Quest for Life and Death

[Felypsa]

oOc| And now we can enjoy the 'special plot' board...by starting off with this fantastic adventure. Thanks to Wom for this board >:] Alright, Monkey. Let's start 'em up.

[/color]

Ammolite listened to the tale with wonder and, admittedly, some fear. But she was still determined to follow Hawk and save Istariel. Of course I would risk my life for Istariel. I would risk my life for Hawk. So there’s no question about it. She followed him, and didn’t miss the phenomenon. The way the light glowed on his fur…Ammolite felt a strange, swooping feeling, but shoved away the admiration. This was a serious situation. There was no time for her petty emotions. She stepped into the sunlight, squinting her violet eyes. So long as she was on this quest, those eyes would remain violet. “Let’s do this, Hawk.”[/color]

“This is all wonderfully dramatic,” came the drawling voice of the lizard on Ammolite’s back. Azarak blinked up at Hawk, unimpressed by the vision of his golden fur alight in the golden sunlight. “But I’m wondering if anyone has thought about specifics. For instance, we can stand here at the entrance to the Underground forever, staring at the lucious world of the Surface, and think about what we’re going to do. Or we can decide which way to go. Left, right, straight ahead, up, or to a different plane?”[/color]
[/center]

[Monkey Monk]

Surprisingly, it was Phoebus who spoke up in directions. The small bird seemed to have an idea within his feathered cranium. His sharp eyes looked to the east as he fluffed up his feathers. When he spoke, his voice was no longer the cheery tone it had always been. It seemed that Hawk's story had sobered him up greatly. He had assumed the temperament that a proper spirit guardian should. "We should travel to the east. There is a being there that can aid us on our quest. But Hawk. I warn you this. When you see this creature, you must keep your emotions in check. It would not do to have you stray from our endeavor so soon because of old relations. This creature holds no answers to questions that you have. They are as lost and confused as you."

The golden wolf was confused by what the bird of prey said. Never before had he seen Phoebus so serious, most likely due to the fact that the guardian had only been brought to this world a short time ago. Yet his confusion was quickly ebbed away by his desperation and determination to save his beloved Istariel, his darling princess. Quickly he nodded his head once and began to stride toward the rising sun. The golden rays gleamed off his fur, yet not as dazzling as it had during his entrance to the world above. His feathered wings stretched slightly before folding at his sides. "Alright. To the east we go." As he strode forth to whatever goal Phoebus had set, Hawk could not help but wonder what he was walking into. Who was this creature that his companion spoke of? Would it not be better to seek out the one who had resurrected him, for he had no doubt that Zales had a part in this doings. That devious creature had confessed to plotting his whole life, using him like a pawn in a game of chess. Still, he did not question Phoebus and thus continued in his stride with a silent addamency.

[Felypsa]

When Phoebus pointed out the direction, and Hawk began to walk there, Ammolite followed silently. She sensed the somber atmosphere of her companions, and felt uncomfortable and ashamed. Istariel’s my best friend, and even though I’m not passionatley in love with her as Hawk is, I care for her deeply. So why do I feel so uncomfortbale with Hawk now? For it was true. Though earlier, only days ago (it was hard to believe so much had happened in so little time), Ammolite and Hawk could talk and laugh about things easily. Friendship came easily to them. Now, Hawk was so set on getting Istariel back and defeating this awful, vengeful nemesis, that he hardly noticed Ammolite’s presence. And worse, why was Ammolite thinking of these things when Istariel was in such grave danger? She was immediately ashamed of her thoughts. “I guess I just wish for the old days,” she said, not realizing she was speaking her thoughts out loud.

[/color]

Azarak, like Phoebus, was more serious than usual. He was preoccupied, wrapped in thoughts of his own. He was more anxious than he cared to reveal, hiding his worry beneath his sarcasm. But he was disturbed by Istariel’s current position. Perhaps the others didn’t fully realize the significance of her kidnap. The situation was even graver than Hawk had shown with his story of the Soul Thief. There are other things to consider, that they may have overlooked, the lizard reflected. If that is the case…more rests on my shoulders than I’d like.[/color][/center]

[Monkey Monk]

Silence captivated the bird just as it captivated the lizard. It was an uneasy silence at that. Every so often his talons would shift upon Hawk's back. Once he stepped on the mascu's shoulder blade and nearly fell off. Yet even that could not stir him from whatever thoughts plagued his mind. Is he ready to see her? Is she ready to see him? Am I making a mistake in doing this? Am I sure they are ready to know of each other's existence? This could be very bad...the two of them together. They were very close. What am I saying? It will be a rejoiceful reunion. They haven't seen each other since when they were pups. I don't think Hawk even remembers her though...I hope he is not to disturbed by seeing her...

Quite to the contrary of what Ammolite thought, Hawk was indeed thinking of her. His mind was swirling with buzzing thoughts. Thoughts of Istariel and how he was to save her when he knew not where she was. Thoughts of who Phoebus was leading them to and how the bird knew their location. Thoughts of Ammolite, hoping that she was ok after the earlier incident. She was one of his closest friends and he would be very sore to loose her. It was then he noticed that he had shoved her away with his love for Istariel. A guilt overwhelmed him as he thought of this. He loved both of them dearly, but in different ways. It was hard to pay them both the attention they deserved. Here he was, rushing off to save his precious mate and acting as if Ammolite was just a comrade. His ears lowered as he kept up his brisk pace.

[Felypsa]

Ammolite padded alongside Hawk, effortlessly matching his quick pace. Though she was weary from her earlier experience (being a tornado is not as carefree as one might think!), she was given a boost of energy by the thought of Istariel’s plight and by her determination to do something about it. In that way, she was very like Fiendark, though she might not have realized it; persevering no matter what the odds or consequences. She was feeling rather neglected by Hawk, but kept pushing those silly feelings away. I’m just being selfish. How many times did Mother warn me away from that? She sighed, still feeling a sorrowful pang with the thought of her mother. To spare Hawk that grief…I’ll do anything. She looked at him sidelong, but almost didn’t recognize him. “We’ve changed so much, haven’t we,” she said softly to him. Someone had to break the silence.

[/color]

Azarak looked up as Ammolite spoke. Even though her voice was quiet, it was loud in comparison with the morbid silence that had seized all of them moments before. The lizard glanced from Hawk to Ammolite, thinking of Ammolite’s resigned statement. She’s right. Why, it was not so long ago when she was as innocent and cheerful and eager as a pup, charming everyone into a smile. And it was not so long ago when Hawk loved living life. Now he is consumed by a fire that is outside of his control. It drives him, it spurs him on, and he has little time for life anymore. And Ammolite has suffered greatly. She is no longer so open and trusting, she hides her thoughts and feelings. She, too, is driven. The lizard scurried closer to Ammolite’s neck, where he could get a better hold. None of this would have happened had it not been for me. Funny how fate works. He blinked slowly, wrapped up in such philosophical reflections.[/color][/center]

[Monkey Monk]

Slowly the golden wolf shifted his gaze so that it fell upon Ammolite. He could tell her words had been directed to herself, and yet they made him think. She was right. Things had changed with all of them during the times of their adventures. Similar to Azarak's assessment, Hawk began to think about himself. I feel like I am being pulled around...led on a leash. Why is it that we can not find peace? Why is it my life is so full of these adventures? I tire of adventure. I just want a bit of peace.. When he spoke, his voice was soft and low, almost as if he was speaking to himself as well. "We have changed...things are so much dif-"

Phoebus was the reason that Hawk's sentance cut short. He had pecked the wolf hard before straightening up. His body was tense as he looked to the others and spoke in a low whisper. "The one we seek is near. Whatever you do, do not attack. This creature is not new to these lands, but she tends to stay isolated. Do NOT, do anything to upset her." It was a protective warning almost. As if the bird cared for whatever being they were approaching. The air about them began to tense up. It was similar to the feeling one might get before a storm. An uneasy silence. Not even the spring birds were singing their songs. Something was near...

[Felypsa]

Blueness entered Ammolite’s ever-changing eyes, indicating a strange sadness that filled her heart. She walked alongside Hawk and listened as he spoke, but then with some surprise she looked up at Phoebus, who interrupted him. Her eyes widened and confused orange was added to the medley of colors in her eyes. “She?” Ammolite asked quietly, keeping her voice soft out of respect for whoever “she” was. “She doesn’t sound like the one we seek…and why wouldn’t we upset her, if she kidnapped Istariel?” Clearly Ammolite misunderstood.

Azarak shook his head at Ammolite’s inquiries. “I believe this is something entirely unrelated to Istariel’s situation,” the lizard remarked, recalling Phoebus’s earlier mutterings to himself. “Yet we must be on our guard.” With that, Azarak fell silent, and watched as Ammolite and Hawk continued onward. Who would they find…?

[Monkey Monk]

Like before, Hawk was confused to no end by his guardian. Who was this creature that Phoebus spoke of? He knew them not to be a past lover, for Istariel has, is, and always will be the one for him. His mind reeled over those he had met in his travels, every single femmora he had even inclined his head to. Yet they were all from distant lands. Who could this being be that they approached.

Phoebus looked over to Azarak, his eyes narrowed toward the lizard. When he spoke, his voice was heavy with the seriousness of his words. "You are wrong there my scaled friend. It will be far more useful to have another discip-"

Yet for the second time in the last few moments, one of their group was cut off in mid-sentence. This time the voice rang out from the surrounding foliage, the exact spot nearly impossible to discern. The tones were indeed feminine, but held a commanding and perhaps fearful hint. "Who are you and what brings you here?!" There was a fleeting figure that dashed between two trees. Whether the unseen meant any trouble could not be told yet. However, those who had a lick of knowledge and rationality to them would know that whoever this being was they were apparently the one Phoebus had mentioned moments before. For a moment a pair of lavender eyes gazed from a shrub before disappearing with some rustling sounds.

[Felypsa]

Ammolite was quite startled when the feminine voice called out from some indistinguishable place around them. Whoever it was sounded very forceful, though Ammolite recalled Phoebus’s warning not to upset her. As the stranger was demanding their identities and purpose, Ammolite decided to answer in that characteristic way of hers. She bluntly but cheerfully called back, “Greetings! My name is Ammolite, and my comrades are Hawk, Phoebus, and Azarak. We’re on a mission to find someone important to us.” Perhaps it was foolish of her to reveal so much about them, but she saw no reason to mistrust this creature, since Phoebus seemed to be so defensive of her. And if they couldn’t trust Phoebus’s judgment, whom could they trust? Ammolite again addressed the hidden stranger with the lavender eyes. “I think what we’d all like to know is, who are you?”

Azarak quirked a brow at the hawk, wondering at his temperament. Phoebus seemed to be very defensive of this demanding stranger. The lizard remained silent, unsurprised as Ammolite answered the female in her usual manner. Realizing that this creature could be a possible asset to their quest, Azarak remarked quietly, “I stand corrected.” It seemed that he understood something that the others, aside from Phoebus, might not. Who else would Phoebus be so protective of? Given how many creatures formerly believed dead have now turned up alive, I shouldn’t be surprised.

[Monkey Monk]

Silence followed the words that flowed so easily from Ammolite's maw. There was a rustling sound before a creature emerged. The being was indeed a female wolf. Her build was light and swift. Indigo pelt covered her body, cream fur splashed across her underside and the tip of her tail. Those lavender eyes looked at the group warily, almost as if she did not trust them. "I knew someone named Hawk once..." Quite suddenly her eyes were alight with anger as she spotted the tattoo on the golden mascu's foreleg. A furious snarl rang from her maw as she leaped forth. When she spoke, his voice was heavy with an incredulous tone. "How dare you wear that tattoo! It is sacred! What, did you threaten someone to give you that mark?!" He voice was apparently directed to Hawk.

The warrior of golden peltage was taken aback by the sudden hostility directed his way. Yet his shock soon disappeared as the femmora before them continued speaking. Not letting loose any form of threatening motion, for it went against his morals after all, he took a step toward the other. His wondrous eyes were alight with his own non-concealed anger. When his voice rang out, it was painted with several coats of indignation and fury. "This tattoo was given to me when I was a pup. It was given to every single member of my fam-" Suddenly he looked rather drained as he spotted something he had not expected. There upon the stranger's right foreleg was a tattoo exactly like his own. His golden pelted head shook slowly as he stepped back. "No...no...you died. With everyone else..Yoshika?"

During the exchange of rather angry words, Phoebus kept a surprisingly calm demeanor. If he had lips, he would have smirked at Hawk's revelation. That expression would have broadened as the same epiphany took place in the marvelously colored femmora. However, he suddenly took to the air as the two creature ran at each other and tackled in mid-air. With a slight 'hmph', the bird of prey perched upon Ammolite near Azarak. He watched with one eyes as Hawk and Yoshika batted at each other and began to speak in hurried voices, as that was apparently the femmora's name. After a moment, he decided that the other two deserved an explanation. "That femmora is Hawk's sister. You can tell they are family indeed by the tattoo. Having two of their family on this quest will be a great help. Not to mention, it is nice to see two close siblings reunited when they thought each other to be dead."

[Felypsa]

Ammolite stepped forward as Yoshika did, and opened her mouth to retaliate to the femme’s verbal accusations. But she was spared the effort, for Hawk offered an angry rejoinder, and to Ammolite’s great surprise she saw that the two wolves had something in common—the sacred tattoo of Ra. Her revelation occurred only half an instant before Hawk’s did, and she stood there agape as the two tackled each other and began to speak incoherently. “You’re kidding!” she said, amazed. “What a stroke of Fate! His sister…incredible.” She shook her head disbelievingly. “Wow,” she said softly. She could not help but feel overjoyed for Hawk’s sake—he had regained something he had lost.

[/color]

Azarak eyed Phoebus resentfully as he perched on Ammolite’s back, but began to chuckle lowly. “You are a very sly thing,” he said to Phoebus. Like the guardian, the lizard displayed no great shock at the joyous reunion. Truly, he had guessed it. “It is good to have Yoshika with us, I am sure. But now you have your work cut out for you. Two Ra desert wolves to look after!”[/color][/center]

[Monkey Monk]

Phoebus rolled his eyes at Azarak's words. He seemed unaware of the resentful gaze he had been given just moments before. With a glittering look in his eyes, he gazed at the lizard. "You have no idea my friend. You didn't see these two as pups. Nearly inseperable. Caused alot of trouble. Why I remember one time..." And so the guardian was off on another one of his stories. Yet as he spoke, his mind was elsewhere. It's these joyous reunions that I like. It helps to lighten everyone's heart. But I doubt Hawk will be able to have hid mind stray from Istariel for long...

"...and there was a giant party after I met the monarchs. But Ammolite was missing. Something terrible happened, and I am still not sure exactly what. I went above ground to see if I could help but...but I felt something else was wrong...b-by the time I got there....he had already taken Istariel..." It seemed that the bird's mental predictions had proved right. As Hawk finished relaying an abridged version of his history to his sister, he felt himself overcome with dread. With a sigh he closed his eyes and lifted his head to the sky. When his ocular organs opened once more, his pupils shrunk from the early morning sun. Luckily, from the angle he was at, it was nearly impossible to see the tear that ran down his face and neck.

The indigo and cream femmora watched her brother sadly. Phobus was right, they had been close. However, now she felt as if she barely knew this mascu. He was far different from the small pup she played hide and seek with. Now he had scars, both on his flesh and on his soul. For a moment she felt compelled to try and comfort her brother, but decided not to. Slowly her lavender eyes looked to the other three of the group. She guessed that the other femme was Ammolite and the lizard was Azarak. Unlike her brother, she recognized the spirit guardian from her childhood. Seeing something so familiar made her smile slightly. After a moment, she spoke up. "The male you described Hawk...I saw him two nights ago. I was sneaking up on a rabbit when he came along and scared it off. He sent chills down my spine. What was odd though, was that he paused when he walked. He began to argue with himself, saying he didn't want to do something. Then it was as if something was squeezing his throat. After a moment he returned to how he was and kept walking."

[Felypsa]

oOc| holy god, Hawk talks fast ^^'

Ammolite was listening to neither the conversation between Phoebus and Azarak nor the one between Hawk and his sister. She was lost in her own world, her thoughts turning and churning. Despite the addition of this new ally, Ammolite was disturbed. The calm before the storm…Suddenly, pain lanced through her ear. She barely muffled a cry and winced. The earring that Istariel had given her not long ago was heating up and digging into her flesh. Ammolite’s eyes glowed ruby and orange as she clenched her jaw against the pain, not wanting to vocalize the agony.

Luckily, Azarak observed the phenomenon. Concerned, he ran up onto Ammolite’s head and touched the earring. Immediately he hissed and withdrew his claw; it was already white hot. “This is worrisome,” he murmured. “As though Istariel is trying to tell us something…either that, or something is happening to her.” Unlike Ammolite, he had no fear of telling what he thought to spare anyone’s feelings. He speculated out loud, not thinking of how the other members of the party would react to his guesses.

[Monkey Monk]

Phoebus was forced to shift to the side as Azarak went past him. The bird knew not to help as Ammolite seemed to be in pain. Yet another cry of agony filled the air and he was forced to tear his gaze from the femmora. What he saw was Hawk crouched on his knees. The golden wolf seemed to be suffering the same hurt that Ammolite was. Wings were extended as the spirit guardian prepared to go and help the mascu. Yet he stopped when he saw that Yoshika was already tending to him.

Indeed Hawk felt that white hot pain that plagued his friend as well. He had fallen down slightly and squinted his eyes. It was pain, but it also reassured a fear within him. If Istariel could send this pain than she was still alive. For a moment he felt as if the pain was coming from a direction other than the ring. His golden eyes looked to the northwest and one of the dizzingly high mountains. As the pain began to subside, he shook his head slowly. With a groan he rose to his feet and went over to Ammolite, making sure his friend was ok.

Yoshika tried her best to sooth her sibling as he suffered some unseen pain. Yet as he seemed to escape from the agony, she found herself calming down. When Hawk rose up she walked in his wake. Even though she hardly knew the other femme and the lizard, she felt compelled to help. Lightly she bit on her lower black lip. What was it that could hurt these two so? Was it some sort of sign? Whatever the cause was, she was sure the others would explain soon enough.

~

When the kidnapper and his victim had disappeared, they had entered a realm of complete darkness. A painful constricting would envelope Istariel entirely. The only thing that could be resembled to it would be a giant hand squeezing one as tightly as it could. Startling and dreary images would form in the shadowy mists that shot past them so quickly. Yet soon a pin point of light would appear. Steadily it would grow in size, becoming brighter and brighter. The closer the light came, the warmer the environment would become. The light was blinding, making it nearly impossible to see anything. Soon the brightness would envelope them entirely and the realm of shadows was gone.

When the princess' vision cleared, she would find herself in a cavern. Like in the hall of the Defenders, fires burned in holes that seemed to have been blasted within the rock. The entire room was unbearably hot. She would find herself in a circle of black sand. If she tried to walk past the outer ring, a dome of energy would make itself known and most likely shock her. Such an action would make her tormentor turn from whatever he was doing to busy himself. Those completely black eyes of his were still entrancing, but with a rather cold temperament. A cruel smirk formed on his lips as he stepped toward her. "I told you I would take you away from all the pain. You'll remain here until I figure out how to spread my master's taint. And then you will obey the master. He has plans for you. Oh yes...he plans to have you kill that damnable gold wolf. It's so deliciously naughty isn't it?"

[Felypsa]

Ammolite’s eyes were watering from the searing hot pain in her ear, but at length it began to ease. She looked up as Hawk came her way, and her heart went out to him, for she saw he was suffering from the same pain. She had also come to same conclusion as Hawk did, and it gave her a strange kind of relief. “She’s alive,” Ammolite whispered to Hawk. “In pain and fighting, but alive. We’ll get her back.” There was only one place where Istariel would be lost forever to them: the World of the Dead. Since she was not there, Ammolite was confident that they would get the princess back. She straightened, wincing a little. “Let’s go.”

Azarak sighed and scurried back to his usual resting place, behind Ammolite’s nape, where Phoebus was still sitting. “Some people can be so pigheaded,” he remarked to no one in particular. “They suffer excrutiating pain, but instead of wanting to rest and recover, they want to racing off to find their friend.” He shook his head. “Alright, we’ll go.” He eyed Yoshika with a strange, twisted smile. “Welcome to our lives,” he said dryly. “Never a dull moment.”

*

Istariel felt as though a huge paw was squeezing her heart and trying to rip it out of her chest. She tried to gasp, but there was no air to breathe. She tried to open her eyes, but she was surrounding by such darkness that it made no difference. She tried to struggle, but there was no room to move. Is this what death is like? she thought, horrified but not resigned to her fate.

And then she awoke from her painful trance. It was sweltering, and she saw that she was already sweating. There was an awful stench in the place too. Miserably she pulled herself over to the border of black sand that encircled her. A jolt immediately coursed through her body as she touched the edge. Istariel jerked back and cried out, fighting off a wave of nausea.

Suddenly she looked up at her captor. Though his black eyes still enchanted her, she hated him with every fiber of her being. She listened to his words but refused to let them get to her. She had learned not to let this creature’s spell affect her. She retracted to the center of the circle, and curled up, shivering despite the intense heat. She would not answer her captor, she would not even acknowledge him.

He will not get at Hawk. But Istariel knew that her mate would follow her and try to rescue her. If he did, this awful beast and whoever his master was would have him exactly where they wanted him. I can’t let him do that. Ammolite, either. Remembering the earrings she had given them (how long ago it seemed!), the princess invoked her inner sorcery and caused the earrings to heat up. Doing so would inflict great pain on both Hawk and Ammolite. Istariel was sorry for their agony, but she hoped to dissuade them from coming to find her. It was worth a try, anyway.

There was a consequence for such a warning, though. Another shock was sent through Istariel. She bent over, doubling in pain. Apparently I can’t do much magic here either. That made her feel weak, helpless. She hated it. But she would prevail. She was Princess Istariel of the Cave-demons. She would prevail. She had to.