Returned To Fight

[Monkey Monk]

The mascu did not seem deterred by her order to stop. In fact, it seemed to add fuel to the fires of his drive. He continued to slowly step toward her, trying to keep his gaze locked with her own. A luscious smile formed across his lips as he continued to try and lure the femme into his trap. His master would not be pleased if he failed. "You know that Hawk and Ammolite love each other. You know that he desires her over you. That is why he didn't stay with you. He cares more about her than he does you. Doesn't it make you feel pain? You've been betrayed by your only friends. But I can be your friend. I can bring you to a place where you have many friends. All you need to do is come with me and all your sorrow will melt away.

Hawk watched as Zues nodded when introduced. He was no surprised to see the bird click his beak in his own greetings. Yet when his name was mentioned last, the golden wolf did not say anything. He was thinking the same thing as his mother-in-law. I hope I didn't make a mistake in leaving Istariel. I hope she is safe from whatever danger I sense... As a delayed reaction, he bowed his head. "...Hello..." He was indeed distant, his mind obviously wandering around. The mascu had half a mind to turn around and rush off to his mate. Yet she had wanted him to help the others. Hadn't she?

OOC: Sorry for the lacking post. And Kenei is such a jerk

[Felypsa]

Istariel tried to resist his words, but they sank into her mind, penetrating her sense of reason with his seductive allure. Hawk and Ammolite…Hawk and Ammolite…it cannot be! her mind screamed, but she was so afraid, she was so helpless, she was so lost. “That’s why Ammolite looked so hurt,” she whispered. “That’s why Hawk was more than willing to go off to help her…oh, what a fool I’ve been…!” Could she really speak out against this stranger’s claims? What did he know about Hawk and Ammolite to persuade her like this? He has not been blinded by love. He sees what is there, and is the only one to speak to me. But no! I cannot believe him. Who is he? Why is he here? How did he get here? He’s a wolf; I thought no wolves but Ammolite, Hawk, and the Defenders knew of this place…is he a Defender? “Are you a Defender?” she blurted out her thoughts, seizing anything to delay the inevitable, anything to keep her from thinking of the agony, anything but this…anguish…

[/color]

“Hawk?” Ammolite asked again, puzzled. He hadn’t answered her! He seemed lost in another world…gone completely…“Are you okay? You’re so…somber…” She felt she knew whom he was thinking of. Istariel. An unfamiliar feeling swept through her, an ugly emotion she realized was envy. No! Don’t be jealous. They’re your friends, they deserve one another. She trembled slightly. What kind of monster am I becoming?[/color]

Azarak looked concerned too, his ruby red eyes glinting in the sunlight. “Ach…I’m having some misgivings. Perhaps we should return Underground.” Though he did not mention it, he too was concerned for Istariel, sensing that something wrong was about to happen. “Everything seems to be going wrong today,” he announced to everyone present. “Shall we?” He indicated the entrance down Underground.[/color]

“Oh, yes,” Ammolite said unhappily. “I suppose so.” She looked at Akuma hopefully, not wanting to part with him so soon after meeting him. “Would you like to come with us? It’s not too hard to get there.” She smiled at him reassuringly.[/color]
[/center]

[Relairah]

Akuma's blue and purple gaze watched Hawk steadily. The other did seem distant, but he wasn't sure. He had a tug at the back of his mind that something bad was going to happen, but then again it was only small. Perhaps he felt it only because he was with this particular group? He didn't even know any of those around him right now very well. Ears twitched as Azarak began to speak, and he only glanced at the lizard, before turning his gaze back to Hawk. This day was surely most unusal, at least for Akuma it was. It was different than what he was used to, and he couldn't decide whether he liked it, or not.

Then they said they were going Underground. Underground? He was unsure, once again. He was always unsure, or so it seemed. He nodded slowly toward Ammolite. What awaited them beneath the surface, he wondered. He mentally smiled, perhaps he would like it more than he thought he would. Perhaps he was worrying too much. He nodded, "Uhm, I guess... I don't have anything else to do." He rose from his sitting position, going to Ammolite's side and looking around. "Who'll lead the way?" he asked rather hesitantly.

[Monkey Monk]

There was a slight pause in the mascu's step, yet it was hardly noticable. The gap between him and Istariel was steadily shrinking. Soon he would he able to reach out and touch her at this rate. After all, that was all he needed. When he spoke, his voice was just as warm and luring as ever. "Yesss. I am a Defender. Yet I care more about the hearts of who we protect. I care more about your feelings. The others only would protect your life. Come. Just let your body touch me. And then we will travel forth to a place where your heart will never be hurt again. All you have to do is touch me." To anyone who would have been an onlooker, his words would obviously be a lie. Yet the princess might had trouble telling this due to his hypnotic gaze and many other factors.

As if to answer Akuma's question, Hawk turned about silently. Without a word to anyone, he began to stride into the underground. His body was tense and he desired more than anything to break out into a run. Istariel could be in danger, HIS beloved could be in risk of being harmed. The more he thought of this, the more he began to quicken his pace. Before he knew it, he was in a full out run for the sick ward. After all, that was where he had last seen her. His heavy paws fell onto the stone as he dashed off from the group.

Zues waited for the others to enter the tunnel. He seemed to contemplate whether or not he should follow. After all, Icewolf would surely like to hear about all that had happened. Yet on the other hand, he had an obligation to help his friends. Soon he came to his decision and strode into the tunnel after the last of their group entered.

Phoebus remained on Ammolite's back. He watched as Hawk entered the tunnel. The bird's head tilted slightly as he soon heard the sounds of a running mascu. A sigh escaped his beak as he shifted in his position. After ruffling up his wings, he let his eyes close. "Poor Hawk...Lovestruck and confused. The poor boy. He doesn't even know about his s-" Quite suddenly the bird drew silent. He had been talking to himself and nearly spilled out something that did not need to be revealed yet. Again he shifted his weight from foot to foot, hoping axiously that no one had caught his words.

[Felypsa]

oOc| ack x.o; y'know, Monkey, you can be annoyingly secretive when you want to...-sits and ponders what words begin with 's' that could possibly be relevant-

Azarak scrambled up onto Ammolite's back as usual. He looked round at their group, consisting of three powerful cave-demons, a hesitant wolf with mysterious abilities, a guardian bird, a lightning-fast Defender, himself, and his "steed," the innocent yet strong Ammolite. He sighed inwardly and briefly reflected what powerful force could possibly have thwarted all of these creatures combined. The worst thing about it is, he thought to himself, I'm inhibited by my vow of noninterference. At the time when they need me most, I'll be useless. He shook such thoughts of his head and looked at Phoebus, who was characteristically talking but no one was listening. To Azarak's surprise, the hawk actually fell silent and shifted anxiously. Azarak narrowed his eyes at him. It seems the guardian had not revealed everything just yet. But then again, neither had Azarak. I suppose I won't ask him, as long as he doesn't ask me. It's a fair exchange.

Melkior, with his beloved Valkyrie by his side, was right behind Hawk, hurrying as only a father would when concerned with his daughter's welfare. Like Fiendark would sacrifice his life for Ammolite, so was Melkior willing to put everything on the line for Istariel's sake. And he knew his queen felt the same way. Istariel was their offspring, their only progeny, a beautiful, promising princess, now mated to a very capable wolf who loved her very much. She'll be all right, the demon-king told himself. She has to be, with all of us looking out for her. She has to be. And she's no weakling herself. She'll be all right. Maybe we're all hallucinating this bad feeling...maybe she's fine, sitting there, and then she'll smile and laugh at us when she sees us running headlong, like fools, Underground, for her sake. Yet Melkior did not slacken his pace despite these thoughts.

With Azarak on her back, Ammolite followed the party, slightly more sedately. She loved Istariel, who was her dear childhood friend, but she found she could not hurry as the others were. She was too exhausted from her own recent experience. And a little dismayed. I leave, and no one notices. I get into horrible trouble, and no one notices until Phoebus gets hurt. And even though they help me come back, they really don't care for me. They're all thinking of Istariel. Everyone cares about Istariel most of all. And Istariel's not even in danger! I bet everyone's just exaggerating this whole thing...yet they can't even stay away from Istariel for five minutes before they have to rush back to her to make sure that every hair on her body is correctly aligned. She blinked back a rush of tears. What's wrong with me? Why am I being so bitter? I love Istariel too, and I know how Hawk feels. Why am I being so selfish? This is unlike me. What is wrong...ever since that encounter with Spectre, I've been not myself. Did he change me that much? She closed her eyes so no one could see the color and read the emotions there, and followed the others blindly. She knew the tunnel well enough anyway. She hoped no one would notice.

Fiendark motioned to the entrance of the tunnel for Akuma's benefit. "After you," he said politely. Once Akuma would enter, Fiendark would bring up the rear, behing the entire party. He was unsettled by everyone else's lack of concern for his daughter. I fear that she's been Tainted by Spectre, and doesn't realize it. Everyone just seems to accept that her amulet malfunctioned this one time, but I fear this won't be the last time. He didn't really understand everyone's sudden worry for Istariel; from what Fiendark knew of the princess, she could very well take care of herself. Still...I suppose it is good to make sure. As the princess, she gets first priority. But I must call the others' attention to Ammolite's condition, lest it get worse as time goes on...

Istariel shuddered, fighting with every fiber of her being against the wolf's allure. Don't touch him Istariel, don't do it, he's lying, you can't believe anything he says, don't trust him, don't touch him...But her body wouldn't listen to her mind. It was acting of its own will, and Istariel could only watch helplessly as her three tails reached out and touched his tail. That was how Hawk and I first conveyed our love. Tears flowed down her cheeks, but she hardly noticed. What have I done?...sorrowpainanguish...no more, no more, I just can't take this anymore...

[Monkey Monk]

It was then that the mascue's kind and caring temperament dissipated with relative ease. Smoke-like shadows spiraled up his legs and instantly shot for her tails. The sudden attack was swift and unexpected, but there was still a slim chance of her escaping. If she did not manage to slip from those shadows, they would constrict around her tightly. At a painstakingly slow pace, the darkness would begin to envelope them both. As the last bit drew near the kidnapper's nose, he heard a roar of anger. Quickly he turned his head to see a golden wolf dashing towards him. Yet it was too late now. The last bit of shadows would cover both this abomination and the princess. Quite suddenly they would waver from view before dissapearing entirely.

Indeed Hawk appeared in the cavern where the lake resided just in time to see his beloved being enveloped by those dark shadows. He saw a stranger holding her tails with his own. A loud roar of anger came forth from the mascu as he charged at his unknown foe. Yet as he leaped at the tan wolf, they and his mate dissapeared from vision. Hawk went soaring through the air where they had been not seconds before. With a loud splash he landed in the lake. Yet he did rise up from the waters. Instead he remained hunched over, his silky pelt dripping crystal clear water. Istariel...

When a load roar of anger fell upon him, Phoebus took to flight from Ammolite's back. He had pushed aside whatever thoughts that plagued his mind and soared towards the source. When he too entered the cavern, he saw Hawk drenched and chest deep in water. Slowly the bird flew near the golden wolf. He perched on a rock near the water's edge. Those fierce eyes of his looked around slowly as if trying to understand what had happened.

[Felypsa]

Istariel, her eyes closed, did not see the dark shadows engulfing her until it was too late. With a gasp of surprise, she opened her eyes, which were shining with tears. A horrible feeling pierced her heart and she gave a cry of pain as she was tugged along with her kidnapper, wherever he was taking her. As darkness swirled around her, she thought she heard Hawk behind her…and then, blackness claimed her vision as her body went limp.

[/color]

Hawk’s roar of anger was echoed and intensified by Istariel’s father, who bellowed in rage and agony. “Istariel!” he cried, seeing the smoky shadows containing his daughter vanish before his eyes. The mighty king’s body shook with fury, and the cavern itself began to quake. It seems Melkior in his anguish might tear down the whole Underground, had Valkyrie not arrived a moment later.[/color]

The queen did not see the fate which befell her daughter, but she did see Hawk and Melkior’s angry grief. Keeping her own sorrow at bay, she hurried over to her mate, who was throwing his power around without control. She murmured something in the tiger’s ear, soothing him, pouring her own healing sorcery into him. At length he calmed down enough to make the cavern cease its quaking; but he still glared and growled. Valkyrie, seeing his expression, began to weep softly.[/color]

By the time Ammolite and Azarak arrived on the scene, everything seemed to be in the aftermath of a great disaster. Rocks had fallen into the lake, gems had been jarred loose from their holds, and the cavern seemed at once duskier and darker. Ammolite looked around her in surprise. She saw Hawk in the lake, and beside him Phoebus, who looked just as confused as she felt. She saw Valkyrie crying, and Melkior glowering. “Where is Istariel?” she asked, voicing everyone’s concern. She immediately felt a pang of regret and shame: she had believed Istariel would be unharmed, but clearly, such was not the case…Ammolite at once took back her resentful thoughts towards the princess. I just hope she’s alright.[/color][/center]

[Monkey Monk]

Istariel...no... Hawk remained where he was in the lake, his head bowed low. He recognized those shadows for he had seen them before. Yet they had been used by a different creature. Had the bastard come back to life in that mascu who took his beloved? No... no it was not the same being. Yet the darkness was similar. If only he knew more about those ancient magics! Still, he knew one thing. He had to rescue his princess, he had to save Istariel! Slowly the mascu rose to his paws and strode onto the shore. Water dripped off him as he began walking towards the tunnel that would lead him to the surface. Hawk noticed the questioning glances of the others and spoke lowly. "I am going to rescue Istariel. I will not rest until she is safe. Zeus, go and warn Icewolf of what has happened. Tell him that the Soul Thief has returned..." There was a pause as he gazed at the monarchs and everyone else. "I can ask none of you to come with me. This is my task to undertake and mine alone. I will not stop, I will no eat, I will not sleep until Istariel is safe again." With that he began to walk towards the tunnel.

Phoebus quite suddenly took to the air after Hawk's speech. He landed atop the golden wolf and dug his talons slightly into their flesh. Sharply the bird of prey pecked a rather surprised mascu between the ears. "If you think for one moment that you are going off on some adventure without me boyo then you have another thing coming. I am not going to sit about these caverns alone and just speel about old adventures when there is one going on beneath my very beak! Besides, you're not smart enough to go alone. You need me to make sure you keep your snout clean." With that he puffed his chest out in a dignified manor and gazed to the others.

Zeus obviously did not wish to comply with Hawk's order. In truth, he did not have to acually. Yet he knew that the golden wolf would not say such a thing lightly. Quickly Zeus nodded his head and turned about. In a flash of speed he was gone before Hawk continued his speeh. He was off now to go and warn Icewolf what had happened.

[Felypsa]

Melkior looked at his son-in-law with a new respect shining in his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was inlaid with gratitude and love. “Hawk, I thank you for taking this responsibility. I wish I could come with you, so you would not have to bear this task alone, but I cannot leave my realm. Valkyrie cannot either. And I will not allow any cave-demon to depart either. I cannot risk losing another of my subjects, not even—” for the first time, the king’s voice shook and he choked on his words, hating them, hating being forced to say them, “not even for Istariel’s sake. I am bound fiercely to my duty to protect as many of my subjects as possible. Considering the risk and even recklessness of this mission, I cannot permit any other demon to embark on it. Not even you, Fiendark,” he added fiercely to the other cave-demon, knowing full well of Fiendark’s tendencies. He looked sorrowfully but gratefully at Hawk. “My daughter’s fate lies in your capable paws, Hawk. In that, I feel she is as safe as if I myself went.” Then, bestowing the greatest honor to Hawk, Melkior bowed his head slightly to him.

[/color]

King Melkior knew him too well, Fiendark reflected bitterly. He had been intending to go with Hawk to rescue the princess, horrified by the kidnapping and passionate about helping. He quickly glanced at his daughter, knowing what he would see in her eyes. He didn’t need to know the colors of her eyes to have his fears confirmed. He saw a fierce determination that he himself felt, reflected in Ammolite’s violet eyes. Passionate violet. And he knew what she was going to do. “Ammolite,” he said softly, speaking only to her. “I lost your mother. I even lost you once. I cannot lose you again.” It was all he could say against her. Maybe…just maybe, she would listen and stay with him. There was a slim hope…but he still hoped. It would be the end of his life as he knew it if Ammolite never came back.[/color]

Ammolite crushed his hopes. She turned those bright violet eyes and met his opal ones and said, quite clearly, so all could hear, “I’m going, Daddy.” No one, nothing, could deter her. She then turned that fierce gaze to Hawk. “Don’t pretend you’re the only one who cares for Istariel,” she said, “and don’t act as if no one cares for you. I’m coming with you, Hawk.” That was that. Then, in hopes of lightening the atmosphere just a little, she added, “It’ll be just like our first journey together. You helped me save my father; now I’ll help you save your mate, my best friend.” She proceeded to walk until she was beside him, and met his gaze squarely.[/color]

Of course, Azarak was still on her back as she did this. Not that he was thinking of getting off. He merely sighed and said, “Yes, just like that first journey. I absolutely yearn for those days. This will be so pleasantly nostalgic.” Under his breath, he muttered, “Would it be so hard for these people to stay out of trouble for just a few hours? Would that be so terrible, so difficult?” Despite his grumbling, he was set on coming. Like Ammolite, nothing and no one could sway him otherwise.[/color]

Queen Valkyrie looked at the rescue team with tears in her eyes. She said, “Thank Dalia, Melkior and I have no power over any of you. We cannot prevent you from going. And with all of you, I know Istariel will be safe now. Oh, may Fate and the gods be with you. I hope—I believe—I will see all of you, with Istariel, return to our domain again.” At this point she began to weep again, worried for her daughter and overjoyed at the perseverance of her rescuers.[/color]

“Goodbye, and good luck,” Fiendark whispered, moved by the spectacle. All I want…all I could ever want is to see my daughter again. O gods, O Fortune, if you grant me anything in the short remainder of my life, grant me this. Grant that Ammolite will return to me safe and sound. To distract himself from the inevitable, he addressed Akuma. “You need not traverse with them. You can stay here, and accept our hospitality. I am stil extremely grateful for your help with saving my daughter…” Saving her…only for her to die? O gods, O Fortune, allow that not to be.[/color]
[/center]

[Monkey Monk]

Hawk found himself moved by what everyone said to him. When Ammolite looked at him so bluntly, he returned the gaze with his own blank eyes. Once everyone finished having their say, he turned to face the slight crowd. Tall and proud was his stance, his golden fur moving like the robes of some dignitary. His softly glowing eyes surveyed those around them and the small group that was accompanying him. First he decided to speak for to his parents-in-law and those would would remain behind. His voice was grateful for the blessings they gave forth to their endeavor to come. "Thank you for your words. I promise that Istariel will return unharmed. I swear on my life.." He failed to mention his own return within the brief words. When he next spoke, it was to the few that would accompany him on this trip. "I warn you all, the survival rate of this trip is very low. We are dealing with something very similar to a creature who killed one of my friends and also had a dealing in the deaths of Zues and Thor. The foe of old as a creature with no soul. He stopped at nothing to try and achieve his revenge. Yes. I told you all that once I was not a being who fought for the right causes. My comrades killed his mate. In return he killed one of our ranks and then swore a very ancient magic. With the power of that oath, he murdered Icewolf's first mate and son in cold blood. Him and Icewolf battled on a cliff, the fiend being pushed over the edge. But I still to this day doubt he died. I say right now that if you come with me you may very well die. I know the bastard who took my Istariel is not the same heathen, but those eyes are the same. Those unnatural black eyes. This chapter of our entourage may very well be one of the most dangerous. Because I know that the magic that creature used those many years ago can infect others. His taint can take over another soul. And once he has you in his grasp, there is no escaping it. It is worth than death. For these reasons, I warn you my friends. Do not follow me lightly. I thank you for your help, it means a lot to me. But now the party must depart, and if you mean to accompany me you must only follow in my steps." With that the golden mascu began to stride away from the cavern. Phoebus sat upon his shoulder like a great sentinel. Hawk did not look to his side or behind him, keeping his gaze forward. It was not long before his pupils shrunk from the bright sunlight, yet he did not falter. To those behind him, he would seem like a seraph almost. His wings were extended slightly, the golden coloring of his body illuminated by the light. Soon the brightness would swallow him whole.

The adventure had begun once more.

OOC: Care to start us off a new board Fely?

[Relairah]

OOC: Well, blah.. I didn't get to go much further. It'd be no point to make him randomly have sneaked along xP Unless you guys don't mind of course.. but... that's my own fault for disappearing LOL Well, just give me a say so to join back in and I will ^^

[Felypsa]

oOc| Yeah, sorry about that Hikaru =( We sort of thought that, since you were dealing with a lot of stressful stuff, you shouldn't have to worry about your obligation to this thread...whenever you feel like you can take it on again, though, you can. We just didn't want you to feel compelled to post all the time ^^'

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[Relairah]

OOC: Teehee, okee dokee ^^ Well yea, but I was just not on, and was slowing the plot down too xP So yea, but anyway, I'll go post something =) *Glomps Fely*