Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sweat dripped from Demon's brow. His stomach growled and groaned in protest and it was a battle to keep the fresh kill in his stomach. At least he had ate something, this feeling had been getting worst for days now, his temperature rising slowly but surely to the volcano it currently was.

He rolled on his and Cherish's make-shift bedding of straw and leaves. Everything ached. Oh Kalona God! It was agony to simply take a breath in an out.

Slowly he tried to open one of his eyes, darkness and nausea greeted him, more groans escaped him..... and before long it became clear. This was one thing he couldn't fight. Something was going on that was far beyond his control... all he could do was go with it.

More sweat.
More panting.
More waves of dizziness.
More nausea.

Until finally his pain vanished into a darkness so much different to that of his cave. Eyes settled closed. His eyes rolled in their sockets. His body flinched and fought in his sleep, even as his memories started to come rushing back.

Memories Demon would have rather forgotten all about.

Cold.
Darkness.
Pain.
Exhaustion.

All these things came flooding back to Demon as he found himself stuck once more in the memory of the horrific day. Water raged all around them, rain droplets striking like knifes upon their flesh. Glowing eyes and the bobbing of two heads trying to stay above water.

For the longest time that was all that Demon could see or remember. The coldness, the sharp bitterness that he was sure would be the end of him. He wasn't alone though. Oh no, another struggled with him. Their wings as desperate as his own as they thrashed in the water. Their legs moving with all the power they could muster.... and his tail... it stung from the grip of teeth that held it.

His sister. His sister Fathom held on to him as if her life depended on it.... and it did. They had decided to work together, sibling rivalry placed aside for the greater good. Fathom had placed her trust in him, he was in the lead, the stronger of the two despite his bruises and tired muscles.

It was an event that forever changed their relationship, shifted their perspectives of each other. The rain had come on so suddenly, the very land beneath their hooves shifting from that of solid ground to what would likely become their water graves if they didn't escape quickly. He could remember how time had wavered, as angry as the water that surrounded them.

The storm raged on for many hours, the pair exhausted and cold to the bone.... until finally a slice of relief was had. A makeshift bank appear. They didn't really have much of a choice where they swam, but luck had been with them.... it had been the first time when Demon had come to understand that luck was indeed a real thing. Strength alone would never have helped them to survive.

Shivering.
Blank expressions.
A desperate cuddling for each others warmth.

They had sat out of the storm, battered and cold from their experience. Only Kalona knew how long they had struggled in the endless flash flood that had appeared, but now they were safe. "Don't worry Fathom," His own voice echoed in his head, a distant memory now. "I won't let anything happen." On that day an alliance of sorts formed between them, a silent bond that could not be shattered so easily. To this day Fathom was the only family member, the only person, who he would use the word 'trust' with.

Out of his dreams, Demon's body relieved the experience, his hooves digging desperately into the air, his body shaking from the cold, his breath short and laboured as he struggled to simply keep the in and out motion going.

He remembered it all too clearly. Yet another memory he wished to forget forever, lock it away with those of his torture.


[[Based on:: A Storm is Brewing.]]

Pain riddled it's way through his body.
A silent scream frozen upon his features.
It hurt... dear Kalona... it hurt!

As suddenly as it struck it left him again. His body left panting and weak for a moment as he rolled back to his four hooves and stood shakily.

Before him was Alti.... a kalona who was starting to age, grey hair and the slight tinge of greying feathers in her wings. Yet age had not slowed her down, did not make her worthless, no.... if anything she was the key to everything Demon wanted!

Black magic. Those two beautiful words sang in his head. After months of search for anyone with the knowledge he had been led to her.

It had also lead to pain, agony and misery. Three companions that kept him lovely and warm at night.

Every time he made a mistake... she struck him.
Every time he was too slow... she struck him.
Every time he spoke out of turn... she struck him.
Every time he failed... she struck him.

Committing each sin into his memory via his flesh.... and they were lessons well learnt.

Tears of blood rolled down his face as he stood. Sheer determination preventing him from toppling to the ground like a sack of potatoes. He had to master this... he just had to....

Clearing his mind of everything.
No noises. No images. Nothing but beautiful blankness.
He summoned his inner power....

It curled inside of him, and in his minds eye he saw it very much like a snake, curling and uncurling as he tried to charm it to the surface.... charm it to strike. This time something happened, a result so very different to every attempt before. A spark of life... or rather... death.

He groaned, his concentration snapping shut a moment before his power had reached Alti... he had felt it, had practically seen it leave his mind and enter the real world. Shaking his head he prepared for his punishment, even as a smile crossed his features... he was close! He could sense it.

Soon, the power of black magic would be his, and when it was.... he would become unstoppable!

Sweat dripped from his brow, the fever still keeping its strong grip upon him. Demon panted and wriggled, his wing twitching as the memory unfolded.... some of the scars remembering all too well how they had appeared there.


[[Based on:: A test of worthiness.]]

The fever raged on. His brow moist to the touch and a puddle starting to form around him. Never could Demon remember suffering like this with the hooves of another being involved.

Everything shifted again, this time he was in control, a beast honed to perfection, his muscles ready to pounce as they flexed with the lazy grace of a predator moving in for the kill. Three trespassers.... but one.... capturing his attention entirely. Her flesh ethereal in colour, white at first glance but with a tint of blue, hair like a waterfall.... and horns! Kalona horns too, he licked his lips instantly intrigued.

Arguing pursued.
Shifting to a show of strength.
Powerful stomp.
Flying dirt and dust.
Gaping mouths and hesitant looks.... from all but one... his little diamond in the rough didn't fear him, no matter what he did or said. No, she looked at him more like a God than a Beast.... the idea appealing to the most primitive part of him.

Sweat.
Blood.
Tears.
Soon he chased them off, drove them from his land.... leaving only one behind. His payment for sparing their lives. His new toy.


[[Based on:: Snatched.]]

Cherish was gone.
He knew it before he even looked into the cave he had claimed as their home. Her scent lead away... but not just her scent! No... others, lots of others.

A cry of sorrow and pain ripped from his throat.
Though it was not from the person missing that he had cried out, no, it was the fact that someone dared to do this on his tuff, with his possession!
Unacceptable!

Hooves slammed into dirt.
Rage bubbled within him.

Sharp turns.
Left. Right. Right. Left. Right. Left.
Around and around his mountain he followed her scent.
Further and further away from his cave.
Into the forest.
Over a river.... the scent vanished.
As if it never was.

He kicked at the water, sending rain spraying all around him. This would not go unpunished. No. This offence would be paid for in blood, sweat and pain before the year ended.

And with that... all of Demon's motivation and determination shifted to two key purposes. Getting Cherish back. Teaching those that took her a lesson they wouldn't soon forget.

A growl escaped him, a feral and evil sound that rumbled with malice and hatred within him. The fever still refused to break, still refused to shift to something less threatening.


[[Based on the plot to have Cherish stolen from him.]]

Sweat continued to drip from his brow, but Demon had slowly started to move less and less, his however heart continued thundering in his chest. Pain radiated in his limbs, but he was to consumed in his own mind to notice.

Demon stood proud. The breeze running over his pelt and through his hair sending odd shivers up his spine. He was ready. This was what it had all been about.

The wolves had done their job, scouting the area well and relaying the information.
His soldiers were in place, his general sneaking off to the rear just incase it was needed. He didn't expected much resistance. Sheer numbers enough to scare them all off. He was here for Cherish. Here to prove that no matter how long it took he would repay any crime against him.
No deed went unpunished.

Taking a deep breath he looked down at Alpha, barking a single command. "Go!" The wolf knew what to do, he would take the members of his pack that had joined him and seek Cherish out. Secure her while he paid those who had defied him a lesson.

Hooves marched on the ground.
Rinkini and Oberon had already left to complete their task. To his right was Fang. To his left was Felina, Fusion, Kaida, and Regulus.... the unicorn was clearly not designed for battle but after some smooth talking he had managed to convince the fool that the stars had told him to join him here. "Let's go." He called to each of them, wasting no more time before starting down the hill.

He would wait no longer!

"How did I get myself roped into this?" Kaida hissed.

"Shhh! We are to help Mr. Demon, then we can leave." The voice seemed to tremble to his ear, it was... delightful. Even as he hated that it came from the one with Kalona blood... pathetic creature, he had half a mind to put her out of her misery and do the world a favour by getting rid of such a weakling.

"Silence. Do your jobs before I change my mind and end your sorry lives myself. Here and Now." His voice growled, vibrating deep within his head. An echo of a memory.

Eyes on the prize he moved with a practised grace towards his target.... a flutter that had just entered his line of sight.

This was a means to an end.
He would not be denied.


[[Based on:: Demon's Army.]]

The fever broke. With a moan he began to stirr, his movements far more controlled now than they had been only moments prior.

Awareness took over Demon's body slowly, he was feeling groggy and disorintated. Where was he? When was he? All those memories, all the faces of those he had met, all those conversations... they were all confused within his head. It was enough to give him a headache.

Suddenly he heard a noise, automatically he rolled, flashing his fangs and preparing to fight... only to stall when a flash of blue filled his eyes a moment later. Cherish! It all came back. He had got her back, had taken his army to secure her place beside him once again.

With a huff he let off some of his pent up energy.
His eyes lazily wandering over Cherish. She seemed well. Still, Demon found himself compelled to ask and make sure. "Cherish." His voice held a strange affection for her, "Are you ok?"

Sweat continued to pour from his brow, his body feeling weak after fighting the fever.
His stomach growled, but he ignored it, for now he had other things to deal with. Such as getting strong enough to stand.

Relaxing back down to a sitting position, Demon couldn't help but feel sleepy, but he was too stubborn to give in... not yet at least.

Demon couldn't stop the grin that spread over his features, nor did he have to considering the situation... it was just him and Cherish, no one to judge or tell on him for being soft, if only for a moment. After all, Cherish wouldn't tell. Never again would he allow her to leave him.... by force or choice.

There was an intelligence behind her eyes that called to a part of him, she was scared... had been scared... in truth, he had been sure of his own death too. They often said you experienced your entire life before you died. Still, awaking from it still alive gave Demon a sense of... invincibility! He could take on the world! He would take on the world! If his fevered dreams had reminded him of nothing it was that his task was not yet complete, and wouldn't be until he was recognised as more than he currently was.

"Fear not..." He said, wrapping a wing around her as she moved closer to him. "...you won't ever lose me, never again. You are mine Cherish.... Mine alone." He felt it to his core, she would always be his, and he would never let her go... not like Rhea, not like all those things before her... no, she was the one possession he would keep forever.

A yawn escaped him, but Demon still refused to give in, refused to cave into the weakness... not yet at least. "How long was I out?" He didn't completely expect an answer, still he often found himself talking normally to Cherish. Despite her simpleness, then again, it was probably because of that simpleness that he could treat her this way. For a moment his eyes flashed to the cave entrance, it seemed secure still.... he would have cursed the god Kalona himself had something happened while he was out of it.