PM to join [The Bronze Wood] Rolling Thunder

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri "You... refuse?" The air around the little girl seemed to crackle and became even colder at Noaru's defiance. She trailed her fingers over another tree, killing it, and regenerated her soulmist further and also to express her silent ultimatum. "Intent to kill? Ahaha~ Now, don't be silly, Sir Noaru... Why would I kill Madame Wulvenhart? I simply want her... to rest... You said it yourself, she's tired... so she should rest first before going back. Isn't that, right?" Her words spoke of helping, but it was rather obvious that the girlish voice held so many other intentions behind it. "......" Kouri kept her silent, reptilian stare at the fleeing squire. The ghost moved with soundless steps, stalking, watching, and waiting for the time where Wulvenhart's feet would finally give up. Her very long ethereal white hair subtly lashed the air like living snakes. Ominous whispering sounds seemed to follow the girl as she mumbled inaudible words under her icy breath. "Hehe..." The squire stumbled, it was almost time... but an armored lout just had to interfere. A young man in armor that marked him as one of those Knights seemed to appear out of nowhere. Kouri's eyes narrowed as the little girl lowly hissed in annoyance, she decided to revealed herself by "walking forward", her materialized state looked so solid that the unknown knight would be unable to distinguish her from a real little girl unless he used magical means, though... Kouri's appearance alone and her behavior in this kind of storm already betrayed her true nature. She trailed her fingers to another tree, freezing, killing it. Sickening sounds of dry ice emanated from the touch, grasses died beneath her feet. She was about half-way back to full power with all the plants she had been massacring. "Oh hello there, Ser Knight~ I was just playing with Madame Wulvenhart... ehehe~ Did you know that she's being possessed right now? By a spirit..." She put her hands behind her, tilted her head down while looking upwards at the knight, and slightly puffed up her cheeks "I just want to help her you know... umu... is that bad? Because you kinda look... tense, Ser Knight..."

[Noaru]

“ Fallon... I like it, its a more embracing name than Wulvenhart. ”

Noaru was growing concerned, he couldn't push his hosts body any longer. There was this deep and sinking feeling growing within him, he didn't want to acknowledge it; he knew what it was and he couldn't allow it to advance any further. Noaru knew he couldn't have Fallon move as quickly as he did before, if she lost consciousness then he would be left to control a body, lost in the woods and with no way of reaching help and shelter. The spirit wasn't surprised at the fact that Kouri allowed him to escape with Fallon, he had no idea how to reach Syliras on his own, and she probably knew this.

The sight of man standing in front of him, calling out to Fallon was a relief. This person looked strong and confident with his sword drawn--Noaru knew he would owe him and Fallon a great deal of favors, if he survived this ordeal. Noaru, he made a right choice in using a passive form of possession. This allowed Fallon to warn Markus but he would need to speak on his behalf, or things might get crazy... or more crazy. He whispers in Markus's ear, telling him of the hidden danger.

“ Warrior. Do not be fooled by that child, she is not of the living--a ghost. I'am Noaru, a spirit that has possessed Fallon. I possessed Fallon to save her life, she could not fight in her state but stood anyway, her will is strong. I warn you, keep your sword drawn and stay alert, she is strong.”

Noaru fell silent, giving his hosts body rest. He could do nothing with his limited power; his eyes closed and he focused his concentration, relaxing his mind and allowing Fallon to feel the same. The focusing of his mind would help him steady his power because the conservation of it was important, if he wanted to have Fallon escape, or help Markus.

[Markus Andres]

Confusion marked his face when Fallon spoke but the fear in her voice struck Markus' deeply and shook his usual calm nerves. He looked to her, he couldn't recall ever seeing Fallon so scared. The fear in her voice was equally worrisome as the message it brought. She was on the run from a ghost? Who had a bounty on her. If the knights, who he assumed were behind the bounty, had bothered to put a bounty on someone or something, that meant it was powerful. Powerful enough for the knights to require outside help. Markus gulped a little, for he felt confident he could slay most living things in single combat. Ghosts were per definition not a part of that category. In fact, what Markus knew about ghosts was so limited that he wasn't even certain he could injure the creature should it come to combat. Would he not just slice right through its incorporeal form? He looked to the miserable squire. She were in a sorry state, incredible that she was even still standing. Markus felt a chill go down his spine when he heard a laughter. His head spun to face the new thread. Seeing a little girl was certainly not what he had expected. Fallon had run away from a little girl... Ghost or not. That was sort of pathetic. That was when the little girl casually killed a tree. What the...? Involuntarily the young knight took a step back. Puffing Fallon back with his free left hand. Markus had no petching clue what had just happened. But he did know who would star in his future nightmares. Assuming he would survive this encounter. The words of the little girl sent a chill down his spine. They sounded so unnatural from a girl appearing so young. It was as if the girl did not even notice the storm rolling around them. But her words had Markus throw a glance in Fallon's direction. She was possessed? A lie! Keep your focus on the child Markus reprimanded himself for the stupidity. Turning his eyes away from the enemy. Those dark green orbs were upon the ghost child again. Eyes narrowed on the creature as his mouth opened, but a sudden voice in his ear stopped him and he just stood there. Mouth half open. The words from Fallon raised his neck hair. The petching ghost had been telling the truth. There was a ghost inside of Fallon. Two ghosts. Both claiming they had Fallon's well-being in their interest. Surprisingly, Markus had no trouble deciding which of the two to trust. One had fled into Fallon's body. The other, had casually killed a tree. Plus, the fear he had heard in Fallon's voice at first had felt real. Either the ghost or Fallon was fearing for their death/life. The young knight felt a sudden anger chase away the fear. He might have decided to trust the ghost behind him above the one before him. But the ghost had violated Fallon in a way Markus felt a little too reminiscent. His teeth gritted against one another. His enormous biceps flexing and hands clenched the hilt of the sword tightly. A fire burned in his eyes as he threw a glance over his shoulder at the young squire. The fear in the eyes of the squire did little to soothe the anger. But it directed it away from the ghost behind him to the one before him. His anger aimed directly at the little child. Deal with that ghost first. Then with this... Noaru thing later. He would not allow such a thing. Not again. "Lord Wysar, grant me strength." He muttered barely audible under his breath. "Well then." Markus said. Keeping his anger under control the best he could. Straightened his back. He had faced an unholy monster from the abyss. This child would not frighten him. "You need not worry about Fallon any longer. I will bring her back to Syliras where she will be in capable hands. I will try and see if you can be repaid for your kindness. We do not forget those who help us." The anger and impatience shined through despite his best efforts. He wanted this over with. One way or the other. "Fallon, get on Alluia and flee at first sign of trouble. That's an order." Markus whispered when he reached up and gently wiped away some hair that had been clinging to his forehead. His arm blocking his mouth from the little ghost girl's sight.

[Fallon]

Fallon gave a shudder, her eyes fixed upon Fubuki. There was the twist of the words, the mutation into something much more serious than before. There was no care, nor welcome behind them. Only the distinctive ring of a self centred child that was built upon greed and wants. She gave a swallow, her warning and Noaru’s warning had indeed been heard by the knight. Nostrils flared, her good hand reaching out to grasp the hilt of the Kukri. She pursed her lips feeling the hold of Noaru loosen on her. There was a gasp, her shoulders sagging slightly as she called upon attention. Her blood was pumping, the onset of adrenal waiting to reach up and grasp her with the faint call to fight gradually grasping her senses. The mutter of a prayer reached her ears, the attempt of reassurance to the one who hunted her. An attempt to seek reason and an escape before all turned sour.

But even her heart hung heavy with it. She could not tell what was wanted anymore. Her life? Most probably. She felt a strain rest upon her. She did not want to loose it. She wanted to live, despite the pain and fears that would haunt her. Her fingers tightened around the hilt, the gentle pull of cold iron from its sheath. She could see the anger warp and hold him, a wrath bubbling from within. He could sense it, the fear and the worry. He stood his ground, a model of a true knight ready to fight.

Or at least until that order came.

Her world froze, the flair of hesitation rising up from her very pits. Her jaw clenched and a tremble was forced down. Run? Run and flee? To go against all morals as a knight and disappear into the gloom. To force an issue onto someone else to handle when she herself had to retreat? She gave a swallow. To be nothing but trouble to those that she so badly tried to reach, to those that were stronger and more capable. Just like then, and just like now. Was she weak? A liability to them and the order? Was she unworthy of the title of a squire?

There was a croak, followed a crack of noise. She could not run. She could not force this load onto another. Her heart could not allow it. Her mind and ego would not buckle to it. Yet it was so easy to obey. A shaking hand reached out, eyes wincing, a sniff quietly filling her words. She could not buckle. She would not buckle. Not to this nightmare.

“I… I…” she gave a swallow, “I’m going to have to disobey then.”

She stared upon his back, her quivering form stopping. The cold was little more than a numb now, the summer rain a wash of the pains and the sins she carried. Those things that had drenched her once before were being pulled away, the touch the feel of intrusion upon her skin. The dulled beat of the heart commanded her, the fingers stretching out to his back, the cold tips touching the steel plate he wore.

There was no more running to be had.

“I am not going anywhere without you. You hear me?” she licked at her lips, the warm moisture bringing life back to them. She felt her djed prickle, the swirling ripple of strings that held her astral in place. Energy turned, awakening from its slumbered state, the strain of tendons clenching and tightening underneath. She did not care if the ghost knew what was going on, she did not care if she was exposed for what she was. Jaw clenched, those dulled eyes growing and sharpening.

“Not without you,” it was firmer this time.

Gods, what was she saying? Words to impress or words of truth? She looked at the arm in its sling. It would have to do, even in its ruined state like it was now. Everything would have to do. Fingers withdrew from his armour, eyes looking once more onwards to the ghost. The fingers on her left hand gave a twitch.

It was time.

Noaru… right? I… I… there was a pause as she looked once more upon the face of Markus, We might need your help. Please.
x

[Fubuki Kouri]

"............." Kouri ever so slowly tilted her head to side, her gaze never leaving the knight in front of her. He was right though, he could actually save Wulvenhart from dying. Her hope of gaining a new friend would be crushed... but at least, she could find solace in knowing Wulvenhart's going to be alright, however disappointing it may be. She blinked once, her reptilian eyes examining every detail of the knight's features. He was handsome, Kouri could give him that, and he fitted the image of a "Knight in Shining Armor". Kouri closed her eyes and exhaled, half-relieved, half-disappointed. She opened them again and her eyes had returned to normal. The crimson pupils were a healthy human round, not Dhani-like slits. She gave the Knight a small smile and nodded... though if one looked closer, her smile had a tinge of mischievousness in it, like a naughty little girl plotting something "Fallon?... my my my~ Who is Fallon? Madame there? She told me her name was Wulvenhart... so... she lied to me? Her true name is Madame Fallon, eh? I see... I see... " Then she vanished... And appeared right in front of Markus, her small stature floating in front of him on eye-level, slowly hugging him like a daughter to her father, controlling her touch so it would not bring him harm "Thank you for helping Madame Wulvenhart, Ser Knight..." Kouri then leaned in closer and nuzzled her forehead with his, her icy breath brought chilling cold air to Markus' face "Ha... I... only require a single simple favor in return... get that spirit out of Madame Fallon's body... please... then I will be satisfied..." Once that Noaru was out of Fallon's body. She would handle him... that spirit dared to interfere her little time with Madame Fallon, the nerve. A thousand years old spirit? Kouri didn't care, as far as she was concerned, he was far weaker than her.

[Noaru]

The spirit sensed it from within his hosts’ body, Fallon was ready. Noaru felt honored to be able to lend his strength to Fallon and Markus; he missed being called upon, he missed using his strength for something more than himself. The spirit knew what danger he was putting himself in once he left Fallon's body but he could not allow a child, no, this malevolent ghost to terrorize his forest. Noaru could see the trail of carnage left behind from Kouri's aftermath, his soul bled for the trees and grass. The spirit could not find his anger, as his calmed and focused mind overpowered the negative emotions that swirled within him, but his soul sought retribution!

“ Rest assured. I will lend my strength to you both. ”

Noaru came to a sudden realization, it was that power was a corrupting force and he could see the sad results in the form of a young ghost. A thin tendril of soulmist reached from Fallon's body then another and another, multiple soulmist tendrils reached from the squires body until a jet-black cloud of soulmist emerged. The tendrils of soulmist momentarily latch onto Andrew's sword before returning to Noaru, gracing it with a light black hue.

“ Warriors, feel no pity for the derelict.”

A thing that tampers with life and carelessly kills with childish behavior—this forlorn innocence has lost its way. Noaru looked at the child, Kouri, with eyes filled with commiseration, contradicting his words. The spirit slowly faded from view, cursing fate for his cruelty. He vanishes into the surroundings earthen floor, no longer materializing himself. Noaru grew weary, he would need to avoid senselessly wasting energy; if he wanted Markus's, Fallon's and his own survival.

[Markus Andres]

The words sent a chill through Markus' heart. Not the words from the little girl. The words from behind. Markus head turned to look at Fallon over his shoulder. He was not in the mood for disobedient squires. Even if that squire was Fallon. He was tired. Angry. Most wanted a warm bed and a good knight's rest. Then he ran into this trouble and now those simple desires had shifted to a single all-consuming goal: Getting Fallon to safety. He could not do that if she didn't follow petching orders. He did not know the conflict he had started in the squire. How he had almost broken her. Looking directly into her eyes of green and blue. His own pair ablaze with rage. Mouth open about to growl an order she had best not refuse. “I am not going anywhere without you. You hear me?" - Markus heard her. His eyes still staring at her fiercely. The hand on his armour. He could not feel it, the armour prevented that, but it meant more to him that she might understand. But he had no words to say. No words that could leave his mouth. He finally closed his eyes and sighed. Her repeated words tugged at his heart. Had it not been for the pestering ghosts, Markus knew what his action would have been. But when he opened those green eyes again, he looked into hers with affection and a whole new level of respect. Markus could not get himself to tell her to leave. Not now. Not ever. His eyes were torn away from the squire when words from the creepy little girl reached him. Fallon. Of course her name was Fallon. Not realizing that either the other ghost or Fallon had lied. But before he could respond Markus had a face full of creepy little ghost-girl. His eyes widened and a sneer replaced the surprise immediately after. This girl was far inside his personal space. The coldness spread from his face invoked the anger that Fallon just had dissipated. Invoked the impatience that a knight ought not feel. But she looked different. Her eyes, more human. She appeared like a little girl. Lost in the woods and clinging to Markus as if seeking safety. Security. Protect her from the vile world around them. He almost bought into the illusion. Her words. So close. Drops of rain freezing against his skin broke the illusion. Grounded him to the reality. Revealed her for what she really were. Her offer. Seemed reasonable. Why should Markus care for another ghost. Why bother risking his and more importantly, Fallon's life for some dead creature he had no stake in. Force the ghost to leave. Let them settle their dead turf war. But Noaru, or what it had said its name was, had saved Fallon. He owed that much to Noaru. To not betray him to this girl. It was the easy way out and even if Markus desired to go home and be free of this hassle. He could not in good conscious leave another behind to his own fate. Fallon would also give him an earful for such unknightly behaviour Markus fuddled with his sword. Pushing it close to the armour in front of his stomach. Hold his hand by the scabbard. As if he was about to sheathe his sword. Opening his mouth to respond to the girl. Distract her from his actions. He looked to the little girl hanging on him. More accurately, floating right in front of him. Their foreheads touching. It was a ghost. Not a little girl. Did look like one though. There would definitely be nightmares. He had gotten used to that by now. Markus body jerked as he finally let the anger free. His left hand gripping the tip of the blade and forcing it directly out from his own body. Using most of the strength a body of his size and strength could muster pushing the blade into the little girl. The cutting edge leading. Had she been a human being and not a ghost, the blade would hit her just below her navel. He did not see that it had been embedded with some black hue. Nor did he really care about it much. As long as the blade could cut through things, they could dip the sword in as many substances as they desired. Had Markus known it was soulmist that Noaru had placed upon his sword, he might have cared. Had he known that it made the sword capable of cutting corporeal things and actually damage them, he would have hugged the ghost. Being a man of his huge size, Markus could easily push the blade into a little girl. His main desire was to push the blasted ghost away from Markus. He did not want her creepy arms around him any more. Not feel her ice breath upon his face. Be rid of this situation. She could kill trees with touch. Most likely she could kill humans with touch. But their foreheads had been touching for a while now and she had not murdered him yet. To avoid her just clamping her hands around his head and ice strangling him, he bend his legs dropping him almost straight down as he forced the blade out from himself.

[Fallon]

And so it began.

Fubuki lay down her conditions, her sharp tone suggesting that she would cause a large amount of harm to Noaru. It was more than obvious, even in her bone soaked state. Noaru rose to the challenge, he gave the call not only to aid but something much more. He gave his strength to them, the dark soulmist clinging to the forum of Markus, or more correctly his blade.

The ghost gave them a way to fight, even when in the eye of the storm the world seemed so very bleak. There was no light within the darkest of hearts, there was no way to truly feel. For here there stood a force that was beyond their very own, and as knights of Syliras they had little choice but to look upon it. There was the low groan of metal, the removal of cold iron from it sheath. Would she need it? Would she not need it? Markus gave a sigh, her words reaching him before he chose his own path. And it was a path Fallon would support him in.

But not as a squire.

He reacted, she watched the rising of anger, the wishing to force away the creature that clung to him so. She could not blame him. Both had witnessed the power of Fubuki, and neither would want any part in it. Push it back, push it away. Her left fingers numbed and stiffened in her sling, threads plucking and turning, and the mesh of the astral letting out a tremble. Djed ran through the limb, her eyes ever watching of the ghost.

It was time.

Cold air was sucked in, her knees bending as Markus pressed the blade to the girl. Her throat constricted, fingers gripping around the hilt of the Kukri, her shoulders rolling inwards as the final feeling escaped from below her left elbow. Once tired eyes sharpened, growing bright as she called upon her personal trump card. Her one power that she wished so badly to hide from the world. Her truth that she wished to deny. Her real weapon.

The ethereal hand hovered next to her fingers flexing, the strange invisible presence being oh so welcome to her. How long had it been? Too long, too long indeed. Nostrils flared, the hot tongue licking cool lips. Her toes twisted, her defence ready. She knew Fubuki could use something similar, those strange black tendrils she had laid witness to at the lake. Though, she was not sure if her projection was as visible to the ghost. Markus she was not so sure about, perhaps he had some skill in auristics, or perhaps he did not.

She gave only a silent regard to the ghost girl, a single ever present thought covering her eyes. There was no warmth, there was no love, there was only the cold, hard logic. Be ready to fight, or risk your life. Fallon had already made her choice. The ethereal hand hovered there, swaying gently and making itself ready to shoot forward to aid in a defence. Block, swipe, parry, punch. It was how she used it best.

Her throat cleared, the low, crisp voice growing more distinct by the tick.

“We seek the truth and will endure the consequences. And whilst we are free to choose our actions. We are not free to choose the outcome of our actions. After all nobody ever did. Or ever will. Escape the consequences of their choices,” she lifted her chin to Fubuki a final moment of regarding, “Enough, is enough.”
x

[Fubuki Kouri]

".......Ka....aaaah..... kiiiiih...." Kouri closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and clung harder to the very knight who stabbed her in instinct as if trying to find solace. In all her life, the little girl never ever thought of being harmed by a man who was supposed to uphold justice and fairness. She didn't think that a Snowsong Vantha like her, one who was raised in the safety of her parent's protection, bred to be the finest singer and bard... could ended up on the end of a knight's blade. She... never thought that... "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!" Her extremely high-pitched scream echoed violently in the soaking forest, the very air seemed to bend and crackle at the sheer eruption of the haunting banshee wail. Sounds of wolves howling in fear could be heard from the distance amidst the falling rain. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! G-GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" She screamed and screamed, the pain was unbearable, absolutely unbearable. The soulmist coating the sword made it even more so. Kouri opened her eyes, the glowing crimson boring deep into the knight, the utter look of pure rage and betrayal coating her young features. Blood tears started to fall from her face, she cupped Markus' face even as the sword was still lodged deep within the form. "Why....?" The utter betrayed and sad tone of the whisper echoed in the forest. She blinked away and appeared behind the group, sitting on the ground and leaning her back to a tree, her materialized form killing it to regenerate some of her soulmist. "Kuh... ah... I... why... I... was just... trying... to help... y-you... S-ser Knight... d-di-...didn't k-know... t-.... gahak! t-that... you woul...d... not... like.... my... hug..." She spoke in heaved breaths, barely containing her rage and pain. She wanted to kill him and that blasted spirit who thought he ruled the forest, the only thing preventing her from doing so was the presence of Fallon. Kouri noticed that Markus' sword was coated in a black hue... and the surprised look of the knight seemed to show that he didn't mean to stab her on purpose. So... that leaves the... spirit. She inhaled and exhaled... trying to hold back her imminent maddening rage. The thought of Madame Fallon seeing her display of psychotic rage held her back. "M-madame... Fallon..." She spoke in Vani, obviously not wanting anyone other than her to understand. "I... t-thought you were going to... d-die... s-so... I was just... t-trying t-to... make you my friend... w-when..." She writhed in pain, tendrils of immense aura lashed from her form, her natural survival instinct kicking in, but she held it back. "w-when... S-ser Knight came, I... was relieved... I... k-knew you... can live... s-so... d-don't listen... t... to that... spirit... I... didn't do... anything... wrong... I even... tried to help you..." She kept sitting there, watching the whole trio, clutching her stomach which had some kind of black swirls on it, showing her wound and the regenerating process. "M-madame Fallon... p-please... leave... take t-that blasted spirit... with you... b-because... I'm not sure I can... just let him go... he... betrayed me... t-that Noaru..." "You betrayed me, Spirit..." The last part of the sentence spoken in Common should give that blasted spirit a clear message that Kouri did not like him interfering in her business. Who the petch did he think he were? Some kind of god? What kind of god is weaker than a preteen girl? Kouri lost all respect she had for him. He acted all dark and scary where he couldn't even face her head on, Kouri just wanted to shred his soulmist to bits and tell Kriemhild to dump him into the Void. It would do the world good...

[Noaru]

There it was... another one he's lost to fates twisted sense of humor. This was something he could have avoided yet he allowed it to happen again. Noaru, you heartless soul, why didn't you speak to Kouri sooner? He thought; as he watched the girl, who he had once smiled with, writhe in agony. Noaru looked on, watching as a knights sword pierced Kouri's form, wasn't this the young ghost I was going to save? A bolt of lightning flashed in the sky above but Noaru didn't notice, he could only see the affliction he bestowed onto Kouri, as her soulmist desperately tried to regenerate the wound.

This betrayal, this agony, this desperation, this confusion, hatred and fear… These were mementos he'd not only left behind on Kouri's body but probably her soul as well. These mementos piled into one form had one appearance... a searing blackness. A mark he'd leave on Kouri for all eternity. A mark that should have been good: a mark that should have been a pleasant memory; his hand should have been on this child's head, patting it calmly like a father would. The spirit knew once he was alone, he'd go into his still water lake and dive into its depths... inevitably enduring a silent suffering.

“ This.... this should have been different. ”

Another bolt of lightning flashed, snapping him back into reality. The sound of pouring rain and thundering clouds that surrounded him seemed louder, every blurred detail that existed in this cruel crepuscule, was now clear. Yes. This was his true world, within this dark moment of struggle and defeat. In his incorporeal form, where his appearance was invisible to the eyes and his voice was only the discernible source that allowed others to recognize his existence; he spoke, this time without obscurity, without the use of complex words and tongues and philosophy.

He understood that, if those with power could only display it physically and not through words, or the mind, or through the soul, or through their will. These individuals, weren't they weaker, or more, than or less as flawed as he was?


“ Kouri, why didn't you show me the girl that smiled and took my hand? I would have never possessed Fallon. I would have never allowed you to get hurt, or suffer to this magnitude. I reacted too quickly to words and actions that looked hostile. I denied you the right to speak to me about your feelings and concerns towards Fallon. I've harmed in a way that's beyond any apology and atonement.”

A creature, any creature both living and dead would understand the sheer amount of strength that is required for someone to face their problems and announce their flaws. Gods, as marvelous and as proud as they are, can be as weak as a child and still keep the right to be a god. A weak god would still be able to keep hold of his domain, as long as he didn't rely on his physical strength alone.

Noaru flowed around Markus, his soulmist that still remained on the sword reacted to his presence, as he performs a short form of predation; absorbing the soulmist that Kouri had left on Markus and his sword. The soulmist would provide him with some power, enough to maintain his consciousness and strength for a little while longer.