The Hunt Begins...

[Avalon Silvasti]

Avalon smiled feeling as if she had to tell someone about her linage but she barely knew him. As they continued to walk they stumbled upon a stream. She thought to herself this is as good as spot as any to stop for a moment to explain a few things to Gilashi. She walked up to the stream and stopped abruptly and turned to Gilashi, "I know that i have probably offended you by saying i have a theory of what you are... So i shall explain my reasoning behind it." She took a few steps and let the water wash over her boots. She faced Gilashi, a soft gentle smile crept to her lips. She let her arms hang at her sides palms down. The water at her feet shimmered and spiraled around her. "Have you heard of the elemental Mystics?" She asked as the water started to snake up from the stream and danced in ribboned spirals up to her hands. She closed her eyes as the water made it way up to her wrists and formed living bracelets wound her wrists. "If your planning on helping me I shouldn't keep this from you..." She said as she raised her hand, her palm facing the sky as the water formed a hovering diamond in her hand. "I have the blood of the water Mystic's running through my veins. I can control water and make it bend to my will, i can also use water as a healing method." She smiled and cast the water back into the stream. "Not many know of my real name nor of my lineage." She stepped out of the stream and to Gilashi and stood inches from him, "i feel like i can trust you in a strange way." She said as she turned and started to follow the trail again with Lucien lumbering closely behind her. "They shouldn't be too far from here, the water felt tainted with blood..." She trailed off as she wondered if telling him was a wise decision.

[Gilashi]

Gilashi stopped to watch Avalons explanation of her true background, and he was admittedly impressed with her power. He had never heard of the Mystic's, but the continent he had in believed in several gods, each dedicated to one element. In a way, it was as if she had the blood of one of the gods flowing through her. He knew this was unlikely, but it was an easy way to compare what she had said to what he could understand. Following her, he began to ponder if it was right hiding the truth to someone who against their better judgement, told you their secret. Personally; he thought his lineage was more to be ashamed of then hers.

Gilashi sighed, and brought his hand up to his amulet lightly tracing the red jewel with a claw. "Since we're being all touchy feely and open, guess its my turn. I'm half demon. All those things ya saw back there, and this amulet, just gifts from dear old daddy..." he laughed softlt shaking his head. "My true father raped some poor young girl, my true mother, and then she left me in the road. Well, a knight from the kingdom adopted me as his own, and the rest is history." He smiled, able to leave out any details but still being able to give the truth of his heritage.

[Avalon Silvasti]

Avalon looked back at him while she pushed forwards following the trail. "My true name is Avalon Silvasti, I am the only royal heir left to the kingdom of Celestia. My parents were killed at our famous MoonTree festival, a lone drow came into the ball room offering peace with drinks to my mother and father..." She looked away from him. "My mother and father took the drinks offered as a peace offering and took a drink. Moments later they were dead and the drow was nowhere to be seen. Only hours later my kingdom fell, the Asgoth invaded Celestia, I managed to escape with Iori. We searched around and found no trace of my sister Kasandra. Rumor has it that she is now a general in the ranks of the Asgoth..." She laughed, "My sister was always easily corrupted." She looked over at Lucien whom was growling lowly and looked as if he was ready to attack something in front of them. "Gilashi what do you think has Lucien all worked up?"

[Gilashi]

Gilashi listened intently to her story, nodding at certain parts. He let out a chuckle at the mention of her sister. "The hearts and minds of mortals are easily bought." He continued along the path and only noticed the growling of the mutt dubbed "Lucien" after Avalon pointed it out. Perking his ears and closing his eyes, Gilashi heard a few heartbeats, and muttering that seemed nonsensical. Suddenly a chill crept through him, and he opened his eyes.

"I think we have found the creator of these beasts. There is a strong darkness nearby, and I hear several heartbeats. There is only one resembling human, but it sounds as if he has plenty of his creations protecting him. It is time to get some answers, and your friend Iori back. Are you prepared? This will more than likely be rather dangerous, we do not know what else the sorcerer can do." He lifted his sword out, examining the blade with a flaw and glanced over at "Lucien." "You may have to fight too mongrel. And if you remain loyal you may become mortal once more."

[Avalon Silvasti]

Avalon stiffed where she stood as her hands slipped to the hilts of her trusted blades. She stood glued to the spot as three creatures like Lucien emerged from the shadows shielding two humans. The man behind the creatures spoke as he walked in front of the creatures, "Ah one of my lost pets found it's way back to me." This man was dressed in back from head to toe including black robes. He gestured to Lucien as Lucien growled and faltered backwards to stand with Avalon showing the man that his loyalty stood with Avalon now. The man threw back his hood to show his eyes, the iris's were pure white and the pupils held black pentagrams in them, his hair was jet back and down to the middle of his back. He waved his hand and the other human stepped forward as if it had no will of it's own. Avalon froze where she stood and she held her breath as the man stepped forward, hood drawn up and took his place next to the sorcerer. Avalon recognized the way that man was dressed and gasped in horror as his hood came down. Before her stood Iori, his chocolate crown eyes were no longer the color she knew they were black. He was completly the sorcerer's puppet. Tears of rage slid down Avalon's face as she pulled her swords free and charged at the sorcerer, "YOU BASTARD!" She screamed as she moved to strike him down where he stood. The Sorcerer didn't move to avoid her attack, he simply raised his hand. As his hand came into position, palm facing Avalon, Avalon stopped dead in her tracks and was lifted from the ground choking. Her swords slipped from her hands as the sorcerer smiled cutting off her breathing. Lucien howled with rage and charged at the Sorcerer. The Sorcerer turned his head to Lucien and laughed raising his other hand, blasting Lucien with invisible energy sending him flying backwards, as he flew backwards Iori followed Lucien with his sword drawn.

[Gilashi]

Gilashi let out a beastial growl, the horrific sound echoing through the trees as he vanished from his spot beside Avalon in a single instant. He now stood crouching behind the sorcerer's back, sheathing a bloody blade. Within seconds; the sorcerers right arm simply fell dead to the ground as blood began to pulse and pour...directly into Gilashi's amulet. He vanished again, now standing in a tree, watching as the hold over Avalon was broken, having cut off the arm mystically holding her. He smirked outstretchint his arms in a rather thingyy gesture.

"So, your the freak that's been playing with the dead. Cant say I approve, messing with the deceased. You see, that puppet..." he outstretched a long clawed finger towards Iori's possessed body and then jerked a thumb back to Avalon, "is this woman's friend. And we don't appreciate that kind of foolishness around here. So, why don't you let him go, and we'll see who's magic is more powerful hmmm?"

[Avalon Silvasti]

Avalon hit the ground on her knees gasping for air. Catching it quickly she dove after her twin swords and sheathed her left handed one. She broke into a full run after Iori. She caught up to him rather quickly. "Iori! Stop this at once. I demand it!" Iori paid no attention to her other than turning swiftly and swinging his sword at her. Moving quickly Avalon brought her sword up to block the downward blow. She broke back from him and spun behind him making eye contact with Lucien, "Don't kill him." She pleaded as Lucien raised his claws to strike Iori . Avalon made the mistake turning her back to Iori who took full advantage of it and grabbed her hand with her sword and wrenched the sword from her hand, it clattered to the forest floor. Iori used his free hand to sheath his sword and pull out a dagger. He wrapped his hand around Avalon's throat and the dagger at her side pulling her backwards, guiding her to stand at the side of the sorcerer. His hand around her throat felt like a cold vice grip. She struggled as the sorcerer approached Avalon, the creatures protecting him made sure that Lucien and Gilashi could not advance. The sorcerer bent in close to look into Avalon's ice blue eyes, "Mystic and Demon walking along side each other." He turned to Gilashi and smiled, "Yes i know who you are, the senseless mindless violence and death you caused help me perfect my little friends, and you my little Water Mystic... You have an entire army searching for you and that blood that's running in your veins. Your sister gave into the temptation and her Fire Mystic powers now help the Asgoth army that hunts you so vigorously. They say that your the only one that is left to bleed to awaken the slumbering beast in the fiery mountain." He ran a finger down her chin, she tried to moved away but she stiffened under his touch and her eyes slid closed. A few seconds later her eyes opened, the color had changed from the ice blue they were to jet black. As Iori let her go she moved as if she were not controlling her own body. Emotionless she drew her swords and started to walk with an eerie calm towards Gilashi. Lucien looked back and forth between Avalon and Gilashi and gave a pained cry as he realized what the sorcerer had done to Avalon. Lucien rushed after one of the creatures that were planning on attacking Gilashi from behind. The sorcerer laughed as Avalon moved as his puppet, "Lets see who's powers are stronger, one of a Demon or one of the Ancient Mystic's." Avalon moved with deadly accuracy and lightening fast speed. She was no more than 5 feet from Gilashi and raised her swords to attack him.

[Gilashi]

Gilashi let out a low growl as the sorcerer called out upon his heritage. His eyes glazed over with fire as he struggled to maintain the anger within him, his only weakness and most powerful strength. He knew he had to keep his calm though, or all would die here today, and he could not let his soul bear that. He watched Iori take Avalon with wide eyes, starting forward. "Avalon!" he stopped before he came closer, seeing the change of color in her eyes. He ignored the sorcerers taunting as Avalon charged him, barely able to duck out of the way. He found himself behind her, grabbing her wrists in one swift movement, placing his foot against her back. He closed his eyes and sighed. "Forgive me for this Avalon..." With a quick movement, Gilashi managed to dislocate both of Avalons arms. Turning to Lucien growling. "Watch her and make sure she doesn't hurt herself or us." Lucien seemed to understand and Gilashi closed his eyes, letting himself let go.

As Gilashi took a step forward, the grass below his steps turned black and charred. He slowly began to close the length between himself and the sorcerer. Opening his eyes, hellfire and blood rain stormed in his irises. He threw his sword into a tree; instead unclenching his fists revealing razor sharp claws. A few creatures ran forward to stop him, and without faltering in his slow walk, he reached a hand through both of them, tearing out their hearts and crushing them in his hands, letting the bloodshed fuel him and make him only more powerful. Each beast that came forward suffered the same fate, leaving a path of discarded shrivelled bodies drained of every drop of life. Finally, he came to Iori...

Iori struck at Gilashi, but missed as Gilashi appeared behind him. Gently pressing his lips to the dead man's ear, he let out a soft whisper. Iori's eyes opened wide, as they returned back to how they were when he was with the living, and he collapsed to the ground. Finally, nothing stood between Gilashi and the nercomancer. It seemed the man was about to speak, but still in his full demonic fury, Gilashi rushed forward, his hand clutching the sorcerers throat leaving raw burn marks and gashes from his claws sinking into tender flesh. "There is something you should know mortal...I can take blood from the living as well." Gilashi smiled revealing a horrible set of razor teeth, preparing to finish the business.

[Avalon Silvasti]

Avalon collapsed to her knees as he dislocated her arms showing no sign of pain. She stayed on her knees in front of Lucien. Her eyes black as night. She had no will or self control other than what the sorcerer told her in her thoughts. Avalon's conscience felt like it was in a deep sleep. She felt like she was sinking deeper into an ocean with no way of being able to make her thoughts bring her up. She felt alone in the darkness the Sorcerer encased her mind in. He created a world in her mind that she knew nothing about but felt so familiar. She knew nothing of what her body was actually doing only what the sorcerer had created in her mind. The world that he had trapped her conscience was so familiar, she found herself in a room, her room in her parents castle. She pulled open the door and found her self greeted by the ball room full of the town's people of Celestia, she knew that it couldn't have been possible for her room to be connected to the ball room, for her to get to the ball room from her room she would have had to walk the hall past her sister's room and down the marble stair case and through the hall to get to the ball room. As she looked down she was in the dress she wore to the Moon Tree festival, panic crossed her mind as she pushed through the crowd to find Iori at his rightful place standing on the right of her father who was sitting on the thrown with her mother. He was dressed in his Royal Guard uniform, he smiled as he laid eyes on Avalon and stepped away from her mother and father. He took her hand and pulled her into a slow dance. She watched in horror as the hooded figure that killed her parents made his way through the crowd, the Drow that offered the drinks of peace that killed her mother and father. Her memories played out in front of her and she had no way of stopping them, but they altered in a flash, the drow stopped and turned to face her instead of taking the drinks from a waiter, poisoning them and giving them to her parents. Iori spun her and she lost sight of the drow. Her memories were not like this they were being toyed with and altered. When she turned to face Iori he had his head down and his Royal Guard hood up. She heart faltered as he looked up at her, he was no longer Iori but the drow that killed her parents. His violet colored eyes bored into her and his long white hair hung loosely in a pony tail. She screamed and tried to pull away but she couldn't manage to get free. The drow locked eyes with her for a few moments and she broke eyes contact and looked around. She was no longer in the ballroom, she was in the eastern court yard, the one she used for her escape. The drow smiled and released her taking a few steps back. She looked around to find Iori shackled at the feet of a Asgoth general, her sister laying face down on the ground in front of another, her raven colored hair over her face, Avalon couldn't tell if she was alive or dead. As she looked around all the people that she cared about were scattered, dead around the court yard. She screamed and went to her knees. The drow smiled wickedly at her, pointing to her parents that were brutally beaten and dead only ten feet from her, "Your turn," He whispered to her as he walked up to her roughly grabbing a handful of her hair and dragging her to the river that cut through the court yard. He laughed wickedly as he drug her along the ground. He stopped at the edge of the river and slammed her head into the water. Avalon struggled against him but to no avail, she could not break free. The world around her started to lose color, blur and darken. She knew that she was losing the fight to keep her body as her own and prayed that before she died in the waters of her mind that Gilashi and Lucien would save her.

[Gilashi]

The kill was over quickly. It was returning from the brink of madness that was difficult. The necromancer had tried to give Gilashi some kind of begging plea, and offer of anything he desired. Mortals. They were all the same. Dying without honor, begging and crying like the sniveling of a child. Gilashi had ripped his throat out and drank deep of the evil blood; and the rest entered his amulet. Dropping something that resembled a skeleton wrapped in parchment wrapped in a robe. Gilashi turning and looked at the broken elf girl, and the wolf creature. He could smell the blood coursing through their veins, rich and hot. He stopped in his tracks clutching his head, as two voices immediately entered his mind. He winced in pain, the voices coming in sharp and clear.

"This isnt't you my love. Come back to your senses. You have to help that woman."

"Father, I forgive you. Please forgive me. Come back to your senses. This monster isn't you."


Gilashi took in a sharp gasp of breath, realizing he had fallen to his knees. He quickly got up, his demonic powers receding, and stood quickly. He couldn't believe it, the voices...how was it possible? Seeing Avalon he remembered her still under the sorcerers control. He rushed to her, falling to his knees and popping her shoulders back onto place. He brushed her hair back from her forehead looking into her eyes still black. She was gone, beyond this realm, stuck in a nightmare world that could only be broken by the power that created it. Gilashi nodded, the necromancers blood, and power, now within him. He placed his lips to her ear whispering softly.



"I command you to awaken from your sleep of nightmares, I cast you out of your prison of false memories."

Gilashi held Avalons body in his arms, silent, solemn, only praying he wasn't too late.

[Avalon Silvasti]

Avalon struggled against the drow that held her head under the water. She knew that she couldn't last much longer with out oxygen. Her lungs felt like they were on fire and about to explode. Her body wasn't responding as fast as she was used to, she felt weighted down. She couldn't hold on much longer, she had to find a way to breathe. Water was seeping into her lungs as she attempted to scream underwater for help. The darkness crept closer and closer to her as she was yanked gently out of the water to the words spoken softly by Gilashi. She fell back into the bank of the river, the lack of oxygen taking it's toll. She couldn't move, slowly her eyes closed and she fell into a slumber.

Avalon blinked and gasped in shock as Gilashi held her. Her eyes were no longer black, they were her natural ice blue color. She gasped and choked as if she was held underwater in her physical form. She clutched Gilashi, burying her face in his chest, she wrapped her arms around him and calmed her breathing. "Th- thank you..." She looked up at him "i was so scared i was going to die."

[Gilashi]

Gilashi nodded, soothingly petting Avalons hair, immensely relieved she was okay. He stayed on the ground with her, helping her calm herself and regain composure. He wipers trace of blood from his lips and spit out a piece of flesh from his teeth. He laughed slight and smiled. "I'm glad ya didn't knife-ear." he said returning to the name he had first rather derivatively called her. He smiled a genuine smile, one full of happiness and warmth, a feeling he found strange that had long since been forgotten. "Though I find my tactics a bit grisly, I still manage to save the 'damsel in distress.'" he laughed slightly teasing her.

He stood up, gingerly helping Avalon to her feet, looking at the mess before him. He was responsible for all these deaths...just another massacre in the name of Gilashi. He sighed sullenly, shaking his head. When fate kept bringing you to slaughter, what hope was therefor redemption? He took quick strides to the body of Iori, and brought him back to the tree where Avalon now stood. He nodded silently, making a strange sign using his fingers on his forehead. "Back in my land," Gilashi absentmindedly began, "we believed all Elf Kind came directly from the God of Light, Sotharn. When you reached the age of maturity, you could choose the god you decided to worship, and that is the form of burial you would get. Though any who were not marked in their gods name would receive a burial in the name of their creator god. I was simply blessing him in the name of Sotharn; before you give him his burial. I hope you don't mind." Gilashi's cheeks flushed red slightly as he realized he'd been ranting on.

Hearing a whine, Gilashi turned to Lucien. He had almost completely forgotten he was there. Walking to the beast-no, the man- he gave a slight bow. "You did well...it is time you went home to your love..." Gilashi hid the tears in his eyes from both of the companions, as he lifted his amulet from his chest, until the jewel was eye level with Lucien's eyes. "She will be waiting for you..." As Lucien stared into the reflection in the amulet, he noticed it was himself in human form. With a blinding flash of light, the smell of burning flesh and fur filled the air. The spot where Lucien stood was now a glowing white-hot beacon of light. The momentary brilliance subsided; and a man now stood in Lucien's place, and in the amulet the wolf spirit. Another damned soul trapped, but for once, a pure soul was freed.

[Avalon Silvasti]

Avalon steadied herself against the tree. She leaned back against it watching Gilashi. She turned to the man that stood before her that was once Lucien. The man spoke. "Thank you both for helping me, I was so lost in that form." He turned to Avalon and smiled, "Avalon my name is Zeke but i do like the name Lucien. My child should be born now, i've been trapped in this from for months, if i am blessed with a boy i shall name him Lucien." He smiled warmly. "If you two should ever need anything you may call upon me and i shall help you in what ever you need." He turned and waved as he started walking towards the village.

Avalon still felt weak from the possession the sorcerer had on her. Her knees slightly trembled under her. "Gilashi, what will you do now?" She asked him as she peered at him with her luminous blue eyes. She shook off the weak queasy feeling and walked over to him. She bent down and whispered a prayer to Iori and stood. When she stood she faltered a bit rising too quickly and almost falling to her knees. She turned to Gilashi and smiled then her eyes dropped to his amulet, with her index finger extended she moved to place a finger on it. "I'm a free lance hunter now and i liked the companion ship that you gave me during this." She smiled as she looked into his eyes. "I'll split the profits with you." She tried to sweeten the deal.

A sharp cry echoed nearby, it was a falcon. It circled above them for a few loops and started a decent. Avalon with out thought extended her arm to give the beautiful bird a place to land. When it landed it seemed to be unnerved at the parchment tied to its leg. She reached over with her free hand and untied the parchment. "Why so unnerved Draco?" She asked as she reached in her bag and gave him a treat. Draco ate the treat and took flight. She took the parchment and started to read it. She let out a deep breath and ran a hand through her hair. "Well looks like i have another job. Apparently a few towns away they are having people mysteriously disappearing without a trace." She gave him a side long look and smirked, "Want to come with or do you think your up for this line of work?"

[Gilashi]

Gilashi stared after the man who was walking away. A strange smile spread across his face, one he had not felt since his youth as a knight. He had helped a fellow soul, for the better. This made his heart glow with a warmth that had long since abandoned it. He laughed shaking his head, thinking 'I shall live to see his son grow to be a man; and still be seeking my redemption. Perhaps I shall visit the village, some day.'

Gilashi turned as Avalon addressed him; sighing as he pulled his sword from the tree he had thrown it into. "I am not sure. I could continue on to the village, but after Lucien-no, Zeke- has seen me for what I am and what I can do, and through no fault of his own, may let slip my true heritage. Besides, I do not think I shall find what I seek there." He had to resist taking a step back as Avalon touched his amulet, surprised she did not lose either her blood or her soul. Perhaps the amulet had its hunger slated, or perhaps the elf was more powerful than he gave her credit for. He gently grabbed her hand, moving it away from him smiling gently. "I have no need for money, thank you...but companionship is one thing I've lacked for very long; and thought myself unfit to keep. I shall continue on with you, at least until I find what I seek."

Seeing the bird both land and fly away, Gilashi crossed his arms smirking. "No rest for the wicked I see. Alright then, let us be off."

[Avalon Silvasti]

Avalon playfully laughed as she started walking towards the village that was over the ridge, she turned back to look at Gilashi, "The village that is over the ridge told me that if i ever needed horses that i can get some at the stables there." She smiled and continued to walk. "It'll be about a two day journey to get to the town that sent me this message. I think that traveling by horse back will be more comfortable than hiking it." She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun for a moment as she measured out the time. "Almost night fall..." She said almost to herself. "We may have to find a place to camp over night tonight, i don't know if we can push ourselves to the village to get the horses tonight after what we've been through." She looked over at Gilashi waiting to see what his thoughts were on resting for the night.