Caspian fiddled with a piece of old parchment paper that felt grim from age. He slowly walked with his head forward, never looking down at the paper or up in the sky; but looking at the path that lead him. Twigs and clumps of dirt were crushed under the leather sandals which covers the slayer’s calloused covered feet. His wandering cravings pushed himself to take a stroll in the grasslands just to pass the time. The paper he held was blank for it was a journal page that he yet to write in. Out of boredom he would tear pages out of his journal just to play with them.

His eyes were set on a tower, never have been there he decided to go despite the rumors of mysterious guards who killed anyone who saw them stealing from the tower. Caspian felt no fear, nor did he pay much thought to silly rumors that passed throughout time, and as lost the truth. The sound of little bugs filled the area, but the sound of a cricket was the loudest noise.

Slowly, the sky became different colors: red, purple; and even a slight tone of dark blue. And soon there was nothing but a dark blue sky filled with white stars. The stars twinkled so much that the sorcerer looked up and slightly smiled. He was always fond of the lights at nighttime, most creatures asleep and peacefulness was found at nighttime, well most of the time anyway. He took this time to stop and gaze at the stars, but a few moments later, he looked ahead at the tower and continued onwards.

The tower was close to five yards away from him so he jogged the rest of the way and stopped when he came to the door. This tower did look abandoned, but that was no reason to stop exploring the inside. Caspian’s craving for wandering reached its peek as he pushed opened the door in excitement. Although his facial expression didn’t show any sign of excitement, for he always bore an emotionless look with those pale blue eyes. The door creaked as he opened it, walking inside, he closed the door behind him. It was so dark so he decided to leave the door open to get at least the shimming light from the stars. A small drip started to land on Sunheart’s head, “Huh?” he said out loud looking up, and feeling the wetness land on his forehead.

Not caring too much, Caspian started to feel around the tower until he felt a stairway. Hoisting himself up, he began to climb the stairs. But after a few flights, tiredness sank in so he sat on the stairs and rested.

Sanctuary of the Angels Syn thought, excited at the possibility of any level of freedom from persecution, and most of all, time to contemplate her sins, and how she would redeem herself. She had gone on a fast, even though she had stolen (regretably) lettuce from a farmer a few miles back and a loaf of bread from a bakery that looked as if it had shady dealings, anyhow...or too much business-anything to keep her from thinking she had stolen from someone in need.

It pleased her that she was becoming stronger, no longer the very weak thing she had been not but three or four months before-near starvation and forced pilgramage pushed her to a limit she had never before traveled to. Her lips twitched as she remembered the way she had evaded some strange looking bear a few weeks previous, by climbing up a tree and hopping from limb to limb. Syn's legs still were sore from the cuts and bruises she suffered from that one excursion, and although fun, she hoped she would never encounter another.

The miles and people and extensive night sky she had traveled beneath all melded together and brought her to the present. She was walking toward the tower she hoped to find peace at, and lowered her hood when she saw the beautiful sight, privately noting she had never before seen such a contrast of dark and light.

The air around her blew and lifted her hair, ruffled her 'skirt', and cooled her skin. Even if she could not come to terms with the things she had done, she could at least come to peace with herself and the world she lived in-and this had been more easily acheived alone-(wo)man and nature, one on one. Sprinting the last hundred feet to the tower, she stopped, panting. The door was wide open and inside was most dark.

Not wanting to venture inside with her night-vision as her only support system, she walked a few yards around the tower till she saw another entrance (which was quite locked) but had a torch aside with a pair of flint rocks on a plate below it. She smiled, for she had worked with these before, and struck them precisely so that the torch lit with a blaze the very...second...time she struck them. And while this may have not seemed especially grand to any other, she felt proud of herself and gave a nod of satisfaction.

Returning to the original entrance, she ventured inside, only to find a stairwell (after having her darling flame dampened by a slight drip from the threshold of the doorway, and pulling her hood back up to avoid any wettness of the hair) that looked inviting. Taking out a piece of bread, she nibbled on it as she bounced up the stairs with a song (where from she had not an idea) humming from her throat. After what felt so short, yet long at the same time, she nearly fell over a form that blocked her path from moving any farther. She had not touched him yet, but had avoided it and felt herself nearly falling to keep from disturbing the figure.

((OOC: 530 words--Extreem.))

It was nice to sit and watch the sun set. The array of colors excited him, for it meant that the moon and the stars would soon be taking over the sky. Anesuri loved to watch this exchange each night, although he usually neglected to notice the sunrise. And so here he was, sitting on top of a tower, watching the sky transform itself. Now was a time for a different breed, the ones of the world whom night seemed to suit. Anesuri considered himself to be one of these. Yes, the time of night was his time.

Anesuri's presence in the Sanctuary of Angels was frequent. The main reason for this was because he liked to travel to the spire of the moon, and the grand cathedral of this city made this journey an easy one. As he sat atop the tower, his wings were folded around his body, almost as if to shield and protect himself from some unknown force. When around others, Anesuri had a tendecy to retract his wings into his back, making them invisible to others. But when alone, his snow-white wings sat majestically upon the blades of his shoulders.

Anesuri cocked his neck from left to right to loosen his tense muscles. He was feeling rather energetic, but he was very serene. He was in a trance as he stared at the celestial lights in the sky. The wind blew every so slightly against his wings, causing his feathers to sway gently back and forth. It was very relaxing, this night was, and Anesuri was sure that he could sit like this the entire night.

Anesuri would have sat there undisturbed, had he not heard a low creaking sound coming from below. Slowly he leaned over to look down, and he saw a figure walk into the tower. One of Anesuri's little red eyebrows arched in curiosity as he watched, and his wings unfolded from around his body. The person, whoever it was, had left the door opened. Anesuri was curious as to why, but he just turned and looked back up at the sky. He hadn't given the figure he had seen another thought as he allowed the cool breeze to continue brushing against his wings while he sat, once again folding his wings around himself.

Once again, Anesuri would have sat undisturbed, but his ears became alert as he heard faint sounds. It sounded as if someone was striking two hard solids together, and Anesuri, again out of curiosity, allowed his wings to unfold. He leaned over once again, but saw nothing. And so, he leaned to the other side to look down, and he saw yet another figure. The figure was holding a torch, and was making their way around the tower. Anesuri watched as this figure walked into the same entrance as the previous one. By this point, Anesuri's wings were fully unfolded and were spread completely out in the air. Being the curious little angel that he was, he began to lift himself into the air.

Slowly he descended to the ground, landing on the ground gently, and making no sound. He peered into the entrance, for it was one that he had never entered himself. However, he wondered why on this day, two figures had made their way into the tower. Without saying a word, he cast the light spell upon himself, and began to shine. He was not shining too brightly, but enough to allow him to clearly see his surroundings as he entered the tower.

Anesuri came to a stairwell, and paused for a moment. He leaned over to look up, trying to catch a glimpse of another person. He saw nothing, for his light did not extend too far. Anesuri gradually ascended the stairs, his wide eyes ever-watchful. His wings had to fold a bit at the ends as he walked, for their span was greater than the width of the stairwell. He continued to shine brightly as he walked, wondering what he would encounter within this tower. Still, he was very surprised when he began to see the figures of two people, one seeming to be sitting on the steps, and the other doing.....something. As the little angel approached, his large wings began to retreat into his back.

Barak stood in the darkness, against the wall three floors above the others. He wanted to laugh, the angels who were chasing had made the mistake of thinking that a demon would not enter the Sanctuary of Angels. He could not have believed his luck, he originally had run in to catch his breath but found that they had actually thought that he would not have set foot in such a sacred place. 'Well their loss is my gain, I now have the upper hand in my escape. he smiled, a rare happening, his luck had changed but he knew not to test it too far. He heard a flap of wings and looked out the window. "I have company? Well who is a good host not to greet his guests." he said as he walked down the staircase his rod kept off the ground. He turned and saw that there were two more than he expected. "Well I did not prepare for two more but I am sure that there is enough "hospitality" to go around." he smirked holding his rod in front of him.

Caspian stirred within his dream. He was taking a stroll through the meadow when something had disturbed his peace. Something harmful, evil, and demonic. It was an insanely bright color, followed by the brightest of array patterns. Sounds started to erupt from the dream and he woke up. He looked over his shoulder to only see a peaceful lady. She seemed nice, but there was no proof of that. He sat upright, awaiting an ambush, but it didn't come. Strange... he thought. Indeed it was. The dream, and his awakening. Both awkward. He shrugged at the cool breeze that had strangely just blown by. Breezes in a tower? Odd. he thought to himself. He made his way up the staircase but only to be stopped by a demonic warrior. He looked at the knight in a suspicious way. Well, like Caspian had thought to himself before, looks can be decieving. Maybe the knight was kind. "Greetings, I am Caspian, a Dragon Slayer's of the moon. What is your name?" He asked the knight, extending out his arm for a friendly handshake. A simple expression of rejection was distributed from the knight's face, and Caspian retreated his hand. "Hmmm, a demon-looking knight lost inside a tower in the Sanctuary of Angels, eh? Well, are you lost? I can help you, demon one, if you are." Caspian said, reaching for his trident.

(((OOC: I assume that is refrence to me.)))

"I am not lost, Dragon Slayer. I am here for my own purpose, which is on a need to know basis, and you do not need to know." he snapped back holding his rod firmly. He hoped the dragon slayer felt lucky, he was in no mood to cause trouble but if the slayer wanted it he would gladly give it in a heartbeat. "So tell me Slayer of dragons. What are you doing here since you are questioning me"


(((OOC:ICK sorry writers block)))

((OOC - You assumed correctly.))

IC - Caspian eyed the demonic knight. "Snappish, aren't we? Well, I would actually expect a little more intelligence from you, seeing as you you told me what you needed to know, and then you told me that I shouldn't know. If that makes sense to a petty demon like you, then I would expect your statements to be accurate and actually make sense." Caspian was toying with the warrior. He had no purpose in doing so, but he was bored and full of energy, why not?

"And now to answer your question. Unlike you, I have no purpose in hiding my meaning of being here. A simple reason. To meditate. A peered over my shoulder and saw the tower. I explored my way up it and ended up finding you here." Caspian replied to his question. "And also, 'to know basis'? I would expect a better excuse than that from you. Oh, woops. I forgot, your a demon! Haha." Caspian could tell he was rising the anger level from within the dark knight. "Now, if you don't mind, move your ass aside so I may move along. Your blocking the path." He said, rising rage from the warrior.

Barak quietly steamed. He would not allow the Slayer take the glory of knowing he made him mad. "Yes I do understand what you said but you missinterpreted what I said. I said I was not lost in your question asking if I was. My reply of my business is my own is telling you I have no interest in sharing what I do. he replied, but try as he might he could not hide the anger that was growing, luckaly he did not show sparks or start a storm like he sometimes did. Apparently he was not as angry as he sounded. He grabbed the man and shoved him to the wall, while holding him he stepped down a few steps below him and let go. "There I stepped aside."

Anesuri stopped walking, and dimmed his light spell. He could hear the voice of yet another within the tower. The voice did not sound very welcoming, and so Anesuri immediately disabled his light spell so that he could not be seen. He stepped down a few steps so as to listen to the conversation of the others. By now, his wings were no longer grown fro his back, as he had retracted them with his shapeshifting abilities.

Anesuri had never been the type to meddle in the affairs of others. He preferred to tend to his own business for the most part, but he could never allow evil to have its way in his presence. He decided that he would monitor the people that were up in front of him, and he listened carefully to the conversation that was now taking place.

It was funny, what you could learn from a simple conversation between two people. Apparently, one of them was a dragon slayer, and the other was a demon. Anesuri could sense the tension in the air as he felt their motives. He felt a strong murderous intent, which was sure to be coming from the demon. He felt a battle drawing closer, but he still could not be sure. And so, he decided to stay back and continue listening.

Caspian eyed the demon. Well, I see we have a brave one here. This won't take long. He thought in his mind, as he drew his trident. "Ah, so I am in the presence of an ill-tempered demon, eh? Haha." He taunted the demon on as he moved closer to him. "Do you have a death wish? Because you are awfully brave to take on a warrior who has slaughtered beasts 10 times your size." Caspian said, still grinning at the anger growing inside him. "I shall be on my way, but remember this. Touch me, I will turn around and kill you in an instant. Remember my words." Caspian said, getting ready to take a step up the stairs.

Just then, while taking the knight by surprise, Caspian spun around and nailed the demon on the head with the butt of his trident. "I'm sorry, did I hit you? Forgive me for my gastly behavior. But your tone sounded like you wanted a battle from me. Haha, well then. If it is what you want, then it is what you shall get." Caspian said, holding up his trident. "Hehe" He muttered. Caspian started slicing everywhere in his path. Pebbles rumbled and the walls cracked as Caspian leapt forward, taking a jab at the demonic knight.

((OOC: Hey, Caspian--No godmodding. I'd edit your post if I were you...))

When the thing on the stairs eyed her, then proceded on up the stairs without a word, poor Syn Lore was speechless. Did he hate her because she woke him? Even the most meaningless and innocent of her actions made others turn against her. Any high spirits she had gathered on her way dissapeared...until she heard some sort of a confrontation further on up the stairs, a dark and painful presence was not far ahead up the stairs. Perhaps he was not angry with her afterall...

Not wanting to be caught up in any kind of a fight, she turned and fled, finding it much easier to hop down the stairs at an elevated pace, and much faster as well. Her mind never stopped to consider there could be someone at the bottom of the stairs when she got there, or anyone at all along the way. She felt herself leaving the terrible and consuming power of the demon as she came down, wind pulsing around her and blowing her cloak all around her and the hood away from her face as she approached the bottom, the humidity in the air rising as if the weather were shifting.

((OOC: Yes, this is an attempt at running into someone...*Cough*Ansuri...*Cough*))

Barak turned to the man who was trying to start a fight. He narrowed his eyes but dismissed him. "I don't fight mortals who think that the best way to start a fight is to push buttons." he said as he walked down the stairs. 'Now if he was some angel or another demon that would be a different story' he heard thunder roll in the distance. "Finally a halfway decent storm comes." he said continuing down the stairs.

Anesuri was sitting quietly, almost completely bored of the conversation taking place up the stairs. But still, he was completely surprised as he saw a hooded figure running down the steps directly at him. Anesuri made a slight yelping noise as he attempted to get the figure's attention, but he was too late, as the two of them crashed into each other. Anesuri fell backwards onto the steps, and began sliding back. It hurt his back quite a bit, but he was able to stop himself by grabbing onto a step, which in turn caused him to tumble backwards onto his stomach. Anesuri slowly stood, rubbing his head. He began to look around for the hooded person, but he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

He quickly pressed his back against the wall, just as a roll of thunder rang through the stairway, echoing slightly in an eerie way. Anesuri wondered for a moment which of the earlier people from the conversation was coming his way, but soon he knew which one it was. He could once again feel that murderous intent.

The demon, Anesuri thought.

For a moment, he wondered what he should do. He could take off running down the steps, or he could stay and wait for the demon to come. Ideally, the first choice would have made the most sense, but Anesuri decided that he would stay in place. Maybe the demon wouldn't fight him, especially since he hadn't fought the dragon slayer. Anesuri assured that that he and the demon would have no problems. And so, he cast the light spell upon himself once again, causing his body to shine. It was a strange sight to see him glowing like that. It made him look like a celestial, which he was, but the sight would have been slightly strange since he looked exactly like a human at the moment without his wings.

Anesuri slowly began walking up the steps. He would greet the demon without any prejudgement. Perhaps they could even get along and be allies. Anesuri smiled slightly. But he was really thinking that he wanted the demon to leave the tower. This city was the Sanctuary of Angels, and Anesuri did not appreciate the demon being here, especially with such motives that the little angel could sense so well. He hoped that the demon would be easy to get along with, and would consent to leave. He was not naive, but he was confident enough in his own abilities to be sure enough of his well being, despite the demon's intent.

Syn's head was spinning. Her shoulder hurt. Her knees were bleeding. Ouch the widow thought, blinking and feeling as though she had been hit by a bus. She sat a moment before attempting to move, her position a painful one. Inhailing slowly, she started to cough as she picked herself up off of the stairs and looked at the person she had fallen into. He had stood, and Holy...mullete. He was glowing, and she had no idea what to do.

She stared for a moment, in awe with the beautiful sight he was. On any moment earlier, she would have taken a glowing being with a grain of sand, for he must be an angel...but his wings were not there, missing, was he like her?

She stood, a bit hunched, and fixed her cloak before reaching out a hand to touch him. Afterall, he could just be a figment of her imagination...why would an angel have any reason to hide his wings unless he had been cast out...was he like her? Did he share her past of regret?

She needed to know.

Anesuri continued to listen for the footsteps, but soon he could hear nothing. He began to grow a bit more comfortable, but holding this wingless form was beginning to hold back his comfort just slightly. After all, shapeshifting required effort, no matter how slight. Anesuri's wings began to gradually grow from his back, sliding out from under the white cape that otherwise appeared to be a fold in his shirt.

As he did this, he felt something touch his arm. Losing focus, his wings shot out from his back as his he whipped in the direction of the hooded woman. His eyebrow was arched in curiosity as to why she had touched him, and so he decided that he would say something.

"Umm..hello!" He spoke the 'hello' with an extra bit of joyfulness as his innocent smile escaped from his lips. Then he bowed gracefully as he added, "My name, is Anesuri." He stood back up and continued to smile at the hooded woman, obviously expecting a reply.

Barak gave an evil smirk, "Anesuri? Heh, a little name for a little shapeshifting angel. Interesting." he said after the angel had introduced himself. The thunder rolled outside; the storm was comming ever closer. "Tell me angel why are you here? I dont like to entertain guests without knowing their busniess." he inquired and then looked at the girl, "And what is this? Is this a fallen angel?"

Anesuri jerked his head in the direction of the demon, his red hair following the moving of his head as it swung across his forehead. He had known the demon was coming, but had lost a bit of focus as he had run into the hooded woman. However, the demon was now upon him. Anesuri's eyes stared at the demon blankly as he talked, for his words were seemingly of no interest to the angel. But still, one thing the demon had said sparked a bit of his curiosity.

"Entertain your guests?" Anesuri said in his soft voice. "I am no guest of yours, because this is not your place." His eyes still looked at the demon with a blank, emotionless stare. Before, Anesuri had comtemplated whether or not to leave the tower, for he did not wish to be a participate in any fights. But now that the demon was upon him, there was no need to run. Even still, Anesuri did not find this demon much intimidating.

"If you must know," Anesuri continued, still rather softspoken but with assurance. "I am here because I am a wanderer, and I happened to have come upon this tower on this night. I come to the sanctuary of angels often as well, and so it is likely that I would find myself in a place like this." After saying this, he stepped away from the wall of the stairs and grabbed onto the lyre attached to his belt. He then turned to begin walking down the stairs, for he was bored with his company.

At least there will be no fighting, Anesuri thought as he walked.

Lately Astra had been thinking, she had decided that her only protection was the sanctuary of the angels. So here she was in the night with a storm coming out well out in the open, the hood of her cloak was off, any rain drops that hit her evaporated immediatly, which was a pity because she would have been glad of a refreshing shower. She walked forewards towards the tower with her left forearm ablaze to light her way, she was still quite a way from the tower she could see but it was the nearest shelter to her and she didn't fancy sleeping out in the open with alightning storm coming on. It took her a good ten minutes to reach the tower and it was only when she walked inside that she could hear voices. She extinguished her arm and flattened herself against a shadowy corner, despite this her breathing was harsh and loud, she was way too nervous in time like this. But one of the voices didn't sound threatening, it was an angels, Astra could see the light eminating from his body from here and a soft angelic voice, the other voice however wa a demon's.
"Oh great" she sighed "just what I needed"
A sudden gust of wind blew the doors shut plunging Astra into pitch blackness, she lighted her arm again thanking the gods for her phoenix powers. She looked up at the steps concidering weather or not to accend them, if there was a demon up there it was the last place she wanted to be however, trapped between a storm and a demon she felt like almost giving up but decided against it, anything was better than the ordeal of the last few months. She put one foor on the stairs and began to climb up it, as soon as the other figures were in view she stopped hoping they wouldn't see her, though she wouldn't be surprised if they couldn't hear the rapid thump of her heart beating agaist her ribcage feeling like it was strong enought to actually break it. She gathered her nerves again and stepped out looking up at the figures putting out her arm before any of them noticed, she wouldn't risk people exploiting her again.