The older postings for War of the Races RP have been posted here.
Nagin flipped a switch that lifted the ramp into the ship, closing the door. Pulling a handle down the ship rose precariously, then shot off toward Nova's position. "I'll be there in a sec'." He breathed into a headset. Engine thundering he arrived at the landing station in no time. A glint in the distance attracted his attention. Nova's ship sat there above the station, nearly half the size of his own ship. He buzzed Nova. "Better we fight them on solid ground, than getting shot down. We should land."
"You land. If they are authorities, I'm sure you can blow them off, but I'm safer up here. Besides, if they try anything, I'm gonna try something I wanted to do for a long time. Just remember to duck." Nova smiled.
Pup frowned at what she said last. "I don't think I like the sound of that......." Her claws slightly scratch the floor of the ship.
Nagin maneuvered the ship carefully down to the ground. Unlatching his rifle, he stepped out of the ship. A thin gangly man in uniform stepped up to him. Raising his hand to his head in a salute, he sneered. "General Atenkho, nice to see you." Face stern Nagin nodded. "We have been waiting for you general, we have something for you." He handed Nagin a slip of paper with a note on it. Outraged Nagin growled. "Temporary suspension, what is the meaning of this!" He fumed. The man's lips thinned even more in a grin. "Exactly what it says." He turned to the other solders. "Sweep the ship!" Nagin jumped in front of them as they approached his ship.
"Stand down!" They paid him no heed, pushing past him to the base of his ship. He charged them, scattering their ranks like flies, for they knew though he was young he was high ranking and powerful. He jumped into the ship and started it up, the ramp shutting tight behind him. "Hold on!" He yelled as the ship rose sharply from the ground.
"
The Phoenix requesting permission to open fire," Nova spoke into the intercom.
"Fire away" Nagin said while flying under Nova's line of fire.
A barrage of missiles hit the ground on which the task force had stood moments before, erupting in halos of flame. After the first few blasts died down with a haze of smoke, all that was left on the charred ground was impact marks of the explosions. Smiling, satisfied, Nova gunned up her thrust another level, and sped out of the vincinity, making sure Nagin was following.
Digging her claws into the metal of the floor, pup crouched down for a better grip. "You know, I'm not used to having the ground I'm standing on being yanked high in the air. If I get sick this will all be your fault..." She shuddered as they started following Nova and whined slightly.
Stabilizing the ship Nagin relaxed and stood as the ship did the easy stuff for him. He strode over to Pup, comforting her with a pat on the head. "As long as you’re not sick on me." He went back to the front and sat down. "So will I be following you Nova?” He said into the headset.
"Might as well get comfy. It's gonna be a long ride."
Woth those words, Nova set her ship on autopilot as they hit light-speed towards their destination. Leaning bac in her control chair, she closed her eyes with a sigh. Soon after, she fell into a light, troubled sleep.
As always, the voices were there. Not exactly
voices, but she could hear and understand the swirling colors in her mind. However, this time, it was different. The sounds and colors were clearer, more understandable
. And one of them reached for her mind, pulling her into a mist of soothing feelings.
Nova, the voice called.
Shocked at first, she reluctantly responded. She had let her guard down, and they had penetrated her thoughts, managing to recover her name, and heavens knew what else.
Who are you? What do you want of me? Show yourself!
To Nova's surprise, the colors formed a picture in her mind, the blurred figure of a humanoid with blue skin, with the delicate features akin to that of... Elves...
You recognize me, do you not? I can make you powerful. You have always wanted a purpose to your meaningless life. To let your knowledge be of use. Now is your chance Nova. Tell me what you know, and I will-
No! With the shout of that word, she woke up, and shuddered. She knew that voice, that being. She recognized him, but from where..? However, she had managed to learn something from her encounter. He might have learnt her location, but she now knew his.
"The Phoenix to Nagin;s Ship, I will be taking a short detour. I will gve you the location of our destination so that you may continue onwards without me."
Pup made a purring sound when Nagin petted her and then she layed her head down and took a nap. She woke up once to hear Nova over the com, but went back to sleep, not worrying about it.
"In the short time I've gotten to know Nova I have the strangest feeling that her going off alone isn't a good idea. We are however on our way somewhere important, hope she's doing something worth while." Theo said the last part under his breath as he watched out a window as the landscape changed eratically in elevations as they approached the part of the world that gets hit most by meteorites.
Nova set a route change towards where she had sensed the figure, and increased her speed another notch. She then sent the coordinates of the Plague infestated area to Nagin. Hang on, I'm coming, she thought to herself, or perhaps the figure from her dreams.
Nagin hastily punched in the coordinates that Nova had sent him. He rubbed his sore neck, spreading his arms wide, and rolled his stiff shoulders. With a cough, he stood, trekking to a ledge where a few dozen books and scrolls sat neatly stacked. Choosing a long, tightly rolled scroll of rice parchment tied with a red ribbon, he sat back down in the hard backed chair. Unwrapping it with light fingers he spread it under a beam of light, the browning parchment crackling slightly with age. Sitting as far back as his chair would allow he concentrated on the spidery writing on the scroll. His arm propped on that of the chairs he studied his finger, the words he had read filling his thoughts. A single spark appeared on his index finger, willing it to burn brighter it jumped from the finger to his thumb. Then back to his finger, he smiled with his achievement. He closed his eyes, lying back in reminiscence. Maybe mother’s prophesy will come true- he thought of the group that had been assembled. Nova…Theo…Pup…and this mysterious stranger we are to be meeting. That’s five with me included. A number prophesized to save the human race. And bring about my own destruction. He rubbed his hand over the stubble that had resulted from days without a shave on his chin, thinking back to a single verse his mother has sung to him, telling of a young man who would discover his powers on a journey with the group. A man who would face the wraths of the gods, unwilling to interfere since the apocalypse, undaunted. He would help another, The Chosen One, defeat a great evil that planed to rule the universe. He thought of the verse that told of the groups meeting. Indeed, part of that prophesy has already been fulfilled…
Deep within the earth’s core…
A heavy fist struck with a boom. “This is outrage! Why now after all these years, you would want to do that!” His voice rolled off of the walls of the round amphitheater. The screech of thousands of birds roared overhead as they flew up and out of the amphitheater.
“Calm yourself Dysus.” A broad white haired man opposite him stated firmly.
A women to his left, hair as dark as coal, spoke out. “He’s right Presarius, why should we go back now. Hadn’t we vowed never to go back? It was a vow you invoked, and you should uphold it the most!” A chorus of voices sounded in “Here-here’s” as she spoke.
The white haired man stood infuriated that she would put his honor into question. “I know my memory has grown frayed as the centuries past, but did you not vow in blood as well!”
“And vow I did, which is why we should not retract on our word!”
A young brown haired male stood. “Vow we all did, but we must discuss this rationally, else the result be fraudulent.”
Another man stood a scowl on his face. “Ilisus, you know not what you speak! You side with him just as quickly as you would spare a human his life! No, speak not of what you do not know, or on my word you will suffer!”
Bickering broke out between the two factions, those siding with Presarius arguing that they should leave, and those siding with Dysus yelling that they would never leave the haven of their tranquil homeland.
“Quiet!!!” A large blond haired man yelled. Everyone immediately stopped yelling. “I appreciate the council’s opinions, but in the end mine is the only decision that matters.” His eyes, full of wisdom, gleamed darkly. “The gods will return to the mortals!”
A week later in much above light-speed, aboard the Phoenix...
Nova slowed her ship as she approached a planetary system that had strangely never been charted in the past, despite the fact that it was located well in the middle of human territory. Approaching fast was the moon of a large red planet, or what seemed to be a moon.
Upon closer investigation, Nova realized what she had mistaken for the planet's moon was actually a ship, easily the size of a moon, high in orbit around the planet. The massive size and alien technology of the ship with a blue-white light-energy surrounding it impressed Nova, something that rarely was achieved. Nova studied its model intensly, how it was designed to travel at tp-rates at such a broad size. It was obviously beyond the abilities of humans. This factor proved that she had reached her destination.
Slowing her ship further, she thought for a moment what to do next. Crossing her fingers mentally, she thought loudly in her mind, The Phoenix requesting permission to board mothership
Aboard the Aquarius...
The moment the message, undoubtedly from Nova, hit his mind, Terrandis swung his ship around, and headed onto the Darthian.
Once aboard, he got off his personal ship and navigated his way to the landing port control room.
"I have a guest awaiting to board the ship," he thought to the lite on duty there.
"I will be sure to let them on, Captain."
His colors brightened as Terrandis "smiled" in anticipation. The target had taken the bait.
Aboard the.... Nagin's ship
Theo walked up to the moniters to see how much longer it would take then went back to his seat by the window and slumped down a bit about to go to sleep when the crystal on his necklace glowed a bit but only for a fraction of a second. He tried dozing off again and this time it started glowing after he fell asleep. In his dream, he was just watching, disembodied and simply watching as humans, some light skinned people and dragons were all battling in one huge bloody battle. There was no stop to the horror and nothing he tried could awake him. He watched the whole thing as if fast forwarded and then he was in a room where peace treaties were signed and he saw five people standing together next to the treaties. Two looked like Nagin and the pup. The third looked exactly like Nova, the fourth he had never seen before an the last was like looking in a mirror he saw himself, the person was probably the same age. The words that people were saying were mumbled and when he tried to ask them to speak up no words came out. He looked back to the five and his reflection looked straight at him and winked. Then he saw a breif image of a large dragon with a look of rage and he was jerked from his dream a bit out of breath and the crystal no longer glowing. What the heck was that He thought instinctively looking at his crystal.
Nagin jerked upright as a buzzing reached his ears. He looked around hurriedly. There was pup dozing in a deep sleep, and there was Theo, as restless as he had been for the week and a day that they had been together. He looked to a shelf that sat high on the wall. There a large egg sat in a glass case. It was large, almost the size of his head. For the first time in centuries it was moving, rocking on the base that held it upright, an odd pattern of silver swirls showing faintly on its gold surface, running through it like so many veins of light. It glowed brightly in the dim light of the ship, and Nagin sat awestruck at the sight. He had always treated it preciously, for it was an heirloom of his family, handed down from many ancestors past. But he had always believed it to be just that, an artifact of pure gold and silver, but it was alive, watching over his ancestors, and searching for the one who could finally free him. A green glow on the edge of his vision drew his eyes to Theo. His necklace was floating above his chest, glowing as well. The two ancient artifacts seemed to be attracted to one another. The necklace fell to Theo’s chest as he snapped awake. The egg still glowed slightly, now with the golden sheen of its color. It seemed to be a jewel far more precious than any other, and it thudded with a steady beat. A heartbeat he realized. As Nagin approached it energy washed over him like a wave of heat, more powerful than anything he had ever experienced. He felt woozy for a moment. Then he felt an immense amount of fear, amazement, and respect all at once, an emotion that overwhelmed him. Fainting, he fell back to his seat, a deep sleep taking him.
Temple of Telea…center of the earth.
Hienius, the blonde haired ruler of the council, stood in a verdant valley where tall grass rippled in the wind like an ocean of green. A gleaming white temple of marble towered over him, the rays of light bouncing off of its pillars in a rainbow colored light. Hienius had his back to it, bathing in the mystical light, the light probing every part of his body, filling him with warmth, as the cool breeze caressed the creviced features of his face. His eyes were shut in peaceful bliss, his hair twisting gracefully in a dance with the wind. I will miss this place so… Somewhere far away an ancient power awakened, he felt it, deep in his bones. With a silent beckoning, the members of the council began to arrive. Soon all were present; he peered into the many eyes of his colleagues. “The time has come!” he announced. “Do you not feel it in your bones! It’s the gentle calling of the mortal world!” Suddenly his eyes began to glow, and one after another, the other council members eyes as well. “Come, the time of reckoning is near! Let us go unto the hands of fate!” A cheer erupted, so loud that the air shimmered in respect. A portal opened in the field, large enough for them to walk side by side into it at once. And walk they did, side by side, so that any who may have glimpsed their arrival onto the world would shrivel in awesome fear, amazement, and respect. A wave of power engulfed all the universes like that never felt before.
For the gods had returned, and they where more powerful than ever before…
Nagins ship
Theo watched as Nagin fainted and went over quickly only to see that he was just asleep. Well, that's good. He thought when Nagin let out a snore. What did he faint for though? Theo thought as he turned to the egg. "That wasn't gold when we started the trip was it?" He thought out loud. The his crystal on the necklace started to lift until it was parralel with the egg and it started to spin in between its two god rings. In the spinning the green crystal seemed to disappear from the speed of the rotation and but the green glow was shining brightely through out the room. Then Theo saw something that never happened before. The doors inside the crystal started to open. He thought they were just a decoration until now. The egg started to rattle in its case and glow with an equally intese light that started challenging the crystals green and soon half the room was in gold light and the other in green. Then after about five minutes of the light show they both stopped completely and Theo was still stupefied by what just happened the when he took a seat to calm himself he heard a crack and his eyes widened. Oh no, I think I broke with airloom, and I said I wouldn't break anything He thought sadely as he turned to see the small but visible crack in the egg.
Aboard The Phoenix...
To Nova's mild surprise, there was a response to her call.
The Phoenix acknowledged. Please procede.
With that message, her ship automatically powered down, as a gate on the alien ship open, releasing a stream of blue-white light. The Phoenix was drawn into the opening, as if the rays were an unescapable vortex. With a flash of blinding light, the small ship disappeared, and the ship portal closed.
Aboard the Darthian...
Terrandis stood above the limp form of Nova. She had been carried to a more comfortable area after her ship had docked safely. He studied her intensely, the first human being he had ever been in close contact with. He had always known that the Lor'ieths(Lites in their language) were supposedly physically weaker than the humans, and further technologically developed. He had always believed these facts until now. The girl's ship had been of an incredible build. Unbelievable amounts of ammunition and power stored compactly and safely in such a small place, with good shields and extremely energy-efficient. Her weapon, the rifle, was however what intrigued him the most. Inside it was a deadly substance that his race had never been able to manipulate. And he knew, for a fact, the humans hadn't either. There was something strange about her, something he could not quite place.
When Nova began to stir, he quickly left the room.
Aboard the passanger ship, hours after departure from Earth...
Cameron sat, mood dour, in his seat aboard the ship. Beside him sat an obese old man, who sat dead to the world, snoring louder than a heavy battleship engine. Bored, he instinctively pulled out his laptop from his bag, and switched the power on. Great, I forgot to charge it before we took off... he remembered as a flashing warning popped up, indicating low-power. He'd have thought that as a pro hacker, he would have a device that didn't eat more energy than two autoships put together. Shutting it off to reserve the energy for future use, his head hit the back of the seat once more. The things I out up with for Nova...
"First stop, space platform Space Field," the voice spoke over the intercom. Several passengers grabbed their luggage and unboarded.
Brows furrowing, Cameron waved over a flight attendant.
"Uh, miss, what do they mean by first stop? I thought this ship took only one stop?" He asked her.
"Never been on a third class, have you rich boy? Too used to your private ship that takes you places? No, this is the first in six stops, and yours, I believe, is last. Have a nice day," she concluded with a sickly sweet smile, leaving without a chance for him to reply.
It was the second time in his life he had been struck speechless.
Nagin walked through the dense forests of his mind. Someone was looking for him, he could just tell, but there was no one around. A pair of eagles flew overhead, the larger of the two screeching at Nagin with recognition, as he reached a wide clearing where the golden light of dawn spread over the land. A doe and her fawn pranced calmly by stopping to let her fawn suckle as she nibbled on some grass, seemingly unperturbed by his presence. A lone oak sat in the clearing, its immense boughs swaying in the breeze. He was drawn to it, as it reminded him of himself. Surrounded by life and companions, yet unable to join them as something was holding them back. The oak it’s gnarled roots that threaded in and out of the ground, while in Nagin it was something that ran much deeper. He sat himself in a hollow among the roots. As he began to doze he felt another being in his mind probing him, foreign yet he could not shake the felling that he had always known it. He bonded with it though no words were exchanged, only feelings and memories, represented only by swirling colors.
Nagin awoke in his ship to see Theo staring at the egg. "What’s wrong-" his nearly swallowed his tongue when he saw the crack down the egg. Exhilaration filled him as he watched the crack multiply on the surface of the shell. A tiny piece of it fell away and drifted downward with the leisurely pace of a drifting leaf, as a tiny-clawed hand reached out of the egg.
"I swear it wasn't me, it was the necklace." Theo said as the necklace faintly glowed and reached out for the clawed hand.
Aboard the Darthian...
Nova, hearing the creature leave the room, opened her eyes. Sitting up with an exaggerated moan, she waited for the being to return.
Soon enough, he re-entered the room, noticing her awakening.
I see that you have awaken. Noticing her make an attempt to stand, he soothed, Your ship is fine. So are the rest of your possesions. Tell me, human, why is it that you refuse to aid us in our cause? We, too, fight the Plague. We too, oppose the ignorance of the humans. Tell me, girl, is it loyalty that drives you?
"No, it is solely the reason that no benefit will come to me from creating an alliance with you." Nova spoke instead of contacting him mentally, noticing that when she did, he could take those moments to probe her mind.
Ah, but there is. Think of the technology and knowledge we possess. The wealth from such knowledge is unimaginable to the humans. And we would help you in your battle against the Plague, for they are our enemy too.
The last section having caught her attention, she asked, "Tell me, who exactly are your race? How is it that you know the Plague?"
We are the Lites, an ancient race descended from, you may find hard to believe, elves. The ShadowMaster lead us to this land, and we now call it home.
"The ShadowMaster?" Nova inquired incredulously. A smirk hitting her lips, she said, "So is that what ShadowStalker chose to call herself?" In the moment of humor, she forgot about the origin of the Lites. A sudden though occuring to her, she fell silent. If they were the descendants of elves... "What will I have to do to aid you?"
Nothing, fight for your cause against the Plague, and we will be content
"Does this mean I can leave now?"
Yes, your ship is ready.
Nova knew that something was not right, she had gotten away too easily.
Commander,
Yes, Captain, anything in particular you wish to tell me of?
Yes, sir. She is not human. She knows of the ShadowMaster! And befouled us by speaking her former name. Her wisdom, and technology, she is a Lite. Perhaps better than us. She has both the appearance and strength of humans, along with the intelligence of Lites!
This presents a serious problem. Did she agree to side with us?
Yes sir.
Captain, I want you to follow this girl, and keep her safe. She may be the key to our success!
Affirmative
The egg began to vibrate, and more pieces of eggshell flaked off. After a few moments a one-foot lizard sat in the case, a thick brown slime covering it. It gave a tiny snort as the new things of the world overwhelmed its senses. Opening its mouth it took a deep breath, the oxygen like tinder to a flame. He squinted, the light burning his eyes. He rubbed his still wet snout against the glass, then his mouth opened in a gaping yawn, showing sharp white teeth. He uncoiled his body and stood on uneasy legs. Looking at Nagin and Theo with wide eyes, it scratched pitifully at the glass. Nagin walked over to the case and lifted it out of the case. He wiped it clean with a cloth, as it nibbled on his forefinger, nicking it and drawing blood that it licked up enthusiastically. Underneath the slime it wore gleaming armor of gold, the scales interlocking over its slightly chubby body. He couldn’t believe his eyes, yet there it sat, in his very own hands. A true baby dragon.
Half-asleep, Nova was shocked awake by an immense quantity of power that hit her all at once. The unmistakeable power of magic o the old. She sensed it was coming from...
"The Phoenix to Nagin's Ship, checkng to confrim your status. I am on my way to you right now, just kicked in light-speed. All's well."
Pup sniffed the air in her sleep and woke up with a start. I smell a dragon, but it doesn't smell like the plague! Getting up from where she had been sleeping, pup walked over to where Nagin was holding the baby dragon and sniffed it curiously.
Theo got up and walked over the see the baby dragon and the necklace glowed brighter with each step. Then not knowing why he took the necklace off and put it in the dragons outreaching hand to see if anything happened.
"We're ok Nova, still on course as well." He spoke into the intercom. He pulled the hatchling closer to his body. "There's a surprise here that you should see." As pup sniffed it turned and sniffed back, their snouts touching gently. Giving a squeal of delight, it ran its course tongue over her nose, nuzzling its head against her familiar smelling body. It clenched and unclenched its small hand, grasping at the air. With a start it shifted deeper into Nagin’s arms as the stranger approached, but it soon grew fond of Theo as well. The radar in the computer beeped loudly, announcing Nova’s presence, and startling the hatchling quite throughoutly. Just then Theo pressed the jeweled necklace into its tiny hand. A hoarse ringing sounded from within the necklace. Whatever magical properties it held had set off the hatchlings own inner magic. It crackled like lightning, as the sound peaked in a roar. With a sharp snap that sounded of finality it filled the void of space with blinding light. In moments it died down and silence returned to space. But the group wasn’t there to tell of the noise. Both Nagin’s and Nova’s ship were nowhere to be found.
Nagin awoke on a thin sheet of pine needles. Shaking weariness from his head he looked at the towering coniferous trees that surrounded him. A lump shifted from within his shirt. The hatchlings head appeared from out of the shirt, where it must have crawled to keep warm, gazing at Nagin intuitively. Pushing himself to his feet he cradled it in his arms. “How did I get here?” He began walking toward the rising sun, towards the east, when he stopped. “Where is here, anyways.” None of his companions were around, though when he concentrated he could feel that they were near, and alive. Placing the hatchling onto the lowest branches of the nearest tree, he readied himself to pull his body onto the thick branch. Sitting on the gouged bark he went to lift the dragon onto the next branch, though found it already climbing up the tree, patiently stalking a brightly colored butterfly that fluttered away, landing higher on the bark, whenever he got close. After about an hour of toil he reached the top of the tree, stopping at a branch that could still support his weight. He found the hatchling pouting angrily a few branches higher, and he saw why, for the green and purple butterfly had risen to the air, leaving him alone. Instinctively he rolled his shoulders, flapping the wings protruding from his shoulder blades. The translucent folds of membrane where longer than his body, but in truth, he had not developed the muscles to fly yet. Nagin sat in the boughs as the sun gilded the landscape, a crisp autumn breeze blowing over his face, the tree bending willingly in its path. I wonder if everyone is alright?
Pup, groaned and lifted her head, sniffing the unfamiliar air. Confused, she made a humming sound so that she could 'see' where she was. Taking in that she was in some sort of forest, she stood up and sniffed the air again.
Nova felt the strong tug of magic, and with a loud crack, she landed in a spruce forest, her ship nowhere in sight. Sure you're alright...
Hearing the loud snap! of a branch, she hurriedly motioned for the three to hide behind a dense bush. Parting the leaves slightly to view the source of the sound, Nova waited.
Tired from a day's hunting, the short, agile being stopped to rest in the clearing. He looked around, knocking an arrow in his bow. When he spotted nothing but a lone rabbit, he lowered his bow, and sat down on a nearby log to rest. He shook his sweat-drenched hair back to reveal a pair of long, delicate ears.
Pup walked around in the forest, following the scent of Nagin and the baby dragon that she had become attached to. She lifted her head slightly again to sniff the air and smelled something new and unfamiliar. Curious, she followed the smell to a small clearing where a person was sitting on a log.
Spotting the person of the log, Nova gasped. It was a being she had not seen for over a thousand years. An elf. Or what seemed like one. Where did he come from? And more importantly, where were they? She sensed great power from the elf, although physical appearance would have deceived her.
Nagin, disappointed, descended the tree, turning to catch the hatchling as it jumped from the low branch to his arms. Instead of wandering aimlessly, he followed a slightly worn path. A whoosh of air poured over him as something dropped from above the trees. Dashing into the shrubs that lined the pathway, he peered at the imposing figure. It floated for a moment longer, the dropped silently to the ground. The being wore a long flowing cloak that shone white with bright blue bands, untarnished by dirt, that concealed his arms in long sleeves, ending in a wide point. Two large wings sat folded on his back, one feathered in white, the other black and bat-like. It had long black hair, which was combed neatly into place and fell down to his waist. His skin was fair, almost glowing, even in the sunlight. He held his head high, and for a while he did nothing but stare at the blue cloudless sky, the sun reflecting off of a gold and silver cross hanging on a chain around his neck. A long sword lie on his waist in an ivory sheath, the many symbols burned into it gleaming darkly with power. The hilt shone brightly of sapphire and ruby, a two faceted gem set in the hilt. He turned his head toward the shrub that Nagin was hidden in, and Nagin was arrested with fear. Striking sapphire irises and crimson pupils bore into his body, the deep ridges of scars that racked his eyes sending a shiver down Nagin’s spine. “You may reveal yourself to me.” It said in a deep voice…
Noticing the figure swooping over Nagin, Nova forgot about all of her power-control as she cried out to him in a mental warning.
Watch out! I don't like the feel of that creature!
In that moment in which she had abused her mental capabilities, she accidentally stumbled upon some details in Nagin's past. Breaking the connection instantly, she fell back, stunned.
The elf arose once more, noticing the sound of Nova collapsing. He approached the bush...
Nagin jolted from the hypnotic gaze and dashed toward Nova, looking back only once and noticing a small dribble of blood on the beings head. There was a crash in the trees above as a large form flew at Nagin. A barbed tail swiped over his head, missing by only a fraction. Then the Wyvern spread its wings wide and slowed, puffing its chest to the maxim it exhaled, spewing a foul green liquid that smelled of sulfur. In the blink of an eye it was already upon Nagin. He shut his eyes tightly, bracing for the burning, though none came. Opening one eye slightly he saw the being standing calmly in front of him one arm outstretched toward the wyvern, the acid bouncing off his hand harmlessly and flowing over the wyvern, it and the trees surrounding it disintegrating. As he held off the wyvern a larger more colorful one diving down toward the group, aiming for the smallest and most venerable target. The baby hatchling, sprawled on its back a few feet away from Nagin where it had flown when he fell. A small squirrel, fleeced in gold, jumped from Crysst’s shoulder. A burst of smoke engulfed the group, and a mighty bellow that would have shaken mountains, erupted from the center of it. When it cleared a golden mountain, no, an immense dragon, hovered over the trees, the wyvern grasped in its titanic jaws. It blocked out the sun, but its glistening scales provided a golden light source for the group. With a flip of its head it swallowed the wyvern whole. Nagin rushed over to the fallen hatchling, suddenly so similar to the enormous beast above them, and held it near. “T-t-th-thank you.” was all he managed to say to Crysst and the dragon. The dragon, though, apparently was not content. It bared its teeth at Nagin, each at least twice his size, and growled lowly. “Release my young, foul human.” Nagin staggered, it couldn’t possibly be coincidence that they looked so alike. Mustering all of his courage he yelled up to the creature. “You abandoned your young, I say that you have no claim to it!” As he spoke it nearly lunged out at him. “How dare you! Your kind stole him from my clutch still unborn.” Crysst silenced them both with a wave. “You are both wrong, I gave it to my young son when I left home. How did you get it?” Nagin was so confused. “How could you have given it to your son. It’s been in my family for centuries.” Crysst gazed at Nagin, then when he was sure he was telling the truth, he asked him. “What year is it then?”
"Assuming this is the same planet then this is a heck of a long time ago." Rang a familiar voice. Theo came out from the bushes his necklace on and a slight welt on his head. "These trees have been extict on not only this but every world for hundreds even thous... these haven't been around since the apocalypse." He said rubbing his hand on the tree. "I thought it was only a myth, then again after what has happened today so far...." He put his hand on the welt on his head. "Anyone else find themselves upside down in a tree and fall to the ground head first?"
Nova's eyes widened at this message. If this was before the apocalypse, before the dragons left their first time... This was the time of her former glory, when she still had something to live and die for. Seeing the dragon brought sweet memories to her mind. However, knowing the creatures, it would probably fry her to crisp if it recognized her as the Commander of the Legion of Darkness, instead of who she was now. However, there was something she had always wanted to try... Her mental capabilities of speaking through thoughts, in on language all living things understand. Perhaps she could speak to a dragon, without requiring it to speak to her first, putting her at a lower status, and without the mental bond to one...
"It is precisely two hundred and twenty-six years before the Apocalypse, in the dark time when the Legion of Darkness reigned Jumaria, Druin." Barely above a whisper, she added almost mournfully, "The time of the Dark Lady, Nova." Which ends two years forth.
"Did you say something Nova?" Theo said turning to her. His ears were good enough to hear everything she said but he was wondering if she wanted the others to know.
The dragon grew smaller before their eyes, now only slightly taller than them. “That is precise, young lady, and too true. The time of the Dark Lady it is. A powerful women that one, though I’ve never met her myself, and sure enough none of you should either. How are you so knowledgeable of the past?” Crysst, knowing much after many years of life could tell that Nova was not who she claimed to be, nor was she a young women by any means but apperence. So who was she?
The dragon, though diminished in size was not diminished in brilliance, went to her child, brushing her snout over its body. Grasping him lightly in her maw she took him from Nagin. She curled around him, letting out a deep prumming from her chest.
Nagin pondered while the others talked. Crysst had a point, how did Nova know exactly when they were? And why did she know so much about the strange things that had been going on in his life since the group had met on that fateful day? He could only wonder what she was hiding…
Unknown to anyone, there had been another less welcoe passenger who had tagged along on their trip to the past...
Terrandis had just caught sight of another ship approaching Nova's before he felt the pull. A feeling he had not had for centuries, that he sorely missed. The tug of power, of magic. Before he had time to react, a flash of blinding light knocked him out cold.
Rubbing his back from a rough landing that had left him falling off a tree, for a moment, Terrandis stopped, taking in the crisp air. His senses cleared, and a sharp pain hit his head. Power, voices, from everywhere! The trees, the animals, they all spoke in a mind-bursting cacophony! He trained his mind to shut out the voices, and opening his eyes, surveyed his surroundings, his mind clearing further. There were animals! Trees and birds, nature and growth, things he had not seen since...
But where? And how? Sensing a familiar voice within the medley, Terrandis listened closer. Nova. He had never believed that he would ever be relieved to see her. However... There was also the boy he had been assigned to dispose of...
Pup smiled as she watched Crysst caring like any mother would for her dragon child. She sniffed the air again, enjoying the smells of the forest and smelled yet another strange smell. "We are not alone anymore......." She turned towards the direction of where Terrandis had fallen.
"Well deaf be the being that can't hear the ruckus he's making." Theo said leaning back on a tree watching the scene of the dragon mother and her child although it was hard to advert his attention because his ears twitched at every sound he made which was a lot of times. His ear muscles were starting to get tired.
Nova instinctively reached for her rifle, only to find that it was not there. In its place was something else, that she had not used for centuries. A large but light broadsword of night-black metal. Her fingers traced the silver-inlaid runes along the immaculate face of the blade, extending them until she felt the jewel in the hilt. Reaching further up, she grasped the hilt. Almost unsheathing it, she caught herself. If the dragon saw the weapon... Pulling her cloak over the hilt of the blade, she reached out with her mind, trying to sense who had managed to follow them.
Her eyes widened. The Lite!
Theo's put his hand on the sharp rod he took ready to use it on the person coming closer and he realized that it was different. Like Nova his weapons had changed. The lazer sword, metal rod, and the gun he took were all swords now sheathed and attached to his belt. He was a but dubmfound, especially about the fact that his clothes hadn't changed to period clothes along with his weapons. Then hearing the noises getting closer even though still faint he grasped the handle and recalled everything about sword fighting that he knew from fighting his friends with fake weapons, only this time it would be real.
Pup crouched slightly and growled, ready for an attack. She listened to the others and noticed that Theo was also ready and the Nova had almost unsheathed a sword, but hesitated and decided not to. Wait a minute....since when did they wear swords?
Terrandis emerged from the bushes, to find the very group he was chasing ready with weapons.
"Hold your attack!" Nova shouted.
He extended his blades... to find that they were no longer of photon energy, but searing light. They would still suffice in killing the boy. He was about to attack when Nova blocked his attempt.
For a moment, he turned his weapons on her in annoyed fury, then his eyes clearing, he lowered them. He personnally had no wish to harm the boy, let alone anyone. What had gotten in to him?
"Nonsence Nova. If he wished to come at me with a melee weapon then let him." Theo said with a spark of a warrior he'd never felt before, as he held a sword in his hand. He lowered the sword at to his side and said. "Excuse me, that was... umm.. not like me." His head clearing up a bit more. Must be something in the old era air He thought to himself.
Who is he a fool to underestimate me? Terrandis asked Nova. He had never heard such brash self-confidence towards himself, let alone anyone else. He let it pass as a human weakness.
Nova responded, "Don't get cocky here kid. Not everyone abides by the laws of honor here. Most likely, the weapon that kills you will be the one stabbing you in your sleep or from behind."
"Sleep, who said I sleep? Not me that's for sure. Also when I do get the chance to sleep I've found I'm a very light sleeper." Theo says calmly sitting down back against the tree. He still he did have his sword sheathed now but his hand was still on the handle.
Crysst inspected the new arrival curiously. Though everyone seemed on his or her toes, he seemed as calm as ever. Long strides brought him even with the others. Waiting for further reaction from the visitor, he leaned back on his heels.
The hatchlings mother hovered over her child protectively. It tensed, as did most of the others. When but one creature stepped through the brush she calmed. Though there was the dark glint on the girl's belt that attracted her eye.
Nagin touched the hilt of his blade, one of his many habits, and to his amazement when he pulled it from its hilt it rang distantly, now a bright steel katana. It was nothing like the blade that he once carried, but was a blade of old. It seemed to tell him what to do, how to hold it, he pointed it to the ground and waited eagerly.
Watching the almost eager offenders, Terrandis let his mind reach out to their's, "speaking" to them. So, what is keeping you from having fun with your new toys? Are you here to kill me, or do you not have more important matters to resolve? Like say getting back to our own time... Terrandis seemed almost bored, Used to drastic changes and measures, he dismissed his current situation as "merely" having been teleported back through time. Looking around, he noticed the strange behaviour of the hatchling, and followed its gaze...
Noticing prying eyes on her, she pulled her cloak further over the weapon, trying to make the move appear casual and insignificant. "We are not here to fight. The death of one will only weaken us as a group, for as of now, it is us against the world." Glaring daggers at the group she spoke loudly, "And we are not here to kill you, Terrandis."
Nagin turned to Nova, exclaiming wide-eyed. "You mean know him." There's something that has changed in Nova since we've gotten here, he thought quietly to himself.
Something shifting in her eyes, she replied exasperatedly, "Of course I know him. If I didn't, he'd probably be drowning in his own blood by now." Nova thought in her mind, blocking Terrandis from hearing it, and I still wish he were...
"So is this the guy you called to come with us or just some guy that got sucked up in our little time trip." Theo said sitting against the tree with his hand still on the handle of one of his blades. Even though they went through time he wasn't really that freaked out, he acually liked it, much cleaner air.
As Theo brought up the subject of "the guy you called", Nova grimaced in frustration. Cameron would kill her for this. Twice. This would not be the first time, however, and she was definate that she would find a way to contact him. "He is the one I met on my little detour, but was not welcome on this trip." Realizing another fact, she looked back at Terrandis. "Say, what were you doing following me?"
Pup, listening to the conversation, looked over at Terrandis and sniffed the air. I don't like how he smells, but, if Nova knows him, how bad can he be? Hmmmmmm, It is so odd to sit here listening to their conversation without being able to 'see' them with out color. Perhaps I ought to change into a humanoid form to see them for real.......nah, I do not want them to know about that dragon ability. She looked over to the other dragon and the yound one.
"So this guy is a stalker" Theo stated non-chalontly as the grip on his handle lessened into more of his hand just resting on it.
Not in bad intention, I assure you. Terrandis replied before Nova had a chance to speak up.
Giving the lite a critical eye, Nova caught Pup's stream of thought, and replied directly in a way that Terrandis would not catch, If I know someone, they are guarenteed to be bad. She however did not manage to catch the last of the thought, too focused in replying.
Pup turned to look at Nova in surprise. Then why on earth do you seem almost........friendly with this Terrandis person Nova? I don't like him at all. He doesn't smell right. What is he? She looked over at Terrandis and hissed softly at him like a cat.
As to not attract the Lite's attention, Nova thought back to Pup without looking in her direction. To answer the first question, living my life, you end up putting up with a whole lot of people you generally don't want to be around. As for the second, it is a long story. To herself, she added, Literally.
Theo looked at everyone lazily. He didn't have telepathy like everyone else so in a bored voice he said. "Well these moments of silence are nice and all but don't you think we should find out exactly what we are here for or how to get back?" He knew how they got here but why he still wasn't sure.
"Hmmmm, I suppose you are right Theo........" Pup looked around them, thinking about the situation they were in. "I do like this place, but I'd rather get back to solving our last problem."
"No I think the think with the dragons over there was resolved." He said looking towards the dragons who were watching silently. "If you mean what I suggested, however, then ya I'm up for that." He actually like this time though, fresh air, nice scenery, he might actually choose to stay, if he gets the choice to that is.
"About returning..." Nova interrupted. "We were sent here through the power of the egg... Which we no longer have. However..." She turned to look at the dragons indirectly. More to herself than to the others, she thought aloud, "The dragons left the world two times. Once before the Apocalypse... And once again during the Apocalypse, when they returned to the world they inhabit in our time, as the Plague..."
Nagin shook his head. "We don’t have the egg, but we do have the hatchling...and possibly his mother would help us back to our own time."
The older dragon lifted her head at the boy’s remark. "I can not. You have brought me my child, and for that I am thankful, but I will not knowingly anger the gods by using greater magic to transcend time. That was forbidden to us mortals ages ago." Her eyes darted to Crysst. "Though there is one who walks the earth that can help you."
Crysst shot the dragon a wicked glance then spoke as if nothing had happened. "If what you say is true, than perhaps the reason you are here is to find out what caused the apocalypse and to learn from our mistakes." To their questioning faces he added. "To insure that another Apocalypse does not occur in your time."
Out of habit, Nova paced the ground in frustration. "But no! You are not supposed to know that the Apocalypse occurs at all! We are messing with the past, and who knows how the future might be altered? We might bring destruction upon us all!" She stopped, looking up to face them. "Look, if you want to know the truth, the humans were not supposed to survive the Apocalypse. Not the humans, not the dragons -" giving Terrandis a sharp glance, she added, "- not the elves." Drawing a breath, she continued, "Something went wrong, that allowed us to survive. From our view, we got lucky. We have cheated extinction once, but who knows if our actions now might set the course of events right?"
The frown on Crysst's face deepened. "You say I am not supposed to know of it yet I do, so if what I know of the gods and fate is true, which it is, then I am supposed to know of the Apocalypse, and you were meant to come here. Destiny does have a way of playing out strangely. As I'm sure you know, Dark Lady. The last part he thought to Nova in a way that no one would hear.
The golden dragon shook her head in disagreement, not hearing what was said to Nova. You should tell them, you might be their only hope Crysst. The message was merged with Crysst's message to Nova and she heard both.
Theo was holding the crystal on his necklace and just looking it over then he remembered his dream right before the egg cracked. Then he looked towards Terrandis and he resembled the person he didn't know in his dream. "You say we're tampering with the past but what if we were in fact in the past. Our coming here could be the reason why the extinction of our races didn't occur. I mean, people don't go through time by... magical reasons for nothing right. I think that there is a sort of loop in the time continuum that relates us to this time. We were here in the year it is now, then in the future, our present day, we are coming here and completing the loop for our time. So once we get back the loop will be finished and time will resume as normal." He ended with a smile and realized that not many of them would understand a word he said.
A smirk playing across his face Crysst mumbled to himself. "Finally, someone intelligent enough to hold a conversation." He turned to Theo. “So what you are saying is that your travels to this time has happened before in your time, but has not happed yet to you in that time, and will yet be happening now in a continuous pattern for all time. Indeed, then when you leave this time, time here will go on uninterrupted and the course of events will not change from the path they had taken in your time, and centuries from now you will do the same thing, coming back here, and us once more meeting. A very intellectual guess, if ever I've heard one.”
"I've heard that before, the playback theory. That's were event keep happening over and over again in the time continuum. I personally believe in the over theory were the past in done and over with unless there is a loop like I said or some other sort of time distortion." Theo said looking at Crryst and thinking to himself. Wow, I've met one of the few people that can actually follow that track of thinking. I'm impressed
"Yes, that is a possibility, but only a possibility. And if what you say is true, it is not up to us to change fate. We have to find a way to act so that we follow the course of path as it is supposed to occur." Nova pondered this in her head. Speaking up from behind her, Terradis asked cynically, But is this truly the future we want?
Stumble!