Just North of Daina

The cold was something that had become usual for Isaac. For he had been stuck, wandering the many heights and plains of the great tundra. This vast wasteland had driven him to near the point of total starvation and death. Though so far he had survived, on fish head tea and whatever he could catch, which was very little with such a lack of hunting experience. No better for he, the snow was falling again. His body hugged against his coat, the timeless treading through the snow bringing a sweat to his skin, only to be cooled and freeze to his face.

It would be best to stop for a while and warm, in a small grove of pines, he started a tiny fire and warmed himself. A sudden noise awakened him from his daze into the flame. He stood up and kicked over the fire. It was from below. He moved left, ten paces and reached the edge of a cliff. Below was a warrior laying back in the snow, surrounded by wolves. His instinct kicked in as he jumped the short drop landing between the huntress and the wolves. His technique was already active. His body glowed dark, there was nothing human about him. In the hand where his knife was held was a black smoking blade that was the length of a short sword. His skin became a black smoke, eyes bright red and burning with a fire. His clothes remained normal as he let out a growl. The wolves backed away slowly until Isaac bared his teeth, long penetrating teeth capable of ripping flesh the same black smoke as his skin. His off-hand was open, showing a multitude of clawed fingers reaching 2-5 inches for each claw. The wolves backed away completely.

After they had passed. Isaac turned to face the huntress, his body returning to its normal pale white. His cold blue eyes piercing the day, his Kris slid up his sleeve as he extended his hand to help the elf up. "Your lucky I was around." His voice calm as the moisture from his lungs formed a cloud outside his mouth. "If i hadn't been there, you'd of been eaten alive." he continued, "I don't suppose you know how to get out of here?" He asked, his brow raising. He had been stuck out here for weeks already, he was not prepared to make it months, a guide would be worth much more then any amount of gold at the moment. "I'm Isaac by the way." He said putting on a small smile

Isaac smiled, "No need for thanks. Just doing what i can." She seemed confused by the question, most would since most anyone with a brain would simply follow their way back out from where they came if they got lost. Its not that simple when you are running from a flying demon with the only the feeling of hate towards yourself. Her answer caused him to grin. "Thank the light. I've been wandering for weeks..' he said, without realizing it, and embarrassing himself a little with it. He gave a mirthless chuckle to hide his embarrassment.

While speaking with her, his eyes never ceased their analysis of both her and the area around. Who knew if the wolves wouldn't pull back and decide they could stand a chance, it rarely happened but better safe then in the stomach of a wolf. She was a hunter, with some ability in hunting, a wood elf. She had moderate skill in woodland contritions, she was out of her habitat here though, yet she still could prove fatal if crossed wrong. He noticed all of this without blinking, in fact he noticed all of this simply using another one of his many abilities.

"If you don't mind, i believe we should be trying to get out of here as soon as possible. You can lead the way." He said, he was not just worried about the wolves, there were things much more dangerous then wolves lurking the night in Wyrnos. The seals were weakening, he could feel it. A trait long passed down from his clan, he knew not what it meant, only the flickering thought in the back of his head spoke. "danger. Run." His eyes looked over his back. "You're pretty far from home, might I ask why?" he asked, he didn't care if she didn't tell him. He knew what life was like. Sometimes you have to do things that aren't right to live. He understood that.

"Perhaps we should hurry." He said. The Draghkar had picked up on him again. Its thousand yard gaze could pierce him from so far away. He could feel it, it was only a few miles back now. The stark look on his face conveyed worry to anyone looking at him. His eyes watched their back and above. The fear held a dampness in the air around the two.

He nodded acknowledging the fact that his deed had been paid for by showing the way back out. He began following her as she lead the way, following not far behind. He saw her shiver, and his body tensed up. He licked his lips as they had become chapped, and his eyes darted around. Could she feel it too? He asked himself, no that was impossible. His fingers relaxed and he kept his eyes on the woman in front of him. He wished no harm on the elf, so that meant the sooner they were out of here, the better. He had a nack for bringing danger about him. Best to get away as soon as possible.

She began explaining herself, as to why she was not home. And he rose a brow. "Ah, born and raised in the waste. Thats good, teaches you some skills that most don't learn." He wasn't really interested, but smalltalk would make the journey faster, as long as they were moving he was pleased. She then asked him the question. His face became glum with the question. "Me and elves don't mingle much." He began, he was sure if they were in town together long she would understand. Most noticed his abnormal skin tone and questioned it, it was paler then most elves. A stark white, almost luminescent. There was a reason for it. "I'm the reason my whole clan is dead." he said, a monotonous thousand yard stare on his face as he looked ahead.

"So i'm stuck here too. You should leave if you have the chance." he suggested. His reasoning for it was much more then one. Besides the fact that there are very few people here, and the few that are, are not the most entertaining or friendly individuals. There are also a multitude of creatures that are deadly in their own ways that are much more numerous here then on the mainlands. The possibility of death from wild animal attack was probably increased 15% just by living on this island. And that wasn't all, the dark was rising out of the mountains again. Blood has been spilled one too many times. Town watchmen have become wary of screams in the night, their brothers mutilated without making a noise, while others screaming at shadows.

There was a chill in the air. And Isaac could feel it. A breath escaped his lips again as shadowy figures moved along the trees. "Stay away from the tree's." He cautioned. It looked as if the very trees were moving, and.. well they were. Creatures that can't see and can't move further then their roots travel below ground, but a force to be reckoned with up close. "And don't stop." He said as he began to pick up the pace, his silvery kris shimmering in his hand once again.

The trees could be one of the most or least deadly things in this wasteland. Some who have not ventured here know not what to expect, and are cut off by a limb of a tree, enclosing around his throat, the young adventurer eaten alive by the forest. However there are many more dangerous things in the wilderness. A twig as most call it, is an insect that resembles a simple twig, its bite is fatal if you do not remove the section of flesh that has bitten. The yellowfly is almost too small to see, but if you leave its egg in your skin, you will lose an arm or leg before it hatches - if it does not kill you. Luckily they were far enough south not to be in danger of these numerous creatures. The Blight's reach can only reach so far. Too many times Isaac has seen the smallest of creatures defeat the largest. Today, he assured himself would not be one of those days.

As they continued, the trees began to fade away. They had reached an opening. They were safe for now. And the extra speed they had picked up would bring them closer to home, faster. Not to mention lose the trail of Isaac's pursuer. He had completely forgotten about it as they moved, and took a moment to glance up to the skies above them, and behind them. The cloud cover was good for the beast, since it could see without its eyes. It could strike without Isaac noticing until its fangs inserted into his flesh. He shivered at the thought and kept his Kris close to hand.

Not long after, a silent trot encroached on the pair. Isaac stopped. His cold blue eyes pierced the foggy and snowy landscape ahead of him. The plain was not one of the most deadly things about. In fact the plains were probably one of the safest regions of the waste, which is why Isaac was interested. A silhouette appeared and Isaac pointed. A deer, singular, with large antlers. A 8 point buck he assumed. He kept his voice low and spoke into her ear. "if you're still interested in getting something. I'd say now is your chance." He whispered. The buck was about 75-80 yards away. He knew not her ability. And decided it would be safe to watch their back while she played with her stick and string.

Isaac stood silently as the elf moved to make her kill. He had noticed her shivering, hopefully the thrill of the hunt would warm her, if not he could spare some of his clothing. He had grown used to the freezing temperatures here. As she drew arrow he closed his eyes, it was bad luck to watch a hunter make their shot. Instead he visualized the shot in his head, the full weight of the bow being drawn back slowly and silently until the fateful snap. The arrow leaving the shaft as sparks of moisture blast off of the tightly drawn string. Flying through the air straight and true until impaling the flesh of the deer, bending almost to the point of breaking as the buck reared and twisted before finally collapsing. Opening his eyes, the buck collapsed and Eruraina moved to stand over it knife in hand. He moved at a trot over to her and stood beside her. "Well done, lets make this quick though." He said smiling, glancing over his shoulder. The time lost for killing would have to be made up soon or they would be caught.

Isaac stood tall, wind blowing in his face a little as he glanced around. His eyes analyzing the area around them. In the direction they were heading mainly he would be relieved to see the smoke of houses but there was nothing there. He sighed and moisture escaped his lips as he thought about a warm bed and a fire. Dazing out for a moment until Eruraina had finished her duties. He pulled his hands out of his pockets rubbed them together and began moving. His body stiff from standing still for so long. "Lets be on our way then?" he asked, wondering if that was all she needed.

As they began moving Isaac couldn't help but notice someone in the snow near them. His eyes focused on her. This would be completely odd to Eruraina since in reality there was nothing there. He stopped. "Ilyena?" He asked the air. Above him a creature flew high above, where the two could not see. "Ilyena?!" he shouted now, running in that direction. As he moved to about 5 feet in front of her. The Draghkar dropped in.

The beast stood before him claws inches from Ilyena's flesh, if he were to move any closer, he would surely impale her. The beast would look much like an ordinary man, despite his large leathery wings and large black eyes. Its fingers were long and much more bony becoming claws at the last 3 inches. He had one choice to rescue her. A voice in his head murmured, No, not Balefire, threatens the fabric of the pattern. 'Not even for Ilyena? I would burn the world and use my soul for tinder to hear her laugh again.' His body turned smoking in an instant as he lept towards the Draghkar, growling. It pierced through the image of Ilyena and she faded into nothing. "NO!" He growled, everything became a blur as he and the Draghkar went head to head.

Something overcame Isaac, and he began to tear the beasts flesh limb from limb. He did not even know he was doing it. It whimpered and squealed as Isaac continued to pummel and smash it until it was a bloodied pile of flesh in the snow. He fell to his knees and sat in the snow. Body returning to normal. His eyes unfocused as he looked at the mess. Ilyena. His heart burned like fire.

After a long pause he stood up slowly. Wind whipping at his jacket as he wiped his face of blood and tears. He suffered no injuries despite a few bruises and scratches, the blood was clearly not his. He solemnly turned back and began to head in the original direction they were headed at a walking pace. There was no rush now, he simply needed to walk. I'm sorry Ilyena.. his head shrunk inside its skull. Sick from the sorrow that filled him. There was nothing to say for the time being. He kept his mouth shut and head down, staring at the path in front of him, following the footsteps in the snow from Eruraina's steps.


((Sorry short, didn't know what to say :/))

((Its okay i haven't been much better then you, Yeah just PM one of us and we'll get onto it. I'll finish this post when i get back))

Not long after he had begun his solemn walk back towards the direction they were headed, a voice chimed in. "Wait!" her voice urgent and needy in tone he paused in step and turned to face her. Cold blue eyes staring right through her. As she stopped a few paces behind him. Her voice crisp as day as she continued, "What just happened? I've never heard of anyone rip apart a draghkar before, ever. And who is this Ilyena? Does this have something to do with why you've been wandering this wasteland?" His face became sullen and his looked away. "A trick." He said with a sigh, "The Draghkar tricked me, when my guard was down. He used an image long repressed in my head... Ilyena." His voice trailed off and he swallowed hard.

Her eyes pinpointed on him, like a missile homing into target. He felt the pressure. He exhaled. There was no reason to get worked up about it. "Ilyena, was my first love. My curse passed onto her, and she died, earlier then she should have in childbirth." He said, his eyes looking down at his feet. He did his best to avoid her question about the Draghkar. There are somethings better left unsaid. Anger and loss are cruel tools in fighting; these tools are not meant to be used lightly. But they were small compared to the tools he had utilized.

He turned back towards the direction and began walking. He felt no need to hamper their journey any longer. Besides they could walk and talk at the same time, it wasn't that big of a deal. He still held a solemn look on his face. A look that had been wiped clean for so long now returned. There are some things worth fighting for. And he was not afraid to fight them. The way he carried himself, the way people looked and talked to him; it made him seem like he was looking for a fight, that he was looking for death. Something had changed, his walk was solemn. There was a job to be done and he moved to commit the act.

His eyes glazed over as they continued, the snow was beginning to clear up. He blinked back to reality as her quiet voice spoke again. His ears listened carefully to each word. He turned to look back at her. "It's chasing me, I now know why. They're going to keep chasing me. I suggest you stay as far away from me as possible when we get back. Unless nearly getting yourself killed is one of your hobbies." He said, his face serious, even though there was a bit of a joke, the look never changed. He looked back at the Draghkar he had slayed. An easy opponent as long as you know they're coming. There will be much worse things out here waiting for me. He said looking around. The thought gave him the shivers. "It pushed me out into the wilderness here, i had a companion.. i don't know what happened to her though.. we got separated. I hope she is alright." He said sighing and looking back down at his feet.

Finally after a while the village finally came into view. Diana. He could tell from even this far. Its architecture and location in the mountainside was obvious. A small smile appeared on his face. "Thank the light.." he whispered to himself. And began trotting towards the village. "Come on, lets go." he said hoping she wouldn't be too tired and be able to keep up as he began to run.

As the two made it to the gates he stuttered to a stop. "With me." He said plainly as he made his way down the streets, which had few pedestrians in it because of the cold weather. Most had bundled up in their homes or the local pub. Besides the few traveling from store to home there was no one. He made his way towards the Staff and Song, an Inn clearly from the noise radiating from it. He entered and the warmth embraced him. He inhaled the smells of the room, from the fire to the cider to the sweaty men and women. His ears fell in love with the sound of the fiddle and the flute of a minstral playing in a corner of the room. And then it hit, the smell of a pie. His stomach growled, and the mistress of the house giggled at him. "What can i get you sir?" Isaac smiled at her, "Tell Pious I'm here." He told her and she blinked, expecting something else entirely.

As she began conversing back to him, he looked downwards. "Yeah. I figured about as much. I guess i can't complain much, i told her to follow me." he said looking past the statement. She might have known the terrain better too, so she might already be back home in her bed while he was wandering the wilderness. On the other hand, she could also be very well.. dead. She paused when they crested the next hill and Isaac turned to glance at her, she obviously knew the place well but seemed reluctant to return. He looked back at the town. "Whats wrong?" he asked, examining the village, as if expecting to see something evil lurking the streets, but there was nothing. It obviously had to do something with her own personal self. He said nothing, and simply thought what could have been bothering her, but could not think well enough since he did not know the woman that well.

As they made their way to the gates she piped up again. "Yes, i suppose we should be parting ways for now." he said with a small frown. "Do you live far from here? Perhaps we can meet up in the future." He asked a smile returning to his face. He wouldn't mind company, but at the moment loneliness was the best option. Death walked in his footsteps, and he had no wishes to bring that upon her as well. After she turned into the butcher shop, Isaac shut the door to the Staff and Song.

The man he was looking for, Pious now showed himself. "Isaac, i have not seen you for many winters. What brings you to Daina?" Isaac's solemn frown returned again. "A grave matter." he said opening his hand to reveal a small white stone with a crack beginning to form. His eyes lit up at the sight, "Oh my, lets take this into another room." Pious said a stark look on his face appearing as he led Isaac away from the commotion.

They entered a small room that resembled a study, Pious opened a cupboard and took out two classes and some sort of liquor, Isaac couldn't tell what it was. He raised the glass to ask if he wanted any, Isaac shook his head, Pious shrugged his shoulders and opened the bottle, drinking right from it and placing the cups down. "You know what this means right?" Isaac looked downwards. "yeah.. the second breaking is coming, these people.. they will die." Isaac said quietly, and Pious nodded. "There was a man here, not long ago. Maybe a month or so. He had the same eyes as you. The same! I don't remember his name. But i could tell he knew something. Something is stirring Isaac. Keep your friends close. They will need someone like you soon. Your one of the only ones left. I will send for Sammuel. You go, you know what needs be done." Pious commanded, and downed another large gulp of his liquor. Isaac rose and exited the Staff. A grave look on his face.

After exiting the building he looked up and down the streets. It was dark now. He turned his coat inside out, revealing a deep maroon colored jacket, a way to change identity's quickly was this coats purpose. Its feathered hood now tucked inside to keep his ears warm as he pulled the plain maroon hood over his head. He made his way down the street, his feet crunching in the snow beneath him. A strange power lifted him as he walked. But there was a sound beneath his soles, behind him, restless, endless, nagging, and crude. He looked over his shoulder and saw nothing. He knew it was there though. Hiding in the shadows. He made his way across town to the location Eruraina had told him where she lived. The feeling following him as he moved towards her house. He kept his hood up as he reached the doorway. He glanced over looking both ways, a small fire lit inside her home illuminating the area around the house.

He knocked twice and pulled his hood closer around him. He waited for her to answer the door. Time was of the essence now, but he knew what needed be done. His heart pounded as the feeling grew graver behind him. It rasped his soul as he began to tap his foot in anxiety. He blinked his eyes and for a second he could somehow tell the direction the feeling came from, to his left near town in one of the alleyways. The cold outside gave him goosebumps as he rubbed his hands together, his breath cool as it escaped his mouth. His right index finger twitched slightly in the dark.

As soon as she opened the door his eyes glanced up at her face. He smiled at her uncertainty, and then allowed himself in. He removed his hood. The smile erased from his lips. "Gather your things. You need to leave here." He said sternly. "You have a horse right? Ride. It doesn't matter where. Far from here. Far from Wyrnos." He said, his eyes their stark blue as he spoke, looking her directly in the eyes. "If you have family here. Tell them the same." He said the fire crackling as he finished. The smell of her cooking meat entered his nose and his stomach rumbled slightly. He ignored it.

"The world is about to change for the worst. I cannot explain it to you. I can only tell you this. In a few months time. The world will be a whole new place." he said eyes drifting into the firelight. He reached into his coat pocket, fingering the smooth stone in it, its tiny crack remaining. "I will be leaving too, so you need not worry about me. I'm going to Anahera. You are welcome to come along if you please. I leave at dawn. Meet me at the south gate if you want to come along. Leave nothing you love here, but bring no more then you can carry on your horse, nothing will be here when we return." His voice echoed in the room. A pound came at the door. Isaac motioned her to be quiet. And a sudden darkness enveloped the fire as Isaac clasped his hand. The rooms temperature dropped as Isaac went to the door.

He put his ear to the door and closed his eyes, listening. A deep sound of breathing was heard, rapid and hard. He opened his hand and the fire relived as he opened the door, Pious standing there. Holding the reins of a huge brown stallion. "The horse you summoned." Isaac nodded. "Put it with the other, how did you know i was here?" he asked raising a brow. Pious grinned. "I never lose my talent boy." Pious said almost chuckling and Isaac nodded. "Thank you, leave us." He said, and Pious left, Isaac closed the door. "I warn you, the path i take is dangerous and full of struggle. But it would be better then being alone in the weeks to come." He said sighing. "So will you come?" he asked, his piercing eyes looking at her.

She asked for him to explain more. He could do no such thing. "I cannot explain anything. I only know what is in my head and my heart. And this." He said, pulling out the small stone with the tiny crack in it. "This was a parting gift, from my father before he died like the others.. because of me. I do not know its purpose but all my life it has remained unscathed. I tried to break it even.. Took a hammer and it didn't even crack. Now suddenly this appears. It is a dark sign. Haven't you noticed how restless the island has been lately? The wolves more hostile, the waste.. its moving closer to the cities." he said, hoping she would have noticed to, if she lived her whole life there. "I know its true." he urged, his voice becoming desperate.

"I have no wish for you to become my slave. Or any sort of thing like that." he said offended at the thought of her thinking him that sort of man. "I have not many friends here. And i'd like to think you are one. I'm doing this to protect you!" his voice urging again, as he rose his fist and a bit of black smoke erupted from his nose. He looked away. I would not mind you in my head. A voice spoke inside Isaac's head. One he had never heard before. If you were not so clearly mad. Isaac's eyes opened a little and he became confused. Who are you!? He thought to himself, the voice laughed and became nothing. Who are you!?? he asked again inside his head. The voice became silent. His facial expression went back to neutral. Ignoring what had just happened within the confides of his own mind.. what was that.. he asked himself.