RP between Draken901, SINDragon, PMFantastica, Phoenix_Avatar, OriginalName and Weronikus.
Che-Tze shivered slightly and eased herself closer to the flames.
It was her first night in the open, away from the Mansion of the Fifth Winds. Away from the place she had called home for twelve years. Since she could remember, she had always wanted to go out beyond the Mansion's Gardens, beyond the tall wall, into the village and beyond.
Yet now that she was away from it all, she coudnt have been more miserable.
She tugged her cloak closer for warmth; being a K'Haseth with Tzeque Sithian heritage did make her more prone to feel cold, even if she did have such thick skin. In her mind, the events of the day replayed in front of her eyes.
Che-Tze had been sitting cross-legged in her room, quietly studying history of the Sithians. Lately, she had been trying to know as much as possible about the species; as much as possible about her ancestors. It was then, on that very queit, peaceful morning, that Lord Heisa came into the room, looking worried and determined at the same time. Che-Tze looked up, slightly surprised. With a bit of difficulty - her leg built was awkward for the sitting position she was in - she got up and looked at him quizzically.
"My dear... You need to leave. Now."
"My Lord?..." Che-Tze asked uncertainly, putting her book down. "I don't understand... I thought I wasn't allowed-"
"Times change, Che-Tze. They're after you."
"Who's after me?"
"The less you know, the safer you are." Lord Heisa only replied. "They'll be here in a day's time. Hurry, so you can make distance!"
"B-But-" Che-Tze asked, panic growing as the Lord led her out of her room. "L-Lord Heisa, does this have something to do with the mysterious attacks?..."
"Don't ask any questions." Lord Heisa said firmly. "Not now, not ever again. Don't be curious, that's a very Sithian thing to do. Smile, cry, be angry, show emotion. Be as little a K'Haseth as you possibly can." He breathed out, quickly wrapping a cloak around her and handing her a small bag. "I readied a horse for you. Go south, and don't stop until darkness comes. Then start a fire, let the horse free."
"Why?" Che-Tze asked him, his eyes wide. "Lord Heisa, what's the meaning of this?..."
"Only Lords have horses in Ha'Dan, and farmers' donkeys wouldn't carry you as far as a horse. Don't look into peoples eyes. Speak as little as possible. Keep that hood on. Don't let anyone know you have anything to do with Sithians at all."
And then she was sat on the horse, the horse was forced into a fast gallop, and Che-Tze was sped away. The wind stung her eyes, forcing her to use her third eyelid to keep her eyes moist.
She never got to say goodbye - to anyone.
Now, sitting in front of the flames of her little camp, she was completely alone. Not even the horse was her companion anymore; her third eye-lids kept moisturizing her eyes, a K'Haseth sign of fear. Even if the first panic was gone, how could Lord Heisa expect her to keep all her instincts on a tight reign? And who was searching for her? Why?
She wasn't supposed to be curious. But what could she do, when she so terribly wanted answers?
Che-Tze shivered slightly and eased herself closer to the flames.
It was her first night in the open, away from the Mansion of the Fifth Winds. Away from the place she had called home for twelve years. Since she could remember, she had always wanted to go out beyond the Mansion's Gardens, beyond the tall wall, into the village and beyond.
Yet now that she was away from it all, she coudnt have been more miserable.
She tugged her cloak closer for warmth; being a K'Haseth with Tzeque Sithian heritage did make her more prone to feel cold, even if she did have such thick skin. In her mind, the events of the day replayed in front of her eyes.
Che-Tze had been sitting cross-legged in her room, quietly studying history of the Sithians. Lately, she had been trying to know as much as possible about the species; as much as possible about her ancestors. It was then, on that very queit, peaceful morning, that Lord Heisa came into the room, looking worried and determined at the same time. Che-Tze looked up, slightly surprised. With a bit of difficulty - her leg built was awkward for the sitting position she was in - she got up and looked at him quizzically.
"My dear... You need to leave. Now."
"My Lord?..." Che-Tze asked uncertainly, putting her book down. "I don't understand... I thought I wasn't allowed-"
"Times change, Che-Tze. They're after you."
"Who's after me?"
"The less you know, the safer you are." Lord Heisa only replied. "They'll be here in a day's time. Hurry, so you can make distance!"
"B-But-" Che-Tze asked, panic growing as the Lord led her out of her room. "L-Lord Heisa, does this have something to do with the mysterious attacks?..."
"Don't ask any questions." Lord Heisa said firmly. "Not now, not ever again. Don't be curious, that's a very Sithian thing to do. Smile, cry, be angry, show emotion. Be as little a K'Haseth as you possibly can." He breathed out, quickly wrapping a cloak around her and handing her a small bag. "I readied a horse for you. Go south, and don't stop until darkness comes. Then start a fire, let the horse free."
"Why?" Che-Tze asked him, his eyes wide. "Lord Heisa, what's the meaning of this?..."
"Only Lords have horses in Ha'Dan, and farmers' donkeys wouldn't carry you as far as a horse. Don't look into peoples eyes. Speak as little as possible. Keep that hood on. Don't let anyone know you have anything to do with Sithians at all."
And then she was sat on the horse, the horse was forced into a fast gallop, and Che-Tze was sped away. The wind stung her eyes, forcing her to use her third eyelid to keep her eyes moist.
She never got to say goodbye - to anyone.
Now, sitting in front of the flames of her little camp, she was completely alone. Not even the horse was her companion anymore; her third eye-lids kept moisturizing her eyes, a K'Haseth sign of fear. Even if the first panic was gone, how could Lord Heisa expect her to keep all her instincts on a tight reign? And who was searching for her? Why?
She wasn't supposed to be curious. But what could she do, when she so terribly wanted answers?
("But Lord Heisa", Karai spoke in worried jumbles, "This is not something I am trained for, you know my checkered past..." "Yes, I better than anyone know your history, or are you forgetting it twas I whom pardoned you from the gallows...Now in repayment of that debt, I ask you this one task...and with your unique "power" and skill set I think I couldn't ask for a better candidate...Now give me your word..." The high Lord spoke, "Yo--You have my word" Karai solemnly spoke back, "Then I grant you full access to your power, use them wisely...please look after her")
Waking up from his slight slumber in the giant oak tree, Karai held out his hands, shadows swirling around one hand, frigid ice encased the other he realized it had not been a dream but a memory..hearing what sounded like the sniffling of a nose, Karai peered down to make sure the young woman was still close by...A whip cracking broke his thought process, looking to up the road from his perch, Karai saw a carriage approaching pulled by two horses, remembering that the young woman had not eaten in some time, Karai concluded he wanted to halt the carriage, all he need was a decent distraction...
Waking up from his slight slumber in the giant oak tree, Karai held out his hands, shadows swirling around one hand, frigid ice encased the other he realized it had not been a dream but a memory..hearing what sounded like the sniffling of a nose, Karai peered down to make sure the young woman was still close by...A whip cracking broke his thought process, looking to up the road from his perch, Karai saw a carriage approaching pulled by two horses, remembering that the young woman had not eaten in some time, Karai concluded he wanted to halt the carriage, all he need was a decent distraction...
Joy was having a... well, if he was honest, it wasn't the best day ever. It'd started great- in the early afternoon in an actual bed! With a mattress and everything! Then the farmer was coming home, the farmer's wife was panicking and full of regret, hangovers were abound, and the next thing he knew he was out on the road with his gear. But that wasn't the good part- and the good part was even better than the bed, and the fact that he hadn't gotten the crap beaten out of him again- he'd apparently managed to nab an extra shirt! Granted, it was cotton- stuff felt like sandpaper on his skin- but it was bright blue and warm, and that brought up his count to like three shirts. His favorite was, of course, the silk shirt from back home, but he couldn't wear that all the time. But back to the present, he was fed from last night, he had a new shirt, his headache was going away- all in all, it might qualify as the best night since the village had- since he'd started his journey. Had it been two months already? Probably. Time was starting to get away from him, but he felt like it'd been about a month or two. It seemed to be getting colder, but he couldn't quite tell through his two shirts- wait.
Pulling out of his train of thought, was that a campfire he smelled? Why would anyone- ah. It was colder than he'd thought, and he suddenly realized how badly he was shivering. He wished not for the first time for his cloak, the big fluffy fur one that was virtually impenetrable, but it was... well, there was a campfire now, and he might just be able to talk his way in. Straightening out his admittedly tattered clothing, Joy put on his friendliest smile, and stepped into the firelight. Looked like only one person at the fire, though there was a carriage approaching. He cleared his throat, lacing his words with as much Soothing as he could. Seemed he'd need it- everything about the woman suggested she could afford to lose some negativity. "Hello! Mind if I join you?"
Pulling out of his train of thought, was that a campfire he smelled? Why would anyone- ah. It was colder than he'd thought, and he suddenly realized how badly he was shivering. He wished not for the first time for his cloak, the big fluffy fur one that was virtually impenetrable, but it was... well, there was a campfire now, and he might just be able to talk his way in. Straightening out his admittedly tattered clothing, Joy put on his friendliest smile, and stepped into the firelight. Looked like only one person at the fire, though there was a carriage approaching. He cleared his throat, lacing his words with as much Soothing as he could. Seemed he'd need it- everything about the woman suggested she could afford to lose some negativity. "Hello! Mind if I join you?"
Nearby, a faint otherworldly screeching could be heard. A bit later, a light could be seen walking around a in a small forest in the distance... The light could be seen getting closer to the campfire, but ever so slowly, one would think that whatever or whoever the light was walking at a leisure pace.
Whelp. There he was, stuck between two forking branches of a tree again. The wandering spirit had a rough descent from the Heavens, hitting a few birds on the way. And it just so happened that this tree was going to enclose itself around his glowing, partially solid body. Sometimes he was like dough. Others, he was like gas that had to keep trying to stay together as a cloud-like entity. And on rare occasions, he would be an odd coloured puddle with the faint scent of vanilla. And currently, he was in the process of becoming a liquid from his solid form. It was taking a while, but he didn't mind. Being a puddle might be interesting for now, even if it took away precious moments of recording information about literally everything around him, like every good spirit. But that was kinda bland, and being a vanilla-smelling puddle felt so good..! His head slid down the trunk of the tree, awaiting the rest of his body to come and finish the melting process, before being trampled on by the hooves of a horse. Sadly, he stuck onto the bottom of the horse's shoe, the rest of his body becoming gas in an instant in order to catch up with the separated head.
That's how he ended up becoming the good-looking-multicoloured-glowing-vanilla-smelling-puddle-with-eyes spread out next to the lit fire.
That's how he ended up becoming the good-looking-multicoloured-glowing-vanilla-smelling-puddle-with-eyes spread out next to the lit fire.
At one moment, she was alone. Granted, the mysterious Karai had been sitting in the tree - but truth be told, he could just as well been a stranger to her; she had only fleetingly met him every now and then in the Mansion. Why he was there in the first place, Lord Heisa wouldn't have ever told her.
In the next, she was surrounded by movement. She though this place was deserted, she was certain it was. Nothing in plain sight, no house, no human life to be seen on kilometers on end! Yet suddenly, out of nowhere, things started happening.
At first, the carriage that was hurriedly being driven in the distance had instantly made her nervous. Only Lords and the King could afford carriages, the higher their status, the better the carriages. After a quick calculation, Che-Tze decided the carriage belong to either the Ninth Lord or the Eighth Lord - their terrains were the closest from here. They must have been returning from a diplomatic meeting from the Sixth Lord, judging by the direction the carriage was taking. Her eyesight wasn't the best; but she was certain the carriage was very simplistic in built and lacking decorations, which would indicate that it did, in fact, belong to the poorest of the Lords. Still, even if weak and poor, they were Lords - and if they had known of Che-Tze's position, they could alarm someone... And that would be against Lord Heisa's wishes.
She therefore turned to speak up to Karai about it, but instead found herself facing a smiling face. The very surprise of this, mixed with her earlier nervousness, caused her to jump back with a startled hiss, scraping her feet on the ground instinctively. It was then that she remembered what Lord Heisa had said, and in embarrassement to forgetting it trained her eyes on the ground and pulled the hood on better to hide her head...
...And found herself staring at a strange, glowing, vanilla scented puddle. If that wasn't enough, the puddle also had EYES.
This was too much for the already scared Che-Tze. Without really meaning to, she took a few steps back and crouched in a defensive stance, claws extended at the strange things in front of her. She hissed again and showed her pointy teeth, but her eyes held not aggression, but pure fear.
At that moment in time, the growing panic completely blocked out all common sense. Lord Heisa's warnings to keep her instincts to a minimum were all but forgotten as her red eyes shifted from one potential danger to another, taking in quick and short breaths.
In the next, she was surrounded by movement. She though this place was deserted, she was certain it was. Nothing in plain sight, no house, no human life to be seen on kilometers on end! Yet suddenly, out of nowhere, things started happening.
At first, the carriage that was hurriedly being driven in the distance had instantly made her nervous. Only Lords and the King could afford carriages, the higher their status, the better the carriages. After a quick calculation, Che-Tze decided the carriage belong to either the Ninth Lord or the Eighth Lord - their terrains were the closest from here. They must have been returning from a diplomatic meeting from the Sixth Lord, judging by the direction the carriage was taking. Her eyesight wasn't the best; but she was certain the carriage was very simplistic in built and lacking decorations, which would indicate that it did, in fact, belong to the poorest of the Lords. Still, even if weak and poor, they were Lords - and if they had known of Che-Tze's position, they could alarm someone... And that would be against Lord Heisa's wishes.
She therefore turned to speak up to Karai about it, but instead found herself facing a smiling face. The very surprise of this, mixed with her earlier nervousness, caused her to jump back with a startled hiss, scraping her feet on the ground instinctively. It was then that she remembered what Lord Heisa had said, and in embarrassement to forgetting it trained her eyes on the ground and pulled the hood on better to hide her head...
...And found herself staring at a strange, glowing, vanilla scented puddle. If that wasn't enough, the puddle also had EYES.
This was too much for the already scared Che-Tze. Without really meaning to, she took a few steps back and crouched in a defensive stance, claws extended at the strange things in front of her. She hissed again and showed her pointy teeth, but her eyes held not aggression, but pure fear.
At that moment in time, the growing panic completely blocked out all common sense. Lord Heisa's warnings to keep her instincts to a minimum were all but forgotten as her red eyes shifted from one potential danger to another, taking in quick and short breaths.
Sensing the increasing uncertainty surrounding Che-Tze, she was mere moments from revealing her true origins and ruin everything Heisa had worked so hard for, immediately leaping from his perch in front of the small woman, Karai drew a beautiful curved enchanted elvish dirk from the lumbar region on his back, slipping for a moment Karai lost his footing, catching himself on the great oak he just previously be staked out in, "Get behind young one...Now is not the time to rear your fangs" Karai slightly agitated spoke swiping his foot in some grass trying to rid himself of the unknown substance, regaining his poise Karai reaffirmed his defensive stance, dagger held reverse blade grip...but in the same moment and the same breath, Karai found himself doing way too much, quickly resheathing the dagger in its home on his back, Karai covered it with his jet black trench coat, turning the small girl standing nearly chest level to him, he walked next to her cautiously as he saw nothing but pure survival instinct ruling her actions, getting in close enough Karai flung open his trench fitting her perfect right inside, the mythril laced within his garments acted a water repellant, walking with her in tow over to the campfire, taking off his trench coat, he temporarily loaned it to her, guiding her to the back of the tree, Karai placed a single finger up to his lips, signaling her to keep quiet..back around front he picked up a branch from the fire, turning the road just as the carriage began to roll by, he emphatically waved the branch a blaze trying to draw its attention...he had an idea...if he could only get the carriage to stop...
(Geez, I feel kinda awkward because I'm a bit of an amateur.)
Mariz yawned, slowly rousing himself. He glanced around his dimly lit room and sighed, slowly getting out of bed. A small bipedal lizard slowly trotted around his room. He stared down at it and sighed. "Pyre, did you get any sleep?" He asked, patting its head before beginning to dress himself. His robes were flamboyant, so he looked a lot richer than he was. He rummaged around through his satchel for some kind of food. All he could find was some dried meat, which he was growing tired of eating every day. His sword looked as good as always, the steel holding an uncanny shine. Breaking such a weapon would be a challenge, even a giant would struggle to do so, even though it would be the same size as a toothpick. It wasn't exactly a rapier, but the blade was rather slim. As Mariz finally finished preparing himself, he slung his satchel over his shoulder, grabbed his sword, and opened the door. It was a dingy inn, but it was cheap. The innkeeper didn't seem like the most trustworthy man, but Mariz didn't care. The room was cheap, and Mariz was low on money. He nodded to the innkeeper as he walked down the stairs. He slowly opened the door to the outside world. It was raining, which would normally be a setback. Luckily, it was pretty light. Mariz set out, off to search for a job. (Sorry if I half-assed anything, I just couldn't think of much more to say around the end of it.)
Mariz yawned, slowly rousing himself. He glanced around his dimly lit room and sighed, slowly getting out of bed. A small bipedal lizard slowly trotted around his room. He stared down at it and sighed. "Pyre, did you get any sleep?" He asked, patting its head before beginning to dress himself. His robes were flamboyant, so he looked a lot richer than he was. He rummaged around through his satchel for some kind of food. All he could find was some dried meat, which he was growing tired of eating every day. His sword looked as good as always, the steel holding an uncanny shine. Breaking such a weapon would be a challenge, even a giant would struggle to do so, even though it would be the same size as a toothpick. It wasn't exactly a rapier, but the blade was rather slim. As Mariz finally finished preparing himself, he slung his satchel over his shoulder, grabbed his sword, and opened the door. It was a dingy inn, but it was cheap. The innkeeper didn't seem like the most trustworthy man, but Mariz didn't care. The room was cheap, and Mariz was low on money. He nodded to the innkeeper as he walked down the stairs. He slowly opened the door to the outside world. It was raining, which would normally be a setback. Luckily, it was pretty light. Mariz set out, off to search for a job. (Sorry if I half-assed anything, I just couldn't think of much more to say around the end of it.)
"That's pretty rude, treating me as a disgusting substance. I'm pure soul, my friend. Not that you would know or anything." The puddle spoke, the separated droplets slowly creeping back. The eyes blinked, and the glow grew slightly brighter. The scent grew stronger and the multicolouredness became more multicoloured one would think they were high. But they weren't. And the glowing puddle was still there, watching the duo. Hey, I forgot to mention it spoke in the last post, didn't I? Forgive me, my friend. But the puddle threw me off, you see. It's quite good-looking, isn't it? Ah, but now is not the time for that. This is useless fluff. Ignore it.
Upon seeing the reaction of the girl, Joy took a non-threatening step back. "Right, sorry, I--" Another. This one seemed dangerous. And a puddle of magic. A trap. Joy's smile never faltered, an old habit, but his hand flashed to the dagger strapped at his hip. But... something was off. What was- nobody was paying him any attention. That was it.
And the puddle was talking. That was also weird. "Alright," he began warily, leaving the Soothing out of his voice. If they had ill intent, he didn't want to help them along. "What's happening here?"
And the puddle was talking. That was also weird. "Alright," he began warily, leaving the Soothing out of his voice. If they had ill intent, he didn't want to help them along. "What's happening here?"
Che-Tze allowed heself to be led behind the tree by Karai, in a way being grateful for it. At least now, she didn't have to look at all the strangers that she suddenly found herself surrounded by.
Grabbing her arms shakily for comfort, she leaned against the trunk and crouched down, squeezing her eyes shut.
She was going to be found by them. Whoever 'they' was. And she couldn't control her instincts. Just now, she showed her teth again, even though she knew she shouldn't have. If that wasn't revealing her identity, she didn't know what was.
Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. She told herself over and over, trying to slow the beating of her heart, completely blocking out everything that was happening behind her.
When she finally managed it, she shivered more noticeably. The cold was getting to her - her Fire Dragon part didn't seem to like the cold, windy place much...
How easy it was to forget about being grateful for all the little comforts of a home! A blazing fire anywhere you went, hot beverages at any time you needed them - Che-Tze wa starting to miss her comfy, warm bed.
For years, she had been certain Lord Heisa would keep her safe. He always told her that if she stayed within his Mansion, nothing would happen to her. And yet now, somebody was out to get her, and she didn't even know why. And to add to that, she was'nt supposed to try and find the answers to 'why'.
But how could she escape from someone she didn't even know, and didn't know where they would search? How was she supposed to know how to behave? It was at this moment Che-Tze decided she had to act against Lord Heisa; or at least, against part of his orders.
She'll have to find out the 'why's to stay alive.
And so, calm now, she got up, and peeked around the tree at the oddest assembly before her, waiting for what they would do next.
Grabbing her arms shakily for comfort, she leaned against the trunk and crouched down, squeezing her eyes shut.
She was going to be found by them. Whoever 'they' was. And she couldn't control her instincts. Just now, she showed her teth again, even though she knew she shouldn't have. If that wasn't revealing her identity, she didn't know what was.
Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. She told herself over and over, trying to slow the beating of her heart, completely blocking out everything that was happening behind her.
When she finally managed it, she shivered more noticeably. The cold was getting to her - her Fire Dragon part didn't seem to like the cold, windy place much...
How easy it was to forget about being grateful for all the little comforts of a home! A blazing fire anywhere you went, hot beverages at any time you needed them - Che-Tze wa starting to miss her comfy, warm bed.
For years, she had been certain Lord Heisa would keep her safe. He always told her that if she stayed within his Mansion, nothing would happen to her. And yet now, somebody was out to get her, and she didn't even know why. And to add to that, she was'nt supposed to try and find the answers to 'why'.
But how could she escape from someone she didn't even know, and didn't know where they would search? How was she supposed to know how to behave? It was at this moment Che-Tze decided she had to act against Lord Heisa; or at least, against part of his orders.
She'll have to find out the 'why's to stay alive.
And so, calm now, she got up, and peeked around the tree at the oddest assembly before her, waiting for what they would do next.
(Pass. Right now isn't a good time to introduce my character.)
Watching the carriage come to a slow crawling, then to stop, Karai knew he needed to make this quick as noone unnecessarily wanted to be in the pour down of a night. Feeling no malice from the shaggy red haired freckled man as he passed, Karai accepted he had to leave Che-Tze unknowingly in his company, snickering under his breath as he made his way, the man reminded him of a character he had read about it in a novel once pertaining to wizardry...never-minding the thought, Karai looked up from the ground, opening his mouth to speak he was cut of by a piercing howl, the coachmen and Karai alike eyes and heads darted and turned on a swivel,feeling the air current shift behind him, a sly whistling sound followed, only having time to lean every so narrowly to the right, Karai jerked hard and cringed as if he were struck, reaching his respective hand up to his left cheek, he felt a wound across his cheek bone, blood leaking down his cheek Karai stuck his tongue out to catch the residual blood while the wound healed, views b turning back to the coachmen, whom sat slumped, falling from his seat, Karai within one exaggerated step was able to catch the man cushion his fall, gently setting the man on the ground, he saw the a grievous wound in his chest and out-stuck an arrow, placing a hand around the arrow to try to apply pressure, Karai knew through his hyperactive sense of touch and could tell from the look in the mans eyes that he wasn't going to make it, watching the man reach a hand back toward the carriage, with his finals breaths he weezed, "My Lord...." before passing,setting him gently down Karai gave a small prayer for safe guidance of the man's soul.
The sound of restless horse hooves pulled him from back into focus, something or someone was approaching, another arrow fleeting by his head and hitting the carriage, they obviously had a lock on his position, ducking down and rolling under the carriage, he quickly popped up on the other side, reaching for the door Karai jerked hack his hand as a third arrow pelted the door, reaching again Karai thrust open the door...peering inside, sat a portly in garbs clearly of a high class family, the lack of aesthetics and jewelry made Karai believed he was of a lower cast family, the emblem of "IX" embroiled throughout his garments confirmed his suspicion, whomever was out there attacking they weren't after Karai, they were after this man, 'Stay here!!" slamming the door shut, Karai kept low while gripping the door handle tightly, freezing it over this sealed the door like a dead bolt lock, knowing their attackers had arrows and since it was raining Karai believed he need not worry about the possibility of flaming arrows and that the carriage would be the safest place at the moment, focusing a minimal portion of his aura to his eye spiderweb-esque bulges of veins shown through on his temples, as his usual sky blue eyes shifted to a deep crimson red, activating his sacred eye technique: Shyakugan(Heavenly Kaleidoscope Eyes)..
Gaining various visual enhancement with his unique ability activated, focusing his eyes, his vision being to literally "zoom" as he survey the canvas for 50 yards in all directions, "1, 2...9,10....17,18,19...20...I spot 20 life forces approaching and one showing no malice just kind of linger") Karai thought to himself, getting caught in his rambling and thinking about how could he possibly defeat 20 foes on his own, he was way out of practice when using his innate elemental mastery in combat but that was all he knew, so he would have to improvise...The carriage shaking violently due to the horses sensing the impeding danger as well, attempting to reach for their reigns, Karai worry had shaken his focus as he was caught off guard by the first to come, leaping of a ridge it swung its broadsword down with wicked intent, Karai unable to reach for a suitable weapon he threw both hands up clasping them on the blade effectively halting it, a small crater appearing beneath Karai, this creatures strength was borderline superhuman, guessing the mammoth creature to stand about seven and a half feet tall compared to Karai's even 6 ft, judging from its strike it weighed all of 300 lbs, snarling heavily in Karai face rancid breath that smelled of decayed human remains and saliva covered his face, before quickly being washed away by the relentless nights rain, Karai did not blink or give ground as he had heard of the species before, the overgrow canine teeth was the last clue for Karai, they were Urk-hai, and they feed off of fear. They were disfigured, genetically tampered Drows(dark elves) enhanced with dark magic.
Wondering what they could possibly doing in the region, or more importantly who had the funds to get them to take the risk of coming into forbidden territory, having no time to completely think it through, Karai snapped back into reality having only a few seconds past, reasserting himself he clenched the cleaver between his hand even tighter, steam emanating from his hand the blade began to freeze, flexing his gripping strength Karai shattered the blade within his hands, having made it fragile with the sudden drop to near sub-arctic temperatures, jabbing a fist forward, a focused jet stream of wind fleeted from the end of his limb as if an extension of himself, hammering the sturdy beast square chest, the concussive force of the blast enough to move the hulking beast, it crashing against the underbelly of the ridge it had just try to use as a vantage point, "Wind be my guide...", taking a wind accompanied leap, Karai landed in front of the horses, seizing their reigns, Karai attempted to calm them using a series of tongue clicks and guiding tugs while using his near 360° panoramic vision, afforded by his eyes, to fend of incoming arrows with the aid of the wind The earlier Urk-Kai, regaining its bearing was now back in pursuit...Karai was getting nowhere fast.
Seeing the remaining darklings break through the wood work, Karai could hear the racing heart of Che-Tze through all the commotion, with her naturally enhanced night vision gifted through her unique heritage, she could probably see them as well...
The sound of restless horse hooves pulled him from back into focus, something or someone was approaching, another arrow fleeting by his head and hitting the carriage, they obviously had a lock on his position, ducking down and rolling under the carriage, he quickly popped up on the other side, reaching for the door Karai jerked hack his hand as a third arrow pelted the door, reaching again Karai thrust open the door...peering inside, sat a portly in garbs clearly of a high class family, the lack of aesthetics and jewelry made Karai believed he was of a lower cast family, the emblem of "IX" embroiled throughout his garments confirmed his suspicion, whomever was out there attacking they weren't after Karai, they were after this man, 'Stay here!!" slamming the door shut, Karai kept low while gripping the door handle tightly, freezing it over this sealed the door like a dead bolt lock, knowing their attackers had arrows and since it was raining Karai believed he need not worry about the possibility of flaming arrows and that the carriage would be the safest place at the moment, focusing a minimal portion of his aura to his eye spiderweb-esque bulges of veins shown through on his temples, as his usual sky blue eyes shifted to a deep crimson red, activating his sacred eye technique: Shyakugan(Heavenly Kaleidoscope Eyes)..
Gaining various visual enhancement with his unique ability activated, focusing his eyes, his vision being to literally "zoom" as he survey the canvas for 50 yards in all directions, "1, 2...9,10....17,18,19...20...I spot 20 life forces approaching and one showing no malice just kind of linger") Karai thought to himself, getting caught in his rambling and thinking about how could he possibly defeat 20 foes on his own, he was way out of practice when using his innate elemental mastery in combat but that was all he knew, so he would have to improvise...The carriage shaking violently due to the horses sensing the impeding danger as well, attempting to reach for their reigns, Karai worry had shaken his focus as he was caught off guard by the first to come, leaping of a ridge it swung its broadsword down with wicked intent, Karai unable to reach for a suitable weapon he threw both hands up clasping them on the blade effectively halting it, a small crater appearing beneath Karai, this creatures strength was borderline superhuman, guessing the mammoth creature to stand about seven and a half feet tall compared to Karai's even 6 ft, judging from its strike it weighed all of 300 lbs, snarling heavily in Karai face rancid breath that smelled of decayed human remains and saliva covered his face, before quickly being washed away by the relentless nights rain, Karai did not blink or give ground as he had heard of the species before, the overgrow canine teeth was the last clue for Karai, they were Urk-hai, and they feed off of fear. They were disfigured, genetically tampered Drows(dark elves) enhanced with dark magic.
Wondering what they could possibly doing in the region, or more importantly who had the funds to get them to take the risk of coming into forbidden territory, having no time to completely think it through, Karai snapped back into reality having only a few seconds past, reasserting himself he clenched the cleaver between his hand even tighter, steam emanating from his hand the blade began to freeze, flexing his gripping strength Karai shattered the blade within his hands, having made it fragile with the sudden drop to near sub-arctic temperatures, jabbing a fist forward, a focused jet stream of wind fleeted from the end of his limb as if an extension of himself, hammering the sturdy beast square chest, the concussive force of the blast enough to move the hulking beast, it crashing against the underbelly of the ridge it had just try to use as a vantage point, "Wind be my guide...", taking a wind accompanied leap, Karai landed in front of the horses, seizing their reigns, Karai attempted to calm them using a series of tongue clicks and guiding tugs while using his near 360° panoramic vision, afforded by his eyes, to fend of incoming arrows with the aid of the wind The earlier Urk-Kai, regaining its bearing was now back in pursuit...Karai was getting nowhere fast.
Seeing the remaining darklings break through the wood work, Karai could hear the racing heart of Che-Tze through all the commotion, with her naturally enhanced night vision gifted through her unique heritage, she could probably see them as well...
Oh gods oh gods he was under attack! Joy was no use in a fight! Hell, the only weapon he had was a steel dagger, and it made a better mirror than weapon- absolutely useless! The magic wouldn't help against bandits either, he knew that as a tested fact. Oh, thank the hands of chance, the shadowy figure was doing something- magical, he didn't know, but what was important was staying safe. He began to look for somewhere to hide, but he didn't now where the bandits were coming from- there! The carriage was relatively safe from arrows, and the side closest to him seemed open. Without thinking, he rushed to the cloaked figure, crouching down to look them- her- in the eyes. His own would appear odd, glinting in what little light was available as though they were metal. He spoke in an unusually calm voice considering his panic, and upon hearing it Che-Tze would feel her fear beginning to ebb away. "Come on, it's not safe here. I think I can get us into that carriage. Let's go!"
The sound of wind could be heard directly behind Joy, followed by a voice. "Stay away from them, fiend!" A moment later, Draken swings his Greatsword toward Joy with the dull side facing him, trying to slam it into his side.
(Sorry for short post.)
(Sorry for short post.)
Che-Tze's eyes widened, as her panic rose again, seeing the stranger so near her. But then he spoke - and when he spoke, all that panic, fear and helplessness all washed away, leaving only peace and calmness in it's place.
The calmness cleared her head, made way for rational thought once more. She turned away from Karai and the strange beings he was fighting with (she had never seen such before, and never had read anything on their subject - what sort of creatures were they?) and turned her entire focus on the stranger speaking to her, feeling more than knowing the source of the sudden calamity came from him.
She couldn't make out his face; it was a blurr, hardly recognizable against the dark background. Che-Tze's eyesight was, after all, terrible - just like her sense of smell or touch. It was hearing where she excelled, her small ears so sensitive to sound, they could make out the sound of soft footsteps from over half a kilometre away. Maybe because of that, his voice made an even stronger impression on her.
She didn't reply to his words, but instead buried herself in deep thought, completely separating herself from the surroundings and all the action happening around.
Right now, had she wanted it or not, she was surrounded by strangers. In the current situation, she had three options - well, four, but the foruth, which was to flee and leave all of this behind, was not an option.
Option number one: She could accept the stranger's sudden offer of help and go into the carriage and escape. However, that would mean making her more prone to attention: A Lord's carriage was a Lord's carriage, after all, poor or not poor. And that was something she certainly did not want - she already had too much attention than she'd like.
Option number two: She could approach the strange puddle and try to see if it could do anything to help. She almost instantly deflected the idea. Even if she knew odd things could provide information, she doubted the talking, multi-colored puddle could provide any useful information in the situation she was in at the moment.
Option number three: She could try to help Karai in the best of her abilities - which wasn't much, seeing she was virtually helpless in fights and her lack of information on the creatures meant she didn't know their weaknesses - and then flee together with him. This had it's own risks as well, since it meant leaving these strangers behind, who could, in theory, talk of her to others, therefore making her existnece obvious to 'them'. Whoever 'they' were, though she was certain she'll find out sooner or later. She didn't take murder as an option.
None of these options was evidently better than the other. She didn't really like any of them, either. As she was weighing her options, she suddenly heard the distinct sound of wind. This pulled her out of her train of thought, certain she was facing another danger in the appearance of a Wind Dragon, but alas, it was yet another stranger. She couldn't see him well - but she could hear him.
It was the almost silent noise of the swooshing motion his sword made that made Che-Tze realize the danger. Almost instinctively, she clumsily jumped forward to guard the stranger from the blow, pin-pointing it's current position perfectly thanks to her hearing.
"Leave him be." She said, with a slight hissing noise she wasn't, unfortunately, able to rule out of her speech.
But his sudden appearance and excalamation gave her an idea that she approved of more than any other.
"If you wish for my good health, go help Karai." She said calmly, in a strangely composed and superior voice, even more so surprising seeing how small she was and how panicked she was just till a moment ago.
"You," She turned to the stranger, "Force that horse into a canter, make it pull the carriage away west, then flee south... Or stay with us, if you wish. Though I will continue on south myself."
She hesitated before addressing the multi-colored puddle, not moving away from the safety of her tree as she did so.
"You... Whoever you may be," She said doubtfully, "If you may move, as I suppose you can seeing how you sprouted suddenly on the ground, you may join as well."
It was as she was giving these orders that everything cleared for her. She couldn't be certain why the Lord was in such a hurry, but for the sake of being cautious, assumed it was for the same reason she was running away. She had seen his earlier direction - sending the carriage on the same course as it was to be headed could make certain it left as little suspicion as possible, as it would only be later discovered the Lord was dead (She had heard the thump of an arrow reaching it's target and Karai's soft words following it, putting two and two together).
The Southern Forest, which, she now realized, was where her destination lay, was about the safest place to be at the moment. As it was in the territories of the Eighth Lord, it was fairly certain corruption and poverty in the lands would make passage more dnagerous, but being caught harder as well. And she knew from various books and encyclopedias that the Southern Forest was still not entirely mapped out, that's how big a labirynth of trees and bushes it was; Finding anyone in there, especially in such chaotic lands, would surely be a feat.
But first she had to get there. And now she realized having these strangers might not be such a bad idea as she originally thought. Karai was trust-worthy and dependable, but he was one man. The strnager who calmed her seemed to have charisma she would surely need in her travels. The new stranger had the strength that would definitely help in keeping them alive. And the strange thing on the ground... Well, it intrigued her. There would definitely be a use for it as well.
Who knows, maybe they'd end up staying together for longer than she thought? But she dared not look that far into the future. It took a lot of ignorance or naivety to believe the status-quo wouldn't change for any times to come.
The calmness cleared her head, made way for rational thought once more. She turned away from Karai and the strange beings he was fighting with (she had never seen such before, and never had read anything on their subject - what sort of creatures were they?) and turned her entire focus on the stranger speaking to her, feeling more than knowing the source of the sudden calamity came from him.
She couldn't make out his face; it was a blurr, hardly recognizable against the dark background. Che-Tze's eyesight was, after all, terrible - just like her sense of smell or touch. It was hearing where she excelled, her small ears so sensitive to sound, they could make out the sound of soft footsteps from over half a kilometre away. Maybe because of that, his voice made an even stronger impression on her.
She didn't reply to his words, but instead buried herself in deep thought, completely separating herself from the surroundings and all the action happening around.
Right now, had she wanted it or not, she was surrounded by strangers. In the current situation, she had three options - well, four, but the foruth, which was to flee and leave all of this behind, was not an option.
Option number one: She could accept the stranger's sudden offer of help and go into the carriage and escape. However, that would mean making her more prone to attention: A Lord's carriage was a Lord's carriage, after all, poor or not poor. And that was something she certainly did not want - she already had too much attention than she'd like.
Option number two: She could approach the strange puddle and try to see if it could do anything to help. She almost instantly deflected the idea. Even if she knew odd things could provide information, she doubted the talking, multi-colored puddle could provide any useful information in the situation she was in at the moment.
Option number three: She could try to help Karai in the best of her abilities - which wasn't much, seeing she was virtually helpless in fights and her lack of information on the creatures meant she didn't know their weaknesses - and then flee together with him. This had it's own risks as well, since it meant leaving these strangers behind, who could, in theory, talk of her to others, therefore making her existnece obvious to 'them'. Whoever 'they' were, though she was certain she'll find out sooner or later. She didn't take murder as an option.
None of these options was evidently better than the other. She didn't really like any of them, either. As she was weighing her options, she suddenly heard the distinct sound of wind. This pulled her out of her train of thought, certain she was facing another danger in the appearance of a Wind Dragon, but alas, it was yet another stranger. She couldn't see him well - but she could hear him.
It was the almost silent noise of the swooshing motion his sword made that made Che-Tze realize the danger. Almost instinctively, she clumsily jumped forward to guard the stranger from the blow, pin-pointing it's current position perfectly thanks to her hearing.
"Leave him be." She said, with a slight hissing noise she wasn't, unfortunately, able to rule out of her speech.
But his sudden appearance and excalamation gave her an idea that she approved of more than any other.
"If you wish for my good health, go help Karai." She said calmly, in a strangely composed and superior voice, even more so surprising seeing how small she was and how panicked she was just till a moment ago.
"You," She turned to the stranger, "Force that horse into a canter, make it pull the carriage away west, then flee south... Or stay with us, if you wish. Though I will continue on south myself."
She hesitated before addressing the multi-colored puddle, not moving away from the safety of her tree as she did so.
"You... Whoever you may be," She said doubtfully, "If you may move, as I suppose you can seeing how you sprouted suddenly on the ground, you may join as well."
It was as she was giving these orders that everything cleared for her. She couldn't be certain why the Lord was in such a hurry, but for the sake of being cautious, assumed it was for the same reason she was running away. She had seen his earlier direction - sending the carriage on the same course as it was to be headed could make certain it left as little suspicion as possible, as it would only be later discovered the Lord was dead (She had heard the thump of an arrow reaching it's target and Karai's soft words following it, putting two and two together).
The Southern Forest, which, she now realized, was where her destination lay, was about the safest place to be at the moment. As it was in the territories of the Eighth Lord, it was fairly certain corruption and poverty in the lands would make passage more dnagerous, but being caught harder as well. And she knew from various books and encyclopedias that the Southern Forest was still not entirely mapped out, that's how big a labirynth of trees and bushes it was; Finding anyone in there, especially in such chaotic lands, would surely be a feat.
But first she had to get there. And now she realized having these strangers might not be such a bad idea as she originally thought. Karai was trust-worthy and dependable, but he was one man. The strnager who calmed her seemed to have charisma she would surely need in her travels. The new stranger had the strength that would definitely help in keeping them alive. And the strange thing on the ground... Well, it intrigued her. There would definitely be a use for it as well.
Who knows, maybe they'd end up staying together for longer than she thought? But she dared not look that far into the future. It took a lot of ignorance or naivety to believe the status-quo wouldn't change for any times to come.
Before completing the swing, he forced it downwards at the last second, barely hitting Joy's ankle. He looks at Joy, being closer this time, he sees that he is not one of the attackers. "... Oh... uh... sorry." Hearing the lass command him like that wasn't very polite, but he was going to help them out anyways, so he set off to help Karai.
"Yes, M'lady! Please, one second while I solidify. This is the start of the adventure I've been waiting for~! Ah, that rusty Dragon won't know what hit 'em once I show 'em this piece!" The puddle chirped, trying it's best to become the doughy solid form it once was before. If it had been day, maybe it would of gone quicker. But alas, the starry night was what hung above the misfit characters, producing not one ounce of heat to speed up to process. Perhaps that was for the best- Actually, no, that wasn't. Could Eltrith help it? Not at all, but soon, the puddle was no longer a puddle- it had turned into a small, multi-coloured mound that glowed faintly. Soon, it would evolve into a ball that would levitate a little before sprouting legs and feet, stretching out, and taking form. It appeared young yet not too young, with cheekiness visible in the bright yellow eyes. It seemed to have hair, but could just be skin seeing how it was the same colour as it's complexion. And it glowed a little more- probably useful for a substitute floating torch. A tail curled around in the air behind the once-puddle being, stretchy as can be. In fact, the creature's entire body was stretchy. And dough-like. Maybe that could be useful in some way at all?
Joy yelped at the attack of the warrior, dodging to the side juuust enough that the pulled swing didn't hit him. Offering a quick glare to the new traveler, he turned his gaze and grinned at the strange girl's newfound confidence. What luck that he'd found a natural leader! The day was starting to improve once again. He gave a Soothing "Of course!" to help her out a tad more, and ran off to the horses. They were, of course, spooked by the monsters everywhere, but with a few calming words and a smack they were headed off at full gallop to what he was fairly certain was west. Looking back around the camp, it was amazing how quickly everything was happening. He could only assume he'd stumbled upon a traveling party- despite the young woman's words, this many strangers all finding the same campfire was nearly impossible. Unless, he mused, fate had a hand in it. Magic was real, why wouldn't fate be? His work done, he scrambled back to his new leader, ready with more Soothing magic. "What now, miss?"
Viewing the world through a grey lens, he could see everyones lifeforces swirling within their stomach region extending out, this was a useful passive ability granted from his eyes, Che-Tze looked as if a small flame flickering inside of her, the red headed fellows matched his copper toned eyes. Seeing the latter moving to assist him, Karai attempted to provide him cover. Gripping the reigns in his left hand, he swirled his right in the rain, collecting water droplets enough to form a purely aquatic tendril, reel his arm back he shot it forth streaming a high pressured water jet across the way. Appearing as if it was aiming directly for Che-Tze, with the slightest movement of his right wrist the jet curved, hitting a target, it was found to be a "hidden" goblin archer, 1 of 5, according to Karai's count. Giving his stream another pulse thrusting the figure back even further pinning it against a tree, squeezing his fist, the water froze over the creature fastening it in place. Giving a slight motion downward, the connect stream began to fan out, as if opening a folded sheet, before icing over as the trickle effect result of the pinned archer. Ultimately forming a make shift wall of ice all the way across the road, parting off the carriage from the impending fight.
Seeing how Che-Tze trusted the ginger man, Karai allowed him to work him 'magic' with the horses, making his way over to her, all Karai could hear was the chipping away at his ice barrier as the mobs began to flock, the encompassing sound quieted a decibel as frantic hooves were now distant neighs. Crossing the index and middle fingers on both hands, this created another shinobi trained hand seal; Darkness Style technique: Kage Bushin(Shadow Clone jitsu). Transmuting a sliver of his aura into his Darkness ability he created a single clone of himself, before turning with original body to Lady Che-Tze, "We must move my Lady it is not safe here!" Looking south Karai "zoomed" his vision, just as the ginger headed man came back along, "There is a bridge, 2 kilometers from here...my shadow clone should be efficient enough to get you there, if you don't riding backside." Placing a hand on her shoulder, Karai connect a psi-link with her, so they would be able to stay in contact. Hearing the residual thoughts of an unfamiliar mind, Karai looked around before looking down to find the source, it look as if an inanimate object, but it clearly gave off a thought wave length. Sensing no hostility from the being, Karai attempted to mental high speed communication, to ask about it compound/genetic makeup, as to see where it could best fit in and what to call itself so Karai can stop calling it an "it". "You seem very malleable, are you are to stretch, something akin to a vest!?" Looking Che-Tze over, she had his trench coat, so she had protection, Karai was more worried about the ginger, whom he also need to learn his name.
Hearing aloud a thud behind them, Karai didn't flinch, but his clone did, as it did not posses his dojitsu(eye technique), to see a large chunk of his original bodies ice wall had been broken away by the combined efforts of the monstrous beserker Uruk-Kai, and the smaller sheepish, scrawny underhanded goblin archers. Feeling a large presence enter his sense, the being inner aura was just a massive, and a shade of blue he hadn't seen since his travels at sea, Cyan...
Seeing how Che-Tze trusted the ginger man, Karai allowed him to work him 'magic' with the horses, making his way over to her, all Karai could hear was the chipping away at his ice barrier as the mobs began to flock, the encompassing sound quieted a decibel as frantic hooves were now distant neighs. Crossing the index and middle fingers on both hands, this created another shinobi trained hand seal; Darkness Style technique: Kage Bushin(Shadow Clone jitsu). Transmuting a sliver of his aura into his Darkness ability he created a single clone of himself, before turning with original body to Lady Che-Tze, "We must move my Lady it is not safe here!" Looking south Karai "zoomed" his vision, just as the ginger headed man came back along, "There is a bridge, 2 kilometers from here...my shadow clone should be efficient enough to get you there, if you don't riding backside." Placing a hand on her shoulder, Karai connect a psi-link with her, so they would be able to stay in contact. Hearing the residual thoughts of an unfamiliar mind, Karai looked around before looking down to find the source, it look as if an inanimate object, but it clearly gave off a thought wave length. Sensing no hostility from the being, Karai attempted to mental high speed communication, to ask about it compound/genetic makeup, as to see where it could best fit in and what to call itself so Karai can stop calling it an "it". "You seem very malleable, are you are to stretch, something akin to a vest!?" Looking Che-Tze over, she had his trench coat, so she had protection, Karai was more worried about the ginger, whom he also need to learn his name.
Hearing aloud a thud behind them, Karai didn't flinch, but his clone did, as it did not posses his dojitsu(eye technique), to see a large chunk of his original bodies ice wall had been broken away by the combined efforts of the monstrous beserker Uruk-Kai, and the smaller sheepish, scrawny underhanded goblin archers. Feeling a large presence enter his sense, the being inner aura was just a massive, and a shade of blue he hadn't seen since his travels at sea, Cyan...
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