Returned To Fight

[Felypsa]

No sooner had they all arrived, Hawk very nearly getting his tail sliced off, did they all hurry down, following Hawk. Ammolite couldn't believe the fast pace of what was happening. First, she had been reunited with her long-lost demon father. Second, Azarak had ordered her to leave behind her beloved amulet, the only thing she had left from her mother, in the Spirit World, where they would certainly never find it again. Third, they'd come back somewhere in their own world, and Hawk was leading them away from some kind of danger. Ammolite couldn't help but feel overwhelmed - and her neck felt so bare...and she felt so weak...[/color]

"Well, this was not how I imagined spending my first day back in my own world," Fiendark muttered to himself. He glanced at Ammolite, feeling a rush of emotions that he couldn't show. Now was not the time.[/color]

"Care to explain just what is going on?" Azarak asked, keeping his voice quiet but with just as much biting cynicism in it. He did not appreciate such rushing around. Enemies already? They had only just returned![/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Hawk remained silent as he led them quickly towards the pack lands. His hackles were raised as he sniffed at the air. The scent he had found upon arival was distant, but the source of it was one he desperately wanted to avoid. His mind reeled as he tried to figure out a way to enter the underground without being followed by whatever it was that spooked him. Then an idea formed in his mind. The entrance to the home of the Defenders...He never knew how to get in there...hopefully the doorway will buy us enough time... With that, the mascu tore off towards the packlands, sprinting at his full speed.

Phoebus was having trouble keeping a grip on Hawk's back. So he took off and flew close to the ground. His wings beat silently at the air as he flew. The bird of prey looked back to make sure the others were following. He was caught up in the moment and did not question the warrior. Yet it was obvious that the bird was as lost as the others.

[Felypsa]

Ammolite tried to catch up with the others, but she was rapidly losing energy. Strange...must've been all that running to the Rift to find Daddy... she thought blearily. I'm getting so much exercise today. Too much. Great Dalia Below, why do I feel so gods-forsaken weak...?[/color]

Fiendark, utterly confused by everything, trying to take in his old world while at the same time following Hawk, nevertheless had no trouble keeping up with the running warrior. He glanced back and saw Ammolite lagging behind and slowed down to wait for her. He was concerned; whatever that amulet was, he thought, it was powerful enough to get me here and to drain Ammolite of much of her energy. She's suffering because of me! He felt a pang of guilt. What goes around comes around, I suppose. Give and take. He spoke. "Come on, Ammolite. We're nearly there." He knew no such thing, of course. But damned if he was going to stand by and watch his daughter struggle![/color]

[Monkey Monk]

It wasn't long before Hawk skidded to a halt within the trees. He panted heavily and waited for the others to join him. Now was the time for stealth. His golden eyes looked around quickly as his breath slowly caught up with him. Anxiously he waited for the other's to join him. When they did, he would wait and let them catch their breath as he had. Also he was ready to answer any questions posed to him.

Phoebus swooped down and landed on the ground near Hawk around the same time the other's did. The feathered chest of the bird heaved as he looked over to his wolven counterpart. When he spoke, his voice was rather loud, yet he quickly brought it back down to a whisper. "Bloody- Bloody hell Hawk, why the devil are you running? You act as if you're running from a mad man."

[Felypsa]

It took a while before Ammolite could get to the hiding place where Hawk was. She was all worn out even from the jogging/walking quickly for that not-so-long distance. What is wrong with me? She looked gratefully at her father for stopping and jogging beside her, despite her slowness. He's been gone all my life, and yet, it just seems so right that he's my father, demon or not. I think I can even see why Mother fell in love with him. I'm so glad I've found him at last... She was caught up in her thoughts and did not ask Hawk the obvious.[/color]

Azarak, however, had no such inhibitions. "For once, the bird is right," he said curtly. "What is going on, Hawk? This chase is absolutely ridiculous. I hardly had time to get my bearings straight. Are our lives in danger? What kind of enemies are we running from? Why on earth on they here?" He threw the onslaught of questions at Hawk.[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Hawk would dart his crazed gaze to Azarak. When he spoke, his voice was low and showed both his fear and restrained anger. The golden warrior heaved as he waited for the other's to recover, his anxiety growing. "It's him... can't you smell him? The smell of the blood of my brothers. The smell of metal. The smell of evil. I'll kill him! I'll rip his throat out. I'll watch him writhe on the ground and beg for mercy! He will pay!" The mascu's voice grew to a loud yell as he roared out at nothing. It was as if he was challenging the unknown to come and join him in a bout at that moment.

Phoebus was startled at Hawk's unbridled anger. Quickly he hopped over to the other's watching as Hawk growled and looked around. The bird could not smell as well as a wolven. Yet when Hawk calmed down and silently beckoned for the others to follow him in stealth through the forest. Quickly the bird hopped onto Finedark's back and whispered to them. "What the devil is he talking about?"

[Felypsa]

Azarak merely raised a brow at Hawk's sudden outburst of fear and anger and hatred. "Oh, him." The lizard sighed. "Great. Bloody brilliant." To Phoebus he said, "There was this wolf, this Defender, like Hawk, who killed all his friends...you know those bastards who had attacked us when we came from the mountain? Yeah, they answered to the one Hawk appears to smell now. I can't smell him, but then again, I'm just some insignificant lizard."[/color]

"Tagger..." Ammolite whispered. Her nose twitched, and she thought she could smell what Hawk could sense. Just a little bit. "Oh, Hawk. Please calm down. You - I mean, we - have already killed Luke. I just...damnit, I just don't want to see you going crazy and hurting and being hurting and killing and being killed again!" She burst out. Then she sank down, feeling very fatigued. "I just don't want it."[/color]

Fiendark looked concernedly at his daughter. "You've killed - ?" He began, then stopped himself and addressed Hawk. "Friend Hawk, I beseech you to listen to my daughter's advice. I understand this beast, this Tagger, is a source of great aggravation and grief and hate for you...but you will not get what you seek by losing your sense of reason. He is near, it seems - but has he sensed you? If he hasn't, I suggest we lay low for a little while longer. We are in no condition to take on such a formidable enemy right now. We're disoriented for just coming into this world so quickly, and I, for one, am more than a little confused. And I'm sure you must be worn out from your escapades in the Spirit World."[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Hawk whipped around to face the others. Those golden eyes of his darted between his companions. When he spoke, his voice had returnd to being barely above a whisper. "He has undoubtably sensed us. I would wager anything Kindare told him about me, and now he seeks all of our blood. We must get underground before he reaches us. Once we're underground, you all must go to Istariel, yes even you Phoebus. I will hold off Tagger as long as I can." The warrior seemed to have calmed down considerably after his outburst. Yet now he was anxious to do as he said, for there was no doubt that vile mascu had heard his rage.

Phoebus remained silent as Hawk spoke. Even after everything was explained to him, the bird was as lost as Fiendark probably was. Yet he could sense that Hawk was telling the truth, or atleast what he believed to be said truth. So the bird puffed up his chest and looked at the others. "If he's right, we'd be better to fight underground where that lovely Istariel and her folk can help us. We'll out number the bastard and push him away."

[Felypsa]

"By Korian's blood, Hawk, stop being so gods-forsaken noble!" Ammolite cried. She was about to say more, but lacked the energy. Her eyes were an indescribable, dull color and she was rapidly feeling more exhausted. Sleeping in the Underground sounded like a lovely idea...seeing Istariel again...but why can't Hawk come to? "Hawk," she murmured, but was unable to say anything more.[/color]

"I don't think such heroics are necessary," Azarak informed Hawk. "But do as you feel is right. But Hawk, please don't forget the earring Istariel gave you. The cave-demons will come when you need them." He did not say "if you need them." He nudged Ammolite encouragingly. "Ammolite, it won't take too long to get there. Look! There's the oak and the water-rock again...we're back at the beginning. Once we get to Dalia's Lake, you can relax." She began to protest, but the lizard was adamant. "Go. Hawk knows what he's doing." He glanced back at the warrior and added under his breath, "I hope."[/color]

Fiendark looked from Ammolite to Hawk, torn between helping the former get Underground and helping the latter fight. Then he remembered the Sick cave-demons down below, and was decided. He had to go Underground; there was nothing for it. "Good luck, Hawk," he said curtly. "I sincerely hope to see you again." And he followed his daughter and the lizard, supporting her when she needed it. Soon they vanished into the entrance Underground, between the oak and the water-rock.[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

When Azarak spoke of recieving aid from the cave demons, he shook his head. "No. This is my battle. Go, Phoebus will help you." He followed them to the entrance to the underground. Phoebus indeed went with them to give them his air. The bird of prey obviously did not wish to leave Hawk. Slowly the golden warrior followed them to the entrace. Once they had disapeared, he looked over to the circle of pillars that still stood in the ground. Luke's lifeless form had been picked over by scavengers in their leave of absense. Yet suddenly a voice made the warrior snarl and look up to the top of one of the tall spires of stone.

"Very noble of you indeed Hawk. Running around and helping others, just like old times. You always were Icewolf's little pet." Atop the stalagtite that was buried in the frozen ground stood a most vicious of creature. His thick black pelt moved in a slight breeze over sinewy muscles. The light gleamed off metallic claws that were embedded deep into the stone. A translucent scar was upon his right foreleg, the inner working of his body put on display through it. This scar is where the Defender Mark once had gleamed. Yet it was now gone, a meer memory. The massive being leapt from the top of the stone. He plumetted to the ground and landed with a loud thud. "Now my old friend, it is time to kill you....again ironicly."

Phoebus shifted nervously on Fiendark's back. His fierce eyes showed his sorrow as he looked behind them. Yet they were too far into the tunnels to see Hawk anymore. Soon the bird of prey spoke, yet his voice was no longer held his cheery temperament. "Would someone please tell me why we're leaving him!? Azarak, couldn't you use your sorcery?! Ammolite, what about that tornado thing!? Fiendark, can't you do some sort of ability as well?! WHY ARE WE JUST LEAVING HIM!?" The bird shook as he was torn up inside. He could not just let the last one in the line of the family he protected die. Yet he also had to do whatever Hawk said, and the mascu had told him to help them.

[Felypsa]

"Stop whining," Azarak said, though without much animosity. "For your information, I'm not an ongoing source of power. I need my own time to regenerate my power. Besides, Hawk would not have me. He would have no one help him. None of us are happy with this arrangement. Talk about a good way to ruin a celebration! I was hoping to partying by this time, since we've got Fiendark back. This Tagger fellow sure knows how to spoil everything with his ill timing."[/color]

"Oh Phoebus, I would help our friend Hawk," Fiendark said unhappily. "But my abilities are stretched thinly - and the cave-demons need me. A disease. This Sickness only I can cure. I must salvage my energy and powers for this. Hawk's choice is his own."[/color]

Only Ammolite did not defend herself to Phoebus; indeed, she seemed not to have heard him at all. She felt strange; like every step she was taking was towards her doom, each step sapping her badly-needed strength. It was obvious she couldn't stay awake much longer, much less help Hawk fight Tagger.[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Phoebus looked at the others forlornly. He lowered his head and sighed. The sounds of the battle on the surface resonated down to them. It seemed to be heated from their position. Yet the bird of prey said nothing anymore. Instead he prayed to the spirits to send help to Hawk. He put every ounce of his soul into the hopeful wishing. Phoebus did not want to let his charge die in a idiotic battle for vengeance.

Hawk and Tagger battled above incessantly. The sounds of their bout echoed down into the tunnels. The golden mascu barely dodged a swing of those sharp claws, the fur atop his ear cut off. Yet he fell into Tagger's trap. Hawk let out a loud yelp of pain as the larger mascu slammed into his chest. The golden wolf went flying through the air and slammed against a pillar. His breath was knocked from him as he writhed on the ground. Slowly the desert wolven rose to his feet. He spat out a gob of blood unto the earth. With a loud roar of anger he leaped at Tagger. "You bastard! This is for Icewolf! This is for Savage! This is for Falchion! And this is for me!"

Tagger was caught off guard from the counter attack. Over and over Hawk struck at the black wolf's body. Each blow was powerful, but weaker than the last. This fight was a futile one. Hawk was seriously drained of energy while his foe was well rested. Once the counter attack was over, Tagger struck Hawk's face. Those metal claws dug deep into the other's flesh. The golden wolf's yelp of pain was loud, but cut off short when he was again sent flying through the air. However, this time he was too tired to rise. The golden wolf coughed up blood as Tagger slowly approached, speaking in his dark voice. "Well well well Hawk. It seems you have grown weak. Here I was expecting a challenge. Give Icewolf my regards when you die." Slowly a heavy paw was raised, ready to come down and end Hawk's life in a single blow.

However, a voice rang out from the nearby forest. It was icy and laced with malice. Both Hawk and Tagger perked their ears. Hawk had a look of pure joy, while the other was drained in his face. "Tagger m'boy. You have changed in the years. Look at you, going to kill your own friend? You have changed." As Tagger turned to face the owner of the voice, two blurs of color smashed into him and sent his figure skidding across the ground. Between Hawk and Taggerung stood two creatures. One had a pelt of pitch black and red streaks. The other had the exact opposite pelt. Yet the two things that these creature's had in common were their fierce yellow eyes, and golden Defender Marks upon their right forelegs. Tagger looked at the two in disbelief. "No...Zues...Thor...I watched you die...How?" Yet another voice answered the question for Tagger. "Simple you fool. We were all brought back. You are ignorant Tagger. You had numbers last time. But now it is time to pay for your crimes." Quickly the nightmarish wolven spun around, he knew that voice all too well. Before him stood a massive white wolven. His pelt was tinted with the faintest of blue which only added to the radiance of his fur. Icy blue eyes glared at Tagger. Icewolf had returned.

[Felypsa]

oOc| Aww...it's so happy and triumphant! -takes out a trumpet and plays dramatic, victorious music-[/color]

They took the left, and were going deeper and deeper Underground. Ammolite could no longer hear the sounds of battle above; she could barely hear herself breathe. Slowly, Azarak's constant muttering in her ear, "Almost there, almost there, almost there," faded into something like silence and yet not. She wondered if she was dying. She could hardly see two feet in front of her; couldn't hear; couldn't feel a thing. But she was still alive, if this could be called living. A sudden burst of light; the dim sound of water rushing; breathing in fresh air; and then...Daddy...Hawk...

Mother...where are you?

Her eyes were a glazed-over blue when she collapsed onto the rocks.[/color]

Azarak scrambled off of Ammolite when she fell, swearing profusely. "She's dying! She hasn't got much time left, either. Damnit, why can't something go right for once?" He snapped at Fiendark and Istariel, who was waiting for them, as they approached. "No, no, get away. There's nothing you or anyone can do for her. Fiendark, go with Istariel and see what you can do for those who are Sick. THere's nothing you can do, I repeat, nothing you can do!" He had lost his temper and was outright yelling, even though nobody was saying anything.[/color]

"Ammolite!" Fiendark called, grief-stricken. But he knew, deep down, that Azarak was right; the only reason she was dying was because he was here. The sooner he healed the Sick ones, and returned to the Spirit World, the only chance Ammolite had to survive. "Istariel, lead me - hurry! So many lives at stake...Ammolite, hang on..."[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Above ground, Hawk was struggling to draw breath as well. The last blow had broken several of his ribs. The wolven coughed up blood as the smaller of the two who stood between him and Tagger, Thor was his name, ran over to him. Tenderly the younger mascu tried to soothe the golden warrior. Hawk smiled weakly as he looked at his friend. "Thor...I...I thought you were dead." Suddenly he coughed violently, blood spurting from his lips. Quickly Thor nosed his friend and shushed him into silence. "Just be quiet Hawk. Everything is going to be ok."

Tagger's surprise soon faded away. He snarled at Icewolf and tensed his body. With a roar of rage, the black mascu leaped towards the white mascu. His voice rang out into the air as his metal claws reached out to his foe. "TIME TO DIE!"

However, Icewolf easily dodged this attack. With a powerful blow, he struck Tagger in the ribs. The result was the dark wolven gasping for breath and landing on the ground. However he ignored the pain and leaped at the white creature again. As last time, Icewolf almost lazily dodged the attack. This time he dropped to the ground and tore at Tagger's underbelly. Roars of rage and pain rose into the air as the two fought wildly.

Meanwhile, the other of the two who had first apeared ran into the tunnels. His ears had picked up faint cries of despair. Swiftly he followed the sounds until he appeared behind Azarak and Ammolite. Quickly he bowed his head. "Don't worry. I'm a friend of Hawk's. What's going on here?" Phoebus was the one to answer the wolf's questions. "I'll tell you what's bloody going on! This innocent girl is lieing here and dieing your idjit! Now do something!"

[Felypsa]

"A friend of Hawk's?" Azarak's eye twitched. "So, that old Zales brought everyone back, did he? He had a 'return-from-the-dead' fest, did he? Fantastic for you. Great to meet you, whoever you are. Unfortunately, we can't throw a party just yet, because, well, Ammolite's about to die and the only way she can live is if we get her amulet back and we can't do that because Fiendark's here..." He was rambling to no one in particular and not making any sense. "Damnit, Fiendark, hurry up!"[/color]

Fiendark was led to the quarantined section of the caves. The Sick demons looked grim, changing constantly and oozing strange substances from their skins. Fiendark grimaced but did not falter. "This Sickness...is a Sickness of spirit, not of body..." He began to pace fretfully. "I'm not sure I can cure them all, alone," he said at last. "I'll need help. I need Ammolite..."[/color]

Istariel burst into the area at the Lake and stared at the congregation there. "Hello, there, sir," she said to Hawk's friend, then addressed Azarak. "Azarak, we've got a problem. Fiendark says he can only heal the demons with Ammolite's help."[/color]

"Ammolite's help?!" The lizard demanded. "Can't you see Ammolite's dying! She's in no position to help anyone, least of herself! Oh, we've got ourselves into a fine fix now. A fine fix! Tell me," he said to Hawk's friend, "is Hawk alright? Please by the stars say yes. I don't think I can take any more bad news without imploding!"[/color]