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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 25, 2006 17:48:57 GMT -6
Tagger and Icewolf fought wildly, each sustaining wounds from one another. Vicious snarls filled the air as the two fought wildly. Suddenly Icewolf gained the upper hand. Repeatedly he struck at Tagger's face. The mascu bled profusely and grunted as he was sent sprawling towards the stones. However, he was no fool. With a snarl of utter loathing, the dark mascu ran off into the shadows. Icewolf spat blood on the ground in disgust as his foe ran off. Yet he did not follow, there were more important things to tend to. Quickly he ran over to Hawk and Thor. Hawk looked up at the white mascu in disbelief. No word's were exchanged. Just simple nods and smiles.
In the tunnels, Zues watched as Istariel appeared. He looked down to the dieing Ammolite. Quickly he wormed his nose beneath her chest and attempted to position her on his back. If he succeeded in doing so, his wings would raise at an odd angle as to keep her upon his sinewy back. He would look over to Azarak and nod. "Yes, he is fine. Last I saw, Icewolf was battling Tagger." Quickly he looked over to Istariel. "Give me directions to this Fiendark. I will bring the girl to him."
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 25, 2006 18:13:09 GMT -6
"For the love of everything holy and unholy, why doesn't anybody listen to me?" Azarak demanded. When Istariel turned to stare at him, he carelessly waved his claw at her. "Oh, don't mind me. This lizard has just lost his wits, that's all. Pay me no mind. Take Ammolite, you two. Go on. See if it does any good. She's half-dead, how can she possibly heal...? Common sense, I ask you!" He glared at the ceiling. "Well, I'd better come along. And Phoebus, why don't you come too, so we can have a party in the quarantined Sick ward?" Not expecting anyone to answer, the lizard scurried up onto Istariel's back, muttering to himself.[/color]
Istariel looked a little frightened at Azarak's madness, but she nodded to Zues. "Thank you, sir. Please, follow me...Fiendark is this way..." She moved quickly, leading Zues with Ammolite on his back. It did not take long before they reached the Sick ward - it could hardly be called quarantine now, not with the number of people coming and going from it. She looked nervously at the horrendously Sick demons, lingering by the threshold instead of coming all the way in. It was clear she had a fear for this Sickness.[/color]
Fiendark looked up as they entered, and looked sorrowfully at the unconscious Ammolite but otherwise not letting his emotions show. "Azarak," he said quietly. "Can you set up a link between me and Ammolite, and then from us to the Spirit World? I know it's asking a lot, but it's necessary. It's the onl way..."[/color]
"Right," the lizard said, seeming to come back to his senses when Fiendark gave his request. He jumped off of Istariel's back and approached the dying Ammolite, mumbling spells and motioning with his claws. He looked quite silly, actually, but only a fool would laugh at him. Before long, he nodded. "The link is established. Although, please hurry, Fiendark. Otherwise, I'll start to lose my energy too, and then I'll be gone."[/color]
Istariel watched the proceedings nervously, standing a little behind Zues, before her thoughts turned to Hawk. Why must everything go wrong at once? she wondered anxiously. I hope Hawk gets here soon. He seems to have a knack for making a situation better.[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 25, 2006 18:30:30 GMT -6
At that very moment, Hawk was limping through the tunnels with the aid of Icewolf and Thor. Every step caused the golden wolf to wince in pain. Several of his ribs were broken. Blood dripped profusely from the gashes in his face. He was maimed, his handsome features undoubtably scarred for life. Even if he was healed, the deep woulds would leave ropy scars over his golden face. With directions from Hawk, the trio soon entered the realm of cave-demons. Icewolf and Thor watched as Hawk weaved through the crowd to get to the group.
Zues stood tall as the strangers worked their sorcery whilst the female remained on his back. Yet his eyes darted over as Hawk and the others approached. Seeing all his friends alive caused the mascu to smile.
Phoebus watched as the golden wolf aproached. His heart lifted up as he saw his friend approach. "Hawk! Wher- MY GOD WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE!" Suddenly Thor leaped forth and closed his jaws around the bird. Yet a bark from Hawk caused him to release the hawk.
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 25, 2006 18:42:41 GMT -6
"Great Dalia Below, Hawk," Istariel said, gasping. "Are you sure you don't want to rest somewhere else? I could send a healer as well..." But she fell silent, knowing Hawk would disregard everything she said. Tears started in her eyes, but she turned away and wiped them away with one of her three tails. She could not watch the operation in the Sick ward. It was too much.[/color]
Fiendark took a step towards Zues, on whose back Ammolite lay. He could feel the magical link Azarak had established between them. He looked sadly at Ammolite and wished there was a better way to do this. But instead, he closed his eyes and took up his spirit and Ammolite's too, and they wound their way to the Spirit World together.[/color]
"Daddy...where are we? What are we doing?" Ammolite's spirit-voice echoed. The last thing she'd been aware of was walking down to the Underground, and suddenly, she seemed to be back in the Spirit World with her father beside her. And she felt oddly...insubstantial.[/color]
"No time to explain, Ammolite. Do you feel strong enough?"[/color]
"Strong enough for what?...yes. Yes I do. I'm strong enough for anything." She smiled in her voice.[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 25, 2006 18:55:46 GMT -6
Hawk looked at Istariel and nodded slowly. His golden eyes were fogged over as he was struggling to stay on his feet. "Rest....sounds nice...." Suddenly the warrior fell to the ground unconscious. Quickly the large white mascu at his side bent down. He pressed his ear and breathed a sigh of relief. Gently Icewolf pressed his head to the golden mascu and looked back up. "He's all right. A few broken ribs and those gashes on his face..." Quickly Phoebus flew over to the mascu and landed upon his neck. Gently the bird looked at his counter part. When he spoke, all the long years the bird had lived showed through. "The poor pup...so young and suffered so much. Now look at his face.."
Thor seemed unphased by the bark that had been directed to him. When Hawk crumpled to the ground, he let loose a whimper. However his fears were put to rest at Icewolf's words. Slowly he looked over to Zues who was standing still. The mascu seemed unphased by the weight of Ammolite upon his back. Yet his wonder as to what was going on was apparent. Suddenly Zues looked over to Icewolf. "Why has all this happened? Why has our family fallen apart so? Why is it the fates wish to torment us?" Icewolf bowed his head forlornly before looking about slowly. When he spoke, his voice seemed as aged as Phoebus' had. "Because my brother. Love is a two faced blessing. It can drive the kindest of souls into madness."
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 25, 2006 19:06:24 GMT -6
Istariel nodded, glad to have something to do, at least. "Then if you all follow me," she said, "I will give you all accomodations. Sir, it is alright for you to place Ammolite down on one of those stone tables there. She will be there for a long time, I imagine. If you - Defenders - would all come follow me..." She turned and left the Sick ward, her three tails swishing and braiding gently.[/color]
"Stars above, is that Hawk?" Ammolite cried from where she was hovering above her body, which was on Zeus. "He looks terrible. Oh Daddy. Can't we help him?"[/color]
"Not now, Ammolite. Quickly, now. Can you sense your bond to the Spirit World? Can you find your amulet there?"[/color]
"Find my..." Spirit-Ammolite looked surprised. "Why so I can. What do you want me to do with it, Daddy?"[/color]
"Just tap it and channel its energy to me. We are going to heal the cave-demons. We are going the cure the Sickness." Spirit-Fiendark smiled reassuringly.[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 25, 2006 19:11:21 GMT -6
Gingerly Zues went over to the aforemention table. He set Ammolite down carefully before walking back over to the group. Whilst Zues had been performing his task, Icewolf slid Hawk onto his back. The four wolfs followed Istariel silently. Hawk obvious because he was unconscious, but the other three seemed lost in their thoughts. An air of sorrow seemed to follow them about like a thick fog. The emotion was contagious as the followed the cave-demon princess. Icewolf bore Hawk's limp form almost as if the wolf was dead. Slowly Phoebus flew ahead and landed on Istariel's back. The bird nipped at her ear. "I say. These fellows could make a nympth burst into tears.."
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 26, 2006 19:18:56 GMT -6
Istariel, her mouth pursed in a thin line, only nodded in response to Phoebus's remark. As wordless as the crew behind her, she showed them a large chamber, with plenty of room for all four of them. "Would you like me to stay and tend to Hawk, or would you prefer to be alone for now?" she asked, her voice and face expressionless. It was the only way to keep her from bursting into tears. Everything had gone wrong, in such a short time.[/color]
Ammolite did everything her father told her to. Using the mystical power from her Spirit-trapped amulet, they both mended the Sick souls of the cave-demons. It was a long, painstaking process, but they finally cured the last cave-demon. All the formerly Sick demons were now in a healing sleep, hardly stirring. But Ammolite and Fiendark both knew they were going to wake up soon, completely healed. They had killed the disease.
But all was not well. When Ammolite tried to return to her body, she found she could not. "Daddy, can't you tell Azarak to reverse the process now that we're done? I'd like to get back and see how Hawk's doing."[/color]
Fiendark did not reply right away. His spirit-form looked on Ammolite's sadly. "You can't return, Ammolite. Not now. I'm afraid your soul is trapped in the Spirit World, with your amulet. You're..." He choked on the word, unable to say it. "Your body is here, in the world, but you can't rejoin it. Right now, you're...as good as...dead."[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 26, 2006 19:34:51 GMT -6
The three Defenders bowed to Istariel lowly. Icewolf was the one to speak for their group after he set Hawk on the floor. "I think that all of us would greatly enjoy your company. Yet if you have more important things to tend to then please, do not let us hold you back from your duties." An eerie silence seemed to overtake the chamber. The only sound was the breathing of the creature within, and the occasional whimper from Hawk.
Whatever nightmare's possessed Hawk's dreams, they were certainly making him agitated. Soft growls and whimpers passed over his lips untill quite suddenly his golden eyes snapped open. As his pupils adjusted to the light, he gazed around him. The glow that resided within his eyes was bright, almost completely luminous. When he spoke, his voice was soft and fearful. "Something is wrong. I don't know what..." Desperately he tried his best to become more aware of his surrounding. Suddenly he leaped to his paws, wincing visibly. He was still very weak. But before anyone could stop him, the mascu ran towards the sickward. His nose had found a scent he did not like. Or atleast he thought that's what it was. In all probability, the fever from his wounds was playing tricks with his mind. Atleast, that was the logical answer.
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 26, 2006 19:42:31 GMT -6
"Oh no, I'm quite superfluous," Istariel said, smiling. Before she could say anything else, however, Hawk had dashed out of the chamber. "Hawk, no! Wait, please!" Istariel looked apologetically at the other wolves, Hawk's friends, before racing out of the cavern, following Hawk. She had a really bad feeling in her stomach.[/color]
Azarak opened his eyes, which were bloodshot. He glanced around at the sleeping cave-demons before nodding. "That's it, then," he said softly. He scrambled up the table on which Ammolite's body lay, and gently touched her. She was cold as ice. Azarak blinked, and sighed. It was all inevitable.[/color]
Fiendark's spirit returned to his body, and he opened his eyes, though he did not want to see what he knew he was going to see. He padded over to the stone table as well, looking down at the lifeless body of his daughter. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he let them fall unchecked, and bent his head. "This," he muttered, "was not supposed to happen this way..." Both lizard and cave-demon heard Hawk's approach, but neither moved or even flinched.[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 26, 2006 19:48:56 GMT -6
Hawk scrambled to a stop once in the sick ward. He saw Azarak and Fiendark over her body. Slowly he shook his head and walked over to her. It wasn't possible. This couldn't be..Those golden eyes of his looked up to gaze at Azarak. For once, he showed the lizard how weak that he could be despite his sinewy muscles. There was a thump as Hawk fell down to his joints by the table on which Ammolite laid motionless. His tail was drooped onto the floor, his silken pelt spreading out like a puddle of blood. Yet the only crimson liquid that came forth from him secreted from the gouges on his face. "Is....Is she dead?"
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 26, 2006 20:02:50 GMT -6
Istariel stopped at the entrance to the Sick ward, preparing to cajole Hawk back to where his friends were. But she stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the lifeless Ammolite. Her eyes went wide and she lost all princessly composure. She demanded the same thing Hawk did, "Did she die? How could she be dead? Fiendark, Azarak, what in Korian's name is going on?!" She was clearly in shock.[/color]
Fiendark looked forlornly at his daughter's body, then turned back to the others. "She is dead. For now. But all is not lost. There is...there is a way to get her back..." He sighed and bowed his head. "I'm just not sure it will work," he murmured. "We've switched twice already."[/color]
"Her spirit is trapped in the Spirit World," Azarak explained. "Which is sort of like being trapped in the World of the Dead. It's slightly easier to extract from the Spirit World than from the World of the Dead, however. So this may not be permanent. I just don't know." He looked away from Hawk. It was too depressing seeing the strong wolf so physically and emotionally wounded.[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 26, 2006 20:16:07 GMT -6
Hawk perked his ears as they spoke of hope. With a gasp of pain, he forced himself to his feet. He had dificulty grabbing both Azarak and Fiendar to shake the answers from their minds. Yet instead, he stood there sorrowfully. It took quite some time for the mascu to regain his composure. Yet finally he did perform said feat. Those sharp golden looked at Azarak indirectly. "I-I-Is there anything I can do...?" It was obvious that he had not the strength even to keep himself standing, let alone help. Yet he was addament in his friendship to Ammolite.
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 26, 2006 20:33:21 GMT -6
Fiendark was brought back to earth with Hawk's words. He looked the determined wolf over with a stern glare. "Yes," he said simply. "You can go back and rest and heal yourself. Let Istariel tend to you. Regain your strength. You're no good to Ammolite in the state you're in. Her spirit isn't going anywhere; she can wait for you to heal before we go tearing off on another harebrained journey." He sighed, looking sorrowfully. "In fact, I think the best thing for all of us is to get some rest and regain our strength."[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Mar 2, 2006 18:22:04 GMT -6
A forlorn sigh passed over the golden wolfen's lips. As much as he hated to admit it, Fiendark was right. He was of no use to Ammolite in his state. The very though of this brought a crushing feeling to the pit of his gut. Never before had he felt so helpless to help, so weak. There had always been a way to help, even if it cost him dearly. It was in his nature to do his best to help those who needed said aid. When it came to his friends, he would give his life happily. At that moment, Hawk remembered that Zues and Thor had done the same thing. They had thrown themselves into death in order to ensure the safety of the others.
At that moment, Hawk decided he would not let his fellow reincarnates join them on this journy. He could not stand the thought of losing his long-time friends again. Slowly he nodded his head to Fiendark. With a limp in his step, the warrior walked over to Ammolite's lifeless form. Softly he set his head on her neck, letting his golden eyes slowly shut. Yet he did not remain like this for long. After several short moments, he lifted his cranium and left drops of blood on her fur. When he noticed this, he felt compelled to clean the coppery blood from her. It was bad luck to defile a corpse, even one that he hoped would be living soon. Tenderly he lapped the blood from her neck, again closing his eyes. As his voice passed over his lips, it's volume could barely be considered a whisper. "Hold on my friend...I am coming..." Before anyone could question his actions, Hawk rose from his crouched position and hobbled from the sick ward. A trail of blood drops followed him and eventually led to one of the empty chambers. If one dared to follow the line of crimson liquid, they would see the warrior fast asleep on the floor where he had fell. A single tear rested in the crook of his eye, as if it was too afraid to roll down his cheek and onto the cold, stone floor.
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