Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[Hel]

"We should get the two of them back inside, to a healer." Anya said, noting how torn up and exhausted they both were. The spirit surprised her, and almost made her giggle as it healed her. It felt much softer than Leo's healing, not softer, different. Leo's was warm, and home-y. This spirit was cooler, like something running over her skin, It felt almost like she was being tickled. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Bamba is the one who needs the healing." Anya told the spirit, trying to push it towards the shifter.

 

[Lioness075]

Luness yowled in anger when Leo grabbed the back of her neck, an age old trick to make any cat go limp. Feeling herself quickly losing the ability to move her body, Luness hissed at Leo and tried once more to go for his neck.


Hearing what he said, she stopped for a mere second before she hissed in his ear, in a tone that was much more demonic and no longer raspy like her natural tone, "Because everything in this world is temporary. Only death is absolute."


Yet, before she could attempt a move with her new powers, Luness' eyes widened as Leo threw himself backwards and pinned Luness under him. Hearing cracking from her bones underneath Leo's body, Luness howled in pain, her eyes brimming with tears. Soon though, the shadows swamped the pair and went under Leo's body, engulfing Luness' broken bones and mending them.


Her body healed once more, Luness suddenly lurched forward, throwing her head against Leo's head in an attempt to daze him long enough to allow herself to get freed from under his body.


@zCrookedz


Seeing the archdemon fleeing the scene, the two packmembers skidded to a halt, feeling helpless as Luness raged against her companions. The two werewolves whined and folded their ears against their heads before they took a step back and turned to attack the demons in the surrounding area. At the very least, they could keep the enemies at bay while the situation here was resolved.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena felt the feet beneath her find balance. Standing upright after a minute, she saw that suddenly Leia was there too, talking to her. It took another minute to register what she was saying and how beat up the shift and Anya were. Shaking her head to clear the dizzying static from her ears, she spoke.


"I can h-hear you.. Don't worry.. I'm just a little scratched up."


She offered a smile, remembering her armor covered up the worst of the damage.


"But we should get you and Banba to safety, Anya.." She said slowly and careful, dusting off the rest of the gravel.

 

[Jecklyn]

Banba grunted before shrinking down to her lizard form, noticing the spirit healing Anya. As it was pushed towards her, Banba took off running, faster than expected. She didn't even stop until she found Leo, fighting with Luness, Ward and Nyr fighting further down. Alexander seemed to be having some issues, as well. Bounding forward and ignoring the rips along her body, Banba landed as a tiger just a bit bigger than Luness, ready to attack at any moment.

((I figured I wouldn't find a lizard girl in armor that looked like Banba, so I drew it. Very simple, very protective.))

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo listend to the words that seeped from Luness's lips. His anger towards the demon growing even more fro making the false words he made her say. Leo felt the darkness moving underneath him healing Luness's injuries. IT had not been his intention to cause her harm with falling backwards, but realized afterwards that his body was big enough to cause damage to her. As he layed there with her pinned to the ground he roared to make sure she was paying attention "Death IS absolute!! But it is also RELITIVE. You dont know when you will die, or where, or even by whos hands. But while we are all in this world, together, we choose to spend it with those we love and we love you Luness." The pounding in the back of his head from her head made him see a few stars, but he held tight "The greatest gift of life is friendship, and we have all received the greatest gift from your friendship Luness." Leos grip began to slip from his hands, the pain and stars began to grow in his head as she smashed her head into his.

 

[Hel]

"Ban...ba?" Anya was very confused, what had happened? Why was she running off like that? Why did everyone act like she was so injured. With the adrenaline she had going she barely even felt the small cuts and bruises, and now it seemed, some of them had been healed by the spirit. She turned her attention back to Elena and Leia. "She needs help, she could barely stand, earlier, it seemed." Anya told Leia, referring to Elena. That was something she knew, so she figured she should start there.





Alexander, mean time, was taking down the Minotaur with moderate ease. He finally got in the bite that would kill and then turned to the second Minotaur with a mighty roar, thinking perhaps he would be able to simply scare it away.

 

[Lioness075]

Luness went rigid at Leo's words and snarled in her demonic tone, "The only ones who loved me in this world are dead! Don't lie to me!" She then yanked one of her battle claws out of Leo's back and reached around his face to try and claw at whichever eye was nearest to her.


Hissing, Luness added, "My only escape from the pain is in death, so either kill me or die for being in my way!" She yowled after saying this, her mind reeling as the darkness threatened to wholly consume her mind and any morality left in her. She couldn't even speak of her own free will now, as the shadows took over her, controlling her body and her words, speaking out of her deepest fears and phobias.


@zCrookedz

 

[wolfborn4]

Rose launched herself ontop of the Minotaur in front of her. She bite down on it and shook it viciously till it was limp then she dropped it on the ground. Another wave of fuzzy feeling washed over her causing her to stumble slightly. She shook her head and snorted then locked the inside of her mouth.

 

[SilverFlight]

Leia guided the water spirit to Elena after Banba had run. She drew in a sharp breath at the burns on her arms and shoulder.


"Those look bad...Um, Elena, meet Lee, my newest...friend." She smiled. The water spirit cooed and brushed against the worst of Elena's wounds.


"I'm still learning how to use her powers." For some reason she knew the spirit was a she.


Not too far off she saw Luness attacking Leo. What? And the Nyr flew off, eyes glowing red with malice.


"What the heck is going on?" but she had a feeling she didn't want to know.


"Can you stand?" She asked Elena as Lee finished her work as best she could.


@KattRai


Ward cursed, his own power was just not strong enough, even bolstered with the light spell. "We need a plan." He said, but for the moment Luness was not herself, Ward moved to Leo's aid, blocking Luness' strike as best he could.


"We can't afford to fight allies!" he cried, knowing there was not much to do for it at the moment.


"Leo, can we combine out power?"


@zCrookedz @Lioness075

 

[zCrookedz]

Stars and colors danced in front of Leo's eyes. He shook his head a few times to try and alleviate the dizziness, until he felt the claws move and reach for his face. He tucked his head forward trying to keep the claws from reaching his one good eye. He wasn't going to let Luness go no matter how hard she struggled. When she spoke of her escape being death Leo gritted his teeth and took a leap, "If killing me would bring you back to everyone else, then go ahead and do it. I will not let you up until we get our Luness back!!" Then Ward was there. Reaching out with his paw like hand, Leo clutched the griffons shoulder and closed his glowing green eye. Through the connection he entered Wards mind, then dragged both of them to the barrier swirling around Luness's mind. "This darkness is feeding off of her emotions, we have to break through hit and show her that she is not alone."


@Lioness075 @SilverFlight

 

[Lioness075]

Luness yowled at the touch of the light from both Leo and Ward in her mind. The pain was agonizing as the shadows and light clashed against one another, fighting over Luness.


Pulling her battle claws back from Leo's face, Luness covered her face in them and then shook her head from side to side before she hissed at the pair. Inside of her head, her emotions were pulled taut and she suddenly snarled at the pair, "It matters not how much company I am in right now! No matter what you say, no matter what you do, I will always end up alone! If we win this war, then I will be going back to my forest to eventually die alone! I'd rather die in battle than die alone!"


Yowling again in pain, Luness then lurched forward and then braced both of her paws against Leo's shoulders. She then summoned the tendrils of darkness once more and used them to lift Leo just barely off of her before she pushed off of his shoulders and freed herself.


Leaping back a few feet, Luness snarled at the pair and dropped to all fours, growling before she took a flying leap at Ward this time, aiming a bite at one of his wings.


@zCrookedz @SilverFlight

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena gave up on being defensive. Whatever healing could get done then would help her fight more for the castle. She allowed the water spirit to take a look at her wounds, it's cool touch aching and soothing at once. The possible break in her arm remained but the burns turned nicely back into her normal skin. Exhaling a pained breath she didn't realize she held, Elena nodded.


"I can walk... I believe. Is something wrong? What did you see?" She asked with concern. Her weight shifting fully on her feet, moving in the direction of the commotion. Looking to Leia, she asked, "what can I do to help?"

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward pressed all his strength into the magical bond that was created, trying to reach for the werecat's consciousness.


I can't reach...she will have to reach too.


Ward thought of Alta, her old, irritable tone and the way she had shown kindness to Luness. Then Ward thought of Nyr, how she had put herself before Luness as a friend no matter how she was spurned. His worry for the dread raven poured into the bond too. And lastly he thought of her pack, whom had followed her though the portal into the heat of battle without question. He pictured their anxious, confused faces and fed everything into the bond.


"You will not be alone...Luness, you will never again be alone, but we need you. Now. if you don't come back, Nyr will die and your pack will be leaderless...Don't give in!"


Ward stood, seeing Luness lunge, he stayed right where he was and took the bite. As he did so his talon shot up and he was in a perfect place to press the light from his claws right against her heart.


@Lioness075


 
"Well...we may have lost Luness...and Nyr...again." She looked at Elena helplessly.


"Look, I may have a cool sword and crazy element spirits...but I'm still just a regular girl. I have no idea what to do. I don't know how to break spells or fight demons." Leia was close to tears. "I don't want anyone to die...but I'm not strong enough to fight this!"


She turned her gaze down, the trauma of battle finally cooling her survival instinct. "I-I don't know what to do."


@Bea Delaine

 

[DawnAntalios]

The slender demonic figure loomed over the battlefield, observing the struggle of the heroes from afar. He then heard thundering steps as a gigantic demon commander stepped beside him. He said nothing, seemingly respecting the shadowy demon who then just whispered.


" Look down on them, Urgash. " he said with a smile " Bickering, fighting like children. They do have potential to serve the dark lord, but they will not give up so easily. "


He then turned to the brutish commander with a dark smile.


" How about you show our friend what true might means? "


The warrior said nothing, just nodded and walked away, the earth trembling in his wake as he went.

 

[zCrookedz]

As Luness shoved Leo off of her, Leo twisted in the air to regain his balance. A sudden sharp pain shot through his spin from the wound of the battle claws. He winced from the pain but got to his feet, just in time to see Ward pressing his claw to the werecats chest. He scrabbled and reconcentraited his power into his hand once again. He reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder pulsing the power through her to amplifiy Wards. He leaned in close to her and began to rant once again "Luness you can die here surrounded by your friends, or you can die years from now surrounded by your friends. Either way, we are your friends and we are going to be with you till the end. Wether you like it or not."

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena was unsure of what to say or do. She had never seen Leia lose herself like this. She seemed ready to cry. At the same time, Elena understood her feelings. Her left hand came up to the other girls shoulder and gave a weak but comforting squeeze.


"Leia, we were brought here for a reason. And of course we are just human, but don't sell yourself short. You are strong. I truly believe that us just humans can save this place. And you are strong enough. Even if you haven't done these things before, it doesn't mean you don't have it within you to do them."

 

[SilverFlight]

Leia sniffed and wiped her face with the sleeve between her gauntlet and her shoulder armour. "Y-you're right." She said. And the more she thought about it, the more she felt the fist that had been clenched about her worries release. She had been brought here for a reason. And people were counting on that.


"Let's get to Ward and the others, we might be able to help them." She whistled up both her spirits.


"Ready?" She asked Elena, and with that she charged forward, once more into the fray.


@Bea Delaine


((Last post for this evening, though I really wish I could stay...))

 

[Hel]

'Luness you stupid kitten! you are no longer alone, and you will not die alone. You have a pack now, family who needs you, and who is willing to risk their lives in your service. Would you forsake them for your own sake? For such a ridiculous reason? Family is not everything, and from what I heard you didn't even know them. So what does it matter to you if they are dead?' Alexander roared in Luness's head, definitively. His voice was similar to that of a father, one who did not care what his child thinks they want now, because he knows how foolish it will seem later on. He had finished his Minotaur, and turned to the next threat at hand: Luness. If her pack would not snap her out of it, then he would have to stay, to do what must be done if the others are unsuccessful with their talk of love and friendship. He doubted Leo or Ward would have it in them to put the were cat down if it came to that.





Anya shrugged at Leia's question about what was happening, and decided she would follow them. She wasn't sure what she should do, but she wasn't about to go running off after her feelings again.

 

[DawnAntalios]

The light of the moon descended upon the shadow encased body of Nyr and its gentle light slowly burned away the shadow from her. Now free from the grasp of madness she sat up, her head hurting and feeling drained. Her head was now free from the madness of the darkness and tried to find out where she was exactly.


Mustering the strength to stand up she looked around, confused.


" What... what have happened? "

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena nodded, smiling fondly at the other. Leia was strong. Admirably strong. It wasn't something Elena would ever like to see disappear.


"I hope they're alright." She said mainly to herself. She was unsure of the likelihood she could run or continue fighting. The cuts and burns were gone but the exhaustion from her powers, though not as bad as before, wasn't helping her.


Elena started running or stumbling to where the others were, hoping to be of aid.


"Ward, Nyr! Everything okay?"

 

[Lioness075]

Luness yowled when Ward's claw touched her, the light blinding her internally as it clashed with the shadows, driving them back and away from Luness' emotions. She soon felt a shudder ripple through her body, as she suddenly fell to her knees, eyes wide as her mind cleared just enough to see what she had just done to Leo and Ward. How she had attacked the very people who fought so hard to keep her here.


Luness suddenly had flashbacks to Alta singing the lullaby, which continued to play in the background as she remembered how the group had ensured her safety from near death at the frozen castle, how they'd stayed at her side despite everything and despite her pushing everyone away. She remembered the comforting touch from Alta, the first person she'd been willing to let touch her in a comforting manner sincer her mother had passed away.


Flinching at Alexander's harsh words, they cut through Luness' weakened barriers in her mind, as she realized that she'd been lying to herself since she'd joined this group and that the demon had preyed upon her so easily because of her own self-torture.


Yowling at the mere idea that she'd been used in such a manner to turn on those that wanted to help her, Luness shot to all fours and called to her two remaining packmembers before she slowly stood up on her hind legs. Seeing her weary packmembers rejoining her, Luness then said slowly to everyone around her, "I-I apologize for my weakness." Pausing, she tensed and then stared at the ground before saying to Leo, and Ward "And I apologize for wounding you guys..."


After saying all of this, Luness turned to see the archdemon in the distance. The remaining shadows within Luness burned with rage at the mere sight of the archdemon and darkness began to drip off of Luness' battle claws again, mixing with Leo's blood that remained on them.


@KattRai

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo's shoulders heaved when he felt the darkness begin to recede from Luness. Leo pulled back on the power, the green glow of his eyes fading and returning to their normal blue iris. He had used up his connection and Lilly needed to rest. He would still be able to use his healing abilities, but only to a limited extent. He sighed as Luness came back to them, giving her a quick hug before she noticed the demon, "Im glad you are alright Luness. Do not worry about me and Ward, we are tough. we'll survive." Suddenly the sharp pain returned to his spine, perhaps he had said that to soon. Sitting back on the ground, Leo placed his hands together "Oh great forest, this vessel is damaged. Please lend me your strength to heal it and continue the fight against the darkness." The piercing marks on his back flickered a bit as the bleeding stopped, but suddenly stopped. The bleeading had stopped, he wasnt in immediate danger. He moved over to one of the buildings and sat with back to it. Taking a deep breath, "Ah, it seems i am going to need to rest a bit before i can continue on. Don't worry about me, i will be ok."

 

[Lioness075]

Feeling Leo's hug, Luness bristled at the touch, but didn't push him away. Relaxing once he released her and walked away, Luness nodded at what he said about himself and Ward.


She then shifted her gaze back to the archdemon and said in a mixed tone of her usual raspy one and the demonic one, "He's mine."


Yet, before she could make a move, the ground suddenly shook as if there were a mini earthquake in the vicinity. Stumbling to the side in surprise before regaining her balance, Luness looked sharply around. Luness was lost in confusion as she couldn't find the source of the noise. She could sense an much stronger force of darkness slowly approaching though and her heart caught up in her throat as she realized they were about to face yet another formidable foe.


@zCrookedz @DawnAntalios

 

[Flutterby]

As the other's fought Luness to bring her back to them, Quincy was busy keeping dread ravens and demons from getting in the way with rapid firing from her bow. “Nyr is back!" She called to the others after hearing her voice, looking over. “A demon attacked you and Luness, but you're both back now. Your return was the doing of your Mother Moon, if thats what that light meant." She explained, shouting over the sounds of the battle. “Rest a moment, you need it."

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward nodded at Leo's words, flexing his wing. "I can still fly." He said. "And do not worry Luness, I have a feeling we'll be ready for that little trick the next time. This foul creature obviously deals in deceptions. If we hold on to what's important, we should be able to resist his sway." Ward moved closer and brushed Luness' battle claws with the light magic. They glowed for a moment and then stopped.


"It may be easier to defeat them with this power, truth be told the spell had never been tested before, I suppose we'll see if its any use."


At that moment Leia, Elena and Anya ran up to them. Ward breathed an internal sigh of relief when he saw them all, battered but otherwise fine. "We are as well as can be expected given the circumstances, but I fear the enemies leading these forces are very formidable. Elena, if things look bad you and Leia and Anya must promise me to run. FableWood cannot afford to lose you."


His gaze lingered on the water spirit now by Leia's side.


"New friend?"


"Meet Lee, she can heal things pretty well." To prove the point Lee curled about Ward's injured wing joint, making it tingle faintly and then the pain evaporated.


"You have my thanks,"


@KattRai


The ground troops of Branbern fought as well as they could. Most of the citizens had been evacuated before the enemies broke through the first barrier and blasted the gates into splinters. Halberd had never seen the like of this dark magic however, and despite Trindle's best efforts, they were not prepared.


Halberd was the captain of the guard, and a mastiff, a huge beige dog the size of a small pony. His jowly face was dark black and suffered from a slash over his right brow. His soldiers were a mix of human, animal and mythical warriors.


"Hal, we're being pushed back...I don't know how long we can hold them without help."


"We hold them." Hal said grimly. "Or die trying." A few other nodded gravely.


They had been catching their breath at the castle walls, hiding in wait and catching any demon that ventured too far off guard. The centaur who had spoken first caught another enemy on his sword and ended it quickly. They were still coming, thanks to the strong aerial force the enemy had they were able to take the gates quickly. Suddenly a flash in the distance caught the dog captan's eye.


"What was that on the treeline, someone with thumbs pick up that telescope won't you?"


The centaur grabbed it and trained the lens onto the treeline just to the west of the gates. Then he grinned broadly.


"The elves! They come!"


White light began pouring from the forest, converging with the rear of the demon hoards. Others rode on giant birds and soared to the castle. The barrier offered them admittance easily.


"The ground force won't get through there in a hurry. But now at least we have something to harry their coming." The dog grunted approvingly. The elves that made it into the castle were casters and healers, some went straight to the infirmary and some helped the unicorns strengthen the failing barriers.


"Good to know we have allies still." Halberd "Come one then! let's not let our new friends have all the fun!" The dog charged forward, stepping in line with the fresh soldiers and together they charged, catching the advancing force off guard and pushing back with a new force.


"They're not taking the castle!" Halberd shouted.


Alta had finished patching up the two weres that came to her from Lunes' pack. The dying were under control now, those that lived were stable. Now she was working on repairing as many soldiers as possible to put them back on the defense of the castle. The other healers were half competent it seemed and fell into line under her direction.


"Get goin' then, and tell that kit to watch her back!!"


@Lioness075