Something indeed had drained much of her energy. What could it have been? There was something that she did. A part of the puzzle that she herself completed. "In a circle of blood and fire. Fate must yield their desire." More time was gained by the task, but none could understand, not even the One or her brother. She shivered softly as slow steps continued to carry her throughout the mist filled forest. Robes set fire and her streaks seemed to flame as a dreadful image entered her mind. Whether it be past or present she did not know. All that was known is that it was not her. It was as though her soul drifted into some other entity. She heard sharp screams and then there was silence. A lonely and unpreventable silence. All the while her body passed out. When Dajaine awakened she was upon a pew in the temple that hid deep within the woods. Her body was drenched in sweat as she attempted to recollect her thoughts. It was too much for the moment. The answers to be found would have to wait. There was still much to do. None of the needed seemed to receive her message. That was but a minor set back to the grand task at hand. With that clouding her thoughts she managed to push whatever questions she had of the night before aside. Yellow swirled about the green pools in her eyes as she went to work.
Morrolan walked through the forest, dawn appearing just over the horizon, the grass still damp with dew. His deep gray cloak flurried in the wind as he cleared the forest and approached a large stream. Walking to the stream he looked into it, seeing the fish swim by. Walking to a pool that had formed off to the side of the stream he watched his reflection. His orange eyes seeming to be less radiant, his brown hair blowing in the wind. His arms cross around his body, suddenly becoming cold. He looks to the side and sees a large boulder, thinking to himself that this rock has no reason being here. He goes and sits down, the rock still cool from the nights chill. He watches the sun rise, the rays playing off the water of the stream. He reflects on his past and what may become of the future. Crossing his arms again he rubs up against a large, round object. Smiling he pulls forth the Jhereg egg. He looks at the gray egg, the swirling black specs arrayed in various patterns. He thinks about how long it has been since he first received the egg. Remembering the summoning of the mother Jhereg. He smiles in anticipation of the Jhereg hatching.
You are to be my friend...The one who will truly understand me.
he watches the egg, the sun glinting off it, making it seem as though there were a crack in it. He stares closer, smiling suddenly, thinking Finally it is time. He stands and places the egg on the ground. He watches closely as the Jhereg works his way out of the egg. As the Jhereg pokes his head through a tear rolls off his face.
Welcome to the world, Laranthes.
Alone Aiyana lay in her room, deathly silent, nothing made a sound. Yet the sick dying woman upon the canopy bed was very aware. She felt her friends and relatives outside, talking and discussing...she was aware of the two Ostellians near.
Hours later she would feel Shadow leave and the sharp pang of losing a friend.
Days later the guild would falter and she would lose Darien. Why must the people she care most seem to abandon her? Was this a test? She felt so alone and she had felt that way for months..but that was Aiyana...keeping forever silent about her pain. The great compromiser, solving problems...bearing the weight of leadership. She had made many sacrifices in trying do the right thing, but did it matter now. She was slowly losing everything...for what gain? She was so frightened...but she could not cry...she had to be strong.
Aiyana was not one to look back on the past with regret. Rather they taught her lessons and gave her memories...some fond, some not. It all came down to this one simple fact. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON AND SOME ROADS YOU MUST TRAVEL YOURSELF. She would not be alone she would carry her precious memories with her. And while some thought she didn't care much...they were wrong. Her love soared and it touched each person in a different way. She wished them happiness, especially Darien.
The ripping began again and both arms shimmered and vanished. A shriek and a growl was heard all around the room, but Aiyana had not uttered a sound...she felt tired...so very tired. She opened wearied solid hazel eyes when she felt a touch on her chest. It was Aidan. He looked odd, almost as if he worried..almost. Then the howling began and Aiyana spoke with a dry cackle with no amusement. "It begins...it...begins....."
This man sat at home in his study. Sitting in the well worn reclining chair. It faced the long glass door. He had been sitting there all day long. Just looking out to the gardens just beyond. When he was taken from the boundaries of his home he vowed to himself not to forget it's beauty. It was by far the saddest day of his life. To have his mentor be his escort to the limits of the town. All pain stemmed from this. After this point in his life he always felt like he was never good enough for anyone. Today was a simple shadow of this pain. He had only once felt something so close in comparison. A shake to his head and he stood. The sun was almost gone from the sky. This was close enough for him. Pain was a welcomed feeling when he had emotional baggage to deal with. He found himself in the spar ring with Kagato and Morrolan. Kagato and Darien had a long drawn out spar. The end result had Darien covered in puke and claming the win. He didn't mind feeling dirty, he already did. Then after pouring water over his head and tossing out the solid shirt did he noticed Aidan. The bulk of a man, seemed to just stand there so still that he could have been a statue. They talked only a moment and settled on a spar. He had expected the strong hands to be rough and forceful. He expected them to take out the aggression he knew this man had built up in him. The unexpected politeness shocked him.
It wasn't till later did he see the girl. Such a horribly odd night. She spoke a strange tongue. One his long old Elven ears had not heard and yet his mind understood. The mind echoed each words, perhaps was it telepathy? The girl was very scared of the surroundings. So naturally when she disappeared he followed those foot steps in curiosity. Thoughts of Kat filled his mind. Perhaps he should find her first.
Shadow's thoughts raced as he made his way out of his room at Aiyana's Inn...for him, years had passed since he was last here, but the Lady Mystra had returned him to these lands after relatively little time had gone by from their perspective. But he knew not exactly just how much time had passed, and he hoped it was not too late...Aiyana was in dire straights when he was taken from this place, and he wished with all his heart that it was not too late to help her..she had been one of his dearest friends. As he quickly made his way to her room in the hopes that she would still be here, he opened the scroll that had been laying upon his dresser, along with a feather from Firestar's bond-bird, Huur...a sigh escaped his lips as he read the short missive, for once again he had not been there when one of those closest to his heart was in their time of need. He quickly tucked the scroll into his robes, and pulled out a wooden chain link carving, and was relieved as the link representing her was normal and whole...she was fine for now, and his search for her could wait. But one other link caught his eye...Aiyana's. The link intermittently glowed brightly and faded to almost nothingness, and he knew not what it meant, as it had never done that before...he could only guess that it was not a good sign, and he quickened his pace as he sought her out. A moment later, he "heard" Elias speak to him, and after a quick telepathic discussion, he bid farewell to Elias and told him he would contact him about it later. He shook his head as he continued walking, wondering just what was going on and why everything seemed to be falling apart. As he neared Aiyana's room, his deep blue robes seemed to come alive and wrap about him defensively, covering him completely...he took a guess that Uriel must be nearby, that the robes must be reacting to the magnitude of magical power that the young lad possessed. He sighed and pulled the hood back down, assuring the life force in the robes and the one that infused it there that the boy posed no threat to him for now. A dry chuckle escaped from his throat as he thought of the irony of the situation...the very being that tried to protect him now through the robes is the same one that killed him in anger not long ago. He would never truly understand the workings of Zael's mind, and it occurred to him that he probably wouldn't want to. Only by Mystra's graces was he alive once again, and able to return to this place to take up his life once more with his old friends and family. As he stopped in front of Aiyana's door, he hoped that there was a life to return to here. Tendrils of magic flowed from him as he reached out to knock on Aiyana's door, trying to contact Uriel and Selena...if Aiyana was not here, or in no shape to answer, he would need to talk to them, especially Uriel...
A ways away from the inn...in the woods surrounding it, a soft breeze swirled about her as she made her way through the unfamiliar woods. Not long ago this child was held captive in a land known as Alyan. Ebony ringlets swayed and danced with the wind as she shivered. All was better than it once had been, yet she felt cold and alone. She had mistakenly jumped into the arms of a stranger...no a friend. His very being brought fear into her heart and soul, yet he was harmless. He was not like the men from the land she came. By his name she knew him to be a friend, her sister assured her of that much before she ventured out in this land. Her appearance was much like the older one that saved her, yet her face could not conceal a thing. The man spoke an odd tongue, one which her mind could only hope to comprehend, but no matter how much she tried, Jana could not understand. After a few moments of utter confusion she gave up and retreated towards a cave. The hiding moon gave her a bit of an apprehend. Jana had no intention of being rude. She was tired and uncertain about her surroundings. The very presence of a male made her uneasy. Friend or not, it would be a long while until she would be able to tear down that tower of fear. The man followed, Darien, his name was Darien. Jana had no idea what to do. Tired feet carried her over to a cave adorned with torches. It was sacred ground. Thin sandals were removed upon entrance. If the stranger were to enter she would simply sit and pray that her mind would be able to comprehend. For some reason he seemed to understand her. All there was left to do was sit and wait for him to come. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Jana wished more than ever that her hero would have came with her. She too had questions.
Days had passed since he had left Uriel with the book. He had taken Selena and went down stairs to find some food. He did that for two reasons, he knew Uriel would need some thinking room and his diaper needed to be changed and he would rather not touch it at the moment, though he could have argued that was his favor to him. He owed Uriel and he didn't like the thought of that. I made a deal with the devil He shook his head as he sets Selena down on a chair and walks around the kitchen, he owed Aiyana a breakfast, but he knew she would never get it. She was too sick for his cooking. He wished he had gotten there sooner. He hated to let an old friend down. She was an old friend. A couple of months down the road and he will have known her for two years. A lot happened in those years to him and to her. He tried to be there for her, but wasn't always able. She hated him at first and he couldn't blame her as he got a few ingredients together and made a quick sandwich. He cut it in half and offered it to Selena, but she wasn't hungry. Worry probably killed her hunger as it would soon do for him. He didn't know what to do and that always bothered him. He had to wait on Uriel. After his quick meal he took Selena back upstairs and put her in a room so she would have somewhere to sit. he gave her forehead a quick kiss and nodded to Uriel telling him he would be back later, he had things that needed to be done soon.
Kagato waited to return and while he waited he talked with Darien and Morrolan, or Mor as he called him. They sparred a bit and talked about life. he met Darien's friend Kelsey and got along with her rather well, but he wasn't looking for a relationship or a friend at the moment. He also ran into Aidan and didn't like that. That encounter made him ask Darien and Mor to walk with him in his garden. There he told them about his plans and thoughts, but was wise enough to give them a flower so it seemed like a dream. He had just needed someone to talk to about them. He didn't really want to follow them through. But that night led him to decide that he needed to return to Aiyana's inn and meet with Uriel. Time was running short and he needed to end these silly games. It was time to act serious and do what needed to be done. He left his cloak in his garden and made his way to Aiyana's inn. Set in getting something done.
Darien's keen eyes led him to the mouth of the cave. He stopped here, for the tracks stopped here. A pair of sandals so easily discarded into the dirt. He pondered for a moment why the girl would discard them. Perhaps she knew he was following her and that this might help him lose her trail? But why would she leave them in such a visible place? And why would she try to lose him after she's gotten into a cave? He let his mind toss over the possible scenarios. She was not from here, so perhaps its a tradition or custom of some sort. He bent down and slowly slid those sandals from his feet. Two soft thuds were heard as each plopped into the soft floor of the earth. He raked his fingers through his sticky hair. The humidity of the night was strong and he hadn't taken a shower since the spar. How horribly he must smell, and look. His fingers found a clump of dried vomit. He hated not to be clean and respectable looking. His golden brown hair always seemed to fall right back into place. His lip had been already healing from a blow earlier in the night. His shirt was in the trash at the guild spar ring, and a small sheen of sweat glistened in the moon light on his upper chest. With a light sigh he moved into the cave. Blue eyes dancing about as he looked for that tiny figure. She was in the middle of the cave and seemed to be praying. He knelt near her and bowed his head, not sure what to do but he knew interrupting one's prayers are rude.
The child wrinkled her nose as the combination of sweat and vomit came near her. The man needed a bath. Jana wondered if the men in Rhy'Din even bathed. She took a deep breath and stood. The presence of him still made her uneasy. It would take a while for her to get used to freedom. She backed away against a wall and looked him over. Maybe the water here is foul and he already took a bath. Icy orbs shimmered as she took in every detail. She was tired, very tired. Jana had traveled very far and has not had much to eat. Heavy lids fell as did the child.
He watched as the small body started to crumple. Perhaps the heat or the look of him might have made the girl faint. His body was quick with reaction. The immortal's speed was much faster than even gravity. His arms caught her. Holding tight he lifted her up. A cave was no place for a girl. He walked to the mouth and slid his feet into his shoes. Then with one foot he lifted up hers. Setting them atop her moving tummy he took her into his home. She was carried up the stairs to a guest room. He closed the door behind him. A quick dash into a long fifteen minute shower. The hot water wiped away all the grime; shampoo, soap and conditioner all helped that too. He dried and slipped on a fresh pair of pants and a knit white short sleeved shirt. The heat was rising each day. He dried his short hair with a towel and then let it drop into the hamper to get stagnant till morning. Then of course with the morning it would be taken care of.
He took his time and tried to find something that might help them communicate. He went to his study on the first floor and pulled out a black bound sketch book, a pencil, and a small daisy that his daughter had picked earlier that day. He went into the room with the three items in hand, so intent to understand. He sat on the floor far away and when she started to come too he held out that daisy to her as a sign of friendship.
Slowly the child regained consciousness. A soft scream escaped her lips as she thought that she was once more held captive. Icy orbs looked about, the second the man was spotted she backed away. Seeing that he did not pursue her, she then shook away her fear and tilted her head to the side. He seemed like the one she met yesterday, yet there was no stench."Darien?" After he nodded in agreement the child sighed softly. This place looked nothing like the cave her mind last remembered. For once she felt safe. All she had with her was the clothes she left with and a seal with a letter that was given to her by her hero. Ebony curls were in a tangled mess, somewhat puffed about her head. The stranger spoke some words to her, but she could not comprehend them. There was a spell she could cast in order to understand his words, but she had not the strength nor the things needed. After a long moment of silence she let out a sigh. Jana knew not what to do. He was "friend," but whether he could be trusted or not she had no idea. She sat in silence, combing her fingers through her hair.
The light of the mid-morning sun glinted off the silver Jhereg embroidered on his back as he walked into the street from his small flat. The heat warming his face, the man known as Morrolan smiles a small grin. He takes a deep breath and turns down the road, deciding he should go see what Darien is up to after that spar he had. He makes his way down the road and into the forest. It takes him several hours, due to the poor directions given to him by Darien. But finally he arrives at the cottage...he pauses to look at the magnificent view. "Wow, what a place. I should look into getting out of my roach motel and into a nice house like that." He sighs and walks to the house taking notice of all the plants and trees. He stops just in front of the door and gives a loud knock. "Hey Darien! Can I borrow a cup of sugar?!"Morrolan could hear Darien speaking to someone behind the cottage's door, so he stood and waited.
"Maybe Katrina could help us." Darien saw the panic streak across the little girl's face at the sound of another man. He was thank full for it in a way because he had no idea how to understand her, and to be understood by her. He held up a flat hand as if telling her to stay.
He swung the door open and smiled to his friend. "Sugar huh? Come in, come in."
He took the man into the house and lowered his voice.
"I've got a strange little kid in my up stairs room.... She is from another area. I think maybe Katrina may understand her. Would you do me the favor of going to find her. Perhaps stop by Aiyana's inn and ask her. I don't want to leave the child alone right now."
He knew Aiyana was sick but he didn't know how it had progressed. In a way he wanted to know, and perhaps this was his chance to find out.
Morrolan then left Dariens house and headed in the direction of the Sylvershyne Inn. As he walked, he thought about what was going on. Something didn't feel right. He felt as if a major catastrophe was coming, and he was in complete shadow as to what it could be. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his familiar, Laran. The Jhereg yawned and stared back with those intelligent eyes. They began communicating as he walked down the road. "Hey Laran I think its about time you started hunting for your own food...lazy ass." The Jhereg responded "Yes master. I shall do your bidding, my great master." A stern look appeared on his face at the sarcasm of the creature. Suddenly he threw Laran into the air, hoping he would fly, even though it was probably too soon for it. But with a few curses and a little trouble he was off and soaring and searching for something he could take by himself. Those natural instincts kicked in. The whole while he walked in contemplation, thinking of the child back at Darien's house and the strange behavior he was exhibiting.
Deciphering the book was taking more than a few hours....it was taking days. The child did not mind....rushing led to mistakes. He reveled in the fact that his awareness touched anything and everything if he so desired, but he only limited it to his mothers friends. He was beside himself with snickering amusement as his attention focused on Darien and this pathetic child. The fool always tried to befriend...he was most certainly happy his mother called it off with him and hoped they never reunited. His mother deemed him sweet, selfless, loving and decent. He saw quite differently. Darien in his eyes was a pathetic, indecisive, whining, selfish brat who drained his mother of her strong potential with his whining of "lets go have fun." Contrary to what many believe Uriel understood love very well...unless it was directed at him.
Now the girl was here for his mother more than likely...common sense rang that many would be drawn to her...who wouldn't be...an important person of the timeline....yes he was letting his mind wander. He was waiting for Aidan to come out so they could compare notes. As he sat there waiting, strange noises emanated from behind the closed door of his mother's room across the hall. Intrigued, he listened closer, as Shadow walked up and got ready to knock on the door.
From withwin the room Aidan sat weary and frustrated as his thoughts grew grimmer by the second.
And so it did begin...but rather it was ending...she was losing the battle, the rage and frustration that struck him was immense. Nothing would quelch it unless the "One" was restored to health. His training kept him from screaming and kept his face a glassy calm. Aiyana's emotions soared and pulsed in his brain and every part of his being. If he could have wept, or knew how, he would have.
He failed.
He failed her.
He could not stop it.
Then the blood curdling scream from the dying woman brought him back from his stuptor. Again and again she screamed. Such terror, such pain. He wanted to double over, he wanted to scream with her, but the past and fate were cruel and his training pulled through.
Somehow his leadfilled legs took him to her bed side where a horrible ripping was heard...like silk being torn...and a head protruded from Aiyana's abdomen. Whatever it was, hideous was a truly kind word to call it. Odd though, she did not bleed...and as more came out, her skin was like elastic. When the beast came crouching out...Aiyana looked as though she were dead or passed out. He gathered, passed out, since he was here.
Before he could reach for his sword, the creature was upon him. He moved quickly enough to trip, roll and swing the heavy blade to what looked like to be ribs. Bones cracked on impact. Air left his lungs as Aiyana again shreiked and incredible pain throbbed his side. Thick fingers touched his ribs and blood stained them.
Cold realization hit him that this "creature" was in fact Aiyana or a part of her at least. That meant he could not harm it. He stood slowly and warily as it took a step...wings expanded hitting the walls with its tips, it went a foot off the ground...roared an inhuman ugly sound and crashed through the oaken door into the hallway..Aidan dashed after, close behind.
As Shadow poised to knock upon Aiyana's door, lost in his thoughts and trying to call out to the children, a bloodcurdling scream erupted from within the room...and instantly his robes enveloped him against his will once more. He growled in frustration and tried to move, but it was to no avail. "To the Nine Hells with you, Zael...Aiyana is in trouble...let...me...go!"
He mustered his will to take control of the robes, which seemed lately to be more of a curse than anything...try as he might, the robes would not budge, would not let him move. "I am master of the robes now...and master of my own destiny...now stop detaining me!" He continued his struggle, listening to the noises coming from inside Aiyana's room...then he swore in anger, and started to muster the silver fire of the Goddess within himself. "Alright, have it your way...if you'll not listen to reason, I'll resort to your methods..." As the silver fire started to erupt from his body and burn into the robes, they darkened, turning from the normal deep blue color to their former midnight black, trying to resist...then images instantly assaulted his mind...he could see what was transpiring in the room beyond, and he stopped the flow of silver fire as the shock of what was happening took hold. He 'watched' the creature emerge from Aiyana's body, and looked on in dismay as Aidan attacked it and ended up damaging himself and Aiyana in the process...he was quick to realize how closely they were all linked, even though he knew not exactly what was transpiring. A mere moment passed as he tried to think of what to do...they could not kill the creature, as it was a part of Aiyana, but they had to trap it or do something about it quickly, at least until they could figure it all out. He mustered his will against the robes once more, and this time they actually gave in and let him go, changing color to his preferred deep blue once more as he took a few quick steps back and charged at the door, intending to force his way in...he realized his folly as the door came splintering open a moment before he got to it, and the creature plowed into him, sending him crashing hard into the opposite wall, nearly putting him through it. He caught a glimpse of the creature in it's full glory, and cast a quick spell upon it, a net of magical energy, hoping to at least slow the thing down long enough for Aidan to get hold of it...then the darkness and comfort of unconsciousness enveloped him...
Abi was walking towards the playground when she heard a loud scream. It was not heard by her ears, but by her soul. One of the bearers of her silver roses was in terrible pain. She knew of Aiyana being sick, but each time Abi visited Aiyana, she seems just fine. Well at least that is what Missy Yana always says. It has been long since Abi has popped in to say "elos."
Her daddy dear has been around a bit more and her auntie Fia as well. Not only that, her cousin left the realm because of a stupid man who she loved and did not treat her right. Anyways, without a second thought she homed in on the source and with the guide of her goddess she was able to appear within the hall of the Inn. The monster did not scare her as it would of many children, instead it brought her silver orbs to widen and stare at it with curiosity. Somehow the creature had a familiar aura about it. She stood still and silent.
Kagato at the same time this was going on, stood at the door to Aiyana's inn, his fist coming up to knock. Why? He never knew since he always entered, but as he did he heard a scream come from upstairs and a split.
His friendship with Aiyana gave him a mild sense of her, enough to where he could feel her presence split into two. Both he had felt before, her and an evil her. He could not think clearly as to when he felt it before or to what it was as he opened the door and stepped in. Not sure of what he would encounter, but knew it was not good. That it had to be the final sign. Yet even with those thoughts he had a slight grin on his face, knowing that if anything it amused Uriel.
That next to him whatever this thing was would look like a saint, yet Uriel was being helpful and this thing wasn't. He heard noise coming from above, close to Aiyana's room, like wood shattering and some grunting, and then he felt a discharge of magic. His feet took him away from the main staircase and to another one, he didn't need to be in the way of this thing, he just needed to get to Uriel and see how much of Aiyana was left.
The child watched in morbid fascination as the creature crashed through the door. He still sat in the same position in the hallway where people left him days ago. For a brief moment red swirling orbs met soulless black and such understanding passed between them. Then the creature flew downstairs...hitting Kag with massive force head on with it's massive body. The wings grazing the very walls, making a screeching sound. Hot on its sluggish trail from the magic was Aidan...He jumped agiley over Kag's half slumped form, hollering like a beserked mad man.
Though Uriel looked to be the epitomy of calm...he was very disgruntled yet curious. Time was growing dangerously short. A placid look remained as he levitated to Shadow's body and merely touched the man to rouse him...having a feeling his new cloak would react. "Interesting toy...can you get up? Someone needs to check on mother and Selena. By the way, where IS Selena?"
A flicker caught his eye and he noticed Kagato trudging ruddedly up the steps. "I've deciphered the entire book...but it doesn't make too much sense in some sections. I was right about the Mediallions...there are eight..we need to find them...but it's too late to help mother directly now...that creature was a sign. However if Aidan is going to prevent her from completely vanishing like I think he is...he will buy us the time we need to set things right. Once we locate the Mediallions...which will be no easy task, since each has a Guardian...we need to pinpoint the Dome of Alkus...from there things are still sketchy. I'll work on them as we go along...But our answers lie in mothers homeworld gentlemen...that is very certain."
He then smirks at Abi as she just stands there awe struck.
Outside, while the others talked inside, Aidan ran after the creature at full speed. It was an awesome sight to see this warrior in action. Body in full view, tense and hard, every muscle well defined. The expression held was hard yet held a clarity of what must be done. The creature hit the outside and soared into the sky, those impressive wings fully extended, casting a shadow in the sunny sky. It was airborn and free to loose its havoc. Aidan would not let that happen.
He saw Joey in the distance but had no time for greeting...as powerful legs pumped speed and leapt into the air. He had hold of a wing. The demon screamed in frustration and tried to shake him off, but that made it move lower to the ground. So it pointed upward as Aidan climbed up.
Up and up they went, until it was hard to see them both. The screeching never ceased and after awhile..something was falling from the sky. Closer and closer, then the body of Aidan smacked the ground with a sickening crack, but before a blink passed he rolled to his knees and his one good leg. Blood rushing from his temple, nose and mouth.
The screeching grew louder and there the creature was coming toward Aidan at an alarming speed. The man seemed calm, but his eyes were intense. The streaks lit up and his body illuminated..and if one were close enough..one could see a ghostly figure merging with Aidans. Soft brown hair merged with black, eyes swirled 6 different colors, golden skin blended with ivory and silver streaks were overlapped with white.
It was Aiyana.
The voice that spoke was a union of male and female.
"Creature of darkness, O souless one.
Awakened ye be, Your reign of havoc has begun.
Souls to torture, Souls to bleed therefore you, I bind.
Stop and be still by the power of ONE, ye are now confined!!"
While speaking, green lit one hand and was made solid on Aidans fingertips. As the last sentence was shouted with the creature almost upon him, 'confined' was spoken. The air cracked and seared with power, it looked liquified. A green beam shot out and smacked the creature in the chest as it's gaping maw threatened to engulf the body before it. Shrieking in pain from impact, the creature fell and bounced several times backwards. It lay still crumpled in a massive heap. All was quiet and then a homing humming sound came from the demon and a huge rune lit it's chest, the green glow surrounded it, basking the area in bright light. When all was clear, there was a green cage made out of the same 'bolt' Aidan hit the creature with.
"That should hold it..." Aiyanas form vanished from Aidan's and he slumped..wounded and weary, but he got up slowly, and dragged his broken body (broken ribs and now a seriously broken leg) back into the inn and up the stairs, blood trailing in gushes behind him. No one dared touch him...not with with that wild emotionless look in his eyes as he painfully made his way back in Aiyana's room, clumsily sitting on the bed. He closed weary eyes and slowly leaned forward and rested his head on what was left of his sisters chest...and slept. All was quiet once more. Who would speak?
Back At Mai's house, while the woman looked at the carvings, Joey watched, cold green and warm yellow swirl into a mixed color. He reached out and took one of the carvings and turned it over in his hand. There were eight in all. The he spoke, "I took each from my dreams."
His voice simple and soft, as he looked at the carving in his hand. The smooth surface of the wood was slightly glazed for a finished look. Mai knew much better then to speak when he was not paying attention. He rested the wood upon the table top and continued on with his thoughts. "It's so frustrating. I come so close to remembering my past. But it all seems so fuzzy and foggy. The dream is so clear. Each carving seems to glow with energy, as if telling me it was important."
His next words cut off abruptly as a wail of pain leaves his lips. His blackish green streaks light up with a bright glow. Mai can see his jaw tense as he pushes back the pain he feels running inside. The normally calm swirl moves in a quick violent motion, the calm yellow of his eyes turns to extreme violent. It almost hurts Mai to look at those eyes she's often gotten lost in. They seemed to pulse with life and brightness.
At first it was 3 minutes, then 8 then 15. He stayed in this painful expression for a good while. Slowly things return to their normalcy, perhaps even dimmer than before. A shake of his head and he continued his thoughts. "Worlds collide until the great one can abide."
Mai watched closely, fear etched slowly across her soft face. She gently touched upon his arm. So soft her fingers slowly brought his thoughts back to her. His head lifts and he focuses upon her lips.
"Joey are you OK? Maybe Aiyana can help somehow?"
A smile, then a shake of his head and he slowly stood. Her hand falling from his arm and dropping to the table. He gathered the carvings and shoved them in a nap sack. He slung it from one shoulder and closed it. "I keep seeing the 8 carvings, even when I am awake. I don't think Aiyana has the power to help me."
He slowly walked to the door on that note. "I'll come visit again." He leaves.
Once he got to the inn the same painful scene happened. This time when it did his sack dropped to the ground and the carvings spilled out. They scattered, across the pavement and towards the grand building. When the pain passed he picked them up and walked to the front of the inn. What he saw there froze him in awe yet horror as he watched the most hideous thing he ever saw and a large man he knew was familiar do battle. The man was wounded gravely and seemed to be two people...or at least it was a woman. Then a green bolt shot out from the mans fingers and enslaved the creature. When the man limped back inside..Joey fell upon his knees in disbelief, staring at the inn in shock and remained there as he could not stop shaking to move.
He finally arrived at the inn, passing Joey as he did, and gave him a slight tap on the shoulder and a nod. Laran was perched on his shoulder...with a full belly.
He walked to the door and saw the destruction. His gaze fell across Shadow laying on the ground and to Kag and Uriel, the boy holding some book. He was just finishing talking on something of medallions and some such things which made no sense to himself. He looked to Kag and then to Shadow again.
"Whats going on? Has anyone seen Katrina, I must speak with her. Ohh, and how is Aiyana, anyways?" His eyes intense and glowing a brighter orange than normal as he asked.
Shadow's robes indeed reacted to Uriel's touch, stiffening and wrapping about his body as he lay there, slowly regaining consciousness...a strong burst of summoning magics could be felt in the air for a moment, and another black robed form stepped into the shadows behind Uriel, silently watching, cloaked from all but Uriel and Shadow.
The figure simply stood there, just staring at Uriel for a moment, seeming to assess him, then disappeared as Shadow gave a dark look in its direction. Shadow listened to Uriel as he sat up a bit and leaned against the wall, pulling the hood of the robes down, a few broken bones knitting with loud cracking sounds as he half sat, half lay there...his eyes followed Uriel's as Kagato came trudging up the steps...he offered a somewhat feeble wave and a nod to Kag, who looked like he felt right now. Then he noticed Abi, and smiled to her in greeting, then turned his attention back to Uriel.
The words got his mind working, and he looked in at Aiyana's form from where he sat...she seemed to be sleeping or unconscious now, but he could tell she was breathing, so he turned his thoughts back to Selena. "Yes, we indeed have lots of planning and searching to do, Uriel...in the meantime, I'll find Selena as soon as possible...last I saw her I put her in Kagato's care...and to tell the truth I really don't know how much time has passed since then"
He looked up to Kag hopefully. "Um, any chance you know where Selena is now? Hmm, from the look of it, you also ran into the demon...any idea on whether Aidan got hold of it or not?"
In sort of an answer, Aidan came trudging up the stairs, a blood trail behind him...he started to get up to try and help him, but the look in Aidan's eyes said to back off, so he let it go, simply watching as Aidan made his way painfully into Aiyana's room and slumped down with her...afterward, he gave everyone a questioning look, wondering if they should do anything, if they could do anything. While he was wondering, he put out another call to Selena, and tried to locate her through divination magics, just in case Kag didn't know where she was.
A moment later, Morrolan walked up the stairs and approached. He gave him a bit of a wave, then sighed and shot him a bit of an exasperated look and stood slowly after Morrolan was done speaking "Heh, too many questions around here and not enough answers, it seems...didn't happen to see a big, dark, and ugly someone flying around outside, did ya Morrolan?" As he speaks he points to Aiyana's room, where her and Aidan lay slumped together "That's about all the answers we have as to how Aiyana is doing...now we have to come up with a plan, based on what Uriel has deciphered from the book...I think we need to get everyone together and sit down for a brainstorming session ASAP, if at all possible. After we find Selena, that is." looks to Uriel and wrinkles his nose, stifling a bit of a chuckle which surfaced despite the gravity of the moment "And as soon as someone changes your diaper."
He looks about at the others "Any volunteers?"