It's a Wonderful Unlife }{ (Open)

[SnwPtrl]

Vet could feel the energy radiating off the bolt of lighting as it shot past him, grazing the shoulder of his robe and leaving a small, still smoking rip.

In surprise, Vet instantly unfolded his wings and glided straight down towards his foe, aiming to get in close as to keep him from using such powerful spells.

That's when the man fell over, into the snow. Unable to stop his flight, Vet had to fold in his wings and roll as he hit the ground, sliding right up to where the two figures were laying and almost slamming into them in the process.

This close, Vet quickly recognized one was a harpy, then noticed the man. He quickly stood back up, still somewhat in a daze from hitting the ground so hard, the blood rushed out of his head as stumbled to the ground.

[Willowsong]

Unfortunately for Willowsong, she found that her path led her dangerously close to the source of the thunder. She knew this forest very well, after all it was her home, but she still didn't dare take another route in her current form. If she tried to cross more snow, she could endanger herself. Already now she felt a raspy feeling rise up in her human lungs. Why were humans so dependant on clothes?
Turning into another species was also impossible as Willowsong had to see the creatures into who's species she wanted to turn first, and so far that only included humans, dwarves, elves, and the animals of the forest. When she had first awoken in the forest, she had been in her true form. She had felt so weak and fragile, and yet, when Willowsong had come across an animal, she immediately had assumed its form. Never again was Willowsong able to assume her true form, as she had never found out what she had looked like. She didn't even know if she had limbs as that form. Her memories had faded over time.

But now another thunder echoed through the forest, and Willowsong immediately sunk down into the snow as she panickally looked around. The wizard again. And it was close. Too close.

This time, Willowsong could even see a pillar of fire rise into the air further down the path, near a clearing, which intimidated the shapeshifter even more.

Her hands shaking, Willowsong felt that the feeling of numbness had spread to her elbow by now. Frowning, Willowsong looked back in the direction of the fire. It couldn't be a battle... Otherwise, the frequency of spells would be higher. But it only happened every now and then. There were only two options. A wizard was practising his spells, or he was hunting animals. Or both.

And in both cases, she would have to take a look. If this wizard came to her cave, he might try to attack her. More than one adventurer had attempted to kill the feared 'Witch of the Wilds'. And Willowsong didn't even know why, after all she had never done anything to the villagers or townsfolk.

Straying from her path, Willowsong's bare arms and legs trembled. If there was one thing she was really afraid of, it was fire. It felt right to do so, after all the rest of the animals also avoided fire like another predator they could not kill. Willowsong had, at one point, found out that she could conjure up fire, too, but immediately upon doing so she had yelped in fear and dissolved the spell immediately, never to use it again.

And now she was going to look at somebody who mastered the use of fire, seemingly?
Still trembling, Willowsong carefully peered down the hill, as she noticed three individuals. One... strange feathery sort of creature she had never seen before, one human, also unconscious, and a third. A human with wings? Was he bleeding?

Holding her numb arm, Willowsong chose to stay in her cover for now, until she had made sure that the visitors had gone again. Or, if all three fell unconscious, she'd have to make a choice. Or were there more around here? Was there a battle after all?

[deraj]

The snowfall increased and an unforgiving wind blew through the forest. Deraj let out a suppressed moan and made an attempt to push himself up only to lapse back into an unconscious state.

[Willowsong]

((I'm going to assume that Vet passed out as well and everyone is lying around. I will also take some liberties, please tell if I'm going too far.))

Willowsong watched as the man with the wings fell, too, and stopped moving. Blinking, the witch waited for a bit longer, before figuring it was now or never. They wouldn't all wake up at once, but Willowsong wanted to assure that the person waking up first would be for leaving the area. It was too close for... comfort, or what was that human phrase?

Clutching her numb arm, Willowsong stood again, slowly making her way down the hill before arriving at the clearing with those three... creatures. A harpy-like creature, a man with wings and a normal human.
The man with wings was bleeding from the head, the harpy was surrounded by some sort of thin layer of... ice, and the human... well...
Willowsong approached him, carefully placing a finger on his head before quickly pulling her hand back. He was... dead. The other two, weren't however, at least not yet. Thinking on how to proceed, Willowsong circled the trio for a bit. When it came clear they'd be out for a while, the witch decided to take two of them to her cave. The harpy was a creature Willowsong wanted to look at and the third was dead, and Willowsong was . Simple, really.
The man with wings however seemed dangerous, and Willowsong didn't want to fight him. Thus, she spent the next minutes moving the harpy-thing and the corpse away, with the help of some of her wolf-friends. It took some 'convincing' to get her wolf-friends away without tearing chunks off the corpse, but Willowsong promised to give them the bits she didn't want. When the harpy and the corpse were in the cave, Willowsong noticed that the numbness of her arm had subsided a bit. The venom must be subsiding in effect.

Covering herself in another fur, Willowsong also placed a blanket on the hibernated harpy, then moved over to the corpse, a dagger in her hand to remove some flesh from his bones...

[deraj]

Deraj became conscious but it was hard for him to open his eyelids. Great, they must’ve frozen shut. He moved his arms some and went to push himself up. As he did so, he sensed that he was no longer in the open. I don’t like this. With a great strain he opened his eyes and was terrified at what he saw. Startled, he let some dark energy flow out of him and into the ground.

Hovering over him was an enchanting young woman in nothing but furs. She had a predatory gleam in her eye and a knife in her hand. Crap. He inadvertently let some energy flow out of him and into the ground. He could tell that it was of that familiar strain of energy that he had mastered to bring back the dead. Assuming her motives for holding that knife, he quickly stood and took a few steps back.

“Excuse me madam, I would appreciate it if you did not do what I think you had intended to do with that knife. As you can see, I’m still using this body and I don’t think you would want to eat me anyway. I’ve been dead for quite some time and my meat wouldn’t exactly be safe.”

All sorts of questions formed in his mind. He did not want to excite this woman or cause her to make any sudden movements. He would not be able to live with himself if he harmed what seemed to be a fellow human, even if she had intention of consuming his lifeless corpse.

[Vexxus]

Vexxus wandered for days, remaining in shadow form, and as she crossed into what seemed to be other sections of the forest, she came upon colder and colder climates as she went higher. Finally she came upon a place where the snow was deep; and she could hear the faint crunching of the icy layer on top nearby. She herself did not make any noise as she walked, as she didn't interact with the world unless she consciously willed it.

She followed the crunch of snow, and soon saw a human female. She seemed to be wary of others, as she crouched behind a bush. She also seemed to be looking at something. Vexxus approached slowly, and looked where the female was focused. Soon she saw what she had been looking for...Fate, indeed! There he is....unconscious upon the snow...but...there are two other forms there as well...

Just then, the female stood and walked toward the three. Vexxus quickly moved out of the way, and kept her distance; wary that perhaps one may rise and be able to sense her presence.

She watched as the female and wolves that she summoned drug off two of the beings: one that resembled a harpy, that seemed to be partially covered in ice, and Deraj's limp corpse.

Vexxus wasn't sure if Deraj had crossed over and gained control yet, so she did not risk defending him. If he had not, he could very well wake in a violent rage that would take care of the offending female anyway. She followed at a distance to make sure he did awaken.

She took them to a cave, and managed to dissuade the wolves from gnawing on his corpse. Vexxus moved close enough to see and hear what was going on. She saw the woman place a blanket over the harpy, then move to Deraj. She pulled out a knife...What!?.... An internal rage built up in Vexxus; and she was about to attack, when she sensed a familiar magic....That's the same magic I felt while riding in the carriage...Deraj

She then heard something that greatly alleviated her fears... “Excuse me madam, I would appreciate it if you did not do what I think you had intended to do with that knife. As you can see, I’m still using this body and I don’t think you would want to eat me anyway. I’ve been dead for quite some time and my meat wouldn’t exactly be safe.” It was Deraj. She knew it. She almost laughed at his statement; but instead revealed a broad smile that no one would notice. She waited; knowing Deraj was fully capable of defending himself. She would reveal her presence in due time.

[Yua]

She would warm up quickly atleast. Begining to stirr, she began to curl up, the ice melting quickly. She coiled up stretching and begining to purr loudly. she let her tail sway about. And much like a kitten traped under a towle she rolled around hissing and kicking about. Though she was a little panicked and a little stuck.

[Willowsong]

Willowsong wondered why the man already gave off a somewhat intrusive smell. He had only been dead for less than ten minutes... it must have been something else. As she approached the corpse and wanted to cut a piece out of his arm to find in just what state his flesh was, the corpse suddenly... came alive.
As the corpse jumped up and back, so did Willowsong, nearly falling down next to the mass of furs as she gave a surprised and shock cry, dropping her improvised knife that only consisted of sharpened stone.

“Excuse me madam, I would appreciate it if you did not do what I think you had intended to do with that knife. As you can see, I’m still using this body and I don’t think you would want to eat me anyway. I’ve been dead for quite some time and my meat wouldn’t exactly be safe.”

He... he talked! Using this body?
"You're... you're a Walker...!" she whispered in shock, raising her hands defensively. She had dragged one of the Undead into her home!
"Get... get away!"

That must have been why the wolves were so uneasy... they sensed the unholy magic that had been at work here.
And not only that... Willowsong suddenly felt something else. Apart from the Walker, there was something else in the cave. And it wasn't the harpy creature which just began to move again. Willowsong had expected a feast, sharing the recently deceased flesh with her forest siblings and get something on her already protruding ribs, but now something... unholy was at work here.

Picking up her knife again, Willowsong pointed it at the Undead, her green eyes shaking with fear. As the small tower of furs next to her began to move, so did Willowsong's still numb arm as she placed the trembling limb on the furs as she slowly pulled it off, hoping that the harpy would escape or help or whatever. Just... something...

[Yua]

She continued to struggle. Though soon with a playful giggle she found her way out. Though she had been dreaming earlier. She thought she was back home. Not in a cave with strangers. She bristled immediately an became quite hostile. Not towards the undead being, but to everything around her. Yuas feathers stood strait up. Tail flicking side to side quickly causing it to make a rattling noise.

She wasn’t blood thirsty nor mad. Just a bit frightened to wake up in such a place. She felt cornered at being in the cave. Even more so since she knew if she walked outside she’d probably freeze up again.

[deraj]

"You're... you're a Walker...!"

That's one I haven't heard.

"Get... get away!"

She again picked up the crude knife and pointed it at Deraj. He could see the fear in her eyes. He didn’t blame her for being afraid. He did blame her for her intention to feast on his flesh though. If she weren’t human he might have been able to forgive even that. She moved a pile of furs to reveal the harpy. Not that thing again. It bristled and hissed.

It was then that he knew Vexxus was near. He could sense her presence but more strongly he could feel his soul. It sang out to him over the howling of the wolves.

The important thing now is for me to stay calm and hopefully calm this crazy woman. He did not know what evil he would unleash on the world if he were to actually choose to fight. He had done so much without meaning to.

It was then that the howling of the wolves changed to an uneasy whining. Deraj stepped to the side so that he could peer around the poorly dressed mad woman. A menagerie of creatures came up out of the ground. This isn't going to turn out well.

[Vexxus]

Vexxus watched as the female jumped back, dropping her knife, but quickly picking it up again. When she did so, Vexxus felt the urge to step in. I must not....if Deraj is not yet sure of his new state....

She heard the faint rattle of the harpy's tail, and then she heard the wolves' howls turn to wimpers, and Vexxus slipped outside the cave to see what was going on.

It's him... Deraj had begun to call up the dead beings that had once roamed near the cave....I may have to get farther away....until things smooth out...

But she longed to be near him, even if he did not need her assistance. From what she saw, he could handle his own quite well...

[Willowsong]

As the harpy thing also started to act a bit hostile, Willowsong stepped back more, slowly rising up again. Her bloodied feet, partially wounded because of the ice and snow, shuffled over the ground as she pressed herself against the cave wall, wondering whether to run outside and away or deeper into the cave, hoping the Walker would leave. But to no avail. The Walker kept on standing there, and now she even heard a rummaging from outside. The graves in front of her cave... creatures came out.

Willowsong raised her hands and pressed them against her head as she watched in horror as all the men that had visited her all those years ago rose from the dead. They were still partially transformed, one as a spider, or one as a wolf, but it was clear they were no longer the creatures she had laid to rest. They were minions of the Walker.

"No... no!" she cried, close to tears. "Not them! Not my friends... not them..." she begged. Suddenly, there was growling and shuffling heard from the forest around the cave and its clearing as several wolves, crows and spiders began to converge on the cave, coming to defend the witch that had created them. Unwillingly created, mostly, but the magic still bound them to her will, and subconsciously she cried for help.

Her heart racing, Willowsong looked at the Walker, retreating further into the cave.
"W-what do you want, Walker?" she pleaded.

[deraj]

He saw a trail of blood as she continued to stagger backward. Deraj felt horrible for all of this. She was terrified and hurt. She took notice of those that he had inadvertently summoned.

"No... no!" "Not them! Not my friends... not them..."

He took more notice of her “friends”. Most were simply animals but a few were some horrible aberration of nature, possessing both animal and human qualities. He felt sadness for this girl and a curiosity. That she would call these things her friends. He felt bad at first for these things, not knowing what fate they met to become so. Then he took into account that such may be their natural form. Deraj did not know what manner of beast roamed this wood. It was vast and largely still unexplored. Through his long years of wanderlust, he had never decided to explore it much himself.

He noticed that the wolves and other beasts came to the aid of the girl.

He knew that he had little control over bringing those poor souls from their rest but he knew that they would wait for the command unless threatened. Their loyalty to him though would even eclipse their natural instinct for self-preservation. He merely had to give the command. They’re dead anyway. Much unlike this girl and her woodland court, nothing much can hurt them at this point.

"W-what do you want, Walker?"

It was then that Deraj noticed that her heart was racing. He could feel it. The life flowing within her sang out to him in much the same way that his soul did. He could not help but to give a smile (The smile was inappropriate given the circumstances.) at this realization. With his mortal sense gone, some new ones, or merely some latent ones that mortals have no need for, filled that void.

The movement of the trembling girl brought him back from his reflection. With a voice that seemed to be a legion of voices he commanded the loyal dead to wait.

He knew then that he could make use of those glams and charms that he used before to feed his vanity in those early years and make him acceptable in society in the later ones. He thought that something that didn’t appear to be a decomposing corpse might put her a little bit at ease. With this in mind, he willed it to be.

Then he regained his proud grace and with a smile and courteous tone he began. “I apologize for my rudeness. I want nothing other than to leave you in peace. No harm will come to you by my hand lest you or one of your… friends startle or openly provoke me… I do not hunger or sleep, rest assured. I truly wish you no ill will. I apologize for having inconvenienced you. I had not considered that anyone might want to eat my dead body. It is something I should have anticipated. This winter is harsh and the free meal of an inanimate corpse would look appealing to anything that lived here year round.”

[Vexxus]

As Vexxus watched, all manner of forest creatures began to gather near the opening of the cave. A master of beasts...

She then saw the raised corpses pause. Deraj spoke... “I apologize for my rudeness. I want nothing other than to leave you in peace. No harm will come to you by my hand lest you or one of your… friends startle or openly provoke me… I do not hunger or sleep, rest assured. I truly wish you no ill will. I apologize for having inconvenienced you. I had not considered that anyone might want to eat my dead body. It is something I should have anticipated. This winter is harsh and the free meal of an inanimate corpse would look appealing to anything that lived here year round.”

A great weight lifted from Vexxus' shoulders...he was the same person she knew. Perhaps slightly different; but his character remained intact. She waited to hear the female's response.

[Willowsong]

This must have been a nightmare. Willowsong often had disturbing nightmares of demons and wars, but never this realistic... no, her dreams never took place in her home. Never.

The growling of the wolves coming from outside, at the edge of the graveyard in front of Willowsong's cave, was somewhat calming for Willowsong, knowing that she was not entirely alone against this... enemy.

It didn't help to solidify her demonisation of the Walker when he started to smile.

“I apologize for my rudeness. I want nothing other than to leave you in peace. No harm will come to you by my hand lest you or one of your… friends startle or openly provoke me… I do not hunger or sleep, rest assured. I truly wish you no ill will. I apologize for having inconvenienced you. I had not considered that anyone might want to eat my dead body. It is something I should have anticipated. This winter is harsh and the free meal of an inanimate corpse would look appealing to anything that lived here year round.”

The Walker was surprisingly well-spoken for an Undead...
"If... if you wish to leave me in peace..." she begun, her green eyes staring at his undead minions and her deceased friends, "Then why won't you let my friends rest? They did nothing to you! Don't trick me demon!"

She realised that her knife was useless against the Walker. He was undead, he'd just shrug the blade off. Her only defense was magic, but with the animals outside Willowsong wasn't sure she was confident enough to attack the Walker. Maybe if she kept appealing to it, it'd eventually go away.

"Leave this place... leave my friends in their graves. Then the animals won't attack you, too..."