Journey to Find the Lost

[Trinn]

Eva jumped off of Eos right after Antien, twirling Aiedail in her hand. The shades landed seconds later, looks of vicious, cruel hunger in their faces. Wretched beasts. Eos reared her had and roared, making Eva wince as he sound pierced her ears. The shades looked unperturbed. There was only a moments break, when the shades discussed whom they would attack, before the battle began anew again. Eva was somewhat upset at the way Antien stood before her. She had told him she wasn't a damsel! And there was another part of her, though small, that hoped it meant he did not hate her, after all.

There was no more time for thought now as the man shade swept by Antien cleverly. Eva was ready. She met his attack head on, forcing Aiedail up to protect her. She pushed back on her blade, trying to force the shade back. He was strong, though, stronger than she had ever expected. Shades were notorious for their hard to kill nature. This battle may not end in their favor, Eva thought with a flash of fear, before she was able to push that emotion away.
***

"You know me too well!" Morna said, eyeing Antien up and down. She hissed at him in a cat like manner at his snide remark about her burnt flesh. Then Tyrant was moving, and Morna came after him. Just as Antien evaded Tyrant's slash, which in turn directed the shade towards the girl, Morna came at Antien with a barrage of slashes and thrusts. "Hello Elf! I think you look familiar!" Morna came in close to him, as if smelling him. "You still smell like that fur laden elf. What was his name? Bloghden? Didn't he attract females? Ah! I'm sure you must still be pining after him, poor lover." Morna grinned wickedly, enjoying her play.

[Max452]

Antien lifted his sword, blocking Morna's thrusts and jabs at him. His eyes glowered dangerously at Morna and her snarky taunts about his friend. He wanted to cut her tongue for the remarks she had made. He retalited with his own swordplay, twisting himself about to gain the upper hand to to strike at her non-existant heart. He kept his mouth clamped shut, knowing that the Shade was trying to get him riled up to make a mistake. He would not give her the pleasure of it. He concentrated on fighting her, but he could not help but dart one eye over to Eva, a worried look emitting within it. He turned his attention back to Morna, watching her charred skin continue to heal as he tried to stab her as he twirled and fought with amazing speed.

***
Tyrant laughed manically as the yellow blade blocked his attack. "Oooh, you are fiesty." His red eyes analyzed Eva provocatively. "I like fiesty." He cackled as he pressed harder against his sword, drawing himself closer to the young Rider. He inhaled her scent. "Mmm, I know your scent...so different and new though....familiar..." His eyes flickered back to another fight he had with a woman that matched Eva's appearance. His red eyes brightened as he realized the connection. "Ooo.. what luck do I have! To kill Einar and Gianna's little brat!" Tyrant flashed Eva a gruesome smile. "I will enjoy making them suffer when I prolong your death..." He eyed her ravaneously as he darted away for a moment, gaining space, before charging once again, his blade blurring with incredible speed as it sought to taste Eva's flesh. Tyrant was going to have killing the girl! Though, he must be weary of the dragon! His negilgence of Gladia had robbed him of one kill - he will not make the same mistake twice!

[Trinn]

Morna laughed, thoroughly enjoying her spar with Antien. It had been ages since she had been so evenly matched. "This is fun!" she said to Antien, flashing him her teeth. "But like all games, it must end. Will it be your heart or mine?" she said, her voice taking on a bloodthirsty quality. Her eyes turned more serious, loosing their grim mirth. A deadly seriousness took place. "I will kill you, noble elf. And then, your little human girl will suffer greatly. It looks like my dear Tyrant knows her mummy and daddy." Morna was pressed back a bit by Antien's attacks, but now she truly fought back. Leaping up in a blur, she somersaulted over his head and landed behind him, twisting her dread sword at his rib cage.
***

Eva glared at the shade. How did he know her parents? From the war, most likely. Too bad they hadn't been able to kill him then. But thinking briefly about it, Eva realized her parents would not have been very experienced riders then, either. A little more than her, was all. Well, if they could survive this shade, so would she! Determination filled her for a moment, though it dwindled slightly when the shade attacked her again, more ferociously and skillfully this time. She felt fear, and this time, she couldn't get it to leave her.

The shade was much quicker than she, who had not gained the full benefits of the bond yet. She moved as quickly as she could, but she could not quite keep up. She suffered for it, receiving a deep gash in her shoulder and on her stomach. Eva whimpered in pain. She was proud of herself for not crying out like a green soldier. Nearby, Eos roared in outrage.

The yellow dragon pounced at the shade, moving faster than Eva thought she could. The dragon's gleaming white talons were outstretched, hungry for prey. Eva pranced backwards, grateful for the respite Eos provided her.

[Max452]

Keeping his stoic demeanor as the Shade spoke, Antien continued to hold his own against the Shade; he had to kill her to help Eva. He did his best to not get rattled by her words, for allowing his fear dominant him was unacceptable to the young elf. However, the moment Morna mentioned killing Eva, Antien's composure snapped. "You nor your fiend of a companion will not touch her!" Antien snarled out as his eyes barely kept up with the Shade's movements. He managed to block her blow to his ribs as he pressed both hands against his sword. This shade was strong and dangerous. Antien pushed hard against the weapon and once it was pushed away, he charged, a battle cry fleeing his lips as he attacked harder, faster and stronger against the Shade. His blade sliced through the air as it tried to pierce Morna; lunges toward her core organs were consistant as Antien tried to breach the Shade's defenses across her heart.

***
Tyrant continued to laugh, whole heartedly amused that his opponent was Einar and Gianna's child. "I'll chop you up into tiny bits! So your parents will both have fits!" Tyrant badly sang as he continued to speed about her, lowering her defenses so he could slice her here and there. A grin smeared his face as he saw blood caress his blade. He would draw out her death real good! His moment of glee faded when the dragon intervened. "Ack!" Tyrant backpeddled from an attack to avoid Eos's dangerous talons. He barely managed to escape her talons, having felt one silce against his side. The Shade hissed in annoyance, feeling his unnatural body already begin healing as he muttered some spells to help speed the process. "Hey! No fair!" He yelled at the dragon, annoyed that he was momentarily denied his fun. "Lightening form in my hand!" He commanded in the ancient language. "I shall teach you a lesson, dragon! You shall have the privlege of feeling what your bond's Mother and dragon felt when I almost killed them!" He shouted at to them as he unleashed his lightening at Eos.

[Trinn]

"That's more like it!" Morna urged as she parried the sword strikes fiercely directed at her. It seemed she had struck a nerve with the elf! The somber expression on her face melted and she giggled gleefully. "Do you hear that, girl!" Morna said, raising her voice. "This elf has a soft spot for you! Haha, isn't that just tragic!" Unfortunately, her mirth proved a distraction. She parried when she should have blocked and pushed. Antien's sword slid past her guard and into her stomach, sliding all the way though and out her back. "Ugh," she moaned, feeling an echo of the pain it would have caused her as a human. But the spirits had made her stronger. "You missed." she said raggedly, her smile now more gruesome. Stepping forward, she impaled herself further on the sword and grabbed Antien's sword hand. "My turn!" Lunging back with her arm, she snapped it forward and stabbed at Antien.
***

"What," Eva muttered. He had almost killed her mother? And Gladia? For some reason, it made Eva feel cold inside, but there a deeper rage building inside her. Her mother and father had suffered much in their youth, and it seemed this shade had been a deep part of that. Her rage melted into near despair when the shade, Tyrant, sent a sudden shock of electricity towards Eos. "NO!" Eva screamed, and on instinct, dropped her sword and dashed in front of her bond. "Lightning gather in my arms and return to your master!" She shouted in the ancient tongue, arms spread wide.

The lightning struck her, and she staggered back a step at the force. But it did not hit her directly, but rather, seemed to pool between her outstretched arms before flying back towards Tyrant as one large lightning bolt. Eva, your sword! Eos warned. Eva rolled to her side and collected Aiedail. She sprang up and rushed at Tyrant, a battle cry echoing Antien's flying from her lips.

[Max452]

Antien grimaced as Morna's blade pierced his shoulder. He let out a small cry of pain and staggered backward, slapping his opponent's blade aside with his own to gain some footing. He had gotten distracted when he spotted lightening streak toward Eos and Eva had intended to take the hit; it didn't appear so as he spotted the lightening speed back to the male Shade. His relief was short lived when he felt cold steel stab him.

Antien returned to facing his opponent as his right shoulder was now wounded. He could barely lift his sword and was force to switch sword hands with a toss of his sword. He caught the hilt of his sword and resumed his fight with Morna, though, a bit more sluggish; it had been awhile since he had practiced fighting with his left hand. Antien continued to fight as valiently as he could against the Shade, but deep inside, he knew that both he and Eva needed help if they were to survive without dreadful casualties.

***
Tyrant was cackling as the electricity bombarded toward Eos and even more so when he saw Eva go and take the hit. He held his stomach as he laughed. Humans were so predicatable! Always trying to save one another by sacrifice. So pathetic! He laughed harder.

Tyrant's laugh was cut off when he heard electricity coming near him. His eyes went wide as he realized that he left his guard down. The lightening hit him full force and the Shade went flying back from the shock. His body tumbled to the ground, skidding to a stop as dust shrouded his body for a moment. Tyrant's body was still for but a moment as the smell of burnt flesh filled the air. Then, the Shade began to move, his red eyes more poignent through his charred face as he lifted himself to face Eva. "Big mistake." His voice was calm, deadly now. He uttered some spells, and his skin began to heal rapidly. "No more playing, little girl. I'll kill you now." The Shade's tone serious as he gazed at Eva's oncoming onslaught. He raised his blade to block Aiedial, while his other hand lashed out to try and grab Eva's neck to choke her.

[Trinn]

OOC: Perhaps now is a good time for Elaine....

Bromsland was really too far away, Elaine mused, as she sat atop Eridor. The two had traveled across Alagaesia, from their home near the Surdan border. She had yet to visit this new city of the dragon riders, and with the war looming so close, it was time she and Eridor payed a visit. Nasuada had sent ambassador's already to warn the Masters in New Doru Arabea, but Elaine had felt an unexplainable urge to go to them herself. If only to make double sure they would send help that Alagaesia would desperately need.

It was as she was nearing the end of the Alagaesian border that she noticed the skirmish before. Two shades, an elf, and a young dragon and rider. Eridor said stoically, his voice like the rumbling of thunder.

I see. It looks like they may need some help... bring us low, Eridor. she asked of her bond, and he obliged.
***

Before Eva could back away, the shade's hand flashed out and caught her around the neck. His strength was incredible. His fingers wouldn't budge no matter how she pried at them. Air wheezed out of her, leaving her gasping for more. She could feel blood filling her face as the shade choked her. The earth rumbled and she knew that Eos was charging, but there was little her dragon could do without hurting her in the process. Eva's eyes rolled upwards, about to pass out, when she saw a strange thing. Something was plummeting out of the sky, towards Tyrant. As it got closer, Eva recognized a human figure. The figure moved silently through the air, though. Even when the person, a woman, landed behind Tyrant, there was no sound. Was this her savior? Eva wondered, as her world blackened around her.
***

Elaine landed like a ghost behind Tyrant, spells muting any noise she might have made and allowing her to land safely from such a height. Eridor circled above, watching. He had told the young dragon to stay back, and to it's credit, had listened. Celobra's pearly gray steel was already unsheathed and in hand. Lunging out, Elaine stabbed quickly, aiming for the shades heart.

[Tismri]

Marola peered at the ground below as Rauthr flew over. She had been following a lead of where Gloriann might have gone. Concern for her lost child consumed her every thought, and even Rauthr had difficulty trying to reason with her.
She spotted the skirmish below, and immediately recognized the young Rider and dragon. And the Shade her niece was fighting. Marola felt her blood boil at the sight of Tyrant attacking Eva and Eos. However, another Rider and dragon had also appeared and was coming to the girl's defense, so Marola turned her attention toward the elf and other Shade. He seemed to be in bad condition, and the Shade seemed about to be triumphant.
Take us low, she told Rauthr. She wasn't about to let Eva or any of her companions fall into these creatures' hands. Also, she knew Tyrant had some connection to the Shade Rider. She would capture one of these Shades and wring their necks for answers if she had to.
Rauthr complied with her request, lowering toward the ground. When they were far enough, she jumped from the saddle and landed gracefully on the ground, drawing her sword. She landed a few feet away, to the side of the elf and female Shade and quickly approached. Capturing a Shade alive was going to be suicidal, but she would attempt anything for her daughter.
"Playtime is over," she said calmly as she swung her blade toward the Shade.

[Max452]

OOC: Yay!!! Elaine finally gets some air time lol.

A sinister smile formed on Tyrant's face as he felt Eva's breath slowly leave her. He had wanted to finish her nice and slow, but she had irritated him by hurting him with his own power. So, now, he will make her death a bit quicker, but slow enough for her last thoughts to be of failure and death. He's lips were partly opened as he relished in killing the child of his enemies. He was thus caught up that it was merely seconds before the attack that he had sensed Elaine's presence. Tyrant dropped Eva's body as he hissed to his side, barely avoiding the thrash to his heart. Tyrant growled out as he rolled away. He grimaced as he stared down at his chest. The new assailant had pierced dangerously close to his heart. He groaned. This wound would take longer to heal as it was near his vital organ. He glared over to Elaine, recognizing Stormwing's rider. "Oh look, a Varden brat." Tyrant snarled, holding a hand to his chest while the other gripped his sword. "You'll pay for interrupting my kill." Tyrant threatened as he muttered spells to heal his chest, but the hole was still taking its time to seal.

***
Antien continued to fight as best as he could against the Shade, but the green haired abomination was taxing! He glanced over at Eva, fear in his eyes. "EVA!" Antien shouted as he watched Tyrant squeeze her neck. He was then distracted by Morna's barrages and blocked as best as he could, getting wounded further on his side and leg. He glanced back over to Eva, surprise on his face as he recognized Argetlam Elaine joining the battle. Grateful, he turned to his battle and was even more silently surprised to have another rider join his battle. He didn't recognize this Rider, but was still grateful when she attacked Morna.

[Trinn]

Motion near her side caught Morna's attention. Her crimson eyes shifted slightly, taking in the new foe. The new rider seemed familiar. Thoughts of the Empire war flashed through her mind, and the spirits in her head whispered a name, Marola. Ah! Morna shifted easily, barely avoiding the sword thrust. "Ah, dear Marola! You've finally showed your cowardly face again! If only old Galbatorix were here, he'd be quite surprised to find you still out and about!" Laughing, Morna back peddled so that she could face both Antien and Marola. Moving quickly, she unsheathed her other sword, a short sword. She twirled both swords easily in her hands. "Well, come on then, let's have some more fun! This is really a party now!"
***

While the shade was distracted with his new wound, Elaine reached down and pulled the young rider to her feet. The girl's face was still red from the throttling, but she was taking deep breaths. "You'll be alright." Elaine said, and the girl nodded, showing a strong streak. Indeed, there was fire in the young girl's eyes. "Come on, youngling. Let's you and I show this shade not to meddle with true Dragon Riders." Facing Tyrant, Elaine tossed Celobra from hand to hand. She had become ambidextrous, training herself to be so in the last sixteen years. It gave her an edge in battle, and against a shade, she was sure it would prove useful. "For honor, and for the Dragon Riders!" Elaine shouted, then dashed at the shade. She let Celobra settle in her left hand as she reached the shade's side. Elaine lashed out, striking first at his ribs, then his legs, hoping to dismember him. The best way to kill a shade was to either take him by surprise, or to tire him out. Tiring him out would take a while. Elaine watched as the young rider appeared now, striking at the shade's opposite side.
***

Eridor twisted his head back and forth as he circled above, closely watching the fight. It would only take him seconds to land if the need arose. He was distracted now by the scent of another dragon. Rauthr! he greeted, bugling out to an old friend. He swung himself around and flew by the green dragon in greeting, before again resuming his vigilance on the fight at hand.

[Max452]

Tyrant hissed as Elaine began her attack. He wasn't done healing himself yet! The Shade whacked Elaine's grey sword to the side, away from his ribs, and then backflipped to avoid the slice to his legs. This rider was indeed tricky and skilled. He skidded a few feet back, watching them with narrowed eyes. "I should have killed you as Tyr that day in Surda." Tyrant snarled, recalling Tyr's old memories. "You wouldn't be so troublesome and that darling thing at your side would be dead." He glared at Eva. "You have only prolong the inevitable; I will have your heart in my palm." His eyes turned devious and sinister as his red eyes made contact with the girl's. He was biding his time, really, trying to heal his wound without exerting too much energy. His eyes briefly glanced over to Morna and another cat-like hiss escaped his mouth. "Marola." Tyrant could feel Tyr's hatred boil, but that would have to wait. He turned his eyes back to Elaine. He had a more pressing matter to attend to first. "adurna." He called upon the water in the air and directed in sucking out the oxygen around the two riders.

***
Antien glanced at Marola as Morna introduced her. He had heard that name before...during the early periods of the return of the riders. She was the enemy; he would have to be cautious around her, but for now, she was an ally. He locked gazes with the woman and nodded as Morna unleashed another sword - a silent acceptance to work together as he would take one side, and she the other. Without further ado, Antien charged, a warcry escaping his lips again as he charged at Morna's shortsworded hand.

[Tismri]

OOC: Ah, the difference 16 years makes. We never did get to see Elaine's reaction to learning that Marola was a good guy now. lol

Marola stared steadfastly at the Shade, recognizing her after a few moments. She'd not seen Morna often while she was in the Empire, but any Shade would leave some sort of impression.
"If Galbatorix was still here, all our circumstances would be vastly different," she stated flatly. She didn't even want to consider what would have happened had the Varden not succeeded in their campaign. Instead, she raised her sword calmly, eyeing the dual weapons the Shade now wielded.
"However, I am not here to dwell on what ifs. I believe your company has someone that belongs to me, and I want her back." Her eyes took on the deadly fire of her motherly fury, an expression that always came to her whenever she acknowledged that one of her children was in danger.

Rauthr gave a low growl in greeting to Eridor, eyeing the two Shades below. Marola seemed to recognize the female she was facing. However, this was not the one that worried him. He had his focus solely upon Tyrant.
Eridor, your Rider must proceed with caution, he warned his friend. This Shade attacked Celesti some months ago, and even against Marola, Einar, and Gianna, he escaped and nearly took their lives. And he is a very vengeful spirit as well. His growl turned more threatening as he thought of the cursed spirit that embodied the creature below, recalling everything Tyr had done to torment his Rider in life, and even now in his possession of this man.

[Trinn]

OOC: Nope, or how their relationship developed through the brotherhood. Is the brotherhood still going? Or has that kinda died away?

"Do we?" Morna said, even as she moved to dodge both Antien and Marola's attacks. Her green hair whipped about her as she twirled away, laughing. "Well now... let me see." Morna continued to backpeddle in order to study Marola better. "You're from Celesti." she said matter of factly. "And we have someone who belongs to you? That sounds like slavery, dear girl." Morna giggled again, keeping distance from her two foes. "Unless.... you mean... your daughter?" Now Morna's laugh became positively evil. "You'll never get her back! Her soul belongs to Katriana now! Little Glory probably doesn't even remember the mother who raised her. Haha!"
***

Elaine's eyes narrowed as she tried to think of who the shade was. He evidently remembered her from some long ago day. There was something familiar about the way he spoke. Deciding not to exchange words with such a creature, Elaine ignored him and moved to attack again. She faltered as her breath was suddenly sucked away, and there was no air around her to breathe. She looked over at the young rider, and it seemed she was having the same troubles too. Her eyes were wide and frightened. The poor girl had lost enough air already today. Elaine tried to speak, but found she had not enough air in her lungs to do so. There were ways around that. Thinking carefully, Elaine performed a spell by though alone. It was the most dangerous way to perform magic, but dire straights required it. When the spell was finished, Elaine gratefully sucked in a lungful of air, while resuming her attack on the shade. It took the girl a little longer to recover, but eventually she resumed the attack too. They each harassed the shade from either side, Elaine more quickly than her comrade.

[Tismri]

OOC: Haha, I don't think the Family will ever truly die...I just don't know how active a role they're going to be playing right now. lol

Marola clenched her teeth and gripped her sword more tightly at Morna's taunts. She knew what the Shade was saying wasn't a lie; more than likely a twisted version of the truth. They did have Glory...and she was probably tricked into coming. She only hoped the last part wasn't true. Gloriann had to know her own mother. Marola felt she would go mad at the thought.
She charged the Shade, having noticed the elf from the corner of her eye likewise charging. She hoped to distract Morna from him and give him the advantage.
"Well, now you have given me all the information I required," she stated calmly, her voice belying the nearly crazed fury within her. "Now I will have no problem in killing you."

[Max452]

Realization struck Antien as he heard the conversation between the Rider and Shade before him. This was Gloriann's mother! So it was true! Gloriann was with the Shade's army. This bode ill. He hoped Eva would be all right after hearing upon this news.

Antien continued his onslaught against Morna, thankful that this Rider was distracting the Shade. Antien raised his sword to attack while at the same time, muttering a fire spell to set the Shade on fire.

***
Tyrant cackled as Giannadaughter was filled with fright from the lack of oxygen. He was having fun killing the girl. There was no way that the stormwing's rider could escape; she could not utter a spell! He laughed, but was cut short when Elaine managed to restore air into her lungs. "What!?" Tyrant glared at the grey Rider. She was more advanced than he had anticipated. "Well, aren't you a clever thing?" He snorted as she charged. Tyrant parried the blow, but then noticed that Eva had joined the fray again. It was easy for Tyrant to dodge the younger Rider's attacks, but Elaine's blows required more attention. The Shade sneered in disgust and frustration. This battle had gotten a bit more troublesome. "Why don't you just sit out of this one, dearie! I'll take care of you soon enough." The Shade directed his words at Eva and then unleashed a spell in hopes to send the girl flying backward so he could dispose of Elaine quickly.