Demon

[thedookienut]

After a while, Samuel gave a small sigh, sitting down and resting his head on his hands. Soon he too drifted back to sleep, mainly out of boredom, delving into a dreamless sleep. He slept where he sat, not moving much as he slept.

He woke soon after Raine awoke, shouting and greeting them loudly. He stirred, falling backwards and laying on the ground, rolling his shoulders to ease the pain in his back. He laid quietly, trying to wake up properly.

"Mornin'" He murmered, waving in greeting. "Food would be good..."

[Silvarn]

Silvarn was no where to be found. He had intimidated the keeper of the Lockner Tomes and had remained awake the whole night through, reading them by moonlight. When the dawn finally came, he rubbed at his suddenly tired eyes and closed the grimoire with a sigh. Nothing new, nothing he did not already know. He glared at the three he had already completed, hoping that something would interest him in any of the next eight. If not, then all his work, all his bartering would be for naught. He gathered up the grimoires, stealing back into the makeshift library and put them back where he had found them, as per the request of the bookkeeper.

He watched the sun rise with anxiety, the village slowly coming to life, preparations being made. Soon, the village would empty and the Lockners would make war on the Risks, and he would fight Echoes of Darkness Reach and their vile master.

The day was coming.

[laraine]

Raine smiled and stood up, then remembered that going into the village probably wasn't the best idea. She clenched a fist and sighed, sitting back down onto the dirt and grass ridden field. "Ah well, I have bread and cheese." She pulled forth a small amount of bread and cheese and started to eat her breakfast, then realized that Silvan was no where in sight. She blinked and looked at Samuel. "I wonder where Mister Gloomy went." She smirked at the nickname she gave him and finished her meal, thinking about what happened last night, and what was going to happen today.

She clenched her hands again and stared into the water. He eyes widened slightly as her heart began to pound hard.

What the?

Hello Laraine

Wha-oh its you again...

Tsk tsk Laraine, You really should be more polite to me.

I dont see why, because of you I now believe I am certifiable.

You are far from crazy my dear, however, today that might change.

You are so cryptic, why can't you just say it?

You really must ask another. Oh I see one has shown his face.

Raine turned as a figure landed between her and Samuel, long pink hair tied in a pony tail and mischievous red eyes met her purple ones.

"Rusty!" Raine yelled, then eyes widened in surprise as he threw something her way. It looked like a dart.

She quickly dodged, the dart plunged into a opening through her hair.

"That was close." She whispered and faced off against Rusty, her anger bubbling from within. Reaching to her belt, she pulled her wand free, the crystal structure morphing into the crystal sword she knew all too well.

Rusty smirked at Raine and the shocked Samuel. He held out his hand and in a flash of red, his own sword appeared. He flew towards her, his sword slashing to and fro to cut her up.

She blocked each attack, finding it frustrating she couldnt attack him.

"You still plan to kill me Laraine?" He voice sounded almost amused.

"You bet I do." She hissed and both swords slammed against each other. Raine felt a sting on her neck.
She was too busy to whack at the random bug who decided to bite her during a battle.

Close, but not quite my dear.

What?

Raine took a chance and reached behind her, eyes widening at the Rusty before her.

Rusty smirked and vanished before her eyes. Raine pulled a dart from her neck and turned to see the real Rusty emerging from the bushes a few feet away.

He laughed. "Had you going didnt I?"

Raine growled and then blinked, looking down at her arms, which released the sword and hung limply at her sides.

A overwhelming weakness washed through her body, causing her to fall on hands and knees.

"Oh, dont worry Laraine, that's just a paralyzing potion, you will still be awake through it all." Rusty smirked and walked towards her, she was now lying on the ground, looking up as he walked closer.

Darn it! If I could only move....

(OOC: Sorry I wasnt around, I was having trouble coming up with a good post Im backkkk)

[thedookienut]

Samuel laughed, yawning and rolling his neck from the pain. "Mister Gloomy? That's a pretty good name, though I think he'd kill us if we said it. Or at least attempt to kill us before relising he shouldn't." He smiled, laying down and staring at the overcast sky. "I wonder where the mage has actually gone." He muttered to himself, soon noticing Raine was panicking. "Raine you okay? Raine?" He muttered, shuffling away as Rusty appeared between the two of them. "What the hell?!" He shouted, shuffling away and reaching for his sword. He watched the fight, begging for Silvarn to return. He wasn't exactly a fighter, even if Raine was in trouble. Samuel contined to gaze at the fight, his eyes following Rusty. He felt a pang in his stomach as Raine noticed the dart in her neck. He furrowed his eyebrows, trying his hardest to keep back the need to shout at the demon. "Raine?" He murmered, shuffling towards her, hurrying as Rusty crept towards her. Damn it, you stupid mage. He thought, gripping his sword handle with all his strength. "Raine? Can you speak?" He asked, looking up at the demon. "You thingy!" He swore, suddenly doubting his sudden bravery. There was no way he could handle a demon, he was practically crushed last time he confronted one.

((Welcome back! ))

[Silvarn]

Every Lockner head suddenly snapped towards the lake. A visible shudder of aggression rippled through them and the air became foul with hostile magic.

"What is it?" Silvarn asked a nearby witch, who bared her teeth. "A demon. I can smell the foul thing from here. It must be near the lake."

"A demon...the lake...Raine!" he cried as he made the connection and then pushed his way bodily through the crowd. "Scorcahr, find out what in Blue Blazes is going on over there!"

Scorcahr's presence blipped from Silvarn's mind, only to return a moment later. It is a demon, alright. I think it was the one who tried to kill you earlier. Moldy? Wrinkly? Warped?

"Rusty," Silvarn corrected the impish demon. "How are they faring?"

Raine is out cold, and Samuel is not too far behind.

"Damn it!" he shouted as he sprinted past the last of the Lockner residences, "I leave for one moment, and they manage to come under attack! Must I keep an eye on them all the time?"

The lake was still a good two minutes away, and the battle could easily be over by then. Silvarn could pick out Rusty's large red form, but it would be no use to cast spells at him at this range -- Samuel could very likely step in the way without realizing it.

"Serves me right, deluding myself they could take care of themselves!" he snarled through gritted teeth as he dashed straight at the lake.

[laraine]

Rusty laughed at Samuel and his eyes glowed a bright red. The aura around intensified and he thrust out his energy at Samuel throwing him into a tree. He then walked to Raine and picked her weakened body up from the grass. She glared up at him hatefully. He smirked back, waving a hand over her face. Instantly she fell unconscious, trapped within her dreams.

"I suppose I could awaken her now. Its a little too early though. But it is the only way to get what I want. This girl, is the key to it all." Rusty stared hard at the passed out Raine. He noticed then that another figure emerged from the darkness. Five Risk demons along with the elder of the tribe, Elda Risk. He turned to them all, still holding Raine in his arms.

"You reckless child, give us the girl now. That thing must be eliminated at all costs. You know this, yet you still defy us." Elda hissed, the other demons ready to attack the traitor.

Rusty smirked. "I know, I know she will become something that will destroy everything and everyone. But thats why I need her. The Risk clan will end, and I will become the only member."

"You're mad." Elda hissed.

Rusty laughed. " I suppose I am, but you all disgraced my father and made him an outcast because of a silly mistake. My mother died of heartbreak and hatred towards everyone. Especially the Risks. Thus, I will not let you have Raine to destroy."

"Then there is nothing we can do is there?" Elda sighed.

Rusty then turned to the right as Silvarn emerged. "If it isnt the knight." He sneered to Silvarn. "What are you still doing hanging around? You got what you wanted right? A lookie at those witches books, you have no more use of the girl. Now its my turn to use her. Thats all she's good for, a tool to be used and destroyed." Rusty smirked.

Raine meanwhile was trapped within her own subconscious.

It hurts...

She wrapped her arm around her legs within her mind the darkness around her was creeping foreword to consume her.

Whats going on? Why does it hurt so much?

That dolt Rusty made you immoble and unconscious

Why?

Because he wanted to awaken you, or, well me rather.

You? Who are you?

Lets see, how to put it, the voice that made you certifiable I believe it was...

Raine sighed within her dreaming, trying to open her eyes, but they refused to open.

How do I wake up?

I don't think awakening right now is wise, besides if he does awaken me, you wont want to see what happens after that.

Please, tell me.

All right, but dont blame me if you lose your sanity. You have to break his hold over your mind.

How?

Destroy the dark gem...

Where's this gem?

Raine only heard silence.

Hello?! HELLO? Great, some help you are mystery voice...

She concentrated, trying to find the dark gem within her mind, unbeknown to what was happening outside.

[thedookienut]

Samuel winced, feeling himself crash into a tree. He growled, wishing the stupid mage would turn up suddenly. Which, much to Samuel's gratitude, he did. "You took your time!" He shouted, pulling himself to his feet. He listened to the demon, glaring at Rusty. "Raine is not a tool!" He growled, noticing his sword was still laying several hundred yards from his feet. He stumbled over, picking it up and waiting to see what Silvarn would do. He hoped the mage would attack, he couldn't attack the demons on his own.

[Silvarn]

Silvarn froze, his mind racing. Rusty was holding Raine in his bestial arms, protecting his heart with the girl's prone form. Twilight magic crackled around his fingers, attracting the wary gazes of witch and demon alike. He felt trapped -- unable to help, unable to back down. Rusty smiled smugly and took a step back. Silvarn advanced, but held his distance. The demon could probably snap Raine's slim figure without too much exertion. Silvarn had to remain within striking range of Rusty until he came up with an idea.

The witches looked at him expectantly. Samuel looked at him expectantly. Even Rusty was expecting him to do something rash. Instead, it was Scorcahr.

Rusty reeled as if something had tackled him by the head. He fell over, writhing and scratching at his scalp. Raine fell heavily on the ground and Silvarn swiftly placed himself between she and the demon. He tried calling Scorcahr back, but his person demon was not listening.

Finally, Rusty stopped struggling and rose to his feet, chuckling hoarsely. "You want him back? Here, take him!" he thrust his head at Silvarn.

The mage nearly toppled over as Scorcahr's broken presence infected his mind. Scorcahr's pain became his own and it forced him to his knees.

Without Raine to protect him anymore, the Lockners finally converged on Rusty.

Silvarn tried to push past the pain, but it was not going to go away any time soon.

[laraine]

Raine was still wrapped within her unconsciousness. The darkness wrapped around her mind, comforting and deadly.

Where....where is this stone that the voice said????C'mon Raine think....

Raine searched the darkness for the stone. She tried to escape the comforting lure of the darkness.

Memories, feelings all of it was wrapped within her soul. And every step she took into the inky black mist, it began to unravel. Sparkles began to drift from her body, her form sparkling with a strange radiance.

What's....

Foolish girl.. didn't I tell you? Every time you step into this blackness you lose yourself...

But I have to wake up, I can't let the others fight him alone!

Then let me control you!

No! I don't even know what or who you are. I will never let you take me over.

Hmph.. Suit yourself

Raine trudged through the mist, not realizing what was happening outside.





Rusty quickly formed a shield to protect himself from the witches blasts. He jumped into the air, using the shield to keep him up and away from harm.

"You all are idiots." He looked down at Silvarn. "You being the most idiotic. I will say this now Silvarn. Do not get involved with Laraine Lockner Risk. You may have to kill her, can you really do such a feat without feeling anything? There is a lot more about the Risks and Raine than you know...even more than Raine herself knows.." he looked back at Raine's unconscious form. "Its her curse."

"Rusty!" Elda hissed.

Rusty looked back at the demons. "Well enough playing around today. Its only a couple more days till Raine's special day...but I will be back." Rusty vanished.

Elda looked to weakened Silvarn and Raine. " I should kill you both right this instant."

A team of witches protected them, encircling Raine and Silvarn and holding out their wands towards the demons.

"But it appears you made foolish allies...for now. But I wonder why you are still sticking around for her. She is something that should never exist. Heed well we all will meet again in three days time for the birthday of Laraine Lockner Risk, and the demons will kill her."

All the demons vanished into the forest.

(OOC: Now lets see if Samuel is around to post...it his turn after all)

[Silvarn]

Silvarn remained in place for several moments, panting heavily. Slowly, slowly, his mind and Scorcahr's separated again, and the pain became less severe. When he could see and think clearly again, he sat back with his legs tucked underneath and continued focusing on clearing his mind. Scorcahr remained silent, but Silvarn knew the demon was licking his wounds.

"That was very brave of you." Silvarn muttered.

The demon grumbled something, then went silent.

"To stand against the Risk demons?" a Lockner patriarch scoffed, "Is that not what, indeed, we are planning to do in nary three days, mage?"

Silvarn shook his head groggily, looking up at the Lockners with bleary eyes.

"Are you going to leave us like the demon said, Grey-Eyes?" a young Lockner asked him.

Silvarn stood with sudden speed, his face once again the very mask of apathy, though his fists were clenched hard and his nails dug deeply into his palms. "No." he finally answered. "The demon is right -- I have what I came for, with nothing to show for it. And, truly, I will kill Raine the moment she turns on me. But I am still on your side. The enemy of my enemy is my ally, and I have a personal score to settle with the Risks. Namely their benefactor."

He left abruptly, his mind racing with ideas, hopes, and doubts. He had three days to prepare himself against his inevitable fight with his old master's new protege, Echoes of Darkness Reach.

[laraine]

Idiot, didn't even bother to check if you are all right. I believe he assumes the petrified Samuel to do it.

Probably, but don't blame him too much mystery voice. After all, it seems he doesn't even know what love or emotions are. Maybe he decided to lock them away forever.

Like I said, idiot.

He chose his own path. Ugh.... Raine winced in pain as more sparks of energy drifted from her.

And you are another example of an idiot. Stop this or I will take you over!

Aren't... you planning on it anyways?

yes, but soon I don't have enough energy and if you die now then it will all be for naught! Foolish hybrid stop this and let me control you!

Hah...gotta find that crystal so I can awaken right? Dark gem or whatever... Raine winced as the ribbons of darkness wrapped around her soul, tearing it.

Raine made more sounds of noise, trying to find the gem before her soul was lost forever. She reached out her hand, trying to feel for the gem.

This isn't good, she will kill herself before she manages to find the taint that demon man left in her. That darkness is her own memories and hurt that has formed within her soul. Even she cannot be strong enough to go through that and come back completely unharmed.

Raine finally made it through the black mass. In the center of it all was a glowing purple jewel, almost like a seed.

What is this?

Fool, he hoped to control you with this. Hurry and destroy it before you are completely torn apart.

Raine nodded and used magic to shatter the gem into fragments. They rained down like glistening shards of rain. A melancholy sight within the dark mist.

Hurry!! Wake up now!

Raine's eyes snapped open, colors and light causing her to wince and close her eyes once more.

She sat up and shook her head. Her body felt heavy, it was harder to move her arms and legs. She even comically tripped when she started to walk.

Its probably the damage my soul took... She looked down at her hands and smiled sadly, then looked up and around and saw Silvarn walking away. He seemed annoyed, maybe even tired. Quickly she ran up till she met his pace and was next to him.

"Silvarn, I'm not sure what happened but thank you for everything you've done for me." She couldn't tell him the truth of what just happened. Her soul was already wounded beyond repair. She didn't have much longer, but she would fight till the end.

I only have three days left... I will tell him the day before...

[Silvarn]

Silvarn halted when she began to speak to him, looking at her with a hostile curiosity. "And what, exactly, have I for you?" he asked tersely. He opened his mouth to continue speaking, but hastily bit back his words.

I simply kept you alive in order to use you as a buffer against my rival so I would have an upper hand against him. Scorcahr finished, sneering from a corner of Silvarn's mind.

Silvarn sighed in defeated agreement. Somewhere, deep in his grave heart, he wanted to trust Raine, believe that no matter what, there would always be some good in her. But he had witnessed all too many times virtuous people becoming monsters when exposed to the Twisted Mirror's power -- he himself included.

No, he could not trust her and risk becoming attached to her. If, indeed, she gained this fabled power on her birthday, gained too much power to be handled, and turned on him, he would have to destroy her without a second thought. While he verily sought to depart from this plane of existence, death was out of the question. Too many sins, and no way to repent for them.

Then he noticed something. His face dropped into a frown as he studied Raine's visage carefully. There, in the eyes. Something had changed. Something. And Silvarn did not like it.

"Three days, Laraine. For all our sakes, I hope you find your center and stick to it. We cannot afford losing you to power-induced madness. Quite a lot is resting your small shoulders, and," he swallowed hard. He gently gripped her shoulders, and stared hard into her eyes, "we need you, Raine. All is lost if you lose your way." he turned his gaze, sighed heavily, and strode methodically away.

Quite the performance, mage. Scorcahr grumbled.

"I learned it from my father, when he pleaded with mother to stay. I may not believe the words I say, but I know exactly the words people want or need to hear."

[laraine]

Raine met his eyes with her own, and as he walked away, she watched him, a slight blush across her face but uncertainty in her heart.

Liar...

Raine blinked, the voice was back.

No, he isn't.

He doesn't even like you Raine, he only tolerates you because you are a tool to him as well. Its the only way he knows. He will never befriend you or even love you. He can't love a monster after all...

Raine smiled sadly. "I know..." She whispered. But he is right. I will fight you with everything I have until my soul breaks. I promised Danny, and I will....

Another crack appeared within her soul. She winced, but ignored the pain. She turned to Samuel who was now by her side and she nodded to him with a slight smile. Then she looked back out to Silvarn who was walking away. "Samuel, I have something important to tell you...."

[Silvarn]

Three days, Grey-Eyes. Scorcahr whined.

"Please, do not remind me." Silvarn groaned, rubbing his very tired, itching eyes.

What are you going to accomplish in three days you have not already?

"For one thing, I am going to find a surefire way to get you to shut that offensive trap of yours." the mage growled. "All of this preparation, careful planning and negotiations. To think it all may worth nothing in three days' time. Perhaps I would not feel so apprehensive about it, had I found something -- anything -- useful in the Lockner Grimoires. Yet, fortune deemed such importance as frivolous." he sighed angrily, burrowing his palm into his forehead, "The only thing worse than not knowing something is having to wait to find out."

Look on the bright side, Grey-Eyes, Scorcahr began in a nasally tone, you will not have to wait quite three days. We will be engaging the Risks earlier than that because we want the halfbreed to transcend in the heat of battle correct?

"If that was your attempt to help, then you failed utterly."

I try.

So there it was. Maybe now only two days of waiting until he would have combat to distract him. What to do until then?

[laraine]

Raine closed her eyes as she finished explaining everything to Samuel, her heart hurt that she didn't tell Silvarn. But it was how it was meant to be.

I cant tell him yet, not until I have had a good talk with him. Everytime I try to talk to him. He seems to just run away. It really is quite annoying..

She sighed and left Samuel to his own thoughts. Her's were becoming too hard to bare. She walked to the lake, the crystal clear waters reflected herself perfectly and Raine quickly took off her clothes. She jumped into the lake, swimming as fast as she could. If only for that moment to forget about her birthday; her curse and the fact that Silvarn will kill her. He could never know how much pain she was in. It would only deepen his own. He didn't want to hurt her, but in the end, Raine may turn into a demon. She clutched her arms around her chest, legs curled up as she sunk into the waters.

That's when she felt the thought enter her mind she never wanted to consider..

What if I...just sleep here within the frigid waters...forever? then no one will ever hurt again..

FOOL!

Raine's eyes snapped open within the water and she swam to the surface, breathing in a lung full of air as she stared up into the sky.

The demon inside her ruined her chance of freedom.

You are stronger than the other girls I inhabited but you also think to get rid of me in the same fashion they did...You will not Laraine. Whether you like it or not, you are mine.

A slight shatter.

Raine winced and lied back on the water.

Heh, that boy Danny, Samuel nor Silvarn can save you..you were and always are alone and unloved. But you knew this...half breed.

Raine swam, and for the first time in a while, she cried.