A Legend... or Destruction?

[Xenoxice]

Zenithe carefully listened to Jolene's words as she made her decision and nodded slowly. "I can understand how you feel. Especially being a dragon myself and my lore and history becoming more as myths and legends each and every day to the average people. It's not often they see them and most begin to wonder if they even exist anymore. Especially now... even as a new era in the history of the Guardians of the Night begins with the transition to the Twilight Guardians, it still seems as though it will merely be lost in history. Who will ever even know unless I make myself... and you as well.... known to all? I can hold onto what I once had but anything I would have otherwise learned and experienced had my parents been alive longer.... I can never get that back. So instead I choose to create my own heritage. One in which one day our children and grand children and so forth will inherit and we can pass on to them. I embrace what heritage I have and had, let go of what I lost and forge a new one ahead of me." dousing the forge as he stepped from around the counter, he stood before Jolene. Raising a hand to place it gently upon her face should she allow. "One in which I ask for us to share together. I feel my time is nearing its end in this form until I can learn to control it completely. I have a vague idea of how to shift into it as I had a vision of it in my dreams while I was sleeping. But it's extraordinarily difficult and I believe will drain a great deal of my stamina until it comes more naturally. Until then, I can always assist you in helping to learn your new form if you wish my love. Turning into something of such size and strength is not easy and actually rather painful at first. But trust me when I say this...." He turned his gaze away for a moment and took a few steps back as his new form began to gradually fade and shift back into his human form. "Flying lessons will be quite the adventure.... but when you can take yourself to the world's edge and glide effortlessly and find yourself completely unphased by the lack of air at that height because your body processes oxygen more efficiently than any other creature in existence... everything else in the world feels utterly trivial in meaning looking at how small everything truly is. You'll find comfort in places you've never been able to travel to before."

His words carried with them a tone of wisdom and understanding that most wouldn't find themselves capable of even comprehending. "The most remote places in the world usually inaccessible become areas well within your grasp. The serene beauty of a sunset from the peak of the highest mountains unobtainable by foot."  Walking slowly to the far wall near the door at the entrance he continued.  "The tranquil glow of the full moon upon the ocean and clouds as you soar above them. The complete silence except for the whispers of nature around you in the most secluded beaches and caves. Hearing the heartbeat of a thunderstorm from the very center of it's clouds... you'll experience the world in ways you've never thought possible or have ever even dreamed of. Yes, you'll lose a bit of your heritage. But you'll gain an understanding of the world around you like never before. You'll be amazed what you actually learn with a clear mind and simply observing the world with eyes that can see for miles. It's not something of intellectual value or merit... it's a spiritual understanding that cannot be explained but only felt. You become closer to the world itself. Learn to read its signs and find it even has its own language from the wind that blows to the water that flows. Time even becomes more clearly understood." He smiled softly at Jolene and sat down on a chair nearby, very obviously tired from the work right after having gotten out of the bed from recovering. "There is much you will experience and learn with thousands of years on your hands. I can teach you how to use my powers as well when you're nearby.  You're right in the fact dragons are much harder to kill.  Nearly anytime a dragon has died has been by the hands of another rival dragon, or they were hunted and the dragon was a youngling that was too inexperienced to handle themselves against more than one foe.  Aside from that, dying isn't really very high on our list of concerns."  With a soft yawn and light sigh, his bright crimson eyes fixated upon Jolene.  "Yes, you will learn much in a very short time.  Of course when I say short time that's in reference to your new life span.  After all.... what fifty years in a humans life is considered to be half their lifetime, is no more than a few months in ours and our appearance will show as such.  It will take you nearly seven centuries to age what a normal human does in ten years.  So if you were worried about looks at all... don't worry.  You'll keep them for a very, very long time."  He smirked playfully as he leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, tired and hungry now.

[Relairah]

Jolene listened calmly as he began in response. At his first words, she almost felt a dagger had been plunged through her heart. How could she have been so foolish as to have forgotten that Zenithe was practically alone in this world also? That's right... they were two lonely souls that had been fortunate enough to have found each other. He was all she had. And she knew the same was for her with him. Especially since Xavelthius had killed his grandfather. She felt tears burn in her eyes at the thought, but refused to let them fall. She had been too worried indeed about what the spirits had told her. It's not like they had ever been there for her. Nor was it the case that anyone had cared for her... especially from her family. No one besides Zenithe. Other than her lousy mother, she didn't even know if she had family. Perhaps being dead for a brief time had messed with her judgement.

But at the same time, she felt a smile as Zenithe took all of it in stride. And offered to share the new heritage with her. Again. He was so patient with her. Understanding of her. It was so foreign to her. Still. Even if they were bonded in the truest form, it seemed her psyche was still catching up.

As he described things she would witness, she felt he spoke of things he had seen and knew from experience. Particularly since he mentioned the edge of the world. At each description, she formed an image in her mind and feelings of awe and wonder stole into her being. She knew he was right. And the way he spoke of it made her want to see all of those things for herself at that moment. But she knew she must be patient and learn and do them gradually. Even so. Her curious nature would never fade. She laughed softly at his words about the time. It was true. She had heard of dragons that live for thousands of years. At her age, she couldn't even imagine it. But she was also eager for it. And granted... he had a point about dragons being difficult to kill. Perhaps the fear had come from only a few weeks before watching two dragons die before her very eyes. Well... in a sense. She had seen the remains of Xavelthius scattered around them. It had made her want to cling to Zenithe all the more.

And at his last words, her laughter grew even more. "I suppose that's a good thing for you also," she said. In truth, that had been the last thing she had thought about. Old age and appearance changing. But he had a point there as well.

Jolene moved toward where he sat and leaned down, resting her forehead against his and reaching to lace her fingers with his. "Like I said. I'm yours now and forever." Her eyes softened. "I'm sorry. For forgetting we share a similar fate in our pasts. My fears were needless. You're all I have, you know. And if it took everything that's happened for that to be the case, I'm glad of it. I want to see what you have and learn everything the world has to offer. I would've wanted it had it not been for you and dragon blood. But now you've given me the gift of making it easier for me and showing it to me. And I'm glad I get to share all of it with you."

"Now. You were saying you wanted the food cooked, weren't you?" She stepped back slightly, glancing to where her kills still laid on the floor. She pulled the dagger with magical properties from her boot. "Want me to roast it?" she asked playfully. She just then remembered she had never shared with him the abilities the dagger allowed her. She doubted fire would impress him. After all, dragons could do that. But there was more. But she didn't voice it right then. Merely tucked it away to show him soon.

[Xenoxice]

Zenithe looked over to the kills and quirked a brow as he thought for a moment.  "That's a good question..... Roasted sounds pretty good right now actually."  With a grin he stood up and smiled at Jolene.  "There is nothing to be sorry for. It's easy for one to forget about anothers past as they have not experienced it themselves.  But we can go ahead and begin the first lesson.  We'll start with the easiest thing first.  Since you can draw from my power as long as you're nearby, let's begin with using the Shadow Jump which you have seen me use quite often.  It's not as hard as it looks and since the sun is so wonderfully creating many connecting shadows in here through the window, it will make it easier.  You want to start with clearing your mind completely as it does require a good deal of focus until you're used to it.  Once your mind is clear, see with your eyes the location you want to jump to.  It doesn't matter how far away it is, as long as there are shadows that overlap and intertwine with each other and reach from the one you're standing on, to the location you desire.  Once you see the path is good, comes the tricky part.  When I shadow jump, I'm actually stepping inside of the shadow itself.  It just happens so quickly it looks like an instantaneous teleportation. So, get a strong and clear mental image of yourself actually sinking into the shadow you're standing on.  Imagine your body vanishing and becoming an actual shadow itself.  Once you see this process in your head, the next step is simple.  All you have to do is look down at the shadow you're standing on and push your foot down as though you're stomping the ground without lifting your foot up.  Trust me when I tell you, the first time you do it.... it will be the wildest sensation you've ever felt all over your entire body.  You'll feel like you're being sucked into the ground and spit back out at a mind blowing speed only to find yourself standing in a different spot faster than you can blink your eye.  It may jerk you a bit at first and have trouble finding your footing upon re-emerging.  But once you desensitize yourself to the sensation with practice, you can repeatedly use the technique without issue.  Of course this is best used at night in any location or on sunny days in areas with lots of trees or people.  Nights of the new moon are the most fun as the entire ground is nothing but one large shadow enabling you to go anywhere you want with ease."  Zenithe sat back down as he took a deep breath.  His instructions had been given and he awaited to see how Jolene would do.  "After you manage to do it once, we can eat.  Who knows?  You may find yourself wanting to practice it more once you see what it feels like."

[Relairah]

Her orange gaze met his crimson one for a moment. "Even if I didn't experience it... I've seen your memories and the pains of your past. It's similar. But even so... those memories are not quite my own." Jolene started to move toward using her dagger to roast the food... but she stopped. If Zenithe wanted to wait to eat until she had trained a bit - which she didn't quite understand why - she would prefer it be nice and hot rather than cooled off from waiting. She tucked her dagger away and smiled. "Okay." As Zenithe spoke, she walked about the room, focusing on the sound of his voice and the words he spoke. Indeed the sun was casting many shadows and they were not lacking in size either. All the better to learn. Someday, she'd probably be able to use this ability for the smallest of shadows. Perhaps.

As she moved into and out of the shadows, she felt something stir within her. Surely... it must be the dragon blood. And yet it was inconsistent with what she had felt up to this point. Perhaps it was merely her change of heart reacting with the blood. She would find out, she guessed. She closed her eyes, letting his voice fade to a background noise. She smiled again at his last words and focused her breathing, letting her thoughts dissipate. That much at least was not difficult for her after all the training she had already done in the past. Rather than opening her eyes and trying to see what she was doing, she let her instincts take over. She had found letting her other senses reign often proved more effective than what her mere sight could offer. Even if it was more enhanced than a normal human.

She had stopped before one of the shadows cast from one of the windows. She could still feel the warmth of the sun on her face, but as she stepped forward, she felt the coolness of the shadow. She thought of one part at a time. She stepped into the shadow. The sensation reminded her of stepping off of an underwater ledge and into cool depths. Except falling into the water at a blinding speed. The sensation he had spoken of took hold. She had been thinking of a shadow directly behind her and before she knew it, she felt her body rising from it. It had been the same as what a human might imagine being sucked into a vacuum or a vortex would be. She was wobbly, but thanks to her cat nature, she regained her composure quickly. Having good balance helped. Almost as instantly as the shadow had felt it was liquid, it resumed its natural state and she stood on the firm floor. Jolene opened her eyes, their depths brilliant within the shadow where she still stood.

She breathed slowly. "Well that was different," she murmured, glancing toward Zenithe. "I'll admit my curiosity to fully understand it wants me to continue until I've mastered it as well as you. But you look both tired and famished." In the blink of an eye, she had drawn her dagger and the ruby in the hilt flashed as tongues of fire shot forth from the blade and thoroughly roasted her kills not far from where she was standing. "I'll practice to your heart's content after you've at least satiated your stomach."

[Xenoxice]

With an approving nod at Jolene's success with the maneuver, he smiled. But as the flames shot out from her dagger, his eyes grew a little wider as he hadn't seen her do that before so it was a little surprising to see. "Well now, I didn't know you were able to do that." He spoke calmly with a little grin. "It makes me wonder what else you're able to do that you haven't shown me." His grin widened as he watched the kills roast and the wonderful aroma fill his nose. Once they had been thoroughly cooked, even though they didn't need to be for him, he stood up wearily and just plopped himself down next to the roasted kills. Digging into them with his bare hands, not even caring for manners at this point. Every now and again he would stop and just slowly chew the meat, savoring the flavor and texture. He ate to his hearts content, albeit making sure he left enough for Jolene to eat as well. It wasn't quite enough to fill him up completely as he was capable of eating enormous amounts of food, but it was ample to serve as a small meal that should last him a good while. Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out he gazed towards Jolene. "That was quite delicious. I really appreciate you bringing that in." Standing up slowly, he seemed to have regained some of his strength. "I could teach you the other two spells I know... But one of them could send us anywhere on the planet and the other which you've already seen me use once before when escaping the guards, is a very complex spell and requires a lot of patience and time to master. So we'll stick with the jump for now." As he looked out the window at the sun, he turned his crimson gaze to Jolene with a warm smile. "I must admit, I am extraordinarily curious to see what your dragon form will look like. No two dragons are the same. They may have similar features but the shape, size and colors are always different."

Returning back behind the counter to place the unused materials and tools back where they belonged, he soon returned and stood before Jolene with a somewhat tired although excited look on his face.  "Well, it's up to you at this point what you wish to do.  Whether it's practice the spells, begin attempting to shift into your new form or resting for the rest of the day.  We will do whatever arouses your curiosity the most.  As for me, while I am tired, I can go on for quite a while in this state before actually requiring rest."

[Relairah]

Jolene grinned. There was a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Perhaps time will tell." There was an ironic tone to her voice and she tucked her dagger away. Clearly, she had no intention of showing him right in that moment. After all, as he had pointed out numerous times now, they had nothing but time. She ate as heartily as she pleased. She hardly needed as much sustenance as he did, though she had noticed an increase in her overall hunger since their marriage.

When they were done eating, she wondered if she should have brought more. There was not one scrap left. It seemed Zenithe didn't focus o n the matter long. Instead, he quickly returned to the subject of his spells. She was silent a moment, considering everything he'd said. "You know... I think my curiosity is probably as insatiable as your hunger can be." She smiled at this comment. "But I can be patient... if I must. I want to know it all also... the things you can teach me about your magic, how my own will grow and differ... and my appearance as a dragon. But I have a feeling in my stomach as well as in my instincts that tells me I won't learn all of it quickly."

She paused, moving toward him. "I am impressed with your stamina. Although perhaps it is best if you rest a bit more. Besides, I can practice shadow-jumping and perhaps even test out my new gifts." She smirked. "We'll be needing more food soon... I for one have to eat on a regular basis." She glanced toward the stairway leading to the upper level and then back at Zenithe. "Or perhaps you'd prefer to tag along?"

[Xenoxice]

OoC: Sleepy after work and no muse = short post >_<'.

IC:

Zenithe listened to Jolene's words and gave a light smile at her comment being impressed by his stamina. "Well, in all honesty I would much rather get out of this shop and the town in general. I seem to recover better when I'm outside around nature, especially at night when it's quiet."  Resting his hand upon the hilt of his sword, he tilted his head with a widening smile. "I feel I'm up for a hunt with some practice thrown in.  I believe if we can get started on the shift, the other two spells will come much easier.  I certainly would like to see how you enjoy your new gifts as well!"

[Relairah]

Jolene felt her lips settle into a softer sort of smile as Zenithe mentioned his comfort surrounded by nature. Briefly, she remembered the first night they had shared together with the glowing lake in the middle of a forest only he could have taken her to. So much had already happened for them since then. She felt it hard to believe that in actuality, not a terrible amount of time had passed. Especially relative to the countless years they had before them. "Well let's not delay you from your recovery," she said with a laugh, spinning on her heel and moving out of the shop.

She didn't pause as she moved easily into the surrounding trees. They were still near the city of Ebernum, but she had no intention of going through town. She headed deeper into the forest in the opposite direction of where the dragons had fallen, but also away from the city. The trees grew closer together and the underbrush thickened. The shadows overlapped and only small pillars light were able to pierce into the darkness from the treetops. Jolene felt adrenaline rising. She did do better in the dark, she'd found...

Soon, she discovered tracks, and her hunt began. And in a way she had never used before. With such an abundance of shadows, she was eager to perfect this new skill. She stepped into the shadow of one of the trees, closing her eyes as she did so as to let her instincts guide her. It really would take some time for her to completely adjust to the sensation. In a moment, she emerged from another tree's shadow a small distance away and she crouched, controlling her breathing. In a fluid motion, a flash of silver was all that could be seen before the impact as a large bird collapsed with a thud several yards away. Jolene closed her eyes again, stepping into another nearby shadow and emerging next to the bird. She pulled one of her new daggers from its chest and searched for Zenithe. "They're amazing," she said, meaning the daggers. "So... what did you mean by the shift?" she asked, curious.

[Xenoxice]

Zenithe followed Jolene as she had stepped out of the shop.  Picking up a key that had been laying above the door frame on the way out and locking the door behind them.  Into the woods he followed until he saw her pick up some tracks where he began to back off a bit on the distance to allow her practice with her new skills, while still being close enough that she could draw upon his magic to use them.  A quick blur of silver flying through the air after a shadow jump was all that could be seen before she went to retrieve her new toy.  A warming smile creeping upon his face seeing her use the skill successfully already for positioning.  Her compliment of his work causing him to give a small bow of his head.  "Thank you very much love."  Also listening to her question about what he was referring to as far as the shift.  With a deep breath of fresh air now that they were outside the city, he began his explanation.  "When I'm talking about the shift, I'm talking about the shift into your dragon form.  It's a task that will be extraordinarily difficult.  It's not like the shifting form you're naturally born with while discovering and practicing at the same time.  It's CREATING a new form from your own mental projection of what you want it to look like and the abilities it wields and making it a reality.  Once you attempt to start the shift, whatever mental image and abilities you have of yourself is what you will turn into gradually from then on and for the rest of your life.  So be very wise and sure about what you want as I explained earlier before the marriage.  It won't be painless either.  Your body isn't used to shifting in such an extreme manner and the expansion, reforming and growing of the existing and new bones, tissue and muscle during the beginning will be more painful than you can imagine.  So it's best to steel yourself before we begin that.  Whenever you're ready we can begin and I'll coach you through on ways to help progress a little easier depending on where you have the hardest time in the process."

Looking around at how many shadows intertwined and how far they stretched, Zenithe smiled before giving a final task.  "There's an exercise I want you to perform eventually.  You'll know you've mastered the Shadow Jump when you can stand in one location, throw your knives at normal speeds you would to attack an enemy and jump ahead of it then catch it in mid-air.  That will require speed, precision control and change in directional orientation through the shadow all at once.  When you've accomplished that, you can successfully claim you have mastered that skill.  Much in the same manner you saw me using it take down the guards earlier in the woods.  Thrusting my blade and in the middle of the thrust jumping behind the target and shifting my direction around so the thrust continued into the target, not away from them."

[Relairah]

Jolene listened silently as Zenithe elaborated on shifting. She was curious if what he was describing came from his experiences, from his vast knowledge, or something he merely believed. He was probably right. After all, a dragon form had not been the one she was born with. But she had formed an image in her mind of what she would look like as a dragon. It had been a constant circling thought for some time now. Especially after her death and all that had happened with Xavelthius. And from her experiences... well the first time she had ever transformed in her life it hadn't been so painful as he described. Though it had been the opposite effect. She had shrank in size as opposed to grown. And what he was talking about was exponential growth at that. She had certainly had to train in order to master her transformations. And she knew this would be the same. Perhaps she should focus on shifting a part of herself at a time. But from what she was understanding, she might need to transform entirely before she mastered parts of the whole.

Either way, she was determined.

He seemed to focus on simpler things. Talking about the shadow abilities again. She remembered what he was talking about. The ability to project objects through the shadow jump as well. She was eager to try it. "Well... perhaps I can do that and focus on the shift in due time. Besides... surrounded by all these trees... it hardly seems like I'd have enough room," she said with a smile. Again, she thought of the glowing pool which he had taken her to. If they were there... perhaps she might try it then. She was feeling rather confident in her abilities to move through the shadows on her own now. She retrieved a dagger from her person and focused her attention not on the shadow she'd be moving it through, but rather on its target shadow. She let her mind retrace the feelings as she'd passed through shadows, and tried to mimic the flow of magic as she threw her dagger.

She heard a zing and a thud as the dagger sank into the tree from which the starting shadow fell. "Well, I guess it's going to take a few tries for me to really get it," she said, moving to retrieve the dagger from the wood.

[Xenoxice]

Zenithe listened as Jolene had made her statements about what she was going to try and do and watched as she practiced. He smiled with a small chuckle as he walked over to her and held out his hand, open palm facing up. "One of the needles please." he asked kindly, awaiting for her to hand one over to him. As soon as she would, he would stand next to her, raising his right hand across his chest with the needle between his pointer and middle finger, readying it to throw the needle at a tree a mere few yards away. "This is the speed and precision I want you to strive to obtain with this skill." With his words, in a single fluid motion if ones eyes could catch the movements, his right hand came back across his chest and with a flick of his wrist the needle flew forward. His left hand reaching in front of his face at the same time his right hand threw the weapon. A split moment later vanishing into the shadow, re-appearing and facing towards where Jolene was standing. His hand closing as he caught the blur of a needle less than an inch away from his face. The entire event happening to a normal humans eye faster than the average reaction speed. He smiled until he heard a small rustle in the trees behind him.

His smile rapidly faded as his pupils narrowed, still staring at Jolene. "I'm talking directly to you Jolene... Listen to me carefully and only use your telepathy to talk to me and me alone. The practice will have to wait.  Hide immediately and follow me closely but not too close. Someone is here and I'm still in a weakened state. I have a feeling its your old box client coming for us. Or rather me specifically. It's important to know you can only use my abilities if you're within about a hundred yards or so from me, only the shift can you use anywhere.  I'm going to let them take me so we can see what they're really after. They'll probably tranqu..." his words interrupted momentarily as he felt a prick on his shoulder. "ilize.. me..." His pupils dilated and changed to huge circles as he struggled to stay awake. "I'm going to... shift some of my... organs and muscles... I can stop from.... falling asleep this way... so I can still... talk.... more resilient... to sedative... faster metabolism...." His words became more labored as he fell slowly to one knee. Closing his eyes, giving his entire concentration to the subtle shifting of the inside of his body so as to be unseen by anyone else. "Follow... them." His breathing slowed as he laid himself down and kept his eyes closed. "Let them... take me..." His hand subtly covered the needle and moved it over the shadow next to him.  A small puff of smoke under his fingers and the needle would appear right at Jolene's feet.  "You'll need... every... one..."  His words quieted down as he slipped into a state somewhere between consciously awake and asleep. Enough so his mind was still active enough to listen and communicate but his body was virtually useless at this point.

[Relairah]

Everything had been so perfect. So calm. Perhaps it was only natural it would not remain that way. Still, Jolene hadn't seen it coming. Perhaps her guard had been down. Or perhaps she had been ignoring her instincts. She smiled, watching Zenithe's performance closely. She was beyond impressed... entirely captivated by him and his abilities despite the fact he was still recovering. In a way, she was entirely in awe. As he threw the needle, disappeared, and reappeared all within a split second to catch the weapon, she couldn't help a the rush of excitement and the desire to attempt to do the same.

And all in that same moment, everything changed. Jolene frowned and stepped back, Zenithe's thoughts flying through her mind. Frantically, her fiery gaze was searching the shadows, but she couldn't quite pin-point anything. Their enemies must have been upwind to make it worse. She watched as Zenithe slowly crumbled, and resisted her urges to rush to his side and drag him away into the shadows. Let them take him?! Was he insane?! She forced back a sob and she lowered, gripping the needle and in one fluid motion leaping into the branches of the tree behind her.

She knew he was right. The only way to end this once and for all was to let them take him. For him to be bait. And to lead her right to them. But was she ready to even deal with this? Before she even had time to reconsider... figures swooped down out of the trees beyond Zenithe, dressed just as those that had initially attacked them for the box had been. He had been right. They took Zenithe, and as quickly as they had come they were gone.

Jolene couldn't have been more grateful for her natural abilities at that moment as she followed the men, sticking to the tree-tops and the shadows. Even if he was in a semi-conscious state, as long as she was close she could shadow-jump to keep up and help hide her form even further. She couldn't help wondering how far they would travel. And then, in a flash of light, those she was following were gone.

---

Far away from where Zenithe had been taken, once his consciousness returned, he would find himself in a well-furnished yet dimly lit room. He would be chained to a cushioned seat and mirrors all around him. He would also find several men stationed around the room and standing directly across from him would be the man who had initially hired Jolene to find the box, leaning backward against an ornately decorated table. Finally, if Zenithe tried to use his abilities, he would find his chains begin to glow a faded blue and currents flowing into his body. "Welcome... Guardian," the man would say.

[Xenoxice]

Finally coming around from the grogginess of the tranquilizer he had been struck with, Zenithe opened his eyes and looked around the room, taking note of everything that was around him, including the chains that bound him. Noticing the men including the man who hired Jolene momentarily, but paying them no mind, he focused his attention on the chains and cuffs. He decided to give them a little test and channeled a small portion of his magic around him only to notice a strange sensation as the chains and cuffs began to glow.  I see... magic suppressant cuffs. Very clever little human, I'll give you that.... but not nearly enough. Zenithe thought to himself silently. Giving them another test, he made a mental connection to Jolene without the cuffs beginning to glow at all.  "Thank goodness for every dragon possessing their own unique skills.... You need to find me quickly Jolene.  He has me bound in a chair with magic suppressant chains in a not so shabby looking room actually.  He seems the kind of man to not stray too far from home.  Come look for me at his house first, then the surrounding area.  With these cuffs you'll probably only be able to draw on my power at about a quarter of the distance you normally would.  So keep trying to shadow jump around buildings outside and when you can, you'll know you're very close to me.  He doesn't know I can communicate with you in this manner since no two dragons in the world have the same abilities.  Even in our line, our traits are not shared.  I am the only one with a direct telepathic connection with my mate that can talk over any distance."

Zenithe's eyes gazing around, all the while he was talking with Jolene.  Even acknowledging the mans greeting with a simple unblinking glare and a small smirk.  Even mocking the man with a shake of his head and a small laugh.  "What, you think you have me at a disadvantage?  A few little chains on a chair, a couple guards and yourself?  Don't make me laugh... Oh wait, you already did."  Zenithe's laugh grew a bit louder as he reared back a little and smiled wider.  "I can keep him busy for a little while love, but you must be hasty.  I know he wants something from me so he won't harm me too bad.  But I can bruise his ego and pride enough to provoke him a bit.  His type can't stand being mocked.  Men with power and authority.  Those who belittle it anger them easily."  Zenithe sat straight up and looked at the man with a condescending stare showing that he clearly believed the man was well beneath him even in the current situation.

[Relairah]

OoC: Eh... forgive the length o.o;;;; Hope you like and stuff n.n' heh... there's no way I could've made it smaller without leaving important stuff out or spoiling the reveal with another pm DX have fun! *scampers away*

iC:

The man remained where he was as Zenithe awoke. Slowly, he adjusted his spectacles and glanced around to where each of his eight men just in the room were stationed before settling his gaze on his captive once more. If the man was pleased that the chains served their purpose, he showed no sign of it. Instead, he simply pushed off from the table and adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves. As Zenithe spoke, mocking him, the man only smirked. "You know... it took me a bit to figure it out. It shouldn't have... really... but that's what happens when you're out of the game too long, perhaps." His voice remained the same soft, deep evenness from their first encounter.

"You see, those are not mere magic suppressant chains. They're very special. Designed specifically for dragons. And for a specific line of dragons at that." The man paused, turning, seeming to give Zenithe a moment to think. "But you'll learn that soon enough... Guardian." The man paused once more. "After that worthless thief ran off with my box... and you helped her destroy it. Well. She knew what her fate would be. She must have known I would not merely let it be. But no matter," at these words, he waved a hand.

"The box is no longer my concern. Nor its contents. In fact, you opening it probably helped me in the long run. I can kill two birds..." he drifted off, leaning back once more against the table, "so to speak. Jolene and yourself are precious to each other. And in taking you, I am now even with her. At first, I wanted to take her life. Until I learned more of you. In betraying me, you both will be giving me a gift. After all, as the descendant of the great one, and one who has fully awakened, you are just what I need to restore everything."

At that moment, the man revealed another box. This one was quite different than the one he had sent Jolene after. It was made of a clear material, pure silver decorating its edges and upon the rounded lid was a brilliant golden finish carved in the shape of a dragon resting upon a sun and reaching outward. Inside the box, clear due to its being transparent, glowed a soft light that seemed to pulse ever so slightly. "Perhaps you might remember tales of eons past of a group that thrived. They called themselves the Sun Dragons and were fearless, even worshiped by some as gods. In human form they were successful, wealthy, even governing over pathetic human territories. Until one by one, they were struck down by one who dared do think he could play god... and govern all of them. grr that Xavelthius," he whispered. "Eventually, he was sealed away. But you already know the rest of that. Before that, he sealed me in human form, unable to ever soar the skies again. And my magic sealed with it, you see."

The man paused again, meeting Zenithe's gaze and watching him carefully. "My name known for now is Sedra. But perhaps even for your youth, you remember the name Sidrith." He paused again, placing the clear box carefully on the table behind him. "You see, Guardian, only one of his bloodline can break my seal and restore my abilities. And those chains have slowly been absorbing and relocating your magic since they first came in contact with you. Very soon... you will have given me the power I need. And you'll find that your own abilities are not exactly at full strength. Don't worry. I don't intend to leave you utterly powerless as your relative did." After all, Sedra hardly wanted Zenithe doing the same as he had and leaving him back where he'd started. But he also had no intention of letting the power slip through his fingers again. He would restore the Sun Dragons.



Meanwhile, Jolene had already been heading back toward the Ebernum city they had originally come to. Despite her previous desires to stay away from it... she'd had no choice. After watching the men disappear with her beloved, she had assumed mere humans would not have teleportation abilities. The only explanation would be they carried magical artifacts... perhaps like the dagger she carried that lended them abilities. And well... even with those abilities they wouldn't have been able to teleport that far away. No, they had to be in the city. Or near it. It had not taken her long to reach the white walls and the outlying buildings. The city glistened in the sunlight shining down on the mountain-side and it was alive with the normal bustle of the day.

Trusting her instincts, Jolene didn't move into the heart of the city. Instead, she scoped out the more luxurious appearing houses. There were several mansions carved from the marble and decorated with various structures and carvings. It had to be one of them.

She slipped closer, sticking to her known abilities such as her agility and deftness. She leaped across roofs and moved easily between the houses. Already she had shifted parts of her body such as her ears which then rested as pointed triangles atop her head and her nails were elongated into claws. It was easy for her to hear events inside the homes. It was the one that was utterly silent that put her on alert. That and the fact it clearly had high security. Yet before she could move in, she felt Zenithe's presence in her mind.

He must have regained consciousness.

"Zenithe! Thank goodness you're okay. I think I've already found you. He didn't take you as far as you think. We're still in the white mountains of Ebernum near the city where your grandfather lived. I'm close. I'm coming for you."

Jolene slipped down the building and through a side window. She found herself in a small room, barely furnished and dimly lit. The window provided the only illumination. It was covered in mounds of old books and other trinkets. As much as she desired to learn more... she knew she didn't have time. Not now. She slipped toward the door, listening. It was then she heard the man who had first hired her speaking. Jolene frowned, hearing everything he said. And she was glad she had been right about the house. "Zenithe... how many are there in total?" She wasn't letting this guy take Zenithe from her. He hadn't even recovered yet. If this Sedra or Sidrith or whoever he was didn't know exactly what he was doing... she pushed the thought from her mind. She believed in her mate. And there was no way in hell she was going to let this happen when she could stop it.

She stepped out and found herself in a corridor lit by a simple chandelier. But before she could move any further, she had to bend backwards and twist downwards, catching herself on her hands and bouncing back. As she came up, her orange gaze met that of a well built man dressed like one of the guards she had seen on her last encounter with Sedra. She smirked. This guy had no idea who he was dealing with right now... and she couldn't wait to use one of her newly crafted weapons.

[Xenoxice]

As Zenithe listened to the mans words he smirked and finally started to chuckle to himself.  "Jolene, there are only a few in here but there is something more important. Hide for a moment and listen to our conversation. I will speak to you as I talk to him at the same time. When he speaks, I will relay it to you. This is something important you need to hear as one of a dragon bloodline now. And to know what we're up against." Looking to the man before him his expression remained unchanged. "Sidrith.... how I haven't heard that name in so long..." His smirk faded quickly as his face began turning into a scowl. "You disgust me. All the Sun dragons do. You weren't even able to seal one of your own away and stop him. Or did you forget that Xavelthius was a renegade sun dragon himself? What is all this, a feeble attempt to prevent your bloodline's name from being forgotten and lost in the abyss of history? Are you merely trying to prove that you're still as strong as ever and it's nothing more than a flaunting of power? Even as a descendant of the great one there was still a bloodline far more ancient than either of ours. The wisest and eldest of our kind and they prophesied each and every major event in every known dragon bloodline that exists. Every one of them have come to pass in absolute truth and nothing short of just that. Each phrase in the prophesies signifying an event. So surely you know the prophesy that no one was ever able to decipher because the bloodline never existed? Yes.... It was the first one ever discovered...." Zenithe slowly closed his eyes. With a slow deep breath he recited the prophesy that had been magically etched into the scroll.

"From dusk til dawn,
Through the fight....
The Sun shall rise above the Night.

The Sun shall reign with all it's might,
The land shall quiver and shake with fright...

From dusk til dawn,
The Sun will fight....
Before succumbing to the hour of Twilight."

The words rolled off his tongue as the prophecy came to an end and he opened his eyes. Almost with a baffled look upon his face. "So why, Sidrith? Why are you trying to rise back to power? Just to fulfill the prophesy? You and I are the only ones now who know the truth of this one now.  The first part of the prophesy has already came to pass.  The sun rose above the night when Xavelthius, although renegade, still a sun dragon, killed the last remaining Guardian of the Night.  My grandfather...  So now you attempt to rise to power and according to prophesy you will succeed and the land itself will know you have.  But then came the part nobody ever knew of until now.... you know full well my bloodline has now awakened as the Twilight Guardians.  Although not completely here yet, our hour is beginning.  Once our hour comes, you will fall.  Be it by my hand or another.  So what's the point Sidrith?  Why do this at all?  Even if you use my power, it won't save you."  His words as he spoke, he sent them directly to Jolene as well in his mind so she could hear what he had to say.  Awaiting to hear what Sidrith's response would be so he could relay it to Jolene.

((ooc: Your next post anything he says just assume Jolene can hear it too ))