Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[SilverFlight]

"I am Ward." Said the gryphon. "Well met."


Once the humans were seated carefully on his back Ward spread his great wings. In the dappled sunlight the dull brown colouring seemed to shimmer bright gold.


"Hold on tight, the takeoff is a bit rough." As he said this be started off at a slow trot, which turned rapidly into a gently lope. He could feel the wind gathering beneath his wings and ran faster. A tough of magic, was what helped him stay airborne and it also helped him get into the sky in situations where the wind was not there. With one swift motion Ward bounded into the air. Smooth, strong downbeats carried them higher and higher into the sky and soon they were above the treeline.


"Isn't this grand?" he asked Elena, he had to raise his voice as the wind had found them now and was cradling them with soft gusts. Ward loved flying.


Leia climbed on Rose's red, scaly shoulders, too nervous to marvel at the dragon's beauty up close. Oh how she hated flying. She offered to help Nyr up as well, then looked to the new girl who was cleaning her dagger. "You've got to teach me to throw like that." Leia grinned. She held out a hand to Foxy.

 

[wolfborn4]

" One way ticket to the castle " Rose said and waited for everyone to get on. She felt the wind blow against her bright scales. She longed to fly now that she was still in her true form.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena waited calmly to take off, tired and a bit calmer than before. She was slightly intrigued at the sight of the fox girl, but as the conversation continued she slowly found herself drooping and shutting her eyes. Her mind drifted off for a moment, having a sort of almost dream about floating on murky waters under a bridge. She didn't move, but just let the hot city air lick her cheeks.


When Ward started moving; her eyes reopened and out of impulse she grabbed on tighter. Her grip slackened over the span of a minute as fear was replaced with joy.


"It's beautiful".


She tipped her head over the side and watched the surreal colors of the lively forest.


"Ward, do I have to ever leave?" She said over the rush of the wind.

 

[sitanomoto]

Foxy smiled and took the girl's hand. "I'd love to show you some time," she said. "One of my friends LOVES flying." She gently pulled herself up onto Rose's back and stroked the dragon's wings. She thought about her friend, who is afraid of everything, yet still brave enough to fight for her against enemies.

 

[Lumina]

Elyse found herself in the deeper part of the forest for the second time today. She wanted to explore a bit more to see what she could find, and lucky for her she came across a bright blood red lily. She had never seen such an intense lily before. She picked it and put it carefully in her bag, and looked around a bit more. She grabbed the standard herbs to make the normal remedies as well as some aesthetically pleasing common flowers to redecorate. She was picking wormwort when she looked up and realized she had no idea where she was. Oh great.

 

[DawnAntalios]

As they took off Nyr felt a sudden sense of relief as the wind caressed her body, welcoming her once more. She had not thought that she would fly once not by her own will but this time it was necessary, there was nothing to do about it so she remained calm. Rose flew quite fast, likely faster than she ever could. The green forests blurred before her eyes so fast they travelled and now she was curious about the aforementioned city they headed to. She wondered what kind of people lived in there.


Then her mind wandered to the broken vial she had. She knew that once they were at the city she had to sneak out on a quick journey to hopefully recover the contents of the shattered phial although she knew it would not be the easiest task. But it mattered not, it had to be done.


" I wonder if we get a warm welcome in Branbern. " she thought out loud " The hands of darkness reach far, we can only hope that they will aid us rather than trying to kill us. "

 

[kira blackthorn]

Spot giggled as the vines ticked him as he walked past. "Come on guys quit it. I have to concentrate if I want to help find the humans. " They silently slathered away with one more tickle and left him to concentrate. Looking up Spot realized he lost track of were he was going. Sighing he turned to a nearby tree. "Any idea where to go? I kinda got lost."


It rustled one of its branches and Spot nodded satisfied as he took to the air and began flying where it pointed toward making sure to keep low to the ground. Rather it was telling the truth he didn't know. "Thanks Mr.tree."

 

[SilverFlight]

((Can we say Elyse is close to the castle? All of our characters are headed there now ))


Ward turned his head to regard Elena over one shoulder. His expression betrayed uncertainty. "I don't know." He replied in a sober tone. "But what I do know is that while you are here you humans will be treated to the finest luxury the kingdom of Branbern has to offer, and you'll all be with us." He gestured to Rose, Nyr and the other FableWood residents.


"You will love Branbern. It is nestled in an open pastureland in the middle of the forest. The city and castle themselves stand atop a high ridge overlooking a river down deep in the canyon. It is very defensible, but that's not all; the entire city is protected by magical barriers that detect and keep out evil intent. All manner of creatures have fled to Branbern seeking refuge. I think its about time I told you why you are here."


he flew closer to Rose so Leia could listen to him as well.


"Our world is in great danger. As I am sure you have figured out already, FableWood is made of things humans can only find in fairytales and legend back in their own world. Our kind exist on the hopes and dreams of humans...but now, we've started to be forgotten. As more and more humans let the old tales slip from their minds so to do we slip from existence and FableWood has begun to disappear. The land left behind we call the ShadowWood. It grows bigger everyday, and it swallows good creatures, making them forget who they are before they fade away forever.


This is why we've brought you here. You, as a human can restore our world, and here (as you have already begun to discover) humans can develop unimaginable power. Power enough that may be able to defeat those who would see FableWood vanish. It is hard for me to believe but there are beings of FableWood who want this to happen. We were given a very good taste of that by those spiders that attacked us last night. I do not know why, it seems to me if FableWood disappears so will they..."


The thought bothered him. They must have a reason, most dark beings were evil yes, but also self-serving. They wouldn't do anything unless it benefited them.


"That is all I know."


In the far distance the treeline began to fall away, the ravine that Ward had nearly fallen into they were now following as it snaked its way through the trees. On the horizon, glittering in the sun they could see turrets of a tall and elegant castle.


"We are almost there!" Ward called and beat his wings a little faster. Princess Briar would be very happy.


Leia clung to Rose for dear life, her eyes shut as tight as she could get them. The vertigo was bad. really bad.


"Just let me know when we're on the ground!" She wailed. "And you might have to tell me all that stuff again, I couldn't hear it over the sound of me freaking out!"


The wind ran itself through her hair and down her back...almost like it was comforting her, but she dared not open her eyes. if she had however she may have been able to make out the faint outline of a creature, painted in the clouds beside her.

Spoiler

((And Spot too of course))

 

[chamomile]

Lexi sat upright, looking out the window next to her bed. It was raining, the weather that best depicts her mood nowadays. It was boring here, inside the house, with only her inner Scottish self as company. She wanted to go out and have friends again. But her mum... Her mum won't approve of that. So maybe she could just get some fresh air, yeah, a little walk around the block. Or maybe some alone time with her flute near her favorite tree at the park.


Sliding down the railings of the stairs gracefully was one of the few limited times that she could have thrills, but today, it felt like a normal thing. Sighing, she walked over to her dad, a big, muscly, yet soft combination of a Scottish man. A man who was attending to his pet wolf, a husky, some sort of dog, Darren, such a human name for a dog.


"May I go to the park dad?" Lexi asked softly, her Scottish accent pressing into the words. The man sadly looked at her and nodded over to the kitchen, where her mum always was, a familiar gesture of: 'Go ask yer mum'. Lexi nodded politely and excused herself to the kitchen where her mother was sitting on one of their oak chairs, contemplating her life that has now become a dull thing.


Lexi approached and looked down at her grieving mum. "Mum?" Lexi greeted in a form of a question because any other way would worsen her mother's mood. "May I go outside to the park?" she asked the same thing as she did with her father. Well, she changed it slightly. The women, her nice curly blonde hair covering her face merely nodded.


Lexi went to get her brown autumn coat/hoodie, her boots and her flute. She shoved her iPod and earplugs into one of her jacket's pockets and walked out the door, raising the hood of her jacket as shelter from the rain. She walked slowly and after a few couple of footsteps, she paused, hearing something, something agressive, something fighting in the distance to her right, a path between buildings.


There, a cat lay motionless, dead, and next to it was a dog, ferocious and wild. Lexi really want to give the cat a proper burial because it just feels wrong to leave it to rot but at the same time, she was afraid to approach the dog who was now baring its fangs at her. Making up her mind, Lexi held her flute as if it was a weapon of some sort and walked slowly, preparing herself for any sudden movements.


"There, there. Good dog" she said softy, hearing the dog giving an untamed growl as she continue to walk, knees bent to keep low. Suddenly, it bounded towards her, she only ran at it, she flute ready to bash the creature. But due to the rain's sudden stop, she forgot it was slippery. Her foot was misplaced and she slipped, feeling the air over her face where the dog decided to pounce on her but obviously missed. Her head was inches away from the ground and she grabbed the corpse of the cat rather recklessly which she silently apologize for.


She shut her eyes close, waiting for her head to make impact on the ground but it didn't, it just didn't. Instead of a hard, wet, death causing, rocky ground, she landed on... moss? Lexi looked around, it was moss. Next to it, a river. Around her, a vibrant forest. "Wher-" Lexi paused and let go of the dead cat that was in her hands. Bloody and dirty, yes, but there's a nice little river. So with her bare hands, she dug a hole big enough for the dead guy and buried him in. A little plant popped up a few minutes later, a small thing and Lexi cocked her head as she checked the water.


"Fish... Cold... Plants... Safe water" she murmured, washing her hands. She then stood up and twirled around, her unique marble eyes scanning her surroundings briefly. Where is she? Definitely not a world of hers. Another universe? A deepened version of Earth? An alien planet? But one thing's for sure, it's a new adventure. An adventure that Lexi didn't know how to return to.


She brushed her white hair and started walking, hopefully would run into someone or something that can help her in this new journey.

 

[Lumina]

Else kept walking in a direction, but where that direction might lead she had no idea. She kept a tight hold on her bag, not wanting her precious flowers stash to get stolen.

 

[sitanomoto]

Foxy listened to Ward and nodded. "It's true, we're losing many FableWood creatures by the day," she said. She thought of Goosey. She had disappeared three days ago, without a trace, and the shadow wood was already beginning to eat at her tree. Foxy closed her eyes and sighed, but opened them again when she felt the presence of another mythical creature. An air spirit. "Hello there," she whispered softly, holding out her hand sideways, palm up. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

 

[Lumina]

elyse kept walking and came to the edge of the forest near... was that a castle? She had only hears stories but never seen it for herself. She looked around at where she was

 

[chamomile]

No. Lexi was tired of walking. Walking is boring. She need to attract attention to herself, the good kind. She wouldn't want to bump into... any possibly dangerous creatures... things... Anything in that category. So she ran, and ran, not knowing where to go. "Notice me...make someone notice me... Think Lexi think... W-" she stopped and had an idea. She climbed up a tree. Safe? No. Stupid? Maybe. But brilliant? A positive yes. Clawing her way to the top, she looked around at the forest beneath her. A slight breeze threatened to push her off but she held her ground. It was buzzing, brimming with life the forest. She saw no sign of possible help so attracting attention it is. She grabbed her flute, reflecting sunlight and played a nice playful melody, hoping that the wind would send her music to the ears of people.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr enjoyed the howling wind as it caressed her wings and surprisingly aiding them to regenerate for a bit. Now she was able to fly for shorter distances but it still caused her much pain when she decided to do so. When she was preoccupied with these thoughts she had heard something that she did not think she would ever hear here.


Music. Human music.


It was not even an illusion, the voice came from somewhere below the forests near to Branbern. She asked the wind to aid her finding the source and when she had done so she decided to try out her wings. She sent a message to Rose and Ward before she decided to dive below.


" I think I have heard something important. Please excuse me! "


Without a single warning she jumped off the dragon's back, diving towards the ground. Although it felt painful she was still able to flap with her ebony wings, maintaining her momentum. Then wehn the music got louder she slowed her pace and started to descend slowly. She then noticed the source: a young, white haired girl was playing with her flute on top of a tree.


Nyr descended and landed atop of the nearby tree to Lexi.


" You are either brave or foolish to play music this openly out here, young girl. " Nyr said to her. Finally she did not call tehm " humans " when she addressed them.

 

[Lumina]

Elyse's ears perked up as she hear music. Was that...a flute? She headed in that direction.

 

[chamomile]

"Oh hi. I would say brave, but that's your opinion. Foolish? No way! But stupid? That's a possibility" she said happily, looking at the winged person, grinning ear to ear, putting away her flute. "Mind tellin' me where I am?" Lexi asked. "I'm lost" she concluded. "Oh and where are my manners? I'm-" she paused, wondering if she should reveal her full complicated name. "Lexi" she finished, her hood blown off, making her white hair glisten under the sun.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" Nyr " she said while being surprised. " You are unlike the others from before. You are cheerful, chatty and did not even freak out from the sight of someone like me. " she frowned. Maybe this girl was brave enough - or careless enough - not to be frightened by new things like this... an aspect that might be very, very useful for all of them.


" This is FableWood. " she continued the explanation " This is the world you would call the ' Land of Myths'. In this world dwell creatures from mythology like me. It is currently being consumed by darkness and only your kind is able to save it from the flame. Other than that it looks pretty. "


Humor was not her strongest side, still sometimes she tried to lighten the mood.

 

[Lumina]

Elyse came into the area where the two were talking. She tried to keep out of sight though.


The gryffin, she had seen those before. That was nothing new. But who was it that she was talking to? She looked normal, a shapeshifter perhaps? No... what was it about this girl that seemed so different? She looked between the two, staying in the shadows of the trees.

 

[SilverFlight]

((Sammi, I need more than 2 short sentences per post, please try to post at least a paragraph, 3-4 lines minimum. Its stated in the rules, some posts can be short, but not on a regular basis.))


Ward swooped down after Nyr as she came upon another figure, bringing his wings up to hover just a few paces away. Another human, with snow-white hair.


"Marvelous! We have four now. Rose, can you let her ride on your back? We must get to the castle before we get attacked again." Just then, on the ground he caught sight of another figure.


"Hello down there?" He called, making sure to raise his voice over the strong 'whump' his wings made on the air.


The spirit seemed to vanish for a moment at the sound of Foxy's voice, but suddenly the wind gusted about her, playfully batting at her hair. The spirit materialized again, just a faint outline against the blue sky. It performed a loop-the-loop and settle around Leia happily. Leia was oblivious to all of this however, her eyes remained shut tight and to her, one gust of wind was exactly the same as another.


"Are we there yet?" she asked, trying to keep the panic out of her voice. Honestly at this particular moment, she may have preferred fighting another giant.

 

[Bea Delaine]

When Ward swept down to address a couple more travelers, Elena looked over curiously. She heard a familiar accent. Possibly scottish? Her eyes went straight the the white haored girl who was called a human. The clothing was of her time but the features were odd, and she seemed oddly happy for her circumstances? Maybe the girl felt the same way as she.


From the back of the Gryffin, Elena tried being more brave and open towards others of her world. She smiled widely and called down.


"Hey! Lexi is it? Im another human. Want ride to a castle?" She would have jumped down and greeted her if not for her foot or the schedule they seemed to be following.

 

[Lumina]

Elyse jumped at the question. Did they see her? I mean....there wasn't anything bad about that but..it was still kinda weird. She didn't know these people. They didn't know her. She grabbed her bag of flowers. What if they were after these?? She just stayed still, not knowing what to do. She would just watch for now.

 

[Archangel]

Saer watched, crouched on his branch, until the group finally left. With a slight shake of his head, the faintest of smiles crossing his lips, he melted away into the shadows of forest. They had caught his curiosity; he would follow them to Branbern Castle. Despite not having visited there for at least a hundred years, he was familiar with it's location and would find it without difficulty. However, the barrier made him hesitate a little. He had been to the castle a few times, but never actually entered inside.


He had never had the best of luck with magical barriers, despite not having any specifically 'evil' intent. If the worst came to the worst he could technically destroy a barrier standing in his way, but one as strong as the one around Branbern? Nope. Even if he could, it would be a terrible idea.


A slight frown creased his forehead as he ran, keeping an easy pace with the ones flying above. But the ebbing and flowing sound of a flute reached his ears as he drew closer. He slowed, slipping between the soaring trunks as he drew a little closer. Yet another human. The Dread Raven and Gryffin from before had also found her. He saw a second figure as he drew closer, seemingly frozen, a little way in front of him. He drew back a little, hidden in the darkness of the thick foliage above. Yet his eyes, as always, glowed, as if there was a kind of ethereal light behind them. He paused there for several moments, but knowing that they would all end up at Branbern anyway, retreated back further into the forest. He continued on, careful to give the group a wide berth. For now, he would remain hidden. He would only reveal himself when he had to.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Deciding that she could endure a bit more pain Nyr was now flying on her own with the little company. She was glad that they have found yet an another human. With this many she was sure that their victory was assured. But she did not know about the two onlookers. The winds have betrayed their position and partly their entities.


" The phoenix girl looks friendly but a bit cautious... a good trait nowadays. " she thought it in herself. " But who could the other one be I wonder? "


She was unsure who the other person was. Not evil, that's for sure for the winds have only spoke about a curious individual. And the winds never lied. Somehow she had the feeling that she will find out about the mysterious person's entity once they reach Branbern.

 

[Lumina]

Lumina gulped...she had a feeling that gryffin knew where she was. She just seemed too perceptive. But what good would going out there do? She didn't want to get involved in something that she didn't need to be in.


She was unaware of the other presence however.

 

[sitanomoto]

((Are we still in the air?))