Of Dreams and of Legends

[Relairah]

Aelariah couldn't help a slight bewilderment as she observed the interaction between the one who was leading her and the masked guard. Was this female creature betraying her kind to aid her? Or was she attemtping to lead her to something for an alternate purpose? Aelariah couldn't help feeling in her gut that these creatures were attemtping to use her and the other wolves for something. Still, she had no choice but continue to follow the female creature until she learned more.

As the lavendar colored wolfess observed the carvings she was somewhat impressed, though quicklly brushed it aside as she saw the makings of the turtle. She wondered if they were recounting the tale of what Navlos had indicated, or if they intended to worship the mural in some way. Particularly after she observed the raised dais with the collection of random items. No doubt, these were some of the things the crazed wolf she and Gjelu encountered had mentioned. Or at least, Aelariah suspected that was the case. However, Navlos hadn't specified anything other than the metal claws so Aelariah saw no point in gathering them or attempting to take them with her. Even Navlos had made it seem as if everything besides those claws was of little importance.

Aelariah frowned finally as the creature pointed to the exit. She wasn't leaving without her brother. Or without finding out whatever it was Navlos knew. She lowered her head, her lip rising slightly in frustration at the other. She had lead her here for nothing? Aelariah wasn't sure if the items the female creature had flung to the side would be of use, but she gathered them once more together on the dais. She focused her energy on gathering water from her surroundings and forming a bubble of it around the objects. Surely, if she pressed further, she would find what it was she really needed. Aelariah wasn't sure if this creature would understand anything she said, but she felt it was worth a try.

Raising one of her paws, she gestured toward her claws and then toward the objects. "Where are the metal claws the dark wolf came with?" she whispered. Whether the female understood or not, Aelariah would force the bubble she had created to hover near her so as to carry the objects and then she would begin making her way back the way they had come.

[Mokobo]

The creature continued to chatter agitatedly at Aelariah in it's sharp, primal dialect. The tirade would increase in urgency as the wolfess went about the task of collecting the scattered items. As the creature made to grab one of the items and toss it further away, the water Aelariah controlled with her magic would swoop in to scoop it up. The captain's fierce yellow eyes would open widely in fear and wonder as she took a few steps away from the wolf. It appeared for a moment as if the beast might bolt and hide, but she would instead muster her courage once more as the female canine made to return to the others.
Quickly the creature would run past Aelariah, making to attempt to cut her off. Instead the beast tripped upon the slumbering guard, falling face first into the sand. She would slap a webbed hand upon the ground in exasperation before rising once more to her feet. By that time Aelariah would have a decent lead upon the smaller creature. With a scowl the diminutive beast would run after the wolfess, pumping her legs furiously to catch up. Once she had overtaken Aelariah, the creature would gesture for the other to follow, calling out in her sharp language.
As they would make their return through the village, the beast would seem to throw her earlier caution to the wind. The center of the village was still ominously empty, and yet was even more so on this second trip. The drum beats from before had died away, replaced with a primal sort of chanting that drifted down from the sunlight above. Rather than avoid the circle of light as she had before, the creature would dash across the open expanse. She would pause briefly at the other side, gesturing hurriedly to Aelariah if she was not already close. The beast seemed to have changed its mind from insisting Aelariah leave the domain to getting her back to the others as quick as possible.
The reason for this sort of attitude would become all too clear as the enclosure of stone rose up from the gloom. The guards who had been collapsed outside the entrance were gone. Digging her heels into the sand, the captain would skid to a halt, turning her gaze different ways rapidly. A sudden roar of anger would burst forth from the tunnel, causing the female creature to quake slightly on the spot where she stood. Fear gripped the heart of the beast as she looked fearfully at the circle of stone. Apparently the captain had not the heart to proceed.
For good reason.
Navlos released another roar of anger as yet another net of woven kelp tangled across his body. The muscles in his legs bulged and strained as he swept his deadly, metallic claws in a wide arc. The sharp edges of his talons made short work of the net, hewing through the carefully woven fibers with careless ease. The male had been enjoying a rather pleasant dream when a weightless feeling had caused him to stir. He had found himself suspended several feet above the ground, his body slowly rising with jerking motions. A quick inspection had shown him the harness of kelp lifting him toward the opening in the ceiling above.
While he had no use of his magic due to the draft he had consumed earlier, the creatures would soon learn Navlos was far from harmless. A few quick swipes of his paws had freed him, dropping his body unceremoniously upon the stone dais. Immediately the creatures had swarmed forth from the walls, tossing their weighted nets upon him endlessly. After freeing himself from the latest, Navlos would turn his gaze toward the ceiling to see Gjelu's unconscious frame nearing the lip of the opening. With a snarl the dark pelted male would turn upon the nearest of the amphibious creature, beheading it swiftly in the same motion.
The other beasts would back away with gasps as their prisoner so efficiently dispatched one of their number. Their horror grew as Navlos picked the decapitated head up off the ground, spearing a sharp claw through the tender flesh of the severed neck. With a grunt from the effort, the grizzled wolf would spin rapidly, launching the grisly projectile into the air. His aim was true, and one of the beasts let loose a cry as it tumbled through the opening in the ceiling to plummet down upon the stone walls.Yet he did not achieve his goal, and Gjelu's frame now hung halfway over the lip of the skylight as the creatures finished dragging him up.

[Relairah]

Aelariah growled in frustration and then ignored the captain and her antics. Her stomach began twisting in knots as she got closer to the cavern where they had first discovered Navlos and she quickened her pace. Something wasn't right...

As soon as the lavendar and white colored wolfess encountered the scene, she had taken it in within seconds. She was hardly concerned with the crazed wolf - it was clear he could handle himself. But Gjelu... her brother was completely unware. She had to admit she was a little surprised when the dark wolf made an attempt to help her brother. Aelariah dove toward where Gjelu was suspended. "Gjelu!" she screamed, hoping it was stir him, even if only a little. She burst her wings open, plunging into the air toward her brother's form.

"Wake up!" she yelled at him. She wasn't sure what good water attacks would be against the fish-creatures, but she tried. It was clear there was something above them, and she gathered water from her surrounding air, plunging it downward through the gap which threw several of the fish creatures downward from the force. She was hoping in the process it would either douse her brother, break him free, or both.

[Mokobo]

Within the hazy shroud of sleep Gjelu dreamt of shadowy figures surrounding him. Panic welled up within the warrior's chest as the ominous specters of his dreams began to speak in horrific tongues. For a moment he imagined that he was back in the days of the Great War, a captive to a band of demons.  As the nightmare progressed, Gjelu felt a tugging sensation upon his wings before beginning to experience a weightless feeling. His sleeping mind imagined the demons were going to dismember his glorious flight appendages, much as they had disfigured his father. The embers of his fear were fed by this thought, roaring forth into the irrational fires of panic that grip those caught within a nightmare.
"Gjelu!"
He heard the familiar voice calling his name, and yet the one who spoke seemed far away and not at the same time. It was as if a wall of water were between himself and the familiar voice. A voice he was aware that he should know, but could not seem to put a name to. The panic of his nightmare was causing his heart to race rapidly, and focusing on any one subject was difficult. The dream realm he seemed trapped in began to swirl with bright lights and a familiar lavender color. Still he tried to recall the name of who was calling his. Gjelu knew he had the answer almost at the tip of his tongue.
"Wake up!"
Quite suddenly the answer would come to him. Rather, as the conjured water crashed about him, forcing several of the sea-beasts to fall to their doom, Gjelu would snap awake. His bright blue gaze darted around quickly as he struggled against the net which he was bound in. All too late the warrior wolf realized his dream had not been far from reality, and that he himself was in a precarious position. While his sister's efforts to free him had succeeded in dispatching some of the creatures, more rushed to take their places. In a short moment Gjelu felt himself being lifted the last few feet to the opening as his mind raced to think of a solution. Instinctively he reached toward his power, intending to freeze the woven kelp holding him. With his wings free Gjelu would be able to safely glide down to the ground below. Yet all too late the wolf remembered his power was blocked from him from the same drink which had set him in the forced slumber. The same panic he felt in his nightmare once more gripped Gjelu's heart as his head bumped and then dragged against solid stone. As the creatures managed to drag him through the opening, the white wolf would call out in desperation.
"Aelariah!"
With an almost bored sort of expression upon his face, Navlos would watch as the female took flight in an effort to aid her brother. The effort he had made himself earlier had been almost instinctual. Having spent so much of his life fighting with a group, his natural habit when being ambushed was to lend what aid he could to comrades. His dark red eyes watched with a bemused twinkle, following the descent of one of the scaled creatures. The sickening crunch the small frame made as it was destroyed upon the stone dais brought a grin to his lips, which parted to let loose a soft chuckle. Yet the merriment would die upon his lips as Navlos took note of an object by the wrecked carcass, an object that had most certainly not been in the room when he fell asleep.
Navlos' mind worked quickly to piece together this anomaly before him. As he began to survey the circular room the dark wolf saw more objects, most apparently worthless trinkets. Perhaps the one named Aelariah had gone in search of the pouch he had described to them. While he did not see his precious momento among the clutter, the battle scarred wolf was impressed that the young female had shown such initiative. Perhaps she had been helped, but at the least she had managed to find wherever these beasts had stashed their treasures.
As he continued to search, Navlos felt a growing frustration at not finding what he sought. With a snarl  he would hunch his back slightly, making him look as if he was trying to flex some unused muscle. After a few moments of this awkward position, Navlos would turn to give his own back a deadly glare, almost as if he could threaten his body into obeying his will. Realization would dawn within his broken mind before he uttered a curse to himself. "Of course...perhaps the fish drink isn't the best option after all." Once more those dark red eyes would lift upward just in time to see that Gjelu had finally awoken. The beasts were nearly finished pulling the younger male through the skylight while his sister flew toward the same exit. Navlos was certain these beasts had to have his pouch wherever they were taking Gjelu, and yet he could not follow. Not wanting to miss all the fun, the battle scarred veteran would dash off through the exit tunnel, his mind racing to figure out an escape to the surface. When he emerged from the crude hallway he would find his answer before him, forcing a grin onto his blood stained lips.
Above ground Gjelu found himself being dragged across sand and sparse clumps of grass. The sound of surf washing against the shore was relatively nearby and the taste of salt was in the air. From what little of the surrounding area he could see through the kelp net and the creatures, Gjelu assumed they were atop the dunes which they had swum up to earlier. The cries of seagulls overhead brought forth the memory of gruesome carcass of the giant turtle, and the wolf could not help feeling a wave of dread wash through him. Such a feeling was only intensified as a steady beating of a drum began to pick up nearby, along with a primal sort of chanting. It was toward the unseen source of these sounds that his grim-faced captors now began to drag him.

[Relairah]

A growl that was a mixture of fury and frustration flowed freely from Aelariah's lips as her efforts did little and Gjelu was still pulled away. Curses flowed in her mind and she couldn't help thinking how Gjelu had insisted on going before her when they'd begun their journey so as to look out for her, and as a result, it was him that was now in trouble. She dove through the opening after Gjelu, blinking slightly in the change of light. She hadn't exactly been expecting to be so abruptly returned to the surface. Though perhaps she shouldn't be so surprised. Where else would such an opening in a cavern lead?

It didn't take long for her to spy Gjelu and she flapped her wings, going toward him swiftly. "Gjelu," she called toward him once more. Why wasn't he fighting back more? Perhaps the drink still had a grip on his physical body. She couldn't imagine what these fish creatures had in mind for him, but she wasn't willing to find out. If it was a choice, she chose to save him. She dove in closer. Now that they were above ground, the sea provided an ample source for her magic. Drawing the water together, she moved it in a slicing motion, hacking at the ties of kelp the creatures were using for her brother. She imagined it wouldn't take that much to free him. She would then once more move the water in such a way as to sweep the fish creatures away. They were small, and she hoped Gjelu's size would protect him from the movement. Finally, she landed, her paws immediately closing the distance and she snapped at any creatures still surround him, her claws seeking impact to those that escaped her jaws. "Gjelu, are you okay?" she asked.

[Mokobo]

The primal chanting accompanied by the steady beat of drums would quickly turn to cries of pain and terror as Aelariah launched her attack in an attempt to free Gjelu. The beasts dragging the white wolf would be easily overpowered by her magic. Most of them scampered out of reach after the first few of their brethren were tossed aside by the whipping torrents of water. Yet the creatures would quickly regroup and form a rough circle around the canines as the female landed to check on her brother. Once he felt his bonds loosen, Gjelu would do his best to extract himself from the mass of woven kelp. However his head continued to spin from the drink, and his limbs sluggishly responded to his whims."I'm fine, just a little banged up."
Once free of the crude net, Gjelu would survey their surroundings. Dozens of the bipedal beasts had rushed to form a rough circle around them, each holding their crude spears in trembling hands. Yet there were countless more of the creatures amassed on the nearby shoreline. It seemed the entire community was assembled. Most of the crowd was unarmed, and sheltered smaller youths who watched with wide eyes full of terror. Two hollowed logs lay upon the shore with their ends submerged beneath the crashing surf. Roughly tanned hides of some large fish had been stretched taunt over the other ends. Between these two primitive drums laid an immense, empty turtle shell.
Fresh blood and gore still spotted the blown top of the turtle shell. It appeared as if the beasts had removed the remains of the turtle the siblings had discovered earlier that day before floating it down the shoreline. The undertaking had no doubt been daunting for such diminutive beasts. It was also apparent by the haphazard way in which the shell had been beached that they had not been able to fully complete the task. With its crude crutch wedged between two plates of the shell, the one-legged leader stood atop the desecrated remains of the turtle. Out of all the creatures assembled he alone seemed devoid of fear, and a mixed expression of indignation and fury was clearly etched upon his face. The fading rays of daylight lit up that distorted visage with shades of orange and yellow as he barked out an order in the beast's rough dialect.
Gjelu would give his sister a look of concern as the creatures nearby the crude drums began to beat upon them with pieces of driftwood. "We need to leave, now." The ring of armed beasts seemed to have become bolstered by the beating of the drums, and were slowly beginning to tighten their circle. The leader atop his grisly pedestal barked more orders, and a few in the crowd would hesitantly begin to chant. The utterance was broken at first, but as more of the creatures were encouraged to join their kin, the recital would grow to a frightening strength. Without further encouragement Gjelu would lower his frame slightly as his wings snapped to their full extension. He would leap into the air, beating his flight appendages as he had many times before. Yet he would quickly plummet back to the ground, having only gained the height of his jump. A tinge of panic would rise up in his chest as he the realization that he was bound to the earth sank in. "Oh no."
The white wolf would hesitate for a moment as a small frown crept upon his lips. If he had no magic, and could not fly, then there was but one option left to him. After quickly surveying the approaching guards, the warrior wolf would lower himself into a defensive position. If there was to be a battle, then he would show these savages just how well a wolf could fight. He would turn his head slightly to look at his sister out of the corner of his eye. When he spoke, his grim voice was forceful and somewhat reminiscent of their father's. "Go Aelariah! I'll catch up when I'm done here."

[Relairah]

Aelariah felt her frustration only grow as the creatures continued relentlessly. What could possibly drive them to press forward? Then she picked up on the expression on their leader and his orders and she supposed their fear of death was less than their fear of the leader... or perhaps that strange liquid they were hiding. She was relieved when Gjelu said he was alright... but that relief was short-lived when she realized shortly after that he wasn't quite back to his normal self. And further, she felt a bit of desperation as she realized their escape would prove more difficult. As much as she wished she could, she couldn't carry her brother... nor would her magic allow any room in that area. She felt utterly useless.

She huffed a sigh as he commanded her to run and that he would follow suit. "No way am I leaving you alone to these things!" she said stubbornly. "You're coming with me." She lowered herself also, having not followed suit with his attempt at flight. Between the two of them, certainly these fish-creatures would prove no match. She was determined to at least help him fight back... unless he became insistent with her. But after what had already happened, she felt less than comfortable just leaving him to it. He was still shaking off that strange drink's effects and she felt she was leaving him vulnerable.

Curse that Navlos for bringing this upon them. For all they knew, he was still in his kingly cavern drinking more of the stuff. The wolf was utterly nuts! She'd like to tell him a thing or two. But for one, she doubted it would make a difference on one with such a crazed mind as he... and for two, she partially hoped they never saw him again. Instead, she focused on the fish-creatures and her fight.

[Mokobo]

Rather than argue with Aelariah about her decisions, Gjelu would offer a simple, grim nod as a response. He would cast a quick eye about the ring of fish-creatures closing in on them as their leader screamed angry, incoherent orders.Their situation was dire, and he feared that they would both perish. While these beasts were crude and primitive, he knew all too well from experience what sort of feats could be accomplished by an angry mob. As he looked at the shaking, webbed hands holding the spears directed their way he considered that perhaps they could fight their way through the mass of savages. Slowly Gjelu would backpedal several steps until he felt his sister's frame press against his.
"Focus on the ones starting their charge. I'll take care of any you miss."
It was the best strategy he could come up with. He lacked his own magical abilities, and would have to rely upon his physical strength. As he steeled himself to face the continuously approaching ring of crude spears, Gjelu promised himself that Aelariah would survive. No matter what happened, he would ensure that his sister could escape and carry on their quest. Not just their lives hung in the balance, but those of their mother and countless others as well. One of the more eager beasts would dash the few steps to jab its weapon at the pair of wolves. Gjelu quickly stepped forward to the intercept the attack, swinging his paw with enough force to knock the spear away from its holder. Screams rose up from the crowd gathered as audience as the rest of the guards were bolstered by their comrade's bravery.
However, after only a the first few steps of the full-frontal attack, the leader's voice would cry out loudly in desperation. The crowd of females and young and even the guards would turn their gaze from the foray to the shaking, extended finger of their fearsome dictator. Following the direction in which the leg-less leader pointed, the observer would be directed to a nearby sand dune. Atop that rise in the earth of the shore sat the scarred beast known as Navlos. Before him stood the trembling captain whom had captured the siblings, fear and pain deeply etched into her face. The source of the latter was quickly apparent, as the black-pelted wolf had a paw placed upon her shoulder with the sharp edges of his metallic claws biting deep enough into her flesh to draw aquamarine blood.
"Well, well. This is certainly quite the soiree."
All the eyes of the fish-people were trained upon the source of so much fear which sat before them, unleashed and angered. Their leader would lick his lips in his shock before uttering one intelligent word," Daughter."
A low chuckle would slowly issue from the battle-scarred beast. It slowly rose into a chaotic cacophony of laughter interspersed by violent coughing. Each fit caused the deadly points of Navlos' claws to sink ever so slightly deeper into the flesh of the captain, eliciting loud cries of pain from the primitive creature. "I see you learned something from our talks. Well, so did I."
A fire rose in the eyes of the leader as he reached behind him to lift up a roughly sewn pouch made from the faded hide of some long dead beast. As the satchel was moved, it issued several metallic clangs. "Give daughter back."
"Not until you give me what is mine!" While the leader's final statement lacked the force of his previous, Navlos shouted his own with enough to cause most of the mob of creatures to crouch in shock. Several of the youngest began to cry out their displeasure as their parents attempted to soothe their fears, both unaware of the rapidly retreating waters of the sea. With a growing smirk upon his lips, Navlos would use the paw resting upon the captain to forcefully shove her into the sands of the dune. The creature was not grievously wounded by the act, as she quickly scurried over the top of the rise and away from sight. With his goal in sight, the wolf seemed to not care about his prisoner any more, and instead strode forward with a deadly look of determination.
Seeing the chance which the mad wolf's appearance had given them, Gjelu would let loose a roar of rage as he launched an attack at the nearest group of guards. The feeling of unease that Navlos had sown among the mob could be their only chance of surviving their situation, and Gjelu knew hesitation could spell their doom. Quickly the fish-creatures would abandon their arms, running to the gathering of their people cowering around the hollowed shell of the giant turtle. Rather than pursue their tormentors to cause them harm, Gjelu would instead chase the creatures away from Aelariah, a request which they were eager to fulfill. Atop his roost the leader once again began to scream out unheeded orders, clinging desperately to his crutch and the control which he once had.

[Relairah]

Aelariah nodded her understanding when Gjelu announced their battle plan. She trusted he would have her back. She felt her muscles tense and prepare for the oncoming as the screams began to rise from the gathered crowd of creatures, but paused as an interruption took place. She turned her gaze, watching Navlos and his actions with the poor female fish creature. She frowned. She couldn't exactly condone torture. Though somehow she wasn't surprised seeing the gruesome scene from what she'd learned of the crazed wolf thus far.

She did find it slightly ironic she had just been thinking about the other wolf they'd encountered and her lack of desire to see him again. Perhaps she had thought too soon and should reconsider that thought. Regardless of his motivation for his presence now, he had impecable timing and was just the opportunity they needed.

Aelariah's gaze snapped toward the leader as a distinguishable word escaped his lips. Apparently, the fish creatures were somewhat more intelligent than was first indicated. How long had Navlos actually been down there, she wondered? She knew he had mentioned his story... but... she pushed the thought aside. Her brows furrowed and a frown etched onto her lips as she saw the satchel the leader was carrying and heard the clacking of the contents. It was only because of the conversation Navlos had had with her that she immediately knew what it was. And what was going on. It was only made certain as Navlos demanded he be given something.

No wonder she hadn't been able to find them when the captain had lead her from the cave in the midst of the night! She felt fury. The fish creature surely would have known her father, as it seemed, had what they were looking for, and perhaps had even understood the entire conversation. She had already suspected being lead away on purpose to give the creatures time to kidnap Gjelu. It was only more confirmed now. Though she couldn't possibly understand why or what these creatures were planning.

It seemed Gjelu had had the same thought as she had for the opportunity as soon as the creatures were scrambling and as he made his attack, she leaped toward the leader, attempting to snap the satchel away from him. She'd bite his fin off if she had to, but she'd made a deal and she wasn't going back on her word... even if this was a slightly different situation than what had been originally intended. Perhaps for some unknown reason, fate was bringing them together with this insane wolf and she felt getting the satchel from the leader would, if nothing else, give her leverage, and end this ridiculous situation. They could make their getaway and leave these creatures behind permanently.

[Mokobo]

As Gjelu snapped and snarled at the heels of the creatures, they quickly amassed around the shell of the giant turtle. Their leader screamed orders with such vehemence that spittle flew with each syllable as a froth formed at the corner of his lips. Yet his words fell on unheeded words, as even the grimmest of the guards rushed to protect their cowering loved ones. As much as he stamped his crude crutch and shouted, the leader could not manage to restore order to his flock. Satisfied by such an outcome, Gjelu watched in surprise as his sibling ran past him in a blur. With the newest attack launched upon them, the mob of fish-people would scatter in their fright. In a chaotic retreat, each beast seemed to take off in a different direction, clutching desperately to their loved ones.
The leader seemed unaware of Aelariah's plan at first, and instead began to shout even louder in its hoarse voice as its people abandoned it. By the time the creature realized he was under attack, it was too late for the him to offer any sort of retaliation. A cry of shock would escape the beast as he suddenly found himself face to face with the wolfess. He would grip the satchel tightly with his free hand as she attempted to tear it from him, but would be quickly overpowered. Realizing he had no hope of winning the tug of war one handed, the leader's other arm would release his crutch to grasp desperately at the worn leather strap. Yet the action was his undoing, and he quickly lost balance upon his one good leg, tumbling down the sea-facing side of the shell to the sands below.
With an almost ravenous hunger within his eyes, Navlos would watch these events as he stormed forward. He found it amusing that even with escape in sight, Aelariah seemed determined to remain honest to their deal. Earlier he had promised to show the siblings to the surface in exchange for his precious possessions. Yet his end of the bargain had been fulfilled by their devious hosts, and he reasoned to himself he would have to find another way to repay the debt. Trotting toward the grisly, empty turtle shell on which the 'battle' was taking place, a loud bark of laughter would escape the battle-scarred canine. The source of his mirth was seeing the leg-less leader cast away its crutch in its futile attempt to win the contest. Yet the laughter soon died upon his tongue as he watched the leader tumble over the edge.
As the creature suddenly released its hold upon the satchel, the leather bag would swing toward the other holder in a sudden snap. This jarring motion loosed the simple throng clasp holding the bag closed, and out came several glittering objects. Bright, metallic claws of a similar alloy to his own soared through the air with a hint of gold among them. A cry of dismay escaped the mad wolf as he pounced for the flash of yellow metal, ignoring all the other objects which flopped upon the beach. His large paws slapped upon his goal, he would hold it covetously as a coo of satisfaction escaped him. Breathing a heavy sigh of relief, Navlos would turn his gaze upward with a large grin upon his lips. Yet this expression quickly faded before he turned to dash inland.
"Run, now!"
Gjelu would turn his own cheery, proud gaze from his victorious sister to the sudden exclamation from the shoreline. What he saw caused his blood to run cold. The sea seemed to have retreated at some point during the altercation, as the beach stretched far beyond where it naturally should. Yet it seemed such an invasion of land was not to be tolerated, as a massive wall of water was rushing toward them. The tidal wave was not immense, and Gjelu thought to himself that he could easily fly above it. Yet as he remembered that his wings seemed incapable at the moment, he would feel a note of terror rush through him. However, he could not bring himself to tear his eyes from the approaching ocean, fascinated by the mists which rolled above the wave. Gjelu would squint his eyes as he tried to make out a dark shape he thought he could see hidden within the waters of the sea.

[Relairah]

Aelariah gasped when the satchel's contents flew in all directions and she turned her gaze to search for them. She saw as Navlos burst forth and sprang on the ones he truly sought, and she nodded to herself. At least she had held up her end of the bargain... But their victory was short-lived. "Run, now!" Navlos was shouting. Aelariah turned sharply again, taking in the sight of the beach and the rising water before her gaze turned to Gjelu.

She didn't hesitate. Aelariah ran toward her brother. "Gjelu, what are you doing?" she called. She realized he still didn't have his full strength, nor was she going to leave him behind. She debated whether she should attempt to carry him, but decided against it. She also considered manipulating the wave so that it split and went around them instead of crashing over them... but the dark shadow within it suggested that might not be as good of an idea as she thought. They had to try and outrun it.

Aelariah nudged Gjelu. "Come on!" she said, brushing past him and making a diagonal dash toward the edges of the wave as well as further up the beach. Maybe, with a little luck, they'd be alright.

[Mokobo]

Even with his own heart hammering in his chest as his sister rushed to his rescue, Gjelu remained captivated by the rapidly approaching tidal wave. The dark form which lurked just beneath the surface of those turbulent waters was massive in size, but somehow familiar in shape. Despite the approaching danger, the wolf's amazement seemed unbreakable as his mind spun to comprehend what his eyes were seeing. It was only when Aelariah nudged against his side that Gjelu seemed to snap out of his daze and recognize their perilous situation. The arctic wolf would offer no argument to his sibling's insistent words. Immediately he would tear off across the sands behind her, occasionally urging her to keep going after a quick glance behind them.
On the last of such glances a bitter taste of dread would creep up the back of Gjelu's parched throat. As the salty brine of the ocean crashed against the dunes of the shore with its full force, jets of foam sprayed upward into the bright blue skies. The mists the wolf had seen atop the initial wave emerged as an unnaturally thick fog which flowed across the surface of the surging waters, concealing the form which had held his interest so tightly. Yet it was Gjelu's quick projection of the rising sea's path, a skill honed during battle, which instilled the sense of fear he felt. It seemed they had no hope of entirely escaping the range of the ocean's onslaught. In a last desperate move, Gjelu would attempt to shove Aelariah from behind with the hopes of giving her the last spurt to safety. Whether he was successful or not, the wolf would keep running a few more heartbeats before a powerful collision from his side tore his paws from beneath him. Gjelu would take a deep breath before his world became a confusing, swirling mass of greens, blues, and whites.
After having issued his warning to the others, Navlos had made a much more expedient escape. He had paused only to grasp his coveted, golden trinket within his teeth and pierce the worn leather of his satchel upon his claws before dashing for the largest dune. Rather than feel fear, the darkly pelted male relished in the sense of danger and impending death, feelings he had long grown accustomed to. It seemed an age had passed since his last true battle, and the fingertips of death's grasping embrace brushing against his soul sent shivers of pleasure down Navlos' spine. Like an addict relapsing into their delirious habit, the wolf was so consumed by his buzz that he failed to notice the crisis his fellow canines had found themselves in. Between heavy breaths Navlos cackled aloud as he surmounted the large dune before he turned to issue a loud laugh of victory. However, his celebration was short lived as the vengeful sea retaliated, casting a wall of water up the slope of the rise which quickly retreated.
For a moment the brine-soaked, kelp-coated wolf stood still in his degradation, but he soon began to sputter the foul waters from his mouth and shake the debris from his fur. After taking a moment to recompose himself, gently setting a disk of worked gold upon the sands, Navlos would issue another triumphant cry of merriment before turning to survey the scene of destruction. It was difficult to see just how far the sea had intruded onto the land, as a thick fog had quickly followed the tidal wave and hidden everything beneath it's shroud. Of the siblings he could see no sign, but there was movement which quickly captured his gaze. For a moment Navlos could not believe his eyes, and even went so far as to shake his head before once more staring with wide eyes and mouth agape.
Beside the hollowed shell of the rather boring turtle, the blown top of which just barely poked above the white mists, was an even more gigantic of such creatures. At a size roughly four times that of the desecrated remains, this gargantuan reptilian dwarfed the other. Navlos would wince as a low hiss issued from the throat of the beast, the loud croon echoing out with enough force to reverberate within his own chest. When he turned his blood-red eyes to once more examine the immense sea turtle, the wolf was amazed to see the encroaching mists seemed to issue from beneath the large plates of its protective shell. His sense of exhilaration quickly extinguished before being replaced with wonder as he watched the living creature lower its head to inspect the remains of the dead. Navlos would cringe once more, quickly flattening his ears against his scarred skull, as another, more sorrowful keen rumbled across the misty shore.

[Relairah]

Aelariah did her best, but even with Gjelu's push, she also failed to escape the ocean's onslaught. Like her brother, the lavendar and white wolfess was swept into a swirl of twisting waters and for a moment, her mind flashed back to home and their family there. They had left with the intent of returning safely with something to help the very lands on which they lived. But what if they didn't return? Her heart felt a pang at the very thought, particularly in regard to her parents.

As soon as the thoughts had come, Aelariah forced them from her mind. No. She couldn't think like that. They were going to get what they had come all this way for, and they were going to return. There was no other option. She opened her eyes and gathered her strength, drawing on her magic once more to control the waters tumbling around her and pushed her way to the surface. As soon as she broke free of the waters, she found herself not terribly far from the shore. She was far enough that her paws couldn't touch bottom, and the torrent of waves continued to crash around her. The first thing she saw was the enormous tortoise that stood scanning the beach, and her natural curiosity struck her. But first, she needed to find Gjelu.

"Gjelu!" she shouted, searching the waters around her frantically. "Gjelu!" she called again. If he surfaced, Aelariah would swim toward him with relief, but if he didn't, she would dive below the surface once more, this time in control of the waters around her, and search for him in order to take him back to shore.

[Mokobo]

After several, stomach-churning moments among the retreating waters brought to shore by the gigantic reptile Gjelu had completely lost his bearings. By experience he knew he had been pulled out to sea, and after quickly noting the way in which water rushed by he began to fear just how far he might be carried. Yet the wolf couldn't distinguish which direction the surface laid among the torrent of foam and debris, a sensation that could, and had, bring weaker souls to a panicking death. Gjelu, however, was a creature tuned to the nature of water. While, unlike Aelariah, his craft seemed to be blocked from his use, the warrior felt far from helpless. Gjelu's plan to escape the wrath of the ocean was simple; to allow it to expend its force and focus on returning safely to solid ground. Holding tightly to that last, precious breath he had taken before being submerged, the canine continued to tumble among the ever-deepening waters. Soon, just as he predicted, the pace at which the sea rushed by slowed until he found himself floating among the depths.
While everything Gjelu's bright blue eyes could see was a deep blue he still remained calm, and cautiously pushed a small portion of the poisoning air from his chest. As the bubbles streamed past his face, leading the way to the sun below, or rather above, Gjelu quickly somersaulted to follow. By now his lungs practically felt as if they were on fire, and as such he urged every fiber of his being to breaking the surface above. In that moment, as the rising and falling waters above seemed to remain just out of reach, the first fingers of panic began to claw at the wolf's core. Yet before alarm could mutate into despair, the tip of his snout pierced the waves before gasping desperately at the sweet, salty air. Immediately his ears were assaulted with a deafening, dismal keen which rattled his teeth together. After wincing against the pain in his skull as the roar carried over the ocean, Gjelu would quickly cast his gaze about in an attempt to spot the safety of the shore.
What the wolf saw threatened to bring back the creeping specter of panic. While he knew the ebbing tidal wave had carried him some distance, he had not thought it would be too daunting a swim. Yet he could barely see the thick mists which had accompanied the rushing ocean off in the distance. His heart began to thrum rapidly within his aching ears, and quickly Gjelu began to swim toward that fog in the hopes that his magic might return in time or that his body would at least have enough energy to gain the safety it offered. However, the wolf had only just begun to paddle when he heard his sibling call his name from behind. Quickly Gjelu would turn about to see Aelariah and the mist-shrouded land behind her, but what he saw looming over the fog cut short the words of relief and gratitude he had begun to exclaim. Unlike his earlier moment of wonder, the wolf would only stare at the massive creature for a moment before swimming toward his sister. "Are you seeing this?!"

The white wolf's words carried through the mists to faintly fall upon Navlos' tattered ears. Oh yes, I most certainly am. A small smirk formed on the darkly-pelted canine as he gazed at the immense form of the turtle with a hungry gaze. For years he had wandered the realms in search of an opponent worthy of taking his wretched life. Demons, dragons, and even druins had all fallen beneath the biting edges of his claws. Some had taken pieces of him with them, as his many scars told, but none had been successful in completing the deed. Yet here before him was such a titanic opponent with whom he had nary a sliver of hope in winning a martial contest. While his mad dash to escape the sea had sent shivers down his spine, the prospect the mourning reptile offered literally left him drooling in pleasure. The old, familiar whispers began to brush against his ears, tempting him to join them in death.
Yet his mind was still clear from the nectar he had consumed earlier, and in that clarity he saw another opportunity. During his time among the fish-creatures Navlos had done some snooping of his own in hopes of discovering the source of their elixir. In time, if the two siblings had never arrived, he would have eventually retrieved his precious trinkets upon his own volition as he had accumulated an extensive knowledge of those wretched creatures' domain. While he had his own reasons for making the deal he had with the younger wolves, Navlos knew from his own exploratory excursions that the diminutive beasts viewed the gigantic turtles as powerful, godlike creatures. That much was apparent from the way in which they had reverently carved the reptiles' likeness into their walls.
Navlos' smirk would broaden into a wide grin as he pondered if perhaps these turtles were significant for a reason other than their size. Deciding there was truly only one way to discover the truth, the battle-scarred canine would twist his head to pop his neck before quickly scanning the sands around him. Quickly his blood-red eyes spotted one of the shining claws from his deer-skin satchel upon the nearby beach. For a moment the wolf focused intensely upon the claw, which wiggled ever so slightly before returning to a complete stillness. Issuing a huff of frustration, Navlos would dash forward to scoop the sharp, metal object among his fangs before returning to his more precious possession atop the small rise. The wolf would carefully push the golden disc into the worn, leather pouch before hastily stuffing the claw in with it. With the strap broken, he could not carry the satchel as easily as before, and as such Navlos decided to leave it behind for the time being. Covetously he would cast his gaze around to make sure none were spying upon him before digging a shallow hole and burying the only thing he valued beneath the displaced sand. Satisfied to the safety of his effects for the time being, the ragged wolf would storm off into the mists which separated him from the gargantuan beast.


OoC - I'm sorry this took so long to put up Dx I blame all the pie I ate over the holidays...

[Relairah]

Seeing that her brother surfaced and seemed to be okay, Aelariah then turned her gaze toward the shore once more. She glanced toward Gjelu at his outburst and nodded, deciding against making a snarky remark. "Come on, let's find out more." A suspicion was rising in her stomach, and she began to swim toward the shore. She wondered if Gjelu had yet to regain his strength, or if he would need a good night's rest to truly do so. Pushing that aside, she found herself enshrouded in the fog as she approach the shore. It seemed there was no more trace of the fish creatures, but this monolith of a creature could prove to be a terrible encounter.

Still, she thought it best they at least attempt to find out for sure. She glanced toward her brother once more. "Do you think it would talk to us?" she asked.