He had decided to teleport down the stairs ahead of Uriel, and materialized quickly near the others. He gave Kag a nod, and started walking towards Selena, smiling a bit. The smile dropped from his face abruptly as he felt a tearing and rending of the magical weave about them...he was stunned for a moment, trying to regain his thoughts and stabilize the magic about him, and barely registered that Selena was screaming wildly.
His robes had already shifted and enveloped him, but he didn't notice, as visions of what was happening all around them flooded into his mind, the thoughts and screams of the dying nearly overtaking him for a moment. Reality itself seemed to be coming apart, along with his very being...his mind snapped back into place as a chair suddenly floated upward, slamming against him on it's way to the ceiling. Somehow he had gotten turned about, and the first thing he saw was Uriel falling to the ground, landing hard beneath the window, his head cracking off the windowsill on the way down. He actually felt the child's pain, but he knew Uriel was tough enough to survive it, so he turned his thoughts elsewhere...there were other children here that could not fare so well. All about them furniture and items were floating upward or crashing broken to the ground from the pressure of the gravity fluctuations...quickly he spun about, wanting to reach Selena and keep her safe. Her tiny body was pinned to the floor by a cushion that had come loose from a nearby chair...the oddity of it was lost on him as he raced towards her.
But before he could reach her, he felt Uriel's teleportation spell take effect and start whisking them all away...he knew there was a need to get out of the Inn, but he still felt the boy foolish for trying such a thing with the magic fluctuating as wildly as it was, and with a nasty head wound to boot. For once he didn't fight the boys magics, and he quickly shrugged off the teleportation's disorientation as they all arrived in a cavern...his momentary relief was swept away as he realized that Aiyana and Aidan were not among those present. He turned and tried to look out through the cavern's entrance, but Uriel's shadowy shield was obscuring his vision...the fact that the boy could keep up the shield at this point was a testament to his power, but he knew the lad could not hold out forever. But for the moment, he reached out with his own magics, which were only working during the magical chaos by the grace of the Goddess Mystra and his position as one of Her most trusted servants, and shifted his senses to watch over what was happening at the Inn.
He caught sight of it all just as the gigantic Pheonix form dissipated and the energies started forming a cube about Aiyana, restoring her body as it conferred it's protections. It didn't take much to know that it was Aidan's lifeforce at work. A moment later, he watched with in dismay as the Demon crashed into the Inn, and he swore he could feel the explosion as it impacted with the building, sending pieces and chunks of the Inn everywhere, shattering another piece of Aiyana with it.
Selena's grief did not go unnoticed by him as some of the others tried to calm her, but he surprisingly found himself trying to take care of another as things calmed down a bit...Uriel's shield finally faltered as the young lad fell to exhaustion. Shadow let his words sink in as he brought his senses fully back to what was transpiring in the cavern, and he was already trying to formulate a plan as he gently picked up the young lads sleeping form, taking him over to a pile of blankets he saw nearby and laying him comfortably upon one. He looked out of the cavern entrance one more time before erecting another magical shield upon the opening, to keep the heat and ash from coming in. A quick look about the cavern at the others causes him to sigh inwardly...none of them, including himself, seemed to truly be ready for this...too much was unknown, and there was too little time to dally on things now. He for one didn't know how long Aidan's lifeforce would hold out, how long Aiyana would be kept safe. "So, anyone have any idea where to start?"......"
an eerie smile spread across his deeply tanned, sharp, angular face as parts of his castle crumbled and fell all around him. The earth's quaking had slowed, but tremors still came sporadically...it was happening, the one called Aiyana had gone under completely. Reality itself had taken a major beating, one that had repercussions even here on the world he currently resided in, far from Rhydin. But along with the destruction and chaos came a twisted satisfaction and renewed anticipation...for him and his Mistress, at least. Through the events that just passed, their months long planning had started to pan out. Yes, things were looking up right about now, but he did not let himself get too eager...it was far from over, and too many things could still go wrong. A lot was riding on Darius and the others who had gathered to help the Lady Moonshyne...they still had to succeed in order for his own plans to be fully carried out.
A wry chuckle escaped the man named Colin's lips as he got up from his ornately carved chair and made his way to the throne room...his thoughts turned to Darius for a moment.
Darius...one of the few he ever called "friend"...one he would now use as an unwitting puppet in his present scheme. "Ah, Darius, when the time comes, will you honor your debt of blood to me, or will you stand by your friend Aiyana and her people? Where oh where do your true loyalties lay? I guess I will just have to wait and see..." His self musings stopped as he entered the throne room, his long silver and black hair swaying in the drafts created by the breathing of his lover and master...he dutifully knelt as he came into the room, then got up and made his way closer to Her magnificent, gigantic reptilian-like form. Her very prescence overwhelmed him when he got near Her...he drank Her aura in like it were a fine wine, savored it each time he was with her. A gigantic softly glowing eyeball made it's way toward him from the shadows, the light from the hallway playing along the shimmering red scales of her body as She shifted her form and moved closer to him. The sound of leathery wings stretching in the darkness told him that She was just now fully awakening...the turmoil of a few minutes ago had roused Her, but She had been expecting it, nay, anticipating it, and it had not alarmed Her at all when it happened. The darkness still surrounded the glowing eye when Her musical voice boomed out thunderously "I can assume that it is indeed happening, my pet?" A nod of his head was all the answer She was given...Her satisfaction was evident by the playing of light off of huge, glistening, razor sharp teeth, shaped in a smile, which peered out of the darkness a few moments later. Eagerness was plainly evident in Her voice as She spoke once more... "Then mother's bonds will already be weakened...go, and set the others in motion, continue weakening that which imprison's her until the final stage is ready." A momentary pause, the weight of Her stare beating down upon him. "One more thing, my pet...when your duties there are finished, you will join your "friend" and his companions, and help assure that they are successful. And do not fail me...you full well know the price of failure..." The smile gets a knowing and anticipating tone to it, as if She almost hopes he will fail...almost. "Colin, one last thing...will this Darius fellow keep his word to you? Hmm?" He looks to Her steadily and smiles darkly, then speaks in Her own High Draconic. "Oh yes, m'lady, he always keeps his word, to a fault" The smile turns to a twisted grin as he continues, "and if not, I will show him once and for all, painfully, which of us is the more skilled warrior..." He bows deeply and slowly backs out of the room as She nodded to him in contentment and dismissal. "Your Will be done, my love"... Moments later he is already upon his way to Her mother's prison.
slowly the spinning in his head stopped, and Calhoun's eyes began to focus...when his vision fully returned, he realized why he had a sensation of floating. With a wry but amused smirk he looked down...way down. He was at least a hundred feet from the ground, suspended in the air upon a branch...a look behind him revealed that his jerkin had managed to get stuck on a stout branch. As he swayed there in the wind, he scratched his head and looked a bit puzzled. "Hmm...I musta had one heck of a good time last night, 'cause I sure don't remember climbing any trees...speaking of which, I don't remeber seeing any trees this tall around here earlier...matter of fact, there were'nt ANY trees around last I can recall. Those people at that tavern sure are a wild bunch." The half kender swatted his shoulder length, wavy brown hair out of his face and tried to spin himself around, succeeding nicely...he kept spinning until his jerkin was spun so tight around him that he could no longer move his arms.
Huffing a bit in annoyance, he did a quick double take and noticed a large area of blackened sky way off in the distance, and what looked like smoke from a huge fire. It was a rather odd sight, as everything else around him was bright and sunny, if nothing else. As he slowly spun himself in the other direction, a few things came to him...the entire area looked a bit, um, wrong. It was all wilderness, but some of the landscape looked like it had just "popped up"...some of the rock formations looked too new, and there were very alive trees overturned and uprooted here and there, amongst other things. And that road a little ways off, what was up with that? Who on earth would pave a road like that? There were different spots where huge rocks blocked it completely from travel, and it continued on the other side, but there was no way to go around. "Hmmmmm, seems the people around here aren't the brightest lamps in the tavern. Anyway, it's been fun, but I'd like to get down now." He struggles with his predicament for a few moments, and realizes it's futile. Lets out a small growl, then happens to notice someone laying on said road almost directly below him...way below him. A smile spreads across his face, and he yells out "Um, hiya down there...uh, I hate to bother you while your sleeping, but could you maybe give me a hand?" A long pause, no movement "HELLOOOOOOOO?....Huh, quite rude, I'd say...well, maybe he can't hear me...yeah, that's it." He smiles once more, then frowns as he realizes he'll have to cut his favorite jerkin to get free. "Oh well, guess I'll just have to practice my sewing skills later...now, how should I go about this?" Humming quietly to himself as he looks about for the nearest branch below him, his boyish face all aglow as he carries out his little "adventure".
He finds one stout enough to hold his wiry, lean self and starts swinging back and forth a bit, aiming for the branch. After he gets up enough momentum, he takes out his two boot daggers and debates with himself for a moment before cutting his arms free of the jerkin, grimacing as he does so. He really loves that jerkin. So much so that he can't bear to leave it behind...as soon as he starts to fall for the next branch, he reaches up and catches hold of the jerkin with both hands. A moment later he realizes that he had to drop both his daggers in order to do so...a moment after that, he remembers that someone is laying down there still "Uh-oh, ummmmmm, uhhhh...HEY DOWN THERE...LOOK OUT!!!!" He didn't have time to look and see if the figure heard him and got out of the way, for his jerkin continued ripping and sent him plummeting downward. A moment of silence as he falls, then a hearty giggle erupts from him and he spreads his arms wide, feeling the wind hit his face. Then a thought occurs to him...if he doesn't catch himself before he hits the ground, he'll never get see what that thing was that he had seen flying around the blackened and stormy area off to the west. With that in mind, he pulls his belt off and tumbles a bit in the air, spinning towards the nearest branch. He manages to get the belt around a limb and catch himself without yanking his arms out of their sockets, flopping and swaying around a bit before pulling himself up onto the branch. He crouches steadily on top of the branch for a moment, then hears it creak, then a loud cracking is heard. Quickly and deftly the lad moves his 5 and a half foot body down the tree, from branch to branch, never missing his target, seeming to move with an unnatural grace.
He hops the last 10 feet to the ground and hears the branch he had broken tumbling down from above. He looks to the mans body and pulls it aside, although it takes a bit of effort, as the branch comes crashing to the ground. He looks to the tattered remnants of his jerkin for a moment before he starts shaking the man with the funny clothes...and a tail it seems. His curiosity gets the better of him and he grabs the tail with a grin, giving it a good yank.
Delta's eyes flash open as he yells out from something yanking on his tail. "AHHH!! WHAT THE HELL?!" He quickly turns, his hand already into a fist as he swings his arm along with the turn backhanding whatever pulled his tail. The hit is like being nailed with a truck. This man was extremly strong yet sore.
He quickly looks at the person he just sent a few yards back. "Oh! Im..sorry..just uhm..well..I apologize." His head instantly jerks up. All of a sudden he feels..empty like something is missing, or someone. "Aiyana...no.." He looks around and trys to find the presence of Aiyana. He finally relizes she is gone and he was not there to say anything at all.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!"
His hand slams down against the ground creating a small hole. "This cant be right! AIYANA!!!!"
His fist continues to slam against the ground making a larger hole. His longest friend and dearest. Someone he loved. He was not there to say anything or do anything. He drops to his knees, tears growing in his eyes. "NOO!" His body shakes and begins to sends small bolts of energy out. Delta leaps off the ground and explodes in anger and dispair. He sends strange bursts of energy at almost everything and everywhere. Somehow all of them missing the person who yanked his tail but probably giving him a rather big shock. He collapses in the air and falls to the ground. Again he just did something he shouldnt have. his body is going to be extremely sore. He stays on his knees for the moment..to think.
Even his lightning quick reflexes were not enough to avoid the blur of movement he saw as the man woke up with a start...his feeling of glee was quickly overtaken by a quick jolt of intense pain in his ribs, then by complete darkness as he fell unconscious. The man's powerful backfist had sent him flying, and he had indeed stopped only a few yards away, thanks to the tree that had so kindly, yet painfully, blocked his flight path. The cracking of bones and a dull thud were all that he heard and felt before momentarily giving in to the sweet, comforting darkness. He never heard the man apologize, but the blood curdling cry of anguish roused him a bit, although he was in a state of confusion for the moment...a groan was let out as he managed to jerk himself up onto his hands and knees, and he weakly mumbles to himself as he tries to shake off the cobwebs. "Ugh, has anyone seen my spleen?" He shakes his head a bit, then feels a tremor in the ground near him...he glances over at the man feebly, the dawning realization of how deep the man's pain and anger was coming forth. He flops over to a sitting position, leaning against the tree, and coughs up a bit of blood as his own heart starts to sink, feeling just how hurt the man is. He stares on silently as the man drops to his knees, wanting to call out and comfort him, but knowing that the stranger needed to get it out of his system. As the man rose into the air and started to release his energies, Calhoun sat there watching, completely transfixed by the myriad of colors and the flow of power.
When the stranger once more dropped to the ground, he forced himself to stand, and lurched as best he could over to the grief stricken man. Tears were welling up unbidden in his own eyes, and his heart was heavy as he approached the man and sat a comforting hand upon his shoulder and spoke warmly... "It'll be okay, Mister, whatever's wrong, I'll help ya fix it..."
Silently Delta turns to the man "I..I..Apologize for my reactions." He stood slowly..even in his condition this mans power could still be sensed with ease. This man with the tail had hidden strengths and abilites..more then what meets the eye. "We need..to find the others...find someway to bring Aiyana back. We need to find Shadow..he will know what to do." He stands fully and rips off whats left of his gi top "Need a lift? And Thanks for the help."
MEANWHILE.....
Standing amongst the now smoldering ruins of the Storm Riders Guild the man known as Morrolan stood with a look of sadness on his face. He could not help..except to clean up. He did what he could and could do no more so he walked away with his companion on his shoulder and looked back once, but did not stop moving. Maybe one day he would return...
Where smokey rubble lay and shrill cries of a demonic creature in the dark skies can be heard, the ruins of a once beautiful inn lay upon the dead ground. To any who passed this area felt the withered and somehow omnious sensations. Sun and blue skies marked the area outside this dreary and silent place. It was as if a curse lay about these parts. Many left quickly not bothering to search if any lived here....and indeed people did. Where the remains of the inn stood, a figure of a sleeping woman laid on a tattered canopied bed. It seemed a soft luminous soft glow surrounded her, and if eyes looked carefully at it, they would see a cube surrounding the bed. A ghostly face of a man, just an outline of it formed at the front outward top of the cube. What remained of Aidan Moonshyne quietly watched over his Sister. She looked so peaceful and young to him...just lying there so still. The scars would always remain, but her body was whole once more, but he could not feel her presence but being bonded to her, he sensed that she was being watched over by someone other than himself and that put him at ease as he focused his concentration on the shadows and wraiths that were swarming around them, wanting inside....
The inside was dark and a spark of life was lit. it was small compared the the overwhelming void around it but it did not seem afraid....and a mind awoke.
"where am I?"
"In a sanctuary of your own design"... Said a Voice in the darkness. "Do you remember anything?"
"My name is Aiyana...." As she spoke her namesake she bloomed into being, having her body and that glowing light about her. Surprise washed over the senses she could have sworn were dead and doubted this was a dream. instead of voicing questions she waited, somehow she knew that "voice" knew everything.
"Good you remember your name, feelings and emotions that is very important. I feel your confusion, let me explain what has happened." The voice did indeed tell her all that had happened. Terribe anguish and guilt wrapped her tight in its coils.
"Darien...is with Kelsey...? My heart already told me that...but he went to her so quickly...that was harsh but I cannot blame him. Kat...I hope she is safe....my Guild and forum...faltering and members I hardly know since this happened....My Inn destroyed......and Aidan.....oh Aidan.............."
Her knees sank and she sat in sorrow wanting so much to vanish but knew she couldn't. "What of my friends?"
"They are fine, they miss you and seek a way for your return....look." the darkness disapated, replaced by the image of the Cavern where her children, Shadow, Kag, Joey, and the girl she met before stood. Why should she return, she'd just kill them later on anyway that was her fate, her destiny. She wanted to hide, run, get away, not exsist....she was scared. She cold stay here and not wake physically....
"it's not the same," the voice interrupted her thoughts. "Yes you have a great and burdened mission, and yes they are trying to revive you to perserve that mission, but they seek to bring you back because You are their friend. They miss you and feel the loss of your presence. Love is what drives them. You are a part of them just as they are a part of you. They have not abandoned you, so do not abandon them...Aiyana."
The voice was right, but it would be so easy to give up, but she never took the easy way.
"So what do I have to do?"
"Wait."
"Thats all?"
"For now...it's up to your friends at this pont in time...later you will have a chance to stay or go...you will not be pressured, you have free will and I promise there will be no guilt in whatever choice you will make."
"Even if I chose not to fulfil my destiny?"
"yes."
"But, people say only I can do it and bad things will happen if I don't."
"Nothing is absolute, there is always a chance to be taken, perhaps we all can work around the bad things if you decide not to go forward. No on knows for certain what will happen.
"I've made so many bad choices...what if it is bad if I stay?"
"Choices are bad only if we feel doubt, guilt, anger and sadness. If you feel comfortable with a decision then it is good to you, no one else should matter much. You should not sacrifice YOUR peace to appease someone elses doubt. Share your peace but do not give it all away...you need it to feel good too."
"Can I help them?"
"You already are...even though you are not there with them and cannot talk or touch them...they do feel you...because their faith and friendship that keeps you close to them."
"What about Aidan?"
"He did what he felt was right, he will give up everything to see you live...even if it means trading places with you...he would be the bearer of destruction if he truly knew that you would rather disappear forever."
"And Darien...?"
"His doubt and self esteem keeps him away...but he too has his part to play in things...expect the unexpected with him...he may never again come to your aid or see you again... it is how you made him feel."
"My Children....?"
"All will be answered in due time...now you should rest, you will need your strength for what lies ahead."
Before she could argue she felt drowsy...her eyelips drooped and closed. Aiyana Moonshyne fell into a restful and peaceful slumber while she was lovingly watched over.
The world around him is a spinning mess as the world grows more chaotic, his body is thrown to the side and then suddenly the world flashes around him and he is in a cavern. Kagato rises up, his hand on the cold wall for support as he looks around. The rest of those in the inn were here now. Uriel sat there, trying his hardest to keep a shield up and Shadow walked around trying to figure out what to do. HE heard Selena crying and heard the sound of someone letting out a yell as she bit them. HIs mind tryed to reach out of here to see the rest of the world, yet he ran into wild magic and his magic turned and it felt like a spike was driven into him as he fell back to the ground, no words escaped his lips as he tried to control the pain. Not wanting to distract anyone. He knew this would be a hard time for everyone, he only hoped he would be able to help. Already he felt his powers slowly drain from him. What had ever happened had a major effect on him, one he could have never forseen. Yet he could not tell any of them what was wrong because Aiyana was more important. Her life was the one in trouble here, his little scratch wasn't. He forced himself up and shook his head and headed towards the opening. Uriel's shield had went down and it was time to see the damage.
The girl known as Jana remained silent and still thoughout the days of chaos. People around her began to make sense, but there were still so many questions she had. The stranger could feel the imbalance of magic. Her fear of the men around her grew less, but it was still strong enough to tell her to keep away.
Those soft icy pools simple watched from the corner she crept in. Voices of a different tongue could be heard occasionally. Did the others hear it too? They were soft whispers. At first Jana could not comprehend them. They were in a strange dialect, much more complicated than the language the creatures before her were speaking. "Save the One" they would say. "Bring Her to us." and "Use the ancient power." All came in muffled sounds, repeating over and over again. Some came with images of odd amulets. Others came with different sensations. Like fire and a chill. What where they?
In those moments the child questioned her own sanity. Her grandmother always said she was special. Eyes watered as she remember the last moments she spent with the woman. The woman who told her stories about strange lands and of a sister that was not meant to be a part of the clan. She spoke of good times and sad alike. Never leaving out a detail, always willing to answer questions. The little one wrapped her arms around her knees and rocked herself.
Soft pools noticed the uneasiness of another child. One much smaller than she. After taking in a deep breath, Jana gathered up a bit of courage and walked over to Selena. An odd feeling overcame the stranger. Arms extended to Selana, as if to offer the girl a hug.
Selena could hear the voices too, they were trying to help her but she wouldn't listen. She felt very alone and wanted her mommy. She wanted a mothers warmth that was calming and familiar. Wanted so desparatly to feel safe...Her bond Guardian was gone and her mother unresponsive no matter how mentally loud she got.
About to explode with mental anguish and again tear the fabric of the weave, she was suddenly stopped by a presence, a presence much like her own, small and childlike. Selena having not grown up around children, the exception her smarter adult like brother, Uriel, found the girl comforting.
She sniffled and whimpered, softening her crying. Remembering her as the scared girl she offered food too, she realized the tables were turned. Kindness does indeed go a long way, she allowed the girl to come close and give the hug she offered. Selena sighed in exhaustion and quieted her sobs and whimpering, just letting herself be held by someone who understood her better.
Jana could relate very much with the child she cradled and hummed to the girl in her arms. The day her mother agreed to give her to those scum was the day she felt she had lost her mother. Although the woman still lived, she was dead in Jana's heart. The only thing alive was the good. She remembered the sweet songs she would sing to calm her.
The unbearable sadness would however remain. Selena didn't have a daddy, she didn't want to lose her mommy too....why wouldn't she respond? The quiet moment was broken by repeated blood curdling screams of agony, as crunching of bones are heard along with the tearing of flesh coming from Uriel's direction. The baby who had been asleep was now awake, his bright eyes opened wide in surprise, his small body cortorted in writhling agony.
Gurgled grunts and choked back screams protruded from his throat. Sweat and spittle oozed out his skin and mouth. Then a tearing sound like ripping silk emmitted from the grotesque scene, as blood gushed from the opening gaps of the young ones shoulders and suddenly without warning, wings sprouted forth flingling blood everywhere.
Jana's eyes widened when she heard the screams of Uriel, a young male. A shudder went up her spine as the soft melody ceased. Instinctively she held the child closer, attempting to calm her, but failing to calm herself. She was to help out in some way, but how? There was a strange connection that she felt with the child in her arms.
When the intense moments passed,Uriels heavy gasping the only sound made, he realized he had new black downy wings that when dried would be feathery soft. All eyes were on him now, and more would come soon.
"Having fun looking hmmm?" He gave his usual smirk, "well stop gawking and start searching...groups need to be formed. Two for search parties for missing people and one to search for the medallions. Dark, Caitiff..when they get here... and Kagato go search for Maxim and Abi, they may hold medallions or know their location. Joey, you take Jana, and Selena with you, you're an Ostellian from the looks of you, my sister can help you locate the hooded woman from mothers inn. I believe she is Ostellian as well, she may aid us. Shadow you search for the others, Delta, Firestar and any others you can find.....we're gonna need all the help we can get...Myself I will catch up to all of you later near the border of Rhy'Din and the wasteland, there are other things I must do first. Within three days we leave Rhy'Din, if you do not come to the appointed place by then, you will be left behind." With that said Uriel opened his wings to stretch and take flight leaving the cavern without a backward glance.
So much to be done...could they do it, he pondered this as he grew accustomed to his new wings and set his course to once again visit his mother. The dark creatures always shied from his approach but that blasted demon roamed the skies and challenged his being there. If Uriel had time he would see who was the best at power and speed but he didn't so he warded it off by blast of ice and went ground ward to where the beast could not reach him.
Arriving at his destination..Aidan granted him entry. He took off mothers locket and dariens ring from her, leaving Kilrogs ring. Also taking with him was the small portrait of Rowen and her together, the last thing he grabbed was Soul Reaver, feeling it's power...he turned to leave but stopped and looked back.
"You know this is not over, we will return to restore you whether you like it or not. You may not want to fulfil your destiny but I do with mine. I will kill you mother..I suppose I am a dissapointment. I'm not the good son you had hoped for but but you yourself are a disappointment to me. Always supressing my gifts and talents, never encouraging me, always thinking or fearing the worst of me...I am you, mother, the side you cover...well I'll not hide what I am any longer..unlike you I am not ashamed of what I am..." Perhaps this was the final goodbye between mother and son as he left the sad ruins to collect the others.
So much was going on, so much needed to be done, but there was too much at stake, time was running out. It was all too overwhelming for Aiyana and her bloodline. Hopelessness filled her childrens hearts, anger seethed in Aidans form, and Aiyana herself saw the damage done but she was undecided on what she wanted with her life.
Aidan watched him go and pondered the childs words. If Uriel knew the circumstances behind his birth perhaps the hatred he feels would be better placed, but perhaps not, it was aiyana's silence and own loathing and hatred that was ingrained in Uriels bond with her that the truth now would probably no longer matter. The rift would never close between parent and child he knew that now, as he gazed upon the unmoving form of Aiyana and wondered if it was a mistake to substain her, with the realization that Uriel was truly unbound, unsupervised and in pocession of the Mighty living weapon of Soul Reaver. The Guardian prayed to whoever might listen, that Uriel knew what he was doing, what he was up against and what consquences were to be dealt if he failed or made a bad decision. Aidan prayed for a future....
Sleep...it had consumed the child, Abigail to the point where it seemed as if she did not exist. There was a battle going on within. The alluring darkness made her promises of joy. It tempted her in every which way it could. The evil temptress came in the form of her mother. There she was cradled and sung to, but never in the native tongue. Still, that thought did not cross her mind as she felt the warm presence of her mother.
Oh how she missed her. Her sweet scent of the sacred flower that flourished in her land. The soft voice that could scare away the saddest of thoughts. It was tough for the little one to raise herself. Granted, she had her cousin Kendra and others to look to for guidance. There was her adopted father that always treated her as if she were his own, yet nothing could ever fill the spot of her mother. There were times that she would wander for days searching for the body that disappeared out of nowhere. For a long time she held on to the hope that her mother was simply hiding and that it was up to Abi to seek her. Tears rolled down the child's cheeks as realization finally kicked in. The scene of the man butchering her mother. The demons were quick to blame the child. Quick to try to lure her with them. They needed one like her. A girl with so much potential. Would they have her? The golden beast tried countlessly to nudge the little one awake.
The two baby dragons Luc had given her attempted to reach her in her mind, but it did no good. There was one thing that kept her from giving in, the fact that there was a friend who needed help, Missy Yana. She had promised to do some stuff with her. Muddy, messy, fun stuff. The little puerile innocence that remained held on to that. Surrounding the child was a circle of silver petals. One by one they scattered until at last the child wake.
It seemed to be an eternity since she last saw any light. Abi cradled the book in her hand and rocked back and forth. The tears would not cease from falling. When at last she was done, the little warrior wiped her eyes and stood. The focus would have to remain on her friend. Her beloved Missy Yana that cooked the bestest cookies. The same woman that never told her to go away or never scolded her for her pranks. Silver pools looked from side to side and then she set off. The dragon flew over head watching out for her. She walked to the playground that she spent most of her days in. There is where she felt the strongest and the safest...
It seemed all the magic users were being drained, yet Katrina would not have that problem. The magical potential this entity possessed was locked away from any to drain or even use. It was kept hidden so well, that even the chaos surrounding could not penetrate its cage. After a day or so of being trapped in the ground the warrior was able to dig herself loose. By the time she was free, her energy was drained. Her stomach growled uncontrollably and her parched throat yearned for water.
Katrina was physically drained, yet something urged her on. A greater concern for Aiyana and fellow guild members...or were they not her guild members anymore? Only a talk with the Lady Moonshyne would help to clear the matter up. She walked to a nearby river and quenched the thirst that was driving her mad. A few wild berries calmed her demanding stomach. Icy pools swept around all that was about her. On one side, all seemed normal and fine. On the other it was a mess. Her head shook with confusion. What was she to do? One foot led her to the right, then another. Before any thoughts could posses her mind, the young mercenary was making her way towards the chaos. Towards the wild magic that could only do her more harm, or would it have the opposite effect?
The cold gaze skimmed the destruction about her. She stood before the Inn. A part of her told Katrina that she had been too late. That the warrior was too weak to help the Lady Moonshyne. It had been her failure to control her mind that caused it all. Yet she could still sense the living presence of her friend. Those scared palms brushed the dust off of a sign "SylverShyne Inn". The sign was far from the place. Her head shook in sorrow. How could this be? It was not time, in her heart she knew that it was not time. There was still so much that needed to be accomplished before the "One" could cease to live. In some strange way there was a connection between her and Aiyana. Not as strong as the others, but there was a faint link that bound them together. Where there is a beginning, there is an end, yet where there is an end, a new beginning arises. A cycle of life and death, never ending. Each as important as the other...~*I know ye are nae gone M'lady...*~The traveler's accent was cleared as she concentrated to get the words right. She spoke as though Aiyana herself could hear her~* There is much to be discussed, much to be done. Never have I known you to be a quitter. Even in the worst of your health, you stood proud and strong. Even then, the demons had no chance to win you. You are needed Lady Aiyana, more than you could ever imagine. *~Her words fell silent as a sharp pain slashed through her very being. Teeth clenched together to omit any sound from escaping those ruby tiers. The foul stench of death filled the air. How could this be? Icy orbs scanned the land about her for the source.