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Post by Sulwyn on Feb 23, 2014 1:47:38 GMT -6
It wasn't often that someone or something was compelled to run for hours on end. Let alone nearly seventy two of them.. They had been on her heels since they found out she broke out. Sulwyn had only slept a handful of hours until she heard them chasing after her again when they'd rested enough. All of those hunters and slavers - it was only her physical form that was keeping her lucky enough to stay out of their grasp.
On all fours she jogged tiredly over straights of grass, around trees, and over enormous roots that sprouted from the ground. Her breath was harsh and her little body couldn't handle much more of the never-ending journey. She was wheezing and a few cries came from her tired throat. Her feet tumbled through a small stream, over a rock, and she tripped forward and only barely caught herself with her hands. She was covered in mud from ears to tail.. When lifting her head up, she coughed a few times and wiped her hand over her face to clear the mud from her eyes and nose.
One ear went up at the sound of shouts and tribal calls behind her. Oh no.. they were catching up again! Quickly she panted before standing up and rushing forward again, running right into some stranger she hadn't bothered to sniff out through all of the mud, and fell to the ground again.
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Post by Asher Azrael on Feb 24, 2014 11:01:05 GMT -6
Lonely. That was the feeling that dominated Asher's mind. He was alone. No friends, no family, no father. No, just the priests of the Rose. And he wasn't quite sure they were all there either. On other days, the Domhan Tir in him would force him to find something to do. But today he found himself in the vividly green forests, escaping the Rose for the day and doing nothing but wandering and thinking. It should be a sin to think so much. The recent unfolding of events swept him from reality, and threw him in a place not knowing which direction was forward. It almost felt as if this were all a dream, but that constant knot in his throat and the pain in his heart told a different story. He looked up into the canopy of the massive trees, at the rays of light that peered through the veil. "What do i do now?" he whispered to no one in particular, praying for clarity.
For the most part, the woods were silent. Only the calls of the many forest creatures and the occasional breeze here and there that rustled the leaves. So, it was strange when calls and the howling of men reached Asher's ears. Strange enough to break him out of his trance. He stood and listened, the voices came closer and closer. His first thought were the bandits.. He gritted his teeth and broke into a trot in the direction of the voices. Bandits would not claim anyone else.
Running slowly, Asher's memories fed his anger. He came to a halt to wait and listen. It got quiet for a moment, then something collided with his form, almost knocking him off balance. His hand went to his blade in defense and he held it to whatever it was that hit him that now lied on the ground. A strange little thing, covered in mud top to bottom lie on the floor panting so heavily Asher worried for its life. He immediately dropped the blade and put a hand on the little things back. It was a girl.. a young girl running through the woods for who knows what. "Hey are you okay?" he asked."Gods, I'm really sorry."
The voices in the background were alarmingly close, close enough to hear the twigs snapping beneath the feet of the men. It then became obvious. They were chasing this poor child through the woods like some animal. He brought his blade back to its sheathe and held out his hand. "Come on, let's get out of here." If the girl follows, he begin to run forward and lead the child to safety. Asher wasn't going to let anyone else get hurt if he could help it.
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Post by Sulwyn on Feb 26, 2014 11:23:55 GMT -6
The shine of a blade flickered before her face and made her squeal a little and try and back up along the rough ground. Soon, it dropped to the earthen floor before her and, instead, was replaced with an alien hand soft against her spine. She didn't like that either, though.. It frightened her and made her lower herself as much as she could into the dirt - her back sinking and flattening.
'Hey are you okay?' the voice asked, a tone switching her interest on a little. Though she was still panting with hastened, horror'd breaths, her head lifted a little as her light brown eyes peered out through the grime encasing her. 'Gods, I'm really sorry.'
Not an enemy? Not a predator? Her head tilted and dirty, deep orange ears popped up from against her head and breaking free of the sticky mud. The had a mind of their own - as all did in the animal kingdom to show expression and move or react according to the situations around her. But soon enough, her slight moment of confusion and peace was broken by the howls and shouts behind her. A canine whine came from her throat as her head turned to face their direction. The metal sound of the sword slid and clicked to its sheathe, drawing her attention back to the young man that she'd bumped into. 'Come on, let's get out of here.'
The words were spoken so fast.. and most she didn't understand.. but as soon as he started running in the opposite direction - she yelped after him and began to sprint on his trail. Her footsteps were quiet and her paces were skillfully placed over roots and rocks alike - a muddied, large tail flowing behind her. It was obvious he was leading her.. and for some reason, she could not smell danger on him. It seemed only natural to follow.
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Post by Asher Azrael on Feb 27, 2014 10:55:10 GMT -6
Asher was taken back by the animal ears that popped out of seemingly nowhere on the young girl's head. It was strange but cute at the same time. Bringing a smile, despite everything, to his face. The happiness didn't last however, as the voices of the men were threateningly close now. He turned and ran in the opposite direction, carefully evading the branches and roots crawling around the floor of the woods.
Still running, he turned to see if the little girl was following him and he was relieved to see her muddied face. But, not far behind, the men were hot on their trail and definitely visible now. And they definitely saw him. He looked around for an opening and making a split second decision, he took a sharp right around the trunk of massive tree and quickly picked up speed in that direction. With the cover of the trees, he should be able to escape the line of sight of the followers. But could the child be so lucky ? Maybe she didn't follow him close enough.
He stopped short and turned around. His mind filled with worry. He could remember the labored breathing of the child and her terrible shape. How much longer could she run away? He wasn't in the greatest shape either he realized as he struggled to control his breathing. The decision was made. He had to get between the girl and the hunters.
Letting out a deep breath he drew his blade and went back around the corner. He waved at the girl to come to him and when she was standing in front of him he would say, "Okay, i need you to hide behind this tree and not to come out for ANYTHING in the world, okay? Once they're distracted run down that direction, there should be a river, you might be able to lose them in the water." With that he would step in front of her and drop into a flimsy battle stance. He was prepared to go down fighting if it meant someone else wouldn't have to suffer.
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Post by Sulwyn on Feb 28, 2014 18:50:52 GMT -6
Oh no... something was wrong. Really wrong. It was a pain she was unfamiliar with. Her chest started to tighten and it felt like small, cold knives were scratching against the back of her throat. With every breath she took, the freezing air began to burn her lungs. "Hhuuhhng-!..." she put a hand over her throat and swallowed harshly to try and help herself as she ran, but it just stayed there like some lump lingering painfully in a stuck position. Her nose wasn't working right.. her ears neither.. she was too tired for this. The poor mutt felt like her legs were going to snap.
Quickly, her eyes flicked to the side when the boy took a sharp turn and she just barely scraped against the ground with her hands to turn herself and follow. She whined in her throat with misty eyes and a pained expression as he stopped - letting her cease such hastened movements as well. Her back hit the tree and she slid down into the grass in a rather clumped fashion, her tail flicking around her small body to try and keep warm. Shouts and hollers from the few hunter brutes still chasing her down made her whine again, the cry echoing out of her barely open mouth. She was too weak. They would catch her and she would be put back into the cage... Or maybe she could keep running until she couldn't wake up anymore. Would that be better?..
The sheen of metal caught her fearful eyes again - body flinching away but calming when she realized that it was the young man leading her who had pulled his blade. He waved to her to come to him but it was an odd gesture for her.. so she simply leaned her head forward to try and sniff what he was moving for. When he began to speak she looked up to him and kept still and quiet.
"Okay, i need you to hide behind this tree and not to come out for ANYTHING in the world, okay? Once they're distracted run down that direction," she gazed back to where he pointed his finger, not understanding most of the words he spoke.. but trying her hardest to comprehend the inflection of his voice. She was not allowed to learn the common tongue.. and often whipped or beaten if they ever caught her trying to speak. "-there should be a river, you might be able to lose them in the water."
Her ears were perked slightly but went down when he moved around the tree and faced her pursuers. Sulwyn backed away a little on her rear and stood up wobbily to her feet. Her voice chirped to him with worry - continuing to walk back in the direction he'd pointed while watching him in fear.
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Post by Asher Azrael on Mar 5, 2014 21:14:42 GMT -6
It became quickly apparent that the child didn't understand much of what Asher was saying. It mattered little however, because it seemed she understood the gesture and the intensity of the situation as she slowly inched away from him. He flashed the girl a reassuring smile and leaped into battle.
Asher was incredibly out-numbered and was surrounded quickly by the tall men. Most of them carrying weapons. He looked around him, no escape. His only option was to fight, to fight for this little girl's freedom. He swung his blade glowing in its bronze luster at one man who countered with a weapon of his own. Another man swung, and Asher's head ducked, narrowly escaping impact. It was at that moment that a familiar feeling blazed to life inside him. A feeling of weakness and futility that threatened to eat him alive. In his confusion one man disarmed him, and another swept his feet and knocked him to the ground. The young man pushed back away from the men, frantically trying to get far enough away to run or get a grasp on his weapon. But it was too late for that.
This was all too familiar.. the faces, the feelings Asher felt, the uselessness.. He's lived this before. Except now, he was alone. His body ached, and the exhaustion pommeled him. He began to quiver in the face of death now, again. Though something was strange.. Not only was the scene familiar, but this feeling in his body was also. The warmth of some unseen force enveloping him but tugging at what little energy he had left. No.. it couldn't be. But the faces of the men at this time said something different. 'No..' he thought, 'not again. Please.' Too late.
The men's faces all changed into one of fear. A dull sheen glossing his skin and gradually becoming more vibrant. His flesh became hot and the light reflected of the eyes of the terrified beings before him. "What is he doing?!" shouted one. Asher began walking backward away from them. "Get away! Get away from me!" The energy surrounding his form hummed and he pulsed pure light growing ever brighter. He looked at the direction in which the girl was sent to go. "Hurry up!Get away!" he yelled after her.
There was no stopping it now, it would consume him. The energy tore at his muscles, seeking release. Today would mark the day of another one of Asher's deadly sins, it could not be helped, it could not be stopped. With a pain stricken yell that ripped out of his throat, he released the light..
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Post by Orik on Mar 19, 2014 2:12:11 GMT -6
Within the light's blend of brilliance and heat, time stopped for the children. Nothing could be seen but the light and nothing could be heard but the echos of silence and the ringing of ethereal tones. Slowly, the white stag emerged from the nothing within the light, strong and tall and confident as if this oddity of an environment were familiar to him. The horns on his head, large and crown like but also branched like a mighty oak tree, glistened in the light as did the snow white coat that covered his body. Every footstep, gentle as it was, made a resounding pulse through the paused space as he approached.
"...Stand firm, child. You have done no wrong. Fate does not call down fire upon the cub that protects itself.."
The beautiful swirling colors of Orik's eyes were both vivid and undefined. As soon as you "saw" a color, it would change into it's opposite, still completely beautiful and mystical in it's own way... but perfectly balanced all the same.
He leaned his nose forward in front of Asher. After gently prodding him in the chest, he turned his head towards a direction. Sulwyn's outline could be seen in the distant light far to one side.
"She will be safe. I have already seen it. The purity of her heart will save one who fears they have no purpose." Not bothering to explain his cryptic speech, the elk known as Orik turned back to the boy.
"...as for you... Your ability runs unchecked. You have become a fire with no hearth. You fear it yourself. Do not bother to deny. I see into men's hearts. Fear, however, will only make this problem grow." He waited then, for a long moment, as if wanting to hear what the boy's sentiments were on the situation.
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Post by Asher Azrael on Mar 20, 2014 9:51:05 GMT -6
In the same moment his body was enveloped in pain, both mental and physical, he also felt an overwhelming peace, and the pain was gone. It was as if Asher was trapped in his own mind, for he stood in a space devoid of color. No pain,nothing in sight, no anything just a space of white flowing into oblivion. But as he looked around in confusion powerful footfalls echoed through the space. And he stared, his eyes wide and not comprehending and his mouth agape at the divinity that now faded into existence before him. Orik, the god of Domhan Tir, god of balance, now stood in front of him in all his magnificence and glory. The first thought was disbelief, but as he soon remembered the events that just transpired, his head fell in shame, for he's taken another group of souls not meant to be reaped by man.
"..Are you here to take me away? For killing all these people?" he asked,voice faltering as he spoke to a divinity no man ever gets the chance to see in this life. But as the divinity spoke to him, he slowly raised his head, looking the god in the face for the first time. For a moment there was silence, as Asher recollected the events. He would kill again, burning all without bias. His mind went to the young girl and his eyes widened with worry. Would he reap her soul prematurely as well?
The godly beast spoke again, and his shoulders drop releasing tension. The next few words struck Asher in the heart. The mighty god of Domhan Tir showed himself to the boy for the soul purpose of telling him he was out of control. Tears formed in his sapphire orbs. "I'm sorry, i don't mean to kill. I don't want to kill, i don't want any of this." the boy cried to the deity. "I don't want to hurt people because of my fears. i don't want it." He felt like a child, sobbing when he should be standing tall like a man in the face of his divinity. "You should just.. end me here. That way i won't hurt anyone else."
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Post by Orik on Apr 3, 2014 1:07:44 GMT -6
The poor child seemed absolutely beside himself and Orik felt a pain in his heart for the boy. It was unfair, what he'd bestowed without warning. He'd known that when he'd given the gift... but at the time, the gift was not only about the boy. And even now, the boy's feelings were not the only ones that mattered. The meeting in the world of Gods... what his peers had stated... This seemed as good a start to the preventative measures as any.
Planting little seeds that would grow into mighty trees... that was what must be done.
Taking a few long, gentle strides forward, the great elk angled his head to pull the boy closer, trapping him in the beast's form of an embrace to comfort and console. Deep in the ethereal creature, his heart began syncing with the boy's to bring him into ultimate calmness so that what Orik was about to say would stay with him. Orik was about to give the boy a small glimpse of enlightenment and hopefully it would steer him on a path that would protect Domhan Tir.
"Hush now, my child... There is no need for these tears... Though you acknowledge that the gift is out of control, you also acknowledge that I have given it to you. Then you also know this power has a purpose... and a way to focus it."
For a moment he stood still, comforting the child... his child... as any father would someone so young. And let's face it, when you reached Orik's age, everyone was a baby until the day they turned one hundred.
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Post by Asher Azrael on Apr 11, 2014 13:01:14 GMT -6
Asher almost hated himself for losing control of his emotions like that. But he couldn't help it. He felt so hopelessly destructive, as if everything he touched would rot and wither away. He didn't want to live life like that, knowing that the people he loves could all be killed by one spur of heavy emotion. He wished he could lock himself away forever, never having to interact with anyone ever again. But the beast known as Orik came close to him and wrapped him in some strange animal embrace. The contact of his skin to the skin of the God was strange, it felt like a rush. And in a moment he tears faded and an overwhelming peace wrapped itself around him like a blanket. The great divinity spoke, and Asher reached a state of no emotion, he rode on the waves of peace.
But he pondered on what the beast spoke of. He would want nothing more than to have a purpose, to help people with this extraordinary gift he was given by the Divinity. Control over it would mean less death, less killing. That's what he wanted, to bring about peace, not destruction.
"Please help me, mold me into what you want me to be. I'm ready to help people." A new fire coming to light in his eyes, one of new strength.
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