[South Woods]Slavers and Salutations(Aello)

[Aello]

"Lady death?" the girl asked. "Dira," came Aello's reply. Cold, harsh, simple. "Who is she?" the Ethaefal inquired, as she pressed her hand into the center of the huntress' back, as though continually trying to comfort. "This Dira?" "A mistress of mine. Just like one of these petchers is your master," Aello replied, before pausing. "She is the goddess of death. A woman of pale visage, skin which shines like marble. A lady who is clothed in black flowing garment, and carries a scythe to reap souls of this world. Those who deserve to die, and those who are ready to." Aello paused. "She travels silently, with far greater stealth than the most gifted prowlers, should she so desire, with two jackals at her side. One black, the other white. Before and After." Aello smiled weakly as she considered the necklaces she had made in their honor, from the claws of a wolf she had killed a few seasons back. Aello wondered where they had gotten to, if one of the slavers had them. She missed them, the sweet familiarity of the sharpened point drawing lightly over her skin. The weight of each about her neck. She silently longed for them, beseeching their replacement of the shackles which bound her. Kept her heart pierced to unworthy bed of soil. Dusted particles which licked her skin as hungrily as a starved, feral animal would. The woman sighed as a silence swept over them. Hanging limply in the air. Aello's mind wandered then. During the lapse of time in which she was allowed to think for herself, as opposed to formulate answers to the questions she'd far prefer to leave unanswered. She thought of all the things she was certain she had lost. Her friends, her family, her belongings, among which lay another, familiar weight. It was just enough to warrant a smile. A slight one, quickly lost to features darkened by shadows, and a changing of the tides. Bodies swaying as they sauntered across the camp. Shifted amongst hiding places in the trees. "Have you ever thought of a sweet release?" Aello finally asked, as the girl's fingers shifted. "Have you ever so much as dreamt of it?" _________________________ Any minute now it has to come. It can't be much longer, for it has been away long enough. It will miss its mother. Its mistress, who hangs in the balance between life and death. It will know. It will heed its master's silent call. There was a long silence as a sudden gust of wind caused the fraying edges of chestnut colored hair to stir. Forcing it to dance against the forest floor. It will come, and then we shall truly know where loyalties lie. For this child claims to long for friendship. Someone she can call her own, in a fashion. And if that proves true... The remaining leaves rustled. Some scattering across the earth. Rolling as would a tumbleweed through deserted town. There may be a chance at freedom, for both of us. Should she live... Thoughts trailed off as footsteps neared. A set which seemed far heavier than most, in that it shook the terrain. Perhaps the person coming was of protruding belly, or perhaps, simply walked with a gait. Putting too much pressure upon the earth to uphold. Pebbles rattled against soiled bed. It will come, Aello's mind continued to whisper, as her hope began to falter. Heart thundering in her chest as breath caught. It will come. OOCPermission to self mod a portion of this thread granted by Archelon.

[Aello]

OOCWarning: and so the thread gets slightly more mature in nature. The steps continued to grow louder. Gradually, the woman could tell another neared. She could feel the earth trembling beneath her as her aching body shuddered from the cold. The steps finally halted, coercing the girl to draw her gaze upwards to shadowed silhouette of midnight blue. It was the Akalak who had tore away at the cave's mouth. Earthen foundation that should have lasted, as opposed to fall against brittle rubble and soot lined maw. Aello could sense the Ethaefal's form shifting, as she too looked up, as though beseeching the intruder tell each of them why their peace had been disturbed. "I'm taking her to the tents," the gruff voice finally sounded. "Why?" came the Ethaefal's. "To keep her warm. She'll be of no use to us dead," the Akalak replied as his hardened gazed raked over flesh glowing an ominous white in Leth's rays. "But I am doing that," the fallen replied as her hand circled Aello's body protectively, pulling each of their forms a little closer. "Not well enough," the Akalak replied as he reached for Aello, his meaty fingers winding around the center of her arm, just above the elbow. She coul feel his dirt encrusted nails digging into her form as he pulled her off the ground. Lifting her as easily as he would a feather. The girl's body swayed, her legs wobbling as though they were the unaccustomed. Like a newborn babe's. "Come," the man barked as he pulled Aello across the area of her confinement, and then shoved her ahead of him upon reaching two sweeping strips of cloth material. Tanned flaps, which served as a gateway between the outer world, and that within the icy bars. A sort of marker of her status, and the contents of her cage. The girl stumbled forward blindly, quickly falling to her knees. She grit her teeth as a thin sheet of flesh peeled away from rounded bone, resting in the center of righted leg. But she did not cry out as she heard the Akalak come in behind her. Grunting as he lowered himself onto his knees behind her, and ran his hands over the length of her back. From shoulders to her hips. "Do you know what happens to little girls who get lost in the woods?" he asked. "Wasn't lost," Aello whispered, as the shackles rattled against the ground. Grating against stone, as the strips of fabric swayed angrily in the autumnal breeze. The Akalak grunted but said nothing as he pulled off his shirt, tossing it casually to his side. It fell silently, in undulating heap. Another tick, and his hands had returned. Pressing more fervently now into a bed of pale flesh. Building up a sense of heat between them It'll come, Aello's mind whispered, as she braced herself. Muscles doing their best to harden as her fingers furled. Scratching uneasily against the terrain as she waited. It will come, and they will all die... Another few ticks passed, and his hands had passed onto her arse. She could feel his hands clenching and unclenching. Squeezing her cheeks as he guided his body closer. Allowing her to feel the way he rose. It was enough to make Aello's heart sink. But she refused to show him as much.

[Aello]

Several minutes passed where the Akalak simply kneeled over the aurist's lithe form. His hands hungrily exploring her flesh before he pulled away. Unzipping himself before tearing his pants away. So that a midnight sky could rest against silken moon. Aello could feel him pressing against her cheeks. It was enough to make her heart stop temporarily on several occasions. But this too, she ignored as she steeled herself. It will come, her thoughts promised as they became one, and he tilted his head back, as a single hand rested on her lower back, and another against his thigh. It will come... Several more minutes passed like this. Just how many, the girl couldn't tell, having lost count with the sky out of her sight. After this time, she could feel him pressing closer. Forcing himself in a little more deeply, roughly, as his hands began to slide. Aello grit her teeth as she shut her eyes. It will come... _______________________ Aello's world had gone black, she was blocking it all out. The sound of his pleasured grunts. Her own stifled moans. The slight rock of their hips, and the grate of pebbles and dirt across the ground. The sway of sweetened fabric. The feel of sweat gathering across the length of their skin. The pressure her hands and knees felt to keep her upright. The way her body trembled, despite the density of the air. The heat which surrounded them. All until she felt a familiar brush. Her eyes opened and looked down, catching sight of blood's reflection. The soft shimmer of tarnished metal. Smiling wickedly, Aello slid her hand's forward, and pushed her behind up, as though in offering. The Akalak did nothing, presumably enjoying the change as the girl's shackled hands encircled the wire hilt. Grasping as firmly as they could, despite cold tips. Now or never, Aello's mind whispered as she closed her eyes for an instant, took a deep breath in through her nose, and out through her mouth before pulling her hands up and twisting her body around. Swinging the dagger madly along with her form. Having caught the Akalak by surprise, she managed to stab the massive man in the side of his neck. Severing his skin, and spilling a plethora of blood. It squirted against her, before drizzling against her skin as his form began to sag. His cries caught in his throat, widened eyes. Aello tried to push it a little deeper to quicken the process, before removing it and turning a bit further. Jabbing the weapon into his chest before he finally fell on top of her. Wedging the dagger's hilt into her ribs. It stung for an instant, but the girl didn't cry. She knew it would leave a nasty bruise, and ache for quite some time, but she didn't have time to worry about it. She needed to escape. Breathing deeply, the girl paused. Her eyes fixated on the dying light caught within yellowed orbs. A light she had snuffed out. Lids closed, and in another moment, he was truly gone. The girl allowed herself to sigh as she caught her breath. Waiting, until she had enough strength to push him off. Allowing his limp body to roll to her side. Great, now what? Can't honestly hide that, or off them all with shackled arms. Of course... The girl paused a moment, and ran her hands over the man's clothing. Searching for a key that wasn't there. That would be too convenient, Aello sighed.

[Archelon]

Opening her eyes to blink away the acrid tang of blood pooling upon the globes of skin Aello would find a strange, and beleagured sight as she blinked away her stupor enough to study the amorous plunderer she had just brought swift justice to. Just enough to jog her mind from the horror of what was happening as her fingers closed upon a brooched pin the dying blue man had in his lapel. Perhaps it was enough to pick the lock of her shackles. Her ears however, did not hear the stopping of pleasured moans, for across her enclosure, tied up and shackled. The girl, the ethfael, the one who was in her cell before was being similarly accosted by a figure with their breeches half pulled down to his ankles. A figure who had stopped and stepped back as he noted the death of the akalak male Aello was killing for his... transgression of her plundered virtues. Pulling back into a crouch, she would note the wide eyed vision of fear in the girl's eyes, and the shared shame as the man cinched his belt and reached for a sword. A single step of the man towards Aello was halted by tiny little hands grasping this slaver about the ankle. "NO! You will not hurt Roka's friend, Master Creyes! No one should hurt her! Tenendrake deserves his death for touching Roka's frie-" Roka's face and body was already a mix of bruises and welts from the lash, but still, the poor girl's actions were like an ant challenging a giant. And that giant reacted in due kind as the miserable waif was silenced by the man's stern handed blow to the back of her face, throwing her against the slack of the chains and into the bars of the cell. Master creyes' shouted, "Quiet wench. The Bitch just killed my man, she deserves a swift death for that. I don't care if she was to be delivered tomorrow or not!"[/color] Wheeling furiously, raising his shortsword high , preparing to attack Aello when Roka's bleeding form lunged to grab his leg again. Giving her newest, and perhaps only 'not really a friend' a chance at survival if she acted quickly. Around her the camp was stirring at the sounds of the camp boss's cry. Up above, a chittering whisper rose from the branches of the trees, "Exoneration... not reishakotl at all. But what will she do with the lamb, or the sheep? Perhaps... no, it is decided, she deserves to be lead to Refuge." The Watcher began to take action.A flickering shadow fell from the trees, falling down almost in defiance of gravity towards the sinners below. As if in an answer to Aello's prayers, and Aello's plight. A shrieking howl, massive blood curdling and mighty thundered throughout the camp. Staggering many with the power of hypnotic suggestion and striking fear in all the hearts of the sinners, those blood traitorous slavers whilst carrying the unknown The words from far above amplified beyond measure into a pealing shriek, staggering with the power of hypnotic suggestion as around the camp, slavers and slaves alike clutched their heads as a wave of disorientation began to hit them. But Aello, would be the only one whose mind was untouched as the final words of the seeming banshee's cry resonated in her soul as she recognized the voice." YOU SHALL ALL BE CLEANSED BY DIRA'S WILL!!!" Catharsis, pycon of darkness, pycon, and an avid follower of death's mistress began to play his bloody tune as diamond coated arms began reaping death amongst the slavers. The traitorous filth of men. Carving a path bit by bloody inch, leaping and stabbing from one's man's chest to another. Using the pywhip in one hand , he snaked the tendere around a fleshling's neck to swing upon. He was making his way towards Aello's cage as a frenzied tornado of blood and spray, shrieking death all the while as he fought towards the woman who would be having the fight of her life, clad in the slippery blood of the one who took her virtues by force, and the horrid fiend of a slaver who had commanded the akalak to do it. Catharsis' stats oocThis pycon looks like he has a face for a skull, and about as many arms as a epharyian. with two currently morphed into diamond bladed knives. with most of him obscured by a black flowing cloak. Enjoy the fight with the slave master

[Aello]

Muddied irises sank against the subtle shimmer of silver pin. They trailed up the spindled length, towards sharpened point. Ehh... why can't things ever be easy? Aello wondered, as she lowered her hands, and needled the end against the narrow slit which served as lock. A soft, jarring sound reverberated out of the opening and into the dense night's air as the point continued to jostle. Edges sinking against hollowed rounds as the angered boss neared, drawing Aello away from her work. Her body shifted ever so slightly, as she leaned back and rocked on her knees. Pulling her lithe form just enough where the sword failed to strike paling flesh. Bubbling with goose bumps in near winter's wake. Enraged, the boss tore his weapon through the air once more, raising it high as the huntress dropped the brooch and inched away on her knees, before rocking onto her feet just as he cut the blade through the air once more. Again, he missed his mark narrowly as the girl pulled her body away, although, the metal broke the chains. Driving rusted link to split in half. The ends rattling as severed shards fell to the cage floor. The huntress smiled wickedly as her thumb danced over the wire hilt of her cursed blade. "You really do suck at this," she remarked as she danced a half step back as Creyes swung at her again. As the sword sailed downwards, she glided forward rather rapidly, and slammed her body against his form, scarcely driving him a half step back, as he began to flinch, as though in pain. Aello didn't take notice of this fact, however, as she continued to press onwards, swinging her right arm out to the side, before sweeping it back in. Forming a rough crescent which sailed from one shoulder to the next. Biting across the middle of the man's arm, shedding a thin line of blood. Creyes grit his teeth as he staggered a step away, regaining his composure as he raised his weapon, and swiped away the girl's next attack. Each could hear her broken chains rattling in the wind as Aello took another step forward, and he too, to meet her in the middle, as the Eth seemingly cowered in the corner. Perhaps, waiting for an opening. Again, their blades met. The sound of blades clanging ringing through the air, as Aello raised her left leg and bent it at the knee. Bringing it into her chest before extending it outwards, towards Creyes' middle as he ran at her again, his sword dragging at his side. Another moment, and bare sole stretched across bare skin. Toes imprinting on a tanned hide, pushing the man back but a fraction of an inch as she reeled her limb in and came forward, to meet the thrust of a sword. Again, the girl deflected easily, as she moved inwards, and pushed her blade from left to right. Seeking to rake it over his flesh as he slammed the hilt of his sword into her right shoulder in an attempt to weaken her; make her easier to kill. Petch, Aello thought as she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out. Soft indentations forming across a bed of pink, from which color was rapidly receding. The girl retreated as the man brought his blade down, causing him to miss her by a fraction of an inch. She danced away as he cut his blade up in a diagonal, and casually tossed her blade from one hand to the other. Sharp, shooting pains coursed through Aello's right shoulder, down the length of her arm. Making the severed shackles feel far heavier than they actually were. You have to end this soon, her mind whispered. Your strength won't last, and if you delay, the pycon may not reach you in time. Inwardly, the girl sighed as the man swept his blade across, in an attempt to decapitate. She ducked, avoiding it by a thin margin as she marched forward and thrust her weapon outward. Drawing it in a narrow line across his middle, which tore the skin from one nipple to the next. Tiny beads of crimson red seeping through the margins, trickling down the length of a rapidly rising and falling chest. Just a bit more, just a bit longer, her mind whispered as Creyes raised his sword once more, and brought it down towards Aello's shoulder. She rapidly lifted her blade, and turned it on a slight angle, blocking the advance before pulling her weapon away, and slipping into the opening cast by his offensive strike. As her body glided along, she swept the cursed blade back in. Driving it into the man's heart. He staggered, falling back as she pulled her weapon away, along with a steady steam of blood, which splattered her skin. Running down its length in droves as his fingers unfurled. The wire hilt of his own weapon jostling his skin before falling through the air, clattering against the base of the cage, just as his body hit. "And so much for you, filthy bastard," Aello muttered under her breath as she too, eased herself onto the ground. She rested on her knees a moment as her free hand rapidly patted Creyes down, and the moved onto the rest of his belongings. Find the key, find the key, find the key... Aello's mind whispered. Release the broken shackles... Find the key, find the key, find the key... He has to have it, he's the boss... Find the key... OOCNudge me if this is inappropriate.

[Aello]

OOCPermission to continue the thread granted by Archelon Where is it? Why isn't it... here? Aello wondered, as her hands tore at the man's clothes. Tossed his weapon away, and kept on looking. Her irises frantically darting from one end of her whites to the other as her heart hammered in her chest, and her ears proceeded to ring. He's the boss, he has to have it, she thought, as the shackles made her hands fumble. Her fingers unfurl enough where the hilt of her blade jarred her skin, and then fell to the cage floor. "Damn it where is it?" she asked, as she sailed across the surface, retrieved her blade, and then clutched at the brooch. Her hands trembling as she lifted the pin off the back and did her best to jam it into the lock. "Come on," she whispered through grit teeth as her eyes fixated on the metal's fissure, and the needle's point grated against rust. Creating a soft screech as it circled the break, but failed to fall in for several ticks. Before clicking softly against the back a moment, but failing to release the binds. "Damn you, just open up already," Aello growled as violent tremors shot through her working hand. But the lock would not open, forcing the girl to sigh and look up at the pycon who was making his way across the camp. Damn, he's going to kill the lot of you all on his own, she thought, as two more men made way for the cage door, tearing it open easily. Figures they'd leave it open, she thought as each of the men reached her, the first pulling his leg back to kick her. Having little to no time to react, the huntress was forced to face the brunt of his attack. She rolled back several paces, her side rattling the cage's bars, as the chinks clinked. Out of the corner of her eye, Aello could see the two burly men getting closer, forcing her to release the brooch as she eased herself onto her feet. Her body swayed against the aches which seemed to radiate from nowhere in particular. Although they coursed throughout the length of her body. This is so not what I needed right now, Aello thought through a wince, as the dark haired man on the right inched closer. Extending his balled fist to strike. The huntress side-stepped lazily, as he reeled himself in, and then struck with the other, leading the girl to toss her hand up, bringing the blade beneath his appendage to block. Each grit their teeth as their limbs trembled whilst they took in another deep breath and stepped away. Aello backing herself into a corner, risking but a momentary glance back as she felt iron bars sinking against her spine. Adrenaline coursed through her veins as her eyes widened. The man was coming closer, and his fist was sailing towards her once more. At the last minute however, she ducked under it, and wedged her body behind him. Right leg kicking back. The side of her foot coming against the area just above his heel. The slaver didn't cry out, didn't so much as budge, as his leg rocked into the knee, and then snapped back into place, and his companion dove for the huntress. Slamming his chest into their confine's base as his arms came forward and then circled, as though he were to hug her. It took a good portion of Aello's strength to hop at the last minute, narrowly avoiding the man's hold. Although her toes did brush, as she skipped along the length of his back towards the door. Turning abruptly on her heels at the last second to face each of them. The fallen performing a push up onto his feet, while the other reeled. Running towards her as though he were an enraged bull. Having seen this one coming, Aello easily side stepped as the man threw himself into the bars, and pushed the door back. His hands clinging onto the metal beams as the door rocked on his hinges, and his body swung through the air. She could see his hands slipping as his form sank towards the ground. His boots scraping up stone as the gateway hissed angrily beneath his weight. It was not long that Aello could watch his endeavors however, for the remaining human had rounded on her once more. His leg swirling through the air in a roundhouse kick, which slammed into her right hip. The girl tumbled, falling against the barricade, just as the second man re-entered the ring. "Petchers," she muttered under her breath as her feet skidded against the ground, making it a bit more difficult to right herself this time. "You're going to pay for that," she spat defiantly as she ran towards the dark haired man. Sweeping her right arm out to the side, before cutting it across in a straight line. Intending to sweep her blade across the man's middle, shedding a bit of blood. But he was too fast for her, and easily skipped out of the way. Aello was cornered now. The eth trembling in a corner of the cage, doing her best to stay out of the way, as each of the male slavers eyed the huntress hungrily. Their beefy arms held out to their sides. The spiritist was caught in the middle. OOCSorry this is one of the worst fight scenes I have written in my entire Miz life.

[Aello]

For a second, the fighting seemed to still. The world seemed to grow silent, as it took momentary pause. As hearts stopped for but a beat, before pounding against the gentle slope of ivory colored bone. Smirks crossed male faces as Aello stood, poised and unmoving. With bated breath, her form remained caught, wondering when each of the men would make their move. Aello didn't have long to wonder however, in that each man stepped forward within another few ticks. The one to her right offering an upper round house kick, as the one on the left lazily jabbed. At the last second, Aello ducked, allowing the men's limbs to form a triangle over her form as they met in the center. But a breadth from the top of her head. As each recoiled, the girl tried to bring her weapon up in time to meet, sweeping it under the man's leg in an attempt to weaken. Although she missed. She would have another chance however, as she straightened, and each attempted a jab, only to meet with each other's fists, before reeling. Shaking aching hands out, as Aello extended her right leg and jabbed her heel into the larger's instep, before doing the same with the man on her left. They scarcely seemed to blink as the huntress pulled herself in, tucking her chin into her neck as she brought her feet together, and then pushed off against the ground with every ounce of her remaining strength. Her body furled, bunching into itself, as she swirled through the air before pushing everything back out. Landing uneasily no more than a foot away from where she had once stood. The hardened impact sending sharp shooting pains up through the length of her legs as she continued to step, driving to drive a spacial wedge between herself and her opponents. Trying to buy some precious time as she turned to face them once more. Her head reeling as heightened weight forced her lids down, temporarily blinding before she eased them open. Eyelashes fluttering in the cool breeze as two enraged slavers neared. Come and get me. Lets get this over with, Aello thought, as her thumb danced over the supple curve of her dagger's wire hilt. She could feel her legs rocking as she bent each at the knee, trying to lower herself into a crouch, and bring a spring to her step, despite her body's numerous protests. "Just a little longer," she mouthed to it as she watched the rapid rise and fall of the men's chests. Keeping pace with her own. The choked nature of her breath, the sting of her throat. "And then this nightmare will be over." The men inched closer, spurring Aello to lazily twirl her last dagger between her fingers. Just another step, she thought, as she the men neared and she pulled her arm back. For a second it stayed, before snapping. Her fingers unfurling as they released the blade. Sending it spiraling in the air towards her opponents. The metal glittering in the light of the moon as it sailed on shallow dip, before the blade plunged itself through pulsing veins, and sand papery skin, right in the center of the dark haired man's neck. For a second, his eyes widened, as he stood stunned. The severance spewing warm, crimson blood, which served only to blotch his skin, and his clothes. The huntress smiled wickedly as she watched his legs bend at the knee, and his body crumble. Falling backwards on itself. His companion roared. Aello could see his veins threatening to pop out of his skin as she ran forward. Lowering her right hand to tear her dagger from the fallen man's skin as she ran over him, and past her remaining opponent, before turning to face. Her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. Sweat trickling down her brow as she whispered, "scared yet?" OOCOh dear, I do hope I am playing to my old levels.

[Aello]

"No," the slaver growled. "Shame, 'cuz you should be," Aello retorted as she sprang forward. Her arms swinging lightly, to help propel her step, although, it seemed to the huntress that they helped her pull back more than push. In that the swinging chains tugged her back behind. Into a place of submission before forcing her to lurch forward a heartbeat later. Inwardly, the girl knew this. She could sense it within her heart of hearts, but she ignored it in the heat of battle, and as she neared striking distanced, pulled her right leg up off the ground. With toes pointed, she bent her limb at the and reeled it into her chest. Another tick, and she was forcing it outwards and away. Bringing the heel towards her opponent's core, before it rolled, adding the weight of her sole. She didn't have time however, to finish her strike, for the slaver caught her limb. Twisting his arms around it, and pulling it against his side, as he tucked it against the shallow dip between hip and shoulder. Aello grit her teeth as the slaver smiled wickedly, and she hopped uneasily on her free limb. Her thumb dancing over the wire hilt of her dagger, as her eyes narrowed to slits. The muddied irises glowing ominously in the moon's light as she stared the man down. "You were saying?" he berated, as Aello struggled to catch her breath. Idiot, the girl thought, as she hopped off her foot one last time, and lifted it as high into the air as she could muster. Whirling the side around as she pointed her toes, and slammed it against the man's waist just as his startle reflexes forced him to release her. Sending her body crashing through the air, before her arse fell against the cage's lower surface a few ticks later. Hard. She could feel sharp shooting pains coursing through its length, into her middle, and her legs as she winced. Doing her best to ignore it as the man extended his right leg, and kicked her shin. Sending her rolling back into a wall, as the dagger rattled in her hand. Fingers furling and unfurling as she struggled to ignore the pain; to bite her lower lip so she wouldn't cry out. The slaver was laughing maniacally. Aello could feel the sound reverberating off her ear drums as they righted each of their bodies, and the Ethaefal ran at him. Finally having mustered the strength, resolving to buy the girl a little more time to recover. The slaver, seeing it coming, easily lifted the horned being off her feet, and tossed her aside, into the bars. Leaving him to face the huntress once more. Aello's body trembled. Her bare skin was covered in goose bumps, signaling that she had not only grown weak from the heat of battle, but cold from exposure to the harsh autumnal elements. She wasn't sure how much longer she could last, and silently prayed to Dira that she would be spared. That the pycon would reach her, and come to the rescue before the goddess' scythe had enough time to strike. Time seemed to stand still another moment, before its wave crashed into her. The slaver was charging once again, and the eth was lying near lifeless. Moaning and groaning from the pain of her fall. Aello couldn't help but think her a weakling, even though she was little more than a child, despite the shape of her body. She hadn't had time to become a seasoned warrior like she, and she knew she couldn't blame her. The eth was going to be of little use to her on the battle field, no matter what, which meant, all the more, that she had to depend on herself. Find a way out of this wretched ordeal. This hefty mess. What's his weakness? Aello wondered, as she glided out of the way once more, leaving the slaver to reel himself in before he battered his head against the bars. Other than his reckless nature... there has to be an area to strike that will lend a victory to the arms of the pure. The girl's eyes glanced over him as they turned to face each other once more. This was getting to be a tad repetitious.

[Aello]

Aello's thumb sailed over the hilt of her dagger. Please let him drop dead. Please let him make one false step and just petching die already, the huntress thought, this is getting way too damn tiring for anyone's tastes, her mind finished as the man crept forward, and sent an uppercut towards her chin. Aello stumbled uneasily out of the way, narrowly missing the jab, although she felt its cool air creep past her alongside his fist. As the limb continued to climb, Aello thrust her dagger wielding hand forward, swiping at his shoulder, but scarcely leaving a dent, lending her to recoil as the man reeled his own arm in. As they stared, eye to eye, she could hear the groans of the ethaefal, whose body rocked from side to side as she clutched at her stomach. As though she were preparing to wrench up the confines of her gut. Past that, the huntress could just make out the sound of the occasional blood curdling cry as Catharsis brought another slaver to his knees, and then ended a pitiful life. Sending a soul to Dira, for nightly reaping. The slaver crept closer, his arms swinging out to his sides. Fists tightening. Aello could just make out his knuckles rippling beneath a bed of paling skin as his pectoral muscles flexed, and his skin grew taut over his shoulders. Oh this can't be good, the girl thought as he took another step in, and then swept his arms into each other, as though attempting to decapitate her. Aello wouldn't stand for it however, and leaned back, allowing his arms to pass over her as she bent her right leg at the knee, and lifted it into her chest, before pushing the appendage back out. Bringing her knee cap against the man's right thigh, before she pulled it back, and the man snapped his arms back out. Ramming his fist against her cheek; sending the girl sprawling, and stumbling several paces back. Aello's eyes watered. Her head throbbed, as though the waves were captured within, and undulating against her skull. Her vision blurred as her fingers unfurled. Causing the wire hilt of her dagger to circle her palm before she could gather herself, and clasp it once more. A small stream of blood trickled down pale skin tinted rose. She could feel it. The way the air kissed it, cooling the unbearable warmth. "Damnit," she whispered, as the slaver came at her again, swinging his arms wildly. Some of the swings Aello could dodge, others she wasn't fast enough for, which kept her creeping back. Falling against the bars of the cage. Her whole body ached now, and the chains rattled. She felt like she could barely lift her arms, as though they were being dragged towards the center of the earth. "Just die already," she whispered, as she mustered whatever strength she had left, and tossed the dagger towards the slaver. It swirled through the air and came to a rest in his chest, just above his heart. But it hadn't gone in deep. Just enough to sever the skin, shed a little blood, and perhaps, brush up against the edges of the organ. Aello watched it trickle down the man's chest as her hands clenched and unclenched, as though trying to grab at something that was no longer there. As the dagger fell, clattering against the floor. "Oh for Dira's sake," the huntress muttered under her breath as her eyes continued to graze over the slaver's form. Looking for an opening, a weakness, anything. But finding none. When all seemed hopeless, she offered silent prayer to her goddess that she be taken swiftly. Softly, into the arms of the nurturing. The girl closed her eyes, waiting, for a moment that never came. For the Ethaefal had risen to her feet, and charged the slaver. Unsuspecting, he had no time to react as she drove her horns into his back. Causing him to release a long, chilling, shrill scream as his body crumbled, and the horned being drew back. Her horns crackling as she stopped to peer at Aello, who had just opened her eyes. Amazed that she was not yet dead. The huntress offered a weak smile as she came forward, and extended her leg, pressing the flat of her foot against the slaver's forehead. She didn't push hard, for she didn't have the strength, but in his weakened state, it was enough to propel him backwards. Sending him sprawling onto his behind. With the opportunity at hand, Aello came forward, retrieving her dagger as swiftly as she could. She lifted it with some difficulty, and stepping forward, slammed it into the man's right eye socket. Pulling back with bloodied blue attached, before she shoved it into the man's neck. Finishing him, as the cursed metal lost all. "Thank you," Aello called to the Ethaefal, who was now standing by as all chaos continued to break loose throughout the camp. "You're welcome," was all she whispered, before she fell to the ground, surrounded in a pool of her own blood. Eyes grown wide as a long sword cut past her ribs. Tearing past organ and life's fluid. Making a sickening, sluicing sound as the metal was stained and tarnished by the fallen's form. Aello practically cried out as she looked past the Ethaefal's form at raging eyes and muscular body. Standing over the dead. Oh shit, she thought, as she took in another clean sweep of forest green colored skin, and long, braided hair the shade of a raven's feathers. It was another Akalak, who bore not only the weight of a sword, but a lakan, which was strapped to his hip. Smoldering coals fixated on her as coiled muscles jumped. Bare chest revealing well defined abdominal muscles which caused the girl's stomach to lurch. I'm not going to make it out of this one, am I? Aello thought, as she clutched the cursed blade for dear life.

[Aello]

The Akalak's shoulders rolled forward, his back curved slightly. Despite the hunch, he still towered over Aello, by at least two feet. He was a rather menacing fellow, and none of that foreboding feeling which stirred in the girl's bones had been taken by the way he held himself. The way he moved, the way his chest rose and fell, and he breathed so heavily, as though he, like her, had just fought one of the most intense battles of his life. Inwardly, the huntress could feel her heart falling as her eyes raked over the man's form. As she watched him inching closer and closer, drawing out the time it would take to reach; as though he enjoyed cornering and toying with his prey before he pounced. Aello tried not to let herself mind as she stood her ground. Doing her best to harden her aching muscles for her final test, her final battle. As much as they didn't want to obey, she could manage for a moment, before they loosened, forcing her legs to wobble as her toes scrunched and unscrunched themselves rather uneasily. Perhaps, simply, to keep her blood flowing more than anything else. "Come on," Aello whispered, as the Akalak pulled his arms back. Causing his pectorals to jump as the sword's point drew against the cage's surface. She knew he was inviting her. Showing her weakness. Saying, silently, there is no need to defend the vitals, for you are too weak and pathetic to strike. It was like when a group of children played a game of soccer, and allowed their goalie to venture out, for they had the win already in the bag, despite the amount of time that remained on the clock. "Come on," Aello whispered once more as he drew closer, obviously waiting for her to try and strike, as much as she waited for him. Fine, I'll get this over with, she resolved, as she took as deep a breath as possible, and strode forward to meet him. Swinging her right arm out to the side a little, before sweeping it back in, to draw across his chest. Easily she was deflected, her blade knocked out of the way, before each was returned to the side. Again, Aello jabbed at him, but was easily deflected, leading her arm to ache with the power put behind the enemy's blade. The jarring sensation which trickled up the length of her arm. The woman grit her teeth as she moved a step closer, balled her left hand into a tight fist, and thrust it at the Akalak's hip, which was about all she could reach without pushing up, or standing on her toes. The man didn't so much as make a move to block as her fist slammed into bone. His skin molding around her knuckles a moment, before she pulled back. He smiled cruelly, obviously, the Cerulean hadn't so much as felt that. Startled, the girl tried lifting her knee into her chest, before extending her leg towards the man. Pushing the flat of her foot against the man's groin. Again, he seemed to feel nothing as she pulled herself away, leaving him to laugh at her. Leaving her to understand that no matter how hard she tried, she had already been beaten. Inwardly, Aello groaned, as the chains which bound her rattled. As she used as much of her strength as she could muster to lunge forward, and twirl at the last second, raking the side of her blade against the Akalak's chest. Again, he deflected, even as she stepped around, attempting the attack again, but from a different vantage point. Despite her attack's inability to leave a mark, it managed to bring Aello's form around, taking her away from the wall and over the eth's fallen body, before she turned to face her opponent again. Entire body trembling as he rounded, swinging his sword viciously at her left arm. Narrowly, she managed to side step, and as his sword cut down into the fallen's body once more, she jammed her dagger into his arm. Severing the strings, and spilling a little blood before pulling away as the man lifted his sword, driving the metal sideways, towards her. Aello again, danced away as he completed his swing, and then tossed the blade casually to his other, good arm. Oh shit... There was a moment where time seemed to slow as the Akalak, now enraged, prepared to swing. And then he fell to the floor. All the girl remembered was a dark coal, a glow of crimson red, before she too fell, and the world went black. The dagger falling faithfully to her side. Caked in fresh blood, which would soon dry to join the remnants. ________________________ Aello's eyes struggled to open. They felt heavy. Slick with sweat, as that found in sickness. But finally they did, even if they did flutter a little. Her vision stretched, making it near impossible to pick out her surroundings, and even during those moments of clarity, the huntress couldn't tell where she had awoken. She couldn't hear much, nor could she feel anything other than something hard beneath her back, and the ache of her bones, her muscles, her entire body. "Oi, she's awake," came a small voice, lending her to believe that she was not only alone, but that she may not escape. Inwardly, Aello shuddered as she forced her head to roll to her side, where she saw her quiver, and her father's old bow. Why would they... OOCAlright Archie, I think this is as far as I dare go without you. Hopefully what I did is alright.