Tale of the White Raven, Mánu

[Aveilthé]

OOC: For more info and backstory on this critter, check 'im out here: www.freewebs.com/kaoru-ami/profilemanu.htm

"Father, tell me again of the spirit that carries the dead away!"
cried a young pup as he bounded forward excitedly and jumped
over a large rock in order to catch up with a large, gray male with
odd markings on his face.

"Very well," the father sighed, shaking his coat. "But it is strange
for a young pup to be asking such things beneath a bright
moon."

"Go on," urged the pup as he nipped his father's ankles. "Tell
me, please!"

The father wolf chuckled at the young pup's innocence. "Alright,
alright." He slowed to a halt and sat back upon his haunches,
to which the pup followed suit. The young lad curled himself up
around his father's front legs and wagged his little tail, anticipating
a story.

"Legend says that there is a large, white raven that travels the
woods in search of the dead. Legend has it, that the raven carries
the dearly departed souls to the land of the dead."

With this said, the pup gasped with astonishment, though he had
heard this story many times from other elder wolves while treading
through the many paths into the mysterious, dark woods at night.

"A white raven! He sounds powerful!" cried the pup, shivering
as he allowed his father's words to soak into his ears.

"No, not so powerful. The raven is not a god. There are tales that
had been said that the gods themselves had placed a curse upon
the raven to forever carry souls to the spirit world."

"But he is powerful, if he has the power over life and death!"

"Only death," replied the father, smiling warily. He was only ever
too cautious to be letting certain tales be told to his son, for the
pup had big ideas of becoming powerful, though he hardly had
any power yet. The lad had seen power coming from the Alpha
female a long time ago, and had wished that he was powerful,
too. "I'm not so sure the raven can give life. The legend never
spoke of such things. So... only death, my son."

"So the raven could, like... kill something by touch?" said the
pup, wide-eyed with a bit of awe and fright.

"I don't think so. I think the raven could only take souls away
by gobbling them up and flying away... if the creature has died
first. I don't think the gods have meant for the white raven to
kill when he wants... I don't even think the raven is a he!

The pup s[removed]ed. "Yeah, the raven could be a girl!"

"Nobody knows," the father nodded agreeably. "Let us be off,
the night is waxing and is not safe for you, especially in these
parts."

"But father!" pouted the wolf. "I want to know more!"

"When you're older," the father replied grimly, also with a sharp
eye, for the pup looked as if he was about to talk back, but his
lip shuddered and he fell quiet. Thus, the two began walking
away from the small clearing of wood and small brush, and into
a narrow path that led to the heart of Shinkou Ookami.

Meanwhile, a dark creature, a bird no doubt, sat perched upon
a thick bough of a giant oak tree. The creature was so high up,
that if an individual looked, the bird looked no more than a couple
of leaves shaped like a sinister bird of sorts. Perhaps it was an
owl, or perhaps it was a whipper-will, one of many night-creatures
that roamed the woods. However, it sat so still, that it seemed
to be listening in on to the father and son's conversations.

A chilled wind sauntered through the surrounding trees, even
though it was the start of summer and heat was still present even
at night. The leaves on the trees rustled, yet the silhouette of the
apparent bird did not rustle with the leaves. Perhaps they were
stars, but a faint red glow glistened in the heavens - two of them.
They looked remarkably like eyes, but perhaps it was only the
trick of the light coming from the bright moon.

[yuiko]

Angel went through the trees, making twigs snap on the ground. Her brown fur catching dirt and leaves from the ground as she kept a quick pace. Her silver eyes showed pain from thirst, hunger and from being tired. She kept going though until she came upon two wolves walking. One a pup and one an adult. Not wanting to startle them, she tried to sneak around them, but instead snapping twigs and leaves. Her silver eyes went big as she kept trying to go quietly. 'Oh no' She whispered to herself.

[Aveilthé]

The pup and his father were already quite deep into the woodlands
that they hardly noticed the third wolf in the vicinity. Perhaps the
reason they did not stop was due to the fact that usually raccoons
or smaller critters ran amuck through these areas very often, so
they brushed it off as such and continued.

High upon the treetops, the birdlike figure was as still as stone,
unhindered by wind. The red, starry-like eyes emitted a slightly
stronger glow as the female was left alone. The solitary wolf was
obviously of great interest to the creature perched upon boughs
of oak. The wolf looked hungry, and her energy seemed wasted
by malnourishment. This very asperity the wolf was going through
was intriguing, indeed. Perhaps her end was near, too?

[yuiko]

She couldn't take it anymore. Her energy was gone and she needed help. She knew that if she kept going on without food water or a break with a cut from a hunter on her side, she'd die for sure. Going into site of the wolves, she looked at them barely able to stand as she bowed her head wanting to show that she meant no harm. 'Hello.' She felt the wind brush against her fur as she fell to the ground passed out. When she closed her eyes, she thought that she was as good as dead as her world blacked out.

[Felypsa]

The solitary wolf and her silent watcher were not the only figures out on this dark night. A lone creature prowled the dark forests, trying to ease the weight that had been pressing down on his mind and heart for a long time now. He was a mighty wolf, clearly of high rank in the huge Shinkou Ookami lands, with sleek black fur and bright golden eyes. He was of quite impressive size, rivaling even the Alpha Female, looking quite intimidating in the way that he blended in with the shadows. Only his eyes peered out, shining and unreadable. He was Goth, Beta Guardian of these lands.

Those peering eyes caught sight of a wolf in quite bad shape. She was trying to follow somebody, but clearly had not the strength or energy. Goth picked up his pace, trying to get to her before she collapsed. But he was too late, for just as he reached her side, she fell, clearly unconscious. There was a wolf and his son walking in the opposite direction nearby, but Goth took no notice of them. He was wholly preoccupied with the fallen she-wolf.

As he bent over her to see if she was dead or simply unconscious, he felt a chill wind blow despite the summer heat. His yellow eyes narrowed and he looked up, a sneaking suspicion in the back of his mind. There was something…familiar about this situation. He felt as though there were someone nearby whom he knew well. Yet he had not felt its presence in years.

Goth’s searching gaze yielded little but the double faint red glow on a tree up above. There was definitely something familiar and eerie about that glow. But Goth was mortal and very much alive, though the wolf he was standing over was close to death. He could not see clearly that which was watching the she-wolf on the ground beside him.

Still, Goth had a faint suspicion. He looked sadly upon the she-wolf, wondering if he could still help her. He was untrained in the art of healing; his art was always of destruction and death. “If that is indeed Mánu who is close by,” Goth said aloud, “there is little I can do for her.” Goth had died five times before; he knew the sight of the white raven well. He did not like the white raven, with its fearsome red eyes and its cold stare and its lack of color. Goth much preferred the sight of the black raven whom he always saw when he was reborn. The black raven—like his Raven—Goth felt his throat tighten. Soon his Raven would see the white raven—and she would not see the black one.

“I must not think of such things,” Goth spoke again. “Here now is a poor soul in need of nourishment and healing. I will see what I can do for.” He was speaking aloud just in case that really was Mánu there. Goth did not want that vile white raven to get its claws into this pitiable young wolfess. Thus, the Beta Guardian bent his head down and scooped up the fallen wolf with ease, for he was very strong, and kept her balanced on his back between his two mighty draconic wings. And he began to walk away, towards the mainland of the pack, hoping he would find a healer soon or that the she-wolf on his back would awaken before Mánu got to her.

[Aveilthé]

Now, if an individual would look back to where the dual crimson
"stars" hung, he or she might be surprised to find that the glowing
orbs had disappeared, and so did the leaves that had shaped
the mysterious bird.

Alas, the same shape and glowing red stars suddenly appeared
in an enormous, green aspen tree, at least twenty feet away from
the oak. Not a rustle of movement was ever heard from this
creature. Odd.

"Ahh, Goth. We meet again."

The hair-raising sound had not appeared to be issued from the
obscured animal in the trees. However, the sound was soft,
yet surrounded the area, but the man and woman's voice sounded
far, far away, like an echoing, distant memory.

"You keep evading the white raven, Goth. Someday you will not
be so lucky to see the black raven again."

A moment of silence was given for only a short period of time
before the mysterious voices echoed through the woodlands
once more.

"Send my regards to your withering raven. Soon, she will ride
with the white raven, and soar beneath a waning moon."

Most would have been somber by saying such words, but not
the voices. The voices were cynical, cold and apathetic.

"Your endeavor to assist the young wolf will be in vain, Goth.
Lower her on her bed of death for the soul reaper to collect!"

[Felypsa]

At the sound of the white raven’s voice, Goth stopped in his tracks, delicately adjusting the young she-wolf on his back. His fierce yellow eyes glared into the darkness before they met the crimson orbs of Mánu. He let the soul-reaper speak, and waited until it had finished its little speech before replying.

“The strength of the Mutatio wolf has always been to bypass you, Mánu. What makes you think that, when I have chosen to die, you will have the victory?” Goth’s eyes flashed. “You get glory and strength from the spirits who are unwilling to die. When I am laid to rest at last, it will be at my choice, and you will not get the benefit of it.” Perhaps the Guardian Beta spoke too confidently, but he did not want to show the white raven that it had ruffled him, speaking about his beloved mate, Raven.

“She will die soon,” Goth said softly. “But not unwillingly. She has already resigned herself to that. You will not get the satisfaction of having her try to fight you.” Goth might have said more, but then he heard another wolf running through the forest; and, turning away from the irritating white raven, he called out to whoever-it-was. He did not know her name was Clarice.

“You who run swiftly!” The mighty wolf shouted. “Would you stop in your rush and come to me? I have here a young wolf in dire need of healing!” He did not know if the other would respond or come. Continuing to ignore Mánu’s taunts and heckling, he tenderly turned around and licked the young wolf’s face, hoping she would awaken before it was too late, and the white raven indeed took her soul away.

[yuiko]

As she lie down and heard voices, she immediately became frightened and started to slowly open her eyes to see what was happening and who was speaking. When she looked up she saw a wolf, apparently male and quite large, standing above her and she saw another wolf further away. Not knowing what was happening and frightened about it, she whimpered softly, hoping that they would know that she's not dead. Angel looked up at the male wolf with pain in her eyes, hoping that this wasn't the end and that someone could help her and hoping that the wolf above her can help her.

[Felypsa]

Just as the she-wolf named Clarice came over and said her sad news, Goth heard a faint noise coming from the wolf on his back. Very carefully he laid her down on the ground, his wings softly brushing her face as he peered down at her, trying to figure out if she was waking up. And then he saw her look up at him, and he knew there was still hope.

He glared in Mánu’s direction, knowing the white raven was still watching sinisterly, waiting for the wolf called Angel to die. But Goth would not let it happen if he had anything to do with it. He looked at the wolf who had come, Clarice. “Do not despair,” he ordered, and his voice was as comforting as it was commanding. “You can still be of great help to this lady, even if you are not blessed with healing powers. There is still hope for her, as long as you do not panic.”

Goth stood for a moment, thinking. Then he said, “If you would truly like to help, I ask you to stand guard over her.” He looked down at Angel, not knowing her name but reading her pain. “You must rest,” he said to her softly. “Rest, but do not let that creature who brings death take you. There is still hope for you,” he repeated. He looked again at Clarice. “Watch over her, and make sure no one attacks her. If you feel she is beginning to slip into death, tell her of all the joys of life. Rekindle in her the will to live. She must not be lost now. I will go find someone who can heal her. In the meantime, make sure she stays on this side of life.” Goth looked seriously into Clarice’s eyes, then once more turned his gaze to the poor Angel. “Live,” he said quietly.

Then he turned and galloped into the shadows, ignoring the white raven’s mocking glare at his back. Mánu would stay there and try to take the dying she-wolf. But Goth had confidence in both Angel’s will to live and Clarice’s protection. Nevertheless, he ran as swiftly as he could, flying through the trees like the wind.

[yuiko]

Angel let out a soft grin and looked up at the unknown she-wolf and kept her eyes open and looked around, knowing that she was safe and watched the male run swiftly away. She kept up her breathing and made sure that she stayed alive as she thought to herself that this can't be the end and that she won't die like this. She whimpered and kept her eyes on the she-wolf so she'd know that she was still alive.

[Felypsa]

Goth ran with all the speed he was gifted with, his lithe body agile as it was strong. In a way, he was trying to outrun death for Angel; though he knew Mánu had stayed behind to linger eagerly over the soul of the fallen she-wolf, he still felt the power and the glare of the white raven beside him. The Beta Guardian knew of several powerful healers in Shinkou Ookami, and he only hoped he could find one of them before it was too late.

Before he left the forest, however, he instinctively looked to the left. What he saw made him stop dead in his tracks. Twin sapphires sat glowing in the darkness, exuding a warmth that made up for all the coldness in Mánu’s gaze. As Goth stared, feeling a tingle of familiarity, a figure stepped forward: a raven, about the same size as Mánu, only with glossy black feathers.

This was the black raven who was the opposite of the white raven. This was the bringer of life instead of death. Even fewer people knew that this raven existed, because they would only see it at birth, and no one remembers their birth. But Goth knew. Goth had been reborn five times, and knew the sight of this black raven flying away, bearing his life on its wings.

“Karasis,” Goth spoke its name reverently, for he honored the black raven and was relieved to see it now. “You must come back to me. There is a young wolf on the brink of death—but you must not let Mánu have her. You have to bless her with life instead of condemning her to death.” Goth’s golden eyes were filled with hope.




The black raven was not one to say much of anything, but when Goth spoke to it, its eyes glowed warmly in what appeared to be a smile. Of course it knew about Angel’s struggle between life and death. That was, in a sense, why it was here. In most cases, the black raven Karasis and its counterpart Mánu worked separately, Karasis bringing the infant souls to their bodies, and Mánu leading all souls away from theirs. But occasionally, there came to be an individual, the outcome of whom Fate leaves up to the ravens to decide, and that is when both Karasis and Mánu flex their spiritual muscles and duke it out. This was one of those times.

Because Angel was so young, Karasis felt that she deserved a full life, much like the one Clarice was describing. But Mánu was greedy for a young soul who was not ready for death. That was what would the struggle would be. Karasis silently flew alongside the swift Goth, who led the black raven back to the clearing where Angel and Clarice were.

Goth reappeared, but Karasis was barely visible in the darkness, but for its clear blue eyes. It approached Angel confidently, just as Clarice urged, “Don’t lose hope!” It seemed that Karasis’s eyes were smiling, and it nodded fervently at Clarice’s words. Angel, it noticed, was closer to the side of death than she was to life, which would make Karasis’s job a little harder. Briefly its bright blue gaze met the icy crimson gaze of Mánu, who still had its talons gripped in Angel’s soul. Karasis turned back to Angel.

To Goth and Clarice, it might not seem as though anything were happening. But to Angel, Karasis’s smile and shining eyes were showing a life, a future, the wonders of living. Come back to the light, Karasis seemed to be urging by showing her these images. Do not let death take you now. With every glimpse into the future, Karasis was adding strength and warmth and comfort and love to Angel, helping her come closer and closer to life and further away from death.

[yuiko]

Angel smiled softly at the unknown she-wolf, thinking about it and wanting to live a bit more, then she saw the male come back with a raven. The raven stood by her and all of a sudden she saw images....images that started to make her happy and want to live more. She smiled at the raven, her will to live growing stronger.

[Aveilthé]

OOC: I return! And I bring Biblical words along with me 'cause I feel all Biblically.

Hidden in darkness, the winged reaper lingered quietly, carried by
the will of the wind beneath his ancient wisps of ghostly feathers.
The thing from the branches had moved again, and was now in the
air. A new disturbance was in the northernly winds, but the creature
had already known of what ageless animal flew hither.

It was obvious of what Mánu's relationship was with Goth. Many
times the soul reaper had attempted achieving in obtaining
Goth's own life, but to no avail, because of that... that...

A derisive, unnatural hiss rattled from the ghostly white apparition.
Contempt for the living was present in every quench of the bird's
old talons, and for the source of the giver of life.

It was only in Mánu's nature to despise the living. Perhaps it
was programmed that way from the beginning; no one could ever
rightfully or truly know or understand the perplexities of life.
One would forever reel and discombobulate if they tried
working out the meaning of life and death.

And the old bird saw the coming, through the darkness, the eyes
of the entity that would swagger silently it's abilities to give
life back to empty shells.

With a terrible toll of it's howling cry, the bird divulged itself in
moonlight as it's flaring red eyes flashed upon Karasis's vibrant
blue ones.

"Abomination!" shrieked the voices that now seem to have
come from the very earth. "To deter death! Let thine wolf's spirit
cleave from it's body!"

[Felypsa]

oOc| xD!! Yay, Kaoru! 'Tis such a pleasure to rp with you once again!



Its vivid blue eyes dancing, Karasis felt Angel respond to its lure, warming to the side of life rather than plunging into the icy depths of death. But just as Angel’s will to live was strong enough for her to take her life back into her own paws, the dreadful, twin voices of Mánu rang out, the chilling voices of death itself. The jarring sounds of the white raven’s words made Karasis falter only briefly; but that might have been enough for Angel to slip from its grasp. It began to fight for Angel’s life again, pouring its powers and hopes and dreams for her to see, urging her towards life—but there was a kind of franticness in its battle now. Mánu had disrupted the black raven’s concentration, and Angel could be paying the price. Through all this, the bringer of life said not a word to its counterpart, preferring to work in silence.



Even the mighty Goth was mortal, and so he shuddered upon hearing the white raven’s harsh, commanding words. He no longer feared his own death, so that was not why Mánu’s words affected him so. The image of his dying beloved was omnipresent in his mind, and the thought that she could at any moment slip into that world beyond was almost too much for Goth to handle.

“Be silent!” he roared at the white raven, though reason told him that losing his temper would probably not do any good. “Can you not be content to gain souls at the end of everyone’s life? Must you be so greedy, to snatch this young one’s hopes and dreams away from her at such a time?”

It took either great courage or foolishness to challenge the bringer of death thusly. But Goth was not afraid that Mánu could at any time strip him of his life. There had been times when the mighty wolf himself had thought he would prefer death over the sufferings of life. And if the white raven took him now, well—at least he would know his cherished Raven would join him soon. The only reason Goth did not plan to die alongside her was his children, who needed the guidance of a father. But even that did not make Goth shy away from the thought of the end of life.

[Aveilthé]

OOC: I suppose Yuiko is not going to respond? XD I'd like to keep this going. Fely, if Yuiko is inactive, we could assume her character is still around. I don't think we can help but to powerplay her wolf since Yuiko's not here. That, or this thread can die.