Meghan closed her eyes for a minute, before walking out of the shop, pocketing the two bags of coins. "Now, a room in the inn." she said, one part of herself surprised to hear her accent return. She ran quietly, not sure exactly where the inn was again.

She stepped through the forest, again wishing for light to see if there was a path. Suddenly she collided with something solid, smacking her head hard. Expecting a tree, she looked up sharply, only to see a woman in front of her, sniffing like an animal. And behind her, the man she saw at the inn before.

Meghan looked quietly at them before saying coldly, her accent thick and musical," Who the hell are you two?"

Knowing the girl infront of her's thought exactly, the girl who appeared to be like a vampire, he quickly stepped infront of her, turning his head, one eye looking her way, then looking ahead of him saying.

"The real question is who the hell are you!" he said with an angry face, as he turned his he felt strange the more he came close to the tower. It was hurting him bad, though he showed no signs of it. This tower had been famous for making things that were made of metal null, and weak, or something around the tower. Keith felt as if he was constantly being cut by many blades, as he fell to one knee right before the girl. The thing about the area was it could do it on and off, thier was no telling when it could react, and make metal dull, and make metal weapons useless, it was said to be used to make the opponent drop their weapon, for it would send static through the weapon, to shock the opponent.

Keith layed their, as the forest and the bushes around them made strange noises, as Keith wiped blood that dripped from his mouth, he struggled to stand, but then stood firmly saying.

"You need to leave! This isn't a safe place for the likes of you-" he said as he coughed before rising and looking at the woman before them, his eyes cold as ice as he said.

"Get out of here.."

"Well then, nice to meet you too. I'm Meghan by the way, and I have no sudden plans of moving." She said, her eyes narrowing. Bad move, if you wanted me to go. I have a tendency not to listen, she thought maliciously, looking at the looming tower.

"Looks like that tower has a bad effect on you. Yes, no-name-guy?" Meghan said sarcastically, quickly putting together the pieces. This is much more entertaining, she thought, smelling something vile immediately. Her hand moved to her nose slowly, knowing that the girl she had smacked into could probably smell much better than she. Of course, Meghan had seen vampires before the red moon.

There hadn't been many in her school, but even still they were the causes of violence. Not that their actions made her opinion of them any worse. They were people, they had feelings. She hadn't seen anything wrong with them besides the humans that provoked them.

Meghan shook her head, now completely certain something was up. Something that involved these people, and maybe even her.

The sky slowly blackened as the sound of a thousand crow calls filled the air. "Don't worry about the birds," William whispered as he motioned to her move back into the spacious shop, "Your not going to die. Period!" William grit his teeth as he prepared for what was coming. Instead of letting her lead him into the store, he broke away from her contact. William stood outside, under the cover of the shops overhang watching the mass of dark bodies. How could this happen? This world seemed so wonderful at first, for the first time in 5 years I care about someone and yet I have to spend all my time preparing to die!

Slowly William turned and headed back into the clothing shop. "I'm going to use your shop to show Sophia here how to use this blade." First William unstrapped the sheathe and the kalis from his lower back. Then he slowly drew the bladed and found a good grip. "You don't mind do you?" William stated it with no malice in his vice, he would not hurt the shopkeeper, but he would also not leave until he has given Sophia at least a bit of protection. Now William's attention turned to Sophia, "I know you probably don't like these things," William lifted the kalis and waited for some kind of reaction to reinforce his point, "But we have no choice you have to learn. I'm sorry."

Slowly William place both of his hands on the handle of the blade and he assumed the basic battle stance. William's back started to protest but he knew it was nothing compared to what is coming. "This sword is extremely light, fast, and balanced." To show what he meant, William made three quick cuts, one two handed vertical cut, and two horizontal cuts with ether hand. "Even still, your going to want to hold it with both hands at all times, it will make it harder for you to lose control of it."

William took the next five minutes to go over every basic cut he knew. No parries, no locks, no complected attack patterns. Dammit! If she gets attacked by anything that has an inkling on how to fight she will only be able to hold them off for a few seconds at best. I won't be able to leave her side for more than a second! After William was finished he resheathed the bladed and handed the set over to Sophia. "It's a good weapon Sophia, it has already saved my life once, it will do the same for you."

So, this girl knew of her kind? Then she must know that, in the end, they were animals, monsters and they had little control over their thoughts. Sadly enough, territory was what was locked in their brains, this situation, that boy she was bad mouthing, was her territory.

With out thought, without an inkling of what the little girl could do, she lurched for her, fangs elongated. “Mine...” she hissed slowly, her body quivering, this magic in the air..was fucking with her, putting stray thoughts in her head, making her human side not matter but....it didn't matter, that boy had her scent on him, somehow, and that meant hers.

“Get...away..” she hissed slowly her body puffing up, eyes slitting as she quivered and shook, pushing herself in front of the boy, who's name she still didn't know. It would be best if this girl left, she had ran into her, and talked as if the one who was hers was nothing...stupid human would die if she continued.

Meghan peered at the girl, who's primitive side was obviously dominating what human she had left in her. The feral way she crouched reminded of the fights, of the over-confident teens who thought they could actually go against the vampires.

Someone always got killed, either the vampire or the human. But mostly the humans. The smart thing to do was go, let her have her human. Her mind screamed for her to run, to simply give up to the sea and end whatever was left of her life. It was the most romantic thing to do, sink to the sea and join James, where ever he was. But her heart wanted to stay with them, feel important before she died. Or at least as she died for that matter.

A smirk played on her lips for one moment, the thought of dying a hero's death sounding like one of a jacked up movie.

She stepped back a couple of yards, her voice even and calm." He's yours. I want nothing of him. I will leave as well. But if you want to kill me, that's... somewhat okay with me." But her eyes plainly showed her fear. Like every human, she was a coward, one way or another. One who faced death that was unafraid was an ignorant fool. One who did, well, they were still a fool for getting themselves in the situation.

She fell back into shop, hands clasped in front of her as always. Her heart was pounding as she slowly walked around the store, her mind racing as she tried to figure out how to get back to the inn. Did the others know what was going on? The darkness the birds brought into the atmosphere was immediately detectable to those outside, but within the hotel room could Keith and the bar woman tell? Did they know that something evil, something horrible, something beyond their comprehension was befalling this once peaceful harbor town?

Well, if they weren't doing something completely inappropriate and disgusting, then they probably knew what was going on.

She leaned heavily against counter within the shop, elbows upon the wood. She believed William when he said she wasn't going to die, but exaclty how that was going to come about is what puzzled her. These monstrous crows seemed to enjoy impalling themselves through the scattering humans of the town; if they stepped through the door and out into the open they'd be dead within minutes. There was the possibility of crawling underneath the mass of kamikaze birds, but they were still most likely going to get dive bombed at some point, and their sharp beaks weren't just little pin pricks, they were much more than that.

A shiver ran through her body the moment she heard William's words concerning the sword. She didn't have to turn about and look at him to know he had already unsheathed the massive weapon and was standing, battle ready, with it. She opened her mouth to protest, but hesitated. She honestly didn't know what the correct path was to take. Obviously, taking up a sword and becoming a rash combatant was in no way lady-like, but it was her duty as a woman to listen and do as men told her.

She slowly turned. Once she was fully facing William she leaned back, her spine hugging the side of the counter. She watched his display without saying a word, her mind weighing both sides of what she could do. She watched him resheath it with emotionless eyes.

"I have to do this, don't I?" She questioned, more herself than William. She gazed silently into his orbs as she outstretched her shaking hand. Her fingers slowly curled around the sheath. He had told her that it was light, but she was still surprised by its lightness. She drew the sword close to her, one hand still wrapped about it while the covered blade rested in her opened, up turned palm.

"I...I can't carry this the whole time... how do I put it on myself?"

There were tears in her eyes; she was utterly overwhelmed.

(Back in buisness, everyone get back to ya posting. Lets get this baby back online =D)



The rods stopped, and he regained his composture, and he felt as if he had been squeezed to death, but something else was effecting him as well. He felt himself, and something within him being drained, something was under him draining the power from him dearly, and he was being effected. He quickly stood as he finnaly felt the rods were gone, and gazed at the fearfull human infront of him, who seemed to be suffering the same situation as he was, but he was about to solve this situation thier.

He looked at the ground (Saladin, hope you don't mind if I play these 2, I have something in mind in a minute, and me controlling these 2 will greately effect it, Zuvelk, get ready to hop in), as his hand turned into metal, and he stuck both hands deep into the ground, as he tore it up from under, 2 monsters flew up and then landed with a large smash.

"So it was you two? Get ready to taste some steel..don't worry it tastes really good." he said as his hand turned a diffrent shade, a blue like color, then back to the normal, but less shiny armour. He began to run at one, as Keith swung, it ducked swiftly, with no problems, and quickly did a turn as it kicked him directly in the gut sending him flying. He landed on his feet, and quickly charged back in, instantly after the hit. The other, stood infront of the one who had just been hit, and swung 1 of the 2 swords in his hand, as Keith blocked it with one hands, that took the form of a metal sheild, it swung the other, and he lifted up the other hand blocking that one, when he felt the sting in both hands, he ducked, and both swords backed to their former posistions, beside the opponent.

Keith backed up, into the other opponent (Lets call him Gut). Gut with speed that gave Keith no time to respond, swooped his feet on the ground sweeping Keith off of his feet, as he then tossed him into the sky, his other freind (Letin), jumped off of the ground into the sky, as he swung, Keith could only turn and form his back into this time very shiny and sturdy metal, as the blade hit Keith screamed for the magic power took the blow rather than his skin. They fell back to the ground, Keith landing on his back, and Letin on his feet, and Keith on Gut's palm in the left hand, as he then tossed him to the ground, Keith made a brief kick to Gut's face, as he tumbled to the ground.

"Shit.." he said as he staggered to stand, but met the fist of Gut, making him fly towards Letin, his face was metal as Letin swung at him, Keith slid, and hit Letin's leg causing him to fall, as Gut came, he stood quickly as Gut charged him, Keith's head turned metal, and he headbutted Gut directly at the forehead, causing his skull to shatter, as Keith connected with his right fist, but not before spinning, causing Gut to fly into a KO.

Keith smirked before he felt a sharp pain in his back, and was sent flying. He had been cut deeply in the back, and he began to scream loudly.

"TCHAAAAAA!" he yelled as his mouth opened as wide as it could, Keith couldn't stand this battle any longer, and was very annoyed as he stood, blood dripping from his back as he said.

"I am going to kick your ass!" he yelled as he lost controll of himself, he ran towards the opponent, and as the opponent swung, keith blocked it with one hand, and then spun around with his right hand, the back of his right hand in a fist hit the opponent directly in side, as Keith spun agian, he jumped back, then dashed, his fist shining silver, as he struck the opponent directly in the chest, going straight through the opponent, as it was shattered and it dissappeared into smoke.

Keith stood for a second, not moving, starring into space, then fell on one knee, as he panted loudly, he had already felt so much pain, he didn't want to go on any longer, but he had to get to the source of this, or him, everyone he had met thus far, and all of his best freinds would be killed. Keith could not allow that. Keith rose as he looked into the far distance and saw the tower, and felt the ridiculous dark aura coming from it.

"This is going to be a night to remember.." he said as he looked back at his newly met vampire, friend, and the other woman, as he walked over to the newly met vampire girl he smiled and said

"You ok?"

One gentle hand brushed Sophia's cheek. "I'm sorry but you do have to do this and it's going to be terrifying out there." William had to stop and breath for a second, What am I doing sending her out there? Do I have no other choice? Damn this world! "Just remember, I will never leave your side, not even if it means my life." William let his fingers rest upon Sophia's cheek for a moment longer before he, regretfully, got down to business.

Taking the sword and sheathe from Sophia, William kneeled on one knee. His battered back protested the entire time, but he was used to the pain and it was nothing compared to the fear. William's face also fought for attention as he spoke again, "Alright the plan is simple, we need to get into that forest. Since the moment we landed i could feel the evil emanating from the damned thing." William paused as he focused at the task on his hands. Slowly and carefully, William began to strap the sword to Sophia's lower back. As his finger's did their delicate dance, everyone and a while he would feel the softness of her dress, the suppleness of the skin under the cotton, the warmth of the blood pulsing through her veins. William realized he never noticed just how graceful Sophia's body was, when it wasn't moving that is. William blushed, and he continued to fidget with the set up, even though he knew it was perfect. "How do you do it Sophia? Make me feel like this? I should be panicking, I should be running away. But all I can think of is you."

William slowly rose to his feet then, and examined his handiwork. The sheathe was strapped crosswise across sophia's back, making a weird X with the left side slightly longer then the right. It was an odd set up, specially designed by William himself and he never noticed how different it was. Oh no, she's going to have to learn to watch for the sides sticking out, but she will manage. William then looked up into Sophia's eyes. He could see the fear and he knew that it was just wrong, It shouldn't be there. But what can I do about it? Just then William got an idea.

William studied Sophia's soft, delicate face. Step by step, William's graceful form closed the distance between the two of them. William cursed himself yet again for the stupid he was in just a few hours ago, because his face was still slightly swollen, but it was too late to turn back. "Sophia," William breathed, his lips just inches from her's, "I think I'm falling in love with you." William was sure Sophia had some proper response to what he had just said, but all possible reactions were cut off, for William's lips were planted firmly on Sophia's. Gentle at first, William's lips just brushing Sophia's, her breath tickling him, driving him insane. A sudden rush, and his lips were planted against hers, in a hard, closed mouth kiss. William's strong hands framed themselves on her curved back and he attempted to pull her close, to get her into the kiss. It all together lasted seconds, but right there at that moment, William realized he would never forget that taste.

William broke away and turned his back on Sophia, not only to hide his shame, but to hide his smile too. He kicked himself for not making it more romantic, his hands just laid there on her back, he should have stroked her hair or something, anything. William looked down at his hands, they felt empty without the small of Sophia's back pressed against his fingers. "I'm sorry, it's just that if I die saving your life, I want that memory to carry me through to the other side." William was breathing so hard he had to pause to calm himself.

"The plan, like I said is simple. We stick close to the buildings, we stay low and we move fast. The birds seem restricted to the city, once we make it to the forest we should be clear of them." What William left out was the fact that even if they beat the odds and they made it into the forest, what was causing all of this is probably many times worse than the crows themselves. "If we are attacked, duck into a building and lock the doors. Do not try to stay and help. Do not come back out no matter what you hear or see." The door creaked open and William stepped out int o the inky blackness.

She stood there, form rigid, as William brought the sheath about her slender form. It felt so heavy to her, the thick leather weighing hard upon her back as he tugged and prodded, trying to get everything in the right place. She knew she must look ridiculous, the straps her so long, everything so big: it was definitely made for a man twice her size. She shifted from foot to foot, playing with the new weight upon her frail frame. If only her mother could see her now; a light giggle surpassed her lips as she envision the striking woman in all her beauty pitching over backwards in a horrendous faint at the sight of her only daughter.

The tender glee that had overtaken her form was wiped forcefully away the moment William spoke of their intended movements outside. She stood emotionless as he spoke, placing the final touches on the weaponry that hung against her spine. She was thankful, so very thankful, that he had taken the time to try and educate her before strapping a dangerous, rather long sword upon her. It was while she was visually herself attempting to maneuver with the blade in hand that she felt him staring, his eyes so intense upon her. She didn’t know how to respond to him, but she attempted, brown orbs cast upon her feet as always, “Sir Fleming… I’m doing nothing intentionally to keep you from your duties; I hope I am not to much of a distraction.. If need be, I’ll stay behind…” His feet came into view as he drew closer, her head jolting up to find him inches away from her. He called her name, she nearly melted.

But it was so incredibly wrong for him to be so close! She demanded from her body that she back up, cried out mentally to at least lean backwards. Where was her dignity? Where was her sense of personal, private space? Half of her was screaming to run, the other was too intrigued to.

"I think I'm falling in love with you."

Her breath caught in her throat as she attempted to stammer a response. She was in complete shock, and it showed so plainly on her face. There were a million things that she was supposed to do at this point, most of them impossible at that very second. The most pressing was to ask if her father had okayed his intentions towards, had he sat down with her mother? Both impossible. She was supposed to go on a long, rambling speech about how she was flattered that he had taken an interest in her, and that she would do all within her power to prove the best possible choice for him. She was supposed to curtsey, to kiss his hand, to draw her hair back in a black ribbon to show she was now no longer single. But none of that happened. His lips were planted firmly on hers, his hands, so caring, against her back pulling her in closer. Never, in all her life, had this ever happened before.

And she liked it.

Gods, how forbidden this was! Kissing a man she was not yet married to, was not yet even approved of by her parents. She had stifled the reaction to slap him, her left hand jerking slightly the moment his lips had caressed hers. Instead, she simply stood there, not knowing what to do, eyes wide open, blinking several times as she hastily tried to memorize the moment, the way his hands were, how his lips felt, how fast both their hearts were beating.

And then it was over. Her jaw was slack as he pulled away, lips slightly parted as he refused to face her: "I'm sorry, it's just that if I die saving your life, I want that memory to carry me through to the other side." She offered a light gasp, her bod moving forward as she pressed a thin hand into his back as comforting as possible. She saw what this had done to him, how a single kiss from her had sprouted thoughts of death and weakness within him. She bit her bottom lip, realizing that she had allowed him to do something awful. She felt so guilty.

And then it was all business, and Sophia was glad. She pushed the episode as far away from her mind as possible as they headed for the door. She watched him unlatch it and walk out, the wind curling about the opened portal, sending her red tresses into a frenzy behind her. She followed him out, the bleakness weighing heavily upon her. She moved so stiffly as it was with the new equipment on her back, it was so much harder to walk about with the happenings around. Her eyes caught sight of the birds, still flying, like psychotic darts in every which direction. She grabbed William’s arm, her form nearly tripping as she tried to stay as close to him as possible. She refused to allow herself to be afraid, absolutely refused. Although it mentally hurt, she tossed aside everything her mother had ever said to her, and, for once, allowed her instinct and emotions drive her. She wanted to get out of this place, as quickly as possible, but she knew that they had to gather the others. If the woods had seemed dark to William in the beginning, then chances were he was taking her to the heart of the problem, not saving her from it. She nodded, physically telling herself that it was ok, before she cast her gaze about once more.

She had never allowed herself to use her intelligence; it was a terrifying thing for a woman in her society to be smart. But she didn’t care at this point. As she looked around it hit her for the first time that, whatever this was was far beyond their control, and most likely much stronger than any of them. He had turned nature in on itself with these birds and the colossal darkness, whoever it was, was powerful. She bent down as they continued on close to the shops, squatting a bit as she came to one of the inching blobs that was littering the ground. She cast her gaze out, watching the movements of most of the independent sections. They were moving together, towards the middle of the town it seemed. She poked a finger into the substance. A cold chill ran through her form, almost as if draining a bit of energy from her. She shot back up into a standing position, eagerly wiping the remnants of the blob on the nearby shop wall.

“William, look! They’re heading in one direction, and some of them are morphing together…” Her jaw dropped as she stared hard into his face, “They’re creating something, William. They’re merging to create something huge.. And most likely scary and powerful.”

Zephyr appeared at the tower, her long black hair waving in the coming breeze. She smiled to herself as she looked up the large black structure, it was like a beacon, but brilliant. She didn't know how to explain it, just beautiful. Her face was a mask of shadow as she studied her surrondings. She was near the entrance, messing around, stalling. She knew something was coming, something she would have to do, that's why she stayed. She could be doing something better with her time like riding a horse through a forst, swimming in a clear creek, taking a bath, but nooo, she was here. In the haze.
She also came because she was a little suspiscious of an enemy, a darkness unseen.
She searched again, looking through the spreaded mist. Up above her she heard a low shriek, her eagle Zaphirin swooped low. His long, marvelous wings shined in the light as he held his head proudly. Oh, how she loved her bird. She smiled at the though of him but quickly averted the thought and memories, automatically staying focused.

Blood, the scent of it, the smell of it, hung in the air. Her body was still shaking, in fear, anger, other emotions. Why..Why had this happened? Once again, whenever she came into play, things happened to those she had hung out with. She closed her eyes, trying to gain the courage to walk away from him..she needed to, more than she could say. To let him in, to let him protect her was bad. She turned around, white hair flying through the air as she stared at him with her disturbing eyes. “I don't need you..”

She whispered these, trying to convince herself of this as she stared at him, eyes closing for a moment. Her keen ears picked up several sounds, the sounds of the forest, the sounds of things before she snarled and rushed forward, pulling her blades from her sheath.

There was going to be another fight, and soon, she could feel it in her bones, feel it in the gatherings of power beneath the earth.

(OOC: Ehem....errrr, can I get a fill in. I'm where I'm suppose to be, I think, yep.))

She wanted to tell him, to show him that she wasn't trying to fight him but the words got stuck in her throat. She could feel her face go cold, emotionless, all the emotion just melting away. He didn't trust her, take out her katannas, her daggers, any blade, and he would back up. Humans...how they disgusted her, talk of peace, of caring, only to turn it away when something looks bad. So she wouldn't tell him, even though as this new threat came she would protect him.


This was a lesson, one that she still needed to learn. She had tried...had giving him a small piece of her, allowed him to touch her without consequence but no..not again. She shook her head, allowing her white hair to fall into her eyes, it was...pain, hurt, all of it welling up in her chest and it brought out a feral growl, a sound of aggression, from deep within her chest as she stalked forward.

Her feet sank into the mud, her body shaking once more, this is what she lived for, she lived for the pain of a fight, the moment when she won, the feel of hot, sticky, blood splashing a crossed her skin, oh god she couldn't wait. Fingers tightened on the hilt of her katannas, digging in enough that her knuckles went white, it was only a matter of time.

Only time, it was all only time, she murmured as she looked up at the sky, a tear slipping from her cheek, she would die in this fight, that is what she wished, she wished for the ever elusive death, so people like that boy couldn't hurt her with his kind words and backing away from her in fear.

"No Sophia, we need to move for the forest! That thing is too strong for us!" William could barely think. The kiss, her hand on his back, the fear in her voice, the sword on Sophia's back, they were all driving him insane. William needed to calm down to think, but his mind screamed to run back into the building, to hide with Sophia, to hold her and wait for their final moments. No! We are hear for a reason, we have to be, this can't all be on accident. We all must be special like Keith, and it's our duty to help those in need! William couldn't process the idea of someone like Keith beating him in a fight, it just didn't make any sense, but right now Keith could pulverize William into the dirt.

William grabbed Sophia's arm and started to run for the nearest building with an over hang. We need to move fast and get under something or the crows will get us. . . and then it hit William. I don't see any crows! Where did they go? "Sophia, were going to make it! The crows they disappeared." It was so silent with out the constant flapping, William almost jumped for joy, but then it sunk in. I am are going to make it to the forest, at the source of the problem, and I'm dragging Sophia into the heart of the darkness! How can I protect Sophia from the worst of it if I run in fear from one of lowly minions? But before William could think anything to solve his problem, they were at the edge of the forest.

"Sophia," William was dazed, so many thoughts running through his head. "We need to talk. I. . . I. . . " But William couldn't get the words out. Fear blinded him, just like when he first saw the tower. Turning now, William was shocked to see just how tall it really was. I need to focus on something else. Sophia. . . But now that he was staring into her soulful brown eyes, he wished he continued to look away. "Sophia I have to tell you this, I. . . I can't protect you when the battle breaks out. I told you once to stick with Keith and you left, this time, I want you to run to him the second you see him, and stay within 20 feet at all times. He is the only one who can protect you know." This time William didn't turn away. This time he stood there and let her say what she would say, blame him for lying, to ask him why he even bothered to tell her he would sacrifice himself, if his sacrifice wouldn't even help to save her.

"You must hate me, I know I am weak, but I have a theory. I think we were sent here for a reason," The hypocrisy burned William's tongue. All this from a man who doesn't even belive in a god. "and I think we will all become stronger. I know right now it doesn't mean anything, but if I can somehow gain some power, any power at all, I will use it to protect you above all else. For now though, hate me if you will, I deserve it." There William stood, waiting for her rage at the edge of The Forest. A dark and evil place, and it just might be his grave.