Forum Thread

"Hmmm i don't really know, i like her and i think she likes me, but it is unconfirmed at the moment, though i intend to find out after dinner tonight. though keep that between me and you if you will." Thinking to himself a bit, "I think i saw Kayoko has a pocket knife but if i want things to be done a bit quicker using my blade is best."

"Oh really? Well, I had a chat with her. I bet it won't take a few brain cells to figure out what we were talking about." Erin said to Silar. "I won't spoil anything for you, I'll let you figure things out. And if she has a pocket knife how'd you know that? Did you rifle through her bag?" he asked. "I hear talking, so we must be close." he said quietly. "I mean, what do you like to do for fun?" he asked Silar casually. "I can chill out with my bro if that makes you feel better. You remind me of someone, but I can't figure out who. Makes me angry that I can't remember anything. It's really important too." he added.

---

Kayoko grinned "If this is too mysterious then I wonder what you'd prefer. It's pretty cool here, but that's just my opinion. And.. let's not go there, with the whole possessing thing. I think Silar told you, but I got possessed and tried to kill him. So it wasn't a fun time." she muttered. "Close indeed, you can meet Erin. Similar personality to mine, he does look familiar though. Can't remember why.." she told Aurora.

---

"The Erin guy Kayoko mentioned is similar to Kayoko. Just more lax and less likely to stab you in the back, though they have a similar scent. I wonder if they're related, who knows? The humans can't seem to remember anything thanks to the ancient. It's sad really, since they don't remember family and such." Dakota told Drake. "The Rune Drake is Erin's partner. There's another one, a girl that has a Rune Drake too. She's more anti-social and awkward. I smelled her and it turned out she was hiding in the bushes, I guess that's what Kayoko mean't by "Bush-girl". I don't remember her name though.. I left after that. And they followed shortly after me. There scent is getting stronger they must be close." he barked.

"Really that's surprising, i wouldn't think that she would open up about something so personal to a practical stranger." Silar said slightly unconvinced, being asked about how he knew about the pocket knife he remembered the possession incident and how Kayoko had been forced to attack him, his eyes had a hint of anger in them for the thing that possessed her before returning to normal. "No i didn't go through her stuff i just happened to see her use it once or twice." Silar replied. "For fun.... heh haven't really had too much of that since getting here, but my favorite times are when i am with the group of people i have met so far, i find the contrast in personalities interesting. The memory loss makes you angry.. i guess i can agree but more than that i am curious. What kind of creature in this world is capable of manipulating memories i want to meet this creature." Silar explaining his curious fascination with their current situation and before they knew it they had arrived at camp, seeing Kayoko Silar was relieved that she looked completely ok.

---

Waiting for Silar and the others to return Nyx went over to Drake and Dakota and just decided to lay down and nap under the shade of a tree near them.

"Hey Silar. Hey Erin." Kayoko told the two. She then walked over to them "What took you so long?" she asked them both, then punched Erin in the arm "You guys make me worry." she added rather crossly. Then sighed "I guess it can't be helped. Hey? Who's cooking? I promised Paws, and then heard Silar offer. I don't know what to do though." she admitted. "Erin? Never mind, we can talk later. I have something to say anyways, to everyone." she then climbed up a nearby tree and sat at the third to lowest branch to get everyone's attention "Okay so after some casual difficulties and curves along the way we gained some interesting information. That wisp thingy told us an unusual name, Animus. I may be overthinking this, but he must have ties with us being here. It also said it was playing a dangerous game with our lives, so this Animus fellow must be powerful." she said. "I have an idea, we find him. But, the wisp also said he is hard to find. So it may be difficult, but that's why were all here right? I see a lot of things in you all, we are the dream team Animus thought of from the start." she continued. "So, my idea is find this Animus and get some information; like why are we here? If anyone has a better idea, please speak up." Kayoko added before she went silent.

She noticed Erin was sitting in a tree as well, eating an apple. How'd he get that? Oh that's an apple tree. she thought. She then looked down at the group, she had strong hopes. She wanted to get home, she'd enjoyed her time here. But what if they could return? If they could come here surely they could come back again! It might not be so easy.. she thought, doubting herself. "I know Erin, it makes me feel uneasy too. Our first encounter wasn't the best too, and it said we'd be meeting sometime soon, like we were going to meet up."

---

"Hey." Erin then yelped as Kayoko punched him in the arm "Hey!" he said, then sighed "Sorry to make you worry?" he told her. She wants to cook? Hey, we share something in common. he thought. He then noticed Kayoko had something to say to him, but said they'd talk later, he was now curious. Erin watched Kayoko climb up a tree, he did the same. Mostly to get the piece of fruit above him, he sat on a stable branch and took a bite out of the fruit, relaxing in the tree. He listened to the speech, Wisp? I'll ask later.. he thought. "That seems like a good idea. I don't have anything better, but.. a wisp? Something like that spells T.R.O.U.B.L.E to me." he told Kayoko.

---

Animus was hiding in plain sight in front of the humans using the trees for camouflage. The creatures didn't seem to sense it's presence yet, it remained frozen in place. Listening to their conversation They've got some interesting information. And, they're looking for me? How absurd. I'd love to meet them, but I have matters of my own. Maybe if they can find me.. hehe.. it thought. The only thing that gave it's presence away was it's abnormal glowing purple wisps that seemed to float next to certain parts of his body. It's beady purple eyes watching the humans with interest.

Hmm seems like Kayoko opened up to this Erin pretty quick i wonder why, now that i think about it these two seem pretty similar "seems like me and you had the same idea Kayoko, but i have to add that we need to be mindful of those wisp things and other threats to us." Silar said reminding everyone of dangers.

---

Nyx continued napping only raising her ears to listen around

---

Aion who had been watching them from a portal all this time noticed Animus and opened a small portal next to him "hello Animus these humans you had me help you bring here are quite amusing, I have been watching them all this time, would you like to know exactly what has happened with them?"

"Did you even care about the cooking part? I did.." Kayoko muttered, Erin looked over at Kayoko. She knew that expression well; "Food? What food?" she made a simple hand gesture telling him to knock off. Erin obeyed and plucked another apple from the tree above him, Kayoko rolled her eyes at his antics and then repeated "What Silar said, we must proceed with caution. Now, one more thing to add. We're all friends, I don't intend for you all to be enemy's. I don't want fighting, unless it's fighting over my cooking." she joked. She heard Erin joke and giggled "Shut up knuckle-head." she snapped, no harsh meaning into it.

---

Erin listened to Kayoko and Silar speak "I'll something too, you guys can call me anything you want. Just don't call me later for dinner." he joked as well, he got a laugh from Kayoko. Which made him feel better, We have a similar personality I've noticed. he thought. Then kept his trap shut, to listen to the people speaking.

---

Animus noticed Aion appear near it "Hello Aion. Yes, this is my recent check in. To make sure they're all still alive, y'know? But please fill me in." it replied simply. Now awaiting the Ancient's response. "And thank you for helping me, they look homesick if you ask me. They better get their task started." it added.

Zmaj trundled into camp, a decent sized tree being dragged by his tail and a slightly smaller very dry tree in his mouth. He set them both down and then used his two strong legs to break them apart into human manageable pieces. "Did I miss much?" He rumbled as he shook out the branches from behind his head. Looking around he noticed Khaalida not there. Perhaps she left for a walk? I can still smell her so she didn't go far... He thought to himself as he climbed a nearby tree to see if he could spot her.

(Sorry for the shortness of post, I am up really early and early rising Char mind doesn't work well... But now you can cook and Khaalida can enjoy her walk.)

((Sorry for replying late all the time >_<))

It wasn't long into her conversation with Kayoko when the newcomers made their entrance into their camp, and everyone started to do their own tasks. Kayoko and Erin seemed to get along quite nicely, especially for just meeting one another. She noticed they had similar personalities and figured that wad why they clicked so well. Before she could introduce herself to him, Kayoko climbed a tree and made an announcement to them about her idea, one Aurora thought would be their only option at getting closer to the truth and the reason to them being here.

The newcomer, a boy, had climbed up a nearby tree as wel, munching on apples whie Kayoko talked. Once the conversation seemed to quiet down, she walked over to the base of the tree he was in and spoke up, a gentle smile to add to her greeting danced on her lips, "Hello! I'm Aurora and..um..I guess welcome to this group? Haha." She was unsure if welcoming someone in their particular situation was a good idea or not, and her cheeks burned a pink shade at her embarassment.
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"Thank you for informing me, Dakota." The griffin said to the wolf, genuine gratefulness in his tone. He was curious as to who these new people were, especially the boy named Erin who was -in his opinion based on Dakota's words- was somehow related to Kayoko. He also was curious to meet the two Rune Drakes, to see what they were like and such.

He was about to greet Nyx as she came over, but she quickly curled up and fell asleep under a nearby tree. He decided to let her rest, the day having been a long and tiring one. After a while the griffin grew a nervous, heavy knot in his stomach, feeling as if something was going to go terribly wrong soon. He hoped his feelings were wrong.

Erin grinned playfully at Aurora "Hey, the name's Erin. Thanks for the warm welcome." he waved his hand that had the apple in it. Kayoko told him he was going to drop it but he payed her no mind. And, the apple fell and Fawkes ate it. Erin gave himself a facepalm and Kayoko started telling him she was right. "You were going to eat all the apples off the tree. Now you know when to stop." Kayoko nagged on. "Was not." Erin replied and removed his hand from his face. He jumped down from the tree and Fawkes caught him "Thanks bud." he told his Rune Drake and got down. "Hey Aurora you're turning red as the apples up there, just to let ya know." he pat her head and sat down over by a tree. Kayoko followed him and sat down next to him "Was to." she muttered. Erin rolled his eyes and pushed her away from him "Thanks for the brilliant information." he said sarcastically and leaned against the tree and began to relax.

---

"The apples doing to fall if you do that." Kayoko called over to him, but Erin didn't care. The apple did fall and Fawkes ate it, Erin gave himself a facepalm and grieved over his apple silently. Kayoko rolled her eyes "I knew it. I was right." she said. "You were going to eat all the apples from the tree. Now you know when to stop." Kayoko nagged on. "Was not." Erin replied and got off the tree. She followed him and sat down next to him "Was to." she muttered. Erin pushed her away from him and thanked her for telling him that, sarcastically. Kayoko didn't argue with him anymore and just sat there, she grabbed her pocket knife and began to sharpen it against a rock in her hand.

---

"You're welcome." Dakota replied. He turned his head Did I heard a voice or am I crazy? he thought, he didn't see anything. He felt like he was being watched, he walked over to Kayoko and Erin and rested with the both of them. Kayoko scooted back next to Erin and leaned against his shoulder, which Erin didn't seem to mind and they all rested together, but Dakota watched looking out for his master and her close friends.

After the short information sharing, Zmaj returned with the trees and had already cut them into smaller pieces for him "thanks Zmaj this will help." he told the rune drake. Finally having everything he needed Silar prepared the food as he listened to the exchange between Kayoko, Erin and Aurora. He was about to ask Kayoko for her pocket knife but decided against it when he saw her leaning against Erin's shoulder, eh? does she like him? it's possible she did seem to open up him rather quickly... perhaps i was mistaken in her liking me. Should i still talk to her about it... Silar decided to start carving out bowls and utensils to use as well as making a large pot, he was carving at an incomparable speed with a slightly distant and lonely look as he struggled on what to do about telling Kayoko his feelings.

---

Nyx opened her eyes and watched Silar in amazement at the sheer speed in which he carved. In less than 20 minutes he already had almost everything carved out except for the pot to cook in and a few utensils. could something be wrong he looks bothered somehow. Getting up she walked over to Dakota and asked, ~did something happen while i was napping, Silar seems somehow off from usual.~

Kayoko woke up and walked over to Silar and sat next to him "You need help with the carving?" she pulled out her pocket knife and grabbed a piece of lumber and began to carve as well not waiting for an answer. "You okay? You seem off task, and not you. Mind telling me what's up?" she asked him while carving. She then got the feeling she was being watched, but decided to ignore it. She then began to figure out what it was and asked Silar in a low voice "Are you jealous?" she grinned. She knew it, he was jealous! But for what reason, she did not know.

---

Dakota looked over at Nyx "He does seem off now that you mention it.. but.. that's not what I'm worried about.. I get the feeling were being watched and it's making me uncomfortable maybe you can find something out. But I have a feeling were in trouble, I feel like a about-to-be-killed Jackalope." he told Nyx.

---

Animus cackled "The Direwolf seems to know what's going on.. but it doesn't seem to know what's watching them.. heh." it said quietly. "I wonder if it could find me? That Sea Serval seems alert, but aware of her master's uneasy emotions." it added amused, "So many faces, how many did we send again Aion?" Animus asked the Travel Ancient.

Not noticing Kayoko at first, Silar continued carving until he heard Kayoko asking him questions. "Hmm jealous, that may very well be the case, though i haven't felt like this before so i am unsure, though it does have to do with you." Silar said innocently, still struggling with his inner emotions he decided to just ask outright, "Kayoko... do you like Erin?" he asked stopping his carving work and looking right into Kayoko's beautiful eyes.

---

Nyx watching the two, changed her attention and focus when Dakota mentioned that he felt like an about to be killed jackalope. ~I will search around the area since it does seem like something dangerous is around.~ As she said so she walked behind a tree and then vanished into the shadows searching the area while hidden. She eventually came to a certain spot that seemed to be emanating a very strong power, enough to make her extremely alert and almost start having cold sweats.

---

"We sent quite a few , but something has been preventing me from locating the others, so for now these ones are the only ones i can safely watch. Also while you were busy these humans ran into one of the wisps." Aion filled Animus in on everything that had happened in his absence. "That's how they know about your name and also one of the humans, the boy whose seems disturbed right now, has awoken the power of his weapon, at present him and the girl next to him are the ones i find most amusing. oh that little sea serval has shadow powers she is nearing us hidden in shadows, if you aren't trying to be found you may want to leave now before she gets too close." Aion informed Animus before closing the portal he used to chat with him.

Kayoko stopped working on her carving and had an idea of where this was going then when she was asked if she liked Erin she burst out into fitful laughter. "No, it's not like that! Are you trying to make me laugh? Is this a new joke of yours? No, I don't like him.. not that way. It's more of a brother sister relationship, who knows. I think he's a retaliative and he knows it too." she responded after she was done laughing. Kayoko then rolled her eyes I can't believe I'm doing this.. she thought and grabbed Silar's shirt collar and pulled him in for a kiss. She then let go "Do you get the picture now?" she asked him before getting back to her carving.

---

Animus looked over at Aion "I'm done waiting I want to meet these humans we brought.. but if things get out of hand I'll ask you to get me out of there. Can I count on you old friend?" it asked with the swish of it's long tail before the Ancient left. It's time.. for their mission to begin.. he thought proudly.

Hearing Kayoko, Silar was relieved but before he could say anything else Kayoko had pulled him into a kiss and then said "get the picture now". Silar went blank minded for a moment as he was caught completely off guard after he recovered he had a thought. "That was my first kiss you know, i don't like how sudden it was" as he said this he returned the same kind of sudden kiss to Kayoko. " That's more like it, since we have gone this far i guess i already know the answer to my question of if you want to date right." After that exchange he continued carving with a huge smile on his face and at a speed even faster than before. Suddenly he felt something was off and shifted to a combat stance. "Kayoko get ready i feel like something is coming."

---

Nyx saw something move with a flash from a spot nearby heading straight for her friends. When she saw this she rushed as fast as possible to get back in the shortest time she could, what is that, it's giving off such power.

---

"Worry not my friend I am always watching if you need me i'll help you out" Aion replied to Animus.

"You idiot of course I'll date you." Kayoko replied then noticed Silar get ready to fight. She stood up and unsheathed her sword "Dakota's been on edge he must know something we don't." she said, then noticed the ground shake "Footsteps?" she said quietly as a large alien like creature came into view it looked at all of us it didn't look hostile at least but she held her sword tight, not wanting to be caught off guard. It looks a bit taller then the Rune Drakes in the group, making it a scary creature to look at, it even had a scary appearance. ..What is it? It doesn't look like any other creature here. Or ones I haven't seen already. she thought. She noticed Dakota whimpering and it looked like he was scared of the creature, which didn't make Kayoko feel any better. Fawkes was on edge too, despite almost being as tall as it.

---

Dakota growled loudly his fur standing on end he was about to attack when he felt a surge of power in the area "That feeling.. it.." he was about to finish his sentence when a large creature appeared in front of everyone. His hopes turned to ash as the power and size of the beast loomed over them, like a shadow about to consume it's owner. "That power.. that's an ancient.." he said and whimpered, tucking his tail underneath him and folding his ears back. Never has he felt so helpless.

---

Time to make my grand entrance! Animus thought as it took steps forward it then came into view. It noticed the creatures in the group feeling scared and helpless it then spoke "I do not mean you any harm, I want to talk with your humans." he said, mimicking human speech. It noticed the Dire wolf in the group growl in protest and began talking, "Hmm.." he muttered, he turned over and took steps towards the humans "Sorry for wiping your memories, it was only necessary. And a part of my plan, now, if you'll listen to what I have to say and I'll take my leave. I don't want to hurt a hair on those pretty faces, now would I?" he added his voice dull and dry.

---

Erin felt the ground shaking and shot up to his feet alert and his sword unsheathed "What in the world?" he muttered then noticed a large creature come into view, he noticed Dakota and Fawkes were acting very strangely toward this new creature, as if it was a king. It began to talk English which surprised him. It looked like the creatures could understand too, which didn't make him feel any better. He had an awful feeling, and a overwhelming desire not to get on the creatures bad side. When it mentioned about it being responsible for the memory wipe his hopes got trampled to bits. What if he wiped all their memories now? Would he forget befriending Kayoko and his new found friends? He didn't want to think about it. At all.

---

Fawkes heard the ground shake and everyone get startled, he let out a defiant screech and flapped his wings then out of a corner of his metallic eyes he spotted a creature slightly bigger than he emerge from the shadows, it radiated power. So much power, he rumbled nervously afraid that this time he couldn't protect his master and his friends. He realized this was a ancient, which made him more nervous.

Seeing the large creature and feeling an unusual pressure from it, Silar felt that this creature was incomparably dangerous, at the mention of changing memories Silar thought of a name. "Well we will listen as you have important information and thank you for making our search easy Animus." Silar said while putting away his blade but staying somewhat ready just in case.

---

Nyx hurried next to Silar, she arrived just as the ancient spoke so this is the ancient responsible for their missing memories, what terrifying presence, i hope it doesn't come down to a fight we may all lose. Nyx stayed ready to fight even as frightened as she was, hearing Silar call the creature Animus she relaxed a little bit.

---

Aion watched the event's unfold and opened a very minute portal next to Animus' ear "my friend should i reveal myself aswell or stay hidden and watch over them?"

{OOC; Too lazy to post as everyone else, I'll add them in in the next post.}

Animus cackled "Yes, I've wanted to meet you all for a long time.. now, I'm getting off track.. I sent you here with a mission. Complete that mission and I'll return you home with the help of my friend, I'll also be restoring your memories. But, with that said this mission is dangerous, and I picked you all for a certain reason. I don't want to spoil too much, so I'll leave that up to you to figure out." he told them. "Now, I'll tell you that mission. I may have left you all with an open gap, at least I gave you weapons. Or you'd all be sprawling on the ground dead, funny right? Getting off track again! It seems that you've had an encounter with a wisp. This human knows what I'm talking about." he looked at Kayoko "Unique species you are. I'm fond of humans really, now now.. off track again! Those wisps you've seen, they've been causing mischief in Eldemore. I want you all to help me seal the gates they came from, once you're done I've already stated your reward.. with a little something extra." he said with a toothy grin a wag of his tail, clearly happy. "I've told you what to do, but how you get there you may ask? It's very simple really, since it takes a long time to travel my friend is going to dump you half way there. Come greet the humans Aion." he called out.

---

Kayoko felt at ease and listened to what Animus had to say, she felt eager to go. She wanted to go home more then anything. "We'll do it Animus. Just tell us when." she looked up, telling it. She noticed Animus mention another Ancient "There's more of you?" she asked, waiting for the creature to appear.

Silar kept quiet on his thoughts and waited for the new ancient to show themselves. Hmm i wonder if you really couldn't wait to meet us, i feel like if that were true you would have come to us before now.

---

Opening a portal to allow his voice to be heard Aion spoke, "Animus unlike you i do not intend to show myself, but i will introduce myself. Humans and creatures it is nice to meet you i am Aion and it was with my ability that you were brought here. I will also be using this ability to bring you closer to your destination." as he spoke he directly opened a large portal that connected to a distant place on the other side of the clearing. "When you all are completely ready to move on go through this portal."

Khaalida moved out of the bushes nearby having heard all that was said. She had remained hidden from sight out of her own sense of caution. Her jaw was set and her weapon was gripped tightly in one of her hands. Her eyes were darting back and forth between the large creature, the portal and the other humans around her. Her mind was buzzing with various scenarios and what exactly this creature was and what exactly the mission was.

---

Zmaj crawled out of the tree he had taken a short lived residence in and stood next to Khaalida, his tail on the ground creating a protective ring around his human. His mind was doing rather the same thing that Khaalida's was. What was this thing's purpose, but he was inwardly thanking it for bringing Khaalida to him. She had made him happy, but if she had a job to do, he would help her to do it.

(Continual writer's block and sleep deprivation are terrible things. I wish none of you have to deal with it...)

{OOC; I don't see the point your trying to set Charizard. o3o}

Animus clicked then turned over to look at Khaalida "Don't make this hard on me human, I'm going about this in a nice way am I not? I'm the memory ancient, I can alter all your creatures memories and make them turn on you. But I wouldn't do such a thing, I brought you here for a reason and your blood splattered on the earth is not that reason, oh no." it told Khaalida then looked over at Zmaj "You don't have to worry, I won't hurt her. Besides, the time you both will have together beauty and beast will not last much longer. She has a role here, and once it's fulfilled she'll go back home." it told the Rune Drake. "Your human friends over here look eager, will you join them on their quest for home female human?" it asked Khaalida. It looked over at Silar "You seem to be awfully quiet, I can't blame you. A lot to process! If you're wondering about my friend, he's shy so he won't be showing himself to you just know he has helped me and is a good friend of mine. Now, since all of you are ready let's hop into the portal? Yes?" it chirped happily.

---

Kayoko listened to the conversation and was unaware of "bush-girl" watching them she felt uneasy at the thought of it making all our creatures turn on them. That would end horribly, but she knew Animus was here to help. "All or nothing, unless you wanna spend your life here? I personally want to get back home!" she said happily, "Here I go." she walked through the portal being dropped in a swampy biome "Yuck.." she muttered she noticed Dakota follow her and hugged him "I love you Dakota. You're the best companion ever." she said. Dakota wagged his tail and licked her face, she laughed "Stop that silly!" she yelped through licks then toppled over into the mud. She flicked some in Dakota's face and they started wrestling each other playfully in the mud. She noticed Erin watching them and she rolled up a mud ball and threw it at him. He grinned and all three of them making a mess of themselves.

---

Dakota felt sad that he and Kayoko were going to go their separate ways. He decided to accept it and enjoy himself with her, when he walked through the portal with Kayoko he knew instantly that she felt the same way. She confessed herself, and he did as well with licks. She laughed and they both got themselves dirty, Erin seemed to find it amusing and he joined in too. So much for being regal and having high standards. he thought while playing with Kayoko and Erin.

---

Erin decided to follow Kayoko, he walked through the portal and noticed Kayoko and Dakota play fighting in the mud. He grinned, amused at the antics from the twosome he must've looked surprised when Kayoko threw the mud ball at his shirt because she fell over laughing. "Oh that's how you want to play eh?" he grinned and threw one at her as well all ending up in a mud ball fight, so much for winter. This was ten times funner. Fawkes flew high up in a tree so he could avoid getting hit, he felt like a little kid again which was stupid since he realized he was or is one of the oldest members of the group. So much for setting an example.. he thought as he dodged a mud ball coming from Kayoko.

---

When Fawkes came through the portal he noticed Erin Kayoko and Dakota horse playing in the mud he flew up high in a tree big enough to support him and chirped nervously. He didn't want his wings to get muddy or join in in their goofy antics at all. So he waited until they got tired or settled down, he hoped his master wasn't always like this but what could he expect? He just hoped he could spend a little more time with him, he continued to wait watching for anymore of the group members to come out of the portal.