Title: Lounging
Description: Private
Description: Private
Aravael - March 3, 2007 01:45 AM (GMT)
The mid-day sky was filled with white clouds. Simple hazy nimbuses floated about the blue sky, and a cool breeze swept downwards from the mountains and flowed across the lake’s surface. Warm rays of sunlight beamed down from high above, and a lazy atmosphere had overtaken the entire region. This was a day to relax and to be enjoyed, for it was not very often that there was nothing to substitute the time a person could take to relax. Still, anything could happen to shatter the nonchalant mood of the lake-side.
Overhead, high above the clouds, a gold streak rounded the lake. As it descended the aquiline shape of the golden dragon became more and more defined. His large gold wings flapped powerfully, flakes of shimmering golden light cascaded from their leathery undersides.
Slowly the large beast turned his body downward, craning his neck and angling himself towards the water’s surface. The large wings pulled inwards, and down he dove headlong into the sparkling body before him. Just before he hit he took a breath, and then his body crashed heavily into the water. There was a very large splash, and waves broke from the center where Aravael had hit the water, but the dragon was nowhere to be seen. Down below the water’s surface, however, he did his work.
As the water began to smooth out the depths below became a bit more visible, and when the sun hit them just right the reflection of the gold dragon could be seen along with the shapes of large fish that were about the size as his fists. His tail acted as a propeller and his arms became powerful rudders as he steered himself within the lake. He was quite adept at swimming, and he nearly moved like the fish, but they didn’t have teeth. Those strong jaws quickly lashed out, and Aravael caught three fish. One after another, he took one in each clawed hand, and the last in his mouth and then swam for the surface.
He had not surface for air for several minutes, but suddenly his long head popped up, snout first, and mist exploded from his flared nostrils. Aravael looked around for a few moments, and then waded for the nearest beach with only his head poking out of the water. When he reached the side he lazily tossed the fish up on the bank, and then clamored up to join them. To the ancient dragon they were little more than a snack, but he shook himself off and went about enjoying them none-the-less. He bit their heads off and swallowed them piece by piece, eating scales, skin and bone, but though they were only tid-bits of a true feast he enjoyed them. Every few minutes he’d bend over to take a drink out of the lake, but the taste of the water didn’t bother him.
After finishing his meal, and with nothing else to do, the dragon stretched and comfortably positioned himself on the sand. The water was just a few feet from him, and his tail was dipped a few feet inwards. Little tad-poles waded around it, but he only blew a steam sigh and closed his eyes as he lay there.
Overhead, high above the clouds, a gold streak rounded the lake. As it descended the aquiline shape of the golden dragon became more and more defined. His large gold wings flapped powerfully, flakes of shimmering golden light cascaded from their leathery undersides.
Slowly the large beast turned his body downward, craning his neck and angling himself towards the water’s surface. The large wings pulled inwards, and down he dove headlong into the sparkling body before him. Just before he hit he took a breath, and then his body crashed heavily into the water. There was a very large splash, and waves broke from the center where Aravael had hit the water, but the dragon was nowhere to be seen. Down below the water’s surface, however, he did his work.
As the water began to smooth out the depths below became a bit more visible, and when the sun hit them just right the reflection of the gold dragon could be seen along with the shapes of large fish that were about the size as his fists. His tail acted as a propeller and his arms became powerful rudders as he steered himself within the lake. He was quite adept at swimming, and he nearly moved like the fish, but they didn’t have teeth. Those strong jaws quickly lashed out, and Aravael caught three fish. One after another, he took one in each clawed hand, and the last in his mouth and then swam for the surface.
He had not surface for air for several minutes, but suddenly his long head popped up, snout first, and mist exploded from his flared nostrils. Aravael looked around for a few moments, and then waded for the nearest beach with only his head poking out of the water. When he reached the side he lazily tossed the fish up on the bank, and then clamored up to join them. To the ancient dragon they were little more than a snack, but he shook himself off and went about enjoying them none-the-less. He bit their heads off and swallowed them piece by piece, eating scales, skin and bone, but though they were only tid-bits of a true feast he enjoyed them. Every few minutes he’d bend over to take a drink out of the lake, but the taste of the water didn’t bother him.
After finishing his meal, and with nothing else to do, the dragon stretched and comfortably positioned himself on the sand. The water was just a few feet from him, and his tail was dipped a few feet inwards. Little tad-poles waded around it, but he only blew a steam sigh and closed his eyes as he lay there.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 3, 2007 04:06 AM (GMT)
It had been an exhausting night previous to the quality of the current installment of time. The rain had been relentless, pouring down sheets at a time, soaking everything in range. Vaudeux had been lucky enough to be traveling through the night and catch the storm at its climax. Soaked to the bone he kept traveling all the same, finally making it out of the thick of civilization and to the large expanse of grassland, the limbo between mountain ranges and forests. To the top of a grassy knoll, his shins parted the high grass in his path and the soles of his feet crushed most of the vegetation below. Once here, he slipped off his damp cloak and draped it over his arm. He couldn’t help but grin to himself as his face soaked in the gentle sunlight peeking through the clouds. One would have to experience darkness before they could truly enjoy the rapture of warmth and clear skies.
Before taking another step he inhaled a pleasant breath of air. Jupiter could feel it enter his body, feel it cleansing his lungs. After all the claustrophobic bars and smoke it was a relief to be out in the open once more, enjoying the fresh air. Then he continued, back down the knoll and through the rest of the plains. It didn’t matter where he was headed, all he knew is that he would get from place to place while doing whatever he could to survive. It was how he grew up and, until he knew better, it was how he would continue to live his life. He had grown tired of villages and citizens, and for now he would travel alone through the vast lands of Arda.
Hours later the sun rested high above his head, watching over him and sending its tepid beams down. His shirt was now hardened and slightly stiff from drying. The wool hadn’t taken well to the sudden environment change. On his feet his soles ached through his soft moccasins. Immediately he began searching for a spot to stop and set up camp for a while. Over a small incline he was able to see a glistening and welcomed sight a ways from his location. A large abyss of fresh water beckoned him, the cool liquid, and delicious fish. A new goal pressed in his mind, he set off forward, his pace faster than normal as he headed towards the lake. Once he was a appropriate distance away his keen eyes focused on something amazing beached on the large shore of the opposing side of the lake.
The being was mammoth, but had a familiar presence to it. While some may have shied away from the being Jupiter continued forward towards the lake, thirst biting him in the back of the throat. Feet from the opposing shore of the lake he was able to decipher the features of the creature. The familiarity made sense. The being was a full-grown dragon, gleaming in the sun, and enjoying the warmth contrast to the reptilian features down within. Quickly, he adverted his eyes. There was an uneasiness now. It was like sneaking around near a slumbering bear, except you didn’t know whether this bear would maul you or simply aim a breathe of fire. Vaud dropped to his knees, let his cloak drop beside him, and pooled the waters into his cupped hands. He splashed his face and drank thirstily from whatever he could cup and slurp from his palm-cups.
After a few more good splashes he stood and wiped his mouth clean of any lingering droplets. With a good inhale of the clean air he turned and ripped his cloak up from the ground. He took another step forward only to feel the persistent pain in his feet. Vaud had wanted to drink and leave, because of the looming dragon, but he had to check on the condition of his feet. Slowly he sat back by the shore with his feet displayed straight out in front of him. With each leg propped up over the other he slowly removed each moccasin to see the damage below. His right foot almost looked normal except for the burning blisters that had already started to rip from travel. Taking off his left moccasin he already could tell the condition was going to be dire. His left foot must have been cramped up in his cheap shoe, for his toes were bleeding and blisters throbbing and broken through.
The soft breeze picked up and sparked a tight pain in his feet. He sucked breath in sharply through his teeth while flexing his ankles. Suddenly he felt like he shouldn’t move them at all because of their condition. After a moment he slowly lowered his feet into the lake in front of him. At first the cold burned in his wounds, but after a moment of cleansing he was able to relax his legs in the water. Vaud let out a low appreciative whistle after his feet had slapped the surface of the water. Ripples coursed the surface sprouting from his legs, the disturbance, on its glass-like surface.
Before taking another step he inhaled a pleasant breath of air. Jupiter could feel it enter his body, feel it cleansing his lungs. After all the claustrophobic bars and smoke it was a relief to be out in the open once more, enjoying the fresh air. Then he continued, back down the knoll and through the rest of the plains. It didn’t matter where he was headed, all he knew is that he would get from place to place while doing whatever he could to survive. It was how he grew up and, until he knew better, it was how he would continue to live his life. He had grown tired of villages and citizens, and for now he would travel alone through the vast lands of Arda.
Hours later the sun rested high above his head, watching over him and sending its tepid beams down. His shirt was now hardened and slightly stiff from drying. The wool hadn’t taken well to the sudden environment change. On his feet his soles ached through his soft moccasins. Immediately he began searching for a spot to stop and set up camp for a while. Over a small incline he was able to see a glistening and welcomed sight a ways from his location. A large abyss of fresh water beckoned him, the cool liquid, and delicious fish. A new goal pressed in his mind, he set off forward, his pace faster than normal as he headed towards the lake. Once he was a appropriate distance away his keen eyes focused on something amazing beached on the large shore of the opposing side of the lake.
The being was mammoth, but had a familiar presence to it. While some may have shied away from the being Jupiter continued forward towards the lake, thirst biting him in the back of the throat. Feet from the opposing shore of the lake he was able to decipher the features of the creature. The familiarity made sense. The being was a full-grown dragon, gleaming in the sun, and enjoying the warmth contrast to the reptilian features down within. Quickly, he adverted his eyes. There was an uneasiness now. It was like sneaking around near a slumbering bear, except you didn’t know whether this bear would maul you or simply aim a breathe of fire. Vaud dropped to his knees, let his cloak drop beside him, and pooled the waters into his cupped hands. He splashed his face and drank thirstily from whatever he could cup and slurp from his palm-cups.
After a few more good splashes he stood and wiped his mouth clean of any lingering droplets. With a good inhale of the clean air he turned and ripped his cloak up from the ground. He took another step forward only to feel the persistent pain in his feet. Vaud had wanted to drink and leave, because of the looming dragon, but he had to check on the condition of his feet. Slowly he sat back by the shore with his feet displayed straight out in front of him. With each leg propped up over the other he slowly removed each moccasin to see the damage below. His right foot almost looked normal except for the burning blisters that had already started to rip from travel. Taking off his left moccasin he already could tell the condition was going to be dire. His left foot must have been cramped up in his cheap shoe, for his toes were bleeding and blisters throbbing and broken through.
The soft breeze picked up and sparked a tight pain in his feet. He sucked breath in sharply through his teeth while flexing his ankles. Suddenly he felt like he shouldn’t move them at all because of their condition. After a moment he slowly lowered his feet into the lake in front of him. At first the cold burned in his wounds, but after a moment of cleansing he was able to relax his legs in the water. Vaud let out a low appreciative whistle after his feet had slapped the surface of the water. Ripples coursed the surface sprouting from his legs, the disturbance, on its glass-like surface.
Aravael - March 4, 2007 01:22 AM (GMT)
The rise and fall of the behemoth’s sides gave away that it was still alive. Every now and then he adjusted himself lazily on the sandy band, and puffed a bit of gold steam from its nostrils. Little fish nipped at the end of its tail, and so every now and then the tip would fidget and they’d all streak away in different directions. Aravael’s eyes were only half open, but it seemed to enjoy the excitement the little fish got whenever he flicked his tail. The beast was incredibly large, though. It was astonishing that it even seemed so laid back, though. Many would think that such a magnificent beast would be off fighting for justice or to protect some little village, but there it lay with a belly full of fish, and little tad-poles swimming around at its tail. In his opinion there was nowhere else to go, nobody to save, for no one needed the held of the great golden wyvern. There was only now, his time to relax and to enjoy the sunlight, and to find a bit of solace from the needs of the outside world. Now, was his time.
Or, so he thought. His head was upwind, and his back was turned to Vaud. So, it took him a few moments of lazy daydreaming to get a grip on his consciousness. Laying there, his nostrils flared several times as he took in the scents around him, and for a few moments his body became stiff. However, when he realized that he was not alone he did not spring up and ready himself to fight. Aravael’s tail slid out of the water, and his wings, which were spread out behind him, raised just a bit to move out of his line of sight. Then, as he craned his neck around to peek over his own body he saw the young man.
At least, that was his first impression. For a few moments the ancient wyvern watched Vaud as he massaged his feet, and he seemed to snicker, however, before making any action towards the human he began to get a strange feeling that emanated from him. It was odd, so very strange indeed, that a young man had the scent of another dragon. Was he a rider? Aravael wondered, or was he something else? There could be no simple answers, so he sat there for another few moments watching the strange young man.
A moment passed, but finally as a test to the man Aravael said, in a dragonic dialect, “The polite thing to do would’ve been to introduce yourself before sticking your dirty feet in my pond.” The dragon’s voice was rather arrogant, but it also carried the tone of a jest. The dragon wasn’t sure how the man would respond, and until he did Aravael remained quiet. His body didn’t really appear ready to take to the sky, but his wings were adjusted just right, and his legs were poised perfectly, so that with a jump he could be airborn in combat with any creature of the earth or skies. However, he didn’t jump to action just yet. Years of experience had taught him that the best course of action was to sit back and to wait for the action to come to him. Then, with his back to the wall nothing could come up against him and survive.
Or, so he thought. His head was upwind, and his back was turned to Vaud. So, it took him a few moments of lazy daydreaming to get a grip on his consciousness. Laying there, his nostrils flared several times as he took in the scents around him, and for a few moments his body became stiff. However, when he realized that he was not alone he did not spring up and ready himself to fight. Aravael’s tail slid out of the water, and his wings, which were spread out behind him, raised just a bit to move out of his line of sight. Then, as he craned his neck around to peek over his own body he saw the young man.
At least, that was his first impression. For a few moments the ancient wyvern watched Vaud as he massaged his feet, and he seemed to snicker, however, before making any action towards the human he began to get a strange feeling that emanated from him. It was odd, so very strange indeed, that a young man had the scent of another dragon. Was he a rider? Aravael wondered, or was he something else? There could be no simple answers, so he sat there for another few moments watching the strange young man.
A moment passed, but finally as a test to the man Aravael said, in a dragonic dialect, “The polite thing to do would’ve been to introduce yourself before sticking your dirty feet in my pond.” The dragon’s voice was rather arrogant, but it also carried the tone of a jest. The dragon wasn’t sure how the man would respond, and until he did Aravael remained quiet. His body didn’t really appear ready to take to the sky, but his wings were adjusted just right, and his legs were poised perfectly, so that with a jump he could be airborn in combat with any creature of the earth or skies. However, he didn’t jump to action just yet. Years of experience had taught him that the best course of action was to sit back and to wait for the action to come to him. Then, with his back to the wall nothing could come up against him and survive.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 5, 2007 02:23 AM (GMT)
Feet cleansed and the blood draining into the clear pond Jupiter let out another relaxing sigh before leaning back onto the shore and stretching his feet out into the pond. He looked up at the peaceful sky with a snow-white cloud slowly rolling overhead, beckoning a shadow soon to come and cast over the area. Just as he was closing his eyes to complete his relaxation pose when he heard a booming hiss of a voice. At first it was inaudible, but he knew it was from. Jumping slightly he looked up, watcher splashing up on his pants as he looked up at the monstrous dragon on the opposing shore. As he looked up his eyes blazed red for a moment and he was able to hear through the growling.
The dragon had said, “The polite thing to do would’ve been to introduce yourself before sticking your dirty feet in my pond.” Almost as the water was still splashing up his feet automatically shot out of the water and returned back to the safety of the shore. He was momentarily threatened and acted as a recoiling instinct to the powerful roar. Yet something inside of him told him to stop and calm himself, so he did just that. His feet were once suspended in midair, in line with his buttocks which was firmly planted in the mud. But he set his wet soles back on the ground and stood up erectly to face the dragon across the way.
How was he to know that this was his lake? He thought bitterly as he studied the shimmering dragon from his spot, his mind still trying to come up with an appropriate answer that would best suit him. Or that this is even its lake at all… Vaud was almost blinded by the shimmering scales of the giant as it lifted its wings, but he recognized this body language as a fight or flight symptom. He knew that with the wrong answer he might get a head-on experience with a taste of his own medicine, but at a large scale. Or he might just have to change his course of direction, a more fleeing and unplanned course. Deciding to act with the dragon’s wishes he cleared his throat, a chortling and annoyance filled cough, then replied.
“Vaudeux Jupiter.” He bowed his head slightly, showing his respect to the elder being. It was his first time speaking to another, but a full being all the more powerful and wise. Sure he had met other half’s, who only proved disappointing and somewhat untrained. Jupiter lifted up his head and put on a grin for the dragon as he then said, “I apologize, but me and my filthy feet have been traveling all through the night.” He aimed to make the being feel somewhat bad for the arrogant command, even if dragons usually weren’t fazed by human feelings of pity. Vaud had motioned at the blisters on his feet, which were already starting to seep blood again even after their cleansing bath.
The dragon had said, “The polite thing to do would’ve been to introduce yourself before sticking your dirty feet in my pond.” Almost as the water was still splashing up his feet automatically shot out of the water and returned back to the safety of the shore. He was momentarily threatened and acted as a recoiling instinct to the powerful roar. Yet something inside of him told him to stop and calm himself, so he did just that. His feet were once suspended in midair, in line with his buttocks which was firmly planted in the mud. But he set his wet soles back on the ground and stood up erectly to face the dragon across the way.
How was he to know that this was his lake? He thought bitterly as he studied the shimmering dragon from his spot, his mind still trying to come up with an appropriate answer that would best suit him. Or that this is even its lake at all… Vaud was almost blinded by the shimmering scales of the giant as it lifted its wings, but he recognized this body language as a fight or flight symptom. He knew that with the wrong answer he might get a head-on experience with a taste of his own medicine, but at a large scale. Or he might just have to change his course of direction, a more fleeing and unplanned course. Deciding to act with the dragon’s wishes he cleared his throat, a chortling and annoyance filled cough, then replied.
“Vaudeux Jupiter.” He bowed his head slightly, showing his respect to the elder being. It was his first time speaking to another, but a full being all the more powerful and wise. Sure he had met other half’s, who only proved disappointing and somewhat untrained. Jupiter lifted up his head and put on a grin for the dragon as he then said, “I apologize, but me and my filthy feet have been traveling all through the night.” He aimed to make the being feel somewhat bad for the arrogant command, even if dragons usually weren’t fazed by human feelings of pity. Vaud had motioned at the blisters on his feet, which were already starting to seep blood again even after their cleansing bath.
Aravael - March 6, 2007 12:13 AM (GMT)
The massive dragon adjusted himself calmly. He moved his body so that he’d be more upright, but at the same time be facing Jupiter a bit better. If he had a mortals’ face he might’ve been smiling right then, but he just sat there with a stoic gaze. His was the kind of gaze that cut through mortal flesh and pierced the soul.
His gaze watched Jupiter from the opposite shore, though they weren’t so terribly far away. Aravael didn’t quite take to the comment, though. It’s scaly brow bent down, and the smooth horns above its eyes moved ever so slightly. His became a more hostile stance, though it was obvious he wasn’t going to attack. The dragon may have been a bit temperamental, but he wasn’t going to suddenly explode because of a comment. He might not have liked it very much, but he caught the focus of it and kept it as a mere rebuttal to his previous statement. No, this was not his lake, but he couldn’t help but make a joke at the expense of a human.
Again the bulk of the creature adjusted itself, and the dirt under it shifted as well. There was no audible shift or crash as his weight pushed the sand into the lake, but it was obvious as a sudden set of waves reared up with the beast moved. Aravael gave him another look over, this time scrutinizing him. He could tell almost immediately the man was not a simple mortal, and he was interested in that for the most part. However, he asked no questions. In fact, he meant to keep the game going.
“Well that is a problem, isn’t it?” he asked sarcastically, “For you, anyway.” The dragon shifted to all fours, and began to move about the beach lazily. He was slowly pacing back and forth looking into the lake again. This time, however, his gaze was almost fixated on Jupiter. It was almost as if he were a cat about to pounce. The dragon was beginning to feel something menacing from the human, but he kept his thoughts for himself. He didn’t want to jump to any conclusions, but he didn’t want to leave himself open in case this man might’ve been a hunter. “I didn’t ask for your name. But, since you’ve been so kind as to tell me who I am addressing Aravaeldravarywynn is my name, but many simply call me Aravael. It is simpler in the human tongue.” He was speaking fluent Adûnaic, but his tone was not mortal. It was filled with hisses, growls and boomed loudly easily crossing the lake.
His gaze watched Jupiter from the opposite shore, though they weren’t so terribly far away. Aravael didn’t quite take to the comment, though. It’s scaly brow bent down, and the smooth horns above its eyes moved ever so slightly. His became a more hostile stance, though it was obvious he wasn’t going to attack. The dragon may have been a bit temperamental, but he wasn’t going to suddenly explode because of a comment. He might not have liked it very much, but he caught the focus of it and kept it as a mere rebuttal to his previous statement. No, this was not his lake, but he couldn’t help but make a joke at the expense of a human.
Again the bulk of the creature adjusted itself, and the dirt under it shifted as well. There was no audible shift or crash as his weight pushed the sand into the lake, but it was obvious as a sudden set of waves reared up with the beast moved. Aravael gave him another look over, this time scrutinizing him. He could tell almost immediately the man was not a simple mortal, and he was interested in that for the most part. However, he asked no questions. In fact, he meant to keep the game going.
“Well that is a problem, isn’t it?” he asked sarcastically, “For you, anyway.” The dragon shifted to all fours, and began to move about the beach lazily. He was slowly pacing back and forth looking into the lake again. This time, however, his gaze was almost fixated on Jupiter. It was almost as if he were a cat about to pounce. The dragon was beginning to feel something menacing from the human, but he kept his thoughts for himself. He didn’t want to jump to any conclusions, but he didn’t want to leave himself open in case this man might’ve been a hunter. “I didn’t ask for your name. But, since you’ve been so kind as to tell me who I am addressing Aravaeldravarywynn is my name, but many simply call me Aravael. It is simpler in the human tongue.” He was speaking fluent Adûnaic, but his tone was not mortal. It was filled with hisses, growls and boomed loudly easily crossing the lake.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 6, 2007 08:45 PM (GMT)
Even after his comment he noticed the apparent change of the tone in the air. Though it didn’t matter if he stirred things up. The journey so far had been uneventful, and the other side of him was a rebel. The dragon side. Jupiter noticed that his mere presence had started something. By the movements of the dragon, who was once lying in the sand sunbathing, now was more upright and moving through the sandy beaches crushing any shells or crabs that might happen to wander underfoot. Vaud’s expression was still blank, he didn’t like to give away his real thoughts by a mere change in his features, that would be too easy. Likewise the dragon was playing the same strategy or Jupiter just couldn’t tell what its face was saying just by the strong muzzle and narrow lizard like eyes.
Before he noticed the new apparent stance of the dragon he noticed the familiar tongue it was speaking with. It had been a while since he heard this particular speech. His father and academic instructors had used it with him. It was easier and sounded more powerful when using commands, that’s why the two groups favored the language his sadistic father especially. Ever since then he had to adjust himself to the universal language and the language of his own home province. Through these studies he was able to gain knowledge of many subjects, but he didn’t brag or even think about himself as smart. While he was growing up it didn’t matter how smart one was, it only mattered how much brawn one had.
Next he noticed the name of the creature, the name noticeably long, but the shortened version much easier to understand. Jupiter ignored the first statement and only focused on the second set of hisses until he was able to catch a name. The only thing he heard was Morning Sun, in the complex tongue. But when he spoke it, it was apparent what he was rally saying to any observers.
“Aravael,” He growled in reply across the lake in order to remember the name through repetition.
Vaudeux shifted his stand slightly, overstepping a foot and walking a few steps around the boarder of the lake. He momentarily forgot about the throbbing blisters new on his feet as he walked over the warm sands. Then he stopped, his chest protruding and eyes returning the perplexing narrow gaze. It was always first a battle of dynamism whenever there were two males around, but the opposition heightened among dragons considerably. Vaud stopped short and crossed his arms, after all he was half-human he didn’t need to show himself up over a dragon as much as another dragon might.
“Well Aravael, I didn’t ask for yours either but I appreciate your generosity. Therefore I’m surprised something as trivial as a lake might upset you,” Just to irritating he used Arda’s universal language. Then after his reply he noted Aravael’s stance at that moment, like he was going to pounce at any second.
Before he noticed the new apparent stance of the dragon he noticed the familiar tongue it was speaking with. It had been a while since he heard this particular speech. His father and academic instructors had used it with him. It was easier and sounded more powerful when using commands, that’s why the two groups favored the language his sadistic father especially. Ever since then he had to adjust himself to the universal language and the language of his own home province. Through these studies he was able to gain knowledge of many subjects, but he didn’t brag or even think about himself as smart. While he was growing up it didn’t matter how smart one was, it only mattered how much brawn one had.
Next he noticed the name of the creature, the name noticeably long, but the shortened version much easier to understand. Jupiter ignored the first statement and only focused on the second set of hisses until he was able to catch a name. The only thing he heard was Morning Sun, in the complex tongue. But when he spoke it, it was apparent what he was rally saying to any observers.
“Aravael,” He growled in reply across the lake in order to remember the name through repetition.
Vaudeux shifted his stand slightly, overstepping a foot and walking a few steps around the boarder of the lake. He momentarily forgot about the throbbing blisters new on his feet as he walked over the warm sands. Then he stopped, his chest protruding and eyes returning the perplexing narrow gaze. It was always first a battle of dynamism whenever there were two males around, but the opposition heightened among dragons considerably. Vaud stopped short and crossed his arms, after all he was half-human he didn’t need to show himself up over a dragon as much as another dragon might.
“Well Aravael, I didn’t ask for yours either but I appreciate your generosity. Therefore I’m surprised something as trivial as a lake might upset you,” Just to irritating he used Arda’s universal language. Then after his reply he noted Aravael’s stance at that moment, like he was going to pounce at any second.
Aravael - March 7, 2007 02:03 AM (GMT)
(ooc: Figured I’d cut to the chase. ;) )
The dragon was proud of his excessively long name. There had been many with similar names, long names, whose shortened version was far easier for mortals to understand, and it meant something. There was one, an ice dragon, whose name went on several syllables past Aravael’s, but the people of the nearby areas only called it Icing Death. Likewise, a red with a similarly excessive name was called Fury because of its hot temperament, and even hotter breath. Regardless he seemed proud of his name, and held his chin high whenever it was mentioned.
Aravael had a streak of laziness in him, though. As much as he liked to fly around and fight as well as thwart evil and mess with humans he was being rather lazy speaking their language. He liked Adûnaic, the human tongue, for no real reason. It was much simpler then draconic, and much easier for humans. So, he spoke it as best he could, but it was still the tongue of a dragon that the language fell from. “The answer is quite simple – I eat from this lake, and dirty feet can simply ruin a good meal.”
His voice trailed away as he situated himself, body erect as he sat back on his hind-quarters, and craned his neck. Aravael watched Vaud with a calculating gaze, and as he sat there he finally realized what was so different about this man. He was part wyrm, and that bothered the elder. Abominations were despised by gold’s for various reasons. They were considered unfit and unholy – a subhuman and subdraconic of people. They were below man and beast, and needed only to be destroyed. So Aravael finally let his emotions get the better of him, though perhaps at such a distance they wouldn’t be as easily noted.
The beast’s brow slanted downwards into a “V” shape, and when he continued only moments later his voice was deep and angry, “So… I must give you a lesson in manners, it seems, young man.” Aravael’s wings drew back and angled themselves so the sun was hitting them just right, and his scales angled themselves upwards ever so slightly. The bristled as the sun hit them, and as his head drew back they seemed to glow. In fact, the sun seemed to be charging his entire body, and suddenly he brought his head down and with a mighty roar parted his jaws. A heated stream of glowing gold energy exploded from his mighty maw, and fired across the lake flying very low. Steam exploded from the water as the gold lance charged, and when the full breadth of the beam had left him Aravael jumped into the sky.
His massive wings flapped and he ascended above the lake looking down on the half dragon.“Today you will be purified!” it roared in draconic, and turned downwards descending rapidly towards Vaud with it’s front claws readied.
The dragon was proud of his excessively long name. There had been many with similar names, long names, whose shortened version was far easier for mortals to understand, and it meant something. There was one, an ice dragon, whose name went on several syllables past Aravael’s, but the people of the nearby areas only called it Icing Death. Likewise, a red with a similarly excessive name was called Fury because of its hot temperament, and even hotter breath. Regardless he seemed proud of his name, and held his chin high whenever it was mentioned.
Aravael had a streak of laziness in him, though. As much as he liked to fly around and fight as well as thwart evil and mess with humans he was being rather lazy speaking their language. He liked Adûnaic, the human tongue, for no real reason. It was much simpler then draconic, and much easier for humans. So, he spoke it as best he could, but it was still the tongue of a dragon that the language fell from. “The answer is quite simple – I eat from this lake, and dirty feet can simply ruin a good meal.”
His voice trailed away as he situated himself, body erect as he sat back on his hind-quarters, and craned his neck. Aravael watched Vaud with a calculating gaze, and as he sat there he finally realized what was so different about this man. He was part wyrm, and that bothered the elder. Abominations were despised by gold’s for various reasons. They were considered unfit and unholy – a subhuman and subdraconic of people. They were below man and beast, and needed only to be destroyed. So Aravael finally let his emotions get the better of him, though perhaps at such a distance they wouldn’t be as easily noted.
The beast’s brow slanted downwards into a “V” shape, and when he continued only moments later his voice was deep and angry, “So… I must give you a lesson in manners, it seems, young man.” Aravael’s wings drew back and angled themselves so the sun was hitting them just right, and his scales angled themselves upwards ever so slightly. The bristled as the sun hit them, and as his head drew back they seemed to glow. In fact, the sun seemed to be charging his entire body, and suddenly he brought his head down and with a mighty roar parted his jaws. A heated stream of glowing gold energy exploded from his mighty maw, and fired across the lake flying very low. Steam exploded from the water as the gold lance charged, and when the full breadth of the beam had left him Aravael jumped into the sky.
His massive wings flapped and he ascended above the lake looking down on the half dragon.“Today you will be purified!” it roared in draconic, and turned downwards descending rapidly towards Vaud with it’s front claws readied.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 7, 2007 09:27 PM (GMT)
Before he could respond a wave of hot fury erupted in his direction. The mere expression on the dragon’s face wasn’t enough to warn him, but he was able to make some type of move to avoid the consumption of the blast. Almost in slow motion he dove for the nearby bushes. His adrenaline and surprise caused his feet to spring up into the air and allowed him to easily scale over the top of the bushes. Jupiter landed on both feet and stayed in his crouching position. Little did he know the shrubbery beside him acted like a sponge in the worst way. It sucked up the flames with each, burning its vegetation straight off. The burning erupted on the top of his sleeve as he stayed crouching and looking towards the sky for danger.
When he felt the hot flames lick through his sleeve he jumped up slightly and looked behind him, a face like he had just got violated. As he saw the flames he quickly patted out the danger thrashing around in the wreckage. The blisters of his feet were still stinging, unbraided by the hot ashes he was not walking on. The sky above him was now clouded with black smoke from the charred trees and shrubs, now wrapping his body and concealing him. For now he used this to his advantage. Squinting he looked towards the back of his arm, at his burnt flesh. With a few silent words he whispered into the wound. Almost immediately the reaction was evident.
The skin looked as if someone had poured white gloss over it, but instead it was a new few layers of skin making the third-degree burn disappear. The new skin gleamed and made his whole arm tingle, his muscles feelings as if they were new. Due to the strength of the spell even the blisters of his feet sewed back together a few moments after the incantation. Now no physical burdens he ducked through the fog of smoke, intending to thwart any plans of an aerial attack the dragon might come up with. Vaud believed the beast might not have counted on the bushes to react so thickly to its flame blast.
While in the smog, he twisted his newly healed around up over his back and found the hilt of his short sword. The handle was warmed slightly, but the grip was familiar. He twisted the blade up and away from his cloak until it was pointing out in front of him, his cane leading the way out of darkness. With a large cough he reached the end of the smoky tunnel and found himself running around the overcooked tree. Looking up to the clear sky he pointed his blade upwards with a tightly clenched jaw. Now he was angry.
When he felt the hot flames lick through his sleeve he jumped up slightly and looked behind him, a face like he had just got violated. As he saw the flames he quickly patted out the danger thrashing around in the wreckage. The blisters of his feet were still stinging, unbraided by the hot ashes he was not walking on. The sky above him was now clouded with black smoke from the charred trees and shrubs, now wrapping his body and concealing him. For now he used this to his advantage. Squinting he looked towards the back of his arm, at his burnt flesh. With a few silent words he whispered into the wound. Almost immediately the reaction was evident.
The skin looked as if someone had poured white gloss over it, but instead it was a new few layers of skin making the third-degree burn disappear. The new skin gleamed and made his whole arm tingle, his muscles feelings as if they were new. Due to the strength of the spell even the blisters of his feet sewed back together a few moments after the incantation. Now no physical burdens he ducked through the fog of smoke, intending to thwart any plans of an aerial attack the dragon might come up with. Vaud believed the beast might not have counted on the bushes to react so thickly to its flame blast.
While in the smog, he twisted his newly healed around up over his back and found the hilt of his short sword. The handle was warmed slightly, but the grip was familiar. He twisted the blade up and away from his cloak until it was pointing out in front of him, his cane leading the way out of darkness. With a large cough he reached the end of the smoky tunnel and found himself running around the overcooked tree. Looking up to the clear sky he pointed his blade upwards with a tightly clenched jaw. Now he was angry.
Aravael - March 8, 2007 01:29 AM (GMT)
Aravael moved quickly and powerfully, its wings carrying it as it swooped across the battlefield. The air was riddled with the roars of the dragon and his angry curses. Many of which were directed towards himself for not spotting the half-dragon for what he was earlier. Regardless he had turned the serene moment into an explosive situation, and he didn’t seem to care. Its breath had caused a hazy of steam to rise, and had scorched the ground on the opposite side of the lake. The power of the sun was within his hold, and he pointed himself towards the sky with astounding precision – each of his scales becoming a harness for the solar energy.
The dragon turned a summersault in mid-air, and pointed himself downwards towards the line of trees. His body seemed to glow with the golden energy of the sun, and his eyes adjusted to find the half-dragon in the smoky area. His orange eyes caught sight of the man, and the beast roared angrily again. He had hoped he would’ve vaporized him already, but Aravael meant to make sure the creature would be turned to ash.
When he came closer to the ground, however, he realized that he wouldn’t be able to attack so openly as before. He turned himself and rolled in midair, and found himself hovering with powerful flaps of his wings above the water’s surface. Once again his eyes found Vaud, and when they did he seemed to laugh. The dragon knew the strength of his scales could not be pierced by any mortal weapon, unless they chanced to land a blow on his undersides, and a bit of paranoia kept him defended well enough. So let the man be angry, he thought. However, the bit of cover the man had needed to be destroyed, and as much as he hated to do so the dragon began to ascend once more, and craned his neck back for another blast.
All of that built-up energy cycled all across its body, seeming to crackle as his maw began to glow with golden energy, and with a twist an even large store of pure solar energy exploded from its jaws. This time the energy was not really focused on one point. The massive beam of energy would’ve cascaded all across the trees and growth in Vaud’s area, incinerating many trees and lighting up a large area of woodlands in white-hot flames. When the first wave of energy was loosed, the dragon turned upwards to the sky, and swooped across the sky, lowering himself to the level of the burning tree tops while taking in focused amounts of energy.
As he flew he let loose another bolt of energy, this time running perpendicular to the first, and then he turned and expelled another. Suddenly there would’ve been a box surrounding about an acre where Vaud kept himself. Flames on three sides, and a lake on the fourth.
The dragon turned a summersault in mid-air, and pointed himself downwards towards the line of trees. His body seemed to glow with the golden energy of the sun, and his eyes adjusted to find the half-dragon in the smoky area. His orange eyes caught sight of the man, and the beast roared angrily again. He had hoped he would’ve vaporized him already, but Aravael meant to make sure the creature would be turned to ash.
When he came closer to the ground, however, he realized that he wouldn’t be able to attack so openly as before. He turned himself and rolled in midair, and found himself hovering with powerful flaps of his wings above the water’s surface. Once again his eyes found Vaud, and when they did he seemed to laugh. The dragon knew the strength of his scales could not be pierced by any mortal weapon, unless they chanced to land a blow on his undersides, and a bit of paranoia kept him defended well enough. So let the man be angry, he thought. However, the bit of cover the man had needed to be destroyed, and as much as he hated to do so the dragon began to ascend once more, and craned his neck back for another blast.
All of that built-up energy cycled all across its body, seeming to crackle as his maw began to glow with golden energy, and with a twist an even large store of pure solar energy exploded from its jaws. This time the energy was not really focused on one point. The massive beam of energy would’ve cascaded all across the trees and growth in Vaud’s area, incinerating many trees and lighting up a large area of woodlands in white-hot flames. When the first wave of energy was loosed, the dragon turned upwards to the sky, and swooped across the sky, lowering himself to the level of the burning tree tops while taking in focused amounts of energy.
As he flew he let loose another bolt of energy, this time running perpendicular to the first, and then he turned and expelled another. Suddenly there would’ve been a box surrounding about an acre where Vaud kept himself. Flames on three sides, and a lake on the fourth.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 8, 2007 02:44 AM (GMT)
Most of his defense had overwhelmed the dragon and the half-human gave the creature a cocky smirk. He watched the mammoth rear up from its dive and hover, flapping its mighty wings a story above the ground. The sheer power from the flaps cleared the black haze that had once settled over the charred foliage, casting it over the top of the lake like fog early in the morning. The cloak on Jupiter’s back flapped with each gust produced by the wings of the beast, but Vaud merely continued to smirk letting his own short sword reflect the shimmering light from the sun above. For a moment he considered swinging the blade at the venerable area of the dragon, but before he could it decided to ascend back up into the skies.
While the creature did this Jupiter dashed off into the woods, if it couldn’t see him he would have a better chance at evading its head on attacks. He ran stoutly through the woods, his feet snapping spiny twigs below him. All he could do was ignore the new pains in his freshly healed feet and keep running. He jumped up over a log narrowly missing a pair of close trees, and slipping through them. His sword bounced in his tight grip, but pierced through any leafage that got in its way. Finally he was in a clearing, several feet from his previous position. Yet a sound like an explosion hit the edge of the forest and shook the earth beneath him.
Vaud wheeled around to see the group sprout up a new set of flames at the edge of the forest and therefore ruin the spot he was standing previously. Silently he swallowed hard then turned back to the mouth of the clearing and took a few steps forward. Merely one step further another explosion of fire caught him off guard at the lateral end of the forest. His head darted towards the new line of attack and he staggered away from the flames, going deeper into the clearing. Soon after another explosion rocked the forest, this time blocking his front and only other method of travel in the small forest. Eyes narrowed he turned towards the last side of and saw the simmering surface of the lake, expelling the last bit of smoke from the previous fire.
Another hard swallow later the beads of sweat were now heavy on his brow. Vaudeux could feel himself perspire from the heat. The half-dragon moved towards the center of the clearing and watched the flames dance playfully around him, trapping him in. It was a mistake to open up my mouth, Thought the thief, his green irises lit up with the bright flames. He should have known some pure breeds loathed his kind, but he just had to rest. One could see the man’s eyes, staring down the flames fearfully then dart to each surrounding corner, as to check their progression. A thick drop of sweat rolled down his temple and skewed off his cheek and evaporated in mid-air, the clearing now feeling the heat from the neighboring fires.
The man took a step backwards, his back facing the lake, as he attempted to reach a more cool destination. Weakling, this fire is impermeable to my flesh, Vaud’s eyes blazed crimson red for a moment. He chose to ignore the stone voice, which was somewhat calming but knowingly devious. After a few more minutes of the heat the human shook his head, dew drops of sweat shaking off like water. This torture can be over. You know this. Jupiter swung his blade in mid-air as he blinked hard, his eyes returned normal and he bared his teeth at the clearing, he didn‘t want to resort to anything just yet. He hadn’t realized how close he was now to the lake, but the area was wide and he was still yards away from any opposing edge. At any moment the dragon would come back to check on its victim and Vaudeux would be waiting.
While the creature did this Jupiter dashed off into the woods, if it couldn’t see him he would have a better chance at evading its head on attacks. He ran stoutly through the woods, his feet snapping spiny twigs below him. All he could do was ignore the new pains in his freshly healed feet and keep running. He jumped up over a log narrowly missing a pair of close trees, and slipping through them. His sword bounced in his tight grip, but pierced through any leafage that got in its way. Finally he was in a clearing, several feet from his previous position. Yet a sound like an explosion hit the edge of the forest and shook the earth beneath him.
Vaud wheeled around to see the group sprout up a new set of flames at the edge of the forest and therefore ruin the spot he was standing previously. Silently he swallowed hard then turned back to the mouth of the clearing and took a few steps forward. Merely one step further another explosion of fire caught him off guard at the lateral end of the forest. His head darted towards the new line of attack and he staggered away from the flames, going deeper into the clearing. Soon after another explosion rocked the forest, this time blocking his front and only other method of travel in the small forest. Eyes narrowed he turned towards the last side of and saw the simmering surface of the lake, expelling the last bit of smoke from the previous fire.
Another hard swallow later the beads of sweat were now heavy on his brow. Vaudeux could feel himself perspire from the heat. The half-dragon moved towards the center of the clearing and watched the flames dance playfully around him, trapping him in. It was a mistake to open up my mouth, Thought the thief, his green irises lit up with the bright flames. He should have known some pure breeds loathed his kind, but he just had to rest. One could see the man’s eyes, staring down the flames fearfully then dart to each surrounding corner, as to check their progression. A thick drop of sweat rolled down his temple and skewed off his cheek and evaporated in mid-air, the clearing now feeling the heat from the neighboring fires.
The man took a step backwards, his back facing the lake, as he attempted to reach a more cool destination. Weakling, this fire is impermeable to my flesh, Vaud’s eyes blazed crimson red for a moment. He chose to ignore the stone voice, which was somewhat calming but knowingly devious. After a few more minutes of the heat the human shook his head, dew drops of sweat shaking off like water. This torture can be over. You know this. Jupiter swung his blade in mid-air as he blinked hard, his eyes returned normal and he bared his teeth at the clearing, he didn‘t want to resort to anything just yet. He hadn’t realized how close he was now to the lake, but the area was wide and he was still yards away from any opposing edge. At any moment the dragon would come back to check on its victim and Vaudeux would be waiting.
Aravael - March 8, 2007 11:52 PM (GMT)
Aravael had lived a long time, and he knew how to use his natural advantages. He kept himself flying low over the water, so that the only way he could be hit would be long-ranged magic, missile weapons, or if the opposition got on a raft or boat and waded out into the lake. Luckily his breath weapon was strong enough to reach that distance, and unless he was on the attack he would’ve kept himself mildly stationary. So, turning, he began to rise a bit higher to get a better look at the area, and kept his eyes searching for Vaud.
When he saw the flashing mithril blade amongst the burning trees near the lake he almost laughed. Squaring off the woods was a better idea, he supposed, than rushing blindly into the growth and thrashing around madly. Of course, that might’ve made the assault a bit more interesting the ancient wyrm.
His scales suddenly began to bristle again, and his wings flapped powerfully. His body began to glow with the same golden light as before, and it positioned its neck like a cannon waiting to be fired. This time, however Aravael had a bit different idea on how to go about his attack. He was gaining some air as his body began to glow, and though the smoke did slightly obscure his vision he knew the general area where his quarry waited. So, he angled his head and neck just right, and opened his gaping maw. The golden energy began to rise from his throat, and suddenly it exploded outwards.
This time, three large booms were heard as the beam was fired, and three large bolts of solar energy were launched across the landscape. He had closed his mouth once as the beam left, which caused the energy to no longer assume a beam form, but instead a large orb-like bolt. The energy was just as powerful, but at his new angle, which was roughly sixty-five degrees, the bolts would hit the ground and cause medium-sized explosions of fire and heat. The ground would be lit up, and the trees and shrubs should’ve been annihilated and sent cascading all around them. That meant that the debris would cause some added damage, and perhaps even gut his adversary.
In some ways the dragon felt that this fight was far below him. He felt that he shouldn’t have been attacking the half-dragon, for it was against his way of life. Aravael believed him to be an abomination, and did not like the fact that he merely existed, but was this the answer? Fighting was the answer. At least, that’s what he concluded. In all of his years he had killed no other dragons, but he had only come across two half-breeds. Neither of them had survived, so he concluded that it was the right thing to do. If they could not survive then they were not fit for this world. No fit to exist alongside their full-blooded brothers.
When he saw the flashing mithril blade amongst the burning trees near the lake he almost laughed. Squaring off the woods was a better idea, he supposed, than rushing blindly into the growth and thrashing around madly. Of course, that might’ve made the assault a bit more interesting the ancient wyrm.
His scales suddenly began to bristle again, and his wings flapped powerfully. His body began to glow with the same golden light as before, and it positioned its neck like a cannon waiting to be fired. This time, however Aravael had a bit different idea on how to go about his attack. He was gaining some air as his body began to glow, and though the smoke did slightly obscure his vision he knew the general area where his quarry waited. So, he angled his head and neck just right, and opened his gaping maw. The golden energy began to rise from his throat, and suddenly it exploded outwards.
This time, three large booms were heard as the beam was fired, and three large bolts of solar energy were launched across the landscape. He had closed his mouth once as the beam left, which caused the energy to no longer assume a beam form, but instead a large orb-like bolt. The energy was just as powerful, but at his new angle, which was roughly sixty-five degrees, the bolts would hit the ground and cause medium-sized explosions of fire and heat. The ground would be lit up, and the trees and shrubs should’ve been annihilated and sent cascading all around them. That meant that the debris would cause some added damage, and perhaps even gut his adversary.
In some ways the dragon felt that this fight was far below him. He felt that he shouldn’t have been attacking the half-dragon, for it was against his way of life. Aravael believed him to be an abomination, and did not like the fact that he merely existed, but was this the answer? Fighting was the answer. At least, that’s what he concluded. In all of his years he had killed no other dragons, but he had only come across two half-breeds. Neither of them had survived, so he concluded that it was the right thing to do. If they could not survive then they were not fit for this world. No fit to exist alongside their full-blooded brothers.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 9, 2007 02:40 AM (GMT)
Where are you Aravael? Vaudeux Jupiter thought, his eyes still darting across the flames as if they expected to catch a glimpse of the massive dragon bursting through. At this point he wasn’t entirely sure what the beast was going to do. The whole point of the attack had caught him off guard and almost left him with burns. A undeniable swoosh rippled across the lake from behind. The thief twirled around, blade pointed out defensively as he stared down towards the occurrence. He caught a glimpse of the dragon, circling the woodlands, then headed back to the skies. Mind reverently working he spun back around to face the flames, blinking hard, and shaking some more sweat off.
It’s next tactic would most likely be one of another aerial attack, one of more power and from a distance. It was clear to Vaud that the creature didn’t want to fight him head-on just yet. The deviousness behind this method is that all the attacks from overhead would weaken its opponent. But Jupiter had a card up his sleeve. As long as he could whisper he would be all right. This boost of confidence further unclouded his mind, pushing the hostile dragon-like emotions to the back of his thoughts and allowed him to further calm himself. Suddenly he was aware that the flames weren’t as close as he would have thought, but that he had room to breathe in the clearing. Next his eyes found various holes, lapses in the walls of fire, that might be a possible escape route.
Quickly he sheathed his blade on his back and whirled around to face the shimmering lake. If he wanted to escape another air attack he would have to do it via the waters. Then a shocking boom filled the atmosphere. Jupiter didn’t need to look up to know what was coming his way. There was no time to look up instead he jumped off from his toes and dived into the waters. At first it was shallow, but his feet only felt the pressure as he had jumped far enough off of shore to get a good amount of water from under him. The water was cold, agitating his skin and instantly chapping it. At that moment this didn’t matter, he continued to swan dive, deeper into the clear water, past the muck and seaweed and everything else.
He didn’t get far before he could feel heavy vibrations rippling through the water. Whatever it was it had already hit the ground; most likely obliterating the space he had just been occupying. Hearing this made him swim with more intensity, deeper and spanning farther out into the lake. Once again he had only traveled a few feet before something speared into the water next to him. In the water he rotated around and squinted at the object falling in, a burnt black tree. It had narrowly missed him, but he kept paddling forward. For a second he popped only his head above water to catch a gasp of air. The sky had turned black with smoke and it was raining ash and burning leaves. Nevertheless he dove back under the surface and just wadded in the lake, holding his breathe. For now it was his only defense mechanism, his only way to surprise or maybe hide.
It’s next tactic would most likely be one of another aerial attack, one of more power and from a distance. It was clear to Vaud that the creature didn’t want to fight him head-on just yet. The deviousness behind this method is that all the attacks from overhead would weaken its opponent. But Jupiter had a card up his sleeve. As long as he could whisper he would be all right. This boost of confidence further unclouded his mind, pushing the hostile dragon-like emotions to the back of his thoughts and allowed him to further calm himself. Suddenly he was aware that the flames weren’t as close as he would have thought, but that he had room to breathe in the clearing. Next his eyes found various holes, lapses in the walls of fire, that might be a possible escape route.
Quickly he sheathed his blade on his back and whirled around to face the shimmering lake. If he wanted to escape another air attack he would have to do it via the waters. Then a shocking boom filled the atmosphere. Jupiter didn’t need to look up to know what was coming his way. There was no time to look up instead he jumped off from his toes and dived into the waters. At first it was shallow, but his feet only felt the pressure as he had jumped far enough off of shore to get a good amount of water from under him. The water was cold, agitating his skin and instantly chapping it. At that moment this didn’t matter, he continued to swan dive, deeper into the clear water, past the muck and seaweed and everything else.
He didn’t get far before he could feel heavy vibrations rippling through the water. Whatever it was it had already hit the ground; most likely obliterating the space he had just been occupying. Hearing this made him swim with more intensity, deeper and spanning farther out into the lake. Once again he had only traveled a few feet before something speared into the water next to him. In the water he rotated around and squinted at the object falling in, a burnt black tree. It had narrowly missed him, but he kept paddling forward. For a second he popped only his head above water to catch a gasp of air. The sky had turned black with smoke and it was raining ash and burning leaves. Nevertheless he dove back under the surface and just wadded in the lake, holding his breathe. For now it was his only defense mechanism, his only way to surprise or maybe hide.
Aravael - March 9, 2007 11:06 PM (GMT)
There was a moment when Aravael had thought that he had finished the miniature assault. The energy he had fired off only moments earlier hit the ground in three places making three distinct indentions in the earth. Trees, ash and fire were cascaded all across the lake, and he flew upwards ever-higher to gain another vantage point of the battlefield. He could easily make out the defined area he had virtually annihilated, and it made him well up with guilt. The sight of the destroyed landscape burned the dragon far worse than any fire could, but something told him that it would be repaired – that the forces of nature would forgive him if he destroyed the half-breed. That thought gave him hope, and he began to scan the ground for movement.
When he realized that the smell of burning flesh was not a distinct pattern in the air Aravael roared loudly. His wings flapped powerfully, and he turned and dived downwards towards the surface of the lake. His keen eyes spotted the distinct pattern of fish moving and fleeing. It was understandable why many of them fled away from the carnage, for the falling debris would be startling, but many had no reason to flee. No trees or rock had hit the water, there were no ripples, and so he scrutinized the area. Suddenly, his eyes shot open and he roared again as the bobbing head of the half-breed came up for a breath of air.
“Half-blood spawn!” he screamed in the draconic tongue, and then exploded downwards towards the water’s surface. His body ignited in a golden aura as the energy of the sun collected in his body and plummeted to the water’s surface. Before he hit the lake he kicked his feet downwards and opened his hands aiming for the area where Vaud was swimming. There was no room to bank, his wings were folded back and his talons were open, and he meant to crash in right upon the mortal and send him and a large gush of water in any direction. Perhaps, if he could get hold of him, even rend his flesh from bone. All the while he roared angrily and thrashed about with solid gold claws, and all the while he held back a large pulse of solar energy.
When he realized that the smell of burning flesh was not a distinct pattern in the air Aravael roared loudly. His wings flapped powerfully, and he turned and dived downwards towards the surface of the lake. His keen eyes spotted the distinct pattern of fish moving and fleeing. It was understandable why many of them fled away from the carnage, for the falling debris would be startling, but many had no reason to flee. No trees or rock had hit the water, there were no ripples, and so he scrutinized the area. Suddenly, his eyes shot open and he roared again as the bobbing head of the half-breed came up for a breath of air.
“Half-blood spawn!” he screamed in the draconic tongue, and then exploded downwards towards the water’s surface. His body ignited in a golden aura as the energy of the sun collected in his body and plummeted to the water’s surface. Before he hit the lake he kicked his feet downwards and opened his hands aiming for the area where Vaud was swimming. There was no room to bank, his wings were folded back and his talons were open, and he meant to crash in right upon the mortal and send him and a large gush of water in any direction. Perhaps, if he could get hold of him, even rend his flesh from bone. All the while he roared angrily and thrashed about with solid gold claws, and all the while he held back a large pulse of solar energy.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 11, 2007 04:19 PM (GMT)
The water was calming around him. Nothing trying to kill him, no harsh smoke to fill his lungs. The only thing keeping him company was the small bubbles floating up around him. At first he kept still sparingly keeping the air from traveling to overworked muscles. But soon he spied an annoying flock of fish darting up then swimming away. It would defiantly give away his location if the dragon was looking over head. At one point the fish even darted right between his arm. Despite trying to stay under the water this surprised him and he jumped up, breaking the surface overhead, and out into the air. His lips parted with audible smack and he sucked in two lungfuls of air. For a moment he padded above the water cursing at the fish until something bounced back off the surface of the lake.
It was a large ray, much like the sun, reflecting off the waters. Had the smoke clouds already parted? Surely he hadn’t been under that long. Yet, the shine seemed peculiar. It wasn’t spread out like normal sun rays, it was more condensed, and growing larger by the second. At that moment he whirled around in the water and glanced up to see the vicious dragon heading talon-first towards him. His last move of defense he dove forward in the water, it would at least get him away from the deadly piercing claws. In fact it did.
The impact exploded into the water. At first waves rushed under then crashed up and everywhere. The water hit the white-hot energy surrounding the dragon, an eruption of steam backing the water with great intensity. Vaudeux didn’t have a chance to see this, he was flying with the currents. Away from the impact, spinning around, toppling over, and crashing back into the lake. After the water had washed away, the waves now large ripples across the water. Washed up and delirious he floated along the with the ripples, laying on a black tree trunk. For a moment he picked up his head, the world spun around him and he laid back down. He would have to get up if he wanted to survive. Something inside of him urged him on once more and he tried to start kicking away, furiously working his legs while closing his eyes to avoid the dizziness.
It was a large ray, much like the sun, reflecting off the waters. Had the smoke clouds already parted? Surely he hadn’t been under that long. Yet, the shine seemed peculiar. It wasn’t spread out like normal sun rays, it was more condensed, and growing larger by the second. At that moment he whirled around in the water and glanced up to see the vicious dragon heading talon-first towards him. His last move of defense he dove forward in the water, it would at least get him away from the deadly piercing claws. In fact it did.
The impact exploded into the water. At first waves rushed under then crashed up and everywhere. The water hit the white-hot energy surrounding the dragon, an eruption of steam backing the water with great intensity. Vaudeux didn’t have a chance to see this, he was flying with the currents. Away from the impact, spinning around, toppling over, and crashing back into the lake. After the water had washed away, the waves now large ripples across the water. Washed up and delirious he floated along the with the ripples, laying on a black tree trunk. For a moment he picked up his head, the world spun around him and he laid back down. He would have to get up if he wanted to survive. Something inside of him urged him on once more and he tried to start kicking away, furiously working his legs while closing his eyes to avoid the dizziness.
Aravael - March 11, 2007 09:20 PM (GMT)
A beastly gurgle exploded from beneath the water. The energy Aravael had consumed was boiling the very water, but he had missed his mark. He had meant to tear the half-blood in those instants, but he missed. He was a fool to think that would’ve worked, and he scalded himself for thinking so.
Aravael did not fire off the energy, instead it began to dissipate. He had not anticipated that, and swam upwards slightly frantically. His head exploded from the surface of the water, and the dragon sucked in a large breath of air. His gaze was darting about madly as if trying to figure out what had happened. Suddenly there was another roar. The dragon dove back under, for the half-blood was getting away, and his pride would not let that happen. He had seen to much, been too many places, to let an abomination escape his grasp when he could’ve so easily caught them. He was becoming aggravated.
Old memories of his lineage was slowly falling back into his thoughts. His father, Agredeleous, would not have let this happen. His father, an ancient dragon in his own right and a powerful tactician, would not have let such a trivial matter grow this out of proportion. No. The worm would’ve brought him in close and would have attacked him with claw and talon, but not Aravael. So many times, before his father’s death, had the two of them played cat and mouse, and every time the cat had lost to the mouse. Aravael expended too much energy with his powerful cannon-like breath. Too much energy was wasted on trying to annihilate his enemy from afar, when he could’ve saved so much trouble in close combat.
He roared again, this time angrily, and was forced to break the surface for another breath. When he dipped downwards this time he focused himself, and fired off like a rocket covering the space quickly. His powerful tail acted like an engine, and his wings expanded to act like rudders. Atop the water a blur of gold could be seen, and a swelling of water was apparent. He would’ve attempted to close in on Vaud as quickly as possible, and in one sudden bite his gaping maw would’ve tried to rend him in two.
Aravael did not fire off the energy, instead it began to dissipate. He had not anticipated that, and swam upwards slightly frantically. His head exploded from the surface of the water, and the dragon sucked in a large breath of air. His gaze was darting about madly as if trying to figure out what had happened. Suddenly there was another roar. The dragon dove back under, for the half-blood was getting away, and his pride would not let that happen. He had seen to much, been too many places, to let an abomination escape his grasp when he could’ve so easily caught them. He was becoming aggravated.
Old memories of his lineage was slowly falling back into his thoughts. His father, Agredeleous, would not have let this happen. His father, an ancient dragon in his own right and a powerful tactician, would not have let such a trivial matter grow this out of proportion. No. The worm would’ve brought him in close and would have attacked him with claw and talon, but not Aravael. So many times, before his father’s death, had the two of them played cat and mouse, and every time the cat had lost to the mouse. Aravael expended too much energy with his powerful cannon-like breath. Too much energy was wasted on trying to annihilate his enemy from afar, when he could’ve saved so much trouble in close combat.
He roared again, this time angrily, and was forced to break the surface for another breath. When he dipped downwards this time he focused himself, and fired off like a rocket covering the space quickly. His powerful tail acted like an engine, and his wings expanded to act like rudders. Atop the water a blur of gold could be seen, and a swelling of water was apparent. He would’ve attempted to close in on Vaud as quickly as possible, and in one sudden bite his gaping maw would’ve tried to rend him in two.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 13, 2007 12:33 AM (GMT)
It didn’t matter how close his attack was to him or even how feeble his attempt to escape at that moment was, he was relying on sheer luck. He hoped that he would get a mere second to figure out something. Unless he miraculously escaped he was running out of options. The battle was becoming more heated by the minute. The very land around the scuffle could resemble its intensity. The sky was so scorched with blackness one from afar could wonder if a storm was approaching low over the horizon. Yet, with all the fire flying through the air, a more intelligent observer would have known otherwise.
He kicked hard in the water when he felt a strong current head his way. A series of strong ripples crashing into his body and loosening his grip on the charred log. Just as he looked over his shoulder to identify the disturbance he saw a set of vicious teeth hanging in a gaping mouth. The jaw was wide open, primed to take him in. His entire expression filled with fear, literally staring at the tonsils at the back of the mammoth’s mouth. Jupiter’s entire body tensed and he curled his legs into his chest as the being approached. Out of a reflex he pushed away from the bullet at his last available quarter-second.
The counter was almost successful. He was able to roll off the closed maw of the beast, not before the creature took his shirt and a good part of his left shoulder with it. The half-dragon rolled off the body, his lips clamped tightly in pain. The vast energy surrounding his attacker was enough to cause him rebound off of its very skin. He flew through the air, limbs out of control, like a rag doll. His mind went blank all he could do was stare at the dark clouds of black smoke as he spun through the air. Before he knew it he had landed back in the clearing on the land nearby. After a large smack and a cloud of ashes surrounding his body Jupiter was once again on land. He let out a long low wheeze and sputtered slightly. The back of his throat was bitter as he spit up blood in the blackened soil.
Vaud managed to roll over and grip onto his left shoulder, squeezing the wound in attempt dissipate the blood. He tried to talk, but only ended up coughing. Vaud kicked at the ash and tried to scoot across the ground as far away from the shore as possible. Most of his efforts were dulled by the drag of the sword on his back and its hilt digging into the soil. The voice in the back of his mind was infuriated, which only made him more unnerved. Haven’t we had enough? It demanded, but he continued to eye the back of his opponent. The feeling was becoming stronger, like he was going to vomit, but he knew what it was. The uncomfortable sensation of lack of control, of rage, of bloodthirstiness.
He kicked hard in the water when he felt a strong current head his way. A series of strong ripples crashing into his body and loosening his grip on the charred log. Just as he looked over his shoulder to identify the disturbance he saw a set of vicious teeth hanging in a gaping mouth. The jaw was wide open, primed to take him in. His entire expression filled with fear, literally staring at the tonsils at the back of the mammoth’s mouth. Jupiter’s entire body tensed and he curled his legs into his chest as the being approached. Out of a reflex he pushed away from the bullet at his last available quarter-second.
The counter was almost successful. He was able to roll off the closed maw of the beast, not before the creature took his shirt and a good part of his left shoulder with it. The half-dragon rolled off the body, his lips clamped tightly in pain. The vast energy surrounding his attacker was enough to cause him rebound off of its very skin. He flew through the air, limbs out of control, like a rag doll. His mind went blank all he could do was stare at the dark clouds of black smoke as he spun through the air. Before he knew it he had landed back in the clearing on the land nearby. After a large smack and a cloud of ashes surrounding his body Jupiter was once again on land. He let out a long low wheeze and sputtered slightly. The back of his throat was bitter as he spit up blood in the blackened soil.
Vaud managed to roll over and grip onto his left shoulder, squeezing the wound in attempt dissipate the blood. He tried to talk, but only ended up coughing. Vaud kicked at the ash and tried to scoot across the ground as far away from the shore as possible. Most of his efforts were dulled by the drag of the sword on his back and its hilt digging into the soil. The voice in the back of his mind was infuriated, which only made him more unnerved. Haven’t we had enough? It demanded, but he continued to eye the back of his opponent. The feeling was becoming stronger, like he was going to vomit, but he knew what it was. The uncomfortable sensation of lack of control, of rage, of bloodthirstiness.
Aravael - March 15, 2007 12:08 AM (GMT)
There was a moment just after his maw closed when he realized that there was nothing but salty water in his mouth, and the dragon almost exploded in anger. His large body exploded out of the water, and his wet wings exploded outwards and flapped hard. Just as he was about to re-enter the lake his flapping wings stopped him, and he hovered for a moment. Turning, the dragon saw Vaud had landed moderately unscathed upon the ground, but he smelled blood in the air.
If Aravael could’ve smiled he would have.
With a bit of a thrust his body suddenly took off from the spot, and slowly glided over towards the bank. Landing, his large talons dug deep into the sand, and the dragon slowly sauntered towards Vaud. The shore-line was cleared for the most part, some of the sand was melted into extremely fragile glass while other bits we covered in blackened ash.
Aravael felt terrible for what he was doing to the earth, but once more his overwhelming send of right and wrong overcame him. He felt sure that he would be forgiven for the pain that he was causing to nature, but this had to be done. The half-dragon had to be slain, at least that was what he believed, though there was a doubt in the back of his mind as to whether or not he should keep up the game. There was so much else in the world that he could devote his time to, but it was here that he found himself focusing. He wasn’t out in the world fighting to defend the people, he was after a half-blood. He was doing the world at bit of good by getting rid of an abomination. So he thought, anyway.
Slowly as he grew closer and closer the dragon began to breathe heavily. The water had evaporated from its body very quickly, and the gleam in its eyes told that it was ready to force out another powerful beam of solar energy. Aravael did not, however. He seemed to be smiling, as if he were toying with the half-blood. He was giving him the chance to get up and defend himself, but he would not wait very long. He could smell the blood in the air, and though he was not a particularly war-loving creature it relished the thought of smiting Jupiter.
“Clearly your heritage grants you no power. I shame myself even comparing you to a wyrm,” he growled in the dragonic tongue.
If Aravael could’ve smiled he would have.
With a bit of a thrust his body suddenly took off from the spot, and slowly glided over towards the bank. Landing, his large talons dug deep into the sand, and the dragon slowly sauntered towards Vaud. The shore-line was cleared for the most part, some of the sand was melted into extremely fragile glass while other bits we covered in blackened ash.
Aravael felt terrible for what he was doing to the earth, but once more his overwhelming send of right and wrong overcame him. He felt sure that he would be forgiven for the pain that he was causing to nature, but this had to be done. The half-dragon had to be slain, at least that was what he believed, though there was a doubt in the back of his mind as to whether or not he should keep up the game. There was so much else in the world that he could devote his time to, but it was here that he found himself focusing. He wasn’t out in the world fighting to defend the people, he was after a half-blood. He was doing the world at bit of good by getting rid of an abomination. So he thought, anyway.
Slowly as he grew closer and closer the dragon began to breathe heavily. The water had evaporated from its body very quickly, and the gleam in its eyes told that it was ready to force out another powerful beam of solar energy. Aravael did not, however. He seemed to be smiling, as if he were toying with the half-blood. He was giving him the chance to get up and defend himself, but he would not wait very long. He could smell the blood in the air, and though he was not a particularly war-loving creature it relished the thought of smiting Jupiter.
“Clearly your heritage grants you no power. I shame myself even comparing you to a wyrm,” he growled in the dragonic tongue.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 18, 2007 04:26 PM (GMT)
The pair of golden eyes dawned on him and pierced his body into the soil. It was clear what the creature wanted to do. All the destruction, firepower, and narrow escapes all led down to the fact that he would have to fight for his life if he wanted to keep it. The elbow of his injured arm acted along with the tripod of his retreat. Shifting the weight from his front elbow to his legs he dragged his body across the ground as the dragon headed in his direction. After a few more feet he stopped and allowed his arm to rest just as the ground below him shook with the vibrations from Aravael’s footfalls. There was something strange about its stride in the fact that it was somewhat arrogant. The expression on its maw was questionable, yet Vaud was able to sense its deviousness.
He tensed as the dragon approached, stopped, then loomed over him. Jupiter half expected the being to lash out and strike him down at that very moment, so he clenched his jaw tight shaking slightly with anger. He wasn’t going to pled for his life, if anything he was going to do what he could prevent his own failure. Never would he dream of giving his own murder the satisfaction of simple success. Gripping his wounded arm he fell back into the dirt, but kept his head arched up, offering no sign of defeat. The leftovers from his previous spell was already healing the bite as it was slowly closing underneath his palm. For a split second he thought of withdrawing his blade as his last humanly defense. He even tested to see if he was able to as his attacker stood, yet even as he moved slightly he could feel the hilt of the blade dig deeper into the ashen soil under him.
For a few moments the two stared into each others eyes with complete loathing. Then a low rumble disturbed the scene, a growl from the beast. “Clearly your heritage grants you no power. I shame myself even comparing you to a wyrm.” His mind was the first thing to react. An explosion of fury that was almost physically painful as much as it was mentally. Sharp needles of anger stabbed his temples and obscured his vision as tears bulged in the length of his orbits. He shut his eyes for a mere second, appearing as only a blink to his observer, but felt like an eternity. The duration of the blink was enough to know that he had now lost control and that it was no use to keep delaying what he needed to do.
At that moment his eyes shot open, fiery red pupils pierced the air between the foes like a torch. Almost unnoticeably he was slowly rising from the ground, all the while an unmistakable aura was hovering around him, clearly identifiable with power. Then he stood normal, but with his head lowered slightly. A small devilish grin spread across his jaw for a moment until a flash of red light throbbed, followed by an agonizing humanly yell cutting through the clearing. There was a snap and a sickening smack followed by several noises that sounded as if large logs were being broken in two. As the red light faded, the once handsome figure of the human seemed to be eaten alive by brilliant red scales. His shoulders were replaced by vast muscle groups clearly top-heavy to work for flight. His shirt tore uselessly and fell to his feet.
Still screaming he tore at his cloak, which threatened to choke him, it ripped off which allowed his sword to also fall to the ground in a pile. His fingers were elongated, shaking, while quickly morphing into five deadly talons. Vaudeuxs’ transformation continued restlessly as his face outgrew his human form, he tore at his features, suddenly hiding it from view. He thrashed in his spot for a moment as his human shrieks suddenly turned into draconic roars. The commotion was enough to scare any remaining animals from their nest miles from the scene.
Vaud could feel himself rising up off the ground in height, as the pain from the transformation started to lessen, two times as tall as he previously stood. A sharp and dangerously spiked tail whipped from behind the creature discarding what was left of any human clothing. Finally, with a deafening crack, a pair of apple wings blasted up from behind the strange creature; impressively filling the space behind and above him. The wyrm shuddered, its dormant muscles quivering under thick scales. In a slow movement it lowered its long arms from the new face and the remaining red pulsing eyes which lie under two ridged brows. Its muzzle was long and snake-like, with two slits for nostrils. The neck of the beast was short, unlike a normal dragons, but was thick with tendons and hard to reach.
It was a concoction only a mix between both breeds could produce. There were obvious traits that the human contributed, most that knocked most beasts a notch below their forefathers. But if one was particularly cunning the special built of the creature was rather impressive and lacked the usual weak points dragons possessed, because of half’s upright stance. Its physique screamed agility and strength and strike fear into the hearts of men as most dragons would. Though many don’t come across wyrms such as himself and therefore produces nightmarish effects.
The beast breathed in deep, after its shudder, and rose to full height. The scales on its body were like new, shinning even with out the sun, it was his advantage to start over with each new transformation. Even the wound on its arm had disappeared. The pain from the transformation was what kept Vaudeux away from regularly transforming, but this time it was necessary. Unlike Jupiter, the Wyrm help no respect for anyone, even its elders. For a moment it stood boring hatlfully back into Aravael's eyes. Its expression was neutral, but simply the aura detected like a ticking bomb. Next he spoke, his words low from his chest like congested thunder with no human undertones,
“Think again.”
With great agility the new creature jabbed an undercut with its long left arm, out from its chest for maximum speed, pricing talons towards the Aravael‘s neck. It was to his advantage to be quick and smaller than most beastly dragons and the Wyrm knew this. Then, graceful like a cat, its wings pumped and in an instant it was in the air to avoid any blasts or retaliation from the being. It was fueled by anger and insult, which was nothing that a few swipes couldn’t heal.
Aravael - March 22, 2007 12:33 AM (GMT)
There was so much he could’ve done as he stood there. Just watching the thing begin to transform brought a sickening feeling to the pit of its stomach, and the dragon wanted to vomit. His short repast earlier was rolling around in his stomach, and the horrid depiction of the change before him was causing him to growl balefully. It was just disgusting for him to see such a transformation, and while he might’ve attacked in the midst of the change to either thwart or finish it then he could not bring himself to move. As if he were trying to get away the dragon jumped from the ground and ascended into the air. He could not be so close to the abomination as it changed, and was forced to put a bit of distance between them. So, he hovered angrily over the water, wings flapping powerfully, and though the sun was obscured by the smoke and ash he was slowly taking in stores of solar energy.
Aravael might’ve not noticed it, but he unintentionally avoided the creature’s first strike when it fully transformed. Hovering there, he observed as the half-dragon ascended to the sky, and he nearly gagged. Such a vile thing to do, in his mind, and it made his loathing for the abomination grow and grow. To see the dragonic form twisted and distraught – only a portion of what it was meant to be was truly disgusting to him. He had wondered why he attacked the half-dragon, but now Aravael saw the truth, and he no longer questioned his actions.
For a few moments he thought about how he would go about accomplishing his actions, but he realized he would have to improvise. The half-dragon had covered most of the vulnerable spots, and he could heal himself to a certain degree. That meant that if he was going to wind he would have to drown him, he’d have to take him far up into the stratosphere or he’d have to completely vaporize him. He couldn’t think of anything else to do because if the beast’s scales were half as tough as his there was a very slim chance that Aravael would be able to cut through them. Plus he’d have to move faster and harder than he had ever moved before. Otherwise his bulk was going to hold him back. That’s when he had an idea.
“Catch me if you can, whelp,” he roared while attempting to add more insult to injury as the half-dragon ascended into the air, and whipped around turning his tail to the wind. He struck out with incredible agility and swept through the clouds. He still had an advantage of size and strength, and in the end if he found that he was outmatched he could turn tail and run. However, he knew that even if he did that he would not be able to live with himself. He could only find redemption through blood. However, he had a general plan, and he may well be able to execute it. So Aravael flew towards the sky, and to the smoke that clouded the air. He needed a distraction.
Aravael might’ve not noticed it, but he unintentionally avoided the creature’s first strike when it fully transformed. Hovering there, he observed as the half-dragon ascended to the sky, and he nearly gagged. Such a vile thing to do, in his mind, and it made his loathing for the abomination grow and grow. To see the dragonic form twisted and distraught – only a portion of what it was meant to be was truly disgusting to him. He had wondered why he attacked the half-dragon, but now Aravael saw the truth, and he no longer questioned his actions.
For a few moments he thought about how he would go about accomplishing his actions, but he realized he would have to improvise. The half-dragon had covered most of the vulnerable spots, and he could heal himself to a certain degree. That meant that if he was going to wind he would have to drown him, he’d have to take him far up into the stratosphere or he’d have to completely vaporize him. He couldn’t think of anything else to do because if the beast’s scales were half as tough as his there was a very slim chance that Aravael would be able to cut through them. Plus he’d have to move faster and harder than he had ever moved before. Otherwise his bulk was going to hold him back. That’s when he had an idea.
“Catch me if you can, whelp,” he roared while attempting to add more insult to injury as the half-dragon ascended into the air, and whipped around turning his tail to the wind. He struck out with incredible agility and swept through the clouds. He still had an advantage of size and strength, and in the end if he found that he was outmatched he could turn tail and run. However, he knew that even if he did that he would not be able to live with himself. He could only find redemption through blood. However, he had a general plan, and he may well be able to execute it. So Aravael flew towards the sky, and to the smoke that clouded the air. He needed a distraction.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 27, 2007 12:58 AM (GMT)
He could sense the hatred seeping form his opponents pores, which only fuels the Wyrm even more. He was no longer the vain man so it didn’t matter what others thought. The only thing that crossed his mind was payback. Before he knew it Aravael was taking flight and coaxing him to pursue. A large gust of wind blasted him over the anterior, but did not hinder his movement whatsoever. The beast climbed up into the sky and the dark smoke clouds in an instant shielding him from view. For a second a weak voice whispered in the back of the Wyrm’s subconscious.
Perfect, time to escape. A small smirk spread across the half-dragon’s flat jaw, orange scales curling up deviously. It was clear that the being wasn’t planning on doing anything of the sort. Instead it hovered above the charred earth for a moment glorifying the feeling of space between his limbs and the ground. It had been a dormant while from the last time this creature had taken flight. It pumped once and was surprised to find that, with that one movement, it had risen a great deal into the air parallel to the tops of the trees. A feeling of strength and renewal coursed through the creatures veins. It started to pump its muscles harder with appreciation for the sensation until it could see over the trees and the expanse of the lake. Soon the movement for retreat had passed itself up as the Wyrm continued to climb higher and higher into the atmosphere.
It continued to fly until its pumping was a spastic flutter that coaxed him on until he was an orange bullet piercing through the dark clouds. It continued to pump, testing to see how fast it could go, and before he could reach his full potential the half breed pierced through the top of the black clouds and met with blue sky and the calming sunlight. Wings shooting open he spiraled to a soft hover above the blackened smoke and took a large breath that filled his lungs to capacity. Testing the rest of his muscles the beast spun around in the air with one pump of a wing, then stopped to hover once more. Next he decided to glance around through the smoke to sense any bit of movement. Red specks flickered under thickened lids as the dangerous orbits spied through the cover for his foe.
Perfect, time to escape. A small smirk spread across the half-dragon’s flat jaw, orange scales curling up deviously. It was clear that the being wasn’t planning on doing anything of the sort. Instead it hovered above the charred earth for a moment glorifying the feeling of space between his limbs and the ground. It had been a dormant while from the last time this creature had taken flight. It pumped once and was surprised to find that, with that one movement, it had risen a great deal into the air parallel to the tops of the trees. A feeling of strength and renewal coursed through the creatures veins. It started to pump its muscles harder with appreciation for the sensation until it could see over the trees and the expanse of the lake. Soon the movement for retreat had passed itself up as the Wyrm continued to climb higher and higher into the atmosphere.
It continued to fly until its pumping was a spastic flutter that coaxed him on until he was an orange bullet piercing through the dark clouds. It continued to pump, testing to see how fast it could go, and before he could reach his full potential the half breed pierced through the top of the black clouds and met with blue sky and the calming sunlight. Wings shooting open he spiraled to a soft hover above the blackened smoke and took a large breath that filled his lungs to capacity. Testing the rest of his muscles the beast spun around in the air with one pump of a wing, then stopped to hover once more. Next he decided to glance around through the smoke to sense any bit of movement. Red specks flickered under thickened lids as the dangerous orbits spied through the cover for his foe.
Aravael - March 30, 2007 11:16 PM (GMT)
All thought was on the moment. He had no other choice. He could’ve tucked tail and ran away, but he knew he couldn’t live with himself if he did. He had thought it through before, and the answer was always the same. Aravael would stay and fight, he would honor the creed of his ancestors, even if it meant his own demise.
He could use the smoke for as good as distraction as anything. If he attempted to go to toe he knew he would not survive. The half-breed was physically less vulnerable than him, though Aravael could probably rely on his instincts and reflexes to get him out of the fray, so he had to use his head this time. He had circled through the haze in several different formations, which cause the smoke to billow and to make an almost vortex-like shape. The formation would’ve hidden his movements while the half-breed rose through the air, and he was relying on that. He sped through the ash and debris, and eventually realized that Vaud had risen above him.
Perfect, he thought to himself in almost a devious manner.
Aravael suddenly turned upwards, and in a quick summersault ascended with his wings and tail pounding through the air. He was moving quickly, and appeared almost like a golden bolt as he struck out strait at the half-breed. He didn’t have time to take in much energy, but what remained and what he took in was enough. Crackling bolts of golden light covered his form, and began to collect in his powerful maw, but when he was in range neither beam nor sphere exploded from his jaws. He opened his mouth, as he had done before, and a pulse of golden energy exploded outwards. Several small spheres, smaller than the three he had fired off previously, flew out like buckshot. They left streaming, glowing trails behind them, but because of their lack of energy they began to grow weaker. They weren’t the main attack.
When he was in range the shotgun-like attack was to be yet another diversion to put Vaud on the defensive. He then slash through the air with his massive talons in an attempt to shred the body of the half-breed.
He could use the smoke for as good as distraction as anything. If he attempted to go to toe he knew he would not survive. The half-breed was physically less vulnerable than him, though Aravael could probably rely on his instincts and reflexes to get him out of the fray, so he had to use his head this time. He had circled through the haze in several different formations, which cause the smoke to billow and to make an almost vortex-like shape. The formation would’ve hidden his movements while the half-breed rose through the air, and he was relying on that. He sped through the ash and debris, and eventually realized that Vaud had risen above him.
Perfect, he thought to himself in almost a devious manner.
Aravael suddenly turned upwards, and in a quick summersault ascended with his wings and tail pounding through the air. He was moving quickly, and appeared almost like a golden bolt as he struck out strait at the half-breed. He didn’t have time to take in much energy, but what remained and what he took in was enough. Crackling bolts of golden light covered his form, and began to collect in his powerful maw, but when he was in range neither beam nor sphere exploded from his jaws. He opened his mouth, as he had done before, and a pulse of golden energy exploded outwards. Several small spheres, smaller than the three he had fired off previously, flew out like buckshot. They left streaming, glowing trails behind them, but because of their lack of energy they began to grow weaker. They weren’t the main attack.
When he was in range the shotgun-like attack was to be yet another diversion to put Vaud on the defensive. He then slash through the air with his massive talons in an attempt to shred the body of the half-breed.
Vaudeux Jupiter - March 31, 2007 01:32 AM (GMT)
The Wyrm felt a whip of air and spun in mid-air, with a jerk down, to face the clouds. There was a strange occurrence, a vast swirl of the smoke, that created a defined whirlpool shape in the smoke. Playing in the clouds are we? The beast thought wickedly, its trapezium muscles flexing that caused him to rise up in short spurts until he was parallel to the horizon of the clouds. He watched the formation for a moment anticipating the dragon to explode from its middle. It wasn’t until the vortex started to slow in speed did he realize that it was just a distraction. Almost immediately he looked up from the whirlpool and to his immediate left where a large dragon was spinning out of the clouds with balls of energy to match.
The orbs were already starting in his direction, several of them, smaller versions of the caliber the mammoth had spent earlier. Following the direction of his head, his body jerked around to meet the attack from a better position. Then, subconsciously, he zeroed in on the small orbs and started to see various openings of which he could slip through as they passed. At a pivotal second he was able to see the orbs slow in speed and energy, which made it all the more effortless to dodge. He squeezed between the final few orbs and spun back to regain his position.
At first sight he saw a massive hole in the smoke clouds below him and Aravael parting through them. Strands of the mist still clung onto the monster as it darted at him, talons-first. Though its speed was incredible, the Wyrm still obtained momentum from his previous spin, which was enough swing its long arms quickly up in a rising cross block. The wings on its back flat-lined and stretched to almost the length of his tail to avoid the talons that could enclose or rip their nearest opening. The block itself was enough to match the half-dragon’s talons to the dragon’s own palm. While the attack came in his own block matched to avoid the bulk of the piercing weapons.
Though to the Wyrm it was a fight at normal speed, the reaction time adequate, and there was no strain to his muscles, observers might see different. To those it was a blur of color and speed that ruled the air. The only evidence of beasts was the occasional draconic roar or the fierce flapping of gigantic wings. It was enough to dominate the area over the lake, their atmospheric arena. Once his outward facing talon block was executed; he took advantage of their distance and dipped below Aravael in an instant simply by lowering his wings. Here he immediately took up a pump of his wings and slashed at the dragon’s next open target its golden underbelly.
The orbs were already starting in his direction, several of them, smaller versions of the caliber the mammoth had spent earlier. Following the direction of his head, his body jerked around to meet the attack from a better position. Then, subconsciously, he zeroed in on the small orbs and started to see various openings of which he could slip through as they passed. At a pivotal second he was able to see the orbs slow in speed and energy, which made it all the more effortless to dodge. He squeezed between the final few orbs and spun back to regain his position.
At first sight he saw a massive hole in the smoke clouds below him and Aravael parting through them. Strands of the mist still clung onto the monster as it darted at him, talons-first. Though its speed was incredible, the Wyrm still obtained momentum from his previous spin, which was enough swing its long arms quickly up in a rising cross block. The wings on its back flat-lined and stretched to almost the length of his tail to avoid the talons that could enclose or rip their nearest opening. The block itself was enough to match the half-dragon’s talons to the dragon’s own palm. While the attack came in his own block matched to avoid the bulk of the piercing weapons.
Though to the Wyrm it was a fight at normal speed, the reaction time adequate, and there was no strain to his muscles, observers might see different. To those it was a blur of color and speed that ruled the air. The only evidence of beasts was the occasional draconic roar or the fierce flapping of gigantic wings. It was enough to dominate the area over the lake, their atmospheric arena. Once his outward facing talon block was executed; he took advantage of their distance and dipped below Aravael in an instant simply by lowering his wings. Here he immediately took up a pump of his wings and slashed at the dragon’s next open target its golden underbelly.
Aravael - April 2, 2007 12:34 PM (GMT)
The aerial battle played out with perfect synchrony. The two of them built their battle upon the template of a simple dance, whose coordinated moves were the basis for many battles. However, their dance was only just beginning, for the two of them had far more distance to cover before the final blow was dealt.
Aravael had not foreseen the block, though it was not terribly surprising that his attack had been thwarted. What was more surprising was that he seemed to be loosing ground. Now, suddenly, outside of the realm of distraction he was forced to rely fully on his wits. He found this more difficult, but perhaps for the better. Aravael had few options as the half-dragon ducked down under him. He knew by the simple movements what he was planning, and he had to act quickly. The beast became slightly frantic, and as the adrenaline began to assail his body he turned and rolled over. One of his wings angled upwards, the other pushed downwards, and he rolled his body in mid-air with cat-like agility and grace, and avoided the attack to his stomach. He barrel-rolled one wingspan away from his previous position and used his tail to correct him so he was facing Vaud when he took control and leveled himself off.
He did not escape unscathed, however. As he rolled from the attack one of Vaud’s claws met the leathery membrane of his wing and a bit of the scaly frame drawing a bit of blood. It was nothing terrible, but it brought Aravael back down to earth. He knew he could be hurt. If the dragon could’ve frowned it would’ve shown on his face. His head was lowered as if he was a dog who had been backed into a wall, and his shoulders dropped. His talons twitched, his maw trembled with every low growl, and he nearly shouted thousands of curses in thousands of languages. It was his pride that would not allow him to degrade himself, however. He was fighting for the species, and letting an abomination win would diminish he and his ancestors.
He had a sudden spark of genus, however. There he sat, his body absently taking in the energy from the sun. The energy was collected all upon his golden form that acted like a solar panel, but more importantly it was the first sign that he was beginning to charge his breath weapon. The second was the rolling sparks, which moved towards his massive maw concentrating in the back of his throat. They began to accompany the ominous glow, and slowly the dragon began to crane its neck. He was poised to fire, but he didn’t intend to. It was not present anywhere in his expression, but he planned to draw the half-breed in. To confuse him. To make him rush in in an attempt to thwart Aravael’s attack.
Aravael had not foreseen the block, though it was not terribly surprising that his attack had been thwarted. What was more surprising was that he seemed to be loosing ground. Now, suddenly, outside of the realm of distraction he was forced to rely fully on his wits. He found this more difficult, but perhaps for the better. Aravael had few options as the half-dragon ducked down under him. He knew by the simple movements what he was planning, and he had to act quickly. The beast became slightly frantic, and as the adrenaline began to assail his body he turned and rolled over. One of his wings angled upwards, the other pushed downwards, and he rolled his body in mid-air with cat-like agility and grace, and avoided the attack to his stomach. He barrel-rolled one wingspan away from his previous position and used his tail to correct him so he was facing Vaud when he took control and leveled himself off.
He did not escape unscathed, however. As he rolled from the attack one of Vaud’s claws met the leathery membrane of his wing and a bit of the scaly frame drawing a bit of blood. It was nothing terrible, but it brought Aravael back down to earth. He knew he could be hurt. If the dragon could’ve frowned it would’ve shown on his face. His head was lowered as if he was a dog who had been backed into a wall, and his shoulders dropped. His talons twitched, his maw trembled with every low growl, and he nearly shouted thousands of curses in thousands of languages. It was his pride that would not allow him to degrade himself, however. He was fighting for the species, and letting an abomination win would diminish he and his ancestors.
He had a sudden spark of genus, however. There he sat, his body absently taking in the energy from the sun. The energy was collected all upon his golden form that acted like a solar panel, but more importantly it was the first sign that he was beginning to charge his breath weapon. The second was the rolling sparks, which moved towards his massive maw concentrating in the back of his throat. They began to accompany the ominous glow, and slowly the dragon began to crane its neck. He was poised to fire, but he didn’t intend to. It was not present anywhere in his expression, but he planned to draw the half-breed in. To confuse him. To make him rush in in an attempt to thwart Aravael’s attack.
Vaudeux Jupiter - April 2, 2007 04:14 PM (GMT)
Observant, the Wyrm allowed his claws to rip through the flesh of Aravaels wing then quickly pinned his long arms to his body and rose back to his first starting height in the sky, which was level with the large dragon. The large beast was more nimble that he had taken in account for. But for every step it took he was planning to take two, like a bee hovering around an enemy that threatened the hive. Yet, the successfulness of the attack brought him hope. His eyes widened and he suddenly felt stronger.
Suddenly he began to long for the taste of blood, the rendering of tissue, the fight. His eyes darted to the dragon suddenly finding various openings to which he could strike. Even his body felt like he could move faster. The half-breed was no in a state where Jupiter himself had always loathed. It was uncontrollable on his part and he was at the mercy of the Wyrm. It was in a battle all he wanted to do was defeat his opponent. Suddenly more powerful, ruthless attacks surfaced in his mind. Every surface of his toned exterior screamed kill and the burning red eyes only heightened this feeling.
Flapping his wings rhythmically, he returned to stay in one aerial position carefully observing his opponent. For what seemed like hours he studied Aravael, which only turned out to be seconds. Suddenly the large beast retracted his head, sparks hovering like flies around the angle of his jaw. The dragon was going to unleash his reserve of power in the form another powerful sun-fueled blast. As soon as the movement occurred the Wyrm bee-lined straight towards the side of the dragon’s face without warning. Wings elongated, arms pressed to its side, and body as slender as it could be provided the half-dragon with optimum speed.
Within a flash the half-dragon was at the side of the large beasts face, facing its large eye and scaly exterior. Its scales threatened to blind him with the reflection of the sun, so he concentrated on his attack area further. With both of his muscled arms poised at his side he was ready to thwart the upcoming blast. The clawed hands drew together at his one side and with a shot-gun motion from his chest he threw his palms outward. Hip-leading the attack his whole body weight, aided by his first momentum, was thrown into the attack. The talons soon made its way towards the beasts eye threatening to puncture once more.
Suddenly he began to long for the taste of blood, the rendering of tissue, the fight. His eyes darted to the dragon suddenly finding various openings to which he could strike. Even his body felt like he could move faster. The half-breed was no in a state where Jupiter himself had always loathed. It was uncontrollable on his part and he was at the mercy of the Wyrm. It was in a battle all he wanted to do was defeat his opponent. Suddenly more powerful, ruthless attacks surfaced in his mind. Every surface of his toned exterior screamed kill and the burning red eyes only heightened this feeling.
Flapping his wings rhythmically, he returned to stay in one aerial position carefully observing his opponent. For what seemed like hours he studied Aravael, which only turned out to be seconds. Suddenly the large beast retracted his head, sparks hovering like flies around the angle of his jaw. The dragon was going to unleash his reserve of power in the form another powerful sun-fueled blast. As soon as the movement occurred the Wyrm bee-lined straight towards the side of the dragon’s face without warning. Wings elongated, arms pressed to its side, and body as slender as it could be provided the half-dragon with optimum speed.
Within a flash the half-dragon was at the side of the large beasts face, facing its large eye and scaly exterior. Its scales threatened to blind him with the reflection of the sun, so he concentrated on his attack area further. With both of his muscled arms poised at his side he was ready to thwart the upcoming blast. The clawed hands drew together at his one side and with a shot-gun motion from his chest he threw his palms outward. Hip-leading the attack his whole body weight, aided by his first momentum, was thrown into the attack. The talons soon made its way towards the beasts eye threatening to puncture once more.
Aravael - April 4, 2007 12:46 AM (GMT)
Just what I thought… he thought as he dropped back.
Aravael’s body had been positioned in a strange question mark shape so that, even if the half-breed had come to attack his sides he could’ve dove out of the way with little to no damage. It was just what he wanted. He knew the half breed now well enough to guess his moves. In battle words were stripped away, and people found themselves understanding their opponents to an unsettling degree. The wyrm had learned this over the years, and had used it to his advantage.
Now, however, he saw the truth.
Before him, on his rage-induced attack, was the true beast. Before Aravael had vaguely felt he had been doing this for the good of his race, but now he knew for a fact that the destruction of the abomination meant the safety to all races. The beast would kill anyone given the chance, he felt.
In his craned position he was able to twist his entire body around like a snake, and nearly summersault backwards in mid air with a single push of titanic wings. Not only that, his tail whipped about to interrupt the half-breed as he attack, while the thrust of his wings caused a fair bit of draft in the wyrm’s wake, which was an attempt to disrupt Vaud’s flight patterns for just a split second, giving Aravael the chance to twist himself upwards, point his massive maw, and release the long over-due pulse of golden energy. The stream of solar power would’ve exploded from his gaping maw, with a large head that tail that resulted from the time that it had sat in the back of his throat just waiting to be released. The beam was focused, concentrated, and meant to smash him and send him flying through the air. He hadn’t planned that much into it, but when the moment hit his reflexes and his agility went hand in hand with his instincts, and he did what he felt was proper for the moment.
However, slowly the mass exertions of energy due to his sporadic bursts of quick flight, the harnessing and firing of solar energy, and his bouts of hovering were wearing away at his stamina. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep up the fight, but he meant to see it through until either exhaustion and or death took him. Still, he figured he could deal with the half-breed before he was forced to the ground.
Aravael’s body had been positioned in a strange question mark shape so that, even if the half-breed had come to attack his sides he could’ve dove out of the way with little to no damage. It was just what he wanted. He knew the half breed now well enough to guess his moves. In battle words were stripped away, and people found themselves understanding their opponents to an unsettling degree. The wyrm had learned this over the years, and had used it to his advantage.
Now, however, he saw the truth.
Before him, on his rage-induced attack, was the true beast. Before Aravael had vaguely felt he had been doing this for the good of his race, but now he knew for a fact that the destruction of the abomination meant the safety to all races. The beast would kill anyone given the chance, he felt.
In his craned position he was able to twist his entire body around like a snake, and nearly summersault backwards in mid air with a single push of titanic wings. Not only that, his tail whipped about to interrupt the half-breed as he attack, while the thrust of his wings caused a fair bit of draft in the wyrm’s wake, which was an attempt to disrupt Vaud’s flight patterns for just a split second, giving Aravael the chance to twist himself upwards, point his massive maw, and release the long over-due pulse of golden energy. The stream of solar power would’ve exploded from his gaping maw, with a large head that tail that resulted from the time that it had sat in the back of his throat just waiting to be released. The beam was focused, concentrated, and meant to smash him and send him flying through the air. He hadn’t planned that much into it, but when the moment hit his reflexes and his agility went hand in hand with his instincts, and he did what he felt was proper for the moment.
However, slowly the mass exertions of energy due to his sporadic bursts of quick flight, the harnessing and firing of solar energy, and his bouts of hovering were wearing away at his stamina. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep up the fight, but he meant to see it through until either exhaustion and or death took him. Still, he figured he could deal with the half-breed before he was forced to the ground.
Vaudeux Jupiter - April 4, 2007 01:34 PM (GMT)
Vigilant, the Wyrm noticed his adversary start to roll out of the way of danger. Supplying the fact that it already knew that he would strike. Aravael was cunning, or perhaps the Wyrm was too predictable. Whatever the solution the wild creature always had a new plan to suffice, even unorthodox ones. Automatically the half-dragon lowered its arms and readied to line up for another attack first by veering off to the left away from the beast. Yet, just before this actions could be implemented a furious gust of wind slapped him across the body threatening to upset his rhythmic flight. As the air hit he opened his wings and allowed them to catch the built of the wind instead of trying to fight it. Much like a bird caught in an updraft he floated backwards and up at an angle until he was simply out of the range of the gust.
Swiftly, he enclosed his flappers and allowed his body to drift slightly downward while he started a twist with his torso, kind of a readying dive-bomb motion. Yet, soon after the gust was completed the air changed. It lit up with mana and a vast quantity of energy, bright as the sun, pumped through the atmosphere. The attacks were in quick succession, the Wyrm barely had time to see the attack just as he started his dive-bomb. Yet, the gust had blow him far enough away, with his efforts, to catch the beam as it came at him.
As his torso twisted he threw his arms. It was too late to change course now he had to continue rolling, but rolling out of the way. The momentum his arms created was enough to get his body twisted around and his abdomen spinning back towards the earth. However other extremities were slow to the twist, the last portion able to twist around the body was a pair of collapsible, flexible, and muscled wings. They hung in the previous space for half a second too long and caught the blast in its vigor. Next there was an earsplitting roar, a short spurt of anger that lit up the air next.
His body twisted away from the hot flames enough to whip a pair of smoking membranes out of the fire. They were as charred as the ruined forests below, yet only the back of one took the blast fully which melted away the thin membranes as easily as paper. The tip of the other was burnt, while the portions surrounding the wounded area has merely taken on a cloak of soot that looked more damaging than the wound actually was. The smell of scorched flesh blistered his nostrils and knocked him off aerial balance. As it coiled back around, the Wyrm gave the dragon a nasty hiss in the midst of the after-blast then allowed the sky to take him downward, towards the earth.
The air dropped him like a ball, kicking him out of the atmosphere as if it was exclusive, and for those unworthy to fly to be dropped to their deaths. This was the plan hidden in the instantly rag-doll like body of the half-breed as it plummeted, now breaking through the thick smoke that still billowed to its resting point. The air not only calmed the area but removed much of the smoke still lingering in the wound. For a moment it moved through the smoke until it hit the dark air underneath. Then, rearing up his legs, he spread his wounded wings outward and allowed himself to catch the updraft to slow to a stop. Soundlessly he limped back up into the cover of the clouds, the pain of the burns the numbing background music to his new strategy. It was an out of the ordinary tactic, one he was hoping the dragon couldn’t see coming. There in the smoke he would slowly rise until he was enveloped in its darkness and shielded by the sounds of burning foliage, waiting for the precise moment to emerge.
Swiftly, he enclosed his flappers and allowed his body to drift slightly downward while he started a twist with his torso, kind of a readying dive-bomb motion. Yet, soon after the gust was completed the air changed. It lit up with mana and a vast quantity of energy, bright as the sun, pumped through the atmosphere. The attacks were in quick succession, the Wyrm barely had time to see the attack just as he started his dive-bomb. Yet, the gust had blow him far enough away, with his efforts, to catch the beam as it came at him.
As his torso twisted he threw his arms. It was too late to change course now he had to continue rolling, but rolling out of the way. The momentum his arms created was enough to get his body twisted around and his abdomen spinning back towards the earth. However other extremities were slow to the twist, the last portion able to twist around the body was a pair of collapsible, flexible, and muscled wings. They hung in the previous space for half a second too long and caught the blast in its vigor. Next there was an earsplitting roar, a short spurt of anger that lit up the air next.
His body twisted away from the hot flames enough to whip a pair of smoking membranes out of the fire. They were as charred as the ruined forests below, yet only the back of one took the blast fully which melted away the thin membranes as easily as paper. The tip of the other was burnt, while the portions surrounding the wounded area has merely taken on a cloak of soot that looked more damaging than the wound actually was. The smell of scorched flesh blistered his nostrils and knocked him off aerial balance. As it coiled back around, the Wyrm gave the dragon a nasty hiss in the midst of the after-blast then allowed the sky to take him downward, towards the earth.
The air dropped him like a ball, kicking him out of the atmosphere as if it was exclusive, and for those unworthy to fly to be dropped to their deaths. This was the plan hidden in the instantly rag-doll like body of the half-breed as it plummeted, now breaking through the thick smoke that still billowed to its resting point. The air not only calmed the area but removed much of the smoke still lingering in the wound. For a moment it moved through the smoke until it hit the dark air underneath. Then, rearing up his legs, he spread his wounded wings outward and allowed himself to catch the updraft to slow to a stop. Soundlessly he limped back up into the cover of the clouds, the pain of the burns the numbing background music to his new strategy. It was an out of the ordinary tactic, one he was hoping the dragon couldn’t see coming. There in the smoke he would slowly rise until he was enveloped in its darkness and shielded by the sounds of burning foliage, waiting for the precise moment to emerge.