The Medieval Struggle

Arivos had caught the strands of red hair from fox but his mind didn't process them, there were other things to worry about. His eyes had closed by now as Fox helped the girl up, his mind racing and still hadn't realized his hood was down as he leaned against the tree for a moment. She doesn't even remember what she did? How can we bring this girl anywhere at the risk of her losing control in a town. It was then he realized his hood was down, eyes shooting towards the Siren. Damn. She had seen it and he doubted himself lucky enough to not be known, he knew her voice and he wasn't foolish enough to think she wouldn't know his face.

He didn't answer the girl as they continued on, this time his mind was distracted, always looking over his shoulder towards the girl as he led the two onto their destination. What the hell am I going to do with her, and the Siren. In a town, there's no telling what will happen with these two and now the Fox knows my face, maybe even my name. These thoughts continued to race though his mind as he led them through the forest and eventually stopping at a cave on the border of Duskwood. It was clear as he looked into the even darker woods in front of him, the sun which had slowly begun to rise couldn't pierce through the trees before of him.

"We're almost there. We'll rest here and continue at noon, we don't want it any darker then it needs to be." His voice was a hushed whisper, carefully keeping all of his emotions and thoughts away from the tone of his voice.

Fox moved ahead of the other two and slumped down against the cool stone walls of the cave. Her head was throbbing and her neck was wet with a crimson reminder that she'd gotten her ass handed to her. The darkness was darker than Fox had ever remembered. Maybe it was because of exhaustion, or possibly her injury. She touched the back of her head and was greeted with a warm handful of her own crimson punishment for arrogance. Cringing, she rubbed her hand against the floor of the cave and looked up at the others. Arivos was building a small fire from scattered branches while Verinnia sat a bit away from Fox, a puzzled look on her face.

I need to ditch these two as soon as possible and recover. There's no way I'm falling asleep with these two around. Just as that thought flew through her scattered mind, she yawned. Covering her mouth, she tasted her own blood. Wiping her mouth quickly, she rubbed her hand on her thigh highs, trying to clean her hands further. I'm so screwed...I don't know if I can stay awake. And this damn thing won't stop bleeding. Cursing a bit louder than she intended, she pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head on her knees, trying to relieve some of the pressure from her pounding head.

Verinnia's eyes were darting all around them, perhaps afraid of what else might be out there, or keeping a close eye out, and she continued looking until she finally noticed that Fox was pretty injured. She crawled over slowly towards Fox as she asked, "How badly are you hurt?" In a nonchalant way. And without waiting for a response as she saw the blood dripping from her head, Verinnia began unraveling the cloth surrounding her right leg. "Here," She said as she wrapped the bandages around her head, tightly, but softly as to not hurt her. The bandages began to absorb the blood, and slow the bleeding, but she is still not going to feel well for awhile.

"I-ithink you may have a small fracture in the back of your head," She said timidly while pressing her fingers together, "You will need spinal rest....please, lie down softly and sleep, I'll stand guard over you." She said with a small, cute, bow as she turned her back to her and began once more shifting her eyes among the field surrounding them. "Sir, you may sleep as well, if anything happens, I will wake you first as you seem the strongest at this point in time."

Sleepiness began to ride upon her, but she fought against it as she stood watch, holding her sword fully extended once more, but without the personality change. It seems that she has natural control over her weapon afterall.

Arivos watched the two, sitting at the base of a tree only a foot or two from the entrance of the cave. What have you gotten yourself into, Arivos. His thoughts were broken as the girl spoke to the Siren, his gaze clearing once more. He hadn't noticed the blood until now, if he had he'd have insisted on bandaging it up himself. As it was, Verinnia was taking care of it and the elf did not move. Just as always, however, he had his bow in hand and arrow nocted up the bow string at the ready.

"No. I am fine without sleep, you and Fox have been through more then I. She is injured and... whatever it is that happens to you must take it's toll. Sleep I can watch until noon and then we can get moving again." His thoughts doubts and concerns quickly filled his head again but he'd push them away. I need to stay focused, watch them as much as I watch the woods, there is no telling which is more deadly. He'd then stand up, taking his time to check the surrounding area in the cave while the other two rested, or so he hoped they would. It was more then simply not trusting them but a matter of their well being. The stress of the powers on the undead girl and the wound upon the Siren.

Drowsily Fox watched as Verinnia slipped into a light sleep while Arivos paced the entrance of the cave with his bow ready. The girl had been kind enough to tend to her wounds, which softened Fox's heart a bit. She didn't know this dangerously powerful girl well, but she was compassionate, even to strangers. Her daggers fell from her sleeves and rested at her fingertips, inches from her grasp again. The near silent sound of Verinnia's snores tried to lull Fox to sleep, but she shook away any thought of sleep. If she was asleep, she was vulnerable and she could be identified too easily. So she forced herself to stay awake by softly humming her song, over and over again. The tune softly bouncing off the walls and echoing back at her.

Arivos had stopped patrolling and had turned to look at Fox, his eyes trained on her. "You should be sleeping," he almost ordered. Her song cut off and she returned his stare. Lightheaded from blood-loss and aching from the pain in her head, she felt sleepiness start to overtake her. Fighting hard, Fox forced herself to stay awake until the sunlight peaked over the treetops. Once the sunlight began pouring into the cave, Fox lost all her willpower and fell onto her left side into a small puddle of dried blood, and falling into a deep sleep.

Surprisingly, throughout the time they had fallen asleep, nothing extrodinary had happened, perhaps the fight with the Arzuros scared most of the wildlife away. Verinnia was the first to stir, waking up right next to Fox, in her sleep she must of warmed up to her like a sister, or the warmth attracted her to be near her. She got taken aback at the amount of dried blood on the ground, and she quickly went to look over her wounds which seemed ot have stopped, so she began to unravel her bandages, but there was a nasty scab still there which worried Verinnia.

"Fox, wake up, we have to get you to town, to properly heal these wounds," She said quickly as she looked around for Arivos, "Sir, we must get her real aid!" She hurriedly attempted to wake her up, while trying to pick her up if unnecessary.

The forest around them began to move, whatever was not there durng their sleep was sure as hell there now, they really must move quickly else they fall into grave danger.

To his credit, Arivos had not slept at all. His eyes remained watchful throughout the morning to this very moment much like the elves of the Elythian Woods watch so dutifully over their borders. His eyes had watch over the two, more so Fox because of her wound but he made no move to check on her through the night, even as she tried to stay up. When Verinnia had tried to wake her however, his conscience took over.

"We can't take her to the town, if they know her face and find out she is the Fox, who ever she is, she is dead. We have to fix her here and now. I'll need some... shit." His eyes shot up to the trees and around the surrounding perimeter. "We need to move her, now! Keep up Verinnia." He'd bring his bow around his body, bow string to the front before rushing towards the two. Without warning he'd scoop up Fox, being the stronger of the two to do so. He was careful with her, keeping her head against his chest with one arm under her back and the other tucked behind her knees as he took off. This is supposed to be a thing of legend, can the tales be true? More then just bed time story to scare children from entering Duskwood?

The world around Fox was dreary. Everything felt out of whack. She was moving side to side but then she was standing completely still. Her environment was shaking but no one seemed to notice except for her. As always, her father was standing with his brother, King Volarion, discussing matters of the state. Her mother was sipping her wine, trying desperately to spot her daughter in the crowd. But she'd ducked out of the way. Today was not a day she wanted to be seen by anyone, but what choice did she have? Today was the day the king was to officially announce the next in line to take the throne, and everyone knew it was to be her father. Ever since her aunt died in childbirth, the child succumbing to fever a few years later, the king had grown ever closer to his brother, pampering him for the time when he would sit upon the throne.

"Sephira Auburdine!" an angry voice cried out. Shit. Fox cringed. She hated her real name, and she especially hated how angry her mother sounded over the crowd. A soft applause rang out as Fox was escorted to her mother, who escorted her further to a large table at the front of the room. Whispering about how she'd discipline her later, her mother forced her to sit in a chair. The king smiled, his niece being found, and called attention to make his announcement. Fox tried to sink into nothingness. She hated this life, this noble lifestyle. Internally all she wanted to do was run free and do as she pleased. Pick a rich man's pocket, scare a helpless drunkard into running for his life, and maybe cut the throat of some sly, smart mouthed nobleman. Was that too much to ask for? Apparently so. Applause rang out as the nobles cheered for their king and the future ruler.

The only reason they're even holding this official announcement is because Uncle is sick with some skin disease that will kill him in the next ten years. Fox thought sinisterly. "Let's celebrate with wine, food, and dancing!" Volarion called out with a chuckle. Fox's mother grabbed her by the hand and escorted her down to the floor where drunken people had begun dancing as the orchestra in the back of the room began playing. Her mother stood her in front of a tale, tan skinned elf male.

"This is Duke Arivos, Sephira. He's the only Duke in the entire land that's a full-blooded elf. And somewhere in the future, this land will have a half-elf queen, and maybe this silly hatred between the two races will end," she smiled widely, pulling Fox's hair back to show the slight point to her ears. "Mother!" Fox cried, slapping her hand away and readjusting her hair. Her face now completely crimson, her eyes on her shoes, she waited for her mother to leave before regaining enough pride to speak again.

"I assume this is the part where I ask you to dance and we do so until it's socially acceptable for us to both back away and run into a corner to hide, hm?" Arivos asked, extending his hand, his eyes looking off somewhere over Fox's head, which wasn't difficult since she was barely five feet tall. Without saying a word, she nodded and took his hand. Her long, curly, fire red hair flowed gently as they twirled awkwardly for a few songs before she pulled away. "Well that's it, I think. Nice meeting you, sir," Fox curtsied in a rushed manner before dipping below his arms and racing off. Before she reached the furthest corner of the room, everything began to shake again, only this time people, furniture, and food began flying everywhere. But just like last time, she was the only one who noticed anything.

"Mother? Father? Uncle?" Fox cried, searching for some sense of normalcy but finding none. Sephira...Sephira...Sephira... Someone close was whispering her name. She turned violently left and right, looking through the throngs of people and items that flew all around her. No...no this isn't right...this is all wrong! Wake up! Wake up! Fox panicked as she shook her head before falling to the ground, the force of whatever was shaking the world finally taking its toll on her. Everything turned black and then, Fox opened her eyes again.

--

Her hood was slightly back from her face, revealing more of her hair and the bandage that was tightly wrapped around her head. Arivos was cradling her tight to his chest, trying to protect her from something she couldn't see. They were being attacked, and while still in her half conscious state, she wondered if maybe this was still part of her odd dream or if they really were under attack...

Verinnia was panting hard as she continued running through the still dark woods, some creature chasing them through the trees. "Keep going!" She could barely choke out of her breathe. "It-it sounds like a Nargacuga, but..." She gasped for air once more, "It is sounding much larger and faster!, and I can't seem to keep track of it visually!" VErinnia's running began to slow down the further they had to run, she was beginning to lag behind and the creature moving in closer. "I didn;t rest long enough..." SHe thought to herself.... "But even if I die...it's better then being used as a weapon as mother had planned." SHe began holding her right hand into her chest as she attempted to focus her remaining energy.

"Please allow me to have enough mana...." She thought once more before pressing her hand so hard intpo her chest it could of caused a rib to break. "Involito!" She cast loudly into herself as her body began to slowly rise off the floor, gaining speed as they went along. Even this was only just enough to catch up, and her spell was fading. "No, not now!" Even in this dire situation, it seems she did not even have enough rest to go into whatever mode she would enter from time to time.

"Is this really all you have?" Came the sound a voice from a memory within her head.

"Damn it! I will not allow Akiko to keep me down!" SHe said loudy as she shoved all of her energy left into her being to unfathomably increase her floating speed, but it became to quick as she slammed into the two in front of her., and she was barely able to catch them onto what now seemed to be a cloud forming underneath her. A simple flotation spell this powerful could really take it out of someone, but now that it was cast it was not going to go away for awhile, but after using the last bit of phisycal strength she had getting Fox and Arivos onto the cloud, she just near passed out as she rolled onto her back staring into the quickly moving trees while the cloud floated them above them.

With a quick glance she was able to see the creature once more, fully black green with a silvery lining around him as areas of his body seem to become translucent, and transparent.

Arivos was running at top speed, not even bothering to look back as they ran, panting hard but hardly tiring. His eyes kept shifting down to Fox, his voice was for once rather soothing. "Don't pass out Fox, stay with me. Don't pass out, you have to stay awake, have to keep your eyes open." He wasn't even sure if she could hear him, or if she was eve awake at all. As more of her hair fell out his mind couldn't help but think on it, and her voice but still couldn't make the connection. This was most likely due to the fact that red hair, while not common among elves is still not much to place a voice with. That and the fact they were currently being chased down and hunted by some beat he had yet to see, yeah, there were more pressing matters then thinking about women at the moment.

"Stay away Fox, stay awake! Verinnia, what the hell are you doing?! Keep moving!" he words came out just as she casts the first spell. Still he didn't look back, didn't know what she had planned as he knew little of magic having grown up as royalty among humans. As the girl slammed into him though he'd stumble forward, nearly dropping Fox as he did so but managed to keep her in his arms as he was suddenly lifted off the ground. His eyes looked around wildly, had the beast picked them up? That's when he noticed the cloud as he was pulled onto it, Fox now laying in his lap, half unconcious with the loss of blood. He's eyes looked down toward the beast, head shaking slightly as his breath came out heavily. He'd then look to the undead girl as he kept Fox in his lap. "I need something to close the wound with, no more of your magic, I need some like thread and water as well as a fire when we can land. If don't close this she may die and we won't be able to travel far, not until she recovers." His eyes fell to Fox again, the rushing having caused the wound to open slightly, blood now on his right arm which had been against the back of her head.

"Damn it. Stay awake, Fox, stay awake or your legend dies here, stay awake!"

Unable to keep her eyes open for very long, Fox felt her body yank forward and back again. She was no longer being carried, she was lying down. Was she dying? There were voices ringing out around her, they sounded so distant and yet close by. She couldn't identify them but they sounded so familiar, so real.

"--legend dies here..."

Legend? Dies? What legend? Fox was stuck between what seemed to be bliss and agony. For a moment all she felt was light-headedness and breath-taking pain that felt almost like she was getting punched with every breath she took, but then, in the next instant, she was floating on a cloud, feeling nothing. Opening her eyes again, Fox looked up and saw Arivos staring down at her with a stern look on his face. Above him, all she saw was sky, no more trees. Were they out of the forest? No, they were moving. Looking around, Fox realized they were actually on a cloud, Verinnia was nearly unconscious next to Arivos, panting hard. There was a large creature leaping at them from the treetops below them. Fox paid no mind to it as her the pain in her head took over again. A sharp hiss escaped her lips as she turned to the side, looking into the rolling bubbles of the cloud.

Again darkness overtook her and she felt her world shifting into something different, something familiar but also far away.

--

Fox stood at the head of the table and greeted her guests. Already nearly tipsy, Fox thanked everyone for joining her on her seventeenth birthday. Giggling, she took a swig from her chalice and ordered the orchestra to play something lively before disappearing into the crowd. Laughing and flirting, she made her way around the room before she stopped in front of an attractive looking young nobleman who she recognized as the son of a Duke from below the desert. "Zarek," she smiled as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, playfully falling into him.

"Evening, birthday girl. How is this beautiful summer evening treating you?" he asked, placing a small kiss on her cheek. She grinned playfully and pushed him back a bit. "It's treating me well!" She ran her thin finger across his cheek, causing the young man to shiver and take a step closer. He leaned in to kiss her lips but she dodged him.

"Nah-uh, Zarek! I don't let just anyone do that," she teased, taking a step back. Scowling he made to turn away from her. Pausing he turned back with a wicked smile, "no, that's alright. Why don't we just go up to your room, where it's quiet, and talk. I'd love to get to know you better." Fox smiled wide and grabbed him by the arm, yanking him up the back steps that led to the second floor. She had been looking for an excuse to duck out of her party early, and now she had that chance. But once she'd gotten to her room, things changed drastically. Zarek went into a rage and ripped her clothes from her body. Despite her drunken protests and cries for mercy, the young nobleman ravaged her innocent body without a care. And once he was finished, he rolled off of her and sighed contently. Shock and horror instantly shadowed Fox. Her whole life was over, in the blink of an eye. One silly misstep. She should have never invited him to her room alone. But then, she stopped feeling sad, stopped feeling bad for herself. Suddenly everything was replaced with rage.

She dove off the bed and grabbed the daggers her father had handcrafted for her and she cut the boy's cock off. His blood-curdling screams echoed off her room and throughout the entire manor. She could hear the music quieting and the panic from the ballroom below. But she didn't care. She hacked away at his body, piece by piece by piece, until his screams ceased and she was painted with his blood. The entire room was encompassed in his blood, guts, and bits of flesh. Rage still pumped through her, so she took it out on her room. After completely demolishing her room and every possession she ever had, she slipped into her assassin outfit, the one that made her who she truly was, the one that named her Fox. She then tucked her daggers into her sleeves and jumped from her window into the rose bush below. She heard the door to her bedroom get thrown open and the screams of her mother were enough to wake Fox.

--

"NO!" she screamed, pushing herself up and out of Arivos' arms. Her hood flew back, her hair fanning out behind her wildly. The bandage clung loosely to her bloody head, the face mask that covered from her neck to her nose was slipping, revealing more and more of her pale skin. He reached for her again but she pulled her dagger out and pointed it at his throat. "If you touch me again I will kill you before you can even bat an eyelash!"

"Fox..." Verinnia said lightly, "Do not move so radically....." She turned over on her side to look over at them both, eyes not even open. "My spell is beginning to waver..if you struggle now...we-wi...will fall...." And those were the last words she could muster before she passed out completely. Even with those words said, Fox still seemed to struggle from whatever was causing her such randomized pain, and so the cloud began to disparate from beneath as they continued to lie above the ground thirsty feet into the air.

They, or at least Fox and Verinnia were nearing grave danger, if not for the fall but for the monster awaiting them at the bottom, how could they get out of this? What could stop their adventure from an early end? It seems even these questions were not enough time as it fully began to deplete. The cloud luckily lowered them to a fall of ten feet to which Arivos was able to stop from extreme hurt, but now the monster approached, and with only one man up out of the three, how could they possibly fight this possible legendary beast?

As the three were huddled together on the ground, the creature came out slowly, knowing his prey were his now. Each step he took you could feel in the ground, he was fifteen meters long including the tail which was lined with spikes. His black scale like fur on ends as the creature seemed happy at his meal. Even now one could see his body becoming translucent and transparent in areas, but did not fully go invisible as there was no need for such tricks with the prey now. His face loomed ever nearer, red eyes bulging from the black color fur, his ears back like a bat, teeth like a cougar. It began whipping it's tail from behind him, and finished by whipping his tail forward which shot several spikes from his tail towards them. Arivos was able to block the many spikes away from them, and as the spikes lay before them one could see with a quick look, a purple venom seeping from the spikes. Why on earth would a creature this large need venom for?! It clearly must have other predators, but now isn't the time for this! THe creature pulled back his head and stood high on all fours expanding his leathery black wings which were attached like a bat or pterodactyl as he screeched loudly causing everyone to hold their ears, only one of which Verinnia who had passed out. Noticing the free meal out of the three the creature jumped towards Verinnia with a speed to great for anyone to stop.

*CLANG*

A sound like metal to bone rang off as a mysterious person was suddenly in front of them, blocking the beasts strike with a single metal gauntlet. The man wore two blade upon his back, tainted in what looked like green or orange bacteria living on the weapon themselves. Without another second to thought the monster jumped back to prepare for another volley of spikes as the man rushed forward throwing a small rock looking object towards the creature which seemed to explode causing a near sonic boom level of noise to which the creature flinched greatly and fell over for a moment, but this moment was all this man needed as he rushed forward with his duel blades and began to cut up his adversary. The more he slices the more he began to glow red like a demon as if he was dipping into the powers of demonization. The beast was able to get up, but tried only to flee. He was pretty beat up, he would live another day if he were let go, but the man seemed to let him. What was this man's agenda?

It happened all so quick one was unable to even look upon this man like one could now, and as he turned around one could see him clearly finally. "Well well well, that was a close one was it not?" He said while smiling, but hes eyes kept closed. "May I suggest you refrain from entering the woods, those stories are true...and that was not a fully grown adult, mind you." As he grew closer one could his how straight and near perfect his hair was, blonde like Verinnia's. His skin was a tinge of blue, but still looked human, but an undead he was. "My my, what trouble Verinnia seems to keep on getting into...she would be so much safer back home.." He said still smiling, his eyes finally opening very slightly. "Now I would say, let me take her back right now, but that would not be an interesting fight now, would it? Instead, let me ask you your names, oh I;m sorry again, you are Arivos and you are Fox, my my, what company she had found!" The man still smiled, his eyes closed once more. "Oh, where are my manners, my name is, Akiko. Akiko from the province of the undead." It was all he needed to say as many would know that name as it was linked along with some of the mightiest generals of not only undead kingdom, but the world. He was not a man to mess with, but he seems to be very uncaring about the current situation even with his target right there.

Arivos, stared down at Fox has her dagger had come to his throat yet he showed little to no fear and instead raised his head to allow her more room to cut if she wished. "If you want to kill me Fox, do it, but we need to bandage that wound and I've give no reason to distrust me." His eyes stared into her own, that is until they started to lower to the ground, the elf cursing under his breath as he looked down towards the beast that had been following them upon the ground.

Arivos did indeed block the spikes as best he could, the agility of an elf being rather remarkable, even for one raised by humans as he actually used his bow to parry them away. One of the spikes had caught Arivos in the shoulder, cutting deep the purple venom seeping into the wound but Arivos hadn't felt the effects yet and was standing his ground. He'd pull and arrow onto the bow aiming for the beast's head, that's when the beast was stopped.

As the undead spoke Arivos kept that arrow pointed but now at Akiko's head instead as the beast ran off. "Back off Akiko. You're not taking her back, I will not let the Undead have their weapon." It was now that Arivos started to feel the effects of the venom, his eyes sight beginning to darken but still he fought it. "If they have her more then just our kingdoms will suffer, no one will be safe, she's not in control of herself. Just go back to your king of the damned and I won't rebury you where you stand."

Akiko simply laughed as he watched Arivos, "I've heard stories of you, Arivos, of what happened to your human family. The elven duke with the slaughtered family, from what I heard they believe assassin from our Kingdom did such a thing, but I believe we both know it was something far closer to home, isn't it?" Arivos stared at him, his face showing nothing but distain for the man, even as his vision was blurring.

How does he know, no one could have found out, no one could have known! They deserved it, what they did, how cruel they were! Damn it Arivos fight this, he can't take her, he musn't take the girl!

All the while he kept his arrow pointed at Akiko's face, refusing to let him pass or even take a step closer, Fox had been stirring, still awake to watch all of this while Verinnia remained passed out. Arivos shook his head trying anything to keep himself awake, he knew he couldn't take this man, this undead, but he couldn't allow him to take Verinnia.

Akiko laughed even more as he stood his ground watching Arivos fight with consciousness, "My my the elven blood is quite remarkable. A man would have passed out by now but elven blood is quite resistant to such things but not enough..." A wide grin passed the undead general's lips as he watched with amusement.

Fox watched as everything unfolded. One minute she had her dagger at Arivos' throat, the next they were on the ground about to be eaten and then they were face to face with an undead general. A man her father had spent her whole life telling her to avoid. Dizzy and lightheaded again, she pulled the bandage tighter before pulling her hood back up, the clasp now hanging in plain view. Readjusting her mask, she made it so it nearly came up to her eyes. Now fully sitting up, she stared at the confrontation between the general and the Duke. With what strength she could muster she crawled the few inches to Verinnia and pulled the girl's head into her lap, sheltering her from the conflict.

"You can't have her," Fox said in a barely audible whisper. Her wounds were taking their toll. It had reopened and the sound of blood droplets hitting dirt seemed as loud as an explosion in the standoff. The general looked down at her and smirked, "tsk, tsk. I always thought when I was face to face with the infamous Siren I would be in for a treat, a real challenge. But now I come to find the rumors are greatly exaggerated." The moment the words left his cold lips, Arivos fell to one knee, the poison getting to him. Fox knew then that this was it. This was going to be where Verinnia was taken against her will while she and Arivos succumbed to their wounds in a strange wilderness. Slumping to the side, Fox did her best to shake Verinnia.

"Please Verinnia...I know you can hear me...we need you..."

"Oh my, how serious you all are." Akiko laughed at their misfortune. "But no, I am not taking her today, and of course no, I am not the type to beat respect into you although.." In an sudden burst of energy like instant transmission with even the sound existing, he appeared right in front of Fox's face. "You are quite correct, if what you are thinking is that you are finished, but, and that is a big but, I am not going to kill you, no, no that would be boring I need my prey to put up a fight." He stood back up and laughed as the bow was still aimed for him. "And I see you know it as well, and by the way..." He said as he approached Arivos while beginning to pump up his own power to purely put so much strain upon the energies around him that no one could get up like a miasma. He placed a hand upon Arivos' head as he spoke again, "I know what happened because of what I am," As if he was reading his mind while holding his head. He bent down in a whisper, "My power is far greater then anything you have faced, do not chase me, do not fight me, just continue being my plaything." He said with his eye still closed with that great smile on his face.

Over near Vernnia now, her hair seems to begin to grow longer, and change color to purple as her own miasma began to become effected by Akiko's. The surge of power even caused Akiko to look on over although eyes still closed. Verinnia slowly stood up, no words, not even the sound of breathing as one could begin to SEE the aura of power around her. In one sudden burst of a final push, the wind nearly knocked everyone but Akiko away as she lunged towards him, but without the sword, but a large mass of energy in her hand. To anyone else this would look like a death sentance for anything, but Akiko merely smiled as he stopped her energy with but a single finger. "My my, Verinna, looks as though you still have no power after all that, even so..." He said as he punched her hard in the face knocking her down, and heanceforth jumping on top of her. "The Banshee Queen would not like what I am about to do, but it'll be just so much more fun this way," He said as he ripped open her shirt revealing a trio of triangles on her stomach. "Let's find out what were to happen if we remove the Banshee Queen's seal, heh, sorry mother, but this is way too much fun, is it not, my sister?" He asked with his eyes open towards Verinnia as he lunged his hand unto the seal release an immense amount of power far greater then anyone has experienced. Wind was blowing everywhere, power seeping, her aura turning from green, to red to black like a dragon. "Yes, unleash it all, if you cannot control this you are worthless, dear sister, but for now, come at me!" He yelled as he forced her onto two legs once more. "Show me the power that our damn mother thinks i so much better than my own!"

A demonic voice seemed to escape Verinnia's mouth, "You want to see what she can become?"

"What-" Was Akiko's response as he opened his eyes in a mixed state of confusion and slight fear. "No, that cannot be.."

"Akiko, how long has it been?" The voice said again, "Since you last visited HELL?!" The possessed Verinnia lunged once more towards Akiko, but he was unable to block or even move away in time as Verinnia's nails which now became claws.

"Fuck, heh I guess she is not powerful herself, but needs help, perhaps I was worried over nothing as you are still a weakling!" He said evermore loudly as he grabbed Verinnia's face and slammed her into the ground knocking her senseless and passed out once again. "Heh, that was fun hope to do it again, Beelzebub, but a pity that Verinnia is not strong herself, or if she is she will not show me, just that damn bitch of a mother." He looked at the wound he had in his side, it was bleeding profusely, but undead's do not bleedto easily, so why was he? He seemed to cover it up quickly as if he was ashamed or perhaps it was his weakness. "In any case, there are no more monsters around here," His voice was back to being confident and overruling. "So you should be able to get all three to safety, Arivos." He said as he tossed over a small vile. "Here, that will cure the poison, but be quick about it, because as I speak, the poison is reaching your spine, and you wouldn;t like to be paralyzed, would you? He laughed once more as he waved goodbye and quickly vanished into thin air.

Arivos fought consciousness still, finding it even harder to do he longer he tried to stay focused. Akiko's words only served to anger Arivos but he couldn't find the strength to fire the arrow as his body was starting to lock up. Just as he was about to collapse he'd be thrown back by whatever Verinnia had called forth, slamming hard into a tree and collapsing upon the ground. He could no nothing more then watch as these two 'danced' with each other.

You will be our greatest gift to the world. You will be our golden ticket to taking over this kingdom, to take it from that pathetic king. Once we secure the aid of the Elves, trick them into using you, Arivos, we shall rule the kingdom of man! The voice echoed in his mind as his eyes fluttered slightly, it was almost as if it echoed through the forest but Akiko, Verinnia and Fox didn't seem to hear it at all, was he going mad? That pathetic king, ruling with kindness instead of an iron fist! Letting the elves and dwarves disrespect us, they should be bowing to us! You shall be the one to give me command so we can finally end this pathetic truce with the elves soon as we use them to finish the war with the Undead, the war with the Banshee Queen. Soon they will all know the might of man that they have over looked!

Arivos shook his head, trying to push himself up just as Akiko had finished with his sister and tossed him the vile. "Try to rest, Arivos, I'll return when you three are in prime condition, I can't fight my prey when it's already about to fall over now can I?" His eyes moved to his unconcious sister, a sinister grin crossing his lips, "Oh and good luck trying to control her now." With that Akiko disappeared like a rolling fog disappears in the morning sun light.

How can I trust him, what choice do I have? He'd take the vial, uncorking it as he downed he contents, it would take a few minutes to react but slowly the drowsiness, pain and the paralyzing feelings that had crept of his legs were disappearing. Still he felt drained, so much so that he didn't move from that tree, eyes staring into his lap as his thoughts took over.

How did he know. They needed to die, what they would have done to the King, what they would have tried to bring onto man, I was in the right! I had a right to end them before they could do us harm. If I hadn't done it, if I hadn't stopped them we might have seen so much more death but then why do I still feel so guilty? Damn it! I was in the right!

Fox lay face down, her entire body starting to feel numb. Verinnia's wind had thrown her a few feet from the others, and now she lay completely still. The exchange between the general and the others had ended and they were finally alone. The sun was shining hot down on the three. Arivos had gotten to his feet after a few minutes and weakly walked to Verinnia and shook her until her eyes were open. They spoke, but Fox could not hear what they were saying, the words made no sense.

Her hood lay a few inches from her, the clasp having broken when she was blown back. The wound was bleeding at a faster pace now, nearly drenching her already red hair, dying it an even deeper crimson. Reaching forward, Fox weakly wrapped her fingers around her hood and pulled it close to her face, the soft fabric making a comfortable pillow. Only vaguely aware now, she felt the sun disappear and a shadow fall over her. Looking up, she saw a blurred outline of Arivos. He was leaned over her, inspecting her wound. He spoke, but his words made no sense. It was like he was speaking backwards. Verinnia was sitting near him, she seemed to respond to him, but nothing made sense. Closing her eyes in frustration, Fox tried to block out the world. She was slowly going mad, her life slowly pouring out of her head. There was pressure on her head that forced a sob from Fox's chapped lips.

The pressure lessened for a moment but stayed constant. Then there was the sensation of something being knotted and then she was being lifted. Fox tried to protest, weakly swinging her hood in a menacing manner and mumbling something she thought was threatening before she blacked out.

"Are you sure you are alright to carry her on your own?" Verinnia asked sheepily as she followed closely. Indeed it seemed there were no more monsters around thanks to that exchange of powers, and it seems to automatically put Verinnia at ease althought now becoming nagging. "Will she be alright? We are close to town right?" She now seemed nervous for another reason. Perhaps her power was now constantly on the verge of succumbing or maybe she subconsciously remembers the battle with Akiko. Whatever the reason, she continued asking questions endlessly until they slowly arrived towards their destination. It also seems that her sword is now at full length, and she is using it as a belt with it unchained.

Her hair retained it's length, but was blond once more, and one could now with ease sea all the kunai blades tied to her hair, an interesting choice of weaponry.

The member 'Millia Hakumei' has done the following action : Dices roll

'D6' : 2

Arivos was barely hearing the girl now as they continued to walk. He had sewn up Fox's wound and to his credit he had kept her mask upon her face despite wishing to know who she was and why she seemed so familiar. He even managed to place her hood back on her head, using a vine from the forest as a temporary clasp so that it would remain on her head as he carried her.

"She'll be fine. She simply needs rest." This as all he said as they walked, only answering the girl once as his mind drifted. Who else could know? Does this Fox know? Does the king? No. He showed nothing of knowing the truth when last we spoke.

The town they got to, which took nearly a half an hour's walk seemed rather fitting for a town within the Duskwood. The buildings were built of a dark brown colored mud, standing one to two stories tall. As the entered the first building on their right looked to be a blacksmith, the anvil and forge being worked with. The embers glowing brightly flashing brighter which each hammer to the weapon that was currently being tampered with. The black smith had stopped to stare at the trio as the entered, staring at them in an uneasy manner. Across the street from the blacksmith shop was what looked to be a stable for horses although none seemed to be held there at the moment. The next building, while built with the same dark bricks seemed fancier then the rest. Large statues made of what must have been marble cut into the figures of two men stood at either side of the entry way. Their arms crossed over their chest as they stared out into the darkened woods, their eyes being made of what looked to be rubies. This could only have been the house of who ever lead this down. It wasn't under the rule of any of the kingdoms as none dared to try and put a footing in Duskwood. Arivos, however, knew the down as he had been here before. They called it Vorash'nar, the meaning of the name being lost over time but what was known of it was that if any were on the run they could come here and hide out for a price. There was no dungeon or jail here, instead, beside what looked to be a tavern was a rather large hole, known to be the place where those who overstayed their welcome would end up, no one every came out. It was rumored that it was the lair of some beast they feed from time to time with sheep from the near by farm or people who cause too much trouble for their own good.

Arivos led the two into the tavern and moved over to the inn keeper behind the desk who seemed to smile as Arivos approached.

"Ah! Shadow, it's been some months since I've seen you here, I trust all is well? Last I heard you were headed to help out Talvon with some problem." The tavern keeper looked to Fox then back to Arivos, brow raising slightly but he asked no questions as he led the three into a back room with a bed to lay Fox down upon. Arivos looked back to the man, giving a nod of thanks, "Soras, could you ask Rutho to repair this clasp? He was at the forge already, I doubt he'd mind." He'd then hand the the man he called Soras the broken clasp and the man nodded and rushed out the door. Arivos then looked towards Verinnia as they were now alone. "I need some water, there should be some in the main hall, and don't ask too many questions here, they get uncomfortable. Just keep quiet and let me do the talking while where here. Get some food as well, Soras usually keeps something cooking as well." By now he had laid Fox down on the bed, carefully placing her head upon the pillow and took a seat by the door. He'd remove his bow and quiver, playing them next to him against the wall which he now had the chair he was sitting in leaning against.

It was dark by the time Fox opened her eyes. The world had stopped spinning and the dizziness nearly gone. Instinctively she reached for her hood, which was on, covering her face for the most part. Her fingers trailed down to the clasp, which was now gone. Crying out, Fox tried to sit up, only to realize her head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. Her weight falling back into the pillow, she thrashed violently on the bed.

"My clasp! Where is it!? Where is it!? No, where is it!?" Fox panicked, still grasping at her hood, hoping that maybe she was just delirious and it was still there. Arivos shot up and walked over to her, placing the now fixed clasp in her hands.

"Relax, I had it fixed for you. You should be thanking me--

"Thanking you?! THANKING YOU?! Do you have any idea what you've done?! If anyone recognizes this clasp...the symbol...We can't stay here! You've doomed me, Arivos! No, I won't go back!" Fox wrapped her fingers tightly around the clasp, the pure silver symbol attached pushing deep into her palm. The symbol was of her home, it represented Ashgate. A hummingbird flying under an archway. She mumbled to herself in a mad sort of way before tucking the clasp into her cleavage and ignoring Verinnia's attempts to console her.

Oh God...Oh God...They've seen it...He's seen it...I'll be found out...I'll be found...Oh God...Why have I been so careless?? I should have never accepted to escort this girl! Fox felt the first tears she'd let herself cry in the two years since she left home slip past her defenses and down her filthy cheeks. Her head pounding, anxiety rising, and heart heavy, she silently sobbed herself to sleep.

Surprisingly Verinnia was able to attain the water with no problem, and she was even able to grab hold of some food thanks to the tavern owner knowing Arivos. She brought the water and food back to the room as she attempted to attend to Fox well as she would speak light talking with Arivos who did not seem to like her at all. She was about to ask just why he seemed to dislike her when Fox began thrashing about. Verinnia watched her with a fear in her eyes, not of wanting to run type, but scared for Fox, what demons does she have that makes her like this? She becomes more and more curious as she watches this woman. but soon she fell asleep while crying softly, and Verinnoia moved to her to pat her back and attempt to make her comfy.

"I shouldn;t make a promise like this...but... I want to protect you, Fox, and how do you feel about all of this?" She then asked Arivos. "She seems pretty torn up about something as do you though, so what happened to you?" She asked as she turned her attention towards Arivos while rubbing Fox's back. "If you do not mind, I'd like to hear about you."

It seems like the release of that seal had taken away most of what made her nervouse 24/7 as she seemed quite awake, alert, and ancious to talk and learn about her companions.

Arivos looked toward Verinnia as he let out a soft sigh. "She's concerned about something she doesn't need to worry about at all." His eyes focused on Fox again as he fell silent. Could this be...? Red hair, same eyes, the Ashgate symbol, her freaking out about people seeing it. Could this be...?
He'd look to Verinnia again, " What happened to me was a chain of events that could not be prevented without war breaking down between man. Things happen, Verinnia, politics are played and sometimes people's hands get dirty to keep the peace. That is what happened but not to me." He didn't feel the need to go into further detail, it wasn't that he didn't like her but simply because he didn't trust anyone. "Keep the food by her bed, the water too. I'll watch over, talk to the in keeper and the key to the room next door and lock it. Not sure if you need sleep being what you are." Verinnia did as he asked, closing the door behind her leaving Arivos with Fox.
His thoughts went back to her, back to a night two years ago. A night where he met the daughter of a duke at a ball of sorts. He remembered her eyes stood out most in her. Sephira Auburdine. Could this be her? After two years, is this what she became? He remembered her too well, they shared a dance and although he had never showed it, his heart had sped up a little that night. As soon as the their dance was over he had gone back to the random conversations. The king had introduced them because he is the only elf of the kingdom, that was also a duke. He remembered that night also because it was the night of a brutal murder of a duke Arivos had no concern for but she had disappeared, that is why he remembered it.
He sat in the chair watching her as his mind played the night over and over again, could this really be her? He had no care for the reward or turning her in but if this was her then this was the possible future queen and all the more reason to keep her safe.

Not able to stay asleep, she awoke just as Verinnia left the room. Fox turned to watch the door shut softly and looked at the food laid out. The idea of eating sickened her to her very core. Looking up, she saw Arivos' gaze locked on her. She wanted to say something, cover her panic attack, but nothing she said now would hide her actions. The look in his eyes told Fox that he knew something. Still not trusting him and hoping that somehow her secret was still locked deep inside of her, she pulled the hood down over her eyes and longed for the days back in the capital. Sleeping in a seedy hotel with the best food and service because the innkeeper was too afraid she'd cut his balls off if he didn't appease her. Small jobs that awarded high coin. Pick a pocket here, frame a douche there, slit a throat on the occasional lazy afternoon. She truly lived the life. And in plain sight. Oh how stupid her family would feel if they knew she was just under their nose.

Sighing inwardly, she tried to think of how she got to this point. She'd been paid upfront to frame some guy for a high-stakes robbery and was heading back to the capital to get the full payment when she'd run into Verinnia and Arivos. If only she hadn't been on such a high from a job well done she wouldn't have been so generous. And she wouldn't have a split open skull, a throbbing headache, and she wouldn't be on the verge of being discovered. Before she knew it, her thoughts had carried her into the morning. Arivos was still staring at her when she lifted her hood when Verinnia returned in the morning. She took away last nights dinner, which was untouched, and left a small breakfast, which Fox nibbled at.

Pulling the clasp from her breasts, Fox pulled her hood off and refastened the clasp. Once she was done, she pulled it back on and spoke to Verinnia in a calm tone, "how did you sleep?"

"Oh.... well I slept ok i guess..." She said as she thought of her dreams. "Had a few nightmares, but that is not important right now." She said although one could see a look of wanting to talk about it. "It's more important to ask how you slept right now, how are you feeling?" Verinnia asked quickly as she went right up to Fox and examined her lightly. "You seem to still have a headache just from looking at you, do you need another drink? Is there anything I could do for you?"

With what, and how VErinnia should really be, it's probably surprising to many how thoughtful she is to others, and how often she does not care about herself if there is another to care for. From all the dire events that continuously piled on one another it seemed that Verinnia began to grow closer to Fox, but Verinnia still felt that Fox did not trust her, did she even like her?

Fox and Verinnia talked for awhile as Verinnia sat right next to her, eating all the information talked about up like a child learning how to fight or cook. Verinnia seemed to become tired after all their talking as she yawned and without thinking began resting her head against Fox's bed, and gravity pulled her head towards Fox's legs as she began to fully fall asleep. For many minutes she lay asleep against her leg, once in awhile mouthing words in her sleep, like brother, Akiko, mother, and at times her body felt tensed during her sleep, and her hair at times glowed purple, was she having nightmares even now? Even with them she continued to sleep against Fox for a long while until Arivos had re-entered the room.