Story: “Aris come on!” a young boy’s voice called from out in the woods. “Alright I’m coming!” A young girl’s, about the age of 19, voice replied from inside of the open cabin door. She stepped out, the sun shining brightly on her white wings, which contrasted with her long jet black hair. She ran out the house, her white and gold gown flowing against her as she ran into the woods. “Where are you?” she called out, stopping in the middle of the woods and looked around. “James come on this isn’t funny” she said, her voice slightly panicked.

All of a sudden a loud roar was heard and screaming was heard back near the cabin. Running quickly, she finally made her way back, and ran into the cabin. She let out a piercing scream, finding her family slaughtered. Hearing another roar she quickly left her home and ran back into the woods. She glanced up to see a black dragon flying over head. It swooped in and breathed fire right behind her. Some of the fire got on her wings, making her unable to fly. She continued to run and tripped over a tree branch. She slowly got up only to find the dragon right in front of her. It roared at her and was about to let it’s fire out when it exploded. Behind the girl stood a man in a black cloke “Come with me” the old’ man’s voice said in a soothing tone. He helped her up and led her to his home, which was in a cave near the mountains. Once inside he removed his hood and reveled his full set of white hair and white beard. On his face he had different tribal markings.

“What is going on?” Aris asked clearly shaken up and injured. The old man didn’t smile at her, but gave her soft look. “My child you have been chosen” the old man replied. “Chosen for what?” she asked confusedly

The old man walked over towards her and placed his hands on her wings. “You are the last of your kind” he said simply and began to heal her wings. Once he was done, her beautiful white wings were now jet black. “Hey thanks” she smiled folding her wings over towards her, but got freaked out when she saw they were black. “What did you do?!” she yelled

The old man came from behind her and looked down at her “You were never a pure angel” he said simply “You are a fallen angel. The only fallen angel of this world” he turned around and walked over towards a rock right across from her and sat down. “There is a prophecy, saying that a dark angel will save us from an unspeakable evil” he went on to say.

“You must go out and find at least three different survivors to protect you, and help you fight” with that said the man seemed to disappear, leaving Aris all alone. She blinked at everything that she was told, not able to believe what he said. Slowly getting up she noticed a pendant in the shape of her wings. She picked it up and placed it around her neck. She didn’t know where she would go, but she left the cave and went off to find other surivors.


"This is endless" Aris sighed frustered. She has been walking through the woods for hours and hours. She leaned on a near by tree and just sighed. At least these parts of the woods were still in tact, but trying to find the survivors she is suppost to was hard.

"Can I get a break? Can't you at least point me in the right direction?" She yelled out seemingly to no one but knew the old man could hear her. She didn't know how but she had a feeling he was watching over her.

As soon as she said that, the amulet she had around her neck glowed and made a pathway of darkness for her. "Interesting" she said as she followed the pathway, going on a different pathway, towards the lake instead of further into the woods. "I hope this leads me to something at least" she said.

"...Rather messy..." She half-mused half whispered to herself at the remains of the large building, the remains were schorched and ruined, whatever flammible materials were present were long gone, replaced by the sensual aroma of death, blood and recent agony. Tilting her head, her long black hair flowed down on side of her back, over her odd wood and bone-like scythes.

She looked about as Draw, Reptillian and Demonic warriors searched the area, turning everything over, some looked more morbidly curious than expected.

She looked about again, wanting to see what her second in command had to say. Ishrina had ordered the warband to make camp not too far away, after being persued by bandits and dragons, her luck was NOT good as of now, and had just found the ruins to what was SUPPOSED to be thier assigned target.

James stood before the tree, a sorrowful look on his face, he raised his head to the sky and unleashed a cry "Aris!" he cried and tears fell down his cheeks, he went to her favourite tree and placed a locket over one of its branches. There was an inscription on the locket which read;

Aris I will never stop searching for you, because I love you. Someway, somehow I will find you again

He turned and sighed sadly before leaping into the air and calling out through his mind "Aris, where are you?" His flew through the air, scanning the ground for any sign of his beloved Aris, he could feel here movements but he could not find her. Where was she?

The wraith walked in, after Ishrina and many of the other soldiers. His one wing was safely inside of his cloak, giving him a very human shape, though he looked anything but human in appearence. He finally walked inside, after looking about the area, at the remaining soldiers, as well as for any signs of trouble. the problems they had had very recently were not ones to be taken lightly, and the wraith had assured Ishrina that they would not have been followed. Still, malchaia never took risks. it was not like him. he walked inside, and stood next to ishrina.

He had been given to her about a year ago, and had served her enough. It wasn't a matter of trust, not with him, it was a matter of usefullness. One could not trust a Malachaia, because there was no reason not to trust him. He was incapable of not following an order, he was entirely hers.

"It will do...this mess can be cleaned....it's the OTHER mess we must be concerned about." Malchaia said, and walked over to some of the rubble, looking upon it with invisible eyes.

"This place is long ruined, we will not be suspected to be here. We can improve it's defences from here...with very little notice. It is unfavorable..but it is....convenient...." malchaia finished. His voice was dark, inhuman. It was as a whisper, as a shiver running down ones spine. It was the feeling of waking up in the middle of the night in terror after a terrible nightmare. Malchaia always thought of everything coldly. There was no light, not that he knew of. There didn't need to be, there was so much power in the dark.

He looked at Ishrina, partly to see what her response would be, partly to see if she had any orders for him.

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Magis had indeed been watching, silently. He couldn't let her see him yet, or at the very least, couldn't let others know that she was not alone. he needed to wait, and watch. he would reveal himself to her when the time is right, but first...he had to see what she was capable of. he was helping her though, in small, subtle ways. She was never alone. Magis stumbled on, silently through this forest.

Aris sighed as she continued to walk near the lake. "Ok this isn't helping" she muttered, but stopped when she heard her name called. She gasped and looked around, seeing no one but heard a clinking sound that wasn't too far away from her. "Ok, I've never been able to hear that good before" she said in amazement.

She decided to go see what it was, but was quick about it. She could hear talking far away from her, which she was happy about. Once she was close enough, she saw a locket hanging on a tree branch "What is this?" she asked herself as she gently took it off the branch.

"Hmm a locket. What is this doing here?" she asked and tried to open it but couldn't. "Wierd" she felt something on the back and turned it over to read an inscription: Aris I will never stop searching for you, because I love you. Someway, somehow I will find you again

She nearly dropped it when she read it, tears building up in her eyes "James" she whispered, glad he was still alive. She held the locket close to her before returning back down the path she is meant to go on. This was a sign that James was still alive, and it gave her more determination to find him as well.

Smiling to herself at the oh-so comforting shiver of her spine, she didn't look to his invisible eyes just yet, she just wanted to...possibley enjoy the shiver, it was weird, she had to admit, yet comforting, even though she didn't actually show this, she enjoyed the Wraith's company rather a lot. Sighing softley to herself, she turned to look into his eye-less face, a calm expression upon her own almost angelic face, the beautiful red eyes watched him gently, something other demons would not do.

But hells to it, she was not a normal demon, her father was the kind of evil b*stard you might expect, though doted a little on her as his mate or wife was rendered infertile by a attempted assasaination. Back to the present I recall a Wraith nearby. Tilting her head the other way as he spoke, the shivers continuing down her back, her cat-like ears poking from out of the flowing black hair twirled around to almost face him was almost...cute.

Yes, he was right and thus he was never, intentionally, wrong. The Dragon attack had wounded some of the Drow and Lizardfolk as they took to cover under whatever could be used, the Demonic warrioresses, bless their dammed souls as such, were not affected, at all, by the hot fire, and allowed the heavy weapons team of Drowmethian warriors to set up their three bolt-throwers, to ward off the Dragons.

She had the warband make camp mainly to heal the injured, as no matter how much her father wanted her to be dis-compassionate, she remained rather stubborn to her father's attempts. Any and all injuries were to be healed as soon as possible, within reason of course.

Back to the present.

She thought to herself as she had closed her near-angelic red eyes, and now opened them to watch him stand over some remains of a stone statue in the large room. The remaining stone-built interior of the large building was strong enough, granted, to be used as a temporary base of operations, though by now, IF the targets had escaped...they would not be coming back.

"...Points taken Malchaia...as soon as the squad leaders have returned with any useful information, we shall see what we should do next. Tell me...a guess, if you like, who do you think sent the Dragons? I think they were a little random and on target to have been wild Dragons..."

Malchaia watched the wreckage. It somehow seemed strange, familiar. As if the wraith had been there before. But he didn't take too much time to contemplate this as his mistress spoke.

"Dragons do not act like this...they attack farm animals, the occasional people, not houses. No, this couldn't have been wild dragons of that you are right. Who it is is likely someone with the same desires we want...but they are obviously a bit...more prepared. Whether they'll be a threat to us or not is difficult to say. On the other hand, we have the advantage. if they did miss anyone..we'll know it, and they won't." Malchaia said, and stood back next to her. he made invisible eye contact with her.

"still...the ballistas could be helpful, should they come back."

Had Malchaia been any other race, he would have found ishrina very attractive. he could feel her attractiveness, but it matterred vvery little. He could not himself even touch her without damaging her, though he was incapable of actually hurting her. it was undetermined what would happen if she did touch him. But, it would make no difference. As a wraith, he could not feel lust, happiness, sadness, anger, or any human feeling. He was there for a single purpose, to protect her, to serve her...and in the end...he was just another pawn.

James flew through the air and cried out through his mind to Aris Aris where are you?" he also sent strong feelings warning anyone or anything that if they even touched Aris in the wrong way he would cleave their head from their shoulders. He cared deeply for Aris and actually loved her, he would never stop searching until he found her. His wing beats carried him far over the land and he circled searching fo Aris Oh Aris, where are you? he thought and scanned the ground below, his eyes located a group of Lizardmen, perhaps they would know where Aris was. He landed on the ground with his sword already drawn and his wings flared.

"You there!" he called to them "I am in search of a woman by the named of Aris, she has wings like me. Have you seen her?"

He was loath to ask these simple creatures but perhaps they knew some tiding of his beloved Aris. He looked at them and awaited a response from them.

Ishrina watched the Wraith, again his voice, the moment he did speak, sent shivers akin to fear, yet comfortibly not so down her spine, her red angelic eyes locked onto what would pass as the Wraith's own shadowed eyes. Ah...she enjoyed his presence, it was comforting...more so during these monthes. Shaking her head and clutching one side of her head, she failed to reliese, to her foolishness, that he was talking, that he was looking at her form.

Standing calmly, she crossed her near-flawless arms over her generous chest, pushing her chest up a little as she angled her head slightly. Ah yes...maybe another wishes to kill OUR assigned targets?

Smiling to his shadow-like form, she felt oddly...calm...when he stood closer to her, yet kept this reaction to his nearby form very under lock and proverbial key.

He was indeed comforting, as if he had been by her side for more than the single year...the Wraith was a 'gift', so to say, from her father, a more senior demon, whether he was here to protect her or to keep her from simply wandering and on-track, was a moot-point.

Looking around, taking in the scents, and listening to the sounds of Drowmethian warriors shifting through rubble, she felt almost...dissappointed? Not due to the Dragon getting here first, but because of the lack of visible amount of military presence. There seemed to be NO remains of armour, weapons, of warriors defending their base...this could NOT have been a military installation.

"Agreed, if anymore Dragons decide to attack, we'll be prepared and we shall take this a step at a time...but what disturbs me more is this; if a Dragon could defeat this building's occupants, it...raises concern, to me, that we we NOT sent to fight an...actual threat..."

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The Lizardmen searching that had been found were far from 'simple', Ishrina did NOT have ANY 'green horns' or rookies in her warband, Azar'wraith warband was not one to contain creatures of low ability nor intelligence...

These Lizardmen, like all in her warband wore high-quality armour (if you checked meh profile you'll see) and weapons, and also posessed the best recon-related skills. The sergeant of the Lizardmen squad near James had red tatoos on his cheeks, denoting his higher rank, and had spotted the creature above. Without hesitation, each warrior and warrioress armed their long-bows of durable Dark Elven metal, and set to forming a scattered skirmish formation. While prepared to defend themselves, the squad-leader called out to him, though not in english.

Aris heard a rukus not to far from her. She went to turn and look, but the pull from her amulet made her continue on her path. "Gah! What is this thing doing?" she said outloud to no one in particualar.

She wanted to know what was going on, and fought with her own amulet "Stop!!!!" she yelled out, her voice seeming to have echoed into the woods. The amulet stopped pulling but continued to glow. "What is with this thing?" she muttered

Kat sat in a tree, her entire body balanced easily on a thick branch. She lifted her head a little when she heard someone and watched a female with black wings walk around the lake. She smiled slightly, her long canines showing. She yawned, a soft growl emitting from her as she did so. Her ears twitched as she listened to the noises not far off, her lips pulling back in a gimace.

Her sleek black body, the body of a panther, lay on the branch, her tail dangling off of it. Her yellowish eyes strayed down to a mouse, and she purred as she watched it scuttle around. She sniffed the air, her eyes darting to the bushes as she caught the faint scent of a male. She briefly recognized the smell, but knew she shouldn't worry about it.

She watched as the female started to get closer, her eyes soft yet concerned as she seemed to be getting dragged along against her will. She slowly got to her paws and leaped down into the clearing of the lake, a few feet away from the female. Her rump went into the air as she stretched, then yawned loudly again. "What's that around your neck?" She asked, meaning the amulet that was pulling Aris around.

Aris blinked and looked at the cat like female "Um, its my amulet" she replied. "Who are you?" she asked. Just then her amulet glowed brighter at the girl, trying to tell Aris something.

"Are you here by yourself or is there anyone else?" she asked, not really paying attention to the amulet.

Kat tilted her head, her eyes locked on the amulet. "My name's Kat..." She said while her tail started to flick back and forth. "I'm alone...but...there are others around..I can smell them." She said with a small baring of teeth.

Her eyes darted around for a moment before focusing on Aris. "So...what's your name?" She asked while she stared at the glowing amulet, she'd seen on once before and it had also caught her attention. "It's glowing..." She said with an incline of her head.

"I'm Aris. And other where?!" Aris asked almost excitedly. Glancing down she did notice her amulet was glowing "Huh...why is it doing that?" she muttered to herself.

Then it hit her, she was one of the survivors she is suppost to find "Kat, I think we should stick together you know" she said, trying not to act so suspicious. She wasn't sure if the old man had mentioned anything to the surviors about her or not.

James shrugged and turned away from the Lizardmen and strode along through the forest. He suddenly had the feeling that Aris was close, that she was so very close. His heart began to race and he ran through the forest in the direction that he felt she was. He rounded the corner and there standing not far off were two female figures both with their backs to him. One he could swear was Aris and as he moved a little closer he could swear that it was "Aris? Aris is that you?" he called out softly his heart raced inside his chest.

Kat nodded her head."I think that'd be a good idea." She said, faintly remembering an old man. She looked up sharply, her ears twitching as she lowered to the ground, her teeth baring.

"There's someone coming." She said as she heard the sounds of James coming towards them through the bush. She turned around after the male had bursted from the bush behind them, her tail flicked back and forth in the air in aggitation. She growled lowly, her paws flexing. She wasn't sure what it was, but she had the urge to protect Aris at every sound.

"Do you...know him Aris?" She asked in a low voice, her fiercely glowing eyes on James.

All of a sudden, out of nowhere, Malchaia recieved a messege sent to his head.the messege said "Aris, where are you?". the voice came from one obviously desperate. The voice rang through his head, as well as feelings of great protection for this Aris. The wraith turned to Ishrina.

"Well....that's interesting....did you hear that as well mistress? It could merit investigation...." Malchaia said, and looked out the door. He stared out it, as if he could see exactly what he wanted to head for, as if the people far away could actually feel him looking at them, though he could not ACTUALLY see them, and had no idea they were actually there.

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The voice also went through magis's head, and Magis turned around. He could almost feel it, they were close. He had hoped to get Aris far away from them before they arrived, but they were edging very close. Suddenly he looked back to where he knew Aris was, and decided to run out, as best he could.

After a few minutes, he managed to appear before the three, a worried look on his face. When he saw Kat though. he couldn't help but smile. "Well met Kat, this is fantastic. Aris, you are already well on your way..." he said, then turned to James. The old man did not know of this one, but the more help Aris could get, the better.

"My friend, I am glad that you two have met up, but now is not the time for rejoicing. You have unknowingly endangerred us all....they are coming. If you wish to protect Aris, never leave her side...and do not speak to anyone." Gamis said, and looked back to Aris.

"I didn't think the need had risen to tell you yet Aris, but it seems I do. You are in a lot more danger then you are aware of, and more then I would have liked...unfortunately, now the enemy knows to come here, they will be moving quickly, and they will kill you if they find you. Run..Aris...run...." The old man said, and looked at all three of them.

"I have some explaining to do it seems, but there is no time for this now. I'd suggest flying, but stay as close to the trees as possible. Speed must make up for stealth now i'm afraid, though...Kat can't fly." Gamis said, then he practically did feel it. the eyes of the dead were staring upon them, cold, invisible eyes.


"NOW! GO!" the old man shouted to them, and with that, he disappeared.

"Aris, I will see you again when the time is right...but now, you must flee..." His voice rang out, then faded.

Aris blinked and turned around to see James. "J..james" she said softly. She heard Kat's question and nodded "Y..yeah, we grew up together" she said softly.

She felt so overwhelmed with joy and happiness she wanted to go run into his arms and hug him. She heard the old man speak but tuned him out and ran into James's arms. "I thought you were dead!" she said as she hugged him tightly.

After she had hugged him she turned to look at the old man who just appeared. She blinked and sighed, not able to be compleletly happy about James being there. "W...wait who? How close? How much danger?" she asked pulling away and looking around, slightly scared.

She too felt the eyes upon them, and felt a shiver down her back. She couldn't move for a moment but when she heard the old man yell at them telling them to go, she was able to move slightly and grabbed kat. "Hold onto me" she said as her amulet started to glow, making a path for the three through the trees, like the old man said.

Alright old man. But next time your explaining what is going on She telepathed to him and lifted off the ground, flying close to the trees

James hugged her close and kissed her "No Aris, I was not killed. I was forced into a battle while I was waiting for you, I wanted to stay and wait Aris, really I did but I was drawn away." He flew up into the sky and stayed close to her side "I won't leave your side ever again Aris, I promise. Aris...I..I really like you, I like you a lot. I never stopped looking for you and I am so glad that we have found each other again." Just as he had said he did not leave her side but stayed close, flying along and smiling at her with a glad twinkle in his eyes "Whatever is going on, we will go through it together."

Ishrina felt that shiver again, but this time, it was NOT from her gifted Wraith, no...her teeth almost bared at the voice, the words, the desperate words of an angel...how sickening. She did not, however, actually snarl...

"I heard it..." Was all she said in her quiet tone, for the demonic warrioresses were already running out of the ruined building, and towards the source of the noise.

The aneglic demoness turned to look into Malchaia's eyeless face, she felt no anger and no such emotion showed in her large red eyes, her cat like ears were lower however. She found herself staring into his face for sometime, on the calm facade of thinkng of what suitable order would suffice, rarther than the lonely emotions that had been plagueing her lately.

"Malchaia...take half of the demonesses, and rondevous with the Lizard-kin squad nearest the voice's source, see to this apparent noise...but do not commit to a skirmish as yet. It might be an ambush set up to lure us away, so be cautious my freind...and report to me the first sighting you make..." She calmly spoke, hiding the bristling emotions that came with expecting a possible battle.

She didn't immediently move every warrior of Azer'Wraith to the source, because it had happened to a Captain before, and the captain's warband was scattered as squads fragmented. She would not risk this, and would keep the squads of Azer'Wraith nearby to one-another.

((EDITED.)

Malchaia nodded as the order was given. "deal with the voice, use the demons, do not engage yet." it sounded simple, but malchaia never underestimated an enemy. He would fulfill his orders with 100% efficiency. malchaia stopped for a moment, and looked to the demonesses, giving them a nod. "very well mistress, we will return very soon...all of us..." he said

Suddenly, he lifted up one of his arms. A large, black wing immediately came out of his back. The demons nodded, and drew their weapons. Malchaia charged out,followed by the demonesses as he ran very quickly to where the voice had called out. He used his wing to make him faster,but the demons were able to stay close.

Finally, after very little movement, they were at the place the wraith was sure the voice had called from. The lizardmen were there, and gave him a slight nod of respect as he landed. Malchaia looked down, examining the ground for a moment, and then he saw them. Footprints. They ran in a certain direction, and stopped.

"It was a winged one sir...he flew off, in that direction..." One of the lizardmen spoke in their native tongue. it was the commander, with red markings on his scales. Malchaia acknowledged the lizardman, and nodded as the creature flicked his tongue out, indicating it was taking in some scents. "Two females joined the winged one here..."


Malchaia thought about this. Two females, and a winged male. It didn't sound like an ambush, and, at the rate the footprints led, they darted out of there pretty quickly.

"We will capture them..." he said, and looked at the lizard commander. "Take your scouts andscatter them about this forest. I and the demons will move ahead. Send a scout back to Ishrina to report what has happened..." malchaia said, and the lizardman nodded, and started barking out orders.

Not wasting anytime, malchaia began running forward, followed by his demons. They were all fast, faster then humans that was certain.....the wraith could almost feel his targets approaching...
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The old man stayed hidden, running himself like the others. he had to move, they were coming. It seemed all the forces of hell itself had been sprung up and summoned to pursue Aris. Though this was not so, it didn't make the danger any less real. As Gamis felt the army chasing them drawing closer, he couldn't help but feel worried. It couldn't end here. They HAD to escape. or all was lost. "damn it...their catching up..." he said out loud, and continued running after Aris, willing them to go fasters, somehow.

It had been a pleasurable afternoon, the trees quavering slightly in the breeze and the sun just the perfect temperature to bask in. And that was what Zinth had been doing. Her small body spralwed out on a branch of a sturdy tree, legs dangling off the sides. It was almost the perfect afternoon.

And then there was pain, so suddenly it took her breath away and she pitched forward out of the tree. Her wings caught her just before the ground but the dull throb still lingered in her chest. Her feet aligned with the ground and she looked around. 'What the hell was that?' She thought. She grabbed her pack from the trunk and picked up her new sword. She grunted aganst the heavyness. She wanted to kick the stupid thing. "Why do you have to be so friggin' heavy?!" She thrust it into the sheath and ran off into the forest.

It was as if that pain was a beacon pulling her through the trees and brush. Something was demanding to follow that pain, which was slowly turning into fear. She grinned, there was battle in the air and she could almost taste it. This is what she lived for, the exhileration that came from slicing the crap out of things.

"Who are they?!" Aris asked out to Gamis, after hearing what he said. Just as soon as that was said, her amulet flew off of Aris's neck and back behind them "No! my amulet!" she yelled out and stopped about to go back for it.

What appeared to be a shield blocked her from going back and following "What the?" she blinked and started to fly foward again "Gamis, what didn't you tell me about this thing?" she asked out to him.

Her amulet went back to where Zinth was and appeared infront of her. It flashed a couple of times and then flew off back to where Aris was, trying to get Zinth to follow.

Kat had allowed Aris to grab her, and had held on tight, trying to keep her claws from piercing the woman's skin. She would have shifted into her human form or into a different cat, but she had been grabbed before she could. She sighed as she held onto Aris, her eyes darting around as her ears twicthed. " Aris... I can run so you can fly faster!" She said into the female's ear. She knew she was getting heavier, she was after all in the form of a full grown black panther.

If she wished, she could become any kind of cat and could deffinatly keep up. She squirmed slightly, trying to loosen the hold that she was in, her paws letting go of where they had been resting.

Aris glanced over at Kat and shook her head "Your fine. But if you wish to change to something smaller and I can place you down then carry you" she said still flying but not as fast just in case.

"The old man said it would be faster for me to carry you, so that is what I am going to do" she said determined

Kat sighed, before nodding. "Alright..." She said before going into her thoughts to think of a smaller cat. Once she figured out what she wanted to be she could easily become it.

To Aris, it would feel really strange when Kat shifted her shape; since there would be bones moving. Kat finally decided on what she'd be, just a normal sized cat. Her body shivered and shrank as she shifted into a much smaller tabby cat.

She fit easily into Aris's arms. "This a good size?" She asked as she looked up at Aris.

gamis appeared suddenly before them. "I'm sorry...there is much that needs explaining, i thought we'd have more time...but..." he said, and suddenly heard crackling noises, and footsteps coming towards them.


"It's too late! they'll be here any second...we must hide!" Gamis said, and looked around them. He suddenly saw something very welcomed. There was a cart, full of hay, being pulled by a horse and buggy going down a trail. The trail led to one of the nearby villages.

"come on..." Gamis said, and ran himself behind the cart, jumping into the hay and becomnming hidden completely.

Aris nodded at Kat "That's much....." she didn't finish her reply when Gamis appeared infront of them. She gasped at what he said, and held Kat tightly as she quickly flew into the hay. "My amulet! What about my amulet!" she whispered out to Gamis

James dove into the hay and sat at Aris' side "I am so glad I found you Aris, I have been searching for you ever since we become separated." He eyed the old man suspciously as they hid beneath the hay "Who exactly is after us? Who are they are why do they want my beloved Aris?" he said holding Aris' hand in his tightly. His sword hung on his hip "I am not afraid, if they even try to harm Aris I will slay them if I am forced to. I have been Aris' protector for a long time I will not let her down now, especially not since we are together now," he blushed and placed a soft kiss on Aris' lips "I missed you so much," he whispered in her ear "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Kat let out a startled yelp as they flew into the hay, her small body nestled close too Aris. She rolled her eyes as James spoke, her fur starting to rise. She hissed at him. "Shush.. or you'll have us caught!" She said before she let out another quiet hiss as she listened to the noises around them.

She knew that if they weren't quiet, either the driver of the cart, or their followers would hear, or see them, and they just couldn't have that. Her fur relaxed as she looked at Gamis, then back to Aris. She knew what her job was, she had been informed by Gamis that she would come across a woman in need of protection, and she was set on her duty.

She was catching up, that she could feel, and quite soon she would be face to face with whatever she was meant to find. Tearing through the woods in a semingly blind fashion she followed to where her soul was pulling her.

Almost as fast as she was running she was encroached apon by, of all things, a floating, glowing necklace. She skidded to a grinding halt not six inches from it. It sent out a flash of near blinding light, and she was forced to squint her eyes. She reached out a small delicate hand to grasp the pendant, and nearly killed herself in the process. The second her bare skin made contact with the metalic surface it sent a shockwave down her entire frame. Pride badly scorned, she withdrew her hand to her mouth where she licked it in a cat like mannor. Her eyes grew thin in anger. "Why I ough'ta hack you to tiny pieces!" she cried out, drawing her sword out.

Just as she threw herself at it, the demonic necklace flew off into the trees, almost moking her with random flashes of light. She growled and let forth a cry of anguish. She would catch that damned object if it was the last thing she did.

Aris smiled softly at James words, and blushed when he kissed her lips. "I have missed you too James, but now isn't the time to be all lovey dovey" she whispered back to him "Let us escape first" She heard Kat his, and petted her gently. "It's alright" she whispered as she continued to pet her.

She still awaited Gamis answer, but sighed softly. She felt a wierd sensation, almost as if her amulet was calling out to her.
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The amulet continued to glow randomly at her, moving at a fast pace until she was close to the hay cart the rest were in. She would explain later but for now she need this second survivor to come and find Aris

The cart started moving, much to Gamis's relief, but they still could not talk at the moment. The driverof the cart was undoubtedly heading to town, where they would certainly be able to talk.

"James...you are brave...but foolish. There are some enemies it is wiser not to fight. If you want to protect Aris, you will remain still, and silent." he whisperred.

"As for the amulet...it has very high magical properties...don't worry about it...it can probab-" he said, but was cut off, as a shiver rand down his spine. It was a warm day, and there was no human reason a shiver would run down his spine, but it did. He slowly moved a finger to his lip. "they're here..." he mouthed out, and waited, hoping they would not be caught.

The amulet outside the cart, fell to the ground, and actually went under the cart, hiding itself....

Zinth lept through the brush and onto the road like a hell-bent fury. The necklace had dissapered and was not to be seen, in fact the only thing around was an peasant man on a hay cart. A low growl resonated from her throat. 'That Sky-damned trinket might have won the battle, but certainly I shall win the war...'

Oh, she knew it had run away, but to where she had no clue. She was a fighter, not a tracker. Quickly she ran up to the side of the cart to see the man. She grabbed his attention by rapping on the side of the cart. "Hey you-" She started but was rudley intterupted by A cloaked figure springing out of the woods from the opposite direction she came. It was not human, that was sure, no human has just one single wing on it's back, and if it had features they were well concealed.

She strode forward to meet the, most likey, unhappy newcomers. She stopped, arms akimbo and her lips set in a irked pout. Her green eyes flashed at the cloaked figure. "Alright you... you...- Thing you. I don't know who you are, but it you're looking for the glowing pendant, I've got news for you." She pulled her sword out and pointed it at the small band of really ulgy creatures. She barked out her statement like she was queen of the world, even though most of the lizard men stood a good two feet taller than her. "That Sky-damned piece of jewlery near killed me and I've got a score to settle, so if you want it, you'll have to go through me first!" She set her fighting stance as that old guy had told her once to do and she prepared herself for battle. No one was going to have that necklace before she destroyed it.

Malchaia arrived into a small clearing in the forest, alongside his demons and the few lizardmen that followed him. he saw a small creature, of a race he had never seen before. To his surprise, it threatened him...and he couldn't help but laugh at that, motioning for the soldiers to step back. They would not be needed. Suddenly, everything began to get colder, the sky darker, with maybe evena bit of a red hue.

the darkness seemed to be coming from malchaia himself. there were a few flowers on the ground, and they all wilted, as Malchaia pulled out two night black swords, and his wing spread as far as it could go.

"Surrender....and you'll be spared...you can not defeat me...." malchaia said, and then watched as the driver of the hay cart got up, and looked towards them. he looked incredibly surprise, and terrified.

"What is this pendent you speak of...." The wraith said, sounding interested. However, his words were cold, and black. they took the life out of everything around them, yet somehow, the troops behind him looked happy, spirited.

"Don't make me destroy you...." the wraith said, and took a few steps closer, growing darker with each step.

"hey...what are you doing!"the cart driver called out, and ran between him and the small one. "Look, what's going on here...." he said, the wraith looked at him for just a second, invisible eyes peering into his soul, and he grew pale.

"Have you seen anything strange today...a winged man perhaps?" malchaia said. the man shook his head no. "Then your useless..." the wraith said, and suddenly darted out, driving his fist into the mans chest faster then one could see him move. The man becoame cold instantly, and fell to the ground, dead.

"now...shall you come quitely...this is your last chance..." the wraith said, and the grass itself wilted by his presence, the nearby streams waters turned a murky brown, and the trees looked pale and sick.
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"Oh hells...a wraith..." Gamis thought silently, and looked to the others, as if to say "don't move..." His eyes looked out, and he could vaguely see the two figures standing there. The one looked familiar, and he held back a gasp as he realised who it was.

Aris glanced out the cart and saw a girl...well it looked like a girl and the wraith. Instead of feeling frightened, she felt herself being drawn to his darkness. She shook her head and snapped out of whatever trance she was in. "We have to go save her!" she said to him and sprawled out of the hay.

"Leave her alone!" she yelled out to him, unlike everyone else she didn't show fear to him. But she did not know how to fight just yet, so she would hope that this thing would just go away, but she had a feeling it wasn't going to.

She glanced down and saw her amulet underneath the cart. Her first reaction was to grab it, but she didn't want to move just yet. "You have no business here, just go" she said in a stern tone, but her voice was a tad bit shaky.

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The amulet glowed and flew up into the cart and next to Gamis. "Are you just gonna sit there or are you gonna do something Gamis!" a voice was heard coming from it. "It is our job as well. Now tell me to give her the power to destroy that wraith and I will gladly do it"

James leapt out of the cart and took his place at Aris' side "You would do well to do what she says," he said and drew his sword. He flared his wings and moved to protect Aris "That girl has none you no harm and if my darling Aris believes in her then so do I." He moved Aris to his side in order to better protect her, he eyes the wraith and moved slightly, there was not an ounce of fear in his eyes. He seemed to recognize the Wraith from somewhere "You!" he challenged it. He curled a wing about Aris protectively and smiled at her "Do not worry Aris, everything will be okay," he touched her cheek tenderly and looked into her eyes with a smile. "Before...what happened I was to be an Archangel foul one," he called to the Wraith "I have fought many spawns of darkness like you before and I am not afraid."

The wraith looked at the two new ones coming out of the cart with open interest. The one, was very obviously the winged man the lizardfolks had spoken of.

"Well...this is interesting..." The wraith said, and looked at the both of them some more, summing them up. The female looked...somehow...familiar, but it didn't matter. he had his orders.

"No violence is neccesary...cast down your weapons, and we'll...have a little chat..." The wraith said, preparing for a fight.

The others behind him looked a bit more anxious, but they didn't seem too worried. They were battle hardened soldiers. The wraith then looked more closely at the angel, and laughed.

"You havn't foughten anyone like me before...ever..." Malchaia said, and revealed his huge black wing. "This is your last chance...surrender, or we will fight..."

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gamis looked at the pendent, and nodded. It was time. He grabbed the pendent and himself got out of the cart, revelaing himself. As soon as gamis got out, he saw the wraith, and the large black wing, and he shudderred for a second, driven into his memory. "it can't be....you..." he said, but immediately shook off his thoughts, turning them to Aris.

"Aris! use the pendent!" He said, and threw it to her...knowing that it could, potentially save their lives.

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The wraith saw the old man get out, and recognised him as well. But it was too late to fathom about this, he had to act now. They hadn't surrendered, so they would die. The wraith leapt forward, swords aimed for the females throat as he flew at her faster then one could imagine...

Aris wasn't able to reply fast enough and saw when Gamis came out of the cart. She glanced back at James then back at the amulet being tossed at her. She went to catch it but was taken back by the Wraith coming at her at a fast pace.

The amulet glowed and a shield appeared right infront of Aris just in time. "Aris use your light!" a small voice said to her.

Aris blinked but did what she was told. A small ball of light formed in her palm and she held it up infront of her. She let out a yell and sent a bright light right at the Wraith, not knowing what it would do.

Kat howled as she leapt out of the hay after Gamis, her form switching mid-air into the black panther again. She raced passed Gamis, her eyes flashing with her anger at the wrath, her own body nearly ecming invisibe as she moved.

Her claws dug into the ground as she came to a sudden halt beside Aris, her eyes still locked on the wraith as a ball of light went flying from Aris's hand. She glanced up at Aris for a moment, before looking back at the wraith, then at James. She had been going to roar and pounce, but she wasn't sure she needed to send everyone to their knees anymore. She sighed, and took a single step back, glancing at Gamis.

She hissed softly and paced slowly, her eyes darting from one person to another, like she was a caged animal. Her fur wasstanding up on end, while her tail whipped back and forth behind her.