Swords sang a chorus of death and slaughter as soon as they were drawn from their sheathes. Arrows and crossbow bolts whirred past, shrieking the descant, and thudded resoundingly within the bodies of the Clan's enemies. Dark skinned warriors battled black bodied demons, teeth bared on both sides, eyes intent on their targets. A single young woman stood amidst this massacre, unmoving, stunned into inaction. What was happening? They had entered these lands, the lands of Valdemar to be rid of this threat, to escape it, and to bring warning of a new, rising evil within the world. Death was raging all around her, but she was deaf to the screams, deaf to the pleas and the roars. Her Clan, for all it's fighting prowess, was losing this battle, so many falling beneath the teeth of creatures who had no right to share the lands they marched on and destroyed. Losses meant nothing to the demons, the swarm was endless, and they were not burdened with the emotions of despair and sorrow, anger and utter, consuming hatred. Now, her Clan was falling, dying on strange grounds, far from home.

The horses screamed as they fell, grunting and struggling to gain their footing, even as the demons began to gnaw at their flesh. Men, women, children..it didn't matter, everyone was prey to this enemy, and this one young woman was doing nothing to stop it. She was frozen in time, frozen by the scene that was unfolding. Her family lay before her, their blood soaking the foreign soil where they had fallen, fighting, but in vain. Her father was almost totally unrecognizable, his form lacerated beyond anything she had ever seen, his eyes wide and sightless. Her mother looked much the same, though the sickening beasts had taken their last pleasures with her as well. Her little sister was a broken and crumpled heap of raven hair and white linen, Goddess, little Illyana, so young. At least her brother, her twin, wasn't amongst the dead, was he? She couldn't move..damnit all, she couldn't move! Her eyes were locked upon the carnage, until the scene shifted, or she did, nothing made much sense anymore, and she saw him, Shey. He was cut down instantly, a hardened body reduced to nothing with the fangs and claws of the demons. Her heart shattered, and finally, the deaf and silent observer screamed...

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"Kiris...Kiris! Wake up!" came a soft, familiar voice.

Kiris shena Tale'sedrin awoke from her nightmare and to the loving visage of her mother, whose dark blue eyes glowed brightly with concern for her eldest daughter. Coming up from her sleeping skins, panting, Kiris tried to alleviate any of the worry she and her ridiculous dreams were responsible for. How long had she been having this same dream? How many times had she told her father, and how many times had they gone through the day without mishap? She couldn't explain the dreams, and she didn't want to. She wanted them gone, and forgotten. She smiled, half-heartedly at her mother, the honored and much loved Rana, of the Clan of the Hawk. "I'm alright, mother...it is just that same, confounded dream again..nothing else." Little Illyana awoke as well, her tiny form crawling toward her big sister and making herself comfortable in her lap. She was all of five summers, and completely devoted to her siblings. Kiris smiled a little, nuzzling her sister, more than relieved that it had only been a dream, and that the little girl was alive and well.

"I do not like these dreams you keep having. They plague you every night now, you get no rest, and then spend all day at rear guard or on some fool errand...you need to rest." her mother commended anxiously.

:I agree with mother.: came the metal nudge that was Shey. As her twin, he sometimes shared her terrible dreams, and she had no doubt tonight had been one of those times. Yet he, like the others, were convinced that it was nothing. At times, much like these, Kiris wasn't so certain that there wasn't something to be garnered from these visions. It was an unnerving feeling, and she was opposed to having it at all, let alone giving it any thought. She shoved all thoughts aside and tried to make her mother see reason. There wasn't any way to keep the dreams from coming, short of drugging herself, and as a warrior, she wasn't about to do that! She simply sighed in the end, and waved away her mother's offer of tea and the like. She didn't need it in all reality, she was exhausted enough.

As she fell asleep again, she couldn't shake the sense of finality. It wasn't that this was the end of the night, or the end of the dreams, though that was part of it as well...something else was about to end, and something much more terrible was about to begin. She shivered a little, despite the heat and moisture of the Valdemaran summer. The Queen knew they were coming, but they were yet a day away from meeting with the envoys, having just reached their Kingdom yesterday. She closed her eyes and tried to settle her thoughts, her emotions..but something was nagging her greatly, and she couldn't get past it for all the world. Finally, she fell into a dreamless slumber, where demons couldn't reach her, though nothing else could either.

The next morning, everyone awoke at dawn and started their day as they always did. Warriors broke out their blades for their morning exercise, wives and daughters, husbands and sons of these warriors began preparations for the morning repast. Kiris' father, Kellen, was among these numbers, sitting beside the small fire with Illyana in his lap as she watched her mother and older sister perform their ritualistic moves, all in honor of the Star-Eyed, their beloved Goddess. Shey went about, checking on those of the Clan who had a sniffle, the children who had a bruise or a scrape. He never complained about his near useless rounds, he was much happier this way, lest his family and friends be mortally wounded. Shey was a Healer, and the nearest thing they had to an Adept. Kiris was sure he could rival even the illustrious Healers of the Collegium. Or anything their cousins, the Taylendras could throw. After her training, came the care for her battle mare, a highly valued and intelligent mount, blocky and solid, but more guarded than anything else the Clan owned. Eshanna had been a gift, from her mother, sired by the stallion her mother rode. Eshanna was Kiris' most prized possession, and greatest friend, other than Shey himself. She would lie down her life for her mount, as she would for any other of the Clan. Eshanna wuffled slightly, her demeanor almost foal-like when Kiris was around. Kiris smiled and brushed the mare out, then fed her a portion of rich grain and hay. Once back at her family's camp, her family ate together, as they always did.

Despite the fact that nothing seemed out of place, as it wasn't, Kiris felt the inclination to savor each moment more than she ever had before. She held Illyana's laughter in her heart, instead of just her ears. Her father's low timbre, next to her mother's smoother tones, talking to each other much as two young lovers, even after several years of marriage. Shey sitting bodily next to her, her pillar of surety and strength, her equal, her twin. They were connected deeply, the two of them. Very deeply. She smiled a little and merely relaxed against him. He turned and gave her that charming smile, a smile that sent many a maid's heart fluttering. She smirked and shook her head, nudging him in the ribs a bit. He knew what she was thinking, and he merely grinned, winking at her secretly. Most of the time, they needed no words, spoken or otherwise, they just knew. Kiris was sure he would be the only one on this plane of existence that she would ever have that connection with.

They were on their way once again, the whole clan, and she was once again at the rear. It was her choice really, she was able to day dream a bit on the way. The weather, and the semi-peaceful sense had lent itself to her dreaming, in the day time at least, and she was loathe to waste it, since she could continue to keep watch at the same time. Today was no different than any other, at least it didn't start out any more strangely than usual for their travels. Her thoughts were mainly of the things they would find once in Valdemar, supposedly a place of magic and myth now, where Mages and Heralds reigned, and they were immune to the Mage Storms and the Change Circles. She almost hated to be among those that would bear worse news, that their troubles didn't simply lie with erratic storms and strange occurances, but that they might actually put a face to their woes, and it was a rather terrifying one. The Clan had fought hordes of demons on their now ruined grounds, they were many, quick, agile, and didn't care about themselves, only killing.

:Sister..your thoughts have taken a rather distressingly dark path.: came Shey, his mind voice soothing and cool.

Kiris sighed a little and nodded. Though he was somewhere in front of her, several yards away, among the wounded and recovering, he heard her well enough, and knew her well enough. She shook her head a little. :It's nothing..I'll get over it. I'm just in a brooding mood I suppose. I'll get over it.: she repeated. A mental snort was heard, and she rolled her eyes heavenward. Did he have to know her that well:Yes.: was the simple and undeniable reply:If I don't know, no one else is going to.: She laughed a little and nodded. Indeed. She didn't talk to anyone in particular, except for him, her circle of friends rather closed to anyone else. She didn't understand it really. She was a part of a large Clan, at least what had been a large Clan, and she was anti-social at the best of times. She didn't understand it, and neither did Shey, as he had no problem socializing with anyone, of course, he was also one that held a beaming personality, and spoke well, and one who had interesting stories to tell. Everyone liked Shey, and Kiris didn't blame them one bit, and so long as they were focused on him, they weren't paying the least bit of attention to her, and she was free to daydream and imagine to her heart's content. If one put an analogy to it, she figured that Shey was the child of Light in this equation, while she was most assuredly the child of Darkness. She felt it in her soul, and sometimes, it frightened her. Shey was her only link to the Light, of Life, Divinity, or anything for that matter. She knew that, he knew that, and they dealt with it accordingly, but told no one.

"Kiris..." came a voice in warning. It was Shey again, only this time he was speaking to her aloud. She blinked, coming out of her reverie and smiled at him. He gave her that look, that one where he was worried but knew they had better discuss it later, and she merely nodded. He sighed, but smiled and went on his way once more. She didn't say anything. Again, they didn't need to, they simply knew one another. She adjusted the weight of her sword, which was slung over her shoulder, to a more comfortable position and rode on. They stopped for the mid-day meal, without hassle and moved once more, trying to make it to Valdemar that night, late, so they wouldn't have to waste another day. Their information was rather important after all, and it had taken them long enough to get here. With the decimation of the Clans and all, keeping in touch with allies had become a real issue, one they hadn't been able to solve yet. A lazy afternoon passed them by, but not for Kiris, who was more alert than ever, and hadn't a clue as to why. She felt danger, she felt death. She could smell the blood and the steel, and it frightened her to no end. It was like in the...no, don't think about that blasted dream. Thrice be damned hells! She wouldn't think about it, lest it come true, but it wouldn't. She wouldn't allow it.

Of course, she wasn't a God, and she certainly wasn't the Star-Eyed, who, or so Kiris figured, watched as her Children's enemy came upon them silently, as the rays of the sun died a glorious death, fading into nothing. She watched as the attack began, and she watched as the numbers of her children dwindled to near nothing. Kiris was stunned into inaction, watching as her family was cut down, mangled, and heaped in a pile, with other, dead, Clan members. So neat, the demons were making it this time, as if they had a specific agenda now. But this time, when she came to, she saw her brother, and she was able to save him from the fate he suffered in her dream She ran to him, her sword in hand, her beloved steed long since torn down by the demons. She stood, back to back with her twin, glaring at those demons around her, black, scaly creatures the color of pitch, every single one of them. They gazed at the last two, yes, she and Shey were the last two standing, everyone else was dead or dying. Kiris couldn't cry, not yet, she couldn't cry until her enemies were dead, or she was, whichever came first, and by the looks of things... They were surrounded, of course they were going to die, but that didn't mean they had to go down willingly, or easily. She swallowed, licking dry and cracked lips, her breaths coming in quick gasps as she struggled for air, against her many wounds. Shey was looking no better, weaker in fact. He was an exceptional fighter, but no where near what Kiris was, what her mother had been, and yet her mother had fallen under twenty of the damned things under the first wave. She could feel Shey's strength waning, and willed to him more, or tried, not really knowing what she was doing. She felt him try to stand straighter and fail, and it nearly broke her heart.

"You know what they say, Kiris...Never take all one has.." he began, calling forth a well-known phrase. Kiris smiled bitterly and nodded, knowing it well, and finishing it for him; "For then they have nothing left to lose."

At the sound of their war cry, the demons swarmed. The two Shin'a'in attacked together, each of them knowing the other's moves so well that their fighting was something more of a dance of death, wielded quickly, passionately, and brutally. They cut through many of their foes, countless minions of the Nine Hells falling at their feet, and yet it was not enough, not in the end. Rain fell from an uncaring sky, a storm having brewed just as the battle had, both coming to their climax as lightning flashed and thunder pounded into the ear drums of all out in the elements. Too enveloped in the battle, Kiris felt demon claws meet her flesh on many occasions, but she didn't feel a single sting. However; when a demon leapt upon her back, sinking it's horrid, jagged teeth into her shoulder, she felt that well enough, and screamed. She used the forward momentum of both herself, and the demon to topple the monster to the ground and pin it there with a well placed dagger. For being demons, they died as easily as people, easier sometimes. As if their design was flawed, among other things. Her muscles burned, her body ached, and her mind was ready to give up for the pain she was experiencing, but she was still alive, as was Shey, and so long as he lived, she had something to fight for.

It happened too fast, so fast she could barely see the actions that came about, she almost missed them entirely. Five demons, surrounded her brother, somehow having cut him off from her, and they all leapt to attack at just the same time. She tried to call out a warning, as Shey was only aware of the two or three he had in his line of vision, but it was too late, far too late. Her shattered heart blurred the vision before her, or perhaps it was tears, and all she knew after that, was that she was kneeling beside her brother's body, his life's blood flowing out of him, in her arms. There was too much, and she hadn't the ability to heal, or she would have, she would have given her life, her very soul to trade with him, to have his powers, or to die in his place. He was torn up...terribly torn up. She was stunned that he was hanging onto life, consciousness, as it was. His vast blue eyes were losing that light, losing that intelligence and humor. Blood flowed from the corner of his mouth in a small stream, and his eyes widened, his body tensing in her embrace. She could only watch, dumb-struck and unbelieving. She couldn't lose him..she would be losing more than a brother, she would be losing half of her own soul, all of it perhaps..no!

"Kiris...I-I can see Her..She's b-beautiful.." he said, his gaze staring, amazed, at nothing.

"NO! You can't have him! Please, Goddess! Don't take him from me!" Kiris shrieked into the resounding thunder.

The Star-Eyed's answer was simple, and uncontested. Shey's form slumped, totally limp, completely lifeless. Worse yet, she could feel his passing within herself, she could feel him leave his body and flee to a world so far and beyond her that she finally couldn't feel him at all anymore. The demons had surrounded her again, but she was sobbing at this point, almost completely unaware..but suddenly, she was all too aware. She looked up, her heart hurting, her soul fled to the darker regions of her tortured mind, and seeing those damnable demons, they who had taken everyone and everything she had ever loved and destroyed it..her rage was beyond that which any mortal could comprehend. Something...snapped within her mind, leaving her head a ringing, pain-filled mess, and she reacted without thought, only with emotion, and that emotion was filled with hate, and kill alone. There was no mercy for anyone, not even herself. She simply didn't care. Reaching out for energy she hadn't known existed before, she latched onto the most powerful source she could feel, which was a distance away, and pulled all she could handle, the raw power searing through her veins, and her head, blinding her. It HURT! But she wasn't done, her vengeance had yet to be carried out.

Thunder again, at the same moment she made a motion, slamming her closed fists into the soggy ground beneath her, and she unleashed the power at the demons, all of them, all around her, for as far as she and this power could reach. She screamed a single word, no one able to hear it, not even her, and she couldn't remember it when she fell back, spent, and ready to die herself, wondering only vaguely what had happened and why she wasn't already dead. She deserved to die, didn't she? Hadn't she paid the price for losing everything in killing the Clan's aggressors? At least, she was pretty sure they were dead, they weren't swarming all over her as she had expected them, had seen them do to others. She wanted to rest, to be with her family again, and she wanted her head to stop hurting! She breathed heavily, but slowly. She was tired; tired of fighting, tired of running, and tired of the grief she and her people had suffered. She was tired of the demons, tired of traveling, tired of-

:And you shall yet be more weary before your life is through...: came a voice filled with calm and authority.

Her vision, already blurred, she closed her eyes, as if she could shut out the speaker, and what their words implied. Did she really have to live beyond this moment? Why? Why couldn't she join her people? She could feel her blood spilling out of her, and her will to live along with it. :Get up Chosen.: commanded the masculine voice again, a voice that reverberated through her head, leaving it more painful than before. She swore viciously at him before making her stubborn reply. "Leave me alone. I want to die." she croaked, moaning slightly. Something nudged her in the side, brushing against her arm, a soft muzzle felt against her skin. The rain seemed to stop hitting her head and face, though the rest of her body was yet subject to it. She forced herself to open her eyes, to see who and what was so adamant that she live. Over her stood a large stallion, purely white, with blue eyes, eyes like Shey. Her heart, what was left of it, clenched and her eyes shut again. :You will live Chosen! Now get up...up!: came the command again.

"I said leave me to die!"

:Up! You will get UP!: he returned harshly.

The mental yelling sent her already ravaged mind reeling in agony. She turned away as helpless tears filled her eyes, shame overwhelming her. He didn't understand. Even had she wanted to move from her final resting place, she hadn't even the strength to lift her arm, let alone her entire body. She was weak, too weak to move, too weak for whatever this creature wanted her for. She was useless, a cripple more than likely, with her shoulder. She just wanted to die! She had no one, nothing..nothing. :You have me, Chosen.: said the voice gently; :And should you ever need strength, I have it for you.:

Then; strength filled her, running throughout her body like wildfire, and though the pain was still immense, Kiris found herself sitting up, with the stallion still standing over her protectively. It was all she could do to get to her feet, and she was rather mystified as to why she even bothered. Clambering up, using the stallion's tail and legs for support, none of which gave under her graspings, she leaned against his bulk, touching the silken coat, for some reason, taking the time to marvel at the sheer beauty that was him. His silvery mane hung to one side, his finely arched, but muscled neck turning to peer at her, and she and those blue eyes met once more. She could feel the bond forged between them, or rather, only strengthened, realized, as if it had always been there, and just needed awakening. Love coursed through her, a love more powerful than anything she could ever hold or understand, this love that loved her more than she could manage to love herself, and always would. It was that surety that kept her standing, that strength, that seemed to matter more to her than any strength of limb, and somehow it was familiar as well. More tears threatened, but she fought them away, trying to make sense of the situation, not knowing what to do next.

:Up Chosen, we are not safe here.: the stallion muttered, presenting himself to mount. Kiris didn't argue, oddly enough, and climbed onto his back with difficulty, despite the fact that he actually knelt on his front legs to accommodate her. Her shoulder screamed silently in its pain, and she shivered violently, clinging to both reins and mane. It was all she could do to stay in the saddle now, to stay on the horse's back. No..he wasn't a horse..he was a Companion of Valdemar..her Companion...:Vander, love. My name is Vander.:

She only nodded, though the movement had her convinced that she was going to hurl all over his glorious coat. She closed her eyes, all to the better, since she didn't want to see the corpses of her dead Clansmen. Had she bothered to look, she would have seen that there wasn't a body around for miles, in fact, she was currently in the middle of a great crater, devoid of all life. Vander climbed out of his nimbly enough, able to do so without jarring his rider too terribly much, who decided that closing her eyes was the smartest thing she had ever done. It took them nearly the rest of the night to reach the capitol of Valdemar, Haven, but reach it they did. By now, Kiris was burning with a vicious fever, infection attacking her shoulder long after the demon's rancid jaws had left her. She couldn't see, even when she tried to open her eyes, and she swayed dangerously in the saddle, despite Vander's unusually smooth gait. She was hot and very cold, all at the same time, and she wasn't so sure that she wouldn't die anyway, whatever this Companion had planned for her. And she couldn't say she was disappointed with this realization either.

They came to the gates that opened to the palace and the collegiums alike. The guards recognized Vander for who and what he was, also aware of the torn and bedraggled form upon him who needed help, badly. They quickly ushered the soaked pair through, and sent others for someone else. Kiris found she could hold her seat no longer, and she slipped from Vander's back, unceremoniously, and fell to the ground as darkness overcame her completely.