An Omen From Above (Greeneyed23 & darkangel76)

[darkangel76]

The night air was brisk and growing colder as the dual moons rose overhead. Carys Mylin could hear the wind howling through the Calder Mountains as she stood atop the precipice looking down upon what used to be her home, her village, her people. Eire. It had been the only place she'd known until a short time ago when they'd cast her out, acting as if they didn't know her any longer, as if she were a demon spawned from the depths of the netherworld sent to destroy them all.

Orrin still felt badly for what he'd done, for giving away Carys' secret as he had. He'd made a promise just as Luke had, to never give her away. It was a bond the three of them had made years ago when they'd been younglings and she, only a young girl coming to realize the gifts Eirys had blessed her with.

Yes, gifts.

Orrin purred as he stalked up next to Carys, his sleek cat-like body rubbing against her leg. Carys reached down with her free hand while the other held tightly to a staff. She gently brushed the scales on Orrin's back causing the large cat-like creature to let out a low approving growl. He moved closer to the girl, allowing her hand to find his soft, black fur.

Just then, behind the two came another low growl. Carys turned her head, her blue eyes immediately connecting with a pair of eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness of the night. An illuminated blue against a deep gray streaked with black. The large wolf-like beast hung back slightly giving Carys and Orrin a nod. Orrin just growled in acknowledgment.

"Luke," Carys whispered, giving the wolf a warm smile.

Luke always stood watch, forever the protector and unspoken guardian. Carys could sometimes sense the tension between him and Orrin and she understood why. But she'd never fault one over the other for their nature just as she knew neither would ever truly hate the other. Besides, the two were forever bound, brothers until the end of time so long as she needed protection. And as she gazed down upon her tiny village at the base of the mountains, she knew she'd be needing them for a long time. Though, she also didn't think she could bear the thought of ever losing one of them. She'd known them almost their whole lives...

"Snows are coming! Snows are coming!" came a screech. To most, the sounds were that of a mere bird of prey. But to Carys' ears, she knew the calls. It was Eleni. She'd met the bird the week before and was so very glad of it. She was old and wise and knew the mountains well and she was never wrong about the weather. Not ever.

Luke growled as he moved closer to Carys, walking up to be on her other side. Carys pushed at her dark hair and brought her one hand up and away from Orrin so that she could tug on the hood of her cloak. The air suddenly felt colder, so biting.

"I fear more than snows are coming, Rys," Luke growled.

Orrin snarled in agreement. "The wolf is right. I can sense it."

Luke let out another sound, almost a bark as he turned his head toward Orrin. The tension was rising between the two and Carys could sense it. But she knew the two were right. Something felt off and she couldn't place it.

Run for cover! Eleni suddenly screeched as she flew closer to the three causing Carys to arch a brow.

Luke wasted no time and nudge Carys to run. Orrin immediately pounced off, but turned to make sure that he was being followed. When he saw that he was, he resumed his course. There was a cave not too far off so he knew to head there, to lead his charge and friend to the one safe place that was nearby. As they ran, Carys could hear a sound filling the air. It was strange, muffled, loud. Suddenly, she stopped mid-stride, her hands clutching at her staff and turned to see just what it was they were running from. The moment she looked to the sky, she saw fire.

"Oh by the light of Eirys!" Carys screamed. The fire was in the shape of a ball, as if if the sky itself was suddenly falling and shattering into pieces.

"Don't stop moving! Keep going!" Luke chided. He bounded back toward Carys and pushed his body into hers so as to force her to run once more.

Fear coursed through Carys' body as she ran, her heart racing as she fled toward the cave she knew Orrin was leading them all toward. She hoped Eleni was all right, though she knew the great bird of prey would be. She'd seen many suns and could easily evade the fire plummeting from the heavens above. Though she knew she wouldn't rest easy until things settled later.

Once inside the cave, Carys tucked herself into a ball, her staff and pack on the ground, her hands lost in the mass of dark curls atop her hear. Orrin and Luke surrounded her, doing their best to protect her from whatever it was that was falling from the sky. The moment the fire had made impact, they knew. The ground shook and snow fell from the mountains' peaks. Carys let out a scream of fright, but her companions stayed close and nuzzled her.

Finally, the ground went still and both Luke and Orrin backed slowly away from their charge. Carys swallowed hard and smoothed out her white dress. "What happened?" she asked, blues eyes blinking rapidly.

"I don't know," Luke snarled. "But we should probably find out. It's no longer safe here in these mountains. Your people will come looking for whatever fell and for you."

"I agree," Orrin growled. "We know they want you dead. They will think this is your magic. We cannot stay here."

Carys felt tears pricking at her eyes as she nodded. She knew her guardians were right. She reached for her staff and pack and stood up. Pulling her hood up over her head, she let out a heavy sigh and walked outside. In the distance she could see smoke billowing up from where something seemed to have fallen and struck the mountain—clearly the fire had gone out, but what had fallen? It barred the way down the Calder Mountains. She'd have to move past it.

"We'll protect you on the way past. Our lives for yours, Rys," Luke growled.

Orrin nodded, "Always."

Carys gave both a nod as they walked toward her, one on either side. "You're right," she said. At that, she began to head toward the site of the billowing smoke.

 

[Greeneyed23]

"DAMNIT!!! RETURN FIRE!!"

Roland Dean snarled as he clutched the weapons controls of his cruiser while the Bamferra fighters streaked across the distance between the Reliant, his cruiser, and their mother ship a massive Fencer class super battle carrier. He cursed under his breath as he fired taking out dozens of the fighters his heightened awareness and skills giving him the ability to destroy whole wings of them at will but he was facing more than a thousand wings. He continued to fire screaming unintelligibly at them roaring his frustration. He heard the reports coming to him and began to bark orders.

"EVERYONE TO THE JUMPSHIPS!! WE ARE GOING TO DO A LONGDROP!!"

His words echoed throughout the ship and everyone froze. "MOVE!!" they jumped and ran to the ships as ordered while Roland set his turrets, missiles, and other weapons on auto fire and then directed him ship at the carrier. he set in the detonation sequence then seeing that his people were in their jump ships he launched them into hyper-speed them them wherever they landed in space after exiting light speed while he activated all shields at full power and launched it at the carrier. Once this was set he ran for his own jump ship diving on board shouting, "Launch!" as he landed.

His ship had a different flight plan than the others. he had been meaning to visit a nearby planet to speak to a former friend/enemy/ally when the attack had happened. Now he watched as his beloved Reliant smashed through the lines of fighter wings the auto fire weapons blasting most of them out of the way the shields still holding. The carrier began to fire as well but much too late. He was beginning wonder why his jump ship had not gone into hyper speed when the Reliant detonated destroying the carrier just as the jump ship finally activated but only one set of thrusters sending him into hyper speed. Sideways.

He clutched at the vented flooring and crawled his armor and weapons pack still on his back as he fought to reach the pilot's chair yanking himself up and into it as they fell out of hyper speed in a tailspin the controls not reacting to his touch.

He saw the planet beneath him and fell into the atmosphere upside and backwards the thrusters burning off first as he fell toward the ground unable to see even where he would crash. He gripped his chair tightly until after the burning screaming violence of the entry then the crunching smash of the actual crash shrapnel flying everywhere miraculously not killing anyone.

The impact threw him and his chair out into the burning impact zone his armor instantly fastening and sealing to protect him and his weapons as he landed. He studied the destroyed ship for a long moment and smiled.

"Gotcha ya fucks..."

Then he flopped back into unconsciousness.

 

[darkangel76]

The path down the mountain was difficult and, more than a few times, Carys found herself stumbling over snowdrifts and rock as she tried her best to press onward toward the billowing smoke she saw in the distance. She could hear Eleni's screeching cries, warning her of the more treacherous paths to avoid and for that she was grateful. The bird of prey had proven her worth and loyalty more than once and, yet again, she was showing just how invaluable an ally she truly was.

Orrin let out a low purr while Luke growled and nodded in acknowledgment, both beasts urging Carys continue moving forward. Carys knew that her guardians didn't want to delay. All too soon the dual moons would set and the sun would rise—that white dwarf star bringing light upon the lands, upon Eire down below. As it was, the villagers were surely awakened by the quakes and rockslides caused by the crash of whatever it was that seemed to be scarring the side of the mountain. She could only hope that the darkness of night would deter them from venturing too far from their homes, from the safety of their walls.

Carys knew full well just as both Luke and Orrin did that it was the darkness alone that was primarily saving them all this night. Of course, the bitter cold and the fear of an unknown helped matters. She could almost envision her people below huddled together in the town hall, women chattering, babes crying, men talking. Talking as if they were the only ones who could provide anything and everything for those living in Eire. Funny how at one time she truly believed that... until that fateful day not too long ago when they cast her out, turning on her and wanting her dead.

A chill ran along Carys' spine. Immediately Luke snarled, his large, muscled body moving close to hers as he nuzzled her. "Put it behind you, Rys," he growled. Carys reached a hand down and petted his darkened fur, her fingers getting lost in the soft streaked tufts before tugging on them gently. Luke turned his head to nip gently at her fingers in an approving manner causing her to smile, her cheeks reddening slightly.

Orrin growled, his own lithe body moving against Carys' in a protective manner. "She has," he rumbled, he amber eyes narrowing as he glared at the wolf.

Luke growled louder, Carys still moving ever forward toward what began to look like a wreckage. Her heart began to beat faster the closer they got, her breaths coming quicker and quicker with every step. "No, she hasn't. I can smell it."

The scales on Orrin's back flared while Luke's eyes began to glow even brighter. "Orrin, it's all right," she said. "Luke is right though. I haven't and I must." Luke growled approvingly at Carys' words, his body rubbing against her legs. She pushed at her dark hair as the wind blew a few tendrils across her face.

The companions walked in silence most of the way, but Carys could feel the tension between the wolf and cat ever growing. The coming of the snows was more than likely affecting them, she figured, making them both agitated. Or so it seemed. At least Eleni didn't seem affected by things. She was a wise creature, free and able to come and go as she pleased. Perhaps that helped keep her at ease. Carys couldn't be certain.

After a while, Carys and her guardians finally reached the smoky wreckage. It appeared shiny and she found herself having the urge to touch it. But both Luke and Orrin barred the way, almost forbidding the girl to move any closer to whatever it was that had struck the mountain's side. It had fallen from the sky. It was a sign, an omen, perhaps something sent by Eirys or... Oh, her imagination was getting the better of her.

Biting down on her lip, Carys dared to know what it was they were looking at, if anything in particular. "H-hello?" she called out.

Luke snarled, his luminous blue eyes locking onto Carys'. He stared hard at her, his expression almost one of admonishment. Carys felt her cheeks grow hot. Sensing her discomfort, Orrin rubbed his body against her legs, purring loudly as he did so. When she looked down at him, he gave her a reassuring nod.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Carys asked again much to Luke's chagrin.

 

[Greeneyed23]

Roland did not wake until his armor began to alert him that it was about to fail. It had been useful and helpful enough to protect him but had also been ruined by the impact and explosions and because of this most, if not all of it, had to be removed. He groaned and pushed himself to his knees and began to strip off the armor far too easily leaving himself in a black body suit that hugged his powerful body tightly protecting him from the night chill and the fires of the explosion and impact.

He checked his weapons and was grateful to learn that only his sword was ruined, though he did collect the pieces, and took out an energy blade and tucked that in his belt while he looked for his rifle but it was gone, likely melted in the fires though he did have his pack and the items within.

He sighed hefted his pack and began to look around then started toward the signs of civilization hoping he had not hurt or killed anyone or anything.

As he walked he surveyed the area then froze as he sensed movement and shifted behind a tree as Carys and her three guardians came into view. They were a few hundred yards away from the impact zone.

Roland watched her but mostly the strange looking cat and wolf creatures and that bird. He did still have his sidearm so he drew that aiming it at the little group ready to fire if they proved dangerous and taking a calming breath called out.

"Hello?"

 

[darkangel76]

Eleni landed nearby a few feet off from Carys, her sharp harpy-like eyes taking in the sight before them all. Luke and Orrin were definitely more hesitant, Luke more so than the cat. His unusually large body stalked forward as Carys began to take steps toward the shiny object, attempting to bar her way so that he could assess the situation before she potentially put herself in harm's way. He refused to allow such a thing, but such was the wolf-like beast's way. It always had been and even more so since Carys had fallen under his and Orrin's care. A purr rumbled low in Orrin's throat as his scales flared, his amber eyes glaring at the wolf. But Luke paid him no mind. He knew that Orrin felt responsible, but that wasn't his fault. It was in the wolf's nature to protect, to be the Alpha he was.

Luke's blue eyes glowed brightly in the darkness, though it was clear that morning would be upon them all sooner than later. He growled softly at Orrin, his gaze falling upon Carys who nodded in reluctant acceptance. She leaned her weight upon the staff she held, her body propped against it as she brought a hand up to tuck a stray lock of dark curl behind an ear. Tugging at her hooded cloak, she shivered. But soon she felt the warmth of Orrin's body as he rubbed against her and purred.

Luke stalked forward a bit more, his keen senses taking in everything. Suddenly, his streaked fur puffed up, his hackles rising as his head perked up. Orrin followed suit, moving to be near his companion.

"We're not alone," Luke snarled.

Suddenly, Carys heard the voice. It was muffled and male and... As her pale eyes went wide, realization setting in that Luke had been right, her grip suddenly tightened on her staff. Immediately, Orrin and Luke took a protective stance about their charge, their bodies moving to shield her. Eleni let out a clipped cry as she hopped closer, her large feathered frame hobbling as she moved.

"Be careful, Rys," Orrin growled, his body staying close as Carys as she dared to move. Luke let out a rumbling sound as Carys moved forward, her tiny body walking past his and toward the shiny mass.

"Hello," Carys called again, her voice just loud enough. "Are... are you all right?"

Luke made a sound that was almost a grunt, his thoughts being that if whatever it was that had crashed could speak, it surely was fine and in good health. Orrin just purred.

Carys dismissed Luke's noises and continued her approach, fear racking her body, though her curiosity and urge to help and heal surging and trying to take over. She couldn't help it. It was in her blood, who she was, even if Luke thought it would get her into trouble one day. Though he disapproved, he also adored her and loved her for the person she was—selfless. At least that was how he saw her.

"My name is Carys and these are my companions," Carys continued, her voice melodic and soothing. She bit down on her lip and clutched at her staff nervously. "If you need help, we can try and aid. But... we do need to pass this way."

Luke gave Carys a curt nod, his streaked fur ruffled as he watched for movement. He just hoped that they could make it down the mountain and away from Eire before the villagers dared leave the safety of their walls. It was the last thing Carys needed after the way they'd last treated her. Such things would never happen again. As his eyes shifted toward Orrin, he knew the cat wouldn't let such things ever occur again either. Not ever.

 

[Greeneyed23]

"Yes Carys I am alright. Please stop moving though. i don't trust your companions. I have many questions. But also I seem to have cut off your escape by crashing here and for that I am sorry but you will not be able to get by this way. In repayment for your help and my causing you trouble I will do what I can to help you get wherever you are going. May I come out with being savaged?"

He had moved as he spoke searching the four of the with his eyes carefully and as he said the last he came out behind them his weapon still trained on her head in his left hand his energy blade in his right ignited silently. it was a glowing blue blade about three foot long and it would clearly cut through most anything.

He watched them carefully ready to react at anything. Silent movement was one of his natural abilities and his clothing gave off no scent making it impossible except via extra sensory abilities as the animals had. He sighed seeing the creatures guessing she was what would likely pass as a magic woman or something of the sort.

"I will put my weapons away of your friends will not harm me. i am Roland by the way. May i put my weapons away safely?"

 

[darkangel76]

Carys tilted her head slightly, her eyebrows knitting together as she frowned. She could sense both Luke's and Orrin's unease—especially Luke's—their hackles rising by the second as the moments passed as they stood there waiting to pass by what seemed to be a wreckage of sorts—a warped and mangled mess of something strange and mystical that had fallen from the heavens.

Luke snarled a bit, his muscles going tense as his streaked fur stood on end. Carys reached down to pet him, her fingers tangling themselves within tufts of soft fur. Immediately, the beast released some of his tension, however he remained forever on his guard. It was clear that he was more than displeased with their current situation, but given things was ready to adapt as needed. Night wouldn't last forever nor would fear keep the villagers of Eire at bay forever. It was only a matter of time and he knew his charge only had so much of that.

Purring loudly, his amber eyes scrutinizing the wreckage, Orrin stayed close to Carys. His body touched her at all times as he glanced about, scales rising and moving with every shift he made in his stance. He was trying to assess the new visitor, the one who'd fallen from the sky. Was he friend or enemy? Angel or demon? Too many questions and no answers yet to satisfy.

"My companions will not harm you, sir, if I do not wish it," Carys spoke, her voice soft. She could hear Luke almost chuckling as a low rumbling growl escaped him.

"He comes at you or threatens you... I most certainly will harm him," Luke snarled, his luminous blue eyes flashing harshly in the darkness.

Carys looked down at Luke and bit her bottom lip. "Shh..." she said softly as she pet the wolf-like beast. Looking back up at the man who introduced himself as Roland, she gave him a warm smile, giggling nervously. "He's a bit agitated," she added, her pale cheeks turning a bit red.

Orrin's purrs became louder, his mouth appearing to almost look as if he were smiling. Carys could feel her tummy fluttering as a wave of heat swept over her as embarrassment tried to consume her. Truly both Luke and Orrin could be insufferable. Though thankfully, this newly arrived visitor seemed none the wiser to their thoughts.

"So, please, have no fear, sir. I promise you that my companions will not harm you so long as you give them no reason to," Carys said again, trying to sound reassuring. "Though, we must move quickly away from these mountains. They won't be safe for much longer."

Eleni let out a soft cry. "Eire will wake and the people with it. I can already smell their fear."

"As can I," Luke added. Orrin nodded in agreement.

"Please, we must not linger. When the star rises and daylight comes, we will no longer have the protection of darkness. We must move." Carys looked pleadingly at Roland, her blue eyes damp with unshed tears as worry and panic set in.

Luke and Orrin growled softly as they flanked Carys on either side, their massive bodies moving in to protect her should the need arise.

"There's a forest at the base of the mountains and past the village. We'll be safer there," Carys then said. "So take whatever you need and we must get moving. I fear we might already be in danger."

 

[Greeneyed23]

Roland nodded and slowly holstered the gun then slipped the withdrawn energy blade onto his belt. He adjusted his pack then sighed. "Carys I am afraid that all I own is either destroyed there," He pointed at the sky. "there," He pointed at the crashed ship. "Or I have in this." He patted the straps of the pack. He stretched his arms and back then shook out his legs before raising his hands in a peaceful gesture, at waist level palms toward Carys and her companions as he approached them slowly

The gesture was actually a lie. It was meant to be peaceful but also to be close enough to allow Roland to draw his weapons in an instant if so needed. He did not know how fast the three animals or the lady were but he was at least sure they had underestimated him.

He had not, and could not, understand what Orrin, Eleni, or Luke said, but he had picked up on the contempt and hostility toward him from the males. He would stay on his guard constantly around them.

He managed to get within ten feet of Carys before he stopped and bowed. "Milady Carys I am Roland Dean of New Haven Earth. I was the commander of the cruiser the Reliant before it was destroyed. I am also a number of other things but for these purposes I must tell you that i am a member of the Royal Protectorate."

He was a space knight. It often sounded strange but his job was to patrol space and the planets within and help those in need and protect them any way he could and at all costs. The Protectorate had been put in place by the first Emperor of Earth and her many colonies and had been hard at work ever since.

Roland stuck his right leg forward on his heel and bowed low over it. "Milady Carys until I am assured of your safety and protection then i place myself into your service." He nodded to Luke, Orrin, and Eleni. "I do not mean to imply you have not protected her. I see you have. And quite well."