Waking. (Open)

[Kaythenia]

When Kaythenia opened her eyes she was disorientated and shaking, it took her a moment or so to realise that her cheek was rubbing the stone floor and her gaze flitted around the Seomar. Marcus, the circle, she shouldn't still be alive let alone feeling her powers inside her, she braced her hands against the floor to struggle into a sitting position. That was when she saw it, her pale skin was stained red with blood, drying into the edges of her nails and into the whorls of her palms. The sigils from the ritual still burnt black into the backs of her hands, tainted by the blood. The Mage looked down at herself in horror, her clothes were splattered and stained. From the corner of her eye she spotted Marcus, laying on the floor in a pool of his own blood not three feet from her. His now sightless eyes staring into nothing, he had been brutally burnt on one side, almost unrecognisable. Nausea rose in the back of Kaythenia's throat, she turned away and retched dryly for a moment or so before the panic began. She had to get out of here, she had to leave now.

When Kaythenia opened her eyes the sun had breached the canopy of trees she had slept under, bringing her back to the real world...without complaint. The Bard hadn't had that particular nightmare for a while now but it didn't make it any easier to deal with when it did decide to raise it's ugly head from the depths of her subconcious. At least she was awake now and the images could be forced back into their metaphorical box. The young woman pushed herself into a standing position and glanced around, her sensitive Hylian hearing picking up that other than the creatures of the forest and a particularly noisy blackbird she was alone for now. The clearing seemed at peace, quietly she picked her way through the brush, making her way towards the spring further into the area. Kaythenia might have considered taking her sanctuary there last night but the area had felt too open for her liking. At least she had made a note of it for the coming morning. The distance being only a few short minutes away until she entered the clearing. She glanced up, the sun was not too high in the sky yet but the birds of the forest were well and truly awake. There seemed to be no other people in the area for now, she was safe for the moment.

Kaythenia crouched by the edge of the spring and glanced around out of habit before removing the leather straps of her gloves and easing them off her hands, revealing the burnt sigils on the backs and the puckered scarring around her wrists, a shade lighter than her own skin from a recent encounter. Not looking at it properly she cupped her hands into the water and splashed it onto her face, shuddering pleasantly as the cool water skimmed her skin and looking down at her own glimmering reflection in the disturbed surface.

[Ryan Green]

Crashing through the forest and in a less than stellar mood, Ryan was in hot pursuit of a Stalfos that had happened to be terrorizing the local ranch. Unfortunately, the skeletal being seemed to be a lot more wily than most of it kind, as it had been dodging in and out of the trees for most of the day. Ryan was in the mood to just forget about the whole thing and lay a trap for it the next time it showed up when he cam upon a clearing.

Unlike many of the clearings in this forrest, this one was unusual in that it had a lake in the middle of it. Lakes in the middle of a wooded area were unusual, because they were usually filled up over time with dirt and plant matter until they eventually were removed entirely. Deciding that yes, he would in fact set a trap for the Stalfos tomorrow, Ryan sat down at the edge of the lake to rest himself. It was pretty peaceful, and he could honestly see himself starting to relax in a place like this.

Or at least he would have, if it weren't for the fact that this was a monster infested woods.

[Kaythenia]

Kaythenia glanced up at the sound of movement through the woods, however was making their way through the brush apparently made no effort to conceal themselves. Every creature for miles around could probably hear that racket along with the Bard and her own sensitive hearing. It gave her plenty of time to replace her gloves and have them strapped back on by the time whoever it was made an appearence. It was not Davik, that was one thing for certain. He would have at least made the effort to conceal his movements from her. But the Mage took no chances and moved behind a tree. Keeping careful watch on the other side of the spring where the sounds echoed from. She did not have to wait very long. The man who appeared on the other side of the spring to Kaythenia obviously had other things on his mind. Soon enough he seated himself comfortably and Kaythenia saw fit to reveal herself. She stepped away from the tree and out into the sunlight.

"If you're looking for something you won't find it making that much noise."

A fair point after all, the stranger had the apparent stealth of a heard of charging goats. The young woman stood surely, her thumb hooked through her beltloop so that her fingers rested casually on the curve of her hip. Kaythenia took a moment to study the man across the way from her, obviously human but they took over the majority of Hyrule's settlements. Hylians were either travellers, soldiers or lived further into Lanayru province. Something about him said that he was older than she but it was difficult to tell without a closer look...something Kaythenia would not do lightly. For the moment she would hold her ground and ponder.

[Akira Shikigami]

Ordon Village, peaceful, but that wasn't the reason he was there. There are many who visit Ordon who tend judge it negatively by the small stature of the village. Akira wasn't one of them. Ordona was the perfect, quiet place where he could train his mind and body. He set up a long series of targets lining on his left and right. A training of speed, accuracy, and flexibility. The perfect training session for Akira. "Lets see....There's two hundred targets....hmmm....how long should I time myself?" He pondered for a few moments and hastily decided,"Five seconds ought to be enough..." He immediately began to rush through the woods very quiet and stealthily, jumping off trees and performing various flips, and at the same time launching throwing knives in the middle of each target as he passed. He stopped at the edge of a small clearing, smoothly catching his breath without a sound. He chastised himself under his breath,"Damn, only 5.4 seconds, I've got to try harder...."

He silenced himself as he noticed the human champion at the edge of a small body of water along with a abnormally beautiful woman. But he simply ignored both of them and sat against a tree, scribbling latest additions to a song he was working on.

[Ryan Green]

Ryan was cursing under his breath and did not at first notice the women. However she would hear something about "using its skull as a condom" and several other unholy threats. However upon noticing her, his attitude and disposition changed so suddenly it was almost like a switch was flipped.

"Oh, hello! I didn't see you over there!" Was his suddenly cheerful and enthusiastic greeting, apparently either ignorant or ignoring her comments about his stealth skills. "Sorry about bothering you, I was looking for something that happened to get away from me, so I was being less than careful in my frustration, I hope this wont be a problem. . ." He was clearly hiding something, or at least trying to hide something and failing miserably. Maybe he just didn't care and was trying to keep up appearances, at least he was trying to be friendly, right?

[Kaythenia]

Using it's skull for a what now? Kaythenia found herself quirking an eyebrow, she doubted the stranger had meant for her to hear that part. Although she had been subjected to it, not much else she could do about that. Although when he looked up and addressed her directly, it was as if an alternate personality had taken over from the aggressive one that seemed to be in charge just a moment ago...although Kaythenia herself was a fine one to talk, putting on a game face had always been a talent when she had to do it for the public. She had yet to make a move from her place on the other side of the spring, the distance was preferable in all ways. For now she would rather keep it that way. The young woman crossed both arms over her chest and leaned her weight on her right leg.

"Oh, hello! I didn't see you over there! Sorry about bothering you, I was looking for something that happened to get away from me, so I was being less than careful in my frustration, I hope this wont be a problem. . ."

"The noise doesn't bother me, but when you're trying to hunt something down, crashing through the forest isn't usually the best way into lulling whatever you're after into a false sense of security. Unless this is some kind of complex reverse pyschocology...but I'm having my doubts about that." Perhaps she was being too harsh on the stranger, but she knew better than anyone what a good hunter did to put his prey off guard. She had spent the last four years evading Davik and some of those escapes had been by the skin of her teeth, she still had the scars to prove it from the last encounter with him. Anyway the remnants of that dream had left her on edge, she felt...spikey for lack of a better word, wanting to take it out on someone.

[Ryan Green]

"Oh no, I've all but given up on finding it by now, I'm just venting my frustrations on the woods at the moment." Honestly, he didn't care anymore about the stupid Stalfoes. He would just lure it in to a trap next time it attacked the town, and hammer it with arrows blessed by the local Holyman. That should be enough to take it out with little to no problems.

"Although I have to ask, what are you doing out here aline in the woods by yourself? You don't look very heavily armed, this place is dangerous unless you're prepared." Really, the only reason Ryan was out here by himself was because he was both armed to the teeth and had some experience surviving in hostile environments. The women before him didn't look like she had anything heavier on her other than a set of daggers, perhaps she was a mage?

[Kaythenia]

"Oh no, I've all but given up on finding it by now, I'm just venting my frustrations on the woods at the moment. Although I have to ask, what are you doing out here alone in the woods by yourself? You don't look very heavily armed, this place is dangerous unless you're prepared."

Kaythenia may not have been heavily armed, she wasn't built to handle large heavy weapons. Her strength was in her Magic and that was a hidden advantage unless she was dealing with someone who could sense it's presence running through her body. Since Ryan was questioning why she wasn't armed with more weaponry it was clear that he couldn't feel it. Perhaps that was a good thing, her hunters were trained to feel it so even if she changed her appearence she couldn't hide her aura.

"I came here looking for some peace...and contrary to what you may think I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself."

That was when she heard it coming, she would have noticed it earlier if her focus had not been elsewhere. Kaythenia used that second's notice to throw herself to the left, rolling and getting back onto her feet in a fluid motion. Seems that her theory about not crashing through the forest would bring out the Staflos was right after all. Only this time the creature was more focused on taking a chunk out of her rather than Ryan. If she was alone she wouldn't hesitate to use her powers to deal with this issue but since there was someone else here to witness it...it couldn't happen. Kaythenia drew both daggers and blocked a blow, although she wasn't physically strong enough to force the Stalfos back she used it to give herself a push back. To put a bit of distance between her and the monster.

[Ryan Green]

He gave her a strange look, not sure if he fully understand what she was saying."Peace? In a deadly forest like this? You realize that I was JUST chasing a monster through here, right? Not to mention all the Wolfos and such that typically make their habitat in the woods." Honestly, what was with people and thinking that the woods were a safe place? They were DANGEROUS! Did she not know of all the rumors and legends surrounding this place? At least half of them had been confirmed to be true.

Then the stalfos he had been chasing had decided to show up, ruining things for everyone. He blinked at the sudden appearance of the creature, wondering if his noisemaking had been enough to override its sense of self-preservation and cause it to seek out his blood. Either way he didn't care as he had a job to do, and he drew his blade and made a downward slashing motion at the creatures back, taking advantage of the distraction that the women had unwillingly become.

[Kaythenia]

"Peace? In a deadly forest like this? You realize that I was JUST chasing a monster through here, right? Not to mention all the Wolfos and such that typically make their habitat in the woods."

Kaythenia's idea of 'Peace' was somewhat different to Ryan's. Dealing with Wolfo's and the like was less stressful for her than running from members of the Order. Various monsters could be dealt with and dispatched. The members of the Order knew how to fight her and turn her powers against her. In comparison...Staflos were a walk in the park, or at least they would be if she was alone to deal with it. She could use Pyromancy to dispatch it quick enough but was more than hesistant to do so with an audience. Why did she have to run into someone else here? Then all of a sudden he seemed to have leapt into the action and dealt a slash across the creature's back with his blade, immediately the Staflos turned it's attention away from Kaythenia and onto him instead. Good, that would give her a moment to deal with the situation at hand. No, no magic. Not a good idea! Even if her entire being could feel it burning inside her veins and almost literal sparks at her fingers.

She dealt with this by throwing her right hand dagger, aiming at the back of the creature's skull. The Mage may have lacked brute strength but she had enough in her to accurately throw and strike a victim. Her aim was true and it struck the creature in the back of the head, it made an unearthly sound but didn't turn back to her, instead it lifted it's sword and aimed a diagonal slash at Ryan, coming at him with relentless fury.

[Ryan Green]

As the Stalfos rounded his attack on him, Ryan raised his own blade to catch the blow and try to deflect it. Stalfoes where an unusual battle, on the one hand they fought like a regular human warrior, with skill and finesse and determination. On the other hand they were undead monstrosities, capable of withstanding punishment above and beyond that which a normal human could endue. This was arguably their greatest strength and weakness, as that enhanced toughness made them careless when attacking people who they thought of as more 'fragile' than themselves.

Case in point. The Stalfoes was constantly turning its back on at least one of them while it tried to attack them both. It had already taken a nasty cut to the back, now it had taken several daggers to the head. It seemed like it would only take one or two more hits to take the beast down once and for all.

Hoping to end it quickly, Ryan withdrew his axe in his other hand and, while still blocking with his sword, delivered a downward chop on the creature, hoping that this blow would be the one to end it.

[Kaythenia]

Ryan's final blow was enough to bring the Staflos to the ground with a final cry, it lay in a heap between him and Kaythenia. There was a sudden silence as the creature no longer made any movement or sound, the forest was completely still. Not even a breath of wind disturbed the trees. Even the Magess' sensitive hearing did not pick up a single sound nearby...she locked her gaze with Ryan's momentarily and felt the need to break the silence, just with something. She didn't like it, she was enjoying it earlier but now it just felt odd and set everything about her body and mind on edge. She was still buzzing with the adrenaline from the fight with the Staflos but this was something else. She crouched down over the body off the Staflos and pulled her dagger out of the back of it's skull, wiping it off on the grass before replacing both of them back into the sheaths she kept strapped to her hips.

"I told you that crashing through the forest wasn't the way to draw it out."

Kaythenia pointed out, probably an odd thing to break the tense silence with but it was the first thought that came to mind...although she was right. Once Ryan stopped doing his impersonation of a one man stampede through the brush and trees the Staflos was drawn out. Even if it attacked Kaythenia rather than Ryan initially but that wasn't the point. She hooked her thumb through her belt loop and leaned her weight on her right leg, not entirely sure how to approach this situation. At least she had managed not to use magic infront of him, Ryan was a capable enough warrior apparently which meant she didn't have to resort to it...although he wasn't a member of the Order she would still prefer to advertise her powers to him.

[Ryan Green]

Well that was nice and easy! It was great to have something go your way like that. The nice little tag-team they had pulled on the Stalfoes took it down a heck of a lot faster than if he had been forced to take it solo. Perhaps he should look in to magic ring or something that would let him call up allies and minions for help? Definitely worth looking in to. For now he simply cleaned off his weapons and smiled jovially at the women before him.

"Hey, it worked didn't it? The thing is dead, the village is safe, I get to tell everyone they don't have to worry anymore, it all worked out in the end, right?" Really now this women needed to lighten up, justice had been dealt out for the people of Hyrule. One less raving monster in the woods was always a good thing in his book, you couldn't really put a downside on that if you tried.

Well, he supposed you could if you really tried, but he was trying to be more optimistic.

[Kaythenia]

"Hey, it worked didn't it? The thing is dead, the village is safe, I get to tell everyone they don't have to worry anymore, it all worked out in the end, right?"

Kaythenia glanced down at the now dispatched creature, she wasn't exactly trying to assist Ryan...the Magess had been far more concerned in making sure her head remained attached to the rest of her body. She rather liked it that way after all, it worked for her so far. The stranger was smiling at her as if she had done him a great favour, well she supposed she might have done but if he got the idea of teamwork developing in his head she would have to nip that one in the bud. It was safer that way, no people to get hurt if they came between her and the Order. The young woman pushed such thoughts out of her mind for the time being, if she simply removed herself from the situation now it would no longer be a possible factor. She crouched down and yanked her other dagger from where it still held fast, a testiment to her aim. Kaythenia wiped it off onto the grass before replacing it into the sheath that hung by her hips.

"I suppose, anyway your errand here is done and I have other things to be attending to..."

'Like getting a little further away from Ordon. So much for enjoying some of the tranquility of the Forest...'

"It was.." She glanced back at the Staflos corpse which still lay motionless between them pointedly. "A messy way to meet."The young woman turned and darted back into the Woodland as if Wolfo's snapped at her heels...or to the innocent passer by, late for something. Right now she wanted to put some distance between herself and her momentary companion, especially if he was working for the people of Ordon. Wouldn't do for the one of the older generation to possibly recognise the 'witch's' daughter now would it? That might raise a few questions and questions were always trouble...