Dragon Riders

Ian, Ari, and Thorn all seemed to move at the same time, summoning their dragons in the same instant. Shyen, Otraol, and a third, jet black dragon shot into view, hovering as they waited for their riders to mount. The black was by far the largest.

Ian! It's Gorton! Shyen chirped as he settled on her back, anxious and already hurting from holding his sword with his wounded arm. It's been so long, I barely recognized him! I thought he'd -

I know. We both thought he'd died, along with my father. Thank God he's still here, and big as ever!

As if on cue, the black beast let out a mighty roar and took off after one of the larger al'aran. Still a female, but that was fine. The more they killed, the better. Otraol followed suit, blasting another beast with fire as Ari slung her sword at whatever part she could reach. Then went Shyen, quickly diving at one of the strays.

Don't get too close, Shyen! Their claws are highly venomous!

Got'cha. Instead of colliding with it and risking getting slapped, she halted out of its reach and pelted it was flame. The al'aran shrieked and went after them, but Shyen easily evaded it.

As the battle went on, Ari found it pointless to use her weapon. She couldn't risk getting close enough to it; she might take a hit... Instead, she thought. We have to use magic against it. But...how? The dragons' flames aren't getting it done fast enough... Damn it!

Otraol snorted, ducking a swipe. Tell Ian to use to his magic. He's a telepath, correct?

Ari blushed as she remembered her own battle with him. That had been humiliating! But he was right; Ian might be able to use his magic if he could get far enough away from Viedna...

Tell Ian what to do.

Garrel

Garrel leapt onto Alexander's back at a sprint. Where's Roslyn? he asked, quickly snapping the buckles into place around his legs as Alexander took to the air.

She was right behind me... Alexander let the thought trail off as he collided with one of the Al'aran. The two flyers, tore into one another for a split second, before flying on. Garrel leaned right in his saddle, slashing at the beast's wings with one of his meatier swords. The tendons were neatly severed and the Al'aran went into a sharp spiral, hitting the ground with a brutal crash. If the fall did not kill it, the swarm of armed desert guards that attacked it moments later certainly would.

A trio of the monstrous flyers were already tailing Alexander by the time their packmate hit the ground. Swerving in between the elegant buildings of Kettia, Alexander tried to outmanouevre his pursuers. The tactic proved rather superfluous when a giant black dragon promptly crashed into the trio from above, sending them flying into the ground or adjacent buildings. When the trio had been dispatched, the big dragon's rider called out to him, "where is your masked companion? we're getting swamped here!"

Garrel replied, to whom he considered a Desert Rider, "I don't know, his dragon didn't show up from the roost, perhaps he's gone to find it."

Garrel and Thron rejoined the other riders, engaging the pack of Al'aran.

Roslyn

You've found him?

He's bigger than Alexander, it would be hard to miss him She replied. This is not one of your better plans

His thoughts were masked as he responded, We have no time for genius. I think I see you; aim for the tall watchtower to your left.

Roslyn swerved toward a thin tower. She could sense Viedna's presence at the peak of it, but did not increase her height. Behind her, the giant black Al'aran was closing in; it was a faster flyer and a reckless one. As she passed the tower, Roslyn restrained herself from glancing up, to where Viedna had just jumped.

An anxious moment later she felt his jubilation, got him! She turned in mid air, to see that Viedna had indeed landed on the male's back, and was trying to attack its wings with his favoured Nagamaki.

She sensed the danger a moment before he did. Angling in below the white-horned monster, she was ready to catch Viedna when he was flung from the thing's back as it barrel-rolled.

We can't take it alone, head back toward the others, Viedna commanded.

*yes! a fight scene, sorry if this is long*

Azrayel / Crysilla-

Ray shifted through the sword stances with an old familiarity. Moon Floats on Water, became Blossom In the Wind, became Ice In Flame, became Sun at Midnight. He danced between the al'aran, dodging claws. And in no time he stood in the middle of five female al'aran. All of them either dead or dying.

"How did they get through the barrier!?" Yoru shouted behind him several of the females were stuck with frozen legs, or wings. One even had a frozen tail. Taiou dove and his brother and flipped sideways, raking one all along the side. "How should I know, someone must have let them in!"

An eerie keening rose in the air, a sound like wind over the rock crags. Several of the females joined in, raising their higher voices in chorus with the male. Ray lowered his blades slightly, he glanced from the fountain to the eastern thoroughfare. He could see Roslyn coming chased by a huge black Al'aran.

"There's too many of them." He thought. "And the others don't know how to fight the beasts."
Cris must have seen him looking at the fountain because she shouted from Ren's back. "Ray! Don't even think what I think you're thinking!"

He smiled thinly murmuring. "She knows me too well." Ray ran towards the fountain and jumped onto the rim. Leaping to the center of the fountain, he landed unsteadily. Embedded in the marble pillar, was a topaz, it was engraved with the symbol of the royal family. The mark of infinity encased in a sun burst, beneath that four names were carved in gold inlay. The names of men who had rocked the Desert nation on its foundation. One of them had rocked the world, and shook the pillars of heaven.

Swallowing Ray sheathed one of his scimitars and used the other to slice across his palm. Turning he placed his palm over the topaz. He winced as he felt the magic shoot up his arm rooting him in place, dimly he heard Cris shouting for him to stop that he didn't have to do this, but it was already to late. "I, Azrayel ni Ashara a' Terrinas son of Rieta ni Ashara. Lay claim to the land of my ancestors by my own deeds and those yet to come. And by the blood of the King of the World, Ashara an Kallen, which flows through my veins. Beasts have come to threaten the land of the ancestors, as they have not since the Great Age." His voice rang multi toned, his vision was tinged red, and the pain spread with the magic, up his arm and along his torso and legs, down his other arm, his hand convulsed and the scimitar fell from numb hands. Ray didn't realize he was shouting the ritual words, so that everyone heard above the keening of the al'aran.

"I will pay the price to banish those who are unwanted from this place." Then Ray's vision went black, and he crumpled as the magic released him. He thought he could feel Taiou and Yoru at the edge of his mind but only just. He didn't see Taiou and Yoru swoop down to protect him, he didn't see Cris jump from Ren's back, and land in the fountain beside him. Most important he didn't see the statues, and pillar in the fountain turn to molten gold light, reaching out in streaks that burned after images over everyones eyes. They enveloped the al'aran and in an instant they were gone from the city. He missed the light fall on Nerad and Kaniy and their dragons, shocked as they were forced out of the city, beyond the barrier, they no longer had permission to pass.

But the light that reached towards the male al'aran bent and flickered as it passed Viedna. Weakened, it crashed into the male and threw it backward dazed, buying the rest time to regroup. The dragons that were in the air landed all around the fountain. Cris pulled the unconscious Ray out of the fountain. Ian scowled his eyes wide with shock. "What in the nine hells was that!?"

"The Light of Ashara." Thorn was white as he glanced from the fountain to Ray and back again. "One of five magical weapons, Ashara an Kallen used during the Great Age when he conquered the world. Supposedly they can't be destroyed but it didn't matter, because the weapons could only be activated by those of the World King's blood. And the line was thought to have died out a long time ago."

Shaking her head Cris brushed strands of red-black hair out of Ray's face. "Not quite. But it may have been better that way. That blood is more curse then blessing."

Ari looked down at Ray, "We've got a lot of questions that need answers."

"Later." Ciru glanced behind him nervously, the male Al'aran was shaking off the shock and stalking towards them. "Right now we need to get rid of that thing. Cris, you guard Ray."

**That was very good, Sylver!

Ian watched Ray for a moment, silently praying that the man would be all right. He couldn't worry now, though; they still had the bull to deal with. He stepped up beside Thorn, Ciru, and Ari, ready to fight.

"Think our magic would work on it?" Ian asked his father as the beast let out an eerie howl. It sent shivers down his spine.

"We can try."

"Then do it now!" Ari screamed as the creature lunged, claws extended to their fullest. They dove out of the way, Ian and Thorn focusing their full might of magic on the beast. If they could just hold on, work together, and hit it at the right places, they could knock it down and tear it apart. Meanwhile, let Ari do what she did best: attack ferociously with her sword.

Is it too late for me to join?
Please?
Never done this before!
Everyone please be patient with me as I'm sure I'll accidentally screw something up.

Name: Skye
Age: 14
Gender: Female
Creature:Human
Hair: long, and blonde typically worn in a braid
Eyes: blue
Other features: A shimmering blue tattoo that spirals around her entire right arm given to her at the age of seven when her powers were first realized.
Power: Healing
Side: Savior
Background: Grew up on a farm as a tender of the livestock. Her mother died when she was young of a disease which sparked her powers and led her to improving upon them. Was chosen to assist the dragonriders (despite her youth) because of the practical need for a healer.

**Sorry I haven't posted in a while**

Ciru

Otraol swung to the right as the last al'aran, apparently immune to Azrayel's banishing weapon, lunged towards them all. Like Ianeil and Thorn, Ciru focused his power on keeping the al'aran away from them, increasing the gravity in three places - a wing, a foreleg and a hindleg, trying to tear it apart. The male seemed to struggle a little against the combined assault from all three of them, but it was a struggle that it appeared to be winning.

Nerad

He and Kaniy found themselves outside the city, thankfully nowhere near the other al'aran that had been evicted from the city. Nonetheless, Nerad was furious. It seemed that nothing was going according to plan these days. He tore off his helmet with disgust and sent it skidding across the crest of a dune.

Kaniy stepped forward, "Calm down, captain. We'll get our chance. In the meantime, we'd best wait for our commander to return."

Nerad shot him a glare, "Don't tell me you're actually that foolish, Kaniy. Ciru was ever the former general's protege. He has no intention of returning to Athanasia now that he has his chance to escape."

Kaniy's eyes thinned to slits, "Obviously you've forgotten that we have him marked. Wherever he is, we can be there in an instant. We'll have him the moment he sets foot outside the city, as he must. How we greet him will depend on how long he takes, and I think he understands that."

*I'm okay with her joining*

*I've got no issues with her joining. Welcome! Please read the previous posts to catch up on the backstory. I'll post after someone else.*

**Welcome!**

**Who else is up for just killing the damn thing?**

Ari called Gautier down, letting her dragon maul and bite the al'aran as Ian, Thorn, and Ciru continued their assault. Blasts from all sides had the creature roaring in confusion and panic; before too long, they would have it.

Ian focused, loading his magic into the shoulder of the al'aran. He stepped back, out of the way, as it lashed out. A little more...a little more...

Shyen landed on the al'aran's back as Ian finally blew the beast's shoulder out, blood splattering as it lost use of its foreleg. It stumbled, tail lacing out to strike at the trio as it fell. Ian barely avoided the blow, but landed roughly on his shoulder. Pain raced through him as he felt the wound bleeding again, even if slightly.

Ian! Shyen roared.

Don't stop now! I'll be fine! He was back on his feet and attacking again, slower and stiffer. Blood trickled down his chest and back, making his vest slick.

"Keep it up! It's working!" Ciru shouted as Ari and Thorn darted back and forth, attacking the weakening creature with their swords.

Garrel

The last Al'aran was on the defensive, as the dragons and their riders closed in on it from all sides. Ian, Thorn and Ciru were using their powers to throw the creature off balance, and inhibit its movements while the other fighters closed a circle around it. Garrel used his affinity with the earth elements to aid them, making the stone beneath the Al'aran's feat mudlike and uncertain.

Lurching back and forth, the great beast took swipes at it's closest foes, sending Ari flying backwards into a nearby wall, and forcing Gorton back on his hind legs. The huge dragon was forced to flap his wings as he jumped backwards to stop himself from tumbling onto his back.

The remaining Dragons and their riders attacked furiously, keeping the Al'aran's attention from their vulnerable comrades. Garrel kept the ground around the creature treacherous, while the others used their powers to force it downward.

Through the tumult, Garrel saw Azrayel and Viedna making a rush at the creature.

Viedna

"They have arteries just below the base of the wing, penetrate that and the shock alone should kill it," Viedna voiced to the Desert Prince as they made their rush.
The two swordsmen leapt atop the thing's back, a task made easier by the magic hampering it.

Hacking at it's wing, Viedna succeeded where he had failed earlier, wedging the blade of his nagamaki in between the branches of bone around the wing's base. By the screaming response of the giant Al'aran, and its furious bucking, Viedna guessed Azrayel had been similarly succesful.

The other fighters closed in on the fatally wounded creature, tearing it apart with blade and claw.

Then, there was quiet.

Ian panted, staring at the mangled and bloody corpse. The al'arana had been vicious, tough to bring down, but was now slain. The proof that they were not invincible lay before them, beneath the dragons' claws.

Ian looked around as the others yelled in triumph, congratulating and checking on everyone else. He unconsciously put a hand to his searing shoulder; blood still oozed from the opened wounds. He could tend to that later...

Then he remembered. Ari had been thrown.

He looked to where he had last seen her, shaken when he found that she was stiff and slow about getting up. A bruise had risen near her temple...

"Ari!" He ran to her side, soon followed by Thorn. When he reached her, he supported her as she slowly regained her footing. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine," she said, blinking. "My head just hurts. Did we kill the thing?"

"Yeah. We got it."

She exhaled, relieved. "About damn time. Let's get this mess cleaned up..." She moved to take a step forward, but swore vividly when she swayed, leaning back against Ian for support. Ian guided her into a sitting position against the wall, watching her closely. He was genuinely worried about her, but he didn't know why. Perhaps it was his sense of owing his life to her? Perhaps it was more? He didn't know and didn't have time to figure it out just yet.

"Don't move yet. You may have a minor concussion," Thorn commanded firmly, helping Ian handle her.

*Ray is unconscious so that can be my other character the girl Cris, k Rubric?*

Azrayel/Crysilla-

Ray came to slowly, he was lying on a couch in the sun room of the palace. He was staring up at a domed ceiling of stained glass. A sunburst with the phases of the moon surrounding it. The others were either standing or sitting around the room. Colorful rugs and cushions were thrown haphazardly around the room, the balcony doors were thrown open to show a view of the courtyard. Some of the clansmen were starting to clean up the smaller al'aran bodies. But they were skirting the male body like it was still alive.

Groaning, Ray closed his eyes and sat up carefully, rubbing his temples gingerly. Taiou and Yoru jumped up from where they were lying and immediately rubbed against him. Cris glanced over at him and the conflict on her face would have been comical, if Ray didn't know he was about to get the rough side of her tongue.

She seemed to be struggling between joy that he was awake and anger that he had tried something so reckless, naturally, anger won out. "What were you thinking Ray!? Trying to use the Light like that. You may be the only one living who can use those things but they are more lethal to you then to any one else. Or did you forget that your mother and her three sisters, your aunts, died, trying to figure out how it worked!?"

Ray glanced at the others, confused and Ian answered the unasked question. "We know Ray." Ciru rolled his eyes and said sarcastically. "How could we not know you were shouting the incantation. and proclaiming your lineage, at the top of your lungs."

"Busted." Taiou and Yoru chorused.

Ari set down a goblet filled with fruit juice and leaned back in her chair. "In case you're wondering, you've been out for a little over three hours."

Sighing Ray nodded. "Alright. I imagine you have a lot of questions you want answers to. I'll answer as best I can."

Indignant at being ignored, Cris opened her mouth to shout again when Ray cut her off, his tone angry and sad. "And no Cris, I haven't forgotten how my mother died. I was there, I see it every time I close my eyes. But if I've there is one thing, that I have learned in the past five years, it's that I'm good at cheating death."

**Sorry about the delay. I ended up having a concussion the whole past week! Ugh...**

Ian rotated his newly bandaged shoulder. Whatever medicine they'd used had numbed the pain completely. It still pulled when he used it too much, but it was tolerable.

"I think we're all having to cheat death, nowadays," Ian mused, glancing around the room at everyone's faces. Everyone looked tired. Ari had at least the symptoms of a minor concussion; she was dizzy, her head throbbed, and she kept blacking out. Ray had been unconscious for hours. Cris was irritable. Ciru had not left, when the event started almost four hours ago... Nerad and Kaniy were probably already back at Athanasia, telling Hanik some lie...

"But anyway, you have a lot of explaining to do, Ray!" Ari snapped, voice unusually soft as she sipped her drink.

Ian rose, then, addressing the entire room. "You can fill me in later. I need to speak with Ciru in private." The elf then beckoned to his friend, and they left the room, strolling away along the balcony.

"What now, Ciru? You haven't left yet, and I doubt Nerad and Kaniy will have waited four hours for you."

May I join?

Name: Maradomin

Age: ??

Gender: Male

Creature: Human & elf (Can I do this?)

Rank(if Dragon Rider): Sgt

Hair: Black as the night

Eyes: dark blue

Any other noticable features (scars, cut off fingers, mowhawk , etc.): ALWAYS wears a black robes with hood that covers his face and a black cape. His sword (the Deadly shaddow by name) is as black as his hair. His hair is short so it is hard to see it under the hood.

Power: can manipulate darkness to a point (use as a weapon, create a darkness where no one but he can see sharpen his sword,) his powers weaken in sunlight but do not go away.

Side : Dark Knights

Background: He came from the dark and he joined the ranks of the Dark Knights, he is a loner but will use men when necessary

dragon: Garen (male) http://www.testriffic.com/resultfiles/11903Black.jpg