Hate (I Really Don't Like You)

[Max452]

Tyrant laughed. It appeared he had struck a nerve with Marola. He watched her zoom toward him; his eyes trained on the flaming hand. He manuevered to the right, avoiding the blow, but not before shooting out his lightning toward Marcus, or what had appeared toward Marcus. Tyrant was enjoying Marola's reaction toward their reunion and wanted to see how much she could fume about it. He aimed his spell just an inch away from Marola's husband, teasing his skin with its sparks, but never hitting him. This was such a fun family to torment!

As Tyrant dodged, he scooted himself away from Marola, as if playing a game of chase. "Now, now, don't be so hasty; honesty, you never change. Tell me Marcus? Does she always seem so eager to go to bed still? My memory is a bit foggy on that. Mostly I just remember her pushing me onto the bed..." He let that image sink into the man's skull. This was fun! He frowned a bit at the notion of not harming Marola' family. "Now where is the fun in not inviting the whole family for this reunion?" Tyrant laughed again. His eyes glanced at Cortell, seemingly feeling a familiarity from the boy. He merely snorted at the mention of Einar and Gianna. "Those fools; they'll have to wait their turn! I'll rip Gianna's spine out in front of that scarred traitor!" A sickly smile formed on the Shade's lips. "And then I'll watch this city burn to the ground." He laughed happily.

[Tismri]

Marola couldn't help but glare at the Shade, eyes narrowing as he evaded her. But thankfully, her attack seemed to have distracted him, causing him to miss striking Marcus by mere inches. She expressed no reaction as he mentioned inviting her entire family to this battle; she was glad he didn't seem to know how many children she actually had.
She glanced for half a second at Cortell and nodded to him. Her son understood; it was dangerous for him to go out the door and walk so close by the Shade, but he had to go get Einar and Gianna. He went back inside the house and went out a window through the far side, and took another way back into town. He flew through the streets to Einar's house as quickly as his feet would take him.
"UNCLE!" he called out, hoping Einar would hear him from this distance. "Mother and Father are in trouble! You must come!"

Marola quietly seethed as Tyr tried to vex Marcus. She remembered those foolish nights with perfect clarity, and she had always been honest with her husband about them. After all, she had a child to show for it. She only hoped he wouldn't become too angered hearing it from the man himself.
"You won't get the chance to harm anyone," she declared when he mentioned burning the city to the ground. She lunged at him again, spinning with her hand flat and causing her fire to burn hotter, hoping to slice through his heart with the heat.
Hurry, Rauthr! she called out desperately to her bond. She felt him increase his speed even more, causing him strain, and he didn't even say a response so focused he was on flying.

[Trinn]

Marcus ground his teeth together, his clarity turning into a rage at every word the shade spoke. He knew that his wife had had another lover. She had told him such. But to hear it so brutally from this creature... He bit back the words he wanted to speak. They would be useless, as useless as he was in this fight. His eyes widened then at the spark of electricity thrown his way. There was no time to dodge, so he was thankful when the sparks missed him by mere inches. Still he could feel the sting from their passing. The hair on his arm stood straight out from the electrical charge in the air. This had to end! Drawing his bowstring taught once more, he focused on the shade, waiting for the best moment to release his arrow.

[Max452]

"Ooo! I've forgotten how haughty you are!" Tyrant cackled again as he dodged Marola's attack, broadening the distance. The crazed Shade was enjoying taunting Marola, if only to show Marcus how brutal his wife could be...to show him who she truly was. "Is that the best you have? Maybe if I plant you a kiss you would perform better, eh? That always seemed to work in our escapades." Tyrant flashed Marola his trademark grin. He glanced briefly at Marcus, noting his position and the dangerous arrow. Red eyes flickered back to Marola's flaming hand. Perhaps he should get serious now...Katriana wouldn't be too pleased to find him fooling around so much. He mentally shook his head. One more taunt and then he'll get serious. "Oh, Marola, I forgot to ask, how is my son doing? Perhaps I should introduce myself to him? What do you think? He would make a fine Shade, I think..." Tyrant declared, feigning seriousness.

***
Einar, with hoe in hand, was busy kneading the field's soil in preparation for the wheat he would be planting soon. It was nearing the time and Einar wanted to get it down soon so his family and Celesti would have wheat in the early summer of next year. It was a peaceful process, one that he thoroughly enjoyed after knowing only how to kill his whole life. He was quite serious in taking up the role of a farmer, wishing to put down his sword and focus on raising his family. Of course, that did not mean he didn't train his children in the art of defense or neglect his duty as a Rider, but it meant that his life wasn't merely about death, but life. He was thus engaged when his sensitive ears picked up a frantic voice. Stopping, Einar gazed off toward town, listening more carefully. He knew that voice. Cortell. And he sounded worried. Dropping his hoe, Einar raced out of their field and inside the house, tredding in dirt as he went. He went straight toward his bedroom and hastily retrieved Edoc'sil. He glanced at his wife quickly. "Something's wrong. Cortell sounds in trouble." He informed her as he raced out of the house.

Stigandr soon appeared nearby, waiting for Einar, but the Rider sent a mental shake of his head toward his dragon. No. Cortell is coming, I need to meet him. Take to the skies, old friend and see if you can find the meaning of his distress.
Very well. The large silver dragon bounded upward and raced to circle the town, eyes gazing. He spotted Cortell running, and then spotted his own Rider running to meet him.

"Cortell! What's the matter?" Einar asked, worried at what could cause Cortell to yell as such.

[Tismri]

Marola tried to ignore the Shade's maddened laugh as she focused on her attack against him. She knew Marcus was aiming an arrow at him. They would have to time it just right; she'd have to distract the thing and move out of the way just before the arrow hit. She wished she had practiced more fighting over the years; her skills seemed just a little rusty.
Tyrant's final taunt did it in for her. Her expression looked positively insane, and the sound that came from her throat was like an enraged dragon. She swung her arm at him, fist her right hand, then her fist, then a kick.
"HE. IS. NOT. YOUR. SON!!!!" she shrieked, jumping at him. She wanted to tackle him and rip his heart out with her bare hands.
~~~~~
Cortell was breathless by the time he finally met up with Einar. He spotted Stigandr in the sky above and was glad the dragon was close at hand. Rauthr was still a good thirty minutes away from the town.
"Mother and Father are fighting a Shade," Cortell panted out, trying to catch his breath. "Uncle, you have to help. I've never seen Mother so angry at anything before!"

[Trinn]

Gianna looked up from he vegetables she was busy preserving in jars for the winter. Einar looked worried, and thus her own anxiety rose up. Abandoning the jar of carrots, she picked up a steel short sword and followed her husband out the door. She regretted for an instant leaving Skolir with her daughter. But the thought vanished quickly. Eva needed it for the test. Close on Einar's heels, she felt her breath catch when Cortell announced the presence of a shade. Now she truly did regret not having Skolir by her side. Gladia! she shouted out with her mind.

Already in the sky. Stigandr and I are almost there. Yes! A shade is fighting with Marola! And Marcus is there too! We must hurry! Gianna agreed and charged into a flat it run towards Marola's home.

[Max452]

Tyrant's bemused grin faded slightly as Marola attacked him with more fury. Tyrant brought up his arms to block her fists and raised his knee up to block the kick that she delivered. She seemed slower than he remembered, but that was perhaps due to him being a Shade now; Marola always had the advantage when he was Tyr, as he was a human than and she a bonded half elf rider. He continued to fight defensively, eager to see how much darkness he could rile out of her; she was much more fun to play with then. "Well, that's a blatant lie." Tyrant mused as he continued to block, untired from their fight. "Is this the best you can do, Rola? I'm finding that I prefer you're younger self - she was fiesty." Tyrant commented as he swiped himself around Marola when she jumped him, distancing himself, but not before planting a quick kiss on her cheek as he darted away. He laughed as he dashed back into the road, watching her reaction closely.

Tryant was than aware of the dragons in the sky, coming toward him. This would be interesting. It had been awhile since he used his powers. His eyes narrowed in annoyance though, when he spotted the purple dragon. They were suppose to be dead. But, Tyrant had discovered after his birth that they were still alive. Angered, he had made sure that he trained and learned more spells that would make him invincible; this was also how he encountered Katriana. This is how one of the main reasons he had waited for so long to enact his revenge.

***
"A Shade?!" Einar was glad he had brought Edoc's il. "Cortell! Make sure your siblings are safe as well as the rest of the tribe!" He instructed his nephew, his eyes darting to his wife with concern. Her skills had grown since the war, but she had never faced a Shade before now. His eyes narrowed at the thought of the Shade. So its started.. Einar thought as he then ran off to help Marola, thinking of the Shade Rider that was rumored to plague the land. "Let's go." His voice urgent as he glanced over to his beloved wife.

OOC: Does Einar know she's pregnant yet?

[Tismri]

Marola was slightly surprised when Tyrant evaded her so easily, but was even more offset by the peck he'd planted on her cheek. It was so unexpected that she remained stunned for a second, on all fours on the ground.
"He's not your son," she repeated, the absolute hatred evident in her voice. "You may have fathered him, but you are not his father. You cannot claim him." She knew Cortell could sense her hate, and she knew that more than anything was frightening him. She hadn't felt such rage since he was born.
She glanced up into the sky, seeing Stigandr and Gladia coming; she knew Cortell had done his job well. Einar and Gianna were also coming. That should even their odds against this foul creature. She reached her mind to her friends as she struggled to stand back up.
Take care, friends. This Shade is strong, and...he houses the spirit of our old enemy. She had a feeling they would all know who she was talking about. Aside from Galbatorix, there was really only one person they had all felt the same degree of hatred for, who was intricately involved in all their lives.
She stood and faced the demon who threatened her family and friends. "I hate you," she informed him in an understatement.
~~~~~
Cortell watched Einar and Gianna take off running toward his home. He knew his youngest siblings were in the house, hiding as he'd instructed them to do whenever he first sensed their mother fighting. But he had no idea where Daeron had gotten off to. Probably somewhere in town with his "friends." Cortell worried about his brother sometimes, not liking the direction he seemed to be headed. He went off in search for him.

[Trinn]

This was his chance! With Marola crouched down and out of the way, Marcus let fly his arrow at the shade's heart. He hoped the monster was distracted enough not to noticed the shaft whizzing through the air. Fly true, arrow. he thought desperately.
***

An old enemy... Gladia realized with a jolt who Marola spoke of. Her amethyst eyes contracted as she focused on the small figure of the shade below. She did not recognize the man she hated more than any other, but she did recognize that smirk. Despite herself, a piercing, raging roar ripped from her throat. It was savage and wild, filled with anger and hate. Tyr Valentine! He had killed her rider once. And if not for a good amount of dragon magic, she would still be dead! The memory of that day was still carved into her mind, and now it seemed more fresh than ever. What she wanted more than anything right now was to tear and rip the shade until he was no more than a pile of blood.
***

That same anger and rage now filled Gianna. Her dragons emotions were strong, and they threatened to overwhelm her. She ignored Einar's look of concern. Tyr Valentine had caused them all nothing but pain and years of misery. He had tried killing her, had almost succeeded. He had almost killed Gladia. "I will kill him!" She said aloud, through the haze of rage she felt now. She picked up her speed, running as fast as any elf. In a moment she was standing in the street behind the shade. Lifting her sword, she thrust at his heart while a battle cry tore from her lips.

OOC: Lets say he does know.

[Max452]

OOC: Memo to self - don't get on Gladia's bad side.

Tyrant laughed as he stared down Marola. Her statement wasn't much of surprise to him. "Well, I just really don't like you, either." He replied cynically. "And as for my son, I think I shall get to know him better..." He suddenly sensed danger as his senses tingled from two things: the arrow that Marcus had shot and the viscious roar that came behind him.

***
"Gianna!" Einar yelled out as his wife darted off. He was surprised at the identity of the shade, and was mostly shocked than angered. He had made sure that Tyr was dead! Now, that blasted fiend had returned into their lives. He understood completely the rage he sensed from Gianna and from Stigandr. Tyr had wounded them all deeply. He sped after his wife, trying to maintain a cool head, and trying to keep back that creeping desire to kill that he had thought died years ago.

***
Tyrant's speed increased as he caught the arrow that was streaming toward and immediately spun himself away from Gianna's blade. He snapped the arrow in two and unsheathed his sword in a blur. His evil smile directed at the purple Rider. "Ooo, look what we have here! Didn't I kill you?" Tyrant laughed but was again distracted by another old foe.

"That's a question I was about to ask." Einar hissed out as Edoc'sil struck Tyrant's blade. Tyrant pushed himself off, skidding backwards and away from the four adults.

"This is a delightful reunion, don't you think?" Tyrant asked and chuckled evily. "I'm glad you are all here! Now Katriana will be pleased that I would deliver her message to you all!" He laughed again and his free hand suddenly cackled again as lightning reverberated in his palm. "A new age is coming. This world will be purged in blood!"

***
Daeron was sneaking out of the tavern's back window, where his friends were waiting for his latest "find". The young man had snuck in to retrieve one of the barman's famous mead. Now, he was in the process of passing out the waterskins that he had filled them in through the window.
"Well done, Daeron!" One of his friends said as the young man slipped out of the window and onto his feet. He grabbed one of the skins that was offered and opened it to take a drink...

[Tismri]

Marola was a little stunned by the fierocity with which Gianna attacked the Shade. Years of buried resentment being brought so suddenly to the surface seemed to have a strange effect on all of them. However, with her arrival, and that of Einar, Marola felt just a bit calmer and more rational. She extinguished her fire. With her friends surrounding her, she felt there was a reduced threat against her children and loved ones; however, she still kept her guard up.
Her eyebrows knit together at the Shade's next words. The name Katriana reverberated in her mind like a forgotten tune; she knew she had heard that name before, perhaps known someone with that name.
"I don't know what you mean by that," she said, readying her stance again and bringing back her fire, "But whatever your scheme is, you will be stopped."
~~~~~
Cortell looked around the streets, trying to stay calm. Mother felt not so angry anymore, or at least more clear-minded. That was helpful. Her rage had been distracting.
He spotted his younger brother outside a window of the bar, passing around waterskins. Cortell could detect the scent of honey from them.
"Aren't you all a little young to be drinking this?" he asked. "Especially if you haven't paid for it." He grabbed up the skin and glanced around at them. "An emergency has come up. I need all of you indoors at once. Daeron...I want to have a talk with you later." He began to shepherd the group of them into the bar, since it was the closest building. Once inside, he called the barman.
"You might want to keep a lock on your storeroom windows," he informed him, handing back the stolen mead. Then Cortell turned to his brother.
"Daeron, I need you to watch after everyone in here. Make sure nobody leaves until I or one of the town elders comes for you. Okay?"

[Trinn]

OOC: Yep. Gladia is super nice, but she is crazy ferocious at times like this. lol

Gianna was furious at the speed and ease with which Tyr blocked her attack. He sword arm bounced away from him when he parried, showing how strong the shade really was. Still, that did not deter her. She made to attack again, but held back when Einar swept in. She looked across the group, at Marcus. She felt afraid for him in this skirmish. He was like a brother and a father to her, and her best friend. They had created Gladia Celesti together. He met her eyes, and she gestured for him to escape. But his brown eyes were determined, and she knew that he would not budge.

So be it, she turned her attention back to the shade of Tyr. She hated the sight of him, and she hated his voice. She hated everything about him. Purged in blood? A quick chill came over her, before her anger erased it. Marola was right. He would be stopped. She moved to her left, so that Tyr was circled by the four of them. The earth shuddered then as Gladia landed. Gianna didn't need to look to know that her dragon's lips were curled back in an almost rabid snarl. Stay back, Gladia... Wait for the right moment. She told her bond, trying to calm them both. But Gladia was more enraged than Gianna had ever seen her. She knew that it took a great amount of willpower for her dragon not to attack at that instant.

[Max452]

"Hey!" Daeron glared at his brother as his mead was taken away. He could hear his friends mental groans. Some even scared of Cortell. Apparently his older brother was top notch among his peers. Well, Daeron thought so too, but he never seemed to garner his own acknowledgment if he followed his brother in everything. "What's wrong with you, eh? We're just having some fun." Daeron seethed out as they were herded into the tavern. Daeron felt a bit guilty for stealing, especially when Cortell announced it to the bartender. Mother and Father would not like this. Daeron finally registered that something was going on. He blinked at his brother, a flicker of his old innocent self resonating on his face. "What's wrong? Is our family okay?" If his family was in trouble, Daeron wanted to be there, to help!

***
Tyrant grinned at Marola, his red eyes flickering to the others quickly, noting their positons. He was being cornered in. "Who said it was I, who is scheming this time, Rola?" The Shade hung the question in the air. "I am merely a humble, willing, messenger." The lightening around him cackled. "And my message is simple: A purge will be made and all that oppose the Shade Rider Katriana and the mighty Vanilor will soak the earth with their blood." At this, Tyrant's voice was dark and menacing. "Enjoy this so called peace, for now, my old friends." He cackled and then unleashed his chittering light at the weakest foe here: Marcus Celesti. "Watch all you love shatter before your eyes!" Tyrant's voice reverberated over the chatter.

[Tismri]

Marola thought she could not have heard him right. Did the Shade just say a Shade Rider and her dragon were going to purge the world? The thought was such a horrifyingly foreign concept that she felt just sick at the thought. Yet, from the glee he seemed to express, she felt sickeningly certain that it was true.
She hardly had time to think on that. She observed Tyrant aiming his spell at Marcus. Because the Shade was faster than she was, she knew she couldn't stop him from unleashing the spell. Still, she reacted in an instant, throwing herself in front of her husband, feeling the deathly crackle of the lightning spell soar through her veins. She stood there to take the full blow, which caused her pain like she had not felt since Galbatorix tortured her all those years ago, just before she joined Gladia Celesti. She faced Marcus, the love of her life. The man with whom she had made four children, and who was a father to her eldest. Her life revolved around him, and she refused to let this abomination kill him. She smiled slightly, though the pain left her nearly paralyzed. She didn't need to say the words; her actions spoke for themselves.
I love you, she thought.
~~~~~
Cortell felt slightly impatient, but knew he needed to explain things satisfactorally to his brother.
"Our family is fine, Daeron," he tried to assure him. "Mother and Father are dealing with the crisis right now. I need you to help make sure the rest of the town stays safe. Can you do that for me?" Cortell felt it was important to let his little brother know that he had an important job right now.
Then he paled, turning nearly as white as a sheet. A sensation like fire echoed through his mind, a pain so unbearable he wanted to fall on the floor. His eyes grew wide and he turned to the door. Something was wrong. Terribly, terribly wrong.
"Mother!!!" he called out, fleeing the building and running as fast as possible to find what had happened to her. His ran back home even faster than he had run to find Einar, his fear driving him forward.

[Trinn]

There was no way he could avoid it. Marcus stood too close to the shade, and he wasn't as fast as he used to be. Anyways, lightening was always faster than man. He closed his eyes and braced for the impact, accepting his death. He heard Marola shout out, and then he felt a rush of wind like somebody moving by him. His eyes snapped open to behold Marola, struck by the lightning. It was as if his spirit cried out in pain at the sight. "No!" He shouted, catching her in his strong arms. Her skin felt hot and full of static. He lowered himself to the ground with his wife, brushing the hair from her scorched face. "Don't leave me, Marola." He told her desperately. "I love you too damn much to lose you!" He ignored the shade now. He could hear Gianna clashing again with him, probably Einar too. Somewhere behind him Gladia roared in outrage. He cursed himself for not being stronger, for not being good at magic, and for letting his wife suffer.
***

As soon as the shade made his move, Gianna lunged forward and struck at him again with her sword. The sight of the lightening left her feeling slightly woozy. She still had scars from when she had been struck dead. Or at least, mostly dead. Marola... She couldn't focus on that now. The shade had to die!