~*~* Chronicles Of The Rift II *~*~ Starts [Mature] FINISHED!

[Dr.McNinja]

Dimitri sat on a low hanging branch, his feet dangling limply. He watched the others mill about, collapse in relief, or simply stand and breath after having escaped one of the more horrific incidents he had had the pleasure of being a part of. It was as though every tension, every stress of the last day or so had just fled from them, leaving behind…nothing. The fatigue was palpable, so thick in the air that Dimitri imagined he could see it. It was probably just his eyes giving up on him though…

Cheer up, at least we escaped having to use the Death Tarot

Yeah…but a few more seconds and we would have had no choice…and even then it’s just by luck and a miracle that Adalia’s still alive

Both of Dimitri’s consciousness’’ sat silent for a moment and listened to the outburst between the recently awakened Adalia and Loki. Sighing, he leaned his head back against the rough surface of the tree. They really didn’t need this right now.

That girl’s got so many problems right now that death might be….

Don’t even say it. It might be easy for you to joke about it now but the rest of us still pretend that just living is some sort of prize…it’s comforting at least

As long as you don’t take it for granted.

Never, thought Bryan, too many life or death situations, far too many for any average college student to deal with, had taught him that at least. Why he kept getting himself into these things he didn’t know, after the first time he had sworn off pokemasters or any online RP for that matter, he wasn’t going to take that risk again, but barely a month later he found himself back at it. Why? He certainly could live without it, it wasn’t something that he needed to be happy or fulfilled…maybe it was just fate. Fate’s existence wouldn’t surprise him in the least, anything was possible now. His one hand clenched around the small object he had taken with him from that hellhole of a prison. He didn’t want to tell them what he had found, he didn’t want to ruin the sense of relief that they were all feeling. Gazing up through the canopy of the forest, at the irregular checkerboard of light that filtered gently through it. The light felt good. Even during the day, the darkness of the world they were in made him feel like he was walking in a twilight.

It was going to be a long time before he got to feel light again.

“Hey.”

He heard rather than saw the others turn their attention towards him. Even Adalia, her face lined with her tears, turned. Dimitri shifted his body weight, letting it pull him off the branch. His cloak rippled around him as he fell the short distance, landing gently on his feet. Standing straight, he braced himself for the next few moments.

“We have to go back.”

Dimitri could have sworn that more protests flew back his way than there were people, but he bore them all and continued.

“Hey, you think I want to?"

Ovan’s voice rose above the rest.

“Then why the hell would we?!”

Adalia answered before Dimitri could, tears still in her voice.

"We don't have a choice do we?"

Dimitri held up his closed fist, palm up, towards the others. Opening it, he revealed what lay within. Glimmering softly in the filtering light that Dimitri had been enjoying a few minutes earlier, the pile of sand seemed almost innocent. It was the glimmering however that made it so ominous, tiny specks of light in the sand that hinted at the presence of something all too familiar.

“No, we really don't. One of them is there somewhere…these were all over the courtyard where we left, the whole place was practically glowing under the right light”

Dimitri turned his hand over, letting the sand fall to the forest floor, partially hoping it would sink between the dirt and rocks and disappear forever. At least it was silent again, as little as everyone wanted to go back to that place…they were in this world for a reason and they couldn’t ignore whatever it was that had brought them there.

“We don’t have to do it immediately…none of us are in any shape to try and fight again for a while: physically, mentally, or both…but we’re going to wind up going back eventually and I thought it would be better if we were all prepared.”

Dimitri didn’t particularly care if Fate existed or not…but he certainly wished that it would stop sticking its nose in his life.

[kalad1]

>>Danarica<<

My hand idly stroked my stomach as I waited out in the clearing for Knes and the others to return. Every few seconds my mind would throw in a thought of fear or two. Such as what if Ovan never returned, I barely knew him these last few days, but I had grown to care for him deeply. If they never returned would we even be able to leave this world? If not that means I would be left here with a life of periods and a mind honed to killing and sex. For some sick reason I wasn’t exactly put off by that last part. Maybe I had been stuck in this female body for too long, the hormones were beginning to change my mind.

Further down the path that led to the clearing emerged the sounds of footsteps. I ducked down, taking out one of my many knives as my mind began to calculate how many, and how to kill them. I shifted around and found that my clothes were almost non responsive. “These clothes were not meant for a pregnant woman.” I groaned, feeling a sharp pain in my stomach. “And you seem to have feet like your father.” I idly told the baby before shifting my attention to the trail.

My body slipped into the shadows, the rush of mana stronger than usual since I was out in the mid day sun. Creeping ever so slightly I made my way through the shadows of the trees to get a better look at our guests. Two men, about middle age, both looking completely drunk. One of them spotted the Caligrey and nudged the other.

He took one false step and that was it, I leapt from my hiding spot, slashing the blade across the neck. Disappearing back into the shadows before I had made it across the trail. The other was screaming mad as he saw his friend drop to the ground. He turned to run and I had him. A slash across the knees, a knife to the top of the spinal cord. And not even a bloodstain on my clothes!

I arrived back at the camp just as the others were teleported in. Running up quickly I threw my arms around Ovan and gave him a tight hug. His hands slowly hugging me back after a moment of shock. “I love you.” I whispered into his ear, kissing it and pulling back to examine his face.

A look of peacefulness and love filled his eyes for a second, until he crocked his brow, with a mischievous grin. He didn’t have to say he loved me back, I already knew it. “Really love me?” He whispered running a finger down my neck toward my breasts.

“Later.” I whispered back giving him a quick kiss on the lips. I took a step back as he walked away, shocked at what I had just said.

LATER?!

[Haruko]

Stella D'Aubigine
no matter what happens, I'm still me. / i believe in the far away glowing light / and if you, who rode the wind, would smile / i'll become a star.

"We have to save her!"A halfbreed panicked over the girl who was hung from the gallows only a few minutes ago. Sensing I could be of some use, and maybe show some trust to them, I rushed forward to the halfbreed and the girl.

“It’s okay… I’m going to help her.”I came close to them, and the halfbreed turned hostile, most likely..well, 100% likely due to that I was unfamiliar, and had a sword in my hands. I reduced my mana flow into the flower and it reduced back into its small, beautiful shape. I placed it firmly in my hair, and looked into the halfbreeds eyes with concern, as he looked into mine for trust. After a few seconds of staredown tactics, he nodded. I bent down and closed my eyes.

'The neck is most likely injured.'I told myself.'The earings are going to go off for using this much mana though..'

But if I had to prove myself within Ovans circle..

I placed my hand over the girls neck and green mana radiated light from it. I could feel the buzz in my head, the pain starting to irradiate from the earings runes, but I didn't want this girl to die, not if I could help it. I converted my nature mana into healing mana, as shown by the mana turning pink, and it flowed into her neck, along with a few small mana seeds. They would, hopefully, help shorten her recovery process. As I could feel her neck repair, her chest started to move from enhaling. I sighed in relief and finished, but an intense pain for myself to suffer alone followed.

“Thank you… thank you so much.”The halfbreed thanked me, and I nodded as he did the same. I slowly got up, in a daze, and located Ovan after he called someone to come towards the group. I just made it to him as I fell onto my knees, holding my head from the inextinguishable torment that was going in my head. It felt as my brain was being pounded by heavy hammers, and a loud noise overcame my perception of sound.

"You ok Stella?"Ovan asked me, but I couldn't respond with words. I shook no..

'As long as these earrings are on you, you will never be able to use a large amount of mana without pain and suffering.'I remembered the voice of my trainner.'One who controls nature is subjected to its whim, they must control it or they can turn into a beast controlled by the mana itself.'

"i am..no beast.."I mumbled slightly to myself, and Ovan put a face of question, as if he knew what I said but not the meaning. He could see the slight glow from my earrings and tried to find a way to take them off, but to no avail. The pain soon ended, the only remains was the now slight headache.

“Alright everyone… I need you to get in a circle."The halfbreed commanded, in a much more mature tone than used previously. I looked up Ovan as I regained my structure, and he nodded.

"If they don't let you come, you can atleast make it to safety, I'll assure that."Ovan comforted me, "But..what was going on with the whole head thing?"He continued as everyone gathered in a circle.

"..When I was back there, they used these earings to keep me in line."I replied, a tone of saddness in my voice from remembering."They only get them off with a special mana spell, I don't know it myself."
"..Thats horrible."He pitied me, something I didn't want. I shrugged it off, being a pessimist wasn't my style. But whenever the earings activated, more memories of father arose..

'And it won't be just physical pain..'I remembered my own trainners words, and held onto Ovan as the halfbreed, Knes(as Ovan briefly pointed out), used teleportation mana. I could feel him sense the mana within me, and I was slightly scared that he'd reject me from the teleport. But in a flash, I found myself near the forest's edge. I got off of Ovan, only using him as a support beam for my first time in a teleport.

“That was… very smooth…” Ovan said, a bit of sarcasm in his voice. His line of vision pointed then to a woman near some Caligrey, and I left him be as he went to her.

I left myself there aswell. I didn't know if I should introduce myself to someone, or..just walk away, and be thankful...

[Roy Karrde]

Adalia
~*~*~*~*~ Its raining somewhere… ~*~*~*~*~

The tears dried, the shaking never stopped though. My mind was a blank slate; I couldn’t think of anything, I couldn’t really say anything. I could still feel little bumps in my throat and every few moments I would reach up and scratch at them. The sound of leafs crunching eventually drew a small bit of my attention as Ovan sat down next to me, his head in his hands. I glanced at him for a few seconds, and then went back to looking at my hands shake. He took in a deep breath, almost a gasp, and then let it out slowly with a chuckle. “You know no one has ever even asked who I really am.” He sighed.

My head rose again and I looked over again at him curiously. “Who are you?” I asked my voice still harsh and stiff. “Or who were you back in the real world?” I phrased the question. Ovan smiled, rolling his eyes and turning to look at me, his eyes almost bulging out in shock when he finally lay eyes on me.

Ovan’s mouth moved up and down in shock as I began to wonder about the question more and more. Sometimes he would look at me strangely and other times he wouldn’t… who was he? “Er well… see I umm…” He slapped his head in annoyance as I just watched him. “She doesn’t want me to tell you… because she knows your response.” He replied.

“Who?” I asked.

Ovan sighed letting his shoulders droop his eyes left my eyes and moved down to his hands. “Its me… Danielle.” His voice took on a softer tone. What I did next must have shocked him or her. I just moved closer, clutching Ovan’s arm in support. I really didn’t care who it was, I just needed support from some one, anyone. “What’s wrong?” Danielle finally asked, moving a soft hand across my face and stroking my hair.

I buried my face deeper into his arm. “Loki left.” I mumbled, his hand stopped moving for a second, and then continued to stroke my hair. “He said it was my fault too..”

“Men always say that… or that they are not good enough.” He explained.

I tightened my grip on his arm tighter. “I feel hollow inside.” I mumbled as he got up bringing me up with him as we both rose to our feet. Danielle or was it Ovan now pointed over to Kite and motioned for him to come over.

“Hey Cat boy, c’mon.” He waved a very annoyed Shonta over. I looked up at him in disbelief as he flashed a smile, looking back down into my eyes. “You really need to be cheered up.”

Kite finally came over, mumbling how his name wasn’t ‘catboy’ but quickly shut up after he looked over at me. “Everyone, we escaped jail, and being sold into slavery. I don’t know about the rest of you but Kite, Adalia, and I are going out to party. Everyone else should do the same!” Ovan announced with a boisterous voice. Inside I winced knowing that Danielle was doing the exact same thing. She wasn’t the type to make something loud like that and most likely meant Ovan had taken over.

An hour later we were back on the trail heading back into the city. Ovan holding my left hand, Kite holding my right. “You know boys and girls are different right?” Kite asked, I thought long and hard, boys didn’t have breasts I knew that, either that or Ovan and Kite were really flat chested which made me giggle. Both of their faces went white for a second as we entered the town. “See a boy has..” He began as I noticed something in a shop window.

“Oh wow!” I gasped running forward and placing my hands against it, gazing at the white and blue dress. Kite and Ovan seemed to exchange looks of relief as they walked forward next to me. “Can I have it?” I asked, half expecting Ovan to go off on a barrage of how it was a childish thing and that I shouldn’t get childish things.

Instead he rested a hand on my shoulder. “After we find a bar.” He sighed turning and looking around, finding one just a few buildings down and across the street. “I really need a drink.”

I winkled my nose, a drink? “But it could be gone later!” I pleaded as Kite took me by the hand and led me into the bar, I guess he knew it was no use to argue. Inside the bar smelled horrible and rank. A mixture of sweat and the awful smell of alcohol, with just a hint of smoke. “I don’t like this place.” I pouted.

Kite just sighed his ears twitching a bit. “We will only be here for a hour or so.” He took my hand, and led me over to one of the tables, sitting down at one of the seats, as he took one opposite of me. “I know you want to be more like a adult, because of Loki leaving.” He sighed his tail flicking back and forth.

He considered his thoughts for a second and then opened his mouth as Ovan returned to the table with two glasses as well as a larger one of bad smelling liquid. “Don’t grow up too fast, don’t lose your innocence, it is one of the things that makes you so cute.” He grinned and then looked at the liquid in the glass. “I really don’t…” He began to speak.

Ovan nudged his arm, taking a large gulp of the liquid and then refilling it from a larger glass that he had brought. “It’s a party, just for tonight.” He nudged Kite’s arm. I slumped back in my chair as the two began to down glass upon glass of the liquid, Kite’s eyes going glassy with each one. After the third Ovan reached over and pinched my cheek. “You are so cute… Danielle thinks you are cute too.” He whispered.

Ovan slumped back into the chair, resting a hand over his face. “I dunno what I am going to do about a baby, I am so young, I can’t believe it, a baby.” He said as my eyes went wide. Was he really worried about Dana and the baby?

I turned and looked at Kite who was looking equally glassy eyed, he reached for the pitcher of liquid, and missed it almost tipping over the pitcher. “Adalia, you always go after these half breeds like Loki and Knes.” He coughed, grasping the pitcher and pulling another. “What I am saying is what about me?” He asked as I slumped down in my chair in shock. Where was Knes? Where was Someone? I just wanted that dress, I just wanted to get out of here.

Party time guys! You can either go get drunk, chase women, buy some new clothes, or if you want go investigate the crystal below the jail! Have fun ^^

[Haruko]

Ovan
-i can hear the sound of waves, touching my heart, selfishly aimless, like drops of rain. | the setting sun quietly reassures itself of everything, then sinks into the distant sea, as if giving it a kiss..-

Later, then? Hmm.. I smirked to myself a bit as I walked away from Danarica. Stella seemed to be doing ok, so I looked around for someone to talk to. Who I found was Adalia, who seemed to be recovering from..something. The need to comfort a teammate, and a friend, quickly arose and I walked over to her.

I'm just happy Valkyrie is back. I heard Danielle say, responding to the noise of my sword in it's hilt.
Valkyrie? Whats that? When did you get to name my sword..?
Valkyrie is a battle madien in Norse mythology that sends einhejar to Valhalla inorder to fight for Rangarok.She gave me a brief, other worldly mythology lesson. And it's my sword, not yours.
Whatever you say..

I sat down next to Adalia and leaned my head in my hands, thinking. She stared at me for a few seconds, before looking at her own hands. I took in a deep breath, and a chuckle to let it out. This was the one person Danielle didn't want to know her name. If she felt like she owned my sword, then I had to do a bit of..pay back, so to say?

“You know no one has ever even asked who I really am.” I started the chat, sighing and then smiling. Adalia rose her head at me, curious.
"Who are you?" She asked, “Or who were you back in the real world?” I smiled at her response, rolling my eyes in a jokingly manner.
“Er well… see I umm…”I responed, preparing for the mental lashing Danielle was going to give me after.
You better not! I can take control whenever I want, you know. Danielle hammered in my head, to which I completely ignored. I sighed, and relaxed. All of the sudden, I could feel my grip to the world slowly fading, even if I was trying to hold onto it with all my strength.

"It's me, Danielle." Danielle now had control over my body. I was suprised she actually told Adalia, without diverting it...but it was better sooner than later. Adalia's response shocked Dani, as Adalia just moved closer and clutched my...our arm, for support."Whats wrong?"

Her face buried deeply into our arm as she replied,“Loki left.”. Danielle contemplated a response, and decided to pat her back, stroking her hair along aswell.

"Men..always say that. Or that they're not good enough."Danielle replied, with a hint of saddness. What was there of Danielle that I didn't know, besides the anxious and yet, rash and sarcastic persona?

“I feel hollow inside.”She responded, and I could feel my grip on control come back, and I was control. All I could hear from Danielle was some short mumblings, and a bit of distress..
It was then I decided that we needed to cheer up. My belt still had all my mananite, which mean't we could party. I arose to my feet, havign Adalia do the same. I pointed to Kite and motioned for him to come over, smirking in the process.

“Hey Cat boy, c’mon.” I directed Kite to comeover, trying to be a bit cheerful with my voice. Kite came over, mumbling how his name wasn't "Catboy", but whatever. Adalia looked up at me in disbelief, and I looked back into her eyes, smiling.“You really need to be cheered up.”

“Everyone, we escaped jail, and being sold into slavery. I don’t know about the rest of you but Kite, Adalia, and I are going out to party. Everyone else should do the same!”I yelled to the group in a bit of a boisterous voice. I could feel Danielle wincing inside from having unwanted attention, but I shruged it off.

It took an hour or so to get back to the trail heading into the city. Although I had some anxiety of being recognized, I let it slide. Most guards were killed by Moswen's "freak-out", and the rest were probably too injured to give a damn. I ignored the slight conversation Kite had with Adalia until we came upon a window for a shop, which showed a dress.

“Oh wow!” She gasped, running to the window, in amazement to the blue and white dress that stood infront of her. "Can I have it?"

Me and Kite both exchanged looks. Yes, we needed new clothing desperately. But we were both in the mood to drink, and it'd probably be there later, right? And it wasn't like a doll, which suprised me a bit. I rested my hand on Adalia's shoulder and replied;

"After we find a bar" I sighed, and looked around the buildings near. I found a bar only a few buildings down, "I really need a drink."
Adalia seemed unhappy with this response, wrinkling her nose in a bit.“But it could be gone later!” Much to the dismay of her pleas, Kite took her by the hand into the bar, finding a table whilst I purchased the drinks. 2 glasses, and a good bottle of whiskey seemed in order. I came back to the table, placing the drinks in the center. I sat and took my glass for the whiskey, putting a few of the ice cubes that were located in the center, and pouring some in. I chugged it down quickly.

People often drink to forget about things they don't want to hear. Danielle lectured.

I nudged Kites arm as I poured my second round, smiling.“It’s a party, just for tonight.”. To this, Kite drank, although it seemed he couldn't hold it as well as I. Adalia slumped in her chair, her nose all wrinkled from the wisps of smoke that danced around the room..

After I decided to take a break, once everything seemed...a bit dizzy, but I felt a bit lighter aswell. Every worry seemed to fade, but there was one that stuck. Maybe..it was because both me and Danielle were worried like hell about it.
“I dunno what I am going to do about a baby, I am so young, I can’t believe it, a baby.”I sat back in my chair, putting my hand over my head. It was so true...I didn't expect it at all. All the unwanted responsibility...everything. Even if feelings for Danarica started to reside within my heart, the thought of a baby, now, was too extreme for me to handle.

I didn't have enough in me to listen to what Kite was saying to Adalia. I could hear Danielle ranting in my head about someone named 'Johna...' something, and it made such a headache that I felt like I was going to explode. We soon left a bar, only to find a small hotel next door. I could barely make out to pay for a key before I fell onto my knees, and I felt a mana bubble wrap around me and Kite, carrying us up the stairs.

The last thing I could remember is being thrown onto a big..comfortable bed...



Trigun love for my quote. La la la..

[Prof. Jb Wolf]

Ban Ravi
~No Rest for the Weary~

It took me the better part of the morning to finally make it to the rendevous point. I heaved a sigh of relief as the clearing came into view but any relief I felt was overshadowed by great puzzlement. Save for Dimitri, the strange woman, and the Caligrey, everyone was missing. "What the hell happened and where in Kami's name are the others!?" I yelled as I lay Moswen down next to the healer.

Dimitri looked up from where he was sifting through his cards, perhaps divining or just making sure his deck was complete. "Back in Talidan I would assume. I think Ovan said something about cheering up and partying."

"WHAT!?"

I groaned as I leaned against the same tree trunk and immediately regretted it as it pressed up against my wound. It had stopped bleeding sometime after I entered the forest, but it was still fresh. Grimacing, I shucked off my coat and tossed my shirt on top of it. Twisting my head, I glanced down at the palm-sized gash on my back wondering how something so small could hurt so much.

"If you don't treat that it will get infected." I turned my gaze upwards to see our newest member looking clinically at my wound before looking at me for permission.

Nodding my head she pulled out some bandages and ointment from her bag. Shivering slightly at the cool touch of the ointment I turned my gaze back on to Dimitri. "And you just let them go after all the trouble we've gone through in that town!?"

"We would have had to return anyway. One of the crystals we need is in that town, right under the prison or what's left of it after you and Moswen wrecked it."

"This day can't get any worse can it?" I sighed as the healer finished applying the bandages to my back. "Thanks for that nee-san. I didn't catch your name."

"Stella. Stella D'Aubigine. And I should be thank you and your friends for giving me the oppurtunity to escape. I've been a prisoner for so long, I'd almost lost hope. Please if there's anything I can do..."

Stretching slightly, I put back on my shirt and coat. "No need, you helped Hime-chan and patched up my back. Your free ta go if ya want, I mean we're sort of in the middle of a big quest and we can't force you to come with us. Though if you do decide to go, I'd like to ask one last favor of you."

She looked at my quizzically as I grabbed up the cloak I had worn the night before and wrapped it around myself. "I'd just like you to watch Moswen here while Dimitri and I go take care of something back in town. I doubt you'd like to return to that hellhole so soon after leaving."

Stella nodded and I smiled back thankfully. Dimitri was already standing, dusting off his cloak as his deck disappeared somewhere within its folds. As he strode by me, caught my eye. "You think we can trust her to keep Ka-I mean Moswen safe?" He asked under his breath.

"She owes us, she helped me and Hime-cha, and Ovan seems to trust her. Plus, I'd rather just get this done and over as soon as possible. Moswen needs to rest and I doubt the others are going to be much help. You remember what happened the last time Ovan got drunk..."

The fox half-breed nodded and the two of us headed back into the forest.

=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=

We snuck into the ruins of the prison at nightfall. Miraculously, no one had seem to recognize any of us from the escape. I put it down to the fact that most of the guards were either dead or hospitalized after Moswen's little rampage. There was no sign of any repair crews or even security as we snuck on to the premises. "So where did you find this magic sand?"

"Its shards of the crystal, probably shed from its outer layer by erosion. It was all over the courtyard, so we should probably look in that area."

Nodding in agreement, we began our search in the former execution grounds. As far as we could find there were no secret entrances or even remains of a shattered crystal. "Find anything?" I called to Dimitri, who was searching the otherside of the courtyard.

"No, I haven't. Though with all this rubble it's possible we ju-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhh!" My companion seemed to disappear in a large cloud of dust.

"Dimitri!" I rushed over to where he had been standing and found a rather large hole. Apparently the ground had given out beneath him. "DIMITRI! Are you okay!? Dimitri! Di-OH SHiiiiiiiiii..."

The ground shifted beneath my feet as it too gave way and I was falling in right after him. Tumbling through the air, I tried to move towards the edges of the hole, but apparently there were no walls for me to cling to or slow my descent. With some effort I was able to get my feet underneath me and as I slammed into the ground, I threw myself forward to relieve some of the shock of landing. Unfortunately, there was a wall that stopped me mid-roll. "Itai...."

"Nice landing." Looking up I saw Dimitri, standing nearby dusting off his hat.

Slumping forward, I got to my feet and stretched. "Like you could've done better." I looked around. "Where the hell are we?"

We seemed to be in a stong passage way, like those in some ancient castle or maze. Sconces which would normally hold torches were empty except for one which was lit with blue fire and spotlighted the area around us. "Some underground complex I guess. Maybe the crystal is he-"

A howl split the air and suddenly the sconces along the wall began lighting up, moving down the hall before turning sharply.

I sense a great power, but it is...illusive. Walk with caution.

"You don't need to tell me." I muttered under my breath as I unsheathed Miroku. I spoke louder so Dimitri could hear me. "Well we won't find anything out just standing around. Shall we?"

[kalad1]

>>Danarica<<

I ran a finger across the window of one of the many dress shops in town. Unlike the last town these people looked less poor and homeless and more able to barter. A slight wince came from my stomach as the baby turned, I drew my attention back to the window at the slender dresses. Each would be more than enough to arouse any man, and give me more than a night of pleasure. Yet that would never happen now. "You better be worth it." I rubbed my stomach jokingly and entered the shop, looking for maternity dresses.

The following half an hour was chaotic, as rapid and hard to keep up with as it was slow and plodding. Being almost accosted by a little old lady smaller and weaker than myself, and giving in like a meek little puppy. Barely seconds after telling her what I wanted, she had me up, taking measurements, figuring color combinations, and patterns, and many details I hadn't the slightest clue what they meant. She sent me out half an hour later, saying the dresses and clothing required would be done in the morning.

The rest of the day was spent hanging around, listening to gossip, and gathering information, I'd even 'liberated' some funds from a scumbag that'd been shadowing her in order to mug her. I'd chatted up some guards, all the while getting an... itch, and urge that needed to be quenched. Then, I hurried out, back to the hotel the others were at.

Sauntering into the room, the smell of alcohol and testosterone flared my nose; I licked my lips almost with out thought and moved over to Ovan who was sleeping peacefully. There was an indent in the middle of the bed where some one else had been laying, and then there was Kite who lay on the other side of the bed, out like a light. A sly smile crossed my face as I crawled onto the bed, crawling my way until I was on top of Ovan.

He slept so peacefully, so beautifully, but I was aching and him sleeping would not help the aching. Moving in I pressed my lips against his, rubbing against them slowly as Ovan's eyes flared open with shock and then drooped back down. I moved my hand down to his crotch and began messaging it, kissing his lips again, before moving them down, leaving a trail of saliva. I glanced up only once while I unbuckled his pants, watching his eyes look at me, and then slowly roll back into his head.

The aching began to engulf my entire body as I placed my mouth around his area and began to move back and forth. The taste was revolting only for a second. After a second or two Ovan began to thrust back, taking his girth into my mouth as he began to moan. A grin crossed my face as he thrust in one last time before a warm taste pour down my throat. It filled my stomach and the aching went away. "I love you." I crawled my way up to him and lay my head on his chest. Sleeping peacefully.

[Dr.McNinja]

Dimitri sighed.

"Is not finding something really that bad?"

Ban just stared at him, causing Dimitri to chuckle softly to himself and begin moving down the passageway. The scones lighting up ahead of them as they moved only served to make the thing seem longer than it was, each time they thought that they must be reaching the end only to see another set of light appear far ahead of them.

"I swear if there's some sort of maze or trial or something past this thing....oh...never mind."

They had emerged from the tunnel, into what seemed to actually be the main crystal chamber. For the brief second it took the lights in the room to ignite, Dimitri wondered if it actually was going to be that easy. Maybe those that had hid the crystal here had thought the hiding space defense enough, maybe they never expected anyone to really find it, maybe....oh wait, there's the giant guardian monster of certain death right there.


You just love getting your hopes up don't you?

Yeah, well, I always hope there won't be a hellspawn standing between me and what I'm trying to get, y'know, just once.

Whoever does this comes to an RP board to get recruits, you really think it's just going to be a happy stroll through a bright fairy world or something?

Yeah...knowing this place those fairies would probably have fangs and...laser wings or something

Laser wings?

Nevermind

Dimitri looked up at the fox-like creature, it's multitude of tails wrapped around the crystal almost protectively, with a mix of disgust and resignation. A hand was already shuffling through the deck in his cloak as he turned to Ban, the torchlight reflecting eerily of his spiral eyes.

"Want the first crack?"

Ban's return look was less than enthusiastic. Dimitri shrugged.

"I need a moment or two to get anything really effective ready...and maybe you can put a hole in a few of its organs during that time too. Of course, I could always just charge in now but then you'd have to explain the little fox parts lying around to everyone when they got here."

Ban seemed to ponder for a moment as the Ninetail's breathing became harsher, it's claws skittering across the floor as it slinked slowly from its resting place towards them.

"You make a convincing argument...I guess"

Dimitri turned his attention back to the drooling monstrosity that was still approaching, taking in its mad eyes, it's sharp fangs, and even its rather unpleasant odor.

Ninetails...isn't that supposed to be Kalah's thing?

[darktyranitar]

Here we go!

Real Name: Faiz
Gender: Male
Personality: He has a lot of things going on his mind- mostly about some crazy stuff that he’d most probably not do in a hundred years. He can be friendly and funny to the people that he considered as friends, and can appear as quiet, serious and withdrawn to the others. He can easily become annoyed by a few people, but he usually just kept a straight face and shut up- people would think he’s the ‘good’ kind of guy. He has the bad habit of swearing… and he usually does this under his breath or just in his mind. He isn’t very consistent: he can be hardworking, and he can be very lazy. Has the tendency to say or do random things from time to time. Overall, he’s a peculiar person, to put it mildly.

~~ ~~ FORM START ~~ ~~

Name: Marion
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Age: 17
Bodily Appearance: Marion stands at 5’4’’ with a lithe build. Her skin was a bit pale, but is pleasantly smooth to touch. Somehow, she has features that gave her an elfish look- long face, slightly pointed ears and slanted chestnut brown eyes. Her shoulder-length dark brown hair is generally straight, though they tend to curl up at the tip. A few strand of her hair hung from her forehead and could reach and cover her eyes if they were left loose. She is constantly toying and changing her hairstyle, but usually stick to ponytail. A tattoo that looks like some kind of animal’s slash mark was bore on her right arm in a blood red colour.
Clothing Appearance: Marion is dressed in a black silk dress that is decorated with fine red lines that runs over the waist, cuff and hem. The dress hung until it almost touches the ground, and splits on both sides starting from the knee- to make movement easier. She wore a light blue headband made out of a cotton material. For her footwear, she wore a pair of leather sandals. She also wore a silver earring on her left ear and a bracelet made from colourful beads on her right wrist.
Weapon: Her main weapon is her pet: Karam, the young, talking ferret. Karam may appear as a typical ferret, but upon closer inspection (touching included), one would find that he has a curiously bright green eyes and bore scars on his belly that is identical to the tattoo on Marion’s arm. Karam is capable of both magic and physical assault, although his powers are limited since he is still young. Other than Karam, Marion also carries a piece of strong and durable wood that is about 5 feet in length – although she doesn’t really consider it as a real weapon.
Magic: Marion channel her mana out via the tattoo on her arm – glowing with a white hue – towards Karam, but that doesn’t mean that she have to fully depend on Karam whenever she want to use her magic. Her magic seems to be more on the assisting side rather than offensive or defensive – examples are healing and giving the target a burst of power.

~~ ~~ FORM FINISH ~~ ~~

Changed Personality: Being a female, she has became more caring and understanding, and she always be seen with a smile on her face. Regardless of becoming a female now, she still find herself attracted to female rather than male. She tried to hide it by hanging out more with the male. Over time, she began to develop a feeling for male, but her feeling for female still remains.
Other: Karam speak in a typical cute kid’s voice, and he has the tendency to giggle occasionally for no apparent reason.

Faiz
~Tired~

Today was another normal routine: checking out MSN, listening to some songs, downloading some song from Limewire…

Boring.

And to think waking up at 7:00 A.M., there’d be more people online to speak to. My eyes skimmed over the list of the people that are online on MSN: There’s Charles, Dylan(who was away) and Kirst (who has put her status on busy). Charles did some talking, but the time gap between each reply seems almost like forever… and he was talking about his fic again.

Eh… might as well check out TPM to see if there’s any interesting new fic to read. I ran through the list on Favourites. The pointer hovered above the TPM link before I clicked the mouse.

Click.

Oh? What’s this? I have one unread Private Message? I pondered on who could have sent it- was it Mega Horny, asking some stuff like trading my Pokemon off? Or maybe asking me to read his new fic? I decided to leave it first and go check if I had any unread post.

None… Hm, let’s check the PM then.

Okay… so it wasn’t from Mega Horny… It was from some other TPMer that I haven’t heard of the name before – a newbie, I assumed, based on the number ‘1’ on his post count - telling me to join his/her RPG. I went to the RPG section and began to look for the said RPG. It was lying somewhere around Page 3. Wait… how old was the PM anyway? Had I been away from TPM that long?

I shrugged, I decided to open the topic anyway. Okay, this is pretty good for a newbie… interesting… I scrolled down the page and began to read the first sign up post from Roy. True to my guess, he did a girl character. Heh, he just love doing girls char, doesn’t he?

I looked at the other people that had sign up as well. Hm… there’s JJ, and there’s Laura… Oh well, might as well join in the fun since there’s no post to be found yet. Are the other players that lazy to post something?

I began to think on who my character should be. Despite me just scoffing at Roy for his frequent usage of girl character in RPG, I suddenly felt like making a girl character myself. And so began the slow process of me making the sign up form on MS words…

It was only one hour and twenty minutes later that I finished the sign up (bless me and my slow thinking skill). Copying the form, I pasted it over the Reply form, hitting on the preview post button first. Then, I realized that I haven’t coloured the words yet. Browsing through the colour box, I decided to settle for a light turquoise. Running one last reading, I clicked the Post Reply button.

Almost immediately, I felt a massive surge of electricity running through my body. I have put my finger into a turned on plug a few times, but the electricity never felt this strong. Suddenly, my head felt very heavy, and my body felt numb… and the next thing I knew, my face had hit the keyboard. Darkness began to creep into my vision, and the last thing that I heard was the song that was playing on the PC.

Photek- Ren 2.

Then there was nothing. There was no ground below my feet- if feels more like I was floating in the nothingness. Am I standing up? Or down? I can’t tell…

Then, there was this sudden brightness and this one voice, saying something about… was it about faith, temples, and Fearls? I didn’t really remember; I was too panicked and confused to actually pay attention to the voice.

Oh man… am I dead?

~~~Marion~~~

Gone were the bright lights, replaced by the blue sky. Gone were the feelings of nothingness, replaced by the sandy ground… Hey, since when was I lying in some sandy field, looking at the sky above?

I was about to make a move to get myself up when I notice something different about my clothing… it felt like silk. And what was this tightness I feel on my chest?

I looked down at myself. Oh no, it can’t be “I’m… a…” I winced at my newly gained soft, female voice. And my chest… they are now… breasts…

“Wa! Marion’s awake now!” I got another surprise waiting for me, and this “surprise” comes in a form of a ferret. A talking one at that.

I decided to ignore the fact that a ferret had just talk to me and inquired it… or him, whatever. “What did you just call me?”

The ferret giggled in his cute little kid voice. “Marion is Marion, and Karam is Karam!” He got up on top of my head and began to hum some tune. It was then that I realized that I had a long hair.

Wait… Marion? Karam? Boy to girl?

Oh great... This is too freaky to be true… Am I dreaming? I slapped my cheek. “Ow…” Nope, this is real.

Great…

I then heard soft footstep approaching, and I looked up to find a girl around the age of 10 and 12 looking down at me with a worried look.

“Hey, are you okay? What are you doing here?” she asked in a soft, sweet voice. There was something familiar about this girl… now, where have I seen it before?

Hold on… I recalled reading it… Wait, does that mean that he’s in this too?

“Roy?” I asked, receiving a scrutinizing eyebrow from the girl. “Are you Ryan, a.k.a. Roy Karrde from TPM?” The little girl eyed me, her mouth slightly agape.

“And you are…”

“Dude! It’s me, Faiz! Darktyranitar!”

“No, Marion is Marion!” The ferret – Karam – scolded me, scratching my head with his claws. I pulled her away with a slight annoyance.

I then began to cough. “Oh, it’s hard getting used being a girl… I know I should have made a guy instead…”

[Haruko]

Danielle
'Te o tsunaide Hashaida omoide wa / Kioku no naka Kiete shimaisou de / Me no mae no genjitsu / Nagasarenai you ni furimuita nda'

Men.

It was starting with my conversation with Valkyrie that I started to see the mistake I made in letting Ovan take control completely. I might be shy, and have a hard time being around people I do not know..but, that does not excuse Ovans actions. We were not sent here to party, drink and fuck.

Strike one was being alured by Danarica.
Two was drinking tonite.
Third? Not doing what we were supposed to be doing. Being an ignorant and lazy fool.

"If you feel such ways, perhaps you should talk to him."I heard Valkyrie behind me, as I sat down on the "mental bed" in my own little "mental room". The anger in me was something rarely felt, I felt as if I could punch through cement wall and not break a limb. It rode through my veins and every thought of Ovan made it worse.

I sat up and looked in the mirror, seeing Ovans dreams. He wasn't really dreaming tonite, so it was alright to pull him out and punish him. I walked closer to the mirror and yelled into it, his name. It only took seconds for him to appear on my side of the 'room'. He seemed shocked, looking at me, then Valkyrie.

"So.."He pointed to Valkyrie,"You called, Danielle?"
"Down here, you ass!"I said vulgarly to him, resisting the urge to kick him in the balls. He looked down, more shocked.
"I thought you were taller, Danielle"He said, embarassed."So who is that then?"He nodded towards Valkyrie.
"Thats Valkyrie." I motioned, and she bowed. "Val, you don't need to bow at him."

She looked at me, quizzically."He doesn't deserve the gratitude" I replied to the motion, and she looked at me; agreeingly.
"Huh?"Ovan seemed puzzled,"Am I being put up on trial here or something, what did I do?"

"Want a long list, or cliff notes?"I sarcastically replied. He didn't get the last part, being as it was a reference to my world."A shortened version."
"..That."He replied.
"You got Danarica pregnant---"
"You drank in the first place"He interrupted me.
"I only drank from anxiety, it was you who took over and it was you who was alured by Danarica."
"Yeah yeah, I'm a guy."He replied.
"I'm not."I told him sternly."You ruined my life that day, getting her pregnant. What if I can't leave this horrid world!?"
"It's not.."
"It's not that bad?!"I replied, shocked at him."I have family there, that I love. I have someone there that I hold precious to me, and I'd like to talk to him soon."
"Well..Danarica is precious to me aswell.."
"I came first."I said, selfishly."You were only a figment of my imagination prior to all of this, your feelings don't count."

"You're being harsh, Danielle.."Valkyrie butted in, holding my shoulder. I took a deep breath in and sighed, as Ovan looked down at me; upset but at the same time, defensive.

"...tell me why you brought me here, or I'm leaving."Ovan said, a tinge of anger in his voice."I'm not going to stand here to be a verbal punching bag."
"...As of when I wake up, you will no longer be in control."I replied firmly, assured that I could take control when the body we were in awoke.
"You can't do that!"Ovan said, both shocked and angered by my statement. I stood by it though.
"I can."I replied, not looking him in the eyes."I'm going to fix what I can, even if it makes me have a panic attack."

Ovan, in a panic, looked quickly at Valkyrie. She shook her head.
"If you are to awake tomorrow morning, in control, I shall purge you as my owner. Only Danielle, in spirit, can use me. No longer you."Valkyrie looked upon him as a judge, as if she were giving the final say. Ovan slumped back, obviously upset.

I stood firm, but feelings of anxiety arose. The same things, playing like a broken record in my head. I decided, to myself, to try not to act suspiciously different infront of the others; besides the changes I thought were necessary.If I played the character, perhaps I could get away, unscathed.

I could feel the body slowly awaken, and I looked at Ovan as he stayed, and I dissipated.



Danielle didn't experience..the events kalad had take place, so she's waking up after the BJ. Well..he...she in a male body..

'the memory of enjoying hand in hand might disappear from the memory

the reality in front of me I looked away from it so that I won't be swept away' Are the translation for the lyrics used. Used from Innocent ~Mujaki na Mama de~.

[Bulbasaur4]

Moswen



Day was not day and night was not night. It was the time of day in which one is blinded by the falling or rising sun, and all placed against its outline fell into darkness. Was it twilight or was it dawn? Moswen could not be sure of it…

There were two figures surrounding her however. Staring at her with eyes filled with wisdom beyond the countless stars. They were looking at her in the way that a mother looks at its lost child- filled with sadness but yet proud of their young one. The two figures were both beautiful females, Moswen could be sure of that even with the contrast of the setting or rising sun. One of them stood upon her left and had beautiful wings folded upon her back- wings of a hawk or kite perhaps judging by their outline. She was draped in darker clothes, but still held a caring and alluring appearance as the other. The other female figure to her right held an ankh, and oddly a full and plump calf stood at her side. She wore lighter garments about her body, but both seemed exotic and beautiful beyond words.

The two of them seemed to chat amongst themselves for a long while… and Moswen watched- as if enchanted by every movement or barely audible word that spilled from their mouths. It was as if they were debating something… until finally the lighter colored of the two turned to Moswen. Her lips were pursed, as if something wasn’t as pleasant anymore while the other simply gave a bittersweet smile.
“bi-sur'a” The lighter one spoke, and instantly everything faded to black.



Slowly Moswen opened her eyes, noticing that she was staring up at the night sky. Her body felt stiff but other than that she felt fine. Slowly she rose herself upwards, and her wolfish eyes easily adjusted to the darkness within seconds. She then saw a figure before her- although she did not recognize the figure at all.
“Who are you?” Moswen asked, causing the female human to turn about with a start.
“I’m Stella.” She said, and Moswen tilted her head in confusion. Soon however, Stella quickly explained what had happened and how she had come the group – ending with the part of how Dimitri and Ban went off and the others went to do their own thing.

Moswen nodded, standing up and stretching for a moment as her bushy tail lashed at the air. The dream… there was something so familiar about the two female figures. However, the eerie thing about it was that she imagined that they were telling her something… or perhaps more than one thing that was very important. What was it?
“Ban and Dimitri…” Moswen closed her eyes for the moment, rubbing her temples as she tried to imagine why those two would be together. She could easily identify Dimitri’s intentions for going off… and although Dimitri and Bryan seemed to be very different than the ‘normal’ Bryan, she remembered what he had been like in past RPGs. Ban however… what would connect the two. Ban could be identified as-
Moswen’s eyes opened up wide. The two had something definitely in common, and that was that they liked to get things done that needed to be done while protecting the others. In a way… it was connected to her as well- no lollygagging, was the term that popped into her head first.

“I know I used some of my powers… but those were different.” Moswen said to herself softly, knowing that releasing her yin was far different than using her ability to read yin and yang.
“Stella… I’m going to seem slightly strange for a second. Don’t worry, I’m just looking.” Moswen said, as she stood extremely still and closed her eyes. She concentrated upon her mind and she could feel herself open her ‘sixth’ sense. Reopening her eyes, she was amazed to see the world of yin and yang… where there were no defined figures, but everything was intermixed as layers. Everything was defined with thousands of layers… and the earth was one giant layer itself.
It had been easy opening her up sixth sense, easier than last time. Now the trick was to identify things…
Dimitri and Ban… Dimitri and Ban… I CAN remember what their presences were like!
Moswen thought fiercely, projecting her vision into the layers as they seemed to move past her. It was as if she were sifting through sand… trying to find the smallest pebble lost within it. It felt as if hours had gone by… as if time passed slower in the realm as she finally came across two shifting and moving packets of layers deep within the earth.
There you are… Moswen felt relief from this, until suddenly she noticed a rather large and demanding pocket of layers churning rapidly. The layers were moving swiftly and she could tell the balance was off in the creature- a large portion of yin remaining dominant.
The Guardian Beast of the Temple- protecting the crystal. They are much like the fearls in their nature… for they are dominated by yin- unbalanced by this world and their duty.
A voice- that familiar voice that Moswen knew was not her other self, spoke again. Only speaking when useful… giving little information of what it was. This time however, Moswen did not pester it further.
Element of … Wind.
Suddenly, Moswen’s vision seemed to grow keen for a split second as she felt she knew the determining layers for the element of wind, and she could tell the power was rising rapidly- fiercely… and it felt almost as Moswen was too close in her vision. It was enough to send her vision back to the starting point within her body.

Reopening her eyes, Moswen gasped as she looked to Stella with a panicked look.
“Dimitri and Ban are in trouble… they’re taking on the guardian beast by themselves! They’re going to need help against such an element…” Moswen said, fear gripping her.

The vision of the two women… the dream, she remembered them. She knew them… they were protectors of some sort… one of them being more of a mother while the other… more of a…

“Stella! Quick… I need you to-“
Moswen’s ear pricked, as she noticed Knes was in the area as well. He had been very quite and sitting by himself on a rock… staring off at the stars as if in deep thought. Perhaps upon any other day, Moswen would have taken note of it but instead she knew there was no time for questions.
“Knes!” His curious two-eyed gaze, much like Moswen’s own had not one of Knes’s eyes been blood red, looked back to her. He swiftly got to his feet and came to Stella and Moswen.
“yes?” He asked politely, as Moswen pointed at the two of them.
“Knes, you teleport yourself and Stella towards the others. They are in the town correct?”
Knes nodded, “ I can sense other mana auras… I know Adalia’s well.”
“Good. Teleport near them then and warn them that Dimitri and Ban are in danger. There is an underground temple… they’ve awakened the beast and they’ll need help.”
Knes nodded, but then seemed confused.
“But what about you?”
Moswen withdrew a deep breath and took a slow glance at her wrist, where the most visible armor piece was upon her.

The vision… the two female figures… it came again… haunting…

“I’m not recuperated yet, I’d be useless and get in the way. I can stay here and look after the Caligrey.”
Knes nodded, and looked to Stella. Closing his eyes, the two of them faded away.

Moswen looked up towards the sky, facing the city as she withdrew a deep breath.
What are these visions telling me? Who are you…? None of what I am is normal… this body isn’t what I had created. Who… what… am I?

!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*
Knes



Knes was wondering to himself why he was going to Adalia- why he was focusing on her mana and teleporting both Stella and himself there. Because he knew what would happen… he’d gaze into her face, and instantly be haunted by the image of it brought to tears. Then he’d hear the haunting melody of her feral-like sobbing cry of defeat when the one known as Loki walked away. Then he’d remember the isolation and the chilling fingers that had grasped his own heart at that moment. He didn’t even know why he had felt those fingers at that moment… he knew she loved him, so why did he care?

He had heard their entire conversation though… every word. He was confused by it all… the kiss with Adalia had been pleasantly shocking. The caring words she had said to him, the pondering of a date… they all had been wonderful. But then… to hear her confess her love and express such sorrow as Loki left her…? How could she kiss himself with such vigor, and then turn and tell Loki that she loved him and cry such mortal tears at his absence?
“… now here, I am the fool.” Knes had said to himself, as he had made a point to block out her cries of pain and had teleported away. He wasn’t sure how far away he had teleported himself… but he was away from everyone. His mind had swarmed with thoughts- thoughts about his past, his lost family and his struggles. He was trying so hard, and for a while- back at the foreign town, things had seemed easy. Well… things seemed like they were going to go easy. However now… now things were proving more difficult.
“I can’t be weak. I can’t turn into a weakling like they did.” Knes thought, clenching his jaw as he walked. His wings had fluttered in agitation as he walked, occasionally flexing his fist as he did so.
“And… I guess, despite my feelings… despite what happens, I have to remain strong. The world is a stage, right?” Knes said bittersweetly, a wry smirk upon his lips. “I have to keep protecting… I promised I would carry though. I can’t stop now.”
Feeling a bit better, Knes had closed his eyes and reappeared at camp. However, everyone had left… well, except for Ban, Dimitri, Moswen and Stella. But soon Ban and Dimitri left and he was stuck with the unconscious Moswen and the ever quiet Stella. Knes secluded himself as well, until Moswen came to and after a few minutes seemed to panic about the two males.
“I wonder how Moswen feels…” Knes silently wondered, noticing the female. Although their age differences, Knes had no problem with admiring her beauty. The armor and the strange mixture of colors with in her hair… they were exotic, but she was exquisitely beautiful. Knes noticed that a lot of the others had paired up- Danarica and many after Adalia. However, he found it odd that the other female- Moswen, did not seem to be taken. Knes silently wondered why that was the case… and then the vision of Moswen in rage a few hours ago came to his mind. Was that the reason? Fear?

“Knes!” Moswen had called him, and it had left Knes in his current predicament.

Stella and Knes slowly faded in front of Adalia, who was upstairs in a tavern-like setting, judging from the scent and smell. Adalia’s eyes widened in shock at seeing Knes appeared, and Knes noticed Adalia was with a teenage-looking female. Knes didn’t wait for introductions however, but quickly grew into explanation. He told Adalia of Moswen’s message along with Stella.
Her face in tears and that haunting sobbing cry still echoing in his head…
Adalia had informed them that Ovan and Kite had been downstairs getting drunk, and she didn’t know where they were now if they weren’t there. She had run upstairs to get away from it all… and had found the girl in the room, whom was named Marion. Knes slapped his head at the irony of it, and then withdrew a sigh.
“I sense their mana signatures still in this tavern… along with Danarica. Let’s try to see if they’re ready for a fight… otherwise I guess we’ll have to be the back-up.” Knes said, looking to Marion. However, Adalia informed Knes that Marion was… from the world before, (he had gathered as much as he could from Adalia about where they were from) and thus would be helping them. So they headed downstairs, but Knes felt his hand being grabbed by Adalia. Shock filled his face as he looked at her, and saw her sorrowful expression.
It was as if at one glance at Knes, she was reminded about his presence and then realized what had occurred.
“Umm… Knes… about Loki…” She began, her eyes turning to liquid spheres. Knes shook his head, placing a smile upon his face.
“Now isn’t the time to discuss such things. But don’t worry… I’m still your protector, right?” He squeezed her hand in comfort and then led her out of the room as they tried to find the others.

[Roy Karrde]

Adalia
~*~*~*~*~ Somewhere Dark… ~*~*~*~*~

I lay there for the longest time, thinking of many things; to the left of me Ovan was snoring, to my right Kite laid peacefully. My hand idly rubbed my throat feeling the seeds still in it. I began to remember how they explained how Stella had saved me, healing my throat in a miraculous style. My heart sank. There was no way I could heal a throat like that, I could do wounds at best, broken bones? I couldn’t even imagine healing something like that. Loki’s voice rang in my head, that I was just a child. I was just a child and I had been replaced.

Sighing in annoyance I rose from the bed, walking out side and wandering the streets for a bit. That was where I found a woman laying there in the streets. Forgetting my problems I rushed to her side. “Hey are you okay? What are you doing here?” I asked, nudging her slightly. She looked up at me, reading my face.

“Roy?” She asked, rising into a sitting position. “Are you Ryan, a.k.a. Roy Karrde from TPM?” She asked as all the breath left my body. Was she part of our team?

“And you are..?” I found my breath only for a second.

The girl leapt at me, embracing me in a hug before pulling away. “Dude! It’s me, Faiz! Darktyranitar!” She exclaimed and then began to fight with her ferret as I tried to remember who Darktyranitar was. I had heard the name before… “Oh it’s hard getting used to being a girl… I know I should have made a guy instead..” She coughed.

I could only shrug and stood, holding out a hand and helping her up. “You look so beautiful.” I grinned, admiring her, she truly did look beautiful in her form. Faiz glanced down at her breasts tenderly poking one.

She poked it again and again, probably admiring them. “At least you have breasts.” I said softly, rubbing my flat chest with a left hand. “C’mon you need to get out of the street.” I took Faiz softly by the hand, leading her back into the tavern and upstairs where Stella and Knes appeared much to Faz’s shock.

Knes began to explain what Moswen had told her, while I explained the situation with Ovan and Kite. “I sense their mana signatures still in this tavern… along with Danarica. Let’s try to see if they’re ready for a fight… otherwise I guess we’ll have to be the back up.” Knes took charge much to my shock and admiration, I quickly explained Faiz, who introduced herself as Marion also.

I pointed out which room that I had put the others and the rest headed that way. I moved over to Knes and took his hand in mine. “Umm… Knes… about Loki…” I had to explain, how I had been scared to shoot down his love after we had left the town. How I had known and fallen in love with Loki in the previous adventure. How our kiss… how much it met to me, but I was scared, I thought I was going to die, and needed comfort… how I had used him at that moment. My eyes swelled with tears at the thought.

“Now isn’t the time to discuss such things. But don’t worry… I’m still your protector, right?” He squeezed my hand, leading me into the room that the other three were in.

Ovan and Kite were awake, Dana laying next to her and greeted me with a short smile. Knes began to explain the situation, telling us how he would teleport all of us to the other’s mana signatures and we would gather the team to fight against the Crystal. I watched Knes, admiring how he had become such a leader in just short of a time. We were practically the same age, but no one had ever called Knes a child. They never had to, he was a accomplished swordsman, he was vital to the team, he was a leader now… All the things that I weren’t.

Shaking my head in frustration I slipped out of the room, making my way down the hallway and out into the cool night air. Tears ran down my face as I began to sprint, and then into a full out run. I rounded a building and hid deep in the alley, gasping for breath. My exhausted eyes finally made there way up to looking at the two moons of this planet, my hands and arms shaking as I watched the moon.

The sound of footsteps behind me drew my attention, and before I could say a word, two gentle hands grabbed my sides and everything faded, reappearing the sky was all around me. “Don’t scream please it’s me.” Knes whispered sinking down to his knees next to me as we stood on top of the highest building in town.

I glanced over the edge, looking all the way down, and took a large gulp to try to settle my fear. “I’m scared of heights.” I whimpered crawling back to the middle of the roof. “Where are the others?” I asked, glancing around expecting to see Dana and the others.

Knes’ eyes remained at one spot, the old prison where flashes of light could be seen. “I dropped them off over at the battle, I told them I had more important things to do.” He explained.

I had to stifle a laugh, what was more important than a battle? I opened my mouth and looked at him to see how he gazed at me, his eyes full of love and heartbreak. He was talking about me… I was the important thing. I turned my head away to keep him from seeing how hurt I was, seeing him looking at me like that. “I’m never going into another battle again, Kite… Dani, Loki, they are were right, I am a child, and I’m not even needed now, you guys have Stella, I’m just extra baggage now.” I said, my voice full of self loathing.

“I don’t think of you as a child.” Knes whispered, placing a hand on my shoulder, which I shook away. “I think you are also a better healer than Stella.”

I turned, my eyes full of hatred as my hands were balled into fists. How could he say such things? I swung, punching him in the gut, not even enough to phase him. I punched him again, and again. “How could you say such a thing? After I used you? How could you say such things? I’m Adalia, Adalia that hurt Loki, Adalia that hurt Kite, Adalia that hurt Knes. Adalia that hurts everyone she loves.” I screamed, tears running down my cheeks as I hit him over and over again. “Say that you hate me, say that you hate me.” I was begging him now, but still punching him.

“Say it!” I screamed, Knes took the moment to wrap his arms around me drawing me into a deep hug. I tried to resist, but my body just sank into his arms. My body sank to the ground, Knes still hugging me as I was reduced to sobs, grabbing hold of his tunic. “I’m horrible.” I sobbed, Knes pulling me closer and whispering in my ear that it was okay.

My hands slowly let go of him as I just leaned against him, limply “I love you.” I whispered, I didn’t have to even ask myself, it came truly from my heart. “I love you so much.”

Ninetails of Wind
~*~*~*~*~ AWAKENED! ~*~*~*~*~

With every step I took out of the crystal my body formed. My tails flicked back and forth as I regarded the two in front of me. It wasn’t a moment later where the others appeared, and then one ran off like a coward. “I AM ALIVE.” I roared, my voice like the wind, tossing the little ones too and fro. These were the ones to face me? These were the ones to come and kill me?

I chuckled, my tails flicking back and forth. A toothy grin appeared on my face as my first tail began to spin. “Feel the wrath of the wind of this world.” I commanded, my spinning tail angered toward them, creating a tornado that tore through the center of the room. Stronger than the mightiest sword. This was only one of my ninetails, at most these runts would require two tails, nothing more, nothing less.

The Ninetails first attack is a Tornado turned on its side, which acts as a sword, creating a path of destruction where ever the Tornado is aimed. If you guys begin to damage it, he will turn on his second tail, the first tornado will disappear or become fainter, and a second one will appear from the second tail. This one colored black and razor sharp if it comes near you.

[darktyranitar]

~~~Marion~~~
Clueless

This was all too sudden… what’s all this talk about mana, mana signatures, guardian?

“My name is Marion… back in the other world, you might know me as Faiz, or darktyranitar from TPM.. Oh, and this is Karam.”

One minute I was introducing myself, and the next thing I knew, we were told to gather in a circle by that little kid… Knes, if I had heard it correctly. And the next thing I knew, we were teleported to someplace else that look like a dungeon.

Whoa… so is that how teleportation feels like?

“I have to go for a while,” Knes announced. “I… have some more important things to do.”

Then he was gone… and the group proceed along the path, looking for two people named Ban and Dimitri.


Mana… guardian… Marion… Karam… it’s the RPG becoming true…

“Hey,” a girl that appeared to be around the age of 18 to twenty called out to me.

“Karam is tired of waiting for Marion!” Karam added.

“Huh?” It was then that I noticed that I was left behind the group. Even Karam was steps in front of me. “Sorry… I was… distracted.” I began to hasten my steps… Ugh, it’ll take me some time to get used with this garment… good thing there’s a slit on the side; if not, I would have slipped at my current walking speed.

“So Marion… what was your name again on the other world? Dark Tyranitar?”

“Yeah… also known dt, or Faiz.” Good, someone to talk to. Wait… who was she in the real world? And what was her name here? “Umm… I never get to know your name…”

“Oh, sorry… we were too busy readying for the battle with the guardian that we’ve forgotten to introduce ourselves... I’m Danarica, and back then at the other world, I am Dennis.” She paused, before adding quickly. “Kalad1 from TPM.”

Kalad1… well, that name does seem to ring a bell… oh yeah, I remember. The Were-Pokemon RPG… I like that one… Wait… another guy turning into a girl? Then… does that mean that all the guys here are…

“Hey…”I was about to ask him about the whole gender switching when a loud roar shook the place, followed with a strong gust of wind.

“What is that?” I asked, my voice barely audible in the wind.

“The guardian of the mana crystal. Now come on, Marion.”

So, this is it…

I have to fight. And yet I have no clue what is going on here.

Oh, no.

I don’t want to die…

Why to I have to be a good girl and offer myself to get killed?


Alright, so Marion will be staying at the back of the group most of the time, as she’s still new at casting magic. If you want, you can make her cast a few of her magic, although they are more of the healing and the assisting type. Karam will join the fight, but he’ll not be so strong, as Marion is still not capable of channelling her magic towards him.

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

*insert OMGWTF/o shi- quote here*
...So I did spirits the last time, and I'm doing spirits this time. The idea would NOT go away. Boo. Tane and Baron watch (both) and cry (Tane) and laugh (Baron).
*waves forlornly at Weazepeaze* *salutes the Triad*

Real Name: Yi-wen
Gender: Female
Personality: I shouldn't be writing this because I would omit the more glaring errors in my personality, but. Lazy, silent for the most part unless she knows someone relatively well (in which the opposite may be readily apparent), somewhat lacking of brain, usually dislikes dispute of any sort and therefore tries to be nice to everyone within reason. Easily biased. Owns a guilty conscience. Nitpicks. Is frequently high on some sort of sugar-laced beverage or other and squees when fed certain types of slash. Also, a closet cynic.

~~ ~~ FORM START ~~ ~~

Name: Saifa; Okiku - the body is just called 'the body'
Gender: Female. All of 'em. The body, too.
Race: ...well, the body they're inhabiting is human...
Age: 18 (body); unknown (souls)
Bodily Appearance: The body's default appearance, when possessed by neither Saifa nor Okiku, follows. Standing about 5'6" tall, its physique is thin and gangly. The chest may be safely described as a washboard. Cold to the touch, the skin is pale and tinged with a bluish pallor; the cold lips are purple, as are the tips of the fingers and toes. The face is distinctly feminine, the mouth small and delicate, the kohl-rimmed eyes being a dead blank white and the nose obnoxiously elfin. The lank hair is straight, chopped off at the neck and purplish-black in colour, with the bangs collected in braids at either side of the face, wound about with white ribbons. The body's ankles are extremely pretty, in contrast to its otherwise unsettling appearance. It is indeed a corpse; not showing any signs of decomposition, it nonetheless smells rather strongly of mothballs.
When possessed by Saifa, the eyes turn yellow, two circular birthmarks appear above her eyebrows, and the hair is suddenly more spiky and less straight. Saifa slouches, sits in indecent ways, and struts about as cockily as any bully.
When possessed by Okiku, the now violet eyes droop despondently, there are birthmarks running the length of either cheek from the corner of each eye and the hair seems more limp than ever. Her posture is impeccably straight-backed, servantlike, and unassuming.
Clothing Appearance: The body wears a women's yukata of unpatterned mauve cotton, with a lemon yellow obi and royal purple undergarment. If the sleeves are rolled up, it can be seen that the body's forearms are covered in musty bandages; likewise, underneath the yukata, the body's chest and upper thighs are also wrapped in bandages. There is a monk's rosary on the body's left wrist, and an incongruous pair of headphones hanging round its neck. These 'headphones' are merely a bent piece of lacquered wood; at either end are circular earpieces cut out of fuzzy cloth and fitted to the wooden headpiece with metal clasps. They are unable to produce music - at least not music that can be heard by anyone except the resident soul. The body goes barefoot.
Weapon: Not really a weapon, the heavy bamboo umbrella the body wields is actually a receptacle for whichever soul is not controlling the body at the moment.
Magic: The strength of the body's magic depends ultimately on the condition of the soul - if the soul still feels a great attachment to the world, the power able to be drawn from it becomes proportionately greater. The maxim "where there's a will, there's a way" suffices as a summary. The body is a medium for channeling the power of the soul; however, souls cannot multitask efficiently, so while one soul is controlling the body, the other must mold the power into whatever form desired. This power or magic cannot be used for healing; it is always destructive. Also, though the power can be helpful, it can also be crippling - it's not always consistent, and might miss its target, so to speak.
Additionally, the souls seem to have a sort of extrasensory power, in that they can tell when someone is lying, or the like.

~~ ~~ FORM FINISH ~~ ~~

Changed Personality: There's a very obvious change in personality: rather, the original personality, or Yi-wen's 'soul', is absent from the body, and has been replaced with the two souls, or ghosts, detailed above. These souls are nevertheless able to access the memory of Yi-wen, which according to Okiku is a "dear little cabinet full of words and music and pictures", archived in the body's otherwise dormant brain. (The souls source their 'inner music' from here.) There remains, however, a seemingly automated response mechanism that manifests itself in various snarky comments, forced through the lips of the body, overriding the resident soul. Okiku calls this the 'cynical core'.
Saifa is, in short, an aggro bitch. She enjoys smashing things, irking people, being crude, and doing exactly what she feels like with no regard to the gravity of the present situation. Often rambles about the idiocy of everyone save herself. Sometimes she can act quite normally, particularly if she finds something or someone interesting, but it only serves to make people even more wary of her. She jams her 'headphones' on when in battle, because apparently nonexistent music gets her into a mood for killing. Is almost always smiling in a disturbing manner. Foul-mouthed. Possibly criminally insane.
Okiku, in contrast, is soft-spoken and diplomatic, a quiet and peacable creature. She tends to apologize and overreact if she thinks she has offended, put upon, or disturbed anyone in any way. Overly courteous to everyone she meets; fits the description of 'human doormat' to a T. Always agrees with anything anyone says. She tries to stop Saifa from going on destructive rampages and/or making new enemies every time Saifa opens her mouth, but it usually doesn't work - despite this she prefers not to displace Saifa as the occupant soul most of the time. Good at making tea. Almost never smiles.
Other: The dominant soul is, obviously, Saifa, and she is the one inhabiting the body about 80% of the time. Okiku, meanwhile, resides in the umbrella that the body carries around, though the soul that is currently in the umbrella will manifest itself as a phosphorescent fireball with vaguely humanoid features, in a suitably ghostly manner. Saifa is magenta pink; Okiku is a dreary sort of indigo. Either soul may oust the other and take control of the body at any time they wish. Likewise, wandering souls may also attempt to claim the body, but Saifa and Okiku defend their territory with the utmost ferocity, discouraging many hopeful tenants. They do not need to eat or drink, and do not feel fear or pain, although this does not mean the body cannot be hurt.
------------------

"So it was raining, as usual, and it was pissing hot, as usual, and I'd got the itch for character-making, which was... not usual...

"Weazepeaze got it too, and so we made characters, and she made a Notsiriusblack and I half-made a Notseverussnape and I fully-made something else, a body without a soul...

"I'd got a PM, and she hadn't, and I'd gotten PMs like this one before and I was wary and I was leery, so I signed up in the body without a soul, just to see if mine own would remain in mine body...

"And you know I clicked Reply and that thing that happened last time with old Tané and the merry Baron Saturday didn't happen, so I'm thinking, hey, I handled that one all okay...

"I was thinking that, and hey, you don't want to be hearing this end of the story, go away, the other end's much more interesting..."

"'Cos it's always a story with magic that people are wanting."

*First post proper will be done once you guys murder the Ninetails and all, I'M not going to steal anybody's battles, nuh-uh.

[Roy Karrde]

Alrighty Guys Yi brings up back up to the number in which we originally started with, that is if you could Knes as part of the opening group which I do. We lost Loki, Crystal, Hinata. Got Stella, Faiz, Yi. So it all evens out. From now on I am having a hold on any more sign ups for the time being.

[Prof. Jb Wolf]

Ban Ravi
~Pushing Back the Wind~

I hate wind types.

My body made an almost sickening 'thump' as I slammed up against the wall of the cavern. Crumpling to the floor like a rag doll, I groaned in pain as I got back to my knees. I was bruised all over from being thrown around and I was sure one of my ribs were cracked. And that damned ninetailed fox was smirking at me, probably just playing with me...

God I hate wind types....

With a roaring battle cry, I threw myself at the enemy again. Rolling beneath his twisting tails I lunged forward with a powerful thrust towards its midsection. It responded with its claws, pinning Miroku to the ground before snapping at face with its large fangs. Realeasing the blade, I flip back slamming my foot under the chin of the Kyuubi. Summoning Miroku back to my hand I grinned as I brought it up to slice open its throat.

Above you!!

All I felt was the wind pick up around me before I was sent flying through the air for the third time in the last five minutes. That damanble tornado had caught me off guard again, though at least this time I was able to slow my flight by stabbing Miroku into the ground. Skidding to a stop I looked as the massive bulk of the Kyuubi cast a shadow over me. Smiling evily at me it raised up a claw to strike me down.

A glowing card came flying through the air and stopped hovering between the two us. It burst with a massive flash before the Kyuubi's eyes, blinding it and sending it stumbling back as golden sparks flared around its faces. I looked to where Dimitri was standing, another card in hand concentrating on its power. The Kyuubi's tails lashed out, striking the walls and ceiling, sending debris flying through the air. Roaring in anger it brought its swirling tornado tail down upon Dimitri.

A barrier came into existence between him and his intended target, as I saw Kite and the others finally arrive. "'bout damn time..." I muttered under my breath.

Something went sailing through the air and latched onto the Kyuubi's front paw, biting down sharply on the massive creature's leg. The monstrous fox howled, shaking away the creature, a ferret, off and sending it flying into the arms of a young elfish looking woman. As it stumbled back, one of the shadows it cast seemed to flicker as Danarica appeared her sharp blades in hand as struck with a double thrust into its ankle. Angrily the beast attempted to stamp her out of existence, but the woman disappeared into the shadows again.

Blinded, injured in both its front paws, and furious, it was the perfect chance for a counterattack. Miroku held low, I came rushing in from one side and out of the corner of my eye I saw Ovan doing the same. His sword crackled with power, the electricy dancing along the blade. Grinning I got his attention and made an X gestured with my free hand. He nodded in understanding as we both leapt into the air. Roaring I slashed upwards with Miroku, sending a spurt of blood through the air as I left a diagonal gash along its chest. Halway through Ovan came from the opposite direction creating a large X-shaped scar on its chest.

As we landed on opposite sides of reeling beast, I couldn't help saying outloud. "Double Tech - X Strike!"

I grinned as the Kyuubi collapsed on its side, the wind around its tail slowly dissapating before dying away completely. Resting Miroku on my shoulder, I looked at the others and gave a thumbs up. "That was easier tha-"

This is no time for celebrations! It's aura is still there and stronger than before.

"What, but he-" My eyes widened as the Kyuubi got back to its feet, snarling at us. The winds around us picked up as it gathered around its second tail. Howling it brought the black tornado down upon me with amazing speed. "Oh go-AAAAAAARGH!"

I was sent spinning through the air again, but this time it felt as if hundreds of tiny blades were spinning around me. They sliced through my coat and into my skin, leaving hundreds of gashs all over my body. Hitting the opposing wall, I groaned in pain as I collapsed face first to the ground. The cuts all over my body stung and blood dripped into my vision as I tried to shakily get to my knees. Already I could see the others locked in desperate combat with Kyuubi.

God, I REALLY hated wind types.

[Prof. Jb Wolf]

Hmmm...for some reason this isn't marking my reply as new...

Just bumping it so Roy doesn't attempt to nag me about not posting

[Roy Karrde]

I do not nag! I Suggest!

[Haruko]

I'm sick atm, so mind it's sorta..sucky-ness.

Ovan
-I've known all too well about pretending to be strong. / But since then, my doubts have vanished.
Dominant: Danielle

I slowly opened my eyes, adjusting quickly to the darkness about me. I...well..Ovan, was laying down in a bed, and there was Kite. I know Adalia was there, but in her place...

Danarica?

She seemed to be sleeping, much to my happiness. It didn't help that I felt, well...I guess to put it in one's perspective; overloaded with hormones. I felt slightly wet in the pant area, and..I just couldn't put it in words. I was thinking 10 things all at once, it felt like, and the feeling in my pants didn't help much. Danarica had her head laid on my chest, which was probably racing a mile a second. I closed my eyes, in an attempt to calm myself down.

'You're in control now.'I reassured myself.'Everything will be fine.'

I was awake in bed, for maybe 5 to 10 minutes, when the door opened and light gushed into the room. Kite and Danarica awoke to it, Danarica removing her head from my chest and sitting up. I, slowly, stirred up and reached for Valkyrie as Knes, as Ovan remembered the shortie, described to us. He was going to teleport us to where he sensed Ban and Dimitri's mana signatures, and where the battle against the this towns crystal guardian was.In the back, as Kite, Danarica and I mustered up and walked to Knes to be teleported, along with some new girl, and Stella; Adalia - Ryan, ran off into the night, obviously upset about something. I shruged it off as the teleport went off, and the feeling of my insides being ripped open and then being put together began.(OoChe doesn't like teleporting, go figure.:x)

We appeared, shortly after, in the middle of a fight between what seemed to be a Kyuubi, or a ninetails, and Ban + Dimitri. The first thing of assitance from us was the new girls..rodent. It flew onto one of the Ninetails paws and bit down. The Ninetails, in pain, flung his paw around until the rodent fell off, and back into the new girl's arms. Danarica then appeared from the shadows, hitting it with her sharp blades in a double thrust. The ninetails hit the area where she appeared - but she had already gone back into the shadows.

'Time to fight!'I thought to myself, smiling as I took out Valkyrie.'Lightning, Ice or earth? Which one do you think is best, Val?'
'Lightning.'She assured me, and I concentrated my mana into the swords hilt as lightning started to dance around the blade, crackling noises assuring me that the voltage of the elctricity was high enough. I started to run at one side of the Kyuubi, and saw that Ban, grinning, was doing the same at the other side. Grinning, he made a X gesture with his freehand. I nodded quickly as we both, as if thinking the same the same thing simulationously, jumped up high in the air.

'I never experianced such a high like this in my life..such a rush!'I told myself. As Ban wielded his sword well enough to make a nice, deep diagonal slash across the Ninetails, I did the same; from the opposite direction. I made sure that the surge of electricity made the wound hurt much more. When the Kyuubi went in a frienzed panic due to the pain, I took out my sword and jumped down to the ground, releasing the mana from my sword as the Ninetails fell down to the ground.

Ban, as if on the same high I was on, or perhaps was copying an anime where you'd say your attacks outloud when - or after -you did them, wholeheartedly yelled,"Double Tech - X Strike!"

As the Ninetails rolled onto it's side and the wind that was wrapped around it's tail disippated before completely dissapering, Ban rested his sword over his shoulder, giving us a thumbs up as he said, "That was easier tha-"..but was shortly interupted..

The Ninetails quickly got back onto it's feet, snarling in anger. It got a bit..drafty in what seemed to be an underground chamber, as a second tail appeard on the Ninetails. A howling black tornado went towards Ban, quicker than any one of us could think..

'Which element now!?'I thought, in a state of panic as Ban hit the opposing wall, covered in cuts and blood. Stella quickly ran over as I desperatly tried to figure out which element to use next, before coming big-fox food.
'Earth..but you'll be wiped after this, Danielle..'
'I know, I know!' I hastedly replied, and stabbed Valkyrie into the ground. I placed all the mana that I could into it, as the blade and hilt grew into a great, 2 handed sword. I already could feel the effects of having next to no mana left, but I took Valkyrie out of the ground, and quickly rushed at the Ninetails.



I'd do Stella, but I feel like crap atm. Since she's the only healer besides Marion who's there, and unless she knows how to use them..then..er..

Anyway.:x there ya go! Don't kill me now!

[Bulbasaur4]

Knes

Knes shook his head softly, taking his hands and placing them on top of Adalia’s tender shoulders. Pulling her gently from him, he let his two-colored eyed gaze settle upon her teary eyes.
“You are not horrible…” Knes said with a smile, withdrawing a light breath. “Horrible people do hurtful things on purpose and have no sense of…” Knes stopped short, closing his eyes briefly as if recalling something. He then opened them and his expression seemed to soften further, “They have no sense of compassion or guilt. If you have hurt others Adalia… it was on accident. You try your best and all of your words come from what you believe to be your heart, correct?”
Adalia nodded, as Knes wiped away a trickling tear that rolled down her cheek.
“Then that is what you should continue to do. Myself, Moswen, Danarica… the rest of the group- they’ll care about you for who you are. As long as you try your best, that is all that matters. They all see that. No one hates you… no one thinks you’re horrible, okay?”
Adalia slowly nodded before outstretching her arms and hugging Knes tightly, breaking into a few sobful cries again. Knes wrapped his own strong arms around her- holding her tightly until her cries subsided as he absently played with a few tendrils of her hair.
The stars twinkled above them… playfully, as if holding their own secrets and laughing at the two below them. As Adalia grew quiet, Knes pulled away and smiled at her as his tiny little wings flapped absently.
“How about we join the others? I think they’re going to need our help. Let’s go show them what you’re made of.” He said playfully, getting to his feet as he held out his hand. Adalia hesitated for a second, but then nodded with a bright smile.
“Okay! I’ll protect you this time!”
Knes chuckled, “ Oh no… you’re not stealing my position. I’m your protector… I’ll be your guardian.”
With that, he grabbed her hand and the two of them faded from the high peak.


They soon reappeared, and Knes quickly grabbed Adalia and leapt into the air just as a blast of wind roared where they once stood. The battle was raging and a huge windy fox roared before them. Everyone was battling with their hardest within them… and it seemed that they were slowly tearing into the beast, but it was a grueling battle. The Ninetails had lost five of its tails… seemingly with only four more to go. (They seemed to root its power.) Knes saw Ban near them, and Knes’s eyes widened to see Ban had cuts all over his body and he was breathing heavily, clenching his sword with a tired but determined gaze.
Feeling a slight ‘younger brother’ effect, Knes glared at the creature.
“Watch yourself ADalia… I’m going to try to strike it!” Knes called to her, leaping into the air as he let out a growl-like cry, feeling a rush of energy surge through his body.
I’d try harder… I’d try for more power… but I can’t right now…
Knes channeled his mana straight into his gauntleted fist, as he threw a punch straight at the Ninetail’s face. The beast wasn’t suspecting a head-on approach, especially with so many others to watch out for. Knes’s fist hit the creature dead between the eyes, causing blood to splash outwards as he cracked into the creature’s skull minorly. It gave a huge shriek, wildly tossing its head so that it directly hit Knes and caused him to go flying backwards. Knes landed on the ground, rolling but overall he wasn’t hurt too badly. However, he saw a blast of wind had erupted from the creature’s other tail… and a scream hit his ears. Turning his eyes, he saw Adalia flung into a wall as she was preparing to form some sort of magick by herself.
“Adalia!” Knes cried out, just as the Ninetails released a spiraling cyclone of wind straight at her body. Teleporting instantly, Knes placed himself between the beast and Adalia. He held up his arms, blocking the wind from Adalia as he channeled most of his mana into his legs to keep him grounded and into his arms to help protect him from the wind. Even with channeling his mana however… there was too much power from the wind attack and too much of a division between the mana itself. The wind sliced into Knes’s arms, cutting huge gashes into them as it ripped into Knes’s face, creating a large clean-cut scare horizontally across the entirety of it. Knes gave out a cry as the wind dissipated and a huge attack from Ovan caused the Ninetail’s attention to be diverted once again.
Knes collapsed to his knees, feeling the rush of his own warm blood drizzle down his arms and neck. Tasting his own blood, Knes turned to see that Adalia seemed to be unharmed- a few bruises from the attack, but she had a hand to her head and seemed to be okay for the most part. Knes grinned lightly, feeling his body scream in agony at the gashes but ignoring the pain he stood up shakily. Channeling power to his fist once again, he prepared to continue to push himself to aid in the battle so that he could aid the others to defeat the beast.

MOSWEN

Moswen’s had sat down, her delicate hands resting upon each of her legs as she sat in a cross-legged position. Her eyes were glazed over as she watched the layers of balance shift within the temple, and she could tell that the battle was raging and that it was the most difficult battle they had faced yet.
Are you going to sit idly because of your fear?
I’m not afraid… I don’t know who I am and … I don’t think I’ll be an asset until I figure that out.
You are you. You are Moswen and you are Kalah. They are the same thing.
But… these powers are not what I created!!
You will know in time. However, do you really think you are not of aid even though you use something you do not understand fully yet? So far you have proven useful…
You saw the fear in their eyes- even the tougher ones of the group looked at me with… with..
Sitting by idly will prove nothing.
The voice faded away, and Moswen was left with the after chill affect of its absence. That was the first time she had a rather… in depth conversation with “the voice”.
“The voice? What a crippled word to use…” Moswen muttered, pushing into the ground as she got to her feet. Her tail flickered in the air nervously, as she bit her lip absently and gave a nod.
“It is correct though. I am proving nothing by staying here… nor am I getting any answers.”

Moswen ran towards the direction of the temple. She was unsure how she knew of its location… perhaps her transparent vision of balance led her in the right direction, or perhaps it was even her heart. Still, she found herself panicking slightly… a sickening feeling settling in the bottom of her stomach as she continued to run faster. It wasn’t long until she was running down long corridors of a temple-like atmosphere… hearing the roars of a feral creature and feeling a wild breeze blowing through her hair.
Then she came to the battle… and her eyes widened in awe at such a display. The large creature- a Ninetails, was bloodied and battled but it was not giving up. A few of its tails were missing as it continued to release waves of wind and lash out at its enemies. However, the others were working together… Ovan using powers that Moswen had not seen him use before, and they seemed more powerful than before- causing the Ninetails to be quite angry. Knes lashed out with a bloodied fist, as Danarica slashed at the creature’s side. Kite deflected a great deal of the wind with his shield as he then would charge in to land a few blows. Dimitri withdrew a tarot card, breathing heavily (most likely from battling the creature for so long even when the others had not yet arrived) as he summoned a blast of earth to jut upwards from the ground into the beast’s lower abdomen. Then there was another figure that Moswen did not recognize- a young female, who was standing back and seemed to concentrate harshly… a weasel-like creature charging from her occasionally and attacking the Ninetails.
It was a heated battle.

Moswen’s eyes widened however as they settled on Ban, who had been torn up with seemingly tons of cuts all over his body.
“Ban!” Moswen called out, swiftly appearing by his side.
“Ah… decided to… join too?” He said, as Moswen looked at the Ninetails and back to Ban.
Memories of what happened last time echoed through Moswen’s mind as she shook her head lightly.
“I… I think the others can handle it. I’m going to try to be on the defensive this time…” Moswen said smiling, looking over his body. “You took a nasty beating.”
“I hate wind elements…” Ban spat, blood spattering on the floor. One of the tails of the kitsune suddenly lashed outwards, and Moswen swiftly grabbed a wincing Ban.
“I apologize in advance for my lack of carrying abilities in comparison to yours…” She said with a mock humor in her tone.
Release Yang… Moswen thought all within an instant, and she felt her lighter half channel parts of its energy into her body. The masculine energy gave her some quick action and strength, as she leapt out of the way. Her right half glowed slightly from the release… in her hurry, she had mistakenly channeled more yang than she had intended.
“I can’t heal you… but I can try to get you quicker on your feet.” She said, closing her eyes swiftly. She had to work fast… she was completely vulnerable in her balance-layer visioned state. Withdrawing a deep breath, she reopened her eyes and saw Ban before her- all of his layers. She could see his sword, having a great deal of… energy swirling within it, but she ignored it and focused on Ban. His physical layer was slightly depleted… and swiftly she outstretched her hand and touched him delicately upon the middle of his chest. Focusing, she channeled her positive yang energy into the physical layer. After what seemed like hours, but was less than half a minute… Moswen withdrew her hand.
She soon closed and reopened her eyes, losing her vision. Ban was now standing on his feet, although still very bloodied (Moswen wasn’t capable of healing him fast enough… for she only restored balance to allow his body to heal faster over time, but no where near the amount of a healer.) Ban did however have a greater amount of strength returned.
Yang depletion. Activating Unnatural Armor Yin Restrictors 1, 2 and 3.
Suddenly the sound of three metallic shrills echoed in the air, and Moswen felt a familiar heavy clamping upon her body. The metallic head-band like piece of armor from the last time she had used her light half powers had returned, but it had two more armor pieces joining it this time. Her entire forearm was now covered in armor, cutting off only at the elbow- trapping her hand inside as well. Not only that, but another armor piece wrapped around her waist, attaching to her breast plate but having a slight kink in it to allow for some movement.
Moswen felt extremely heavy at this point, causing her to kneel to the ground.
“Go Ban… I’ll be your restoration area if yah need another boost.” She said with a wink, her ears flattening at the roar of the Ninetails.

[Roy Karrde]

Ninetails of Wind
~*~*~*~*~ Bloodied! ~*~*~*~*~

The attacks continued to come, and more and more of these vile intruders seemed to come. My remaining tails flicked back and forth as I returned the second tornado into it. I would not be able to release all of my power, but I could provide enough power to destroy them. My eyes flickered over the battlefield, blood dripping from my scalp, obscuring my vision somewhat. Yet everywhere I looked I could feel the stench, the feeling, the feeling of love seemed to surround this group. “I will not be taken down by such fools.” I flicked my remaining tails, whirling them around, faster and faster.

My body began to waver, almost disappearing, as it split into two. I nodded at my doppelganger and took off, moving faster than any of the other humans, although I was now half my original size. My doppelganger jumped on the one with metal connected to her. His teeth sinking in to her leg, as the woman let out an ear splitting scream. I relished in it for a second before rushing forward grabbing an unsuspecting woman further in the back. Her face flashed in fear as I was suddenly on top of her.

I could tell the others were preparing to admass a counter attack and quick, yet would they make it before our prey was scared? Or eaten?

Enjoy the Double Wind Ninetails. Also these guys cannot use their typical wind tail attacks, but they are also immune to any kind of physical attack, as they will go right through them. Only Mana and Elemenental Based attacks will hurt them.

Ryan
~*~*~*~*~ Shaken Up ~*~*~*~*~

I held my head in my hands, trying to shake off the dizziness that almost threatened to overtake me. I could taste blood in my mouth from where I had been hit. The problem was, I had no idea where I was. I remembered being teleported from Earth to here, waking up in Adalia’s body, but everything was fuzzy from that. I removed my hands from my face, tender golden locks drifted past my eyes as a boy, a familiar one almost, stood up, bloodied and beaten. A voice bubbled up inside of me, one alien yet as familiar as my own screamed out. ‘Knes, Knes’ she screamed over and over again.

I held a hand to my head, trying to settle the voice, which only seemed to get louder as the boy… Knes prepared for battle. Another woman came up to me, a beautiful one who I could see having a crush on if we met on Earth. “Adalia, I can’t keep up healing everyone alone.” She explained, exasperated, looking beyond tired and shaken. The voice inside of me told, me that the girl was named ‘Stella’. I nodded and then my eyes fell on the Ninetails, there were two of them, one was going after the girl I knew was Kalah.

An anger bubbled up at me, a rage that filled me as I stepped forward. I caught Knes out of the side of my eyes as he stepped forward to block me. “Let me handle this.” I told him. I brought my hands together, forming a mana bubble. The feeling was old, almost ancient. It had been almost a year since I formed my last mana bubble. Although Adalia and I probably performed many together, something must of happened to separate our bond, as if the two of us had become unglued.

I rose the bubble over my head, the bubble suspended a few feet above my outstretched hands. The bubble enlarged, bigger, and grander. The Ninetails on top of Kalah seemed to sniff the air for a second, turning to look at me. Even Ban who had been attacking the Ninetails stopped.

I thrust my hands down, the bubble smashed against the back of the Ninetails like the angry fist of God. I rose it up again much to the amazement of the boy… Knes next to me. I smashed the ball again causing the monster to roar, and then I could feel my body weaken. I took a step back and then faltered, falling to the ground as the bubble faded away. At that moment it became all clear. Adalia had been scared, scared she couldn’t protect anyone. She had watched Knes get hurt in front of her and was too scared to do anything. 'What did you do?' a small scared voice inside me trembled. Inside I smiled at her 'You have to become stronger'. She continued to tremble 'I want to, but I don't know if I can', I sighed and embraced her, the two of us, once again becoming one.

[Dr.McNinja]

Dimitri turned as Moswen’s shout echoed through the chamber. One of the, now smaller, Ninetails had latched onto her left leg, and was gnawing furiously at the armor plate there. Strangely enough, Moswen didn’t seem to mind the frantically chewing monster. Dimitri saw her face then, and realized two things. One, her yell had not been one of pain, but of anger. Secondly, someone else was in control of Moswen, Kalah could have never summoned up the righteous rage that was present in her delicate features. Dimitri wisely moved to the other side of the room.


His back was turned, facing the other slobbering monster, but he caught the flash of black light that signaled the release of Moswen’s yang energy. Ban, who was standing directly in front of Dimitri at the time, suddenly widened his eyes as he turned to look past Dimitri. Taking the hint, Dimitri dropped to the floor. A yelping Ninetails, trailing what looked to be black fire, flew over the half breeds head, heading directly at Ban who raised his blade to meet it. If any physical weapon had a chance of hurting that thing, Ban’s incredible sword would be it Dimitri figured.


Looking back from his position on the ground, Dimitri sighed as he was met with the glistening fangs of the Ninetails that had snuck up behind him during his fall.

“Why hello there.”

Rolling to the side to avoid a descending claw, Dimitri. Nimbly leaping to his feet, his robe tearing away from the teeth that grasped at it as he did, Dimitri jumped straight into the air, hoping quietly to himself that the thing would follow. It did.

Turning in midair, Dimitri threw his arms out to the side, a tarot in each. In his left, the Moon card’s soft glow expanded and rounded off to form, for every intent and purposes, a small moon that glistened calmly in Dimitri’s hand. In his right hand, the sun card did much the same, it’s light fierce and wild, barely able to be contained in Dimitri’s tight grip.


And what are you planning to do with those?

You ever try mixing unlike energies?

….you love testing your luck don’t you?


With a fierce cry, Dimitri brought his hands together in front of him, slamming the glowing energies in them together and forcing them to mix. With an eye shattering flash, the energies leapt from Dimitri, sending a rippling wave of shining energy, the chaotic gold of the sun swirling freely with the focused silver of the moon. The energy pounded the Ninetails, driving it back down into the ground and continuing to beat at it for several more seconds. The ground around the impact site cracked and splintered. Dimitri, highlighting by the pure light energy in front of them, was held suspended by the force, his robe blasted out behind him, his face a mixture of concentration on holding the blast steady and a look of intense glee. When the blast finally ended, the energies in the cards completely expended, Dimitri fell. Landing in a crouch, Dimitri kept his eyes focused on the billowing dust cloud around the beam’s impact site. If the thing wasn’t dead it certainly was nearly there. Holding a Magician card loosely in his left hand, its surface already flickering with electric light, Dimitri waited for the dust to clear.

[darktyranitar]

~~~Marion~~~
Fear and panic in the air

I looked up at the creature – if ninetails did exist, then that would be the word that would best to describe what the creature was – it was huge, and it has the feature of a fox, except that there were multiple tails sticking out behind him.

Petrified, I could only look at the creature helplessly, unsure of what to do next…

“Waaah!” Karam practically flew towards the ninetails, and this only helped in unnerving me more. I gasped, half expecting him to be swapped away by the creature, but to my surprise, he managed to latched himself into the creature’s front paw. Grinning, he bit sharply into the ninetail’s paw, causing the creature to howl in pain. The ninetails began to shook its paw furiously, and I could hear that Karam was moaning as he was flung back into my arms.

“Why did you do that?” I asked Karam, who seems as if he wanted to go for another round. The ninetails howled again, and I looked up momentarily at the ninetails, noticing that Danarica had struck it’s ankle with two blow – how did she get there that fast? – and she disappeared into the shadows – I suspected that it was some kind of special ability – before the creature had a chance to stomp her into mush.

“Marion is not helping, so Karam couldn’t do his best.” He began to scratch on my arm.

“Ow,” I grasped him by his neck and lifted him up so he was on my eye level. “And… how am I supposed to help you?”

“Double Tech – X Strike!” Someone cried aloud, and I saw Ovan and the one that I assumed was either Dimitri or Ban landed on the ninetails side, an X-shaped scar formed on its chest. It gave a low moan before it fell on its side, the wind gone from its tail.

“Whew… looks like it has already ended,” I sighed, but Karam just shook his head and closed his eyes.

The Ban/Dimitri guy gave a thumbs up, and said “That was easier tha-”

His words were cut off as the ninetails got back to its feet, and snarling, it shook its second tail, sending a black tornado towards the Ban/Dimitri guy. He was thrown into a nearby wall, covered with cuts over his body. I couldn’t bring myself to see at his bloodied state, so I turned away from the sight, my hand gripping tightly on the piece of wood that I had carried around since my arrival here.

I feel so… useless

“Come on, Marion! We help them!” Karam cried, struggling in my grasp. I apologized, sitting down and letting him fall into my lap.

“But I don’t know…”

Karam suddenly giggled, much to my confusion and annoyance. “Silly Marion. Have Marion forgotten already? First, Marion put both his hand on Karam’s head…” I did what was told. “Then Marion focus… and Marion does her thing, and Karam becomes stronger!”

“All right… focus…” I focused – wait, what was I supposed to focus into? – and stared at my outstretched hands, expecting something to happen. Nothing.

“Ah! Not like that! Marion has to focus inside herself so that he can give her power to Karam!” Karam cried, moving slightly in my lap.

“Focus…” I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the ruckus around me. I looked deep down myself… down, down, down… and then, as if it was natural, I felt something from inside rushing out through my body, and before I could stop it, I felt it going into my hands, and slowly it began to fade away from my hands, as if it was being drained away.

“Yay!” I opened my eyes to see that Karam was grinning. “See!” This time, Karam was running towards the ninetails, his speed greatly increased. He dodged the waves of wind with ease, bit the ninetails at his paw, before he nimbly ran away from being crushed by the other paws, running back towards me.

And the cycle went on and on. I charge Karam up, he runs at the ninetails, bite him for a while, before he returns to me for another charging up. It felt like nothing at first, but as the fight continues, I found that my energy was slowly drained away, and I was feeling weaker as each moment passed.

I was deep in focus charging Karam’s power up that I didn’t notice Adalia and Knes arriving here (and I made a mental note to ask Adalia… or Roy, what the heck is going on around here). Later on, I caught a glimpse of something that looked like half woman and half fox dropping into the fight. “Reinforcement,” I thought to myself. I looked at the Ninetails, and was quite thrilled to see that it had only about four more tails remaining.

Suddenly, the remaining tails of the ninetails began to whirl around, and I could immediately sense trouble. As Karam was leaping towards the wounded ninetail’s head, the creature suddenly began to waver, its body then appearing to be split into two. Karam landed headfirst into an unsuspecting rock, which apparently knocked him out cold. “Karam!” I cried, and I was about to go forward but I stopped myself, remembering that the ninetails was just in front of me. I gulped, as I noticed that there were now two ninetails.

The ninetails then splits of into a different direction, and I then heard the sound of metal crashing the ground. I turned around to see that one of the ninetails was on top of the half woman and half fox that I saw earlier, and it was then I noticed that half of her body were covered with what looked like metal armour. Bringing his head up, the ninetails sank his teeth into her leg, causing her to let out a terrible scream- more of an anguish cry rather than pain.

I barely had the time to grip my hands around my piece of wood before I was grabbed by the other ninetails. I didn’t even have the time let out a cry of shock as I was then slammed into the ground, knocking the wind out of me. I could only looked up at the ninetails fearfully, its face dangerously close to mine.

“Wha…” I couldn’t form words, as they seemingly were stuck in my throat. The ninetails growled before it sank its teeth into my right arm; it was excruciatingly painful, but despite the pain, I only let out a soft moan, as the fear inside had took my voice away.

The ninetails looked ahead, and – as swift as it was when it first tackled me – without warning, it ripped his teeth from my arm, and I swore that I could hear a cracking sound, no doubt coming from my bone that was being snapped off.

It was only then that I cried in pain, as the tears started to escape my eyes.

I then passed out- not from the pain, but from the fear.

[Prof. Jb Wolf]

Ban Ravi
~Blood, Birds and Bedrest~

The damn thing just didn't know when to die. Even with most of its tails missing, it still had another trick up its sleeve. And now it was even immune to strikes from my blade, Miroku passing harmlessly through its shifting form as it took chunks out of all of us. Looking at the others, everyone showed signs of damage from his battle. "We can handle much more of this..."

Rolling away as one of the clones let loose a blast of wind in my direction, a muffled 'boom' echoed through the cavern. I look towards the source of the blast to see a massive surge of light coming from Dimitri. It consumed one of the foxes and left a rather large crater in the floor from the sheer impact. When the dust and light finally faded away, it lay twitching on the floor as it started to glow green.

An angry howl cut through the air as I saw the fox I had been battling went charging at Dimitri. "Oh no you don't!" Drawing myself up, I brought Miroku up, turning a full circle whle letting the tip of the black blade scratch against the floor. Where the blade touch it left a soft, pulsing purple/black glow. Drawing Miroku upwards, I concentrated before ramming him into the ground point first.

Obsidian Lord Technique ~ Path of Devastation

Arcane symbols traced themselves into the circle around me as two bright red 'eyes' appeared on Miroku's blade. The glow intensified as tendrils of energy snaked down and around the blade before arcing along the ground. Along that path, the ground split as massive shards of pure black rock erupted from the ground. It stopped just before Dimitri forming a large spiked barrier as the Kyuubi leapt to attack. Its momentum unable to halt, the creature impaled itself on the spikes.

Panting heavily as the thrice-damned Kyuubi twitched in its death throes, I was smirked in victory as its body begin to dissappate into green sparkles. Suddenly my vision began to blur and I found myself flat on my back from using so much power. Some of my wounds had re-opened and I could feel some the wetness of blood against the ragged remains of my coat and shirt. Closing my eyes as I tried to regain some focus, I felt something soft and light touch my chest. I could feel my body start to knit itself together bit by bit as mana surged through me.

Opening my eyes, I saw Adalia bent over me her staff raised. Careful not to break her concentration I tapped her gently on the shoulder. "Save yer strength Hime-chan...help the others, I'll be fine." She opened her mouth to protest, but I shook my head as I got up on my elbows. "I'll be fine. A couple of bandages and I'll be shipshape."

"But your cuts, they could get infected an-"

"They're only scratches." I smirked slightly. "It'll take more than some oversized beastie ta take me out. The others need your magic more than I do Hime-chan."

As the little girl ran off to tend to the others, I grimaced in pain.

You should have just accepted the healing. They still need your strength.

"I'll be fine....That other girl lost a bit of her arm, Knes was hit just as badly as I was, and Ovan's unconcious. A couple cuts are nothing to worry about. 'specially since Moze gave me a second wind."

You have lost much blood. It is only through sheer force of will that you haven't succumbed yet. While admirable, you are needlessly putting a strain on your body.

"Yea well, we still need a way out of here. We fell through a hole, remember? And Knes is hardly in any condition to port us back out." I grabbed Miroku, still embedded in the ground and began pulling myself up. "I've got to make a platform for us to get up..."

You do-Wait! This...surge of power...it is awakening!

"Awakening? Wha-YOWCH!" A sudden heat burned into my chest and I opened my coat to see the pocket I kept the Phoenix egg in beginning to smoke and burn. Quickly pulling it out, I chucked it on the ground where it bounced to a stop a few feet away. It continued to tremble, glowing red-hot before exploding in a flash of light and heat.

As my vision cleared, I could see the Phoenix gently floating before me flapping its red-gold wings. It was barely half it's original size, but emanated a powerful aura. Opening its beak it released a melodic shriek. "Great...now we have to deal with this..."

Wait. I sense no taint from the firebird. I do not think it has any recollection of what occurred in its past life. It is...referring to you as...mother.

"MOTHER!?" I looked incredously at the bird as it landed gently before me. A soft warmth rolled off it in waves, and I could feel it suffuse my being with energy. I got to my feet and cautiously placed a hand on the bird's head. It cooed softly as I rubbed. "...Okay birdie...think you can help me and my friends get out of this dump?"

Letting out a melodious trill, the bird flapped its wings and became airborne. It trilled again and I felt myself become enveloped in a golden mana bubble. Looking at the others, I saw that they too had been enclosed in similarly. Floating into the air, the phoenix spread its wings and released a mighty burst of wind that sent us flying down the temple's corridors, out the hole and into the night sky. Floating like leaves in the wind, I smiled slightly as the Phoenix flew up next to my bubble. "Well that was convient..."

As we we floated down gently to the empty streets, I noticed it had taken us close to the inn. With a quiet 'pop' the bubbles burst just as we landed at its doors. Thankfully the lights were doused and there seemed to no longer be patrons at the bar area. As Adalia created new Mana bubbles to carry those who were unconcious inside, I turned to my new...pet. "Thanks, but I think we would be better off if we didn't draw more attention to ourselves..."

The bird trilled happily and in my head I heard a melody play. Touching the ocarina dagger dangling on my chest, I glanced up at it. "If I play that melody...you'll come?"

It seemed to nod, and with a cry disappeared into the night sky. As it disappeared, I felt my shoulder slump as my energy left me. It had been a hard battle, my muscles ached and I could barely stumble into the inn. Instead of climbing the stairs to our rooms, I slumped onto one of the chairs in the bar room. As I drifted off to sleep, I wondered what that strange, rhytmic thump was....

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

Exhibit A - the body/zombie-chan, + hitodama Saifa/Okiku
Exhibit B - (left) Saifa, (right) Okiku

Saifa, Okiku, the body/F, F, F
103.5: The Dead Walk

The body lay in the dust of the path, abandoned.

Time passed.

Eventually, an umbrella came down the road. Of course it did not walk - what sort of self-respecting bamboo umbrella walked? Furthermore, it had once been a bamboo umbrella of distinction, handed down from generation to generation, and at last achieved its greatest reverence by being allowed to be the sunshade of a statue of Dowager-General Shaku. There had been paper flowers, and poetry, and incense. People had polished it, every single day. Therefore, with dignity -

- the much-battered bamboo umbrella hopped down the road. Had there been anyone on that particular road, which was not a popular one among locals as it passed a graveyard, they would have heard the clackclackclack of the large umbrella's vigorous movement, and seen the refined way in which it conducted itself, hopping most elegantly, and perhaps the more psychically-inclined would have also heard the distracted mumbling that echoed within the wooden confines of the overgrown parasol.

"OKIKU YOU DAMNABLE WORM THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE BOTH OF US IN THIS FUCKEN BAMBOO HELL."

"This humble servant agrees with the lady's most perceptive statement, Lady Saifa."

"THERE BETTER BE SOME FRESH CORPSES IN THE DAMN CEMETERY."

"This humble servant wishes to put forward the observation that the wretched memory of this humble servant recalls that the cemetery is but a few minutes away from our present location."

"ODIOUSLY POCKMARKED BEFOULMENT - AH, A CORPSE."

The umbrella, resigned to its fate, shuddered to a halt in front of the body. Two hitodama, one a horrendously bright pink and the other so nondescriptly indigo that it threatened to fade into the background, emerged from the umbrella, which fell, with a forsaken thud, to the ground. They circled the body, examining it and commenting most brashly and loudly (in the case of the pink hitodama).

"THIS APPEARS TO BE A LIKELY CANDIDATE. OF THE CORRECT GENDER, BARELY LIBERATED, ALL PERTINENT BITS INTACT. SMELLS DELIGHTFULLY OF MOTHBALLS. INTERESTING CHOICE OF NECK ORNAMENT. GOOD, VERY GOOD. EXCELLENT, I MUST SAY. I SHALL MOVE IN, DIRECTLY."

"This humble servant harbours a vain desire that the Lady Saifa remember that when we wandering souls reinhabit the body of another soul that has left for the afterlife, we must agree to fulfil whatever request the former occupant made last before departing."

"YOU FUCKEN BITCH, YOU SAYIN' THAT I AM A WOMAN OF NO HONOUR?"

"N-no, Lady Saifa, not at all! This humble servant prostrates herself and apologizes most profusely!"

"GOOD. I HEREBY CLAIM THIS BODY JOINT PROPERTY OF-"

The body's mouth moved, weakly, and croaked: "Ah. There, I think, I have you."

*

A very short while later, the formerly inanimate body could be seen performing an absurd little jig, umbrella in hand. Saifa and Okiku were floating around it, both distinctly put out. It was giggling somewhat insanely, it must be admitted.

"Yes! It worked! I did it! I diddled you all! Aheheheh!!"

Then, awkwardly, it stopped, coughed self-consciously, and pinched the bridge of its nose.

104.0: The Dead Talk

Sundown.

The body hopped down the dusty path it had been lying on not too long ago, twirling its umbrella. It was fully aware that it could have just walked down the path, like any other conceivable creature except birds that flew and fish that swam or things that levitated, but it felt something was expected of it. Well. She'd written it up as a stereotypical undead, so a stereotypical undead it was damn well going to be.

The umbrella made no objection, since it wholeheartedly agreed that hopping was the proper mode of progression for all creatures that had the capability to do so.

Saifa and Okiku had taken off as soon as they'd seen the onset of evening. They clarified that they would be back at dawn, or whenever the body decided to call them back. They had business to initiate, now that they had a body to conclude it with, said Saifa, although not in as many words.

Said path did lead to a cemetery, but it forked to the left just before the rough fence that served as the cemetery's boundary. Having a vague idea of whom it was supposed to search for and deducing correctly that such individuals would not willingly spend any amount of time in a cemetery, being neither dead nor undead, the body took the forking path.

Coming to a town, the body lurked round the windows of most of the houses there, pouting when it found that many townspeople advocated the use of heavy curtains. Eventually it snuck its way round to the inn, which appeared to be quite as bereft of liveliness as the rest of the town. (The body did not take into consideration that it was probably close to midnight, despite the presence of a bright and decidedly full moon in the dark sky.) Skipping merrily into the lobby, it deliberated whether to run wild upstairs checking each room for the people it thought it might be able to recognise, or to raid the bar. There was sure to be at least one of them in there, if this was anything like the last time - just head for the best-looking guy in the place, it wouldn't be too hard.

It hopped into the bar.

The lights were dimmer than usual, and there was no one there save a tall, heavily-built man bent over a chair, dead to the world. His rather dishevelled appearance suggested something other than common drunkenness as the cause of his inebriation. To this scant description might be added: dried and drying blood, ripped clothing, a very big sword, sheer exhaustion, and the fact that the body could see that the man's soul was not clouded over as drinker's souls were wont to be.

The body knew that what it was about to do was very, very wrong, and very, very cruel; but it told itself it would make it up to the man later, and besides, it might never get another chance to do this to anyone ever again.

It went up to the sleeping man, and poked him (in a less vulnerable spot that was not dripping blood) with the umbrella. The man stirred, slightly.

"...wuh...?"

The body leaned forward, and grinned. "BOO."

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"

(In defense of the sleeping man's honour, it might be noted here that screaming is quite a natural reaction if you had a face with an ethereal blue pallor, reeking of napthalene, whites of the eyes rolled up into its skull showing quite prominently, stare into yours and shout "BOO" while you were worn out from exhaustion after fighting a gigantic, sadistic nine-tailed guardian fox. Be grateful that the victim was not you.)

The body collapsed, laughing so hard that it wound up rolling about on the wooden floorboards of the bar.

The now-awake warrior clutched a hand to his chest to make sure that his heart had not indeed ceased functioning. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR."

The body replied: "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"...I would chop you in half with Miroku if I had the strength to, but sadly, I do not."

"HAHAHAHAHA - yes I'm sure you would, my dear Professor WolfhahahHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!"

"You're going to wake everyone up, and they all really need their sleep - wait, who are you and how do you know-?!"

"Overall manliness - hehehehehehHAHAHAHA I mean I'm Emo, no I'm not emo HAHAHA uh HAHAHAHAH I'm Yi-wen HAHA zombie nice to meet you heheheheheh oh god I can't stop laughing hahahahahaha!!"

"Ah, Emo-sai. Go away and laugh somewhere else, I want to sleep..."

"I'll carry you up to your room as an apology AHAHAHAHAHA I'm sorry I couldn't resist it would have worked better with Roy if he's here since he'll definitely have a girly character but hahahahahaHAHA ah, the laughing fit is dying down, heheheheh."

"I see you will be a very amusing addition to the group, at the very least."

The still giggling zombie lifted the weary warrior, large sword and all, without even needing to bend its knees. It stuck its umbrella under the other arm, and tripped happily upstairs. Due to about nine inches difference in height, the good Professor's limbs tended to knock against the floor, but it was generally a hassle-free process. Nonexistent reaction to stress placed upon the physical body happened to be one of the perks of being an undead.

"Which door (snigger)?"

"That one."

Professor Wolf was duly dumped, unceremoniously, onto his bed.

"What are you going to do now, Miss Zombie? ...Don't scare any of the others."

"(snigger) Maybe I won't."

A suspicious stare. "Well I'm going to sleep now, try to stay out of trouble?"

All he received in reply was another snigger, coming from the direction of the room's window. Washing his hands of the whole affair, the noble professor, sacrificial lamb, pulled the covers over his head and dropped off into blissful sleep.
------------------------------------

Apologies for a mostly dialogue crackpost in which I retcon my own signup... repeatedly. (everything with regards to magical ability is unchanged though) If you want a clearer picture of the exact nature of this character it's easier to ask me through PM or IM or something rather than refer to the signup ^^;; incidentally if any of you want you can post Zombie-chan going round and causing other people to lose well-earned sleep :x
hitodama - roughly equivalent to a western will o' the wisp; spiritual fireball ghost thingy

[Roy Karrde]

Adalia
~*~*~*~*~ Waiting ~*~*~*~*~

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, I danced in front of the doorway at the end of the hallway, hopping on one leg and then the other. Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, I moved to knock on the door again when it swung open. A pale looking woman with purple lips leaned forward as she stood there in the doorway. “Boo!” She screeched as I jumped a good ten feet in the air and let out an ear-piercing scream. The woman fell into a hysteric fit of laughter as my heart continued to pound in my chest.

I took a minute to try to calm my shaking as I felt a warm liquid run down the side of my leg. “That wasn’t funny.” I grumbled, pushing forward and slamming the door shut. I could still here her laughter as she walked down the hallway as I slumped down against the toilet and tried to calm my heart. Looking at the opposite wall I noticed Ryan’s reflection looking back at me instead of my own. ‘You… we are both jumpy tonight.’ He sighed.

I could only nod back and looked at the door, wondering if I should go check on Knes, ever since we left on the Phoenix, Dimitri had taken Knes to try and get him in bed before I could go and check on him. ‘You need to relax..’ Ryan warned bringing my attention back to him. I got up and shook my head as I cleaned myself up. This was not the time to be relaxing, no matter how much half of me wanted to, the other half was longing for Knes. ‘Lets try this later to calm down.’ Ryan thought, the thoughts floated into my head and instantly my cheeks warmed in embarrassment.

Washing my hands with brown liquid from down, becuase Ryan said it would dis-effect my hands. I made my way back up to Marion’s room, kneeling down at her side, her arm almost completely severed at the elbow. Taking in a couple of deep breaths to steady myself, I placed my right hand into the opening, and began to feel the mana leak from my fingertips, reattaching tendons and blood vessels. Marion almost instantly began to mutter in her sleep, moments later her eyes fluttered open, her breath coming out ragged. “Ryan… what just happened?” She said weakly as I kept my eyes focused on her arm, trying my best to reattach the severed limb. “Karam is he all right?” She asked again.

Something furry and soft ran up the inside of my robe causing me to jerk my hand away from her arm. “Marion okay, Big Monsters was killed! Karam won’t be killed by some big rocks nuh-uh” The little animal spoke, his fur rubbing against my chest, tickling my skin. Karam quickly leapt onto Marion’s stomach, settling down into a ball as I went back to trying to heal the arm only to be swept up in a wave of dizziness.

“This… is really hard.” I slumped down to my knees looking at the arm, it would take hours to completely rebuild it, and my body felt drained, completely drained of mana. My body was screaming for rest, for me to relax and replenish my mana supply. “Can I stop till tomorrow?” I looked up in her eyes, seeing Marion nod.

“I was worried I would lose the arm, but I can start to feel my fingers now at least.” She explained as I rose to my feet and walked to the chest on the other side of the room, opening it and pulling out a nightgown. Untying my robe, I let it fall to my knees, and pulled the nightgown over my head. “Umm Ryan?” Marion asked, I turned to look at her, the nightgown still above my head. I followed her eyes, she was looking at my butt, and then my crotch, and then up at my chest. My face immediately turned several shades of red as I let the nightgown slip down over me.

“I’ve never seen a girl naked.” She stammered out as I made my way over to the bed, laying down on it for only a second. “Besides Ryan… why did you choose to be a child?” She finally spoke up as I tried my best to relax on the bed.

I shot her a glare and crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not a child, I’m a pre teen, there is a difference.” I grumbled, after a few seconds, I rose and left the room, making my way down the hallway and knocking softly on the door for Knes’ room. After a moment of waiting and no answer to be found, I opened the door ever so softly and stepped in the darkened room. If I had to I would use some of my own life to supplement my mana to heal him.

Tiptoeing ever so softly I made my way over to him and kneeled down. My hand tenderly rested on top of his wounds. I began to summon what was left of my mana into my hand, and then began to summon some of my own life into it. Just as a few tendrils of mana began to leave my hand, Knes’ eyes opened, he reached out with his hand and grasped my own, calming the mana. “Don’t… don’t heal it.” He whispered.

Alright Guys, Relax, Rest, Sow up your clothes, and prepare for a long journey tomorrow.

[Haruko]

Ovan
-after closing the eyes softly and taking a deep breath / tears are shed away and I will go and meet the self I drew.
Dominant: Danielle

As the battle went on, so did my body grow slower and slower. The sword fed on my mana to keep shape, and I barely had any to feed it. Moswen soon showed up, a relief; and helped Ban get back on his feet to join the fight.Soon, however, the fight took a turn for the worse.

The Kyuubi, at least it seemed to me, got all blurry and it felt as if I was starting to see double. It was only until the blurriness died down however, that I saw that in fact, I was seeing double. One lept towards Moswen, the other(whichever was the original, I had no clue.) went towards Marion or whatever her name was. Marions arm was ripped off with glee by the Kyuubi #2, as #1 was under fire from Ban. Stella was tending to anyone who was injured, but seemed to be shaking herself; the earings adorned on her ears glowing a green.

It was at this point, that Valkyrie's form returned to normal, and I fell onto my knees. I was completely drainned, in mana and in exhaustion - I had only just awoken. I held onto Valkyrie with the tightest grip as I felt myself passing out.

"i..don't want to be..unreliable.."
'I'm sure you aren't, Danielle.'
--


It's a short post because Ovan/Danielle passes out a small time after the Ninetails splits into 2. Danielle will still be in control when he awakes, and he has a Mikoto-esque grip onto Valkyrie atm.(Valkyrie just being protective~)

Stella D'Aubigine
the petty me does nothing but repeat mistakes / how strong a strength do I need to have so that nothing will get hurt?.

As the battle dragged on, so did the tired feeling in my limbs, and the fear inside of me. My earrings, given to me by my trainner as a shackle, were glowing with a faint green light.Giving off a slight painful buzz, as if it was trying to protect itself from something forbidding, I was completely shaken, scared.

Not to mention the huge Ninetailed beast that seemed to be living below my home this entire time.

As I tended to more and more wounds with growing herbs from the ground, I looked for Adalia, the groups other healer. Although she was still, most likely, recuperating from the neck 'wound', I needed her help. I walked up to her, as she had a hand on her head - as if trying to calm down a headache.My guilt grew for asking for assistance, but I needed it..

“Adalia, I can’t keep up healing everyone alone.”I explained my plight. She nodded and I went off. What she did next was unpredictable.

She formed a huge mana bubble in her outstretched hands, it growing over her head. Everyone seemed to stop at the sight of it. It floated away at its completion, and with a thrust of Adalia's hands, the bubble smashed into the Ninetailed-beast that held Moswen. It attacked another time before Adalia faltered in keeping it up, and fell to the ground. I ran over to her quickly, taking some smelling salts from my pouch in order to keep her lively.She seemed fine afterwards, and the battle seemed to go into it's closing act.

Ban attacked first, using his sword...which I now had curiousities on, to do some sort of strange, arcanic attack on the Ninetailed monster. Pure black rocks emerged from the ground, from below and before the beast. It was the large, spiked barrier that Dimitri placed to keep it in that doomed the beast to hell.

And to my own aswell.

As the beast seemed to disappear in a wave of green sparks, my earrings started to give off a large buzz, large enough that I fell onto my knees, holding my head in the sheer pain. Even with my eyes closed shut, I could feel the magical energy in the earrings becoming unstable, and the light soon penetrated my eyelids. It was until this was no more that I opened my eyes, in no pain at all..

My shackles on the ground, broken. Little green shards sat near the golden balls they were attached to.

'As long as these earrings are on you, you will never be able to use a large amount of mana without pain and suffering.One who controls nature is subjected to its whim, they must control it or they can turn into a beast controlled by the mana itself.'

The old womans words repeated themselves in my head, as if they were like a death sentence now that the earrings were gone. What was to become of me now that I didn't have them on me? What if i used just one bit of mana that I wasn't supposed to, and I go into a frenzied state, and kill..or get killed...by my new friends?

These terrors shook me up as I didn't notice that we were now infront of the towns inn.I stood up, tried to make it seem as nothing was wrong as I picked a room for myself, paying for myself alone(and using an alias). But there was so much fear pent inside of me now..

[Bulbasaur4]

KNES


Knes had fought with every ounce of energy that he had… and perhaps in the grand scheme of things, Knes should have passed out far before when he actually did. The only thought that stormed through his mind was the pure idea that he just had to simply keep fighting. Channeling all of the reserved mana within his body… he used every single ounce of his magic with each fist he threw and each large jump he took.
His eyes barely registered that both minor foxes had gone down… as his vision blurred and he swayed so much that he finally fell over. Once his body had hit the ground, his mind gave up the battle. Darkness overcame his eyes and he let himself go off into a dreamless sleep- the sleep that Knes had become far too accustomed to.

Knes had woken up for a few moments as Dimitri placed his body on the bed. The fox man had bandaged up Knes for the most part, mumbling to himself about the locations of Adalia and where the healer was. Knes was in pretty bad shape too… his arms being completely sliced open into the muscle tissue, along with his upper torso. His shirt had been stripped from him, and Dimitri had removed his pants and bandaged up the cuts upon his legs. Knes mumbled a thank you before falling asleep once again.

Then an alarm went off in Knes’s head… nothing too grand, but it was a sickening feeling that jarred him from the darkness. That some thing was not right and that some thing was going to go horribly wrong. Knes’s green eye fluttered open as he saw Adalia spread her palm over, prepared to heal his chest. Swiftly Knes went to grab her arm, but winced in extreme pain to find that he lacked any control of his arms what-so-ever. So instead, he swiftly spoke.
“Don’t… don’t heal it. Don’t heal me.”
Adalia seemed to jump, but her gaze settled on Knes.
“But why? You’re horribly injured… the bandages on your body are already seeping some blood!” Her voice was filled with fear, but Knes offered a painful smile.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. As soon as my mana recovers… I’ll be able to channel it to the muscle tissue in my body to repair them.”
“I can help!” She persisted, but Knes shook his head.
“Please… I am honored by your offer, but there are reasons I don’t want to be healed.”
Adalia bit her lip, and he could tell she wanted to ask why again but she surpressed it. Instead, placed a cool hand on his forehead.
“Alright… do you want company?”
Knes withdrew a breath and nodded, “Sure.”

With that, Adalia crawled into bed and sat up with her back against the headboard. She didn’t dare hug Knes or get too close… in fear of hurting his already incredibly sensitive state.
“So… how do you feel?” Adalia asked quietly, playing with his hair. Knes would have shrugged, if he could have.
“Alright… just a weird sensation to not be able to move my arms.”
“Are you in a lot of pain?”
“No…” Knes lied, smiling convincingly. “I am a bit cold though, could you bring me a blanket?”
Adalia eagerly slid off the bed and got out another thick blanket and gently laid it over the one already over Knes. As she did so, she examined Knes’s chest… seeing that despite the fresh cuts, there was a large half-circular scar deep upon the middle lower portion of his chest.
“Where is that from…?” She asked quietly, pulling the cover up. Knes felt a lump in his throat, but he suppressed it quickly.
“A battle with a fearl… not too eventful. But hey… is it alright if I doze off? I’m feeling sort of sleepy. You can stay here if you’d like, I don’t mind.” Knes trailed off, a warm smile on his face as his eyes began to close- Knes couldn’t stop his heavy eyelids from falling now.
“Good night Adalia…”




MOSWEN

Noticing the defeat of the Ninetails, Moswen had limped over to the remains. Despite having an overload of armor, its properties allowed it so that she did not feel its weight- unlike everything else. Swiftly she had gathered up the mananite that had appeared in the area, and it wasn’t until she had picked up the last piece that she noticed something odd.
One, the mananite wasn’t fluffy.
Two, Moswen had been touched by something fluffy.
Looking down at where she had reached for the last mananite piece, Moswen saw two large bright blue liquid eyes staring up at her. Staring her straight in the face, was perhaps the most adorable creature to have ever graced the planet. It was about the size of a young puppy, with huge floppy fox-like ears and one big bushy tail of silky fluff. The puppy was just one big ball of white fluff… and it was silk to the touch. The tips of its ears were black and the tail was tipped with a tuff of black too. The puppy stared at Moswen for a bit, until the puppy seemed to identify that Moswen had a tail, ears and was female.
Surely she MUST be mommy!
Much to Moswen’s surprise, as she stood straight up and began to walk away… the little runt of a Ninetails followed her. Turning a wary eye at the little creature, she gave a sigh and realized that there really was no point in leaving the thing behind. Who knows… the spawn of the Wind Demon could be helpful in the future.
“Alright you little… little…” Moswen struggled for words as she bent over and allowed the little thing to rush into her arms. “… little… thing… let’s go.”
Moswen figured a time for naming would occur later.

Then Ban did an impressive feat of unleashing a Phoenix, who in turn brought everyone to the tavern and then… disappeared. Soon everyone had gone into the tavern, except for Moswen who decided to relax outside for a bit. She rested her back against the wall of the outside tavern, folding her arms across her chest as the runt Ninetails curled up by her feet.
“Hmm… a name for you…” Moswen pondered, feeling a soft inner stirring for the adorable silk puff ball. After much contemplation, finally Moswen gave up on coming up with any unique or impressive name. Some times blunt words just suited simple creatures.
“Kun…” She said, but the little thing didn’t seem to react at all. Moswen then headed back inside, the little creature instantly noticing and scampering to follow Moswen’s heels. Mommy was mommy, and wherever mommy went Kun was to follow.

Heading upstairs to the tavern, Moswen ran into a Dimitri. His eyes looked a tad bit worn, as he tipped his hat upon seeing Moswen. Holding up her hand, Moswen withdrew a light breath.
“How are the troops?” She asked sarcastically, as Dimitri shrugged.
“Everyone is pretty much out… although, Marion and Knes are going to have some rough times healing.” Moswen gave a nod, as Dimitri flared his nose and his gaze settled upon the small kitsune that seemed to hug Moswen’s foot. Dimitri raised an invisible brow at Moswen, a smirk forming upon his fox-like lips.
“Is this one going to gnaw your leg off too?”
Moswen rolled her eyes, looking downwards as the little kitsune leaned forward a bit and seemed to sniff the air-sensing that both Dimitri, Moswen and itself seemed to be smell the same in a way.
“No… but if it starts teething, I’ll make sure to borrow your hat.” Moswen said with a grin.
“Well I hope he chokes on it then.” Dimitri retorted, to which Moswen held up a finger.
“I’ll make sure to cut it up into little tiny pieces for him, so don’t worry yourself.”
“As long as you make sure to remove it from my head first.”
“Depends on my mood.”
Moswen then gave Dimitri a wink and walked past him, the little kitsune bopping along beside her. Walking down the hallway, Moswen knocked on the door and heard a weak ‘come in’. Entering Marion’s room, Moswen gently shut the door behind her as the kitsune trailed in after.

“Greetings… you are Marion I assume, correct?” Moswen asked politely, walking towards the injured woman. She nodded, and Moswen came to her side.
“My name is Moswen… I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself earlier. However… I was wondering if that arm of your needed some healing.”
Marion softly replied, “Well… Adalia began healing it, but had to rest up… she was going to do it again tomorrow.”
Moswen nodded. She had already figured that Adalia would tend to Knes more than anyone else… but she was glad that Marion got some immediate attention.
“Well… I’m not normally a… healer…” Moswen began, withdrawing a yawn. “But I can speed up your body’s own healing process. This will make things a little bit easier for you and Adalia.”
Marion nodded, and soon Moswen went into action. The popping sound of metal had been heard earlier… and Moswen had been down to only one unnatural armor piece- the other two disappearing when she had been outside. Now the headband armor piece remained unnaturally, and Moswen withdrew a sigh. She knew that the other two pieces were only going to just reappear again… but it was worth it, to help a comrade.

Closing her eyes, Moswen went into her layer vision state quickly… and soon had outreached her hand to Marion, plunging it deep into her torso and into her layers. Finding the physical layer, she began pouring her own yang energy into it… increasing the balance and aiding the body to quicken its healing process. Withdrawing her hand, Moswen ended her vision and the process roughly only took about five minutes. She was getting faster.
“SHRRRING!” Two more unnatural armor pieces appeared again, and once again Moswen’s torso and left hand were covered in armor, already adding to her natural always-there armor and the unnatural piece around her head.

Marion’s eyes widened… but of course, she probably had already looked at Moswen oddly. She definitely… well, perhaps besides Dimitri, looked like one of the oddest.
“I gave you some of my yang energy…” Moswen explained, well, half-explained. “When I do that… my body becomes unbalanced and I have too much Yin. The armor is there to keep that power in check.”
Moswen rose to her feet, patting Marion gently on the shoulder.
“Get rest. If you need something… just yell or…” Moswen looked at the creature near Marion, who was sniffing the little Kitsune. “Have your little companion find me or someone.”

With that, Moswen exited. She then ran into some one with a bluish palor… who was giggling madly to herself. Blinking, she seemed to catch a gaze at Moswen.
“Heeheeheee… you’re Kalah-chan!” She proclaimed, as Moswen nodded but something seemed to catch the strange woman’s eye. She then charged after it downstairs, still cackling madly as if something hilarious were about to occur. This was followed by a “BOO!” and then a womanly scream. Moswen withdrew a sigh, a strange inkling of a though of Yi-wen entering her mind.
Shaking that from thought, Moswen opened another door to see an unconscious Ban. Well… sleeping, anyways. Upon inspection, it seemed that he had cleaned himself up a bit… and Moswen decided that was good enough. Giving a sigh and a yawn, Moswen found an empty room. It was smaller than the others… most likely because it wasn’t used that often. There wasn’t a bed… but rather a few large pillow thrown on the floor- perhaps to form a make-shift bed.
“Looks fine to me…” Moswen thought lamely. She soon discarded the ragged prison clothes that covered her un-armored right side. She then checked her armor, seeing that it truly was undamaged and unphased. She then collapsed on the pillowed floor rather easily as she closed her eyes. She soon felt a soft tongue against her un-armored right leg, to which Moswen opened one yang-colored eye to see Kun licking the wounds upon it.
“Oh leave it… silly cotton puff.” Moswen said, reaching down and gently grabbing the little pup and bringing it to her abdomen. With a swish of her large tail, Moswen covered her lower half and closed her eyes. Kun merely curled up against her toned stomach, falling asleep just like Mommy.

[darktyranitar]

~~~Marion~~~
Encounter(s)

I remember feeling myself floating, lying on top of something warm and soft… and I was then lying down on something else that felt like a bed. I felt something happening to my arm… I felt a slight tingle of pain on my fingers – which means that my arm is probably being healed – and it was all good.

I recalled the event of the ninetails fight, and I could remember muttering something about it. I then felt another tingle of pain on my fingers, and I quickly opened my eyes, my breath coming out in a laboured manner.

Adalia… her hands is placed on my severed arm – and it was now in better shape than it was when the ninetails sank his teeth into it – no doubt she was healing it. “Ryan…” It caught me by surprise, as I rarely refer Roy by his real name. “What just happened?” No answer. I looked around, and asked, “Karam… is he all right?” There was some ruffling sound, and Adalia took her hands away from my arm as Karam popped his head out from her robe.

“Marion okay, Big Monsters was killed! Karam won’t be killed by some big rocks, nuh-uh,” he said excitedly, and I smiled, remembering how he had knocked his head on a rock. It seems serious back then, but looking at it now, it was… quite funny, actually. He leapt from Adalia towards my stomach, where he curled up into a ball. Adalia went back to work on my arm, but she seems to be in some kind of a dazed state.

She slumped into her knees, and I have a feeling it has something to do with the healing. It must be draining her energy away, I thought, remembering my experience when fighting against the ninetails.

“Can I stop till tomorrow?” she asked, and I was quick to give her a nod, and I told her that I could at least feel my fingers now, so it was all right. Without further waiting, she got herself into one corner of the room and began undressing, forgetting that I was still in this room.

“Umm… Ryan?” I – still finding it hard to adjust calling by his… her name – said as she was pulling a nightgown over her head. She turned around, and… well, since she was practically bearing her body exposed, my eyes – almost on instinct – scanned her body, going from down to up… it was only when she hastily slipped the nightgown on that I realised what I was doing. I felt my cheek reddening slightly – embarrassed.

“I’ve never seen a girl naked before…” I said, stammering as she lied down on the bed. And a spur of the moment question came (I remember the damned sign-up that brought us here): “Besides, Ryan… why did you choose to be a child?”

She glared at me, arms crossed. “I’m not a child, I’m a pre-teen. There is a difference,” she grumbled, and I came to an assumption that she doesn’t like people calling her a kid. She then left the room – in a haste, I might add.


It was only a few minutes later that there was a knock on the door. I said “come in”, and the door opened to reveal that it was the strange half-woman half-fox that I had caught a glimpse of during the ninetails fight – except that she seems to be missing most of her metal armour. A white puppy was following her, and it barely managed to avoid being crushed by the door that was gently being shut by her.

“Greetings… you are Marion I assume, correct?” she asked in a polite manner, and I noticed on closer look, she looked quite – what was the word again… ah, yes – exotic; her half-dark and half-bright coloured hair flowing behind her, her dark lefteyes and bright-blue right eyes, and her long, bushy tail. I guessed I could have added that I was Faiz, or darktyranitar back then at TPM… but instead, I only nodded. She then came to my side. “My name is Moswen,” she introduced herself. “I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself earlier. However…” She glanced at my partly healed arm. “I was wondering if that arm of yours needs some healing.”

“Well… Adalia began healing it, but had to rest up… she was going to do it again tomorrow,” I said softly. Inside, I scolded myself slightly for not asking her who she is back then in the other world, and told myself I’d ask her later.

Moswen nodded, and said, “Well… I’m not normally a… healer… but I can speed up your body’s healing process. This will make things a little easier for you and Adalia.” I nodded, and this cause her to close her eyes. She opened her eyes to reveal that her left one had suddenly became totally black while her right one became completely white. She then held her hand out into my damaged arm, and – instead of touching it – it went through it, glowing with a white glow. I made no attempt to ask her of her doing; it felt so… surreal.

She finished after a few minutes, and her eyes reverted to their normal colour, but this was followed with a sudden sound of metal screeching that it caused me to look at her in surprise. Suddenly, the metal armour appeared to came out of nowhere, and her left side were covered in metal armour once again.

“I gave you some of my yang energy,” she tried to explain, obviously noticing my widening eyes. “When I do that… my body becomes unbalanced and I have too many yin. The armour is there to keep that power in check,” she continued, and it only help in making me even more confused of what she just did with my arm.

Moswen rose up, patting my shoulder gently. For some reason, I felt something warm inside of me as she touched my shoulder. And did I just felt my cheek reddening slightly?

“Get rest,” she said. “If you need something… just yell or…” She looked at Karam, who was now curiously sniffing the puppy. “Have your little companion find me or someone.” And with that, she exited, the puppy closely following her.

I sighed as I tried to sleep… my arms might not be fully healed from whatever yin-yang thing that Moswen just did to me, but it does felt less painful. As I closed my eyes, I found myself saying “Moswen…” in a rather dreamy tone.

“BOO!” a pale face popped up in front of me without warning.

“Waaah!” I shouted, throwing something at the person, only to find out that it was actually Karam.

“Ohhh dt... ‘tis very bad of you to throw weasel at someone else face!" she shook her finger.

“Karam is a ferret, not a weasel!” Karam whined, sinking his teeth into the girl's finger.

I wonder who this person is? Weasel? Hyperness? Or Chiko-sai?

So I asked her.

And she said she was the third out of the three; she is Yi-Wen.

I sighed.

[classy_cat18]

I do not nag! I Suggest!

You do too nag. Don't deny it.

Shonta/Kite
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world," I muttered as hobbled up to my room. My barriers had managed to grow in strength but Kite reminded me when the fight was over that I needed to learn new barrier skills.

We shall start at daybreak.

'Yeesh, give a guy a day to recover, why don't ya?' My drooped ears perked up as I saw one of the new additions lean against the wall. Stella, I think. She seemed to be in deep thought so she didn't notice me until I stopped in front of her.

"Uh, hi," she said softly. "You're...Kite, right?"

"That'd be me. I'm surprised you haven't gone to bed already. Haunting thoughts keeping you up?" I managed a small smirk but it didn't seem to help as the girl (who was actually older than me) started to quiver. One of my ears drooped when she gave out a small whimper. "Something wrong?"

"My earrings..." she whispered.

"Oh," was all I said. It wasn't that I didn't sympathize; I had a few precious pieces of jewelry disappear or fall apart during my life. It was more confusion than apathy. She sounded like the earrings were more important than I thought.

I scratched my head as she fidgeted nervously. Not knowing a better way to show my concern, I took her hand. "Worrying about them now won't help. Try to get some sleep," I told her.

She grasped my hand and led me to one of the rooms. "My earrings are...were very important. I wasn't able to use a lot of my mana at once without feeling pain but they stopped it from overtaking my being. Without my earrings...I might become something else."

My hand squeezed hers without my noticing. "Has it happened before?"

"No, but I've never used my powers without the earrings before."

"Then how do you know it will happen?" I asked her a little harshly. "You have to learn to beat the odds. I'm sorry if I sound cruel but I believe in a world like this, anything is possible." I let go of her hand and put a finger on her nose. "You'll get through this okay."

I started what I thought was a stylish exit but that was ruined by the sudden appearance of another new addition. "WHEEEE!" she squealed in my face.

I made a sound that sounded like a mix between a cat whose tail got stepped on and a man that just got scared by Freddy Krueger. "DON'T DO THAT!" I yelled at her.

"Someone told me that kitty boy is Classy Cat!" she said in glee. But she didn't wait for a response as she took off down the hall like a schoolgirl at the start of summer vacation.

I was left in shock. "It truly is a mad world."

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

Excuses for the brevity and plot-advancing-lessness of this post: Character exposition, attempt to provide proof that Zombie-chan is not actually completely insane, drabble nodes overreacting. Incidentally Saifa and Okiku aren't doing their whole plate-smashing-haunting routine in the hotel/inn/wherever we are; also, the zombie won't scare people from now on - it's content with mere snarking interspersed with occasional uncontrollable laughter.

Saifa, Okiku, the body/F, F, F
111:
"Trust me, this will take time but there is order here, very faint, very human."

At midnight, in a kitchen not so far away, Okiku takes nine plates from the dresser, and floats to the courtyard. It is a large courtyard, for it is a large mansion.

There is a well in the corner. It is deep. Okiku has been in there, and she knows.

She paces herself out so that it will only take her nine steps to reach the well - nine steps for nine plates. The shattering wakes everyone up, grates on everyone's nerves.

At the tenth step, or where the tenth step is supposed to be, Okiku turns, looks at the master of the mansion rushed out in his nightgown. Then she disappears where she stands over the yawning chasm of the well.

The man provides the ghostly wailing in her stead.

Saifa watches, hidden in the shadows of the eaves of the mansion, and she thinks that in a way this is retribution, and so she ignores the man who is now shrieking, his mouth wide open in a dreadly redly O, his mind shriveling up at the edges into something entirely other.

*

What goes on in the mind of a zombie?

Idle speculations about the weather - if it rains there will be trouble, it will be all muddy and yuk and the body will not be riding, because zombies do not ride. Bits and pieces of not-meaning-to-scare-so-many-people-I-won't-do-it-again, and in any case it wouldn't work the next time since they all know what it - what she - is. It must remember to refer to itself in its mind as she now, because the body has a gender.

She never wants her laughing fits to be quite so long and spectacular but they inevitably turn out that way, and she always has a reason for laughing. She thinks they are very good reasons.

Sitting on the roof of the inn she swings her legs and watches the sky. She sees it change colour from pitch to dark blue and then with yellow streaks to rosy pink-and-orange, and feels the jolt when Saifa returns, when Okiku circles slowly about her and stops, hovering above her right shoulder.

Taking in the dawn through Saifa's eyes, she wonders if she should be present for breakfast.

[Roy Karrde]

Adalia
~*~*~*~*~ Waiting ~*~*~*~*~

The morning light filtered into the windows, brightening the room as I slowly opened my eyes, smacking my mouth a few times, and turned away from the light. I turned… I slid… I fell… I hit the floor. With an umph and a painful hit in the head I slowly woke up. What was I doing sleeping against the wall? I turned and spotted the bed, Knes sleeping on it peacefully. I rubbed my head, wincing as I rose, letting the blanket fall to the floor. I had let Knes have the bed because I didn’t want to hurt him during the night, that and Ovan had said something about how when he slept with Dana, they had a baby. I didn’t want to get pregnaunt so I didn’t sleep in Knes’ bed.

With a mischievous grin on my face, I tip toed over to the bed, peering over and looking at Knes’ peaceful face. His wings twitched which drew my attention. Moving a finger slowly, I ran it across his wings, feeling the softness of them. “Hey… that tickles.” Knes yawned. He turned slowly, wincing and looked up at me with his beautiful eyes. “I can’t even fly with them.” He signed.

“I bet you will one day.” I plopped down next to him on the bed, shaking it slightly. “Also you snore in your sleep.” I stuck my tongue out playfully and winked. I took in one last deep breath and then looked at his arms. “I want to help, please..” I begged him. Only Marion was really letting me help, everyone else just seemed like they didn’t want the help.

Knes laid his hand on my leg. “You can help me by being cheerful and just being you.”

An idea brightened in my head as I bolted up, “Hold on, I got just the idea!” I explained, bolting out the door and running downstairs to the tavern. Almost the entire group was centered around one table as I ran past them, none of them looking up as I made my way into the kitchen. One thing I could do would be to make breakfast for him. Luckily the chief wasn’t even there so I started a fire in the stove and glanced around for a skillet.

Finding one against the opposite wall, along with some purple colored eggs, I placed the skillet on the stove and cracked a egg, letting the yoke drop out. “Yuck” I groaned tossing the egg shell on the ground, not even minding the piece of shell that had came out with the yoke. Now curiosity was beginning to creep in, what was everyone up to? I left the kitchen and walked back into the tavern. “What’s happening?” I tugged on Marion’s shirt.

“Roy..” She greeted me with a smile, I was wondering how she had done during her first night, yet her wound looked fine. “Hey get this, Stella was looking through her backpack and found a few letters from her brother, one says he found mana in a mountain just north east from here, we even have a map.”

My eyes brightened even more, did this mean we were going somewhere new now? “Hey what is that smell?” Marion sniffed the air; I glanced to the kitchen, seeing a plume of dark smoke rising from it. The Eggs! Dashing back in, I found them burning on the stove, a thick amount of black smoke rising from them.

“Please be okay, Please be okay.” I moaned, taking them off the stove, swatting away the dark smoke. Okay so the eggs were slightly burned, a little blackened, yet they still should be good! I dumped them on the plate, and grabbed what looked like a glass of pink juice and carried them upstairs. “I figured I would make you breakfast!” I announced as Knes sat up in bed, smiling weakly.

I could hear Knes gulp as I sat the plate down in front of him. He glanced down at it, and then back up at my smiling and hopeful face. “I can’t move my arms…” He mumbled sadly. I frowned only for a second, and then picked up the fork, scooping up some of the blackened eggs and moving it close to Knes’ mouth. He opened and gulped it down, eating more than half the plate of eggs in only a minute or two. “It..was really good.” He smiled as I moved the plate away.

We both sat there for a second, not knowing what to say. “Until you get better, I promise to protect you.” I blurted out, much to Knes shock. His shock slowly faded into a smile as he tried to rise up only to fall back down. “How about you help me stand up first?” He whimpered, not wanting to injure his hands, I formed a mana bubble around him, righting him correctly.

I quickly explained to him about how Stella got the letter from her brother and how we are heading to the mountains next as I rechecked Knes wounds. “The boy can fly with me till his arms heal.” The Zombie girl popped in, answering the questions that both of us were thinking. “Little Roy-chan, you need to get Marion, everyone is ready to leave.” She added, taking Knes by the shoulders and leading him down the stairs.

I stood there, looking at her awkwardly for a few moments before turning and walking back to Marion’s room, poking my head in. “Ma..” I quickly quieted myself. Marion was looking at herself in the mirror, playing with her hair for a second, and then puffing her lips out. “You look great.” I smiled, walking up to her with my hands behind my back.

Her eyes remained transfixed on the mirror for a few seconds before turning to me. “We kind of need to go.” I shrugged as we turned toward the door, Marion still remaining silent. “So were you checking yourself out just for your new body, or do you have a crush?” I piped up as we walked downstairs, much to Marion’s blushing.

We eventually made our way back to where we left the Caligrey, the group grazing on the morning dew and grass as we approached. “Since we know it is pretty much a straight shot from here, how about a race?” Ban asked as we mounted our Caligrey. We each looked at each other for a second. “C’mon it would be fun.” He added as I pulled up next to him.

Some of the group decided not to race, Zombie girl ended up carrying Ovan and Knes, but for the rest of us… the race was on!

Sorry if the pacing of the post is fast, I had to get a lot in. Anyway the race is on, those that want to race post in the Talkback and I will send you what happens to your character in round 1!

[Haruko]

Stella D'Aubigine
looking at the sky in which the tomorrow will come, I don't know what to do with my heart that is only lost / birds by my side flew away- I wonder if they found light somewhere.

"You'll get through this okay."Kite ended on a high note, having his finger oddly in my nose. Taking it out, he left as I went back into my room, and shut the door firmly behind me.

'Maybe he's right..'I thought to myself as I undressed, folding my clothes in preparation for tomorrows journey. I layed down, trying to rest, only to find my heart pounding full of anxiety.

'I need to stop thinking about it.'I resolved myself to those words.'Maybe he..Kite is right. I haven't used the full extent of my mana without earrings on, so I don't know for sure. Maybe things will be fine, and I'll be able to protect my new friends..instead of hurt them.'

"..maybe.."I whispered to myself, my eyes closign themselves as I fell asleep peacefully..

-------

The bright, yet beautiful sky of the rising sun is what awoke me the next day from my slumber. My hair in my face, I slowly opened my eyes, smiling slightly to the greeting the sky gave me. I streched, and got off my bed. It was silent, everyone was most likely still sleeping. I placed a robe on, and headed downstairs for the washtub. Having it to myself in the morning was a relaxing thing..

After a nice wash, I placed the robe back on and went back into my room. I got changed, placing my flower in my hair firmly for a finish as it dried, brushed. It was only when I looked into the mirror when feelings of anxiety from the night prior returned. I got into a state of panic, but then quickly remembered my conversation..

'Heh..maybe my trainer just brainwashed me to think that.'I thought to myself, placing my shoes on. It was now past daybreak, and a few people were awake. I nodded to myself, trying to make myself believe in that and what Kite said last night.

But there was still some fear left..

I picked up my backpack and opened it. I had plenty of herbs, bandages and my bowl for crushing the herbs. I moved everything aside, and found something I must've left in my backpack. Letters from my brother, Noel.

'Dear sister,

I've recently come across this fabulous town near a mountain, northeast of Talidan. It has great food, weaponry..But that is not why I have written to you, Stella. I've come across a strange feeling around this town as of late, a feeling which most of the villagers haven't shared. It must from atop the mountain if only I can feel it, but it must be a strong source of mana if I can feel it from it's base. I'm thinking about exploring it, Stell. To come across something like this isn't random, it must be fate, right?

Until next time, Stella
Noel D'Aubigine

P.S.: A map is in closed with some minor markings of the best places here in Kulun. You should visit here, Stella. Maybe we will meet~!'

"..Strong..presence of mana.."I said to myself. I smiled widely, would it be another one of those crystals my friends were after? It must be..the one last night also had such a feeling, although I never detected it in my life..I took the letter and map, and closed my backpack firmly. The letter was from last week a swell, maybe I will meet him! And since he describes what must be a crystal in this letter, my friends will find it to great use..

'Thank you, Noel!' I smiled as I went out of my room, and to the dining room, where some of the group was already eating breakfast.


Leaving it there, I'm going to fast forward to her @ her Caligrey next time. She'll be attempting to race. And failing.

First timer on a Caligrey! Make wayy!

Ovan
-if perchance I could have become a comet / i would go flying through the sky, surely / i would definitely reach you, with this single moment of light / lighting up your present and passing through the sky.
Dominant: Danielle

I woke up in the morning, in a shock. Jumping up from bed, and almost falling onto the floor, I was completely unaware of my surroundings until I noticed it was the inn I was in prior to the battle of the Kyuubi.

Was it over? It should be..I mean, otherwise I'd be dead, and not waking up, right? I sighed in relief, and positioned myself upright in bed. I didn't notice until I went to look at my left hand that I was grasping Valkyrie with a modest grip, as if my hand possessed.

'Sorry, I wanted to make sure you'd be safe. Plus I didn't want to burn your teammates.'Valkyrie told me, and gave me control of my left hand back. I placed her back into the hilt, securely, and this was when I found Dana next to me, in bed.

"So..how did you sleep?"She smiled, tired. I froze up, not being able to muster up a reply. It was at this time where I wished I kicked the mental-Ovan in the nads.
"eh..fine!"I said, and faked a small smile back at her. It was at this time where Danarica went up to kiss me, and me; neither wanting in on it or noticing, moved out of bed. I looked at her, as she seemd a little speechless, but seemed to forget it quickly.

'You know, doing things I don't do will make people suspect!'Ovan chimed in, and I was quick to ignore. Although he was right..

"I'm going to go downstairs and get some breakfast."I told her, and left the room in a rush. My anxiety played huge into it, I didn't like sleeping with someone..that was my original gender..at all. I went downstairs, and to where breakfast was being held, to only find fruit left. I sighed and took an apple, cleaning it off and eating it quickly. With that and a quick wash of my face, I was good to go. I walked back up the stairs slowly, only to see if anyone else was still asleep. I stopped, seeing the new girl of the group who toted around a ferret - and Ryan(or Adalia.)

“Hey get this, Stella was looking through her backpack and found a few letters from her brother, one says he found mana in a mountain just north east from here, we even have a map.”

'Good!'I thought to myself, and decided to wait outside for everyone instead of going back upstairs. Heading out into the crisp air, I took in a deep breath and stretched. My body was aching from using up mana, and I had some bruises and minor cuts from the battle.

'I should try to act more like Ovan..'I thought to myself.'But I don't think I can get myself to kiss a girl..'
'Then let me out and no one will suspect!'Ovan gave a desperate plea. I shook my head.
'No way. You're still being punished.'

It was a short time after that everyone started to gather up. We walked back to where they left the Caligrey-things, who seemed to be happily munching on some grass.

“Since we know it is pretty much a straight shot from here, how about a race?”Ban asked as we mounted. I stopped and got off my Caligrey.Everyone seemed to want to, but for me..it was a competitive sport; another thing to get anxious in. Even with Ovan singing '~Chicken~' in the background, I refused, giving Stella my Caligrey to race instead.

As I gave her my..Ovan's Caligrey, another new addition, as it seemed, was offering to take anyone not willing to race. I sighed, and walked up to her..

"Just..don't go fast."



Sorry for Ovans blah post. I guess all the good got into Stella's.>.>;

Anyway, er...since Ovan and Saifa/Zombie/Okiku-Yi haven't been introduced, I figured Chiko-sai would be best to write that prior to Ovan getting on her.;x

[darktyranitar]

~~~Marion~~~
Ready for falling

I woke up and saw that the sun was already up. Karam was lying down comfortably on my head, curled up in a ball, and snoring. I raised my arm and shrugged him off.

And I then noticed that I was using my right arm… which meant that whatever yin/yang stuff that Moswen did to my arm must have been working well. I looked at it, satisfied to see that the gaping wound was gone, leaving only a crust of dried blood and a long superficial scar on the spot. Still feeling sleepy, I scooped Karam in my arm, going to the bathroom down the hallway.

I washed my face lazily before I begin to clean the dried blood on my arm. The blood was easily washed off, but it does sting a little as the water touched the scar – which I’m guessing could reopen should I get myself injured at my arm again. Finished with my arms, I wiped the blood stuck on the sleeve of my dress. I then sprinkled a bit of water on my armpit (as I’m still not ready to take a bath in this body), and, after some thoughts, sprinkled some on Karam’s face, waking the ferret up.

I went to the table where everyone was having breakfast. I stole a glance around and noticed that Moswen was eating something that looked like a stew, occasionally feeding it to the little puppy that stood beside her. I sat at one side of the table and had my fill of some bread, occasionally glancing at Moswen. Karam then said something, and I passed him a bowl of soup to keep him occupied as I continue to look at Moswen. My, she look so beautiful…

“Good news, everyone!” Stella – if I remember it correctly – came to the table, spreading what looked like a map. Everyone stopped eating to see what the deal with the map was. I didn’t manage to scan the map thoroughly before Stella had rolled the map out, but I managed to glean some information that her brother had send her some letter saying that he found mana on a mountain north east from here, and that the map will lead us to the mountain.

I felt a tugging at my dress. “What’s happening?” Adalia asked.

I smiled at her. “Roy…” I began, and I paused, wondering why I constantly switch from calling him… her Roy and Ryan when I could just call her Adalia. Then I said, “Hey get this, Stella was looking through her backpack and found a few letters from her brother, one says he found mana in a mountain just north east from here, we even have a map.”

I sniffed the air, smelling something burning. “Hey, what is that smell?” Adalia glanced at the kitchen, gasped, and dashed towards the kitchen. I shrugged and got back to eating, but not without some glancing at Moswen.


I had gone back up to my room to look at myself in the mirror. I haven’t had the chance to look at myself since my arrival here, and I was quite shocked yet amazed to see what I looked like.

Just like in… oh, what was it again? Am I losing of what was in the other world? Ah yes, the sign up.

I ran my fingers my pointed fingers, before running my hands through my hair, ruffling with it a bit. I then puffed my lips, noticing how it was quite smooth and soft.

“You look great,” Roy- Adalia said from the doorway, walking up towards me with her hands behind. I glanced at myself one last time before I turned, in which Adalia said, “we kind of need to go.” I said nothing as I followed her.

“So, were you checking yourself out just for your new body, or do you have a crush?” she suddenly said. I felt myself blushing as I began to think of her.


We passed the bathroom when Adalia suddenly said, “do you need to go before we leave?”

I looked at her, taking some time to know what she was talking about. “No, I think I can manage,” I said quickly; I haven’t looked at my lower part, and is not planning to do it right now.

She grinned. “You’re scared…”

I ignored her taunt. “Well, didn’t you said it yourself that we have to leave now?”

“Better in here than in the bushes,” she replied.

On second thought… maybe it’d be best if I take a quick leak here. “Well…”

She placed her hands on my shoulders. “Well, it’s not like your body doesn’t belong to you… and eventually, you have to do it.”

“Err… right… So, how does…” I whispered to her. “…a girl… pee?”

“Well…” she seems to be finding for the right words for explanation. “You remember what it looks like? Umm… mine, I mean?”

I had a good idea of what she was referring to. “Err… yes…”

“It comes out there, so just sit down, relax and let it come. And then wash your hand, and wipe down there,” she explained, using her hand to show some example.

“Okay…” I said, and I closed the bathroom door behind me. Making my way, I lifted my skirt up and sat down. “Relax Marion… relax…” I told myself.

I try not to look down at my lower part as I took a long leak, and didn’t even look down as I washed my crotch. I only focus on how good it feels after taking the leak. When I finally got out of the bathroom, Adalia came with the expected question of “Was it that bad?”


We then mounted some deer-looking animal that Adalia had explained to me was a Caligrey. I was quite worried that mine would kick me off or anything, but this one seems like a good one. I had never ridden anything before, and was therefore quite shocked when the group decided to have a little bit of race. I looked around, noticing the zombie-or-something-Yi and some other member not entering the race.

“Go!” someone from the abstaining group shouted, and the others sped off, quickly leaving me behind. I didn’t even have the time to get the Caligrey moving as it then sped off on its own, apparently wanting to catch up with the rest of the group.

“Whooaaa!” Karam and I both shouted as we went down the path, the trees blurring past us. I managed to catch glimpse on some of the member of the group, but they were faster, and pretty soon, they were once again out of my sight.

And then, something rustled from behind the bushes, and that something then leapt out towards us, managing to rip at my sleeve and ripping the Caligrey’s hide, sending us crashing towards a nearby tree. The creature was a bit shocked from the impact, but still appears to be conscious.

“What did just attack us?” I thought to myself, my hands clutching my piece of wood as I scanned the area. Karam’s furs stood on their hand, ready to fight whatever it was that just attacked us.


Tag to Stella!

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

Saifa, Okiku, the body/F, F, F
115: Johnny-cake

Behind the inn, the body puts these things out in a neat line - a jug of wine, a bowl of syrupy shaved ice, and a stalk of wild chrysanthemums. She digs three little holes in the loose soil, sticks three lengths of lighted incense in the holes.

Gradually, as the incense burns to ash, the offerings dissipate in a cloud of scented smoke.

Saifa hiccups; the body licks its dead lips; Okiku trims her hair with a ragged yellow bloom.

*

"Just... don't go fast."

Saifa looked up at the young man currently towering over her. He was quite a good-looking man, with robust features and a face clearly designed to thrill the hearts of human females in any world and timeframe. There was a sword, a large one with a jeweled pommel. She could sense some kind of spirit dwelling within it, but if it wasn't going to talk to her, she wasn't about to go picking up extra trouble for herself.

Besides, it didn't look as if it could be easily smashed.

"I WILL GO AT EXACTLY WHATEVER SPEED I LIKE, YOU FUCKEN PILLOCK-"

Saifa was quickly cut off by the body, who resumed control of itself in the most affable manner possible. "Ahahaha. So sorry, the lady Saifa is not used to speaking civilly with... pretty much anybody, for that matter. So, Ovan, I believe your name is; don't know who's made you, but I'm Yi-wen. You may address me as exactly whatever tickles your fancy - that includes insults. Nice to meet you."

They shook hands, the tall man doing so somewhat gingerly. The body grinned.

"So you got yourself a lady friend there, Ovan? The pretty one with red hair what kissed you just five minutes ago? I am seeing two souls in that body."

Ovan fidgeted, probably unwillingly. "Um... well, yes, Danarica's pregnant..."

"Excellent form! I see you are not lacking in any department whatsoever, least of all in swordplay! But I am getting ahead of myself here!" The body, happily ignoring Ovan's efforts to stop blushing and strangle her to a second death at the same time, waved Knes over, patting the boy fondly on the head. "So you're the one whose arms are hurting? Let's see if you'll fit properly in the crook of Ovan's thickly muscled elbowparts here, we'll all be a fine and lovely totem pole! Now I have to copy out the map since I think we'll be going much quicker than those on Caligrey, I do so hope none of you have a history of motion sickness-"

Ovan turned rather green at the prospect of going faster than a Caligrey at full gallop. The body's frank reassurances that it was much more fun to run ahead of the others and be judges and smite the undeserving with instructory punishments did not do much to change his expression.

A short while later they were waving the others goodbye at the entrance of the inn. The body cheerfully pooh-poohed any of the others' doubts that the three non-riders would be unable to catch up with them; also, for some inexplicable reason, she felt compelled to squeal "WRINKLE! WRINKLE!!" at Ban when the good professor stalked past on the way to his Caligrey.

Saifa, reasserting her place in the zombie's body, grinned and knelt down. "ALL RIGHT, YOU IMBECILES. GET ON."

*

"AAAAAARGH!!!"

"E-everythinggggg is bluuuuuuuuurry-"

"DAMN FUCKEN STRAIGHT IT IS HOW FAST DO YOU MORONS THINK MY FEET ARE GOING."

"AAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!"

"AH, LOOK, WE'VE ALREADY PASSED ALL THE IDIOTS ON CALIGREYS. AS WELL AS A GOODLY AMOUNT OF FEARL MUCK."

"...Maybe that means we'll win the race...?"

"Don't think we're participating..."

"OF COURSE WE AREN'T, THEY HAVEN'T GOT THE FUNDS FOR A PRIZE WORTHY OF ME."

"Hi Kite Danarica Marion Moswen Fearl Stella Adalia Dimitri Ban bye Kite Danarica Marion Moswen Fearl Stella Adalia Dimitri Ban!"

"FOOL HOST, THAT INTERRUPTION WAS UNCALLED FOR."

"Oh no we're starting to go fast again!"

"AAAAAAAAAARGH!!!"


OOC: AH THE FEELING OF BEING IN A ROY RPG AGAIN. ...Yes the zombie talks THAT much. :x Sorry if I RPed anyone wrongly, you can assign the dialogue in the last bit to anyone except the bits that are obviously Saifa/the zombie ><

[Roy Karrde]

Alrighty Guys since the Race was a bit of a Flop I am going to move on so that everyone can continue on. Welcome to the Forest of Dead, a Forest in which no human or fearl can escape.

Adalia
~*~*~*~*~ Third Place ~*~*~*~*~

Riding up to the forest I was met with the long stares of Ban and Dimitri as they both sat looking at a stick that lay between them. My Caligrey puttered to a stop, gasping for breath before finally collapsing into the soft grass. Swinging my leg over I dismounted, walking over to the two of them. “So who won?” I asked looking from one to the next. Each of them jerked their thumb at the other for a second before retracting their hands.

“We won a stick.” Dimitri grumbled, picking up the stick examining it for a second before dropping it onto the ground, watching the stick hit the ground the Zombie girl giggled from the side of my vision. “Where is..” Dimitri looked up to see Stella, Moswen, and Faiz all walking together, Faiz blushing ever so slightly as her eyes remained locked on Moswen.

I could only blush and giggle slightly inside, knowing that he or was it she? Was deep in love with Moswen yet seemed so shy to tell her. “She’s in love.” I whispered to myself skipping over to where Knes rested. “Marion is in love.” I smiled, remarking in a sing song manner as I sat next to him.

Knes eyes slowly fluttered open, a soft yawn left his lips as he tried to stretch with two broken arms. “I had a dream about you.” He whispered softly turning and giving me a smile. His shoulder jerked as if he were trying to move his arms, wincing as he tried again and again. “Not much of a protector am I?” He mumbled.

Moving his arms with the gentleness of a mana bubble I raised each arm up so that he could stroke my cheeks. “Let me heal..” Knes turned his head as I spoke the words. It was a lost cause, it was beyond a lost cause, Knes and the other boys had a pride that I would never understand.

“If you want to make it through the forest before dark we should leave now, not that I mind.” The Zombie girl giggled drawing all of our attention. There were many groans as we all rose, myself helping Knes up with a mana bubble and began to walk into the ever-darkening forest.

We were only a hour in when Knes moved in front of me, pressing himself close. “There is something wrong here.” He whispered, I turned to see Moswen as well become ancy, all the while there were wisps, something moving in between the trees. We soon emerged into a clearing, as if it were the eye of the storm.

“North.” Zombie girl pointed out, she began to start walking north but after a second she turned and headed east into the forest, everyone followed accordingly.

“I thought you said North?” I asked, running to catch up.

Everyone turned and looked at me strangely. “She said East.” Knes said raising his hand and running it down my cheek. “Are you feeling okay?” He asked. I turned toward the others who were looking at me with weird looks.

“I guess I could have misheard.” I shrugged, following the group even deeper into the forest.

Alright guys when you reach the clearing you will hear the Zombie Girl say North and then say something else right afterwards and lead you off in that direction. Once you get into the forest again your character will experience their worst fear, the other characters around you are not real also but ghost recreations that want to torture you with your worst fear until either Yi or Dimitri comes into your dream and brings you out of it. Inside of the dream/nightmare days, weeks, months can pass and your surroundings can change to fit the terror.

[darktyranitar]

I felt... something while writing this... I dunno.

~~~Marion~~~
Last place… and about to be lost

We had walked for about an hour since the race has ended – I was quite fortunate that Moswen and Stella had came to ward off the attackers – which I learned are called Fearls – and I now found myself looking up at Moswen from time to time, feeling strangely warm and feminine.

And her lips… I wonder if they were as soft as they look?

…what was I thinking? Gaahh, get it out of my head, get it out of my head… I mentally shook myself.

And when I finally took my eyes away from Moswen, I began to feel something… strange. I had this ominous feeling as if something bad was going to happen to me. I suddenly felt cold, but there was no wind blowing at that time. I could also feel that sweats are trickling down my face; it was not a sweat of perspiration, but it was a sweat of fear, the cold, clammy kind of sweat.

I looked around, and was reassured to find that the rest of the group was still there.
We were now on a clearing. “North,” I heard zombie-Yi said from the front. I quickened my pace, getting myself to the front group. Not long after that, the group turned left, and I quickly followed their lead, thinking that Zombie-Yi had probably misread the map earlier or something.

After what felt like a two hour ride, we reached into another clearing. The group then proceed to tie the Caligrey to the trees nearby, and some quickly volunteered to get some firewood. The one that left are Dimitri, Stella, Moswen, and Zombie-Yi, so that left… the seven of us.

I had just taken a seat on top of a log when Karam scurried away from my arms. I looked up and saw that he had leapt on top of Adalia’s head. “Hey,” she said. “We’re gonna go and look for some food, so I hope you don’t mind staying here with Ban.” I looked around, and saw that everyone else except Ban – the guy with the big sword – were heading into the forest. I suddenly felt uneasy at the aspect of staying here alone with a guy.

“Can I go too?” I pleaded. “I feel unsafe to be left here alone…”

“No, you’re not. You’ll have Ban,” Adalia said. The look on my face must have said that I didn’t trust her, so she quickly added, “Ban is a good guy. Don’t worry, he’ll protect you.”

Waving goodbye, Adalia and Karam followed behind the group, leaving me alone with Ban.

*****

I had paced around the clearing for what felt like an hour now, never saying a word to Ban. He also remained silent all the while, but every time I looked at him, I couldn’t help noticing that his eyes would scan my body with some sort of approval. And he was smiling.

Finally, I sat down on a log that was far from Ban; I couldn’t sit near him, not when his eyes were looking me like that…

“Hey, how are you feeling?” he said from behind, his hand resting on my shoulder. I uttered a low cry of surprise, and I heard Ban chuckled.

“Uh… fine…” I could feel myself slightly shaking. The hand was then removed from my shoulder, and I then felt Ban taking a seat beside me – he was sitting very close to me, and he has his arm wrapped around my shoulder. I turned to see his face. He was smiling.

“Uhh… Ban?” At this point, I found myself experiencing an odd mixed-feeling of warmness and a slight twinge of anxiety. Maybe it was my female-side attracted to him, I reasoned.

“Yes?” he said.

“Can you… take you hands off me? It… kind of makes me uncomfortable…”

“Okay, sure,” Ban replied, quickly withdrawing his arm. “So,” he said. “I understand that you were a guy back then on the other world?”

“Yes… but I guess I’m not fully used to be a girl yet,” I said, my head hung low; I couldn’t look at him when he is looking me in that manner… and that smile…

He gave a low chuckle. “I know one that thing that will make a girl feels good.”

“What is it?” I asked, nervous.

Without warning, Ban then wrapped both his arm around my chest. “Ban?” I gasped, but he only tightened his grip.

“My, you are very pretty, you know that?” He brought his face close towards mine. As soon as I saw his lips coming close to mine, I quickly struggled in his grip, thrashing and kicking around. But it was too late; his lips were already touching mine.

I could felt his tongue lodging into my mouth, but it was then quickly pulled back, and I could felt his grip loosening. I winced, imagining how painful it must have been to be kicked on the groin. Letting out a groan, Ban quickly dropped to his knees, his eyes growing wide.

I quickly picked up my stick and began to run towards where the other had gone earlier. “You bitch!” he shouted from behind, but I didn’t look behind as I ran like mad through the forest. I didn’t care much where I was going, as long I could get away from him. I rubbed my lips hard with the back of my hand, trying to get taste of his lips from me, trying to forget that he had just kissed me.

I couldn’t remember how many I had almost stumble from running into a log lying on the ground, and I couldn’t make out if which way I am running to. And just when I thought I had outrun him and was about to take a break, I heard rapid footsteps from behind. My heart almost skipped a beat when I saw him catching up with me, and was now running beside me. His sword was gripped firmly in both hand, and he had a hurt look on his face.

“If you had given in back then, then this would have not happened,” he said, his voice clearly unaffected due to the running.

“You… you’re crazy!” I gasped.

“Maybe,” he said. “But I couldn’t help it. We were alone, and you were oh-so-pretty … mm, do you know how soft your breast feels?”

“Go away!” I shouted, bursting into tears. I could hear Ban’s cruel laughing, and I continued to run, ignoring the cuts and bruises that I got on my face from running into some thorny bushes.

I could hear Ban’s determined heave, and felt a cold steel brushing my back next. The sensation was painless, but I could feel a long slit carved on my back. My foot then caught into a log, and it was only then that I fell to the ground. Face first. I could feel something dripping down from the cut, and I know that it was blood.

Grunting slightly, Ban turned me around so that I was facing him. He rubbed his hands together, and rested both hands on each of my torn sleeve, as if he was letting me guess what he was going to do next.

“Ahhh… err… my back, it’s very painful…” I moaned. Why was I concerned about the cut when this man is clearly about to rape me?

He snorted. “Serve you right.” He then ripped up my sleeves, and slowly begin stripping my cloth down. Upon noticing my shivering, he lowered his face and planted a soft kiss on my lips. Cupping my breasts with both hands, he went and kissed them.

“Moswen…” I said between sobs. “Adalia… Karam…”

“They’re not coming, dear,” he said, running his hands across my bare stomach. At this point, I was practically naked, and the combination of the chill from the wind and the fear only made me shiver even more. “You’re scared?” he asked as he began to undress himself. “Don’t worry, this will be quick… and trust me, you’ll feel a lot better after this…”

“No…”

[Bulbasaur4]

MOSWEN


Walking along the forest, Moswen glanced at Marion a few times to see that she didn’t seem so shaken. A smile formed upon Moswen’s fine features as she gave a nod to herself, glad that she had asked Ban to drop her off so that she may aid the girl. There had been three fearls… Stella had fought one off while Moswen had taken another. Marion and Karam had impressively fought off the first one that had attacked her, and the three females seemed to form a good team at that moment.
Now the race had ended and Moswen had to stifle a laugh as Dimitri threw his winning prize – a stick- to the ground. The Zombie-like female gave a shrill-like laugh which echoed in the air, clearly enjoying every bit of this “life” around her. After everyone had arrived all together, they began to head deeper into the forest. The Zombie-lady had stated that they should head North, but Moswen found it strange that as soon as they began to walk forward she suddenly went west.
“Hmm… strange person…” Moswen thought absently, shrugging as she continued to follow the group.
They all continued to walk forward until suddenly Moswen’s vision glazed over for a moment. It was the strangest sensation that she had encountered. No longer was she seeing anything but it was as if darkness itself had consumed her sight. After a few seconds however, her vision returned but now she was in the forest alone.
“Hello…?” Moswen said outwardly, but there was no reply. Confusion swiftly consumed Moswen as she sped up her walk and began to search about. What had happened? Why had her vision gone away? Where had everyone gone?

“Moswen…” A low voice rose into the air, and Moswen’s eyes glanced upwards to see Ban.
“Ban! Where did you go? Where are the others-“ Moswen began, but Ban held up his hand as a dark look filled his gaze.
“Don’t come near me. I know your past… you only end up hurting those you get close to. We’d never work.” He then seemed to leap into the air, vanishing before Moswen’s very sight.
“BAN!” She yelled, reaching a hand outwards to where he was but finding there was no trace of him. Her eyes lowered in confusion, her ears flattening as she sat down in the grass for a moment trying to bare her wits about her.
“Yeah… I guess he’s right…” Another voice rose into the air, and Moswen looked up again to see the beautiful frail figure of Marion before her.
“What are you…” Moswen continued, but Marion quickly took a few steps back.
“They told me all about you… how you’re a monster… how even before this world, you were a monster.” She too then vanished.
“No love should ever befall upon you…” Ovan and Danarica appeared, giving Moswen a look of disgust as they too then disappeared as swiftly as they had shown themselves.
“I almost died because of you… you abandon those you love… you don’t deserve love!” Adalia’s voice pierced the air as tears streamed down her face, and she turned her back to Moswen and walked away.
“Wait! What are you talking about?! Where are all of you going? What’s going on? Is this all a trick? You guys… you don’t know…” Moswen trailed off, kneeling on all fours as everyone disappeared from her sight. Her eyes filled with tears for a moment, as she felt isolated and alone. Several minutes passed by- minutes that felt like hours, as the silence and isolation settled in upon her like the cold grips of death itself.

“They’re right you know…” A calm and collected voice spoke in the air, as Moswen turned to gaze behind her and saw Dimitri.
“Dimitri!” Moswen said, her expression filled with relief yet a nagging inner worry consumed her.
“You are a monster now… no one can trust you. You’ll probably kill us all.” He folded his arms as Moswen stood up and shook her head.
“No! I’ll stop using my powers! I will! I won’t hurt anyone!”
“Really? I believe you said that back in the other world before… but it seems that no matter where you went, pain always followed. So let’s face it- you really don’t deserve friends or love… Kalah…”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Kalah isn’t worthy of love.”
“STOP IT! STOP IT BRYAN!”
“The truth hurts, doesn’t it? I’m glad that I found this out… I’m glad I realized this before you had a chance to trick me into believing your lies of love and friendship. It really wasn’t him, it was you… it was you…”
“STOP IT!!!” Moswen finally screamed, grabbing her ears and pressing them against her skull. After a few minutes of silence, hearing his words echoing in her head… she opened her eyes and saw that Dimitri had vanished. His words… no, Bryan’s words… had hit her so hard.
Tears began to flow down her face, and she tasted their bitterness as she collapsed to the ground and began to sob.

Then several figures came towards Moswen, and she barely had any time to look up at them. Her eyes widened however, as all of the figures began to speak to her- talk to her… about things in her past… in the other world. Things that she never wanted to hear or relive again.
“You… remember this?” They taunted, recreating her memories before her very eyes. Moswen began to scream again, seeing all the tortures of her past being replayed over and over again…
“You’re not here… you can’t be here… this isn’t possible…” She began mumbling, as the calm and collected exterior of Moswen began to melt away and the inner parts of Kalah began to flush outwards. Moswen and Kalah were the same person, they were not separate identities. But Kalah had tried or was trying to not be Kalah anymore… Moswen was not within Kalah, Kalah was creating Moswen by pushing her own weaknesses aside. In a sense, Kalah was changing herself and simply renaming that new change as Moswen. But now… all that hard work had come undone. It was unraveling before her… as her memories continued to replay over and over again. Reminders of her weaknesses, reminders of what she had so long tried to forget…
“This isn’t real!” Moswen cried out as she was upon her knees, staring helplessly as the figures with faces and names danced before her- all terrifying figures within her memory. After several more minutes that felt like hours, one of the larger figures came forth. A wicked smile was upon his face as he called to her- saying horrible things that haunted her.
“Remember? Remember those times…?” He called to her, his eyes glinting with a sinister glow. Moswen shook her head, trying to forget- but he knew that she remembered.
“I’ll help you forget Kalah… I’ll help you…” He whispered as he reached her. It was as if Moswen had no control of her body anymore. It was if there was some supernatural power that he had over her, and she was numb. She couldn’t move.
“I… I was trying to be there for you…” She sobbed, tears flooding down her face as she whimpered. His large hands wrapped about her throat, as slowly she felt pressure building upon her windpipe as he squeezed. He ignored what she said, and just continued to squeeze harder.
“There’s no use struggling… it would be best for everyone if you disappeared. You’ve thought that for a while now, haven’t you?” He asked rhetorically, as Moswen felt more tears flood down her face and drip about his hands and to the ground as she coughed and began to struggle to breath.
Moswen! Moswen use your powers! A voice screamed within her.
We can’t die!! The voice continued to plead within Kalah/Moswen, but Moswen could feel herself close her eyes as her face began to turn blue.
I can’t… I can’t kill them… I just hurt everyone… They’re all right. No one has truly cared or loved me… because I didn’t deserve it… That’s why all these memories and all these pains happened to me… because…
Kalah! Moswen! Whoever you deem yourself to be… you can’t think those things!
The truth hurts… but all signs point to this answer…

Moswen felt herself losing consciousness, but suddenly she felt the strong hands that choked her being ripped away from her neck. Blinking a few times, suddenly Moswen felt a hand upon her shoulder and she gazed upwards into the eyes of…
… Dimitri?
He saw the recognition in her eyes and then gave a nod, as if feeling better at seeing her conscious. He then turned to look at the dancing figures… but those figures were no longer figures of memory from Moswen’s past. No… they were spirits… floating apparitions. They seemed to cackle as Dimitri fired a blast of some sort at them, and swiftly they disappeared and went away.
Moswen broke down again into tears, the memory of all the voices and what everyone said haunting her.
“Are you real? Are you for real?!” She began saying to herself, looking at Dimitri with eyes of obvious torture and hurt. “Is this done?!”
Dimitri swiftly knelt before her and wrapped his arms about her, giving her a hug.
“It was all an illusion… you’re okay now. Everything is gone.”





KNES



Knes walked amongst the forest with the others, having chuckled to himself slightly at the stick prize that Ban and Dimitri had received. He had also approached Adalia, making sure she was okay but she seemed alright- to which he showed relief. The group then began to head out, the zombie-like lady saying that they should head North. As they began walking however, Knes stopped for a moment- feeling as if something had changed. As if during that split second she had said North… a great change had occurred in the forest, but Knes wasn’t sure what. So he continued to follow the group, finding that their direction now went slightly different that the northern direction.
However… as they walked, Knes watched as all the figures seemed to flicker for a moment- his keen-eyed gaze catching the disturbance. Frowning, he watched them a bit more carefully until they stopped to rest.
“I’m tired, Knes will you stay with me?” Adalia asked, sitting next to him as he nodded. The rest of the group headed off to find supplies as Knes sat near Adalia. He couldn’t help but have an unsettling feeling sitting in his stomach however.
Several seconds passed, until Adalia grabbed Knes’s arm and held it up to her chest.
“Gah! Ouch Adalia… that hurts. I’m not healed in that arm yet…” Knes said, but a strange gaze was upon Adalia’s features.
“But Knes… I want you to touch me. Show me that you love me.”
“Adalia… I can’t move my arms… and besides…”
“You don’t love me!” She suddenly said, dropping his arm harshly to send a shock of pain rippling through his arm. “Everyone leaves me! No one loves me! Not even you!!! I thought you were different but you’re not!!” She screamed, anger forming in her facial features.
Knes’s right red eye suddenly seemed to flash with a brighter flood of red, as his facial features turned rather sinister.
“Don’t play her that way.” He said darkly in a whisper, glaring up at the standing form of Adalia as she seemed caught off guard.
“W-what? What are you talking about! My love isn’t a game!” She shouted, rage filling her, eye flooding with tears.
Fake tears. Fake rage. Fake. Everything here was a fake…
“Don’t play with people’s emotions that way!” Knes suddenly yelled, standing upwards as he stood face to face with the illusion of Adalia. Shock filled her features, as the others came back from the forest.
“Don’t hurt Adalia!” They yelled, anger filling their features. A cruel smile formed upon Knes’s face, as he felt power surging through his body.
“You’re all fakes. You damnable spirits… do you really think I should fear these illusions you throw upon me?” He taunted, his voice sinking into a sinister tone.
The figures seemed to stand there for a few moments, puzzled… pondering. Finally the one that took the form of Kite came forward.
“What do you fear? You must have many fears swimming through your lovely little hea-“ It was obvious the spirit was probing Knes’s mind, trying to find the fears. Knes felt it, but just as the spirit stopped talking its face seemed to pale as a horrified look came upon its face. Knes’s smile curled upwards even further, his face seeming to mutate into an expression that was only fathomable upon those of a far more darker nature than he had ever shown. Darkness shadowed his face, as his eyes narrowed and the wind blew the tuff of his hair over his left green eye.
“Fear? I fear nothing! Do you know what I am?!” He yelled at them, feeling the rise of adrenaline and the surge of his life energy swelling within him. There was no one around… no one would see him, and Knes knew he had to release it sooner or later. Now was the time.
“You’ll pay for your trickery. Especially with ME.”

Both of Knes’s eyes began to glow, as the crimson red color from his right eye seemed to flood and spill into his left. Wind picked up around Knes’s body, spiraling around like a miniature tornado of foretelling doom as a flash spewed into the air. The small fluttering wings that hovered above his back rapidly grew outwards within seconds, the sound of cracking and shifting pieces of flesh and bone filling the air. The wings wrapped about Knes’s body, hiding him from the eyes of the spirits until they extended outwards and revealed a darker form. Knes’s body was completely black as a sheen of a glinting violet aura channeled about his body. Demonic eyes of red seemed to stare at the spirits in a hungry fashion, as his arms and legs took on a more beastly shape. Wicked claws were adorned upon each hand and foot, as he extended on of his claws outwards at them as his dragon-like tail whipped in the air. Horns upon his head extended and curled towards the front of his face, which jutted outwards like a reptile’s jaw.

The spirits gave a shriek, as Knes charged at them… not needing their forms to be of a true material. Their ethereal energies were more than enough to be the downfall of their own souls… and Knes was going to make sure they didn’t go to waste.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Adalia! Adalia!” Knes said, holding her in his arms as she screamed. “Its okay… I’m here…” He said, cradling her in his now fully healed arms. The scar that had always been over his right eye still existed, along with a new scar that went about his face from the Ninetails fight. However, he was seemed to be fine now.
Adalia seemed to recognize Knes, as he smiled at her.
“Those horrible nightmares went away now… they’re gone. I got rid of them for you. I think the others are better now as well… shall we join them?”


[ No one sees Knes’s transformation. ^_^ ]

[Dr.McNinja]

Dimitri blinked as everything around him suddenly blanked out for a second. When sight returned, everyone was gone, he was alone in the barren forest. Quiet reigned for a moment as Dimitri prepared himself mentally, reaching into his robe to brush his hands along his cards. The quiet continued, and Dimtri suddenly felt…confusion in the air. A palpable feeling that hung around him like a fog. Frowning, Dimitri blinked his eyes again, this time however when they opened the spiraling design around them flared with a soft green light. The light traveled through the patterns and into his eyes, lighting them as well with an eerie glow. The world around him shifted, hidden things emerging, the whole scene morphing and swirling around him. Dimitri found himself staring at a hovering spirit, its amorphous surface twirling like a shredded cloak around its indistinct form.

Why? How can we not find it?

Dimitri puzzled for a moment, until his gaze suddenly found the others. With increasing horror he peered at what they were experiencing, wondering to himself why these terrors were being visited upon them, where the images were coming from. Then he saw Moswen’s torture and his eyes widened, his breath coming faster as a sudden heat filling his body. She had gone through enough already, she had faced enough! Grabbing into his cloak, Dimitri choked out his words.

“You…demons!”

Bringing out his Magician card, Dimitri thrust it at the spirit in front of him, blasting it with a scintilla of burning magical energy that shredded the thing even further and sent it spiraling away with a chilling cry. Dashing his way across the short distance between Moswen and him he slammed himself into the large figure choking her, hitting it with the same energy from the Magician as he had the original sprit. The thing flipped across the ground, more concrete then the first spirit, brought to life by Moswen’s terror. Turning, he raised the card above his head and sent the last of its energy out in all directions, sending this horrible magic away from Moswen in a umbrella of shimmering energy. Dropping the disintegrating card, Dimitri put his hand on Moswen’s shoulders and spoke to her. As the troubled woman fell to the ground he wrapped her in his arms and whispered an assurance.

“He’ll go away too you know Kalah, just like all the others you’ve scared and hurt.”

Dimitri closed his eyes, fighting against his anger. He wanted to hurt this thing…he wanted to rip it to shreds. He was successful for a moment before a small voice inside of him questioned why he was fighting….

Maybe a little rage would do him good.

Letting go of Kalah, Dimitri drew himself up and turned to the original attacking spirit, matching its burning gaze with his own. Green sparks fluttered about his hypnotizing eyes as Dimitri watched the spirit approach him, his teeth bared, his breath harsh.

“And you, you don’t know what you’re doing. I might as well release you too!”

With a sudden movement the thing grabbed Dimitri by the throat and lifted him into the air, the half-breed’s odd legs dangling limply a few feet off the ground. The spirit smiled horribly, chuckling evilly to itself as it tightened its grip, trying to choke the life out of Dimitri.

Dimitri’s eyes blazed right back, his arms coming up, glowing with the power of the Tarots in them.

“You don’t get to judge anyone! Not before you are judged yourself!”

With both hands, Dimitri slammed the two Justice cards into the evil spirit’s head, releasing their power in a ferocious rush that, meeting each other at the center of the spirit’s face, erupted from the top of its skull. The spirit didn’t have time to scream before its existence was removed from the world. Dimitri landed softly and glared at the space where the spirit had been.

“Guilty…bastard.”

Turning, Dimitri called out to Moswen.

“Kalah, are you going to be okay if I go help the others?”

Moswen hesitated a second before nodding.

“Just…make sure to come back.”

Dimitri flashed a smile before dashing off.

“Won’t be a second.”


(Get yourselves out of your tortures or have Dimitri show up and lend a hand, whatever you want to do that works best for your characters.)

[Roy Karrde]

Adalia
~*~*~*~*~ Alone in Dreamland ~*~*~*~*~

We all stopped in a clearing, setting up camp for dinner and preparing some wood for a fire. I ran back and forth scooping up bundles of firewood in my arms and dropped it on the ground. “I’ll race you!” I taunted Knes, scooping up another bundle dropped by Dimitri from where he perched on top of a tree. I rushed back with the wood and dropped it in a nice neat pile before turning to see Knes walking back with only a few twigs in his hand.

“You’re no fun.” I pouted sticking my tongue out at him as Dimitri jumped down and used a fire card to light it. Moswen and the rest came around soon and began to cook dinner.

All the while Knes continued to frown, looking at the fire as he moved as far away from me as possible. Slowly I rose and walked over to him, sitting down beside him. “Did I do something wrong?” I whispered, not even wanting to look at his piercing hateful eyes.

Knes cleared his throat for a second; the others looked up and walked over surrounding us. “Adalia, we need to talk.” He rose, standing near the others; they all looked much taller now, much more imposing. “This forest is safe, safer than any other place on this planet, that is why we have decided that we want you to stay here.” He explained much to my confusion.

I shrunk down against the tree, feeling smaller, helpless against the others. “You’re only a child, and none of us could forgive ourselves if we let a child get hurt in battle.” I winced every time they would say the word child, to me it felt worse than any bad word, any cuss word. “Besides we have Stella now, and she is a much better healer.” He pointed to Stella who seemed to smile in satisfaction.

I could feel their eyes bearing down upon me, even if I shut my eyes I could feel them there. I grasped the back of the hood on my gown and pulled it over my head, I wanted to hide from them. “I’m not a child.” I whimpered, raising my eyes up. None of them were there, the camp was empty, even the food there was gone. I rose to my feet, tears streaming down my cheeks as fear filled me. “KNES?! MOSWEN?!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.

My heart began to pound in my chest as I ran forward deeper into the forest. Calling out their names over and over again. My chest began to tighten as I ran for what felt like hours. My legs and arms feeling limp as I came to a stop. “Please come out, I promise to do better.” I whimpered as rain drops began to filter through the leaves over head, the whole forest slowly becoming pitch black. “Please guys.” I cried, bending down against the nearest tree, trying to hide from the cold rain.

The night continued on and on, every time I would close my eyes to try and sleep the rain would get harder, or my stomach would growl in hunger. “I promise to be better if you guys will come back, I promise.” I whimpered, repeating it over and over again during the night.

The next morning came and the rain let up, I rose up from the tree and began to walk around again, wandering for hours while calling out their names until the rains came again. And again that night I couldn’t sleep; by the time the rain ended I was so hungry that I couldn’t stand. I could just lay there, shivering and cold.

It was nearly half way through the day when something strange happened, a warmth seemed to surround me as I lay there in the mud, curled into a ball. “Adalia! Adalia!” The warm voice said, I could only barely raise my head, my eyes so blurry from hunger that I couldn’t see a thing. “It’s okay… I’m here…” The voice whispered, I could feel arms around me, familiar arms.

The voice, the warmth felt like Knes, but it was a lie, it had to be, I wanted to be with Knes so badly, I was so hungry, yet it had to be a dream, a illusion. At this moment though, I didn’t care. “Those horrible nightmares went away now … they’re gone. I got rid of them for you. I think the others are better now as well… shall we join them.” The voice asked as I tried to move closer to the warmth.

I opened my mouth, my tongue and mouth dry, my limbs were limp and exhausted. “Please don’t leave me. I’m not a child, I’m not.” I whispered, my throat roaring in pain. “I’m so thirsty, and hungry.” I coughed several times, the cough becoming painful as it continued on. “thirsty.” I whimpered in his arms.