Eldritch Prophecies ::Haru - Rhu::

[Haruchai]

There was an unease in the world, a certain sort of malaise that had begun some time ago. Those in tune with the planet, the ones that dealt with nature and the well-being of the world around them could not identify the source. And yet, all seemed to agree that this ennui, this languor, stemmed from the time in which King Varret had taken the throne in Lanthan. He had united the various Kingdoms of the World of Palladium, and in doing so had done something no other King before him had done. His was a dynasty, and one he planned to make into a legacy no matter the cost. Varret had been opposed of course, though as his power grew and armies fell, he subsumed all who had opposed him. Several small factions remained unfettered by his rule, though operate in hiding. It was as Varret had marched with his armies across Lanthan that he and his men had discovered a small subrace of elves that many had thought to be extinct. The Lythari. Known as the Silver Shadows, they all possess pale almost platinum hair and very light skin.

Not only did Varret and his men discover these legendary elves, they found that some of them still held the Old Magic. Primordial magic that tapped directly into Palladium itself. The most promising of the Lythari were taken and now reside with the King. Ever since that time, the Land has entered this state.

----------​

It had been almost a decade since Rahm had lost his sister, taken by King Varret due to her connection with the Old Magic. Not just his sister, but his fraternal twin. The two had been close, growing up in isolation, sheltered from the world by, admittedly, overprotective parents. Of course that had all been shattered when Varret had seen to his conquests, and Rahm's sister had been ripped from the family. There had not been a single day in which the Lythari elf had not sworn his vengeance, and when he head reached his twelfth year Rahm set out from the Great Northern Forest and to the south into the Dominion of Men.

His mere presence was sometimes seen as a boon, and sometimes as a bane, and yet he always found his way, and his natural dexterity and deft manner brought enough attention to allow him to train under a reknowned swordmaster. Master Miyamoto. Honing his skills Rahm was a quick learner and once Miyamoto had taught him all he could he was sent far to the west, into the Lands of Yin, and into the Yin-Loth Jungle. It was there that Rahm trained with the Shivas, masters of the blade and reknowned for their four-sword style. Undisputed masters of the sword, the Shivas did not train just anyone, and Rahm had to prove his worth to them in some way. The Lythari elf proved himself, again and again, and finally was accepted as a student. Training under the Shivas for a handful of years improved his already formidable swordplay by leaps and bounds and soon the elf was a match save for all but the most practiced of Shivas masters. Now armed with the knowledge and the skill to rescue his sister, Rahm sets out to find her and bring her home.

----------​

Far to the north, in the city of Atragon was where Varret had built his castle. The City of Spires, and of beauty and wonder, the city is a bastion of peace, but of peace borne through fear. None dare speak against the King, despite the murmurings of the unrest that settles over the land like a plague. The journey was long, but Rahm was determined to see his sister again. There was no hiding that he was Lythari, his facial markings unable to be hidden, even with dyes or other devices. Instead Rahm stood proud and made his way northward, Word had spread of the Lythari that traveled alone, though none knew his purpose. Under the guise of a traitor, a Lythari that had turned on his people, Rahm devised that story even if it was not true - as the only way to get close enough to the King. The Lythari planned to offer himself as Champion to the King, gaining access to all that Varret was, and hoping to make things crumble from the inside. Rahm knew the King had his sister, but he was not sure where.

It was a week before his ninety-second birthday, still a very young elf by the way they measured time, when Rahm arrived at Atragon. Just as he had planned, the stories of a lone Lythari had preceded him, and he was admitted into the city, an honored guest of the King himself.

 

[Rhubarb]

There was an unease in the world, a certain sort of malaise that had begun some time ago. Those in tune with the planet, the ones that dealt with nature and the well-being of the world around them could not identify the source. And yet, all seemed to agree that this ennui, this languor, stemmed from the time in which King Varret had taken the throne in Lanthan. He had united the various Kingdoms of the World of Palladium, and in doing so had done something no other King before him had done. His was a dynasty, and one he planned to make into a legacy no matter the cost. Varret had been opposed of course, though as his power grew and armies fell, he subsumed all who had opposed him. Several small factions remained unfettered by his rule, though operate in hiding. It was as Varret had marched with his armies across Lanthan that he and his men had discovered a small subrace of elves that many had thought to be extinct. The Lythari. Known as the Silver Shadows, they all possess pale almost platinum hair and very light skin.

Not only did Varret and his men discover these legendary elves, they found that some of them still held the Old Magic. Primordial magic that tapped directly into Palladium itself. The most promising of the Lythari were taken and now reside with the King. Ever since that time, the Land has entered this state.

----------​

It had been almost a decade since Rahm had lost his sister, taken by King Varret due to her connection with the Old Magic. Not just his sister, but his fraternal twin. The two had been close, growing up in isolation, sheltered from the world by, admittedly, overprotective parents. Of course that had all been shattered when Varret had seen to his conquests, and Rahm's sister had been ripped from the family. There had not been a single day in which the Lythari elf had not sworn his vengeance, and when he head reached his twelfth year Rahm set out from the Great Northern Forest and to the south into the Dominion of Men.

His mere presence was sometimes seen as a boon, and sometimes as a bane, and yet he always found his way, and his natural dexterity and deft manner brought enough attention to allow him to train under a reknowned swordmaster. Master Miyamoto. Honing his skills Rahm was a quick learner and once Miyamoto had taught him all he could he was sent far to the west, into the Lands of Yin, and into the Yin-Loth Jungle. It was there that Rahm trained with the Shivas, masters of the blade and reknowned for their four-sword style. Undisputed masters of the sword, the Shivas did not train just anyone, and Rahm had to prove his worth to them in some way. The Lythari elf proved himself, again and again, and finally was accepted as a student. Training under the Shivas for a handful of years improved his already formidable swordplay by leaps and bounds and soon the elf was a match save for all but the most practiced of Shivas masters. Now armed with the knowledge and the skill to rescue his sister, Rahm sets out to find her and bring her home.

----------​

Far to the north, in the city of Atragon was where Varret had built his castle. The City of Spires, and of beauty and wonder, the city is a bastion of peace, but of peace borne through fear. None dare speak against the King, despite the murmurings of the unrest that settles over the land like a plague. The journey was long, but Rahm was determined to see his sister again. There was no hiding that he was Lythari, his facial markings unable to be hidden, even with dyes or other devices. Instead Rahm stood proud and made his way northward, Word had spread of the Lythari that traveled alone, though none knew his purpose. Under the guise of a traitor, a Lythari that had turned on his people, Rahm devised that story even if it was not true - as the only way to get close enough to the King. The Lythari planned to offer himself as Champion to the King, gaining access to all that Varret was, and hoping to make things crumble from the inside. Rahm knew the King had his sister, but he was not sure where.

It was a week before his ninety-second birthday, still a very young elf by the way they measured time, when Rahm arrived at Atragon. Just as he had planned, the stories of a lone Lytharu had preceded him, and he was admitted into the city, an honored guest of the King himself.

Astarael Only remembered the tidbits of her home, but she remembered all of the times she spend with her beloved twin. Memories were funny that way. She tried to count the years in her head as she stared into the looking glass fastening the thin black veil over her nose and mouth. She then proceeded to work on the figuring out a way to attach the fascinator to her pale locks of hair. The entire outfit, which bore the dark colors of the kingdom, was in striking contrast to her nearly snow white skin. Still it was different than her usual Court Attire. She looked at the markings that made a sleeve on her right arm, and left leg. Unlike male Lythari, females didn't gain markings on their face, until they had mated with a male. Astarael was glad that somehow in this kingdom of hate she had managed to remain chaste. Tonight was a night of hope, as she admired the black and violet dancing attire she recounted the rumors she'd heard in her head A lone Lythari, one who had betrayed his people, was coming as a guest of the king.

Knowing he'd betrayed her people made Astarael uneasy, but she was hoping the king would invite him to a feast after the night's show, and maybe she could find out if her people were still where they had been when she was taken or some other useful information. Normally dancers would be allowed nowhere near a king's feast, but she was also the court mage, the only licensed dark magic practitioner in the entire kingdom, she'd wanted to practice the magic of the ancients, but the king had forced her to learn the more taboo practices, the ones that were twisted version of the old magic, sick impersonations, but impersonations that could fell towns. She'd been made to help him in many of his conquests. She glowered at herself in the mirror just as the door opened and one of the servants told her it was time.

She made her way through the many wooden constructs backstage. The murmurs were loud even through the curtain, but Astarael was used to that. As she got into position and the curtains rose, she quickly scanned the audience around the king for the face she would've recognize, the elf. Her shock hit her almost like a truck as she realized she did recognize the face. Tears almost came to her eyes, but she bit her lip and acted fast.

Just as the music started she raised and hand and halted it, speaking in a calm tone. "Forgive me my king, but I have just thought of a song that might please you and your guest even more. After all, it is a special night is it not?" Just as the musicians seemed confused the songstress raised her hand flicking her wrist, a velvety fog suddenly swirled around the instruments, and they began playing their own song. She started to move , her body slowly bending and moving to the rythym, however this dance was nothing anyone in the kingdom had ever seen before, it was in her native language, and the dance was a traditional routine, done during the Blue Moon Festival, that opened the Lythari mating season. As her body swayed and stretched she never lost eye contact with Rahm, knowing he'd be the only one to recognize this dance, in case he didn't recognize her. After the dance was done she curtsied as the curtain closed, knowing the king was boring holes into her with his eyes.

As she got backstage the reaction was distraught, they all chewed her out for straying from the original routine, and those that didn't hate her for being an elf told her the king would have her head, which she already knew. She also knew she had to do what she had done, her last remaining shreds of hope depended on it. As she approached her room the king's adviser approached and she groaned. He spoke with malice laced in his voice.

"The king says you are not to attend the feast, the only reason he's not having you executed is because you're the most powerful mage he's ever had. However, he says you will be punished and if you pull this again, he will kill you and go back to your village and just take more Lythari children." Astarael simply glared at him and headed towards her room, he grabbed her wrist but the moment his skin met her is instantly burned him. The adviser shrieked and stormed off. Astarael flopped on her bed, she was dissapointed she wouldn't be able to attend the feast, but she made sure her aura radiated magic knowing Rahm would sense something.

 

[Haruchai]

Rahm had been led through the streets, almost paraded really, the royal contingent flanking him. If things had been different it might have been a funeral march. Led to the gallows or the stake. As it was it almost made Rahm physically ill to stick with the story he had devised. There was nothing to be done about it though. However, unknown to Rahm, there was one man that had heard of this Lythari elf and did not believe him. Advisor Shaw had been with the King since the very beginning, had been there when the Lythari were discovered. Knew that there had been a traitor, assuredly, but that this Lythari could not be him. Shaw had seen that Lythari's throat cut and watched the elf's blood seep into the forest floor. Anyone that would betray his own people so readily would surely betray Varret, and Shaw would not abide such a thing. The advisor was curious though, and willing to let this all play out.

Rahm had been brought to the castle, the fortified abode quite impressive, but entirely not to Rahm's liking. He was meant to be out in the world, close to nature, and the hewn stone walls were confining. Whispers followed Rahm's procession and he was led to the area where the stage had been constructed. King Varret stood and welcomed Rahm with open arms, though the elf almost retched. Managing to keep his last meal in his stomach Rahm knew he had to bide his time, and graciously had taken his seat next to the King as his honored guest. The opening of the play had been quite something, though a nudge from Varret himself brought Rahm's full focus to the stage where an unearthly beauty began to dance. The sight of the movements reached back into the recesses of Rahm's memory and the Lythari recognized them. The Lythari mating dance, and he felt something stir within him, and he sat, gaze intent on the female as their eyes met across that span.

Deep in his heart Rahm dared to hope, and though he could not be sure it was her, the possibility that it was not his sister was astronomical, for no other elf would know that dance. Sister or not she was Lythari, and Rahm knew he had to meet her. The ending of such a dance did not call for applause, though the humans in attendance sullied it with such an act, though Rahm merely bowed his head in deference of the nature of the dance. Knowing that he had to find a way to meet that woman, Rahm held tight to his patience.

Shaw was not happy in the least, and though Varret had been displeased, Shaw moved to the back to give instruction to the Lythari. With a hiss of pain Shaw jerked his hand away from the witch's flesh, eyes narrowed dangerously. "Watch yourself elf." he spat, and departed.

Meanwhile, Rahm felt a pull, and he knew that his sister was close. She was his twin, and the more he thought about it, the more he was confident he had just laid eyes on his sister for the first time in years. Time had changed her, changed them both really, and yet this feeling had settled in his soul. As soon as she had left the stage the advisor had silently stood and departed as well. Rahm remembered the man, though he had also aged a bit. The talk between the King and the advisor had been quiet and yet Rahm's keen elven ears had picked up much of it, and he realized that the dancer was to be punished. Turning to the King he said quietly, "If you would permit me Your Majesty, I would very much like to meet the dancer you just had upon the stage." he said.

Varret turned to him and gave a curt nod. "I understand. She is being reprimanded for her actions and will not be attending the feast tonight, but you will be allowed to see her upon the morrow." the King stated, comfortable that his word was Law, especially in his own home.

Rahm bowed his head in acceptance, knowing that he had to accept that answer and that arguing would benefit nobody.

Soon it was time for the feast and Rahm, along with the King's entourage, was taken to a huge dining area, where the food was all prepared and the evening settled into carousing and general merriment. Rahm would normally have slipped away and tried to find his sister, but all eyes were on him, and he was kept busy greeting the other guests of the King, all of them quite keen on seeing a live Lythari elf, most unaware that the woman who had danced for them was one as well. Careful with his intake of wine and other spirits, Rahm remained sober as the evening wore on while many of the other guests would succumb to the alcohol. Though he was quite full, and had to admit that the revelry was a bit nice and took some getting used to, Rahm's mind strayed to the elf on the stage, trying to envision her in his mind's eye, and he still felt that inexorable pull. As the merry-making began to dwindle, many of the guests wandering off to their room, some passing out in the dining hall, and yet a few deciding that the room was suitable enough to partake in some carnal pleasures, Rahm managed to slip away.

The King had retired, trusting his guests, and Rahm slipped silently along the corridors, following the pull upon his spirit. Highly trained he was able to obfuscate his path, staying out of sight, and it was not long before he stood outside a particular door. A door that seemed to be the only barrier between himself and whatever was tugging at him. Though locked, the door locked from the outside, meant to keep something in, not out. Unlocking the door Rahm opened it, slipping inside and looking around. There, just feet away from him, was the divine elf that he had looked for for so many years. His sister.

"Star?" he asked softly, using the nickname he'd had for her all those years ago.

 

[Rhubarb]

The moment she heard her childhood nickname Astarael paused. She waited, not knowing what she would do if she turned and it wasn't him. If the voice didn't belong to her bother she knew her mind would shatter, but at this point she was willing to take the risk. Slowly, she turned to look and when she met his eyes, hers started to immediately water. She got up slowly, smiling at the elven male. "Rahm!" She ran up to him embracing him instantly. Now the tears came easily, and for the first time in years she actually felt it was safe to cry, so Astarael did, sobbing into her brother's chest. Apart of her very soul that had felt hollow, now felt full once more. Lythari twins didn't work like human twins, their connection went much deeper than DNA and simultaneous birth, their very minds and auras were connected. It was rumored that if you separated one Lythari twin from the other, it was hell, their very energy would dwindle and their health would deteriorate after so many years.

For Astarael, being in her brother's embrace was like being reborn, she suddenly felt good and healthy again. She slowly placed a hand on each side of his face and placed a kiss in the middle of his forehead, where the mind's eyes, the third eye was. This was a traditional greeting between females and their male relative, but just as her lips touched his skin, she knew she wanted much more, though she wouldn't dare ask him for that.

"It's been so long... How did you get here? I knew you'd come... I'm so happy to see you."

 

[Haruchai]

Though Rahm's skills were exceptional, they were still mundane, and Advisor Shaw had much deeper resources at his beck and call. Having left the feast early himself, the Advisor had retreated to his inner sanctum, wherein the scrying glass was turned inward to the interior of the palace. Finding the Lythari elf was child's play, and even though the magic of the divination could not keep track of his movements completely, a testament to the elf's skill, once he entered the room of the female Lythari the Advisor smiled to himself and focused the power of the glass to watch the exchange. He could not listen, but he did not need to. The reactions of the two were quite enough.

"Star! Oh, sweet sister, it does my heart well to see you!" Rahm said, nearly breathless in his relief and excitement at this reunion. Catching her in his embrace he closed his eyes as tears slipped down his cheeks as she kissed his forehead. Holding her in his arms he did not wish to let her go and he spoke softly to her. "I am sorry it took me so long to find you my dearest one. I have not come unprepared though, and have trained these past years for this day. We need to spirit you away from this place but we must be smart about it." he told her and he leaned back to look into her beatific face, relief washing over him once more. "I have missed you so terribly." he told her, and despite himself he bent and kissed her lips gently. Something stirred inside of him, knowing that his dear sister was safe. In his arms no less, and Rahm felt a deeper love and connection for her than ever before. His right hand came up to caress her cheek, the softness of her skin bringing back memories of years past.

"My lovely little Star. How you have shone so brightly in my mind and how I have been deprived of you. Now I am once more whole." he told her, his voice scarcely more than a whisper and he kissed her once more, his lips pressed soft to her own. Letting his lips linger on hers for a moment he pulled back slowly and reluctantly but his gray eyes found hers. "The King had granted permission for me to see you on the morrow, and I will come as soon as I can. I must go now, for being caught here now would end badly for us both. I will be back as quickly as I can and we will devise a way to make our escape." Rahm promised her and with a smile, and eyes now full of hope, the Lythari parted ways.

----------​

Rahm made his way back easily enough and when the time had come was shown to one of the many guest quarters in the palace. He could hardly rest and as the sun broke the horizon he was up and at the kitchens, greeted there by Advisor Shaw.

"Good morning! I see that you are an early riser like myself!" Shaw said, and gave a small bow. "I do not believe we have been properly introduced. My name is Wiegraf Shaw and I act as advisor to the King. It is very unusual to see one of your kind, especially here. What brings you here?" he asked, plucking an apple from a nearby tray.

Rahm had given a small bow and introduced himself as well. "I simply go by Rahm, Advisor, and it is a pleasure to meet you. As to my purpose here, I had heard that the King had a Lythari in his retinue, and wanted to see for myself. I plan to offer my services to the King as a Champion." he said.

"Interesting." Shaw said, and took a bite of the fruit. "A Lythari Champion would certainly be something. You do understand that I must look out for what is best for the King, and you will be out through several tests." His eyes almost seemed to bore into the elf.

Rahm nodded. "I understand that such precautions must be taken. I am ready." he confirmed.

"Good, good. I look forward to seeing what you can do." Shaw said. "Break your fast, and meet me out in the colliseum. The guards will show you where it is." Shaw said, and took his leave.

----------​

Astarael received a knock on her door and one of her handmaidens, which had been appointed to her by the King, slipped into her room. "I was sent to fetch you m'Lady. There is to be a demonstration in the colliseum today." the handmaiden said. Such activities were unusual, but now and then a knight wished to test his mettle to impress the King.

 

[Rhubarb]

She blushed as her brother kissed her in a way that was more than brotherly, but she didn't complain, she wanted it just as much as him. Afterwards she placed her head on his chest. "I understand. I'm sorry it caused you so much trouble, but thank you so much for coming. I'll see you on the morrow." During this time, she felt watched, and Astarael had an inkling of who could be watching them. After Rahm left she laid herself down in bed, wearing a knowing smile.

---

The next morning she was irritated, but not surprised when her handmaiden told her, the king had called for her to come to the Colosseum where he would test his new champion. She knew Shaw had something planned but she didn't know what. She quickly donned her court attire and slowly walked to the Colosseum, once there she took a seat in a fancy chair. Adviser Shaw eventually walked up to take his seat opposite Astarael, just as he sat down she casted a spell that caused the chair to age significantly so when Shaw sat down it's legs splintered causing him to fall and roll down a few of the stairs. Neither of them would be able to detect the magic, but Shaw would surely know it was her, but she didn't care, he would never prove it to the king. "My my Shaw, that wasn't very Royal like, foolish in fact, keep that up and the public will think the King's Adviser, who aides the king in ALL of his decisions is a fool... We wouldn't want that. My king, might I suggest Noble Shaw, take etiquette courses until the next solstice?" After she'd had her fun she scanned the battle grounds for her beloved brother.

 

[Haruchai]

Rahm had no idea of the exchange between his sister and Shaw, though of course he would have defended her actions if he had been aware. The Advisor was shrewd, though cruel, and despite his wolfish nature Rahm was not given to psychological torture nor playing games. The King struck Rahm as merely misguided, and it seemed that Shaw was the one pulling the strings so to speak. Not that Varret was without his own cruelties, but Shaw seemed to heavily influence the man. Eating a few pieces of fruit and drinking some water, Rahm had made sure he was armed as he was led out to an arena-like area, where he saw that Shaw, his sister and the King awaited him.

"You will be put to the test today." Varret said,, gesturing across the way to an iron purtcullis which still barred the way to the passage beyond, though the noises of some great beast could be heard beyond.

"I shall prove myself worthy then." Rahm responded, and bowed, drawing the two swords he had upon his person. As he did so, the portcullis on the other side of the arean was raised, and in moments his "test" bounded into the large open space. Rahm's brows knit together, and it was obvious that he was not meant to survive this little test, the immense beast a chimera. The great lion's head roared, the ground shaking with the vibration, and Rahm knew he had no cover to conceal himself nor to strike from.

Since no rules had been put forth, he assumed there were none, and he felt his adrenaline spike as he invoked his powers. The reason it had taken so long for him to hone his skills, seeking out the best that humanity had to offer, and then the Shivas, who were peerless in their focus, had to do with one thing. The Lythari were not known as the Silver Shadows for no reason. Many thought it was their hair, or their pale skin. Certinly those things played into it, as did the markings that Rahm had grown into. Yet it was their ability to assume a hybrid wolf form that truly lent them their prowess, and with that power came the need for focus. Almost all the Lythari were now gone, and Rahm had had nobody to train him, and so he had taken to other methods.

The chimera knew he was there, and Rahm rushed forward, steel at the ready, and as one massive paw with wickedly curved claws swiped at him, the lithe elf ducked and rolled low, the edge of his blade slicing along the muscle and sinew of the foreleg still planted firmyl on the ground. He was rewarded with blood and a howl of pain, and back on the dais the King sat up and took notice. Already the Lythari had draw first blood, and that was not something had happened often. By now Rahm was smiling, his sharpened canines showing as the feral side of his nature took an edge to it. The smell of the blood in the air only furthered his desire, and the speed of the elf carried him well beyond the initial attack zone of the beast.

With a heaving chest as Rahm breathed in lungfuls of air, the Lythari began to change, calling upon his power and tapping into Nature. He grew taller and stronger, putting on mass as muscles and bone shifted and grew, fur sprouting along limbs, though Rahm specifically wore baggy clothing for this purpose, and the gray tint of his eyes turned gold. His six foot tall frame grew to eight, knees cracked and popped as they bent backward, and soon the transformation was complete. Rahm's new form was a sight to behold, and it was the first time his sister had ever seen her brother in this way.

 

[Rhubarb]

Astarael watched with squinted eyes as the the gates holding the beast in were lifted. The moment it bounded out she shot a venomous glance Shaw's way. She sat down and watched with bated breath biting her lip as her brother fought. She knew she could step in if need be, but then the gig would be up and Rahm's mission would be compromised. However her worries were quelled a bit as Rahm's fighting skill amazed her and seemingly every one else in the audience.

As Rahm transformed, her worry rose again. She'd heard tell of the wolf transformation but had never had the chance to see it herself before she'd left the village. Now that her brother was using it she wasn't sure he could stay in control. She stood to intervene, quickly walking down the steps, but at the last second Shaw grabbed her arm and slapped her across the face. She recoiled and growled, her arm shot out, hand wrapping around shaw's neck and lifting him off his feet, her voice laced with a cruel poison. "This was your doing wasn't it? You intended for this to happen, for him to die. Well i've got news for you, if he loses control of that form, we're all dead. You, the king, and the people in this coliseum. And another thing", she turned at an angle where she was sure the king couldn't see and suddenly stuck the fingers of her free hand into his mouth, from under her sleeve black vines slithered up her wrist around her hand then into shaw's mouth slowly creeping into his body, this went on for a minute and she enjoyed watching the elder man writhe and gag as the thorns undoubtedly cut an scratched him. After they stopped she pulled her hand back. "You tell the king or anyone about me and rahm, or anything to do with the both of us, even this conversation and those little lovelies will constrict around each of your organs, oh so slowly resulting in a very violent and painful death." She then threw shaw down onto the steps and headed back to her seat as the king told them both to quit and come sit back down. She watched her brother in angst, hoping he knew what he was doing.

 

[Haruchai]

Rahm could see his sister talking to Shaw out of the corner of his eyes and he knew he had to end this quickly. He was not a Lythari to show his hand so easily, and even in this he was reluctant, buthow many men had died at the violence of this beast? How many had perished under its claws, or mauled by it? Rahm charged the beast, dodging to the side and though this time his momentum could have carried him away once more and merely wounded the beast, his blade was buried in its side to stop his progress, and though the chimera roared and thrashed Rahm's speed was peerless and several holes were punched in its hide before he moved away, the blade of his sword severing the whipping tail, the stinger on the end stabbing at the ground several times in a vain attempt to find him and inject him with the caustic poison. Venom sprayed out in an arc from the severed and now truncated tail, and Rahm did not bother to put distance between them, instead using his speed and agility to dance around the large but clumsy beast, which was soon bleeding out of several dozen holes. The goat's head hung limp, almost severed at the neck and the lion's head was blind, having been sliced across the eyes, the dragin's head the most formidable to try and penetrate, and a great gout of flame issued forth, though Rahm was gone, off to the side, the beast wheezing bubbly blood as he punctured a lung and it started to falter. Now determined to finish it, Rahm leapt upon its back, blade biting deep to sever the spin, bringing the chimera down, and the last thrust pierced its heart, dust billowing from the exhale as it breathed its last. Leaping down, Rahm stalked toward the stands, his bloodlust high, and having seen the Advisor talking to his sister. A low rumbing growl erupted from his throat, murder in his eyes as he closed with those on the raised platform.

 

[Rhubarb]

She watched, partially in fright and partially in amazement at Rahm's skill handling the chimera. It'd had grown this large because no one had been able to kill it after all these years. Soon the Chimera was down and snarling rahm was marching towards the stands. Shaw quickly ordered soldiers to kill the beast, the king tried to call it off but shaw was insisting the beast was too dangerous, neither of those things mattered Star was already moving. She plucked a hand axe from one of the guards too afraid to move and dropped her revealing a pair of short animal hide shorts. She saw a soldier going at Rahm with a silver spear and moved. She quickly darted through the crowd elbowing and shoving then just as she got close she spun and swung her feet still moving. Her aim was true, and just as she finished her 360 the axe met the spear fighter's neck taking his head clean off his shoulder's. She turned around knocking rahm into a wall so he would be away for a little so she could talk. "Did you fools not hear your own king!? He called you back! If you can't follow your own ruler's orders then." She threw the axe into the headless carcass. "Then end up, just like him!" As they left the field she turned as Rahm got back up. She snapped and summoned large black vines that wrapped around the wolf's limbs to restrain him, the vines were easily ripped to shreds.

With her brow furrowed she summoned a wall of energy around him, but he easily broke through it. Panicking she ran up to her brother wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his furry chest. She whispered in his ear quietly. "Brother you must calm down, you'll blow the whole thing if you attack the king, or even shaw. We'll never get out of here if we do this, they'll kill you, they'll kill me!"

 

[Haruchai]

Rahm watched through the eyes of the beast as the blood splattered the ground, his sister coming to his aid. The wolf reveled in the coppery tang in the air, and as his sister tried to slow him with vines he shredded them, the barrier of energy she placed only making him pause for a moment. Then she was with him, just out of sight of the King and his Advisor, and she wrapped her arms about him, the calm dulcet tones of her voice penetrating through the haze of his mind more easily. The wolf still had a need though, and the smell of the female before it begged for a reaction. The great shaggy head bent down, nose snuffling along her collarbone a moment before teeth sank into her. The lower jaw caught the soft top swell of her breast, the upper canines sinking into the flesh of her shoulder blade. The bite was not deep, nor did the wolf thrash its head to rip off flesh. But blood welled and the tongue of the beast eagerly lapped it up. The saliva of the wolf also had a healing effect, the wounds closing swiftly, though the puncture scars would remain. The wolf knew blood, and this woman was blood, and born of it. With a soft whine the wolf retreated, and Rahm began to shift and change, shrinking in her arms, as muscle and bone popped and contracted, soon just the Lythari elf in her arms. The arms of his beloved sister.

"Star..." he intoned, almost reverently as his arms found her for support. He was ravenous, as summoning the beast took a lot of energy. "I need to eat, dear sister." he told her, and briefly touched the marks on her body, his hand resting momentarily on her breast as he looked at the puncturs to make sure they had healed.

About this time the more brave of the guardsmen were approaching, weapons drawn. They seemed relieved when they did not see the wolf, and Rahm took a deep breath as he grabbed his sister's hand and walked back out into view of the King. "She has calmed me Your Majesty, and I apologize for losing control." Rahm said, and bowed, though it pained him to do so.

"Do not be foolish, that was a marveous display." The King said, obviously impressed.

Shaw sat, feeling the intrusion of the seeds within his body, though he knew he could get rid of them. She had been crafty and he had been unprepared. The Advisor knew of the Lythari though, and because the elf had changed back the Advisor knew he was weak. Now was not the time to strike, but catching him after a transformation was the best time to kill him. If they ever needed to dispose of him. Shaw decided to speak up. "I would imagine that the elf is hungry. Perhaps a meal should be prepared, a celebration of his conquest."

"Yes, yes!" the King readily agreed, a man who was always up for a good meal. It was one of his few vices. Food and alcohol. And women. One could not forget the women. The King had propositioned the young Lythari female many times, though it was common knowledge that if she lost her maidenhead that she lost her magic. That was an unacceptable outcome and so the King merely admire her from afar, though had many human women with similar traits brought to his bed so that he could pretend.

----------​

It was not long before they had been welcomed back into the King's castle and presented with a fine meal, the two elves even allowed to be seated next to one another.

"I have never seen such moves in combat. The Lythari is all the legends say, and I would be glad to have you as my Champion. With you at my side we can conquer the world." the King told Rahm.

The elf merely smiled though he did soon speak. "I would act as Champion, yes, but I do not wish to lead your armies." he said.

The King's smile faded and his face grew red. "You will do as you are told. You faced nothing but a beast today, and are a beast yourself! Do not forget that you address your King!" the man said, his temper showing.

Rahm bowed his head. Now was not the time nor the place. "Yes, you are right. Please forgive me. I am yours to command." he said, though the words burned his throat and nearly made him retch.

Seemingly quite pleased the smile came back to the King's face and he took the moments he could to regale those in the palace of Rahm's victory, never once lamenting the death of the chimera, nor that of his guardsman.

 

[Rhubarb]

Star gasped as she felt her brother's maw open over her shoulder. Then as he bit down she cried out, he'd caught some pretty sensitive skin. The young untouched lythari girl couldn't help but moan a little bit as hi large tongue lapped over her injured skin licking up her blood. She stroked the fur on his head between his ears as he fed, she tried to stay still and not let the pain get to her. She soon felt him stop and start to shift back, she let out a small breath of relief. As he started to express his regret, she assured him she was fine. "Do not worry brother I'm fine." As they approached the king she rolled her eyes as he swooned over his new champion.

As they sat at the feast she enjoyed her food and tried to ignore the talk of all this champion business, she couldn't wait to leave. Suddenly things got tense and the king was yelling, then just as suddenly he was calm. As things were now awkward star stood. "My king, permit me to escort the brave soldier to his room. You've needed a champion for quite some time now, so I am sure there is much for him to do, maybe he should get his rest." She quickly pulled Rahm along to his room, she couldn't be near the king anymore that night. She sat on his bed holding her head. "Sorry, I can only take so much of that man."

Back in the room of the feast a female figure walked around the corner of a wall stepping out into the feast room and walking up to the throne. She wore a black velvet tunic like robe that went down to her mid thigh, her legs adorned black fur and pelt boots that hugged her calves, around her waist was a large belt with a silver skull shaped buckle and ruby eyes. Her hair was a golden blonde, not a platinum almost white like the lythari girl. Her eyes were unique, they were eyes that showed her to be blessed by a being of sin at conception, one was crimson, the other a dark violet. She sat on the arm of the throne hugging the king around his neck then flipping her long straight hair over her shoulders. "Hi Daddy." she leaned down and kissed him slowly on his lips. Indeed it was true, this girl, Cordelia was the daughter of the king, but she was no princess, Cordelia was the product of the king's infidelity, she was a bastard child. Most however didn't mind, aside from the exotic elf girl the king had captured years ago Cordelia was easily the most beautiful girl in the kingdom.

Cordelia's mother had been a famous cult leader, a dark priestess with a legendary ability to breach the veil between this world and the void. Cordelia has followed in her footsteps, but had nothing to do with the cult, she was purely her father's right hand in dealing with the supernatural. The king was due for karma to strike him down, but Cordelia was there to trump the god's wrath when it tried to deal it's justice. However being a priestess didn't mean she was an angel, far from it, many of the men who would die to cum on the face of a girl who had such beautiful eyes had done so without death.[/color]

 

[Haruchai]

There was no argument from Rahm as his sister drew him away from the feast, though he readily fell into an easy air of command, ordering a servant to bring food to his room. The Champion had a nice suite, and Rahm turned to his sister as they entered and pulled her into his arms to kiss, long and deep upon the mouth. It was not the sort of gesture most siblings would share and yet he felt like he could express himself in no other way. "I have missed you dear sister and now I am back where I am supposed to be. We must be careful, but I do not plan to serve this man. Not for long anyway. We need to be smart, and we need to be cunning." he said, and stopped as the servants brought in food, large portions for both Lythari, knowing they had quite the appetite. They left without a word, though one young girl lingered a moment to shyly observe the handsome Lythari male, the plump of her bottom lip caught between her teeth as bright blue eyes looked Rahm over, a slight blush on her cheeks before she finally turned and left. Rahm addressed Star again. "We need to find a way to get out of here. Surely between the both of us we'll find a way." he said. Taking his sister by the hand he walked to where they could sit and eat so they could talk and catch up on one another.

----------​

Back in the feasting hall the King welcomed his daughter with open arms and returned her kiss as his large calloused hands slid about her waist and held her close. "There is my beautiful daughter. The most beautiful girl in all the land. Your father found a new Champion today, but tonight I only have eyes for you. How about you show your father how much you love him?" he asked, and patted Cordelia's well-shaped and firm ass. Already underneath her the King's desire for his daughter was swelling, and the man leered brazenly at the blonde-haired beauty. There was no compunction about taking her in front of the entire feasting hall, nor having her service him either. He was the King and he did as he pleased.

 

[Rhubarb]

Cordelia giggled as her dad played with her behind, she began to kiss him more deeply then gasped as she felt his hardening manhood poke into her thigh. "Oh my father, you're very frisky this evening." She crawled off her father and got on her knees in front of him, She slowly fished through his thick clothing before slowly pulling his manhood from his trousers. She stroked his large cock a few times smiling as she brought it to it's full hardness. Slowly cordelia leaned in and ran her tongue over her father's cumslit. She ran her tongue along the the head of his large member while fondling his balls.

Meanwhile back in the room Star was enjoying her meal and chatting with her brother. It seemed odd to her that he didn't talk about taking her back to the clan, only about taking her away from the kingdom. She wondered what his plan was, but she also knew she was just grateful that soon she would be free- however in the middle of her thoughts she gasped and doubled over in her seat. Groaning and gritting her teeth she made her way over to the bed where she sat and put a hand to her forehead. As her brother approached she shouted, not meaning too, but the sensations were too much. " Get away! Don't come any closer..." As soon as her brother got close enough he would be able to feel and smell it. Being away from her kind had caused star to forget the occurences in the life of a female of her age. Rahm would know this as the start of her "needing period" a time in a female Lytheri's life where her body became primed and ready for mating. The problem was it was a very volatile experience that made her vulnerable to any male lythari. There was something else, if a female didn't find a mate during her needing period she would become impotent for the rest of her life. Star recognized it now, and panicked, she didn't want to be impotent.

 

[Haruchai]

As Cordelia dropped to her knees before her father, the King merely smiled. He had the two most beautiful women in the kingdom to fulfill his every whim, and though the little Lythari girl held out, her magic supposedly diminished by any amorous activity, his own daughter held no such inhibitions, and Varret gladly let her produce his cock from his clothing to lave her tongue over the swelling mushroom head. "You always were sucha good girl." he praised her, and reached down to run fingers through her golden locks, her eyes gazing up at him with love and lust as he ignored the feast-goers, some of whom took a moment to watch the spectacle. It was not unusual for the King and his daughter to engage in such things publicly, and it was not unheard of for orgies to take place in the Palace, breaking out due to the King and his lovely daughter.

"Suck the head sweet daughter but keep those lovely eyes on your father." he crooned, his balls tightening in her hand the full sac heavy in her palm.

----------​

At first Rahm was confused, for he saw no reason for his sister to be in pain. Though he realized that his presence was liekly what had caused this. Had he stayed away she might not have entered her heat, for no other Lythari were around to trigger such a reaction. He knew how things worked though and if she did not mate she'd become barren. There was no worse fate truly, for their people were few. Walking to her Rahm reached down to take her hand, bringing it up to press it to his cock through his clothing. "Come dear sister mine and let us consummate this reunion." he said, actively trying to bring her to mate, for there was no other way and he loved his sister dearly. Bending deep he caught her mouth in a soft kiss, trying to cajole her into more, one hand sliding down the front of her blouse to grasp and fondle one ripe breast, the flesh soft and inviting.