Az walked in upon this Land of the Dead, Dori'ba. He had never been here, and he approached with ultimate caution and interest. A ghost had floated past him, with a loud shrieking laugh, making Az look at it with curiousity. It didn't scare him, just made him a litlte conscious of his surroundings. He saw more and more of them, floating around, some fast, some slow, some still. He felt out of place, being the only one alive, but that should have been normal really...

He reached the top of a hill, seeing a huge gothic tombstone. He stopped before it, gazing at it. It was of a sinister looking demon, crouching upon a broken cross. Its eyes were made of rubies, making it look almost real. He stared at it with a hardened look on his face, almost as if the statue were to come alive.

Suddenly a ghost, resembling a dead knight floated by him, shrieking with laughter. It circled Az as he stood there, and soon more came and did the same. Az just stood there, watching the ghosts pass in front of him with his pure black demon eyes. He remained still and tense, ready for anything they were to do to him. He then leapt up and onto the head of the huge demon statue, and crouched there.

The ghosts followed and kept circling. He heard voices in his head this time as they circled, almost sounding like temptation. You're looking for something. Answers. A shrill voice would sound. Az kept his cool, keeping a stoic look on his face. You don't know anything about yourself and what you're capable of. You're weak. We know you're a demon on the inside. Show us.

Suddenly one came at him. Az stayed there, knowing they were just abnormal bits of energy in space. It passed through him harmlessly. Az half-grinned sinisterly and said, "I know you can't do anything to me." He then began to feel light, almost weak, but mainly light, as if he can float. He frowned at this phenomena, thinking that they might have actually done something. His body twitched a little, like when you're jolted awake for no reason when sleeping. The feeling passed, and he shrugged it off like he was just having a little spasm.

We know your intentions. You want to kill, see blood. Your demon side awaits it. The voice said in his head. Az knew it was trying something, but he didn't know what. Another ghost came at him again, and this time passed into him. It didn't come back out. His body suddenly stood up straight against his will. Az couldn't control it, but had heard of these things. One of his instructors that focused on mental strength had told him about these, where spirits take over your body. He was taught to have a strong, closed yet open mind to outside influences, put simply.

Az summoned up as much mental strength as he could, and clenched his fists to his will. He felt himself regain control of his body, and saw the ghost reappear out of him, and resume circling with the rest of the ghosts. Az crouched again, and closed his eyes, not needing his sight in this dark time of day, which it was. He focused his mental thoughts, putting up a mental barrier in his mind, and through his body. He remained conscious of his whole body, feeling every surface on it, making sure nothing came in contact. His focus in this state kept him control of his body, making sure nothing else tried taking control.

Don't resist us. Az felt bodies of energies approach quickly, only to move away soon. Shrieking laughter resumed, and he could feel failing attempts of control. He didn't dare open his eyes and loose control, but if he was, he would see multiple ghosts circle and close in, and dart away as soon as they would come within a foot of him. He didn't know what they were after, but he knew he would have a little fun experience trying to keep them at bay, and strengthen his mental capacities.

Sophie was strolling the grasslands already few days. Tired...nearly worn out she rwached land of the dead as she got lost. The chills ran through her body as she steped into these lands. " Jesus Christs...where am i at?" she mumbled some. There cold really....cold driary and spooky...but Sophie tryed to recollecth herself for she new if she will give up on her streangh she'll lose herself now.

Her hooded cloack sways with her each step and movement, hiding her beautyful face and the deep cut made by phantom blade. Her hand covering her wound slightly. The ghosts gets away from her as they steped in. " Spirit Elemewntal" they screamed and flew away from her. " Huh? Why the hell they are afraid of me?" she muttered some as bumped into some demon and stumbled back. Her widens as she saw his face and backed away." You?...No this can't be!" she nearly gasped recognizing the demon. The one who slayed her family now came for her."Stay away from me!" she yelled reaching for her katana but as soon as it appeared in her hand the other one came and knocked it out from her hand.

Hearing something off to the side, he broke his concentration quickly and jumped off the stone head. He wanted to get away from the ghosts when his concentration barrier was down, rather than be with them and get his body taken over by ghosts trying to see what was going on. If that happened, well, you got a good fighter ready to take you down with a new mind.

He took a few steps away from the demon statue, and looked to where the commotion was. He blinked his pure black eyes, looking towards a girl and a demon. Frowning slightly, he saw the woman get attacked by the demon, her only weapon knocked away and made useless. Ghosts still passed by, but they were just out lolligagging around, obviously not really trying to cause harm. For a while Az thought they were going to help the big boy demon and render the sword useless even more. Guess not. Looking more at the demon, it looked like it was out to get some frest blood, and Keira was its next target.

Feeling guilty for thinking of just not helping out and leaving, he took a deep breath and let it out, preparing mentally for the next fight. Not many times had he fought a pure demon, but he hoped he could someone out of alive from this. He charged then, sprinting with his own demon speed towards the demon. As he neared it, he jumped into the air and landed on its back, wrapping his arms into a chokehold. He tightened his grip, and suddenly threw himself backwards into a backlfip and bringing the demon with him. He slammed the demon into the ground at the end of the flip, slamming his own self on its back. He quickly got off the demon and stood up ready with his guard.

Keira was already touching a tree with her back as the demon was approaching her. It was ready to jump and attack but a stranger cought him just in time. The demon growled as was cought and even louder roared as Azlateen slammed him into the ground. It quickly stood up glaring at Azlateen. " Stay out of this if you want to be alive, scum......this is not your busyness" he scowled at him.

Keira only could wach everything. She was glad that was saved now but also is worriying about that guy named Azlateen. She slightly held her wound as she stood and watched them. Keira leaned against a tree she was nearby.

Azlateen could sence it's a demon from hell itself. It was obviously he was sent by someone to get rid off Keira and she knew it. The question is...who? Who wants her dead. Or maybe who so afraids of her that sends demons to get rid off Keira? No one knows.

((I know Az didn't have his demon form back when we started this, but lets just update it. It oughtta make things a little more interesting.))

"Yeah?" Az threw back at the demon. He grinned, and his body suddenly turned red. Wings expanded out of his back, on his torso black marking burned into his chest, and horns popped out of his head. His muscle sized increased a little bit too. His then turned back to normal, the transformation complete into his own demon form. "I don't believe in attacking random people, even though I am half demon myself." His voice changed too. It was now deep, cold and sinister.

Again he charged the demon, this time using his wings to go faster. He bent his head down, and sunk his horns into the demon's gut. Like a bull, he threw the demon up with his head into the air a few feet. On its descent, Az kicked a kick straight up and held the demon in mid air with his foot. "Get out of here before I get my side of Hell's army to teach you a lesson." He said, hoping the demon would call his bluff. He figured it probably wouldn't, but he at least had to try. He looked to Keira leaning against the tree just watching and gave her a wink. It looked like an evil wink with his now red eyes, but he didn't intend it that way.

Az didn't know what the demon was actually intending, but he knew one thing was for certain. Probably to kill Keira. It was odd for a halfling such as Az to stop such an event, but he just didn't believe in random killings. He believed in killings in the ring in an organized fighting match. Besides, who had the heart to kill such a young person?

Keira backed away from a battle and watched it leaning against a random tree. She was tired but kept herself up with ease. Azlateen's 'evil' wink made some kind of tingle inside of her and she stares at him. Not scared of that guy...but more slightly surprised." It seemes i owe you, sir.." she said pulling out a faint smile. One demon tryed to approache from behind of her but she sidesteped and tripped the demon to the ground since it was all that she was able to do. " How could i ever thank you for saving my ass from those......scums..?" she asked.

He looked back at her as she talked. Apparently he knocked out the demon, because he wasn't doing anything. So he pushed the demon up from his suspending kick, waited for him to drop a little, jumped up and slameed him back to the ground with an axe kick. The demon hit the ground hard, and was suddenly sucked down into a chasm that appeared suddenly. The demon fell through, and the chasm closed up like it was never there.

Looking back at Keira and another fallen demon, he turned back to his normal self. No horns, no crazy markings on his chest, and his wings retracted. "You don't have to thank me." He said walking over to her. "And please, do be so formal. Just call me Az. You ok? Not hurt too badly now are you?" He asked, making sure she didn't take any hard hits or anything.

Taking this chance to see what she really looked like, he looked her over. He took in her features, what she was wearing, and definitely how she reacted. Earlier he had heard the clank of metal, and looked about to see what it was. He saw a katana laying on its side a few feet away and went over to it. He picked it up and went back to Keira and handed it to her. "I believe this is yours. Right? I saw it get knocked out of your hands."

She watched him to kick demon into some kind of vortex and then smiled some faintly watching him approach him. " Well, Az.....you did really saved my ass.." she said. Keira was wearing some clothes of a traveler and a cloack ontop of them. She decided to ackt 'miss brave girl' and not to reveal that actualy her shoulder is hit and is bleeding - she tryed to hide it. But afcause she have no clue he was a demon...and some of demons may smell blood.....She shook her head taking the katana with a hand that shoulder wasn't hit." Nay.....i'm fine..." she smiled some. " Could do me a little favour and....help me to get out from this place?......" she asked politly and trying not to pass out from a blood loss. It was easy - she's making a great deal trying to stay up, but Keira had a strongest will to live that anyone could imegine.....

He nodded. "I can do that." He said with a grin. He expanded his wings from their hiding spot on his back, extending them to their 12 foot wingspan. Then he relaxed them, and let them lightly touch the ground. He was intended to give her a ride on his back, since it was way faster than walking or running. He also didn't know that one of her shoulders was wounded. By chance, letting her relax on his back rather than walk and use what little blood she had was a better way to go.

He motioned with his thumb for her to go around. "Hop on my back. I'll get you outta here in a no time. Unless you prefer to walk, you'll get a blast out of flying." He said with a grin. "So do you have a place to go or do you need a place to go?" He asked looking at her with a friendly look in his pure black eyes. He didn't know, and he thought he would ask and see what she would do.

((Errg that's the best I got))

Keira smiled and noded to him walking around. She approached him and climbed onto his back wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs about his waist she rested her head onto his shoulder with a faint smile. She felt safe with this handsome guy and didn't care what he is - Azlateen saved her life and it is the most important thing. " You have a good a good heart, Azlateen" she whispered into his ear softly. Her whisper sounded like angel's sigh. Where to take her to? That was a good question. " Maybe....temple of light....if that's possible...." she said. " Or any other safe place from those demons......i bet...i know they won't leave me alone.....but at in the temple of light i will be safe......at least untill i will..." she kept speaking and went silent as she relized that almost told him that is hurt. Keira so wanted to close her eyes and sleep but knew that she wouldn't wake up then. It was actually...her secound serious wound......and secound flyght...


First time she was injured more serious - to her stomach few months ago. Keira recovered surprisingly fast but there still is a scar that will remind about that night and of a guy who saved her life.It was a handsome angel that she almost has fallen for....but he took her into a monastery and left..since that day she didn't see him...not even kissed for a goodbye.....only was able to grant a gentle hug....And now so she was hurt once again....saved by a handsome guy and was gave for a secound fly to a safe place...just one question remains in her mind.....will he stay with her? Or maybe will leave like that angel? Perhaps she should not to fall for him so fast? But what she could do? Keira was angel halfling who always falling for a guy fast as soon as she sees something special about him. And so she saw it in Azlateen. Now ponders.....if she can trust her heart to him or not.....

(it's akright.my own posts became shorter.....*chuckles*)

"Well, lets just start flying and we'll think of something." He said with a chuckle. He then thrusted up with his wings and took off somewhat quick, trying not to go so fast that she'd fly off. They ascended up a few hundred feet and he leveled out and just started gliding towards the temples as she suggested. He knew she cut herself off from saying something important, just the way she went silent. It sounded like it was a bad thing, so he though he'd cheer things up perhaps. "Ok this is Azlateen, your flight attendant. Please fasten your safety extensions so that you do not fall off, smoking is not appreciated as it kill everyone around you, and please be careful not too relax too much and fall asleep." He said in an official tone with a joking grin on his face the whole time. "You might not wake up from that sleep up here."

She wasn't too heavy, as he could still fly at a fast speed with ease. Which was good, otherwise he'd have to take breaks. "So you said temple of light? I could do that. Anywhere is safe from demons once you're out of the land of the dead, so anywhere is fine. And anywhere with me I'm sure you'll be fine. Yeah, and, no need to hand on so tight now." He said, feeling himself being a little choked around the neck. He chuckled a little, as it wasn't too bad.

She smiled some at Azlateen's jokes. Oh he really made her smile. Azlateen proved again being worthy for her to fall for him. But now to her was important how not to fall asleep, for she fell as she began to slowly weaken from a bloodloss." You....do have a sence of humor.." she cooed softly." I like that...." she said as her grip onto him loosened itself. " Az.....they.....are chasing me...whereever i'd be...." she said......i can never feel fully safe.....just as much.....as i can defend myself....." she explaind and half closed her purple eyes. A faint smile came to her lips." Ya know?.....This is.....my secound...fli...ght.." she said faintly. Keira hardly could speek.....pain didn't bother her much......not anymore...once she hated pain and couldn't handle it now she is used to it.....but she feels.....sleepy and dizzy......and this is more dangerous than a bloodloss......

He could hear her drift off into sleep the way her words were starting to get farther and farther apart. Maybe she was hurt and she just didn't say anything. "Come on, stay with me. I need you awake the whole time." He said giving her a nudge with his elbow. "Come on, lets stay awake. Tell me about yourself. What's your name? How old are you? What do you like to do for fun?" He started to get worried about her, so he sped up a little bit, heading directly for the temple. He had been there once or twice before, and knew exactly where it was.

"Stay with me. So this is your second flight you said?" He was doing all he could to keep her awake. If she fell off, he'd have to dive bomb to catch her, then he'd really have to double up to get to the temple. He was going to have to check her over once they got there. There was no way she was ok in this state. He flapped his wings a few more times to gain even more speed. At this rate, they were to be there in no time.

She smiled at his questions that spilled from his lips all of a sudden. That showed that he really cared about her and she's grateful that he doesn't allows her to fall asleep...at least untill they will be at a temple. " My name is Keira...." she said softly smiling to herself. " Well..there's not much to tell about myself....i'm 20 years old angel halfling that has no any special powers....." she thought for a moment." Fun, hmm?" she kept speaking." Well......i like to sing....." she said.

"Yeah....my secound flight.....i'll tell you about it once we'll get to the temple....it's a long story.....and it was my chance to get a boyfriend but....just slipped away..." she said with a sigh.

Well he was glad that she was now awake again. She seemed to be hanging on by a thread, but she was hanging in there. "Really? Half angel? Wow that makes us total opposites Keira. I'm half demon." He said with a laugh. "But I seem to have special powers. You like to sing you say? Jeez I was never into any of those arts. Probably because I never had the motivation. I was always too busy training myself to fight, and getting in lots of fights. That was my kind of fun, getting in fights."

"A missed opportunity for a boyfriend? Now how did you manage to pass that one up?" He asked sarcastically looking back at her with a grin on his face. He looked back and saw the temple of light a ways ahead of them. "Alright we're almost there. I'm sure that there's more you can tell me about yourself. Just stay with until then." He nudged her a little more, and sped up some more. He still wasn't flying as fast as he could, but he didn't want her flying off and making things worse.

" I can swear i thought your angel.." she said smiling to herself. It was a note and a compliment in one. " You have a golden heart.....i call that...." she said. " It doesn't matter race to me since more important is what you hold inside of your heart." She said and smiled again holding onto him. " Yeah i like to sing.....my mother had a beautyful voice and left it to me as a legacy...." she said...." I guess everyone has their own wayn of expressions and fun......i tolerate it as long as it doesn't hurts others...." she said closing her eyes for a secound and then reopens again. "Yeah.....guess your right.....it was my fault to let that opportunity to slip away...." she said sighing some. " It's....a long and interesting story...............................also demons were included......" she said and griped onto him.


(now you post at the temple of life)