She was going to kill him, really, she was. Despite being in the pain she was in, Cy Ara struggled to try and stand. Don't waste your energy on me, Ka, I'll be fine. Give it all to him. . he's the one that's going to kill himself. Eventually, she stood, but had to lean onto the bed to steady herself so she wouldn't fall. There! Ty, I'm up. I'm fine. Revert. Before I make your nature boy butt eat sand. . .
She was becoming desperate now. She knew the Release's affects on Pure bloods. And because Tyleek wasn't one, the affects would be doubled, if not tripled. He could be immobilized for weeks as it was, despite his element being earth. The Release was not something to fiddle around with. Because it wasn't something that could just be healed after letting it go. Tyleek, you could die. If you don't care about that, then think about this: If you die, who's going to look after me, huh? You know how I am! I wouldn't last a day if I knew you were never coming back. . It felt cheesy. . but it was worth a shot. Everything she was saying was true. And honestly, she'd rather be spilling her guts this way than literally. At that, she raised a hand to place lightly against her stomach, grimacing. Please revert. .

In her mind, she couldn't have lied back down fast enough after Tyleek said he would revert back if she did. But when she finally was on her back again, she groaned, cursing to herself in her mind. She turned her head to Tyleek and spoke with breathless irritation - mostly from the pain - and spoke, with her real voice which sounded grungy and crackled, making her sound weaker than she really was.
"There. .now revert. ."

A long sigh of relief left her as she saw Tyleek revert and still be in one piece. It was a miracle, to say the least. Release, to put it simply, was like taking steroids every hour on the hour until you stopped. Then even afterward, the affects still hammered down on you for at least days after. She rolled her head so she was gazing up at the ceiling a moment, before closing her eyes and speaking with her raspy voice.
"I think we all need a nice, long rest. . especially you Tyleek. And Ka. . thank you." She murmured quietly at the end, glancing his direction with only one eye before closing them again. "Between the worry, the fighting, the wounds, and the loss of energy, we all need a good, long break. ."
Just as she said this, there was an explosion, coming from the streets. People screamed and ran, dust fell from where it was catapulted into the sky, causing a blockage of view, and there sounded like nothing but chaos coming from the street. Cy Ara's eyes snapped open and she shrieked. "Oh you have GOT to be kidding me!!" Her yelling caused her to lurch, her hands racing to place over her stomach.

Tyleek groaned at the sound of explosions. It hurt his still slightly sensitive ears. His lavender-blue eyes flew open as he felt himself being carried to a bed and bound to it. He growled softly and lifted his head as Ka disappeared out the window.
"Your kidding me right?" he called after the Reaper before slumping back to the bed. he didn't have energy for much complaining, so he simply closed his eyes and thought about not hyperventilating.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia growled and followed a bit behind her Rider. She wasn't letting him too long out of her sight without good reason.

OOC: just to explain, Cy Ara and Tyleek aren't "bound" to the bed, that was just the best word I could come up with at the time. Think of it as more like a baby's crib. They can still move, but if they try and get out they something will stop them...

OOC:
Hmm, that aught to please Tyleek to no end. He hates confinement, even if he can't see it.lol

Being bound to the bed made Cy Ara freeze. She could not believe he just did that. She struggled slightly, but couldn't seem to move off the bed and struggling too much caused pain to course throughout her, directly from her stomach. She resisted a cry when she bent the wrong way and just rested her head against the bed, trying hard not to scream in frustration. She huffed, cursing quietly, and spoke with annoyance, not caring that Tyleek would hear. "I'm going to kill him. ." Then she had a thought and looked over to Siberia, who'd been sitting quietly and trying to not get too involved in the bickering. "Siberia. .go with them."
I'm not leaving your side.
"NOW!" Siberia flinched at her abrupt anger and did as she was told, hesitantly racing to the window and jumping out of it to the alleyway below, following Ka and Jia.


Down in the market street, the entire front side of three buildings had been blown off and merchandise from stands and debris lied everywhere on the ground. A gigantic white dragon with shockingly electrifying yellow eyes roared, swinging her head around. Around her neck was some sort of metal contraption, a collar, from what it looked like. And a string of electricity that connected each end. Anyone that came within a foot of it, other than the wearer and the people her were trained to deal with it, would feel a world of pain shoot through them, as if it held its own force field.
A man, wearing dark skin and pure white hair running down to his shoulders, sat in a golden saddle upon the dragons back, radiating power and sophistication. His expression was neutral and his dull gray eyes were hard and cold. He wore royal clothing and a black metal chest plate. It was clear he was in charge of the hundred some men that were marching into the town, taking control of the buildings and establishments and what not. The dragon had it's own elite force surrounding it though, all dressed in tight fitting black armor and helmets that hid their faces. It was clear to any one, even if they'd only heard his name once, that this man was Lukia Ursl.

Tyleek stopped breathing. It couldn't be. And yet it was.
"Lukia Ursl." he snarled. The one that had turned his life completely upside down. The one that had separated him from Ceona. The one that had murdered his parents and their guardians. He closed his eyes, swallowing hard. His anger was so intense it was a flavor on his tongue, a ringing in his ears, a red haze across his vision, an incessant itch over his skin. He was glad he couldn't move from the bed. That had been a smart decision on Ka's part.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia gasped and recoiled, crouching just behind Ka. She felt Siberia just behind her and warned the white wolf to stay back with a flick of her tail. The white dragon was huge and terrifying, strangely intimidating despite its bright scales. The gold-amethyst's eyes narrowed as she noticed the collar like contraption around the dragoness's neck. It almost made her jump out and confront the man, whom she knew to be Lukia without a doubt, but she knew that would be suicide, in a sense, and stayed where she was in the alley.

Tyleek kept his eyes closed and grit his teeth. If he was free...He shoved the thought away, struggling for control of his breathing.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia jumped forward with a cry, using the white dragoness's snout as a spring board to leap the rest of the way up her head. Ka, no! she said, fear forgotten. Her Rider was in danger. Her gold-amethyst scales glittered as she snarled, standing just in front of Lukia with wings half-raised. Tyleek and Cy Ara are none of your concern. she spat at him angrily, her teal eyes gleaming.

Jia was still mindless. To angry to care. But that came to a stuttering halt when she heard a voice. It was a voice she knew well. One that she loved very much. And then it hit her. Ka. He needed her, now! She spun on wingtip and raced back to him, landing with a hard thud and running to his still figure. She didn't hear anything else but the pounding of his heart. She crouched over him protectively, traces of magic still lingering in her scales. She submerged his mind within her own, surrounding his consciousness with her own and covering him with energy.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tyleek couldn't believe it. He felt her pain. Through their link, he felt Cy Ara's pain. But he knew it was a mere shadow of what she felt. He stumbled toward her, his arms extending automatically. He had failed. He hadn't protected her. He'd let her be hurt, and in the most horrible way. He'd failed her. He fell to his knees in front of her, tears flowing down his cheeks and making his lavender-blue eyes glisten. He shook his head.
"I'm sorry." he whispered. 'Sorry' would never even begin to cover it. He leaned forward and hugged her, holding her to him, and cradling her as he would a child. He closed his eyes and buried his face into her now lank black hair.
"Your never alone. You have me, Theldor, Jia, Ka, Raitfier, Zeke, Kipp, Glade...You are never alone." he said vehemently, stroking her head and rocking her back and forth within his arms.

OOC: DS4? We're gonna go ahead and introduce Xelin and Irlais here to get that over with and then ALTCH will son be ending. :P

IC:
She didn't know if it was Tyleek or if she'd just run out of tears, but her sobs abruptly stopped as Tyleek held and rocked her. It took her a long moment to collect her thoughts, to gather her mind up into one piece. She couldn't lose it. Not now.
She fussed a little, struggling in Tyleek's arms to pull herself free. When she turned to him, her gaze was cold and weak, but hard and stern. Her voice was the exact same, barely above a whisper.
"This. Is not. Your fault." After letting her gaze linger upon Tyleek's for a moment longer, she struggled to pull away from him into a standing position, which was harder than she'd thought, but she managed it. She looked to Ka and how weak he was, then to Theldor, then back to Tyleek. Her voice crackled as she spoke to everyone, but it was monotone, lifeless. She wavered slightly where she stood.
"I'm going after him. . not now, but I am. And soon. I can't do it alone. ."

Hurry up, Xelin!! I can feel the energy level decreasing fast. . Irlais was holding onto the horn of the saddle with one hand, his other hand resting against the back of Xelin's neck as they flew towards the village. Irlais had felt the huge energy spike the moment it happened and they'd been on their way since.
When they finally came upon the town, his mouth fell open, gaping at the destruction that had been caused upon the village. It was deserted, other than a group of people huddle on the side of the village they were coming up upon. Irlais pointed towards them. There. .!

Jia didn't see anything else. Not Cy Ara standing up, not Xelin landing, nothing. She only looked up when she heard the rustle of wings. Though she knew him, and knew he wouldn't hurt her Rider, she snarled, stepped around to stand directly over Ka. She knew in her rational mind that Xelin wouldn't hurt Ka, but he was hurt and weak and her first instinct was to protect him. She looked down at Ka with anxious eyes as he tried to speak to her. She shushed him gently, soothing around his mind like a warm, comforting blanket.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tyleek felt a painful stab at his heart when he heard Cy Ara speak. It hurt him so much he almost couldn't move. He released her when she pulled away to stand. He stood with her, snaking his arm around her waist when she wavered.
"I understand. And you won't be alone. Theldor and I are coming with you." he said firmly, his tone broaching no argument. Theldor huffed and flew down to him, though angled his wings so he would land on Cy Ara's shoulder instead of Tyleek's.

- - - - - - - - - -

Theldor alighted on Cy Ara's shoulder, his heart contracting. He crooned softly and stroked her face gently with his beak, attempting to comfort her.

Irlais had all ready begun to unstrap himself before they landed and hopped off of Xelin's back when he crouched for him to do so. He stood, looking and gazing at the group of people that stood around in a circle. They seemed defeated, tired, and beat. And the dragon he knew as Jia from Xelin's memories was actually making him a little nervous. He stayed by Xelin's side, resting a hand against his scales as he spoke quietly.
"What. .happened here?" Even as he said this though, he felt he had a pretty good idea. .

Cy Ara knew Ka would help, just by looking his way. She could see how worn out he really was and didn't bother him. She knew he needed rest. When Tyleek and Theldor comforted her and agreed, she merely nodded slightly. She could particularly feel anything at the moment, wrapping her arms around herself. Her face was completely passive, even when Xelin and Irlais touched down. She simply turned away from them so her back was facing their direction and ignored them. She had to think. .

Jia growled, only shifting enough so Ka could stand. She was still in between him and Xelin. She lowered her upper lip to cover her teeth and pointedly turned to Ka, sniffing him from head to toe. No permanent damage? she asked quietly, her teal eyes anxious.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tyleek set his hand on Cy Ara's shoulder for a moment before pulling it away. He left Theldor with her so she wouldn't be completely alone. He turned to the Rider and strode toward him. His face was grim when he finally stopped a few feet from Irlais.
"I'm Tyleek. And this is what's left of the town now that Lukia Ursl has stormed through." he said. He glanced back at Cy Ara then back to the Rider.
"I don't trust strangers well, but I can feel your aura, and I'm sure you feel mine. That woman there is Cy Ara. That man there is Ka, and Jia the gold female. Why are you here?" he asked, dropping his voice. He had been about to mention Siberia as well but remembered that she was gone. How could he have forgotten? He mentally kicked himself. He vaguely remembered that Ka had grabbed Siberia's body, but refrained from bringing that up just now.

Irlais's listened intently as Tyleek explained, but his eyes hardened slightly when the other male asked of him and he suddenly seemed much older and more mature than he had weeks ago. He took a step closer to the male.
"I'm the only one who can stop him. Because I'm just like him."
He took a step back again and raised a hand to rest against his temple, his eyes falling shut.
"My name is Irlais, this is Xelin. I'm an Allatik, just like you, Tyleek." He lifted his head, letting his hand fall. His eyes were fierce, full of calm hatred and knowing. "I need to know if Lukia revealed any information about what he's planning. He's planning a war against our kind, over on the land of Llataki, where our race originated from and where I was born. He's using collars to capture dragons and use them as part of his army, but there's a flaw in the collars, that we know of. Did he reveal anything?"


Cy Ara, though trying to stay to herself, couldn't help but listen in on what the two were talking about. Once Irlais finished speaking, she turned around slightly, eying him suspiciously.
"You say you're just like him? What does that mean? Are you going to try and kill us? Or kill all of us except Jia and take her as your prisoner, maybe kill Theldor?" She knew she was being a little irrational, but she wasn't in the mood for any of this. She just wanted at Lukia's throat.
Her words caught Irlais's attention and he looked her way, agitated. He raised his voice slightly as he spoke.

"Meaning I am an Allatik, just like him, just like Tyleek, and just like you. But him and I share a single similar quality that hasn't been heard of in a very long time by our kind! He was one of the babe's born with white hair, born to protect the earth from a great evil. What the evil was, I don't know. But I do know that my fate has been set since the day I was born! I am the only person on this entire piece of filth that can stop him, but I need your help!" He paused to let that sink in, and tried to slow his angered breathing. He unclenched his fists when he saw her eyes widen slightly and she became quiet. Irlais looked from her, to Jia and Ka, then to Tyleek before he let his gaze soften and fall. "I'm just a kid, I didn't ask for this. But, I can't do it alone. . I need help."

Tyleek's eyes narrowed.
"Easy on her." he warned, then glanced back at Cy Ara before adding an undertone so she wouldn't overhear,"Lukia killed her Gaurdian. She might be a bit unstable for a while." he said, before nodding.
"I of course will help as well. We all will." he said.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia growled softly in warning but otherwise didn't react when Xelin came up. He's fine, just a little drained. she said guardedly.

When Ka agreed, Irlais glanced his way, thankful for the added help. But when Tyleek spoke, he locked his eyes back on him and his eyes grew wide slightly when he spoke of Cy Ara loosing her Guardian. Memories of the giant Komodo Dragon he thought was his for so long instantly barraged his mind and he had to resist the urge to start weeping. He'd forgotten completely bout the komodo, Aziel, with all the events that had happened since they'd split. And all the same, just as all the pain washed over him, so did the anger and fury. He had to fight with himself to keep calm.
It was then that he noticed the limp wolves body, not too far from where Ka and Jia were. Cy Ara had turned her back to them again, silent, and he felt like comforting some how. But he knew. . he knew there was no comfort for a lost Allatik.
He gazed back at Tyleek and a soft, tired smile suddenly swept over his face.
"Thank you. ."
He sighed, the smile vanishing from his face, and then became serious again. He brought a hand up, placing two fingers against his temple as he collected his thoughts and spoke. He seemed a lot older again, lines forming under his eyes. "Ok. . . here's the deal. .
We need to pull together an army. Lukia has men. A lot of them. And just as much Dragon power. We need as many recruits as possible to form a rebel alliance. My village, over on the land of Llataki, is close to the shore. That will be our Rendezvous point and where I explain the fighting strategy to every warrior, solider, dragon, and animal that's going to war. I know our people will fight for their freedom once they know whats happening. When collecting recruits, be sure they're close personal friends, the people you know for a fact will have your back and your friends' back and even your friends' friends' back. You tell them all exactly what I'm telling you.
Lukia Ursl is a monster. He needs to fall. Creating this alliance will be a sure fire way to defeat him. He doesn't know I am still alive, the one person that can destroy him." He paused a moment, hesitating, but continued. "We meet at Alagaesia's shore, at the black market docks, down south of The Spine mountain range .We set sail in one month, exactly. Do you think you all can do that?"

Jia growled softly as Ka insisted he was fine. She kept her trap shut until he almost fell, snorting gently in a knowing way. She turned to Irlais as he spoke. The gold-amethyst shifted, walking around Ka and heading toward Irlais. When she was within a few feet of the twoleg male she stopped. She lowered her head to his level and fixed her eye on him. Lukia hurt Cy Ara. He's now my enemy. I will help, and bring my entire family with me to the docks, perhaps more if I can find them. she gazed at him for a while longer, then she dipped her head to him. Tooth and claw, sword and Seals, me and my Rider will help you however we can. We will be there. she pledged, before backing away again to stand by Ka once again.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tyleek nodded in agreement,"Theldor and I will be there with Cy Ara, along with help." he promised calmly. Inwardly he was seething. Seething at Lukia, Siberia's death....Everything. That beast was going to die and do it soon.

Irlais lifted his head as everyone began to agree, feeling as if the greatest weight was being lifted off his chest and shoulders. When Tyleek spoke though, Irlais's gaze flickered over to Cy Ara, who merely glanced over her shoulder slightly and nodded once.
"I as well." Irlais returned the nod before turning to mount Xelin, strapping himself in. When he finished, he lifted his gaze to take a last glimpse of everyone as he spoke, letting the look linger.
"So It's settled then. Be ready, be strong, and be prepared for the worst. I'll see you in one month. I wish you all luck." Irlais took a hold of the saddle's horn, and spoke to Xelin quietly.
Let's go Xelin.

Jia nodded in agreement. Yes, I tend to agree. This will be a busy month of flying. she said, snorting softly. She looked to Tyleek and Cy Ara, feeling a stab of pain as she looked at the female Allatik. She padded forward and gently nudged Cy Ara in the shoulder. He will suffer, Cy Ara. I promise you that. she said, then looked back at Tyleek. Watch over her. she told him privately. He nodded. She snorted softly, then leaned back on her haunches to launch into the air with a few beats of her wings. Where to first? I think I can find my brother. she offered.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tyleek turned to Cy Ara once all the others were gone.
"Where do you want to start? Do you know of any friends that Siberia met while you were separated?" he asked quietly. He hated bringing up her guardian now, but knew that if Siberia had met anyone they could contact him or her and ask for help. Then he glanced at Siberia's body, feeling a brief stab of pain in his chest.
"Do you want me to bury her?" he murmured gently.

He thought a moment, going down the mental list in his head before he answered. First, we'll need to stop by your old cave on the island and fetch some of that treasure. .then to the docks. I have a fellow treasure hunter there who will be playing a major part in us getting to Llataki. And she needs fair warning to do what I need her to. When he finished speaking, he released the horn and leaned over, elbows resting on the edge of the saddle as he sat hunched over. He rested his face in his palms. Xelin. . I hope I'm doing the right thing. .

---------------------------------------------

At the feeling of Jia nudging her, Cy Ara absently turned in her direction and listened as she spoke, merely nodding when she finished. She wasn't feeling up to talking, regrettably. She watched as Jia and Ka lifted into the air and flew away before she turned to Tyleek as he spoke. She hesitated, but not because she didn't know the answer. There was no doubt about it, she wanted the white wolf buried. But she couldn't seem to get the words out as she felt her throat tightened and a burning sensation well up inside her and behind her eyes. So for the first time since it had happened, she let her gaze fall upon her Guardian's limp body.
Before making her way over there to sit on her knees by her side, she nodded to Tyleek to answer his question. But now as she sat there, she hesitantly raised a hand and rested it against the wolf's fur, stroking it silently before moments later, she leaned over the wolf and began weeping pain filled cries.

Ka had been thinking about who he knew, and wasn't coming up with much. So when Jia suggested her brother, he immediately agreed. "I think he would make a good first stop. And he knows plenty of other dragons and Riders that would want to help...we should stop by Rathon's place and see if he'll help." Rathon, who had been freed by Galbatorix in exchange for services of Jia, who Ka switched places with, had taken up residence deep in the Spine in a house that he built himself. "You do remember where he is right?" Ka asked, trying to remember himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Irlais told him the direction, Xelin adjusted slightly and flapped a few times to gain altitude. Upon Irlais questioning himself, Xelin stopped mid flight and started hovering in the air. "Don't...don't question yourself like that. You are doing what anyone in your position would, anyone that is pure of heart and mind that is. You are trying to protect your people from destruction, how could that not be the right thing? I don't want you to question yourself like that anymore, capeesh? And besides, we don't have time to doubt ourselves, we need to figure out how we're going to pull this off, ok?" He wasn't moving until Irlais understood that he meant what he said.

Tyleek nodded but only watched as Cy Ara approached the still form of Siberia. His teeth clenched. Lukia would suffer for hurting her. He'd see to that. He didn't say anything, only knelt beside her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He looked at the white wolf and sensed tears coming to his own eyes. He blinked, then slowly reached forward to close Siberia's eyes. He stroked her head once, then gently drew Cy Ara back. He stood over the wolf and raised his hands, murmuring and crooning softly. The earth beneath Siberia gradually drew away, letting her sink down into a deep hollow. He swallowed, then slowly drew his hands into gentle fists. Earth and sand covered the guardian, coming together into a soft mound. He hardened a piece of earth into a stone-like substance, even though it hurt him to do so. He engraved Siberia's name into the template, so that the humans that walked by her grave might remember her fondly, though they had no idea of her true reason for being buried there. Then he backed away and stood beside Cy Ara, his task done.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia nodded. Yes, he would be a good messenger to the others. And of course I remember where Rathon is. she said, and her mood grew slightly solemn. Where Rathon had taken residence was very close to the spot where she had first met Cy Ara, Tyleek, Theldor, and Raitfier. She sighed softly before strengthening her wing beats as hard as she could. Give me a good tail-wind, could you dear prince? Speed is of the essence now. she said quietly, her tone thrumming with subdued anger and immense grief. She understood how Cy Ara might feel. She didn't know what would happen to her if she ever lost Ka, but she knew it would be very ugly for whoever had taken him from her.

It took Irlais a moment to think over what Xelin said, but finally he allowed a tired smile to come over his face and he sat up in the saddle, reaching out with one of his hands to rest against Xelin's scales and stroke them lightly. "You're absolutely right. . thank you, Xelin. ." He grabbed the horn and took a deep breath before sighing and staying quiet the rest of the ride there. It was time to let his thoughts envelope him.

--------------------------------------------------------------

She moved away, reluctantly, when Tyleek proceeded with burying Siberia. She didn't watch. She turned away, forcing herself to stop crying which she slowly succeeded in doing. When he finished, she turned around and saw what he'd done and almost began to cry again. She moved and wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight embrace before pulling away and wiping her face. Her voice was quiet, broken.
"Let's get going. ."

Tyleek smiled a bit, though it seemed strained, and returned the brief embrace.
"Very well. May I?" he asked, extending his arms out toward her. Theldor cooed softly in his throat and fluttered his wings as he prepared to pull them along.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia purred softly as her Rider struggled to make the Heaven Seal. She surged into his mind like she had earlier, loaning him her energy so he could keep the Seal going for as long as he could.

Cy Ara only nodded slightly before moving into Tyleek's embrace. She took a deep breath and gazed back at the mound that was Siberia one last time, letting her gaze linger. One month. That was it. And then she could have at Lukia for what he'd done. One month.
It seemed like an eternity.

-End-