Mordir: [Grumbles some, but doesn't resist] I agree, after the girl's safe or whatever, the alliance ends.

Me: Good luck getting far enough away before they attack you.

Mordir: Thanks. [Tries to slow the bleeding] If I'm not dead before they try.

Me: Aris will clean you up a bit.

Aris and Mordir: What?!

Aris: No way! He's the bad guy!

Mordir: Absolutely not. I'm already being forced to help the heroes, getting cleaned up by one won't make it better.

Me: Alright, alright. Eesh, it was just a suggestion.

Aris: Just don't get yourself killed so soon, alright?

Mordir: Why do you care?

Aris: Because you're in our story, that's why.

Me: What happens here doesn't necessarily affect story life. Except personality developments and names.

Zurik: So... what do I do?

Mordir: You sit tight and wait for us villains to regroup. Goodness knows we're gonna need it.

Meriak: [Screeches at Ashrai, but she doesn't come too close, eyeing the crossbow] I haven't eaten for a while. I wonder, how strong is your fear? [Watches Ashrai closely]

Chayn: I'm coming, Shawn! [Tries to get closer to the tornado, but the flames keep her back]

Tesmir: Wow! Look at at it go!

Rowen: You two humans are not dragons, yet you love the sight of fire.

Tynx: Wave colors? Like, the color of water?

Orrun: [Looks pleadingly at Rune] Can I go up there? Please?

Rune: You have no dragon to ride on. Didn't you see the way Chayn reacted when her brother tried helping?

Orrun: Well, yeah... but I'm bored! Aris keeps forgetting about me!

Me: I'm trying to focus on the dragon battle and Seymour's mentoring session.

Gavin: *pauses* Seymour is mentoring me?...

Brian: *peeks behind Seymour* Never pause in battle, Gavin! It's a weak spot!

Gavin: Silence! I am thinking...

Emuna: I didn't think he was capable of thought...

Me: *stifles laugh*

What a great idea. Unfortunately, my characters got themselves in waaay deep here.

Thysal - Hang on, guys! (Takes off, Mordir and Jay astride)

Me - To clarify, where exactly is Shawn, and who captured her?

Thysal - (Begins circling Merashath) When in doubt, take on the big guy.

Zanya - (grins) Mordir does have a semi-hero side. Who knew?

Rahor - (flips over Roel's head, dodging the swipe, and slashes at his back) Do you get the feeling that we're being repetitive? Or is it just me?

Niarah - (Sits off to the side, tail wrapped primly about her feet)

Ashrai - (watches Meriak coolly) Seek the fear and taste it. A deathwish doesn't leave room for fear.

Me - ^He has got to be one of my strangest characters yet . . .

Me: Wow, you are correct. Unfortunately, he was flying towards the tornado and is now likely in it. He is a pyro, undamaged. Unfortunately Shawn isn't.

Merashath: *is tossed about violently by the storm.*

Trina: Chayn, throw me in the Tornado. Now!

Me: It will kill you! Don't do it!

Trina: Trust me! I can't die here, remember? If I latch onto Merashath I can get him to fly out by being a pain.

Merashath: *laughs* How will you do that? I'm *dodges barrel* tossing about violently. *passes through a stream of flaming oil* Anyways, the girl is getting burnt in the meantime.

Trina: Chayn you have to throw me now!!!

Lakkerfax: *quenches the flames surrounding Shawn* I'm afraid that's all I can do! She's still going to have to deal with a lot of heat though!

Kaida: Erronys, give me over to Malcolm, He and I can take this!

Malcolm: *comes up alongside Erronys* Kaida, no! Your body doesn't have the defense to take the flames!

Kaida: But my mind can! It's the reverse of what I've always been doing!

Macolm: Don't kill your mind to feed the fire! Besides, your clothes will still burn in that infernato!

Kaida: *sighs* Go.

Malcolm: *makes eye contact with Kaida*

Kaida: GO! She only has so much time!

Malcolm: *plunges into the infernato (I'm loving that word)*

Umectra: *looks moderately worried, flicks her tongue twice and crawls back into the river*

Skooter: *turns and nudges his white and blue striped tail that, from beneath the water, looks like the ripples on the surface* Wave color. And stay in shadows.

Trina: Now Chayn! I can get Shawn and Malcolm will catch us.

Elanhil: Trina, No!!

Me: Concentrate on your duel.

Elanhil: It's his turn...

Me: *rolleyes*

Merashath: *Laughs, and spirals upward, then plunges into the center of the twister, the plummets downward to about the center, where he comes outward again, but still in the twister.*

Merashath: *veers suddenly towards another stream of flaming oil.* Stop that kicking, girl! *breathes fire onto an incoming barrel, and swoops so that it hits Shawn*

Trina: Chayn! Do it now! Hurry!

Ah, now I get it. Very sorry. If you do that right with the previous move while Kimun is struggling to regain the guard, then it would be one move. Here we go... pardon me if I act a bit for Elanhil in this...

The grip flies from Kimun's grasp, and Elanhil quickly flicks his blade to send it skittering over the ground far away, before Kimun can regain it.

Kimun instantly leaps into the air, his foot driving against the base of Elanhil's blade, and the other kicking like a whip at his wrist. Elanhil's sword snaps from his grasp and Kimun closes the distance, his hand poised at Elanhil's throat like a coiled snake about to strike. His eyes blaze like a furnace, spitting sparks at Elanhil. "You may have one the duel, but you have not won the fight. I could kill you now."

He whirls on his heel and strides away to a distance, and stops, his back to Elanhil.

After a long pause he turns again and walks slowly back, the fire gone from his eyes. He raises his hand, and his sword flies to his grasp, he sheathes it in one fluid motion and bows to Elanhil.

"My apologies. I should not have done as I did. You are an honorable swordmaster, and I am honored to have been defeated by you."

Kimun turns to the others, and continues, "I have enjoyed this time with you, but my time here has ended. I must leave you now. I would like to introduce to you someone new, however, before I go. She is an old friend of mine, and you will enjoy her presence."

A light shimmers and a tall girl steps out of it, upon which the light vanishes. Her hair glistens in a golden cascade down her back in a loose braid. She looks about and smiles at everyone, and bows to Kimun in greeting.

"This is Hëtsila, the daughter of one of my mentors. She knows the Elvish arts of Groiií, the skills of unarmed defense and attack. The same ones her father taught me. Carrie, I would like her to teach you, if you are willing."

"Farewell again, and Godspeed."

Kimun looks up and his cloak billows about him, his blades flying to sheath themselves in his scabbards. A torrent of fire leaps from the ground about him and he leaps upward to vanish into the air.

Alexis: Welcome, Hëtsila. *gasps as she sees Shawn's predicament* Somebody help that poor girl!

Julian: *turns a pasty white* I don't think I want to be here anymore. I might get burnt up.
Skylar: Baby!

Stellwento: Not to worry, it's all quite contained.

Lakkerfax: *dives at Shawn from through the flames* What is he lighting stuff for? All in here that will catch fire already has. *keeps his cold reptilian body next to Shawn to keep her cool* Don't worry, we'll get out of this.

Derek: *hovers helplessly at the edge of the inferno*

Raedon: I can't go in there!

Derek: Are you a shapeshifter or not?

Raedon: *changes into something alien, scaley and armoured, with four wings, two of which he raises to shield Derek as he flies into the tornado*

Derek: *calls for Shawn*

Me: Aw... we'll miss you, Lady E.

Lightning: *snorts in derision* You won't even notice she's gone.

Me: what do you know?

Lightning: I've been watching, remember?

Malcolm: *swoops back out of the infernato* It seems only Fax and a pyrausta could survive those flames.

Merashath: *swoops downwards, and is again tossed about without direction.* In this inferno, a reptilian body would be warm. 'cold blooded' means they must warm their blood, it isn't naturally. This would warm it right up.

Me: Whatever. It's HWs.

Elanhil: *rises to commend Kimun, but is cut short by his departure.* Farewell, then, friend. May we meet again.

Me: Aw, look what you did. You went and beat him, and now he is gone.

Elanhil: What did you want me to do, loose? --Oh my, Merashath has kidnapped an innocent girl and now they are in a flaming tornado!!!

Trina: Welcome to the present.

Elanhil: Get me up there!

Me: Sorry, no. You stay down here for duels.

Elanhil: NO!!!! I want to be in the thick of it.

Me: But you are... UNDEFEATED!!!! BWAHAHAHA!

Elanhil:

Brian: Wait....who's in trouble?!

Emuna: Umm... *reads past five pages* Apparently Shawn is....but she has about three other people helping her...

Brian: Who's attacking her?

Emuna: Not...sure...

Brian: Perhaps you should help her.

Emuna: Why don't you help her? You are, after all, the gentleman.

Brian: What? Girls can't help other girls?

Emuna: No, we can. We just prefer the boys to.

Me: I thought you were supposed to be a fighter?

Emuna: I didn't say I couldn't fight, just that I don't want to...

Me: Miss trigger happy doesn't want to fight?...wow...

Emuna: Trigger happy?

Me: It's an expression...it means a violent person.

Emuna: I don't get it...

Me: Didn't I already explain guns to you?

Emuna: Yes, I like guns.

Me: Too bad they don't have them in Realta. *sarcasm*

Me: Fax is a pyro gecko, fire doesn't change the heat of his body. Being against Shawn's warm body will after a time heat his body but the fire cannot.

Brian: *sings* Hey Emunaaaaaa.

Emuna: What?!

Brian: Can't you levitate Shawn a sword?

Emuna: You just won't give up will you?...

Brian: Well I would help her, but I'm sort of being held captive by Seymour today.

Emuna: *sigh* Fine...authoress, I need a sword.

Me: While it goes against my better judgment to arm you right now... *hands Emuna sword*

Emuna: *screams to Shawn* YOU HAVE ONE TRY TO CATCH THIS! *levitates sword towards Shawn, carefully not to hit her*

Thysal - (Anxiously circles the fire tornado) It's ok, Jay, they're doing all they can . . . Aarrgh! If only I was a fire dragon, or even an ice breather!

Zanya - This has gotten very intense. (paces restlessly)

Sylvia - (Clutches Ember to her, watching wide eyed)

Brian: Yes, thank you, Emuna. Don't you feel accomplished now?

Emuna: *sits down* I feel dizzy, that's what I feel.

Me: You really should practice more...

Emuna: Well according to your book I don't even know I can levitate yet...how can I practice when I don't know?

Me: In due time!

Emuna: *sigh*

Brian: So how do we know now....but not in the book?

Me: I don't know!

Brian: You should...

Me: Do you want me to erase your memory?

Brian: *hides behind Seymour*

Alexis: (@ Hëtsila) Among my family and my enemies, I am known as the Sword-keeper. I am the first woman in a long line of eldest sons to inherit my ancestor's sword. I am sworn to defend my people. To anyone else, I am merely 18 year old Alexis Vega, journalist hopeful.

Me: Gah! I'm here, I'm here!

Chayn: [Grumbles in a sort of roar] About time! I'm not letting you go in there alone, Trina. Rowen!

Rowen: I have passengers, thank you.

Tesmir: Um, I think we should get down now. It's getting a little intense.

Tounon: I'm not.

Tesmir: What?! Tou, are you crazy?! If the others are worried about Trina and Shawn, you won't fare much better.

Tounon: I haven't been sapped of energy by fighting. I'll go in with Trina and get them both out.

Tesmir: No, I'll go.

Chayn: [Flies up close to Rowen] Now isn't the time to argue!

Tesmir: I'm going. It's about time I started doing something more mature.

Tounon: [Hesitates, but Jumps from Rowen to Chayn] Be careful, both of you.

Rowen: [Gently picks Trina off of Chayn and waits while Tesmir pulls her up] Hold on, now!

Me: Rowen's a fire-breathing dragon.

Chayn: [Looks longingly into the fire tornado] I can't go in there, Shawn, but I'll be waiting right outside for you.

Tounon: [Jumps from Chayn to a rafter far below.] Ya'll just make sure you don't die, alright?

Rowen: [Circles once, then cuts into the tornado] I hope somebody's got a plan.

Seymour: [Watches Gavin.] A common weakness in many people is that they have difficulty taking on more than one opponent. If they are dealing with one, the other is unwatched.

Tynx: Oh... [Clambers out onto the back and hides in the shadows of a bush, then as a fish swims by, he pounces into the water, but comes up empty-handed] I was closer, I could feel it swimming away.

Me: [To Emeth] Who's Carrie?

Mordir: All this emotional stuff is making me sick. Seriously, you all are just weird. [Looks at the flames] Any chance you can throw me into all that, dragon? I know neither of you like me, so this is an easy way to get rid of me quickly.

Me: Mordir, you idiot! What're you-

Mordir: I know what I'm doing. I don't see why all the heroes get have all the fun in throwing themselves into the burning whirlwind of heat.

Aris: [Face lights up as Hetsila appears] Hi! I'm Aris!

Gavin: What is that some sort of riddle?

Brian: I think he's saying that if you keep fighting him I can run away...

Emuna: I thought he was calling Gavin dumb.

Brian: Emuna, some manners, please?

Emuna: Okay, let's go with your definition of what Seymour said... *walks towards Brian* Assuming your correct...he shouldn't stop me.

Gavin: What happened to, only I can save Brian?

Me: This is getting confusing....

I meant Cassie, sorry. Carrie is... one of my older characters.



Hëtsila bows to them. "It is an honor to meet you two. I am of elvish descent, but am of the cast out line that foundered on the Téscriian shores. I live with my grandfather in the mountains of Tskarnor."

Seymour: [Smiles] I Rest assure, I was not insulting Gavin. But Gavin is right, only he can save Brian, but that does not restrict Emuna from helping him. Gavin may ask for Emuna's help if he thinks he needs it. But only Gavin is able to touch Brian in order to free him.

Me: Are you just going to give the answer right out?

Seymour: No. They can figure it out. It's fairly easy.

Tounon: But it took our author a while to figure it out.

Aris: Those places sound pretty. I live near the ocean, in Eun-Kitt, as the King's ambassador. But right now my story is at a stand-still.

Me: Chase's story requires more immediate attention.

Aris: What? You haven't even written it!

Me: I'm preparing to. [To Emeth] I had a guess it was Cassie, but I wanted to ask to make sure.

Cassie: [Runs back into the thread] Hi! I'm Cassie!

Me: She's... twelve? I don't remember.

Orrun: That's sad.

Me: Don't start being a smart-aleck, I've already got one.

Orrun: Well he's just volunteered himself to get thrown into the fire. So I'm taking his place.

Me: Don't. You need to be mature.

Gavin: I don't feel like figuring things out today....so... *swings sword wildly at Seymour*

Brian: You need more composure, Gavin.... You won't beat him that way.

Gavin: *still swinging sword* I know what I'm doing!

Emuna: *still strolling towards Brian*

Me: I doubt any of you have any idea what you're doing...

Emuna: *reaches Seymour and Brian* Okay, you win. What's the catch? 'Cause Gavin sure as the sunrise isn't going to beat you.

Me: You're confidence in Gavin is awe-inspiring, Emuna.

Mordir: [Whirls around, glaring at Jay] I don't see YOU doing anything about it. I'm trying to be helpful. You dragged me up here.

Chayn: [Roars in distress] Ah, I can't stand it anymore! Brother, come back out and hand over the two humans, I'm going in!

Rowen: What?! Chayn, you can't handle the fire!

Chayn: Neither can Trina and Tesmir. I can't stay out here while my rider is in there getting hurt. My inside are screaming against this inactivity. You would do the same for Cory, wouldn't you?

Rowen: [Says nothing, but hesitantly flies out] Be careful in there. If you can't handle the heat anymore, I'm coming in and taking over.

Chayn: [Touches her nose to Rowen's neck] Alright, but don't count on me being willing to leave.

Tesmir: [Jumps onto Chayn, and scoots up as Rowen gently places Trina back on Chayn] This'll be interesting... I'm beginning to feel guilty about being so eager to blow stuff up. But this is really cool.

Chayn: [Roars loudly and plunges into the fire tornado] Here we go!

Rune: [Looks at me] You know you contradicted what you said about Chayn not being able to go in.

Me: I know. But it'd be cooler if Chayn went in. [To Shawn] They do seem to have a very close bond. It's sweet.

Tounon: Good luck in there, guys...

Erronys: *hums and approaches Cassie*

Lakkerfax: Shawn, I have an idea, it's going to seem crazy but you have to trust me.

Raedon: *gets as close to Merashath as he can in the wind*

Derek: @me: No one is currently riding Merashath, are they? Because if they are, this sure isn't going to work.

Me: I don't remember.

Derek: That's encouraging.

Me: I haven't time to argue.

Derek: *sword in hand he jumps off Raedon aiming to land on Merashath's back. In the wind and noise hopefully Merashath won't notice how close he is, and since they're above him won't see what's coming before Derek lands*

Derek: I could use some help in here.

Me: I don't have anyone around.

Derek: Janin could...

Me: *interupts* Aris' characters will be there in a minute.

Derek: @Shawn: Hold on! We'll get you in a minute! Chayn is coming with reinforcements!

Lakkerfax: *tackles Shawn knocking her off Merashath* JUST HOLD ON TO ME! *they fall into the tornado but the flames stay a consistent two feet away*

*Stellwento and Umectra watch intently*

Right, haha.

Hëtsila steps over to Cassie and takes her hand, "Kimun spoke highly of you. He said you are an attentive and eager student. Are you interested in learning Groiií?"

Um, guys...Merashath was holding Shawn with his claws...If she was on his back she could have jumped right of...

Merashath: What happens now?

Me: Um, I guess we wait to see if reactions change...

Trina: *Gets a firm grip on Tesmir/Chayn, whatever is easier/better/more convenient.*

Elanhil: *is bored.*

Merashath: *scratches his claws down and along Shawn's arm until he gets to the wrist, when he twists it violently.* Stop that with the sword!!

Trina: *winces as they fly in, now for the second time, this time on Chayn. She painstakingly lifts her head up among the flames, and sees Shawn over to her right.* OVER THERE CHAYN!!!! *her voice is barely heard.*

Man, things keep getting more and more violent in here...

And you wonder why I don't participate

Me: Aww, I'd like to meet some of Airianna's characters.

Emuna: Who's Arianna?

Me: Do you never pay attention to my psychotic rants about Holy Worlds?

Emuna: No, your sister taught me how to block you out.

Me: How do you block me out?...you're in my head....whatever.

Brian: Now I'm curious how I can block her out.

Emuna: I still want to know who Arianna is!

Me: Emuna, don't be so demanding.

Emuna: *throws fit* I want to know whom she is!

Me: You frighten me...

Brian: Beth said she was an ML...whatever that is.

Me: See! Brian listens to my ranting!

Stellwento: How dull. *watches Merashath in the infernato* I am getting rather tired of these supposed all-powerful beings. *raises a harsh wind that blows the fire and oil away to the south and past the horizon*

Umectra: Had it not been an oil fire, I would've stopped you sooner.

*chuckles * How come no one believes me when I say I read most everything that goes on around here...

Yep, I'm still looking over everyone's shoulder. Does that creep you out *waggles eyebrows *

Airianna's characters won't be showing up in here, Emuna

Me: Now do you know who Arianna is?

Emuna: No, because you wont tell me!

Me: Ugh! You're impossible!

Emuna: The irony is you made me after how you wish you could act...

Me: *scowls*

Emuna: *innocent face* What?...