Demon

[thedookienut]

It was odd enough running through a place that no longer exsisted, but being chased by a large cloaked being with razor sharp teeth was another thing. Samuel watched the dream in thrid person, seeing himself dash about foolishly across narrow streets, cobbled roads, and winding lanes, sprinting between houses until he reached a sudden edge. Before he could stop himself, he fell, dropping into the black abysis that had suddenly appeared at the edge of his home.

He twinged awake, his whole body felt like he'd fallen from a cliff but it appeared he was still in the same cave as before.

[Silvarn]

He took a few more, shaky breaths, then rubbed the sweat off his brow. He ignored Raine for a long while, before finally giving her a lethal, baleful glare, his ancient grey eyes fairly driving the daggers through her, then turned back into his hand. He thought to apologize for that uncalled for expression, but he stormed off instead, simply shrugging through the barrier.

Once outside, he gripped his arms with the opposite hands, curling a little over himself.

He was supposed to be strong.

He was supposed to not care anymore.

He was supposed to, but he cried silently, anyway.

Suddenly, his head was knocked back as some invisible hand held it there.

Since you have been such a good boy, Grey-Eyes, I will let you in on a little secret. a seductive voice whispered into his mind.

Get your vile presence out of here! Scorcahr screeched, sending bolts of topaz thunder through Silvarn's brain.

The presence knocked them aside, then silenced Scorcahr in a mental flash of blue, leaving Silvarn vulnerable.

Those demonic relations of your friend have long been searching for an edge against the witches. I gave them that edge. You remember my other pupil -- Echoes of Darkness Reach? the voice cackled wickedly, then ebbed away.

"Echoes." Silvarn breathed, then sat hard outside the entrance, the emotions overwhelming him. His mask of apathy began cracking, threatening to shatter. But he had let that happen too many times in the past -- once was too many.

"Scorcahr?" he asked the night.

I am here...barely. the demon groaned.

"What do you advise I do?"

I do not know. We should continue to protect Raine. If the Twisted Mirror has given the demons an assistant, then we should side with the Lockners. And, we already side with them, since we have killed off more than our fair share of the Risks.

"Should we crawl back to him? If he has enough power to invade my mind -- "

Quiet, you! the demon snarled, We are doing no such thing! He had only the power to broadcast messages to you. It is the brand he placed on your soul. Listen carefully to me, Grey-Eyes, we are going to keep Raine safe and deliver her to the Lockners and explain the situation to them. Then, we are going to hunt down the Risks and slaughter them, Echoes, and, hopefully, the Twisted Mirror as well.

"Scorcahr, I cannot raise a hand against him."

Be that as it may, we have the Lockners to assist us, and Samuel, and...

"...Raine. If we time this right..."

...we can have the showdown with the Twisted Mirror on her birthday...

"...when she is supposed to receive all that power. The only glaring problem with that plan is that the Twisted Mirror may attempt to convert her with his promises of power."

We may just have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Until then, the Lockners are our safest option.

[laraine]

Raine blinked in surprise at his murderous glance at her before he ran off into the night. She frowned, rolling her eyes slightly at his moody attitude.

"Ever the male, afraid to show his emotions." she muttered. Sighing she leaned against the wall of rock, hiding her face in the shadows.

"Idiot, he's still wounded and left the protection of the barrier. Does he want to die so quickly?" She was mad at him for being so reckless. But she couldn't stop him for being himself.

When he returns I will give him a stern talking to. She nodded, then took a step and felt all of her defenses crumble.

"What.." was all she could whisper before she felt the heaviness on her body. She fell to the ground, trying to understand what was happening to her, but as she tried to put the pieces together, her world faded into nothingness.

[thedookienut]

Samuel waited until his senses fully awoke before noticing Silvarn leave and Raine drop to the ground. He swallowed hard, trying to understand and work out if they'd been attacked. Nothing was moving in the cave, besides him, and there didn't seem to be anybody. So carefully and quietly, he rose to his feet, feeling his knees buckle a little. He steadied himself and headed over to Raine, not too sure what to do.

"Raine...? Hello?" He whispered, shaking her lightly.

[Silvarn]

Hearing a voice he had not heard in a while, Silvarn rounded on the entrance of the cave, though his eyes beheld only blackness. First, he thought the presence had invaded something else besides his mind. But, then, his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, having been exposed to the moon's light for so long. He finally realized the voice belonged to the now-awake Samuel, who was kneeling next to Raine, who had, it appeared, fallen back to sleep.

He let his muscles relax, regaining his aloof stance. He looked at the two of them, wondering if something would ever happen between them. He doubted it, nor did he really care. In fact, he was surprised at himself for considering the possibility in the first place.

He took a step to the side, removing himself from view from within the cave, removing himself from earshot, should Samuel continue to whisper. He would maintain a vigil here and keep watch for the rest of the night. There would be no sleep tonight.

[laraine]

Raine slowly opened her eyes and pulled herself to a sitting position. She looked to her side and saw a worried Samuel. She smiled gently, "Don't worry Samuel, I'm okay. Don't worry I guess I was just tired, I didn't mean to pass out like that." She looked at him. "Are you okay Samuel? I was worried after what you have been through."

Inside, Raine was worried, about everything, but especially about her collapse. She didn't want to worry Samuel, but that small spell was no small deal. Her body was still feeling the aftereffects of the spell cast on her. They were getting bolder, the Risks wanted her dead at all costs and wouldn't be satisfied until Raine was exterminated. What she saw while she was passed out proved it. Behind her back she gripped her hand together so tight that the nails dug into her skin. "As for that Silvarn, he'd better come back soon otherwise I will be forced to make myself a target to go look for him." She sighed. "That idiot does know how to worry me, especially with his wound. I'm sure he can take care of himself and all that, but the guy isnt immortal. Hmph." She internally cursed men and their pride. She turned her attention back to Samuel. "Samuel, I'm so sorry this had to happen to you, if you plan to leave I understand. My fight is very dangerous and if possible you could get away if you really wanted." She was giving Samuel a way out. She didn't want anyone else have to suffer because of her.

[thedookienut]

"I'm fine. Nothing more than a headache and a few bruises." Samuel replied, standing up. At least Raine was okay. And Silvarn seemed alright. He'd breifly heard what they'd been talking about when he roused from his unconciousness. He wasn't too sure what the largest threat was; the Risks and Lockners, or the strange being Silvarn had spoke about. But either way, it still wasn't going to get him to leave.

"I'm not surprised that it's going to be dangerous. Most things in life are but I'm not leaving unless I have to. Back when the Risks first attacked us, I swore to protect you, remember? I'm not leaving until I've furfilled that." He said firmly. He wasn't exactly the most stubborn person but he could be when he wanted to.

[Silvarn]

He had not counted on Laraine raising her voice, 'He'd better come back soon...'

He sighed, letting his eyes close and his breathing deepen. He fooled himself into thinking the long, slow breaths would actually cure his stress, clear his head, give him better control of his mind. In truth, he wanted a quick glimpse at oblivion.

'But the guy isn't immortal.'

He sighed again. "One day, Raine," he told the moon, "you will be eating those words." he rose, his grave mood enshrouding him like an extra robe.

Silvarn, we need to leave them. Scorcahr's normally reedy voice had become serious.

"Why?" was his host's clipped response.

The Twisted Mirror was able to track us here. Albeit it was only in a dream, but he can still find our location. And if he sends Echoes of Darkness Reach after us --

"I can deal with him. You remember Echoes was incapable of wielding the Twilight when we both served the Twisted Mirror, which is why I was his favorite pupil."

But, do you know if he still has that limitation? What is to say he has not learned to use the Twilight since the Twisted Mirror was vanquished? And, how long has he been back in power? It could be years, Grey-Eyes. Echoes could have learned by now.

"No, we are sticking to the plan. The Lockners will side with us, even if they need a little coercing. That should give us enough power to take on Echoes and the demons."

If you say so, Grey-Eyes.

Silvarn took one last steadying breath, then reentered the cave. Although he did not look at the two of them, his face was certainly not hostile. "You two should get back to sleep. We leave at the dawn. Raine, you need your strength to keep the barrier up. Samuel, you nearly died today. I will keep watch for the rest of the night -- I doubt I could go back to sleep again, even if I wanted to."

With that, he leaned up against the cave mouth, an inch from the barrier, keeping his cold, dead grey eyes fixed on the black horizon.

[laraine]

(OOC: Sorry for my absence, finals, friends, work, everything kept me at bay and a random dose of writers block)

Raine blinked as Silvarn entered. She sighed in relief but felt a little hurt by his constant attitude towards her. He seemed to want to keep her at arms length no matter what. She expected this, but she didn't realize it would hurt like this. She smiled at him as he told her to sleep and she nodded, lying down.

"Night then boys." As she closed her eyes, she tried to remember a time she felt safe, where she felt loved and wanted. It was getting harder to live lately without the warmth of Danny and her mother. But she would still try no matter what, because of her promise.

The world around her faded black and she frowned. She was deep within her dreams but it felt as if she was far away from her body.

"W-what's going on?" She whispered inside her dreams.

You are trapped Laraine

"Who's there?!"

You cannot run from us Laraine. We know everything about you, even things you do not know yourself.

"What are you talking about?"

See for yourself.

The area around Raine lit up with a bright light. She closed her eyes tightly, then reopened them when the light dimmed.

What she saw made her scream.

"No..." She stumbled back, tripping over a rock and landing hard on her back. The scene before her was one of blood and destruction.

The earth was scorched and burned forming a crater around a figure with pink hair and red eyes. Raine knew it was her because of what she wore and her face. Her face was identical to Raine's. Only the expression was different. The Raine before her held a satisfied grin, drops of blood sparkling her face. But what tore apart Raine's soul was the bodies of Samuel and Silvarn before her.

"No! I would never!" She screamed, clutching her head in her hands.

But you will. You cannot change your destiny Laraine Lockner Risk.

"Who are you?! Show yourself!"

You will know me in good time Laraine. For I am someone you cannot fight.

"I will never hurt them. I'd rather die myself."

Strong words, but you shiver as you say those words. Can you actually say you will?

"If not, Silvarn will kill me I'm sure." Raine smirked slightly.

You think he can?

"Don't think too lightly of him, he's strong. He knows what he has to do, he has no emotions for me rather than someone he is traveling with. He won't have a problem."

You sound bitter

"Just shut up!!!"

Raine awoke with a start, she blinked as the sun shone into her eyes. It was finally morning. Time to leave. She stood up and avoided eye contact with Silvarn and Samuel, trying to forget the dream.

But her heart was still pounding furiously. %Pr

[thedookienut]

Samuel walked over towards Silvarn, letting Raine sleep. He looked over at the mage, giving him a smile. "Thanks. For helping me, at the Inn. And thanks for helping us both, whether you mean well or not." He whispered, keeping his voice low so he didn't wake Laraine.

[Silvarn]

The grey mage listened to Samuel's words, turning to look at him when the other man had finished. Though his expression was grave, it held no severity, no hostility. He simply looked at Samuel.

"You should get some sleep." the mage replied. Though his voice was monotone, it held no contempt.

You are getting soft, Grey-Eyes. Scorcahr warned, after Samuel had left them.

"I know." the mage admitted, "And I know it will be their undoing."

Hypothetical situation: The Twisted Mirror captures one or both of them and uses them as leverage to force you into his servitude once again.

"Simple: kill them myself. I will cause more than two deaths if I were to serve him again; and, I will kill them swiftly, so that the Twisted Mirror may not kill them over decades."

Good answer.

Silvarn maintained his vigil, watching as the dawn stabbed at his eyes with its sudden brilliance. He glared at the sun in defiance, knowing if Khul'Yddis had his way, there would never be another morning, and ever be mourning.

Raine screamed three words into the cave, catching Silvarn off-guard, though he would never let it show. He simply ignored it had happened and busied himself getting the supplies together. The isolation from Raine seemed almost to radiate from her. Silvarn studied her harder for it, noting the way she quickly turned her head when she noticed he was staring at her, how hastily she stowed the gear, how little she spoke.

Perhaps it is that certain time? Scorcahr jibed.

Silvarn ignored this comment, but gave Raine her distance, anyway. All for the better -- he should have started distancing himself from both of them much earlier.

[laraine]

Raine noticed the odd look Silvarn gave her before she turned away from him. She packed everything up and walked towards the opening of the cave waiting for Samuel to awaken so they could be on their way. The sun rose in a swirl of red and orange light and Raine couldn't help but wonder that it was a omen of what was to come.

I can't tell them...

Her fists clenched.

I can't tell them that horrible dream. What was it anyways? Who was speaking to me? It felt like me, but also not me..

Leaning against the granite wall, she looked back at the two companions she had come to know on their travels. She smiled softly, gently at them and then quickly looked back out to the rising sun.

I wish I could have a normal life, friends, but that was forfeit the day I was born. I just have to deal with it. Like Danny taught me. To never lose my soul.

She felt warm inside and out, thinking of Danny, the one who saved her from herself.

Then her thoughts turned to what she would face at the Lockners village. She swallowed and tried to contain her fear. She was terrified of them and what they would do to her. She gripped one arm with her other hand, clenching it tightly to suppress those fears. She didn't have any time left for fear or sadness.

"Time to face them.." She whispered softly to herself. "I won't let the fear control me..." Yet she still was shaking. She took a step outside as soon as Samuel awoke and was ready, instantly breaking the barrier she built for them.

She turned to them with a smile. "Ready guys? Well then lets go!" She turned and started to walk out before they could see the fear in her eyes.

[thedookienut]

Samuel yawned and followed the two outside, taking a good look at the landscape. Considering the distance they'd travelled over the past week, he could still see Lonea Lake. The vast silver-green resivior that had supplied his town with water. He sighed some and began to walk down from the cave, climbing over rocks with new found energy.

It had been the most sleep he'd had in ages and he was glad he'd received it.

He turned back to his companions, giving each a pleasant smile.

[Silvarn]

Though void of emotions himself, Silvarn had so gained the ability to see through the facades of those around him. He saw right through Raine's smile, noticing how the smile did not reach her eyes. Something troubled her, and deeply at that. He watched her a long while after she passed him, the cogs of his mind spinning madly, churning out the possibilities. He could very well send Scorcahr to infiltrate --

Not today, Grey-Eyes. the demon interjected. She seems rather on-edge. I would hate to set her off prematurely.

Samuel, on the other hand, seemed in genuine good spirits. Which struck the grey mage as odd, considering his fitful slumber the night before.

Both of his traveling companions acted odd this morning, he conjectured. He brought up the rear of the group, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on them, while staying his distance as well. He was long overdue to begin isolating himself from them. In fact, he should not have in the first place.

Thin wisps of grey mist coiled about the hem of his cloak, betraying the collection of Twilight concentrated around the mage. He would not be caught off his guard. Not this time.

[laraine]

Raine noticed silvarn trailing behind them, the air of isolation surrounded him heavily. She sighed, letting him be for the first few hours of their journey. But as the sun started its journey downward, she couldn't take his silence any longer. She faced him and raised an eyebrow. "I know what you're doing Silvarn. Being mister gloomy won't help matters trust me. You are seriously much like my father..." Raine clenched a fist at her side. "Though he was the master of doom and gloom. It hurt just to look at him. I haven't even seen you smile once. Is life really that unpleasant? Ah well. Sorry if that upset you in any way. But I suppose I just don't want you to end up like dear old dad." Bitterness etched through her voice. "Though if you really don't want to be around me that badly I could do us all a favor and end my own life." She stared t him, then turned around with a smirk. "Just kidding!! I can't die, not yet anyways. I got things to do after all."
" We all have things to do. I just wish you'd trust me more. If you stay distant we could be easily manipulated by those jerks to fight each other. And I'd really like to live to see my birthday. How about you?"

Raine's thoughts drifted back to her dream and turned away from Silvarn. She did want to be friends with him. But his attitude of keeping a distance reminded her of her father. And she knew how well that turned out.
Visions of fire and death swam in her head. Also as they got closer to the Lockner village, Raine felt even more naked, defenceless.
Neither boys knew what the lockner clan was truely capable of. Only Raine knew them all too well. She could only pray that Silvarn had a plan. And that it would work, otherwise she was dead.