Alex began to smell the smoke. Why hadn't I noticed that before now? She turned her gaze to Kaedo hoping that he had noticed too.

Rasul growled, having little sympathy for the mortal as she stumbled back. He suddenly saw the smoke smears on her skin. And the burns. His eyes widened. "Were you in the village?" he barked. But he smelled another source of smoke then, from within the castle. Faint cries of pain fluttered on the hot wind and he couldn't tell if they were from the spirits of the castle or the people. There were less flames on the pavement of the streets. The castle would have to wait to be saved. He placed his hand roughly on the girl's shoulder. "Do you have family in there, hum-- girl?" he asked, catching himself.

Val winced, biting her lip to stifle a cry as he clamped his hand on her hurt shoulder. "No, I was in the kitchen," she managed between clenched teeth. She tried to pull herself away, but didn't have the energy. "A-and they very well may be my family. All of them." Her thoughts instantly went to the kind old lady with all the cats, the one who had always made sure Val had food and something to keep herself warm. She turned her face away, looking out at the village, trying to hide the tears that suddenly sprang up. "I need to get down there," she said, feeling desperately useless. Why wasn't she already there? She could be helping-
But the smoke inhalation and her injuries made her weak, and she swayed slightly as she tried to pull away again. She looked at him wearily, alarms going up.
You heard that, Val, don't ignore it. He was going to call you something else. and those teeth...

Rasul thought for a moment, watching her eyes shine with tears. "If I carry you, you can help find survivors, right?" he asked warily. She may have been just mortal but with an extra set of eyes he could do more. He just had to make sure to remember that unlike him, she had to breath. He felt her tug weakly away from him and lifted up his hand, giving her a choice.

Val let out a breathe she didn't know she was holding as he released her, then took a deep breathe and took a moment to think. She wanted to help, to go down there, but she couldn't do it herself. She was too weak. Even as the alarms in her head told her not to, she took a deep breathe that tasted like smoke in the back of her throat and nodded. "I can do that," she said, trying to look determined but figuring that she failed miserably, as injured and dirt-streaked as she was.

"Good," he said, satisfied. He bent down and had picked her up as swiftly and easily as if she had only been a doll. As he started toward the village, he had to force himself to pick up speed. Once he was close enough he looked down at the girl in reassurance and ran into the flames. If he kept moving, he wouldn't get as burned. He didn't even know this human's name, he realized for some reason. ((Writer's block. o.o))

Val gasped as he scooped her up and began to move. She clung to him, praying that he wouldn't drop her even though she somehow knew he wouldn't. She paled as she realized he was heading right for the flames and immediately buried her face against his chest as he went through, feeling the heat as if she was in the kitchen again. It rang vaguely in her mind that she was clinging to a complete stranger, moreover letting said stranger carry her, but she was more concerned with their well being and promptly asked if either of them was on fire.
((haha, its ok. I had it a few posts ago.))

Rasul scanned himself over. Nothing more than a few singed hairs as he stood as far away from the houses as he could. But that wouldn't last for long. Even the pavement was burning through his shoes. He waited, and listened, but the roar of the blaze was almost completely drowning out any sounds that might have been human. "Where does your family live?" he shouted over the noise.

She looked around frantically, trying to see where they were. "There," she said, pointing to a house that was thoroughly on flames. "Oh my gosh, she couldn't have survived that," she groaned, thinking of the poor old woman, dying in that horrible blaze...
She shut her eyes tight, trying to block out the images and stopping the tears, then opened her eyes and looked up at him. "I don't think we'll find anyone alive in there," she said, her voice tinged with sorrow as she spoke loud enough to be heard over the crackle of flames.

He took a few steps closer to the house. She was right. Anyone who could have survived the fire would have by now. The height of the flames and all the ash around. "You don't want to try?" It was more of an observation. Was there any point in continuing? In his contempation he didn't notice the trail of flames that was licking his leg from a smoldering beam until it was halfway up his pants. He kicked the piece of wood away from him with a curse. There had been history here that was not gone forever.

Val stared at the house, biting her lip. "I want to... but there's no point when its obvious that she couldn't have survived..." She looked up, alarmed, as she felt him jerk and heard him curse. "Are you ok," she asked, trying in vain to see what had happened. "Maybe it would be a good idea for us to move," she said questioningly, looking up at him. Her eyes watered from all the smoke, and it was becoming clear that if they stayed still they would probably end up catching on fire.
[[Ugh. Writer's block >.< I'll be back in a few minutes, my mom is telling me to take a shower :p]]

He glared down at his leg, hating his own weakness. "An excellent idea," he agreed, and turned around...to realize he had to no idea where the hell he was. He looked up for the outline of the castle through the smoke and he ran toward it, but soon noticed it was spreading out. Trees. The smoke had become too disorienting, even for him. If only he had fed before from that shark. A small glance was sent at Val. He decided there was nothing he could do about it and took a left, doing his best to stay on the road. One of them had to lead back to the castle. ((It's all good. B) I have school stuff so I might be getting off soon anyway.))

She held on to him as he began to run, coughing as the smoke wafted into her airways. "Are we going the right way," she asked, worried, when he turned onto the roads. Hadn't they come through the trees last time? She scanned the area before them, still coughing a little as she tried to figure out where they were.
[[:3]]

((hey sorry I didn't reply right away even though I was online. I was trying out for another rpg but it flopped. Didn't mean to leave you hanging by yourself there))

"Alright this one likes that sounds of that, that he does!" Kaedo exclaimed happily as he rushed to catch up with Alex. "Where shall this one start?" Kaedo asked as he came up beside Alex and then paused. "Something is not right, this one knows so for sure, that he does." Kaedo remarked as his eyes darted about the place as if looking for a sign as to what it was. "This one thinks he knows that smell. But regardless what it is he knows its not good." Kaedo said after sniffing the air once or twice. "We must go see what it is! Hurry this one fears that it is not good." Kaedo rushed to say and then darted off, following the smell of the smoke toward the kitchen.

One could tell by the look on his face that his heart had sank at the realization of what was burning. "Why the kitchen?!" Kaedo yelled as he threw his arms in the air. "All the food well surely burn and this one well still be hungry!! Nooooooooo this one cant let that happen!" He roared with sudden ambition in his voice and then flung open the doors. With out further reasoning he rushed into the flames.

((Nah, tis not a problem! But for some reason i found what you've typed quite comical...))

Alex followed Kaedo towards the kitchen. The smoke was getting thicker as they got closer to the source. She began to cough and she had to stop running, bracing herself against the wall until her vision cleared. Once she was able to move forward again she followed the sound of Kaedo's exclamations and rounded a corner just in time to see him rush into the flames that were leaping from the kitchen entrance. "No! Kaedo!"

Alex rushed into the kitchen after him with her arm over her mouth. "Kaedo?" She lowered her body to keep out of the thickest layer of smoke at the top of the room. But her vision was still blurred and she was having difficulty making out much of anything. Everything was engulfed in flames. "Kaedo?!" She was becoming frantic and she began to cough again. "Where are you Kaedo?!"

Tania had turned tail and left long ago, when she first saw Rasul running forward to restrain Vexous, mistaking that for a purposeful hug, 'Why? Why? Why'd he choose her? Why not me?' voices chattered on in her head, blinding her with tears as she ran through the halls, soon emerging into the clear forest air. Her dark black forepaws guided her around fallen trees and boulders, some instinct driving her towards someone she thought never to see again.
- - - - - - - - - -

Josephine opened her wings and pumped into the air, alarmed as she detected the smell of smoke in the air. 'Can anyone hear me? What's happening in the village?' she panicked, Lacsar flying to her right, Draug to her left. Landing on the ground in front of a burning house, she was startled to see a man, completely dressed in black. 'Do you need some help sir?' Josephine asked, reaching to put a hand on his shoulder. She halted, hand half raised when she saw Vexous, 'Vexous? What happened to you? Are you going to be alright.'

((I am soooo setting Josephine up to be drained *evil grin*))
- - - - - - - - - -

Tania finally came to rest in front of a large gray wolf, Beta of the previous pack.
"This is fun, maybe I should bite more vampires if this is what it makes." he laughed, transforming back into a human. He was wearing short, torn shorts, and he was barechested. "What the hell did the vampires do to you?" he asked, scorn replaced by concern by the state of Tania's mind.
"Why did he choose her?" she whispered, curling her body up on the ground.
"Shhh, Shhh. It's alright, I'm here now." he whispered back, softly stroking the back of her head.
"Thank you," she murmured back, transforming into a human with sleep's embrace.

((She's getting over Rasul!))

((O' thanks!! *does a bow* I intended for Kaedo to be quite a comical character by means of him being so fruity for lack of better words. That is until you get to see more of his other side. Kind of Like Smegul and Gullum from the lotr. Yeah their the same person but they are so vary different at the same time.))

Once inside the burning kitchen Kaedo sit right to work on trying to save any food that he could find. He started with the cupboards and cabinets first. While attempting to open them in a hurry he just ended up ripping some of them from the hinges all together, do to the fire deterioration. "Wow this one didn't know he was so strong." He said out loud as he examined the still burning cupboard door before finally dropping it to the ground. "There is nothing here that is not burnt that this one can eat." He added franticly. Then looking around he saw what seemed to be a huge closet like thing that was made out of some sort of metal that was not burning. (the fridge came out while he was still imprisoned so he's never seen one before).

Slowly crawling down off from the counter and making his way to this new item, with out much notice to the burning kitchen that surrounded him. When he got to the fridge he flung it open and his eyes lite up like fire works going off. "O' lord and master this thing is marvelous!!" He shouted as he started scarfing down the food and washing it down with wine. Then it occurred to him that Alice wasn't there to enjoy this fest with him.

"Hmmm.... This one does not understand?" he said as he grabbed his head in his hands, the smoke finally starting to get to him. "And what would that be you, idiot?" Came his other voice. "Well first of all this one does not know where Alex is. And second of all he does not know why he feels so bad when he had just eated. Shouldn't this one feel better now that he has food energy? And could you please stop calling this one names already, you big bully head?" Kaedo said as he grabbed up some food in his arms for Alice to have.

"Well first things first you dumby. You don't feel well, cause the smoke from the fire is slowly killing you!" At this statement Kaedo's eyes grew wide as though in shock. "And where is Alex?" he asked hurriedly as he made his way back to where he thought the door to be. "Well if she has any intelligence I'd think she would be waiting out side the kitchen for you."

Just as Kaedo finished saying that he heard Alex's panicked voice yelling his name. Dropping all of his food, Kaedo began to dash about the place panic stricken. "O' no! O' no! O' no no no! What does this one do now? This one thinks shes in the fire too?!" He remarked worryingly as he grabbed fist fulls of his singed hair in his hands. "That smoke is really getting to ya huh?" The other voice remarked sarcastically. "This one does not know what you mean by that, now help us look for her please? You are much better at these sort of things then this one is." Kaedo then remarked in a pleading voice. "Well as much as I like to watch you panic like this, I suppose it would be in my best interest to help you huh?"

"Yes, yes it would be best for both of us." Kaedo pleaded as he darted around the place, more then likely passing Alex a dozen times with out realizing it even. "Fine then I'll help you. But you have to let me take over. That is take over completely for the time being or nether of you are going to make it out alive." It was silent for a moment then came a meek "Yes."

((also i don't mean to be insulting in any way if you take offense to the other Kaedo's words. Thats just the way he is and I want to make sure its easy to tell the two of them apart))

((Well I think that you are succeeding! In both distinguishing and making him comical and I'm not taking offense to any of it.))

Alex opened her eyes, seeing everything in a blur. Her eyes were watering from the smoke. But she could make out a light that had just come on on the other side of the kitchen. She also began to hear Kaedo's exclamations again. The smoke was steadily getting thicker and it caused her to cough a couple of times. "Kaedo?"

Alex tried to walk towards the light but she ran into an island in the middle of the kitchen. Crying out in pain she noticed that there were two voices coming from all over the kitchen as if Kaedo was looking for her but wasn't able to see her. She tried to reach out to him as he got close a couple of times. "Kaedo?" Then the voices got quiet. The only thing she could here were the flames roaring around her.

"Ah, here we are..." He turned his icy gaze onto that of the newcomer who had asked if he so polietly needed help. "Actually, I think I do." He quickly snatched her hand that was still raised in mid air inches away from his shoulder. Pulling her towards him, he embraced her from behind. His hand that was on hers now held her wrist while his other arm had a tight grip around her waist. As tight as he could manage with her wings pushing against his chest. "Vexous, your name is my dear?" His eyes flickered over to Vexous briefly before he returned his attention onto the newcomer. "And who might you be lovely? You don't smell of anything pure." He nuzzled his face against her nape getting a better whiff of her. "Halfbreed?" He questioned, his brows raising in slight surprise. This one seemed to be throwing off his senses, though the odd assortment of extra parts did confirm that she was from an odd sort.

"No, this can't be happening to me." Her mind wailed soon turning into gasps then into a moan trying so feebly to form the words. "Get up. Get up! GET UP NOW!" Her thoughts screamed at her as she felt the child drain more of her lifeblood away.

Gathering her strength as best as she could, Araceli brought her right hand up and cupped the jaw of the child and squeezed as hard as she could. Her left felt at her thigh for a dagger which she managed to grasp tightly. "I'm sorry." Her eyes squeezed shut after they momentarily looked at the sky, the dagger came up and she plunged it into the back of the child with as much force possible.

The child gave off a half snarl followed by a gurgle before slumping to the ground and off of Araceli. It writhed around in pain as she stood shakily over its form. Unsheathing her sword she quickly raised and brought it down severing the child's neck from it's body to silence it once and for all. The only way she was taught to truly kill a Vampire. A child that he was he was still regardless one of the undead which she had to remind herself as she looked down once more at the body.

Shaking badly and still losing blood from the wound in her neck, Araceli was unclear where she should go at this point. "Darious..." She faintly called. "Where are you?"

Josephine could do nothing as the man swung her up into his grasp, but she did manage to twist so that her wings lay flat against her back, nearly undetectable now. "I'm a chimera, cat, bat, dragon, human. I suppose I might also be part vampireyour another vampire?" she blushed, suddenly aware of his hand around her waist, so she was even more startled when he nuzzled against her neck. "Please don't eat me. I'd prefer to keep all of my blood inside my body for the time being." she told him, her tail wrapping around his arm, "I'd prefer if you just used telepathy at this short of a distance, any normal talking from here and my ears will start to hurt." His cheek hit the tattoo on her arm, and she suddenly felt woozy, leaning on Vincent for support, "I-I don't know what's come over me, it could be simple blood loss and loss of sleep, but, what if..." she thought, unknowingly still projecting to Vincent.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tania stirred in her sleep as the Beta stood, shifting back into a wolf and headed for the castle, swearing to make the vampires pay for hurting a werewolf, even a hybrid. "Vampires corrupt everything." he murmured, heading for what would likely be his death. Catching the scent of a vampire, he headed towards the castle, he soon neared his goal. Rasul was running with a human in his hands, but the Beta disregarded the hurt villager and fixed his eyes on the vampire. "Prepare to fight, vampire." he shouted, running for Rasul.

((Yep, all of the werewolves must die...even this one...feel free to one hit kill, he won't expect it.))

He grinned as she folded her wings down. "You like to be closer to me little one?" He changed to telepathy as his eyes studied her ears more closely. "You're an interesting one indeed." He continued to comment as he took in more of her appearance now as he noticed the tail around his arm. "Don't eat you? Pity. I'm curious as to what you'd be like since I am new to your species of 'Chimera'. Though that did sound like an invitation to try latter, preferring to keep your blood in you for now."

He felt her weight shift more so onto him and heard her thoughts projected to him and he was sure Vexous at the time, "'What if' what love?" He purred to her through telepathy, his tone stayed velvet sounding as he talked with her. It was then he noticed the tattoo on her arm, his eyes narrowed slightly as he peered down at it, the smoke was starting to irritate his eyes. "Perhaps we should go somewhere a little more private..." He thought both to Josephine and to Vexous. "There is still much burning in that pathetic wreck that Vexous' pursuers didn't deal with."

His silky black hair fell over her shoulders, soft and luxuriant. "Thank you," Josephine thought to him, grateful for a chance for her ears to rest, "You heard me? Sorry to bother you, it was a comment directed at my earlier life, part of me thinks these are how he controlled me. When you touched it with your cheek, I got kind of woozy." She smiled, his velvet voice lulling her into relaxation, "It would be nice to get out of here. The smoke is starting to burn my eyes." Several loud caws reminded her of her friends. "Don't worry," she called out to them, "I'm fine where I am."

Moving to slip out of his grasp, the chimera looked at Vincent and grinned, "Ever ridden a dragon? I may be smaller than the others, but it's a marvelous experience all the same. I might even be able to fit Vexous on my back too."

"How he controlled you?" He glanced at Vexous then back to Josephine. "You two seem to have similar stories. Same people involved perhaps with your enslavement?" Hearing the caws that were close and which the Chimera answered he asked, "You speak with the scavengers of this land? Were they imprisoned with you as well?"

His grin turning into a slight smile, he winked at her. "No, I've never actually seen a live Dragon before. You certainly are full of surprises though miss." Walking over to Vexous where she had sat, he bent down and slipped his arms around her then stood with her. "Figure we'd fit better if I carry the Lady?" He started to move back to where he had previously stood near Josephine. "Ready when you are Chimera." He said with a slight nod of his head, his long dark hair falling off to one side like a satin curtain.

Vexous had stayed quiet whole everything had played out. she'd seen the dragon before and had let out a small gasp as she realised she'd been a prisoner together with her. maybe this one could help to brake the curse.
as Vincent picked her up she smiled at him, "dragon's are rather large i think i would be fine sitting ether in front or behind you, after all i'm not that heavy."
flicking a tattered rag with her finger. "plus i'm sure my clothes weigh a whole lot less then yours" she said looking him up and down. "it looks heavy".
in the back of her mind she was thinking about returning the the castle to finish off Acheron.
it would be the perfect chance, but i still dont have my full strength back.
biting her lower lip she made it blood with out realising. it's probably better to find an out first..... i think.

Darious was concentrating on keeping the rain falling as he noticed that Acraceli had reemerged. He smiled back at her as she had at him. But that smile soon turned to a fearful look as he saw what the child truely was.
there was no chance he could reach her in time, he would have to use his powers.
it's for her damit just do it!. he summoned his powers and slided the air in front of him with his hand, the result was a wind curve that went flying straight at the child slicing it's body in half.
He ran as fast as he could to her dropping to his knees beside her he called her name. "Araceli!"

Rasul yelled out as the wolf dashed toward him, nearly dropping Val. There was a brief flash of surprised joy as he thought it was one of his pets but it was instantly swept away as even through the smoke he smelled the werewolf's scent. He called the creature something in a foreign language , seemed to shift into something more terrifying than he already was and lashed out, gripping it by the ears and slamming it's head down into the ground. His arm was back supporting Val before she even had time to slip. Without waiting to see if it was still alive he raced in the direction the wolf had come. Soon he saw the castle come into view and breathed a sigh of relief. His mistake. Regretably, he let out a small cough. He had cut his habit of smoking a century or so back. After all this he pondered taking it up again. Suddenly, he felt rain against his face. "Thank God," he sighed raggedly.