|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:06 am
Passively, Silver watched her new group react to the fire spawn's departure as she resheathed her swords. The blades, whether by some magic cast on them when they were forged or just age, didn't bare a single mark. She turned her head to watch Seraphis with mildly sympathetic eyes, then approached him once he passed out. "Little fool..." she whispered softly as she knelt, her voice holding a trace of affection, "You can't face him alone, and we aren't ready yet as a team... I won't let you die trying to avenge whoever you lost. Patience is the name of the game now..." Pulling his arm over her shoulders, she wrapped her arm around his waist and carefully stood up, balancing Seraphis as best she could.
It was slow going, but she managed to get him into the clearing that Blade and Grenth were in. Setting him down so he was leaning against a tree, she brushed her hand over his forehead to make sure he hadn't caused himself serious harm and given himself a fever before checking for other injuries. Not finding anything other than a couple of minor burns, she stood up and said to Grenth, "Only thing I have in the way of fire-starting is a tenderbox, steel, and flint. It'll be slow, but I can get a small fire going in about fifteen minutes, unless Doina has something better." She wasn't going to protest a flame at this point. Her leg could use the extra warmth, it already pulsing in constant pain.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:08 pm
She caught a glimpse of Blade, leaning against a tree. Her injuries looked pretty bad, if the blood running down her face was any indication. That injury needed to be taken care of soon, along with the scratch marks from the spawn. The howling of the spawn brought her attention back to it and she saw that Seraphis’s attack made contact, though only on a leg. Her pitiful one did nothing but push the creature back a little. The spawn didn’t seem too interested in them as it still headed for the thief.
Doina knew that her water spell wouldn’t have much of an effect so she racked her brain for any other spell. Only an earth one came to mind and it would take time for her to gather enough energy to be able to manipulate the earth below them. She had started to gather her energy when a shadowy figure began to move towards the spawn. The fire spawn fought against it, its flames dispensing the darkness. Blade’s hollowed voice called out to them, telling them to use this distraction as a chance to attack.
Silver went first, her blades slashing a deadly dance, the sound of scraping metal singing through the air. Then Seraphis went and summoned another ice attack, energy almost seeming to radiate off him as he moved his arms to direct his attacks. Then out of seemingly nowhere arrows began to rain down on the beast. Doina looked up into the trees and could make up a form there, aiding them in their fight. The features with feline and she figured that this was probably the Ferriles the little girl had ran away from. Then Grenth appeared and delivered the final attack, a hit to the Fire Spawn’s nose that had the monster howl out and run from the group.
The little energy she was able to gather she let go as she watched the spawn go off. They were alive…they were alive! She clasped her hands together and bowed her head, saying a prayer of thanks to whatever gods had allowed them to survive! She looked up as she heard Blade yell out to them and looked at the state the other female was in. Out of everyone she was hit the hardest, blood dripped down from her forehead and Doina knew that her back was in a similar state.
It was good to know that the Fire Spawn wouldn’t come back and that there wasn’t really a threat of the Shadow Spawn coming around. It would be best if they could rest and recover. Blade needed her injuries taken care and the time to regain the blood she lost. And looking over at Seraphis, he needed the rest to recover his energy. Her attention was directed towards the thief as he yelled again. Her patience with him had increased since in his own way he had helped them. But she still though the things he said were weird. The thief rubbed his throat, from the soreness of yelling, and Doina turned away from him. Grenth went to go help Blade and Seraphis shouted in outrage at the spawn’s departure. It seemed as if he had a personal vendetta against the beast and the missed opportunity to destroy it was a large blow to his self.
Silver went to tend to Seraphis and followed after Grenth, Doina taking up the rear. She looked into the trees as they passed by, wondering where the Ferriles had gone, if it had left. Once Grenth set Blade down and Silver placed Seraphis up against a tree, Doina began to collect the brush of the fallen trees in the clearing and set up the place for the fire. She set it in the middle of the group and crouched down, cupping her hands over the wood. Energy began to spark into her hands and a small blue flame appeared there. As she placed it down into the brush she blew into and stepped away as the fire grew larger and changed to a red color. Doina watched it till it grew into a good sized flame and set her bag down, looking in it. She pulled a small vial of a yellow liquid, some bandages and cloth to wipe the blood away. Getting up she walked over to Blade and kneeled down beside her and Grenth. She poured some the liquid onto a cloth and began to wipe the blood from her head injury. The yellow liquid was a disinfectant, she didn’t know if the Fire spawn’s claws held any hidden dangers. Once she was done cleaning the wound she would heal it and cover it.
“Do you have injuries Grenth?”
She glanced over at Silver and the unconscious Seraphis.
“Does Seraphis need any help Silver? I’ll come over and help him and you as well once I’m done over here.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:05 pm
Sitting down next to the still unconsious Seraphis, Silver breathed a soft sigh as some of the warmth from the fire reached her, pleasant but not overpowering like the fire spawn's. She would have to remember to warm the strips of cloth in her pack to wrap around her leg before she slept tonight. Speaking of... "I'm fine," she told Doina, her leg's reaction to her magic at the forefront of her mind, "And Seraphis only has a few minor burns, as far as I can find. He used too much magic, that's why he blacked out. See to Blade before you worry about us." Reaching down to her own leg, she began to shimmy her boot off gingerly, unable to keep from wincing when a muscle protested loudly against any movement. Once it was off, she began to rub out the various knots and kinks that had developed during their brief journey and the skirmish with the spawn so she would be prepared for the night's work. "Which watch do you want?" she asked Grenth, her mind already turning it over. Seraphis is out, he needs to rest. Doina will need to as well once she sees to Blade. Blade herself need to recover from losing that much blood. That leaves me and Grenth. Three watches, then, with one person taking both the first and third watch... I don't know how Grenth feels about losing that much sleep...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:12 pm
Blade was happy when Grenth came forward to help her. The others seemed to be ignoring her request or unwilling to help her. She couldn't blame them, though. They didn't know her very well and she was getting covered in black magic. Dark magic wasn't known for being the most... safe. Grenth pulled her up and actually picked her up. She gritted her teeth as pain shot up her spine and moved herself into a more comfortable position. She ended up in a more curled position and with her head resting on his shoulder. A moment later she laid down and on his cloak. She opened her eyes and look up at Grenth, listening to what he said. She made no response, as the one she always gave him he always dismissed or had something contrary to it to say back. She took a few moments to remember that she'd buy him a new cloak since she was bleeding all over this one.
"Perhaps." Blade responded, lowering her head down onto the cloak. She looked up at the tree branches, glancing over at Doina as the girl began to start a fire. "Still, don't count on it too hard.... The light spawn appearing with the shadow spawn isn't too... unusual. And the fire spawn just runs rampant like that all of the time...." She took in a deep breath of air, looking up at Doina as the elf began to work on her. Blade chuckled and glanced between Grenth and Doina, an amused look on her face. "How odd. It's rare to have teammates who actually show genuine concern." Whatever Doina was doing stung like hell, but Blade had experienced worse. She smiled to herself before turning her head to look over at the fire. She could still sense pieces of shadow trying to crawl up onto her, but they couldn't get big enough to actually pull her in thanks to the fire. Every time they reached a reasonable size they were cast away the instant the light as much grazed against them.
"And don't worry about the light spawn." Blade told Grenth quietly, her eyes still focused on the flames. Her body felt a little warmed, although the shadows that were moving another her were causing her more pain than usual since she had spawn marks on it. "The worst it'll do is sing... which isn't bad at all...." Blade had heard her singing on several occasions and it was stunning, to say at the least. "Especially with the ice spawn."
Blade closed her eyes, wrapping her arms a little bit around herself. While her outfit was good for moving fast and making no to little sound, it wasn't very warm. She tapped into her fire magic, sending heat through her body. She quickly relaxed and kept her small amount of magic trickling through her veins. She had some blankets and a warm cloak but didn't feel like pulling it out of the shadows. Chances were that she'd be sucked in instead of pulling something out. She'd just need to rest a little bit. One night should be more than enough. Her back would still be in pain, but if she could just get some blood back she'd be able to refocus and gain more control over her dark magic.
Blade moved her hand until she felt it bump into something. She turned her head and opened her eyes, looking at Grenth. She grabbed onto his arm and sent a small trickle of heat into him. "I'll keep you warm. But if you try to grope me I'll let the shadows suck you under, since it'd be strike two.... Deal? Just don't get too close. Shadows... tickle. You too, Doina."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:16 pm
Watching the rest of the battle transpire Chi considered shooting more arrows but it appeared as if the team had it under control from a midpoint in the battle. So she stood on the branch with her bow still in hand waiting to see if her assistance was needed. Of course the beats retreated after a good shower of ice and a slash to the nose. The high pitched screeching of the pained fire spawn was once again enough to make her cover her sensitive ears. This one being more high pitched than the cry of pain from the warrior it hurt her ears more. Becoming disoriented again she managed to keep her balance on the branch but only temporarily. After it shot into the trees leaving a streak of light, Chi tumbled backwards into a bush full of cats. Her body oriented itself once more so that she landed on her feet in the bush. The cats scattered for a moment into the opening with the party, looking rather frightening seeing as they weren’t sure what had just fallen on their hiding spot. But when Chi emerged from the bush looking confused and pained from the screech they immediately ran over and started to rub up against her legs trying to comfort her.
Sighing and waving her hands she tried to shoo the cats away from her. “Guys how many times do I have to tell you. I A-M N-O-T A C-A-T!” Growling slightly under her breath she looked increasingly annoyed as the cats refused to listen to her. Purring and surrounding her in a ring once more Chi finally gave up on trying to get rid of them and figured that they’d leave eventually. Stepping out of the bush and into the open she surveyed the damage that had befallen the party. The woman warrior who appeared to be the leader was being helped up by a male human who had just appeared at the battle scene not to long ago. They moved a bit into the trees and Chi followed silently moving like a breeze she hardly made any noise, or at least most of the party wouldn’t hear her. Hiding behind a large tree she watched the party get comfortable in the clearing. Blinking she wondered why they were going to set up a fire after they had just met with a fire spawn. Thinking back on the battle she hadn’t noticed that Blade, or so it seemed her name to be, disappeared. Scratching behind her ear she was rather puzzled by this thought but decided to rub it off as she found a good hiding spot or something though her comment before suggested more than that.
Shaking off a pestering feeling she was slightly glad that the team hadn’t been defeated by that fire spawn. Though they didn’t seem like trained warriors they were pretty skilled and there was something about them that struck her as rather interesting. But of course she didn’t know this people and she was pretty sure that they didn’t know her or at least couldn’t sense her, though with all their magic powers and such they probably could. Peeking around the corner of the tree she looked as they all sat around. One girl was watching over a boy who had passed out not to long ago after attempting to go after the fire spawn. In her own opinion it wasn’t that smart after using up all of your magic energy or exhausting yourself to go after the enemy but everyone had their own agendas to see to. Looking over one girl was tending to other’s wounds, there was a thief looking boy around and he appeared to be rubbing his throat from yelling. She could only hope that it was the last of the yelling and screeching she was going to hear today for her ears hurt. Then there was the other boy and the leader, they were sitting together and though her ears hurt and needed time to recover she could make out snippets of conversation.
“….keep you warm….shadows… ...tickle… Doina...” was all she managed to make out. Rubbing her ears with closed fists Chi sighed. She may not have physically battled but she took some damage too. Not only was her nose still stuffed with soot and magic remnants, but her ears hurt too.
Slumping over against the tree she let out a quiet meow as the cats that were with her roamed out into the party’s area in search of food, possibly crumbs or maybe field mice. Suddenly very alert Chi whipped around and peeked out from behind the trees. Lowering her ears and narrowing her eyes out of frustration she watched on as the rubbed up against some of the party members attempting to lure food out of them. “Guys!” Chi hissed through her teeth “Come back here now! Leave them alone okay? They’re tired and they probably don’t have any extra food to share with the likes of you.” Some of the cats turned around at this and started to meow, feeling Chi’s glare hit them like an explosion. Some of them insisted on getting food and continued their antics while a few of them returned to the tree and sat loyally near Chi waiting for the other’s to obey. “You better listen to me” She hissed again. “I know where you live!”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:11 pm
She nodded at Silver’s response. She had some salve in her bag that would deal with the burns. It was a good thing that no one had gotten burned severely. It took a bit more magic and time for her to heal burns and that was only if the person remained in one place. They would probably only stay for one night and keep heading towards the mountains.
Doina smiled slightly at what Blade said. It wasn’t uncommon at all to Doina to show concern. Blade had taken her into her party and promised to protect her as they hunted the spawn. It was only right to pay for her services in treating her injuries. And since she had met the other woman she had been nothing but kind to her. She set the cloth to the side and placed her hands on the wound, allowing her energy to channel to her fingers. She ran her hands along the wound as she had down with the thief from before. The skin began to close up, a little more slowly than it would any other time. Doina took note of this and wondered if it was because the injury was caused by a spawn or if it Blade’s cursed shadow powers taking an effect.
She listened to the conversation that Grenth and Blade were having as she worked on the injury. Even if all the light spawn did was sing, it would still be frightening to come across it. With the luck they seemed to be having all the other spawn would be right behind it and they’d be doomed.
Blade looked a little cold and Doina was about to give the other woman her cloak when she felt a spark of magic and Blade’s body temperature rose. She must have been using her natural fire powers, Doina was afraid that she had developed a fever. Looking at the work she did she found that she didn’t need to wrap the head injury and started for Blade’s back. She made a noise of agreement when Blade offered to keep her warm though she had original thought the woman was giving her the same warning as Grenth.
“I need to get to your back now.” she said before lifting her up a little and having her sit up.
The claw marks were the worst of the injuries and they still bled. Doina placed her hands on the marks to stop the bleeding before she would apply the disinfectant. Blade’s blood was smeared all over her hand but the elf made no outward appearance of disgust. She then treated the wound as she had with the head injury, taking extra care to clean it. Then came the slowed healing process and Doina looked what she did, holding the bandages. Sighing she moved from Blade’s back to the side of her.
“It doesn’t need to be wrapped now but keep an eye out for those marks. If they start bleeding you need to wrap them up quickly.”
She excused herself and headed back to her bag. Placing the bandages back in, she took out the salve she was planning on using for Seraphis and the clothes she used on Blade. She needed to wash her hands and get the blood off before she helped anybody else.
“I hear a stream nearby. I’m going to go and wash my hands and get some water as well. Be right back.”
And she went, moving through the trees in the direction of the stream. She could find her way back to the clearing even if she went far. All she would have to do and search out for the fire that was laced with her own magic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:22 pm
He grumbled, following them through the trees. Arriving at the small clearing they were at, he watched one of the girls summon fire, before moving on to help heal the others.
Ignoring the conversation the leader was having with one of the males (He'd let them have some privacy.), he fumbled around with his pockets and withdrew the food he was carrying, a few bird eggs and a father bird. He sighed, before dropping down from the tree he was in, walking over to the fire, dropping off the food and walking off again.
"You guys need it more than I do right now. Plus, I don't exactly have a fire."
Twirling his knife around, he disappeared back into the forest.
"I'll be back with more if you want." he called over his shoulder. "No complaints? Great, I'll bring back a family of deer or something."
Minutes later the sound of running animals could be heard, along with the cries of something sounding disturbingly like "GET IN THEIR BELLIES" being shouted out, followed by lots of coughing and swearing.
Some time later, he popped back up again, dragging in a dead deer which had a knife sticking out of it and numerous bruises everywhere.
"Now here's something that's celebration level food!" He noticed the stares he was getting, before glancing down at the deer.
"I tried to make its death humane" he said sadly. "The guy just resisted, that's all. So to make up for it, I'll eat nothing by acorns for 2 weeks."
Dropping the deer off near then and removing the blood stained knife, he walked off to find some acorns.
"Oh, I can taste the nutty goodness now..." he muttered
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:33 pm
Fire. Fear. Screams. A village, glowing in the red hot flames. A woman's face. His mother's. Consumed by flame. A middle aged man. A childhood playmate. Burnt to ashes. A house. His childhood home. Charred down to the framework. A wizened old man. His father. No... This man looked nothing like his father...
"Succumb," the man said softly, "Succumb to your anger... Your fear... Become the creature that lurks in the darkest parts of your soul."
An urge to cry out. Decry everything. This man was his father! And yet... He wasn't... Gone in a flash. A flash of yellow hair. A young woman. His love.
"Seraphis," she said.
"Burenna," he said, his voice broken. His heart, breaking.
"Seraphis," she said again, "Why did you not come when I called? I needed you..."
"I could not," he said. Pain. Anguish. Something wet on his cheek. "I did not hear," he said, "I am so, very sorry." Kneeling... Weeping...
"Dear, sweet Seraphis," she said, "You are absolved. You have done nothing wrong."
"I will avenge you!" he said. Loneliness. Bitterness. Anger.
"Do not weep for me," she said, "There are others now who need you far more than I."
"NO!" he said, "You are the only one! You were all that ever mattered..." Suffering. Loss. Hopelessness.
"I must leave you now, Seraphis," she said, "I am out of time. Know that I will watch over you, my love." Woman fading. Desperation flooding.
"No! Come back!" he said, "I need you! Please!" Silence... Emptiness...
-------------------------------
Seraphis Darkstar tossed fitfully in his sleep for a time. Then, quite suddenly, he settled, but began to mumble every now and then. His body slowly began to slide to the side until his head came to rest on Silver's shoulder.
"I love you," he whispered softly, his tone, tragically forlorn. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open. He glanced around, taking in the scene as he slowly regained consciousness. Then he suddenly remembered what he was doing previously. The Fire Spawn! His spell of location was still active, however, he could not sense the presence of the spawn. It must have moved out of range. He cursed mentally. An opportunity missed... Then he suddenly realized that his head was resting on Silver's shoulder. He would have bolted upright, but his body wouldn't have any of it. Instead, he slowly lifted himself and leaned against the tree once again. His face flushed and he found himself unable to look Silver in the eye.
"Sorry," he said softly. Just then, another realization entered his mind. How did he come to be here, next to the tree? He turned and met Silver's eyes. "Did you carry me here?" he asked, the fatigue clearly affecting his voice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:36 pm
[lol edited my profile]
Ebon was walking at the tail end of the group, likely forgotten by most of them. He was usually more enthusiastic at times like this. Something was odd with him. He wasn't tired... Or was he? It was hard to tell at this point. He began feeling light headed, and his vision blurred. His legs continued to move though, and he never stumbled. Only gradually decreasing in speed until he came to an eventual stop. The group he was once with was a fair bit ahead of him, and because of some bandits or something, they didn't notice his absence at all. Well Blade didn't.
By this point Ebon was unconscious, if you could call it that. His body was standing there, eyes open, and a relatively decent posture. Yet there was no movement, no life in his eyes. It was like his soul had left that body and was watching it from above. But his body, somehow, was still alive. It began to move, shifting itself to off the road. Now the group was completely out of sight and Ebon was walking through the forest. Never stumbling, never tripping, but always walking.
The roars of battle could be heard where Ebon was, if he could hear that is. His body had stopped moving and was standing to the side of a stream. His head tilted down and, to anyone passing by, would appear is though he was watching the flow of the river.
Ebon's eyes opened. He was currently lying down on his back and looking straight up into an arrangement of clouds in the sky. he quickly pushed himself up and looked around. Meadows after meadows after meadows. There was nothing else. No vast trees. No wild life. No people. Just him. Just the grass and other small vegetation. Ebon looked harder but all he could see was that, and the occasional small hill.
By this point Ebon was standing up and looking around. The hell was going on? he could've sworn he was on a path going through a forest.
The ground began shaking. The sky, which was previously littered with white clouds and a blue sky, now had dark red clouds and a black sky. The slight vegetation that had once existed was rapidly deteriorating and becoming ashen. A drop of blood fell on Ebon's cheek. And then another, until it poured down everywhere. Beneath his feet a pool of blood formed, gradually turning darker and darker until it was black. Then the pool literally dripped upwards, slowly consuming Ebon.
And then Ebon woke up. For the second he was awake he could see the stream flowing by. His eyes went blurry again but this time he fell to the ground.
[lawl this makes no sense. Oh well, I'd appreciate it if Doina found him. Or anyone. ;o]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:46 pm
Silver registered Blade, Grenth, and Doina subconsiously, focusing unintentionally on her and Seraphis. She frowned when she heard a sound of distress from beside her. Leaning back so that her shoulder was next to Seraphis, she watched him dream... or remember, she didn't know which. Whatever it was, it couldn't have been pleasant. Then, suddenly, his head drifted over till it rested on her shoulder. Instantly, her ears turned pink and she hesitated before relaxing under the warm weight. This is pure stupidity on my part... she reminded herself in vain. Something about this mage pulled at her long-frozen heartstrings, drat her luck.
"I love you."
The reaction was instant. First she flushed, then she paled as her fear set in. Please be talking in your sleep... she mentally begged. When he sat up and refused to meet her in the eyes, she knew it was a mistake and mentally sent up a thankful prayer. Silver wouldn't have been able to handle him saying that to her. She had barely met the man, for heaven's sake!
When he looked in her in the eyes, she was stunned at the sadness she saw there, barely registering his question. She nodded her head to confirm she had brought him here, meanwhile having a struggle between curiousity and empathy. Finally, she made herself touch the back of his hand gently and ask softly, "What were you dreaming? Or, should I ask about who?" Pausing, she added, "They must have been important to you... Are they why you seek the spawns?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:50 pm
Seraphis turned his gaze to the fire and remained silent for a while. He took a moment to silently revel in Silver's touch. He very much preferred to bear his burdens alone, but, lately, they had been eating him alive and it was nice, for once, to know that someone was, at least, vaguely concerned. Especially since it was Silver. After seeing the cold facade that she put on for others, it meant a lot that she was reaching out to him. It had been so long since he was last able to unburden himself. Seven long years of self-imposed torment. Seraphis knew that his obsession with his past was an unhealthy trait, but he could not find it within himself to let it go. Everything that he was was taken from him on that day. The only reason he still drew breath was his obsession for revenge. For love of Burenna... By the gods, he missed her so!
Seraphis remembered the dream vividly. The first portion, the nightmare, was familiar to him. That particular dream had come to him from time to time within these past seven years. However, the second part was completely new. Never before had Burenna visited and conversed with him in his dreams after her death. He always tried to find the significance in dreams, however, he didn't dare jump to any conclusions on this portion. He turned his gaze back to Silver, her iridescent blue eyes still filled with concern. Normally, he would not think to unburden himself before her. Normally, he would have lied and told her that he remembered nothing of the dream. But he was far from normal right now. After the dream had ended, he felt so alone... So empty... Feelings that still lingered. Now he wanted desperately to tell her everything that he was feeling. To unload his mind's weight and alleviate his pain if only for a moment. But, most of all, he was tired of feeling so helplessly and hopelessly alone.
Seraphis found himself afraid to let this woman in. Part of it, a lack of trust as he didn't know her well enough to put all of his faith in her. The other part, a fear of loss. A fear that if he did let her in and trust her, that she would, for any reason, be torn from him as Burenna was. He wasn't sure if he could handle that again... Letting out a resigned sigh, he decided to take the middle ground, knowing it would scarcely satisfy him.
"I was having a recurring nightmare," Seraphis said softly, "I never actually saw Tidal destroy my village, however, I see it in my dreams from time to time." He paused for a moment, collecting himself. "I've grown accustomed to it," he lied, "The dream shifted afterward and I saw..." Pausing again, he found that his free hand had returned to his pocket, absently fingering the memento. This part of the dream was private... Deciding not to share the full truth, he continued, "I saw someone very important to me, yes. They were taken from me on that day and they are my reason for seeking the spawn." He paused one more time, feeling very vulnerable. Again, he wanted nothing more than to unburden himself. Finally, his heart ended up making the decision for him and before he could stop the words from coming out, he said, "I guess you could say that revenge is all I have left..." Closing his eyes, Seraphis silently prayed for Silver's acceptance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:02 pm
Silver nodded her head in understanding. She sensed that he was holding back, but didn't point it out. Her eyes moved so that she was watching Doina's fire spark as she whispered softly, "I can understand that..." Hesitating only a moment, she gave him a brief summary of her life, "My father was one of the summoners who created Tidal... He left my mother long before that, promising to return when he could, never knowing that she was pregnant with me. I never knew him. My mother raised me on her own for ten years, living for the letters he would send. Then, one year, the letters stopped coming. My mother couldn't take it. She slipped into a coma-like state, not wanting to live. The healers had to permanently move her to the medical building, and I had to live with my teacher and his family. Seven, almost eight, years later, I left. My... ailments... made life difficult, so I left my mother, though not without several harsh words..." She had to pause, closing her eyes to ease the pain of her memories. "The next thing I knew, Tidal was running rampant. I hurried back to the village as soon as I heard what had created that monster, but... I was too late. My mother, hearing of my father's death at the hands of Tidal even in her half-dead state, refused to live without him. She passed away within hours of Tidal's betrayal." Opening her eyes, she looked back at him and said softly, "So you see, I understand living for revenge. Tidal took my father, and with him, my mother, the only family I ever knew. It took her, and the last memory of me that she took with her was of my harsh words..." Her voice caught and she quickly looked away again, the pain too much, though she fought the tears forming as hard as she could.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:31 pm
The sound of running water grew louder and louder with every step she took. She reflected on their battle with the spawn and, even her lack of warrior experience, she could tell that they needed to work on their teamwork. They managed to scare the fire spawn off but it cost them so much energy and their leader had been injured. And they might not have been to draw the spawn away if Blade hadn’t directed them in hitting the spawn in the right spot. Doina sighed softly. She probably needed to improve the most. She hardly did anything in the battle.
She exited the throng of trees and looked at the stream of fresh water. The smell cleared her senses of the fire and sulfur smell that was burned into her nose by the spawn. She began to walk over to the stream to wash her hands and get some water when a sound reached her ears. She looked around and saw a figure lying on the ground a few meters away from her. Dropping her bag she hurried over to the figure, curious yet cautious. It appeared to be a man from where she was before.
She was surprised to see that she was familiar with the man. It was the guy that Blade had introduced before they left town! She couldn’t quite remember his name at this moment. But he had been with them, so when did he leave the group? Doina hadn’t paid him any mind once they left, he had been quiet and then she was talking to Blade and a serious of other events had unfolded.
Once she was closer she knelt down beside him and checked to make sure he wasn’t injured. He looked to be alright but the fact that he was on the ground had her worried. Water wouldn’t be the only thing she would bring back.
“Hey, um…Ebon!”
Yeah, that was his name. Or atleast she hoped it was, it would have been embarrassing otherwise.
“Are you alright?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:10 am
Water was splashing against the red-eyed mans face. Not enough to actually cause Ebon to choke or anything; just enough to be an annoyance. Of course he was unconscious so it didn't really matter. It would become annoying when he woke up with a wet face though. And that idea would soon become a reality when a purple-haired woman called out his name.
Ebon's fingers twitched upon hearing his own name. Nothing happened afterwards. Silence. Silence. Silence. And then his eyes shot open, his hands pushing his body off the ground in a rapid frenzy. His chest was going in and out at an alarming rate as he was breathing heavily. A trickle of blood dripped off his left arm and blended in with the water, eventually disappearing as it followed the current. "What the hell?"
The man's breathing now slowed down to a normal pace as he regained his posture. The woman watching all this would probably be confused, and think of him crazy. He had just gone from asleep, to abrupt awakeness, to calm. All in the span of less than a minute. Ebon would freely explain to her what had just occurred if he himself even knew. But alas he did not, he didn't even know she was there.
Until now. Ebon's eyes peered over at the small woman, who clearly meant no harm. All he could do was sigh as he stood up. He faintly recognized her as one of the people in the group back in town. Come to think of it... Where were the rest of them? Hell, why was he on the ground? The only thing he could remember was...
Ebon's hand reached up and wiped the trickles of water from his face. "Well then. I don't think we've been properly introduced!" Ebon shoved the previous situation aside, his cheerful demeanor returning suddenly. He would be facing the woman now, if he wasn't washing the blood away from his arm. He was quickly done with this task and returned his attention to the elf.
"I believe you already know who I am. So who are you?" Red eyes scanned the area again. "And where is everyone else?"
"Weird."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:07 am
Seraphis gazed at Silver for a long moment. He knew that there were many people in the world with stories similar to his, but never before had someone bothered to share theirs with him. He shed a single tear for Silver, knowing how she must have felt. Seraphis took pity on Silver for her loss, though he would never voice it. Somehow he knew that she wouldn't take it well, not to mention she had probably heard it more than she could stand by now. Yet, a small part of him felt a certain sort of... Relief. For once, he finally felt that he might be able to share himself with another person again. It was somewhat liberating.
Turning to stare into the fire once again, Seraphis wrapped a comforting arm around Silver's shoulders, part out of compassion, part out of affection. He said nothing, but rather, continued to stare into the fire. He was certain that the gesture would speak for its self. In unburdening themselves to each other, they had formed a bond of sorts. He could feel it in the core of his being and he knew, as long as Silver remained at his side, he would never be truly alone ever again. He sat in silence with her for a long while, mentally channeling his negative emotions into the fire, letting them be burnt away. It was a mentally cleansing act that left him feeling at least slightly renewed. Certain that their moment had passed, Seraphis removed his arm from Silver's shoulders and turned to meet her eyes with a slight smile.
"Thank you," he said softly, genuinely, "For everything."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
