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Eukara Vox -> RE: DF fanfic (3/9/2009 1:23:51)
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Unexpected Surprises
----Standing on the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea, Azlyra stared at the oncoming waves as she fingered the necklace around her neck. They crashed into the cliff, battering it. The sounds of the ocean saturated the air around her, briefly causing the rogue to remember her mother standing in this very spot the last time anyone saw her. If Azlyra inhaled deep enough, she could taste the salt that floated up from the spray. She licked her lips briefly and sighed, wondering if her mother too had tasted the salt on her lips. Eventually, she knew that her journey must turn northeast, towards Warlic's tent and beyond.
----"Why I respond to this kind of stuff, I don't know. Last thing I need is a charity job." She turned on her right foot and looked back up the path. The sun filtered gently through the leaves, contrasting with the violence of the crashing waves heard below. "But, I can't resist a child with a bleeding heart. What deity directed my path to cross Aria's I will never know, but they had better know they owe me."
----Slowly, Azlyra trudged up the path that led to Warlic's Tent. She passed the portal that would take her back home. Her pace slowed just a little as thoughts of abandoning the favor crossed her mind. I can't even bring myself to ditch the kid. What is wrong with me? Rolling her eyes, she sped up and headed towards the valley where the massive red tent stood.
----Though the wind coming off the mountain in the distance was brisk, the flag outside of his tent hung perfectly straight. Azlyra's hair whipped around her face as she approached Warlic's dwelling. She slowed down and smoothed her vest, trying to render her appearance acceptable. Everyone knew you approached Warlic with a certain amount of reverence. Well, everyone except Cysero. I assume that Warlic considers any approach by him that isn't followed by an explosion, gas or misguided magic reverent.
----A moment before Azlyra reached the opening to his abode, Warlic exited. His deep blue robes fluttered gently with the breeze and he smiled at her. "Well, Azlyra, this is somewhat of a surprise. I wasn't aware that you left the lower forests...ever."
----Azlyra swallowed, trying hard not to respond in the way she wanted. The retort sat on the tip of her tongue, barely hanging on for dear life; for if it let go, not only would it be shot down, but its owner too. "I have, on occasion, been known to leave the comfort of my dwellings to run an errand or two."
----"An errand or two...Interesting use of those words, Azlyra." Warlic's eyes shone just enough that Azlyra knew he was baiting her, but her self-control was already teetering on the edge. "I doubt you are here to trade words, Rogue. What is it that you need from me?"
----And people wonder why I keep to myself. She mustered a half smile. "Aria asked me to come here in search of something new, something she greatly desires for the pet shop. A brand new creature no one has seen before." Noticing Warlic's amused look, she rolled her eyes. "Of course, it is merely a rumor spread by box stealing sneevils caught in Robina's traps. But you know how children are. Shiny things are quite attractive and desirable."
----"I was under the impression that it wasn't just children that found shiny things desirable," he quipped. He smiled slightly and continued before Azlyra had time to say anything. "There has been some very strange activities in the forests around here lately. Perhaps something has moved in...Nythera!"
----Azlyra winced inwardly. She had hoped to avoid seeing Nythera, much less having to talk to her. The familiar scowl appeared from behind the smaller tent next to Warlic's and upon seeing Azlyra, Nythera scoffed and glared at Warlic.
----"What do you want now, O great instructor?" she spat as her gaze shifted towards Azlyra. The rogue held her ground, never wilting under the gaze of Warlic's apprentice. Eyes narrowed, Nythera crossed her arms and stared. "Since when do the lower life forms dare approach this place?"
----Azlyra stepped forward, hands curling into fists at her side. "You didn't say that last time," she snickered. "As I recall, you were crying, 'Ow, oh that wasn't fa-'"
----"Enough!" Warlic eyed both women and shook his head. "Enough, both of you. I did not summon you, Nythera, to insult someone seeking out my advice and knowledge." He turned to Azlyra, "As for you, I daresay you are lucky to still be alive to be speaking here at all after that encounter. Though, how you managed to best her, I have yet to figure out."
----Uncurling her fingers, Azlyra relaxed, knowing she was walking on thin ice. Nythera's gaze still sent imaginary arrows at Azlyra's chest and she could imagine that if the apprentice was allowed to, the arrows would be laced in some kind of magic. Counting herself lucky, she turned to look at Warlic. It was then that she wilted, for his gaze suddenly made her feel very insignificant.
----She bowed her head. "My apologies, Warlic."
----He muttered under his breath and addressed Nythera. "You have been in the forest lately, Nythera, gathering plants and such. Have you come across anything out of cadence with the balance of the world?"
----"There seems to be something amiss, yes, but nothing I found the least bit interesting," she admitted grudgingly. "I didn't see it as something that I really needed to bring to your attention."
----"Yeah, because she was going to use it to her own advantage," Azlyra said under her breath.
----Nythera inhaled sharply and turned to Azlyra. Warlic grabbed her arm before she could do or say anything. "What exactly seemed amiss?"
----Nythera pulled her arm out of Warlic's grasp and straightened her shoulders. "It was nothing. A few of the creatures were just acting strange, that's all. A unicougar was trying to climb the trees and a few sylphs were excited."
----Warlic looked from one woman to the other and exhaled heavily. "Aria is usually right when it comes to the creatures of the Lore. Her grandmother has taught her well. Since this is my area and the natives are restless, Nythera, I want you to go investigate more. Find out what is going on."
----"But," she objected, "but why do I have to go do that? I have other things to do around here. Things to make and try ... I have been practicing the potion making lessons. Just make her go; she's the Hero. Besides, who will clean up the laundry that Cysero left thrown all over the place? That was one of my duties today." Azlyra balked. She saw the evil glint in Nythera's eye and took a step back.
----"No, you have to be the one to do it. If this is magical in nature, you would be better able to handle it, Nythera." Warlic merely shook his head. "I am sure Azlyra can handle the mess Cysero left."
----"Oh ... very well. If it has to be done, it has to be done." She smirked as she turned towards the forest, bumping Azlyra's shoulder as she passed by. Azlyra merely stood still as a statue, for if she moved, it would be to grab a dagger and fling it at the retreating back of Warlic's apprentice.
----"You are wise to stay your hand, Azlyra. I know the temptation. I know it very well." He pulled the tent flap open and gestured for Azlyra to follow him. "Might as well get started. At least I know you won't complain ... Well, openly. I have important things to do and the peace will make it that much easier."
----Azlyra turned to face the opening to the tower and sighed, acknowledging the task that would occupy her time for few hours once Warlic absented himself. The line that divided their sides of the tower was still there. She sighed and walked towards the unknown. Sounds of restlessness echoed through the air, forcing Azlyra to pull her daggers from their sheaths and proceeded to the mysterious side of laundry, week-old encrusted socks, and whatever creatures emerged from the rogue magic that sometimes escaped Cysero's workshop and infiltrated his home.
----Cautiously, she walked on the dark carpet that ran down the middle of the corridor, passing by beautifully tiled marbled floors to either side. When she reached the boundary that separated Warlic's half of the tower from Cysero's side, she paused. The glow from the lights only intensified the differences between the two sides. Suddenly, something darted across her line of vision, causing Azlyra to hang her head and accept her fate.
----As she crossed the line, chittering greeted her from both sides. Looking to her left, she saw that one of the windows was sideways. Sideways? What on earth is Cysero doing in here? Seriously, someone needs to put his hands in chains or something. Her eyes followed a shadow up ahead, slowly moving towards her. I guess I should count myself lucky that this place is still a human habitation and not the insides of a fish...
----As her eyes followed a slow moving form up ahead, something blitzed her from above. The impact caught her off guard and sent her skittering across the floor. A high pitch screech gave her but a few moments warning before the creature attacked her again. It landed on her chest, knocking the wind out of her. She struggled for breath as she swiped at the creature on top of her.
----A whiff of something nasty tickled her nose and she gagged. As her eyes teared up, she saw what it was causing her discomfort. A dirty sock monkey swiped at her face and she was just able to bring up her dagger to block the attack. As the creature recovered, she backhanded the little devil with her other hand, sending him flying off her chest.
----She rolled onto her stomach quickly and rose to her feet. The sock monkey screeched again and clambered up a column. As he flung himself at her from his lofty height, something wrapped around her left leg. She felt the tendril of cloth as it snaked its way up her leg, constricting slowly. Azlyra tried to kick whatever was attached to her body, but she couldn't move. The sock monkey landed on her back, clawing at her head and shoulders. Several times the creature searched for her mouth with its dirty sock hands but failed.
----Putting her daggers in their sheaths, Azlyra reached up and gripped the soft body of the sock monkey and pulled him off. As it squirmed in her hands, it lashed out its tail and whipped her cheek. Incensed, Azlyra hurled the sock monkey at the wall. The respite allowed her to look down at what was responsible for the slow loss of feeling in her leg. The tentacled appendages of a laundry golem held her fast; the creature's tugs becoming stronger. A grumbling up ahead caught her attention.
----I don't like the sound of that! Azlyra struggled with the laundry golem, but the creature stood fast. Grabbing one of her daggers, she swiped down towards its head, but the creature dodged it. It groaned, turning its buttoned face towards the approaching monster. Another air strike by the sock monkey toppled her over, causing her to crash to the floor. A cacophony of screams echoed as a troop of dirty sock monkeys dog-piled Azlyra.
----"Oh, get off me you little runts!" she screamed. The monkeys screamed back, then cackled. Several pulled her hair as the others wrestled with keeping her arms and legs pinned to the floor. Twice she kicked, sending dirty sock monkeys flying through the air. Those that had stayed planted on her body laughed, pointing at their airborne comrades.
----Once the launched sock monkeys hit the wall, those holding Azlyra down turned their attention on her. One broke from the group nearest her right leg and clambered over his troop mates, heading for her head. Another abandoned his post on her torso, was quickly replaced by a returning monkey, and joined the migrating comrade. Both stopped at her neck and giggled, looking down at her face. Lightning quick, they shoved their dirty sock covered hands in her face. She shook her head back and forth, trying to avoid the creatures' hands, until the laundry golem appeared next and wrapped its tentacles around her face. With her head no longer mobile, one monkey smothered her nose with a paw while the other tried to stick his hands in her mouth.
----Mouth firmly closed, she cursed the creatures amid mumbles and grunts. Frustrated, the second monkey turned to the troop and chirruped. Suddenly, three of them began to tickle Azlyra. She was defenseless against this attack and eventually couldn't keep her mouth shut, she was laughing so hard. The second monkey took advantage of the situation and tried to shove both hands into her mouth.
----She gagged, no longer susceptible to the tickling. Her nose and mouth offended, she felt sick to her stomach. It churned as dirty sock monkeys jumped around, causing her to feel worse. She allowed herself one course of action, one that she had no choice in. Something caught the attention of the monkeys and she bit down hard, causing the sock monkey to scream and pull its hands from her mouth.
----A roar scattered the dirty sock monkey troop. Slowly, the laundry golem unwrapped its tentacled arms from her head and retreated. Azlyra propped herself up on her arms and looked towards the noise. Oh that is just great. As if the dirty sock monkeys weren't enough, but Cysero has another bugbear. I hate bugbears.
----The bugbear lunged forward, jaws gaping. Azlyra rolled out of the way just in time to feel the jaws snap shut next to her back. Jumping to her feet, she pulled her daggers and held them tightly in her hands. Snarling, the bugbear stepped back briefly, only to launch itself at her in a roll. The spines on his back shot out as he rolled, narrowly missing her.
----Unfortunately for the bugbear, the beast's biggest weakness was the chance it took using those spines. Once deployed, they stuck in virtually anything impacted. Since he missed Azlyra, the bugbear now lay on its back, upon those very spines stuck in the floor. It squirmed and growled, upset at its predicament. As Azlyra neared the creature, she noticed something in its paws. A red, black and white fleecy material was stuck between its claws.
----"What is this, you beast?" she yelled.
----The bugbear squirmed, more to get away now than to attack. It whimpered slightly and then began to moved more violently. She stunned the bugbear by smacking it in the head with the flat of her blade and pulled the material from his claws.
----I know this material.
----Without warning, the spines in the bugbear's back retracted and the creature hit the floor. It yelped and ran away, heading straight for the nearest window and jumped.
----"You found something I take it?' Warlic asked from behind.
----"Apparently, something is amiss, and Cysero's problems were not his fault ..." she replied without turning around, "amazingly." Azlyra rolled the material between the fingers of her right hand. After a few moments, she turned to face Warlic. "I know this material. I have seen it before, even felt it before. But I can't recall it."
----Warlic plucked the material from her fingers and looked at it. "I know exactly what this is. Go into the forest. Nythera is not back yet, which I assumed would be the case anyway."
----"You knew all along didn't you?" Azlyra looked at the archmage suspiciously.
----"Perhaps. Would it have truly mattered if I did? You would still have to come to me anyway, as you were destined to do that very act, just as I was destined to send Nythera into the forest to do absolutely nothing but gather potion ingredients for her own purposes."
----Azlyra blinked. Well, that should have been expected yet I am surprised. Go figure. "That said, perhaps I should go on my way? Or am I destined for something else at the moment?"
----Warlic narrowed his eyes, glaring at Azlyra. "No, Azlyra, most people know perfectly well why you keep to yourself." A wave of his hand and Azlyra was no longer in the tower but in the middle of the forest.
----"I guess I was destined to be here right now."
----Azlyra looked around, carefully watching shadows and nooks in hollowed out trees. There should have been songs sung by territorial birds and the skittering of squirrels, yet it was quiet. She scanned the canopy, hoping to find some sign of life. Out of the corner of her eye, she swore she saw the entire treetop move down. A loud crashing to her right produced a unicougar, who bounded for the tree with the moving canopy.
----The creature attempted to climb the tree, and upon failing, merely stretched out its body. Its massive claws dug into the tree about ten feet up. The unicougar roared, causing the canopy to return to its original position.
----What was that? Azlyra stared at the tree in disbelief. Odd, trees don't just move. She cautiously stepped towards the tree, keeping one eye on the unicougar. At first the tree looked normal- tall, wide trunk, brown-grey bark, and a full canopy of leaves. As she approached the tree, the unicougar snarled. Fur bristling, it dropped back down onto all four paws. The unicougar extended the claws and scraped at the ground, showing off just one of its weapons.
----"Well, aren't you a good looking unicougar! Look at that fur, so nice a golden... I bet you do something special to keep it so shiny and clean." Azlyra spoke softly, hoping the unicougar would not see her as a threat. Three steps later, the unicougar roared and advanced on her. "Well, so much for politeness."
----The unicougar leapt at Azlyra, causing her to dive to the side to avoid the sharpened claws. She rolled to her feet and faced the cat again. "Nice kitty. Surely you don't want to hurt me. I haven't done anything to you yet."
----It snarled. "Not yet, but you will need to act soon enough."
----Azlyra stood up straight and blinked. The unicougar didn't just talk to me, did it? Surely not...
----"You seek something that is already claimed, Rogue." From behind the tree stepped someone Azlyra would have never expected. Especially since it was spring. "You look surprised my dear. Surely, you don't think that I only bring out this outfit during Frostvale.? If so, then you are seriously misguided."
----Azlyra's jaw dropped. Well, at least it wasn't the unicougar talking to me. I think I would need serious therapy... or assume Nythera had something to do with it. Actually, seeing Xan like this in the spring may warrant a trip to a therapist. Azlyra looked at Xanta Claus, looking ridiculous underneath the flowering branches in his Frostvale costume. "What are you doing here? Don't even think about inflicting any of your shenanigans on us!"
----"What, me?" Xanta Claus smiled. "Besides, don't you mean Xananigans?"
----Azlyra groaned.
----"Hehehe, that's a good one. I will have to use it in the future. Of course, I would have to wait to use that when Frostvale comes around again and I must terrori-- um, make my true appearance." Xanta Claus stepped closer, the heat from the eternal flame consuming his head heating Azlyra's skin. "I would love to use it right now, but unfortunately, no one cares to talk to me when visiting that wretched statue of Warlic in Falconreach."
----Azlyra coughed, covering up her laughter. "How do you know what it is I seek? The only person I have spoken to about this is Warlic."
----"Do NOT speak that name in my presence! Unless you want to know what the afterlife holds for you, leave that man out of this conversation." Xanta's flame flared briefly.
----"Oh, wow, sorry. I forgot that you still are sore over that whole thing from back then. Well, like I said, no one knows why I am here except he-that-should-not-be-named and the person who requested my assistance to be here." Azlyra narrowed her eyes and glared at him.
----"Aria is a bright girl, such a future she has if she chooses wisely. I have my ways. Remember, I can see you when you're sleeping..." Xanta roars with laughter, causing the tree canopy to shake violently and move again.
----A fireball formed between his hands and he pulled back as if to shove it towards the leaves. "Stay there! Can't you just do what you are told?" He turned to Azlyra. "Really, is it that hard for a creature to obey an easy command?"
----Shrugging, Azlyra peered into the canopy and watched the movement cease. At first, there was nothing there but leaves in her eyes. Yet, to her amazement, the leaves seemed to move as one. Not like leaves in the wind which may move the same direction but not unison. These leaves did. "Wait, are you telling me that what ever is up there is the creature that Aria sent me to find?"
----"Wow, you are a sharp one." Xanta smirked. "To think, it took you but half an hour to figure that out."
----Azlyra rolled her eyes. "So, you are herding them for your own uses. That tells me that they are more than just simple animals that Aria wants to train. So what is it that makes them so special?"
----"As if I would tell the likes of you!" Xanta scoffed.
----"The likes of me...haven't looked in a mirror lately have you?"
----Xanta tossed the fireball, still burning in his hands, in the air. Without warning, he launched it at Azlyra, who caught off-guard, had to drop onto her stomach to avoid being burnt by Xanta's attack. "That was uncalled for!"
----Another fireball formed and was launched at her. "Uncalled for? You insult me and say that my attack is uncalled for?"
----Azlyra rolled to the right to avoid the blazing ball coming at her. The ground was left black where it hit and she looked up at her enemy. "What is it about these creatures that you have imprisoned them in the tree and command them like slaves?"
----"Wouldn't you like to know? But you won't because I am not going to give you the satisfaction of learning what makes these creatures incredible." He flung two more fire spells at her, one narrowly missing her and the other brushing her side.
----The shirt and vest both had been burned away, along with a good portion of her skin on the left side of her body. She could feel a slight breeze blow across the raw, burned skin on her side. Moving caused her to involuntarily flinch and Xanta smiled. The canopy shuddered violently, causing the unicougar to snarl up the trunk again. Xanta turned his attention on the tree and yelled. As he did, Azlyra pushed herself to her feet and tackled Xanta.
----As soon as she hit him, Azlyra knew that her move was a bad idea. Her hair shriveled in the intense heat of the eternal fire consuming his head. The fire began to irritate and burn her arms, forcing her to disengage her attack as both fighters fell to the ground. She kicked away from Xanta, pushing him further from her.
----The air began to hum. At first, it was quiet, but quickly the sound escalated to a roar. Both fighters looked up and saw the canopy descend towards them, disregarding the affronted unicougar. It snapped its jaws at the passing creatures, but to no avail. Azlyra stood, dumbfounded at the sheer number of ... what ever was coming towards them.
----Xanta struggled to his feet and yelled at the oncoming hoard of leaves. "Stay back on that tree!" Flames erupted in his hands. "I will use force. You will obey me!"
----Azlyra braced for impact, closing her eyes and praying that whatever the creatures intended would be over quickly. She knew what happened when the creatures of Lore got angry. A blast of air ripped by her body as the swarm passed by. But not one creature touched her. Opening her eyes, Azlyra watched as hundreds of colorful creatures flew past her.
----Curious, she lifted her hand and pushed it into the creatures' path, yet they parted to avoid touching her. She turned around, eyes transfixed on the myriad of designs that rushed past her. Every creature had some shade of green - leaves it looked like - spotted with blues, oranges, whites and yellows. She felt as if she was caught in a storm of spring. Smiling, she turned to see where their path was taking them.
----Xanta Claus was spinning around, trying to bat the creatures away. They swarmed, thick and menacing, making it hard to see Xanta himself among the many creatures. As they swirled around him, they slowly moved in closer and closer. Azlyra could almost feel their anger towards Xanta, which seemed to build the tighter they flew around him.
----Their movements made her dizzy and she was forced to step away. She could hear the humming change pitch and felt not only anger now, but frustration, sadness, helplessness...she closed her eyes but the feelings refused to go away. The screams coming from Xanta Claus didn't make things better, and at one point she swore she heard him call her name.
----Try as she may, nothing worked and the emotions began to overwhelm her. In addition to those foreign to her, panic rose inside and she fought desperately to quell it. As if coming to her rescue, several of the creatures removed themselves from Xanta's assault and fluttered to her. As they neared, something strange began to happen.
----The necklace that she had received from her mother began to glow. The onyx cabochon shone brightly, its polished luster almost ethereal. The creatures settled on her and the negative emotions left her. It was then that she had the chance to really look at this being, this thing that Aria had sent her to find. It was a delicate creature, almost fairylike, except the fairies she knew were mean little light sprites.
----No, these were different. "Aren't you beautiful? Are you responsible for all these emotions?"
----One hovered in front of her face. It's body was made up of leaf-like parts. This one looked like a tiny branch of an ash tree. Among the "leaves" was what looked to be flowers. "Well, aren't you a complicated little guy. You look as if you are supposed to be the tree."
----The creature tossed its head to remove the leafy hair from his eyes and looked at Azlyra. She felt exasperation and suddenly realized that these creatures were indeed responsible for all the emotions flying about. They were empathic. She turned and looked at the swarm that was torturing Xanta. For the first time, she felt sympathy for him and the little creatures sensed it.
----Suddenly, they disengaged their attack and Xanta was left a huddled, shivering mass on the ground. The flames that usually engulfed his head were muted, flickering. Azlyra had no interest in knowing exactly what they did to him, now that she knew what they could do.
----She walked away from him, trying to put as much distance between him and herself as possible. The leafy creatures followed her, humming constantly. Once she was on the edge of the forest, she stopped and turned to face the cloud of leaves hovering over the ground.
----"What are you and why do you follow me?" she asked, not truly expecting an answer.
----The humming began to differentiate, some voices dropping or raising in octave, others changing to minor or major chords. As the creatures hummed together, Azlyra swore she heard words. As the music they produced swelled, she knew they were, in fact, trying to communicate.
----"Call us Leiflees, Azlyra. We have stayed hidden for so long, until the flaming one discovered us. Now, we cannot stay hidden any longer and are not sure if this is a good thing or bad. So much of your world seems harsh and unforgiving."
----Azlyra sighed. "There are good things though. Like the girl that sent me here to find you. She is a sweet little girl who loves all the creatures in Lore." I recall a particular trip into a cave to illustrate that point. "I am sure if you spoke to her, you would see there is greatness here."
----The Leiflees quieted for a moment, then responded. "Then take us to her. If she is what you say, then we will hold onto that hope for you and your kind."
----A solitary Leiflee broke from the group and nestled onto Azlyra's shoulder. The onyx shone more brightly, causing Azlyra to look into it. Within the center of the cabochon, the symbol of a Sassafrass leaf materialized. The Leiflee on her shoulder also changed, its leafy appearance taking on a more sassafrass-like shape.
----"It seems, Azlyra, that one of our own has chosen to stay with you. Whether you realize this or not, this is a very inauspicious thing. We don't bond with others lightly. Perhaps there is more to you than what you project." The rest of the Leiflees, including the few that shielded her from Xanta's punishment swirled up into the sky and headed towards Falconreach.
----"Interesting, don't you think?" Warlic's voice drifted from behind her. "Incredible creatures. I watched them handle Xanta Claus and care for you. And now it seems that you have a momento of this adventure. I will be watching closely, more to see how this all works out. Good luck, Azlyra."
----She turned to see nothing but trees. The Leiflee on her shoulder nudged her gently and she nodded, knowingly. "Yeah, home sounds good to me too."
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