Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[chamomile]

(I've been busy. Sorry! And this is the only way I can think of to not disturb the current path of the story)


Lexi had dismounted off Ouro ungracefully, being nuzzled before following the party into the mirror-like forest, most of the time, ignoring the conversations they tried to have with her or the dicussions they're having in general. The trees, from point of view, seemed slightly harmless, bore reflections of those who pass them, through the paths of shards they led in and out of such a forest.


To be honest, she was freaked out the moment she saw this place. But it wasn't one she should be scared of, rather, she should be terrified and that's exactly how it felt. Every so often, the crunch of the mirrors breaking under her step made her flinch, voices whispering making her paranoid and the swirling motions in trees made her stop abruptly in her tracks, wishing to see what it wants to show. But fortunately, someone would either nudge her back to reality or they would catch her eye and beckon her back into walking.


To Lexi, minutes flew pass as if it was mere moments and she wondered if time passes through these thick branches as it was quite dark. If the sun have already rose, Lexi couldn't see it like the way she fail to notice the decreasing numbers of the group as well as it increasing in new members. She was staring at someone's back as she walked quietly. Looking up front would sometimes make her accidentally glance at the trees, looking down are the leaves that she was too, afraid of. This part of her... This part of her rarely shows. But now it's here, exposed to darkness.


She heard a screech and did what the first thing that came to mind: 'Run'. Lexi weaved into the trees that she mistakenly thought could take her away from the dangers when it hit her: Danger was all around her from the very start and no weapon could pierce this threat. Everything is silent and cold. She stood, unsure where to look. Did someone noticed she was gone? Probably not as they might be facing the instant danger at the moment.


Then, words flickered around and whispers filled her ears. She can't make out what they were saying but it was crushing her heart. Lexi dropped to her knees staring blankly as she absorbed what she heard. One of the whisper finally spoke much clearly than the rest. Truth... Look into our mirrors child was all it said. She didn't want to and a whole lot more faint screams was heard all around her. She ended up laying on the ground with her hands stuck to her ears to prevent it but it was no use. She was struck with a idea and shoved her hand into the pocket in which she kept her iPod, placing the earplugs rather agressively in her ears and blasted the first song which was inappropriate to the situation: Panamore - Ain't it fun.


This made her relax until the music suddenly stopped, causing her driven to panic. It started crackling as if it was picking up a radio signal but there wasn't anything on the other side. With a brave gulp, she stared at the nearest tree and the vision made her voice went straight to its highest until it was no more than an agonizing scream as she close her eyes shut. The vision was her mother, once a beautiful Irish maiden, morphed to a deformed monster of some sort. The face that made her scared when Lexi visited her mother. She took the dagger out of the pocket and smashed the glass with it. There, she lay motionless, waiting for someone to open her eyes as she fainted.

 

[Naeg1]

Zelnite finally stood up and thanked Leo for healing him. Now he was at full strength and ready to fight the thing once more, but he realized that someone else was using his blade. He had no time to get it back so he pulled out a sharp dagger from his pocket and quickly dashed towards Leia, cutting the vines that entangled her and carried her to safety, again calling for a medic.


Once Zelnite knew that the girl was in a safe place he went on to help the gryphon. Cutting the vines that also trapped him and continued defending him untill he was able to stand up to fight.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo made his way over to Zelnite and Leia and began to heal her the same way he healed him. "Go, the griffon has exposed the beasts heart!" He quickly healed the girl and checked to make sure she would be alright. He then turned to the action and raced in to where his ax lay in front of the beast. Batting off the vines with his claws he continued on until he was able to scoop up his ax and begin to chop away at the vines flailing around. He made his way towards the vine that held the glimmering stone and began to go into a frenzy. The closer he got the more vines the creature tried to ensnare him with. Leo hacked until all that was left was the giant vine, gash in the side of it revealing a red stone. He raised the large blade over his head "This is for the forest!!" With i mighty roar he brought the heavy blade down on the vines heart, a pristine shattering now fell over the forest as the fragments crumbled to the ground. The creature roared and hissed as the vine began to wither away. Almost immediately Leo could feel the power of the beast waning from the forest.

 

[Hel]

Anya slashed and cut away at the roots of the plant, meanwhile, believing it may be doing some good until one of the vines wrapped around her foot and extracted her from the roots, pulling her too the air, as it did, however Leo smashed the gem and the plant began to wither, and it dropped her. When she hit the ground it knocked the wind from her, and she layer there for a few moments before going to check on her friends. She went to Elena first, and checked on her wounds. She had some very basic first aid training, but she was no healer.


After Anya had left, Alexander freed himself from where the vines held him and burned away the rest of the root system with a steady, hot stream of fire meant to prevent the plant from coming back stronger.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena laid still, the back of her head was dripping a deep red which spread along some of the glass and matted her hair. It was a wound from the impact itself. There were various cuts and bites which weren't as bad, though she seemed out like a light. Her face was calm, as though napping.


Within her own mind, Elena lay in the murky water once more, though it was clearer water. Her eyes were open below the surface, wide despite the sun hitting the top of the water. She saw everyone in Fablewood together. They were talking in muffled happy tones. Then the image turned to Anya and Elena opened her eyes truly this time to a blurred vision of the same girl.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo looked around at the rest of the plant. The vines were browning and beginning to wither away, but the mouth and roots were still intact. He looked around searching for the others who were fighting. The crystals, whatever they were, was what was giving the plant creature life. As loud as he could he signaled to the rest of the team "Aim for the last two crystals!! Its what is keeping the creature alive!!" Glancing around he caught sight of Elena sticking half way through a glass tree. "Oh no.." Leo ran towards her, jumping and crushing the withering vines that lay in his way. He reached the tree and could see lots of blood. He reached into the tree and lifted the girl from being attacked by any more of the shards of glass. He could see that her eyes were still open, a good sign of her conscious mind. "Hold on little one." He placed her gently on the ground and looked over the extent of her wounds. With a deep sigh he close his good eye and held out his hands over her. "Oh great forest, heal this young girls wounds so that she may serve you and destroy darkness from the world." A green aura began to emanate from his hands and covered the girl from head to two. The energy would heal her wounds and bring her back to the conscious world as it had with Zelnite. Once the healing had concluded, he looked over the wounds, "Are you alright my lady?"


@Bea Delaine

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena watched in blurred vision as the face of Anya transitioned into that of a large wild cat man.. Leo? Yeah. That was his name. His mouth was moving and the sound was high pitched in buzzing ears. Next thing she knew, a pale green light took over her vision. When her eyes adjusted, and the light faded, she regained feeling and strength.


Sitting up Slowly and not quite sure, she looked her arms and legs up and down, hands moving to her bodied head but feeling no wound. Turning her attention to the kind guardian, she nodded slowly.


"I think.. I'm alright.. Thank you." She stood up, regretting having not eaten in a while and using her new ability so much. It was something she was not quite used to. She was pretty sure she black out Before the getting thrown. It was sort of embarrassing.


"Is.. Um.. Did we win yet?" She asked, still slightly disoriented.

 

[SilverFlight]

((no worries, glad you're back ^^ ))


@GiannaCoco


As soon as his bonds were cut Ward raced across to Elena, closing the distance with several swift wing beats. He landed beside her as Leo began healing, changing back into a man and looking over Anya's head with a worried expression. When she opened her eyes he breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly he felt weak, as if he might collapse, but he held together, resting a hand on Elena's arm.


He poured his energy into helping Leo heal her, saying nothing, just staring down at her with a relieved smile.


He stood back as she rose. "The fight is almost ours." He said with a little more strength, watching the plant writhe while the others addressed final weak points.


Leia dropped to the ground, rising slowly and getting well clear of the demon begonia.


"I was almost plant food. Thanks, uh, Zel?"

 

[Naeg1]

"Yep, that's the name" Zelnite smiled as he rushed towards the red crystal, attacking the thing, but he breaks his dagger. Realizing this he went towards the lizard girl to get his blade back. Finally, with a huge thrust at the crystal, it broke. "One More crystal left guys! Anyone wanna take it?" He says triumphantly while he fights the last of the vines that surrounded him.

 

[Hel]

"I'm glad you're alright," Anya told her, moving aside so that ward could get to her if he wanted, she had just been trying to keep Elena with it long enough for someone who could actually do something to get there, Anya turned back to the fight and went to help defend the Kelpie who had protected her before, the roots were clearly the dragon's business now that there were so many flames.


Alexander was still dodging the vines, but they seemed to be less Agressive than before. He dove to try and smash the gem in the center of what used to be the root system, and found himself unable- it was precious. He couldn't bring himself to destroy it, though he had exposed it with flame. He stood, staring and trying to decide when he felt the vines coming at him again. This time they targeted his delegate wings, and after the first small tear he roared loudly and pressed his wings close, focusing on the vine instead of the enticing gem.

 

[sitanomoto]

Foxy, who had been following the group, watched in horror. Not being able to see them tortured like this she let out a loud "YAAAAAAAAH!" And threw herself at the final weak spot, her fox ears pressed flat against her head. She stabbed downwards into the crystal and twisted, the crystal cracking, shaking, and shattering. The plant let out a loud screech and began to shudder and drop its vines one by one.


Foxy was panting heavily. She looked at the group and smiled. "Hey guys. Been a while." Her tail swished as she stood, her sword covered in plant guts.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena rubbed her head blearily, finding herself content in not moving as the final moments of the fight transgressed. Apparently the weak point was a crystal like heart in some of the pieces. She watched as a fox girl destroyed the last and exhaled a sigh of relief. Her feet were shaky after passing out the last time, even after all her injuries were thankfully closed and healed. Like this, she wouldn't be any good in the fight.


Looking to her companions who helped her, she nodded to them happily.


"The Prince.. Is he freed yet, should we go to him?"

 

[SilverFlight]

The plant convulsed as the last gem was shattered, then went wild, thrashing about as it started to shrink. It grew smaller and smaller until the last of its energy was spent and it slumped to the ground, the size of a normal house plant and dissolved into a pile of smoking ash. Where the stem had been was now an empty space, but within it something glimmered in the ash.


Leia grasped her ribs, wincing in pain as she made her way over to it, brushing aside the ash to see what it was. She was surprised to find her hand went right through it, but the glimmer was getting brighter.


Ward looked back at the prince who was still laying against a tree. As the gryphon watched his limbs became less and less transparent.


"I've never seen the fading reverse like that before..." he turned to Elena, taking her hands gently in his. "It must be your effect. Come with me." He beckoned to Elena and Anya.


He led them to where Leia knelt, the light shimmering just at knee height now. "You too." He called to Ashley and Leo.


He knelt beside the light.


"Touch it." He told the girls. "And Leo, reach into the heart of the forest, try and help it remember what it once was."


Leia gave Ward a skeptical look and took a visual turn about their surroundings. "You really think we can fix this...by toughing a light?"


Ward tilted his head and gave her a sideways glance. "Have a little faith."


Leia reached out and touched the glimmering orb.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo watched the fox girl throw herself into the plants final heart and a wave of rlief washed over him as the plant dissolved into nothingness. Leo closed his eye and felt the darkness resending out of the darkness until it was nothing more. But he was discouraged, the forest was quiet to him. It felt alien to him, like a piece of him was missing. He watched the other gather around the shinning light and heard Ward call to him. Leo stood and walked slowly over to the crater of the giant plant and watched the shinning light. He knelt by the hole and placed his hands on his legs. He closed his eye and concentrated.


The forest was empty. What was once a lush and living being, was now a shell of nothingness. A tear rolled down Leo's face. He had never been without the spirits company, now it was like losing a piece of himself.Just as he was about to descend his mind and bring the bad news to his company, a spark prodded at his mind. It was not much, but it was there. Fearing the beast had been able to retain a small amount of power, Leo sought out the power, and was astonished to find the forest spirits essence clinging to life. "Dearest spirit......please exsept my apology to not be able to protect you. I have failed as a guardian, and willingly through myself at your mercy" The spirit reached out and touched his mind " My dearest friend, do not blame yourself for this tragedy. Unforeseen circumstances brought this creature to my forest and took root before I could warn you. But now there is something you must do." Leo, grateful of the spirits forgiveness and love bowed to her "I live to serve you." The spirits escense began to come closer to Leo until it was physicaly entagled with his mind. "My body is week, but time will heal the forest. But I need to absorb energy from the world to regain my full power over the forest. I will accompany you, and you will accompany the griffon and his party. Help them, the humans need your carrying hands to protect them from the darkness to come." Leo graciously accepted the spirit into his mind and recended his mind from the forest, feeling that power of the forest had already began to heal itself. Leo opened his one good eye, glowing a bright green monetarily until it returned to normal. He sighed and looked to Ward. "the spirit is alive, she has given the forest the last of her energy to begin healing. But she will need protecting while she gathers energy from the world . She asks that I join you on your quest"

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena watched the effect of the last gem breaking with apprehension and yet also excitement. The prince who once looked like an not dignified half erased pencil sketch now seemed to regain life. His legs materializing slowly. To ward, her eyes lit from his hope.


"So.. If we give our effect to this orb will it be okay again?" Without awaiting an answer, she took hold of it, using the part of her she uses when activating the book. She watched the shimmer and felt so tired but so determined.

 

[Hel]

Anya too looked very skeptical, but after magically training weapons, dragons, griffons, shape shifters, and flying bronze horses she figured she might as well obey. Anya headed nearer, and leaned down to touch the light. 'Whatever this does' she thought.


Alexander changed back to his human form, finding it more appropriately sized. He drew nearer to the glowing orb, also, curious about what would happen.

 

[SilverFlight]

At first the light pulsed, reacting to Leo's thoughts and wishes, then it began to fade.


Leia's expression changed "Oh no, what's happening?"


Ward had no words and together they watched with falling hopes as the light disappeared. A silence fell over the clearing. It was then Ward noticed light beginning to creep through the branches. Dawn was coming.


He sighed, slumping back on his heels...after all that...what had they done wrong? perhaps the evil that had taken hold was just too powerful for the forest to resist...


Just then he felt something. The earth beneath his knees was warmer. Leia and the gryphon looked down to see the light appear again, but this time pulsing through the earth! Just then a shockwave rocked the entire clearing. It startled Leia and threw Ward onto his back. Anyone standing would have been given a jolt as well.


The light raced outwards from the center where they knelt, kicking up ash and dust as it went. The shadows began retreating, seeping out of the trees and the earth and evaporating with dawn's approaching light. The light!


Ward looked about as the mirrors began reflecting it, ten, twenty-fold. They glittered brighter and brighter, the entire forest blooming in a burst of colour. The glass shards evaporated from the ground and reappeared intact as the leaves that had once decorated the branches. Crystal blossoms sprouted from every twig and from the center of the pit a spring began to gush forth, spilling pristine water to form a wide pond. The axe statue lay at its center not black at all anymore but a faded blue granite studded with sparkling grains of sand.


Ward looked about in awe. There was not a trace of the darkness that had plagued this place before. he looked at the girls and at Leo with pure joy lighting his face as bright as the trees.


"We did it!" he cried, leaping up as high as he could, fist in the air. "The forest is healed!"


Against his tree trunk the prince began to move. He opened his eyes as if waking from a long sleep. Looking around in wonder and confusion.

 

[BloodThunder27]

Travelling with this bunch sure was interesting. Maybe Ashley will have stories to tell her child in the next couple of years? Suddenly a Bow fell right in front of her. Finally, something to use, she thought. If this was a Bow that fired Mystic Arrows, then she wouldn't have to worry about ammunition. Otherwise, she would. As she looked around her, the group was filled with Curiosity. How come she wasn't? Was she just too afraid for her baby? Most likely. As she picked up the Bow, she slung it over back while wondering what to do next.

 

[sitanomoto]

Foxy looked at the trees and let herself absorb the nature's song. "It's been so long, my friend." She murmured, putting her forehead on a tree. She straightened up. "That demon begonia isn't the only one. There are other parts of the forest that still need help, like mine." She said to the group. "My friends are in danger," she whispered to a bird nearby. "Please, spread the word." The bird chirped and flew off to the east.

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy continued shooting from her spot next to the sleeping prince, giving the others as much cover as she could as they dealt the final blows to the plant. When it was finally gone, they began doing something she couldnt understand, something with a light. Feeling confused, and annoyed by her ignorance, she turned and crouched next to the prince, touching his face with a cool hand to try to wake him up. Suddenly, there was an extremely bright light and the ground shook. When she could open her eyes again, she was surprised tp find the forest beautiful and warm, and the prince awake. “Prince?" She asked softly, putting a hand on his shoulder as he woke further.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena watched the light fade. Her heart dropped like a stone into her stomach, believing they failed at first. The whole forest for one breathless moment held an atmosphere so thin and lifeless, Elena almost believed that was the last moment of Fablewood itself, not just the final moments of a forest.


"Why didn't it-"


She felt it before she saw it. A lively and intense pulse of energy jolted through the ground. then more. Before long, she noticed the color return to the land. No longer jagged and threatening, the forest glittered. Smiling, first warmly at the energetic Ward, then among the others, she jogged to the waking Prince.


"Don't worry sir.. We have come to rescue and return you to Your home.. How do you feel?"

 

[Archangel]

(Sorry it's so long 'O^O)


Saer trailed a little distance after the group, careful not to go too close to one of the humans as they headed deeper into the forest. He was, and not for the first time, questioning his decision. If the shadows do, in fact, take over the FableWoods, it would potentially destroy the wards around Tyra that I can't touch. I could finally exact my commands, and be freed from this mortal land. What happens after doesn't concern me.


A darker expression settled over his features; it wasn't a work of black magic, possession, or even a sickness of the mind. These were his own thoughts running through his head. Yet, it was from a part of him which he had learnt to tone down somewhat.


He paused by one of the trees, a little way back from the group, lost in thought. He watched as the plant-beast reared its ugly head, but made no move just yet. He saw all the rest of the group fighting it as best they could, but some getting caught by the hideous tentacle-like abominations and crushed. Absentmindedly, his eyes never leaving the scene before him, he plunged his sword down into a thick, sluggish vine that had wormed its way towards him, and without so much as a flicker of expression, viciously twisted the blade. It squealed, bucking and writhing, before he pulled the sword back out. The plant decided to take a little more notice of him now. Multiple vines snaked towards his feet like snakes, but each of them were, eventually, slashed to ribbons. But just as he began to get into the flow of battle, he heard a faint smashing noise, somewhere back in the forest. He paused, sword stuck through a vine as it flailed weakly, turning to survey the trees around them. Pinpointing the direction it came from, he wrenched the blade out and disappeared between the shimmering trunks.


It didn't take long for him to find the tiny, white-haired human, fainted on the glass-strewn floor. He circled her for a second, seeing the smashed tree; he glanced up for a second, locking eyes with his reflection in a nearby tree, and immediately regretted doing so. His reflection seemed... Normal. But something wasn't quite right. It didn't take him long to spot it; the thick, black sap covering the blade of his drawn sword wasn't quite as thick or as black as it should be. It was red, dripping slowly off the razor sharp tip. His eyes followed it all the way up, only to see that it was somehow coming from his hands in a steady flow, yet he knew it wasn't his. His other hand, too, was dripping with blood. Pools of the dark, ruby liquid was forming around his feet, blooming like macabre roses on his clothes. His skin prickled, a cold shudder running down his spine. He knew what the reflection was trying to get at; yet, he was not a normal creature who would be affected by such things. He existed for it. But that didn't change the unnerving feeling that the image brough with it. It took a titanic force of will to drag his eyes away from the mirror, before it could manifest into anything worse. His attention turned back to the human, whom, while staying a fair distance away, he nudged with the toe of his boot. He hesitated, and nudged her again.


"Human. Wake up." he murmured.


But, he stumbled back a bit as the ground bucked underneath his feet, immediately on guard. Yet, when the light of dawn poured through the trees, he let out a breath that he didn't know he had been holding. The sudden change of atmosphere was immediate; gone was the oppressive shadows and grey, shifting shapes in the darkness, instead replaced by a glittering mirage of colour and fresh light. It's just how I remember it now..


But, he still didn't like this place, corrupted or not. He certainly looked forward to when he could finally leave.


His attention was quickly diverted back to the human. How should I..? He wasn't going to touch her, that was for sure. Just being near made him uncomfortable.


He edged closer, and with as few fingers as possible, gingerly took her by the back of the collar. A grimace flashed across his face, feeling the almost electric energy jarring all the way up his arm. Trying not to run, he pulled her back to where the others were. He placed her gently onto the floor, stepping away swiftly, subconsciously holding the arm that had been too close to her, being almost painful even after he had moved away.


"It seems that one of your companions had gotten lost in the forest.." he spoke softly to no one in particular as he watched the Kelpie with the prince, before turning back to the small human. A frown passed over his features, but otherwise there was no sign of any of the conflict in his mind.


@GiannaCoco

 

[SilverFlight]

((Anyone have ideas on our next adventure we can chat in the OOC, I want to hear ideas!))


"Fior." said the prince groggily. "My name is Fior." He rubbed his head and got up slowly. There were worried faces staring at him, faces he did not know, but felt he should be thankful to.


"T-the forest! It is healed! He looked around in awe, then back at the girls standing by him.


"Briar sent you?" Then realization dawned on his fair face. "Oh! You are the humans!" He bowed low, sweeping what remained of his cape behind him in a courtly flourish. "I humbly thank you for your assistance."


"There fountain horses are waiting for us in the clearing." Ward told him before turning to Leo. He held out a hand to the guardian, who now towered above him in his smaller, human form. He was happy to look up to the weathered and stalwart warrior however.


"It means a great deal that you would leave your beloved home to help us." He said kindly, "I know princess Briar would be eager to thank you, come back to Branbern."


Leia nodded as she looked around. "Now this, is much better." Suddenly she frowned as she cast her gaze on all present.


"Where's Lexi?"

 

[Hel]

Anya let herself smile, feeling as though she may have actually helped, but instead of assuring the prince's well being she saw the man who she spoke with earlier bring one of the girls back. "Oh!" She exclaimed, wondering how they had lost someone. "Is she alright?" Anya asked, moving a touch closer. She hadn't spoken with this girl, really, but as everyone seemed distracted by the prince she moved a touch closer. "Are you alright?" She asked again, this time to the girl. Anya tried shaking her to wake her.

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo looked about the forest, his breath still. His forest had returned to the world. He was overcome by joy he soaked in the light of the trees, taking am great inhale of the fresh breeze and let loose a roar to shake the leaves. With the spirit of the forest giving him new orders, and now residing in his mind, he was free to follow her orders and follow Ward and the rest of the group to their next destination.