WoS Chapter 7

"With fearsome gait, the Traighluhn trot...
See them come with blighted rot..."

The most primal places of the cold dark void a primordial force stirred. Four spirits awakened as this force stirred, but the force vanished, traveling to a different yet equally dark void. Light swirled in pulsating eddies in time to the beat of a cosmic symphony. The flickering specks danced around eyes that glowed with unnatural brightness.

"The Fayett shall rise from sleep eternal...
The times are ripe for fires infernal..."

Light started to illuminate bodies that were flying together from pieces scattered across Shah'Haien. Tattered pieces of skin and sinew and broken shards of bone, pallid in the flickering glow, assembled themselves around the glowing eyes. Shah'Haien hummed to the age-old melody. Four were they that returned from sleep, now ready to continue in their ancient task.

"'Tis the end of the age, hark!
None shall remain, naught but the small lark..."

A roar ripped through reality followed by a howl ripped from the cosmos' throat. A mighty shriek filled the void in tandem with a sonorous chirping that hummed to the music of the worlds. With a voice that carried down the ages and washed awe over any who listen one of the spirits spoke "Blue Tail, has he returned?"

"I doubt it, Red Fang, I cannot feel the mother-father's presence" said a throaty voice that echoed down eternity.

---

The moonlit night was peaceful save for the whipping wind that shook the stalks of moonshine flowers. The wind swept down through the lands of Malleithen. They were now covered by the dead flora that had resulted from the day that now began on the moonlit shores. Ever since the stone shattered into a thousand pieces, the powers over Malleithen had waned.

"And then what?" demanded one of the women that stood before the strong black. Moonshine llaced her neck and white streaks of pollen that glowed matted her neck's fur. She shifted on her seat, trying to get a comfortable position to sit in. Her alerons swayed in the wind.

"And then we mingle." said the strong black. His muscles rippled with every step he took as he fought to gain the upper hand in the heated discussion. He paced back and forth on the field, the luscious scent filling his nostrils with a wanting to get down on the ground and roll in the middle of the moonshine fields.

"Mingle? We mingle?!" said one other female incredulously. The women formed the bulk of the Selenadre council. "They left Avalhein when it fell, THEY left us to starve in the ruins of the old city!" she shouted. "And then you expect US to mingle with THEM?!" Spittle frew from her maw as she continued on her rant. "It is no--" She was cut off by a sharp gesture.

"Remember, our ancestors chose to stay in Avalhein. The Alriieans did NOT leave the Selenadre, they chose to find new life." declared the male. "We are in no position to refuse them hospitality... Their lands are being destroyed. Besides, soon, the languid sea will see them on Malleithen. She has never failed us before."

"But they will destroy themselves when they come in contact with the Moonshine fields..." mumbled one almost incoherently. "Its addictive quality is far beyond what a normal Ceree can resist."

---

The sun shone high in the sky and the snow reflected almost everything back. The golden gate showered brazen flecks upon the white backdrop. The wind blew in the distance, but nowhere near the small contingent that was traveling across the land. Nature was still and apprehensive, the steady clicking of spindly six-legged monstrosities across the land shattered the silence.

Virulent clacking filled the air as the strange creatures communicated through their three mandibles. An air of terror hung around them.

---

Malkuthe woke up and shook the snow from his coat. Not far in the distance he saw a group of black creatures that were nothing like what he could see before, they were terrible mostrosities.

He realized he was lying in snow, He could not remember anything beyond a sudden flash of pain and the world turning black as he was racked by agony. He touched something around his neck and played with it fondly. He looked at it in horror and realized it was a collar. His paw almost lifted from it, but he continued playing with it. It was comforting.

He took in everything and realized he was alone. He trudged onward, searching for a friend to lean on.

---

Asphent loomed over a sleeping Raducan. She smiled and snuggled right beside him just as she heard the tail swishing that meant Liara was coming. She exelled at knowing anyone by just the sounds they made. It was nothing new to her. She tried to make herself comfortable and put her head against the new chieftain's chest.

Radu grumbled in his sleep, noticing a sudden weight on his chest. thinking it was liara he tried to go back to sleep... somehow he couldn't shake the feeling it wasn't. his eyes fluttered open, blinking due to the light that still managed to come through the fabric of the tent. he turned his head to look at the form on his chest.... no it was not liara, twas only asphent. he laid his head down to rest again... his eyes shot open and heads turned as far as the other side of the highwind encampment and the brightscale village "ASPHENT!?!" radu roared letting Aphent's head fall to the floor. his form began to grow filling the tent until it shredded apart, his eyes glowing blood red as he took his rage form

"asphent why are you in my tent, and more importantly why are you sleeping on my chest!?" he growled pointing a long sharp talon at her. he growled taking a step closer "you have 10 seconds to form some kind of explanation then i might decide to let you live" he growled 'or i can leave you to let liara try and rip you apart' he thought

Amteth was watching this from the background "this should be good"

Asphent harrumphed loudly in front of Raducan. She took an elven form and waved her hands in front of the distraught chieftain. "You love me, boy, deal with it." as she said so, she wove a magic so complicated it undermined the very weaves that brought power to Raducan's marks. It was something that the Great Lord taught her, and now that he was free, it felt great to use the magic.

"You love me. And that's all there is to it, Raducan." she said again, weaving the magic tighter and concealing its traces. This time she tied it off and completed the spell. Whiny spellcaster indeed. Her charms worked on even the most defended. She smiled with an evil grin.

for a moment everything was silent... R-Radu breathed silently without moving. since asphent had conceled the magic everyone who had come to see what happened slowly edged away, retreating to their homes and tents. of course liara might still be there, but who knows what she saw. R-Radu growled, fur spiking up and lowering his head to the ground, talons digging into the earth. his eyes where filled with deep turmoil shifting back and form between Rage filled red, and a softer pink color...through asphent's actions she had made a minor miscalutation, R-Radu was almost a completely different mind and entity than Radu himself. and Radu only felt one emotion Rage, but that changed now. now he felt Rage and undying love for asphent. he purred and stared at her with loving eyes, looking like a massive love struck monster ceree, which he was.

the Real radu was unaffected but due to asphent's interferrance, he was locked away in the back of his mind. Radu could do nothing yet the mind of R-Radu controled the show entirely. Amteth gave an interested grunt stroking his chin " so the dark one teaches that kind of power to even his lowest of minions"
"what are you talking about?" Radu asked
Amteth jumped " didn't expect to see you here kid... looks like your powers have both protected you and turned against you he shrugged

R-Radu smiled turning in to his elven form, which looked exactly like Radu's elf for save one detail his eyes where a pinkish red color, not Radu's gold "asphent my love, i am at your hearts beck and call" he said with a half bow. at this point the real radu was scratching against the wall of his inner mind trying to claw his way out 'nooo!!! it's not true i only love you liara! if i ever get out of this i'll ripped Asphent damned head off!!!!!" of course no of this could be heard outside, he was so deeply locked away in his own mind not even the dark one himself couldpry deep enough to hear whatr he was screaming

Liara stuck her head through the folds of the tent in time to see Radu and another ceree...together.
'What is this?' she snarled, staring at the stranger, claws unsheathing as she noticed her lust-filled eyes. Radu stooped low to the ground in what seemed like a bow, of all things. Liara was about to yell at him to snap out of it when -
"asphent my love, i am at your hearts beck and call"
She couldn't believe it. Furious, Liara lashed out with both paws, her talons raking across Radu and Asphent's arms. There was crimson staining her fur when Liara turned away, but she didn't look to see who she'd drawn blood from, instead stalking away into the nearby forest. As if echoeing her anger, the volcano seethed, spitting out a plume of lava into the sky.
After a while, Liara collapsed into a tired heap. She'd been running non-stop, mind filled with nothing but rage and violence, and she roared, striking out at a nearby rock. There was a dull sound, like a mix of metal and stone.
'We do not appreciate being hit. Did you not wish to be healed, or am I your new scratching post?' Liara wept as she heard the familiar rumbling voice.
'Maetesk!' She flung herself against the statuesk beast, tears flowing freely, glad of the warmth radiating from his armour. He looked down, not quite sure what to make of her actions.
'Your actions are...unknown. Why do you,' he stopped, changing his mind. 'Is this one of those...feelings?' Liara nodded. 'Would I want to feel this?'
'I...' She stared at Maetesk, realising what he was trying to work out. 'No,' Liara shook her head, 'no, you would not.' He sighed.
'We understand, and we...are sorry for you.' It was a mild comfort, and Liara couldn't help but appreciate the effort.
'Thanks,' she mumbled.

R-Radu growled and healed his bleeding arm, once the wound was healed the scars refused to leave, as if cursed by some for of magic... he ignored that and returned his attention to asphent

the real radu was crying, deep inside his mental prison. he lay on the floor in a puddle of his own tears "Liara must hate me!, a me that is not me has ripped her heart into shreds... she even struck me leaving scars cursed by hate and despair" he sobbed... "CURSE YOU ASPHENT!!!!!!!!!!" he roared so loud, even R-Radu blinked at the sudden commotion in the back of his mind, though he couldn't make out a word of it. he shrugged it off, before ordering his guards to keep a look out for liara, and alert him if she dared come back

Amteth sighed "you know kid... being who i am i should be able to speak into liara's dreams of your true situation, if she falls asleep he suggested
Radu looked up hopefully "thank you Amteth... but is there no way to cure this curse placed upon me?"
well truth be told, despite how complicated this love spell is... it is full of false feelings, none that be true. so this being said it can be unraveled. the easist time to do so would be anytime before midnight on the first day the spell is cast, hopefully. if your true love, liara, manages to prove through her emotions *like with a nice kiss* before then the spell should unravel nearly immeditally. of course now liara will have serious trouble getting to you... and getting past asphent. and on an added note she would have to kiss R-Radu while he is rage form for it to work amteth sighed but once she falls asleep i'll try my best. if she believes me

Seraph saw a world of shadows. Everything was nothing but shadow. " Can you see anything Seraph?" Seraph was startled at the question. He looked, and saw Rubian at his right, his ruby eyes staring into space. " Uhh, yeah. I can see. But all I see is shadow." Rubian laughed. " It's perfectly fine. We are in the world of shadow. Aespectrill love to go here. Anyway, you were pulled here by a reason. " Huh?" Just then a blue flame appeared in front of of Seraph. Shadow mixed with the flame and formed a being. It was like a dragon, but it's made of blue flame on molten rock. The dragon like being smiled. " Hello Seraph. I've been watching you." Rubian bowed at the dragon. " Greetings Lord." The dragon looked at Rubian. " Rise, Rubian. Seraph, do you know who I am?" Seraph just stared at him. " I don't know." The dragon's flame flickered. " I am Apion. I am also known by the name Noundele, brother of shadows."

R-Radu was laying near asphent playing flute *very well* for asphent's enjoyment, inside his mind the real radu groaned. amteth suddenly looked up and blinked "well ancestors are popping up pretty fast" he said. he sent out another pulse of energy from R-Radu's body, still unnoticable to all except ancestors. this reverberated across the land carrying his energy signature, bouncing off kaldi now carrying a copy of her energy signature, it traveled to apion so he could be alerted of amteth and kaldi's presence. it also would alert kaldi of apion's prescene" radu blinked "what do you mean?"
well first i came back in a way through you, then kaldi was revived due to someone restoring the bloom, and apion... err what was his other name... noundele! is back through means i cannot yet fathom
Radu's jaw dropped "kaldreiia is alive!? the great mother!?"
"don't get to exicted kid" amteth rolled his eyes "you know i just thought of something fun... due to my blessing which is still on R-Radu i can take him over and make him say what i want him to amteth and radu looked at each other and grinned
(*this part of the post is for comical purposes only* before i continue > R-Radu's words are normal 'blah' and amteth's are like this blah)
R-Radu stopped playing "oh horrible asphent who i do so love, might i compare the to a summers day?" while he spoke he closed his eyes, one hand over his heart... unknowing while his eyes where closed they would sometimes flicker between the semi normal pinkish red and amteth's bright purple
"for you are far sweeter. for thine smile does outshine the sun because it is so yellow and crooked. and thine ugliness knows no bounds, for thou art like a cool summer breeze the trees dieing as you pass. ah but let me carress thine cheek and i shall be contempt" his hand brushed against her cheek and he smiled closing his eyes, as the eyes flashed purple behind closed lids he quickly slapped her

amteth gave up control and him and radu laughed for a bit

Asphent gave a start at the slap. However, she thought that Radu was only kidding and returned the favor. She drew her aleron around full-arc and slammed it against Raducan's face, giggling. She leaned against her 'lover's' well defined form and drew in his scent. It was disgusting, but she had to live with it. She traced her paws over the still-tender wounds that the horrible creature named Liara had left upon him, marring his simple perfection.

Fickle was ambition indeed, but Asphent would not be fickle with what had to be done to fulfill it. She would soon be the ruler of all Malleithen and with that she could overthrow the Dark One. She quickly wrapped her tail around Radu's and snuggled against the crook in his neck, inhaling deeply before doing so. She pecked him on a purple cheek and smiled. What an act even in private, but she could not risk any chance of discovery.

From outside the tent, the cry rose up that the council had finished convening with the two chieftains that weren't busy with something. Satisfied grunts arose from the gathered Ceree, some still half-terrified to death. The order went around to start packing and to sound large bugles that were in the middle of the encampment.

Soon enough, Ceree were streaming down to the Languid Sea. A long column of reds, blues, greens, browns, grays and almost any other color winded down the path to the shores upon which the waves crashed. There were already Syllithe in the water, their sinuous bodies winding effortlessly through the crests. Elves equally skilled in swimming were cutting through the waves with strong, precise strokes.

Feeling in a good mood, Asphent grabbed the only elf they had in camp, Cael and put him on her back. Sounds of protestation arose from the boy, but she shut him up. After a few minutes Cael just had to ask "Who are you?"

"Boy, I'm Asphent. Future ruler of Malleithen."

Radu walked along next to asphent, when she wasn't looking amteth took control, causing radu to lag a bit. he looked up at cael and his eyes showed the general message of 'help me please!!' his eyes returned to normal and he went back to walking next to asphent

Amteth literally smacked himself across the muzzle "they're headed for the languid sea!? oh good lord, i can't wait for liara to fall asleep" he growled. the real radu blinked as amteth disappeared in a burst of flame... suddenly in broad daylight while liara was still awake, amteth forced a vision on her.
the vision shifted a bit and was rather grainy and hard to see, but easily heard. she would see a flickering blue flame against a white empty void, the flame spoke "liara... what you have seen of radu loving asphent, it is a lie! asphent has cursed radu with a love spell... to be exact it is rage radu who is in control. the real radu is locked within his own mind! and he needs your help and quickly, if you can kiss him while in rage form before midnight the spell will break and radu will be freed... but not only are guards waiting for your return, they are moving towards the languid sea... you must hurry!" he said as the vision would fade... amteth only hoped she would listen

Seraph was surprised at the answer. " Noundele? As in THE Noundele, brother of shadows, one of the Great Ancestors?"

Noundele laughed a bit. " Yes. The very one. I need to talk to you for a while."

Seraph just stared at him in awe. " But I thought you disappeared, Just like the other Ancestors." Noundele paused for a bit. He was sensing Amteth's energy and he let out his energy signature as well.

" Oh, that. Uhh I guess I'm not exactly alive. I'm really a manifestation of my power, but I do have a body when I'm in the shadow world. In the real world, I'm just a spirit."

Seraph started to get it. " Ahh. So why do you want to talk to me?" Noundele had a serious expression. " I talked to you because now the Dark One is free, and you need all the help in defeating Al... I mean the Dark One." Seraph was paying attention. " I have been watching you since the day you were born. You were born with special qualities Seraph. You will be an important asset in defeating The Dark One. Of course, I'll be with you all the way. "

Seraph was puzzled. " How Noundele? You will be just a spirit in the real world." Noundele now spoke in a flat voice. " I'll be merging with you, guiding you all the way. You'll be getting new abilities and you'll know them soon. Now, I'll merge with you, we don't have much time."

Noundele then turned into shadow and went inside Seraph's mouth. Seraph was gagging, but he managed not to spit Noundele out. "Excellent. Now, let's go look for Amtheth. He should be in another ceree's mind. We'll sense him soon enough. Now let's go.' Seraph waved his hand, and a portal opened, showing the Languid Sea Seraph and Rubian stepped into the portal, and half a second later, they were in the Languid Sea. " Now to find Amteth. Where is he?"

noundele would be able to easily sense the aura of amteth coming off a young purple ceree with strange yellow markings, he walked silenetly beside a female who seemed to be his lover. the female was carrying a young male elf on her back. but something was disturbed about Radu's aura, he seemed to be under some form of love spell and was definitely not himself

suddenly the voice of amteth filled seraph's head, so noundele could hear it "HEEEEEY APOIN!!! so hows it going? for me not so well, since my vessel is stuck under a terrible love spell from the psycho next to him" he shrugged, as his image also popped up in seraph's mind

Amteth's voice filled Seraph's head. He was told of the situation. He communicated through the same way Amteth talked to him. " Hey Erik! I sense you are near. I'll try to do something about the situation. I'll come to you right away." Noundele told Seraph to go find a purple ceree with strange markings accompanied by a female who had an elf on her back and nearing the Languid Sea. " That's very specific. Let's go Rubian." Rubian was acting a bit strange and he asked Noundele what was wrong with him. " Oh, it's just the equinox coming near. Aespectrill reveal themselves during this time. Oh and because I have left the shadow world, that world will collapse. Aespectrill will sense that. Anyways, let's go!"


No sooner that he already saw the pair of ceree going to the Languid Sea. He managed to block them. " Hey, can I talk to both of you?" Seraph wove a magic barrier around himself and Rubian to block the female's magic. Noundele could already sense Erik's powerful presence in the purple ceree. " Erik, what can we do to release the spell? Night is approaching and if that ceree doesn't come here in time, it's too late for this ceree."

thats the problem... i don't know, this is magic that was taught to this gal by alg-i mean the dark one as he is now called. i'm not even sure the kiss of his true love will work... it should though, i guess all you can do is just distract R-Radu and Asphent, keep them from getting to the launguid sea... and try not to get cursed yourself. amteth groaned rubbing his temples
R-Radu raised and eyebrow "do i know you?" he asked raising an eyebrow. he growled slightly, stepping between seraph and asphent
see... look at this guy, he has no control! amteth groaned

"This is going to be a problem. we'll distract the girl. Try to gain dominance. We'll make sure he and the girl are far away from each other." Noundele then gave the kid directions. "Kid, you know what to do. Be careful, this girl is powerful."

Seraph released a flame as hot as a star onto R-Radu. He then shot a powerful blast of magic at Asphent, hurling her and the elf away from R-Radu. " Rubian! Make sure R-Radu doesn't get near us!" Seraph summoned shadows at his command. " Shadows, attend to me. Attack the female but try not to hurt the elf." Seraph donned his cloak of magic and started attacking. Asphent though was trying to weave some sort of magic. Seraph started to be careful.

R-Radu roared viciously, taking his actual rage form. now he towered over other ceree, displaying his feralness. he let loose an earthshaking roar that shook the earth. he growled at rubian, lashing out with his claws. he followed with a burst of grey fire. amteth was doing his best to hold R-Radu back, but he was having trouble since it was always difficult to control radu's rage form come on liara... the sun will be setting sooon

"liara... what you have seen of radu loving asphent, it is a lie! asphent has cursed radu with a love spell... to be exact it is rage radu who is in control. the real radu is locked within his own mind! and he needs your help and quickly, if you can kiss him while in rage form before midnight the spell will break and radu will be freed... but not only are guards waiting for your return, they are moving towards the languid sea... you must hurry!"
Liara gasped as the vision hit her, eyes widening with shock.
'I...no...RADU!' She shook her head, cursing herself for fleeing so far from the tribe, as it would be impossible for her to reach them in time. As if reading her thoughts, Maetesk raised a claw.
'We could help,' he muttered. 'There was a force flowing into your mind, so we looked to see what it was...and we know of your plight.' Liara nodded meekly.
There was a curious, tingling sensation all down her body as Maetesk turned to smoke, filling the air around her. She coughed, startled to see the ground rushing past beneath her feet. It was if she was flying.
'Do not move,' Maetesk muttered, his voice booming from all the corners of the black screen, 'or you might fall, and we may not be able to catch you before the ground does.'It was only a matter of time before they were at the shore, Liara thrown from the cloud of smoke as Maetesk re-appeared, spewing flames at Asphent.

R-Radu roared turning towards liara "you dare come back here and bring that living rock with you!?" he growled, already in his rage form. he began to slowly move towards liara, forcing rubian out of his way with a smack of his heavy paw. he bared his long fangs "i'll ripyou apart!"
deep within his own mind the real radu cryed out in vain "liara my love don't listen!!... I'LL KILL YOU ASPHENT!!"
amteth chuckled slightly to himself as he sat back to see how events played out

Liara winced as she saw the rage in R-Radu's eyes. For a second doubt clouded her mind, then she remembered Amteth's words, her eyes narrowing with determination. There was the sound of grinding metal behind her as a steel-like blade slid out from the end of Maetesk's tail, before he roared, charging at Asphent, eyes wild with a happiness. It was strange how he enjoyed power so much.
Then again... Liara shuddered, bracing herself for what was to come. She launched herself at R-Radu, throwing her paws around his shoulders as if to embrace him.
There was a sickening pain in her side as his claws ripped deep into her flesh, but she forced herself to carry on. Leaning forwards, Liara moved her face towards his own, crimson soaking her fur.
Just....a little....furt...furth... She coughed blood, her muzzle only inches from R-Radu's. ...further...

R-radu's momentum caused him to touch against liara's lips, then several things happened at once... The wounds on radu's arms healed, as he gained control of his own body. As the kiss endured liara's wounds healed as If they never occured. Radu shrunk to his orginal size. He smiled and ended the kiss stepping back... With a pulse of energy he sent asphent into a barrel roll, he magic over rubian and seraph was cut off.

Radu took his anthromorphic form. He walked over and punched asphent in the face hard enough to at least knock her out. He stood there for a second now that everything had been put right... He noticed another form "malkuthe?" he ran over to his friend, returning to his normal form. "malkuthe my friend, please wake up!" he said pushing on him with a paw... after a few seconds the older ceree awoke
"radu?... what happened?"
Radu smiled and began to explain in brief just about everything that had happened... though remembering malkuthe's feeling for saffye he left out the parts of her turning him into an agador and a few more parts like that... when he concluded he smiled at his friend "it's good to have you back"

Radu shook his head and shuddered, he noticed a few other ceree had gathered. the stared in shock and awe at malkuthe. radu himself walked over and made sure liara was okay "i'm so sorry "he whispered and nuzzled her. he left her to rest for the moment. he walked over to malkuthe and smiled at him "like i said it's good to have you back"

there was a silence, a slightly aqward one at that. radu finnally spoke the question that was laying on everyone's mind... "malkuthe now that you are... with us again... will you reclaim your role as cheiftan of the highwind?" he asked, incredibly unsure of what answer to expect