RP #11 - Tizar Huine. Posted 4-03-06

Purrti decided it was best for now to return to the Purrdu village, to better equip Anna for her journey and battles to come, after speaking with the group leader of the humans, Anna and Purrti left and vanished into the depths of the forest. As the emerged from the darkness into the light of the village, Purrti took Anna to the village armory and weapons shop.

RP #12 - Tizar Huine. Posted 4-05-06

As Purrti and Anna entered the small quaint forest village that was blended in up among the trees just out of sight unless you knew where you were looking. Anna looked around in awe at the handmade structures as Purrti pointed out each structure and explained how the huts were part of nature as well. As they entered the village, children ran the gauntlet of swinging bridges playing as some a sentries watched the entrance nodding to Purrti and Anna as they walked. As Purrti led Anna to a hut that was hers to prepare for the journey that lay ahead. Purrti's extended family lived not more then one wall away.

RP #13 - Tizar Huine. Posted 4-12-06

As Anna looked at the armour especally made of the Purrdi, Purrti made sure that each item both worked as protection and also enhanced her appearance as well. After sending what seemed like 4 hours in the armoury. They went to the weapons shop to exam some weapons, that Purrti could teach Anna to use as they traveled if Purrti was permitted to travel with the group.

RP #14 - Tizar Huine. Posted 4-14-06

As the mermaid, Venin, watched the humans discuss their next move, she went back to the coast to speak with the merpeople's army. They waited just off the coast waiting for intructions. She told them to remain close but not too close to shore to keep an eye out for ships out to sea either above, below or flying above and to give warning. She then returned to the city to await the people which needed her medical attention.

RP #15 - White Rose. Posted 4-19-06

Mizuho, Iselia, and even her own home now... All were attacked...

As the four made their way to the Iselia-Triet border, Terra looked around her at the world above and below. Gradually, hues of blues were being seemingly replaced with hues of greys, reds, oranges, and black...

Black. The color of darkness. A sign of death and despair... Terra's eyes narrowed as she continued to look around. She swallowed a few times as she was being absorbed in this new, bleak atmosphere around her. She started to shudder a bit as if terrified. Tears began to weld up in her eyes, and she lowered her head a bit. Sniffling for a moment, she took her sleeve up to her face, and wiped it as some tears wrestled lose. Catching the attention of Lloyd and Kratos, the two turned their head towards her. "Ter--" Lloyd was about to speak when Deadin eyed him, then closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head some. Kratos continued to stare at Terra. The young girl whom had clinged to him just moments earlier in the forest where he first awoke and somehow fought off those who threatened his family... His eyes narrowed some. He had a granddaughter... The thought hit him like a ton of bricks and he sighed. Lloyd glanced over his shoulder. "What's up?" Kratos snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Lloyd. "N--nothing. Don't worry about it." Lloyd smiled slyly. "You know, when you say something like that, it makes me worry. I remember what happened the last few times you told me that..." Kratos glances at him for a moment. "It's nothing. Focus on getting us to Iselia, Lloyd." Lloyd shakes his head a bit and turns his head back towards the front of him. "Whatever." He sighs. Kratos turns back to Terra, and slips into a thought. 'Tarivians... The same things that attacked me on Derris-Kharlan...' He sighs a bit frustrated--mostly at himself, and continues his thought. 'I was completely powerless against them.' He hangs his head for a moment and looks at Lloyd. He soon starts to think back to his final day aboard the floating comet called Derris-Kharlan, the cruxis stronghold.

Smoke, clouds, dust and debris everywhere... A monsterous army engulfs a crumbling world, relentlessly searching for two powerful artifacts. Books of ultimate power and destruction.

The Necronomicon. A book that can fill a mortal being with pure hatred, and the strength of gods.

The Book of the Underworld. Or, more widely known as Nilfheim... A world so ravaged with evil, it may as well be called hell itself. Or close to it...

With this, Kratos begins to reenact the events he had gone through. Speaking only to his mind.

'I was working to rid Derris-Kharlan of Exspheres, as usual. It was an everyday, ardgeous process with no end in sight. There were thousands of exspheres all over this world. Powering everything, and hiding from my sight in the smallest of cracks and crevices. The routine was mundane, but my commitment to the safety of my son and his future kept me going.'

'...It was the one promise I vowed everyday to uphold, even when I just wanted to end it all...'

'I knew I could at any time, but Lloyd once told me that I was important to him. That my life... had meaning... Whether those words were out of respect, or maybe... spoken out of love...--'

Kratos snapped out of his thought, and felt his heart tighten inside of him. His face became mixed with different emotions as he stared at Lloyd, questioning what the now fully grown Lloyd really thought of him on the inside... then, with some hesitation, he hung his head. Casting his eyes to the earth below, he delved into thought again. 'Whatever the case was, I knew I had a job to do. His words finalized my decision. A decision, though deeply painful to me, was the right one... And the sad truth was... we both knew it.'

Kratos looked at Lloyd once more. A rain drop hit his nose, distracting him from his thinking. He diverts his attention to the sky above, which was filling up fast with dark clouds. "We'd better hurry..." He saids to the group. Deadin nodded. "Agreed. I don't think it's safe if Terra gets caught in this storm. It looks bad." Terra looks at Kratos then at the sky above her head. "Great. More rain..." She sighs. "I swear, ever since these things arrived, we haven't had a sunny day in--" Just as she is about to finish, drizzle starts to come down, which quickly turns into a downpour. "Dammit. This sucks!" She yells, irritated at the weather. Kratos continues his flashback.

'And so... I Ieft the future of this world in what I believed were capable hands.' He looks out at the world around him. 'I had often hoped, but never dreamed I'd ever return to this place...' The wind whips through his hair, and he shuts his eyes; letting it flow past him... Taking this familiar sensation all in for the first time in 20 years. 'This world now, is like it was thousands of years ago. Before Mithos' secretive and cruel reign over humanity.' He looks around once again, then focuses his attention on Terra. 'And yet... I awaken upon so many new discoveries.' He smiles and looks at Lloyd. 'Free from my past as a member of Cruxis... all thanks to my son...'

Kratos hesitantly extends his arm, and places it upon Lloyd's shoulder. Lloyd glances back startled a bit, but relaxes when he spots Kratos' hand. "What is it?" Lloyd asks with curiosity in his voice and a skeptic look in his eyes. Kratos quickly pulls his hand away and clears his throat. "You uhh... had a bug on your shirt..." the angelic human replied akwardly, hiding what he really wanted to say, from Lloyd. Lloyd shrugs. "Yeah...sure. Thanks." Lloyd replies back turning his attention to the front again. Kratos hangs his head and sighs silently to himself. Deadin looks at him, concerned for his friend. He tilts his head. "Are you alright my friend?" Kratos glances over at him, and nods slightly. "I am." Terra covers her head a little as the wind really starts to pick up. "We should land somewhere! We won't be near Iselia for about another hour, and the Rheairds are getting pretty banged up. I'll need some time to have a look at them." Small black blips streak through the sky, going unnoticed by Lloyd and Terra. Deadin, however, catches them in the corner of his eye... "Terra is right... we should land. And fast." Kratos places his hand upon his sheeth. "I sense something foul as well..." He turns to Lloyd and then to Terra. "Stop the Rheairds." Lloyd and Terra punch in a small combination, and the Rheairds come to a slow stop. With the colored fumes of mana spewing from the back of the Rheairds, the four hover in the air. Lloyd looks around. "I don't see anything..." Kratos, and Terra look around as well. "This fog makes seeing anything impossible..." Terra sighs. Deadin narrows his eyes, and glances around. Another black blip streaks by in the distance... "Not to my eyes it doesn't... We're being tracked." Kratos pulls the Irving from his sheath, and Lloyd turns to him. "Wow. Where did you--" Kratos silences him. "Not now." Lloyd rubs the back of his head. "Yeah... sorry." He takes his Kusangi Blades out as well. "If we get into a battle up here, we'll be sitting ducks." Terra states worridly. "We'll be okay." Kratos saids to Terra with a little smile. Terra looks at him, and smiles back. "I know..." She sighs, and looks down a bit... Kratos tilts his head. "What's wrong?" She looks back at him with sad eyes. "Nothing..." Kratos blinks a few times, unsure how to respond, and scrambling for the words. Lloyd looks over at her with a smile. "Don't worry. I won't let anything hurt you." He states with reassurance. Terra looks at her dad with watery eyes, and blushes some. "Yeah... I know." Kratos looks at the two, and sighs. Deadin looks around... "It'll be much easier for me to sniff out our persuers if I change... I won't be much good for anything else up here, but I can at least do this." Terra hangs her head, and tears roll down her cheeks. "And I'll just sit here..." The three look at her. "Terra... what is it? Come on, you can tell your dad." Lloyd states with sympathy, and another smile. Terra is silent...

"You feel like you're a burden, do you not?" Kratos speaks to the suprise of the other three. Terra startles and looks at him, then down. "No...I don't..." She saids softly. Kratos speaks again a moment later. "Lloyd and I can both fly and battle, and Deadin not only has heightened senses, but the ability to transform, and battle as well." Terra lowers her head in shame, and Lloyd glances over at him. "Hey dad, what's the deal?" Kratos glances at him a little startled, then turns his attention back to Terra. "Calm down Lloyd. I meant no ill-will in those words." Terra tilts her head. "Then..." Deadin and Kratos exchange looks, and nod to one another. He then looks back at Terra. "This can change Terra. If you wish it so..." Terra's eyes widen, then narrow again. She struggles for what to say. "Do you wish to fight with us?" Lloyd looks at him angerily. "Wait a second dad! I'm not dragging my daughter into this!" Kratos looks at him. "I knew you were my son during much of our travels together and yet, I never kept you from engaging in battle. In fact, I've always encouraged you..."

Lloyd's eye twitches a bit. "What...? You're joking, right?" Lloyd puts away his swords, and crosses his arms. "If I remember correctly, you were always making fun of me." His grits his teeth in anger. "I was nothing but second rate compared to you." Kratos chuckles. "At first... yes. You lacked the skills necessary to advance. But as I began to battle with you, and train you... I saw potential. Lots of it." Lloyd's eyes narrow, and he looks away from Kratos. "I never had doubts after our final training session outside of Hima that you would rise to become an even better warrior than I. This is why I urged you on..." Lloyd looks back completely baffled. "Better warrior...? Me? But you're..." Kratos closes his eyes. "We can get into this later." He opens them back up and turns to Deadin who's keeping watch on the sky around them. "It looks like you'll have to change after all... Even my old eyes can't see though this fog..." Deadin nods again. "Alright... but I warn you... sometimes I cannot control what lies on the other side." He hangs his head in shame. "As I explained to Kratos recently, this is a side effect of my... affliction..." Lloyd looks at him. "Deadin, you'd better switch Rheairds then... At least one of us can try to get ahold of you if you go psycho on us." Deadin nods. "Good idea. I would not want to bring harm to Lady Terra...--" Just as Deadin is about to trade places with Kratos...

Clang!

"Dammit! The Rheaird's been hit! It's those monsters again! I know it!" Terra saids as her Rheaird is hit from behind by a lone purple beam of energy. It shakes violently, nearly knocking Deadin off of it! Terra turns her head as best as possible back to Deadin. "Deadin!" Deadin grabs the seat and pulls himself back up onto it. "Phew. Close one..." He saids as they both sigh with relief.

Clang, clang!

The other Rheaird is hit twice from the right side by the same beams of energy, just as Terra's was moments ago. It shakes and tilts, leaving Lloyd and Kratos holding on tight. The vessel straightens up, and seems shakes a little more. "Those bastards! Either we sit here and get trashed, or we do something about this!" Lloyd shouts, as he scans the sky again. Three black things streak by them again, catching the eyes of Deadin. "Over there!" He shouts pointing to the left... then the right... Lloyd draws his swords once again. In moments, Kratos reveals his wings, holds the Irving out in front of him and lets go of the Rheaird. The bright light of the transformation catches Terra's attention, and she turns to him. "Awsome..." She saids with amazement, just as her Rheaird gets hit again from the left. She lowers her head and holds on as the Rheaird tilts again, then straightens up. Lloyd lets go of the handles of his Rheaird, and sighs. "I haven't had to do this in a long time... I didn't think I'd ever have to again..." He saids as he glances down at the Exsphere on his hand and smiles. "Here goes..."

Closing his eyes, Lloyd touches his exsphere. Like Kratos, a glow of light surrounds his body, and soon, large blue wings appear on the man's back. Terra is left awe struck as she looks at her father and grandfather. The transformations left her speechless, and her face glazed over with immense curiosity. Kratos stares at him with pride in his eyes, and a smile on his face. "So... you'll fight beside me again?" Lloyd turns to face him. "Yeah. I guess so..." Both smile at one another, then Lloyd takes off from the Rheaird as well. "So... should I change?" Deadin saids to Kratos, who nods. "Just get on our Rheaird first..." Lloyd saids. Deadin leaps over to it prepares to change. "Perfect Beast!" He shouts. In a matter of minutes, his body completely changes from Elven to Were-wolf. He lowers his head and squinches his eyes. Clinching his fists tightly beside him, his body shakes in a spasmic rhythm. Grabbing the Rheaird, he holds onto it with all his might, grits his teeth, and shakes his head, fighting back the beast inside... "G-gg-give... me a... m-mo-moment..."

Meanwhile...

As the citizens of New Mizuho continue to come back into the ravaged village, some look around at the devasation. ...There isn't much to come back to now...

Yuan and Ellriya take a moment to gaze at the destroyed village, then part ways with Zelos after he allows them to borrow his Rheaird. Before they left, Yuan told the former chosen of the explosion earlier and who the destroyed Rheaird belonged to. Zelos startled, and gasped. Narrowing his eyes, he became both worried and concerned for his old friend, and former president of Altamira, Regal Bryant. Zelos nodded to them, promising that he'd personally pay a visit to Altamira to check on his former travel companion, and for them to go on and catch up to Lloyd and the others. Walking around New Mizuho moments later a bit distraut, Zelos eventually runs into his wife Sheena, who seemed equally as distraut as he was. ...Maybe even moreso. He looks at her with sympathy, scratches his head and walks over to her.

The fair skinned woman stood looking at the crumbling village of New Mizuho, which just a little while ago, was a thriving, lively place... for a hidden ninja village anyway. It was the biggest of it's kind... Tears begin to well up in Sheena's eyes, as she continued to look around, oblivious to Zelos behind her. All she had worked for as the new chief... her struggles and sacrifices... were all for naught. She falls to her knees amidst cinder covered ground, and bends down, reaching out her hand to scoop some dirt. Clutching it tightly, it falls like sand from her palm. She looks at her hand, which is now covered in soot and soil, and hangs her head. She fights crying, as closes her eyes, grits her teeth, and lets loose a few streams of tears from her face, which run down her cheek and land in the dirt. Zelos approaches her cautiously, and kneels down beside her. He places his arm around her shoulders and draws her close to him. "We'll rebuild honey... I promise." More tears flow from her eyes, and Zelos wipes them away with his thumb. He touches her chin and brings her face to his. They lock eyes. "I promised when we married that I wouldn't let anything else hurt you." He pushes aside her bangs, tucking them behind her ear. "So don't let this get to you either, okay? Trust me." Sheena tries her best to smile at her normally care-free, flirtatious, and goofy husband--finally managing a minute or so later. "I know I shouldn't... but I can't help it..." She saids as that smile slowly dissipates. Zelos raises his head, and looks around for a brief moment, taking in just how hard his home for nearly eight years, was hit. "I know this place is in bad shape--" He looks down at her and smiles. "But at least you're still here--" He pauses for a moment. "...With me." He takes her hands in his, and they stand up. "I don't know what I would've done if you were killed..." He wipes away more tears on her face, then a few on his, and Sheena just stares at him. They were both showing sides of themselves out in public that they never showed before... Zelos sighs, and shuts his eyes. We... can get into this later--" He opens them back up and looks at her with a mischivious smile. "if you want to, that is..." Sheena laughs a little and playfully smacks his cheek lightly. "You are such a dog..." She sighs and smiles at him again. "But I can't ever seem to stay mad at you." They hug, and share a small kiss. "Things will be okay Sheena..." He whispers to her, and kisses her neck a few times. "I love you." She leans her head on his shoulder. "I love you too..."

They let up a few minutes later and Zelos sighs, hanging his head some. Sheena tilts hers some, wondering what's wrong. "It's Regal..." Sheena's eyes immediately widen, and she gasps. "What about Regal? Zelos, what's wrong!" He shakes his head. "I don't know... Yuan just told me what him and Ellryia heard. Some kind of explosion over in the distance." He looks back at her. "The Rheaird belonged to him..." Sheena's heart sank in her chest, and she gasped again. "No...no... it can't be..." She said as she started welling up with tears again. "We should go search Zelos! Come on!" She pulls at his hand, trying to lead him out of the village. He doesn't move. "I'll go." He saids with a sigh. "You need to stay here with everyone. At least, help pick up some of the pieces for now." He looks out of the village. "I'll have to go by my own flight anyway, since I let the others take off on our Rheaird... Sheena smacks him on the chest. "What! Why'd you do that!" She saids with some anger. "Yuan wanted to find his old friend, and Ellryia needed something to ride on..." He looks at her. "I just didn't have the heart to deny a pretty face, or the ancient hero." Sheena sighs, and rolls her eyes. She smiles at him again. "I swear... you're just TOO nice sometimes." He laughs. "It's a curse." They hug again, and share a longer kiss. "I'm gonna stop by Meltokio for a little while afterwards, and see if I can get help from the King. I think I'll pick up some weapons from my place too. Just in case, you know?" Sheena runs her fingers in his hair, then down his cheek. "Just don't be forever about it, okay?" They let go, and he winks at her. "I won't. Promise." And with that, Zelos waves, reveals his wings, and flies off into the sky. Sheena watching as he disappears from view...

Meanwhile...

The black shadows whiz by in the sky again, seemingly intrigued with what's taking place... or plotting their next move. Suddenly, another purple beam whizzes right by Terra's head! She screams, then ducks, and looks behind her as the beams dissappear. Another, and another come, and she ducks those at the last second... Kratos flies in front of her, and puts up his shield, deflecting more beams, and protecting her from harm. Lloyd looks them, then at Deadin again. "Come on... hurry up..." He whispers. He scans the sky once again, but sees nothing. "Man... I hate these things! They're too fast! It's like they're toying with us..." Terra glances back at her dad. "No kidding!" She states both with fear and sarcasm in her voice. Lloyd looks at Deadin once more as Kratos continues to shield Terra from harm. A beam deflects off of one of Lloyd's swords, and soars into the sky, dissappearing moments later. "Come on Deadin! Snap out of this!" Deadin shakes his head, and seems to calm down. He sighs, opens his eyes, and looks at Lloyd. "I'm alright now." He saids as he starts to sniff the air. His nose instantaniously locks in on a fast moving Tarivian moving towards them from the right. He turns again to left, locking onto another scent. And again, he turns behind him, zoning in on yet another scent. "There are three of them. All are darting towards us to fire, then darting back into the thicker cover of the clouds." Kratos' eyes narrow. "Cowards." He laughs a bit. "This shouldn't pose a problem." Kratos immediately gets into a spell cast, and awaits the Tarivians. He flies above the two Rheairds, and looks down at Terra. "Don't worry. This won't hurt anyone but our enemies." He looks back out and shuts his eyes... The three Tarivians approach in a triangular formation from the left, right, and behind... Lloyd readies his swords, crossing them in front of him. Terra looks around, while keeping her head low. And Deadin keeps a vigil watch as well...

The Tarivians approach with such blazing fast speed, they look like comets streaking though the sky! Deadin shouts to Kratos, and Kratos opens his eyes, right as the monsters are within reach of the two small vessels...

"Eruption!" The mighty warrior shouts. A dome of flame immediately and harmlessly encases the group, and the Tarivians run right into the intense wall of heat! Bouncing off of it like ping-pong balls, the aliens are burnt and torched over and over again as their skinny, disgusting bodies are engulfed in flames. Screeching with pain as they continue their restless pursuit to try to get though the mighty spell, the three Tarivians finally give up and back away. They turn their backs, and shake their heads--obviously stunned by the ordeal. As the spell comes to an end, the Tarivians seize the opportunity, and reveal their sharp claws... All 36 of the sharp sword like appendages... Looking at Kratos, all three suddenly fly up towards the ancient warrior! "Grandpa!" Terra shouts, concerned for him. Kratos eyes all three, and readies the Irving. "Three on one eh? Heh..." Lloyd flies up to his side. "Make that two."

RP #16 - Tizar Huine. Posted 4-24-06

The next several days were uneventful as Purrti trained Anna how to use the weapons and armour that she now wore, graceful but clumsy at times with the weapon, the older female took Anna to open field for training. As Anna learned to coordinate her movements with her weapon. Purrti and Anna's ears twitched as they heard a faint sound coming from the forest, like someone praying and they sounded like they had lost their way. Stopping what they were were doing, they crouched down on all fours and sprinted to the area were they thought they could hear a man's voice. Ducking behind several bushes, they peeked out, their eyes glowing in the darkness, they saw a human male mumbling some words, Anna looked at Purrti, who only shruged many humans get lost the in these forest... including the ninja who live in the village nearby. They merely watched as he sung a song, looking around they noticed small animal curiously approuching him... a good sign to those of the forest, Purrti nodded but did not say as word as she silently moved from the hidden enclave.

RP #17 - Fated Destiny. Posted 4-25-06

Merrick examined the curious litle animal and held out his hand. The animal sniffed his hand and immediately ran off. "I guess I should have taken a bath back at that last settlement I spent the night at." he mumbled. He then saw bigger feet, and looking up, he jumped, somewhat startled. "I didn't see you there." Merrick quickly stated in an attempt to explain his fright. "In song, I become so detached sometimes..."

Before Purrti could reply, there came another rustling. Merrick immediately spun around and placed a single hand on his sword. Purrti's ears perked as the sounds of armor could be heard from between the trees. Merrick grimaced.

"Whoever it is, they seem to be armed." He turned to Purrti. "It may have been a posse sent out for me by my traiterous sister, I'd best handle this myself." He tore off towards the sound, always keeping his right hand on the blade he kept slung over hs back. He dove into some bushes to examine the figure. Little did he realize he was being followed.

The man was dressed in loose, flowing clothing, much like Merrick. The only difference was that he wore metal gauntlets, shoulder plates, basically anything short of being described as a suit of armor. Dressed in black, the man turned his head, and all Merrick saw of his face was a mask. The figure suddenly stopped. Merrick tensed, ready for action. How could he possibly have been detected? He didn't have time to think avout that, he sprung from the bushes as the figure suddenly threw some sort of projectile at him. "Can't take risks." Merrick said to no one in particular, and rushed him. After clashing their blades for a few seconds, Merrick kicked him and knocked him off his feet. "Who sent you?" he demanded, "And why are you attacking me, I'm just a bard!"

"I sent myself, and I'm attacking you for that sword." was all he replied.

"My sword? Why?" Merrick asked, "I've been using it for four years now, the value can't remain very high on it from all the damage it's taken."

"That sword has never taken a nick and you know it."

Merrick's eyes narrowed. There were only 2 possible explanations. His foes knew more than he gave them credit for or he was related to the cultists he had slaughtered in defence. "Maybe not, but if you don't want me to deliver a piercing blow to your skull, give me some answers!" Laughter was all that met his ears. "What's so funny?"

"Sing me something, O bard."

"Why should I sing anything short of your requiem?"

"Really witty." his attacker said, irritated, "But do you really think you can match the power of an exsphere?" Merrick's eyes narrowed again. He had never heard of an exsphere before, yet he had a feeling it had to do with the stone and gold-colored chip he had pulled out of his pocket. What was it? It was obviously dangerous. Should he rish and disarm, or would that be falling into a trap, allowing himself to get hit with whatever magical projectile the sphere may be?

"Enlighten me." he said at last, "What is this exsphere, you speak of?" Again, laughter was all that reached his ears. "You know, you're really becoming quite a nuisance, so allow me to end your laughter if you have nothing better to say." Again, laughter.

"Fine, you fool, do you really want to know? THIS is an exsphere!" he told him, holding up the stone. Merrick groaned.

"No kidding, somehow, I had figured that much. What does it DO, what IS it, how does it WORK? If this stone is so powerful I've got nothing to fear if you can't tell me at least that!" Merrick was pleased to not hear laughter this time. Perhaps his threat was taken seriously after all.

"That's why I need THIS!" he answered, holding up the golden chip. "This is a key crest, it allows me to control the power with no negative side effects! I stole this this morning, and it seems you're the lucky person I'll be testing it on!"

"Um, whatever, bring it on, you little pain in the neck!" Upon attaching the exsphere, the man rushed immediately. Merrick had little time to react, so he blocked by holding his seord with his left hand and by bracing the blade with his right arm so that way he wouldn't hurt himself from the power of his opponent's blow. Regardless, he still fell backwards, off his feet.

"It seems the upper hand is mine, now!"

"One minute you're on top..." Merrick began, holding his sword in his right hand, with his left hand near the tip of the blade. "Making your onslaught..." he continued, swiftly hoisting up his blade with his left hand and then unleashing one quick sweep as a warning. "Just before you hit the floor..." He spun around, turning his back on the man in black. He held his blade behind his back with both hands, angled just perfectly. Not only did he parry the stab, he also sliced his attacker across the chest. "... and then it's all gone..." Merrick finished his song with a snap of his fingers as he kicked the man to the floor once more. "Guess that exsphere didn't increase your pain tolerance, did it? One grazing cut was all it took to make you drop your weapon."

The man didn't answer.

"Let me try again." Merrick said, actually asking this for the first time. "Don't move." He crept closer and snatched the exsphere off his arm. "Who can tell me more about these?"

"I heard that there's an exsphere expert near Iselia, but I haven't been there in forever, myself. I wonder if that cute little..."

'That's all I needed to know.' Merrick thought to himself. "I won't kill you, I'll give you a chance against all these monsters, first." Merrick told him, as he saw many undead approaching, lured by his song of anger and the scent of blood. The man attacked Merrick again, by trying to throw a dart at him, so Merrick saw no choice but to kill him. As he turned to face all the undead, still looking ever closer, he heard a noise overhead. Looking up, he saw a flying machine he would later learn to call a rheiard, and all he could say was "I want one of those..." He looked again at the undead as they were nearly in striking range. "Um, maybe I should run..." Attaching the exsphere, he tore off through the woods faster than ever before.

'Iselia, huh? I guess I should swing by and see what's up.' Merrick has obtained the title of "Angry Bard!" (He sings requiems for any foes who give him woes)

RP #18 - Tizar Huine. Posted 4-26-06

Anna burst from the brush barely escaping the creatures that rose from the ground leaping up into the branches as Purrti blinked for a moment watching the human take off

Purrti: I must protect my home. the large panther like creature vanished into the darkness of the forest heading back to her village. Anna sighed wondering if she should follow the man or her teacher. She choice her teacher and followed in pursuit of the female Purrdi.

Meanwhile just outside Iselia, as the high priestess prayed to her goddess while facing the ocean, she was seeking guidance as what to do next as Vanim longed just to leap into the ocean and forget that she even met this violent beings but she promised her aid and that of her people. The humans were being attacked by alien creatures even to this world and they would need the help of the merfolk, a the greenish hued mermaid turning back to the village, she shook her head and walked slowly back to the village.

RP #19 - Tizar Huine. Posted 4-29-06

As Purrti moved quickly thought the trees, she pondered on the fact that she left her student to decide who she would follow, looking back she noticed that Anna was following. Purrti slowed down to allow Anna to keep up with her. Looking down she saw the undead moving slowly though the undergrowth, toward the the ninja town. It wasn't her village that needed the protection but the human village and Collette was there. Stopping, she turned to Anna

Purrti: It would be the human village that would need protection. Anna looked down tracking the the movement of the creatures, then nodded.

Anna: You don't care for the humans but they are friends.

Purrti: If we can contact the magician then maybe they would have a chance.

Anna: You mean Merlin?

Purrti looks about trying to decide the best way to get to either village. Anna thinks of the spell that transport them directly to the person they desire to speak with!

RP #20 – Sekhmet. Posted 5-6-06

As Purrti and Anna moved through the forest, Anna noticed the creatures began to desolve, evaporate as they melted into the ground. They stared at each other then watched as the creatures turned back toward where they had came from. Purrti thought for a moment that the creatures were after the human, who seem slightly distracted that took off toward the other end of the forest.

Anna: So what are we doing?

Purrti: Going to Iselia... I don't think they need us in the ninja village anymore.

Anna rises an eyebrow and shrugs, didn't matter to her where she went, bothe Purrti and herself were almost as alien to the humans as the aliens. Though she wondered about the mermaid that was at the ninja village long time back