Reunion: Lover, Masters and Gods (Sakume)

OoC: Here is what I promised you, milady. For full understanding, I'd suggest reading This thread. Let us get started, milady, I hope I do us both proud.

BiC: The temple in which the two figures stood, a large stone temple filled with all kinds of ivy and other plant life imaginable, was hard to discern who it belonged to. Years overgrown, the two figures that stood in the center of it, one standing at about eight feet and the other about six foot eight, were looking at each other. The eight foot creature appeared as a centaur does, but different in effect.

His hooves had vines growing from the tops of them, they were old and yet appeared very beautiful none the less. the lower half of the centaur had, what appeared to be, moss growing from it, also what looked to be rose vines with thorns growing from them about his whole body. His upper body started just below his naval and the skin upon him was a great light purple that appeared almost like royalty upon the massive man. His body was built and he appeared very powerful from a gaze upon him, his body appeared like that of a weight lifter. The left arm of the man appeared like that of the left arm of a human, aside from the skin pigment, but it was his right arm that truly stood out. His right arm had the appearance of being created from all manner of branches, and four fingers appeared at the end with a rose dangling from the wrist of the hand. The purple creatures face was powerful and aged, purple in skin color as well and his hair was like that of grass growing from it. His sideburns that formed into a great beard were like that of a twisted thorn bush that tipped at a point. His great green eyes were fixed upon the second, smaller figure before him.

The second figure wore white sandals, and long, sharp nails emerged from them along with white fur all around his feet. He wore long white pants that shimmered and had not a sign of dirt or debris upon them and his belt was a vibrant white color with a shimmering belt buckle. He wore a great shirt of green dragon scales upon him, one that had not a nick or scratch upon it and his hands had long fingers, and the cat like nails were retracted, but always ready to be used, his hands to covered in the white fur that adorns his body. His face, very cat like in nature, had four long whiskers on each side, fur covering him like a beard, his eyes unforeseeable because of the white hat he always wore. The hat was folded, making it have three points, and had a great eagle feather rising from right in front of the right fold, braced to the hat by the green band around it. The Neko demon's eyes may have been hidden, but it was obvious what he was looking at, he was gawking upon the man who stood before him, this strange creature that had a greater presence then the Neko demon.

"Why have you called me here?" The white, male Neko demon asked.

"I have called you here because I need you and your apprentice to assist me," the massive figure told the cat man with a powerful, booming voice.

"You have an interesting request, but before I decide, I must know who you are. Will you tell me?" The massive cat man asked.

"I know who you are Kurenkento, I recall your acts during the wars of men and gods, son of the Neko temptress goddess, Macha. I am the god Cenarius, The lord of the forests, who summons you to aid me. I also know what it is you gave to your apprentice, and I now fear that he will not be able to control the gift you have bestowed upon him."

"What are you talking about?! Speak!"

"How dare you speak up to a god! The weapon you gave that boy is far to dangerous for him to handle, and you act as if you did nothing!"

"I have know idea of what it is you speak! Please tell me what is going on."

"I shall in time, young Neko. Will you serve me though?!" The god asked in a demanding tone.

"Certainly, I shall support you my lord. I am yours to command," the ancient Neko warrior responded.
***
The fencer shot out of bed, and looked around in the darkness of his master Kurenkento's house and looked about the darkness. "That dream again," he muttered lowly. "I wonder what is going on that I am seeing this over and over again." The fencer slid out of bed and looked around, the only thing that was on his mind was what he had lost such a short time ago. "I miss her so much, and yet, I cannot fill the void I have growing. I should go see her again, for the sake of this pain I am feeling," the green haired man said as he left his house silently and ran through the woods, towards the forest of whispers again, to see the woman he loved.

The fencer walked for hours, not stopping aside from use the bathroom, he ate his food whilst he walked, making excellent time and made it to where the grave stood. The early morning sun shown down upon the grave of the late Selene, the lover to Zorlo. The fencer placed fell to his knees as he looked upon the grave he had built not long ago and began to weep uncontrollably again. "Why? I loved you, and yet you were ripped from the world without so much as a goodbye. He stole you from me, and now I am a vessel of what I was. I am so lost! I held you tightly one moment, and then the next, the power of death had snatched you from me, and I was left alone in the world again. First my family, then my master, and now you! What else can you take from me Gods!" The fencer roared to the heavens.

"What you have lost shall be returned to you soon, young fencer. I assure you of it, the booming voice of a powerful being rang through the fencer's mind as he sat on the ground, tears flowing from his face. I need you to come to the Ethereal plain, and there, what you feel you have been robbed of shall be given to you. What you search for shall be given to you, all you need do is enter the portal! The voice of Cenarius told the fencer, who rose and looked about.

Suddenly, a pale blue light appeared and the portal appeared exactly where it had been when he had buried her, right where the fell body of the vampire had been. The fencer wiped away the tears and stepped forward, entering the portal without another word. The bright light engulfed him and his body and the portal vanished from the mortal plain of existence.
***
The light faded and the fencer looked around. He had been summoned to a forest, a very dense, green forest that the fencer felt very at home in. He looked about and saw nothing, as suddenly a group of trolls appeared from three directions and looked at him. He looked at them with an odd feeling as he stepped back. "This isn't good," he uttered as he jumped back as a club descended towards him. Suddenly, a booming voice shot out of nowhere and the sound of footsteps was heard and stopped.

"Stupid trolls," the same voice the fencer had heard before he had entered the portal spoke. "You dare attack a guest," Cenarius said as he gathered a good amount of green energy in his hand and threw it at the creatures, destroying them with ease. "Zorlo, you are here," the God said as he and the white cat man approached.

"Zorlo, my young student, it is good to see you again," Kurenkento told him as he moved closer to the fencer.

"Master, it is you," the fencer said as he cried and ran over and hugged his master, holding him tightly towards him. "I've missed you for so long, and I'm happy I can see you again," the green haired man told him as the Neko lightly hugged the fencer back.

"I know Zorlo, but I've always been there with you as you fought, in spirit anyway. Now then, we must head to Cenarius' temple, he has much to discuss with us." the fencer broke his hold upon the massive cat man and nodded as he followed them back to the temple, entering the overgrown building with not a word until they entered.

BiC: Any questions on it milady, just ask me. I hope you like it.

Misty…Darkness…a void…She opened her eyes, feeling no thrum of her heart. What was going on? She felt almost like she had been sleeping in her state of hibernation for many years, but it was worse. She felt lighter than air, yet something seemed terribly wrong. There was no feeling, nothing to distinguish her from living. What happened to her? Oh…it dawned upon her mind. That’s right…she was dead. What a depressing thought. Why, then did she still remain here? What would occur now that she was dead? How did her mind still work?

The night chill remained as still as ever, and she could hear voices echoing throughout it. She stood up, but could not see where she was or what exactly happened. There was a thick fog around her, and everything seemed to be a bright white. This couldn’t have been heaven, for she lived there for a few years…but it certainly wasn’t a hell, either. She knew that she wasn’t in limbo, for she had heard tales of the place when she used to listen in on the men in the bars. This strange prison did not match up with the stories. What, then, was she expected to do? Was she a spirit?

Among the few murmurs she heard, a shout echoed out. “Why? I loved you, and yet you were ripped from the world without so much as a goodbye…” She recognized that voice! She sprinted with all hope towards it, noticing she still had no boots on, and her dress was stained in her own blood, though dry. Her feet padded against the ground, but she could hardly register the sensation.

“Zorlo? Zorlo! Where are you?” she cried, turning every which way, refusing to admit that she couldn’t find the source. “Zorlo? Help me! Keep talking! I’ll find you!”

“He stole you from me, and now I am a vessel of what I was.” She could almost picture his warm, open arms. Oh, how wonderful it would be…to see him again. She would never let him go again. If he only knew how much she truly loved him. She would throw herself into those warm, secure arms, and she would be safe. Safe and happy. She should have told him when she had the chance; now she knew it was much too late to regret. She had to focus on finding him, and when she did, she would never let herself go again. She just wanted to kiss him, to be there beside him, always.

“Zorlo! Zorlo, listen to me! I’m not dead! I’m not dead!” she repeated in a hysterical shout, desperate to make him understand even though she could not see him.

“I am so lost!” His voice began to echo, as if bouncing off the ceiling and circling her. Selene paused, and turned around, running the opposite way. As the shout began to fade into nothing, she stopped, sinking to a crouch position. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to get ahead of the voice, or even track where she was.

“Zorlo! Don’t stop! Please! Don’t leave me…please...don’t leave me alone! Not like this! I’m still here! I’m still alive! Please?” Her eyes shunned away tears as she sat alone, burying her golden locks in her hands. She gulped a lump in her throat down with a sigh. That’s when she realized something. She…used emotion…without pain. How? Lonely, and aching for some even vague answers, she sighed, looking like a dejected, castaway child whom nobody else wanted to play with. This only forced her to recall more memories of her loathsome adolescent years. “But I’m not dead…”

The fencer followed near behind the two massive figures ahead of him. Although the fencer and the Neko master swordsman had been reunited, the fencer still felt the void of the missing love he had. He watched the two towering figures ahead of him with an inquiring eye, ever wondering what it was they wanted from him. Suddenly, the figure of a decrepit building fell into the fencer's line of sight. The building was made of stone that was covered by ivy and moss all around it. The heavily overgrown building looked uninhabited for the last long while, and the three warriors entered without a word. The god lead them into his chambers and held his hand up. The same green light appeared around his hand that had appeared and the temple became very bright as the stone became marble and the plants changed from weeds to massively beautiful, exotic shrubs and trees. Cenarius turned to Kurenkento and Zorlo and looked upon them, holding out his right hand out.

"Master Cenarius, why have you called Zorlo here?"

"Zorlo, step forwards and hand me your sword please, I wish greatly to tell you about it." The fencer stepped forwards, removing his rapier from his belt and handing it to the giant god that stood before him. The right hand of the master of the forest tightened around the sheath of the weapon as he used his left to draw the blade, dropping the sheath and gripping the blade and the handle. The god looked at the sword and then back to the two fencers. "This sword, it is older then either of you could imagine. This sword has the great power of the Ancient Forge of the Gods in it. This sword is older then I am, but I have heard the legend of it from my Queen, the Goddess of the Moon, Elune. She told me the story, do you wish to hear it?"

The white haired Neko pushed his hat up and looked at the sword, two golden eyes glaring at it. Suddenly, with a quick blink a pair of red eyes looked at the sword, scanning for magical properties that it held. "I don't see anything, and these eyes of mine can see magical energy," Kurenkento said in a matter-of-factly tone.

"Your eyes can see magic they know, not magic that has not been seen in a great many millennia. This sword was forged back when my queen, Elune, had become very powerful. The gods began forging great weapons, and many of them are still used by the gods. The sword of Mars is still used by him, and he is still having fun making humans fight like the fools they are. This sword was special though, for when it was forged, a foolish man tried to claim it and was killed, but he sword was lost in the process. Forged of a star and a lightning bolt, the blade was unbreakable, a shimmering golden color and the hilt was the purest silver you could imagine. The sword plummeted to earth and was lost for a good long time. It was filled with an ancient magical energy, today it is called Ancient energy by the Gods that know of it."

"that sword is made of steel and has a golden hand guard, how could it possibly be the sword you are talking about," the fencer protested.

"Because, young Zorlo, this blade lost its form over the many years it lay asleep. When your master found it, it looked like this, but was not rusted, despite the vines, moss and other life that grew around it. He gave it to you, and you have had it since you were thirteen, six years ago. I've watched you fight for a long time, hoping that the sword had lost all of its power, but when the time came, the ancient energy manifested itself in you, the golden aura that allowed you to defeat Xiaver. But you cannot control it, nor do you even know what it is, but I give you some access and control over the power you felt. Do you want to realize your full power Zorlo?!"

"Yes, I do, to prevent from ever having to see someone die as my love, Selene died. I will use this power for good, and never use it to seek power, I will use it to defend those who need it and I will never allow darkness to creep into my mind."

"As I thought," the God told him in his regular booming voice. "Step forwards then, my young warrior." The fencer obliged the God's request and kneeled down before the god as Cenarius placed his left hand upon the youth's head. A sudden burst of the golden, flame like energy erupted from Zorlo as golden wings took form form his back and his power jumped to a new level, one he had never known possible before. The fencer took a few deep breaths as he stood up, the golden flames vanished, but the golden wings remained.

The fencer looked back and moved the wings made of pure energy around with his hand, trying to figure out what they were. "What is up with these wings, and that odd energy? Where did they come from?"

Cenarius laughed as Kurenkento stood silently, watching the fencer. "All of your years holding this sword, as you pushed your aura into it, it has given you very small pieces of its own energy, that is where this golden energy came from. The Ancient energy has chosen you to be its chosen body, and you cannot avoid it. As for the wings, here, in this world where the energy comes from, you can remain with them for as long as you want, but in the human realm, they will strain your body. the energy is very demanding to use for extremely long periods of time, so learn it well. The ancient energy will increase your bodies ability by about two times, making you far more then what you were. The only thing left is to awaken this swords true form, but first."

The God stopped as he held his hand out and a tree filled with energy and transformed into a tree person and rushed out on its small stumpy legs. "That trent is going to go grab something that means a good deal to you, Zorlo, but for now, you must practice with the energy. It will work the same as your Air Slash, only much more energy to form the same attack. The Trent shall be back soon, but for now, learn of how your wings work, practice wielding your new energy with your blades. Kurenkento, go and train with him, because you have much you could teach him," the God said as he threw Zorlo's blade to him. The fencer ran his new energy into the sword and summoned up the golden energy. "Train in this temple, I shall watch and heal you when you become tired," Cenarius said as he held his hand up and a healing rain began to fall upon the two warriors. The Neko's claws suddenly shot from his finger tips and were covered in an Air Aura, the fencer's sword was covered in a golden aura, and the two charged.

The angel had waited for who knows how long. It seemed to her as if centuries were passing before her very eyes, and she was perilous to do anything about it. "If only I had a clue, a sign...anything!" she exclaimed, pouting.

"You Selene?"

The normally peaceful and serene angel nearly jumped out of her skin. She instinctively reached for her sword, before realizing it was no longer on her back. Oh...that was right. She no longer possessed a weapon. Resorting to her last efforts, she faced her opponent. Waving her hands in the air with a rather silly motion, she tried to think of something to say that sounded menacing. "I must warn you...I'm an expert in the form of..." Her mind raced in search of a suitable term of fighting style. "Angelic Death Karate." Could she be any stupider sounding? "I can kill you."

"I'll ask again." The gruff creature remarked, not seeming the least bit intimidated. "Are you Selene?"

"I was..." Her hands fell to her sides as she surveyed the strange creature. It looked somewhat like an old tree, but shorter. It's long branch-like appendages served their purpose as arms, with a knobby nose and green leaves that must have been hair. If she squinted, she could make out a few teeth in the form of acorns. Never in all her years through the forest had she seen anything like this. "I was...a long time ago."

"Putrid Puffimors." The tree-creature mumbled, turning away. "Now I've got to look for her some more."

She almost smiled, this thing seemed dense. "Yes...I'm still Selene. Who, and what are you?"

The tree shuffled its root-feet, spackling dirt about the clear environment. His dark holes for eyes looked her over once more, and he clapped his branches together. "Oh good, good...you're the one I'm looking for. I am a Trent..." He pointed to himself, and then stratched his hollow forehead, as if searching for answers. "You may call me...Trent. Now, if you would, you'll have to come with me."

The angel shook her head, firmly planting her feet into the white floor. "No. I'm staying here. Zorlo will come for me. I need to wait for him."

The trent raised a leafy eyebrow, shaking its head. "Listen up, miss angel. You're coming with me, one way or another. Unless you want to stay here, in Xrackel for all of eternity."

"Xrackel? What's that?" Selene repeated, taking a step closer towards the new friend.

"What is Xrackel..." Trent chuckled, unsure of what to say to her. "My dear lady, everything you see is Xrackel. It is the place of rest; it is where souls go that have not been yet determined to die."

"So I'm not really dead?" Selene asked in hope, and then squinted at the creature. "Wait, how do I know I can trust you, and that this isn't just a weird dream or something."

"If this was a dream, little angel, could I do this?" He stepped closer to her, extending a branch until he reached her stomach, pushing his entire arm right through her wound and out the back of her. Selene felt nothing, and watched in partial horror as he sucked his arm back to its regular length.

"Okay. I'm convinced. Wait a second...you would be able to do that in a dream."

"Here's the deal, dollface." The tree remarked, extending a branch and wrapping it about her figure, pulling her without trouble over his shoulder, where she looked rather like a sack of mail slung over a careless postman's arm. "You're coming with me, and that's final."

Selene struggled with all she had, striving to get him to let her go. Hitting him certainly didn't help, and only hurt her hand. His bark was tough, and it scratched her terribly. "Put me down! I can walk, you know! I'm not some worthless thing you've found! You're not a delivery boy! Let me go!"

The trent sighed, and wrapped his scraggly arms tighter around her waist. "Just relax. All of it is planned."

"No, it is not! Let me go!" Selene continued to push against him, especially when she saw the white shimmering portal in the wall that led to the real world, where she was "buried." From there, Trent could take her to his master, and see what would happen. "This is not dignified at all! Just let me go! You know how trees should act? Just wait until Zorlo hears about this! He's coming for me, or I'll find him! And then you'll be sorry! He's going to-"

The trent exited the portal from the waiting world, only to find the woman had suddenly become strangely silent. He relinquished his tough grip and carried her normally in two arms. Putting a hand to her chest, he paused for a moment, feeling. "Yup...dead as a doornail. Phew...I thought she'd never stop squabbling. He's going to have his work cut out for this one...if he can heal her...somehow. He can't bring her back to life like this, though...he'll have to do something else." He stopped for a single moment at the gravesite, staring at the mound of dirt. "I wonder if she's still in there? Then how could she be here?" His hand rested upon her cross, and he noticed a piece of green cloth waving in the breeze. "What's this?" He ran a hand over the bandana, pursing his lips. "Poor girl...must have really been loved by someone..." Taking a second look around, he tore the now quite-used piece of silky material from the branches, placing it in her hands. "It seemed like a nice sentiment anyway...as long as no one notices." With that, he trudged through the water, disappearing through the portal with the lifeless angel in his hands.

The gold winged fencer fell to his knees, dropping his sword, breathing hard as the Neko demon's knees were bent, he was tired out astoundingly. The fencer had held his own fairly well against the ancient Neko from how they both were. The air around the Neko fencer's claws vanished, the golden wings of the fencer had faded in brightness, the two fighters were both warn out. The fencer grabbed his sword and sheathed it as he moved towards his master, who had retracted his claws and the two shook hands. Cenarius rose and held his arm up as rain fell upon the warriors and their energy recovered to its full strength. The two fencers stepped in front of the God's feet and kneeled. The two warriors heads faced the ground as the god held his hand up, and upon seeing this, they rose.

"You are both most impressive warriors, I was pleased to see you battle with such heart and soul. I congratulate you for the great match, and I hope to see another of its like eventually. Kurenkento, your student nearly matched you, you must be more careful," the great God of the Forest said as he took a deep, loud chuckle.

"Yes, Master Cenarius! Zorlo has grown very powerful in the year he and I have been apart."

"Thank you, my Masters', I am most thankful that you think me powerful. I shall work harder to grow stronger!" The fencer said.

"Now then, I have news for both of you. Kurenkento, I need you to head into the forests and recover me a great magical item from the ogres stole from this temple in my absence. Kill their warlord and scatter the rest and bring me back the head of the Druid King, for that is the power of the forest. Zorlo, you will wait here with me, for my trent shall be returning soon. Depart us now, Kurenkento, and destroy them, and Zorlo, I have a much different mission, but my Trent must return with what I sent him to get."

"Master Cenarius, I shall do as you ask," the white haired Neko said as he moved towards the giant, marble doors of the room. The Neko, with one hand, pushed the door and it opened slowly, the Neko didn't even blink as he did it with ease, and as he left, the Neko blinked once, opening his eyes, revealing one red, one gold. He left in silence and the fencer turned back to face the God that stood before him.

"And what of me?" The fencer asked as he heard something shuffling in.

"I brought her Master," the Trent's voice echoed through the halls as he entered as the door shut.

"You can let her go," the giant man chuckled as the small wooden man threw the girl on her butt and shriveled up and died. The girl looked familiar in the fencer's eyes, but he couldn't tell who it was just by looking. The girl stood up and dusted off her oddly familiar white dress, her red wings extended and the fencer went white as a sheet.

"Selene!"

The fallen angel was rather out of it at that moment, for she had now been dead, then transferred into the realm of the unfinished souls, and taken once more out...This would make her death count twice technically. Finally, she had regained conciousness in this place. Whatever next?

"OW..." she thought as she rubbed her sore behind, standing to her feet. "If I ever see that Trent again, I swear I'll cut him to ribbons." Again, it dawned on her that she didn't have a weapon. "Oh...that's right...I'll have to find something else..." Little did she realize that her natural angelic powers lay dormant within her soul, patiently waiting to be awakened. She dusted off her dress in frustration and spread her unused wings as the answer came to her. "Selene!"

She froze for a moment, her vision not believing who was in front of her. "Zorlo..." She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I'm sorry! I tried to find you! I heard your voice, and I ran towards it, but I couldn't find it! And then you faded away..." She uncontrollably sobbed into his shoulder, wiping away tears as she took his face in her hands. "Are you really here? I'm not dreaming in the realm of the unfinished souls, am I?"

That's when she noticed her rather large gap through her chest where the "Angel's Sorrow" had pierced her. Slowly, she placed her hand through it, wincing. "But...how am I alive? I don't remember anything...where am I? How can I still be alive?" She turned towards anyone for answers, though she didn't know she was only alive because of the realm she was in. If she entered the true world again in her present form, she would surely die...again.

The God of the forest unleashed a loud uproar of laughter as he watched the girl frantically try to figure out what was going on. Both Selene and Zorlo turned to the massive figure, the fencer knelt again, bowing his head low, his wings were shimmering golden and still filled with a good deal of power. Selene looked slightly confused as she examined the massive figure before them. Cenarius stepped towards the two lovers and raised his right hand, and the fencer rose to his feet. The God laughed once more at the girl's lack of understanding of what it was that was going on. Holding his right hand in front of her chest, a green light emanated and her wound closed up, her body was fixed by the power of the lord of the forest as he laughed once again.

"You, my dear," the God began as he looked at her as if he was going to laugh again, "are in the Ethereal Realm, the land of the Gods. I know your kind live in Heaven, but it is not the only other realm, nor is hell, there are countless other realms that exist in the universe. Your god just created one for his followers, as many of us do, to keep from the influence of other Gods. Tis are way, my dear," he said as he turned his gaze to Zorlo. "Anyway my dear, I called you hear to aid Zorlo, because he, even with his newly awakened powers, cannot do this on his own. I had my trent bring you here to revive your body and make you an offer. If you aid Zorlo, not only will you return to the physical world as you are now, but I shall grant you a human form."

Selene looked overwhelm at the God's offer, not entirely sure how to respond, but the fencer knew the feeling. "Perhaps it would be better if you tell us what you wish us to do before she agrees, for I don't want to lose her again, if once was painful, twice would be deadly to me. So master, what is it you desire us to do?"

"Well done Zorlo! Now then, first, I need you to both head to the God's Forge of this realm, run by the Forge master Reorx will breath new life into your sword, using the Dragon's heart you have. Also, miss, have him forge you a new weapon of your choice, he can give you a very powerful one. Reorx's forge is far to the east of here, through the heavy forests, just be weary, there do existing bandits, gnolls and other creatures always looking for a fight. Be weary you two!" Cenarius informed them as he held his arm out and the green light engulfed the two quickly and then vanished. "Once Reorx has created your weapon, he will tell you of what you need to do for me. Good luck," the God said as the door opened and the two left, the doors shutting soon after the door closed and silence befell the temple again. The two warriors stood ready to head out on their mission.

"A human form..." Selene thought out loud. "What a gift....I've always wondered what it was like to be a human, especially in my childhood...and I'm alive again...oh, Zorlo...isn't it wonderful?" she asked, hoping he would agree. She was not entirely sure how he would take to the idea, as she began to think more of the subject. She would no longer have wings if she were a human, would she? Would she feel the same? Oh, but she could blend in! No longer would she have to hide her crimson wings beneath a cloak, or tied together painfully. She could dance again...she almost did that very moment, but she decided to surprise the fencer another day with her talent. Without waiting for his reply, she sighed, taking a step forward. "Well. This is one small step for me, and one giant leap...for us." She gave him a serene smile as she lifted a wing to brush his arm. "That is...if you have not forgotten what we felt..."

She remembered his golden feathered appendages. "And you, Zorlo...you...you have wings...they are beautiful...they look so comforting..." She reached for one, but it did not have the same feel that she contained as she had so often used her own for blankets. "They are not the same as my own."

She closed her eyes in a deep ponder. "What do you think I should choose as my new weapon, Zorlo? I am not good with arrows, and I no longer desire to use a sword...a mace would only slow me down...I've got it!" She placed her fist in her other hand. "What do you think of a twin pair of daggers? If he works for the gods, this must be some forgery, don't you think?" She slightly fell back, her bare feet hardly touching the ground. She was still weak from being dead and then brought back to life so soon. She fell a bit forward, propping herself against the fencer's chest, and then turning to look ahead. "I'm just glad I'm here with you, again...even in death...I heard you calling."

The fencer blushed slightly as he felt her press against his chest, but he couldn't lie, it felt good. His wings were still odd and foreign to him, seeing as they were not really wings, but energy focused into the form of wings, that he still could not explain, but it happened. The Ancient Aura had taken shape in these wings, and they lacked a physical form being made of energy, the golden energy wings were still shining as he moved his arms around her back, hugging her closer to him.

"You being human would be the greatest thing ever, you and I could travel around without inquiring eyes looking upon us. My wings are summoned when I call upon the energy that summons them, and you could take a form that would hide your wings, allowing us to be normal in public. It'd be a dream come true!" He gazed into her azure eyes and felt his heart beating faster, he had forgotten this feeling, but with its return, he was excited all over to feel her close.

"As for your choice of weapons, I think short swords would be a better choice," he said as he picked the amazingly decorated sheath of his Master's short sword from his waste, the handle's images shown brightly as he drew the swords revealing the brilliant white metal the sword was made from. He spun the weapon in the palm of his hand quickly and then sheathed it back up, returning his weapon from where he removed it. He smiled back at her and brushed her hair from her face, gazing lovingly at her. "Whatever you decide when we get there, I know it will be amazing. I can tell from how you do everything, astoundingly!"

The two began walking through the forest, the fencer's arm and wing wrapped about the crimson winged angel as they moved through the forest silently. "How could I ever forget what we felt?! You are the only person that has ever returned what I felt, and it was great. I love you, and I always will!" His declaration was with great love in his voice as he gently kissed her on the cheek. "You heard me calling, our bond must be astoundingly powerful then! It is the will of the Gods that we are together, and I am loving every second of it. It shouldn't take us long, once we get out of the forest, we can fly the rest of the way I suppose, I haven't really tried out my new wings yet, that should be most fun!" He said as he smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek again, the forest path slowly ending, leading out to the next part of the trip.

Selene nodded in an almost absent-minded way, watching him with a satisfaction. "It would be...it would be a dream come true..." Her mind was lagging upon her thoughts of childhood, and she was unsure of what she felt.

"Short swords are a good idea..." She closed her eyes in a peaceful way. "Although I've never used them before, maybe you can help me use them...you ARE a magnificent fencer, after all." She brushed off her shoulder, where a bit of dust remained. "I'm just glad to be here...anything I can do to help you is worth it to me."

She reached a hand towards his wing, carressing it. "I'm glad that I have that love again..." Secretly, she began to wonder if someday she would return to heaven....just for a moment. She still needed to see... "I know our bond is extremely powerful. There's no way we will be torn, if we were not seperated by death, nothing will."

She listened as he continued, suggesting they fly the rest of the way. "It's not as easy as you think, Zorlo. Flying takes concentration, because you are carrying yourself...let's try it now..." She spread her wings and alighted about ten feet into the air. "Just spread them and think about moving them up and down. You'll have to flap the first few times, until you learn how to use the air currents. If you need help, I can give you a hand, but just try to jump and then flap! I know you can do it!" She beamed as she watched him, looking forward to the moment they could soar together over the land.

The fencer stepped a few feet away from her, giving him room to open his golden wings. He extended them to there full length, about ten feet as well, but he wasn't completely sure of what to try next. He leapt up; silence befell him as he began to learn to flap the wings. Needless to say, the first time, he flapped them once after the jump and fell to the ground, landing hard on his backside. "Youch," he said as he got up and tried again. He leapt up and began flapping his wings with massive effort, only to find that it was a straining task to keep himself up and fell to the ground again. Selene laughed with each failed attempt he had. The third time, when he jumped up, he let his mind relax, and found that, with only a few flaps, and he could hover and move about in basic methods. He could glide with fair ease, but it was still awkward to him as he did it. Slowly, he found the secret to his wings, this being that be relaxing and letting the energy flow in a steady amount, he could maintain his air height. Soon, he was practicing shooting high into the sky, like a rocket almost as he slowly understood how it worked. After about twelve tries, he was tired, but he could fly with basic skills.

"Perhaps walking is a good idea," he told her as he landed; his golden wings flexed back and then folded to his back. "That was fun, and as to teaching you to fight with short swords, I'll do my best, but my master would be the best person to do it. Perhaps after we get done you'll get to meet him," the green haired man said as he smiled at her, thumbing the hilt of his sword. He began walking, and she walked beside him, both had a content look about them. "Who would have guessed that flying would be that hard? I never thought I'd get so exhausted doing something that seemed so easy. Well, I'll get it down sooner or later."

The two walked through the empty plains that would take them to the mountain forge of the God they had been sent to speak with, but the fencer knew almost nothing about him. Something told the fencer that this God was a recluse, because he had made his home in a mountain, Just like a dwarf, the fencer told himself as he saw a small, red light emanating from a hole in the side of a mountain that they would be upon in a short time. The fencer's wings were relaxed, and he was almost tempted to try his hand at flying again, but he knew it was better he practiced it then continually trying to get it down at that moment. How he desired to soar high in the sky with Selene, but he would be willing to wait, wait for that one day when he could fly without problem.

"We are nearly to the home of Reorx, the god of the Forge, so that should be fun. I just want you to know, whatever happens, whatever we come across, I am here and I will protect you from anything that should try to attack us," he proclaimed as he placed his hand gently on her shoulder.
***
Cenarius sat in his temple, his mind flowing through the realm of dreams, searching for something. The God of Druidism was hunting for the something, an artifact similar to the one he had sent his servants, Zorlo and Kurenkento to retrieve. As if by some odd chance, the marble doors suddenly swung open, the Neko holding one hand forwards, the other clutching something that the Druid's God had sent him to find. The God's eyes opened slowly as they fell upon the white haired Neko who moved towards him, holding the skull up to the God. The skull was like that of a human, except for the fact that it had two horns, both looked like a tree branch that branched off, similar to the ones that Cenarius himself has. The Skull also had a beard made of petrified thorn branches growing from his chin and sideburns. The Neko fell to one knee and held the item out in both of his hands, presenting it to the God.

"Very well done, Kurenkento. We just require two more objects, and this temple and its surrounding areas shall be restored the way they were before the invaders came. With this," the God said as he extended his hands and took the skull which immediately began to glow a faint green as the God held it up, "The skull of the Druid King, we are one step closer to driving those who invaded out. I thank you for this, but I must return to focusing on finding the third item, I have not yet located it."

"Yes Master," the cat man said as he blinked his eyes, switching the golden and red one's around.

"Did the Ogres offer any challenge when you found them and the item, or were they simply defeated."

"The foolish creatures thought that because their leader towered over me, he could easily defeat me, but I showed him otherwise. After he was defeated, the others fled in fear and I claimed the Skull from the Warlord's crown."

"I see, that is good, but for now, I must ask you to leave this temple while I scan for the final items, you can do as you please, but return as soon as you can whence I finish," Cenarius told Kurenkento who smiled and left. The God closed his eye and allowed himself to slip back into the dream world in hopes of finding the last artifacts.

Selene was entertained by Zorlo's repeated attempts and failures at flying. In heaven, even the smallest child could fly without hardship. It was something wonderful to see him able to hover after the first few attempts. Selene was so proud as she saw him move about. With great clumsiness, no doubt, but still...at least he was able to hover. "You did wonderful, Zorlo...don't worry."

Selene thought about what Zorlo had said to her as she continued to walk beside him, not at all put out by the fact that she could fly there so much faster. He must have been tired after so many tries. She placed a hand on his own supporting hand that rested on her shoulder as he spoke, his hand was as smooth as silk...or maybe it was just her gloves...

"I'm glad you'll be there, Zorlo...I'm sure you can protect me...it was all my fault at the lake...for not telling you where I was going...I was just scared. I didn't know what to think, and I didn't want you involved. I thought I could handle Xiaver on my own...but I was wrong." Her wings began to droop ever so slightly as she bowed her head. "I just hope that this...forgery owner is kind...I'm not very good with dealing around rude people..."

She dropped the subject and pursed her lips, twisting a finger about her long curly tresses as she normally did for a habit. "Do you think your master will like me? Do you think I'll like him?"

"I do not mind that you did not tell me about that vampire, I just wished I had been there when he struck, so it would have been me, and not you who died. All worked out though, for you and I are together again," he said as he brought up his unused hand and rubbed her gloved hand, smiling at her as he did so. They walked solemnly towards the mountain, it drew in closer to them with each step, but neither paid it much mind. It was still a long path upwards before they arrived at the small red light. Her presence soothed and relaxed him, he knew that she would travel with him no matter where he went, and for this reason, he would die for her, and only her.

"As for my master, I know he'll love you. Like master used to say, 'It's a big world out there Zorlo, and if you don't take it step by step, you'll trip yourself up,'" he paraphrased and smiled at her. "Master loves saying things like that, but the one that I always remember most clearly is, 'Zorlo, you'll know when you find love. You'll know because whenever she looks at you, you'll always feel safe and secure around her. You'll fight for her honor, even if you wind up dying, and when you look her in the eyes, you'll melt and sway into her arms.' I always remembered that one because I was always searching for that feeling, but never found it... Until I found you, and I learned what true love is," he said as he blushed slightly.

"As for you liking Master, I sure hope so, he is a nice guy. He's a full Neko demon, so he is kinda like the twins from the forest, only he's whole demon, not half human like they are. He's the most kind hearted man I've ever met, and he's the most powerful warrior I've met. I wish, in the deepest depths of my soul, that you and he get along." He moved his hand from her shoulder and moved his hand upon her other shoulder, pulling her slightly closer to him. "I'm sorry, I just enjoy your warmth, it makes me feel so alive," he said as he blushed a little more.

"That just leaves one thing for me to ask, if you don't mind of course. Where ever did you meet that horrible vampire, and what about him made you love him? I'm just wondering so I can avoid making mistakes, after all, this is my first relationship," the fencer said slightly embarrassed as the two headed further up the mountain path. The Forge still seemed far off, but it was growing ever closer.

"I'm sure I will like him, if he trained someone like you..." She thought for a moment about his Master's sayings. "I've never seen a full Neko demon before, but from what I did catch a glimpse of, I like...as long as he doesn't mind training women, or at least giving some tips..." She felt his hands pull her closer to his side as he spoke. "Oh, don't worry, Zorlo...if it makes you feel happy, then by all means, enjoy it."

She was quiet for a moment as she listened to him ask about Xiaver. "I met him in an alley...it's kind of a long story. I thought I loved him...because he was sweet at first. He contained a gentle, loving side...I could sense he truly was alone. Then he related to my own heart as well. He told me he knew how I felt...as an outcast. I believed him...like a foolish little girl, I believed him. It was so wonderful..."

She rubbed her finger absently. "He even gave me a ring, asked me to marry him..." She sighed softly, lifting her head towards the heavens. "Your first relationship? You don't act like it...Like I said, it's a long story...as long as you don't want my blood so you can grow immortal and live forever, I am sure we will get along fine..."

"Zorlo...what were you like as a child? Would you have liked me now? Do you remember your childhood at all?" She paused for a moment. "Sorry about that. Sometimes I get carried away..."

"Don't worry milady, it is okay, I understand. My childhood," he said as he thought back about it, most of which was his training with Kurenkento. All he thought about when he was younger was how boring his life was, farming, death and nearly being a slave were not things he ever wanted to talk to people about. "Most of my past, up until about seven years ago, that is when my life changed. After my home was destroyed and my mother died, I was about to be sold into slavery."

"As for before that, I was a farmer in my younger years, and I never met my dad, so I found myself helping my mom make a living. I had few friends and very rarely left the small farm my mom owned. When the invasion came, all that ended. Everything I had grown up with vanished and I was thrown into a cattle cart and dragged towards slavery. It was thanks to my master that I was saved and became a fencer," Zorlo said as he looked at the ground, smiling slightly.


"After that, I followed my master and did so until he agreed to train me, and then he tested me by leaving me to survive in the woods for two months. After that happened he began my intensive training. After I a about five years, fate stepped in again and ended what I had yet again. The day that it happened, I was astounded when that demon in black armor killed him. Killed my master," the fencer said as he clenched his fist tightly. "But everything is good now, for I have you, and my life is more complete then it has ever been. I have my master, you and a God to support me, which is the greatest thing to happen to me in a long time. Without you, my life would be rather empty, for if it weren't for you I would not have seen my master again. Thank you so much," the fencer said as he turned her and kissed her passionately.

She returned the kiss in a happy tone. "It's a beautiful day..." She remarked as she pulled him down the path. She fixed her hand in his, swinging it slighty.

"You were really a slave? Slavery is a horrible thing..." She listened as he continued, slowing her swinging.

"You were a farmer...and then you were a fencer...what an interesting life..." Her face fell as he mentioned his master dying. She felt him increase the pressure on her hand as he clenched his fist. "Then...then how is he alive again?" she asked in puzzlement. "I suppose the same way I'm alive here...this realm...it's filled with a magic. The aura of it is so strong, I feel like I'm drenched in it." She closed her eyes, and began to sway. "It makes me feel a little strange..."

She looked towards the sun, and then touched her arm with a sigh. "I still can't feel anything. Not the sun...or your kiss...I hardly felt it at all..." She looked away, her gaze settling upon some water in a river nearby. "May we stop just for a moment? I feel tired all of a sudden...I just need a quick rest."

The green haired man looked at Selene, noticing she did not look well at all. The two walked near to the lake and Zorlo looked into the water, its glass like surface, completely wave less as the red winged angel moved close and sat down next to it. "Milady, you look so tired, we have time, we can relax here until you feel better." The fencer sat down as well, his legs crossed, staring up at the sky, watching the clouds sift by. He did something he had not done since he was young, he looked at what the clouds made.

I'm worried about you, miss Selene. You look very tired, and I hope you start to feel better, he told himself as he laid back slowly and uncrossed his legs, moving his hands behind his head. I wonder what is happening with Xakk? Well, I'm sure he is fine, but I'm more worried about those Neko twins, they seemed really sad when they saw Selene die, perhaps when she and I return to the living world, we should find them. Then again, they might try to take Selene from me, which, if she desired, I would not object; and I know Emir is doing okay, mostly because I know she is strong, one day I'll need to fight her again, to see how much stronger she is.

The fencer relaxed slightly, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep, although not intentionally. His mind wandered as he slept and thought about what had transpired in his life and how much it had changed. How he ever enjoyed his life now though, for had what happened not happened, he would not have felt his life was fulfilling.

Selene turned a bit pale, and she removed her gloves, playing with her fingers. "Sleep well, Zorlo..." she whispered, touching each of her nails in succession. As she touched them, they ignited with a small flickering white flame. She frowned, but merely thought it was a dream. "Could it be? Am I...am I really discovering my magic?"

All angels, even fallen angels were supposed to be able to have a bit of magic to use, but Selene could not believe that what she had discovered was hers. Perhaps it was the aura of this new land that made her able to urge her talents out of their hiding places. She snapped her fingers, experimenting. It was amazing...a torch-sized flame appeared into her palm.

"I wonder what Zorlo would think..." Selene, however, did not know what else was lurking deep within, just waiting for the chance to escape. She closed her palm, making the fire dissapear. She staggered over to Zorlo, and nuzzled herself into his body, laying her head in his lap as she also fell asleep.

The fencer felt a soft touch as he slept, as if someone was rubbing themself against him, but he didn't move or awaken to check, he was to content, and the feeling of someone rubbing against him just helped that feeling. He dreamt about what had already happened, his life since his master had died. He had a fulfilling life, had he not, and yet the love in his heart made the world whole. Suddenly, he thought about something... something that was very worrying. What should happen if the Alliance learns of this? Would they allow her to be with me, or would they shun her? I know Celia would probably try to kill her for being an Angel, and I'm sure Selene would try the same to her. That would be interesting, perhaps. The fencer recalled that he had once had feelings for Celia, something he wouldn't be able to escape.

Celia... I loved her once, but she never felt anything for me. I would have sacrificed so much for her, and she would only laugh at my failures and mock me. I must hope she and Selene never meet, the fencer said with a mental laugh. I would hate to see either one of them get hurt, and I have sworn to protect them both. Just gotta hope they don't meet, for that would be bad. That means I have to keep them as far from each other as possible, he told himself as he thought about the others.

What about the others though? I haven't the slightest what Niku would say, but I get the odd feeling he'd be nice to Selene, which is relaxing. As for Tsukineko, I know he's be kind to her, he's the only one who doesn't seem to hold a grudge against me. He fought so valiantly against Boomer, and yet the Master of Combat stepped in. If he had only waited a few more minutes, I'm sure Tsukineko would have won, I know that he had something up his sleeve, something to bring down Boomer. When next I meet that Goron, I must defeat him for Tsukineko, and I'm sure with this new power, he won't be able to defeat me. We shall see, mostly since he has been training with the Master of Combat. We shall see, Zorlo told himself as he began to awaken, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.

"That was a good nap," he said as he noticed Selene laying in his lap. He smiled as he looked at her, moving his hand down onto her back and moved her slightly. "I'm sorry to wake you milady," the fencer said quietly, not trying to awaken her to fast. "We must continue, we are near the Forge," he said as he rubbed her back a little, trying to get her to awaken.

Selene stretched her large wingspan as she sat up, slowly getting up on her feet. She did not greet Zorlo, for she did not sleep without nightmares of her history. "Of course..." She seemed to be thinking on the past, though it quickly changed to the present.

"I would like to meet some of your friends, Zorlo....someday...the people you have met in your travels...you are dwelling deep in your memories..."

She did not smile, for this reminded her of her own past to an even greater amount. She was solemn, and she wondered if the fencer had realized she spoke of his many battles. "I am sure you will meet them again someday...whoever you are thinking of...and I am glad that you no longer have feelings for her..."

She did not reply to his puzzled look. This created mixed feelings within her. She felt a stifled love in Zorlo, something of hurt, but at the same time, a determination. She wondered who this girl was, and why he had at one time, seemed to care for her. It would be easier if she could read minds, but she was not that capable. Simply emotions. She had not told him about her ability to absorb emotions, whether she wanted to or not. "Let us continue, Zorlo...if we continue, we should arrive at the Forge in no time.." She spread her lips in a small smile. I wonder...what would Will think of me? What does he think of me? If I would have... She shook her head with a half-hearted smile.