Justice: Out of Reach (Open)

[Shara Kaline]

Shara had recently heard a strange rumor. Well, a rumor itself could hardly be strange for a rumor, they tended to get pretty weird anyway. No, what was weird was that she had heard it when she thought she was completely alone, but when she turned around, there was nothing there but an empty plain. She had definitely felt someone there, felt their breath on her neck. Felt their touch on her arm, pressing down on her chain mail... Hard.

Perhaps she had gone insane. However, it was a strange form of insanity that left a bruise at the exact spot she had felt someone pressing on her chain mail. When she hadn't been in a fight for days, and that bruise hadn't been there before... Right now, she was at an inn in Meltokio. Her armor was actually off, and she was looking right at her bruise. It had been night already by the time she reached the city, and she hadn't felt like investigating.

Shara lay down on the bed to try and sleep. It had been a while since she last was in a bed, without her armor. It felt nice, so soft... Even if there were holes in the mattress that feathers were sticking out of. The strange breeze coming through the broken window was sending the feathers flying randomly, and they frequently brushed against her skin wherever it was bare.

No one had said it was a very good inn. The front room of it had looked like it was falling apart as well. Shara really hadn't come for an especially comfortable night's sleep, just somewhere she could rest. Honestly, even a place like this was somewhat of a luxury to her, she was used to sleeping outside.

Shara had no problem ignoring the wind and the feathers. No, what was troubling her was the rumor she had heard, from the person she had never seen. The reason she had returned to Meltokio.

"That armor of yours, with the Exsphere, there is more to it. The soldier that wore it was a noble, and the sphere itself came from a vile act of betrayal."

The voice was such that she seemed to be paralyzed while she heard it. Once it stopped speaking however, she immediately turned around to see who had spoken. No one was there.

The next day...

Shara had woken up after a troubled sleep, and decided to begin investigating what the voice had told her. She was now in the upper part of the city, where the nobles lived. She had decided that this would be a good place to start. Shara looked around her, taking in everything.

Even the streets seemed to be in pristine condition. Mostly, the streets were white, but the edges seemed to almost be coated in gold. There were several of what seemed to be miniature gardens in the streets. There were flowers of several different colors and varieties, but the most common seemed to be a specific pinkish-purple variety.

Most of the people around were dressed in extravagant silk garments. There were a number of large mansions around, with gilded gates, and their own, larger gardens inside. In the midst of all this glamour, Shara felt dirty and ashamed, despite having scrubbed herself vigorously all over (though, admittedly, the soap was of low quality... She questioned if it was even soap) and polished her armor the night before.

She did have to laugh when she noticed one man walking by. He was tall and thin, but his golden-colored vest still looked as if it was about to burst off of him. Over that, he wore a scarlet leather jacket... Though she honestly didn't notice that much of his clothes, she was more staring at the glob of snot hanging out of his nose. She also noticed that his eyes were green, and his long, not quite shoulder-length straight hair was greenish as well. However, it was actually more blue than green, but very light.

The man looked confused at why she was staring at him... Then his eyes widened, and he hurriedly wiped his nose, with his sleeve, before turning it up with a "Hmph!" noise. Shara let out a chuckle.

Then, she saw someone else. "Hey!" she shouted. It was an old friend of hers, named Brian. He was a noble, but he had never been snooty. In fact, he had always seemed like the exact opposite of it. He turned towards her, and stared uncomprehending for a moment, before his face lit up, as he shouted enthusiastically "Shara! Where have you been? You just disappeared one day."

Shara replied, "When my parents were executed for a crime they didn't commit, I couldn't take it any more... Don't get me wrong, " she continued quickly, "They were horrible people, but they weren't killers. They were guilty of many other things, which I would have loved to see them imprisoned for, but that..." She trailed off.

Brian looked at her for a moment, before saying, "I understand Shara. I couldn't believe it either, but my father-" he cut off immediately, with a slight look of fear in his eyes. Shara asked, "Your father... What?" Brian shook his head quickly, looking fearful. "No, I can't talk about it... I'm sorry." Brian looked absolutely terrified, and genuinely apologetic at the same time.

Shara wasn't sure what to make of that, but she would definitely not forget this. She said, "Alright. Anyway, the reason I'm back in Meltokio. I heard a rumor that the original owner of this armor, a soldier, was also a noble-"

She was interrupted by a barking voice from behind her. "Do you mean to say that you think a member of this family would stoop to being a lowly soldier?" Shara spun around. There was the man she had seen earlier. She said, "Oh, you're-" before being cut off yet again, as the man said simply, "I have allergies." He then continued, sharply, "Anyway, why are you talking to my son, girl?!" He said the last part in a rather obnoxious way that really ground on Shara's nerves, despite her typically somewhat laid back personality.

Shara heard Brian talking behind her, "Father..." She looked back at him, raising one eyebrow, "This is your father?" she asked, with just a hint of surprise in her voice. Not the kind of surprise that makes you all panicky, but the kind of surprise that is more like "Hm... That was unexpected."

Shara said to the man, "I'm an old friend of Brian's and I was mostly just greeting him after having not seen him for a while." The man snorted, "That's not what it sounded like to me. Regardless, I will have to ask you to leave. Get off of my property." Shara raised her eyebrow again, as she said calmly, "This isn't your property. We are still on the street."

Then, the man did something unexpected, he drew a sword out from beneath his cape. As he did this, his vest, which had looked like it was about to burst... did. One of the buttons went by Shara's face, and it only narrowly missed Shara and Brian, putting a hole in the stone in a nearby wall.

Shara heard Brian cry out, "Father?! What are you doing?"[/color The man responded, "Stay out of this Brian. Go inside our house." Brian looked between the two, unsure of what to do. Terror won out however, "Shara, I'm sorry..." he said, before running off. His father looked at Shara. "No one shall question me if you die. I am Count Firo Kana, and you are but a lowly peasant with thieves for parents!"

Shara noticed his sword. The hilt, which lacked a handguard, was gilded, as was the edge of the long blade. The center of the blade was a dark, bloody red. The blade started with the base jutting outward, in such a way that it might replace the handguard. The main part of the blade was somewhat thin, but got slowly thinner the further out it went, ending in a sharp point.

He got into a combat stance, and Shara was instantly able to tell that he was an expert. She might not last long, but she drew her own sword, and said, "I don't know why you want to fight, but I shall not run. En Garde!"

---

Words: 1505
Comments: I'm sorry, but I refuse to give up this post. It's like 15 times my average XD...*sigh*

[♫|Rin| && |Len|♫]

_{[Our] heart sings, as our souls rest. And out minds join, like two sides of a mirror//-}

A sweet simple songs slowly leeks into the air, two different melodies inter changing with each other. The girlish voice singing the high sounding melody, the boyish voice matching the same octive in a different melody. Their voices melding together despite the clashing of the words and beats. The boys voice slowly falling down in a decrescendo, coming to a piano marking. While the girl's voice swells into a crescendo, allowing the last note to ring high into the sky.

The boy has a golden color hair, which slightly flops around his face while also sticking up and to the side. His hair tied up into a small pony tail that stick up from behind and a white band on top his head. His shows his age with its slightly chubbiness; his skin is a light gold color, with teal colored eyes that seem to glow in the bright sun. His clothing consists a white T-shirt with a slight look of a school boy collar that flaps out like a small cape in the back. The collar is a charcoal black with a gold strip near the edges while the same design is on the end of his sleeves. His sleeves come down to cover his 02 tattoo but slightly above his elbows. He wears a gold colored tie that goes down to his shorts. He has these sleeve type gloves that encase around his forearm and down to half of his hands. The color is a charcoal black with gold edges, and a gold color cloth that holds the sleeve like gloves up. His charcoal black shorts come down to 3 inches above his knees with cold line encasing around his legs 2 inches above the edge. He wears a golden and light golden triangle belt that straps around the golden belt at the left front then hooks once more at the back left. Down his legs are the same kind of sleeve like gloves that around his arms but with the bottom tucking into his shoes causing a balloon affect to happen. His shoes are white with gold edged and com up to his ankles.

Then the girl has the same exact appearance, her hair slightly different as it's longer and not held in a ponytail. Her bangs swept to the side and held with two white pins on each side. Being slightly small than the other boy she has the exact same eye color and hair color, but with a white cloth tied on top of her head with a bunny tie that sticks up and bobs as she walks. Her T-shirt on the other hand being sleeveless with a golden cloth with he same bunny tie. Her shorts as well being shorter than the boys.

The two carry weapons with each other, the boy's being a bow and quiver full of arrows while the girl carries a staff on her back. The girl and boy look at each other and smile; both of their eyes showing the same happiness that they feel. The light feeling they get every time they sing together; just the two of them. Both holding hands; they swing their joined arms back and forth with each step they take up the stairs. Pure bliss surrounding them despite the place they are in. The place that had kicked them out of their home; the place that brought back horrible memories of their mother's death. Despite that, they at least visist the Imperial city to check on the many sick and such. Being so young it's a surprise that they actually travel alone, only looking to be 14 years of age.

Allowing their light steps to happily take them to the high class section of Meltokio; the area they hadn't visit yet to treat the sick. Getting up the last set of stairs with a giggle and bounce in it; both's attention are caught to the armored lady. The boy looks at the girl as she returns the gaze, both wondering why a lady would be in armor. They never really saw any women about with swords and the like. Those that they do see are usually half-elves because they have to protect themselves, just like the girl. The boy squeezes the girls hand tightly; showing that she has him and that nothing is going to happen. The two stand there with open mouths as they watch the ordeal; as they watch the unfair treatment that the woman receives from the man. The girl's eyes narrow down to slits as she remembers who the man is. She doesn't really know him personally, but she knew him when they lived here. How he would taunt them with his sword and talk down upon them. The girl trembles slightly in rage; which catches the boy's attention.

"Rin~?" The boy asks. Concern filling into his sobering teal eyes. The girl stands there breathing heavily before turning towards the boy with furious eyes. Her fury reached to the point that the boy could sweat that he could see a vein popping in her forehead; that of course alerted him to watch himself if he doesn't want to be in the receiving end of the fury.

"Len~! We have to help her~!" Rin says with pure fury, which confuses Len. Looking over toward the three people once more, his eyes widen as he recalls the sickly looking man. Hating the man for what hell he had put his sister and himself through. Just looking at the man causes Len’s blood to boil; having a certain reason for hating the man further that Rin.

He recalls how he once tried getting lessons from the man, but ended up becoming a rag doll on the practice field. Being treated harshly for his race, because no matter what. The reason he and his sister always are mistreated, are because of their race. Because they just so happen to have half Elvin blood and half human blood. They never wanted this; if anyone should be punished for it, it would be the parents. Because they never once giver consideration of how their children would end up in the world, never about them. Though it didn’t matter any longer; despite the set backs of their race. They are alive, and that’s something he can be thankful for. Thankful to have a sister like Rin, and to live for the good moments. So despite the many horrible memories the man had caused; this fight was not theirs. Not in the very least, so the best thing to do is allow the woman to fight on her own. Besides she looks strong enough to take care of herself; and a lot healthier looking than the man. As of noticing the sickness that man has; Len couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. The man not even up to full strength, but being so fool hardly to challenge a healthy strong woman. It’s completely mad. Even Rin could smack him around with her staff with no problem.

"But it's not our problem even then." He states firmly. The two look at each other, doing once more their silent debating. Though both of them knew who was going to win in the end; no matter how hard Len tried, he would always cave in to Rin.

*sighs* Fine... but get your staff ready." Len says as he reaches back to grab his bow and arrow. Taking out the sleek red looking wooded bow, he reaches back to extract a single arrow. The arrow tips shines in the sun light as he places it on the notch, pulling back with ease as he leans his head in for accuracy. Going for a few inches away from the man's head, he takes a deep breathe and lets the arrow fly. Whizzing past the man's head by and inch; as it continues on to hit a lamp post. Dead center.

" HEY YOU~! You have no right to talk to her like that~!," Rin hollers, her hands gripping the smooth wooden staff as the blue crystal on top reflects the sun's rays onto the streets. The reflection on the street looking distorted by the different angles of the crystal, glowing a soft blue color.

"And if you think about taking another step, consider yourself dead. Because I won't purposely miss next time." Len says coolly with an icy bite. He gently puts down his bow, tilting it slightly as both Rin and Len rush forward to aid the woman. Sure it seems a little unfair that they would help the woman outnumber the man by two people, but they highly doubt that the other guy would come to the man's aid. Besides they weren't exactly looking for a fight, more so to just frighten the man. Another thing is that they would just wait patiently in the back allowing the woman and man to fight if so, helping out with a few healing spells if she'd get injured.

To bad nothing ever goes as planned for the two.

---

Words: 1,532
[comments: alright I beat your words… by a few words xDDD but that’s just about as good as it gets. X3

[Brian Kana]

Brian looked behind him as he started running toward his manor. "No! Shara! There was no way she could face off against his father. Firo looked sickly, but he wasn't. In fact, he was in amazing physical shape, and moved at almost unnatural speed. Shara would die in a straight fight...

Then the two kids came in. A girl and a boy, looking almost identical. One held a bow, whose arrows had tips that reflected the sun brilliantly, the other held a staff, which scattered blue light on everything in the area. Brian noticed the boy's deadly accuracy. Maybe Shara would stand a chance with an ally like that!

...Brian still doubted it. "I have to help her!" He began casting Aqua Edge. Then, he felt that paralyzing fear, which seemed to have a life of its own. Even a voice. He heard its deadly whisper in his mind You know he shall kill you.But if I can kill him before-!Silence! It cut him off, and he flinched as he felt it, the fear enveloping his mind. No, you cannot defeat him. Even with the help of Shara and those little brats, you cannot defeat him! You are weak, you can never defeat him!No! That's not true, I...

Brian was defeated however. Defeated by his fear, and his insecurity. Yes... You are weak. Now come along~ Brian tried to resist, weakly, but his fear seemed to have complete control now. He trudged along, barely registering the fight that was going on by now.

Once inside, he started walking toward his room. However, he was interrupted by someone. "Master Brian! Please wait!" Brian turned around. It was Raia. The only friend he'd ever had besides Shara. Raia was actually a bodyguard, assigned to prevent Brian from escaping, but he was actually nice to Brian. He didn't like his job, but he needed pay, and couldn't escape himself now.

Brian asked curiously, "Yes Raia? What is it?" Raia did not look happy. In fact, he looked extremely unhappy, pained even. His voice sounded pained as well as he spoke. "To begin with, you need to put this on." Raia took out a box, and opened it. Inside, was a blue gem, and a golden ring of metal on top of it.

Raia took it out, and then pressed it to the back of Brian's right hand. Hard. Brian winced, and then it was done. Raia said quietly "And now that you have the Exsphere, you are to go to visit a friend of your father's lady Estressa, for..." His voice broke, and tears went down his cheeks. "I cannot lie to you. She is to do experiments on you, and we shall never see you again." Raia was crying. "I'm sorry.

Brian's eyes widened. "What... No! It can't be!" However, the pain in Raia's brown eyes said it all. Brian said, "I see..." He noticed that on the wall, low enough for him to reach, and right next to him, was a flag. More specifically, a flagpole Brian got a crazy idea. He jumped toward the flagpole, even as he heard the voice of his fear again. What are you doing? Do you really think you can fight your father's guards? Brian responded aloud. "I'll never know if I can fight until I try."

Brian snatched the pole off of the wall. He'd actually messed around with one of these a long time ago. They were light, but when they struck something, they had good force, even from somebody weak like him. Perhaps the length had something to do with it?

Brian turned around sharply once he landed from his jump. He looked over at Raia. "Please Raia, get out of the way. I don't want to hurt you." Raia looked surprised, "You think you can fight me...? Hm..." Raia paused, thinking, "Perhaps you can. Regardless, I can't let you leave. I'm sorry...

Raia readied his weapon, a naginata, with it pointing up, but also in Brian's direction. "Prepare yourself." His voice was quiet, but it rang out in the silent halls. Soon, more guards were coming. All of them had white armor, with gold trim. The polished stone of the floors in the halls reflected almost every detail of the armor.

Brian looked at Raia. This man with the brown eyes and brown hair, that had been with him through everything... They were now in a fight to the death. The voice of Brian's fear kept talking to him, but for once in his life, he found the strength to ignore it. "I see... Very well. Let's go!" Brian rushed forward, swinging his flagpole forward, toward Raia's naginata. The flagpole he had was almost like a naginata without a blade... Brian vaguely wished he could have used his magic, but he would be dead before he could do anything if he tried.

War... That which tears lives apart. It does not need two countries, nor even one. It just needs chaos, and pain...

[Pai]

Raia was hitting a low stance, with his Naginata extened ahead of him as a means of protection, one hand gripped half way down it, the other right on the end. He couldn't be in worse humor about this, although he was loyal to his position. He heard the heavy footsteps of guards coming toward the scene from behind, their armour clacking together and their weapons sounding... uh... shiny. If that's possible.

Brian then rushed toward him, preparing to crack open his skull, but he attempted to skillfully hit the pole from underneath, and then jerking it to the right without breaching the end of the weapon, where he then planned to turn it over, and slip behind Brian, bringing the bottom of the blade right up to his Master's throat.

[/size]

[Brian Kana]

Brian felt as Raia's weapon twisted his own to the right. He wasn't skillful enough to stop it from happening. However, he was able to use it to his advantage. The momentum of his weapon's tip was now headed toward the ground. Brian didn't resist that momentum, instead, he used it, managing to shift it.

The weapon first headed to the ground, but as it almost reached, Brian managed to make it start heading to his right, and then up, toward where Raia's head now was as he tried to slip behind Brian. Brian was turning as his weapon did, spinning to look at Raia again.

Unfortunately, there were still those guards that were now behind him. Brian was not in a good position...

[Lien Rui ♫]

A Gentleman Appears for the Lady in Distress

A young man was in a bit of a fantasy, imagining musical notes resonating from his instrument and floating up into the sky, where they would pop in a rhymic pattern to create harmony to the song. The notes were transparent, distinguished only by a thin, glittery outline that reflected off of the mid-day sun before exploding like a bubble and leaving a small shower of glitter to float down onto the Earth.

He wasn't very tall--barely breaching five feet despite being seventeen years of age. He had a young, round face that sported a few femenine features: such as a round, gently-sloped chin, a very full, puffy face and thick eyelashes. His long, dust-colored hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, with one strand falling beside his left ear. His head rested on the black, shiny rest that was attatched to his beautiful rosewood violin--its smooth lines untouched by nature due to its intensive preservation. The silver, metal strings were tight and tuned perfectly, vibrating as the knotless, horsehair bow was brought across each one. Long, muscled fingers pressed down on the strings from the instrument's neck, creating different notes that floated up into the sky. The boy was clad in a pale blue vest, an old, rolled-up dress shirt, and old gray pants stuffed into brass-studded brown leather boots.

He wore himself with pride, with a straight back and pushed-back shoulders, walking with a certain eligance to him that could only be attained by a musician who loved to perform for others. The song that was resonating from the strings of the small instrument was quick, smooth, and high-pitched--the perfect song for a violin tuned like his. It sounded fairly pirate-y, which gave it a certain jolt of glee to it.

Lien was wandering aimlessly through Meltokio--he'd gone through the entire city, completely oblivious to the people who were watching him. He was just completely caught up in the song he was playing, and didn't even notice when his tired feet brought him into a high-class neighborhood. It was full of fancy buildings with pillars and high-ceiling porches, and pairs of fancy, elaborate double doors with detail that Lien could not even begin to imagine. Each house--or should it be said Mansion--had an expensive-looking metal fence that guarded the small, cramped yards that led the way to the tall doors of the houses that were three times as tall.

The low-class city boy was amazed at all of the architecture that flaired the entire place, and thought it simply too elaborate for his taste. It was too complicated--too much to look at. Like a song that had too many notes. It was simply too hard to listen to, and you got confused and possibly even a headache when you heard it. But, he still had to give some credit to those who designed each house; each one was unique and pretty--even the cobblestone that he walked on was fancy and custom-designed. It was far too over-the-top.

There were very few people outdoors in this area; maybe they were all afraid of the sun. The poor boy already had a farmer's tan anyway, so he was fine with the situation. Although, he did notice a girl outside, talking to someone, and decided that maybe he would go and play for them. But suddenly, he saw the man draw his sword--the shining blade blinding as the sunlight struck it with much force. Shocked, he began to swing it at the girl, and he panicked, defending herself. He wondered why this was happening, and even though he had no right to invade on the situation.

Deciding to get himself involved, then young man simply couldn't let a damsel in desrtess continue to be in destress--that's what his father had taught him. Apparently, that was how his mother and father met. Even though he wasn't much interested in Romance, Lien still wanted to do this. Lightly dashing a little closer, Lien smoothly transitioned his song into the "Tune of Stun", which was a very high-pitched song that got right into the eardrums of the target and stunned their entire body.

Once he delivered the attack, he let his violin stiffly drop--his left arm was partly disabled--and he went over to see if the girl was okay. He just looked at her, with his closed-eye smile, and yet still somehow pulling off a serious expression. Through this, he asked "Are you okay?" without even needing to say anything. Like he could anyway.

ooc
word count: 750
Comments: omg yay I'm getting better~

[/size]

[Firo Kana]

Firo couldn't believe it. The girl who wore his old armor, and whose parents he had pinned his wife's murder on, was here. What an interesting twist of fate. It was made more so by the fact that she had come to talk Brian on the very day he was to be sent to Estressa. Asking about her armor, which had once been given to Firo by Estressa.

On the inside, Firo was laughing. This was perfect! Truth be told, he found it easier to fight without armor. However, it was a gift from his precious Estressa. He would never let another have it. This girl would soon be dead. Firo imagined the silver plate of that exquisite armor being ripped. First, he would slash right through the breastplate. Then, he would shatter the greaves, and then the armguards. Then the left gauntlet... He would finish by shattering that Exsphere. The Exsphere that was his first, pathetic wife.

Just thinking of that horrid woman made his blood boil! She had been weak, and so pathetic. Why did he ever put up with her anyway? He vaguely wondered where that child she gave him was now. Alicia... The thought of either of them made him sick. The little girl had been infused with her mother's "goodness" ... Firo felt sick thinking of how he'd had a strange whim to go along with the woman in teaching Alicia those "values" Granted, he'd had to pretend to have similar things himself to avoid the pathetic humans around from attempting to imprison him.

Firo looked over at that girl, who was talking to Brian, his so-called "son" who would soon be given to the lovely Lady Estressa to be a guinea pig. He decided to scare her, as he heard her asking about the armor. However, she seemed only slightly startled. Firo tried a few more things (knowing she wouldn't listen) and decided to stop playing games... Well, with his words anyway.

Firo drew his sword, and gave an arrogant speech. The girl seemed somewhat more surprised this time, but quickly regained her composure. She accepted his challenge. Excellent! It would be more fun than simply striking down a fleeing target. He exchanged several blows with her, he wasn't even fighting seriously yet. About the same as the sickly man he looked like might really, albeit a skilled one. However, he underestimated her, and found that one strike of hers managed to touch him. Only just barely deep enough to draw blood, but he was surprised.

"You're quite good" he said to the girl as they locked blades.. The response she gave was angry, despite her level tone. Firo sensed some sort of hidden anger from her, though she hid it well. This whole time, she had seemed calm. The calm that hides the storm... Firo chuckled, and the girl's composure slipped very slightly, her eyes narrowing for but a moment.

Then, Firo felt a breeze, as an arrow thumped into a nearby lamp post. He was honestly surprised this time. He looked over at the boy who had shot the arrow. And the girl who was with him. The boy held a wooden bow, with arrows whose tips gleamed, and the girl held a staff with a blue crystal on its head. The exact shade of blue reminded him of water... The enemy of fire. Firo felt his anger rising just looking at that color.

He recognized the girl and boy. He loved taunting them, making them feel powerless. Firo taunted, "So, it's little Len and his sister Rin? How quaint. Too bad you had to get involved, another two bodies to explain." The boy did have deadly accuracy, but Firo had deadly speed. He was an angel after all, he could take most anything. He only looked sickly.

Firo then noticed that his opponent was advancing. He only just barely managed to block in time to prevent his left arm from being cut off. As it was, he got a rather deep cut. "That's it!" he cried, "No more holding back!"

Firo stepped to the side, his sword coming out from under the girl's. He then spun it in a clockwise motion, bringing it all the way around to smash against her sword again. She was disoriented, and Firo used that to his advantage. "Die!" he cried as he used a powerful upward slash with a shallow arc to send her into the air as he jumped. He then sent a similar downward slash, followed by a thrust where the burning golden outline of the two slashes in the air overlapped. His strikes were timed with his words: "Tiger Arc!" All three strikes connected, the final thrust missing her heart by a fairly small margin, giving her a wound, that even if she had any possibility of surviving this battle, she would not soon forget.

As Firo landed, and prepared to rush forward to finish his opponent, he suddenly heard the violin that had been in the background this whole time pick up speed... and pitch. It was now annoyingly high pitched, and then "AAUUGGGHH!!!" Firo let out a cry. It was an assault on his ears, on his very being! He couldn't move! His sword still had momentum however, and it collided with the strike of the girl, who had miraculously already gotten up and prepared an attack.

Firo heard the roar of a lion, even as he felt himself sent flying back. When he landed, he was on his knees. And now... His flaming wings were showing! Firo felt their fire, flowing through him... He still couldn't move yet, but he would be moving again soon.

[Shara Kaline]

As she thought, this man was clearly an expert in the sword. Shara struck forward, and he expertly blocked it, despite his apparent sickness. Same with her next three strikes, one right after another, but she managed to almost connect with her fifth, which drew a small amount of blood. As their swords locked, she heard Firo praise her skill.

Shara replied in a level tone, but with a slight growl to it "Of course I'm good. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have challenged such an obvious expert. Even as-is, you would outmatch me no doubt if you were not so sickly." Shara was not one to ignore the skill of her opponent. That would be folly. In addition, when she acknowledged it out loud, they might get a big head. Once the opponent was puffed up, he often let down his guard... She did hate arrogance though, regardless, and she felt her eyes narrow slightly for but a moment, as her anger grew.

Shara jumped back as an arrow thumped into a nearby lamp post, right behind Firo. She looked over. There was a boy, with a bow and arrow, and with him, a girl, her staff reflecting the sun's rays with azure light, scattering them beautifully along the street. The emerald green that resulted when it struck the golden edges of the street were truly amazing.

The boy and the girl definitely looked quite similar to each other, like twins. Shara listened to the boy speak. Well, at least she would have help. She doubted that the man would simply stop, he had started this fight for no apparent reason after all. Shara's focus snapped back to Firo. She charged forward, and smashed her sword down toward him again. Firo blocked just in time, but Shara managed to cause a fairly deep cut into his arm. Shara heard him say that he wouldn't hold back anymore. He's been holding back?! came the thought in Shara's mind, as she lost her composure completely, her eyes widening in fear.

Shara didn't even register what Firo was doing until it was too late, between his speed and her shock. She felt a stunning blow to her sword, disorienting her, followed by an attack straight at her. Such power... Shara let out a cry of pain and flinched with each of the next three hits. The first two dented the armor, the third pierced it, and nearly her heart. Shara felt herself flying back. Then a jarring impact as she landed on the ground.

The next three seconds felt like minutes, as she lay there, dazed. Then, she heard a noise. No, rather, the noise intensified, increasing in speed and pitch. It had been there the whole time, but she hadn't paid any attention to it. She always saw everything that passed by her eyes, even the small birds flying in the sky now, and the clouds, which floated through the azure sky. However, she never seemed to hear anything that didn't involve combat, such as that violin.

Shara snapped back into reality, and instantly jumped off of the ground. "No." she said, in a deadly voice, full of cold rage and determination. "No, I shall not die here! I shall not be defeated by some random madman! Not without answers!" Her voice got more intense as she spoke, she was shouting at the end.

Shara rushed forward. "Feel the lion's wrath!" she cried, as she swung her sword horizontally with incredible force, "Beast!" Azure energy enveloped her sword for a split second as it struck Firo's, sending him flying. A lion's roar could be heard in that moment.

Shara turned toward the sound of the violin, which was stopping now. A young boy was now approaching her, holding a violin, and a bow. He didn't speak, but she seemed to... Feel what he was asking. She didn't even come close to hearing it in her mind, but she knew what he was asking.

Are you okay? was the sentiment she felt from him. Shara, in truth, was having trouble standing, and actually had dropped to one knee by now, but she said, "I'm fine. Or rather, I will be, this isn't quite fatal..." It almost had been. Firo was a fearsome adversary.

Speaking of Firo... Shara forced herself to stand again, and look over at him. "What?! Wings...?" What was that man? He had wings... Long, thin wings of fire, coming from his back. They certainly hadn't been there before. "What... What is going on?" Shara wondered aloud, unable to make sense of all this. She immediately felt her pain flare up again, and she flinched, dropping to one knee again with a cry of pain. "Ugh!"

[♫|Rin| && |Len|♫]

_{.__. my brain hurts, Len.}

---

---

Rin and Len look at each other, completely confused on what's going on. Apparently Firo remembers them, and plans on killing the two as for interfering. No surprise there. Shara knows Firo by some off chance, and probably left before the two were born or aware of their surroundings. Now Shara and Firo are fighting to the death, both doing really fancy foot work and swords play. Now Lien, who they just left a few mintues ago, is trying to help Shara out like them. Firo now seems to have wings, which looks like fire, Shara is on the ground wounded, and Lien is checking Shara out after using his violen to paralyze Firo. Okay, that pretty much summaries everything up to the point.

Rin and Len give each other a look and nod their head before bounding off in two different directions. Len for Shara and Rin for Firo, both of going to do their job. As Len skids over towards Shara, he gently points his bow at Shara as he readies a healing art spell. "It's okay, I'm here. Heal!"

A soft green glow surrounds Shara, healing all major and minor wounds. As he looks towards Lien he smiles at the silent artist, glad to see him one more time. Looking over towards Rin he notches a bow at Firo and waits for any sudden movement. Rin Stops in front of Firo to the side, so Len can get a shot in if needed. Standing there before him, she looks at him wearily.

"I'll heal you of the paralization if you promise to leave." Rin says with a dark look on her face. Len's eye twitches at Rin's comment; she doesn't get the idea that he's going to KILL them once he's unparalized. Pulling back on the bow even stronger, he readys his 'Bullet' tech if Firo tries to be troublesome.

[Brian Kana]

Brian felt and saw his weapon hit, with force beyond what he'd ever have thought he could possibly be capable of. He heard a sickening crack, and saw Raia begin to collapse to the floor. "Raia...? Raia?!"' Brian shouted, unable to believe it. But he knew. He'd killed one of his only friends. Just like that, a single blow, a broken neck, force he'd never known he could possibly unleash... And it was over.

Brian shook his head. "No! NOO!!!!" He couldn't believe it. His friend was gone, just like that, on the ground... Brian turned back toward the other guards that remained. "I won't... I won't give up now! I won't let Raia have died for nothing, I'll escape, and find the truth!" He began casting his Fallen spell. He wouldn't let himself die or be captured. Not now...

[Lien Rui ♫]

Aah... complicated...

Noticing that his attack had struck successful, Lien felt a surge of confidence; he rarely ever used his attacks, so when they worked, he was joyous. It was interesting; the power of sound, and sound waves. They could vibrate the eardrum just enough or even too much, and create great pain, or weakness. If they overvibrated, they could knock the crystals in the ear out of place, which held one's balance in tact. He could inflict Vertigo. He could knock someone down. But not directly attack them, like others could. The best he could do was Vertigo, and that alone could become an incredibly serious issue depending on how powerful the song had been uttered (and where the location was).

Although, when the man hit the ground and the girl had attacked him once more, he went flying across his back, and some fire seemed to erupt from it. Now, Lien had never seen an angel, so he was pretty much oblivious to the shock he really should have been in. He just thought of it as the man being some sort of fire mage; not really what he actually was. This was becase he rarely, rarely ever ran into someone who used magic--for, they traveled in groups due to their ranged attacks, and he avoided groups as much as possible. When his attacks were used on more than one person at a time, it was much weaker, and he was never able to stun them all in time to keep them away from him.

Only then does the violinist notice his friends; Rin, and Len going over to heal the others; though he was surprised when Rin had offered to heal Firo. Going over to check out the situation, he held his violin stiffly at his side, and observed.

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[Firo Kana]

Firo wasn't paying attention to his surroundings at the moment, due to being unable to do anything around him and seeing no point on dividing his energy between watching and trying to get himself moving again. He knew he could overcome it...

Suddenly, he heard the voice of the girl, Rin. Ha, such a fool! However, Firo didn't even need to accept her offer. By this point, he could stand up on his own. Firo had somehow managed to hold onto his sword this whole time, and now, he did a sudden vicious strike up at her as he leapt up into the air. He didn't come back down this time however. Instead, he hovered in the air, his huge wings of flame flapping.

Firo looked down upon them. So pathetic, all of them. The foolish healer with the staff, the other healer with the bow, the girl who used his old armor, the boy who fought with the violin... He should just slaughter them all. Take a hostage, and they couldn't attack for fear of harming the innocent... After all, apart from the armored girl, they'd all gotten involved to save a stranger. The girl might very well be a similar type, and if she wasn't her allies might turn on her if she attacked...

Firo liked the idea of the plan, but there was one hitch. That boy with the violin. Firo couldn't afford to be disoriented like that again in a fight, and no doubt it would happen again. Perhaps take the boy as the hostage, keep him from playing that accursed instrument... No. Firo didn't find this game worth his time anymore.

Firo gave an arrogant laugh down at them, and said, "This game has been amusing, but it grows tiresome. I'll let you all live for today." Then, he flew off, leaving all of them behind. He didn't expect to be coming back again anytime soon, but it was probably time to leave and cause havoc elsewhere in the world.

[Shara Kaline]

Shara saw the blond-haired boy come toward her, and say something about that she was okay with him there. He pointed his bow at her, and cast a spell. Shara felt immense relief as she felt her wounds closing, healing. She stood up again, and said, "Thank you." She then looked over toward that creep with the strange flaming wings. He had just jumped into the air with a strike toward the girl that had offered to heal him! What kind of monster...?!

Then, he looked down upon all of them as if they were worthless, remaining in the air. Shara looked up at him, her face contorted with rage at this arrogant bastard and his actions. Then, he spoke, dismissing them all before flying away!

Shara stood there, shaking in rage for a moment. That monster... Just attacking people for no reason, even attacking people who offered to heal him! Treating people like they were just toys to throw away once he was done playing with them... Suddenly, Shara remembered Brian. She had to talk with him! He'd seemed like he knew something about what was going on...

Shara suddenly rushed off toward the mansion that Brian had headed to. She'd never been so determined to find something out, or anything, that she became completely focused ignoring everything else... But just this once, she did so. She reached the mansion, and as she was about to charge in, the gates were closing, and then closed, and locked. Shara swung her sword toward the gate and the lock as she got closer, refusing to be stopped.

The sword sheared through the lock and Shara pushed it open. She then continued to charge inside, though she managed to notice that though there were people on the grounds, such as the ones that must have locked the door, none of them were armed. Shara burst into the house, and saw an unbelievable sight. It looked almost like there was an army of armed guards inside.

Suddenly, Shara heard Brian's voice, "Ancient darkness, strike! Fallen!" Shara barely managed to make out some sort of small glyph appearing in the midst of the small army, and then a beam shooting up from the center of it. The men scattered, and then Shara rushed in. "Leave him alone!" she shouted, and then began trying to smash through several of the nearest guards.

Shara heard someone who sounded like a new recruit saying something about that Firo would kill them all if Brian escaped. She shouted, "Firo is gone! Leave Brian alone!" Suddenly, all of them seemed to lose all of their fight. They scattered, and eventually, the hall was empty.

Shara looked toward Brian, who was holding a long, thin piece of wood, shaking unbelievably. He looked terrified, and she could hardly believe he'd managed to cast that spell. "Brian! Are you alright?!" she asked, concerned.

[♫|Rin| && |Len|♫]

_{RIN~! Hold on, I'm coming for you~}

---

---

Red. It sprayed everywhere as a small form seem to slowly fall to the ground. The ground becoming drenched in the red hot liquid; it's coloring mocking the boy. No matter how terrifying the sight was to him; no matter how much he just wanted to close his eyes and wish it away. There was no way that it would go away, because the worst of his nightmares just happened. The image flashed through his mind several times, each going slower and slower than the next. Each agonzing moment becoming so unbarable. He just couldn't believe it; his sister is on the floor bleeding. That's when the stupor just vanished as his shocked teal eyes turned into a dark foreboding color.

"RIN!" Len screamed, as his arms tensed and he let go of his Bullet tech at Firo. Not stopping at that, his rage filled him as he shot every arrow of his at the angel. Every bow seeming to shoot into the air with his rage, until there was none left. Growling and fighting back tears, he discards his bow to the side and rushes to his sister's side. Trying to calmly look at her health and help her; but his vision was nothing more than blury. Grabbing a hold of her hand; he squezes tightly as rin smiles back at him. Pain evident on her face; the large gash from her left hip up to her left shoulder. The blood pouring out like hot molases; the dark shade of red still mocking the young helf-elf.

Tears steadily rush down his face as he tries to wipe them away with his shoulder. His short gasps of breath coming out in hiccupes. He just couldn't believe how Firo would do this to Rin; hurt her after she had offered her healing service. He wanted to kill the man soo badly, but then again it was his fault too. He had let her go, even when he knew better. Even though he knew that he was just going to kill them either way, but he had let her go.

"L..L-Len~..." Rin gasps out to catch the older brother's attention. Len's head snaps up to her face, the same sad smile on her face. Her perfect featurs mared with blood trickling down the side of her lip. Trembling his head up and down in a sort of weird nodding manner, he places his hand on her side. Gather ing up as much mana as he needs for a spell. Getting ready to do it over and over again, until he could heal her. Until he lie exhuasted on the ground. He didn't care that the woman that they had helped and fled somewhere else. It's not like he needed her, she was useless to them. He didn't even care of Lien just leave, because they don't matter to him. Only Rin had ever ment anything to him, and only she will mean anything to him.

" It's..okay.....I'm here...HEAL!" Len says the words in short gasped tears, but saying heal in a desperate attempt to heal her. The soft green glow surounded her as Rin closes her eyes. The warmth and love of her brother surounding her to heal. Rin felt some of the pain ebb away, as after a few seconds later Len says the same words once more. The soft green glow appearing once more and surounding her in a soft embrace. She felt safe now.

---

Words: eh don't know..too lazy to find out
Comments: .__. I think I went a little overboard...sorry..

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[Brian Kana]

Brian thought he heard something. It didn't matter though, "Ancient darkness strike! Fallen!" Brian cried out as he finished the spell, and it echoed out throughout the halls. Brian didn't see the glyph, he'd targeted it in the middle of the small army, but he definitely saw the beam, shooting up into the air, spreading across the ceiling when it hit before the spell ended and everything faded.

The guards began scattering, and then revealed... "Shara?" Brian wondered in just a whisper. Shara was still alive? How was that possible, when Firo had attacked her...? Brian had seen his "father" fight, it was terrifying... Had Shara somehow managed to beat him? Brian saw as Shara started attacking the guards, saying to leave him alone...? Shara had run in here to defend him?

Brian then heard Shara shout that Firo was gone. Then the guards stopped fighting, just seemed to lose all their willpower then run away. Soon the hall was empty, except for Brian and Shara. Brian stood there, shaking, with the pole he had used as a weapon shaking in his hands. He heard Shara ask if he was okay. He said shakily, "I'm... I'm fine..."

Suddenly, he collapsed. His flagpole he used as a weapon was lying against the ground, both of his hands holding onto it even as they kept him from collapsing the rest of the way to the ground. Brian saw his reflection on the perfectly polished floor. The face of a killer. Brian looked back up at Shara, and said, with pain in his voice, "No... No, I'm not okay. I killed Raia... Besides you, he's the only friend I ever had, and now..."

Brian shook his head. Then, tears falling from his eyes, he looked directly at Shara again, "There's something I haven't told you..." he said, sounding incredibly pained. "I've been too much of a coward..." He took a deep breath, before he told her. "My father... No, Firo, was the one who framed your parents. He killed my "mother" and then pinned the murder on your parents."

Brian collapsed the rest of the way to the floor. "I'm sorry..." he whispered. "You're a far better friend than I am..."