Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ayel had been sleeping in the dank bowels of a small cave in the area of Barton. She had been searching, as often was the case, for things to help her gain power. She never forgot how much she had held before need drove her to take her current form. Deep in her slumber, the first tremors passed unnoticed. But, when the first pulse of energy reached the cave it was like a nuclear explosion in her mind. She was instantly awake and abandoning her perch to head to the cave's mouth.

She stopped, her violet eyes searching back and forth wildly. She craved above all things, dark energy. It was what powered her, it was the source of her existence. She ate and drank (the form she was in now demanded it to function) but dark energy...it was a sweet, sweet drug that she craved beyond reason and beyond madness. Even more than the energy she drained from living things. As much as she savored it--mostly because it involved killing the victim--there was no comparison.

"Where, where is it?" she rasped. The next pulse hit her and she tensed like she had fallen into the delicate embrace of a lover. A gasp escaped her lips as it subsided. Barton. She bolted from the cave, leaving behind the two corpses of the Kuro Gang thugs who had given her trouble about her sword. The third wave washed over her and she felt it surge through her body. Her blood began to burn with it as did the seal on her left hand.

She could see Barton town through the trees and something had definitely happened. Maybe her master had returned and it was time to begin the great work once again? She didn't know All she knew was each wave of dark energy was stronger and made her feel euphoric. She needed to draw in more of it. She was almost to the east gate when her body began to give off dark energy itself. Each wave she responded too with a smaller pulse of her own. If there was dark energy there then..the thought of slaughtering all of Barton crossed her mind and she couldn't help but smile from ear-to-ear like a child. But then, her ravenous need ebbed. There was a slight flux in the energy and as she approached the gate she felt others. Not dark energy at all...Others were here to rob her of her prize.

"Damn them!" She cursed softly, now slowly creeping along the wall. She didn't know who 'they' were; clearly not allies. But, they against this energy she craved and that made her wish them dead. She was glad to see the gate was unguarded which let her slink in easier. But, she was now very conscious of the fact that she had been emitting dark energy of her own and still was. She could only hope that this pillar that now appeared before her had masked her own energy.

Leif Shook his head gently before looking at the small crowd. Figuring at this point the coast was clear to leave he gave his wings a solid beat to get a bit of lift no more then about a foot of the ground before darting down the damaged street with out a word just leaving a handful of feathers. He figured at this point nothing good could come of hanging around before he pulled in to the alley way he had stored his belongings in.

Softly tugging the medallion out of his gauntlet a soft pwosh and bright flash occured before Leif hit the ground tired feeling good as he trudged back towards the square looking somewhat doofy with all of his belongings on is back several minutes later as if he had been hiding. Well Oscar, lets find some place to spend a night or several. What do you think? He asked curiously to his hedgehog whom rolled over half asleep. A soft sigh escaped him as Leif shook his head before casting a glance at all the other defenders of Barton and gave a small smile as if enthused by the determination of the defenders..

Brilliant flashes of different colors illuminated the room as several other magical beings launched their attacks at the pillar. But while the sounds of battle were just outside the building, Terra didn't pay attention to any of it. She sat on the cold, hard floor, facing away from the square as she replayed the horrific scene in her head over and over. The whole time she just stared down at her topaz necklace, almost lost in its glow. She was all but oblivious to the world around her, so she certainly didn't notice the woman who just slipped into the building. It wasn't until the woman spoke, standing just a few feet away, that Terra realized she was no longer alone.

"H-huh?" she managed, still oblivious to everything around her. Terra finally came to her senses and found a woman with short brown hair and striking green eyes standing before her. She was curious about how the woman managed to find her, what she was doing by the square, and several other things. But before Terra could ask any questions, the woman grabbed her by the arm and shielded her with a hug as the large glass window shattered. Terra shrieked and instinctively clinged onto the woman more tightly with no intention of letting go. Even after the last shard of glass fell Terra found herself still tightly holding onto the woman. She slowly and reluctantly loosened her grip as the sounds around the square shifted from a frantic battle to heated conversation.

"Wh-what is going on here?"Terra whispered, peeking her head around the woman to observe the scene unfolding at the square. She was stunned to see a girl that looked eerily similar to the one she witnessed get dragged into the pillar of energy. "N-no.. That can't be her!" she thought. "Something doesn't feel right about her..." Terra felt uneasy. While the girl spoke with a relatively calm tone, her words were quite unsettling. With yesterday's attack and today's incident, it seemed like dark times were ahead for Barton.

A/N: About time I make a try being advanced literate again.

Suddenly, it was normal again. As if a calm sliced through the energy and then disappeared. Aureate opened her eyes, finding the girl still latching on to her. A small smile managed to show itself on her face, easily hiding the slight pain of tiny glass shards that was dug into her skin in the blast. The girl in her arms slowly recovered and Aureate took a look behind her at what seems to be a new addition to the group standing by the fountain. Aureate moved to step back but stopped in mid-action. Glass shards would crunch under her leather boots which could possibly attract attention from outside. She'd rather not risk that. Considering choices in less than a second, Aureate put a hand on the girl's eyes to prevent her from seeing the shards rolling aside to make space, and in even less than a second the shards cleared enough room for two steps backwards. It wasn't enough to catch the girl's attention, much to her relief. The brunette smiled sheepishly towards the other girl. Sorry. I thought I saw something you wouldn't want to see. It doesn't matter anyway, Aureate whispered in a warm voice, immediately calming the girl's worry before it even started, I am sure that you know the town was somehow being attacked by a dark energy, but only the fountain area was affected.

All of this happened in such a short amount of time for Aureate to really understand the events happening. However, Aureate felt a warning of sorts. As if... Aureate shook her head and looked outside again. The blue-haired woman wearing dark armour caught her attention. Was she the one who...? No, but her outfit reminds me of... Suddenly, her head felt like it was being pulled by gravity. Aureate held in a gasp, but the hand that never left the girl's forearm clenched tightly. Images filled in her head as the previous events, from when she had been away, viewed from above was given to her. Thank Heavens for assistance, she thought, I've never thought that there was something else that could take away darkness aside from... hm, how curious. However, Aureate could see a virtue within the woman clad in blue. It was faint due to the amount of energy swirling around the woman's figure, but it was there, offering a small amount of relief to the brunette's currently mixed feelings. It didn't stop the unexplained tugging inside her heart, the core of her entire being which had always been the receiver of a power that nobody had. She felt an urge to frown, but disregarded it in favour of listening. The conversation was a little far from their location, but it was enough for faint sentences to be heard. Noticing that she was holding the girl's arm tightly, she jerked her arm away, not moving from where she stood, whispering a sincere apology.

Aureate narrowed her eyes as she saw a girl, transforming from a dark coloured suit to her normal appearance, leaving quickly. As she continued to watch the dark-haired girl take exit, a flash of white and teal, stars, and kind eyes appeared and disappeared just as fast as the girl away from her following green eyes. Confused and a little awestruck at the image, Aureate looked back to the scene by the fountain and then to the girl next to her. She took in the other's appearance with more attention, mystified by the secrecy of her being. It was unknown to her, but looking back at the women by the square, she realised that they were just as similar. Aureate couldn't pinpoint what they were, but the feeling it gave her was majestic like a ball of energy giving life in its own creation. Somehow, she could sense a small nagging at the back of her head. What was it? A sign? An answer?

Before Aureate could make an assumption, the girl looked back at her with questioning eyes. She blinked and smiled good-naturedly while scratching at the bridge of her nose, a little habit she was found in whenever she was embarrassed. A quick sorry was bubbling in her throat, about to be spewed out, but small reflections of light caught her attention. It never occurred to her that the girl caught shards as well, but at least they were on top of the girl's apricot coloured hair. Aureate tugged at the earthy patterned scarf around her neck and unfolded it to rest on the girl's head. The glass shards on your hair might fall on your skin, she smiled, letting the girl shake the glass out of her hair using the scarf, so I suggest keeping that on, hun. Trust me.

Heaving a great sigh and catching a bit of his breath tinted with the excessive energy pulsing about a softly, cracked but uninterrupted breath crept in to Leif's lungs as a wave of self resentment crashed around him. Perhaps, . .. . perhaps it was too early to celebrate my friend, as i fear something else may be here as if called to arms. These guardians seem a resourceful bunch so i am still optimistic for them. thought these are the strangest of times and bravest of warriors on both sides. He said softly before looking across the remnants of the square and at a building with a roof still intact.

With a small ambitious smile the young man darted towards the back end of it before stealing away to the roof and depositing his bag behind a few fixtures on the roof. Crouched over the cage in his bag Leif removed the bags sole occupant and placed him on his shoulder and speaking to the hedge hog. Well, lets watch from here. at least now were out of the way enough should who knows what transpire down in that square. Looking on intently as if having a sense of Dejavu about the experience of unity and valour.

Completely shocked at the sudden approach, Hydro stumbled back, nearly falling from the girl’s shove, one of her dark blades falling to the ground spinning into smoke now that it was out of its master’s hand. “Stay back!” She barked at the butterfly warrior. Then she finally heard the tone of her voice. Perhaps that pixie was correct, she sounded terribly arrogant. It occurred to her that she didn’t care to remove the tone in her voice.

In addition to her surprise an angelic rod appeared in front of the butterfly girl. “No, please!” Charm had flown between Hydro and the pink hue senshi, using the rod to prevent Prim from trying to attack Hydro further.

“I really don’t understand you.” Hydro said with her even tone again at the butterfly girl, pulling up her mask up to look at her, showing whilst the rest of her was clad as a dark warrior, her face remained the same, “To who are you referring? Surely not me.” With a self-deprecating laugh, she continued, “You seem awfully concerned and I know of no one who would talk as such in regards to my well-being. I may have changed… but I simply can’t give back something I never took.” Her words grew sharper, “And for all your concern, you just attacked me, how on earth am I supposed to trust you have my well-being on your mind?”

The cold comment seemed to still the warrior, or perhaps it was shock at the revelation that the girl with the wind magic who had defended her and the girl standing before her now were the same person.

“Hydro!!” For a little angel imp, Charm could really put on a loud voice.
“Give me back my staff.” Irritated, tried to take it back with her now free hand. Charm flew up out of reach. “Whatever.” She gestured with her hand, but no angelic staff appeared. “What?”

“It’s that negative energy, you can’t use this.” Charm told her. “I’ll keep it safe for you.” The little imp summoned away the staff. “Come on let’s get rid of the negative energy.”

Hydro laughed bitterly. “Oh, yeah, like you could do something about it.”
“No, airhead, you’re going to do it. Here.” A soft blue light appeared in Charm’s tail, producing a golden circular item. It sparkled for a moment, and those attuned to the senshi wavelength could feel the gentle presence of the item. “Wash away all that negative energy.”

Hydro stared at the bejeweled piece. Then her gaze grew hard, “Don’t patronize me.” She said, glaring hard at Charm. “What, I’m supposed to do something just because you want it? When has anyone EVER asked me…you certainly haven’t, you useless piece of fluff.”

Charm tried to speak, but was speechless for once. Hydro looked at her free hand, and saw energy crackle over it, and slashed the air near Charm, sending the imp backward. However, Hydro was more infuriated than words could suffice. She wanted away from here, NOW. Motioning her swordless hand to the ground, “Crystal Cage!”

Ice froze rapidly beneath the feet of the butterfly warrior and rose as a platform, freezing around her ankles but otherwise left her unharmed.

“She’ll remain unharmed if you don’t move.” She said, eyeing the pixie warrior, who had the stance of a much more seasoned warrior. “I haven’t forgotten about you. That ice will melt soon, so I’ll be quick.” She lowered her arm, and the ice stopped only a few feet above the ground, effectively trapping the other senshi but not keeping her from flighted rescue.

“Now listen, since you mistake my comment. I wasn’t speaking of myself when I said what I said about this town, but feel free to interpret it however you want. I’m really not in the mood for sugar coating as if you were some child.” With a glare, she lightly tapped her sword on the ground. “Whatever upset the balance here did a number to the dormant energy below. It was too deep to reach the surface, and is withdrawn again. However, it has become active, spiraling out like veins running beneath our feet. I haven’t any personal need to destroy Barton, but I’ll do what is necessary to empty the town of its occupants. There really is no need for bloodshed, I really don’t prefer it. This spiral of darkness this town can no longer hope to contain is not so choosy. If you do not check its power I will have to just as I did. I have assumed the post of the gatekeeper of this Dark Vortex. If you prefer chaos to overrun the town, then please, go ahead and attack, you’ll only bring about the end of this place all the sooner. It is in your best interest to stay out of my way, and evacuate your precious little town.”

With upmost haughtiness, she turned to walk away.

The air was electric with confusion and rashness. If Aylin had given into her base urges she would have dropped her defenses and put face to palm over the rookie mistake made by the young teen. She had let her emotions get the better of her and rushed to confront the masked woman and it backfired very badly for her. The masked woman, not wanting to cause physical harm but at the same time wanting to stop further attacks against her, encased the young teen's feet in an ice like crystal elevating her slightly off the ground. Aylin made a mental note to talk to the young teen about the rash move she had made and ensure she would not repeat the same mistake.

The masked woman was not finished by far. She had turned her attention now to Aylin and, either out of continued arrogance, some deeply buried sense of compassion, or rookie mistake, began a narrative monologue. Claiming to be some type of gate keeper the masked woman made her demands known, clear out of Barton Town or risk the death of the town and every last one of her residents. However, giving up, while having crossed her mind on several occasions since Orrin's death, was never in Aylin's nature. She may have doubted her own decisions, had things backfire on her, and made plenty of mistakes but Aylin was not one to quit or give up. There was no way she was going to let her late husband's ancestral home be handed over some dark being or living power. The people of Barton were not going anywhere as long as Aylin had anything to say about it.

That was when the metal looking feather struck the stone ground at the feet of the masked woman, who had been arguing with the imp prior to her monologue, catching her off guard. Seeing the opportunity to make her move Aylin kept her stance as she stared down the dark woman. Either she was about to take the right course of action or she was going to make one of the biggest mistakes of her life.

“Well, are you going to do something or just stand there like a statue,” Kai questioned Aylin from his position.

“Don't you worry I won't let her get away making threats that easily,” Aylin responded over her shoulder.

Keeping her sword at the ready and her form unyielding Aylin changed her stance to one that was more upright and commanding over her situation. As she kept her eyes locked upon the dark woman, she could feel Kai fall in at her left side. Letting out a slow unseen calming breath Aylin spoke to the dark woman once more.

“Young lady do you honestly think idle threats and baseless claims are going to be all that is needed to scare me, much less the people of Barton Town, into leaving? Do you think yourself that above everyone that you can order us around? You know nothing of Barton and you know nothing of her people. The way you act is clear of that. We will not be made to leave by common bullies such as yourself. Who are you to make such demands? And the way you treated that poor little imp and the girl. You should be downright ashamed of yourself,” Aylin began in a firm, commanding, and disapproving tone of voice, “You are nothing more than a little girl playing dress up and acting the part of something you're not. I have half a mind to slap some sense into you. However, the other half tells me to do such a thing would be foolish so be thankful I'm not going to lay a hand on you, yet. You, young lady, are the one who should leave this town and leave it now. Because so help me Gaia if I ever see your face around here again or find out that you have caused harm to anyone in Barton Town my magic and my sword will have cross words with you and then I shall personally see to it that you are handed over to Captain Leon and the whole of the Barton Regulars and so help me you will spend the rest of your life in lock up.”

Aylin kept her gaze on the masked woman as she then turned her attention to the owner of the feather that now lay stuck into the hard stone ground. Until she knew what the woman's next move was going to be Aylin didn't want to take the risk of turning her back on her or taking her focus off what was before her.

Turning her head slightly Aylin called back over her shoulder to whoever it was that fought against the dark energy and threw the metallic looking feather at the masked woman, “Whoever threw that feather you're a part of this now whether you like it or not. Now get your a** over here and help the girl from the ice. I'd do it myself but Little Miss Arrogant over there might use that as opportunity to attack, even if she claims she won't, and I'm not about to take that chance.”