[RP]Skies of Elleard

As Dominic continued to peruse the map's various regions, something began to trouble him. The more he looked at it, the more he noticed massive blank areas, extending for hundreds of square miles or more in many cases. He knew there were a lot of territories in Skylerk that hadn't been explored very thoroughly, or at all, but this was ridiculous. He'd assumed the university library would've held the most up-to-date cartographical resources anywhere, but surely someone somewhere had to have a better map than this.

He glanced up, and thought for a minute about what research divisions might be privy to more careful and detailed mapmaking. The answer, he soon noticed, was right in front of him: the REIHE SCHOOL OF HISTORY AND ANTHROPOLOGY. And, as it so happened, today was a weekday, which most likely meant regular classes were in session. Having endured nothing but an at-home college education with a schedule that played to his own whims, he chuckled as he thought of how many fun things he'd done at this time on weekdays, and made his way casually into the building, rolling his poor excuse of a map back up as he did so. If all went well inside, he might be able to run into a professor who was on a lunch break, or at least find a materials storage room he could access.

As he stepped into the building, he found that an older gentleman who fit the image of a professor was just now making his way down the long hallway, accompanied by a tall, muscular-looking man with light blue hair tied back in a rat's tail. Intrigued, he watched as they stopped in front of the fourth door on the left; the older man unlocked the door, and they both went inside, leaving the door ajar. Wondering whether there was a lecture going on, Dominic hung back a little bit, then casually wandered after them, coming to a silent stop as he reached the open doorway.

Inside the room, which looked more like an office than a lecture hall, the older man sat down at a desk that was covered in all manner of cluttered parchment papers, and began writing something down on one of them. From where Dominic was standing, it looked like he was examining some sort of stone, then writing his findings down periodically, as though he were copying something. The other man, whose back was to the door, seemed very interested in what he was doing also, which made Dominic very curious, and without thinking he stepped further into the doorway, trying to get a closer look.

“Well?”

The younger man sounded impatient. Truth be told, Dominic couldn't blame him; the older man certainly seemed to be taking his time.

“Hmm...”

“Hmm?”

“Oh, it appears we have a guest...”

Dominic gave a small start as the old man looked up and pointed directly at him, indicating he was aware of his presence. The younger man turned to face him as well, following the man's pointing finger. As Dominic scrambled to conjure up an excuse for his presence, the young man addressed him directly.

“What do you want?”

Dominic hesitated; having spent most of his time in the presence of servants lately, he wasn't at all used to being addressed this way, and he thought his answer through very carefully before giving it, seeing as how this man was built considerably more sturdily than he was.

“Oh, erm...” he began, glancing back and forth between the two men, “sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I was just...” His eyes couldn't help wandering to the strange stone object on the desk, and he had to stop himself, not wanting to seem suspect. “I was just hoping to find someone here who could lend me a map. A very detailed map of the world, or at least Skylerk's share of it. One without a bunch of holes in it, which is all the library seems to have.” He indicated the map he was still holding, and smirked at its uselessness, wondering wryly to himself if at some point later he might be able to use it for target practice.
 
OOC: Well, ill meet everyone last. So after Squee meets with Kevin and Gamingway, ill make my move.

Ka ching.

The purser raised an eyebrow and raised his ancient head at the noise. There was a bag of money on his desk and a rather familiar bodice behind it. Slowly, the old man readjusted his glasses and looked kindly at Cuclainn.

Ah, welcome back Ms Ainsworth. I see you have come back after an absence of half a year. It is good to see you still moving in good condition.

{Apologetic} Right. About that, i actually had to get repairs. Costly, but well deserving of the cost. So theres a bit less than what it says in the books.

A slight wrinkle creased the old man's brow before straightening it out. With deadly concentration, he flicked through the pages of the log book, going through each page with slow deliberation, scrutinising everything.

Well Ms Ainsworth, im sure that during combat, its hard to keep exact sum of expenses.

{Sheepish} About that... i need additional funds for a new weapon commission. I am lacking range in combat.

The Purser shrugged his shoulders and kicked back in his chair.

You need what you need in combat. Take back the bag. Ill deal with the accounts later after you're done with everything.

Cuclainn smiled as much as she could, which wasn't much and quickly dashed out of the building. She had the address to the recommended gunsmith. It was now just a matter of seeing how good he was and dropping of Dr Aspel's message.
 
“Oh, erm...sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I was just...”

"What are you trying to say...?"

"Now, now Wilheim, let the boy speak."

“I was just hoping to find someone here who could lend me a map. A very detailed map of the world, or at least Skylerk's share of it. One without a bunch of holes in it, which is all the library seems to have.”

"Ah, you come looking for a map, huh?" Wilheim said, as Professor Hillenberand scavenged around for one. He pulled out a large map. It still had holes in it, but it looked more complete than many other maps made. "Here you go, young man." He handed over the map to the noble-looking figure.

"As for the translation, I can do it, but it will take a few weeks for me to make a proper transliteration. It's hard to change these characters used by the anicents into the ones we use today."

"That's okay." Wilheim said, picking up the tablet, "In the meantime, I'll take hold of this."
 
Raistlin noticed it getting lighter outside. It must have been turning daylight. “I can't say I've ever used one.” Raistlin said. He never really had a real use for weapons besides his staffs and swords. Usually, he didn't even need those. His magic got most of everything out of the way. “It's almost day time,” Raistlin said, stating the perfectly obvious.


As the sun started to rise, so did Darquewillow. As she picked herself off the ground, she noticed Raistlin and Stephen talking. “What are you two doing up so early?” She asked, “Raistlin, did you even sleep last night?” She didn't remember him lying down at all. Raistlin then answered, “No, I don't sleep very well.”


She didn't know too much about Furions. Before she met Raistlin, she never even knew of there existence. She looked over at Stephen, “How is your arm?”
 
Stephen smiled at Darquewillow's Question "well considering i had 5 bullets pulled out of it, it's not that healthy, but it's healthy enough for day to day living" Stephen informed her a smirk creeping onto his face as he spun his handgun back around and holstered it, as to not scare Darquwillow or even make her think that him and Raistlin have been fighting.

"Listen Darquewillow, we have a problem, I am one of Few Mercenaries left on the planet who has a 100% job completion record, thus making me the highest paid Mercenary, and in order to complete this job and maintain my record and my status, i need to return you to the bar, but as Raistlin pointed out, we aint returning you to the bar, so unless you have a plan, one of us is getting fucked over" Stephen informed the newly awoken woman.
 
Darquewillow's eyes shot wide open upon hearing of a plan involving going back to the bar. She didn't want to, she wanted to tell Stephen to go away. Just the mere thought of it had her nervous, and scared. Raistlin could tell she hated this idea, she was shaking and even her speech, which was usually elegant, and refined was now shuddered, and choked. “But... I... What... I-I-”


Raistlin cut her off. “He needs to get his airship back, Darquewillow. You know that I won't let them harm you.” She felt reassured, by his words, and she felt as if she could trust him. “F-fine. I will do it, but please, you have to get me out quickly. They will punish me for the escape.”


Raistlin smiled, “Don't worry. I'll make sure that by the time they get you up to that mansion, I'll already be there. I promise.” Seeing that he wasn't lying, Darquewillow looked down at the floor. “I am sorry... I am just a little scared, that is all.” She then looked up at Stephen. "No funny ideas."
 
Stephen smiled as Darquewillow told him not to get any funny ideas, looking at his arm with raised eyebrows, and then glancing back to Darquewillow "any funny idea's as you put it, would lead to death, so don't worry they aint in my head" Stephen explained, pulling out a pair of shackles, that were to be put around the wrists, "these will have to go on" he Explained in a gentle tone of voice Before turning to Raistlin.

"I can make sure you get to the manor house before the Mercs escorting her, I promise, we can use the Strahl, make things easier" Stephen Explained "Its as quick as a Steam-powered Airship can be, and its faster than anything Neristrian" Stephen continued.

Striding over to the Entrance to the ruins, "I know you have no reason to trust me" Stephen informed them "But i would like to help you, i have realised that being a Slave isn't a life for anyone, but with your clothes and your accent, you need not worry about me letting you stay in Slavery, as soon as your delivered to the Pub, my job is over, i can get back to the Strahl, and get it to the Mansion before the mercs return with you" Stephen spoke to darquewillow as he said this "Raistlin, you could board the Strahl while i deliver her, and we can head straight there, we will take out the mercenaries and get Darquewillow back"

Stephen paused for a few moments and then smiled "Your welcome to come with me, i could use the skills of you two on my travels, you Furion's are next to impossible to kill, and because Darquewillow is a Skylerkian, she can pilot the Strahl, faster escape on Snatch and Grab missions" Stephen spoke with a tone is his voice that made it sound like the preferable option "or, we can go our separate ways" Stephen's tone was less cheery when he said this. "so with or without my help, Darquewillow will be freed from slavery, and you will be together, the Decision is yours" Stephen explained.
 
“What are you trying to say...?”

“Now, now Wilheim, let the boy speak.”

Dominic was grateful that they had eventually allowed him to explain his reason for being there, and once he had, the ice seemed to have been broken somewhat.

“Ah, you come looking for a map, huh?”

He nodded a response to the younger man's question, as the older man, whom at this point he assumed was a professor, began to rummage around for something. He finally found what he was looking for, a large, much more complete-looking map than the one Dominic had, and handed it to him.

“Here you go, young man.”

Dominic could tell from just a glance that this map was far superior to the one he'd gotten from the library. He accepted it with a wide smile, a bit shocked that the answer had come so easily. “This is exactly what I was looking for,” he replied gladly. “Thank you, sir. I'll get it back to you as soon as I can.” He carefully rolled up the new map, and started to turn back towards the door to leave.

“As for the translation, I can do it, but it will take a few weeks for me to make a proper transliteration. It's hard to change these characters used by the anicents into the ones we use today."

Dominic froze in his tracks as the older gentleman addressed the younger one again. A translation? The Ancients? What--

“That's okay. In the meantime, I'll take hold of this.”

Dominic turned back to look at them, his curiosity piqued. The young blue-haired man picked up the stone tablet the professor seemed to have been copying something from. As Dominic discreetly peered around the young man, trying to get a better look at the item, he noticed that it seemed to have some sort of unusual markings on its surface. Wondering whether there was even the slightest chance of this having to do with his quarry, and unable to hold his tongue any longer, Dominic finally turned fully back around to face them, and decided to approach the matter.

“Er—my apologies, but...did you just say 'the Ancients'?” he asked innocently, stepping a little closer to them again. He eyed the stone tablet more openly now. “Is that a new artifact of theirs?” He stepped to the side a bit, cocking his head to get a better look at it. “I know I've certainly never seen anything like that before. That's curious, because that's actually one of the reasons I was looking for a map. I've been researching them a lot lately myself. Where did you find that, if I might ask?”
 
Darquewillow gasped as she saw the shackles. Grabbing them slowly, she put them on around her wrists. She shivered at the touch of them. As she enclosed them around her wrists, she jumped at the sound of them locking. She wasn't happy, but she knew it had to be done. She looked down at the ground as she placed her hands in her lap, and didn't utter a sound. Raistlin could hear a tiny muffled sob and she looked as helpless as he'd ever seen her.


“I-I am ready.”
“Don't worry, Darquewillow. Once they have you in the building, I'll be ready. They won't stand a chance. By the time they realize what's going on, the majority will be dead.”
“Do I have to see it?”
“If you don't want to see them fall, keep your eyes closed.”


“As for your offer,” said Raistlin, “We'll see how the mission goes first.”
 
Stephen hated the sight of the broken hearted Darquewillow as she slid the shackles on and locked them, he looked at Raistlin "I'll be going to the mansion to save her, with or without your assistance, so you might as well ride with me in the Strahl, you may not need it, but the rest will do you good" Stephen explained as he strode over to Darquewillow "to make this look realistic, I'm going to have to carry you" Stephen explained "do you mind if i lift you, and carry you over my shoulder?" Stephen questioned, knowing even though he was going to use his left arm, the physical assertion of lifting her was still going to cause some discomfort through his right arm as well.
 
Raistlin nodded his head as Stephen told him about getting rest. Even though it was hard for Raistlin to sleep, he had to try. As Stephen walked over to Darquewillow, explained that he would have to carry her to make it look more realistic. “Okay, I understand,” she said, almost in a whisper, “but please, watch your arm.” Darquewillow prepared herself to be lifted up, still scared at what would happen to her if the plan failed.


Raistlin stood near the entrance of the Ruins, unable to stand the sight up Darquewillow in shackles. He had never felt pity before, but at the same time, he had never been as angry as he was at this moment. I'm going to make sure they pay, Raistlin thought. He had every intention of making sure the owner of that mansion never left it alive.
 
“Er—my apologies, but...did you just say 'the Ancients'?”

"Why yes, young man. Why do you ask?" Professor Hillenberand said.

“Is that a new artifact of theirs?”

"Recently acquired." Wilheim spoke. Crossing his arms and leaning on the wall.

“I know I've certainly never seen anything like that before. That's curious, because that's actually one of the reasons I was looking for a map. I've been researching them a lot lately myself. Where did you find that, if I might ask?”

Wilheim went into thought, why would a gentleman like him want to go hunting for relics. "Southern Continent, in the northwestern Peninsula. A lot of these places aren't named, so we usually name them ourselves after the discovery."

"Ah, yes..how was your venture down in the unexplored regions."

"Heh, barren grasslands, wildlife we've never discovered, the usual. Both Countries would pay a hefty sum for the cartography, especially since they're using the new lands as battlegrounds. Shows that mercenaries like me, will always have a use out there..."
 
Stephen allowed Darquewillow to move her hands above his head, he placed his shoulder at her waist level and hoisted her up, gritting his teeth from pain as he did so "It's time to go Raistlin, Stephen then turned and walked out of the ruin, he was heading directly towards the village, he could see the Strahl above it, and he could see small dots that he expected were men, filling the Water tank, if they used snow he wouldn't be happy, as the melting process would take a few hours and then his and Raistlin's plan would be potentially foiled.
 
Raistlin watched as Stephen lifted Darque on his shoulder. Darquewillow didn't make a sound as he lifted her up. She was far too busy thinking of what would happen if for some reason, the mission failed. She trusted them, but anything could happen. As Raistlin followed them out, he changed his eye color so no one would notice his abnormalities. Placing his Mage hat on, he walked behind them.


Seeing as how the person they saw take Darquewillow had brown hair, he felt it best not to change his appearance. After all, they hadn't seen another white haired man, besides Stephen around. Raistlin looked at Darquewillow one last time before they made it to the village. He would let Stephen do all the talking, Raistlin wasn't quite used to speaking to his enemies first. He would sit back and watch while he learned from Stephen what manipulation was all about.
 
Stephen smiled as the trio entered the village, they weren't going to know what hit them, as they arrived at the pub door he booted the door, almost off it's hinges "well" Stephen announced smirking "Gentlemen, it would seem your Neristrian problem has been dealt with, the bastard blew a couple holes in me, but nothing i couldn't handle" Stephen announced confidently as he glanced back over his shoulder at Raistlin, the two men infront of him had already noticed Raistlin as well "A friend of yours?" the Barman asked, a sinister grin on his face, signalling in Raistlin's direction "non of your damn business" Stephen announced as he sat Darque on the table next to the barman "one slave, as promised" Stephen announced

the Barman smirked as the man stood next to him pulled a gun from behind his back and pointed it at Darquewillow "stupid Slave Bitch, whats to stop me killing you right here" the man announced, it became obvious to Stephen that this was the Slave master, he unholstered his handgun with his left arm and pointed it at the slave master's head "Because you don't wanna piss me off" Stephen announced smirking, causing the slave master to lower his gun.

"I shall send for my Escorts" the slave master announced, Stephen knew this was the moment he had to act upon "Well, my job is done, is my payment ready?" Stephen asked, and the barman nodded "your water tank is filled to the brim with fresh, chilled water, your engine should love the stuff" this made Stephen smile ~last mistake you will ever make old man~ Stephen thought to himself "thank you" he muttered before spinning around and walking towards the Exit "Rai, Lets go" he announced to Raistlin.

As Soon as he was out of the Bar, Stephen Ran to the Strahl, jumping on board and heading Straight to the Armory, Grabbing his assault rifle, he headed up to the bridge, starting up the Engine and awaiting Raistlin's arrival "come on" Stephen muttered repeatedly.
 
As they walked into the pub, Stephen announced that they had the slave, and the Neristrian problem had been “dealt with”. The two men looked at Raistlin and questioned his identity, only to have their questions shot down. Stephen placed Darquewillow on the table, “one slave, as promised”, he said.


Darquewillow was scared as she sat there onto of the table. Even more so as the Barman walked over to her and pointed a gun at her head. “Stupid slave bitch, what's to stop me killing you right here?” Darquewillow was too scared to move, too scared to utter a sound. She was relieved when Stephen pulled out his gun, and made the Barman put his gun down.


The Barkeep, Ragnus Mojan (OOC: I forgot I gave him a name. :ffs:), sent for his escorts, and informed both Raistlin and Stephen that the airship was filled with water. “Rai, let's go”, he said to Raistlin, and the both went to the airship. “Come on,” Stephen told him. However, Raistlin didn't need the encouragement, he got abord the ship, right behind Stephen. “This is a very nice ship,” he told Stephen, as he took a seat next to the controls, leaving room for Stephen to fly.


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


Darquewillow was now left alone with Ragnus. He looked her over, and from the look on his face, it was more than safe to say that he was not happy. “Well, it seems your plan was shot to shit, now wasn't it?” He asked, quite mockingly. “What, too good to answer me?” Darquewillow was in fact, too scared to answer. She knew that Ragnus wasn't beyond hitting a woman, there wasn't much, if anything, that he wouldn't do out of spite, and anger.


“You're pissing me off, little girl.” He said, reaching back his hand and slapping her across the face. Darquewillow cried out in pain, as tears welled up in her eyes. “Once I get you back to the mansion, I'll make sure you'll never be able to escape again.” He said. This had her really worried. Ragnus was known for absurd, almost evil punishments. If you looked up the term “cruel and unusual” you would most likely see his picture next to it.


“W-what are you going to do to me?” She asked over the sounds of her sobs. “'Master, what are you going to do to me, Master?' You mean. You will address me as such, is that clear?” It wasn't so much as a question, as it was a demand. “Yes... Master.” She replied in shame as she looked downward at the ground. “As for what I'm going to do to you... I think the boys could use some action, don't you?”


Darquewillow's eyes went wide with fear upon hearing this. Before she could beg for forgiveness, or talk her way out of it, Ragnus grabbed a chain and attached it to her shackles. He pulled her from the table, and started walking her to the Mansion while she was in tears.


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


Raistlin looked at Stephen one last time before the take off. “The Barkeep... Leave him for me. Kill anyone else you want, but leave him for me.”
 
Stephen smiled at Raistlin's request "Sure thing man" he replied, as he glanced down at his Assault rifle "you can take your time with him if you want, I'll keep you covered" Stephen informed him.

as they Arrived at their landing site, Stephen took one last Glance at "game on" Stephen informed raistlin as he stood up and grabbed his Assault rifle with his left hand, he reached for the grip with his right, but the Excertion on his arm was a lot, instead of just holding the grip, he grabbed a roll of tape and taped it to the grip. before he disembarked.

as he strode towards the Manor house, he crouched behind a large boulder and looked through the scope atop the gun to scout for any mercenaries or guards atop the Manor's walls. "All is Clear raistlin" Stephen announced, hoping Raistlin had followed him.
 
Once Ragnus had her in the house, he dragged Darquewillow into his office on the second floor. The mansion was huge, and obviously build to center around Ragnus's egotistical desires. Upon walking in the huge double doors, they immediately stepped foot on red carpet that went straight, to which there was a long flight of stairs. Now that they were in his office, he closed the door behind them. Pulling at her shackles so hard they started to bleed as they cut into her wrists.


He set her on a couch in the corner. “Now, you stay there. I'll make sure them men I bring in are extra gentle with you,” he said, with a sick grin on his face. Raistlin and Stephen had better get here soon. I do not like this... Not at all, Darquewillow thought. Then just as she was about to have her nervous breakdown, she heard a large bang that shook the entire house.


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


Once Raistlin saw the roof of the Mansion from the Airship. Once Raistlin heard Stephen tell him that it was all clear, Raistlin teleported to the rooftop. Teleportation could only be used if Raistlin could see where he was going, or if he already knew where it was. Furthermore, it was short ranged, meaning he had to be somewhat close to the location in question. To make matters worse, if over used, it was very taxing on ones body.


However, teleportation worked as he found himself on the roof of the building. Something was wrong, very wrong, and Raistlin wasn't quite sure what it was. As much as he thought he was in control of his actions, it seemed that they were in control of him. He wasn't quite sure what was wrong, but now wasn't the time to sit upon a snow covered rooftop and think about it. As he charged up a fireball, he realized what it was. Raistlin was beyond angry, he could feel his blood on fire, he didn't just want to murder the slave owner, he needed to murder the slave owner.


Blowing a hole in the roof that made the building rumble, he crashing through the ceiling, and right into the room where Darquewillow was being held.


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


Darquewillow was shocked to see Raistlin come through the roof. She smiled immediately as she saw him, as Ragnus pulled out a gun and shot him in the back, scared out of his mind. As Raistlin looked at her, she saw his eyes, and realized that something was very wrong.


The man she saw before her was not the same man that helped her escape from the bar. This wasn't the man that protected her during the night. This was something else, wearing his skin. His eyes weren't just red, they glowed red, as if they could pierce right through someone as he looked at them. She tried to call out his name, but no sound escaped from her lips. She wasn't sure if she should be more scared of Ragnus, or more scared of the person that just came to save her.


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


Raistlin hardly felt the bullets as they hit him. Turning around he looked the pimple faced man in the eyes as he strode towards him, picking him up by his neck. “W-W-What are you?” The man shouted. Raistlin could see his lips move, but he couldn't hear the sound. The only thing that Raistlin could hear was the sound of his own rage, the thrill of the kill, how much he wanted to snap his neck... How much he needed to snap it.


Raistlin then turned to the door, with the man still in his grasp as he threw him through the doors to his office, down the stairs, and into the first floor main hall. Not paying any mind to Darquewillow, he strode out the double doors to the office, and closed them behind him. He stopped as he saw the guards, and Ragnus on the floor, his leg broken from the fall. A loud, inhuman like growl escaped from the mouth of Raistlin as he shot lightning from his finger tips at the two nearest guards.


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


Darquewillow wasn't sure what just happened, what she just saw, or what she just heard. She stood up, still with the shackles on. She wanted to see what was happening, she wanted to be sure that Raistlin, was okay. She didn't know him that well, but she was sure that wasn't normal... Not even for a Furion. However, she didn't want to see any mayhem that was about to ensue. She stayed behind the door, and waited for either a rationally thinking Raistlin, or Stephen to tell her that it was going to be okay.
 
Stephen noticed Raistlin vanish, "teleportation" he announced almost gob smacked "guy has skill" Stephen then added as he heard the Explosion atop the roof "Shit man" he announced as he jumped to his feet and Sprinted towards the main entrance, he shot the two guards, at the double doors as he approached, planting his right foot in the center of them as he heard screams from the other side, the door flew open, he saw Raistlin Standing over the Slave master with a completely different look on his face "Holy shit" Stephen announced as he took aim on guards coming out of the doors upstairs and onto the balcony.

"Raistlin, if you can hear me, hurry it up man" Stephen shouted as he began to fire, conserving ammo, only hitting each Guard twice in the chest. Moving through the center of the hall, he headed Straight for the room at the top of the Stairs, still taking down Guards as he moved, he crouched with his back against the door frame and continued covering Raistlin "Darque, If your in there it's time to go" Stephen shouted loud Enough for the girl to hear him over his gun ringing out.

Click click click, Stephen looked down at his Assault rifle, it was Empty "Crap" he announced as he released the grip and pulled out his hangun with his left hand, now only firing one bullet at each guard, making sure to hit them in the center of the chest "Darque, Get Moving!" Stephen shouted.
 
((Okay, after much bothering and questioning Ringo about the details for my post. I've finally got it done XD))


Small feet slapped against the cold stone road as Seventeen ran as though all the hounds of hell were on her tail. Surely it wouldn't be long before they discovered her missing and the halls splattered with their collegues? She didn't have time to think. Just what had caused this sudden... awareness, Seventeen had no idea. It was as though the whole world had suddenly become accessible to her and with it came a whole host of alien emotions and sensations. One of those was the fear gripped around her heart like a vice.

Seventeen's heart thundered in her chest, matching the thump of her bare feet. Snow white hair billowed out behind her, sheer gown covering her modesty as she all but streaked through the city, searching for sanctuary.

For a good twenty minutes, the tiny girl ran, her ears constantly alert for any sounds of pursuit. Despite hearing nothing to indicate her captors were pursuing her, Seventeen did not slow her pace.

Until she collided with something solid.


"Oomph!" she let out a sharp breath of air as her rear slapped sharply against the chilly stone.

"I'm sorry..." the voice was kindly, a hand reaching out to help her to her feet.

Seventeen recoiled from the young man's touch, completely unused to anything but experimental equipment coming into contact with her skin. The man seemed unfazed, but he retracted his hand slightly and held it before her, waiting for the girl to take it and pull herself up.

With shaking hands, Seventeen reached out and used his hand as leverage to get to her feet.

The man was looking at her oddly. There was a flash of something she didn't recognize. Did he know her?

Her head tilted curiously before he grabbed her and dragged her sharply into the darkness of the shadows in an alley. Three robed men ran past, evidently searching for something.

"They're looking for you, aren't they?" the man asked.

Seventeen nodded.

"Come with me. Trust me..."

Trust. Seventeen didn't understand what that meant. Although sheer terror gripped once more at her stomach, she allowed this strange young man to drag her to his house, bustle her inside and slide the lock across, securing them inside.

Seventeen sank to the ground, head in hands, another bizarre emotion swamping her. Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes and she felt a sudden remorse for the lives she had destroyed back at the lab.

"If you've 'awoken'... that means he's dead..." the young man said softly. He began rummaging around in a large chest, pulling out a black, lacey dress and dropping it before her. "Here. You'll feel warmer in this."

Seventeen changed quickly, not caring that the young man was still watching her curiously. Once dressed, she brushed her hair out of her eyes and stared up at him with her large, crimson irises.

"What happened?"

She didn't answer immediately. After a few moments silence, she held out her arms, pulling back the lacy cuffs to reveal the rapidly fading bruises and cuts upon her arms.
"You're aware, now, aren't you?"

Strangely, she understood what he was saying despite her minimal contact with others and their language. "Yes."

"We need to get you out of here... away from the city. You're not safe here. They'll find you."

She looked up at him again, tears once more in her eyes. "I don't know what to do..."

He turned away from her again, clanging metal on metal as he drew two dao swords from the same chest. Facing her once more, he pressed the hilts into her hands.

"Take these. I'll help you get away from the city... but you need to be able to defend yourself once you're free of here."

Immediately, her hands melded to the weapons, movements and techniques flashing through her mind. A dormant power lit up within her. Weapon Mastery.

"My name is Iado."

"Seventeen." She gave him the only name she had ever been called.

"Well, that's no good, is it? Seventeen is hardly a name."

"But it's the only name I've known."

"Let's pick a better one. A prettier one."

"...Okay."

"What about.... Xeri?"

Seventeen pondering that for a moment. She'd always liked the way her name ended in an 'n' sound. There was something ... almost melodic about that sound as it rolled off her tongue.

"Xeri...an." she added.

"Xerian... that's a much nicer name. Suits you."

Xerian allowed a gentle smile to ghost across her lips as her cheeks flushed slightly.

"As much as I'd like to let you stay... you're not safe here..." Iado cut through the atmopshere as he glanced through a window.

"It's clear... we can make a break for it now."

Xerian nodded, following him through the door, slipped the swords into the folds of the dress he had also given her. The pair ran from the houses, hurrying along the streets towards the forest in the distance.

Shouts of alarms rang out behind them and Iado pushed her forwards.

"Run..."

Xerian, fear welling, stood motionless for a second, a light green aura washing around her feet as she felt the power grow within her. A bang caused her to panic and the green light shot upwards into the sky, cutting through the clouds as the robed men ran forwards.

Fire and lightning emanated around the two as the robed men called upon the elements to prevent their escape.

"Get the girl," one man shouted, pushing a man forwards.

Surrounded by a ring of flame, they had no where else to run... or so Xerian thought.

There was an almighty shriek overhead as a large, white and gold eagle soared out of the skies, spiralling downwards around the light pillar coming from Xerian. Iado nodded to the large bird.

"I'll open you a way. Go with him... He'll see you to safety."

The eagle hovered near Xerian, low enough for her to leap on to. As she did so, Iado used his own powers of water to extinguish a large enough gate in the wreath of flame to allow the bird to fly through to safety.

"Be safe..." Iado whispered as the bolt of electric struck him square in the chest.

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

Xerian couldn't be sure how long they had been flying. The sky had darkened and lightened at least once since their flight from the Magic City and the air was growing considerably colder the further north they flew.

She clung to the eagle who she named Ayrian as though he was the only thing she had left in the world. It wasn't far from the truth...

His voice echoed in her mind. "I'm going to have to let you fall here... use the same power you used to summon me to break your fall. I cannot fly any lower."

The large Mansion below was like a blot on the landscape. Xerian could understand why the bird couldn't go any lower. To see a girl upon a bird... it wasn't the most normal thing in the world... not only that, but a bird as graceful and splendid as Ayrian was... surely there were people who would want to harness him.

Nuzzling his neck, she murmured her goodbyes to him and slid from his back.

Terror caused her powers to resurface, light exploding around her as she plummeted from the skies, giving her the appearance of some sort of bizarre shooting star. Tears streaked across her cheeks and into her white hair as she called out to the plant life below her as she tumbled past a balcony. The branchs of the trees reached out, snatching her from her fall and cradling her amongst their foliage as her power went out of control, blanketing the area in a shroud of darkness.

Xerian fell into unconsciousness, sheltered by the boughs of the trees which held her in their protective sanctuary.

((sorry it's so long <_> I ran the details past ringo so... <_>))
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top