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Colliding Worlds (BurningWillows & Greeneyed23)

"just men? I have often heard that female vampires are just as fierce as the men. I know it for a fact to be a missaid. The female vampire is even more dangerous than any male."

She moved into the camp proper and began to check each vampire, letting her nose fill with their scent. She didn't touch them, or even pester them, but she wanted to know their scents for certain, especially if they were to go into battle together.

As she walked, she began to talk with Lairia and Jaimie. "When the time comes, I am sending Narxis and Arya from the southeast. Where they are fighting the fires, and trying to reseed their pasture. Amitiel and Gerry will escort the Rythert, and you Lairia. Right into the ranchouse proper. Jaimie I want you and your friends here to come from the northwest. To ride along the river bed. I will be circling in. Damn i wish we still had comm units. I will be giving directions, spotting stragglers, and helping where need be. Any questions?"
 
Jamie smirked, amused at her statement, "Well of course there are women. Men is a general term in battle."

Lairia shrugged, "He's providing the army and the lingo. My involvement in this battle will be with my magic, of course."

They followed behind as she stepped through the encampment, saying soft hellos to those that greeted them, and nodding along to Elaya's plans.

"I do have one," Lairia piped up, "Is Malakai not fighting this battle with us? And what of Seraphina's brother, Jeziah? He seemed keen to fight. I understand Sera cannot, but certainly he can."
 
"jeziah may not be back from delivering Octavia to her clan in time. If he is i will have a place for him. If not..."

She never answered about kai, and never would.

He had a special mission. He was to locate all three major targets, and Tatia, then to cause as much disruption and distraction as possible.

He had actually landed a coup in the last few days who managing to damage the surveyor's lenses and other gear, and to alter the maps in subtle but damaging ways. He also had been targeting messenger birds, and even riders and either getting them off course, or leading the riders to their deaths, then stealing the horses. He was truly coming into his own, and Elaya was immensely proud of him.

But if anyone knew where he was or what he was doing, or even suspected it, the plans would fall apart.

So Elaya distracted herself and the other two by finding a vampire woman she recognized and grabbing her and trying to narrow down where they had met.
 
Lairia nodded, understanding Jeziahs position. She didn't push with Kai, noticing more and more that since they had set camp the boy had been spending more time with his new lover Reno than the group itself. The sorceress had an inkling that when they left, he might not come, and Elaya seemed to be confirming her suspicions. She stayed quiet, knowing it was none of her business as Elaya got into a conversation with a woman and Jamie pulled her to the side.

"You have to leave in fifteen," he stated, "you don't want to be caught and two people wandering at night - especially two gifted women who are known now around these parts- might raise suspicions."

"Your not coming?"

"I'm staying the night here, need to organize some. I'll be back before dinner tomorrow with an available strategy of how my group can attack for Elaya."

"Thank you Jamie," she smiled, pleasantly surprised at how much growing up her ex lover had done in the decades since she knew him. Stepping up to Elaya she tapped her shoulder politely, "hey. We got to get going."
 
Elaya smirked. "You forget my speed or something?"

She gently touched Lairia's back and lead her to the exit, and gently scooped the woman up, then took off. She went the long way, but they still arrived just as night fell true.

She set the sorceress down and sighed. "That fell good. Haven't been able to run full out in a while."

She started for the barn, her eyebrow raising when no one came out to meet them.
 
Lairia eyes widened but she didn't reject the offer, looking at Jamie in a silent goodbye as Elaya led her away. She was not expecting her speed, and when they did reach the ranch Lairia stumbled sideways two steps, trying to regain balance as her stomach churned and her head spun.

"Never gone that fast before," she murmured, regaining herself, "I'm coming...Elaya?"

She whispered her name as she realized the ranch was quiet, at least outside, and no one had come to see who had arrived. She understood if the children were asleep, as it was getting rather late, but normally at least one person stayed up for watch, keeping everyone safe.

Lairia quickly fell into step beside Elaya, casting glances around as they stepped towards the barn. Something about this already worried her and magic played on her fingers, a fireball spell on the tip of her tongue if needed.
 
Elaya had no patience for this. "GERRY!!"

She gestured to the side where good cover was to be had from the same well Lairia had hidden behind when Seraphina had erupted.

She touched below her eyes and pointed first at Lairia then at the ranchouse, while she called out. "Amitiel! Someone talk to me!" Then she tapped her chest and gestured toward the barn.

When Lairia was in place, she edged toward the barn, still calling names, including the Rythert, and even the farmers and kids.
 
Lairia hoped she understood. She nodded and stepped backwards, stepping towards the ranch house. She knew hiding behind the well was no option, but if there was trouble brewing and she found the children or anyone, it was a safe place to hide them while Elaya and Lairia dealt with things.

Lairia didn't call out though. Elaya's voice was the distraction while Lairia stepped up the porch and close to the door. She noticed it was neither closed nor locked, just pushed to the frame so that it was almost there a fraction of light slipping through. She looked back at Elaya and waited for her to look back, giving her a signal that the door was ajar, something oddly concerning. Then with a breathless word she cloaked herself with an invisibility spell and stood just beside the door instead of in front of it. waiting. The spell only lasted minutes and if she move it would break, but it hide her from view, making Elaya the only seeable person in the field. For now.
 
The barn was empty. Elaya could see and smell it.

She growled and moved toward the ranch house, nodding at Lairia's signal. Now she was getting angry.

She raised a foot as if taking a normal step, then suddenly burst into full speed, blasting through the door and diving into the kitchen. "AMITIEL!"

The Angel gasped from the floor. He was bound in a hellfire net. It couldn't hurt him, but he also couldn't get it off him. A clever solution. "Where is everyone?"
 
Lairia didn't move, only closed her eyes so she wouldn't panic when Elaya sped up suddenly, blasting past her. She remained routed at the spot, watching the trees. No one would know she was there, and if there was an attack incoming, Lairia would be able to surprise them.

Then she heard Elaya's remark and grimaced, her finger's dancing with ready magic to fire.
 
Elaya grabbed two ladles and helped the angel shuffled the net off, then snarled. "What the hell happened?"

He stood and shook himself.

"Less than thirty minutes after you left a group rode out of the forest, lead by flying demons. The demons flew through the walls. I was fighting them when several dropped their net on me. I was trapped. Gerry was shooting, and doing well, when one of them shot him in the face with a beanbag. They shoved everyone into the basement, after binding Rhagheal."

Elaya nodded, then froze. "What about Ebony?"

He gulped.

"Amitiel where is Ebony."

"They netted her as well. And took her."

Her eyes came up and he gulped again. "I'm sorry Elaya." Gerry came into the room, his face a glorious purple bruise. He froze as well, then looked between the two. "Well damn....never thought I would see you scared Amitiel."

He moved by Elaya and flopped into a chair and groaned. "Fuck that hurts... the kids are ok. Rhaeghal wriggled loosed and chewed me free. He's pissed as all hell by the way. Laria?"

He looked around as if expecting to see her, then shrugged. "You might want to go sooth him. he's really upset."

Amitiel licked his lips. "It was quick and brazen. They had a large force. At least fifty demons and what...thirty riders Gerry?"

"Forty two actually. They even gathered up the bodies. No idea why. Weirdos. OW!" He lay his head on the table. "Shit that hurts."

Elaya was still, but she was trembling with rage. Her fists were clenched, her nails digging into her palms, blood dripping out her fists.
 
When Lairia heard them, and Gerry asking for her she let the spell go, stepping quickly inside. Closing the door she uttered an enchantment, keeping the ranch sealed from all outside presences, be them angelic, demonic, or meer mortal.

"We are safe for the time being," she sighed, stepping into the kitchen and looking between the three before her eyes settled on Gerry, "Where is my Rhaegal? I'll settle him."

She needn't need asking as a large nose swept into her hand and she turned, seeing him there. Smiling she turned and led him away to her guest room, leaving the three alone to chat. She too wondered why they had taken the dead, but she didn't want to ask, not with the face Elaya was making.
 
Tatia lay on the bed in her room, pouting. It just wasn't fair. This morning she had woken and realized the one being she was missing in her life. With all the turmoil over the past several days she hadn't had a moment to notice to quietness of her room, oand the lack of an adorable black face that used to curl up with her at night. Ebony. Her Ebony. The only little being that had ever loved her before Nickens came into her life. And Tatia had left her with those...those people.

She didn't even want to think about them. Just the thought made her sick. But she hadn't wanted to leave her little Ebony there with them either. So she had asked Nickens to retrieve her, and the rejection of the idea had left her in the room, pouting and sad.

"But my king please!" she had begged, "She's all alone with those monsters out there. You saved me, why can't you save her?"

"We don't have spare men to just go and get your cat," he argued, looking tired already of the conversation, "We are trying to regain our men for the fields, and build up a strong enough guard if your former group attacks my princess. We can't spare men."

"That's unfair!" she retorted, "She's alone with them. Who knows whats happening to her. I want her safe. I won't be able to focus on training if I think she's hurting!"

"That's enough Tatiana!" he snapped, "I have said all I need to on the matter. Now off to training with you!"

Tatia had stormed off, but she had put so little effort into her training. And now she had spent the better part of the evening sulking in her room, trying to come up with ideas to save her Ebony. She had even missed dinner, not entirely hungry at the time.

So it definitely came as a surprise when Nickens knocked on her door and let himself in, a blindfold in one hand and a smile on his lips.

"I have a surprise for you," he cooed, gesturing for her to rise. She did as she was told, but she still looked upset, "Something to cheer you up."

"Nickens, you are my king and my world, but nothing will cheer me," she sighed, letting him blindfold her, "I miss my Ebony."

"I know. This will help take your mind off things though."

She took his hand, letting him lead her through the halls, not sure where they were heading. They ended up at the door of a spare room, nothing within as of yet. As he opened the door he simutaneously took off the blindfold, and the first thing she saw was...Ebony.

"Ebony!" she cried, tears welling in her eyes as she dashed in, and the kitten dashed for her, happily mewing at her, "Oh I've missed you Ebony."

She hugged the kitten dear, feeling her ribs, and the tears got worse, "They were starving her Nickens! Look! You saved my little Ebony from those awful people."

She kissed Ebony's head, holding her close as her wet eyes looked up to Nicken's in the doorframe, "Thank you my love. This means everything to me."
 
"Did you see the leader?"

"No."

"Hear anything?"

"Nope."

"See anything or feel anything of use?"

"Not really. It was Nickens's guys of course. And Amitiel said they were Astaroth's elites. But other than that. No."

"Who picked up the dead?"

"The demons. They wanted to kill us but the men said no."

"How many did you kill?"

"Amitiel got at least 16 demons before the net fell. Another twelve after."

"After?"

"He was pretty upset."

"And you?"

"Nine absolutely dead. Another four guna be by nightfall unless their have incredible healers. Three more merely wounded, and one who'll be pissing blood for a week."

She raised an eyebrow. "I kicked him in the taint with both feet. Had a big old red patch on his crotch when he left."

She sighed and nodded. "Alright. Thank you Amitiel. And I'm sorry."

he shrugged. "She's another innocent...will they hurt her?"

"To fuck with Tatia? Almost certainly."

She went to Lairia's room, no knocking, and knelt rubbing Rhaeghal's chin and ears. "Such a good boy you are. Thank you big man." She nuzzled him then sighed.

"Would a sorcerer be able to do anything with the bodies? And I assume you know that even vampires won't drink corpse blood. " Some might but it always did something...horrifying to them.
 
Lairia looked up when the door opened, having been brushing Rhaegal who jumped up to greet the visitor. He turned and returned to his mother when finished, letting her go back to brushing him as she spoke.

"Necromancy, if he is into the dark arts," she shrugged, "That's the most common. Their are other spells too for corpses that use the body parts more than the being itself. Any way you have it, if there is a sorcerer and a dead body involved, it's definitely dark magic. Why? Is that why they took the bodies?"

She looked troubled, and for good reason. Dark magic was not something to be trifled with, and for a sorcerer it was a much harder, and grueling magic to learn. Light magic was simplier and easier on the body. Dark magic required more energy, and more ingredients, not to mention more time and patience in the art of learning it. It was why so few touched the dark arts, and those who did had a keen air to do nothing but trouble. Lairia was one of the few that used her knowledge for good. Being half warlock gave her the ability to learn faster, and so light magic had been easy. Dark magic had more spells and enchantments to fight with though, and so she had learned much of them too.

"If they are using bodies, then something terrible is brewing," she spoke calmly, "Nickens might be over his head in this one though. Dark magic can be easily mistreated, or misunderstood. Many have died playing with the dark arts, or experimenting. Some have gone mad. We could be in serious trouble Elaya."
 
Elaya grunted and stroked the big cat. "We already are Lairia. It's why you have to deal with the sorcerer almost alone. Even Narxis and Amitiel can't face that. They'll be busy fending off demons. Hopefully with Arya's help. I wish we had that Dragon...ah well."

She gently tweaked one of Rhaeghal's whiskers, making him growl, and smirked, kissing his nose. "just teasing ya big baby." She sighed and looked at Lairia. "You know...we can win this. but its guna be nasty."

~

When the magician caught Nickens outside the room, the mad magician was all smiles. "So much research. So much fun."

"You finally guna make me zombies?"

"of course not. They are forbidden by Holy Writ from the Throne of God itself. The archangels would descend and slaughter us all. But I do have some other games and ideas in store for our new friends....how are things with the slut?"

"She's still needy...but she is also sure to be very grateful for my latest present. How you figured out how to dispel immunity to her abilities yet?"

"Not yet. But give me another week and maybe."
 
Lairia nodded in response, knowing Elaya spoke only the truth, "I know. I worry how many more it might take of us though to win this. At what point does the cost outweigh the victory?"

She looked down, touching the necklace and Rey's gem, feeling her heart wrench.

~

Tatia was unaware of the going on's down the hall just out of earshot, immersed in Ebony as she hugged and cuddled the little one.

"This is our home, they will protect us here," she whispered, kissing her head, "No one will hurt us anymore."

She stood, and impressively picked up the fairly big kitten, holding her in her arms as she stepped out and seeing Nickens only a dew doors down with the sorcerer, walked that way, seeing them in conversation. She bowed her head to the sorcerer in reflex, before standing on her tiptoes and kissing Nickens cheek.

"Thank you," she breathed, her eyes full of love, "You've saved her from them, like you saved me. Look what they did!"

Ebony's ribs could be shown clearly, a telltale sign that the cat hadn't eaten in days, and Tatia was none the wiser as to why, other than they must have been starving her.

"I'm going to take her to the kitchens for something to eat. When she falls asleep I'll come to your room and show you my...appreciation, my king."

She winked and smiled, starting to walk away before turning back, "Nickens...I'm forever in your debt. You know that yes? Anything you need, I am your loyal and loving princess."

She smiled on last time then left, moving to the kitchens as she whispered and kissed Ebony's little head, offering her whatever her stomach wanted. In the end Ebony got two raw steaks, an entire chicken, and a rabbit that had yet to be skinned or flayed, and Ebony ate it whole. Taking her panther cub to her room, she settled down with her for half the night, before she would slip away to Nickens quarters to show him her "appreciation", only to return to her room at dawn and fall asleep next to Ebony.
 
Elaya sighed. "I hear you. i do. But there is more at risk than even this group. The family we have invaded. The town. This whole land could fall...And then they'd get your stone. And i swore to protect Tatia. And if that means I go alone I will."

She touched Lairia's other hand. "If you can't do this, tell me now. I won't judge you. i need you fully focused. If there is any doubt at all, don't come."

~

Nickens winked at the magician. He wondered what the magician was calling himself now.

he had given the name Wilson when he arrived. Then changed it seven times just in that first interview. His eyes changed color daily, and he would go in pulses of sanity that had no marker or predicting.

He shrugged and went off to be thanked.

Ebony wriggled over her mother's chest, her eyes on the door. Tatia had missed it but the cat had hissed in rage at Nickens. She didn't like his look or smell, and definitely didn't like how he looked at her mother.

Now she watched the door. She was purring, but she was still on guard.
 
Lairia looked up, blinking tears back, "I wouldn't miss seeing that look of defeat in that assholes eyes for anything Elaya. I'll be there, if only to wipe the smirk off his face. I just...I don't want to see us loose any more lives. I've lost Ray, you almost lost Sera, Rythert are beside themselves worried about losing Tatia. Then Octavia. How much more can we take?"
 
"Not much."

She winced as thunder crashed and with it came a thick rainstorm. "We can't fight in this though. Gives all the advantage to them. It can't put out the fires Jeziah started but it can prevent them from spreading."

She sighed and tweaked Rhaeghal's ears this time then rubbed his special places, inducing a purr. "i need sleep. Goodnight you two."

She went into the bedroom she and Sera had shared and was asleep in moments.
 
Lairia nodded, looking out her small window into the rain, "You're not wrong there. Hopefully it clears overnight. Goodnight Elaya."

She let her leave, then locked the door, changing and dressing for bed. Rhaegal curled up on the bed, but after about five minutes started crying, obviously noticing Ebony's disappearance.

"We will get her back," Lairia whispered, scratching his ears as he crawled right up close to her, wanting comfort, "Don't you worry."
 
Elaya knew the rain wouldn't stop. She could smell it even in her sleep.

So when she woke and went to the kitchen for breakfast she was even less surprised to see that it had only thickened, the sky filled with dark grey clouds, dropping sheets of rain.

The farmyard was a puddle, though the chickens were having a grand time eating worms. The horses were neighing in the barn, and Elaya could see the cows huddled under the large empty roofed structure down in the field. That had been intended as a hay barn but Nicken's nastiness had resulted in only the roof remaining. So now it served as shelter for the cows. It was on a rise below a knobbed hill which shed the water to either side of the structure, creating a rather nice water flow.

She sighed, ate her breakfast, and went out onto the porch. Even her nose couldn't catch anything but rain now, so she sat in a rocking chair with her feet up on the railing, and watched it come down. There was nothing else to do. She had gotten reports from Amitiel, Narxis, and Kai about the status of everything.

The Golden Hills assholes were bunkering down and letting the rain fill their tanks. She hoped that such a storm would drain the magician, but she couldn't bank on that. Especially with Astaroth around.

So she waited. Miserably annoyed. But helpless to do aught else. She knew better than to consider going running in the rain. Cows don't care about rain. The fact they were hiding from it told her all she needed to know.

And as if to confirm this when a squirrel tried to scamper across the yard he was struck by a single bolt of lightning that vaporised him. She sighed.

"This is why I hate magic."
 
Lairia woke to the rain and sighed. Getting Rhaegal up they did their morning routine, and by the time she was in the kitchen making breakfast most of the house was up, everyone bustling. Yet for all the mayhem, once breakfast was eaten and dishes were cleared the house became quiet, everyone going off into their rooms to do thier own things.

"They may thought this would hinder us, but its actually a blessing," Lairia spoke as she stepped outside, "It's forcing us to relax and recharge. Meaning when this clears, we are going to be 100% ready. They are greatly misjudging us Elaya."

~

Arya was slow to wake in the morning. To her surprise she had slept through the entire night, never tossing, nor having a single nightmare or dream. No contracts came either. For once she had a good sleep. Scratch that, Arya couldn't remember a time she had had a better sleep.

Rolling her shoulder's she realized she was in an odd, curled position and tried to remember what had happened the night before. Where was she? Everything smelt like dust and mildew and...Narxis. Her eyes opened and she looked up, becoming aware of her surroundings, and the fact her pillow was indeed Narxis' chest, her head nestled under his chin. She made an effort to move than stopped, slightly enjoying the comfort of his arms holding her, keeping her safe and warm. Was that why she had slept so well? Why would having another in her bed help her sleep at all? And for that matter, why was he here in her bed?

Then it all came crashing down on her. The second of waking blissfully ignorant was gone, and her world crashed back down on her, heavy with saddness and mourning. She didn't cry though, only felt the sting in her heart as she gripped Narxis' shirt and burrowed her head in, trying to rid the images playing in her mind, trying to forget the day before. She breathed him in heavily, taking in that near intoxicating scent she'd never admit to liking.

"Are you awake?" she whispered into his chest, knowing if he was she would have to get up and move away, and for five more seconds she didn't want to, wanting to stay right in bed in his arms than face life. She knew it was selfish, and she knew better than to let him think this meant something, but she had never felt comfortable like this before and it just felt...good.
 
Elaya laughed and looked up at the sorceress. "Finally able to see the good side huh? Bout time. And this will do even more than you think. I don't have my little magics anymore, but I still have some spell scrolls and other fun things amongst my stuff. Drea drew em up for me for emergencies. And this definitely qualifies. The lightning is a bit annoying though....did you notice it didn't thunder? Definitely means it's magical."

~

Narxis actually was not aware she had woken up.

He was having his version of a dream. Not of them or anything yesterday, but instead of the judgement of the death of Ba'al.

He began to withdraw when she spoke, but he took his time, watching as Leviathan blathered on and refused to apologize for the 'accidental' death of his fellow prince.

it was all lies and bullshit of course, but Narxis always found their excuses and claims funny. Such as the accidental death. And the happenstance of the presence of the armies of Hell.

It was more than a minute after she had spoken that he blinked then looked down at her. "yes. Would you like breakfast?" he still had his arms about her, but he ensured that they were not restraining her. IF she wished to be free he would not prevent it.
 
Lairia looked out into the rain, "Actually I can feel it. Half-warlock has it's privileges, and knowing when magic is about i one. Sometimes a good mage or sorcerer can cloak their magic, or the spell is too small to notice, but something of this mass can not be ignored. The man is making a statement of his skill, and I feel like making one of my own."

She stepped out then, into the rain, but nothing touched her. Rhaegal followed and the rain also passed around him, not touching either of them as they stepped into the mud. Turning she looked up into the sky, then rose her hands and began to chant. From above the sky broke open and the sun peeked through, pushing the clouds away. They did not disappear though, only moving so that they circled the ranch, while directly above the was nothing but sunshine and blue skies. Lairia dropped her hands and scratched Rhaegal's head, who seemed pleased at his mother's work before looking at Elaya and cracking a smile.

"No the children can play and the cows can graze, and that asshole can eat his damn magic," she stated with confidence, knowing he would not only be able to feel her presence but see her work. And no amount of his strength could push back hers, as she had already put up barriers around the ranch, allowing none to enter unless invited. She was not about to have another surprise attack today.

"I must meditate for the day," she stepped back on the porch and smiled, "So that I am at my best of strengths for tomorrow and the next. Would you mind watching Rhaegal for me? He'll behave. Be good for Elaya little one."

Rhaegal purred and dropped down, stretching underneath Elaya's raised legs that sat on the railing. Lairia disappeared into her room, intent to draw as much energy into herself by the time the battle was drawn.

~

Arya liked the sound of breakfast. Although breakfast meant getting up and acknowledging the day was here, and Arya knew that came with the weight of her friend's passing. Every second she lay in his arms though she could pretend the world did not exist...and it felt too good to not continue.

"Breakfast later," she growled, settling in, "Go back to sleep."

That lasted seconds though before a crack of lightning sounded outside and she jumped, unprepared and on edge from all that had happened the day before.

"Fuck," she hissed, scrambling from his lap regretfully and peering through the window, expecting to see hordes of demons like the day before. But there was nothing except a small burnt circle on the ground below, where presumably an animal had scampered by.

"Sorry," she swept her hand through her hair, turning and looking at him. Her eyes were wild but also puffy, and her hair was slightly messy, but even with that she looked beautiful. Dressed in the black robes, she pulled them tighter around herself as she slipped back onto the bed...and from the looks of it she wanted back in his arms but she held back, sitting on the end of the bed instead.

"Breakfast sounds nice," she murmured, looking down, "Can uh...do we have anything to make...um...human food?"

She felt embaressed to admit she liked such a thing, but indeed she did. The tastes, the smells, she quite enjoyed all of it. Hearts where what sustained her, as well as souls, but when she wanted a treat she would find an actual bite to eat.

"Octavia..." her voice grew quiet before she swallowed the pain and continued, "Octavia used to laugh at me when I wanted her breakfasts. She found it...entertaining...that my favorite human food was fruit and chocolate. She used to make the best pancakes and smear both over them, just load them up with fresh berries and warm chocolate from the fire..."

She bit her lip, holding back tears, "M-maybe I should skip breakfast. I think I'll just stay in bed...if that's alright."
 
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