The Ruins of Alexandria

Aubresiah smiled as blood Bane stuck in his shoulder. It would pain him greatly, the blood he had, in most cases would not coagulate with the sword in, would cause a great deal of pain coming out with Its serraded edges, it could also be taken out properly, which would take time. Aubs gritted her teeth as the sword connected with her skin, rearing back from it she flew low to the ground quickly, the shadows seeped into the laceration to close it off and prevent to much bleeding. As she flew low to the ground, she grabbed a starshot from her belt. Putting all of her force into colliding with him, If she did this right she would be ontop of him the starshot embeded in his heart, burning it.
Her shoulder leaked blood from it down her sides, the shadows weren't helping enough. Feeling a little lightheaded, she thought of the rage and hate inside of her from Auron and the torturing. She submitted to it, let it control her for now.

He grinned and jerked the blade out of his arm, pointing it towards her. The blade was free of blood, and none dripped from his wound. He was made from the bodies of dead warriors, whose blood he did not need, only their bones. His left shoulder sagged, useless now that the joint was severed from the rest of his body. He rushed forward, leaping over her flying form and aiming a slash at one of her wings, attempting to sever or damage it. His useless arm flailed around, and he grimaced as it ripped away from the rest of his body in mid air.

Aubresiah growled adjusting her course to hit him as he moved, flying up agin towards the celling, when she adjusted she felt half of her primary feathers on her left wing get severed, the feathers flew off of her, then the blood came spattering the walls. "Fuck. This." She tucked her wings in at the celling kicking off of it with a great deal of force. She wanted to knock him off of his feet. Aiming Night Bane at his shoulders she silently prayed it would work. She was aiming to sever his head from the shoulders. Aubresiah smiled as the arm left. Now he could use only the sword of shield. The bodies of the dead soldiers were burning to nothing now, the walls creaked under the pressure of trying to stay up while fire burned its core.

"You put up much more of a fight than your pitiful friend in the armor." He cackled as he raised the sword and swung using his whole body, Blood Bane making contact with Night Bane, it pushed Night Bane to the side, but not far enough as it cleaved through half of his neck. Their bodies collided and the flew across the room in a tangled mess, she landed on top of him as he laughed, releasing almost all of his strength he blasted it away from himself, weakening the structure of the room, causing it to begin to collapse onto itself like a singularity. Using the last of his strength, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him, doing everything he could to keep her trapped in the room as it closed in around them.

As his arms held her in a death like embrace, she growled as her ribs cracked, the snapping could be hears inside of her head. Pushing her hand with the starshot up she pushed it against his chest, right under the rib cage, to enter his heart. She pushed with everything she had left, the experimentation room and seeing Mandelyn dead in front of her flashed through her mind, howling in anger she pushed harder still.
The room collapsed on top of them, the weight threatning to crush her, the fire singed her wings,moving her wing that was still quite useful, the sharp edges of it were trying to cut through his arm that pinned her to his chest.

His body convulsed in the throes of death, and the strength left him, his body turning into nothing more than a pile of bones that would be eaten along with the flames and crushed beneath the weight of the collapsing structure.

He had felt something, a disturbance not far that sent his heart plummeting into his stomach. He sprinted down the hallways and found one of the rooms was in danger of being crushed into a tiny ball. The sun stone in his sword glowed as he concentrated a narrow red ray of light at the wall, cutting a hole in it. He peeled it away and jumped through into the smoke and fire. He coughed and his eyes watered as he scanned the room. The saw the Revenant fade into nothing but the bones of the worries he had taken, and saw a wing fluttering through the smoke. He rushed forward and lifted her up gently, avoiding causing her any more pain. He had to get her out of there. He turned and saw the hole he had made was now blocked, and the sun stone could not be used unless he put her down, something he was not willing to do. He groaned as he realized only a fool makes a compound without windows for secrecy. His eyes scanned the room in despair, seeking another alternative as the walls began to crumple around him. He knelt down, intending to shield her body with his, ensure she survived when he suddenly felt calm and at peace. He had not felt this way for awhile, it was a confusing yet pleasant feel. Before he could realize what this meant, two brilliant sapphiric wings burst from his back and enfolded around them. They were the same color as the armor of the man in his dream, the same color as the towers of the castle which now shone brightly, they were a beacon of hope. Cradling her in his arms, he whispered in her ear. "Everything is ok, I am going to get us out of here." He pushed up with all the might from his legs and shot towards the ceiling, punching a hole through it and passing through it with ease. His wing unfurled and took them into the sky, flapping almost effortlessly as they escaped the death trap the Revenant and Aubresiah had created. The whole compound began to sink into the ground as he floated above it. The surrounding land began to sink with it, creating a grave of evil, malice and contempt where wicked things were once done. He landed a good distance away in the shade of the forest and set her down against a tree gently. His wings sucked into his back and disappeared as he looked her over checking on her wounds, not even sure if she was conscious.

Groaning as he picked her up she realised in her mind how far gone she was. The groan was meant to be a scream. Her body felt to light, Reaching out she grabbed her swords tight so she would not loose them. Trying to move she cried inside of her mind, The pain was terrible. Just to breathe, was so filled wish effort and pain she wished she did not have to. Her blood had soaked his hands from The feel laceration on her arm, as well as her cut wings. Her hands were burnt badly, as well as her feathers. Soot covered her body and clothing. The flight hurt the fresh burns, wind whipped them harshly. When he set her up against the tree she tried to open her eyes, but they would not open. She let go of her swords glad her pack had not fallen off. As the swords fell they sparked together, the blades seeped blood and shadows from them. "Desix..." She cried out in her mind to him.

"Aubs." He spoke gently. "I need to get these wounds cleaned, the Revenant's sword was covered in something, and it is seeping through your body." He reached up and started ripping her clothes, leaving enough intact to cover her modesty and he began to work. Tapping the sun stone in the pommel of his sword, it starting glowing blue and he directed the light first at wound underneath her arm. The light spread inside her body, dulling the pain and eliminating whatever it was that had gotten inside. He unleashed the light, allowing it to glow brighter as it permeated every part of the inside of her body, speeding up the normal healing process the body would go through. Once he had done all the could do, he removed the tunic he had received from the elves. His torso was horribly scarred and burned from the whips and brands he had suffered in the dark at the hands of his jailors. He wrapped it gently around her mauled wing, not knowing enough to be sure he could fix it properly. She would need an expert for that one. As he worked, the material of the tunic melded itself to the damaged parts of her wings, absorbing any blood that tried to leak out and staunching the wounds. He leaned back and thought about what he needed to do next. She needed proper healing, but he knew nothing and nowhere to go. The name Sati came up in his mind, but he did not know how he would get to the Kingdom in the South. He thought of the wings that had sprouted from his back effortlessly, but he did not know what triggered them, as he had never seen them before. He concentrated on flexing his muscles, but nothing happened. He groaned in frustration and kicked a tree nearby, angry at himself there was more to him than he had ever known, and the wings sprouted gloriously. He flapped them experiemently, then concluded that it was his desire to protect and help Aubresiah that caused the wings to appear. He took her swords from her and clipped them onto his belt, then lifted her up into his arms, draping her arms over his neck. He took off into the air and began winging his way towards the south, telling her of his plan. "I know there is a Kingdom to the south, in my mind the name I remember is Sati, I hope they can help you." He flew as quickly as he dared, not wanting to drop or hurt her.

Through it all she gritted her teeth, wanting to trash and move, scream and cry, she just could not move. Te wing hung limply now. Opening her eyes even slightly was a large challenge to her, watching him take her swords and clip them she felt naked. Her swords kept her protected. Through the whole process of him healing her she felt as if she was dying all over again. Wanting to give into the darkness that was enveloping her, welcoming her peace, quiet, no pain was difficult to refuse, more difficult to fight to stay semi-conscience. She had no energy to fight him, or even hold onto him, she was limp in his arms, close to dead weight. She heard what he had said and prayed silently in her mind that they would not harm him, that Janier had made it home and was well on his way to recovery. Groaning she tried to look around as they flew, tried to see the flames engulfing the compund. "Just let go Aubs. It is ok." Was all that kept running through her mind, continuing to fight it she had hoped that he would make it in time. Desix would know what to do. He would know how to fix her.

He landed in the parade grounds of Sati castle, Linares already stood outside waiting for him. As he landed his wings let loose a powerful gust that slowed his decent and caused everyone nearby to shield their eyes from the dust cloud. Luka hurried towards Linares and placed Aubresiah gently into her arms. "I did what I could, her wounds are healed and inside her body was an unknown substance, but I cleared it out. Her wing is badly damaged, can you do anything to help her?" He walked with her, never letting go of her hand as he did.

Desix tromped out of the castle, hackle raised, teeth bared. The large canines glimmered in the light as he padded up to Aubresiah and Luka. Placing himself between Luka and Aubresiah, he whimpered licking her face. "Common kid...Wake up..." He trotted beside Aubs, sniffing her all over as he did. He had just gotten Janier's group as well as Janier back here by his masters orders, and now here she was broken and battered. He was furious. "Lay her down in a bed on her stomach please. "
Aubresiah was a limp mess in Linares' arms. She tried to move to help her friend carry her so Linares did not feel all of her dead weight, she just could not. She tried raising a trembling hand to pet Desix but once she got it up it fell to her side. Her fingers twitched in Luka's hand. as she tried to seeze his hand back. Her breathing was ragged yet, the wing was at an odd angle as well as being cut up.

A growl escaped from Luka's throat and he pushed Desix out from in between them roughly. His hand never left hers, and his finger played over the ring he had put on her finger the day before, she was still wearing it, it gave him hope. As she was laid down on her stomach, he gently removed the Elven Tunic from her wing, no blood or mess could be seen on the wing or the tunic, and Luka was once again pleasantly surprised at the workings of the Atsuatoshi elves. He would allow Desix to administer aid to Aubresiah, but he would not leave her side until he knew she was awake and safe.

Desix bared his teeth at Luka "You will respect me boy, she is my master, and I am her spirit animal. If you don't understand that, to bad." He pushed him back, then walked to Linares other side. Desix trotted to her bag, breaking it open with his teeth, placing the vial of black goo, as well as a syringe next to Luka he said "Fill that all the way into the syringe, place it in her arm and push the plunger" He said pawing open a few drawers, grabbing a wing splint she kept handy, a strait edge, as well as a weird smelling paste. hopping back onto the bed tenderly taking out all of the burnt and broken feathers, he winced looking at the damage. After that was done he put the paste on his paw , placing it on her wing gently, to smooth it out he licked it around the wing. After this he gently took her wing in his mouth "It is broken" He said as he re-broke it, to set it better, the crack it let out was blood chilling. Placing the strait edge on it he placed it in the proper position to heal. Grabbing the splint, he pulled it over the wing. "She'll be fine" He grunted grabbing a potion from the drawer he nuzzled it toward Luka. "Make her drink it" Desix was hoping she would go into blood-lust and rip Luka's throat open. He lay beside Aubs nuzzling her to keep her warm. His eyes were locked on Luka.

He took the syringe and filled it, but before he stuck it into her arm, he raised his sword and let a yellow light flow from the stone. The liquid did not change color, which meant it was safe for most people to use. He injected it into her arm easily, ensuring not to hit any muscle, and not to move it around in a vein. As he did this he spoke. "Is it customary for a master's slave to demand respect from his betters?" He knew Desix was no slave, but he would not be pushed around by anyone, not after what he had been through in the past six years. He did the same thing with his stone to the liquid she was supposed to drink, again no anomalies indicating it was unsafe, he raised her head gently and poured some of the liquid in, placing two fingers on her throat he moved them up and down, allowing the liquid to flow easily down the wind pipe. "Or are you just so used to be thought so highly of you think everyone should instantly respect you." He finished getting the liquid down her throat, and placed his lips over hers, blowing air in slightly and watching her chest raise to ensure nothing was blocking the airways. Once he was done he set the utensils down next to Desix and gave him a look of contempt. "No one is just given my respect, and if that is what you expect, to be given respect without earning it, you are a fool. If she comes out of this with her wing repaired and full, you'll be on the right track, but if you want me to respect you, give me reason to." He sat down and took the hand with the ring between both of his and rubbed it, holding it gently to his forehead.

Desix growled a warning at him a few times, then he snapped standing over Aubresiah protectively. "Did you give up your soul so she could live? Did you protect her as much as you could when she was a child and locked in a dogcrate with you? Did you give up your soul, so that she could keep hers, and that you would be eternally bonded to her?" He bared his teeth "Until you know what I have done for this child of mine don't you DARE think that I do not have the right to your respect. Had I not done this you would have never seen her, or maybe you would have, as one of those abominations that Council created from those who did not bond with the spirit animal of choice. I gave up freedom. My wife. My family. So that this child could have a fighting chance." He turned back around and lay back down beside Aubs, he kept nuzzling her softly.
Aubs just wanted to scream at them both to stop. But still yet, her body was in the mode where it would not allow her to do or say anything until she was healed enough to sit up without help. She wanted to sleep, to fall into dreams embrace and not come out for quite some time

"Had I known her as a child, I would've done all that and more." Luka's voice was dangerously low, it did not even sound like him anymore, and his eyes were glowing red. "Because you protected her, because fate put you together with her and not me, you think you are deserving of my respect? Your logic makes no sense." He turned the ring around and around on her finger, he was drawn to it, as if it might hold more importance at a later time. He closed his eyes and kissed the back of Aubs hands, blocking out all other noises and concentrating only on Aubs breathing. It had increased and he knew she could tell what was going on between him and Desix. His relationship with her was one born out of mutual beneficial to both parties. He did not love Aubs the way Luka did, and this thought made him stop. Love...

Desix just ignored the boy blocking him out. For Aub's sake he did not tell him what it had done to Aubs to have him dissapear, then come back six years later. He would not lower himself to such childish games of making this boy feel horrible about himself. He just curled up beside his master and licked her face softly.
Aubs groaned turning her head towards Luka then back to Desix. "Stop." She whispered to them. "Don't fight." She whispered to them. Aubs felt slightly better, she tried sitting up and fell into the pillows again.

Luka squeezed her hand gently. "Rest now, you lost a lot of strength and blood in the fight, but you did well." Admiration could be heard in his voice. "I have never seen anyone take on a Revenant and live. There were some of us who were imprisoned that tried to fight back, but it was no use. The creatures were too strong, and any who revolted died." He shook his head. "But you took one down single handedly, a feat anyone should be proud of, but now you must rest, you will need your strength for what lies ahead." While in the compound, he had found files that had been hidden, which had resurfaced much of his memories, and brought to light what could be a new plot to destroy the kingdoms as we knew it, but she could wait to hear this information. To tell her now would cause her stress. He took his elven tunic and draped it over her body, it formed to her body easily and kept her warm. "Rest Aubresiah my love, I will stay beside you." He lowered his voice and kissed her hand again "Forever."

Aubresiah shook her head "I have things to do. Did the compound burn down? Is Janier ok? How about the other men?" She pushed herself up gritting her teeth against the pain as she sat up in the bed moving her legs to the edge of the bed. "I broke a wing in the process, and got cut up badly, I almost died, and he could have easily killed me" She pushed off of Desix standing up. Desix pulled her backwards back onto the bed "He said rest. So do I. Now relax kid" Aubresiah sighed and growled pulling Desix into her lap petting him, putting her face on his fur, squeezing Luka's hand

"I don't know about Janier or the men, the compound was not completely destroyed, it sank into the ground. Together when you have recovered, we can go back and ensure it can never be recovered, I will be happy to see the end of that place." It disturbed him, that place where he felt an evil more grotesque than what had been done to him had occured. He shuddered and leaned over Aubresiah, lightly brushing his lips against hers, not a true kiss because he did not wish to hurt her, but as close as one could be.

Desix growled lowly at Luka, he wanted to tear his face off for touching her, he wanted to rip his throat out for doing this to her again. Aubresiah quieted him, petting his neck "I am fine dad..." she whispered to him softly. Aubresiah sighed kissing him back softly. "That is not good. I need to get up...I need to go check on him and the others. I need to make plans to destroy the rest of it. It does not belong being entered or used ever again. " She hoisted herself back up and pushed Desix off of her. Desix growled pulling her back "I will get you your floor plans, and I will get you anything you need. But you will not leave this bed until you are better. What happens if another one of those things comes back hm?"
Aubs twitched in anger and folded her arms over her chest. " I have a mission to fulfill, duties to uphold and my personal health means nothing to me if all of these people get hurt"

"We can go now if you really want to Aubs, I will carry you, but only on one condition. Let me be the one to obliterate it. They have done horrible things to me...and my family. My father dedicated his life to stopping these things, and I will finish what he started." His eyes were determined and blazing, clear blue like his fathers was when fighting for something he believed in. "We can bring along the ghost thingy that clings to you." He indicated Desix. "And between the two of us we will keep you safe." (Not sure how much good the spirit will be though.) He thought. Luka unclipped the swords from his belt and held them out to her, the blades pointing towards his body.

Aubresiah nodded "I saw more than i cared to in that place and experienced far more. I know what your father and mother stood for." Was all she said, all she could without making the memories flood. Aubresiah growled at him pulling her swords away from him angrily, "He's not a ghost thingy. He's my dad. He's in a hell hounds body and he is very much real." She went to her own guest room and slammed the door so hard the frame shook. Desix shook his head and ran off after her. Pawing at the door he tried not to scratch it "Aubresiah let me in..." She waved a hand and the door opened letting Desix in. He hopped up onto her bed looking at her as she looked out the window "Dont even think about it. We will wait until morning when it is safer. When you are stronger. " He hopped down licking her hand. Aubresiah scratched his ears absent mindedly. "I don't think he understands Des...I just want to scream in his face and tell him everything...everything that happened to me, everything that went on in Alexandria. The deaths. He didn't understand when you told him to be quiet...you knew i was waking up...You knew what he said would hurt my feelings and I thank you for holding your tongue. " She said looking out the window focused on something far away, fixated almost.

He watched her storm off, and knew better than to follow. He wandered off into the courtyard and climbed up into a tree. Pulling out his sword, he carved a flute out of the trunk and began to play a melody he had remembered. His mother had played it for him when he was young. It was a mounfully sweet song. Yeah it may cause tears to surface, but it also gave hope of better things. He felt a presence in the area and pinpointed it's location. This presence was familiar, but not comforting, and he made sure his sword was easily ready.