Raiha

[COLOR=royalblue][i]They all followed the Oracle's lead, coming to rest inside an inner room. It was furnished comfortably, but did not reek of opulence, like some of the larger rooms. The young adults sat down on the chaise lounges provided, and the Oracle sat in her chair.[/i] Oracle: .....who caused this battle? Raven: The orcs. Ananda: The wolves. Oracle: You really think Lingh wanted this wanton destruction of the city? Ananda: ....no.... [i]She looked at her clawed fingers and grimaced. Why had she ever opened her mouth? The Oracle looked upon her long and hard, her eyes peircing Ananda's.... Alaustin looked at them, the magic between them seemed to be dueling...sparing...searching eachother for flaws.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She looked up at him, smiling slightly. "Yes, he does. A shadow of him anyways. I'll take you with me. Celestine, stay here and learn a bit of Dark magic from his daughter." Celestine looked at her mentor as if she was crazy, but obeyed. She rose to her feet and approached Zelfoh. In the meantime, Death Knight followed the female Dragouret's soft tread....her three toed claws singing deep into the loam, then rising up again.... They stopped at the base of the waterfall. Tarlain paused and turned her eyes to face him. Then she pressed her hands to the sides of his face and muttered a quick blocking spell. Immediatly, pain surged through his body, then recceded. She turned and leapt into the middle of the lake, the water parting before her, and closing behind her. Death Knight tested the water with his hands, then, feeling no pain, followed her. They touched down and swam to the underground grotto, then came up into a small cavern. She bowed to him and pointed down the hall. "Go. He is waiting."[/i] "How did you---" [i]"Just go. I will follow, after he's done with you."[/i][/COLOR]

[cOLOr=royalblue][i]"How do you think stupid?" She smiled at him and leaned forward, kissing him softly. His eyes opened, then closed. "That would work..." "Are all Asura's so slow in the uptake?" "Not exactly...." "Then shut up and kiss me."[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She rolled her eyes and walked towards the ships, silent....waiting. Abob came up behind her, ready to fight. She swiftly shot several spikes from her hands and magicked them into the air....then she whipped them over her head and sent them spinning towards Kain. He shot up a hand and they fell to the floor.[/i] Kain: Trying to hurt me? Tarlain: If I was...you would be the first to know. Abob: ....why pick a fight with him? Tarlain: The Force holds no sway over me. Kain: And why do you think that? Tarlain: ....we're made of sterner stuff than the pathetic humans you can control...and....well, I would tell you, but you'd laugh. Kain: I probably would. Tarlain: There, point and case.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]He turned around, the female Dragouret was coughing rather pointedly. Death Knight chuckled,[/i] "Of course, she also will have something to do with it." [i]"Behave, or I'll stop teaching her magic." The Sucubus grinned and bowed.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]"He is not my boss. He has no power over me." Ken sat up and looked at her....she was serious. But an equal to Satan held no sway over a simple Dragouret girl? She looked at him and grinned playfully.[/i] "Why not?" [i]She rose to her feet and moved out of the cavern....he followed...still wondering why she didn't just tell him already. Then he blinked....starlight....reflecting off of the surface of the lake. Tarlain was putting several floating candles into the water....gently lighting them with the tips of her fingers. When they were all lit, she turned to face him, mouth slightly open, eyes tilted upwards at him. "I don't know why he can not control me."[/i] "You can't be as holy as you appear." [i]"I am not, but he is chaos, and I am joy. That I know for sure. Whatever you can make of it, let me know."[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Her eyelashes parted, and she looked around....Axel was sitting with his back to the wall, smoking, yet again. She proped herself up on her elbows. Jaudiar's body was relaxed, feeling good. Too good almost...[/i] Jaudair: How long have I been asleep? Axel: Not too long. We're still okay. Jaudiar: ....I can't believe I just let you fück me. Axel: And why's that? [i]She sighed and rolled onto her stomach, pulling on her tunic once more. Then she stood up and pulled her belt acrost her waist, twisting the braided leather into her signature knot. The sorceress's face was pale.[/i] Jaudiar: ....I shouldn't of let myself do that. [i]His eyes asked her the question easily enough, and she looked way, a slight frown on her face...[/i] "Why?" "I just...forgot that when I, oh nevermind." "Try me." "There is a very good chance that this will make me pregnant." "No worse than it should be...right?" "My race is fertile with almost every other race on this planet, humans especially. My body is ready to conceive nearly every day of the month...." [i]She tossed him his clothes and sank to her knees, calm and composed once more. Inwardly, she grimaced with pain. This was going to be very complicated... If she really conceived like Ananda had warned her, things would either end with her death, or her child's.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue]*grimace* Universe, Earth, same difference. Either way, that's not nice. We're not scum, you just don't like us because you're a big fat meanie head. I have an idea or two Rico, but I don't think I'll spring them on you all just yet.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She chewed thoughtfully......that was a good question....she showed much more promise than her human apprentices once had. "A Golem is a creature created out of dust and rock. But Golem Magic is the creation of one, or the manipulation of the earth itself. It's difficult magic, but not so bad. You should pick it up relatively easy."[/i] "Sounds interesting." [i]"Yeah, but it's not a pretty thing." She tore off another hunk of meat with her fangs and chewed, ignoring the blood dripping from her mouth. Tarlain whirled around. Death Knight was watching them. She smiled and held up her half eaten leg of venison. "Want some? It's really good."[/i][/cOLOR]

[cOLOr=royalblue][i]She smiled and swam over to the edge, her wet hair clinging to her neck. The horns on her head glowed gently, the same hue as her mood. Tarlain smiled. "He evaluated your strength and your mental capacity...he deems you worthy of being with me."[/i] "What?" [i]"Nothing...." She looked at silently..... a smile playing about her features. She tilted her head up and looked him in the eyes. Energy flowing between them, surging around.... Her Aura tilted towards his, flickering like fireflies.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]She smiled and the two disapeared into the forest. Within moments, a buck antelope was grazing on a wild trillium. The female Dragouret placed her hands on Celestine's and then extended them forward, pointing at the unsuspecting animal. Then she shouted and their combined mana flew forwards, both of them yelling at the same time. "MANA ARROW!" The beast fell to the ground, transfixed with a glimmering red arrow, and completely dead.....it's death had been swift, easy. Celestine smiled. That had been fun.[/i] "Wow." [i]Come on dearie....let's eat.[/i] "Raw? Ugh, that doesn't sound so good." [i]Tarlain blushed brightly. She had forgotten the tastes of humans and elves were different. She smiled and dragged the antelope back to the waterfall by the horns. The two stopped and then Tarlain looked at Celsetine.[/i] "Lemme guess, go get firewood." [i]"Yep, you're learning faster and faster..." Celestine smiled and went back into the forest. In the meantime, the Dragouret's blade flashed into her hands and slid into the thick hide of the antelope.... After several minutes, it was quartered, and the hide was stretching in the sunlight..... Celestine staggered back to the clearing, an large pile of wood in her hands. She set it down, forming a small ring....then she brushed her hands off and looked at Tarlain expectantly. She sucked in a huge gulp of air, then breathed out a blast of fire, effectively setting the oak on fire.....[/i][/COLOR]

[cOLOr=royalblue][i]She looked closer....was it just her, or had she centered the mana completely? She had! Tarlain controlled her elation. Behind the glare of the Light, she saw the core, twisting and pulsing. The star sharpened, then solidified completely. Tarlain clapped her hands, smiling. "Very well done."[/i] "Aww, thanks. It was hard though. I wanted it to be perfect." [i]You have no idea just how perfect it was. You centered it completely, inside and out. And for that, I think you're ready for lesson four. You can already bring mana into your submission. And that's more than I can teach you."[/i] "What's lesson four?" [i]She smiled wickedly. "Golems."[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]He nodded and flicked his hand in dismissal. Ken stepped back, and looked at the female Dragouret. She was smiling. Happily almost. As if she was glad to be with a arrogant, dark, maniacal freak. But then, she was no longer there for him to contemplate. Or rather...he wasn't there. He landed on his feet, just outside the lake. She still wasn't there. "So.....you approve?"[/i] "Immensely so. He's perfect for you...." [i]She smiled up to him...almost like a baby, and held her hand against his huge claws. His fingers closed around hers, and he dragged her up to him gently. Ochkik Haddah held her tightly in his arms, as a father would to comfort a child. She sighed with pleasure. Being with him always had this effect on her. Tarlain looked up into his lionface, not fearing what could destroy her without effort.[/i] "You'd better tell me how everything goes. And if he tries to hurt you..." [i]The female Dragouret laughed happily. He was all bark... "I know, I know, you'll torment him Forever and a Day." He smiled and receeded into the darkness. She shot through the air, and then reappeared in the base of the lake, which was once full of water again. With a quick kick and a twist of her wings, she rose to the surface once more....[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]As she worked, the star sharpened, and began to pulse more than ever. The Light it gave off was almost blinding...and Tarlain relished the work of her apprentice. It was the work of one used to magic, not a two day student. Her Elf's blood must be reacting to Atenae.[/i] "I did it!" [i]As her excitement surged to the breaking point, the star exploded into a million peices, scattering them with bits of energy. Celestine's eyes grew wide, then she looked down, very embarassed. The female Dragouret touched her face gently, smiling. "It's alright. Just remember to be calm when you use magic. Otherwise, it will turn against you..."[/i] "But then how do I make my attacks powerful?" [i]"Feelings can be used to boost magic, but it must be controlled. Emotions will either aid or harm you. Learn not to trust them completely."[/i] "You seem to be a passionate person." [i]"I go with the flow...but I do have control, outer apperences are not everything Celestine. Try to make your own light spell. And do it again."[/i][/COLOr]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]The wolf and the Sorceress conversed for several moments in a quick throaty language....then she stiffened and turned around. Gurthang was coming. With a quick bark of command, the wolf turned tail and raced into the darkness. She turned around, the slits of her tunic rising ever so slightly. He stopped several feet away and looked at her, focusing on her eyes. Dusky rose...[/i] "How may I be of service to you Gurthang?" "How do you plan on helping me...exatly?" [i]She smiled and moved closer to him, moving like a cat... Her eyes slitted ever so slightly and her smile grew more broad than normal.... She walked in a complete circle around him, sizeing him up. Gurthang felt like a peice of fish thrown to the sharks.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue]Ananda: ....you two are hopeless. Raven: Who... Me? Kenneth: She started it. [i]Alaustin and Ananda looked at eachother...shaking their heads. Hopeless....every last thing about them....Ananda smiled broadly, showing her feral teeth. Then the four walked back to the Sanctum, through bloodstained streets... Isthanae was waiting inside.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]With a quick movement, she began running hard and fast, sending a quick blast of magic into the air, forming the words... "I will return quickly." Several moments later, she came into the forest and bent down.....With one hand, she picked up a bit of earth...rubbing it between her palms. Her mind reflected on Gurthang... He was rather cute. And his attraction for her blazed in him louder than his voice. Oh well. Enough time for romance later. Right now, she had a wolf to contact. She cupped her hands around her mouth and howled out the, "I'm Here." call. Several moments later, one came racing through the trees, contacting her as well.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue]TLOD: I AM THE NIGHTMARE WORLD! [i]His angry voice reverbed and echoed around the nothingness a hundredfold...the two mortals grimaced....the sound was terrible, but Tarlain stood still. She smiled. He was still the same.... "Please calm yourself Ochkik Haddah, he is a foolish mortal...not worth suffering over." Ken stared at the female Dragouret. How could she be so calm? Then again, if He was her Lord...it made mores sense. She let go of him and stepped closer to TLOD's face....He bent down and touched his hands to her eyes and smiled like a father would to a child...then he kissed her softly...opening a psi link between them. "Is he your choice?" "Believe it or not...yes." "Is he worth your trouble?" "I hope so...he has proven himself to be an excellent fighter, and he helped me when I was upset." "You are so passionate....like all of your kind." "Yes...but you should stop doing that, he might get jealous." "What could he do to me?" "Um...oh nevermind." The dark Lord smiled and pulled back, breaking their connection.[/i][/COLOr]

[COLOr=royalblue]"What's lesson two?" [i]"Controlling it. Now I'm going to put a basic light spell in your hands, and you have to form it into another shape."[/i] "What shape?" [i]"A seven pointed star. The Sign of Deepening Magic." Celestine leaned forward, hands stretched out, open...waiting. The Dragouret closed her eyes then opened them again. Energy flooded slowly to her fingertips, then appeared in the form of a shapeless blob. She placed it in Celestine's waiting palms and stood back. Celestine slowly felt it with her fingers...then concentrated. Slowly, but surely, it began to pulse and give out more light than ever before.... She began to shape it with her hands and mind, enjoying the gentle warmth it gave her body...[/i][/cOLOr]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]Everything went black. Then white. Then a roaring sound filled the air, and they vanished. Pain, fear, agony. Then nothing. The Dragouret opened her eyes and gently nudged Ken. He slowly opened his and looked around.... It was dark. But something was happening far away from them... Closer, and closer. Huge black wings, the face of a lion, unreal fangs, body of a man....Soul of Darkness. "Who is the noble...Demon Half?" The Dragouret nudged Ken to respond.[/i][/COLOr]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]She stood down, then quickly winged her way to Gurthang's tent. Without fanfare, she pulled the flap aside, and sat down in front of him, legs crossed, tunic spreading across the floor. "I know what it is you desire."[/i] "Do you now?" "You want the One Ring for yourself. You desire to become a Power." "What if I do?" "I will not stand in your way." [i]His eyes opened at the offer she was making him...it was subliminal, but then again, most of her speech was. She appeaered to be calm, but beneath the surface, he caught a glimpse of utter evil...swirling around inside her.[/i][/COLOr]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]The two quickly fell to sleep, lulled by the sound of the waterfall. It was quiet....and the sound of the kites speaking to their chicks....was sweet in their ears. And time went by.... The Dragouret's eyes snapped open, and she shook her apprentice awake. The two rose to their feet, yawning, and stretching. Then Tarlain smiled at Celestine and held her hands in hers. "I vow to teach these hands the magic passed into me. Do you promise to listen to my instructions with a hearing heart?"[/i] "Yes..." [i]'Swear it."[/i] "I swear." [i]"Then we shall begin. I think it would be elementals first. Let's see which you have an afinity for. I'm going to fire a few bolts of magic into your hand. When it feels warm and comfortable, let me know."[/i] "Will it hurt?" [i]"No, I'll keep it gentle." She stood back, then centered her energies. Carefully, Tarlain brought her right hand forward and fired a small burst of fire into her palm. Celestine yelped with surprise, but appeared to be alright. She nodded in assurance, and Tarlain continued, running through all of the elements....finally, she stepped back and crossed her arms. "Well?"[/i] "I liked the light, it was healing." [i]The Dragouret's eyes narrowed slightly. Perhaps she had more tolerance for pain that she gave her credit for...oh well.[/i][/color]

[cOLOr=royalblue]Oh, well say that next time. I love Calvin and Hobbes. But only because it has a tiger in it, and tigers are the coolest cats in the world. So there.[/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue]If I were you Flash....I would leave that to Rico. He's cooking something in that brain of his... I would know. ;) And this time Flash...do not turn into a celestial being and destroy the universe. We call that, "Cheating."[/COLOr]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]"Power of the sacred elements, wind, earth, fire, water, metal, light, and dark, Make yourselves known!" The incantation still ringing in his ears, he looked around worridly. He looked around, the points of the stars were glowing...almost painfully....and as soon as he tried to feel something....the mana flow increased dramatically...almost too much. The female Dragouret gripped his hand reasuringly...and then brought her arms around him, drawing him closer to her. Within moments, the water around them began to turn increasingly violent....then without warning, it poured itself into the cracks of the star, and everything was still. "What is happening?" "He is gathering energy....be on your guard."[/i][/color]