Alba Meria was resting at the falls within Arda. He had just been on a long hunt to kill someone that had stolen from the Brotherhood of Chaos. He had of course found the person and ripped their body limb from limb. The Phoenix did not know exactly what to do now. He had been doing so much fighting and killing as of late that he really just wanted to rest for once. In truth what he really wanted to do was spend time with his wife to be, Aaris. Yes that was what Alba Meria wanted most at that exact moment in time, to be with Aaris and to in turn hold her in his arms.

For such a Chaotic being the Phoenix knew that he was in love, he had fallen for Aaris and he did not care how knew. As far as Alba was concerned being in love with someone was not a weakness, no infact being with Aaris seemed to make Alba all the more powerful these days since he now had someone to actually fight for, someone for him to risk his life to protect.

The wedding would be soon and Alba was rather looking forward to it, although for some reason the Phoenix thought that someone would try and ruin the day for both Aaris and himself. If that were to happen then Alba would hunt them down and make sure they never seen the light of day again. The Phoenix wanted the day to pass without any problems and to make sure that was going to happen Alba was going to have the other Brotherhood of Chaos members there. Their job would be to make sure no trouble started, although some might also play some part within the wedding, for the Phoenix did not know exactly.

As he sat there resting Alba looked out into the water of the falls, it was indeed a very beautiful sight and Alba could not shift it from his mind. He really like coming to this place, as it was one of the first places he had went with Aaris. Letting out a small sigh the Phoenix leaned against his scythe taking in the fresh air around him, although he could feel others drawing in on his location so he had to be ready to battle just in case. If he could avoid battle then he would, it would be rather strange for someone to walk in on him and not be killed after all, but in truth Alba could be bothered to fight just now. Then again, things usually never go as planned do they?

Raven walked through the surrounding forest, heading for Alutlanta Falls. Aegis walked beside her, the wolf sniffing the air curiously. She wondered briefly what scent the wolf had picked up, since he had suddenly gotten tense. She and Aegis had been traveling for a few days, and in truth, Raven hoped to get some rest. She would rather get rest from a quiet place like Alulanta Falls than in one of the cities such as Lomedor or Estolad.

The shapeshifter let out a small sigh, breathing in the fresh air. She could hear the sound of water running and crashing down on more water—a sign that she was nearing the falls. The shapeshifter walked forward, ready to step out into the open when Aegis caught hold of her cloak with his teeth, tugging on it.

Raven stopped, turning to the wolf. She gently held onto her cloak, freeing it from his mouth. The shapeshifter turned to her familiar.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, suddenly alert. Aegis only behaved that way when something was serious. Very few things made him do that. “Is something out there.”

The wolf let out a small growl, confirming her suspicions. Raven pulled an arrow out of her quiver, fitting it to her bow. The shapeshifter crept silently up to a tree, peering from behind it at the clearing in front of her. Her eyes shifted from the beautiful cascades to a figure sitting on the bank. Raven had only caught a glimpse of this person from the Misty Forest, but there was no mistaking that scythe. It was Alba Meria, the Chaos Phoenix.

The shapeshifter stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. She wasn’t really in the mood for a fight. Perhaps she should just turn around and leave. She paused for a second, thinking out her course of action.

Alba could hear the steps getting closer towards him. It seemed like there was more than one being heading right for him. Sure Alba did not want to fight but if anyone were to make the first strike onto the Phoenix then he would defend himself without mercy for those that attacked him. Soon enough however the Phoenix then heard a growl within the woods around the falls. It was clear now that there was some kind of wolf although Alba did not know exactly where it was.

Alba then parted his lips letting a small yawn pass by them as he waved his left hand to the side of him casting the hindsight spell. Two orbs appeared above Alba and began to scan the area around him for whoever or whatever was infact there. Soon the floating orbs came across the form or a woman and what seemed to be her pet wolf, somehow Alba felt he knew this woman like he had seen her in this exact same way once before.

A smirk then spread along the lips of Alba as he seen the woman, he then let out a small laugh before saying, “Hello miss. If you don’t attack me then you don’t need to worry about me attacking. I really just a break for now. If you want to relax by the falls its fine, after all I don’t own them!” Alba then turned his head in the direction Raven was stood, of course the Phoenix did not know that was her name but in time he might. How knew really, only time could tell these things. The Phoenix then lowered his head so that he was looking down onto the grass around the falls, the thoughts of his future wedding coming to him. He really could not wait to be with Aaris, she was the only the Phoenix had ever felt this way about and yet he knew that she was the one for him!

The falls reflected the pristine sunlight with an unusual and yet satisfying radiance as Xoco walked across the moss-laden ground. His footsteps were muffled, both by the soft earth underfoot and the roar of the Alulanta falls. The light scent of the rushing water filled the damp, moist air around them. The distant call of birds and animals resounded all around, emanating from every rock and tree around. It seemed as though everything was at peace with nature on this day, as if all was right with the world. Xoco’s evil inclinations were sometimes stilled by scenes such as this one; the natural beauty of the mortal’s realm was certainly something to be admired.

And yet, not everything was quite pristine on this day. Out of the corner of his eye, Xoco caught sight of a familiar armor-clad figure. Xoco knew that Alba had set off after some miscreant that had stolen from the Brotherhood, but he had not been informed of the status of Alba’s mission. Apparently, the Phoenix was weary from the hunt, but he was intact, which detailed that he had most likely caught up with his quarry and destroyed it. Slipping through the trees, Xoco made his way to Alba through the grand, rolling landscape that surrounded the falls.

“Good day, brother Phoenix,” called Xoco to the battle-weary Alba. He approached unthreateningly, for he knew Alba was prone to be defensive if he felt weakened. Still, Xoco had no evil intentions… at least, not yet. For now, he smiled, and awaited a response, casually walking past the falls.

Raven listened as the Chaos Phoenix began to talk, stiffening slightly at his words. He knew that she was there. She wondered briefly how he knew that, before settling for the explanation that he probably had some sort of spell. That must have been it, since her Boots of Elvenkind muffled out all noise she made while walking in the forest.

“Hello miss. If you don’t attack me then you don’t need to worry about me attacking. I really just a break for now. If you want to relax by the falls its fine, after all I don’t own them!” said Alba, turning his head in her direction.

Raven frowned at his words. Although he said that he didn't intend to attack her, how could she be sure about that? She had heard many rumors about the Chaos Phoenix, including the fact that he killed mercilessly. However, seeing as he already knew she was there, there was no point in her hiding behind a tree.

She sighed, taking a deep breath before stepping out of the forest. She kept a wary eye on the Phoenix, sitting down with her back to the tree. Aegis sat down beside her, the wolf also keeping an eye on the Phoenix. Raven lay her bow down beside her, but in easy reach, in case Alba decided to attack.

Raven turned her eyes to the falls for a moment. They really were a beauifil sight. She marveled at the beauty of nature as water cascaded down the cliffside. She really had no wish to fight today.

It seemed that Alba and the woman with her wolf were not the only ones at the falls that day. No another member of the Brotherhood of Chaos had shown up, one that went by the name of Xoco. He was indeed a powerful Wraith by Xoco did not have the power Alba did and the Phoenix knew that for a fact. Not to long ago Alba had even sent Xoco spiralling back to the depths of the Underworld for a short time, only for the Wraith to come back of course.

It was when Alba heard the words of Xoco that he looked up from the ground towards the Wraith with a sly smirk before saying in reply, “Hello dear Xoco. If you do you not mind I wish not to fight right now, I have more important matters on my mind to sort out, like my wedding for instance.” The Phoenix then looked over to see Raven coming out of the woods with her wolf. It was strange for this to happen, to have others around him and yet they not attack him, as well as Alba not attack them as well.

Yet still the woman did not speak instead she just lay her bow onto the ground below and began to glance towards the falls. It was then that Alba continued talking to the Wraith, “Speaking of the wedding Xoco, I am maybe going to be asking the Brotherhood Members to take a few roles within it while others make sure the wedding is not interfered. So tell me, would be prefer to part of the chaotic bonding or a guard? The choice is yours now. But please, answer quickly!” As Alba waited on the reply of Xoco the Phoenix looked down towards the ground once more. The wind began to pick up in speed and sweep over the top of Albas’ head sending some of his hair to flow gently in the calming and soothing wind.

The whole world was black. She could see nothing but the darkness that engulfed her senses. Yes, she could not see but her hearing was quite accurate. At this very moment, she was again battling against her darker side for full control. In the past, fighting for control was easier and simpler but now, it was difficult, almost impossible. Her darker side has grown stronger and she did not know how long she could keep this up. she did not want to be turned into those other Raukos who have lost their senses and just live to slaughter. no, that was not her at all. She values life because she knew how hard living is.

"Soon, I will be set free and you will be my very key..."

Those were the last words her darker side said before she returned back to her normal senses. She has won this battle...The next things she heard were the sounds of the wind blowing the leaves on the trees, the sound from the little animals around and the strongest, water. Where exactly was she?

She slowly opened her eyes and the first thing that came to her mind is that she was in a forest and very near water. she got up to her feet and regained herself. Although she had not been fighting physically, she was drained mentally from that battle. She continued looking around and finally recognized that she was near Alulanta Falls. Maybe it would not be bad to rest there for a bit before travelling once again. With that decided, she walked towards the said Falls.

She was already putting it in her mind that there was nobody at the falls today but upon arriving, she was proven wrong when she saw a couple of people around. And the fact was, two of those people are known to be in the Brotherhood of Chaos. what were they doing in a place like that? She was quite releaved to see a friend of her though--Raven. She walked up to where the shapeshifter was.

"Raven." she called.

Raven watched as another man walked up to Alba. The two of them began talking, although Raven couldn’t hear exactly what they had been talking about. The wind, unfortunately, was working against her today. It was blowing towards Alba and the other man, blowing the sound of their voices away from the shapeshifter’s ears. She frowned. It’s not like it really mattered to her what they were talking about anyway.

She looked up, however, as another voice called out to her. This one was more familiar, yet weaker than she had once known it to be. It was the weakness in that voice that made Raven get up in alarm. She turned to Kithara, watching as the Rauko staggered out of the forest. Aegis growled softly, but upon noticing that Kithara was weakened, the wolf let her pass.

“Kit?” asked Raven, walking towards the Rauko. The shapeshifter reached out her hands, steadying the Rauko. She looked the Rauko over, looking for any signs of blood that might signify an injury. There was none. “Kit, what happened to you?”

Raven frowned, already getting an idea of what might have happened to Kithara. There was one particular thing that Raven knew would hurt the Rauko this badly, without causing a single wound—the dark side that Kithara had been struggling with for years.

“Sit down, Kit,” said Raven, guiding Kithara over to the tree, “Rest a bit, and if you feel up to it, can you tell me what happened?”

She wanted to help her friend, but in a situation like this, she had no idea how. It wasn’t like she could take Kithara’s dark side away. She didn’t have that kind of power. So, Raven thought that this time, all she could do was listen.

The peace was soon broken once more with the arrival of another being; Alba could feel the power of a demon drawing closer and closer towards the clearing at the falls. He did not know exactly who it was but it was clear there was evil within them anyway, Alba still just hoped they did not want to battle. The Phoenix had come to the falls to rest not battle and every time he had tried to do this some foolish being would spring out of nowhere and try to kill him, only for Alba to in turn kill them of course. However soon enough the figure emerged from the surrounding woods of the falls, it was another woman and instantly Alba looked up hoping in some way that it was Aaris that had come.

Of course it was not her, in fact Alba already really knew this as the energy Aaris would have given off would have been different also she would have talked to Alba via their Telepathic Bond if she was drawing closer towards him. Yes thanks to that Bond Alba was able to hear everything Aaris thought of and in turn she could hear all Alba thought of. It was rather interesting really as it meant the pair was always able to talk to each other through telepathic means if they did not want others to pry into the conversation.

Alba took his sight off of the two women then, it seemed they knew each other so the Phoenix just relaxed letting out another sigh as he waited on Xoco to talk. If anyone else was to arrive people might start thinking there was some kind of party, or battle in the making. Then again the Arda Day Festival in Lomedor had indeed been a great day. Until Alba went back to the tower and found someone had stolen from him, next thing you know hey you’re at the falls with people wishing you were just alone.

Kithara allowed herself to be guided by the shapeshifter to sit down. True enough, she looked and sounded like she had been to a hard battle and in truth, she has. A battle that no one else can fight for her. A battle where no one can aid her but her very own self. So, this is how it felt to be fighting everyday in your life? It was like dying everyday but rising again just to die tomorrow. Now, she could very well understand how her late sister, Aderyn Darkmist, felt those past years of her life. the experience being so painful that she had to commit suicide. If only...something could have been done.

As soon as she was sitted, she started to relax for a bit although knowing the fact that two members from the brotherhood of Chaos were there was a bit alarming. They were very much known for their merciless slaughtering. Hopefully now, no battle would arrise. they did not need it. The day was good for resting and clearing the mind and not for bloodshed.

"Rae, I hope no bloodshed will happen today." she whispered at her friend, "I just finished fighting with my darker side."

Blood was the very source that could trigger the awakening of her darker side. It has happened before and the outcome was grim...so many deaths...so many losses and she did not want that to happen again. All she wanted to do now was regain her strength for her travels. She guessed that as long as they did not start any attack, the two men would not harm them.

"Are you sure this will keep up?" said her darker side, "Better think again, Rauko!"

Kithara disregarded those words. They did not matter to her...as long as the peace remains, they were safe.

Raven Silverflame listened as Kithara began to speak. She sighed. So her suspicions were correct. Kithara had recently fought with her dark side. She thought back to the first time she had met the Rauko. It had been over a year ago, in the Ered Annon Mountains. That was the day she had met Aegis, and also the day she had met Silnimare and Chrono. It was on that day that she had first found out about Kithara's darker half. Of course, it hadn't been as strong back then as it was now.

As Raven listened to Kithara, she felt a twinge of pity for her friend. Why was she being forced to go through this? Why Kithara? It made her wonder what her Rauko friend had done to deserve this.

"Don't worry," muttered Raven, with a glance at the two Brotherhood of Chaos members. She wasn't sure she should tell Kithara not to worry. With those two around, a fight could occur at any moment, and then what would happen? If Kithara's dark side woke up, she would be very much outnumbered.

First sign of a fight, back away... thought Raven, more for Kithara than for herself. She didn't want her friend to go through more than she had already been through.

Aegis sniffed cautiously at Kithara, growling softly and baring his fangs ever so slightly. Raven shot him a sharp glance, and the wolf backed away, laying down beneath the tree. Aegis glanced at Alba and Xoco, before turning his head back to Kithara. The white wolf turned to Raven, whimpering slightly in an attempt to convince her to leave. Raven turned to the wolf, shaking her head slightly. She wouldn't leave now--she wouldn't leave Kithara alone.

OoC: (Sorry for the delayed response. I sorta… forgot ^_^; )

Xoco listened intently to what Alba had to say. He had no wish for a fight, which was probably a good thing for Xoco, because even in this weakened state Alba was still more than a match for him. Xoco honestly had not expected the Phoenix to even invite him to the wedding, considering his past encounters with Aaris. After their unfortunate encounter on the Plains, Xoco had never truly felt trusted in her company or his. He was a powerful asset to the guild, but certainly not there because Alba favored him at all.

“I think I’d take up the position of a guard, if you don’t mind, Alba. Seems my talents would be more channeled in that direction, if you know what I mean,” he said. Certainly, the more combat-prone position of a guard would be much more suited to Xoco’s talents, rather than the other position, which he did not even know how to perform. But guarding was simple task, and he liked simple tasks. They were easy to fulfill.

Xoco watched as the two women who were also near the falls that day had a conversation, something about one of them fighting off a dark side. What was it with mortals and their multiple personalities these days? He had always assumed that a lack of self-control lead to these problems, or possibly malicious spirits. One of them was obviously very weak and tired, as if she had just been through a war, and yet it seemed that there were no opponents in the immediate vicinity. In either case, it was completely disinteresting to him, so her turned away and waited for Alba’s response.