Quest for Life and Death

[Felypsa]

They were all fervent; their obstinacy and desire to help others blinded them. Their altruism was their one fault. Because of altruism Hawk suffered on the rocks, because of altruism Ammolite, Akuma, and Yoshika were running headlong up a mountain to their possible deaths, because of altruism Istariel had resigned herself to her final fate. They were all willing to die to prevent others from dying. But if they all died, no one would be helped.

Azarak saw the futility of such an endeavor, yet he said nothing. Let the fires of their passion carry them onwards, and maybe it would do some good. It was better to be passionate than apathetic, after all. Powerful winds rushed downward from the mountain as Ammolite carried the lizard along, threatening to knock the small creature off, but Azarak held fast. He could see Hawk struggling up above and Phoebus keeping silent watch. They had almost reached them, yet Hawk appeared to remain ignorant of their presence.

Ammolite saw Hawk at the same time Azarak did. The sight of him drove her onward, and she knew that Akuma and Yoshika were not far behind. She was unaffacted by magic, for apparently Kenei was unaware of them. Hawk was clearly the target. The lone Defender, defending himself and his mate and all he stood for. Yet Ammolite’s admiration of him had dwindled since he abandoned them. How could he be so stupid, so pigheaded! He is so caught up with his selflessness, his glory, his passionate love for Istariel that he doesn’t realize what he’s doing to those who care about him. He’s so selfish in his selflessness. Of course, Ammolite did not recognize such behavior in herself, though it was very close. She considered calling out to him, but they were still out of hearing range, and he looked to be concentrating hard on just scaling the mountain. Ammolite did not know of the restricting sorcery set upon him.

*

Istariel was dragged through the labyrinth of stone, mute. She hardly noticed where they were going. She was focused on preparing the last touches of her spell. Her greatest fear was that she was too late, and Hawk was already in danger. If only he wasn’t so noble for just one moment! Then she would be able to save him.

When Kenei dumped her in another black circle and lifted the restraints from her body, Istariel studied her new surroundings. Her heart sank as she saw that she was high above a lake of churning, blazing earth. I’m bait. That was no good news. But she still had her one chance. Kenei left her at last, and she was alone. Alone for the first time. Alone for the last.

Except for the lives within her.

Suddenly Istariel came to terms with the morality of what she was about to do. She began to convulse and shake, horrified but knowing that it was the only way. Can I really kill our offspring? It was a question that had to be answered, and fast. She didn’t have much time, and it was running out.

I can save Hawk. I can’t save them…right? She had already given up hope of her own life. There was no chance to save herself. There was only her mate. Her mate, and her unborn pups. Could she kill them too?

Or did she have to continue to suffer through life, at the risk of her mate’s life, at risk of her own, just for the slim chance that she would live long enough to give birth to them?

Was it worth it?

Oh, Hawk…what must I do?

[Relairah]

Akuma silently continued to follow Ammolite. He also saw Hawk ahead, frowning to himself and yet smiling at the same time. He was glad to see that nothing had happened to him, or so it seemed. He was also completely oblivious to the magic that held back Hawk's oxygen. He looked up to see Phoebus with Hawk. Only a bit further. 'That idiot...' he thought to himself. His paws continued to make soft thuds as they continued up the mountain towards Hawk, and closer and closer to rescuing Istariel.. or so was hoped. He bit his lip.. praying silently that Hawk's mate was okay, and that they would reach her in time.

[Monkey Monk]

With the full effects of the magic gone, Hawk continued his strenuous climb. However, quite suddenly the mountain face eased off to a gentle incline which lead to a cave entrance. The entrance gaped wide open like that of a beast. Stalagtites and stalagmites only added to this effect, resembling long fangs of stone. Slowly the mascu began to approach the gaping hole. He was tense and ready for battle. The soft pitter patter of paws filled his ears. Quickly he dashed off to the side, hiding against the side of the mountain. He let his eyes slowly close as he waited for whoever it was to come. His wings were folded down at his sides tightly in preparation for what was to come.

Quickly a creature ran out of the cave. However, it was not what Hawk was expecting obviously. The beast looked exactly like Istariel. Even the scent resembled her, althought slightly tained with the sulphurus stentch of the cave. Quickly the being ran over to Hawk and embraced him. However something was not right. In his blindness, Hawk failed to notice some key things. This mock up's eyes were completely black like Kenei's. And perhaps one of the biggest give aways to the magic, which was enduced by a slip up on the kidnapper's ignorance, was that Istariel was allergic to sun light. Indeed, this was Kenei. However, his illusion was weak. If one looked at the right angle, his true form would shimmer into appearance.

These oddities did not go unnoticed by Phoebus however. At first he narrowed his eyes at the illusion confused as to why 'Istariel's' eyes seemed different. Then he noticed that the entirity of each orb was a dark black. Their trance seemed to have ensnared Hawk. The bird of prey tensed up, now remembering that the true Istariel could not stand the sun. However, the thing that sent the guardian into action was the shimmer in the illusion, a simple falter that allowed him to see Kenei. An ear splitting cry let loose from the bird's beak. He took off into the air and swooped down at Kenei, having multiplied in size. Angrily Hawk snapped at his guardian, thinking them to have gone mad. However he could not stop as those sharp talons scraped over 'Istariel's' face. Instantly the illusion failed an revealed Kenei crying out in pain.

Yoshika slowly came to a halt as she saw a femmora emerge from the cave. A smile formed on her lips. This had to be her brother's mate, her sister in law. Already she was forming plans to get to know her new family, to know the princess her brother had fallen in love with. However her mind set was broken from the blood curdling sound that issued forth from Phoebus. She watched in horror as the bird gouged at the femmora's face. Yet those actions were explained as she watched the illusion fail. Where the femme had been moments ago, now stood a mascu who bled profusely from his face. She watched as the tan pelted bastard turned around and dashed into the cave, her brother hot on their heels. Quickly she dashed forth, wanting to go aid her sibling.

OOC: Sorry if I broke any rules in this post -_- It was a brain wave I took advantage of and didn't want to ruin the surprise with asking.

[Felypsa]

As Ammolite watched, the false Istariel came out into the sun. Yet Ammolite, Istariel’s best friend from puphood, immediately saw the discrepancies. Istariel was supposed to be blistering in the sun—and her eyes were rosy, not beetle-black. But before she could even say a word, Phoebus attacked “her,” revealing her for the true culprit: a male wolf with entrancing black eyes. Ammolite snarled and followed Yoshika and Hawk, who took to chasing the villain into the caves. Her eyes were a deep passionate purple. “Villain! Coward!” she shouted at Kenei in an uncharacteristic way.

Azarak barely hung on as Ammolite hurtled towards Kenei. The lizard’s eyes narrowed at the culprit. He recognized something about him; something familiar yet unknown at the same time. He realized, a moment later, it was unwilling evil. The lizard had encountered such before; they gave off a certain aura, a certain scent, that he could easily pick up. He sighed. This isn’t going to be easy…

*

Istariel was completely unaware of her captor’s attempted deception, and of her rescuers’ headlong rush towards her. She did not know Hawk was any nearer to her. She could not know! Even her mental magic had dissipated in her concentration of the final magics within herself. The only that prevented her from acting was conscience. Morality was the only obstacle to mortality. She continued to wrestle with herself, emotion against reason, the the biggest decision she might make in her life—what little of it remained, at least.

If Hawk was to save her, not from Kenei, but from herself, he had to hurry.

[Relairah]

Being as Akuma had never met Istariel, he didn't know what sort of reaction to have. The way it seemed, this was Istariel, but then Phoebus was attacking the figure that had come forth. And then, the true form of the other was shown. He frowned, suddenly moving foward once more, with everyone else, chasing Kenei, and going into the mountain. He wondered if the one they were chasing was leading them further into a trap. Perhaps he was leading them away from Istariel... for a moment, his mind thought about the worst, if they went toward Istariel and found out that she was impossible for them to save and they were all trapped. But he shook his head, he couldn't think that way, not if they wanted to succeed in this.

[Monkey Monk]

Quite suddenly Phoebus allowed himself to grow to monolithic proportions. His giant, feathered figure blocked the path as he stood in front of the others, blocking the way. Those fierce golden eyes of his looked down to the others. A seemingly sorrowful look to his eyes. Large sharp talons scraped at the ground, displaying exactly how much he hated to do what he was doing. The giant bird of prey let a breath exhale through the nasal passages of his beak. Before the others could exclaim out in protest, he let his voice ring out in answer to the question that wound undoubtedly be on everyone's mind. "Hawk must take on this battle himself. We must wait here. We would only get in the way anyways." A loud roar of anger echoed to them, heralding that Hawk had found his foe.

~

The tunnels wound around in a dizzying way, yet Hawk followed the other heedlessly. A fiery passion burned in the cockles of his soul. He desired to destroy this creature who had stolen his beloved. Visions of the torture he could inflict passed through his mind. However, they were cast aside. He too had seen the unwanted evil in Kenei's eyes. The way that bastard seemed to try and break through the darkness that bound him. With that suspicion, and his past knowledge of The Oath Maker, the golden wolf had solved the puzzle. The final pieces had fallen into place. He knew it now, and the whole truth. Shanto was an abomination. All traces of good and wolf had been destroyed when they had fallen from the cliff. He was a walking disease, but something more as well. What the other was, he did not know.

Quite suddenly the tunnel parted and Hawk found himself in a chamber. Fire and brimstone burned hotly far below. A single spire of stone rose up from the molten rock. The surface was flat and circular. There within a ring of black sand was his mate. However, Kenei was before him. A loud roar of anger passed forth from between the mascu's incisors, his golden eyes practically burning into Kenei. He watched the dirty pelted creature waver for a moment before lunging. However, Hawk was an experienced warrior. With a grunt he slammed his chest into the other's. Kenei went sprawling to the edge and nearly plunged down to the lava. Hawk desired to put the other from their misery. He knew that the true Kenei was desiring death, freedom from the slavery he was put in.

But Shanto's control forced the kidnapper to clamor up from the edge of the rock. He attacked with lightning speed, sinking his fangs deep into Hawk's shoulder. Crimson blood squirted out as a major artery was punctured by the bone-like substance of Kenei's fang. That was when the world came undone. The glowing that had always been in Hawk's eyes burst out in bright beams of radiance. As his maw opened to let loose a cry of pain, a melodious sound rang out into the air. Light shot out from his throat. His wings snapped out as something seemed to be happening, something not natural. Soon Hawk's entirety was secreting a pure light. A temporary blindness would take to the eyes of those around. Suddenly a harsh scream joined the melodious sound in harmony. As soon as it had started, it all ended. There was a blight flash and the sound of a body slumping down.

Hawk laid upon the ground unconscious, Kenei was no where to be seen. All there was left of the attacker was a pile of white ash which blew away with the golden wolf's heavy breathing. A pool of blood began to seep out from Hawk's shoulder. He would bleed to death soon if he did not receive help. All the magics of Kenei went away with his demise. The pools of magma was gone, leaving Istariel standing in the center of a bare chamber. The black sand had disappeared and with it the magical barrier. Kenei had been a simple creature, blessed with only the ability of illusion which came with his slavery. The mountain was a simple sentinel now. No sorcery laid beneath it's rocks, nothing but a bleeding warrior, his impregnated mate, and their friends.

[Felypsa]

oOc| !!!! I had written out a beautiful post, and then my computer killed it. RAWR!! So sorry if this post sucks. I was all inspired and stuff. And then...-grumble-

Ammolite ran into Phoebus with full force, and fell back, glaring at him with violet eyes. Always violet. Always passionate. "Stupid...Hawk!" she growled, but it was ambiguous as to whether she meant Phoebus the hawk or Hawk himself. Perhaps both. But seeing the giant bird made her at last relent, and she fell back against the rock. She let her own frenzy for her frenzied friend subside. At last she, defeated, had a sparkle in one eye, that was possibly a tear. What will I do if I lose both at once?

*

First there was darkness, and then there was light. First there was pain, and then peace. Is this what death is? the princess wondered. All her cares were lifted. There was no anguish. No agony. Just...calmness. And yet, she felt more alive than she had in life.

An angel had saved her. A golden angel had come and defeated the darkness with his light. But he had fallen in the process. If only she could find him. If only...

Is this what death is? The princess began to crawl. A royal princess, reduced to crawling! She crawled for an eternity. Forever and a day later, she reached the form of her fallen golden angel. He lay there, bleeding. Alive. She watched him with a detached interest. He was alive. Life coursed through his veins. So did pain. She remembered pain. But she did not want to. She was done with that. Done.

And suddenly, she breathed. And with breathing came life. With life came pain. With pain came tears. She began to cry, staining her fur and his. She was alive. Alive! Alive and in pain. Just as he was. She wept further, tears of pain and joy and sadness and relief...

"I cannot heal you," she whispered. "But I am glad I am here with you." She knew his name. She loved him. Her angel. Her golden angel. Her Hawk. She was alive. So was he. That was all she could ever ask for.

She lay her head against his, unable to do anything but weep quietly into his wound. Tears and blood mingled. Sorrow with pain. Life with life.

[Relairah]

Akuma thundered down the mountain's passageway that lead them after Hawk and Kenie, yet all of a sudden Phoebus blocked their path. Akuma nearly ran right into Ammolite when she hit Phoebus, but managed to pull himself to a rather sudden stop, his back legs crunched close to his forelegs in an awkward sit. He turned slightly and rose, coming around and glanced at Ammolite, then up at Phoebus. He was never one to really speak his mind, but his blue and purple eyes glared up at the guardian hawk. "If Hawk dies..." he murmered in words barely audible. He turned toward Ammolite, and sat back on his haunches, curling his bushy tail about his hinds. He didn't question whether or not she was 'okay' as he might have. It was plainly obvious she wasn't. He glanced back to see where Yoshika was, and then his gaze fell beyond Phoebus where they could not go. 'Please Hawk... please be okay for your mate, and for your sister, and for Ammolite...' he prayed silently.

[Monkey Monk]

Breathing was ragged, blood lining the walls of his throat. The warrior coughed, crimson liquid dripping from his jowls. He was stirring. At first it was just a twitch of his wing. Then it was his entire body moving. Slowly his eyes opened to look up. The glowing was amazingly bright, pulsating with his heart. But with each moment it began to dim down until it was as it had always been. A groan of pain passed his lips, but not once did he look away from Istariel. Was it really her? Had he vanquished their foe and rescued his beloved. It had to be her. He could feel the love pouring from her very soul. A weak smile pulled at his black lips. Hawk felt drained, as if he had run a score of leagues without stopping. Gently he moved his head to lovingly touch her own.

When he spoke, his voice was soft. Each tone sounded just as melodious as the cry he had given out. For it was him who had let loose that beautiful song of agony. A song of love and adamency to that powerful emotion. The cry of anguish had come forth from Kenei. The mascu who had been made into a monstrosity by that bastard Shanto. "I-Istariel?" Quite suddenly his wound did not hurt anymore. Nothing hurt anymore. He had his mate. He had the light which had opened his eyes. She was safe, and that was all that mattered. For quite some time he simply laid on the stone floor, his lover close to him. Was it a few minutes, hours, days? He did not know nor did he care. Istariel was safe. That was all that mattered.

Finally he mustered up the strength to rise. It was a rather arduous task, his side throbbing and numb from the wound. Dark blood covered his golden pelt, mixed with the tears of his princess. The sound of claws scraping could be heard as he struggled to rise. A sharp intake of breath passed between his teeth as fireworks went off in his vision. Still, he felt no pain. How could he? There could be no pain when his lover was safe and by his side. With her, he could do anything. At last he managed to pull himself upwards, teetering on the brink of falling down. When he managed to find his balance, he looked over to Istariel. His eyes dripped with the liquids of passion and absolute love. It was by the grace of Delphi that they were together. Again he spoke in that sweet, harmonious voice. His words voiced a simple desire. "Let's go home my love."

[Felypsa]

There was light, there was life, and then there was love. Istariel’s heart thudded almost painfully with it. She felt, rather than saw, her beloved breathe, and then rise, and then speak. His words resounded within her heart. When he spoke her name…the words did not exist to describe the joy she thrived on. Rise, rise, my soul! Lifting on the winds, lighter than air, yet weighed with a bliss unmeasurable…

“Home,” she echoed weakly. It had been a long time since she spoke. Was her voice even real anymore? It sounded hollow and feeble, almost as if she were ages and worlds away from herself. But that didn’t make any sense. She was here. He was here. That was all that was needed. But it felt odd to speak. Like it was a big effort. “Let’s…oh, Ammolite…she’ll heal you.” It was a wonder Istariel could get out that many words. Even as it was, she felt taxed, as if speaking sapped all of her energy.

She was tired. She was weighted. She wanted to shuck off her body and run around freely. But she couldn’t, and she didn’t really want to anyway. Hawk was here. This was the only way she could be with Hawk. For his sake, then, she lived. For his sake and the puppies’. That reminded her. She opened her mouth to tell her mate about the revelation, but she couldn’t get the words out. She was so tired. She just wanted to sleep.

She smiled mistily, emptily, and whispered, half to herself, “I wish home would come to us.” She had to move. She felt so heavy. Weighted down with love and with lethargy. She took a step, but it was the greatest step in the world to her. “Oh, Hawk…” she murmured.

*

Ammolite jumped up and began pacing restlessly. She was troubled. Something told her that Hawk and Istariel needed her. Her amulet felt warm against her fur, but it did not glow. Her eyes were a mixture of red and purple, of fear and passion. She glowered at Phoebus and sighed as she viewed Yoshika and Akuma. They couldn’t feel any differently than her. She stopped and stared at them both. She seemed about to say something to them, but didn’t, and resumed pacing. “I really don’t like this,” she muttered in an understatement.

[Relairah]

Akuma really had no idea what to do at all. He bit his lip, as if thinking over whether or not to say something, then let his gaze fall upon Ammolite. He watched her pace a moment, ears twitching when she spoke. She wasn't the only one, they all were worried... He glared up at Phoebus, glanced at Yoshika, then Ammolite then up at Phoebus again. "I don't care if he gets mad at us for coming along. But... I think its time you let us pass. This only makes things all the worse because, we're all worried sick while Hawk could be needing us." Sweat trickled down the side of his face, rather nervous over the words he had spoken. He didn't want to worry Ammolite, or Yoshika, or even himself any more than it already was, but... there was no time to sit around and waste while Hawk might need them.

[Monkey Monk]

The mascu looked forward to the end of the tunnel. He felt his stomach flip as the chasm seemed to be spinning on an axis ever so slowly. It took every ounce of mental strength he had to prevent himself from retching. Comfort came in Istariel's voice. Despite his horrific wound, he remained strong with her at his side. Slowly his head nodded to his mate's wish. If only that would be fulfilled. Yet he knew that it would not. Instead of thinking about the unattainable, he instead let his soft voice fill the air. "Yes...Ammolite can heal us..." And it was then he began perhaps the longest journey he had ever endeavored. Each step seemed to take forever, draining energy. There were so many questions to be asked, so many to be answered. Yet they would have to wait.

~

Phoebus felt sorrow enduced by the wishes of the others. Oh how he longed to do as they asked. Did they think he liked cutting Hawk off from all aid until he returned? Yet it was a necessary evil. That golden wolf was beginning to experience his true potential, such could be seen by the attempts he had made to connect his mind to Istariel's. As much as he hated to think that a kidnapper could perform any good, the timing had been impecable. Even though this bird knew very little of Shanto and the threat they posed, having Hawk with atleast a small taste of his ancestral power would help. Although...they had been gone a long time. Perhaps it would be better if he did step aside?

[Felypsa]

Step by painful step. Oh, did she really want to come back to this? It would have been bearable, but that she knew Hawk was suffering the same. In vain she thought of the Spirit World, where they could float and be free of pain. Just two spirits entwined. She was a selfish princess. When would she learn she could not always get what she wanted?

She had only a smidgeon of mental strength. She projected her thoughts out, hoping to touch those nearby. Azarak. The little lizard was their salvation. He had to get Ammolite to them. Ammolite’s mind was too blocked to reach, too complicated to breach. Istariel reached out, she thought she connected, but she could not be sure. She was so unsure of everything. All was foggy, hazy, and uncertain. Nothing stable. Except her love for Hawk.

*

The lizard felt a whisper, a soft brush on the corners of his mind. He closed his eyes briefly then opened them, glowing like ruby chips. “Time to go,” he said briskly, speaking to everyone but especially to Phoebus. “Hawk and Istariel need our help. The enemy is dead.” For now. “They need to be healed. They are very weary, and Hawk is bleeding profusely.” Azarak somehow gleaned all this information from the brief, feeble connection with Istariel’s mind. But he was very sure of himself.

[Relairah]

Blue and purple gaze turned toward Azarak, ears swivelling to listen as the lizard spoke. That confirmed all of their worrying... indeed, they had not worried for nothing. He glanced toward Phoebus, as if expecting the bird to have moved aside with Azarak's words, then glanced at Yoshika and Ammolite. Silently, he turned to move in the dirrection of which Hawk had been blocked from them. He ruffled his great feathers, for they had been sort of idly sitting at his side ever since that conversation when Hawk had supposedly, 'gone off for food'. He felt that right now, the goal would be to get to the other two as fast as possibly possible, and besides, he never really felt comfortable with saying much, even a simple, 'Alright, c'mon.. let's go.' Instead, he simply began to move into a run, eager to reach Hawk and his mate, Istariel, whom he had yet to meet. According to Azarak... they needed healing. He wanted to make sure they got what the needed...

[Monkey Monk]

Phoebus heard Azarak's words and indeed move out of the way. Quickly he shrunk down to his normal size and soared off down the tunnel. He was completely silent, not speaking a word. The air whistled between his feathers and soon he could see Istariel and Hawk ahead of him. At the last moment he changed the tilt of his appendages and began to slow down. He shot past them and turned around, his talons clicking on the stone floor when he landed. With large, golden eyes he looked up to the others and remained quiet. For a moment he looked to Hawk's wound before somberly shaking his head. After a while, he finally allowed his voice to ring out into the air. "I am sorry boy..."

Yoshika ran after the others, her paws lightly falling on the ground. She hoped dearly that her brother and his mate were going to be ok. It sounded as if the two had suffered an endeaver she could never truly comprehend. As they drew closer, the femme could feel her pulse began to increase. She hoped that they were not too late, that the couple would live to tell the tale of this macabre adventure. When he finally skidded to a halt, her chest was heaving with lack of breath. Her eyes looked to her brother, yet she remained silent. She did not know what she could do to be of any help except to stay out of the way.

Quite suddenly everyone rushed to their aid. When Phoebus muttered his apology, the golden wolf shook his head slowly. The only thing keeping him conscious was his need to protect Istariel. He needed to get her home, to comfort her and show her how much he loved her. When he saw his sister, he tried to speak to quell her obvious fears. However his chest was on fire, almost as if he had not been breathing. His body was beginning to fail hime and he was in desperate need of being healed. He knew what it felt like to have death creaping up on you, having experienced it once before. His mind fought wildly to keep alive, refusing to leave his mate all alone in this world, refusing to abandon his friends.