Welcome to Gaia! ::

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHH!!!!!" *Sanctum's demonic arm was removed completely, hacked at the human part of the shoulder. Taka dropped the illusion and stood above Sanctum, licking the black blood from his fan.* "Delicious... the taste of your pain gives me sustainance..." *Sanctum grabbed his arm in utter pain and fell on his face. Taka gave a tremendous kick to Sanctum's side that sent blood out from his mouth. Sanctum looked up at Taka with hatred in his eyes. He made to sweep-kick Taka's legs, but Taka jumped backwards. He then did something unexpected. He picked up his own arm and hurled it at Taka. It nailed Taka right above his right knee, the claws digging in some and ripping. Taka let out a scream of pain similar to Sanctum's. He kicked the arm off of his leg and went back to Sanc. He punted Sanc savagely in the face. Sanctum rolled over onto his back and spit blood into the dried grass. Taka then stood over Sanc and buried his fan deep into Sanc's back, just between the shoulder blades. Sanc hollered in pain again and sent out a bolt of electricity that zapped Taka. Taka screamed, but didn't move. He twisted the fan, reached down with one hand, and broke off one of the spikes of the demonic shoulder blades. He then struck the other one with the fan. Sanc made to stand up, trying desperately to get Taka off of him, but Taka forced the fan into his back again and tore off a second spike. Only the one main one remained. Sanc shot out another wave of lightning energy. Taka took it, falling to one knee and cursing. He reached down and finished the job. Sanc yelled out in pain as the last piece of his shoulder was torn out. Taka stood triumphantly over Sanctum, who could no longer move on his own. He opened his eyes, just barely, and whispered to the ground.* "Giants... golems... whatever... please... come to... my aid..." *A massive golem sprung from the ground and looked at Taka.*

*Sanctum let out a horrendous moan of pain, both of physical and emotional pain.* "Golem... I... Please.. take me to... my grove."
*The golem nodded and picked Sanctum up as tenderly as he could.* ::For future reference, I am Stolin:: *Sanctum didn't respond, nor had Stolin expected him to. He brought Sanc to the grove and disappeared back into the stones of the room. Sanctum looked down at his one arm, gave a defeated sigh, and bit into his own hand as hard as he could, until he tasted fresh blood. He smeared the blood on the amethyst altar and leaned against it, severely weak, waiting in the reddening pool for Adharon to appear.*
Adharon gave a sigh very similar to Sanctum's.
"Please... Adharon...." *Sanctum slipped off the altar and into the water.*

*Sanctum lifted his head from the water. A new sparkle was in his eye, though his face did not show it.* "That's fine... I... hated it anyways."
*Adharon swooped down on Sanctum. He rubbed his hands delicately over Sanctum's shoulders, and the wounds all healed up. He then began to pull and work the stump of Sanc's arm, and it came out like putty at first, but eventually grew into a fully functional arm. The pain was unbearable, though, worse even than the pain of the wounds actually being inflicted. Sanctum raged again and again, but didn't move or jerk from Adharon's grip. Finally it was over.*

*Tears were flowing out of Sanc's eyes now. He was exhausted, but he threw himself at Adharon's naked chest and cried.* "It... was horrible, Adharon. He came here... and killed them. He killed them all. The Dryads. The Fauns and Satyrs. Even Neada. I knew it wasn't an illusion when I saw it. I felt it. A heart-wrenching pain. I knew they were really dead before I even entered that door. It's not fair! They shouldn't have to have suffered because of me." *He pounded his fist against Adharon's chest as he cried out again.*

"Yes... but... but... they're already..."
*He waved his hand out at the dead Reprieve and slowly dissipated into his ethereal form.*

*Sanctum crawled out of his grove. Adharon was right. Sanctum was filled with rage that, somehow, fueled his emotions and his spirit energy. Though he was exhausted physically, he felt he had enough fox energy to fill the whole world. He collapsed to his knees and gave a tremendous cry. The pale-green energy burst from his mouth and eyes with a ferocity that had not been seen before. It covered the grounds, bringing forth new grasses and new plants, bigger, brighter, and more beautiful than they were the first time. The hammock restrung itself, bound thicker and softer than it had the orignially. A whirlwind erupted above the empty pond, bringing in clouds and squeezing them once more. Within minutes, the pond had refilled itself, the tornado died out, and more lilypads burst onto the surface. With the last traces of energy, Sanctum looked around and smiled. Fresh young Dryads were poking their heads out of trees and plants and flowers. They looked at each other, then looked at the smiling fox spirit in front of them. The Reprieve erupted into a glorious dance of new life as the Dryads danced with the Satyrs and Fauns that had already resided there. Sanctum went to the pond's edge and saw Stolin repairing the damaged waterfall. He nodded at Stolin as a naked figure came forth from the water.*
::That was impressive, Druid. My name is Namine. And yours?::
"Sanctum."
::You look tired. Is something the matter?::
*A dark look crossed Sanc's eyes.* "For the time being, no. Everything is perfect. But later.... later..." *His words trailed off as he stood and left the ceremonious Reprieve.*

((Don't worry... Namine is here now, and she's exactly as playful. In fact the only difference between Neada and Namine is the name, as far as I'm concerned))

((Aww I sowee. But it'll be OK... you'll soon forget her or something. IC that's sad but OOC it's no biggie))

*Sanc walked into the Reprieve and headed straight for his grove. He undressed and went out to the amethyst altar, as the unseen barrier hid him from view. He slashed each hand with his claws and let the blood flow out onto the altar. He washed his hands as Adharon appeared before him.*

"Hi Adharon. I have a lot to talk to you about."

"Well... wow where to start... Um... well I wanted you to know that I have proposed to Elec. We are to be married. I wanted to know if you were able to come to the wedding."
*Adharon beamed down at Sanc*
"Well... that's kind of the problem. See... Elec put on some kind of amulet recently, and.. it, more or less, turned her into a fox."
*Adharon was silent a moment before he smiled at Sanc.*
*Sanc nodded and smiled back* "That brings me to my next point. I... uh.. I know that you guys can all talk to animals. And somewhere along the line... well... I think our family forgot how. Or maybe they never knew. I'm not sure. But I was wondering if... you could... I dunno... I mean, Elec's having a rough time since she can't talk or hold things or really go places, seeing as how doors are now an obstacle... anyways I was wondering if you could teach me how to speak to foxes. That way we can still talk to each other."
*Adharon smiled again*
*Sanc hesistated for no more than a split second. He pulled his hand back and stabbed the claws deep into his stomach, as blood poured into the small pond. He fell to his knees, but as he pulled the claws out, the wounds sealed shut. A golden energy then flowed from Adharon's body and snaked around Sanc's legs, up his torso, and finally forced itself into his throat and head. Sanc flew backwards and slammed his back on the altar with the force of the energy. He shakily got up and looked at Adharon. He didn't feel any different. Adharon caught onto his expression.*
*Sanc smiled at him.* "And this brings me to my last point. I'm leaving tonight on a trip, Adharon. Out to sea. I wanted to let you know... so that you know I'm not ignoring you when I'm not here."
*Adharon chuckled*
*Sanctum blushed and looked down at his bare feet, submerged in the pool.* "S..Sorry Adharon."
*Adharon merely chuckled*
*Sanc nodded and got out of the pool, dressing. He left the Reprieve.*

Elec woke up not to long after being put in the hamock. Her legs had fallen htrough the holes though. She stood shakily on the hammock trying to get off. Her legs fells through again near the edge and she tumbled out of the hammock as it tilted to the side. She shook herself off and trotted over to Sanctum and Ana.

Ana looked around the Reprieve as she walked in. Sanctum had been right, it was even more beautiful than she remembered. She set her towel and bikini down near the hammock and went to join Sanctum at the edge of the pool.