Quest for Life and Death

[Felypsa]

oOc| lol. I love Aesop's fables. Nice one, Monkey xD

Ammolite stared at Hawk as her kind words vanished into thin air, as if they had never been spoken. For the first time, she realized that there was nothing she could do for him now. If ever. The realization was like a physical blow, so much so that she staggered back a little, slowing her pace down until she was behind even Yoshika and Akuma. She looked at them, and saw them talking normally, trying to get to know one another. Was it not long ago when she and Hawk had just been like that—on a serious mission, yet able to enjoy life? And now…now Hawk was consumed, obsessed, and acted as if no one else was around him. All that existed for him now was Istariel and her captor—the former whom he loved passionately, the latter whom he hated passionately. Ammolite walked on her own, hearing nothing, not even the conversation between the two guardians on her back.

Perhaps Azarak noticed that they had slowed down, but he did not remark upon it just yet. He listened to the hawk’s story which, unlike his other anecdotes, was not pointless and silly. It had a point, almost a moral to it. “Perhaps I misjudged you, once,” Azarak admitted quietly. “But for all your idiosyncrasies, you are indeed a guardian. And you are right. This is a family of sorts. With no offense to Yoshika, of course, but I believe Ammolite and Hawk are more like sister and brother than any bonds of blood I’ve seen yet.” He sighed. “I just hope Hawk recognizes it before it’s too late.” The lizard quirked a smile. “But enough doomsaying. I feel I have been doing too much of that of late.”

*

Istariel was so consumed by her own pain and misery that she barely heard Kenei’s sufferings. She dimly heard screams and a loud noise, and thought she saw the red of blood, that detestable color, but she could not be sure. She was in a haze of sorrow…she hardly knew what was going on around her…

Then, suddenly, a gentle stroke against her mind. Istariel shuddered: it was too much like the seduction of Kenei’s words. Yet if it was a trap, she was too weak to resist. She didn’t even care anymore. She had sunk to the lowest of the low: there was nothing more to lose. Some part of her warned her against yielding to this presence, but it was so soft and so wonderfully relieving that she grasped at it, desperate for any alleviation of this agony and anguish…

When they connected, Istariel didn’t project words, but rather feelings. :FearSorrowPainLoveHateDespair…:

[Relairah]

Akuma noticed his own words went ignored mostly, so he pushed them aside. A gentle sigh escaped his lips, for he had briefly slipped into his own mind of thoughts, yet was quickly brought out of them with a voice asking him questions. He looked up, his eyes meeting the gaze of Yoshika. He watched her curiously a moment, mostly from surprise. It was as if she had read his mind. Ammolite falling back met the corner of his eye and he turned to look at her. She seemed... he wasn't quite sure. But she didn't appear very happy at all. She seemed distant, sad... lonely? However, it would be rude of him to ignore Yoshika. Turning his gaze back toward her he let a smile come upon his lips. He nodded to her first question, yet hesitated at her second. Where had he come from? He had always kept his past to himself, and he had never been one to really give much information about himself.

He thought a moment on how to answer her, "Well, as far as for my power... I'm not sure really. I discovered I even had power recently, actually. Uhm, as far as for knowing the others... we sorta just ran into eachother earlier and I've kind of stuck with the group since." He avoided the question of where he came from. In honest truth, he wasn't really sure where he came from. He glanced down at the amulet hanging about his bushy neck. The large, purple topaz, with its blue and white swirls, matching his fur. The amulet containing most of his power. He looked up once more, not wanting the conversation to end too abruptly. "Uhm, what about you? How'd you and Hawk get separated? And, do you have power of any kind?" he asked. At the back of his mind, he was curious as to Ammolite. He wanted next to ask her if she was okay.

[Monkey Monk]

Hawk hadn't been expecting his attempts to succeed. For a moment he paused, his mind on the brink of her's. Gently he let himself become connected to Istariel. However, before he could send forth his message, he was hit with a wall of emotions from her. He paused in his step, a tear rolling down his face caused by her agony. Once the feelings subsided enough, he sent forth his own. Comfort, strength, love, passion, determination. He was pouring his very energy into the connection, hoping that he would be able to help her. After a moment, he tried to convey his voice into her thoughts. Hang in there my love...I am coming for you. We are all coming for you. Soon you'll be safe and we can cuddle together. Just hang in there Istariel..for me.

Yoshika nearly ran into her brother as he stopped in his pace. Had she been less distracted with Akuma and Ammolite, she would have noticed that the golden wolf seemed troubled by something. For a split second she looked to Phoebus after the mascu asked her if she had any powers of her own. Mysteriously she smirked at Akuma as her tail began to sway. "I may." Slowly her lavender gaze moved to the other femmora, curious as to why she had fallen behind. Yoshika seemed to sense that the other was not in a very joyous mood. A frown passed upon her lips as she motioned for Akuma to stay. Slowly the light-framed femme approached Ammolite. When she was near her voice came out in a soft whisper. "What's wrong?"

Phoebus bowed his head lightly at the compliment that came in the first words of Azarak's rebuttle to his previous conversation. He spoke in a soft voice, knowing that what the lizard said was true. "I was wrong about you at first as well. You are right. They are close. Yet I think they are both ignorant to the true bond between them. One thinks more of it and one is blind to it. They are extremely close I think..." He trailed off as Yoshika came forth. He knew the femme would eavesdrop if she had the chance to and he would rather that this conversation remain a secret between himself and the other guardian. Those fierce yellow eyes darted from Yoshika to Hawk, whom he noticed to have stopped moving.

~

For quite some time Kenei writhed on the ground in pain. Once it seemed that his punishment had been fully dealt, he rose to shaky paws. Quickly he mumbled some words to himself. After a moment of waiting he quickly nodded his head. "Yes master.." With that he began to walk from the chamber they were in, almost as if he had forgotten completely about Istariel. No doubt he was off to perform something in preparation of Hawk's arrival. Either way, it was not long untill his presence was completely devoid of the surrounding area.

[Felypsa]

Presently Ammolite came to realize that Yoshika had asked her what was wrong. Startled, she looked up at the other femme, and saw also that Akuma appeared concerned for her. How silly of her to upset her friends! There was nothing wrong with her worth getting gloomy over. Keeping her true concerns to herself, she grinned brightly at Yoshika and Akuma. “Nothing at all! I am rather weary from all this travel, but not nearly so to stop. It has been a trying day, I felt I should slacken my pace a little. But I’m alright, don’t you worry about me.” She put special emphasis on that last part, not wanting anyone to get overly concerned with her. This is not about me, after all; we must forge on for Istariel’s sake, for Hawk’s sake…

Azarak merely nodded in response to his fellow’s words, but the lizard too was eyeing the others. He and the hawk were speaking about things he did not care to let the others hear of. He noticed that Ammolite had characteristically put on a cheerful façade, hiding her true anxieties beneath her heart. He saw that Hawk had somehow linked himself to the princess, which alarmed the lizard. Istariel was not one to give in so easily to the whims of others! What was happening to her? Azarak’s gaze met Phoebus’s, the former silently indicating that they would continue their conversation later. Out loud, Azarak said, “Indeed, let us all stop and rest a moment. We have been pushing too hard. Hawk appears to have already taken the initiative, for you see he has stopped walking. We shall wait for him to finish his conversation before moving on.”

*

Istariel, again, did not even notice as Kenei left the room, so attuned was she to her own despair and the curious presence that was now within her mind. A moment later, she felt the reassurance, solace, and love pouring from it, and knew instantly that it was Hawk. The thought encouraged her, so much so that she awoke from the trance of misery, and was able to better focus on him. Though they were far apart enough to make her words weak, and some of them were blotted out.

:Hawk! I…not know you could…this. You must not…don’t, please, because…setting a trap for you…Ammolite. Don’t…her come. You…stay away. They’ll make…kill you. They’ll kill our…IloveyouHawkstayawayformysake.:

She hoped he received enough of her message to understand. He was inexperienced, so perhaps he missed a few words. And she was too weak to project a strong enough signal. She was losing him. She grasped him with mental fingers, clinging to his sweet presence, but she could feel him fading away from her. Tears rushed down from her eyes, but she hardly noticed.

[Relairah]

Akuma half ignored Yoshika's reply to his own question. She told him to stay, although he wanted to go along with her. He glanced at Hawk, indeed noticing the other had stopped. He stood where he was, listening quietly as Ammolite gave her false reassurance. Ears twitched to what Azarak suggested. He moved up to Hawks's side, watching him a moment. He seemed lost in trying to communicate with Istariel. He glanced behind him at the other four. "That's maybe a good idea, Azarak. Uhm, shall we just stop here?" He turned his gaze to Hawk once more. "Come on, everyone, especially you needs a rest for a bit," he said softly. The words he spoke took a lot of courage from within him, but he was glad he had said them. However, he made no move to rest yet himself.

[Monkey Monk]

Hawk caught very few of the words Istariel gave to him. He whimpered subconsciously as he tried to keep their minds connected. Yet his thoughts soon slipped back behind the barrier and he let loose a sigh. He had guess enough of the words to not let Ammolite come, that he would be killed if he came. Yet that did not deter him. A plan formed in his mind. He knew what he had to do. It was necessary. As the others began to settle down to rest, he strode over to them slowly. "Istariel is alive...We need food. You all wait here. I can hunt the swiftest." Before they could protest or offer their aid, he dashed off downwind of them. Yet when he was a considerable distance away, he changed his course and once more began to head for the mountains, this time alone. It's necessary..

Yoshika did not protest when he brother went off to hunt. Instead he let loose a sigh and sat down. Indeed she was rather hungry and fatigued. A quick rest and meal would sate her needs. With a smile she looked to Akuma and Ammolite once more. Her lavender eyes sparkled with interest, as she was curious to learn more about these creatures she now was questing with. "So tell me more about you guys. I hardly know you all. Hell I hardly even know Hawk." Slowly her cream tipped tail began to curl around her rear end. Her ears perked as she awaited their answers to her question.

Once they had stopped for the rest, Phoebus moved to a far spot of the area. He motioned for Azarak to follow suit so that they could continue their conversation from earlier. If the lizard did indeed do so, the spirit guardian would begin to talk in a hushed voice. "What concerns me is that I think Hawk may have unwantingly played a part in the fiasco with Ammolite earlier. Have you noticed that she seems more...enclosed after the incident with Spectre? Maybe that had something to do with. I do not know. Yet both Ammolite and Hawk seem to be discovering new things. Hawk is beginning to tap the ancient pool of his family line. If only things were more peaceful, then I could teach him and his sister how to control these things."

[Felypsa]

Ammolite was about to protest Hawk going off alone to get them food, but he dashed away before she get a word in. Her body tensed, she wanted to chase after him. But she felt he didn’t want anything to do with her right now. Her concern for him was washed away by the realization that he probably wanted to spend some time alone. Stop worrying about him like a mother bird, she told herself strictly. He can take herself. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had somehow unwittingly sent him to his demise. She turned back to Akuma and Yoshika, her companions. “I don’t know what to say, really. My eyes change colors due to my emotions. I’m half-demon on my father’s side, but I’m not bad.” She smiled thinly. “I’ve had my fair share of adventures of late, as you might have heard. With help from Hawk, Azarak, and Phoebus, I rescued my father from this awful Rift in the Spirit World. Before that moment, I had never even met him before. I didn’t even know he was a cave-demon. Mother would never breathe a word about him, except that she loved him very much.” She shrugged, smiling a little sadly. “What else would you like to know? I’d much rather learn about both of you, Yoshika, Akuma. You’re almost perfect strangers to me.” Though she was able to make small talk easily enough, her mind and heart were with Hawk. Hurry back…

Azarak scurried after Phoebus; the two guardians were ignored by the others anyhow. Gravely the lizard listened to the hawk’s concerns, weighing them carefully in his mind before replying. “That is what I fear. Here is what I have speculated about that earlier incident. Spectre somehow tainted it when he held possession of it. I am not sure what he did to it, but it was bad enough that it would cause Ammolite to react that way to strong emotions. I am afraid that her amulet is both her greatest ally and her greatest enemy at once. It keeps her alive, bound to this world, but with that taint in it, who knows what it is liable to do to her?” He sighed. “It is an unfortunate predicament. And you may be correct as to Hawk’s involvement in it. She seems rather withdrawn since her encounter with Spectre; I believe she has found it hard to trust another completely again. But not only that, she has formed some very strong emotions that possibly triggered such a terrible reaction…perhaps related to Hawk.”

[Relairah]

Mouth opened to say Akuma would go with him, but Hawk was gone before words even came from his vocals. He stared at the place where Hawk had disappeared from his site and then let out a soft sigh. Somehow, he didn't think it was a good idea to leave the golden wolfen alone right now, but he had no choice. Turning around his large paws carried him to where the others were now resting. He plopped down next to Ammolite and Yoshika, his ears turning in tune to what Yoshika was saying. 'Tell me a bit about yourselves...' He tensed slightly, there it was again, someone wanting to know about him. He glanced at Ammolite. She wasn't so slow to letting others know about her. He was glad she was open, but he had never been comfortable telling others about himself.

He listened to Ammolite, gaze turning toward her in a gesture of showing he was paying attention. There was still more about her he wanted to know, perhaps more detail on her adventures, but he wasn't going to ask. Instead, his gaze drifted toward Yoshika. Well, he knew she was Hawk's brother, and they had been separated in the past at young ages, but... well he did have to admit that he hardly knew any of the others around him since he had sort of joined in the party. He wanted to get to know Hawk's parents-in-law and Fiendark, and Zeus, all the others he had met earlier. Perhaps all that would come later. He hadn't even gotten to meet Istariel, Hawk's beloved mate, because she had been kidnapped before he got the chance. That was another reason he hoped this particular adventure they were on worked out.

Yet, it seemed that it was his turn to speak about himself. Sure, he usually did feel more comfortable about it once he had gotten to know someone else better, but not just got to know them better by what they told about themselves. He wanted to get to know the others well, in a way he couldn't quite put in words. Right now, they were more like... acquaintances... or others he sort of, knew. But they weren't really... close friends. Not yet anyway. But.. he didn't want to lie to them about anything. Perhaps they'd understand if he just told them he didn't feel comfortable with telling much about himself. "Hmm... I don't really know all that much about my past, but, for right now, I don't feel all that comfortable telling about myself," he said sheepishly. "Maybe I will later on, or something, but just not now," he said giving a slight smile.

[Monkey Monk]

Intently the femmora listened to the words that the others spoke. When Akuma's voice drifted off, she was rather dissapointed about his secrecy. However, she did not pry into matters that were otherwise desired to be secret. After a moment of silence, it dawned on Yoshika that they would want to know more about her. She cleared her throat daintily before speaking. "Well...I suppose I should tell you about the day Hawk and I were seperated..We were playing hide and seek and I was hiding. Sometimes I hid so well it would take him hours to find me, that was one of those times. However he took much longer than usual. I went back to where we lived and everyone was dead. I couldn't stand to look at the carnage so I assumed everyone was gone. After that I just kinda wandered into the desert. I can't remember alot about the weeks I spent wandering...but I do know that a group of nomadic wolves that came to visit my family every two seasons found me in the dunes. They said they had buried my family and then they raised me. I just kinda got bored and decided to wander off to live on my own. I felt like there was something out there that needed to be discovered."

Phoebus sighed forlornly and looked to the others after Azarak finished speaking. The lizard's words were cryptic, but he was able to figure a few things out. Suddenly he lifted his head a bit and watched Yoshika. Her story drifted through the air towards the two guardians. When she finished, the bird gazed back to the lizard. "That is interesting..." He seemed to be lost in his thoughts for a moment. Silence was all that came from him until it was broken by his head swiveling about. His fierce eyes squinted slightly before he spoke. "Hawk is an experienced hunter. It would not take him this long to get food. I think that we have been fooled."

~

The mountain loomed overhead, a great monolith that has survived millenias of wind, weather, and other torrentual events. It was a giant spire of earth that reached up to the heavens. The peak was capped with ice and snow, clowds swirling slowly around. To the experienced eye, they would be able to tell this mountain was once a volcano. Trees now grew on the lava flows though which told it had been a long time since the last eruption. Slowly Hawk lifted his gaze, as if trying to determine exactly where Istariel would be. Obviously she was in some form of cave, and a dormant volcano would be riddled with chambers. The mascu extended his wings, intending to fly, but the air was too thin. With one last glace upwards, he began to walk forth upon the slope.

~

After several long moments Kenei returned to the chamber. He seemed rather pleased with himself about something. Coldly he looked at the trapped Istariel. "I hope your love likes my toys." Cruely he chuckled and went about cleaning up the tablets.

[Felypsa]

Ammolite listened intently, eyes wide, as Yoshika told her story. To come home and find all you ever cared for dead…it was a living nightmare, a haunting hell. Ammolite shivered, yet continued to listen to Yoshika’s tale of prevailance against all odds. She was truly brave, for which Ammolite admired her. She was, like Yoshika, a little disappointed at Akuma’s unwillingness to reveal anything about him, but understood the sentiment. She hoped she would find out later. But at that moment, from a distance, Phoebus’s last words fell on her ears. Eyes blazing purple, Ammolite leaped up and cried, “That jerk!” before immediately running off in the direction of the mountain. She had no doubt that Phoebus’s speculation was correct. It was just like Hawk, to go off selflessly (and foolishly!) on his own. To save his princess. Love makes fools of us all, Ammolite reflected angrily as she raced towards the mountain. All weariness seemed to melt away as quickly as the distance did. I have to catch up with him! The base of the mountain was soon within her sight.

The moment Ammolite exclaimed out against Hawk, Azarak knew what she intended to do. He scuttled as fast as he could and managed to leap onto her back just as she was dashing by him. He had no worry about the others; they would catch up soon enough. Unnoticed by the speeding Ammolite, he clung to the fur on her nape as she barrelled along recklessly. “Hawk should have known better than to try to give us the slip,” the lizard remarked, although his words went unheard by his vessel.

*

Istariel shuddered and shrank back from the vile Kenei, whose cruelty was appalling. Even though she knew he was being controlled completely by his master, she could not help but despise him. I told Hawk not to come! she thought hopelessly. Did he really, despite all my pleas, disregard my wish? Regardless of her despair, however, a tiny worm of hope began to form in her mind. She shoved it away. Hope is merely the last step before a downfall. She dared not trust to hope of rescue. There was only hope of Hawk’s survival…since she could not save herself, or even her offspring, her last hope was that he, at least, would live.

[Relairah]

OoC: Poor Istariel! *Huggles her*

ic: Akuma's own eyes widened slightly at Yoshika's story. It was almost too painful to believe that such things could happen. He was at a loss of words. Yet, he had no response, and perhaps there was no need to respond. However, both what he had learned about Ammolite and Yoshika would remain on his mind. It was truly horrible that such things could happen, and he found that he admired her as well. Ears twitched slightly, and he was brought from this saddened feeling to what Yoshika had just said. Before he could respond Ammolite was running off. He leapt to his paws. Suddenly, his fear of speaking vanished, "C'mon.. we have to catch up..." he exclaimed, not giving either Yoshika or Phoebus any time to respond. He dashed off after Ammolite, for it was a aparent that Azarak wasn't there either, thus he came to the conclusion he was with Ammolite. His paws thudded upon the earth as he raced after Ammolite, her form still in site of himself, and he began to catch up with her gradually. He had no doubt that Yoshika and Phoebus weren't far behind either. Why the heck had Hawk gone and done that? he was asking himself. There was no point.. and he had an even smaller chance of saving Istariel if he was by himself. They had to catch up to him in time. If anything, he didn't want anyone to die, except perhaps the one who had done this kidnapping in the first place.

[Monkey Monk]

Yoshika was surprised as well by the sudden flight of Ammolite. Quickly she snapped up to her paws and tore after the others. Despite the urgency of their running, one might remark on the grace of her steps. Her paws fell lightly on the ground before lifting up into another step. Never did she faulter in her pace, instinctively avoiding stepping in holes or behind roots. Her cream tipped tail trailed out behind her as she ran forth. Was her brother truly an idiot? No, he was just the same stubborn self he always had been. Still she felt anger to Hawk, anger that he would leave her behind. His nobility and heroism had gotten in the way of his thinking it seemed. Quickly she chased after the others, quickly catching up.

Phoebus let loose a sigh as he watched the others run off. Unlike Azarak, he did not need to ride one of the others to keep up. Almost lazily the bird stretched his wings and took up into the sky. His first objective was to scan the forest. With his sharp vision, he could see his companions flitting between the budding limbs of the trees. Slowly his gaze scanned before their path, looking for any sign of Hawk. Soon his eyes were moving up the slope to find the one he guarded scaling a cliff. With a sigh he used his wings to power himself forth. Soon he was soaring over the trees above the others and shouted down to them. "He is already scaling the mountains! Head a little to the east and you will find an easier path that he did." Before he could respond, he soared off towards the golden creature.

~

With a grunt, Hawk threw his paws over the edge of the bluff. He was having trouble breathing with the thin air, but that did not stop him. Sinews and veins bulged as he tried to pull himself over the edge. He let loose a deep snarl before flinging himself over the edge. Deeply he breathed to catch his wind, his golden eyes closed. When they opened he found himself face to face with the cold stare of Phoebus. Before the golden bird could reproach him for his actions, the warrior began to tread a deep path. In this short time he had not climbed much of the mountain. Yet each step seemed to only make the air thinner and harder to breath. It was almost un-natural, mountain air should not be like this. He felt as if there was some sort of force keeping the air from his nostrils and mouth.

~

The earlier rebellion in his mind seemed to have been supressed for now. Kenei went about preparing for the enevitable battle that was to come. He was rather annoyed that he no longer had the means to put Istariel under his master's permanent grip, but she could still serve as bait. Those solid black eyes of his darted to look at her coldly. Slowly he strode over to her, passing over the black sand with no resistance. The second his paws stepped into the dark grains, shadows drifted from his nostrils. Quickly these tendrils of night tried to encircle her neck. If they did succeed, they would begin to tighten so as to prevent her from struggling. As soon as she was bound in such a demeaning manor, he would glare at her before speaking. "Let's take a walk."

[Felypsa]

Ammolite was only dimly aware that both Akuma and Yoshika had caught up with her. Luckily, in her mad rush to the mountain, she heard Phoebus’s piece of advice. She veered east, her paws pounding against the hard earth, her maw set in a grim line, her eyes solid purple. Not long after, however, she saw the path that Phoebus must have seen. It was not a clear-cut path, but it was a more gradual ascent than the cliffs that Hawk was attempting to scale now. Ammolite wasted no time; she began to climb, her claws scraping against the sandstone. Up ahead, she observed, she would have to do some rock-hopping, but the boulders were set firmly. “Hawk, you fool,” she muttered under her breath as she continued to ascend.

Azarak watched his vehicle’s progress silently, privately amazed at Ammolite’s sudden energy and efficiency. A quick glance behind him told him that Yoshika and Akuma were not far behind, but Ammolite had definitely taken the lead now. The lizard shook his head in wonder. His speculations had all but been confirmed. But he spoke nothing of them. He gazed upwards, but he did not see Phoebus. It appeared the guardian had found the guarded. Azarak sighed and thought, I just hope we get there in time before Istariel does something drastic…

*

Azarak’s concern was legitimate. When Kenei entered the circle, Istariel shrank back from him and evaded him until she crashed into the barrier on the other side. The consequent shock rippled through her, but her rosy eyes were wide with terror as she watched Kenei advance upon her, with the black smoke issuing from his nostrils. The ropes of darkness were tangible, and they quickly bound Istariel until she was even more helpless than before. She didn’t even have tears left to cry anymore. She could only watch and feel despair, waiting for the imminent pain as Kenei would drag her along the ground. She certainly could not walk on her own, not in the state she was in currently.

But she had one last salvation, a final refuge. Slowly—so slowly Kenei would not notice, hopefully—she was gathering the last of her cave-demon powers. There was one ability she was granted that her parents hoped she would never be forced to use. Sadly, it was time. As soon as Kenei took her wherever he wanted her to go, she would initiate it. Just as long as he didn’t notice…the magic was subtle and inconspicuous.

[Relairah]

Akuma's paws thudded against the earth, ears twitching, listening for any sounds around him. Above. Above, he heard the advise coming from Phoebus. He gave the faintest of nods, almost to himself, but sort of in reply to Phoebus that he had understood. He was running just behind Ammolite, and as they neared the easier path up the mountain, he saw it was not wide enough for more than one wolf at a time. Thus, he simply ran nose to her tail. He didn't need to check the ground beneath him, he simply followed Ammolite, his run smooth, steady, and without error. "You had better not get yourself killed," he muttered, his words not to any one wolf. It was to Istariel, to Hawk, to Ammolite, to Yoshika, to Phoebus, to Azarak... and even to himself, perhaps. Yet, only himself if that could happen. Still, if he were to lose his life, it would be for the benefit of the others.

[Monkey Monk]

Yoshika continued to run after Ammolite. When the directions from her guardian rained down upon them, they fell upon her deaf ears. She was too intent in their flight to acknowledge such things. It was indeed lucky that the others were less distracted than her. Her mind was spinning as she shared Akuma's hopes. Fear for the safety of her brother arose. Fear for the safety of this princess she had yet to meet arose. Fear for Ammolite, Akuma, Phoebus arose as well. Yet no fear for herself came up. She did not fear death. Perhaps it was a foolish thing, but she had long believed there was a place for her after her demise. Her faith to her deity was unwaverable but not fanatic in nature. It was thus she graceful ran after Ammolite and Akuma in her silence.

~

The more he walked, the harder it was to breath. His eyes misted over at the lack of oxygen. Perhaps it would be best if he stopped to catch his breath. As he stood on the steep slope, he found that the air did not come easier. What was wrong with him? He was most definately not too high for the air to be this thing. Slowly he looked over to Phoebus to see if they suffered a similar plight. However the bird was unhampered and gazed upon him curiously. It was then he noticed the area was heavy with magic. A fear gripped him. He could not die on this slope when Istariel needed him! With much strain he began to tread once more. His body felt weak, his strength leaving him. It seemed hours to him, but in truth was a meer moment. Further and further he climbed as his very life began to leave him. Yet why was Phoebus not hampered? Then it struck him. It was an illusion, and a devious one at that. Yet it felt so real! With a fierce determination he continued to climb the face of the mountain, reminding himself the lack of air was not real. Soon it began to fade. When the last of the magic fled he let loose a deep snarl and pushed forth, bounding several feet up the trail. He was free of the first trial and his determination had grown. Steadily he resumed his trek.

Indeed the spirit guardian was watching his golden pelted charge with an odd glance. The mascu seemed suddenly drained of power. As if they were suffering from an inability to breath. Yet Hawk persevered. He broke through whatever burden slowed him and seemed only fueled to continue. Phoebus blinked at the addamency of the other and silently followed them in the air.

~

As soon as the princess was bound, Kenei gave a mighty jerk of his head. The tendril would constrict around her cruely. He was indeed ignorant of her magic. With a dark snarl he began to attempt to drag her from the circle. If he succeeded, he would proceed to lead her from the chamber they had been in. He would bring her through a system of confusing tunnels until they reached a branch off. Kenei would bring his captive into a similar chamber from before. Infact it might be mistaken for the last one had it not been for the lack of shard from the tablets. Cruely he would drag her into yet another circle of black sands. Once she was in the magical cage, the shadows would retreat with a deep inhale. If he was allowed to walk off unhampered, the floor would fall down as soon he was from the chamber. She would be left to her confinement which was a pillar of stone that rose up from a pool of boiling, fiery earth. Deeply he would chuckle and begin to walk off to further prepare for her rescue.