Meeting in the Forest - Vermont

[Mana D. Banafield]

"The King and men, stole the Queen from her bed.. An bound her in her bones, the Seas be ours and by the powers.. Where we will.. We'll roam!!" Singing in a child like voice, Mana had just finished watching the Pirate of the Caribbean through some kind families window. Keeping his silence and his persona excellently hidden, the Reaper had passed them by on the sheer whim of thanks for the good entertainment. Their lovely child with Cancer would not die today. What a wonderful yet confusing thing life was, giving life and taking it away in a single reach of his hand. Shuddering slowly he dreaded the thought of his own death being like such, however no one would ever know would they? Such a creature like himself was destine to be alone.. Or was he? Solitude had been the easiest way for his people to go to void mass problems and due to their thin population it was a damn safe choice.

The sun remained high in the sky as a thick mist rolled through the hills and forests of Vermont. Blocking out the sun mostly, the suns rays reflected and refracted off of the moisture in the air in order to keep the area visible instead of in complete darkness. With every step the forest floor crackled and snapped from dried leaves and dead branches. His boney feet curled into the fern infested soil letting them sink down to feel the roots. The small incests below ignited his senses allowing him to sense the flow of life here and there where ever his feet were planted. Such a beautiful and lovely place, twas a shame the humans desired to expand out more. Taking down the true places of solitude or ruining them with pointless graffiti to mark property. The poison and litter they left here made the forest and its creatures sick and belittled their growth.

Mana remembered a time when the creatures of the forest and the humans themselves used to be stronger and bigger in order to over come adversity. Now everyone was nothing more than a baby compared to the days before them, humans boasted of their great strength in these modern times when they would simply shrivel in the sight of their ancestors. The human race disgusted the Reaper greatly, however his process to seeing their complete annihilation would have to be slow and sporadic. Making sure not to draw the attention of his fellow Reapers in a negative direction. Taking a slow stroll down a large mountain hill the Reaper headed straight for one of the fewest clean lakes located in the state of Vermont. Here would be a good place to rest his rattling bones and restore his energy. Having eaten at the previous graveyard, Mana was all set on food for the next hours to come into the morning. As he dropped in elevation the mist grew thicker and thicker slowing his pace till he finally reached the waters edge.

Stepping into the marshy section of the pond he allowed his feet and shins to sink into the muck to let them cool down. Despite he was not one to feel the cold nor the warmth in most places, Mana still felt the burning sensation of weariness from long miles and distances. Holding his cloak up with the right arm the left held his staff in place allowing him provide some defense for himself in case anything were to happen. "Oh~ Creatures of the forest, would thou harken unto me, but a lowly servant of your magnificent and aged majesty. Provide me with some company be it learned or not, leave me not alone in this beautiful place to enjoy the mist and forest on my own.." His many voices rang at different pitches and tones to catch the fancy of any creatures with keen hearing and a desire for conversation or company.

[Chiha Tanka]

Endless forests, the sounds of the animals and the fresh air, this is what Chiha calls home. It has been 6 days since he started his way down from what the humans call "Canada". Destroying logging operations on the way he followed the trail he has maid over the years leading to each popular spot for logging. Every time there are new machines there and he ruins every one of them. His anger for the humans has no limit, it grows every day with seeing the increasing amount of machines, garbage and humans in his forests. He wished they would all just die, the world would be a better place without the filthy humans ruining it.

Chiha had been walking along this creek for miles, it was his path to a large pond to catch fish and rest. Though Humans could be found there time to time. The thick fog that envelopes the area made it easy for him to scare off the humans.

His feet sunk in the soft ground and left large imprints, he wasn't worried about any one finding them because the earth would erase them soon enough in this damp area. Grabbing onto a tree and stepping down off a small ledge he stopped. The sound that filled the air was not of birds and bugs but of something humanoid. It baffled him for a few seconds because no humans can cast their voice like this one has done.

Listening he could make out the words. Why was some human wanting company from nature. Quickly making his way down the creek he could see the thick fog bed sitting over the large pond. Stopping he stood next to a large tree in the forest, looking out over the lake he could just make out a humans figure in a cloak. Chiha took in a deep breath before letting out a blood curdling scream to try and scare off the unusual looking man

[Kandasa StormCrown]

A Hero and His Dragon

His eyes were misted, with a deep blur that didn't allow him to keep up with the vivid colors and events that were taking place around him. People dancing around him, looking at him, the soft echo's of their voices in a vice on his attention. He could not hear the words they spoke, but he could not stop trying to decypher them. Time in this place seemed to increase, he felt as if he was drowning, about to be run over by this ocean of people. These lights felt like they were blinding him and they were overwhelming. But he couldn't move. And he couldn't breath.

Kandasa! Wake up, wake up!" rang a voice in his ear in a rush.

At the crack of a road, Kandasa jumped away, looking into the eyes of his partner, his Dragon in which was named Jadova. Her pale green eyes were peering at Kandasa, who had decided to rest against her body to take a small rest. They had found refuge out in a cave in this forest that they'd been traveling in for awhile now, but a sharp crack of thunder in a far of distance stated that it still wasn't safe for them to fly. Kandasa rubbed at his eyes, still tired, but he mumbled to her,

"What's wrong? Has something happened?"

"Nothing is wrong, but I do think it's about the time of day to start walking. The storm is coming in fast, and soon it will be right on top of us. The Rain doesn't affect me, I just don't enjoy it as much as you do." She said, her voice echoing inside of Kandasa's mind.

Kandasa and Jadova shared a special bond that could not be broken. He was one of the few that had the gift of speaking to the Dragon race, and in return, befriending them. His partner, whom would be by his side forever, was Jadova, a dragon who shared a similar past as him. He had lost his family, and she had lost hers. A little duo of misfits. Kandasa picked up his spear that was resting by his side and pulled himself up to his feet to stretch a little. He also fasted a large sword in it's sheath to his back, just over his shoulder, the belt crossing over his chest. Jadova lifted herself up to her feet at half height because of how small the cave was they were in, starting for the cave entrance, Kandasa was right beside her.

Their little den out looked over the large expansion of the forests that was laid out beyond them, some dark and looming clouds dropped in the blue sky miles and miles away. it was obvious that it was coming this way, but it wouldn't for many more hours before it reaches the forest. Just as Kandasa was about to open his mouth to speak, he hear someone, correction, something shout out for the company of the forest. It didn't sound like a Human, therefore, it probably wasn't a hunter. It's voice did not sound like that of anything mortal. Kandasa already had his spear, Schisma prepared, but when the blood curling scream that came shortly after that announcement told him that whatever gave itself away was soon going to be in trouble.

"It's your call. Do you wish to go down and see what it was?" Jadova asked, lowing one of her wings, knowing the answer.

Before she could finish her question, Kandasa was already crawling up her wing, taking a seat at her shoulders, "Of course, But start off in a low flight and let me see if I can stop them through the tree tops."

"I'll do my best, but hang on." Jadova opened her wings, and in one powerful flap, she hoisted her body into the air, soaring off and skimming the tree tops carefully.

Kandasa leaned over the side, his steel-blue eyes looking down, watchful of what creatures lie in the forest while his dragon took them to where the sounds were coming from.

[Demmural Parson]

~Confusion? Nope...~

Lightning suddenly popped and began to crack out, breaking the minor silence within the forest. It came not from the sky, but from within the forest itself. It split trunks of trees in half, caused critters to flee in terror, over and above all, it shattered the silence and disturbed the peace. It all originated from one being who was running frantically, flinging his free hand in any direction in front or behind him, firing off lightning randomly, caring not where it hit.

"Just give up your chase you pathetic little thrall!!!" He shouted aloud into pure nothingness. No one was behind him, or in front of him, or for that matter all around him for miles. Between pops of lightning his voice escaped into the surrounding area. He had shouted loud enough for others to hear, if there were anything out there that is. But to Demmural Neziel Parson, there was certainly some one after him. This alone made his face expressed excitement. Apparently he was enjoying being chased. He saw it as a game. It was exhilarating.

The hood of his dark brown robe had fallen back and was bobbing behind him as he ran. The entire some what baggy robe itself fluttered from his movement. The satchel tied securely to his belt around the waist area of the robe bounced slightly due to it being sewn into the robe. Thus it hardly budged unless Demm were to heave himself over something or jump. His robe was suddenly caught upon a log, which jerked him to the ground, sending him sliding forwards a few feet in grass, limbs, and leaves. In a quick roll on the ground he elevated the decorated top of his staff that he gripped tightly in his right hand, and channeled lightning through it and out of the top of it, aimed directly at a trees trunk. Upon contact a minor explosion shattered the trunk of the skinny, yet tall pine tree in half. Which sent it toppling back away from Demmural.

Demmural chuckled slightly as he pushed himself up and off of the ground, dusted himself off and calmly walked away as if nothing ever happened behind him. Using his free hand he flipped his hood back up, and continued walking through the rugged forest, leaving behind him a massacred area from lightning strikes. As he walked, he had a sudden realization that he had heard the call of a voice in the far off distance. It seemed to sound familiar, but he was unsure. He looked about rather...anxiously, shrugged and then continued walking.

[Mana D. Banafield]

Wading in through the murky water, Mana did not have to wait long for a response from the forests creatures. Here and there he could hear scampering and rustling of leaves and the flapping of wings from small birds of flight. However several sensations did not go unnoticed in this Reapers mind. The first was an ominous presence of someone he knew closely, not because of their scent but their persona in which they carried. It was simply powerful and comforting the next was a rather skin crawling roar. The irony being, Mana did not have skin thus he showed no fear in the face of this large creature who stood off to his left side.

Quickly wading out of the water, his left hand clutched the staff firmly in hand while the right slipped out of his sleeve into the interior of his cloak. Taking hold of his blade, Mana was prepared for what ever may come. Casting out his Aura of Fear, Mana wished to test the creatures wisdom and prowess. Edging forward the Reaper made sure his movements were fluid and seamless keeping the creature from sensing any immediate danger. "An what might you be?~ Beautiful creature harken unto me!! Cast aside thy aggression and stay a while with me.." Mana's legion of voices rose and fell still rolling clearly through out the misty forest for all to hear and hopefully follow. The Reaper knew there was more than on supernatural being near by, who wouldn't?

From above the sensation of the calm air changed into a small breeze as the Draconian flew over head on its mount. 'Oh dear.. Let's hope this goes over well..' Mana thought to himself as he slowly eyed the large creature still shrouded in mist. Keeping his hood up for added effect, two funnel stacks puffed out from his shadowed face. Topped with two gleaming crimson eyes.