The Medieval Struggle

On this cool evening, Verinnia Skye was out enjoying the beautiful sunset as she smelled the cool air. During her walk she came upon a smooth rock on the top of a large hill which was surrounded by trees. Feeling the refreshing breeze through her hair, and beginning to feel tired she took a seat on the rock, and began watching the sunset with a smile on her face, for the first time in a long time, but that quickly faded as she remembered the recent events which had transpired. Thoughts of her escaping her containment, and running through dense woods flashed through her head which soon wiped the smile off her face knowing she will still be chased.

There wasn't even ten minutes after these thoughts when in moments a crowd of black clothed men swooped down around her. As if by instinct Verinnia immediately jumped backwards over one of the men prepared for battle, though how green she was; therefore, her face was filled with dire fear. "You are going to come with us, Ekibyo," One of the men said with a threatening tone in his voice.

"I don't want to go back!" Verinnia exclaimed with a tear in her eye, while the tone of her voice reflected her fear. "I'm done with the experimenting, the tests, and being holed up inside that sphere on energy every second of my life!" She yelled in anger.

"You have no rights. You are an abomination that must be contained," A large man who seemed to be the leader of the group said. He began walking towards Verinnia, in order to keep her attention as if there was one thing she was good at she could escape. She's been doing it for weeks, escaping with ease each time she had been found. Within moments, another man approached from behind and tackled her to the ground. "Hold her down! We've got her this time!" He yelled as she was held down by two people. Verinnia struggled against her attackers, but to no avail. The men shoved her head into the ground hard to try to stop her from struggling, face now covered in dirt and tears.

"Are you sure this is Ekibyo, General?" A women asked to her superior. "We took her down fairly easily, and Ekibyo is supposed to be monstrously powerful "There's no way this little brat could be Ekibyo."

The general slowly turned towards the women who had began talking to him. He began walking towards the women and proceeded to punch her in the chest, knocking her to the floor. "You dare question my judgment, foot soldier?" he said threateningly to the fallen women. "She is definitely the one," He finished saying as the men began bringing out rope to restrain her.

Verinnia was able to let out a final scream of help, as loud as she could so that it echoed about the whole forest, but it had not lasted long as the general stepped on up and silenced her by hitting her over the head to which Verinnia replied with a small whimper of pain as tears still flowed continuously. "Someone, please help..."

Unbeknownst to the group there was another wandering these hills, and his introduction was far less silent. A simple whistle was heard through the air but the group being to busy with there pray made no notice of it. No notice until the arrow that had been fired pierce one of her attackers through back of his skull, blood burst all over the woman as the tip came to poke out of his forehead.

Their leader bellowed in anger as he looked towards where they arrow had come, "She's supposed to have no contacts, no friends! Find who is helping her, now!" This was answered as second arrow was fired only seconds later, piercing a second attacker's chest, through the heart with almost pin point accuracy. This time, however, it had come from a different location.

"There's more then one of them! Keep the girl behind us, find them!" This was answered by a third arrow which had, once more, pierce a third member of the hooded group, this one killed the female who had earlier been hit by the their leader. Once more this arrow had come from a different location but all in the same general area.

Fear was taking a hold of them as they dropped around the girl, eventually leaving no one but their leader left. The whistling upon the wind falling silent as the arrows ceased to fire.

The deafening silence was pierced by a haunting melody that hung in the air like a bad chill. The leader looked around, searching for both the source of the arrows and the sound, but finding nothing. The song was getting closer and closer, a panic beginning to rise upon the man's face. He looked down at his prey, the frightened woman looking also, wondering if these newcomers were friend or foe.

The song cut off suddenly, causing some of the panic in the man's demeanor to drop. In a blur of speed, a black figure wrapped itself around the man. A low seductive voice asked, "so, you like to play with helpless young girls do you? Why not play with me?"

A gurgling sound escaped his lips as blood flew from his mouth, hot steel piercing his chest. The steel twisted in several directions before the leader stopped making any noise. His weight fell against the hidden figure suddenly, knocking it off guard. Sidestepping the limp body, the figure pulled the steel from the chest cavity and whipped the blood from the blade. The figure lifted it's head slightly to look over the woman who had been manhandled by this group of important looking soldiers.

Shaking it's head, the figure turned away from the woman on the ground. "It's not my business, but I have to wonder what a girl like you could have done to warrant this kind of attention. I also have to say, you're lucky I'm such a giving woman, otherwise I'd ask for you to pay some coin for saving your life."

Verinnia chuckled just slightly through her tears, "Yes, life..." she said while choking on some blood seeping from her mouth. "Thank you, very much." Verinnia crawled onto her knees as she wiped away the few remaining tears, "And I also apologize.... as you may be wanted for interfering now..."

Her voice got cut off as her fear came true while she turned her head towards the corpse of the leader. A loud snap occurred in the body of the leader with a bright shining light as he covered what looked like a ghostly blue figure of the once leader. "You will regret this, but I see now that it is not friends, but a lucky chance. Stay away from her as you will die from our, or her hands." The vision smiled as it faded into the earth, the bright light extinguishing as he left.

"Yes...I am sorry," She said as she looked up toward this woman in front of her, "Please, tell me the name of yourself," And then she looked around and called out, "And please, whoever was attacking from afar," She said before going more silent. "Who are you...as..well?" She asked before passing out in front of the woman. The shock of everything around her was clearly enough to affect her psyche, and so she had passed out for safety of her own mind.

There was no response, at first as the woman called out. It was as if who had ever helped her was gone now but after a moment or two a single figure would appear. Draped in a dark green cloak with the hood causing a shadow over his face. His clothing being that of a dark brown leather armor that covered everything from the neck down. His black re-curved bow still in hand with an arrow notched upon the bow string as he approached cautiously.

It was impossible to tell where his eyes were focused but clear enough he didn't trust either of them enough to lower his weapon. He didn't speak either, stopping a few feet away from them and simply stared from behind his hood. One thing was certain, however, what features could be seen were that of elven from the mouth down.

After a moment he'd move towards the bodies, pulling out the arrows that were still useable, all the while keeping his body facing the two as he replaced them in his quiver after wiping off the tips.

Turning back, she looked down at the unconscious woman and then to the man who seemed content with plucking his arrows from the corpses of those he'd felled. The woman scoffed. "How could I be in anymore trouble than I am now?"

She knelt before the sleeping woman and shook her gently, trying to rouse the clearly stressed woman. Her conscience getting the better of her, she pulled the woman's head into her lap and let her relax while wiping the blood from the man on her flowing black skirt. She, like the man who was now checking the pockets of the dead, was dressed darkly. A hood hid most of her face with a mask that covered from her neck to her nose. The only color came from a grey corset that wrapped around her petite waist on top of a tight, low cut shirt. Her black thigh highs and black knee high boots were drenched in mud and blood from where she knelt as she hummed the melody that had filled the empty air only moments before the leader breathed his last.

Tucking her daggers back into her corset, she brushed the hair from the sleeping girls face and asked softly if she was awake yet.

As the woman brushed the hair of Verinnia, she could feel exactly how cold her skin was, like ice and enough where she should not be able to move, but yet she is able to. Verinnia's hair was once tied uo into a duel ponytail although now one in a mess. On her legs she wore white strips of cloth which seemed to have bloody handprints upon them like art, wrapped all around her legs, from a few inches above her ankles to the top of her thighs which were covered in a lacy black butterfly like skirt. Her shirt was in near ribbons, ripped here and there destroying the once together, but still unkempt torso dress, black with crimson cuffs along her shoulders. Her right arm seemed very different than the rest of her body, almost golden metallic, but still soft although cold.

The woman had asked quietly if Verinnia had awoken, but all she could muster was a small amount of gibberish, or what sounded like gibberish to a person who had no knowledge of it, "Ekyibo, re-re-cov-eri-ngggg," Almost robotic like, but was clearly humanoid voiced. One could see her gold tinted arm begin to fade back to a pinkish flesh, before her entire body began to turn a light blue, her lips going to such a dark blue it was as if she had drowned.

In a sudden movement her eyes shot open, and she sat up enough to stare into this woman's eyes, suddenly filled with fear. "Who is this woman?" She asked herself as the remembrance of what had happened came back to her once more. "Ye-yes I am awake." She said plainly, but voice unable to hide the untrust she holds so dear.

The figured had finished collect his arrows, taking a few steps back as to keep his distance from the two still, finally had spoken, responding the to the hooded woman.

"A women who hides here face is not something to stray too close to." His voice was a hushed whisper but definitely that of an elven male who was now squatting and watching the collapsed woman. His gloved hand coming up to rub his lips in some manner of thought before regarding the other woman once more.

"Any idea who the-?" His hands motioned towards the hooded figures but had been stopped as the spirit rose from the leader's body and spoke his piece, his head tilting to the side slightly which shifted the hood. "Well, that's not normal. Unless..." He'd not finish his statement, however, eyes now focused on the female upon the ground. His hand tightened around the blow as he notched another arrow upon the bow string, slowly standing up as he pointed it at the young girl without another word.

The hooded woman shivered at the sound of the man's voice. It was familiar. Too familiar. Damn. She cursed under her breath. Standing up and taking a step away from the young girl on the ground, she brushed off her boots before speaking.

"Good, you're awake. You're really lucky I'm so kind, otherwise I'd charge for that too. Not many people get to lay on my thighs for free, you know?"

Lowering her head even further, she turned to the man from behind as she adjusted her own bow, which hung tightly on her back, "you nearly missed that one. Maybe you should practice more before trying such...difficult...shots."

A light chuckle escaped her lips as stepped closer to the leaders now completely still body. Kicking the corpse with the tip of her boot, she sighed inwardly. Well, I think it's dead now...

"A man who hides his face and is merely a lucky shot is also something not to stray too close to..."

Verinnia eyes widened as the woman walked away while the man stood there aiming an arrow directly at her face. She stumbled backward as she began to backwards crawl. "No, please do not make me fight......no more..." She said as her psyche began to break once more, but not passing out this go around. Her voice was more filled with empowerment this time as she spoke again. "Don't make me do it, please." She asked once more as her voice grew louder, and strangely enough, her eyes began to glow green with unholy energy. "DO NOT THREATEN ME." Came a voice out of like Lucifer himself. Given the fact that this man seemed to be threatening her life, whearas the group from earlier was only trying to detain her, would explain this change in rational.

The emanating energy itself from the screeching sound shattered his arrow in half, and in just as quickly that burst of energy came, it lost. Her voice went back to a tremble albiet more brave sounding as she finally stood up although backing towards a nearby tree in which she put her back against. "Why do you threaten me, sir?" She asked as politely as possible attempting to hide any cowardice she had left.

His eyes shot towards the woman as she spoke, his eyes narrowing behind those shadows that fell upon half his face, the frown forming being the only thing seen. Her voice, he knew it from somewhere but he couldn't quite put a face to the voice. Still his bow remained trained on the woman, eyes focusing on her again.

"Too true..." His voice hinted at his uncertainty, eyes still staring at her as he tried to put the pieces together.That is until she spoke, eventually exploded, the male stumbling back a step or two out of the sudden shock quickly. In the same motion he'd quickly knock another arrow upon the bow string but this time kept it lowered.

"She's of the the Undead Kingdom to the south in the Black Swamp..." He didn't go into detail, leaving the statement as it was.

"Oh will you put the damn bow down already, you oof?" she swung around, knocking the arrow to the ground. The hood fell back a bit, but she quickly recovered, pulling it firmly over her face. "Can't you see you're outmatched? Lucky shots, even at point blank, won't save you from the kind of power she obviously has tucked away in her."

Walking again closer to the young girl on the ground, she hovered over her. The young girl looked a mess, in more ways than just appearance. She readjusted her corset before kneeling before the girl again. Patting the obviously stressed girls shoulder, she remarked, "now, now. Don't bother with him. You asked who I was earlier. I'm Fox. Although, some call me The Siren," she hummed a few notes from her song, "but that's for business only." Brushing a bit of dirt off the girls cheek she tilted her head so that their eyes could meet, Fox's ice blue eyes piercing the young girl, "now what's your name, dear?"

Verinnia's eyes darted a bit in between the two although she could really see into Fox's eyes. "Ek- um, Verinnia Skye." She said with a tad of struggle in her voice. It looked like she had wanted to go on, perhaps address the man who claimed where she had come from, but just as she opened her mouth once more she let it down with a saddened look on her face, but she tried to hide it with a fake smile as she spoke once more, "Where do you hail from miss? And you Sir?" She asked nicely and brave again. Her emotions seemed to vary heavily, could it perhaps be bipolar or schizophrenia?

Even if it is, at this age these psychological conditions were unkown, and easily could be mistaken for tainted magic of power. Verinnia began to lightly rub her neck where it became twisted when the men held her down earlier, the bruises showing easily. "I am sorry to bother you," She said with the utmost politeness. "But could you show me the way towards Dustwood?"

The province of Dustwood lies in between a large desert and the edge of the Great Forest. If a person was on the lame, or running from something that is usually the place to go. The monsters in the desert are quick ferocious, and so many stay away, but the few who are desperate enough will attempt to trek across the desert to escape.

The male glared at the woman as she had knocked the arrow from his hand, with the tension it almost seemed as if he had thoughts of taking the arrow and putting it through her. Instead he simply picked it up and put it into his quiver with out much else being said. His eyes fall upon the girl again but by now night had crept upon them leaving his face completely hidden once more. Even the moon which had take over the night sky wasn't piercing the shadows.

"Have you forgotten the current situation with the Undead Kingdom and the realm of man and elf? She is a liability and if they're hunting for her they'll be hunting for us." While his words were for the hooded woman his face seemed to be focused on the girl still. "I do not want to be drawn into this war or whatever this one has gotten herself into." His voice hinted at distaste, cold and uncaring. As the other girl spoke, however, his response was quick and to the point.

"Who I am doesn't matter, neither does where I can from. What matters now is up to this... Fox." His head shifted towards Fox, the moon light catching them for the briefest of moments to reveal their deep emerald hue. They seemed to glow from behind those shadows, defying his attempts to keep himself hidden like two emerald beacons piercing the fog of a moonless night. This only lasted but a second, however, as his eyes once more faded into darkness. "I have no reason help or protect you and the Siren is know for the murders she leaves behind, seems fitting to leave an Undead girl's fate in her hands." It should also be noted that he didn't answer the girl's question for directions, perhaps this was an over sight. More likely, however, is the fact he didn't care enough to help her further.

Fox threw her head back and laughed, "you know of me do you?" A mischievous smile crept across her face, although no one could see with the mask covering most of her face. Fox, or The Siren, as she was better known, was infamous for being the person to go to when you wanted any sin committed. For a small fee, she'd do whatever you asked. Her telltale mark was a haunting melody that she sung, signaling her approach. It both lured in her prey and scared them to death, the song always bouncing off of everything and nothing, making it seem like she was everywhere and nowhere. No one knew where she came from but she mostly kept her business near the capital, which was nestled directly above the Great Forest.

"I hail from everywhere and nowhere, my dear Verinnia. But have no fear, I know when I've lost a fight before it's started. I don't dare go against you...at least not for free. I have no fear of war's between the realm of man, elf, and undead. So, as I am obviously so generous today, having saved your life and let you lay on my lap for nothing more than my good graces, I believe I will accompany you to Dustwood. I'm heading back to the capitol anyway. I need to get paid," her eyes, still locked with the young girl, sparkled with a bloodlust that would scare even the fiercest of warriors.

Standing again, she pulled her hood tighter over her face, tucking the clasp of her hood into her mask as the moonlight caught the silver symbol, but not long enough for anyone to see what it had been. Brushing off her knees, she turned away from the girl to look at the other hooded figure.

"Believe me sir, I have enough things chasing after me that I know how to keep a low profile. They'll never know I'm with her."

"I hope so," Verinnia kicked into the conversation. "Because they will do whatever it takes to recapture their weap-, I mean capture me once more." She said with a small startle as she began to think about possibly trusting this siren. "And thank you very much for accompanying me to Driftwood, I do not think I would of been able to get their myself, not at all or whatsoever."

Perhaps she is bipolar afterall, one would think as her attitude continues to change dramatically. Her eyes rolling around, always looking around her, paranoid to be sure, but seemingly beginning to at least place a small amount of trust in Fox, or rather, Siren. Afterall, she could be of use, may even better the world eventually..

"Sh-should we go now? Or wait until daybreak? I'm not too familiar with this area....,but it may be home to goblins in the night..." She said aloud her thoughts as she retreated to fear once more, but it seems she was able to catch even that bit as she spoke once more, "Oh um, I'm sorry, I can talk or be very strange... and I am sorry once more," She said as she quickly got up to bow. Now that she was standing onecould see her hair flowing with the wind, and there seemed to be flashes of metal in her hair, steel or perhaps mithril knives were tied in her hair on the ends. Although it was dark, one could see that her hair is actually much longer then it at first looked as it was tied up into a bun, then into her ponytails.

Verinnia gave a cute smile as she fiddled from behind her dress, grabbing what looked like a small knife about six inches long. "I guess we outta be prepared in case anything tries to attack us...heh heh, " She giggled nervously.

Turned slightly, as if searching the area for something but as to what it was uncertain, still even as he didn't look at them he spoke to them. "I've heard your song before, even seen one or two of your handy works." What he had meant by that that might be unclear. Had he scene her commit the crimes or simply see what was left after she had her fun? He didn't continue any further with it, however.

"If we're going to go we need to leave now. I'm not leaving whatever this girl is in the hands of the Siren alone. Stay off the road but close enough to keep it in your sights, your pursuers will send more, they're not know for giving up or accepting failure." Clearly the male had some run ins with the Undead Kingdom, or so his words would hint at. He'd bring that re-curved bow around himself and look back to them. "Keep up, these woods aren't know for being quiet at night."

Fox giggled in an almost mad sort of way, "would you like to hear my song in a more private place, sir? Would you like to experience my handy work?" Pulling her daggers from her sleeves, she kicked some dirt from her boots before taking a few steps forward. Lifting her head more so than she had before, she scanned the area, daggers ready. With a soft sigh, she lowered them.

"I doubt we'll run into much trouble. All the commotion you caused must have frightened the majority of the creatures back into their holes. How un-fun," Fox tsked, before swinging back to look at the girl.

Giving herself a moment, Fox surveyed the girl. She was tiny, fragile, and looked like she'd snap like a twig. What she'd done or what kind of power she possessed far surpassed Fox's comprehension. Maybe it's too dangerous to bring her along. The last thing I need is more attention... She shook the thoughts away and turned from the two again. Fox was not one to turn down a challenge, even if it might include some fun. Touching her dagger tips together, letting out a small metallic note, she started walking forward, humming her tone.

"You coming?"

Verinnia's head was cocked as Fox surveryed her for that moment, but smiled eventually, "Yes'm!" She said in a cute voice as she jogged up to be by her side. Even though she only justy began placing any amount of trust in her, was it becoming almost sister like? It could be seen in many different ways after all, she does have problems handling her emotions. She stopped for a brief moment to look behind her, "You coming, sir?" She asked. With how polite she constantly was, you would think that perhaps she was just raised well, but one would more likely think that she could of even been a slave, but who would know without asking her?

She seemed to shift her body a bit while they were walking at every strange sound that occurred, and the further they walked the more easily she got scared of the unfamiliar area around them. She stood close by to Fox the whole while, nothing out of the ordinary really happening, but what was strange was that Verinnia still had on the same smile, perhaps trying to think of the best of times instead of the immediate dread?

Also, was it just them, or did her knife suddenly seem much larger than the initial six inches? More like it was ten inches now..., what a strange weapon she holds there, and she holds onto it too tightly, a common error for a newbie of the blade, but she was tense, so what would anyone take it as?

Arivos frowned once more, seeming to be far less cheerful and outspoken then his now two female companions. He'd reach up, pulling that hood more tightly over his head. This is not a good situation. The Siren is deadly, kills for enjoyment and coin, she could turn on us at anytime and yet she's familiar some how. On the other hand this... undead girl, the power she has could easily be just as unpredictable and dangerous. Arivos, what have you gotten yourself into this time. He'd shake the thoughts from his head and he pressed on. He kept himself at the head of them, eyes always searching the darkness ahead of him. His elven eyes gave him better side then the other two being full blooded. His hearing also gave him the advantage, he was comfortable in these woods. He showed no signs of fear like the innocent girl but rather caution, with lack of any jumping at the sounds around them as he could identify them.

As they continued through the darkened woods he'd suddenly stop without warning, putting his arm out for them to stop as well. He'd couch down and point ahead, whispering softly to them. "Look there..." His eyes stayed focused forward, staying on whatever caused him to stop in his tracks and take is bow and an arrow in hand though not yet drawing it.

Sighing softly, Fox stood, watching the young girl tremble at every leaf she crunched and watching the hooded man crouch several times, pointing into the darkness at something that probably wasn't there. Finally she pushed past his arm, walking around him and into the darkness. There was a loud squeak and the sound of steel piercing flesh. She returned, frustrated with the male's constant stop and go, and threw her prey at his feet.

"That damn squirrel wouldn't have done anything but stare at us. Now stop being all macho and just keep going. I may not know these woods as well as you but I know damn well we don't need to stop and intimidate every furry creature we cross paths with," she whipped the small amount of blood off her blades and tucked them back into her sleeves.

A small gasp escaped Verinnia's lips, causing Fox to tilt her head.

"Wha-

Her words were cut off by a large beast swatting her with it's paw, sending Fox into a nearby tree.

Verinnia's eyes opened wide as she saw the beast swing down upon Fox, to which she hurriedly moved to, with great swiftness out of nowhere, dodging three swing by the creature. Verinnia put her back to Fox, and turned to face the beast, but yelling aloud to Arivos, "It's an Azuros, careful, he's got more strength then a Dire Bear!" She held her, what was once a small dagger, out in front of her revealing it to be quite large now, at least three feet in length. "I don't like to harm anything, but I will protect if it is needed!"

Verinnia's voice seemed to be like cold steel, no longer afraid as if it is because she suddenly has a mission, or perhaps because there was a person to protect, and if not just for reason of protection, she does need this woman to get to driftwood.

......But would that really be enough to alter her personality?

The bear like creature, Arzuros came swinging towards Verinnia, the blue hide of his scale like armor glinting in the darkness. She dodged another strike, but as another came crashing down she raised her sword to defend itself blocking the mighty paw, but sending her flying into Fox. "Heh, is that all you've got, Verinnia?" Came a strange distant voice from Verinnia's mouth. "Go ahead, enjoy it..."

Verinnia laughed, quietly but manically, her voice back to her original tone, but something was different about her. "Yes, YES!" She began to laugh louder as she smirked and looked upwards at the Arzuros. The bear came to swing another claw smash towards her, but his paw stopped halfway, confusing the bear, and in the glint of starlight one could see a small wire holding the paw pack. Again, she laughed manically ever louder as she got up and lifted a hilt, where did the sword go? She pressed into the handle with her thumb as a small wire began jerking from the hilt, around a tree and onto his paw. "Deliver, pain." She said as she pulled the hilt back suddenly pulling the wire back very quickly, and pieces of sword zoomed through the wire like a firearm, cutting around the beasts paw. It screeched back in pain as he limped about, and showcased a very sad and defeated look on his face. The Arzuros began to slowly retreat while looking back, only to see Verinnia getting ready for another swing. "Now die you piece of filth!"

Verinnia thrusted the now back together sword towards the Arzuros, just as one could see a few more, younglins just beyond it. It only attacked because we got close to it's babies, didn't it? But it seemed to little faze Verinnia at this point, and the sword was on it's way to conntected an at least handicapping blow, but do the other two have the heart to see the cubs suffer with no mother?

Arivos had his arrow drawn but he didn't fire arrow as the girl started to speak, nor did he take a moment to gloat at the Siren's over sight. Instead he stood back to watch what was to play out. His features remained like stone, unmoving as it all played out before him, this girl's power, the change in her voice, the change in her personality. He was observing it all, trying to understand it all. The arrow remained pulled ever so slightly on the draw string if he needed to get involved but currently he didn't. What the hell is she. Was this their rumored weapon? Is this what they had boasted with in their threats? Is this what was ment to end the kingdoms of man and elf?

He had little time to contemplate these thoughts, however, as the the cubs has come into sight. It was Arivos who dropped his bow and arrow as he rushed at the girl. They'd tumble a bit, her sword falling from her hand in the process and he pinned her to the ground, "Snap out of it! It is nothing more then a mother protecting it's cubs! Keep your powers in check!" He'd even go as far as slapping the girl rather hard a crossed the face in an attempt to knock some sense into her. He'd then look back to the fox, not realizing his hood was now off his face. What was revealed was a slightly tanned skin elf, possibly even handsome if the eyes of the beholder thought as much. His emerald green eyes glaring at the woman as his lips twisted into a frown. His ebony colored hair was pulled back into a long braided pony tail that was usually contained within his hood. His pointed ears made it more then clear if either had any doubts that he was indeed an elf of the woods.

"We need to get her out of here now! No telling what that noise might have attracted and we need to make sure she doesn't go around harming anything else, help me damn you!" His gaze would then focus once more on the girl as he did all he could to keep her from doing more harm to them or anything else as the Azuros wandered off with it's cubs, most likely to lick at it's wounds.

Fox's head swam with pain and fear. She'd never so easily been knocked off her feet and it embarrassed her on a level she couldn't even begin to comprehend. The embarrassment disappeared as she watched the two tussle, the male getting the upper hand. It wasn't until the world had stopped spinning that Fox saw his face. Her hands instantly covered the sound that was forcing it's way out of her lips. A mixture of anxiety, fear, and anger all muffled behind her shaky hands.

Shit... She knew him. Not just in a 'oh hey I recognize you' kind of way. No, she knew him personally. He had attended a gala at the capital and they'd been introduced formally and even danced. Her feminine wiles hadn't worked on him, making him an un-fun toy so she'd quickly moved on. But no, there was no way to forget him and now, she was half-conscious and struggling to get to her feet. As she went to pull her hood tighter over her head, several long, fire red curls having escaped in her flight, she felt warm liquid encompass her fingers. The tree had done a number on her skull and she was bleeding at a decent rate. Ignoring it, she wiped her hand on the ground and shakily got to her feet.

Looking down at Verinnia, who was still pinned under the elf, who Fox knew as Arivos, she saw that the girl had returned to herself. The personality shift and the power surge seemed to have passed and she was now just as frightened as she had been before.

"We need to get her out of here, no telling what she attracted," Arivos spoke harshly, still not moving from his spot over the girl. Fox fell silent. How could I not have remembered his voice? It's all too clear to me now... Instead of speaking, she simply nodded. Arivos let go of the shaking girl as Fox extended a hand to help her to her feet.

Verinnia laid there, still pinned down and afraid. It seems she doesn't fully know what she does when the power consumes her. "w-what happened?" she asked with bewilderment. Verinnia was shaking, she would need help up after that stress placed upon her, but her free hand searches frantically for. Her sword as she seemed to feel very vulnerable without it. The sword was now back to a dagger size as she finally gripped her hand around the hilt, and she held it close to her as if it was a child to her.

Oh, the Arzuros, what happened to it?". She asked innocently as she continued to hold her weapon against her body.