Blood of Legends ((Kiandra&Mephilis))

[Mephilis]

[[Prologue]]

It has been almost twenty years since the bloody civil conflict between the Xeytrox, and their larger cousins, the Rastrez. Both of these peoples made up the sentient feline lifeforms on the world of Verilo.

At one time this unified feline race had conquered the entirety of the world with the help of a warrior, whose name was never known to history. The formation of this One-World Empire brought about the creation of the calendar. In the year 643, some ages after the nameless warrior's death, the larger Rastrez began to believe themselves superior to their Xeytrox cousins. This created a thick tension that escalated into a civil war. in 702. During this conflict, the once subjugated non-feline races rose up against their rulers and used their division as a means to destroy the One-World Empire in 1025. In the aftermath of their fall, the feline races were enslaved by their former subjects.

This slavery lasted for several ages, the division of the two races remained, making the possibility of freedom distant. However in the year 1204 a Rastrez named Leo Terafax sought to end the strife between their people and unite them in a fight for their freedom. Along with his friend Tigron Alane, another Rastrez, they formed an alliance of sorts of the unofficial leader of the Xeytrox slaves, Vicor Almec. In the year 1207, the flames of war were again ignited.

The war went poorly for the slaves,Terafax, Tigron and Vicor where stalwart as three warriors could be but their soldiers were not. Most of them where talentless, those that had some prowess were novice at best. The war seemed lost in the year 1212, until a nameless Xeytrox appeared wielding a magnificent holy blade that turned the tide of the war, bringing the masters to their knees in just one year, despite how well the war had gone for them.

Several months after their victory, Terafax held a celebration in honor of their newfound freedom. Their former masters had willingly left their lands, and their people to their own devices. Even the nameless hero made an appearance, bringing his wife, son, and twin sister. Terafax called this warrior up to honor his deeds, or so everyone thought, he quickly slid a dagger into the hero's chest. This 'celebration' was little more than a way of gathering the most prominent warriors of the Xeytrox and eliminating them. First and foremost was this 'hero' that could sunder entire army with but a swing of his holy sword.

The nameless warrior's sister managed to escape with her nephew, but the boy's mother was captured. The two managed to evade the massacre, but could not escape the following re-enslavement of their people. It was not long after her capture, and forced servitude to Terafax started, that the boy's mother attempted to murder him, she failed and was executed after leaving a nasty scar on his chest. Upon hearing the news of his mother's fate, the boy silently swore he would slay Terafax. Kill a boy's mother and vengeance festers in the son.

In the year 1230, the rage finally reached its boiling point, the young boy began to fight back against his masters, enticing a rebellion in his fellow slaves. This civil war would prove to be much more brutal than the one before it. Both sides were intent on ending this age old feud, all the pent up aggression and resentment was felt in the waves of blood that spilled out on the landscape.

Through it all, one thing remained constant, Terafax, nor any of his family seemed to be defeatable in battle. That is, until the battle of the scared canyon in 1232, where the son of the old hero slew Derance, Terafax's oldest son. It was then that he got his nickname, when Terfax demaned to know who dared to take the life of his son. The boy was from then on known as, "He who Dares". Since, like his father, he refused to reveal his name.

Between the tides of battle, this rising hero met a young Xeytrox named Myline, and the two began to fall for one another. She, like many, desired to know his name, but he refused, promising to tell her after the war was over. This love did not go unnoticed, Gerth, a Xeytrox who believed the war unwinnable, learned of this affair and sought to sell the information to Terafax for safety and riches. Terafax agreed to shower him in gold in exchange for learning this wretched boy's weakness. Upon hearing it, Terafax kept his end of the deal... a little too literally as he had Gerth drowned in a pool of molten gold.

At the apex of the year 1233, the hero returned from a battle, to the village of Talameet, were Myline was staying. Upon arrival, he found the town in flames,and bodies of both Xeytrox and Rastrez in the streets. In the center of town, he found her body, burned and broken, nailed to the side of their home with "Vengeance" written in her blood over her head. This caused the nameless warrior to snap, he forgot the concepts of strategy, and tactics, and marched headlong for Terafax's castle. Every Xeytrox that could wield a weapon picked up and followed, many battles where fought between Talameet and castle Terafax, but he did not stop marching for anything.

The battle of Castle Terafax of a short, but furious one, where the hero and his followers all unleashed their rage, knocking down the castle gate with nothing but their own bodies to throw at it and swarming the city within like a killing wave. "He Who Dares" would directly challenge the undefeatable Terafax to single combat. There have been many retelling of this duel, many detailed remain unclear but the end, Terafax fell, defeated by a shortsword on which the hero can carved the names of his father, mother, and Myline. This blade would ironically meet the same scar his mother left on the tyrant years ago. Unfortunately, the hero would die shortly after, his wounds too great from the battles to the castle, at the castle, and with Terafax himself. But not before the hero uttered his final words, "We will fight, we will die, and we will kill from now until time eternal: We. Will. Be. Free."

The war did not end there, it would take the deaths of Terafax II, and Queen Incid to end the war. In the fighting, Tigron would also fall, he never truly believed as Terafax did, but he fought for his cause simply because if he did not his family would be executed. His daughter Tigra was heard screaming through the carnage as her father fell, reaching for her as his life faded.

The war would end, finally, in the following years, castle Terafax was rebuilt into a palace in which a council made up of both the Xeytrox and Restrez representatives. The holy blade, used by the nameless warrior to end the first civil war was recovered from Terafax's chambers and enshrined in the main hall. The sword that slew Terafax, that had that warrior's name carved upon it was never recovered, it seemingly vanished. A statue featuring "He Who Dares" was erected in the courtyard of his palace with his final words carved upon it. In the year 1240 Rastrez and Xeytrox become obsolete, as they became the unified Rastrox.

Unknown to everyone, but the woman Clair, "He Who Dare"'s aunt, was at Talameet when it was attacked, but she was one of very few who escaped, she took with her a young boy, promising to name him after his father who did not yet know of his existence because a series of battles had kept him away from nearly a whole year. It was her hands that held her dying nephew as she failed to reach him with the news in time. Her hand that plucked the blade of Terfax's dead body. With a heavy heart, she returned to where she had kept the boy, stowing his father's blade away to give to him another day. She would raise this boy to the best of her ability, but noy before giving him the name of his father, and his father's father, Thyverian Nycle Kyronis.

 

[Mephilis]

It was early in the day, behind the main headquarters of the mercenary group Ro'Kha, that a battle was taking place. This battle was customary in the ranks of these mercenaries, it is how squadron commanders are chosen, and how they choose their seconds. A battle, not to the death, but till one combatant yields, or is knocked down. The victor is typically given the title over which the battle is fought, but the decision is ultimately that of the superior overseeing the battle. This particular duel was for the right to be second in command of the 'Blood Hawk' squadron commanded by the veteran solider Melorn. The aforementioned commander was at the forefront of the spectators as his chosen two candidates clashed. He wore light black leather armor, covering his spotted yellow cur. A multitude of throwing knives and gunpowder weaponry where attached to his attire. His silver eyes focused solely on the prodigies Thyverian and Selyian, the best of friends, that possessed the best of potential in his opinion.

Wielding a simple bastard sword was the crystal white fur coated feline Thyverian, his long crimson glory hair dancing as he moved. This boy preferred platemail over cloth, but only covered vital areas, leaving much of his upper body revealed. His left arm was coated in steel, while only a gauntlet encased his main sword arm. This boy reminded Merlorn vaguely of someone, but it never really dawned on him who. His foe, and friend, was coated in light grey fur, having long silver hair that rivaled Thyverian's. Selyian preferred lighter armor much like the veteran cheetah, and wielding a mere longsword, but the sheathe on his back that housed it was much larger than the weapon itself, which confused everyone, but he was skilled nonetheless.

Thyverian's combat style seemed focused on keeping his armored arm between him and his enemy, using it to parry incoming attacks before going in with his hand-and a-half sword. Which was allowing him to somewhat control the fight, as he was quick enough to contend with Selyian's smaller, faster blade. The grey feline knew better than to contest their weapons, the larger bastard sword would easily overpower his longsword, but as the fight drug on, impatience won out over intelligence as he finally went all in on Thyverian.

Quickly deflecting his friend's sword with his own armored arm, the white furred feline drive his armored shoulder into Selyian, causing him to stagger. Bringing his large sword to bear, Thyverian swung with the blunt of his blade to try and knock his foe down. Just as it seemed Thyverian had won, the grey feline regained his footing and ducked his attack at the final moment. A feat made possible by his natural feline reflexes. Thyverian also posses such reactionary prowess, but was foiled by his larger weapon's recoil. Selyian jumped up, crashing his shoulder into Thyverian and forcing him back. Seeing the frustration in his friend's celeste eyes, the grey feline plunged his blade into his sheathe and twisted it, causing a loud click. Mere moments later the crimson haired feline took his sword in both hands and brought all his power down on Selyian. Melorn,and many other thought the grey feline had reacted premature, sheathing his weapon, but when he pulled the entire sheath up to oppose Thyverian, they suddenly learned why he had the large sheath, to make his longsword into a greatsword. Not even Thyverian knew about this, and was shocked by the revelation, his now smaller weapon was dominated by Selyian's greatsword and he was in turn sent to the ground.

Shock, disappointment, and anger swelled up in Thyverian as he laid on the ground, staring at the sky. He could not believe he did not see that coming, in retrospect it was so obvious. Biting back the negative feelings, he sat up to look at his celebrating friend. No matter row hard he tried, he was never able to beat Selyian, at anything, and he was so close this time. Pushing his long hair out of his eyes, the white feline stood up, offering his hand to his friend. "Good fight." He said, fighting off the urge to call him a bastard as Seylian grinned, taking his hand. "Good fight, sorry about the secret, but I could not have you winning this one."

 

[Kiandra_Black]

Cylesta watched them fight, silently standing in the shadows. as Melorn's niece, everyone thought she would stay within his squadron, but she had chosen another path for herself. As it was, Cylesta had chosen the silent path, as an assassin. Her silverish white fur covered her slim but muscular body, which was shaped in that way the made males stare, and females envious. She wasn't truly close with anyone, only a few were trusted enough to be allowed into her inner circle. Her hair fell over one of her secrets, a mechanical eye after hers had been destroyed in a fight. Tear-drop scars littered the area where the acid had splashed against, but most never saw it, as she kept her hair over her scar. Her armor consisted of a half corset, and a skirt, reminiscent of the old Earth Egyptian skirts. Both were plated in a silverish metal that was super strong but also lightweight and easy to move in. Her tail had a lightweight blade attached to the tip, which was one of her backup weapons. She carried two long black sais, which she was absolutely deadly with.

As the fight continued, she approached Melorn, silent as always. Her mechanical eye was black at the moment, as she wasn't using it. She spoke quickly with him, after he had calmed down from his shock at seeing her so close to him. Cylesta had a habit of sneaking up on those she knew, one she used to the full at all times. After she finished talking to him, bringing a report from another squadron leader, she turned back to the battle at hand. Both males were talented, that was for sure. Her mechanical eye whirred to life, the blackness seeping away into a white light before it warmed and turned golden. Her other eye was an icy blue color, which could freeze an opponent for just long enough for them to realize that they had lost. "They are both quite talented..." She said to her uncle, before she sighed to herself as he smirked at her and nodded. She simply smiled quietly and shook her head at her devious uncle, and turned to leave.
"You won't stay for the end?" Melorn asked as she turned back to look at him. Her tail twitched in agitation, and she sighed and turned back, finding a dark corner near him to watch the end of the match.

 

[Mephilis]

Tossing his sheathe blade back over his shoulder, Seylian would lock the strap back into place that kept it on his back. Flinging his long silver hair back as he moved to approach Melorn. The commander would stare down the grey male, challenging him to meet his gaze, which Sylian did. As the other two had their staring contest, Thyverian flung his own sword back, practically throwing it into the sheathe before turning to walk away. Catching something out of the corner of his eye, in the shadow of one of the trees, or so he thought, when he glanced back it was not there any longer. "I must be losing my mind."

As the white feline continued to stare into the darkness, hoping to make something out he felt an impact on his back. "You did great Thy, too bad you lost." Turning back, Thyverian would see Menis, a smaller male who like the others preferred lighter armor.
He had a simple color scheme, solid black fur with black hair, and emerald eyes. While Thyverian and Seylian where rookies like Menis, he was as of yet the least skilled of the three.

"Yeah I guess..." Thyverian said, clinging to some shred of hope that he would be selected despite the loss. It was rare, but not unheard of. Looking back at Melorn, he saw that he and Seylian were shaking hands, which meant that he was likely not considering him. This revelation would cause Thyverian's ears to droop in disappointment, and his tail began to thrash about. "Hey man! I didn't do anything to you!" Menis exclaimed, causing the white feline to glance back to see that he had been accidentally smacking him with his tail. "Sorry." Thyverian said, moving to create some distance between them.

"Alright everyone, you get a little down time, but we will be moving out within the hour." Melorn said, addressing his squad, that seen began to disperse. Many people thought he was insane, choosing a squad full of green warriors, and selecting one of these newbies as his right hand, it was unheard of. Seylian would catch up to Thyverian as he began to walk off the training field, having given up on what he thought he might have seen. Reaching out a hand to grasp his friend's right shoulder, to get his attention.

"You're not mad are you?" The crimson haired feline would turn to Seylian, "Mad that you won? No." He said with a sigh, as the grey feline removed his hand. Thyverian would move his arm to give Seylian a congratulatory smack on his arm. "I'm proud of you." These words would provoke a smile from the silver haired male. "I am just mad at myself for losing." That is something Seylian could understand, the two would share a nod before Melorn would interrupt them. "Seylian, I will need to brief you on your new position." This would cause a quick nod from the grey male followed by a proud, "Yes sir!" Looking over at the red haired feline, Melorn would pause, everytime he looked at this boy, he felt he knew him from somewhere, but could never place him. Having the Commander stare at him in such an odd way would naturally unnerve Thyverian, just a she was certain he was going to be ejected from the squad he felt Melorn smack him in his arm much like he did Seylian. "Impressive moves son, I know both of you will do this squad proud. Another quick nod followed by, "Yes sir!" This time from both males before Melorn and Seylian departed, leaving Thyverian to his own devices. He would ultimately decide to remain in the training field, to contemplate his defeat.

 

[Kiandra_Black]

Cylesta was impressed with how the rest of the match went, but didn't say anything to her uncle about it. Her eyes studied the male that approached Melorn, and smirked as she saw them stare at each other. It seemed that the younger male passed, because soon Melorn was congratulating him and slapping him on the back. Cylesta rolled her eye at the action, shaking her head at the antics of the males, then felt her ears flick as she heard her uncle give the order to move out. Although not a part of his squadron, she would be joining them for the next couple days, and she wasn't quite sure how she felt about it.

As the group moved, she stayed behind, hidden away from prying eyes, and then realized that the other male who had fought had also stayed behind. She tilted her head as she studied him, before deciding to head out to grab her pack. She still needed to get a couple things, and lazing about would do no good at the end of the day.

She slid silently through the trees, disappearing from view, coming up behind her uncle with a smirk. She wanted to test her uncle's newest right hand, to see how well he did if her uncle was attacked.

Neither of them saw her coming, which was exactly what she was expecting. She easily slid under their guard and with an impressive jump managed to land behind her uncle, one of her blades out and nearly against his throat, stopped only by his own weapon as he grinned maniacally. Had she truly intended harm, both blades would have been unsheathed. Cylesta and Melorn both watched Seylian. Then Cylesta spoke, her voice a quiet smoky sound, "I'm not quite sure about this second you've chosen uncle." She stepped back, her one eye glittering as she looked over at the young male. Sheathing her sai, she nodded her head to both, before heading off to do what she needed to do.

 

[Mephilis]

Seylian had been completely oblivious to the female's presence as he and Melorn walked. That is, until he heard her feet hit the ground behind his commander. Without thinking, the young warrior drew his weapon from its large sheathe and went straight for her midsection. His attack would be thwarted by Melorn, who luckily carried two shortswords just in case, had he not... things might have gone badly. Confused, the grey feline looked up at Melorn to see his smile, only then did he realize that she was not truly hostile. Withdrawing, and sheathing his sword once more, "Just keep that eye on me, and you will see for yourself." Seylian said with a grin before returning her nod. "He'll do." Melorn said with a chuckle, sheathing his own weapons, the two continuing on their way as she left.

Menis made it back to the Barracks first, since he was not attacked by Cylesta, nor was he imposing a self-exile in the training field. Like Melorn, Menis preferred to fight from a distance, but with a bow rather than guns. The irony of the older male preferring newer weapons and the younger man using older weaponry was not lost on the two. His bow was constructed out of blacksteel and ivory. Two separate pull strings allowed him to notch two separate arrows at a time. With one motion, the black fur coated feline tossed his bow onto his bunk, keeping his longsword sheathed at his waist. His emerald eyes began to scan the room around him, curious, noone else had made it in yet.

Back on the field, Thyverian remained, running the last moments of the fight in his mind, kicking himself for failing to notice Seylian's massive sheathe sword. Coming to the conclusion that his reflexes and recognition skills needed to be improved, such a mistake could mean his life in a real fight. Pulling his moderate sized weapon out of his sheathe, Thyverian began to practice. Seylian with his large weapon, Thyverian would start to attack as he had before, but instead of going through with the attack, he would explore ways to canceling his attack and evading.

 

[Kiandra_Black]

Cylesta headed into her rooms, checking her surroundings before stripping out of her armor and clothes. She had time to catch a quick shower, washing away the dust and grime she had accumulated, before stepping out, wrapping a short blue towel around herself. She began packing her things, then tossed the towel to the basket, and began to get dressed. Once a new set of armor was over her, she grabbed her silver cloak and put it around her shoulders, leaving the hood down for the moment.

Grabbing her pack, she took one final glance around her room, and then exited. Locking the door behind herself, she headed out to where she knew Melorn would be waiting for her. Her weapons were holstered in their sheaths as she walked, and she avoided the others, moving within the shadows. Of course the observant were quick to realize they weren't alone, but it was usually after she had passed them.

She reached Melorn, and sighed, one of her migraines beginning it's pounding rhythm against her skull, as if something were trying to get out.

 

[Mephilis]

After getting the rundown on his new position, responsibilities, and the chain of command, Seylian would retire to the showers to clean off. He was rather particular about his grooming, never wanting to leave with even the slightest imperfection on his fur. Thyverian often teased him about taking a 'woman's shower' because he would take so long to get out. After washing himself off, the grey feline donned a clean set of armor and made his way to the rally point. He would arrive after Cylesta, offering her a nod, followed by a sly grin. "You coming with us beautiful?" He asked, his hands tracing the workings of his belt.

Menis, despite his name sounding alot like the word menace, was easily the most kind hearted of the three rookies. While Seylian was focused on his looks and overall image, and Thyverian's mindset surrounded his own performance. Menis found his attention was on others, he spent much of his downtime feeding the homeless, or just helping anyone who seemed in need. He never lost track of time, always making it back on time, today was no exception, scurring onto the rally point after Seylian.

Thyverian spent his time practicing, swinging that sword around and evading imaginary enemies. He cared little for how he looked, only that he was ready for the task ahead. Like the others, he was trained, and honed for battle, but had not actually fought with his life on the line. He wanted to become wealthy and renowned, not dead and forgotten. When his time was nearly up, the white fur coated male would return the the barracks, strip down, douse himself with water and suit back up before moving to the rally point.

"Bringing up the rear as usual Thyverian?" Seylian spoke, teasing his friend, as Thyverian approached them. "Well, someone has to watch your back so you don't get cut down admiring yourself in your sword's reflection." Thyverian teased back, butting his shoulder into his friend's, trading water as he was not fully dry. 'Ugh!" Seylian would reply, trying to wipe the water off.

"Now that everyone is here, let me introduce Cylesta, my niece. She is a bright rising star of an assassin, and will be accompanying us for a few days." The three younger males would turn their attention to the one-eyed female. "Ah so she has a name after all." Seylian speaks with that same grin forming over his face. "Hello Miss Cylesta." Menis would say, offering her his hand. Not wanting to bombard her with more words, Thyverian would simply give her a smile and a nod. "Cylesta these are Seylian, Menis, and Thyverian." He would motion to each male a she spoke their names.

 

[Kiandra_Black]

Cylesta looked at Seylian, not impressed. Her eye watched him silently, as Melorn rolled his eyes. Of course, Melorn knew how he was. To Cylesta, Seylian seemed like one of those Tomcats, who thought he was God's gift to females around the universe. Cylesta smirked, saying, "Indeed," and then watched as a smaller male appeared. He seemed like a sweetheart, and she knew she would get along with him quite well.

A couple of minutes later, Melorn was introducing her to the three males that stood before her. She had enjoyed the teasing between the two friends, and had to hide a smirk when Seylian complained about getting wet. She was about to say something crude, but her uncle had chosen that time to speak, and so she held her tongue.

When Menis offered her his hand, she took it, shaking it with a firm grip. She didn't want anyone thinking she was too soft, but the smile she sent him was warm. Cylesta looked at them each, memorizing their features. Her mechanical eye turned on, taking measurements and other facts about the three, which she shuffled away to think about later on. Hidden behind the fringe of silver hair that fell over her face, the three males probably had absolutely no idea that they were being measured and looked up and down. In the very back of her mind, where her seductive heat-filled female side resided, she perked up, as all three were wonderful specimens of the male species.

 

[Mephilis]

Menis was all too happy to return her smile as they shook hands. Seylian took a quick look over her weapons, "So all of us use swords... but you, instead you choose... pointed candle sticks?" With narrowed eyes, Thyverian would punch the grey feline on the shoulder, causing a loud, damp thud. "Pointed candle sticks? Those are Sais genius." Crossing his arms, Menis would shake his head. "Just because you prefer swords, does not mean you should forgo learning about other weapons." As Seylian attempted to reply, Thyverian would cut him off, "Yeah that way you won't get put down by 'pointed candle sticks'. Also Commander Melorn uses these things called fire arms, and Menis has something called a 'bow' on his back, it fires arrows." The frustration was very clear on Seylian's face, ofcourse he knew what those things where, he was hoping the others would catch on and pick at the female. "I know that!" He tried to exclaim. What he did not know was they did indeed catch on, but decided to pick on him instead. "Yeah, now." Menis retorted before sighing and turning his back on Seylian. "Our Sub-Commander, the dunce." Thyverian said, almost cracking up.

"Alright now." Melorn chimed in, trying to hold back the laughter in his voice. "Now that you are all friends, we have to move out, follow!" He commanded, and he turned and began to walk. Thyverian and Menis fell in behind the commander, while Seylian tried to stay near the female. "So, care to share what happened to your eye?" He asked, as he walked beside her, causing Melorn to roll his eyes.

 

[Kiandra_Black]

Cylesta grinned, her sharp canines glinting in the light. Her white teeth shone and she listened to the other two males tease him back after his comment. Finally she had a chance to speak, but Thyverian beat her to the punch, letting Seylian know that she could easily put him down. She looked over at her uncle who had a grin on his face, and smirked in his direction. Melorn made a funny face towards her, and she shook her head and rolled her eyes. She knew exactly what Seylian had been trying to do, and she found it sweet that the other two males had begun teasing him instead.

As they started out, Cylesta following behind Menis. When Seylian began to linger near her, she knew something was up, but she never expected him to ask what he did. She froze at his question, and tilted her head.
"What?"
Her voice was low, but instead of that sexy purr she usually had, this word was devoid of any feeling. As it was Melorn had only heard her use this voice once, and the person she had been speaking to hadn't lasted a single hour after the fact. Melorn shifted uncomfortably and looked back at Cylesta, as if asking her not to do what she was thinking about.

 

[Mephilis]

Menis' face would meet his palm as he heard Cylesta speak, he knew all too well how deadly someone of her status was. His older brother was also a 'Predator', one of the stealthy killers of the Ro'Kha. Thyverian did not have the inside knowledge of that Menis had, but he could tell that while she might be the same age as they, Cylesta was a much more experienced and accomplished fighter than their little group of rookies.

Seylian, on the other hand was not the least bit concerned, his ego often clouded his judgment. He knew she was angry, and probably contemplating attacking. Opening his right hand, the grey feline began to flex his fingers, loosening them up, in case he needed to grab for his weapon. "So I guess your eye isn-" He did not get to finish his statement, THyverian had closed the gap between them in record time, administrating a hard right hand to the side of his friend's face. Seylian was so focused on the female that the white feline''s attacks caught him completely off guard and sent him to the ground. "There are some questions you just do not ask women, especially ones who are trained to kill people for a living!"

"This boy." Melorn said to himself as he joined Menis in the facepalm division. Looking up at his niece, then over to Thyverian. "We do not have time for this, Seylain, you walk beside me, Thyverian you walk behind him." This was more to keep Cylesta away from the grey male, Thyverian probably could not stop her, but he would try regardless. "Hes an idiot." Thyverian said to the female as he jerked Seylian to his feet. "Stop thinking with your dick." He said to his friends before shoving him to the front of the line. Shaking the sting of Thyverian's fist off, Seylian began to walk beside Melorn who would give him a firm elbow. "What he said."

Thyverian would fall in behind Seylian after he recovered from melorn's 'love tap'. Shaking his fist a bit, to get the sting of his friend's face off of it. He took no pleasure in knocking the grey male down, but he did not want him to get himself killed before they even touched down on the battlefield. Menis would glance back at Cylesta, offering an apologetic frown before looking at Thyverian, glad he did something. "We have a mission, sir?" He would ask as they began to reach the city limits of the town they where in.

"Yes, we are being contracted by the military to clear out a bandit base in the Hevrious Mountains." This brought some confusion to Menis, wondering why the military was contracting mercenaries. It was Thyverian who voiced the concern, "Surely our brave and bold soldiers can handle some outlaws." This would provoke a curt laugh from the commander as he looked back at the red haired male. "Yes, they could, but if you have not noticed, the world is going to shit, wars and rumors of wars spread across the land, many thing the world is ending. The Rastrox military is too focused on fortifying our defenses in case someone decides to declare war on us, so we get to handle the 'little' jobs now for them."

 

[Kiandra_Black]

Cylesta had watched uncaringly as his friends dealt with him. Seylian seemed as if he was the type to say something and then realize that he probably shouldn't have said it, although in this case, he still hadn't realized that he shouldn't have said anything. She rolled her eye, and although her hand was itching to draw her weapon and teach the male a lesson, she allowed the others to administer their brand of punishment.

She nodded curtly at Thyverian's account of Seylian being an idiot, agreeing with him, before saying, "He isn't the first to ask, and he probably won't be the last. Do not worry. His impudence will be dealt with accordingly."
Melorn sighed, and looking back at her, said, "Please don't kill my new second, I would hate to have to find another one so soon..."
"Fine uncle, although you wouldn't have to search for one, since Thyverian would be able to take up the reins.
Melorn nodded and the fivesome continued walking. Cylesta shook her head and smiled sweetly at Menis, although with the mood she was in, it probably looked more like a grimace than a smile.

As Melorn told them what their mission was, Cylesta listened intently. She knew of the army's problems, and had been sent on many missions like this one, where she was sent to infiltrate and kill the commanders, and then to get out as soon as she could. She was damn good at what she did, and so she did it with pride. Looking over the three younger males, she realized that this was going to be fun. She was going to find much pleasure in killing Seylian's opponents before he could deal the death stroke, just to see his face when he realized whoever he was trying to kill was already dead.

As a female, most males didn't think much of her, usually thinking that she was sent as the entertainment, which she quickly divested them of that idea. Thankfully, this time she was traveling with her uncle, which afforded her some respect, although it would seem as though Seylian didn't quite understand what that was. That was fine by her, she would easily teach him what respect was, that was if Melorn allowed her to.

 

[Mephilis]

Thyverian could not help but smile when she mentioned he could take Seylian's place, the grey feline however, was not so amused. Having been raised solely by his aunt before her death, Thyverian was the type of male who did not distribute respect based on one's gender. To him, being bigger and stronger than someone, did not make you better, his aunt taught him that size was nothing but a modifier for one's attributes. Unknown to him, she told him this because his father was not a large man, and took down titan sized enemies.

"We will have an Overwatch, so do not be too concerned." Melorn said as he stopped, turning to his team. "And a-" Before he could finish that thought, a shadowlike chain would extend from a nearby tree, grasping Cylesta and dragging her in the darkness. A hand would come over her mouth as another restrained her hands. "Stand down, do not interfere."

"What the hell!?" Melorn would say unholstering his guns as the other males drew their weapons. "Miss Cylesta!" Menis would call out as he watched Thyverian move into the shadow she was pulled to. She was no longer there, "Shes gone!" He called out as he looked back at Menis, seeing something come from the tree behind him. "Get down!" The White feline said, rushing to Menis as the figure took a shape, leaping out as Menis. Thyverian would intercept it with his blade, and the shadow became a man. Covering in black armor, his weapons a pair of retractable wrist blades that were tangled with Thyverian's sword.

"Who are yo-" Thyverian was unable to finish as his legs were taken out from under him by a quick sweep from the dark male. As Thyverian fell to the ground, Menis would arm his bow with two arrows and fire at the attacker. By the time the arrows got to him, he was long gone. Reappearing behind the Archer, the shadow male would grab his legs and take them out from under him aswell. Seylian would rise to action as Menis went down, using his smaller sword to try and take the attacker off balance, but he was not nearly fast enough. Breaking his attack pattern, the shadow warrior would give the grey feline a few smacks to his face. This would anger Seylian, causing him to stab his sword into his large sheath, locking it in place and bringing his greatsword to bear. This only proved to make him slower and easier to outmaneuver. After a few strikes, the silver haired male was on the ground too.

Flexing his wrists, the attacker's blades would retract. Moving a hand up to his face, he would remove his mask, showing a face that was akin to Menis, but with ruby red eyes. "Not bad for a few rookies." Looking up, Menis would see the face of his brother, and a smile would light up his face. "Manus?" With a grin, the older male would nod. "Where is Cylesta?" With a curt laugh, Manus replied, "Whereever she wanted to be to watch me take you down, I just had to make sure she knew not to interfere. I needed to test you and your friends." he said as Melorn holstered his guns again, apparently he knew and wa sjust playing along for dramatic affect.

 

[Kiandra_Black]

As Cylesta felt herself be pulled away, she relaxed, knowing that voice. She had known Manus for a while now, and she had to grin as he gave her the perfect view to watch him take down the three younger males. She smirked to herself as she watched the four fight. It seemed Melorn knew exactly what was going on as well, since he stayed out of the fighting. Cylesta found it super sweet that Menis would call out to her like that, she was definitely buying him a drink.

As she watched the three males be taken out by the more experienced one, she knew that they would soon learn to defend themselves the way she did. She remembered that chain, and so hadn't even tried to escape. The smirk on her face as she reappeared behind all three males was for Manus alone, which she gave to him along with a wink. Melorn shook his head and rolled his eyes at her antics as Cylesta stayed in the background. She listened to them speak, as she moved within the shadows like she had done from nearly birth. It was part of the reason why she was so silent and could move in and out of groups without being noticed. She finally appeared next to Seylian, although silently, so he wouldn't notice her until he actually looked straight at her.

"Manus, you had better be glad I recognized your chains..." She said, bringing their attention to her as she sent Manus that sexy little smirk that she was sure he remembered. She remembered the last time she had been inside those chains, wrapped around her so tightly that she hung for him as he fucked her hard from behind.

 

[Mephilis]

"I want a rematch..." Thyverian said as he stood up, it was clear he did not like being attacked while he was talking. "Another time, perhaps, after you have seen some real combat." Manus said as he grinned at the younger male, impressed that he would want to fight again.

Looking over at the female, and watching Seylian;s surprise as he noticed she was there, he grinned. She was one of the very few people that he allowed to know his real name... thanks to Menis that list had gotten a little larger, most only knew him by his callsign, 'Shadow Legion'. A name he earned from his ability to not only blend in with shadows, mut meld with them and manipulate them. When one operation had went poorly early in his career, Manus had summoned an army of shadows to fight back a large force, earning him his title. "I did not think you would forget, how many men have bound you in shadows?"

That line made the other males a little uncomfortable, they had all taken something of a liking to the female, but it seemed she might already be with someone. Menis felt the most awkward, considering it was his older brother. "Well... anyways..." Melorn finally interjected, deciding to speak before Manus and Cylesta started ripping each other's clothes off. "Like I said, we also have a big brother, Cylesta was sent to pick up the slack from you all being new, Legion here is to oversee the Op, and grade you all." Manus was one of the higher ranking Predator agents, and one of the first since the Ro'Kha did not exist until after the civil war. "Yes, and heres hoping you all do well, because I hate paperwork, and I respect Commander Melorn and would hate to have to overrule his choices." Basically meaning, if they did not do well, they would be split up and sent to new squads. It was not normal for a commander to pick nothing but rookies for a new squad, so the higher-ups where concerned about Melorn's choice.

"If Manus is our big brother, who is our overwatch?" Seylian asked, taking a few steps from the female. By that time a loud roaring sound could be heard from above them. Melorn would simply point up, looking up, they would see a large airship moving down toward them. "The military cannot divert too many resources to fighting bandits, but they do offer help in case things go badly." melorn said, haivng to yell as the roar of the ship grew loader. Airships in this world were powered back magic infused crystals, every ship kept a compliment of magi on board to keep it working properly. Weaponrmy typically ranged from large ballistae to gunpowder canons. This particular ship also possessed some of the experimental arcane canons, that fired magic rather than metal.

As the ship got low, a rope fell toward the group, a single figure slid down. From a distance one might make out that it was female. Upon reaching the ground, she was easily recognized by her signature grey armor. It was Tigra, the daughter of the late Tigron. She had worked her way up the military latter from the day it was first erected. She wore sleek grey armor, and moved like the wind, which earned her the title, 'Grey Ghost'. One her back where a greatsword and a large spear crossed in an X-formation. These where her father's weapons, one might think she was a bit too small two wield both of these at once. "I am sure the grey Ghost needs little introduction, but she will be commanding our Overwatch, and will be on standby if things go sour."

Pulling out a wrist band, she handed it toward the nearest person, which was Thyverian, "This is a MagCom, it uses a magical resonance to allow two way communication, use it to let me know if we are needed." Thyverian raised his hand to decline it, "I have no magical connection!" He called out, she then offered it up for grabs. "Can any of you use magic!?"

 

[Kiandra_Black]

Cylesta smirked at Manus' words, and she had to shake her head and close her eyes at him. Melorn interrupted the two, and Cylesta had to hide a smirk from her uncle. She was surprised he didn't get all overprotective like he and her father had done when she was younger and going out on her first date. The two had sat on the porch and waited for her date, cleaning and polishing their weapons.

At Melorn's words, she smiled and nodded to him. It was true, the letter she had gotten had told her explicitly that she was there to pick up the slack, and they expected a lot. But looking over them all, Cylesta couldn't help but think that she wouldn't be picking up as much slack as everyone thought she would. The three younger males were young and inexperienced, however, she could see that all three had potential. She turned to look at Melorn as she realized why her uncle had chosen them. As young as they were, they knew they had to prove themselves to everyone. That was part of the reason why this would work.

As the airship floated above them, she had to fight the urge to slip back into the shadows. Although Manus was more in tune with the shadows, she had always found a kindred spirit within him. It was why the two of them had clicked so rapidly. She looked up, and genuinely grinned when she recognized the female sliding down towards them. She had never worked with her, but her reputation preceded her. She tilted her head as she wondered if Tigra had heard about her. She wasn't quite sure if her name had begun to be known around the troops. In her line of work, most didn't know that she was the Black Death, it wasn't something she publicly stated. She waited until Tigra was on the ground, and had tried to give the MagCom to Thyverian, who declined it, before making her presence known again, and took the MagCom, looking over at Menis. She passed it to him, not wanting it for herself.

Her eyes took in the large gauntlets on the other female's arms, and smirked. Those gauntlets were enchanted, and obviously helping her weild the large weapons she carried.

 

[Mephilis]

Cylesta was correct on both points, the band did light up in a soft blue color as it entered Menis' hands. Looking up at her, he seemed confused, he had not really used magic, preferring his bow, and yet she seemed to know he could. Manus would grina nd pat his brother on the back, "And we have our Communications officer."

Tigra looked over the new female carefully, white fur, pretty, mechanical eye. Crossing her arms she began to think, "I know you, don't tell me... you wouldn't happen to be Black Death, would you?" Not many people would know a Predator Agent, but as a General, Tigra was read in one some things others would not be. While the Ro'Kha was indeed a Mercenary group, they were closely connected with the Military, exchanging Intel and assistance.

As Menis slipped on the band, Manus looked back over at Cylesta smiling. He felt the same toward her, it was refreshing to have another shadowshifter around to talk to. Of course the sex was damn fun too, something he hopped to repeat after this operation. However, he had to remain focused on the job for now, "I'll be watching." He said before pulling on his mask and vanishing into his brother's shadow, which kinda freaked Menis out. "I hate it when he does that... so dang creepy."

A few years ago, Melorn might have shot Manus, or tried to atleast, but Cylesta was an adult now. He was trying his best to respect that, he still was not too found of how casually they spoke of it. 'I'll get you next time' Thyverian thought as he saw Manus vanish, looking over at Seyian who gave him a grin, it seems they were thinking the same thing. This caused Melorn to smile, not easily disheartened, thats exactly what he wanted to see.

Offering all of them a nod, Tigra take one more look at Thyverian, she, like Melorn seemed to recognize him... Giving up on trying to place him, she would simply take hold of the rope and begin climbing up as the ship started to move off on the horizon. "Looks like you found yourself a girlfriend Thy." Seylian said teasingly, smacking him on the back, "She took a nice long double take of you." Pushing the grey feline away, Thyverian would simply growl, giving him that 'shut the fuck up' look.

 

[Kiandra_Black]

Cylesta would smile at Menis and shared a look with Manus. She turned when Tigra seemed to be trying to place her, and indeed, she was correct. Cylesta nodded to the female, letting her know she was correct, that she was indeed Black Death. She didn't speak, and then it seemed Menis was complaining about his brother. Cylesta grinned and disappeared into his shadow just like Manus had done, although she said, "Like this?" She appeared out of her uncle's shadow as he shook his head at her.

Cylesta had loved doing this when she was younger. She had used it as a stalking mechanism, and it had always worked in creeping out the other kittens in her class.
"Why is it so creepy?" She asked appearing from Menis' shadow, although she kept half of her body within the shadows, something that Manus had taught her. Her mechanical eye glittered at him as she stepped out of the shadow completely.

She looked up as Tigra began to head back up to the ship. She smirked at Thyverian and Seylian, finding their conversation amusing. It seemed Thyverian wasn't really interested in Tigra, although Seylian of course took this as a point to tease him about. Cylesta shook her head, and stood silently next to her uncle, wondering if they were making their way onto the ship now, or later. She sighed to herself as she shifted upon her feet, tail twitching against her leg, the blade upon it tapping against her boots.

 

[Mephilis]

While it was weird when his brother did it, it was kinda hot when Cylesta did it, his black fur hiding a blush that came over his face. Unluckily for him, her mechanical eye would see it easily. "I... ummm." He suddenly became nervous, not sure what to say to her as she stepped out of his shadow.

Its not that Thyverian was not interested in the General, it is mostly that he was embarrassed, and at the same time did not feel she was looking him over out of interest. Walking away from his friend, Thyverian began to loosen up his muscles, "So Commander, when are we heading out?" He asked trying to get attention off of him.

"Our Transport is on the way, we do not want the outlaws to actually see the battleship, they might retreat." He said pointing toward the distance, another ship was making its approach toward them. Melorn began to move for the ship, causing the other males to follow. This ship was a very lightly armed transport craft, it was well armored however. As it touched down, it extended a ramp which the old cheetah had no trouble leaping up onto it before it touched the ground. He had some year son the other boys, but he wasn't too old... yet. The other three would make it on after the ship had landed, Menis came on first, his small frame made him the fastest. Thyverian and Seylian had jocking for position the whole way as if it where a race. The grey feline finally coming out on top, causing the red head to come in dead last.

The ship would take off, heading out to the outskirts of the bandit base.

 

[Kiandra_Black]

Cylesta looked over at Melorn as he jumped up on their transport ship. The smile on her face was teasing, as she grinned at her uncle. She studied the ship for a moment, and then followed her uncle onto the ship. She had seen Menis' blush, and had to smile to herself, his blush was adorable.

As the ship landed, she disappeared into the shadows again, passing teasingly past Manus, and blowing a kiss to him within the shadows, before appearing behind her uncle. She looked over as Menis appeared first, and then Thyverian and Seylian came up behind him. She had to chuckle, as she watched them trying to get into the ship before the other. It was hilarious.

"Careful boys... Sometimes the first one in, is the first one dead..." She said, winking at Thyverian, with her good eye. She found a comfortable spot, and settled herself, curling her legs up under her. She knew if Melorn caught sight of her doing that, she would be reprimanded. It had already caused her knees to degrade to the point where this small action caused pain to shoot up and down her legs, although she ignored it. She looked up, and her eye widened as she smiled sheepishly at her uncle, who was looking at her with that certain look in his eyes, his arms crossed across his chest.

 

[Mephilis]

Menis was quick to move to an isolated corner of the ship's deck. Dropping down on his backside, the male would sigh deeply, trying to shake off the previous blush. Looking out over the horizon, it finally hit him, he was about to fly. He had never been on an airship before, this thought caused him some additional concern. Pulling his bow off his back, the black feline began to occupy his mind with cleaning the blacksteel, and counting his arrows.

"Yeah Seylian, the first is the worst!" Thyverian called out as he made his way up the ramp, laughing despite his defeat. "Ha, you would say that, having come in last!" The grey male spoke, laughing as he turned, pointing at his friend, laughing tauntingly. "You son of a-" Thyverian would not finish, instead, he would rush Seylian, slamming his body into his friend's and taking him down onto the wooden deck. The grey feline would quickly roll back, planting his feet on Thyverian's chest and kicking him off before getting back up to his feet. Walking over to the downed feline, Seylian would offer the white feline his hand. Thyverian would take his friend's and and pull himself up, the two would then share a laugh.

"So, I take it you do not like being able to jump, or having great agility?" Melorn would ask his niece as he looked down at her. She was goign to throw her whole career, and probably her life away because she wanted to sit on her knees. Her previous dialogue with Manus, and her apparent love for being on her knees caused a rather disturbing image to flash in the old cheetah's head. Shaking it off, he would lift up a leg, and give Cylesta a gentle kick to her chest that would cause her to fall back on her ass. "That is how you sit little girl." This would provoke another laugh from Thyverian and Seylian.

 

[Kiandra_Black]

"Aw come on! Uncle Melorn!!!" Cylesta righted herself, glaring at her uncle as she pulled her legs out from underneath herself. It was a bad habit of hers, but she was quicker than him, which is why, when she swept out a leg, he also fell on his ass, grunting in shock. Cylesta smirked at him, but heard Seylian and Thyverian laughing at her.

Her ears pinned back in annoyance, she would turn to them, her one eye slitted, as the mechanical one whirred to life and then began to darken. "Careful boys, I would hate to have to prove my agility to either of you."

The reason she was called Black Death was because it was said that the last thing any of her victims saw was the black mechanical eye, staring at them with a cold detachment that was inhuman. It was sort of like the cold dead stare of a shark going in for the kill. Of course that was a rumor, since those who would have been able to prove or disprove this little theory had long since passed into the great void.

She found another comfortable spot, and sat, this time properly, although she sent her uncle a withering glance as he opened his mouth to say something. As such, he closed it and decided that it was better left alone for now. Cylesta was unpredictable at best, and her moods fluctuated like the tides. She gave him a short nod, knowing he had stopped himself from telling her whatever it was he was about to say, and her tail curled and began tapping against her boot.

 

[Mephilis]

'Better sit right.' Melorn thought to himself as he moved closer to the bow of the ship, stopping to look out over the landscape as they flew. A particular spot would catch his eye, a quiet little lake in the middle of some high hills. Blood Lake, it was called, named after a gory battle during the civil war. He remembered they needed to secure a water supply for their push into the rebel controlled lands, the rebels did not give it up though, by the time the battle was over, the water was too tainted by blood and bodies to be of use to anyone. Hopelessly outnumbered the rebels moved into the water, forcing the battle's focus in that area for just that reason. Closing his eyes, Melorn would sigh, lost in thoughts of yesterday.

"Someone is touchy." Seylian said, looking over to Thyverian who would simply frown and shrug. They were trying to treat her as one of their own, but she did not seem too amused. The two would disperse shortly after, Seylian would approach the commander, as Thyverian made his was to the stern of the ship.

"So, boss, got any old war stories?" Seylian would ask as he stepped beside Melorn, whose eyes would open back to reality. Old war stories, that made the veteran smile, his eyes drifting toward the younger feline. "I have a few." Planting his arms on the railing of the ship, Seylian would look out over the land. "You have been through two wars, right? Probably been all over our country." Placing one hand on the railing, Melorn would join him and gazing at the surface. "I have been around." Biting his lip, Seylian wanted to ask something, glancing over at his commander. He fought for Teraphax, which mean she would have been on the opposite side of..."Did you even see him on the battlefield?" Ofcourse Melorn knew who he was talking about, this wa snot the first time he was asked if he had ever fought against the Legend, an odd claim to fame to be sure. "Yep, I saw him, once or twice..."

Thyverian would simply drop down be the railing on the stern of the ship. He was somewhat disheartened by Cylesta's reaction, they had hopped she would take it as it was, simple teasing. With a sigh, he drew his sword and held it out before him, looking over the blade. Growling at the discovery of some dull areas, possibly from his battle with Seylian. Reaching behind him, he pulled a sharpening rock from a patch on his sheathe and began to work on the blade. Probably best they try not to get too close to Cylesta, they likely won't see her again after she leaves.

 

[Kiandra_Black]

Cylesta would yawn, and soon find herself half asleep, not really asleep, but not totally aware of what was going on. She didn't mind flying, it was easier to get wherever they were going by flying, and she had grown used to it. One of her ears was perked in the direction of Melorn and Seylian, listening to their conversation of wars. Her other ear was actually turned towards Menis. She had felt his heartbeat spike when he had sat down, and she wondered if her had ever flown.

Of course, during the course of the flight, her thoughts turned inward. Cylesta had grown up fairly well, although the wars and battles had always loomed on the horizon. From very small she had always wanted to join the battalions, but whereas her father had wanted her to join his, she had se her eyes on being a Deathnight. Her mother had wailed for long hours, when she had finally been accepted, but with a kiss and a hug, Cylesta had left her behind.

A couple months later, her mother had been killed, and she had always felt guilty about the way she had left her behind. Her father told her not to worry about it, and so she tried not to let it get her down, although sometimes life would rear its ugly head, and she remembered. Her father, rest his soul, had died in battle a couple years back. They had won the battle, but had lost their commander. Melorn had been there when he had died, and although she knew he had watched him die, she had never actually asked him for the story.

Cylesta felt the ship lurch, and sighed, stretching and yawning as she got up from her position. True to her uncle's words, her knees creaked, and she growled in pain. Hunger caused her to be snippy, so she followed her nose to find the kitchen, passing Menis on her way.
"I'm going to find something to eat, would you like to join me?"