Battle on the Border - Ayithe Vs Elite Optic (Closed)

[Ayithe Solete]

Sat right on the mountainous border of Salvar to Raiaera, she lay there, unconscious, alone and about to wake under the warmth of the afternoon sun. Her attacker lost to the mountain, but her survival still not ensured as unbeknownst to her, the dead continues to pursue.

Ayithe opened her eyes for what felt like the first time in a long time. The heavy feeling the first of many, her vision blurred as if distorted by a heat haze; yet as she came to it slowly came into focus.

Before her, the land spread across at a tilt, the sky to her right cloudy but bright. It seemed strange at first but it quickly became apparent she was lay on the hard ground. She in took a long deep breath, her body finally waking up, she could feel the icy cold wind blasting against her and the hard uncomfortable rocky landscape beneath her.

Finally the view before her became clear, one of her disk blades lay free upon the ground, surrounded by rocks of varying shapes and sizes. Tugging her arm out from underneath her she tried to sit up, the sharp pains coming from her legs and forehead then took over. It was a sudden reminder, like a hit of nostalgia she realised she knew where she was. The mountains, the long, often steep mountain sides that stood tall before dropping down to the flat landscape below.

What has happened to me?

It was tough to remember what had happened; while her head banged with an enormous ache and her legs numb feeling beginning to relax as they shuddered to life. She was lay amongst a small landslide, evidently narrowly avoiding being crushed to death by the very earth itself. The giant grey boulder that sat beside her would have squished her like a grape, yet she remained alive, just a few inches away.

A slight tickling ran down her forehead, she stared a little frightened as she caught it on her finger; blood. It was difficult to understand exactly how hurt she was, but the more she came to, the more apparent it became she wasn’t as bad as she should have been. The devastation before her was terrifying and had laid waste to what must have been the path she had travelled.

Beginning to check herself over, she was full of small cuts and bruises that had already appeared. Her arms, unprotected by her Darkling skin attire, were full of grazes. She was starting to feel as colourful as her black and red merging attire, but at least the blood had mostly clotted and dried out. If only she could get rid of this headache.

Sitting up properly she then used the boulder beside her to stand, it was big enough it wasn’t going to shift under her weight. Her right leg went limb for a moment, and she nearly buckled under the shooting pain that that shot up. Tensing up dramatically she took a moment to accept the pain, it was painful for sure, but she had to bear with it.
Steadying herself she carefully put her foot back down. The same pain, although less sharp this time shook her. Taking some steady breathing she could stand on her own, but she would be carrying a limp for a while.

At least it’s not broken… She thought relived at her lack of injuries.

Looking around again it didn’t appear that there was going to be another landslide, everything that had collapsed was smashed up in the earth behind her. The rising peaks either side of her continued to lift up to the sky, but created a valley of which appeared like a giant crevasse. No matter how long she stared, she couldn’t make out any way back, it was either blocked or too dangerous to consider.

Leaning on her left leg she placed her hands on her hips, her strength gradually returning to her, but her mind not as eager. Was this the way she came from, or was going through? It was a question that bugged her, but since she was forced to head away from the crevasse and down the mountain; she would just have to go with what she was left.

“My disk…” She muttered as she felt the empty hook, his disk blade missing.

Her heart skipped a beat, her favoured weapon, expensive too, and it was missing. Turning around as gracefully as she could she limped about as she looked around the wreckage of rocks and dirt. Then, there it was, lying on the floor, the matching disk blade exactly where she saw it just moments ago.

Oh…I totally forgot. This damn headache.

She held her forehead, the ache overwhelming her normal thought process, it was hard to concentrate. She knocked her shoulder length hair back, it used to be platted, the brown and blonde strands intertwining together; except now it looked shaggy, dirty and any neatness to it, long since disturbed. She was cold, sore and her short term memory lost, at least temporarily.

Recovering her disk blades she re-hooked it on her belt, clipping the hook shut to secure it. A town sat some distance from her position, the people small enough from her perspective to be ants. It was going to take some time for her to hobble down there.

Then and only then did she remember, she wasn't normally alone, she had been with someone.

Raslin...Where are you?

The thought shook her deeply, was he under the rubble? She turned to look back once more, even if he was, she would never be able to find him here. Her breathing picked up in a panic as the thoughts and worries filled her mind, but the harder she tried to think the worse her headache became. She dropped to her knees, clutching her forehead as it continued to ache heavily.

Oh please...Please don't say I've lost you too...No, I'd remember if you were here...But where are you... Her worries and pain just continued to flow, and Ayithe quickly flooded up with tears. It wasn't just fear of losing Raslin, but the stress of her situation, the physical pain that reminded her she had only just survived a serious incident.

Her sore eyes wept, no one else would evoke such a reaction from her, and even then there was no hard proof he was under the rubble before her. She had to try and tell herself that she didn't know, she had to tell herself he wasn't there. It was difficult to fight such a strong emotion, but she would have to and she would.

Wiping her eyes with her dirty fingers a few smears of clean skin began to show beneath the thick dust that had enveloped her. Her wet tears the only dampness upon the dry mountain path. She coughed to the realisation her mouth felt as dry as a desert, she needed a drink and had nothing of which to taste.

Ok…I need a drink...Then I need some help to find him. I won't give up on you...You never gave up on me...

It was that thought of Raslin and that thought alone that would drive her on. If she was going to have any real chance of seeing him again, she had to get up and move herself.

The uneven feeling she felt as she stood again was not pleasant, the dizziness must have been some light concussion. She was unsteady, probably dehydrated, but now was as good a time as any to get going.

[Elite Optic]

Elite Optic continued to stride he way up the mountain side, such a distance and climb would have been difficult if he had muscles; the joy of being dead.

The cold wind howled as it blew across the mountain side, Elite imagined it to be cold, fitting with the dry lifeless ridge that was the mountain he scrambled. His large size and stature making short work of the larger ledges and steep cliff sides. His jaw clenched, the old stained teeth of his skeleton face grinding against themselves, and this was the best attempt at a smile he could muster.

The void of a face that showed no emotion, but this was exactly what made him even more frightening to look at. He loved being what he was, and it was so much better than being alive. No pain, no fatigue and most importantly, the best poker face you could picture.

Finally, after hours of traveling across the landscape and up the mountain, he found the path he was looking for. It had taken him some time to find it again, he knew it was there, but he had started so far away he had been stating to think he may have made a wrong turn. The wind continued to howl as he looked up the surprisingly well trodden route, the flattened rock formed an easy to path to grip when walking and visually easy to follow.

He lifted his sword up and over his shoulder once again, resting the giant rusty iron blade across his skull rack on his back. The wind whistled through the skulls that remained speared on his rack, making a bizarre sort of tune as he walked.

He peered up into the cloudy sky, his faithful undead crow, flying around in the distance, a distinct black mark that prominently stood out against the blue like a vulture hovering over its dying prey. Yet this crow was searching, searching for their victim they had been hunting for some time, and they always found their prey.

The crow carefully searched the land before him, eagle eyed and determined to do his master proud. He had hung over the woman in question for many hours, unconscious but alive, and yet as Elite had finally closed in on her position he had awoken. Beginning to move away in the opposite direction; yet even if she could walk properly, she couldn't outrun him forever.

It was only a matter of time.

Pleased to see his master arriving he flew down, his feathers rustling in the wind as he made a long slow glide down towards the ground. The black soulless eyes of the crow remembered what it had seen, like a photograph in hits mind, it would transfer her position to Elite Optic.

"Massster.." The crow uttered with a long lisp, before swooping down one final dip, it raised its mouldy wings wide and caught the gust enough to come to a stop and land eagerly on the skeleton frame of Elite Optic.

"Is she alive?" Elite asked curious to find his journey was not a wasted one.

"Yessss." It replied tilting its head to look into Elite Optic's fiery eyes. The giant skeleton a less decorated undead creature than the crow, but considerably more dangerous. It must have been a strange frightening sight for anyone to see them, the walking dead were feared as great as any ferocious beast. Yet Elite was more than just a walking corpse of bone, his yellow and brown tainted bone was thick, his frame as large as twelve foot tall, and his intelligence as great as any living human.

He knew the importance of finding her before she could reach more civilisation, human's had a tendency to work together when threatened. Like a band of wolves they can attack and defend with deadly consequences. He had experience of that as a human, those days were full of bad memories, betrayal, fear, pain. At least he no longer had to concern himself with that, he had his orders from death himself, the contract was broken and the debt had to be paid.

[Ayithe Solete]

Ayithe continued to limp down the path, the steep slopes making it difficult to navigate and more than often, as the path crossed the rocky dips, she had to slip down to her bum and slide down step by step until flatter land. Thankfully, the lower she got, the easier the path became.

The trail led right into Raiaera's territory, she hadn't been there before, but she couldn't turn around and return to Salvar.

It may not have been a cliff drop and she didn't need to climb down anything, but with her injured leg and the dizzy spells making her balance waver, she had to take her time. This journey was slower than anticipated.

Damn it! She almost shouted out for real as she slipped, her bum slapping against the floor with a thud, while the loose crumbles of rock dug into her backside and thigh. She tensed up, her teeth clenched and now an expressive urge to rub her own bum cheek. She quickly did, knocking the dirt off first and then rubbing as if it would make the pain all go away.

It was old habit, and it never magically healed her but at least for her own peace of mind, it made her feel better. Knowing she had to keep moving, she stood up again and continued on her way. In truth it was getting a little easier the longer she progressed, maybe she just needed time; she hoped so at least.

It hadn't taken too long but finally some greenery began to fill in the dull scenery. First a mossy green and a couple of shrubs. Then a few bushes, small flowering plants and then even tree's began to fill the lower mountain side. It hadn't lessened the rocks that still plagued the surface, but the fact plant life was filling in all the cracks and spaces, she knew water couldn't be too far off. This land was better than just dry rock, and the abundance of tree's showed Salvar was being left behind.

Oh the wonder of water, it would feel so good right now, on her lips, on her face, anywhere, just so she could taste and feel it again. She felt herself pick up, an urge to push through the limp, and while it wouldn't magically disappear at least she had the drive to push past the hurt.

She had dropped down the mountain side some distance now, but the ant like town in the distance didn't look any bigger. Soon even the town began to leave her view as the foliage filled in the land, and the tree line raised above her.

Then to her desperation, running water, a stream at least, she could feel it in the cool moist air before hearing it.

Oh my word...

Ayithe limped with purpose through the bushes, sliding over a large moss covered rock and then scrambling across the loose green earth before stopping by the water's edge. A stream of beautiful fast flowing water ran before her. She felt the urge the cry again, the relief inside surging up like an overflowing well.

She had never felt so thirsty, she had never felt so vulnerable, and this was the first thing on her little journey that felt right. Cupping her hands into the cold water she splashed her face, then a second time as she enjoyed the wet that washed over her skin. Water had never felt so wonderful. She cupped a third time but quickly brought the puddle between her fingers to her mouth, the refreshing taste of fresh mountain water was beyond fantastic.

"Oh thank you earth, fate favours those who do not give up." She felt proud of herself, with lack of recent memory and injuries enough to keep her stranded, she had clambered down the mountain to her first success.

She felt herself shaking as she slurped at the water, the cold didn't help, but her body was in need of a refill. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment, laying their face first in the flowing stream; her hair draped over head as it dipped into the water. For this moment at least, she could ignore the pain in favour of her satisfied thirst.

Sitting forward, she dunked her whole head in the water. Her face cleansed, her wound clean, her hair soaked and dripping drenched down over her shoulders. The dirt and dust washing off her like mud off a diamond; she sparkled in the sun, the warm rays enough to dry her off, over time at least. She stroked her hair back, the water trickling off and down her back. Now allowing the pouring water to wash down her clothing and reveal the mesmerising red colours of the Darkling skin attire.

As if it had given her a new lease in life, Ayithe felt so much better now. At least she was refreshed enough to continue towards the town.

I should keep going, I'm not too sure how much day time I have left to travel.

The caw of a Crow or Raven flew overhead, the black spread wings in the blue sky easy to spot amongst the white puffy clouds as it hovered over her position.

Great, even nature is expecting me to die. It'll be vultures next...

Using the sun's position she could acknowledge it was past midday, but time waited for no one and she needed the safety of the town, somewhere to rest and eat up. It was a short but meaningful rest by the steam, but now Ayithe would continue.

[Elite Optic]

He stood up top the collapsed mountainside, the old and often well used mountain path was now destroyed, hidden from view and unsafe to travel.

At least it was the for the living.

Elite Optic had no reservations on crossing it, climbing up over the rocks and soiled earth. It was a mess, a variety of colours for both rocks and dirt. Yellows, merged with dirty browns, dark browns with light greys and highlights of a clay red and mossy green. The earth always held some beautiful oddities that were only revealed in the dramatic, and Elite did appreciate it, though more the dramatic side now.

The occasional slip was not nearly as nervous as it would have been if he was alive. He had no heart to beat with nerves and no muscles to get shaky as he got tired, it was all just too easy. The rising mountain side still looked loose and could continue to cave in, but even then, it didn't matter to him. He could get crushed, swallowed up and destroyed in the living world, but he would always come back.

It made him feel strong, feel proud and fearless, but he had to admit, even if it was for just a moment, he sometimes missed the reality of being alive. The thrill was not always the same without a heart to help pump the adrenalin through the body.

Finally, after grafting through the wreckage, and succeeding in avoiding any further landslides he had made it to the other side of the mountain pass. He leapt off the top of the dirt hill, landing with a mighty thud back at the path, his own weight pushing him into a crouch before he could raise once again.

So close now...I can feel it...

The crow circled in the sky a little further down the mountain, slyly highlighting exactly where he needed to be. His target, his prey, his kill. He could see what could have been her foot prints in the settled dirt, they soon disappeared over the rocky footpath but it was enough evidence to suggest she had been here not so long ago.

Quickly he dashed down the path. The trail now much safer than the collapsed path behind him, so he could rush without concern for the rocks behind him. He even took shortcuts, dropping over the large rocky sides to avoid slow the makeshift steps. He was probably too big for them anyway.

Clearing rocks, sliding down the earth and then passing the tree's as he approached the lower quarter of the mountain. Again he looked up at the sky, his loyal servant circling overhead; he was here.

Now he could get himself ready, build himself up for battle, rev up his determination and enjoy the moment like he always did.

I am here for you...Are you ready for me...Are you ready to fight for your miserable life?

Stepping around the large tree's he should have been able to see her, the foliage wasn't that thick, but she appeared hidden at first. She must have heard him, surely. A river ran to his left, a water source she may have crossed, but thicker larger amount of bushes sat in front of him, she couldn't be far either way.

"YOU DARE RUN FROM ME?!" He shouted powerfully, his deep voice echoing over the local area.

I know she's no coward, she's too good for that...But she won't escape this time, she can't get away from me, not again.

He chose, pushing his way through the bushes before him, the water still trickling to his left as he listened for splashing footsteps. The leaves and branches brushed past him awkwardly, but finally, revealed his victim, his escapee who had got further away than any other before him. The beautiful brave brunette, limping but alive; she hadn't got far from their last encounter. Another moment passed where he could have smiled excitedly; but again he just gritted his teeth in that eerie manner that only a plain skull could achieve.

"Did you think you could escape that easily? Because once you're on my list, I always find you."

[Ayithe Solete]

That familiar voice, the deep bellowing voice that called out to her. Why did she fear it so much? She couldn't physically remember what it was, but her heart and stomach shuddered in fear. It wasn't always easy to know why, or understand how she knew, but she just knew, something within the subconscious told her to run.

Who...

Yet that was exactly it, she wanted to know who it was out there, who it was that was making her tremble, the hair on her skin stand up, and her heart race in a fearsome anticipation. She held her position, foolishly, but what was the point in running? She could only move so fast anyway, surrounding by an uneven rocky surface and not far to her rear, another short drop. No, it all felt a bit pointless to hide now, she would confront her fear.

The bushes before her began to rustle, not just from the light wind, but shifting to one side as her pursuer stepping through. It was like a nightmare, a frightened image or drawing from a child when they feared a creature under the bed at night. What stepped into view was not a man, but a monster, a skeleton of superior size and stature.

"Oh...shit..." The words simply fell from her mouth in shock.

There was something seriously wrong with this, she had seen so much in her travels but this was breath taking and terrifying. Yet as her heart pounded and her wobbled backwards with a loss of balance, a flood of memories came rushing back. She had seen this monstrosity before, she had feared it's burning eyes and soulless smile, she had been running from this unstoppable creature for some time.

"Did you think you could escape that easily? Because once you're on my list, I always find you."

It's words struck hard as she steadied herself, reminding her exactly why she had been laid upon the mountains rubble in the first place.

She had been running, travelling across Salvar to escape this thing, it had attacked her, but why? How had she ever come across such a thing? Why was it still chasing after her?

So many questions crossed her mind, as some images of memories tried to surface, she could remember it's eerie voice, she could remember staring at it, face to face, but not here, not in the mountains. She remembered the shaking earth as the mountain collapsed, but it was all so brief. Flashes of the truth but not enough to ever fully understand.

Now here it was again, resting it's human sized sword on its shoulder. The giant skeleton stood intimidating, more than twice her size and looked like it could have been thousands of years old. It's bones not pristine clean, but dirty and yellowed out with the brown earth seemingly staining it. Everything oversized as if in human, but its frame resembling exactly that. How had she ever escaped such a thing?

It strangely looked smug, something about its posture, relaxed as if it had already won the battle. As scary as it was, she calmed herself, stood upright and gripped a disk blade in her right hand. She knew that arrogance, she had seen it many times before, so even if this was a creature of the undead; it acted with human qualities.

I don't have much choice now, and I might not be able to make you bleed...but I can still hurt you with this.

Ayithe held her weapon close, but more importantly she held onto her own little surprise. The purple stoned necklace that hung gracefully around her neck was for more than just decoration. She rarely used it, but now was the perfect time, and such a sizable enemy was the perfect target.

Spreading her stance aggressively she gritted her teeth and tensed her body up, she may have been recovering but she would never give up until it was over. She had learned that over the years, that's exactly why she was still here, fighting, surviving, living. If she had take a beating, bleed and cry, if it meant living at the end of this, she would do it.

"Hurrrragghhh..." She roared out with a mighty effort. Her whole body swinging and spinning as she lugged the disk blade into the air. Her own balance consequently tipping as she dropped to the floor on her hands and knees.

It lifted into the wind beautifully, gliding like a bird of prey as it flew towards its target. Yet as it curved through the air, it sparked, and flames arose from the very metal itself. Purple flames that erupted and outstretched from the disk. The circular ring of flames spread out to widen the width of her attack, roaring and burning out another meter in length, this weapon was more than just steel.

[Elite Optic]

Elite chuckled to himself inside, he did enjoy the surprise he gave upon first sight. The young woman startled worse than any normal man could give. Although, after their previous meetings he hadn't expected such a surprise from her, either way, he enjoyed it. He relaxed his posture, his rusting sword still resting across his shoulders.

What will the little lady do?

The seconds ticked away and he remained still by the bushes, patiently waiting with no desire to defend or attack. Maybe he was too confident but when you don’t feel pain in the conventional sense; then there was very little to be concerned about.

As expected, he didn’t have to wait very long. He wasn’t generally the most patient person when he was alive never mind since becoming a skeleton. Yet when they were as resilient as she was, when they could escape from him for this long, it was always worth the wait. Taking a hold of her weapon Elite watched calmly, still refusing the budge as the threat from her became clear.

Nothing new I see… He leaned forward as if to step into battle.

Then he finally got exactly what he wanted, a surprise.

The blade approached fast enough from her attack as it was, but then it literally erupted with flames. Roaring and burning like her weapon was made of kindling. Elite hadn’t witnessed this before, the lady who had done so much, still had a trick up her sleeve.

Well…That’s new.

It was too late to move, and for that moment as the blade connected, striking hard into his oversized rib blade, he wasn’t sure what to think. The flames engulfing his chest were a strange sensation, but he couldn’t just ignore this, not until he knew exactly what it had done.

They dissipated into nothing, the blade, stuck solidly within what would have been his chest, protruding from the rear of the ribcage. The flames had died down, but a light steam seemed to rise from within him, the singed bone still burning as if covered with acid, right from his spine to his shoulder.

“Oh, that was a big mistake…”

The anger within him rose uncontrollably, he almost forgot he wasn’t here to kill her outright, he had bigger plans. Yet right now, his frustration from the surprise of her attack boiled over into a mini temper tantrum.

He wanted to lash out and make her pay; his bony hand tightened around the hilt of his sword and he finally lifted it from his shoulder. He liked a strong prey, but he didn’t like being outdone or embarrassed; it was time to show his strength.

Raising the rusty old cleaver above his head, he charged forward angrily and brought the blade down in a mighty slashing attack from above. The strong image quickly forming in his mind of her blood covering the dirt and gravelly floor beneath them.

[Ayithe Solete]

Her lip trembled a little as she realised the lack of impact. It may have sliced into its chest but there was nothing to damage, nothing to bleed or injure. She might as well have slapped it across the face, like punching granite with her fist, she had achieved nothing.

Nothing...? What a waste of time...

She watched, fighting the terrifying urge inside of her to panic and scream. What was this thing and why had it been trying to kill her? It barely moved from its towering position, the massive skeleton appearing a little surprised at the fire but unfazed by its potential damage.

The steam from the burning effect continued to rise from its bones and then, and only then did the skeleton turn to her once more. Releasing its sword, as if enraged by her attempt to fight back, it charged forward. It's slicing attack was obvious, a straight forward slash that would surly chop her in half should it connect.

Oh shit...

Leaping across the ground into uncontrolled roll the attacking blade met with a mighty crash into the ground beside her. Dust sprung into the air and the gravel of rocks rattled across the ground like scurrying mice from the impact zone. She came to halt just a meter away, her determined face hiding the fear she felt inside.

A few memories tried to surface, the dust and falling rocks of her last encounter. Yet she could only briefly picture them, the collapsing land slide and her panicked run to escape being crushed flickered before her eyes. These blurred quickly images faded with the settling dust, a concise memory that told of a bigger story, but no answers were given.

I can't stay here...

She almost froze in hesitation as her chest tightened with nerves, all the while watching as one of her disk blades remained stuck within one of its ribs.

Then, she fled.

She couldn’t stand here an engage in battle, ignoring the fact she was still recovering from her recent ordeal, she didn’t know how to injure this creature.

Ayithe didn’t look back, turning tail and dashing through the nearest of bushes. She battled her way through the pain as her leg ached, but as her adrenalin flowed she just continued to pushed harder and harder.

Running forcefully through another large bush she bowed her head to slide under the thicker branches, the odd one twanging and slapping her back like a whip. The odd bits of greenery stuck to her damp hair and small branches tore off as they became entangled in her movement.

She nearly stumbled, the plants and uneven ground wasn't easiest to navigate as she pushed through the foliage. She looked back over her shoulder for the first time, nervous to where her undead assailant now was.

I can outrun it, I’m sure I can…but where is it?

Smack!

Ayithe thudded into a tree, the firm thick tree barely rustled to her impact. Gritting her teeth and desperately rubbed her newly sore shoulder. She had managed to raise her hands to protect her head, but it only made her collision more awkward.

She wobbled sideways, gripping a low hanging branch to steady herself. Her foot slipped as she tumbled to her backside with her legs hanging free.

Confused she looked up and around her.

She now sat looking down from a rock ledge, the drop footed by a small plunge pool was like a mini oasis for the dry rocky mountain. Surrounded by a crowd of lush green trees and small shrubs that littered its coast.

Holding into the branch she quickly peered over the edge, the tree's roots grasping the rock's surface like a clasping hand.

This rivers only small, I'm not sure how deep that pool really is...

She looked over her shoulder again, the rustling of leaves became evident, and the black crow still cawed over head. Now she would climb down.

[Elite Optic]

The two meter long Cleaver of the Dead crashed into the ground with an almighty strike, and dust exploded out into the air. Like a low hanging cloud it shrouded their local, hazing the immediate surroundings as it engulfed them like a swarm of insects.

It only took that one strike for his anger to subside, his bony hands still holding tight the hilt to the rusty blade. Watching intently on her next move through the dust, she had rolled to one side but close enough that no amount of thick dust could hide her from him.

“COWARD!” He shouted as loud as he could.

She had fled, dashing off as he paused in his aggressive stance. She could flee all she wanted, she couldn’t hide from him now. Even if he had lost sight, the circling Crow above continued oversee everything.

Looking at the closed eye of the Cleaver, he smirked inside. You will taste blood again soon… Lifting it back to his shoulder, it rested neatly on his rack while he continued to hold the hilt in preparation for furthering the battle.

It was times like this however he felt a little frustrated, while the thrill of the chase was always there on the inside, it was difficult to express his emotions beneath the ever frozen still face of his skull. The emotionless abyss that he now portrayed, betrayed his humanity; he expressed himself so well when he was alive, but his expressive face was no longer available to the rest of the living.

He calmed himself, he couldn't afford to kill her outright, not until she confessed where her accomplices were. He marched after her, the many bushes and young trees not even an irritant, he breezed past, towering over them as he did. She couldn't get far.

The longer she remained out of the sight the more annoyed he felt, each plant and bit of vegetation he stepped through made him worse she remained out of sight.

Where has she gone?

There wasn't many places to hide, she could only go one way, he'd hear her cross the river and the foliage lessened to his right. She could not escape, not this time.

Smashing his way through yet another bush he practically ripped it free from its roots as dirt flung through the air. There she was, disappearing down over the rocky edge.

"You can't run from me Ayithe!"

Clinging to the roots of the overhanging tree, she was lowering herself out of reach, but with only the long gnarled roots of the tree to climb down she left herself in a potential predicament he was happy to create.

You'll live...for now.

Gripping the blade with both his hands he stepped into action; albeit in no real rush. The giant sword sharp and weighty enough to make short work of the tree's roots. He aimed his swing carefully, right to the top of the main root; once severed the thinner tangled roots would not hold her weight alone.

[Ayithe Solete]

It didn't look promising as he approached her, but Ayithe didn't stop to exchange any looks between them. She desperately lowered herself down the rock side, the steep drop enough to stop her from jumping outright but not enough to halt her finding her way to safety.

Dirt and lose stone crumbled away around her as she hurried her way down; the odd root breaking away as she climbed past it. Then a loud chop and crunch sounded from above her, enough to startle her own movement.

She looked up, her own eyes distinctly concerned as she stared through the falling dirt and splintered wood. Only then did she realise; as she watched the sunlight shadow his towering figure above her, that he had cut the base of the root to what she had chosen as her ladder.

The sound of cracking and snapping wood filled her ears and a multitude of brown debris fell around her before it literally broke away from the rock.

There was nothing more to grip or hold and Ayithe felt her weight shift. She tossed backwards involuntarily, leading with her upper body as the roots gave way; her hair swaying under the lift.

Hitting the water with an ugly slap and splash, Ayithe was engulfed within the plunge pool, filling the blue with a dirty brown of mud and wood.

She pushed back the surface; the fortunate act of not having bashed any rocks on her way into the water. She swam awkwardly towards the side until she could stand; it only took a moment, but even when she stood the water now weighted her down.

Standing in the shallows she looked back up the beside the cascading water, the mocking stance of an overconfident assassin. He just seemed to stare at her as she caught her breath, her heart racing, her skin goose bumped from the cold water, and her chest raising rapidly as she gathered her breath and regained her composure.

"I will strike you down you walking carcass!" She gritted her teeth as she dragged her sopping hair from her face.

Another droplet of river water ran down her cold face, and yet another memory flashed before her; a tiresome fight, a sweaty forehead and a pile of broken bones.

She had been here before.

Holding her arms out wide, she released her wrist blades. The sliding metal clinked into place, the thin blades sharp and dangerous; now protruding from her forearms.

Maybe I shouldn't be so afraid.

[Elite Optic]

He chuckled to himself as she crashed down into the depths below; the now loose tree roots collapsing like a rope ladder cut at the peak. The slack ground crumbled by his feet as she fell to reveal the large rock that solidified the ground beneath him, he wouldn't be following her down so hastily.

She arose from the water almost immediately, lugging herself across the surface in a determined but tiresome way. Still as she raised valiantly to her feet once more it was clear the warrior within her was still alive. The drenched but resilient Ayithe Solete, entirely soaked and stressed, nursing injury and most certainly feeling at a loss.

Many have tried to understand, many had searched for a weakness, but being reborn by the author of the deceased gave him few weaknesses.

"I will strike you down you walking carcass!" She screamed up to him, defiant in her stance.

Sometimes, when he saw such determination, when he felt such raw willpower from within a person; that prowess reminded him of how he used to be. It was an attractive trait in a person, and Marcus, his name in the land of the living, would have loved such a woman.

Sure she was beautiful, but she was strong and feisty, pure and strong willed. He could still admire her: he could still look at her and imagine gripping her thigh with his real hand, stroking her wet hair with his real fingers and caressing her as she fell into his will.

Still, he was far from that person he once was and it was rare that something could evoke such memories and feelings within him. This woman was a rarity for him, but even so, he had a job to do.

Tis a shame, but one has no function for sexual desires anymore.

He slapped his own skull as if to break himself from the day dream, it was time for her to give him answers.

Stepping around the tree Elite opted to steer clear of the water before leaping for the waters shore. He landed with a crunch, the fresh soil shifting beneath his weight as he crouched to cushion the landing. The steam still arose from his skeletal frame as his bones still sizzled from the earlier attack, something he was enjoying. He appeared as if his body was smoking, singed from the flames and still too hot to not continue burning; he considered it a shame he was not glowing red with the heat.

Yet, he had to consider what the blade within him was doing, it had to go.

No more chances.

Standing upright he grabbed the disk blade and tossed it carelessly to one side, it was way too small for his use.

"I'm going to hurt you, then you're going to tell me where Raslin is? If you're lucky, I might let you live for that information."

It was a bribe, but a false one. If it would help her give up such information faster, he would try it.

Holding the Cleaver forward as he approached her, he looked at those legs.

Tis be a shame to cut them off... Yet no thought or blissful memory would stop him now. Holding the Cleaver out to his right he took an almighty long swing aimed at her legs in an attempt to incapacitate her movement.

[Ayithe Solete]

She cautiously watched him approach, unsure of what exactly her next move would be. The tiresome affair was about to reach to its peak, and she would do everything in her power to stay alive.

She shivered from the draining cold water, but continued to focus on the moment, she had to ignore what her body was telling her, she couldn't just stop because it was difficult.

Then its posture altered, leaning to one side slightly it couldn't mask it's attacking movement as the large cleaver type sword raised out to one side. It's skull maintained its lock on her, watching for her retreat, but this time she wouldn't, this time she would strike back.

She took a deep breath as the sword came careering towards her, the low swing capable of cutting right through her legs should it hit its target. Yet Ayithe was ready, first stepping back as he closed in, but then hurdling forward into the fray.

Her legs cleared the ground gracefully as she jumped over the swinging attack; leaving nothing but the falling sprays of falling water behind. The heavy swing of the blade carried through with force, the loose water in the air bouncing of its blade, but not Ayithe.

She landed safely beside the shallow water. Now past the point of no return as she appeared beyond the Skeleton's defence. With no armour and open to attack, she had to take advantage of the moment. Stepping forward once more she sliced upwards with her first wrist blade, targeting it's spine with as much force as she could muster.

If I can break its spine, it can't chase me anymore!

[Elite Optic]

His swing was clumsy and slow, it should have been no surprise that she could jump it. Yet it was a surprise to him, he had expected her tired legs to give in and yet she now sprung into action when she needed to most.

His large frame was powerful and he didn't tire, but maybe his arrogance and longer strides were actually slower than he realised. She had proved to be quick on her feet, but this he had neglected to consider.

Before he knew it her attack had started, her arm arching upwards into his still burning body. The blade cutting and stabbing into his spine. It was only then he discovered the true extent of the burning purple flames, he had been weakened, his frame had slowly crumbled as if burned by an acidic property.

The frustration inside of him boiled up again, how could she still continue to be such a thorn in his side. His lower ribs took more damage than expected, the first she sliced right through, a clean cut where the burn had scarred. Then the second cracked under pressure as he blade became lodged into his spine.

"You can't hurt me!" He roared angrily.

He dropped his sword, the heavy weapon was evidently slowing him down and at this crucial point. He needed to slow her down, or to speed himself up. If he could just grab her, she couldn't struggle free.

Your mine now!

He turned to her, swinging his large forearm across his front to strike her down. Even without a weapon he was strong enough and bulky enough to cause damage on his own.

[Ayithe Solete]

Ayithe continued to strike, the few weakened bones were finally frail enough to be actually damaged. Yet the spine continued to elude her, like stone she scraped and scratched it, but she could not damage it, and it quickly became clear that no real amount of effort was going to break it before he could react.

Then, the long outstretched arm of the Skeleton flew down on her, the swinging frame of its upper body blocking her movement and as she stepped back; she simply moved into its path.

Throwing her arms down she tried to deflect the attack; lashing out with her wrist blades, hopeful she could do some damage. Yet nothing could stop such brute force.

It's forearm literally back handed her, like a swinging tree branch there was nothing she could do to stop it. The sheer power alone lifted her off the ground, her whole body shifted from her standing position and was sent aloft into the air.

Like a swatted fly she flung out of control, barrel rolling through the wind in an incontrollable spin before landing painfully just a few meters away.

What now... She feared the outcome as she struggled to move.

Now laying motionless by the trees, her wrist blades retracted from the impact and her body lay helplessly across the wonky roots of the nearest tree. Now she really did hurt. The headache had returned and she felt the subtle but distinct feeling of a reopened wound. Her eye's flickered open and shut as she tried to gather herself, but her body didn't react.

Come on...Get up...get up you idiot...

She lifted her head, dizzy and unsettled she wavered side to side as she tried to lift herself up. The rough but firm bark of the tree made for an excellent grip, and she forced herself up into the tree base; her necklace swinging back and forth from her unsteady crawl as she dragged herself into a sitting position against the tree.

[Elite Optic]

Finally!

He watched with great excitement as her puny human body flew through the air and landed with a pleasing thud. His first real hit, and that's all he needed.

Slowly he wandered across to her, the injured beauty had nothing left of which to stop him, and although the burning damage had become clear from her earlier attack, this little battle was over. He stood over her for a moment and watched as she desperately dragged her own injured ignorance to an upright sitting position.

He let her face him. "Did you think you could get back up before I got to you?"

Leaning down he crouched beside her, in full confidence that there was nothing she could do. He could feel her fear, even if she tried to hide it. He stroked the stray hair from her face, the fresh flowing blood beginning to stain it; then he checked either side of her face for any remaining gashes.

"You have been the most interesting capture of my entire undead life. Tis a shame the final fight was where you were not at your best. But! All things must come to an end."

She was well enough to communicate with him, and he needed that to find the last name on his list. He gripped her shoulder, digging in his bony fingers and watched her tense up. He held some restraint as to not break her collar bone, but a good squeeze to make her talk was a good thing.

The large Crow that had been circling her for all the time finally flew down. Spiralling downwards like a falling leaf as it glided slowly towards them. Yet this was no ordinary Crow, and only as it landed on his shoulder did its true form become evident.

Another skeleton, though bulked in black feathers was enough to enable it to look and fly like a real Crow. It's dark mouldy ridden eyes stared down at her, tilting its head as it did, and it cawed as if to laugh and mock her.

"Now. Tis time for you to give up your final friend."

The Crow cawed and cawed again, the caw getting disgruntled before sounding stuffy. The choking bird then coughed and jerked its neck back and forth like a chicken as it slowly regurgitated an obscenely large scroll.

Elite grasped the paper and then looked at her, now displaying some sort of agreement, he then forced her to her feet. Gripping her as tight as he could within injuring her some more, she raised up while still using the tree as a support.

"I've got them all. That means it's just yourself...and Raslin. Where is he? I'd advise you not to mess me around anymore."

[Ayithe Solete]

Ayithe focused out everything like a hazy dream, the only thing that mattered now was that contract the Skeleton grasped so proudly. She could have read the entire thing, but of that she had no intent, she knew exactly what it was, she knew exactly who had done it, and now her mind broke free in realization as she remembered the facts that followed that night.

"GUYS!"

The panic stricken steps of a deeply concerned Zeon charged towards the camp. Dashing up through the steep and jagged gully of rocks and trees.

"GUYS!"

The remaining few of the camp; Ayithe, Raslin and Canen, looked up from their relaxed daily rituals to catch his worrisome return. Zeon, stuttering with his own footsteps tripped carelessly over the nearest tent, knocking it's holding peg loose before scrambling back to his feet to get everyone's attention.

"IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE I SWEAR TO YOU, WE FUCKED UP! HE'S REAL!"

His eye's shifted erratically, darting from one person to the other, unable to relax and pause to look directly at any one individual. Ayithe, tying her hair back, looked around at the tree line suspiciously, unclear how to take Zeon's rant besides the acknowledgement he had put them all in trouble.

Clipping his personal Falchion to his belt, Raslin walked slowly towards Zeon. His hands held cautiously out in approach, ready to help ease the fears that filled his friends frightened mind.

"I'M SERIOUS. WHY ARE YOU ALL JUST STANDING HERE! HE'S COMING TO GET US!"

"Calm down!"

Raslin gripped his shoulder lightly and tried to make eye contact. The crazy eyes of a man gone mad occasionally stared back, distinct red veins pulsing as his iris widened.

"What's he been smoking?" Ayithe asked somewhat sarcastically, bemused by his behaviour and the apparent danger.

Raslin frowned in her direction, he certainly didn't care for her sarcasm. As much as Zeon could be a real pain in their side, this was abnormal conduct; even for him.

"Calm down." Raslin gripped with both arms to help him focus. "What happened to you?"

Not even a faint smell of smoke came from him, but not all drugs needed to be smoked. Raslin pained the thought that Ayithe had put in his head; Zeon was scared, not drugged.

Zeon rubbed his hair frustratingly and dropped to his knees as if weakened. His tiresome efforts to get back to the forest camp were emphasized greatly but his anxiety ridden mind. His breathing as heavy as a horse, his hair askew and shaggy while his large dull blue jacket and heavy boots appeared worn and rugged.

"Relax buddy. Remember, we've not seen you in two days. So start again, what happened to you?"

Zeon nodded as he calmed his breathing, something about the relaxed demeanour of Raslin helped. "Eric. Eric's dead..."

"Are we in danger right now?" Raslin cut the point and placed his hand on the edge of his hilt.

"No," he uttered under his breath nervously. "but I dunno for how long...I lost it, somewhere back there..."

There was a universal sigh of relief from the group, but Zeon still needed to sort himself out.

Ayithe rolled her eyes and breathed heavily out through her nose. It wasn't the first time Zeon had exaggerated about something, although usually it was to try big himself up rather than terrify the others. They had remained undisturbed for a good few days within the safety of the forest and Ayithe had no time for Zeons problems.

"Shout me when it matters." Her back now faced him as she returned to cleaning her belongings.

Zeon tugged on Raslin's forearm to draw his attention back. "Ras...I fucked up."

"How? What happened to you?"

Zeon sat back on the on the dry grass, rubbing the light sweat from his forehead and clearing his sore eyes as Raslin took a seat by the died out fire.

"A couple of years ago right...When we were in Corone...I, I bumped into this guy with Eric. He fuckin, he was old and what not. Offered me riches and crap, you know, as long as we followed certain rules. We laughed at him but he explained who he was anyway, said he was a contractor."

Raslin listened concerned for his friend, still muttering like a mad man as he stared at the gassy ground while randomly stroking his chin and bottom lip; a nervous itch.

“I told him I had no need for riches in one place, I’m a traveller…I mean, we’re travellers! So I said, if he makes it so that I can have anything I wanted, you know, for free. As I travel I’ll never have to spend a penny.”

Canens ears picked up, yet still resting upon his back he waited for the right moment to interject. Such an odd story felt familiar to him, and as amusing a story as it sounded at the time, it was leading somewhere. He lay still, relaxed along a giant oversized entanglement of soft roots, his legs propped up and his hands behind his head; the embodiment of lazy.

“I actually kinda forgot about it, I think we got drunk that night and then moved on. It was Eric who finally pointed it out, I hadn’t lost a penny in weeks, months?” He looked up to Raslin, his eyes not so crazed.

“Sounds, great.” Raslin looked a little uncertain, his posture back to his naturally relaxed persona.

“I mean, it’s not that obvious when you’re doing nothing out of the ordinary. But think about it, I’ve not fuckin lost a gamble since Corone. I’ve either won or broke even on all our card nights. My jacket, here!”

He gripped the scruff of his deep blue jacket to declare it.

“The guy gave it to me! And Valiant!” He rose to his feet, pulling out his nicknamed sword, Valiant. “I found the guys lost dog. So he gave it to me. This sword is Adamantine, and he gave it to me for a dog? Damn it guys, no one’s that generous…”

Raslin remaind calm to Zeon’s fluctuating temperament. “I get you’re riled up here Zeon, but maybe you’re just fortunate. A few lucky coincidences don’t suggest a supernatural force.”

“Are you…FORGETTING ERIC?!” Zeon stuttered and gestured angrily with his hand.

“Not at all Zeon,” Canen chimed in as he slipped off his low perch. “What Raslin is trying to politely say is; you sound like a drunken idiot. So when you rant on about a series of wellful events for yourself, you’re making us all disbelieve any chance that Eric is dead. Should we go look to see if he’s choked on his own drunken sick? Maybe you’re boastful luck that you’re been blissfully enjoying recently has finally come back to haunt you.”

Raslin flinched as if to stand, but hesitantly sat back. Opting for an displeased frown in Canens direction, not that he noticed.

“Fuck you Canen!” Zeon shirked his comment to continue. “A fuckin Skeleton raged into the tavern and killed Eric! He showed us the contract we all signed and now it’s after us all!”

Canen knocked back his jet black hair and smirked to himself, giving a light shrug to Zeon he stood deliberately to avoid direct eye contact.

"None of you get it...I lied...I lied to everyone. I signed that paper, I signed it and put all your names on it. You're like guarantors for this whole thing, and because I lied about it, you're all gonna die with me."

Raslin flew to his feet. "That's not funny, Zeon. Look at me. I don't appreciate this..."

"I'm not lying Ras. I'm tell you guys so you can run, and you got to run cause you can't fight it. You can't hurt it, it just keeps on going."

Ayithe stood back up unnoticed, still listening in from across the camp as she let go of her half clean boots. There was something eerie in his words. There frightened friend panicked and startled, suddenly fell rather silent, like filled with a deep regret that he knew he couldn't be forgiven for.

"A contractor, he called himself a contractor."

Zeon stood up slowly, finally focused on his friends as they stood around the dead ashes of the camp fire. He reached into his pocket, retrieved an old folded and poorly kept piece of paper. Blood smeared the page and tears cut deep into the writing, but it was all legible, then he tossed the blood stained curved dagger of Eric's to the floor.

"I've made some fuck up's in my life guys. So I'm sorry about that, but if I do anything right, I'll fix this. But you guys can't stay here. You got to tell Kai, while he knows nothing...he's most at threat."

Canen held the page, a written script of contract, a duplicate of the original. His emerald green eyes breezed over the text, and his heart raced with surprise and even fear. Zeon was not lying.

"Raslin," Canen's tone changed considerably. "It's time to leave here."

Raslin's soft blue eyes met with her own. "Ayithe...Were leaving!"

She watched in silence, nothing could have prepared her eyes for what she saw. A paper contract that could not burnt or be destroyed, a contract with their names etched into it as if it were stone. Zeon soon left and with no argument from the group as he vanished back into the wood. Canen would head to Salvar to find Kai and Raslin would take Ayithe to Corone; there they would all eventually meet up again.

Yet, this would be the last time she ever saw them; Eric, Zeon, Canen and Kai never turned up in Corone.

"I NEVER SIGNED THAT CONTRACT!"

[Elite Optic]

Elite watched as her face flashed a series of emotions at him, her mind taking in a sea of memories before struggling to cope with the truth she had been presented. Her soulful blue eyes trembled with fear and Elite patiently waited to see how she could react; would she beg? He hoped not, he thought better of her than that.

"I NEVER SIGNED THAT CONTRACT!" She screamed out desperately.

It was the last thing he expected hear her say, she could have begged him, she could have spat in his face, but she had done neither. Displeasing as it was, it had been said and it angered him, why did she always do something different to what he expected?

He let the crow retake the scroll upon its beak before it took flight once again, circling above them as it always did.

I'm bored now.

"Why would deny such a thing? Tis done now, and once I collect your corpse it'll be resolved. You can't make a deal with a contractor and then change your mind. Why exactly do think this all started in the first place? I'm the collector of broken contracts, I care not for your denial."

He felt the need to sigh a big deep sigh, but his lack of lungs made it rather difficult. He strangely missed the ability to display such an emotion.

Just tell me where Raslin is and I'll make it quick...

"STOP STALLING!" He shouted letting loose of her shoulder, then punching the tree truck as he arched over her.

[Ayithe Solete]

Its deep bellowing voice shook her core, the lack of vocal cords was one thing, but it continued to speak regardless, how was a mystery. Ayithe clutched her shoulder, she was over powered and out done, the only thing she held over this creature was her knowledge of Raslin; and the fact it didn't know she couldn't remember.

She had never wanted to die, but to die with such questions and no one to know what happened to her, it felt so much worse. She had to find Raslin again, she had to continue living.

"I might know where he is..." She muttered at a whisper to bring the skeleton ever closer.

To lie at this point would be a foolish move, but how much it knew she didn't know and would it even be able to tell if she were lying? Her soft blue eyes drifted to the floor, she had no lie to tell it. She would strike back, she would fight until the bitter end, she always did, she always would.

I'll never stop, no matter how much it all hurts.

She gripped her remaining disk blade slyly with her hanging arm, her injuries enough to make her movement painful and difficult, but not enough to stop her. The cold steel gripped into her hand and quickly the disk began to heat up.

She prepared for the pain she was about to receive, after all she was hurting anyway, what would a little more pain be if she could stop this giant skeleton. Her eyes glanced over to the water, then back up to the skeletons face as it peer down at her blissfully unaware that as long as she had her weapons, she was a danger.

"...But I'd never tell you."

Ayithe dived into the giant legs of the Skeleton, throwing her disk blade upwards into its open body as she dropped towards the pool of water. The flames of the disk blade erupted violently as it launched upwards along the spine of her hunter.

[Elite Optic]

How dare you mock me...

It was like his confidence in victory had betrayed him, his fist clenched in response to her refusal to appease him. Her knowledge was unobtainable, temporarily at least; he would have to hurt her some more.

Yet as he prepared to punish her insolence, she moved, it wasn't the most fluid movement but she had always been quicker than him. Almost falling through his legs her smaller stature slipped down low as she counter attacked him.

What the...

The quick moving disk blade shot up his insides, erupting into violent flames as it roared up his spine and ribcage. Elite lost sight of the moment, engulfed in the flames as they poured out and around every orifice of his skeletal body.

His own eyes, of burning fire themselves, blurred as the flames became intertwined, if only for a moment he felt blind. He backed off, walking uncontrollably backwards as he waved his arms around like a man being harassed by a swarm of wasps.

Though, only for a moment, it soon passed, his vision restored and the disk blade, hidden from sight, was stuck within his chest somewhere as he sizzled. The burning steam rising off his already damaged bone, he steadied himself as his temper once again began to rise.

You bitch...

He was past admiring her spirit, he would find Raslin on his own, he would stop wasting time and slay her where she stood, or lay in this moment.

He stepped forward, looking around for his sword, he had dropped her earlier, but he desired its use once again. Leaning over he reached down for it, grasping it in his hand as heard a crack.

What was that?

Snap. Like a twig he broke, the acid burning from the flames had done more damage than he had ever expected, and in his own foolish moment he had spared her life in offer of information. His body tipped, leaving his legs standing as he crashed into the ground with a few ribs broking as he landed with a thud on the gravelly floor.

"Oh great..."

He had split in two over nothing, and he would have to start all over. The same woman had eluded him yet again, and while still active, he couldn't give chase to her anymore. His own crow swooped in low, landing on the break point of his vertebra. The protruding disk blade had done its damage and made Elite Optic feel such an idiot.

Digging his arms into the earth he dragged his body towards Ayithe as she lay amongst the shallows. Maybe he didn't have to chop her in two, maybe he could just strangle her. The thought was pleasing, but as she raised from the water, injured but standing, it simply wasn't satisfying enough.

The water lapped against his cold dead hands as he held himself up off the surface, was he still able to kill her? Probably. Yet this was never his style, as angry as it made him, he always wanted to beat her in the fight, and since he had found her this day, all she had done was run, limping to escape.

"Maybe tis isn't the day you die, Ayithe." He dropped himself with a splash as he landed upright over the water. "Do yourself a favour and re-read your contract, you can get it from the bird. I bid this a stalemate. For now."

He could take this loss, but in the long term he would win anyway. When he re-spawned he could find her quickly, then he could follow her to Raslin; then he'd have them both.

[Ayithe Solete]

Ayithe dragged herself out of the water, the fire and burning effect of her attack completely neutralised by the water. She felt a state, her every muscle aching: her leg, her stomach, her shoulder, her back, it was surprising she was still standing.

It can't be serious...

Ayithe stood watching for a moment, looking around at their position, awaiting something out of the ordinary to happen. She had got lucky and maybe as fate would have it, she still wasn't meant to die here. Parts of the crumbling rib cage continued to break somewhat slowly, but the Skeleton was still going, still alive.

In her condition there was probably still chance it could hurt her, but instead it had opted out and Ayithe simply didn't understand.

"After everything you've done to find me, you're just going to stop?"

Ayithe once again brushed her soggy hair off her face as she slowly side stepped towards dry land. Water dripped off every part of her; her hair, skin, clothes and weapons drained back into the pool as she cautiously made her way around the top half of the giant skeleton.

Her distrusting stare locked onto it's face the entire time, she didn't believe this was over, she wouldn't be stupid enough to turn her back on it.

Then, without a word uttered, the contract dropped by her feet, the crow seemingly flying off into the sky to leave them be. Landing just to her side it lodged itself between to stones, just avoiding the water's edge.

Ayithe picked it up, shaking off her damp hands and witnessed the piece of paper that seemed so powerful. The same signatures, it was clearly forged, she would never write with such atrocious hand writing.

Damn you Zeon...you ruined everything...

[Elite Optic]

"This skull," Elite pointed and tapped rather calmly. "Zeons. I enjoyed slaughtering him, the kind of human that would betray his friends, I hate them the most."

He looked across at Ayithe, no longer his threatening self, but his damaged rack of skulls still intimidating to see regardless.

"I know you never signed the contract. Any fool can read it's the same hand writing, but tis not my job to care. Tis my job to bring your life to an end.

However, I admire your resolve and grit. So let me give you one final chance to save your life. The contract is written by a contractor of Ietus, and all contracts can be disputed on the grounds of the Ietus law. Contracts must be valid and true, a falsely signed contract is not true."

Elite fell silent, but she didn't reply, it was hard to give any reason why she could trust him.

"Why?" He asked for her. "Did you not ever wonder if I was once human? I am not a mindless drone. For all my loyalty to contract, I can and do think for myself.

I am what I am before you...because of betrayal. So I understand your pain, but my life as this...be it undead, is forfeit if I do not pursue you. So, while I'm being honest, I enjoy what I do. I like my life as it is, so I will pursue you until this contract is complete, or void.

However! Ietus is an island in far eastern sea. Few can locate it, but should you find your way to Ietus and dispute this false contract, then I wouldn't be able to touch you."

[Ayithe Solete]

Ayithe listened to it all, every word that left its mouth. What had she done to deserve such a chance? If it were true, it was her freedom. She'd never just believe it outright, but even so, it had opened an opportunity for her to escape.

She rolled up the contract and took another step back, shivering from the cold water she limped a little further away.

What are you trying to do...I can't believe you're helping me out of the goodness of your own heart...Not that you have one. Though, he has shown me he's more than just...dead.

Ayithe retracted her wrist blade and wiped the remaining water from off her face, then she turned away peeking over her shoulder as she wandered far from his position by the pool side. He couldn't drag himself as fast as she could limp. She knew that at least, the more time she created for herself, the better.

"I'm not smashing you head in. You'll only be back faster...Now you can drag your way back." She smiled to herself, if only for that moment.

Once she felt comfortable, she stopped looking over her shoulder and continued to limp until she was completely out of sight. Sitting herself a few large boulders, she rested; exhausted. Yet not even the crow was flying above her, she was free of him, for now at least.

How much of what it said was true? Where should I go? What should I do.

She held out the infamous contract, the cause of all her troubles.

"Ietus..."

[Rehtul Orlouge]

Storytelling (6/10): Honestly, the story, for what it was, a back and forth between the undead and the hunted, leading up to a reveal, was satisfactory. Some of the grammatical errors made it a bit difficult to figure out exactly what was going on, but for the most part the story seemed to be driving toward something.

Setting (8/10): The setting was done well, all things considered. There were things that stood out as a little out of place, but nothing that a quick read through of your own wouldn’t be able to spot. All in all, it was good. Though it was lightly marred by the grammatical problems inundating the thread, it still had a very good feel to the scenery, and wasn’t just used as a backdrop. You seemed to make it a point to use the setting to your advantage and disadvantage for your characters. I liked this.

Pacing (5/10): I can’t quite put my finger on it, but due to the way the thread was written, it seemed extremely slow for what was basically one long drawn out chase scene, followed by a climactic fight ending in the “death of the undying,” in a manner of speaking. I’m not sure that in what I’m sure was supposed to be a very nerve wracking, nail biting experience, that you want to go with this particular pace in the future. Toward the end of the thread, however, the pacing picked up and went more in the direction that felt natural for such a story.

Communication (5/10): While the dialogue was decent, due to some poor word choices and errors in bringing up the things that your characters said. While this did occur on both sides of the line, and not in a small number of places, the body language paired with the thoughts put forth by each character were able to bring this to an average score. I suggest reading your characters’ dialogues aloud and stopping at each period and pausing at each comma, for instance. It comes off sounding a bit stilted.

So you know I’m not just saying this, take these two examples:
EO: "I've got them all. That means it's just yourself...and Raslin. Where is he? I'd advise you not to mess me around anymore."
AS: What are you trying to do...I can't believe you're helping me out of the goodness of your own heart...Not that you have one. Though, he has shown me he's more than just...dead.

Action (7/10): This was good. I’m not going to lie, there were a few muddy parts, but for the most part I wasn’t confused or wondering why something your characters did something. So, all in all, a solid effort. Polish up the grammar a bit, and look over your word choices, and this will be much better in the future.

Persona (6/10): Your characters seemed fleshed out and real enough. They felt a little stilted at times, probably just from inexperience writing them in certain environments, but all in all this was a solid effort, and I won’t spend much time harping on anything.

Mechanics (2/10): There were a ton of grammatical errors in this thread. The sentence structure was solid, but the grasp on grammar itself needs a bit of work to be brought up to par. For example, ellipses ( the “...” symbol) are not a bridge between words. They continue after the end of the previous word and there is a space between it and the next word. It works the exact same way a period does.

While I would like to go in depth with both of you on these issues, with that one small lesson being only a small part, I don’t think I could honestly fit it into this Judgment, especially considering how long I’ve left the two of your waiting on this. However, if either of you have any questions regarding your mechanics, or need any advice at all, please contact me. I will be more than happy to help.

Clarity (8/10): Had little trouble figuring out what was going on, unless the mechanics slipped me up.

Technique (5/10): About average. Nothing of particular not, and nothing too fluffy either. This is a solid 5.

Wild Card (5/10): Despite the various problems concerning the mechanical in this thread I did actually enjoy the read. The characters are interesting and the story seems to be building toward something. I like the ideas that you’ve set forth and the thought of this contract business that killed off all of Ayithe’s friends. Twould appear to be most interesting. I look forward to seeing the two of you improve as writers and continue to play here. I greatly look forward to the next chapter in this story.

Total Score: 57/100

Elite Optic Receives 950 XP and 115 GP
Ayithe Solete receives 1,050 XP and 125 GP

[Rayleigh]

All EXP and GP have been added!