oozed out furiously, freshened by their own vile scent. Her head twisted and she cried out, searching for body with her teeth, searching for a throat, for a bit of flesh she could claim as the monster's teeth tore at her own flesh. She was already sevearly weakened by mear existance. Her ability to remain in demon form was very short, and with the introduction of pain it wouldn't be long before her form crashed and she became the hopless child she had begun as. Twisting her form she attempted to roll right away from the creature, to throw it off of her back, to yank its teeth from her hide as her own teeth saught its hide. Bile leaking from every orphas of her body as the struggle for life began.



(and sorry this is short too x.x)

[Cerberus]

Teeth clamped onto the back of the powerful creature. The left gripped with powerful force upon a thigh, while the right tried to get a better grip upon the writhing spine. The middle in all its attempts could not get a grip with its powerful jaws, for it was still half blind from the previous encounter the other night with a creature of water. But broad jaws held enormous strength and power and the left would not cease its attachment. Three sets of fangs against one was an unfair set... but Cane was not coming out unscathed. Black filth lined his alread black mangled head as foe teeth ripped through already broken flesh, obscuring more of the dark stained grass with greater red tint. White hinted through torn muscle and sinew as the curse continued and the slice of caw and fang raged against one another. Locked in a battle, Cane was wild with fight, and made mad. There was little sanity when in the midst of battle. Since cut loose from control the cerberus had indeed been growing wiser and more emotional controlling, but his reaction to a fight was the same. All were his enemies. He targetted the greatest challange for the greatest amusement. However, for the several earth shattering moments of the interlocking bodies of mangled bodies from hell, the middle order a back... and with a finallizing crunch the left increase the jaw pressure for but a moment, hoping to snap the femer in its retreat. But the middle did not allow it to wait for the satisfactory snap to be sure... and Cane broke away, slipping quickly away, or atleast in an attempt to. Mouth filled with a foul taste of rotten flesh. A snarl creased his several jaw lines and the pointed ears layed flat against his skull as barred teeth snapped warningly. Though his blood flowed just as freely the mingled pain was only slightly overbearing... Cerberus was a mad beast, and had yet to consume that rage and hate, had yet to fully come to terms with it and control it. And while it raged in his mind and eyes, he was hell of fire and would stop only when his heart lay dead, and his lungs lay still. Until death took him, he would fight on with relentless fury and endless will. He would keep on, until he physically could no longer. And so ignoring the calloused body that tried to scream its agony at being torn and slashed Cerberus paced a few moments before Cane again lunged it. But decided better of it and stopped again, attempting once more to retreat to a perimeter. He tried to keep his head clear -an impossible feat- for he had the element of surprise before, but now... the creature knew his presence... and knew his power. The stocky, powerful, three headed brute was as much of an advantage as the other was, for both knew not what the other posessed. So now was the face off, flight was not an option in Cane's mind. For his eyes were filled with blood lust and he would go from organism to organism slaughtering and mutalating until the lust was satisfied, or until he was vanguished. He needed to be stopped... he needed to be told "no"... but would he listen? maybe. Maybe not... he knew of an alliance to Fire he truly did - it just currently wasn't directly in his line of thought.

[mixedblood9]

The human warrior rushed to her stallion as the horse in turn raced to join her once again in the heat of battle. It seemed all too familiar to the two survivors of the long past raid on their beloved home village. As she ran to her equine friend, Ethida kept a careful eye on the brawl of beasts to be sure the struggle did not shift in their direction. She needed to make sure she had the time to exchange weapons. A sword, she decided, would not due in this case. The woman looked around at the grasses and plants entangled in the fight. They withered away just from touching the bile produced by the creatures, by her friend Kyoko. Finally meeting with faithful Torano, she replaced with sword into its sheath and retrieved her bow from the bucket it had hung and the quiver of arrows, which was half hidden by the blanket draped over his back and now dripping with the blood and sweat of the day. With one fluid movement, the girl wrapped the quiver’s leather strap around her right shoulder trying to avoid the arrow shaft in her flesh and ignore the pain it caused. With a rush of adrenaline, she pulled herself onto the stallion’s back careful to avoid his wounds. Both friends were losing too much blood, especially the girl, and she knew she needed to end to battle some how for all their sakes including Ko’s, after all as of the moment she was the one directly affected. Ethida could very well walk away from it all and find a healer, however she could not bring herself to abandon her new friend.

Meticulously gazing around the perimeter of the battlefields, which were once serene, the human found a tree closer to the struggle and directed her companion to take her there. Upon arriving and with her bow around her body, Ethida slowly made her way up the trunk of the tree. She gestured to Torano to leave her to find a safer location before finding a position in the branches that offered a supreme vantage point. The steed however being stubborn and loyal to protecting his charge, refused to abandon her just as she refused to give-up on Kyoko.

Finally two or three meters above the ground, the woman found her clearly onto the battle between the branches; it seemed the parting of leaves was put there for this particular purpose but she thought nothing else of it. Supporting and bracing herself on the trunk of the tree, Ethida watched as the Cerberus, as she now remembered from the legends of the land, broke away from his victim. This beast must have intelligent thought for him to break away, Ethida told herself. She decided she did not want to become an enemy if it could be avoided. If this had been an attack out of sheer hunger and survival, perhaps Kyoko would already be dead. Maybe this is merely a misunderstanding and I can get him to help me… if he even speaks the common tongue. I need to try… this can’t be what Ko is really like. She gathered her strength again and shouted over the chaos.

Cerberus! You must stop! She is not truly like this! She is just a little girl!

Immediately after she thought about what she had just said. Ethida has only met her this day. What if the girl was the disguise and the beast was Kyoko’s true form… true personality? NO! This could not be; she would have attacked us earlier if that had been the case. The woman broke away from her thoughts and turned her effort towards the former girl she knew only minutes before.

Kyoko! Ko! You need to snap out of this! This cannot be who you are! Listen to me!

Concerned eyes watched as the battle moved closer to her. She watched as pain came in and out of each creature’s eyes. The rain began to pour onto their scene as the situation intensified. Blood diluted by rain ran down her arm and back draining from the entry the arrowhead had created. Pain was non-existent to her for the adrenaline had consumed her presence entirely. Just then another thought forced its way into her consciousness: If Kyoko would return to her placid exterior, would the three-headed beast take it as an opportunity to feast on the child’s body? Could Kyoko return to her placid mind-set yet remain in the form more equipped for fighting the threat if needed? She continued to watch for at least some sign to point her in the required direction while her devoted friend lingered under her becoming restless for his girl’s sake.

[Kyoko]

Body writhed in pain as the left head clamped down surely upon her leg. Teeth meshed, scraping the other's flesh, tearing into the muscles. Detered however was the creature when it felt no recoil, no relapse from the other. Her demonic side fed off the most powerful of emotions, whether they seeped from her or from her victom. Hate got her running, it was the spark to ignite everything. Hate drove her untill slaughter became an automatic responce, hate drove her till she found a new emotion to feed off of.. and this was fear. Her opponant felt not fear, but hate.. hostility. It was a method of protection for the she-demon, a confident enemy is a dangerous enemy. She lapped up its blood as it drizzled down into her muzzle. She seemed to have no sign of relenting.

Pressure increased upon her leg and she emitted a pained cry, a mix betrween a roar and a whimper as her leg fractured, painfully splintering into her flesh. But the other recoiled finally before the bone could shatter. She collapsed back, rolling upon her hunches and her good leg. Bright yellow eyes survaying hte situation; resting upon the three headed demon. Head lowered, covering up her exposed heart. Pupils grew to be thin slits in fear, the flight mechanism bourn into nearly every organism was kicking in. Bile oozed from her staining the very earth she was aligned to. Panic rose within her as the other lunged yet again. Quick motion circled her to the left to be met with nothing. The other had recalculated quickly and seemed to be interperting her every motion like the calculated killer it was. Ceasing to move, her chest heaving with every labored breath. Tongue came up over her lips and heaved a sigh, gassious material exiting from her mouth; toxic as it was it wasn't as much of a threat to any offending creature as her teeth and chains were.

She moved sending chains into the air, snapping and crackling in the rain as they snapped agianst each other in high velocity. The snap was threatinging, and yet defensive. Her eyes followed the other as it paced back and forth, and she followed every motion it made with an opposite. It moved left, she moved right, it moved forward she retreated, it moved back she stepped forward. Every step calculated. Perhaps this beast wasn't as smart as it seemed, perhaps it was a dumb killer, trained in brute force. She was cold, built for speed, for lithe motions in the shadows, cool and calculating.. But time was short. The fight with the dragon had taken a toll on her. The creature had been strong and rock hard scales tented her teeth, claws broke her already tattered rotting skin and flesh. Hissing, her tail wagged back and forth distractingly, wildly. Kyoko was a proud creature, a proud and cold creature... Loss... it wasn't an option. Afterall, she would only awaken again to live her mistakes over. Her memories of her past lives lost in the catacombs of space to be retreived with her primal knowledge. At only 14 she had been frozen in her body, her knowledge stripped away... Her fight with her past demons forgotten in the murk of her mind.

Body brissled at the sound of a voice. Ears and occuli fluttered gently upon the puny creature as it seemed to address them respectively. Foolish it was, its tongue blabbering on and on. Part of her would understand however. Even with her mind so clouded part of her fought to comprehend the thing that presented itself to them than more than just warm juicy flesh. Muscles coiled, she was distracted as the gears of her mind motioned, for a moment forgetting about the other. More focused upon the much easier pray and the words it had to say.

Girl...Kyoko...Ko....

The words grasped her attention wholey though she couldn't determine exactly why. Bright eyes burned maliciously, tail continuing to wag furiuosly back and forth behind her. She felt weak inside as the words repeated gently. Something was missing...

mirror... mirror....

Teeth clicked together as she stared at the other, deep growls rumbling in her throat, watching the creature that hid in the leaves. Ears flicked off to the side remembering the other again. Remembering the foci of her attention before. Her gaze darted between, threatening gestures toward both, she had already grown tired and the toll on her body was now sevear, beyond a critical point. It wanted to stop this, but it wouldn't. Writhing her body the chains flew out again, threatening to take anything off that strayed too close to her body.

Ko... Kyoko... Girl...

Mind strayed away from the thing in the trees as her attention became focused back upon the three headed demon that had charged her. Revenge was her middle name and it was in fact the reason for her being. Her soul couldn't rest, her soul WOULDN'T rest untill death had stricken her creator. Or rather... death would slay her.. but death would never keep her. It was a shameful life the girl had lived so many times, shunned, burned, murdered, brutalized, killing, bleeding, drowning... She had died in as many ways as could be imagined. But only to crawl out of another womb and live the life again. But still, she feared death, not knowing a second life would await her in the end. It was a neverending cycle.

Her teeth clicked together, her eyes resting upon the three headed demon, waiting for a motion.. any motion.. she almost welcomed the attack, while also desparing for its arival.... She was growing close to death again.

[Cerberus]

<sup>Left : snarled, and barked. It's fury was evident and it wanted to jump in once more to tear and rip at the wound upon the oppenents leg in which it had at one point already done.

Right : whined in ecstasy as an eager willingness overcame it's normally timid memory purpose mind. The blood it had tasted had unleashed an emotion that was not timid fear or aprehension, but was in fact a blood lust. It too wanted to sink it's jaws into the opposing flesh.

Middle : It barked, snarled, and snapped similiar to the left -- though the left head would always be the feircests of the three since it was the mind that generated hate, anger, and rage. It was the fuel that Cane used in a battle. But the middle was just trying to contemplate, giving cane enough reason to leap and jump, remaining clear of the lashing chains.



Cane was made mad, and the words of the woman in the tree had little effect on him. They bounced off of him like rain against a duck's back. He wasn't about to take the time to try and sort through the words. For it was true. He did not naturally speak the language and thus he could not really understand it well... unless he stopped to think about each and every words. And right now, he just didn't have that kind of time. A battle of tooth and claw was often quick, and lightning fast. Though Cane was large and cumbersome, he did not lack brains. He took pride in this aspect being that He could make his own decisions. His own life had left only a little room for free will, forced to fight and battle without contemplation, just rage.

But now the beast was wise.

Cane slipped sideways, then leaped in... surging in the opposite direction, only to stop and measure. The chains followed him and lashed at him: the demon's defense. Cane would test them, determine their limits, and determine the pattern of attack that the whip like metal lashes were directed. Cane repeated such a manouver several times... the right picking up and alayzing each dust cloud, each splatter of blood, each rush of air that the opponent caused...

Every little thing.

Once the cerberus had lagged in his retreat and one of the lashes had come across the side of his shoulder. Luckly the heads went unharmed, but the shoulder was torn, bruised, and now bleeding: heavily.

The right barked, a sharp whine... but Cane overall ignore the pain... just as he ignored the numerous cut's and marks that bled and poured with his life. The grotesque hide was ripped, marred, and torn - and in several places evident flaps of skin could be discerned. Cane was a mess, just as his opponent.

In all honesty, Cane didn't really have the intent to kill in his mind. He was out for the challange, if death came to either creation he could do little more than shrug. Cane was a monster, he had no lies to cover it. He admitted what he was, and amazingly enough...

... he was proud of it.</sup>

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>A sudden shake writhed beneath the earth's surface, in a quelling motion as the Master of Soil came upon the scene. His grey toned andalusian pounded beneath him, froth lathering it's shoulders and around the edges of its mouth -- outlining the bit -- as he ran in pursuit of the bloodshed. Astride the gallant grey steed was a handsome set man in his late twenties. Strength, and cunning rode upon brute strength as mount and rider plummeted across the flat terrain, accompanied by seven strong men, some fo the best in his forces. They all ran hard with Sata at the head.

He was enraged and curious; creating an emotion that was only slightly lethal. Let's just say he was curious but his temper and patience was short. The lands were not his, but they were near his borders, and he did not want to risk a threat to the village of Saverin, where some of his best horses for his cavalry were bred. He didn't know the allegiances of the fighters, nor at what extent the battle was at, but being reckless he was charging in nonetheless. The tremors continued ahead of him, rippling with quick speed, and settling as soon as his stallion's feet near the ripple mark. this provided an unsettling footing for those he was approaching, but a sure footing and support for his small cavalry.

The villiger who had witness the scene had been collecting herbs in a strip of the woodlands not too far from here and had watched a breif moment before becoming too intimidated to watch any longer. She had spoke quite laboredly when describing the dragons, and her imagery was difficult to comprehend, for she had been very shaken and had spoken very quickly. As much as they had been able to discern, before Sata left and headed out with his men, was that the dragons were fire-colored in oranges, reds, and yellows and that they were wingless. This proposed, Satazian's first assumption was the dreaded fire-dragons. And he wandered who their foes had been, what alliance? If any were of earth, he was here to help... if they were all of other alliances... he would merely satisfy his curiousity, and show his own power and the power of his nation. Besides, he was protecting his domain, and making sure that the fight did not transfer any closer to Saverin.

AS he neared, he pulled short - a good many yards and feet from the small oak tree in which four figures could be seen. Four figure's that were still living, that is. Three dead dragons and numerous men littered the terrain like discarded toys that a toddler had grown weary of. But of course, the deadery of the scene collected his attention for a short period of time. It was the fighters that then he averted his gaze to. Only two were in current battle it seemed, but they looked like they came from the same side, and both were very demonic. With his keen eyesight he found a young woman locked within the boughs, and a chesnut steed at the trunk; faithfully waiting, or standing guard? Either way the air was still filled with tension and it had yet to be released from the throws of battle. Again, Satazian shoved his mind into the rock and the earth screamed in compliance as the ripple effect shattered out once more, one last time. This one was sharp and more intense the ones that had preceded it. and it was meant to gather the attention of the foursome. His men stood ready, bows in hand - arrows knocked defensively while Sata had his own broadsword drawn and poised.

A three-headed cerberus, and some decayed fox thing? Satazian couldn't tell completely, but both were marked and scarred to a point that should have carried them both past life and into death. The battle had him occupied, but he wanted answers. He wanted this fight to end... it would spread no further -- even if the battle only included two fighters.

Neither fighters looked like reasoning beasts, and if there attention averted to him -- Satazian's first assumption would be that there actions would reflect agression and a new charge was probable in his direction, and the direction of his men.</sup>

[mixedblood9]

The human cursed her ill fortune and the fact neither beast seemed affected by her words and attempted intervention. She felt helpless in the situation and could not begin to comprehend whether this was a fight concerning territory, domestic affairs, or a pure show of power. Besides, how could she, a mere female of the human race, possibly hope to stop a mini-war between brutes. Sure she was one who possessed some abilities in the physical and magical senses, however in her current physical state, she could not wield such powers like her magic. Ethida searched the surrounding environment and her mind for a solution.

The warrior released her body from the string of her bow. After she was again braced resting in the earth quiver. Pain shot through her arm. It was sharp a severe and forced her to drop the removed arrow to the stained ground below. Upon hearing it fall, Torano drew his worried gaze up the tree to his girl. She clung to the bark for a moment before steadying herself again. Retrieving another arrow from the quiver on her back, Ethida took her stance for a second time. She pulled back on the string ready to release its fury.

Immediately before she does, a tremor passes through the earth knocking her balance and throwing the arrow in a path not intended by the woman. It fell clumsily to soil behind the Cerberus’ hind left foot not even sticking into the ground. Ethida falling to the ground also resulted from the quaver passing through the land. With the shake of earth, she had lost her balance and weak support and plummeted to the floor. The human severely hit her head against the rough bark before finally striking the ground. Torano danced around unable to even catch her. Female flesh harshly met with dirt and roots landing on her left arm unfortunately breaking it. Her already butchered body bruised more from the impact. In addition, crushed ribs did not help her coop with the pain shooting through her entire body. Blood now saturated her clothes as new and newer wounds flowed. Ethida could no longer focus as her eyesight faded. Blinking, she attempted to regain true consciousness. Human eyes darted around searching for something familiar and found her stallion nervously trying to help her… trying to get her still body to move. She was for the moment conscious however she remained dazzled from the hard fall.

Torano glanced from his charge to his surroundings. He expressed the very frantic views of an equine. The stallion continued to search and understand how he could help her when he spotted him. The man stood on the outside looking into the battle scene. With him, Ethida’s steed also discovered other men and horses. It was only natural he did not trust them… they did not seem to desire to help. Perhaps they are the masterminds behind the whole attack… perhaps they are the ones who did this to her, to Ethida. Finding the apparent leader, Torano stared him down as if telling him to not hurt her or he will hurt him. The chestnut stallion directed his attention back to his girl slightly moaning with the pain; he knew she needed some help without delay. She was strong, but this time it appeared exceedingly critical; it was worse now than after the raid on their home village. He turned to see the beasts behind him again facing each other down; the equine could not allow them any nearer. Redirecting his head, Torano called with his only known language for aid from the man’s band, maybe their companions could convey the message. Yet he kept a warning expression on his long face to tell the man if he dare hurt her anymore than she is, this stallion will kill him. No one could expect anymore or less from this mount; he and Ethida have been through too much for him to abandon her to suffering.

[Kyoko Oni]

Death ached in her limbs, it clung to her body like a parasite. However, to strike her down now would mean the end of the begining of a life. She would be born again, and with the passive of a couple of decades be stronger than she was now, and the cycle would resume untill some task was achieved, untill some prophacy fufilled. Before the demon had been locked away she had been certain that she had indeed fufilled what was required of her, in slaying her father by her own teeth, at the ripe age of 14. She felt her body grow cold, felt it diminish.... Only to awaken hundreds of years later in a baren land. She had no memory to trace back to the battle before she had awoken in the mud and murk of the cursed waters, and no knowledge of the task she had performed or the curse she had inherited. But now she was subject to her own inner demon, called to fight against this three headed canine with whatever strength she had.

She continued to lash the chains at him, hissing furiously as they swing through the air, quickening with his advances. He was summing her up of course, just as she was summing him up. The tracked each offensive lunge, and each retreat, forgetting again the female and the stallion that resumed their post nearby. This three headed demon was something to match up against. Massive in size, and built like a train with three sets of teeth it seemed hardly a match for the cursed demon fox. Her eyes remained upon the creature, searching for an opening that she could exploit... hopefully before he found the weakness of hers that he wished to exploit. Teeth gritted in pain as her yellow eyes rested upon her pray, soon to be carcass if she had any say in it... Her chains lashing out defensively. She emited a cry as it gave a slash to the other's shoulder, a kind of laugh as she watched the blood gush from the fresh wound.

Coiling her muscles she was growing tired. The creature was built far too strong for her to tackle right now, death was on the horizon for her.. and shame or no shame, she was far better off alive. Teeth clicked gently in her maw and she saught excape, her gaze trailing to the forest. The trees were close together and though by height she was larger than the creature, she was built thin and flexible giving her an amazing capability for fluid motion. This three headed brute, she assumed, would have a far harder time manuvering through the trees of the forest, and thus excape would at the very least be viable.

However, before she made the motion to move something caught her attention, and how could it not. The earth rumbled and cracked sharply, convulsing under her paws like an angered god. She fell to the ground, her stature wide, belly mear inches from the ground as she cowered in surprise, demonic eyes whirling around the terrain to find more "enemies" on horses. Perhaps they had returned for more agony. She hissed, feeling sickness rumble through her body. Turning her head to the ground her whole body heaved expelling a pile of gray muck that was toxic in all regard. Her poison, as effective as it was, even poisoned her in this form, making her sick, making her flesh rot. Snarling furiously she sidesteped toward the tree, her chains following her dangling at the ground with her own surprise and destraction leaving her well open for an attack from the other.

What was on her mind now however was not to fight. Collapsing to the ground abruptly she expelled more of the toxic waste. Her lungs rattled as she panted, trying desparately to get sufficient air into her lungs which were now sevearly hindered by her own toxicity. She had been the product of hate, leaving her the baby of a demon and her mystic mother, two different motives battled her body from the inside, someday one of them would have to die off... leaving her a battle raged monster, or a pale skinned human.

Her body straining again, her muscles pulled tight as she expelled more of the gray substance. Thick and grimey it smelled almost as bad as it looked. And as the rainwater carried it through the grasses they seemed to cry and scream as the poison made their shoots shrivle and die. The demon hissed, her gaze falling upon her large three-headed-foe, her short attention yet again diverted to more important stimulus. She was done fighting. Her mental activity went from a raging monster to a desparing victom. Speech bubbled up from inside her chest and she spoke to the other demon. "I yield... do..as...you..wish" The words were bubbly in bitones. The words were harder to comprehend as her lips couldn't form the proper vowel shapes, so her tongue did most of the work. Her fate was now in this demon's hands. But by speech alone prooved her human form was returning.

[Cerberus]

<sup>The right caught the first sound of a fallen arrow and the sharp cry of the female in the trees Instinctively he faltered, for the right remembered the last humanoid victim he had cornered in a tree... and how could he forget the arrow that still dug itself into the middle's skull.

For a moment, he again was distracted and the distraction caused him an additional injury to the swollen shoulder where the first blow of chains had landed. A yelp emitted from the smarted apendage, and all three head's turned with malice and fury at being struck again. The pain indeed, was beginning to become recognizable... and the heat of this battle was beginning to fade. Cane could feel it and his whole body denied the realization. Years and years of memory and training had left an imprint that denied him any other opption than to kill his opponent. But reason was a knew learning: and quickly was he evolving.

The summing continued, and again the beast had his complete attention. The fox-like dementor was a formidable foe, in a few ways. Those chains proved a fair defense, and the logic was not completely lost. However, the cerberus by nature was a confident beast, until death forces it to part from the world is thrives... and that was one aspect that Cane had not forgotten.

His mouth curled in an all but pleasant snarl, and the stained yellow canines glared outwards from the black gummy flesh of the dog's interior mouths. All three heads shared one thing in common; unity. They were all Cane. His middle was contemplating as the right memorized patterns... the left merely snarled and contemplated the different ways of attack. Yet Cane never got that chance to jump in and confront the beast a second time.

The earth would not allow it. Four paws spread outwards and large, chest hovered closely to the ground, for greater stability. His mind was averted once more to the woman in the tree as a second arrow cascaded down to land behind him, not terribly far. But it held no injuring force. Curiously he looked up towards the boughs for a moment, to observe and see this female archer. And as he did, his amber fire orbs watched her fall; with some distorted humor. The irony, however, was this:

As he turned his back around to see his opponent once more, his eyes caught the man astride the gray prey and the men that rode proudly behind him. This new accompaniment was not tired, nor were they injured. They were not a part of the first battle, then again neither had Cane been either -- yet here he was worse for wear and bleeding heavily. The hide that had once been black and whole (well mostly) was now torn and barely evident between a sea of dark red masses; tufts of fur and skin. HE was a mess... and would need tending too... but who would tend to him? He would merely have to resort to waiting. The cycle of his decay would come and pass... and again he would be reborn into a new beast. His wounds would be healled by his curse, and he would by tomorrow appear as clean and unscarred as a newborn. One could not determine where his cursed wounds started and ended, and where the new wounds (inflicted by the demon) began. It was all just one tattered, bloody mess. Not fit to worry about. Death would take him in a week to come, he would die... if not for the damned curse that was his retribution for rebelling against a hell-lord. And now as he paused in this moment of stillness he pondered his present and looked towards his future-to establish his options. If he walked away now, he would live to see another day. If stayed and continued war with either the fox brute, or the new additions to the blood strewn field... there was plausible chance that he would die. He might fall, never to rise.

The anger of the Left encourage fight.

The right was indifferent.

But the middle was wise, and thus the emotions combined to create a descision: flight.

And still he paused, not completely sure... tempted to finish off the foe that had claimed their yeild. He was so close to an inevitable victory. An outcome that could not be denied -- death to his opposer.

The words that the fox spoke took awhile to comprehend... and it was this act of verbal submission that caused the canine to set aside his reasoning; all intent and focus began to avert itself to the murder of the opponent. The left was joyous in his emotional victory. However, as he began to close in, eye bright with the satisfaction of a blood signiture, a sharper, more intense quake rattled dangerously beneath his feet... and his head's shot up to look once more where the party of new arrival's stood. There was power among them... and he pondered a god. The last tremor had been fierce, and near come close to causing the mangled brute to fall off balance.

Reason again took hold, and with snarl, snap, and evident loathing growl the three heads turned away... and the canine retreated. Not in speed or haste, but in lumbersome commitment. Showing reason, not just fear... he was confident enough not to feel the need to hasten his steps to the direction he had come... but, he was wise enough to know - that perhaps the choice to live, was greater than the voice to kill.</sup>


ooc: Cane has now left the building! ;D lol

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>Satazian paused and watched the scene as his presence was both noticed and then ignored, as the quarrel was played out to it's end. It almost seemed as though the end was an agreement to die. For all three competitors seemed broken, battered, and near dying. Blood stained the battlefield in every inch, within every root, and Sata found that his own mind found amusement in the situation; the part of him that was the Shadow-Lord. Of course that portion would find this situation amusing. But Satazian was mostly that like his mother; he possessed very few traits of a feit.

However, even though he appeared human, the shadows -- the few that there were -- seemed to intensify with his presence and approach, but such a change was barely noticable. What many found unnerving was a very strange characteristic indeed.

The wind was blowing harshly and it filtered through the cloaks of his men, through the man and tail of his horses, through the dying grasses, and even through the boughs of the scarred tree. The rain layered his hair and face and cascaded in thin streams, down the blade of his sword. And even though this storm raged around him, his cloak and his hair, never moved. The wind did not disturb them, and it gave Satazian a very cold and impending aura. It gave off an intimidating effect, that some might consider "creepy".

He withdrew from the earth and cast one eye behind to his men, as he watched the lumbering canine depart. He would not send his men after the evil - from the looks of it... the beast would die slowly and shortly with the passing of a few hours.

With a motion of his sword, his men placed down their bows and drew their silver weapons. The glimmer and sparkle of the well polished metal, showed the discipline and calaber of his men, of his regiment, and of the loyalty within his people.

And it was with this loyaty and honor that they began again to move forward. The line of men and cavalry impending upon the three remaining creatures. A horse, a human woman, and a beast.

With swords drawn, but passive the accompanyment of men followed loyally behind their leader. His massive form stood out, even without the broad and vivid display of power colors. He was cladded in a simple black breeches and tunic, with a layer of chain mail beneath it, the ebony garments were trimmed and lined at the seems with shades of dark greens and browns - an emblem was sewn into the front of the tunic and it carried the cross of arms, the symbol of a wild cat reared and surrounded by olive leaves, and the stalks of wild oaks -- also created by the dark earthen colors of black, green, and brown.

His officer's were hardly any different for wear, but there engraved emblem was smaller and located as a patch upon the upper left breast.

Soon they were upon the battered trio and Sataian declared in a deep, powerful, and somewhat cooling voice.

"I am Satazian, Master of Soil -- and I am here to investigate a reported act and show of severe violence that has wandered dangerously close to one of the villages of my people." He paused in his speech to observe the bloody scene around him.

There were men dead here, along with an assortmant of different humanoid creations... the emblem and colors of fire printed upon their vests, then the large fire dragons -- how could they be ignored? The massive towers of strength and force lay slayed, the color -which barely shown through some of the bloody mess- was set in an array of reds and oranges... and he could only depict that they too were of fire.

He turned to the ones who remained alive, and looked at them with a scrutinous eye, before continueing.

"What has happened here?"

He asked with a purpose. These vagabonds did not hold any banner, or show of any colors. The stricken girl looked human, and her essence was partially mage, but Satazian could determine little more than that.

If they were of earth and they were the ones who had been attacked, then Satazian would inquire to the Fire Lord the reasoning for such an act when Earth had done nothing to provoke.

If they did provoke fire, then it was he would have to take the scorn and apologize... and that was something that he had little stomach to do. He would be upset, if his own people rebelled against his willing and set out to start a war all by themselves. He would not be the one to start the bloodshed - their Holy War. Sure there was hate between him and his brother and sisters, but... he'd rather not be labeled with the blame. It always seems that when you start the war, then everyone is against you. And he did not want to risk the alliegience of Water and Wind falling with Fire. He could not spare to have all three powers against him. If such a thing were to occur, Earth would fall.

So he was determined to reach the bottom of the incident - and though he prefered to get their alliances now and the story as well, he could plainly see their state of body and the mind can play insane when the baby is so torn and battered.

Chances were good he would need to take the group with him, offer them aid - harbor them in containment of course, as a precaution, and then politely ask. He had no intention of causing them any further harm, and when he thinks of containment he considers a bedroom without window, nice and furnished, warm, but with intelligent and elite guards watching the thick oak doors. Such an action would be understandable... he was afterall coming in fairly blind - but some sacrifices had to be made for his people.

And so he kindly paused, waiting for a return answer from one of them, his eyes continued to regard the fox-like beast of decaying flesh with hazard. The monster made the men uneasy, as well as the horses. But the war equines had been matched against strange things before, and they only shifted slightly beneath their riders. And as his eyes continued to watch the demon, the image seemed to differ slowly... like watching an evolution, but Satazian blinked, looked away, and continued to patiently and politely wait an answer.

If none came, he would assist them back to the fortress, hopefully, all would now be well, and in time he would come to understand what had passed within this once tranquil scene.</sup>

[mixedblood9]

The bloodied woman opened her hazel eyes slightly to find her vision critically blurred from the fall and blood loss. Wearily she searched for Torano and Kyoko and any sign of life in the now field of death. Her sight came and went frequently as her head pounded with a major headache. The smell of blood and rotting flesh in the vicinity did not help her condition either; she became sick with an urge to throw everything in her system up. Suddenly after the feeling, it came; a good amount of blood spewed from her delicate mouth onto the exposed roots of the tree.

Then she heard a voice. It seemed like a man’s voice however she could not make any words of the sound; she heard syllables only. Mas… ple… penned… her ears were not of the best shape either obviously. She turned on her stomach releasing the pressure of her weight off her broken left arm. Ethida saw no clear image in front of her but the shadows of men. The woman momentarily move to face away from them – it was the position her body left her with the least amount of pain.

Using her right hand, the human warrior called Torano to her with a subtle gesture that the steed would notice and he did. Eagerly and promptly he arrived at her side and lied down folding his legs underneath his muscular form. Slowly with careful attention to placement of her body, Ethida sat up to crawl onto Torano’s back who lovingly helped her and stood with her perched upon his back.

Kyoko… we need to help her.

Each word exited her mouth weakly as she stuttered between coughing fits. She looked to the mound of flesh hoping to witness the gradual return of the girl’s humanity – hoping to see that little girl from the morning again. Torano carried his girl closer to Ko remaining wary of the beast on the ground. As they neared, Ethida muttered with a last bit of strength in her lungs,

Borran… help… us…

It was barely auditable, but it was a plea for aid from the heavens or the world. After she uttered the final syllable, she passed out and her limp body draped itself over the steed’s strong neck. Her breath remained forced under the stress of broken ribs and the pain of her battered body.

With his friend safely aboard on his back, Torano slowly turned to face the men from the forest. He stood with pride and commitment for Ethida and stared down the men and their leader hoping they meant no further harm to either female in the group. The stallion did not exactly trust the canine bleeding behind him, however his companion did try to help her so she must have trusted her. Torano will protect Kyoko for his charge’s peace of mind.

[Kyoko Oni]

Kyoko's lips parted gently as she looked up at the three headed canine, expecting death for sure. The chains that now layed limp around her provided no protection from the large canine and she fully expected death to settle in, and perhaps it would be a quick one to end her suffering. But the creature turned and fleed leaving her there to the mercy of the horse, its human, and the new party of men upon their own steads. Kyoko's angered, defeated gaze fell upon them, her head laying against the ground, ooze dripping from her maw as she stared. Moving slightly her muscles contorted as they got closer, her head lifting ever so slightly from the ground.

Her reasoning was slowly comming back. It could be compared to watching the world behind a foggy lense, if thought could be compared to sight. Everything became clouded, and things weren't as they seemed, then the fog slowly starts to lift, and shapes, images, the smaller details begin to make sence. He huffed gently moving her body so slightly as if she was preparing to snap at those comming back but really she was listening to them. Her capacity for speech absorption had become greater, and so had her reasoning.. the child.. the mind of the child at the very least was returning... ever so slowly, still pressured by the wills of the demon.

She listened, and watched as the scene progressed, the words presenting themselves to her. She heard her calling, Kyoko from the girl and slowly thoughts of her returned. She remembered wanting to protect her, with these thoughts too came a great deal of pain, exterior pain as she felt the wounds of her flesh, the burn of her own acid in her veins. She growled shortly, having heard them both. The rumbles in her throat grew in loudness. She felt her human side reutrning but her violent harsh nature hadn't dissapated yet.

Slowly the growl evened out and began to form what seemed like speech, her gaze befell the man, the ringleader man, "You are no master of the soil" Her words were harsh, violent, but at the same time twinged with an aching tiredness. "Dare you think yourself master... My god is your master... " He looked at the girl suddenly, her head whirling, her chains whistling in the air but harmlessly avoiding any potential target. "Borran is master.. you're naught but a servent petty human..." She snapped her teeth suddenly in a threatening manner, yet again there was no target she was aiming for. She turned again looking at her human, the kind human girl who had helped her.. who she had saught to protect.. before blanking out.. "Dirty scum" She growled turning back to the men "We are of the earth, both the girl and I.... but we answer to Borran... not a mear man..." She snapped again her head grew heavy and smacked to the ground with a crunch.

She felt sick inside, her stomach aching. But she seemed to be suddenly growing smaller, the canine face contorting in pain. "I'll kill you all!" She yelped threateningly as any dog might signal if it was in pain and cornered as her skin seemed to sag over her frame, her muscles melting down and tightening over shrinking bones. Her spine made a series of snaps and these snaps moved throught her body as the joints were changed and molded forcefully into a more suitable frame.. a more energy efficient frame. The fur retracted being pulled in by the pale skin under it. Cries emited from the creature became higher, more feminine, younger too as she shrank smaller and smaller..... Untill she melted into the form of a child, a quivering child. Naked as the day she was born save a small daggar that was now clenched tightly in her hand, the chains and metallic parts had turned into this small black daggar. Bright yellow eyes shapped shut, and soft cries emitted from her jaws as she hugged herself rocking in pain. Her stomach lurched and she threw up bile like the demon had, more painful now than ever as it burned her throat and tongue. Tears rolled down her face. On her pale skin there were many boils and wounds, now oozing with blood and festering with infection.

She quivered and cried in pain, remaining upon the ground. Her change while startling probably revieled either that she had been a girl who was trapped within a demon... or a demon who was disguised as a girl. She said nothing, just hugging her premature naked body, shivering from the cold, the demon was gone for now... and the memories from the massacar were gone or surpressed, she was just a young 14 year old girl... birthed from a demon awakening in the rain and the grass where she had "fallen asleep"

[.::W:I:T:H:E:R:E:D::.]

<sup>Satazian's eyes flickered towards the fallen human female... and his sensitive ears tried to discern her soft words. However, before he could lock on the mumbled meanings harsher tones interupted his thoughts and her voice dwindled out of his attention.

Eye stared blankly, and cooly at the demonic beast that blasphemized the God of Earth. Indeed, the God of Earth was the master of all master's... but there was a reason why Borran had gifted him so.

On earth, he was Borran's Hand.

But no emotion of anger or vengeance flickered across his face. Only a slight puzzlement that a creature of earth would shout out so towards someone who could possibly offer aid. Why should it still remain so hostile? Sata mentally shrugged and cast off the insults with a sigh as he looked away towards the rolling hills.

Borran help me... he muttered in his mind with a hint of sarcasm, as he knew that his excursion had just been met with opposition of a strange kind. Never would he have guessed that his own people, those under the love of Borran would strike such foul behavior towards one who could erase their existance from the world.

Satazian would do no such thing. But sometimes, he did find the thought tempting -- a hint of his father reining through the light. It was easily quelled and he turned to look back upon the beast.

His eyes widened with some amount of minor shock to suddenly she the ending stages of the transformation. Also the clink and gentle twang of readying blades also dragged at his attention. Staying his hand, he felt the men relax slightly with the command to hold arms.

His eyes soon resting on the naked body of a young 14 year old girl. The indecency of it was enough to send the Master's arm in a large sweeping motion as one of his general's dismounted at once. Carrying from the saddle bag, a ragged woolen blanket that all soldiers carried in their packs.

He motioned for one of the others to assist, so that two men gently descened to the level of the newly born child. She seemed so broken and feeble, but Sata knew to take care. What had been there before would be a force to reckon with. Satazian soon followed the suit of his two men, and orders were relayed to two other men to assist the two who were assisting the girl. So overall an accompanyment of four men would take up the girl's wounded body, and transport her back to the city fortress of Saverin. Where she would be tended too with the greatest care available. The remaining thre men would then stay with Sata and help him evaluate the life of the fallen woman, who now lay astride her mounts back. The horse may prove the rescue difficult. Already the stallion had shown some resentment to Satazian's approach -- as if the Lord could not notice -- and he wondered to what lengths the horse was out to fulfilled it's blood pact with it's owner. War-horses were strange like that. The thought brought pride into the perfection of his own horse, whom stood where Satazian had left him, ears and eyes alert, as the grey andy alluded to remain still where he had been planted by his war companion.

General Hammond, the early refered man... gently enveloped the small creature of girl-hood in the blanket, concealing her in a protective, warming snare. A protection against the situation and the pouring rain. Ahh... yes, the pouring rain -- how could he forget such a curse.

Let it fall where water lives, it is not my element to mind nor like or lament, but Borran be loved, it muddies up the earth a mighty bit. he scolded and cursed the weather within his mind. It could be better, the wounded would catch cold... and even his own healthy men were open to the chill.

Soon the mighty Hammond and other man hoisted the girl back to the horses, where she was seated in front and cradled by the general himself. It was only after, Satazian was satisfied with the flying spats of mud of the leaving quad did he turn his attention to the young woman.

The girl would be fine. Hammond would take her to the fortress and to the infirmirary -- a room to herself to start. Just for precautions sake. Him and the rest of his accompanyment would follow shortly with Ethida and her horse. She would then join the small young girl in the same room. They seemed friends of kinds -- and Sata was sure there would be severe stress upon both, once they began to rationalize the events that have occured during their moments of fatigue and perhaps spouts of black outs.

Turning his eyes away from the retreating foursome, he and a young soldier name Tanak, slowly approached the war horse of chestnut color. Cooeing and coaxing, Tanak worked to calm the stallion as the man took hold of the lead and head of the mount, soothing with gentle words and carresses. Satazian then moved to the woman on the horse's back. Her breath came in shallow rasps and her body was torn and battered in several places. Her body was limp and little more than dead weight.. but she still breathed and was thus still alive. It would be idiocy to abandon the living in a realm of the dead. From the extent of her injuries, she could not remain on her stallion's back. It would jostle her wounded shell too much... and cause futher bleeding and unjury. As it was Satazian wondered if she was already beyond help. Pity and mercy, and a love for his people stopped the thoughts and quickly barked gentle orders to the other two men, still astride their beasts.

Carefully, with utmost gentlisity she was moved from the stag's back and placed upon a second blanket, which was suspended by four lines of rope upon each of the corners. The blanket would be strung between the four horses, with it in the center. Unity and perfection perfect in the formation and skill his riders and himself would have to opperate. They were tether her stallion in the back, where he could follow at the walk. She would rest suspended within the center of the blanket, between the four. Thus provide the gentle walk and transfer to a drying, safer place...

... away from this hole of hell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After what seemed like hours, he and his men and worked to format the arangement and once she was secure in the center, and the stallion accounted for... Satazian began the slow, walking progress back to civilation.

-- the lands of the living. --





ooc: yall can respond to him... here and once each of yall have... I will create a thread for them back at the fortress. ;D I just didn't want to take too much longer in this thread, since their are plans to be made, and healers from water to be summoned.</sup>