A Steady Riegn of Terror

[ryuyogen]

A steady breeze from the east blew through the wet grass of the embankment of the crystal clear creek in the woods of Goldenmyst, the sky looking a dark gray from the wretched clouds blocking the suns radiance from hitting the lovely grounds of the kingdom, and without warning a blaze of red, orange, yellow and blue flames erupted in the stream and in a blink were gone leaving only the remnants of intense heat and the body of a familiar man with raven black hair, and the symbol of a sword stabbing upward through a uppercase C on his dark blue cape, only more familiar with dried blood staining his once shimmering armour breastplate, wet blood seeped from some gashes on his arms and one cut down the side of his cheek. As soon as his eyes openned revealing his icy blue hues, a great familiar power pulsed throughout the kingdom, and slowly the man rose from the creek, stumbling to the embankment and lying down. It had once again been awhile since he had laid his eyes upon what he called home but his final struggle to escape had taken him a little offcourse from the acual castle itself. Anyone who had felt that power pulse into them had seen the image of a familiar man, burst into black flames and evolve into a dragon in seconds.

"I... am home."

[r a i n e]

High in her tower, enjoying some quiet tea and winding down for the night, the Duchess shuddered. She felt it in the core of her soul - she felt the fire.

It was very hard not to feel it. She had bore his children, one of which was sleeping soundly in his room, the other of which he had taken with him to train as the Goddess of Dragons.

Raine felt uneasy. She was unsure what to think of his return, frightened that she had just experienced such a strange sensation, and hopeful that perhaps he had returned with Lai.

Setting down her teacup in it's saucer on the table, she stood from her seat and crossed to the window, gazing out into the forest. She couldn't explain if you asked why she looked in that direction - something inside her just told her to do it.

[ryuyogen]

His breath was haggard as he simply waited. Without warning another burst of flames rose from the water and a woman stood there, her hair blue as she gazed down upon the man on the embankment.

"You're so damn stubborn father." Her voice was like the harps of angels as it rang throughout the air but had a touch of authority to it as she spoke to Ryu.

He simply smiled, most of his wounds already becoming nothing more but mear memories. "Yes, but it needed to be done. Your fighting is par to mine but your tactics... damnit Lai, your to indecisive. Since we're here, we will go to your mother. She is going to have my head for keeping you away this long."

As Raine peered out that window two people would blink into existance outside, a man she could not mistake to be Ryu and a lady, whose face was unmistakable but her blue hair and eyes as blue and beautiful as the ocean itself. They both just peered up at her window, Ryu with that cocky grin and Lai with a serene smile.

"Mom! I'm back."

[r a i n e]

Needless to say, Raine's jaw nearly hit the ground stories below her. When Lai had left, she was six years old...Ryu had aged her, yes, but had he also taught her to love her mother? She was always more content setting fire to her.

Hazen rose from his sleep and joined his mother at the window. In aging Lai, Ryu also aged Hazen, though his was a purely physical change - he was still six in his mind. His excitement was evident on his face as he layed eyes upon his dear twin sister.

Raine was speechless. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, but not a single sound came out. Then, suddenly, she grabbed Hazen's wrist and the two of them began running down flights of stairs.

[MysticTiger]

In the shadows she lurked keeping a watchful eye on the one who always seemed to aggitate her to no end. Why had he come back? He was better off staying away from everyone of the kingdom. Crystal was definately not pleased with his reappearance. Ryu could sense her mood and if he knew what was good for him he would stay far away from her, He could also tell that there was a change in Crystal and then there would be a brief presence of two smaller versions of the great tiger til she made her cubs go back to Lina.

[ryuyogen]

Love and kindness shone from Lai's face as her mother bust out from the doors and she charged her mother and brother grasping both. Raine would notice when Lai wrapped her arms around them they were very muscular and tone, but despite the intimidating muscular body she smelled like iris's.

Now Ryu walked up behind them wrapping his arms around all of them. The hidden tiger would sense something in Ryu as his eyes seemed to look right over at her, a glint of red seeming to run through them as Crystal heard a voice in her head.

~Keep it up... and I will wring the blood from your body and torture your soul in the darkest depths of hell~

It would be odd, normally when his Diablo Form showed itself it would take him over, from looks of it he had finally gained control of it for as fast as it happened they went back to their happy blue glimmer as he held Hazen, Lai and Raine. He wouldn't hold them long before he stepped back.

~If you have a problem with me Crystal, then you better tell me what it is, because I havent done anything to earn your contempt.~

His gaze went to Raine as he smiled. "I told you I would bring her back."

"Mother, it is so good to see you again, and brother..." She flashed a grin so similar to her fathers, "Its good to see you too."

[MysticTiger]

~We will talk another time Ryu right now I must take care of my cubs. Spend time with your children and Raine.~ With that she turned around and headed further into the forest her direction of travel was back to Lina and Magus' castle.

[r a i n e]

There were a lot of things she wanted to say to that man, but our beloved fae found that she was at quite the loss for words.

Raine held her daughter tighter than ever, amazed at the young woman she had become. She was just six years old when she left, and Raine had been completely deprived of the opportunity to raise her eldest daughter.

Hazen, on the otherhand, was absolutely estatic. He clung to his twin sister. "Lai!" His voice was deep, has he had grown into a young man as well - but only physically. He was still six in his mind.

Raine stepped back when Ryu did and looked up at him. Her eyes were...strange. They held a million questions in them, like 'Where have you been?' 'What have you been doing with our daughter?' and, better yet, 'Never take her away from me without telling me again!'. But still, words were lost to her.

[ryuyogen]

That simple mischievious grin would cross his face as he tilted his head slightly, strands of black hair hanging in his gleaming sapphire hues as he leaned forward kissing Raine on the forehead and doing the same to Hazen.

"Lai, spend time with your mother and brother." He would turn to walk away but pause a moment and look to Raine. "You and I shall have a conversation if you wish, so I may answer some of your many questions." And with a chuckle he would walk away.

Lai on the otherhand slammed back into her mother for a hug. Raine practically being squeezed to death by her as daughter held her tightly. After the hug broke, Lai looked over to where Ryu sat, just upon a rock looking to the sky, that simple happy smile upon his face. She looked to Raine and took her hand.

"Mom, you won't believe how much I have learned."

[r a i n e]

"You're right, dearest, I probably won't." Alas! Words from the mouth of the Duchess! She glanced at Ryu over Lai's shoulder only once.

"Can you shift now? Are you still a pyro?" She wasn't sure how much teasing she could get away with. Lai was practically a stranger to her and it hurt. To this day, she still had light scarring on her chest from the time her infant daughter set her hair afire in rage.

Hazen was holding his mother's hand, practically bouncing with glee.