The White Rider (open)

[Annileya]

Fear; it was what bubbled in the pit of her stomach when she thought of what she was returning to. It had been 6 years since she has set foot in this civilization she had begun to call her home. Never had the tough-skinned young woman cared what others thought of her. In fact, Anni had often caused mischief and behaved irrationally to create controversy, for she thrived on confrontation. The satisfaction of psychologically defeating her enemy, before having to resort to throwing punches, was a reward beyond comparison to the snow haired vixen. Her tongue was sharper than her sword and it was her calm and collected demeanor that threw her enemies off guard.

Yet, after 6 years of absence, the blade had dulled slightly. A certain softness had graced her and warmed the ice that imprisoned her heart. Living in the heart of the forest had certainly left a physical impression on her. The muscles on her forearms were more defined, the clothing she wore represented the mountain-girl persona she had adopted, and a long thin scar ran across her cheek¡K.the one trophy she earned from the warring age. For the first time in her 35 years of life, Anni had played the coward. The restless warrior had fled, her and Kanah disappearing without a trace into the night. As soon as the nightmare of global war became a reality, Annileya felt the need to leave. It was not like her and the thought of sitting back and watching the fighting occur without drawing her sword pained her worse than any battle weapon could inflict. All her life she had been trained¡Kthe notion had been drilled into her head¡Kthat it was unacceptable to back down from a fight. Whatever principles she had, changed that night¡Kthat stormy night 6 years ago to the day. When she discovered the hidden treasure that would change her life forever¡K.she made the decision to run.

The snow white hair that once flowed to her waist now rested midway down her neck. Traces of age had crept onto her face, but if anything Annileya appeared wiser. The eyes that once shimmered with sarcasm shown with a different light¡K.they still exhibited great strength and stubbornness, but Anni carried a certain grace with her now; a grace that only one who had been forced to take life in leaps and bounds could display. As a child she was forced to fend for herself, to grow up without anyone to turn to when the dark clouds of adversity shaded her days. As a teen Anni lived a life cursed by being female, it was then when she truly developed her bitter and sarcastic nature. Wit was sometimes enough to keep groveling men at bay, but when it failed Anni used the combat skills she had devoted her life to honing. As a young woman in her 20s she did not know where she belonged or how she was supposed to act. She was an old, troubled soul trapped inside the body of a young, mysterious vagabond.

Now the vagrant had returned, and it appeared that she had returned in a time of utmost trouble. Houses had been burned and much death had occurred. At the moment, however, all seemed quiet. Not peaceful, just quiet. The past 6 years had molded Anni into a person very different than the shrew that once roamed the skies. Beating his powerful wings, Kanah landed gently on the ground. A handful of griffon riders had watched them from the moment they crossed the border into their territory, and now a crowd of inhabitants turned their heads, somewhat shocked by the sight that appeared before their eyes. They were not watching the slender woman dismount from the golden griffon. Their eyes were locked on the 6 year old Annileya scooped into her arms and set on the ground before her and the snowy white hair of the little girl that flowed freely in the wind.

((So, after almost a year of inactivity I stumbled upon this site again and now that I finally have some free time I thought I would stop by and rp for a bit. I give my deepest apologies to everyone for leaving and I hope you guys can forgive me and will rp with me while I have the time! )

[Sarai]

Sarai walked the street quite purposefully. It was obvious in the face of those who watched her pass that the woman was feared. Still, she was abnormally gorgeous as if carved out of marble and set to walk the earth. Beside her walked a griffon, massive in size and dangerous in attitude. The large beast watched every movement in the crowd, his large golden eyes able to recognize attacks and weapons. Since they had taken over Arkazan, not a soul had dared to oppose them. Especially since the Lady Sarai was loved and adored by the Creator...Seraphiel. No one knew, however, that Sarai would also give birth to the godlike child that would one day rule in his father's place.

She was a silent figure, drawing all of the attention from the streets. Strangers, pointless fools that were a part of this sad place, huddled close to each other and peered out at the rider with cautious gazes. No one dared speak, let alone breathe. They had seen what the seemingly fragile woman could do. And they knew very well that the griffon that protected her was far more lethal than any blade. Its claws dripped poison and its beak was sharpened to a point that could crush bones. The feathers around his face had been stained with the blood of those who had been delusional enough to attempt an attack on the powerful female.

Something caught her eyes, a figure above that came spiraling down to the ground. Its golden feathers glittered though there was no sun in the sky, only clouds full of a promise of rain. The griffon rider's amber eyes narrowed and she changed her direction. They knew the rules...not a griffon was allowed to fly until Seraphiel settled his reign firmly enough on this place. Sarai was here to enforce that rule among many others. Stupid fools...they knew the punishment if a griffon was caught in the act of flying. Kahbel clicked his beak in anticipation, sensing that he would be needed to take care of some filth. Sarai laughed, a sound like bells and chimes though full of a much darker meaning. She went to meet the disobeyer.

The young woman had strikingly white hair and pale skin, contrasting to her golden griffon companion. She stared into the face of a six year old girl, obviously her daughter considering the similarities shared between the two. A wicked smile lit Sarai's face and the black griffon beside her made small grumbling noises. His eyes were set on the griffon ahead. Sarai glanced at it for a moment before letting her eyes slide back to the woman that had broken the law. She had never seen her before, though it did not matter. Sarai had not been capable of understanding others mistakes nor did she care. Her voice broke through the reunion with a merry and icy tone.

"Well, it seems we have someone who did not quite comprehend the rules. Shame, for instead of stressing them again and again, I will merely have to show you how we deal with the rebels. So sad, that your daughter must watch as your griffon dies. That is the price you must pay, I'm afraid...Kahbel?" The ebony-feathered beast had already found his prey. The golden griffon was smaller than he and without his rider would be easy to take care of. If this woman objected, she too would die. Maybe Sarai could take the little girl back to Seraphiel's castle...she had always wanted a daughter...

"You see, we Followers do not allow mistakes. We do not allow misunderstandings and we do not respect those who fail to follow orders and laws set before them. Tell your pretty friend goodbye...quickly please, Kahbel is eager," Sarai's voice was loaded with malice and coated in a gentle purr. Her eyes glittered as she watched her griffon attempt to pin down the golden mount by placing a poison coated, taloned foot upon its neck. It would crush easily under the weight and if it didn't, Kahbel enjoyed getting his beak wet. He waited for a moment before Sarai nodded to him. And then his sharpened beak went plunging forward.

[Annileya]

A voice with a tone icier than Anni’s caught her attention. Turning to face the woman who spoke to her, the new mother instinctively drew her daughter closer to her, the little girl wrapping her arm around her mother’s leg. “I don’t like her, mommy. She looks mean.” Little did young Kaliandra know that her mother was once as impatient and domineering as the woman with the black griffon. Stroking her daughters pale tresses, Annileya did her best to silently comfort her.

“I beg your pardon, but I am ignorant of the rules you speak of…as am I ignorant to your title.”

A small flame sparked within her mouth, sarcastic and ill-tempered words begging to erupt from her tongue. With the responsibility of raising a child also came the rationality of an adult with such fiduciary obligations. Annileya was every bit as hot-blooded as she was six years ago, but now she not only carried the wisdom instilled in one by age…but the wisdom of a parent. Against every urge she had to challenge the woman, her gut told her that now was not the time to fight.

“We mean no trouble, and perhaps instead of punishing those without knowledge of the regime that has overthrown the establishment they are familiar with, I would appreciate it if you informed us…civilly.”

Anni knew it would be the pleasure of this woman to teach them the rules of her society through the use of cruel and unusual corporal punishment, but she would do everything she could to prevent harm from befalling her daughter. Having lived a life of early blood-shed, the day she realized she was pregnant Anni vowed to spare her daughter from such violence and suffering. That was why she left so many years ago.

The woman ignored her attempt to reason, and Anni thought she would be sick from the giddiness she detected in this woman’s voice.

"You see, we Followers do not allow mistakes. We do not allow misunderstandings and we do not respect those who fail to follow orders and laws set before them. Tell your pretty friend goodbye...quickly please, Kahbel is eager."

Internally, a storm raged within her. Anni loved two beings in this world, but she had never thought the day would come when she would have to sacrifice one for the other. As the ebony griffon advanced on Kanah, the griffon’s golden eyes flickered back and forth between Anni and Kaliandra. If she acted she risked endangering her daughter’s life but if she didn’t Kanah would surely fall prey to the larger griffon. They were two parts of the same body, both of them weaker without aid from the other.

Kanah struck out at the griffon, but he was pinned, his neck constrained by the razor talons of the enemy. His golden eyes appeared calm, but Anni knew him well enough to know that he was worried. She was worried too. Kali had begun to cry, not understanding why this woman wanted to hurt her best-friend. Anni gripped her tightly, fear constricting her windpipe. She found it difficult to breathe, and for the life of her she couldn’t decide what to do next.

“Wait!” Her please were ignored as the woman signaled her griffon to finish off Kanah. “Now!”

Anni’s eyes glowed vibrantly green as did Kanah’s. Without further signaling, Kanah clamped his jaws around the ankle of the attacking griffon and did his best to free himself from his poison prison. Alone, neither of them stood a chance against the evil team before them, but together they could put up a hell of a fight. Anni and Kanah first discovered the power of the bond between griffon and rider nearly a decade ago when they had competed in the tournament held at Battle City. Since that day she had consumed as much knowledge as her brain would hold about the ancient magic and while living in solitude for 6 years, she practiced it. It was an art known by few, but Anni guessed it would not be lost on her attacker. This is why she felt the need to leave as soon as possible, for as soon as the woman recognized what Anni was doing, she would realize that Anni was much more than just a vagrant.

Kanah leapt from the ground, a few of his neck feathers a bit ruffled. He lunged forward and clasped his beak around the leather of Kaliandra’s belt, before propelling his limber body into the air. Annileya grasped the saddle horn and, with years of practice, swung herself into the saddle, took hold of the reigns and, once in the air, retrieved her daughter from Kanah’s hold. Knowing what to do, Kali pulled a specially made harness from the saddle bag and fastened herself to her mother. The 6 year old wasn’t afraid of heights, having learned how to fly as soon as she could walk, but her mother refused to discard the precautionary measure. This way Anni didn’t have to concentrate on making sure her daughter didn’t plummet towards the earth.

Kanah’s wings pumped furiously as both he and Anni shared the feeling that they needed to urgently depart. “Proteja minha criança…”, whispering the words of her ancestors, a faint light began to emit from Kanah, Kali, and Anni. Annileya wanted nothing more than to protect her child, and ancient magic would allow them to move faster and help deflect attacks from arrows or other magic.

Part of Anni died inside. She had wanted to return to this place because she hoped it would become a safe home for her and her daughter, but she was wrong. And now she realized there was no longer anyway for her to shelter her daughter from all the evil that existed in this world. With that realization, the white rider blinked a tear out of her eye.

[Sarai]

Sarai watched the woman with a smile on her face, her eyes glittering violently. It seemed that the white-haired griffon rider did not want to play by the rules after all. She listened to the woman fire off explanations and requests, though Sarai payed no mind to these. She did not easily change her mind and making a point of her aiding rule was something she was quite fond of. The woman's word 'ignorant' furthered her good mood. Her voice stung the air with a friendly lightness that was strangely disturbing.

"Ignorant?" she asked with a grin. "I would say you are. And as you can see by the people huddled on these streets, things are far from civil. Why should I be any different?"

And then the woman dared to oppose her, mentally binding herself to her griffon...a power few griffon riders could obtain. She made a daring escape attempt, using her feathered beast to rescue her daughter and herself. Oh, how heroic... Sarai watched with a wicked gleam in her eye, somewhat amused that Kahbel had been fooled. Silly animal...he seemed to always underestimate his foes. No matter...

Laughing brightly, Sarai called forth her mount. "Come Kahbel...this little princess wants to run away from the castle. Let us greet her in the sky where her death would be most fitting. Try not to kill the little girl...if she is as talented as her mother, she'd be a fine daughter, don't you think? Let us just hope that my Master will allow me to keep a such a pretty pet..." Sarai told the monster with a jolly note in her voice. Kahbel rumbled in reply and allowed Sarai to swing up onto his back with a grace that no one could match. The pair rocketed into the air with little effort and gained speed by the second.

Curious, Sarai used some of the power that her dear Seraphiel had given her. "Kahbel, have a taste of this," she told her steed and allowed the stream of power to take control of griffon and rider. The energy was like fire, consuming the two and giving them unmatched strength and speed. The agility was unbelievable and Kahbel thundered forward, his wings propelling them to meet their prey. Sarai smiled darkly as Kahbel flew underneath him. With a gentle nudge from his master, Kahbel rolled onto his back and sent his back legs shoving into the underbelly of the golden griffon. His talons, coated in black poison, came thrusting upwards...aiming for any part of the griffon above.

Not caring to see what damage she had done, Sarai gripped her stead's feathered neck. No need for reins...they were connected through will and an ancient magic. Not even a saddle of any kind was necessary. Kahbel understood that the release of pressure on his sides meant for him to take a second, more lethal approach. The midnight creature came spiraling up to fly next to the rebel rider. Sarai's voice was just as lovely and giddy as before.

"See? We don't take lightly to those who oppose our force. I, in particular, despise those who don't understand orders when they are given. Either land now and let your griffon take the punishment...or I will deal it to both of you. I might even spare your daughter...she'd make an adorable pet, don't you agree?" Sarai remarked, laughing at this and flashing a dazzling smile. Kahbel let out a shriek, snapping his beak at the griffon beside him and attempting to claw any part of him that he could. Sarai held out her hand to the little girl, an icy smirk on her face.

"Come now sweetheart, do you want your mommy to die? Come with me and she'll be just fine...you don't want to be responsible for her death, do you? Come and fly with me and I'll take you to a castle where you can be a real princess. Wouldn't you like that?" Sarai's voice was a sweet as sugar, the pale and delicate hand she held out enticing. She decided to make this a bit more fun... Using the abilities Seraphiel had given her, Sarai stretched out her mind to touch the little girl's. With it she allowed a temporary control over her thoughts. Wonderful pictures would fill the girl's mind and more than anything she would want to ride the black griffon to the place full of jewelry, dances, and fun. Sarai's smile was so friendly...she'd make a lovely mother.

Sarai laughed merrily, her golden eyes flashing to the white-haired griffon-rider. Her griffon was most likely injured by now and if this was so, he would be getting stiff from the poison's effects. She would most likely kill the mother anyways, just to get rid of the blood lust that she was feeling. She would love to see this woman plummet to her death or face being torn to shreds by the griffon's talons. She was suddenly glad she had decided to take a walk this evening. She might just take the time to admire the sky that was darkening with storm clouds. And, of course, end the lives of some very troublesome beings.

[Annileya]

Kanah brought in his wings and curled his legs beneath his belly, the wind now rushing at ridiculously high speeds through his golden feathers. The tears that slid down Kali's cheeks dried immediately, but the little girl still whimpered quietly. Her mommy had promised her that they would have an adventure and go to a new city and meet new people. Kali never wanted to have an adventure again. She wanted to go back to the forest and play with Kanah before eating dinner and having her mommy tuck her into bed. The world outside the forest was scary. Kaliandra had only seen Kanah attack once, and it scared her that her best-friend could be so vicious.

Anni channeled the ancient magic through her veins, feeling the strain in her arms as Kanah pumped his wings harder and harder. Kali buried her face in her shoulder, trying to stop the wind from stinging her eyes. Kanah, fly west! We can find shelter in the dragoon caves! Telepathically she reached out to her friend, feeling his should blades move as he changed direction in the sky. Whipping her head to look over her shoulder, Anni cursed silently when she spotted the black griffon speeding towards them. Get ready!

The enemy rider ducked underneath them and both Anni and Kanah knew what was coming. Lashing out his claws beneath him, Kanah attempted to wound the black griffon, but instead felt the enemy's claws collide with his. His underbelly was protected, but the poison laced claws had cut deep gashes along Kanah's ankles. Both Kanah's piercing cry and Anni's pained yell rang out, before getting lost in the wind. Anni, the creature's claws contain poison! I don't know what kind so I can't use a spell to dissolve it!

Once more Annileya cursed, this time out loud. All she could think to do was to fly faster, any attack would cause retaliation....and that might hurt Kali. What caught her completely off guard was when the woman reached out her hand. For a split second Anni thought the woman was reaching out to her, but as soon as she spoke Anni realized that this woman was trying to hurt Anni in the most evil way possible. She wanted her daughter.

The unnatural shimmer in the woman's eyes told her that she was using magic, and Anni's heart stopped beating when Kali let go of her arm and attempted to undo the strap that kept her connected to her mother. Anni screamed out in anger, never having felt this much hatred before. "Stop trying to poison her with your words, you treacherous witch!"

Releasing the reigns with one hand, Anni wrapped it around Kali's chest. "She's lying, Kali! She tried to hurt Kanah! She's evil, don't listen to her!" Kanah hissed viciously, lashing out at the black griffon, but as he clawed out he felt the pain in the joints. His wings were beginning to stiffen and his vision began to blur. Anni, something is wrong! Steering Kanah downward, Annileya did her best not to panic, but as of now the situation was looking as dark as the ominous clouds ahead.

[drake]

War was never happy, no matter how much some seemed to enjoy it. Death went hand in hand with tragedy and despair, even the land itself becoming torn apart by those that wished to fight. Nothing good ever came up it, save for its end, where peace could finally set an example of how a world should be. Long ago, there was once a young man who fought in war after war, becoming a hero through his deeds. He knew exactly what to expect from war, yet did not question it for many years. Finally, he grew tired of fighting. He disappeared from the eyes of the world. Little did any know, he had found paradise and finally...true happiness all in the same place, on a remote island,far from the sorrows of war. Part of this happiness came from the fact that he had found someone to share this happiness with. However, destiny has a way of pulling one back into a world they thought they would never see again...

Azure had told him everything he knew, each fact more shocking than the last. It was incredible knowledge; ancient knowledge which had long since been forgotten by the mortal races inhabiting Vaenon. But the dragons had been there, countless years ago, when this "threat" roamed the world. Now, the ancient force had returned, this time declaring all out war on every race known in Vaenon. He knew he had to leave it all behind, in order to ensure that his children would never have to live in a world without peace. Even a remote island could be found, and in order to protect his new home, he had to leave it to do what he had done so long ago...

Fight...

The dragoon known as Drake had been flying towards Pharlen for hours, never seeming to reach his destination. He -had- made it a point to be as far from his old home as possible, but right now he was wishing he'd been a bit closer. He knew where he was right now, in fact the very thought of being in this location now gave the water dragoon chills. So many battles had been fought here, dragoon against griffin rider, the old wars never seeming to leave Drake's thoughts completely. He knew he was safe since the peace treaty had been signed, but it made him shiver nonetheless.

I don't suppose you know any good songs to keep us entertained Azure?

The water dragon had lost a bit of his spunk through the years, simply giving a mental snort and then keeping quiet, causing Drake to sigh. He looked ahead, catching the nearest thermal, his feathery wings not needing any aid from the sky thanks to Azure's magic. He only did it to feel the warm rush of air moving through the wings. It had been awhile since he'd flown like this, it made him feel quite relaxed and at peace. Suddenly, a sight up ahead nearly stopped Drake's heart. Two griffins were battling in the sky, obviously not for show. Drake watched as the ebony griffin tore are the golden griffin next to it. The golden griffin was carrying not one, but two riders, one obviously younger. Drake felt a dark aura hovering about the rider upon the ebony griffin, the very aura which had caused Azure to suddenly tell Drake about a race which had seemingly become extinct hundreds of years ago...

The golden griffin was losing altitude quickly, heading straight for a rocky, cloud-covered ravine, a part of the enormous canyon which was part of the Arkazan territory. Drake knew he had to act, and fast. Going into a full dive, he called to Azure to give him an extra boost of magic in order to push him into an even greater speed, his form becoming a blue streak in the sky as he sped to the rescue. All the while, he was concentrating, water magics grasping ahold of the clouds which filled the ravine.

It all happened within seconds. Drake reached the falling griffin, stopping in mid-air just a few feet below it. Raising his hands, he called forth the magic he had stored in the cloud formation, which had now enveloped them in a thick blanket. The clouds around the griffon began to solidify, the individual water droplets growing in size and freezing into a solid mass within milliseconds. Drake gave out a mental cry as he struggled against the weight of the griffin against the quickly manufactured net of solid cloud while levitating both that and himself in mid-air. Slowly, he began to lower them, Azure feeding him as much magic as he needed to keep everything going smoothly. To lose their pursuer, Drake began to gather more clouds around the ravine, cloaking the entire area in a thick sheet of cloud.

Finally, he touched ground, having found a large enough edge on the cliffside to support both him and his "catch". Giving the final mental command, Drake had the cloud net slowly let the caught griffin to the ground. As soon as the cloud touched the rocky surface, the spell dissipated, the net becoming a part of the shroud of water vapors surrounding them. Drake slowly made his way over to the three figures he had just saved. His only hope was that they wouldn't think of him a threat as well. He whispered as loud as he dared, also hoping they could hear him and not their attacker.

"Hey, what the hell just happened there?"

[Sarai]

Sarai watched the woman that she attacked with a rather amused look on her face, enjoying the pained look that flashed through the griffon's eyes as the poison began to take over. Sarai's laugh seemed like a child's after a magic trick was preformed. Her voice was just as light. "Come now...don't make this harder than it could be. Fly down someplace and land; your griffon already has the right idea," Sarai commented as the golden mount began to descend rapidly.

She followed after the rider, Kahbel sinking easily beneath the clouds. Sarai would not let this woman get away...no, they were already having so much fun! Sarai grinned wickedly and chased after her prey, Kahbel's shriek piercing the sky. It was then, however, that Sarai sensed something she had not expected. Her golden eyes flashed and she pinpointed the incoming dragoon's location. So, someone wanted to play hero. Another pitiful victim to Kahbel's merciless rage.

The pair dove, even as the clouds increased in thickness. The dragoon was using magic to shield his hiding place...he must have rescued the earth-bound griffon rider. Sarai laughed again, the beautiful noise rolling off her lips with an easy grace. "So sad...the little rider needs a dragon-boy to come and save her. Too bad it will all be for nothing!"

Kahbel broke through the clouds, Sarai's powerful energy guiding him to the griffon he wished to kill so badly. Once Sarai had spotted her, another dazzling smile broke across her pale but perfect face. Kahbel swooped low, attempting to rake his claws across the golden beast's flank. He double back once more, coming close and snapping his beak at the rider. Sarai let her hand come out again, her amber gaze locking with the little girl's and stretching her mind a bit further. Kahbel let his razor sharp beak snap through the harness that bound her.

"Come now...leave this traitorous hag and come and live with me at my master's crystal citadel. It's beautiful you know...you could be a princess," Sarai's voice held an eerie note that sent waves of wondrous thoughts through the child's head. All she had to do was take Sarai's hand. Of course, Sarai would then proceed to kill the white-haired wench and would perhaps tend to the little dragon pest, too. Her eyes lit on him for a moment, a darkness seeping out through her gaze and threatening to consume him.

This is not your fight...take your dragon home or risk offending the most powerful man on this miserable planet. This will be a great world once he rules it...he is my Creator and he shall punish those who do not obey.

[Annileya]

Anni cried out in pain, the connection between herself and Kanah causing her to feel the sting of the poison. Their altitude became lower and lower, the wind blinding her as they fell. Freezing air engulfed her as they passed through a cloud, her clothes and hair immediately becoming soaked with the precipitation. It was all she could do to grip Kali as tightly as she could without strangling her. Anni sobbed inwardly, her emotions split. On one hand she hated the new person she had become, running instead of fighting and behaving submissively instead of tearing people apart with her words. But yet, along with her new persona came the thing she loved most in this world. That outweighed everything else.

Anni suddenly felt weightless, and the air around her became very opaque. Kanah ceased to fall, and she rolled off of his back onto a solid substance. It was soft, yet extremely firm. Almost as if she was lying on a cloud….As soon as she hit the ground, she cried out, but a new voice silenced her. “What the hell happened back there?”

The woman jumped, her dazed daughter clinging to her neck. Anni broke down out of fear for Kali. “She wants my daughter…” she breathed out, her throat beginning to ache from screaming and she was sure it was a side effect of the poison. “She has a poison; my griffon and I are infected. I don’t know what it is…” Trying to stand, she immediately fell back to the ground. “I can’t see…”

Her vision was beginning to blur, the clouds only making everything hazier…although she recognized the large ebony mass hurdling towards her. “No!” she silently screamed. Kanah collapsed to the ground the moment he tried to stand and Anni cringed in terror now that she realized she's almost blind and is now alone in this fight. Staggering backward on the ground, all she could think to do was run, but even now the best she could do was crawl. Every inch she moved her body cried out in pain, and she felt as though the more effort she exerted the more the poison took effect. A sharp crack created a feeling of lightness on her stomach and she realized her daughter was no longer attached to her.

The evil eyes of the black rider shown through the clouds and Anni felt Kaliandra lean towards her, reaching for the woman’s hand. “No!! Kali!!” Annileya leapt forward, her arms wrapping around Kali and her right leg swinging forward in hopes of sending that snake speeding towards the sharp rocks below. Throwing herself back on the cloud, Anni wrapped her arms around Kali, but her head soon collided with something strong and covered in feathers. The black griffon hissed and whacked her over the head with his paw, his poison infested claws barely grazing her scalp.

Flying forward, she lost her grip on Kali and all she could hear was the startled sounds of her 6 year old daughter as her vision almost completely escaped her. “Kali! Kali!” Anni felt tears boiling in her starless black eyes. “Kanah!” Hearing something stir behind her, she turned to be scooped up onto the back of her griffon. Kanah’s breathing was heavy and his movements strained, but he loved Kali as much as she did. “Come on, we’re going to get her..”

The black mass leapt of the solidified cloud, and Kanah was close to follow, but they soon discovered his outstretched wings refused to carry them. Crumpling like a leaf in a hurricane, the rider and griffon fell, plummeting towards the ravine. Yelling out, Anni both called to her daughter and for help. Everything seemed to be crumbling. She felt not only as though her stomach was dropping from the descent, but from her whole world suddenly collapsing beneath her. The last thing she saw was the receding black griffon, a small speck of white on its back. Then everything went dark as shimmering tears escaped her eyes.


(Now Drake has to pick between the falling woman and griffon or saving the little girl.

ps: pick anni! lol, please!)

[drake]

Drake knew what he was getting into the moment he'd made the decision to leave his island home. He was a warrior once, imbued with the experience of battle after battle, not to mention the awesome power of a dragon. This rider of the black griffin was his enemy, her very aura reeking with the taint of an evil power, the very same one which Azure had cautioned Drake about. Whoever she was, she obviously meant to cause harm to the other rider whom he had just "saved", although he had a feeling they weren't out of harm's way just yet.

Drake frowned when the woman began to break down in answer to his question. Her daughter? His eyes shifted as he finally noticed the small girl strapped to her mother. Drake had little time to contemplate the role of the little girl and why the other rider wanted her, somewhat do to the fact that the rider he had just saved mentioned the word -poison- and mostly due to the fact that he could even now sense the black griffin nearing their location.

"Damn, looks like we've been found, prepare yourself!"

But it seemed his words were too late. The attack came swiftly, the ebony griffin mercilessly raking at its fellow griffin and its rider. Drake gritted his teeth, his every muscle tensing as he prepared to either attack the griffin, or be attacked, whichever came first. Azure was feeding him magic in which to cast a powerful water-based spell, strong enough to knock even the large black griffin out of the sky. However, Drake was never able to get a clean shot, as the other female rider confronted her enemy, all while trying to protect her daughter. Drake cursed, his eyes locking with the attacking rider, hearing her telepathic message, his eyes narrowing once she had finished.

So, she was affiliated with the one he had heard so much about. This truth only made Drake more angered. He was just about to toss a wave with the strength of a mini tsunami at the woman when he saw the little girl take her hand. The spell dissolved, making way for a new one, a less...detectable one. The clouds which had been surrounding them all broke up into smaller pieces, one such piece drenching the ebony griffin in a fine mist. It seemed like nothing more than a trick of the wind, but the mist would serve a greater purpose in the future...if such a plan was needed.

Drake's eyes widened when he saw what happened next. The ebony griffin took off with its rider and the little girl in tow. The other rider, the mother, tried to pursue with her griffin, but whatever poison had infected them, it was now causing them to plummet towards a rocky death hundreds of feet below their current position. Knowing he had to make a choice, Drake chose to save the falling rider and her griffin.

"Here goes everything..."

Taking a running start, Drake leaped off the ledge which had been holding them, freefalling after the two figures which were rapidly descending into the dark depths of the ravine. Faster and faster Drake went, dragon magic helping in his speed. His armor became more elaborate as powerful magics enveloped him, making him into the superior being he would always become when tapping fully into his dragon's power. Within moments, he had caught up to them, the easy part over with. Now for the hard part. Calling forth all the available water in the surrounding atmosphere, Drake began to cast one of his strongest spells.

Time to show yourself Azure...

The individual water droplets that had been hovering around the three falling figures began to manifest themselves, becoming more and more solid, a figure slowly but surely forming itself. Drake's eyes were closed, his total focus on the casting of this spell. It was one that few dragoons could accomplish, taking years of training and immense concentration, not to mention a strong bond between dragoon and dragon. The figure suddenly formed wings, their span so large their tips nearly touched either side of the ravine. A scaly maw suddenly opened, a roar unfamiliar to this era echoing across the rocky walls. It was Azure, or at least a magically constructed version of him. Not a single drop of blood, just millions of water droplets fused together, solidified as the hardest ice, all formed and regulated by powerful magic.

The spell complete, Drake opened his eyes. He looked down, the bottom of the ravine now within sight. Using what little magic he had to spare, he once more formed his own pair of wings, which were not the usual dragoon style, spreading them just in time to catch an uprising thermal, causing him to stop in his descent and instead begin to rise. As for the falling griffin and rider, they suddenly found themselves sitting upon a solid mass which also began to rise. Azure had formed himself just below them, and was now rising with his partner back to the open space of pure sky. Drake called out to the rider, hoping she could hear him.

"Its alright, Azure's got you. As soon as we land, Ill take a look at that poison. Just relax and try not to move much right now. Youve been through Hell and the Devil has just left you and your griffin to suffer..."

[Sarai]

Sarai watched, her amber eyes bright in delight as the little girl seemed to believe in the little visions running through her mind. The lovely blond-haired woman took the child's hand, the idea that she was controlling a living form thrilling despite the darkness surrounding it. After all, lately Sarai lived for the feeling of power and for the love that Seraphiel gave her. She did not know, however, that something would change her beliefs drastically. It happened after Kali took her hand.

A foot, the ratty white-haired woman's, slammed into her stomach with enough force to almost knock her off of her steed. Kahbel backed up quickly, but the damage had already been done. Sarai did not have to look down to know she was bleeding and to realize what had just happened. She screamed...in outrage, pain, sorrow, and defeat. Her shriek was terrifying and carried throughout the sky and earth with a deathly ring. She slung the little girl in front of her, and put all of the power she had in going home. She needed Seraphiel...needed his comfort and his care, for she had just had the most important thing stolen from her.

If the griffon rider and her boyfriend were not dead, she would kill them... Seraphiel would kill them for what they had done. Murderous thought were in her head, mixed with the sickening knowledge that her unborn child had had its life whisked away from one foul blow by a griffon-riding hag. Kahbel flew with a power that was quite unimaginable, headed for the citadel where Sarai would bring the awful and terrifying news to her lover and Master. Her own thoughts scared her...he would hate her now. She was not worthy to kneel at his thrown, not worthy to touch him. Angry and frightened tears ran down her pale, perfect cheeks. She was headed home, with the little girl in tow. That woman had stolen what was most important to her...and now she was returning the favor.