;;cannot be broken {p; Anira, Orion}

[ᗩпїra]

Anira huddled close to the warm fire, frost and ivory air whipping outward with treacherous claws to the pitch black sky. Not even a moon brought the light needed to end the elongated shadows that stretched across the ground in front of her. Though the fresh, warm stew smelled delightful from her perspective.

Hérion extended an vast violet wing over Anira, drawing her close to the warmth that stirred inside him. She softly scratched the thick skin underneath his shoulder scales, joining in with the slight hum that erupted from him.

A song would certainly light up the mood, would it not?
Her sing-song voice broke the silence that evolved in the air around the Spine, bringing an arrangement of animals to come and listen along to a tale of an eagle and life. They were her audience, and she was the performer. It was the closest thing she had to home.

Learning, discerning, how to arrange
Thinking the haze will just not clear
Viewing, computing, our minds will stage
A vehicle inside we feel the eagle nature
Everchanging river flows high and low
Panoramic vision is undefined
For unfocused consciousness, the eagle nature
Precaution for a stream of risk, the eagle nature
It sees changes clear
A crystal goblet so fragile and dear
Needs fill one step at a time
Noting the fall of a sparrow
Attending the slightest scratch of flesh
Earthly ambitions weigh their share
The vastness of life, it doesn't care
A crystal goblet so fragile and dear
Needs fill one step at a time
Earthly ambitions wigh their share
The vastness of life does not care

When the song ended, a cheep or protest followed but she shook her head and murmured in the Ancient Language,"That's enough, good night all of you."

Hérion enclosed her fully in his wings, a warmth covering her almost instantly. He swiveled his head around and peeked it in under his wings where the two usually talked for most of the night before Anira went into her trance-like state the humans called "sleeping".

[Orion]

A few days earlier, Orion and Kveykva had been deployed to go hunt a Rider that had apparently been reported in the Spine. He was given specific instruction to hunt her and her dragon down and bring them to Galbatorix, alive. She was supposedly an elf, so it was going to be a bit tricky, but he could do it. Oh, and he was supposed to make sure no one in the Varden knew about it. He had been flying on Kveykva for about the whole night now when Kveykva mentioned to him.

Look, Orion, down there, I see 2 figures, what looks like an elf and another dragon, he said swinging his head towards the area. Orion drew his sword Rauthr, which glinted in the moonlight. He had to be forceful, if he wasn't threatening, they wouldn't come with him. "Then lets go get this group and bring them back to Galbatorix." Orion said. Kveykva let out a roar and a blast of fire of approval, and as a warning to all other animals in the area he was there. They both highly doubted this duo was fit to fight, if so, with the Eldunari they could easily defeat them by magic alone.

Either way, if you look at a rogue elf and Rider duo vs a trained Rider and dragon duo, the trained one was going to win almost all the time, yet they still had much to learn. The Eldunari agreed to assist them if necessary as Kveykva dove to just feet above the trees. The glided along, making little sound now, and with Kveykva's black color, they would be camouflaged against the night sky. The Rider would be alert to them, but she would have no idea from where they were coming from, well, she might have a general idea.

Orion spotted the fire just about a 30 second flight from them and ordered Kveykva to flare just in time and they landed with a soft thud in the clearing. He muttered garjzla and the clearing was lit with a bright light. "There, much better than the fire light to talk." Orion said, jumping off Kveykva, holding Rauthr by his side, it was there, and threatening. He stared at the elf and violet dragon staring at him. "I am under orders of the Empire to bring you with me." he stated in the ancient language sternly. Kveykva agreed by snarling, I think this will be an easy fight if we have to. Orion responded back silently, "Yes, I agree, they look so small, but a Rider is a Rider, and they'll be useful to the Empire." He then asked aloud to the Rider and Dragon, "What is your names and will you come willingly or forcefully?"

[ᗩпїra]

Anira's hood covered her multiple striking features that she had acquired when she received her "Silver Palm": her normal ebony locks had a tinge of beautiful violet that resembled Hérion's scales, though both were skinny and small, the two were very agile and quite the speed demons, her magic and strength had increased remarkably since the transformation, only adding to her regular elven features. The most remarkable transformation was her optics. Colorless it seemed, except for the ebony ring outlining the iris. The eyes were streaked with lighter tinges of ivory, light gray, and a mixture in between, almost like that of polished marble.

Here and then she quietly met his gaze with the colorless eyes, slowly blinking with a calm demeanor that most would die to acquire. What was that? A hint of a grin touched the edge of her lips just as quickly as it disappeared. Along with her sing-song voice, Anira quietly broke the silence that stumbled after his statement,"Who are you to think that you can barge in uninvited and stow me away like an obedient dog?"

Hérion's bright amethyst eyes lowered into an uncanny glare, a knowing grin touching the side of his scaly maw lined with his rows of gleaming fangs. He protectively shuffled over till he lounged alongside of Anira, ready to protect her whether it meant his life or not. The two were supposed to be together. Two different forms, two different souls, yet one heart and mind alike. A bond that cannot be broken, severed, or destroyed.

Anira slowly dragged her hand over to the hilt of Orchid, rubbing her pinkie finger of the gems encased with a large amount of energy embedded into the pommel. Another night, another fight, another day, another flight.

[Orion]

She gave her answer, and it seemed to him that she chose the forceful way. So Orion reached out with his mind and stabbed at it, attacking it. The Eldunari assisted him as well, and he advanced with Rauthr up, pointed at the elf.

Kveykva leaped in front of him and grabbed at the dragon. Orion swiftly dodged out of their way and advanced on the elf and swung his blade at her feet as quick as an arrow, intending to unbalance her, all the while Kveykva and him attacked the two's mind.

[ᗩпїra]

Anira and Hérion met each other's gaze for a split second, their optics filled with mix emotions of love, friendship, and the will to protect one another. As soon as the gaze broke, that is when Anira started singing quietly and more profound. The song of the Agaeti Blodhren that would drive a normal human and dragon to doing unrecognizable actions.

The song and the steady stream of magic that flowed through it helped to keep the attack on their minds at bay for the meantime, though it was either now or never to defend themselves. Gripping the hilt of Orchid, she slid the magnificent violet sword out from the sheath and into the light. The blade shone with a beautiful gleam, though the steady stream of movement made her hood fall behind the nape of her neck revealing the locks of ever changing locks of hair that seemed to be ebony in a certain light, and various shades of purple in another light. A grin broke her flawless features as she easily parried the blows, stepping as lightly as a dove to intervene with his attacks. Her sword was a blur, a twisting and leaping grace mixed with a furious fray of multiple attacks and parries.

Hérion dove into the night sky with the lithe of a hawk, not even needing a head start to get his full weight into the air. His small size and smooth-set body made it easily for him to perform even the most difficult mid-flight procedures. The sharp heat of flame that erupted from the other dragon's jaws bounced across his barriers like ping pong balls. He maneuvered through the air and jabbed light attacks at the other, twisting out of the way before a large strike could be counter attacked.

Anira thought it'd be the perfect time for conversation, I mean who doesn't like the prospect of friendly chit-chat here and there? "Well, you have yet to tell me your name." The flashing clang of their swords blocked out a large portion of her statement, though it didn't matter whether he understood or not. The elf leaped back to the edge of the clearing, twisted her sword in her grip and flashed a show of teeth as she lunged forward once more with a quick flash of strikes towards his shoulder which he easily seemed to dodge. It felt like the four had a long night ahead of each other.

[Orion]

The elf started singing, which distracted Orion for a little bit, but the Eldunari poured in their strength and they increased the strength of the attack on their minds. Kveykva jumped into the sky after the much smaller dragon. Together the two tumbled in the air, the bright flashes of fire from Kveykva's maw was clearly visible. Eventually, he managed to kick the smaller dragon down and then disappeared into the clouds, which were gathering.

Being black, he blended in perfectly as he dove down out of sight and raced towards the dragon with astounding speed, but silently. Roaring, he came upon the dragon's back and they tumbled back into battle. He wasn't tiring because of the strength of the Eldunari, and neither was Orion.

Meanwhile, Orion cut off the light from his spell and the clearing went dark except for the fighting dragons, and the fire burning. This seemed to distract the elf enough that Orion was able to slip behind her and swing at her side. It was deflected barely and the battle raged on. They matched each other stride for stride, except for one fact, Orion had the Eldunari's strength, so he wasn't even tired. He then shouted "malthinae!" or bind. He directed the flow of magic at the elf and it seemed to him that the spell worked. He decided to play with her, so he shouted, "losna!" or release, and the spell broke. The battle then resumed again.

[ᗩпїra]

"Foolish you are to give me your energy, when the precious power should be used in your most precarious times of need." Anira grinned as the light flickered out, that was possibly the worst decision the Rider could have made during the time. The darkness was her friend, and the shadows encased her in a thick ebony as she slithered into the safety of the trees only to appear later on the opposite side or from a different direction and quickly casting out a swift blow with Orchid that were barely deflected. Guerrilla warfare, was that considered cheating, too bad there wasn't any rules in sword fighting.

Hérion flipped forward in semi-circles in attempts to throw the heavy dragon off, little did the other know that it was just a distraction to throw the other off track. The removal of weight sent a new determination inside of the dragon, his eyes spotting the sickening ebony that courses through the clouds and disappeared just as quickly. He wasn't going to let himself get flanked from an overgrown chicken that wouldn't fight tooth to claw. He dove downwards, ivory claws outstretched and bat-like wings tucked to his side as he aimed to attack Orion from above.

Anira caught a hint of what he had in mind in the link between the two, and she quickly devised her plan to keep him distracted beforehand. She lunged out of the darkness and swept her sword across at his thigh, the counter was expected and she quickly lunged to the side. A clash of metal clanged in the air, and the last resort was to use magic or her secret weapon. The two ended up locked blades, each pushing against each other's swords and comparing strength. Her fierce gaze met his, a grin spread across her face as she kneed outward, pulling back her sword and leaping backward gracefully to avoid any counter.

Little did he know it was too late, Hérion was only a few meters from crashing into his prey. Or did his so called "overgrown chicken" warn him of the oncoming blow? No, impossible, or was it?

[Orion]

Seeing the elf was at an obvious advantage without light, Orion murmured garjzla again, lighting up the clearing once more. Once more, the clash of metal rang clearly as the swords parried each other.

The smaller dragon dove down, clearly for Orion. Ready to kill him. Kveykva shouted at Orion, the enemy is coming from the sky, watch out! Kveykva knew what Orion was about to do, so he didn't follow, and instead added his strength to the Eldunari's and Orion.

Orion ran out of the way of the dragon as quick as an elf, slashing at its leg. He raised his hand and shouted, "malthinae! Jierda theirra kalfis! Ach neo eitha orono ie wilae yauna onr lifa" or translated, Bind! Break their calves! Do not go or I will take your life! He also increased with strength the attack on their minds and advanced towards them, as they were held still by the spell supposedly.

[ᗩпїra]

Her mouth gaped open in a soundless shriek of agony at the immediate torment that coursed up from her thighs. A glare edged along her optics, thick eyelashes casting a beautiful light instead of the more threatening gaze she was aiming for. Anira bit down on the bottom of her lip to cease the breaking torture, draining her strength into Hérion as the two gained energy from the close bond that smoldered between the two.

If worse came to worse, she'd resort to the last measures of casting a spell with her inner mind -- no matter the dangers that could arise for not only herself, but the Rider, his dragon, and even Hérion. Anira would willingly step forward for capture only to ensure the safety of Hérion, even if he'd do the same. Taking both of the two was a refusal she was determined to keep, stubborn as a donkey she was, especially when things weren't going the way that'd be fair.

She couldn't speak, let alone cast an angry remark at the unfairness of their battle. He wasn't a true warrior if he had to resort to magic for assitance rather than his own mind, muscles, and determination. A fool he was! Ignorant, selfish, Galbatorix-loving fool! A rage blazed in her colorless gaze as she went completely calm, setting a thick barrier around her mind and chanting a song in the Ancient Language to try and secure the borders of her mind.

Hérion fought against the assault on his memories, mind, and control, fighting out with an enraged manner and lashing out at anything that attempted to come close to touching into his inner-self. The full-blown attacks from a certain force interrupted his thoughts as he realized that the Rider must have Eldunari hidden somewhere, lending him strength to the point where he was basically unbeatable. An inner rage built within him as he combined forces with Anira, chanting in the Ancient Language in a never ending rhythm.

[Orion]

They were obviously in pain and they cast barriers trying to block Orion, the Eldunari, and Kveykva from their mind. They started chanting in the Ancient Language, the group just pushed harder, before Orion cast another spell on them, "maela!" or simply, quiet. He could feel them try to continue in their mind, but he just pushed that down, stabbing at their thoughts, trying to break the barrier.

He could sense they thought he was a fool for using magic. A fool they were for not! If they didn't want to be captured, they should have used magic. Orion could feel their barrier was starting to break and he would soon breach it. Then he could take them back to Galbatorix. Even if they used magic though, they would have overpowered them. To help with the torture and to break the mind, Orion stabbed each of them in the foot while they were bound.

Orion could feel their strength weakening by the second, they couldn't hold on for much longer. He had an idea that the elf would allow herself to be captured to save her dragon, but he would do his best not to allow that to happen. Galbatorix wouldn't be pleased if he brought back the Rider, but not the dragon, though he could swear her into service and wait for the dragon, which he would defeat and enslave him to when he arrived to save the elf. Either way, Orion didn't want to have to deal with that, so he was going to do his best to bring both back with him at the same time.

[ᗩпїra]

Anira felt tears swelling up in her eyes as a swell of emotion welled up inside of her as she gathered up the last large amount of energy she still consisted of. That was when she resorted to the last measures. The last leap of faith she could attempt to keep her most prized friend, family, love, companion, and brother from getting captured. The release of emotion fed off her energy, her arms and legs going limp and her heartbeat slowing to a slow thump a' thump.

Poof! Hérion disappeared in mid-air, sent to the only place or person she believe would keep him safe. As the spell finally ended, she was on the verge of death. The energy holding her in the air kept her from tumbling onto the ground into an almost lifeless heap. The tears were held back as she realized the spell had done it's job, new hope and pride welled inside of her as her last ebb of strength gave way. It wasn't her time to die, though it didn't mean she wasn't going to come close to it. Her thick locks tumbled downward across her back, the strain of holding herself up against the Rider finally coming to an end.

She had lost. Lost. But in a way she had won, in her own special way she had won. Hérion was safe, and that was all that mattered to her. Even her own life wasn't in comparison to her bond with Hérion, and she could only hope that future torture to come wouldn't pry any information from the depths of her mind.

[Orion]

Orion watched in awe as the elf went limp and the dragon disappeared. He almost fell forward as he entered her mind. All of a sudden, he was her, he felt everything she felt. He watched her past right before his eyes. He quickly withdrew information he needed and strapped her onto Kveykva's saddle.

He found out her name, Anira, and her dragon, Heiron, and where she hid him. He had no idea where that was though, but he stored the picture. He extinguished fire a they launched into the sky. He told Kveykva, "We need to find Herion, and capture him. First we'll take Anira to Galbatorix, get her sworn in, then lure Heiron in to get him as well."


They flew on in the night and he could tell she wouldn't regain consciousness for several days. He looked around him and ended some of the spells he had cast, and let the Eldunari rest, and him too. He fell asleep on the scales of Kveykva, the partners flew on tigether with their prisoner/future colleague.

[ᗩпїra]

Anira had gentle wisps of dreams, sometimes regaining consciousness only to drift back into a thorough sleep. It felt as if she was flying on Hérion in the warmth of summer, the wind whipping her hair through the currents and giving her the bewildered feeling of flight. Not normal though. Felt darker, less promising, an unknown presence that her mind refused to remember till she could at least keep herself upright.

Even in the depth of sleep she continued to fight, often struggling in her ties against the tar-black dragon which ripped open her back. Tears often wrangled their way out of shut eyes as horrific memories of the battle replayed itself in her mind till the draining of the spell shut out what she remembered afterward. During one of the flights, she started writhing about and tearing up her back murmuring,"He-help me. Pp-lease, anyone." Another dream, a simple cry that easily ceased after a few moments.

On the morning on the third day, it seemed easier to regain memories and even sat up a few times only to retreat back down in pain. That's when it hit her, he had forgotten to take Orchid! She reached down to her belt when it seemed as if her fit had ended, and slowly drained some energy and felt a sense of relief as she could maintain her thoughts.

What was that foreign memory in her mind? A tall, handsome man in a deep cape quickly uttered a spell that sounded of forget and he listed off a bunch of names. That's when realization hit her, she was taken prisoner by the Rider. Anira collapsed on the ground again, her body feeding off the new energy and trying to heal itself and the muscles that were torn and snapped.

She couldn't move her legs either, the bones in her thigh still broken and snapped. Anira couldn't heal anything with the risk of the Rider noticing, so she eventually decided just to drift off into another nap.

[Aelodil]

(Didn't know if I could join, if it isn't an open thread then accept my humblest apologies and ignore my post)
Belgabad and Vlaer flew around looking for their foolish apprentices who have seem to be lost. "Where are they blast it?" Growled Vlaer before he and Belgabad spotted a young black dragon and his Rider. Flying down they stayed out of sight until Vlaer jumped on the youth's back and pressed Oblivion on his throat and asked "Who are you? Why are you here?"