Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2011 1:08:01 GMT -5
As if right on cue with Ryu's explanation of when the others were going to wake up, Dyne entered the room. Giving him a brief notice with a nod, Red didn't trust his voice in speaking. What could he say to them? Did he even deserve to say anything?
Trying his best to get lost in staring at his food, the pat from Dyne did not make Red feel any better. He understood Dyne's intentions, but it didn't matter much to Red. In his opinion he didn't deserve anyone's comforting words. Forcing another fork of food down his throat he seemed to just ignore Dyne.
It wasn't long before Rowen made his appearance at the table. When he did everyone seemed speechless. At first Red thought it was because of him. His eyes cringed as he held back tears. Was Rowen angry at him? He had every right to be, if he was. Red was the reason he had attacked Kira.
When Rowen responded though, Red's eyes perked up in interest. Rowen's head was.... soaked. Annalese had apparently spilled it on him. That wasn't right. Rowen should have had all the slept he wanted after what happened. If anyone deserved to have something ice cold or boiling hot spilled over them, it was Red.
"Yes. Seems that I am." What more was there for him to say? Turning back to his food he tried to take another bite. Everyone else took their place at the table and began eating. No one said a thing. Red knew it was because of him. It was as if they were all scared to say anything.
The silence though didn't last for more then five minutes. Red was the one who broke it. He couldn't just sit there any longer knowing that he was making everyone uncomfortable. So he simply stood up suddenly. Eyes cast down on the floor below, he opened his mouth to speak. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to tell them that he was at fault. But he couldn't.
Instead he turned about and ran. He ran right out of the temples front doors. He ran away from the temple. He ran back to the crossroad of the temple and continuing further up the mountain. Choosing the upward path, he sprinted. He just wanted to run away. He wanted to run away from what he did.
Coming to a turn, Red sprinted even harder. However the mountain floor was littered with little rocks. As he ran by the turn he tripped. With the pace he was going and how dangerous close he was to the ledge of the mountain, Red's eyes widened with fear. He couldn't stop. All he could do was watch as he fell to the ground and continued to slide right off of the mountain.
When he hit the open air, time seemed to slow. His hands stretched out to the open sky as he watched the ledge that he had fallen right off of. Oddly enough his mind was perfectly cleared. With death coming in seconds Red came to an understanding that Kira's death didn't matter anymore. He was sorry for what he did, but what more could he have done? He even forgave Ogre.
Red's body howled in protest as he made contact with an overhanging ten feet below. He landed on his right side breaking his arm and rib. He was not dead, but the pain was so intense that he blacked out only after a few seconds of coming in contact with the overhang.
|
|
|
Post by Sprow on Apr 29, 2011 1:34:48 GMT -5
(OOC: Hope this is fine, if not I can change it. Idk what you wanted to do with Red. You can say the others tended to him if you want. I left that ending part pretty much open for what you wanted to do with him. I can still remove the part of them finding him if you had something else in mind.) They weren't essentially scared of Red, the issue was they didn't want to remind him of what happened the day before. Even Annalese was careful to not say anything even though her attention span was weak in that department. She managed to keep herself entertained by wandering outside while the others ate. Unlike the humans, she didn't have to eat...not normal food anyway. That and she didn't have to drink blood yet. It had been only but a few days since she had last fed. She could last a good week or so without having to drink blood.
Wandering about in the snow, just outside the temple, she enjoyed making random things with the snow. It wasn't powdery, just perfect to create anything she pleased with it. Figures she'd be entertained by such a thing seeing as she was pretty childish despite her age compared to the others. Vampires aged but only to a certain extent before they stopped altogether appearance wise. Right now, there was centuries before Annalese would even stop aging appearance wise.
She left the guys to themselves, leaving Red be. As the others ate, it was in silence. None dared talk to Red lest they risk reminding him of yesterday. The situation must've bothered Red because without warning, he got up and ran. "Red!" Ryu called but the kid just took off. Dyne looked completely shocked as he got up. Rowen sighed at the whole thing.
"Was it something we did?" Rowen inquired. Ryu shook his head. Red had been strange all morning, most likely reliving the events of yesterday. The silence must've driven him to do that. They had to set out and find him, if they didn't, Jean wouldn't be too happy with them. "I guess this means we tail the kid?" without even waiting for an answer, Rowen set off with Dyne right after him. Sighing, seeing them already taking off, Ryu was forced to remain behind. Who else was going to let them back into the temple anyway and watch over the others still sleeping?
Outside, Annalese had seen Red taking off at a mad run. "What's got him running like a frightened rabbit?" she said to herself with a puzzled expression. Sniffing the air, she was certain there hadn't been any known enemies around the given area. Red running off like that confused her. No sooner had he left, Rowen and Dyne hurried out after him. "Okay, humans are odd creatures. Running amok like there's danger afoot." All the while, she had said this to herself as she observed from a distance.
Rowen and Dyne were able to see where Red's footprints had gone and were heading in the direction he took off. Even as they did so though, a nasty blizzard erupted without warning. The onset of the storm was so sudden and quick, the warriors found themselves unable to tell where Red's footprints were as snow bombarded their eyes. Shielding his face, Rowen looked over at Dyne, squinting at him more like it. "Head back, Dyne. I'll handle this." Dyne merely shook his head, refusing to go back. He wasn't going to abandon the situation and leave two friends behind.
Sighing to himself, Rowen squinted around for signs of Red. "Red! Red!" he called. Getting no answer in return, Rowen was wondering how the hell he was going to even find him.
"Your kind is very pathetic. Don't you have any good sense of smell?!" scoffed Annalese. Rowen and Dyne exchanged looks before they looked at her with confusion. Since when did humans smell to try and find others? Just what the heck was she? From what they last recalled, that dark figure had called her a pure blood. What had been meant by that, one could only guess. Right now though, they weren't going to argue with her. Finding Red was their top priority. "I guess I'll show you blind bats to where he is! You'd be lost if I didn't!" she snorted at them before leading the way.
It was a lucky thing Annalese were there. If she wasn't, none would be able to find Red. It wasn't easy though, even for her even though her senses were more acute than a human's. It took them a good ten minutes to locate the cliff that he had seemingly fallen over. "He's down there...see?" she inquired, pointing down to where she could just barely see Red's figure covered in a thin sheet of snow already. "You'd better move it. The storm's getting worse!" she warned as her senses picked up on the condition of the storm raging around them.
Dyne looked over the edge before looking back at Rowen. Putting up his fists and holding them in a defensive position, Dyne then pointed at Red. His gesture was odd but Rowen understood its meaning. "Alright, watch our backs then." With that, Rowen formed that transparent sphere about himself. As he did so, the snowflakes seemed to go around the sphere as if it were some sort of forcefield or barrier. Lowering himself downward, Rowen attempted to pick Red up.
When he got a hold of the kid, he lightly frowned at how cold he felt. "You'd better not die or Jean will have our heads!" he stated, more so jokingly than anything else. However, there was a slight hint of worry in his tone. Not because he was worried of how Jean would react if Red did die. More so because he was worried if the kid died. He didn't know Red for long but he did like him like a friend, probably almost like an elder sibling figure to a younger sibling almost.
Propping him over his shoulder, Rowen headed back up and picked up the rest. Taking back off at the temple, Ryu let them in after uttering the code name. "We're changing that password once we're done tending to him!" Ryu stated with obvious annoyance at such a vulgar code name. Where normally it would amuse Rowen, he wasn't at all laughing or even smiling.
"Yeah, yeah. Just hurry up." With that, Dyne, Rowen and Ryu took Red off into his room as they examined what wounds he had received.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2011 2:24:11 GMT -5
((OOC: Nope post was fine haha. I didn't have any plans for after. Sorry for the short post.))
Red was out cold, but it was quite clear his condition was not good. His left arm was broken in several places. Half of his rib cage was seemingly shattered. The fact that he was alive was almost a miracle. His breathing was harsh and wheezing as if something was pressing on his lungs. What Red needed was a healer or someone who could cure injuries.
Outside the snow storm raged. It shook the mountain with its ferocity. The clouds causing the storm had not slowly moved onto the area. No the storm was the work of something else. Ellac, the only Hun left alive, was not dead. Kira had not killed him as he thought he had. Indeed Ellac had been on the brink of dying.
However something saved him. A mythical creature that now was under his control. Ellac flew through the clouds ontop of the large dragon heartless. The creature had cured his wounds before death had taken him. Ellac smiled as he watched the snow storm not only strike the mountain but the capital down below.
His revenge would be completed. That hooded figure had betrayed him. He was certain of it. But that did not matter now. He rode a creature that would deliver China into his hands. As he moved with the dragon the worse of the storm lessened over the mountain as he left it behind. The capital was in his sight.
|
|
|
Post by Sprow on Apr 30, 2011 2:31:06 GMT -5
Annalese remained in the dining room so as to help preserve whatever modesty and dignity Red had depending on how the wound examination was in the other room. In the meantime, she entertained herself with hopping from one cushion to the next. 'Humans are so slow!' she thought with a sigh of exasperation. Annalese was used to things progressing much swifter than this. Luckily, her attention span made it easy for her to forget her boredom as she entertained herself with something else a few seconds afterward.
While Annalese was occupying herself with nonsensical things, Ryu and the others that were awake were looking at the damage that Red had sustained. "This doesn't look too good..." Ryu trailed off, looking at how Red's arm seemed to stick at an odd angle indicating broken bone. Even his ribcage indicated it was broken, the way he breathed suggested danger.
"Do you think Sain can fix this up?" Rowen inquired, Dyne merely listened in on what the two were discussing. He couldn't speak and Rowen was already asking the same question he had been pondering. Ryu merely shrugged.
"I'm not sure, Rowen. I guess we won't find out until Sain actually comes in here and does something." Looking over at Dyne, Ryu nodded at him. With that, Dyne was gone in an instant hurrying out of the room and down the hall to the room where Sain was resting. He hated to wake up his friend but this was an emergency. Seeing his slumbering friend, Dyne hurried over and shook him.
It didn't take long for Sain to react. "Hey! What was that for?!" he growled, unhappy from the way he was woken up. Seeing Dyne gesturing frantically at the doorway, Sain got out of bed and followed him out. They were back in an instant with Jean still unaware of what was happening. Seeing Red on the bed, breathing shallowly, Sain could already get an idea of how things looked. "How the hell did this happen?!" he exclaimed. Last he knew, Red had been fine.
"Red ran away while you were asleep. He fell off a ledge before we managed to find him and broke some bones. We need you to heal him." It was Rowen who spoke. Nodding, Sain looked at Red's condition. It didn't at all look good.
"I'm not sure if I can heal it all...not just because of how tired I am but how bad his wounds look..." Sain held a hand before him as if he were making an odd salute to the air. It glowed a golden color before he moved it in an odd fashion as if writing something with his fingers, a light trailing the motion in the air to make it seem all the more like it. Then, placing it on Red's forehead, Sain shut his eyes and quieted his mind.
The golden light spread from Sain's hand and seemed to engulf Red with it. If Red were to awake, he would begin to feel a warm sensation trailing from his forehead to his toes. His wounds, the pain would gradually leave him as they were healed. At least for the most part, Sain wouldn't be sure how much he had healed until the kid became conscious again. "There...now we wait."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2011 3:35:05 GMT -5
While Red was being looked over and Sain was being awoken, the moving blizzard neared the capital of China. All citizens ran as they watched the speeding clouds approach. All understood that it was only a matter of time before the storm rattled their houses. Time was brief and the citizens were making the best of it.
As the storm approached it began with a rush of the wind. So strong was the wind that it blew some of the older roofs right off. Following the wind came the lightning and crashes of thunder. It was as if the heavens themselves were being ripped apart. And then came the snow. Combined with the wind it blew furiously.
Families huddled in fear in their securest places in their homes. Their arms hovered over their heads for protection in case pieces of the roof caved in. Those who were not huddled in fear and dared to glance out the window noticed an odd shadow passing over the streets. It flew so fast that most did not get a good glance at it. But those who did would forever remember the monstrous shadow that passed overhead.
The storm continued its roar as it moved to the palace grounds. Those who were stationed to guard the entrances and gates had since retreated into the palace itself. As the shadow approached the palace grounds the storm lessened. The creature that rode with the storm was its center.
From the dark clouds a creature fell. Its skin was hard and silver in color. Its body was similar to that of a giant serpent with silver spiked wings. Its face had two glowing light blue colored eyes. Three large spikes grew from the skull of its head and had two caved in nostrils as a nose. Its teeth were razor sharp. Overall the head of the creature looked skullish.
The heartless, for that was its classification, crashed onto the floor. Ridding on top of said heartless was Ellac. Dressed in a brown fur coat, his large sword was strapped to his back. He laughed with glee as the heartless he rode let out a loud roar that shook the entire palace itself.
"Come Emperor!" He shouted. "Either you come to me or I shall come to you!" Ellac was fully prepared to ride his pet all the way into the palace itself. How he waited to see the terror on the face of the servants as his heartless took their hearts one after another. Of course the Emperor's heart was for him and him alone. Only he would have the satisfaction of taking the Emperor's life.
Drawing his sword he shouted once more, "What! No response oh great Emperor! Come and kneel before me! This is...." Ellac's voice trailed off as the twin gates of the palace opened. Well the Emperor had more guts then Ellac had thought. Not that it mattered. Death would not stop with the Emperor. He was only the beginning.
Once the gates were fully open, Ellac peered into the depths of the opening. He expected to see the old man dressed in his golden robes with his head help proud. Ellac knew enough about the Emperor to know how prideful the man was. He was going to have alot of fun watching that man suffer.
Stepping out of the gates was not the man Ellac expected. Dressed in a ripped cloak a teen stepped out. With jet black spiked hair and sharp yellow colored eyes, it was quite clear to Ellac that this boy was just a teen.
"Is this boy supposed to frighten me?!" He shouted into the palace. The heartless he rode roared its anger afterward as well. It lived only to please its master.
"Fine..." He said with a smile. Pointing his blade into the air, the heartless rose as it climbed into the air. Wings flapping it took flight. The beast circled in the air as it at last turned to the standing teen. Ellac barley noticed the jeweled dagger the teen held in his hands.
Pointing his weapon at his enemy, Ellac let out a loud war cry. The beast then began to fall through the air at blinding speed. As they raced towards the ground, electricity pulsed down the teens body making the air thicker around him. With speed of his own the teen leaped into the air towards the dragon.
Six pulses of lightning shot of his hands as Ellac's creature opened its jaws to engulf the teen. However Ellac and the creature had not expected the teens speed or the pulses of energy. They crashed against the creatures face one after another.
However the teen continued to climb through the air, his powered jump had given him enough speed that he had yet to reach the top of his flight. The six pulses of electricity had driven the creatures head down, allowing the teen to grab onto the spikes ontop of its head.
Ellac understood that even though they were going to crash to the ground in a matter of moments, the teen was now in strike length of Ellac. Sword raised, Ellac was surprised to see flames trickle down his opponents body.
Ellac brought his sword down hoping to by all means kill his opponent. He did not expect him to reach behind his back and pull out a sword of its own. It was the strangest sword that Ellac had ever seen, with hilt and even blade looking like bones. With one hand Ellac's strike was not only parred but forced back. The last thing Ellac saw was a jeweled dagger as it sank between his eyes.
The dragon crashed to the ground not a moment after Ellac's death. The surges of energy were not enough to kill the heartless. But it paralyzed it. The teen who fell the dragon was pretty much uninjured from the crash thanks to the creature he rode.
Standing, the teen made his way to the dragons head. Its glowing blue eyes stared at the teen with hatred and fear. Hatred for the fact that this teen had killed his master. Fear for the fact that fire traced around this teens body.
The face of the teen had no emotion whats so ever. This was of course custom for Artemis, the assassin. With apparent ease, Artemis drew his weapon back. Fire danced down the daggers hilt as it sank between the heartless's eyes. As the dragon's eyelids closed, Red's slowly opened.
|
|
|
Post by Sprow on May 1, 2011 21:24:02 GMT -5
Everyone knew nothing of the confrontation that took place at the palace. Everyone was busy waiting on Red's recovery, doing their own thing in the meantime. Jean had eventually woken up, Sain having gone back to bed to wake up a few hours afterward. Rowen managed to not get himself on everyone's nerves surprisingly and seemed to focus on his archery skills. It had to be the first time Rowen and Sain didn't bicker among themselves. The first time, in a long time, Dyne never had to hit Rowen for annoying him.
Jean, whom had just learned what happened, hadn't been too thrilled. She had gone to sleep on Red's request only to find out he went and tried to run away. If anything, she was just worried sick again. She was a little angry with Red for doing something so rash but that wasn't anything him waking up wouldn't cure.
Annalese, the entire time, was her usual self. Out of everyone in the temple, she was the one getting into the most mischief. Where Rowen no longer bothered anyone, Annalese was always getting on people's nerves every now and then.
By the time Red woke up, it had been quite some time. Seeing the kid wake up, Sain smiled. "Hey, Red. Are you well? Bones feel fine?" he questioned him. Once he was certain Red was fine, Sain would go and let the others know he was awake. Once that happened, others would come and see him. (OOC: Sorry it's small but will make a better post next time.)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 1, 2011 22:04:45 GMT -5
Opening eyes, Red glanced around in his confusion. Blinking his eyes at Sain he wondered what he was doing in front of him. "I feel fine... why..." Voice trailing off, everything hit Red all at once. The death of Kira. The appearance of the keyblade. The running away and eventual fall of the cliff.
Head bowing in defeat, Red began to tear. With tears came the memories of what he remembered during his fall. He had come to a realization as he was about to die. He was being selfish. He was indeed at fault for Kira's death. But he shouldn't be sitting here in self loathing. Instead he should have turned his sadness into determination.
Head slowly rising, Red brushed his tears off in his sleeve. No more crying. He wouldn't cry for what he had done anymore. The time for crying had passed. More had been added to the plate. He had a new weapon now that he knew almost nothing about. He had finally come to seen the enemy that was at fault for everything.
Thinking about the hooded enemy, Red realized that he had yet to tell Jean about it. Turning to Sain he said, "Gather everyone but Annalese. I have some stuff to tell you guys about the hooded figure we met." The reason he chose not to include Annalese was not because he didn't trust her. It was more for the fact that he doubted she would pay that much attention to what he had to say anyway. She really didn't seem all that concerned with human affairs anyway.
|
|
|
Post by Sprow on May 2, 2011 1:12:58 GMT -5
Sain was relieved to hear Red was fine. His healing powers apparently worked. When Red asked him why, he saw the realization immediately flicker in Red's eyes before he bowed his head. Politely, Sain acted as if he hadn't seen him cry as Red took a moment to pull himself together. When he finally wiped away his tears and spoke, Sain gave him his full attention.
"It's a relief to see you're no longer hurt. You were lucky you were still alive when we found you."
It didn't take long before Red spoke. Looking at him, Sain wondered what he meant by gathering everyone but Annalese. Still, he didn't question it. It sounded like Red had something urgent to discuss. Why he didn't include his other friend, Sain didn't know. Maybe because she didn't seem the type to want to pay attention? Sain could understand that.
"Alright, I'll get the others but her. I'll uh...tell her to go play in the snow...or something." With that, Sain left the room to let them know Red wanted a meeting with them all. Annalese, Rowen had to help Sain convince her in going outside to play in the snow. Eventually, she had given in and wandered outside.
"Play in the snow..." Annalese just sighed and shook her head. She knew she acted like a child, so she didn't really crab about it. Still, it made her wonder why they didn't ask her to go along. 'Did I do something wrong?' she wondered. It didn't take her long for her attention span to wander away from that. Sure enough, she was building things in the snow again. Only adding to the array of creatures she had built the day before.
Ryu, Rowen, Sain, Dyne, and Jean were all in the room upon Red's request. "What is it, Red?" Jean was the first to ask him. The others nodded in agreement, looking to Red for the answer as they held their silence. All wondered what it was that he wanted. They were happy he was fine now but refrained from reacting to their happiness right now since it was obvious Red wanted to tell them something.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 2, 2011 1:31:39 GMT -5
Once everyone had gathered, Red gathered his own courage. The story he was about to tell them was not easy. By telling them the story he would be inviting them to be involved in his problems. Jean really didn't have a choice. She was sort of thrown with him regardless of what she wanted because of all that had happened. Red had come to the realization that she could have left at anytime. By this realization he was alright with involving her with everything.
"Coming here, Jean and I haven't really been all that open about why we needed your assistance for a while. Before I get into why I just want to tell you to listen to all that I have to say before you make your decision about involving yourself with us." Glancing at Jean his eyes showed where he was going with all of this.
This was not an easy story for Red to tell. But given the recent events it was the tale he had to tell. Red then began to tell them all about his home world and the events that led to his departure there. When it came to talking about Gaia and meeting Jean, Red deliberately left out the part about Silver. That was not his story to tell. He did talk about the assassin though and how they were driven from Gaia back to the Enchanted Domain for answers.
"That of course led us here. The reason I suddenly decided to tell you about this is because of the hooded figure who turned Kira into a heartless." Pausing, Red locked eyes with Jean. "The hooded figure has the same keyblade as the one who killed my mother."
----------------------
Unknowing to Annalese a figure watched her silently. Unlike most, Artemis did not come unprepared. He wore a small jeweled stone around his neck that masked his scent. What his pendent did was take away any scent that generated from him. Because of this he was allowed to get within distance of the vampire.
Reaching behind his back, Artemis pulled out a silver chain. Coming upon her turned back, Artemis sprinted into action. One moment he was ten feet away from the vampire the next he was behind her. With quick hands the silver chain he held with both hands he tossed over head and attempted to thrust her against him as to hold her there. Of course if she was to dodge she would have to merely duck out of the way. But given the fact she was sitting, it would be most difficult.
|
|
|
Post by Sprow on May 2, 2011 1:59:34 GMT -5
Annalese had been standing, occasionally stooping to coop snow up into bundles to help her properly meld the bits of ice into the shape that she wanted. The entire time, she hadn't at all detected anything amiss. Usually, it was the scent that alerted her to any danger, otherwise her attention span wouldn't really focus on anything. Sure, her hairs on the back of her neck prickled a little but that didn't keep her alarmed for long.
Sitting in the snow, as she made to clear up a snow angel's legs better, she didn't notice the stranger approaching from behind. It all happened so fast, Annalese didn't even have time to resist. Before she knew it, she was forced against someone behind her. Unable to see who it was, she let out an annoyed hiss. "Let me go!" she managed to get out before whatever it was he had her restrained with made it hard to talk.
She did try to struggle out of it but the material he used made her itchy and feel weak. What did he have in his hands? Sniffing, it seemed to be some sort of silver, by the faintest traces it gave off. Something weird seemed to be sucking the smells away.
------------------------------------------------------------
As the others listened, there was no hint of what they were thinking as Red told them everything. Of course, there was obvious surprise with the traumatic events but over all, they were good listeners. None interrupted him as he told their tale. Jean was relieved Red chose not to mention anything about Silver. Her reasoning was because she would rather they not have to face him but herself. The last thing she needed was for that thing to latch onto one of them over her father, only worsening the problem. Silver would easily do damage if he got one of them.
When Red was finished, there was a long pause. Jean didn't dare tell them about Silver. Now, it was just up to them to decide what they were going to do after hearing that. Out of them all, it was Ryu that spoke first.
"Hey, if Jean's with you, then I am too. I'll help you out." Dyne abruptly hit his chest once with his fist and nodded in agreement. He would join them as well. Now, it was Rowen's and Sain's turn to speak.
"I'll go, no one else can heal others like I do...save for Jean, that is." It was Sain who spoke up. Now, it was all down to Rowen.
"Yeah, I'll come along. Anything for Jean!" he said, with a quick wink in her direction. The quip made Jean frown at him with annoyance. Well, at least he was back to his usual self again.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 2, 2011 2:59:42 GMT -5
Artemis held a blank face. He held no feelings at all for this vampire. She was merely a tool, nothing more. He had no pleasure in her feelings of weakness or anything of the sort. With the chain around the vampire's neck it made it easy to move her. Using the chain he pressed it against her skin and dragged her by the neck away from the temple.
His plan was simple. He understood the magic that was surrounding the temple that he couldn't just simple enter it. What he did plan on doing though was getting those inside to come to him. And his means of doing that was a certain vampire. Once he was a good distance away he stopped. Quickly crossing the chain around her neck so that he could hold it with one hand, he reached around and pulled out two steel pegs.
Moving quickly he let go of the silver necklace only to stab both of the steel pegs into each of her arms to pin her to the ground. The steel pegs themselves were over a foot long and had been dipped in holy water. Of course Artemis knew the pegs themselves would not kill her if he managed to pin her to the ground with them. But the holy water should make it hard for Annalese to touch them. ----------------
Red listened to everyone's replies. He was surprised with how they all responded. He could only smile at the generosity they showed. He was surprised to see that they were all so easily ready to help him. Nodding to Jean he seemed to say that he was glad he had chosen to come to the Land of Dragons.
"We mine as well go tell Annalese to come back in." He said with a laugh. Of course he had no idea about what was happening on the outside.
|
|
|
Post by Sprow on May 2, 2011 3:23:58 GMT -5
Jean was just as relieved to see the others wished to accompany them as Red was. Looking over at him, she could see that he was happy that they had come here. She had made the right decision in coming here. "Thank you, guys. You don't know how much this means to us." Jean had expressed her gratitude, things just felt more safe with their added numbers.
Hearing what Red said next, everyone nodded in agreement, some even joining Red in the laughter. It was Dyne and Sain who decided to go and get her but as they moved, a long piercing note rent the air. The effect it had on the nerves was chilling as Dyne and Sain exchanged confused but terrified looks. That had clearly been a scream! A painful scream at that!
"That sounded like Annalese!" Jean exclaimed, getting out her swords. Trouble had finally found them, it seemed as yet another shrill cry rent the air.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annalese coughed and spluttered as her unknown assaulter dragged her across the snow by the neck. Even though she tried to kick out, her attempts were rather weak and feeble. So weak, that it wouldn't have hurt Artemis if she even managed to make contact.
She was worried that the silver would cut into her skin, if it did, she would be in some serious trouble. Silver, being a vampire, she was highly allergic to it. A penetration of the skin, the area would swell up and eventually, she would go into shock. Shock that would surely kill her once everything was said and done. For once, she actually feared for her life as the figure dragged her away from the temple. What he was going to do with her, she didn't know.
It didn't take long though to find out what. Seeing him take out two foot long pegs, she could see where this was going. Purple eyes widening, Annalese couldn't voice her protest because of the chain squeezing her windpipe. Of course, suffocation wouldn't kill her but vampires did breathe too. When he released his grip on the silver chain, she made to move but because of how weak she was, she didn't move fast enough.
Having one arm impaled into the snow to pin her down, she let out a piercing scream. It was coated in holy water, making the wound hurt even worse. The snow under her currently pinned arm turned scarlet as blood dribbled from her arm. Still only being partially pinned, she made to glare up at Artemis only for him to sink in the second peg into her other arm. Now, Annalese was completely at the mercy of this stranger as she let out another painful scream. Where, for even human standards, being tacked down like that would really hurt, it was far more painful for Annalese with it dipped in holy water. She couldn't even move as her eyes watered, tears falling from her eyes because of the immense pain.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 2, 2011 14:50:04 GMT -5
At first Artemis had been concerned about how he was going to get the attention of those inside. It didn't seem to really matter though when the young vampire let out a shrill scream. Knowing that it was only a matter of moments before those inside the temple burst out, he turned once more to the vampire. He could see the tears in her eyes.
Seeing that she was pinned he understood that he no longer needed the silver. Artemis was far from a villain. He found no pleasure in doing this to the vampire. In fact it was because of this that Artemis reached down and pulled off the silver chain. There was no need to torture the creature more then necessary. Placing the silver on the ground next to her, he held her head straight in his hands.
"Do not move and you will not die. You are not my target." With that said, Artemis stood. It was at about that time that the doors of the temple opened and a party of six appeared outside. They all held a range of weapons, from kantanas to a keyblade. Artemis's eyes perked at that one.
His hires had not told him that his target was a keyblade wielder. Things suddenly got more serious. Seeing the confusion on most of the people's faces it ended when they locked on Artemis hovering over the bleeding Annalese. Spotting his target, Artemis pulled out his jeweled dagger.
"You!" Red exclaimed. "Let her go!" The boy spoke of the pinned vampire of course. Artemis merely shook his head. At the moment Annalese was his only leverage. There was no way he could successfully attack all of them at once. Jean herself was most likely about even to him when it came to speed. Fighting her along with Red and four others was not the smart.
Seeing the target turn to Jean, Artemis understood that things were about to move very fast. Artemis understood that look. The boy was asking Jean if they should attack. Artemis suddenly dropped to his knees as his dagger hovered over Annalese's heart. "I propose a trade. I am to deliver the boy. The boy comes with me and the vampire does not die."
|
|
|
Post by Sprow on May 4, 2011 23:22:01 GMT -5
Annalese was in agonizing pain. If it weren't for the pain, she would've tried to retaliate by now. Her also being pinned didn't help her situation much either. Despite her pain, she did attempt to struggle but it didn't do her any good. All it did was cause her more pain. The holy water was what kept her from getting out of the pins that had her down.
Suddenly, the silver chain was removed from around her neck. Squinting up at her attacker, through the pain, she saw him approach. Immediately, she recoiled as she was unsure about what he was intending to do. A cold chill ran down her spine when he grabbed hold her of head and spoke to her. Hearing his words, she could only bare her teeth in return, glaring at him despite her pain right now. She hated him for what he did. Of course, Annalese couldn't be blamed for it after that.
It didn't take long before her screams had attracted the attention of those within the temple. Being incapacitated, Annalese couldn't really do anything except stay where she was. The pain was too great for her to do anything anyway. True, once she was free, her arms would heal but until then, she would be in great pain. Thankfully, it wasn't enough to kill her but it sure did hurt a heck of a lot.
Jean narrowed her eyes as she found the assassin standing there over Annalese. "You again?!" she stated after Red told him to let go of Annalese. There were more of them in number but there were still tricks he could pull. Out of them all, Jean was probably the only one able to keep up with him in speed. Noticing that he was at a disadvantage in number, he immediately reacted in holding the dagger dangerously close to Annalese.
Jean looked back over at Red's questioning look. In all respect, they could move fast enough together but she didn't like the look of things. Everyone was at a stand still at this point.
"Deliver him?" Jean inquired, keeping distance for now lest she cause trouble for Annalese.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 5, 2011 0:10:20 GMT -5
Red was in a pickle. That was putting it lightly. He had very few options at this point. If there was someway he could drive the assassin away from Annalese, they might have a chance at keeping him away. Red thought hard for any sort of solution to their problem.
"I told you before. I was hired to kill him. Well since things have changed I have been instructed to simply hand him over to my hires. What happens beyond that is not my problem." Red was pretty sure he knew who those hires were.
One thing seemed certain about this situation. He needed to at least make it seem like he was giving up. He had to do this perfectly though. He needed to make everyone believe he was giving up, even Jean. Taking a deep breath he gazed down on the ground.
"Fine. But let her go." Red didn't look at Jean or any of the other of his four companions. He couldn't risk looking at them and revealing his plan. Head slowly rising he gazed straight at the assassin. He too slowly rose, but he held his dagger close to his side. Red let his keyblade disappear from his hands.
Keeping his arms up in a sign of surrender he walked slowly towards the deadly assassin. Watching the assassin, Red noticed him pulling out a coil of wire. Continuing to make sure that he didn't look back at his friends he ignored any of their pleas to not do this. "Turn around."
Turning about he held his hands in the same position. After a moment, Red felt both of his hands being grabbed and pulled behind his back. He felt the hard wire press against his hands as they were tied behind his back. A moment later Red felt a dagger at the side of his neck. "Don't do anything stupid. Were going to back away until were far enough. If you come after me, I'll kill him myself." The words were instructed to Jean and her party, not Red.
As they back peddled, Red at last got another glimpse of Annalese. He noticed the tears and cringe of pain in her face. He needed to make sure he was a safe enough distance away before doing what he was about to do. Red could still feel the dagger's tip by his neck. He had a plan though.
After about five steps backwards, Red put that plan into action. Going to take another step backward, he moved his neck to the right, away from the knife, and at the same time brought the back of his foot up behind him and kicked backwards into the assassins gut. With only the sound of an oomph, Red dropped and rolled, hopefully giving Jean, Ryu, Rowen, Sain and Dyne an opening to attack the assassin.
|
|
|
Post by Sprow on May 5, 2011 23:11:07 GMT -5
Jean kept her distance but she didn't put down her weapons. She wasn't sure how to deal with the situation. She didn't see any way around it. They were at a stand still. Jean's mind raced with possible answers to their problem, none of them seemed good. Glancing at her friends, she could see that Ryu was also wondering what to do here. No one was coming up with anything.
'Do we really have to come down to this?' she wondered. Knowing they had to save Annalese, they couldn't do anything unless they handed over Red. Annalese could die if they tried anything else, he seemed pretty aware of what a vampire was weak to and how to take one out if he had to. It wasn't an easy thing to decide upon at all here. If they refused, Annalese would be killed too. Either way she looked at it, the vampire would be either killed or they'd lose Red to the enemy. Jean didn't want either to happen even though Annalese had been somewhat annoying.
She was shocked, much like everyone else, when Red spoke up. Hearing his simple response of giving up, Jean turned to Red in disbelief. "What?! Why?!" she said, hardly able to really speak. Why was Red just giving up like this?
Ryu and the others even looked at him in surprise. "Red, don't do this!" exclaimed Rowen but the kid didn't seem to hear their pleas. He just walked up to the assassin to get him away from Annalese. Everyone, including Annalese, was shocked.
Still in pain, Annalese just looked like a cross between confused and agonized at the same time. "No-! D-Don't-!" she protested weakly but Red didn't hear her or the others. It looked a lot like he had just given himself up. Everything the others were intending to fight for had just been taken away from them, it seemed. Did the story really just end right here and now? It seemed like it.
Until things took a different turn. Red had waited for the assassin to tie him up before springing into action. Kicking the assassin, Red made a run for it. It was their chance to do something! Jean glanced at Rowen and Ryu before getting in between Red and the assassin. Aiming a slash at him, she only did it to try and keep him away from Red. Annalese, she had left to Rowen and Ryu.
Rowen and Ryu seemed to have gotten the unspoken direction Jean had given them for the pair of them were now before Annalese. Rowen guarded Ryu's back while he tried to get the poor thing out from the pins keeping her down.
Dyne tried pulling Red back up onto his feet and away from the assassin while Sain guarded them.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 5, 2011 23:40:46 GMT -5
Stupid. Artemis had known the moment that the boy had kicked out that things were going to go wrong. He should have given more thought to the plan then he had. He had just assumed that Red would go with him. Had he really misjudged the boy? Then again his heart was never really in this to begin with.
He had wanted to give up on Red. Back at Gaia he had made the declaration that he would not be anyone's pawn. Yet here he was, trying once again, to kill this boy. It was obvious that these people defied his hires. Why wouldn't he? Thinking about the woman in the hooded cloak, Artemis knew the answer.
There wasn't much time to think though. Jean, ever the speed demon, came between him and his prey. Swinging her katana, Artemis brought his dagger up deflecting the attack enough for him to take a step away from the dangerous female. In the corner of his eye, he saw his hostage being rescued and Red being defended.
Artemis came up with what he wanted to do then. He needed to make a show of this at least. Who knew if the hires were watching. Artemis was not one who was usually afraid of anyone. Even when it came to all of these people, he did not fear for his life. He was confident enough in himself that he could easily at the very least get away without a scratch.
However when it came to those hooded figures... That was a different matter entirely. Suddenly the air around Artemis began to change as it was filled with static. Small sparks of electricity traveled up and down his body as his speed greatly increased. One moment he was standing next there, the next he was by Jean's side slashing in three areas. First a downward strike to her thighs, then a forward upper cut by her chest, and last a slash towards her tender neck.
|
|
|
Post by Sprow on May 6, 2011 0:08:43 GMT -5
If Jean had been paying attention, she would've noticed the way the assassin had parried her attack. She would've picked up on the faint vibe that the other wasn't as into it as the last time she fought him. Even still, it looked like a real fight to anyone outside looking at the scene. Right now, Jean was just intent on distracting the assassin and keeping him away from Red and Annalese.
She was confused why they were forced to fight again. Still, she wasn't going to let him take Red's life if she could help it. Neither would she allow him to kill Annalese. Now that she was no longer a bargaining tool, she didn't think the vampire would be in any immediate danger now. It was just Red who would be in danger. Not looking back, since she was focused on her foe, she hoped the others knew enough to get him out of the area.
Ryu managed to pull the pins out, with difficulty, and pick up Annalese. As he did so, Rowen covered his back, keeping his bow and arrow pointed in the assassin's direction. He wouldn't release an arrow unless he dared come toward them as the three retreated. Annalese, the moment the pins had been pulled out of her arms, had seemed to fall unconscious. Even though her wounds were already beginning to slowly seal up, she had lost a good bit of blood.
Dyne attempted to cut the wire about Red's hands as he ushered him back toward the temple. Sain remained behind them, keeping close enough to them to retaliate if the enemy should come at them.
Jean noticed the change in the air. It was like that time on Gaia. Unlike that time, she was more prepared for this sort of thing. Bracing herself, Jean didn't have to wait long for the assassin to spring into action. Using her swords, Jean was able to block two of the three attacks. Since he was at a speed equal to her own, it was only likely that he'd manage to land a hit on her or more. She was lucky she only managed to keep up with him enough to not let her neck get sliced.
However, she did mess up in that her leg got injured pretty good when he had made the first strike, aiming a downward jab at her leg. Grunting in pain, Jean parried the next two. Her adrenaline kicking in more with the need to protect herself now realizing how much faster he had suddenly gotten. For each block, she retaliated with her other sword that was free of the other's dagger.
The assassin managed one thing here, he had gotten her leg pretty good. Her speed would most likely be decreased because of that.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 6, 2011 0:26:40 GMT -5
Red scrambled back to his feet when his hands were free. He appreciated everyone trying to protect him, but he didn't need it. He could take care of himself. Spotting Annalese being picked up by Ryu, a rush of anger passed through him. Annalese looked... Dead! At least thats what it seemed like to Red at the moment.
Turning to Jean. He watched the assassin parry each of Jeans attacks with apparent ease. Watching her leg get cut, Red knew that she was disadvantaged now. Red watched the assassin return a slash from Jean's sword with a deflect and slash of his own. However he did not stay in the same spot. He pivoted on his front foot rolling the dagger in a vertical strike.
Red couldn't bare to see if the dagger hit. But he knew the assassin well enough that once to her right, the assassin would strike again. This time it was a low strike once more, aiming towards Jean's already bleeding leg. Red's keyblade formed in his hand. He wanted to get in on the battle. He felt helpless on the side.
He moved to take a step forward. If Dyne was going to stop him, now would be the time to do it.
|
|
|
Post by Sprow on May 6, 2011 0:51:07 GMT -5
Sain, whom had his back turned to Red and Dyne, wasn't aware of what Red was thinking as he watched the scene play out. The assassin was pretty quick. Seeing him manage to land a strike on Jean was surprising since most couldn't accomplish such a thing. Had she been careless or had it actually been that good of a strike? Whatever the case, Jean was now put at a disadvantage here. Worry crept into the hearts of those looking on.
Gritting her teeth, Jean forced herself to keep moving. If she didn't, she was certain her enemy would use it. He seemed to know he got her good too and was careful to not relent on his attacks. Being so close in range, she was forced to go on the defensive.
Not wasting time, as she managed to step back to avoid the arched attack the assassin had made, she summoned forth five swords out of the air. All five revolved about her body in a vertical fashion. As they did so, one managed to parry the attack Artemis made for her already wounded leg.
Seeing Red get fired up, Dyne reacted as best he could. He tried to grab hold of Red and keep him away from the fight, shaking his head furiously. It wouldn't do Jean any good if Red were to get involved and hurt in the process. He would also just distract her and ultimately cost her if he got into the midst of it. As he did so, Ryu and Rowen had just gotten to where they were.
Annalese remained unmoving and it certainly seemed like she had really died but for the wounds she had on her arms. Those were the only things really indicating life in her as they were visibly, slowly closing up.
|
|