What have I forgotten?... Part 5- The Other

[Asa]

Asa listened intently as Vedisca told him he had to leave, "But why? He protested, "Can't I stay and fight? I don't want to leave you...why?" But he could see that Vedisca had made up his mind. Asa's face scrunched up in frustration. Lightning crackled around him. That electricity turned red and then into flames. He had never got so agitated in the presence of powerful magic. "I don't want to leave you!" He screamed, blood-red tears dropping from his eyes. The magic was fuelling his anger, encouraging him. He threw himself at the barrier, the electricity zapping through his magic-enraged body, the fire scorching his clothes which were then frozen by the ice. He was thrown back and whacked his head hard on the cold stone floor. In that instant, he came to his senses and lost all anger. "Sorry," He muttered, "Come on, umm...Ayira. Let's go," And he ran out of the cave.

Asa lay on his back in the small circular room. He had used magic to fix up most of the damage, but it still stung, "Ayira," He said to her, "I'm sure you want filling in on everything that happened in that room," And he filled her in on all about magic and demons...

[wolfenchantress]

It took everything Vedsica had to keep the barrier going while Asa momentarily lost control of himself, or so it seemed. When he threw himself into the barrier, Vedsica nearly ran to him, but realized that was impossible. But being thrown back seemed to being him back into reality, and both left the cave.

Vedsica closed his eyes.
Are you ready? His magic asked. In response, Vedsica closed his eyes, gave up his body, and let the barrier collapse.
The second the barrier disappeared, dozens of slugs took the opportunity to jump. One attached itself to him, followed by two, then six more, all of them eager for his blood. And for a moment it looked like it hadn't worked, as the writhing mass didn't give any sign of a living being underneath it.
The following explosion was enough to disintegrate every slug in the pile. Vedsica emerged, his eyes glowing a bright green, laughing wickedly. His body was engulfed in flickering green flames that didn't seem to hurt him, but made the slugs shrink back in terror. Vedsica extended his palms and bolts of ice speared through a few of them. And more came through the hole in the wall.
"Looks like that's the part to focus on," His magic said. It took only a half second to gather all of his strength and, with a savage scream that echoed eerily throughout the chamber, let it loose at the hole.
There was a rumble that shook the foundations of the room, and cracks spiderwebbed across the surface of the wall. The hold collapsed, followed closely by the surrounding area.
"Looks like this is my time to go," He muttered, and turned to run, just as the wall came crashing down.

Ayria listened to Asa's story in disbelief, and a bit of fear that they had left Vedsica in the room by himself. She had wanted to object leaving him, but somehow knew that would be stupid. Once she wrapped her mind around it she shook her head, about to ask a question, but an explosion from down the hall rocked her backwards. The sounds of ensuing chaos came from the room Vedsica was left in - explosions, shouting, and a scream that made her blood run cold. After one final crash, everything was silent.
"Asa...Is he...?" She left the question unfinished. For a terrifying long while there was silence. Nothing moved. No demons came storming from the hallway, but no person came either.

Then a form came staggering from the hallway. It was Vedsica. And he looked like he'd been through hell. His clothes were scorched and torn, he was covered nearly head to toe in blood. He coughed violently and she was alarmed to see blood drip from his lips.

"Vedsica! Gods, what happened in there?" She asked, running up to him. He finally looked up to meet her eyes, and she took a step back. His eyes were glowing a bright, fierce green.

"Don't worry about me. Or, rather, Vedsica. I must admit, human bodies are very fragile." He inspected himself. "Nothing that cant be fixed though. A few broken ribs, sprained leg. Couple cuts." Even as the magic spoke it was healing Vedsica's body.
"Vedscia...?" Ayria questioned.
"No. His soul is fighting for his body as we speak. I am Vedsica's magic."
"Will he win? Will he get it back?"
"He will either get it back...or die trying." The magic's voice sounded oddly harsh soming from Vedsica's mouth.
"Can't Asa help? He has magic too," She begged.
"No. The results of that would be disastrous."
"How...How can he get his body back?"
"He needs to-" Vedsica...his magic...gasped, his eyes widening. He clutched at his chest, as though unable to breathe. And with that, Vedsica dropped to the ground, unconscious as the raging fight for his body went on inside him.

[Asa]

Both Asa and Pryll were very shocked to see Vedisca stumble out from the cave, and even more shocked to see him talking in a seemingly different manner. Asa rushed over to him when he collapsed on the ground, the battle being fought inside him. He turned him onto his back, making sure his airways were clear and that he was breathing properly. "I don't think that there's anything we can do," The Other said, sounding slightly sad, "Pryll never ran into something like this before, so it's new to me, but I'm guessing there is nothing left to do but leave him,"

"There must be something!" Asa raged, "We can't just leave him to die--"
"He is not necessarily going to die- you are just assuming that. I believe myself that he has a high chance of surviving," The Other interrupted,
"Well, what if you're wrong? You don't actually have any experience of guessing an answer- you're used to knowing it all along,"
"That is incorrect, I have Pryll's experience of guessing an answer, as he has had to do it in the past,"
"Okay. Okay. I just want to do something. It doesn't feel right sitting here, doing absolutely nothing to help him. I want to take action, feel like it isn't just luck," Asa said. Vedisca's face was going red and he was shaking violently. Asa was beside him in no time, checking he was okay. "Vedisca? Vedisca? Can you hear me? If only you could hear me..."

[wolfenchantress]

The darkness was absolute. Vedsica looked around. He could see nothing but himself, which seemed to glow a soft golden color.
"Hello?" He called, and heard his voice echoed back a dozen times over, sounding harsh in the utter silence. His footsteps made no noise...he wasn't even sure what it was he was walking on.
Than, right in front of him, a form stood. It was himself. But not himself. The other Vedsica was engulfed in vicious green flames and had vibrant green eyes that seemed to read his soul. He...it...stood idly, head cocked to one side. Vedsica immediately knew who it was.
"My magic." He said, not as a question.
"Right you are. You, right now, are inside yourself, and are going to fight me to win your body back." His magic said, stretching. Vedsica nodded, remembering now.
"What if I can't?" He asked. His magic frowned.
"If you can't? Then you die, and I keep it. We had this discussion" Vedsica nodded.
"Can't you just...I dunno, pretend to fight?" He asked.
"If I pretend to fight you, then when you get your body back...If you do...I will be gone. The more I fight, the stronger I will be once you are in control." Vedsica again nodded.
"Then give me everything you've got."

Vedisca? Vedisca? Can you hear me? If only you could hear me... Came the voice, seemingly from no where. His magic scowled, hearing it as well. "That might sully things up. Shall we get a move on, then?" It said, seemingly in a hurry now. And before Vedsica could react, his magic was on him with all it had.

Ayria knelt by Vedsica's side, terrified. He shook violently, as though he was freezing cold, but she could tell by a touch on his arm that he raged with a fever. She said nothing, afraid she would say something wrong. Vedsica clacked his teeth together, seemingly trying to speak, then choked as though he was being strangled, gasping for air a minute later. He clenched his fists and teeth, and stayed like that for a few minutes.
When he screamed, she jumped about a foot in the air. He sat bolt upright, eyes blazing green, then staggered to his feet, muttering incoherently. He clawed at nothing, stumbling a few steps, then he shook his head and his eyes became normal - He was Vedsica again, but a very tortured, hurt shadow of his former self. His eyes were vacant, somewhere else.
"Give my my body back!" He shouted, then was ablaze in green flames, eyes once again changed.
You have to take it from me! His magic shouted back. She stood, frozen to the spot, as Vedsica alternated between himself and his magic. Blood flowed from his nose and eyes like tears and he fell to his knees with a scream that seemed to tear from his chest. She met Asa's eyes.
"You have magic! Tell him how to win his body back...There has to be a trick to it! Look at him, he's going to die! She pleaded.

And, for the most part, she was right. The battle wasn't going well at all, and if it went on much longer like it was his magic would win.
I counted on him figuring out how to beat me. His magic scowled to himself. It figures the human I choose is an idiot. If it keeps on like this...

[Asa]

((I am SO sorry for the late reply, I have been really busy))

Asa watched Vedisca in horror, Pryll and his brother in fascination.
"I..I'm not sure what I could do..." Asa stuttered, "I guess...what if I could fuel magic into his body? Help him fight and stay alive?"
"It could work," The Other stepped in, "I'll keep a check on his pulse and tell you how he's doing,"

Asa squatted down next to Vedisca's chest, the Other at his head with two fingers on his neck. "How's he doing?" Asa asked,
"His heart rate's a little faster than the usual, but nothing serious,"
"Okay," replied Asa, rubbing his hands and charging up some magic. He placed both hands on Vedisca's chest and released it. His body jolted, "Go for it again," Said the Other. Asa nodded and reached to his chest and sent another jolt through his body. "How is he?" Asa asked, a little sweat rolling down his brow,
"His heart beat has slowed--whoa! It's shot back up! I think that his actions in the magic realm- or whatever it- is are affecting him here. Send more jolts," The Other commanded Asa. He did as he was instructed and charged up another shot. He just hoped his friend was coping in that fight, and that what he was doing was even useful...

[wolfenchantress]

(It's no problem (: ))

Vedsica lay on his back in wherever it was that he was, looking up at his magic. The point of a glowing green sword rested at his throat.
"This is all you have?" the magic version of himself asked. "You didn't hit me even once." Vedsica didn't answer. He didn't have the strength to. "Come on. Stand up. Fight." Again, no reaction. The magic-Vedsica sighed. "All right, fine. I didn't want to have to kill you, you know. I counted on you figuring out the secret to beating me." He sighed, raising the sword above his head. "But I guess this means I'll have a body now to -"

The sudden jolt his both him and his magic self simultaneously, with very different effects. Vedsica gasped in shock as he felt himself grow stronger, and his magic self gasped in pain as the other magic contradicted with his own.
"Damn it! Who the hell is interfering?!" His magic snarled, suddenly furious. Another jolt stopped him in his tracks, and Vedsica found he could stand again. He rose to his feet, a nasty grin spreading across his face. He reached out, and with the next jolt, he seized the magic and pulled a blade from the air, crackling and made of pure magic.

And after a few more jolts he had his magic self pinned to the ground. "I thought you said there was a trick to this?" H said, grinning.
"There is. If whoever is helping you hadn't stepped in you would never have gotten this far by physical fighting."
"And I thought you said that if someone helped me it would end in disaster...?" He pointed out.
"It still could. But as long as it's happening, you might as well take advantage of it." He grinned. "All right, get on with it. The faster you do, the faster you can get back to those waiting for you." And he put his hands behind his head, almost as though relaxed, waiting for the killing blow.

**

Ayria watched, terrified. She had no idea what was going to happen. He was so deathly pale.
And finally, after more jolts than she cared to count, he stopped breathing. His heartbeat stopped, everything stopped, and she whimpered.
And he drew in a long, shuddering breath. He opened his eyes, which faded to his normal color. He sat up, looking around him in confusion at the people kneeling around him.
"Wha...What's going on here?" He asked. The last thing he remembered is letting his magic take hold of him. He reaached up and touched his cheek, feeling the blood there, and looked around, completely confused and with a headache. He felt exhausted, but mentally rather than physically, and seomwhat lightheaded.

[Asa]

Asa stood up as Vedisca's eyes opened. "You're okay!" he shouted, "You let your magic take over...or...something like that. You've been out for a while now. We almost lost you but I shot bursts of magic through you and now you're okay!" Asa gasped for breath, "Wow, I guess that we're okay now...I've got my magic back...you're alive...but what now? I mean, we could carry on exploring this place, but, I mean, if we come across anything else like that. It was a close call. Well, you decide," Asa sat down on the floor and awaited his friends decision.

Pryll watched from the sidelines as Vedisca woke up. He knew he should be happy for his acquaintances revival, but he just didn't feel it. He was feeling a bit mixed up at the moment following his encounter with madness itself, causing him to shift continuously. A lot had been going on lately, and he didn't feel he could cope. Forcing a smile, he stepped forward reluctantly and said, "Good to have you back," He shuffled his foot uneasily, "So, you sticking around the island or heading off?" He kind of wanted them to go, but then there was Ayira. Would she decide to go with them? Finally have a chance to be with people somewhat normal? He would definitely miss her company, that was for certain, but he had his brother now. However, he also enjoyed Ayira's company because she was normal. Not completely normal, so they had something in common, but normal enough. All this talk about normal! What was normal anyway? Pryll pondered. "Umm...listen, I'm going to head on out of the cave...I think I need some time alone...to think..." He walked up to the rock and crawled through it, out into the desert sun. He sighed happily and shifted into a small bird. That felt good. He hadn't shifted in a while and missed the feeling of being in a different skin. It was somehow a comfort to him.

Spreading his wings, the fragile bird took off into flight. He looked around the desert isle, seeing other animals far below...far, far below. Other small winged creatures twittered around him. Finally, Pryll felt free. Suddenly, there was an excruciatingly loud sound of beating wings. Turning his tiny head, Pryll saw a huge silver dragon hurtling towards him at a frightening speed. He had no time to think. He had to act. Quickly. Quick. He couldn't think, and before he could the beast was upon him. He was far too small to be noticed, but that just knocked out the possibility of being eaten. A glinting leathery wing beat hard down onto the frail little bird, sending it hurtling down to the ground. Pryll finally pulled his thoughts together and shifted into a farroth, a large bird with huge wings. He held the leathery things above him like a parachute, softening his still hard fall. He shifted back into Pryll and stared into the sky. He ached all over. He tilted his head and stared off to the side. He could see fuzzy, brown, humanoid figures moving towards him. He was grabbed by four arms, all seeming to come from the same shadow and dragged away, too weak to resist or retaliate. He was thrown into a small, dark, prison-like cave. He heard them grunting to one another before blacking out...

"Wait," Said the Other suddenly, making an unexpected appearance, "Pryll's been gone too long. He never likes to spent too long out. We...we have to look for him. I'm going. Follow me if you like," And, seeming to show feelings for the first time, he ran out of the cave.

[wolfenchantress]

Vedsica had no idea what he meant, but nodded like he understood.

You don't recall what happened? His magic asked, back in the back of his mind where it should be. Just a side effect, I imagine. Later, when you are alone, I will show you. I have to admit, having a physical body for once was nice though, even though I was trying to kill you with it. Vedsica ignored it.

"So you saved my life then?" He said, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Thank you. I hope a day comes when I can repay you for it." He thought about the next question. "I don't want to stay anywhere near this cave anymore. I might not remember what happened, but I hurt all over and my head feels like its going to split. I don't want that to happen again."

Ayria watched the commotion, feeling like a complete outsider. Vedsica had Asa, and Pryll had his brother. And she was the only female in the group. She hadn't even been able to do anything to help the Vedsica kid, and she had wanted to - even if he distrusted her, possibly still hated her. She stood, and no one paid her any mind. Silently, she slipped out of the cave and wandered from it, in some indecision. Would it be better for her to leave? She didn't want to, that was sure. She'd met someone - no, more than one someone that wasn't 'normal' and that didn't patronize her for what she could do. But did they really need her if they had each other?

Vedsica jumped up, fighting off the dizziness.
"You're right," he said. "He should be back by now." He took a step towards the door to follow the Other, but stopped. "Where's Ayria?" he said, obviously without any kind of passion - he figured someone would be upset if she was gone, but shook his head and followed. "She must have gone after Pryll or something. Come on, let's go find him!" And he followed the Other out of the cave at a dead run.

[Asa]

Pryll's eyes slowly came into focus. He was sat in a small cave, or more a hole in the ground with a rock over it. There was an exit to the cave ahead of him that was big enough for him to slide through, but there were pieces of wood over the entrance like bars. Pryll stood up groggily and his vision went dark. He immediately sat back down, and it cleared. He was probably suffering from a concussion or something after that heavy fall. His mind wandered back to him lying there, injured, on the desert floor. Those...things...picking him up, then blacking out. He crawled to the bars and lifted himself up. As his eyes adjusted to the brightness, the figures came into focus. They were humanoid, about seven or eight feet tall, with tan brown skin and four hulking arms. Their faces were similar to that of a baboon and they had a tall tuft of hair rising out from their heads. The largest noticed Pryll looking out from his prison and grunted. Two smaller primates followed him to the dugout and they peered in. Leaning on two of his arms, the largest thrust his fingers of the remaining two arms through the gaps between the makeshift bars. One of them poked Pryll in his face and he stepped back. Pryll chuckled and prepared to shift into a large bear, but he found he couldn't. He tried again. No effect. The cave must be enchanted, thought Pryll. He threw himself at the wooden poles holding him in, but he didn't have the strength to break them. The creatures jumped back when he came smashing into the bars, then the lead one laughed a monkey-ish laugh. Pryll sighed and slithered away into the dark corner.

"Pryll!" Shouted the Other, running desperately, "Pryll? Where are you?" He sat on a rock, exhausted. He had been running for ages, barely aware of Vedisca trying to catch him up. Finally he made it to him. The Other smiled weakly at Vedisca then looked off into the distance. Then he saw a figure. His eyes lit up, his breath came back, and his strength returned. He sprinted as fast as he could toward the distant figure, the silhouette of hope. But as he got closer, he realised it was just Ayira, "Ayira!" He shouted, "Have you seen Pryll? I'm so worried about him," The sun touched the horizon, spreading an orange glow around and giving everything very long shadows, "Have you got any idea where he is?" And then he saw, further in the distance, a group of people. "There!" He yelled, "He'll be over there! I know he will! Come on, we've got to get there quick!" And he sped off, calling the name of his lost brother.

[wolfenchantress]

Ayria had been walking towards the group of people in the distance for a while now, mildly curious as to what it was. She zoned out, lost in her own thoughts. So lost that when the Other ran up she jumped.
"No, I haven't seen him." She said. "Why would I know where he is?" And then they took off again, heading the same direction she'd been heading, but running full out. She scowled, but ran after them. Pryll was missing? She figured he'd just gone out to get some air. She could tell something was bothering him when Vedsica woke up, but said nothing, figuring that if he wanted her to ask about it he would have brought it up himself. But now she wasn't' so sure. What had happened to him? She couldn't help but feel worried for him - after all they had traveled all this way together, and even if he wanted to continue alone with his brother she still wanted him to be okay.

Vedsica panted for breath. He was used to running, but trying to keep up with Pryll's brother was difficult. He was thankful for the brief rest once they found Ayria, strangely enough wandering through the desert, and then they ran some more.
He squinted as they came upon the group, a bit unsure. Running up to a strange clan of people in the desert screaming for Pryll was definitely not the way to go about doing things, but he had a feeling that if he said as much the Other wouldn't pay him any mind. One of the figures stood, and he slowed in confusion. It looked like...
"Other! Stop! Look! He shouted ahead of him. "They have four arms...These are not normal people. We have to assume they will be hostile towards us, and we can't just go in there expecting to bust out Pryll- if that's where he is - just like that. There are a lot of them, we're outnumbered!" He gasped out. It was hard to shout while sprinting.

[Asa]

The Other payed no heed to Vedisca's warning. He simply ran on and on towards the group. The ape-like creatures backed away as the individual came speeding up to them. The Other stopped in the centre of the clan, eyes darting about. They settled on a rocky dug-out- with wooden bars over it. He was certain that this was where his brother would be. He darted over, but was caught by four muscular arms and dragged away. In that moment, he recalled who he was- a logical person. He had acted irrationally. And now he was going to pay the price. He was hauled into the air by the intimidating hulk. The beast let go with one arm and smashed it into the Other's face. He then slammed him down onto the ground, crushing his ribs and knocking all the wind out of him. Two arms pinned him down whilst two beat the face and chest of the helpless victim.

Asa, who had stayed behind, not worried about the missing shape-shifter. But he suddenly felt uneasy. He stood up, incredibly worried. Asa knew he should trust his instincts. He felt a surge of magic wash over him. Closing his eyes, he sent his vision far out across the desert, until they fell upon the individual being savagely attacked. He couldn't tell if it was Pryll or his brother, but he was taking a hell of a beating. He brought himself back and shot up from the cave, using magic to shoot like a bullet to the fight.

He arrived in an instant. He lifted the primate off the ground with magic and threw him back. The others shifted away uneasily. He ran to the side of one of the brothers. "He...he's not breathing..." Asa murmured, "He..can't...he can't die...he--" The Other coughed. He coughed again. Asa's eyes lit up, although he didn't know why he felt so much for his 'death'. Maybe he secretly did like them but didn't want to admit it.

Pryll just made out Asa's mutterings. His brother was dead. He had nothing. He was alone again. Just as he found someone, they went. It wasn't fair. He ran to the back of the cave and collapsed, smashing his head against the rock. He felt blood dribble down his forehead and mingle with his tears. He curled up in the corner and cried. For the first time in 150 years, probably more, he cried.

The Other stared up at Asa, who was looking down at him. He brought his hands and placed them over his eyes. He could feel the swelling and bruising, the cracked ribs, the general pain. He felt awful. "Where...where's Pryll?" He asked weakly,
"Umm...I think he's in the dugout. I'll try to get him," Asa replied and hurried off. He peered in. It was dark, so he couldn't tell if Pryll was in there or not. Grabbing the makeshift bars, he yanked hard. It snapped out of place. Asa went about doing the others. Once they were all out, he slid inside. He could hear a faint sobbing sound, but couldn't see. He cupped his hands together and made a ball of light, but nothing happened. The cave must be magic resistant or something, he thought. "Pryll?" He asked, "You in here?" He walked slowly towards the corner. "Is that you?" He asked, "Hello?" He shook Pryll's shoulder and he looked up, eyes red, "He's dead," He muttered,
"Excuse me?" Asa asked,
"You know what I mean. My brother- dead," Pryll replied spitefully,
"No, he's alive! I thought he was dead, but he's not, he alive!"
"What?" Said Pryll, "He's alive...He's alive!" He shouted and ran up and out of the cave. He saw his brother lying on the floor and he felt doubt flood back in, but he walked towards him regardless, not wanting to get his hopes up. "You okay?" He asked, hoping desperately for a response, "Never...b-been...better," His brother joked,
"You are alive!" Pryll shouted and hugged his brother, "I was so worried about you! I thought you'd died!"
"I was...worried...about you...too," He smiled, "But I'm glad...you're okay,"

Pryll stood up and walked to Ayira, "Listen I need to talk to you. I've been feeling a bit...thoughtful...lately. I've been thinking- if you want to go with Asa and Vedisca, that's okay by me. I'd be fine travelling with my brother. Maybe I'd bump into you in the future. Who knows. The world works in mysterious ways. But if you want to go with them, that's okay by me. I don't want you to feel pressured or anything- do what you want to do,"

[wolfenchantress]

the Other was faster than Vedsica, but he found himself finding the strength to speed up when he saw the ape like thing go after him.
"Put him down you...you..." He panted. Damn it, why can't I go any faster?

Then Asa was there somehow. He'd stayed behind, he was sure of that. How did he- Oh, right. Magic.
You know, all you had to do was to think of going faster and I can help you with it. His magic said snidely.
Well how am I to know everything you can do? He thought, exasperated. You should have just made me go faster! You share my mind, couldn't you have just gone and done it?
I could have. But I didn't .You have to get used to using magic on your own again, I'm different than I was before. I'm as much a part of you as you are yourself. If you die, I die. If you're hurt, I'm hurt. You have to learn to use me at will before I do things on my own.

Vedsica just shook his head, arriving at the scene to watch Asa throw the ape like thing like it was a rag doll, then stepped closer to hear his muttering.
"Who's dead?" He wondered aloud. The other was alive, though pretty beat up. Asa was alive. Ayria was alive, and so was he. Then...Pryll? He scrunched his face. Pryll wasn't dead, just locked up..Right? He peered through the bars, and sure enough saw movement.
"No one is dead..." He said, to no one in particular, but he kept out of it, sensing that it wasn't his place. Instead he watched as the two brothers discovered that no one was in fact dead.

He approached Asa. "So what should we do about these ape people? Just leave them?"

So I was right, Ayria thought to herself. She looked over at Vedsica and then at Asa.
"No, I don't think either of them would want me there." Especially not Vedsica, who still hadn't said one word to her that wasn't forced. She didn't know about Asa. She smiled a bit sadly. "You can go with your brother, I can just find my way back home." She shrugged. "No doubt I'd just be in the way anyways."

[Asa]

"Yes, I think we should leave them. Wouldn't want to upset the balance of life or anything..." Asa replied before she wandered over to Pryll.

"Listen, you can go with Asa and Vedisca- I wouldn't want to leave you on your own," Pryll said to Ayira, "You're still free to come with me, but it's just, I think that you'd fit in better with those two. I need to be alone a while, get things back into shape. Hell, it might take 150 years for all this to settle, but it's not going to get better whilst I'm adventuring at thinking hard- some thoughts bring up the feelings from similar thoughts in the past and get me confused, or at least that's what my brother said. Anyway, if you want to stay with them, tell me now, because I feel like going away from these islands- clear my head- apparently there's the most amazing mountains, all with incredible flora and fauna. So please, make up your mind,"

Asa couldn't help overhear Pryll's and Ayira's conversation. The girl- stay with us? It seemed preposterous at first, but seemed to make more and more sense. She could talk to animals- a useful skill. She was small- easy to hide away when in danger. He went over to Vedisca with the idea, "Hey, I've been wondering- would Ayira be able to stay with us? She'd be great at hiding away in danger and can talk to animals! Imagine- fighting alongside the animals! I think she should come with us because--" He lowered his voice, "Pryll's thinking of going off. Away from the islands. If she comes asking, I reckon we should say yes,"

[wolfenchantress]

"what? Vedsica growled. Why would Asa want her to come with? She was nothing like either of them, and had expressed no particular interest in going with them. He hadn't seen her do anything great or particularly helpful so far, she was just...there.

"Are you serious? Look at her, she hasn't done anything useful in the entire time we've been with her. Plus, how do we know she's not going to do something like send wild animals after us in her sleep?" He paused, realizing he'd been increasing in volume, and lowered his voice, checking to make sure she didn't think they were talking about her.

"She'd great at hiding away in danger, which means she doesn't fight and would just get in the way." He scowled at Ayria from a distance, not really getting why Asa would want her to join them. "Besides, she's traveled with them the whole time. Why would they want her to leave?

what do you have against her? is magic asked. He made a face.
Exactly what I just said, He snapped back.
But think of how useful it would be to have someone who can talk to animals along. I can't do that, neither can Asa's magic.
What would the use of that be? He said, though he was starting to see logic in it. We've gotten along fine so far without being able to communicate with animals, so why should we suddenly need someone now?
Just do it. she'll probably come in handy sometime. And who knows, you may even get to like her. Besides, if you don't, she'd not going to have anywhere to go.

Slightly irritated, Vedsica turned back to Asa.
"Fine. She can come with, if she wants to." He said. "But if she becomes too in the way, I'll be the first to tell her to leave." Thinking about it, he figured that it didn't matter if he trusted her or not - it coudl be a useful skill to have, and he wasn't about to force a female out on her own, expecally not here.

[Asa]

"Yeah, that's fine," Said Asa, "I guess I just feel sorry for her. If she's coming with us, we should go ask her. I'll go now," Asa walked over to her, "Hey, Ayira. I was just wondering if you'd...if you'd like to come with us...you know, travelling and stuff...if that's what you want..." He awaited her response.

((Sorry about the long wait and the short post- I couldn't think of much to say, because if the stories going to progress, I need to know if Ayira wants to go with them- it's your choice, really. It's good if you want to stay with Pryll, or go with Asa. I've got ideas for both options))

[wolfenchantress]

Ayria was slightly taken aback.
"Um...Sure." She said, a bit hesitantly. She kind of wished she could see the painted cavern that Pryll had made again, but she would probably see him again sometime. Besides, he probably had stuff to do with his brother - After all, they hadn't seen each other in a few hundred years.

"That is, if Vedsica doesn't mind," She added, seeing him approach reluctantly. He met her eyes for only a second before sighing.
"No, I don't mind," He said. "Who knows, it might be interesting to have someone else along." Ayria grinned. Maybe it wouldn't be as awkward as she was thinking it would be.

((Lol that's fine - that's kinda the same situation here. not sure what you have in mind for either party : P ))

[Asa]

"Okay," Said Pryll, "I guess you'll be going now. Or, at least, I'll be going. I'm sure I'll bump into you sometime..." He shuffled his feet awkwardly. He didn't know how true that was going to be, but he knew it was nice to say it, "Well...I've had a great time with you. I'm sure you'll be fine," He was silent a few second before reaching out and giving her a big hug, "I'll miss you," He said quietly. He let go and said, "Well, we'll me getting of. Brother?"
"Yes, I'm ready," He replied,
"Then I'll be off. Hop on," He said to his brother, shifting into a horse. The Other climbed on and they rode off towards the setting sun, their sillhouettes slowly shrinking until they were merely a tiny black dot on the horizon.

"We should move- the ape's aren't far off and it's going to be dark soon," Asa proposed, "I think we should get off this island and head to Nanuta- I wouldn't mind picking up a few things," He headed over away from the makeshift camp and lay down, "I'm sure it's cold at night here," He held his hand above his head and created a ball of dim but warm flames, "That should keep us warm enough. I'll go on watch tonight- I should be able to use magic to stay awake if I get tired. It'll be weird- once we're off this island, there won't be any magic. It'll be down to us, y'know? But I'm keen to get away, anyway," And he sat up, eyes straight ahead, the flaming ball glowing dimly beside him.

The night held nothing of interest, apart, of course, from the occasional dragon, but they always flew past, seemingly oblivious to the small figures below. The golden sun rose behind them, sending rays of shining light throughout the morning air. "Wake up, wake up!" Asa shook Vedisca, "We've got a day of travelling ahead. We should make the coast about...noon. My boat'll be waiting where we left it, I hope," He moved over to Ayira. She looks so peaceful, he thought, lying there asleep. He knelt down and gently shook her, "Come on, time to get up. We've got a big walk today. Come on..." He suddenly had a thought. Magic? He asked, would we be able to use you to run really, really fast to the boat?
Hmm...his magic pondered in reply, It would not be impossible, but I would tire greatly. I would be out of use for a few weeks. However, since I won't be needed anyway, it won't be a problem. One second...the magic was silent a few seconds, You should carry Ayira. I am currently stronger than Vediscas magic. He is still fatigued from his previous...battle.
Asa nodded. He explained the plan to them, "So, are we ready?" He asked, "Then let's go!"

((Do you think you'd be able to get a few more people on the site? Since we're starting a new story, It'd be good to have a few new people))

[wolfenchantress]

Ayria returned the hug, not letting her face show the sadness she felt.
"I'll miss you too. And...Be safe, okay?" She watched them go off until she couldn't see them any more and then some before finally returning to where Vedsica and Asa stood.

She didn't object when Asa offered to watch for the night - she was fairly exhausted. Almost immediately upon laying down she'd fallen into a sleep where she dreamt strange things, significantly important things that she wouldn't remember once she woke up. When she did, however, it was growing light and she listened to Asa's plan of how to get to the boat.

It didn't take long to get there, and once they were all loaded up, they set off to the other island.

((Short...Oh well. ))

[Asa]

[[STORY MOVED TO NANUTA]]