Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[SilverFlight]

Leia tried to shake Ward out of it, eventually resorting to ramming her body against his flank, but it was like he was rooted to the spot.


The lion guy was gone, if Ward lost it in here they'd be stuck without a guide. But she'd be damned before she let a friend get lost in this hellish place. The air spirit appeared and trilled in a worried way.


"Hey! can you guide me back here?" It nodded fervently. "Good." Leia ran in the direction Elena had gone. "Look after him!" She called back to the others, waving her bow at the gryphon. "I'll help get Elena back!"


In truth Leia followed Alexander for most of the way. It was pitch black but the light from his flame was just enough to keep her from falling.


It was a good thing she was in shape, though her lungs began burning she pushed herself to go faster.


It wasn't long before she caught a glimpse of red hair. She slid to a halt, glass crunching under her bare knees as she knelt to throw her arms around Elena.


"You have to fight it! Please!" She was scared, terrified, but more than that she was afraid for Elena. She had watched the girl remove herself, saw pain in her expression, a deep rooted pain that she had been carrying for a long time and Leia felt for her.


"Please," she begged again. "I won't lose you to this place..."

 

[BloodThunder27]

By the time she encountered another living being, Ashley was already on the move. However, whom she'd encounter was what she'd least expect. A Forest Guardian, he did look a bit intimidating, which left her a little scared. But when he said that he wasn't going to hurt her, she was relieved. For someone who looked so scary, Ashley couldn't help but notice his noble behavior. "I can understand that. I got lost on the way home. In a place like this, its easy to run around in a circle." Unconsciously, she rested her hand on her stomach, unknowingly hinting to him that she was with-child.


@zCrookedz

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo smiled at the young woman. Such a radiance beamed from here that he was taken aback when she spoke by her voice. Looking to Benba on his shoulder he knelt down his one good eye fixated on her. "My dearest bearer of life, this IS very confusing place. I am the Guardian of this forest and this," Gesturing to his white furry traveling companion "..is Benba. I am the protector of this forest, and all that enter with a pure heart both big..."At this moment he glanced at her abdomen with a smile "And the very small. I will protect you and the gift of unborn life you carry, but we must be quick. I am loosing my connection to the forest as it draws on the fears of my companions and we must return to them." He reached out a giant padded hand to her so he could scoop her up on his massive arm and carry her to the others.


@Shimakage Thunder

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena kept her eyes steeled over, trying to ignore it all. The brunette barely felt herself quiver anymore, or whether or not she was breathing quickly. Panic attacks hadn't occurred like this since she left home or got the bad news.


As the fear faded enough to understand where she was, more footsteps approached with a distorted but now recognizable voice following. Then she was touched. Elena flinched, then felt slightly warmer.


"Leia..? What are you don't here?"


She asked, shakily shifting, feeling the the sting of broken glass on hands and legs. She shook her head and she roar of memories quieted.


"Lose me here? I think I've been lost longer than you than this..."

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba shifted slightly as Leo picked up the woman, but she never broke her stare at her. Nimbly changing shoulders, she sniffed at the human, curiosity peaked.


"You're a living egg." She half asked, half stated. "Eggs should not be living. That would make as much sense as a snake being alive, or the rat in it's stomach. You are a strange, mutant egg."

 

[Hel]

Alexander kneeled by the girls, knowing it was probably a good thing that Leia had followed, given he knew little about how to comfort. He placed his warm hand, the one without fire, on the girls shoulder, and asked, "Are you in the present with us again, child?"


When Leia took off Anya's eyes grew wide. She called after her, but just like that the only two people Anya had spoken with were gone, she was alone again, and all she wanted was to go home- or even back to that crash site to be with those she left. She couldn't stop the tears from falling, though she could keep them from gushing. She had failed those who were relying on her, and now a whole new set of strangers were relying on her, she couldn't take it. She drew her daggers and smashed them harshly into a somewhat nearby mirror, angry and desperate. The mirror she chose happened to crack the one Ward was staring into, as they were connected.

 

[BloodThunder27]

Ashley felt overall safe when the Forest Guardian picked her up. But bringing her back to his Friends? Well, she would appreciate the company. Surely her little one would appreciate it too. She noticed a Humanoid Lizard, who was accompanying the Guardian. The comment did make Ashley feel insecure about her pregnancy. That became apparent when she looked down at her swollen stomach, even more so when she started holding it.


@Jecklyn @zCrookedz

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo turned to look at Banba and gave her a very disapproving scowl. "Banba, this is the most wonderful miracle of life and this woman is very blessed to be able to experiences it. Show her respect." With that he smiled once more at Ashley and held her tight in his arm as to not jostle her to much. "Now my lady, there is one thing i must warn you about this forest. The trees do not act as they once did, and will bring your deepest nightmares to life in your mind. Avoid casting your gaze upon them as much as you can. If you feel yourself begin to taken by the forest i will keep your mind clear."He cocked his head in thought for a moment and then reached his other arm to his shoulder and plucked Banba's tiny furry body off it. He held her out to Ashley "I do understand the little one is somewhat rude, but would you mind holding onto her so we do not loose her. As i said before, we are in a hurry." Once she had taken hold of the little fuzz ball, Leo turned in the direction he had come, and began to run through the mirrored forest with amazing skill and agility. His massive arm cradling the two passengers being a fantastic shock absorber.


@Shimakage Thunder


The trip through the forest took several long minutes, but the distance did not seem to waver Leo in the slightest. When they were only a few yards from where the group had stopped, Leo slowed to a casual walk. The forest had gone quiet. "This is it" Leo thought to himself "We are on our own from here on out." Leo pushed past a few more glass trees, and beheld the groups feathered leader staring in horror at a tree. Leos eye widened. "My lady i must set you down now, Banba take care of her and DO NOT let her gaze the tree's." He set her down gently and hurried to the gryphon's side. "My lord can you still hear me? If you are still there i need your consent to help, otherwise you must pull yourself out of this of your own strength."


@SilverFlight

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy took in the girl's words, letting them run through her mind more than once. She was going to ask another question, but another human dashed off, followed by the dragon man and the girl that had spoken. With a scowl, she stepped toward a mirror, running a finger across its surface as it showed her pool drying up. A stab of pain in her chest caused her to turn away, just another human smashed a mirror. The kelpie stepped forward, laying a hand on her forearm. “It is okay. It is playing tricks, yes?" She tried to reassure, but didn't really know how. “Think of something good?" She suggested, tucking a strand of hair back nervously. Her eyes darted to the gryphon, who was the leader of the band. Frozen and being consoled by the large lion man, he wasn't doing much leading. “Your friends could use your help, I think." She said, nodding in that direction.

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba's already massive eyes widened in fear. She ha not meant to speak rudely. She hardly meant to do anything, and would soon forget any single thing she did. She didn't move, however, when she was plucked from Leo's shoulder and into the woman's hands. She stared straight ahead as they moved though the glass woods, the only motion coming from the currently tiny creature being the wind in her fur. She leapt to the ground as they arrived with the others, some missing, landing as an ape. She nodded when she was instructed to not let the newest addition to the party look into the mirrors. Sitting on her shoulders, she brought her ape hands over her eyes, weightless on the woman.


"The trees are only telling truths that are lies and lies that are truths. They cannot harm you. But you are still harmed in the exchange." She said it to no one in particular, gazing about the trees herself, her eyes dull, but mouth slightly upturned.

 

[BloodThunder27]

When asked to hold onto Banba, she did so. When Leo began telling her about the dangers of the forest, it was quite a wonder on how she went around in a circle while trying to get out. But at least there was an explanation for it as well. When he set her down, she stood up. When Banba turned into an Ape, Ashley was quite astonished, having never encountered a Shape-shifter before. At first, Ashley thought she was just a Humanoid Lizard. When she began sitting on Ashley's shoulders, the expecting woman didn't really mind. "You know, it would kind of help if you didn't speak in riddles." She commented, trying her best not to be rude, although it would be pay back for making her feel downgraded about her pregnancy. With her eyes covered, she got even more curious. "So where to?"


@Jecklyn

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward stared hard at a figure, crumpled on the ground, armour stained with something red. "No.." he whimpered.


Oh yes... a voice in his head echoed cruelly.


"It can't be." Ward felt an icy chill creep into his heart.


Murderer. The voice growled.


"No!"


Oh no? Just look at yourself.


Ward suddenly felt something wet and sticky clinging to his beak and talons. he looked down to see his feathers covered in blood. he backed up a few paces, hopelessly caught in the nightmare.


You killed him.


I...I..


You KILLED him and what's worse...


The image changed to a young girl, weeping in the forest.


"Papa! Papa where are you?"


Ward fought back tears,


"I didn't know! I-I couldn't stop it!" he choked. The battle raged inside his head, outwardly he stood still, eyes fixed on the glass.


All he wanted was a feather...a feather to cure his blind daughter, he wasn't after your gold... sand the voice gleefully.


You couldn't stop it? You mean you couldn't stop yourself!


"Please" Ward begged, "Please stop..." The guilt cut into his heart like a hot knife, he forgot. he forgot everything, why he was here, what he was doing, the darkness engulfed him...and he gave in.


"W-why am I here?"


Why are you here?


"I-I was guarding something...I had to protect..."


This was what you had to protect. the image changed again, to a pile of glittering gold and jewels. Ward became captivated by it, consumed by the beauty.


"Yes, yes! that's it...I was protecting my treasure."


Someone is here....


Suddenly the mirror cracked, Anya's knife jutting out of the center.


They are trying to take it from you... The voice said as it trailed off.


Ward closed his eyes, when they opened again they had been flooded with an inky blackness


"They won't." he said out loud and as he turned he growled, a guttural rumble that echoed through the trees.


"Lost? Are you kidding?" Leia held her tighter. "Look at all you've done." The forest seemed to tense around them. "When I first met you, you were fighting spiders the size of bulldogs, alongside a dragon, a gryphon and a massive raven." From the very first moment Elena had summoned the sword, had written in her book and made the pages come to life Leia had believed. She believed in FableWood, and she believed in what she might be able to do.


"You were an inspiration...you may have been lost before you got here, but...I don't think the you that came through that portal, is the same you that's here right now." She pulled back to hold Elena at arms length. "Don't sell yourself short. You're...amazing."

 

[Hel]

Anya turned to face Quincy, and everything about her seemed to fall, almost defeated. "They aren't tricks.. Or are they?" She asked the woman, "I can't help anyone." She shook her head and looked at the griffon. When he spoke she looked at him, she didn't want to move closer, he seemed upset.


Alexander listened to the girl, and watched Elena's response. "Don't linger on what can't be changed, focus on what can." He added, whatever small amount of wisdom it was, she may find it of some use. If she didn't then at least he had tried. He was curious about this other dragon, but figured it was a topic for another time.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo startled by the reaction of Ward stepped closer to the gryphon. He placed his hands together and began to chant "Oh great forest in which this humble servant protects, bless these hand to bring light to a darkened world." Leo's hands began to glow a brilliant green aura. "My friend please forgive me for this intrusion. I do not wish to hurt you." Leo reached out quickly to attempt the grasp the Gryphon's head. The magic he wielded was based in his connection to the forest, and since the darkness had begun to control the forest, he was able to use his powers of healing less and less. He would only have one shot to get the gryphon released from the control of the dark forest's clutches and if he was not able to use it he would have to use his own reserves of power, or wait to absorb what little of the forests energy he could to try again. "Banba, get her safe. Get the humans to safety, everyone else stand at the ready."


@SilverFlight

 

[SilverFlight]

The dark thing that had been hiding in the trunk shuddered with joy. He had been so easy to catch! Filled with guilt and self-doubt, the forest weakened his will and the spell that was cast finished it off. Even if the forest's effect was cleansed, it would take magic of a different kind to release the gryphon from evil's control.


Ward's black eyes darted to the forest guardian, like lightning he feinted to the side, then screeched a challenge and lunged straight for Leo's throat. His massive size looming over the guardian, wings snuffing out the light as they encircled his enemy.

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy's response was cut short by the sound of the lion man's voice. He was casting some kind of magic, ordering the humans protected. The kelpie stepped slightly in front of the girl sh had been speaking to, just as the gryphon began fighting back. In an instant, her bow was raised with an arrow at the ready, pointed at the giant bird. “What is happening? What do I do?" She asked, somewhat to the human girl and somewhat to the lion man. Since leaving her pool, she hadnt encountered so much at once; it was beyond her ability to understand and deduce what was going on.

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba, looking back at Leo and the gryphon, reacted as soon as she saw the black eyes. She raced around, painfully grabbing anybody she saw as she went, gaining speed and bodies, her arms stretched freakishly wide. She galloped away, all but Leo and Ward in her arms, depositing the group at the feet of the others tat had run away. Pointing to the Kelpie, whom she noticed had a bow, she giggled.


"Sticks and strings may break my wings but words will never leave my mouth." And with that, she raced away, expertly weaving through the trees till she came back to the two in battle. She was back in her lizard form, standing at the ready for whatever was flung her way, tail twitching in agitation.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena's eyes were dull, at first. The visions began to fade and the voices of Alexander and Leia filled her instead. She was finally able to focus on the face in front of her. Nodding a thank you to both of them, she felt her eyes leak a little. Before she knew it, she was crying. Though Elena didn't bother wipe a tear or even acknowledge them.


"Thank you.. Leia I've been really scared.. I still am. I'm not brave... Because everything I faced here wasn't something I'm afraid of.. Don't look up to me.. I tried to kill myself to run away.."


She paused and got to her feet with shaky legs and nodded appreciatively to them both.


"But I'm getting better.."


She wiped her face on a sleeve and looked back in the direction of the others.


"How is everyone else doing?"

 

[zCrookedz]

For split second Leos hand lay upon the griffon and the energy of the forest shot through his mind in an attempt to loosen the grasp of the darkness, but to no avail it seemed. Upon realizing the the griffon was aiming for his neck, Leo followed through with his attack, using his hand to push the griffons head to the side, He continued through with he movement, spinning on his heels to face his companion. Leo's heart pounded in his chest like a war drum. It had been many moons since his last conflict and unfortunately this was one he did not wish to be a part of. The griffons screech resonated through the forest, ricocheting off the glass and shattering some of the trucks smooth faces. Leo snarled and let loose a roar the likes of which was unmatched, accepting his friends dark challenge. As the griffons wings began to enclose around him, Leo rolled backwards across the ground landing in a crouched position. He reached for his double bladed war ax. Leo once again began to chant. "Oh great forest, blunt thy weapon to not farm thy friends, sharpen thy mind to attack thy enemies, and bring light to the world to rid it of darkness." A soft green glow emitted from the edges of the axes so if he hit Ward. A small amount of energy left him as he tapped into his own reserves, but he would not harm Ward even if that was not his intent.


@SilverFlight

 

[Hel]

Anya shook her head to try and clear it, recognizing an immediate threat when she saw one. She reached for her dagger, and grabbed the other from the mirror, When she smashed the mirror it helped to clear her mind, she wasn't sure if it was the act or the shattered mirror, but she could focus a little better. "Ward! I thought Griphons protected their treasure?! Aren't your companions treasure enough?!" She called, trying to break though to him- or at the very least distract him so the lion-man could help.


Alexander offered an arm for support to Elena, she seemed shaky and a little weak. "It sounds as though there may be something going on back with the others, but I cannot tell what from this distance."

 

[SilverFlight]

"I know you'll be fine." Leia said, wiping a tear of her own quickly from her cheek. When Elena asked how everyone was doing her expression fell.


"Its Ward. There's something wrong with him, he won't move, or speak, I think we maybe the only ones who can snap him out of it."


Leia thought about the air spirit and it appeared, ready to lead them back.


"Lets go." She started forward, the cuts on her knees smarting but the worry about what was happening back with the others was worse than that. The spirit rushed off with Leia trailing in hot pursuit.


The gryphon was pushed aside, he glared at Leo and snarled, leaping to close the gap between them and reared up. The little magic he knew began seeping through his body, creating an electric charge. The air snapped and crackled, sparks flying from his wingtips as he lunged at the guardian again. Ward was nowhere to be seen in the eyes of the beast that was in his place. There were no longer any words left in his mind. The spell had done its work completely. Suddenly he whirled around, seeing Anya by the broken mirror sent him into a rage. That was where the treasure was hidden!


With another deafening screech he charged at her.

 

[Archangel]

Saer hung back around the outskirts for a while after they had gone in. Just being near it was drawing up.. Unpleasant memories. Why couldn't that prince have gotten lost somewhere else?


He took a few hesitant steps in, but quickly retreated back outside again. A second time he tried it, with no better luck. He paced around outside in frustration. He needed to go in, but he didn't know what would happen if he did. He stopped, folding his arms across his chest as he stared into the shadows of the darkening forest. His pride wouldn't let him back out of this.


He let out a calm sigh. One foot after the other, he forced himself to walk into the forest. He could feel the shadows almost swirling around his feet, thick with malice. But, the deeper he went, the easier it became to keep moving forward; he kept his eyes firmly riveted forwards, knowing the dangers of looking around in this place all too well. But, suddenly, he felt a presence materialise close behind him. He moved so quickly it was difficult to see; in a split second he had one of his blades drawn, whirling around to point it at the space behind him.


His own reflection looked expressionlessly back at him.


He stared at if for a good few moments, before he took a step back and slammed his blade back into it's sheath. His heart rate had sped up, his breathing a little quicker, but he quickly calmed his pulse. He spun on his heel, his pace quickening away from that place. But a cry echoing through the trees made him falter. It was closer to him than he had expected. The forest had made him completely forget about the group he had been trailing. He cursed silently, and began to run.


He was just in time to see the Griffon lunge at the human girl; he acted without thinking.


Within a blink of an eye he shot between the Griffon and his would be victim, parrying his charge with the flat of his sword, legs braced against the impact. He stared into the inky depths that had now consumed Ward, searching for some kind of life, but he found none.


(@SilverFlight!)

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy watched in horror as the gryphon spun to charge at the human beside her. She hesitated a moment, just as a stranger jumped in front of them, then switched her aim and let the arrow fly. It stayed true to her intention, flying directly at the gryphons foot, narrowly missing their defender as it hit its mark. She grabbed the girl's arm and tugged her backwards. “If theyre protecting you, youre important. Dont get hurt." She ordered, staying next to her with he bow at the ready.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo watched as the griffon reared at him. HE grasped both ends of his axe and lunged to the side to avoid the direct attack of the griffon. His back slammed into a truck, shattering it into hundreds of little shards. The tree's cracks grew higher and higher until the entire tree began to fall apart around Leo. He winced and shook off the pain. Looking up he saw the tree and scrambled as it came crashing down. HE watched as the griffon then charged again at the young woman. Leo growled to himself and dug his claws into the ground after the griffon. Grabbing his axe by the length he hurled it through the air past the griffon and plunged it into the ground a few feet from the girl. He continued his sprint and caught up to the charging griffon. Just as he would reach the girl, Leo would grab the staff and use it and his running momentum to swing himself around the staffs handle and hurl his feet into the side of the griffon before he could reach the girl. Ripping the staff out of the ground when he landed, he bolted towards where the griffon landed and lunged into the air. Attempting to land on the griffon, he would use the length of his ax to try and hold him pinned to the ground.

 

[Hel]

'Idiot, why did you shout??' Anya thought to herself, freezing as the gryphon flew at her, but suddenly someone stood between them. She let Quincy drag her backwards, and wondered what use she was if she couldn't fight. 'but he was our friend' She thought.