Quest Breaks Over, Time to Get Serious. (Sira, Tia)

[Tiaue'a]

Ti`ue’s head just cocked to the side and glared back at the cavernous entrance. The fury in her eyes told the world two things! One, ain’t no body gonna’ tell Ti`ue to go away, and two, she’d hate herself for this decision when this was all over. In part, it was a step in the right direction. Not only were they possibly coming closer to the city, but she was conquering fear. “Sira…Sira!” Gods be damned, Ti`ue was calling back too late and had to follow the other in. Ti`ue instinctively began flapping her wings to catch up, and actually parted herself from the ground. She was flying! Ti`ue had gusted herself from the dirt for maybe a distance of half a foot. She flapped her wings, although with some pain, again and gained more distance. She couldn’t go too high up, or really fly for that matter, but with the right effort she was hovering. It was a tiring thing to do, so she just took herself back behind Sira and was walking again. It helped to know she wasn’t entirely grounded. Tiaue`a kept tight behind Sira. The glow of the walls was unmistakable, and soon the scent and movement. “Sira, the walls are moving…” The headstrong kelvic was already marching ahead blind in the cave despite Ti`ue’s warnings. It’s magma…dear gods it’s magma. We need to get out of here… Sira wasn’t the only one who had viewed the Tomb of the Fallen in her life time. “Sira. Sira!” Ti`ue kept calling back to her to wait up or slow down, something was wrong with the tunnel. She was having her own struggle keeping up with the heat, as if their bodies had not been drained and exhausted enough already. How long had it been since they were blown away from the city? The pillar of smoke and ash told them nothing when they were outside. It seemed the entire range was going up in flame. Ti`ue turned back to see the wall cascade. Petch to the tenth degree, they were trapped. Ti`ue started to panic and moved back away from the entrance more than the moving walls of liquid fire. That first crunch did them in. Ti`ue had only felt stone under her feet before the first crumbled bone. A quick shriek earned Ti`ue a sharp glance from Sira. Ti`ue held her breath the rest of the time they waded through the remains. She looked closely in the dim lighting from the walls. It was a horror story. Ti`ue thought immediately of the djed that swirled all around them, the mountain was infused with it, and now it was flowing around them for all she knew. All this death was Ivak’s doing, without question. They had been moving upward, maybe even inside Wind Reach at that moment. Maybe the whole city was buried. The skulls, most unmistakably human, might have been Inartan. Could it be the remains of those she failed to protect, buried under the city, left to suffocate and suffer from the affects of the djed, before being burned alive in the blood of the world? Ti`ue tried to stop coughing or breathing, else she might vomit from the combination of thought and smell together. The blackened bones said it all. These were fresh remains, and the sight of bones should not deceive them. Ti`ue saw things she never should in that tunnel. She then saw a skeleton of what was once a great bird, maybe a wind eagle like herself, which was strewn across the tunnel floor. She noted its every disfiguration. The mangled jaw bone was melting off. The rib cage was fuse together in one hollow shell, and human bodies merged at the bird’s end immortalizing the last moments of their god invoked agony, their jaws open for the screams to be seen long after their deaths. There was no getting out of this tunnel alive, and Ti`ue’s claustrophobia started to act up. She started looking for anyway out, her breathing picking up, and then she froze with her face in some ugly frame of horror. Something was moving ahead. It wasn’t the walls, and it wasn’t Sira. “Sira,” Ti`ue started shouting and brought herself to quiet. What Sira thought were remains of things that had come into the tunnel, Ti`ue figured they had been trapped here, very much like these two were now. Someone, or something, was still very much alive down here. The horrors she had seen, the resemblance to the people and birds she knew, made her quiver at the poor soul – if not souls – that were moving ahead of them. Ti`ue reached out for Sira, stumbling over her simple name, shocked at what monster might be moving ahead of them. She didn’t even think about how they might get around it, or if it recognized them, or… Gods, what could it be?

[Phoenix]

Sira's name had hardly left Tia's lips before the temperature in the tunnel increased tenfold. An all encompassing sense of dread coalesced liked weights on their chest and shoulders, freezing them in place and almost bringing them to the bone strewn floor.

The women were no longer in control of their own emotions. Fear should have been running rampant and wreaking havoc on their systems, adrenaline taking charge and running away with their pulses. Ivak, however, had more finesse than that. After the initial crush of impending doom, Sira and Tia felt their emotions heaving like the Volcano had this morning, spewing destruction everywhere. With their emotional stability crumbling around them, Tia felt as if she was unable to control the softer side of her personality, a mad desire to love and be loved overcoming all else. Sira was the other extreme, the idea of physical contact utterly repulsive and sending her into a rage.

Somewhere, Ivak laughed.

While the two Kelvic's were fighting their baser desires, the source of the increased heat had snuck up on them; this said something of the two women's states, considering the massive size of the thing. Glinting madly in tandem with the sickening ripple of the walls, the body of the thing filled the almost the entire cavern in which the two women stood.

It was beautiful. The creature was covered in crystalline facetes, tinged red by the surrounding. This creature wasn't like the others, four times even the oldest of them and not made of simple rock, but diamond instead. It looked like a giant ruby towering over them, what looked like veins threading throughout the interior of the beast. If the women looked closely, they would see that the red coloring was not just from the environment. Lava flowed within it.

Though there were no apparent eyes, the women would feel as if pinned by a gaze, filled with hatred and an anger unmatched by anything else they had felt prior. Ivak's hold on their emotions loosened a bit, but not totally. Gimped further still by their physical changes, it was hard to tell how the women would react to the appearance of this dangerous beast. Sira, however, would recognize the Lavak from one of the many books Aidara kept in their aerie. But would recognition of the horror be enough to save them?

[Sira]

Sira would not have stopped when Tiaue'a called her name, save for the sudden increase in temperature that drew her attention. It became hot. No, it was already hot, it became hotter than hot. Sira was already drenched in sweat, the salty beads covering her naked body, but suddenly she felt like she was boiling, yet she was frozen in place. A sense of doom came over her, and it was as if all the fears she had long ago pushed away came barreling back into the forefront of her mind. The force of it nearly drove Sira to her knees, but she was a tough little bird, and would not give in so easily. Fighting the fear that suddenly came over her, she was unprepared for the second attack, and her emotions spun out of control. She lost focus, and suddenly it seemed like the walls were closing in around her. Where was the sky? What were they doing down in this horrible cave? Why had she taken them there!? Tiaue'a was experiencing a similar, yet different, run of emotions, and when the desire to love drove the other kelvic to act, Sira recoiled in disgust. She was already annoyed with Tiaue'a for her whining, and already put off by her hideous form. The idea of physical contact was revolting to Sira, and she would return any suchs attempts with a violent swing of her fists. So distracted was she by the craze of emotions running through her, Sira did not notice as the massive, beautiful monster appeared behind them. When she finally realized it was there she spun, her eyes widening. Maybe Ivak's hold on her was lessened, but her fear only grew. She only vaguely recalled the creature from Aidara's books, and it was a wonder she remembered the thing's name at all, but it would not help them. "Run!" Sira turned and ran, her unstable emotions overcoming reason and loyalty to her companion. She didn't have far to go though, as she quickly came upon the wall of wild djed. Sira wasn't sure what would happen to her if she passed through it, but something in the back of her mind warned her against it. Both choices meant death, but Sira didn't know what to do. She turned back to the monster, her eyes wide. Her emotions were still running wild, and she couldn't think rationally. Sira fell to her knees, a whimper escaping her lips. She didn't know what to do. Why, Sira? Why did you have to go in? Why couldn't you have just kept going along the base of the mountain? You had to take a short cut. And now you are going to die, without ever seeing the sun again Without ever feeling the open air beneath your wings. You will never see Addy again.. but she's probably already dead anyway. You will never again feel her lips against hers. You will never see Natalie, you'll never hear her beautiful laugh again.. and you've brought Tiaue'a to die with you. Sira realized all of this. Logic told her that her lover daughter were both dead. After seeing the wrath of Ivak and the monsters that lurked the tunnels beneath the city, it was the only possibility. They were all dead. There was no hope. She realized this.. and then she realized one thing more. There was always hope. Sira fell to her knees, the fear nearly crushing her. But there was always hope. She didn't know how, but there had to be some way out of the situation they were in. When she had nearly died after battling the kelvic and the wizard, she had not given up hope, and Priskil answered her prayer and sent her Fois. It was to Priskil she turned again when they all battled the monster high above the world, and it was Priskil she would turn to once more. "Goddess... Priskil. Help me. I know there is hope. Give me the courage to face this monster, please. Let me know that hope is not lost. Show me how to save us." It was the most heartfelt prayer she had ever spoken, and Sira repeated it again, louder so that Tiaue'a and the monster could both hear. Simply speaking the words strengthened her resolve, though she knew it wouldn't be enough. She prayed, both aloud and in her mind, that Priskil would answer and show her the way.

[Tiaue'a]

It came over Ti`ue like a wave, a pulsation of coolness set on by the hopeless sense as the fire inside and all around began to burn. She was sweating instantly, pretty much all over, and she felt it in the weight of her feathers. She saw the Lavak draw nearer, though unaware of its identity. To Tiaue`a, this might have been Ivak himself, for she had never seen the God, and hardly knew the faces of others in art work. Although untrue, the moment was still terrifying as the follower of their long-imprisoned – now escaped – god roamed the world again. Why were they still standing there? Tiaue`a followed after Sira. The fear onset by the Lavak’s presence was soon overcome, though not by courage but fear yet of being left alone with it. “Sira!” Tiaue`a screamed, not wanting to be left alone. The generally unloved kelvic found love in her own way, attachment. She was reaching after Sira, trying to grab hold even though she was slapped away time and time again. “Sira, don’t leave me!” That and more, Ti`ue shouted at her companion trying to keep her close. The Lavak was upon them now, and its molten light reaching out and bending through the diamond hide. Tiaue`a felt no desire to challenge Sira’s order. They were running, well Sira was running. The Lavak could follow Tiaue`a crawling if it wanted. She was hopping along, trying to step through the bones the way they entered. She fluttered her wings to get some speed if she could, or to keep balance. Tiaue`a was so overcome when she saw Sira waiting for her at the end. She rushed to her, though she glanced back at the ruby form following after them. It was so beautiful… Ti`ue slowed, her emotions drawing her towards it – seeing it wanted to reach them so badly – though the heat was too much. She rushed over to Sira, and soon realized the djed wall held them in here. She still felt love for Sira and reached for her only to be pushed away. The Lavak had them now, pinned between itself and the wild djed. Sira abandoned Ti`ue in prayer, selfish prayer at that. Ti`ue was left there, alone. She still felt strongly for Sira though, the Lavak, and…and Wind Reach. She still loved the skies and – this couldn’t be the end. Tiaue`a looked back at Sira who prayed aloud to Priskil for hope. Had the Gods not done enough this day? Maybe Sira’s prayers were answered. Ivak’s hold over Ti`ue started to spread. The Lavak could defuse the emotions should it choose, but for now the kelvic was growing in power, a very basic and old power even Sira could find use for. “Enough!” shouted Ti`ue, as she stood between the Lavak and Sira. Her eagle eye gaze held to what she felt was the Lavak’s head. Her love gave her strength and courage to stand up against any enemy. She had nothing left to lose if the world outside had really been lost to Ivak. Wind Reach would be gone, perhaps? She had the skies though. Not in this cave…and the hopes of escape were incredibly small. She had Sira at least, right? Or would she just up and leave again? Kelvic, wind eagle, Inarta, Ti`ue’s every inborn trait worked in her favor. There was primal determination to live fueled by her love (it was hers after all, even if it took Ivak to release it). Thus there was a stare down, Ti`ue and the Lavak. Sira’s selfish prayers may or may not be answered. What is the life of one more mortal to be claimed on this day, no? Ti`ue’s lips trembled, and she tried to barrier herself from the heat with her wings, and yet keep an eye on the monolithic Lavak. It was no use now, was it? The Lavak kept coming. Tiaue`a acted on instinct, let out a mix between human scream and eagle screech and spread her wings to look big. The creature didn’t seem to act to understand her that there had been enough death today. She tried to keep her distance, and cover Sira. It would be too much for a single kelvic alone. Despite Sira praying solely for herself, Ti`ue did hope someone answered her prayer, Priskil or not.

OOCNot my best, but we can roll with it. Way to make me feel awkward Jules! Sira's already taken. I don't wanna be a home wrecker!(I am loving this thread though. "It taste like diamons!"

[Phoenix]

The monsters great bulk shifted slowly to face the deformed Kelvic as she flapped and wobbled, trying desperately to stay upright. The shifting and scraping of rock, the crunching of bone marked its movement as the giant Lavak inched towards Tia; it moved slowly enough that should she so desire, moving a few feet to either side would free her from its path.

Or so it seemed.

While Tia stood her ground, Sira still prostrated in her prayer to the Goddess of Light, the walls began to pulse rapidly, the heat increasing steadily towards a temperature no living thing could survive. The effect was dizzying, the throbbing of the lava in the walls of the tunnel almost hypnotic. Stunned by this new development, neither Tia nor Sira saw the Lavak's sudden movements, its crystalline body sparkling enticingly as the pulsating light reflected off the diamond surface. Tia had nothing to defend herself with when the massive body surged forward and slammed into her side.

A sickening crunch accompanied the deformed Wind Eagle as she flew through the air, skidding through the sea of bones before coming to a halt a couple dozen feet away. There was no movement at first, though closer inspection would reveal a slight wavering of her chest as she struggled to breathe. With one wing twisted at an odd angle and clearly broken and a large gash seeping blood onto the rock beneath her head, unconsciousness would have been a mercy for the poor Kelvic, but not one she would be able to enjoy; the pain was great, yes, but not quite enough to send her over the edge into blackness. Sira wouldn't be able to spare a single moment to check on her companion however, as that mutinous gaze turned to her next.

The walls began their frenzied flashing once more, and both women felt themselves slipping into a trance once again, though either of them were unable to fight it. Apparently this Lavak was more than it seemed, able to process the situation and effectively trap its prey before attacking. A single mature Lavak was bad enough as it was... but one that possessed the powers of deduction? Terrifying.

As Sira's eyes glassed over, wobbling to and fro with the pulse of the lava and the flicker of the Lavak's diamond hide, it prepared its charge once more. The crunching of bones increased in frequency as the monster turned suddenly and seemingly flew across the width of the tunnel, angled so that Sira would be instantly crushed between its impossibly hard body and the molten tunnel wall.

"No, I don't think so."

The silvery voice echoed throughout the tunnel, a quiet and pleasant sound that nevertheless made the ears feel as if sticks were being repeatedly poked into their depths. A brilliant flash lit the entire tunnel with a golden light, a resounding crash like the sound of tons of shattering glass following quickly on it's heals. Sira and Tia would be unable to see, as if they had stared up at the sun for two long, for a handful of chimes before their vision would slowly return in bits and pieces.

Though it wasn't much to look at to begin with, the Lavak seemed to be a pile of rubble in the middle of the tunnel, only feet from where Sira knelt. The lava-like veins beneath it's glimmering husk still flowed freely, the creatures core still glowing within its depths. Still alive, then.

As they slowly recovered, Sira would notice what seemed to be a giant ball of light covering where Tia had come to rest. Hard as she tried to look, the light never took on more than the indistinct, glowing shape of a humanoid. The form was hunched over the broken form of the Kelvic woman but Sira could not make out what was going on.

Tia had been granted some mercy, at least, falling into unconsciousness when the Lavak hypnotized them for a second time. But this blissful darkness was invaded by a bright, golden thread of light and the same silvery voice that had filled the tunnel only moments before.

"Tiaue'a. Come back to us. It's okay. Come back." This was repeated over and over, the pulsing of the golden thread beckoning, calling. She would have no choice but to follow the voice and the warmth it provided; a calm and comforting warmth, unlike the angry heat of the lava that surrounded them physically. When she awoke, the pain would not be there as she would have expected. In fact, the wings and claws were gone too. Naked and whole, Tia would find herself purely in her human form for the first time.

"Now that we're all here..." The glowing that had hovered over Tia lessened, revealing the form of a woman draped all in white stepping carefully through the bones as she worked her way back to where Sira sat. Priskil smiled at Sira and extended her hand towards the woman before she spoke again. "We haven't much time. Heed me now."

The quiet urgency in her voice gave both women no choice but to listen with rapt attention. "It won't be down for long, but you cannot allow it to escape. It will only come back. Angrier. And I might not be here to stop it." The Goddess leveled a serious expression at Tia and Sira both. "You have to stop it."

It was then that the shrieking of rock-on-rock filled the tunnel, the Lavak having its bulk upwards and pelting away down the tunnel before any of the women could even flinch. The heat seemed to travel with it, sucking the breath from the lungs of the Kevlic's as it flowed away, cool air rushing in to fill the empty space. The walls stopped pulsing once the Lavak's presence diminished, though further down the tunnel, the eery dark red pulse that marked the Lavak's presence could be seen.

Though it ran straight for a while, the tunnel eventually forked off into three different directions, all identical in their makeup, and all lead into a gigantic, empty cavern. The only difference was, steam poured from the tiny fissures that formed in the stone walls, marking the passage of the Lavak's. The mouth of one of the caverns was curtained in steam, lit from behind with that same pulsing glow. And where there was steam...

"Follow it! GO!" The words would send the two women surging into action after the fleeing creature. "And hurry. The heat of the creature makes the walls of this place unstable." Stepping quickly to Sira and Tia, Priskil took each of their hands in her own, pulling them forward and talking more softly, but quickly. "Pay attention to your surroundings. And remember, Light is more powerful than you think."

With another blinding flash, the Goddess was gone, leaving the two alone in the wake of the monster, completely enclosed in a bubble of glowing golden light.

[Sira]

Sira stared on in reverence and awe as the goddess showered them in her golden light. This would be the third time her prayers had been answered, though the first in person. Sira couldn't believe her eyes, couldn't believe she was actually getting to meet the goddess. She almost forgot the situation they were in as she watched Priskil restore Tiaue'a to... to human form!? Sira's mind reeled at the revelation. Tiaue'a was a kelvic, just like her! She had so many questions, but there was no time. Priskil offered the two women her hands, and Sira didn't hesitate to take it. When the beast ran away, Sira barely watched it go. She was focused on the woman before her, and the words she was shouting. And then she was acting on those words, and the goddess vanished, but a part of her stayed behind. Sira didn't know what the golden bubble would do, but she could feel it's strength and radiance. Never had she imagined the goddess would intervene directly, but she had, and now they had their orders. They might not have been able to stop Ivak's release, but Sira was damn well going to try to stop the Lavak from making things worse. Sira charged down the tunnel in pursuit of the monster. She paused only briefly at the intersection before running down the steaming tunnel that marked the Lavak's passage. Sira ran down the tunnel and into the cavern, knowing that the creature would be inside. She had no idea how to fight it, or what the glowing bubble would do to it, but she knew that Priskil wouldn't have sent them in without some sort of a weapon. The bubble might have been a shield, but could it also be a sword? She didn't know if it would work, but something in the back of her mind told her to swing. And so she did, swinging like a sword and quite possibly making an utter fool of herself. And if that didn't work, she'd do the next thing that came to mind and barrel right into the monster head on. Either she was going to die in that cavern, or Priskil's light was going to do something.. anything, to help her fight it.

[Tiaue'a]

What happened? Tiaue`a froze as the wave of heat flooded over her again, stronger than any striking ray of the sun or fume from the Tomb of the Fallen. She was lost, her mind distracted, thoughts a blur… Time seemed to slow, a life flashing before her eyes, as the Lavak’s charge caught her off guard. The dazzling glimmer of its diamond hide reflected back from her eyes, eyes widened by the surge of fear, if not utter terror. The pillar of stone she saw was shot to the extreme of her vision, and she went into shock, the cracking of bone jolting her whole body. The malformed kelvic’s head dipped down unmoving, her eyes barely lingering back on the shifting form of the Lavak and, worse yet, Sira. Ti`ue had a vision of sorts, something paralleled between her mind and reality. The blackness of the cave remained, and in the distance was a faint, sanguine glow. It was coming nearer, the faceless entity whose aura seemed to devour everything it passed and touched, coming nearer still… It was so far away, and moved so slowly, but Ti`ue felt as if it were charging her, taking her from the world in an instant. The blackened walls melted, the tunnel collapsing as she continued to feel pushed down further and further, trying to run and hide from the big red. Something pierced the light though, another energy all its own, from the center outward, the light – a purer form, iridescent – overtook the other and reached out to Tiaue`a. The Kelvic felt herself lifted back up and through the dark tunnel, her world caressed in light and comforting warmth. It over her too, and then her world faded to black…but only for a moment. The light pierced the darkness now, and wrapped Ti`ue entirely, no part left untouched by the brilliant glow. The voice called to her, and she followed as it beckoned, back into the light, back into the world, alive, truly alive. Ti`ue tried to open her eyes, and found her hand reaching up out of instinct to block the light, her head turning away slightly. Priskil’s glimmer nearly blinded Ti`ue, yet there was something soft to it that tempted the kelvic to return her gaze. All feelings of fear and distress left her. The pain she remembered was gone, simply and inexcusably. Ti`ue didn’t question it, but rather felt herself lost…no, found by this light in the darkness and whole heartedly reveled in the feeling. To be touched byt the divine in such a way was indescribable beyond such words: comfort, belonging, purity. Ti`ue opened her eyes as the light faded, saw her bare flesh and felt another shooting emotion run its course through her body. She was both stunned and fascinated, stunned in that she had finally been brought to face the truth, and no longer had the barrier of secrecy as Sira saw her human form, fascinated too to see her form, and somehow still feel quite so beautiful. Vain? Perhaps, but it would keep her going. The Goddess, Priskil, spoke and Ti`ue centered her fiery gaze – an Inarta’s, no less – upon the goddess’s lips to hear her. The shifting of the light, the change in temperature, and the rush of cool air reset Tiaue`a. She looked at the cave – still wondering if she could do anything in here as an eagle – and then back at Sira, curious of what odd stares she’d share. Somehow, the fear of Sira knowing was easy to overlook. The adrenaline rush probably… The light, the Goddess Priskil, what was she doing here anyway? Ti`ue’s thoughts began to scramble as she followed after Sira towards the forked path, fueled by Priskil’s word. The flash of light left Tiaue`a’s questions unanswered. Sira and her still had their duty to fulfill. With Priskil’s light encasing her and Sira, Ti`ue ran off –her legs shaking as she sprinted with her new human legs - before stopping at the steam. She knew that it would be hot, and hesitated to push through it. Where the water was flowing from was the big mystery. The heat of the creature told her there was some element of fire to it, and perhaps they could at least douse the thing. How they’d break the diamond skin was another story… Ti`ue didn’t consider if the Laval would simply explode from such a drastic change in temperature, or what could happen as an aftermath. Ti`ue took a side path, hoping to exploit the Lavak, perhaps fool it. Had it seen her transformed? She didn’t think so. She was looking through the tunnel for some sort of streaming water to no avail. It wasn’t until she saw the lacking of close walls that she realized the tunnel was at an end and that she had come to a cavern. The Kelvic searched the cave for some idea of her surroundings, only seeing as far as Priskil’s light would show her – given there was nothing else to light the way. The Lavak’s glow began to emerge into her field of view, and Ti`ue ducked back. Maybe it wasn’t the greatest idea to have separated herself from Sira. Ti`ue waited, watched, and prepared to make her strike. Staring upward, Tiaue`a wondered if she had the necessary room to fly, or even for that matter…shift. She wasn’t sure how she had taken on this new form exactly. She tried to think of her true form, the gracious Wind Eagle, focused on the thought of its shape and feeling. She tried to shift back… and waited to see what could be done. A pair of wings and claws might just come in handy, right?

[Phoenix]

Exploding in to the cavern at full speed, the Lavak seemed to shatter the wall of mist that hovered around the mouth of the tunnel. Tendrils of the steam chased the monster as it continued to barrel into the center of the cavern, giving the large underground lake there a wide berth. Little did any of them know it, but they had tapped into the network of caves that was the Underground Forest. Deep Lake Cave was one of the least explored of them all.

When Sira came rushing into the cavern, the Lavak had managed to put width of the lake between itself and the glowing woman. When the tall redheaded woman skidded to a stop, pausing to consider the mysterious power the Goddess had imbibed them with, the skidding of her feet on the loose stones scattered by the Lavak's passage drew the attention from the monster. It wavered in indecision from where it looked buried in the half shadow of the deep cavern, seemingly deciding on a slow approach just as Sira began to fling her intent around like a sword.

Tia appeared as well, though off to the side and using the natural formation of the cave in order to "hide"; it was hard to be inconspicuous with a huge, glowing bubble of awesome surrounding you. A large stalagmite served its purpose well, however, and the newly made human was able to watch as the Lavak rolled on by, cautiously approaching her companion. When she tried to shift, nothing happened and Tia was left feeling as drained as if she had just run the length of the city and back again.

Though winded, Tia nevertheless felt the urge to rush forward and do something. A new, faint glowing out of the corner of her eye caught the Kelvic's attention as she started to move forward towards where the Lavak was converging on Sira. The familiar silvery voice slipped into their minds like a gentle caress as the soft glow continued to flicker across the lake, unseen by the still advancing monster.

No, you're doing it wrong. Like this. Both women felt a increase of heat as the light of their protective bubbles increased. The glowing around Priskil had intensified as well, until a bright beam of light lanced out from the glowing goddess and struck at the cavern ceiling directly behind where Sira had entered. There was a resounding CRACK and the cavern began to shudder.

As their world rocked, another lancet of light flashed towards Tia, striking into the ceiling above her head as well. Both women would have to move, and quickly, or be crushed beneath the soon to be falling stone; it was only a matter of minutes before the mouth of the tunnel was collapsed. They were trapped. With the monster. How was that helpful?

You can't let it reach the City. The goddess intoned, repeating what she had told them only minutes before after saving them the first time. You need to stop it. Use the greatest enemy of fire. And she was, once again, gone.

When the tunnel collapsed, there was a rush of water released with the falling debris, some kind of lake or stream above their heads freed now to go where it liked; the steaming water splashed and danced down the pile of stone, rushing across the cavern floor and towards the lake in the center. The Lavak, having been too close and too focused on reaching Sira to avoid the initial splash had been struck by the torrent of water before retreating back into the cave once more. The hissing from the injured monster was louder even than the splash of the falling water. Cracks ran along the ceiling of the cavern now, a spiderweb that branched out from where Priskils light had struck the stone. Steam poured from these cracks, these weaknesses in the structure of the cavern.

Sira and Tia would find themselves able to project quick lancets of light in front of them, though hardly to the magnitude of Priskils. When striking the Lavak, it did little but act as a shock; hardly hurting the creature at all. They could corral it though, for it's fear of the water and the touch of the light was more than it's desire to destroy either of the women. If they could work together, use their temporary power as one... Well, perhaps they would have results similar to that of Priskils.

[Sira]

Sira watched as the goddess trapped them in the cave, realizing then what she must have intended all along. She wasn't there to save Sira and Tiaue'a, she was there to save Wind Reach. Sira wanted to live, but more so than that, she wanted to protect her city. What hope she might have had for herself was irrelevant, she had to protect the city. If she survived in the process, then all the better for it, but protecting Wind Reach, protecting Natalie and Aidara, those were more important than her own life. If she had to trap herself with the monster to do it, then so be it. Sira noted the cracks that were appearing along the ceiling, but would caving in the cavern be such a wise idea? What if the city caved in with it. More importantly, she noted the way the monster reacted when the gush of water hit it. And then there were Priskil's own words, use the greatest enemy of fire. Their best bet would be to somehow get the monster into the lake, but Sira had no idea how to do that. Trying to copy the goddess, she sent a beam of light at the Lavak, but it did little more than sting at its rock hard skin. She couldn't see Tiaue'a at that moment, she wasn't even certain if the other kelvic was in the cavern with her. The monster was blocking her view of the woman, so as far as Sira knew, she was on her own. Sira fired off another beam of radiance, but again she didn't get the desired effect. Instead of boring a hole into the creature's hide, it simply drove it away from Sira.. and right towards Tiaua'e. OOCSorry, this is a short post... couldn't find the right inspiration.

[Tiaue'a]

Ti`ue was still crouching comically in her radiant bubble, only now feeling sore and distracted. Her entire posture was odd and birdlike, with little more to show for it. She was careful with her steps, the texture of the rock on her bare, soft feet being much different from the clasp of her scaled talons. She was just reaching around to get a better look at the Lavak, and in turn Sira, when Priskil’s voice penetrated her thoughts again. Exhaustion took hold of Ti`ue even when the goddess spoke. If you’re so all high and mighty why don’t you just do it? The thought only lingered in the brief moment between her failed attempt and the luminescent beam that struck the cavern above Sira…and then herself. Ti`ue’s eyes widened as she hesitated, looking briefly up at the ceiling where Priskil had taken aim. The crackling and eventual crumbling noise tipped her off enough. The roof was coming down. Ti`ue ran from the entrance toward the underground lake opposite Sira. Although it was understood that she, as much as Sira, was meant to protect the city, it was a curious thing why the goddess was here at all then. Why did she care? Her still glowing form floated on high as Ti`ue still tried to duck in the rocks and hide away her light. Ti`ue wondered, why wouldn’t she just stop this monster herself if she really cared for them at all? Were the political lines on the divine realm so thin that Priskil merely granting her power to others, although briefly, did not risk her position with Ivak. Ivak…that name still burned in her mind. Sira’s lancet fired away sending the lavak towards Tiaue`a. The petchin’… Of course Sira would send the lavak her way. Ti`ue squared off with the lavak. She figured she could do the same, although she knew not how. Her still racing heart – in consideration of all recent events – beat against her chest, a drum. The thundering of the Inartan soul thumped away in her. Thus, in spite of being seemingly outmatched, Ti`ue stood up to the lavak again. She focused on what Sira had done, the appearance, the thought of being able to fire this light. As the lavak quickened nearer, Ti`ue felt the urge to send it away. Her arms spread out, she extended her body and let out a flash of light on the beast. No good…nothing. Now she understood why Sira had not done away with the monster herself. They couldn’t compete with the powers of a goddess. Still, the lavak began to turn away, perhaps only to prepare for another charge. Ti`ue began to back away while carefully watching the lavak’s movements. Should it come any closer she’d-oh! Another lancet fired away from Ti`ue at the molten creature. She was just trying to keep it a safe distance away at this point. Sira was in sight now that the lavak was cleared from their mutual views. “Are you just going to stand there?!” The words of the goddess, Priskil, still echoed in her mind: Use the greatest enemy of fire. She had not thought anything of the lake before this moment. Ti`ue turned toward the lake and let out a lance to see if the energy was strong enough to push the water along. Light, as she knew it, only went through water in its delicate rays and bent the colors below the liquid surface. After Priskil’s demonstration though, Ti`ue began to consider that she had highly underestimated the power of light.