Hargeon town was beautiful, Razhiel could admit that. Her wrist shot out, hand gripping a much smaller one in an inescapable grip. Purple eyes regarded the kid before her with much scrutiny. With each second that passed by the kid got more and more antsy. After realizing it was futile to claw at her hand, he stood there mutinous, blue eyes staring at her unflinching. Pursing her lips she commanded ”What’s you name boy?” Silence was the response. Shrugging she looked at the sky and waited. “Larz” A begrudged response. Slipping a hand in her jacket, “Granted I am a fresh face, I am not a picking. So spread the word because the next rat I catch nibbling at my pockets will get a shock.” Taking a few jewels out she tossed it to the kid as she let his wrist go. Catching them, Razhiel continued “Tell your keeper I am not game worth playing.” Giving Raz an odd look, Larz disappeared. How many days would have to pass before she stopped missing people from her homeland, like Asal?
Walking through the port town she paused as she came upon its renowned park. Leaning against a tree she watched. Children and people and dogs. It was curious. The feeling, an ache deep down. She couldn’t understand it, and she couldn’t trust if it was her that was feeling it. Her state of being had indeed become complicated since entering Fiore. A dog nudged her leg, breaking her thoughts. Taking a knee she scratched behind the tanned beast’s ears with both hands. His head easily reached her hip, so when she knelt her face was level with the dog’s muzzle. Deep, solemn, brown eyes stared at her, coaxing a grin from the devil slayer. “Well now Kashi, you are quite the noble creature in a somewhat domestic setting.” With a sigh, she pressed her forward against Kashi’s, her hands still scratching along his neck. ” I can relate to that.” A human whistle and Razhiel released the dog. ” Go on, you’re needed. You’re doing a great job.” When the dog left, she stood slowly. It seemed her ‘house guest’ was aware without Razhiel being aware of her. Otherwise, Raz had access to her passive abilities when the situation arose.
Now ignoring the people she continued to wander. Maybe she would pick up a job here. Her aimless wander brought her to the port. Sun reflecting off the surface of the water had the windows and houses bathed in orange. Turning to look at the sun, her eyes alit upon the cliffs that rose above the town in the background. That was interesting. The beauty of the landscape did not escape her and if anything, she preferred to be in the background than the one making the most noise. Her footsteps now purposeful as she walked through the middle of the town towards the cliffs.
A shout, a strangled cry, and sudden explosion of smoke had her jogging towards a building with people rushing out. The name indicating it was a bakery. Most likely culprit being the oven and some mishap happened. Shadows of flickering flames indicating fire had come to play. One lady who had evacuated the building began to scream about her child above the bakery. Razhiel’s head turned slowly to the lady with a ‘are you serious’ expression. ”What the hell are you doing out here?” Shaking her head as she approached the building she continued, “I feel sorry for your child. Self preservation runs strong in you obviously.” Yelling, ”Don’t just stand there. Find a water mage or start throwing water on this.” Her form disappeared as she jogged into the building. Her magic brought fully to the surface as the heat within the building had already reached extremes. The lightning coursing through her body providing her heat resistance as her own body temp shot through the roof.
Crouching, she began to cough. Heat and burn resistant she may be but she could die of smoke inhalation. Wrapping an arm around her mouth, she quickly located the stairs and jogged up them. Moisture beaded every wooden surface. It seemed this place was not warded against fire. A crying reached her ears, she had been listening intently so she heard it over the destructive sound of the fire as it devoured everything. Turning into a room she paused. The kid, maybe five year old girl, huddled in a corner. What surprised Razhiel was the cat standing in front of the girl, fur on end, scared stiff but unwilling to leave the kid. ”You have more mother instincts than her own mother. Good cat.”
A smaller explosion had the floor shaking and the girl screamed. ”Stop crying.” Razhiel’s tone full of command had the little girl silencing except for the occasional hiccup. To touch the girl she was going to have to contain her magic. Drawing it in, the heat hit her. There was no going back out the way she came. The floor began to buckle. Grabbing a chair, she threw it at the window, breaking the glass, the chair hurtling towards the ground. Scruffing the cat, she put it in the girl’s hands. Gripping the girl’s chin she made sure she had her attention as she said, ”I need you to be brave. You must hold on to your cat and curl yourself around it, like a ball, okay? I will take you out of here.” Scooping her up in one arm, “Close your eyes.” Without warning she jumped through the window. The girl and cat still and silent, even as Razhiel hit the ground and rolled. Keeping her free hand out she made sure the girl didn’t once touch the ground, though that meant she took the entirety of the fall and not as gracefully as she had planned since the second she jumped the fire had burst through the floor pushing her forward.
Biting her lip, she stood slowly and let the girl down. ”You can open your eyes now and make sure you keep that cat.” The girl’s green eyes met hers and nodded solemnly Tough kid. People were running toward them. With a wink at the kid she turned and walked away. Feeling the build up of magic she was sure someone else was taking care of the fire.
Climbing the cliffs proved a bit of a feat as she cradled the arm that held the kid. Part of the fall dislocated her shoulder and she didn’t want to set it before getting away from the town and all the commotion. Coming upon a tree that forked into two large trunks she set her arm in it and placed a small stick between her teeth. Jerking her arm in such a way, there was a pop, a muffled scream and it was over. Spitting the stick out, she leaned her forehead against the tree for awhile, her breath short quiet pants. Her breath evening out, she tenderly lifted her arm out and began walking towards the edge of the cliffs that overlooked the town. Her uninjured hand massaging her shoulder with small currents of electricity. It helped to reduce swelling and stimulated the nerves to prevent stiffness.
Thumbs in her pockets, fingers still upon her legs she watched the sun high in the sky reflecting off the waves coming in from the open water, crashing against the ships in the port. Her leather jacket though a bit dusty from her fall, intact; the red dragon and lightning seemingly spelled against dulling as it blazed even in shadow. Her fiery hair, though a bit longer from when she first entered Fiore it was still quite short, whipped in the wind that billowed up and over the cliff. The whip coiled at her hip swayed gently in the salt smelling wind now tinged with the slight harshness that accompanies the aftermath of fire.
Hargeon. A bustling port town where one could lose themselves in the sea of people from different lands. After his meeting with Kotone he numbly found himself among the crowds. Why couldn't she just condemn him? Killing Draco was far beyond unforgivable. And yet what she said echoed in his head. It's not too late she said.
Before his thoughts could go further her smelled smoke. Looking up he saw the plume of rolling black reaching into the sky. Glancing around most were stopping to look at it too. He bolted in the direction, running past people who quickly tried to scramble out of his way. the bottom of his coat flared behind him, the scales glittering in the light as he moved.
Upon reaching the scene he could see a portion of the house collapsed. He also saw soot covered mother and daughter hugging each other. He closed his eyes and was about to leave when the mother spoke. "Remember, if you see that red haired woman thank her! She saved your life."
It was as if a heart beat pulsed through Raven. It wasn't her... was it? He stuck his nose into the air and sniffed. It was faint but it was there. Barely noticeable but it was there. Turning he walked away, following the scent. What was she doing in Fiore? ...Was she the one that was looking for Raven? But why...? Why after three years?
It took him a short while since he wasn't running. But when he was finally within earshot he stopped. One hand rested comfortably on the hilt of his sword which was at his side currently. He'd left his bag back at the inn he was saying at so it wasn't present to get in the way. When he spoke his voice was cold and hard. He didn't need anyone else. "I'd heard someone was looking for me."
The smell of the sea, something she was always fond of now seemed to captivate her even more. Ever since the merge, Razhiel noticed quite a few differences within herself. She found herself compelled to less civilized places. The background. Like now. A calmness seemed to spread within as she stood above it all. As if she could spread wing and fly high above the water. Her focus was so intent on the landscape before her that she did not hear Raven until he spoke. Razhiel's shoulders tensed slightly in surprise though she did not turn around nor move. Her stance relaxed almost instantly as she recognized his voice. Even after all of this time. "It's not like I was discreet about it." She did not expect him here though she should have figured that he would show when Razhiel had decided to stop inquiring as to his current habits. She did not miss the harshness of his tone. Maybe that was why hers had an amused undercurrent.
Turning, violet orbs stared, almost as if she could see through his sunglasses and straight into his eyes. Thumbs still in her pockets giving the impression of someone relaxed though she couldn't remember a time recently where she had been more alert. A half smile and a raised eyebrow greeted him. She made note of the hand on the hilt of his sword.
The sun was at her back which meant Raven was bathed in the glorious rays. Eyes swept down his figure, not missing a detail, before coming back up to seemingly stare through his sunglasses once more. It was hard to describe what she felt at the sight of him. Three years was a long time. She was curious if the Raven she glimpsed three years ago was still in there. "Not happy to see me?" The question a reminder of the last time they had seen each other and his words of maybe one day meeting once again. The wind was blowing up the cliff, past her, and towards Raven making it impossible to catch his scent.
She seemed happy... Something Raven hadn't expected. He thought she'd be angry at him for how things went down. Idly his promise echoed through his head, but this wasn't how he wanted them to meet again. He found himself suspicious as the wind blew. Her scent was slightly different... something was different than before. Itt was very slight, unnoticeable if he hadn't focused on it.
"Why are you here?" He asked keeping himself in a relaxed stance. His voice wasn't so relaxed however. Was she here ttrying to rebuild Valland? Had they only killed a fake and her father was still alive and rebuilding things secretly? So many questions floated through his head. Questions that left him unhappy to see her. He was having a hard time shaking the image before him. It was still a couple hours to the sunset, but with her standing in front of the sun she looked almost angelic.
"And why have you been looking for me?" He asked keeping ready. Gold, draconian eyes regarded her from behind sunglasses he knew she couldn't see through. But it felt like she was, and it was unnerving. He had caught her at a good place... there was no one around to get caught in the crossfire.
A moment of silence. The whistling of the wind through the trees giving the impressions of muffled voices before the wind calmed and everything stilled. I am in Hargeon because I have never been here before and there is something about the open water that attracts me... Honest, even if that was not the answer he was looking. She knew what he was asking though. Why I am in Fiore is... complicated. She knew that would not satisfy him and possibly put him even more on edge despite his at ease body language. She wondered if the reason she was so calm was because the timing felt right or because their meeting was meant to happen. Or perhaps because she was now a Nomad at heart, her home was where she placed her feet, and her purpose kept her grounded. Or more likely it was because he was unsettled and she found it enjoyable how her presence caused him concern. But being hunted in your former empire tends to make you expand your horizons. Razhiel added, the corners of her mouth curling upwards in a less than amused predatory grin. Her answer was vague though there was some truth to it.
Shrugging out of her leather jacket, she turned to the side, walking to a tree and draped the jacket over a branch. Body language and her eyes leaving him suggesting she was unconcerned about him attacking. Her dark tank top revealed smooth, light skin marred by her tattoos, of which only her wrist and arm were fully visible. She had a feeling he was waiting for her to make the first move, whatever that may be. Maybe I wanted to say hi. Her tone neutral. Standing where she had been originally she continued, Maybe I thought I should congratulate you. Taking a step forward, thumbs in her pockets once more, eyes on him, Maybe I decided since I have come to your homeland, we should finish what we started. A slight grin to what she was referring as she took another step forward. Despite the grin, her eyes narrowed. There was a lot unsaid.
He stared silently as she said she enjoyed the ocean. That wasn't it. There was something deeper. He just knew it... Call him paranoid but that's where he was at. He let the wind pull at him as she said it was complicated. She said that she was hunted, and his eyes wennt wide. Not that she could see, but it still took him by surprise. And suddenly she looked like the predator. He took every ounce of will power to keep from stepping back. To add to that, she didn't care she was giving her back to him.
"I doubt we'll be finishing that anytime soon," He stated trying to keep his temper in check. She was pushing all the right buttons, but he would keep cool and keep control. That's what she wanted, to unnerve him. As long as he remembered that he wouldn't fall into any trap or bait. Her eyes narrowed and he could tell there was more to her feelings than she was letting on.
"You had more purpose than that when we last met," Raven said his tone taking on an air of accusation. No, there was more. That last statement was closer, but not really what was on her heart. Her eyes did all the talking there. The way they narrowed into seemingly a glare. The way she'd left her jacket hanging off the tree. All of it spoke of some who was ready to fight. "So why are you really here?"
Razhiel continued to take steps forward as she spoke, unhurried footsteps though the way she proceeded was similar to that of a predator stalking its prey. "Ah, I see. Objective was to get close to the Princess and possibly gain... information... access to the Emperor..." She paused in both advancing and talking. The grin was gone, head slightly tilted. "But now I have no... important connections, so there is no need to get close." Bending slightly, she gave him a mock bow though her eyes never left his face. "Well done." Though technically a praise, her tone was cold suggesting the opposite.
Straightening she continued forward, curious as to how close he would actually let her get. Her left hand now rested, relaxed on the handle of her whip coiled at her side. "More purpose last we met..." She echoed. "You mean when I was heir to an Empire? When I had people to care for and an Empire to help manage?" The hardness reflected within her eyes disappeared for a moment, her voice a bit softer though she did not realize it as she continued. "Do you remember when I said I would fail one of my duties by the end? I failed not only the Emperor but I failed the Empire, its people, and myself. Every purpose that held me I failed." Violet orbs focused on Raven as she had unconsciously looked past him as if recalling that precise moment in time.
"That's not why I tried to get close to you!" He snapped finally as he clenched his hands into fists. He couldn't deny the guilt he felt over it though. Nor could he blame her for coming to that conclusion. He shook his head furiously as his emotions got the better of him. Flames shot up around his body as she approached. "I didn't want to use you! I didn't use you!"
"I... That's..." Raven's temper evaporated at her next statement. He fumbled with words as his mind rushed back to that fateful battle. The words exchanged as Raven begged her father to stop. The feelings expressed as they locked blades and magic. It all came rushing back to him, burning away his regret and hesitation. He stood up straight, the flames coming back.
"Your father was a weak mad man who'd made it clear others had to suffer for his ambition!" He fell into an unarmed fighting stance. His legs were spread for balance, add he was crouched slightly. His fingers were curled like claws instead of fists. "If I didn't step up tto stop him there would be a lot more dead bodies and ruins around here! The only thing you failed to do was continue that chain of sorrow that would have wounded the rest of the world for generations to come!
His reaction surprised her. The flames that now surrounded his body surprised her even more. Color her impressed or rather amused. It seemed she had finally stuck a nerve. It only took saying a part of how she truly felt to do it. When his words stumbled from his mouth, her expression became confused. Raven's moment of hesitation lasted mere seconds as he seemed to find his righteousness, his next words hitting the walls she had erected specifically for him.
She took another step closer despite the heat from the flames. Her own magic rising to just under the surface, allowing her to stand before him unharmed in the heat of the blaze. "I understand you are not sorry you killed my father but usually a person apologizes for the sorrow they caused." Her thumb rubbed back and forth on the handle of her whip. "You could have married me thus saving Fiore from further attack and possibly jumping ahead of the events that happened after the downfall of Valland." An amusing thought, if unrealistic though she said it with such seriousness as if it were given true consideration. It was meant for distraction as the last of the words were leaving her mouth, she pounced diving straight at Raven. While the pounce itself was graceful and she pulled every ounce of strength to make her propel forward faster, the method was extremely personal, if not considered brawl worthy. Her right hand a fist aimed for his face. It seemed the weak mad man comment struck its own nerve. Though she drew upon her magic, her body temp rising, to make the pass through the flames around his body as painless as possible she kept it from making her touch electrifying... for now.
"What?!" The distraction worked, so he wasn't ready when she lunged at him. Normally that wasn't a problem, the flames defended him from weaker magics. However, it seemed Raz's Magic wasn't weak, and her fist pierced through the barrier of flames. The fist connected with his face, and thanks to the magical charge the impact sent him staggering back. He was quick to catch himself before she could press the advantage however.
"That wouldn't have changed anything except to chain me down to his laws and rules!" Raven followed it up by throwing a punch of his own. His other hand was already gathering energy however, forming a fireball. The plan was to use the punch as a distraction. The follow up fireball would be the real attack, and it would come from below aiming for her midsection. "He still would have continued his conquest of the world!"
"HAH!" In that moment Kotone's face popped to his mind. Her words from the cave echoing in his mind. It wasn't too late... doubt crept into his mind and the spell fizzled. His eyes went wide as he now realized that if his punch didn't connect then he was going to be wide open....
A small smile played upon her lips as her fist met his flesh. It should not have been as satisfying as it felt. Disagreeing with his words, she stayed quiet. Razhiel was prepared for a counter, at least she thought she was, and stepped towards him and to the side, her arm slapping his arm to the side. However, she stepped right into the path of his other hand holding the fireball. Realizing too late, Razhiel was prepared to project her lighting across her body as a sort of shield though she would still take most of the hit.
Something happened. Something crossed his mind. She could see it in his facial expression as close as they now were. She was not sure what, though Razhiel would have loved to be privy to what was on his mind. The fire he was holding disappeared, his open palm empty as it came at her abdomen. Her hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, the hand that had blocked the first punch pressed against his chest. Her movements quickened by her magic and slayer reflexes.
Four things happened at once. First, she noticed that yet again his skin was not cool like most others were to her and yet it was not as hot as she remembered which meant her own temperature was higher than normal. Second, she inhaled and breathed in nothing but him. Maybe it was how much time had passed and she had forgotten or for some reason he smelled more ‘other.’ Third, the hand on his chest could feel his heart beat and that brought back memories that were highly inappropriate given the current situation. Fourth, his scent brought to the forefront anger that was not hers.
“Granted you are a hot shot Dragon Slayer, at least give me the respect to be fully here or you may just find yourself flat on your back.” Her voice quiet. Razhiel went to let go of his wrist and push him at the same time as sending an electric shock through the hand that pressed against his chest. Enough to get his attention.
Time seemed to stop as Raz deflected both attacks. He couldn't help getting a face full of her scent, which only added to his confusion. Though it was stronger... and somehow seemed foreign at the same time. It didn't help that the sun was still behind her, adding to the intensity of the feelings in the area. And that's when everything started moving in his head.
"Gah!" Raven cried out as the lightning jolted into his body. He skidded backwards but stayed on his feet. Why did he care so much!? He knew her for a week! He shouldn't be this attached! Especially after killing her father! But Kotone's words haunted his head. It wasn't too late. Those words echoed in his mind, as did Raz's demand for his attention.
"Shut up!" He shouted as the magic gathered into his hand once more. Now that he was frustrated and unconsciously pouring more power into his spells. Instead of checking himself he fired the fireball. This one would definitely cause damage if it hit, and was on a separatelevel from the one that fizzled before.
But he didn't stop there. He surged forward, flames shooting down his arm to form a giant claw. Whether she dodged the fireball or not he was at an angle to catch her with his follow up attack. He swiped the claw sideways as he spoke. "Worry about yourself or you'll get fried!"
Deep inside a part of her flinched as the lightning jolted through Raven. It would only distract her and cause her to hesitate if she let her feelings come into play so Razhiel pushed that part deeper. Closer to the surface, another part of her, a foreign part of her, wanted blood. Razhiel attempted to push that part even deeper. She had a feeling it would not be that easy. Having been in Fiore for months now with minimal interference/ disturbance from the spirit that resided within her, it would be Raven that would cause a much more intense reaction from her 'guest.'
If Razhiel would guess, it had more to do with the Dragon slayer part. Though why had her interaction with Kotone, also a Dragon slayer, not cause a similar reaction?
Raven's yell had her thoughts clearing, her focus centered solely on him. She had wanted his attention, she now had it. From the buildup of magic it seemed she had touched a nerve. “Than make me.” Her tone rebellious, a half grin accompanied it.
Razhiel let go of the walls that held her magic within her. Her body and heart sighed, almost as if in relief. Her normal state was a constant cage within her body. One reason why her control was so fine tuned. When her walls dropped, small arcs of lightning danced across her skin. Her short hair moved as if a slight wind ruffled through it. A constant current swam within her body, without her walls her touch was electrifying.
There was no time to think only time to react defensively as Raven began attacking in earnest. A ball of electricity formed in her hand though the ball had just barely left her hand when the two balls of magic collided. The resulting mini explosion caused her to stumble back, her hand stung.
Before that attack had even ended, a huge claw of fire came swiping towards her side. A hastily erected shield of lightning took some of the damage before said shield shattered and the claw continued its trajectory, swiping her side from hip to navel. Using the momentum of the attack, she dropped and rolled. Palms against the ground, her lightning travelled underground heading towards him. Standing, she paid no mind to the burn that now adorned her side, a cut in her tank top displayed a dark pink welt, the center seeped a thin line of blood.
"Could you? Could you truly fry me? The girl you played chess with? The girl you kissed? The girl whose pain you glimpsed, if only for a moment?" The words were not her own, not truly. Something pushed her, deep down inside. Someone. Diabolus Fulgur Gladium. A sword made purely of lightning energy appeared within her right hand grasp, completely solid. It is sharp, will not shatter, and has the added side effect of being extremely hot. The tattoo on her wrist glowed a whiteness similar to that of lightning. Without pause she leapt forward, the blade having been pointed towards the ground swung in an upwards slash.
Once again her ability to pierce through his magic was made apparent to Raven. This time as her lightning blade slashed through the fire claw he was guarding himself with. Through magic, leather, cloth, and into flesh he blade rent it's way forward. It wasn't deep thanks to the density of his own magic... but it still drew blood. He stagered back from the shock of the impact as the magic repelled them.
"I've destroyed everything else important to me," Raven said as he pulled the Dragon's Fang from it's sheath. Red metal gleamed as it pulsed with dragon magic. The blade was forged from Draco's scales and rare metals. Together it formed a nigh unbreakable, self repairing sword that amplified any magic Raven poured into it. Though he didn't seem to be this time.
"If I can kill the dragon that raised me, what makes you safe?!" Raven roared as he charged forward rather quickly. To normal people he'd have been a blur. The roar he let out wasn't wholly human either. And he didn't seem to hold back as he went for a vertical strike, using both hands to drive maximum power downward.
After her attack landed, Razhiel paused. Her blade liked him a little to much, which was odd considering he was no demon whose darkness was what the sword sought. She felt the hunger reverberating from within her hand. As he pulled his sword from his sheath she could feel the power of it brush against her skin, an involuntary shiver ran across her skin. And with it a roar reverberated within her body at the sight of it. Murderer. The word, a growl that vibrated within her mind. Her roommate was fully awake. And fighting her.
"Necessary sacrifices and not everything important has been sacrificed." She did not get a chance to talk further as he roared and was suddenly in front of her. With her magic pulsing through her and the 'other' part of her awake it made her hyper aware. Despite this she was not prepared for his speed nor the feral roar that preceded it.
Lips lifted as she replied with a silent snarl, a growl not her own escaped her throat. Her blade lifted, her left hand holding the flat of the blade as his 'Dragon's Fang' hit the other side of the flat of her blade. Sparks jumped from the blade. Freya used that moment to push, her magic filling Razhiel's body to help repel the powerful blade and even more powerful slayer. The Dragon peeked out from within the depths of her violet eyes. Her blade fed from her magic when needed and she felt it drop as it pulled within her and combated the power within his blade as they met. Eyes narrowed as she bit her lip. He was taller than her and stronger- build wise. Razhiel fell to one knee, her arms locked, magic steadily streaming from her to her blade. He would win and possibly slice her in half if this kept up. Especially since she was attempting to hold back the feral power within her. "Nothing you have done has been without purpose." One half of her was spitting angry. The other half wanted him to see what he did was necessary. If he killed her it would be because she would have killed him first. Was she trying to kill him? Fighting the other half of herself answered that question. She gritted her teeth. Fulgur Lupus The tattoo on her arm turned from black to white as a wolf like creature of pure lightning appeared at her side. Violet eyes lightened perceptibly. At that moment, her sword broke into tiny pixels before disappearing altogether. With nothing blocking his blade it came slashing down as she propelled herself backwards using her magic. Her body becoming lightning itself, image wavering as the transition was made. The tip of the blade slashed through her magic barrier, clothes, and skin. Her body had not become incorporeal fast enough and was still tangible as she felt the burn of the blade.
The wolf-like creature planted its paws and howled thunder claps at Raven before lunging. Razhiel slowly got to her feet, her breath coming out in short pants. Lightning contained to random sparks along her skin once more. Fingers gingerly touching the slash down her chest. Knotting her tank top together, it pulled upwards showing her midriff.
