RPG Legend of the Eight Dogs [PG-VL]

[Sakura]

[COLOR=Navy]Here's a reminder of the Parts and Colours. [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=43134]Recruitment Thread[/URL] and [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?p=611410#post611410]Underground Thread[/URL]. Please post in the Underground Thread! It must be used, it's there for a reason![/COLOR]

[b][u][i]Elements:[/b][/u][/i]
[color=navy][U]Air/Wind[/U] - Taken by Ohkami[/color]
[color=green][U]Nature/Earth[/U] - Taken by Spiritbreeze[/color]
[color=red][U]Fire[/U] - Taken by Demonchild781[/color]
[color=royalblue][U]Water/Ice[/U] - Taken by eternity[/color]
[b][U]Darkness[/U] - Taken by Daisuke[/b]
[color=silver][U]Light[/U] - Taken by Lrb[/color]
[COLOR=Orange][U]Thunder/Lightning[/U] - Taken by Crucifix[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Plum][U]Healing[/U] - Taken by Neuvoxetere[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Indigo][U]Evil[/U] - Taken by Takuya[/COLOR]

[b][u][i]Colours:[/b][/u][/i]
[COLOR=Navy][U]Air/Wind[/U] - Navy Blue[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Green][U]Nature/Earth[/U] - Green[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Red][U]Fire[/U] - Red[/COLOR]
[COLOR=RoyalBlue][U]Water/Ice[/U] - Royal Blue[/COLOR]
[B][U]Darkness[/U] - Bold[/B]
[COLOR=Silver][U]Light[/U] - Silver[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Orange][U]Thunder/Lightning[/U] - Orange[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Plum][U]Healing[/U] - Plum[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Indigo][U]Evil[/U] - Indigo[/COLOR]

[b][u][i]Virtues:[/b][/u][/i]
[B][U]Intelligence(Smart)[/U] - Taken by Daisuke[/B]
[COLOR=RoyalBlue][U]Knowledge(Knowing)[/U] - Taken by eternity[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Orange][U]Courage(Bravery)[/U] - Taken by Crucifix[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Navy][U]Civility(Politeness)[/U] - Taken by Ohkami[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Plum][U]Trust(Good, truthful, or strong belief)[/U] - Taken by Neuvoxetere[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Silver][U]Virtue(Moral goodness)[/U] - Taken by Lrb[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Red][U]Love(Great likng or affection)[/U] - Taken by demonchild781[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Green][U]Honesty(Truthful)[/U] - Taken by Spiritbreeze[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Indigo][U]Hatred(Disliking someone greatly)[/U] - Taken by Takuya[/COLOR]

[b][u][i]Powers:[/b][/u][/i]
[B][U]Intelligence[/U] - Incredibly smart, can read minds[/B]
[COLOR=RoyalBlue][U]Knowledge[/U] - Close to Intelligence, knows a lot of things, can see into peoples minds.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Orange][U]Courage[/U] - Can make people in the brave when scared, can make people scared so they can't do things, or can make people believe things.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Navy][U]Civility[/U] - kind and polite to everyone, very persuasive and can get anything she wants by being all nice, including enemies.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Plum][U]Trust[/U] - Easily trusted by all, including enemies, so can get secrets out of people.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Silver][U]Virtue[/U] - Overall goodness and can make people see things.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Red][U]Love[/U] - Makes people like him/her so they obey him/her.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Green][U]Honesty[/U] - Can make people tell the truth about things.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Indigo][U]Hatred[/U] - Can make people hate others.[/COLOR]
[B]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/B]
[COLOR=Red][U][B]There are some rules to this RP. Obey them and I'll be nice.

[1] No godmodding, or making large choices that will affect the story without consulting me.
[2] Use the colours I've put to post with. I realise I've never told the reason why I always ask for post colours, it's because it makes it easier to find posts.
[3] If you want to quit the RP at anytime, please PM me or tell me on MSN(for whoever has it and is on my list.)
[4] Please don't kill any members off, unless you've consulted them and they've agreed.[/B][/U][/COLOR]
[B]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/B]

[COLOR=Navy]Aria hitched the skirts of her long white dress and tried to run to keep up with her grandfather. His strides were long and fast, hers were small and delicate.

"Grandfather! Grandfather, please slow down." Aria cried, not being able to run in her shoes, with her Rapier and a quiver of arrows on her back, a long bow on her shoulder and her crystal flute in the hand not holding her skirts.

"Hurry Aria, there isn't time, we must get there as soon as possible, once we're there, we'll be safe for the while." King Jonathan said, looking to his granddaughter that was struggling.

He reached out and took the bow and arrows from her, to make her walking easier, then took the flute out of her hand and put it into one of the pockets in his clothes.

"Thankyou Grandfather." she said, being polite as always.

He just nodded to her and said 'Hurry'. Aria ran a little faster, finding it easier without the weight. Jonathan had put the quiver on, then slid the bow between the quiver and his back on a diagonal so it crossed his shoulderblades. Aria noted to remember that for when she had it.

Aria studied her grandfather, he was a handsome man, and his age didn't show much in his looks. He had coal black hair, with strands of grey that stood out, and his eyes were a sapphire blue. He had a firm chin and lips, and a medium sized nose that fit in with his face.

Jonathan had opened the book he had taken from the library now, reading it with the light from the oil lamp that he still carried. It seemed old because of the tattered covers and the well thumbed pages. It didn't exactly look like a book you read from beginning to end, she came to the conclusion that it was a guide of some sort. He was currently looking at a map, he peered around in the darkness, raising the lamp above his head to shed more light.

Then he spotted it, a grove of trees. King Jonathan grinned widely and pointed at it, telling Aria that was where they were headed. She nodded and they walked in that direction.

It didn't take them very long, but they arrived at the tip of the grove. He took Aria's hand and they entered the thick forest of trees, he walked around as he knew the place well, pointing out traps and loose vines that would trip someone. Finally he stopped them at a tree, it had a small knot whirl and he pressed it, there was the sound of something shifting ahead, and he lead them that way.

It wasn't much further ahead, but a layer of fake trees had moved away, and also a stone and metal door.

"This was our old base. I hope it's still working." Jonathan said.

Then they walked into the entrance and he pushed a button on the wall that closed the doors and replaced the trees. When they walked in, lights had immediately turned on, lighting up the place. It was slightly dusty but other than that it still looked in good shape. There were lots of metal consoles and electrical equipment ,that she'd never seen before, lining the walls.

"Grandfather, where did you get these things?" she asked, turning to face him.

"Well, we've been to the future, quite far ahead, into modern times to get some things. We brought these back with us. We also got some clothes, check in the chest over there." he replied, pointing to a chest.

Aria walked over and opened it, she chose out three articles of clothing. Navy blue pants with pockets, a tight, white top and a pale blue jacket. She looked to her grandfather and he pointed to a room, indicating that she could change in there. She nodded and went over, changing out of her white dress and into her new clothes. Then she looked at her shoes, they were heeled and not ideal for running and activities. Aria walked out and looked in the chest for shoes, there were a pair of brown ones, they kind of looked like what the normal people wore. She changed into them too.

"Now what Grandfather?" she asked.

"We wait." he sighed. Then he talked into his communicator on his wrist, telling whoever was listening that they'd arrived.[/COLOR]
[B]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/B]
[COLOR=Navy][B]OOC:[/B] Alright, I decided we can have slightly modern clothes, but not very modern alright? Keep it simple like mine, and no fancy shoes. Repeat, must be simple! If anythings wrong then I'll PM you.
When you post, make it that you're on your way to the base, you can even arrive if you want. And you can meet up with me and Jonathan in the base, but remember, you guys have to act all well mannered(bowing/curtsying etc.) because Aria and Jonathan are royalty, and everyone knows that.[/COLOR]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

[color=indigo]Her name was Alexa, and she was a spy. Her job was to track Jonathan, and she had failed. But she knew better than to be afraid. Her boss knew that killing off one's subordinates only deprived one of aid. She had no reason to fear him. He would be dissapointed, yes, but not angry. After all, he had failed to locate the stronghold, although he knew it wasn't extreamly far from the castle.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]He was waiting for her in a burnt-down house on the outskirts of the city. "Report."[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]"Jonathan took his granddaughter and ran. I lost track of them rather quickly."[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]"As I expected you would," the man replied. "But you have provided me with a very useful piece of information. To lose you, Jonathan would have had to use the secrets he and the rest of his group of Dogs had. I doubt that he would have revealed any of them to even his granddaughter unless she was one of the new group. Of course, that is of no value at the current moment, but it will be extremly usefull in the future. If the girl Aria is one of the new Dogs, then I'l know the group by her presence. I, like most everyone, know her face quite well. That is another advantage I have. They will assume that I escaped recently, when I have been out for several months, which is exactly as I intended. Not even those who faced me before should be able to figure it out. See, they will assume that I would have acted immedeatly, as I always have in the past. That is the advantage of knowing you can fail multiple times. You can plant false knolwedge through your actions, even if those actions will result in failiure, because you know that you will have another opportunity. I've stacked the deck for this round. Stacked it durring previous rounds in a way that they'll never figure out."[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]Alexa knew that it was best to let him speak, no matter how long he went for. He never said anything that diddn't matter in some way, and one could often learn things by listening when he kept on and on. She also knew when he was finished, and he was. "What happens next?" she asked.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]"I can't get to them, so they must come to me. I'll have to draw them out. Of course, the former Dogs will recognise my old powers. Fortunatly, I've had plenty of time to develop new skills. In particular, I've been working on a new beast form. It's quite a masterpiece, if I do say so myself. I've been waiting for an opportunity to give it a real test. Using it also has the advantage of allowing me to keep my appearance a secret. The old Dogs won't know that I now look nothing like I did when they fought me, but to draw the new Dogs out, I'll need to put on a show that will clearly identify me to them, just by the raw power required for what I'd be required to do. But by using my new beast form, my appearance will be kept a secret, even though they will know that the beast is actually me. They'll see the beast, but if they don't see me in human form, they won't recognise me at a later time."[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]"Do I have a role in this?" Alexa asked.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]"No. Return to headquarters. Wait for me there."[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]"Understond, Malachant." She left.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo][i]Time to get this started,[/i] Malachant thought. [i]The sonner, the better. Now is the best, so now it is.[/i][/color]

[naota]

[B][COLOR=Black][SIZE=1]OCC| I changed my appearence and edited my elemental powers so my profile is all done. If I can't do that darkness spell in the beginning or anything is wrong pm me so I can fix it.
~*~
Shidobu was in a sacred village where he would always get his tips from,this village had [I]"The Wise One"[/I] who knew almost everything. At the timei Shidobu was a bounty hunter and he was trained by the wise ones apprentice. Shidobu was walking through the middle of the village untill he saw fairly big village house that showed the words "Wise One" and he walked through the door. The door opened and let out a loud creeking noise as he saw an old man sitting on a pillow at the end of the room.

"Excuse me, I have finished off the criminal that I was after" Shidobu said as he was bowing

"Its time..." The Wise One whispered

"Ok,follow me. I am going to bring you to a base where you will no longer need to get instructions from me." The wise one said

Shidobu nodded his head as the old man and him walked through the village slowly taking his time. They arrived at a forest next and none of them still haven't said a word and as they were walking the saw the base ahead.

"This is my stop" The wise one said

Shidobu gave another nodd as he sprinted towards the base.

[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B]

[Delta]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=RoyalBlue]
The midsummer moon shone pale through the eaves of the trees, revealing white figures beneath them. Silver and ebony filaments floated after them as they glided along the veiled forest path like forgotten slivers of a ghost, making neither sound nor stir. Thrice the dark-haired one stopped to stoop towards the ground, only to get up and sprint again.

[i]Fresh tracks?
[color=DarkSlateBlue]Very good, child. Now, where to?[/color][/i]

It went ahead, leaving the one with the silver hair behind the hedges. As it ran into the clearing, its whole body was suddenly bathed in ethereal moonlight. Its features now illumined, it became clear that the figure was a girl. Her robe flowed and spread as she bent to touch the ground. Her amethyst eyes glinted beautifully under the stars that they observe. She stood up and brushed her sleeves.

[i]North?
[color=DarkSlateBlue]Then follow me.[/color][/i]

Silver-Hair walked around the clearing and met with the girl at the northern end. It took her hand and lead her in, nimbly weaving through the hedges and trees and waiting traps. At last they came to a halt in front of wizened tree. Vines with curly tendrils hung from its leafless boughs, obscuring the wide trunk from unwanted eyes. A fair hand emerged from beneath a sleeve and signalled the girl to stop. It parted the vines, revealing a small whorl protruding from the trunk. This the fair hand pressed. Deeper into the woods, a wall made to look like grove of close-growing hardwoods slid and opened the passage to the Dogs? hideout.


Inside the royals conversed, calmly waiting for the other Dogs. The two figures in silver cloaks entered the hall and sent melodious voices to the minds of Jonathan and Aria.
[i]?Ever-borne by the swiftest Winds,
Their wings of unparalleled haste??
[color=DarkSlateBlue]Trust the Wind Guardians to arrive first.[/color][/i]

The royals faced them, surprised but relieved.
[color=DarkSlateBlue]"Ah, Jonathan."[/color]
[color=Navy]"Eithel! I see that you are well. Is that..."[/color]
[color=DarkSlateBlue]"Yes. This is Opera. I meant to present her to you royals at a later date but..."[/color] Her fair hand bade her companion to step forward. The dark-haired girl followed and gave them a deep bow.

?Ever is thy sight a joy.?


[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Ezekiel]

[COLOR=Orange][SIZE=1]His horse was swift and the night was kind, revealing the moon's pale light, guiding the riders to their destination.

Enrai wanted to ask so many questions but he knew that his guide would not stop to answer them, this matter seemed urgent and although Enrai was not sure why, he put all of his trust into the elder galloping ahead of him on a chestnut mare.

Enrai's horse was a golden colour and it matched him perfectly, he loved this horse and had been riding it for about a year, it knew exactly what he was feeling and done anything for the young man.

Enrai noticed the elder start to slow the pace, taking his horse down to a trot, Enrai done the same and rode up beside the older man, a questioning look on his young face.

[B]"You will find out soon enough, young Enrai."[/B]

The boy nodded, his hair blowing slightly in the cool breeze. He pulled his cloak around him tighter, not wanting to chill in the cold night air.

[B]"Wouldn't it be faster for me to go by myself?" he spoke for the first time in ages.[/B]

[B]"But where would you go?"[/B] his guide had a slightly mocking tone, knowing that the boy's question was foolish to begin with. Enrai lowered his head and muttered an embarrassed apology, frowning at the elder?s chuckles.

[B]"We're here." [/B] The old man stopped his horse and nodded to Enrai to do the same and dismount, the boy did and after stroking the horse?s fair mane, noticed what looked to be a door.

He blinked the darkness from his eyes and looked to his guide, who motioned for the boy to go, he later climbed from his horse back and followed Enrai.
Taking his supplies and fixing his clothing, Enrai took a step forward, nodded at his guide and started walking to the base, the elder close behind.

[B]"Now, go find King Jonathan, and remember your manners, boy!"[/B]

Enrai cringed at the harsh warning and nodded, arriving at the base. After a long time of scratching around what appearaned to be the entrance, Enrai noticed a button. He pressed it, not knowing if it would be a trap, but thankfully, the doors opened and he was granted passage into the base.Enrai entered and looked around, his boots knocking and echoing around the cold room, the sounds of his guides breathing heavy in the tunnel.

Hearing the voices of a young girl and a man, Enrai turned a corner and knocked slowly on a heavy door, walking into the room to see who was inside.

He bowed his head low on entrance and waited to be greeted, amazed that he was actually coming face to face with royalty for the first time in his life. His guide smiled and also bowed, nodding at Enrai to show that he had done well.

[B]EDIT Okay, fixed it, hope this is alright now.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Spiritbreeze]

[color=green]"Aunt, at least tell me why we are rushing off like this?" Tierra begged Euthalia again. [/color]

[color=green][/color]
[color=green]Euthalia stopped and faced her. Her expression was grim. "Dear, I can only tell you that a great evil has returned to this land, and you and I must meet with some others because of this. You will find out the rest soon enough." Then Euthalia was off again. [/color]

[color=green][/color]
[color=green]After a bit of wandering through an area of the forest unknown to Tierra, they arrived at a particularly thick bunch of trees; Euthalia pressed a button and the trees dissapeared. The trees were fake, a cover to a secret building hidden behind them. [/color]

[color=green][/color]
[color=green]Tierra stared through the open doorway. "Aunt, what-?" she was cut off as her aunt pulled her through and the door shut. The passageway led to a room, full of people. [/color]

[color=green][/color]
[color=green]One older man with a young girl next to him caught her attention. "Tierra, show respect for the King and his granddaughter. I know I raised you well enough to know your manners." Tierra curtseyed low, then gazed at them in silence. [/color]

[color=green][/color]
[color=green]So this was the King and Princess. But why were they here, along with the other people?[/color]

[color=#008000][/color]
[color=#008000]And the mystery of the green light still puzzled her. What was going on?[/color]

[Ellerby]

[color=#696969][size=1]Lucen was being carried by his father to a very unfamiliar place. It was usually ignored by Lucen because his father told him never to go there. It was a large forest. His father put him down and looked at him.

"What will happen here will change your life forever. Follow me."

He stopped them at a tree, it had a small knot whirl and he pressed it, there was the sound of something shifting ahead, and he lead them that way.

Not to far ahead, a layer of trees, a stone and a metal door slowly parted.

Lucen's father looked at him in worry.

"I don't want to believe you are the next one. But if it must be, then so be it."

They walked through the entrance closing everything behind them. The lights and everything else was all lit up. In there were a few familiar faces to Lucen. And some not. He was confused and amazed at all the metal used in the area. Along the walls were things Lucen had never seen before.

Lucen's father looked at everyone. For the first time in decades, Lucen saw his father smile.

"Hello everyone. I'm glad to see you again. We have business that must be dealt with."[/size][/color]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

[color=indigo]Malachant's new beast form was based off of a creature from stories and legends, just as his other two were. Dragons were very common in legends, but the giant Roc birds were not quite as common. His new form was based off of a creature that fell somewhere between those two in terms of familiarity, the gryphon.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]Malachant's gryphon form was different from the gryphons in the stories. It was much larger than gryphons were portrayed as. In the stories, gryphons were normally taller than humans, but not by much. Malachant's gryphon form was several times the hight of a human, and proportioned accordingly. Also, gryphons didn't have hands, but the forepaws of Malachant's gryphon form were quite suitable for grabbing things. And while gryphons were never portrayed as physically weak, Malachant's gryphon form was incredibly strong. Durable, too. It was indeed something of a masterpiece. Could it be defeated? Of course. Would that be easy? No. It would be extremly difficult for even the combined Dogs, and pretty impossible for everyone else.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]Malachant knew that it wouldn't take very long for the Dogs to learn of his presence, but he still wanted to start right away. The sooner he got their attention, the less they'd learn before facing him. The old ones would tell them the basics no matter what, but Malachant didn't want them knowing anything besides that. He would start now, rampaging through the capital city and making his way toward the castle.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]Malachant climed up to see over the wall of the now-roofless burnt-out house. He decided on a path toward the castle. It would get him there soon, but not too soon. He wanted the castle to be identified as his destination, but he would be destroying everything in his path. He chose a path that he estimated would get him there just as the Dogs arrived. He flipped over the wall and changed to gryphon form before he hit the ground.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]The farmers loaded their goods into wagons for transport to the market square. As usual, they met before entering the city. The entire families helped with the market end of things, just as they all helped with the growing end.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]It was a twelve-year-old boy who saw him first. Someone was in an old burnt house, looking over the wall. He pointed the man out to the others. As they watched, he flipped over the wall. Before they could react, the man was gone. In his place was a huge creature. Many of them recognized the shape as that of the legendary gryphon, but much, much larger than gryphons were said to be. All were shocked. Several of the older ones fainted.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]Malachant noticed the farmer caravan. [i]The first victims,[/i] he thought. He tore the front wall off of the burnt-out house and threw it at the caravan. Nowhere near all of them died-it was a rather large caravan-and those that survived ran. The ones that were still concious, that is. Malachant didn't spare them.[/color]
[color=indigo] [/color]
[color=indigo]Malachant followed a rather simple rule: he destroyed what was in his way, and killed whoever didn't run. He chased after nobody, but he ignored nobody who remained in his path. In this manner, he made his way toward the castle, quickly enough so that it was definate that his target was the castle, but slowly enough to allow the new Dogs the time they needed to get there.[/color]

[Sakura]

[B]OOC:[/B] As a small note to those who haven't posted yet. Please pay close attention to my first post, all the information about how to get to the base and everything that must be done is in it.
All those whom I've asked to edit, please do so as soon as possible. I need to see your guides with you in your posts, then they enter together. All Eight of the guides must be around.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[COLOR=Navy]Aria had watched as the different people had entered, all bowing or curtsying deeply before them. She was used to it, but not from so many commoners, for lack of a better term. Aria looked to her grandfather, he just inclined his head, then they would rise, Aria decided to do the same.

So far, three boys, and two girls had entered this secret base. Her grandfather had gone over to the older people, whom she assumed were the past Eight Dogs. Aria decided to get to know the others, because they were all standing away from each other, not talking. Aria walked to the newest arrival first. He had dirty brownish blonde hair, and his eyes were the same colour.

"Hello." she said kindly, as she approached him.

He looked at her, then realised quickly who it was. He bowed deeply.

"No, please, don't do that. I've had people do that to me since I was born. Could I know your name?" Aria asked.

"My name is Lucen, Princess Aria." he answered, rising from his bow.

"Aria will be fine. What do you do, Lucen?"

"Well, I'm a blacksmith, my father passed it down to me." he replied.

"Ah, are you good and craftwork? What type of things do you make?" she asked curiously.

"I think I do well. I make a large variety of things. Uh...Do you have a flute per chance?" he asked.

Aria looked at the boy strangely. How would he have known, not many people knew about her talent with her crystal flute. She nodded and drew it out one of the pockets in her pants that she had changed into. He asked if he could hold it. Aria was slightly suspicious but gave it to him. He studied it, smiling at the work, then he pointed at a symbol on the flute, near the end of the instrument.

"Here, this is the mark of my store. I put it on everything I make and sell. I remember making this instrument. Took a lot of work to get it to ring loud and clear whenever played." Lucen said proudly.

Aria was shocked, she hadn't known who had made it, and to discover that it was made by someone who was only a few years older than her. He gave it back to her and she carefully put it away again.

"I thank you for making the instrument. I've enjoyed playing it, and it sounds magnificent. Did you make it for any reason?" she asked.

"Yes, King David asked me to create it for you." he answered.

"Well, I thank you again. Come with me, I'm going to talk to the others." Aria said.

Lucen just nodded, who was he to disobey a princess' orders? They went to the next person and began to talk.[/COLOR]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[B]OOC:[/B] If you're thinking of posting again, you can be the next one Aria talks to.

[demonchild781]

[COLOR=Red]"Where are we, Grandfather?" Asis looked about her strange surroundings, almost overwhelmed by the darkness.

"Focus, Asis. You cannot let simple darkness take hold of you, my son's daughter. I know both your father and I have taught you better than that," her grandfather scolded her. Asis hung her head in shame. "We have no time for this, Asis, daughter of Morgo. We must find the base, so pull yourself together girl."

Asis nodded her head and followed behind her grandfather. He moved quickly amonst the tall grass and slender trees with her close behind him. He was quick for an old man, even, at times, moved better than she did. He held no weapon with him, but made her carry all of her's. Hack and Cob were strapped to her back in their sheaths and her sword's sheath was tied to her waist and moved nicely with her body as she ran through the forest.

When they came to a strange grove of tress, her Grandfather forced her to stop. "Now, I shall show you how to enter the base and don't you ever forget it, you understand, Asis."

"Yes, Grandfather." she replied.

Her showed her the stange botton like knot on the tree that was pressed to open the door to the base. It was strange to see it, but she had grown up with the knowledge of the Eight Dogs and the base. They slipped into the base and were greeted by the others that were already there.

Asis walked to the the King and bowed to him and then she walked over to the princess and bowed to her before taking her place back at her Grandfather's side.[/COLOR]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

[color=indigo]If humans could be counted on to do one thing, it was to overestimate their chance of victory against an enemy they had no chance of defeating. Malachant never ceased to be amazed by man's ability to fool himself. The soldiers in this city were no exception.

Because the castle was located in this city-in the center of it, to be exact-there was always a large standing force. These skilled warriors had repelled many attacks in the past, but they had always been up against human armies. Malachant knew that they stood no chance against him. Nevertheless, they were all coming out to face him, with the exception of the best of the best, King David's personal Guard. They never left the King's side, but litterally the entire rest of the force was coming at Malachant.

Malachant would have laughed, but his gryphon form was incapable of laughter, or anything even remotely resembling human speech. True, he could project a human 'voice' if he so desired, but here, he didn't. he was laughing internally, however. [i]Idiots![/i] he thought. [i]They think they can win. I am continuously amazed by man's ability to fool himself.[/i]


"All right, men! I don't know what that thing is, but it's our job to bring it down!" The man's name was Tajath Azufe, and he was in charge of the force in the city. The King's Guard answered only to King David, but everyone else answered to Tajath.

"We know a few target points," Tajath continued. His commanders relayed his words to those men who were too far away to hear him. "The eyes are obvious. Blind the creature, and we'll be better able to fight it. Be careful, as it's likely to go insane when blinded. Archers, the eyes are your target. Aim for the mouth whenever it's open, but otherwise, focus on the eyes.

"Everyone else, we're not going to be able to reach the head. We'll go for the legs. If we can immobilize the creature, we can let it starve to death if nothing else. Of course, there are the wings to worry about. I have trouble believing that a creature of that size can fly at all, much less get into the air without a running start, but we can't take any chances. After we take out the legs, we'll focus on the wings. If nothing else, we can toss our swords at them, fill them so full of holes that they're no use at all. Yes, it's likely that the creature will fall onto its side when we take out the legs, but it might be able to get itself upright again. That's extremly unlikely, but when dealing with the unknown, you have to treat even the most improbable scenarios as possible. Now then, any questions? Good. Let's do this."


Malachant watched as the knights and archers positioned themselves. The archers fired as one. Malachant simply closed his eyes. He had paid special attention to the lids when designing his gryphon form, because the eyes were an obvious target. Arrows couldn't penetrate the lids, and tended to bounce off or break on impact. The archers gave up after a few volleys.

The knights moved in, but they also prooved unable to do anything. They weren't using as much strategy as they should have been, because they thought they were fighting a wild animal, which Malachant was anything but. They were approaching from only one direction, so Malachant didn't have to worry about a multi-pronged attack.

Malachant beat his wings. The force of the gust from his wings, while insufficient to knock any of the knights over at their distance, did throw them off balance, and caused many to lose hold of their swords. The swords flew backwards, and many became stuck in the heads of other knights.

Malachant ripped the front walls off of the two houses on either side of him, and threw them at the knights. He tossed the roofs next, followed by the side walls. By the time he was done throwing walls, not many were left. Of those that were, most broke and ran. Only about twenty remained, led by Tajath. Malachant met their charge, and literally tore them apart, while recieving no damage in return. He had indeed made his eyelids particularly tough, but his intire body was much, much more effective than any armor. Swords were more likely to break then to get through his skin, which was, in effect, a very, very, very tough hide. Magic was the only thing Malachant had to worry about when in gryphon form, and only he and the Dogs posessed what could be called magic. And he knew that the new Dogs didn't stand much of a chance to him, due mainly to inexperience. That's why he was acting immedeatly to draw them out, to prevent them from gaining experiance and making his job harder.

------------------------------------------------------

OOC: Ohkami, I'm assuming that the Dogs have technology that would inform them of Malachant's progress toward the castle. If they don't than they probably have other means of obtaining information. Either way, they'll probably be learning of Malachant's actions about now.[/color]

[naota]

[B][COLOR=Black][SIZE=1]OCC|I couldn't think of anythiing to post ><
~*~
Shidobu finished sprinting up to the base and didn't break a sweat.Shidobu walked up into the door and seen three boys and two girls there talking among eachother as Shidobu walked up. He gave aria a boy along with her grand father as Shidobu bent on his knees so he could rest alittle.

"Hello" a woman said calmly

"Yes,yes hello." Shidobu said anxious to get information

"Whats your name" He said squinting his eyes

"Aria, yours?" Aria said calmly

"Shidobu" He said as he walked away

Shidobu started to started to observe the room and started to concentrate when he was done. He was trying to concentrate so he could find a source of information from somewhere in this building. It was a technique his teacher taught him. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/B]

[Delta]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][Size=1]
She was atop one of the many strange metal boxes scattered in the hall. Though she wasn?t sure of what the boxes did, Opera sat on one anyways. While the other young Dogs mingled with each other at the other side of the hall, Opera, on the other hand, contemplated on some strange feeling she has been getting since their flight in the forest.

[i]The light is shivering
Wandering along the edges of time...
Rise, my children
Your serene slumber is over. [COLOR=DimGray]*[/COLOR][/i]

A ringing in her ears suddenly woke her from her reflections. Finally aware of the unfamiliar eyes on her, she turned to a young Dog across the room and smiled apologetically.

[i]I?m sorry. You shouldn?t have heard that? Mr. Shidobu.
[COLOR=Black][b]Hey? You can read minds too?[/b][/COLOR]
Yes. Another telepath, I see.
[COLOR=Black][b]Nice to meet you--[/b][/COLOR]
Hey, can you feel it?
[COLOR=Black][b]Feel what?[/b][/COLOR]
A foreboding? No, never mind.[/i]

Opera hopped down from the metal box and went over to the group. Gathering her hair to one side, she bowed deeply and greeted them with a cheerful voice. As she looked at each of the Dogs, she can?t help but hint a bit of sorrow in her smile. They read her unmoving lips and heard her mellow voice:

[i]Mornie utúlië[/i] [COLOR=DimGray]*[/COLOR]

[center]~o~o~o~o~o~o~[/center]

[b]OOC:[/b]
*verses from Radical Dreamers~Le Tresoir Interdit - Chrono Cross
Liberi Fatali - Final Fantasy VIII
May it Be - The Lord of the Rings: FOTR
Lots of allusions from my favorite songs! XD The last one is in Quenya; it means "Darkness has come?.
[/Size][/COLOR]

[Spiritbreeze]

[color=green]Tierra had been sitting quietly in a corner for some time. Observing the other people in the room, she wondered what could possibly be happening, why was her aunt so worried, why were royalty here, and mostly why any of them were here. [/color]
[color=#008000][/color]
[color=#008000]Euthalia had been standing over on the other side of the room, the worried look never once fading, and occasionally exchanging a word or two with one of the older people.[/color]
[color=#008000][/color]
[color=#008000]Suddenly, Tierra stood and approached her aunt. "Why are we here aunt?" she demanded. After receiving no answer, she lost her patience. "I want to know what is going on! What has caused us all to be here, all of us strangers? Why is the [i]King[/i] here, of all people? And why won't you tell me? I am sick of waiting, expected to sit patiently until you feel is the correct time."[/color]
[color=#008000][/color]
[color=#008000]Startled, Euthalia stepped back. "I'm sorry Tierra, but you must calm yourself." Then, Euthalia looked to the other elders in the room, seeking their answers.[/color]

[Sakura]

[B]OOC:[/B] I'm very angry right now. I just finished a long post to put here, and my computer stuffed up. Not happy!
Alright, this post is very important, it's when they learn to use their powers, please read my post carefully and follow its example. You must learn to use your power and morph in one post, because after that, we're going to go to the castle and fight Malachant in a first encounter. When you're in animal morph, [U][B]you can't speak, the only way you can communicate is telepathically.[/B][/U] BTW, your guide has the same ability as you're about to learn, and they also have the same morph as you.
Another note, I've decided that they didn't seal their powers, they're just too old now.

[COLOR=Navy]Aria watched as the adults talked, then Jonathan pulled away and started to type on one of the consoles. The adults crowded around him, and the teenagers decided to see what was happening.

"Grandfather, what's happening?" Aria questioned.

"There have been reports of a gryphon moving toward the castle. No one know who it is, but we suspect that it's Malachant in a new morph." King Jonathan answered.

"The castle?! We have to stop him! Mother and Father are still there!" Aria cried.

"We know, princess, but we can't. But you can, because we're too old now. We must teach you how to use your powers, and quickly. If we had time, we'd go through it with you all slowly, but for now we'll have to give you a quick lesson. All of you get with your guide, and they will teach you how to use your power." Euthalia said, addressing the group.

Aria ran over to Jonathan when she finished speaking.

"I'll do whatever I must to protect Adronis and save my parents." Aria stated, determination written all over her face.

"Good. First we need to gather all of your powers together. Close your eyes and listen to my voice. I want you to inhale to the count of seven, then hold it for seven, and exhale for seven, then repeat. I'll do it with you and will count aloud. Ready, inhale, one...two...three...four...five...six...seven, hold, one..." Jonathan said, counting, their breathing synchronised.

"Now, go deep inside of yourself, I'll help guide you. We have to find the core of your power. Alright, keep the breathing pattern." he said.

Together, their spiritual selves, dove deep into Aria. They travelled along, a midnight blue force was next to her own, which was a navy blue, it was protective. He guided her through herself until they arrived at a place where she saw a ball of shiny, flowing navy blue energy.

"There it is, the core of your power. Now you'll remember where this is and you'll learn to use your power, which is the ball of energy." Jonathan told her.

Then they were outside of her body and they were themselves.

"Ok, now I'll teach you the first magic skill that I learned. It's called the Wind Blast. What you do is hold your hands in front of you, and reach into your core, pull a strand of your power and let it flow into your hands, when it's big enough, then you can stop giving power and you throw it. Watch." Jonathan said, he closed his eyes and inhaled, he held his hands and Aria watched as a ball of wind appeared between them. He then opened his eyes and launched it quickly at Asis' grandfather.

Asis' grandfather whirled around, he held a ring of flames in his hand and he blocked the attack. He smirked at Jonathan, and he just nodded.

"Now you have a try." he said.

Aria closed her eyes and held her hands in front of her, several centimetres apart. She breathed in and searched for her core. She pulled out a strand of her power and let it flow into her hands. She started to let more power pool in her hands. When she felt it was done, she opened her eyes and aimed at a wall. She didn't throw it as fast as Jonathan because she was unexperienced and she didn't know how to throw things very well.

"Quite a good size for your first time. Alright, you can also do this attack with your flute. You firstly need a song that's only for that attack. When you first play it, you have to feed your power into the song, so it grows accustomed to it, and will know to attack whenever the song it played. Do you have a song in mind?" he asked.

Aria nodded and drew out the crystal instrument carefully. She ran a hand over it fondly and raised it to her lips. She played the song and Jonathan was amazed at her skills. While playing, she slowly fed her power to the song, telling it to learn the song and get to know it. When she finished, put the flute away and looked at her grandfather.

"It's called the Song of Gusts." Aria said.

"Very well done. Now the last thing to teach you is how to morph. The animal morph serves many purposes, for enhanced magic power, for transport, for physical attack and a number of other things. I'll morph first so that you know what to turn into. But know, that you must keep calm and take it through all the way. If you panic and freeze, you'll be traumatised and may not finish your morph, which will make you a half human, half animal until you get the courage to finish the morph."

Aria watched as her grandfather slowly became a strange coloured eagle. His left wing was composed of blues, greens and purples. While his right wing was a mixture of reds, yellows and oranges. The colours clashed at his tail, where they met halfway. His wings had striped markings as did his body. His body and head were the regular colour.

["Alright now. Picture this eagle in your mind, then let your power cover you and think about eagles. Think of their sharp talons that they use to catch prey, then their sharp beaks which they use to eat their prey. Think how they glide on the wind, how graceful they are."] Jonathan the eagle instructed, while preening his feathers.

Aria closed her eyes and thought about the strange eagle. When she felt she was ready, she let her power cover her. She did her timed breathing and started to think of eagles. How they were magnificent predators and lords of the sky, while being so graceful and wheeling on the wind. She thought about their sharp beaks, and their piercing talons, and the strange coloured wings of the one she was going to become.
Slowly she began to change, first she shrank, then she felt a strange tingly sensation as feathers started to sprout from her skin. Then she felt something growing behind her, she looked and saw that she'd grown a tail. She lifted her arms as the feathers there got bigger, and she could see the colours on the feathers that were growing. Her arms soon became wings, as her fingers disappeared and her arms grew longer and wider. Then her nose and mouth joined, before stretching out and becoming a tough, sharp beak. Her eyes moved and became sharper, so she could see many things closer than when she was human. Her ears disappeared, to be replaced by two holes that were covered by her feathers. And finally her feet became thin and boney, and three nails protruded from the three toes on each foot.

["I did it!"] Aria said happily.

["Yes, well done. Now to change back to a human, you have to think about what you look like, your personality, and anything that makes you special, or anything you that's special to you."] he said, as he started to change back into a human. He stood as a human in front of her, he plucked a feather out of his jet black hair and straightened his clothes.

Aria started to think about what she was like, she imagined her long blonde hair that she gained from her mother, and her crystal blue eyes that she inherited from her father. She thought about her kindness to everyone, even those whom the other nobles thought wasn't worth their time. She thought about her flute skills, and her parents and grandfather.
Before she knew it, she was a human again. Like Jonathan, she brushed some feathers off and straightened her clothes.

"What do we do now, Grandfather?" Aria asked.

"We wait. As soon as they're done, we'll all go to the castle, and we'll save your parents." Jonathan answered, as they looked out at the other seven groups.

"I will protect the kingdom." Aria whispered fiercely.[/COLOR]

[Revelation]

[size=1][color=plum]Sitting underneath the blossom tree on top of the breezing hill, Sanoare listened to the waving winds that spoke to her. She closed her eyes and let the light current touch her face. A fresh breath of air entered her and she opened her eyes. She admired the Spring as much as she loved the Winter. The two seasons that were known as the beginning and ending of a year.

As she stood, Sanoare grabbed her snake staff. As she turned to walk away, its eyes began to glow a dark red, a warning to her. A concern ran over her body and in an instant she raced to her horse. A snow white albanian with a soft gray mane, stormy eyes, and a playful character was what her horse was. He matched everything she was. The two were in sync with everything, even their feelings, which was the reason for her horse to be as restless as she was and it was eager to get back to the village.

[B]"You feel it too, Diamante?"[/B] A sigh rushed out of Sanoare's mouth. [B]"Then let us quickly take leave."[/B]

Once Sanoare was atop his back, he raced across the hill and down the field back to the village. Once they had reached the village, Percuro, Serpahine, and Pali stood in the middle of the village, waiting for her. Sanoare bowed to them in respect and the three hurried her into the Elders' Hut, where they discussed a great matter with her.

[B]"Sanoare, a grave matter has arrived."[/B] The one to speak of the three Elders was Seraphine, with her voice as clear as a bell and ever so beautiful like the flowing music of a flute. Sanoare sat attentive. [B]"You must have felt the calling of the Dogs to know to come to us. It is an unusual calling. They are in danger, at least the elders are. But...perhaps Percura should speak to you alone. Pâle, shall we take our leave?"[/B]

The wizardess, or witch, nodded and she left with the sorceress, leaving only the sage in the Elders' Hut and Sanoare within it. Something within Sanoare told her that it wouldn't a conversation that would be forgotten. She had a slight premonition of this as she was sitting underneath the blossom tree. A sigh escaped Percura and she began. Her voice was clear and direct. It was strong and expressive, a voice not to be ignored.

[B]"As you know, you were found. Your whole family line was destroyed and you are the only remaining of the Sănătate line."[/B] A deep breath was drawn in by Percura before she began again. It was difficult for her to explain. [B]"Sanoare, you are a Dog of Healing and I cannot stress enough that it is a great responsibility. Well, enough of this stalling. Let me tell you why you were called."[/B]

[B]"Wait, Percura. I think I believe I understand."[/B] Percura looked to her in amazement. [B]"Yes, I think I do. Although, I do not have a relative who was a Dog of Healing, I know that you will be there with me because you were the guardian of the Dog of Healing. I know that it is urgent to get to where I am being called. So, without further ado, perhaps we should take our leave as well."[/B]

Astounded by what Sanoare had said, Percura was stunned. She shook her head slightly and then regained her consciousness. She nodded and the two exited the hut, anouncing their leave to the village and gathering items given to them by the villagers. With a smile, the two left for the base of the dogs.

It did not take long to get to the base for Percura had learned of shortcuts to get to the base. When they had arrived, they arrived to only find a gate of trees. In front of Percura was a strange, small knot that she pressed and opened the gate of trees to reveal a metal door. Smiling, the two entered and saw that the others had arrived.

[B]"Percura."[/B][/size][/color]

[demonchild781]

[COLOR=Red]Asis looked over to her Grandfather. He nodded and she knew that she was to begin the process. She began to do the breathing steps that Jonathan had started with Aria. She took a deep breath in one...two...three...four...five...six...seven, and released. She could feel her core expanding and shrinking with every breath.

"Now, Asis. Shape it with your hands as she pull it from your center. This will create the rings that will either protect you or you may use for an attack." Asis listened to her Grandfather as he spoke, her eyes closed loosely. She began to spin the threads of her core into a single fire ring. "Pull them apart by pulling your hands from each other vertically. They will slid around you if your body is threaten, if it isn't they will spin before you. You must open your eyes and send them at your attacker."

Asis drew her eyes open and choose a wall that no one was near. She hesitated for a moment, the fire rings spinning with great force before her. They were heavy, but she didn't want to disappoint her Grandfather. She placed her hands on either side of the center ring and threw it at the wall. The rings exploded against the wall, lighting up the room more than it already was.

"Greatly done. That attack is called Love with Fury, and now for your morphing. You must look to your core again, child. Allow it to surround your body and feel its fiery glow. Allow your thoughts to run free like the wind, feel the earth beneath your harden hooves. Your body is powerful and graceful with a flowing mane and tail." Asis watched her Grandfather change from an old man to an elegant aged black stallion. His body had begun to grow grey hairs and his face was covered with them. "Now you try."

Asis closed her eyes, swipping her hands down the front of her in an attempt to calm her center. Her core swipt around her in a great wave and surrounded her in a ball of flames, showing her grandfather that she was more powerful than he had ever imagined. He transformation for pretty girl to outstanding horse was quick. The flames vanished slowly to reveal her morphed form. Her head held high she was the perfect mix of power and grace. Her long black mane and tail had red tips. Her long powerful legs allowed her to stand at 16.3 hands ( OOC: around 6 to 7 ft tall at the withers which is at the base of the neck on the toplined) Her face was beautifully composed and her body held almost perfect muscling.

[Now that is what I call beauty.] Her grandfather laughed. [Now do the same, but bring your human appearance back.] Her Grandfather slowly moved from his animal form to his human form with great effort. It proved the point why she and the others were here to defeat the old threat and not them.

Asis nodded her large black head. She closed her eyes and focused on her human appearance once again engulfed in flames. Bringing herself back to her human form was a little more challenging. She had to focus on every part of her body one at a time changing back into its orginal form. Her nose and mouth shrinking and forming a human face. Her eyes returning to the side of her head and her eyes returning to the front. Her hooves turning into hands and feet and her tail loosing its hair and disappearing back into her body. The flames vanished and she shook herself free of the hair that remained, it floating into the air and slowing disappearing before it reached the floor.

She was ready.[/COLOR]

[Ezekiel]

[COLOR=Orange][SIZE=1]Enrai stared in amazement at the girls who had just tapped into there power. He spluttered when Olen* slapped him on the back to bring him out of his trance. As the blond caught his breath again he whirled to face the old man, ready to start arguing. But he was silenced by a cold glare and was shown that he must listen.

[B]"I believe it is our turn..."[/B] Olen closed his eyes and nodded, "You have been listening, haven't you, Enrai?"

[B]"Uh, what? Yeah, sure I have!" [/B] Enrai stuttered, he was still in shock and his breathing was less than normal.
After finally regaining control, Enrai stood still, hand at his sides, chest rising and falling as he felt his core grow wider. The feeling was pleasant, warm even and the young man smiled.

[B]"The attack you we use is the Thunder Coil, observe..."[/B] Enrai opened his eyes and copied the elder?s motion; he drew back his hands and felt his spirit spark, making him jump.
He stared at his hands as they became charged with white energy and sparked out, crackling with electricity.

[B]"Now...Thunder Coil!"[/B] Olen opened his hands to reveal a long coil of Thunder energy; he sent it straight for Jonathan and laughed when it was knocked to a wall by a gust of wind.

[B]"The damage we used to do as partners, eh, Olen?" [/B] Jonathan laughed, remembering past days.
Olen nodded and laughed also, more at Enrai and Aria's expression than his past. The blond shook his head and concentrated, again feeling himself tap into the charged up power, he breathed in and shut his eyes as he felt a wave of energy leave his body.
He heard a shout and opened his eyes to find the princess clinging to her grandfather, a small black burn mark were she had been standing.

Olen turned on Enrai and glared at him, the look that clearly said, [I]'Dear God, you are an idiot.'[/I]
Enrai resisted the urge to laugh and took to a sheepish grin and a bow of apology instead,
[B]"So sorry about that, Princess..."[/B] he chuckled.

Olen grumbled and cleared his throat, "Now your morph." Enrai nodded and watched as his guide turned into a beautiful cheetah right before his eyes. Another shocked expression hit Enrai's face and he heard Asis giggling behind him.

[B][Picture this form, boy; you will be able to do this if you trust in yourself...][/B]

[I]'Trust in myself, huh?'[/I] Enrai thought. He pictures a golden cheetah in his mind, smiling at its grace and beauty. He suddenly felt himself begin to change, to shrink and drop to the floor. In normal circumstances he would have been in shock, but for some reason this felt natural.

Within a few seconds two golden and black-speckled cheetahs were standing before the group. One licking it's fur, the other purring from the stroke of Asis' aunt.

[B][I could get used to this....][/B] Enrai laughed inwardly, before being swatted by his teacher and guide.

[B][In order for you to succeed, you must turn back...even though I feel sorry for the rest of the group...][/B]
In a short while Olen and Enrai were back, one with a silly grin and the other with an exasperated expression.

[B]"Now I really can't wait to go!"[/B]

[B]OOC I hope that was okay, I know I added some things that I wasn't too sure about.
* I couldn't be bother to keep referring to him as 'the elder', so now his name is Olen, poor guy.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Ellerby]

[COLOR=#333333][SIZE=1]Others had just completed morphing and using their abilities. There was an eagle, a cheetah, a horse. It was truly amazing. It was now time for Lucen to learn his skills. His father looked to him.

"Boy, I've put you through tough stuff. But nothing was as tough as this. Before I teach you I must tell you the story of how your mother died." said Lucen's Father.

Lucen looked at him confused. "You don't have to father..."

His father started speaking none the less.

"A long time ago, when my help was needed. I met a women, your mother. I fell in love with her and we decided to get married. Your mother knew nothing of my secret. But eventually found out. When she did, she threw herself in the middle of the battlefield between the Dogs and the evil one. I was attacking and I accidently killed her myself. I killed your mother, my son." His father finished. Lucen did not speak. What was he supposed to think? His father killed his mother by accident?

"Ok Father. Teach me." Was all Lucen could come up with for now. His father looked at Lucen and closed his eyes.

"Start breathing deeply. One, two, three.. four.. five.. six... seven...." As he breathed with the count of seven, he could feel immense power errupting from him. Lucen found the core of his power. A large bright and silvery ball of energy. He touched it. It had no feeling. He dipped his arm into it and opened his eyes. His whole arm was glowing with a bright light. The same bright light from the core. Father spoke up.

"This is the 'light threat'." His arm also lighted up with energy. "Punch someone to do damage. Or punch mid-air to send the energy off your arm towards a person. As you get stronger this attack will get larger. Eventually it will weigh down your arm to the ground."

Lucen threw his fist towards the wall. Cracks erupted but nothing else.

"Now. Settle down my son. It is time to teach you about Morphing." said his father. The change was beginning. Two bright silver demon wings expanded from his fathers back. His arms melded with the wings. His head started to get a beakish like form. His legs were growing talons. Eventually he was the [url=http://gallery.archdemons.com/gall/wyvern.jpg][U]Wyvern of Light[/U][/url].

<*Now you try.>

Lucen pictured his father's morph in his head. He could feel the core of his energy flowing through him to change his shape. He felt his rib cage turning inside out. He felt large muscles expanding. Then he felt the weirdest feeling ever. The bones in his arms were growing outward to create long thin strands of bone. In between them, webby wings came alive. His legs grew very muscular. Wyverns had no arms so thier legs were very powerfull. Especially since his feet had talons. Talons? Ew. He felt a tail growing from his arse. It was kind of disturbing. But none the less, he became a Wyvern of Light himself.

<*I feel alive and better, father. I want to protect our world from Malachant...>[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

[color=indigo]On top of a small hill, Alexa turned around to look at the city. She easily spotted the gryphon that was Malachant. [i]I'm glad I'm on his side,[/i] she thought.

She heard a noise behind her and spun around. "Tolana! What are you doing here?"

"What I'm instructed to do," the woman named Tolana replied. "Malachant told me to meet him here. I was to come here as soon as he announced his return, and wait until he met me. I'm guessing that the creature in the city is him."

"It's him," Alexa confirmed. "He's trying to draw the Dogs out."

"I figured that. He told me that he had three plans to get to them. Obviously, this is one. I'm probably part of number two, but I don't know what number three is."

"Well, I was number one, and this right now is number two, so you'd be the third."

"What was your task?" Tolana asked.

"I was supposed to follow old Jonathan when Malachant made his display earlier. He took his granddaughter, Aria, with him. I think she's one of the new Dogs. Unfortunatly, I lost them pretty quickly, though Malachant was pleased that I could mark Aria as one of the Dogs. Malachant's now trying to draw them out. He'll resort to his third plan if that doesn't work. Any idea what it is?"

"Well," Tolana replied, "to be perfectly honest, no. I have absolutly no idea what it is."[/color]

[Revelation]

[size=1][color=plum]Looking around, something came over Sanoare. She looked to Percura and she looked back to her. Nodding, Sanoare looked to the one who had the power of Light. Lucen was his name and his beast was the Wyvern, a great creature of great power.

Closing her eyes, Sanoare felt the orb begin to glow and the ring envelop her body. A blast of wind curled around Sanoare as she began to feel this new rush, she dared not to open her eyes. When the orb had stopped glowing and the wind had stopped blowing, Sanoare opened her eyes, only to see that she had greater peripheral vision. She had looked to Percura who nodded once more.

[B]["Welcome to the world of the Dogs, Sanoare."]

["This form is...new to me. But...I...I learned it on my own. I had no one to teach me, unlike the others. What does that mean?"]

["My dear, it means that your ancestors have come to you and are supporting you. They are helping you as you journey through this great adventure."][/B]

With a sigh, Sanoare closed her eyes once more and the wind had arrived once more and Sanoare was herself again. Percura was smiling and Sanoare wondered what her form was. It felt great and the image was still burning, fresh on her mind.

[B]"A [URL=http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Alicia-Boros/Unisus.jpg]unisus[/URL]. That is what you wanted to know, correct? It is a horned and winged horse, similar to that of a Pegasus and a Unicorn. It is a creature of healing, as well as truth, honor, and integrity. It is one of the rarest and more impossible to catch. Satisfied?"

"Greatly."[/B][/size][/color]

[Delta]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=1]
In a corner of the room, the two Dogs of the Wind conversed with each other with tones so hushed that they could have gone unnoticed against the dark shadows if it weren?t for their white robes.
[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]?Let?s see if you still remember your past lessons.?[/COLOR]
She closed her eyes and recalled the lesson they had a few weeks ago?.

[CENTER]~o~o~o~o~o~[/CENTER]

Eithel had summoned her to a cliff overlooking the gray northern seas. When she got there, the elderly lady gently took her hand and led her to the lip of the outcrop. Never did Opera acquire the liking for heights so her knees immediately weakened upon seeing the sharp rocks below.

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]?Never mind the view, child. Now? close your eyes.?[/COLOR]
Yet another spirit dive. It took her a long time to enter the dive. She was having trouble concentrating and the view wasn?t exactly calming. Immediately, all her senses went numb. Even the feeling of her grandaunt?s grip disappeared completely. Where was she? No matter how she tried, she could not feel her muscles. What if she was already walking towards the edge? She has been on a number of spirit dives before but never one like this. This darkness was a most foreign place, much different from the darkness one would see if she closed her eyes against the morning sun. In times of despair, she knew only one thing to do. Longing for light, her mind called out:
[i]Winter God, come to my aid.[/i]

The scene zipped out and was replaced with an otherworldly view of a wisteria grove. Against a pitch black sky, the petals softly glowed and brushed against an unfelt wind. Azure lightwaves began to materialize and float around and her body felt strangely light. She was surprised but relieved; that she could feel again was enough to ease her worries. Warmth finally entered her hands.
[i][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Opera, can you hear me?[/COLOR]
Aunt Eithel!
[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]You can feel my hand can you? [/COLOR]
Yes.
[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]*sigh* Very good. Having made this far--[/COLOR]
What is this place?
[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]*clears her throat*[/COLOR]
...Sorry.
[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Hold out your fan.[/COLOR][/i]

Though her eyes were still closed, she saw her fan clearly in front of her when she held it out. It shook violently in her hand as the lightwaves began to glow brighter. Faster and faster they spun blended with each other, containing Opera in a cerulean ring.
[i][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Veil us from enemy sight? Mist [/COLOR][/i]
A bright flash and the scene exploded into a million specks of light.
[i][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Now, open your eyes.[/COLOR][/i]

As soon as the images left her mind, Opera opened her eyes and looked around. A frail fog had risen around them. She suddenly remembered where they were and quickly backed away from the overhang. Eithel quickly grabbed Opera?s hand and pulled her apprentice closer to the edge of the cliff. Opera tried to pull away but found that she could not resist. The silver-haired woman caught her by the waist and cackled merrily.
?Aunt Eithel!?
[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]?You?ve never been fond of heights. I figured that it?s easier to reach ?that? place when you?re in need.?[/COLOR]
?? I see? but? so that means I couldn?t call it freely??
[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]?Nonsense, child. Watch.?[/COLOR]
Her grandaunt didn?t even close her eyes. As she stared at her niece, thick fog rose around them. She muttered a few indecipherable words under her breath and the fog dissipated.
[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]?Practice more often. In due time, you?ll find that you need not be in a dire situation to control Mist.?[/COLOR]

[CENTER]~o~o~o~o~o~[/CENTER]

Opera opened her eyes. Much to the dismay of their companions, mist had entered the base. Her grandaunt chanted and drove the mist away.
[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][i]?My, my. That was quick! Well done. Now??[/i][/COLOR]
That tone in her grandaunt?s voice? surely the old woman was going to teach her something new. Opera instinctively went into another spirit dive. This time, she found that Eithel was with her.

[i][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Tell me, Opera. The sacred beast of the Winter God? what is its earthly form?[/COLOR]
A wolf. A silver one?[/i]
A hazy image of the beast started to form in front of her. It became clearer and more detailed as she spoke and pretty soon, a majestic wolf stood between them. It stood there unmoving while its calculating eyes assessed the younger Vendë. Drawn to its eyes, Opera walked towards it. Unable to bear the strange sensation she felt, she opened her eyes. Eithel had brought her in front of a shiny metal box. The first thing she saw was her reflection; the wolf from the dive was now staring at her.

[b]OOC:[/b] The chants do nothing. It's a lot easier for Opera to remember stuff connected with verses and rhymes.XD
[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Sakura]

[COLOR=Navy]Aria had watched five of the other teenagers learn their attacks and morph into their beast form. She was most in awe of Lucen as a Wyvern, and Sanoare as a Unisus. She was surprised at Opera becoming a large wolf, Enrai's beautiful golden cheetah, and Asis' large black stallion.

Aria had sensed the crackling in the air when Enrai had released his Thunder Coil at her, and had quickly jumped out of its way and grabbed her grandfather's arm for balance.

She started to think about all of their attacks and how they would be useful. Opera's Mist would be very good for quick escapes and covers, and they could also put magic dampeners inside the mist to stop anyone that happened to have magic, not be able to use their gifts.

Aria watched her grandfather talking to the adults that had finished their training with their teens.

"We must hurry, we don't know how long it will be before Malachant arrives at the palace." Jonathan said.

"Yes, there are still two children left for training, Tierra and Shidobu." Olen the elder added.

"I just pray that they are fast learners." Eithel sighed.

"As do we all....As do we all..." Jonathan muttered.[/COLOR]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

[color=indigo]"Ready the ballistae!" a man named Tago Ustath shouted. Tago was Tajath's counterpart at the palace. His job was to make sure that nobody was atcually able to force entry into the palace.

Tago's men were well trained, and they were fast. They readied the ballistae, contraptions that shot what were essentially giant crossbow bolts.

Tago waited as Malachant neared. Eventually, he shouted, "Light the bolts!" Torches were used to light the ballistae's bolts on fire. "Now!"


Malachant watched the frantic preperations. [i]How can they possibly think that they have any chance of survival? they should be running. Why do they stand and fight? There is no logic to their actions, so why do they take those actions? I will never understand man's willingness to sacrifice himself.[/i]

Malachant wasn't concerned about the bolts, even though they were burning. He simply beat his wings. The force of the gust he produced was enough to cancel their momentum and send them falling to the ground.

Malachant countered the second wave of bolts, then began moving forward. Tago's men weren't bothering to light the bolts anymore. They were shooting as fast as they could in the hopes that at least one bolt would hit home. Malachant knew that the bolts couldn't harm him. He ignored them as he moved forward. None managed to penetrate his skin.

Malachant tore the ballistae apart, and killed anyone who didn't run. When he was finished, he literally walked right through the outer wall of the palace. Many men were positioned between the wall and the palace itself. They died quickly.

[i]I expected the Dogs to be here by now,[/i] Malachant thought. [i]Well, I'm not just going to wait around. I hope they don't expect to find the palace still standing when they arrive, because it won't be.[/i][/color]

[Spiritbreeze]

[font=Garamond][color=green]Tierra watched in awe as each one of the younger generation tested their powers and morphed. Turning to her aunt, she asked,"Aunt, can I do that too? Do I have those powers?"[/color][/font]

[font=Garamond][color=#008000]Euthalia laughed at her eagerness. "Yes, not the same of course. Now, we must hurry. Listen well, and focus." She helped Tierra first find her source, a great glowing green light. Tierra pulled a strand from the light, as her aunt showed her, and built it up into a rope-like shape. [/color][/font]
[font=Garamond][color=#008000][/color][/font]
[font=Garamond][color=#008000]"Tierra, open your eyes." Her aunt gently shook her. In her hands, and wrapped around her arms, was a long, thick vine. It had come up out of the floor. Somehow, she had called it up from the earth beneath the foundations of the building. [/color][/font]
[font=Garamond][color=#008000][/color][/font]
[font=Garamond][color=#008000]"Oops. Sorry about the floor." Tierra let go of the vine, then looked to her aunt. Euthalia smiled. "It's alright. You are just learning. Now, you must morph."[/color][/font]
[font=Garamond][color=#008000][/color][/font]
[font=Garamond][color=#008000]Euthalia guided her through the process. When they were done, in their places stood two deer; a tall grown graceful one with a bit of gray, and a smaller frailer one. [/color][/font]
[font=Garamond][color=#008000][/color][/font]
[font=Garamond][color=#008000]'I'm a deer!' Tierra sent the thought out to her aunt. 'Yes, and quite useful when you need to get somewhere quickly. Deer can run quite fast.' Tierra and Euthalia then changed back, the deer forms flowing into upright humans. [/color][/font]