|| End Quest 3 || Begin Quest 4 ||
Shyc pulled back as Willow had insisted. Slowly he let the blade fall back into the sheath as Raze announced his leave. The half-elf turned on his heel and headed back to the camp rather quickly. The thief's gaze watched him go for a moment before his attention was pulled back to the woman still tied to the tree. Her words sent a kind of dread pulsing through him that he hadn't felt in a long while. A Shade? he thought, eyes wide.
Willow offered one last warning to the woman before freeing her. The mage dropped down to her feet and glowered at them both as she slowly backed away into the forest. Once she was gone, Shyc frowned as he tapped the hilt of his blade before going back to the camp with Willow. He was curious as to what Raze was doing and why he'd left so quickly, but figured he would find out later. What had him worried was the mention of the Shade.
As they reentered the camp, Raze wasn't in sight. With a slight shrug he went to the campfire and stirred up the coals to bring more heat to the small area. The forest was damp after all, and a slight chill was settling in, even in the morning hours. Shyc wasn't really fond of the cold. He sighed and right after the sound left his lips the cracking of twigs filled the area. Straightening, he turned to see a dark figure seemingly come out of the shadows of the trees. Behind him was a contingent of men looking well armed and with ill intent.
The thief slowly reached down for his swords, his fingers curling around both of the weapons this time instead of just one. He eyed the group that came to the edge of their campsite. The man that led them had strikingly golden eyes that seemed to flicker with a kind of rage that chilled Shyc's blood. He was covered head to foot in black, with only his eyes visible. That... that's the Shade he thought slowly.
"My, what a pleasure it is to find you all still here," the voice was raspy, like gravel.
Shyc's gaze narrowed, his heart rate sky rocketing as he stood there, shifting his body to a better stance, "I don't suppose you're just dropping by for a chat," Shyc commented as he flicked his gaze to the other men behind the Shade.
A hollow laugh followed his words, "Don't think you'll keep me from what I want, boy," the man's gaze left Shyc to take in the rest of the group. His eyes narrowed at Nahvariik before settling on Dinan for a mere moment and then to Willow behind them, "What an interesting group. Though I'm most surprised to see a Kamael with you. Have you lost your pride, little angel? To dwell among those who walk beneath you?" the Shade scoffed, "Pity really... And to join with such creatures as humans... You've gone and disgraced yourself," The Shade looked over to the lizard-man, his golden gaze narrowing dangerously, "And I have you to thank for tearing off an arm earlier, I'll be sure to repay you for that," he growled.
Shyc, on the other hand, had different plans. Both blades rang free from their sheaths, gaining the attention of the Shade fully. His face was flushed with rage, teeth gritting together tightly. He couldn't think properly and launched himself at the man. All simply for the fact that the black clad figure had insulted those closest to him. At the back of his mind he reprimanded himself for losing it so easily, but also knew there was nothing for it.
As he attacked, there was nothing of his usual grace during a fight. It was all brute force now, his only intent to was to drive his swords through the Shade that opposed him. Steel ground against steel as Shyc slammed his weapons down into the short sword the Shade held. Pulling back only for a second, he threw himself into a whirlwind of twists and slashes, each only ever landing on the damnable sword the golden eyed man wielded.
He was only concentrated on the Shade and didn't notice that his sudden lung at the Shade hadn't triggered the large army behind the Shade to do anything. It probably should have been the first thing to tip him off, but Shyc was too far from thinking clearly to notice anything right then. He duck a slash at his throat and thrust his own swords forward. He just barely cut into the man's flesh then. Again, he slashed outwards wildly, only to gain a few more very minor cuts. Then he did something he normally wouldn't have if he'd been calmer.
He got to close.
The short sword stuck hard, throwing aside one arm before coming back and sinking into his chest, going rather deep before Shyc got his own weapon up against the hilt to stop it from going further. His weapon shook violently against the hilt of the short sword. The Shade's hand shot out and gripped his throat tightly. Slashing out again, Shyc attempted to cut through the man's arm to release him. As his blade cut into the shoulder, the thief's other sword holding the Shade's at bay slipped. The steel slid through him.
Blood bubbled up into his throat and spilled from his lips. His eyes were wide as his numbed fingers released his hold on both swords. The Shade pulled him closer, dragging the short sword from Shyc's chest in one slow pull. One arm wrapped around his waist, holding him upright while the other reached up and pulled down the cloth that covered the Shade's face. Blackened skin met the thief who coughed on his gasp of shock. The skin looked to be like nothing but webbing, hardly even kept together at all.
Fingers gripped the back of his hair, dragging his head back as the Shade looked him over, "A waste, really. A strong, young life such as your own. I'll be taking it," he said as he dipped down towards Shyc's face.
Just as a strange pull was beginning to course though him, the thief felt his conscious fading away into something else entirely. No... no, not... again, he thought in vain as his breath left him and everything became dark.
The Shade pulled back immediately, his golden gaze widening in shock for a moment before narrowing in anger as he quickly released Shyc and stepped back hastily. The boy's body stumbled backwards before dropping down to one knee. Blood poured out onto the forest floor from the wound for a moment before it stopped suddenly. His fingers stretched outwards almost as if testing them.
Shyc's lips twisted up into a very cruel, sadistic smile, flashing a set of fangs that hadn't been there before. His gaze opened, revealing a much darker color than their usual vibrant green. They were almost black. Around his fingers, a silver colored fire began to burn, reaching up to his elbows. His swords shuddered on the ground and in the next instant shot to his hands where he gripped them tightly.
Rising up, Shyc tilted his head off to the side as he released a heavy sigh, his tongue running across his lips. Humming a bit, he gazed at the Shade who looked shaken, "That hurt, bastard," he grinned, a soft laugh escaping him, "But I suppose I could thank you too.... It's been far too long," his laugh was cold, hollow even.
Shifting his body very slowly, he turned the blades so the razor edges were pointed outwards. His smile grew as he stood there and in the next instant he faded away from sight. The Shade, visibly jumping, stepped back before he too disappeared in a wisp of black smoke. Just in time as well, for Shyc reappeared with his blades covered in silver fire swinging outwards from the spot the man had originally been standing in.
Clicking his tongue, Shyc stood up straight and located the Shade some ways away, behind the majority of his men, "Kill them! Leave the girl," he ordered. Only then did they lung forward in an attempt to fight off the mercenary group.
Shyc's gaze brightened to that of utter pleasure and he lunged forward. On his own, the thief kill almost half of the army that had come. Blood coated his frame just about from head to foot. It was very clear, he was not himself and he was enjoying killing.
Sakura's energy seemed to return as she looked up to Raze. Her heart fluttered as she listened to him. He wasn't going to let her go. He wasn't going to let her be caged again. For a mere moment her smile faltered as she thought about it. Could he really keep her there? Was that even possible? Sure, he would do as he said, and do all that he could in his power, but in the end... this was her Mother they were talking about. The woman was like ice and never was one to be swayed in her decisions.
Even so, Sakura pushed aside the depressing thoughts and smiled brightly, "Thank you, Raze. Thank you!" she was almost inclined to hug him, but bit her lip as the thought passed through her mind. It was hard enough as it was with him just standing in front of her, both alone in the tent. She bit her lip as she blushed again and turned away, hoping he wouldn't notice.
It was about that time that she heard steel clashing together. Lifting her head, she gasped a bit. What's going on!? she thought. Then she remembered Raze's words about the King of Duun wanting her. Her heart clenched tightly and she winced openly now, flinching as she pulled her hand back to her chest. Slowly she got up to her feet and made to peek out of the ten to see what was happening. That's when she saw Shyc, a sword poking through his back. Her heart seized up then.
"Shyc!" her scream was hoarse and she started from the tent. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, but she had to do something. She wasn't a fighter yet, but she couldn't just stand there. Sakura had barely gotten three steps from the tent when she couldn't move anymore. Her chest was on fire. Something was wrong, much more than the normal pains she'd felt before. She dropped to the forest floor, shuddering.
"What... is this?" she wondered aloud, the words barely a breath from her lips.
As she lay there, she heard a sound at her head and she looked up, wincing slightly as her fingers curled tightly over her chest. Standing over her was a familiar face and her face lost all color as she gasped, eyes wide. The golden eyes gazed down at her as he reached up and covered up the lower half of his horrendous facial features. The blackened skin made her semi-sick to her stomach and she looked back down at the forest floor, feeling bile at the back of her throat.
He bent over, fingers wrapping around her upper arm and hauling her upwards. She had no strength, thanks to the pulsing pain in her chest and so she screamed instead, calling out the first name that came to mind, "Raze!" her voice was sharp as it pierced the trees. Finally she managed to start twisting and squirming in his grip. The man pulled her tightly against him.
"Stop moving, woman. Make this easy," he hissed.
Sakura did the exact opposite as she struggled in his grip. Kicking and flailing, she landed a few hits on the Shade that held her tight. Her struggling did nothing to ease the growing pain and slowly her fighting back was starting to grow weak. I hate this... I hate this so much, she thought to herself realizing that she was weak as she was. She couldn't just depend on the others all the time. Sakura needed to get stronger, to defend herself. In frustration, she let out another scream, but with no words.