Pathwalker - RP

[Dragonium]

Alziel bit his lip as he watched the winged thing soar away into  cloud. It unnerved him. It had killed one man already, and yet nobody in the camp had seen what it looked like. That frightened Alziel more than it should have done; an enemy that he could not identify was one thing, an enemy that he could not see was another.

Then the thing was gone, and instead of abating, the cloud seemed to press further down. The rain became heavier.

Alziel looked down at Liara. She seemed exhausted, and it would take a few hours for her energy to come back. Magic was a burden as well as a gift, he thought darkly.

Another ray of sunlight flashed through the clouds, but was suppressed again and the rain grew even heavier. Through that crack in the cloud, Alziel saw a dark shape hovering.

"It's waiting above the clouds", he said aloud. Shell had come to his side, who nodded and gripped his staff tightly. The creature had ceased its attack, but it was still staying out of sight. Alziel wondered to himself. Was it preparing to retreat? Or could it be waiting for the camp to become calm before continuing to attack?

He sighed. It did not matter. His bowstring had survived the rain; Leyland had made it, and he had always been a brilliant maker of archer's equipment. Alziel raised his bow to the sky, and where he supposed the creature would be. It was an animal, and he could hunt animals. Another flash of lightning. A clap of thunder. Alziel aimed, and took his shot.

As the bow left the string and he followed its progress, there was a scream from somewhere behind him, back towards the centre of the camp. The makeshift tent had been torn to shreds, and there was nobody inside where there should have been. Shell turned and ran to the scene, leaving Alziel and the exhausted Liara watching for the creature.

Alziel lowered his bow and looked to where the creature should have been. His heart sank; though it was still only a dark shape beyond the cloud, it was still there. A thought came to him; he wondered if Ragnar could reach it with his crossbow. He turned and looked around to see where the old man could have got to. Probably examining the tent.

Something came to him. The creature had not moved, so how could it have attacked the tent? Unless...

He frowned. Unless there was more than one. By the looks of things, there were two of them, but the second had hidden itself well, there was no sign of it. "I should tell the others", he muttered to himself.

He looked up to the sky. The creature had gone. A sudden fear struck him, a fear that he could not explain. He turned, and moved to run towards the camp, but stopped again. He could not leave Liara where she lay, especially if there were two things out there somewhere. He ran back to her, knelt down, and moved to pick her up.

Something flashed out of the darkness and collided with Alziel's side, winding him and knocking him a full five feet backwards. Unable to cry out for breathlessness, he attempted to pull himself up, but before he could reach his feet the thing collided with him again. He caught a glimpse of a bat-like wing, and outstretched claws the size of scythe-blades.

The thing descended upon him, desperate to finish off its prey. Alziel strained to look at the creature, but his eyes failed him, and everything became dark.

[Kinslayer]

"Alziel!" screamed Anyan, as he ran towards the creature, with his swword ready to get barnished in blood again.

Anyan attacked the ebast from behind, but ti dodged his attack quickly and moved right in from of him.

Such a horrifyng being... bat like wings, scythe like claws, a completely black skin and yellow bright eyes, in it's demoniacal face.

"What are you...?" thought Anyan, surprised for a minute. The beast flew towards Anyan, screaming loudly, with a horrible screech. Two times did Anyan reject the scythe atatck with his blade, but he could not make no cut to the creature.

It flew high, as it stared to Anyan, with a hungry look in it's eyes. Liara was on a side, fainted, as Alziel was. Anyan knew he needed both her magic and his arrows. And where was Ragnar?

His skills in magic were little, but yet he trusted himself to it.

"I only know three spells.. to turn my blade into fire... no, in this rain it won't work... The other one is unusable as well... I entrust myself to you..." thought Anyan, desperate, as the creature kept attacking from above. He was at disadvantage and at this rate he would surely be slaughtered.

Anyan, then, muttered something for himself. A bright light came from his hand, as a little ball of energy formed. Suddenly, it exploded, and everything was light now, yet nothing could be seen. The beast fell to the ground as it was blinded for a little while.

Taking advantage of the moment, Anyan plunged his sword in the creature's chest. He ahd killed it. Or not? The creature screeched again, as it rose. Anyan couldn't believe what he was witnessing, as the creature took the sword out of it's chest. Anyan picked his sword up fastly. But then he felt a deep pain in his stomach. A claw was plunged right in his stomach, as blood started to pour.

Anyan fell to the ground, covering the wound with his hand. He felt he was about to pass out.

"The others... need me." he muttered. The beast looked at him. It seemed to understand what he was saying.

"The others... need... me!" screamed Anyan, as he rose on his feet. "My life won't be... wasted... not yet... it's deep, yet it's not a deadly wound. Let us have a nice fight, beast!"

"You brave fool... I killed someone who looked exactly like you... maybe it was a relative..." Anyan heard those words. Those words had come from the beast...

"That's all I wanted to hear... now I can kill you without remorse! For the sake of revenge!" said Anyan. He was completely out of himself. Wounded, he ran towards the beast. But he wasn't strong enough, he was loosing strenght. He fell to the ground, and his eyes closed.

He had fainted, yet he was still breathing. The beast came forth, as it wanted to finish him off, then Alziel, who still hadn't awakened, and also Liara.

Things were complicated at that rate.

[Red XIII]

Ragnar reloaded his crossbow while Alziel looked for one of the beasts. When the beast charged again against Alziel, it passed right on the side of Ragnar, throwing him to the ground.
Luckily, Ragnar didn't hit the ground hard, and he got up seconds later practically unharmed.

But those seconds were vital.... By the time Ragnar got up, the creature was getting closer to Anyan, to finish him off.
Ragnar didn't have time to lift his crossbow, so he drawed his short swords, one in each hand, and yelled to the creature: "You are not done with me yet!"

The creature stopped and looked at Ragnar. It didn't seem impressed, and Ragnar knew he didn't stand a chance in melee combat.

"Another prey? Me and my partner shall eat well tonight." The creature advanced towards Ragnar very slowly, without trying to guard against Ragnar's weapons.

"Who are you?!" Ragnar asked.

The creature did not respond, instead it kept walking towards him. Then the creature gave a short charge forward and tried to attack Ragnar. A slight jump to the side saved Ragnar from the attack, but he knew that the creature was playing with him and that he wasn't going to be able to dodge the next attack.
In that moment, Ragnar noticed the wound in the creature's chest. It was the Viper!!!! Also, the creature seemed to be somehow weaker than before. That gave Ragnar an idea.

"Take this!" Ragnar charged against the creature, that didn't expect his prey to react in such a way.

The demon dodged the attack, and tried to attack Ragnar with his claws, but the attack was slower that before, and Ragnar easily dodged it and charged again. That repeated two or three times, and every time the cerature seemed to be weaker.

"What..'s happen..ing..." the demon stopped, its look didn't seem dangerous anymore. It tried to get away by flying, but it didn't had enough strenght left. Its eyes were like a broken glass, as the demon fell to the ground, killed by the poison of the Viper.
"Yes!! Just as expected!! These damned things are fairly resistant!" Ragnar said.
He put back his swords, and run to get his crossbow.

The storm went down to a light rain after the death of the creature, almost as if it was the creature the one who summoned the thunders and wind. Nothing could be heard or seen from the other creature or the rest of the adventurers, and the camp (Well, what was left from it after the storm) seemed deserted.

Ragnar took a quick look at the group: Alziel had a small bump in his head, but he was going to be fine. So was Liara. But about Anyan... that was another problem. Ragnar put a bandage on the wound as best as he could (Which wasn't very good), as well as juice from a fruit that helped preventing infections, but he knew that if Liara didn't wake up in the proper time, Anyan could....
Ragnar nodded his head, and sat down next to Anyan, with his crossbow prepared. He stood guard, waiting for any of his companions to wake up.

[Kinslayer]

Anyan opened his eyes a little bit, only to find Ragnar beside him. Then, his eyes closed, as he drifted in a dream.

"Anyan..." a voice called.

"What... who is it..." he muttered, as his eyes opened again.

He found a woman in front of him. She was beautiful. She was tall, had brown hair falling softly, and her blue eyes were shining like diamonds.

"De..lliah?" said Anyan.

Delliah smiled at him, and said: "Long time no see Anyan..."

"Am I dead?" he asked. He felt silly.

Delliah's face turned sad, as she said: "No my dear... you'll live..."

"Why are you before me, Delliah?" asked Anyan again. He was happy to see the woman he loved in front of him, after so much time.

Delliah was happy as well, as she started to talk: "I am here because I wanted to... I wanted to see you. Anyan, please, yo must stop this stupid vengeance... you'll kill yourself..."

Anyan stared at Delliah into her eyes. "I can't!" he said: "I already begun this task... I have killed Delliah... Klerr, Master Broadsword... I must avenge my father... I know the gods will carry their punishment when the time comes... but what about me?"

"You are not a god Anyan!" said Delliah, crying.

"I know I am not... but I have killed. I do regret it, but I believe I have no salvation now... tell me the truth, do you think that, after all I've done, I'll be forgiven?"

Delliah looked down. Then she looked back to Anyan and replied, after a short silence: "I do not know that... I do not know how the gods think... but I know that I love you Anyan. Please... for me..."

"Sorry Delliah. My hands are filled with blood, and I have no choice but to finish what I started. I am sorry... I still love you, and miss you too much..." said Anyan. He wasn't used to it, but he was crying...

Delliah cried, and then said: "Do as you want... but please think... and live Anyan... don't waste your youth..."

Delliah left in a haze of light, and Anyan gained conciousness again.

Ragnar was there, and the rain was stopping.

"Hey there brat!" said Ragnar, as cheerful as always: "You seemed to have some dream huh?"

Anyan smiled and said: "I... dreamt of angels..." as he got back to sleep.

[Moosetroop11]

*An hour before*

Shell scanned the camp area with a hand shielding his eyes and found no-one. Where had they all gone?

At that moment the creatures renewed their attack. Shell looked back to see Liara and Alziel on the ground, and immediately began to sprint back to his comrades. But he was not fast enough- he could only watch Anyan as he fought the demon, plunging his blade into it and then reeling with surprise as it countered.
Then the creature was advancing upon the wounded Anyan. Shell gripped his staff. The ground was slush but he had to make it in time to prevent an unnecesary death. His boots were not made for running...

Suddenly the second winged creature swooped down upon the hapless Shell and rose him into the air, it's claws clutching his jacket. Shell swore at his lack of foresight- of course there had been two!
The creature was a terrible thing to behold, and the stench about it was unimaginable. Not the stench of death but the stench of darkness itself, a metallic reek that chilled Shell to his bones. And then, he heard words form in his head, and he knew immediately that this was the creature's way of talking to him.

"We must feed" the words formed. "We will feast."

Shell realised that there was little chance of him surviving. Far below, the second creature had been defeated. This was his chance to save another innocent life. His took the frog from his pocket and hurled it towards his injured companions. He had seen the frog survive rediculously high falls and the ground was soft...

"May the lady guide you to along your future path" He whispered.
And then Shell was carried off into the distance to destinations unknown, His silhouette fading into the greyscale clouds.

***

The frog landed with a plop into a puddle. It crawled out, confused, and then with a small croak hopped onto Ragnar's boot.

[Dragonium]

The rain stopped.

Alziel sensed a presence leaning over him. He braced himself. He had apparently come back to consciousness, but he could keep his eyes closed and play dead for the moment, just in case...

"Alziel", said the voice. It was Ragnar.

Alziel opened his eyes and sat up sharply. Ragnar looked about to speak, to make certain that his comrade was alright, but Alziel held up a hand to silence him.

"What did it look like?", Alziel spat.

Ragnar sighed. "Evil", he replied simply.

Alziel nodded. He had expected nothing less. Still, there was no point staying here sat in the dirt when there was business to be done. It would be morning soon. There was already a hint of sunlight creeping across the plains some way towards the horizon.

He moved to stand up, but as he did so pain shot from his ribs down his left side, and he gasped and fell back to the earth again. Ragnar bent over him. "Are you alright?", the old man asked.

Alziel had never been one to admit defeat, or admit that he was in pain. He lay there silent, keeping his pride with him. "I'll be fine", he sighed.

Ragnar frowned.

"It's nothing", Alziel said sheepishly, "That... thing... hit me pretty hard. But I'll get it back. Where'd it go?".

"Oh", Ragnar said, looking around, "It flapped about a bit, swooped around here, then went onto Anyan's sword and died while it was trying to make its escape".

Alziel nodded. This he had to see. He pulled himself up to sitting position, managed to stand uneasily. The thing was huddled in a heap some distance away. Alziel walked stiffly towards it, taking twice as long as he should have done. Damn it, he thought to himself, they'd be moving out tomorrow and he'd be a burden to himself and to the group if he could barely move.

He reached the creature, and surveyed its appearance. Even in his mind he refused to comment on it. It was like Ragnar said. Evil.

And lying a few yards away from it was Liara. She was still out for the count, and rightly so. Magic like hers would wear anyone out. He looked down at her for the moment. Why, she looked almost peaceful. The floor was no place for her to be sleeping. He hobbled over to her, knelt down gingerly, and picked her up, though it hurt his ribs from the exertion.

He'd have a fine bruise tomorrow, he thought with a chuckle. He wondered if Liara could fix him up at all. When she was awake, of course.

He carried her back to the remains of the campfire, still glowing definatly though it had been all but extinguished. There was a blanket there which had somehow escaped the rain, and he set Liara down on that, and turned to walk back out to the plains and look out over them. Still flat and empty. That was good. The emptiness no longer worried him.

The cloud cleared. Morning broke. Alziel looked around the camp and now something did not seem right to him. It was as though someone was missing.

[Red XIII]

Ragnar closed to Alziel. "What do you think about the brat? He seems to be somehow fine."
"We can only hope he'll be fine" Alziel answered.

Ragnar looked around. something was wrong. Some of the adventurers were coming back, after running away last night.
Everyone was accounted for, including the dead (three in total, they were found by the wandering adventurers close to the camp, here and there), but still something was missing. Or maybe it was that strange feeling in Ragnar's foot.

"What could this be?" Ragnar said as he sat down and took his boot of. There, he found a small frog. "Well well, what do we have here? The storm (And probably the demons) scared you, huh?"

Ragnar was used to all kind of creatures, but the never liked frogs. However, there was something about that one....

The frog looked at Ragnar. Somehow, Ragnar felt like it was talking to him. The message was "Take me with you".
"What a strange little animal... Have I seen you before?" Ragnar then remembered. "Of course! I saw you with Shell!!!" That was the missing part!!! What could've happened to Shell?!?!

Turning to Alziel, who was looking over Liara and Anyan nearby, Ragnar asked: "Did you see Shell?"
Alziel tried to remember... He was still a bit confused from his blackout. "The last time I saw him... He was near me. What could've happened?"
Ragnar sighed: "I saw him with this frog. He would never let it go on its own. I have a dark feeling about this."

Turning to the frog, Ragnar whispered: "Don't worry, little one... You are safe with me. At least 'till we found yer friend again!"
The frog looked at Ragnar in a way that made him have worst premonitions than before. Ragnar slipped the frog into his front pocket, next to his handkerchief "So you are not cold" Ragnar whispered to the frog.

[Kinslayer]

The rain had stopped pouring, as the creatures left. After this happened, Ragnar and Alziel had gathered the remaining adventurers near Liara and Anyan, who were both fainted.

Suddenly, Anyan coffed, and spitted blood. His eyes opened up, as he regained conciousness. His wound was far from being healed, but he felt better as he woke up.

"Old... man... Alziel..." he called.

Both Ragnar and Alziel closed to him.

"Is Liara... allright?" he asked.
"Yes, she is. She'll be waking up soon. Try to rest." said Alziel.

"That's good, I'm fine, I guess, although it hurts a little bit..." He tried to sit, but he couldn't. He recalled the last time he was so badly hurt.

"Sorry, I was careless again..." he said. He felt defenseless after a long time. He had emt another being he could fear... those demons.

He stared into the sky. It seemed so quiet...

[Emerates]

(Sorry, guys.  Long post )

Saine coughed.  The left side of his face lay in a mud puddle, and the sour taste of dirt and water laced his mouth.

He sat up slowly.  The pain in his back was not helpful, as he leveled himself out on shaky arms.  He looked around slowly, feeling the bones in his neck crack as he rotated his head.

There was not much to see.  The sand was wet, there were small pools of water here and there, and the grass was slick and shiny in the crimson sunrise.  The only evidence that Saine had been attacked at all was himself and the small crater he had left.

After almost a half-hour of sitting there, Saine rose slowly.  His head swam as his head adjusted to the new position, and his back crackled like a burning log as he straightened.  There were probably a dozen fractures in his bones now, but no breaks that he could feel.  Lucky me, Saine thought.  His pack had broken his fall, but the fish had disappeared.  Perhaps the beast had only smelled his catch and had snatched them up?  Or maybe it was just a small reward from its strike.

Saine had trouble orienting himself.  Which way had he come from?  Then, as though on cue, he heard the sounds of people talking off to the south.  Saine walked further along the beach, his old way found again.

Another ten minutes and his fellow contestants were in sight.  He walked to the outskirts of the encampment and looked around again.  Tents were strewn everywhere, people looked about warily, and so much tension was in the air it was almost tangible.  Saine spotted his new-found companions and walked over to them carefully.

"What's the damage?" He asked as he looked down over Alziel's shoulder.
"Where were you last night?" he asked suspiciously.  Saine sighed wearily.
"It's obvious you, and most others, don't trust me, Alziel."  Alziel looked taken aback at this, but Saine continued.  "That's fine.  This game does not require you to do so.  Although you may find it in your better interests to at least make the attempt."  Saine laced his words with just a hint of contempt.  Alziel looked back to the sprite lain out on a blanket.  Apparently, this conversation was not going as he had expected.  "As to where I was, I was lying face-down in a puddle of mud.  Just like this place, I was attacked by whatever it was.  If you want proof, I can show you my back where it slammed me with its tail," Saine said drily.

Alziel looked at him sharply.  "No, there's no need for that.  I just find it odd that in both instances of battle, you're nowhere to be found."
Saine did not smile.  "I avoid fighting wherever possible.  I explained my part in the last battle.  This time, it was just that I was caught alone in the wrong place."  Saine looked slowly around the other people nearby.  The old man looked at him for a moment with a strange look, then turned away again to talk to Anyan.

Quite obvious you don't trust me, Saine thought to himself.  That was a shame.  Saine had changed a lot since the last time he had gone travelling, but there was still the dangerous look of a man who had seen too many things in his eyes.  The more experienced travellers could see this, and Saine knew they could.  They were the more cautious ones, choosing their words more carefully while Saine was around, testing his reactions.  The old man had done so several times on the ship.

I can play this mind games as well.  Better than you know, I'm sure.  Saine sat down slowly, feeling his spine crack again.

"We may be having our differences right now, Alziel, but we still need a plan."  Saine looked over at Alziel.  Alziel remained focused on Liara, however, who was just beginning to stir.  "You said we go north, but those things came from the north, as far as I can tell.  So, I think you may want to reconsider before setting out."

[Red XIII]

OOC: Sorry, dude. I was sleepy back there XD. Fixed it!

Ragnar heard the talk between Alziel and Saine. He felt unsure about the way to take.

He understood Saine's words, but somehow he felt like the north was the best way to go. "Well, I have no way to make a good decission right now. Let's let them take their own conclussions, it's better to follow the tide for the time being." Ragnar thought.

Some of the contestants had already gathered their things and departed in several directions, but most of them (Around 14 -15 without counting our heroes) were still on the camp, still scared by the late events.

[Dragonium]

OOC: Red, that's Saine, not Shell.

Alziel frowned as soon as Saine uttered his final words. "We are going north", he spat, almost with the same forced contempt Saine spoke with.

Saine frowned in reply, and the two spent another minute of two in awkward silence, studying each other. This was a battle of wills which he would not lose, Alziel decided. Saine refused to give an inch, that was clear. But nevertheless Alziel had vowed to follow Leyland's instruction and go north.

He still did not understand exactly why Leyland would give such advice. Saine was right; those creatures had apparently come from the north - but Leyland was a trusted friend, who had always given good advice...

Alziel turned away. Something about Saine's gaze was unnerving, and that was all Alziel needed at the moment. He stood up, swung his satchel onto his shoulder, and made to walk away. As he did so, he turned, and looked Saine in the eye again.

"I am going north", he said quietly, so that only Saine would hear, "And I am taking the group with me. If you do not wish to accompany us, you can leave on your own". He smiled a thin, patronising smile, and strode off to speak to Liara.

[Moosetroop11]

Liara was numb. All she could see was mist, cloud in front of her open eyes, an obscurring veil. Then, slowly, her sight returned, the world seperating into colours; the grey mist retreating into the sky. Then she could make out Alziel's face, and then suddenly the noise hit. A breeze was whistling through the camp, people bustled about, busying themselves with packing the camp up or cooking breakfast. The wind had brought a chill and the half masked sun did little to ease the cold.

Liara smiled at Alziel and was a little alarmed at how difficult it was to move. She felt no pain- no physical wounds had been suffered, but she had no energy.
And worst of all, she felt completely unable to use magic. Flashes of her terrified outbust reminded her why this was so. She wouldn't recover for a while- and this might be ill news for any wounded.

"How long have I been out?"

[Red XIII]

Ragnar couldn't hear the answer Alziel gave to Saine. however, the look at Saine's face told him what he needed to know. "So, North it is!" Ragnar thought.

Ragnar watched as Alziel closed to Liara, who had just awakened.
Ragnar closed too, hoping to ask her for help with Anyan. But when he got close, he realized that she wasn't going to be able to do magic, at least without some rest. "Damn! Right when the brat needs it! well, he will have to heal the old-fashioned way" He thought.

Ragnar closed and and heard Liara's question, so he answered "Not too long, you fainted last night and it's only midday now. You sure had a good nap!"

Liara smiled slightly, and Ragnar continued "How do you feel? Can you move?"

[Moosetroop11]

"I... can move a little" she replied. "Listen, is anyone injured?"
Ragnar nodded. "I know you won't be able to use your magic for a while."
Liara nodded, taking the fruit from her pack. It was the rare sprite favourite and clearly kept good for a long time. She broke off a piece with some difficulty. "Share this around. We don't know what toxins those creatures had. This might help clear anything up."
Ragnar bent to take the piece from her hand- she was still lying on the floor. "Thankyou."

[Kinslayer]

Ragnar gave the fruit to Anyan, as he said: "Now, eat this and rest. You're a real pain, brat!", and he left towards the other adventurers.

Although his talking was the same, it was clear that Ragnar was worried about his friend. Anyan knew that.

"Thanks, geezer, I'll keep in mind being a lot more than a pain on the future!" said Anyan.

Ragnar laughed, and answered: "Allrighty brat! But next time, me or Liara won't be probably around to save you next time. I gotta give this (he showed another piece of the fruit) to some wounded ones. We'll talk later!"

"Liara..?" asked Anyan.

"Yeah, she gave me that fruit that will help ya. You're very lucky, brat!" answered Ragnar again, as he left, hurried.

After eating the fruit, he started to feel a little better. The wound was deep, but the blood had stopped pouring, after Ragnar's care, and Liara's fruit really helped him out.

At least he could talk clearly.

He looked towards Liara, and said: "Thank you for saving my life. I guarantee that I'll put this life you saved under your service. In other words, I owe you one."