Fall Summoners are a unique addition to the society of this world. Their magic is different from any witch or wizard. The animals they summon, the appearance they take; it is all rather unique. Found to be a great extension to the royal army and townsmen militias, they fight of the beasts that threaten the lively kingdom. One summoner, among many, is found to be the most unique of all. Her summons, are of different animal. Unlike other summoners who choose one as their melded animal which they gain there attributes from and only summon that one, she has a diverse number of summonings. Blessed with the power of a fallen star, she is more powerful than even she knows... ༄ོ
Twisting misshaped trees whistled violently as the grey smoky clouds seemed to sweep the life out of the forest as they crept across the sky. The eerie chill in the air made her shudder with a tingle down her spine. Soft footsteps and heavy breathing, a growl from behind the curtain of dead bushes was heard. Adelina approached it, cautiously and then it bolted. A large beast it was, a cross of animals creating a monstrous creature. Shocking how quiet such a things footsteps could be, how fast it could run. This was her job, to kill it. "Iger, Tiger, Regit, Regi." she mumbled rubbing the hilt of her katana. The jeweled eyes of the tiger carving glowed a startling white, in a mist a white tiger appeared; Khan. Adelina crashed through the forest, Khan at her heels. The monster wasn't very far ahead, soon to be corned. The mountainous cliff face loomed ahead, no where for it to run. Breaking out of the forest the monster turned to face them head on. Adelina un-sheathed her katana just as it lunged. Khan jumped at it response, roaring; his teeth glinted in the setting sun. They met and Khan's jaws clamped around the monsters hind leg. As they tussled, blood flew. Adelina waited, waited for an opening. It didn't seem to be ending. Finally, they broke apart. The monster backed away, its mouth seething with blood. Khan limped back, his flank torn to the bone and muscle ripped open. Adelina took this as her chance and lunged at the monster, slicing at its skull. Still dazed from the blows Khan had caused the monster was unable to counter and took a fatal blow to the neck. She sheathed her weapon and made her way to Khan's side. The bleeding had stopped, but the wound was deep. Stroking the tigers smooth white and black fur, she went to work on dressing the wound. Sighing, she rubbed the hilt of her katana, "Rest, Iger, Tiger, Regit, Regi." The Tiger carvings diamond eyes glowed a soft luminous white and Khan began to dissipate in a wispy smoke. ༄ོ
She thought she was safe now, nothing to fear. Little to her knowledge, she would be brought to a painful realization. A man stood in the thick wood, hidden by the tree line. He watched her closely, he had been for a while. She was different, she was that one..... Adelina turned and looked back toward the forest line. Her blue eyes glinted with curiosity as her tail swished back an forth, the black and white striped fur quivering with the motion. She flattened her ears and growled softly, she could smell him. Who exactly was this him?.... "Rhett...." So he had been noticed, shame. Well, he had not expected her not to in the first place. She was a rather beautiful, intriguing woman.... but that was not of his concern at this point in time. He needed her, his village needed her. One of the few things that could save them..... was her. Rhett had his doubts, he had known her from when they were little. Could she have actually become as great as the stories told, in only a few years? Adelina waited, watched as he exited the wood, "Adelina, it's about time you came home. They need you... someone.... someone is killing.... killing the villagers." She looked at him, the shock was etched upon her face. Someone, not a beast of any sort.... a somone. Who would do such a thing? She was used to the concept of the beasts being the monsters.... this person was a monster. "On my way," was her only response as she waved a final goodbye before turning, ready to run off through the forest. He caught her wrist and turned her to face him, "I missed you...." She smiled and pecked his lips, he released her wrist in surprise. She took off, leaving him in a dumbstruck state, "See you in a few days..." ༄ོ
The village consisted of quaint little cottages, a single dirt road into and out of it. Adelina entered and surveyed the area. It was the same since she left, but something was missing. The bustle of villagers, it wasn't there. They had locked themselves away in fear, few traveled around on the street. Walking, she stole glances at the people. Nothing struck her as suspicious.... yet. Her presence would have to remain a secret, she wasn't to stand out. The inn would do, for now. The inn was one of the more popular sites, as usual. Terotion was a popular town, a stop for traveling merchants. She stood, waiting to check in. She felt like she was being stared down, not many people were used to seeing Summoners. She would have to think of a cover.... a name... a reason for being here... She couldn't have them recognizing her.... not yet. It hit her suddenly, literally. A man was rushing by to leave the inn, dragging a large trunk behind him. He weaved in an out of the tables, people and anything in his way. The trunk turned, but not quick enough. It rammed into Adelina's leg, ow. He didn't even notice, no one did actually. Everyone was too focused on their own business. But, there was an upside; she had gained her cover story..... Well, half of it at least. Before she knew it, it was her turn. She stepped up to the desk, the innkeeper looked up from his record book. "Name, days staying and payment," he grumbled, fixing his glasses over his tired eyes. His eyes widened, he noticed her ears. "May I ask; why have you come?" Alright, here we go.... "Arabella Kayne and I'll be staying here for a maximum of a week. Erm... I'm recovering from and injury, took a bad blow to the leg." It wasn't all a lie, even so it was a good one. Pulling out the designated amount, she placed it down on the desk. The innkeeper nodded and jotted down something before taking the money. "Second floor, down the hall, third door to the left and the key is right here. Have a nice stay," he told her looking back up. She took the key he had placed down with a smile and limped away. Who knew a trunk could hurt you more than a beast? Well, now she did. ༄ོ
After taking her time climbing the stairs, she stood in front of the door to her room. Gazing up at the top of the doorframe she had one of those moments when a person realizes how short they really are. She jumped with her arm swinging at the top, well you could call it jumping.... a one legged feeble attempt of a jump. Wincing as she landed back down on both legs instead of one, she hobbled back to lean on the wall opposite the door with closed eyes. "Having trouble, Adelina?" A female voice questioned, not from her. The voice was old and cracked, of course an elder would recognize her. But, what was one doing in the inn.... unless! "Granny... I guess you found me out. Gossip spreads fast between the elderly, doesn't it?" Adelina smiled as she opened her eyes to face her Grandmother... well look up at her. Adelina was the only short one in her family, sadly. Gran smiled, "Well..." The frail women reached up, her old bones creaking in protest as she took the key down. She handed it over to Adelina, "Take care child, be safe." Her smile and a nod was enough to satisfy the old woman. She watched her leave, it didn't seem ofd that Gran would be the one to find out over her parents. Adelina unlocked the door, the tiny little room was bland. It was an inn, so it wasn't much of a surprise. The little bed in the corner, a small dresser and a compact washroom in a small connected room. ༄ོ
After taking her time climbing the stairs, she stood in front of the door to her room. Gazing up at the top of the doorframe she had one of those moments when a person realizes how short they really are. She jumped with her arm swinging at the top, well you could call it jumping.... a one legged feeble attempt of a jump. Wincing as she landed back down on both legs instead of one, she hobbled back to lean on the wall opposite the door with closed eyes. "Having trouble, Adelina?" A female voice questioned, not from her. The voice was old and cracked, of course an elder would recognize her. But, what was one doing in the inn.... unless! "Granny... I guess you found me out. Gossip spreads fast between the elderly, doesn't it?" Adelina smiled as she opened her eyes to face her Grandmother... well look up at her. Adelina was the only short one in her family, sadly. Gran smiled, "Well..." The frail women reached up, her old bones creaking in protest as she took the key down. She handed it over to Adelina, "Take care child, be safe." Her smile and a nod was enough to satisfy the old woman. She watched her leave, it didn't seem ofd that Gran would be the one to find out over her parents. Adelina unlocked the door, the tiny little room was bland. It was an inn, so it wasn't much of a surprise. The little bed in the corner, a small dresser and a compact washroom in a small connected room. ༄ོ
Without a moments wait she got herself ready for bed. Climbing into the bed, she pulled the covers up to her chin. Sleep soon took over..... pulling her into a twisted dream... ---------------------------------------------- Adelina stood in the forest, an eerie silence around her. Her whole body was numb, a searing pain throughout it. What had happened? Where was Khan? Honan? Aru and Mari? She was alone... her katana was nowhere to be found. She leaned over and violently vomit on the fallen leaves, feeling dizzy, for the wounds reached the bone and were becoming suppurate. The putrid smell of her flesh was overwhelming. Everything appeared to be a blurry a haze... nothing was clear anymore. Through her distorted vision she was able to make out s figure through the thick fog. Was it a human? Even she couldn't tell... All she could tell.... was that it was cloaked in black, a big black blob. Suddenly, her legs went weak. It was like the closer it got the weaker she felt. Adelina collapsed, lying on the ground. A flash, a blade through her gut... her blade. She coughed, a warm liquid rising up through her throat, blood splattered the ground. Her hand slowly made its way to the hilt of her katana. "Iger, Brear, Ogni, all..." she faintly whispered. The diamond eyes of the carving became black, a sign that she was dying. All of her summons surrounded her, Khan, her fierce White Tiger, Honan, her brave Grizzly Bear, Aru and Mari, her Dingo companions.... They lay by her side, a pool of blood growing... sokaing their fur. They watched, sorrow was all they could feel. Her chest rose and fell, one final time as her eyes glazed over. The diamonds on the hilt cracked, the animals began to fade.... well they were supposed to. The dream twisted.... Khan jumped to his feet, roaring in distress. The flesh on his body slowly dissolved, blood and bone being the only thing left. Honan's eyes rolled into the back of his head, only white and little red vein remained. The eyes began to bleed, then his mouth, nose and ears. He bled until there was no blood left, a lump of skin and bone collapsed to the ground. Aru and Mari turned toward each other. Then, the once loving siblings attacked one another. The brawl ended shortly, limbs were torn from bodies... scattering the ground.... The figure stood by the side.... it had watched the whole ordeal... a sadistic smile etched upon the skeletal face.... ---------------------------------------------- She awoke abruptly, gasping for air as she sat up. Sweat matted her bangs to her forehead. Thinking back to the dream, a chill crept down her spine. She never usually dreamed.... then having that dream... Did it mean something? Her stomach was in knots, she had to stop thinking about it... ༄ོ
The birds chirped, a ray of sunlight peaked through the curtains covering the small window. She had to get ready, she had to be alert today. It didn't take her long to get ready, she wasn't difficult with her appearance. Locking up her room, she headed down the stairwell. Flashing a smile at the innkeeper she pushed open the door leading outside. Adelina headed out for an early morning walk, today was Thursday. Thursday, the day when the killings occurred. Many were shut up inside, terrified to leave their homes. One person stood out to her, a elderly man. Across the street he stood, staring at her. His old, frightening eyes watched her every move. His face had mostly been hidden by his glasses, but she could almost feel his cold breath as she stepped farther away. Slowly, he followed her. When she glanced back, he smiled at her, his wrinkles letting her see his every expression, as if there wasn't an entire street separating them. His smile reeked of wickedness, and something inside had told her he held many secrets behind his glasses. His cold eyes where almost gray, and kept watching her. Being who she was, she just tried her best to fake a smile, but inside, she was strangely terrified of this old man. At the time, she had no idea.... no idea that she had good reason to be. He raised a hand, as if to wave. His sleeve fell, a hand of bone was revealed. Adelina's eyes widened as he pointed a skeletal finger... right... at.... her.... He grinned a crooked smile and burst out into maniacal laughter. With his other hand he reached up, removing his glasses. A dark wisp of shadows followed, surrounding his figure. Adelina reached for her katana, her hand shaking as she took it from the sheath. The dark smoke cleared, revealing the man.... what used to be the man. In his place stood a menacing being, human nor beast. A skeletal figure wearing a torn cloak covering its whole body stood in his place. Talon like bone fingers poked out the sleeves. Wings of all bone, skin hung off in tatters. What was she dealing with? A murderer.... that made him a beast. No matter how he appeared before or now, he had killed those villagers.... he was a monster. He was.... from her dream.... "Rizzly, Grizzly, Bear, Brear," Adelina mumbled, and in a few moments Honan her grizzly partner appeared. He roared at the figure, his fur rippled by the movement of his muscles as he readied to attack. The figure laughed, "I don't need to kill anymore darling. I've gotten what I wanted. I've now seen the star bearer, the fallen star that you are lifting up. May I warn you, that star.... will.... fall... again. When it does, it will be mine..." A black haze filled the street, a chill grew in the air. The figure waved his hand, one last time. Shadows flew out from no where, engulfing Adelina in darkness. He left, left without a trace. Adelina was the only thing that showed something had been there. The villagers crept out of their homes, curious but cautious. The spotted her and rushed to her aid. She lay on the ground, unconscious. Her katana by her side, Honan had disappeared. There was no blood, no wounds no sign of battle. The only thing she had gained from this encounter was an enemy, fear and a strange black marking on her wrist.... ༄ོ