August Hill

Lazona

Lazona gave a cry of rage. "How dare you?!" she shreiked. "You have no right! I want my pelts!

Lazona marched forward, with every intent on taking back what was rightfully hers. A firm hand closed over Lazona's forearm. Lazona spun around. Raesa stood behind her, looking more furious than Lazona had ever seen her.

"They have every right, Lazona," Raesa muttered furiously. Lazona rolled her eyes.

"Don't ignore me!" barked Raesa, releasing Lazona from her grip forcefully. Lazona staggered back a step, surprised.

"You dare - " she began.

"Oh, I do dare, though!" spat Raesa, her teeth clenched. "Lazona - I can't believe this - Even from you! You took Dark objects with every intent on using them, I'm sure! I've never, never, never been so disappointed in my life! I have right mind to re-open that gouge on your arm!"

Lazona felt her jaw drop. This wasn't Raesa. This couldn't be Raesa. Raesa didn't lose her temper. Ever. Not like this.

Raesa

Raesa had never been so furious in her life. She almost wished Vashhun had been able to get a few more lunges in. Lazona looked shocked. Raesa pursed her lips grimly. She looked away from Lazona to Vashhun and Nadira. Her anger melted away completely, to be replaced by deep sorrow.

"I - I can't tell you how - how sorry I am..." stuttered Raesa, glancing at the pelts. "I really can't..."

Vashhan

The pelts felt soft in his grip. The feeling was familiar yet different. There was something missing. There was no life behind it. Nothing. There was nothing remaining of the wolves who once wore these pelts gloriously. A pang of grief raced to his heart. He tightened his grip on the pelts.

"I - I can't tell you how - how sorry I am..." stuttered the other witch as she guiltily glanced at the pelts in his hand. "I really can't..."

"You do not have to." Vashhan was barely able to speak those words. His voice cracked, almost sounding like a croak half-way through. "These were from my people," He inhaled slightly. He felt the feeling of alone once more. "But they are gone now. What is done is done. I do wish they died valiantly though."

He then, to every one's surprise threw the pelts back onto the ground in a single movement. Nadira looked at him cautiously. This was not Vashhan. This couldn't be.

"Do what ever you wish with them. It is none of my business anymore." The pain grew. It felt almost like his heart had turned black. There was no point being angry. There was no point causing any harm. He turned his back to them all and headed for the clearing.

"Is that it? All that for nothing?!" Her voice echoed through the forest, birds flying away from there roosts. Vashhan turned and looked back at her hurtfully.

"That is it." And he walked away into the forest. His people was gone. There was no use fighting over their remains. There was no honour in that. There was no hope in bringing them back. What was the point? He disappeared into obscurity.

"What are you going to do?" Nadira thought gently to him. Their connection was straining.

"This is it. I am going to find Deamon, and kill him. I will rip his head off. I will tear his heart out. For what he has done to our people I cannot forgive. I do not need you by my side. I will fight on my own." At that moment, their connection seemed to almost fade away to nothing.

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~Incognito

Guys: Just a note. I know I should use the DT, but I figured that everyone will see this. I see that our first fight with Daemon is coming soon. And I'm going to spoil something: i'm going to kill Alarinna. And make new characters, of course. I'm bored of my fairies, lets put it that way. I'm 're-vamping' my characters. Just get ready for that. I'm posting the profile in the DT so you can see it ahead of time before I use them. I'll obviously have posts before I encounter anyone else. 'Kay?

Raesa

Raesa spotted Lazona move forward to get the pelts off of the ground. Raesa spun around.

"Don't. You. Dare."

Lazona opened her mouth furiously, but Raesa turned around and followed Vashhun. Whatever he said about Lazona not being responsible, Raesa still felt guilty. And the look on Vashhun's face before he had disappeared. No, Raesa would not leave him like that.

Nadira moved forward to stop Raesa, but Raesa ducked away. She couldn't leave anyone, anyone, to be that miserable. Vashhun needed to know that he wasn't alone. And perhaps, after Lazona's betrayal of Raesa's trust, so did Raesa.

Desanda and Aeriz-

Desanda gaped openly, Aeriz's eyes seething in rage. This was just... too much for them to handle. The whole thing was just too much. Not to say that this hadn't happened at home, but this was far rougher than anything. "And we're supposed to be working together?" Aeriz asked in a low voice.

Desanda frowned and bit her lower lip. "No, they never directly said they were after Daemon."

"But if they aren't, then nobody else is. Everyone else is too scared for that. These people have got to be going after him." Aeriz didn't take his eyes off of the people in front of him.

"But you're not sure," Desanda pressed.

"I am."

"What do we do?" She already knew that Aeriz had made up his mind. There was no changing it, like one of those Sticking Spells. Her great-great-great-great-great grandmother had used one of those to stick her portrait up, and it was still there.

"We just sit here, I guess."

"What?" she hissed. "We can't do that! Sooner or later, they're going to start fighting again. This time, for real!"

"We shouldn't get involved in this."

"But we need their help!" Desanda fought the urge to grow when her alter-ego didn't reply/ "Aeriz!" Still, he said nothing. This time, Desanda threw her hands up in exasperation and anger.

"Forget it! I'm leaving!" With that, Desanda stalked off, not knowing what would happen if she and Aeriz were separated. All their life, they had been with each other. They even had the same bedroom! Not once had they been separated. Until now. Desanda would be long gone by the time Aeriz returned to his senses.

-

Aeriz tore his mind free of the barrier, head shaking violently. How long had the web controlled him? He was familiar with this type of mind control; he had experienced it once before... back when the seas were still silver. Though they seemed black as ink when that murderer was still on the loose.

The caster would weave a web of magical instructions and wrap them around the vitim's mind. The victim would then do whatever was woven into the web, until they were released. Since Aeriz had already experienced it before, he could throw it off more easily, but what had happened? How long was he out of it? Who did this and when?

"De..." He trailed off, realizing that Desanda wasn't there anymore. Eyes widened in panic, he frantically searched for her. Desanda wasn't in the clearing and he couldn't see her behind any of the nearby trees. What happened?

I'm a little lost, could someone PM me what's going on, please?

Vashhan

He moved quickly through the trees, keeping at a quick pace, his head held low. A tree would near his and he would swiftly move out of the way. He wanted to run. And he ran. He ran away from the clearing. He ran away from Nadira. He ran away from those watchful eyes. He could not stand it any longer. For some odd reason, all these people were brought together, for that same reason. To kill Daemon. But what did it matter when what it would come down to is betrayal of each others trust.

The connection between him and Nadira pulled him longingly back to where she stood, but he would not give in. Even if the connection brought him pain he would not stop. The connection would be better if it did not exist at all.

But then he heard the noise and stopped his ungainly run. His white pristine fur was spotted and patched with mud. His eyes were weary. He did not wish to fight. But then he caught the familiar scent of the one witch. She was gaining fast, probably flying on her broom. He did not wish to see her, but he did not run like he seemed to do so much in these last few hours.

She dropped out of the sky quickly, but not as graceful as he would expect. Her hair was frazzled, her hat must have fallen off in her haste. She stepped toward him but staggered. She huffed and straightened out, apparent that she wanted to present herself nicely. What a foolish thought. He did not care at all what she looked like or acted like.

"I-I came to say sorry." She said looking at him. Vashhan, not willing to speak, never transformed out of his wolf form. She apparently saw this and nodded her head and smiled weakly. "I know you said it did not matter, but I know how much it actually does. My trust has been betrayed by her, I would never have thought that she would ever do such a thing..." He gaze had wandered but she quickly brought it back flustered. She had not expected to speak that much. "I just wanted to say you are not alone any longer. You do not have to be sad. I will be here with you."

She did not understand what those words meant to him. She did not understand how they made his heart skip a beat. She did not understand that those were the words he has most desired to hear.

The rain then fell down in torrents, watering all the plants and trees. The dirt quickly transformed to a thick mixture of mud. She stood there, the water soon drenching her clothing making it cling to her skin. Her hair defiantly dampened. She did not know whether to be flustered or more frustrated at the rain.

Vashhan morphed into his human form. His golden curls melted away in the rain and he smiled at her a slightly crooked smile. It felt so good to smile. He then, his voice just a bit louder than a whisper, spoke a simple four words.

"I am glad then."

Nadira

The rain gently fell into the clearing, seemingly calming all the high tensions. She looked at all of them and raised her voice so that all would hear.

"He is going to fight Daemon, as I know all of you desire to do. He will not stop and will not let any thing get in his way. Not even me. He will die out there if we do not find him and help him. He is no match for Daemon on his own. I need all of your assistance. Every single one of you. I beg of you." Nadira spoke, letting the rain run undisturbed through her hair and clothing.

"But I thought it was you who despised witches. When your precious Vashhan is in danger, you ask us for help, but other wise you treat us like pathetic mortals. Why should we help someone like you?" Lazona voice raised up against hers.

"I myself have no desire to even go after Daemon, but Vashhan is my Alter. He is myself. I cannot let that part of myself die. I would be nothing without Vashhan. As would all of you if your Alter died at the hands of someone like that. I will put away my hatred for your kind, as long as I know Vashhan will be safe." Her voice wavered as she felt their weak connection once more. If that tiny connection did not exist any longer, she had no idea how living would be possible. She cherished their connection right now. No matter how small.

------------------------

Sorry, that was a bit long.

~Incognito

Raesa

Raesa's face, tense with worry, broke into a small grin.

"As am I," she replied. She glanced up at the sky, rain drops beating down on her face. Raesa tried to shake the water off. The motion was pointless; Raesa knew it. In fact, Raesa relished the wet freshness clinging to her. She felt rejuvanated, as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Vashhun looked puzzled. "You are glad that I am glad?" he asked Raesa. Raesa wrinkled her nose in thought.

"Er - More that you are no longer unhappy," Raesa said slowly. She grimaced apologetically. "Oh, that was sappy... Erm - I don't know. I guess I am glad that you are willing to accept some sort of aid. I know people who would never do such a thing."

Lazona, thought Raesa. She looked at Vashhun. He seemed to have caught her drift, but still had a slightly questioning look in his eyes. Raesa rubbed her nose ruefully.

"Sorry I sound like such a blumbering idiot... It's just that I - " Raesa stopped herself, realizing she was going on another tanget. "Well," she finished with a grin. "I guess it's none too out of the usual..."

Ringo and Ballow

Ringo turned to Nadira, "Oh, your partner seems to have absconded to attempt to smite down the Daemon."

He laughed at little and popped out from the bushes behind Nadira. Nadira glanced at him before looking at Ballow who had followed him.

Ballow scowled at Ringo and dragged him away from Nadira. Ringo was trying to poke Nadira in the cheek. Letting a breath of air Ballow slumped down next to Nadira, "He's gone."

Not a question. A statement. Ringo's smile widened as he echoed Ballow, "He's gone, absquatulated, absconded, eloped, disappeared from sight. Gone."

Throwing a glance at Ringo who had perched himself in a neary tree and was squashing innocent bugs with a happy smile on his face, Ballow began, "He has reason."

Nadira gazed at Ballow wondering how much he actually knew. Though he seemed silent and the kind of guy you'd think wouldn't notice anything, he was actually very observant.

Ringo called down from the top of the tree, "Aha, you both look like insignificant little ants, such as the one I hold in my hands, I shall name it after you, Nadira - whoops - it seems that Nadira has just departed from this world."

The scowl of Ballow's slipped off of his face, to reveal a look of danger. Instantly, Ringo stopped squashing ants and fell from the tree, landing deftly on his feet. Then he sprung up onto Ballow's shoulder, "Oh, dear kin of mine. What makes you think you can threaten me?"

He twirled a hand through Ballow's hair, Ballow muttered something under his breath; it had a small tune. Ringo's fingers caught on fire.

Ringo pouted, then smiled again, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Does my dearest want to advance the heat of this little argument?"

Ballow shook him off and muttered louder the same thing, with more power. Ringo grinned, "Then perhaps I should somehow cool your temper down, neh?"

Nadira watched them in amused shock. What made them do this? Ballow smirked, as his scowl fell off, "One less competitor for thr throne."

Ringo's smiled widnened as he yelled in a foreign language and water burst forward from his hands. Ballow let out a stream of fire at the same time and the met mid way in the air, creating a thick blanket of steam.

It clung at the throat and stinged the eyes, but there was Ringo and Ballow in the middle of it, grappling eachother. Punching, kicking, biting throwing more water and fire. A fast paced, violent dance of death ensued. Until suddenly the both stopped.

Ringo sprung back into his tree, "Ahh, dearest, till next time and till we have such an audience again that we will be amused."

Nadira was half shocked when Ballow's face became visible. The faint remnants of smile lingered, but quickly disappeared back into a scowl.

Ringo let out a giggle as Ballow turned to Nadira, "You forget?"

Nadira started. She had been so enraptured with their fighting, the beautiful art of the way that they had battled that she had indeed lost her mind and all her thoughts. A smile crep onto her face. Though this pair seemed to always be doing something bad, perhaps really they were doing something good.

Nadira

"I do know my partner is gone. I will not forget that fact. He is going to fight Daemon as you two know and apparently, since we are like ants and are that easy to kill, I would not mind your assistance in ridding this world of that man's existence." Nadira felt almost flustered. She usually would never be caught off her guard like this. It was probably because she never had Vashhan at her side. But here were two people, that were such a mystery to her. Their emotions could not be told by their few actions. There meanings of accordance to what they do are not exactly as they seem. The magesty of their fighting can take anybodies breath away.

"Ah! But you forget!" Lazona started in a sneer. "He is not alone. My pathetic other is with him."

"Like what difference that would do!" Nadira growled. "She is a weakling witch. She would not stand a chance with the things Vashhan will have to face!"

"You want our assistance yet, you make fun of someone of my kind. I do not believe i am compelled to join you."

"I am sorry." The black haired werewolf muttered in barely a whisper. "I did not mean it."

"But ah! I believe you do. You do not wish to be in league with my kind. If my memory fails me, you did not wish to even join us in the first place." Her voice was shrill with merriment. Lazona enjoyed such games. She felt the merriment and pleasure as Nadira squirmed on the spot, trying to figure out an answer.

Vashhan

"I do not mind if you sound like a blumbering idoit. Technically, we all sound like one at least once in our life time." He turned around, relishing the feel of the rain on his skin. But he glanced back at her one more time."I dare say, shall we get out of the rain?"

Raesa looked carefully around looking for any shelter but their was no prevail. She turned to him, a slight rugged smile on her face. "I do not believe their is one."

"Well, that seems a shame." Vashhan exclaimed, never taking his eyes off her. She was holding herself close like just taking up room was a horrible thing that she would be punished for. But her eyes showed kindness, not speck of hate or anger. She was a good person, no matter what anyone would have to say. "We will just have to find one." He grasped her wrist, noticing the slight tense at his touch.

She was beautiful. That was for sure.

------------------------------

Oh dear, I believe Vashhan may be a bit bi-polar.

~Incognito

It appears we have forgotten all about our dear fairies. Time to bring in the elves!

Alassea -

"What do you mean you can't find him!"

"Just simply that! Its not like I've got a map in my head with his exact pinpoint on it!"

"Now what are we expected to do? Wait until he goes on another killing spree?" Alassea paced back and forth through the dimly lit clearing. The dew on the ground dripped on her foots. They had holes in them. How unlucky.

"Well," Faelwen whimpered, "if we goes on another killing spree at least we'll know where he is."

Alassea growled, "You are so annoying Faelwen!"

"As are you!" Faelwen stuck her nose into the air and turned around, flipping her hair over her shoulder. How dare she do that to her own alter! Alassea thought, sticking her tongue out at Faelwen and pacing ahead, bow in hand.

She heard something. A quiet murmuring. Was that just the sound of the raindrops pattering on the leaves, or was that an animal ... maybe? Alassea rounded the corner of a tree, and sure enough, a man and a woman were huddled beneath it, sheltering from the cold and rain. Alassea raised her bow. "All right, who are you?" She said, grabbing an arrow from her quiver and placing it, ready to be shot.

The man growled. A werewolf, he was. Alassea grinned.

"Don't tell me its another rage boar!" Faelwen groaned rounding the corner. She had but to see the two sheltered beneath the tree before she raised her fist weapons.
- - -
Sorry, I'm not in a detailed writing mood ... *sigh*

Raesa

Raesa spun around at the sound of voices.

"All right, who are you?" someone demanded. Raesa squinted out toward the sound. The rain was making it hard for her to see. Vashhun growled deep in his throat.

"What is it?" whispered Raesa.

"I do not know... This blasted rain it making it - " he stopped suddenly. Raesa glanced toward the voice again. Raesa paled. Two figures were visable now. One clearly had some sort of bow in her hand. The other was slightly behind the first figure, and the rain muddled her into a senseless blob.

"We aren't going to harm you!" called Raesa nervously. Vashhun jerked slightly, as if to stop her from making noise. Raesa broke off, looking at him nervously. He stared at her ruefully.

"What did you do that for?" he hissed.

"One of them's got a bow!" muttered Raesa. Vashhun sighed exasperatedly.

"You think I don't know that?"

Raesa bit her lip uneasily. "Sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to - "

"Explain later," replied Vashhun, turning back to peer at the figures. "Not when danger is near."

Raesa shut her mouth, determined not to speak again and possibly harm either of them.

Lazona

Lazona smirked. She was getting to the Lycanthrope. Lazona could tell. Lazona bowed slightly, weaving in every insult she could think of to that one simple motion.

"I rest my case," said Lazona silkily. Nadira pursed her lips furiously. Lazona knew she was biting back an insult. Oh, wasn't she devoted to her poor other. Somehow, Lazona had trouble feeling sorry for him. Her arm was still slightly sore.

Lazona turned away, with every intention to march back to that silly Academy, snatch up her broom, and fly away. Lazona wouldn't mind the pain from separating from Raesa. She'd embrace it. and then Raesa would come running back like the good little mouse that she was. Lazona would point blank refuse to leave their cottage again, and poor Raesa wold be miserable. Well, hang Raesa's feelings. Lazona was only troubled with herself.

"You will join me," said Nadira in measured tones from behind Lazona. "Because your Alter will stop at nothing to reach Daemon. I know it. You know it. Tell me, witch, have you ever felt that pain, that terrible, soul-ripping pain that comes from leaving your Alter?"

Lazona turned back, sneering. "I have no fear of pain."

"I'm sure you don't," said Nadira grimly. "But you've never experienced anything like that pain. We all fear it, for it is beyond all else."

Lazona hesitated. Now it was Nadira's turn to smirk.

Shaiel

He stepped forward, having finished watching the exchange between Lazona and Nadira. "I'll join you." he said, "Because you'll need all the help you can get in going after Daemon."

And you, Rason muttered in his head, Will need all the help you can get in keeping me from killing him and taking his throne. And killing your new found friends while I'm at it.

Shaiel looked to Lazona next, "And you should find your Alter as well. The pain is terrifying."

The witch sneered at him, "Oh? And what would you no about it? You Alter-Ego lives inside you, fool!"

The angel's eyes seemed flat, almost dead, "I lived in August Hill, there was a higher concentration of our kind there than anywhere in the world. When Daemon attacked, Rason took over, but not before I saw many driven insane by the deaths of their Alters, the creation of a distance that couldn't be crossed. People were trying to kill themselves, were trying to tear the pain out from under their skin." He shuddered, "It's not something I want to see again."

But I do. murmured Rason, Shaiel, brother. I know you can hear me. How does it feel, knowing that helping them stay alive just helps me get into a position where I can kill them? Knowing that you have no choice but to help me?

Vashhan

Elves. He hissed quietly in his thoughts. They were armed, the one girl pointing the bow directly at his chest. They understood what he was. There would be no time to phase, no time to get into the form that was more natural to him. But more importantly, he would not let them hurt Raesa. She was innocent.

These people had no ill attention clearly. They were not ready to fight because they wished violence. They were defending their own. Yet at this moment, with on gentle slip of a finger, he could have an arrow pierced into his chase. There was only one choice he could make.

He would parcially pahse.

He felt his shoulders stiffen and his canines enlarge. He closed his hands into tight fists feeling his nails grow and sharpen piercing his flesh. He skin became thicker slightly. These were very slight subtle changes, not very noticable unless they are observed by the trained eye. But these elves seemed like cornflakes. They would not notice.

He gently stood up, carefully observing the reaction time of how the bow followed his movement. He would see if he could scare them away, or else, he would have to cause un-needed blood-shed.

"Leave now." The coarse growl came from within, and echoed loudly in the surrounding forest. He knew what kind of aura he was sending off. That would be a sure sign to back off if they took the time to observe that precaution. But as he said before, the were cornflakes. They would not leave.

"I have asked already, and I will ask again, who are you?" The one who was brandishing a weapon asked.

"I am Vashhan. The last of the Lycanthrope race. The alpha blood runs through my veins. It will not be an easy fight if you wish to do so." His voice was harsh yet softened slightly at the ending hoping to make that option more appealing. He did not wish to get Raesa into a fight.

"But Vashhan, what about--" Raesa started but covered her mouth as soon as she figure out what she was about to say.

Vashhan was hoping they would not ask about his Alter. That way, Nadira would not have to come. But they ended up doing just that.

"Is she your Alter?" The second elf asked curiously.

"Yes." Vashhan lied.

Nadira

The surprise was inevident. Shaiel stepped forward and decided to join. She felt a smile blossom on her face and she shook her head releaing the rain that has started to settle their. Shaiel was on of the people she wished to have partnered with because even she could sense his immense power.

"Thank you." She said. "This is much appreciated." She was never the kind of person to thank people for their own decisions, yet because Vashhan was indanger, she would not risk anything.

Shaiel turned and looked at the others. "Will anyone else join us?"

They all hesitated and fell into slight thought.

------------------------------

~Incognito

Raesa

Raesa turned, bewildered at Vashhun. Was was he - ?

Vashhun flashed a warning glance in her direction. Raesa steeled herself. Right, then. For the time being, she would be Vashhun's... Alter.

"You looked surprised," commented one of the elves suspiciously. Raesa shook her head.

"No, no, of course I'm not..." she muttered nervously. "He just usually doesn't - er - reveal that I am, indeed, a part of him."

Raesa didn't bother to check to see if her story satisfied the elves. In all likelihood, it did not. Raesa hoped that by her not being concerned about her story that the elves would back off.

"Well," said one of the elves, unsatisfied. "Away with the both of you. You have no business here."

Raesa frowned. "And you do?"

"Yes."

"No more than us, I assure you," said Vashhun quietly, dangerously. The elf holding the bow raised an eyebrow.

"Indeed?" she sneered. Raesa licked her lips nervously. There seemed to be no end to this standoff.

Lazona

Lazona hesitated. Her connection with Raesa was straining; if nothing else, it would prove to be an annoyance soon enough. And this pain that they talked of....

Come to think of it, thought Lazona grimly. If Raesa is out there risking her neck, she would be more of a liability to me. If something happened to her...

Lazona'a scowl deepened. "I, too, will go. It seems I have no choice in the matter," Lazona said bitterly.

Nadira looked at her coolly. "I'm pleased," she said stiffly. Lazona sneered.

"You're not. But I don't particuarly care."