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"Darke speech."
"Mae speech."

Maeron should've been happy that Kioda was willing to help Darke cross, but as she flew and dipped and plummeted through the air, the Orderite boy only felt alarm. She could lose her grip and drop him, or he could become over-excited and start to squirm until he was free... And there wouldn't be a thing Mae could do about it. He whimpered softly as the green Drakein dipped down into the pit, pulling his only friend with him. Mae quickly sidled to the edge, pressing his back to the wall and scooting along the ledge. From here he could at least see what Kioda and Darke were doing, even if there was no way to stop it. His little heart raced fearfully as he made it to the other side and waited for Kioda to descend with his companion.

Darke only felt excitement as Kioda plucked him up. he'd flown atop Sam before, but that had been under his bonded's close supervision. Now, he squealed in delight as Kioda took a dive into the pit. The harsh wind ruffled his feathers, and stung his still-sensitive eyes, but he kept them wide open anyway, so that he could see the shifting expanse beneath him. His small wings beat eagerly in time with Kioda's, and his little paws galloped through the air in excitement. One day, he would fly on his own power and taste the outside winds for himself. But not today. As the Drakein touched down, Darke ran to give Kioda's neck a friendly nudge. "Thank you." He said breathlessly, despite the lack of effort he had put forth.

Mae was at his side in an instant, throwing his slender arms around Darke's neck fearfully. he knew he should also give Kioda thanks, but his mind was still a whir a fear, with just a faint tinge of Darke's excitement. Trying to still his heart, he led them into the next room.

Kioda's chest rumbled in a motherly tone. Her eyelids closing with a deep breath. She needed to rest once again. While she was a full grown Drakein she was still a young one at best. She hadn't quite filled out in muscle or stature. While she was as tall as she was going to get the bulk of her adult figure was still working it's way into it's full power. Her eyes opened at the feel of Drake's snout against hers. She rumbled again in the same manner. As if meaning to sooth the small one.

She listened to the others move on. Sniffing at the edge of the cave Kioda rose to her feet with ease. The small rest had been well worth it and the way Erionda had slowed down was pleasant. The cold air however was not. Kioda did not do well against the chill of the frozen world. She was a Ysali and her kind was weak against the frosty air. Even if she was more powerful against a Peisio. Digging her claws into the ground Kioda's magic sprang forth. Trapping the Peisio from moving with vines.

Kioda's breath came out in short shallow gasps. It was getting harder and harder to summon vines from foliage here. Eowyn didn't play host to vegetation well and the further down they went the harder it was to summon the vines to grow.

Erionda pushed herself off the ground, she hadn't noticed the hand before her. Completely absorbed in her desire to destroy the dragon they were fighting. A hand slung across her stomach to keep both the pain from spreading and herself upright. Her eyes falling on Mae caused her to pause for a moment. What was he doing? Trying to pull some sort of trick on her? Planning to back stab her at a moments notice? Attempt to bring down her defenses? She held back a retort and nodded her head before turning away. It was the most she could stomach to do. It didn't matter how old they were. Orderite's were usually all the same. They didn't care much for others, less so her kind. Even if she could hide her hybrid world.

The hybrid cast her mismatched eyes towards the next room. Reveling in the chill air that swam around her skin. She closed her eyes willing her body to ignore the pain in her side. Her mate would be furious if he returned to find her injured. The only way she could get through this is if she were able to destroy a large portion of Diabi dragons. Groaning painfully Erionda moved towards the next room.

Ice below her feet made little difference to her. She had spent a long time on Aisko lately rebuilding her fathers house. She had learned how to keep her balance on the frozen continent. The sand on Eowyn had also been a great help in learning how to keep herself from slipping about on various surfaces. Taking in a deep breath Erionda's eyes fell upon the Aiskala dragon. Could she kill this with her magic alone? Or would her weapon be forced into play? Her heart sank at the very thought.

"Rio?" Lanzecki muttered. Pressing his snout into her side lovingly.

"I'm going to need both of you now." Erionda responded. Her fingers lightly scratching the ridge between the Keindred's eyes. She smiled openly at the sound of his humming. He sure enjoyed being scratched. Eye's meeting Uassae's she felt his mental agreement. It was time to put their training to good use.

Erionda removed her had from Lanzecki. Her stance shifted into a powerful attack. Her magic tingled about her body, leaving a circle of freezing water around each foot. She wanted to summon a storm of snow. But doing so would probably cause the child behind her to freeze. As much as she wanted to, Erionda reminded herself she wasn't heartless. All she could do was attack with ice crystals.

Balling her hands into fists Erionda took off in a strait run. Lanzecki to one side and Uassae to the other. She was proficient with her fists. She had to be. Her first swing had missed. Angry ice formed around her hands as she aimed again. Connecting with the dragons jaw Erionda was growing tired with each swing. Her bare hands were useless. "Lanzecki the sword."

The small Grey keindred nodded shifting into flight he moved towards the Hastar. Activating his magic to free the long sword from it's holding place on the Hastars back. Flipping the sword into the air he caught it in his jaws. Lowering his left wing, Lanzecki angled back towards Erionda. The sword just within her reach.

"Curses." Erionda growled. Her fingers catching on the hilt of her weapon. Drawing it from the sheath held within Lazecki's teeth. A swift motion of ice and snow followed behind her strike as the blade cut a gash into the dragons chest.

It roared with rage. It's claws reaching out to strike Erionda. Catching her on the shoulder. Hissing in response to her slowed motion Erionda shoved her sword up through the neck of her opponent. Crumbling to her knees as the Dragon turned to dust leaving three white orbs behind. Her breath was heavy as her eyes turned towards the Orderite. Now he would see the hybrid she truly was! Her eyes narrowed defensively. Her hand tight around her sword.

Her feet were unsteady below her as she moved towards the boy with burning intent. Raising her blade to Mae Erionda growled as she spoke. "Just because you may know who or what I am. Doesn't mean we are friends now. If you so much as breath a word to anyone. I wont hesitate to hunt you down." It was a lie. Erionda knew she could never spill the blood of someone weaker than herself. It was a code of honor. It was better to attempt to scare him now. Than risk trouble for herself and her Mate in the future.

"Darke speech."
"Mae speech."

Mae refused to admit how slighted he felt by the woman's simple action of ignoring his help. Frankly, he shouldn't have been surprised, since none of her earlier actions should've made him believe anything different. Still, this was about as kind as Mae could be to someone he didn't know or who was clearly hostile to him, anyway. And since she'd shot it down, that was the last attempt the Orderite lad would offer her. Fine. He couldn't care any less about her or the pain she felt from the last attack. He could've cared, but not anymore!

Scowling, Mae headed into the next chamber. While he normally would've been pleased and amused to see Darke scampering gleefully into the chill, the shadow of annoyance that hung over him was too great. Despite the cold against his skin, the best thing he could do was take his anger out on this dragon! Playing with Darke and his frosty powers had gained Mae little reservations of the slick and icy area. He may not have the magical abilities the hybrid had, but he refused to show awe or admiration to her for her strength. Any respect he could have had for her abilities was gone now.

There wasn't much else he needed to do against this beast, though, and it was felled before he had to use much energy at all. As he picked up his treasure, he spotted the woman walking toward him. He should've expected the grating words that slipped from her lips, but he found himself angrily ignited all the same. The Orderite's teal orbs narrowed aggressively on her. He reached out to catch the blade in his hand, both of the sharp edges digging into his palm where he held it. But Mae could not have possibly cared any less. He dragged his hand along the edge as he took the few short steps to become nose-to-nose with her, cutting himself even deeper against the steel. Even standing on his tip-toes he didn't quite reach her height, despite how he tried.

"I knew what you were before you pulled out your stupid sword." He told her coldly, voice surprisingly low and dark for someone of his young age. "If I wasn't afraid of you before, I don't know why you think I would be now." Huffing indignantly, he shoved the flat of the weapon away from him, leaving a bloody smudge across the steel as he walked past her and headed into the next chamber.

Kioda blinked back at the confrontation between the two legged creatures. It was surprising Erionda would attempt to defend herself. She had been hunted all her life. Persecuted, spat on, and kidnapped. Mistaken for the strange patchwork creatures that rarely surfaced. Couldn't the younger one just admit he wasn't going to hunt her down? That would solve all of this? Kioda shook her head at the strange interaction. It was like two dogs fighting to see who was in control. She understood why Erionda felt the need to be in control. But were the stories right? Did the pure blooded two legged creatures feel they had power over the half breeds?

Shaking her head she shifted towards Drake. "They are both as stubborn as rocks. Was challenging Erionda really the best idea?" It was more of a vocal thought then a question aimed at the feathered Drakein. Sighing with a rumble of irritation towards the party Kioda moved towards the next room. Her eyes searching the room for the next opponent.

Erionda took a deep breath. Her hand sinking down to pull her water bottle from the strap on her hip. The Orderite was grating. Clearly spoiled. She wasn't self absorbed in her thinking. He was lucky he didn't have to struggle every day of his life to survive. Even the people she lived with had thoughts about turning her in for profit. The only thing holding Ytuya back was the fact the old lady had been in love with her father. Yanking the cap off the bottle she took a sip of the cool liquid. "You have no idea how wrong you are. People don't stall lives when money is involved." Her tone was bitter as they entered the next room. Figuring it best to let the Orderite learn just how dangerous the dragons really were she let her back lean against the far side of the cave.

Lanzecki trotted up with his tail wagging. Perhaps now that Erionda wasn't interested in trying to kill the dragons he could absorb some of her attention. Nuzzling the scabbard into her hands before curling up at her feet to watch the commotion. Everyone was so dramatic. He didn't dare get involved in the games with the Gaili. He knew the kind of power it contained.

Erionda took the sheath from her companion. Slipping the metal blade into place. She would clean it later. Hopefully before Kilian returned home and started asking questions. She rolled her eyes as Kioda and Mae took turns attacking the dragon. The feral Drakein wasn't helping things at all. It wouldn't be long before the Gaili succumbed to death from boredom. It was amazing any of them could really deal a final blow. And then it was gone. Erionda wanted to laugh out but only turned her eyes towards the cavern roof. She was starting to feel hungry, the pains from the previous blows she had taken were dulled. Save her shoulder. Moving that was painful. She hadn't noticed the blood soaking her shirt. Typical battle wounds.

"Darke speech."
"Mae speech."

The Gaili proved to be a tough opponent when it was only him and the green Drakein to face it. Mae had to admit that he was kind of surprised. The only Gaili he'd ever met had been a Drakein who had seemed kind of like a pushover... Personality-wise, at least. Mae supposed he had been a useful fighter. As he glanced over the remains, he caught the feral's shining eyes and couldn't help the way his lips quirked up at her enthusiasm. See there? They didn't need that haughty hybrid's help after all. Mae collected his treasure, sweeping long violet hair over his shoulder. "It's a shame you've only met people willing to trade a life for money, then." Mae muttered, slipping his new orb into his backpack.

Darke wiped a bit of blood from his muzzle. The beast may have vanished, but it hadn't taken all its excrement with it. The Keindred nuzzled into Mae's hand, pressing his warm feathers against the chilled appendage. Darke didn't care what anyone else thought. Mae wasn't a bad kid. He simply hadn't known many people in his brief lifetime. Communication was still an enigma to him. He did a loop around the boy, so that he could snuggle himself beneath the Orderite's arm as they headed into the next cavern.

Mae let his fingers skim across the feathers soothingly. A few red smears appeared to mar the pristine sky adornments, but he didn't care too much now, and he doubted Darke did either. The next room was cold. A look around revealed everything to be coated in ice, with only a few boulders sticking up. Mae blinked down at the ice. He'd skated along using Darke's magic, but he'd never had an entire room to traverse before. He hesitantly stepped out onto the slick surface.

At any other time, he would've squealed in alarm as the ice cracked and sent him falling a short distance down. As it were, though, he was still wrapped up in his small feud and didn't want to display any form of weakness, let alone a girlish squeal.