Chosen of Talas

"Of course, Alexia, I'll get your things." Lilly even knew what her friend would want most from her room, so after a brief farewell hug, she walked quickly but casually away from the market, knowing to be discreet as she made her way to her friend's house. She went inside and hurried up to Alexia's room, grabbing her a few of the girl's favorite clothes, some necessities, and even a favorite book or doll as an afterthought. She kept the load light, but efficient, tying everything in a neat bundle for her basket. After sneaking out again, she dutifully set the basket with Alexia's belongings at the exact tree that was mentioned. She was wondering if she should also wait by this tree, wouldn't it be conspicuous? She sighed. Things were definitely turning from ordinary, to chaotic way too fast. She only hoped she could help Alexia with this horrible fate.
 
Elsewhere, chaos took a backseat to pure surreality.

A massive creature stepped across the field, a still-living horse slung over his shoulder. The horse was obviously unamused at this treatment, though did not struggle. Only a whinny of distaste every few moments. A group of humans greeted the creature, "Oh good! You got'er. Can't be-leeve all the work you do fer us."

Lifting the horse up, the gigantic creature placed it down in a closed-off pen. Finally speaking in a low, rumbling voice. "Ha... happeh tah 'elp. Mummuh wuz a friend o'... o' you." Struggling with the words, his canine mouth getting in the way. It made the words sound forced, and their speaker sound less than intelligent. A human hand rose, patting the beastman on his hip. "Yer a good man, Toma. Don't let any'un tell you aneh dif'rent." The human's way of speech seemed far more natural than the beastman's, allowing for his human lips.

Identified as Toma, the mass of beastman nodded with a happy smile. Hiding behind their mother, two children looked up at him in awe. Said mother spoke up, "You wanna join us fer dinnah, Toma? We 'ave enough to serve yeh." With a shake of his head, he replies, "N... Naw, sorreh. S'... still gotta work sum-more." Raising a hand to wave to the family of humans, the beastman strode back towards home.

It was an easy walk. A giant of a man, he stood over ten feet tall, covered in lean muscle and tan fur. Stripes adorned his fur, and the many scars of life were hidden well by aforementioned fur, save for the cut over the bridge of his nose. Stepping over the fence, he entered his own 'plot' of land - the farm next door. Without saying a word, the massive man smiled, balancing on the pads of his feet as he knelt down, picking the weeds out carefully.

Little thought passed through his head as he worked... blissfully happy at having a purpose in life... no longer forced to hurt other people. Unfortunately, his role in the world was going to change, just as the Chosen's life had taken a foul turn... he did not know it at the time, but his strength would be used against man once again. The 'Sanguine Slaughterer' needed no gladiator's ring to conquer.
 
"Chosen."

The whisper came suddenly as the world tilted before disappearing in an ocean of white.

"Chosen, hear me." The voice has soft, comforting as a din shape formed in the bleak whiteness. "Come to us chosen, over the edge we are waiting for you. For the good of all come and take you place with us in paradise." The figure and the voice circled her. "All the chosen are watching you, those that gave up the struggle of the world for paradise are waiting for you. The rewards for serving all are great. Come to us."

The figure always stayed just out of reach, just out of range to see clearly, then as the white receded and the world, no the sky snapped back into place it changed, turning away from her. "She'd better hurry up or the dea………"


Sky.. and a face, Methodius' face greeted her. She could feel his arms around her as she lay in his lap. "Are you alright? You… feinted, I caught you." His words were rushed as his eyes darted between hers concern written across his features.
 
That was it; this was getting near her limit. She wasn't ok. Alexia curled up around Methodius and hid her face against him. "They want me to…die." Her words came out muffled, yes, but she knew he could hear her. "The…One of the Gods is calling me forward. They invaded my mind Methodius." Automatically seeking comfort, Alexia's arm curled around his middle while ignoring the riskier feelings that touching him made her feel. She didn't like the fact that she wanted reassurance from him. For him to tell her that it would all be ok, that everything would work out. Heck, if she hadn't been his mate he wouldn't have given her the time of day…unless he was hungry.

…Right?

Just…hold me and make it all go away.

At the mention of the gods that insisted their own die at the end of each cycle, the dragon shifted uneasily under her. He looked to the sky for a moment before cradling her and standing, sheltering her from the wind with his wing. He carefully edged into shelter laying her on his meager bedding. "You are safe here, for now." his voice echoes with the surety of a life centuries long spent apart from the world. "And if they find you there's always somewhere else we could go that even a god couldn't catch a dragon on the wing." He shifted away holding out his hand, a blue flame emanating from his palm lighting the small amount of wood he had left over, it was a small fire but it brought light and warmth. He lay, resting his head on his hand, staring into the flames his hand finding hers. "You'll be safe. This I promise."

Eyes heavy, they drifted shut as she whispered. "I believe you..." It had been a long day and her mind needed to reboot, desperately. So…she slowly started to let go. Moving closer and settling against him with her ear to his chest, Alexia let the beating of Methodius' heart drag her down into a deep sleep...And didn't feel it when he left her side.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
 
Lilly had decided to sit by the tree where she kept Alexia's things close by so no one would get an idea to steal them. She could be deadly in anger, and even her hair could turn into sharp-spear like weapons if she needed the extra offense. She had complete control over her hair at that time, as soon as they became spears, she would launch them at least a good few miles long distance, or give a sharp painful stab if the enemy was too close. They moved at her slightest thoughts. She was content for now to simply gaze at the scenery of trees, sprawling fields, and the general beauty of the world. When she felt bored, she would pull out a paper back novel from her sleeve and read.The only reason she could smell an approaching stranger, was due to an incredibly gusty breeze that blew from the opposite direction, otherwise she might not have detected anything. but she wouldn't stand until they got to her tree. Her feet were a bit tired after all. Keeping all other senses alert, she breathed deep. Whoever was approaching would just be here to get Alexia's things. She had a sudden thought in her mind : would she be accompanying Alexia on her escape mission? She supposed it never hurt to ask.
 
Menevol searched the forest, but found nothing. It was possible that he may have missed something, but in his current state, he did not care. His sleep the night before had been haunted with nightmares and unpleasant. He wore an expression on his face of pure hatred, not hatred for mankind in general, but hatred for himself. He was a mess, and the scowl that hung on his face perfectly mirrored his mood. He needed a drink, something to numb the pain. Something to set him free, even if just for a little while. He spat on the forest floor in disgust and made his way towards the other side.

Once he stepped out the other side of the forest he saw a village in the distance. If his memory served him proper, it was a Naga village. He hated the Naga, as he did most ancient races. What the hell made them so special? Menevol's eyes lit up with fury as he made his way towards it, and god help anyone that got in his way before he had a drink. He absentmindedly gripped the hilt of his sword as he walked towards the Village, for the moment all thoughts of the Chosen had left his mind.

Now to find some strong drink, and possibly some senseless violence….
 
He left her, not out of choice. She was asleep deep enough that he could trust she'd be there when he returned. He was worried about her collapse, and maybe there was something in her belongings she needed to take. An infusion or medicinal herb. Running along the rip rock he jumped into the air gliding low over the treetops back to the lake. A silent as an owl and as dark in the night as a bat he dipped a wing banking, eyes focusing on the lat shore. They were there, as small wave of premature relief flowed through him, then restless movement. Someone was waiting.

Over the opposite edge of the lake he descended hidden by trees. Then on foot to walked forwards emerging into the moonlight. She would know he was coming. Alexia's friend, there was no point in hiding his approach. He was not who she was expecting, odiously, and to hide his approach would only give her reason to distrust him, and there was enough of that. As he got closer he raised a hand, showing he knew she knew he was there and did not intend to harm her. "Lilly." he called out getting closer. "A am here to get Alexia's belongings for her."
 
"Here are your belongings... and of course I'll stay in the village to warn you if any danger arrives. Just take care of yourselves is all I ask." Lilly said, handing the guy Alexia's belongings. She hoped they'd stay safe for now, but she'd go running into battle-mode if anything happened that she could prevent. For now, she would go back to her own home and perhaps enjoy time out by the lake. She could only hope for the best right now, but Lilly always hated when she couldn't do more to help.
 
Although only moments had passed, it had seemed like forever. Menevol was a tired wreck, a frustrated heap of a man. HE wanted nothing more to be at at the castle with a large glass of mead in his hand, but no he was stuck searching for the chosen. Menevol wanted nothing more than to end it all, find her and kill her, but he knew that would have to wait. First thing was first. In the near by Naga village he would inquire about her, find out what he could, and get rip roaring drunk in the process. If not anything else, at least the fact that he would be in warm place soon, sipping strong drink, eased his nerves. A slight smile, if it could even be called that, crept across his face at the thought of the alcohol that would soon be in his stomach.

Menevol, in a down sloping state of sobriety, headed to the near by village. Each time his heavy foot hit the soft dirt it left an imprint, and his hatred grew more and more. By the time he reached the village, he was seeing red. Ready to take it out on the first person he saw.

He walked in the bar and slammed a few coins down on the counter.

"Your strongest bottle of mead." Said Menevol, paying little attention to the Naga natives that were staring at him.

He grabbed the bottle, yanking it from the bar keeps hand, as he made his way to a corner table. He lifted the long, glass bottle to his lips and drank deeply, not even bothering to whip his out after. It was good. He basked in the warm afterglow as the drink warmed his body from the inside out. He took another drink, nearly finishing the bottle by this point. Next he pulled out a small pouch of tobacco and filled his pipe. With smoke trailing off him, he stood and walked to the bar again. His eyes were shining by this point and he looked the Naga bar keep right in the eye.

"I want another bottle." Again, Menevol slammed some coins on the counter, never taking his eyes off of the man.

"Also, I need you to tell me if you seen anyone that fits this description." He gave the description, on the verge of grabbing the bar keep by the neck and chocking him to death right here on the spot. He hated Naga.
 
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Alexia shrugged off sleep, blinking and looking about the cave as her eyes adjusted. Methodius was gone; the spot beside her had grown cold. The cold air was what had woken her. Rolling over onto her elbow and then stretching as she stood, Alexia yawned off the last bit of sleep. She walked about, her fingers tracing over his possessions, wanting to look further into his things but holding back out of respect. Living alone like he did, like most dragons did, she wouldn't doubt he had an emotional attachment to some if not all of the things he kept. <o:p></o:p>
Things…trinkets…<o:p></o:p>
He must have gone to get her things. That was it! It was a sweet gesture; but she just hoped Lily didn't give him hell…Or vice versa. Lily was a fiery thing when things got down to it, for sure. Her hand went to her throat, fingering the soft weave of hair; it was the delicate necklace Lily had made her for her tenth birthday. The mermaid had been around for so long it was hard to remember that she wasn't a naga sometimes. Legs growing heavy again with sleep; it wasn't long before she found her way back to the comfort of the bedding. Cuddling up into it to drift off again, Alexia slowly breathed in his scent. Maybe he wasn't that bad…maybe with time, she'd be happy. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
At least he smelled good. <o:p></o:p>
 
He nodded, she would be safe, he'd see to that. "Thank you." he said slowly, a phrase he wasn't used to saying. "Alexia will be safe." as he said the words he wondered if they were true, she had collapsed and those marks on her skin, could he really protect her from a god? "We will find you in we need you."

With that he shifted forms taking on the bulk of a full dragon so he could easily lift all of Alexia's belongings and carry them by air all the way back. With his load and careful not to to knock Lilly over with either his wings or tail took off into the night. He flew low over the trees and spiraled up to the ledge that marked the entrance to the groto.

Back in half form he carried his load inside and set it out next to where she lay before sitting next to the small fire and staring into it's heart. Rolling over the events of the day in his mind, evaluating options and planning more than once glancing at the firelight playing over her sleeping form, until finally exhausted he joined her of the only place soft enough to sleep.
 
Lilly waved to the dragon a few times, before checking her surroundings. Assured no one was close by, she went home. After all, things were sort of at a stand-still, and she had nothing to do except make her adoptive parents not worry. So she went through the evening routine after a brief swim in the lake behind her house, changing mermaid form just for a little while, before returning to human-form to make a good stew for dinner. With a little luck, Alexia would have at least a few more years to enjoy life. Being chosen seemed almost unreasonably cruel. Why would the gods ordain such a fate for -one- person? Or at all? Simply to restore the world? Why couldn't there be another way to save everything? She just didn't see the logic in any of it. The last chosen of Talas had had a truly ugly death, which was the very last thing Lilly ever wanted to see happen to Alexia. Frowning, she tried to think of solutions, but failed. Things had simply gone this way for too long for her to see a hopeful solution.
 
With the scent of mead strong on his breath and hate nearing the critical boiling point in his chest, Menevol continued staring down the bartender. He was shaken, that much was obvious, but Menevol was picking up on something else. Not quite fear, but what was it? Suddenly a thunderous voice exploded in his head, the damn voices were back, stronger than they had been in months. A crazed dialog began to take place.

"Whats HE looking at."

"Its you, you dammed fool. He knows, but he is not telling"

"He is scared, he knows nothing. I am drunk"

"He knows….They ALL know Look around. They are against you!"

"I hate them too…."

"Kill the bartender Menevol, Kill them all!!! Tear this place apart!!!"

"ARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!"

Menevol's hands shot to his head, tears of pain formed at his eyes and a red light erupted in his vision. Something was eating at his brain, slowly but steadily. He swung, connecting with force to the Bar Keeps jaw. A deep snap was heard as the poor naga man fell the ground in a heap. Menevol was seeing red, a hate induced trance fueled by the voices in his head. He smashed the empty bottle of mead on the counter and turned to face the no doubt frightened patrons of the bar. Everything was a blur after this, Menevol vaguely remembers attacking a few more before everything went black.

When he came to he had a pounding headache. He was in total darkness with a chain attached to his leg. He put his hand to his head and found it wet and sticky, no doubt covered in blood. It didn't take long for Menevol to figure out he was in a jail. At this moment the ex Knight is at an all time low, exhausted with life and sick of being in his own skin.
 
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