Fed-Ex was never like this.....

Regret? If they died?

A single dark eyebrow lifted over her left eye in silent amusement to Gohrick's humor as she watched him take the controls once more while biting his bottom lip in thought. Surely a dangerous sign right there.... So with a slight shake of her head, Shade simply braced herself, as before, for any dramatic maneuvers to come. Seeing that the ship was climbing dangerously high again, she could only expect yet another nose dive. And just as the Ragnarok slowly leveled and began it's descent, she glanced at her fellow pilot to see his ears completely flat while licking his lips, which warned her to grab onto something really tight. Sure enough, the instant he ignited the boosters, her back crushed into her seat and the spinning began as her hands gripped into the chest straps of her chair while the distance between ship and ocean came to swift closure. At such an alarming speed, one would have missed his daring pull on the controls to shoot straight under the massive bridge had one even blinked just once. The boosters erupted again to send them soaring over the wave successfully and Gohrick's victorious cry echoed throughout the cockpit.


Just as Shade was giving her head a shake from the dizziness of the flying stunt, she relaxed her body and spared her companion a nod of approval. “Quite impressive. I honestly never thought to test this thing with those maneuvers before." Yet seeing her friend's obvious enjoyment of the ship brought a slight pang of guilt to her chest when reminded of the purpose for being here in the first place. With a nervous glance, her gloved hands took the reigns of the Ragnarok once again without a single word. She typed in something on the navigational panel before unbuckling her seat straps and motioned with a nod of her head for Gohrick to follow. “It's on auto pilot for now, so I'll give you a bit of tour during the flight.” Surely letting him investigate the ship in its entirety would help distract his mind during the flight, because once they reached their appointed destination, even her own nervous tension would be straining her mind.


So without pause, she led him out of the cockpit to take the elevator lift down to the spacious passenger room to walk down the isle of seats to venture through the door and across the small bridge to begin showing him sections of the ship and allowing the Mithra all the time he wanted to too look around while answering whatever questions he had. There was the upper and lower hanger, the storage section, as well as the airlock chamber and lower level where the sleeping quarters were located. It wasn't fancy, but the airship was incredibly spacious as well as powerful. During the tour of the ship, Shade made sure to drag out the time as long as possible to keep Gohrick's natural curiosity busy, and even carried on, and lengthened their conversations in attempts to keep his mind from stressing over the mission that would hopefully succeed. Yet in time, the Ragnarok's guidance system chimed through the ship's intercom, alerting Shade they arrived to the appointed planet.


With a slow intake of breath, her silver tinted hues returned to face him, and with an assuring nod, she announced they should return to the cockpit. “Seems we've arrived....” She kept her own apprehension hidden beneath a stern expression as they ventured through the airship, remaining perfectly calm and composed, yet not just for herself, but for her companion's sake as well. Once back within the pilot's seat, she took a brief moment to drink in the sight before them. The planet was a breath taking sight, like any other when viewed out of orbit. But she knew what all tragedies lied below as if it were her own home world. What few allies she had upon this planet, she held protectively in her heart. But there were enemies below just as well, which was what Shade wanted to avoid at all costs at that moment. As her skilled fingers deactivated the auto pilot and checked the scanners, she explained her plan to Gohrick. “Those who scan for outworlders tend to pay more attention to the portals now due to the Multi-Plex now weaving all the planets together. So it's less suspicious now a days to fly the entire distance by means of space and airship. Even if they do track us, we'll be landing far enough away from our destination that won't lead to any warranted suspicion, then we'll take the rest of the way by foot.”


As she spoke, she glided the Ragnarok gently into the atmosphere, knowing that even any fancy flying stunts may also draw unwanted attention, while keeping her eyes glues to her own scanners. The descent was smooth and uneventful, with the soothing roar of the engines and silent scanners assuring her all was well thus far as the impressive ship gently broke through the clouds to reveal the sparkling ocean below. She brought the airship to a leisure drop, and leveled out a few hundred yards above the ocean surface, yet below radar range as the first hint of land appeared off in the distance. “There you are....” she whispered to herself as her fingers activated a few other switches on the panel and studies the components and readings closely. During that time, the ships audio system gave distance updates, clearly stating their destination was the continent of Mideel.

Gohrick was laughing and all but bouncing in his seat as the ship slowly leveled off, turning his head and seeing the nod from Shade. He gave her a warm smile, and knew that, even if everything went sour for the rest of the day, he had a memory in his head now that was far worth saving till his dying day. He noticed the distant look on her face again, something he was growing used to seeing, as she started to work on the panel, relieving him on control once more.

“Well...perhaps I went a little overboard...Sorry if I upset your stomach...or your ribs,” he said with a slightly bashful look on his face, like someone who got caught sneaking a cookie before dinner. As she stated it was on auto pilot and told him he got to tour the ship, he couldn't help but smile once more. He had a minor set back with the buckles that strapped him in, but soon found himself following close behind her as she started to show him around the ship.

He got into the elevator behind her and leaned against the wall with a small smile. He knew what she was doing...he wasn't an idiot, and he knew she knew that...but what she was doing was very much appreciated. And it did help take his mind off of what ifs and an uncertain future. She didn't have to do what she was doing, leading him around the ship, answering any and all questions he had...but she was doing it. More then once, and he was fairly sure she didn't notice, he found himself just staring at her. At her messy mane of hair, as her structured posture, hearing her voice and the thin layer of amusement or kindness under the cold exterior. More then once during the exploration of the ship, he had to cover up his stares at her for looking behind her, asking what something was, even if it was as simple as a foot locker.

Yes, by the time they exited the storage section of the Ragnarok, he was quite sure she thought him an idiot, but at least he didn't seem to be running the risk of ruining the, in his mind, fragile friendship they had already developed.

'Its been two days...there is no way in Sin's return that anything would happen that fast...' he thought, keeping himself grounded in reality. Though, even with that mind set, the strange looks, or the odd comments (“Hm, looks almost as lovely as you do” “Seems solid, just like her owner”... Gods, what was he thinking with those?) kept slipping by his mental filter, which seemed, not only to have a few holes in it, but might as well be gone at some times.

It was almost with a sigh of relief that the system alerted Shade that they had arrived. However, even as one passing worry left, another more prominent one appeared. They were here, and this was where things got interesting. He found himself looking at Shade once more and saw the cool exterior was back up, causing a soft sigh to pass his lips. However, before he could say anything, he had to quickly follow behind her, ending back up in the cockpit. All thoughts of worry were push as he saw the view of the planet.

“Ihpameajypma ...(Unbelievable)” he said softly as he took a seat and started to strap himself back into the chair. He actually was brought out of his stupor as Shade started to explain a bit of the situation to him. He turned and stared into her steel eyes, nodding his head as she spoke.

“Alright, makes sense. You don't wan anyone following us, nor any unwarranted attention...” he started, before he all but face pawed.

'Going through all this trouble, and I'm the one who is going to blow it...' he thought, before voicing his troubles to Shade.

“Madam Shade...if you are going through all this trouble...perhaps I should wear a cloak or something...after all, if your going somewhere secret...you don't want a big talking cat to be the one who blows the secret, do you? I mean...let's face it, I kinda stand out in a crowd,” he said, explaining why he was suddenly worried about blowing this for his friend.

However, his eyes went outside once more, amazed by the beauty of this planet, and how green it was! He had never seen such a rich planet before. He sighed softly, before looking over at Shade, wanting her opinion of what he had voiced for her. He didn't want it to be because of his feline appearance that such a garden of paradise was discovered.

Shade was concentrating heavily on the scanners, awaiting the slightest beep, or alarm, of any incoming ships tailing them, or any outside radars that may have picked up on the ship's signature. Thus far silence, yet her attention was so deeply intent, she nearly missed Gohrick's following words. With a a blink or two to bide some time for his voiced concern to truly sink in, Shade then turned to look at her companion momentarily confused. Perhaps it was due to her own worldly travels and seeing different races on a daily basis that such a thought never occurred to Shade at all, yet she understood Gohrick's reasons. With her expression now relaxed, she gave her head a slight shake and spoke with reassurance in her tone as well as with her words. "No need to worry about your appearance, Gohrick. There will be no prying eyes where we're going, nor any living soul for that matter for miles around...."



Now over the landscape, Shade kept the airship's heading right on course. It was the less resided continent on the planet, so it was easy to keep the ship's presence from being noticed, and once a spacious enough clearing was found, Shade brought the engines to a slow to hover over the small meadow just as a nearby flock of birds fled into the sky to clear out of her way. The Ragnarok came to a slow, gliding descent, and the lower she came to the ground, the more the ground shook as the nearby trees swayed erratically and leaned about violently from the powerful gusts from the engines. Once close enough to solid surface, the claws of the ship slowly extended which also acted as part of the Ragnarok's landing gear to help it's massive size come to a soft and sound landing. Finally, Shade breathed her first sigh of relief since they departed Balamb while shutting down the ship one switch at a time.


In doing so, she gave Gohrick a sideway glance to see just how well he was holding up thus far. During the ship tour, he seemed well enough distracted, taking obvious interest in most sections of the ship, even during what few odd moments that seem to strike him with uneasy silence, or as if his mind drifted elsewhere and he would snap back into attention to question something random. Yet even through his pleasant demeanor and compliments, Shade simply assumed it was his nervousness and nagging doubt over the mission at hand that had him apprehensive at times during the tour. Now leaning back in her seat, she slowly began to unbuckle the belt straps as the engines came to a slow whine when shut down. She gave her companion a short nod and attempted a faint smile just at the corner of her lips in hopes to ease his nerves. "Let's get started...we have a bit of walk ahead of us." With both of her weapons strapped to her belt, she led the way again.


Now walking down the ramp positioned at the front of the ship, Shade took in her first breath of the air as her eyes instinctively scanned the area. It was as tranquil as any meadow, bordered by lush trees of vibrant greens that lightly scented the soft breeze flowing through the air. Still feeling secure they weren't detected in any way, she gave Gohrick another nod. "We head due north from here. We should arrive in a matter of few hours..." She led the way at a leisure pace, allowing the natural, soothing effect of their surroundings to keep what uncertainties they both had at a subtle calm, yet with each step, Shade realized something more needed to be said. She knew the great amount of trust the Mithra was placing upon her, especially when he hardly even knew her. Yet here he was, placing such a personal pain into her hands simply by a hint that it could be healed, following her without question, and to a place she told him practically nothing about. Shade alone wouldn't trust someone that much....


So with a slow intake of breath, she mustered up what words she could find to hopefully set her friend's mind at ease. “As I said before in the ship, there's no need to concern yourself over being seen, or your appearance drawing any attention. This whole continent is practically bare save for what remnants remain of the few villages once here....” She paused for a moment, trying to choose her words carefully, but not because she feared of what she was revealing. Somehow she knew Gohrick could be trusted. But for the fact that such an idea in itself would sound completely insane to anyone, even herself had she not witnessed her own healing so long ago, was what made the words even more difficult to form. “I was shown this power once, for whatever reason, and it healed in me what no other medical treatment, or form of magic could, Gohrick. Although my ailment was inside, where yours is on the surface, I still thi..I still hope...it will do the same for you.” She looked over to him as they continued walking, trying to read his expression for any clue to thoughts. “But if you find yourself needing to know more, now would be the time to ask.”

As she voiced her dismissal of his concerns, he found himself once more breathing a little easier. He wasn't going to blow this for her, and the secrets of this world wouldn't be leaked out by what he was. He certainly wouldn't be repeating this trip to anyone, and wouldn't talk about it unless it was to Shade herself.

Again, he found his blue hues focused on her as she focused on the controls, admiring her skills as she brought the ship down to such a smooth landing, he nearly would have missed it if he hadn't been expecting it. Not everyone could fly a ship with such skill, and even fewer could land such a beast as the 'Rok so smoothly, as he had so experienced with lesser pilots of much less grand ships. He was still watching her as she had her moment of relief, before looking up at him.

He looked into her eyes for a moment, returning her small smile with a slightly toothy grin, grateful that his fur was dark and hiding the faint blush from getting caught staring. He cleared his throat and nodded his head, following suit as he unbuckled and stood up, giving a slight stretch. He reached behind him and made sure his unusual choice of weapon was still properly secured, checked the SeeD pants and made sure he still had all of his brushes as well for his casting.

“A bit of a walk? Could be in worse company and circumstances,” he said with a soft smile, mentally bashing his head against the wall. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut at times and just stop with the pointless flirting?

As he followed her down the ramp, he readjusted the only piece of armor he actually work on his left arm, checking the inkwells that were installed in it. He did so just to distract his mind. However, that was no longer needed as soon as he stepped into the lush environment of the Planet.

There are reasons that birds take flight, or animals run or grow still just before a natural disaster hits. Some call it instinct, others call it just a sixth sense that animals have that others have out evolved. The real reason was that those with still base instincts, such as the Beastmen of Vana'diel, Mithra, even the Bangaa of Ivelice, could feel the life of the planet all to a certain degree, and could tell when things shifted. Gohrick had never felt too close to the planets, his mind always up in the clouds and never staying on the ground for that long, often times on the Calamity or the old passenger ships. However, even he could feel the life of this planet, so much that he actually stumbled and gasped in shock.

“Never...dear gods...” he muttered, gulping. LIFE! That was all he could feel, and on some base instincts, he wasn't sure if he should be at ease or run back to the ship. It was all empowering, all overwhelming life!

He was brought back to his senses as Shade indicated that they would be heading North. If she hadn't spoken, he was almost sure he would have stayed in shock like that for a good half hour or longer till he would finally come back down from such a shock.

“Huh? Oh, right, lead the way Madam Shade,” he said, shaking his head and focusing on the task at hand. He took a few more steps, still feeling slightly overwhelmed, but soon he managed to control his fight or flight instincts and stayed close behind her, keeping his eyes open, amazed by the simple beauty of such a landscape before them.

He turned his head towards Shade and listened to her as she spoke, nodding his head and agreeing with the lack of any sentient life spotting them. He couldn't imagine anyone wanting to destroy this land and erect cities or anything of the like here. The fact that there was a ruin of a village greatly sparked his curiosity.

“Do you think, perhaps if there is time, we can take a look at some of those ruins? I'm curious at what type of people would want to intrude on such a lovely landscape,” he asked, his voice conveying awe and slight shock as she gave him those pieces of information.

He saw her pause and tilted his head, his ears flicking slightly as he listened for anything coming at them that he might have missed. Nothing of that nature, but it was just as shocking as Shade started to tell him slightly about herself, in the sense of how she knew of such a place. It wasn't much, but he found himself giving her a warm smile as she invited him to ask more questions.

'There are thousands of more questions I want to ask, like what it was that grieved you so, what your childhood was like, how you came to such a position of power and how you learned to handle it so well?' he thought, deciding that, perhaps now wasn't the time to voice such personal questions, if there ever was such a time to ask those questions.

“Madam Shade, I want to assure you...oh, how can I word this...even if this doesn't work...I'm sure it will, but even if it doesn't...I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It takes someone of a certain caliber, to show a stranger the kind of kindness you have shown me over the past few hours. Even if I am forever branded as such...The fact that I met you...well, that already feels like a treasure,” he said, scratching the back of his head as his tail twitched out nervously behind him.

“I'm sure this will work, and there is no point in worrying about what ifs or a bleak future. Either it does, or doesn't, but in any case...You have my thanks Shade,” he said, looking back up in her eyes and giving her a warm and caring smile.

Shade had to wonder over his astounding appreciation. With an observant expression, her gaze flickered a scant glance over him to see his nervous behavior. Had every stranger Gohrick come across treated him so horribly that he felt the need to express such gratitude? Or were strangers so distrusting of him, that he grew to feel the same and perhaps he half expected her to change her mind at the drop of a dime? When she looked away, she blinked off the thoughts and mentally scolded herself for over analyzing again instead of just accepting what was. So she nodded to his words when looking back to him, this time meeting his gaze head on and with a subtle nod. "You're quite welcome, Gohrick...." She attempted a faint smile with a more lighter tone in her voice. I'd say it's the least I can do for the painting gift you did for me."


Now looking off to the distance again, she broached the subject of his curiosity. "Well.... I wouldn't necessarily call them ruins, per say...." She pointed to the south and continued. "There was once a village in that direction... I did some research on it, but what information is made public is rather sketchy. It was nothing of grand scale like a city. Just some humble homes and the bare necessities I guess.... shops, a quaint hospital, not much more save for the residential cottages. If you still wish to see what lies there, I'm sure we'll have the time."


The subtle breeze blew again with a wavering scent of lavender as their walk continued. She paused in silence for a moment within her sobering thoughts, unknowing that her gloved hand ventured to the sword at her hip to rest casually against the hilt before she began to speak again. Yet this time, her steel hues remained fixed to the ground and a more knowing, softer tone spoke her words. "The only other place upon the continent is exactly where we're heading... so you'll get to see what remains there." Shade's own memories wavered through her mind just like the breeze cascading around them and through the knee high grass with gentle flowing waves.


But just as before with her thoughts, she shook them off to keep to the matter at hand. Yet one thought did still linger, and nagged to be spoken, although Shade already had her suspicions to the answer. His sudden reaction to their surroundings upon leaving the airship had caught Shade unawares and quite concerned at first. Perhaps the attempt of this unknown healing had finally struck him, so much so with such impact, that maybe he was having second thoughts. Yet when Gohrick proceeded to follow her, and his lighthearted demeanor returned, her first suspicions of fear were scratched off. She muddled over a few thoughts as they had walked and talked to each other, and another theory played over her mind. With so many worldly travels and coming across so many races, Shade came to learn, as well as witnessed, that some races were more intune to worldly environments than humans were. Yet Gohrick appeared as if he were nearly knocked off his feet, which made her suspect that perhaps it was the rumored Lifestream's close proximity that had anything to do with it.


By the time they reached the borderline of trees, Shade broached the subject with a light tone of curiosity and her gaze drifting through the dark shroud of her long bangs to inquire directly into his own hues. "You seemed quite.... startled when we were leaving the ship. I trust it's not because this place gives you a foreboding sense? I assure you, we're not walking into anything dangerous. Or perhaps you sense something that I don't?" She kept to a tone that spoke of respect. She found those who bore what many called a sixth sense to be remarkably gifted and to be taken quite seriously when they knew of something instinctively without any means of explanation. It was quality most envied, as well as most feared, and she didn't want Gohrick to assume she was of the latter.

Gohrick lightly scratched the back of his head, staring off in the distance as she explained that this was the least she could do after the painting he had done for her. He actually paused for a moment in their walk as he processed that, before giving her a smile and shaking his head.

“You didn't need to do all this...I had fun with that painting,” he said with a smile, before quickly catching up to the wild haired beauty once more, listening to her with an active ear as she explained the village, or rather what was left of it. What caught his attention the most was when she explained about how the 'public' information was sketchy at best.

“So, a small village in the middle of a land as lush as this suddenly meets an unfortunate end, the information covering the details as to what happened being...as you said sketchy...Call it overly curious, but I'm quite grateful we'll have time to check it out later. After helping Cypher find out more details about Spira's past, I get a small kick out of looking at these kinds of things and trying to piece them together,” he said, admitting he had a more serious side when it came to history and exploring. It seemed like an odd side hobby for an artist, but while others had amazing photos of old ruins, Gohrick had amazing drawings and details of old ruins, as well as quite a collection of old text and tomes, most of it stored either in the ship or in one of there several bases.

He once again found himself staring at her as the scent of lavender assaulted his senses, causing a soft purr before he saw her hand drift over her weapon. He blinked before looking around, wondering if she spotted something, when he heard her speak once more.

Gohrick found himself biting his lower lip slightly as he heard the tone in which she spoke...something was preoccupying her mind more so then before, and he had a feeling that it was something to do with the last time she was here. He turned his head and locked eyes with her, giving her a warm smile, before walking up to her and ahead a bit as they started moving again, lightly brushing her arm with his tail, his way at a comforting touch as his tail lingered longer then it would if it had been accidental. He had noticed how she seemed to tense up when he hugged or gave her a lick, and didn't want to cause her any discomfort...after all, that would defeat the purpose of a comforting touch.

As they reached the treeline, Gohrick made it a point to touch several of them with his paws lightly, amazed by how strong they seemed, and was half way tempted to jump and climb one when her voice brought him back down to earth. He turned and faced her with a grin, before leaning back against the tree.

“Startled? That doesn't even begin to cover it Shade. I was overwhelmed and completely frightened for the first few seconds of stepping foot here. Now, I've felt the life of several planets, and most of them have a nice, lively pace to them. This place screams and seems frantic with so much life, like a rushing river instead of a peaceful pond. Or maybe rapids would be more akin to what I was feeling. I know...not everyone can feel the life around them, but that's what it felt like. Going from a pond to a rushing rapids. Exhilarating, surprising, beautiful yet with this air of danger, as if I let my guard down, I'll just be overwhelmed and drown...Hm, kinda like it was meeting you for the first time,” he said with a gentle smile, before looking down and scratching the back of his head once more.

“So, I guess to properly answer your questions, I sense nothing foreboding, nor do I believe we are heading anyone actually dangerous. Its just...an amazing, filling of the senses of just pure life energy...No other planet I've been to has felt so full of the stuff. As if...It almost feels tangible, you know? Like I could reach out and grab it...Yet at the same time, it screams of unbridled and uncontrollable power. Tempting to embrace...yet yelling of to keep my distance,” he concluded, before giving Shade another soft grin.

'Again...just like you,' he thought, but kept this one to himself.

She would've missed Gohrick's tail grazing her arm entirely due to the long, leather sleeves of her short tattered jacket had she not caught the movement from the corner of her eye. Shade took it as a sign that his spirits were improving, on top of his more occasional smiles, which was most likely due to the anticipation of them growing closer to their destination.

Her suspicions appeared confirmed once they ventured within the forest section of their trek as his steps appeared lighter and the Mithra's attentions were diverted by the trees and her question. She also took note how he touched so many trees while listening to his confession of what he felt within this place as she slowly nodded to every word with her own gaze wandering about their surroundings. Everything he spoke of coincided with what research she had done, so Shade thought best to share it with him. "It's most likely due to the Lifestream of this planet, Gohrick. Some call it Spirit Energy, others go by the term Mako, all depends on who you speak to...." Her words broke away as she paused in step for a brief moment to look up through the canopy of trees, mentally noting they were staying on course due to sun's location. Before walking again, her gaze ventured back to his own as she continued to explain. "It's pretty much the life source of this planet, though most believe that even when one dies, that's where their spirit goes as well. Like a whole.... " Her head shook slightly as she gave a nonchalant wave of her hand "..circle of life thing, I suppose."


With a casual nod of her head, she motioned for them to continue walking while keeping her tone soft spoken, as if not wanting to disturb what lied within the forest itself. "The reason why a feeling may have struck you like such a blow is most likely due to the Lifestream being closest to the surface at this particular part of the planet. Since it seems to be connected to every living thing upon the surface, naturally one such as yourself who can sense more than others is going to feel a difference... especially here..." She gave Gohrick a half tilted smile in return as they wandered deeper within the woods when something else he said caught her attention. "As for unbridled or uncontrollable, well... some have found a way to harness such power. Some say for the better.... some say at the price of the planet itself." She gave a slight shrug to her shoulders while pondering over what little facts she knew and over her friends who suffered for it. "What matters now is the price many have to pay for others actions." It wasn't meant to depress their discussion, but should Gohrick ever venture to this particular planet again, especially in Midgar, it was best he be somewhat educated should he sense what he was feeling here somewhere else, particularly near some Mako reactor that was siphoning the Lifestream to produce pure energy, which would no doubt leave his fur frazzled for an entire week.


After a few hours had past, the trees slowly began to thin out. Even Shade's own apprehensions began to wear on her normal sense of calm, but she kept her breathing shallow and steady as her eyes remained keen to any movement and her sense of hearing concentrated for any unfamiliar sounds that shouldn't be here. Thus far, all seemed quiet and serene, left unphased by time just as before. Finally, Shade came to pause again, quietly scanning the ground for a few moments before she gave Gohrick a nod again and pointed to their left and headed in that direction. Had no one known to look for it, the narrow dirt road would have been easily overlooked to the untrained eye until they walked even further out beyond the shadows of the trees where it's trail was easier revealed by the daylight. Once again, they came upon another meadow, yet unlike where they left the Ragnarok, here the knee high grass was littered with various wildflowers and ferns left untouched by hands and consuming the ground wherever they so chose to reach.


Shade stood motionless within the overgrowth field of foilage and simply closed her eyes slowly and listened. What would be no more than dead silence to so many, Shade heard so much more in this place. What appeared no more than a wasted, abandoned village to the passerby, was a hidden paradise of solitude and tranquility to her. The air was still, but her hearing caught every slight rustle of the grass, or passing flight of an occasional bird over head. If one listened closely, even the clouds whispered as they coasted gently across the sky while occasionaly sheilding the land below from the sun's brilliant rays. It was when the first welcoming breeze carresed around her, as if in its own silent permission, that Shade dared to venture forward. But her steps were each carefully chosen, precise to a certain path left unseen to the naked eye. The breeze continued as if luring the both of them, but Shade motioned with her hand and a placid tone to be sure Gohrick followed "This way....."


There was nothing at all impressive about the place, save for its sense of serenity. She continued venturing through the overgrowth as off in the distance, there was what appeared to be a cluster of crumbling buildings overhwelmed by interweaving vines and tree limbs now the only sign of life within the long abandoned cottages....what was even left of them. But as decrepit as the small homes may have crumbled to, the growth of old green and new became the beauty of this place, left to carpet old roads, or cascade over remaining walls with a will of its own. Before entering into the ruined village, Shade paused at what appeared to be nothing more than a mound of thin vines, entwined like snakes, entangled over and around a small structure standing erect from the ground. Her gloved hand brushed the vine leaves to the side, revealing the letters far more faded than when she last saw them so long ago. Saying nothing, she let her hand brush away, yet the stiff vines remained where she pushed them aside to expose the deteriorating letters that spelled Banora.


She turned and locked her steel hues upon Gohrick's gaze, unaware that the grip of her other hand tightened around the hilt of her sword again. Appearing relaxed in her stance, Shade's voice softened somewhat. "We're here." She gave her friend time to take in his newfound surroundings, studying him closely to see if he would feel anything different here as well, and await for him to give the word that he was ready to proceed.

Gohrick found his paw lightly touching another tree as she explained just why he was feeling so over whelmed, and as she mentioned the name 'life stream' it was then he realized why everything felt like it was flowing, why it felt just like a powerful river all around him. He smiled and actually chuckled slightly.

“The Life Stream huh? Its a fitting name. Even though I know I'm on solid ground, it feels like it could all shift and flow at any moment,” he said with a light smile, nodding as she tilted her head, following her once more to destination unknown. As she further explained some of the principals of the life stream, as well as what many considered it to be made of, and how some others had actually tried to harness the power of something so powerful, he felt he needed to make some sort of comment.

“To try and harness something like this is almost a fool's run. I couldn't begin to imagine what it would take, nor would I even begin to dream what the consequences would be to take something so vital, that is connected to every living thing, out of circulation. I mean no offense to you, Madam Shade, nor to any of your compatriots, but the arrogance of some humans truly leaves me baffled,” he said, running a paw through his hair and following behind her still.

It seemed that was the end of conversation as the pair continued on their journey in a comfortable silence, Gohrick's eyes watching around, his ears listening for anything that might be trying to sneak up on them. At one point, just for fun, he jumped up and started to jump from tree to tree. There was no real reason for it, though if he was questioned, he would say that it was to keep a better eye on the surrounding area. In reality, he was just curious as to how quickly he could jump from tree to tree, as well as how silently. He liked to think he had done a pretty good job at keeping quiet, and he still saw nothing around but more plant life, and as the trees started to thin out, what looked like a huge meadow up ahead. He jumped down as the tress grew too far apart, following behind Shade once more with his arms behind his head, taking a deep breath and smelling all the unique flowers in the area.

As Shade pointed out the next direction to go, the feline felt his breath leave his lungs once more, as the simple beauty of the new meadow overwhelmed him. He couldn't help but pause as the long grass started and stare, even as Shade moved up ahead. He watched her walk a bit further into the meadow and found himself watching her once more. It was when she paused and seemed to be taking everything in that he quietly and quickly pulled out a small notebook and pen, leaning back against one of the fewer trees and started to make a simple sketch of what he was seeing. In the sketch stood the figure of a woman, Shade, in the meadow, as a small breeze started to flow through her hair. It wasn't much of a drawing, since it was as the breeze blew that she indicated that it was time to move again, but it was enough for him, and something to work on in the late hours of the night on the ship when he had a chance to once more. He slowly moved into the field as he pocketed the drawing, before slightly jogging to catch up with her once again.

As the ruins of the buildings started to appear under the overgrowth of vines and bushes, he was drawn to one building that seemed to be radiating with something...he couldn't quite place his finger on what it was, but it seemed to be calling out to him. Untrained with his own natural instincts due to leaving home so young, he practiced only the basics of self preservation as he lightly touched the building. He quickly looked over to Shade, who seemed to be looking at something herself, before turning back and peeking into the ruins of the building.

To say it was trashed was an understatement, and it wasn't just nature reclaiming her bounty. Whatever happened in this place before had completely cracked and crumbled portions of the building. Nature just made the building even more dangerous. Torn between being smart and satisfying his own curiosity, the feline chose the latter, and carefully started to climb into the building. He paused and tilted his head, his ears listening for anything. There, once again...like a faint whisper of a breeze that sent a chill down his spine.

“Shade...something is in here...” he muttered, not even realizing he was speaking as he ventured further into the building, the floorboards creaking ominously under his careful steps. It seemed like the ruins of a living room, and whatever was calling for the feline was just a bit further into the derelict building.

He bit his lower lip, before carefully walking forward, before moving back quickly as the ground seemed to crack and some of the boards broke away, falling further withing the building's lower levels. He panted softly as he wiped his brow, looking back and seeing he was getting further from the entrance he chose. He heard the whisper once more, stronger then before, calling for him. He looked away from the door and moved further in, avoiding the broken boards that created the hole, almost as if he was in a trance. He slowly made it into another room, and looked around the dark room, his nocturnal vision even straining due to the lack of light. What in the seven kingdoms was calling for him? He moved into the room, before there, in the corner, was a faint light, given by a small orb. He blinked a few times, before slowly moving towards it and picking it up. Even as he did, he felt a sort of shock that ran through his body, nearly dropping it in surprise. It seemed purple in coloration, but he had no clue what it was, only that the soft whispers had stopped.

“Just what are you?” he muttered once more, before he started to make his way carefully back out of the building to rejoin Shade on the outside. He hoped he didn't take too long, after all, he didn't want to take too much of her time away from the Garden, but he just couldn't resist knowing what this was. Once he was back outside, he gave Shade a smile, before holding up the small purple orb in his paw.

“Check it out? Pretty isn't it?”

Shade said nothing to Gohrick's opinions simply because she agreed with what all he said, yet she still offered a glance with a slight shake of her head to assure him she wasn't at all offended by his "humans" remark. Now watching her companion with a keen eye, she chose to follow him instead, while keeping to a casual pace and respectable distance to allow the Mithra time to adjust to his heightened senses of this place. At times she would pause and take in her own thoughts over the scenery slightly changed by the natural overgrowth. It was during one of those moments that Gohrick's voice caught her attention, and when she turned, Shade was caught unawares by his unexpected disappearance. Her head turned left and right, even though her mind already knew her companion never ventured in those directions as her feet headed toward the building she knew Gohrick must have wandered into. ...damn.... I should've expected that.... he's a Mithra for Hyne's sake!


Her thoughts continued to mentally scold herself for being caught careless while walking cautiously toward the direction where she heard his voice coming from. Although Shade's own natural senses didn't feel anything threatening, she still remained on guard and cautious, only to flinch slightly when hearing the sound of fallen boards echoing close by. A few more steps and she could finally see Gohrick's shadowed form through the darkness, leading her eyes to narrow in attempts to sharpen her vision while whispering his name with a sense of urgency. Although the place was obviously abandoned, it was still too dangerous to be in here as thoughts of the overly curious Mithra falling straight through the rotted floor flooded through her mind. But he didn't answer, and she found he continued venturing further without a pause to his step. With her jaw clenched, Shade followed until she heard a rustling noise coming from outside behind her. Instinctively, her hand flew to the hilt of her sword and in that fraction of a second, her tactical mind made the decision that guarding their backs from behind from anything unknown was the safer route, and so she backtracked her way back outside. Her vision adjusted quickly to the bright sunlight again as she carefully peered through the rotting doorway before stepping out and slowly pulling her sword from her belt when she heard the rustling sounds again, now coming from the other side of the building. Her steps were slow in stealth and her breathing steady as her grip to her weapon tightened and her muscles were poised for any maneuver to be used in defense or attack. After a few more steps, Shade's narrowed hues crept around the high weeds entwined into the wall, only to drop the tip of her blade into the ground with a dull thud.


A rabbit....


Of course it would be a damn rabbit.... with it's hind leg so entangled within the twisting ivy vines it was rather surprising he didn't snap his leg already by his careless, frantic struggles. And now seeing a human just a few feet away sent the small furball into a wild state of panic. Before the rabbit's situation grew worse, Shade wasted no time to approach it and bent down to snatch him by the back of its neck and carefully hold him up so his wild kicking wouldn't further entrap him within the vines, as her other hand pulled out a small knife strapped at the side of her boot and sliced the twisting, rope like weeds away form the small leg with her skilled hand. With the trembling rabbit still in her firm hold, she turned it to face her and gave him a firm look. "Be more careful..." The poor thing went stiff and still with only its nose twitching and dark little eyes practically bulging from fear before Shade carefully lowered him back to the ground, yet away from the vines to finally release him to see only a flash of fur zip across the small village and dive into another batch of foliage.


“Check it out? Pretty isn't it?” It was an extreme rare occurrence Shade was ever caught of guard, and this was one of them. She flinched with a startled gasp before whipping around to find Gohrick now standing behind her holding a glowing object within the palm of his hand. Disgruntled at herself, Shade ran her fingers through her thick mane of hair while leaning close to visually study over the object she could only guess was the Materia she heard so much about from this world. Although she had limited knowledge of them, Shade knew exactly who to go to about it should they need some answers. “I'd wager the Ragnarok you're holding the very conformed energy of the Lifestream I was talking about. They call it Materia....” Only her hues rose up with a slight tilt of her head before she continued. “Finders keepers, they always say. Whoever lost it here shouldn't have been here in the first place.” With that said, she gave the Mithra a curt nod to confirm the object was his to have before stepping back and looking toward their destination. “Should you need any information or have questions about it, I have a friend in Midgar we can go to for answers. Name's Tifa... nice girl.... just don't drink anything she gives you if it's the color purple....” Shade even slid Gohrick a smirk to add to her slight bout of humor before heading up the dirt beaten road past the small village.


It wasn't a long trek. To anyone's eye, it a pathway to yet another dilapidated building, yet this one was by far a much grander scale than the more smaller, humble cluster of homes they previously left behind. By it's size and base structure alone, it was obvious the once manor home was to someone of higher stature within the small community when it once thrived. Fallen window shutters lied rotting within the surrounding weeds as Shade took in the effects of passing time upon the structure with a studious scowl sketched across her brow. It wasn't the deteriorating state of the abandoned house that concerned her, but the state of what lied within. By the newfound growth of one particular tree branching out through broken window panes, and forcing it's random limbs through crumbling mortar and decaying roof, all appeared just as it should be. Her next steps were cautious, wary to every sound, as her steel hued gaze kept to an intense vigilance. Even with her first step upon the wooden staircase, Shade made sure to test her weight upon the rotting wood before pressing on. She shunned off every sense that screamed to turn back while forcing her muscles forward up the few steps and onto the decomposing planks of the porch until she reached the arched double doors practically dangling from their rusted hinges. At first, Shade gave a tight clench to her fists, straining the stitching of her leather gloves to ward off the trembling effects of her nerves before relaxing her fingers and carefully placed them against one of the doors to push it open. The cursed shriek of corrosion was enough to make her inwardly flinch, but even with the door swaying open without hesitation, Shade remained upon the threshold as if waiting...


...it was if the house were alive by it's own right, and Shade could sense it didn't want her here.... A memory Shade would never forget, and always took into respect on the rare occasions she returned here. The silence beheld a foreboding sense, as if at any moment the entire manor would come crashing down upon the both of them without the slightest warning. Yet within moments, there came only a subtle breeze and a lone bird perched within the tree took flight into the sky. She was welcomed, but to remain cautious as always. With a slow intake of breath, Shade turned enough to look over her shoulder and address her friend with a calm, yet warning lilt in her tone. “This is as far as I can allow you to go, Gohrick. Don't go past this doorway....” Her right hand motioned to the trunk of the grand, ancient tree consuming most of the foyer it grew through, yet much of the floor remained intact due to the ever growing foliage sprawled across the surface. “I'll be right here... there's just something... I need to get.”

Gohrick bit back a giggle as he heard her gasp in shock as he had, accidentally and by pure chance, caught her by surprise. He imagined something like that didn't happen, so while internally he was doing a slight victory dance, outside he only wore a small smile. That smile widened as she mentioned what it was that he could very well be holding, only causing him to stare into her steel eyes and give a slightly cheeky response.

“Wager the Ragnarok? I'm willing to take up that bet, that ship would make a great addition to my collection,” he said with a grin, before staring back down at the gem in his paws. Materia huh? It spoke to him, less then the Planet did of course, but it seemed almost more personal. As if it was telling him about itself, but he just couldn't understand fully what it was saying. The only thing he knew for sure was, as soon as he had rejoined up with Shade outside of that house, his already developing feelings for her seemed to shift just slightly, and a more protective feeling was just under the surface, as if he was ready to jump any moment. It wasn't overwhelming, and it wasn't that distracting really, but at the same time, he knew that feeling was there and was certainly new.

Being broken by his thoughts as Shade talked about Tifa and a purple drink, he quickly moved to catch up with her as she headed down an old road, his eyes darting left and right, looking for anything that could be a threat. He knew he hadn't been this alert before, but for some reason, he wasn't that bothered by it, and he felt more at ease, even though he didn't know anything about this Planet or what it could hold in store for the pair.

He couldn't hold in the small whistle that passed his lips as they came up to the derelict ruins that was clearly an impressive sight in it's prime. As Shade started up the steps, testing them as she walked, he too took a very cautious path, feeling out each step and biting down on his lower lip. He wasn't one to turn down looking at old ruins and houses, but there was something about this place that caused his tail to poof up and the fur on the back of his neck to stand up as a chill ran down his spine.

'What is up with this place...I've never felt such an overwhelming feeling of 'Get Out' in my life...' he thought, but with his new found protective nature, he continued to follow after Shade, focusing on that and ignoring his baser instincts. He stood behind her as she seemed to be debating something as she clenched her fist, only for his own paw to lightly pat her on the shoulder, as if encouraging her. Not that she really needed it, but still...

As she turned and told him to wait there, he felt his body clench up slightly, as his new found instinct and his own basic one were in agreement that she should not venture forth alone into this rot filled house. He stared into her eyes and opened his mouth to protest, before closing it up tight as he closed his eyes.

As he reopened them, they were shot free of any joy or playfulness, and the full stare of Captain ex Captain Gohrick Trisona stared right into Shade's steel hues. “Alright, I'll wait here, but please be careful. My gut is telling me to go with you, but this is your show Shade, so I'll wait, and you just be careful,” he said softly, his face focused and his voice calm, but with a certain edge to it, one that said that if she got hurt, let some mercy fall upon whatever caused it to her, for it wouldn't come from him. He gave her a small smile and a nod, before taking two steps back away from the doorway, standing there as if a sentry, the small Materia held tightly in his paw.

Shade was slightly taken back again by Gohrick's tone, rather than his words. Anyone would be naturally leery over such a place, but she could hear the genuine concern in his voice for her welfare. She didn't want him to be so worried, yet how could she explain this place so the Mithra could better understand? "Nothing bad will happen to me here, Gohrick. I can assure of you of that. It's just..." As her steel hues drifted off over the foliage sprouting throughout the floorboards, she attempted to make any form of sense with carefully chosen words. "This place.... it has nightmares of it's own. It's alive by its own right...." As her gaze slowly returned to meet his luminous blues, her voice dropped as if harboring a secret. "Not in a way of haunting, per say.... This place just.... does not trust easily...."


Her hand reached up and rested against the other double door and pressed carefully only to hear the rusted hinges creak in defiance as the first door had done when she pried it open. "Now you can better see into the room. I'll only be maybe fifteen feet away from you, no further than that tree." She could only hope this would give Gohrick some added assurance that she would be fine within the deteriorating manor before taking her first step across the threshold. Each step was carefully taken, as she had done so before in the past, so not to step upon the various floral growth that bloomed within the moss and ferns scattered about the floor until she reached the enormous tree that consumed the foyer. Her head tilted back to gaze through the countless thick branches that stretched throughout the floors of the structure and beyond the roof, barely able to see the clear blue sky through the layered canopy of leaves. What streams of sunlight could breach through came down in a cascade of scattering light which only illuminated the tree's already intimidating presence.


After a moment's silence, Shade slowly removed the gloves from her hand and carefully shoved them into her back pocket before unsheathing her sword from her hip. She gently placed the tip of the blade upon the moss at her feet and leaned the handle against the trunk of the tree while crouching down before the weapon and fidgeting with the centerpiece of the hilt until it opened to reveal a hidden compartment within. Her fingers carefully reached inside to remove a small item to shift it in her palm and slowly curled her fingers around it before rising on her feet once more. Now gazing up again as before, Shade swallowed down any reservations she may have had left as her other hand gently rested her palm against the bark of trunk. Her whispered words may have been so softly spoken that even Mithran ears wouldn't hear, but it was no matter. Shade had to try.... "You helped me once..... when I was least deserving. There's another who needs the same help.... more deserving than I ever was.... surely you can see that..."


Never in her life did Shade ever expect to fathom the existence of a deity had she not witnessed her own healing. A healing nigh impossible to be cured, but was on a random day and by a chance encounter at that. This healing had a purpose, where Shade never believed hers should have been. So with that thought in mind, Shade dared to hope for her newfound friend, even though Genesis wasn't present to harness the power as he was the first time. He didn't need to be the second time Shade came to this place simply to reflect. And by that accidental discovery, she was sure such a possibility could happen again. With her palm still resting against the tree, her other hand slowly pried away her fingers to reveal a single ebony feather resting lightly against her skin. He may not be here.... he may never return at all. But a part of Genesis would always remain. She owed him that much for that one day he awakened her mind to the truth about herself, and for bringing her here on that day that gave her a chance at a new path in life.


During those moments of thought, the feather slowly came to rise from her hand all of it's own accord. Shade's breath caught in her throat as she held perfectly still and watched as it swayed casually back and forth as it continued to climb within the air. With her every sense heightened and alert, she waited, yet what followed came most unexpected. With her palm still bracing against the tree, Shade felt her own powers begin to awaken. Powers she hadn't conquered and controlled in the past, yet now it seemed either the forces here were feeding upon them, or it was a simple reaction of greater powers acknowledging one another. But trust was an issue with Shade as well, be it in herself, or by another evoking the Sorceress powers she harbored for so long. Within the following moments of silence, her stark white wings erupted from her back with a brief blinding light to crack through the air, arching high toward the sky as the shade to her hues shifted into a luminous golden bronze. The breeze above grew in strength, causing the lighter branches to sway and the bountiful leaves to dance against the flowing currents.


She could feel the powers flowing through the tree itself, from the very roots so deeply embedded within the ground to the very tip of every branch as her own responded in kind without any will of her own. Was this what Genesis felt as well? Was this how he knew...? But before her thoughts could even begin to dwell over the whirlwind of colliding powers, there came a snap! that violently shook Shade'a attention back to her purpose here. Just as before in her distant memory, her intense gaze scanned through the cluster of branches for the slightest sign.... then another faint crack! echoed within her ears and she saw it as the subtle ripping of fibers from it's perch finally gave way for the Banora apple to fall gracefully through the air. It was well beyond her reach, yet Shade's impulses were instinctive as her hand reached out and her powers alone embraced the small fruit for it slow its descent until it hovered within the air. Her steps remained cautious as before while approaching the apple as her wings gradually relaxed behind her to drift lightly against the ground and taking the floating object gently within her hand.


Now with her goal securely within her palm, Shade slowly turned and approached the doorway with same precise steps until she came face to face with Gohrick again. Unaware that the luminous color still consumed her hues, she spoke just above a whisper as her free hand casually took the Mithra's paw and placed the ivory colored apple within his grasp. "If you trust me.... as you say you do.... then the choice is yours to take...." With a subtle nod, she silently beckoned Gohrick to follow her back outside where stood at the ledge of the porch and waited for her friend to make his decision.


This would work.... she felt it within the powers flowing within the veins of the tree. Perhaps that was why the mysterious force within, be Goddess or Lifestream, conjured her own powers to give Shade that one leap of faith....

As she explained to him in a way that he could fully grasp why his fur was nearly standing on end, he had no doubt in his mind that this place had seen some truly frightening sights. He also had no doubt that this place was alive in its own way, given how he noticed Shade constantly looking around for signs allowing her to continue on within its grave halls and passageways. He gave her a small smile as she explained it wasn't in a haunting way, but Gohrick had his suspensions that even if it weren't ghosts, this place was indeed haunted by some memories. And in a place where such a powerful energy flowed just underfoot, memories were sometimes all that were needed. The Farplane was a perfect example of that.

“Alright Shade, I'll be here waiting,” he said as she opened up the other door so he could see further inside. As she made her way into the room, he slowly found himself moving into a crouch, his legs tightening slightly as if ready to make a dash in case anything happened in a negative fashion. He watched her with still worried eyes that adjusted to the levels of light, reflecting as pale blue beacons for her to return to safely.

He tilted his head curiously as he watched her walk up to the ancient tree, only able to see her back as she examined her weapon. It was so quiet, he could hear the slight clicking noise of metal on metal, but couldn't see what exactly was happening, barely hearing her whispers over a gentle breeze that slowly started to flow through the room. While he could not see what was happening, the pounding of her heart could be heard as his ears turned and focused only on what was happening, his senses blinding everything else around him as he found himself seeing a single, black feather slowly rising up.

What he saw next simply took his breath away, and the pure energy that flowed through the building brought him down to his knees as he watched in awe.

He shuddered as he felt the powers of Shade and of the Lifestream pouring from the room, his mind reeling at the purity of it all. He continued to stare, unable to break away as he felt much more then just the power...he swore, once more, that he could hear a certain whispering between both of them, though he didn't hear Shade's voice. He couldn't understand what was being said, only that both energy flows were in agreement, that there was no conflict. It reminded him of how Galka greeted each other on his home world. Both were beings of power and would often have some sort of show of power, before greeting each other like long lost brothers, even if it was the first time meeting. A show of respect and of reservation in one.

His hair and fur were becoming slightly ruffled by the stronger breeze blowing out of the room, and his eyes slowly took in what he was physically seeing. Shade had grown pristine wings, and her already powerful presence was magnified a hundred fold. In his mind's eye, he saw not a hume before him with wings, but something much more in a hume like form. He had already known that Shade was special in her own ways, with her soft heart under a plate of powerful steel, but he had no idea...He blinked a few times, feeling some tears slowly shed into his furred face at such beauty, beauty that he would never be able to truly capture with ink and paper, with pictures or words.

“E'ja vymmah vun yh yhkam...” he muttered to himself in Al Bhed, something he did when his mind was completely overwhelmed. Over the course of the last few years, he had referred to it as his native tongue more times then he could count.

He swallowed hard as Shade slowly turned around, his mind so overwhelmed that he didn't even realize she had caught a falling fruit with only a wave of her hand. He stared up at her as she slowly moved closer to him, his eyes falling on her now golden hues, and felt suddenly felt very...insignificant. Before him was someone who could break him body and mind with nearly her mere presence alone...and yet, she had gone out of her way to help him. He swallowed hard again as she moved up to him, his body responding by slowly standing up while shaking slightly. It wasn't in fear or hate...it was simply in response to being so close to someone who cared so much to help him in such a way...

He shivered and purred softly as she held his paw up to take the fruit, his eyes never breaking away from her own as he nodded his head. “With my life, Lady Shade...” he said softly, giving her a gentle smile and nodding his head, before watching her turn around and slowly start walking out of the building. He blinked a few times and stared down at the fruit in his paw. He felt a weaker, but still present feeling coming from it as he had felt just a few moments ago. He blinked, not realizing that he had been following Shade outside until the sunlight hit his eyes.

He stared up at her once more as she leaned against he porch, before staring back at the fruit. He smiled slightly and brought the fruit up to his lips, sinking his fangs into the juicy flesh and taking his first bite. It was sweet and some of the juices spilled from his lips into his fur before he could swallow. He took a few more bites of the fruit before he started to feel very...warm. He swallowed and took another bite of the fruit, nearly finishing it off as he gasped, biting down on his lower lip. He wasn't in pain, but the heat coming from his stomach caused him to shift and stumble slightly. He coughed hard, before the heat seemed to rise even more, causing him to quickly remove his jacket to get some form of cool air on his body. He fell down to a knee, again, not in pain, but due to the heat that was radiating from his body. He closed his eyes, unaware of what was happening to his back.

The wicked scar that went from hip to shoulder was glowing faintly, the fluid like membrane that held it all together suddenly bursting as the venom and poisons that kept it from healing were suddenly forced out of his body, the skin slowly recovering and healing over, radiating a sick heat as such vile substances were pushed out. His skin slowly started to stretch, recovering and healing over the scar as the muscles damaged over time were slowly healed as well, improving his stance. Slowly, once the black skin was healed over, the dark brown fur started to grow, causing Gohrick to want to reach back and scratch as itchy as it had become.

As soon as the last blade of fur had come out, the heat from his body vanished, and he was left panting in a small puddle of poison and venom that seemed to be trying to eat through the very floorboards they were standing on. He slowly opened his eyes and gave a small laugh, unable to do much else as his body was finally purged, not only of the scar, but the other impurities that had been caused by the poison and venom.

Shade kept her hues gazing off at the distance, not wanting to add to the pressure to Gohrick's personal decision, but she never took another step to keep herself close just in case he would have need of her. It wasn't until she heard the crisp sound of his first bite that Shade released a soft breath of air she had no idea she was holding in until feeling her lungs ache from the exhale. Now the ticking of time could be heard by each heartbeat nervously pounding against her chest, and the silence was stifling until she heard Gohrick take another bite.


A mere second could have easily felt like a whole year during a pinnacle moment such a this. That was until she heard him gasp sharply, causing her to turn abruptly as the lowest feathers of her wings slid across the warped floorboards with ease. Every muscle in her body went tense, yet the moment his footing staggered, Shade stepped closer to him with her hand reaching out only to pause when Gohrick went still again. Yet another agonizing moment of silence until he coughed and suddenly went into motion to rid himself of the jacket as if the garment were on fire. She reached out again as the Mithra dropped to one knee while keeping her hold upon his arm whether he realized she was also kneeling there beside him or not. For now.... Shade was completely helpless, having no choice but to trust in the same powers she asked Gohrick to trust in. And he did so with more faith than Shade could ever find in herself.


Her fingers relaxed against his arm when she was sure he wouldn't collapse completely upon the porch, then she leaned a bit to the side to look upon the dreadful scar across his entire back to see the faint flicker of light grow aflame within the depths of his wound. Even her own eyes widened slightly by the awing sight as the indescribable powers began to force the mysterious, potent poisons from Gohrick's back like a rushing stream to fall to the ground and pool at their feet. When seeing the swollen skin begin to stretch, Shade's other hand instinctively rose up and simply hovered her palm closely over it, just in case some form of added healing would be needed while she watched over Gohrick's overall reaction as well to be sure he wasn't about to collapse. The healing went much faster than she expected, but was relieved none the less. And it seemed thus far, without too much pain. For now, Shade could only bite back her concerns and hope that Gohrick's reactions were no more than shock by what he could feel at all. She kept to her silence until she witnessed the fur begin to grow anew, causing a rushed sigh of relief to know it would soon be over. As his eyes began to open, her fingers gave a slight squeeze to his arm to assure him she was still at his side.


She found herself shifting to lower her head enough to where the Mithra could see her if he so wished. In doing so, her wings also glided softly across the rotting porch to then drape over the ledge as her eyes slowly simmered back to their steel color. With the healing complete, Shade's other palm that hovered protectively over his back now manuevered over his shoulder to gently brush aside his hair from his brow as she whispered softly. "You're free now, Gohrick....You're free...."

Gohrick stayed kneeling on the ground, his senses leaving him as he felt the power of … whatever it really was, still circulating through his body. Never in his life had he experienced anything like that, never heard of anything like that happening. As he felt the last of the fruit's gift leaving his body, he was slow to blink a few times, slowly returning to his senses.

The first thing he noticed was, of course, his back. It had never caused him pain, but always had been tight, pressurized from all the venom. Now, it felt loose and limber, like the rest of his body. However, something else he noticed was the extra energy in his body. Without his body having to constantly fight off any stray poison, his body was fully recovering, which normally took a few days. Seems like the fruit took care of that in a matter of seconds after healing the wound.

The next thing he noticed was the pressure on his arm. His face grew confused for a moment, before his brain caught up with his hearing, followed soon by sight. He was staring into a pair of golden hues, causing his head to tilt as he slowly recognized what was happening. His body had gone into a small shock from that much healing all at once. Now systems were slowing coming back online and his brain finally told his body what his ears had already heard from the angel in front of him.

'Free...I'm...I'm free...'

He blinked once more and was soon staring into the steel hues, his head tilting the other way as he watched the last golden rays vanish from sight. He swallowed hard and shook his head as the weight he always carried was suddenly lifted from his shoulders.

“Free...I'm free...” he spoke softly, his bright blue eyes watering as his breathing slowly started to increase. He looked down on the ground as his body shook slightly, before he looked back up into her eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. If such is the case, Shade would see just how much those few words meant to him as his soul danced in both joy and amazement.

In a moment of perhaps pure emotion, gratitude, amazement and his own developing feelings for her, he suddenly moved forward, his lips meeting hers in a brief, but powerful kiss that lasted only a few seconds, before his arms wrapped around her tightly as his head moved to her shoulder, tears of joy threatening to fall into his furred cheeks as he held her closely.

“Thank you...Thank you so much...Thank you...” he whispered, his voice cracking as he tried hard to control his faltering emotions, his mind not even registering what had just happened till a few seconds later, by which the blush under his fur was heated. He swallowed hard and slowly pulled back, staring into her eyes, the red on his cheeks visible even through his darker colored fur.

She kept a keen watchful eye over Gohrick for any tell tale signs that he may still collapse, or possibly be so weakened from such a powerful healing that he may need her assistance to stand on his feet. Shade expected his initial reaction of shock at first. It was the same for her when she realized the negative effects of magic no longer consumed her as they had nearly her whole life. Had her own day in this place never happened at all, the powers she possessed now would have ended her life.


With her hand still against Gohrick's arm for support, her head slowly turned back toward the doorway in silent thought. The powers here were most certainly mysterious, unexplainable, yet real, and if fallen into the wrong hands.... It was a risk Shade would never allow. Her gaze would have appeared slightly troubled by those thoughts when slowly looking back to Gohrick again, only to relax and return back at ease when his own revealed the pure joy that words could never express. Shade may not have known the torture he endured when he was inflicted with such a ghastly wound, nor did she need to know for how long the Mithra suffered with it. She saw the raw pain within those orbs when Gohrick spoke of it, and now witnessed the very last shred of that pain flicker away as the realization of her words hit home within his soul when he finally repeated them with his own trembling voice. She only gave a slow nod of silence with knowing compassion within her hues, but Shade never expected what was to follow.


A sudden embrace, sure, but not what transpired before it. Her instinctive nature kicked right in, completely freezing up so such things never played a reaction of emotions over her, but no one ever dared to go as far with her. Ever.....
In those few seconds, everything went still, even her breath, as the shock suffocated Shade's mind with a vice grip and still leaving her numb when Gohrick embraced her with tears in his eyes. Had it not been for the jubilant emotions the Mithra was caught up in, and the fact that he only knew her for mere days, her most instinctive reactions would have kicked in. Anyone else would have found themselves launched into a realm of pure hell by a single blow of her fist. Yet when seeing the sudden realization within Gohrick's own eyes when he pulled back, Shade could have sworn the fur upon his face had taken a slight shade of crimson. That alone confirmed his actions were of no real intent, but simply by the overabundance of emotions he simply couldn't contain. She could never blame offense to that, no matter how hard core she was on the inside.


The brief seconds to follow were awkward, if best, but Shade was quite accustomed to those to know how to quickly shake it off. She gave a slight clearing of her throat as her gaze slowly slid toward the double doors again and her hand reached out in that direction to nothing at all. Within moments, her sword glided through the air out of the old mansion and into her palm where she found the single ebony feather had been properly replaced by the enchantment she bestowed upon it so long ago. Now closing the hidden clasp door of the hilt to protect what lied within, Shade's steel hues gradually slid back to her companion and gave him a faint smile as she finally spoke to break the silence between them. "You know..... another painting will suffice just fine, Gohrick." Her faint smile grew just a bit more before she casually stood back up and carefully took the steps back to the ground with her wings still exposed at a relaxed poise to gently flow over each step.


After taking in the scenery one last time for a few quiet moments, Shade finally turned back around to face her friend with a tilt to her head. "We still have time to venture to the other abandoned village if you like. But... we'll be traveling a much different way to save time. That is.... if you feel you still have enough strength for it." She awaited for Gohrick to make the call as her hand gave a flowing wave through the air for the double doors of the deteriorating structure to come to a close behind him.

Gohrick stayed kneeling in front of Shade, his mind racing as he realized what had just happened. His lips were still slightly parted in shock as he reached up and lightly touched them, his blushing cheeks becoming more red as he gave his head a slight shake. It wasn't his first kiss, but...even if it was due to an overwhelming joy and a crush on the winged woman before him, there had been...something. He mentally filed the strange emotion away for later, but he knew that it was something he hadn't felt before...something like a spark...

He quickly blinked his mind clear as he watched her lift her arm and call forward her blade. While he knew she wasn't going to kill him...or at least he hoped she wasn't going to...he couldn't help but swallow slightly, the sunlight glinting off the sharp edge of the weapon. Elegant, sharp, deadly...another personal artifact that reflected its owner nicely.

Looking back up into her eyes as she turned her head, he could feel that dastardly blush creeping back into his cheeks, returning her smile regardless even as he reached up and scratched the back of his head. Had he really just kissed her? The tingle still on his lips told him yes. Had he really meant to? That was a question for later.

“Another painting? Shade, I'll give you a gallery and it wouldn't suffice for what you've just done for me...I don't know if I can ever truly thank you enough...you gave a marked and owned beast the freedom to be a man...I can truly be me again...I am really free. I no longer have a shame to bare on my shoulders...at least not a visible one anymore,” he said, giving her a small smile but his vivid blue eyes were dead serious in everything that he was saying.

He slowly started to rise to his feet, grabbing his jacket along the way up and started to test his shoulders and back with some basic stretches. He hadn't felt this good in years...all the damage was gone in relation to the poison and venom in his system. He could swear even his lungs felt stronger, and his heart. The muscles on his back certainly didn't feel as strained, and he would bet some cash that he could probably run faster to.

'I wonder just how much an effect that poison was really having on me...more then mental for certain if I'm feeling this fresh...I feel so much stronger...and more fit. If the poison had stayed in me much longer...' he thought, before turning his thoughts back to Shade instead of being morbid, especially as she mentioned being able to check out some of the local ruins in a different traveling style.

“I'm game if you are Shade,” he said with a feral grin as he quickly donned the jacket with a bit of a flourish, his attitude completely different than how it was before. It certainly showed that he no longer felt quite so caged or ashamed of himself now that was no longer marked as property.

Shade focused the attention to her hands replacing her weapon back at her hip, yet when she raised her gaze again, she caught sight of Gohrick standing just fine on his own upon the porch and giving his back careful stretches to test his newly healed muscles. Once again, she sighed with relief as she studied his face closely for any signs of possible pain left behind, but saw nothing but youthful enthusiasm ready to take on the world. How could she not be so relieved to feel herself softly smiling once more at seeing someone feel as if they've been reborn all over again? To be given a second chance. Now he could pursue everything else he was hiding from, or too afraid to even try because of the hideous brand. Most of all, Gohrick would never feel "owned" or "enslaved" by such a thing ever again. A priceless freedom so many others took for granted. Even one as serious and hard core as Shade could smile a bit at that.


So with a nod to his words, Shade's hand slipped into her pocket and grabbed the amulet inside to now carefully pull it out and throw it aside straight into the sky. As it continued to soar out of sight, she spared another glance at the Mithra and motioned for him to approach with a slight wave of her hand. "Time to get going then....." There was a hidden gleam of what one could identify as humor within her eyes before she turned her face back up to the sky just as an explosion of dark storm clouds erupted out of nowhere. Gohrick may not suspect at first, since his first encounter with Griever came so quick and unexpected within the Training Center, but within seconds, the massive summon's roar raged through the rippling flames of fiery lightning tearing through the growing clouds. His enormous crimson form erupted through the solitary storm and came soaring towards the ground straight for Shade and Gohrick with all four of his thick feathered wings were fully extended as the sun reflected off of the steel protected tips. When he landed, the ground shook beneath their feet as his crimson fur glistened against the sunlight from the streaks of golden hair slivers etched throughout the massive lion's coat. His thick mane of flaming hair was also littered with the same gold colored feathers as he shook his head and gave a massive yawn which bared his deadly fangs. Finally, his emerald hues looked down upon the two of them with a rather amusing curious expression. Shade's hand reached out and gave his thick knee several pats before turning to Gohrick again. "Time to fly again, my friend," The humorous gleam seemed to grow in her eyes, but Shade never revealed it otherwise. “Since you seem to enjoy flying so much, and you've proven to have quite the dare devil streak, then you should have no problem riding upon Griever here...”


The grand summons slowly lowered his head with a rumble in this throat as his nose was mere inches from Gohrick's chest, immediately recognizing his scent before giving the Mithra a gentle nudge that most likely would still cause him to stumble slightly from the beasts's immense size. The emerald pools studied the Mithra intently for a moment or two before carefully bringing his enormous form to lie down upon the ground as Shade walked around and over his huge paws to now stand at Gohrick's side. Without a word, she took the SeeD jacket from his hand and shook it out to now hold it by the hem of the wrists before reaching around his sides with the garment to tie it securely around his waist by the arms. After giving giving it a few test tugs to be sure it was snug, her steel hues peered through the thick bangs of her hair to lock with his own. The brief hint of humor was gone, but the compassion remained in her gaze, as well as in her tone. "You've had to hide a part of yourself long enough, Gohrick. Although I've only known you for a few days, even I know that much. You deserve to feel as much of the wind as you can for as much as you love to fly in it."


But before she could turn back around and face Griever again, she heard that all too familiar growl.... that lazy growl that only meant one thing.... and with a groan of despair and frustration, Shade whipped around with a wide eyes scorn in her glare as she could only watch helplessly while Griever slowly rolled over onto his back with his paws in the air to now twist and squirm against the ground. With his massive head upside down, the loose skin of his snout flopped back to reveal the majority of his teeth and fangs with his tongue peeking out at the side. "Griever!" She hissed through her teeth while storming right up to him and burying her hands into his thick mane to shove and push with all her strength. "This...is...not...the...time! Get up!" Yet it seemed the more aggravated and impatient Shade became with him, the more stubborn and persistent Griever was to be lazy and playful.

Gohrick watched her with a curious smile on his own lips, catching that playful glint in her eyes , but not having a clue as to what she was up to. When he saw her grab a pendent and throw it up in the sky, his eyes naturally followed the path, his head tilting slightly as a confused look crossed over his features, his ears twitching mildly. A motion in the corner of his eyes brought him back to Shade as she mentioned it was time to get going.

“Ok...what?” he asked, clearly confused, before the sunlight of the day vanished like a flick of the switch, and dark, ominous clouds started to form and spiral overhead. He quickly looked back up and unconsciously moved towards Shade as his eyes continued to focus on what he was feeling and seeing. In a split second, Gohrick realized he had felt this before, though as before, the moment had been brief and it startled him as he felt a certain pull and tug of the energies around him.

While his eyes were on the magnificent feline being summoned in a spiral of burning sky, his mind was wondering what it was that he had felt, and how he could even feel something like that. Filing it away along with the long list of facts and questions he had since the start of this journey, one that he would certainly remember for the many years he knew now he had to come. He was shaken from his mental thoughts once more, seemingly returning almost every few moments, as the ground trembled from the mighty summon landing with the grace reserved only for big cat family it seemed. He smiled at seeing Griever once more, before turning back to Shade as she pat her summon's fur.

As she spoke, he could only feel the smile on his maw grow larger before a laugh passed his throat as he leaned back slightly.

“There's dare devil and then there is crazy...I'm far too willing to try crazy,” he said with a laugh as he nodded his head, staring up at Griever as the feline suddenly lowered his head and seemed to start sniffing Gohrick. He did indeed stumble back slightly as he was nosed, but he could only continue to laugh and grin, before leaning in and giving the giant feline a nuzzle over its maw, before backing away once more, noticing Shade's presence next to him.

He turned, slightly shocked as she removed the jacket from his person, blushing faintly once again as she tied it tightly around his waist. That confused look crossed his features once more as he stared into her eyes, before blinking in surprise as she explained her actions. He could only give her a serene smile as he nodded his head.

“Its all thanks to you Shade...you have my undying gratitude Yhkam,” he said softly with a gentle smile, just losing himself for a moment as he stared into her steel hues, only to giggle slightly as he heard that same lazy growl coming from the larger feline. He couldn't help the laugh that slipped by as Shade marched up to the summon and tried to shake him up. It was too comical a sight not to laugh, and with all the ups and downs of the day, it was nice to see something so simple.

“Aw Shade, he just wants some loving is all, isn't that right Griever?” Gohrick said with a laugh, running up to Griever and giving him some pets and scratches over his neck with a giggle. He was surprised at how warm and yet soft the fur felt for such a being, causing him to smile while still giving some scratches.

“Now come on, how about you show the two of us just how fast you really are in the air?” he asked with a playful smirk that had previously been on Shade's face. A dare devil? Only because there had yet to be invented another term for someone who braved the line between life and death so frequently, they could be considered great friends.

While Shade continued her struggles with Griever, it was then Gohrick approached the Guardian Force with more eagerness and began to lavish the creature with the attention Griever wanted. At that point, Shade knew there was no moving or persuading the massive beast, and so she simply turned around and leaned her back against the GF's shoulder as she watched Gohrick take delight in Griever's company. Although the Mithra appeared light hearted since the evening she met him in Deling City, Shade could see the incredible difference in his demeanor already since the healing. Now his joyfulness reached his eyes, as well as in his tone when he spoke and laughed.


As his following words encouraged Griever to get up, Shade's hooded gaze drifted toward the ground in thought as her Guardian Force gave one long strong stretch upon his back, straining his forearms as far as they could reach and spreading his thick black talons to paw at the air as he let out an enormous yawn. It was then he allowed his heavy head to flop to the side, but he chose the side Gohrick was standing and scratching at his neck. Having swift reflexes, and able to predict the beasts's moves through their bond, Shade swiftly reached out and grabbed Gohrick by the arm to pull him aside just before Griever's head had him pinned to the ground. With a disgruntled sigh, she gave the Guardian a playful slap of annoyance to his nose with a stern look in her eye "Be more careful, you big oaf. You keep forgetting just how big you are...." With his head still tilted sideways, as well as upside down, Griever gave a snort though his nose that sent a powerful gust of air to blast across Shade's face.


It was enough to satisfy the noble creature that he had the last say before releasing a grunt within his throat while rolling away from them to gracefully stand upon his paws again. As before when he landed, Griever gave himself a mighty shake of his crimson form to rid himself of the dust and debris from the ground. Out of instinct, Shade gently took Gohrick by the arm again to lead them back a few steps as the Guardian did so since the multiple wings upon his back were flapping about in all directions. She spared Gohrick a weak smile when looking up at him as her shoulders gave a slight shrug. "He's.... the stubborn type, I guess you could say. On the rare occasion Griever is summoned outside of battle, he takes full advantage of the moment as much as he can." Upon hearing her words, the summons brought his head swinging around to face the both of them with his face bowed so his snout was pressed against her; his jeweled eyes beholding a slight scowl as faint groan rumbled within his chest. Shade surrendered to the guilt and gave a scratch in between his eyes and whispered, "I know.... the fault is mine for growing up and baring responsibilities, eh?"


After a final pat to his head, Shade returned her attention back to Gohrick and gave him a curt nod. "Up you go, my friend." Which then led Griever to hunch his shoulder low toward the Mithra for him to easily grab the Guardian's thick mane and hoist himself up as Shade strolled forward and slowly expanded her own wings to arch high toward the sky as she walked. She turned slowly to gaze up at her friend to be sure he had a good hold of the Guardian before taking casual steps backwards for Griever to follow slowly. She knew Gohrick would want to get a feel for the creature and how he moved before simply taking to sky for an all out free flight. After taking several paces and seeing Gohrick had no qualms with balance or with Griever's immense size, she came to a stop which signaled the summon's muscles to tense beneath his skin and his flaming tail to snap against the air with anticipation. Summons and Summoner stared intently into each other's eyes in their own silent language for a moment or two before they both shot straight into the air simultaneously with one swoop of their wings.


How long had it been since she savored such a moment with the beloved Guardian? Far too long it seemed, and by Griever's roar spent into the sky as he gave chase after Shade, he was far more than pleased to share it with another companion. The speed they ascended into the sky was breathtaking and watering to the eyes, but worth all the sense of freedom from such an elation. Being of smaller stature, she was able to twist and turn with faster grace around and through the clouds as her wings either coasted with the current or snapped into an arch to gain more speed. But that didn't mean Griever couldn't do the same. He was just by far much larger, and such moves were of a grander scale, although having an extra set of wings did give him the advantage to keep up with Shade's airborne tactics. Even his powerful legs ran through the currents as he flew and roared again just as he was about to reach her.


Yet another crack of her wings shot Shade's body to turn abruptly, and as she glanced over her shoulder to give an amused smirk at her GF, she suddenly shot her direction in a straightforward dive toward the ground. Her wings arched and curled around her form as she began to spin in her descent to give herself as much speed as possible, knowing that Griever's massive weight and extra wings would give him gravity's upper hand to catch up with her. Once again, his legs even charged through the air as he tore through the currents like a predator tearing after its prey as they both found the planet's surface coming to rapid close at an alarming rate. As the adrenaline coursed through her veins, her wings snapped wide open as Shade arched her entire body to soar above the brush of high weeds by mere yards, and without even looking, she could feel Griever performing the same move before they both took to the sky again, side by side at a more casual glide as Shade turned her head to look upon Gohrick with a rare genuine smile. "How you holding up?"

Gohrick let out a soft meep as he felt the grip on his arm and nearly lost his balance as he was pulled out of the way as the large head of the feline landed where he was just a moment ago. He let out a soft giggle as Shade walked over and gave Griever the bop on the nose, placing his paws on his hips as he stared up at the wondrous beast. However, this pose didn't last long as the cat gave the snort, causing Gohrick to laugh once again as the wind blew over Shade, before watching the feline rise up, the awe of such an amazing creature never leaving his face, even as he was dragged once more a few paces back by Shade.

He turned his head to Shade and gave her a grin before shaking his own head.

“I guess when your as big as they get, you can be stubborn if you want to be,” he said with a soft smile, before staring back up at the summoned creature, walking forward with Shade and giving him a gentle scratch over his maw. He ignored the shared moment between summoner and summon, not wanting to intrude on what was said, though it was hard not to when your ears were as sensitive as the creature in front of you.

“'Up you go, my friend'”

Oh, if only Shade could feel the adrenaline flow that started to pump through Goh's body at those five little words. He gave her a slightly feral grin, before accepting the lowered shoulder, jumping up and climbing up quickly through the thick mane, ending up at the base of Griever's neck. He couldn't see much, since he was surrounded by fur, and thought that this wouldn't do much at all. Then that lovely dare devil streak of his showed up, and even as Griever started to stand up and walk a bit, Gohrick found himself standing up , his paws gripping on the mane all around him as he could finally see both sky and ground through his vision. He turned his head and saw behind him the flaming tail flicking back and forth, and knew that Griever was looking forward to this just as well.

“This isn't my first time flying, but certainly the first on such a wonderful feline. No need to be too gentle with me,” he said with a grin, patting the feline behind it's head before regripping the mane. He did this not too soon, for he was suddenly yanked back as Griever took to the air.

The wind pushing through Gohrick's fur nearly yanked him from his grip, but he kept his hold tight, shifting his legs and keeping them pressed against the crimson like fur under them. Even as Griever spun and dove, keeping pace with Shade, Gohrick kept standing on his feet, yelling and woohooing the entire time like a maniac.

It was as Shade suddenly dove down to the ground, prompting Griever to suddenly dive after her, that he got a wild idea. He suddenly let go of Griever's mane, lowering his body and fighting hard against the wind to keep his leg's grip strong, nearly free falling in the dive, before he purposely released his grip entirely from Griever. He screamed in laughter as he was whipped back, flipping backwards before seeing the base of Griever's tail. He made a grab for it and was suddenly at the entire opposite end of the feline, laughing and screaming in joy, before power walking and gripping his way back up to the base of the neck, just as Shade flew over and asked how he was doing.

“Fantastic!” he yelled in joy as he gave her a laugh, clearly overjoyed at such a risky, yet enjoyable time.

For the first time in most likely years since Shade was a child..... her smile revealed genuine enthusiasm that even reached into her eyes when seeing and hearing Gohrick's reaction to the wild flight. True, she always felt at ease when taking to the air, and on the rare occasion flying with Griever, she even felt a lift within her heart. But it seemed the Mithra's exuberant emotions were somewhat contagious in a way that also added to Shade's already lightening mood.


The trio continued to soar higher into the clouds once more and with Shade being so close to Griever, each swing of his massive wings was a surging thrill at hearing the strength with each swoop against the air. Their flight was more casual into the clouds this time as Shade took the lead to then turn her body to face them and fly backwards as her palms came to rest upon Griever's snout to give her Guardian Force a challenging gleam in her eyes. His own hues ignited with the thrill of more flight to come as a rumbling growl thundered within his throat to signal that he was ready. Shade pushed off from his nose and arched her spine to throw her body backwards into yet another spiral dive toward the ground. With a raging roar of excitement, Griever followed, yet dived forward to give chase.


This time, it was Griever who began to spin. All four wings snapped tight against his body to gain impeccable speed and closing in on Shade at a swift rate. She could literally feel his breath at her heels, then gave her wings a sudden snap open to take in the strength of the current to suddenly rise her body as Griever soared right passed her. As he did, she reached out grabbed Gohrick underneath his arms as the Summons continued it's descent, which now left the Mithra's legs simply dangling in mid air as a cluster of clouds drifted around them. As Shade kept a secure hold of the Mithra against her, she gave him a moment to simply take in his surroundings of the breath taking horizon around them with the ground below barely existent to the naked eye.. After several swipes of her wings to keep them elevated in place, her chin came close to his shoulder as she spoke with a softer tone. "Now, Gohrick..... it's time to be absolutely free...."


As her last word was spoken, Shade completely released him to free fall on his own, then snapped her wings against the clouds in pursuit. In whatever way he chose to fly, she would be within his reach. But this was to be his moment, his time, to reach and grasp for that freedom he so long deserved from the cage his wound had him shackled to. Within moments, Griever was behind them again, yet made no attempt to capture the Mithra companion as Shade's form circled around Gohrick as took to the skies all on his own.

Gohrick found himself unable to stop laughing. Nothing in his life had come close to this before, feeling the wind through his fur, the intense dives and the g forces on his body were making him loopy with joy. On top of everything that had happened today...

'This must be what the afterlife is like...great company and insane amounts of fun...' he thought to himself, turning and seeing that smile on Shade's face, causing him to beam even more. He saw her flying backwards in front of the pair and smirked slightly as he felt Griever playfully growl. Oh, this was going to get good. As soon as Shade dived down, Gohrick experienced a bit of vertigo as Griever followed straight down, causing Goh to start laughing like a maniac once more.

As Griever started to spin around, Gohrick held on tightly, screaming in joy as it took nearly all his strength to fight against he G forces that were threatening to send him flying off in the distance. He couldn't fight back the startled noise that passed his lips as he was suddenly plucked off of the larger feline, held up by his arms by Shade. He looked up and smiled, his vision still a bit blurry from all those spins.

He took a moment to look all around them, and found the peace and quiet at this height amazingly calming. Never had he been able to soar this high without the background noise of engines and flames. He stared in awe at the view, before looking back up at Shade as he felt her chin on his shoulder. As he heard her words, a deep purr passed through his chest, and just before she released him, he turned his head and gave her a soft lick on her cheek.

And with that, he was suddenly free falling.

He pushed back the initial panic that this would put on a person, and instead, just enjoyed the ride. How could he not when he was suddenly a missile diving down towards the ground. He would spread his arms and legs out to slow down his descent only to start diving down once again. It was the closest he would ever come to actual flight, and he sought to take every advantage of this time. He curled up and dove down once again, feeling the wind over his body as the ground grew ever closer, but he felt no fear. He could hear the flapping of wings none too far behind, and the large summon circling around him. He was safe, and for the first time in years, he felt his heart soar once more, taking him ever higher then he had been in his life.

With a scream of joy and laughter, he broke out of his dive and found himself falling with his back towards the ground, staring up at the skies and seeing Shade flying just above him, giving her a real smile that lit up his entire body.

In all his daring aerial maneuvers, Shade made sure to keep close to Gohrick just in case, yet still giving him more than enough space to fly and tumble about the air as freely as he wished. It was a joy Shade remembered from her own first flight, having nothing but the air completely around you and controlling your own direction. No one could find you when one was lost within the sky. It was a sacred seclusion from the chaos of the world below, and it offered a freedom never found anywhere upon the ground, be it physical, or to the soul.


Still.... the farther they descended, the closer attention Shade gave to the distance closing in between themselves and the ground. Hearing his laughter erupt through the currents, she smiled again when seeing him twist around with his back now slicing through the air to reveal the pure joy in his eyes. But her peripheral vision caught sight of another movement to their right, and when Shade's hues turned, they widened by what else she found in the sky and heading straight into their freefall path. As grand of scale as the sky was, how could it possibly be that a flock of geese would so happen to fly in their general direction at the very same time!? Within a fraction of a second, countless mishap scenarios played through Shade's mind as she snapped her wings to give a sudden boost to her speed, then pressed them tight and flat against her back with her body stiff and straight foreward to reach Gohrick. Just as he was about to land upon the midst of the thick flock of birds, Shade grabbed him by his shirt as her wings unfulred, while twisting both of their forms around to be encased by her wings that took the brunt of the impact of screaming flailing geese.


Once they were through the obstruction of birds, Shade's wings expanded again to find the ground edging even closer and so she signaled for Griver's approach for Gohrick to take hold him again. But the Guardian had other plans in mind, having never seen geese before in his existence, and became completely entranced by the site of so many all at once. He gave his massive form a jerk along with a hefty swipe of all four wings to now give chase to the large flock of now seriously panicky geese. Shade screamed for the Guardian, now being immediately pissed off and frantic as she watched him charge off into the distance as her shouts were left to be carried away by the whipping currents. With a swift glance to the upcoming ground approaching at an alarming speed, Shade hissed her cursing through her teeth as her wings forced themselves into the stronger current of their fall from the added weight of holding Gohrick from behind as before when she first dropped him.


"This is going to prove interesting," she muttered through the strain. There wasn't much time, and Shade wouldn't risk an aerial move never tried before with someone else's life on the line. She had one guarantee, and conjuring magic took precious time. "You're going to have to hold on tight, Gohrick.... I need a free hand..." She had to literally shout through the roaring of the winds as they descended faster, shifting herself so the Mithra was at her side and facing her so he could at least hold on to her shoulders. Her intense gaze never left the approaching ground as the roof tops from the abandoned town now began to grow closer and closer by the second. With a wave of panic, Shade's hand shot out as her other arm wrapped tightly Gohrick's back while arching her wings more against the wind in hopes to slow their frantic speed some what. Her hues came ablaze again in their golden flare as her free hand suddenly glowed and became encased with a bright teal mist unaffected by the winds tearing through their streams swarming within her palm.


Her jaw clenched as she concentrated hard and blasted the Slow spell around them as her hand released a burst of energy against the ground for the gravity effect of the planet to reverse in the very spot they were about to crash upon. With both energies of the two spells, they came to a dramatic slow, to then gently coast the rest of the way onto the ground. By the time their feet touched upon the grass, Shade's heart rate was so erratic, it was about to explode straight through her ribcage.

Gohrick was lost in the moment of just staring up at her, not even realizing the incoming danger from, of all things, a flock of birds. Seriously, of all the things that could cause his death, a damned winged, feathered rat? That was a death he never saw coming. And still didn't see coming, even as he noticed the shift in demeanor of his 'pursuer'. His lost expression suddenly came into focus as he quickly looked around and finally noticed the danger, just as he was about to land in the mess of feathers and beaks. He braced himself, turning around and bringing his arms up to block his face and upper body just as he felt a sharp pain around his waist.

He could only blink in confusion as he suddenly felt warm and the sunlight vanished behind a veil of even more feathers. He felt a bit of an impact all around him, but nothing was actually hitting him. He stared at the feathers, before turning his head and seeing Shade wincing as her wings blocked and got them through the mess of birds. As her wings expanded, Gohrick looked up and saw the scattering and flying pests, glaring up at them, only to feel something wet land on his shoulder.

'I swear if that is what I think it is...'

His thoughts were roughly cleared though as Shade adjusted her grip on him, hearing her cursing as the larger feline started to chase them down. Even as they were plummeting to their possible death, he felt a certain fondness for the summon. Maybe he would eat the bird that crapped on him. That would be a form of vengeance, right?

He heard Shade once again and nodded his head, seeing as the roaring winds made just about anything he said lost to the skies. He felt her one arm release him as he held on tightly to her arm, shifting his upper body and wrapping his legs around her own so her shoulder didn't get completely thrown out of whack. He stared up at her, knowing that if this was indeed it, he knew what he would rather be staring at. However, he felt his fur stand up straight as she started to weave her magic, far more powerful than he had felt before and at such close range. He wasn't sure what was being cast this time around, but soon felt the pull of gravity weaken on the duo.

He dared to look down and nothing but earth filled his vision as they were already so close to the ground. As they neared the ground, Gohrick released his hold on her and landed with a bit of a roll on the ground, coming up on a knee and looking back towards Shade to make sure she was alright as she landed.

Other then looking like her chest was going to explode, and a few messy patches of feathers, she looked better then he did. At least she didn't have crap on her shoulder. He slowly made his way to his feet and walked up to her, giving her a exhilarated “We're alive” smile and laugh as he reached up and softly smoothed out some of her feathers, before giving her another smile and a laugh.

The thought of death can bring about two things. It can either make you scared to the point of your own shadow can give you a heart attack. Or, it can make you appreciate each and every of the little things that bring you joy in life. Having enough brushes with death to nearly call him an old friend. Gohrick took to the latter path in his laughter and joy after making it through such an amazing dive.

By the time Gohrick reached her, Shade was already glaring up at the sky while working on regaining her composure. Her breath was forced to slow while her mind shrugged away the "what if" possibilities that could have been far more graver if Shade didn't have the powers she did to save them both from being maimed or killed. With a slight shake of her head at finding Griever nowhere in sight, she finally let out a heavy sigh of relief that the landing proved fortunate before tossing away her glare and now turning to her much more elated companion as he made an attempt to brush off her wings. "I'm sorry about Griever.... he's normally far more reliable and focused. Just not used to having much down time like this...."


After running a frustrated hand through her chaotic mess of hair, Shade took a first look around their surroundings. True to what bit of information she gathered in the past, the small town of Mideel looked completely destroyed, even from the good distance away they both stood at. Shade's only concerned was about a large pool of the Lifesteam that was rumored to have overflowed into the destruction of the town by a series of earthquakes. Not knowing much about the properties of the nature of the substance, Shade had heard rumors here and there of mako poisoning, so it was better to remain cautious the closer they came to the village. Looking back at Gohrick, she gave him a quick nod of her head motioning towards the remains of the town that sat upon a slight hill from where they stood. "We don't have much daylight left, so if you want to see what sights remain up there, we better get....."


Her head tilted a moment with her eyes narrowed slightly while studying his shoulder. Realizing what she saw, Shade's eyes widened just a bit as she pressed her lips tight and averted her gaze as she walked past the Mithra with her wings slowly disapating from her back and disappearing in her wake. "We better get going...." But they only managed a few steps before Griever came charging toward the ground only to land with a massive slide of his paws against the ground right across their path, spraying waves of dirt and mud off into the nearby meadow. While straightening his immense posture and re-positioning his multiple wings, Shade noticed the rather smug look of the Guardian's face....and he wasn't making eye contact with her. She approached him slowly, and clearly her unamused expression returned across her face. "Are you proud of yourself, now? We nearly got flattened because you took off!


Griever's large head turned when she got close, appearing as if he were purposely ignoring her or something else had grasped his attention, with only a rumbling groan within his throat. Shade paused in her step and studied him suspiciously before slowly crossing her arms over her chest, sparing Gohrick a look before turning back to her Summons. "Griever......" Only his emerald hues slid to the side to look at her, yet he made no other move of sound. "Spit...it...out...."


The Guardian's powerful shoulders suddenly dropped into a slump as his massive maw opened wide for a completely drenched goose to slide down his floppy tongue and land with a drool covered splat at his enormous paws. The poor creature staggered and flopped wildly about in attempts to regain its balance while screeching and honking viciously at its captor while dragging its drenched body with flapping wings as far away as it could get from them. The awkward silence followed with only the echoes of the tict off goose lingering in the air down the path as Griever slowly turned his head back to Shade with an apologetic groan