A Dragons' War

[Stormelle]

(Dude! Awesome reply...x3 And I think Kai is now under your control. :3 )

Rish sneared slightly, not giving a responce as he jumped from the saddle. He'd been concentrating on the layers of protection that had long been in place, keeping his stores of demonic power in check. He swiftly was pealing these away like one would peal a banana skin. His golden eyes where slowly beginning to glow. Rish doubled over momentarily as two dark wings split his shirt, making the skin around the area very irritated. He was now on the same level as Marcus.

His eyes glowing a pure gold he looked to Radian, What do you desire of me? came the strong thought, which seemed to seap into the barrier around Marcus and Adrian.

Marcus froze, but not because of Adrian show of power, because of the power that had now broken free from the half demon he'd toyed with the day before. "Leo!"

The black dragons' head shot up, Mithras who was bitting her lip struggling against her bond as tears poured down her face. Her eyes however where not fixed upon Marcus and Adrian, but Rish. She too could sense the limit he'd just broken, a limit which one would never pass unless desprate, a limit Marcus had broken long ago...And for the same reason as Rish now.

Leo roared and landed squarely, blocking the two sheilded men from the sight of the wolves and demon. Mithras sturggled once more, turning back as silent tears continued to stream suddenly her eyes narrowed, she turned her attention back to Rish and he eyes snapped shut.

Cerast snarled in annoyance, What game do these two play? she asked Pip as she swung her sword back and fourth, restless.

(I need to talk to you about Rish A.S.A.P. smile )  

[the friendly fiend]

(Thanks! Okay, tell me about Rish! :] )

Aedreath took off back into the air, higher and higher...but not too high. They circled around suddenly as both Elijah and Aedreath looked down at Rish's amazing power. A silent fear broke out in the sweat the fell of her brow. She wiped it off as she tried to gain her senses, if she wanted this to work, she would need to give all her attention.

She flipped her head back around as Aedreath was once again soaring through the air. She narrowed her eyes slightly as she knew what she had to do. Her gaze lingered on Cerast decidedly but solemnly.
As she rested again her fingers on the back of the man's neck once more and took a deep breath, and did what was needed.

She slowly stood up, leaving her longbow and quiver attached to the saddle, she made sure the man was sitting upright as well as she left him sitting there momentarily. She slowly and steadily climbed towards Aedreath's neck and gripped at his hard scales. This was indeed difficult, steady...she thought to him...steady.
Finally, she had made it. Aedreath was motionless in the air, except the flapping of his wings occasionally to keep them afloat. She was standing, unsteadily, but sure, upon Aedreath's skull, the flatness of this part of his body was accepted through generations of the Sin dragon line especially for this purpose, also one of the reasons why Aedreath was so big. So that he could accommodate his rider.

Elijah tried not to look at the ground or what was happening below, she looked around her though, and then back to what laid before them. Pip and Cerast. She slowly pulled out the man's sword that she had stuck in her belt loop before she had taken off with Aedreath. She closed her eyes for only a moment and whispered something as the sword began to gleam. It shined white up and down for a moment, and then a light blue, and then faded back to its normal silver hue.

She opened her eyes again as she whispered.
"Aedreath...it's time."
She drew the sword into a defensive position and looked again to Cerast.
Aedreath roared and began flying again, but as he did, his eyes began to glow, Elijah's arms, the wind blowing back her sleeves slightly began to glow, her white markings standing out.
Aedreath roared again as he stopped. Elijah recognized the call very well, even though she'd only heard it only a couple other times in her life, she knew it was very distinctive.
It was a guardian call. One that was very special to her.
She heard a loud moan behind her, but she didn't look back, she knew the man she had saved was waking up.

Kai groggily opened his eyes, after his vision cleared, he nearly thought he was still dreaming...something had awakened him...but what was it? He looked around himself, things certainly had changed. Where in the world was he?
He looked at his surroundings, knowing he was on a dragon, but this dragon seemed unknown to him. His head hurt tremendously as he put one hand to his head.
Suddenly, thoughts that were not his entered into his mind, it seemed as if the voice was not only talking to him as well.
Your Majesty...the male voice said in his mind, it continued, Elijah...he seems to be fully awake.
Kai's attention was on alert when he heard her name...the name he was so familiar with...yet...so...distant.
He looked up, to see a figure standing upon the dragon's head, a figure with dragon armor, long black hair flowing in the wind, and holding his sword defensively.

Elijah turned when she heard Aedreath's thoughts. She turned slowly, not wanting to remove her gaze from Cerast.
She held her gaze upon Kai, their eyes locking for only a brief moment that seem to last forever. She had to keep herself from bursting out into tears, into laughter, into screaming. She closed her eyes for a mere second and then turned back around to the current situation while thinking to Aedreath while Kai could still hear them.
Aedreath, inform him.
 

[Stormelle]

(Awesome post, again. Huzzahness...Okies...Umm...So you know how I'd talked about how he might be the son, or a decendant, of Aru and Loon? Well...I was thinking he might be someone elses' son...But I don't want to say here...Also, just a note...He's basically a zombie right now, powerful yes but also near mindless and he will obey the stronger will so if Marcus attempts to get into his head he probably could...But I don't plan on that...I need to talk to you on the phone or messanger or someit...)

Cerast sneared as she stepped forward, her feet bound by spell to her dragon, as she moved till she stood squarely on Pip's shoulders where it was easiest to balance.

"Gardian...You will have time for peti reunions once my master and I are gone." her voice was changed, though still with the hint of the timid girl she'd been only minutes ago she was more...Confident,the timidness showed only in her eyes, and even then the overwelming shine of blue-black light coming from Pip's dark entangled feet was blanking that out.

Marcus growled, "Come now wolf, do your worst." his voice was taunting, his movements jerky but his eyes poision.

Mithras, "What think you Marcus...?" came Mithras' weak voice.Elena? came Leo's own weak and slightly unsure responce, with the barrier not even he could hear his masters' thoughts. It was a temporary freedom.

Mithras, who's face was still wet, leaned forward as she whispered. "Leo...What happened to you...? When did you become this hate ridden being...? When did he take you?"

Leos' crimson eyes widdened and then narrowed, her roared, "My allegince is in that man you see fighting, no one else fair woma. Your snake toung cannot, as it once did, break that!" he yelled the words, not carring if anyone else heard as waves of anger came off him.

Rish's golden, glowing, and patient eyes flashed to Mithras and Leo. Come wolf Beta. Command me as you do your brothers for that is why I am here. He spoke as if only moments ago he'd not been here, his black wings glimmered softly as golden markings began to creap their way around his arms and up his neck, patience in his glowing eyes.  

[the friendly fiend]

Eljiah narrowed her eyes again as both hands gripped the sword, "What's wrong? My 'petty' reunions getting under your skin? I had no plans for goodbyes today...where on earth do you think you're going?" She said with a laugh in her throat, but for the sake of the situation, she chose not to give it wings.
Her eyes showed amusement for only a moment and then quickly turned to boredom. She was playing with her own emotions, giving off a hint of sagacity mixed in with a little of mistrust.
She was trying to break her.
Of course, that was one of the reasons she let Rish fight Marcus, Cerast had needed to be broken, for her to come back...and maybe, just maybe...if things went according to plan...

"Elijah." She heard the heavenly voice, finally, at last, behind her say. Immediately she clenched her fists tighter and sweat beaded down her forehead. She dared not turn around and keep her eyes away from Cerast...or just to keep herself from looking at him. She focused her attention back to the current situation as her eyes hardened again.
Elijah...Aedreath thought to her.
Yes? She said faintly.
"I know what you're trying to do, I know how and why. I know exactly what's going on and why we're here. I know...how you feel...but you can't do this alone, you need the help I can give." The man said behind her.
Elijah's body trembled as she tried to shake away what was eating at her.

"Marcus betrayed us. He's betraying her. Please, you have to help us...help her." Elijah said, she felt for sure that he could hear her.

Aedreath closed his eyes for a moment.
Pip....
He opened them again and looked to the female dragon, how could they have let this happen...

Adrian narrowed his eyes as his growl rippled through the air. He knew an even greater power stood behind them both, waiting to attack, but this was part of his battle...part of his life...part of his world.
He howled in anguish and anger.
This time Radian heard him. He looked at Rish, not really surprised at his power. He knew that kid had something in him. He laughed to himself though, it was a lot more than they had...
Most of his brethren had stepped forward and gone through the same phases that Adrian had, growing slightly bigger and angrier.
Radian laughed again as he looked to Rish, who seemed unbelievably powerful.
Radian had a small smirk on his wolfish face as he thought to him.
Let's see what you can do, he laughed once more, as long as you stay on our side...oh yea, there's a dragon in our path...mind distracting him for a bit? I think you can handle it... (:] )


He smirked one last time as he himself went swiftly running forward towards Adrian, but the brothers stayed back for now, they knew what was going to happen.
As Radian grew faster and faster in his running, almost leaving his very soul behind (Jacob Black moment), his small, yet muscular wolven body quickly penetrated under the dragon's sights and he ran past him, towards the barrier that kept him and Adrian apart...but he knew it wouldn't keep them apart for long.
Radian came to a quick stop in front of the field, almost as if to just sit and watch Adrian's battle.

Adrian eye's bore into Marcus's, but as if he were to attack that very moment, he turned around and his rear faced his opponent. Bad for battle, but good for Adrian.
He immediately made eye contact with his blood brother.
Are you ready? Radian easily thought to Adrian. He nodded slightly as they stared at each other for only a moment longer. The wolf brethren held back in anticipation.
I'm ready. Adrian thought back, seemingly unaware of Marcus. Nothing could stop them now...it was time.
Both their eyes glowed white for only a moment, the ground seemed to shake slightly as suddenly Radian's figure became fuzzy, not really determining where his body began and where it didn't. It grew even worse until it seemed as if Radian weren't even there at all. And he wasn't.
He let out a last howl as well as Adrian. The other brethren began howling, a howl that hurt the ears...an howl of presage.

Adrian's figure grew in size. Over all, he was about the size of an oversized lion, slightly looking down on Marcus, if not eye to eye. His fur grew darker, his eyes grew more green like the emeralds he was known for. His snarl deeper...
Yet there was something strange to be seen in his eyes.
It was a look of amusement that Radian always carried, but with that same look of determination that Adrian had always possessed.
They were one in the same now.
Adrian and Radian.
They were always meant to be this way...always...
 

[Stormelle]

"No, such reunions are simply pointless in my view. And where we're going...? Why should it matter to you?" she sneared, pulling her sword back as Pip dived down toward them.

Pip roared Stay out of my head dragon. came her reply to her name, it was simple but it showed the boundries that had already been put in place.

Rish nodded, turning as Radian took off, his wings flapped once and he was next to Leo. Hello dragon. his monotone voice rang solidly through Leo's mind.

Leo staggered back, he'd never felt any mental pressence stronger then another dragons' but this was. He hissed, a small stream of flames licking his mouth as he spread his wings deffensively around his masters' location.

Mithras watched silently as Rish and Radian moved forward but as Radian seemed to vanish her face went pale, her deep set eyes sparkling almost as if new tears brimmed there, but she didn't let them fall. Instead she, her shoulders' shaking with silent sobs, closed her eyes and began to consentrate on the mental pressence of Rish, slowly she pushed herself forward. Rish? Can you hear me?

Rish's glowing eyes flashed momentarily onto Mithras as she spoke to him only, before flickering back to Leo who's claw he dodged. Yes

Listen hard then, I'm going to help you take down the dragon, then you can proceed to Marcus.

Fine by me came his reponce, with a small hint of his old self in the words he listened to Mithras' instructions and once she was done he began only to send powerful mental attacks at the dragon, using images that Mithras had given to him images which Rish would never understand but which would always haunt him.

Leo stood momentarily as the assuault began, his eyes wide.A shudder ran through his body. Marcus....Help...me... the thought was weak and barely penetrated the barrier surrounding his master. Moments later the dragon collapsed.

Marcus growled as Adrian, Radian, whoever now faced him seemed to be both brothers. "Two can play at this game." he said as his eyes closed. He flipped through the many mentalities he'd once held and the two he still held. Those of two women. But he choose to feed upon the closer one. Cerast, are you ready to return home?

Cerast's head turned sharply as Pip came out of the dive and sent a stream of blue-lighting flame at Aedreath. Yes. As the thought left her she sheathed her sword and then moments later, collapsed as Pip sent another flame at her former friend.  

[the friendly fiend]

Aedreath slightly let a growl loose as Pip and Cerast made a dive toward them, the thought echoed in his head. No. He thought firmly and steadily, he would keep this going for as long as possible.
Elijah's brow twitched for only a moment as they dove towards them, Aedreath already maneuvering into battle stances. Elijah loosened her grip on the sword slightly to prepare to defend herself and those close to her.
"You know not what you do." Elijah whispered on the wind.

Just as if the battle had begun, Pip sent a shooting blue lighting flame out at them, but Cerast seemed to stand down, they moved up and out of the dive as they seemed to have changed their mind.
Elijah's eyes widened. No...She thought.
Aedreath was working on dodging the very dangerous attack Pip had sent them. He swung hard up and out of his very position as the lightning flames headed right for Aedreath. He swung up to protect Elijah. But something happened he didn't expect. He went up a little too late, and something, stretching out from the substance of her attack jolted the left side of his face. He was momentarily out of sight for his left eye, he quickly regained it, although it was fuzzy afterwords.
Aedreath, you alright? Elijah asked worryingly, she had lost her balance when he had swung to protect them, even though she regained it, they needed to be careful.

Always willing to obey the master, are we? Aedreath said even harsher in his mind, Elijah heard him and knew what he was doing, trying to get through to Pip.
Wouldn't ever want to disappoint him. Elijah added in with a bitter laugh, she doubted anyone could hear her besides Aedreath, there were so many minds about with such abilities....her thoughts were hardly her own.

Aedreath flew around for a bit, trying to regain Pip's attention, suddenly, Cerast seemed weary. Elijah's eyes perked at that. It was one of the major signs...they had to hurry, they couldn't let them go!

Aedreath's left eye still remained fuzzy as suddenly he realized another wave of Pip's attack was heading towards them, they were slowly retreating towards Marcus.
He calculated the turn of it along with the wind that had slightly been blowing. He turned and dived around it. He heard someone call out. Elijah.
He swung his head around to see Elijah, out of the corner of his eye, slowly sliding down his neck, he felt her unsteady feet ripple down his scales, finally her feet gave way.
Aedreath roared as he sensed something strong on his back...it was...Kai.
"Aedreath-Elijah!"
Somehow because of the effects on his eye, he had seen the angle of the other dragon's attack wrong, which in turn had effected Elijah, she'd been hit, but where?
She was quickly falling through thin air, her arms and legs flailing, but she was unusually silent.
Aedreath roared again as he dove downward, gaining speed as he went. Finally, within a hair's distance, he was about to reach out for her, when suddenly a hand gripped her wrist before he could. It was Kai's. He (with his awesomely strong muscles) difficultly pulled her up onto the saddle, and over his lap, she was panting deep breaths as she nearly fell unconscious. In the fall, she had let go of the sword, while only still on the saddle they had a longbow with two arrows.

Elijah's head was spinning, out of both of her arms, he'd grabbed the aching one, her eyes had bulged when he was lifted her back onto the saddle. It started aching even worse as if everything that had tried to help it heal had worn off. Or that's what it felt like. She could feel like something was seeping out of it...she wasn't sure if it was blood...or...

Great, Elijah thought. Aedreath swung back around as they gained speed and height again. Kai's hand was strongly placed on Elijah's waist, as to make sure she didn't fall again.
She finally stood uprightly as she gathered her strength and courage, she spoke aloud to Aedreath, unaware that Kai was pulling her more safely into his grasp.
"Aedreath, we need to get in there. Do you think you can make it? Are you sure you're alright?" She had to holler against the blowing wind.
He thought back, I'm sorry.
It's alright, she said softly.

A growl came from the giant wolf standing across from Marcus, who was now distracted.
Yes, but only one will win. The wolf thought aloud, it's powers seemed to rise in comparison to just only one wolf, the thought reached everyone's minds. A wolfish grin appeared on it's face as it took a step forward, it's paw slowly lowering the damp earthen floor.  

[Stormelle]

Pip payed no attention to Aedreath, What of Leo and Mithras master? her thought was curious, uncaring despite the new bond she shared with the evil man she was slowly flying toward.

Marcus' eyes flashed at the challenge was presented to him. "But I'll not give up so easily. Leo!"

The large black dragon, who'd been downed by the pure thoughts of winged Rish stirred slightly, though Mithras had dismounted him and was now standing with her hands out stretched.

Rish, his eyes half closed, had two fingers solidly pointed at the thin chain that bound her, he was ready to break the chain for this mind which had managed to penitrate his own when other commands had not mentioned such a pressence. Fly! came Mithras' sudden thought and his wings opened and he was gone, on the other side of the barrier behind Marcus.

At the very moment that he vanished Leo's head shot up and black flames licked the ground where he'd been, melting the snow down the dead grass beneith it. Mithras stood, her head lowered and her jaw clenched. Give head dragon, I will protest once my bonds are gone. but for the time being she, seeming to be dragged by a spell, was forced to mount the black steed.

Rish blinked calmly, staring at the two squared in the barrier ready for battle. He wasn't sure if was to break the barrier or not, but some faint thing that had once been him told him to move forward. To attack, to break the man behind the barrier, and to do that he had to pass the barrier.

Marcus' eyes flickered toward his back, cornered like a cat-deffinetly not something anyone would want to corner. He sneared, "Rish, your friend has much knowledge of spells and battle, much that is new for me...Did you know this?"

Rish? Is that my name...? the faint answer wasn't confused but on the other hand slightly pleased. Thankyou demon, now I shall know what name to tell those bards who wish to sing of your death. The thought was followed by something no one could have expected, no one who knew the power which held the barrier that is.

It shattered, like glass, shards of magic flew, bouncing off of protective barriers that surrounded all of those who'd allied themselves with Rish. Rish's movement was swift, but so was Marcus' as he swung a dark sword to block the weapon-like arm of Rish. "Clever, but not enough so." Marcus said the words easily, for at that moment Leo had turned his attention to the gaint wolf as had Pip.

Move now mut came the unisioned thoughts of the dragons. It was happening fast, soon it would all crumble, the deffense put up to protect the pesilence they called royalty, it'd been corrupt in every land by the control Marcus exergted on their crowns.

A sudden movement from Pip's saddle caught Rish's attention. Silver hair, a laugh that rang like a Christmas bell in his head. What emotion was this, he wasn't supposed to feel it, he knew this, but still the knowledge that came with it frightened him. The one I love is in danger...No...No...

A human roar, or a scream, beat past the wind and rose high into the air. A single feather danced in the air where Rish had been, and Marcus now free of someone directly opposing him was able to put to use a swift spell which he'd learned from Cerast and mount his dragon.

Leo opened his mouthm burning the grass which he'd earlier exposed and taking flight toward the red that danced in the skies. Only one can stop us now, but will she choose to be one? Marcus thought to Leo as they left the ground, his eyes narrowed toward the wolf whom he would get rid of, but once he was more collected, when this band was broken by the lose of what bound them.  

[the friendly fiend]

(hehe...sorry it took me so long, but I think you should get on because I have the funniest story in the world for you. ^_^)

"We have to stop them..." Elijah kept repeating to herself, whispering, not really making any sense. Her shoulder was pulsing, her head spinning. She needed to take action, she couldn't let things go so wrong again.

"Aedreath, fly lower and get--" But the man that she had finally noticed was holding her tightly in his arms interrupted her.
"Aedreath, I need you to listen to me." Elijah was taken aback by his subtlety, his grip tightened over her waist. Suddenly her heart started pounding. Was she really in this situation? She had hardly taken a chance to really appreciate the moment. Her cheeks flushed as she felt Aedreath consent in both their minds.

Aedreath began flying towards Marcus and Leo, going in again, even though his eye still remained fuzzy.
Kai had discussed his plan with him while Elijah had been focused on other things.
Kai grabbed the longbow on the saddle, the one that only had two arrows with it. He strapped the quiver on his back and drew and arrow into the bow. Elijah wondered what he was going to do...surely, he could help them. But she must help as well. He couldn't do this alone.
Suddenly she felt a hand rest on her shoulder and then move up her neck to her cheek, she felt the hand push back a lock of hair behind her ear in the wind. A tear slowly fell down her face. He was here, beside her....he was finally hers.
"Kai." She finally whispered.
She closed her eyes as she began to stand up on the saddle, very carefully as not to fall again. She took the bow and the arrow in the drawstring from his hands slowly as she stepped in front of him. This is what they had to do. And they had to do it...together. His arm came slowly around her shoulder and rested on her hand which was tight holding the arrow in place as she aimed it. Both of them steadied their footing and narrowed their eyes in concentration. She knew he would tell her when to release. With him, everything would be alright....

The wolf merely stepped aside quickly. His amusing green eyes flashed to Marcus'. Running away already, are we? Not afraid, of course?
He knew his insults would hit Marcus, but he just needed to keep him here. In their territory.
He opened his mouth wide as if to growl, teeth barred and eyes wild. But no sound came, until a few moments later when a horrible howl let out of his mouth. It was high pitched, higher pitched than a wolf normally, because it was an attack. It was almost like a whistle, except had more effects than just annoyance...although it did employ anger in all those who heard its high pitch...
He knew what he was getting himself into, both of them did...they did things as one now, not just brother and brother, but one whole being...making them more connected. Radian felt Adrian's thoughts and most intimate feelings, even his soft compassion for the woman upon the evil dragon. Adrian also knew Radian's secrets as well, his insecurities, although he never showed it upon his smirking face. They both wondered why they had hid so much from each other.

(feel free to do anything, I'm sort of on a don't-know-what-I'm-really-doing basis for my posts now...haha, sorry. razz )  

[Stormelle]

Rish felt his security vanish, his solitude, and in that moment he was gone. Now he stood alone, his golden eyes shinning more brightly then before. This time, with tears, he stubbled as he walked and he dared not open his wings for much to much was on his mind for any transportation to lead him to some place where he was needed or wanted atleast.

It'd been quite a long time since Rish had felt this feeling, it was one of true desire. The same emotion Cerast's innocent face had placed with in his very soul the first time their eyes meet.

"C-erast." he chocked on her name, it wasn't natural for this him to speak aloud it sounded unnatural, falling forward onto his knees. As her name slipped from his mouth the very air seemed to become thick.

"Poor boy..." the voice was like his, shinning and bitter, full of something no one else ever understood. His bright, pupiless (or so it appeared) eyes flickered upward just as a woman in dark flowing robes kneeled before him, whipping a tear from his face. "You are like me, are you not?"

Rish, now unaffraid to use his true voice, spoke quietly. "That would depend fair woman."

The woman frowned, her eyes glowing a light blue, she flicked a strand of floating hair from her face. "I am perhapse more experienced but this is what I've worked for dear boy. And you've finally come..." the last words came out as a hiss a bitter but pleased noise.

"What do you mean?" Rish pulled back as she attempted to stroke his face.

"You are my child. My son." she smirked, eyes narrowed with some unknown satisfaction.

"I know not who you are but you are not my mother." he stood, a wave of anger washing over him.

"You are angry...Stop, that won't do you any good." she meant his wings, for he'd been about to open them. "When you mind is clouded with emotions wings lead you to your beginnings. That won't help what you want now...Will it?"

She was right, his beginnings, or as he remember it where in a small town and one far from the silver haired girl who danced in his mind. Sorrow touched his eyes and the woman was again by his side. "Come with me and I'll show you your true power. Please" her voice seemed like posion in the last word, seaping into his very being.

His eyes widdened, though the sadness was gone. "So be it." he said as he opened his wings once more.

Leo snarled and turned, as did Pip who seemed to be in sync with him, they each directed their flames at the approaching dragon. Someone has entered the castle Marcus. Someone who isn't rightfully there. Leo's voice hissed quietly.

Then strike the dragon down and let us return home! his snarled responce hit both Pip and Leo and each proceeded to do as they where told.

(I'm sorta confused, hope I did ok...Oh...And yes, yet another twist has come up...x3 )  

[the friendly fiend]

The moment seemed to freeze, time seemed to slow down in the passion of the battle.

Aedreath's eye remained fuzzy, his worry growing, but he didn't want to alarm Elijah, not now, it was not the time. More attacks were heading towards them.
But if his current riders had a plan, things would very soon change.

Elijah's brow was laden in sweat, concentration was the key, but she had to concentrate on the right thing. She began whispering the magic words that started to make the arrow glow, her whispering grew louder to small muttering. Kai was aware of what she was doing, he knew of their plan, and he too, hoped it would work.
Kai with one of his hands, moved it to place it on her head, touching her raven black hair, and putting his hand back on her shoulder, giving her confidence. She closed her eyes as she continued muttering, the arrow grew brighter, until finally, she was ready.
Kai slowly moved his head forward and kissed the back of her head, her hair, he had faith that it would work, that they could change the situation.
His head moved back into place by her ear, their hands moved together on the bow towards their target...and the moment passed. They let the bowstring snap. The sound was deafening. The arrow pierced through the air.

Finally, Elijah took a breath.
She gathered her thoughts, she needed to focus, Kai tightened his grip around her hand.
Aedreath, fly us to the ground, our aerial tactics are over, and we need to see through this problem face to face if our plan hasn't worked.
Aedreath didn't wait for their arrows reaction, if it had worked, they had no more part in it...  

[Stormelle]

The arrow struck home, it peirced the thin armor-like shirt Cerast wore. She felt no pain though, instead golden eyes smiled at her suddenly. Memories. A laugh, a scream, pain, loss, and all that comes with love and war.

Cerat's eyes began to water, her sword going slightly limp in her hand. Cerast? Pip's faint voice came crashing into her memories. Then a stronger, more powerful mentality crashed through breaking the golden eyes and erasing pain and all.

You shall not leave me! Cerast fell to her knees, her sword slipping out of her hand and plummiting to the ground.

COME! Leo, Marcus upon his back, flapped hard and was soon disappearing into the clouds. Pip's concern was half hearted but she flew slower than he comrade to be sure her rider did not fall.

Rish frowned, "This is not where I began..." he looked around the elegant hall and turned, a large balcony stood infront of him. The woman with black robes smiled at him.

"I told you it would not please you." she said, though she did not move from her perch upon the balcony's edge.

"Where is this place woman?"

"Beyond and above the clouds, the place which hides all that is truly hidden."

"Speak not in riddles! What is this place?" Rish hissed, taking a step toward the balcony.

"Come out and I shall explain to you."

"Stop!" Lia's long black hair was tied back and her expression was both cold and worried. "Young master, this woman is one who deceives. She will take you away again."

Rish turned, his eyes still glowing he raised his eyebrow, and since this human had already heard his unnatural voice he spoke, "What do you mean."

"She means nothing, this woman is the one who decieves." the black robed woman had stood, taking a tiny step toward the entrance.

"Master...." Lia's eyes where sarrowful but she extended a pleading hand to him.

"Why do you not come in woman?" Rish asked, eyes narrowing as he turned to face the woman on the balcony.

"The air is nice." the lie slipped from her mouth and Rish's glare became more solid. With a great roar the woman attempted to step in, something restrained her and in an angry growl she vanished.  

[the friendly fiend]

(subject to change, I guess)

The next few moments of Elijah's life seemed slow motion. Suddenly, everything that had ever seemed important to her tried to fade away. As Aedreath flew lower, nearer to the cave, and landed, she suddenly felt very guilty. How could she be so selfish?
She looked around at their failure, she closed her eyes in exasperation, how could she have let this happen again?!
Aedreath finally landed on the field of tall grass. Elijah's hand that was intertwined with Kai's slowly let go, she lifted her leg over and slid down Aedreath's smooth scales as her feet finally hit solid ground.
She turned towards the saddle and finally took in his face. He was here, and he was...Kai. He was himself.
He was looking deeply at her, it seemed as if all the barriers she had put up against him, to resist him, all came crashing down. He smiled at her. What a sight she had longed to see for so long.
But...somehow she had to force herself to turn away.
She turned from the saddle and began walking, there was a tiny ridge that proved to be above the cave that you could walk up and see over the valley, it also led to the stone roof to the place that had guarded over them for the night.
As she walked up this small ridge, she whispered some of the ancient dragon magic and her staff formed from plain air, an old trick, she thought with a slight smile. She continued walking so that she could overlook this place.
As soon as she reached where she wanted, she whispered more words to the wind and reinforced her old wounds...one last time.
Kai had climbed off the saddle, Aedreath turned to watch her as well, though they didn't follow her, they watched her diligently.
With all the force she could muster from her own strength and from the magic she had gained over the years, she drove the staff into one of the cracks in the rocks. The staff went in about halfway because of the force she attached it, magic flowed from the crack freely, blossoms floated on the wind as different colors of magic streams flew up in the air softly.
She looked out upon where they were, she knew that this battle wasn't even over, but as she sensed Kai's presence next to her she sighed.
"I'm leaving this behind." Signifying the staff, along with most of her magic that the staff allowed her. Kai said nothing but touched her shoulder.
"But..." She paused, " I won't let it go, just as a release. It's use won't go to waste. It will forever protect this place, it will be the guardian to all creatures who are righteous in whatever quest they pursue. It will because I couldn't, because I can't. I'm done with being who I want to be. I'm going to be the person I can be."

She turned towards Aedreath again as she walked back down the ridge. Kai followed her, he knew she was going through a big change and would probably need his help. He only wondered when the day would come, the day they could be free from this battle.  

[the friendly fiend]

Elijah sighed. Kai put a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to go and saw the pack of wolves surrounding her on top of the small ridge. They parted as the big wolf, much bigger than rest of the pack walked up to both of them. Aedreath still in the background.

His voice was gravily, of course, as a wolf's should be.
"This place is sacred. Even if it never sees action again. I feel the need to stay. Something is pulling at us."
Elijah nodded, she looked back at her staff and then turned back to the pack leader.
"This place is one of the only peaceful places left, however ironic that may seem."
Adrian nodded and sat on his back paws.
"You may call us...the guardians."
Elijah nodded again as she looked to Kai, and said, "Where now? We can't obviously go chasing after them." Her lips faded into a frown. He put his arm around her shoulder and replied as they started walking towards Aedreath. The wolves encircled the staff and looked over the ridge. They stood there to watch the humans depart.
As Elijah and Kai approached Aedreath, the dragon opened its wings as if ready for flight.
"C'mon-I know of a place in the eastern hills that acted as a safe haven. All we can do now is wait....wait and learn."  

[Stormelle]

Rish watched the spot from with the woman had disappeared from. His gold eyes wondering, his head tilted slightly, "Who was she mortal...?"

"The woman who caused all this...But there is little time to explain, and you would not understand. Come." she said, grabbing him by his forearm. As she did so Rish suddenly could feel her emotions. His eyes grew wide and wondering, he looked into the woman's eyes.

"What feelings are these?" his eyes flicked back and fourth for a moment as he attemtped to gain an understanding but failed as she shook her head.

"You must hide. Now is not the time for you, or for anyone to face Marcus. His wrath is stired but he was gained a prize...He will not move to battle any time soon...You must hide." she looked into his eyes again, attempting again to convey her urgency through her hold on him.

Rish's expression changed from curious and almost frustrated to submissive. "Where?"

"Hold fast to my hand and open your wings...I will direct them." she said, closing her eyes and stepping in front of Rish. He opened his wings and the pair were gone. 'He won't find me...Not even if I want him to.' that was the thought she'd poored into Rish.

It led them to a city of ruble. Rish's golden eyes flashed about as he gathered information on the location. "Where is this?

"A place Marcus will not come." Lia said, smiling very slightly. "However...Master...Allow me to restrain your power." it was both a question and not for as she spoke she place her hands on either side of his head, conveying her emotions upon him stronger than ever. Hidden underneath this wave of emotion came the true spell, one that would restrain the demonic power Rish had tapped into and allow him to be himself to some extent. And barrier that would slowly crubble as he learned.As the barrier took effect Rish's glowing eyes widened, the glow fading, his wings crumbling till all that remained were two light markings on his exposed back. He fell forward onto Lia who caught him, staggering only slightly. "You must train..." she mumbled to him as she lifted him onto a stretcher that had appeared in a flash of blue light and using her magic she 'moved' the stretcher into the city of debris in search of a place of shelter.

~~~~

As Leo and Pip landed Marcus lept from his saddle, his red eyes flashing wildly at he looked at Mithras, "Now then, woman," he said the word with complete contempt, "Lia is beyond my reach...You shall have to do in her sted. Heal my new prize." he said with a flick of his wrist the thin dark chains that bound her vanished and she slid off Leo's back and moved toward Pip and the lump atop her that was Cerast.

Mithras looked over her shoulder at Marcus, she could feel his anger as he vanished into the house. "Lady Red...May I help your rider?" she asked aloud. Pip, though darkness covered the lower half of her eyes lowered herself to the ground so Mithras could more easily reach Cerast.

Freeing the rider of the magic that bound her to the saddle and lay her as flat as was possible on the dragon's back, inspecting the wound.

There were two paths she could take. Save the rider and condemn her to Marcus' control or allow her to die and allow Rish to be lost to the darkness that Lia would train him to fight. Her lip quivered for a split second and a single tear fell down her cheek as she placed her hands around the arrow, muttering the words of ancient magic and in a moment pulling the arrrow from it's lodging in Cerast's chest. The applying pressure as she summoned proper linen bandages and began to remove Cerast's armor. Once down to skin she began to wrap the wound tightly while muttering words of healing.

-

In a few short weeks Cerast was "healed". She wandered the halls of Marcus' castle, training when commanded, going on look out when commanded. Doing all that she was told, nothing more, nothing less. She had seen the place where the battle had been, but she and Pip could not touch the place, it was protected by a strong magic.

Apperance wise the two, Rider and Dragon, changed. Cerasts' hair continued to grow, but instead of letting it fly free as she once had it was always bound back, her face seemed to be sharper this way, harser even. Pip's eyes continued to darken and once her eyes were black the darkness began to creap around her whole being. Time passed.

Mithras, after she had healed Cerast, was locked away in a part of the castle which Cerast was not allowed in. Now and then Marcus would come and give her food or taunt her. Or, if Cerast's training had gone well, even ask if she still disliked him so. She did not change. Her thoughts were upon the large wolf that had once been two.

Marcus himself continued to do what he loved best, destroy. Using Leo and himself or even Cerast and Pip he continued to put up a front to Kings and then take them down as soon as they trusted him.

What could be done? What would be done? Only time would tell.