OOC: 'Tis your turn, fang.

Tialgo ran along side Voenth, he used his flames to melt the rocks ahead of them. He face remained calm and serious despite all the worry he was feeling. He never actually met Rigel or Nidhog. But the the stories of the mad black Dragon and the dark Phoenix reached to the ends of the land.

Sounds like our best option, Jason said, agreeing with Na'ir's plan. He flew down along side Na'ir into the canyon. He turned his head back to Nidhog and stuck his tongue out. You wont eat us you fat, ugly over grown iguana! And even if you do, we'll give a horrible case of heartburn and indigestion!! He yelled back at the black dragon.

OOC: FANGHUR POST HERE! I AM NOT REMINDING YOU ANY MORE!

Not really sure, Jason said to Zelyts, But you should worry about that when the time comes. He turned his head to see how far ahead they were of their enemies. A wide smile grew across his face as Nidhog, seemed to stop following them. Hey maybe our taunts hurt his feelings and he become to upset of chase us anymore, Jason said sarcastically to everyone. As the canyon drew nearer, Jason dove down towards it. Using the wind from the storm he glided into the cave. It was certainly dark, and the lack of light due to the storm didn't help. Great, now I feel like I'm completely blind, Jason muttered feeling useless now. Well, whoever has the best vision led the way.

Tialgo stopped when he heard Braith's roar, but when Phal and Voenth were getting far ahead of him he continued on with them. What is Braith think he's doing? Using the ancient power will tire him out, and make him unable to fight! He growled to himself. He launched more flames at the rocks,hopefully they'd be out soon.

Easier said than done. said Zelyts in response to what Alna'ir said. The phoenix had just threatened them and he said, If we are prey, try coming in here after us, we three can take an old crow like you anyday! roared the small dragon bravely at the larger phoenix. He dove into the small tunnel after Alna'ir and Jason. Once inside, he changed into cendus form and walked after the other two, in that form, he was better suited to fighting on the ground, especially against a creature of fire, because fire did not affect him.

When he heard what the small brorn dragon had called Rigel, Nidhog began to laugh loudly. He said, Hehe, crow, hahahaha! I will remember that one. laughed the crazy dragon as he flew at his own pace after the three dragons.

Braith contiuned to dig, however every time he moved a rock, another fell, and more often than not, on his head. He finally realized what it was, he was digging low, meanign that every time he moved one, another fell in its place, he needed to dig up high to get out! He began to climb the mountain of rocks and began to dig for the top, down.

Voenth continued do dig, but he then casted a spell that allowed both himself and Tialgo to see in the pitch-black darkness. He said, "Will we be getting out of here any time soon?"

Bascth saw that they needed help, so he lent all three of them, Phalynx, Tialgo, and Voenth energy to help them. He said, Take my energy, I am not using it. Find the young ones, and hurry!

OOC: Did Jason inherit any of Gornath' powers, because white light and white fire would be useful against Nidhog.

ooc: Yes; White Fire

Na'ir! What are you doing!? Put out your light! Jason told her. Your light will only help Rigel find us faster! Plus I think Zelyts should lead, he's lived here almost all his life, so he knows these mountains the best. Plus his eyes are accustomed to this darkness in all three of his forms! Jason sealed his mind from Rigel and Nidhog, so they couldn't hear him and he couldn't hear them, well except from Nidhog's laugh that sounded like he was choking on a fat elephant. As the three headed deeper into the cave, Jason listened for Rigel's talon's against the dirt, and anything from their parents.

ooc: Pass with T, he's just diggin' ... >.>

Jason looked at his claw when Zelyts told him to quiet down. He couldn't retract them, so how the hell was he suppose to stop making a noise? He continued on with them, going deeper and deeper into the darkness.Jason found a nice spot for almost completely covered him. Attack him how? If we get to close he could attack us! And what would fire do against a phoenix? Jason asked regarding Zelyts' plan.

"If you doubt their abilities then they'll surely lose. Have faith in them, I'm not to sure about Na'ir but Jason and Zelyts have gone through many hardships even before their first year. They may not have fought these monsters, but they fought many more," Tialgo answered Voenth.

OOC: Dude her light was off. I implied it, but maybe I should have been more specific. lol

IC: Na'ir crept low along the ground. Though she wasn't the best fighter, she was stealthy. Unlike her mother and brothers, she could creep through the shadows, her blue scales melding with the darkness and her footsteps silent. She found a spot to hide quickly, moving behind a colum as Zelyts had suggested. She glanced at him and Jason when they started talking about what to do. I think he means that the lack of fire from a lack of air might weaken Rigel. But I don't think his fire's normal, Zelyts. It is a cold flame, and feeds equally from magic as from air. And what do you mean about leading him to us? I don't think it's wise to engage him until we have to, and it will be much safer if we wait for him to get deeper in, and then all surround him. Then we can all attack at once and no individual will be at risk, she said, giving her own input. As she spoke mentally to her two friends, she watched Rigel. The phoenix was entering the cave, his eyes flashing across the dimly-lit interior. Na'ir stayed low and kept her muscles tense in case she had to move quickly.

Phalynx glanced back at Tialgo and Voenth as they spoke about the young ones' chances. She nodded in reply. They can take care of themselves well-enough until we arrive. They are strong and intelligent, and know how to avoid danger. I just hope they are not cornered and do not try anything foolish or reckless, like fighting when they could escape, she replied. Na'ir had not faced many dangers yet, but Phal knew that she had experienced challenges, and had received very good training from herself and Aeraldi. She wasn't yet a year, in fact. Judging by Zelyts' and Jason's parents, they could take care of themselves as well, and were probably better fighters than the young, much more battle-wary dragoness.

Rigel peered around as he paused just inside the cavern entrance. He saw the shadows twisting and furling themselves around columns and outcrops of stone, and knew that the dragons were probably hiding behind some of them. He could feel their magic, and knew they were deeper inside, though. He gave a cold, eerie smile, his yellow eyes harsh in the dim light. Are you ready, little dragons? Because here I come, he called out in a creepy, whispering tone. He slowly drew further in, feeling for their magic to make sure they were not getting closer without his awareness.

OOC: Sorry....

IC:
Zelyts waited silently as the phoenix neared him. He had no intention of tryingto take the giant bird one on one, but he did have intentions of losing that bird deep within the caves, either ot kill it by suffocation, or by starvation, or even at the least buy them time to find their parents. He yelled as the cendus leapt off of the platform, saying, "YAH! Take that you stupid crow!" yelled the cendus as he raced past the bird deeper into the caves. He sighed when eh heard what Na'ir said. He said, Sorry, but it is kind of too late for me to do anything about it, just stay there and I will try to lose him. said Zelyts as he nimbly ran through the cave, sometimes running on two feet, or four, but never stoping, no matter the obsticle.

Braith continued to rip at the side of the mountain until there was just enough room for one of his foreclaws to reach through. He used thisfor more leverage and continued to work. His face was a grimace of worry, anger, and even a little doubt as he worked to free himself from the cave to find his youngest child.

Voenth nodded and said, "I hope you are right, because there are not many enemies as those two. There are very few creatures that can match the power of those monsters." said Voenth as he dug.

OOC: Go ahead with your post, Draco, we are gonna GM fang's charries out of this RPGC.

OOC: Alright. I guess it'll just be us, then.

IC: Na'ir stared in alarm as Zelyts sprang in front of Rigel and then ran off, trying to lead him on into the deeper regions of the cave. She seriously doubted the safety of doing so, but it was too late to try and persuade Zelyts to be more careful. Now she just had to concentrate on doing what she could to keep him from being hurt. She raced to the side of the cave and loped further in, making sure to keep her footsteps silent but not wanting to lose Zelyts. If he got cornered or made even a small mistake, Rigel could be upon him in an instant. The blue glanced back, watching the phoenix as well. He looked strangely calm, perhaps even enjoying himself. Well that's never a good sign, Na'ir thought with a grimace.

Rigel narrowed his eyes as the brown dragon, in cendus form, leapt out from behind some rocks right in front of him and then dashed rapidly back into the cave. What does he think he's accomplishing? he wondered, giving a small snort of laughter. The phoenix, rather awkward on the ground, began trotting forward. He kept his mind focused on all three dragons so as not to be surprised, but decided to follow the little cendus-form dragon. I will play along with your little game. It will make you all the more surprised when I kill you, Rigel said, a sneer in his voice. He mumbled a small spell under his breath, and the cave floor directly in front of him was coated in ice. Rigel moved much faster, digging his talons into the ice and letting himself slide a short distance. Phoenixes were not known for their natural running speed, and this helped.

Phal saw the tunnel narrow ahead, and begin a slow curve to the northwest. Where it led, she still did not know, but she would follow it until there was a clear way out. Her body had fallen into a natural rhythm of motion, running along the earthen ground and dodging past obstacles. Luckily, the tunnel was mostly clear ahead of them. I can see a little way ahead. The tunnel curves and narrows, and I think it widens again. That's a good sign, she announced, growling under her breath and pushing herself to go faster. Nothing mattered now except getting out of this cave.

Rigel continued after the dragon-cendus, snorting at his taunts. Good for you. Doesn't change the fact that you're going to die, though, he said, with almost the phoenix version of a shrug. (The fact that he was running prevented him from actually shrugging, however.) The dark phoenix knew that this dragon was probably trying to lead him into some sort of trap or place where he would have an advantage. Rigel didn't really care, though. He was confident that he could kill him in any situation that could arise. And once he killed the dragon-cendus or drove him into the claws of Nidhog, Alna'ir would be his. Rigel could just picture Phalynx's look of horror when she saw her daughter in his talons. It was almost enough to make him turn to pursue the little blue dragon instead.

Na'ir bolted along, dodging several large falling rocks that were the result of the cave's destabilization. She wondered what Zelyts had planned to take on Rigel. He knew these caves, so he should know the best spots to fight. But how much did he know about Rigel? How much longer are we going to run? she asked him.

Phalynx continued at a dead run, no longer caring if she left Voenth behind. She could see the cave widen out up ahead, and join with a larger system of passages. A thick maze of stalactites, stalagmites, and giant stone pillars filled most of the cave ahead. And at its edge, she could see movement and magic. We're getting close... she said, her teeth bared in an unuttered snarl. Rigel would be hers very shortly. She desired nothing more than to rip her claws through his feathers and flesh, and burn him with her starfire. He would not touch Alna'ir!

OOC: Are you gonna godmod Jason out of the story, voenth?

OOC: I can try, or we can just say that he followed along trying to help, but soon found himself lost in the cavens, but if you want, I can try.

IC:
Voenth was forced to run after the starry dragoness at full speed just to keep up with her charge through the cavern. Voenth ran as fast as possible, then, as they progressed, the elf could see the glow of fire, however instead of red, or even yellow, it was a dark blue color. The elf immediately unbuckled Let'Hjartha from his belt and ran toward it.


Braith roared his challange to the skies and shot higher into the air. When he caught sight of the giant black dragon, Braith charged. He hit Nidhog in the side and nearly drive him out of the air. Braith then sent a powerful orange fireball after the black dragon to add insult to injury.

Zelyts laughed at the bird and said, "I will not die here." as he stopped running and faced the bird in what looked like a mineature arena, as it was surrounded on all sides by small rounded columns of stone. The cendus was ready to take the bird on head to head, and either win or die, in either case it was going to happen eventually one way or another.

Nidhog roared in suprise as he was hit in the side by the huge male dragon. It angered him greatly that he had been taken off-guard by the dragon, but never-the-less the orange male was outmatched. Maybe not in brute strength, but Nidhog had experience on his side. The black dragon roared back and unleashed his fire, the deep green fire hit the orange and burned through the scales and into the soft flesh underneath. Then the black dragon followed up with a hart hit to the side of Braith's head with its tail. The orange dragon was sent hurtling toward the side of the mountain and when he hit, it moved.

OOC: Yeah, he could get lost or trapped or something. Whatever works lol.

IC: Rigel clacked his beak impatiently at the young dragon, but narrowed his eyes when Zelyts stopped and turned to face him. Odd... Does he really think he can take me on in a fight? Rigel wondered. The phoenix skidded to a stop on his icy floor, extending his wings and flapping them a few times to halt himself. He could sense the blue dragoness growing closer as well, but right now it would be better to deal with the immediate threat. If, indeed, it really proved to be any kind of threat. You're really going to try to fight me? Rigel asked, his wings half-raised.

Alna'ir kept up with her friend and the evil pheonix, but suddenly the cave began to rumble. Rocks fell from the ceiling, blocking her path. The dragoness jerked to a stop and leapt backwards as more rocks fell in front of her, landing where she had been mere moments before. She growled in annoyance and began racing to the side, moving as fast as she could to get around the rocks and to the place where she could see Zelyts and Rigel. Though Zelyts was strong, Na'ir didn't think he could last long in a direct fight with a phoenix with many millenia of knowledge and power behind him.

Phal sprinted, her limbs working tremendously to propel her ahead. She could just see them on the edge of her vision, slightly blurred by layers of stone; Na'ir, Zelyts, Jason, and Rigel. The starry-scaled dragoness snarled as she ran, ready to tackle her enemy and tear into him with her claws and teeth. However, a rumbling of the cave up ahead cut short her plan to run and pounce. Rocks began tumbling from the ceiling, and a few stalactites fell, crashing around Phal and sending up sprays of dangerous rocky fragments. She darted ahead and then whipped out her wings to stop herself just as a large pillar of stone fell in front of her. She backed up toward the side of the cave, waiting for the rain of stone to cease.

Rigel eyed the young dragon-in-cendus-form curiously, his yellow gaze doubtful. In that form, his opponent was less than half Rigel's height, and did not appear to have any other weapons than those he was showing. The phoenix did not know if he knew any magic. Rigel doubted the dragon could last long without it, and so showed a confident sneer. So be it, little dragon. But I hope you realize you won't last long, he taunted, ruffling his wings in an offhand way. The phoenix let out a long, piercing screech and tore at the stone floor with one talon.

Na'ir bolted down a narrow corridor of stone, leaping over fallen rocks and ducking under pillars that had not quite reached the ground in their fall. The shorest path she could see to reach Zelyts was still a long and winding one. As she ran, she heard an eerie screech echo through the cave and ring in her ears. Her scales prickled as the sound put her on edge.

Phal dug ferociously at the stones that now barred her way from the rest of the cave. She could see them, just Na'ir and Zelyts alone with her enemy, Rigel. The phoenix's screech rang throughout the cave, filling Phal's mind with pure rage. She smashed a hole in the rocks large enough to look through and let out a returning roar. Her challenge was angry and feral--that of an enraged mother dragon, and soon she had scrabbled away enough rocks to start lunging her way through.

Zelyts laughed in return and said, "We will see won't we?" and began to circle the bird. He was careful to stay an extra few feet from the bird to avoid the dangerous beak and claws of the bird. He smiled and sent a powerful red flame at the bird. He did not expect it to hurt it, but did want to see how it reacted.

OOC: PASS atm, sorry, writers block...

Rigel laughed coldly. Miss you? Why, I had no intention of doing so. You're lucky I'm finding this fun, or else I would simply do as you said and crush the pillar, he replied, yellow eyes gleaming. Rigel could simply revert to his fire form and use the added magic to blast a tunnel out of the cavern to save himself. He easily blocked the fire attacks; the flames dissipated as soon as they hit the cold fire licking up the phoenixes' feathers. Rigel began to chant in a low voice, and a low wall of blue fire appeared, completely surrounding their battlefield. The wall of flames grew ever-so-slowly higher. Soon the young dragon would be his.

Na'ir scrambled down the sharp incline and into the hole. After a brief inspection of her surroundings, she knew it was the only way to get to Zelyts and Rigel. Her claws gripped the walls of the hole for dear life as she slid down. At last, she reached the floor, and began running down the much-deepened tunnel to get to her destination. It was only a little farther ahead, and then a sharp turn to the right. Then, after some more running, she would reach the large hole Rigel had created.

Phalynx saw Rigel's magic start to build ahead of her, surrounding him and Zelyts. She hissed, fearing what the phoenix planned. Even she didn't fully know what he was capable of; her fights with him had been limited. She could only keep running, hoping to make it to the two young ones in time to help them.

Rigel laughed at the dragon. Your friends and family cannot save you now, little dragon. You will die, he replied, his voice cruel. He dove at the dragon and slashed with his talons, and then flapped his wings to go up again. Another wave of cold fire pulsed towards Zelyts.

Na'ir worked on getting through the thick flames on the ground, to where she had room to fly. She heard Rigel's words to Zelyts, and snarled angrily. When she had enough space cleared, she rose into the air and let out a jet of starfire, which intercepted the pulse of cold fire and disintegrated it. You're wrong, Rigel! she screeched angrily. The phoenix looked at her, rage on his face, but just then, the ceiling and walls started shaking. Na'ir roared in alarm and swerved to avoid falling rocks.

Phalynx was digging through a thinner part of the cave wall blocking her from Rigel and the children, when she felt the ground begin to shake. She twisted her hindquarters out of the way to avoid a huge falling rock, and then squeezed the rest of the way into her hole. Outside, rocks and stones were crumbling around her.

Zelyts screamed in pain as his skin was torn by the beak, and claws of the evil phoenix, and then again as he was burned by the cold fire of it. However, he fought through the pain and managed to bite at the phoenix and swipe at it with his claws. He was not dead ... yet.

Braith hurtled into the bowels of the earth. He was trying to control his fall when a piece of rock which jutted out of the wall knocked him senseless.

OOC: Sorry, kind of dry this turn...

Rigel blocked Zelyts' physical attacks and his flame with cold fire, but it was getting more difficult. He sensed the elf enter the battle as well, and only just managed to flap quickly up to avoid the stunning spell and mutter his own counterspell to protect himself. The blue dragoness was flying up again as well. This was all getting too much for Rigel, who would have greatly preferred to swoop in, kill a dragon, and swoop out again without much of a fight. And he knew that once Phalynx managed to dig her way in, any chance of killing anyone would be gone. The dark phoenix dove at Zelyts, allowing the dragon to inflict a few blows on him, but getting close enough for a powerful counterstrike. Rigel's talons, laced in blue flame, struck forward at the brown's chest, and his sharpened wings sliced down as well (though mostly to give him time to flap back up again). He immediately sent a few more waves of cold fire across the room to keep his enemies distracted.

Na'ir flew back up at Rigel again after his ice had dissipated, but was slowed by another wall of blue fire just as she saw Rigel dive at Zelyts. She shielded herself from the flames but had to stop. With all the phoenix's magic, she was only halfway from the floor to the ceiling.

Phal was about halfway through the wall, and fiercely making her way through. It appeared Voenth had found some small tunnel or crack that led into the room with Rigel and the two young dragons. His magic would help, and his fighting experience.

OOC: Well, I suppose it is time to mentally scar everyone and almost make Braith lose his mind lol.

IC:
When the phoenix flew close and attacked, Zelyts was immediately on the defensive. He was busy trying to dodge the blows of the nimbler, and larger phoenix while deal damage with his own claws and fire, however just before the two broke apart, one of the phoenix's claws caught the skin on the underside of Zelyts' neck. As the phoenix pulled away from the dragon, the claw tore through the soft flesh and scale. Zelyts felt something wet and hot on his chest. Darkness began to creep into his vision and he could no longer feel his body. Then, the young dragon began to fall, slowly at first, then his speed picked up. He fell straight down to the bottom of the hole. A small brown stone then rolled silently out of the open jaws of the dead dragon at the bottom of the pit.

Voenth did not believe his eyes as he saw the small dragon fall from the air down the pit. He stared blankly at the place where he had seen the dragon last before it had been enveloped by the darkness of the hole. He stared openmouthed as dread, sadness, and anger surged across the link between him and Braith.

Braith was still barely conscious when he felt the anguish through Voenth's link. He immediately knew what had happened. The orange dragon then felt his anger as never before. It far surpassed anything before or after. He had never felt so much hate, or evil in his life. As his rage boiled his entire body was wracked with tremors. He managed to stand up on his four feet and ground the ground beneath him into powder. As his anger continued to build, he rumbled so loudly in his throat that the entire mountain began to shake. Never before had a dragon felt this much anger. The orange dragon began to ferociously claw his way up the sides of the pit he was in. Braith clawed up like some sort of feral animal. He did not even seem like an intelligent being, he seemed like nothing more than a beast with a want to kill.

OOC: Wow. Gone for a month, and come back to this? Now I'm sad, gah... (Though you did it quite well, voenth.)

IC: Rigel felt one of his talons pierce the flesh of the young dragon's neck. As his razor-edged wings swept down, lifting him abruptly into the air, he felt the blood of Zelyts stream out as his claw scored across the dragon's neck. Immediately, the pheonix felt a sense of supreme triumph. He had killed many dragons before, but none of their deaths had felt quite this satisfying. He savored the looks of shock and horror that passed over the faces of the elf and Phalynx's daughter, and relished the piercing, infuriated roar that the silver emitted. Even the tremendous rumble from within the mountain brought some triumph, but also nervousness. Braith was a powerful and imposing dragon, and this was his son. Rigel would not be able to defend himself against the orange with these others helping. He let out a piercing shriek and sent out a powerful wave of cold blue flame in triumph, planning to make his escape.

The cold fire cleared in front of Na'ir, only to reveal a spray of blood trailing from one of Rigel's talons as it left Zelyts' neck. The young dragon began falling, and in the blue's shock it seemed to take ages for him to hit the ground. She was dimly aware of her own voice, crying out in horror and grief, but felt only numbness. This couldn't be happening. Zelyts could not be dead. She saw something fall from his jaws as he hit the floor, but before she could make it out a powerful wave of Rigel's fire swept through the cave, catching her off guard. The force slammed into her and sent her straight into a pillar of rock, knocking the breath from her lungs. She landed on the top of another pillar and lay there, stunned.

Phalynx let out a trumpeting roar of grief and anger as she witnessed what occurred. The only emotion that filled her was fury at Rigel. The phoenix had long sought to deal a blow to her or anyone she was allied to, and on this day he succeeded. The silver threw herself at the rock before her, bruising and cutting herself as she relentlessly attacked it, bathing it in intense starfire and then hurling her body forward. Rigel would not get away with this.

OOC: Shame on me for forgetting my own RPGC.

IC:
The elven spellcaster was unable to contain the tide of anger that rushed across his link with Braith. The spellcaster began to cast spell after spell at the phoenix, spells of killing, maiming, holding, and spells even to try to pull the oxygen in the air away from the evil bird. The power used for these spells came from both the eldunari in his cloak and from Braith himself. The elf let loose a terrible cry one of pain anguish, and of hatred at the phoenix as he continued to cast countless spells at the phoenix. Were it not for a powerful voice in his head, Voenth would have likely killed himself. It said,

Voenth! Now is not the time to kill yourelf. If you wish to avenge the death of Zelyts, then you must live to see another day. You will accomplish nothing if you kill yourself in an attempt to destroy the phoenix. Use your brain, you will have your chance! said Bascth as his eldunari glowed softly.

Braith, on the otherhand was beyond help. The orange dragon tore at the rocks above and around him, gouging massive holes in the walls of the cave that was almost his tomb. He continued to pull himself forward and tear at the rocks until the mountain began to shake again.

Voenth, now come back to his senses screamed aloud, "Everyone get out! The entire mountain is about to collapse!" screamed the elf.

Nidhog growled when he felt the mountain coming apart. He began to use his powers to tunnel his way out of the mountain and back into the skies above. There he would be safe, and there he would be able to potentially ambush the dragons and elf as they escaped the mass of falling boulders.

OOC: lol voenth. Especially when it was getting so intense! Still sad though... poor little dragons...

IC: Rigel began heading away from the chamber, angling straight for the outside. However, a sudden barrage of spells careened into him, knocking him out of the air for a few moments before he could regain his composure. He muttered a rapid-fire set of spells to ward of the elf's magic, though the drain on his energy was larger than he expected. The elf was hitting him wildly with spell after spell, using so many different ones that the phoenix was forced to use a more general, and much more energy-consuming ward. He hastened his wingbeats, knowing that the farther he got, the safer he would be. Now was not the time to allow himself to be killed, though he was prepared for that outcome.

Na'ir recovered her breath, and rather than focus all of her attention on Rigel, she could only think to go after Zelyts. She launched herself off the pillar she had fallen onto, rapidly half-diving, half-flying to the floor of the cave and to the brown's body. She landed heavily, ignoring the painful jolt to her limbs as she stumbled over to her friend. Zelyts... she choked out, bending over him. She looked over to what had fallen from his jaws. It was a small, smooth brown stone. It could only be one thing. Tears falling from her eyes, Na'ir raced over and gently scooped up the stone, holding it protectively in her jaws for safekeeping. I'm sorry, Zelyts... I should have done more, she said softly. Suddenly, Voenth's voice rang out over the rumbling of the cave. Na'ir looked beneath them and realized that Braith was going to tear the cavern apart. Panicking, she began trying to drag Zelyts' body away, not wanting to leave him behind.

Phalynx finally burst out of the tunnel in an explosion of starlight and fire. She paused for a moment, panting. Rigel was already halfway to the surface, and Braith was ripping his way up. The cave was not going to hold for much longer. Voenth shouted a warning, and the silver looked around anxiously for her own daughter, knowing the first thing they had to do before she could go after the phoenix was get out of the cave. Na'ir was on the ground near Zelyts' body, trying to drag it away. Phal flew rapidly over to Voenth first. I will fly you out. Can you use any magic to help us carry Zelyts' body? I wouldn't feel right leaving it, she said, forcing her voice to sound strong despite the overwhelming grief that threatened to surface.

Phalynx nodded slowly and solemnly at Voenth's words, holding back tears. It shouldn't be this way... Zelyts was still so young, younger than her... he shouldn't be gone. Na'ir... come with us. We have to leave, she said as she landed next to her daughter, her voice exceedingly gentle. Na'ir turned to look at her, her large green eyes filled with tears. The sight nearly broke Phalynx's heart. She wrapped her neck around the blue's and gently pushed her away from Zelyts' body. Fly now. We have to get out of the mountain, she said, and her daughter obeyed. Phal took off after Alna'ir, racing out of the collapsing caves. She already saw the best path out of the mountain, and knew Na'ir saw it as well. Letting her daughter lead the way, Phal focused on scanning their surroundings as well as the mouth of the cave, for it would be just like their enemies to attack them by surprise as they tried to escape a collapsing cavern.

Rigel made it out of the caves, letting his wards wear off completely. He flapped to an adjacent ridge, perching under some low hanging rocks to rest for a few moments. The fight and the retaliation afterwards had left him somewhat exhausted, and he knew that the rest of the group would be seeking immediate revenge against him. Especially the brown dragon's father, who was at that moment tearing apart the mountain from the inside. The phoenix wondered if he would be able to strike a blow on the silver's child as well before the night was through, for he knew Nidhog was also somewhere nearby.

Na'ir nodded to Voenth, understanding his instruction. Luckily she was an extremely fast flyer, faster than either Rigel or Nidhog, so if things went wrong she would be able to escape with the Eldunari. She landed on a hillside above the forest and waited, watching for either the terrifying black dragon or the dreaded dark phoenix. At last, Nidhog burst from the mountain, angling straight toward her mother. Shortly after, Braith exploded from the stones, letting out a piercing cry that was filled with more anguish and more fury than anything she had heard before.

Phalynx finally caught sight of Rigel, waiting on a ridge to the north, until a series of explosive noises from the collapsing mountain drew her attention. She twisted around in time to see Nidhog bearing down on her, Braith exploding from the mountain seconds later. The silver dragoness, much smaller than the monster of a dragon who was about to pounce, frantically dove to get out of the way, flooding her scales with piercingly bright light so that he wouldn't be able to look directly at her. If he actually made contact she could be severely injured. She swooped low over the ground, twisting back up and spiraling away from Nidhog to get more space between them, and then turned to breathe out a quick series of starfire missiles before flapping to get further away again.

Rigel took off as soon as Braith emerged from the mountain, seeing the intense anger of the orange dragon immediately and realizing his danger. He was no longer as tired as he was from the fight, but his energy was still more depleted than he would have liked for such a battle. He began to make his way higher into the sky. The orange dragon was angry enough to chase after him, so Rigel knew he could lure him high enough into the atmosphere so that the phoenix would have the advantage. Not needing to breathe and being immune to radiation was useful, especially if one's enemy was too infuriated to realize how high up they were. I will kill you the same way I killed your son, dragon! Do not think you are any different! he taunted, flapping rapidly to gain altitude.

OOC: Don't make Braith angry. You won't like him when he is angry. lol

IC:
Voenth cursed when he saw the uncontrollable rage that was controling Braith. He began to cast spells at Rigel, spells to slow his flight as best he could . The elf knew he could not stop the phoenix from flying, that was beyond his power at that distance, but he could at least slow the phoenix if only temporarily. Then when he saw Nidhog bearing down upon Phalynx; the elf used Bascth's power to cause a small explosion beside the black dragon to throw him off course.

Braith roared angrily at the phoenix and said, My son dies an honorable warriors death, you however will die slowly oh so slowly. said the dragon who was beyond the point of return as he chased the phoenix higher and higher into the sky. The bird would find that Braith was in a class all his own when it came to tooth and claw fighting. He was one of the very best and he would prove that by killing the phoenix, but only after making it suffer oh suffer so greatly.

Nidhog roared angrily as the silver dragon blinded him with her light and burned him with short bursts of fire. Hir roar of anger turned into one of pain as an explosion caused him to land badly and even turn a flip after hitting the ground. The dragon growled and sent a powerful flame at the elf and at the silver dragon.