[sub]A collab feat. [@Aerandir], [@Ellion], [@Wildeyes], [@shagranoz], [@agentmanatee][/sub] [h1][center][i]"The Calm"[/i][/center][/h1] [hr] [sub]Near the carriages, Lorelai and Alexina, after Alphonse departs[/sub] Alexina stood there, Lorelai's hand on her shoulder. Lorelai could feel Alexina trembling as horribly as a tiny cat in the cold, despite it being fairly warm outside. She was close to pulling herself back together before, but suddenly flashes of a old nightmare came back just as strong. Causing her to flinch, and turn into Lorelai suddenly, burying her face into the woman's shoulder. [color=00aeef]"Lexi, what is this?"[/color] Lorelai asked as she pat the witch's back. [color=00aeef]"I've never seen you like this before."[/color] To say she was concerned would be an understatement, Lorelai had rarely seen even the mildest forms of fear on Alexina's face before. This stark terror was almost infectious, her own chest tightened with apprehension. Alexina took a few deep breaths, taking in Lorelai's sweet smell, it almost seemed to calm her a bit. Her mind was in chaos...memories flooding her mind, yet she didn't...remember them...but she did... She felt the terror of helplessness... the pain, the fear... she was young... almost ten years ago. [color=00a651]"I-I-I..."[/color] she shuddered. As she gripped Lorelai's clothes tightly pulling her even closer to her, as one would a blanket.[color=00a651] "I felt so....helpless."[/color] she managed to say, Tears finally breaking her eyelids and dripping onto Lorelai's clothes. [color=00a651]"I-Couldn't stop it... I couldn't...protect...myself." [/color] [color=00aeef]"Couldn't protect yourself from what Lexi?"[/color] Lorelai had no idea something so dark might be lurking behind Alexina's usually tranquil, confident eyes. She'd always seemed unassailable, maybe a little easily flustered at times. [color=00aeef]"This isn't about Al's shadow dancing is it? It'll stay between us if you want to tell me, otherwise I'll comfort you until you're strong again."[/color] Her voice was gentle as she tightened her hold on the currently fragile Alexina. Alexina didn't answer for a bit, she almost didn't hear her questions... lost in her mind... seeing a greedy smile... hearing herself scream, it was almost loud enough that she thought she heard it as clear as day, covering her ears for a second before realizing it was just in her mind... She looked up at Lorelai, their faces mere inches apart. Her big bloodshot teary eyes looking into Lorelai's concerned ones. Her memory was becoming clearer by the second as it played over and over again. As if now registering that she asked if it was Alphonse's shadow dancing, she thought back to it...the feeling...was different...yet the same... the darkness, the absolute fear of not being able to do anything....feeling weak and alone...and helpless. She slowly nodded.[color=00a651] "It- is... but"[/color] she shook her head... [color=00a651]"I'm so scared Lore...."[/color] She said in almost a child's voice.[color=00a651] "I couldn't....stop him from...I couldn't do.....anything." [/color] [color=00aeef]"You're strong now Lexi."[/color] Lorelai had an idea of what may have happened, rage burned in her heart, threatening to overtake her softer sensibilities. The very thought of...that...happening to Alexina, she could bathe a village in hellfire and it still wouldn't be enough to satisfy her. [color=00aeef]"I'm here with you, you're safe. It'll never happen again ok? You're one of the strongest women I've met."[/color] Alexina heard her... but shook her head. "No...No I'm not..." Thinking to Alphonse's magic...how she felt again. " It's here... I just felt it again. I-I-I Don't want him to do that again!" Speaking of Alphonse... or the man in her memory. They seemed to blend together. Though when she thought of Lorelai calling her strong... she remembered... her mother... blood...blood everywhere....some hers...but mostly....she then remembered casting a spell on her... "I...Forgot..." She said, looking down...."I forgot this feeling....this awful memory." Looking back to Lorelai...."I always knew...but it was never there...." She started to sound a little crazy at the moment, But she remembered her mother sealing her memory away. "Alphonse...please don't make me go back into the darkness Lore! I-I Can't take the feeling of...helplessness...I couldn't do anything...I feel...Violated..." [color=00aeef]"I won't, I won't I promise, never again ok?"[/color] Lorelai was disturbed by Alexina's confusion, always knew? But it was never there? She resolved to find out what had happened one way or another, for Alexina's sake. Whatever was tormenting the witch was surely immense. [color=00aeef]"I'll make sure Al knows to never do that again. You'll never be helpless again ok? I'll make sure of that, and so will you."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Tell me about this memory Lexi."[/color] She slowly stroked Alexina's back. She looked Lorelai in the eyes as she spoke to her. She nodded...feeling a little more relieved that Lorelai promised to never allow Alphonse do that to her again. She felt even more relaxed as she felt Lorelai's hand running up and down her back. She nodded... She tried to collect her thoughts as she rested her forehead against Lorelai's shoulder. Her shuddering almost nonexistent now. She took a few deep breaths and said..."It...was long ago... I was in a village....for a first time.... I wasn't supposed to be there. Mother warned me not to, but I didn't listen. " She pulled away, only slightly to look to her right...away from Lorelai. Her hands still latched shoulders. "I...I...." She started to tear up again. "I was attacked...I couldn't... he was so strong." Closing her eyes shook her head fiercely. "I couldn't transform...I was so scared, I tried to scream but nothing......no one came..." [color=00aeef]"It's ok Lexi, It's ok."[/color] Lorelai continued stoking Alexina's back. The twisted knot of rage in her stomach pulsed with malevolence as she shared Alexina's pain. Hopefully telling her lessened it some, if only a little. [color=00aeef]"The cities of man can be as cruel as the inferno. I'm so sorry Lexi."[/color] Her grip tightened around Alexina's shoulders. She looked down, almost ashamed of what happened to her... [color=00a651]"Mother...she found me... she told me I wouldn't remember....I...I didn't believe her. But....I... only remembered it today...."[/color] She looked confused....looking at Lorelai. [color=00a651]"Why? How?" [/color]As if she would give the answer. But it clicked before Lorelai could say anything... she remembered her mother performing a spell. [color=00a651]"She... took my memory....and buried...deep. But I...Always knew....I hated....I HATED Hunters...That's what he was. Why I've always hated them....always killed them.... it was because of...him....But I never remembered him....till today." [/color] [color=00aeef]"You've faced it now Lexi, and you'll be stronger for it."[/color] Lorelai grinned a little. [color=00aeef]"There are plenty of hunters out there tonight Lexi, and none of them as strong as you. Teach them the helplessness you once felt, and will never again."[/color] With one last squeeze she released Alexina. [color=00aeef]"Are you ready?"[/color] She looked into Lorelai's eyes as she spoke to her. Her words empowering her and seaming up the break in her mind.... Her fearful scared eyes slowly narrowed as she felt the need to exact her revenge on that man...through the others. once she was released by Lorelai and asked if she was ready.... She rose up, straightening her shoulders as she stood firmly again on her own.[color=00a651] "I can't wait to hear them scream."[/color] She said, as she took in a deep breath and let it out. She was the Queen of the Forest... she feared no man... She smiled and hugged Lorelai tightly...[color=00a651]"Thank you... Lorelai..." [/color][hr] [sub]The River near camp, the morning of the conflict[/sub] Dragon had demanded that a cushion be brought out while she viewed his attempt at setting himself on fire. Which, he decided, was safest in the small river by the camp. After all, water didn't usually burn. With a deep breath, Taran dropped the towel he was holding and tried to fill his body with the same emotion of anger, panic and guilt that usually caused the fires to start. The...feeling? Started at the palms of his hands and then spread quickly across his whole body. The light was so bright that he had to shut his eyes. When he opened them, he was now standing in a dry river bed, covered in dark, singed rocks. The water was slowly filling back in, he was kind of sad that the missed...whatever it was that happened. [color=708090]"So...Dragon, did it work?" [/color] Taran suddenly heard the sound of a slow clap. He turned to see Alphonse walking toward him, a massive grin plastered on his face.[color=ed145b] "Impressive! Now, that's some power."[/color] Alphonse stopped by the river bank and offered his hand to help Taran out of the River bed. [color=708090]"Uh," [/color] said Taran, turning around to look at Al, refusing his help until he was sure that they were the only ones there. [color=708090] "What are you doing here?" [/color] he asked, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice, taking his hand and standing up. [color=708090]"Also...did I light myself on fire?"[/color] He really needed to know that that worked. [color=ed145b]"Only on fire that stood five stories into the sky! Steam, everywhere! I swear, I practically heard the howls of hell in that conflagration!"[/color] Alphonse offered Taran a fist. Taran looked at the offered fist with confusion all over his face. After a moment, he put his hand on top of Alphonse fist and started shaking both of their hands up and down. [color=708090]"Good, that is what I was going for....I think?" [/color] He said with a smile. ......Alphonse closed his eyes in exasperated, slightly annoyed, mostly amused, he decided that there were better time to teach Taran about the sacred fraternal bonds of the fist bump. [color=ed145b]"That's perfect, because that's exactly what we're going to need tonight. We've got Hunters ahead of us. If you can give us a display like that, we should be able to route them from their path without having to murder too many of them."[/color] [color=708090]"Are we going to murder...some of them?" [/color] He asked, going pale and thinking about the ram from earlier. Sure he had eaten meat and killed animals. But if anything was going to turn him into a plant eater, these witches were. [color=ed145b]"Most likely, they're heading to the same castle we are, and they're too likely to interfere with what we're doing up there. Our best opportunity to get rid of them is on the road, when we can overtake them and scatter them. At the very least, I'd like to murder their leaders, leave them disorganized. If we're lucky, most of them don't know what they're doing up there, and we can leave without a leader or a cause."[/color] Taran paled even more. "I'd like to go, really, but I'm...sick," He said, coughing into his arms. [color=708090]"So...if you could just let the others know, that would be grand,"[/color] he said. [color=708090]"Also...can I borrow your...shirt or...something?" [/color] he asked, as the burned remains of the towel fluttered away in the wind. [color=ed145b]"Uh, sure, here, I don't need these too much."[/color] Alphonse began removing his pants to offer to the poor naked boy, when Lorelai arrived mounted on Ardat, her towering black warhorse. [color=00aeef]"Taran, surely you're not letting Al mate with you? Considering how much you seem to be avoiding mating with anyone else."[/color] She let out a small chuckle. [color=00aeef]"Who am I to judge though, two young men in love, how cute."[/color] Taran turned around as he heard Lorelai's voice, his whole body turning a deep red. [color=708090] "No-No Not, I'm not doing that. It's Al's fault,"[/color] he said, stumbling over his word. [color=708090] "I was just burning things and ....."[/color] His words started to make less and less sense until he stopped talking altogether. [color=00aeef]"He is a charming devil true, but still"[/color] Lorelai said, still grinning. [color=ed145b]"He was like this when I got here, it just seemed like the neighborly thing to do."[/color] Alphonse said with a smile, and a wink to Lorelai, as he tossed Taran his pants. Lorelai's grin faded as she turned to Taran. [color=00aeef]"So you're sick hmm?"[/color] She sighed, not buying it. [color=00aeef]"Well that's too bad, you could have saved a lot of lives Taran, your sister's and those poor hunter's alike...I suppose we'll just have to slaughter them all, a shame really."[/color] Alphonse nodded, the words stolen from his own mouth. [color=ed145b]"What she said."[/color] [color=708090]"I don't want to kill anyone," [/color] he said, hoping on one leg trying to pull the pants on with as much dignity and grace as he could muster. He was both leaner and shorter than Al, so the waist was a little loose and the legs long. But...it was better than nothing. [color=708090]"I don't see why my sisters would die,"[/color] he said, looking at her. [color=708090] "But...I'll [i]think[/i] about it, fair?" [/color] he really wanted his own clothing now. Suddenly, Taran's feet were no longer on the ground. It was difficult to breathe, his vision was dominated by Alphonse's direct gaze.[color=ed145b] "You're going to [i]think[/i] about a direct order? You're going to [i]think[/i] about saving your sister's lives?"[/color] Alphonse threw the smaller man to the ground. [color=ed145b]"You're not here to think. She's trying to give you a kindness, an opportunity to stay away from the thick of the fighting. Be happy you don't have to hear them scream, or the life drift from their eyes. You're participating in this battle. If you try to think about it, you're dead. Welcome to the covenant."[/color] Taran hit the ground, hard, all air rushing out of him. He glared up at Al, rubbing at his neck. [color=708090]"Yeah?" [/color] He growled, still processing the events that just happened. He felt Dragon scuttle up his arm. He felt anger coursing through his body. He glared at the man a moment long. [color=708090] "Great covenant," [/color] he finally growled, standing up. [color=708090]"So glad I joined," [/color] There was a moment, just a second, when he saw Al going up in flames, but he banished the thought at once. [color=708090]"Well the, I'll be in my tent, unless you have another 'order' for me," [/color] [color=00aeef]"Just something to think about."[/color] Lorelai's eyes were hard as she gazed down at Taran. [color=00aeef]"Me and Al here would sooner give our lifeblood than see someone stub your little toe Taran, but we expect the same. Loyalty begets loyalty, and it's time you gave as good as you got I'm not Medusa, I'm not going to coddle you. I'll stand by you though, if you stand by me."[/color] She nodded towards the camp. [color=00aeef]"Now go and prepare."[/color] Taran just looked a Lorelai. [color=708090] "As you say [i]Mistress[/i] "[/color] He gave a little bow, before walking back towards the camp. Alphonse watched Taran walk back to camp with a scowl on his face. Kids these days. Alphonse turned to Lorelai. [color=ed145b]"You didn't tell me the kid was unblooded. I thought he was new, not dead weight." [/color] [color=00aeef]"I didn't know either. Why Medusa foisted the poor boy on me for an expedition she knew damn well would be bloody..."[/color] She let out a frustrated snarl. [color=00aeef]"You saved his life you know...I can't afford to show mercy right now, thank you for doing it in my stead."[/color] She gave Alphonse a pained smile. [color=00aeef]"He'll not thank you for it though."[/color] Alphonse sighed, [color=ed145b]"Yeah, I'm used to it. If he won't fight, we'll probably need to find an alternative. Brew up some other nasty. Hell of a thing to route a force four times your number, makes them think they can still win. Even when it's hopeless."[/color] He looked at her with heavy eyes. [color=ed145b]"At least I can still trust [i]your[/i] judgement. What could Medusa be thinking?"[/color] Lorelai looked at Alphonse appraisingly. They'd worked together closely off and on for years, never on anything pleasant unfortunately, but she felt she could trust the man. [color=00aeef]"Alphonse, can you keep a secret?"[/color] "Of course I can." Alphonse said evenly. Suddenly his face broke back out into a grin. "Is it some juicy gossip? I hear Vespa's getting defensive." [color=00aeef]"I've been thinking about our mistress Medusa...I don't like these risks, I'd prefer to stay at peace if we could...would you stand with me?"[/color] Lorelai's gaze fell on Alphonse, her eyes entirely serious. [color=00aeef]"Sending the Ruvina's to die at the hands of their mother, Taran before being blooded, I can't let this stand Alphonse."[/color] Alphonse's smile drifted as quickly as it had arrived. "Lorelai, I've seen more blood than most. Believe me when I say that I would be happy to never see it spilled again. Least of all when it can be avoided. If you believe that Medusa's incompetent, then I'll stand by your side. Or in your shadow. I trust your judgement. You've never steered me wrong before." Lorelai set a hand on Alphonse shoulder, her face broke into a relieved smile. [color=00aeef]"I hope it won't come to that, I'll speak to her about my concerns first. I appreciate this Alphonse, and I'll try to continue to be worthy of your trust my friend."[/color] She let out a relieved sigh. [color=00aeef]"We've preparations to make don't we? If you can eliminate their leader, I've something that might save their sorry hides yet. I'll know more before nightfall. Shadows be thick about you Alphonse."[/color] With that she urged Ardat back towards camp. Alphonse watched as she left, a rare small smile on his face. Useless unblooded boys aside, he'd dealt with worse with less before. he fell into the darkness, and raced into the forest. He would need more information on these hunters if they were to succeed. As much as he hated to admit it, it felt good to work at Lorelai's behest again. She always understood what had to be done. [hr] [sub]Taran's tent[/sub] Lorelai approached Taran's small tent with a bag in her arms. She'd had no idea the boy was unblooded, she'd never ask him to fight on this scale had she known. She didn't intend to apologize so much as make the misunderstanding clear. [color=00aeef]"Taran, I've something for you."[/color] Taran had been laying on his cot, watching Dragon rush around his stomach, grumbling about something. He heard Lorelai voice and saw her standing just outside his tent. He quickly got off of the cot, walking towards her. He noticed the package in her hand, thinking it was in no doubt the imp skin she had spoken about. [color=708090]"I'm suprised you want to give me anything, after I have disappointed you," [/color] he said lightly, not making eye contact. Lorelai handed him the package, It was indeed a coat, shirt, and trousers crafted from imp skin, and thus completely impervious to flame. [color=00aeef]"Taran, have you ever killed a man before?"[/color] She asked simply. Taran took the bag lightly, the material felt different than anything else he'd ever held before. The material was light and silky, but also thick, almost like leather. [color=708090]"Thank you Mistress," [/color] he said, stalling a moment for time. [color=708090]"No, I haven't killed anyone. Haven't even hit someone outside of sibling fights," [/color] He felt his face heat up with shame at admitting how...weak he must seem to the rest of them. [color=00aeef]"I see, some cruel fate it must seem then to be amongst witches at war."[/color] She simply sighed. [color=00aeef]"I'll not ask you to fight then, but you'll need to learn to do what you must eventually ok? For now, can I trust you to defend those who remain behind?"[/color] [color=708090]"I..."[/color] he paused. [color=708090]" Thank you for your kindness and understanding mistress, I am still getting use to your world that is so different than the one I came from," [/color] he said softly. [color=708090]" But this is the world I must live in and I understand that you could order me to fight and I would have no choice but to obey. If you ask me to defend those who remain behind, I do so. I also understand that fighting is a part of my life and I will work to get better at it,"[/color] [color=00aeef]"It's ok son, warriors aren't made overnight. I'll not expect you to become one."[/color] Lorelai ruffled Taran's hair a little smiling. [color=00aeef]"We're family now, and our family has many enemies. I don't like bloodshed overmuch either, but I've no choice if I'm to keep us safe do I?"[/color] [color=708090]"No, you don't Mistress"[/color] said Taran, a small wave of relief that Lorelai was not...as angry at it. In fact, she seemed understanding. He blushed again as her hand ruffled through his hair. [color=708090] "I-I want to protect the family too, it...really has offered me more than I could have ever dreamed,"[/color] [color=00aeef]"I'm glad, and I'm sure you'll get the opportunity soon enough. For now though, I entrust the camp to you ok?"[/color] She turned and started towards her carriage. [color=00aeef]"Be safe ok?"[/color] She added before stepping inside. Taran watched her go, not wanting to go back to his cot, he quickly changed into his imp skin suit, a little excited to see what it could do. [hr] [sub]Genoveve in preparation[/sub] Genoveve always preferred to prepare for combat alone, it made it easier to converse with Yeris and coral the many spirits within her for the coming violence. She chanted quietly in the language of spirits, the strange and otherworldly tongue strange green and blue entities cascaded from her abdomen and joined her in her quiet and haunting mantra. Then a rather strange form left her, it looked like a human form but was a strange orange and green color as it wispily seemed to stretch its legs. Yeris rarely allowed herself to leave Genoveve, not that she wasn't still tethered but it felt strange to be out of her vessel again. The other wisps of spirits flew into the woods away, while Yeris searched for a more... human target to possess. Genoveve sighed as she stood and drew her ritual knife, cutting open her pal and allowing the plethora of weaker spirits out to do their job of distraction and hallucination... violence and blood were on their way. [hr] [sub]Lorelai and Vespa's carriage.[/sub] Vespa was beautiful. Lorelai examined her lover's delicate sleeping features. Soon there would be killing to do, but for this moment she was content to simply watch her sweetheart sleep, and listen to the reassuring sound of her soft breathing. The thought of Vespa joining the fray concerned her. Her love could handle herself, she was a powerful witch and an luminary of the blade. Yet the risk still pained her, they had thirty to slay or rout tonight. A daunting task, with little options. They could wait and hope their path would diverge, the risk of happening upon them or being discovered in a disadvantageous position was too great. Without Taran they were only seven. Lorelai was tired in a way she hadn't been in a long time. Fatigue settled into her bones like a cold weight, always present. Binding the Betrayer had left her more enervated than she'd let on, and she'd had no time to recover. Sousiel was leaching out the taint as fast as she could, but without time to simply rest and allow Sousiel to work Lorelai's condition was only improving at a snail's pace. It was time, Lorelai leaned over Vespa, and pressed her lips to her lover's. [color=00aeef]"Vespa, honey, We've gotten some news."[/color] [hr] [h1][center][i]"The Storm"[/i][/center][/h1] [hr] [sub][color=ed145b]Alphonse, The Quiet Blade[/color][/sub] Alphonse glided into the heart of the hunter's camp. Not a sound, not a pebble touched. He watched the three men within the commander's tent. Not one of them had turned in to bed, not even a drowsy nod. Alphonse cursed them silently. As he approached he could feel the tell tale presence of silver, it always made him feel slow and sluggish as he neared in his shadow form. This wasn't going to be clean. After getting a sense of the three of them, all strong men, the leader wearing heavy chain and half plate. They discussed something, again Alphonse cursed the silver they wore, their words garbled to umbral ears, he drifted back to the entrance where a pair of apparently normal guards slumped in inattention. It wouldn't do for them to raise an alarm or join in the fight. From the shadows beneath them, fires roared, as a titanic beast of fur and fire literally leaped from the ground beneath them. A wolf's muzzle slavering flaming spittle howled as it tore into the unfortunate guards before they had a chance to stir. Not satisfied with the blood of these two, the beast tore her way into the tent, where she met the armored men inside. The two guards wielded heavy halberds, their leader, the captain bore a simple, but well crafted blade at his hip. A shield already born upon his arm. The beast immediately charged them, it's fury spilling forward. I received a spike in its chest for its trouble. A halberd's axe blade came down next, cutting deeply into its shoulder, severing its collarbone in one swing. The captain stepped forward, ready to plunge his blade into the beast, but it wrapped its claws around the haft of the first weapon and swung the man attached into him, into the captain, sending both across the room. The third pulled had to drop his halberd as the beast reared, he pulled a short sword from his hip and skirted around the wounded beast, trying to distract it from his fallen comrades. The beast turned toward him, one arm slumping uselessly as its side, the silvered blades had left a sickly infection in its wound. It roared in frustration, bearing down on the soldier, now that he had lost the advantage of his long reach. She bore him down and savage him with tooth and claw, ignoring the wounds as the man desperately plunged his blade into the monster's body. The other two got to their feet as soon as they could, seeing the beast over the top of their brother in arms they charged forward, a halberd came down on the monster's back, rending another terrible wound. Surely the captain's blade would finish the beast.... But his blade never came, he stood frozen in the darkness, the light of steel poking out from his breast. Blood dripped down his mouth as his expression hardened and threw an elbow behind him, striking Alphonse in the face. Al staggered back, crouching in a guard, one long sword born in front of the shorter, bloodied blade he had plunged into the man's back. The Beast roared again, moving on from its first prey, on the soldier behind it. He gave ground, managing to pull his halberd free. He stood back to back with his commander, as each faced off against a foe on either side. They stood in a stand still for a moment, the beast bleeding from terrible wounds, Alphonse unsure how to murder his durable mark. Suddenly the captain could feel his compatriot shivering behind him. [color=ed1c24]"So....cold....."[/color] the soldier whispered as his shoulders sagged, he collapsed. His body overtaken by some invisible shade. The captain turned, the beast strode toward him. Claws born forward, flaming pitch pouring from her wounds. He raised his shield to protect himself, knowing he had doom on either side. Maybe he could at least take the beast with him as he died. He felt a pressure on his arm. Then it fell limp, Alphonse had slipped his blade neatly into the pit of his armor, and severed the muscles connecting it to his body. Without his shield, he was easy prey for the massive beast, as she lifted him from the ground in her one good arm. He tried to plunge his blade into her, but could not even reach past her forearm. She slammed him into the earth hard enough to break every bone in his body. The pitch that spilled from her body fell onto him and set him alight. [color=ed145b]"Alright, that looks good to me. Let's get out of here."[/color] Alphonse said, regarding the bloodied beast. [color=92278f]"No, we need more killing! I can smell them."[/color] The beast's voice was a terrifying amalgamation of Sousiel, and some abomination of The Pit. She turned away from him, ready to charge into more hunters. Most of the wounds on her body were healing fast, but the save rents of the Halberds were still fresh. If she ran into them wantonly, she would die. She fell into the darkness as if she had stepped off a cliff. Alphonse shook his head. "I really hope that doesn't piss her off too bad, she's the only one who seems to like me. Nice work Steve." he called to the darkness. [color=1b1464] "It still lives."[/color] came the ghostly call of his familiar. [color=1b1464]"The three are pretenders to my old profession."[/color] [color=ed145b] "Great."[/color] Alphonse stared at the pile of meat and popping fat that was the captain's body. [color=ed145b]"You're sure?" [/color] [color=1b1464]"I am certain, it's existence draws me, he will rise again." [/color] [color=ed145b]"Alright, let's take him with."[/color] Alphonse pulled the silver away from the man's remains, and dropped him into Steve as well. Alphonse rushed back into hiding, drifting into the night once more before more hunters could arrive with their damnable silver. [hr] [sub][color=00a651]Alexina, Queen of the Forest[/color][/sub] Alexina stood on branch at the edge of the clearing where the hunters made camp. Her eyes glared at the men who slept, the ones who stood guard. A flame of hate and pain burned within her eyes as she imagined mutilating all of the pigs. They will feel her pain...her agony, to know that no one will come to save them. To fill utter despair. She took a step and fell of the branch, landing on her feet but dropping to a knee as she did, her hand had reached down to brace the impact as well. She stood up again, while black wolf seemed to appear out of the darkness itself. She ran a hand along his back. As she looked down at the massive wolf next to her, more wolves began to appear from the trees behind her, an entire pack of ten wolves had appeared, and was ready for Alexina to lead the hunt. She smiled wickedly as she Morphed into a wolf herself, slightly larger than the black wolf she was next to, and fiery red. She looked back to the other wolves, the simple look, causing them to meld back into the forest as they started to spread out. She crouched, and moved forward in the tall grass, the black wolf next to her did the same as they surrounded their prey. The man, who was yawning, wishing he didn't have to take first watch, noticed a small flash in the grass. He rubbed his eyes as he looked more closely... When he saw it again, a flash of fear engulfed him for he saw yellow eyes in the grass not ten feet away. Before he could yell, Alexina pounced from his right, and tackled him to the ground, a soft gurgle could be heard as she bit his jugular and ripped it out with frightening speed. Her green eyes seemed to delight in the taste of the man's blood as it dripped down her chin. . She swallowed the bloody mess in her mouth before howling a bone chilling howl, signalling her pack to attack. Almost instantly after her howl, more howls could be heard, as the others worked in pairs much like she did with her partner, distracting the guards as the other would attack. This all happened just after Alphonse and Souseil began their attack in the center of the camp. She didn't wait, she kicked up dirt as she went from a dead stop to a sprint towards her next victim. one of the men who was staying up late by the fire was already armed with a bow, Aimed for her. He fired, while she thought she was ready for it, she misjudged the range, and barely dodged it, The silver tipped arrow tore through her shoulder, leaving a nasty cut but that was all. It paused her run though as she was trying to jump out of the way, giving the hunter ample time to nock another arrow and aim at her. She however morphed into a sparrow and flew high up, as she did, he lost sight of her and looked around frightened at the sight he saw, Once she zipped around and flew as fast as she could towards him, morphing once again into a jaguar. Her sudden mass and speed crushing into the man and forcing him into the ground as she bit the man's face and started thrashing with her claws through his chainmail, however the mail had silver, she yowled in pain as it began to burn her paws. As the camp was waking up to the confusion of the yells of pain and death, Men started to run back and forth, not knowing what was happening, or what was attacking. Alexina perked up as she heard some of her wolves howling and yelping in pain. A group of men managed to fight off three of them, stabbing two of them in the chest or back. Alexina ran through the thick of the camp to make it to her wolves. Letting out a mighty roar as she charged the men who harmed her family. As they turned around they would see Alexina suddenly grow ten times in mass, as she did she slowed considerably but still still frighteningly fast as she morphed into a massive Bear. She plowed into the two hunters, crushing them under her massive paws. But soon more hunters surrounded her, all with silver tipped spears as they began to attack her. She roared in pain as the weapons pierced her skin. She could feel the burning of it, but she ignored the pain as she stood over now the two wolves that were grievously wounded. Her roars of pain called out to the other wolves around as they all came to her aid, overwhelming the hunters that surrounded her. [hr] [sub]Phagora, The Ravenous[/sub] Alexina had assigned Phagora to defend the camp. The half-demon witch had been disappointed that she wasn't in the assault party, but someone needed to guard the supplies, after all. It was a good thing, too, as a trio of hunters worked their way closer to her. Two of them were carrying two-handed swords, while the third had a heavy longbow. Phagora planned her strike carefully. The swordsmen would be little challenge, but the longbow was a different story. He'd need to be dealt with from ambush, lest she get turned into a pincushion. Phagora lurked in the edge of the woods. She'd drawn several sigils in the camp's mud. She hadn't done anything to empower them, though; she just wanted the hunter's' attention drawn to a certain spot. The plan worked perfectly. As the hunters were distracted, Phagora charged out with a roar, smashing her sword through the archer's skull. The swordsmen were stunned by the ferocity of the attack, but quickly recovered. One of them managed to pierce her leather armor with a thrust, silver and lavender oil biting into her skin. The agony was excruciating, yet she soldiered on. One hunter was quickly dispatched, several blows slamming in his ribcage. The other was far more skilled, blocking half a dozen strikes. Phagora was able to close and grapple with him, though, literally squeezing the life from his body. She hefted the dying hunter over her head, slamming him into the ground and leaving a three-food deep crater. That did it. Phagora looked out at the ruin she had caused, sighing. Violence agreed with her, but she did regret the killing in one respect: there weren't any prisoners left behind to interrogate and enthrall. A mindslaved hunter would be great bait for his fellows. Not to mention when that was done, she could have a human soul to eat, a rare delicacy even for the Devourer's daughter. Oh, well. Perhaps somebody else would bring her back someone she could grill... in more ways than one. [hr] [sub]Genoveve and Yeris[/sub] Yeris found her perfect target. A rather massive bear of man, with a large mace like weapon. The orange and green form dissipated into the man who shuddered for a moment, as if a chill wind ran through him. The hunter next to him raised an eyebrow, "Boers you ok? It ain't that cold...", as he finished his sentence, Boers calmly stood up, lifted his mace, and turned the other hunters head into a nice red mist. Blood spattered against the face of another hunter who screamed, "Boers has lost it! Boers had-", before the massive metal mace collided with the man's chest, a harsh crack sounded as his body flew through the air. Throughout the camp Hunters began firing at each other, claiming their allies had turned into beasts as they cut each other down, Boers took several shots but seemed to hardly care as he cut down hunter after hunter. Screams of fear and hate rang around the other witches as they fought. Genoveve sat outside the camp, watching her spirits spread chaos and pandemonium... and she could not help but giggle at the mania of it all. [hr] [sub][color=708090]Taran, The Firebug[/color][/sub] Although Lorelai had told him to stay back and guard the camp, she hadn't left him alone to do so. Phagora was also around...somewhere, judging by screaming, she was doing a grand job of keeping the hunters out. That was fine with him. Although he knew that he would have to start...pulling his weight eventually, but hopefully not tonight. Taran had taken to patrolling the far side of camp, where it was so quiet he could almost pretend that nothing was going on. He was slightly distracted by a rock, when there was sudden rustle of leaves in the woods and a shout as a shadow came rushing towards him "For H---...Wait, you ent a witch," said the shadow, or hunter was probably the better term. Taran watched as the shadow got closer and removed its hood. Then there stood a boy, would couldn't have been over sixteen. With wild straw colored hair, a speckling of freckles. "Lord man, ya scared me, 'most took yer head off," said the boy with a laugh. "Pa and I surely thought that we'd be the only ones to think to go round the far end to ketch'em off guard. It was my idea, Name's Sam by the way. This is the first hunt," He boy gave him a huge beaming smile, as though he couldn't be a greater honor than fighting with one's father. Taran blinked a few times, trying to process the speed at which the boy spoke. This was his chance, now to....defend the camp. But it was hard to even think of drawing fire as the intended victim looked at him with such trust and happiness. "Ah, crap, for'got to signal Pa," he said, turning his back on Taran and making a call like an owl. A few moments later a man who looked like a carbon copy of the boy aged about twenty years, came out from the woods. The two spoke a few quick words to each other before walking back over to Taran. "So..mah boy's said we ain't the only ones who thought to come this way," said the man, given Taran a warm smile. "Guess great minds think alike. It was brave though, coming over here by yourself? They have at least one witch stationed here, there is pro'bly n'ther one 'bout here," The man then narrowed his eyes at Taran, looking him over as though trying to see something hidden. "Say, thought you said yous a hunter. Why ain't ya got no weapon?" [color=708090]"I-I,"[/color] started Taran, trying to find his voice for the first time tonight.[color=708090] "I-I didn't say I w-was a hunter," [/color] He really did try to not stumble over his words. But it didn't really work out. "If you ent a hunter, and you ent a witch, then wotcha doin' here?" the father said, his hand slowly reaching for his weapon. Taran tensed up before Sam spoke up again. "Oh Pa! Pa! I bet 'es one of those...pets they keep. Ya know...the...the...cock slaves? Like wut Marty was saying last night. Pa, we ent hunt'in witches, this is a rescure mission, we here to save...Uh...sorry, I don't think I ever got your name," [color=708090] "Taran,"[/color] said Taran still trying to follow the fast talking Sam, and, although the night covered it, he could feel a blush spreading across his face at the mention of 'cock slave'. "Yeah, Pa, we are here to save Taran!" Said Sam, almost jumping with excitement. "Is that true son? They keeping you here?" The man's voice had flipped back from suspicious to concerned. Taran wasn't sure what to say. They weren't correct, not in the least. But they seemed so...nice? They honestly thought that they were going to help by getting him away from the camp. They weren't hurting anyone. A plan started to form in Taran's head, he could...go with them. That would get them away from the camp and, thus, away from danger. He wouldn't stay of course, but he could keep them safe until the fight was over. Taran nodded, hoping that the man would take his lack of verbal answer as finding the topic too hard to speak about. It worked and the man nodded. "It's alright son, we'll get you safe," The three of them turned and started towards the woods, when suddenly the father stopped. "Ya know," he said slowly. "Your Mistress must really trust you not to leave if she let you roam so...freely," He stopped walking. "Ya know I've met another one of your kind, once just once, witches usually keep them so well hidden that if she dies, the slave dies because nobody knows that they are there," There was a pause. "Now, this 'ne that I found was probably a little bit older than you. When I found him, though they had him all dolled up, in a silk robe. With an enchanted gold chain keeping him from traveling too far," Taran watched the man's back, trying to figure out where this story was going. "They ain't need no imp skin," growled the man, turning around quickly, crossbow drawn, finger on the trigger. Taran reacted on impulse. Like earlier that day, his whole body caught fire, blasting flames twenty feet on either side of him. Then, just as quickly, the flames died, leave destruction in their path. The forest, while not on fire, was smoking and burned looking, two nearby tents were badly burned and in front of him, two bodies lay still in front of him. Taran rushed over, looking at them he couldn't tell which had been the father and which had been the son, that was until the far one made a sound. It was softer than a cry, and wasn't quite words. Taran got closer and the words got more clear. "M-ma," it croaked. Taran was horrified. The whole body was black and the hair was gone. The clothing was either burned away or melted into the boy's skin. His fingers and toes had crisped up and vanished into ash. "M-ma, hurts" it said again. "M-ma h-help, Ma..." Then it started screaming, or at least, Taran thought it was screaming, the vocal cords too damaged to work properly. And it kept screaming. [hr] [sub][color=00aeef]Lorelai, The Last Von'Strauss[/color][/sub] Lorelai stepped into the small clearing. In a complex runed circle drawn out with a mixture of blood and sulfur stood Sousiel, stark naked, her clothes piled up near a tree outside the circle. Lorelai took a moment to appreciate the sight, Sousiel knew well her fondness for adorable things, and had long ago taken on a shape her mistress found endearing. She was slim, with just enough curves to draw the eye. Pale milky skin, eerily free of blemishes or scars. Her dark hair kept in a short pixie cut. One red and one gold Sousiel’s eyes were large and round, as if she were perpetually surprised. Cute button nose placed at the center of the delicate features of the rest of her face. Sousiel fidgeted nervously, reminding Lorelai of what was to come. She sighed, if she could withstand the radical changes the Demon Lord Lycandi would make to her body, she’d gladly use herself as a vessel. Sousiel, being a demon, was far more flexible of essence and shape, and thus more suited to the task at hand. Sousiel was scared though, as she always was before such bindings. Lorelai stepped into the circle carefully, being sure not to disturb any of the lines, and drew Sousiel into an embrace. She could feel her familiar’s heart beating rapidly against her chest. Demons didn’t feel fear, but Sousiel was no ordinary demon. She’d been forged in the pit the day Lorelai was born, for the specific purpose of acting as her familiar. To think of the two independently, while understandable, was a mistake. Their essence was so intertwined one would find great difficulty determining the point where one became the other. [color=92278f]“Do I have to Mistress?”[/color] Sousiel looked up into her mistress’ eyes. [color=00aeef]“I wish you didn’t Sousiel, but you’ll be fine, I promise.”[/color] Lorelai patted her head. Sousiel turned around and sat, Lorelai lowering herself to the ground behind her. She retrieved her ritual dagger from its sheath, and began carving sigils into the girl’s back, as gently as she could. [color=92278f]“What if I die?”[/color] Sousiel asked. Lorelai spouted off the same response she always had, these little pep-talks had occurred so many times that they were basically scripted by now. “I’ll rip you from the inferno to my side again.” [color=92278f]“And if I come back wrong again?”[/color] [color=00aeef]“I’ll descend to your birthplace and forge you anew, like I’ve always done.”[/color] [color=92278f]“If they bar your passage?”[/color] [color=00aeef]“I’ll ask them to move aside, once, then I’ll move them aside.”[/color] [color=92278f]“If I’m not strong enough?”[/color] [color=00aeef]“Who stood with me against Rovulug when I was but a girl? Who stood before Lilith with me before my twentieth year? Who carved out a bloody citadel in the pit with me? Who stood with me at the fall of Hector Digard?”[/color] [color=92278f]“I did I suppose...You’re truly the most powerful Von’Strauss to stalk the dark ways Lorelai”[/color] [color=00aeef]“And you the mightiest companion Sousiel.”[/color] Lorelai smiled as she felt the girl’s heartbeat calm after their little exchange. [color=00aeef]“How long has it been now Sousiel? You still get nervous, it’s cute.”[/color] Sousiel thought a moment. [color=92278f]“We joined when we were eleven, just after your first blood. So I believe it’s been seventy years. Twenty or so topside, plus the time we spent in the pit.”[/color] Lorelai’s hands stopped a moment as her eyes widened, she resumed her carving before continuing. [color=00aeef]“Hmmm, time flows strangely there indeed. Do I look seventy Sousiel?”[/color] Sousiel giggled. [color=92278f]“Of course not mistress, you’re barely human. Your birthright still waits you know, you could finish your descent and rule in the inferno. Why did we ever leave? You’ve found little but pain here.”[/color] Lorelai smiled. [color=00aeef]“I found Vespa, and a new family. People to love, and to laugh with, friends. Alexina said it best. Each creature feels the need to be with its own kind.”[/color] Sousiel hesitated. [color=92278f]“Were you lonely mistress?”[/color] Lorelai reached around to hug Sousiel, her carving finished. [color=00aeef]“Never too lonely Sousiel, I’ve always had you, and I always will right?”[/color] Sousiel grinned. [color=92278f]“Even after everything has turned to dust Lorelai. We’ll still be here, or somewhere. You’re a nightmare, and me your shadow, the darkways echo with your power.”[/color] Lorelai pressed her lips against the demon’s flesh, and a deep black smoke emitted from her mouth and took up residence in the sigils she’d carved in Sousiel’s back. It imparted a portion of her gift, and the knowledge of the name and rites to invoke. Lorelai turned her ritual dagger on her own palm, slicing through her flesh. Standing she offered the blood to Sousiel, who drank needily, emboldening her own will through the medium of her mistress’ sacrifice. Lorelai stood and stepped out of the circle again. [color=00aeef]“Are you ready Sousiel?”[/color] [color=92278f]“It begins mistress, I’ll not fail you.”[/color] Sousiel stood and began chanting in Dragon’s Tongue. [color=00aeef]“You never have, I don’t expect you will this time.”[/color] Lorelai focused inward, deepening the conduit between her and Sousiel, allowing more of her power to flow between them. What came next pained Lorelai almost as much as it did Sousiel, almost. Sousiel began to tremble, sweat poured from the demon’s brow. Her muscles began to bulge and distort, and with the first crack of bone the transformation began. Her hair marched slowly down from her head to cover her body as her flesh peeled open, spraying blood on to the ground around her. Her bones elongated as more muscle mass was added with the sound of ripping flesh and snapping bone. She hunched over as she swelled in size. When the horrific process was over Sousiel’s nubile frame had be replaced with a fifteen foot tall hybrid between man and wolf. [center][img]https://glennrolfescribbles.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/werewolf-08.jpg?w=730[/img][/center] The hulking warmachine made it’s way to stand before Lorelai, then kneeled. “Mistress, It is complete.” [color=00aeef]“What do you want to do now Sousiel?”[/color] Lorelai stroked Sousiel’s snout grinning. [color=92278f]“Ravage your enemies mistress.”[/color] Sousiel trembled with barely repressed, and entirely inhuman, rage. [color=92278f]“Ravage them until I’m waist deep in their blood, bones, and shit mistress…”[/color] Lorelai gave a small nod to Alphonse, who spirited away Sousiel. She was the distraction Alphonse would need to slay their captain. [color=00aeef]"Hunt well."[/color] She said to the empty clearing. She sighed removing a coin from her pocket. It was carved of pure ruby, it was said to be a cousin of the blood moonstone witches treasure. She slathered it with some of the blood still flowing weakly from her palm, and flipped it into the air. It was caught, but not by her. A chill filled the air as a skeletal hand appeared to snatch it from the air. The clearing filled with mist as a shadow stepped into sight, a tall wraith composed of shadow and bone bearing a long wicked scythe. "Mistress...you call...me again?" [color=00aeef]"Charon, welcome to the realm of the living. I'll need your mantle this evening."[/color] Lorelai stated simply. "You haven't the power currently to bind me mistress, were you hoping for mine?" The shade drew closer to Lorelai, its head tilting quizzically. "What do you offer?" [color=00aeef]"The memory of my seventh birthday should be sufficiently warm don't you think? It was only time my mother hugged me."[/color] Lorelai hated Charon for this, while his power was immense, his price was too personal. She couldn't afford to expend any of her own magic to bend him to her will this night, she needed something to confront Reyna with if need be. "There were other times, but you sold them to me. It shall suffice." Lorelai, who'd been focusing on the memory, felt it fade from her mind slowly, until it was nowhere to be found. "You have an evening mistress." Charon vanished in a rush of black smoke, leaving behind a tattered cloak and his blade. She tossed the cloak about her shoulders and grasped the haft of his scythe. A chill came over here and she shivered briefly. Shadowy black smoke poured from the cloak, it filled the air where Lorelai stood until her features were indiscernible, eventually she felt the pain of her body dissolve as it was subsumed leaving her a looming shadow with dancing blue flame for eyes. She had become Death, He Who Walks Behind. Extending a skeletal arm she paved her path, a river of wispy souls, towards the camp. Their arms glowed an unearthly blue as they reached towards her gliding form. The forest rushed past her as she took flight. From her new vantage point she noticed something disturbing. They weren't routing, they were fighting to the death even after the death of their leader. She saw Alexina amidst her pack, Vespa had joined the fight nearby attempting to cut off the route to their camp as a possible escape route. Sousiel was covered in blood as she fought off several assailants. The number of dead was mounting, but they couldn't stand against so many. Even scattered as they were they were well trained men, Lorelai's siblings were brave, but not invincible, already Alexina was bleeding, Vespa too. "Charon, take my mother's face from me, and the memory of my summer near the ocean." Lorelai poured what power she had left into strengthening her hold on Charon's might as the offered memories faded. She could make warmer memories with her new family, but only if they lived. Finally she unfurled her cloak, to remind them of what awaited everyone hunter, or no. The camp darkened as the moon was blotted out by darkness. Many looked up towards the on rushing dark, others focused on the battle at hand, it made no difference to Lorelai. Her shadow passed over them. The little men, and their little dreams, were swallowed up by the impossible chill of the end. Their wills screamed against the shadow of Death, but eventually each bright life was snuffed out. Some withstood the chill. She saw a man with a family waiting at home, his desire to see them again too strong to suppress. [color=00aeef]"Will you run?"[/color] He started, his eyes blinded by darkness. "If I run who'll stand against ye?" [color=00aeef]"No one, and no one can."[/color] Lorelai drew closer. "I 'have a boy at home." The man continued to scan the inky dark for signs of her. "He deserves a better world 'n I had." [color=00aeef]"Go then, teach him of your courage. Tell him of the day you stood in Von'Strauss' shadow and lived. Inspire him to the strength he'll need to build his own world, with his own hands."[/color] "I'll not give ye the satisfaction of watchin' me run before ye slay me demon!" He started swinging wildly with his axe. He didn't even make a sound when Lorelai's scythe pierced through his temple, he simply collapsed to the ground. She took a moment to clean her blade of the blood and brain matter. [color=00aeef]"So the cycle continues, as your sons seek blood for blood. The foolishness of the young."[/color] Soon the camp had gone still and she released her grip on Charon's essence. Unimaginable pain and fatigue assaulted her immediately as she became flesh and blood again. [color=00aeef][i] 'They all better have lived'[/i][/color] was the only thought she could form. Lorelai was unconscious before she hit the ground.