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The Shattered God

Prologue

Far to the north of Drenedar's border there lay an unassuming town. Deathbriar they ended up calling it, where the people were hearty, close knit and seldom saw the effects of war. Even when Lumara had been breathing down Drenedar's neck, they were safe. For they were just a nonstrategic place, unimportant to anyone, nestled along the base of one of the voiceless mountains. Yet in unassuming things can lurk a hidden rot, fetid wounds that can corrupt the body if left unattended.

The countryside found itself caught within winter's icy grip, snow dusting the weathered cobblestone streets. The usual smell of damp earth and direwolf mounts were masked by the crispness of the air. The town itself spread out like a moldy growth, the wooden and stone structures springing from the earth like putrid little mushrooms of bleak browns and muted greys. It was here that a pair of adventurers had followed in the wake of a kidnapped friend, a gryphon of blue feathers tipped with teal, going by the name of Krotos.

It was twilight, not a single cloud could be found in the vast black above. Stars swarmed through it, like thousands of flickering fireflies. They promised such enchanting things, hope bristling in every inch of the heavens. Yet they were a mocking reflection Deathbriar below, where it seemed not a single light dare flicker in it's consuming shadow, just a solitary blackened pool of inky night.

Merlia the dwarf crouched low on a well-kept roof, resting her leather gloved hand on one of the many chimneys of fine stone. Fine for humans of course, but hardly able to hold a candle to dwarf craftsmanship. She held in a cough brewing in her stout chest, thumping it with a fist and rattling the light chain she wore beneath. Her eyes that ached from nights of travel scanned the empty streets below. Though she may have been a ranger by trade, and years of adventuring nestled under her belt, fatigue could always whisper it's way into her limbs.

_Just one speck of hundreds._She thought as a bitter chill whipped over her fur lined cloak. Lesser creatures might have wound their arms around themselves, chittered their teeth for warmth, or possibly whimpered like a mewing pup. Not her though, she grit her teeth and took it in. For she was of the clan Gallogalar and her stone like demeanor didn't shift. Would have been an insult to Thor himself if she did, might mistake her for going soft. So she rubbed her chin, searching for any sign of life.

The collesium her questioning around the town had awarded them, a place for the many lords and nobles to test their champions. Talia was the greatest of them they said, though no one spoke freely about her. Light seemed to have no sway over the place, save for tiny little flickers through the slit like windows near the back. Beyond that they had no torches adorned the windows, nor braziers to light a fiery glow. It was like a hollowed-out husk of a corpse, staring back at her with socket less eyes. How the humans expected to watch she hadn't a clue, but she was thankful for their apparent ineptitude. It would make the coming quest all too easy.

"Is he still even in there?" Came her companion's whispered squawk, an onyx furred gryphon with white fur traveling down his chest and underside. His silver lined wings shivered in the air, pining tight against his lion like body. Apricot feline eyes darted from her to the darkened building, scanning as his silver tipped beak chittered in the cold. He was the bodyguard for the future queen of Lumara, vigilant and loyal to the letter. While not to inflate his ego, she bet this one had more combat experience than the gryphon they were here to rescue. Voidwing paced behind her, his lone white leg catching her eye like it'd done every other time. Something about a birthmark he said, now she could see it fidget and twitch when he stopped. For such a well-trained combatant, he was quite the jumpy one. Maybe he hadn't done much hunting?

"Ya know Voidwing, for the queen's bodyguard, you're a wee bit jumpy. How many times ya expecten ta ask me? I count five. Next time you'll be getting a rightful smack on the bum." She plucked a blue feather from her red, braided hair. It was teal tipped and brought treasured memories of nights nestled up to the owner's feathery bulk, burying her face in tender embraces and warmth. She turned it over, grimacing at the night they'd lost him. If only she'd been faster, drawn her arrows with more precision, maybe he wouldn't be captured. She held out her palm, muttering a spell to locate their mutual friend and put the worry feather at ease.

The feather rose as if on strings, spinning gently by a phantom breeze. Around it spun, wavering and coming to stop. It pointed to the coliseum, their friend lay within.

"See?" She smiled, resting her hand on Voidwing's furry chest. "Even for a runt yer a worry feather. Can't believe the queen picked ya."

The gryphon gave her a sideways glance, lion like ears twitching. "That so? I'll have you know she appreciated my talents." He wiggled a talon in front of her.

"Quite the talents ya got I heard!" Merlia chuckled, making a miming motion with her hips. "Course that not what we be talkin about is it? What do ya think human?" She slipped over to the corpse laying atop the roof with them. Darkened red spots were her arrows had been marred the tan of his tattered gambeson. She roughly grabbed the patchy beard of his lifeless face, forcing him to speak like a marionette, even providing him with a voice.

"I hate ta say this Merlia, but that handsome gryphon you have with ya is quite the sissy!"

She cackled harder as the gryphon's eyes narrowed, his silver plumed tail angrily lashed the snow behind them. Clearly comedy wasn't something they learned in Lumara, or perhaps dwarvish kinds.

"That's not even remotely funny. Its cruel and morbid." Voidwing's ears pinned, "You could have knocked him out instead of murdering him."

She chuckled at his naivety, plucking an arrow from her quiver and running a finger over the steel tip, making sure she held it up to his keen eye. "Not exactly the type o weapon that chooses to knock someone out." She gestured to his shivering feathers and leg, "And you'll excuse me if I don't take offense from a gryphon acting like his balls haven't dropped. Stop yer shiverin, ya startin ta make me want ta. "

Voidwing bit his beak, letting silence linger as he quickly glanced away. "You could have at least said something. For you know, the dead."

"And waste me breath? Do I _look_like a priest of almighty Thor?" She went back to task, "My breath only be for me bagpipes, usen to loose me arrows, and possibly been taken away by a handsome gryphon or two in pleasure." She chuckled to herself as she heard him squirm. While she was certain he liked the compliments, she knew his heart pined for the future Lumarian queen they'd left back in Struport.

"What if he had a family?"

"Everyone has a family bird." She snapped back.

"You're aware that empathy isn't a weakness right? If Arcturus was here he'd have-"

"I've seen Arcturus cut a man from balls ta chin." She rolled her eyes, What has ya tail in a twist anyway? Miss ya girlie back in Struport? Waitin ta fly on back to her, cuddle close and sheath yourself inta her nethers?" The dwarf couldn't help but chuckle at the lewd imagery. Might even be something to count on doin once they retrieved this gryphon of theirs. "No problems killin those orcs or trolls, why ya getting all nervous now?" She pulled an ivory bow from her pack, with golden strands running down the shaft. Gift from a crimson scaled friend, that could loose arrows around corners if she so wished. She caught sight of three guards patrolling through the windows, poor souls who had no idea what awaited them. By the sounds of things the men were chatting about getting into some little thing's panties. Something involving three types of fruit.

How tame. The ranger drew her bow, the tension tightening like her bowstring.

"Voidwing steeled his nerves behind the stalwart yet murderous ranger, taking deep breaths that misted in the evening air. His blood raced in anticipation, talons kneaded the snow, ready for the coming battle. His ears flickered at the mere whisper of sound, ever vigilant for a hidden attacker to reveal themselves."

Again? She dropped her bow, brow raising as she glared at the now ear splayed gryphon. " Why do ya always narrate like dat? You know how crazy dat is? How ya even pick up a quirk like that? Someone read ya a few too many stories before nest time? Did the dragon put ya up to it?"

"I just...do..." He couldn't meet her gaze, shifting his white furred hind. "Can't help it."

She sighed, slumping her shoulders. Gryphons always found a way to crack through her fierceness. Why'd they have to make her heart so weak? "But why are ya even? Yer a guard for da queen, ya should be like the dwarven wall of Thaznac. Never penetrated by such tiny things."

"Can they even see us?"

She gestured to the corpse. "I don't know, hey sir corpsy did ya happen ta see us?" She gave a darkened chuckle, earning the gryphon's ire filled eyes once more.

"What you find funny is deplorable."

"And ya got a stick up yer backside." She drew back her bow again. "And cut the narratin. Get yer feathers ready ta pounce, these lads are about to be choking on me shafts."

With a silent twang of her bow the arrows were loosed, racing across the air with deadly purpose. One right after the other, she joined the first with twin brothers of wood and steel. Almost at once they struck, with sickening thumps right into their throaty homes. Three pained grunts echoed through the night, signaling their coming collapse. Silence lingered for a moment or two, leaving her victims to struggle and fade.

"Now that's how ya do it." She winked, "Can teach a male a few tings about where ta aim his-"

But Voidwing wasn't hearing it, he cut her off with a clack of his beak. "You're a terrible person."

"But not a bad dwarf. So still that waggin tongue." She stowed her bow and crawled up the gryphon's side, taking seat on his saddle strapped to him. He spread his silver tipped wings wide, wiggled his haunches and pounced upon the air. Like a monstrous shadow he carried them through the air, hardly making a sound as he passed over. He circled once, eyes scanning for any guards, nodding when there were none to be found. He dipped a wing, curled inward and brought them swooping down through the hole in the structure's roof.

Stands of weathered stone curled around the central arena of bloodied and sullied sand. Where no doubt thousands of lives met their end, leaving but a bloodied corpse. From the sand rose twin darkened steel portcullis, one on either side. Beaten paths were dragged through the shifted sand, battered down by foot, paw and hoof, all at the command of their cheering crowd.

Voidwing landed with a bumpy trott, careful to not shower too much dirt about with his wake. Back went his wings, down went his form as he dismissed her with a worried chirp. When he rose he was straight back to task, whispering his narration as apricot spheres traced over each inch of stone around.

Her fingers were already signing away at her next magical spell, pass without trace. With but a utterance of the command and press to her chest, shadows billowed out from her leather boots. They coiled around both foot and talon, shifting their forms to better resemble what they stood against. Out again came the feather, pointing them to their intended portcullis. They had no time to choose the wrong one.

Up went the gryphon's head, ears twitching in dread. They seemed to pull Merlia's bow from her back as his muscles all tensed for battle. Around them the air stilled, breaths came softer, only released when Voidwing sighed, pinning his wings to his side. "We made it."

"Never doubted ya." She whispered, strolling across the soiled sand. Her nose wrinkled, counting all the times she'd uncovered places like this. Brutal arenas where death was celebrated for coin and entertainment. Though she understood the fighting of animals, she doubted it was so tame. This would be the fate of her Krotos? Dwarven blood swelled to life like a forge, curling her hands to balled fists.

"So if we find him." Voidwing scurried to the porticullis, searching for a way to open it. "Are you going to kill anyone else?" His ears twitched as he sighed and grabbed the steel bars with his talons.

"Of course." She spat, tightening her grip. "See da sand birdie? That's not dem throwin a party.

He bit his beak, grunting as their mettalic foe fought them. Lionine muscles swelled to life as sand was drawn below his softened paws. With a grunt the steel creaked, faultering under the gryphon's impressive strength. With a clunk that radiated through the arena it slid into place. He turned to her with a smile from ear to lion ear. "And you doubted me."

"I never said a lick o dat." She waved him off, smacking his furred flank as she passed. " Now hurry on."

He slid along after her, letting their foe retract. Inside was the wheel to raise it, luckily they wouldn't be trapped within. The corridor spread out before them, the sand traded for carved stone at their feet. Like thin little valleys they collected into a single spot, no doubt to catch the various liquids of their champions. Again the worried step appeared in his step, this time reflected in his pools as he snapped to her.

"And you're just at peace with ending them? People that havn't hurt you. They're just doing their jobs." His tail flicked against his backside. "How'd you even get this bitter? I thought you were the happy adventurer of the group."

"Dis is the time ya choose to talk greenie?" She shushed him and proceeded to slink around the next corner. Bow drawn she searched across the pillars and bloodstained halls, not an end in sight. "I don't need a lecture from a fledgling like you. Was pickin goblins out of me teeth when you were just a mewin kitten. Come back to me when ya lose have the friends I did. Need I remind ya of Shandalar?" The night was like a bitter pill upon her tongue. The dwarf spit, her blood's fire starting anew. "Ya think I let dat happen ta blue?" She chuckled mockingly in the back of her throat. "You're as crazy as Veledar."

With a defiant tail lash he scowled, his gaze like steel. "No matter the time, the place, whats done. I will never be as bitter as you."

"Oh yea?" She scoffed, eyes traveling over the numerous grates and barred doors that seemed to grow from the floor beneath them. None of them did the feather point to. "Lets see if ya feel dat way when ya lose a few friends." She pointed down, to the scratches and dents from numerous victims. "The friends ya take offence ta me killin, they seemed to have quite the event filled with guests. Big party too, all the rage, how many ya think were forced here? Whipped or beaten until they fought to claim a life? Think any of them had the mercy you did?"

He said nothing, his ears began to splay. Even his white leg had begun to twitch as her thoughts darkened.

"What if this was yer lass here? Would you be slicing through them? Knowin she were beaten, tortured, and sure to die with each passin moment?"

His beak open and closed several times, yet nothing offered a rebuttal. Finally he lowered his head with a heavy sigh, what defiance he had died with but a shiver of his wings.

"Exactly." She nodded, waving him forward. "Keep yer eyes peeled. Last thing we need is gettin jumped. This isn't a gryphon breeding solstice after all."

"How do you even know about tho-"

"Picture the answer yerself. You'll figure it out." She winked, chuckling as he watched on in disbelief. Oh what tales she could tell to redden even his feathers. With a raise of her hand the air was silenced and they continued on in near silence, with only the soft foot fall of boots and claws to follow.

Eventually this dreary hall gave way to a three pronged opening, each with a smooth wooden gate covered in gold metallic squares. What language they weren't sure, but the bloody drag marks of a heavy body traveled through the area, connecting the furthest two doors together. It was large enough to be from a gryphon, and the realization made Merlia's blood run cold.

"We're lucky they made these things so large." Voidwing whispered, brushing a claw across the smooth wood. "Usually you don't see stuff like this outside Lumara."

"Yea, well I figure they are keeping things bigger than people." She scowled as she didn't see a single wheel in sight to open the blasted things. "Really? They be keepin this a secret? It's almost like they don't want people bustin in."

"Well they probabl-"

"I was being sarcastic bird." She hissed, "They be tryin ta waste our time." Again she pulled the feather, letting it point to the left most door. She laughed, reminding herself to thank Nivra when they returned, probably with a fresh pint. It was the least she could do.

Now where could the lever be?

"Found it!" Voidwing happily chirped, tapping a loose brick among the stone. With a click the section had folded inside, revealing the wooden wheel within. He beamed, his silver tipped crowns extending, looking more prideful than Veledar's bragging rants.

"Shhhhh." She raced to him, hands clamping his beak shut. "Time and place fer da enthusiasm." Her eyes darted to the shadows wrapped around the entry hall. "Yer going ta ruin da surprise. I'd at least like ta specially wrap me arrows for dem."

With wide eyes he nodded, an apology coming in a whisper. He seemed to shrink before sitting on his haunches and grasping firm the wheel. "Let me know..."

She'd apologize for later, when things were not as dire. Taught went her bowstring as the dull clanks of the mechanism echoed across the walls. The door shook, slowly starting to rise as sand trickled in a downward spiral.

"If I say to drop it." She hissed, getting an unknowable nod from the gryphon.

"So what's the occasion now? Get too scared of a little shadow? You know with what's going on you'll never be earning Talia's blessi-" The door parted to a middle aged man, one with a grizzled chin covered in a dwarf like beard. He had a smile from ear to ear as he laughed, shame that Merlia had to put an arrow in his throat.

The man fell to the ground stone dead, the other arrows she loosed prying for which one struck him square in the heart. She snorted and ignored his final gasping cries. They stepped over the rivers of sticky crimson pooling on the sand below, retrieving the arrows with a trio of sickening slurps.

Quietly as they could the gryphon and dwarf pair crept down the long corridor before them. Pillars of dusted granite lined the walls, markings of bats lining every square inch. Lantern's illuminated the entire way with flickering flames. With their spell pulling the shadows to them the pair sunk into their inky grasp, moving to others like a night's breeze. They counted their blessings as the next door beyond was large enough for the gryphon, and already cracked open an inch or two.

She brought an end to their advance. Last thing they needed was barging in like a couple of hyped up dwarfs on promises of Thor blessed fighting. With but a whisper she maintained the camouflage spell, instructing Voidwing after to extinguish the lantern's light. In a manner of moments they were bathed one more in darkness, the only light slithering beneath the door.

As one she and the onyx gryphon took a lingering peek. This was the prison quarters, the wretched stench of dozens squeezed together and covered in filth. Like Lumara's hidden fort it hung on the air like a putrid cloud, filling every breath she took. Cells of blackened steel lined the walls, absorbing any hope the prisoner's might have had. Stone steps descended at the center, revealing another layer of prisoners. The air brimmed with snores or tired whispers, practically timed with the pitter patter of the four guards patrolling around the way. Pipes lay between their lips, letting the relaxing men release rings of smoke accompanied with chuckles. Their rifles rested away from them, the barrel's winking in the light.

This would be easy, a bunch of guards not paying attention? Merlia beamed to herself, letting the feather spin and point downward. Of course they'd keep him the furthest below, far away from the sky. It was practically criminal!

"Bottom eh?" Voidwing whispered, gesturing to the guards with his beak. One called out to the door at the end of the cellblock, no doubt more hidden within. "The barracks? Who has a barracks in the middle of a cell block?" The gryphon shifted, until she put an ehnd to it with a steady hand on his shoulder.

"Those who mean business." She whispered, readying her bow. "Matter not though. Just like the others. Got that potion I gave ya?"

The gryphon fumbled with his leather pouches along the saddle. "Got i!-"

She clamped down on his beak till his ear splayed.

His eyes widened, clearly mortified at what he'd almost done. He nodded, wiggling the glass vial of clear liquid before her hardened gaze.

Thankfully for them the smoking guards had not returned to their posts.

Like patient hawks they memorized the casual stroll of the guards as they passed around the cells. The sounds of their boots became a strange song that she could almost tap her foot to, predict where they would be. This changed as they switched through the far door, they claimed to lose their money to a boss of theirs. She turned to inquire about the gryphon, but found not a trace. Did he already drink the potion? So, she asked him.

"Yes." He whispered back. "Wasn't that what I was supposed to do?"

Gripping her bow she took a calming breath. "It only lasts for a few minutes. So quick as a feather now. Drop down and surprise our guests. Be quick though, moment ya strike the spell will fade."

"But why me and no-"

"Just go!" She hissed.

Without further protest she heard him slink up and over the rail, landing with a heavy thud that drew far too many ears for her liking.

Of course. She pulled tight her bow as anticipation surged through her veins. She loaded three arrows, counting the passing seconds. She glared with eyes sharper than her arrows, thoughts swirling with blue feathers with teal tips. She only had to wait a few seconds before the startled cry of Voidwing's victim resounded through the block.

"How in the hell did that get in here?"

There was her cue. Pushing past the door, her arrows did fly. Fingers turning to a blur as she knocked and loosed her deadly volley. They ones across never new what him them, collapsing backwards with a series of new holes in their torsos. She raced across the floor, drawing more arrows as Voidwing's victims were tossed to a crumpled heap beyond the far wall below.

"What was that sound?" A pale faced guard emerged from the barracks, vigilant eyes quickly finding her, "Oh, it's a tiny little pest." He stumbled back, an arrow lodged into his throat.

"An I just keep hittin my mark." She grinned, skidding to a halt as her opponent didn't fall.

"What an inconvenience." The man snarled, pulling out her arrow snapping it between his fist. Blood drooled from his neck like a river, the damaged flesh sealing before her eyes. "Jail break or volunteer?" He grinned, "Lets find out shall we?"

What was he made of? Merlia loosed another few arrows into his chest, hardly even stalling the man as he rose his dragonfire rifle. Thunder shook the room as she leaped, the incoming shot missing her by scant inches. The wall behind her took the brunt, fragmenting into thousands of little junks that rained across the stone. She peaked through the door frame, minding the shadows, and ignoring how fast her heat was. "Ooo nice trick, too bad yer aim is worse than a six year old humans!"

"And yet there you sit. Cowering like the vermin you are." The man didn't come running, instead waiting for those behind him to gather their supplies. "We're far from dwarven lands. You're quite the oddity sir, madam? Hard to tell with you lot honestly."

"Oh silly me! Perhaps I shoulda had me breasts out on full display! Leave it to a human to have stupider eyes than the rest of ya!"

"Not going to show your face? Figures the dirt people can't stay above ground for a few more minutes. Must be a tad touched in the head to come to Talia's private prison. Is that it dwarf? Got a score to settle?"

"Who da hell is that? Your mum?" She bit her lips as the sound of at least a dozen rifles clicked into the ready around the cells. Had they found Voidwing? She couldn't stand another gryphon getting hurt because of her. She had to figure out what trick this bastard was using to heal. "Oooo, big man ya are. Can't fight a girl without all yer friends! Should I get ta wheepin for yer manhood?"

She got a few dozen shots in her direction, splattering her cover with shattered debris.

"Take back what I said!" She laughed, wiggling her bow through the door. "Sickly cats would have better aim than ya do!" She returned their fire with one of her own, this time with an arrow that exploded into dozens of others. She didn't get to savor her victory as his fellow guards cried in pain, for a crack resounded and she was sent stumbling back. Pain surged through her shoulder, right through the leather. Guess he wasn't that bad of a shot after all.

"So you're bleeding...Such a sweet ambrosia on the air, and how quickly your hear beats. I could practically dance_to the beat! _Stay right there we've got your gryphon friend to deal with." He ordered the men around him to keep their sights on the stairs, to ensure their feathery friend didn't get any bright ideas.

"Merlia!" Voidwing shouted, sliding between the pillars below to avoid the angry dragonfire rifles from above. Any moment now they'd strike their target, followed by the others following suit.

She needed to do something drastic. Drastic and unexpected, possibly stupid some might say. "Talkin bout blood like a poet? Now I know ya out of yer mind." Merlia winced, conjuring a healing spell and pressing it to her tender flesh. With a metallic clink the bullet popped free, clinking upon the stone. She whispered a few words, letting sparks of angry red whisk around her finger and drawn arrow. The tip glowed like a miniature sun, hungrily whispering to claim their lives. "An ya _really_should be more worried about me." With a hardened gaze she rose from her position and let them taste her explosive arrow.

In a blinding flash it consumed them, washing over prepared hands with it's firey embraced. Flesh burned, sweat evaporated, the clothes on their backs disintegrated. Those closest hardly got out a scream before being falling into a mangled heap. The others were sent flying from their spots, landing with a sickening cacophony of snaps, squishes or thuds. Not one to even savor her victory she raced to cover, taking position behind a pillar of stone. Hoping that the lingering smoke coiling off the heated stone shielded her from sight.

"There off balance gryphon! Get in dere!" She swirled around her hand, and a fog thicker than pea soup consumed the upper floor.

But one man came racing through the fog, angrily thrashing away it's cloudy tendrils. His clothes and armor were singed to a crisp, his pale skin seared to the bone. His face was burned away, leaving patches of pale white bone. Where his eyes were instead glowing coals of charcoal. He revealed sharpened teeth, screeching an unholy sound through the night. To make matters worse, it appeared as his wounds were healing.

Oh hell. She backed up, loosing a few arrows into the man's chest, his shoulder, and one right through his head. But just like the previous times he kept on running, not even minding his new ornaments. "I need some armor made outta whatever you are!" She ducked from a horizontal swing, cruel metallic blade missing her by scant inches. She freed her axe, lobbing off his sword swinging hand clean off. "Oh sorry about that." She turned to him with a shit eating grin. "Do ya need a hand?"

He didn't reply, simply letting his bone exposed arm fall to the side. Blood copiously drooled down as he drew a blade of shimmering green light. His eyes reformed into glossed pools of wet ink, sending shivers down the dwarf's spine. Again, he began his assault with renewed fury, his skin reforming with each passing moment. Knicks and close calls abounded as she just maintained her defense. Any moment now he would strike true, and she wasn't sure her chain would protect her from such a wicked looking blade.

Where had she seen this before? Pale skin that regenerated from grievous wounds, eyes like blackest night? Oh hell, he was a vampire. Her heart practically leapt from her chest, yet she hid it with a belly jiggling cackle. "Oh what's with this then? Hav ta be a good at suckin ta fight me?" He chopped her axe's haft in two, nearly slicing her across her shoulder. "I think I'm almost flattered."

"Now you understand dwarf." The vampire smiled, predatorily glancing along her neck. "You don't stand a chance, no mortal ever does. Your heart is like a team of horses. But is it out of fear or the thrill of what you could become?"

She gave him a scowl. "Honestly lad, getting sucked isn't my type of a night. Talk to my gryphons though, sure they'd love a pair of lips like that wrapped around their turgid lengths."

"How crude and crass." The man sighed, "You fought well. Might even have been a place for you in Talia's retinue. She's always looking for people with skills. Even smart mouthed dwarfs I suppose."

"Hard pass lad." She slid the blade grazing across her cheek. "Not really inta suckin blood meself." Undoing one of her pouches she rifled through various trinkets. Though she wasn't fast enough.

Like a coiling snake his fingers found her throat, and with un-natural strength he slammed her head to the wall.

Stars burst in her vision from all directions. Pain surged through her neck as he tightened his grip. Air became a luxury as she struggled, fingers tightly winding themselves around his powerful wrist. Like fire she glared at him, still fumbling through her pouches.

"Good, you're speechless. At least that's one irritation taken care of. No one likes a blathermouth dear."

She chuckled painfully as her fingers wound around something hard and wooden.

"Honestly? Laughter?" The Vampire laughed with her, "I have to admit dwarf you have spunk! Talia's going to lo-"

Without mercy she thrust a stake right through his blackened heart. "How about that?" She growled when he stumbled backwards.

He crashed to the floor, clawing at the wooden dagger in his chest. Blackened lines raced from the invader, spreading like wicked rivers across every inch of him. Staring up at her with terror in his eyes, the vampire couldn't mutter a fitting rebuttal.

"An they think I be crazy." She coughed, rubbing her aching neck. "Yet here I am...Laughin!" She stared right back at him, letting him relish in her smile. "Now that's how ya thrust into a man."

Crumbling to ash the vampire released one last groan, the taunt the final thing he'd heard. With a kick of her boots he was scattered, and a drawn out spit desecrated his resting place.

"And good riddance!" Knocking an arrow she raced back into the cellblock, certain Voidwing needed her aid.

Yet he was pressing the last of the guards below his blood stained talons, twitching his dirt smudged wings. Apricot eyes stared daggers at the squirming man, accompanying an angry lash of his tail. Bodies lay scattered around the gryphon like fallen over logs. With a final caw he rapped the man on the skull. "There." He huffed, pulling back and fluffing his feathers.

She whistled, cleaning her hands. "Quite da show lad." She counted at least a dozen, including the five she'd slain. "Are they..."

"Alive." The gryphon he squawked at her, ears pinned on either side. "More than I can say for the others."

Rolling her eyes she got about finding a pair of keys. No doubt that's what they'd be needing. "Quit yer belly achin. They be friends of dat vampire." She made a jabbing motion. "Ya can say I buried my hard wood in him."

Voidwing sighed, "Now I see why Krotos and you get along so swimmingly."

"Like two peas in a pod!"

"Yet here I am with the luck." He jingled a ring of keys before her eyes, giving her a sly grin.

"Beginners luck." In a blink she'd snatched them and started her cheery descent down the stairs. "Now keep watch while I go rescue handsome blue." Already her heart was leaping at seeing him again. "An I know ya heard that bird."

Prisoners from all around the block suddenly called to them. What fear that held their tongue's movement evidently gone with the death of the vampire. She waved dismissively to each in turn, "I'm not here for ya. Perhaps ya should get better friends." Again, they called in pathetic voices, but focusing on blue feathers she ignored them.

She found him pressed to the bars of a darkened cell, his blue and teal feathers were ruffled and marred with grievous cuts. Some were old and healed with thorny stitches, while many still oozed a dribbler of red slime. Blades, whips, or thorns? The dwarf's heart chilled at their use, but it only gave voice to his name. When his furry head turned, she saw he had a scar across his left eye. All at once her heart melted as she raced towards the cell. She was up to the bars in a flash, the keys all but forgotten.

"Merlia? Is that..." His head wobbled tiredly as he searched her with disbelief. His voice was but a whisper, stretched too thin by numerous days of interrogation. "That can't be."

"Aye it is." She leaned a hand through the cage, tenderly stroking one of his furred ears. Tears swelled within her as they twitched and flickered about. At least he was still alive, but she couldn't stop the question. "What did they do ta ya?"

"Lots of terrible things." His beak wavered in the air, "I'd rather not spent the time blathering my beak away."

"Ya look like a mess." Her fingers traveled to between his head, pulling the gryphon to nuzzle into her touch.

His ears suddenly splayed on either side as he winced, giving her a hopeful smile. "But one to look at right?"

"Of course ya are ya big baby." Her heart nearly broke as he sighed and gave her a weakened yet pleased chirp. "Never been sexier. Be riden ya the first chance we get."

"Go easy on me huh?" He gave her a soft wink. "Think they broke a rib or three."

"An they'll be payin for every one." She held up the keys, searching through the collection of numerous keys. Why couldn't they have a better system?"

"How sweet." He cooed, eyeing her with that look to make her knees weak. "You know the way to a gryphon's heart." His eyes then traveled beyond her, searching for something. "Where are the others? I could have sworn Veledar would make mention of me or something."

She tested the first few keys on the lock, no luck. She cursed in dwarven as Krotos' asked her again with a more pressing tone. "They didn't come alright?"

His feathers drooped, "They did-"

She cut him off, tapping his beak. "Don't start wit dat. Lads had stuff to do, sides, no one else could fly after ya."

"Fly?" Krotos' tail thumped in annoyance. "Dragons have wings last time I checked."

"He lost them."

"Lost them?" Krotos squawked, his crown feathers standing up. "How the hell do you just lose them? It's not like they're detachable!"

For a moment the dwarf's mood soured. That night she'd just seen the dragon. If not for their tussle they'd have saved them both. "Foul magics. Darn lich came and blasted them ta ash. Broke the dragon's heart."

"Oh." The gryphon slumped over, shifting his tail across the floor. "Are they alright?"

"Course dey are. Little worse fer wear, but they be all smiles with our bird there." She gave him a wink. "Voidwing I heard needs more lessons on the art of love makin."

"So if they didn't have...Who flew you?" His brow rose as yet another key failed.

"Who ya think?" She gestured to the gryphon slinking down the stairs his talons clinking off the stone.

"Voidwing! What a sight for sore eyes!" He perked up with a warble, "You came for me!"

The gryphon bowed with a cheery chirp. "Why wouldn't I? You're my friend are you not?"

"Damn right you are." Krotos's eyes bounced between the pair. "Though when you think about it, its not the first time you've come for me."

Silver lined beak clacked happily away, matching the blue's own yellow one. "But that wasn't for you. If I recall_it was _for someone else." He rested a talon tenderly on the blue's shoulder. They exchanged a warm look, that Merlia could practically feel in the air. "Nivra will be ecstatic. She'll want to see you first thing."

"Will she?" The gryphon pulled away, rubbing his chin. "Is this about-"

"As friends." Voidwing laughed. "Not any invitation to participate." He waggled a wing, "Yet."

"Oh now you're just ruining the mood." He softly stomped his talon, shifting his attention to the fumbling dwarf. "Are you still not done? Each moment you delay I rot in filth! I'm going to need at least several dozen baths to get rid of all this."

She rolled her eyes, sliding the final key into the lock and turning it with a resounding clunk. "Of course, it's the last one! Every god damned time!" She'd barely gotten out another word before she found herself pulled off the floor by a blue blur. Her face was pressed tightly into Krotos' barrel like chest, fingers shifting through his warm fur. Each breath was filled with his scent despite the conditions. She sighed, forgetting even the mission as she relished his forelimbs wrapping around her tight. Weeks of unknown came bubbling down her eyes, whisked away by his firm chest.

"I missed ya sweet ball o feathers."She pulled his fur tighter. "I counted every step."

"That's a lot of steps." He chuckled weakly, raising her chin to look him in his shining eyes.

With a heart aglow with warm feelings it pulled her upwards, planting a passionate kiss upon his beak. Basking in the moment she caught his crown feathers extend, his eyes hooding in delight.

"I missed you more than anything else as well." He nuzzled her across the cheek. "Though we might want to wait to be cute later."

"And lewd." She gave him a wink, getting a chuckle out of them both.

"Deal." He nodded, setting her down and collapsing to his belly. "Though there is a solitary complication."

"And what would that be?"

Their answer came in the shape of a brown and white feathered gryphon charging straight for her through the cell doors. "You dwarven bitch!" Somehow, she'd been hidden in the cell, perfectly avoiding their gaze. Her mahogany eyes filled with hate as her talons sought to rip the dwarf's head clean from her shoulders. "We've got a score to settle."

"Not today though." Voidwing pounced and caught her mid air. Together they fell with an angry squawk, fumbling around with their tails flapping about.

"Get out of way fledgling!" The gryphoness squawked, batting away his careful talons. "Unless you want to be torn to shreds."

Yet he didn't yield, silently pinning the squirming gryphon's forelimbs to the ground. "Yield." He growled, with a look that could kill.

"Bit of wrestling and steel like look?" The gryphon snapped back at him. "You havn't got the balls to kill me."

"Can still leave you with _quite_the head wound."

That was enough of this foolishness. "Enough wit the squabbling." Merlia dragged an arrow across bars, the series of clinks ending their wrestling. "Now that that's done." She twirled the arrow, eyeing the female gryphon up and down. "What's got yer feathers in a twist?"

"You killed Soggu!" The gryphoness chirped, muscles hardening like steel. "You think I'll just let you get away with that?"

She was that gryphon? The one who'd spirited Krotos away in the middle of the night? Looks like she_got her just rewards. For her friend? The ranger didn't bother a thought on that spirit stealing siigonis. She shrugged with a laugh, "Probably not, but I tink we can settle this a wee bit later? Maybe _not in the middle of a vampire's pleasure dungeon?"

"Its not that. Really." Krotos' ears splayed. "Unless you count the whips or blades as kinks..."

"ANYWAY." She growled, making sure the female eyed the arrow rolling through her fingers. "I can be makin sure ya never see da light of day again. After all, I can't have ya messin up another cute grypon's face." Oh how the daggers in the female's eyes gave life to Merlia's grin. "So be letting go and ya can live." When she didn't budge, Merlia pulled free her bow. "Not one fer listenen are ya?" She knocked the arrow. "I not be askin again."

With a bitter sigh of cold fury, the gryphons wiped her yellow forelimbs and spat her reply like a vile curse. "Fine you little wretch. But the _first_opportunity we get, we're settling this."

"Fine by me." Merlia chuckled as the gryphons unwound themselves. "Anything that gets ye off of the queen's lad."

"Another problem." Krotos leaned up against Voidwing, weakly shaking a wing. "Though I'm not one to shy away from certain kinks. Their love for the whip and punishment was even beyond me" The gryphon winced. "If we could mahaps find a way other than me flying, it would mean the world."

"Are ya sure?" She slipped a hand to his fuzzy grey cheek, heart shivering in her chest. He nodded and she pulled his head to hers. "Then we get the young one ta carry ya. That's what their there fer right?"

"I was going to already!" Voidwing squawked in protest.

"Well next time spit it out, instead of mountin a female!" She dusted off her hands as Krotos leaned up himself up against the onyx gryphon with a quick thanks.

"But I was going to do it!"

"Yea yea." She climbed the stair with a watchful eye, anticipating any moment that a fresh batch of guards would find them. Yet nothing was there, only the silent patch of unconscious humans. With a peek back, the gryphoness was behind her, all her muscles tensed. Those hateful eyes were not on her, but instead scanning around the upper level.

"Good work. Not a one of you hurt." The female gryphon scowled as Merlia scampered to the rifle blasted door. "Don't tell me you don't have a plan."

"Course I have a plan." She lied, tightening her hand on her bow. It just had more improvisation than she was willing to admit. Least of all to their angry bunch of feathers they'd acquired.

"Wonderful. Perhaps you're as skilled as the blue one said. Couldn't stop his chattering beak for a moment. Merlia this and Merlia that. It was starting to get quite bothersome." She flashed the blue gryphon a hardened look, the air between them practically filled with flames. It passed and she hurried along, "Its. Athenais, dwarf. That way you know the one who'll kill you."

"And don't think I won't go down fighting." Merlia introduced herself with a tiny bow. "Annoyin bunch of dwarves my clan be."

The pair froze in the doorwar, not one of them wanting to be first. The air brimmed with tension as each gestured to the frame, trying to get the other to lead the way.

"Well go on then pint sized. I'm not turning my back on you for a moment."

"Fine by me, but so ya know. I do my stabbing in the front." Merlia slinked through the door, "I murder folks to dere face thank ya very much. Surprised yer even makin such a claim, what's da matter? Don't trust me? Or that me friends might stop me?"

"Seemed a bit preoccupied." Athenais eyed the pair fumbling up the stairs. "Funny how that sort of things slows you down." She brandished her talons like blades. "Though you needn't worry about me either. I like seeing their eyes go when they're dead."

"Oh, so ya do share somethin with me. Do you also worship Thor?" She chuckled, only stoking the fire behind Athenais' eyes. "Lighten up will ya?"

"You're as bad as the blue gryphon. No wonder he pines for you."

Her heart skipped a beat. She knew that of course, but it made her feel fuzzy all the same. "Dats the effect I got on gryphons at work. Perhaps even you will like me by the time we part. But do tell me. What did he say? Sing a sonnet? Write some poetry? Speak on length about me luxurious hair or sexy body? "

"Definitely all of the above." The blue gryphon winked, "Even now, getting a good look at that backside." His crown feathers slowly rose as he whispered something into Voidwing's ear that splayed the black gryphon's ears.

"Tell me about it later." She wiggled her butt in a teasing display. Her heart swooned as he followed along, having to be bat over the head by Voidwing's talon.

"Focus! You're quite heavy!"

"Can you not be flirting during our escape?" Athenais growled, staring daggers at the lot of them." Is that _possibly_too much to ask? You're acting like a bunch of horny teenagers."

"Yet I think humpin be the plan lass." She shot back, "But it be our rescue. Follow our rules. We say flirtin and humpin, then that what it be. Ain't that right?" She playfully smacked Krotos' rump, earning herself a chirping chuckle. "Now get along."

Groaning to the gods above Athenais took point, silently dragging her way through the hallway.

They emerged into the sandy arena, a deathly silence lingering through the blood-soaked ground. The stars above were the only light, filtering in with their shimmering auras as if guiding them to freedom. In all the weeks since their chase, they'd never looked so beautiful as they did now. Merlia stopped to stare, her hand gently caressing through Krotos' warm fur. She took a drag of the air, getting a metallic tang, mixed with the lovely musk of gryphon. With a pat she'd padded her way to the center, trained eyes traveling over every inch around. It would be the perfect place for an ambush. Hell, she'd put one here if it were her.

"Wonderful." Athenais strut a few paces out the gates, testing her wings with a few flaps. Her muscles twitched as her hinds stretched, drawing thin lines through the sand. Starlight winked malevolently in her feline eyes. With a lash of her tail she pounced, talons poised to rip Merlia asunder. If not for the chain she wore under her dwarven runed leather, she'd have been sliced to ribbons. Even still she was sent crashing to the ground, pain shooting through her chest. She had just enough sense to roll away, gritting her teeth in the while.

"Not even a few seconds out of da place?" Merlia grunted, dodging the fiery gryphon's beak. Though reflexes she'd trained since her youth guided her movements, it didn't stop the near racing of her heart. One wrong move and that sharpened thing could tear off her face, rip out her throat. Presently though it was just showering her in soiled dirt.

Voidwing came dashing across the sands, "We're doing this now?"

"I know! I told her dat!"

Athenais' beak snipped right through braided hair, cutting it right in half. Talons sought to tear a crimson river across bare flesh, only for a black furred savior to finally slam the female to the ground. Together they fell, a jumbled mess of beak, talon and feathers. Tossing and turning as Athenais cursed his name.

"That one almost got me." Merlia groaned, patting her chest. Felt like she'd broken something. "Damned gryphon closed the distance faster than I thought." She weakly chuckled, scurrying over to her discarded bow. Twirling it over in her hand she admired how easily Voidwing was gaining the upper hand in his feathery squabble. Must have been all those times practicing for his queen. "Too bad I got the queen's guard with me. Unlike you, he doesn't have the aim of a drunken cat."

"I said stop!" Voidwing roared, flaring his wings as he grabbed Athenais skull and slammed her to the sand. Dirt scattered with the impact, lightly dusting the pair. Sharpened talons squeezed, drawing droplets of blood to mar her brown feathers. "Unless you care to die?"

She squirmed, trying to free herself and only getting more cuts for her trouble. The onyx gryphon had her pinned despite his size. She roared in defiance, tail weakly lashing across the sands. Unwilling to cease her vengeful crusade.

"I tink da be serious now. I'd think it over." Merlia padded over, knocking her bow. "Didn't we just do this a few minutes ago? Yer bein almost comical on yer timing birdie."

"Merlia?" Krotos hesitantly chirped behind them. "Hate to be the killer of the mood, but we seem to have an audience." He gestured up with a wing, to seven darkened shapes that stood among the arena's stands.

Emerging from the pillars of stone was a white scaled lizard folk, her arms tightly woven around her leather clad vest, bright red feathers lining the neck. Amulets dangled from her neck, inlaid with gems that glowed with the intensity of a blacksmith's forge. Red, reptilian eyes glared hungrily down at them as a cool breeze fluttered her void like cape. "Do go on. Don't mind us. We're rather enjoying the show." She laughed, gesturing to the others.

Stern expressions were painted across their brows. The light winked off the metal sections of their gear, revealing cruel looking blades. Their pale flesh was pristine, hiding the blackened hearts beating in their chests. Eyes like opals rested in widened sockets, the same hunger from the jailblock swirling around within. With nails like sharpened talons these mockery of humankind twitched and shifted, waiting for their master to give her command.

"Well don't be so tight lipped. Tell the dwarf how you enjoy it!" The lizard hissed mockingly, "Nothing like a rousing sight of gryphons squabbling across the sands. For a moment I thought they were to mate. While unexpected not unwelcome. Things around here have become so droll."

"Like the addition of the blood though." A man chimed in from behind, caressing his pencil thin goatee. He sensually licked his lips, staring squarely at Athenais' beak like a rapid wolf. "Really gets the...heart pumping. Are you trying to put on a show for us sweetheart? Cause its working."

"Piss off!" Athenais pulled herself to all fours, inching back towards her former foes. "Come on down and see how much blood we can spill."

"Oooooo. What a feisty one. Is it alright if I call dibs?"

"Just don't kill her." The lizard cooed, "Dragon has plans for that one. Maybe even kept as a pet."

"Probably going to rut her good."

"But don't you worry Victor. Look at the others? You can still have your fun." She flicked a finger to each of them. "Oh dwarf, what befell my child inside the cellblock? Can't fathom why he let you lot go."

"Child? Did ya mean da man with da black eyes?" Merlia spun an arrow through her fingers, figuring the right arrow to loose. Explosive always seemed to do the trick, wouldn't necessarily kill a team of vampires, but maybe enough of a distraction to get away. "Because I have a confession ta make. He an I didn't see quite eye to eye. Poor lad turned to dust before we could really get goin. Is that how ya vmapires are? All talk and when ya get a girl where ya want them, ya just blow your ash everywhere?" She smirked, loving how her laughter set a few of them to grit their teeth. She backed up a few paces, making sure she stood beside the battered fur of her companions.

"You killed herald?" The man sputtered in disbelief turning to the others. "The fattish cow said she killed herald!" Chattering between the vampires continued until the lizard silenced them with a bellowing laugh.

"Good show dwarf! If that is true than you might prove worthy of my kiss. Think you can do that dwarf? Put on a good show and I might not do away with you."

"That so?" Merlia chuckled, "Let me offer my rebuttal!" She loosed an explosive arrow among them, consuming the leathered up blood suckers with glorious flames. While the debris and smoke of burned flesh surrounded their foes in a shroud the dwarf was clambering up Voidwing's back. She whispered her coming spell with trembling hands, increasing the bird's strength tenfold. Hopefully it would be enough to carry them all to safety.

Their hosts didn't seem to like the idea, emerging from the waning smoke and gliding towards them like a flock of vicious hawks. "Are you trying to win my heart little dwarf?" The vampire lizard cooed, her leathers clearly singed. "Such fire! What a challenge, breaking you will be so sweet!" With but a hissed command, a dull thunk resounded through the colosseum. The opening that once brought their freedom sealed with a glowing net. It shook into place, humming with magical power, begging them to taste it's resolve.

Even from this distance Merlia grimaced, the gryphons wingspan would prove too large. They were trapped.

"Oh no. Did we stop your heroic escape?" The siigonis malevolently smirked, twirling a finger through the air as her followers fanned out around them. "Trapped like a fly in a spider's web. Truly I clap for your attempted effort."

"Found it." Voidwing whispered, gesturing to a stone block among the stands, with a lever being held by vampiric hands.

She could hug him later. She nodded as they formed a protective ring around Krotos, the gryphon's wings spreading wide. "Not very fond of spiders meself. Rather just burn them to bits." In a flash she'd loaded another pair of arrows, loosing them as the gathered vampires launched themselves towards them at horrific speed.

Serrated blades with stained blood were drawn, hardly a single foot of theirs touching the ground. One was knocked back by a magical arrow, surprise still on their thin face. Voidwing pushed one to the dirt with a screech, dragging his talons sharply through the undead creature's face. With a flash of his wings he pounced towards the stands, letting Athenais take his place.

Angry talons swatted undead flesh, wicked blades tasted gryphon blood. The air around them filled with angry gryphon screeches, vampiric hisses, and dwarven curses aplenty.

Merlia could do little but duck and weave, trying to gain some ground to loose her arrows. Where was Arcturus and the others when you needed them? To keep the enemy atleast an arm's length away. Despite the thin successes she achieved, another Vampire would descend upon her without fail. Her bow was soon sent tumbling from her hands, her quiver sliced free off her back. She had only enough time to block a blade with her axe.

"Oh sweety. Your neck looks ever so delightful." The siigonis pushed the dwarf through the dirt, her strength on clear display. "Mind if I have a taste? Never sampled the earthen people. It looks so esquisite."

"Sorry lass. But yer friends keep trying to give me a shave." She roared as another vampire surged in from her left, counting his gryphons before they hatched. She ducked his swing and slammed the head of her axe to his chest. "Should have gotten a real sword!" She brought the blade crashing atop his head. "Ask your daddy for a real weapon next time." As the vampire gasped, she pulled free another stake from her pouches, putting an end to this with a sickening pop.

"There. Enough of a show for ya?" Merlia panted, wiping herself of the new dusting of ash. She took a defensive stance to Krotos. Thankfully for him the vampires seemed content to hunt and taunt their more lively prey. Even Voidwing had a pair of them to contend with as he slammed and screeched his way through the stands. Blood drenched his talons, arms were ripped free. If only they weren't vampires, he'd be a dervish of death.

The siigonis simply smiled, her slitted eyes gleaming in the night. "You're just utterly perfect. What's your name? I almost want to keep you." She dashed over the sands, avoiding Merlia's swing. Her claw grasping the ranger by the throat with unholy strength. "We're..."She hissed in delight, "Going to have so much fun getting to know each other. Hope you love scales."

She squirmed in the vice like grip, hands fumbling for another of her stakes. But her captor had seen this coming, ripping her belt right off her. "Oh that's how it's going to be." She choked, her lungs burning. Yet she managed to stare daggers into those crimson slits.

Krotos screeched behind her, no doubt trying to leap to save her. He found himself pounced upon by at least three of the vampires, his strength fading the moment their wretched palms touched his feathery hide. In the span of three steps and a flicker of his wings, the proud creature collapsed to ground, his beak in the dirt.

"I got it!" Voidwing bellowed his success, following another heavy thunk. Yet it came too late, as Athenais' cry joined Krotos' defeated cry. The deadly female collapsed to her side, a final sigh passing through her beak.

As the blackness edged at Merlia's vision, she made sure to growl her next coming threat. Thor didn't raise her to be kind to undead. Nor to go out with a whimper. "You'd best kill me lass. Cause if ya don't...You're in fer a world o hurt."

The vampire tossed her to the ground, her pearly fangs on clear display. Yet her grip didn't relent as all her weight was set upon Merlia's chest. "Just drift away. Let it go. Relax little dwarf, you're going to be here for awhile." Her white tail swayed in amusement, as her tongue graced Merlia's cheek. "What secrets you hold. The talks we'll share." She sighed, "The nights of passion."

"Merlia!" Voidwing called out as darkness threatened to take her. The onyx gryphon was to her side, flailing in vain as the minions of this lizard swooped upon him. His talons might have been sharp, his aim true, but he couldn't hold off their nefarious powers. His fur rippled with their darkened power, and what strength he had was sapped. One last mark against her hope the brave gryphon flopped down beside her, a loyal protector to the end.

What strength she had, swelled fire to her eyes. "Imma kill ya lass."

"I hope so."

Darkness consumed her like a pack of wolves, and Merlia faded from the waking world.

****

Hope everyone has been waiting for a return to this. Have bunch of stuff written down for what is to come. Dont forget to fav if you read it, vote if you liked it, and comment if you're feeling awesome!