Cursed IC

Elise nodded slowly "I know, I know, you're going to be just fine, but we don't want you to spend more time in recovery then you need to right? Conserve your energy and let me heal you" she said calmly, this was a battle Zola wouldn't win, Elise would worry no matter what. Luckily the hard part was over now, all that Zola needed now was rest and proper care which relieved the weary elf immensely. Though it seemed to her this relief would last for very long, Argen's message shocked her, but she trusted her companion, he was right the boy had to stay with them. With a deep sigh she turned to Evilin "Please, stop this, if we start fighting among each other we'll never get anywhere, do you really want all of the sacrifices we've made so far to accomplish nothing?" she asked, doing her best to keep herself composed.

She stood slowly and looked to Coda, stepping over to put a hand on his shoulder "He's not changed at all since we met him, just because we know of his nature doesn't make him any less of a person, he doesn't deserve this" she stated, hoping to reassure the boy and have Evilin back down a little.

"Remember, there's no such thing as light without dark, nor vice versa, there's a balance and neither side is good nor evil, people are not evil because of their nature but because of their actions towards others, and Coda has been nothing but helpful to our cause from the start". Though she didn't necessarily believe this, it seemed like the best thing to say to keep the boy from leaving. Her newfound revelation had given her more respect towards Coda, even at his young age he had already gone through so much, it was hard to remind herself that he was still a child, still learning.

Super Villain Nova Super Villain Nova seasonedcat seasonedcat shadowz1995 shadowz1995 Juju Juju
 
This was a world wind of a mess. Coda was caught in between a lot at the moment. But not as much as he noticed Eira and Elise's conditions. Elise was doing a good job with holding herself together, despite the high fever she would be having about now. The magic he used earlier to show her a bit of his past was effecting him too, but he was use to feeling so horrible. Low energy and a high fever when the sun would come up. But the elf would be feeling all of that now.

He only figured that her adrenaline was the thing that was keeping her from collapsing.

She was not the only one on his list. The blind priestess seemed to have stumbled into his world and had no idea how to understand what she was seeing. Seeing and feeling the pain and sorrows of the after life could drive anyone insane.

As he watched her scramble to the wall to find the door he wanted to go after her. But he paused as more people started to take notice to what else was going on in the room. The farm girl was still hurt and low on energy, and should be resting. Just by her pushing herself in such a critical condition told him a lot about Zola. She was worried about them. She didn't even know them for that long. she even got into a fight with the Lycan. But here she was, reaching out to them as if everyone in the room was her friends... or family.

Just as Eira rushed out the door Coda was about to go after her when Elise placed a hand on his shoulder. Taking his attention away from the run away priestess, back to Evilin and the conversation at hand.

Coda let out a breath he had been unknowingly holding in. His shoulders shifted lower as he took in Elise's words. He couldn't believe his ears. They actually felt like they were on fire like the barn.

Were they really standing up for him?

He knew Evilin was scared thus why she acted as so, but back in the day when this kind of thing came up...... Everyone sided with fear.

A loud bang made him jump a little. He had no idea where it came from. But it brought his thoughts to focus on the room.

He blinked not sure how to respond, but felt a little at peace with her words. She didn't know him for very long either, they hadn't really exchanged a lot about one another, and yet.... Here she was. Speaking up for him. Not just to anyone either. Royalty. (If you call Evilin royalty or a snotty brat.)

Coda nodded slowly to her words before moving Elise over to the couch where Zola was laying. "That's not important right now." He told her in a soft tone. He shook his head as he made her sit down at the foot of the couch. "You should rest.... You will need it." He locked eyes with her for a moment to show that he was serious with his soft spoken words.

As he looked back to Evilin, it was clear of her emotions. She was down right shocked. Her eyes almost popped out of her head when Elise spoke up. She wasn't even sure why the farm girl was asking Coda of all people to explain what was going on.

"How can you side with a demon?" Evilin asked. "He is a follower of the demon god." She pointed at Coda.

Evilin was indeed shocked over all of this. They had all seen it except Zola and he blind priestess. But she already knew that the priestess suffering from something Coda had done to her. She then pointed to both Elise and Zola, "You both are in this condition because of him. That huntress was after him!" She pointed out.

Coda twisted his lips into a soft frown as she continued about her words. He didn't have time for this, Eira needed some guidance, Elise and Zola needed rest, and he would too once the sun came up. Coda left Elise's side and headed for the door. "I will return with the priestess." He nodded to Elise, "Please rest." He added before heading outside.

Evilin watched as Coda left before turning to Elise, "You are not serious are you?" She asked, referring to the topic at hand.


Coda stepped outside looking to the ground quickly when he didn't see Eira in his sights. Footsteps pointed him in the direction of where she was headed. They were messy and in a hurry it seemed. He followed the trail that lead around the house to the back. The more he followed the footprints the more he realized that she was in a frantic state of mind. He frowned even more.

He came to a quick halt when he trailed around the back corner of the house. His eyes locked onto he huntress, the Lycan and the priestess. Both the huntress and Lycan were covered battle wounds. Both looking weaker than their past states. He took a step back not sure if the huntress would attack, or if the Lycan would.... He knew that dark magic could easily take control over Argen, and with the huntress harnessing some of Zola's magic could be altered for such a spell.

His eyes shifted to Eira. She was still worse off then when she had left. Coda took in a deep breath as he waited to see what would happen. If she attacked, or if she attacked with Argen... He needed to be ready. And this time he could not hold back. If he did his energy level would drop so low that he would pass out and then they would all be in some big trouble. He could not let this happen........ Not after what Elise said... Not after Zola's concern, and not while Eira was in such a state of mind. Evilin could be tossed around a bit.... But no the others. And if Argen was not himself.... Coda would have to use his own magic to cancel out the curse and return the Lycan to his formal self.
 
‘Coda. No… please… run away…’ Eira wanted to scream at him, but her voice caught in her throat. All that resulted from her efforts was a miserable whimper. Some creature was in great pain beside her, making her head swim. Soon the senses of sound, smell and touch followed her afflicted vision. The last thing she saw was the flare of aggression in Coda's being -- directed towards the woman roughly holding onto her -- before the priestess did the unspeakable.

Unable to bear it any longer, Eira lost her grip on the darkness within her. One trickle of negativity, one slip, was all it took to trigger a cascading river of noxious shade. She was helpless but to watch as the negative energy swelled within the hearts of those around her, a unique bloom for each individual. It was a display of terrible beauty never to be seen by those with eyes. For one it was thick and festering, like a fog, while for another it was as needling as a mass of thorns. Eira could no longer tell who was who, but she did recognize the emotions. Fear, abandonment, betrayal, guilt, grief… all too familiar faces. Normally they would be entwined with the glowing core of a person, unable to pierce the goodness of most. Yet this time, Eira found nothing. Everything had fallen dark, save for the eerie light of torment. An involuntary shiver crawled down her spine when she realized it was all her doing. It was only made worse when she noticed that she was no longer suffering, as her companions would be now, she had passed on all the negative emotions she had accumulated since leaving the temple.

Sometime during the ordeal the invisible woman must have dropped her, for she found herself once more on the dew-laden grass. The priestess forced herself onto her feet, no longer shaking now that she had temporarily passed on her burden. Suddenly disgusted, she brought a hand up to her mouth as a knot tightened in her stomach. Why was she so weak? These people did not deserve this pain, as she did. She couldn’t take it back until they were back to normal, but by then the energy would be undoubtedly absorbed. She had to make a choice, but in her heart she already knew what direction to take.

Eira ran past her one-time companions and made her way back along the Darkwood Farmstead’s dirt path. Alone. The starved mule she had saved didn't even cross her mind.

She begged the gods to forgive her for these sins, but whether they heard her or not the heavens remained silent in this darkness she had conjured. Maybe if she started running now, the angry adventurers would not be able to find her. The hope was quickly evaporated when she remembered the bestial man. Panic gripped her chest when she recalled the way he had taken in her scent. He knew something was strange about her, and if he should connect the dots… Eira wondered what it would feel like to be ripped apart by canine teeth. Perhaps he would behead her instead, like Zola’s horses. But that was foolish, as she remembered that warriors only granted other warriors such a clean death.

shadowz1995 shadowz1995 seasonedcat seasonedcat Super Villain Nova Super Villain Nova Nogoodname Nogoodname Juju Juju
(hey... this is a tad late. T^T heheh.. this is my fault. Sorry.)
 
Zola was very confused as to what was happening still, although she decided to just drop it due to everyone being so secretive. I mean it's not like I let them stay with me after they killed my horses or anything.

Zola held an unusual amused look as Coda told her that it was unimportant but she just let out a long sigh.

Zola raised an eyebrow as Evilin went on a rant about how Coda was Satan's son and all that fancy dancy stuff.

"If she had come to kill Coda then why is he still alive, I mean none of us holds enough power to stop her. I think your assumption to what Coda is blinds you to see the truth behind what really happened. Plus last time I checked a hunter doesn't run away from a helpless prey." With that said Zola stood up despite any protests she would receive.

She winced a little but just got up and left. As she exited the home she was greeted with the sight of the mysterious women holding Eira next to a beat up Argen.

Zola was about to speak when suddenly a feeling of loneliness and grief hit her hard. Her eyes widened as a memory suddenly began to play.

Zola stood amongst a crowd of people wearing a old Grey cloak that's hood was covering her face.

'Die you filthy herritic!'

'Kill er'!"

Screams such as those filled her ears. The person they were screaming at was a women with dirty blonde hair and dark brown eyes. Next to her stood a man who wore an executioner mask and held a large axe.

'Any last words filth?' The executioner spat.

"Who chooses sins? Is it God or those who say they are followers of the God they belive is always right and holy? That is a question I have always asked myself." The woman said with a smile hoping that those words would somehow reach the citizens and help them realize who is really at fault.

With that the executioner lifted the axe high and brought it down upon the women's neck, ending her life. But before the axe had made contact Zola could make out the words that she had whispered.

'I love you my daughter. Use my teachings and live a full life, grow up to be a strong woman and protect all the life upon this earth no mater the species. My dearest Zola I love you.' With that the woman was dead. Tears streamed down Zola's cheeks as she turned and left, pushing her way through the crowd of cheering citizens.

Zola froze for a second before shaking her head. That memory had repeated in her mind ever since that day, the effects on her had reduced over the years. Her gaze then fixed on the fleeting priest.

Zola looked at her questionably before shrugging and running after her, ignoring the pain in her shoulder. She quickly caught up to the priest due to her being faster than the thin priest. Once she had caught up to Eira she grabbed her wrist, stopping her from running any farther.

"Yo Eliza where you going?"

Juju Juju seasonedcat seasonedcat
 
Strangely enough, when Eira released her magic the huntress was unaware of it until it began affecting her. When it did, It felt like invisible fingers were forcing their way behind her eyes and into her chest. They clawed and bit, tugging at something inside of her. A sudden stirring of anger rose out of nowhere, and before she could even try to grasp what was going on, something put her mind to a halt.

Lithariel stumbled backwards, releasing the priestess when both hands shot down to grip her abdomen. White, hot pain seared through her core and snatched the wind from her lungs. She fell to a knee with her head bowed, and as her pale hair fell about her face, she stifled a cry of pain. Something warm was streaming between her fingers which she soon found to be her blood. When she forced her blurred vision upward she was met by two eyes burning with a golden flame. She didn’t question it, as the sleeper seldom questions the dream. Nor did she recall the events that had occurred that night. It was as if the years had been washed away and she was back to the time where the memory took place.

She knew what this feeling was now, it was betrayal. Slavering fangs were bared before her face; the jaws of death made into living flesh and bone. The wolf's breaths froze in the air, forming clouds of vapor that brushed against her face.

Now that she was down, Argen had transformed to crush any hope for her survival. He had not wanted a good fight, he wanted an end, and had taken the first opportunity to do so. All this talk of honor. She had been deceived, and it stung with a pain that could never be matched by the mortal wound his sword had inflicted.

Then the scene changed and there was no longer a hulking wolf before her, or anyone at all. Silent flakes of snow fell down through the clearing of trees above, her only companion as the pool of red snow steadily grew below her. After everything, Argen had abandoned her. She remembered now.

The huntress grit her teeth, though it was not from the pitiful withering she felt in her chest, it was from the scorching desire to kill. It wasn't a want anymore, it was a need. Nothing mattered but taking down the wolf. She had been lulled into a false sense of trust - something she had been taught to forgo - only to have it manipulated. How could she have thought it would be different. Trust was only a weakness. What a fool she had been.

"Wretched creature..." she cursed at the ground between ragged breaths. Her body was quivering as she leaned down into her lap, tightening her arms around her waist. "You will pay for this..."


[Since Lith isn't used to this she has two memories overlapping to create a mess (how she survived Argen's wolf form was cut out and replaced by when she discovered that Argen had left his home). She is still stuck in the vision, so if anyone 'breaks' out of theirs, she will be crouched down as if wounded and completely vulnerable to attack. >:3 ]
 
(As if Juju)

Argen couldnt do much more than watch as Lithariel went for the priestess. At least, if he wanted to recover properly. He was about to turn away when Lithariel suddenly became....strange. She had a way of moving, even when severly injured. Her body language was off and it was immediately ringing alarm bells in his head. "Lith...what's wr-" was all the lycan managed to get out before he readily found out.

Everything was snow and silence. The icy trees that never bloomed and yet, somehow still clung to life. Argen was back home..... In the distance, he could see the village elders, the children running around, his family watching the young pups duel and hunt. His beloved sister instructing the coming-of-age warriors.

"Papa."

The lycanthrope slowly turned to source of the sound and came face to face with a small child. The child wore the ceremonial fur that Argen always wore but it was far to big for little one. The young boy pulled the cowl off and messy ashen locks cascaded down from within. The child looked a lot like a certain huntress but not completely. The tannish skin, strongish jaw and the eyes. An outlandish mixture of gold and orange. It appeared as if the child's eyes were handcrafted from the flames of a hearth. Warm and inviting, yet with promise to burn deeper within.

"Papa." The young boy said again. It took Argen a minute to realize the child was addressing him. "Boy....I am not your father. I can h-" "What are you talking about papa? Where you eating the funny plants again?" That made that large wolf chuckle before he took a knee to try and even the playing field somewhat.

"Where is your mother kid?" The boy cocked his head in a fashion that was very reminiscent of Argen whenever something piqued his curiosity or confused him. "Mama is inside of you papa. Right there." The child pointed straight at Argen and it came into contact with his abdominal region. When the wolf looked down, he noticed that he looked as if he had been submerged from head to toe in blood. That's when Argen noticed the scent of the blood and the delicious taste in his mouth. It belonged to Lithariel.

Suddenly the scene changed and it was back to when all Argen found of Lith was her blood and discarded weapons. Panic. Unrestrained panic. Desperation. Denial. Fear. Most of all....utter shame. He wasnt strong enough to keep himself in check! The humiliation! The despair!

Then Argen just felt empty....and lost. The curse of the priestess worming its way unchecked into the deepest recesses of his heart. The origin of the curse that afflicted every Lycan. Everything fell away and only two things remained.

Rage.

And bottomless hunger.

Any Lycan in their most primal state.

......
(Approx time before Lith said her final line)
Eventually Argen came to and he noticed that he was now in full beast form and had apparently torn apart the roof of one of the barns in a fit if rage. He had been roaring, barking, howling, and tearing everything apart. Everything except the living things. His subconscious order from the she-elf had come in handy this time.

The lycan had also torn open every wound he had received and then nearly tripled the size. It wasnt an exaggeration to say that the cave-sized lycanthrope was bleeding fountains everywhere he walked. His gaze found his favorite woman kneeling on the ground, muttering and seemingly in pain. He made no hesistation in limping his whining furry behind over to where she was and nearly collapsing around her, curling himself as he did with she-elf in the cave. Except this time it wasn't for warmth. It was a last ditch effort to protect.

She was incredibly vulnerable now but Argen didnt have the strength to knock her out of it. He instead, in his curled form, flicked his tail at her head in order to knock her over and hopefully get her back in the world of reality.

The wolf's breath was coming ragged and shallow, made painfully apparent by his huge form. He regenerated faster in this form, but the wounds he sustained were far too great for the sudden human-to-beast morph. The crimson liquid was pooling beneath the fully transformed beast and already collecting around Lithariel's form. His eyes were already beginning to flutter.

His last thoughts before unconsciousness took him was that hopefully, no one would piss off Lith while he was out. He couldn't save a dead cat if that happened.

(No, hes not dying but he is an inch away. Passed out from blood loss. His wounds are slowly closing....slowly)

Super Villain Nova Super Villain Nova seasonedcat seasonedcat Nogoodname Nogoodname Juju Juju
 
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Elise protested as she was brought back to the couch, shaking her head wearily "I.. I don't need rest, I know my limits" she whined as her eyes struggled to remain open. She raised an arm as Coda left to go after Eira "No.. wait, Argen said..." and he was already gone out of earshot of her warning. There was no stopping the boy in her state, she had to admit she was much too tired to continue after the events of the night. Taking a deep breath she let her head rest in her hands as she took a moment to meditate and refresh herself.

This brief respite hardly lasted as she noticed her patient shoot up from the couch, Elise reached out to stop her but before she had time to react the girl was already out the door after the others. "Wait! Y-you're not healed yet" she complained, shooting up from her position on the couch to stumble after her. Pushing the front door aside she let out a gasp as she took in the scene before her, it was chaos! The unnamed huntress was back with Eira in her clutches. Her head whipped around to find something she could use to help! The elf was a resourceful one, but in her state of mind and the state of her body she could do nothing but watch the scene before her unfold.

It was then that she felt a wave of emotions that threatened to knock her off her feet, she stumbled and leaned against the outside wall of the house arms clutched around her chest as she felt an intense wave of fear wash over her. Her world spun around her and within seconds the elf slunk back against the wall as everything went black.

....


When she woke, the first thing she noticed was the all too familiar smell of smoke, and as her eyes fluttered open she found herself laying in an open clearing of woods. Elise blinked as the smell faded and sat up slowly rubbing her head as she took in her surroundings... She was in her home once again! The forest of Domum! She remembered the place as if she had never left. The elf got to her feet and brushed herself off standing there for a moment in a confused daze watching the small village buzz with life, it was late in the night and many were preparing to retire for the night, children played among the trees, the shops closed one by one.. what a peaceful afternoon.

A small reminiscent smile crept across her features as she watched a young boy leap from the branch of one tree to another, followed by two more, another boy and a girl, it reminded her of her own youth some hundred years ago. Almost in a flash the familiar scent returned and she recoiled in fear as the scene before her changed in a flash! Chaos erupted as she noticed the first tree become engulfed in a bright flame that spread quickly to the next, and the next. Following the flames brought her eye to eye with a human mage grinning broadly as a cone of fire erupted from his hand! From the treeline a countless number of armed humans sprung seemingly from nowhere to take on the guards of the village! Everything went to ruin before her very eyes, the ancient trees of the forest fell and the armed soldiers overwhelmed the meager defense put up by the village. Elise found herself slowly backing further and further towards the center of the village as it slowly became the only safe area. "No! Wait! Please!" she cried out in fear, falling to her knees as the scene around her became too much for the elf. The soldiers and mages seemed to run right past her as if she wasn't there, terrified and completely powerless to help she sat there as tears flowed down her cheeks.

As the noise and commotion ended the elf was left with nothing but the choking smoke and the soft crackling of the woods around her as the fire slowly turned it to ash, she sat there with her knees pulled up to her chest sobbing quietly.
 
Coda's vision blurred, his head felt dizzy which knocked him off balance. He place one hand to his head as the other reached for the side of the house. What ever it was that was making him feel this way... He couldn't stop. He didn't even notice himself falling to the floor and passing out.

Darkness eluded his mind and the world around him. He looked around not being able to see anything. He could hear the sounds of chains shifting when he moved his hands about. "No..." He whispered. He spun around and found exactly what he was looking for. He had hoped he didn't find it... But there is was, as if he was there right now.

A large black steel door stood out in the darkness. A little slight in the center of it let in the little light from the candles beyond it. He looked at his hands finding black steel cuffs and black steel chains. He looked to the room around him... It was all the same.. Just as he had left it. Empty. A black steel room with a bit of bedding in the far back corner. He reached to touch his face finding a cloth covering his right eye and a black steel band strapped tightly around his head. He didn't have to see it to know what it was, or what it was for.

He rushed to the door and quickly tried to open it. It didn't open, but he wasn't surprised. Instead he started to panic. "Let me out!" He called out. He tried to pull on the door more and more, but it would not budge. The small whole in the door was a bit taller than him. He reached up and grabbed what he could to pull himself up. His bones and body hurt all over as he knew his muscles were not there to help him. "Someone!" He looked out to find an empty hall way light by torches.

The hallway it'self looked like it was carved into a black tree. The floor was covered with a black and red cloth, only to give the hallway a bit of decor. His breaths became deep and sharp as he tried to keep himself up on the door. His eyes searching for someone.... anyone....

His arms finally gave out and he fell back hitting the ground hard. He could hear the sound of the cuffs meeting the metal floor echo through the black steel all around him.

Something was wrong.... this was not right... This was not his reality.

He pushed himself off the ground as best as he could. He stopped when he felt something warm and sticky under his fingers. He lifted his hands up, and felt a sharp pain coming from his head. His horns were trying to come back out, yet the metal band was stopping them from doing so. It felt so real.... like he was back in time reliving his nightmares. The sound of chains moving and his scattered short breaths were the only thing he could hear.

"Coda!" A voice came from the door.

Coda jerked his head back to look at the door as a person called his name again. Coda blinked as he rushed to the door again. "Coda!" The voice was getting closer.... He knew that voice.

"Coda!"
"Okami?" He questioned in a soft response.

..........................
 
Eira had barely made it out of the Darkwood Farmstead when she was caught. She let out a gasp when something snatched at her wrist, causing her to come to a jolting stop. She wasn’t used to being so blind and it took her by surprise. In her mind she thought of all the possibilities; the woman who had attacked, Coda, or the wolfish warrior. It was a relief to hear Zola’s voice, but it was short lived.

As if she had just touched a hot stone, the priestess retracted her hand away from the earth mage’s touch in an almost injured manner. “Z-zola!” she stammered, trying to formulate coherent words while at the same time wondering what to do now that she had been found. “Stay away! Just don’t touch me. Please…”

‘God’s give me guidance…’ she silently plead.

When no divine intervention came she raked her mind in search of a solution, but she could not find anything. Well… that was only half true, for in the very back of her thoughts there came one idea. It crept back there, waiting patiently like a wolf on the edges of a dying fire, as always. Eira refused to listen to it. She would not do something like that to anyone, let alone the innocent farm girl. Never. Even if it came down to her being ripped apart by a real wolf. She may have lost control this night, but that option would always be her will.

“I… I need to leave. I’ve decided to go back to the Temple. It’s for the best. Please, don’t try to stop me. You’ll take care of Princess Evilin, won’t you? I’m afraid I can’t help her...”

seasonedcat seasonedcat

~~~~​

The snow continued to swirl around the huntress, covering her bowed head in a crown as equally pale as her hair. Yet even in the heart of NearGasha, Lithariel did not feel the endless winter’s bite. Instead, she could feel warmth, such as she had never quite experienced before. It surrounded her, but just as she was pondering the strangeness of it all, she received a blow to the head. Caught off guard, Lithariel fell backwards into something... living. Thick fur, so dark it would put the night sky to shame, pressed against her face and blocked off half of her vision. Beneath it she could feel layers of hardened muscle, along with an irregular rise and fall similar to a blacksmith’s bellows. The lungs of an enormous beast.

Lithariel knew which one.

‘Argen…?’ she thought in bewilderment.

It didn’t take long for her to notice that the wolf’s hide was matted in places, the source of which was seeping onto the huntress in a steady stream. Hot, sticky liquid flowed onto her face, armor, and still healing wounds. The air was heavy with a coppery scent every hunter knew well. Blood.The priestess’s magic was quickly fading, enough for Lithariel to force herself to stand despite the ringing in her head. She pushed away from Argen and turned to see the gored creature.

Who had done this to him? He was hers to kill, and if anyone sho-

Only then did she remember that every laceration on the lycan’s flesh had been carved by her own blade. Each strike was engraved in her memory, but none so much as the final. He had summoned the last of his strength only so that he may speak to ears that didn’t listen. Lithariel had watched as he collapsed onto the ground, unable to fight back as she was about to slaughter him like filth.

‘Goodbye… my huntress...’

His last words.

Lith’s eyes blazed in a cold fury that should not belong to such brightly colored irises. If she had not been bloodied before, she was now absolutely covered in it, making for a fearsome sight. The crimson liquid was strewn across her face and spattered in her hair, clashing with the stark white.Shifting in such an injured state was not just harmful for a lycan, it could potentially kill one. Argen was an alpha level lycan, but even he had limits. The pool of blood was growing around the wolf, causing the grass to glisten darkly as his life drained away. Golden eyes were dim behind half-closed lids.

Hunters never aided another, even when severely injured. It was forbidden. A hunter worked alone and selfless instincts were weeded out. This was the very thing that separates a Markless One from a hunter in training

Lithariel was left frustrated as she watched her mark bleed, the huntress inside telling her to finish off the weakness. It was hard to ignore the will when she was so close to a mark. With a frown she cursed under her breath and turned her head away from the wounded wolf. Argen’s companions all seemed to have been affected by the illusion, and were either knocked out or were whimpering against their own struggles. One was obviously missing, ruling out the darkhorn from the blame, but she would deal with that later.

Her eyes rested on one. A certain elvish female. Lithariel could feel her rage and hatred building as she stalked towards the elf, finally finding something to be directed towards. She grasped Elise’s head by the hair and yanked her upwards onto her feet. Lith pressed her dagger up against the elf’s neck, uncaring that she was drawing blood.

“Wake up, elf.” Lith hissed.

shadowz1995 shadowz1995 Nogoodname Nogoodname
 
image.jpg Lost. That was the best way to describe what Tanya was right now, not even knowing what kingdom or region she was in she wandered the nearby forest. Night having set in long ago, she quietly made her way forward, searching for a place to set up camp. The last thing the Fae woman wanted to do was sleep in the canopy once again. What she wanted was a bath, and a nice book to read with warm blankets. She reached up and put her messy red mane up in a ponytail just for the ease of travel, tired of it snagging on branches.

She was a rather experianced woodsman, and as such while lost she wasn't in any real trouble. The spirits would protect her, guide her through the wilderness. She'd tapped into a feline spirit some time ago and was utilizing the night time vision to help her navigate her surroundings as right now, there was little light to speak of. That however worked to her advantage as the light purple hue of her skin took well to the darkness and all that could be seen is the green glow of predatory eyes piercing the darkness.

"I really need to invest in a Compass and a map.." She huffed lightly to herself as she continued her hike.

Suddenly her ears twitched in reaction to something, almost like a rumbling, wild animal maybe? "Fox grant me your hearing.." She asked to seemingly nobody, however the effect was clear as a gentle green glow enveloped her ears and the sounds were now all too clear. It was almost as if a Wild beast was tearing something apart. It was one hell of a racket too but if someone was in trouble maybe she could help them in exchange for shelter and a warm meal, who knew? She turned on a heel and made her way toward the Din, though it was rather far off she was at a brisk run.

She broke through the tree line some distance away and spotted what seemed to be a farm house. Then the unmistakable form of a massive hulking wolf. Though something was wrong it seemed heavily injured and the Iron tang of blood was heavy on her currently enhanced senses, her sense of smell primarily. There was more to what was going on here than what met they eye. For now opting to keep her distance and watch things unfold with the wolf and what seemed to be an Elf it curled around.

(If I got any details wrong let me know and I'll edit them ^^))

Juju Juju shadowz1995 shadowz1995 Super Villain Nova Super Villain Nova
 
As the last fire flickered out with no more wood left to sate it's hunger Elise found herself sitting in the charred remains of her home village, completely alone. There were no signs of her family, friends.. anyone at all.. The tears eventually ran dry as the elf found she was too weary to cry anymore. Everything was quiet, dead, nothing had been sparred but the single elf who now sat alone in the midst of it all, she wondered just why her own life had been spared? Was it some cruel act of fate, some twisted fear tactic? Maybe they wanted her to spread word of what's been done.

She blinked once and the world changed in a flash as she felt her limp body being lifted by her hair, the sharp pain instantly bringing her to lucidity where the elf came to find herself face to face with their unknown assailant. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt the blade against her flesh just hard enough to pierce and draw a small amount of blood. For a moment, she stood there in stunned silence as her mind tried to understand the huntresses command in her disoriented state.

As she began to gain her senses her eyes met the Huntresses' "W-what do you want?" she manged to stammer out weakly, eyes wide, the elf was completely stiff with fear.
Juju Juju
(Sorry for a short post)
 
Now that she was closer, Lith could see that the elf had stains down her cheeks where the soot had washed away from tears. It didn’t matter what horror the she-elf had seen, to Lithariel she looked like nothing more than a pathetic weakling in need of protection. Protection she had no right to receive. Lithariel returned Elise’s panicked gaze with a seething glare, those flaming irises so sharp they seemed to tear through flesh and blood to leave the soul bare. They didn’t belong to a human, but a monster far more malicious.

She slid the dagger away from Elise’s neck, creating a shallow cut to remind the elf of the fragile thread her life was hanging on. It was unnecessary, but somehow it seemed to be more of a personal matter.

‘...The elf has always been handy with those strange plants.’​

After a brief flicker of distaste, the huntress’s face set into a statuesque state commonly worn by hunters. “The lycan is needed alive. He dies, you do too. All of you.” With that, Lithariel roughly threw Elise towards Argen, allowing her to fall into the bloodstained earth. “Choose your actions carefully, she-elf.”

There was no way to tell if Argen had witnessed this, but Lithariel was too preoccupied to think on it. Nor did she particularly care. To her, this was nothing but a means to withhold her end of the bargain - one being tested more and more with each passing minute. Sparing a mark was strictly against a hunter’s training, a sign of the most supreme weakness, but to allow the spared mark to postpone another mark’s death…

At the thought, Lithariel turned to look at the unconscious form of Coda, as if she had suddenly forgot about the lycan and his elvish companion. The creature looked like a young man, but the huntress knew exactly what disgusting creature he was beneath the facade. With her reddened dagger still in hand, she approached, the will to kill the Dark Horn growing with each step. Through his shirt she could see the weak amber glow of his mark beneath the fabric, urging her to kill. She stopped to look down at him, her face emotionless.

Then she noticed something she didn’t see in the fight, earning a frown. Right there, sprouting from two bleeding holes in his forehead, were black horns. Never in Lithariel’s short lifespan had she ever faced such a dire need to kill something. It was duty. Everything she stood for was in ending this abomination. She knew her plan was to observe him to gather information, but this was no longer just a Dark Horn. He was defenseless, completely vulnerable for the slaughter. There could never be a more opportune moment.

‘I survived due to that boy. So, I can't have you killing him until I've repaid that debt.’​

Argen be damned, this needed to be done.... but that's what honor was wasn’t it? Chains preventing you from what is necessary.

She knelt down and placed a hand over the creature’s heart. The huntress could feel Coda’s magic, quickly becoming ensnared with her own. Her eyes flared in a bright light as the grip on his essence solidified. It would be easy to rip it from him.

So what was taking her so long? She grit her teeth, every part of her being screaming for her to take action, all save the left side of her chest. This hesitation again! It was a failure, sprung from another.

[ERROR: Lithariel.exe has crashed *smoke trails over her head*

...Looks like Lith won't be getting the Hunter of the Year Award this time around.]
 
As soon as the elf was released she stumbled to the ground, landing right at Argen's side. With a gasp she scrambled over towards her protector to inspect his wounds, her heart sinking lower and lower with each gruesome tear. Anyone else sporting such terrible wounds in this quantity would surely be dead, but Argen.. he was different.. Elise would do what she could, at least she could tell he was still breathing...

There was so much she needed in order to stabilize her protector, bandages she didn't have, potions she lacked the ingredients for, and time that was running out, but something deep within the elf, some long buried instinct just refused to give up. A fire burned inside the young elf, and she turned to face Lithariel.

"I need ingredients, Aloe vera leaves, tall stocks with big yellow buds, I need the leaves, you'll know them when you see them because they look like spiny tendrils, you'll find them anywhere they're fairly common. Cairn Bolete caps, large white mushrooms, the cap hangs a bit lower than usual, they like dark places. A dragons tongue... the plant obviously, tall yellow flower with a red bud in the center and long leaves that turn red in the center, they need lots of sunlight so look for open clearings. Lastly a Fly Amanita Cap, white stock, red cap with white dots, you'll find them close to the Cairn Bolete's. Find me these things while I try and stop the bleeding!" she shouted over towards her, not asking but ordering, if the huntress wanted Argen alive she needed these ingredients.

Before Lithariel had a chance to respond the elf was already darting into the house once again to scavenge for supplies that could help, More towels, more cloth to be used as bandages, she would repay the poor farmgirl for any damages but this was life or death now, at least that's how she reasoned it as she began to tear up clothing to be used as makeshift bandages.
Juju Juju
 
Tanya stayed where she was for the moment on the edge of the tree line. Opting to just watch for the moment as the elf was suddenly threatened and thrown toward the massive wolf. She could hear the conversation even as her hearing was still amplified. Not that there was too much to hear but she decided to look through her own pack to take a quick stock of her own medical supplies. Then checking her two swords and her quiver to make sure all were ready to go. This was probably the stupidest decision she'd make all night but she was banking on not regretting it.

Standing up to come into full view of anyone paying any actual attention she made her way forward toward the Lycan and the elf who had by now returned outside with makeshift bandage strips. Thankfully it appeared the needlessly aggressive female was occupied with some poor unconscious sap with.. Were those horns? Yeah she was just going to avoid that entirely. Probably for the best that way. However she quietly approached the wolf and the elf. She whispered. " Hey I overheard.. You need some help with him?" She asked, kneeling down and pulling her bag from her back once more.

Though her back was toward the huntress, something about her made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. In response to that, as any sensible person would do, she continually checked behind her to keep an eye on the huntress. Though sensible may not be the best word Tanya would use to describe herself right now. Why walking up to a group of strangers seemed like a good idea? She now had no idea, but it was too late now.

Rummaging through her bag she set a small kit in front of the She-elf bandages galore. As well as a quart of what appeared to be a rust brown Gel in a jar. " I'm Tanya.. Don't worry I'm here to help. The jar will help with the larger of this things wounds." She said simply. Why the hell was she helping? Compulsion primarily. Didn't want to see the She-elf killed because of lack of supplies being the most Likley reason.. Plus this was the best way to avoid a fight.

Juju Juju Nogoodname Nogoodname
 
A sharp whistle sound zipped through the air and stopped when a black steel arrow landed and inch in front of Lith's feet.

Nora was a good fifty yards away from the scene. She already had another arrow threaded into her bow and ready to fire. "You might want to rethink your actions carefully..... Huntress...." she said in a low, yet stern voice.

Appearing from around the corner of the house was Okami. His sword drawn, but rested on his shoulder as he walked over to Coda. He now stood between Lith and Coda, letting his buster sword drop from his shoulder and into the ground in front of him. Both hands rested on top of one another at the hilt of the sword. His eyes scanned over Lith. He didn't seem very impressed with her looks, nor her actions..... As if they had been watching the group for some time.

Seng was the last to appear, he too came from around the house, though on the other side..... Leaving Lith and those around Argen surrounded. Both his blades were drawn and waited in his tight grips.

"If you want to get to Coda....." Okami caught Lith's eyes. "You will have to go through us first." He and the others continued to watch the Huntress. Their eyes focused on her as they saw her as the only threat to their friend at the moment.


(Sorry so short... I had a busy week and I really just wanted to get something up really quick. This next week i will have lots more time on my hands, so posts will be better thought out and posted in a timely manor..... Not to mention I will be getting another rp back up and running. (^_^)..)
 
Lithariel's already strained attention was broken when she heard the she-elf list off some healing herbs that she was low on. Then she realized the weakling was commanding her to retrieve a list of things. Among a hunter's core values was obedience, but that was only reserved to the hunters above oneself, and occasionally an equal. This pathetic woman was neither of those things. To receive a command from someone of lesser rank was an insult to a hunter, one that demanded retribution.

She was prepared to do just that, but was stopped when a black arrow pierced the ground beside her foot. As a reflex, Lith reached out for her magical supply only to find none. In her rage towards Argen she had expelled too much of her precious energy, leaving her without a shield… well, almost. A thin film of bloody orange flickered just above the huntress’s armor as she jumped backwards. It wasn’t much, but it would do. She could feel the flesh around some of her wounds wither into a black from the action, but she clenched her jaw and ignored the pain.

Lithariel’s eyes followed the arrow’s path in an effort to find the archer, but in the process spotted an approaching figure instead. While he rounded the corner of Zola’s house Lithariel readied herself for an attack, shifting her stance to be lower to the ground. However, the challenger did not seem interested.

The man’s sword was stuck in the ground with both hands resting on its pommel, a bold stance for one with such a slow weapon. At this distance she could run a dagger through his throat in less than the time it took his heart to beat. It seemed foolish, but Lith did not take him for an idiot. This begged the question if his courage came from his own strength or his faith in his friend. At a sound from behind, Lithariel turned her head swiftly to the side and caught a glimpse of a second figure, the shimmer of two blades clear in the moonlight.

At his words, Lithariel returned back to Okami’s stare and gave him an absolutely venomous glare. Despite being wounded from a previous battle, surrounded and outnumbered, never for a second did she look threatened.

“You must think that will delay me.” she snarled with all the sweetness of a coiled viper.

In the huntress’s eyes you could see it, a deep-rooted shadow of intent. Nothing would stand in her way of finishing off a mark, especially this one. She could delay it, but it would always end with their life… or hers. Such was the way of the hunter. If they thought a huntress valued her own life they were wrong…mostly. When she had leapt away from the arrow, her connection with Coda’s magic had broken, and the fierce will to finish a kill was not as strong as it previously was. It allowed for her to hear a growing whisper in the back of her mind, reminding her that this was not her day to die. Not yet.

As the stand-off continued its fragile course, Lithariel pounced on the opportunity to gather the loose magics surrounding those around her. Light, green, and dark all fled from their source to be absorbed by the huntress. With so many magical beings close to her, she could instantly feel the vitality returning to her limbs at their expense. The red was washed away from her shield, restoring it back to the usual orange glow, and her major wounds -- save those affected by her make-shift shield -- started to heal.

[Because the magic is taken from many people, the cost for each individual mage/creature is reduced.]
 
Elise was already hard at work trying to clean the wounds when the newcomer approached, she shot a quick glance up to Tanya before her gaze fixed upon the bandages that she had provided. A deep sigh of relief left her mouth as she took up a roll into her hands and began to wrap Argens wounds one by one "Oh thank you so much!" she exclaimed at the second stroke of good fortune she's had in the time the group had been traveling together. "You don't know how helpful this is..." she continued, her dexterous fingers never wavering in their task "It's good to meet you Tanya.. my name is Elise" she stated as her gaze shifted downwards to her work once again, her primary goal keeping her companion safe from bleeding out thanks to his many wounds, though she still made sure to give her savior ample respect.

Her hand went to the jar before the elf paused to examine it quizzically "Hmm... Green Stain Shelf Cap and Fly Amanita Cap correct?" she asked, no real reason hidden meaning behind her question. Either way she applied a generous amount to each of the larger wounds before applying the bandages to them, she would have to make her own potions later when she could find the proper ingredients, just in case something went wrong. For a moment her gaze shifted once again to the burned out barn as she once again lamented the loss of her equipment, if only she had grabbed her bag before leaving... things would have been so much easier...

The elf quickly snapped back to her work, no doubt the lack of proper sleep and the excitement of the past few days had made her incredibly weary, and while she had refused to tell the others for fear of worry, the sickly feeling Elise had gotten from her interaction with Coda had never truly faded away. Her head was burning and she was noticeably more weary, which hardly seemed possible when you considered the dirty, singed, worn down state of the poor elf currently. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath, and when she opened them it seemed that there was still more chaos to come as she spotted the huntress now in a standoff with more newcomers. It took her a few seconds to register that they were the people from the bar, did this mean that the soldiers had finally caught up with them? A pang of fear shot through the elfs heart and she redoubled her efforts, hoping that her companion would regain conscious soon...

Abdel featherfall Abdel featherfall shadowz1995 shadowz1995
 
Okami and the others kept their eyes locked on Lith. Nora already had another arrow strung into her bow and was ready to fire if needed. But none of them made a move towards the huntress just yet. It seemed like they were either waiting on something, or just waiting to see if the huntress would give them a reason to attack her.

Seng let his eyes shift slightly over to the elf girl and the wolf for a mere second before looking back to Lith's back. "How would you like to play this huntress?" Seng asked as he paid close attention to Lith's body. If she went to strike in any way or fashion he would be able to pick up on it ever so quickly.

Okami on the other hand seemed even more so quiet. His eyes narrowed at the girl, just waiting for her to make the wrong move.

A voice came from around the corner of the house as did a tall dark man. "She must have left." Karn stated as his pace slowed when he noticed the scene. His eyes scanned over the area picking out the one the three were looking for along with multiple others. His attention held on Coda a few seconds longer as he noticed the horns now well visible. He pulled at the edge of his gloves making sure they were on tightly, still letting himself take in the scene. A few guards started to emerge from around the house and from the tree lines.

Karn placed his hands on his belt, he pinched his lips together as he gathered his words. He leaned over towards Okami, "you never mentioned he was a black magic user." Karn almost whispered. Okami kept his eyes on Lith, "Must have slipped my mind." He stated in a slight hush.

Karn took a step back from the other as he looked around towards his men that were now gathering around the scene at hand.

(sorry so short.... Been trying to get something up for sometime now... But work has been really taking up a lot of my time.)
 
Tanya had hardly registered the Elven woman had spoken to her as her attention had been pulled to the Huntress. She seemed coiled and tense like a cat ready to fight, or flee. Her bright, emerald green eyes locked and Dialated on the huntress. The trancelike tension was broken when more people appeared on the scene, causing the Fae girl to release a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Her attention now brought back to the Elf next to her and then to the wolf thing.

" Ah! Yes.. That and a couple of other ingredients to help slow blood flow and encourage healing. Simply slather the bandages in it, tie them good and snug and it'll do the job." She said as she opened the jar and brought out a scoop and a small wooden plate to put the concoction on for ease of use. " Be very liberal with it, it's rather cheap to make." Her hands brought out a few other tools including scissors and even sutures if they wound up being needed. Despite her focus on the task at hand she kept one ear open for the commotion going on behind her. Amazingly she hadn't been confronted yet, but she doubted that luck would hold long.

The fur was so soft even with the blood, mud, and grime that was coating the massive beast. She found herself reveling in it in fact, almost forgetting that this was an extreamly dangerous creature that was still very much alive and could wake any second. The gentle tug of power from the Huntress kept her mind somewhat sharp and aware to her situation. What could she say? She was a sucker for animals. Plus if this was a natural wolf a pact with its spirit would yield her quite a boon. However reality wouldn't be quite so easy to work with. Only so much luck in one situation as this wolf was in fact, not wild. Not entirely at any rate but she couldn't quite tell that right now.

Her Green eyes landed on the Tattered and Exausted looking Elf beside her. Taking a second to appraise her condition as well. Could be worse considering what she was dealing with, with that magical abomination known as the Huntress behind them both, confronting the others. " I'm Tanya.. Are you okay yourself? You seem a little worse for wear.." She asked with a hint of concern. Trying to ignore the pulling, tugging, nagging feeling that she should confront the Huntress. She pushed that instinct down for now and Opted for concern.
 
It was entirely dark. Black. Not even the deepest sleep could compare to the darkness that death cast upon all living beings. Argen being among them, despite what rumors about lycans would have you believe. To others that darkness is terrifying and lonely but Argen had experienced this dark. More than a few times in the past when things got particularly hairy, no pun intended. So when Argen found himself floating in the void, he felt at peace. Either would remain in this quiet dark forever or he would eventually resurface to the waking world.

At first, Argen felt nothing. Then he felt cold...then hot.....and then he felt it. Pain. Fear. Anger. Hunger. Oh....the hunger.

The lycan's eyes flashed open in a golden fury. He thrashed about for a moment before he rose up on all four legs in a panic. Something was touching him while he was wounded critically and all instinct told him to do one thing. Kill and devour everything around him. The only thing that saved the people around him was the fact that Elise had given specific order not to harm them and that order was still planted in his subconscious. But the royal guard that stood staring wide eyed at Argen's barn sized, hulking wolf form wasn't included in Elise's protection.

In a flash of fur and teeth, the lycan clamped down on to the guards upper torso and ripped it from its home. The guard was able to jam his blade into Argen's neck just before his body was wrenched from his legs but alas, the fur and muscle was too thick to penetrate at such an angle. Massive molars chewed the human male into glop, armor and all. It felt good. It felt good to kill and devour after so long.

An arrow was launched from one of the morsels and it dug into the beast's shoulder, drawing not a yelp or cry of pain but its attention. The wolf lifted a paw and batted the bow wielding mortal into one of the abundant trees nearby. The sheer impact was enough to kill him in one blow.

The monster would have gone to enjoy his prey but was deterred by a hail of arrows from the surrounding guards. The beast turned to face his enemies and lunged forward, picking up two and crunching them to a fleshy powder in his massivr maw. Already, he could feel his strength returning.

It wa everything the wolf could want. He was surrounded by prey. Delicious, feeble pr-

The beast...no....Argen locked eyes with Elise momentarily and then shifted across the faces he recognized stopping finally at Lithariel's. She looked as though she was in a dead lock with some people in black clothing along with a shiny. Multiple shinies. There was a large group of them.

Argen didn't really understand what was going on but he knew that he was bleeding all over, arrows and swords were sticking out of his massive body causing light, but irritating pain along with the crippling pain Lithariel's blades had caused upon his body.

To those looking upon the Lycan, they would see what appeared to be a savage, wild monster suddenly gain intelligence and even sentience. Those that knew Argen would know that he had come back to senses....

Argen wasted no time. He was still in the same excrutiating pain since before he lost consciousness but he felt stronger now for some reason. He didn't know why but it didn't matter strength was good and there was a hunting party full of knights, guards, and two foreigners. The fully transformed lycan hopped over to Lithariel's position and stood towering above her like a protective sentinel. The rear of his body reached far enough to cover the princess and coda's unconscious form.

"Elise. Get under me and tell the others to do the same. Leave this to me and the huntress. They can't take us both, even injured." This was said calmly but there was urgence and order behind it. If everyone was going to get out of this alive like Elise wanted, they needed to move immediately. Argen didn't know of the woman who stood beside Elise but she smelled of the same herbal like fragrance that Elise reeked of. The same smell that was emanating from Argen's gaping wounds, which had opened after they had just closed from the medicine. But the healing did do its trick. Argen was no longer openly bleeding rivers. He was now bleeding trickles which were lightly falling onto Coda's unconscious face (wake the fuck up buddy).

The wolf lowered himself to receive the incoming arrows with the thickest part of his hide, his shoulders and back, also making those under him a harder target to hit. It was a defensive stance.

The black lycan stole a glance to Lithariel under him while his head was lowered and his muzzle curled back to reveal rows of freshly bloodied teeth with bits of armor poking out here and there. It could be considered a threat but Lithariel would recognize it for what it was. A deadly wolfish grin. They both finally had an excuse to cut loose despite their heavy wounds.

Juju Juju Super Villain Nova Super Villain Nova Nogoodname Nogoodname seasonedcat seasonedcat Abdel featherfall Abdel featherfall
 
This was very much unexpected. While keeping their attention focused on the huntress, the wolf had woken and started to take action quickly. This made Seng have to take a few steps back and away from Argen. This had to be the same wolf from the tavern so many nights ago. Seng took up a new spot next to Nora as the two watched more of Kran's men be devoured. Karn and Okami in turn both had to step back once Argen moved to protect the huntress and the others.

Okami gritted his teeth as the distance between him and Coda became larger. His eyes narrowed at the beast as he gripped the handle of his sword with both hands. "Zeffrain!" Okami yelled to Argen. Okami narrowed his eyes with a strong warning behind them. "You will release my companion, Zeffrain" Okami was not one for threats... He more so would just make the demands, and then get creative if needed. But the name he was calling Argen was something of a mystery. He called him Zeffrain, and the word would tingle in the back of Argen's mind at the sound of it.

Nora still had her bow well notched and ready to fire if needed. Their black steel weapons were not like other weapons. The black steel was stronger and had better properties. Not to mention that if they were used on a creature of the night.... Like a lycan... They would get more than just a wound. The black steel would burn them once it pierces their skin. She hadn't seen a lycan in sometime. She watched as Okami called out towards the beast. Nora frowned a little when he used the name Zeffrian. But she kept her focus. She rose a brow when she noticed that the lycan had taken a protective stance over their fallen comrade. She still held her bow ready to fire, keeping in mind that maybe this wolf was on their side.

Karn was shocked as to how fast he was loosing men. He drew his sword watching the blood fall from the sky. He looked over his shoulder to see that only those in the far distance were keeping their ground. Others closer to the action were looking to fall back, but even then they were not going to just turn and run. They were waiting for guidance. Karn knew what he had to do. He had to find the group and if they are too much for him and his men... He was to try and keep them there as long as he could.

He looked to the back and signaled a soldier by the tree line. He had no other choice. He had lost the princess and he could not loose this group. He could not return empty handed.....
 
“I… I need to leave. I’ve decided to go back to the Temple. It’s for the best. Please, don’t try to stop me. You’ll take care of Princess Evilin, won’t you? I’m afraid I can’t help her...”

Zola gave the priest a confused look, “What do you mean you’re leaving?! Didn’t you ride all the way here on your fasted mule just to find these people?! And now that you finally found them you're leaving?! I don’t understand!”

The priestess shrunk at Zola’s words, her shoulders sagging in defeat. “I can’t help her, Zola, I know that now. It was foolish of me to leave the temple… I just… I can’t be here with you all.”

“I don’t understand! You haven’t even tried yet! Why are you giving up, you came all the way here and you are just going to give up without even doing anything?!?!”

“I know you can’t understand. Nobody does.” her voice was unsteady, on the verge of tears. Being told that she gave up hurt, she just wanted to shout at the farm girl and tell her that she had tried and failed but the thought of letting out her secret was unbearable.

“THEN HELP ME UNDERSTAND!!!” Zola yelled.

Unable to hold it back any longer, Eira sunk to her knees. Then she wept. At first she tried to hold the tears back, before utterly giving up and letting the shame overtake her. She buried her face in her hands even though her tears were already hidden by her mask. All she wished for in this moment was to run to the far edge of the world, where no mortal would go, and hide herself from any sentient being.

Zola, unable to hold back her rage any more, grabbed the unsuspecting priest by her collar and yanked her to her feet, “Are you just going to give up like that, live the rest of your life thinking that you did your best when you did NOTHING?!?! Are you going to live with thinking THIS was your best?!” Zola then shoved the priest back to the ground, “I don’t know what they taught you in you all mighty, whoopdy doo church, but out HERE in the REAL WORLD giving up without a FIGHT is the same thing as DYING! SO if you really want to protect the damn princess then get to your FEET and DO IT!”

Suddenly brought back to her feet, the priestess gave a surprised gasp. She was trembling like an autumn leave in Zola’s grip but made no effort to resist in any way and stayed on the ground when she was shoved. Her voice was weak when she spoke, “I have tried!”

“Really Eira, what HAVE you done?!” Zola angrily asked the priest.

Eira opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. After finding no words to fill the emptiness, she closed it again. The farmgirl was right.

“That’s what I thought Eira.” Zola spat.

“They are better off without me. I will only bring harm.”

“We fearlessly wield a blade full well knowing that one wrong move can lead to the death of yourself or an ally, however that does not stop us from fighting with one.”

“I know what happens, Zola! That is why I have to leave! I inflicted suffering upon innocents, and I will do it again if I stay near you all. It’s all my fault… I am responsible…”

“I don’t understand! What is your FAULT?! WHAT DID YOU DO?!?!” Zola exclaimed.

Eira grasped handfuls of her silver hair before shouting. “I HURT EVERYONE! I LET MY POWERS GET OUT OF HAND AND YOUR FRIENDS PAID THE PRICE!” She could not remember the last time she had raised her voice at anyone, but she couldn’t decide if the guilt she felt was from her outburst or that she had just let her secret out, “Don’t you get it? I’m too dangerous to be around people. I can not help anyone.”

Zola let her bangs cover her eyes, her fists clenched, Zola scoffed. She then dropped to her knees and embraced the thin form of the priest. “Eira...Every time any of us use our powers there will always be risks. You lost control it happens to the best of us. You want to know a secret? A few years into my training I got into a fight with my mother over something stupid, most likely about chores. I was so angry that I lost control of my magic and sent a rock flying towards her head giving a very deep gash on her forehead. If she had been an itch maybe even a centimeter over she would have been killed. Man did I feel bad, I forced the doctor to let me stay as he stitched up the wound, I even took care of every single one of my chores and hers. In the end all that was left was a small scar. You may have lost control but no one died. No one was hurt that gravely So stand up and face them, don’t run away from your problems or all your doing is forcing them onto someone else. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move forward.”

Beneath her mask, Eira’s eyes went wide as she was hugged, but closed them again when she returned the favor. In the temple, hugs and other displays of affection between priests were uncommon, but much appreciated. Even though she had just let out her secret, somehow it felt comforting to have someone to confide in for once. Even if Zola didn’t know the whole truth. As the farm girl told her story, Eira listened silently and nodded at the last comment. “Alright, I will face them.”

Zola then removed her arms from the priest and pulled her up, “Well let’s get back, I don’t trust Argen and I feel as if he destroyed something.” Zola then began to walk back towards her home, Eira not far behind.

“MY FARM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Zola screamed most likely gaining everyone's attention. The distraught farm girl gripped her head as she gazed wide eyed at the troops and some random butt wolf chillin’ over the group of interesting individuals she has come to know.

shadowz1995 shadowz1995 Super Villain Nova Super Villain Nova Abdel featherfall Abdel featherfall Nogoodname Nogoodname Juju Juju seasonedcat seasonedcat
 
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Elise flashed the other girl a smile, her arrival already helping the group of them immensely, she only wished she had a way to thank her but at the moment she had next to nothing and the little coin she did have would have to be spent on food, if the group of them even made it that far with their pace... She simply waved a hand dismissively at Tanya's worried words "Please, I'll be fine, I can rest when I.. finish my work" she muttered, shaking her head a little in an attempt to spark some clarity in her muddled thoughts. Deep down she felt incredibly ill, and her head felt like it was on fire, but she couldn't afford herself rest just yet, not until Argen was okay. The elf made sure to be very generous with the healing salve, making great use of the bandages her new companion had provided to expertly dress her bestial friends many wounds, her heart soared as it seemed to her that with a bit of rest he could be just fine, but her hopes were dashed almost immediately when the unthinkable happened, Argen woke up. When she saw the flash of his golden irises the elf's own eyes widened in elated surprise, but it became immediately apparent that something was wrong.

In the moment that Elise had to react she grabbed the Fae and pulled her to safety to protect her from the initial thrashing. "My apologies..." she muttered sitting up to see her companion again. The scene before her was an absolute bloodbath, dispute even the most grievous wounds the beast still managed to tear the four soldiers apart without without issue. Elise could only watch in disbelief as one by one each soldier crumbled beneath Argens sheer power. After what seemed like forever the moment was over, and she could see something change within the lycan. As he looked over towards the group once again Elise could tell he was back to his senses.

Under Argens orders the elf took the Fae by the wrist and ushered her over behind Argen and Lith "come!" She exclaimed "it's difficult to explain, but they'll keep us safe."

S Shadowz Abdel featherfall Abdel featherfall
 
Argen continued receiving his torrent of archer fire but no soldier dared to get any closer. Whether that be attributed to his sheer might or the fact the human blood was still leaking from his maw remained to be seen. The shinies werent much of a threat normally but in such a condition, Argen had to be incredibly cautious. As if to emphasize the point, one of the pursuers called him by a....strange name that Argen did not recognize. The words were unfamiliar but something about them angered him. It felt wrong. His lips curled back over his teeth further, anger setting into his fiery, golden eyes. Like some primitive instinct to detest that word.

It had angered him so much that among the unyielding arrows and fury, Argen barely noticed the approaching footsteps from the forest. Reinforcements was an understatement.....this wasn't a second hunting party. They had brought a goddamn army to hunt them down. The lycan's eyes widened in surprise as he thought about how they could escape from this. He was so wounded that he couldn't possibly to everyone to just climb aboard and then run off.

Then he smelled it....flame. It wasn't natural. There was magic at work. Some of the more important looking shinies were preparing the bombardment of the year.

Argen didn't have the luxury of time nor free movement. "GET DOWN!" He bellowed in Elise's foggy head. The giant black wolf braced for the incoming fiery artillary.

And fiery it was.

The fireballs struck the mighty beast's hide like meteors, rocking his entire body from the sheer power and effectively setting the lycan's back completely ablaze. In a desperate attempt to put it out, Argen threw himself against the trees, making the fire spread to the forest now and then rolled onto his back to snuff the flames, leaving the group he was protecting exposed.

There, the soldier's saw that the mighty, black wolf was heavily wounded by all of the blood and bandages hastily stuffed into the gaping injuries that had reopened in Argen's thrashing. They now knew this beast was distracted and heavily injured....and it had just revealed its soft side.

Soldiers charged Argen with renewed fury and plunging their swords into his exposed belly, the first few blades made it through his defenses, penetrating his flesh easily and draw a high yelp of pain from the colossal wolf followed by a feral growl of fury. Argen quickly flipped back over and swung a massive paw at the line of soldiers before him. The bones shatteting within the armor could be heard clearly to anyone nearby and while it may not have killed them, they would certainly die later on. Argen dipped his head and snatched up two humans in his jaw, crunching them into fleshy powder. They died instantaneously still screaming before he bit down. The armor was no help once again.

Over twelve had died and around 13 more were in their final moments as this back and forth exchange continued. At least, until Argen smelled fire magic once more, this time a much bigger, more potent source.

Not multiple fireballs but rather one huge one was launched from the backline of the never ending army, its path headed for a perfect bullseye upon the exhausted group of ragtag adventurers. As much as Argen didn't want.....his orders still stood. Protect them. If nothing else....protect Lithariel.

The lycanthrope giant, powerful legs tensed for a moment before he lept into the sky, intercepting the giant ball of flaming death before it could harm the others. The impact threw Argen soaring over Elise's group, slamming into the earth behind them in a bloody heap of burning black fur and blood. That last spell had been the final blow to fell the beast. Argen was incapable of fighting and the army quickly fell on him. The lycan fought from his twisted position on the floor, killing around 13 more soldiers while they continously stabbed and skewered the bestial creature. Luckily, they were only human and the swords never reached to deep. Only penetrating muscle and nothing vital.

That was until a cheeky spearman rushed up to Argen's head and plunged his spear into the wolf's left eye. (JUJU THIS IS FOR YOU) The burning gold was snuffed out in a combination of wood, steel and blood, drawing a harrowing sound from the wolf that reverberated throughout the forest in its entirety. A pained, sorrowful mixture between a roar of fury and howl of pain. The spearman paid dearly as Argen whipped his head upwards and tore the man's legs off in one bite.

But alas, Argen had taken far too much damage in such a short amount of time. He couldn't recover and this was where his strength faltered. Bone started to snap and twist as the hulking form of the beast shrunk and lost a great amount of its fur. Replaced by human skin and muscle. Little could be seen of Argen's natural skin tone. He was so covered in red that it was impossible to discern how much blood was his or how much belonged to the dozens he just killed.

The utterly shocked faces of the entire army as Argen reverted back to his human form was oddly comical. Though it wasn't enough to stop them from closing in to finish off the barely breathing lycan. What HAD stopped them was the booming voice of one of their generals, commanding them to halt. To not finish the beast off.

Argen's consciousness faded as quickly as the blood ebbed from his body. The last thing he saw was the armored boots of dozens of soldiers surrounding him and then everything was black once more.

Abdel featherfall Abdel featherfall Nogoodname Nogoodname Juju Juju seasonedcat seasonedcat Super Villain Nova Super Villain Nova

(Your move Nova. Where are they taking everyone. I have set up the scene for ya lmao)​
 
After Karn had placed the signal, things started to move quickly from there. People dressed in deep red and bronze armor started to emerge from the treeline. Fire symbols embedded on their chests and armor showing that they were the soldiers from the kingdom Abalion. As the foot soldiers moved forward towards the house, next came knights on horses and generals on elephants. The Abalion army was wickedly known for their fire magic and of course their first move held true to their nature.

The generals raised golden staffs lighting the arrows to their archers. "Fire!" A single man called out. With that the arrows flew through the sky aiming at their large target.

The arrows struck Argen making the beast move from sheltering the others. During the first wave of arrows Seng, Nora and Okami shielded themselves but acted quickly after Argen started to thrash about. Okami was extra quick to Coda's side, sliding to his knees and pulling Coda into his arms. His eyes frantic over the smaller Dark Horn in hopes he was ok. Okami could not calm his nerves even after seeing that Coda had merely passed out from over use of his powers. Coda's horns being the sign that gave away the answer.

As the soldiers focused on the large wolf, other foot soldiers rushed to circle the group that was hidden by Argen's body only moments ago. Nora was quick to turn her attention to the soldiers as they rushed in for an attack on the others. Her eyes scanned over towards Karn after letting loose a few black steel arrows of her own. By the looks of things, the man was going back on his words.

Without even thinking straight Seng stepped in to defend the two girls that had added the wolf. Cutting down a few soldiers with ease. His fighting style was strange and yet artful. His feet moved like he was walking on air and his swords cut through the men and their armor as if they were not even there. More soldiers moved in on the group and were determined to try and take any of them out. By this time Nora had moved closer to Okami and Coda. "Okami?" She asked as she released a few more arrows. Okami had been lost in his own little world for a moment, but came back when he heard his name.

His eyes narrows as they locked on the soldiers and then Karn. It was pretty clear that the man had sold them out. The agreement was that they would help track down the princess and they could leave with Coda.... But they didn't even know the whole Abalion army was not far behind ready to turn on them. Okami did not want to let go of Coda as they had just found him once again. But he would not go down without a fight at this moment. He reached out to the side of him and went to take hold of his sword, he stopped when a hand took hold of his shirt. He looked down to meet Coda's blood red eyes. He frowned knowing what this was.

"Coda?" Okami forced a light smile. Coda went to speak as his eyes tried to look around at where they were and what was going on. Okami stopped him and placed a hand on Coda's face preventing him from seeing the battle around them. "Shhhh.... It's ok.... We are here now." Okami stated.

"The others..." Coda tried to look around once more but Okami stopped him once again. "It'll be alright." Okami knew that their group would be fine.... for now... But hearing the wolf scream out of pain in the distance was not helping his claim. "Argen..." Coda started to push at Okami.

Seng was still fighting strong defending those around him making sure the soldiers could get no where near the two girls. Lith and the two that had ran off were either too far away.... Or he just did not care for the other. But he paused when a voice boomed out over the sea of war. "Sttttooooooppppp!" All fighting came to a close as the wolf had been struck down and was now back to his human form. Nora held a new arrow notched into her bow string and had it aimed in Karn's direction. But Karn was the one that did not give the order.

A tall man with red hair emerged from the battle. Both sides of his head were shaved leaving the hair in the center to be dreaded and braided down his back. some strands holding red or gold beads while other little trinkets were tied off at the end of his long locks. His eyes were a piercing green and his face was stern with a bit of red stubble and a scar crossing the right side of his face. His armor looked to be well used, burnt here or there and also well decorated. A man of power and authority.

"Hold your fire!" The man's deep voice once more cleared the air. He made his way over to the group, but still kept his distance. "By the power vested in me by the king of Abalion, you are all under arrest for the use of unauthorized magic, running from the knights of Roland and aiding a fugitive." the man looked over every last one of them. You could tell that man did not know who to look at or watch carefully, but held his guard up greatly. Between the beast that had fallen, the child with the horns, the hunting mistress, or the companions that had lead them to this moment. To him they were all a danger.

(Everyone will be captured...... Que intro to Cursed!!! lol )

 
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