From his position high above Tsenrika saw the other's coming long before they arrived, and thus Evalin gained warning far in advance as well.
More advance from west. Eight once more. 4 women, 4 men. All wield weapons, two with bows.
Evalin nodded slowly as she watched the girl's work, defeating the last of the Myrians as if they were nothing. It was a fearsome display, wild and crazed, powerful... and wholly necessary. It was indeed impressive, yet to Evalin to impress the dead was a pointless act.
Look at how she wastes her strength, divides it without need when the simplest spells could have ended this quickly. Now she has set herself up for her own death, and yet she knows it not... When the last of the Myrians fell Evalin turned her back on the commotion, walking toward where she had left her staff. She did not even pause as she heard the Mistress' screams of distress.
They bear down upon her... Tsenrika observed, Wish you not to save her?
Evalin paused, looking over her shoulder at the scene that began to unfold. The Myrians approached, cautiously though as the girl should have been from the start. Three circled closer, all men, weapons at the ready though they stayed several yards back. Those with bows hid in the foliage, bows drawn, trained on the girl. They had seen what she could do, and unlike their fallen brothers and sisters they were not so quick to end their lives.
Evalin closed her eyes and pressed her hand against a tree, mind pondering a moment, Perhaps this be a lesson for her. She left herself open, took risks that were needless, foolish even. Did her master teach nothing? Pathetic...
Time grows short.
I am no nurse maid, let her die. Perhaps when next she comes she shall be the wiser for it.
They close in. The time has come. Cease with this pretense.
Evalin sighed and pressed a finger to her forehead, Tools such as her are not so easily replaced... Then just this once, I shall aid the girl despite her foolishness. May she learn her lesson from this.
Thus Evalin turned, moving quickly through the foliage to circle behind, eyes alert even as her plans unfolded.
The situation is grim... Outnumbered, and your power is not so great as to take them on at once. Not as you are...
This I know Tsenrika... Trust in me you should, for the beast grows weary of its cage... Just this once, she shall roam free.
It was then that Evalin decided upon something, to try a technique never before attempted by her. Coming to a halt Evalin closed her eyes, sucking in a deep breath to fill her dead lungs even as she let her mind fall back to that state of being that was neither here nor there. From her body she separated her mind in deep meditation, calling upon thoughts that would yet lay dormant should she leave them be. She pressed upon herself, searching the strand of djed that was of interest to her now. Thus she founded, hiding deep within her throat, that cord that reflected the tone in which she spoke, she screamed, she whispered. It was this strand that she plucked, causing a strange tightening sensation in her throat as she tilted the weave, adjusted, spread and shrunk in places until, finally, she opened her mouth to release the breath within.
It came out not as a voice, or even a scream, but a strangely high pitched, warbling wail. The way the djed was distorted it sounded unlike any living creature known or unkown, for it held no true rhyme or reason to the pitching and warbling tones. Pressing upon the djed of her voice Evalin pitched it higher, a screatching pitch ending in then in a lower note, otherwordly to the point that the Myrians looked over their shoulders, uncertain feelings not quite fear but unease filling their hearts. For the moment Aka was forgotten as the Myrians in the outer circle took up positions to look about them, though the three in the inner circle still kept an eye on the girl even as their confused emotions showed in their eyes and rose in their souls.
Smiling at her work as it did just as she intended, buying a few ticks for the true preparations. Pulling free of the clothing that bound her Evalin stood naked and bar in the brush, closing her eyes as she called for that creature, the other, the beast... That inner reflection of her soul that fought to come forth, to rage, to be released upon the world, to take that which she desired... blood.
As her eyes opened her teeth were already begining to sharpen to points, and with a loud crunching sound Evalin's body was forced forward, her hands supporting her as her spine cracked and bent, pushing backwards out even as extra appendages began to flow from the protrusion. The pain it caused was minor, yet still Evailn gritted her sharpening teeth, her skin darkening now to a deep purple as arching horns sprouted from her head, curving back and around hear ears. Rocking back to her new four limbs Evalin's body began to expand as more bones snapped and popped into place, her mass growing, weight increasing, and her body was flooded with power, with strength beyond anything she could have boasted before. Merely 10 ticks later and Evalin stood, fully transformed within the brush. A large and mighty steed's body for her lower half, muscles powerful and rippling beneath a thin layer of fur, her upper body smooth skinned and a full womanly figure. Flexing her fingers Evalin felt the elongated claws there, her body thrummed with energy, power, eager to move, to fight, to tear. Those red eyes fell upon the group before her, taking in each and every person, choosing finally one near the back, a woman...
A smile split her features as her tongue darted out to lick her lips, her craving driving her body to action without her conscious thought. Rearing back from her lips poured forth another wail, this one louder, more guttural, ethereal and eerie yet furious like a beast. Then she moved, her speed a blur as her powerful limbs carried her forward as fast as a race horse, but the supernatural charged body was farm more flexible and agile. Thus she quickly found herself upon the the first bowmen at the very back, the woman, and with one hand she caught her up by the throat, lifting her bodily from the ground to carry her into the forest beyond. To those surrounding Aka it would look as though a blur had come and gone, thundering hooves and then their companion was gone.
As she ran Evalin caught up the surprised Myrian by the neck, grabbing the woman's arm as she attempted to pull her knife from its sheath, and with a minor twist the bones there snapped and she cried out in pain, but these sounds were quickly silenced as Evailn pulled her close to her face, sharp teeth sinking into her neck to rip out her throat and gorge upon the blood that float forth. The body twitched, gurgle for just a moment before going limp. Releasing this body Evalin let it fall to the ground, trampling it with a crunch and snap of bone as she turned to return form another pass, licking blood from her lips as she did.
The Myrians now seemed to have forgotten Aka, moving closer together as they looked out to jungle where their Sister had been. The lone bowman drew another arrow, aiming it into the distant woods as his eyes searched for his target.
They group now, the bowman is close to two women with swords, the remaining three men are close, the woman among them as well close together, near the girl.
Evalin did not bother to answer, for her mind was already three steps ahead as she smiled, pressing forward, letting her speed build with thundering hooves that could be felt by the Myrians she was sure. They must feel it now, that feeling of unease, that despair that came when faced with something such as a Wretched one. An overwhelming sense of wrongness, like something vile was closing in, something unnatural, an abomination... That feeling was to her advantage, it made them panic, to hesitate when they shouldn't, and thus Evalin felt the advantage was hers...
A blur of speed, a powerful creature, a nightmare charged suddenly through the limbs and brush straight into the group of Myrians near Aka. Large, powerful, inhuman, Evalin did not spare a glance for the Mistress for with a leap she flew clear over her, landing her front hooves into the chest of one man, his rib cage shattering and heart bursting Even as she kicked out with her back legs, sending another flying backwards. The two that remained seemed to regain their composure for both then charged forward, brandishing axes and battle cries. Then Evalin moved her hands, and faster than even Viper eyes could track Evalin caught the woman by the wrist, snapping bone and sending her spinning to the side while she dodged left to avoid the man's blow, her right hand grabbing him by the neck and lifting him bodily from the ground. The thwang of a bow being fired sung in the air, but Evalin's eyes were already tracking the arrow as once more her supernatural speed aided her as she flung her Myrian meet shield before her, letting him take the arrow the the back as Evalin charged once more into the trees.
The man she had kicked was already beginning to stand to his feet, but the woman still sat crumbled on the ground, pain crossing her features as she looked at her hands, two twisted messes that would never hold a weapon again. The bowman was already knocking another arrow, eyes searching the trees for the next appearance of the beast, while his two female companions readied their swords, keeping their backs to each other as the looked for their attacker.
There was a rustle in the foliage, and suddenly a dark shape appeared flying from the shadows directly toward the bowman and his guards. In the dim light it was difficult to say who it was, but in a panic the man fired his readied arrow, hitting the target square center and causing it to topple to the side. Coming to a halt something became obvious of this body... there was already an arrow sticking out of it. By the time the man noticed this and raised his eyes once more Evalin was streaking from the woods, sharp teeth glinting red in the light of the remaining fires as she charged straight through the two women guards, both jumping to the side to avoid being trampled, and caught the man by the face. The speed of the hit launched him fully off his feet, flying backwards, but with a twist of her wrist Evalin's nails cut deep into flesh and the head came free in her hand, flying forward to bounce against a tree as she once more sped into the foliage.
The three that remained back together, the girl with the twisted hands stayed where she was, eyes looking about, alert, still a warrior despite her injuries. The three healthy Myrians brandished their weapons, fierce looks in their eyes as the prepared to fight to the death, brave though foolish. In a way Evalin admired this, and so she paused in her running dash, turning to slowly walk back into the clearing, standing partially in shadows and looking at the three that remained. She stood seven feet tall at the crown of her head, the arch of her horns making her slightly taller. Red eyes glittered in the firelight, and splashes of red marred her body, war paint of blood. Walking slowly forward Evalin bowed her head, a respectful gesture, toward the three that remained. She spoke then, in a tongue too ancient for any present to truly understand, "You fought well... Flee now and you may yet live. I accept the wounded as my sacrifice. Flee if you wish, or die and retain your honor. It matters not to me."
Clear confusion showed on their faces, expressions twisting and becoming a mask of determination. The man then stepped forward, moving his weapon with the ease of a master. With one last warriors cry he dashed forward, raising his weapon high aiming to chop at Evalin's waist. With an almost disdainful motion Evalin stepped to the side, her hand a blur that cut a deep gash up his arm, over his throat and finally splitting his skull. The man's momentum carried him forward a few more steps before he finally fell, blood flowing free from the wounds created. Raising her blood soaked hand before her eyes Evalin's black tongue darted out, lapping up the liquid while a disgusted look crossed her features. Her eyes fell on the two women, both of who now chose to charge as well. Evalin watched, almost bored, as they circled to either side in an attempt to trap her in a pincer.
Pulling forth from deep within her Evalin summoned her res to flow once more. Raising her hands out to either side, a symbolic gesture, heat wave like res flowed between her fingers, flowing across the ground and up the limbs of the children that dared to attack one such as she. The shock and surprise of feeling the res upon their bodies caused both to slow, a costly mistake for as they did Evalin snapped her fingers, the res igniting to flames which consumed both in an inferno. Their screams filled the night, as they did not die quickly. They roasted, burning their flesh and bones until a full chime passed and finally their movements stilled and they were just burning corpses upon the ground.
Stepping over these Evalin's eyes finally turned to the last girl, her eyes wide, not quite fearful but still not quite so brave. As she neared Evalin leaned down, a finger pressing beneath the girl's chin, pulling her slowly to her feet. Evalin's eyes did not leave the girl's, as she examined her closely. A smile crossed her lips as her hand moved to cup one cheek, "Not this one. Worry not child, your suffering ends now..." Her words were soft, almost loving as she pulled her closer, tilting her head to the side, and then suddenly her teeth sank deep into flesh, tearing into the carroted artery so that blood gushed forth, running down Evalin's chin, over the woman's neck and chest, soaking the ground and her clothes. The Myrian's eyes widened, her body trembled, but admirably it was not until a full chime later that she finally lost her life, her eyes rolling back as Evalin caught her wight with her hands. Releasing the neck Evalin then turned her attention to Aka. ONe hand held the corpses arm as she straighted to her full height, looking down on Aka.
The light of the fires brought a stark contrast between the purple skin and the red of the blood that flowed over Evalin's chin and front, that coated her hands and even her hair. Her skin was smooth, almost perfect. Her upper body was that of a full woman, curves where they should be, fit abs and sharp features of womanly beauty for her face. Her hair fell down to her back, over her shoulders and was a slightly darker shade of purple. Two spiraling horns curved over her head, almost like a crown upon her head, the crown of the beast. Her lower half was that of a well built horse, sleek and powerful, strong yet agile. Her fur was purple as well, her hooves a dark black, and strange markings over her body resembled something like tattoos though their design was hard to place. That feeling of distortion, unease flowed from her stronger now. That feeling one gets when one sees something unnatural, that does not belong. A distortion of reality.
When she opened her mouth her pointed teeth were clearly visible, their purpose all but obvious, and whens he spoke her voice was rich, commanding, so different from when she was a mere nuit. In this form she held power, authority though none of her followers were here to do as she bid, "My Mistress, as you summoned, I am here."
