The seconds seemed to stretch into infinity, A'kuri's heart beating so hard and fast it felt as if it were trying to escape and leave her body behind. Onward she pushed her frail body, tripping over the bumps in the grass. Scraping her knees and hands on the rough ground. As she ran she never left the streams side, always keeping it to her left as she made her mad dash to the shore. It was her guide, her road to freedom and she was putting her every bit of remaining hope and faith in the stream.
From behind her came shouts, angry yells and mournful cries of pain and sorrow. They had found the Bastard Nunh's remains she guessed. That would mean the hunt is on and she is the unfortunate prey. As skilled as the clans hunters were, A'kuri guessed that it would be no time at all before they caught up with her. With the stream to her left, and the shore creeping up on the horizon, it was no guessing game to realize that the hunters would reach their prey long before it reached safety. However, despite coming to that conclusion, she still exerted herself in her attempt.
It was weird for A'kuri though, all throughout her flight of fear, she had begun to notice the world around her in such sharp detail. She saw the rodents scurrying through the grass out of her rampaging path and the birds that watched in mild amusement as for once, some poor creature other than one of their own was being hunted. It was as if her mind saw and understood the many details, for instance she knew how far away the birds in the upcoming tree was, she could discern how many frogs were gathered by the fallen tree near the stream just by hearing their slightly differing croaks. All this wealth of information was flooding into her brain and it was all unneeded. She could also create a perfect path for her to sprint along in her mind just by looking ahead and viewing the terrain. She just knew where she should run, or jump that would be the most ideal path that would accommodate her weak bodies limitations. However, it's one thing to think of something, and an entirely differing thing to successfully implement it, which led to the many trips and falls she has gone through.
Damn her clumsiness and lack of hand-eye coordination she scowled to herself as she once again tumbled to her hands and knees. The shore was getting closer, she was sure of it! The air had begun to take on a different smell, an unfamiliar one that she prayed belonged to the sea. As she picked herself up this time, an arrow went flying past her shoulder and buried itself into the dirt in front of her. Staring at the arrow that was still quivering from it's impact, she realized with horror that her pursuer's were nearly upon her. From what she had learned from overhearing the others that went on hunts, she knew there were two or three people that were faster runners and could shoot an arrow farther than the rest. This meant that she was just inside their maximum attack range, and before long the others would be able to reach her as well.
Quickly, she gathered herself and began to stumble forward, but right as she stood up and took a few steps forward, an unforeseen obstacle claimed her. A long hill had presented itself to her at the most inopportune time and downward A'kuri tumbled. On and on the girl fell, each moment precariously close to breaking something and ending her flight dead. Slowly, her arms flailing as she tried to stop herself, she eventually reached the bottom of the hill. Bruised, battered and severely disorientated, she could barely breathe. The shock of the long fall worked her heart to a frantic pace, the little M'qote's head and ears were pounding with her heartbeat. Every part of her body ached and screamed for her to just lay there, but she knew she couldn't, she could see the first of the hunters reach the hill top and eye her hungrily. They must have thought that now with their prey nicely tenderized, they could savor the catch before the rest of the hunters arrived.
With the skill and grace of natural and trained hunters, the two hunters began racing down the hill towards where A'kuri lay. Fearfully watching their approach, the girl rolled onto her hands and knees and tried to stand but to no avail. Her legs were too bruised, the shock of her fall pushed her body past the powers of fear and adrenaline. She stumbled on her knees and tried her best to continue on her way, crawling hand and feet in the direction of the sounds in front of her.
"Please." She cried out, "I know you're still here! I can feel you near me! Please help me again! I... I don't want to die! Not here! Now knowing what I can do! Not knowing what it's like to be free! Please come back to me!"
The hunters were nearly upon her when they heard her please for help and they hastened their steps. Not knowing what creatures may be around, it would be unpleasant if they were disturbed while they "ate" their catch.
As they approached, a soft green glow began to coalesce in front of A'kuri's prone body. Staring straight into the swirling green depths, she cried out again "Please! I want to remember who you are! I know we belong together! I'm sorry I forgot about you, it wont happen again so please help me!" As she concentrated on the energy forming in front of her, she could feel the power within her attempt to reach out and make a connection to it. Not knowing what else to do, she focused on the energy inside of her and pushed the small stream of power out of her body and towards the energy in front of her. It was a small trickle of power, a barely visible thread of energy, but it was forming, and it was stretching out. In response to her struggle, the green mass of energy also sent out a thread of aether, a much thicker and stronger looking thread than her feeble attempt. Slowly, so slowly it was agonizing, the threads reached out together.
The hunters could feel untold amounts of dread at the sight they were witnessing as they reached the girl laying in the dirt. They knew not what she was doing, or was attempting to do, but from her pleas they could only think that she was attempting to summon an ally, or even several. Glancing quickly at each other they both seemed to agree that perhaps this was one meal that would be best served cold and slowly began to approach the girl, swords drawn and ready to kill.
Oblivious to the now immediate danger, A'kuri was focused solely and making her strand of aether make contact with the mass in front of her. She could feel something behind the mists encouraging her, supporting her and reassuring her that it did indeed want to help her. She couldn't do it. She didn't have enough power to make the connection. Realizing this the girl began to sob, hope evaporating from her like water thrown on a hot fire stone. "No... I can't do it... Please, just a little more! I'm... almost... there!" Her arm stretched out as if it would help push her aether strand just a touch bit further. The sound of a small branch snapping drew her gaze to her left to where she saw the hunters making their last approach. Fear and panic overtook her and even more loudly than before she started to scream into the aether mass. "NO! PLEASE HELP ME! THEY ARE GOING TO KILL ME! PLEASE!"
Step by steps the hunters approached, ready to lash out if anything appeared from the aether, but in their eyes, this girl was a failure at summoning just as she was a failure at everything else in life. Knowing that the girl could do little to hurt them based on her current appearance, one hunter moved in for the kill, raising his sword above the girls back, intent on stabbing her through the heart. It was a pity it had to end this way the hunter thought. He would have much rather eaten this dish while it was warm. He would have enjoyed it so much more.
Knowing death was upon her she screamed out once more "I KNOW YOU'RE THERE! YOU SEE ME! I'M TRYING AND I CAN'T! I KNOW YOU HAVE POWER!" Focusing with every inch of her existence, her arm stretched out, she pushed everything she had into one final burst of aether screaming out "MIDORI YOUR MASTER SUMMONS YOU!"
The hunter standing over her began to bring his sword down when the aether convoluted and shone with an intense bright green light, emanating a sound like a sonic boom. From the blinding green light an intense hurricane force wind drove into the hunter's body, slamming it with an overwhelming amount of force. The impact from the wind shattered the hunter, turning his body to pulp, breaking his bones and sending his remains rocketing away. The other hunter, frozen in place from fear and confusion did not know what to do. Whatever was hiding in the shining light was strong. Far stronger than anything the tribe has ever fought before. He knew he stood no chance against this... thing. The only option he saw was retreat. Retreat and pray that the aether monster didn't see him.
Luck, nor the Gods were on his side however. As the second hunter turned to flee, a second mass of golden aetheric energies formed in front of him. Confused and scared, he knew that this was the end for him. From that mass of aether, a shining golden light came charging forth towards him. He turned to run, instincts making him attempt to flee no matter how vain the effort was. But that golden light was fast, and it sounded heavy. As the light sped up towards him, it sounded as if a boulder were chasing after him, the ground shaking with the force of the creatures each stomp. In mere seconds, the light caught up the hunter, slamming into him like a reinforced wall. The hunters entire body went slack, the force of the impact turning his every bone into dust and his organs to pulp. The hunter body tumbled in the direction they came from, rolling around like a disgusting meat puppet, the light gone from his bloodshot eyes as he came to a stop, coiled like no M'qote body has the ability or right to.
A'kuri could feel the connection of powers, she knew she had made her aether reach. Her companion, her friend from an age long lost to her. A creature she was able to summon when she was a child, much to the amusement of her Mother and A'Bhen Nunh, the former Nunh. She could feel the warmth the carbuncle radiated and was comforted. She couldn't help but fall to the ground, her last bit of energy going to maintaining the connection with the creature. Maybe Midori will be able to handle these hunters and when the rest of the clan catches up, they will just leave her alone. Maybe. She lay on the ground, out of strength, drained and feeling empty,
She did not feel or see the second aetheric presence, the girl was too exhausted, to spent to see anything other than the shining green creature in front of her. Reaching out her small hand that was covered in dirt and blood, she stroked the creatures fur, feeling the tingle of power flowing through it. Her grimoire still held in her arm under her body, A'kuri softly caressed the carbuncle before her arm lost all strength and fell back to the ground. She closed her eyes thanking Midori for returning to her once more and apologizing for forgetting about the creature.
However, the sword the hunter once held was still in free fall above A'kuri's body, the hunters arm still attached to it in a grisly display of what power attacked him. The sword fell as A'kuri's hand fell, slicing the air on it's decent towards A'kuri's prone body. A'kuri didn't know, nor did she care. She was tired and in pain, all she wanted to do was rest. So she closed her eyes as the sword closed in on her body.
From behind her came shouts, angry yells and mournful cries of pain and sorrow. They had found the Bastard Nunh's remains she guessed. That would mean the hunt is on and she is the unfortunate prey. As skilled as the clans hunters were, A'kuri guessed that it would be no time at all before they caught up with her. With the stream to her left, and the shore creeping up on the horizon, it was no guessing game to realize that the hunters would reach their prey long before it reached safety. However, despite coming to that conclusion, she still exerted herself in her attempt.
It was weird for A'kuri though, all throughout her flight of fear, she had begun to notice the world around her in such sharp detail. She saw the rodents scurrying through the grass out of her rampaging path and the birds that watched in mild amusement as for once, some poor creature other than one of their own was being hunted. It was as if her mind saw and understood the many details, for instance she knew how far away the birds in the upcoming tree was, she could discern how many frogs were gathered by the fallen tree near the stream just by hearing their slightly differing croaks. All this wealth of information was flooding into her brain and it was all unneeded. She could also create a perfect path for her to sprint along in her mind just by looking ahead and viewing the terrain. She just knew where she should run, or jump that would be the most ideal path that would accommodate her weak bodies limitations. However, it's one thing to think of something, and an entirely differing thing to successfully implement it, which led to the many trips and falls she has gone through.
Damn her clumsiness and lack of hand-eye coordination she scowled to herself as she once again tumbled to her hands and knees. The shore was getting closer, she was sure of it! The air had begun to take on a different smell, an unfamiliar one that she prayed belonged to the sea. As she picked herself up this time, an arrow went flying past her shoulder and buried itself into the dirt in front of her. Staring at the arrow that was still quivering from it's impact, she realized with horror that her pursuer's were nearly upon her. From what she had learned from overhearing the others that went on hunts, she knew there were two or three people that were faster runners and could shoot an arrow farther than the rest. This meant that she was just inside their maximum attack range, and before long the others would be able to reach her as well.
Quickly, she gathered herself and began to stumble forward, but right as she stood up and took a few steps forward, an unforeseen obstacle claimed her. A long hill had presented itself to her at the most inopportune time and downward A'kuri tumbled. On and on the girl fell, each moment precariously close to breaking something and ending her flight dead. Slowly, her arms flailing as she tried to stop herself, she eventually reached the bottom of the hill. Bruised, battered and severely disorientated, she could barely breathe. The shock of the long fall worked her heart to a frantic pace, the little M'qote's head and ears were pounding with her heartbeat. Every part of her body ached and screamed for her to just lay there, but she knew she couldn't, she could see the first of the hunters reach the hill top and eye her hungrily. They must have thought that now with their prey nicely tenderized, they could savor the catch before the rest of the hunters arrived.
With the skill and grace of natural and trained hunters, the two hunters began racing down the hill towards where A'kuri lay. Fearfully watching their approach, the girl rolled onto her hands and knees and tried to stand but to no avail. Her legs were too bruised, the shock of her fall pushed her body past the powers of fear and adrenaline. She stumbled on her knees and tried her best to continue on her way, crawling hand and feet in the direction of the sounds in front of her.
"Please." She cried out, "I know you're still here! I can feel you near me! Please help me again! I... I don't want to die! Not here! Now knowing what I can do! Not knowing what it's like to be free! Please come back to me!"
The hunters were nearly upon her when they heard her please for help and they hastened their steps. Not knowing what creatures may be around, it would be unpleasant if they were disturbed while they "ate" their catch.
As they approached, a soft green glow began to coalesce in front of A'kuri's prone body. Staring straight into the swirling green depths, she cried out again "Please! I want to remember who you are! I know we belong together! I'm sorry I forgot about you, it wont happen again so please help me!" As she concentrated on the energy forming in front of her, she could feel the power within her attempt to reach out and make a connection to it. Not knowing what else to do, she focused on the energy inside of her and pushed the small stream of power out of her body and towards the energy in front of her. It was a small trickle of power, a barely visible thread of energy, but it was forming, and it was stretching out. In response to her struggle, the green mass of energy also sent out a thread of aether, a much thicker and stronger looking thread than her feeble attempt. Slowly, so slowly it was agonizing, the threads reached out together.
The hunters could feel untold amounts of dread at the sight they were witnessing as they reached the girl laying in the dirt. They knew not what she was doing, or was attempting to do, but from her pleas they could only think that she was attempting to summon an ally, or even several. Glancing quickly at each other they both seemed to agree that perhaps this was one meal that would be best served cold and slowly began to approach the girl, swords drawn and ready to kill.
Oblivious to the now immediate danger, A'kuri was focused solely and making her strand of aether make contact with the mass in front of her. She could feel something behind the mists encouraging her, supporting her and reassuring her that it did indeed want to help her. She couldn't do it. She didn't have enough power to make the connection. Realizing this the girl began to sob, hope evaporating from her like water thrown on a hot fire stone. "No... I can't do it... Please, just a little more! I'm... almost... there!" Her arm stretched out as if it would help push her aether strand just a touch bit further. The sound of a small branch snapping drew her gaze to her left to where she saw the hunters making their last approach. Fear and panic overtook her and even more loudly than before she started to scream into the aether mass. "NO! PLEASE HELP ME! THEY ARE GOING TO KILL ME! PLEASE!"
Step by steps the hunters approached, ready to lash out if anything appeared from the aether, but in their eyes, this girl was a failure at summoning just as she was a failure at everything else in life. Knowing that the girl could do little to hurt them based on her current appearance, one hunter moved in for the kill, raising his sword above the girls back, intent on stabbing her through the heart. It was a pity it had to end this way the hunter thought. He would have much rather eaten this dish while it was warm. He would have enjoyed it so much more.
Knowing death was upon her she screamed out once more "I KNOW YOU'RE THERE! YOU SEE ME! I'M TRYING AND I CAN'T! I KNOW YOU HAVE POWER!" Focusing with every inch of her existence, her arm stretched out, she pushed everything she had into one final burst of aether screaming out "MIDORI YOUR MASTER SUMMONS YOU!"
The hunter standing over her began to bring his sword down when the aether convoluted and shone with an intense bright green light, emanating a sound like a sonic boom. From the blinding green light an intense hurricane force wind drove into the hunter's body, slamming it with an overwhelming amount of force. The impact from the wind shattered the hunter, turning his body to pulp, breaking his bones and sending his remains rocketing away. The other hunter, frozen in place from fear and confusion did not know what to do. Whatever was hiding in the shining light was strong. Far stronger than anything the tribe has ever fought before. He knew he stood no chance against this... thing. The only option he saw was retreat. Retreat and pray that the aether monster didn't see him.
Luck, nor the Gods were on his side however. As the second hunter turned to flee, a second mass of golden aetheric energies formed in front of him. Confused and scared, he knew that this was the end for him. From that mass of aether, a shining golden light came charging forth towards him. He turned to run, instincts making him attempt to flee no matter how vain the effort was. But that golden light was fast, and it sounded heavy. As the light sped up towards him, it sounded as if a boulder were chasing after him, the ground shaking with the force of the creatures each stomp. In mere seconds, the light caught up the hunter, slamming into him like a reinforced wall. The hunters entire body went slack, the force of the impact turning his every bone into dust and his organs to pulp. The hunter body tumbled in the direction they came from, rolling around like a disgusting meat puppet, the light gone from his bloodshot eyes as he came to a stop, coiled like no M'qote body has the ability or right to.
A'kuri could feel the connection of powers, she knew she had made her aether reach. Her companion, her friend from an age long lost to her. A creature she was able to summon when she was a child, much to the amusement of her Mother and A'Bhen Nunh, the former Nunh. She could feel the warmth the carbuncle radiated and was comforted. She couldn't help but fall to the ground, her last bit of energy going to maintaining the connection with the creature. Maybe Midori will be able to handle these hunters and when the rest of the clan catches up, they will just leave her alone. Maybe. She lay on the ground, out of strength, drained and feeling empty,
She did not feel or see the second aetheric presence, the girl was too exhausted, to spent to see anything other than the shining green creature in front of her. Reaching out her small hand that was covered in dirt and blood, she stroked the creatures fur, feeling the tingle of power flowing through it. Her grimoire still held in her arm under her body, A'kuri softly caressed the carbuncle before her arm lost all strength and fell back to the ground. She closed her eyes thanking Midori for returning to her once more and apologizing for forgetting about the creature.
However, the sword the hunter once held was still in free fall above A'kuri's body, the hunters arm still attached to it in a grisly display of what power attacked him. The sword fell as A'kuri's hand fell, slicing the air on it's decent towards A'kuri's prone body. A'kuri didn't know, nor did she care. She was tired and in pain, all she wanted to do was rest. So she closed her eyes as the sword closed in on her body.