Mithral Mountains

THE MITHRAL MOUNTAINS

DESCRIPTION - LOCATION - PEOPLE - CLIMATE

FLORA - FAUNA - RESOURCES - MYTH/LORE - HISTORY

The Mithral Mountains is the name given to the rugged range along the northern part of the continent of Gaia. These mountains were so named both for the vast amounts of mithril ore mined there and also because of their overall silver-gray coloring when seen from a distance.

• Description:

The Mithral Mountains consist of a long, jagged range of mountains with low foothills on either side, and a prominent spur of especially rugged mountains rearing up in the very center of the range. It is as if some giant hand reached down and pulled the midpoint of this range of mountains high into the sky and then just left, either not wanting, or forgetting, to finish the rest. The hills on either side of this jagged backbone are low and gently rolling, becoming more rocky near the center. They seem to suddenly end where the massive central mountains climb straight for the clouds. These central mountains also seem to be stacked side by side making it very difficult to find easy routes through them. They are also quite rocky consisting mostly of granite and shale, covered only about halfway up with green skirts of pine trees, coating the more horizontal surfaces, making it precarious for both hunters and prey when the loose rock shifts underfoot.

Along the coast in the centre of the mountains are located the Ravenwing Falls. This landmark, is a massive waterfall plunging several hundred feet that can be seen for many, many miles on end. These falls are still used by adventurers for navigation. Even the massive peaks, like Gray Hood and Archare (to the north), are still used for location and navigation.

On the other hand the foothills are quite different from each other. The south-western foothills are fertile and covered in grasses with many deciduous trees while the northern differ in that there are more conifers and mossy ground cover. The eastern foothills are more randomly arranged, sandy and covered in sturdy reed grasses and low hardy shrubs.

Location:

As stated, the Mithral Mountains are in the northern part of Gaia, reacheable by passing though the Evergray bridge just outside of Akea. Past the moutains, lie the Silvermarshes.

People:

The main people living in these mountains are the dwarves in their cavern cities and human fishermen in the eastern foothills and human farmers and hunters in the western foothills.

The Dwarves

Mitharim ("Metalfolk") are the main dwarven clan in the area, producing a great deal of ore and metal work, as can be seen by their name. The Mithralrotrumerons (Mithralrotrumerons, as the mountains are called in the dwarven tongue) are rich in mithril, naturally, but also in iron, lead, copper, and other industrial ores. The main Mitharim city-cavern, the famous Kor Mithrid, is located somewhere near the source of the river which flows into the sea. It is the oldest dwarven settlement in the world, according to texts. Occasionally a traveller along its banks may see large barges going down to Gambino Isle, laden with ore-bags stamped with the Mitharim runes.

The dwarven settlements Tyr Donian and Tyr Ethran are smaller caverns and only the location of Tyr Donian is commonly known to humans, although the misanthropic behaviour of dwarves along with their retiring nature usually prohibits revealing such information. They are minor settlements and believed to have been established as trading posts, but vast supplies of gold were discovered in Tyr Ethran and a small community developed and its location is lost in the past. So, for the humans' benefit, it seems that only Tyr Donian is exempt from the usual dwarven security features, such as hidden entrances, concealed smoke vents, and reliance on underground springs. Also, the Mitharim of Tyr Donian have considerately cut the tunnel ceiling levels to tall-folk height and provided a number of guest-rooms in their caverns, close enough to the surface to fit out each room with an exterior-facing window! This dwarven clan is on the whole accustomed to extra-racial contact and will be courteous even to elves and gaians should they meet in the trading-caves.

The Humans

The only lasting human fishing village is at Nepris. Nepris is located in Mossy Rocks Cove, its sturdy wood and stone houses strung out along the main north/south road and the mountain pass road which leads west across the Mithrals. Other small seasonal fishing encampments are scattered along the coast, with rock-buttressed shacks huddled into the sand dunes and bony drying racks empty for much of the year.

It is not a kind or easy life, fishing the sea, and the people you encounter will be hard, honed, and practical. They tend to be blunt of speech, dealing their words out like their coins, sparingly but with a solid ring. Despite their limited diet and spartan living conditions, they will be hospitable to travellers. Ale is plentiful, mostly of dwarven brewing, and both fish and flesh may usually be found at a meal, but grains and greens do not flourish in the salty, windy climate and are sought after in the trading, or are always a welcome host gift.

Climate:

The weather for these mountains varies widely throughout the seasons. In spring the western slopes will have a gentle rain during most of the season and the streams will start to rise as the snow melts on the many peaks. The central peaks themselves (like the Chalbern and Archare) may still have snowstorms but the snow pack is starting to melt as the air warms. The eastern slopes will also get gentle rain but not as much and there is a constant breeze coming from the sea. In summer the eastern foothills are usually hot with the sun beating down and the only relief coming with the evening breeze off the sea. The central peaks will many times have black clouds encircling them and there can be seen many flashes of lightning. If one climbs to the foothills, one may hear the roaring dialog of thunder as it echoes back and forth among the peaks and valleys. The area is usually warm in the day but cools rapidly at night.

The western foothills are warm most of the summer and the swollen streams and rivers start to recede as summer progresses. Rain will fall but it is not for long or very heavily. Autumn throughout the whole mountain range is usually clear with the days warm and the nights starting to get colder. It is now when more snow starts to appear on the central peaks. Winter brings heavy snow to the central peaks that are often raging walls of white fury lasting for days. The few passes through these mountains are snowed in and travellers foolhardy enough to attempt them usually fall prey to drifts, slides, avalanches, or sudden blizzards.

A cold drizzling rain accompanied by low gray clouds that last for weeks can be found on the western slopes. Often sleet and snow accompany these rains, especially in the northern areas where they can cover the ground for days at a time. While the eastern slopes will have heavy rains, winds and high gray skies, it is the winter storms that come howling off the sea that are most remembered. Sometimes these winds come screaming in bent only on destruction, lashing and snarling at anything foolish enough to stand it their way. These winds drive before them roaring pounding waves that eat at the feet of these mountains while slashing rain and pellets of hail swirl through the pines on the slopes.

Flora:

Pines are the prevalent tree in the Mithrals, ranging from the tall sahnrix pine to the halfling juniper. Mosses, ferns, and scrub willow make up much of the undergrowth, enjoying the moist climate and giving the area a rich green hue. But there are a variety of other plants and flowers to be found here, if one is sharp-eyed. A wild version of the colourful "Little Fire" sunflower grows well on the western side of the Mithrals, its yellow-rayed petals starring out from the black, seedy centre. Both sentient beings and beasts enjoy the nutty morsels hidden inside its seeds, but fortunately there are always enough shed to replenish the plant in its wild state! Redberries and waterberries can also be found wild, usually in the foothills close to a stream or spring. Odea moss has been reported found in the northwestern area of the range, but it would be considered a rarity rather than a regular feature of the local flora. The oddly-named nose mushroom is often found in the shadow of the pines, as are a number of sporing ferns and lichens. The huge, meaty sulcho mushrooms flourish in the rainshadowed side of the Mithrals.

Fauna:

Along with the usual deer, rabbits, and coneys, one may see goats dancing light-foot on the steep granite slopes, or the lovely but unpredictable capricus rams and does. Tarep (rock rabbits) prefer the sunnier western side of the Mithrals, and have their burrows all through the grassy foothills there. Ravens and crows and other corvids seem to thrive here, nesting in the dense pines and riding the wind spirals high above the Mithrals' peaks. Their harsh caws are a constant feature of the area, and their black feathers are braided into many a hunter's vest or hair. Some common grey wolves have packs here and there in the range, their territories carefully demarcated, and their howls sound as if the mountains themselves have voices, deep and plaintive. A few of the molish Mogliar have been spotted by hunters on occasion, but it is doubtful that the digging beasts have a colony within the range, the rocky landscape being unfriendly to their clawed-out tunnels.

The noisy kuatu is also often heard as it chatters incessantly to intruders to its area or the friendly calls to each other. These reddish brown and blacked striped rodents can be seen leaping from pine tree to pine tree gathering the seeds out of the cones, its long fluffy tail serving as a balance.

As for birds: Banded ricau are also an important part of the Mithral fauna. Finally the golden-trimmed tor�n may be spotted circling the updrafts around the larger peaks, its shimmering golden head and wingtips clearly distinguishing it from the other types of eagles that are found in the vicinity, or stooping with great talons outstretched for its favorite snack, the promiscuously-breeding little gray and white surica rodents that make their tunnels among the rocks and grassy hills or hiding among the mossy rocks.

Natural Resources:

The area of the Mithral Mountains is both spectacularly bleak, and marvelously rich. The soaring, stark peaks of the mountains themselves from a distance hide the wide variety of wildlife and vegetation in the area. The low, rolling foothills are covered with ferns and brush, while around the knees of the mountains pine trees form a verdant skirt and a habitat for many beasts. The Ravenwing Falls, is a massive waterfall plunging several hundred peds from the mountain crest to its cauldron pool below. The deep, dark pool ringed by fir and pine is a haunt of both the great aurium-eyed trout and the same, tiny, silvery mithanjor that crowd the Olantani River and the lesser streams and springs of the mountains. Ravenwing Pool is a day�s walk from the little human fishing village of Nepris, on the east coast.

In terms of natural resources, the Mithrals have a wide range of plants: pine, sahnrix, juniper, willow, moss and fern form the forests, and sunflowers, redberries, waterberries, and mushrooms all grow wild on the foothills.

Deer, hynde goats, capricus, rock tarep, coneys, tiny surica rodents, the tree-dwelling kuatu, and grey wolves roam the range of mountains freely, most providing meat to the hunters of the Mitharim. Ravens, crows, banded ricau and the great golden toran eagles have their nests in the pines.

Copper, iron, lead, fyrite, herne, ithildin, and gold are all to be found here. Some small silver and aurium veins have been discovered but never in great quantities, while the vast mithril deposits that gave the mountains their names have long since been mined to naught. In fact, mithril is no longer excavated anywhere on the continent, and artifacts made of the bright metal are correspondingly ever more precious.

History:

There have been dwarves living in these mountains for centuries, and early on a lucrative trade in mithril dominated this area. This trade brought the development of the Mithral Route between Gambino and the dwarven city Tyr Ethran. Although this route traveled further north, passing by Tyr Donion, these dwarves chose to do their trading using the river. They mainly traded with Gambino and sometimes down to Barton. The land route was mostly used but ships would still arrive along the coast for trading. The main trading destination would be the area around Kor Mithrid because it was easy to locate the general area by the Ravenwing Falls.

Most trade takes place at Tyr Donion, and at little fishing villages such as Nepris. The locations of these places are well-known to any merchant who wishes to increase his stock of dwarven ale, iron/lead/copper/gold ingots of a highly-refined purity, or even the addictively crunchy tavern snack known as sunseeds. Of course, many products from the sea are also traded here as well.

The fishing villages claim that their families have been there for over ten generations.

"... And that's the whole story."

Reiko watched two of the bears on the ground while he waited for a response but then continued to talk anyway.

"Even if you are Pupu students... I guess I can't fault you for not knowing. You being in seclusion and all."

"Haha, that's quite the story... I just wish you didn't throw us off by letting yourself get beaten so badly." The sumo bear spoke up.

"Well I've been training for a very long time. In fact, I had no idea there were other students... I am just now beginning to want to equal Nekki-sensei."

"Us too!" The girl perked up. "We might've been ready for you if that other Reiko hadn't come. That set us back a lot, most of our time was spent healing, even though we became bears to excell in that."

She gave Reiko a thumbs up and suddenly bears ears popped up out of her head.

".... neat... anyway I've got to get going."

"Wait! Be sure to remember us! You exist, we exist, and Sakagami exists... there are probably more sects."

"Ohh? Then what is your sect to be called?"

The bear laughed and in a great showy display, the kind of thing that Reiko could relate to... and instantly picked up on what he was going to do and mimiced him.. swing, swing... CLASP.. two hands came together and gripped like some sort of arm wrestling pose.

It wasnt a furry hand that clasped his in what would soon become something of traditional greeting.

"You can call us the >:3 sect!"

Reiko smiled and replied. "You must be the strongest here..." he laughed at the girl "then you can call me the >=| sect. It was great meeting you!"

He started off walking, having no idea where he was going.. but he was going to find his way somewhere. Civilization, seclusion, whatever would make him stronger.

The girl bopped the Sumo bear on the head to cheer him up and then began laughing with him

"Try heading south! That's the direction you came from!"

Reiko waved, barely visible in the distance by now... and that was that..

Pupus anonymous! Sect >:3 confirmed! Sect >=| established! HEADING SOUTH! GO REIKO GO!

( oh no! Reiko never got the top of his gi back! )

High up in the lofty reaches of the Mithral Mountains there was constructed a great temple. This large and formidable structure had weathered much during its centuries of existence, but showed no sign of falter. Shouyin lay in the back of the cart as it slowly trudged its way across the old and almost forgotten paths that traced the way to this mighty building, drifting in and out of a weary sleep. One monk sat beside him, bouncing along with the goods, attending somewhat to his most obvious wound.

Shouyin's watery eyes fell upon the monk, taking in his solemn features. Nothing of special note, just a man. Struggling with the pain that assaulted him from all direction he turned to look at the center of the monk's attention. You know when you have those vivid dreams about things happening, and it turns out it wasn't a dream, and it did happen? Well, that's what our good fellow was now going through, so he passed out, once again.

...

He woke on top of a thin mattress on the floor, in a shadowy candle-lit room. His clothes had been removed and replaced with loose white pants, tied at the ankles upon further inspection, and bandages across his chest. Shyly, he raised his left arm, pressing the fingers down timidly where his right had once connected to the rest of his body. Definitely gone. Pulling himself up to his feet with many the grunt, he slid his feet into the two wooden sandals that lay waiting for him, and, leaving his swords behind, exited the room slowly, limping along.

The hallways were wide, comfortable even, and seemed to point in the direction of whatever you wanted to find, without the common aid of sign. Not long into his little journey Shouyin came to realize the sound of chanting that was quickly growing louder, and that it was damn cold. He stopped in front of a tall sliding door, behind which he believed to be the source of these two things. He pulled it open.

"WU-TANG CLAN AIN'T NUTHIN' TA ******** WITH!"

Behind the door stood dozens of what he thought to be monks, all dressed in black training gis with the golden eagle on the back. Most were in the center, standing in wide horse stances, thrusting punches to the beat of their own chanting. Others were off to the side, practicing, training, and sparring against one another. A few were engaged in all-out steel blade combat, flying at one another, the fire of martial artists prepared to kill bright in their eyes. Thus did Shouyin get his first glimpse of these monks in their natural element, and he was psyched.

"WU-TANG CLAN AIN'T NUTHIN' TA ******** WITH!"

Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers): Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin Ta ******** With

Shouyin was perched atop a rock, to the top right of the Wu-Tang Temple. The trickle of a small mountain stream his only company. Left palm pressed against the cold hard surface, feet held high in the air, straight above his head. He'd spoken with the RZA for a good half an hour, though most of it and been arcane and confusing. The jist of it all had been Shouyin was allowed to stay at the temple for as long as he wished, and even seek tutelage under RZA and Ghostface, master of the Wu-Tang sword.

Now here he was, contemplating said subjects. The problem was this arm of his, or more precise, the lack there of. A monk had politely obliged to a quick spar, but stone or not, Shouyin was no one handed fighter. Something had to be done. Stone began to push its way through the bandages around Shouyin's right shoulder. Extending outward it formed a cylinder, of equal length to his left arm. Slowly, it began to spread outwards, rounding into makeshift muscles. At the end, fingers began to take shape, even the old tattoos were recreated.

He got to his feet, testing the joints in this new arm and hand. Lines of the stone had spread out across his chest, holding the arm to his torso tightly. It was a giant effort trying to move it, and all of it hurt terribly. The stump had healed up almost all the way, but spikes of stone needed to stab into it and hook on, keeping everything in place. It also took a fair amount of concentration to hold together. He worried that it could simply fall apart while he slept, already parts were starting to become brittle and harden, or melt away. Testing the fingers, he formed a tight fist, almost feeling the ghosts of his old fingers following it, the lost nerves ringing out with furious pain.

Well, Shouyin had a new arm, but every moment spent with it was agonizing, and it moved so slowly a snail could beat him up. The appendage gently fell to his side and he began walking towards the temple. He could practice moving the arm by trying to swing it in time with his left as he walked. That, and training would have to do, but for now, he was hungry. REALLY HUNGRY.

Shouyin's ability with the rock arm and been improving. The RZA had taught him some techniques to deal with the phantom pain and improve maintaining the concentration required to hold the arm together. Despite this, he'd still been forced to work through fighting with one hand. One good thing had come out of him staying with the Clan, his skills were improving extensively. He'd evolved once after the fight with Reiko, and could feel the final transformations taking hold inside him. The one-armed training had helped increase his foot speed, since they were the first line of attack considering the time it took to block, then strike with one arm against someone with two.

And he'd only been there for a few days. Standing in front of a rather massive wooden strike block he practiced slow, hard punches with his right arm. Every blow splintered the edges of the block, creating large indents. Strength was an odd concept when your arm possessed no muscles, only willpower, and a bit of ancient magic.

Clack, clack...a monk approached Shouyin from behind. Except, he wasn't dressed in the traditional black robes and golden eagle. He wore dark blue pants, exactly like his own, and the wooden sandals that made that clack sound. He was thin, with a long face. The Genius, master of the art of shadowboxing, the RZA had told the half-golem about him. The man who'd chosen the name of GZA.

"I see you using an old style, I wondered where you had learned it from.

...

Heh, by the Gods, will you show me?

You come here, since you're so interested,

Fight me!"

GZA flew at Shouyin, arms out to the sides, hands open, clawed. He hadn't had the chance to see the mighty shadowboxing in action, only heard rumours of its nature. Something about it being useless at noon, and invincible during a moonless night. His opponent struck first with an overhead axe kick. Shouyin's right arm raised, the foot banging against it, an abnormally loud -PANG- ringing out...and GZA was gone.

"Special Techinques of Shadowboxing! Fifty-two fatal strikes! ONE!"

The voice came, unexpectedly, from behind Shouyin. And along with it, a sharp pain to his side. He swung his right arm back, attempting to smack GZA in the right side of his head, or torso, but was only greeted with the same loud pang as before.

"TWO!"

Another blow, palm-heel, directly under Shouyin's jaw. This process continued, Shouyin attacking with rough blows, GZA defending, the pang, and another strike. After eight Shouyin knew he couldn't go on like this. The Genius had mentioned fifty-two strikes, so he must be forced to follow some pattern during the technique to achieve fatality, simply because Shouyin knew the man could kill him in substantially fewer blows than that.

Shadowboxing...it would have to be something with their shadows. He'd have to let GZA hit him one more time. He was to the side of him now, so Shouyin flung out his right leg in a side kick, purposely letting his left arm stick out slightly to the side as well. -PANG- GZA disappeared in a cloud of dust and Shouyin watched their shadows ripple. Squinting his eyes as a new source of light generated out of the tip of the shadow his left arm cast he watched the Genius appear. And Shouyin's right arm smacked him right 'cross the face. GZA smiled, spitting a wad of blood and spit out of his mouth.

"Good, then you'll learn the skill of Shaolin, the secret technique of Shadowboxing."

The Genius - Liquid Swords: Duel of the Iron Mic & Shadowboxin'

Gabria crept along the forest path, an arrow knocked on the string of her bow and held in place in case she needed to draw and fire on a moment?s notice. Her short blonde hair was held in place with a bandana the long black ends trailing down her back blending in with the dark brown of her leather vest. Soft boots hardly even rustled the twigs and dry pine needles that covered the path as green eyes moved restlessly scanning o the sides and head of the young woman.

?Bri? This is not a good idea!? Alehandro whispered as he trailed along behind his sister, the butt of his spear almost dragging in the dirt as her tried desperately to convince the younger woman to listen to him.

Han brushed a spider off his tight grey sleeve with a shudder and reached out to grab at Bri again deciding that they were going to get the hell out of here before they met something much worse, his hazel eyes dark with fear as he glance ahead to the darker area of the woods.

Bri turned with a look of fury in her eyes, scorn written plain across her face. ?I never asked you to come along Alehandro Le?Drakard! So if you want to turn around and run then be my guest but I know that there is something worthwhile in the heart of this forest and I will get it, without your help!? Her voice was hushed but she punctuated every word with a stab of her free hand towards the ground the long sleeve of her green shirt billowing around her arm slightly with her fury.

?I let you tag along because every good treasure hunter knows that it is sometimes worthwhile to have someone to watch your back, but if you are just going to whine and whimper like a coward, then I do not need you! I can find the treasure on my own!? With a look of contempt she turned, her hand shaking slightly at its grip around her bow. She didn?t know why she put up with the man, he was supposed to be a great warrior but he was a lot better at kissing up to his superiors than fighting? Gabria should have known that just because he was family didn?t make him useful.

Gabria De?Antonio Le?Drackard had plans, and none of them really involved her brother, he was content to suck up to the captain of the guard and his lieutenants from sun rise to sun set but she was going to rebuild the family name all by herself if she had to, and the best way to start was with finding the treasure in the heart of the mountains! She was certain of it, years of study and understanding the ancient peoples of Gaia had led her step by step to reason out the remains of an ancient city nestled deep in one of the forested valleys of the Mithral Mountains.

An entire ancient city that was rumored to be inhabited by magical beings and destroyed by a vengeful God, a city that was just waiting for someone like Bri to come along and scoop up all of it?s forgotten loot! Loot that she could use to restore the crumbling manor house and hire new servants, and spend to get rid of her good for nothing older half brother!

?Bri, don?t be like that? I just do not think that the two of us should be out here alone, I?m no woodsman and honestly neither are you!? Han was red faced with indignation as he stomped after Bri, making three times as much noise as he had before, no longer caring about showing his sister that he could handle himself in the dense trees.

Bri sighed and turned back towards Han a look of terror freezing her in her stride for a moment at the sight of the creature behind her brother. Seven long hairy legs and a huge round fat body were held poised as an eighth leg descended towards Han the sharp claws of the giant arachnid extended in a killing blow even as the girl screamed and raised her bow drawing the arrow and shooting all in one motion.

Han was certain for a moment that Bri had gone insane as she screamed and he started to drop and roll feeling the arrow wiz past his short sandy blonde hair. The arrow had missed and as he fell he heard a screech from behind him that turned his blood cold rolling onto his back as fast as he hit the ground and staring in horror at the creature poised above him, fangs gleaming even in the dim light of the deep forest. Han hated spiders, he despised the nasty bugs and here was his worst nightmare standing above him about ready to make Alehandro its next meal!

Han screamed and stabbed upwards even as a second arrow suddenly sprouted from the bulbous head of the arachnid, trying to get the monster to back away enough that he could get back to his feet, grab his sister, and run for dear life!

The Spider was mad with pain as it felt a third sharp stab in its underbelly a fourth coming soon after as the female shot another arrow into its head, shrieking in pain and anger the monster jumped suddenly back and rushed up a tree and then disappeared into the darkness of the trees as a fourth arrow narrowly missed the arachnid in it?s flight.

Han sat shaking on the forest floor as the monster fled, the tip of his spear dripping with a greenish fluid that it took him a moment to realize was the spiders blood and his lessons from the academy cam back to him ~?The giant spider is a solitary predator more often interested in deer or livestock for it?s prey this arachnid will only attack when it feels there is little to no danger for itself for it may have sharp claws on it?d front two arms and poison in its fangs that immobilizes it?s prey but unlike most arachnids this spider can not spin webs. Like most spiders its body is soft and the monster is unlikely to attack even a stag, elk, or a wary human for it is intelligent and realizes that even considering its great stealth the giant spider is not a fighting monster, it would be too easily injured!? ~ It thought I was great prey though? I need to get the hell out of here before I become lunch for another monster?

Amber blinked at the package that Mere handed to her and looked down at the package and then back at him with a look of mild confusion playing over her face. She smiled at Juuni's reaction and carefully opened her own package, trying to make sure as little of the paper excaped as possible.

She admired the coat, gloves and boots before removing her bag and slightly thinner jacket, rolling it up and storing it away before slipping the jacket over her shoulders and pulling its hood up to cover her frosted ears. The warmth was immediately apparent as she quickly removed her boots and replaced them with the ones from the package and then finally put on the gloves, feeling the warmth spread throughout her body as her tail wagged slightly behind her.

Amber was careful to store the jacket and boots in her back pack and turned to smile at John and then Mere

"Thank you very much..."

"Oniisama!"

Juuni turned, scooped up the parcel and walked over to her older brother before thumping him as hard as she could with her tiny fist in the only part of his body she could really reach properly, his thigh.

"Dun be so rude!"

The small neko huffed and pouted, holding the package out at John, waggling it upwards towards his hands. She probably looked more comical than intimidating but what the little neko didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

"..."

Equally Juuni said nothing. She frowned slightly at John, his distaste for the gift as obvious to her as his false smile. The small girl blew a raspberry up at him and toddled back over to Mere, snuffling at his small back pack, wondering what other interesting things it held.

Amber smiled at her fiancee and wrapped an arm around his large shoulders, playing with the small wisps of hair at the back of his head.

"I shouldn't worry about it, she's only young and doesn't really know what she's doing. I'm sure she didn't mean it sweetheart, and you're only trying to be careful, I know that"

Ryugi and Vargus made their way up the snowy slopes of the Mithral Mountains. It had been nearly two weeks since the end of Eclipse, and the death of his little friend still weighed heavy on Ryugi's heart. It reinforced something that Ryugi had known since he was very little. Every choice has a consequence. He felt like he had failed the little dragon, and at the time, he had just wanted to curl up and die somewhere. But Vargus had literally smacked some sense into him.

She was right. Ryugi had more to live for, and every life was full of hard times and happy moments. Ryugi would just have to suck it up, and keep living for all those that had died in some way because of one of his weaknesses or lack of skill in some area. He rightfully blamed himself for the little dragon's passing, and he would do everything he could to live on for the little guy. The abilities he lost meant little to him compared to the life of his friend and companion. But he realized, to stay there and weep was not the right thing to do either. He had to move on and improve, if not for himself, than for Eclipse and all the others that he had failed in one way or another.

It was relatively cold on the mountain, but since his elemental powers had returned, heat was easy to come by. Then, one day while on top of a mountain, looking around to get his and Vargus' bearings, he saw an object fall from the sky, and appear to land somewhere in the area across the sea known only as the Tundra of Guldor. Both he and Vargus could feel a strange power coming from the object as it fell from the sky, and Ryugi had felt something inside him as well, something different from the normal sensations of magical energies. He wasn't sure what it was, but he felt like he had this tug, this pull to go to Guldor, like someone or something was calling to him.

He wasn't sure what it was, but one thing was for sure. He was heading to Guldor to find out what the object was that fell from the sky. Even after the object was gone he could still feel the strange pull, and that pull would act as a guide. But Guldor was even colder than the mountains, and to go there, he and Vargus would need heavier clothing than their normal jackets...

So, where are we going to find heavier clothing in a place like this? There isn't a town for miles around.

Vargus spoke to Ryugi an hour or so after they'd seen the object fall. They were sitting around a small campfire that Ryugi had put together. Dry wood was hard to come by in a snowy forrest in the lower mountains, but Ryugi had found an old fallen tree. While the rusted broadsword wasn't perfect for fighting, it made a very handy tool. Using his small rusted sword, he had pried the log open to reveal the dry wood underneith, and after scraping and cutting away for a few minutes, he'd managed to gather quite a bit of tinder and some bigger pieces for burning. Lighting them was simple enough, and so, a fire was made. Ryugi turned to Vargus after she'd asked the question.

Theres a city named Lament not too far from here. They live in this area year round, so they're bound to have some heavier clothes we can buy, maybe they'll have a weapon shop too. So, as it stands in my mind, we'll first hit Lament, and then make our way to Guldor in some way. What that IS, I still don't know... Maybe we'll fly over there, I'm not sure, but we'll worry about that when that time comes.

Vargus nodded, and the discussion was over for now as the pair settled in for the night before they would head off to Lament the next day. What lay ahead for them in Lament and across the sea? No one really knew for sure, but it was going to be an adventure unlike any other either had ever been on before.

The small neko's ears flattened at the sound of the howl but that was soon forgotten as the group began to move off. Eager not to be forgotten Juuni moved along too. She blinked as John's hand closed around hers before giggling as John swung her. When her older brother set her down softly and her feet found ground again she toddled along happily, her tiny pace keeping her just between Mere and the couple behind her. Her ears flickered beneath her hat as she paused, her nostrils flaring. Her head turned slightly as Juunikyuu suddenly became alert.

Away with you little one... This is not for you to see-

Juuni physically jumped in fright, spinning around in full 360 degrees at the sudden, violent movement behind her and resounding scream of terror from Amber. It seemed the world was thrown into confusion for the small girl as her eyes scoured the path wildly for John before she found him, embedded in the rock face. One small, shaky step forwards and then he was flying above her, limbs flailing as he landed much further down the path with a solid boom.

Imediately the child's disposition changed. Her eyes narrowed and misted into spirals of sparking purple, her lip drawn up into a snarl as her nostrils flared. She shrugged on the thick, warm lavender coat with a simple roll of her shoulders and let it fall simply to the ground along with her black kitten back pack. A feral growl escaped the small girls lips as she hugged her chest tightlyher feathered wings burst out of the scars on her back, spraying the rock face with spatterings of silvered blood as her body was engulfed in a thick swirling vortex of feathers, snow and sparks.

Once the swirls disappeared Juuni had disappeared, back into the safety of her mind and Juunikyuu stood in her place, her long purple hair buffeting in the wind and wings billowing behind her as she folded thm down in one swift motion. The slow streams of snow that had begun to fall just moments before the attack were slowly turning into torrents as a storm approached. It obscured your vision and gave you a terrible sense of misdirection. But Juunikyuu didn't need her eyes to see. She drew in a deep breath and used the snow as a mask for her movements, seemingly just appearing at John's side, crouching down besides the giant Tribal and rolling him carefully and with a little effort onto his back.

"John? ... Tomorrow?"

Juunikyuu's head suddenly snapped up at the sound of the urgent hungry howls. They sounded close. Far to close for Juunikyuu to feel comfortable. She looked up at Mere with a scowl.

Nodi's dbear... Thor thought as he sailed through the air...before suddenly landing in the snow-covered rock, embedding himself into the ground like a rock thrown into clay.

He lay there for a moment, trying to get what little senses he had left to calm down and rally the rest - before something rolled him over, his vision going from wet darkness to a flurried white.

Snow was falling heavily around them, whipping about like razor-sharp discs of steel. His blurry vision cleared somewhat - to look up to a purple-haired angel, her concerned face staring right down to his confused one.

"I dwoul ehave tthough Evalkyr dwoul eb gwearin sles..." Thor whispered, half to himself and half to the vision before him...

Before a scream suddenly rose out from the storm...

John blinked hard, his eyes growing wide in abject terror as he realised, in a split second, who the scream belonged to. "Amber..."

Something landed on him then. Something heavy. Something with talons, which seemed to melt out from the snow and smash into his large form with extreme force.

Something that hisssssssed as it's jaw opened to close around his head...

Before Tomorrow slammed his hands into that gaping maw, jamming his fingers between the massive teeth and pushed out, the jaws dislocating with a boine-shuddering crunch before he pushed the creature to the side, the giant beast flying away with an ear-splitting shriek.

"Amber!!" He screamed to the outcrop - before looking over to the Valkyre beside him, his eyes wild.

"Find her!!" He shouted over the storm - before something else erupted from the snow - and barreled straight into the woman beside him, the two shapes dissapearing into the snowy storm surrounding them.

That was one avenue down. but there was something strange about the attack - mainly, why the creatue hadn't gone for him when he was vulnerable and gone for the winged woman instead?

He didn't think of this however. He was too busy tearing off his clothes, his red jacket falling to the side as he pulled off his new jacket and tore off his shirt, his scarred chest now exposed to the elements as he lifted his gloves hands to the sky - and screamed out, electricity flashing off his body straight into the sky to the clouds above them.

The Rune of Thor marked on his forearm bled freely, crimson liquid trailing hotly down his arm and over his shoulder as he called upon the god within him, demanding that the storm lessen so he could see his lover...

Before the storm let up, for the breifest of moments... to let him see her.

And barrel straight for her, electricity flashing over his body as he fought through the storm, fighting Gaia itself to get to her, his feet cutting into the snow as he ran over it as if it was foam...

Amber whimpered and flinched, clutching at the gapping jaw wound on her shoulder from where the wolf had grabbed and dragged her down the gorge kicking and screaming. The pain had caused her to pass out briefly only to find Mere in combat with the wolf. Her eyes flickered and she felt something turn and curl up in her stomach, protecting itself.

Though her vision was blurred through blood loss and snow she saw the two wolves and the massive orcish humaniod approach them, her eyes rolling and temperature dropping rapidly as warm blood ran down her arm and back, staining her coat and making her grip slick.

The orc hefted the axe over his shoulder and reached a large burly hand down to grab Amber by the hand she was supporting herself with to heft her up, dangling in the air. She flinched and whimpered, the creatures breath rolling over her face and filling her nostrils with the sick smell of rotting flesh and blood. The anthro gagged and screwed her eyes shut, tail tucked between her leg. The orc didn't seem interested and flung her to one side, causing her to skid painfully further down the gorge, the two huge wolves in hot pursuit, snapping at her skidding form, barely missing her stomach.

"No... No... NOO~!

Amber screamed, her blood slickened hand wrapping tightly over her stomach as the other preformed a series of one handed seals before opening her palm out, first two fingers and thumb open with the ring and little finger folded down as Amber blew onto her hand, launching a great fire ball at the pursuing predators who both gave howls of burnign pain as they were literally destroyed to ashes in mere seconds as the fireball passed, disappearing as it was engulfed by the snow before to could reach Mere and the orcish creature.

Gradually Amber came to a stop, panting deeply as both arms came down to wrap around her stomach and she balled up tightly, her blood pooling out onto the snow as she foamed a little at the mouth and her eyes rolled.

Mere whirrled around, intent on going after Amber when a roar behind him shattered his concentration, and he was suddenly hauled upwards.

"Oh for the love of...", as he was tossed aside, absently falling into an expression used often by Sunstrike himself.

The last thing he seriously needed was a wild tribal on the loose, then again it had its effectiveness was startling. He managed to twist and catch the ground, slidding only a short way before picking himself up and dusting off. Before being nearly strangled as John grapped him again by the scruff. It was only sheer luck that left the man carting the scarf instead of the man himself.

Henry sighed and watched him run with Amber, blinking as the man made it over the gorge...there'd be time to settle that later...they couldn't leave Juunish, but it was better this way. Amber needed the help of the settlement immediately. While Henry was wounded, he was certainly better off.

The snow didn't obscure his vision too much, dying off a little now that the magic was dispersing from the area.

"Goddess?!"

A hand, surprisingly but not uncomfortably, slipped around her waist, before hefting one of her packs himself over his other bad arm. The smell of licorice became strong, even in the biting cold.

"I fear our friend may have taken a shortcut, but it doesn't matter. We'll soon catch them up in the village."

Even as he said this, for Tomorrow, the lights of the small fishing village would gleam in the darkness, and the sound of the waves would be heard even over the howling wind of the snow storm.

Upon reaching the walls of the hamlet he would see that a single light was lower then the rest. A voice came from it, bellowing out a question.

"Who goes out there! Answer in plain Gaian, and you may enter!!" The sounds of many trained bowstrings tightening showed how often this simple task was failed.

Juunikyuu accepted the arm in relief as she staggered forwards with Mere, her breathing ragged and irratic as she clenched her jaw against the pain that wracked her body. She would heal given enough time and rest but she couldn't risk transforming back into her lowest form, not right now, no matter how depleated her energy supplies were.

Their progress was slow. Painfully slow. And soon the lack of energy caused Juunikyuu to pause with a flinch, turning to Mere with a small and apologetic smile.

"I'm afraid... I can't stay like this... Much longer... Sorry..."

The Senshi wavered and keeled forwards, her form melting away in a flurry of feathers and sparks leaving a tiny torteshell kitten sprawled out on its belly in the snow, twitching slightly.

A busy two days had passed since Ryugi had spotted the falling object, and the new direction of his and Vargus' journey had been confirmed. A busy day of hiking and walking to Lament, and a busy day of shopping had passed, and now, Ryugi and Vargus were well equipped to handle most situations that could occour in a frozen environment like the Tundra of Guldor, much to the pains of Ryugi's wallet.

The pair had bought, among other things, an arctic tent for sleeping and shelter, two low temperature sleeping bags, enough dried and canned food for nearly two weeks, a compass, seven fire logs, arctic coats, two beanies of sorts for their heads under the hoods of the coats, waterproof and insulated pants, sunglasses to protect against snowblindness, a scarf for Vargus, a large sealskin cover for their equipment, one hundred feet of nylon rope, two books of matches, two pairs of clampons for walking on slippery surfaces, a single multi-tool complete with various useful devices, and a sled to carry all the stuff on.

The only real problem facing the pair now was exactly HOW to GET to Guldor, AND get all of their gear with them. With the nearest port being hundreds of miles away in Latent, and with Lament not having any means to travel by sea OR air to reach the tundra, Ryugi was faced with something he didn't like to admit. In order to get to Guldor he would either have to hike all the way back to Latent, buy a boat, and sail there, or, head to the tundra by air by flying one of the pair's dragon forms while the gear was either suspended below or tied on top of the flyer's back. In the end, Ryugi wasn't willing to hike all the way back to Latent with all their gear, so he opted for the flying approach. He and Vargus were now on the far side of the Mithral Mountains that bordered the sea, and off to their far left they could see the dreaded peninsula known only as the Northernlands.

The beach they stood upon was cold, the ground sprinkled with bits of snow across the sand. They were standing on the edge of the main Gaian Continent, and beyond, they could see the Continent of Guldor. It was an amazing feeling for Ryugi, who had never been anywhere but his homeland of Angara and the main Gaian Continent. He knew that something was awaiting him across the sea unlike anything he'd ever experienced before.

You know you work yourself too hard...

Vargus stood up the beach aways while Ryugi looked across the sea. She was already decked out in full arctic gear, but Ryugi was still wearing his classic outfit, his large white scarf blowing in the frigid sea breeze that blew across the beach. He had insisted that he pull the sled with their gear, as well as fly the channel between the two continents. He turned and looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

I know my own strength better than anyone Vargus. And you and I both know that I'm the stronger flyer. I have more stamina, so if either of us is going to be flying that distance, it has to be me.

Vargus frowned and walked down the beach so she stood next to him.

Look at yourself! You've been running yourself ragged. You've slept maybe a total of four hours in the last two days. I'm worried about you...

She placed a hand on his shoulder and looked at her beloved while he stared out across the sea. He sighed and looked towards her as well.

I know you're worried, but I've dealt with worse than this. I know you'd be willing to fly the distance yourself, but you and I both know that with that gear you'd be tired in no time. Its going to be a tough flight, eventhough the distance is relatively short, the winds are going to be freezing and powerful out across that sea. I can deal with physical situations better than you can, so I'm the one who has to do it...

He smiled and kissed her forehead. She smiled softly and walked a bit up the beach.

Just be careful and try not to strain yourself that much. I'll do what I can to lessen the winds around us, but if they're as bad as you say, it will be a challenge.

Ryugi nodded and then began his first full transformation in a very long time. Normally, Ryugi was able to turn into his hybrid form without magic since it was just a simple matter of altering his body, a natural skill among golden dragons. However, turning into his full dragon form required a powerful boost of magical energy in order to complete such a drastic change. Changing into a human form again was easy enough since it was changing a larger body to a smaller one and the dragon body already had enough energy within it to pull off such a change, but going from a small human form to his dragon form required lots of energy.

He tapped into the Elemental realms of fire and light as his body glowed solid white for a moment, sand grains whipping about with the release of energy as the magical power acted as a catalyst to Ryugi's natural ability. The glowing form began to grow in size, as two wings began to sprout from the glowing mass. Next, a tail, a snout, and finally the graceful neck and body of the dragon was visable as the white light died away.

It's funny... I forgot how different this feels from being in a human body. I feel so much more free and natural. Boy do things look different with my full dragon eyes. Everything is so full, so full of color, so clear, even moreso than my usual sight.

Inside, Ryugi was overjoyed. He had been like a caged bird before, unable to fly and see the world. Perhaps the biggest thing he missed in being human was the freedom of flight, and the beauty he could see from up above, soaring through the clouds. He shook his head and stopped yapping as he realized he was carrying on about nothing, and he had somewhere to go. He turned around, his tallons crunching in the sand as he lowered his neck for Vargus to climb aboard. He then lifted himself back up, and grasped the covered sled with his arms, tied together with the nylon rope.

I guess this means we're off. Let's go!

With a mighty push with his legs, and pumping of his powerful wings, Ryugi and Vargus left the shores of the Gaian Continent behind, and headed off on the next leg of their adventure.

Tomorrow eyed the people percariously before following them, nodding to the man who had shot wide. Mistakes happen.

John knew all about them.

Moving into the wooden building, he did as he was told, lying Amber out gently before crouching beside the bed, grasping her hand.

His eyes were closed. He was fighting for calm, fighting to keep the wildness within him at bay. His Berserk tendancies rarely flared, and when they did, they lasted a time - he had been lucky to quash them enough to retain some sanity.

He took in a deep breath and opened his eyes. Looking down at her. Noting her paleness. Panic crept up in him, balled in his stomach and threatening to spasm out of control - but practise wiped it away as easy as a spill was wiped by a sponge.

He simply kept her hand in his, rubbing the back of her palm with his thumb, and tried to focus.

Amber's head was swimming and her lip twisted into a soft growl, body tensed, at this voice that was disturbing her peaceful warmth before her body relax and the snarl faded.

Little one... Hus...band....

Amber's hand twitched slightly in John's grip and her eyes rolled beneath their lids before her eyes flew open in a wild gasp and she sat up violently. Wrenching her hand from John's, twisting her shoulder in such a way that the wolves tooth embedded in it was squeezed out and flew across the room, rebounding off one of the walls and onto the floor with a small clatter causing the anthro to growl loudly as her arms wrapped around her stomach and she stared around the room, her chest rising and falling rapidly in panic as her head sought urgently to clear itself.

((I am totally stuck for what to post for Juuni... Gimme a while eh? ))

"Your garden should be much healthier now. There were lots of dead plants lingering in the air. Remember to always pick up the vegetables before they die, alright? Nature cannot afford any wastes."

The eldery couple nodded thankfully, at lack of word. In the few nights Vanessa had stayed, both their plants and animals had become much healthier, their past self not even a shadow of who they are now. Now that it was time for the nice lady, they couldn't help but feel a slight pinch at heart, but they knew it was for the best. "Will you come back?" Asked the man shily." Vanessa took a while to answer, but in the end she just smiled. "When one of your animals die, keep its fur, then burn its carcass and spread its ashes from the top of your roof. Then I'll come back to help you.

Well, wish me look. Goodbye!"

And she was off, jar over her shoulder, toward the great mountains in front of her with what little the couple had given her; a large, oriental-style straw hat to protect her from the sun, some furs for when she gets higher in the mountain and it starts getting cold, a map and a protective case for it, and a box full of trinkets to fight off the monsters along the path.

"Sleep honey...i'll protect you..." John whispered into her ear, wrapping his huge hands over hers, curling them over her belly the same as she was doing. "...both of you."

((Crappy post i know, but i'm tired and dont know what else to put down. Sunny, save us!))

Amber sighed heavily and closed her eyes as her entire body seemed to relax as she welcomed the warmth that washed over her from the fireside, her tail twitching every now and again as the woman busied herself with the tending to and cleaning of the anthro's wound.

If John was alert he might feel something move, very slightly within the anthro's belly as she rested against him, her tiny frame seeming even smaller against the large Tribal.

The tired and wounded woman seemed to be drifting off to sleep and didn't really hear what the woman said though her ears flickered.

Only to brought back to earth...hard. It's amazing how solid snow can be when caught like that. The magic lassoed around John's ankle glowed cheerfully.

Arms folded themselves under perky breasts as she watched him casually crash into the ground.

"And you propose to go...where, exactly? Her breath made puffs of smoke in the air as she walked around him and squatted down, blind eyes staring at him with a milky kind of clarity. "It's 30 below out there, and there is exactly zero vision, your companions will have found shelter, or they will be food for the creatures. We will look when the snow clears tomorrow IF it bears no danger for the boys here. You are living, Tribal, you will stay for tonight...you will feed and you will stay by your wife...even if I have to tie you to it.

And that seemed rather final. He could argue if he liked, but again it was common sense.

~~

Henry awoke slowly to an amber glow shoved in his face, mumbling something half incoherant he reached up to shove it out of the way...only to find that he couldn't move. Panic would come to most at this point, but Henry just woke up a little more.

His arm couldn't move because it was currently tied down, the soft p***k of a very sharp needle moving through the skin quickly registered through his brain. The amber glow, was a light that hovered above a bushy head. A huge eye, magnified a hundred times through a looking glass blinked up at him for only a moment before looking back down at his work.

"Dwarf." Came the rather unintelligent response to all that was happening.

"Aye, lad, that's were ye be. An none too soon I can be tellin ya that." Henry's eyes caught a small dish beside the dwarf doctor...it held ashes within.

"Did you really have to open a pit beneath us?"

"Dinnae know what you were, you ken? All that howlin, coulda been a beastie, make good eatin, them beasties." Was the dry answer.

Henry glanced at him sidelong, then his other hand reached up to find that...along with his shirt, jacket and bookbag his little sling was gone too.

"Where's the kitten?" The hands kept moving even as the sharp reply came, punctuated by a paticularly deep needle push.

"I ken whatchyer thinkin' and no, ah haven't eaten the wee thing, she be in the basket next the fire." Henry's head turned to see another glow, a small wireframe basket with a cusion holding an already bandaged small ball of fur.

A simple crow was flying over the frozen wastelands. The weather was not entirely good, seeing as the blizzard was nearly limitless out here. Still, having a damned good eyesight helped this avian- and said eyesight was enhanced by some force that has yet to be named.

Still, it was not all that good of a day for flying- the blizzard was almost in full swing, even without the wind. The temperature was below freezing- the bird could not last for much longer. Then, the bird spotted it- a wooden cabin, seemingly out in the middle of freaking nowhere.

What fortune. Not only that, but it was a prime chance to try and get some food. Heck, there wasn't much out here anyways. It landed in the snow and hopped up to the door, rapping it with its beak three times. Oddly enough- or not, if one knew that crows could successfully mimic any sound in the world, including human speech- he spoke- a polite request in such a crow-laced voice.

"Let me in, please."

The tiny kitten curled up all the tighter as her ears flickered and nose twitched. If you looked closely you would see small purple and silver sparks coming off her fur, almost like static. The flurry of sparks increased as her form became featureless and began to change slowly back to that of Juuni, the small toddler. All the carefully wrapped bandages becoming tight before they split and tore. The sparks gradually subsided and Juuni gave a yawn, stretching out in the now very small basket as she sat up, purring at the warmth of the fire.

She clacked her tongue, trying to get rid of the sticky dry feeling of thirst as she blinked around her surroundings, her gaze falling on the dwarven man.

"Phwee~?!"

"...Enowher...tno ggoin enowher..." The sleeping giant whispered in his sleep. His forehead was slick with sweat, his skin burning - it was like he had a fever of some kind.

"...enoon...tlef dbehin..." He continued, her fingers in his hair almost seeming to make him more agitated as his mind crawled back into itself and relived a life long forgotten...

Snow fell about him roughly as his blood-slick hand gripped the hammer, the heavy weapon's leather thong wrapped around his wrist being the only thing from letting it slip completely from his fingers.

In his other hand he dragged her, her body limp, her bear-skin jersey icy under his curled fingers. His hair was matted about his face with blood and sweat, some his, some from another source. His cold blue eyes were almost empty as he continued to drag her, pulling her body with him, refusing to let go. His clothes were tattered, his skin torn and bleeding, his bare flesh exposed to the rough elements.

"...Rneve..." He muttered to himself as he cast his eyes up, hearing the beating of wings and the whinney of horses through the roaring blizzard around him. ...Rneve! Esh nca lstil eb dsave!!" He screamed hoarsely to the sounds, lifting the hammer in his hand to hold it to the sky defiantly.

But he didn't stand a chance.

The chariot bled into view from the distance and landed roughly, a great gout of snow flying forward to cover him, getting into his tired eyes and his hyperventiliating mouth, causing him to cough and fall to his knees, still holding the hammer up, as if it was a talisman to ward off an evil spirit.

A soft hand pressed down on his weary wrist, pushing the hammer down to rest on his knee. He heard the clink of armour as the other walked past him and gently pried his fingers from the jersey he'd been grasping, the grooves of his fingers remaining within the frozen pelt as the armoured person lifted the woman with strength she should not have and carried her back to the chariot.

Even though he wanted to stop them, he could not have. The snow bit into his skin, keeping his power at bay. The endless fighting had sapped all his strength, leaving him with nothing but will-power. And the hammer was heavy in his hand, impossibly heavy - now it had been placed down it felt like he could never lift it again if he tried.

"Esh si tno ddea..." A voice like liquid honey whispered into his ear. "...Esh si dprivilage."

Then a kiss to his blood-caked forehead, lips as soft as kitten's fur and as powerful and fleeting as a droplet of water striking the dirt - before there was a whinney once more and the chariot rose, carrying the woman he'd been carrying off into the sky and into the world beyond to wait with the others for the End of Days.

He'd simply sat in the snow and felt it's cold creeping around him, the hammer heavy in his hand, his slow breaths beginning to slow even more as the freeze begun to wrap itself around his body like a blanket...and choke him.

Back in the real world, the mutant poison in his body fought against his Tribal immune system, fighting hard and fast, striking him again and again...but being beaten back again and again...

Sunstrike Wrote:

At some point in the night, someone had actually cleaned up Tomorrow, bandaging all visable areas, easing a fur blanket over his body, and keeping the fire in the chimney stoked and warm.

As Amber looked around, not too much would be visible, only vauge shapes of medical herbs and extra blankets and furs. They seemed to be in the "hospital" of the tiny village. The peaceful smell of lavender filled the whole room.

Then light shone in as the door opened, only to be shut out again as it closed quietly. It was the pale lady from the night before. She seemed to shed a cold light all her own as she moved forward.

"And how are our patients this morning, hm? Has he purged it yet?" It was a direct question towards Amber, even as she went to the other side of Tomorrow and put her own hand against the girls along the forehead of the bigger man.

~~~~

As soon as the woman touched Amber's hand, John's hand suddenly appeared, his fist enclosed around the womans wrist so hard it hurt.

"...Od tno...htouc rhe..." He growled in his sleep, beads of sweat still rolling down his face as every single muscle in his body tensed up, rigid iron enclosed in flesh - before his grip weakened, his hand falling to the wayside, his entire body relaxing once more.

He'd passed out again. Perhaps he'd never woken at all...

The woman inclined her head.

"Thank your husband, had he not spoken Gaian...you'd be pincushions. We don't get many live ones up here, we tend to treasure anyone that manages to get through the gulf."

Her milkey eyes studied Amber and then John.

"You were traveling with some companions, yes? They live...a runner for one of the..." She paused for a moment thinking. "More outgoing dwarf clans has come this morning speaking of a cat and a man. They are lucky, the dwarves don't usually wait for Gaian."

She got up and went to a counter in the gloom. Carefully she poured a glass of water and brought it to the bed.

"Drink, and tell your husband that I know he is awake, and to stop feigning sleep. Tribals to not sleep easily at the best of times, and for him to be out this long is unheard of."

~~~~~

"I thank you." Henry spoke quietly, even as the dwarf finished up his medical job and unstrapped his arm. Bright eyes gleamed at him from under bushy eyebrows.

"Nae problem, lad. But I'm curious as to why you an the wee lass is on yer own wit nowght to protect thee."

Henry grimaced and looked at Juuni as he sat up with a wince.

"There are two others, I pray they made it to the settlement in time. Man and his wife."

"Aye? Well, thairs been no werd of remains-like, so ye can set yer heart at rest for the moment. What do they call thee, lad. Yeh look vaugly elvish..." There was slight disapproval in the old ones tone. It was hard for those two races to ever really get along.

"I'm called Henry, in Gaian, I'm more wizard, I think you'll find." Was the slightly criptic reply. There was a bark of a laugh as this met with approval from the dwarf, slightly uncomfortable about what he'd let into his home. But wizards were a dime a dozen up here, like scientists...and they spent good money for lodgings and such. "The girl is Juunikyuu Leviathan, don't suppose you know that name this far north?"

There was a squint of sudden surprise. "Aye, that kinda name is more rumour then solid up here though, Henry. I be Red, though...these days most call me Grey." A booming laugh and a creak as he got off the stool and walked his used tools over to the sink. "Words been sent to the humans, mind, should have someone soon to guide ya to the village. 'less ya wanna pay for passage back the way ye came..."

"Actually..." A gleam sparked in Henry's eye...

Hours later an agreement was made and shaken hands over. Soon Henry had time to sit and talk to Juuni.

"You holdin up okay, small one?" They sat in a kind of living quarters, furnished with couches and the like, and obviously made for larger people to visit. A plate of food had been placed for them to snack on til the human guide showed up.

Juuni blinked and smiled up at Mere as her tail swished behind her and her ears flickered. She was stood by the table, craning upwards as her hand felt across the table, trying to pick up what food she could. Perhaps the tiny neko-jin would have been more comfortable in a dwarven room.

"Juunish hungry... Really hungry..." Came the honest really.

And indeed she was. Her stomach growled loudly as Juuni gave a mew of triumph, grabbing hold of an apple and pulling her hand back down to her mouth and taking a huge bit out of the piece of fruit. She was still replenishing all the energy she had used up over the last few days and as she could sleep no more, eating was the next best avenue to take.

The anthro smiled down at John and knuckled his head fondly.

"Course I'm fine, wouldn't be anything less with you looking after me would I?"

She looked back up at the woman, "Yes, they sound like they'd fit the description of our companions... Thank goodness they're alright!"

((Short and crappy but hey ^^))

Purely Jayney Wrote:

The anthro smiled down at John and knuckled his head fondly.

"Course I'm fine, wouldn't be anything less with you looking after me would I?"

She looked back up at the woman, "Yes, they sound like they'd fit the description of our companions... Thank goodness they're alright!"

((Short and crappy but hey ^^))

John smiled and rolled his eyes as she knuckled his hair. She always had a way to make him feel better about himself. He felt like he'd messed up less now.

Rolling to his knees, he wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. He was famished...but there was no time for rest at the moment. They could rest when Juuni and Mere were found.

Standing as the healing woman drew up to them, he quietly folded the blanket they'd placed on him and put it down at the foot of Amber's bed as the woman gave Amber her water. He cricked his neck to the side before running his hand down his chest, feeling the blood-stained bandages wrapped tightly around it - before tearing them off, their usefulness now done. His body had healed itself overnight of it's many cuts and scrapes.

The world was spinning a little...but he'd live. "Ma'am, where are our companions? I have to find out if they're alright or not." He asked the woman, selecting his words carefully.

Paranoia was creeping in his belly, as well as the usual confusion and frustration that usually dwelled there. More questions creeped into his brain, questions questions questions...sometimes he wished he was more dumb then he actually was...

Shouyin stood at the foot of the mountain trail. He'd left his car about a mile back in the garage of a farmer he'd paid to have keep it in his barn. After popping the trunk he'd quickly pulled on the Wu-Tang robes and left. Hood hanging low on his brow he stepped forwards, slowly making his way up. The trail, although wide enough for a cart, was too curved to maintain a constant speed, and thus often too steep for a car to climb up, better suited to the physical strength of a horse or pack mule. Or a person, if you were brave enough.

During his stay with the temple, he'd recalled the different schools of martial arts within the Clan. There were thirty-six styles, referred to as the 36 Chambers, each drawing upon a different ideal, whether it be kicks, palm strikes, or simply breathing. However the Temple itself was simply not big enough to house so many competing ideals, and he'd heard rumours of at least three other Temples in existence across Gaia. While a multitude of chambers were still covered the temple Shouyin had become acquainted with, the primary school of thought was that of the 7th Chamber, its elite coming to be known as the Iron Flag Brothers.

The Wu-Tang Sword was a constant amongst every school, being taught as an accompaniment to all other things. Shaolin Shadowboxing however, was a very specialized 7th Chamber technique, focusing on the idea of an iron body, and a few illusionary concepts. But Shouyin had forgotten that a while ago. He was journeying now to the Temple to train specifically on 7th Chamber beliefs, all of which centered on pure and constant strength until breaking, no weakness until death.

And that was just koul.

Shouyin stepped into the center of the temple's training area, garbed in the same black gi as every other monk all around him. His first pair of robes, which he'd been using as a blanket, had disappeared, being replaced with an actual blanket, though he'd failed to touch the second pair left for him in the room. The gi, which had a black belt around the waist, was terribly comfortable, especially loose in the back and shoulders, which he loved. Though he hadn't much liked the sleeves, and decided to roll them up.

In the distance to the right he saw some monks sword fighting, and actually regretted not bringing his own blade, but quickly shrugged that aside and joined the end of a row of monks, throwing punches in time with the usual training chant.

"WU-TANG CLAN AIN'T NUTHIN' TA ******** WITH!"

And a hand came to rest gently on his shoulder, however Shouyin didn't turn, just ceased to chant while he punced. This man was new to the half-golem, but as it had been shown to him time and time again during his previous stay, each man was defined by the way in which he spoke. And so all Shou had to do was listen.

"I be that insane n***a from the psycho ward.

I'm on the trigger, plus I got the Wu-Tang sword.

The ******** you wanna do? More than Spike Lee's Do.

I'm like a sniper, hyper off the ginseng root,

PLO style, buddha monks with the owls.

So who's the ******** man? Methtical.

On the chessbox."

Shouyin just had to grin a little. Though the fellow had yet to introduce himself properly, the words spoke volumes. It was Method Man, a promising student, although more than skilled enough to be considered a master. Odd that such a person would be summoning our good fellow, very odd. Nevertheless Shouyin stopped punching, and turned to face the man, following him out of the main training area and through the halls, and coming into another room, close ceilinged, but still very open.

The grin spread even wider. If there truly was a '7th Chamber', this was it. Endurance, as was the focus of the style, was also the focus of the room. A few monks punched deep bowls full of iron bearings, others massive blocks of stone, more simply took turns kicking one another in the sides. Even the strength exercises were intensified: one monk did push-ups, while another monk stood on his back and stomped slowly, raising a knee up to their chest before bringing it down on the small of the first's back, before doing the same thing in between the man's shoulders, all while -another- monk raised the opposite leg and brought it down on one of the -second's- shoulders. Maaayn.

Method Man stepped off to the side as another person came to Shouyin's attention. He glared at him with a furious intensity, or rather his bracer. For some reason it truly rubbed this man the wrong way, enough so that he actually approached him, pointing at it and speaking.

"Where the powers you supposed to have? Hand in your soldier rag!

You posin' bad, show your a** son, you won't last.

With heavy weights that elevate the whole mass."

Suddenly he grabbed Shou's left wrist with his right, making a fist with his left hand and bringing it down on the bottom of the half-golem's forearm, hitting it like you would knock on a door and holding down. Despite the uncomfortable look in Shouyin's eyes the man persisted, his eyelids soon closing as he let out a slow hum. For some reason, Shou was compelled to close his eyes too, though he tried to resist.

The humming stopped.

He looked at the man across from in, and then down, surprised to find the bracer unlocked and on the ground, suddenly turning to dust and blowing away into nothing. Shouyin's eyes went wide, a pain developing in the front of his skull, as though something was leaving forever. He focused, but couldn't tell what it was, but he could still tell that the Anchor was there.

"Wh-what, what did yo---?"

"The only thing you've lost is doubt.

I'm Inspectach Deck, you are now a 7th Chamber disciple."

Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers): Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin' Ta ******** With

Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers): Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber

Wu-Tang Clan - Iron Flag: Iron Flag

The cloudy eyes looked at him before a chest heaved in a sigh.

"Calm yourself, Tribal. They are coming, the one who guides them has been coming here since before you and I were both born." There was a small smile.

"He claims the fishing is always the best here. But no matter. Come. I will show you were to get some food, your wife will be alright, in fact..." The glance moved to the anthro and she made a rising motion."If she feels up to it, she can come meet them with us."

The form of the woman turned, pale robes also moving in a liquid fashion as she went to another door.

The cabins in the village were all interconnected with pathways between each house, strange, until you realize how easily you can loose yourself in a blizzard, mere inches from your own house if not careful. It also allowed healers and other community forces easy acess to the outter defences and houses. Each hallway was patrolled by it's own guard, one of which straightened as she went out.

She paused to discuss something quietly with him...words that had an edge of Tomorrows own tounge to them, but blurred with other languages into an almost unrecognizable shape, before she turned back to them.

"Well. While I tried to hold off the curiosity of our leader as much as I could, he does tend to be impossible around meal times, he is very anxious to meet you no matter the state, it appears." There was a tinge of irritation, but also humour within the words.

Amber moved to heft herself up off the bed but her arm buckled as a shoting pain ran down her arm from her previously wounded shoulder. She let out a low growl of frustration and pain, gritting her teeth as she heaved herself up with her other arm.

Another twinge came as Amber stood up though from no wound. Both hands fell upon her stomach, palms to the skin as she felt a sudden and overwhelming urge to be sick. The pregnancy was indeed catching up with her and she tried her best to conceal this as she walked slightly wobbly legged over towards John and the Healer Woman.

((I am thinking of leaving Amber in the village for the time of her pregnancy, have John pick her up on the way back. Don't worry, babies won't be born before he returns ))

Amber's eyes welled slightly as the full extent of what John was implying suddenly sunk in.

"Wh-What? You mean... Leave me here?!"

Her ears flattened as a quiet whimper escaped her lips.

Amber's ears remained drooped but she nodded her head slowly. She knew what John was saying was true. It still pained her to know that she was going to be left behind, especially since she wouldn't know how John was. One hand rested gently on her small bumped stomach which she rubbed softly before sighing.

"As you wish... I guess I haven't really got a choice but to stay here until you come back for me..."

She lifted her head, tears pricking in her eyes as she looked up pleadingly at John.

"You will come back for me won't you...?"

It might seem like a stupid question but there were underlying meanings. She didn't want John to get hurt or injured. She wanted him to come back to her just as soon as he could.

There was a soft smile from the pale woman. Being the healer of a village meant that she had a lot of experiance seeing husbands and wives consoling one another. Sometimes it was bad, sometimes it was good, but it was one of those things in life that never really changed no matter the situation.

"I garuntee you, Tribal, that there is no safer place on Gaia then this place. You have all our words that your young wife will be safe in our care."

The palm was remarkably warm against a lower bicept, though she faced Amber when she said this, reassuring her as well.

"Now come, this will not take long, your friends may already have arrived..." As she stepped out into the connector hall, a younger girl came in and curtsied to both man and woman, a bowel of food in her hands. "This is Fen, Amber. She'll keep you company when I cannot." And then she was moving, expecting Tomorrow to follow.

He smiled and nodded at her words, tousling her hair before the woman asked him to move on.

Reluctantly he walked away from Amber, holding her hand till the last second, his fingertips even latching onto hers before they were finally unable to hold, breaking apart their clutches.

John hoped it would resume soon...

Tomorrow followed the healer, his face blank, his jaw set, the snow that had settled on his bare shoulders falling as his stride fell in swauy with her. The woman was leading him somewhere - but where?

"Thats what some people call me." Tomorrow muttered, looking down at the man at the head of the table with his icy azure gaze.

He'd never seen a man with gold eyes. That is, he wasn't sure if he'd remembered seeing a person with gold eyes before...his memory was patchy at best.

"Your sister is a fine woman." He continued, looking about him as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. "She said something about meeting back with my lost friends. Where are they?"

"Mere..." Tomorrow murmured, before seeing the little girl hop to the floor. The mere sight of her brought a smile to his face, easing the biting frustration and cold rage welling up within him slowly.

Not minutes from Amber, his mind had receeded to the warrior state...and, for a split second, he wondered what would happen to him if he lost her forever?

He did not like the answer to that question.

"...I'll eat." He said quietly, looking over to his new companions. "...But i'd want to get this over with as soon as possible."

::Kaym's search had finally come to an appealing hault. The information on her tracker had indicated she was in the Mithral Mountains. If this much was true, she had traveled a long time and a very long way. :: She had finally gotten around to changing her atire as well. Instead of wearing her usual light weight grey nylon sleevless shirt and pants, she was now wearing something that suited her fansy more. A Cossack hat, a red turtle neck and a Brown long jacket, which looked all to similar to her old KGB uniform coat.

::Kaym leaned up against a copperstone rock, it was about her height and the reddish-brown metallic element was a great conductor for heat. She figured, if she wanted to stay warm. This would be a perfect place to catch the suns reflection.

:Her legs finally let loose, allowing her back to slide down the smooth rock. She sat there, content with the distance she had covered in that short period of time. She had already covered the peak of the mountain and was on her way down. She had noticed earlier on, a type of road. At least, she thought it was a road, it looked as if it hadnt been used in a while. And if it has, not much for traffic passed on it.

::She would reach the road in little less then an hour. ::

"Ancient..." Tomorrow echoed, looking up from his fifth bowl of stew. "Why do you call me that?"

He then looked pointedly to Mere - yet kept talking to Michael. "And while you're at it, you can tell me all about the 'strange place.'"

Hogosha No Juunikyuu Wrote:

Juuni had spent most of the conversation between the adults thus far attempting to clamber up onto the seat beside Tomorrow to get at the food on the table. Tumbling down to the floor for a third time Juuni got back to her feet with an annoyed pout, rubbing her sore rump and toddled over to tug on John's leg.

"Up!" she requested, hands held up to the much larger Tribal.

Looking down to Juuni, Tomorrow smiled slightly - before grabbing the backl of her shirt and lifting her up, like you would if you lifted a kitten by the back of it's neck, and deposited her onto his lap.

He'd missed the little girl a lot...and, although he would never admit it, had been extremely concerned about her safety.

Now he allowed her full access to his own plate - and the small Everest of food piled onto it. A massive hand would gently tousle her hair and stroke her cheek before patting her leg, as if signifying that it was alright to eat from there.

To add some more enjoyment, Tomorrow began to jiggle his knee a little - and the little girl too.

There was another reason for this - he was getting impatient for an answer.

Juuni squealed slightly as Tomorrow hefted her onto his lap before rolling her shoulders and gazing wide eyed at the pile of food on John's plate. She purred as he tousled her hair and stroked her cheek before she extended a hand outwards and plucked a large piece of meat from the pile, gnawing on it contently as she swung her legs, the jiggling not impairing her ability to eat at all. Curious ears flickered and her eyes shimmered softly at Henry's comment followed b the whispers though the tiny child remained silent.

"I never kept anything from you, Tomorrow. I told you how dangerous this would be when we started. What do you need to know of the specifics, you aren't the leader of this. Don't tell me you're growing concerned now that you out of an urban environment..."

Henry let that sink in silently.

"And if your concern is for Juunikyuu, you should have thought of that before dragging her along in your fight back in town. Besides, she's shown herself more then capable of taking care of herself, in any situation. I don't honestly know what we would have done without her."

Michael and the rest watched on in amusement, they were no stranger to Henry's "little talks" though it was easier on their souls that someone else was getting it instead of them.

"If you want to end it now, you're more then welcome to, but you'd have to kill me first, else you wouldn't have enough running time before they get you back in a cell. Strangely efficient, that captain of the Shields."

Kaym Wrote:

::

:Her legs finally let loose, allowing her back to slide down the smooth rock. She sat there, content with the distance she had covered in that short period of time. She had already covered the peak of the mountain and was on her way down. She had noticed earlier on, a type of road. At least, she thought it was a road, it looked as if it hadnt been used in a while. And if it has, not much for traffic passed on it.

::She would reach the road in little less then an hour. ::

(MEH! That took forever for me to continue )

::It was well past 8pm and the sun had let itself rest for the night. Kaym had been walking, Indeed she find the road. It did turn out that she was correct, the road was dirt and not much life had walked on it in awhile, possibly more then two weeks?

:The downhill stretch was long. She could not see any lights from her current position and she was still pretty high up. The elevated fog had turned out to be thin misty clouds. The condensation would thin and then thicken sporadically.

:Even after when her pace quickened she still found herself on a long trip. She sat once again. But, this time she found a rock waist high and decided it was a great place to scoup out the general area.

::No more then two minutes later, she stopped. The air was getting more dense and she could hear quiet steps at which were gaining swiftness.

The small neko-jin's ears flattened as she shifted in John's lap a little uncomfortably, blinking around the table as if trying to divert her attention from the small scale feud developing between the Tribal and Mere. Eventually she slid off John's lap and under the table where she continued to gnaw at the piece of meat she had.

"When we going?" she finally asked, crawling over to mere and peering up at him.

"But of course, I am looking for potential victims to kidnap and be used as test subjects for twisted exeriments. Care to join me?"

Decruda said quite simply with a calm smile, with all the grace and etiquette that he could muster in the situation. Well, maybe it was a sick joke or something, or maybe it wasnt, especially with his odd appearance, all dressed in black with the weird eyes.

Quote:** Wrote:

"But of course, I am looking for potential victims to kidnap and be used as test subjects for twisted exeriments. Care to join me?"

::Kaym didnt turn away, instead she gave him points for his straightforwardness. Of course, she didnt really know if he was that type of person, or if he was joking but, nonetheless she didnt mind humor... if it was humor...

She rose her eyebrow, "I was actually wondering how far away the nearest town was. But, in suggesting i go with you on my own free will to be disected, does arose my interest. She smiled, sincerely hoping she didnt have to cry wolf and run away. She didnt like the thought of the first human being, or human looking creature she encountered in the area wanted to play with her insides. If that was the case, she would have to totally change her gettup and go back to demon slaying, because, damnit.. thats all that follows her. She didnt mind it... but damn, shes just one unlucky chick.

Quote:** Wrote:

"Oh good... good... The closets settlement would be Lament. A dark city somewhere at the foot of the mountains, somewhere on the more volcanic regions I believe. Nothing to see there really, so, would you like to come with me now? Or shall I have to sedate you and then drag you away?"

::

Sadation eh?

"Lament you say? Mmm, it sounds surprisingly interesting." She paused. Really not caring if he were serious or not. She could take care of herself in situations. She was already half dead as it were, and she didn't mind a personal quarrel if needed.

"Im sorry I do believe I will have to pass on your offer for the time being, but, if this town is much to see as you just stated, i will have to take your offer in consideration, since well, Ive traveled pretty far and the idea of my insides being played with... even moreso since most of it doesnt work... doesnt really interest me, and unfortunately for you, poisons and somnifacients wouldnt do the very trick. But, i thank you for the information. I must be going then."

::Kaym nodded her head and turned down the mountain. She indeed was not intimidated by the man, she just really didnt feel like a confrontation at the moment. If he were to pursue her, she would willingly fight back and being well armed made her just as confident.

::As kaym turned a minute before, her hand would have entered her coat pocket. While doing so, she heard the man say:

Quote:** Wrote:

"I wouldn't go that way if you plan on escaping."

::Without delay Kaym immediately swung her body around, predicting he would try something. His voice was serious when they met and even moreso now after his last response. Abruptly, she rose her forearm up, sheilding her face, which was the only part of her body exposed. But, that wouldnt matter. The dart that had been blown had penatrated her leather jacket. The dart had embedded itself into her outfaced wrist.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?!" Kaym demanded, as she ripped the dart from her wrist and lowered her arm.

::Without waiting for a response she unhesitatingly throw, in a bowl like manner, two silver balls from her pocket towards his direction.

::From these balls would sprout spiders, mechanical ones at that. If he wasn't prepared they would lock onto any heated target and hereby explode. As the mini deadly spiders skattered hastefully on the ground, Kaym would instintively unhilt her sword and pull it to her bow.

Quickly following her pets, she would do the same; Charging at her opponent she would forcefully swing her blades, hopefully slaying his flesh - torso to his shoulder.

Quote:** Wrote:

Kaym would instintively unhilt her sword and pull it to her bow.

Quickly following her pets, she would do the same; Charging at her opponent she would forcefully swing her blades

Quote:** Wrote:

And in that mere moment, the night would appear as day for only a split second, lightning erupting out from the arch of the glass dagger, streaking quite literally at the speed of light towards her in a highly charge electrical bolt.

The immeasurable energy from the lightning was severe. Instead of melting her sword and raping her eyes of sight, it did something really different.

::The swords' swing indeed had gone through, but no where near in time to slash the mans torso but, instead, having the strong blade in the air directly positioned to her bow and face The lightning hit. Not Kaym, but her sword and all of her units, frying them, leaving them stranded without power. On contact, the smothering light and heat, overwhelmingly heated her sword to the point of being red. Also being that Lightning is a large discharge of electricity. Electrons moving at an accelerated pace, which is the same way heat is created, the sword was not damaged. But, Kaym not being of the same - Her hands instantly were being burned through her gloves, smeltering them to the sword itself.

:The lightning almost being reflected by the mysteriously durable sword didnt do too much for Kaym benefit.

The force had sent her body flying back (faster then the speed of light? )down the mountain, gaining more distance then (I) would have figured.

Not in minutes but only in seconds did this all happen. After the inital strike, Kaym didn't know much of anything that happened other then her finally smashing into the ground, ripping her coat to shreds and then approached a cliff, a short fall but a painful one. Smashing, onto the 45degree rock, ripping her should out of its socked and continuously rolled down the mountain.

She never fully stopped moving, her body was still in a complete fumble when she finally caught herself and pulled her arms in and used her sword as a pivot on the ground, swinging her face forward and her feet to the ground.

She had not noticed the the break, nor the large amount of blood that flowed from her head, arms and hands. Her hat and jacket had been ripped from her body. Instinctivly looking about for the man, she could not see him. How far did she fly? Seeing she was in a completely different place, ... a canyon? Where the hell did that come from?

Her hands did not move. One was melted to her swords hilt; probably all the way through the muscle and to the very bone. She wasnt sure, but either way she wasnt going to remove it now, it would be better if it was at least stuck in her grasp, then out. Her other hand had indeed been burned... charred was more like it. She must have touched the sword on the way down with the other as it was still smoldering hot.

She also realized she had sharp arrow like rocks undoubtably embedded into her arms, legs and back.

Jesus... She thought, not wanting to touch them. All she wanted to do now was get to town, or at least get away from this guy, and return later to kick his a**... or at least try...

OOC: ( i tried to imagine her being directly infront of him, so if thats peachy, thats peachy... )

::Kaym silently walked for a short while down the rocky, snow-covered, or was it ash.. avenue, her arms drug to her side. ( which way did she travel?) her fingers were tightly wrapped around the swords' hilt still unable to move. It had the physical appearence of a hand completely bound to rubber cement, but only in this situation, it carried the distinct smell of burnt flesh and dry blood.

::When she first escaped from her scary undead opponent she held her position for about an hour before moving. She figured if he wanted to look for her, he would have in that time. Although, she did not know how far she had fallen... hopfully it was far, she was in no condition to defend herself. The small to medium sized rocks were still impaled in parts of her body. Removing them at this time would only cause further damage. The blood flow would only attrack hungry, rabid animals or... undead humanoids whom wanted to take her apart. Those werent the only factors though. She knew very well if they had been removed she might lose consciousness, for two of the sharp stones were entirely driven through her body, puncturing one of her lung and thigh, the others were short, and spread throughout her body.

The sharp rocks felt more like metal shavings or volcanic rock... Volcanic rock. She then realized there were traces of igneous... granite, form when magma cools...

..wait, what the hell am I talking about? Am i really losing that much conscious? She shook her head continuously trying to get a better grip of herself.

She couldn't believe what happened to her. Did she really not prepare herself enough for something like that?

Hell, would you think he would shoot out lightning?! damned magi...

::Just as she lifted her head she spotted something. She squinted her eyes once more, trying to figure out if it were a structure or large rock. Staring a bit harder she noticed a door.

"Oh s**t." She said with a bit of relief.

After walking just several more steps she was stopped to a sound of a voice.

"Hult! You there!" Spat a voice, a human voice.

Kaym turned just to her right, seeing a man, a guard pointing something at her. "Hey..." She said, waving her only free hand saying a very short, wimpy hello to the guard.

He then stopped, obviously staring, probably trying to figure out what was wrong with her. "What?" He paused and then quickly approached her. Unexpectedly, he saw her sword and the many wounds that covered her body. "unhand your weapon." He surprisingly said in a calm voice.

In response, she lifted her arm, hand pointing down and let out a soft chuckle. "I cant." She shook her hand up and down, proving her point. Just then, she stopped moving her arm, her eyes rolled and she fell forward.

Luckly the guard was in arms reach of the pathetic woman. He stopped her from falling to the ground and effortessly picked her up; two other guards joined his side and they headed into the city.

(ooc: Meh! i just saw your post: Why kaym flew so far? Well! sits down for story time - Kayms sword has its own personal energy. It acts like a force field. When pressure/ energy hits it, it kind of activates and pushes back, it shields her from the potential threat yeah, but the bad thing about it, it sometimes backfires, usually causing damage in the long run. Cant have a good without a bad. tis* in my very journal - licious place )

Quote:** Wrote:

((Well I was going for an electrical shock knockout at the most and I expected rubber soled boots or something else that would minimize even that. Oh well, guess not. But hey, thanks for the RP. Hope I didn't interrupt whatever you were going to do with the footstep thing too much, I'm just randomly going around mugging people with undead anyways.))

OOC: no way! I loved that you actually wanted to beat the crap out of my character. Unexpected as hell! But, i was seriously enjoying it ( i just dont think i wanted to be turned into a ghoul. - and for the melting shoes and a little shock, Im sure it would have worked that way. The sword is just over protective... er... which could be bad. ( not to mention i wanted to temporatily kick the s**t out of kaym

Kaym:

-And no you didnt interrupt! you made my trip to town a whole lot more exciting! thanks for the blow up.

It would be fun to RP with you when you arent trying to kill me though

}}

However it wasn't Henry who was the first to stand.

"Welp, now that teh formalities-like are sorted, we'd best be gettin you to tha' cursed place..." The blue eyed man winced and sighed, really wishing the dwarf hadn't said it quite like that.

"Thank you for the service, Michael, we'll probably see you when we get back." When...not if. Michael looked at him for a moment before a grin split his face.

"You're welcome any time, Dark One. Just try and bring yourself back whole, my sister pines, you se-" A shoe with amazing accuracy for a blind person slammed into the chiefs face from the doorway. There was a thunk as he hit the floor.

"Pine that, cretin." Was the venemous response.

Turning on her heal Mythril waltzed out of the door, obviously their guide out of the village.

Tomorrow nodded, pushing out from his chair to begin following the girl - before pausing.

At the foot of the table was a medium sized bundle, a large red coat wrapped around itself. Tomorrow's discarded gear.

Unfurling the coat he saw everything he'd left behind - his shirt, the hoody, even his guns. Deftly pulling the shirt and hoody on, he re-clipped the holsters for his guns to his belt and looped it around his neck before pulling his coat on.

Now he had all his gear back. Having the coat back on bade him feel a little better, more secure, not to mention the bulk of his weaponry was back in his hands. Patting down his coat pocket, he pulled out a second pair of sunglasses and placed them on his face, pushing them up the bridge of his nose till they were snug.

Then he followed Mythril and Juuni out.

He didn't bother saying goodbye to the others.

They knew he'd return to speak to them.

YCMREP

The first rock crawler, an all terain vehicle that moved via a combination og flexible tracks, separated compartments, and metalic grapling legs, navigated the tough mountain terain like a giant centipede. Yaits Corps newest inovation, this bug like vehicles conducted soil tests, took rock samples, searched for mineral deposits with sonar, and even conducted sizmograms to determine ground stability. With the first one being an astounding success, finding a silver deposit long unexploited, more where introduced into the mountains. Banging and claning with their metal legs, they were the fore runners of the Rock Eaters, huge drill vehicles that could dig caverns in mere hours. The Mythril Mountains would be getting a little noisier these days. The dwarves might have considered the metal their own, but it they weren't mining it already, finders keepers.

~The Search for Victor Fah~

Along with the first rock crawler came a Yaits City detective. He would find the inn at the fishing village of Nepris, enjoy a drink, and listen for anything that might be interesting. Even if a lead on the target wasn't found, there could always be secondary information that the company might find worthwhile.

This means war & I love every minute of it. Thank you. Wrote:

---destroyed, the Clan would draw first blood, or err oil.

Surprisingly enough, all this hustle and bustle of a machine drilling into their homeland had upset more than a few kung fu rapmasters. It was still up in the air whether or not such a machine was capable of defending itself against a certain ghostfaced killer of exceptional speed wielding a Chinese broadsword that could basically cut through steel, but if it couldn't, then any investigative crews would be surprised to find the construct cut cleanly in two. Sadly, the Clan was quite unforgiving, so the same would be said for anyone who happened to be inside operating the machine (if it was actually manned). It'd be safe to assume any additional diggers would be treated with the same welcome party.

~Yaits Corporate Headquaters~

Yes it was manned, unfortunately. News of the attack would reach the headquaters of YCMREP first, once the details were sorted out, a report would be sent to the big man himself, which he would greet with a big smile. Every media outlet owned by Yaits corporation would blast the perpetrators of the legal hunt for mineral resources as terrorists. Posters & billboards denouncing the attack, featuring grapic pictures of what remained among the wreckage, would appear throughout Gaian cities. Everything would be done to ensure the legality of Yaits Corp actions in hunting for minerals. Anyone who sided with the terrorists would be villified objectively in any Yaits owned media, though the slander would mantain an appearance of 'objectivity'.

The Gaian government wanted nothing to do with an offensive, spine less pencil pushing peaceniks they were, but enough were willing to give the YS a free hand.

Recruiting: Yaits Corporation

Yaits Security has been given permision by the Gaia government to use force in dealing with terrorists who wish to disrupt peaceful mining operations. Help the Gaian government, and the Gaian Economy, join Yaits Security Division, Mythril Brigade, and help secure the future of Gaia. Openings for Leadership Positions, sign up at the YS Mythril Division HQ in Lament.

Besides this, for a month, there would be no more rock crawlers, the mountains would return their peaceful state, and then. Retrofited rock crawlers, not one, but three dozen, would invade the mountains.

These bugs had small homing missiles designed to hit small targets, the sides were bristling with machine guns, and they were escorted by platoons of Yaits Corporation Security. This was a great excuse to militarize the mountain region and test some new weapons technology.

Some of the bugs were decoys as well, designed to be noisier than their predeccessors, while the others were designed to be a little bit quieter. The Rock Eaters were redesigned to be built like tanks, each one carried conventional ammunition as well flame throwers and RPG's.

As an unknown recon force, a single watcher was dispatched to keep track of the 'somewhat unkown' enemy.

YS Mythril Brigade Active Forces Dispersment Chart Wrote:

12 units currently invading the mountains.

Each unit contains:

3 retro-fitted Rock Crawlers.

1 redesigned Rock Eater.

1 YS Mythril Division Platoon.

Each Platoon

12 men,

Equipment per platoon

Kevlar Armor

Kevlar Helmets

Combat Hiking Boots

P90 LIR submachine gun x 6

XM8 Assault Rifle x 6

Fragmentation Grenades x 55

Smoke grenades x 24

Phosphorus grenade x 12

Combat Knife x 12

9mm Silenced Bereta x 6

Desert Eagle x 6

C4 x 5 + detonator.

FIM 92 Stinger Missile x 1

Training: Moderate Battle Experience: Dark Green (No EXP)

And more would come, if recruiting picked up.

Quote:** Wrote:

A single man would sit somewhere up in the mountains, hidden in the sense that it'd be impossible to notice him there unless you were specifically looking for him amongst the rocky terrain. He wasn't perched in any obvious location, and refused to move at all, becoming as still as the stone that surrounded him. All features would be hidden by a long black cloak, remaining entirely still in the chill and utterly breezy mountain air, as if it had some defiant point to prove.

In essence, he was as much a stone as any mass of nearby granite, and therein would lie the secret to his immediate stealth. However, despite this ominous introduction, there was no killing intent in his gaze. He simply observed the procession of man and machine throughout the mountain trails, eyes flittering about, seeming to register every detail of the invading force, from numbers of ammunition, to hair colour. The 'scout', might be locatable for all of thirty seconds, and then he'd disappear.

He'd see one of the many platoons that were actually called company's of the Yaits Security. He would remain undetected by the green troops, who were, on some accounts too busy talking amonst themselves to keep their minds on searching for enemy spies. The watcher was on another assignment, so the spy would remain invisible as long as he was careful.

A mineral deposit would be found by this group, a vein of silver, a few tons worth in total, so the Rock Eater would be sent in and a gaurded mining operation would begin. Once the silver was extracted, it would be taken to a secure base outside the mountains before being trucked back to Yaits City and to places it was being sold across Gaia. Constant contact was kept with the the other platoons, in order to make reinforcements available in case they were needed.

((Dice roll lacks creativity and encourages laziness in writing, if we can't agree on the body count , feel free to debate me in PM. I'd say the odds are about right for the soldiers. I'm going to say 7/12 dead. 2/12 severely injured. 3/12 superficial injury. Protective gear and training. No machinery damage.))

Quote:** Wrote:

It would come fast, the only precursors being the unnatural shifting of any gravel underfoot, and three very loud THOOMs, one after the other after the other. And then a section of the mountain would seperate from the rest, breaking into smaller pieces as it slid downwards and gained momentum. The amount of stone plummeting towards the unit would be more than enough to bury most everyone and everything; nevertheless once the dust had settled three men in long black cloaks that disguised their features would near the disaster site. They'd be in a scattered formation, close enough that they could hear each other's voices, but far enough apart that you'd have to target them individually.

The mountain road was fairly wide, but there was a cliff below, rather poor formational tactics would make them vulnerable to the coming attack. The infantry was clustered along the machinery in tight formation, even for a small group. That would prove their undoing.

By the time they heard the rumbling from above it would be too late. Two men jumped for cover in a small covert amidst the rocks, avoiding major injury. They called in for scouting party, reinforcements, and a digging crew. Another one got lucky, two boulders mising him by inches. On soldier had his leg pinned under a big slap while another suffered a broken arm. Four soldiers were pushed off the cliff, one was flattened as dove for the shelter his bodies had taken, and the rest were pulverized unrecognizeable.

The Rock eater faced the landslide and dug in, any rocks that landed between its two massive drill would be crushed into pebbles. The Rock Crawlers would be quite impresive, they should have been able to divert the rock slide entirely by attacking the falling boulders, saving more of the platoon, but they concentrated on saving their own asses so much that a few extra men were left to die. All in all though, barely a boulder touched the mechanical centipedes, as they attacked the boulders with missiles, shattering the one's their path. They also deflected a few large rock with their blade like titanium legs.

Not seconds after the slide ended, one of the operators would see a man in a black cloak, the Rock Eater breathed a stream of intense blue fire in the direction from which it came, the fire would travel 100 meters up the mountain, hopefully roasting the dude, or at least providing cover for the men that remained and were searching the are intensely. Two of the three rock crawlers climbed upwards to investigate, at the sides of the flame, anyone they found would be veiwed as hostile terrorists. They crawled up the mountain faster than a motorbike on the highway, and would locate and attack the others if they didn't retreat or attack first.

((Your Move))

Status Report, Unit 10: Decimated.

Two rock crawlers, not part of any unit, but working independently, would come from both sides, to attack the monks that had just decimated a small military unit. 14mm machine gun far would fly through the forest, targeting those sighted with pin point accuracy.

Fa Had been taking the long way around the mountains, taking his time, because he had nowhere in particular to go right now. In truth he was not all the far from the Gaia Plains now. Even at he slow pace he was making good time. Of cource it helps when you don't have a ton of people with you and you can start and stop when you feel like it.

In another day Fa should be in the plains. Form there he was not sure where he would go. In reality he did not know much about the outside world. So no matter where he went, he would find himself out of place. He would be even more out of place given his appearance. Things would be hard, but at least he was not trapped in that tower anymore.

((Continued in Gaia Plains))

Sutiiven came through the portal about a second or two later. He landed with a Judo Roll and used the momentum to get to his feet. He took a few steps forward, and emmited a singular low whistle. "Impressive... I dont think I've ever been to the top of this mountain before..." he said, admiring the surroundings for a second, then heading towards Shuyin to regroup with everybody before the three way fight.

"Yes, let's..." Fighting at high elevations wasn't a new thing to Shuyin. He had trained all his life in the temples high up in the mountains. The chill temperature may affect him some, but hopefully the fight wouldn't last too long for that to begin happening.

Drawing his feet apart, Shuyin clenched his fists and turned his body to the side, leading with the left, taking his fighting stance. He had his eyes set upon Stacatto, his intentions of attacking him first obvious, but he didn't rule Sutiiven out.

Staccato pulled his hand out of his pocket and placed it close to the frying pan in his hand, almost touching but not quite. He focused first on one target then the next not moving his eyes. Checking to see what types of metal they may have themselves, as he put his body into a rather casual stance.

Sutiiven just barely dove out of the way of Shyuin's attack - he had just been in a fight with the guy and he had already forgotten how serious of a competitior he was. Cursing his complacency and bringing himself back into the vein of the three on three, he twirled his weapons again, and waited for a decent opening to attack either one of them.

People and their blades... Shuyin would bring his extended foot back under him as Staccato ran away from it, tipping forward on the balls of his feet and springing forward into a roll away from Staccato and his cleaver. Getting back on his feet, he quickly turned around to keep both Staccato and Sutiiven in his line of sight.

Sutiiven grimmaced as he watched the man with the now ex frying pan fight. This Staccato was at least as good as Shuyin, putting Sutii's life at consideralbe risk.

Though shitakes for him though.

He gathered his courage and his nerves and rushed straight at Staccato, swinging his right hand blade down at his head in attempts to slash him downwards.

"Gah!" Shuyin wasn't expecting that, shuffling back after being whipped across the chest, leaving a thin, crimson gash across it. It seemed that if he wanted to remain evenly matched in this fight, he was going to need a bladed weapon. Or is he? Gathering his strength, Shuyin waited for another opportunity to attack, as Sutiiven entered the fray.

Seeing what might be his only opportunity and temporary advantage, he slashed at Shuyin with the sword in his right hand. He also came up with the one in his right that he had just used to attack Staccato - due to the double edged property of it, he could easily swing it upwards and cut at Shuyin with it at the same time. Two cuts with one attack - it was risky, but worth it since it was early in the battle.

Sutiiven Wrote:

Seeing what might be his only opportunity and temporary advantage, he slashed at Shuyin with the sword in his right hand. He also came up with the one in his right that he had just used to attack Staccato - due to the double edged property of it, he could easily swing it upwards and cut at Shuyin with it at the same time. Two cuts with one attack - it was risky, but worth it since it was early in the battle.

As Sutiiven rushed Shuyin, Staccato pointed his ringed finger at the sword in Sutiiven's right hand. Assuming that the blade was made form metal and was not protected from magical interference it should immediately begin to melt. Then the metal would make its way over to Staccato's finger. This weapon would then be fashioned into a shorter sword of similar type, with all active magical powers still intact, if it had any.

Shuyin stepped back, getting some distance between his opponents, holding the whip at his side in his right hand. Well, this was certainly a predicament, he thought to himself.

"Looks like we've found our third teammate," he said.

Circling around the other two, he used to whip's length to keep himself at a distance, snapping it first at Sutiiven, then at Staccato.

Staccato would attack as Shuyin spoke his words, pointing his ring finger at the whip that was being brandished he would try to take position of it. At the same time running forward to Shuyin and tying to cut him with the iron cleaver, he would swing arm that was trying to take control of the whip so that if the whip was there it would be aimed at Sutiiven.

Sutiiven saw his opening and rushed for Staccato as well. He manuvered so that the now moving whip only cut his shoulder, causing minor bleading as opposed to a serious gash. He grunted to ignore the pain and pushed off the ground, trying to get as much air so that he could come down on Staccato with both flaming blades. Their target was the side away from Shuyin, and unless Staccato did something, he'd have some unique scratch marks.

A wild kick indeed, which would land nowhere near Shuyin's stomach, since he was standing over Staccato's shoulder. He stepped back as he saw Sutiiven coming down with his flaming swords, not wanting to get caught in the middle of that attack.

Sutiiven glanced at Staccato. He want in the best of shape at the moment. "They'll probably be able to fix up that cut in the infirmary, seeing as how well they fixed me and Shuyin up after that fight... almost as good as new." he thought to himself. He glanced at his partner. "So, Shuyin... should we keep on fighting or call it good?" he said, more out of making sure that their possible third partner was going to be alright.

Sutiiven muttered some words under his breath, and the flames on the swords went out, their runes going dark. He sheathed the weapons, and walked over to help Shuyin with Staccato. He put an arm around Staccato's other shoulder and helped Shuyin carry him along. "I hope we didnt go to hard on him, I know we both tried to go after each other a bit, but we ganged up on him there at the end..." said Sutiiven, not too exceptionally worried, but just checking just in case.

Sutii nodded as he went with Shuyin and Staccato through the portal and to the infirmary to recover from their little battle on the mountain. He was feeling a little sore from some of those hits, but it was nothing that the infirmary couldn't handle.

Training Day.

Shuyin stepped out of the portal from Leviathan Arena, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath of the fresh mountain air. He let it out slowly, relaxing himself and opening his eyes. Today was training day. He hoped his teammates would show. Regardless of if they did or not, Shuyin was going to go through his usual routine.

Looking around, he spotted a nice, thick tree that he could use. He stood before it, running his hand over the bark. Then, he clenched his fist and slammed it into the tree's face, leaving an impressionable groove in the shape of his knuckles. He punched the tree again, and again, with both fists alternatively, and after a while, began wearing away the bark.

Sutiiven popped out of the portal right behind Staccato. He rubbed his hands slightly to keep them from getting cold before the training began, and walked over to the tree bashing Shuyin.

"Warming up I see?" he said with hints of sarcasm and awe in his voice. The man's skill with his body was asstounding. Sutii couldnt help but wonder how he had even survived an encounter with the man in the Arena. He decided not to think about it too much, and awaited for Shuyin's command to begin training.

"I see now, well then we should get started then."

Staccato starts to walk away, while rubbing his hands togather. Once he gets a good distance away he stops and truns to face the others.

"I'm ready whenever"

Shuyin took his fighting stance, standing an equal distance from both Staccato and Sutiiven and completing the triangle. All went silent, as he awaited the moment for the fight to begin. A moment passed, and then another, exchanging stares with his teammates. Then an owl hooted.

"Let's go!"

Striking an open palm in the air with his left hand, he sent a wave of ki energy in the shape of his hand flying towards Sutiiven like a missile, then pivoted on the ball of his left foot and stepped out with his right, launching himself in the other direction, toward Staccato. As soon as he came into striking range, he would throw a quick one-two combination of punches with his left then right hand, punching at his face.

Sutii crossed his weapons in front of him in order to reduce the shock of the Ki energy to the point that it didnt hurt him. He was, however, pushed back slightly by the sheer force of the blow. "Dam'n... the more I fight this guy, the more I'm amazed at his skill..." he thought to himself. But this was no time to be spellbound, this was as real of fight as any.

Sutii stepped back with his right foot, then used it to push himself forward towards Shuyin's exposed back. He raised his right hand blade above his head, and swung it down towards Shuyin's back. A simple opening that probably wouldnt work, but all fights had to start somewhere.

Sutii was going at such a clip that he would never be able to stop his forward momentum in time. He thrust the sword in his left hand forward, as to maybe get some damage in, and hopefully prevent himself from colliding with Staccato. A collision like that would leave them both open to some of Shuyin's nasty tricks like the "Divine Wave Punch" and "Rising Divne Uppercut." No, Sutii knew that his best option was to take his chances with Staccato for the moment.

The blade that had been ment for Shuyin's back hit the sheild a second after the one stabbing towards Staccato glanced off of it. It was just enough to put a spike literaly an inch from Sutiiven's face. He then pushed off of the almost lethal spike trap, and backed off a little ways.

A trickle of sweat was sliding down the right side of his face. "That was WAY to close... I can't be making any more mistakes like that or else I wont stand a chance in HoH" he thought to himself. Sutii went on the defensive, and waited for another opening or an attack directed at him.

Shuyin faced the both of them - Staccato on his left with Sutiiven next to Staccato. He was waiting for an opening while they squared off against one another. Both armed with swords, and himself just fists. A likely disadvantage to him, but it was one he could turn the tables on if given the opportunity. But for now, he would wait.

Bringing the shield in his right hand across his body, Staccato would use it to intercept the sword being aimed at his chest.

At the same time as he would intercept the sword with his shield, Staccato would pull back his blade, down by his side and would than turn it so that the point of the blade was point at Sutiiven and the edge of the blade was down. He would then thrust it toward Sutiiven aiming to stab him in the side down by his kidneys.

[Edit]: ((Oh I thought he had two Kunai, because when he wrote it I though he put both his blades away... Oh well all I have to do is change it so that it says sword and delete a few things....Fixed))

Sutiiven took the blow to the head and was sent sprawling. He got off the ground with a grunt, his face dripping blood from his mouth. He drew his other sword in his left hand and rushed in to attack Shuyin with a slash to the face with his right hand blade - sure, he had unintentionally saved him from a nasty hit to the kidney, but this was no time to be thankful, this was a fight!

Staccato back off a bit waiting for an opening to attack. Giving himself a few more feet of distance from his opponents. After finishing that Staccato Morphed his sword into a small spear like weapon that was thin but sturdy and blade at the end.

Shuyin hopped back, getting sliced across the right shoulder. He turned so that he could still see Staccato out of the corner of his eye, but kept his focus for now on Sutiiven. He found himself in a suitable position to try out a newly developed move. Unfortunately, it was going to leave him wide open for attack for a few seconds.

He stood straight and raised his right arm with his palm facing the heavens. His ki radiated off his body like an aura as he concentrated all of it into his right hand, curling it into a fist. With his ki energy radiating off his body still, like fire, he brought his fist down and slammed it into the ground, creating a shockwave of force and a wave of ki energy bursting up twenty feet high from the ground all around him in a ten-foot radius, attacking both Staccato and Sutiiven at once.

"Divine Storm!"

Sutiiven jumped to his feet as Shuyin began executing the attack - there was no chance that the fighter could reach him intime to disrupt it, so he could only hope that Staccato could do it for him in order to avoid the wrath of a new form of Shuyin's "Divine" techniques.

There was not much Staccato could do but let go of the spear. So that is what he did, because he would rather have control of when he went flying than let Shuyin decide what he should hit. Sure Shuyin now had a new weapon, but that was ok.

Staccato would skid to a halt about 3 feet away from Shuyin and reach back for another Iron bar and began morphing it into Double edged short sword. Similar to the shape of Sutiiven's swords.

Another place I've never been to before.

Quote:** Wrote:

"Are you all right?"

Melissa didn't seem to mind the cold, in fact, she seemed to be very warm with the bundle of clothing. It was almost like cold didn't affect her, but that wasn't completely true. She had a tendency to put her hoods down, take her hats off, and leave her jackets unzipped when she was outside and her ears and nose would get red from the high altitude cold.

"This is the Mythril mountains right?" she asked, "I'm hot in all this fuzzy stuff. Are we going to go mountain climbing?"

Ymir was the one behind stealing Idunn's box in the first place, as part of orchestrating his own revival as an avatar. Almost as clever as Loki, who was able to work his way into the company of the Gods. The one who even befriended Thor.

Evan Wrote:

"Yes, we are. I want you to stick close to me, do you understand?" His tone was neither commanding, nor loud- yet it gave the impression that to argue or to disagree was not wise.

"Okay, we did some climbing in Western Gaia as part of my training, when they still had the military base instead of that new city. I was pretty good at it, but I'm not as big as I used to be and I'm not really as strong as I used to be either. I promise to stay close and be careful."

Actually, she stunk at climbing training, but she did manage to pass. She was an army field medic first and foremost.

Evan Wrote:

"This place is not exactly forgiving. I don't know what we'll find up here- hopefully, what we're looking for. We leave this place in the morning and head into the mountains."

"No problem, I can handle it," she said while checking her pocket for the feather he had given her. Actually, she had no idea how well she'd do, there would be a little more confidence if she was still an adult, but knew there wouldn't be much more. She hated heights,

Evan Wrote:

"For now, we're going to rest in that inn there. Come along, now."

"Ohh, good, I like resting."

She followed.

A graphic novel came out of her coat and Melissa started reading. Every now and then if the light was disadvantagous for reading she'd look up, her attention captivated by the sword across his back, and then she would continue reading. She had a few other books stuffed in her coat for when she got to her room. It seemed like a pretty decent vacation spot to her.

Hum, how come you never take me to such nice places?There was a slight hint of amusement to the soft voice as a strange breeze swept through the room. Mmmm, you know, this place almost reminds me of where we first met...

The smile was in place again, although it still had that cold touch to it as the woman leaned against a wall looking at the pair. Her long black hair was swept up in a horse tail, the thin braids that were twisted with all her little crystal and feather ornaments were coiled tightly around the base of the tail glinting softly even in the bad light of the tavern. She was clad all in soft grey again a plain but warm looking soft fleece top and swede pants, a long duster style coat almost dragging on the floor and soft leather boots laced up to her knees. There was a full looking backpack on the floor at her feet

we have met, but I believe we were not properly introduced...She slowly stepped away from the wall and dipped into a slight bow, her smile a touch more friendly as she looked at the gril I am Karasu, pleased to meet you Melissa..

I used to work with Mr. White

Not really... I got tired of listening to Hono'o whine and complain ... so I came looking for something to doShe grinned, eyes glinting slightly as she shook her hair back over her shoulder You have always been good for finding something entertaining to do that was why I followed you in the first place!

"She's good at most things," Evan said diplomatically. He wasn't sure when the last time she had gone mountain climbing was, though he was positive that she could handle such things. Lady Raven- or Karasu as she called herself now- was not made of lace.

"Do you need a room, Karasu? You seem to have come a long way, just to follow me."

Evan had to smirk slightly. She always was one for show, despite her cold exterior. Still, he didn't like that look she gave him earlier. In any event, he turned towards Melissa, smiling. "Don't worry- she will be more than helpful when she comes along. I just hope she knows what exactly she is getting into."

He nodded. Melissa had hit the proverbial nail on the head- except their target was not an object or artifact. It was a person; a woman. An Aesir.

"I doubt that what we're looking for is going to be as simple as retrieving from a temple or anything like that, though I wouldn't doubt that's where we'll find our final objective. In any event, we have to get to bed."

Evan considered that for a moment. There was no real harm in letting her get some more reading done, was there? He shrugged and said, "That's fine with me. Just make sure you get ready for bed amidst your reading, understand?"

Evan meanwhile, was back downstairs after settling himself in his room. And by that, he meant putting his things where he figured they belonged. He asked for a glass of wine or ale- if not, water would do- and began his questions.

"So then... I see you don't get too many travelers here. Is there any reason for that?"

The next morning found Evan awake earlier than usual. He couldn't sleep, and the moments of sleep he could capture were brief. Flashes in his head of the Ragnarok- the day when the Gods fell- plagued him all night. His eyes opened, and for a moment they were a deep, wine red.

Then after a sleepy blink, they were purple again. It was an odd vision, truly. But nothing he needed to take mind of yet. Not yet. He filed the information away for later, rising from the covers and changing clothes silently. He couldn't let himself become distracted by mere visions. And yet, he could not take them for granted, either.

I'll just have to stop thinking for the moment. I'll delve into it later.

Honestly, the Western Gaia military barracks, a small office, being a Lieutenant amounted to something she supposed. Let's see, paperwork, a completed report on the on the medical supply situation, didn't Sallea need that for the inventory check? She pushed back her chair and stood up, taking the thirty page report in hand. It was good to be tall again, but why was she thinking that? Tall.... again? Enough of this nonsense, she had a late report to deliver that she had been working on non-stop all morning. She opened her office door, expecting to find the main lobby where the various staff officers had their cubicles set up. Instead she steped out into a void, a deep black void. The door slammed shut behind her before she could get back to her office, the papers slipped from her hands. No longer a fully grown woman in an officers uniform, she was a little girl in violet dress.

"Hello!"

Her voice echoed again and again. Each step echoed a clap throughout the void. In this strange place she could walk, she could see herself, but everything around her was dark, except for one small faint light.

"Welcome to the void, little girl."

She approached timidly, finding an old man sitting in a rocking chair, relaxing with a cigar. His hair was silver, his eyes were silver, and he was cold. The void around him was refrigerated. The cigar burnt blue, quite brightly. Smoke wafting from the burning end didn't get very far before falling as ice crystals. The smoke snow fell through void, far below wher she was standing. It made her wander how she was standing.

"Where am I? Who are you? Why are you in my dream?"

I've been waiting for you to find this place. you came rather sooner than I expected. Much more than meets the eye with you little human, much more.

"Who are you!"

"A mere personification of something beyond the scale of your limited imagination, the unification with of which you rejected. I once thought of projecting a younger image, but I like to remain versatile, and I find that projecting an image of seniority suits my prestige. I am the oldest being in the universe afterall."

" "

" "

" "

"You aren't very bright, are you kid, typical nurse," he said, shaking the ashes from his cigar before taking a deep buff and blowing the smoke in her face. "I'm just a lonely old man who needed someone to talk to, you'll have to forgive me if I ramble on about nonsense now and then. My powers of articulation are quite limited, seeing as I barely have enough power to project a humble personification toward the edge of this void. Anyway, I don't bite. I'm quite harmless, just a lonely old man."

"I'm sorry about that, being lonely and all, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Nothing, I can deal with it though, my problem isn't nearly as bad as yours," he said, staring off into the void, far past her. "Maybe you can let an old man know what's going on in your life, keep me company, every now and then. God knows you'll have the time."

"Oh, I'm just helping Evan find something that someone lost. And my problem, you mean being a kid," she said nervously, "I can handle it. It isn't so bad."

The old man laughed knowingly, having an idea what was on the back of her mind.

"No, your problem is much, much, worse. Everyone you've ever known will die. Generations will pass away. Cities and nations will rise and fall. And through it all, you'll still be a mere child. Then there is the scaring, think of all the scars you'll acumulate in a few thousand years, in ten thousand. By the time you are seventeen for appearance sake, you'll be the most hideous in exisistence, an unwanted pariah among your kind. You might as well go now and give yourself to the undead, or simply commit suicide. You'd be better off."

She gasped. He hadn't bothered to tell her that any scar would fade, and that in her condition even the deepest scars would shrink and disapear after a few hundred years.

"You like the prospect of gaining knowledge over time, but even if you take it slow you'll have mastered every study mankind can offer. There will be nothing left to learn, and you'll be left without even that distraction. And if you think your little bird is going to take care of you forever, think again, one of you will grow bored with the other and that will be all. Better yet, maybe some interesting fate will cause the avian spy a reunification with his master in Hades."

"What's wrong with you old man!?" Melissa yelled, "Why are you so mean! Why are you saying these mean things?!"

"I was once content to live off milk and rest in contement, spawning my brood as I pleased. My body spanned Gaia, in fact, the world you live in now is my rotting corpse. I am the ultimate undead, and you mortals are nothing more than bugs and maggots feeding off my flesh. How would you feel if you were torn asunder for no good reason, and your body made into a home for those who murdered you! Yes, I'm a mean bitter old being, but I have good reason. Ragnorok couldn't kill me, because technically, I'm already dead. The only way to destroy me, is too destroy Gaia itself."

"Is that what you wanted all along? To destroy Gaia, because you want to die?"

The old man laughed, gesturing with his hands as he spoke, "My little human, a corpse feels no pain, and I know someday this world will end. Even you will be dead long before that. I just wanted to have an avatar, be able to do some things, have some company, boss mortals around. Is that so wrong? I had no malevolent plans. Unfortunately, I need to merge with a human in order to do that. You would have been perfect, child, but for some reason you refused me."

"Because you're evil, I don't know why you're evil but you are. Maybe you weren't always evil, but you are now. I sensed it. You'll just have to settle for being sealed here."

"Oh, I will child, I really don't have any other choice in the matter, now do I. Tell Evan I do hope he finds whatever it is he's looking for. Wish him luck for me."

The old man smiled wickedly, freaking her out before he disintigrated into a pile of ice crystals.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In her bed, Melissa mumbled nervously as she tossed and turned. Her blanket was strewn across her bed, but she did seem to be stirring.

Meanwhile, at the fight -

Sutiiven took a chance, and rushed towards Staccato whilst he was shifting his iron bar. He came into Staccato's side with his right hand blade, practically spinning his entire body in attempt to come around and hit with the left hand sword as well. He was vulnerable to anything that threw him off balance, so if Shuyin decided to launch an earthquake causing attack or something similar, he was screwed.

Evan shook his head. He could have let her sleep for longer, but he had a feeling that time was of the essence. It'd be colder this early in the morning, but they'd have to risk it. Karasu and Evan would not be stirred by the cold- they'd had to live in it for months at a time, though it was a long time ago. She however, would have to bundle up again.

Just because you were somewhat immortal did not mean that you couldn't get frostbite. It'd take her years to get to Evan's level of tolerance. Or perhaps his ability not to care about the cold- he simply seemed to ignore it and keep going.

"No," he said softly. "But I would rather leave early. Was something bothering you earlier? You looked like you were on the edge of a dream..."

He kept his eyes focused on her own, as if he could find some kind of problem that way instead of merely asking.

MelissaFaulkner Wrote:

She averted her gaze from his eyes as she clutched her book tightly.

Yes, something was wrong. If one couldn't look a man in the eye after a question, there was a problem of some sort.

MelissaFaulkner Wrote:

She looked back up and forced a smile.

"Oh, it was nothing, I must be a little afraid of climbing out there. I better get dressed warmly then."

That wasn't it. She looked like he did when his face turned neutral- like she was wearing a mask. He could have said something- the right sequence of words could have done the trick as far as tearing the mask away- but he said nothing, only nodded. Something was wrong... and it wasn't the fear of the climb. But if she wouldn't tell him now, she would eventually tell him later; that, or he'd find out for himself.

MelissaFaulkner Wrote:

She jumped up, got a fresh outfit, and ran toward the rest room.

"I'll be clean and ready in ten minutes, promise."

She would be ready to go first thing after breakfast, no questions asked.

The man nodded before heading downstairs, where Karasu awaited. Upon seeing her and sitting at her table, he noted that she had a tarot deck along with her. Looking at her for a brief moment, one of his eyebrows raised, he said "Numerology? You dabble in the oddest things... not that I doubt your abilities. Wait until Melissa heads down here, then you can perhaps divest what will become of us.

"Speaking of the girl, there's something amiss about her. I want you to watch after her, understand? If anything goes wrong, do whatever you can to stop it."

Hugin the Raven Wrote:

The man nodded before heading downstairs, where Karasu awaited. Upon seeing her and sitting at her table, he noted that she had a tarot deck along with her. Looking at her for a brief moment, one of his eyebrows raised, he said "Numerology? You dabble in the oddest things... not that I doubt your abilities. Wait until Melissa heads down here, then you can perhaps divest what will become of us.

"Speaking of the girl, there's something amiss about her. I want you to watch after her, understand? If anything goes wrong, do whatever you can to stop it."

I will watch over her...She flipped two cards down on top of the Tower and shook her head with a frown But that girl child is no more of a child than I am apperently.... I was never the one fore a mystery like Munin you know, I like things straight forwards as possible

If I did not know better I would think that your Norns were clouding my perception again, but they lost their power over me at the same time that your gods fell from graceKarasu passed a hand over the spread out cards, a breath of air picking them up and aranging them neetly in a pile once more but then again, not knowing exactly what is going to happen next was part of the fun of being arround you my lord

There was deffinatly a hint of a smile on her lips as Karasu waved a hand over the deck again and an invisible wind lifted and then proceded to shuffle the cards, if they were watching closely Melissa and Evan might note that the down side of all the cards appeared to be blank while the top side all had the same patter of a spoked wheel with the All Seeing Eye in the center. She placed both her hands on the table and the cards spread out to slowly rotate about half a foot from the surface, it was flashy, but this was almost like a morning exersise for her, a little show of control and power Select three cards each please, place them face down on the table in front of you... the future is made up of infinite possibilities, each person has the ability to change the outcome of any event... always remeber that the future is not set in stone!

karasu plucked three cards out of the floating deck and flipped them over, the blank white changing into the 3 of Swords, the 10 of Pentacles, and the high arcana card Priestess. Hum... danger, treasure and a woman of power we seek... but you already knew that, the past is clear to all, even if it is sometimes not so easy to speak about.

the rest of the deck continued to rotate as Karasu waited on Melissa to pick three cards, the end result would be based on all the cards that were revealed, but for the moment she flipped over Evan's first card 8 of Wands... a warning not to try and cary too much alone, don't try to keep things all to yourself sir or we could all pay for your misstake.

She flipped over his next card with a frown The tower again... perhaps this is more a sign of what to look for than the true meaning of the card...

Karasu reached for the third card and snatched back her hand with a look of surprise That card is not yet ready to reveal its secrets