Origins

They slunk through dark and dreary corridors, hiding anytime footsteps or voices sounded nearby. None of the three spoke, for to do so could very well endanger their lives. Raven was behind both gods, forever glancing over her shoulder as though afraid of being followed.

They had gone through several dozen rooms already and found nothing. Asities opened yet another door and shook his head, there was nothing inside. As they were about to continue to the next room there was the sound of metal on stone- heavy footfalls approaching their current location.

Raven leaned heavily against the wall, she was too far from the doorways to really manage to hide herself well. She clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from crying out as the stone seemed to melt away and she fell into darkness.

"Where'd she go!?" Asities stopped in his tracks when he saw the shadows approaching on the far wall, indicating that someone was just around the corner... There wasn't time.

"We'll find her," Ckor growled and leapt upon the person coming around the corner with a feral scream, tearing off the face of the guard.

"Just announce our presence..." Asities ducked past him and snapped the neck of the other as the man tried to flee.

With the two men taken care of Ckor walked back, sniffing the ground where Raven was last seen. "Her smell... just disappears."

"How can that be possible? There must be a trigger here somewhere that'll open the wall, let's find it, quickly!" Asities shook his head.

Ckor stood on his hindlegs with his paws on the wall and frowned, "There isn't a trigger, something must have grabbed her."

"What though? I didn't sense another being..." Asities replied, clearly confused.

"We will have to go on... we cannot dawdle." Ckor turned swiftly, his tail lashing out in his impatience. "We might run into Ehzitil so be wary."

"You're right," Asities drew in a deep breath to calm himself.

Ckor didn't answer but instead kept stalking the thin corridors, trying to ignore the strong smell of blood and urine to find the room where the portal was...

---

Hitting a sheet of glass, Raven didn't move until her heart slowed and she was able to turn around. The glass was clear and thick, as she gazed through she could see the reflection of the one-way glass on the otherside. What caught her eye was the stretched out form of a bloody, naked man, on his back, with his limbs bound. Scars dotted his toned and tanned body, making his skin appear mottled. His medium length sandy hair was tousled, covering his bloody face that was tilting away from her gaze.

Raven gasped and leapt away from the glass wall as it had burned her, shock etched in her features. She couldn't bring herself to look away, who would do such a thing? Anger welled up within the core of her being, it was wrong, this god, she had no doubt, was a horrible being. Her fingers balled into fists and she hit the thick glass. It shuddered beneath the force, and as she stumbled back, cradling her hand, the glass shattered, falling to the ground glistening like stars.

Flinching from the noise, the man gasped, pulling at his restraints with strained muscles. He panted from the effort and looked around with a wild eye, dark red with a cat-slit iris. The right eye became visible as he flipped back his blood encrusted hair, revealing a nasty scar and the sown shut eyelid. "Who are you?" He asked her, his low baratone voice rough. While he waited for an answer his eye took in his surroundings, the shattered pane, and her bloody fist.

"I..." She shook her head, "There isn't time, here, let me help you." She tore away a portion of her shirt and crouched down to wrap the fabric around a large shard of glass without cutting herself. She ran over to the man and deftly began hacking through his bonds.

"By the dead gods..." The man finally noticed his missing clothes and thankfully the blood on his face hid his flush of embarrassment. "Why are you helping me?" He asked, before he clenched his fists in anger. "Shit... Mirth... I need to find my lykodine!"

"Lykodine?" She echoed, the word she recalled from earlier, he was one of the riders that Ckor seemed to hate so much... For a moment her fingers froze, though with a quick shake of her head she hacked through the last layer of the braided rope, "Just happened to be here... Can you walk?"

"I think so..." He cautiously sat up, testing his limbs before nodding and slowly swinging his legs over the side of the table. Limping to the corner, the man hastily pulled on a pair of pants and fastened them. He felt better and less exposed and put on the rest of his clothing, "I'm Lisowin," He said as the lykodine rider scraped off some blood and looked to her expectantly.

"Raven." She replied simply, "Any idea what's waiting on the other side of that door?" She nodded towards the corner where, just barely visible in the shadows, rested a steel door.

Lisowin was surprised that she was being so nice to him and shrugged, "I... was in a blood rage when they dragged me in, I didn't catch any details about my surroundings, except the door frame they slammed my head into." The man reached up and winced when he touched a tender lump.

"Well, guess we're gonna have to take a chance then." Raven set her jaw grimly, "You said you needed to find your... lykodine? Any idea where he might be?"

"I hope he escaped. I can feel that he is alive... but not where." Lisowin grunted as he tied one of his wounds and went to the door, listening. "The next room is empty."

"Let's go then... There are two others with me, I hope they're okay..." Raven bit her lip as she crossed the room, "We'll get your injuries taken care of as soon as we get away. Ckor, Asities, and I are looking for Ehzitil's portal so we can get off this world, hopefully find our way back to a better one..."

"His portal?" Questioned Lisowin, his brow furrowing, "The only way that god would let you leave is if you kill him." He kept his mouth shut about why he was here, or why he was in such a condition. However, he knew that things would come together eventually... he was just too worried about Mirth to be thinking about other things.

"What do you mean that's the only way, how do you know this?" Raven asked, drawing in a deep breath, the mind-numbing fear that had held her since they'd entered the castle was dissipating and she wasn't quite sure why, her fingers found the patch in her pocket again and she began wracking her brain silently for ideas.

"I know... that you know what I am... does that really need explaining?" Lisowin winced inwardly at his words, but dismissed it. He hoped his weapons weren't lost in the scuffle between him and the forty some odd men that had attacked him. Silently, he reached a hand up to touch his eye, remembering the god that had taken it's sight from him. Gritting his teeth, Lisowin took the knob in one hand and opened the door quietly.

They entered a dimly lit room whose walls were lined with weapons, several of which were strewn across the floor. A few barbaric structures rested here and there, the likes of which she'd never seen. Fresh blood still dripped from chains that lay limply over the structures.

Raven's gaze fell across two short swords that lay on an old scarred table near a worn pack. They seemed so out of place there, amidst weaponry that were encrusted with jewels and other extravagant designs. They were plain, not something that belonged. Her feet moved slowly over to the table and she lifted one into the air experimentally. She turned to Lisowin, "We should take what we can from here... Arm ourselves for whatever we're going to come up against."

Lisowin chuckled, tapping the sword she held gently, "These two are mine..." He buckled on the sheaths and grabbed his pack that had been propped up next to the table. "These weapons are useless... keep my sword close." The lykodine rider whispered and unsheathed his other short sword, the weapon held naturally in his left hand. "Lets be careful."

Raven nodded, adjusting her grip on the sword as she lowered it, "What are your plans, are you going to find the portal with me or gallivant off to do something else? I need to know up front what you're going to do." Her hand hovered over the cold knob of the next door as she turned to face him again.

"I..." Lisowin avoided her eyes, swallowing before admitting, "I need to kill Ehzitil... he slaughtered a pack of lykodines... I need to avenge them."

"It is understandable." Raven replied, she recalled the skeletal remains in the cave and shuddered, Ehzitil was truly a horrific god for allowing such things on his world.

He blinked. Surely this woman didn't know what lykodines were. If she did... she wouldn't have just said that. Lisowin suddenly felt very relaxed in her presence, "You are the first person I have met that hasn't tried to kill me." The man said quietly, "And here you are, helping me... it is... difficult for me to understand why."

"I... I don't believe in judging a person based on the prejudices of others or the histories of their kind." Raven replied, "It is as simple as that. Now then, we ought to be quiet... Lest we be discovered here."

"You are wise." Lisowin whispered back, smiling slightly. He listened at the next door and motioned her forward while he opened it. Stairs, lit by flickering oil lamps met their gaze; they were safe, for the moment.

They ascended the stairway slowly, muffling their footsteps as much as possible. Raven set her jaw grimly as she slowly opened the door at the top and glanced about, "It's clear." Her voice was barely audible.

Moving quickly, Lisowin slipped past her and into the hall, falling into the darkest shadow with his eye reflecting the light from the room ahead of them. A man's voice could be heard, but the words not yet understandable. Lisowin motioned for Raven to follow him. Finally, they managed to get close enough while still not being detected.

"...What do you mean your mother is on the counsel?! Has she found out about this?" A higher voice let out an annoyed sound, "Not yet... my sister knows however, but I sold her to the grand master of the assassin guild for a hefty sum. Too bad Tavadon doesn't know what is coming... taking down the guild AND the counsel would be... most rewarding."

"Pretty much control of the universe," The voice, which caused Lisowin to nearly bristle, must have been Ehzitil.

Raven put an uncertain hand on his shoulder, she couldn't make heads or tails of the conversation. Counsel? Guild? Things were definitely getting strange. They needed to move on before they were discovered- how many were in that room?

"That is the idea. Send me a report when you have the rider under control."

"I will."

He stiffened when she touched him and he couldn't stop himself from flinching. Lisowin let out a silent sigh of relief before putting a finger to his lips. "Stay here," He mouthed before sheathing the sword and putting a hand to his head. Mirth... the lykodine rider called, searching for his bonded before he lowered his hand... and stepped into the light.

Raven frowned, unsure of what to do. For a moment her feet were frozen in place, then, she tightened her grip on the sword and stepped out as well. Lisowin was weak, injured. She wasn't going to let him get himself killed now.

A figure had disappeared through the portal right as Lisowin came into view, and the god, with his back to them turned slightly as he heard their footsteps. "I see that you have escaped," Ehzitil looked like a shark made humanoid, with gray bone-like protrusions and a flat nose. His eyes were wholly black, with barely any white around the edges and he was extremely fit, with enough scars that nearly matched Lisowin. He was calm, calculated, and had an aura of confidence around him. "...And you had help... my my... I didn't know someone like you had friends."

Lisowin barely contained a snarl. His sword was still sheathed but his very stance radiated violence, "Killing those lykodines was the worst mistake you could ever make." The rider spat, "I'm going to kill you for them."

Ehzitil laughed, then realized he was being serious, and laughed harder, "And... what makes you think you can kill me?"

"I can, and I will..." Lisowin growled.

"Don't be rash, Lisowin." Raven stepped through the doorway, "Anger blinds you... it will only kill you."

The rider ignored Raven and started to advance, unsheathing his sword... and stopped. A sudden pain glanced across his brow and he grunted with the force of it. His sword clattered to the ground as he grabbed his head in his hands while Ehzitil just smiled. The god forced himself into Lisowin's mind, bringing him to his knees while he let out a scream of agony. His back arched and all of his muscles locked up, the pain was so great and another scream erupted from his lips.

Raven stood frozen in place, shock etched into her features. Her body reacted before her mind did and she quickly placed herself in front of Lisowin in a protective stance, "Leave him alone!"

Ehzitil's grin just widened.

Raven lifted the sword so that the point was at level with Ehzitil's neck. Her heart was hammering in her chest, she didn't know why she dared challenge a god, "Don't make me say it again, you bastard."

"That's right,"The god replied, letting Lisowin's pain lapse until the rider was just moaning, "I'm a bastard son of a bastard son." He brought up his bladed arm and knocked the sword away. Ehzitil advanced quickly, bringing up his other arm to slice at the human.

Raven gasped and squeezed her eyes shut, expecting her life to be ended right then and there. When no pain came she dared open an eye and glance down. The blade was going through her torso, it hadn't cut her. Getting over the initial shock she took several steps backwards and parried the blade away awkwardly.

Ehzitil frowned, also shocked. He even let her back away. Somehow his arm had gone through her, but he took a closer look and was satisfied to see blood, "You didn't get away completely," The god snickered.

Raven touched the small droplets of blood, "Very shallow." She murmured with a shrug, "Doesn't hurt me any." Her mind was in turmoil, how had it happened? How had she escaped being skewered? She didn't know, but she wasn't about to let the god know this. She lunged, sword raised, ready to strike him down.

Laughing, he engaged her in battle. If she wanted to die he wouldn't stop her.

She found it hard when his blade met hers, it shook her to her very core to realize the vast difference in their abilities. Raven had no idea what she was doing, she'd never had to fight for her life.

Twisting, Ehzitil slashed his wrist against ribs and was successful in fully connecting this time, smiling in glee when blood spurted and she stumbled backwards. Lisowin's screams began again and he turned his attention back to him... however something made him stop.

The god turned his head sharply to the left, cutting Lisowin's screams short. The rider collasped into a trembling heap while loud footfalls echoed from the opposite corridor. A roar, similiar to a bear blasted the air, causing the three to flinch. Something huge, and black slinked into view, a curious white stripe across eyes and chest. It was a massive feline-ursa creature, with long crystalline tusks growing from the top jaw and familliar light blue eyes.

Ckor, in his third and most powerful form known as the Bestial challenged Ehzitil.

Raven stumbled backwards and fell into Asities' arms, he lowered her gently to the ground and rose, "You son of a bitch." His voice was a low hiss, "I'm going to kill you." The last word turned into a feral snarl as he took on his draconian form.

It was a god verse god death match. Ehzitil, his smile completely gone opened his mouth in a soundless growl, melting into a large, lumpy snake with a mixed shark and reptile face. However weak he looked, thick and armored blubber protected him, with an unnatural speed combined with that. The three circled each other, daring each other to attack.

Lisowin dragged himself away from the battle of the titans, pulling Raven with him to the smaller hallway where they wouldn't be stepped on while he clumsily tried to stop her bleeding.

Asities' head was held low, smoke erupting from his nostrils He felt his form rippling, his power growing. He wanted to rip Ehzitil to shreds.

Instead however Ehzitil attacked Ckor, grappling to get a choke hold around his neck while fending off the sharp tusks and claws.

Asities slammed into Ehzitil, when they hit the floor it shuddered beneath their combined weight. His fangs snapped at the god's throat.

While the god was focused on avoiding the drake's fangs Ckor slunk up from behind, grabbing the head in a quick slap, bring the neck up and in a perfect position for Asities. Ehzitil really hadn't a chance to win with both Ckor and Asities attacking him.

Asities clamped his teeth about Ehzitil's throat and tore through the flesh, white blood spurted from the wound as he bit deeper, gnawing through the god's muscles and esophagus alike.

Gurgling, Ehzitil fell to the ground, humanoid form twitching as the flesh made to piece itself back together again. Ckor let out an enraged chuff before he dragged a huge paw over the neck, severing the head and sending it skidding across the room, leaving a faint trail of white. The body pulsed once, signifying the true death of the god.

Asities drew in a deep breath and spat a bout of flames over Ehzitil's corpse, watching as it smoldered into ash. Slowly he took on his humanoid form again and kicked at the ashes, "Well, I'd say we left an impression here..." He said softly.

"Well, another god will just take his place, so not a long lasting one," Ckor answered, returning to a sphinx and licked his paws clean of the Ehzitil's blood.

"Ckor, your cleanliness doesn't matter right now." Asities glanced over to where Lisowin and Raven were and stiffened.

"What?" Ckor noticed his look and glanced over, his mouth dropping open.

Looking at them with his red cat-slit eye, Lisowin held Raven to himself tightly, her blood in his hands as he held her wound closed tenderly. Were these her companions? Gods in their own right?

"Let her go." Asities voice was a low growl, "let her go you beast!"

"Be... quiet, Asities." Raven managed a faint glare in his direction.

"Filth!" Ckor also hissed, crouching low with his hackles raised at the lykodine rider, "Begone!"

"At what I just witnessed, I am not the only beast here." Lisowin replied quietly, tightening his hold slightly.

"Raven, surely you know what he is-" Asities was cut off by her.

"Of course I know," She scoffed, "It doesn't change my opinion. Don't be so hostile." Raven murmured, "Ckor, I want you to heal Lisowin's injuries..."

"Are you mad?? I will do no such thing." The sphinx strode purposfully forward, prepared to dislodge her from him. In response Lisowin fought back a wince and shut his eye, pleading to the dead gods for mercy.

Raven pulled herself into a sitting position, "Ckor, heal his injuries or don't come near me." She gritted her teeth.

Hissing, Ckor thought about it for a moment before growling and making a choking sound. A moment later a big white glob of Ckor's special spittle landed on one of the rider's arms. "Happy?"

"That was... quite rude." She slumped back, her head spinning.

"It's ok Raven, I'm used to it." Lisowin took the goop gratefully and pulled himself away from her so the sphinx could heal her. In the opposite corner he applied the spit to his wounds, sighing when they began to heal and the pain faded. When he was done he pulled his legs to his knees, watching them with half lidded eyes.

Ckor looked over his shoulder occasionally to glare at him while he lifted the edge of her shirt, spitting into Asities' hand so he could apply it.

Asities massaged the saliva into her wound and sighed with relief as it closed slowly, "You need to be careful of whom you befriend." He scolded her, glaring over at Lisowin.

"Stop it!" Raven growled, rolling to her feet slowly, "I trust him, can't that count for something?"

"You haven't the full understanding of what he is!" Ckor countered, "And just wait till you see his lykodine, it is worst, wherever the creature is." Almost on que a silver beast entered the window, scrambling for a foothold before bouncing in. It's tongue hung out of its mouth as it ran to Lisowin in a large furry blur.

"Mirth! Ger'off!" Lisowin pushed the slobbering thing off of him, even though the lykodine was eleven feet tall and pure muscle. Per the norm with lykodines, Mirth was like a large canine, with huge ears and furred eartuffs. His body, though made like a cat his paws were built like a wolfs, with the feline abillity to retract the claws. The only thing odd about it besides its mass was the dark green tail made of feathers. All in all, it was just a fluffy, happy thing.

Again, Ckor's mouth dropped open. "Aren't lykodine's black? And vicious?" He asked Asities.

Asities nodded, unable to respond. Raven gaped at the lykodine in awe and approached it, the creature was completely and utterly adorable.

Lisowin stayed on the floor where Mirth had bowled him over, watching as the lykodine looked from his master to the approaching woman and back to him, "Just be gentle with her like you would me." Lisowin told him softly, a little smile on his lips. Sniffing, Mirth lowered his head to her level and took some steps forward, sniffing down to her shoulder then to her pocket. Mirth cocked his ears, making a perfect ninety degree angle.

"Oh my, you are adorable, aren't you?" She murmured, her fingers running through the fur along his neck, her other hand reached into the pocket that he'd nosed and clasped around the eye patch.

Mirth bounced into a playful position, making Ckor and Asities twitch, thinking that it was going to attack her. Instead however it snaked its long tongue and grabbed the eyepatch, running to the other end of the room with it in its teeth. Mirth whuffed, rustling his tail feathers. "Mirth! We're in no state to play." Lisowin scolded, urging the beast to him. "What's that?" He asked, trying to see what was in its mouth.

"Come, Raven, we should be leaving." Asities' voice was low, he didn't trust the rider or the lykodine.

"Not yet." Raven replied tersely, "Now that Ehzitil is dead, what do you plan to do, Lisowin?" She asked.

Taking the eypatch, Lisowin put it on, for it had belonged to him in the first place and thought for a moment, "I... don't know. Thanks to the gods, the lykodines were avenged... I hadn't planned anything after that."

"Why don't you accompany us for a while, then?" Raven asked, turning towards the portal, "At least until you figure out what you'd like to do."

"I must object-" Asities began.

"I wasn't asking you." Raven's voice was soft.

"We cannot allow that Raven," Ckor ended, still keeping his glare on the suspicious pair, "Even if he did come with us he would be killed on sight."

The nearby portal, as if in an answer flared. Light shot out into the room, landing center on all the chests of the beings in the room, including Mirth.

"Looks like you don't have a choice." Raven gritted her teeth as the light enveloped them and they all descended into darkness.

He was weightless, all of his senses invading by the piercing shadow of the portal. Lisowin felt no cold, no heat, only his hand on Mirth's mane let him know he was not alone. Fear led to a slight panic. Had the gods cursed him to tumble through the blackness forever alone with his lykodine?

Raven felt Asities' hand on her arm in the darkness, she got the strangest feeling that he was pulling her away from Lisowin. "No!" The words caught in her throat, no sound escaped her lips. The weightlessness that had carried her seemed to shy away. The air was growing heavy.

She closed her eyes, jerking her arm away, feeling herself falling backwards. The darkness that had swallowed them now glowed brilliantly. It was blinding but beautiful, warm yet cold. And then they were falling into a dimly lit tunnel.

They landed softly, Lisowin groaning slightly as his headache from earlier grew. Mirth mewled and stood, shaking briefly before nosing his rider's hand. Thankfully, Mirth still had on his saddle, with his armor pieces hanging from it.

Raven stood slowly, her head spinning, she felt oddly weak, "Where do you think we are now, Ckor?" When she received no answer Raven looked up, to realize that Lisowin, Mirth, and she were the only ones there, "Where are Asities and Ckor?"

Lisowin breathe caught in his throat. He was alone with a woman. "They... aren't here." Standing, the rider hugged Mirth's huge head to his chest happily. He was so glad Mirth was okay.

"Didn't we go through the portal together though?" Raven shook her head uncertainly, "We weren't split up when that demon took us to that desert world..."

"Demons... they aren't like gods. There is always a method to their madness, just that it is above our understanding. They are the guardians of the balance. Gods just squabble over it. Not to mention, gods as you found, can be killed. No one has killed a demon." Lisowin took a breath, "Believe me, ten riders tried once. It was rumored that the fight only last three minutes before they were pulled apart." As a god killer, Lisowin was very familiar with their antics, and with his own species.

"That's... interesting." Raven replied, sitting against the slick wall of the tunnel, "I wish I knew what was going on... Why we're being forced to move between worlds. I, for one, find it rather strange and questionable."

"Maybe, they have some plan for you. There is a reason you're here." Lisowin shrugged, "Unless you happen to actually get into a conversation with one, although highly unlikely, we will never know until whatever they have you here for, happens." He turned to look at her, his eye slightly reflecting the small amount of light.

"There's always a hidden reason." Raven rolled her eyes, it was getting frustrating not knowing things, "Why don't we try and find Ckor and Asities?"

"...If we must." Lisowin said, more then happy to be away from them. They were like everyone else; intolerant. Even if they saw Mirth, the happy-go-lucky lykodine, born an anomoly, or spent more then a minute with him. Lisowin had only killed in self defense. He had been in a silent war with Ehzitil eversince he had taken his right eye when he was younger. The god had been smart, laying a trap for him by killing the lykodines that were bondless. His species was fading into myth... soon there would not be any left. Lisowin sighed. And there was nothing he could do about it.

"I realize that they've got... problems with you due to your kind," Raven started, "But I'm sure they'll get over their prejudices... Just give them time. History has a way of making us wary."

"Time is the healer." Lisowin responded, placing Mirth's armor on him.

"Don't fret on it. Just prove them wrong on their opinions of you." Raven stated, pulling herself up once again as she spoke.

Lisowin extended a hand to Raven. Thankfully Mirth had retrieved his sword that he had dropped but Raven still had his other one.

"Did you need something?" Raven asked uncertainly.

"Uh... can I have my sword back? If you don't mind of course." Lisowin stuttered slightly, thankfully his slight blush was hidden by the poorly lit area. Lisowin jumped a little when Mirth bit him on his butt, "Mirth! Stupid beast." He hadn't noticed Mirth hanging out his tongue; to be pulled of course.

"Sword? Oh! I think I may have dropped it..." Raven trailed off and looked around, hoping that it may have finished the trip with them, she would feel awful if she'd lost the sword he'd loaned her.

Mirth bit him again, this time turning his head to pull out his other sword, making Lisowin drop his hand. "Mirth must have grabbed it, somehow."

"That's good." Raven breathed a sigh of relief.

Sheathing his swords, Lisowin checked Mirth's armor one last time before turning, once again, back to Raven. "It would be safer if we rode Mirth through here, considering we don't know where we are, or what we are dealing with."

"It would be the wise thing to do, wouldn't it?" Raven glanced up at Mirth and smiled, she couldn't help it, "So how long have you both been together?" She asked.

"Coming up on twenty years. Lykodines can live far longer then humans, and thanks to our bond, he lengthens my age capacity as well." Mirth kneeled on the ground so his back was level with their shoulders.

Raven placed a hand against Mirth gently, "It seems wonderful to be able to have a companion for so long..." Her tone was wistful.

He smiled, "I am blessed. He has helped me through the hard times. At least, when everyone has hated me, Mirth has always loved me."

"Time passes easier with love." Raven replied with a soft smile.

Lisowin fidgeted before patting on Mirth's saddle, "Up we go." Thanks to his bond the rider would be able to mount if the lykodine was standing, or even rearing up.

"He's a bit... tall for me." Raven murmured, masking a blush as she realized that her prior comment had been spoken aloud.

"Oh..." Lisowin looked away for a second before moving forward slowly so not to startle her. Gently, he placed his hands on her hips and lifted her up onto the saddle. Letting her go as if she might break, Lisowin let out a sigh of relief that it was over, only to realize that he would be right against her in the saddle.

"Thanks..." The situation that they were in was definitely an awkward one, Raven fell into silence, she wasn't sure what else to do or say. At this point she was glad they were going to find Asities and Ckor.

Mirth stood quickly, his ears perked at the darkness behind Lisowin. Frowning, the rider took out his sword, facing the tunnel. A growl rose through the air... but it was only Mirth and Lisowin nodded at the warning, walking off into the darkness. The sound of a scuffle reached them before going silent and within a few moments the rider appeared again, wiping off some slime from the weapon. "Some sort of pig-like mole," Lisowin shrugged and leapt up behind her and they started off down to the more lit areas of the tunnels.

"Pig-like... moles?" Raven shook her head clear of the strange image that filled it, "Doesn't sound too pleasant." She was trying to make small talk, to distract herself from the fact that he was sitting so close to her.

"Didn't smell too pleasant either," Lisowin replied, chuckling a little.

"There's bound to be more around here." Raven wasn't sure she really wanted to see these creatures at all.

He nodded, reminding himself not to comment about how good she smelled and smiled slightly. Before Raven, he had never even touched a girl before.

Raven sat silently for several minutes as they passed several lit and darkened branches in the tunnel. She most certainly hoped that Lisowin and Mirth had a better sense of direction than she.

Mirth took turn after turn, stopping at one for a moment and listening. Lisowin also listened, leaning forward a little, "Some sort of... wind chasm." He muttered to himself and Mirth pawed the ground then continued further, walking very close to the wall. "Don't look to the right," He warned.

Raven glanced over, she couldn't help herself. She paled though said nothing, "Lisowin, wait!" There was another sound, more distinct, a strange scratching noise that came from both ahead and behind. It was soft at first, and for a moment she thought she'd been hearing things.

He had heard it too and silently slid from Mirth's back, drawing his swords. There was a silent agreement between the rider and his lykodine.

Several bulky shadows scurried towards them, Pig-like moles, eh? She didn't see where Lisowin had gotten that opinion. They were large with black slits for eyes, several had teeth that curved down over their jaws. They had large claws protruding from their bulky torsos and short spindly legs- the cause of the scratching sound she'd heard just a moment prior. Tentacles flailed from their backs like giant living earthworms and the stench that came off of them was nauseating. Raven's hand slapped over her nose and mouth, trying to limit the amount of their foul stench that entered her system.

As they rustled towards them both he and Mirth crouched slightly, Lisowin flipping one of the blades into a defensive position and the other held further out. The first few hissed and clacked their claws at him before falling back over themselves as Lisowin began his dance. Mirth snarled and started to buck around on the ledge, kicking the creatures this way and that, some flailing over the cliff, others getting smacked into the wall, cracking open with the force of the blow.

Raven held herself close to Mirth as he began to buck. She didn't know how long she'd be able to keep her grip. The strange creatures swarmed them, they kept coming. Her arms shook and her legs were cramping, she wasn't going to be able to hold on.

She looked over at the chasm again briefly, if she fell to the right she'd be doomed. Closing her eyes Raven braced herself and leapt to the left, avoiding Mirth's limbs as he continued to kick the beasts from the ledge. Hitting the wall knocked the breath out of her, but she landed on her feet roughly a foot away from Mirth. She breathed hard and turned.

Releasing a startled cry she kicked a beast that had approached her and it fell beneath Mirth's mighty hindquarters and rolled over the ledge squealing.

Noticing her act, Lisowin whistled, "Raven!" and threw her one of his swords, hoping she could catch it to defend herself. However he couldn't see the outcome for he was forced to turn back to hack one of the things away from himself.

Raven caught it and spun, without thinking she swiped down, cutting into the face and torso of yet another. It hissed as blood spurted from the wound and fell to the ground. The corpse, however large, didn't seem to deter its comrades though, others swarmed over- what were they going to do? She felt dread settle into the pit of her stomach.

The threat had dwindled to a trickle on Lisowin's end, but the last group huddled together, hissing to each other before they launched a suicide attack on Mirth. About twenty of them, the last, ran forward, pushing Mirth towards the ledge. The lykodine had rushed forward to block them, getting in front of Raven.

They continued to push and the lykodine was forced back, inadvertently forcing Raven back as well. She felt air beneath her left foot and then suddenly her heart was in her throat, as the creatures fell over the ledge in their final assault on Mirth, so too did she fall.

Killing the last one, Lisowin turned when he heard the sword strike sparks on the floor, just in time to see Mirth, with Raven slightly behind him, falling over the edge. There wasn't time for words. Lisowin dropped the sword he had as well, and jumped over the edge. He trusted Mirth to be able to grab on, but he knew Raven wouldn't make it. Luck was on his side as he fell past Mirth, latching onto his feathered tail at the same time grabbing Raven's hand. When the weight jerked to a stop Mirth let out yowl of pain as the two dangled from his feathers.

Raven's gaze was riveted to the darkness beneath her feet. She was frozen in shock and fear. It took several long seconds for her to realize that she was no longer falling and she forced herself to look up. Lisowin had caught her. The rider that Ckor and Asities seemed to dislike so, had saved her life.

Lisowin gritted his teeth. The pain Mirth was feeling was wracking his body as well and he struggled to keep his hold on her, "Climb up me- quick!"

"C-climb... Right." Raven drew in a shuddering breath and swung her other arm up over Lisowin's shoulder. If she could get above them she could be of help. It was hard to fight the mind-numbing fear that consumed her the longer they hung over the dark oblivion.

A long green feather was dislodged and floated past them and Mirth groaned. With a grunt, Lisowin pulled the hand he had caught and put it around his neck, currently not breathing as he gently as the situation allowed managed to get to Mirth hind quarters. The lykodine had his front paws gripping stone and pushed his back legs out, helping the angle a little.

Raven squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her face against Lisowin's back, the panic was winning out, if she didn't steady herself she'd lose herself to it and wouldn't be any good to anybody. She held on for dear life.

Lisowin took a shuddering breath as the pressure was lifted completely from Mirth's tail and grabbed the saddle firmly, climbing up to it. With only his knees griping Mirth's sides, Lisowin pried her hands off his neck and pulled her body around his, setting her sideways in the saddle in front of him.

"I-I'm sorry," Her voice was low, she was breathing hard. They weren't dead, yet, but they were still in danger. She wished desperately that she were elsewhere now- for so long she'd dreamed of an adventure like this one, and when it had come, she'd realized that she couldn't handle the pressure of it at all.

Clambering up over the ledge, Lisowin held her to him, not answering as he tried to calm his nerves. His hands shook as he patted Mirth's neck with one hand, while the other still wrapped around Raven protectively.

There was a loud rumbling sound deep within the cavern and the ground shook beneath them for just a few seconds, it was long enough. An earsplitting crack rent the air and they were moving again.

"Mirth." Lisowin spoke quietly, and the lykodine turned one of it's ears to his rider. His paws glowed a dark red and turning, Mirth faced the chasm with no fear. He was focused and alert as he leapt off of the falling chunk and onto the wall, gripping it as if he were running on solid ground. Solid horizontal ground. The glow spread to the two on his back as they ran, making it feel as if they weren't running down a chasm.

Raven dared not open her eyes. Though it didn't feel as though they were falling anymore, they were still moving quickly. Keeping her eyes closed she drew in several deep breaths, she was finally managing to calm herself. She loosened her grip somewhat on Lisowin, realizing how tightly she'd pressed herself to him.

Lisowin was concentrating just as much as Mirth was, but he lowered his glowing gaze to smile at her, before looking ahead to the bottom, which they were nearing. All the things were dead, busted open into unrecognizable splashes of foul smelling goop. Strangely enough, glowing lamps filled the cavern with a dim yellow-green glow. Mirth jumped off of the wall and landed awkwardly in the cleanest patch of rock, shaking himself and letting the glow disperse.

"That was.... intense." Raven managed with a meek chuckle, she couldn't think of anything else to say at that point, she wrinkled her nose as the pungent stench of the creatures hit her.

"Lykodines are a complicated, if not amazing, species. They never cease to amaze me." Lisowin didn't mention that they also had new abilities that were discovered on a yearly basis.

Mirth whuffed softly, staring off into the brighter areas. A battle could be heard commencing a ways off, echoing off the cavern walls.

Raven glanced warily about, "Every creature I meet seems to be amazing and new." She replied, "I'm still getting used to the whole 'fantasy is real' bit..." She scratched behind Mirth's ears gently, a distracted motion.

"Fantasy? Like a dream?" Lisowin asked, watching as the lykodine leaned back into her scratching.

"Sort of..." Raven replied, "Where I come from... beings like yourself, like Ckor and Asities... they don't exist if that makes sense... or at least they keep themselves well hidden."

"A pure human world?" He shrugged, "There are a few of those left." Lisowin slid down from Mirth and rummaged among the dropped earth from above and let out a happy laugh. He stumbled back over, his two swords in his hands and gave one to Raven. Luck was with them it seemed.

Raven smiled and accepted the sword. "Where to now?" She questioned, "Certainly there is no going back up the wall... is there?" She glanced uncertainly up into the darkness, shivering slightly as a chill wended its way down her spine.

"I'm sure we could go back up, but Mirth decided it was best to come down here, I trust his judgment." Lisowin leapt up again to the lykodine's back, careful to keep his sword away from the both of them and Mirth immediately started forward. "This cavern has more lighting..."

"Yes, however, this cavern also brings those sounds of a skirmish." Raven replied, tightening her grip on the hilt of the sword. If Ckor and Asities were trapped in battle... then so be it. She'd swallow her foolish fears and do what she could to aid them.

Mirth's ears perked up again at the sounds echoing through the caverns and his pace sped up for a second before slowing down to a halt. Turning his head, the huge beast pressed his nose to his master's chest, and Lisowin in turn hugged Mirth to him. A short silence ensued but it was a moment of tenderness between the two of them. With Raven between them, it was probably awkward for her, but the bonded didn't notice. Mirth pulled away after a minute and stuck out his tongue, turning it to Raven.

"Is he expecting me to do something?" Raven murmured uncertainly, glancing over her shoulder at Lisowin uncertainly.

Lisowin looked from Raven to Mirth and let out a laugh, "He wants you to pull his tongue. Lykodines are really smart animals, but for some reason he's like a child. Some things just amuse his butt off."

"Pull his... tongue? That's a strange way to show affection." Raven grinned nonetheless and gave his tongue a gently tug, "I suppose just this once..."

Mirth made a face and pulled back, his fangs out in silent laughter before he offered his tongue again, "Enough Mirth, get serious." The lykodine cocked his head, dropping his ear into that funny angle. "Mirth." Lisowin added... even though he was smiling. Snarling, Mirth raised his lips at them, "That's better." The lykodine snorted before trotting off to whatever might meet them.

They entered into a larger cavern, the scene before them was certainly an odd one. The mole-like creatures were battling fiercely with other strange creatures, and caught in the midst of it all were Ckor and Asities. "There!" Raven was relieved to see that they were alright, but now they were all in trouble as they were shortly surrounded.

"Raven!" Ckor shouted, noticing them, "Kill the Muldvarps!"

Lisowin assessed the situation quickly and without hesitation flipped his blade against his arm, drawing blood. Slapping his hand against it, he collected the blood quickly and carefully, bringing his hands together above him. Small flecks of blood splattered both Mirth and Raven, but the blood stopped before it hit. A red light, similiar to how Mirth was able to run vertically spread from his fingers, flying out towards the battle and fading. Lisowin's body shivered and the sound of bells tolled, "Stop." Lisowin commanded in a whisper... and the first ring of the mole things, Muldvarps halted their advancement. That blood red light seeped from their eye slits and with a loud unified squeal they turned on their brethren.

Asities paused for a moment, mortified rather than relieved by the chaotic scene before him. The muldvarps gnawed and clawed at one another until there was nothing but pulpy messes left in their places, "What sort of foul magic..." He hissed. "The meerkat-taurs..." He muttered, his eyes narrowing as they let out a cheer and renewed their vigorous attack on the muldvarps, "They're actually being... motivated by the blasted Rider."

Glancing back at his companion, Ckor nodded in agreement, a little sickened by the display. Such a power was an abomination, to be able to take free will away, even from these hideous creatures. Turning bestial, the god leapt over the wall of Muldvarps the Lykodine rider was controlling and started to hack apart more of the things, helping out a group of meerkat-taurs that were struggling.

"Hold on-" Lisowin told Raven through gritted teeth as Mirth leapt forward to meet an attack on them swiftly.

"How are you... controlling them?" Raven asked softly, gripping the sword tightly in one hand and holding herself against Mirth with the other, a muldvarp lunged at the lykodine's side and she struck out, catching it fast and hard between the eyes. Grimacing Raven pulled the blade back and it slumped to the ground, dead.

"Decievement, through blood magic. It's a rider thing." Lisowin struggled to say that though, and it was obvious he was concentrating hard. Good thing for him Mirth was able to kill most of the Muldvarps before they got close enough to do any damage to his charges.

Asities allowed flames to engulf his hands and flung himself into the midst of the battling muldvarp and meerkat-taurs. His rippling fingers gripped the ugglier creatures a few times and they burst into flames, squealing loud and low as their bodies smoldered.

A shout lifted above the battle, faintly, then growing stronger, "The girls! The girls are coming!" Soft whooshing sounds echoed before more meerkat-taurs, smaller, but still as lithe and fragile came swooping down on black bats, each one with several boulders attached. Everyone jumped this way and that to avoid the stone rain.

The surviving muldvarp scurried about in utter confusing, seeking any way to escape the deadly stones. It was a few minutes later, however, that the last of them fell dead on the cave floor and another cheer rang out from the meerkat-taurs.

A keening rang out from the tunnels around them, almost a sad sound as though something were mourning the deaths of the muldvarp. Raven shuddered at the sound, "What is... that?" Her gaze was riveted on an opening just beside the one they'd come through.

Something was coming. The strange meerkat-taurs cowered and back away as one, obviously an elder swallowed thickly and let it known to everyone, "The Queen of them is here."

The walls began to shudder as a large entity pulled itself along.

Ckor looked around and switched back to his familiar form, his gaze lingering on Lisowin, who at the moment had his uncut arm bent against Raven's shoulder, holding her to him while the rider's eye narrowed.

Plopping into view, the muldvarp queen, in all her ugly glory roared in anger at the loss of her children. In a way she looked like a giant worm, full of writhering eggs like some kind of giant eggcasing herself. She easily dwarfed everyone in here, even Asities if he was in his real form. Giant scythe claws grew from stubby arms, the only weapons visible on her and her rotund tuberous body left a trail of light yellow goo behind it. Again, she roared, her large maw splattering the nearby meerkat-taurs.

"That thing is really... big." Raven drew in a slow breath, "What're we going to do?"

Asities roared somewhere nearby and leapt above the meerkat-taurs, morphing quickly to his draconic state. The queen swiped at him as though swatting away an irritating fly, flinging him into the cavern wall. Several large boulders fell to the ground, "Asities!" Raven felt her heart leap into her throat as he slid to the ground and was still.

She pulled herself from Lisowin's protective grasp, albeit hesitantly, and leapt from Mirth's back. She ran between the muldvarp corpses and the meer-kat taurs. He hadn't changed back when he'd fallen, Raven knelt beside him, cradling his massive head against her, "Raven?" His voice was rough, pained.

"I was afraid..." Raven choked back a sob, "That she'd killed you..."

"You don't have to worry about me." Asities pulled himself to his feet and shook his head, "I'll get her this time." He unraveled his leathery wings and lifted himself above the queen. Drawing in a long breath he held it for a moment before releasing a bout of silver-white flames against the beasts back.

Ckor crouched back, waiting to see how the situation unfolded before he attacked the queen. He was smaller then Asities, with only his tusks to get through her protective membrane.

Like the guardian of time, Lisowin and Mirth waited to see the outcome.

Howling in pain, the queen began to blacken, writhing in pain as her body began to swirl and grow as she shrieked. With a hissing sound, the swollen blob suddenly exploded, releasing semi developed muldvarp and deep gold pus everywhere.

Asities was knocked backwards as the queen exploded, the yellow pus globbed over his wings and he was forced to descend.

Raven ducked and covered her head as the pus rained down about her, missing her entirely as it coated nearly the entire cavern in bronze goo.

Lisowin smeared some of it off of his face, resisting the urge to throw up and shielded himself when Mirth shook off the stuff that had landed on him.

Once the goop met with the air it started to sizzle, then hiss as it rapidly disappeared. With a sharp yelp, the rider slapped at his arm as it was burning and the disgusting stuff was being absorbed into his injured arm.

"Gross." Raven spoke the thought of many aloud with the single word, she ran over to Asities who'd taken on his human form once more, "Are you okay?" She asked, worried.

"I'm fine..." Asities grunted, gritting his teeth as the pus sizzled and faded, "Give me a hand up, will you, Raven? I'm having a difficult time getting my legs to cooperate..."

"Wait... Don't touch him!" Lisowin called to her, "Don't touch... the stuff." He staggered forward against Mirth before falling to the ground. The lykodine whined and nuzzled him, but Lisowin didn't respond.

"Lisowin? W-what's going on here?" Raven stood quickly as Asities stilled, startled and uncertain, "Ckor, something's wrong with them!" She looked about for the god.

Ckor was still frozen from getting drenched in the goo but responded slowly, "I... I don't know. Poison?" He could feel his limbs numbing slightly, "Maybe a paralytic." The god was right on. Lisowin couldn't move, but his eyes were looking frantically around himself.

"Paralytic? You've... got to be kidding." Asities grumbled slowly, his tongue felt like cotton.

"What can I do to help?" Raven demanded, she saw that many of the meerkat-taurs had fallen as well, it was a stunning and frightening display, she worried for the safety of her companions.

The old meerkat-taur stepped forward, himself free of the stuff and put his nimble fingers to his lips and whistled, and a flurry of bat wings entered the cavern as the females landed among the fallen males, picking them up before setting off into the air again. About half of the meerkats had been hit, and the rest looked over at the gods and rider expectantly. "We are here to serve," The eldest said, "We we help take your companions to seperate caverns so that we may take care of them while the muldvarp queens poison disperses."

Raven nodded, "Do as you must... The muldvarp queen's poison... What's it doing to them exactly?" She asked softly.

"Its a defensive act, for a more appropriate situation she has this property so her children can kill the intruder. But her breed is gone now." Ckor had now fully collapsed, with Mirth swaying slightly on his paws. Meerkats started to lift Ckor and Asities away, but they left the rider where he was.

"What about Lisowin and Mirth?" Raven asked, she noticed their aversion to him- did they, too fear and despise Riders? She made her way over to Lisowin and knelt beside him- what if they refused to help him? She couldn't let it happen.

Mirth collapsed to his knees, then fell over, mewling slightly before going silent. Both of them watching everything around them, but unable to do anything.

"Well?" Raven demanded, her tone edging on anger as she looked between the meerkat-taurs expectantly, "What of them? Do you refuse aid to my other two friends?"

The creatures shook their heads and began to leave, the crowd dispersing, except for one. She was a small thing, the youngest in the whole group but her eyes held the spark of enlightened intelligence. It took a few steps forward before fully standing again with her head to one side, "Can I help?"

"I would be very appreciative for the aid." Raven replied, nodding. Relief flooded her, someone was willing to help. Someone was willing to overlook the history of the riders and help one when he was in need.

She tipped her head in reply, before letting out a loud echoing whistle. A flurry of movement from the corner revealed many upon many of the large bats from earlier, flying down to move the muldvarp corpses away from the rider and his lykodine, "I'm Kristie, I'm also the one that began breeding our bats." The meerkat-taur made a cute face, their equivalent to a smile.

Raven couldn't help but to smile softly in return, "My name is Raven, these are Lisowin and Mirth." She replied, "Is there anything I can do to help them recover as well?"

"If the poison just makes it so they can't move, we will have to feed them and change their diapers." Kristie giggled, "My lifemate had dealt with a different queen a few seasons ago... I had to take care of him, which in turn caused us to gain a bond." Although her maturity matched that of a ten year old human, Meerkat-taurs most likely started breeding at two or three. Lisowin actually twitched at that, his face going bright red.

"H-how long does the paralytic last?" Raven managed after a few minutes of silence, she wasn't so sure she'd be able to take care of Lisowin and Mirth in such a way... And surely it was just as embarrassing a situation for Lisowin as she herself.

"Oh..." The creature thought, "Only a few days. Maybe less the way that drake cooked her, but who knows for sure."

---

Raven had stayed with Mirth and Lisowin for days, she'd slept very little and only when she couldn't keep her eyes pried open. She'd checked in on Asities and Ckor a few times, even though she was angry with the other taurs for ignoring the rider's own predicament she couldn't bring herself to ignore the conditions of her friends.

She sat against the stone wall near where they'd tended Lisowin and Mirth, eyes closed. Raven couldn't stay awake any longer and at last drifted into a light slumber.

Stars drifted into her dreams, planets coming and going with a distant sun on what seemed the horizon. She floated there, safe among the celestial bodies undisturbed until a voice echoed past her, "Welcome to the haven," Ckor trotted into view, in his sphinx form on invisible ground, "Not many species other then sphinxes use these paths. It is one of a mental state."

"The haven?" Raven echoed, her tone was awed and inquisitive. She'd never seen anything close to the ethereal beauty that the haven possessed. It was unnerving, however, not having solid, visible ground beneath her feet.

"This is where sphinxes are born." Ckor answered, padding over with a puzzled look on his face, "Raven... are those... faint wings behind you?" It was hard to see in the odd lighting of the stars and planets.

"Wings?" Raven glanced over her shoulder, long shadowy wings stretched from her shoulders, they stretched wide as though she bade them to do so, "Strange..." She murmured, shaking her head, "Why am I here?"

"You are dreaming." Ckor stated, as if that explained everything, then realized, "I am able to shift my body to this realm, but if I go back, I will be stuff paralyzed again. Since you are asleep I can bring you here as well, but your body remains..." The sphinx ground his teeth and looked to the side, "-With the rider."

"Why can't you get over your hatred for his kind?" Raven asked, "Clearly you've seen that Lisowin and Mirth are different... They deserve better understanding and friendship... Not to be shunned as they have been. I stay with them because nobody else would." She set her jaw stubbornly and turned away from Ckor.

"Raven... I am a Guardian of time, I have been around for a long, long while. His species... has been nothing but a curse to the rest of us." Ckor growled, "They have wiped out more species then you could comprehend, and almost succeeded with even more! They are savage animals Raven, don't let his facade fool you."

"Lisowin isn't like that!" Raven exclaimed, throwing her arms into the air in exasperation, "I don't know how to get through to you... He saved my life. He could have easily let me die, but he didn't!"

"How do you know for sure? How do you know he's not faking?!" The sphinx's hackles were raised and his fur on end as his emotions let themselves be known through his body language. The haven flashed a dark red color as it reacted to the god's hatred.

"Because I trust him." Raven replied point blank, "Because I trust in him. I don't look at his kind as a whole. I look at him as a person. He saved my life, he defended me. I'm not going to turn my back on him just because you and Asities can't bring yourselves to trust him. I'm sorry, Ckor, but I just can't do something like that."

"We'll talk about this more later." Ckor said abruptly, and the haven started to fade, as well as Ckor's furrowed and angry face. Darkness invaded her vision, and slowly, the familiar dank and musty cave met her eyes, a sleeping Kristie curled up beside her. Lisowin, his limp body on a mat and covered with a blanket was watching her with his unreadable blood eye. Over the last few days he had just begun to get control of his limbs, but barely. The only part of him that was fully back under his control was his neck, which was bent to look at her. "Something tells me you had a bad dream," The rider commented softly.

Raven stood and sighed, "You could say that..." She replied, glancing away. "I'm going to check on the other two. I won't be long." She smiled slighty and headed off down the tunnels.

Kristie raised her head as she left, yawning, before going back to sleep, nuzzling into Mirth's neck beside her.

A few of the meerkat-taurs bowed to her as she went by, but for the most part the walk was uneventful. Ckor had yet to gain back his ability to walk, but was the same as Lisowin with controlling head movements.

"Ckor..." Raven started, she still was uncertain as to whether the haven had been just a dream or not, "How did..." She wasn't sure how to phrase the question.

Asities glanced over at her from where he lay, "Raven!" His eyes darted around quickly to make sure the rider hadn't regained movement and was with her, she caught the look and frowned in his direction.

"He cannot come with us Raven." Ckor said from a slight sitting position, kept upright with pillows.

"What're you talking about?" Raven glanced back over at Ckor.

"He's a Rider, they're untouchables..." Seeing that she didn't understand, "Raven on a normal planet, any town or city are ordered to kill Riders on sight." Ckor sighed.

"I'm not going to abandon him, Ckor... I owe Lisowin and Mirth my life." Raven replied crisply.

"He's a rider, Raven! You can't associate yourself with them, they're a manipulative lot!" Asities burst out.

"Well... I'll take my chances with him." Raven turned to leave the chamber.

It was at that moment that Kristie ran in, almost colliding with the human, "It's Lisowin, he's... he's standing!" Ckor perked his ears up at that in horror.

"That's great!" Raven cheered, "I had feared that with only the two of us we might not be able to help but... I've got to see him!" She ran from the room quickly.

Ckor shared of look of dread with Asities.

"We have to get her away from that manipulative bastard..." Asities managed with a scowl.

Ckor nodded, "How can he get control of his body faster then us?" The god managed to move a paw, but it was slow, and sluggish... and disappointing.

Asities glowered, "I don't know... But we need to get ourselves moving and soon..." He struggled against his body and was rewarded with a spasm of his leg, "Dammit!" He ground out.

Next Ckor tried a wing, only successfully managing to get it half unfolded, "Just keep at it, I think the reason its been stopping us for so long is because we haven't tried to move."

Asities nodded slowly, he struggled with his stiff muscles. For a while nothing cooperated properly, then he managed to sit up awkwardly, "this is tough..." He managed to say at last.

---

When Raven arrived Lisowin was half standing on wobbly legs, and half leaning on the motionless hulk of muscle that made up Mirth, "Uh, R-Raven... hey," Lisowin's smile was as weak as his legs.

"You're alright!" She smiled in relief and couldn't help but to hug him, "I was worried..."

Adding Raven's weight to him caused him to topple to the ground, with Raven on top of him. Lisowin instantly blushed, which helped ignore the pain of bumping his head against the slightly padded rock. He looked down at her on his chest, his eye flaring in surprise.

Raven looked down at him, surprise evident in her gaze as well for a moment before realization dawned on her and she blushed, "S-sorry!" She scrambled to the side quickly, her face hot.

Lisowin didn't move from where he had fallen, finding the rock suddenly very comfortable and he tilted his head to keep her stare, "It's... ok. I'm not hurt bad at all..." A burst a heat in his loins caused him to wince, and awkwardly tried to flip himself over.

"Not hurt bad as in I injured you?" Raven made a face, "I-I didn't think... Really, I'm sorry, Lisowin..."

"Just bumped my head, that's all." He struggled to get up and managed to get to his knees, "It's ok, It's not bad at all."

"Stay there, I'm gonna go find Kristie and have her look you over to make sure that you're okay." Raven said quickly, and she rushed quickly from the room.

Kristie was watching Ckor and Asities with thoughtful eyes, unsure of what to do of their pathetic efforts. Finally she giggled, half in the doorway and looked up to see Raven trotting towards her, "The gods are moving too!"

"Here you are, Kristie." Raven stopped before her, "Lisowin er... fell and hit his head. Can you make sure he's okay?"

Shrugging, "I'm sure it's nothing. I've heard Riders can take a lot of damage," She ran off to find out quickly though.

Again, Ckor shared a look with Asities.

Asities glanced over with a frown and a curt nod, they had to take action before Raven lost herself completely to the rider. "I'm... glad you're both doing better." Raven said, her gaze slipping between them, "Maybe soon the five of us can be on our way..."

"Five? Oh right... the uh... Lisowin." Ckor bit his tongue and kept his tone neutral. He was standing, if shakily, but once he started walking around it became easier.

"Raven..." Asities shook his head and sighed, then an idea formulated in his mind, "I hear the surface is a truly gorgeous place." He said after a moment, "To those who can stand it, anyway. The meerkat-taurs prefer it underground, however, I'm dying to get some fresh air, what do you say?"

"Fresh air?" Her tone was hopeful, excited even, for the past few days they'd been breathing the musty, earthy air of the tunnels.

Ckor caught on quick, "Yes we need to get out to stretch better, being above ground would be a lot nicer." He feebly flapped his wings to make a point.

"Maybe it would be helpful..." Raven nodded, "Do either of you know the way to the surface then?"

"I'm sure we can get ourselves a guide..." Asities replied.

Making his way around the room, Ckor stood by the entrance, glancing down the way where he knew the Rider was and grabbed a meerkat's shoulder, "Can you take us to the surface?" Bowing, it nodded, then kept bowing until Ckor growled for it to stop, "I think we're strong enough..."

"Why don't we see if Lisowin wants to come too?" Raven asked.

"Well..." Asities started, "Do you think that's such a good idea? He's... not a god, so I'm sure his recovery time is actually taking longer than he's letting on. And besides... didn't you say he hit his head?"

"I suppose you're right," Raven spoke uncertainly.

Stretching, "Lets go." Ckor led the way, following the guide.

Raven followed behind Ckor and Asities brought up the rear. "How far?" He asked.

The god shrugged, as much as a sphinx could.

Five minutes later a bright light started to fill the caverns, light from a sun.

"This... doesn't seem so nice." Raven commented once they'd reached the entrance of the cave, a vast wasteland stretched out before them.

"Eh..." Ckor flapped a few times, getting his muscles warmed up, "Ready, Asities?"

Asities drew in a deep breath and nodded, "Yeah... better now than any later."

"What're you both talking about?" Raven questioned.

"Sorry Raven, but this... it's for your own good." Asities spoke softly, grabbing her and flinging her over his shoulder, "Come on, Ckor!" His draconic wings sprouted from his back and he took to the air.

"No, Asities, put me down!" Raven exclaimed, beating at his back, "Lisowin, I'm not going to abandon him, Lisowin!"

"He can't hear you Raven, just accept it, we're not taking him with us!" Ckor growled, desperation in his voice as he winged upwards, "He wouldn't last in a city anyway."

"Think, Raven, do you really want me to drop you from up here?" Asities winced as he glanced towards the ground, now a fair distance below them. He didn't want to lose his grip on her, but she was making it impossible on him.

Raven didn't stop, "He's my friend... Like you, like Ckor, I refuse to leave him like this!" She exclaimed, for a moment everything stilled, then an explosion of air separated her from Asities and she was falling... There was an unfamiliar weight at her shoulders... And when she glanced back those selfsame wings that had sprouted from her shoulders in the haven were there now, only this time they were real.

---

Lisowin patted Mirth's neck, smiling, "You'll be able to move eventually my friend." The lykodine stuck out his tongue, and laughing, Lisowin weakly pulled it. Strangely enough, Mirth had not wished his saddle removed, nor his armor, which occurred odd to his bonded. Suddenly, Mirth's ears perked up. The beast was on his paws in a heartbeat, "How the hell did you get up so fast?" Lisowin demanded, a little jealous. Mirth scratched at the rock and whined and when the rider put his hands on his hips to scold the lykodine grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. "MIRTH WHAT THE HE--" His breath was taken from him when the creature slammed him in the saddle and took off running. "What in the name of the dead gods is going on...?" Lisowin growled, but gripped his mane tight. He didn't know how Mirth was able to move so quickly, but perhaps that was why Mirth had been snickering constantly the few days he couldn't move. The silly creature had been faking it. "Stupid beast," Lisowin slapped Mirth across the neck affectionately. Surprisingly, Mirth was being very serious.

Up ahead after a final turn in the caverns, a bright red light pierced through the darkness. Bouncing up, they made it to the surface, each blinking in annoyance, but Mirth, looked up into the bright sky and yowled.

A flash rent the air, thunder booming over the desolation right after and somehow, a massive storm raged over them, the wind speeds intense and in the distance something was growing. A tornado formed from the ground up, starting out thin, but grew to be at least a mile wide; and it was coming right for them.

The lykodine shied slightly, his body trembling under Lisowin and that was when the Rider spotted them. Well, he noticed them but his attention was on a black winged bird falling. The tornado sped forward quickly, they could feel the air pulling them towards it.

"Mirth." Lisowin whispered, much like he had back in the caves and the creature reared before zipping forward like lightning. It would be a close call, but would they make it to Raven before the column of air reached her first?

"Raven!" Asities turned his course and dove for her, the bitter winds pushed against him, pulling him away from her, "Raven, no!" He was being pulled towards the massive tornado that raced towards them, and then the rushing air and debris closed around him.

Ckor looked back in horror, but was swallowed up by the tornado before he could scream. The giant face of a demon appeared on a swirling side, roaring soundlessly in anger.

She felt... strange, the dark wings opened slowly, catching her on a current of air and slowing her fall. Raven was uncertain as to what was going on, the winds that buffeted her pushed her further and further away from Asities and Ckor. What was worse- she was picking up speed again.

Mirth had his mouth open after a minute, his breathe coming in raggedly and Lisowin sympathized silently, but if they didn't reach Raven, she would die. Somehow, Lisowin knew he couldn't let that happen.

Raven closed her eyes and brought her arms up defensively about her face as particles of dirt swirled about her. The wings were falling apart, feathers blowing away in the wind.

Lisowin's red eye saw this, urging Mirth to go faster... but the lykodine was going as fast as he could go. There was a craig of rock up ahead that Mirth was going to have to jump. I... can't. The Rider nodded and prepared himself. The moment came and Mirth slid to an abrupt halt, sending Lisowin hurtling into the air, his arms outstretched. They met in middair with great force, Lisowin grunted as he fought with gravity so that when they slid to a halt on the rocky ground it was his back which had met the earth, leaving a faint blood smear.

Raven drew in a sharp breath, it was all she could do to just lay there with Lisowin. Slowly she rose up, "Lisowin?" Her voice was hoarse, surprised. She didn't look up as the storm utterly surrounded them.

He moaned softly and his eye fluttered open, looking at Raven, then up at the storm. The demons giant maw was barely three feet from them.

"I'm so sorry... I got you hurt..." Tears sprang to her eyes, "I just- I didn't want to abandon you." Raven touched his arm gently, she didn't know how badly he'd been hurt.

"It's... it's ok Raven." Lisowin's gaze was still trained on the massive demon hanging over them, watching them with beady dark clouded eyes. The wind swirled around them, not touching them and all was calm.

She sighed and closed her eyes to regain her composure, when Raven opened her eyes again she took in the scene about them. Though where they sat was calm, all around them the air swirled. It dawned on her that they were in the tornado itself. Raven leapt to her feet when she saw the face looming over them and placed herself protectively before Lisowin, "Leave us alone!" She exclaimed, her voice lost to the winds. She was terrified, but the desire to protect Lisowin quashed that.

It's laugh was that of booming thunder, Fate has no sway on us, we do what we must, for balance. Those words were rather felt then heard. Lisowin gasped and sat up, amazed, for Raven was the first to have a demon actually talk to someone.

"Balance? Throwing people into strange worlds?" Raven questioned, "How does that make sense?" She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she got the distinct feeling that things weren't as they seemed, that there was more to them being pitched into different worlds... "Where are Ckor and Asities?"

Strange worlds? Every place has been for a purpose, a reason. It laughed again, almost as if it had to, Your friends have been brought to a separate place, where as you are needed else where.

Lisowin was speechless, and decided it was better for him to remain that way.

"I-I'm afraid I don't understand." Raven said after a moment, "What's going on that my aid is necessary?"

The demon of air didn't respond, instead it look up and let out a keen, as bright light filtered in, a brief glimpse of green and strange beautiful creatures met their gaze. All was calm.

(new page?)

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