Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[SilverFlight]

There was a rapid set of clanking scrapes as Ward's talons connected with the sword wielded by the spirit of vengeance, glancing harmlessly to one side. Suddenly an arrow shot past, grazing ward's leg and drawing blood in a flurry of feathers. He hissed at the kelpie, then set his eyes on Saer. Suddenly a blow from the side knocked him completely off his feet as Leo came barreling in to pin him down. Ward struggled, but his wing was still free and it swooped forward to knock Leo away.


"STOP!" Leia yelled. She stood in a clearing, arrow knocked to her bow and drawn. Her expression was a mixture of fear and pain. Fear of what had happened to the gryphon, and pain because she was now pointing an arrow straight at her friend.


"Ward please, this isn't you!"


The gryphon after swiping at Leo the gryphon paused, his dark eyes focusing on Leia...trying to remember.

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy held her bowstring right next to her cheek, watching carefully for the gryphon to make another aggressive move toward the girl next to her or the other human girl. She didnt want to shoot at the creature, but something told her to listen to the lion man and protect the humans. “He cant hear you! He is possessed!" She called, gritting her teeth a little.

 

[zCrookedz]

The griffons loose wings swung through the air and hit him in the chest, knocking Leo back several feet. He poised his axe to begin another strike to pin him, but the sudden outburst of emotions from the girl with the bow halted him. Leo glanced back at the griffon seeing the confusion in his eyes. He poised himself ready should he not be able to pull himself back, but took the opportunity to reach out into the forest and gather what little energy he could to replenish himself.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena thought of rejecting but thought better of it. She was indeed shaky. She grabbed hold of Alexander in support and looked to Leia with concern. Ward is in trouble?


Hurrying to the scene, she returned her one weapon, her book. She drew an image of earthen vines growing from the ground and she retrieved her sword. Releasing the dragon, still shaky, she ran towards the griffin and pointed her book towards him.


Vines escaped the book, in thick growths and wrapped around the griffin, hard as metal but flexible plant life. She lowered her weapon in the chaos and approached, hoping they would hold him still but not sure.


"Ward..? Can you here me? See us all?"

 

[BloodThunder27]

With all the chaos unraveling around her, Ashley was unsure of what to do. This forest really was dangerous as the Guardian had said when they first met. As she held her stomach, the young Mother-to-be began worrying for the safety of her unborn child. What could she do to help, she wondered. She couldn't just stand there and do nothing...

 

[SilverFlight]

Leia's distraction left just enough time for Elena to use her book. The vines coiled about the gryphon, restraining him even as he struggled and holding him tight. Ward was forced to the ground, glaring at Elena through pitch black eyes, his head now level with hers. He roared in anger.


Leia kept her arrow drawn but watched carefully "Oh, Ward, how in the world did you get like this?"


The evil that had worked its magic on the gryphon shifted with annoyance. No no no! it could feel its grip slipping as the gryphon was reminded of his friends, the real things he loved.


More anger...The evil presence poured the rest of what it had into the spell.

 

[Hel]

Anya kept her blades at the ready, she had no clue how to use them, and no intentions to harm an ally.


Alexander was about to lurch into battle when the girl beside him restrained the griffon. He waited, fearing his attacks would damage the gryphons body, and not do a thing to harm the creature inside, instead he moved to the side of the pregnant woman. He knew the other two could handle themselves, and the one with daggers seemed to have enough others protecting her.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena got eye level with him, attempting to show love in her eyes. It didn't end up being difficult, as he was the first to show her kindness for a very long time. She had to repay him.


She dropped her sword and tried to find the real Ward in those eyes.


"We are all waiting for you.. Because you are our friend right? Not just our protector... But an important person now to me as well... So please fight it." She said in a steady voice, brown eyes unafraid and welcoming.


"I believe in you... I don't doubt that you'll get free.. We are all just here for encouragement, alright?"

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo could feel the anger through forest as the darkness began to pour more power into its control. Uncertain of what he could do, Leo began to concentrate his meditation into the forest. As all guardians would know, the connection and devotion to that which the guard is strong. With a forest guardian, the flow of energy that they aquire from the earth, can be reversed and the guardian can flow into the forest. Leo began searching for the darkness until he reach the power flow. He began to concentrate his energy into the forest where the darkness dwelled. "you are not pure of heart and must stop. I will see to that even if it kills me for I am a guardian!!" Leo focused his energy on the darknesses connection to Ward, attempting to weaken it further so he could escape.

 

[Archangel]

Saer slid his foot back across the glass-strewn floor, resting the icelike metal of one of his swords over the back of his hand in a defensive posture as he watched the scene unfold, preparing for having to make another move. But the sheer level of emotion pouring from one of the humans stopped him in his tracks. He glanced back at her, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. He had walked FableWood for a long time now, but this level of emotion for a friend.. Rare. How naïve and kind but stupid are these strange creatures? He didn't understand it at all. But I fear the Kelpie may be right...


He tilted his head as he watched another of the humans summon the vines to bind the now wild Griffon. Since when did humans have that kind of power-? Yet his musings were abruptly cut short as he felt a strange kind of chill. Dark magic? His eyes scanned through the shifting darkness of the forest around them, but he couldn't see anything at all. Whatever it was, it was well hidden. But his attention was immediately back on Ward again; there was something worse about it his presence now. He had a feeling that the enchantment over the creature had only gotten stronger. The Guardian seemed to have sensed it too.


He tensed as the human got down to eye level with the Griffin. Too close.. Yet something stopped him from interfering just yet; he watched intently, on guard, yet still curious. Could it possibly work..?

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward stared at Elena through dark eyes, breathing heavily after the effort of trying to break free. In his mind another battle raged. He fought to regain his senses.


"E..len..a" He said slowly, his voice returning from the feral growls he had uttered before.


A shimmer in the back of his thoughts rippled through the darkness, Leo had reached the core of the evil's power in the wood.


Ward cried again, but this time it was it was a yell in defiance.


"I will not be controlled!" With a mighty heave the vines snapped as the gryphon reared up. A torrent of memories came back to him, flooding his mind with light, and life...and love. With one last effort, using those memories and the feelings he had he pushed it all against the darkness...and it shattered.


When he landed on all fours again he looked at Elena, golden eyes glittering.


"Thank you." he said softly, a tear trickling down is soft cheek feathers.


"Thank you all." He looked to Saer, and to Leo, Anya and the rest.


"I'm back." He smiled down at Elena, changing back into human form.

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy could feel nothing but confusion at the events and the outpouring of love, but kept her arrow trained on the griffin. If he broke free and threatened the girl crouched in front of him, she would hopefully stop him before he could hurt her too badly. She knew it was the black magic controlling him, but it seemed imperative to protect the humans. Finally, recognition dawned in him and he broke the magic, allowing her to relax the string a little. Once he had stood and seemed normal, she lowered it completely, watching their triumph silently.

 

[Hel]

"Are you hurt?" Anya asked, wondering how he could not be. She moved closer, assured that this was not a trick. She was still fighting the images of the mirrors, her questions about her friend, and her charges back in the world she knew still nagged relentlessly at her.


"We should find the prince and leave, before the darkness steals another of our allies." Alexander spoke, "It seems our party has grown quite large, and while it may be stronger, there are also more weaknesses to exploit. He glanced around the others, taking count of who was with them. It seemed perhaps he was unnecessary after all. 'Well, I can always stay along to watch, and help if things get to be too much for them. There do seem to be a couple... less than ideal fighting companions." Alex thought to himself.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo watched as the darkness falters. A golden stream on energy began to glow at the base of the connection to Ward. Leo skilled and gave one last push as Wards willpower shot back up the stream of energy and lacerated the dark being. It screamed in pain as it retreated deep into its dark void in the forests mind. Leo sensed the forest becoming more aware of itself once again, if only faintly. Leo drew himself from the forest and opens his one good eye as Ward looked at him. He nodded to the griffon and placed his weapon back in its home on his back. Leo placed his hands together and bowed, "Oh great forest, you have once again shown the great strength you posses in each of us. We thank you and priase you." Leo relaxed his demeanor and walked over to Ward kneeling beside him, "Do you require healing my lord?"

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena sat still, not daring to move. Her eyes scanned his and the moment she caught traces of his old self, Ward spoke her name. His outburst which followed lead the smaller brunnette to reel back a bit. She stood watching and hoping for the best. He seemed in pain for a moment, or maybe merely struggling.


Finally, she was sure he was back. His speaking and eye contact validated her hopes and she rushed him as he returned to his other form before she could have a second thought. She hugged his strongly, though the pull back was awkward.


"I wasnt worried.." she lied badly. "How are you feeling?"

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward hugged her too, feeling his cheeks colour a little. He coughed and fiddled with the hem of his shirt.


Leia dropped her bow and ran at him too, hugging both of them when she reached them. It was the most affection she had shown in years, and it felt pretty good.


Ward looked back at Leo thankfully. "I'm no lord." he said with a smile. "Just a gryphon, and I think I have well-earned every scrape and bruise."


He took the pendant in his good hand (The other sill bleeding a little from the gash Quincy's arrow had given him.)


"Let us be off!" he said. "I think I may have an idea on how we can heal the forest."


Ward new there were no words that could possibly make up for what had happened...for what he had nearly done, but allowing himself to be consumed by guilt was what had left him open to dark forces. He would not let it happen again.


"The center of the forest. That is where I am certain we will find Prince Fior." He turned to the new faces, looking at each in turn.


"I know...I know I have given you every reason to distrust me. I was not myself." He added the last bit quietly. "But we need your help. each of you whether you believe it or not is important. You are all part of this story now, and the roles you play will affect us all."


He paused, never really having to give a motivational speech before, he felt a little silly.


"So, lets find the prince, and free this forest and all of FableWood from the darkness!"


Leia couldn't help but raise a fist and yell. excitement and determination rekindling in her heart and chasing away the dark fears that had once been so numerous. Things...were going to be allright.


 
((That's me for tonight, its late where I am, thanks everyone for joining, this rp is just getting cooler and cooler xD catch you tomorrow! ))

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena smiled wide in a genuine fashion, an expression smaller on her face still than her fake smiles. Chuckling ever so slightly at Wards reaction, she started walking on. She felt newly refreshed, thanks mainly to Leia and Alexander. Her memories were indeed painful, but after being here for a while, she found herself becoming a different person than the other girl who was on the bridge. Maybe just a little.


The brown haired girl bounceda little in her step and looked to Alexander and Leia.


"Thanks for helping me.. im glad everything worked out."


She was glad.. maybe even a little prideful for her plan to have mostly worked. Not proud.. lucky. Blessed. Even more so that Ward was for the most part okay, as well asthe others. Speaking of which..


She slid back in the group and found Leo. Pulling out her book, she wrote and drew the guardian in, including notes about his own bravery.


"You did alot to help Ward.. and me as well.. thank you."

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo smiled. The bravery Ward showed was worthy of his respect and trust. He stood raising his fist as well and roared in jubilation at Wards words of encouragement. But also to signal to the forest, they were here and they were not going to be driven out until his forest was once again safe. He turned and advanced on the Banba and the young pregnant woman. Smiling he offered her his hand once again. "mothers in your condition should not be walking in a forest such as this. Will you allow me to once again carry you and keep you safe on our venture?"


@Shimakage Thunder

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy let herself relax completely, slinging her bow across her back once more. She nodded to the griffin, a small, sharp smile on her lips. “No one will blame you for what you couldn't control. And I apologize for the wound." She said softly, dropping her gaze to the ground at the end of her sentence to avoid the mirrors. Quickly, she looked back up as they began to walk. The kelpie moved closer to the griffin, since he seemed to be the leader, even now. “You all search for the prince of the far-off castle?" She asked the group, trying to piece together what she knew from elves and what she had heard so far. “With these humans, who are somehow magical and important? To the end of stopping the darkness?" She was pretty sure she had a grasp on what was going on, but asking never hurt.

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba blinked, realizing she had been lost in thought, missing the entire scene. Standing up dopily, she giggled at herself.


"I could have easily been maimed." She stated, still giggling. "How gory would that have been!" She watched as Leo came closer to her and the new woman, offering to carry the pregnant girl. She hersel changed back to the white creature, dropping to the glass covered ground and scurrying up to Leo's shoulder, looking triumphantly around at her climbing skills.

 

[Archangel]

After watching and listening to Ward's speech with a mixture of curiosity, confusion and a vague sense of satisfaction, Saer was suddenly reminded in what exact predicament he was in. He immediately took several hurried steps away from the human he had unthinkingly gone and protected, looking around like a caged animal at the rest of the group, and cursed for the second time that day. He didn't exactly regret helping the human, but he was all too aware of how he had so rashly gone and exposed his presence to them all. Damn it all. He had lost his chance of following them unseen. He started backing away, feet crunching quietly on the glass as he spun his sword back and forth in his hand. What now? What now, dammit?


To stay or to go? If he stayed, could he even stand being around humans long enough? But if he went... He would have no restrictions the group carried with them. He could do as he wished. There wouldn't be any chance of them recognising him as the Silver Knight if he was somehow forced to summon his armour. But then again, he couldn't just abandon them so quickly.. He hesitated, half in, half out the shadows he had grown used to lately, ignoring the reflections in the trees as his mind whirled.

 

[Hel]

Anya saw her protector start to shrink away, and she followed him, "Where are you going?" She asked him, "Thank you, for stepping in, by the way." She added, remembering to be polite. "Are you going to stay with us?" She watched him, curious and thankful.


Alexander himself faded back into watching, he said little and merely observed.

 

[Archangel]

Saer practically skipped back a few more paces as one of the humans approached him, not particularly wanting to be too close to one. He let out a breath, closing his eyes for a brief second, before opening them again and meeting her gaze. Receiving thanks like that felt.. Odd.


"...I don't know." he replied carefully, his voice quiet. His eyes flicked up again to Ward; he seemed like he was the unofficial leader of this group.. He truly didn't know whether he was, in fact, going to stay or not. But for some unknown reason, he felt some kind of desire to stay with them. In the end, they were going to help restore the balance of Fablewood. It was the only reason why he came down from his snowy home in the mountains, after all.


"Maybe I will, but not too closely.."

 

[Bea Delaine]

Quickly absorbed in writing every recent event and the art in her book, pages so full already but not growing or losing room, Elena took note of every new person met. She did not draw her own visions, but merely a reflective forest full of tortured looking reflections of everyone in the scene. She chewed her lip, while eyeing others for references when she noticed the taller dark haired man she noticed earlier. She remembered the man watching them, and now he was in the open.


He seemed a bit familiar to Elena. She couldnt put her finger on it. Maybe he just had one of those faces? Sketching him with the group in her book, she timidly made her way towards him.


"Did we see you before..? Sorry. I never caught your name.." she said. She almost felt awkward next to him. She was a small and plain figure and his overall appearance was that of a personified regal sapphire.

 

[Hel]

Anya could tell he was uncomfortable, and stopped at a bit of a distance, anyway. "Well, I hope you stick around, you seem... Good, it's nice." She smiled. Then she looked around the group and realized: almost all of them seemed genuinely... good. Everyone has a less than ideal side, but it was nice for once to be surrounded by people who didn't have blatant alterior motives, or who weren't judging everything she did. She didn't know any of them very well, but she got the sense that most of those who were here, we're here because they truely did want to help.