Snippet #2171095

Aelianus

Aelianus had watched the whole exchange. He wasn't sure how to respond when Nira commented on his knocking out the Princess, but was relieved when her attention was diverted from him. The boy witnessed it all, watched as the attack was made from both sides, resulting in Nira's being wounded, the small knife lodging firmly into her shoulder and causing a momentary fault. At this, Nira let out a sound he'd never heard from her before, a true scream followed by a laugh that sent chills up his spine. Truly it wasn't a joyful laugh, but that of the kind Talazar usually dabbled in, a more psychotic one, or at least, that's how Aelianus described it. He'd known what to expect next, but still wasn't ready as she retaliated.

Aelianus was already retreating back as the first blast of magic flew forward, targeting apparently the newest presence, that of the large man he'd seen earlier in the Inn. Aelianus didn't have time to figure out if it had hit or not as suddenly another wave came right after the first attack, targeting everyone and knocking the boy backwards. He landed hard a yard or so away, but when he sat up is when the actual attack hit. Whether or not it was meant to do any real damage, Aelianus wasn't sure. He was still technically on the shade's side, but he still wasn't ready for the power Nira possessed to be thrown at him.

Taking the impact square in the chest, Aelianus could feel the energy surging through him as it hit, knocking the wind from his lungs and sending him back farther. He coughed and winced, even let out a cry of pain as he slid across the rough ground to a stop. The chains he carried seemed to have mixed effects and he had no idea if they helped block the attack, or conduct it, but he didn't have time to answer as yet another round came at them from the shadows, a web of crackling electricity like a net. This the metal links did conduct, and Aelianus hadn't realized he had bitten his tongue until the taste of blood was in his mouth.

It was about now the Princess woke again. Whether or not it was because Aelianus hadn't hit her hard enough, or because the creature inside her forced her into consciousness, the boy would never know. He did however give her a weak smile and shrug as he stood, the only reply he could manage as of now. He'd expected nothing more, and at least his actions were in a way just. He could easily defend them from whatever point of view he chose.

The scream cut everyone off. Who it belonged to was undeniable, Aelianus knew it as the Princess did and he just barely had time to gather himself again in an attempt to suggest against going towards the source, but she'd already shot off. Aelianus didn't bother checking anyone else, but followed immediately. She was far ahead and he had even lost her once in the process of pursuing her, but finally he reached their destination, though it seemed too late. He came up onto the hill just in time to see the Princess to fleeing down it again, the shade she'd just killed lying idly by. Surveying the area, Aelianus took stock of the situation.

Talazar

Something changed in the boy that was for sure. At first, Talazar had smiled, thinking he'd either broken him or managed to pull what last bits of fight he could from the bloodied body. It wasn't until Nira had stepped forward, placed her blade to his neck and found that her jewel had been rendered utterly useless did he frown again. He was about to suggest she move back, he was even going to pull her away himself, but the boy beat his movements.

Talazar watched as Nira was caught in an entanglement of vines, lifted and tossed away uselessly. He didn't need to see the attack to know he was to be targeted next, but registered the boy's words.

"Here is my thanks to you for waking me," he said. As Talazar looked at the boy he noted the change; what was once a broken shade of light green was now a steely dark hue, one that held in them the same coldness and calculating abilities Talazar himself usually bore. He leapt immediately to the side and rolled, easily evading the attacks and swinging the boy's sword he still held to fend off any other of vines, taking several cautious steps back in the process. He needed distance now, then he’d attack again.

"Raiyn!"

Hell seemed bent on escaping now as newcomers had decided to join the party. Talazar's eyes moved quickly to where the voice had come from, though knew already the source. The Princess had decided to deliver herself to them, to come for the bait and protect this boy. This was perfect. Talazar let out a laugh at her, and then looked up to the top of the hill now as another figure materialized. The boy was unimportant. Totally disregarding Aelianus and instead registering what was on his back, Talazar smiled wider still.

A new fight seemed to have started itself now with just the right collection of pieces. The boy, Raiyn, had found in himself his second wind. The girl, the Princess, had just brought herself to the place of slaughter simply to answer the boy's plea in the night, his screams, and Aelianus had managed to make himself useful for once in bringing Talazar's scythe.

The man continued laughing, as if everything was perfect in the world, as if all his unvoiced prayers had been answered by a higher being despite all the sins he'd ever committed. Smiling probably the most he’d had in the long time, the man prepared himself for what he needed to do next. He turned to Nira now, having managed to retreat away enough to reach her and picked her up. Ignoring anything she may say or do, he harnessed the power in his own jewel and launched himself and her up towards Aelianus.

Talazar landed gracefully, skidding slightly with the combined weight of himself and Nira, but still stayed upright. Aelianus took a pace back, unsure now of what Talazar was going to do as he set down the woman and then paced around him. The boy was aware that Talazar would go for his scythe, but he hadn’t expected the world to go black a moment later. As the man brandished his weapon again, he frowned at the fact that no jewel was present, but that was only a minor setback, it worked fine either way. He looked to his feet, to where Aelianus lay and simply stepped over him, now proceeding down the hill again. Talazar disposed of the hammer, throwing it to the side now as he was about to unleash a combination he rarely used. It was one of his most deadly, dual wielding a sword and his scythe, and ensured that a good fight was to ensue.

“Stay here,” he said simply to Nira. “I’ll make their deaths slow and painful; just make sure no one forestalls my judgment.”