Arden couldn't stand it anymore, he was really upset with what was going on. He was glad that Erais was with Daidrea, especially since she was passed out. Don't you dare loose her, Arden growled threateningly as he flew through the air to where he sensed Mesaraih in a struggling fight. Now he was glad that he hadn't lost any energy in fighting or battling yourself in your mind over a silly decision.

He let out a stream of fire, not too close to Mesaraih, the men shrieked in pain, but he kept moving through them. He plowed them down like the wind against grain in a field. Move! Don't fight! He shouted to Mesaraih and Daidrea.

Daidrea noticed Mesaraih got behind him. Good, now we can leave. However he sensed ahead more soldiers as they began to surround the forest. Dammit..

Arden you need to fly Erais out of here! We are getting surrounded. It seemed like he was about to argue but Daidrea yelled out, Arden now! less than a moment later he landed in a nearby clearing. Daidrea rushed over to him and placed her on his back. He turned to Mesaraih, "Your going with her, Arden is able to carry one more." He looked pretty taken back by it. "Dammit, theres no time, go!" He watched him reluctantly get on.
"Mesaraih, you better keep her alive.."
Daidrea turned and walked away pulling his sword out, he ran back into the forest, unsure of what would happen next.

Ok, sorry if I'm pushing things a little, but just wanted to get things going for this part.

Arden gave a low growl as Daidrea ordered him around, but seeing as it was probably the only way, he wouldn't argue. He shifted his shoulders so Erais was in a spot where she would fall off, especially since she couldn't hold on. You have no idea how much this will kill Erais, Arden told Daidrea angrily as he lifted to the sky, making sure Mesaraih wasn't going to fall. He had seen enough into her mind to know that if Daidrea wasn't there when she woke up...well he'd rather not think about it, and not experiance it. There are to many, just run! Arden shouted at Daidrea, he was only one against one thousand.

Arden had dodged the flames in time, looking back he saw that Daidrea was in a crater, not moving. He landed in a safe thicket of trees a long distance, knowing that they wouldn't be disturbed anymore for a while. He let Mesaraih get off and had Erais slip to the ground. She was still unconscious and he looked at her sadly, he didn't want to tell her what had happened. Looking over at Mesaraih, it looked like today had been the worst day of his life.

After a while Erais woke with a start, her mind frantic as she looked around. She couldn't remember anything that had happened, she just felt that Daidrea wasn't there. She saw Mesaraih, but no Daidrea. Arden! She shouted at him panicked, he was able to rely everything that had happened. The image of Daidrea burned and alone hit Erais hard and she bolted away from them like a startled colt.

Her body ached but she pressed on. Her mind set on getting to Daidrea. It was a long run, but she kept going, hoping that the pit in her stomach was just from paranoia. Finally reaching the place where she had seen Daidrea mentally, there was a huge crater, and in the very bottom lay Daidrea. The smell of sulfur reached her nose and she made a face. It smelled terrible, but looking at Daidrea's burnt and ash covered body, she carefully made her way down the steep crater.

She felt emotions flood through her as the pain of reality hit her. Everything in her seemed to die as she made her way to where Daidrea was a quick as she dared. Stop thinking that! She told herself sternly. He's alive! He has to be! He's just sleeping, that's it...he's just...sleeping. She tried to comfort herself as she finally made it over to Daidrea. Erais brushed the ash away from him, searching his face for any sign of life. Come on! Wake up! Erais shouted into his mind panicked. She felt the tears start to slip down her face as a gaping hole ripped open in her chest and she felt terrible emotions wash through her.

Erais bent her head close to his mouth, and with a sigh of relief, could hear him struggling for breath; but at least he was breathing. She knew she had to help him quick, otherwise he might slip away. I know that I know something that can help him...but what? She asked herself in dismay. Oromis had taught her an immense amount of knoweldge, but she couldn't think of anything usefull at the moment. There had to be a spell that would help him. She knew it had to be strong and would take a toll on her. Erais wasn't sure if this would actually work, but she whispered a few things into Daidrea's ear before pulling back and putting her right hand over his heart. Please heal, come back, fight! She let the words slip from her mind into his.

Who am I..?

I am meaningless...I am an empty vessel...I am nothing..

Daidrea..? Yeah, I was once called that..
Whos calling my name..?
Who?
I'm so tired..
Leave me alone...I dont know anything...

Daidrea was still not moving, but he was breathing a little easier than before.

Erais searched his face for some sort of life on his face. His breathing seemed a bit easier, but that didn't wash away her worry and pain. Daidrea, please come back, she told him softly with her mind. Erais wasn't sure if he was able to hear, so she resorted to talking to him softly with her mind. You still have a life, you still have a lot to live for. Hold on, please keep hanging in there. I know it hurts and you're probably confused, but we still need you. Erais was surprised that her tone was gentle instead of frantic or panicky.

Erais felt his heart beat increase slightly under her hand, hopefully that was a good sign. Her eyes lit up slightly as she saw him moving slightly before stopping again. Watching his face she saw that his eyes opened slightly, enough to let the light in, she couldn't really tell if he could see or not. "Daidrea?" She asked him softly, leaning towards him hoping for a response. "I know it hurts right now, but make some sort of sound, please." She pleaded quietly as the light breeze picked up some of the ash, moving it around slightly.

Erais felt a small smile of relief come to her face as she sighed. He's alive, she thought happily. She watched him tentatively as he raised his hand up to her cheek. It look like he was in pain as he did so, but even with his hand burned from the fire, she liked the feeling of it against her cheek. When he dropped his hand she missed the feeling, but was glad to know that he'd live. With extensive healing, but he'd live. "Thanks," she whispered to him and lay down next to him, just waiting until he'd have more energy to move. Erais took one of his hands in hers and looked at the damage to it, it hurt her to see such pain inflicted on him, but she held his hand as the stars began to fill the sky.

Erais turned her head slightly as Daidrea was able to roll himself onto his side. She watched him for a moment, wondering how hard this really was for him. "Sh, don't try and speak, it will only hurt you more. Just let your body take time to heal itself and get energy." She told him gently, moving her hand over to his face and touched his cheek with it softly. Instead of moving her hand, she just kept it there, knowing that it might help him; in a way.

Daidrea felt better with Erais' touch. He listened to her and laid back down on his back. He closed his eyes and tried to rest.
It was difficult at first, the air smelled of ash and sulfur and his body ached terribly. But his weariness helped him ignore it and let sleep take him.


Sorry for the short posts, not much I can do atm.

Erais watched him quietly as he slowly drifted to sleep, glad that he was able to retreat into sleep where he wouldn't feel much pain, if any. She sat up and looked around, ash was everywhere and the smell was awful, but it was easier to overlook than she thought it would be. Looking up at the stars, she marveled at their simple beauty. If only life was that easy. She wasn't tired, but lay back down next to Daidrea and began to count the stars. She knew she was counting over the same ones, but it made no difference and soon she fell into sleep. Content to know she had counted 2,369 stars.

The movement that Daidrea made was enough to cause the ash to stir, and there was a lot. Erais woke up coughing and swiping the ash, trying to wave it away for cleaner air. She sat up, still coughing and breathing in ash, still swiping at the ash which only lingered. "That is the worst way to ever wake up," she said absently, the coughing finally dying down. She turned her head, expecting to see Daidrea still asleep, but he was up. Erais smiled at him, but faltered when she saw his burns. "Does it hurt?" She asked him and carefully took his right arm, the one that was damaged the worst. It looked awful, and the rest of him wasn't exactly in perfect health either.

Erais felt slightly hurt that his pride was getting the better of him. Her hand shot out and she grabbed his face gently and made him look at her. She had been able to see the blood that he had coughed up. "Men and there pride...why can't you put it aside right now? After all, I'm the only one here. Why are you trying to be so tough when I know you're in pain? You're hurt, but you shouldn't let your pride stand in the way...otherwise you're a fool and being ridiculous." She told him firmly.

Erais felt panic rise up in her as she watched Daidrea start to struggle for breath and began to cough. She backed away to give him some room to regain his breath and to stop coughing. As soon as it was over she quickly returned to his side, touching his face gently. "You're not doing well, we need to move..." She trailed off, realizing it would be a bad idea to move him right now. He could barely sit up without any kind of pain...but breathing in ash and dust was bad for both of them, him especially. He looked exhausted, and his breathing was off. "Do you think you could handle moving?" She asked him, looking over at the edges of the crater, they were very steep and she began to wonder how she made it down without slipping.

Erais watched him stunned as he got up and began to stagger out of the crater. Her anger was fueled as he pushed himself to far and made it out, slumping against one of the charred trees. Finally able to come to her senses she quickly made her way towards the top of the crater and moved over to where he was breathing hard. "Daidrea!" She shouted at him, thinking twice before doing something she'd might regret. "Stop doing this!" Her voice held a bit of malice in it. She was to distracted to realize that Mesaraih was close by.

Erais squeezed the bridge of her nose in an attempt to relieve some of the stress that she had. "No." She told Daidrea flatly. "You aren't well, you can barely breathe, barely keep consciousness, and you're a sitting duck right now. So whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me, so shut up and let me help you." Her tone was a bit snappy, but she was too annoyed with him right now. She walked over to him, assessing how much energy it would take to help the healing process along. She muttered a few words that healed his throat and any damage to his lungs; at least now he could breathe easier. It took much more than she had expected, but she kept at it and slowly worked on his burns and the damage from the fire.

Her mind began to drift as she sat against a rock close to where Daidrea was. Everything fell on her as she went over the events in her mind. Mesaraih! Her eyes snapped open as she now realized why it felt a bit empty. She stood up and searched a little, but not going to far from Daidrea. She couldn't find him anywhere. Panic seized her as numerous possibilities of what happened crushed into her awareness. Feeling helpless and terrible for what she had down, she collapsed on the ground sobbing. Dark clouds rolled in and it started to pour, but she didn't bother moving for shelter, she let the rain wash over her as she cried her heart out. She knew she had made her choice, but that didn't make it any easier knowing she had let him go.

Erais felt Daidrea's hands on her shoulders, but she didn't care right now. Her choice was made, and she had hoped slightly that there wouldn't be any pain for it, or it wouldn't be this great at least. It was there, and it hurt, just knowing how much she had hurt Mesaraih made her shake more. The cold from the rain began to seep into her skin and soon she was shivering.
Arden's eyes snapped open from sleep as he heard Daidrea's voice in his mind. Are you sure that would help right now? Arden asked him sleepily, yawning slightly. From what I know, he's just going. Sort of like the living dead. He spoke as clearly as he could, the rain not bothering him at all. In fact, it felt rather nice against his scales.

I hope you realize how much trouble Erais is going to give you when she pulls herself together. Arden told Daidrea before going back to sleep, too annoyed with them to do much other than sleep.
Erais barely registered Daidrea's words, but she shook more, not sure if she could handle seeing him. She knew he had to know by now of what had gone on, otherwise she was sure he'd be here. How could she face him when they both knew the truth?

Erais didn't hear Daidrea at all, she just felt him hug her to him. She curled into him for comfort as exhaustion started to wash over her. Her sobs quieted and she felt numb, not even feeling the rain or cold anymore. Soon her eyes were shut and her breathing evened out, and all too soon she had fallen fast asleep in Daidrea's arms as he held her. It was a dreamless sleep, just sleep, and it was welcomed.

Arden cracked his eye open slightly, not really bothered as Daidrea shifted his wing for shelter and warmth. Even asleep Erais seemed exhausted, but her life had been really hard for her right now. He curled his tail around, forming it against his wing so more of the heat would stay inside and help warm them up and dry them off. Finally he was able to get back to sleep, glad that things were starting to clear up, but he knew tomorrow would be awful and he didn't want to be around, but he knew he should be.

Erais didn't know how long she slept, but it was a long time. The sound of rain hitting Arden's wing woke her up. It was still dark out, but only because the clouds covered the sun. It didn't look like it had stopped at all. She just lay there and rubbed her eyes tiredly. Turning her head she saw Daidrea still sleeping and gave a small smile. If only things weren't such a mess, than maybe I would feel more happy. She thought to herself and pressed her hands against her eyes breathing deeply and evenly, just trying to sort out everything.

Erais turned over carefully, not realizing that Daidrea had woke. She was startled slightly as she saw him, it was a rather small space under Arden's wing, so they were very close. "Hi," she finally said, her worries flew out the window for a moment. Something's not right Erais, Arden told her. He had woke up before them, but didn't want to move so they wouldn't get wet from the rain that still fell from the sky. He had let his mind wander for a while and had encountered something that caused worry in his mind.

What is it Arden? she asked him slightly annoyed for once that he wasn't asleep. I think Reik is close by...I think he's got Mesaraih. He finally said. With that Erais sat up quickly, she became worried. We need to find him then. Erais said. "Daidrea, Mesaraih's in trouble." Erais told him, her voice in slight panic now.

The sound of rain slowly stopped as the reality started to sink further into Erais. She had chose, but did that mean she couldn't help him? Even with rest she still hurt, it didn't seem like it would ever go away. Arden stood up and moved, his shelter gone and the cold air bit at her exposed face. She hadn't realized how warm Arden had been, it was almost laughable at where he had been laying down. The ground he had been on had dried completely and left an outline of his position.

Erais stood up and walked over to Daidrea before sitting down. Everything either seemed to be painful or sorrowful. She leaned her head against his shoulder, tired from the stress, worry, and just about everything else. I don't think I'll ever have a normal life again. She thought gloomily.

Erais looked up at him, studying his expression for a moment before she replied. Yes, but I thought it would have been obvious, seeing as I'm right here and not somewhere else. She told him calmly. She touched her palm on his cheek in a comforting gesture. But that doesn't matter right now, we just need to find Mesaraih...I have a really bad feeling right now, something is looming out there. She said refering to wood that grew denser every few yards.

Erais just kept quiet, her mind turning about what was really going on. "No, but if we don't go, I'm afraid that it will be too late and we won't see him again." She said while standing up as well. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Arden walked over to them. We need to hurry. He told them both. Alright, lets go then. She said to him. Picking up her sword she strapped it on and headed into the forest.

The more she walked forward, the more she felt awful and knew something bad had happened. It was quiet and there weren't many sounds disturbing the quietness of the forest. Drops of water would fall off of the trees every once in a while, some hitting Erais on the head, while others were absorbed into the wet earth. Finally the trees began to thin out and the strangest sight she had ever seen lay before her. She stopped, wondering what the dome shaped thing was. The sound of something breaking off in small bits reached her ears.

Looking around the area was empty, so she cautiously went over to it. Walking around it she studied it, sighing she climbed to the top to see a small hole in it. "Mesaraih?" she called down quietly.

Erais felt panic rise in her slightly. The sound of something chipping away stopped before continuing again. "Mesaraih!" She called more urgently. There was still no reply and she became more worried. She began to run around the thing, whatever it really was, trying to find some sort of entrance. Nothing. She felt a weight crash down on her shoulders, she just wanted to know he was alive.

As she continued her search a horrible feeling overcame her. The small hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she got the feeling of being watched by unfriendly eyes. Instantly on hyperware she drew her sword, shaking on the inside of what might happen and what could have happened to Mesaraih.

Erais felt some relief when she heard Mesaraih's voice, but his words were not welcomed. She watched amazed as he appeared at the top, having worked his way out. The sound of an arrow whizzing through the air got her attention and she saw it just as it got Mesaraih's leg. Looking around she noticed Reik in the shadows. "No, I'm not leaving you here when you're clearly dead on your feet." She hissed back at him, she didn't want him to die and she wanted Reik gone.

Erais stood quiet for a moment as Mesaraih yelled at her to leave. "No! I can take care of myself!" She shouted at him, her temper rising. She felt anger towards him, everyone knew that Mesaraih was in no shape to be fighting Reik who now had some of Mesaraih's energy as well. Erais hated him pushing her away when she could help him. Other than that, she was feeling her dislike mount further against Reik.

"I'm not leaving you to your death." She said with clenched teeth. "Reik needs to be set right in his place." She continued, "and I need a good fight."

Erais had a stubborn head, and this wouldn't be the one time she listened to reason for once. "No Mesaraih! You're weak, and its obvious Reik has extra strength, I'm not leaving you alone with him. It would be your death!" She yelled the last part at him, trying to get it through his head that she wouldn't let him die, even if he wanted to. Erais glared at Reik, she really hated him at the moment. She knew he couldn't exactly help himself, but that didn't stop her from disliking him.

Erais tried walking forward, but the magical barrier blocked her way. No! She screamed in her head, banging her fists against the invisible barrier. She didn't like this, stupid Reik, why did he ever have to come back and add so much trouble to the pile of trouble they already had. The sound of whoosing air hit the trees full force, causing some of the leaves to come off. Arden landed, shaking the ground, he growled menacingly at Reik. He had a very accurate memory, but he would interfer unless Mesaraih was dying, despite Erais' frantic pleas through their connection.

Erais had kept pounding on the barrier after she couldn't get Arden to crack. It had turned weak though and it didn't do much but shift her form slightly as she kept repeatedly pounding against the barrier. She hadn't noticed Daidrea come up to her until he took her shoulders. She let her eye leave where Reik and Mesaraih were beginning to fight to look at Daidrea. "But its not a fair fight!" she complained, but knew that even if it was, she'd make up a petty excuse. It was strange as she felt herself relax considerably and almost instantly as he began to help soothe her. "I just...I don't want him to hurt." She said distressed and looked longingly back at the two fighting, wanting to stop Reik once and for all.

Erais didn't respond to what Daidrea said. She knew he was right, she knew that Mesaraih wouldn't really go down without a huge fight at least. She just hated seeing things like this. The guilty feeling came crashing back down on her and even though she was sitting down and Daidrea was doing all he could to help keep her calm, she trembled feeling a hole open up inside of her. Erais, calm down. Stop thinking that way, remember last time? Arden asked her pointedly, keeping one eye fixed on her and the other on the battle taking place.

But it is my fault! She shouted at him. She hated this, they kept telling her it wasn't her fault, she knew it was her fault. I should go back to the mountains, I should leave like I once did. She told Arden bitterly. It would save many more people from hurt.

Erais felt a wave of distress wash through her as she watched helplessly. Erais if you don't stop thinking like that I'll tell Daidrea. Arden told her sternly, he didn't like it when she was like this, it affected him as well. You wouldn't dare, she hissed to him, her thoughts still running wildly. I would, and you know it. He told her with a soft rumble in his chest. Fine! She said curtly to him before shutting him out of her mind. Erais was barely able to register Daidrea taking her hand, but she did hear what he said clearly. "How can you know?" she asked very quietly. All the problems she had caused made her feel terrible, she felt guilt pulse through her again. In a split decision she let her energy slowly pass from her into Mesaraih. It was in such small portions, but still ongoing, that she knew Mesaraih hopefully wouldn't notice the extra energy boost was coming from an outside source.

Even with the barrier, Erais could still see the battle that ensued. She watched in horror as Mesaraih would seem to lose his grip, but every time he came back full force. Her hand tightened considerably around Daidrea's, all but cutting off the circulation to his hand. She wanted to be in the fight, helping Mesaraih, but she didn't want to cause more damage then she'd already done. Her heart pounded painfully as she saw Reik going in for the final strike, the shock hurt her and she spinned her face around so she wouldn't have to see what happened. With her face buried in Daidrea's chest, she wasn't sure whether to look or not. She felt herself begin to hyperventilate as images flashed through her mind, even though she hadn't seen anything. She hadn't heard anything either, but refused to look incase her hearing had shut down.

The explosion of heat that came from the other side of the barrier washed over her and she felt surprise from the extent of it. Erais pulled her face away from Daidrea and looked behind her. The barrier had shattered completely and the battle was at its height. It would be over soon. She watched in horror as a tree smashed down on Reik. He wasn't the best person, but from what she had known about who he really was caused a small twinge of pain for him.

She felt her heart ache as Mesaraih moved the heavy tree away from Reik. Seeing Reik beat up like that hurt slightly, he wasn't in his right mind right now, and she just wished he didn't have to suffer through this. Her eyes widened as Reik seemed to melt away into the ground, leaving a dark hole behind. Erais lurched slightly as Mesaraih fell unconscious. She leapt up from Daidrea and ran over to him, stumbling slightly over the roughened ground. "Mesaraih," she whispered quietly as she dropped down next to him. She felt tired from the energy she had already sacrificed for him, but she let more of it drain away so Mesaraih would have an easier time healing. She knew, however, that it would only heal him physically.

Erais sat patiently, waiting for Mesaraih to wake up. She was surprised how quickly he was able to recover enough to rejoin the conscious world. He had sustained so many wounds, both physically and emotionally, that she would have thought him to be out longer. She smiled slightly, he wasn't like that though, he pushed himself hard. Her face etched into worry as she saw pain flash over his face for a moment. Her hands reached out automatically to help him. Gently she helped him sit up, though it wasn't much help. "No you're not," she said quietly to him, but didn't say much else. The guilt from her decision held her tongue for her. What could she say to comfort him?

Erais was shocked by his tone, it only made her feel worse then she already felt. "Because of how you are acting!" She said much more harshly then she intended to. "I'm sorry, that came out harsher then I thought," she said quietly while looking at him almost heart broken. Seeing him in this pain hurt her, just as much, well maybe not as much, but it was close to the pain he felt. Erais almost wished she hadn't met one of them, that way this wouldn't have unfolded like this. Deep down, she knew that she didn't regret it though.

Erais dropped her head so she was staring at the scorched ground. "I don't know..." She muttered weakly. "I-" Erais stopped and looked up into his face, she searched his for some sort of answer. In her mind she knew it, but she wasn't ready to admit it. "I just don't want to see you this way!" Erais finally burst, her heart aching terribly.

Erais glared at him, but it wasn't a hateful glare. "No," she mumbled almost indecipherably. He wasn't helping the situation, but it helped take the edge off her guilt, even though it wasn't a very convincing act. She knew that she couldn't really do anything to fix it, either way, the one that was left alone would have a slight bitterness and she knew that she'd feel this way and she couldn't really do anything.

"So you want to be in your self wallowing! You want to go through your life like this!" Erais yelled back at him as her temper started to creep over to her. "I can't tell you how because you are being difficult!" She shouted in his face. "I'll leave, then you can be all happy! You can go off and be killed for all I care!" She shouted the last part. It took a moment before she realized what she said and her eyes went wide in horror.

Erais listened, completely struck silent at what he was saying. She was regretting saying that to him. "I'm sorry, I- Mesaraih I didn't mean- Please- I just-" She kept breaking off from didn't thought trails and jumping into the next. She had no idea what to feel right now, she couldn't decide on an emotion and didfferent emotions kept flitting across her face as she struggled with what she was hearing. "I just don't want you to get hurt, but I know that's impossible right now...I'm just so sorry it has to end this way." Erais supressed a sob that threatened to burst from her. It was times like these when she cursed being female, it made it much harder to not cry. She hadn't really thought that he had been doing this for her, and now she wished she still didn't know.

Erais sat in shock, unable to move as he darted away after giving her a swift kiss on her forehead. It wasn't until he was out of sight that she truly broke down. It came much more quickly then she could have ever expected. She slumped against the ground and her body racked with sobs. She felt like she had ruined so much, caused so much pain. Erais hadn't ever felt this much grief before, she let her mind go and just let the pain take over. She just wanted it to be over, she didn't want to exist, she wanted to be void of feeling right now.

Ooc -yeah, good idea. Went slightly further then I thought.

Erais couldn't stand it anymore and flung her arms around Daidrea, hugging him tightly to her. She knew him and Arden were the only ones she had left now. She sobbed into him, wanting the pain and guilt to leave her once and for all. After a while she got her wish and her body slowly became numb to all feelings and her sobs quieted, but she didn't let go of Daidrea, she wanted to find solice in someone right now, and he was her best bet for that.