Breaking
A soft call from the balcony broke the two out of their reverie, "Princess Suriel? The Lord and Lady wish you and young Raziel to meet them. Soon, it will be time for the presentation of the gifts. By the by you had an excellent battle, Princess. None could've bested you." A small rat demon, one of the palace's servants, broke the magic of the moment. The souls began to flutter away. Suriel raised her head from Raziel's shoulder but flashed a polite smile towards the demon.
"Thank you, Raphael. Your compliment was too kind, if you could please tell Mother and Father that I will be there in a moment?" The demon nodded and vanished away from the balcony and back into the ballroom full of guests. Suriel sighed and then stood up and stretched while dusting off her clothes. She twirled about smiling and watched the last traces of the soul's disappear into the trees of the jungle forest in front of her, "How do I look, Razi?"
The cat gracefully got to his feet, his smile easy as he watched his charge, "You look like a stunning warrior queen, Suriel. Did you know, in the moonlight your sunburst appears radiant?"
Suriel paused for a moment but then shook her head, "I can never be a warrior queen and besides my parents rule the South well. I've no need to step up yet, nor do they need to step down. Come on, we don't want to make our families angry." She leapt to the balcony.
Raziel followed suit, landing lightly but then turned and plucked a rose from the bush that was near the door. He returned to Suriel's side and placed the rose in her hair, "You're a warrior queen already. Just watch your subjects when you enter." He offered her his arm and she rested a careful hand on it. He led her in. As one a hush descended on the crowd and they knelt clearing a space for the couple to walk through to the dais where four demons stood waiting. Suriel glanced about blinking rapidly in surprise but at a very discreet clearing of her Mother's throat returned her eyes to the dais. Her Father had a wry smile on his face and both her Uncle and Aunt's eyes were gleaming with amusement.
They reached the dais and Levielan raised his arms, "Gathered friends, we are here tonight to recognize my daughter. She has trained for many decades and protected this palace and all those within for just as long. Today we commemorate her victory in her trial to become a warrior of the pack. Daughter, we present you with your gift." A hush fell over the crowd as Levielan and Nerali turned and grabbed a box which they flipped open to reveal twin arm bands crafted of something that appeared to be pure ivory, each etched with runes and studded with black onyxes. "To our warrior daughter we present these armguards to ensure your safety and to mark you as a true member of the pack." They slipped on the armguards on each of her arms and then her father swept her into a hug and kissed her on the crown of her head. Her mother also clasped her in a hug and kissed her on both cheeks.
Behind her the crowd applauded, although still on their knees and then Reeve and Mishka were stepping forward, "Niece of our hearts, daughter of the jungle, your Uncle and I wish to present you with this necklace and circlet, befitting a warrior princess." Mishka stepped forward and clasped a silver necklace to her throat the single black diamond appearing to suck up all the light that fell onto its many facets. Reeve stepped forward and placed the silver circlet again studded with onyx on her hair. He clasped her arm and she kissed Suri's cheek. They both grinned at her and she smiled back, surprised by the affection they were showing in public, even if it was surrounded by court-like words. Raziel kissed her forehead and then stepped back by his parents leaving her to stand before the five powerful demons by herself.
Her eyes widened when all five knelt in front of her, her father proclaiming in a loud voice, "Meet the new Suriel. Warrior princess of the jungle and heir to the throne of the South!" She blinked once again in confusion and her parents and aunt and uncle smiled indulgently. Raziel smiled just as easily as before and then motioned for her to turn around. When she did she was beset by noise as the gathered demons leapt to their feet shouting.
"Suriel!"
"Warrior Princess!"
"Suriel!"
"Princess of the South!"
"Warrior of the jungle!"
The many cries met her ears and she looked around and then back at her family who had risen to their feet to come to her side. Her father looked down at her and smiled, "Suriel, I am proud of you."
Her mother now chorused in, free to speak what was on her mind as the demons before the ruling family cheered louder than ever, "You did very well today, daughter. I love you and am so very proud."
Raziel sauntered up to her and once again lifted her up and swept her around in his arms. She laughed in joy at all the love and friendship that was surrounding her. Her family, her friends, had all come today to watch her pass her test and then to accept her whole-heartedly. She was blessed to have such family and friends.
In the midst of the excitement many didn't feel the first explosion that fell against the palace walls. The six on the dais did and all narrowed their eyes. The next explosion rocked the palace to the foundation and many of the lesser demons fell to their knees.
A sudden explosion caused the doors to rip from their moorings and fly into the crowded room. One of the heavy mahogany doors landed on several demons, squashing them flat, while the other door landed on the marble floor before fracturing into splinters. In the open area where the doors had been stood a writhing mass of tentacles complete with a baboon fur of white in the middle. A parody of clapping emerged from two of the tentacles, "How quaint, I do hope I'm not too late for the party." One tentacle lashed out and impaled a demon. Suriel screamed in rage when she saw that it was Desoto, one of her trainers and the very demon she had been talking with earlier in the evening. He died instantly as the tentacle ripped him apart and during the spray of gore and blood another tentacle raised a crystal cup it had grabbed from the nearby table in a gruesome toast, "To you, warrior princess of the South."
"Sire, this is the demon the spies saw, a baboon of tentacles. This is Naraku." Reeve announced, narrowed eyes not leaving the writhing mass before him. Already many of the demons had gathered before the two jungle leaders, including many of the panther tribe. A purple smoke began to emit from the creature and Suriel gagged in revulsion from her spot on the dais, surrounded by still more demons as they moved to protect their royalty. Then, insects appeared seemingly from nowhere buzzing sinisterly.
Suriel looked around, "Mother? Father? What should we do?"
Levielan looked to his wife and then his daughter before gesturing them to come close. He clasped both to him in a hug and then kissed his daughter's forehead. "You two, accompanied with Raziel, will be leaving with that group of demons." He gestured and several demons split from their group and surrounded their Queen and Princess. Raziel appeared at Suriel's left side as soon as he had finished saying goodbye to his parents (an arm clasp with his father and a hug from his mother). Levielan looked at them once more before turning and also leaping into the fray. "To the forest, dear wife. Protect the young ones."
Twins snarls announced Mishka and Reeve in panther form as they stood before the devilish apparition, and Nerali's eyes fixed on her mate as he, too, transformed. A huge dog demon, fur as dark as the night, shadowed by the two panther leaders leapt into the battle and Nerali's eyes flashed fear and worry for a moment before they hardened and she turned towards the doors. Insects dropped down to block the exit, the buzz increasing, before they were abruptly destroyed in a flare of a pink whip. Nerali snarled her eyes going amber as the change took hold. Still she kept the human form and ushered the children, although children no longer, towards the door, "Hurry now, we have no idea how long this fight will be." They swept through the door, demons flanking them protectively and then leapt off the balcony into a garden where just a few minutes ago souls had been present. Now it was dark.
Into the trees the small group rushed. Suriel pushed herself so she was equal with her mother and Raziel, "What's going to happen to Father, Reeve, and Mishka?"
"They'll protect the palace, Suri. They won't fail. After all your father has my parents to look after him." Raziel spoke, attempting to lighten the mood. Suriel attempted a smile. It fell flat. The power that had coursed from that half-demon…it was on par with many full blooded demons and that worried her a great deal, surely she wasn't the only to feel it. A quick glance towards her mother's shadowed eyes and Raziel's own worried countenance assured her that she wasn't.
The journey into the trees continued…flashes of green and brown all that Suriel saw of the trees and fauna of the jungle. Deeper and deeper they fled into the green, demons breaking off or falling back to engage in forces that seemed to be under the baboon's control. Eventually, only the three of them were left.
A sudden pulse sprang from their palace and reached them. Nerali stumbled to a halt and Raziel froze. Suriel faltered to a stand-still as the pained, fearful cries of demons reached her ears. Twin snarls and a low growl rumbled after them and then all was silent. Suriel closed her eyes and pictured the scene. There appeared to be only three familiar flares of power left in the palace…and the dark one she had sensed before had grown in power, dwarfing her father's, as well as her adopted aunt's and uncle's own flares of power.
For a while, Reeve's and Mishka's power held, but it was slowing weakening. The first power that she felt being extinguished was Reeve's. She imagined the great Lord of the Jungle had leapt to save his mate and his only true love. A long drawn out keen of pain sounded, seconds later joined by Raziel's own moan of pain, the remnants of the panther family mourning the loss of the head. Suriel moved to Raziel's side even as Nerali moved towards them both and enveloped them into a hug. "Be strong, prince and princess. You must flee here."
"But Mother, what of you?" Suriel lifted a tear-streaked face towards her mother. She had been thinking about how Reeve had been the first to teach her the jungle craft and how he'd always curled around her in the nighttime trips through the forest as she grew into her dog form. Another power was extinguished and Raziel was now shuddering as he attempted to control his emotions. A piercing howl rang through the trees in remembrance of Mishka, now slain. Suriel's eyes darkened even as more tears traced silver tracks down her face.
Nerali raised one hand and wiped her daughter's tears away even as her own eyes glistened with unshed tears, "I will do my duty as you now do yours. Suriel, daughter… be strong and remember you are the heir of the South. I wish we had more time together, darling. Flee the South with Raziel. Go to the Western Lands and seek help from the Lord there. He is a great white dog demon and he is the Ruler of the West. Remember my love, darling, I've been so proud of you. Farewell." She gently enfolded her daughter into a hug before kissing her forehead and after resting a gentle hand on Raziel's shoulder she transformed. The huge white dog demon quickly leapt back into the forest, moving back towards the palace and her mate.
"Mother…" Suriel trails off a hand reaching for her but then she lowered it. Taking a deep breath she turned towards Raziel whose gaze was blank. She quickly went to him and wrapped her arms around him. Raziel breathed in a shuddering breath. "I know, Raziel, I am so sorry but we must leave here and try for the border. Come with me." She gently murmured while slipping her clawed hand into his. She met his emerald gaze which slowly began to focus. "That's right, it's me, Suriel. You aren't alone. I'm with you. You will never be alone."
She gently tugged him towards the edge of the clearing and he stumbled after her. Moving slowly she pulled him further and further into the trees, always patient and gentle with him. Eventually his stumbling stopped and his eyes fully cleared it was then that the pair were once again fleeing deep into the jungles of the South at a break neck speed. Although Suriel realized she should be casting all of her senses forward the bulk remained focused back at the palace. The great evil seemed to be growing and Suriel grew frightened when she began to feel the weakening of her family's power.
The destruction of Suriel's family happened in one single moment. One moment both powers suddenly flared bright and then, Levielan and Nerali, the only family that Suriel had ever known, ceased to exist. Suriel cried out and the tears grew faster. 'Mother, Father…' the pained cry was silent and Suriel doggedly continued her headlong sprint. Raziel at her side clasped her hand and brought it to his lips.
"Oh, Suriel." Two words, but so much emotion packed into them. This night had broken something in the racing panther and dog. To lose one's family collectively was perhaps one of the worst things to ever feel. Raziel continued, "You aren't alone, Suriel. I will protect you always." Suriel nodded her head even as she allowed all emotion to drain from her. If she were to give into the pain that she knew threatened to break her she would give up and she couldn't do that. Her family had given their lives to offer them a chance to live and neither was going to throw away that precious gift.
The two demons entered a broad clearing and stopped as a sinister chuckling echoed about, "There's no way…"
"Suriel, look out!" Raziel grabbed her and leapt into the air. The earth below them erupted in a spray of dirt and rocks as a tentacle stabbed into the ground where they'd been standing just moments ago. Suriel and Raziel instantly moved apart while Suriel drew her sword. Already more tentacles were flying at them and then they were fighting for their lives.
As each tentacle got close Suriel allowed more and more of her dog take control until soon she was attacking savagely, rending tentacles to pieces. As the emotions she had locked behind bars escaped in slashing sword and silver teardrops. Suri raised her sword into the air before swinging it down; again is seemingly biting into the air, "Phoenix Swipe." For the second time that day a midnight black phoenix took wing as blue flames flared from outstretched talons and a spiral of power erupted around Suriel, tearing the tentacles that had been close to shreds.
Chunks of Naraku's body fell to the ground, "Oh, now this is interesting. The puppy not only has bark but teeth as well. I wonder," He turned his attention towards Raziel who was also slashing through tentacles, "what about you, kitten?" In answer a thick black shadow emerged from the other side of the half demon and then an explosion of black carved out still more of the demon. Despite the damage, or perhaps because of it, Naraku began to laugh and then suddenly in a bright light Naraku stood before them perfectly healed. Raziel landed beside Suriel both them heaving for breath.
"Suriel, when I say so, you run." Suriel shoved him in the shoulder and snorted.
"Like hell. I am not going to leave you to fight this creature by yourself. The only way I go, is if you go."
The laughter continued and Naraku grinned viciously, "This is just too sweet. Little puppy do you realize that the cat has fallen in love with you?"
Suriel refused to answer instead she looked towards Raziel and when the two met eyes they nodded. Then they were leaping towards the demon attacking together as a team. Suriel had spoken truly when she said they were unstoppable as a team. She'd had many tutors in battle, including her departed family, but for every hour that she spent with them, she'd spent longer with Raziel and it showed because for a while it seemed like they were gaining the upper hand. It was then that Naraku sprung the trap that he'd been waiting all along to do.
As Suriel had turned to attack several tentacles, she was unaware of the one that was heading straight for her exposed back. She was aware of the pained cut-off breath and froze. She turned around slowly. Her gaze fell on Raziel slowly being raised in the air by a tentacle stabbed through his shoulder. She took a step forward and raised her sword.
"Uh uh uh, that isn't very smart, little puppy. One more move and your friend will pay the price." Suriel growled deep in her throat and her eyes widened, emerald receding until only glints swam in the amber, as the change took further hold.
"Release him, Naraku. You can have me." The mocking laughter started again.
"You? What makes you think that you have anything worthwhile to me? You're weak and so is this cat, just see how he breaks when I play with him." And with that he slammed Raziel into the ground and Suriel outright snarled.
"…Suriel…" The sound of her name being spoken brought her amber eyes to meet the emerald eyes of her protector. He was bleeding profusely now, the gaping wound through his shoulder staining the ground in an ever increasing circle of crimson. He blinked once although his gaze seemed clouded, "I will be with you always. Run." She blinked, slightly confused, at the clouded gaze for they had both been wounded much worse until she glanced at the growing pool of red below him. Darkness and a sickly purple slime seemed to slither through the blood—Raziel was not only being impaled, but poisoned. Her eyes darkened at the pain her friend was feeling but not showing.
"Raziel, you know I won't leave you." She took a step forward but once again Naraku was attacking her. The first several tentacles were destroyed by whip, sword, and claws but then they began to connect-scoring a hit through the shoulder, across the stomach, sliding across the cheek. Finally, one connected and caused Suriel to fly into a tree. She hit the ground on her knees her hair falling to cover her face. For a while, she sat there unmoving.
"Uh-oh, did I cut my fun short? Guess there is no need for the cat. Maybe I'll just break him." There was a sickening snap and then pained cry. A low growling issued from the still form of Suriel and the baboon's tentacles stilled from further onslaught on the panther demon as he caught sight of the tremors that were wracking the dog's form. "Hmmm, maybe I should just break you instead." Naraku moved several tentacles in the direction of Suriel but as soon as they neared her they caught fire and blew to ash. A power began to gather itself around her and when she next looked up her eyes were pure red with a small amber circle around them. In a flash she'd morphed into a huge black dog demon eyes crazed, poisonous saliva dripping from her jaws. Again the sky rained chunks of demon flesh as this new Suriel ravaged through the tentacles to reach her protector who still struggled feebly against the tentacle holding him pinned with his one good arm, the left laying broken at his side.
However, as soon as she got close more tentacles would appear and then with one final blow the dog demon was thrown back into the trees. She emerged again but a tentacle appeared quickly behind her and when she turned to meet it pierced through her stomach. The dog's enraged red eyes widened in pain and slight whine emerged from her throat as she was lifted into the air and thrown to the ground—much like Raziel had been before her. A wave of blood emerged as the tentacle left her body but still she scrabbled to her paws, blood dripping through and then matting the thick back fur. She was knocked aside and before she'd even landed picked up and thrown again and again and again.
Suriel, warrior princess of the South, was totally outclassed by the half-demon engorged on the power of her mother, father, aunt, and uncle as well as the scores of other demons. At last the huge form of dog shrank to the human form of Suriel. She lay on the ground gasping for breath weakly but still she managed to haul herself to her feet although she swayed and was covered in a thick layer of demon blood—her own and Naraku's all blending in a hellish combination.
"I would have thought that the demons of the South had more to offer." Suriel snarled quietly the only course of action she had left but as she did even more blood poured from her wound. "Still willing to fight I see, too bad your strength is spent. However, I grow tired of playing. I think I'll end it. Are you ready to watch your friend die Suriel?" The tentacles moved to reveal the still struggling Raziel. A quick movement, sickening cracks, and he lay still refusing to show any pain as one by one the rest of limbs were broken by the depraved demon. Finally, the tentacle rested its deadly tip above the heart and slowly pushed down until another bubble of blood began flowing.
Suriel attempted to move forward but was quickly ensconced in several tentacles leaving her a front row seat to the carnage in front of her. As the tentacle pushed further and the blood drop grew, she cried out, "Please, no more. You can have me. Kill me but please stop hurting him!"
The laughter again broke through the clearing, "It'll all be over soon, Princess. Any last words to your beloved protector?" Suriel met Raziel's eyes and held a hand out to him, stretching to get as close as she could. Tears coursed down her face. She was supposed to be one of the strongest but she was spent and weakening fast. There was no strength left to save her friend, her protector, her… love.
"Raziel." One word. Just his name. In that one word, like Raziel had done earlier in the evening, was everything she felt for the broken panther lying before her.
Despite his impending doom the panther demon managed a smile for his princess. He made sure she was looking at him and then spoke softly, "Hey, princess, will you do something for me?"
"Anything, Raziel."
"Be a fearsome warrior queen for me someday, won't you?" Her eyes widened. His words had always helped shape the world for her. They still did but the look in his eyes…it was her world.
Suriel sobbed brokenly and nodded her head; her eyes not leaving his as Naraku mercilessly drove his tentacle through the panther's chest and ripped out his heart. Raziel's eyes dimmed and grew fixed as the life fled his body. There was one last shuddering breath from the broken panther before silence fell over the clearing. Raziel was dead. Suriel was alone. She suddenly shifted once more into a dog and then her howl of a pain so deep and a soul so broken resonated through the lands of the South. It mixed chaotically with the rumbling peals of laughter that Naraku made as he watched the shattering of her heart. Throughout the howl, a thick torrent of blood had dropped from the dog demoness to form an ever spreading pool.
The tentacles surrounding the dog fell away. As they drew back there were already coalescing into the shape of a man who bent down and picked up the lifeless body of Raziel, "This kitten proved to be good entertainment for me. I think I'll take him back with me to the West, but you little puppy… I don't think you are worth anything at all. I'll let you live… for now." Purple miasma swirled about the battlefield and when it cleared Naraku was gone and the human-formed Suriel was lying in a pool of her own blood eyes vacant and unseeing.