Heirot

Darkrose:

~1 day after the Capture of Rai~

They stayed at an inn called "Banshee."

Akisu sat in a chair facing two beds. One held Tora, who was sleeping. Akisu let the spell go, for the soul reason if he kept it on her any longer Tora would have gone into a coma.

The other held Rai. Although the paralyze spell still held strong, Akisu had removed the silence spell. In an hour they will leave for Arroes, but for now, he sat cross legged with his tea in his lap.

"So, Renlaila, at the end of today you will be in the posession of Queen Shea, and you will help her rule of of Heirot by sacraficing your blood to release a demon." He said this in the most disgustingly cheerful voice. He continued, smiling, "So. How does it feel?"

Emora:

Rai stared up at the ceiling as she lay on the bed. If it weren't for the paralysis she possibly could be trembling. She was so afraid of going to Shea. She had demons that were really ugly and they would eat her or something. But, most of all she felt alone and betrayed. She had thought that Tora was one of the good guys... But, Tora was evil and mean!

Rai didn't answer to his comment at first. She just lied there looking at the ceiling. "You won't live to see it..." Rai said using all her bravery to speak. She had no idea what this man was capable of. She had no idea what he would do. "I hope they kick your @ss."

Rai's mother would have scolded her greatly for using that word. She had always told her they were words not meant to be used by children. But, Rai figured since she was going to die soon any way she might as well get all the things she wouldn't be able to do when she was older in. Rai wished with all her might that she could move so she could run and hide... Just to by some time until Soran and Mizuki came....

If they would even come.

Rai had been such a bother to them all. Now Queen Shea was personally involved. She was so powerful, what would make them want to go up against her for a child. Nothing. Nothing was worth dying over. Not even she was. Rai felt a knot grow in her throat at all the memories she had of them... When she had first met them.... When she had played in the snow with Soran and Mizuki and Leon. When she and Mizuki double teamed Soran and tickled him. She remembered his laugh. The only laugh she had ever heard from him... When she had pulled up a chair next to Soran and kissed him goodnight.

No! I won't go out so easily. I want to see them again! I don't want to die! I don't! I don't!!! Rai was thinking as hard as she could. She knew she had broken out of one holding spell before. She could do it again. She strained as hard as she could until her limbs trembled and shook as they fought the power over her.

If they didn’t come for her… she would have to get away first. The demon that her blood would unleash would kill them. And even if they didn’t come after her, she still loved them.

Darkrose:

"You won't live to see it... I hope they kick your @ss."

Akisu smiled. He was turning back into his original self, him and his twisted sense of humor. "Such a young child using curses? My, where did you get that potty mouth." He took a delicate sip of tea.

His attention turned to Tora. Akisu set down his tea and stood up. He walked towards her slowly...

Dark Energy materalized in his hand. Strong and powerful...

"When you left the Citadel, you took away something that was very important to me. I left the Citadel to come look for you, with every intention of revenge." He completely forgot Rai was there. A single tear strung down his face. "I wanted to kill you. I could not die until I did but... then I found you with these people. And Queen Shea gave me a chance at glory and revenge all at the same time." Akisu's twisted smile returned to his face. He placed the dark energy upon Tora's head and let the energy seep in. The controlling spell was seeping in...

Emora:


Rai took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She strained with all her might and felt the paralysis go away... as if it had just snapped. She gasped a breath she had been holding forever, but stayed very still. She looked out of the corner of her eye to where. The magic user was.

She thought, she was free already... She could run for it... But, he would only chase her. She thought harder. "Um...." she said, still not moving. "I need to use the bath room..."

He probably would tell her to go where she was and that would be very rude and gross. "Please... can I please use the bath room!"

Darkrose:

Akisu knew his spell had been broken. How could he not notice?

He had to admit though, this girl is good. No wonder Queen Shea is after her.

...which led him to wonder why the Witch Queen just doesn't capture the girl herself?

But no matter, he stood up and looked down at the girl with menacing eyes. "Oh, dear. The spell has broken. What shall I do?" He smirked. "And, yet, you need to go to the bathroom. I could just tell you to go right here, but that would be disgusting, wouldn't it? Well, then..."

He lifted his hand and Tora's body rose. She mechanically got out of the bed and walked to Akisu's side. Her eyes were still closed.

As if a puppeteer, Akisu pulled his ring and middle finger, Tora's hand locked around Rai's tiny wrist. The grip was so tight, inescapable and painful.

Akisu once again smiled that disgustingly cheerful smile. "You may go, and dear Tora will escort you."

Immediatly Tora's eyes whiped open, and bright red eyes stared down at the little girl.

Emora:


Rai winced when Tora held her wrist so tightly. Yet another bruise was sure to form. She really didn't have to go to the bath room. But, they didn't know that. Maybe this would give her some extra time to think. Rai was beginning to realize that Tora was under a spell. Poor Tora... Who would have done such a thing to her.

She didn't want to blame Tora for what was happening, so she tried her best the whole way to the bath room to remember the fact Tora was under a spell. Rai pulled on her own arm gently. "I can go alone..." she said reassuringly to let Tora know... if Tora could even hear her... that she could go in alone and be just fine. She pulled on her arm again. "Tora... your hurting me... I can go in alone..." It wasn't like there were any windows or anything...

Darkrose:

Tora stood in front of the bathroom door, still clutching Rai's wrist. Unlike back at the house, Tora seemed like a zombie now. It was as if she were a puppet.

However, as if she heard Rai's words, Tora's hand gently let go of Rai's wrist...

But she stood there, in front of the door, waiting patiently for the young child to finish her buisness.

Tora looked like she belonged in a grave.

~~~

"Brother, why do you seem so troubled?" Kyna gave her brother some tea as he slouched in his chair.

"Kyna... I have a bad feeling, about tonight."

"How so?" she asked.

The wind blew softly, carrying the call of a black bird.

"Kyna...run." He perked up from his sleepy self alarmed. Then his eyes bulged from his face, filled with concern and fear.

"KYNA! RUN! Get as far away as you can from here! NOW!"

~~~

Emora:


Rai closed the door behind her and locked it. Then she turned around and at the site of the bath room, crossed her arms in front of her. It wasn't really THAT dirty... Well, it was very unclean and it did stink, but it wasn't so bad... She could stay in here for a while...

How can I get Tora to snap out of this trance she's in? How can I help her? Rai leaned against the door, letting out a sigh. Her thoughts faded off to her situation and she found her knees buckling. She slid slowly to the sandy wooden floor. She pulled her nightgown under her bare feet to keep them warm.

Rai crossed her small arms over her knees and rested her head there. All she could think about was the fact it wouldn't be long before she died... They couldn't possibly be so foolish as to come after her? But, she really, really wanted them too... and then again she didn't want them too.

Rai didn't want them to end up like her parents. She didn't want them to die or get taken from her. But, she had been taken from them, wasn't that the same thing? No... it wasn't. Rai had begun to think of them as her second parents. Her Godparents or something. Family... Aunt Mizuki and Uncle Soran. How did they view her? Probably so very different. She had only caused them trouble. How could any one ever love trouble?

A small tear streamed down her cheek and she bit her bottom lip. She wouldn't think of such things. It was untrue. They did love her! Though... they never said it... she knew down inside. Even if Soran would never say that he loved her... which he probably didn't love her... he did like her... Didn't he?

Darkrose:

She's probably trying to think of a plan on how to escape, he thought, smiling.

Still, Akisu was growing impatient. He even let Tora's body drop to the floor so he wouldn't waste energy.

He thought of Mizuki, Soran, and the others. It was no doubt they come after her. What are they doing now?

Hm...conflict...Mizuki's baby grows more by the hour... Soran is torn between loyalties...

...but Gyre...

Akisu drew back to his body. That stupid wizard! If it wasn't for him, he would be most positive that he would reach the castle before the others even have a chance to reach Darkwood.

And Soran is leaning towards rescuing Rai. Akisu knew well not to underestimate Soran or any of his party. The sole fact that they were able to escape Queen Shea's attacks are enough to know that these people were a threat.

They needed to go to Arroes. Now

Akisu stood up and rushed to the door impatiently. He knocked three times and ordered, "Hurry up, girl! If you don't come out within a minute, i'll come in and get you! And don't try anything funny..."

Emora:


Rai jumped with a yelp at the sudden banging on the door. She wiped her eyes and stood up quickly. She backed into the corner next to the door, but didn't plan on going out. He would have to come in for her. She wasn't about the be a polite obedient child. Not to a kidnapper. She would go down with a fight... even if it wasn't a very good one.

"You'll have to come and get me meat head!!" She called and smiled. If she was right and he tried to bust in the door then he should walk in at least two feet before noticing where she was... That could give her one chance...

Darkrose:

"You'll have to come and get me meat head!!"

Akisu gave out a slight laugh. How brave this child was, considering most children would be too afraid to even move.

"I will come in to get you, if thats what you wish." He said with a mischevious voice.

He summoned his energy to his hand to create a ball of fire. With the flick of a finger, the magic shot out of his hand and broke down the door. The bathroom had been set on fire.

Tora's body still lyed in front of the bathroom door, creating an obstacle for a clear escape. Plus the bathroom was now on fire.

Akisu stood thier patiently waited for the child to run out.

Emora:


Rai screamed when the door blew up and the fire entered into the bathroom. She put her arms over her head and peaked out as the bathroom caught fire. But, she didn't budge. Her heart was beating so fast and she was so scared, but she wasn't about to move. She was sticking to the plan. She would make him come in after her.

Or...

Rai caught site of a long stick with something on the end of it. It must have been used to clean or something. Rai coughed and reached for it. Her hand reached through flames quickly and pulled back with the object in her grasp. She coughed again as smoke entered her lungs. She stepped back into the corner as smoke billowed forth from the door way. She wasn't moving... Not yet.

Then, with out warning to anyone out in the hall she swung around with the object in her arms, coming through the wall of smoke and shoving the object into Akisu's stomach. Or what she thought was his stomach. Her eyes were to watery to tell. She struck something and went to run, but tripped over a body. She didn't stop there though... She got up as fast as she could.

Darkrose:

Akisu felt a pain in his leg when Rai hit him there with...whatever the heck she was swinging.

"Ah, but you have someone else to evade," Akisu said. Rai was blinded from tears at the moment, and he took full advantage of it.

He summoned Tora to rise, and with vampiric speed she appeared infront of Rai. Quickly she grabbed Rai from under her armpits and lifted her into the air. Tora clutched onto Rai, like a mother would hold a child. Tora's grip was, once again, tight and painful.

Slowly and almost a little too calmly, Tora returned back to Akisu, holding Rai firmly in her arms.

"Little Rai, you're sad attempts amuse me so. But I have no more time for games. You can not escape from me, Rai. Your fate is locked and can not be avoided. Like a vampire is fated to live forever, you are fated to die. You must accept this. We will now be leaving before the innkeeper arrives. Come."

Akisu walked out of the inn, summoning Tora to follow him.

Emora:


Rai struggled to get free. She hoped Tora would forgive her if she accidentally got hurt, but Rai didn't want to die. She wouldn't die...

"I'm not going to die!" Rai screamed as loud as she could. "I won't! My friends will come!" Rai screamed, though, she didn't know truly if they would. Who would want to go up against Shea...

Darkrose:

~~~
Tora felt pain. Pain? What is pain? Am I not suppose to feel pain here?

Am I dreaming?

...I need to wake up!
~~~

Akisu alarmingly lost his grip on Tora. "Damn girl! You can't physically hurt her or else you'll knock her out of her trance!" He muttered angrily a paralyzing spell on Rai. Even if it did only last a couple minutes, it was enough.

The spells binded Rai. But..it was too late.

Tora's eyes opened, shining thier normal color. She was back.

"What... is going on...Rai?" Tora said drowsly. She looked confused as she held the young child in her hands. She could tell she was cursed with a paralyze spell. Had she done this?

But then she caught eye of an old man...

"Akisu!" She screamed accusingly. "What the hell is going on? Wheres Mizuki? And Soran? And everyone else?" She readied a nasty spell on her lips. "I'm giving you ten seconds to explain. Nine. Eight-"

"Oh dear. What are you going to do to me, Kyna? I taught you everything you know." Akisu said gravely.

He knew he hit a deep spot. Tora stood there agast.

"How-how do you now about my dreams? And why did you call-"

"Dear Heavens, Tora, how dense can you be? Those are not just dreams..." Akisu lifted his hand and chanted the spell. "Those were your memories. That was your past."

"No...stop-" She muttered in hoplessness. Tora felt an overwhelming force come upon her, and she had no choice but to surrender to it.

Tora became a puppet again, Akisu the puppeteer. Her body feel limp to the floor.

"See, girl? Now we have to wait for the spell to settle in!" He picked up both Rai's little body and Tora's not-so-little body and carried them to the room. He settled them both down in the beds, as they had when they first came. He sat in the chair, and this time he didn't bring along with him his sense of humor.

He just sat there, glaring at this Rai, a death stare that would make one shutter...

Emora:


Rai was staring at the ceiling again, but could feel the gaze burning into her. She tried ignoring it, but it was just to hard to do that. Well, she had managed to stall... but for how long? Would it give her friends enough time to rescue her... or would it just mean prolonging her death.

Rai closed her eyes, tired of keeping them open and tired from trying to fight the spell. She was just tired. She didn't want to fall a sleep, but sleep took her any way....

After all she was just a tired, frightened, little child...

Mizuki:


Naoki still frowned but wished them luck and safety then left. Grye went to Soran with a solemn face.

"Ok... just as before." he said extending his hand to Soran. He figured the Dark Angel would follow them with her wings. 'My Lady, we are flying the rest of the way to Arken.' he contacted Gwendolyn.
'Very good... good luck.' she replied then turned back to her daughter. "Mizuki, Naoki is returning and they flying the rest of the way..." But Mizuki never answered because she could not hear. Still the baby grew and caused her pain, but she did worry for them all. 'Fates... please guide them safely...' Mizuki thought pleading to the Gods' that were believed to control the Fate of everyone on Heirot.

Deep in the darkness of the Arken palace two shadowed faces smiled evily.

"You remember the deal," one said. "So them no mercy and I'll give back what you lost."

"And I'll bring you that elf woman in Igthen." the other said. The one nodded in return and they both exited the dark room.

Soran:

Soran frowned and clasped Grye’s hand. It was far from desirable contact, even if such a thing existed for the rogue, but apparently this was how the spell worked. He felt a prickle of irritation as the wizard hesitated uncomfortably. “Get on with it,” he said dryly.

Grye closed his eyes in concentration and a moment later they were airborne, flying over the blackened terrain of Arken. It appeared no one had noticed them, because the rogue saw no one approaching to attack. He looked over at the Dark Angel who was flying swiftly beside them on powerful black wings. It seemed she really did intend to do as he asked. Unless, of course, she was waiting for an opportunity to turn on him.

In the distance, a city that was, if possible, blacker than the landscape began to take form on the horizon.

Darkrose:

Tora rose from the bed according to Akisu's hand motions. They were approahing faster than he had ever expected. If he waited any longer he would have to resort to a magic portal, something his Queen told him specifically not to do.

Tora grabed the sleeping Rai and the party left the inn. On the dark streets Akisu peered around and then held up his hand in position to call for a carriage.

A black carriage adorned with red pulled up. The carriage was being pulled by four magnificant black horses.

"Here, to Arroes," was all Akisu said as he flipped several coins to the coachdriver. They got in the carriage and began to drive off.

Akisu once again tapped into his powers and monitored the advancement of Soran, Siren, and Gyre...

Mizuki:

Grye concentrated on flying them safely, and undetected into Arken and onto Arroes. Yes, what he was doing was much but it was faster than to be detected and shot at.

"Soran...." he said concentrating hard. "When we get out of here and back home I want you to hug Mizuki for me." The reason he said it he wouldn't reveale, but after this battle he would leave them and go back home. He as made his decision, Mizuki won't have the marriage and neither would he. To force someone was something he could not do. So he would go home and bring the news to his father. 'He'll get over it.' he thought.

Back into the darkness of the palace a man meditated in heavy silver armor with a blood red cape and black leather cloths. Steel pointed boots adorned his feet. He sat with his eyes close in front of a window, he montiered the movement of the resisting group. A tall man covered in a black cloak with the hood over his head came up behind him and put a young masculine hand on his shoulder. They were both young men but the cloaked one was still far older.

"They come quick, don't they apperentice?" the man in the cloak said.

"They wont be quick enough for me." the meditator said. The other man smiled.

"No, they wont be..."

Siren:

Siren flew easily beside the wizard and Soran. She felt like she was moving in somewhat slow motion, but stayed at that speed since it seemed the best Gyre could do for them. She was, at least, greatfull to have picked up the pace a bit from that of the sled.

She wondered what they were up agaisnt that Soran would so readily accept her for this mission, but figured it couldn't be anything good. She kept her eyes open and alert to the movements on the ground below as they flew over a small settlement, but no one seemed to notice them.

Soran:

Soran looked at Grye coldly after the wizard made his strange request. "Hug her yourself," he said suspiciously, seeing no reason to proffer such things to Mizuki on this guy's behalf. The subject brought images of Mizuki cringing in pain back into his mind, and he shoved them forcefully out of his thoughts. Now was not the time. She was probably fine…<br>
His attention shifted downward as he noticed they were flying straight over Darkwood. ~’He’s heading directly for Aerros’~ he observed approvingly. He had been thinking the same thing – if Rai’s captors had already left the city and they stopped to search for her, their chances of intercepting Rai at Shea’s castle would be lost – but Grye had said earlier that he would be low on energy if they flew too far. “Don’t run your power dry. If necessary, we’ll make the last leg on foot,” the rogue said calmly. He wasn’t fool enough to think he could take on the Witch Queen alone.

Long before they were close enough to make out details, tall, jagged towers in the distance denoted the direction of the capitol city of Arken, rising in the distance like a great black spider. It grew gradually larger as they approached. When they were approximately a mile away, Soran spotted small enclave on the landscape below where a carriage was stopped on the road and a few figures sat nearby around a small fire. The carriage appeared to be loaded with cargo, and the figures were most likely merchants resting before entering the dangerous city. “That looks like a good place to land,” Soran said, pointing down next to the merchants’ camp with his free hand.

Mizuki:

Grye winced at Soran's cold retort. 'I wish I could...' he thought sadly. He considered maybe not going directly home but, he thought the sooner the better...

"That looks like a good place to land," Soran said. Grye looked down and wanted to question why land there when he could put them directly on the roof. Then he double questioned himself and guessed Soran wanted to sneak attack the palace, that and Grye's powers running low. So, he sighed and they gradually desended.
Mizuki, however, spun crying curses in the household and Gwendolyn and the newly arrived Naoki were frantically running about. No one knew what the heck was happening, but they guessed it was the baby growing once again.

In the palace the warrior's eyes shot open, Mizuki's cries ringing in his ears. He was looking in on the one's left behind considering how he could sneak in after he fought the intruders, he kept the spying low so Gwendolyn couldn't sense him. He clenched his fists feeling torn for some strange reason.

"Why did that affect me so?" he asked himself. He got up from his spot and paced. Smirking back out the window as he watched the group decend into the tree's. Fangs pointed out from his lips. For anyone witnessing his deadly gaze on the group, could see he was a vampire. Newly created and put back on the earth to serve the blackest mage whom he made a deadly deal with. "After I kill you, I'll go for your woman." he said icily, clearly speaking of Soran.

Darkrose:

(OCC: New Thread. Arreos. Called Arrival. Yup.)