Running Away From Home (Faust)

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Cryxatum, Summer Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum

Areka entered throw the city gates and looked lifted her head just enough to the see outlines of figures and buildings as she passed them. She was a very timid girl. Her past was full of beatings and unloving care. She felt hated and sometimes felt like her life was nothing but a mere mistake of nature. The past 45 ears had taking its toll on the small girl and left her with a feeling of lostness and shame. But, along with the sense of being lost and shame she was angry; upset with the world and it's cruel twist of fate. She wanted nothing but to kill her parents for what they had done to her. She had some much hate in her heart settling alongside the lonely girl she portrayed on the outside. She was a tender and sharp but what can a sharp quick girl do without the simple skills of life. She could hold a dagger and she could thrust it froward but she could not use it properly. She failed at life just as life had failed her and if she were to die then she would die in the streets of an unknown place alone and not having to feel like she had let her mother and father down. So she ran, she ran from the beatings of her father and the unloving care of her mother. She was going to keep running and grow strong so she could show them that she was better than they thought by taking their lives with her own hands. She was running away from her past and would try to start a new beginning.

Areka had been so lost in thoughts of hate and sadness that she was not watching where she was going. Looking mostly down at the ground did not help this either and quiet by accident she bumped into a fellow on the road. She had meant no harm and in a soft voice she said sorry and walked on. Her mistake though was simple. She didn't lift her head to look the guy in the eye. And she had bumped into the wrong guy on the street. He was not at all pleased that she had bumped into him but to be so rude as to just faintly whisper the word sorry and walk on like it was nothing did not sit well with him. The man turned and reached for the girls shoulder and spun her around in anger. He looked her over and asked her if she was going to show some respect and take the hood off and really apologies for her mistake. Areka didn't want any trouble and lifted her hands to hold the hood down on her head and merely shock her head in responds to his question. She mutter a word of sorry once again and tried to release herself from the grasp of the mans hand upon her shoulder.

It soon became apparent that she was not strong enough to break free and her fruitless attempt only fueled the mans anger. By this time the gentleman's buddies had walked out of a building and appeared to be a little drunk. The men talked about what she had done and how she had no respect. In there eyes she was an ungrateful girl and should be punished for her actions. Areka was becoming increasing worried and scared. Her breathing started to become sharp and quick. She tried to get away again but as soon as she slipped out of the mans grasp she was caught by another and lifted up. Areka kicked and threw punches but nothing seemed to phase the man and all he did was laugh. In all her struggling her hood had slipped off and what she was had been reveled.

"Well looky here boys it looks like we got us a little Vysstichi."

[Faust D'Rinishad]

Areka’s captor grinned as the girl’s mane of silver spilled from the hood, tumbling loosely about her obsidian visage and highlighting the darkness of her complexion. And despite the common fear that the Vysstichi race elicited in others, Areka’s youth diminished that effect considerably. The man, thrice the size of the young girl and rugged in appearance, chortled obnoxiously as one of his hands fumbled underneath her cloak, maliciously fishing for that contraption that would relinquish the mantle from the dark elf’s slender frame –or at least that’s what the violent human believed to be underneath.

The man’s attempts ceased, though, when Areka’s right hand connected solidly with his cheek.

“Dammit!” the man cried, letting go of the dark elf and clutching at his mouth which revealed two rows of teeth streaked with red.

Unfortunately, despite Areka’s momentary reprieve, it was not long until one of her original captor’s friends swept her up in a bundle of arms. “Aw calm down, Durke. That wasn’t nothin’.” Grinning mischievously, the other human fumbled with Areka until both of her wrists were handcuffed by his much larger hands. His breath was redolent of alcohol, and his cheeks were flushed with crimson. “This one’s got fire in her. Maybe we should sell her?” He proposed, glancing to the two others who joined him. One was a heavily muscled human whose chiseled abdomen and broad chest were discernible beneath his tight-fitting tunic. His head was shaven and a silver loop was connected to his left ear. The other human was much feebler in appearance, and instead of pure brawn as his weapon, he wore a pair of short swords casually at his sides.

Still grasping his bleeding mouth, the one called Durke glowered as he ominously approached the captivated dark elf. One of his hands lowered for a second, reaching for a wickedly curved long knife fixed at his belt. Drawing the dagger in one seamless motion, he steadied it at Areka’s neck level. “Shuttup!” He roared to his drunken companion, an order that immediately silenced the man. “This one is going nowhere! She’s mine…” Bloodshot eyes focused dangerously upon Areka’s, and his dagger wound back slowly, ominously, and with every intent to inspire the utmost fear in his younger victim.

Meanwhile, a small crowd had gathered by now, many of them watching with horror as the four men exercised their authority over the smaller, seemingly helpless girl. One bystander even protested for the grown men to stop, but a single glance from the bald human muted him.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka squirmed and swung her arms and legs more and more trying to break free of the circle of men. She was starting to fear for her life and wondered if running away from how was the best idea. All she wanted to do was to get away from the awful things that called themselves her parents but the world was not kind to a child when drunk men were evolved. And to make it matters worse it seemed the group of people who had come to witness the happenings were to afraid to ban together to take on the group of three drunken men. They would rather be afraid and let harm befall the child.

Areka had seen a small window of hope where the two of the men had stepped apart enough for her to slip through and run. Judging by their size and how much they had drunken she could may be able to get away if she sprinted first. Unfortunately for her though before she could plan it fully out in her mind she was caught and her hand were bound behind her back. To make matters worse ever since the hood had come off she was having trouble seeing. (She was even more pissed at her parents now for not wishing to live of the surface) Areka struggled to break free so she could put up her hood but yet again was failing at her attempt and she was soon met with a dagger at her neck.

Areka eyes filled with fear and thoughts of truly dieing at the moment consumed her mind. She was so afraid and if she could cry she would. The years of beatings had made her so tough and teared out. Areka had to try to keep her mind clear if she was going to try to figure a way out of this. "What...what do you want from me?" Areka said in a low whisper. The men only laughed and grinned and poked and touched and fondled her more as the bystanders did nothing to help her. Areka could not believe that the world would be so cold as to let this happen. She would at least tried to help even if she would have lost in the end.

Coming to the conclusion that she was all alone she decided to make one last move with the strength she had left. She picked up her foot and threw it back just high enough to kick the guy bounding her hand were it really hurts. When he let go of her hands and sunk to the ground in pain she reached her small hand out to try to knock the dagger out of the other mans grasp. Sadly she just wasn't strong enough. The dagger stood firm in his hand and the last man he put her in a bare grasp before she could turn and run for her life. The mans weight was to much for her and she collapsed to the ground hitting the ground hard with her right arm.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

“Nothing little girl…just your head!” Durke screamed, and as he did so the knife plunged forward, steering straight at Areka’s neck. A few gasps and shrieks erupted from the surrounding crowd as the older man attempted to impale the young dark elf, but his own cry of pain drowned the encompassing noises as Areka’s foot slammed painfully into the man’s groin. Whelping in agony, the man’s freehand clutched at his injury, keeling over and dropping to a knee. Despite this setback, though, he surprisingly managed to maintain control of the dagger.

Still, it was not Durke’s day.

Durke’s three other companions laughed uncontrollably at their leader’s anguish, but it was a short-lived moment as the wounded human glared daggers at the trio. “What the feth are you laughing at! Go get her!” the man bellowed, staggering oddly to his feet as he continued to massage his pulsating groin. The drunkard, bald man, and tiny fellow exchanged amused glances with one another for a heartbeat before racing off after the quickly fleeing Areka.

Unfortunately for the dark elf, she was unable to get far. Too fast and coordinated for her, the three men seized Areka at once, one on either end of her shoulders and forcing her back in the center of the crowd. One bystander, the same who had protested Areka’s earlier treatment, began to angrily interject again, but this time the muscular thug rammed a curled fist into his solar plexus, immediately knocking the wind out of the bystander and sending him to his knees. And to emphasize the futility of intervening, the towering bald human kicked the man harshly under his chin, shattering his jaw and knocking him unconscious.

“You’re a feisty one.” the smallest human remarked as he roughly pushed his foot behind Areka’s knee to bend her to the floor. The drunken man that controlled Areka’s opposite shoulder did likewise, and both men wrapped their hands securely around the girl’s arms to disable her from fleeing or striking at any of them again. Sadly, though, even if she was able to, her prime target this brightening always seemed to be Durke. Poor Durke.

The wounded man stepped in front of Areka, dagger still in hand. Before the infuriated human could strike at the girl who had embarrassed him so, though, the tip of a gleaming silver blade appeared over his shoulder, tapping Durke several times in a mocking fashion. The man’s eyes went wide. “Who the feth are you?!” he questioned, and this time he was incapable of controlling the concern in his voice. The three who were detaining the Vysstichi girl immediately reached for their weapons, momentarily forgetting their prisoner.

“Release the girl…or your friend will be a head shorter…” came the voice from behind Durke. Even through the light, Areka would be able to discern the slender, cloaked form of another dark elf. Young and handsome, his ebony features were much like Areka’s, perfectly chiseled and sculpted by the hands of Haya herself. As he inched the edge of the dark-silver sword nearer to Durke’s neck, the human quickly replied, “Do it you dolts!”

All hands fell away from Areka’s shoulders, allowing her to maneuver freely and wherever she so chose.

The other dark elf winked casually her way. “Are you alright there, little girl?” the older Vysstichi asked, waving her towards him with a free, mythril-gloved hand. “Come away from there…it’s not safe.” he bade.

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

The sight of the four men harrassing the young girl disgusted Kalenel. His eyes flared with ferocity as he looked upon the group, the only thing keeping him from attacking being his mentor Faust standing in front of him. If the once rogue could have it his way, the men would be taught a painful lesson. But guessing by Faust's actions, the men would meet no harm unless they warranted it further.

With his hand upon one of his weapons, Kalenel presented himself beside Faust. This would hopefully make it clear to the group, either let the girl go or meet horrible pain.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka fell to the ground hard upon her arm. For anyone else the pain would have sent them into a spell of yelling. Areka didn't even flinch. The years of beatings had mad her tough, but was she to tough for her own good. Areaka squirmed trying to break free of her captures but it did not good. Out of no where she heard a voice. Areka struggled to turn her head to toward the sky to see who had spoken. The light burned her eyes but she could make out two Vysstichi figures.

Within moments she had been released. She got to her feet and as she lifted her hands to replace the hood over her head she noticed the pinky on her right hand was a little out of place. She stared at it for a moment and then turned and looked at the men who had pinned her down and stared straight into there eyes with an look that filled fear into their souls. She then did as she was told and walked over the the two Vysstichi's.

Looking down at her pinky finger she held it up the the one Vysstichi who had spoken and whispered the word "fix."

[Faust D'Rinishad]

Gritting his teeth under the strain of imminent death, Durke matched Areka’s glare with one of unadulterated distaste. “I’m not done with you yet, don’t you be forgetting!” He threatened, and this earned him a stinging slap from the flat of the swordsman’s keen blade. Growling angrily, Durke watched as the little girl escaped past him to join the duo of dark elves that had come to her rescue. If Durke had anything to say about it, it would be three dead dark elves soon enough.

“You’re going to need someone to take a look at that…” Faust said when Areka presented the awkwardly shaped finger, and he blatantly ignored his captive’s mounting rage. Sighing and resting a hand upon the girl’s shoulder to comfort her, the Vysstichi Lord exchanged a communicable nod with Kalenel to warn him that this was not over –not yet at least. Raising his boot, Faust kicked Durke against the backside, sending the man sprawling into the dirt and at the feet of his three other comrades. The surrounding crowd broke into a heap of laughter.

Scrambling to his feet and staring with murderous intent at the dark elves, Durke retrieved his curved long knife, eyes locking hatefully upon Areka in particular. “You think you’re funny, dontcha!?” He roared, and the sound of his voice brought his other three comrades beside him. “You ain’t going to think so when I cut your heart out. Get ‘em boys!” Durke ordered, and at this command all four of the humans rushed at Faust, Kalenel, and Areka.

The smallest human, the one with the pair of short swords, split off from the three to charge at Kalenel. His swords were held upright and at waist level, and he led with a double thrust at the dark elf’s heart, hoping for an easy kill. Unfortunately for him, though, he had little way of knowing that the son of House Vaimai’tai had been groomed for exactly this type of occasion.

Meanwhile, Durke, the drunkard, and the brutishly large human all came upon Faust with a flurry of uncontrolled swipes and swings of their various weapons. Durke’s long knife cleaved nothing but air most of the time as Faust leaped away, and the drunkard’s awkward swings of his cudgel were batted aside easily by the Prince of Har’oloth’s adamantite sword, but the latter of the three, the muscular human, was far more deserving of praise. He hefted a massive battle-axe with both hands, chopping high and low with surprising speed despite his bulky frame.

Nevertheless, Faust’s sword hand became a blur of motion, nicking and picking at his opponents’ measly defenses and it was only a matter of time until small cuts appeared along the three humans’ forms. It was their blood that stained the earthen floor.

From behind Areka, two slender hands, black hands, fell upon the girl’s shoulders, but gently so. If she were turn and look upwards, she would see a Vysstichi woman garbed in a white dress spun of spider silk. Her high cheek bones accentuated her beautiful face and silver hair, and her smile was warm and compassionate. “Come, child, and let them do their work.” She bade, even though Areka was older than the aforementioned title suggested. The stranger seemed to pay no mind to the ensuing battle, and a frown crossed her face as she looked upon Areka’s finger. “Oh no, what happened there?” Delicately holding Areka's wrist with one hand, the woman's other carefully touched the bent finger. "Does it hurt?"

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

Kalenel returned the nod to Faust before setting his stern gaze once again upon the group of ruffians. Although Kalenel was not of a evil mindstate as many of his fellow vyystichi's, he knew he would thoroughly enjoy causing pain to the group. Drawing his longswords from their sheaths, Kalenel dropped back into his stance and awaited the cowardly men to make the first move.

The short human came quickly at Kalenel, but yet Kalenel was indeed the quicker. Readying his blades by dropping both points near the ground, Kalenel would wait for just the right moment to intercept the novice attack. At the right moment, Kalenel would bring both of his long swords up swiftly, pushing the shorter swords upwards toward the sky and leave the human's body open for an attack. That attack, would be one the young D'rinishad would be happy to deliver.

The exact moment after he exucuted the parry, Kalenel would deliver a stunning kick to the solar plexus region of the short human. Being well trained in the vyystichi style of Rhingorda, the brutal fighting style of the noble houses, Kalenel would hold nothing back with the swift kick. After the attempt, Kalenel would ready his blades once again and look for a way to severly end the human's fighting spirit.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areak stood behind the two Vysstichi and looked on at the quickness of their movements. Though this was very interesting to the young girl her facial expression did not change, it stayed blank and almost lifeless.

Without noticed Areka felt hands upon her shoulder and turned to see whom it may have come from. A Vysstichi women, whose smile made Areka feel like she was in no danger, stood behind her. Areka figured that she must be with the other two and listened to the words the women spoke. After a quick notice the women spotted Areka little pinky and touched it. "Does it hurt?" She asked the girl. A normal response would be yes a whole lot but Areka only stood there looking at the finger before finally saying "A little." Then Areka did something that was quiet out of character she asked a question. "Who are you and those two others?" The words come out quit strange as if Areka wanted to ask but her body did not.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

The spidersilk dress clung to the woman’s slender physique, wrapping about her lithe torso like a second skin before widening past her waist. If she was at all alarmed by the conflict transpiring around her, she certainly did not show it. “My name is Elvindra, child.” the woman said, scarlet lips curling into a beautiful smile as she touched Areka gently upon the shoulder. “That one there is Faust and the other is Kalenel. We are of House D’Rinishad. You are safe with us…” Without another word of explanation, Elvindra’s hand came within inches of Areka’s finger, and a yellow glow gradually appeared to entwine about the girl’s wounded digit, assuaging and mending it back together. Areka would feel the thaumaturgic powers at work, healing her finger and returning it to its former self.

A short distance away, the Prince of Har’oloth nicked the thumb of the drunkard, severing the appendage completely to the earthen floor. The man’s screams erupted through the air as he relinquished his weapon and clutched the stump that had become his thumb. Cursing and crying out in pain, his groans were lost as one of the dark elf’s booted feet came up high and slammed him in the jaw. There was no time to relish in the minor victory, though, as Durke and the bald human continued their relentless assaults. By now the Vysstichi Lord had drawn both of his long swords, putting them to blinding work and efficiency as he parried, dodged, and counterattacked. Soulseeker was primarily preoccupied with Durke while its twin, Blood Winter, twirled obstinately back and forth against the bald man’s battle-ax.

Meanwhile, Kalenel’s ruse had paid off immensely, and the much smaller human felt the brunt of the dark elf’s kick as it batted the air from his lungs. Tumbling back and wearing a visage that reflected the pain that he felt inside, the human, to his credit, managed to return to a standing equilibrium, swords drawn in front of him. “Curse you, Vysstichi scum!” He yelled, though his awkward-sounding tone suggested that he was in more pain than he would have liked to believe –Kalenel’s swift kick had made certain of that. Nevertheless, the man was an experienced fighter, and he disallowed the wound from hindering him completely. After rising to his feet, he rushed again at Kalenel, this time keeping one blade close to his body for defensive purposes while the other whipped diagonally from Kalenel’s left shoulder towards his right side.

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

Seeing the pain he had caused the no good ruffian filled Kalenel with a grim satisfaction. Every bit of it and more he deserved, and Kalenel would be happy to dish it out to him. Flourishing his blades as the man slowly climbed to his feet, Kalenel ignored the man's words as dashed quickly at the man. Kalenel noted he was a tough fighter for continuing after the brutal kick, but that would not safe him from the punishment that he was due. With fiery eyes that showed nothing but immense ferocity, the fallen Prince of House Vamai'tai quietly preceded to end the fight.

Bringing his left blade up to bat away the attack from the now sluggish man, Kalenel saw no opening upon the torso to attack towards. That mattered not as the prodigy of the Prince of Har'oloth sent a swift slash with his right sword toward the arm, near the wrist, of the attacking arm of his opponent. This attack would follow almost simutaneously with his parry, hopefully causing much damage to the open arm of the ruffian.

Whatever the outcome of the attack, Kalenel would bring his blade back to the ready and plant his feet in a stable position. No backing down now, he was in the position to end the fight and he would take any oppurtunity he saw.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka watched as her finger slowly starting mending itself back to it normal form. She looked at the women name Elvindara with surprise. She had never met a thaumaturgist before. "Faust and Kalenel." Areka said in a low voice. Areka then thanked Elvindara for her finger.

"Will I be staying with the D'Rinishad's now?" Areka asked quietly

ooc:sorry for the short post, next one will be better.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

Kalenel was quicker than the human had anticipated, and the latter paid for it dearly when the dark elf’s sword sliced through tendon and bone, completely severing his hand from its wrist. A surge of blood subsequently showered from the artery that dangled from the stump that had become his hand, and the sound of dripping blood was accompanied by a scream of pain that rendered the air. It was, perhaps, one of the most horrid things that any of the three Vysstichi might ever have heard.

The brute fell to the floor, both short swords crumpling to the floor.

Nearby Kalenel, the clamor of battle continued as the Prince of Har’oloth battled ferociously against the two remaining thugs. Durke, ignoring the injury inflicted upon him by Areka, continued at the Vysstichi Lord with relentless swipes and jabs, all of which were easily parried by the experienced swordsman. Durke’s companion, the bald human with the enormous axe, also pressed his attacks with similar fervor, refusing to give up the advantage that the pair shared against the single dark elf. But even the muscular man was clearly tiring, and the strength of his attacks was gradually waning.

To the side of Faust, though, the man whose thumb had been cleaved cleanly from his hand was beginning to rise to his feet, cudgel returning to hand. Spinning venomously in circles to gauge his surroundings, his focus finally fixed upon Areka, the girl who had caused their group all this misery. There didn’t seem to be anyone prepared to stop him. He slowly approached…

“There will be time to discuss that later, dear…” the older Vysstichi woman said, her tender smile remaining as a golden glow wrapped about Areka’s finger. The young girl would immediately feel the warmth of energy flowing from Elvindra’s hand and into her digit, sealing the laceration and dispelling the blood from her obsidian skin. “Have you no one else to go home to? No parents?”

[Kalenel D'Rinishad]

Kalenel felt no remorse as he seperated the hand from the body of the bandit. It would more than likely be a mortal wound, which Kalenel did not hope for or against. Spitting at the body as he wiped what blood was on his blade away on the clothing of his fallen opponent, Kalenel quickly spun to observe how the others faired.

Looking upon his mentor Faust, he knew that he could handle himself against five enemies if that was the case. Turning toward the young vyystichi who stood with the woman he and Faust came with, he quickly sheathed his swords and drew out his dagger. Dashing as fast as he could manage, he would plant the dagger in the bandits back with a thrust once he was within range.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka had shown little feeling for anything. She was hollow on the inside and the shell which encased the hollowness was harder than stone itself. She almost seemed to be heartless, just a black hole which sucked up everything around her but she wanted to learn and she wanted to be great. She wished to become strong and slay those who stood in her way.

The question home and parents brought Areka out of her little shell. She quickly pulled her finger away from the women and looked up at her. He red eyes stared the women down from under the hood. Areka hated her home. She hated her parents. She wanted them dead. "I have no family and one day they will burn." Areka said in a deep tone. All the pain and hurt she had endured for years was finally starting to grow inside Areka. She could feel the pressure building up in her tiny body. The sounds of the street were becoming more and more blocked as she relived beating after beating. As she remember sitting in corners alone with the love of her mother her body began to shake. She wanted nothing to do with those poor excuses for parents, that dark dingy place they called a home. Areka had had enough and her body and mind were tired of holding in so much anger, so much despair, and the happiness which makes people wish to live great lives. Still staring the women down, body shaking, Areka open could not hold it in any longer. "DEATH!!!!!" Areka yelled loud and long before turning to see one of the men who had been sneaking up upon her fall to the ground dagger in back and then too Areka, extremely exhausted from her long childhood years, fell to the ground with a thud and slept.