Thread: Light in Shadows (Fates and Flame)

As he sat, Aezon focused on his breathing the way Saizo had taught him so many years ago. He inhaled deeply through his nose, taking in the misty air before exhaling through his mouth, slow and steady. As his body grew relaxed, Aezon looked passed his frustrations and concentrated on the world around him. In his meditative state, he could feel how alive the wetlands truly were. Hidden beneath the endless orchestra of singing insects, he could hear two rodents scurrying through the nearby brush. They chased one another for a time before going still at the sound of swooping wings. A much larger animal splashed across a sodden pool in the distance, and if he listened beyond that he could pick out the sound of the rivers flow to the west. A light sigh of relief passed his lips as he came to better understand his surroundings. Now that he knew where the river was, he could at the very least follow it back to the village. With the bulk of his concern addressed, he untethered himself from the rest of his burdens and let his mind wander free. The sounds of the marsh all seemed to blend as one the further Aezon separated himself from the physical. He was scarcely aware of the large stone he perched upon let alone the unwelcome denizen sidling towards him. Even Leiku failed to notice the snake. The spirits attention had instead, been captured by another. He was curious at first, sensing the familiar girl long before actually spotting her. Something about the girl must have kept him at ease ordinarily he would have alerted Aezon long before she could have gotten so close. Instead, the spirit remained perfectly still. His glowing, ruby colored eyes peered right at her hiding spot in the reeds. It wasnt until the girl drew her weapon did he finally snarl, which brought Aezons eyes to finally open. Everything happened in a flash Aezon jumping startled from the unexpected arrow while Leiku fell upon the stalker with one mighty lunge. His large, monstrous jaws appeared first, snapping shut in warning while the rest of his pitch-black body came to light. In the Shadow Spirits anger, cryptic symbols scrawled across Leikus form. A glowing red scarlet, the tattoo-like markings seemed to pulse with energy, revealing the sort of being this wolf truly was. As if that wasnt intimidating enough, Leiku held himself over the fallen girl, appearing to grow larger as he kept his snarling maw just inches from the girls face. Aezons heart was racing by the time his feet hit the ground. On instinct, he drew his swords with lightning quick reflexes. The two, short-bladed shamshirs held a wicked appearance in the thick haze. Yet no sooner had he armed himself than he came to terms with exactly what happened. When his eyes found the snake he recognized it at once one bite and he would have been lucky to make it 10 minutes before respiratory failure set in. The reality of having been so close to death without even realizing it was surreal. Though Aezon figured his unanticipated guest was feeling much the same way. Leiku. He said the spirits name almost as though it was a request. The wolf backed away in response, but continued to snarl nonetheless. Likewise, Aezon would not sheath his blades just yet. I suppose I should thank you, he started to say, watching the girl closely, But before I do that why dont you tell me what youre doing sneaking up on us in the first place? People had jumped Aezon more than once in his lifetime. He wasnt sure this girl was out to attack him, but it was difficult to imagine any other reason the she would have followed him out here. He grew up learning to never take chances. Leiku wasnt quite ready to trust her either. The formidable wolf remained ready to lunge. He kept himself between her and him, making the deadly blades he wielded the least or her worries.