The Wild Series: Reign of Ashes (Main Page/Pridelands)

(Ah yes, finally! XD I've been giddily keeping this secret for weeks! Post inc! I'll keep it short so you can reply too)

Jaystep wrote:(Ah yes, finally! XD I've been giddily keeping this secret for weeks! Post inc! I'll keep it short so you can reply too)

( I have no idea what you mean! Is it a character? Is it Brutus?! Or is it a new Key ability??)

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:Rinka nodded and swiftly entered the open doorway, following the hallway as it curved and descended at a gentle slope. Hearing the sound of shuffling ahead, she raced forward and jumped into a shade talons first, slicing its throat before jumping off of it into the second shade behind it. She tried to slice its throat too, but it blocked her blow with its wing and retaliated with a slash of its own. She dodged the blow, sliding around to its backside. She flapped her wings and leapt on its upper back, reaching around and grabbing its beak in her talons before forcefully pulling its head back, leaving an opening for Kale to strike.

No sooner than the second shade's head was raised up, Kale immediately struck a hard jab with the sharp tip of his beak, crushing the bird's throat and causing him to quickly suffocate. Without pausing, sure of his victim's fate, Kale began to ease up and take in the surroundings. The hallway was very dim, only a few candles along the wall to indicate it's sloping path downward and highlight open doorways. He tilted his head to hear and began having the sinking impression that there were no more birds in this top half of the tower.

Feeling the aftershock of Kale's blow through the Shade's body, Rinka pushed off of it, sending it face first in the ground as she herself landed on both talons. She looked back the way they came to make sure nothing had somehow snuck up behind them before turning to look further down the hallway. She looked to Kale and frowned in worry, having thought there would be more Shades in this portion of the tower. She didn't know what to think of it. Staying alert, she hurried on past Kale, proceeding swiftly, yet cautiously down the hallway.

Kale exchanged a mutual look of concern, keeping his senses toned as he followed Rinka deeper down the spiral hall. At the end, through the flickering candles, Kale noticed over Rinka's shoulder the entrance to another room. Assuming it could be the main access to the tower, he decided to speak up.
"Careful at the next door. Probably lots of them..." Kale whispered.

Rinka, having spotted the entrance as well, turned her head towards Kale and nodded to show she had heard him. She slowed to a stop in front of the door. She pressed the side of her head against it for several heartbeats, listening for sounds on the other side. Then, with a glance back at Kale, she set one of her talons on the handle and slowly opened it just enough to quietly peak inside the room.

From beneath the doorway, a dull yellow light began to seep through. It was brighter than a candle, but not quite sunlight- the telltale shimmer of a nearby Raven device. Kale picked up on the glow as soon as he spotted it, knowing they were nearby where they needed to be. He had no idea quite how close, until he followed closely behind Rinka, noticing through the crack in the door and the lack of sounds that the room was empty. Rinka noticed this too, Kale guessed, as she continued to push the door open to view what they were looking for.

The room was dimly lit, a candle or two scattered near the walls. Tapestries hung from the walls like banners, barely distinguishable from the dark obsidian stones they rested on. Kale wondered as to their purpose, having no idea shades would need to decorate a place like this. At the back wall, with a noticeable lack of guards rested a stone podium carved into the black stone, atop which rested a small splintered shard of golden metal. The shard was littered with half-runes, indicating it's incompleteness, and glowed with a pulsing yellow shimmer.

"...Where are all the guards?"

Rinka took a moment to examine the room. She felt relieved only for a moment when her gaze landed on the shard on top of the black stone podium. Then, remembering the suspicious emptiness of the room even before Kale vocalized this concern, she frowned in worry. She remained silent for a moment, try to spot living forms in the darker corners of the room.

"...This could be a trap," she finally muttered to Kale. That was the most reasonable thing she could think of. Then again, they'd only been here for a short time. They'd swiftly killed all the shades they'd come across, right? So the shades wouldn't have had time to put a trap together. They shouldn't even know she and Kale were here. But, even so...
Rinka looked to Kale. She had two options; go in alone or keep Kale with her. She weighed both options in her mind, giving it great thought, before nodding slightly after making her decision.
"Wait here," she ordered, "Watch after me, but stay aware of your surroundings. I'm going in." With that said, the queen turned back to the room, pushed the door open a little more and slipped inside.

Kale turned his head back to face Rinka when she spoke again, blinking and tilting his head slightly in confusion. 
"I was about to tell you the same thing... But you're right, I'll wait then. We need that last piece first and foremost, I can handle myself out here. If it is a trap, at least get the Shard." The falcon whispered after her, observing for a moment before turning his back to the door and scanning the hallways.

Inside the dark room, nothing stirred and all was silent. The only movement came from the soft pulsing of the lights coming from the Raven piece.

Rinka smiled softly at Kale and gave him a nod before she left him in the hallway. Once inside the dark room, she split her focus between the Shard and her surroundings. Her first few steps were hesitant, as if she expected an enemy to suddenly appear and attack her. But, as she moved further into the room, it became apparent that she truly was alone. She instinctively relaxed, but forced herself to not completely drop her guard. Crossing through the room's center, she picked up the pace, her talons clacking on the stone ground as she placed her feet one in front of the other.
Entering the lights emitted from the Raven device, Rinka felt calmer, the weight of fear she hadn't realized was there lifting from her heart. She did not know if this was the doing of the magic the Shard might possess, or if it was simply because of the comfort the lights brought in the midst of a dark room.
"Keep your guard up," she whispered to herself when she recognized she was getting too relaxed. To help her self-command, she turned around and looked back across the distance she had crossed, the room looking even darker after looking into the lights during that time. Seeing nothing, she turned back to the Raven piece and reached it in a few short strides. She stood over it for a moment, examining it with unhidden curiosity, before slowly reaching forward and wrapping her talons around it. She wanted to lift it closer to her face and examine it from every angle, but remembering she did not have that kind of time, she resisted the urge and turned back towards the door across the room.

Outside, Kale waited patiently for some time in the quiet. The falcon drew a long breath in a sigh, keeping his eyes focused on the dim lights on either side of the halls. He was about to take a few steps forward when something caught his attention. He blinked in surprise, opening his beak to speak but stopping short, a ripple of amber light reflected across his eyes as he stared at the disturbance...

Inside the room all was quiet until Rinka turned, the Raven Shard glimmering in her talons. Moments after touching it, she was no longer standing in a dark hollowed room. The shadows fell away to reveal she stood atop the jagged edge of a russet-sand cliff, jutting from the dying landscape behind her. In front of her for miles was destruction. Charred trees, brown earth, and ash. In the skies were the legions of Dragons and Gryphons clashing and screeching with one another in a battle that stretched in all directions. On the ground far below swarmed hundreds of thousands of animals; wolves, lions, bears, elephants and all else that could fight battled the scores of creatures from the Ethyrium. In the distance, dozens of Phoenix clashed in the skies with a pair of black and violet dragons. 

In front of Rinka, a massive Gryphon slammed to a landing, his wing-beats kicking up dust and ash. He was huge in size, somewhere between a Phoenix and a Rhinoceros. The front half of his body starting near his midsection resembled the patterns of a white eagle, his large beak tipped with scars and nicks. The second half of his body was that of a lion, his massive paws crushing the dried dirt beneath. He fixed his brown-eyed gaze down, seeming looking right through Rinka. Through the sounds of chaos and war he spoke, his voice quivering the sand. "You are not who we expected."

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:Rinka nodded and swiftly entered the open doorway, following the hallway as it curved and descended at a gentle slope. Hearing the sound of shuffling ahead, she raced forward and jumped into a shade talons first, slicing its throat before jumping off of it into the second shade behind it. She tried to slice its throat too, but it blocked her blow with its wing and retaliated with a slash of its own. She dodged the blow, sliding around to its backside. She flapped her wings and leapt on its upper back, reaching around and grabbing its beak in her talons before forcefully pulling its head back, leaving an opening for Kale to strike.

No sooner than the second shade's head was raised up, Kale immediately struck a hard jab with the sharp tip of his beak, crushing the bird's throat and causing him to quickly suffocate. Without pausing, sure of his victim's fate, Kale began to ease up and take in the surroundings. The hallway was very dim, only a few candles along the wall to indicate it's sloping path downward and highlight open doorways. He tilted his head to hear and began having the sinking impression that there were no more birds in this top half of the tower.

Feeling the aftershock of Kale's blow through the Shade's body, Rinka pushed off of it, sending it face first in the ground as she herself landed on both talons. She looked back the way they came to make sure nothing had somehow snuck up behind them before turning to look further down the hallway. She looked to Kale and frowned in worry, having thought there would be more Shades in this portion of the tower. She didn't know what to think of it. Staying alert, she hurried on past Kale, proceeding swiftly, yet cautiously down the hallway.

Kale exchanged a mutual look of concern, keeping his senses toned as he followed Rinka deeper down the spiral hall. At the end, through the flickering candles, Kale noticed over Rinka's shoulder the entrance to another room. Assuming it could be the main access to the tower, he decided to speak up.
"Careful at the next door. Probably lots of them..." Kale whispered.

Rinka, having spotted the entrance as well, turned her head towards Kale and nodded to show she had heard him. She slowed to a stop in front of the door. She pressed the side of her head against it for several heartbeats, listening for sounds on the other side. Then, with a glance back at Kale, she set one of her talons on the handle and slowly opened it just enough to quietly peak inside the room.

From beneath the doorway, a dull yellow light began to seep through. It was brighter than a candle, but not quite sunlight- the telltale shimmer of a nearby Raven device. Kale picked up on the glow as soon as he spotted it, knowing they were nearby where they needed to be. He had no idea quite how close, until he followed closely behind Rinka, noticing through the crack in the door and the lack of sounds that the room was empty. Rinka noticed this too, Kale guessed, as she continued to push the door open to view what they were looking for.

The room was dimly lit, a candle or two scattered near the walls. Tapestries hung from the walls like banners, barely distinguishable from the dark obsidian stones they rested on. Kale wondered as to their purpose, having no idea shades would need to decorate a place like this. At the back wall, with a noticeable lack of guards rested a stone podium carved into the black stone, atop which rested a small splintered shard of golden metal. The shard was littered with half-runes, indicating it's incompleteness, and glowed with a pulsing yellow shimmer.

"...Where are all the guards?"

Rinka took a moment to examine the room. She felt relieved only for a moment when her gaze landed on the shard on top of the black stone podium. Then, remembering the suspicious emptiness of the room even before Kale vocalized this concern, she frowned in worry. She remained silent for a moment, try to spot living forms in the darker corners of the room.

"...This could be a trap," she finally muttered to Kale. That was the most reasonable thing she could think of. Then again, they'd only been here for a short time. They'd swiftly killed all the shades they'd come across, right? So the shades wouldn't have had time to put a trap together. They shouldn't even know she and Kale were here. But, even so...
Rinka looked to Kale. She had two options; go in alone or keep Kale with her. She weighed both options in her mind, giving it great thought, before nodding slightly after making her decision.
"Wait here," she ordered, "Watch after me, but stay aware of your surroundings. I'm going in." With that said, the queen turned back to the room, pushed the door open a little more and slipped inside.

Kale turned his head back to face Rinka when she spoke again, blinking and tilting his head slightly in confusion. 
"I was about to tell you the same thing... But you're right, I'll wait then. We need that last piece first and foremost, I can handle myself out here. If it is a trap, at least get the Shard." The falcon whispered after her, observing for a moment before turning his back to the door and scanning the hallways.

Inside the dark room, nothing stirred and all was silent. The only movement came from the soft pulsing of the lights coming from the Raven piece.

Rinka smiled softly at Kale and gave him a nod before she left him in the hallway. Once inside the dark room, she split her focus between the Shard and her surroundings. Her first few steps were hesitant, as if she expected an enemy to suddenly appear and attack her. But, as she moved further into the room, it became apparent that she truly was alone. She instinctively relaxed, but forced herself to not completely drop her guard. Crossing through the room's center, she picked up the pace, her talons clacking on the stone ground as she placed her feet one in front of the other.
Entering the lights emitted from the Raven device, Rinka felt calmer, the weight of fear she hadn't realized was there lifting from her heart. She did not know if this was the doing of the magic the Shard might possess, or if it was simply because of the comfort the lights brought in the midst of a dark room.
"Keep your guard up," she whispered to herself when she recognized she was getting too relaxed. To help her self-command, she turned around and looked back across the distance she had crossed, the room looking even darker after looking into the lights during that time. Seeing nothing, she turned back to the Raven piece and reached it in a few short strides. She stood over it for a moment, examining it with unhidden curiosity, before slowly reaching forward and wrapping her talons around it. She wanted to lift it closer to her face and examine it from every angle, but remembering she did not have that kind of time, she resisted the urge and turned back towards the door across the room.

Outside, Kale waited patiently for some time in the quiet. The falcon drew a long breath in a sigh, keeping his eyes focused on the dim lights on either side of the halls. He was about to take a few steps forward when something caught his attention. He blinked in surprise, opening his beak to speak but stopping short, a ripple of amber light reflected across his eyes as he stared at the disturbance...

Inside the room all was quiet until Rinka turned, the Raven Shard glimmering in her talons. Moments after touching it, she was no longer standing in a dark hollowed room. The shadows fell away to reveal she stood atop the jagged edge of a russet-sand cliff, jutting from the dying landscape behind her. In front of her for miles was destruction. Charred trees, brown earth, and ash. In the skies were the legions of Dragons and Gryphons clashing and screeching with one another in a battle that stretched in all directions. On the ground far below swarmed hundreds of thousands of animals; wolves, lions, bears, elephants and all else that could fight battled the scores of creatures from the Ethyrium. In the distance, dozens of Phoenix clashed in the skies with a pair of black and violet dragons. 

In front of Rinka, a massive Gryphon slammed to a landing, his wing-beats kicking up dust and ash. He was huge in size, somewhere between a Phoenix and a Rhinoceros. The front half of his body starting near his midsection resembled the patterns of a white eagle, his large beak tipped with scars and nicks. The second half of his body was that of a lion, his massive paws crushing the dried dirt beneath. He fixed his brown-eyed gaze down, seeming looking right through Rinka. Through the sounds of chaos and war he spoke, his voice quivering the sand. "You are not who we expected."

The change of scenery from the dark room to a full out raging war in the center of a destroyed, open world was instant as it was sudden. So much that it was like her mentality was struck down with a powerful blow. She could only stare out from where she stood on the cliff, her grip on the Shard strong but her legs suddenly feeling weak. The shock of it all was so great that she could not move, even if she wanted to. It was only when the massive Gryphon slammed to a landing in front of her, causing the ground to lurch beneath her and particles of ash and dust by the trillions to blast in her face, did Rinka regain control of her mind and body.

Rinka stumbled backward with a frightened gasp and fell back on her tail feathers. Her neck craned all the way back as she stared up with wide eyes of emerald into the face of the enormous creature that loomed over her, her many emotions including shock and terror on full display. She could only gape, even more intimidated by his powerful voice. "Wh-Who were you expecting?" she immediately replied with a quavering voice, because it was obvious what was happening. The real question was why? And how she was even here? But she couldn't ask that yet. She couldn't ask anything yet except what the Gryphon led her to ask, because she was too dazed, too stunned to formulate the words she needed to ask what she really wanted to know.

The Gryphon stared down at Rinka, waiting for a moment as she formulated a response. Instead of answering, he continued with a deep breath. "But there isn't time. He must know, the one who stays by your side. Through him, you became something more... now he needs your help to do the same. Your world's life rests in his talons. You must bring him a message..."


In the distance, among the chaos of the battlefield below, the wolves began to circle protectively around the body of one of their own. Through the fighting, a lone, sad howl rang out from the center of the clustering packs. At the same time, one of the Phoenix fighting overhead erupted into cinders, their life blowing in the charred breeze.

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:Moonpelt let out a surprised yelp. "CAREFUL! Remember what we've talked about!!" The white wolf gulped and ducked as shade was flung over his head and smashed into the wall behind him reducing the hawk to a bloody pile of feathers. Moonpelt looked at his adopted daughter and paused for a moment. "Okay, you fight and I'll go look for the thing!" and Moonpelt trotted up the stairs to the stone tower as fast as he could, careful to scan every inch that he could see for whatever he was suppose to find.

Spotting Moonpelt leave the room, a falcon shade screeched angrily and dashed after him, his dark violet eyes glinting murderously as he pursued the white wolf. He could see the tail of the intruder up ahead and he pumped his wings, speedily flying up the stairs and quickly closing in on the wolf from behind.

Moonpelt's ears twitched towards the sound of the beating wings and turned. Seeing the ball of violet-black flames barreling towards him made a thought cross his mind.

Oh no... the tusks... I left them back at camp! The white wolf imagined his set of silver tusks sitting on the tree stump where he set them the night before, still probably glistening with morning dew.

When the shade let out a blood-curdling screech all the wolf could do is whimper and duck. The shade slammed into the stone all behind him and Moonpelt took his chance and ran towards his destination as fast has his paws could carry him, tears flooding his eyes.

((Assuming the shade shifted forms when it caught up to Moony))

Jaystep wrote:The Gryphon stared down at Rinka, waiting for a moment as she formulated a response. Instead of answering, he continued with a deep breath. "But there isn't time. He must know, the one who stays by your side. Through him, you became something more... now he needs your help to do the same. Your world's life rests in his talons. You must bring him a message..."


In the distance, among the chaos of the battlefield below, the wolves began to circle protectively around the body of one of their own. Through the fighting, a lone, sad howl rang out from the center of the clustering packs. At the same time, one of the Phoenix fighting overhead erupted into cinders, their life blowing in the charred breeze.

(Oh no, foreshadow!)

Rinka continued to stare up at the Gryphon, her terror and confusion ebbing for a moment as his words brought a familiar name to mind.

Kale, she thought, not knowing who else the Gryphon could be talking about.

Her attention was stolen by the flash of light in the sky and, past the Gryphon's massive head, Rinka was able to witness the death of the Phoenix. Watching the life of one of her own end, their cinders separating from the one spot in the sky and blowing further apart, brought a stabbing pain deep within her chest. Her breath caught in her throat and her wide eyes slowly followed one trail of the Phoenix's ashes down towards the ground, down in the direction of the sorrowful howl, down to the circle of wolves. Slowly, Rinka pushed herself back to her talons and, as if in a trance, trailed forward past the Gryphon to the edge of the cliff, stopping beside his massive hind paws. She looked out across the battle field across the ground, starting from the center of the wolves' circle at the body. Her gaze swept out from there, gliding where movement was greatest. Everyone was fighting everywhere. On the ground and in the sky.

Rinka's grip tightened around the Shard as the never ending battle blurred in her sights. This was a vision, she realized, a glimpse into the future. She didn't know how, or why, but this was what was to become of her world, wasn't it? Somewhere in the corner of her mind, a small voice that sounded like her own whispered she was right.
Her heart breaking and crying from the agony of it all, Rinka tore her gaze from the chaos and looked back at the Gryphon, her eyes welling with tears.
"Can he stop this?" she asked hoarsely, forgetting everything else she wanted to ask, "Can he save everyone down there, and up there, from this? Please, tell me he can..."

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:Moonpelt let out a surprised yelp. "CAREFUL! Remember what we've talked about!!" The white wolf gulped and ducked as shade was flung over his head and smashed into the wall behind him reducing the hawk to a bloody pile of feathers. Moonpelt looked at his adopted daughter and paused for a moment. "Okay, you fight and I'll go look for the thing!" and Moonpelt trotted up the stairs to the stone tower as fast as he could, careful to scan every inch that he could see for whatever he was suppose to find.

Spotting Moonpelt leave the room, a falcon shade screeched angrily and dashed after him, his dark violet eyes glinting murderously as he pursued the white wolf. He could see the tail of the intruder up ahead and he pumped his wings, speedily flying up the stairs and quickly closing in on the wolf from behind.

Moonpelt's ears twitched towards the sound of the beating wings and turned. Seeing the ball of violet-black flames barreling towards him made a thought cross his mind.

Oh no... the tusks... I left them back at camp! The white wolf imagined his set of silver tusks sitting on the tree stump where he set them the night before, still probably glistening with morning dew.

When the shade let out a blood-curdling screech all the wolf could do is whimper and duck. The shade slammed into the stone all behind him and Moonpelt took his chance and ran towards his destination as fast has his paws could carry him, tears flooding his eyes.

((Assuming the shade shifted forms when it caught up to Moony))

(Yup! Let's say he did!)

The falcon shade slid to the ground after face-planting into the stone wall. He lay in a heap for a moment, dazed, before he lifted himself to his talons and shook himself at of his stupor. Then, with an infuriated hiss, the shade spun around and launched back after the fleeing wolf, flapping furiously to cover the distance between them. He let out another screech to alert other shades of his location, hoping for reinforcements while chasing after the wolf.

(Oh Moony, Moony, Moony... *shakes head* Of course you would leave the one weapon that you need in this mission )

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:The Gryphon stared down at Rinka, waiting for a moment as she formulated a response. Instead of answering, he continued with a deep breath. "But there isn't time. He must know, the one who stays by your side. Through him, you became something more... now he needs your help to do the same. Your world's life rests in his talons. You must bring him a message..."


In the distance, among the chaos of the battlefield below, the wolves began to circle protectively around the body of one of their own. Through the fighting, a lone, sad howl rang out from the center of the clustering packs. At the same time, one of the Phoenix fighting overhead erupted into cinders, their life blowing in the charred breeze.

(Oh no, foreshadow!)

Rinka continued to stare up at the Gryphon, her terror and confusion ebbing for a moment as his words brought a familiar name to mind.

Kale, she thought, not knowing who else the Gryphon could be talking about.

Her attention was stolen by the flash of light in the sky and, past the Gryphon's massive head, Rinka was able to witness the death of the Phoenix. Watching the life of one of her own end, their cinders separating from the one spot in the sky and blowing further apart, brought a stabbing pain deep within her chest. Her breath caught in her throat and her wide eyes slowly followed one trail of the Phoenix's ashes down towards the ground, down in the direction of the sorrowful howl, down to the circle of wolves. Slowly, Rinka pushed herself back to her talons and, as if in a trance, trailed forward past the Gryphon to the edge of the cliff, stopping beside his massive hind paws. She looked out across the battle field across the ground, starting from the center of the wolves' circle at the body. Her gaze swept out from there, gliding where movement was greatest. Everyone was fighting everywhere. On the ground and in the sky.

Rinka's grip tightened around the Shard as the never ending battle blurred in her sights. This was a vision, she realized, a glimpse into the future. She didn't know how, or why, but this was what was to become of her world, wasn't it? Somewhere in the corner of her mind, a small voice that sounded like her own whispered she was right.
Her heart breaking and crying from the agony of it all, Rinka tore her gaze from the chaos and looked back at the Gryphon, her eyes welling with tears.
"Can he stop this?" she asked hoarsely, forgetting everything else she wanted to ask, "Can he save everyone down there, and up there, from this? Please, tell me he can..."

The Gryphon did not move as Rinka did, only turning his head to follow her long after she had stared out into the chaos. 

"No."


The vision began to change again, from the center of the fighting the ground split apart. Thousands of animals began to fall beneath the cracks, and their screams rang out in all directions. Both Ethyrium creatures and animals from the known world fell to their deaths, and the ground roared with the movement beneath it. The cliff Rinka stood upon crumbled below everywhere except where she stood, and the land itself fell inward to create a vast valley where the fighting had been, scores of animals falling beneath the dirt. From the center of the crater the land began to bulge upwards, something gigantic breaking out to the surface. Beams of blinding amber light blasted through the bottom of the ground, and the giant disturbance started to erupt as the cliff holding Rinka up crumbled beneath her. 

As soon as the cliff gave way, the Gryphon vanished. As everything began to fall, Rinka did not. The vision shifted, and she now stood on a large circular stone platform in a cave lit by several braziers along it's circular walls. Across from Rinka, where the circular stone platform met the wall, stood Tyrin and Ambyra. Both birds exchanged a somber glance between each other, before turning and looking Rinka's direction. The wall behind them was riddled with Raven Metal and glowing symbols, as if something had begun to be excavated just beyond.

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Ruki wrote:Moonpelt let out a surprised yelp. "CAREFUL! Remember what we've talked about!!" The white wolf gulped and ducked as shade was flung over his head and smashed into the wall behind him reducing the hawk to a bloody pile of feathers. Moonpelt looked at his adopted daughter and paused for a moment. "Okay, you fight and I'll go look for the thing!" and Moonpelt trotted up the stairs to the stone tower as fast as he could, careful to scan every inch that he could see for whatever he was suppose to find.

"You be careful!" Raiya called, stopping to check which direction Moonpelt ran off in before dodging a screeching dive from one of the nearby falcons. She side-stepped and plucked it out of the air with her jaws clamped firmly around his neck. The wolf bit down hard and tossed the bird aside, lunging for another as she began making her way after Moonpelt. Does he even know what he's looking for?

The bird Raiya lunged for, a hawk shade, dodged the attack by spinning once to the side with a powerful flap, and countered by lunging forward himself to slash at her neck with his talons.

"Hey!" Raiya barked, spinning on a dime and re-positioning herself to defend against the shade. The wolf side-stepped back and caught the hawk by one of his talons in her jaws, swinging him against a set of barrels across the room, which promptly shattered on contact. Unsure if the bird was finished, and seeing no other threats, Raiya paused for a moment to wait before she planned to bolt up the stairs. Oh please don't change forms...


(Oh please do  )

)

A few heartbeats passed, long enough to suspect the hawk had been finished, before the shattered remains of the barrels exploded into dark violet flames. The hawk, now in shade form, lunged up into the air, his fire rolling off of his shadowy wings as he glared down at the wolf with murderous intent. With an unnatural, twisted screech, the shade dove once more at Raiya, reaching out towards her with his black, wicked talons.

Raiya's heart sank at the sight, and she rolled her eyes briefly. Great.
The wolf dove to one side, letting the shade miss but this time not retaliating right away. She waited a heartbeat until she heard its talons scratch against the black stone before turning and snapping at the shade, pulling back at the last moment in wariness of its emitting flames. We should have brought more silver! Moonpelt has the tusks-- I hope!

The shade let himself skid across the ground. He spun to face Raiya ehile he moved and launched back into the air, unnecessarily dodging her attack. With a scowl, he charged straight at her again and attacked with three consecutive slashes at her figure.

Raiya immediately rolled out of the way, playing defensively as she rapidly brainstormed for a solution.

(Or a save from Moonpelt XD)

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:Moonpelt let out a surprised yelp. "CAREFUL! Remember what we've talked about!!" The white wolf gulped and ducked as shade was flung over his head and smashed into the wall behind him reducing the hawk to a bloody pile of feathers. Moonpelt looked at his adopted daughter and paused for a moment. "Okay, you fight and I'll go look for the thing!" and Moonpelt trotted up the stairs to the stone tower as fast as he could, careful to scan every inch that he could see for whatever he was suppose to find.

Spotting Moonpelt leave the room, a falcon shade screeched angrily and dashed after him, his dark violet eyes glinting murderously as he pursued the white wolf. He could see the tail of the intruder up ahead and he pumped his wings, speedily flying up the stairs and quickly closing in on the wolf from behind.

Moonpelt's ears twitched towards the sound of the beating wings and turned. Seeing the ball of violet-black flames barreling towards him made a thought cross his mind.

Oh no... the tusks... I left them back at camp! The white wolf imagined his set of silver tusks sitting on the tree stump where he set them the night before, still probably glistening with morning dew.

When the shade let out a blood-curdling screech all the wolf could do is whimper and duck. The shade slammed into the stone all behind him and Moonpelt took his chance and ran towards his destination as fast has his paws could carry him, tears flooding his eyes.

((Assuming the shade shifted forms when it caught up to Moony))

(Yup! Let's say he did!)

The falcon shade slid to the ground after face-planting into the stone wall. He lay in a heap for a moment, dazed, before he lifted himself to his talons and shook himself at of his stupor. Then, with an infuriated hiss, the shade spun around and launched back after the fleeing wolf, flapping furiously to cover the distance between them. He let out another screech to alert other shades of his location, hoping for reinforcements while chasing after the wolf.

(Oh Moony, Moony, Moony... *shakes head* Of course you would leave the one weapon that you need in this mission )

((Leave it to Moony lol Poor baby))

The screeching shade made Moonpelt run faster. Through teary eyes he was scanning his surroundings for anything to defend himself with. As he sprinting he tore through a tapestry that was covering an archway. The metallic clang of metal hitting stone floor caught his attention. It wasn't silver but it'd have to do. Moonpelt snatched the pole up in his maw and as he faced his attacker his paws twisting the the tattered fabic and he flipped to his back yet caught the rod in his hind legs.

((Rod is in prime birdy-spearing position BTW ))

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:Moonpelt let out a surprised yelp. "CAREFUL! Remember what we've talked about!!" The white wolf gulped and ducked as shade was flung over his head and smashed into the wall behind him reducing the hawk to a bloody pile of feathers. Moonpelt looked at his adopted daughter and paused for a moment. "Okay, you fight and I'll go look for the thing!" and Moonpelt trotted up the stairs to the stone tower as fast as he could, careful to scan every inch that he could see for whatever he was suppose to find.

Spotting Moonpelt leave the room, a falcon shade screeched angrily and dashed after him, his dark violet eyes glinting murderously as he pursued the white wolf. He could see the tail of the intruder up ahead and he pumped his wings, speedily flying up the stairs and quickly closing in on the wolf from behind.

Moonpelt's ears twitched towards the sound of the beating wings and turned. Seeing the ball of violet-black flames barreling towards him made a thought cross his mind.

Oh no... the tusks... I left them back at camp! The white wolf imagined his set of silver tusks sitting on the tree stump where he set them the night before, still probably glistening with morning dew.

When the shade let out a blood-curdling screech all the wolf could do is whimper and duck. The shade slammed into the stone all behind him and Moonpelt took his chance and ran towards his destination as fast has his paws could carry him, tears flooding his eyes.

((Assuming the shade shifted forms when it caught up to Moony))

(Yup! Let's say he did!)

The falcon shade slid to the ground after face-planting into the stone wall. He lay in a heap for a moment, dazed, before he lifted himself to his talons and shook himself at of his stupor. Then, with an infuriated hiss, the shade spun around and launched back after the fleeing wolf, flapping furiously to cover the distance between them. He let out another screech to alert other shades of his location, hoping for reinforcements while chasing after the wolf.

(Oh Moony, Moony, Moony... *shakes head* Of course you would leave the one weapon that you need in this mission )

((Leave it to Moony lol Poor baby))

The screeching shade made Moonpelt run faster. Through teary eyes he was scanning his surroundings for anything to defend himself with. As he sprinting he tore through a tapestry that was covering an archway. The metallic clang of metal hitting stone floor caught his attention. It wasn't silver but it'd have to do. Moonpelt snatched the pole up in his maw and as he faced his attacker his paws twisting the the tattered fabic and he flipped to his back yet caught the rod in his hind legs.

((Rod is in prime birdy-spearing position BTW ))

Ooh! Nice move Moonpelt! )

With one last battle cry, the shade charged Moonpelt at his fastest flying speed, readying his talons as he drew nearer. He thought he had the wolf, seeing the rod but not foreseeing how it would be used against him. Almost too easily, the rod pierced through the shade's chest, his body only stopping when it's tip reappeared through his back. The falcon shade screamed out in pain.

(Does this kill a shade while it's in it's shade form? I feel like I have to ask just in case )

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Ruki wrote:Moonpelt let out a surprised yelp. "CAREFUL! Remember what we've talked about!!" The white wolf gulped and ducked as shade was flung over his head and smashed into the wall behind him reducing the hawk to a bloody pile of feathers. Moonpelt looked at his adopted daughter and paused for a moment. "Okay, you fight and I'll go look for the thing!" and Moonpelt trotted up the stairs to the stone tower as fast as he could, careful to scan every inch that he could see for whatever he was suppose to find.

"You be careful!" Raiya called, stopping to check which direction Moonpelt ran off in before dodging a screeching dive from one of the nearby falcons. She side-stepped and plucked it out of the air with her jaws clamped firmly around his neck. The wolf bit down hard and tossed the bird aside, lunging for another as she began making her way after Moonpelt. Does he even know what he's looking for?

The bird Raiya lunged for, a hawk shade, dodged the attack by spinning once to the side with a powerful flap, and countered by lunging forward himself to slash at her neck with his talons.

"Hey!" Raiya barked, spinning on a dime and re-positioning herself to defend against the shade. The wolf side-stepped back and caught the hawk by one of his talons in her jaws, swinging him against a set of barrels across the room, which promptly shattered on contact. Unsure if the bird was finished, and seeing no other threats, Raiya paused for a moment to wait before she planned to bolt up the stairs. Oh please don't change forms...


(Oh please do  )

)

A few heartbeats passed, long enough to suspect the hawk had been finished, before the shattered remains of the barrels exploded into dark violet flames. The hawk, now in shade form, lunged up into the air, his fire rolling off of his shadowy wings as he glared down at the wolf with murderous intent. With an unnatural, twisted screech, the shade dove once more at Raiya, reaching out towards her with his black, wicked talons.

Raiya's heart sank at the sight, and she rolled her eyes briefly. Great.
The wolf dove to one side, letting the shade miss but this time not retaliating right away. She waited a heartbeat until she heard its talons scratch against the black stone before turning and snapping at the shade, pulling back at the last moment in wariness of its emitting flames. We should have brought more silver! Moonpelt has the tusks-- I hope!

The shade let himself skid across the ground. He spun to face Raiya ehile he moved and launched back into the air, unnecessarily dodging her attack. With a scowl, he charged straight at her again and attacked with three consecutive slashes at her figure.

Raiya immediately rolled out of the way, playing defensively as she rapidly brainstormed for a solution.

(Or a save from Moonpelt XD)

With a frustrated growl, the shade launched higher in the air before divebombing Raiya once again.
"Stop prolonging the inevitable!" he spat in his twisted voice as he aimed for her back.

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:Moonpelt let out a surprised yelp. "CAREFUL! Remember what we've talked about!!" The white wolf gulped and ducked as shade was flung over his head and smashed into the wall behind him reducing the hawk to a bloody pile of feathers. Moonpelt looked at his adopted daughter and paused for a moment. "Okay, you fight and I'll go look for the thing!" and Moonpelt trotted up the stairs to the stone tower as fast as he could, careful to scan every inch that he could see for whatever he was suppose to find.

Spotting Moonpelt leave the room, a falcon shade screeched angrily and dashed after him, his dark violet eyes glinting murderously as he pursued the white wolf. He could see the tail of the intruder up ahead and he pumped his wings, speedily flying up the stairs and quickly closing in on the wolf from behind.

Moonpelt's ears twitched towards the sound of the beating wings and turned. Seeing the ball of violet-black flames barreling towards him made a thought cross his mind.

Oh no... the tusks... I left them back at camp! The white wolf imagined his set of silver tusks sitting on the tree stump where he set them the night before, still probably glistening with morning dew.

When the shade let out a blood-curdling screech all the wolf could do is whimper and duck. The shade slammed into the stone all behind him and Moonpelt took his chance and ran towards his destination as fast has his paws could carry him, tears flooding his eyes.

((Assuming the shade shifted forms when it caught up to Moony))

(Yup! Let's say he did!)

The falcon shade slid to the ground after face-planting into the stone wall. He lay in a heap for a moment, dazed, before he lifted himself to his talons and shook himself at of his stupor. Then, with an infuriated hiss, the shade spun around and launched back after the fleeing wolf, flapping furiously to cover the distance between them. He let out another screech to alert other shades of his location, hoping for reinforcements while chasing after the wolf.

(Oh Moony, Moony, Moony... *shakes head* Of course you would leave the one weapon that you need in this mission )

((Leave it to Moony lol Poor baby))

The screeching shade made Moonpelt run faster. Through teary eyes he was scanning his surroundings for anything to defend himself with. As he sprinting he tore through a tapestry that was covering an archway. The metallic clang of metal hitting stone floor caught his attention. It wasn't silver but it'd have to do. Moonpelt snatched the pole up in his maw and as he faced his attacker his paws twisting the the tattered fabic and he flipped to his back yet caught the rod in his hind legs.

((Rod is in prime birdy-spearing position BTW ))

Ooh! Nice move Moonpelt! )

With one last battle cry, the shade charged Moonpelt at his fastest flying speed, readying his talons as he drew nearer. He thought he had the wolf, seeing the rod but not foreseeing how it would be used against him. Almost too easily, the rod pierced through the shade's chest, his body only stopping when it's tip reappeared through his back. The falcon shade screamed out in pain.

(Does this kill a shade while it's in it's shade form? I feel like I have to ask just in case )

((Jay: Yes but only because it was a chest/head shot, since it's not silver. He probably would have shaken off any other place he would have been speared. Silver is fatal regardless of being struck at))

Moonpelt stared in disbelief as the shade started slowly sliding down the pole, his screech slowly fading into gasps and croaks.

Kashra!! the white wolf thought I can't believe that actually did something!

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:Moonpelt let out a surprised yelp. "CAREFUL! Remember what we've talked about!!" The white wolf gulped and ducked as shade was flung over his head and smashed into the wall behind him reducing the hawk to a bloody pile of feathers. Moonpelt looked at his adopted daughter and paused for a moment. "Okay, you fight and I'll go look for the thing!" and Moonpelt trotted up the stairs to the stone tower as fast as he could, careful to scan every inch that he could see for whatever he was suppose to find.

Spotting Moonpelt leave the room, a falcon shade screeched angrily and dashed after him, his dark violet eyes glinting murderously as he pursued the white wolf. He could see the tail of the intruder up ahead and he pumped his wings, speedily flying up the stairs and quickly closing in on the wolf from behind.

Moonpelt's ears twitched towards the sound of the beating wings and turned. Seeing the ball of violet-black flames barreling towards him made a thought cross his mind.

Oh no... the tusks... I left them back at camp! The white wolf imagined his set of silver tusks sitting on the tree stump where he set them the night before, still probably glistening with morning dew.

When the shade let out a blood-curdling screech all the wolf could do is whimper and duck. The shade slammed into the stone all behind him and Moonpelt took his chance and ran towards his destination as fast has his paws could carry him, tears flooding his eyes.

((Assuming the shade shifted forms when it caught up to Moony))

(Yup! Let's say he did!)

The falcon shade slid to the ground after face-planting into the stone wall. He lay in a heap for a moment, dazed, before he lifted himself to his talons and shook himself at of his stupor. Then, with an infuriated hiss, the shade spun around and launched back after the fleeing wolf, flapping furiously to cover the distance between them. He let out another screech to alert other shades of his location, hoping for reinforcements while chasing after the wolf.

(Oh Moony, Moony, Moony... *shakes head* Of course you would leave the one weapon that you need in this mission )

((Leave it to Moony lol Poor baby))

The screeching shade made Moonpelt run faster. Through teary eyes he was scanning his surroundings for anything to defend himself with. As he sprinting he tore through a tapestry that was covering an archway. The metallic clang of metal hitting stone floor caught his attention. It wasn't silver but it'd have to do. Moonpelt snatched the pole up in his maw and as he faced his attacker his paws twisting the the tattered fabic and he flipped to his back yet caught the rod in his hind legs.

((Rod is in prime birdy-spearing position BTW ))

Ooh! Nice move Moonpelt! )

With one last battle cry, the shade charged Moonpelt at his fastest flying speed, readying his talons as he drew nearer. He thought he had the wolf, seeing the rod but not foreseeing how it would be used against him. Almost too easily, the rod pierced through the shade's chest, his body only stopping when it's tip reappeared through his back. The falcon shade screamed out in pain.

(Does this kill a shade while it's in it's shade form? I feel like I have to ask just in case )

((Jay: Yes but only because it was a chest/head shot, since it's not silver. He probably would have shaken off any other place he would have been speared. Silver is fatal regardless of being struck at))

Moonpelt stared in disbelief as the shade started slowly sliding down the pole, his screech slowly fading into gasps and croaks.

Kashra!! the white wolf thought I can't believe that actually did something!

(Coolio! Good to know!)

The flames on the shade suddenly disappeared as his strength ebbed from his body. The falcon moved his talons, trying to grab the rod, trying in vain to pull it out of him, but the wound was fatal. Finally, with one last pained gasp, his limbs hung limply from his skewered body and the light faded from his violet eyes. The shade was dead.

(Also, sorry about the poof! It takes longer for me to make words and put them together nicely when I'm tired. That didn't sound right... Anyway, that's what happens! Sorry again! XD ;-; ) (I was working on replying to Jay's gryphon post, not this one XD)

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:The Gryphon stared down at Rinka, waiting for a moment as she formulated a response. Instead of answering, he continued with a deep breath. "But there isn't time. He must know, the one who stays by your side. Through him, you became something more... now he needs your help to do the same. Your world's life rests in his talons. You must bring him a message..."


In the distance, among the chaos of the battlefield below, the wolves began to circle protectively around the body of one of their own. Through the fighting, a lone, sad howl rang out from the center of the clustering packs. At the same time, one of the Phoenix fighting overhead erupted into cinders, their life blowing in the charred breeze.

(Oh no, foreshadow!)

Rinka continued to stare up at the Gryphon, her terror and confusion ebbing for a moment as his words brought a familiar name to mind.

Kale, she thought, not knowing who else the Gryphon could be talking about.

Her attention was stolen by the flash of light in the sky and, past the Gryphon's massive head, Rinka was able to witness the death of the Phoenix. Watching the life of one of her own end, their cinders separating from the one spot in the sky and blowing further apart, brought a stabbing pain deep within her chest. Her breath caught in her throat and her wide eyes slowly followed one trail of the Phoenix's ashes down towards the ground, down in the direction of the sorrowful howl, down to the circle of wolves. Slowly, Rinka pushed herself back to her talons and, as if in a trance, trailed forward past the Gryphon to the edge of the cliff, stopping beside his massive hind paws. She looked out across the battle field across the ground, starting from the center of the wolves' circle at the body. Her gaze swept out from there, gliding where movement was greatest. Everyone was fighting everywhere. On the ground and in the sky.

Rinka's grip tightened around the Shard as the never ending battle blurred in her sights. This was a vision, she realized, a glimpse into the future. She didn't know how, or why, but this was what was to become of her world, wasn't it? Somewhere in the corner of her mind, a small voice that sounded like her own whispered she was right.
Her heart breaking and crying from the agony of it all, Rinka tore her gaze from the chaos and looked back at the Gryphon, her eyes welling with tears.
"Can he stop this?" she asked hoarsely, forgetting everything else she wanted to ask, "Can he save everyone down there, and up there, from this? Please, tell me he can..."

The Gryphon did not move as Rinka did, only turning his head to follow her long after she had stared out into the chaos.

"No."


The vision began to change again, from the center of the fighting the ground split apart. Thousands of animals began to fall beneath the cracks, and their screams rang out in all directions. Both Ethyrium creatures and animals from the known world fell to their deaths, and the ground roared with the movement beneath it. The cliff Rinka stood upon crumbled below everywhere except where she stood, and the land itself fell inward to create a vast valley where the fighting had been, scores of animals falling beneath the dirt. From the center of the crater the land began to bulge upwards, something gigantic breaking out to the surface. Beams of blinding amber light blasted through the bottom of the ground, and the giant disturbance started to erupt as the cliff holding Rinka up crumbled beneath her.

As soon as the cliff gave way, the Gryphon vanished. As everything began to fall, Rinka did not. The vision shifted, and she now stood on a large circular stone platform in a cave lit by several braziers along it's circular walls. Across from Rinka, where the circular stone platform met the wall, stood Tyrin and Ambyra. Both birds exchanged a somber glance between each other, before turning and looking Rinka's direction. The wall behind them was riddled with Raven Metal and glowing symbols, as if something had begun to be excavated just beyond.

Oh, this is trippy... So not the "Yes, and here's how you stop the end of the world" type of thing, huh? XD)

Rinka felt as if the air had been crushed out of her lungs with that one word. She didn't understand. The world's life rested in Kale's talons, yet he couldn't stop this raging battle, this chaos and destruction? What did that even mean? There had to be some other way to stop this. Her people-

Rinka was stolen from her panic when a crack of thunder came from the ground below and the wails began. The falcon whipped her head to the sounds to see everyone, those from her world and the Ethyrium alike, fall through the breaking ground. Seeing thousands upon thousands perish in just one moment, an agonizing scream of her own ripped from her throat. The pain Rinka felt for her world's inhabitants increased exponentially, too much for her to bare. Tears flowed freely down her feathery cheeks as she could do nothing but watch her people die. But she didn't have the time to beg the Gryphon for a way to change this future, much less grieve the scores of fallen animals, for as the earth quaked, the crater created by the splitting ground bulged and beams of light shot into the air. The battle was nothing compared to what was happening now. Rinka watched with eyes wide in horror as her world erupted, too numb to notice the cliff completely crumbling from under her talons, or to register the Gryphon's disappearance. She could only watch as her world was completely torn apart. And then she was in a cave.

The falcon continued to stare forward, as if she were still seeing the annihilation of her world, before finally raising her eyes to look at the Raven Metal and glowing symbols behind the two figures across the room from her. She only examined it for a moment. Unable to decipher what those symbols meant, she lowered her gaze onto the to birds in front of the wall. She blinked, her face scrunching in confusion for a split second before both her wings flew to her beak in shock. It took a moment longer to recognize the younger falhawk as she was an adult now rather than a little hatchling, but she knew them both. She could never forget her family.
"T-Tyrin... Ambyra," she choked, tears springing to her eyes once again as she looked from her mate to her daughter, "Y-You're... You're alive?!"

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:Moonpelt let out a surprised yelp. "CAREFUL! Remember what we've talked about!!" The white wolf gulped and ducked as shade was flung over his head and smashed into the wall behind him reducing the hawk to a bloody pile of feathers. Moonpelt looked at his adopted daughter and paused for a moment. "Okay, you fight and I'll go look for the thing!" and Moonpelt trotted up the stairs to the stone tower as fast as he could, careful to scan every inch that he could see for whatever he was suppose to find.

Spotting Moonpelt leave the room, a falcon shade screeched angrily and dashed after him, his dark violet eyes glinting murderously as he pursued the white wolf. He could see the tail of the intruder up ahead and he pumped his wings, speedily flying up the stairs and quickly closing in on the wolf from behind.

Moonpelt's ears twitched towards the sound of the beating wings and turned. Seeing the ball of violet-black flames barreling towards him made a thought cross his mind.

Oh no... the tusks... I left them back at camp! The white wolf imagined his set of silver tusks sitting on the tree stump where he set them the night before, still probably glistening with morning dew.

When the shade let out a blood-curdling screech all the wolf could do is whimper and duck. The shade slammed into the stone all behind him and Moonpelt took his chance and ran towards his destination as fast has his paws could carry him, tears flooding his eyes.

((Assuming the shade shifted forms when it caught up to Moony))

(Yup! Let's say he did!)

The falcon shade slid to the ground after face-planting into the stone wall. He lay in a heap for a moment, dazed, before he lifted himself to his talons and shook himself at of his stupor. Then, with an infuriated hiss, the shade spun around and launched back after the fleeing wolf, flapping furiously to cover the distance between them. He let out another screech to alert other shades of his location, hoping for reinforcements while chasing after the wolf.

(Oh Moony, Moony, Moony... *shakes head* Of course you would leave the one weapon that you need in this mission )

((Leave it to Moony lol Poor baby))

The screeching shade made Moonpelt run faster. Through teary eyes he was scanning his surroundings for anything to defend himself with. As he sprinting he tore through a tapestry that was covering an archway. The metallic clang of metal hitting stone floor caught his attention. It wasn't silver but it'd have to do. Moonpelt snatched the pole up in his maw and as he faced his attacker his paws twisting the the tattered fabic and he flipped to his back yet caught the rod in his hind legs.

((Rod is in prime birdy-spearing position BTW ))

Ooh! Nice move Moonpelt! )

With one last battle cry, the shade charged Moonpelt at his fastest flying speed, readying his talons as he drew nearer. He thought he had the wolf, seeing the rod but not foreseeing how it would be used against him. Almost too easily, the rod pierced through the shade's chest, his body only stopping when it's tip reappeared through his back. The falcon shade screamed out in pain.

(Does this kill a shade while it's in it's shade form? I feel like I have to ask just in case )

((Jay: Yes but only because it was a chest/head shot, since it's not silver. He probably would have shaken off any other place he would have been speared. Silver is fatal regardless of being struck at))

Moonpelt stared in disbelief as the shade started slowly sliding down the pole, his screech slowly fading into gasps and croaks.

Kashra!! the white wolf thought I can't believe that actually did something!

(Coolio! Good to know!)

The flames on the shade suddenly disappeared as his strength ebbed from his body. The falcon moved his talons, trying to grab the rod, trying in vain to pull it out of him, but the wound was fatal. Finally, with one last pained gasp, his limbs hung limply from his skewered body and the light faded from his violet eyes. The shade was dead.

(Also, sorry about the poof! It takes longer for me to make words and put them together nicely when I'm tired. That didn't sound right... Anyway, that's what happens! Sorry again! XD ;-; ) (I was working on replying to Jay's gryphon post, not this one XD)

Moonpelt dropped the rod and looked towards the direction he came from. Raiya was no where to be seen. "Raiya?" he called out softly, tail swaying slightly. When the sound of a struggle reached his ears he grabbed his trusty rod and took off down the hallway, the metal object scraping loudly against the stone floors as he dragged it along.

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:The Gryphon stared down at Rinka, waiting for a moment as she formulated a response. Instead of answering, he continued with a deep breath. "But there isn't time. He must know, the one who stays by your side. Through him, you became something more... now he needs your help to do the same. Your world's life rests in his talons. You must bring him a message..."


In the distance, among the chaos of the battlefield below, the wolves began to circle protectively around the body of one of their own. Through the fighting, a lone, sad howl rang out from the center of the clustering packs. At the same time, one of the Phoenix fighting overhead erupted into cinders, their life blowing in the charred breeze.

(Oh no, foreshadow!)

Rinka continued to stare up at the Gryphon, her terror and confusion ebbing for a moment as his words brought a familiar name to mind.

Kale, she thought, not knowing who else the Gryphon could be talking about.

Her attention was stolen by the flash of light in the sky and, past the Gryphon's massive head, Rinka was able to witness the death of the Phoenix. Watching the life of one of her own end, their cinders separating from the one spot in the sky and blowing further apart, brought a stabbing pain deep within her chest. Her breath caught in her throat and her wide eyes slowly followed one trail of the Phoenix's ashes down towards the ground, down in the direction of the sorrowful howl, down to the circle of wolves. Slowly, Rinka pushed herself back to her talons and, as if in a trance, trailed forward past the Gryphon to the edge of the cliff, stopping beside his massive hind paws. She looked out across the battle field across the ground, starting from the center of the wolves' circle at the body. Her gaze swept out from there, gliding where movement was greatest. Everyone was fighting everywhere. On the ground and in the sky.

Rinka's grip tightened around the Shard as the never ending battle blurred in her sights. This was a vision, she realized, a glimpse into the future. She didn't know how, or why, but this was what was to become of her world, wasn't it? Somewhere in the corner of her mind, a small voice that sounded like her own whispered she was right.
Her heart breaking and crying from the agony of it all, Rinka tore her gaze from the chaos and looked back at the Gryphon, her eyes welling with tears.
"Can he stop this?" she asked hoarsely, forgetting everything else she wanted to ask, "Can he save everyone down there, and up there, from this? Please, tell me he can..."

The Gryphon did not move as Rinka did, only turning his head to follow her long after she had stared out into the chaos.

"No."


The vision began to change again, from the center of the fighting the ground split apart. Thousands of animals began to fall beneath the cracks, and their screams rang out in all directions. Both Ethyrium creatures and animals from the known world fell to their deaths, and the ground roared with the movement beneath it. The cliff Rinka stood upon crumbled below everywhere except where she stood, and the land itself fell inward to create a vast valley where the fighting had been, scores of animals falling beneath the dirt. From the center of the crater the land began to bulge upwards, something gigantic breaking out to the surface. Beams of blinding amber light blasted through the bottom of the ground, and the giant disturbance started to erupt as the cliff holding Rinka up crumbled beneath her.

As soon as the cliff gave way, the Gryphon vanished. As everything began to fall, Rinka did not. The vision shifted, and she now stood on a large circular stone platform in a cave lit by several braziers along it's circular walls. Across from Rinka, where the circular stone platform met the wall, stood Tyrin and Ambyra. Both birds exchanged a somber glance between each other, before turning and looking Rinka's direction. The wall behind them was riddled with Raven Metal and glowing symbols, as if something had begun to be excavated just beyond.

Oh, this is trippy... So not the "Yes, and here's how you stop the end of the world" type of thing, huh? XD)

Rinka felt as if the air had been crushed out of her lungs with that one word. She didn't understand. The world's life rested in Kale's talons, yet he couldn't stop this raging battle, this chaos and destruction? What did that even mean? There had to be some other way to stop this. Her people-

Rinka was stolen from her panic when a crack of thunder came from the ground below and the wails began. The falcon whipped her head to the sounds to see everyone, those from her world and the Ethyrium alike, fall through the breaking ground. Seeing thousands upon thousands perish in just one moment, an agonizing scream of her own ripped from her throat. The pain Rinka felt for her world's inhabitants increased exponentially, too much for her to bare. Tears flowed freely down her feathery cheeks as she could do nothing but watch her people die. But she didn't have the time to beg the Gryphon for a way to change this future, much less grieve the scores of fallen animals, for as the earth quaked, the crater created by the splitting ground bulged and beams of light shot into the air. The battle was nothing compared to what was happening now. Rinka watched with eyes wide in horror as her world erupted, too numb to notice the cliff completely crumbling from under her talons, or to register the Gryphon's disappearance. She could only watch as her world was completely torn apart. And then she was in a cave.

The falcon continued to stare forward, as if she were still seeing the annihilation of her world, before finally raising her eyes to look at the Raven Metal and glowing symbols behind the two figures across the room from her. She only examined it for a moment. Unable to decipher what those symbols meant, she lowered her gaze onto the to birds in front of the wall. She blinked, her face scrunching in confusion for a split second before both her wings flew to her beak in shock. It took a moment longer to recognize the younger falhawk as she was an adult now rather than a little hatchling, but she knew them both. She could never forget her family.
"T-Tyrin... Ambyra," she choked, tears springing to her eyes once again as she looked from her mate to her daughter, "Y-You're... You're alive?!"

(Not quite so blunt, no XD But there are answers there to be deciphered.)

Ambyra took a step towards Rinka, gazing at something beyond her when Tyrin lightly touched a wingtip to her shoulder to stop her. "Promise me... Ambyra, promise me you won't do this..."

The young white falhawk turned to Tyrin, pain in her eyes clear as they began to swell with tears. Before she could answer, the doorway a few feet behind Rinka began to close. Tyrin glanced away from Ambyra and locked his eyes just beyond Rinka to the silhouette on the other side of the closing stone doors. As he did so the symbols on the Raven Metal pieces that jutted from the walls began to glow brighter, resonating with a light that shone in Tyrin's chest. The pure, white lights grew bright enough to blind and white filled all of Rinka's vision before the landscape changed once more.

Now she stood in a frigid forest, snow piled up over her talons as the pale moonlight chilled the air. Howls sounded in the night, and a sickly violet and blue shadow began to envelope the stars. The shadows of the trees began to swim on the ground, their forms laughing and dancing across the snow to a demon's song of chants and cries. A violent violet light shot out of the trees in front of Rinka, and the chants shouted in unison to a steady beat. The cries grew louder as a larger shadow moved between the trees, the purple light illuminating the black form of a giant bird.

As the chants grew to their loudest, the beast from behind the trees let out a piercing cry, shaking Rinka's bones and threatening to pulse down to her soul. Until all at once, everything stopped. The vision had cleared, and she stood back in the tower room, the only light came from the now dulling Raven Shard. The trailing whisper of the Gryphon's voice faded into the air, "Fly with both wings, but beat with three hearts."

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:The Gryphon stared down at Rinka, waiting for a moment as she formulated a response. Instead of answering, he continued with a deep breath. "But there isn't time. He must know, the one who stays by your side. Through him, you became something more... now he needs your help to do the same. Your world's life rests in his talons. You must bring him a message..."


In the distance, among the chaos of the battlefield below, the wolves began to circle protectively around the body of one of their own. Through the fighting, a lone, sad howl rang out from the center of the clustering packs. At the same time, one of the Phoenix fighting overhead erupted into cinders, their life blowing in the charred breeze.

(Oh no, foreshadow!)

Rinka continued to stare up at the Gryphon, her terror and confusion ebbing for a moment as his words brought a familiar name to mind.

Kale, she thought, not knowing who else the Gryphon could be talking about.

Her attention was stolen by the flash of light in the sky and, past the Gryphon's massive head, Rinka was able to witness the death of the Phoenix. Watching the life of one of her own end, their cinders separating from the one spot in the sky and blowing further apart, brought a stabbing pain deep within her chest. Her breath caught in her throat and her wide eyes slowly followed one trail of the Phoenix's ashes down towards the ground, down in the direction of the sorrowful howl, down to the circle of wolves. Slowly, Rinka pushed herself back to her talons and, as if in a trance, trailed forward past the Gryphon to the edge of the cliff, stopping beside his massive hind paws. She looked out across the battle field across the ground, starting from the center of the wolves' circle at the body. Her gaze swept out from there, gliding where movement was greatest. Everyone was fighting everywhere. On the ground and in the sky.

Rinka's grip tightened around the Shard as the never ending battle blurred in her sights. This was a vision, she realized, a glimpse into the future. She didn't know how, or why, but this was what was to become of her world, wasn't it? Somewhere in the corner of her mind, a small voice that sounded like her own whispered she was right.
Her heart breaking and crying from the agony of it all, Rinka tore her gaze from the chaos and looked back at the Gryphon, her eyes welling with tears.
"Can he stop this?" she asked hoarsely, forgetting everything else she wanted to ask, "Can he save everyone down there, and up there, from this? Please, tell me he can..."

The Gryphon did not move as Rinka did, only turning his head to follow her long after she had stared out into the chaos.

"No."


The vision began to change again, from the center of the fighting the ground split apart. Thousands of animals began to fall beneath the cracks, and their screams rang out in all directions. Both Ethyrium creatures and animals from the known world fell to their deaths, and the ground roared with the movement beneath it. The cliff Rinka stood upon crumbled below everywhere except where she stood, and the land itself fell inward to create a vast valley where the fighting had been, scores of animals falling beneath the dirt. From the center of the crater the land began to bulge upwards, something gigantic breaking out to the surface. Beams of blinding amber light blasted through the bottom of the ground, and the giant disturbance started to erupt as the cliff holding Rinka up crumbled beneath her.

As soon as the cliff gave way, the Gryphon vanished. As everything began to fall, Rinka did not. The vision shifted, and she now stood on a large circular stone platform in a cave lit by several braziers along it's circular walls. Across from Rinka, where the circular stone platform met the wall, stood Tyrin and Ambyra. Both birds exchanged a somber glance between each other, before turning and looking Rinka's direction. The wall behind them was riddled with Raven Metal and glowing symbols, as if something had begun to be excavated just beyond.

Oh, this is trippy... So not the "Yes, and here's how you stop the end of the world" type of thing, huh? XD)

Rinka felt as if the air had been crushed out of her lungs with that one word. She didn't understand. The world's life rested in Kale's talons, yet he couldn't stop this raging battle, this chaos and destruction? What did that even mean? There had to be some other way to stop this. Her people-

Rinka was stolen from her panic when a crack of thunder came from the ground below and the wails began. The falcon whipped her head to the sounds to see everyone, those from her world and the Ethyrium alike, fall through the breaking ground. Seeing thousands upon thousands perish in just one moment, an agonizing scream of her own ripped from her throat. The pain Rinka felt for her world's inhabitants increased exponentially, too much for her to bare. Tears flowed freely down her feathery cheeks as she could do nothing but watch her people die. But she didn't have the time to beg the Gryphon for a way to change this future, much less grieve the scores of fallen animals, for as the earth quaked, the crater created by the splitting ground bulged and beams of light shot into the air. The battle was nothing compared to what was happening now. Rinka watched with eyes wide in horror as her world erupted, too numb to notice the cliff completely crumbling from under her talons, or to register the Gryphon's disappearance. She could only watch as her world was completely torn apart. And then she was in a cave.

The falcon continued to stare forward, as if she were still seeing the annihilation of her world, before finally raising her eyes to look at the Raven Metal and glowing symbols behind the two figures across the room from her. She only examined it for a moment. Unable to decipher what those symbols meant, she lowered her gaze onto the to birds in front of the wall. She blinked, her face scrunching in confusion for a split second before both her wings flew to her beak in shock. It took a moment longer to recognize the younger falhawk as she was an adult now rather than a little hatchling, but she knew them both. She could never forget her family.
"T-Tyrin... Ambyra," she choked, tears springing to her eyes once again as she looked from her mate to her daughter, "Y-You're... You're alive?!"

(Not quite so blunt, no XD But there are answers there to be deciphered.)

Ambyra took a step towards Rinka, gazing at something beyond her when Tyrin lightly touched a wingtip to her shoulder to stop her. "Promise me... Ambyra, promise me you won't do this..."

The young white falhawk turned to Tyrin, pain in her eyes clear as they began to swell with tears. Before she could answer, the doorway a few feet behind Rinka began to close. Tyrin glanced away from Ambyra and locked his eyes just beyond Rinka to the silhouette on the other side of the closing stone doors. As he did so the symbols on the Raven Metal pieces that jutted from the walls began to glow brighter, resonating with a light that shone in Tyrin's chest. The pure, white lights grew bright enough to blind and white filled all of Rinka's vision before the landscape changed once more.

Now she stood in a frigid forest, snow piled up over her talons as the pale moonlight chilled the air. Howls sounded in the night, and a sickly violet and blue shadow began to envelope the stars. The shadows of the trees began to swim on the ground, their forms laughing and dancing across the snow to a demon's song of chants and cries. A violent violet light shot out of the trees in front of Rinka, and the chants shouted in unison to a steady beat. The cries grew louder as a larger shadow moved between the trees, the purple light illuminating the black form of a giant bird.

As the chants grew to their loudest, the beast from behind the trees let out a piercing cry, shaking Rinka's bones and threatening to pulse down to her soul. Until all at once, everything stopped. The vision had cleared, and she stood back in the tower room, the only light came from the now dulling Raven Shard. The trailing whisper of the Gryphon's voice faded into the air, "Fly with both wings, but beat with three hearts."

(Alrighty then! XD)

With a stifled sob, Rinka stepped towards Tyrin and Ambyra just as her daughter had stepped towards her. It was only when Ambyra turned from her that she realized neither were acknowledging her presence. "Tyrin?" she asked, her voice reflecting the pain in her heart, "Byra?"

They can't...see me?...

"Won't do what?" she called out in a desperate tone. She was now concerned for her daughter, the way her mate had pled with her giving her bad feelings. But she also wanted to be proven wrong. She wanted them to look at her, not past her as she realized they had been doing. She wanted to know that they could see her, but somehow hadn't noticed her yet. "Tyrin, won't do what?"

The female falcon startled around at the sound of the door closing behind her. She saw the silhouette, but was unable to make out any details due to the lack of light on the other side of the door. She turned her head back towards Tyrin and Ambyra, her eyes widening at the light that came from her mate's chest. As the white light became blinding, she covered her face with her wing to relieve her eyes of the pain.

When she finally lowered her wing, she found herself in yet another location. She let out a cry upon realizing Tyrin and Ambyra were no longer with her, but she did not have time grieve. This vision was not as violent as the first, or as heartwrenching as the second, but it was powerful all the same. The terror she felt was an entirely new level as she witnessed the heavens succumb to the violet and blue darkness while standing in the midst of living, chanting shadows. Rinka flinched back from the violent light, staring up at the giant bird in horror. It's cry paralyzed her. She was frozen, unable to move, unable to even scream as the terrible noise affected every aspect of her being.

And then it was over. She was back in the silent tower, the Shard gripped tightly in her talons. Rinka stood there in front of the stone podium breathing from the ordeal she had faced. Her legs quivered, the only warning she had before they gave out. She fell back once again on her bottom and stayed there, her mind a jumble of images from the visions she had experienced.

"Fly with two wings, but beat with three hearts."

...What did that even mean? What did any of it even mean?

From outside the room, a bright yellow glow seeped from under the doorway from the hall where Kale was supposed to be waiting. 

(I would post more but I'd like for Rinka to just notice it herself and go see what's going on, you know? Not much I can post XD)

...

Raiya growled at the fiery shade, backing towards the steps on the far side of the room. "Prolonging the inevitable? Who talks like that?" 
The wolf scoffed, flashing a toothy --and taunting-- smile towards the bird. She heard the patter of pawsteps and cocked an ear to listen, trying not to look and alert the shade. Moonpelt!


He didn't sound like he was in trouble, and Raiya broke her gaze from the shade for just a moment to see her white-furred uncle dashing down the stairs, an over-sized metal pole of some sort in his jaws. She frowned, wondering what this was for till she spotted the blood on the tip, and her mind put the rest together. Moonpelt mouthed something and tried to grin through the pole, but it was too muffled for Raiya to make it out. 

"Right!"
She answered anyways, grasping the other end of the pole in her jaws and taking it from the bigger white wolf. Raiya turned back on the Shade now, weapon in hand- er, tooth.

Right! XD)

For a few minutes, Rinka sat in place recovering with her head buried under her wings. She breathed, in and out. In and out. A war. Tyrin and Ambyra. The giant bird in the forest of demonic shadows. Fly with two wings, but beat with three hearts. A message for the one who stayed by her side and made her something more. Was it for Kale, like she'd initially thought? It made sense, he had given her hope after she'd lost everything. Her status as queen, it was something she'd accepted because of that hope. She owed it to him. Everyone else who fit the description was either dead or missing. But... Tyrin... He was... She saw him. But he was...
With a shuddering breath, Rinka lowered her wings and opened her eyes. That was when she noticed the bright yellow glow seeping from under the doorway. The same place where Kale was waiting. With a start, Rinka remembered she was in the tower in the middle of a dangerous mission, and she had left Kale on his own. Crying out in panic, she jumped off the ground and dashed for the door in a flurry of feathers. Upon reaching it, she did not hesitate to swing it open.
"Kale!" she shouted.

Wildwing wrote:Right! XD)

For a few minutes, Rinka sat in place recovering with her head buried under her wings. She breathed, in and out. In and out. A war. Tyrin and Ambyra. The giant bird in the forest of demonic shadows. Fly with two wings, but beat with three hearts. A message for the one who stayed by her side and made her something more. Was it for Kale, like she'd initially thought? It made sense, he had given her hope after she'd lost everything. Her status as queen, it was something she'd accepted because of that hope. She owed it to him. Everyone else who fit the description was either dead or missing. But... Tyrin... He was... She saw him. But he was...
With a shuddering breath, Rinka lowered her wings and opened her eyes. That was when she noticed the bright yellow glow seeping from under the doorway. The same place where Kale was waiting. With a start, Rinka remembered she was in the tower in the middle of a dangerous mission, and she had left Kale on his own. Crying out in panic, she jumped off the ground and dashed for the door in a flurry of feathers. Upon reaching it, she did not hesitate to swing it open.
"Kale!" she shouted.

As soon as the door swung open, the light ceased. The hallway was completely normal, and Kale spun around with a start. He blinked in confusion, his feathers prickled in surprise. 
"Rinka? What's wrong?" The falcon asked, looking around her to the empty room. He glanced down and noticed the Shard with the start of a smile. "You got it!"

Jaystep wrote:From outside the room, a bright yellow glow seeped from under the doorway from the hall where Kale was supposed to be waiting. 

(I would post more but I'd like for Rinka to just notice it herself and go see what's going on, you know? Not much I can post XD)

...

Raiya growled at the fiery shade, backing towards the steps on the far side of the room. "Prolonging the inevitable? Who talks like that?" 
The wolf scoffed, flashing a toothy --and taunting-- smile towards the bird. She heard the patter of pawsteps and cocked an ear to listen, trying not to look and alert the shade. Moonpelt!


He didn't sound like he was in trouble, and Raiya broke her gaze from the shade for just a moment to see her white-furred uncle dashing down the stairs, an over-sized metal pole of some sort in his jaws. She frowned, wondering what this was for till she spotted the blood on the tip, and her mind put the rest together. Moonpelt mouthed something and tried to grin through the pole, but it was too muffled for Raiya to make it out. 

"Right!"
She answered anyways, grasping the other end of the pole in her jaws and taking it from the bigger white wolf. Raiya turned back on the Shade now, weapon in hand- er, tooth.

"Get 'im, Raiya!" Moonpelt cheered. His tail wagging. "Show this big ole meany why you don't mess with the Northern Mountain Pack!! AWOOOOOOOOOOO!" Moonpelt's encouragement ended with a loud howl.

Jaystep wrote:From outside the room, a bright yellow glow seeped from under the doorway from the hall where Kale was supposed to be waiting. 

(I would post more but I'd like for Rinka to just notice it herself and go see what's going on, you know? Not much I can post XD)

...

Raiya growled at the fiery shade, backing towards the steps on the far side of the room. "Prolonging the inevitable? Who talks like that?" 
The wolf scoffed, flashing a toothy --and taunting-- smile towards the bird. She heard the patter of pawsteps and cocked an ear to listen, trying not to look and alert the shade. Moonpelt!


He didn't sound like he was in trouble, and Raiya broke her gaze from the shade for just a moment to see her white-furred uncle dashing down the stairs, an over-sized metal pole of some sort in his jaws. She frowned, wondering what this was for till she spotted the blood on the tip, and her mind put the rest together. Moonpelt mouthed something and tried to grin through the pole, but it was too muffled for Raiya to make it out. 

"Right!"
She answered anyways, grasping the other end of the pole in her jaws and taking it from the bigger white wolf. Raiya turned back on the Shade now, weapon in hand- er, tooth.

The hawk hissed and circled around for another attack. His eyes narrowed at the appearance of the white wolf, trailing the rod to its bloodstained tip. His face twisted in fury, coming to the same conclusion Raiya had. With a battle screech, he charged the wolf once more. But he faltered as he neared the wolf, Moonpelt's cheers throwing him off.

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:Right! XD)

For a few minutes, Rinka sat in place recovering with her head buried under her wings. She breathed, in and out. In and out. A war. Tyrin and Ambyra. The giant bird in the forest of demonic shadows. Fly with two wings, but beat with three hearts. A message for the one who stayed by her side and made her something more. Was it for Kale, like she'd initially thought? It made sense, he had given her hope after she'd lost everything. Her status as queen, it was something she'd accepted because of that hope. She owed it to him. Everyone else who fit the description was either dead or missing. But... Tyrin... He was... She saw him. But he was...
With a shuddering breath, Rinka lowered her wings and opened her eyes. That was when she noticed the bright yellow glow seeping from under the doorway. The same place where Kale was waiting. With a start, Rinka remembered she was in the tower in the middle of a dangerous mission, and she had left Kale on his own. Crying out in panic, she jumped off the ground and dashed for the door in a flurry of feathers. Upon reaching it, she did not hesitate to swing it open.
"Kale!" she shouted.

As soon as the door swung open, the light ceased. The hallway was completely normal, and Kale spun around with a start. He blinked in confusion, his feathers prickled in surprise. 
"Rinka? What's wrong?" The falcon asked, looking around her to the empty room. He glanced down and noticed the Shard with the start of a smile. "You got it!"

Rinka blinked, her gaze darting about the hallway around Kale. She had been expecting to see... Well...she didn't know what she had been expecting, but she hadn't expected to see Kale alone and okay. Finally, she met her companion's gaze.
"A... There was a light..." she stammered, now wondering if she had been hallucinating. It wouldn't surprise her if she had. Suddenly feeling exhausted, Rinka stumbled sideways and pressed her shoulder against the wall to her right for support. Her mind went back to the three visions and the cryptic message left by that gryphon. "...Ya. I got it," she muttered, lifting the Shard up to where she could see it, "I...Kale, I saw...when I picked it up, I saw..."

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:Right! XD)

For a few minutes, Rinka sat in place recovering with her head buried under her wings. She breathed, in and out. In and out. A war. Tyrin and Ambyra. The giant bird in the forest of demonic shadows. Fly with two wings, but beat with three hearts. A message for the one who stayed by her side and made her something more. Was it for Kale, like she'd initially thought? It made sense, he had given her hope after she'd lost everything. Her status as queen, it was something she'd accepted because of that hope. She owed it to him. Everyone else who fit the description was either dead or missing. But... Tyrin... He was... She saw him. But he was...
With a shuddering breath, Rinka lowered her wings and opened her eyes. That was when she noticed the bright yellow glow seeping from under the doorway. The same place where Kale was waiting. With a start, Rinka remembered she was in the tower in the middle of a dangerous mission, and she had left Kale on his own. Crying out in panic, she jumped off the ground and dashed for the door in a flurry of feathers. Upon reaching it, she did not hesitate to swing it open.
"Kale!" she shouted.

As soon as the door swung open, the light ceased. The hallway was completely normal, and Kale spun around with a start. He blinked in confusion, his feathers prickled in surprise. 
"Rinka? What's wrong?" The falcon asked, looking around her to the empty room. He glanced down and noticed the Shard with the start of a smile. "You got it!"

Rinka blinked, her gaze darting about the hallway around Kale. She had been expecting to see... Well...she didn't know what she had been expecting, but she hadn't expected to see Kale alone and okay. Finally, she met her companion's gaze.
"A... There was a light..." she stammered, now wondering if she had been hallucinating. It wouldn't surprise her if she had. Suddenly feeling exhausted, Rinka stumbled sideways and pressed her shoulder against the wall to her right for support. Her mind went back to the three visions and the cryptic message left by that gryphon. "...Ya. I got it," she muttered, lifting the Shard up to where she could see it, "I...Kale, I saw...when I picked it up, I saw..."

"Hey, are you okay?" Kale asked, a small frown across his beak as she fell against the wall. He gently rested wing on her other shoulder for support as he followed her gaze to the Shard. When she began mentioning seeing something in it, the falcon's eyes began to darken with worry. No... No, don't say it...


"What did you see?" Kale asked in a small voice, fear gathering in his tone.

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:From outside the room, a bright yellow glow seeped from under the doorway from the hall where Kale was supposed to be waiting. 

(I would post more but I'd like for Rinka to just notice it herself and go see what's going on, you know? Not much I can post XD)

...

Raiya growled at the fiery shade, backing towards the steps on the far side of the room. "Prolonging the inevitable? Who talks like that?" 
The wolf scoffed, flashing a toothy --and taunting-- smile towards the bird. She heard the patter of pawsteps and cocked an ear to listen, trying not to look and alert the shade. Moonpelt!


He didn't sound like he was in trouble, and Raiya broke her gaze from the shade for just a moment to see her white-furred uncle dashing down the stairs, an over-sized metal pole of some sort in his jaws. She frowned, wondering what this was for till she spotted the blood on the tip, and her mind put the rest together. Moonpelt mouthed something and tried to grin through the pole, but it was too muffled for Raiya to make it out. 

"Right!"
She answered anyways, grasping the other end of the pole in her jaws and taking it from the bigger white wolf. Raiya turned back on the Shade now, weapon in hand- er, tooth.

The hawk hissed and circled around for another attack. His eyes narrowed at the appearance of the white wolf, trailing the rod to its bloodstained tip. His face twisted in fury, coming to the same conclusion Raiya had. With a battle screech, he charged the wolf once more. But he faltered as he neared the wolf, Moonpelt's cheers throwing him off.

Raiya gave a light chuckle at Moonpelt's howl, turning to face the Shade's oncoming attack. She narrowed her eyes when the Shade faltered, and swung at him from the right to clip him out of the air.

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:Right! XD)

For a few minutes, Rinka sat in place recovering with her head buried under her wings. She breathed, in and out. In and out. A war. Tyrin and Ambyra. The giant bird in the forest of demonic shadows. Fly with two wings, but beat with three hearts. A message for the one who stayed by her side and made her something more. Was it for Kale, like she'd initially thought? It made sense, he had given her hope after she'd lost everything. Her status as queen, it was something she'd accepted because of that hope. She owed it to him. Everyone else who fit the description was either dead or missing. But... Tyrin... He was... She saw him. But he was...
With a shuddering breath, Rinka lowered her wings and opened her eyes. That was when she noticed the bright yellow glow seeping from under the doorway. The same place where Kale was waiting. With a start, Rinka remembered she was in the tower in the middle of a dangerous mission, and she had left Kale on his own. Crying out in panic, she jumped off the ground and dashed for the door in a flurry of feathers. Upon reaching it, she did not hesitate to swing it open.
"Kale!" she shouted.

As soon as the door swung open, the light ceased. The hallway was completely normal, and Kale spun around with a start. He blinked in confusion, his feathers prickled in surprise. 
"Rinka? What's wrong?" The falcon asked, looking around her to the empty room. He glanced down and noticed the Shard with the start of a smile. "You got it!"

Rinka blinked, her gaze darting about the hallway around Kale. She had been expecting to see... Well...she didn't know what she had been expecting, but she hadn't expected to see Kale alone and okay. Finally, she met her companion's gaze.
"A... There was a light..." she stammered, now wondering if she had been hallucinating. It wouldn't surprise her if she had. Suddenly feeling exhausted, Rinka stumbled sideways and pressed her shoulder against the wall to her right for support. Her mind went back to the three visions and the cryptic message left by that gryphon. "...Ya. I got it," she muttered, lifting the Shard up to where she could see it, "I...Kale, I saw...when I picked it up, I saw..."

"Hey, are you okay?" Kale asked, a small frown across his beak as she fell against the wall. He gently rested wing on her other shoulder for support as he followed her gaze to the Shard. When she began mentioning seeing something in it, the falcon's eyes began to darken with worry. No... No, don't say it...


"What did you see?" Kale asked in a small voice, fear gathering in his tone.

Rinka kept her gaze on the Shard. She opened her beak slightly, then closed it to swallow. She wanted to tell him everything right then and there. This was... This was simply too much for her to handle on her own. But...

"We don't have time," she said after what seemed to be a lifetime of silence. She lowered the Shard down, setting her clenched talon on the ground, and lifted herself off the wall so she could stand to her full height. "Moonpelt and Raiya are in the other tower and they are counting on us to do our part. We found the Shard. Now we need to go help them." She then looked to Kale with a tired, sad smile. "But, once all four of us have gotten to a safe place, I will tell you what I've seen. I promise." With that said, she began to walk forward, pulling out of Kale's wing. But then she stopped and turned back towards him. She hesitated before telling him one key piece of information.
"There...was a message. I...I honestly don't know who it's for... But I think you can help me figure it out. "Fly with two wings, but three heart beats." That's the message."

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:From outside the room, a bright yellow glow seeped from under the doorway from the hall where Kale was supposed to be waiting. 

(I would post more but I'd like for Rinka to just notice it herself and go see what's going on, you know? Not much I can post XD)

...

Raiya growled at the fiery shade, backing towards the steps on the far side of the room. "Prolonging the inevitable? Who talks like that?" 
The wolf scoffed, flashing a toothy --and taunting-- smile towards the bird. She heard the patter of pawsteps and cocked an ear to listen, trying not to look and alert the shade. Moonpelt!


He didn't sound like he was in trouble, and Raiya broke her gaze from the shade for just a moment to see her white-furred uncle dashing down the stairs, an over-sized metal pole of some sort in his jaws. She frowned, wondering what this was for till she spotted the blood on the tip, and her mind put the rest together. Moonpelt mouthed something and tried to grin through the pole, but it was too muffled for Raiya to make it out. 

"Right!"
She answered anyways, grasping the other end of the pole in her jaws and taking it from the bigger white wolf. Raiya turned back on the Shade now, weapon in hand- er, tooth.

The hawk hissed and circled around for another attack. His eyes narrowed at the appearance of the white wolf, trailing the rod to its bloodstained tip. His face twisted in fury, coming to the same conclusion Raiya had. With a battle screech, he charged the wolf once more. But he faltered as he neared the wolf, Moonpelt's cheers throwing him off.

Raiya gave a light chuckle at Moonpelt's howl, turning to face the Shade's oncoming attack. She narrowed her eyes when the Shade faltered, and swung at him from the right to clip him out of the air.

The shade, seeing the blow coming, twisted his body to the right and grabbed the rod when it met with both of his talons. He flapped strongly with his wings to tear the rod out of Raiya's jaws.

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:Right! XD)

For a few minutes, Rinka sat in place recovering with her head buried under her wings. She breathed, in and out. In and out. A war. Tyrin and Ambyra. The giant bird in the forest of demonic shadows. Fly with two wings, but beat with three hearts. A message for the one who stayed by her side and made her something more. Was it for Kale, like she'd initially thought? It made sense, he had given her hope after she'd lost everything. Her status as queen, it was something she'd accepted because of that hope. She owed it to him. Everyone else who fit the description was either dead or missing. But... Tyrin... He was... She saw him. But he was...
With a shuddering breath, Rinka lowered her wings and opened her eyes. That was when she noticed the bright yellow glow seeping from under the doorway. The same place where Kale was waiting. With a start, Rinka remembered she was in the tower in the middle of a dangerous mission, and she had left Kale on his own. Crying out in panic, she jumped off the ground and dashed for the door in a flurry of feathers. Upon reaching it, she did not hesitate to swing it open.
"Kale!" she shouted.

As soon as the door swung open, the light ceased. The hallway was completely normal, and Kale spun around with a start. He blinked in confusion, his feathers prickled in surprise. 
"Rinka? What's wrong?" The falcon asked, looking around her to the empty room. He glanced down and noticed the Shard with the start of a smile. "You got it!"

Rinka blinked, her gaze darting about the hallway around Kale. She had been expecting to see... Well...she didn't know what she had been expecting, but she hadn't expected to see Kale alone and okay. Finally, she met her companion's gaze.
"A... There was a light..." she stammered, now wondering if she had been hallucinating. It wouldn't surprise her if she had. Suddenly feeling exhausted, Rinka stumbled sideways and pressed her shoulder against the wall to her right for support. Her mind went back to the three visions and the cryptic message left by that gryphon. "...Ya. I got it," she muttered, lifting the Shard up to where she could see it, "I...Kale, I saw...when I picked it up, I saw..."

"Hey, are you okay?" Kale asked, a small frown across his beak as she fell against the wall. He gently rested wing on her other shoulder for support as he followed her gaze to the Shard. When she began mentioning seeing something in it, the falcon's eyes began to darken with worry. No... No, don't say it...


"What did you see?" Kale asked in a small voice, fear gathering in his tone.

Rinka kept her gaze on the Shard. She opened her beak slightly, then closed it to swallow. She wanted to tell him everything right then and there. This was... This was simply too much for her to handle on her own. But...

"We don't have time," she said after what seemed to be a lifetime of silence. She lowered the Shard down, setting her clenched talon on the ground, and lifted herself off the wall so she could stand to her full height. "Moonpelt and Raiya are in the other tower and they are counting on us to do our part. We found the Shard. Now we need to go help them." She then looked to Kale with a tired, sad smile. "But, once all four of us have gotten to a safe place, I will tell you what I've seen. I promise." With that said, she began to walk forward, pulling out of Kale's wing. But then she stopped and turned back towards him. She hesitated before telling him one key piece of information.
"There...was a message. I...I honestly don't know who it's for... But I think you can help me figure it out. "Fly with two wings, but three heart beats." That's the message."

The air left Kale's lungs as he heard the phrase, the words rumbling down into his soul where they rested from the first time he heard them. His demeanor visibly changed, his feathers folding calmly over his body. The happy, innocent light in the backs of his eyes seemed to go out. He recognized the words, and knew what they meant for him, and those closest in his life. 

The falcon swallowed his mood, clenching his talons uncomfortably and giving a small shake of his head. "Weird... I don't know, you'll have to explain more when you can... lets... lets go get the wolves..." His voice was more quiet, more controlled.