Flight Feathers (Open)

[Daidrea]

Joren shifted his head away from Isrydia. "I can take care of my self." He justed needed a few moments to collect the energy he needed to heal himself. He also drained the remaining life force of the trees he knocked over to lessen the drain. After a few moments he gingerly grabbed his opposing fore arms with each hand and began to heal himself. He snorted at Konner's words. "Tch... I'm only half human, not that it matters. And me jealous? Or is it that Riders are arrogant and selfish?" Joren may have been angry, but Konner's response seemed to justify it. He made it sound like Joren was a less of a person than he was. After Joren finished healing his arms he stretched them out and cracked his knuckles. He turned his back towards the group and reflected to himself. That couldve been a bad mistake in actual combat... I let too much energy into the spell. I will maintain more control next time... Still, at least it seems effective. Even with wards, my technique will inflict enough damage that the only thing they can do is avoid it. It will at least level the playing field for me a bit better since Riders can fly.

[Quetzal]

If Joren was so sure he could deal with his injury himself, then so be it. Should the wounds look out of his control she would not hesitate to jump in and help. Wounded pride was better than more permanent physical wounds. "It seems to me that non-Riders are mostly happy with the Riders, but neither excessively full of praise nor all that jealous either." Most of the people she spoke to were normal people and she had been a peasant until recently, so she knew the general opinion among regular people. "We haven't done anything to get ourselves recognised, but that's what people seem to think." Arlyn added. Riders were loved more than they were resented, otherwise there would have been some attempt to stop them by now by someone other than a Rider and a madman.

"Riders aren't arrogant or selfish either. I agree they shouldn't be celebrated without reason, but for a lot of them there is a reason." She pointed out. There were countless great and impressive things done by people who happened to be Riders.

Konner told them of his plans and Joren turned away. Isrydia was curious as to why he had such important business with the assassins he would use so much energy in using magic to get himself here quickly. That was, assuming his rushed return had been because of this business. She looked at the young assassin, who was only a couple of years younger than she was. He spoke as though the Rider who had attacked wasn't their intended target. "Why would you be killed on sight if anyone else knew you were here? Why the rush to return so quickly?" she asked Konner.

[Brenton]

Konner was getting ready to turn to speak to one of his assassin allies about searching for signs when he heard what the guy on the ground said. Half-elf, so of the same species as Brenton, yet that didn't give him any right to act like he was being injured. Slowly the assassin knight turned to look at Joren with a very dangerous look in his eyes and his fists already formed. He let loose a snarl and then spoke in a low tone as his assassins fell back. You know nothing of me, foolish elfling! I am not like those riders who may have claimed your victories as their own. Yet I am someone who could kill you several times over before you ever had the chance to use that demonic power again. Which, may I add, injures you and not your enemies. How do you really think you could win a battle if all you have is that power and a blade that has just been sharpened? I am no fool and I am no weakling so unless you feel the need to fight me then shut your pompous mouth and stop skulking.

Talon spread his wings, huge and red, to extend over the entire group that was currently heating up into an argument. Instead of trying to calm down Konner, the red dragon readied himself to fly and grab the rider in the same motion.

[Daidrea]

Joren began to laugh out loud. After he finished he spoke without turning around. "I could say the same to you Rider. Don't assume that you would know me either or what I am capable of just based on what you saw. I may have...slipped in judgement and made an error." Joren turned to face Konner. "You have no idea how I have worked to develop unseen powers on my own. Riders on the other hand are given talents as a result of their dragons and taught how to use them. You can say Im biased all you want, but there is truth to it....if only a little." Joren turned away from him again and sighed. "Why do I even bother anyways... I could sit here centuries having an ego fight with you and it wouldnt change anything."

[Quetzal]

Isrydia and Arlyn exchanged a glance. Really? Did this have to happen? They had just chased off a threatening Rider together, couldn't they just put their differences aside if only to stop this pointless arguing? Even her questions had gone unanswered in favour of not allowing insults to slide. "This seem a bit petty to you?" Isrydia though to Arlyn while they just stood on and watched, not knowing what to do.

"A bit? These two need to learn that pride isn't everything and that help from others shouldn't stop you being proud," The dragon responded calmly.

"Could you fly me up again? I want to see if I can find the end of their egos." Isrydia joked.

Arlyn snorted. "I don't think there is a limit to the size of their egos."

Joren had turned away again and there was a brief silence. Isrydia took that moment to jump in to try and stop this stupidity. She was a Rider, and they were supposed to keep the peace. Plus she hated conflict. "You," she looked at Joren. "You can't generalise an entire group of people. All Riders are different. When our dragons choose us, we do gain access to magic, but that's no different than being born with a gift like any other magic user. Not all Riders are taught, and we all have to work just as hard as anyone else. You having to work on your powers by yourself is not the Riders' fault. We all have to work hard by ourselves too, since we each need to find out our own abilities for ourselves. I was a fully trained knight before becoming a Rider, and training as a Rider is just as hard as training to be a normal human warrior."

She looked at Konner then. "And you, stop proving him right. You boast about how much stronger you are than him, but he's right. You don't know him. You can't just assume you're better than everyone else, even if they're just an ordinary elf or human or dwarf or urgal. Acting like that will only lead to you underestimating someone and getting yourself killed." She warned him. She didn't sound angry, rather just fed up of all this. "What's the point in arguing anyway? You guys are both on the same side." She didn't want to involve herself in the argument, but just as well she did not want it to continue.

[Brenton]

Konner glared at the back of Joren, who had decided to insult him yet again, and allowed the blades of his hidden blades slide out. They were polished steel the color of silver with small engravings along the center for minor impact protection. Slowly he breathed in and then Konner walked forward next to Joren silently so that not even the most observant elf could hear him moving. His arm went forward to show the blade that rested under his wrist. Have you ever trained with a pair of these? They are hidden blades, spring loaded and very deadly, used by people who have to train for years to develop the skill. I had to train to move silently and unseen by even the most observant so that I could get close to someone and use these. Then I had to train to use a blade and guess what? I am also a knight and have been in training for that to a degree since I was young and living in the mountains. Not every rider is trying to act high and mighty and not every rider is good with magic. Hell I can only do average magic for a rider with, yes, is advanced for normal spellcasters. Yet that magic is controlled by the Ancient Language which I had to spend months learning to write and pronounce as well as memorize the meaning. Being a rider does not mean we are all better than you, it just means that we were recognized for our nobility at the time of touching a dragon egg. Even Galbatorix was at one point noble enough to have a dragon hatch for him.

[Daidrea]

Joren mostly just mentally shrugged off Konner's words. But the last part of it caught his attention. "Nobility..?" Joren turned around. "You're telling me that dragons choose Riders because they have nobility? So what, the fates give birth rights to certain chosen people like they are above the rest of us?" Joren gritted his teeth, but then relaxed slightly. "Forget it, all you do is piss me off. Im done talking to you." Without giving them a chance for either of them to say anything, Joren began walking outside the city into the vast forest.

It was possible that Joren may have misinterpreted what Konner had said, but Joren's anger was like a demon inside that has been tormenting him for years. Could one blame him? Being alone most of his life, having his only passion in life constantly dashed by others. It was like fate brought him into this world just to be tortured. At least thats how he felt.

Either way, Joren just wanted to walk around and cool off for a while.

[Brenton]

It was silent where the light barely reached the bottom of the trees to touch the ground were soft moss grew over the ground and twigs rarely fell. Birds had long since flown away and other animals had left to find some sort of safety but none was to be found as this was the one part of the forest Du Weldenvarden that was closest to the Nether. In the very darkness sat a palace, high and menacing, with spires that seemed to rip the air apart. The walls were slightly destroyed but in the most the two residents of the area had fixed it up nicely. Now the gates swung open and released a purple light followed by a dark black horse that galloped out to the trails that only one man knew, Ashendale.

Word had reached him that his enemy Brenton had survived the blast and was now in the forest again so it was time to go to Ellesmera and kill him. The black sword banged against his thigh as he rode hard, fueling the horse with energy the entire time to make it go further. He would arrive soon or there would be hell to pay with the elves who had sold him the horse. Ashendale muttered to himself about the first people he would kill and on the list was Brenton but on the list also was his love interest and friend, Isrydia. This was going to be fun hunting.

----

Whistles filled the air as assassins jumped to their feet and listened carefully to try and discover the source of the sounds that had caused their scouts to alert them. Suddenly a herd of deer burst through and ran by the group of people in fear, a sign that trouble was coming close to them quickly. Konner looked at it in shock and cast his mind outward to find the disturbance. Damn! Isrydia, we have an old friend on his way here right now with thoughts of killing us. Do you want to run now or would your rather test your strength against Ashendale? Konner waved at Shaymen and nodded toward the trees where Joren had disappeared.

Shaymen disappeared into the trees and ran quickly toward where Joren had gone. He moved fast but silent and allowed himself to adopt a fighting stance because he could sense the approaching enemy. Suddenly Joren was in front of him and Shaymen slid to a stop. Sir, you really should know that we received word of an enemy approaching. Ashendale, rider of Nelfarion and demented New Forsworn leader, has reached a strength that successfully bypasses all of the elven soldiers and in the one fight I know of he killed multiple elven soldiers. He held off four riders from all sides plus a Spartan warrior who is stronger than even I. He defended against all and was going to kill Laetri, acting king, if not for the quick thinking of Brenton Bromsson and his dragon. Please, Sir, return with me where we have strength in numbers.

[Aelodil]

(( Hope you don't mind my post but Brenton kinda hinted that one of my characters should be involved as their in some case related to his character Ashendale. If you want I can delete this post and post later on if you had plans for this post. Again, sorry if it was an unwelcomed post. Have fun ))

The sound of the forest was surprisingly quiet. Nelfarion had been in contact with Ashendale and had received wind that after Nelfarion had been teleported away by that accursed Rider, Ashendale had almost managed to kill them and instead simply caused a major explosion. The explosion should have killed Brenton that proud monarch but for some reason he had lived. Nelfarion growled, causing the whole forest to stir as the animals ran in fright and the trees swayed this way and that. Now it was time for them to go back and give the best thing they knew how to deliver: Pain and sorrow.

A roar shook the forest and the ground and with each step Nelfarion took towards the little interlopers the ground gave a little tremor. He had come into this world once upon a time as a creature who learned to serve nature. But all that had gone wrong after being corrupted and tainted and experimented on. Now his sole purpose was to cause anguish to everyone else and he knew no bounds to stop. As he approached the small little group and glimpsed Ashendale riding towards them on that pathetic creature he called a horse, he shook with laughter. He looked down yet some people were missing. Firstly that elf who had later acted as king of the elves in Brenton's absence, Laetri, was not there. Brenton himself was not there. The only ones present was Konner, and that girl Isrydia.

Nelfarion gave off the best smile he could as he stared down at them. The last man had ran away before they had arrived yet still Nelfarion saw him and felt him with ease. He looked down at them and cast his tormented thoughts towards them,"Which of you shall I devour first. Whether it be flames or jaws that will devour you? And which of you will it be? Will it be you little girl?" he asked flicking the full gale of his thoughts towards her then released the pressure on her and returned the force of his mind back to Konner and said,"Or will the knight bravely give himself up to protect the girl loved by the so-called 'king Brenton'?" Chortling with laughter Nelfarion sized them up."No answer? Fine then, you shall both perish along each other." And with that haven been said Nelfarion doused them with an inferno of fire and lava.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia was being ignored still. Joren and Konner's argument was too important to them for them to listen to her. Arlyn rolled his eyes at them. Fine. Let the men be clouded by anger, she could get on with something else.

Before the Rider and dragon could leave, however, the whistling in the trees stopped them. That was the assassins' signals to each other, was it not? Something was wrong. A herd of deer alerted her further. Konner seemed to know what was wrong. Running away would make them survive longer than if they stayed to fight, but what would become of Ellesmera if that were the case? This square might be empty but there were people about. The houses around them belonged to people. If Ashendale was returning, it would not be for Ellesmera but he would happily destroy that anyway, Isrydia thought, spirits sinking. He would be here for Brenton. She and Konner were the only ones here who had fought him before, so it was probably he would target them in the meantime. Hopefully they could hold him off Brenton's trail and try not to get themselves killed in the meantime.

Before they could decide whether to flee or stay, Isrydia and Arlyn heard Nelfarion roaring, saw Ashendale riding towards them before seeing the great beast land nearby. Arlyn stretched himself to look taller, baring his dagger like teeth and rearing onto his hind legs as he extended his near-white wings. He roared back, far more threatening that the much smaller dragon he had been when they last met.

Isrydia began to reply to Nelfarion, but was struck by the full force of the monster's thoughts. The breath left her. Her hands went to her head and her face screwed up in concentration and pain, Arlyn adding his resistance to hers. She stayed standing, trying to look strong when she knew her resistance would never hold had he not switched to force him mind on Konner.

While Isrydia recovered, Arlyn's mind was still sharp and he reacted quickly to the threat. He beat his wings down hard and grabbed his Rider so tightly in his claws he left marks in the leather armour she had worn in case she fell off his back and hit something sharp on the ground earlier. With a strain he tugged her up high. The heat of the flames was still unbearable. He wished he could have grabbed Joren too, since the man had no dragon to help him. Neither time nor his strength would have permitted that, and he would have perished with Joren and Isrydia had he tried that.

Flames danced with ice in his scales as they reflected the inferno beneath them. Isrydia's eyes watered from the heat and smoke as she looked up at him. A scared look was on her face. She could be scared in front of him, but she needed to be strong in front of the enemy. Holding onto Arlyn's legs tightly, she swung around as he pulled her up awkwardly to sit on her back. She did up the straps loosely so she could untie them in an emergency. "Looks like our first time fighting in the air like a true Rider and dragon came sooner than we hoped," she thought to her partner.

Arlyn sent her a thought of love and determination, then turned to Nelfarion and Ashendale. There was no way they could win a fight, so a fight should be avoided. They needed to be clever, to think of a plan. "Any ideas to how we keep them at bay?" he asked Konner, Talon and Joren, darting quickly around Nelfarion so not to make himself an easy target.

[Daidrea]

OOC: Nelfarion? Hehehe somebody plays WoW.

Joren halted as some one approached him from behind. It was one of assassins from earlier. He arched an eyebrow slightly at the situation he explained. "Am I supposed to be impressed or terrified?" Joren shrugged. "It doesnt matter to me how terrible my enemy is. If it breathes and bleeds, it can die." With that, Joren ran back into the city and rejoined the group. It wasnt long until the large dragon appeared. After the dialogue, the beast unleashed an inferno upon them. The others were able to escape, Joren on the other hand was forced to defend himself. As if on mere instinct alone, he grabbed his blades and impaled the ground in front of him while kneeling down and hanging on to the hilts of his blades. Air streaks formed around them and as soon as the flames hit, they diverted around his swords in a cone shaped manner. The flames heat were so intense, Joren struggled to hang on as the flames jet past his figure all around him. As the dragon finished his breath and the flames began to die down, Joren removed his swords. He leapt backwards a good distance and tried to catch his breath. Joren quickly removed his tunic, his body felt like it was on fire. It practically was, his blades and body were giving off so much heat that he sweat, you could see steam rising off of him.

As he collected himself, he listened to Isryidia's dragon. Joren had an idea, although he wasnt sure if it would exactly work but he wanted to keep the dragon distracted and maybe prevent it from going on the offensive again if only for a moment. He knelt down next to his tunic he pulled off and opened a knapsack he was carrying. He pulled out a gourd that was filled with alcohol. After taking a small drink of it, he filled his mouth with it as much as he could hold. Joren stood and began running towards Nelfarion. He sheathed one of his blades but held on to the other in his right hand. Repeating the same process he focused his energy and air streaks formed around his blade. It was far more difficult when not uttering the words for it and had to focus in his mind to do it. Still he managed to do so, when he felt he had enough, he swung his sword forward towards the ground. The gust of wind shot up a dust cloud, which provided cover for a moment. Joren headed in the direction of a tree he spotted earlier that was next to Nelfarion. He reached the top branch as fast as he could. Bracing himself, Joren lept in the air toward the side of the dragons head. He held his left arm out in front of him. In his mind he shouted, Brisingr! A spark of flame appeared in his hand, once it did Joren sprayed the alcohol from his mouth as fast as he could. Fire ignited forward and expanded towards Nelfarion's right eye, which was Joren's target. He didnt care if it actually did any damage, he just wanted to be enough of a irritation to the dragon to distract him.

OOC:Ill let you decide what happens I guess lol

[Brenton]

Konner had been standing there sizing up the situation with Ashendale when suddenly the mind of Nelfarion ripped through his defenses and left him with agony in his skull. It was driving him insane and the rider would have fallen to his knees with his hands over his head if not for Talon who was next to him. Already the red dragon had scooped up Konner and taken flight so they were out of range from the fire that was shot at them when suddenly Ashendale rode in hard. The horse slid to a stop with foam at its mouth but the rider jumped down and grinned evilly. "So you are abandoned by your beloved king? Well how are you going to fight us both without your wonderful king or his cohorts? Two weak riders stand no chance against us both and some elven spellcaster I see? I'll take you personally." With that Ashendale walked forward and unsheathed his evil blade that looked to devour all light. He stood in front of the half elf, Joren, and then in a matter of a few seconds he saw what was happening. The New Forsworn leader raised his hand and a wall of magically created water dissolved the fire as it went toward Nelfarion. He laughed and waved tauntingly at Joren.

[Aelodil]

(OOC: @daidree Actually, I don't but it was my friend who suggested to make Nelfarion what he is ^^. Also, sorry for the quality of this post ;/)

Nelfarion would have been more than fine even if Ashendale hadn't repelled the fire thiugh he laughed at the attempt."My whole being is made of fire. What do you wish to accomplish by throwing some fire at me? I have levelled towns and villages in mere seconds. Who are you to stand before me? I will crush you along with your friends. Look now upon yiur friends in despair. Ashendale has arrived. With one of us here you would have been hard pressed to stay alive. But with the two of us you have no hope." he roared in their minds. He swatted at Joren with his paw. Joren probably could move aside as to avoid the brunt of the hit.

Nelfarion decided to leave this group to Ashendale then moved onto the city of Ellesmera itself. On the way he continuously burned the trees of the forest. He found a small little town and began to level it to the ground. With a single controlled burst of fire the town was no more. The elves in the town came out to face him and everyone that came out to attack him was instantly incinerated into a small pile of ashes. Nothing was left but ashes in Nelfarion's wake. The forest let out an eery sound. The biggest of trees began to wrap their roots and branches and stumps around Nelfarion. Nelfarion simply shook and demolished the nearest trees instantly. They were a disease in a land that couldn't be cured. He was here to terminate them.

There was a large path towards Ellesmera wide open. Charred ashes were all that remained of the beautiful forest in that direction. Nelfarion smiled in an amused fashion."Ellesmera... the elves pride. I will break it and then move to the Empire cities. Watch you petty elves as I crush you and you are defenseless against it. How do you feel to know for once that there is someone even superior to you." He directed his sinister thoughts to the city of Ellesmera in hopes of taunting the elves to face him.

A squadron of ten elves who seemed to have potential. Five channeled a binding spell that made Nelfarion have to use magic himself. Normally he avoids it because the last time had had used it he misdirected the magic and caused a huge hole that took him about a whole day to fly out of. Finally, Nelfarion took a look at the destroyed state of the forest. For a second, the dragon spirit's old conscious re-awakened. He suddenly turned into a much smaller dragon with black scales. Suddenly he snarled again and turned back to what he was. He shook with fright. When he had attempted to use his magic he must have reawakened his old conscious. Then whatever sympathy had filled the dragon spirit as his conscious awoke disappeared and he growled, swinging his massive neck as a whip and took out five of the buildings."Come now heroes of Du Weldenvarden! Fight me like men or will you hide and skulk behind the women and children like the cowards you are and prove me right? FACE ME!" he yelled at them.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia looked between Nelfarion and Ashendale. She couldn't take them both on at once. Joren had tried an impressive move, but that had failed easily. Arlyn had gone for the eye the last time she had seen these two, and he had been batted aside easily. It was just her luck to have to fight them both again. "These two are worse than savages, because they're smart savages. You have to keep them both distracted and they'll still help each other." She called down. Did she fight Nelfarion or Ashendale? The man might be a lot smaller than the beast she and Arlyn still refused to think of as a dragon, but he was possibly even more dangerous; powerful magic, able to hide and slip into shadows because he was no restricted by size, not to mention able to negotiate with humanoids and get a more positive response than Nelfarion would.

Nelfarion began burning trees and Arlyn veered off after him. She wasn't paying attention to his thought so this caught her by surprise and she grabbed his neck for support. "Whatever they might say, it seems you can't fight fire with fire."

"Even if you could hit him, you'd need more water than you can gather to put him out. It'd just turn to steam near him, anyway." Arlyn responded. The conversation was happening quickly as they flew closer.

"Water puts out fire because it stops it getting air. Think about what fire needs once it's started; fuel and air. We can't block the fuel, but we could try the air. If you put a glass over a candle, it burns up all the air and the flame goes out." Isrydia had an idea.

"We can't create a vacuum that big, but we could try making a smaller one just to hurt and weaken him. Air is our Branch, we should be good at it. But if you move air, more moves back to take it's place. It would take a lot of energy to stop that." Arlyn carried on.

The thought was stopped when Nelfarion was hit by a spellcaster, which apparently did nothing. Then he looked back at his destruction... and changed. This other form was much smaller, black, and draconic. Arlyn jumped in shock, making Isrydia grab his neck again. It was only for a moment, but it definitely happened. "That was more like a real dragon. Maybe violence won't be necessary," Isrydia thought to her own dragon.

Nelfarion roared something about people 'fighting like men' as Arlyn flew around to face him. "Hey, women can fight too!" Isrydia shouted back. "Although first we should talk about that little downsize you had just then. What are you? Why are you fighting us? What's the point?" she asked, staring boldly into the eye of the creature that had nearly killed her friend and whom she had seen kill dozens more.

[Daidrea]

Joren grunted as he was smashed down into the ground by Nelfarion. It felt like some one just picked up a tree and hit him with it. He laid on the ground for a few minutes and he felt that he was being taunted by both the large dragon and his rider. Gritting his teeth in anger he forced himself up. Although alot of effort was put into it, he merely just used that attack as an effort to distract. He was hoping maybe that he would've hit the dragon's eye to gain a slight advantage, if only a little.
Once he was on his feet, Joren leaped back to gain some distance. Since they were not focused on him for the moment, he took some time to assess the situation. It was looking pretty bleak, that's for sure. These two are very strong, probably the strongest he has faced. Not to mention this was very different from the fights he was used to. There were not many options he could think of, this was mostly a contest of magic. Joren sighed and closed his eyes. There was one thing perhaps that he could try. Although he was afraid to use it, it was very dangerous to do so he hasnt had alot of practice with it. Still, it seems he had no choice. Opening his eyes he glanced down to his swords. Each one had a large ruby in the hilts. As he looked at them, he had flashbacks of all the battles he took part in.

Joren could name countless situations he threw himself into where most would consider it suicide. Leaping into the heart of enemy forces, being completely surrounded by enemies. Oh, he couldve ended things much faster by resorting to magic, but he used nothing but his swords and his body. Savoring every blow, slash, and kill. It was a feeling that compared to no other. Becoming a juggernaut of war and striking fear into the hearts of men or even other races. Single handily bringing down companies of the opposing army with just strength and skill alone.

Everytime at the end of a battle, Joren would draw in the remaining energies of each of the fallen he took down and stored it into the gems of his blades. Then he would provide a cremation for each one. There was one time in particular of a rite or a even a prayer that he gave. Joren stood there as he watched the body burn "I know that this isnt what you wanted. Being a slave to an undying king, forced to do his bidding. Sent to die in his name..." Joren paused. "Know this, even though we weren't on the same side in battle, your death will not be in vain. Your fighting spirit and strength will live on in my swords, and I will use that strength to help end this war. Just know that you did make a difference."

Joren opened his eyes and took a deep breath. Well...here goes nothing. He was going to use the energy he had stored in the gems. They contained the left over energies of hundreds soldiers, in addition to his own which he added daily. Joren would have to tread carefully though on how much he uses. He wasnt planning on using it for magic, for he was only schooled in basics. What he was about to do he had devoloped himself. Joren was going to use the energy to substantially increase his strength and speed by fueling it into his muscles. It carries great risk however since it puts enormous strain on his body. Still he was willing to take that risk.
Joren expanded his mind into the gems and began siphoning the energies within into his body. After a few moments he began to audibly grunt. His muscles began to grow and tighten. The air around him grew thick and hot, to the point you could visually see heat rise off of him. Joren was breathing heavily and continued to grunt as his whole physical being grew bigger. Finally after several moments the growth stopped. Joren had gone from toned and sleek to muscular. However he was still well proportioned and not overly bulky so his movements wouldnt be hindered. Probably the most notable featre difference were his eyes. They had gone from yellow to red. With the transformation complete Joren took a deep breath. I cant stay like this for too long, hopefully the fight will end soon.

Without any warning, Joren charged forward at surprising speed despite his size. Before anyone knew it he was right in front of Ashendale. Swiftly he punched forward aiming for his face, which he would follow up with a drop kick if it landed.

[Brenton]

((Okay so I have a terribly wicked idea here that will require me to ignore Konner for the time being.))

The trees screamed in agony as the girl ran through the higher branches toward the injured area where she hoped to heal the forest with the magic that she had began to develop. True, Camarat and Kialandi had just started to train her, but Skailah was strong and she would not give up on the forest of the elves. As she neared, the girl drew two short swords and ran closer just in time to slide to a stop in front of the large dragon. Unknown to her, this was Nelfarion, the being who had killed her twin and now was terrorizing the land like it was nothing. She raised her hands in a calming manner and spoke directly to the creature in a mental voice similar to her sister. If this was truly a being capable of some form of sympathy or regret then he would remember her.

Being of ancient descent, why do you harm these trees like they are your enemy when they are the allies of dragon spirits? Are you not capable of being crippled by their pain when they scream out to you to end your onslaught? Please, mighty being, stop your massacre and listen to my words for a little while. Most people who listened to Skailah speak had been unable to stop and realize they were being manipulated and even fewer could keep from listening. This was one of her greatest weapons against evil like Nelfarion and Ashendale. The other weapon would be the fact that she looked like someone that the dragon spirit knew and had killed.

While Skailah was busy running through the trees, Kialandi had received word from the elven spell casters that Nelfarion and Ashendale had returned to wreak havoc upon the land. So he had contacted Camarat with the message and then flown at full speed toward the burning area, growing slightly tired but drawing energy from deep wells that he had blocked off long before with ancient magic that he had forgotten how to use. Now he was able to see Skailah standing talking to Nelfarion while he was out of sight but he hoped that she wouldn't be injured.

-----

Pain. Splitting and agonizing to the extreme, pain ripped through his face and chest as Ashendale was struck by a punch and then a drop kick but neither of them stopped him cold. This was a fighter who had grown and learned to deal with pain both mental and physical that most could not handle in their entire life. As the punch connected he gathered his will and closed his eyes, mind casting out to find the man, Joren. As soon as he saw the kick within range, Ashendale cast a black magic that would maim or kill if struck point blank. He used it to create extreme pain and pitch blackness that no light could penetrate and that was just like the Nether. Ashendale had adapted to the Nether and so he was able to see as the darkness surrounded just as the kick landed and he used it to flip backward and hit a tree with his feet. He pushed off and flipped forward while using another spell to split his sword in two halves so that he had two thin bladed swords that were just as strong. He swung them and hit the ground around Joren in blinding speed that cut the ground and collapsed it inward into a pit that fell a good fifteen feet.

[Aelodil]

Nelfarion's head hurt him like heck. His mind split in two. The first half was the same old Nelfarion as they knew him right now, murderous, evil, and insane. The other half was the dragon spirit Navarog.. or at least what remained of the venerable dragon spirit. Suddenly, a mind that shone bright among the darkness surrounding him dinned. The small part that remained of Navarog knew he should listen to what the mind, which felt distinctly female, said. Though as he attempted to open his mind to her, he was clouded by evil thoughts of his counter-part Nelfarion. The small sane part of Navarog fought meekly against his counter-part. Meanwhile, Nelfarion had stopped his rampage and stood frozen, roaring and growling while he shook his head. Navarog continued his struggle and finally managed to pause Nelfarion's onslaught. He opened his mind to the girl and waited. Finally he heard her call. He didn't catch the first sentence but he did indeed catch the latter. He listened intently to what she said. What was he? Why was he doing this? What the point was? What the downsize was? He didn't know a single answer to her questions.

Navarog frowned inwardly. Deep down, he had been asking himself those exact questions. What and who was he exactly? He had long ago forgotten his name and instead had been shrouded in darkness. Why was he doing what? He didn't even have control over his body, and his body felt far too large. What was the point? It had no point, he had long ago given up on life. Suddenly, the huge dragon once again was replaced by a smaller dragon who was still large but much smaller than the one it had just replaced. The dragon had black scales and it looked directly at the girl and her dragon."I.. I no longer remember much... but I know this; run. Run while you can. All I remember is the fact that the people who tainted me corrupted me by infusing many spirits that would be the equivalent of about five Shades. You must run, quickly, before my tainted conscious begins playing with magic. Last time he used his magic he devastated much of outer Alagaesia. Go, quickly, I can delay him no longer. Run! Make sure that you---"[/b] he said when he was suddenly interrupted. He began shaking violently and returned back to his former self.

The spirits inside Navarog that had named themselves Nelfarion turned towards the girl that they had just been talking to. They let out a chortle of laughter and swung a massive paw nearby the dragon. They did not mean it to harm them but the sheer force would cause the wind to blow hard and possibly cause the dragon to crash into the land below. They continued on, looking back at Ashendale, almost in worry, but then wickedly managed a tiny grin. The tiny beings down there, the elves, and the humans had no hope against them. They continued their rampage, annoyed that their vessel had interrupted them. They saw a lake and let out a stream of fire unto it causing all the water to turn to steam and many of the surrounding trees combust. They looked around them. They had indeed caused much havoc and that, they were proud of.

The small light in the midst of the Shade's darkness began to shine brightly as Navarog heard the voice of yet another person. Yet again, this voice was unmistakably female. Navarog struggled to gain power over his body. The Shades were strong yet so was he. He would not stop his struggle. Finally, the dragon spirit managed to ease his way back out to the world. He audibly gasped as his body was rippled. His skin was cracked and he began shrinking. But this time, the shrinking did not stop at the size of the other dragon. This time the shrinking continued until he was the same size as the elves and human. He looked down at his arms. They had skin. He looked at the girl who was talking to him and instantly, guilt tore him. He fell to his knees. The burden of the guilt was too much for him to handle. He remembered the girl, for how could he not? He remembered the expression on her face as she walked into the room as he beheld the broken frame of her sister. As he wept, he remembered the knife he had been given by his friend Camarat. The sword was of fine making, and it would torture any Shade it touched. It wouldn't kill the Shade, but it would cause them great pain. Struggling to his feet, he took out the knife and slowly hobbled over to Skailah. He handed her the dagger. The pain was too much for him to say words but he pointed at the knife then pointed at his chest. He had faith that this time he could keep the whaling spirits at bay until she stabbed him so that they could imprison him.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia had thought her trying to speak to Nelfarion was a shot in the dark. It may have been in one way; whatever answered her was distinctly not Nelfarion. He was reduced to the smaller dragon for much longer, as if this other mind had heard her words and was trying to fight. There was confusion and pain in the mind that spoke to her, shame and panic and exhaustion from the effort it took to control his own body. The information was valuable. They could kill Nelfarion, but they would kill this person too... that made it so much harder. Countless people would die if he was not stopped, but a part of her couldn't help feel deeply sad that they would have to end this life too. Another part longed for some way to banish the Shades. If people could force this many spirits into him, people could force so many out too.

Just like that the mind was engulfed by Nelfarion's anger and Isrydia and Arlyn quickly brought up mental walls to it. The smaller black dragon transformed into the grotesque beast once again, but neither girl nor dragon wanted to heed the warning to run. They couldn't just leave and abandon the elves and whoever the black dragon was after hearing that. For their commitment they were rewarded by being batted aside as easy as swatting a fly. It had been a gentle shove on the scale of Nelfarion's power, but it sent her and Arlyn tumbling helplessly to the ground. His wings beat the air furiously, but they were spinning so fast and could not righten themselves to fly in one direction.

A couple of the elves who had been standing about unsure of what to do stepped back as they crashed. The landing was painful, Isrydia thankful there were no rocks around and that she was strapped to Arlyn's back and so avoided the dagger like spikes that lined his spine. They were both winded, landing on their right side. Arlyn's scales protected him, but Isrydia's shoulder was nearly dislocated with the impact, and her right leg was struck by hard ground on one side and a dragon on the other. They had been flying quite high to be level with Nelfarion, and his blow had given them a boost in speed which gravity had only increased more. Arlyn was rather heavy as well. All this made for a big impact. There was a sickening crunch of bone. Isrydia's lungs refilled themselves with air and she involuntarily let out a great cry of pain.

Arlyn, horrified, immediately rolled onto his legs, wincing from his bruises. Shiny red blood glistened on his near-white scales. Splinters of bone ruptured Isrydia's skin as she hurried to undo the strap that was digging into it painfully. They looked up and saw Joren landing hits on Ashendale, showing himself to be an impressive warrior. Nelfarion was... starting to change again. They caught a glimpse of that dragon, but he kept going until...

...he was human. He was walking towards a woman they hadn't seen before, who must mean something to him since he was walking towards her rather than Isrydia, who was nearer. She saw the dagger and knew his intent. Nelfarion was evil, but this man was not. She could not sit back and let him die. Pain was making her dizzy, and she tried to shout but no sound came out. Mending her leg would take a long and complex spell to weave the tissue and bone back together, so there was no chance of her walking towards them. Arlyn would have to be her legs for now. She did not need to think a word to him, as he could tell from her mind where she wanted to go.

Right leg dangling uselessly, Arlyn bounded over. Isrydia gritted her teeth against the tremendous pain which momentarily blacked out her vision as her leg bounced onto her dragon's scales. Even when the pain was no longer blinding her, her vision was distorted by tears she wiped away quickly. "Don't kill him! He's innocent, he can conquer them. He's the one who can defeat Nelfarion, not anyone else." Arlyn thought the threat should still be stopped. "Stab him if it'll hurt the spirits, just... nowhere important."

[Daidrea]

Joren felt the blows made contact, but Ashendale was quick to retaliate. He felt the ground under him give way and he fell a good distance. With a large thud he crashed into the bottom. Joren quickly got back to his feet. With a deep breath he jumped and reached for the top of the hole. Quickly he hoisted himself up and made sure to make some distance between him and Ashendale. Joren was breathing heavily, the effects of his new strength were already taking its toll. I put as much as I could into those attacks... yet he doesnt seem diminished in the least.

Joren paid no mind to what else was going on, he was solely focused on Ashendale.

[Brenton]

Skailah stopped in indecision as she saw what the dragon spirit was doing and then she saw who it was and even more feelings ripped through her soul. Should she kill him on the spot or show mercy like her sister would even though she was dead now? It was too much for her to comprehend up until the knife was in her hand and instantly she knew what had to be done for all to win. Skailah took the knife and slammed it into the cursed man's stomach but she could not bring herself to kill him even though his actions toward her sister warranted his quick death.

Skailah twisted the knife and yanked it out just as the girl and her dragon came up and she heard the words but it was too late and then it happened. A bellow of anger ripped through the air and Skailah looked up in time to see a man staring at her from a distance away. He raised his hand and a blast of pure black energy ripped through the air, killing everything it passed that was weaker than himself. Soon the bolt of energy would be at her and she would die or be mortally wounded.

Yet that was not to be for suddenly a white dragon appeared in front of Skailah and the bolt struck him instead, making Kialandi turn into a human and blood leak from the corner of his mouth. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he passed out as his body hit the ground in agonizing pain. The man had been able to protect Skailah to a degree but now she was on her own for he was going to die unless someone could heal him soon.

Skailah looked on in horror and immediately she grew angry, blue light forming around her and soon she was a dragon again but the dragon grew to what she would normally be if she had not been frozen in time. The girl grew and grew as her anger grew and soon she was as large as Nelfarion when he was Navarog. Skailah roared in anger and a blast of pure white hot flames shot at Ashendale while she shot bolts of freezing ice in all directions he could escape to.

Ashendale tried to dodge but he was struck by ice and frozen instantly into a glacier that made him stay there and the glacier would not thaw unless hit by dragon fire. The man glared at Skailah who had bested him but already she was shrinking and placing her hands on Kialandi who was injured beyond her skills to heal.