I apologise for the fact that it has taken me so long to update this story... heck any of my stories. Things have been up and down and up and down again with a few loops along the way, but that's life I suppose. However, for the moment (anyways) things seem to have calmed down. I have already begun writting the next chapter for this story and you finally get some Sere/ Dare action. Most of my other stories also have chapters written for them, but seeing as it was so long ago since I wrote them, I'm having to rewrite parts I don't like and edit other parts. Once again, my apologies for the delay.
Watching the blood splatter in a glorious arch in the night air brought a calming sensation to Night wing. Her breathing slightly laboured she came out of the death like trance she'd been in and surveyed her…….. Art. This was by far one of her better masterpieces and it wasn't even finished yet. Lowering her sword down to her side, she cautiously began making her way further into the temple, wary of any further attacks yet anticipating the fight.
The ever increasing darkness did little to deter her from her path further into the Lunar Temple, her senses heightening to compensate for her lack of vision. Sensing a change in air pressure Night wing turned to her left, her fingertips trailing along the wall till they encountered something brittle. Seconds went by as she took the time to discern the object, before reaching into the top of her knee high boots and pulled out a black lighter. The hiss of a flame flickering to life filled the silence as she lit the wood next to her. A whooshing sound was heard as the flame spread along the wall eating at the wood along the way, burning brighter as it surged further along the wall. So far so good, at least she could be confident in the information provided for her so far, soon though she would have to start using her own instincts.
Bringing one hand up to swipe at the blood slowly dripping into her eyes from her blood soaked hair, Night wing took a step forward, only to retract her foot just as quickly as it encountered no resistance. Shifting her body slightly she crouched down to closer inspect the ground before her. Reaching forward, her hand encountered the stones, yet when she shifted the toe of her foot forwards there was nothing to feel. Head resting on her palm she titled her head sideways as she contemplated using her wings to get her across. The passage was narrow and she feared that one wrong brush of her wings on the walls would cause her to lose balance and fall, and there was no way of knowing what was at the bottom.
She knew her own strength, she knew that she'd be able to walk across on her hands but yet again there was no way of knowing how long she'd have to carry herself across and if she encountered something she needed to fight she'd want her hands free to defend herself. Resigned to the fact that she was going to have to fly she let her dull wings expand to fill the corridor, the tips just brushing against the sides. Eyes alert she rose into the air and set off, her mind focused on the task ahead. Every now and again, Night wing would allow her feet to touch the stones in order to assess when it was safe for her to walk on the ground, each time meeting no resistance despite the continuous appearance of the stones.
The change in air temperature for icy to warm had Night wing pausing instantly and that's when she felt the presence attack her from below. Just barely able to twist out of its way, she felt a dull pain radiating from her leg. Not bothering to glance at the damage obtained she braced herself for the next attack, her hands moving to draw her sword from its sheath, the silver gleaming in the fire light. Catching movement on the reflective surface of the blade she spun to slice whatever was attacking her, a sadistic smile playing on her lips as the creature let out a roar as its blood flew in a graceful arch from its body.
Now being able to identify her attacker Night wing found herself face to face with a griffin, the legend come to life. Not allowing the shock at seeing one of these mythical creatures in the flesh, Night wing took its momentary distraction to launch her own attack, only to have one of its eagle like claws slice across her left cheek. Determination pulsed through Night wing as she retreated, the dull throbbing in her leg now matched by that of the pain in her cheek. The metallic tang of blood exploded on her tongue as the blood dripped over and into her mouth, eyes alit at the challenge before her. Eyes bled from black to a silvery blue hue, her body luminous, the blood running down her cheek shinning like precious jewels as she allowed her power to flow through her.
The griffin let a warning growl, its pitch raising as Night wing continued to stand defiant before it. Sword held high, Night wing rushed the griffin the two meeting in an explosion of sound as the griffin's claws meet the blade of Night wing's sword. Both began to weave and dodge around the other, power leaking out into their surroundings as they met each other blow for blow. Their movements were akin to blurs, the sounds of their battle echoing of the stone walls of the temple as they furiously battled on in order to be the victor. Adrenaline flowing, Night wing caught sight of an opening and dodged under the griffin's swipe and stabbed the torso before her, dragging the sword up and cutting off the wounded cry forcing itself out of the mighty beast before her.
Satisfied, she yanked her sword back out and watched as the griffin began to fall, its wings beating less and less as its heart began to beat slower and slower. Feeling a resulting tug, Night wing watched as the claws from the back of the griffin's lion like leg jerked out of her side. Sword dropping down to her side, she instantly felt the darkness blanketing her senses as the blood flowed freely into the air. Eyes and thoughts going sluggish Night wing felt her grip on her sword slack and desperately tried to hold on to it, but found her body not responding as she succumbed to the darkness.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The sight that greeted his eyes was one he'd never forget for a long time. The bodies littered around the ground were that of a modern day horror film, the blood gathered in large pools around the lifeless corpses. It was eerily silent and that had the hairs on the back of his neck standing to attention, as if someone somewhere was watching his every move. Skilfully moving through the rapidly cooling blood Darien found himself drawing his sword in preparation of what was to come. Following the trail of fire flickering along the wall Darien began to think that Night wing had already completed her mission before he jerked backwards, hand automatically reaching out to grasp the object that had been falling towards his head.
He had little time to wonder as he recognised Night wing's sword before he dropped the two swords in his hands and caught the falling body of his enemy. His hands became slick with blood as he cradled her towards himself and immediately began checking her for any signs of life. Relieved as he found her pulse beating weakly in her neck, he laid her down on the ground, eyes and hands searching for all wounds on her body, though it was hard for him to distinguish between her blood and that of the fallen priests and priestess outside. However, his attention was drawn to her leather corset which was suctioned to her skin from the amount of blood it had absorbed, especially at her side. He removed her sword sheath, thankful that it was held together by a strap as he knew she wouldn't be best pleased if he'd have to cut it away from her body. However the same couldn't be said for her top, forcing Darien to use one of the smaller knifes he'd picked up for the mission and cut through the material. Peeling it away from her skin, he couldn't help the sharp hiss he let out as he saw the true extent of the damage, his eyes troubled as they looked upon the area which was already beginning to bruise around the four deep slashes.
He had no idea what had done this to Night wing, but he knew for sure that he never wanted to face it. Though the fact that Night wing was here and the creature wasn't anywhere in sight meant that surely he would be granted his wish. Gently brushing Night wing's stained hair back from her bloodied face he stretched his hands just above the life threatening cuts on her side, his mind going blank as he focused his power within himself. A warm, golden glow surrounded his hands as his eyes closed so that he could get a better feel of the power and direct it solely towards healing Night wing's wounds. He didn't know he had tensed up until he felt a relief shoot through him as he watched the blood flow stop and the slashes begin to heal up. He was pretty sure that there would be no scar to blemish the beauty of her skin, but with how deep the wounds were he couldn't be too sure.
It wasn't until he had healed the wound did it occur to Darien that he'd exposed one of her breasts in order to get to the wound. And it took him more effort than he was willing to admit to focus his attention on healing his "patient" and not on the mouth-watering sight her bare breast presented.
Moving his hands to the wound on her leg, he found himself murmuring to her, "You know after this we're gonna be even? I mean you saved my life now I've saved yours."
"Yes, because healing wounds that would have eventually healed themselves over the next couple of hours constitutes as saving my life. And if I'm not mistaken I've saved your life twice so this doesn't make us even."
Darien's eyes snapped up from the wound at her leg to focus in the unemotional black eyes staring into his.
"You think you'd be a little bit more grateful... but no.... still have to be such a tough-"
"Guy?" He watched annoyed as her eye brow rose in mocking condensation. "Slipping" slightly, he pushed down on the still tender skin of the wound he was healing but was left unsatisfied as she didn't even flinch.
"Come now Darien, I'm sure you can do better than that.... After all, you've seen how my Master likes to punish me... as well as reward me."
His mind flashed back to the scene she was talking about before he shook his head, his eyes tight as they scanned her body for any more injuries, lingering once again on the swell of breast. Fascinated, he watched as her breast seemed to become fuller, his eyes unwittingly following the gentle slope so he could see the full breast, her nipple straining against the now cold air. Eyes darting up to hers he found her gazed fixated straight ahead, body completely at ease accept for a small increase in her breathing rate.
Darien felt himself stunned as he realised that she was responding to him in a sexual way. Storing this moment away for later he finished healing her wounds, sitting back onto his heels as she began to sit up, her hand gracefully moving to stop the rest of her corset falling to the ground and leaving her fully exposed to his eager eyes. So lost in thoughts of what her body looked like Darien failed to comprehend the words spoken to him.
"Strip."
"Excuse me?!"
"Strip."
"Nope, didn't make sense the second time either."
"Look we don't have all day and I'd rather have both my hands free if I come across anymore mythical creatures, so strip. You can just wear your overly polished armour."
Her words finally managed to filter through the haze that was clouding his brain and ignoring the jib she'd taken at his armour he quickly pulled it, and the black t-shirt he was wearing underneath to stop any chaffing, off. Darien wondered how she was going to get the t-shirt on without exposing herself and was about to turn around when, without the slightest show of modesty Night wing removed the now useless corset from her skin, her hands moving over her skin to check on the now healed wounds on her side.
Darien felt his jaw drop as he took in the slender yet curvaceous form that was Night wing. And despite the blood that was slowly drying on her skin he couldn't dispute the fact that she was beautiful.... sexy.... gorgeous as hell, and the irony of that thought wasn't lost on him, as his eyes frantically moving over every inch of her skin in an attempt to file away the sight for future reference before she covered herself back up. Lustful eyes hungrily followed the path of her hands as they moved up to cover her breasts before sliding down to the top of her leather skirt. It wasn't until her hands slid down to the edge of her skirt and began lifting it up did it occur to him that these weren't the actions of a person checking themselves for injury and his eyes quickly darted up to meet hers, a scowl covering his face as he saw the smirk on her lips.
Rocking back on his heels stood up in a fluid movement, his eyes looking anywhere but at her topless form.
"Awww. Why'd you look away? We were just getting to the good part." Her mocking voice while still soothing to the ear grated at his nerves as he moved further away from where she was, picked up the two fallen swords and began to study his surroundings. He felt movement behind him, but didn't bother to turn until he felt a disturbance in the air. Spinning, he managed to evade her hand, falling back into a defensive position as he wearily waited for her next move. Just because he wanted her didn't mean that she was any less of a dangerous adversary.
"Relax... I was just getting my sword back." Darien watched through suspicious eyes as Night wing once again reached forward to grasp the blade of her sword, easing it from his hands. Her eyes swept over the surface of the blade, as if checking for any nicks before she retrieved her sheath and slid it back in, opting to hold the now sheathed sword in her hand instead of slinging it back across her shoulder.
An almost possessive wave surged through his body as he took a closer look at Night wing's new attire. She'd knotted the end of his shirt at the side to stop it dwarfing her, allowing for a sliver of pale skin to be seen just above the top of her skirt, while pulling tight across her breasts. Once again shaking his head to clear the thoughts occupying it, he regarded Night wing before turning back towards his surroundings. He didn't know what to do from this point on. Here was his enemy, someone who had tried to kill him quite recently but who had also saved his life more times that he'd like to count and now he had been able to repay the favour.
Did that still make them enemies or where they frienemies? Not quite friends but no longer enemies. Confused, Darien focused his attention on the woman before him, only to be met by the sight of her retreating back as she continued down the passage way. Quickly taking off after her, Darien caught up to Night wing just before she took off in flight, her dusty wings spanning the air as they held her aloft..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Not bothering to see if he was still behind her Night wing soared through the air, senses alert to any other dangers before she came upon two marble doors.
The doors were engraved with hundreds of symbols, each symbol seeming to flow into the next creating, constantly interchanging and creating more unique patterns before her very eyes. There seemed to be a powerful aura extruding from the doors, and Night wing instantly added another layer to her mental shields as she felt the gentle prodding of another being along the outer edges of her shields, looking for a way in. The air stirred beside her as Darien landed, his eyes also intent upon the doors before them. Turning her head slightly, she watched as his eyes glazed over, his hand beginning to reach out.
Acting on instinct, Night wing grabbed his wrist to halt his movements a second too late. Her hand had touched his simultaneously to his hand touching the doors and Night wing felt the triumph of the doors as they shattered her mental shields and took captive of her mind. The presence at first had been soothing, a comfort but the more Night wing struggled with the invasion the more the soothing presence turned violent; a thousand needles piercing her skin as the attack focused on getting her under control.
Cursing Darien for his foolishness, Night wing turned her attack away from the once again soothing presence as it felt her resistance lessen and set about looking for another way to regain control. Whirling around in her own, mind Serena found a small presence lurking at the back. It was like the smallest flicker of a dying ember, a last chance at hope. Only this ember flickered with a gold tint. Weighing the options, she decided that this small ember was better than the current occupant of her mind and she lunged towards it....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................