North Western Reaches: Neelahn Vs Filendie

[Neelahn]

North Western Reaches:

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Neelahn Vs Filendie

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The trees tower high over the green grass that fills the western reaches. Toward the north the trees are greater than most, thick branches and large leaves shade all who are under them. The moist ground has many trails. Most animals call the reaches their home from the tiniest mouse to the largest of bears. Many unknown, unseen creatures, and the mystical ancients are in this land. A small rainbow of colors is exposed as the barks of the trees. Millions of shades of browns and reds create a miraculous setting.

A bit further north is a vast beach, not much inhabits it, and it is not really known what could be found there. The nameless beach is a wide field of golden sands and ancient worn rocks. Much unlike the wood, the sun shines bright onto all. The Great Western Ocean’s crystal waters splash quietly along the beach’s edge, reflecting the light of the sun.

Rules:
*Follow all When Fighting Other Players rules.
*No Cheerleaders (meaning no one other than the fighting players may post in this thread.)
*All Abilities and Weapons are welcome (Please state where you got your weapon.)
*Have Fun!!

~ Neelahn ~
Lvl: ??
Class: Bard
Race: Nyphai

~ Filendie ~
Lvl: ??
Class: Dark Mage
Race: Human

~*~

Neelahn

Neelahn shivered violently at the strange feeling in the air. Dark Magic always gave off a weird tingling feeling. Slowly she pried one eye open, lifting her head slightly. A deep red and dark green crowded around her face. Her toes wriggled further into the soil. Her fingers following the same pattern as she opened her other eye.

Crouching in the dirt, she looked left and right through the tiny cracks in the protective shield in front of her. The tree that brushed the heels of her feet was large and tall and its branches reached easily down to protect Neelahn as she called for them. Streams of hair feel to her face as she looked down. Quietly she released her grip on the ground below her; the tree limbs moving gradually back to their original place. She rose without haste, making no sound, looking about for her attacker.

The Nyphai ran a hand along the long dark wooded lute tied to her back. Its skin seemed to whirl and bubble where her hand touched. She closed her eyes for a moment, listening to the calming call of her lute as she strummed a single string. It echoed far, vibrating her feelings.

A slight noise startled her and promptly she shot open her eyes. It was nothing. No movement, sign of her attacker anywhere. Her eyes open now, she surveyed the land taking in the smell of the wild trees around her. A glimmering of light caught her attention as she looked to her left. Stepping closer she realize it was the blade of her dagger. Light footed, she stepped over to it without a sound, bent slightly at the waist and twisted it free of the ground, the long grass brushing against her arm.

Finally pulling it free, the girl held it firm in her hand. Wherever her attacker had gone, she was sure he would be back. She searched the area again. Real soon.

[Filendie]

{name:Filendie Garren#|#picture:2}Filendie Garren

He leant his back harshly against a huge oak tree, his forehead beaded with sweat and his breathing was rasped. His travels lead him through the western reaches and into the path of a young woman. He had watched her most of the day as she played her lute and used Elemental magic to restore the dieing forest. His staff sang with the smell of her blood, elementals life force made his magic five fold in power but he had underestimated her. She was one of the most powerful elementals he had come across that rivalled his own elemental skill. He guessed her blood must be ripe and incredibly potent in some sort of magic that affected the forest around her and would probably make his magic ten fold in power if not more and he wanted it.

His eyes were wide as he thought of what he could do with such power, but he would have to get it from her first. The sweet smell of dark magic’s clung to the air which snapped him out of his daze. He watched through Setils eyes from a tree branch high above the forest floor, watching her movements. He found that she was very alert and heard even the slightest sound, even when Setil flew too another branch.

Filendie racked his mind of all the spells he could think of, she was alert so he would play on her senses. His eyes clouded over as it seemed like the entire area was falling into an eclipse. A magical darkness spread out from the crystal of his staff, making it impossible to see anything. He thought of how she would panic and stepped out from behind the tree, he could see everything, but she could see nothing. His lips parted as he let out a bone chilling laugh that echoed off the trees.

[Neelahn]

{name:Neelahn#|#picture:4}A light wind brushed Neelahn’s cheek. She turned her attention in that direction. It wasn’t a simple breeze. As her eyes darted about, they began to ach slightly. The light was little by little drained from the area as a cloud of darkness washed over her. She studied the dark shades of color, her violet eyes pleading for light. Bending her knees she got close to the ground, somewhat concealing herself in the high grasses, and lightly rested her eyelids over her pupils. Focusing on touch and hearing, she could feel the wood around her, the thick air suffocating her leisure. Crouching low, she moved quietly toward the tiny sound she heard earlier, adjusting her dagger slightly.

Suddenly a loud laughing echoed throughout the wood. Neelahn straightened a bit. A flock of birds flew overhead, frightened by the noise. Using this to her advantage she quick reached her free hand over her shoulder, plucking a string of her lute softly.

“Wail of the scorn,”

Her mouth barley moved as she breathed the words softly. As her lips came together she hummed a soft tune to herself. It would seem to most she was making no sound. The birds finally passed, the flapping noise following them to the east.

Where are you? The nyphai thought as a slight pain grew in the back of her mind. Her song will come with a slight price, but she could handle it, knowing whoever else was out there was feeling worse.

[Filendie]

{name:Filendie Garren#|#picture:2}It had worked, the woman couldn’t see him at all, in fact she was cowering in the grass as if that would shield her. Filendie licked his lips and began to walk towards her, staff poised ready for a strike. The elemental then moved in his direction and plucked one of her lute strings. This made him hesitate, he was very weary of this woman and she had shown great skill.

A ringing began in the back of his head, This was no problem, only a mere annoyance. To his surprise that annoyance quickly turned into pain. Filendie grit his teeth as the pain got harsher. He could barely take it and figured it was some kind of shock wave. He quickly lifted his hand and began making a sheet of ice in front of himself but the pain was too much. He lost concentration and the wall smashed half built onto the forest floor.

Filendie let his staff go to hold his hands over his ears and dropped to his knees “Damn you woman” He spat out, desperately trying to keep the woman blind to him but he felt as if his head were about to explode. He forced one hand away from an ear, the throbbing making him feel faint. Grabbing his staff and crawling nearer to the woman he let go of all current spells and swung the butt of his staff towards her head as the darkness began to disperse.

[Neelahn]

{name:Neelahn#|#picture:4}The pain in her head grew as Neelahn continued to hum. Her senses at their peak, she stepping calmly and cautiously in the direction she had been traveling, as she attempted to hear any noise. She opened one eye slightly. Still dark? Such power… Her mind tried to keep her distracted from the increasing agony. Squeezing her eyes tight, she attempted to further divert her attention. Gradually she stopped creeping. The air around her began to moisten and chill.

She stepped back. She had yet to see cold come from this man. Is he an elemental? She raised her free hand to her forehead. The pain was beginning to overwhelm her, but she had to hold out at least until he finished what he was doing now. Ducking lower she stumbled back, a twig cracking under her foot. Shivering she glanced down, her eyes wide. Though she couldn’t see, she was horrified. If the man hadn’t known her exact location, he most likely knew it now. The cold thickened and her heart sank.

Lowering her free hand she opened her mouth and let out a beautiful high-pitched note. It echoed across the wood as the ache in her head dug deeper prying at her mind. She stumbled again, the cold settling further. A loud crash and the sound of breaking glass unexpectedly sounded, overcoming the sound of her voice, but this wouldn’t stop her. Cold shards of ice cut deep into her side, luckily she had turned her head away.

Blood dripping down her side, the nyphai’s eyes began to filter in a bit of light as she saw the dark figure of the man who had attacked her. Thinking back she remembered the sudden chill of dark magic that had startled her. This man was wretched. She lifted her voice, louder and changing pitch.

“Darn you woman”

The girl stepped toward the man, barely seeing the swing of his staff. With no time to react, she simply shifted her weight.

Leaning on her heels, she forced herself further back as the tip of the staff was sure to strike, but she lost balance. Falling full force backward, she landed hard on her underside, but fortunately the staff had swung by. Her bottom ached as she struck a hard rock, her head flying backward.

Quiet. She had stopped singing. Her spell was fading, the pain in her head started to subside, but she was down, she couldn’t let this corrupt being win. Lifting her head she continued her song. Dulling the pain in her mind as she thought of the dagger. Never drop your weapon… She told herself as she rolled to a stand, blood staining her clothing, and the grass as she put pressure on her gashes.

“You cannot win, the corruption of the Dark Lord hasn’t made you stronger,” She spat at him, blood dripping from her mouth as she studied the ice briefly.

“You are only a weapon he can use as he pleases.”

Adjusting the dagger in her hand she prepared herself for another attack, she would not underestimate him.

[Filendie]

{name:Filendie Garren#|#picture:2}His staff whirled through the air but missed by an inch as the woman fell to avoid it. The pain began to subside in his head and he was able to stand. The woman began her singing again as the pain started to ring in the back of his head. Her side was bleeding heavily but he couldn’t pinpoint how. He then noticed blood stains on some of the shards of ice. He smiled as put his staff to one piece nearby and sucked it dry of blood. As he did he took in a shaky sigh “Been a while since an element has been in my staff” He thought. He was about to do the same for some other shards when the woman spoke for the first time.

“You cannot win; the corruption of the Dark Lord hasn’t made you stronger,” She said and spat blood at him. The grin faded from his face and he stopped in his tracks as he looked at her “You are only a weapon he can use as he pleases.” She continued. She thought he was an Ill’Guard, well who could blame her.

“I am no Ill’Guard woman, I have my own mind and I bow to no-one” He spat out in rasped breaths, her song was beginning to cause him pain again “Enough of this” He said aloud and raised a hand to his head “I dispel your magic from me” He said this only for a basis to cast the spell. For him to cast them he needed both movements and words no matter what they might be. The pain instantly dulled but didn’t go completely “She must be incredibly powerful.” He thought.

“If I were an Ill’Guard you would be dead, I don’t know why I have let you live for so long already” He said in frustration. He pointed his finger towards her; he would use the darkest spell he had in his knowledge… Death.

As he pointed his head tilted back slightly, his long hair falling away to reveal his full unblemished beauty and as he did uttered a few words “Only Death Awaits You.” His eyes clouded to black, the air filled with a noise like a struggled breath from a closed windpipe. His face wasn’t finished changing as the skin around his eyes darkened further and further until his face was no longer beautiful but a picture of death itself. He started to shake as the power of the spell began to build. He tried to keep his pointed finger still but he couldn’t. The final stage of the spell happened as Filendie jerked his shoulder back like someone had violently brushed past him, he looked to watch her die but he had missed. Instead behind her lines of trees were dieing, eight huge trees he counted from a glance.

He dropped to one knee then instantly forced himself back up “Not… done… yet”

[Neelahn]

{name:Neelahn#|#picture:4} “I am no Ill’Guard woman, I have my own mind and I bow to no-one”

Neelahn’s eyes were glued to the ice shards where the mage had sucked her blood clean from the frosted surface. The staff… This must be the source of his power She took in the moment, trying to think of how she was to beat this revolting excuse for a man. If he was human at all it was barely, the dark magicks had possessed him. This was clear.

“Enough of this”

The Bardswomen’s eyes shifted to study the dark figure. She took a small step back, keeping her distance. Mages are unpredictable. She had not witnessed all magicks and she was not prepared to take it lightly. This man was unmistakably powerful and experienced.

“I dispel your magic from me”

Tilting her head she suddenly stopped her tune. Though he hadn’t forced her to stop, she knew that if his spell had worked, it was useless to continue. Stepping forward with her left foot she thought more on her next move. Magick, magick… Blood magick… She could feel a certain familiarity.

“If I were an Ill’Guard you would be dead, I don’t know why I have let you live for so long already”

With the tiniest movement she rubbed her heel against the dirt. The grass, high at her knees, itched slightly. The man before her began to shift, as though showing his true fiendish self. Neelahn’s mind faltered, as she was about to make her move, she suddenly froze. The tip of his finger pointed right at her.

“Only Death Awaits You.”

The dark hair and smooth skin of the pale man clashed brilliantly with his black clothes and midnight eyes. She didn’t want to move. His new delicacy entranced her. Was this a trick? Her mind fought free.

This is NOT beauty! Neelahn thought as she looked into the grass and back up at the man. Kicking the dirt up a bit more, she watched as the man began shaking. The power building inside him was about to burst. As she ducked away she saw his body spasm. He had missed her completely.

Neelahn took a deep breath glancing behind her. The large ancient trees of the western reaches, eight of them, gone. Her earlier work seemed fruitless. What took so long to replenish can be so simply taken.

Long honey streaks of blonde fluttered in the wind as she turned her head back to the man, who was now pressing up from a knee. Moving swiftly, she hardly made out his next words as she lunged forward, her dagger high.

“Not… done… yet”

Making the distance in no time, her violet eyes connected with his. This man was too much of a threat to let live. Ill’Guard or not, his dark arts could wipe out the elementals. Swooping down like a hawk, she descended on him, her arm arching, aiming high. At this same time, the trees around them began to stir. Roots sprung from the ground, lunging with the same force at the man’s staff.

No! She could not go forward with this man still alive at her back, like the pile of dead trees behind her, it would pray of the trees around it until all where dead and corrupt. She closed her eyes, more roots reaching for his feet now. This would not happen.

[Filendie]

{name:Filendie Garren#|#picture:2}This woman was sharp and alert; it seemed as if she had experienced Dark Magic’s before. She didn’t say anything to his words but instead dodged and dived out of the way. ”Is she trying to wear me out” was his first thought, but this was soon discarded as she lunged towards Filendie with her dagger held high. As she quickly advanced he increased his grip on his staff ready to counter her.

As she came into range he lifted his staff, at least he tried to. Before he had chance to look down his staff was ripped from his tight grip “No” He yelled, throwing himself to the side and rolling himself away from the woman. He got up clumsily, not being used to not having his staff to help him. A warm feeling crept down the side of her face, lifting his hand he wiped it away and looked back at the elemental. The warm feeling returned, looking at his hand he found blood, then the pain hit him. He held his hand over his cheek, a reaction to the pain.

“You cut me, you’re the first in a long long time” His frustration was noticeable and his temper short. “I know what you’re thinking” Of course he didn’t but he got the gist from the way his staff was taken from him. “You think I get my power from my staff… Then you would be wrong” He partially lied, he had immense power in himself but it was his staff that made him more powerful.

Filendie took his hand down from his face and wrapped his arms around himself. He hadn’t used the power in himself for a long time but he knew it was tiring and a little stressful. He needed time to look for his staff so he needed to get her away from the immediate area “A directed shockwave should do the trick” He thought and shouted “GO” In her general direction. A powerful ripple in the air burst forth from his mouth and rushed towards the woman. He wasn’t finished; using movement of the mind he lifted his arms up and swept his hands down a long line of trees, tearing the trunks apart and directing the falling path towards the elemental.

Filendie finally fell to his knees, pain ripping at his head “Now where’s that darn staff” He said desperately, the withdrawal didn’t even let him look to see if the woman was standing over him or dead, he needed it like the air he breathed. He called for it like a lost pet, his voice panicky with the wound on his face already starting to clot, tearing peaces of the ground out along with the clumps of grass he tugged at.

[Neelahn]

{name:Neelahn#|#picture:4}“No”

The word echoed through her head. Neelahn watched the blood drip from her dagger as she regained her balance and assurance of what was going on. Glancing up from her knelt position, she saw the man wipe blood from his head, disregarding it completely. He looked at her, his face unreadable.

Standing, she prepared herself for another attack. He glanced down at the blood on his hand, and as if he just began feeling the pain, he held his head with his already bloodied hand.

“You cut me, you’re the first in a long long time”

Neelahn could see his anger and irritation. He obviously hadn’t been in a fight that truly was a challenge for a while. She shuddered at the thought of this. Was he just warming up? Can she even hold her own here? She must pose some sort of threat! He would not be the death of her.

“I know what you’re thinking”

Fear began to settle in.

“You think I get my power from my staff… Then you would be wrong”

The girl began to tremble slightly. How strong is this man? She thought, asking questions in her mind. His movement made her steady a bit. He was linked to that staff. His magick may be strong but-

Red. Heat. She could feel it, her vision blurred as she dug at this feeling inside her mind.Fire… Fire! She closed her eyes. Fire born of magick… Blood magick! Her dagger hand twitched slightly. The blood, my blood, from the Ice. She opened her eyes, her head dropped, staring at the blood on her knife. Staff… His staff! She glanced around searching for it, but the grass shrouded her hunt.

-Blood magick was stronger. Without his staff his power had to have weakened. Her vision had returned and she let herself smile on the inside.

“GO”

Neelahn’s ‘smile’ vanished as she lifted her head. With no time to react she was struck dead in the chest. Her body began to tingle and then burn as she was flung back into one of the dead trees. Her muscles began to involuntarily convulse. With no support she fell forward, and landed hard on her knees, but she kept falling. The elbow of her free hand stopped her face from colliding with the ground, but as her shoulder hit, her dagger slipped from her fingers. Her body ached slightly as her hand twitched, fingering the hold of her lute. She had shifted her weight enough so it wasn’t crushed against the tree. Her muscles still tingled, but they became hers again as she freed her lute. Glancing upward, she saw drop down, looking for his staff. Bark flew in front of her face. Then she saw it, a row of trees, tall, great, ancient trees, falling in her direction. No matter which direction she ran, there was no escaping it.

The Nyphai stared at the bases of the once magnificently standing trees. They where blown apart. As she began to stand, her lute in hand, she stared directly at the magickal being before her. He was full of power. She looked up in horror. Suddenly it hit her, she had only tried this once before, and it failed miserably, but did she have the time? She could hardly hear anything around her, but determined she strummed her lute softly, humming lightly. This was her only choice, she would be weak afterwards, but it had to be done. Opening her mouth she let out a long high-pitched note, and then two more, increasing the speed as the trees came upon her. She strummed harder, and sung louder, her voice fighting against the cracking of wood. The average man could’ve understood only a few words.

“How Come The World Won’t Stop?”

Neelahn’s hand twitched, holding the lute as she was about to be crushed. Ducking low, she squeezed her eyes shut. Sweat dripped down her face as she suddenly stop singing, her voice echoing back off the trees before her. Opening her eyes slowly, she could see how close she was to impact. The trees had stopped. Kneeling now, she crawled the distance out from under the first tree. She could stand now. Walking slowly she noted the silence as she made her way to the mage. He was in sight. Now she had time to study him better, his dark hair and slender lips, matching his black dyed clothing.

The staff... She thought, glancing around. Quickly she fastened her lute to her back and closed her eyes, sensing where the roots she had used to pry the weapon from him lay. She hummed the slightest tune, as she walked behind the man. She glanced back at the mage, digging in the grass and dirt. Pity. His staff now at her feet, she bent at the waist and reached forward to wrap her fingers around it.

Suddenly the ground rumbled and a thunderous crash sounded behind her, followed by another, but she paid no mind. She knew this to be the trees crashing into the ground. Her fingers touched the cold steel as her blonde hair covered her eyes. Pity.

[Filendie]

{name:Filendie Garren#|#picture:2}He now frantically tore out pieces of the ground, looking for the roots that had taken his loved one. He could feel a familiar twinge, the pull of dark magic of which was his way of life. He crawled along the ground and there it was; the polished deep purple surface, its unedited beauty. The shining crystal glowed dully in the small specs of light that caught it, to Filendie it was a glow of sorrow to be parted from its wielder. His lips bent into a smile as he reached for the dented finger groves on its shaft.

Suddenly there was a shadow that wasn’t there before, it just… appeared. The sound of the trees falling behind him rang through his head. Seeing that someone else was close he lunged to touch it, just once, its cold surface screaming to him. The contact was made and the magical aches he had disappeared but there was another hand on it. Touching his possession, soiling its impurity with there fingertips.

Filendie looked up at the woman, she was bent down and her focus was on the staff also. Its beauty engrossed her as it did him Yanking the staff away and lunging at her neck with his other hand he pinned her up against a broken tree trunk, a long spike of wood stuck out millimetres away from her face to one side.

“How… DARE you” he hissed, his voice a mass of malice and hate. He squeezed harder on her neck and moved the crystal on the tip of his staff closer too her, urging the glow brighter as if he were using magic, teasing her. Watching her face for the look that he knew all too well. The look that someone made when they knew they were about to die.

Then something twigged in him. He couldn’t kill her like this, it was too easy. He stopped squeezing the elementals neck and let her small feet touch the ground again. Before moving away he tore his nails down the side of her face and danced a few steps back. Pointing his staff towards her again he said “From this day, your every breath is a gift from me.” He ended his sentence with a small grin.

“You took my staff from me…” he said, almost upset, but before he shed a tear his features hardened “… But not again, never again.”

He wanted to leave her alone, he wanted too, but the magic wouldn’t let him. He looked at the skin and blood under his fingernails. He brought his hand up to his face and filled his nose with the sent of pure magic, restoring the fighting spirit “Listen woman, you called me an Ill’Guard, but I’m not. I have had my fare share of encounters with them because I too am gifted with the power of the lands and I still stand… Just” He added. “I need your blood to keep me alive, to keep me strong and my magic potent to fight off the approaching darkness” He spoke freely, walking around as if he thought she was going to listen. This is what made Filendie a sloppy fighter but most of the time they did listen, to his every word.

“… My methods maybe… Harsh and evil but I have chosen a side, against the Dark One. So you wouldn’t be dieing for no reason, more like. Dieing to further help defeat the Dark Lord through me…” As he spoke it sounded more like he was trying to convince himself rather than the woman. But at the same time his tone was that of certainty, as if this was a great plan that he believed in.

The reason why he gave the woman this speech was because blood taken from a willing body was even stronger “Either way I will have your power”

[Neelahn]

{name:Neelahn#|#picture:4}Neelahn's fingers went numb after feeling the steel ripped from her hand. She couldn't tell if this was from the dark mage pulling it or if the numbing came from touching the staff. She put up no fight to letting it go, but had no time to think before being grapped by the throat. Her toes trailed the ground as he lifted her off her feet. Mind fumbling she tried for a way to react, but she could only tell herself not to look at him. Pinned now she reached her hand up to grab his wrist and gasped for breath.

"How… DARE you” The dark mage's voice shown a hint of sadness. For what reason she didn't know, but it obviosly turned to anger quick as he squeezed harder.

Hands now franticly grabbing, she found her eyes on his. Though death would not frighten her here, she dare not risk it. There was something that she needed to do. Something she was missing and she couldn't let that slip by because of this evil creature.

Lifting his staff closer the man flared the magic brighter. She retired her hands to her sides and looked down, as if in defeat. Idle now, her right hand slipped quietly into a pouch, fingering a small throwing dagger.

The Nyphai gasped again for air, preparing to use her dagger, but as she did the dark mage released his grip slowly. Feet touching the ground now, she lifted her face in shock. It was greeted by nails tearing the flesh of her cheek.

The woman's violet eyes sprang to his, she was about to strike, when he spoke. “From this day, your every breath is a gift from me.”

I think you may have just saved yourself She thought unsure if the battle was to continue. Regaining herself she listened.

“You took my staff from me… But not again, never again.”

Twitching, her fingers tightened at his movement. He raised his hand to his nose and spoke again. She was ready for a surprise attack, but she still felt like she needed distance. It sickened her to be close to him.

“Listen woman, you called me an Ill’Guard, but I’m not. I have had my fare share of encounters with them because I too am gifted with the power of the lands and I still stand… Just” He added. “I need your blood to keep me alive, to keep me strong and my magic potent to fight off the approaching darkness”

At this point Neelahn knew this was not the end of it. He was corrupt, maybe not by the Dark lord, but something evil. She would gladly help him fight off the Ill'guard, but the consumption of his heart to this magick will not let that happen. As he began to walk she took a few steps back.

“… My methods maybe… Harsh and evil but I have chosen a side, against the Dark One. So you wouldn’t be dieing for no reason, more like. Dieing to further help defeat the Dark Lord through me…”

Pulling out her dagger, she concealed it by her arm, forcing herself stiff enough not to draw too much attention from his speach.

“Either way I will have your power” He concluded. No, this was not the end. Flinging her arm back with the end of his words she flung her dagger full force at his torso. Quickly she crouched and grabbed the broken tree stump to her left. Pulling hard she jumped and stood on the spike of wood that was protruding just by her head while the mage had her pinned.

Hoping the mage haden't seen this comming, she broke off another two spikes and held them at their centers, preparing to throw them. "I will not feed your corruption."

Twisting she threw one spike, then the other. He would never use her to power this magick.

[Filendie]

{name:Filendie Garren#|#picture:2}The serious expression on his face was short lived and soon changed to that of surprise. This woman was skilled as he hadn’t even noticed her reach for another weapon, nor did he even know she carried it until it was flying towards him. It was almost in slow motion as he moved his staff as fast as his old feeling limbs moved. He held the staff in the path of the dagger but his weak hands were not a match for her strong throw as it clanged off the polished metal, almost making Filendie drop his staff as the sharp edges sank into the pale flesh of his left leg.

The Dark Mage reeled back with its motion, twisting to the side as he came to kneel on the fallen leaves of the forest floor. His face was turned away from the woman, but on it was a picture of restrained pain "I will not feed your corruption." She told him. He let out a sharp breath that let a small whimper escape as he released some of the tension from his leg.

He glanced back at the woman as she released the second projectile, his staff glowed sickly as his magic was touched again but only briefly. He used a spell he had learned near the start of his training as a Dark Mage called Skin Defence, with it he did the easiest thing he could think of and used the things close to hand, which were leaves and the very air to change his substance.

His skin browned quickly and became patchy as his skin separated into leaves. The spikes of wood hit the leaves and carried on going, right through where Filendie should be and where the spikes had ploughed through the leaves there was nothing. The Air had caused his body to become intangible for a short time before returning him quickly to normal. As he stood back up the leaves fell from his body, unharmed.

“You… are good” He admitted through clenched teeth and tilted his body to the side. Squeezing his eyes shut and gritting his clenched teeth he pulled out the dagger with a discomforting grunt “I believe this is yours” He said, holding it up before letting it go, his staff dimly glowed again as the dagger stayed where it was in the air before flying like an arrow right back at her with Movement of the Mind. Blood seeped down his leg OK Filendie, lets see how strong her gift is compared to my magic He said and held his arms up, addressing the forest.

“Obey me” He said quietly before bellowing it out, as he did the trees moved away and the leaves scattered from him as if a shockwave had burst out. After a few more seconds the forest seemed to come alive “Hey look…” He said amusingly “… I’m one with nature too” He almost laughed as the leaves, from what appeared to be everywhere, sprang up and flew everywhere, rising into the air and obscuring the vision of not only her but Filendie as well. As this happened the trees moaned and creaked as they moved and struck at the ground while roots ripped up through the dirt and snatched at the Woman.

Filendie was almost blind to the world, concentration taking up every bit of his energy, There’s no way she can survive this He smiled to himself.