Darkness (Open)

[The Black Rider]

It was not a Sith. It was not a Dark Jedi. It was darkness. It was fear. It was dread, hate, and death. It was nothing; and yet in the dark hood of The Black Rider was everything. One could become lost in it's empty gaze even though it seemed as though one was looking at nothing.

The dark horse rode into the small village marketplace. It neighed--the sound coming out in screams and ghostly wails, unlike the usual sounds a horse might make. The rider that sat atop the beast was dressed in jet black robes, tattered and torn. The old wool garb covered the entire figure and the hood masked the rider's face--if the rider had a face. Gazing into the hood revealed nothing but darkness. The stench around the figure was that of death. Everywhere, the thing inspired life to wilt. The grass below the mount's feet crumbled and wilted away. Worms and cockroaches crawled out of the ground. In many cases, dead carcasses rose and took life again with the touch of the...thing. But it wasn't natural life. They were zombies.

Despite the complete smell of death and the aura of darkness surrounding the creature, life did exsist there. It was proven through the icy breath that billowed out of the hood in the night's chill. Somehow, some way, life did exsist in the being.

The Rider stopped, and the mount made a full circle. It stamped it's cold hooves into the ground, rustling up dirt. The figure stood, motionless, body rocking with the jerky movements of the horse. Then, it turned it's gaze towards the figure in the courtyard.

"Why have you come?" It spoke in a loud, raspy whisper. It's cold breath painfully squeezed out each word.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera's ice blue eyes were calm as she regarded the rider in black. "Why do you think I've come?" She asked, brushing aside a few strands of her dark brown hair.

[The Black Rider]

The mount twisted and reared, but the rider's firm grip kept the horse steady. He shifted himself to attain better balance. The Rider pondered the girl's answer. It seemed odd that an outlander like herself would be way out here. The Rider was definitely old fashioned--old, to say the least--but not ignorant of the universe. It had been on a starship once, though not with fond memories of the trip. It knew, however, that it took much to get to the planet Gyria. With one spaceport, the ancient world was remote and in many ways untouched. The old hills and villages dotting the counrtyside held many secrets. Not to be ignored, was the secret of The Black Rider's exsistence.

"Ahhhhh..." the Rider rasped, almost in a laugh. "A question asked to counter a question...how long will we prance around the point if this visit, my dear?" The Rider's voiced faded as it squeezed out the entire sentence. It gestured with it's hand towards the girl. "You have come for one of two reasons. Either you seek from me knowledge...or you seek to destroy me."

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera smiled slightly. "You are correct... on the latter." The former Jedi drew her sword, Starfire. The blade of the sword almost seemed to glow.

[The Black Rider]

The Rider's mount reared at the sight of the blade. Afterall, a beast was never in control of it's emotions. The Black Rider dismounted the beast and stood before the girl. It was truly a frightening sight--standing 6'7, it's large frame heaved from under it's robes. As if robotic, it threw open it's cloak and slowly drew a long, silver broadsword from the sheath on its belt. It raised the sword up, grasping it with both hands, and held it parellel to it's body. The sword pointed to the sky as the Rider then stood--cold and silent. It looked like a statue, guarding it's position.

"Be sure of yourself girl," it hissed menacingly. "For this will not be a battle you will soon walk away from." With that it set it's feet and waited for the other to move...

[Alera Starreyes]

"I am very sure." Alera said softly, eyes piercing. The young woman stood in a defensive position, sword seeming to sing as it glided gently through the air. "'Tis your move, dark one."

[The Black Rider]

The Rider smiled, but the world would not see his grin. He stepped forward slowly. He truly did not want to kill this girl--she was young, vibrant, and courageous. Something he hadn't been for many many centuries. Nonetheless, she had come here in search of him. It seemed that no matter how hard he tried, he could never be in peace. He was always sought after, always pursued. His dark soul began to shiver--too many human thoughts. Time to focus on the task at hand.

As he stalked forward, he brought his sword to his side. He crouched slightly, bringing himself to a fighting position. If she would have it this way, then so be it, he thought. With that he raised his sword for attack.

He lunged into his weapon, driving it towards the girl's torso. She blocked easily. He then countered with three hacks, each one gaining in power. The first to the shoulder was blocked easily, the second to the neck countered, and the third--straight to the head--blocked as well; but the crushing power of The Rider's arm sent the girl stumbling backwards.

She is strong, he thought to himself. But The Rider's confidence was not yet shaken.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera regained her balance quickly, responding with a pivot to increase her blow's strength and a swing at the Rider's chest. It was blocked with little trouble. The girl ducked quickly under a counterswing, before striking to the right.

[The Black Rider]

She recuperated very quickly and the right strike was fast--almost too fast. But The Rider blocked the swing with a loud clang. He unleashed another quick three strikes--left, stab, left--all parried by the young warrior. Her counter shocked The Rider. She took his leftward momentum and pushed him closer to her. As she did this, she spun to her right bringing her blade across his right arm, slashing both robe and flesh.

"Arrggghhhh!" The Black Rider hissed talking a few retreating steps. He was getting way too old for this. 1500 years ago, he would have slayed her without a second thought. But now, the old creature that he was...he was having difficulty staying with the youngster. She was an excellent warrior. He had encountered and destroyed many lives--thousands!--in his years. Many were strong; many were fast. But this girl...she was quick and suprisingly strong. He knew why...the Force was strong in her.

"You have proven a great warrior..." he rasped, taking in breath rapidly. He reached over to his wound, letting the black blood seep out onto his gauntlet. Bracing his sword defensively in case she would attack, he tucked his left gauntlet underneath his right armpit. Pulling away, he removed the glove, revealing a small but strong gray hand. The flesh, stinky and rotting, was still in tact. Black veins pumped blood through the fingers. "...but no warrior can escape the icy hands of death."

The Rider reached out into the darkside of the Force, lightning crackling and piercing the air shot out from the cold fingers, aimed at the warrior...

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera instinctively jumped, using the Force to allow her to go higher. The lightning crackled past below her.
The former Knight landed lightly on her feet. "I'm no ordinary warrior," she said, with a slight smile.
She sensed her foe was skilled, perhaps one of the best she'd encountered. But she wasn't afraid - yet. It was her task to destroy it, or bring back what was left of its humanity if she could. For she sensed it had once been human, long ago. She would not shrink from her duty, and she would do what she set out to do - or die here.
It would be easier if she could get some kind of sense of its thoughts and emotions, but they were veiled in a darkness her mind could not penetrate.
The young woman awaited its next move, Starfire at the ready.

[The Black Rider]

The Rider watched the girl dodge the attack--as he had expected. She was truly skilled, even for her youth. Many did not reach a level of skill like this until their mid life or later. But this girl had developed much earlier. Odd , he thought. He hadn't seen this kind of talent for quite a while. More was in her than would appear on the outside. But she seeked to destroy him, and he would defend his...life? No, life wasn't the word. His exsistence.

"No, girl, you are not ordinary," The Rider spoke. His breathing regained, although his strength was slightly drained, the ligthning taking it's toll on his power. The Rider thought that maybe he had been careless with his track. He had hoped to conceal himself and thought he was doing a good job. But it was apparent by his current opposition that he had faltered. Someone knew. Someone remembered.

"You were sent by the council," he growled. "How did you find me?" He questioned the girl to discover what had happened. Maybe she had been sent to redeem him. Redemption...it was for the living. Not for what he had become. She would find no light, no life in his desolate soul. He was a shadow; a being of the darkness. There was a time when he was alive...when he was living flesh and blood...when he cared.

NO! That time was long ago. This girl--this pathetic, weak, ignorant Jedi--would not conjure emotion in him. He was angered by this fluctuation in his self control. She would pay for disturbing his confidence.

[Alera Starreyes]

"No one sent me," Alera said softly. "I found you because I'm attuned to darkness... and I came because I sense there is good in you yet, still something within you that remains human." Her eyes were piercing, yet somehow gentle. "You don't have to be as you are..."

[The Black Rider]

"You know nothing, girl!" The Rider hissed loudly, somewhat of a human voice showing through. He then coughed deeply. "What you have felt is absolute darkness. Souleless, is this body. Only shadows reside in this shell." He was angered. This girl, so young, could see into him much farther than he would have wanted to allow anyone to. He could not understand it. But then, he hadn't felt a presence like hers on Gyria for at least 500 years. It was almost exhilerating to see her...

Despite that, he would suppress his emotion. He reached into the Force and pulled the girl close to him--just close enough for his grasp to reach out to her. He raised her into the air and held her closer. She was powerful and began to push away from his grasp. But as she did, The Rider reached out with an icy exposed hand and grabbed her forearm.

It was like pure cold had fell upon her arm. Icy burning pierced her nerves as the hand gripped her arm. She felt so much cold, so much darkness in the hand. Her body began to shiver as the hand sucked all warth out of her muscles. But it didn't stop there.

She was pierced by his gaze now. Images began to shuffle through her head; dark images so frightening that she shuddered. A young man, handsome, with bright blond hair, stood in her head. He was clad in silver armor, covering his entire body, all but his head. He looked out onto a gray battlefield. It must have been centuries ago; the weapons were ancient, the hills untouched. The man stood at the head of an army facing another army...an army of the dark side. Alera recognized emblems of the Sith. The man rushed into battle and fought bravely and expertly. He was truly a great warrior. FLASH

A dark man, very similar to the man before, stood in the hallway of a great palace. His features were dark and worn though, like age had taken its toll on him. He looked angered, and with a scream, the 10 guards before him fell, dying. FLASH

A dark figure...no face...no features...darkness stared into her face. Getting closer to her eyes...closer...closer, the chill of his aura making her shiver. Then a scream of death, and a terrible laugh. It echoed in her mind, shaking her head. The voice was evil and horrid. FLASH

The smell of death again seeped into her nose. Fog around her, as she looked to make out any details of her surroundings. Nothing but blackness. Then a ring, a silver ring, began to come into view. It gre larger and larger untill it was larger than she. Flames blew up around it and a loud voice was heard, chanting some ancient language:


Un dara se kharos...Un dara inturi...Un dara se powerous ...Un dara Exar Kun...

He eyesight came back as she looked around. She was back in the courtyard, the moonlight brushing her face. The smells and air further proved to her that it was reality. As she sat up, she looked in front of her. The Black Rider was hunched over on the ground before him. Cold breath jotted out of his hood in short gasps. He was exauhsted.

"You...see...you...know...nothing...you--" he coughed violently "--you cannot...understand..."

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera reached out and took the Rider's hand. A little warmth passed into the hand. "But I do," she whispered.
The young woman closed her eyes, and showed him.

A dark alley... a man held a gun to another man's head... but then, a young woman wearing a midnight blue cloak and holding a pure white lightsaber appeared... the man who was in trouble got away while the other man tried to fight her... finally the girl stood over him, lightsaber in hand... in her mind flickered warnings, cries, pleas as she tried to make herself leave... her business was done, the man was safe...
Her lightsaber flickered from white to blacker than night... back and forth...
Something dark entered into her eyes. The lightsaber turned completely black. With a snarl, she pounced on the helpless man, who barely had time to scream before she tore him apart...

Alera pulled her hand away, gasping for breath, eyes still closed. "Sometimes," she said quietly, breathlessly, "I... lose control of myself..." She bit her lip, a single tear sliding down her cheek. At last, she opened her eyes. "I fight it still," she said, something in her voice determined. "I could have become a Sith that night... I almost did... I almost have since then..." Her voice grew softer. "I could have become like you." She paused, shuddering a little. "But I keep trying. If I can stop it taking over me, you can come back to what you once were."

[The Black Rider]

The Rider processed the images she had sent him. They conjured mixed emotions in his stone heart. His first thought was that she was quite tenacious. He found himself entertained that she had a dark streak. It was in everyone--some just couldn't find it. But she had. On the other hand, he felt pity for her. Such a young, vibrant soul, it was unfortunate that the dark had reached her. Sad, but true, he thought.

Maybe there was still hope for him. Maybe he could break free--

FOOL! The voice echoed in his head. It was...the other. How dare you! You are becoming so weak...pathetic. I should have killed you when I had the chance.

"Maybe you should have," The Rider rasped out loud. The voice overpowered him again.

What are you waiting for? Can't you see what is happening? She is besting you! You, the great warrior! She is going to win!

"Then let it be the will of fate!" He screamed out against the voice. He felt defiant of it's grasp. But he was weak...he could not fight it. His mind turned as he felt The Other grasp him. He felt the pain--the searing headache, like a knife to his skull--and he succumbed to it. He always did. It became one with him again and he felt strength. He changed his mind--not by his own will--he would no longer let this girl get to him. It was time to end this talk.

"The will of fate has turned on you, my dear." The Rider, revitalized by The Other, struck out with the Force and threw the girl towards an old hut. She smashed through the weak wooden walls of the small house and crashed to the floor. With sword in hand, and a new recharged stamina, The Rider charged into the rubble for an attack...

[Alera Starreyes]

Pain shot through Alera's body, and throbbed near her left shoulder. She suspected a shard of wood had cut it - but there was no time to look at it now. She sensed approaching danger...
She rolled to the right just as the Rider's sword plunged into the floor where her head had been a second before. Quickly she got to her feet, ignoring the pain, and called Starfire back to her hand with the Force.
And not too soon, for she barely managed to block the Rider's next strike which was aimed for her chest. No sooner did she block that before he swung at her right, then her left, then a downward sweep where her shoulder met her neck. He was stronger than before, and faster. Alera, reaching out with her senses, felt an even deeper darkness than before about the Rider...
She barely ducked a swing to her head, countering with a swing to his right.

[The Black Rider]

He was truly energized and was unleashing a barage of attacks on the girl. She was fending him off--but barely. His skill was great--power had taken hold of him and possesed him with great strength. As he struck out against her numerous times with his sword, he felt the darkness creep around his mind. He knew, for a split second, that it was too late to battle the spirit that resided inside of him. He could not fight it any longer. He would taste blood today.

The attacks did not cease, but as he fought she sped up slightly and countered one of his strikes. Coming across his right with her blade, she attacked. He parried, but the strike was strong and made him readjust his balance. In that second he was off foot, she managed to lunge towards him, stabbind towards his chest. He reached his metal gauntlet down, punching the sword out of the way. It clanged as the steel struck it. She quickly regained with a downward strike aimed at his torso. The Rider brought his sword around to block the strike. The two blades locked, in a cross, both warriors pushing against the other.

The Rider reached out towards the girl and grabbed the sword with his gauntlet. He gripped the blade with solid strength and pulled it in an arc towards the ground. He tried to pull it from her grasp--but it was too strong, the Force and her grip would not allow it. But as he held the sword downward he raised his sword towards the base of her neck, less than an inch away from her flesh.

"You cannot conquer this spirit, my dear." The Rider snarled as he leaned in closer to Alera. His cold breath chilled her face as he spoke, about two inches from her face. The hood became darker and darker as he got closer. Instead of being able to see into it better by getting closer, one was only lost more in the darkness. "Three-thousand years of power--" the voice became more human. It became strong and gained much volume until it was terrifyingly loud. "Three-thousand years of suffering...Three-thousand years of pain...and YOU WILL NOT END THE REIGN OF EXAR KUN!" The Rider drew back his sword and began to thrust it straight towards the girl's neck...

[Alera Starreyes]

The sword struck... a Force shield. The blade rang as it was pushed away from Alera's throat from the force of its blow against the shield.
As the shield flickered out of existance, Alera tried to wrench her sword away from the Rider's grip; but it was too strong. She could have summoned her lightsaber from her waist to her other hand, but it wasn't fair to fight with a lightsaber against a steel blade. Her arm shook with the effort of not letting go of Starfire.
The girl's ice blue eyes stared into the darkness of the hood unflinching. "I am not afraid of you," she said to the Rider, to the darkness that encompassed him. "I knew full well what I was doing when I came here. Do not underestimate me!" Her eyes seemed to burn with an inner light. "Spirit, he does not belong to you!"
Alera dropped Starfire, calling it to her other hand with the Force. Now the blade was glowing a steady silvery white.

[The Black Rider]

The warrior across from him regained her sword and posed to fight. A voice, low and demonic, grew in The Rider's vocal cords. It was not it's own--it seemed to have renewed strength.

"YOU WILL BE AFRAID!" It boomed so loud that Alera almost had to cover her ears. The air around her thickened with cold and the rotting smell of death. Light began to fade--the moon seemed to be drowned out by the dark. Suddenly, the small courtyard became pitch black untill it seemed that only The Rider and Alera exsisted.

"FEAR MY POWER, GIRL!" The voice shouted again. Flames burst up around her. The Rider seemed to hover off of the ground as if he was weightless. Below her, the ground trembled as The Rider's hands began to glow. The power surged into his fists. He raised his hand and the girl raised off of the ground. She was suspended in air. The Spirit invaded her mind, finding her weakness. She had a great Force shield to protect her. Chanting some wods, The Rider weakened her shield. He raised his sword, preparing to plunge it into her chest, right through her heart. Violent laughing and growling surged around her. It was like Hell--pure evil. She trembled with fear...

[Jeran Conrad]

"Get away from her!" A voice screamed out. A medium sized, cloaked man dove into the sight of the two fighters. His lightsaber glowed bright blue as he blocked the dark rider's sword. The saber cut the sword off at the tip. The dark thing stepped back and cried out, his weapon broken. It had retreated for the moment, startled by Jeran's attack. The illusion it had created around the girl faded, and her body dropped to the ground. She could now tell she was safe in the courtyard, not deep in the bowells of Hell.

"Are you ok?" Jeran spoke from beneath the hood he wore. He threw it back to reveal his face. He was very handsome--dark skin with dark hair and icy blue eyes.

[Alera Starreyes]

In her horror at the darkness - that was had terrified her so, the complete and utter darkness! - Alera's numb, shaking fingers had let Starfire fall to the ground. She was almost more scared than she'd ever been in her life.
What had scared her more was the image she'd shown the Rider.
Still, terrified, she could only watch as the Rider drew back his sword to strike, as the darkness that engulfed him surged in power... as the darkness inside of her swirled restlessly...
And then, the darkness around her faded. She heard a shout, though in her state she couldn't process the words; and then she was dropped to the ground.
She heard the voice again. This time she understood. "Are you ok?" Alera looked up. A man stood there.
Alera smiled faintly. "Yes, I think." The young woman was breathing hard, her heart still pounding in her chest from what had almost happened. Thank you, She told him through the Force, before standing unsteadily and calling Starfire back into her hand.

[The Black Rider]

"Fool!" The Rider hissed as he threw his broken weapon to the ground. He thrust his hand inside his robe to find a more suitable weapon to engage the boy with. In his hand, he held a small, black hilt. He ignited the saber to reveal a crimson blade. The blade shone against his robe giving him an eerie red tint.

"Do you not remember our last meeting, boy?" The Rider snarled, trying to rouse fear in the young one. "Need I remind you of those bloody images?" With that, the Rider opened his gaze to the boy, revealing a hundred lightning fast images replaying in the young one's head. Jeran, lying face first in the mud, the rain falling around him as The Rider raised a saber to deliver a final blow. The young man's body jerking violently as it was blasted with lightning from the dark one's hands. Then, the final image, of an unknown warrior pulling the bloody and beaten Jeran away from the battlefield.

"You have doubted my power for the last time!" Diving into battle, The Rider swung his saber powerfully at Jeran's head...

[Jeran Conrad]

Jeran ducked the attack and blocked the dark one's saber. Sparks flew as the crash of the blades brightened the courtyard. He did remember their last battle. It had ended painfully for him because The Rider was so powerful. He wasn't sure about this one, but he could not stand to see this beautiful young girl be lost to it's grasp. He fended off two more attacks and turned to Alera.

"Run! There are two horses south of the village. They are both mine. Jump onto one and ride, I will be right behind you. We can not destory him--he is too strong! Please, go!" He hoped with all of his heart that she would heed his warning. He was about to retreat himself. The Rider struck out again and Jeran could barely hold his ground against him.

[Alera Starreyes]

"No!" Alera told Jeran firmly, eyes determined. "I'm not leaving you - or him." I'm not trying to destroy him... I'm trying to bring him back... she said into his mind. Get back, please. I'm going to try something, but I'll be vulnerable. Watch my back. Alera stepped forward quickly, and, closing her eyes, she grasped the Rider's wrist and sent her consciousness into his mind. She had to find out what this thing was that had him in its grasp...

[The Black Rider]

The girl reached out, grabbing the exposed wrist of The Rider's left hand. He shook for a moment as she attempted to invade his mind. She was strong--she pried into his brain, his very thoughts. He fought her, as much as The Other could. He would not allow this girl to enter his mind. But The Rider--the last ounce of human that was left in his shell--reached for the girl for help. He allowed sight into his weary soul. His thoughts poured into her head as she shivered--he was still so so cold. She trembled as the thoughts entered her brain.

Snarling and growling, louder than any explosion filled her brain. The image was dark--a prison made of darkness. The same man she had seen before in his visions fought, with tenacity, to break the black walls. But they were too strong. A spirit had chained him to his place. There would be no release. The spirit was powerful--much more powerful than Alera could imagine. Years of Sith blood flowed through the image. The Sith was Exar Kun, an ancient Sith spirit, the father of the master-apprenctice Sith order that had lasted through many ages. The spirit's aura was incredible and dark. She felt almost swallowed by it's power--it was truly a terrible foe.

She had to let go, as the spirit caused The Rider to draw away. She was stunned for a moment, and in that moment, deep in the hood of her opponent, she saw the face of the man who was chained to Kun. Fear filled his face. But the face soon disappeared and was replaced again by darkness. Though there was no expression, Alera could feel a snarl in the hood. She tried to regain herself, but before she could the red blade of The Rider's saber came down upon her right shoulder, searing a deep wound in it...

[Jeran Conrad]

"No!" Jeran was truly enraged by this. He had hoped the girl would run--she had to understand him! You can't save him! Not today! We need help! he cried out to her through the Force. He hoped--he prayed--that she would listen. She had taken an ugly hit to the shoulder, and he knew that her stength would be failing. He's too strong! We have to go! he pleaded with her.

He reached out with the Force and thrust his might at the thing. It blocked the shot--but the power of his push was very great. The rider stumbled backwards, almost losing step. Jeran jumped into battle, executing an acrobatic butterfly and coming down with his saber at the creature. The rider blocked the attack, but his guard was low. Cathcing his balance, Jeran let loose with more attacks, each one gaining in speed. The evil thing had trouble keeping up. But as Jeran advanced, he knew when to stop. He backed off for a moment, looking back at the girl to make sure she was alive.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera cried out in pain as the lightsaber struck her shoulder. She knew she wasn't even regestering all the pain yet; her mind was still recovering from what she'd just seen. It wasn't bleeding - the heat of the lightsaber had already cauterized the wound - but she sensed it had done terrible damage, maybe nearly severing her arm.
Exar Kun. That was what it was...
Jeran was right. They'd need help for this... but she still didn't want to leave. Her ice blue eyes looked at the Rider, her sorrow etched on her face. Finally, she told Jeran, Yes... you're right... we can't do this now. Let's go. I can run, don't worry. Blinking tears of pity and pain out of her eyes, she said to the Rider through the Force, simply, I'll be back.

[The Black Rider]

The Rider's hood grew even darker than before as it intensified its gaze in her eyes. It reached a gelid thought out to the girl, chilling her mind. Come back...and it will be your last breath... But it was in that time that Alera realized that it was Kun...the man engulfed by his fear was still reaching for help.

The Rider slashed out at Jeran again, engaging in a final attempt--though a weak one--to slay the hunter. He attacked several times, but Jeran was retreating. As The Rider pushed his weight forward, Jeran quickened his pace backwards as he was trying to flee...

[Jeran Conrad]

He easily fended off the rider's final attacks. He noticed before him that the girl had began to run towards the horses. Thank the Force! he thought. She would live. For that matter, he would live too. He would have never let her stay to be killed. Strangely, he felt attached to her and would have given his life to allow her to live. He was a virtuous individual--but to give one's own life for another is the ultimate virtue. Love? Nah, he didn't know the girl. Stop it, Jeran, you have no emotion...remember? His behavior was ticking him off. Nonetheless, he had a very important task at hand: Getting himself and the girl the heck outta here--alive!

He struck out with his saber hard, trying to distance himself and the girl.

"Run! I will meet you there in less than a minute!" He cried out to her. His eyes met hers--his blue gaze piercing her own. South, in the grove, are the horses. Please do not wait for me... he told her through the Force. He just wanted to give her a little more time. He engaged The Rider a bit longer, clinging to the Force to protect him.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera hesitated, then nodded. All right...
He'll be fine, she told herself as she started towards the place he mentioned. All the same, she didn't like leaving him behind.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha sat upon her own warhorse, and grins at Jeran ::

"You catch up to the girl. He's mine."

:: Her eyes flash wickedly as she gazes at the Black Rider ::


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[The Black Rider]

He was getting too old for this stuff. He had not even felt this new warrior approach. Too much concentration on fighting the boy, who should be dead by now. He cursed the Force. It had never served him well, only caused him pain.

The two were begining to escape. Alera had run and Jeran, he could sense, was on his way out too. But this new one...interesting. A dark presence, for sure. Not Sith, however. He reached out with invisible eyes and gazed upon her. The Rider had a truly unsettling gaze; the eyes piercing the heart of those he looked at. The common man would quickly turn and run at his sight. But these dark warriors--especially these warriors--would always stand before him. Funny, how it worked out. It was like a deer in the headlights; eyes stunned and staring as The Rider made his presence felt. That meaning, that, when someone had approached, he would generally reach to them and fill their hearts and heads with cold--desparate cold. The air around her became frigid as her breath began to be shown in the night. Yet, this one seemed less shaken than most.

"Yours?" He questioned previous comment made by the warrior in a death growl. He wasn't sure what her real intentions were; but if they were combat, than he would be prepared. "You should follow the instructions of the boy here and ride, my dear." He let his mind pierce hers. The icy night once again curled around her, chilling her slightly...

[Jeran Conrad]

You catch up to the girl. He's mine. The words shocked him at first, as he hadn't smelled the girl. Must've been to busy with big ugly here, he thought. Maybe I'm losin my touch...Nah! Anyway, he had to take care of some business first. Now that he had the chance to stand for a moment, he took a deep breath of the warrior's aura. She reeked...dark side.

Another day, he thought. No time now for a duel. Especially with king stink trying to spill some blood. Time to get the heck outta Kessel, he thought. He deactivated his saber and tucked it to his belt, taking a few steps towards escape.

"Hey--blacky--I'm not done with you!" He said, taking several steps back. The thing hissed as he finished. All he could think of was halitosis. As for the new one...he had a feeling her would see her again. That was, IF she survived this one. He had seen many--including himself--attempt to end the reign of the old rider. All had failed. Most had died. He almost wanted to wish her good luck.

As he turned into a full sprint, he dodged a fleeting shot of lighting from the rider's hands. Still at it, eh? he thought. He could see the girl in the far distance. Good. She had made a lot of progress. He was hoping to catch up to her and help. His sense of healing was uncanny. He would be there soon enough.

[Alera Starreyes]

Noticing Jeran behind her, Alera slowed slightly, making it easier for him to catch up. Her shoulder was hurting her more now, and she winced, blinking back tears of pain. It stung and throbbed fiercely with every step.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: What the Black Rider found staring back at him inside her mind was ancient and alien. It emanated chaos, anarchy, cruelty and death ... ::

<center><img src=http://thesithempire.clanpages.com/sorsha/pics/misc/vicet02.jpg></center>

:: ... then it vanished as elfin laughter bubbles up from the girl's throat ::

"Join me. We can hunt them down ... or I can kill you."

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[Wraith Frostmourne]

As Jeran rode to escape, An icy figure fell from the sky, blocking his path. Jeran slid to a stop. "And what do we have here?" Wraith said with a cold tone. "A coward, running away from a fight?" Before Jeran could do anything, Wraith pulled out his laser scythe preparing for battle. "I was watching you each from afar. Now is the time to pounce. One by one I will corner each of you and then you will fall." He spun his glacier blue scythe to the side, then stopped it at a 45 degree angle. "Your not going anywhere." The ground underneath Wraith was already forzen. He was growing more and more impatient. Wraith stuck out his hand, provoking an attack. "Come on!"

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera sensed something in the Force, and turned back. Jeran's path was blocked by someone - someone she'd seen before, at one time. Wraith, get away from him. She told him through the Force coldly. The former Jedi ignited her blue-white lightsaber and started back towards Jeran and Wraith.

[Wraith Frostmourne]

Why don't you be quiet before I make you victim number one. Wraith stood his ground, wary of what Jeran and Alera might do.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera laughed out loud, and the sound echoed inside Wraith's head. Really, do you think I care?
The last time she'd seen Wraith, she'd been very depressed from one of her more recent problems controlling herself... it brought back memories...
The young woman forced herself to focus on the moment at hand. I told you to leave him alone. You'd best do it. She'd reached them now, and was now standing beside Jeran and in front of Wraith.
To Jeran, she said through the Force, I've got this one. You should go to the horses. I'll be along as soon as I can.

[Wraith Frostmourne]

"Enough of this toil! It's time to let the real fun begin!" Wraith drew forth his scythe, circling Alera slowly. Wraith was content, for he knew nothing of how this female Jedi fought in battle. He had seen her before, week, helpless, in her own little disgusting emotional state. Wraith almost pittied her. Now was the time to end her suffering. Wraith would kill them all.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera stood in a defensive position, refusing to be intimidated by him circling her. Like a blasted shark, she thought darkly. "Well?" she said softly aloud. "You've got the first move." Her shoulder still hurt incredibly, and she had to work at keeping her face blank.

[Jeran Conrad]

ooc: Sorry! I was gone the past two days! I'm back.

ic:

Jeran was not happy with this new one's appearance. What the heck is this, a friggin party? he thought. Ah well, it was no use avoiding the task at hand. Alera instructed him to get to the horses...he didn't know if he could do this. Afterall, she had stayed when he was in trouble, he felt that he owed her. And dangit, when Jeran owed someone, it wasn't to be taken lightly.

Ok, get outta here as soon as you can...my guess is, ugly and She-Ra back there are headed this way soon.

He took off towards the horses, but as he got out of sight, he took a sharp left. Using the Force, he leapt up to the top of one of the old huts. There, he made his way close to the two warriors--Wraith and Alera. Not too close--he kept his signature shrouded. But he would not leave her. From there he watched over her, keeping his profile low. He opened his mind to the Force, and began to heal her shoulder. Not a lot though, his power was not that great. He sought to take away the pain while she fought.

Hold on darlin, he thought.

[Wraith Frostmourne]

As he circled her, he realized the wound on her shoulder. He would take advantage of that in the future. For now he focused on the present situation. She would have to feel some fear. Alera was a wounded ferit at the mouth of a snake. Wraith charged in at her with his weapon low, not meaning to attack, but to deceive her. He continued to charge at Alera, waiting for a counter attack.

[The Black Rider]

The Rider was startled for a moment at the image that flashed before his once functioning eyes. It was pure darkness...like himself. It was truly terrible, and he though to himself that most would have died by just viewing it. But not he. He was much like it--desolate, dark, and murderous.

"You overestimate your own power, young one," The Rider hissed. If it wasn't for the pure evil that circulated in her spirit, he would have ended her there. She was very intriging. He believed that images stored in one's consciousness meant a great deal. To have an image like she had shown him was quite captivating. "Do not underestimate the strength that lies in these old bones..."

Nonetheless, he didn't appreciate the nuisance that the two previous warriors had been. He wished death upon them. And, as he could feel, there was someone else lurking about. A third. Dark--yes--but very, very arrogant.

"For now, I will join you in the hunt. Let us finish what was started here." Without really thinking, his mount galloped to him. He got into the saddle and rode next to the female warrior. He thought the best method was to ride into battle and attack on horseback. He sent this thought to the one next to him--mostly because his voice had become seedy and painful.

Who will die first? The icy one? The girl? Or the one who hides on the rooftops? he questioned.

[Dae Jinn]

*Jeran feels a light tap on his shoulder, as he turns to look, he is greeted with a hard boot to the face. He falls off the roof with a loud and Daetana jumped down after him.*

Naughty naughty, shouldn't ruin everyone's fun by cheating like that. *She giggled, unsheashing her katana and stalking towards him* Now I'll have to punish you.

[Jeran Conrad]

You are f*&#in kiddin me! Jeran thought as the pain shot through his face. He was knocked off of the building, sailing to the old road below. I am gonna find the guy who gave out invitations to this place and... he hit the ground with a sickening thud. One word worked it's way into his head: Ow.

Who the heck was this and why? He was feeling extrordinarily unlucky tonight. Before he could think about it anymore, the woman came leaping down with a katana drawn. Jeran did a reverse summersault as the blade came thundering down on the ground, gouging a hole in the earth. He rolled to his feet easily--he was very quick and agile. That was close, he thought. But he was pleased to see a warrior weild something besides a blaster or saber--he had encountered alot of those lately. Reaching out with his thoughts, he felt his horse about 50 yards east of his position. He made a dash towards the animal--the warrior following behind. She wasn't letting him escape. But he didn't intend to escape--only get to his favorite weapon that he didn't carry on him.

As the horse came into view, he called the staff from it's back to his hand. Twirling the weapon in his hands, he spun around, swinging sharply at the warrior who was right behind him. She ducked easily as he took some steps back, squaring up with her.

"So tell me Xeza, who invited you to this party?" He was gonna find that guy for sure.

[Dae Jinn]

Xeza....heh. I guess you could say I'm a crasher.

*Holds her katana in front of her, ready to block any attacks he might be planning. She was grinning from ear to ear seeing him weilding a staff.*
No saber? Excellent, that makes it all the more....

[Jeran Conrad]

ooc: I'm a moron, Dae. That was supposed to be 'Xena'

ic:

"Don't get me wrong, sugar." He spoke with mock endearment. "If you wanna go saber, we can go...but I've always thought myself the old fashioned type..." With that, he spun the staff in his hand and struck out at her torso. She blocked with ease--she was good. He knew he had his hands full.

He quickly pulled a cartwheel, squaring up to her left side. Before she could turn, he unleashed another strike this time to her shoulder. She blocked with the sword and countered at his head. He leaned back to avoid the slash and then side-kicked at her body.

[Dae Jinn]

ooc. was kidding, it gave me a good laugh after a bad day at work :) And you're giving Dae credit for lots of good moves :lol

IC:
*She easily block the first few blows, but was surprised by the side kick. It hit her hard, knocking her off balance for a brief second. She snarled, lashing out at him with the force, knocking him off his feet. Again. She stood over him and pressed a boot heel into his throat, grinding it hard.*

You should make this easy on yourself and just die already!!!

[Jeran Conrad]

As he crashed into the old wooden cart of the village, pain shot throug his back. Another word came to his mind: Ow. Strange--there was a pattern tonight.

The boot pressed hard against his windpipe, crushing his throat at the wieght of the woman's leg. This was definitely not turning out to be his night.

You should make this easy on yourself and just die already!!!

"Sorry babe," he squeaked out, underneath her boot, "die ain't in my vocabulary." He grabbed a hold of her ankle and twisted violently, trying to snap the bone. Any regular person's leg would have snapped; but this girl was strong. The ankle twisted painfully as she released he grasp. He did a quick kipup and landed in a squat. As she strained in the pain, he swung his staff to the back of her knees. Rapping the back of her leg, he dropped the woman to her knees.

He took the staff and braced it around her neck from behind. He pulled her close to him, keeping her trapped but not violently choking her.

"Tell me something...why can't we just get along?" He questioned her half jokingly, half seriously

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera dodged out of the way of the saber. Her senses were picking up a lot of dark presences - too many for comfort. One was attacking Jeran; the Rider and another were heading this way, and, of course, there was Wraith. She shook her head. "What is it with you people?" She taunted Wraith. "When did you learn to pop out of the ground like pansies?" She swung her saber in a crescent at his right side.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

Originally posted by The Black Rider
Who will die first? The icy one? The girl? Or the one who hides on the rooftops? he questioned.

:: Her tone was draconian as she sneered at the Black Rider ::

"Follow your instincts, old one!!! RIDE!!!"

:: Then she surged ahead of him, a battle cry rising in her throat as she set Jeran in her sights ::

"IIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"

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[Wraith Frostmourne]

Wraith propelled himself over Alera with the butt of his lightsaber, landing behind her. He had just dodged her swing. Nice, he thought to himself. As Alera turned, Wraith ducked and sweep kicked her off her feet. She hit the ground with a thud. The ice around where he now stood moved towards Alera. It reached her left side, slowly making its way across her. "How does that feel?!" he said as the end of his scythe popped a blow to her stomach.

[Alera Starreyes]

Unfortunately for Alera, her left hand was the one she held Dream in, and the ice had all but immobilized her left arm and hand (rendering her lightsaber useless) and was working on the rest of her. The young woman winced as the blow to her stomach hit painfully.
Lifting her head slightly, she gritted her teeth and sent two powerful Force pushes at the backs of Wraith's knees.

[Wraith Frostmourne]

Wraith tumbled to the side of his cunning opponent. He got up and looked at Alera as she struggled against the ice. The longer Wraith stood there, the thicker the ice would become. Then he heard a nosie from behind. Wraith looked and saw two figures moving towards Jeran. Wraith would not let them take the rest of his game.

[Dae Jinn]

*She could hear Sorshas' war cry, and knew she had better get the hell out of there. She smirked.*

No, we can't.
*She swung back with her elbow, hitting him just above his crotch. He staggered back and she rolled out of the way, not wanting to get trampled by her masters' horse.*

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera followed Wraith's gaze, eyes narrowing. Oh no you don't... she thought. She bit her lip. She could call her saber to her other hand with the Force and melt the ice, but by then Wraith would probably have reached Jeran...
So she called her saber to her other hand - and threw it at Wraith's back.

[Wraith Frostmourne]

Wraith turned around just in time to counter her attack. He whipped the ends of his cape about him, knocking the lightsaber to the side, a good twenty feet or so away from Alera. Wraiths cape was threaded with Cortis Ore, a rare material invulnerable to lightsabers. On the edges it was as sharp as any seraded blade. He turned to Alera and then struck his foot on her wounded shoulder. "That will teach you." By now the ice was almost half way across her. She wasn't going anywhere. Wraith went and flew towards Jeran and the newcomer.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera gasped in pain as her shoulder hurt still more. Face me, you COWARD, she growled into his mind, using the Force to pick him up and fling him to the ground. What are you, scared of me? Fight!

[Wraith Frostmourne]

"Alright, I've had it with you." Wraith got up off the ground and headed toward Alera once again. This would be one lesson she'd never forget. One thing she forgot was, she was the one trapped, almost encased in ice with a wounded shoulder to add on to it. Wraith stood over her now with his scythe almost to her neck. Alera could feel its cold radiance. He stuck his hand out, pressing the ice down on her with the force. It was crushing her slowly. With a movment of his wrist, the ice around her wounded shoulder formed a straight sickle and began to impierce her. Very soon it would be through Alera's shoulder and into the ground. Wraith wouldn't leave till he finally crushed the last drop of life out of her.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, determined not to scream out. Though she felt a slight twinge of satisfaction - at least she'd distracted him from Jeran.
She forced herself to concentrate. She used the Force, sweat beading on her forehead as she pushed against the ice that trapped her. Wraith was strong, and her control wavered as the pain grew more and more distracting. Still she held on, concentrating with all her might.
The ice trembled as the pressure from both of them increased... then shattered.
Alera ripped the straight sickle of ice out of her right shoulder with a hiss of pain before forcing herself quickly back onto her feet. She called her saber to her left hand with the Force, ice blue eyes locking with Wraith's. "I'm ready for you, Sith." She smiled. Her lightsaber reignited.

[The Black Rider]

As the woman rode beside him, The Rider made his choice. The cold one would die. It was fate that selected--he didn't really make the choice.

He rode into battle--the girl and the icy figure battling. As the girl was pinned in a tough spot in the ice, he decided was his best time to strike. He rode quickly by the man, lashing out with the Force, throwing his frigid body into a small hut. His horse came to a stop as he dropped down off of it. He ignited his crimson saber--he could smell blood. 3000 years of hate pumped through him.

[Jeran Conrad]

Jeran thought it was weird that the warrior let go of him--afterall, he hoped he wasn't boring her. Dang...couldn't take much more of my lovin, I guess he thought.

Just as she sent the shot into his gut, he smelled something odd. He sniffed the air--a horse. A horse kicking up dirt--

CLOP CLOP CLOP CLOP

The horse furiously rode toward him, the rider on top letting out a terrible battle cry. The female warrior he had been battling dove out of the way, and without a second thought, he rolled left to avoid the trample. It was close, but he survived. It seemed that he always survived--whether he wanted to or not, in some cases.

Anbody cath the license plate on that truck? he asked an invisible audience. He crouched--an arm out in front of him, bracing himself for an attack. He eyed the warrior who he had been tangling with and kept the horsebacked one in sight. Looks like Xena here is She-ra's cousin...lucky me.

[Wraith Frostmourne]

Wraith stepped back as the ice shattered at his feet, and his opponent regained her stance. Then he heard a sound behind him, like a train. Before he could turn, he was thrown across the ground into a straw hut. What was that? Something had just took him for a ride. He would not let whomever it was do it again or catch him off guard. Wraith got up out of the debris and brushed away the straw from his shoulder. Ahead of him was a rider, cloacked in black. Wraith sensed it was a Sith. How could this be? Why would a Sith attack a Sith? Wraith approached the rider, with scythe in hand. "If you can see, I am in the middle of a fight. But now it seems I must deal with you first. Are you of Sith blood?"

[The Black Rider]

The Rider laughed--a growl that began in the bowells of his stomach and grew ever louder. This cold figure had no idea what he was to face in the last moments of his life. The Rider loved this kind of Sith arrogance and ignorance. He fed on it.

"Sith of blood?" The Rider hissed violently. Another laugh came from the empty hood. "No man is Sith of blood. None. The darkness has a will all it's own, young one. Only those that have seen it's soul can feel it's blood course through their veins." The Rider closed in on Wraith.

[Alera Starreyes]

Seeing that Wraith would have his hands full, Alera started over to see what help she could give Jeran.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha sends a volley of shuriken at Alera as she passes by on horseback. Three of them hit, scoring wounds on her neck and shoulder ::

[Wraith Frostmourne]

"Well then, I guess I will be the one to walk you to your demise!" Wraith stood aside and force pushed the rider off his horse. The horse scattered away some ways as the rider tumbeled off. As the black rider got up, Wraith jumped into the air. He came pumeling down with his scythe towards his opponent, for he had no idea of Wraith's whereabouts. The cloak about the rider's head blocked his view.

[Dae Jinn]

*as soon as Sorsha had passed, Dae lunged at the man again, tumbling across the ground, punching him as hard as she could in the face. Grinning down at him as she pinned him underneath her, holding the blade of her katana to his throat.*

Ready to die yet?

[Jeran Conrad]

"No!" Jeran called out as She-Ra stuck Alera with a handful of shuriken. He charged at the dark warrior, appalled by his own behavior. He hadn't helped someone out like this for quite some time. But he could not deny his emotion.

Just as he reached Alera, Xena dove into him, tackling him to the ground. This was getting messy. She brought the katana blade to his neck, once again threatining death.
Little help here! he thought. He was having trouble handling all the difficulties of this night.

"Any chance you and I can kiss and make up?" He said this, rolling out of her grasp and jumping to his feet. He struck out at her with his staff.

[Dae Jinn]

*Ducks and slashes out at him.*

Sorry, that jobs been filled....
*Slashes downward with her sword and he blocked, unfortunately, this caused her blade to become stuck. She tugged hard, yanking the staff from his hands. She whipped her sword around, watching the staff fly off the end and smash to the ground a few yards away.*

[Jeran Conrad]

Son of a-- Jeran cursed as his staff went sailing, at least 6 yards away. She was closing in fast, he had to do something! Without thinking, he lowered his body and prepared himself for the attack. She came in--with speed, he grabbed her sword arm. He squeezed her wrist, wrestling the sword out of her hand.

With the katana on the ground and Jeran clamping his hands on her forearms, the two began a wrestling match. Each thrust their own power on the other, hoping to win the match. Finally, Jeran managed to wrap a leg around the warrior's. He tripped her to the ground, both falling, Jeran on top. Pinning her to the ground, he looked into her eyes.

"Lemme tell ya something," he said, struggling to hold her still. "When that black rider gets over here, he's gonna kill of us--all of us. Is this really worth it, hun?"

[Dae Jinn]

*brings a knee up, hitting him between the legs.*

Don't ever call me "hun".....*She said, eyes narrowed. She pushed him off her, and rolled onto her knees.* I'm not afraid of some big doofus in a black sheet...I'd worry more about Sorsha if I were you....

[Alera Starreyes]

Biting her lip, Alera ripped out the blades that had pierced her, unable to hold back a gasp of pain.
This wasn't a good day.
Lightsaber ready, Alera gritted her teeth as she sent a Force push at Sorsha meant to shove her off her horse.
She glanced quickly at Jeran, telling herself he'd be all right, she just had to keep Sorsha away from him.

[Jeran Conrad]

Jeran could feel Alera's eyes on him. She...was caring about him. It felt weird. I'm ok, he reached out with the Force. Watch your back!

"Cheap shot," he squeezed out as his--well, his jewels were in some pain. He took some steps back, crouching and regaining his staff. He then looked back at the warrior.

"You have no idea what it is, do you. That sheet is one hellofa creature. I'd as soon have you with me fighting it than it hunting us." He spoke cautiously, twirling his staff within his hands. He watched for her attack, making sure not to let his guard down. But, he was also concerned with the other--Sorsha, she had been called. A powerful warrior indeed.

[Dios Kane]

:: Dios appeared in his black coat and glasses on, he had no time to meddle with this mess now, he had vamps to kill and this was only a favor he owed Alera. He closed the barrel of his revolver and fired off several shots at any sith he could see, the only one's he recognized were Wraith and Dea and they both got at least two of nine bullets fired off in their direction. He'd been following Alera for some time now, but he'd been sidetracked for a bit and had returned to find her here. He put up his gun and drew his lightsaber, the drinking angel. It ignited and bled light to it's incredibe length. He stood over Alera and waited for someone to try his patience.::
Just hold on sweetheart... I'll take you out for a drink after this alright?

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera smiled at Dios. "That'd be nice," she said. "Thanks for helping out... I was starting to get a bit worried there."
She thought to Jeran doubtfully, Ok... but let me know if you need some help.
The young woman's attention turned to the Sith as she waited for one of them to attack her... she didn't think she'd have to wait too long...

[Surpanakha]

“Drink? Why, thank-you.”

A gleeful cackle sounded in Dios’ ears. He swiveled around, blaster and saber both at the ready, only to be greeted by …

“Pssst, down here!”

… nothing.

The man’s head bowed to contemplate this new annoyance, and his face immediately knotted with disgust. Surpanakha was sat cross-legged on the ground, a child-like grin plastered across her weathered face. The decayed, yellowing teeth and putrid stench oozing from her every pore did little to improve her unsightly visage.

Dios could sense no apparent harm in this strange old woman that had presented herself before him – she was thin, frail, and looked incapable of supporting her own weight. She looked weak, yes, and … ugly. Even Dios, with his Jedi training, was unable to suppress his revulsion.

The demon’s face gnarled at this reaction. He didn’t want her.

“As you wish.”

One hand swiftly drew out a dagger from within her tattered robes, the blade slicing through the material of his boot and embedding itself in his flesh.

[The Black Rider]

The Rider chuckled to himself as the cold one jumped. He saw every move the one made, considering that he did not see with eyes. His eyes were the dark side--his physical eyes had ceased to work about 800 years ago. He quickly rolled away from the attack as the other's weapon struck into the ground. It was a powerful attack, however ineffective.

He then took the oppurtunity to attack. He reached with the Force, sending the warrior sharply to the ground. He let his cold body freeze the earth as he smashed him into it. Then, with the Force, he rasied him into the air, spinning him to face The Rider. he lowered the man, just above the ground about 2 feet. Choking his neck with the Force, he stalked closer to him.

"You know so little, young one. You have seen the death of men, the horrors of the dark side, and the ignorance of the Jedi. I was once like you." He squeezed harder, his grip becoming quite painful to the other. He spoke witha seriousness in his rasp. "You will be a great warrior who will slay even more lives than you have ended now. But you will not slay a life on this day." As the grip tightened, Wraith knew he must do something or he would die.

[Dios Kane]

:: Dios thought she was ugly but he really had no distaste for her, he didn't even know the witch until she stabbed him i the foot, beauty was only skin deep right? He hated her nonetheless, he took his boot and kicked the hag away, he reached down and pulled the knife out. He tossed it aside and watched the wound slowly become a scar, he turned to Alera and smiled then back to the witch, he wasn't smiling anymore. He drew his gun and watched as the bullets were loaded back in as it was drawn. He fired five at the poor wretch before ignoring her. He could care less what she did with a butter knife.:::
Don't mess with me little one, you'll get your drink eventually, just not with me.
:: Dios looked up and waited for the next sith to try their luck, he was slightly annoyed now that he'd be needing new boots but that was okay.::

[Wraith Frostmourne]

As Wraith was constricted at the throat in midair, he stuck the top of the scythe straight into the shoulder of the hooded rider. Wraith twisted his wrist and out from the beam emitter came an icy needle that tore into the emptyness of the rider. It broke his concentration as Wraith fell to the ground and regained his breath. He got up, preparing himself for another attack.

[Surpanakha]

Surpanakha’s reaction time was considerably faster than the average being, owing to her heightened senses of perception. Thus, she heard the human’s finger tightening around the trigger of his weapon, the click of the first pull, and the progression of the bullet down the barrel even before it was fired.

The demon had seen enough of this realm’s strange armaments to realize the consequences should she just sit around and wait to get hit. So she jumped.

But it wasn’t just any old miscalculated leap; quite the contrary. Her descent landed her squarely on Dios’ back, sending him flying face-first into the dirt. Long, scrawny fingers clamped around his neck, proving her feebleness to be a mere deception. Her black talons raked across his skin, and the Jedi again heard the same chortle, echoing maddeningly in his ears.

“Dies irae ...”

[Dae Jinn]

*watches all this chaos and smirks at Jer*

And you were saying I had to worrying about the sheet???
*Dios' bullets had barely missed her, she was now huddled down on the ground, moving closer to him.*
I'd really suggest you run....

[Dios Kane]

:: Dios reached a long arm behind him and grabbed the little wretch on his back. He stood up holding the demon before him by its hair, he was angry enough to not even consider a gender. It ws now ugly enough to him, actions judged looks to Dios and this was one ugly being.::
I don't care what you are, but I hope you could ever get that shipwreck of a face fixed!
:: Dios took his sword and cut her hair, and as she fell from his hold she was foot ball kicked away. Dios figured she wouldn't be able to dodge in the air so he shot off the last four bullets in her direction before turning his attention to his back. She'd clawed through the jacket and into the armor underneath. That little... Dios saw the thing fall a few feet away and waited to see if the bullets had made it through that little shroud of vileness.::

[Jeran Conrad]

Jeran looked at Dae. Odd that she was taking a moment to not attack him. Was he loosening her up a bit? Hard to say.

"Well, ya know, I'm not real big on leavin friends behind." He looked for Alera, but could not see her. So much battling going on, he decided it best to make a mad dash to the center to find her. "Sorry Xena, gotta run. Don't forget to write." He said this on the run, attempting to get to the girl he had tried to save.

Alera! Alera! he cried out into the Force. Where are you? As he searched for her, he kept his eyes out for any incoming attacks.

[Alera Starreyes]

I'm right here! Alera called back, hearing Jeran. She looked around for him, and seeing him suddenly, jogged over and touched his hand to alert his attention to her. She smiled slightly at him, trying to ignore the increasing pain in her wounds. I'm fine... I think... She winced slightly.

[Jeran Conrad]

We should get the hell outta here he spoke to her in the Force. He wanted her to run with him--run away! He knew she had pride, he had his own too. But he would not see her die!

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera glanced at the Rider in black again. She really, really didn't want to leave him... she'd told herself she'd do what she had to do or die trying... her shoulder made her flinch from pain again.
She gritted her teeth. You go if you want... I want to stay. I'm needed here. She looked at him, a look of desperation in her eyes, hoping he'd understand.

[Dae Jinn]

*"Crazy jedi fools...." she thought, still crouched down. She watched him run off and slowly rose to her full height, she cocked her head back to Sorsha.Not doubt she would head back this way, so Dae had better get back to work. She trotted towards Jeran and his little miss.*


Don't leave so soon, the funs just begining ...

[The Black Rider]

The Rider stumbled back as the needle pierced his once strong face. It hurt, but not too much. Cold seemed to have little effect on his icy body. He looked at the man who was now back on his feet. He felt semi-pleased--the warrior had broken his attack. He had truly met death in the eyes and came out on top. In that sense, The Rider was strangely impressed. The boy was strong indeed. On this day, he would not die. He truly would become a great terror.

But he had no more time to attack another Sith like himself. This one was worthy. He deserved his place on the battlefield, and The Rider would let it remain so.

"You have proven well, warrior. As you noticed, I was in the process of...dealing with some of these lightsiders. If you will, I shall proceed on my course--" The Rider drew a deep breath, the talking hurting his throat. "--join me, if you will, in slaying those that oppose the Sith."

[Surpanakha]

Suri’s form came to an abrupt halt in mid-air. She corrected her posture so that she was in a seated position, several feet above the ground, and rubbed her sides where she was struck. The bullets whizzed past her, and she scowled down at the Jedi.

“How rude.”

With one swift movement, her feet were again planted firmly on the ground, and there she remained crouched. The human was inspecting the damage to his garments. Her fist closed around loose dirt, crushing it into fine sand.

“Catch.”

Uncurling her fingers, Surpanakha blew the dust into Dios’ face, blinding him. Not only did the particles burn his eyes, they also seemed to eat into his skin …

[Sorsha Kasajian]

Originally posted by Alera Starreyes
Lightsaber ready, Alera gritted her teeth as she sent a Force push at Sorsha meant to shove her off her horse.

:: A whip coils tightly around Jeran's throat as Sorsha passes again. She had not been unhorsed so easily. Laughing at Alera, she brings her horse into a full run, dragging Jeran behind her along the road. A trail of dust kicks up as they speed away from the battlefield. Sorsha releases her hold on the whip as Jeran's head strikes a jagged rock protruding out of the ground. The impact of bone against stone made a loud popping sound, like a gunshot. Sorsha imagines the look of horror on Alera's face, and laughs again ::

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[Wraith Frostmourne]

"Of course, thats what I was trying to say all along. We must not let Jeran and Alera escape, escpecially this newcomer." Wraith moved aside and let the rider mount his horse. The foolish Jedi had stepped into a trap now. They were outnumbered, there being far too many Sith for them to comprehend. He stood gazing at the blankness of the rider, awaiting a command.

[Dios Kane]

:: Dios was sick of this crap. His glasses blocked the acidic crap she had thrown but the rest of it was just plain out bothersome. The holy water healed him as fast as the dirt burned him so all he saw was useless skin cells falling to the ground. He growled from his throat and didn't bother with the dirt in his face. He tackled the little witch and started to pummel her as best as he could, maybe he'd see if she liked her face gettin burned. He managed to spit in her face everytime he saw it emerge from the big shroud that she was.::

[The Black Rider]

The Rider saw as Wriath looked to him for direction. It would be so that the Jedi would die here--at least, one of them would. That was certain in his mind.

"I will finish the girl--pick one of the others, warrior," he spoke to Wraith, not commanding, but almost like he was an equal. A companion to work with him--something he hadn't had in awhile. He turned his attention back to Alera.

"You will not escape fate, girl!" With that he charged at her, saber held high.

[Jeran Conrad]

Jeran's head stuck the rock and he felt the bone crack against it, knowing he had been very seriously injured. She-Ra had gotten a hold of him good, and it looked like he was gonna have some trouble getting outta this one. His only thought lie in Alera as a savior...or maybe the new one.

Alera...Jedi...I can't hold on much longer... he cried out to them in the Force. The blood poured out of his head like it was an open coconut. He laid there, dreams of the sky buzzing through his mind.

He thought of his past. It had been so short and so scary that he didn't know where it all went. He thought of what he was now--or what he had been. All flashed before him as he lay. He knew it was close.

I guess this is it. Maybe I'm done for... The thought brought tears to his eyes, as even the strongest men will cry.

[Dae Jinn]

*Winces as Jerans head smashs open. She had been following after Sorsha and was nearing the fallen man. She looked down at him, poking him gently with a toe*

Ew......messy.

*she looked around quickly and tossed something down at him. Shhhhh... She said to him via the Force as she continues after her Master. Jeran looked at his hand and saw a bacta bandage. He looked to Dae, who turned and winked at him. You gotta stay alive a little longer, so I can take ya on, one-on-one*

[Jeran Conrad]

He cluthced the bandage in his hand, thaking her for the help. He didn't know why she helped him...but she did and he guessed that was all that mattered, really. He tried to bring it to his head, but he couldn't muster the strength or concentration.

Alera...please... he called desperately to her for help.

[Alera Starreyes]

I'm coming! Alera called to Jeran, dodging the Rider's charge. Quickly she ran to Jeran, for the moment blocking out everything else.
Reaching his side, she knelt next to him. She winced - he was very badly hurt. I'm here... hold on, Jeran, she whispered into his mind. Deigniting her saber, she attached it back to her side. With her left hand, she gently took the bacta bandage from his hand and applied it to his head, at the same time using the Force to accelerate his healing process.
The young woman then stood, taking her saber into her left hand and igniting it, standing in a defensive position between Jeran and the Rider, ready to move quickly in case the others came in to attack behind her.

[Jeran Conrad]

"Thank you..." he spoke weakly. He was feeling better, but not yet able to get to his feet. He would not die this day. "I...I'll be ok, Alera. Watch yer back, ok?" He smiled softly at her. She would never know how much her aid meant to him. He tried to stand, but found himself to weak to do so. Instead, he stayed low, holding his saber in front of him to defend himself.

[Wraith Frostmourne]

Unforseen Wraith went around the two Jedi, approaching them from behind. THey were both weak now. Jeran depended upon Alera. His fate rested in her hands. It was all too easy now. Wraith came from behind using the force to hide his presence. He came upon Alera like a squall on the ocean. He reaised the butt of his scythe towards her head.

[Dios Kane]

:: Wraith suddenly dropped to the ground holding his head. Dios was right there behind him with his gun in hand. A quick blow with a 15 pound gun would do the job most of the time but when it came to thick sith like this one, well, extra precaution needed to be taken. Dios placed his boot on Wraith's face and twisted his fott quickly, the ankle knocking him in the temple and the spurs on his boots cut across Wraith's face.
Dios had been force to hurry, that little shroud of ugliness had been more then he had planned to deal with and the stun setting on his lightsaber had put her out for a moment, but she'd be hissing and scratching in a sec. He looked back to see the thing stirring. What a little... Dios turned to Alera.::
You know what the smart thing to do would be? Run, and take this guy with you lady. I can hold off like three for about half a second and then I'm down the toilet with the rest of ya. Here.
:: Dios tossed Alera two bacta packs. A quick shot and she could maybe make a run for it. Now with Wraith down, Dios only had to take on the two chicks and the black thing, and maybe the little ugly midget. But that couldn't be too hard right? He drew his shotgun and stood over Alera and Jeran.::
Here Sithy sithy, I'm a goin sithy huntin, anyone want to play?

[Wraith Frostmourne]

The boot struck him across the face. The pain was excrutiating, but Wraith had to deal with. He stayed low trying to ignore the pain, trying to let it heal. Their plan had been spoiled by this newcomer, Dios. Wraith despised him, ever since the day he met Dios. There was only one way to do this. Wraith had to take Alera down, for both Jedi were trying to harbor and protect her. For some reason the other Sith failed to recognize this. Grabbing an ice dagger, he went undetected towards Alera, for the silly Jedi was facing towards the other enemies. Wraith came within a few feet behind Alera and used the force to pull her towards him, the bacta packs falling from her hands. As she flung into him, Wraith grabbed her and put the handle of his scythe to her neck and began to strangle her. Just incase she tried anything stupid he would jab her with the dagger. Wraith walked backwards facing the crowd, holding Alera hostage. He had gotten to the source of their problems. It would all end now.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera felt the cold panic of not being able to breathe settle over her. She forced herself to relax, letting the Force calm her.
Quickly, she said into Dios's mind, You should take Jeran and leave, now. I'll be fine. She inwardly sighed. I'm sorry I got all of you into this mess. Her lungs ached, burned for air. Get out of here, now!

[Dios Kane]

:: Dios looked back for a moment to see everything wrong, he had been protecting Alera but now she was in the hands of Wraith, how so? He spit before speaking out loud, he hadn't fully learned how to keep a force message quiet, it didn't seem to be in him.::
Bull crap! I'm not leaving you behind!
:: He quickly turned, preparing for another sith to come at him, he still had a few more toys to use before he was through.::

[Wraith Frostmourne]

The struggle continued as Wraith dragged Alera further away from the battle. Keeping the dagger close at her side, he pressed on. Wraith would strike her down and bring the destruction of the fortress the Dios and Jeran had created around her. Victory would go to the Sith this day. "Don't do anything stupid hun. I'll make this quick and easy."

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera's eyes narrowed as anger began to build up inside her. Oh no... I've got enough to worry about without losing control again...
"Don't call me 'hun'," she gasped out. Her ice blue eyes flicked quickly over the ground around them, searching for a good-sized rock. Spotting one, she used the Force to lift it up and send it speeding towards the back of Wraith's head.

[Surpanakha]

Surpanakha blinked rapidly and shook her head vigorously from side to side. The last thing she remembered was getting hit by the shiny … thing … the human was carrying. With a low growl, she crawled forward on all fours, scrunching up her face to better feel where she had received the worst blows. Black blood oozed down her chin from her nose, and this she now licked clean.

Then, as Dios made his little speech of bravado, the ground upon which he stood crumbled, rearranging instead to encase his feet in solid stone. As he began realizing why his legs were immobilized, the bloodied dagger Suri had originally used rose in the air, making a beeline for his back. The specially crafted blade easily penetrated the Jedi’s armor, slashing down from his left shoulder down to his thigh before falling into the open palm of its owner, squatting just behind.

With a light hop, Suri had her arms wrapped around his neck and legs circling his waist. Unable to move away and with her whole weight on him, Dios had no way to go but down. Her pungent breath uncomfortably close to his skin, the demon nipped lightly at his cheek, the knife edge pressed against his throat.

[Wraith Frostmourne]

Wraith saw the rock out of the corner of his eye. It came at him at such a speed that it grazed the back of his head as he bent forward some. A second later and he would have been knocked out cold. Even the slight impact of the rock passing by his head sent the two stumbling forward. "Nice try." Wraith could see now that Dios had his hands tied up with someone else. Perfect, he said to himself. Wraith continued to choke Alera. He could slowly feel the force weakening in her.

On the south end of the small village was a steep drop off that led to an immensley high cliff. This would be the perfect spot. They reached the hill and Wraith let go of Alera, tossing her down onto the plateu that led to the cliffside. Both of them were far away from the battle, with no help for either of them. A chill wind blew as he spoke. "Enough is enough. I am tired of bothering with you. There will be no distractions this time, for your life ends here and now." Wraith ignited his scythe and approached Alera.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera, after taking several deep, grateful breaths, faced Wraith calmly, quickly summoning her lightsaber Dream back to her left hand. The pain from her wounds had not diminished, but increased, making it painful for her to move at all. She gritted her teeth against the agony. She was weak, tired, and injured, and her left hand, while somewhat used to fighting, was not her best hand for combat. She knew she wouldn't last long in this fight.
She also knew that the real battle was not against her opponent; but against the dark side of herself. In this state it would be very easy to allow hatred and fury to empower her and control her thoughts and actions. Too easy.
Still, she ignited Dream's pale blue blade, looking straight into Wraith's eyes.
There was nothing left she could do.
"I am not afraid of you," she said quietly, levelly. "Nor am I afraid of death." She smiled slightly. "But don't assume that means I want to die." Bringing her saber into a ready position, Alera's smile turned grim. "If you want to end my life... be ready for the fight of yours." Her eyes pierced his, icy yet burning with an inner fire.

[Wraith Frostmourne]

"Then get ready, because your fall will be the destruction of your friends." Wraith stormed towards Alera with his scythe held at his side, blade gleaming.

[Dios Kane]

:: Dios, with his legs stuck in the ground had no choice but to grimace when the little demon bit his cheek, she smelled worse then she looked, and that was saying something. Dios put a hand to his back, feeling the gash down his side. Thet little... He was on the ground and blood was slowly falling from the wound, what to do now with this little thing on him, her knife to his throat. Dios threw a force push at one side of her head as his palm came into the other side.::

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera merely gazed at Wraith calmly, lightsaber at the ready and senses alert.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: Sorsha dismounts from her horse, and watches from a distance ::

[Jeran Conrad]

A growl, from the depths of a beast, rose from Jeran's throat. This was not making him happy. His head began to clear as the bacta bandage soothed the wound and healed it. He found Alera, confronted by Wraith, at the edge of a deep cliff. He wouldn't stand for this any longer.

"Damn this place. I ain't never comin back here." He took to full speed, headed straight for Wraith. His saber wasn't even ignited--it was pure will that would fight for him. As he approached the warrior, he leaped into a tackle, pummeling Wraith and dropping him to the ground. The two men rolled for several feet, dangerously close to the cliff.

"You sonofa--" was all he could muster as he began throwing punches into the face of the Sith. He didn't know why he was so angry at her. There was no real reason to be--he hadn't done much damage to him. But he was protecting something else...someone else.

The wrestling match was an effective attention getter, but he knew the Sith was ready for a fight. So, he let himself off of Wraith, as the man pushed against him.

"Let's do this, buddy." He raised his saber and ignited it looking towards Wraith.

[Dae Jinn]

*steps up beside Sorsha, resting her hands on the legs and taking a deep breaths. She lifts her head, watching the goings-on.*

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: reaches out to Suri telepathically ::

*** Let him go, we're leaving. ***

[Wraith Frostmourne]

"Not again!" Wraith says as he throws Jeran off of him. Another distraction, this was getting all to annoying. Jeran would have to wait, for Wraith's main concern was Alera. Nobody went home until she was finished with. Force pushing Jeran out of the way, Wraith went towards Alera and brought his scythe down low, hoping to sweep her off the side of the cliff. In doing so, he concentrated on freezing the ground beneath her.....

[Surpanakha]

Sorsha's mental command came just as her head was about to get sandwiched by the Jedi's attacks and, not having any experience in that field, the demon slid off Dios' back in a dazed stupor instead of moving voluntarily.

Poking her ear with one finger to make sure she wasn't hearing things, Surpanakha hobbled over to where her Queen and her Apprentice were stood. It made no difference why she was being called back. Besides, Dios wouldn't be moving any time soon, as his feet were still firmly planted within the ground.

[Sorsha Kasajian]

:: a mist forms around Sorsha and her minions, and when it clears, they are gone ::

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera threw herself nearly flat on the ground to avoid Wraith's sweep, sending her lightsaber's beam straight down into the icy ground to prevent her from sliding. Looking up at Wraith, she sent a Force push his way - away from the cliff's edge, she wasn't trying to make him fall, but to knock him down - then got quickly as she could to her feet.
Think it's time we got out of here, maybe? She sent into Jeran's mind, her tone half-joking and half-apoligetic.

[Wraith Frostmourne]

Wraith fell back as the force blow fell into his shoulder. He looked back around to see half of his allies gone through the mist. Things had turned upside down for the Sith. Soon Dios would be upon him. Wraith had no time for all these people. His icy figure backed off into the woods, turning off his scythe. "You win this match, girl! This won't happen again." Wraith turned and started to run through the forest. He didn't wan't to be teamed up on so he had to depart for a while.

[Jeran Conrad]

Jeran stood up, close to Alera. He watched the icy Sith run into the forest. Good, he thought. Better to finish that thing off later than risk Alera. He thought about the comment. She really was not a weak warrior by any means. She was just...well, he just felt attached to her all of a sudden.

"Well, guess that's it." He turned to face her. "Uhh...yeah...better be goin then, huh?" He glanced around the old town, keeping an eye out for the rider. The others had left, but he smelt that thing very strongly.

"Watch out for blacky. He's near...I can tell." He turned back to Alera. He looked into her eyes, making a connection with them. "Uhhhhh....thanks." He turned embarassingly, looking at the ground. He hadn't said that word for a long long time.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera moved next to him as he turned, slightly bemused. He sounded like he wasn't used to using that word. Alone a lot? She wondered to herself.
To Jeran, she said, "It's no problem." She tilted her head slightly, and smiled. "Thank you... you saved my life. Twice now." She paused, then flinched suddenly as her shoulder throbbed. She sighed. "I'm sorry. I nearly got you killed." She shook her head, then started back the way she'd come with Wraith, feeling deeply ashamed and angry with herself for getting her friends in danger.

[Jeran Conrad]

As she turned to exit, Jeran laid a hand on her wounded shoulder. The pressure of his palm hurt at first. But as soon as that subsided, she felt the warth of healing in her flesh. It was stronger and stronger until the wound was clear. Jeran took short breaths; the usage of the Force had tired him slightly.

"I'm...well...I know how to heal real well..." He stuttered. Hoping she knew he meant well but wasn't much of a converastionalist, he turned towards her. He picked up his staff that he had dropped to draw his saber. He looked at her again.

"You think I'm leavin you right now? Ha. What's next?" He smiled...it was weird to do that. But he did.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera looked at him in surprise when he healed her shoulder. How did... She looked away, realizing she was staring.
At his last comment, she shook her head again. "You don't want to hang around with me," she said flatly. "I nearly got you killed back there." Her eyes darkened, remembering the other things she'd done. She sighed. "It's just... I'm not... a good person to be around." She tried to smile, but it lasted only a second or so.

[Jeran Conrad]

Jeran sensed the hesitation in her voice and her eyes. She was obviously afraid of something. He felt bad for that--he didn't want her to be afraid of him. But it didn't seem she was. It was like she was afraid of herself.

"Look here, I ain't scared of nuthin, and I put myself in this fight--you didn't." He thought about that. It was true--he had willingly jumped into it. But it was to save her. No matter--what was done was done. "If you want me to leave..." He turned away from her. Did she want him to leave? Something inside him hoped not.

[Dios Kane]

:: Dios had cut himself out of the ground and was limping to the two with a smirk on his face.::
Oh yeah, thanks a lot for getting me outta the ground back there! You guys okay? That was a blast huh?
:: Dios wound had healed slightly with a scar down the back now and a gash in his armor and clothes. But he smiled s he looked over the two, they weren't that bad off, at least no limbs had been cleaved off this time, that always hurt.::
Alera... you startin that stuph about how dangerous you are again. Yeah, beauty can kill sometimes but I have to say, with all that mud and dirt on ya you ain't lookin too well now, not good enough to kill at least, no offense, hehe. And you, Jeran is it? You okay man? You took a beating for the team I'll tell ya.

[Jeran Conrad]

"I'm ok." Jeran was short and sweet. His people skills lacked. He found Dios to be a true hero, with jumping in and saving them. He admired him for that. But he would not allow it to show through his thick skin.

He looked over Dios thoroughly to make sure he was ok. He was fine--he was healing pretty fast. I guess this is it, he thought. They're fine--they don't need me here. With that thought he began to pack his stuff back onto his horse.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera knew she should be glad he was leaving - it'd get him away from her, where she couldn't hurt him somehow - but somehow, she wasn't.
"Wait," she said, then flushed slightly. There was no reason why he would want to stay, and she didn't have a reason for him to either. So she said, "Be careful." She added through the Force, Like you said, watch out for the Rider... he's not likely to be too happy right now... look out for yourself.

[Dios Kane]

:: Dios held up a hand to Jeran.::
Hey! Where do you think you're goin man? That was the quickest bye I've ever heard. "I'm ok" and then you're up and gone. Your horse is gonna be blood red by the time yo get to wherever you've left for! Riding tends to do that to a guy who just took on a bunch of sith.

[Jeran Conrad]

Jeran inspected himself at the comment--he was healing very quickly. The wounds on his body could be seen rebuilding themselves right before the naked eye. He had an uncanny ability to bond with the Force for healing. It was his gift, he guessed.

"I'm fine. Look, what's it to ya?" He looked back at Dios. Something inside him pulled at his gut--he wanted them to care. He begged for them to care. But his pride got in the way. He would not allow himself to have any friends. It was too dangerous--he had seen what happened to his old Master. He knew what kind of luck he was. Alera...he thought about her. Her face crowded his already tormented thoughts.

No. It was time to leave.

"I'm just a passerby tryin to lend a helpin hand, that's all," he said as he loaded the last of his gear onto his horse.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera sighed. "Well, I owe you one. If you ever need anything, I'll be here to help." She watched him a moment, and her eyes showed she meant it. Then she suddenly shook her head and said, "Well... I guess it's time I left, too."

[Dios Kane]

:: Dios shook his head, what a bunch of hopeless people... They were all tied up in their own worries that they would let a good time pass by, or at least a moment to get aquainted. Is this how his life had been so far, did it take a view from outside to realise this now?::
It's a lot to me Jeran, If your life is anything like mine then friends and allies are some of the most important things I could have, but they're also the most shunned, not wanting them to get involved, or hurt. You followin me? And same to you babe, last time I talked to you, you were almost considering joining the people that just tried to kill all of us.

[Alera Starreyes]

"Because I was severely lacking in self-esteem and judgement at the time," Alera remarked with a slight grin, but it was a little forced. It faded quickly, and she said more quietly, "I end up hurting people far too often for comfort, Dios."

[Jeran Conrad]

Jeran listened to what she said. It was scary, because it reminded him of himself. He thought of the baggage he carried. He thought of his life and how others seemed to come to harm around him. He remembered what happened when the caught up with Sirek and--

"Look out for big black," he said mounting his horse and glancing around for the rider. He turned to face the woods that the ice cube had fled into. "I gotta take care of somethin'." With that, gave the horse a whistle and rode towards the old woods.

[Dios Kane]

:: Dios shook his head. Slowly muttered a verse from a song.::
One is the lonliest number their will ever be...
:: He smiled and turned back to Alera.::
A lot of people who wield power do many things that are too often for comfort. But that doesn't mean you can't try anyways. Those who stay, stay knowing that they are your friends, I really don't care how dangerous you can be. A lot of people can be bad to hang around, I don't care. I'm probably just as bad.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera sighed, watching Jeran leave as she listened to Dios. "Well." She brushed a few strands of her hair out of her eyes. "I guess what will happen will happen." She turned to Dios, a wry smile forming on her face. "I believe you promised me a drink?"

[Dios Kane]

:: He turned to her, this was more like it.::
Sure, a drink I did promise and that is one I plan to keep. How about you meet me at the bar and grill at the GJO?

[The Black Rider]

The Rider's horse screamed as he pulled it back away from the ledge. It got the attention of the two below. His cloak, whipping in the wind as the currents poured through the woods, shadowed the appearance of the figure. He looked down, pointing a finger at the girl.

"You...Alera Starreyes...your time is coming, my darling! Fate has smiled upon thee today. Do not overestimate yourself again."

With that, the mount let one last scream out as The Rider rode off into the woods. It was true. Fate had called his path today, and the death of the girl was not in it. Another day, he thought. He had time. Plenty of it.

[Alera Starreyes]

Alera looked at the Rider as he left. -Another time, Rider. I will be back.-
Turning back to Dios, she nodded. "That sounds good. Guess I'll see you there, then."