Returned To Fight

[Felypsa]

Istariel was not afraid to cry, shedding angry tears. "This isn't fair!" she growled to no one in particular. "Why - ? She..." She shook her head and glared at Azarak and Fiendark as if it were their fault, but she did not blame them. However, she did speak to them. "You two," she said with barely suppressed anger, "had better explain yourselves soon. I am sick of playing a role in your magical, spiritual drama, without having a clue as to what's going on. So, by royal command of your princesss, I demand a thorough explanation when Hawk is healed." Saying thus, she turned and followed Hawk's blood trail, her face moist with tears. When she found him, asleep on the floor in one of the chambers, she sighed and calmed herself. She padded over to him and raised her three tails over his head. The tips glowed, and she gently caressed the wounds on his body with them. It seems this was her healing magic.[/color]

Azarak dipped his head and murmured, "As my princess wishes," then watched Istariel storm off. He sighed, looked at Fiendark, whose gaze was transfixed on his daughter. Azarak scurried over to Ammolite's body and mumbled something. A shimmering globe appeared and engulfed her body and the byre she was on. "So that she doesn't rot," Azarak explained. "Her body will be preserved for as long as necessary." With that, he leaped down and scuttled off, to who knows where.[/color]

Fiendark was left alone in the sick ward with the sleeping, healing cave-demons and his temporarily dead and preserved daughter. He seemed to be lost in thought and memory. Presently he gently shook himself from his reverie, gave Ammolite one last forlorn look, and left the sick ward. He wandered to his chamber from so long ago, the one he used to share with Ammolite's mother Kha'Verna before Ammolite's birth. He gazed at the familiar room, then padded over to what had served as a comfortable nest of sorts. He curled up and lost himself to reminiscence and dreams.[/color]

oOc| and then you can fast-forward time in your reply if you want...[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

It was close to two days before Hawk awoke. Slowly he rose up, shaking his head while trying to recall what had happened. The golden warrior noticed his wounds were healed. Yet when he let his tongue lap over where he had been gouged on the face, he could feel prominent scars. With a forlorn sigh, the mascu began to tread from the chamber. What had happened? He could recall Icewolf and those other's coming back to fight Tagger but that was it. Was Ammolite and the other's ok? Slowly the warrior strode into the sick ward. When he saw Ammolite motionless on the slab of stone, his golden eyes looked to the ground. Now he remembered. His friend had fallen, but Fiendark said they would help her. Quickly he turned around, intent to go search for the others.

Yet Zues stopped the golden wolf, having followed him from some time. The mascu bowed his head to his life-long friend who returned the gesture. Soon the black and red wolfen let his voice rumble up to answer the questioning gaze Hawk gave him. "Thor and Icewolf left yesterday. They went to go take care of some things. I decided to stay back and help you my friend." Hawk blinked for a moment, still a bit drowsy before nodding his head. The Defender smiled at the golden warrior before bowing his head. "Come, let us go find the others."

[Felypsa]

"Hawk!" Istariel cried pleasantly, coming around a corner and spotting Zues and the now-conscious Hawk. "Thank Dalia, you're awake. How are you feeling?" But before he could answer, she hastened to explain, "Now that you're up and moving, let's go to Fiendark's chamber. He and Azarak have some things to clear up before you go tearing off to the Spirit World." She smiled benevolently at Zues. "You, of course, are invited as well, Zues. Let's go." She began to lead the way to where the others were.[/color]

"It's the only way," Fiendark was saying in his chamber, talking to Azarak. "I know you don't like it, but..." He suddenly fell silent, his wolf-ears erect. "I hear Istariel and the others. Hawk must be awake at last, thankfully." He exchanged a glance with the lizard, and sighed. "This isn't going to be easy..."[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Zues watched as Hawk followed after Istariel. He in turn, fell in line as well. The mascu had left the underground for the time that Hawk was unconscious. In truth, he had only returned moments before the golden wolf had awoken. He was just as clueless as to what was going on. Those stark yellow eyes of his watched the cave-demon princess that led them on. I wonder what it is we are going to be doing?

Hawk followed closely behind Istariel. He felt as if they had grown closer over the time he had been unconscious. Unbeknownst to him, she had been the one to heal him. It was very well possible that the process in which she had healed them had tied their souls in a way. Yet it could also be more likely that Hawk was just confused and feeling things that were not there. Finally when they broke into the chamber, Hawk looked over to Azarak. The only this he had heard were the words -n't going to be easy. Soon the golden mascu came to a halt and looked at the other. He was unaware of it, but the scars across his face maimed his once handsome features and even managed to make the mascu look older.

[Felypsa]

Istariel paused at the threshold and smiled at Hawk. His face was marred and would always be, but she could still glimpse the handsome wolf beneath his battle-scars. She swished her tails absentmindedly, wondering what he was thinking. The possible closeness Hawk was feeling was there—but not obtrusively. Istariel turned her attention away from Hawk and towards Azarak and Fiendark, who were eyeing the others impassively. “It’s time,” she said shortly.[/color]

Fiendark arose when Hawk entered and smiled at him. “Ah, Hawk, my friend…you look well again. You have much improved, I see, thanks to m’lady Istariel. I hope you are feeling much better, as well.” He finished the pleasantries and got right to business. “Istariel has brought you here because there are some things that Azarak and I have not yet explained. Things that concern Ammolite. Things that make our mission to retrieve her spirit much more difficult.”[/color]

“It’s time to lift the veils,” Azarak put in. Then he glanced around. “Where’s that silly birdbrain? He should be here to hear this too, if he’s going to accompany us.”[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Zues laughed softly at Azarak's words, trying to lighten the mood of the area. "Phoebus is sleeping a few caverns down. But he said that if you called him birdbrain to have you wake him up so he can have a nice 'brekkers'." The Defender obviously had not plan on fulfilling this request even though the hawk had only half-heartedly made it. However, he did leave the caverns before coming back with a squaking Phoebus in his mouth.

"Unhand me you brute! I dare say! I intend to tell the Icewolf fellow abou- HAWK!" Roughly Phoebus managed to get loose of Zues' jaws and soared over to a rather unsettled mascu. Gingerly he ran his beak over the scars before clicking his tongue. "Poor boy. I dare say, I doubt you'll ever be popular with the ladies again."

Roughly Hawk shook his head so the bird of prey was forced to take flight. His golden, glowing eyes looked over to Istariel before her purged the emotions he held from his mind. Now was not the time for personal matters. He had to help save Ammolite. Slowly he looked over to Azarak and Fiendark before quirking his brow. The warriors words showed that he was rather anxious and tense by how he snapped at the lizard and demon. "Why don't you start telling us things we don't already know?!" Yet after the words left his mouth, Hawk lowered his head and uttered an apology.

[Felypsa]

"Fantastic," Azarak drawled. "My favorite person has returned. I'm so glad you haven't changed a bit, Phoebus, I would've been so disappointed if I didn't get a death-threat from you today." At Hawk's words, he turned to stare at the scarred wolf, before sighing. "Tell me, Hawk, did you ever wonder why Fiendark was trapped in the Rift?"[/color]

"Azarak," Fiendark cut in. "Let me." He looked soberly at everyone present - Istariel, Zues, Phoebus, and finally Hawk. "Ammolite's mother, Kha'Verna, and I used to live in these caves. She was a full-blooded wolf, and I a full demon, but that did not stop us from loving one another. I took this form to be compatible with her all the time. We had one pup - Ammolite, a beautiful wolven pup with the loveliest colorful eyes. But we only saw those miraculous eyes once, for almost the moment she was born, she stopped drawing breath and died. 'Verna was completely distraught, as was I.

"But I knew something was fishy. Her spirit had up and left her, but was not natural - it was as though someone had forcibly taken it. Someone had robbed Ammolite of her soul. When I found this out, I knew there was still a small chance of being able to save her. So I told 'Verna to preserve her body while I found her spirit and returned it to her."

He closed his eyes and sighed. "It was not so easy as that, of course. But I hadn't expected it to be. I went on many adventures and learned many things, none of which would interest you now. In any case, I finally made it to the Spirit World and found the thief. I fought him, but neither of us could prevail in the battle. After a long time, we decided to call it a draw, and made a deal: Ammolite's spirit for mine. I hated to break 'Verna's heart, but I agreed. And so I was able to return Ammolite's soul, and bid goodbye to 'Verna for one last time, before being trapped in the Rift. And there I had been for many, many years, until you came to me."[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Phoebus suddenly perked his head up at the story that Fiendark spoke to them. The bird's talons scratched over the stone floor as he hobbled closer to the demon. Those fierce yellow eyes looked up to the much large creature. When he spoke, his voice was a confusing mix of thoughts and emotions. "Lemme guess. This fellow was able to take the form of a serpant wasn't he?"

Hawk looked over the group with a questioning gaze. Even though the information had been disclosed to him, he felt as if there were still things hiding in the shadows. Yet he could not tell if the other's were hiding this information willingly or unwillingly. That is assuming his thought was right. Slowly the golden wolf sat upon the floor. His silken fur moved fluidly as his tail curled about his haunches. "That still does not explain why it happened again.."

[Felypsa]

Fiendark looked at Phoebus in surprise. "He could, as a matter of fact. How could you have possibly known that?" He shook his head. "Never mind. Hawk's query is more pressing. I'm not sure I can explain it myself. Azarak?"[/color]

"It's all in the deal Fiendark made with the thief," Azarak said, keeping his voice expressionless. "So long as Ammolite was still alive, Fien could not leave the Spirit World. But we needed Fiendark to cure the disease...and in order to do that, I made a gamble. I thought I could find a loophole in the deal by leaving Ammolite's amulet in the Spirit World, instead of Ammolite herself. Her amulet is a very special thing, which, as we found out, actually ties her spirit to her earthly body. Without it, her spirit wanders and is pulled to the Spirit World like two magnets. I did not know that at the time when I ordered her to take off her amulet so Fiendark could return. As a result, Ammolite's spirit was shaken and attempted to leave her body several times, which accounts for her sudden loss of energy and strength. But Ammolite, the willful girl, hung on to her spirit as long as she could, even though she had no idea what was happening. But no matter what, her soul would eventually leave her body and return to the amulet in the Spirit World, which would have been a very painful process for her. But Fiendark needed her to complete the healing, and it was better if I released her spirit gently. So that's what we did. I released her spirit from her body, but was able to tie it to Fiendark's own spirit in order to heal the cave-demons. However, I was not strong enough to hold her very long, and when I let go of the bond, she returned to the Spirit World, where her amulet is." The lizard let loose a sigh. "I made several grave errors. But I had no other choice."[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Phoebus burst out suddenly in anger. Golden feathers flew into the air as Zues restrained the spirit guardian. "That fiend! I knew I felt something odd about him!" After several moments the bird regained his composure. Roughly he pecked Zues on the maw who in turn released him. Quickly the bird flew through the air and perched upon Fiendark's head. "Recall how a 'kind' fellow helped me and Ammolite? He could change into a serpant..if I recall his name was Spectre or something like that."

Hawk watched blankly as Phoebus struggled to get free. At the words that both the bird and Azarak spoke, anger began to brew in the pit of the mascu's heart. How could someone or something be so cruel as to steal a child's soul? It was unheard of, and most vile. When Hawk looked over to Zues, he could see the other was not concealing their anger as well as he was. Quickly the golden warrior looked back to Azarak before again letting his vocals pass fluidly over his lips. "So if she is in the spirit realm, whoever stole her soul originally could be plotting against us? I mean if he stole her soul once, and had a deal broken. Would he not leap upon any chance to keep her soul? All this time we have been resting she could have been bound permanently into the spirit realm couldn't she?!"

[Felypsa]

Fiendark's eyes widened as he heard Phoebus's news. "You mean - that bastard Spectre..." He hissed angrily, then deflated. "I have been a fool. I had thought he had disappeared after our fight. I am too - damned - trusting." His eyes flashed in fury. "We must go there at once," he ordered, his hackles up.[/color]

"You two are getting thickheaded," Azarak said calmly. "You're losing control of your emotions. You'll be useless to Ammolite if you keep getting all worked up about this." He glared at them all. "I highly doubt Spectre would be able to bind her soul permanently to the Spirit World. For one, how could he find her? With all the landscape changes...who knows? We'll certainly have a devil of a time finding her ourselves. And besides, she's too strong for that. She still knows her body is in this world, and she would not give up easily." Azarak grinned. "Spectre will have his work cut out for him trying to convince her to stay. He would have had no troubles when she was a newborn, but now she's all grown up and with a will of her own. So stop imagining the worst. Besides, crying about it now doesn't help her. We must leave immediately."[/color]

"Please, I think I can hasten the process of getting to the Spirit World," Istariel broke in. It was the first time she had spoken in a long time. "My father has given me a pass to the Spirit World, but it can only be used once. Still, I think this must be as good a time as any to use it." She looked around at their group. "All who are coming, please arrange yourselves in a tight circle."[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Phoebus looked around forlornly before flying over to Zues. He perched upon the Defender's back who inturn stepped into the forming circle. At Azarak's words concerning the dificulty Spectre would have in finding Ammolite, he mumbled audibly. Yet despite how loud his voice was, the words the bird of prey spoke were not meant for the other's to see. "He certainly seemed to have little trouble in finding the Rift, let alone the spot where you guys were..."

Hawk's anger slowly grew to epic proportions. His entire body shook with the fury, and it seemed he was about to snap out at everyone. Yet when Istariel spoke, he quickly calmed down. It was as if her very vocals soothed the beast within him. If the other's bore looks of shock at this suddenly transistion, their expressions would not compare to the golden warrior's. He would be the last to join in the ring of travellers. The mascu stood across from the cave-demon princess, but for some reason he could not bring himself to gaze at her. Slowly he looked to each member of their group in turn, skipping over Istariel. "Let's do this."

[Felypsa]

Istariel nodded at everyone, then looked coolly at Hawk. He did not return her gaze. She sighed, then shook her head slightly. The poor wolf had gone through an incredible ordeal - encountering his nemesis, being half-killed by him, and having his good friend die...and now finding that Ammolite might be far worse than dead. Istariel herself had to work hard to keep a clamp on her emotions. She loved Ammolite like a sister, and she could not bring herself to imagine the terrible fate her friend might be submitted to. She lowered her head and made sure everyone was within the circle before speaking strange words. The ruby at her throat began to glow, filling the whole chamber with a pleasant scarlet illumination. And then, in the next moment, they were gone from that world.

They were in a completely unfamiliar place in the Spirit World. They were in what resembled a jungle, and before them arose a giant pyre of sorts, made of marble and gold. They were obviously on the fertile side of the Rift, but a very different part of the area. Istariel looked up at the pyre and allowed herself a small smile. "The only unnatural, creature-made structure for thousands of miles around: the Royal Pyre. It seems morbid, I know, but this is where my father received the pass, which he then bestowed upon me."[/color]

[Monkey Monk]

Phoebus took off into the air. His wings beat lazily as he circled high above them. Those fierce eyes of his glared about in an attempt to get his bearings. Yet he did not see anything he could recall from memory and quickly swooped back down.
In the bird's absense, Zues slowly treaded around the monolith they had appeared by. His stark yellow eyes looked at the surface in wonder. He almost resembled an art enthusiast gazing upon a particularly fine piece. He was amazed and dumbfounded by the structure. After several long moments he returned the the group, about the same time the bird of prey did.

Almost instantly Hawk lifted his head to the winds. His nostrils flared as he attempted to find Ammolite's scent. Yet he could not detect anything, whether she was too far or in the wrong direction he did not know. It was then that something pressed upon his mind. How could they find just a spirit in this realm? Unless of course they were infact spirits themselves. If they were just spirits, and not their bodies, then what would happen if their physical form back in the realm of the living was murdered? Or were their bodies infact dead as they travsersed about? So many questions formed in the mascu's mind, yet did not nothing but blankly stare in the direction of Istariel. One might mistake him for rudely gazing at her, but in reality he was so intense in his thought he did not see a thing of the realm about.

[Felypsa]

He was looking at her, but he did not see her. Istariel sighed. So was he always doing such. She shook herself from such thoughts and turned to Azarak and Fiendark. "What now?" she asked quietly.[/color]

Azarak grimaced. "Now comes the hard part. Ammolite, as a spirit, is quite solid here, so Fiendark and I can locate her. But beyond that it will get trickier. We must keep a close vicinity lest the landscape changes all of a sudden. Since everyone here is capable of flight, or at least, capable of being carried by one who is capable of flight, that will make our searching slightly easier. Only slightly, however. But enough talk. We must prepare."[/color]

Together, both Azarak and Fiendark performed some strange magic that made Fiendark's opal amulet shimmer. A moment later, Fiendark opened his eyes. "She's this way," he said, turning nor-nor-west. "She is not as far away as I might have feared, but not as close as I might have hoped. If we fly, we will hopefully reach her within the day. However, landscape changes might throw us off. Above all, we cannot be separated. That would be the worst possible thing to happen. So stay close to someone, so that if the landscape threatens to change, you can get within physical contact with that person." He stopped his mechanical instructions and looked at the group grimly. "If we are all ready, we can go."[/color]