New Beginings.

[TheRuddyRaku!]

Keil's body lay Dead and unmoving in the rain of Toai ruins, sheltered by an alcove of unfallen stone. The jet black teenage body lay still and unmoving, as Keils voice rang out across the ruins. The sound of a lost child, almost crying in fear and confusion, Litterally the spirit crying for help across the minds of the living...

"Help... *Sniff* Please, someone.. i dont know where i am or... or what's happened!"

The voice echoed in the confines of anyones mind, near enough to the bodies resting place.

"Please, i beg of you... someone, anyone.." The feeble teenage male voice broke out now in moaning sobs, as if it was bawling loudly. Not physicly heard. echoeing in the confines of anyones mind.

[nadia]

Rain fell from the heavens as an adult, still pretty young, she-wolf padded on. She was new to the lands and thought it best to see where she could freely roam and where she could not. She yet hadn't spoken to anyone since her arrival, but she was working on it. She had been exploring most of the morning and day. The sun was begining its climb down out of the sky so that the moon could rule the night. Even if the sun couldn't be seen through the dark clouds, the feel of night was familiar to her. She knew she should be heading back so she didn't lose her way, but something didn't feel right.

She scented the air careful to avoid getting too much water in her nose or mouth, but only the scent of rain filled it. With a shake of her wet pelt she began to turn around, ready to leave when suddenly a clash of thunder and a new voice calling out to her. Or what she thought was someone calling to her.

"Help... Please, someone,"

She pricked her ears listening carefully for any sound of the cry, but heard nothing. Then, she heard it, faint, but it was there. Quickly without thinking she followed the voice. Squinting through the rain to try and find whoever it was that needed help. When she could no longer hear anything, she stopped. She didn't have the slightest clue of what she was looking for or where to find him. Yes a him, she knew that by the tone of voice.

Turning her clouded gaze over to an alcove she noticed an odd shaped rock, or what looked like one. It was black and almost blended with the other stones, but after intently watching i-him, he moved. Quickly Nadia ran over to the young male who had called out for help. He looked badly injured. She narrowed her blue eyes as she wondered what to say. Then finally decided on, "Are you alright?"

[TheRuddyRaku!]

The Dead wolf was pleased someone could help him. The corpse didnt move a muscle, as the spirit voice called out once more in the mind of this living she-wolf.

"No...*Sniff* Im not, Some big bad wolf killed me... and..." The voice broke off, giving a tormented wail(-The wail of the dead.) Before blubbering into sobs once more. The body didnt move as he continued to speak. "I was minding my own buisness and it... -He killed me. i dont know what i did wrong. But i dont like being dead... i dont like it here.... Its dark and scary." The deceased spirit continued talking, before blubbering once more into a fit of screaming and crying.

[nadia]

Nadia looked at the body and for the first time noticed the silent stillness that only death could give. Was I mistaken when I thought I saw him move?She wondered silently to herself. She listened carefully as the spirit,ghost, or whatever it was spoke. She was still new to these lands and still learning of how everything worked. She wanted to help, but she wasn't exactly sure how. If there was anything she could do she knew she had to ask and found out.

"What can I do to help you,...I'm sorry what is your name?" She asked hoping she didn't sound rude or odd. For once she wished she was back home since she knew everything you needed to know to survive. Now she just felt helpless to help this wolf/spirit. She knew she at least had to try though, if there was anything.

[TheRuddyRaku!]

The wolf howled, almost as if in agony. Just keeping his spirit in this realm was tiring fror him, let alone communicating with the living.

"M-m-my name is Solace. i d-dont want to be dead, Please. ill do ANYTHING to stop from passing on. I j-j-just never found my parents, or f-found out where i w-was from. And, m n-not alright. I feel like im s-slowly succumbing to d-death. I dont want to pass on!"

The spirit nearly screamed, sobbing in a fitfull mass of teariness and self pity. its voice was almost desperate.

"P-please, Can you help me? I n-need you to take my body in-inside this cave, i kn-know how to bring myself b-back... I can feel it already, i f-feel cold. I dont like it, its scary!"

The spirit was indicating the alcove he was in, it seemed to be a tunnel of sorts, Pitch black inside, it was dark enough outside, let alone in there. The cave seemed to have been constructed in the ruin, almost as if morelike the ruins were constructed around them.
The black tunnel seemed to radiate mystical energy, untold almost, of the centuries past of the natural structure.

[nadia]

Nadia thought for a moment and then nodded her head. She manuevered herself so that she align with the body. Carefully she grabbed a mouthful of black fur and gently began to tug on the limp body. She dragged it through the tunnels, ever now and again dropping the body, to readjust her grip.

"How much further do I go?" She asked glancing behind her and wondering just how far they'd gone. She didn't know where the tunnel lead to or how far she was suppose to go, but she trust the spirit of the fallen wolf to inform her when to stop. She again started to drag his body slowly through the tunnels and wondered if he'd feel her teeth marks and the scratches from the hard earth beneath him on his body when he... "revived" himself. She hoped he didn't.

[TheRuddyRaku!]

"Not that much further..." his voice seemed more desperate by the minute and then suddenly.. "Put me on that rectangular looking rock. Please!"

His voice was almost begging, as the cold corpse was dragged across the floor.

The large cave seemed very potent, it was little wonder why it had remained undiscovered for so long. It seemed as if magic radiated through the very air the living would breathe, or feel warm against the soul.

(Sorry for the short post XD)

[nadia]

Nadia gave a slight nod and focused on moving Solace's body over to where he directed her. Her paws were getting tired from dragging the dead weight, but she did not complain. Even if she wasn't sociable, she wouldn't let another wolf die when she could have done something. Just the thought of the pup she had lost made her pull harder to move him him faster. To her surprise her recovering injured leg wasn't giving her problems, yet. Her leg should have been cramping up by now, but just as the warmth of the sun had eased it, there was a certain warmth to this place. Whatever it was.

She heaved a sigh of relief as she heaved the body onto the rectangle. She quickly looked to make sure he was fully in, before taking a few steps back. She wasn't sure how it worked and she was curious to find out. Magic wasn't common where she came from, if what she was feeling was actual magic.

She gace her chest a few swift licks and then studied her white,silver, and grey fur before looking back at the young male. Her blue eyes were aglow with curiosity as she watched him. Questions began to swirl through her mind, but she said nothing. Staying as silent and motionless as usual, acting as if death too had claimed her.

[TheRuddyRaku!]

As the wolf's body was placed upon the rectangle, tiny scriptures and runes began to shimmer with light across the corpse, using magic that had lay dormant and forgotten for thousands of years.
The new supply of light lit the otherwise black space, causing shadows to retreat. The place was full of light now, all radiating from the stone rectangle in the centre of the room. Light shining revealed statues of long dead wolven warriors, in ornate armour, tiny red candles lay at each of the statues feet, burning mysteriously with an eerie red glow. Silken tapestries, worn and eaten away by moths depicted battles forgotten for odessies, as the candleflame danced across the images, almost giving the impression that they were moving, a trick of the eye that made it look like the wolves on the tapestries were fighting. Or was that just the light?

This place wasn't a cave. No, it wasnt a cave at all. It was a tomb, a place for the dead, where the dead doth not rest.

The light began to fade, dimming as the shadows began creeping back, finally forcing the place into Complete darkness. Sounds could be heard from the blackness of the structure, Hideous scraping noises. The sound of metal claws screeching against hewn stone. the creak of plates echoed across the tombs confines. These "Things" were moving in sheer darkness now, Unable to be seen by mortal and immortal eye alike. The sounds of their rusted creaking movements was almost deafening in the darkness.

The grinding of plates once more. and the locking of them forming. the only light in the room came from the rectangular tombstone on which Solace lay, where dark black metalic paws forced armour plates onto the corpse. The flickering of brimstone and fire igniting in the darkness was occasionaly seen, as the ancient armour plates were fused to the wolf's skin. After mere moments of all this mind blowing action the light diminished. The sound was dead, the tomb had lost its feeling of warmth, now it felt dark, with a haunting corrupt feeling about it as the plated corpse of solace began to rise in the darkness, sitting upright as his plates creaked with rusted strain, and the metal clunked loudly with contant on the rock.

The candles of the statues ignited once more, a new statue had appeared the spitting image of the metal clad beast infront of the she-wolf, another candle at its feet. The ritual was complete, and the form of Solace sat, proof that it had worked.
Black armour plates covered every inch of his skin, Fused with millions of metal black barbs, protruding from the armour as if fur.
Cruel serrated metal teeth hung from both of its metal plated jaws, as Knifelike shining black claws flexxed in the uneasy atmousphere.

The figure spoke. Its voice no-longer childlike and scared, but full of power, a deep demonic roar. "Thankyou for ressurecting me foolish one. I never learned your name. I question highly the sanity of one who would Create another 'Dakkan' in the Shinkou realm and damning it in the process..... I wish to know the name of such a wolf. For you interest me young one.."

Solace gave one abrupt deep cackle, a chilling sound, Full of death, malice and hellish delight. His tone had been silky, demonic, gravvelike and deep, but alluring and silky nevertheless.

The armoured Solace looked on at the she-wolf with an eyeless gaze. Smelt her scent with a scentless nose, And the armour flexxed, as if the dead metal was infact breathing, every intake of air the dead metal made, sounded like the gasps of a dying wolf.

Solace was alive once more... Yet more dead than he could ever hope to be....

[nadia]

Nadia stood her fur somewhat bristling. She didn't know whether to run,fight, or just stand there. Whatever a "dakkon" was he intrigued her sense. Though something didn't feel right, but she couldn't place her paw on it. She may have been a little lost in the world she now lived, but she wasn't afraid of this wolf. Her head told her to turn and run away from whatever he was, but she just stood. Thousands of questions crashing through her mind like a hurricane. It made it hard for her to focus on anything anymore.

She studied Solace, if that even was his name. Black metal replaced the wolf's fur, or what was the wolf's fur. She wasn't exactly sure if the metal covered the body or was the body. She gazed back into its sightless gaze. She could see the gently flickering of light from the fires reflect from the eyes, but that was all. Well she could see her own reflection, but it didn't seem that important at the moment.

Nadia narrowed her gaze as he asked her name. Perhaps she was foolish with the knowledge of this land, but she wasn't foolish enough to put herself in danger. She didn't know whether or not he would harm her or simply let her go. None of what was going on was making any sense. She felt as if she would faint from all the questions and instincts that were screaming in her head. She was careful to keep a blank face, but it took a lot to make sure it stayed that way.

"Why would you want to know my name?" She asked. Hoping to buy some time and find out what exactly was going on. She hated feeling so helpless, again she knew she had made another mistake. Who knew how many wolves would die because of her. She dug her claws into the stone ignoring the seething pain as some cracked. She couldn't help feeling angry with herself and she wasn't even sure if this...wolf creature thing would even harm anyone, but he wouldn't call her foolish if he wasn't planning on it.

She closed her eyes, not afraid if Solace attacked her. She needed to regain her composure before she lost herself to darkness forever. The guilt of her best friend's son's death already plagued her heart and mind. She didn't need anymore trouble nor guilt.

[TheRuddyRaku!]

The black metalic beast Shimmered, as if it were on fire for a breif second. The flames licking its large figure, which was larger than the body it had spawned from. The flame poured out of every small gap in the armour, spewing from its mouth, eyes and the slits where its nose should be on the armour, before disapeering with a corrupt hiss."I asked you a question young one. What doth thy name be? for i am infact curious about you. Many wolves of shinkou would not tolerate such a corrupt form of ressurection, even if it is one of the only ways to come back to the physical realm. So, are you ignorent of shinkou morality? or are you a twisted wolfette who wants to play with fire? Or maybe one such as yourself would like to play god with the dead?"

His right paw flexxed, the knifelike metal claws moving tracting and re-tracting from his metal paw with a screech on stone, as his eyes narrowed. Serrated metal teeth ground together with the frustration of having to repeat himself on his initial question.

"Well? Your face is ridden with guilt for aiding in the summoning process of the Unholy Dakkan race, This is somewhat apropriate for the situation, however, your scent tells you have something else to be guilty about."

The big black metal beast sat up with the grinding of armour plates, screeching with rust against one another. The stone itself creaking with the strain of hollding so much weight. The wolf was no bigger than a normal wolf, save a foot or so, however the weight of the armour said otherwise in comparison, since he hopped drunkenly from the tombstone, testing his reflexes in this new body. The dark figure paced toward the wolf with an agonising slowness. The stagger of a man bleeding to death. Everything about this thing had something to do with the horrible thought of death. The way he staggered, as if he were giddy from bloodloss. His speech was coughed and gurgled as if his throat were torn to shreds. And his breathing came in hurried gasps. similar to a dying man.

He stood next to the she-wolf. looking down on her, even if he was only a foot taller and reached a paw to her face. The icy metal made contact with her fur and skin, the barbed plates and knifelike claws were delicate, making no attempt at scratching, or even biting the skin. From this short distance the figure smelled potently of decay, the rotting corpse housed within the armour causing the stench that would turn a wolf's stomach.

"Well My-dear?"

[nadia]

Nadia lashed her tail angrily with irritation. "It's Nadia!" She finally snapped. "And for your information I am not that young! I have no guilt in resurrecting whatever you are to this land! The only guilt I have is for those that died when I could have done something!" She snarled. Memories hitting her mind like a vortex threatening to undo her. She felt the stabbing claws of guilt start to pierce her, crippling her mind and heart. She didn't know anything anymore. Couldn't feel anything.

She backed up as he neared, but stopped as her leg threatened to bring her to the ground. When the cool metal touched her she looked away and ignored the smell of rotting flesh. She wanted to run, but didn't have the strength to. She wanted to cry out, but didn't have the voice to. She felt caged and locked down in darkness with everything that she'd failed to do.

Her heart howled a sorrow only she could hear. Something that made her want to just end it all. Lost. She was so lost, so alone. Walls of suffering slowly merging together, sufficating her with their pressue. The first sight of tears made her blue eyes shine, but she instantly closed them. What was wrong with her? She had never lost herself this baddly before. She took deep breathes calming herself down, and a new thought played in her mind.

"You're too close," She said as she slowly began to recover. She didn't want to offend him, but she now knew the reason of why she was begining to lose it. She was terrified of getting close to anyone. Not because they scared her, but because she was afraid she'd fail them when they needed her most. She already lost innocents, she didn't want anymore blood on her paws. She just couldn't help, but fear the thought of even being friends with him. She had already gotten close enough.

[TheRuddyRaku!]

Solace gazed deeply into her eyes, his snout almost in contact with hers, his cold breath coming out in misty rugged gasps, as if in winter where one could see their breath rise infront of their face.
His paw coninued to caress her face the blades causing a scratching feeling, not pain, but similar to one running nails on skin. his eyeless gaze was flickered with pity for her, as he looked down upon her form.

"Nadia, tis' a beautiful name, for one such as yourself. You should calm down."

His bristled metal tail wagged slowly, the metal barbs making a faint screech across the floor. Solace was direct and to the point with her when he tilted his head quizicly and asked:

"Why are you so nervous and agrivated at me being so close? surely you didnt mind when you dragged my corpse here. What has changed? i am still dead."

He watched her eyes brim with tears, as his jawplate slid into a warm smile, his serrated fangs almost grimacing at her.
"Dont you think eyes are more beautifull when they sparkle with tears?" The sick, twisted wolf ran a comforting paw across the side of her face, the touch was icy, and almost uncomfortable, filled with a tingleing feeling on contact with the metal. Not a bad feeling, but an uneasy one. Solace continued to look upon his maker with care, and a tinge of affection. The little mortal emotion the armour had, seeping through the plates, as his faintly burning eyes radiated into hers with a dim red glow.

[nadia]

Nadia just sat quietly listening to the beat of her heart. Could she tell him the reasons behind her fear? Show him the memories that haunted her night after night. Make him understand why she couldn't get close to him or he her? No she couldn't, but then...the truth would have to come out sooner or later and with the chances of never seeing him again, she could perhaps spare the torment of it.

"I wasn't born to these lands," She began trying to ignore the way his paws moved against her cheek, a somewhat comforting feeling. "My homeland lies far to the north. How far I could not tell you, for I'm not even certain how far I came that night, but I think I should start off with my history." She said taking a deep breathe before she plunged deep into her stroy of what happened.

"In the lands I come from my pack was the greatest and the largest. I was the first born of the alphas. My father was a decendant of a great wolf in our lands history. My birth was apparently something great since I came into the world at the exact same time as a star had fallen from the night sky. I never understood why that was so great, but everyone treated me as if it was. I didn't like being treated different as the others, it was strange.

Anyways as the years passed my parents began grooming me towrds being the future alpha. I didn't want the job, but I didn't really have a choice. For three years I was made strong, independent, a leader, but that all changed the night I was suppose to take over. See I was put in charge of watching the pups while the rest went out to hunt. It started raining and at first we thought it was nothing, but the land started to flood. My brother moved our elders while I began to move the pups." Nadia paused her voice becoming ragged breathes as the events were put into play in her mind.

"The pack had returned when I had brought the second to the last pup. The only pup left belonged to friend, whose mate had been killed in a border fight. Her son was the last surviving pup in the litter and the only son she had had with her lost mate. She had asked me where Aiden was and I told I was going to go get him. She begged to come with me, but I told her to say. I told her we couldn't afford to lose anyone. She finally agreed to wait and I left to retrieve Aiden.

However when I got there the dens were completely submerged under and I could see Aiden trying to fight to stay above the water. I hurried to try and reach, but before I could a current pulled him under and the last thing I heard was a tiny pitiful yelp, a last cry to survive. I went under, but couldn't see him anywhere, the water was so dark. The next thing I knew I was being pulled with the current and after that nothing. Not until I woke up on a shore somewhere around." She said her voice just a silent whisper and as she looked down at her paws she realized she was shaking.

"I traveled around until I found a stable pack. I found one and swore to never return to my homeland no matter what. I failed and I couldn't bare to see my friend or hear her pitiful cries when she learned of her son's death. I was suppose to protect my pack and I failed." She finished closing her eyes to try and stop her compulsive shaking.

"I helped you because I was there and there was something I could do to help you. I helped you because I couldn't go through with the knowledge that I could have done something. You may be dead, as you say, but you are not dead to this world. You can still roam freely, that innocent life can not do so, and it is because of me."

Nadia stayed silent afterwards. There was nothing else to be said. He wanted to know and now he knew. She sat back on her haunches, her leg was bothering her too much to stand. This also put some distance between them. She sighed and let her head hang down, she suddenly felt tired.

[TheRuddyRaku!]

The Dakkan looked at the she-wolf in pity, his metal face shifted, apearing slightly saddened for her loss, but his eyeless gaze seemed to sparkle with delight at her misery.

"I apoligise for your loss, But it enthralls me how one so frail can endure such pain. The death of the innocent is a pleasing idea to me, then again, such is the idea of the death of the guilty. Well, Death in general... Its an art-form."

Solace grinned. The insane metal beast didnt have mortal concepts. He was more demon than anything. Or a living reprisentation of death itself.

"I do not know why you greive for the dead. they have merely passed on, or are no longer with the living. Tell me, Do you want them back for their sake? Or your own? People mourn because of the absence of life, they miss the dead. Do you miss the dead? If so, your putting your own needs before theirs. You are indeed, selfish mortal, for anyone who mourns the passing of life, Be indeed selfish."

He gave the wolf one last stare before pacing out of the chamber, walking away into the distance, with the screeches and clanks that armour emitted.. A shred of crude wolven demonic metal, fading into the horizon...