A/N: It's been awhile….a long while… and I apologize to those who were waiting for the next installment. I don't have as much time as I would like to work on this project, so I need to ask you to all bear with me. I hope this was worth the wait… and I'll be working on the next chapter soon. Thank you.
Shards of a Nightmare
As Mulidin had asked of her, Ariana led the three through the forests dark and perilous trails that wound like tangled string throughout the remainder of the day. Hours upon hours had unnoticeably passed them by since the sunlight no longer found its way down onto their faces, and fatigue began to coarse through their bodies by time she finally took them to where Mulidin had advised them to remain. She herself was so worn beyond belief between finding different pathways to wander and fighting with the much-despised Drevian De'Lerick that as soon as they collected enough wood to build an appropriate fire she retired far away from their company to attempt getting a night's rest. However, whether it was the evil shadows that reigned in the forest's darkness or just fury from the days travels, she found herself drawn into an eerie slumber where the danger outside her conscious mind was outmatched by the horrors that raced through her innocent dreams.
Black- the color of prophesized doom enveloped her essence with its sinfully romantic embrace that was kissed by death's icy breath. Frightened she was… not knowing whether or not her eyes were open or closed as she laid upon what she believed to be the end of abyss sensing another unseen presence amongst her in the darkness. Had death taken her by surprise as she slept quietly within the confines of the sacred halo that so many years ago had been blessed by the hand of Tunare herself as a safe-haven within the treacherous forest?
Oh, but a light! A shining beacon out in the distance glistened with a radiance that made Ariana cower behind what little shade her hand could offer as she tried to find what the light shone from so brightly. The surrounded shadow slowly became clearer as the seconds progressed- each little detail becoming a little more defined to reveal the soft, figure of a mortal woman sitting in a deep state of heavenly meditation. Her jet black hair ran gently to the ground upon which she sat and glistened gently as the light that encompassed her reflected off of a simple silver pendent that seemed to be broken in half.
Suddenly, a hushed monotone within her ears grew into three distinct, similar voices that seemed to be uttering a rhythmical language that was similar to the meter of a prayer. Though the language was a mystery in origin, the voices and rhythm of what echoed in the darkness seemed all too familiar in her heart. It was so inviting that she almost felt as if she had drifted away from the confines of her body and ascended into the star-studded sky that glistened above.
Yet with speed as quick as a blink, the image of the girl had faded and Ariana now found herself staring upon a great, plum colored eye that pierced into the depths of her inner soul. A crippling chill shot through her chilled veins as the eye continued to glare and the peaceful prayer faded into husky, demonic cackle that filled Ariana with utter terror. The dark presence was felt again- and she now could feel what seemed like nails scratching out thick portions of the back of her neck…
A quiet snap sent a quick jolt through Ariana's body that caused her to sit up and become alert with fear. Her ears perked up higher than before to adjust for better hearing as her eyes peeled through the darkness of the forest for any sign of danger that she felt was near. Something was out there; it was just the matter of finding where it lurked beneath the shadows.
Hesitantly, Ariana brushed the leaves that covered her tired body and drew her blade from its sheath that was caked with mud from previous journeys that drew her attention away from cleaning. Every slow step she took to the edge of the glade was a dangerous one since outside of it's boundaries you were no longer protected by the divine graces that were bestowed upon the ground…. yet further away she stepped with her boots settling lightly within the moist soil.
She glanced back at the sleeping trio that huddled close to the firelight before proceeding forward into the dangers of the Lesser Faydark. For a brief moment all was perfectly serene and still, but that moment was incredibly short lived as a quick hand clasped itself over Ariana's mouth and pulled her quickly from the safety of the camp.
Oh, how she wanted to scream! But the firm hand upon her mouth muted every wail and grunt she made as she violently kicked whatever being had hold of her. The first thought that came to her mind was that it was one of the renegade Tier' Dal thieves that made camp just outside the dark confines of the ruins of Mistmoore. What nerve those wretched creatures had- stepping foot near the land blessed by the graces of the Mother just to satisfy their ever growing lust of blood and platinum! Had she the mindset, she would bring down the wrath of Tunare upon this being by calling upon the sky and ground to wreak havoc on the devil that dared to assault her. Yet instead of her magic, she resorted to her under-estimated physical brute that made even the noblest of elves envy her openly.
It was a move Mulidin had taught her many years ago- back when he was an outcast of Kelethin and Felwithe alike for treacheries he was charged with for merely being born into wrong circumstances. Before he ever had become adjusted to the Bardic ways, he lived the life of a stealthy rogue under his brothers' dirk- where he learned many sneaky tricks to use to get out of even the most dangerous of places. For awhile longer she struggled until she felt the brute's face readjust so that his face was turned to the side… and when he turned it to keep his features away from her flailing head, she slammed her head back as hard as she could right into the cavity that protected his eye.
Immediately, his grasp loosened and Ariana pivoted around violently to pin the man's arms behind his back just before kicking the back of his poorly armored leg to force him to his knees. Before proceeding completely through the move, she paused suddenly when she noticed the ruddy tone to the hand that had hardly any elvish qualities to it at all.
"Well, that aint quite the welcome I was expectin'." The man coughed out with a pain-ridden voice. Such a familiar voice… it sounded almost exactly like----
"Muli!" she gasped in a loud whisper as she released her grip and smacked her forehead in punishment for her confounded stupidity.
Ariana quickly tackled him to the ground and nervously checked his eye for any sign of a bruise that she more than likely had given him. Twice in a matter of days she had hit someone unexpectedly, and she began to feel like it had been a curse…. Even though the target was quite a bit more enjoyable the first time it had happened.
"Should've known you would've tried that." He half chuckled as she poked her fingers around his swollen eye as it began to turn vibrant shades of purple and blue. As they both laughed, Ariana sputtered out a sweet hymn that channeled glowing energies into her finger tips and encircle the area that she had so violently attacked. Her hazel eyes glistened softly once touched by the serene, blue glow of her healing touch revealing for the first time in many days a warmer, happier sight.
"Well, you scared the life out of me- what did you expect? You're lucky I didn't slit yer' throat!"
As gently as she could, Ariana helped lift Mulidin off the moss- patched earth and hugged him tighter than he had ever expected. Though her grasp made his already sore muscles ache moderately, he could not help but to blush privately and to wrap his arms around her tiny body. True, only a day had passed them by- but such a day could seem an eternity to those who have never spent more than a few hours away from each others sides no matter what fate came their way.
"I was beginning to think you weren't going to come," Ariana whispered as she tightened her little arms around his waste, " Don't know exactly why…. Just had a bad feeling that I really wasn't goin' home again."
"Eh, now? I think ye know better than that!" he quietly replied knowing all to well that any noise above a whisper could very well wake those who slumbered not too far off in the distance. It was then a dark chill coursed up his spine as he felt Ariana's grasp lighten and her body grow stiff and rigid. Looking down upon her, he saw her brow wrinkle in question and the tip of her nose fidget like a rabbit as if it had caught a foreign scent upon the occasional breeze that filtered through the forests leaves. Indeed she sensed something near…. something she was not quite familiar with, though the scent was something she smelled nearly everyday. Though Mulidin's senses were not as defined as Ariana's, his minor elven heritage aided him with both better sight and hearing to the point where he too was able to hear hushed breaks within the forests peculiar silence.
"Ari…." Mulidin began before Ariana waved her arm before him in silence as she took muted steps further out into the darkness.
"Don't." she whispered harshly as she gracefully reached her hand over her shoulder to draw her scimitar out from its tattered sheath that had seen just one battle too many. Following her lead, Mulidin grasped his jagged bow and poised a steel-tipped arrow upon the top of his right thumbs first knuckle before aiming it in the direction that his friend dully stared. In a slow and steady beat, he watched out of the very corner of his eye how her ears flicked to pick up the moving sounds of a creature brushing along low-laying shrubbery.
This was how things were always done between the two of them. She would be the master-mind who always devised a complex plan of attack while he would stand at the ready just waiting for the precise moment to fire his lethal arrows that drew their opponents attention towards him. He was truly gifted with perfect poise and stature- when in battle his hands were steady as stone and his movements were never faltered even on the most treacherous of terrains. Though now he held his firing pose for such an extended period of time, his arms never once began to shake nor did his aim ever stray aside to something other than the possible enemy.
Yet, within moments of his first thought of boastful pride, something coursed through his veins that caused his entire body to buckle before he helplessly fell down to the very ground upon which he stood. Where it had come from, he did not know… but such pain was too unbearable for any being to withstand while it wreaked havoc within his body- feeling as if he were being ripped apart from the inside out. Before he even had a chance to scream, blood curdled in his mouth and he began to choke as his body writhed viciously at Ariana's side.
"Muli!" she screeched at the top of her lungs as she immediately dropped her guard and fell down to his side. She threw what little weight she had onto his flailing body in the attempt to keep him from further injuring himself even though most of the damage was already done. However, her feeble attempts were quickly cast aside as she attempted to mutter a quick prayer to the Mother of All to channel her life giving energies to pass onto Mulidin before he gave in to the torture. Her prayer was quickly answered and a haze of divine light began to engulf her nervously shaking hands as they hovered over Mulidin's weakening form. But the present horror was far from over with the deadly beast now coming forth from the forests shadows to claim it's next victims.
Paying no heed to the threat that loomed within the perilous dark, Ariana released her magic upon Mulidin's body and prayed that his pain would soon subside for both their sakes. Yet before the light faded away from her palms, it reflected off a pair of ominous, blood- filled eyes that stared furiously out at the pair that stood before them. A chord in Ariana was then struck that caused her to break free of her fearful stillness into a state of utter panic. Now was not the time for slow movements or cool-headed thinking- danger was inevitable for the two of them if they were to linger any longer without the aid of other men. The idea of it made her fear subside for only a quick instant to be overcome by anger, but at this point there was no other possible way.
With a loud, stressful grunt she heaved Mulidin off the ground with shaky arms and attempted to carry him the short distance to the camp with his half conscious body upon her armored back. It was stupid of him-though lucky in this twist of fate- that he had only the cultural attire of Kelethin on beneath his thick cloak instead of his heavy-plated armor on this dreadful night… had he worn his battle garments, Ariana's already tired muscles would not have been able to even lift his body off the ground. Over her heavy steps she heard a low, rhythmic pounding growing louder with each gaining step the beast took upon them. In her mind, she knew that they would not make it in such a way to the confines of the sacred hallow even though it was only a matter of feet away from the tip of her elvish nose. So with another great heave, Ariana shoved Mulidin off of her back and into the realm that the beast could not enter before being struck down by the wrath of Tunare.
Before she was able to crash down to the dirt the beast had struck her forcefully on her back and knocked the very air out of her lungs. Her breathing became erratic as she tried her hardest to roll over despite the amount of pain and pressure she endured from underneath the massive creature that loomed like a shadow above. With precise but agonizing movements, Ariana was able to pivot her elbow so it was firmly planted into the ground to where she was able to summersault backwards and land steadily in a crouching position. As she gracefully landed, the metal of her blade glimmered in a sliver of moonlight as she drew it from behind her back with swift movements. The next move, however, was one she regretted having to make since she was no match for this creature of legend on her own. But damn it! Why was it his name she had to call out for…. her rambled thoughts could not grasp hold of the others names for her to shout for aid.
"Drevian!"
A fear lingered in the darkest depths of her heart that the coward would not budge to answer… he had been known for such things before.
The scream echoed within his frozen mind again as he watched in utter terror the two bodies that dangled helplessly on a towering spike that erupted out of the mountainous terrain they dwelled on. The whirling blade inched closer and closer to their defenseless bodies as they screamed his name again and again and pleaded for his help, but he could not bring himself to move out of the safety of a tent originally occupied by the malicious orcs of Crushbone. If he ran out to their rescue, the odds of him actually succeeding in the quest bordered on the lines of impossibility- yet in the same sense, would he be able to abandon those who risked their lives to save his own only a few short years ago? He felt himself start to leave the shade of the tent, but quickened his pace as he backed away from the spires upon which his two companions dangled. He saw her face contort in anger…he wanted to scream as he heard her call out to him one last time.
Then he awoke. With heavy gasps he erupted from his slumber and searched to make sure that he had only been having a night terror. Yet as he realized that he had not awoken to the hell of the slave pits and his nerves began to calm, he heard the same agonizing scream that pierced his ears from his dream. His mind ached with confusion before he realized that all but one member of his party had been accounted for near the flicker of the firelight. With elvish curses upon his tongue, he awoke the others abruptly and ran towards the sound of Ariana's horrified voice. Stupid girl, Drevian thought, leave it to her flighty spirit to bring un-welcomed troubles to my feet! He had figured that the Druidess had simply lost her way in effort to escape back to Kelethin and stumbled upon one of the Tier' Dal camps that were not too far off in the distance.
With Keiarra and Zharden quick to be on their feet for those who were awaken so abruptly from slumber, they found themselves on the outskirts of the holy oasis staring out into eerie stillness of the night. It was as if the three of them had all shared in the same dream so vivid that they all were fooled into believing it was real. Silence was broken and the three were startled to hear the sound of a curdling cough emanating from Mulidin's torn body laying only an ogre's step away. Drevian, though irritated, was quick to bless the poor elf's body through his art of long practiced abjuration. He was capable of calling the divine energies from the mother and as Ariana did before, released them into Mulidin so it's healing powers could course over time through Mulidin's bloodstream. Keiarra left Zharden's baffled side and knelt down to cradle Mulidin's recuperating form in shock that Drevian did nothing to consol the dying boy as Clerics would normally do.
"Where's little one?" Zharden asked with the utmost concerned tone in his voice. With slow movements he slid his bulky hands onto a twisted hilt at his partially armored side. It was a gorgeous thing to glance upon as two cords- one of silver and one of gold- sleekly intertwined in such a manor that would make a mere passer-by believe that they were the hilts of two separate swords all together. Such a masterfully crafted thing could only belong to the most skilled of warlords, and though his sweet personality would lead perceptions astray- Zharden's hulk and brilliant battlefield tactics proved that he was worthy of such a blade.
Almost as if she had heard the barbarian's inquiry, Ariana's voice was heard once again much further off in the distance still screaming out the same name. The three were startled yet again as they now received proof that her cry of distress was not just the forests' devils playing tricks on them in the night. With urgency, Zharden turned to Drevian and motioned him forward as he made his way out into the unprotected wood. "Stay here!" he begged Keiarra when he saw her lift her body up to go with them. Though it would've been more suitable for Drevian to stay back with the wounded, she knew and found it best that Drevian would leave and she were to stay in case Ariana had come to any harm.
As they ran out into the darkness, Zharden and Drevian were both driven to a halt when they failed to locate the source of Ariana's screams. Still the shrieks pierced their ears, yet they came in such a way that sent the men into circles trying to track the wood elf's movements. Back to back they stood, with eyes ever watchful, waiting in angst for whatever battle was about to begin. Cool and calm, they needed to be- fore anything else would make for a difficult and poorly executed brawl; such a thing was dangerous when clever creatures such as the dark elves were marked as the enemy. With nervous eyes, Drevian glanced back to the direction of the glen where he longed to be where no harm would touch any member of the traveling party. Safety, a concept upon which he wished he could rely on was something that he could never wean himself off of since….
With little force, Ariana landed by the duo as she leapt down from the thick branches that tangled high above their heads. Her breaths were hollow and short and her face cringed in pain as she could feel the bruises and welts upon her back double in size. They were caught off guard when they heard her sword drop to the moss padding beneath them as if it were too heavy of a burden for her to carry. Drevian announced his devotion to the Mother through prayer in a speed that made the clarity and beauty of the elven language diminish, yet somehow, the prayer was understood and Ariana felt strength surge back through her muscles. Her sword was recovered with swift motions and she shrugged away Drevian's healing touch disgusted at the thought that his blasted hands had a right to touch her skin.
"What devil have you brought to us, you stupid child?" Drevian spat in anger after she unthankfully resumed battle position after his healing magics ran their course through her body. Ignoring his charge, she nudged Zharden's arm to regain his attention to the fact that the threat still made way towards her scent. With both hands, he pulled out the enormous blade with a center etched with ancient texts that held properties that made each side of the sword emanate with either a red or a blue aura.
"Bless us!" she shouted over her shoulder by the bewildered cleric. With protests quick to be on his tongue, she shot a glance so full of irritation and hate at him that he silenced himself unwilling to risk her fury to be turned against them. His prayers started again, and as he quickly whispered, Ariana informed the warlord of the situation at hand.
"There are no enemies, but one. A beast of legend that forever has haunted this wood and it comes this way swallowed by a horde of wasps I called upon from the trees." No sooner than she finished the claim did she hear the swarm's buzzing grow loud enough for even Zharden's un-evolved ears to trace. Yet it was not the low hum of the insects that set the trio unto their guard, it was the low and wretchedly fast beat of hooves that thundered like a storm against the ground.
Ariana shut her eyes and focused as her lips whispered out an incantation the others could not hear. Deep within her being, her body temperature rose and energy flowed through her auraplexes into her hand where it focused and ignited her palm as if two timbers were struck to create a blaze. Her eyes reopened, and the flame that engulfed her hand flickered off the sheen in her eyes that were marked with her signature fury. It had a will of its own as it shot forth from her un-seared hands like a comet in the distance with a destined target and would not stop until the creature had been scathed by its flame. The trees eerily lit up as the flaming ball ripped past and caught the gleam of the crimson eyes of an ebony horse in the distance. As the beast reared back and let loose its demonic voice while the flame charred it's glistening skin, it was unable to prevent the next line of spells that coerced the vines from beneath the earth to come up from their hollows in the ground to tangle around the beasts legs to slow it's approach.
It was true, legends of new had spoke of the horse whose hooves were riddled with vines as sharp as steel and with eyes so frightful you would think it a demon unleashed by a vengeful God upon Norrath to plague the elven folk of Faydwer. The tragic tale began just decades after Ariana had seen the celestial beast as it once was- a Unicorn- then the dark forces that crept over this majestic land corrupted the creature and changed it into a beast from the bowels of the dark gods creations. Over time, the beast wreaked havoc upon the inhabitants of the Faydark forests with few surviving the horrendous meetings. It was due to this demon that the Elven folk seldom saw their Dwarven and Gnomic neighbors out of fear of walking through this sadly named "damned forest" of the elves. Equestrielle "The Taint", it was called- the majestic name of the last of the Unicorns ever to walk the surface of Norrath.
With a strange pattern of movement, Zharden's arms swung out and twisted his heavy blade before him with the hilt detangling with each swift motion. The silver and gold separated along with the pristine blade itself into two separate swords of equal power. As his thick fingers clenched tight, his knuckles cracked loudly over the sound of Ariana's next bold incantation. He was a master of physical combat - an aging man who saw a few too many battles in his time that helped him learn the art of swordplay and bloodshed.
Like a wraith, the beast screeched as its muscles tensed underneath the constricting and tugging of the animated vines- ripping them apart as their strength began to wane with the diminishing effect of the enchantment cast upon them. A hideous creature of the dark it was with its devilish demeanor; the veins in its eyes bulged appearing as if the eyes themselves were glowing embers against its blackened coat glistening with sweat. As the creature snarled in frustration, large, yellowed teeth chipped so horribly that it resembled the threatening smile of a werewolf jutted out from it's bleeding gums. Ariana and Drevian saw the creatures face first with their gift of enhanced sight, and held back in a moment out of fear and awe of what became of the creature once so beautiful. To think, this was only the predecessor of the true horror that was the illusive, tainted ghost of the forest.
With a low grumble rising up from within Zharden's chest, he strode forward with escalating speed as the mere grumble erupted in a roar of power as he collided into the warpath of Equestrielle. The vines snapped and withered around them as the horse broke free and reared back into the air with its hooves flailing. The opportunity for the first assault came earlier than expected, and Zharden charged beneath the beast's thick belly with force that sent it tumbling down to the moss-padded ground in an instant. Zharden cringed as he felt his right shoulder strain from applying such effort and with reluctance brought his weapons back together- twisting them back together to form the impressive blade it was before. The runes sparked as their magical energies rekindled and flowed as currents down the cold steel then wound back up around the knotted hilt held between Zharden's bulky hands. Just before the weapons had completely melded into one, the beast arose again and charged the unprepared barbarian and sent him barreling underneath its thorny hooves. His taunting was unsuccessful, and the beast resumed the charge on the being that plagued it with a thousand stings of a hornet.
Drevian backed away frantically as he saw the beast draw closer and leave the bruised man behind- after all, if it could brush past such a warrior, imagine what it would do to a creature as slender as he? Soon, his steps halted and he felt the tightening grip of vines creep up and around his legs to fasten him to the ground upon which he stood. With shock and horror, he turned up to Ariana whose face had not left that of the coming threat and saw the remnants of her earthly magics fade into the ground. Beneath the thunder of hooves he heard her mumble an elvish curse before she took position not accustomed to most Druids in battle.
Her grip on the scimitar tightened and she ran into melee head on with the horse that desired her life, yet as they were about to clash, Ariana dropped drown and gritted her teeth as she felt its thick legs kick while it tripped over her body. The beast, was still quick to rise, perhaps too quick for Ariana as she struggled to resume her stance with her lungs still compressed after the stunt she had just pulled. It stood and scrapped its hooves into the dirt as it watched Drevian's healing powers wash over Ariana and mark her with a pale halo of light before it made its next move. Caught off guard by the elf it had mauled before, Equestrielle once again launched back on its two hind legs and was pierced by the end of Mulidin's slender sword. In pain it backed away on it's hind legs before it regained balance and crashed its legs back to firm ground
"Mulidin, stop!" She pleaded as she felt his arm reach back and press against her sore torso to shove her further away from the creatures grasp. Knowing full and well that all he meant to do was protect her as she did him, she took back and fished out one of the last remaining bat wings she had tucked beneath her silvery belt for emergency use. The green flux enveloped her hand and she floated into the air as if an invisible force from the branches reached down and lifted her right off the ground. It was from there that she witnessed a fiery comet rain down from the heavens onto Equestrielle just before Zharden's silvery blade sliced across the side of the beasts belly. The broad swing of the sword sent a swift breeze as he brought it round over his mane of gray hairs and back for another piece of flesh in between the rapid lashes Mulidin's own short-sword managed to sneak in before the creature could manage another kick.
Ariana's attention was quickly gained elsewhere- approaching in the distance were explosions of brilliant light so bright that they created shadows around the being from which they emanated. The colors vibrantly flashed against the glaze in her eye, yet she could not help but stare in awe at the cool and collected presence of Keiarra who channeled these powerful energies from deep within her soul to unleash them upon the enemy. Erudites were known for their innate skills in the arcane magics, however, lacked the physical prowess to stand up to a physical attack for more than a few moments. Within moments, the beast's fury would turn upon her once it recovered from the scathes and boils her fiery magics left behind as a souvenir to her assault.
Zharden and Mulidin struggled to keep the fury of this monster upon them with the spells that erupted upon the beast and into their own souls to save them. It was difficult to maintain their ground as their endurance began to fade and the beast still remained strong against their might. There was little Ariana could now do to prevent them from loosing it's attention as her head began to swell and pound with the loss of her magical energies. Headaches were the true-tale sign that any being with magical capacities had drained their resources into emptiness… meaning that her abilities to cast were now broken until her mind had a chance to settle. This, however, was of little importance to Ariana- she was more than willing to risk the pain of a migraine if it meant to cast just one last spell that could possibly save their lives.
"Drevian!" she screamed over the tops of their battle cries, "Blind it so they may move back!" He scowled to himself as he struggled to reach into the depths of his mind to remember a spell he had learned decades ago when he first set out on his quest as a templar. To blind an enemy was a simple task that required one to only summon a simple light just in far greater an amount that what one would to merely light his walking path. The words then came to him as clear as day and he clapped his hands together loudly to form the single sphere of light then ripped them apart to encase both his hands in the dreadful, bright light. The spell burned the eyes of the poor devil and gave Zharden and Mulidin a moment to back away from the threat to catch their much-needed breath. It was time now, and Ariana already began her enchantment of the earth.
The ground shook beneath the creature's hooves and rattled the roots of even the sturdiest of trees that surrounded them. Even Ariana's arms shook with strain as she brought them higher and higher with stressful motions as if she was lifting the bedrock upon which they all stood. She groaned in pain with the migraine in her head increasing in potency while her mana completely drained out from her auraplexes and into the ground as a shockwave that tumbled over the horses entire body- nearly burying it alive. The earthquake, being more powerful than expected, even knocked the feet out from beneath her companions- leaving her helpless to the beast's next full onslaught.
Their eyes met for an instant and she cried out loudly as she felt her ribs curve inward to pierce her lungs as the rest of her organs collapsed underneath the last magic touch. Horror overcame all their faces as they watched her fall limp from the sky right before the thorny hooves of the once again standing beast. It reared back, bucked, and trashed against those who attempted to recover her- yet none were able to reach her dying body after being kicked forcefully to the bases of distanced trees. Mulidin regained his senses and attempted to be quick back to his feet, but his lungs had collapsed and he could not find the strength to even lift himself from the ground. All he could to was whisper the melody to a magical tune that would send life back into Ariana's fading body so that she would be able to fend for herself.
Her tired eyes struggled to reopen in response to hearing Mulidin's sweet, sweet melody- but they bulged in horror as she witnessed the falling hooves right before her bruised and bloody face. There was nowhere to move and no way to turn- all she could do was stare at her inevitable death that closed in upon her.
Just as she felt the first prick of Equestrielle's thorny hooves, a brilliant white figure leapt out from the corner of her eye and pummeled the horse to the ground. 'By the grace of Tunare she thought, what angel is this that has spared me? Truly, her savior was an angel, and as her sight refocused she found herself beneath the snowy belly of a horse that loomed over her to keep her safe. Her eyes began to wander upon hearing the distinct rustling of feathers that stung within her bleeding ears and found that the creature above her was no ordinary steed. This was a divine herald of the great mother of all- a Pegasus- the winged guardian horse that was long said to have been extinct within the realm of Norrath.
Off in the distance, Equestrielle did not respond to the Pegasus's threat but instead flinched its legs in pain while its once ear-shattering shrieks had diminished into nothing more than curdling gasps for air accented with the occasional whimper. As death silently crept from the shadows to claim it's next poor victim, the darkness that plagued the once beautiful creatures mind began to fade away along with its ebony coat. All eyes bore witness to the release of the pained unicorn, and could not help but feel remorse for the dying creature.
Beneath the Pegasus Ariana stirred- she coughed violently as she brought herself out from underneath her guardian angel and walked over to the being that nearly took her own life. With slow, cautious steps she closed in on it trying to be careful not to frighten its already fearful heart. Its big brown eyes followed her every move, right down to her hand holding her forehead in an attempt to soothe her aching head. Her gentle steps stopped just before it, and she knelt down to gently touch the deep, red wound they gave the creature before it recovered from its possession.
Behind her, the others huddled nearby each other-practically afraid to move- starring down the two mythical creatures before them in disbelief of their very own eyes. Mulidin, being the ever faithful ally that he was, came closer to Ariana's side as she neared their past enemy. Feeling his presence, she turned to him with sorrowful eyes and asked him quietly in thievic for him to coerce her mind with song and replenish her drained auras.
Hovering her hands over the still bleeding slash, Ariana shut her eyes tightly and began to meditate as Mulidin's voice swept quietly through her mind- soothing her headaches nearly instantly and igniting her auraplexes once again. With a flick of her fingers, chlorophyll from near by trees began to collect at her tips and seep into the unicorn's open wounds until her cells began to mend and a faint scar would be the only thing left upon it's body.
"What does she think she is doing?" Drevian snipped, " Is her mind so far gone that she cannot remember that that monster nearly took our lives?" The glance he received from Keiarra was a confused one with her lime colored eyes lighting up as she responded with a comment that made his draw nearly drop.
"Is your mind so far gone that you have forgotten that it was her own life that was nearly taken and not your own? You over-exaggerate far too much, Drevian… the battle in whole was a success- no one shall take any victims."
Ariana's eyes reopened and she could not help but smile when she felt the animals lungs began to rise and fall with much more depth than she felt just moments before. She turned round to show the others that the life was saved, and met again with the creature that saved her own. Her eyes were frozen, just as everyone else's, and she did not know whether to approach the creature or to maintain a safe distance to not frighten it off. There were nearly a thousand thoughts running through her head as she memorized every little detain from it's soft, glistening main to the perfect color of its broad wingspan. Unable to decipher them all, she just bowed slightly in respect as if the creature were like an elite noble of a foreign city.
The creature followed the same movement with its long face, and Ariana chuckled lightly knowing the pegusus was indeed a very intelligent creature and respected the deed that she just performed. She remained still with a small smile upon her face as she strode along passed her and tickled her nose with the tips of her long flowing mane. Why this creature was here now was something Ariana did not need to question, but curiosity peaked her interest as to why it would save her and just as quickly leave. It left without a trace into the darkness alongside the gimping unicorn- going places Ariana could only dream of… perhaps she would be going back to tell the mother of the elf that rejuvenated one of her fallen creatures. 'Just imagine…being within the presence of the one great mother….'
"Are you alright?" Mulidin asked as his hands frantically toyed with Ariana's face to get a good look at the bruises her long fall had left behind. Despite her pain, she still smiled and grasped his frantic hands quickly to pull him back to the more important subject.
"Did that really just happen, Muli? Did we really just see two of natures greatest myths?" Her voice was filled with such excitement and wonderment that she could not hold back her laughter anymore. Her sore belly rippled as she chuckled so heartily and spun around in circles to release some of her cooped up adrenaline. Oh how she wanted to dance right then and now!! So many people would only hear stories of such fantastic creatures, but she- she had actually seen their greatness with her own two eyes!! Such an event never would of happened if she hadn't left Kelethin…. Kelethin? Her heart dropped suddenly as she remembered the charge she had been given, and that her and Mulidin's escape had been botched.
"Excuse me!" she heard Drevian's voice squawk. His steps towards them quickened with anger as he left his two true companions back behind to slowly follow in his footsteps. "I want you to know, that it is because of your ignorance that you've robbed us all of our much needed sleep for the day ahead!" Mulidin's eyes narrowed as Drevian's pointy nose came up and touched the bridge of Mulidin's own, such an approach could only be taken as an insult, yet Mulidin said nothing… taunting this man would gain him nothing. No matter what, he would not leave Ariana's side. Ariana was quick to shove between the two and take matter into her own hands, and when that happens, things are quick to get messy.
"And you, De'Lerick? If I had not rooted you to my side, where would you have run off to, eh? Would you have left us to die? Huh!" She began to scream as she shoved him further and further back. There were unspoken stories between their feuding that happened decades ago that were too great to just forgive and forget. Soon, the frustrated shoving turned to all out punching and smacking between the two of them that could not be stopped until a blast of force sent Ariana reeling back into a tangle of roots and Drevian into another so they were far from each others grips.
"Enough of this foolishness," Keiarra scolded, "I do not know what fuels such anger, but as long as we travel along side each other I will not stand for it!"
Wiping the blood from his mouth, Drevian turned his glare back to Mulidin who stood with sword drawn before his companion. "Make your way home, Ayr' Dal," he spat "There is no want for you here."
"No," Ariana responded in a deep drone, "Either he stays or I leave with him."
"There is no need!!!!"
"Come now Pointy Ears…. you saw the skill of 'is blade, I could use a 'lil company in the 'eat of the bat'le." Zharden bargained on behalf of the two newer members of the party. It was true, Mulidin- even thought unarmored and ill equipped ravaged the beast they fought against and aided the party greatly. Yet Drevian hated the thought of the two of them being together amongst them- he was a charmer and she a tyrant on her own grounds and they would be an unbreakable duo to argue against as they always were.
"He stays…. or I leave" she growled again. He looked down as her legs tensed and strained beneath the might of the vines as if she were still attempting to launch out to attack him. Their eyes locked on each other's, and neither blinked for an extensive period of time as they tried to break the other down. He hated knowing that he needed her talents, and she hated the idea of following under his rule…. now Mulidin became the compromise that meant the making or the breaking point of each elf.