(( Took Place During : Big End Of Summer 2011 Final Fantasy Event ))
"That..what just happened..?" Miokku questioned out loud with concern mingling in her tone.
Kumar briefly looked back at where the Ghost Coeurl was before turning back to the group, "I have no idea either but..I've got a gut feeling that what just happened wasn't normal."
"Then let's find out," Leviathan proposed, already starting to go and examine more of the area of the vicinity.
Viel and the six Coeurl agreed and began searching for the Coeurl as well.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 80
Cheeta didn't bother to go around a bush in her way and instead leaped over it. The ice Coeurl shook her fur when she felt a shiver before walking onward, resuming her scan of the surroundings.
Viel rubbed and smoothed goosebumps on her arms with her hands as her gaze traveled to sight the Ghosty Coeurl. Still, she somehow managed to almost collide with a tree trunk, jerking to an abrupt stop before going around the tree. She tsked a finger at herself in front of her face, as she reminded herself to watch where she was going, resorting to her quirky antics to get her mind off the eerie atmosphere she was feeling after the turn of events.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 80 + 119 = 199
The day had started like any other day; sunny and pleasant. Azael strolled through the forest, as she often did, when she spied the striking coeurl. Not only had its unique pelt catch her eye but his frantic movements as if he were pushing something off of him. She watched stunned. Then the male ran off into a patch of bushes and out of sight.
Her first instinct was to follow. She proceeded cautiously, unsure of what had taken place. Her green eyes scanned the thicket for any clues to the missing coeurl. Broken branches, just a few, seemed to lead the way and Azael followed...
Azael_Rose's word count so far: 106
Kojirou fluttered her wings excitedly, shaking them out as she bounded along. She'd seen a ghost Coeurl, how exciting! Looking for it was going to be just like hide and seek, and that was most definitely one of her favoritest games of all time.
Kalahari-Summers's word count so far: 44
"Ugh," Viel seated herself unceremoniously on the grass all of a sudden, "that Ghostly Coeurl is quite the stealthy character."
"Didn't you say someone gets more tired if they take a seat in the middle of walking or running. I know you can go on for much much longer than that. Upsie-daisy, Viel," Kazeko lifted Viel by her back collar and proceeded to begin dragging her forward a ways.
"Oh, I did say that at one point, huh.." Viel responded amidst being dragged before righting herself and walking beside Kazeko.
"Oh, yay, comedic relief," Rija smirked jokingly as she passed by the two heading to check a different but fairly close area to their vicinity.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 199 + 115 = 314
What could be wrong, Viel wondered as she sprinted after the Ghostly Coeurl as he escaped but to no avail. She slowed, breathing labored as she looked onward, following his white fur until he was out of sight in seconds. Of course, she also saw Miokku, Leviathan, and so on speeding past her, too.
"Phew, if I could transform into a Coeurl, I probably would, you're all so much faster," she commented to no one in particular aloud between pants to get more oxygen back in her system.
"Now I'm a little curious what your antics would be like as a Coeurl," Kumar surprised her with his comment as she gasped and jumped while turning his way several steps backward.
She chuckled soon after and replied to the glint of amusement in his eyes as he watched her reaction before proceeding to walk toward the direction the Ghost Coeurl seemed to be headed, "You scared me for a second there. You think we'll catch up with them?"
"Yeah, it probably won't take long, whether they manage to corner the Ghost or end up still searching," he responded as they walked and looked around for anything the Ghost might have dropped or more lost notes.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 314 + 204 = 518
Once again the ghostly coeurl had slipped from the search party. Azael glanced over the members, it seemed quite a few had taken an interest in the unique male. The day began slipping away as the morning turned to afternoon - they were running out of daylight. Well this won't do, she thought to herself trying to come up with a better plan.
Surrounding the coeurl hadn't worked, so perhaps stealth was the better option. Azael slipped away from the rest and began searching the bushes again for any signs that the male had been there. She crouched low as she slowly moved through the thicket.
Azael_Rose's word count so far: 106 + 106 = 212
Upon sighting Cheeta while she and Kumar walked in the direction of the others, Viel waved and inquired, "He gave ya all the slip?"
"Interesting way to word the question," Kumar added.
"Yes, Viel, that he did," Cheeta answered with a slight grin.
"You've got a bit of a knack for disrupting serious moods," Miokku added, also grinning slightly.
Rija jumped into the scene but it was her momentary struggle after almost cleanly clearing the height of a bush that caught attention since she landed lightly.
Kazeko had approached to help, lifting a paw as she was about to assist with untangling Rija's tail from a small part of said bush, but Rija had it covered.
"Viel infecting you, Rija?" Leviathan commented.
"Maybe so," Rija grinned back to them as she replied. "Lost him again, didn't we? Keep searching?"
"Yeah," Kazeko voiced everyone's tacit agreement as they next went about resuming their search after the brief regroup.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 518 + 157 = 675
Azael kept on her lonesome search digging through the bushes. If she didn't find anything soon she planned to regroup with the others. Then out of the corner of her eye she spied a corner of paper. She quickly snatched it up and examined it, wondering if it could possibly be another note. No, it was just a crap of paper - most likely part of someone's grocery list. Azael sighed and headed back to the group. Perhaps they had had better luck.
Azael_Rose's word count so far: 212 + 83 = 295
It took awhile to traverse back to the rest of the search party, and all the while Azael kept her eyes peeled for anymore signs of the ghostly coeurl. Still nothing. She glanced back at the bushes, where the coeurl had managed to escape. Then she brought her attention back to the others. "Anyone find anything?" She asked to everyone.
Azael_Rose's word count so far: 295 + 60 = 355
Viel turned curiously to see whose voice the query belonged to and a wide smile spread on her features when she saw Azael. "Hello," was Viel's cheerfully given greeting.
She had seen Azael was also searching for the Ghost Coeurl with them, but in the frenzy hadn't gotten the chance to speak with her until now. As quirky as Viel is, she purposefully conceals her anxieties behind her quirkiness in pursuit of fair progress in her attempts at endeavors.
Viel's delight was evident in her expression as she continued to address Azael, but also replied steadily in regards to the matter at hand, "So far since the last encounter with the Ghostly Coeurl, nothing new unfortunately. I wonder if those 'hunters' the note mentioned have something to do with the strange behavior of the Ghost Coeurl. Do you have guesses, too? Oh, I'm Viel. May I ask what's your name?"
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 675 + 150 = 825
She nodded solemnly at the hunters comment. "I'm Azael, good to meet you Viel. I'm not too sure what's going on, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if these 'hunters' were involved."
Azael couldn't help glancing again at the bushes. If the coeurl was in danger than he must of thought he couldn't trust the search party. Granted the relationship between humans and coeurls were still tentative... Thoughts began swirling about her head. Azael tried to voice some of them, but her mind was racing a mile a minute. "It might be possible that these 'hunters' are humans, maybe even using other coeurl to hunt them?" She shuddered at the thought.
Azael_Rose's word count so far: 355 + 111 = 466
"It's good to meet you, too, Azael," Viel replied to the introduction with a smile.
She listened intently to Azael's next words and gave a nod of understanding. "That is indeed possible," she replied with a disappointed frown, though it was certainly true that complete peace is extremely difficult to establish anywhere. Still, if their suspicions were correct this event would be even more drastic as a rude awakening that everyone should keep their guards up more cautiously and mind their defenses at a closer degree than before.
Movement from a nearby bush caught her attention but it turned out to be Leviathan.
"We may have picked up his trail. It's this way," Leviathan informed Viel and Azael before turning and showing them what he meant.
"Let's see if this will lead us to the Ghost Coeurl, Azael," Viel invited Azael to join them before starting steps forward following Leviathan.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 825 + 150 = 975
Azael had also caught the movement, but was a tad disappointed to see it was just Viel's companion. Though her disappointment quickly vanished at his words.
She quickly accepted Viel's invitation and jogged after the colorful coeurl. "Yes, let's."
As she followed she briefly wondered where her own companions were. Most likely still at home safe and sound, Azael reassured herself.
Azael_Rose's word count so far: 466 + 61 = 527
"H-hey, hold on," Viel tried to get in the Ghost Coeurl's way but was easily out-maneuvered and passed by. She let out an annoyed huff as she turned and watched the Ghost escape while Rija, Kazeko, and the like went after him again.
Learning from the previous experience, Viel saved her energy rather than tried to sprint after the Coeurls this time.
This time Cheeta stayed by Viel.
"We'll probably be able to corner him soon," Cheeta optimistically but calmly guessed aloud.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 975 + 82 = 1057
A discussion began aloud while endeavoring to block and prevent the Ghost from escaping.
"There's no telling what he's capable of in the state he's in, but he seems to be doing a lot of resisting," Kumar voiced his thoughts on the internal conflict the Ghost seemed to be going through.
"Since there's two things to be done, preventing his escape and knocking him out, which one of us will fight while the rest are part of the barrier," Leviathan laid out the question for their quick organization.
"I will," Miokku charged forward and swiped her paw at the Ghost.
"More help would be great," Kazeko commented allowed as she watched Miokku enter the battle with the Ghost while on her guard.
"Agreed," Rija prowled carefully as she watched her portion of the barricade.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 1057 + 134 = 1191
Miokku could tell that her previous swipe had barely grazed the Ghost. Her eyes narrowed in focus as she tried to push him back with as intimidating bounds forward as she could muster. Bracing herself, she sprung forward and aimed to deliver another attempt at a quick, sharp blow at the Ghostly Coeurl.
"You can do it, Miokku," Kazeko couldn't help but offer a determined cheer.
"Could we manage the blockade if one of us looks for help?" Rija speculated.
"Let's wait and see a bit longer, help will probably come along as well since there are a number of other witnesses of the Ghost Coeurl's odd behavior aside from us," Kumar replied.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 1191 + 113 = 1304
Finally the group had cornered the ghostly coeurl, but it was tentative and the male seemed ready to bolt. They had to act quick, and Viel's companions were ready. Azael stood back holding up the make-shift barrier, wishing she could do more. It was then that Miokku struck. A decent blow that seemed to keep the coeurl in place.
Azael was almost too distracted to notice the figures approaching her side. "Az!" Her nickname startled her as she turned to see the very coeurls -well just two actually- she had been worried over.
"Alex!" She nearly dropped her part of the barricade to embrace the two. "Telluric. Where are the others?"
"Safe and sound," Alexandra nodded at the cornered coeurl, "You need some help?"
She nodded and before she could tell Alex just what, the lovely white female had already rushed over eager to exchange blows. Alex had always been the fiesty sort.
Her attack was slow as she feinted to left then quickly lept with her full force for the actual strike.
Azael_Rose's word count so far: 527 + 173 = 700
Tusoeggi noted a commotion on the horizon. He padded silently closer, and paused to observe the situation.
It was a fight, clearly. But between whom?
It seemed several coeurl were attacking one ghostly looking berserk coeurl. Or perhaps it was attacking them, yes, that was a better way to put it. Well, he never said no to a fight.
He padded past the barrier that several other coeurl had set up, and ran completely silently up behind this coeurl as it was distracted by a spotted coeurl and a white coeurl. He lept up onto the coeurl's back and sank his claws into it, biting into its spine.
Lexenos the Knight's word count so far: 108
The ghostly coeurl roared in pain and raised up on his hind legs. Tusoggi fell off, but a chunk of the coeurl came with him. He twisted in the air and landed skillfully on his feet. He quickly shot a paw out to rake against the coeurl's flanks, fully extending his claws for maximum damage.
Lexenos the Knight's word count so far: 108 + 55 = 163
Viel could not muster up any quirkiness to mask the concern mixing with forced calm and seriousness on her features upon their catching up with everyone.
Cheeta had immediately joined the ranks at the barrier and Viel looked from her 6 Coeurl friends to Azael and her Coeurl friends and to the male Coeurl who joined in as well and inside felt glad and relieved that everyone was teaming up in this.
Viel's brows were somewhat furrowed as she concentrated mainly on the fight. Miokku had taken another swing at the Ghost.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 1304 + 91 = 1395
Azael cheered on Alexandra as the coeurl continued battling. Looking around she could see that they had plenty of help but it never hurt to have more. She hoped some more coeurl could help subdue the ghostly coeurl.
Alex backed off a bit as the male joined the fight. She briefly admired him for his direct approach before attacking. This time she concentrated on his side, while the ghostly coeurl was distracted from behind.
Azael_Rose's word count so far: 700 + 74 = 774
As thrilling as a one versus one match against the Ghost Coeurl was, Miokku very gladly adjusted her movements, too, when the fight became two then three versus the Ghost.
More Coeurls joining the fight against the Ghost would be even more fabulous. The team could certainly make it work, she thought as she took her stance against the Ghost at one side while he was also being attack from his other side and behind. Miokku sent a forceful scratch at him next.
She considered that alternating attacks sent at the Ghost when their numbers increased further could possibly be an effective option for swiftly reaching the end of this confrontation.
It seemed that Viel, Leviathan, and the like also had similar thoughts as every now and then they'd each at varying times move their eyes from the fight to see more help arrive.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 1395 + 144 = 1539
The sound of claws nd teeth clashing... earth shaking nearly in agitation of the other coeurl near by...
He felt this below himself and could not help but investigate!
....
Winterfell noticed several coeurl attaking another--but no majics? No pretty frills?
Just claw and flesh colliding before his eyes...
Confliced he took a leap of faith for surely these other coeurl would not attack soveone who had done no harm to them?
Winterfell joined in the battle! Leaping at the opposition with a great clawed paw and whiskers flitting behind him.
He landed soundly on his feet from the first wave but had to take a deep breath bfore he attacked again. Teeth barred and claws like daggers ushealthed at the same time and focused on one thing...
Click for Cert
DieKraft Fe-Amon's word count so far: 127
"What-what is wrong with him," Viel found herself asking Kazeko and Cheeta beside her.
Kazeko still quite young as an adult was currently speechless and on alert at what they'd just witnessed from the Ghost.
"I still don't know either, Viel," Cheeta offered her answer, "But there's no need to get rid of him as he said, knocking him unconscious long enough may do and then we'll try and see what it takes to relieve him of what he's been afflicted with."
Miokku resisted the intimidating roar of the Ghost and lunged at him again with her claws.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 1539 + 98 = 1637
Kojirou had finally found her way to the others! It had taken far too long, really; her slender frame wasn't made for endurance, and her wings could only help so much. Still, she was here now! And everyone was... attacking the Ghost? Now she was really confused, and it took several questions asked of a nearby Coeurl before she figured out the plan. Well, it didn't sound very nice, but she did want to help out.
Mustering her courage, Kojirou leapt at the Ghost, batting at him fiercely with her wings and clawing rapidly.
Kalahari-Summers's word count so far: 44 + 194 = 138
Miokku paused her stance against the Ghost while he had been battling himself, but resumed her attacks to help him shortly after. The sooner this was over with the better.
"He's fighting whatever it is, too, that's making him suffer," Rija voiced her opinions of her observations, "It may be that what he had been inflicted with has a purpose. But, it wasn't strong enough to fully control him. And now he may be fighting so that whatever that purpose, he doesn't fulfill it."
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 1637 + 84 = 1721
Winterfell kept his head down; his wiskers flicking iwth majic that wanted to be used... but he restrained his want to resort to freezing his enemy only to fly with great speed at the coeurl which seemed plagued...
He only now after the inital attack was able to realize this coeurl was indeed taken by something... it was trying ith great strife and little sucess to remove the plaque of the posession from its form.
Winterfell lookd darka moment ebfore leaping once more! His teeth sunk in for a bite but he was not sure how effective this would be against the poor beast they were trying to help...
Click for Cert
DieKraft Fe-Amon's word count so far: 127 + 109 = 236
After backing off for a small break, Kojirou watched the other Coeurl take their turns, ears flicking slightly with anxiety. That poor Ghost looked like he was in a lot of pain and confusion, it made her sad... she hesitated for a moment, then ducked into the fray for another bout of wing slaps.
Kalahari-Summers's word count so far: 138 + 54 = 192
Miokku went in for another strike as she took turns with fellow attackers.
"Do you r-remember what happened to you?" Viel attempted to call out to the Ghost Coeurl.
The Ghost Coeurl hadn't responded to Viel's frantic query. It wasn't unexpected.
Still Miokku asked it of him again, partly also a distraction as she sent him another of her attacks, "Do you remember what happened to you?"
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 1721 + 29 + 38 = 1788
Everyone seemed to be stunned by the ghostly coeurl's actions. Azael's concern grew. What could be causing him to act like this? She thought furiously.
Meanwhile, Alexandra kept up with the others landing a few decent strikes in with the swipe of her paw. She did keep a reign on her strength though, as the point was to incapacitate the male and not completely harm him.
Azael_Rose's word count so far: 774 + 66 = 840
His head hurt from the confusion of the battle...were they helping?
The coeurl in question was in pain but was it their doing or was it the beast which posessed him??
Thwe confusion gave pause for an attack. Winter could not regret his action and decisively took action!
He attacked again--claws finding flesh and a couple swipes was all he managed to do... Winter's eyes fogged in pain for the creature...
Surely this would lead to one of two conclusions...
Click for Cert
DieKraft Fe-Amon's word count so far: 236 + 81 = 327
"Whatever he's fighting is still trying to completely take over him. This is best finished quickly," Leviathan itched to enter the fray but refrained.
Miokku bared her fangs back at the Ghost Coeurl in response to his snarl and sank her teeth into his fur for this attack before pulling back after her turn.
"I hope he gets knocked out soon, he looks exhausted and in so much pain," Kazeko said aloud.
Miokku lunged again for another bite.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 1788 + 54 + 24 = 1866
Tuseoggi fell back, momentarily confused by the ghost coeurl's strange words and actions. As he rushed forward to try to break through the barrier, and as the others resumed their attack, he knew that this had to end soon. He threw himself ferociously at the coeurl, claws fully extended.
Lexenos the Knight's word count so far: 163 + 49 = 212
Burushima hears fighting and comes to investigate. Seeing the battle, he joins in the fight. Even though it seems unfair of one against so many, Burushima jumps the Ghost Coeurl.
SilverShieldwolf's word count so far: 30
Tuseoggi latches his claws into the coeurl's hind legs, hoping to drag him back and keep him from rushing the wall again. He brings his makeshift scorpion tail (which had replaced his real tail after it had been lost in a fight) over his head to stab at the coeurl's back.
Lexenos the Knight's word count so far: 212 + 51 = 263
Winterfell kept his hind legs where they belonged--behind him as he leapt for another attack. His half-hearted moves were noit doing vuch damage and he knew it was torture to keep the poor creature in thi kind of pain...but he could not bring himself to simply beat at a sad creature like this one... It was so... Alone.
His head cleared one second as he left claw marks in the dirt... missing one attack but circling for another as soon as his paws would let him. Two slashes at the beasts chest and a quick turn to escape any swipes from the coeurl was all he required.
Click for Cert
DieKraft Fe-Amon's word count so far: 327 + 108 = 435
Miokku wanted this to end already as she reared up and slashed her claws at the Ghost Coeurl with two swings. She preferred battles that weren't as dark as this, that were of sportsmanship and honing of skill. This wasn't event about a typical case of defense.
"We'll help you," Miokku offer the Ghost Coeurl reassurance as she scratched at him again.
"This is a declaration of war," Kumar gave his own angry snarl with his opinion.
"That's why all who strive against this evil will band together and confront it," Rija responded.
shyanimegrl's word count so far: 1866 + 47 + 46 = 1959
