Chapter Sixteen: Rising Sun
AN: It has been a hellish six days since the WTC terrorist attack. Thank God for leaders who understand, and can deal with the stresses to come. I ask of everyone to pray for the families, and friends of the lost ones. May the survivors be found, and returned safe and sound to their mothers and fathers.
Chapter Rating: Pg-13
********************************************
Cirrus stood next to Veronica, peering down at a stretched out detailed map of the known plateau. Challenger pointed deftly at a small group of trees sketched on the map. "Summerlee made this map, before his disappearance…" Challenger cleared his throat at the painful memory. "Now… Hopefully with the help of Cirrus, we can have a birds eye view."
Cirrus took a step forward, "I may have just received my wings, but I'm pretty sure that I can notice most of the sites mentioned."
Roxton and Malone shifted uneasily, "What would happen…. If you were to become injured?" Malone asked.
Cirrus shrugged, "Like that matters now." He narrowed his eyes, "This may be your only time to have an advantage on this place."
Marguerite nodded, "He's right… Who knows how long we will be able to keep our survival up. Even with Challenger's knowledge, it's only a matter of time before we…."
Roxton shook his head, "Even so… We don't know if…."
Cirrus interrupted him, by slamming his fist on the table, "Stop! Now is our only chance, and we must hurry!"
Roxton, taken back by the sudden outburst, frowned, "So… What do you propose?"
Cirrus grinned, "Look…" He pointed to a spot next to the north ridge mountains. "My pod crashed here…" He traced a line from the crash site to the treehouse, "By calculating the distance…" He made a triangle by connecting the points from the crash site, the treehouse, and via the spot that Veronica and Challenger were attacked by the raptors. "It all makes sense!" Cirrus breathed.
Challenger nodded slightly, "I understand…Somewhat."
Cirrus shook his head, apologizing, "I'm sorry… This is what I mean…" He pointed at the three centers. "X'el power is limited. Very limited, and thus he must ration out what power he has available."
Roxton scratched his chin, "Why? Someone that seems so powerful would have a limitless supply of energy."
Cirrus shook his head, "If it was like that… It would be too easy. X'el is a powerful being. His strength is incredible, but there is one ability that he dose not possess."
Marguerite shook her head, "And that would be?"
Cirrus inclined his head forward, "Allow me to demonstrate…" He glanced over at Veronica, "Could I see your bootknife, please?"
Veronica nodded, and with a swift motion, pulled the knife free of its casing. "What do you want with it?" She asked.
Cirrus just smiled, taking the knife from her hand. "Watch…" He set the flat of the blade against his arm. He stretched out his arm, for the group to see. "X'el's own power…Like I said, is much greater than my own. Thus, so is the darkness."
He flipped the blade over, so that its keen edge was biting into his own skin. "But… There is one…" He pulled sharply on the blade, cutting deep into his own flesh. Veronica gasped as dark, red drops sprinkled down from the inch long cut. "Cirrus!" She grabbed at the knife.
Cirrus took hold of her hand, shaking his head. "Watch…."
She first looked at Cirrus, then down at the wound. "Why… Did you do this?"
Cirrus merely smiled, as the wound started to vanish. Challenger smiled, as the wound faded away, new skin mending the cut flesh into one whole. Cirrus gave the knife back to Veronica. "The power that X'el has is the power of destruction…." He smiled, "I was blessed with the gift of healing, and restoration."
Veronica slid the knife back into its hostler, "X'el is not able to restore any damage done?"
Cirrus nodded, "That's correct… X'el is unable to heal, mend, or restore any energy used in his abilities. Thus, he must conserve what power he has left."
Challenger nodded, "From what you speak of, its sounds as if he has already used up most of his energy."
Cirrus' shoulder slumped, "I wish it was that easy… X'el power reserves are vast, and even though he has used up great amounts of power controlling the raptors, the T-Rex, and me. I assure you, the upcoming battle will be just as difficult, maybe tougher, since he will be fighting for his own existence."
Veronica nodded, "Like a wounded animal, trapped against a wall."
Cirrus nodded, "Exactly… He will be even more desperate…"
Malone nodded, "X'el has superior power but limited reserves, and you have advanced healing and limitless regeneration."
Cirrus nodded, "Yeah, whatever X'el can dish out, I can take, and probably give back just as much, or even more."
Veronica sighed, "Even if this is true… Is there anyway that we can help?"
Roxton agreed, "No kidding… There has to be some way to help out."
Cirrus shook his head, "No… I am sorry…But if you do, you will only be harmed… X'el's and me… We are too powerful for this world. Hell, we were suppose to be locked away forever!"
Veronica shook her head, "Liar… We started this together, and we'll finish it together."
Challenger nodded, "Besides, we need you alive to help us find away off the plateau."
Marguerite nodded, "Cirrus…Your our friend, and friends aid eachother. If we didn't do that… We would all have died a long time ago!"
Roxton nodded, "She's right, Cirrus. You're stuck with us."
Malone chimed in, "Might as well just deal with it. Your part of the family now."
Challenger nodded, "A member that will be with us for a long time."
Veronica put her hand on Cirrus' shoulder, her voice tight with emotion, "A friend… And more."
Cirrus nodded, "Thank you… Everyone."
Challenger agreed, "Cirrus a friend you shall be. Nevertheless, I suggest that we break for a bit. We can go over our plans later."
Roxton nodded, "Might be good to relax before the big events take place…"
Marguerite and Malone agreed, and Challenger smiled, "What about you, Veronica?"
Veronica thought for a moment, then spoke, "I think…That it would be best for us to rest for a bit. The next few days are going to be difficult enough!"
The group broke up, Malone finding a spot next to a window, filling out his journal at all the events that had transpired. Roxton and Marguerite went their own separate ways, Marguerite to her jewels, and Roxton to cleaning out his weapons.
Challenger looked around, clearing his throat. "Ahem…If you'll excuse me, I'll be in my laboratory." He winked at Cirrus, and made his way into the treehouse.
That left only, Cirrus and Veronica. Veronica moved closer to Cirrus, "What are you going to do… Cirrus?"
Cirrus smiled, shaking his head. "I'm not sure…But It's a beautiful day out…"
Veronica smiled, "Yes… It is."
Cirrus muster up a small bit of courage, "Veronica…I was wondering…"
She smiled again at Cirrus, "What?"
Cirrus stammered alittle, "W…Well, there's this overlook. It's about a few days from here…During sunset, the sun hits it just right, and the view is just spectular!"
Veronica nodded, "Sounds great. But, that's kinda far, don't you think?"
Cirrus nodded, "Yeah, it would be if say, you were walking…"
Veronica tilted her head, "You mean…."
Cirrus smiled, unfolding his wings. "Would you like to be there in a few minutes?"
Veronica laughed, wrapping her arms tightly around Cirrus. She looked up into his eyes, "Lets go…"
Cirrus smirked, and made his way over to the balcony. "Hold on." Veronica held on tighter, as Cirrus struck out his wings. With a quick downward thrust, propelled them a few feet into the air. It only took a few small flaps to keep them hovering. Cirrus called into the treehouse, "Hey Challenger! Tell the others that we'll be back in a few hours!"
Not waiting for the response, Cirrus shot forth from the balcony. His wings shimmering in mid day light. Veronica clung doggedly to his chest, with Cirrus arms wrapped snugly around her waist, there was little risk of her falling. The powerful backdraft blew the table over, sending tools and equipment scattering over the floor. Challenger and the group was pushed back by the forceful wave of air.
Cirrus wings moved in a fluid pattern. Only drifting a few times to keep up the steadfast climb into the clouds. Looking downwards, the ground itself was fading away into green blotches. Veronica rested her head against Cirrus' neck, his muscles tensed as he climbed greater into the ocean like cerulean upper atmosphere.
AN: It has been a hellish six days since the WTC terrorist attack. Thank God for leaders who understand, and can deal with the stresses to come. I ask of everyone to pray for the families, and friends of the lost ones. May the survivors be found, and returned safe and sound to their mothers and fathers.
Chapter Rating: Pg-13
********************************************
Cirrus stood next to Veronica, peering down at a stretched out detailed map of the known plateau. Challenger pointed deftly at a small group of trees sketched on the map. "Summerlee made this map, before his disappearance…" Challenger cleared his throat at the painful memory. "Now… Hopefully with the help of Cirrus, we can have a birds eye view."
Cirrus took a step forward, "I may have just received my wings, but I'm pretty sure that I can notice most of the sites mentioned."
Roxton and Malone shifted uneasily, "What would happen…. If you were to become injured?" Malone asked.
Cirrus shrugged, "Like that matters now." He narrowed his eyes, "This may be your only time to have an advantage on this place."
Marguerite nodded, "He's right… Who knows how long we will be able to keep our survival up. Even with Challenger's knowledge, it's only a matter of time before we…."
Roxton shook his head, "Even so… We don't know if…."
Cirrus interrupted him, by slamming his fist on the table, "Stop! Now is our only chance, and we must hurry!"
Roxton, taken back by the sudden outburst, frowned, "So… What do you propose?"
Cirrus grinned, "Look…" He pointed to a spot next to the north ridge mountains. "My pod crashed here…" He traced a line from the crash site to the treehouse, "By calculating the distance…" He made a triangle by connecting the points from the crash site, the treehouse, and via the spot that Veronica and Challenger were attacked by the raptors. "It all makes sense!" Cirrus breathed.
Challenger nodded slightly, "I understand…Somewhat."
Cirrus shook his head, apologizing, "I'm sorry… This is what I mean…" He pointed at the three centers. "X'el power is limited. Very limited, and thus he must ration out what power he has available."
Roxton scratched his chin, "Why? Someone that seems so powerful would have a limitless supply of energy."
Cirrus shook his head, "If it was like that… It would be too easy. X'el is a powerful being. His strength is incredible, but there is one ability that he dose not possess."
Marguerite shook her head, "And that would be?"
Cirrus inclined his head forward, "Allow me to demonstrate…" He glanced over at Veronica, "Could I see your bootknife, please?"
Veronica nodded, and with a swift motion, pulled the knife free of its casing. "What do you want with it?" She asked.
Cirrus just smiled, taking the knife from her hand. "Watch…" He set the flat of the blade against his arm. He stretched out his arm, for the group to see. "X'el's own power…Like I said, is much greater than my own. Thus, so is the darkness."
He flipped the blade over, so that its keen edge was biting into his own skin. "But… There is one…" He pulled sharply on the blade, cutting deep into his own flesh. Veronica gasped as dark, red drops sprinkled down from the inch long cut. "Cirrus!" She grabbed at the knife.
Cirrus took hold of her hand, shaking his head. "Watch…."
She first looked at Cirrus, then down at the wound. "Why… Did you do this?"
Cirrus merely smiled, as the wound started to vanish. Challenger smiled, as the wound faded away, new skin mending the cut flesh into one whole. Cirrus gave the knife back to Veronica. "The power that X'el has is the power of destruction…." He smiled, "I was blessed with the gift of healing, and restoration."
Veronica slid the knife back into its hostler, "X'el is not able to restore any damage done?"
Cirrus nodded, "That's correct… X'el is unable to heal, mend, or restore any energy used in his abilities. Thus, he must conserve what power he has left."
Challenger nodded, "From what you speak of, its sounds as if he has already used up most of his energy."
Cirrus' shoulder slumped, "I wish it was that easy… X'el power reserves are vast, and even though he has used up great amounts of power controlling the raptors, the T-Rex, and me. I assure you, the upcoming battle will be just as difficult, maybe tougher, since he will be fighting for his own existence."
Veronica nodded, "Like a wounded animal, trapped against a wall."
Cirrus nodded, "Exactly… He will be even more desperate…"
Malone nodded, "X'el has superior power but limited reserves, and you have advanced healing and limitless regeneration."
Cirrus nodded, "Yeah, whatever X'el can dish out, I can take, and probably give back just as much, or even more."
Veronica sighed, "Even if this is true… Is there anyway that we can help?"
Roxton agreed, "No kidding… There has to be some way to help out."
Cirrus shook his head, "No… I am sorry…But if you do, you will only be harmed… X'el's and me… We are too powerful for this world. Hell, we were suppose to be locked away forever!"
Veronica shook her head, "Liar… We started this together, and we'll finish it together."
Challenger nodded, "Besides, we need you alive to help us find away off the plateau."
Marguerite nodded, "Cirrus…Your our friend, and friends aid eachother. If we didn't do that… We would all have died a long time ago!"
Roxton nodded, "She's right, Cirrus. You're stuck with us."
Malone chimed in, "Might as well just deal with it. Your part of the family now."
Challenger nodded, "A member that will be with us for a long time."
Veronica put her hand on Cirrus' shoulder, her voice tight with emotion, "A friend… And more."
Cirrus nodded, "Thank you… Everyone."
Challenger agreed, "Cirrus a friend you shall be. Nevertheless, I suggest that we break for a bit. We can go over our plans later."
Roxton nodded, "Might be good to relax before the big events take place…"
Marguerite and Malone agreed, and Challenger smiled, "What about you, Veronica?"
Veronica thought for a moment, then spoke, "I think…That it would be best for us to rest for a bit. The next few days are going to be difficult enough!"
The group broke up, Malone finding a spot next to a window, filling out his journal at all the events that had transpired. Roxton and Marguerite went their own separate ways, Marguerite to her jewels, and Roxton to cleaning out his weapons.
Challenger looked around, clearing his throat. "Ahem…If you'll excuse me, I'll be in my laboratory." He winked at Cirrus, and made his way into the treehouse.
That left only, Cirrus and Veronica. Veronica moved closer to Cirrus, "What are you going to do… Cirrus?"
Cirrus smiled, shaking his head. "I'm not sure…But It's a beautiful day out…"
Veronica smiled, "Yes… It is."
Cirrus muster up a small bit of courage, "Veronica…I was wondering…"
She smiled again at Cirrus, "What?"
Cirrus stammered alittle, "W…Well, there's this overlook. It's about a few days from here…During sunset, the sun hits it just right, and the view is just spectular!"
Veronica nodded, "Sounds great. But, that's kinda far, don't you think?"
Cirrus nodded, "Yeah, it would be if say, you were walking…"
Veronica tilted her head, "You mean…."
Cirrus smiled, unfolding his wings. "Would you like to be there in a few minutes?"
Veronica laughed, wrapping her arms tightly around Cirrus. She looked up into his eyes, "Lets go…"
Cirrus smirked, and made his way over to the balcony. "Hold on." Veronica held on tighter, as Cirrus struck out his wings. With a quick downward thrust, propelled them a few feet into the air. It only took a few small flaps to keep them hovering. Cirrus called into the treehouse, "Hey Challenger! Tell the others that we'll be back in a few hours!"
Not waiting for the response, Cirrus shot forth from the balcony. His wings shimmering in mid day light. Veronica clung doggedly to his chest, with Cirrus arms wrapped snugly around her waist, there was little risk of her falling. The powerful backdraft blew the table over, sending tools and equipment scattering over the floor. Challenger and the group was pushed back by the forceful wave of air.
Cirrus wings moved in a fluid pattern. Only drifting a few times to keep up the steadfast climb into the clouds. Looking downwards, the ground itself was fading away into green blotches. Veronica rested her head against Cirrus' neck, his muscles tensed as he climbed greater into the ocean like cerulean upper atmosphere.