The Blackblood Shifter | RP |

"Damn it."

A plethora of thoughts surged through the wolf's mind as he turned his head sharply as commotion reached him. It seemed a large wall of vines had sprouted out of nowhere. Was it a druid or sage? A magician? What were they doing in the forest? Then, it hit him. It had to do with the shifter. It just had to. He cursed verbally and mentally as he started speeding off towards the large wall. Where it was, the shifter had to be or at least close by. Arid dirt filled the air and little clouds were left in his wake as he dodged and weaved between the skeletal trees. He ran with a purpose; the shifter was in danger. However, why did he wish to protect such a horrid creature--one that had no right to exist in this world that was once at least close to a paradise...to him, at least. A world ravaged by a corrupted man and his beasts of darkness. He growled as he used the power of the winds to guide him, enhancing his speed. He felt his fur fly back and he blinked his eyes, keeping a sharp lookout. The wall grew closer and closer. His curiosity would be sated. There was more to this situation that met the eye. He would hear the shifter's words...even if it cost him his life.

The surging wind came to a stop and formed into a wolf behind a tree. Erimis had failed to realize that he let his power become so carried away. Dust clouds could be seen unsettled in the air, high in the skeletal branches, some of which had snapped off and fell to the ground all along his path. There was no point in hiding; the only reason he had done so in the first place was that there was some person or thing hacking at the wall of vines which arose so many questions. If the hunter had called the wall of vines, why was he chopping it down? Did the shifter know of nature magic? Was that even possible? If not, where was the magician? Grrr...what is going on? he growled in his thoughts, trying to remain calm. He found it frustrating to so desperately desire answers, yet fail to get any and instead receive a proliferation of naught but more questions. He had no time to think. There was one hunter. He was chopping down a wall of vines. Either the shifter called upon nature magic or someone else had...and they wished to protect the shifter as well. Erimis let his head hang low in relief for a moment; there was someone who was thinking at least a bit like himself. Regardless...

"Going after the shifter? You may as well give it up, hunter. I do not know what it has done to your settlement, but to avoid causing yourself potential pain, I suggest you turn back," Erimis warned as he made himself clearly visible, but that was only for a moment. "Sorry to take off so quickly..." he bade his farewell and turned into wind once more, blasting around the wall of vines, over the stream, and between the dead trees once more. His words had faded into sweet oblivion before they had even begun, almost as his physical form had. He disliked the feeling in many ways. It was as if he were lost to the real world--as if he himself were not real. Though liberated of physical debilitation, the expanse of the metaphysical was so great; it was as if he could become lost in but a single moment. He had to keep a goal in mind lest he wished his form to be scattered. It would take a miracle to get it back together again, but the winds always seemed to converge somewhere...

Something more than a breeze had picked up farther ahead of Erimis. Anyone ahead of him would know that something was coming...

 

Durlace cursed. He could hear the SHifter shifting and heard the steps get quieter. This was iritating. He was trying to help a wounded creature and someone stopped him. Next a wolf beast travelling with the wind had called him a hunter and took off over past the wall. Why was everybody looking at him as the bad guy. He did look a bit scary and so, but he hadn´t done anything to hurt her nor had he even acted agressiv. Life wasn´t fair some days. It wasn´t even dark enough to fly yet.

Luckily enough, he had just finished hacking through the wall after the wolf-thing had gusted past it. He bpushed his way through the hole he made, calling after the wolf while running in the direction of the tracks.

"Wait please! Are you helping the shifter? I am too. Please trust me that I´m trying to help the shifter!"

After all, this was way too interesting to miss and he wanted to protect the mysterious crying shifter.

 

August had nearly found the location of the shapeshifter that he wanted to talk to, but he was interrupted by a large wall of foliage.

"What the..?" he whispered to himself. Surely the shapeshifter didn't do this - he had never heard of one being able to cast magic before. Especially magic which consisted of plant life. He shook his head in despair.
He could hear voices across from another wall of foliage, probably just mere metres in front of him. He put away his bow and arrow, and revealed his knives. Spitting fire from his lungs, the foliage quickly burned away into dust, and he stepped forward to see that the two 'men' had already began to move. He slipped through the already made hole in the bush, before noticing the two figures.

Taking a deep breath, he could feel his heart racing. He had no idea who or what these men where, but he had to find out. Spitting more fire from his lungs, his knives were set alight. If they were to attack him, he had to be ready, or if they attacked the female then he would need to protect her. He needed answers from her, and he wouldn't let his lack of courage get the better of him this time. He ran towards the figures, shouting after them.

"Wait! You two! Do not hurt that woman!" he bellowed, hoping they would co-operate rather than rebel against his wishes.[/color]​

 

Grey stopped abruptly. The tracks had grown closer together. The smaller strides suggested it was slowing, but why? Had it discovered him and was planning to hide? Or perhaps make a stand? Whatever the case, he would need to proceed with caution. He moved swiftly, but quietly. At least, as quietly as one of his size could. He veered off the trail left by the tracks, in case it were being watched.

Ahead was a mass of grey and brown. Perhaps the most pitiful excuse of a forest ever to exist. It stretched in both directions as far as the eye could see. The stripped trees reached out with their branches, like a dying man grasping for a glimmer of hope. It wasn't the forest that caught Grey's attention, rather the figure before it. Slowing, he approached the being with extreme care, trying to discern its being without being spotted. As he moved in, the figure grew, more horizontal than vertical, proving to be some kind of four-legged creature. A somewhat sadistic smile split the blacksmith's face. I've found you.

It was still a large distance to be covered, but as he pressed on the beast only became more and more prominent in being just that: a beast. It appeared to be some kind of reptilian creature with powerful muscles and clawed feet. The head could not be seen from this vantage point, but he could make out a saddle on its back, a perfect place for one to ri- wait. A... saddle? Why would a Shifter bear a saddle? A groan escaped his now not-so-smiley face. He'd followed the wrong tracks. Harold's murderer could be on the opposite side of the world for all he knew now.

Grey would have continued his lamenting, had it not been for the flicker of color in this barren land catching his eye. With even greater caution than before, he approached it. He arrived on the trail before he found it. Between two of the lizard-mount's prints was a tiny pool of a red liquid. Blood? Strange, it smelled familiar. Smelled? What am I, a hound? Still, he couldn't shake it. Perhaps whomever this lizard-thing belongs to followed the Shifter as well? It's unlikely, but at this point I'll take what leads I can.

Careful not to enter the reptilian beast's vision, and keeping a large distance from it in general, Greilzyn plunged into the forest.

 

A cry of pain echoed through her mind and Ellen stopped before she jumped onto the next nearest dead tree. Her head snapped around, eyes narrowed with a sharpness that would cut still. Upon finding the source of the telepathic cry, her eyes widened and her mouth parted. The arrow in her hand slipped slightly, showing just how shocked she was.

How dare they!

Gripping her bow and arrow tightly, her teeth gritted as a monstrous rage flooded her being. She could not believe the audacity of these beings! The world was slowly decaying right before their eyes and instead of cherishing the little life that still lived, they chose to destroy it?! Ellen had been kind! She hadn't aimed straight at the being and allowed her plant to tear through them from within! She had, instead, made a simple wall, tall but not at all wide. All they had to do was walk around it! It would take less energy and less destruction.

But no! They first had to chop it down and then burn it? Were they fools?! They were currently in a forest of dead trees, which were the best materials used to start a fire. Did they not realize the consequences of their actions?! Ellen should never have gone easy on them. She should have killed them the moment she saw them!

Another cry suddenly ripped through her mind and Ellen snapped out of her haze of rage. Realizing there was something waving in front of her face, she emitted a small gasp at the sight of her arrow's growth into writhing roots. She had been so full of vengeance, she had not realized she had been forcing that energy into her plant! Quickly soothing the agitated plant back into its arrow form, Ellen released a silent breath of relief. Still, this did not mean she would just left these hunters off.

Though still angry, it was a calm anger, one that would not spread into the seeds within her pouch. She would not forgive these fools, enemies of nature. This wasn't just about protecting the shape-shifting human any more.

This just got personal.

 

The form of something up ahead could be seen. It was a most miserable sight. This creature was limping away from all the commotion, obviously hurt. He could feel the desperation, for he had seen this sort of thing many times before. Its condition was that of prey. He could recall taking chunks out of woodland creatures only to have them struggle free, leaking their crimson essence and feeding the earth with it. They would limp or crawl away as fast as they could, but no matter how hard they tried, it was never enough. Erimis would always easily catch up to them, snapping their necks or puncturing their vitals with his sharp fangs. Ripping the creature apart always appealed to his feral instincts. It made him feel strong. It made him feel alive. However, for once, he was not a hunter. He was on a small quest to gain understanding. Making friends with the creature was not on his to-do list, for Blackblood Shifters were often hostile, and with this one as threatened as it was, there was sure to be amplified risk in trying to interact with it. Even if he had to give up his body to the wild winds and be spirited away to anyone's guess, he would get to the bottom of this.

A mighty gust rushed past the shifter and converged, taking the form of a white wolf. He was panting slightly, and he turned around to face the one he had been chasing after. His honey-colored eyes rested upon the form of the shifter--that of a beast. It looked ferocious, like it could easily tear him to shreds in mere seconds, but the thing could not hide the desperation that lied within. Now that he had caught up to it, he couldn't find any words to direct at it. He sat down, his breath caught at last. His tail remained still against the dry earth, such a familiar feeling it was becoming. How could he initiate a conversation? Should he even reveal his ability to communicate? Of course, by his arrival, the beast would know that something was up. There was nothing left to do but to take a shot in the dark.

"Blackblood Shifter....," he uttered, tasting the words upon his tongue as he spoke. "Servants of Xavier possessing great power and ruthlessness, they set about to carry out the Dark King's will." The wind had settled greatly after his arrival. The very air itself was very still, and the lack of life within the forest made the silence palpable. "I do not understand something... Why run? Could you not overpower them?" He wasn't sure about what had truly went down in the settlement from before, but... His sharp eyes caught sight of the wounds, cleaned, but still obvious. "I apologize for launching into a barrage of questions," he said suddenly, a large amount of shame evident in the tone of his voice. "You're hurt. Would you like me to...do something for your injuries? They seem light enough that I can fix them."

Thinking about the situation, he expected to have to retreat quickly. He kept every fiber of his being somewhat liberated so his form could scatter at a mere thought. Maybe it would be best if.... "You're being...hunted." The Blackblood Shifter. Hurt and weakened. Prey. "And you need to get away....but you won't outrun them at this rate...." He awaited the thing's response whether it be with words or with claws and fangs.

 

With her words and calm nature, the molecules within him bound together tightly and he felt his heart wrench just a bit. There would be no need to scatter himself at the moment. She didn't want to fight. She ran because she didn't want to fight. Was this possible? That's what Blackblood Shifters did. They destroyed. Wrought havoc. Ended lives. Considering all that he had witnessed, he now found himself more curious about what really happened in the settlement. A shiver went down Erimis's spine as he turned to watch the beast walking away. He knew what the feeling was. The wolf believed her. In mere moments, his own life could have ended. Words as frigid as ice itself, devoid of hope as was this world--he could not help but to feel the inner sadness within. This was what she resorted to. In order to avoid conflict. There he was standing, watching as her form limped away, but not yet. She said she could take care of herself, but why should she have to? Because she was a Blackblood Shifter? Surely her own kind would turn against her, and no humans could trust her after what the dark race had done to them and their settlements. She was alone. Truly alone.

"You do not wish...to fight...," Erimis reflected back at her as a statement, as if accepting it for what it was and not questioning it in the least bit. He found himself walking after her, slowly. Each step kicked up a small cloud of dust from the ground, but he ignored it. He kept his eyes trained on her, not that he was expecting her to lash out at him. Not now. Not after those words. "It doesn't look like you're running anywhere," Erimis explained, stating it as it was. He had meant what he said. With hunters pursuing her and her in the condition that she was, there was no way she could expand the distance. "I don't know how long you've taken such a pacifistic stance, but for sure you have struggled alone for a long time." Here, he paused. "But you shouldn't take someone else's kindness for granted. My curiosity doesn't really matter here, anymore. I don't want you to be caught. Simple as that. I don't know why, but I can't bear to see it. If you really are just running to avoid fighting, it just doesn't seem like something you deserve to have to deal with." Before, he had questioned his motives, but now they were starting to become clear. He thought it a sense of justice, for why should one be condemned for the actions of others belonging to that race? There was that, and his own slight contempt for the distrusting humans. They had been through a lot, but they were only tearing themselves apart with their actions.

"Just once," he spoke suddenly. "Let someone help you. If you let me heal your wounds, you'll be able to truly run, and the distance will not be closed easily, between you and the hunters that is. I will not follow, if that is what you wish. Instead, I will impede their progress in any way possible." With that endeavor spoken, a gleam of light appeared in his eyes as he continued to stroll along, and the wind picked up gently, the cool breeze tousling his white fur. "Take my word for it."

 

August's breath quickly escaped him as he continued to sprint to where the Blackblood shifter was. It wouldn't be long until he got there - that was for sure. However, that other shapeshifter that could fly would be there by now; possibly killing his only source of information. Or perhaps it would protect it, thinking he was the once trying to kill it?

Either way, August couldn't stop running. The muscles in his legs were now beginning to feel as though they were going to rip in two, being used more than what they normally would. His fire-lit knives were still in hand, but he sharply dived behind one of the various rotting trees. He could see silhouettes, one of the shifter he was searching for, and the other was one he did not recognise.

He tried to dive between the rotting trees, clutching to his knives as if he was a child with his soft teddy bear. It wasn't until he was within distance to overhear their conversation, that he heard the unknown male say that he wishes to help her. During the silence, August revealed himself from behind the tree.

"I too wish to help," he said with uncertainty in his voice. Whether or not the shifter would believe him was her choice, but he had to learn about the ministry which has taken over the land. "So please, do not attack. I only seek information, not a fight, but we should move. The others will be here soon, and I don't know their intentions."
​

 

Awaiting an answer from the shifter, Erimis heard the words of what appeared to be another entity. Growling, he turned quickly to see that a human was following them. His words denoted a peaceful stance, but this man did not earn Erimis's trust so easily as the shifter had. The winds seemed to stir slightly again, only a bit more violently this time. His eyes were sharp and calculating, full of ferocious, yet subtle rage. "For one....the Blackblood Shifter will NOT be answering any of your selfish questions, human," he stated matter-of-factly to the fellow. "And for two, we're not going anywhere, at least not you, and not I as far as I know." He had to be direct. This man was no threat to him. He didn't want to do anything drastic, that was for sure, but he was resolute in his endeavor to let the shifter go on with whatever it was she aimed to do. What would she do? The thought crossed him while he stared down the intruder. Running in order to avoid fighting, but what would she accomplish? He wasn't about to question her about it. Maybe if they met again sometime. For now, he just wanted her to be free, but being free in a world like this was hard to do.

"I'm going to heal the shifter's injuries if she so allows me, and then she is going to run onwards. I will impede all that aim to follow," he explained. His voice was still firm, but it wasn't as angry as it was before. "If really want to help her, then you will let me carry out my plan." He turned to the shifter. "Now I hope you realize how urgent this is...in your decision on whether or not you accept my help. This one might not be out to kill you, but the hunters are likely to not hold similar views."

 

Such a horrible excuse of a forest. When one traverses such a place, the first thought is of the greenery, and the sounds of the thriving wild life. Passing through the bare trees and greyish ground, it was no longer applicable to call this land a "forest." "It's a wasteland..." Grey placed a hand on a tree, nearly expecting it to turn to dust at his touch. It was surprisingly sturdy, as if it still lived, but on the verges of its life. Perhaps it were. Perhaps this forest could be restored with the proper care.

The blacksmith continued his pursuit of possible nothing. He moved slowly and low to the ground, looking for anything that would suggest the Shifter had been here. The difficulty with tracking this creature, was that it was likely skilled in stealth, able to hide its tracks and move without sound. It was to be expected from such beings, whose soul purpose was to hunt, not animal, but men. Another issue that made it even more difficult to find was its ability to shift forms, change shape between humanoid and beast.

A thought struck him and he nearly tripped as its meaning took effect. What if it can fly... His hunt would be for nothing. How could he, a simple blacksmith, hope to track sky born Shifter? He would be better off returning home. And that is something I can't do, he realized. Grey would see this to the end, no matter the difficulty. No matter the cost. His frustrations burned his insides like scalding liquid pored down his throat. As if to test his theory, he turned his gaze skyward, scanning the heavens for any sign of... anything.

His surprise was obvious when he found something almost instantly. A bird, barely visible, darting out of the trees so far away. It drifted higher and higher before Grey lost sight of it. He took it as a sign. He had nothing else to go on. And so he moved in the general direction the bird had taken flight. Moved for his only hope of finding the Shifter. Finding his vengeance.

"I'm coming for you."

 

The words of the male shapeshifter made August feel a little agitated. It was obvious that nearly everyone bar himself have lost all confidence in each other; it was rare to come by someone who was being honest. August gave a heavy sigh, before casting his gaze to the female.

"I do not care about your intentions. We need to help her." hissed August, trying to be as matter of fact as the man. He then looked back at the male. "You can believe what you wish. The information that I need is vital."

As if to try and gain his trust, August made the fire on his knives suddenly stop burning. He put them into their respective holds, before holding his hand out to the shapeshifter. "I am August; 16 years young."


​

 

Durlace huffed and puffed as he caught up. Of cousre, he was out of stone and there were tecnically no organs that needed oxigen, but he didn´t want to alarm anyone. Even though a talking wolf was odd, he didn´t want to frighten off the Shifter who had already run from him once. And let´s face it: a big walking talking devillike statue could unnerve some people.

He looked at the collection of (probably) living things (he wasn´t so sure about the wolf actually) in front of him. There was now not only the Shifter and the Wolf, but also a young boy. He sighed out of exasperation.

"A kid got here before you? Even if it´s day and you were stopped, you´re out of shape, Durlace", he mumbled to himself. Then he adressed everyone, still keeping his face covered in the hood and hoping that his stone lips, tongue and teeth didn´t clack too much while he talked.

WHile we´re already all here, allow me to introduce my self. Sort of. My name´s Durlace Wrong. I´d rather not tell you what I am though. I am a friend though. Without wanting to hint at anything, it´s been ages since I´ve actually been awake for anything interesting. And this seems to be the most interesting thing happening, so I´m here. As to why I´m helping you: I can tell that you´re a Blackblood Shifter, so that may seems suspicious, but I saw you cry there earlier, even though no one was there. That proves that you aren´t an evil thing. And I´ve sworn to protect all good innocent people, so that I might be accepted someday. That´s why I ask- no I beg you to let me help you."

Then he took out his giant stone claymore and rammed it into the ground, then knelt on one knee.

Please accept my offer!"