Burning Madness

[Deleted]

(OOC- A short starter. Anyone can jump in ^^)

The battle raged on in the town below as a portion of the Shade army attempted to take it from the soldiers who held it. Unfortunately for the defenders, they were no match for the Shades and Riders present. The attackers swarmed down the streets in a hoard while the defenders, now scattered into pockets of resistance, fought for survival.
Amythest flew low over the city, occasionally releasing gouts of purple-tinged flames onto those below. It did not matter if a few of their own were caught in the attacks, as long as the enemy was defeated, and, so, she did not bother with much discretion. Buildings were ignited and men set aflame in their armor. Eladan sat in her saddle, lips moving as he muttered words in the Ancient Language, using spells to kill the defenders below. His face was cold and cruel save for the small smirk that twisted his lips. His blonde hair streamed out in the wind gusting from his dragon's wings.
There was nothing quite as satisfying as killing. The power to end a life was intoxicating and he loved every second of it.

[Kelfa]

    Kelfa surveyed the land below and thought how nice it felt that he no longer had to travel from the ground on some ill mannered mare of sorts. Instead in the recent months Kelfa had finally perfected the art to ride a creature as majestic as a dragon. Even though Kelfa enjoyed being a free rider it made it harder for him to train as most riders do. Kelfa had to learn to ride on his own and was happy that Esterni was so patient with him as he failed at riding a multiple of times. When it came to combat Kelfa was no advanced magician but he knew a few many words of the ancient language that he was taught when he was younger. Kelfa had also spent many days in the fields training with his father in how to wield a sword.

    As Kelfa rode on the back of Esterni a gentle breeze brushed his face and reminded him of trials he faced when he first was learning to ride. How nice Kelfa had felt the first time Esterni put them into a gentle glide among the clouds. Kelfa's thoughts were interrupted when Esterni looked back him with her sapphire, sharp eyes."Listen, do you hear that." Esterni said to her rider. Kelfa had not noticed it before but in the distance he could hear what sounded like an ongoing battle."Aye" Kelfa said. "Take me in the direction of the noise." Esterni's head quickly shot backwards as if surprised at Kelfa's words and Kelfa knew exactly why.

    "Esterni you mustn't worry we have both waited a long time for this day." Kelfa gently patted the dragon and nodded his head. " I understand your eagerness Kelfa but what if this battle proves to harsh for you." Esterni sounded as worried as ever for the riders safety. "The battle will not prove to harsh for us Esterni for as long as we are together we will always be safe." Esterni looked back as if to make sure Kelfa was not to change his mind. "Very well then but we stick together the entire time." Kelfa nodded in agreement and Esterni changed her course in direction of the battle. 

    Even though Kelfa had fought before, this battle still seemed to worry him a bit. Kelfa had never been in any large conflict such as this. Kelfa knew he was still young and feared that his age might not prove him as strong as the other warriors on the battlefield. Nevertheless Kelfa knew he would regret changing his mind and instead prepared himself for whatever this battle might bring him.   

      

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Amythest gave a bellow as she flew overhead, causing those below, defenders and human attackers alike to glance up nervously. The bellow was followed by a blast of fire, igniting the highest building in the town, lighting it like a beacon of the destruction the pair wrought. On the purple beast’s back, her Rider drew his sword. There were only three major groups of resistors now. Many were fleeing before they were wiped out, the remaining fighters working hard to cover their escape. The women and children had left as soon as the attack was heralded. The elf’s eyes trailed over one such group that was having a better time of it, managing to hold their opposition at bay. His thin lips curved in a cruel smile.

Eladan tapped Amythest’s back, touching her mind with his own. He then loosened the straps that held him in the saddle.

Take me down there. I think we should crush them before their hope of survival grows too great.

The dragon gave the odd grinding sound that was her laugh.

Indeed, it would be cruel of us to allow hope to grow. Let us nip it in the bud.

The dragon dove down among them, turning in midair to allow her Rider to leap from her back. He fell into their midst, gripping his blade. His smile widened into a grin as they looked at him in alarm, shouting to each other. The first man attacked him with a battle cry, bringing his sword down on him.

Eladan blocked with an almost lazy flick of his wrist before twisting his sword around and decapitating the man. He watched the two parts fall away, still grinning, his eyes shining with a manic light. From above, Amythest suddenly dove down, scooping up another defender and carrying him high above the town. Then, she released him, letting him plummet to his death.

[Kelfa]

    After a few long minutes(felt like hours to Kelfa) Esterni and Kelfa reached the site in which they heard the ongoing battle. In the time they took to get to the site it looked as if the battle had begun to die down. Kelfa could see that those that remained were trying to retreat and escape the bloodshed. Kelfa could sense that these men were good as some were weak enough for Kelfa to penetrate their minds. But what caught Kelfa off guard the most was the dragon and his rider. He tried to sense if he meant good or bad but failed when trying to penetrate his mind due to his inexperience in the field of magic. Kelfa noticed the rider was taking out groups of men that seemed to be hinted with no dark magic at all. When Kelfa saw this it struck fear into him. Had this rider been that of the shade army? Kelfa wondered as he watched the innocents die.

"Esterni, it would seem the people here are outnumbered and could use our help so we need to find a group of our own to duel with." Esterni gave a quick nod and the two surveyed the ground until they came upon a group of men that seemed to be chasing after the those that survived the massacre. As he got closer he could tell that there was three of them and two of them where bigger compared to the one single one that dragged behind the two. "The two in front are Urgals and the one that drags behind is a human man." Esterni was better at sensing and penetrating the mind than Kelfa. "Swoop down and drop me next to them, I would like to take them myself." With this statement Esterni let out a roar so loud it made the group of three look up and stare in fear at dragon they noticed was chasing them. "Esterni please I will take out the one that drags behind and you can help with the two Urgals." Kelfa knew Esterni feared for his safety and the fact that they were heavily outnumbered made her more protective than ever. "Very well but if you are wounded I will never allow you to throw yourself into a mess of this sort." Kelfa nodded with a smile. "When we are done with this group we will retreat as I do not want to grab the attention of that other rider."



Esterni roared and quickly swooped to the ground. She steadied her pace so that Kelfa could jump off without getting injured. "Now jump!" with Esterni's go ahead Kelfa jumped off the back of the dragon and as he hit the ground gave an elegant roll. As he got up Kelfa noticed the man was charging him weapon ready. Quickly Kelfa unsheathed Domia and prepared for the oncoming blow. When the man let out his swing Kelfa gave a quick doge and gave a swing of his own which would strike the man in his hip. The man let out a low scream and Kelfa took the opportunity to finish the man off. Kelfa watched as the man fall to his knees and then face first into the ground. Kelfa stood frozen he was still not use to the aftershock that came after you slay a man.



Kelfa snapped out of it and when he looked up saw the two Urgals rushing him. Kelfa wondered where Esterni had gone and sensed her above the clouds ready to strike at any moment. But then Kelfa saw one of Urgals pull out what looked to be bow. With one Urgal rushing him he knew he could not react to both at the same time. Then Kelfa knew what he had to do. He raised his hand shouted "kveykva!" with this a small but powerful bolt of electricity left Kelfa's hand and traveled toward the Urgal with the bow. As it made contact the Urgal dropped and Kelfa sensed that he had killed him. Kelfa wanted to prepare for the oncoming attack as the Urgal was now but a few feet away. But Kelfa felt weak as if all the air had been sucked out him. Kelfa stumbled backwards but was still aware of his surroundings. "Esterni!" Even in his mind the words came out as if he had no breath to speak. Just then Kelfa noticed as Esterni came from beyond the clouds and picked up the remaining Urgal between her jaws. Esterni dropped the man in a dew seconds completely breaking every bone in the Urgal's body. Kelfa stumbled toward Esterni taking quick breaths with each movement. When he reached her he sat down by her side and rested his head upon her. "Hop upon me we must retreat before more of their men noticed what we have done." With this Kelfa used his remaining strength to hop upon Esterni and the pair quickly took flight and began to retreat from the battlegrounds.
         

[Deleted]

(ooc- The defenders Eladan is killing are citizens of the Empire, under Nasuada's rule. He and his men are members of the Shade army, who are the ones who would be using dark magic. Just to clarify, your character is assisting the Shade army in its conquest?)

[Kelfa]

(ooc- Thanks for the clarification I was a bit confused on who was fighting who I edited it and made some small changes so that Kelfa is now helping the people.)

[Deleted]

Eladan and Amythest finished disposing of the group of defenders with ease. Orrund’s dark blade dripped with the blood of enemies. The elf smirked to himself, turning away from the carnage they had left in their wake. They could have been captured, and some of his fellows may have granted that chance. However, these men had the misfortune of meeting this pair, who had been twisted into monstrosity by the Mad King himself.

Uncaringly surveying the area, Eladan wiped his blade clean on the clothes of one of the dead men. His green eyes took in the reddened streets and burning buildings. This had been a good day. It was not often that he was set loose like this. Amythest hummed her agreement, landing next to him with a thud, claws clicking over the cobblestones. She barely fit in the street, having been forced to grow upon hatching and then having nearly twenty years of her own, natural growth. She was larger than any female her age should be. When combining this with her thirst for blood, she was truly a monstrous dragon.
Eladan swung into his saddle, prepared to order that they move out, when he heard the roar of another dragon. His eyes narrowed slightly. There had been no other Riders assigned to this mission. Though, he would not put it past one of his fellows to join in the battle.

I do not know who it would be…Amythest mused, blinking one large, lavender eye.

Eladan watched as a white dragon dove from the clouds, not too far from his current position. Upon seeing it, his eyes bulged and his hand flew to his sword. Madness crept into his expression. His sister, whom he very much wished dead, rode upon a white dragon. Perhaps now would be his chance.

Blizzard!

Amythest cocked her large head, watching as well.

Unfortunately, I think not. You would have sensed your sister by now. This is a different pair.

Eladan growled, eyes narrowing. Amythest was right. He and Varda shared a psychic connection as twins. He would have sensed her through it. A sudden tide of rage ran through him. He watched as the white dragon ascended once more. How dare they intrude upon is battle? How dare they challenge his men? And, most importantly, how dare they give him the false hope of ending his sister’s life only to snatch it away?

Shall we kill them? Amythest asked, teeth baring in something like a smile.

Eladan was silent for a moment. Then, a crazed smile crawled across his face.

We shall.

Amythest crouched. Then, with a bellow, she pushed off, flapping her large wings, and pursued the other pair.

[Kelfa]

Kelfa and Esterni began there retreat from the battle when suddenly Kelfa felt uneasy. He sensed danger and it was fast approaching. "Esterni do you feel that?" Before Esterni could respond Kelfa looked behind him to see the rider who was coming straight for them. "Esterni!" Esterni quickly shot her head back and let out a terrifying roar. "I would rather be tortured for a thousand years before I let him catch us." Suddenly Esterni swooped lower in the sky to gain faster speed and hopefully out fly the pursuer. Not to far ahead lay a valley with crooked mountains and dense forest. "There Esterni, fly to the valley and hopefully we can hide before the rider notices." It was a long shot and Kelfa knew it but his only hope to continue living was to hide within the valley. Esterni flew fast, faster than Kelfa had ever seen.And together Kelfa and Esterni made there way toward the valley still hanging on to slight hope for their life.    

[Deleted]

Amythest gave the grinding sound that was a dragon’s laugh. Eladan smirked. The pair agreed that their quarry was quite cowardly to flee rather than fight them. They judged them to be a new pair from the size of the dragon and decision to run. Any of the veterans from the war would have faced him, recognizing him as a target to be brought down.

Amythest gave her own roar in return, the sound full of a dark malice.

They flee for the valley, she commented upon seeing their direction.

Eladan chuckled.

Let them.

He waited until they, too, came above the forested valley. Then, he had Amythest fly low to the trees.

“Brinsingr!” he growled, flinging a hand at the trees.

They burst into flame. Eladan moved his hand, spreading the flames until the blaze was a true forest fire. Amythest assisted him, purple tinged flames issuing from her maw. When the two were satisfied that any hiding spot would be burned away, they took to the sky again.

[Kelfa]

Kelfa's mind was fixed on one subject, survival! As the pair reached the valley a sign of hope began to creep into their minds a sign that gave them every excuse to live. Every thought, every memory, and every outcome began to race through Kelfa's mind as they reached the valley. Have we gone through so much so that we can just die here in this moment? Kelfa wondered as Esterni swooped low to hide among the dense forest. "There must be somewhere we can hide without being found." Kelfa's voice sounding as desperate as ever before. 

The pair searched for a hiding spot as their hope for survival grew smaller and smaller with each passing second. Then something changed and something caught the two off guard. Suddenly a wave of hot dense heat passed through Kelfa making his head shoot back to see the source of the heat wave. What Kelfa saw made their hope for survival even smaller for behind them the dense forest in which they were passing through had been set ablaze. "Flames! The rider has set the whole valley on fire." Esterni did not reply instead kept moving forward and swiftly through the valley. "Esterni we cant stay here unless we want to become engulfed in flames." Kelfa said as he continued to look back at the now huge forest fire. "I understand but where are we to go, the rider is surely to catch us if we begin to soar upward."  Kelfa understood Esterni's concern but what choice did they have. But then an idea came to Kelfa. "Were in a valley Esterni surely there is a cave somewhere upon upper ground, we can find one and hide ourselves and our minds within it until the rider passes." The idea was crazy but the two had no other choice. "What if this plan fails and our location is discovered?" Kelfa knew that there was only one answer to that question. "Then we fight and we fight until we die." These weren't exactly words of encouragement but what other choice did they have. Esterni nodded in agreement and then rose barley above the forest and took a sharp turn among a part of the valley that was out of sight to the other rider.

It did not take long for the pair to spot a cave in the hillside that would support the both of them and hide them from sight. "The gods must be looking out for us." Kelfa was not very religious but at that moment he had no other explanation for their luck of easily finding a cave. Esterni veered off towards the entrance to the cave. The landing was hard as Esterni was still going full speed but a few bruises were not as bad as death. The pair quickly hid their minds from anything that was outside the cave. Kelfa knew he had to do more for if they were found they would surely be killed. Kelfa had an idea but it seemed like a long shot as his plan could even kill him. Kelfa was taught much of the ancient language when he was young and those skills came to him now more then ever. In a whisper Kelfa spoke the words of a weak spell that might protect the two if he used it correctly. When he finished the spell Kelfa expected to fall over into darkness and have all his worries disappear. But instead he lost much of his breath but he focused hard as his life and Esterni's depended on this spell. To Kelfa's surprise the spell had actually seemed to work as the duo were turned so they could not be seen. Now the two sat invisible to the rest of the world, they sat and they waited.