Search, Rescue, Destroy (MATURE)

Post by **Emora Deen** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:37 pm

Rai smiled kindly at Blade. "I'm okay. I kicked him between the legs!" she grinned, very proud of herself for that. "Sid protected me, though." She wanted to give Sid credit, because she knew his relationship with the others was a bit rocky. Especially with her mother and brother.

"Mommy..." She blinked at Mizuki, wondering if her mother even recognised her anymore. She was afraid of what it would be if she didn't. What would her mother say? Would they like her the way she was? Would they still love her if she wasn't a child anymore?

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:43 pm

Mizuki directed her attention to her daughter. Her beautiful, and now fully grown daughter. Mizuki let herself down from Blade's arms and looked at Rai. She was a worse sight, blood and vomit, a pale color to her face. She stepped forward and hugged her daughter fiercely.

"I love you Rai," she told her and held her at arms length. "I'll help you through this. I know this is very, very knew for you." She gave her a soft smile.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:49 pm

Soran moved up next to Sid and studied the empty space of air where the unfamiliar person had been a moment ago. "Who was that?" he asked Sid quietly, relieved that Mizuki was now here to help with Rai.

"Damned if I know," Sid said honestly. "But Shea's after Rai again. She's apparently some powerful magic user. He warned me that others will be coming. Strange guy."

Soran looked over at Rai and Mizuki hugging and observed them with quiet dread. This didn't sound good.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:52 pm

Rai smiled at her mother and embraced her, glad that she was not being shunned. She looked at her father after hugging her mother and embraced him tightly, feeling very safe with her family around her. So safe that she completely forgot for the moment the strange man who had saved her, yet tried to take her away.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:58 pm

Soran was able to hug Rai's head to his chest without kneeling down to her. It was strange, different, but not unpleasant. He let himself briefly feel the fear he'd had for his family's safety and the uncertain joy of being together, at least for now. "Thanks for protecting Sid for me," he praised.

Sid guffawed indignantly.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:04 pm

Rai laughed and looked back at Sid. "Your welcome," she said with a grin, finding it very funny to consider that she could ever protect Sid from anything.

Her smile faded slightly and she glanced to the dead Arken soldier. "Maybe we should... leave?" There were more coming, the man had said so himself, and she didn't feel like they should tary very long.

What was it that Sid had said? It wasn't good to stay in one place long. Something like that.

Rai stepped to stand by her mother, having a lot of questions to ask that concerned her new form and since her mother was a girl too, she felt that it was appropriate to ask her mother those questions. And if by some weird chance she couldn't answer, well Soran would be stuck with the job.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:10 pm

Mizuki sensed Rai's desire to go.

"We should go, Soran." She said, carefully addressing her beloved. "Dangerous to tarry too long."

"I agree," Blade interjected.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:20 pm

"Right," Soran said, glancing briefly at Mizuki as she spoke. He hadn't even managed to hug her since he'd finally gotten her back, but it felt like there wasn't enough privacy to do that at the moment. Besides, it was true; they had to get out of there.

"Okay Blade, what do you need? Sticks and rope again?" he asked, turning to the young angel questioningly.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:27 pm

Blade blinked, almost dumbfounded until he remembered. "Uhh, I can't do it again." he said softly, and hating himself for it. Mizuki looked at her son in confusion.

"What did you do?" she asked him.

"I made a portal to get here... I just... I can't make one again. It was too much, I'd... kill myself trying again." he averted his gaze to the ground. Mizuki touched her son's shoulder.

"It's okay. It's okay," she comforted her son while eyeing Soran, silently asking him to not push Blade. "We can find another way. We're all taxed from this."

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:59 am

Soran fought against the first bristles of anger in his chest. He was aware of Mizuki's pleading look and aware that the boy hadn't stranded them in Arken on purpose. "Alright," he said emotionlessly. "The mountains are this way. Let's move. Blade, walk with me for a minute?" he said to the boy.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:50 am

Blade winced. He felt he knew what was coming and didn't want it to happen. This would be a father-son talk, but Blade had no practice with it and Soran wasn't his father. He had to stop believing that. Mizuki gave her son an apologetic look and gave him a nudge towards Soran.

Blade really didn't want to do this. He kept his head averted from Soran's, a defiant look sprinting across his face. He had to go through this with a strong will. He will not go into it and leave with his tail between his legs... as much as it hurt him to know what was coming.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:47 pm

Soran observed the boy's body language thoughtfully as they pulled a bit ahead of the group, far enough to talk in private. "I get the impression you were aware we'd have to return on foot," he said, and let silence fall between them for a second. "You also recognized that a spell circle was inscribed around Noventia's tent long before I stepped on the trigger point. Do you understand what I'm concerned about?" he asked in a calm, low voice.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:05 pm

Rai watched her bare feet curiously as they moved over the mulchy forest floor, dirt getting caught between her toes. Her feet were larger than she remembered, and she wondered if she ever would see those tiny feet again. Another thought hit her. Would this be permanent? Would it last forever? Would she always be grown up? She swished the coat around her legs as she walked, admiring them.

"Do I look normal?" she asked more to herself than anything. She didn't know what she looked like and she wondered if the spell had made her look funny or not.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:46 pm

Blade winced as what seemed a sharp blade cut through him. He had been stupid. Only thinking of getting to his mother and Rai, not actually of getting out. He had sensed the circle, and failed to warn Soran. Careless. What kind of Prince was he? Gloom and angst descended over him, his pride hurt and feeling that maybe he was, in the end, Gabriel. Driven by only his one obsessive desire and careless as to the consequences.

"I am... aware..." he murmured softly, and after a long pause he slipped out, "I am just like my father... aren't I?" He never meant to say it, afraid that Soran would agree and disdain him for it. After all, Gabriel had raped Mizuki whom Soran loved. He had every right to despise him, the product of a disdainful act. For once he stopped thinking that he could do anything with great promise.

"Do I look normal?" Rai asked.

"You look fine dear, beautiful in fact. This is the woman you were always supposed to be." Mizuki told her fondly as they walked behind Soran and Blade, and beside Sid. Mizuki worried about what the two talked about, but it was between them, they had to get through it. The memory of smashing that general's head into stone came back like a forceful wave of nausea. Mizuki swayed on her feet.

(ooc: in case you're wondering, no, Blade is not about to go all emo on us all.)

Post by **Emora Deen** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:53 am

OOC: I’m just like... writing cause I’m bored. If you guys have a cool plot we can go with it.

I just needed a way to introduce Serith.

Serith ducked under the flap of the tent and Shea watched him from her laid back position on the bed. He looked a bit disheveled, which was a bit unusual given his more or less casual demeanor. “Something wrong?” she asked him with a smile that most men would melt at the sight of. He, however, just tried his best to hold back a scowl.

“She had friends. I’m going to ready my things and leave for the hunt,” he replied, though it was mostly true.

“I’ve never had you come back empty handed before,” she replied softly. “Killing children not your strong point?”

Serith blinked, tilting his head. “Children?”

“There was not a child there?” Shea had risen to her feet now, a curious expression on her beautiful face.

“Not a child, no,” he replied slowly, almost reluctantly.

Shea grinned with keen interest. “Oh, how lovely.”

Serith stroked his stubbled chin for a moment as she eyed him. He bit back a retort when she eased her body forward, bringing it in contact with his. “Will you find her for me, Serith?” she asked, her hand found its way to his neck and her thumb rubbed his skin gently. He wanted to say something harsh, maybe something degrading. But, he kept his mouth shut, for she was the boss. “Will you find the little brat. That Necro whore must have done something to her. I knew she was lying. I could feel it in my bones.”

Whore? Serith thought as he looked down at her with a bland stare. ‘Now if that isn’t calling the kettle black...’ Serith smirked. “Of course my queen. I’ll bring you her head.”

“Oh, lovely.” She breathed seductively against his skin and then slowly moved away.

“I’m going to get right on it,” he told her, stepping back before turning to leave.

Once again outside the tent he shook her touch from him, like a shiver. He rubbed the feeling still tingling on his neck, wondering if some disease from her well used body had spread to his skin. He calmly made his way to his tent where he gathered supplies, unbeknownst to him, Shea had called a second meeting of hunters without him.

* * *

The slipped into the tent and she took her seat before them. They looked at her with sly grins and happy smiles, eager to hear what would call the eldest of the four of the five Hunter clans together, even more eager to hear why the Steel family wasn’t being represented. She eyed them with her golden eyes, rubbing a hand over her stomach once at a strange feeling of discomfort.

“There is a chil- a girl.... traveling with a group. More than likely they go by her family. Its very... important that she meet an untimely demise. A threat to me is a threat to the kingdom, and we can’t have that. She’s radiating plenty of magical energy, a distinct one from the woman and boy that seem to be traveling with her. You’ll be able to tell them apart. Kill who you wish, but ensure that the girl is dead. The one to bring me her head gets the bounty.” Shea watched them and they gave her a nod of understanding.

One spoke up however, the question that the other four had been wondering. “The Steel Clan member?”

“He’s already been sent out. However, he seems a bit out of touch with his usual self. She has a strange aura around her that seems to beacon to be loved. I’m afraid someone as young as he will fall into that realm of illusion. He’s not as seasoned, but very good at his job,” she replied truthfully.

“So we’re the back-up plan?” He sounded offended, not that Shea really cared.

“Of course,” Shea replied with a cold grin. “The talent that runs through the Steel family is legendary. You’re families are completely mediocre compared. I guess its all the more reason one of you should be the one to bring me her head.” Enticing them would make it more bloody, she figured. However, the bloodier the better. “Now, if you don’t mind.” She was trying her best not to wince in pain. “Please, leave me.”

They turned without another word to head out on their trip and Shea was thankful when they were gone. She clutched her belly as she stood, suddenly feeling so strange. Like the world was tilting all around her. She felt nauseated, so strange since she was never sick. A blessing of having a God for a father...

She stumbled, staggering, trying to get to the tent flap to call for the healers. She didn’t quite make it. The world tilted too far and she fell rather gracefully onto the fur rug, panting. Her brow suddenly moist.

“Its strange, isn’t it?” a dark voice called from above her and he stepped to her view. It was a figure she knew well. His dark brown hair cascaded over his bare shoulders, his black eyes looking upon her with amusement. “Carrying the child of a demon.” He knelt down, helping her sit up with one arm and cupping her beautiful chin in his hand. She was lovely, a product of a beautiful mother. A product of him, her grandfather, who had taken his grandchild as a daughter.

He was young looking, beyond handsome. Beyond being real. Verin, God of Darkness, smiled at the woman with grudgingly sparkling black eyes. “I told you he was not worthy to father your child,” he spoke softly, too calm for her liking.

“I never was one to follow rules,” she croaked and his hand slipped from her chin to lie casually on her belly.

“Your son will grow fast and strong. For his demon blood has melded with mine now. An unnatural union, as was mine. Even more unnatural that demon, human, and God should be pored into one. You did pick a lovely time to let that demon impregnate you with his spawn, didn’t you. Aren’t you supposed to be taking over Ighten? How do you plan on doing that while carrying a child?”

“Mother did it,” she replied strongly.

“And failed, just as you will fail. Have you even thought about the consequences of your actions, how your mother died birthing you, and her mother before her? Do you not see this in your future?” he asked, wondering if she really even cared.

“I am not my mother or my grandmother. I am stronger. Far more so than you could imagine, or that you’d dare to even notice. My son will be born strong, and I will live on and this war will not be hindered by my condition.”

“You are a foolish woman.” His voice altered, multi-toned and distant, as if he were fading away.

“He will be strong, won’t he. That’s what you fear. That I’ll birth a God, one that would be able to rival you. You fear the union between Praxis and I because you fear what will be reaped from it. That’s why you wanted me to choose someone else...” Verin let her go, but she managed to hold herself up. She slowly rose to her feet and he did the same, towering over her. “You fear my son.”

“I have nothing to fear from you,” he replied, his finger tips trailing down her cheek. “Be a good daughter and conquer this world for me. That is what you should be doing. Not birthing demon brats.” He turned and became nothing but black mist that fizzed away.

* * *

Rai skipped along behind them, trying to get used to her legs and being so high up. She smiled that very Rai like smile as she admired how her toes scrunched in the dirt and the way the heavy coat dragged the ground even though she was taller now. Curly blond hair bounced around her, catching the light of the moon. She giggled softly, twirling on her new legs. Dancing. She stopped her dancing and continued to walk, glancing down at her chest. She poked the strange protrusions, very different from what had been there a few hours ago and she knew that her mother had them.

“Am I old enough for these?!” she asked with a giggle, her voice loud and sure to draw the attention of everyone. Slowly but surely her mind was beginning to evolve to the edge of her body and she was becoming aware of things she had never known before. Knowledge that she had never known, however some things she still remained innocent from. She poked them again with a smirk.

She looked at her mother and tilted her head. "Are you alright?" she asked softly. "Is there something I can do?"