Related to the
Rock Hound Event. Anyone can join in this (but please it it draw out a little rather than coming up with an immediate solution. I want it to be fun
), and your goal is to figure out a way to
cure Quad of the infection.
I'll put Quad's reaction in every now and then but otherwise you're welcome to write what he does in what you write for the story. If you need tips on how he will behave while infected,
refer here under the section "Symptoms (post-zombification)". Quad will be very slow and clumsy, though, and yes, please include frequent farting and drooling when you describe him
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The Grand Talux stole away during the night. He had a plan. He didn't tell anyone of this, but he just had to do it. It would be the first time he had ever defied the Twin Gods.
Quad looked around for the rock hounds. He knew they were hunting for him, and this time, he had no intention of fighting them.
Quad was going to give himself up and let them do as they pleased. He hoped the plan would solve the dilemma of the rampant rock hounds attacking his friends and the other deer of the Endless Forest. He felt extremely guilty that several deer had been killed at the hands of Iugulare...including his brother. He just wanted to make things right, he wanted the Forest to be safe again for them.
Quad would not realize what a foolish mistake he was making.
He went deep into the birch forest, where the old Playground rocks were. There he spotted a small group of Iugulare's rock hounds - an orange-eye leading a red, blue, and yellow. The four wolf skeletons spotted him immediately, and the orange eye led a quick assault on him.
As the infected wolves were coming toward him, he slowly sat down. They skidded to a halt, watching him curiously. Was this too easy? Was he surrendering?
Quad mustered his voice and spoke,
"Take me to your master, Iugulare."
The rock hounds stared at one another, their expressions seemingly overjoyed that they were the ones to capture Quad. They approached, cautiously as wolves would, and then quickly they surrounded him, the orange-eye leading. The red-eye and blue-eye rubbed up onto Quad on either side, infecting him and trapping him so he couldn't run. He stood, and quietly was led away by the pack, though cringing as the infection was already spreading down his belly.
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Deeper into the birch forest,
the Deadly Trio and many other rock hounds awaited the scouting group of rock hounds. They suddenly stood and looked in surprise when Quad was with them.
"We got him? Iugulare, we got him!", Anirapio immediately called.
The stoat nodded,
"I already know.", she spoke in a seemingly pleased tone.
"What are you going to do with him?, Nekumbra questioned.
Iugulare didn't answer her, but instead approached the returning pack and his enemy. They dropped Quad there, who struggled to stand, his body already burning severely from the infection.
"I'm pleased to see my plan actually worked.", Iugulare spoke to him.
"I could have fought them if I wanted, but instead I've come to negotiate.", Quad replied.
Iugulare scoffed,
"Negotiate? Why would I negotiate with you when you're here for my taking?", she questioned.
Quad replied, staring deep into her infectiously grey eyes,
"The rock hounds have what they want - me. Please, tell them not to attack any more deer, and I will surrender without a fight."
Iugulare looked over to Anirapio and Nekumbra. The dragon nodded to the stoat, and then Iugulare spoke,
"Alright, you have a deal. I'll call off their attack, but I want full control of your body."
Quad didn't get the chance to reply, as immediately the rock hounds pounced on him. He cringed and cried out as they bit and scratched at his body. The orange rock hounds spat their potent infection all over him. He was severely overpowered.
Within moments, the Grand Talux fell, his body going into shock. He was completely covered in the thick infection, and Iugulare watched with a pleased smile as he lost control of his body, the infection entering into his brain.
At this point, Quad stood, though stumbling just a little due to his weight. He was drooling at the mouth, his eyes were glazed over. Iugulare approached, and with her own control of the infection, she ordered Quad to sit.
He did so, sitting down, awaiting her next command. Anirapio and Nekumbra approached here.
"He's actually become an infected?", the spider-doe questioned.
Iugulare nodded, and pacing around the zombified blackbuck, she put her infectious paw on his chest. The infection on him reorganized - the darkest parts moving to his back where the lighter parts arranged on his belly.
"There. Now it looks much more like his fur pattern.", Iugulare spoke, removing her paw. Quad's body had now looked very similar to his usual appearance, although to those who knew him well, they would wonder why his fur seemed much more grey than dark blue.
"So now what? We finally have Quad.", Anirapio questioned.
Iugulare grinned with rows of fangs showing,
"Let's let him go and see what happens when he runs into his friends. If it gets out of hand, I'll let you devour him, Ani.", she spoke, and ordered Quad to kill. She then turned to the rock hounds, and ordered to them,
"Prepare to move out. We're going to assault the Endless Forest deer tonight!", her words immediately breaking the promise she had just made to Quad.
The zombified Grand Talux stood here, and slowly he walked away, looking for prey to hunt...
-------------------------------
((
Here's where you can come in! Please remember that I'd like this to be a long roleplay, so please don't immediately find a cure for Quad. And as I mentioned earlier, anyone can come in, even if they just post once with their deer observing or giving suggestions. I'll post as Quad on occasion but you're welcome to control him as you need. He won't speak and mostly will slowly walk toward your deer to try to bite or attack. Remember to
refer here under the section "Symptoms (post-zombification)" if you need help. Good luck!))
Erza and Zera were walking
"Quad? Are you Quad?" Erza called, stopping far away from the deer.
The deer turned, obviously recognising something Erza had said.
"Brother! Something's not right - That deer's eyes are the wrong colour!"
"Z, run! Go to the Statue of the Twin Gods!" the little fawn ran off, avoiding the grey deer. It, however, refused to let her go and snarled before chasing after her.
Erza let out a bellow of rage before slamming his whole weight onto - what presumably was - Quad. It stummbled but didn't fall. This deer far outclassed Erza, who hurled himself at the other deer again. Zera was long gone but, being the over-protective older brother he was, Erza was still going to fight.
Quad lowered his great antlers and charged at Erza who leapt to the side - but not fast enough. One of the branches of Quad's antlers raked down Erza's side, opening a large gash. Erza cursed, a burning pain searing the length of the wound. But Quad still wasn't finished.
It drew itself up to it's full height and suddnely shone. The light blinded Erza, who froze expecting to be maimed some more - it didn't come. When the light faded, Erza saw Quad frozen (just as Erza himself had been) with black dripping off him. It would have been great if not the gel returned to Quad after hitting the ground. Erza saw Quad blink, lock eyes with him and slowly advance, drooling unattractively. It was simply terrifying, which is why Erza ran, eager to get back to Zera and desperate to rid himself of the pain in his left side.
((QuadRaptor, you're amazing thinking up things like this! Thank you; it gives me things to do during my holidays - even though this one is longer than I expected! Anyways, Quad is one of the infected, huh? Never thought it would happen...))
The red as usual observed any
The only deer--or antelope in this case, that the hart could see would be the local Blackbuck, Quad, who from what the red deer could identify appeared tired. The stag isn't so great at seeing colour, let alone subtle changes, so deeming this sight as nothing out of the ordinary, he layed down before the edge, and watched for now.
Spirited One cried, facing
The beast-that-was-Quad lunged at her, snarling and reeking of infection as it ate his body. The doe was getting more and more upset by the minute, dodging the blackbuck's attacks until she could not take it anymore. She did not want to hurt Quad, he was her friend. She would do anything she could to save him, the doe decided as she shook the sticky infection from her mask.
QUAD! THIS IS NOT LIKE YOU! SNAP OUT OF IT, NOW! WAKE UP! WAKE. UP. NOW! The sound of her furious screams could have probably woke the dead at this point.
The doe ran straight at the Infected blackbuck, ramming him with her mask and sending him back a few big steps. Each time she drew close to him, her pictogram would blaze and the infection that came in to contact would sear and create an acrid stench, but always seemed to fill in again with more of the black-gray slime.
QU.....YOU NEED TO WAKE UP! IUGULARE IS TERRORIZING THE FOREST! HOW COULD YOU HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP? HOW COULD YOU HAVE GIVEN IN, QUAD? Please......please wake up....come BACK! COME BACK! COME BACK! Quad......quad? please? She had now backed him against a wide and ruddy tree, her pictogram glowing violently as the air heated around them, Spirited One drew closer, her head lowered. She braved through the pungent odor as her pictogram burned through layers and layers of the deep infection. Her head swam and legs grew weak from the smell and the energy.
The infection just kept filling in, though... Spirited One cried out, using the last of her strength to create one pulse of light from her pictogram, uttered a prayer of hope to the gods, and then whispered an apology to Quad for any pain this might cause him. The light blinded her for a moment, and the smell of burning infection followed, before she raised her head and watched the Infection writhe on her friend. She was breathing heavily as her pictogram weakly blushed with golden light and fluttered faintly.
Oh dear Gods, please help our Quad.
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((Bluejay, I never really
((Vee, glad to see your perspective as an observer!))
((ForTwoLifetimes, I really like the idea you came up with. It certainly is having an effect, but it's going to take much more than that to cure Quad. You're on the right track, though!))
The zombie blackbuck stumbled back, The Spirited One's pictogram actually had an effect on the infection that covered him. Deep within his mind, Quad...the real Quad...opened his eyes and found himself submerged in a black void. He couldn't remember anything that had happened. But faintly...just faintly...he saw a slight light appear.
I...recognize that pictogram..., Quad thought.
The infected blackbuck stumbled on his feet, but then slowly approached his friend. The attack had done a little to phase him, yet he continued to inch closer as if nothing could stop him.
Quad... Please.... wake up...
The mushrooms squashed and released a shower of spores as the doe struck them with first her front, then back hooves. She used the tree to sail over Quad's infected form and wind up behind him. Spinning again to face his rear, the doe rammed him hard with her mask. A scooping motion sent him head-over heels, a picto-burn on his rear filling in with the infection as it struggled to heal itself and protect its host.
A snort came from her nose as Spirited One fell forward and on to her knees. She breathed hard, giving a very wry grin as the Infection found itself upside-down on the tree. Though the mushrooms fell as they were consumed by the infection, she could see no harm done to the tree itself.
It would be hard to right herself this time and the fatigue was setting in to her muscles, but the wish to save her friend kept her going. The doe rammed the infection again, this time in its stomach. Her pictogram burned a thin hole in the infection, deep this time.
I am going to have to get help if this is going to work... A bellow escaped her as she shook the infection from her head, the rest burnt away by her pictogram. She bellowed again, asking any deer nearby for help.
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http://endlessforest.org/community/spirited-one-0
Peirce heard the doe's call
"What's wrong, Peirce?" she said, but before the Coues deer could answer, Voice saw Quad, and knew something was wrong. "I think some Rock Hounds got him," Peirce suggested. He realized that the doe was looking at him.
"Hello," he said. "I'm Peirce, and this doe here is Voice." Voice stomped on the ground, and walked over slowly to the black buck. Peirce followed. He didn't see any wounds, but he did see one small dot of black, icky stuff. He remembered seeing some sort of black stuff... It was the infection! The icky stuff all over the Rock Hounds!
"Voice! Don't get too close! You will get infected!" But it was too late. The infection lunged at Voice's chest, and covered her whole body. She was infected. Voice let out a cry, but it faded away as she was covered in the infection.
Peirce watched in horror as
But then...something strange happened. The infection on her subsided, retreating back to Quad's body. She sustained some minor burns, but the infected blackbuck stepped back, regaining a tiny bit of control from his body. The Spirited One's tactic of attacking with her pictogram did little to damage the infection, but it seemed to get through to Quad enough to where he was able to control a very small bit of his body once again.
He continued to approach the three before him, though his mouth opened here.
Very faintly, they heard him whisper, "...run...". He hoped they heard his warning. He was trying his very best to protect them.
She nodded at Pierce,
Spirited One tried to warn the doe, though Voice was too late. It was then that Quad pulled slightly through, and uttered his warning. I knew you were in there, Quad. Oh thank Michael and Aureia you are in there. Please... don't fall asleep again... Her voice wavered as tears streamed down behind her mask like a little rainstorm.
She narrowed her eyes in determination. I don't want to run, Quad... it is my turn to help your Infection... just like you helped me.
Pierce? Your pictogram... it will burn the infection in small amounts... help Quad get better... she sniffled, keeping her eyes trained on the infection and its captor. The doe was weak, but she would not stray far from the side of her ailing friend. Facing the stag now, Spirited One apologised before charging past the Infected, leaving a trail of burned Infection as she scraped her pictogram across his abdomen... only to watch it fill-in with the goo.
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Within his mind, Quad
He managed to get his infected body away from the others around, and walking, he made his way toward the old Ruins. He hoped he could reach the place in time, his plan was to crawl into the old cage there. He began to consider how his antlers may prevent him from getting in, so if that happened, he had planned to instead drop his body into the strange hole in the center. That would keep him secure for a little while until he could figure out how to control his body completely again.
Erza was still running, blood
Wrong.
"Quad" walked into sight and approached the cage. Erza cursed violently. As "Quad" neared the cage, he froze and looked round slowly, locking eyes with Erza exactly the same way he had before. Instead of walking towards him - like last time - "Quad" curled in on himself, obviously in a painful mental battle.
His head snapped up and Erza's heart sank. "Quad" was advancing on him. Erza braced himself ready to fight or flee but there was no need. Just like before, Quad's picto began to shine, making the black ink fall off. This time, however, Erza didn't hang around. Ignoring the pain from his wound, he ran - again.
The zombified blackbuck
He turned and walked over to the old metal cage. Maneuvering his head, he tried to fit in. His antlers clanged on the metal, obviously it would be impossible for him to fit unless he bent his neck to where it snapped. He then considered walking to the dug-out hole in the center, when...
*Achoo!*
Quad sneezed, by accident, but when he did, his zombie antlers receded much like a flower would, his antlers becoming skinny and small. His gazelle antlers adorned his head, and with that, Quad quickly forced his body into the cage.
Though this time, his head was in, but his body was caught between the bars. He was too fat, and now was stuck halfway in the metal cage. He accidentally let out a fart here, coupled with the infection that made a pungent smell.
Quad gave up control of the body here, receding to his mind to think about how he could possibly handle this situation. All the while his body acted as the infection controlled it, wiggling and trying to move, completely baffled as how it got stuck here.
Spirited One followed him,
Hehe Quad, this body sure reeks. It might be a blessing to both of us when we get you out of it... the whole forest, even. Was there anything that could stop her relentless following and sticking to Quad? Probably, not... she had to save his life too, or at least help. The doe walked in a slow circle around the stuck Quad, grinning and thinking on how to save him the agony of being stuck.
The idea came to her just as another fart escaped the beast. His rear! She could, if she felt she had enough strength, ram him in to the cage. Grinning, the doe came around to the stag's head. She explained her plan to him, then reminded him to "Think Skinny" and try to control his farting before trotting off a passable distance. Owl would have to probably make her a new mask after all of this, she thought before literally springing down the hill and ramming her mask against Quad's rear, barely moving him more than an inch in to the bars.
Ohdear, Quad.... This is going to take more muscle than I've got.... We're going to need help. She spoke just before a fart erupted from Quad. The doe immediately trotted over to the poppies, burying her face in them and inhaling the soft scent. And we are going to have to do something before I faint from the smell.
Another bellowing call came from her throat, asking for help as a damsel in distress, calling for a strong stag to aid her. Might as well give Quad a laugh while he is trapped, while she was at it.
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A safe distance away, Erza
He gathered all the strength and ran as quickly as he could back to the ruins. Though wary of other deer, whoever this was needed help - and he could be the one to give it.
A thunder of hoofbeats
She turned to Erza, positioning her mask over his face. Here's my mask... you will need it to keep all the Infection from getting at you. I assure you, it will be good protection... The Maskmaker crafted that. And.... well.... She smiled, her pale-moon face assuring. You have to ram him in the tail-end until he gets in there. We have to help keep him from attacking any more deer. As you can see, once he gets in there he wont be able to get out. She giggled again, giving Erza a little kiss on the cheek as encouragement before stepping back.
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((ForTwoLifetimes, you just
Quad tried his best to get through the bars, both as himself and as the infection controlling him. He dug his hooves into the ground and tried to pull through, sinking his stomach in and letting out another odorous fart.
Sorry...sorry..., Quad spoke in his mind, though the words would never make it to his mouth. He watched as the two tried their best to help him into the cage.
Physical contact? A new idea
He looked round to examine it and let out a long stream of curses. It was seeping with an inky black liquid.
Crap.
At this point, the blackbuck
Dazed, Quad lost full control of the body at this point, and the infection took over once again. The zombified Quad turned toward the others who had just helped him, and began to snarl at them. He approached, but stopped by the bars, seeming to have no recollection of how he got into the cage despite fitting between the bars only a moment earlier. This proved that infecteds had short term memory and were really only focused on one thing - infecting others.
The zombie paced on the other side of the cage much like a tiger at a zoo. Meanwhile, Quad came up with an idea for how to fix this situation, but regaining control of his own body would prove difficult, and even so, telling his friends what to do would be an even more challenging task.
Erza looked at Spirited One
"At last! But who is this? What's going on? I thought this place was supposed to be safe! And then there's those weird wolf things! Oh and then Zera's still gone! What's going on!?" Then he realised he was ranting, stopped and took a deep, calming breath.
"Sorry, I - I'm just worried, and there's this black stuff and it just feels my world is falling apart around me."
He sighed, "What are we going to do about him? If he can get in, he can get out - especially seeing as he'll starve in there..." He looked at "Quad". According to the doe beside him, this wasn't him - but what was it?
((Quadraptor, did you read the edit on my other Rock Hound story? It explains some stuff '^^))
((I just did, thanks. I just
I didn't make it clear that the 'Alphas' are supposed to be more challenging, so that was what the warning was about. Sorry, I hope you're not mad at me, I wasn't trying to criticize, I just failed to make it clear.))
((Nah, a little thing like
Hey! Calm down. She soothed,
Stalking over to the Infection, she pinned her ears back and gave a menacing grunt. Enjoy your control, beast. Quad will take over for good in no time at all. She emphasized her point by flaring her pictogram and singeing one of the thing's ears. Infection stank and bubbled for a brief moment, before she smelled it on Erza. A quick look told her it was not serious, and that she could heal it herself.
This is going to feel quite funny, so hold still. She focussed all of her energy on her pictogram, growing and brightening it. The black ooze seemed to scream and evaporate, leaving only a little smoke, an acrid odor, and a little hair-loss behind. It was an impressive mark, though... like her's.
The doe sat a safe distance away from the cage. She contemplated on what it must be like for Quad in there, every time the infection got hurt.
((And Quad, I just wanted to know if you had an Email I could talk to you on about an idea I had. It's a secret!))
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((lapras316@hotmail.com
Spirited One's assurance had
((Secret? Aww...that means I have to wait *hangs head*
Think think THINK! What
But then he remembered something - one of the gifts the Twin Gods gave every Grand Talux. He came back to life after he died! Of course! Why didn't I think about that sooner? The infection has to have a live host in order to survive, so if I'm dead it will die too! It's perfect!, he thought He turned to see The Spirited One and Erza there, now with another dilemma, But how could I convince them that killing me would fix the problem? How could I possibly tell them to kill another deer...how would they even do it either?
He quickly forced his way from his mind to the controls of his body. The infected body ceased it's snarling and drooling, and at that moment, Quad mustered words from the mouth:
"...K...kill...me..."
Erza leapt up, and approached
"What!? Quad, you might be infected, but we could never do that."
He sighed. "Apparently you're needed to fight off some kind of darkness that's consuming the forest. If we killed you, we'd be murdering the only one who could save us. Sorry, Quad - I'm out" Erza looked at Spirited One, waiting for her answer.
Damn! I knew they wouldn't
The mouth spoke, "...I...I'll...su...rvive...p-please...kill...m...me...", the tone of his voice slightly stronger, with more emphasis.
The infection has made you
Spirited One got up, pacing in a manner that could only be described as desperation. She had her ears pinned to her skull and her head was in line with her body in a most fearsome manner. The crest of fur on her shoulders stuck up like the fin of a prehistoric beast, swaying as she walked. Stopping in front of Quad, she stomped her foot and looked him in the eyes with all of her fury.
You're stronger than that. If there is any reason I should kill you, it would be the last resort. I promise on my heart that we will save you. It might hurt, but you have to pull through, okay? She stepped back, pictogram glowing, and brought it down on to the infection. The searing and bubbling created a noxious stench as Spirited One shook with the effort.
The infection just kept on healing, even as the minutes passed. The doe grew tired, her body starting to slump with the effort, before she broke away. Twenty minutes had drained her again. Ramming her side against the cage in desperation, the doe slumped to the ground. I wish there was something we could do... if we could just... She let the thoughts race in her mind with reckless abandon. Tears streamed behind her mask, though the deer could not see them. Rising, she shook her pelt and turned to Erza. Let's go get some water... This will be a long day... and you probably wont want to be around in the next few moments... the sun is going to create quite a stench when middle-day comes... She turned, walked past Quad's cage, and started to walk toward the Crying Idol, turning back only to make sure Erza was following. Come on, you have to wash that burn as well. We'll take care of it... and Quad is not going anywhere. She made a weak smile at her friend, the infection bubbling and steaming still from her onslaught. If she brought back water for him, maybe she could wash the infection off... a silly thought.
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(I hope it is okay if I join
The fawn hid in the brush, unable to be seen by anyone. She listened, smelled, felt, and heard all that had been going on. It made tears drip from her eyes, her body quivering at the stench and threatening to retch. At just two days old, all she had witnessed were the hardships of the forest. It was a terrible thing, yes, but a necessary one for the Child of the Gods to learn.
As she watched the deer walk off, the fawn crept unseen to the edge of the cage they held the poor beast in. She did not understand why they could torture anyone. Peering through the bars, the fawn made herself visible to Quad alone, sound only audible to Quad's ears.
Why... Why do they do this to you? Her pleasing voice, intelligent for her age, reaching the stag's infection-coated ears.
(thanks, starling! The avatar is amazing! And Thanks Pretzil for the siggie!
((Not at all! )) Quad
Quad watched at The Spirited One and Erza left, and his hope sank. Iugulare could very well be taking over the Forest, and if he couldn't free himself of the infection soon, this could very well be the end of everything. He knew that the Twin Gods may possibly intervene, wiping out all life from the Forest and starting anew. They had done it three times before, when his three older brothers each failed to defeat the stoat. He hoped he would not be the fourth one to fail.
All my friends...all of the deer...I've put them in terrible danger...how stupid I was to trust Iugulare!, Quad cried in his mind. He believed that this moment was going to be the last moments of the Endless Forest as he knew it. It would only be a matter of time before he and all the other inhabitants were killed by divine intervention.
But here came another, a fawn, who spoke to him. If there was ever a miracle, a slight glimmer of hope, Quad just got it. He didn't know anything about this newcomer, but he tried his best to speak to her:
"Pl..ease...go...find he...lp...I...need...to die...", he spoke as best as he could. He added one more thing, "...I'm...infected...your...light will...h-help..."
My light? What... do I do to
The fawn walked in to a sunbeam, finding a warm comfort in it. Her pictogram was at just the right angle, though she did not know it until a little hole was burned in the ground in front of her. Tears escaped her as she lay in the light, sending golden waves of light to slide down the body of Quad. You could almost see the outline of a pair of feathered wings on her back, a trick of the light as it shimmered between her fur and over the pollen that permeated the air.
I... do not want to kill you, Grand Talux. Tell me why I should. A light shone behind her green eyes, reflecting the entire forest within them. The Spirit Heart of the Forest, the Child of the Forest, asked. Tears of pure light shimmered down her cheeks, burning stripes from the ground to Quad, the light licking at his hooves.
And the frightening thing is, Phion did not even know what she was doing as the flowers and grass started to grow at her feet.
(thanks, starling! The avatar is amazing! And Thanks Pretzil for the siggie!
Erza dipped his neck and
Then a very recognisable fawn walked into sight.
"Zera! I told you to go t- Z, what happened to your leg?" He looked at it, hanging there uselessly.
"I met another one of those wolf creatures and it - it broke my leg!" She started to sob. Erza went over to nuzzle her.
"Brother! What happened to you?"
Erza shook his head, "Nothing, it's sorted. Don't worry about me. Anyway, that Quad creature - Spirited One and I are helping him. Just stick with us and you'll stay safe."
Zera looked at Spirited One. "Brother, since when do you talk to other deer?"
"Never mind that! Let's head back, midday just past." He nodded at Spirited One and started walking back, unsure as to what they'd find when they got there.
((Welcome Moonsoverwater!))
Spirited One smiled at the
Letting a little light in to her pictogram, she gently heated away the infection, though the break was still there. It would have to heal on its own, unless someone else could be found to heal it. Before Zera knew what was happening, she was laying sprawled on Spirited One's shoulders. Come on, little one, you aren't walking. She chuckled, catching up to Erza in a couple of long strides. She walked slowly so as not to drop Zera.
All Spirited One could do was stand helpless as she crested the hill by the ruins. Light assailed her eyes, the smell of burning infection seared her nose.
Oh....dear Gods.... QUAD! She called out frantically, unable to move her legs in fear.
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"Oh - No! NO! QUAD!" Erza ran
Zera craned her neck around Spirited One's body.
"Uh... What's going on?" She said, unable to see her brother.
Erza looked at the source of light. A fawn. Unwilling to hurt a fawn, Erza nudged it gently. It didn't snap out if it's trance. He pushed it a little harder. It stumbled and looked at Erza, obviously startled.
"What are you doing?" He said, barely managing to keep his voice from cracking.
"Spirited One? Please? We need to get closer." Zera said softly, encouraging the doe who was clearly horrified at something Zera was unable to see.
The fawn quickly got to its
Grand....Talux..... Tell me why I have to do this! Phion whispered, whimpering as she felt the connection between them growing. The light burnt and stripped the infection from Quad's form, leaving his skin seared and hairless, then dissolving that away as well. The light of the sun followed her, trees parting their crowns to give her the light and energy she needed.
Protect me, please. Please, Grand Talux... protect me. The Spirit Heart of the Forest called out to Quad before breaking in to a sprint toward him. She leapt through the bars of the cage...
There was a burst of light and dust as Phion embraced Quad.
(thanks, starling! The avatar is amazing! And Thanks Pretzil for the siggie!
No, Zera... you stay here.
QUAD! NO! OHGODS, NO! She stopped just beyond the burn-point. Quad...no....no.....ohgods, no.....[/] She thought, sobbing. She could not see to walk in to the searing light, nor bear the pain.
[i]Ohgods, ohgods, ohgode
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Erza pushed his way into the
He pushed the fawn again, getting away from Quad, praying it would understand.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" He cried, "I won't let you kill Quad! He has to live to save the forest! I don't care if he wants to die or not! We're going to cure him - not kill him!"
Erza pushed the fawn out of the cage, and pinned it down - not an easy task as it continued to writhe underneath him. Tears were streaming down it's face, searing Erza's fur but he didn't care.
After seeing what happened to Zera he had decided - no one else was going to get hurt.
Zera looked at Quad, burning up and saw Erza charge in there. He was out soon, but much of his fur had gone. Accompanying him was a fawn - a crying fawn. Zera saw her brother wince each time a tear hit him and went to help him but stopped. Spirited One had told her to stay there. as much as she wanted to help her brother, this doe was obviously experienced and the her eys were telling her that she should listen. She fell to the floor again, whispering her brother's name.
LET GO! LET GO, YOU! DO YOU
The fawn looked to Spirited One, her eyes meeting those of the doe as she cried out for help. P-please.... the pair of eyes begged, please....
The fawn faded in to the earth, leaving behind nothing. She appeared once again, inside the cage with Quad. Phion smiled, kissing the stag on the forehead. His body was quickly reducing to ashes. She whispered to Quad, a prayer for him, before collapsing at his side.
(thanks, starling! The avatar is amazing! And Thanks Pretzil for the siggie!
The fawn's eyes touched
Weakly, she sobbed. She's right... Erza... Quad can't suffer now. We should have never put him in the cage. Her tears mingled with the ashes, making a soupy mess. The fawn breathed near to her head, causing little sprays of it to cover the doe's face.
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Erza fell to the floor,
Zera came over, barely able to walk but still there to help her brother.
"He was our last hope," He said softly to Zera, "OUR LAST HOPE!" He then yelled, aimlessly. He saw Spirited One wince as he shouted but he really didn't care anymore. He had started to warm to the doe, care for her but now there was no point. The forest's saviour was gone. Unless something drastic happened, he was taking Zera and leaving. He had done it before and he could do it again.
"Brother. I know what your thinking. No. I won't leave! I refuse to see this forest - no! My home. I refuse to see my home wither and die! Quad might be gone, but that's no reason to give up fighting! Look -" She dropped two darkened crystals on the floor. "We fought darkness for these! What have you always told me? Stay and fight! Stay and fight, Brother! We have to protect our home!"
She walked over to the two deers by Quad's ashes and talked first to the unknown fawn.
"I'm so sorry for Erza's actions. As you can see, he is extremely upset right now. I hope you can forgive us." Zera hesitated slightly before giving it a fawn-to-fawn nuzzle.
"Spirited One, thank you for healing us of the infection. I can't tell you how much both of us appreciate it." she also gave the doe a nuzzle.
Then she stood back, took a deep breath and spoke to the both
"I assume you heard my... speech, over there. I can see you have both been touched by the Gods, just as I have, so, even though Quad has gone, will you stay and fight with my brother and I? Will you stay and protect our home? Will you stay and battle darkness?" With each question, the power in her voice grew until she was standing tall, with an almost regal look about her.
All the while, Erza was sitting there thinking how mature Zera was for her age, how amazing she was as a sister and how he would stay and fight.
The fawn smiled, returning
When that flower dies.... you can take off the vines. Your leg should get better. The spring green of her eyes replaced the forest's reflection as the fawn settled her powers. She still had no clue how she was using them, nor what she was still doing by Quad, but there she was.
(thanks, starling! The avatar is amazing! And Thanks Pretzil for the siggie!
Spirited One gave a tired
Zera was a real fighter, even for a fawn. Her demeanor exuded power and inner-strength. She could now not imagine the world without fighters like Zera.
I will stay. I think Quad would be disappointed in me if I didnt help. After all, I could not save his life.
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"Thank you, Phion. I'm
"Yes, thank you." Erza appeared behind Zera's shoulder, looking worn. The hairs on the right side of his face had been singed off and it was turning a raw red. Erza looked at all the doe and the two fawns. "I am very, very sorry for everything. Sorry, sorry, sorry..." His words drifted off as a tear ran down his cheek, the salt stinging the recent injury.
He sat beside Zera, nuzzled her affectionately and murmered an apology in her ear.
((wow I have some catching up
With his body burning from the light, Quad no longer spoke, but being alleviated from the infection, his body was finally freed from the grasp of darkness. He closed his eyes and a slight smile appeared on his face right before he burst into ashes. Free..., he happily thought.
And there he rested for some time, a pile of ashes. While his friends and acquaintances argued and cried, very slowly, the ashes began to swirl around much like a small whirlwind. Piece by piece, the shape of a gentle, sleeping stag appeared on the ground beneath the ashes. It was almost like a phoenix reborn, and would have been barely noticeable to those around.
When the ashes rested, the blackbuck was fully formed, and at that moment, he opened his eyes. He was weary, his body still tingling from both the aftershocks of the infection as well as the burning sensation...but he would heal through time. He sat up and looked around as if he had only been sleeping.
"I'm free...", he whispered to himself, and immediately smiled, regardless of the painful sensations in his muscles.
Zera was the first to
She leapt up with a shriek (ignoring the pain in her recently splinted leg), making everyone there jump - including the newly reformed Quad.
"QUAD!" She yelled, nuzzling him furiously. Then stepped back, remembering that he wouldn't know who she is.
Erza was on his hooves, stuttering in disbelief;
"B - but... I saw... You... Can't be... Quad, you're dead!"
The blackbuck within the cage
He rose to his feet, weakly, but he managed. Gingerly, he squeezed through the bars of the cage (after the amount of farting he had done before, his belly fit through now). He noticed that they had cried for him, and he weakly spoke, "Please, don't cry for me. I don't want you to have any more burden from who I am. I want peace and happiness for the Endless Forest." At this moment, he accidentally let out another little fart. It wasn't intentional, but he hoped it could make them laugh and smile. He didn't want all these tears for him, he wanted nothing more than happiness.
Oh Quad.... thank
You have some explaining to do, Buck. Lots and lots of explaining. She spoke sternly, though happily, resting her head on Quad's strong shoulder. She gave him a light nip to show her annoyance before nuzzling him again, and dragging Zera with her in stepping back.
Zera... he probably needs air!
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"Ah, sorry Quad..." She
"Well, it's definately a relief you're back, Quad - but what now? We decided when you were... gone we would help as best as we can but what are doing? What are we fighting against?"
"Always bringing the mood down, huh? I suppose you have a point though..." Zera sighed and layed the dark crystals on the ground.
"We were looking for you to give you these when we found you infected. Here, these were taken off those Rock Hound monsters." She shuddered at the mere thought of the creatures.
The fawn rose to her hooves,
Um.... Grand....oh....umm....Quad? Thank you for not dying.... I dont know what would have become of me if you had. The fawn glared at Erza, sticking her tongue out as fawns often do when upset, before shooting Erza a playful, charming smile to show her true feelings for the protective younger buck.
Standing on her hind legs, the fawn planted an awkward kiss on the stag's nose... it was as high as she could reach.
(thanks, starling! The avatar is amazing! And Thanks Pretzil for the siggie!
Quad bowed here, "No no no,
He immediately stood up and at once, his wings grew on his back, fanning out brilliantly. Two sets of wings outstretched and began to flap. He lifted off from the ground, and looking toward his friends, he spoke, "Come on, I can really use your help!"
Zera immediately ran after
"Just remember," Erza called, "You really have some explaining to do!"