Alright now i can go back to working on my somewhat failed attempt of a character list....*scratches chin awkwardly*
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58
The Night Mother’s Followers.
Slyfer ignores the question and once again looks down over the edge. Around the walls below he can see the army gathering like ants around an ant hill. “I don’t know what is going on, but let’s go down for now.”
Slyfer heads for the stairs and stops, turning around he looks at the Queen who seems to not have moved a muscle. He runs his hand through his hair with an embarrassed look on his face, before saying. “Will you show the way?”
Sounds of boots striking the glistening smooth surface of the stone underneath them soon reaches Slyfer and the Queen as they make their way towards the bottom of the tower. Although the footsteps seem hurried Slyfer can’t be bothered as his eyes continue to roam around, taking in the surroundings. The walls and floor looks to be made from the same material and ranges in color from a dark deep red to dark grey. Slyfer assumes this was caused by the different types of soil that got compressed.
The long hallway they are currently in is large enough for ten people to walk side by side with space to spare and the ornate and curving arches overhead reach a height of at least five meters. The most striking features, are the glowing stones set into the wall intermittently. These stones provide light, making up for the small amount entering from thin elongated windows.
All along the hallway are gaping entrances to rooms beyond. Slyfer hears the Queen swearing under her breath; a complaint since the wood required to fill in all the entrances will not be a small amount.
The volume of steps grow louder and Slyfer sees familiar people coming around a bend and into view. The King, Fira, Trisha and Luna at the front seem to be oblivious to their surroundings as their eyes settle on Slyfer and they let out a collective sigh of relief. Trisha wants to rush forward, but seeing Fira she contains the urge.
It does not stop Luna and she soon reaches Slyfer and grabs onto his arm. “Alpha, we must get the biggest room!”
Slyfer smiles at her and looks up when the others come to a standstill infornt of him. “We were worried.”
When Slyfer looks at them questioningly, the Queen starts to explain. “You ran into the magical formation. I tried to stop you but…”
Luna interrupts. “Alpha shoved Old lady Queen and sent her flying!”
Slyfer looks at the Queen who is slowly turning pink under his gaze as if to defend herself she says. “You just caught me by surprise.”
All of Slyfer's attention focuses on her and he gives her a scrutinizing gaze. “Did I hurt you?”
The Queen raises her chin. “It will take more than that to hurt me.”
Slyfer not believing her keeps his eyes locked on her, which only serves to increase her embarrassment. He finally relents and turns away starting to explain what he felt. “It was like, …like I had become a part of the whole thing. I lost my head and then I woke up here.”
The Queen shakes her head. “It makes no sense, but it happened regardless and now we have an even better stronghold.”
Great Hunter smiles and nods at this. The smile soon fades as he says. “Slyfer are you sure you still want to leave?” Slyfer only nods causing the King to sigh. “Fine, just be careful…”
They take a short tour through the tower which only causes their surprise to grow more and more. The Queen and Great Hunter act like children as they discuss the merits and defenses of the place as well as how they plan to allocate their resources.
On the fifth floor the sound of voices in the tower is nearly deafening. Due to their being no doors or furniture sound waves travel through the multitudes of rooms and hallways almost unhindered. It is surprising to Slyfer when he realizes this seeing as there are only a sparse few people on the inside at the moment and the noise is traveling from outside where the armies have gathered to wonder at the tower.
Guided by nothing but curiosity he walks out of a nearby entrance to see a bridge leading to the wall surrounding the place. With quick steps he finds himself looking over the wall and at the people underneath. Where he is standing just so happens to be on one of the corners, of the hexagon. People soon spot him and the crowd starts to go quiet.
Slyfer lost in his thoughts gets interrupted by Fira. “They are waiting to hear your words Slyfer.”
He gets jolted back to reality by the sentence. “I did not come here to speech.”
The Queen laughs, -revenge for my hurt shoulder!- She steps forward and lifts her hands for silence. “People of our nations!” She gestures behind her and the King joins her after fussing with his belt. “This tower behind you is a testament of what we can achieve when we work together. In truth we did not plan on making it this large, but a man that has gained our recognition, has once again surprised us with his ability!” After saying her last words she gestures towards Slyfer. This causes the Dark Elves below to erupt into a deafening bout of cheering. The High Elves of course, more reserved gives a round of applause.
The Queen steps back leaving only Slyfer in view. He gives her a look that says it all. Slyfer simply intends to walk away, but the Queen stops him. “They have all heard the rumors and despite our recent activities morale is rather low. We need something to spur them on.”
Slyfer turns around as his mind searches for words. Augmenting his voice, he starts to speak. “I assume you have all heard the rumors…. I am here to tell you that they are true! Even as we speak Atlantia gathers its armies in preparation to attack us.” Mutters and whispers has the people a buzz. “Do not be afraid! Do not show weakness to those who are weak and pitiful themselves.”
“How can you say that? They far outnumber us. Shouts a voice from below.
“How can I say that? A good question, but one only you can answer…. Look to your left, your right, your front and your back.” He waits for them to do it as a fire starts to burn in his eyes. “What do you see? Do you see a stranger, or a comrade? Do you see a foe or a friend? Years ago you were sworn enemies, now you have fought and bled together. Your leaders have come to understand each other and what is the result?” The Queen and Great Hunter looks at each other and to their surprise they find respect in the eyes that are looking back at them!
The same voice calls out another question. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Everything! You were divided, weak like soft twigs withered over time and easy to break. Yet now life and pride has returned. You have trained with each other, learned from each other!” Slyfer lifts his hand into the air for all to see with his fingers outstretched. “We were separated yet connected like the fingers on my hand. Easily broken, easily bent…. “ He suddenly makes a fist. “Now we are a fist compacted and strong and any warrior worth his salt will know a fist can fell the biggest giant when it hits the right place! We fought to get here; we lost comrades, brothers….fathers. But we have gained power in our unity! I promised that we would strike back at the beast that threatens to devour us and we did. Now it stirs once again! Will we shirk from it, or will we face it with pride and strike a blow that will send it scattering into a million pieces like it truly is, for the enemy may be large!”
Slyfer’s voice lowers, but it still reaches all of them when he speaks. “But they are scattered like dust in the wind, each vying for dominance, rife with betrayal and distrust. It is this that we will exploit. It is here that our blow will strike!” He stands up straight and opens the still clenched fist. “Those that do not scatter, those that do not run like the dogs they are…” His hand catches alight with magic and the flames suddenly surges causing the dragon head underneath him to look alive within the dancing shadows. “We will maim! We will kill!” The blood pack and others who know the motto join in. “WE WILL BURN!”
After the speech, the atmosphere in the army is once again one of determination and eagerness. Slyfer walking to his tent in the shadows smiles wryly at this. –People are so fickle and easily swayed. It is both a gift and a curse.- The dragons inside agree whole heartedly and gives him rare praise for the admonishment.
Luna, Trisha and the Queen who has not said a thing to him since the speech follow silently as he broods. When they reach the tent Slyfer is surprised to find Trisha’s mother who had been avoiding him like the plague. She briefly greets them before entering.
Slyfer is about to ask for the reason behind the visit, but the Queen beats him to it. “Thank you for responding to my request, has everything been arranged?”
The shaman looks at the group and nods, before stepping aside to reveal six figures that seemingly materialize out of the shadows itself. Luna jumps up. “Shady guy!”
The figure on the left coughs lightly and greets Luna back with his usual gruff voice. The shaman looks at him enquiringly, but lets it go in the end. “I have gathered the best of the Night Mother’s assassins.”
The Queen wrinkles her nose at the mention of “Night Mother”. The shaman seems to draw pleasure from this before saying. “If you do not agree with our ways, we can always withdraw…”
The Queen shakes her head. “No, even though your ways are old an outdated, it is needed.”
Slyfer having watched in silence finally speaks up. “Am I missing something here?”
The Shaman does not answer and seeing that she does not plan to, the Queen answers for her. “These assassins will be your companions on this mission. They have trained their art for years, much like the other High Elves train in a set direction.”
Slyfer gets up and walks past Trisha’s mother and comes to a standstill infornt of the one Luna called shady guy. “Shady guy, is it. Can I trust you?”
Without blinking or a hint of hesitation he states. “We were trained to kill and live in the shadows, but above all we were trained to die for our beliefs.”
Slyfer snorts. “That does not answer my question. What is it that you believe?”
Once again as if reciting from a book the man speaks. “We believe the Night Mother gives and takes life as she sees fit. We believe that your cause corresponds with ours and in preservation of our belief and the continuation of our temple, we will become the agents of death itself.”
The Shaman finally speaks up. “Long ago all the High Elves believed in the Night Mother. She was our god, but with time,” she looks at the Queen accusingly. “this has changed and many lost their way.”
Slyfer walks back to where he was before. "And how is it that you know your Night Mother is the correct belief.”
The Shaman smiles and says. “That is easy, my daughter standing next to you is clear proof of this. We found her on the alter in the temple. She was given to us, to return balance to the world and you… No I lost her.”
The room is filled with silence at hearing the revelation. Everyone turns to Trisha who is looking at her mother with steel in her eyes. Slyfer can’t help but wonder on how different she would have been had she not been taken from these people at such a young age.
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Slyfer with a sense of apprehension has to accept their help since he agreed to the Queens terms to placate everyone. Still… he feels that with the first chance he gets, he will abandon them.
The Shaman snaps her fingers and the assassin in the middle steps forward with a bundle in his hands. She takes it and hands it over to Slyfer unceremoniously. “These clothes changes with the wearer’s surroundings when life force or what you call magic is fed into it. I think that you will find it more fitting for the task you are about to embark on.”
Slyfer accepts the bundle and to his surprise two menacing blades rests on it. Luna seeing it bubbles with excitement and steps forward. “Luna has blades like that too.”
The Shaman snaps around glaring at the others. “Shady guy” finally steps forward and takes a knee. “I have been training her, I had no idea that she was involved with him at the time, I will accept any punishment you deem fit.”
The shaman balls her fist, but just as quickly relaxes and a sly look enters her eyes. “Seeing as she is being trained she will also accompany you.”
“Yaay-“
“No.” Slyfer interrupts before Luna can continue celebrating. “She is not ready.”
The shaman smiles. “You do not have a choice, since she is one of my subordinate's disciple, she is one of us. Tell you what, I will leave the choice to her?”
All turn to Luna at the same time, who is looking at them questioningly. She turns to Slyfer. “Alpha will fight?”
Slyfer sighs before nodding, it causes Luna to say with determination. “Then Luna will fight.”
The Shaman smiles triumphantly. “Then its decided Luna will accompany you. I will leave one member here as soon as you are ready, you can leave.”
With that the Shaman aims to leave. She stops when her blood turns cold and it feels like the eyes of a huge beast is on her back, waiting to pounce and rip her to shreds. Her six subordinates quickly draw their blades. She wants to turn around, but finds herself unable to. Slyfer’s voice, now like that of something from the underworld fills her mind, her heart and her very soul with dread. “If anything happens to her…. I will destroy you and your little temple the first chance I get. Make no mistake, you and your flies mean nothing, compared to her.”
The feeling disappears and she can finally breathe. Her aura of superiority has all but disappeared when she finally exits the tent without a word. The other five follow a second later, never turning their backs on Slyfer as they do. Slyfer smirks. –They better fear me, but this interferes with my plan. It will be difficult to leave them behind when Luna is with me…. Was that her plan all along and why is she helping? I don’t buy her story about the temple.-
They all head to bed early and fearing for Slyfer’s… state of mind since he is still not past the mating stage, Trisha spends it with Slyfer passionately. Later, snuggled tightly against him Trisha falls into a fitful sleep.
A few hours later Slyfer’s eyes snap open. He looks at Trisha who seems to have finally relaxed. Even though that is the case she still has a displeased frown on her face. Slowly sliding out of bed, to not wake her up he heads to the wash room and heats a tub of water. After sitting inside he nearly gets a heart attack when seeing Vinx floating above.
“Vinx are you trying to kill me, why are you hiding your presence?”
Vinx with her arms crossed gives him a smirk, “to prove that I can be stealthy as well.”
Slyfer stops washing his neck and gives her a look. “You want to come with?”
She flies in a circle before nodding vigorously. “Fine, but I would like to hide the fact from the others coming with us.”
Vinx surprised lands on the rim of the tub. “I did not think you would accept it so easily.”
Slyfer raises an eyebrow. “It would be stupid of me not to, if you are with us I can report easily to the people here and they can inform me of any changes.”
Vinx nods seeing the practicality of it. Slyfer seeing her being so serious for the first time cant help but ask. “Why the long face?”
She looks up. “I am just worried about the others; they are keeping a close eye on the griffins that are circling above.”
Slyfer stops washing again. “Ask them to remain closer. It will be a huge blow to us, if even one of them is lost.”
Finishing up he gets out and starts to dress in the clothes that were provided. To his surprise while putting it on the clothes started to shimmer and change. At first it also felt too big, but it soon shrunk to hug him tightly. The material is strange and feels like a second skin. He can also sense the clothes as if its alive and the "sense" reveals the many hidden pockets within.
It consists of pants and a light shirt that has a collar resembling a polo neck, pulling it up he discovers that it is to cover his nose and mouth. The shirt is covered by an open jacket with a large hood. Next are the gloves that once again resizes itself to fit him. The gloves have long sleeves that reach the elbow and he can sense more than feel a hard substance covering his forearms inside it.
The boots are the strangest and causes Slyfer to feel a bit uncomfortable. The largest contributor to this is the fact that the big toe is separated from the rest. The second contributor is the fact that it does not feel like he is wearing shoes at all, in fact his feet feel more sensitive to the touch. As soon as the thought of his discomfort goes through his mind, the boots change! It now resembles and feels more like he is used to.
As soon as the whole outfit is in place the ever changing and shifting colors start to settle. VInx lets out a gasp when it finally stops. “What?”
“You look, you…. Just look in the mirror!” Slyfer does as he was bid and a strange site comes into view. His forearms up to his elbows are darker than the feathers of a raven. What is unsettling though is the blood red lines laced in between that forms a very familiar pattern. “Scales, it looks like I am covered in scales.” From his elbow upwards the darkness starts to fade, first turning grey then silver by the time it reaches his chest. The hood is white, but as if embroidered, a strange pattern forms around it resembling that of a snarling dragon.
Vinx getting more excited the more she watches, suddenly shouts. “Look at your back!”
Before he can turn around her excitement takes over she sends the image directly into his mind. Slyfer can see the same pattern style on his back. It is only in the form of a silver tiger and red wolf circling each other. In the center is a round circle that is split in two. One side is black and the other white.
“How strange, I wonder what it means, but I kind of feel like a clown in a multicolored suite.” Vinx clicks her tongue at him. Slyfer feeling self-conscious sends her to wake Luna who should be in her own tent.
Half an hour later Luna comes into his tent and at seeing her SLyfer stops in his tracks. The figure hugging material leaves little for the imagination and Slyfer cant help but wonder at the scene. Besides that is the pattern on Luna’s suite.
It is mostly black except for her legs and arms which are silver and forms a pattern that almost makes it look armored. It makes her hands look like steel claws. On the hood is a pattern that resembles horns. What is the most eye-catching is the blue dragon encircling her entire body. The tail starts with the tip slightly curled downward on buttocks before rising up to her lower back and then dipping to her hip where it connects to the main body. One hind leg rests in her thigh as the body makes its way over her lower abdomen. The foreleg and claw to Slyfers glee and frustration rests on one of her breasts while the other curls around and under her arm to seemingly grip her back.
The rest of the neck and head finally settles on her collar bone. Looking at the thing Slyfer suddenly feels jealous! The jealousy disappears when Luna points at it with red cheeks. “Look it is Alpha!”
Trisha wakes up when she feels Slyfer’s gentle touch. Opening her eyes she freezes for a second when seeing his strange attire. Her eyes soon come into focus and she blurts out. “You are leaving?”
He nods. “I did not want to wake you, but the fear of you being angry with me for not saying goodbye, stopped me.”
She smiles sadly. “Good, it should scare you… be safe and return to me.”
He bends down and kisses her lightly before turning around and leaving. Luna stays behind. Trisha scans her up and down, not missing the blue dragon. “Luna take care of him.”
“En, Luna will do that without tiger asking.” To Trisha’s surprise Luna leans down and hugs her while saying this. The words following next surprises her even more. “Tiger, Wolf and Luna are not only Alpha’s women, but his support as well. Luna will make sure to act as such while we are away… Hopefully Luna will get lots of kisses.”
Before Trisha knows it, Luna is gone. The the last part of what Luna said sinks in. “Wait, what!”
Slyfer passes the two guards at the entrance, to his surprise Elyna is also present. “Heading out to be a hero again?”
Slyfer shakes his head before greeting her the proper way. “The thoughts I have are not those of hero.”
Elyna nods with understanding as she watches the two fade into the darkness after they are joined by a third figure and mutters. “Maim, Kill, Burn.”
“Shady guy” gives the two a look and grunts. “You do not look like I expected.”
Slyfer raises a questioning eyebrow as they near the perimeter of the camp. “Since the suite reacts to life force, this is your most basic form.” Seeing Slyfer still not comprehending he says. “It reflects the wearers soul to an extent.”
Hearing this SLyfer suddenly feels more naked than he ever was before. “how do I change it to look like you?”
The man grunt-laughs. “Just pour life- err magic into it the rest will happen automatically, but it takes a whi-“
The words catches in his throat as Slyfer’s suit turns black. Luna watching this nearly claps her hands. Slyfer seeing hers not changing comments. “Luna change yours as well.”
Luna pouts. “Luna cannot use magic remember.”
Remembering what happened last time they fought together he gets an idea. Gathering his magic he takes Luna’s hand and pours it into her. A strand of silver hair sticking out of her hood, starts to glow faintly and the suite turns black.
Luna panting a little asks. “Alpha, what… what did you do.”
Slyfer smiles. “I have a theory on how your powers work. You may not be able to use magic, but you can obsorb it like a sponge and use it for a period of time. When you start feeling, well empty just ask me and I will give you more.”
She manages to nod.
A few minutes later Shady guy raises his fist. “From here on it gets dangerous. Stay close.”
Slyfer rolls his eyes and his aura disappears. Luna does the same and the two become nearly invisible to the senses.
The man nods, “we still need to get past without the wolves smelling us.”
A second later a subtle wind starts to surround them and Slyfer takes a step forward. Shady guy smiles, “this is going to be easier than I thought.”
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I forgot to mention after the update my fic fell from 53rd to 68th but in the past two weeks we have reached 52nd so thanx for all the ratings.