Home Is Where The Heart Is...

[xxdestinyfearxx]

It had been a long night... Ashram seemed so distant at first, but showed his true colors as he told the other female to go away. She never knew why she came to secound guess him and his loyalty to her, maybe it was the threat that another woman tried to take her place. But noone could replace herself, she knew that, it was just unfortunate that Tempest didn't know.

As the rain pelted down upon them , she stayed in Ash's embrace, her eyes of jade slinking towards the direction in which the dark alignment girl disappeared towards. She fuigered that she was near...no, she knew that Tempest was near. Her darkened aura gave her position away easily.

Pulling her gaze back to Ash, she smiled brightly, her hands spaying over his chest. "Nae saian luume', Melamin." She fell silent for a few moments, her coming to lean her head against his chest, wet tresses sticking to her face and shoulders. "What have you been doing to keep yourself busy sense I have been gone?" She fuigered he wasn't goign to mention the darkness she felt growing deep inside him, but it didn't bother her much, for her gifts could sense it. She didn't know what it was or where it came from, but all she knew was that it grew stronger and it was dark...but she would do all in her power to try and stop it. She would be the light to cover him to protect him...

[Lord Ashram]

The darkness that was ever present lept at them both when she asked him what had kept him busy while she was away. Instead of waiting for the darkness to take him like it had beendoing, he invited it. He took a step back releasing her for the time being. The darkness would pull him into the shadow realms and he brought her along for the ride. Though she was a paladin, he had the power to draw her into the shadow realms with him. Everything had become pitch black around them, he could still see her and she could see him. His intense gray eyes never blinked as he watched her, the last thing he needed was to lose her where they were going. Slowly red started to take place of the black until they stood in lands shouded in the red fog. Off to his left about 800 feet away were castle ruins that had thick dark gray clouds hanging over it. The land had no vegitation and no hills or mountains in sight. The ground was wet and there were many footprints in the mud going in all directions yet there wasn't anyone in sight. Floating in the cool breeze was this voice one may mistake as their consience, the thing was Ash was the only one that could hear it. It was this voice that constantly brought him to the verge of insanity at times.

Once the short transition was completed he slowly moved his gaze. He hadn't been to this place before so he didn't know what to expect yet. "This isn't the best example.. But somewhere here you may see what has been keeping me busy." As he spoke spheres of all sizes and colors appeared in the air over the land. As Ash's gaze moved to each one it would vanish. That voice had become a bit louder and at the same time less understandable to him.

When Ash looked at the last sphere in the area everything vanished and became dark. Ash quickly grabbed her arm still unaware of what may happen, moments later they were standing on top of a tower. The red fog again was in this place and from the looks of it they were in the same place... just now they stood on the tower that stood over the ruins of the castle. The voice was starting to dig deeper into his mind somehow and he was finding it hard push it aside. "Wait here.." He released her arm and moved to the edge and peered down. Just as the voice had hinted there stood a single demon. Its body was engulfed in flames and its strange green eyes looked right back at him.. looking into what was left of his soul. Somehow the demon's voice now rang in his head and Ash spoke aloud, "How dare you mock me..." Ash gave a slight growl reaching for his sword and prepared to leap. It never failed that when he came into this place his better judgement vanished and everything he did was on impulse.

[xxdestinyfearxx]

She didn't expect herself to be pulled from the raining plains of which Goldenmyst made home, but Ash always seemed full of surprises. Once he stepped from her and the ground and all about her started to be engulfed by darkness, she stepped towards him a moment. In her small step, Seragato Took form, sending the Armor of the Gods cascading over her form. She didn't even flinc in her own transformation, only stopped her movement once she saw red come around them.

Jade hues danced over the fog, while fingertips carressed the color of blood. Where was she? Of course her mind nor her guardian could answer it. It was when she was about to look at Ashram, did the spheres appeared and simply disappeared.

To her this place seemed like the labriyth of the minotaur with all its tricks and constant changing, but this was no maze, but infact a mud covered land....no, this couldn't be Marmo.... She would never imagine that war ridden place to end up like this. But of course she didn't have time to ask. At the moment her lips parted, Ashram had grabbed her arm, and to another place they went.

Once her feet planted on the ground, and he released her, her eyes held large amounts of confusion. THis ever changing place would make anyone that didn't have a strong will and mind go completely insane. Once her beloved left her, with a command, dark brows rose in wonder. So this is what he had been doing? Playing in red fog and... Her thoughts were interrupted quite easily as Ash's growl and words tickled across her eardrums. Oh no he wasn't! Coming to his side, never actualy listening to commands, her hands reached out, fingers lacing over his upper arm, trying to pull his arm back, hopefully bringing him to follow.

But once when he didn't budge, she took a quick glance down at the demon. How had he known that it was there and why was it there? She really didn't have an answer for that, but she knew she wasn't going to let Ash leap down the side of a Tower, he was human! He couldn't fly, he didn't have anything but his inner strength and his skills. "Ashram, it can't get up here... Just let it go..."

[Lord Ashram]

He chuckled at her words and looked to her. "It can't get up here? It can if it must." Again a somewhat serious look appeared on his face. She had succeeded from keeping him from jumping, but he had done similar things before in this place and ended up fine. For the time being the voice that he couldn't get rid of was silenced. Indeed this place could change very suddenly and often and it could also remain the same for long periods of time.

That demon that was at the base of the tower was one of the few trials that made Ash jump straight into relying on instincts and anger every time he ended up in the realms. This time it had failed and things started to come back to him about these realms but the most important thing about the place he still couldn't figure out. With the knowledge regained that he had lost he again had some control within the shadows realms like he used to.

He smiled and put a finger over her lips telling her to keep quiet.. at least for now. Ash moved to the opposite edge of the tower. He knew she must be rather confused and lost and with good reason. No one ever knew what was really going through Ash's mind at any given moment. Plus the shadow realms were a place a paladin would know nothing about, especially these ones that Ash walked.

As Ash stood there he looked down to see that the demon now stood there stareing up at him.. He hated seeing those strange green eyes watching him. Ash again became angry but stayed in control of himself. A single powerful bolt shot out of the thick gray clouds that floated over head and struck the tower causing it to start to crumble and fall. Just as the chaos started Ash had vanished from sight.

The scenery once again changed for his wife and she would find herself near a shimmering clear lake that was surrounded by massive mountains. Over head was an orange sun and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was a rather nice place considering they were in the shadow realms. The ground stook as large pieces of the unseen tower were hitting the ground crushing the demon. Once everything was nearly calm, a small portal opened over the lake and Ash spilled out of it into the water along with part of the tower wall. Moments later he could be spotted floating in the water thirty feet out... but that wouldn't make any sense because he did wear heavy armor. Without much effort he moved towards his wife until he reached a spot where he could stand and the water was only up to his chest. It was then he motioned for her to come, the sun vanished and was replaced with two full moons.

[xxdestinyfearxx]

To Ash's sudden laughter, she smiled. Oh how she did miss that smile of his, it seemed like an enternity without it. It was as if her surroundings had narrowed onto just him that one moment, but it didn't last long. His comment afterwards put her back into the sudeen reality...the tower. She was about to comment back till his finger came across her lips. Smiling against that digit of flesh, as gave a slight nod as he walked to the other side. She had stayed where she was, her feet planted firmly onto the ground.

It wasn't till the bolt hit the tower floor did she end up moving from that spot. Her feet danced across crumbling stone, her hand reached out for Ash, only to see his form vanish from her eyes. Was she going to die here? She thought it could be possible, but with the close of those wild green eyes and the reopening of them, did she find herself on her knees upon the bank near a crystal lake.

That was when confusion really set in. She saw herself alone...alone in this world, and she didn't have a clue where Ashram was. Hands planted into the soggy bank dirt, her pushing herself up, only to notice that Seragato was no longer there, and she was back into that white dress. She took a few looks about, the sunset's glow warming her flesh. Was she back in Goldenmyst's lands? Her question soon had an answer as Ash came spilling from thin air, a splash caused by him and that tower wall.

Slippered feet ran towards the water, her stopping at its edge, just as he began to float. Dark brows rose at the sight, her soon taking the time to look around once more. Nope not Goldenmyst.... Jade hues came around to settle on Ashram,, them trialing down his body to that outstretched hand that beckoned her into the water.

There was a slight hesitation from her. This place was so weird. Nothing she had ever encountered before....sunset was replaced with moonlight in mere instants, but she wouldn't get seperated again! INto the water she went, it engulfing her form, and she would have to make it take those skirts that bellowed on the waters top. And once she reached Ashram, her short self would be treading water, but that was alright.

A smile cascaded over full lips, while hands reached out to him. This place obviously wasn't that bad; there were lakes, and moons, and even romantic sunsets. Some places were not dark filled here... or so she thought.

[Lord Ashram]

This place was only as bad as Ash made it.. It was somewhat like being in Ash's constantly changing mind while in this place. Any other time these realms were very dark and in chaos, but with his wife being there it changed Ash's perspective on the world and therefore made it much more peaceful than what it was supposed to be. He used to know he had some power within the realms until a while back. That is when the demon started to work more against him and blocked some valuable knowledge about the realms in his mind. The demon also kept sending things at him every time he got pulled into the realms to make sure Ash never had any time to dwell in his thoughts long enough figure out what was going on. It could be easily said Ash had been playing games with himself without realizing it. Even now with more of a grasp on the realms, he still wasn't seeing the whole picture of what was going on. But with his attention on his wife, no thoughts of what was going on crossed his mind.

Seeing his wife heading towards him he smiled and moved towards her closing the gap. When she reached out for him, he took her hands in his and pulled her into his embrace and kissed her soflty. "No one can bother us here." He smirked despite the demon being out there, this specific realm was his sanctuary. When he said no one he meant it while in this place. His normally dull gray eyes shimmered in the moonlight that reflected off the warm lake water. "I still can't believe I am really holding you... It has been so long." He kissed her again, this time more affectionately. Ash was still the same, it took this kind of alone time with no one around for him to open up as he did.

[xxdestinyfearxx]

The kiss was returned, it rebinding there souls together. To her, he was he heaven... heaven on earth. Even despite his ackward ways and battle friendly personality, she would stand at his side as friend, lover and wife.

Her fingers laced with his, her warmed and wet body pressed hard against his armor. If only he could rid of it and be but in the cloth wear beneath it....if not in the skin in which he was born. As her thoughts skimmed over her mind she giggled against his lips having to break it in her laughter. It was rare for her to have such thoughts, and this was no exception.

Even after their lips parted, she stayed ever so close to him. Her form was content, her feeling the safety of his arms, the warmth of his body, and the love that wrapped its silent, transparent bind around them. "This is no dream... I swear to you it is not. It is reality and I will try not to leave again. All that is within my power, I shall stay by your side. Relive my vows. Through sickness and health and death do us part." Those lushious lips curled into a gentle smile, a slender right hand excaping his only to rise, wet digits skimming down his jaw. She was his, and only his; as he was hers. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

She waited a moment for his respondance, her jade hues reflecting his face, with the pair of moons behind him. He was her perfection, and how she loved it. She peeked to the side, her spying the beauty around her. "Is this your mind? The beauty and darkness intertwined in this world?"

[Lord Ashram]

He arched a brow while wearing a smirk as giggling was replced by laughter. Though he wondered what crossed her mind he didn't ask, if it was something she wanted him to know she would tell him. Just as coincidence his armor dissolved in the water leaving him in the black cotton clothing that was worn under his armor. He knew while in his sanctuary his armor wouldn't be needed.

As she went on to tell him she would do all that was within her power to stay with him, a hand was brought up lightly brushing the side of her face until he ran his fingers through her hair. His other hand moved to rest at her waist. He just kept quite taking in the view that was before him. It was times like these he was reminded how lucky he was to have her as his wife. He had waited until she moved her fingers along his jaw and the bit of silence between them before speaking. "It was a suprise to see you. I really thought I had been dreaming but I should have known better. If there is ever a reason for you to leave... I'll have to keep that from happening. Never will anyone o task take you from me again." He grinned and kissed her on the forehead. She didn't have to tell him that she loved him. He knew and had no doubts about it.

After her question he took a moment to look around and take in the sights. "It isn't quite my mind but I did have a doing in it all. Right now things are the way they are because of your presense, you always helped me see through the darkness I am shrouded by." His eyes once again focused on her and smiled. "You are lucky to be able to see such sights in this place. I had never seen such until now." He leaned in whispering in her ear, "Never will my love for you ever cease." He lightly nudged the side of her neck with his nose before softly kissing her neck.

[xxdestinyfearxx]

He had made her day, he would fight to make it so she never left his side, and he told her he would never stop loving her. It was a high to her everyday world. The words that echoed in her mind, the gentliness in that dark knights voice, the protectiveness of his embrace, and the magic laced in his kiss were the elysium of her dreams. He was hers, forever and always; something she would go to the edge of the world to fight for....

Her thoughts sang to her, his kisses swooning her but at the mention of his world his voice brought her back to him. The perfection of their santuary, never did she see the red fog, or demons... all she saw was Ashram, and the peace she brought to his world.

Kissable lips curled softly, lashes lowering till the kissed the dampiness of her cheekbones. As his kiss skimmed the perfection of her flesh, she felt her temperature rise. Her hands spayed against his breastplate, only to have it dissolve under her touch, it was as if this place wasn't of his making but her own, reacting to her very thoughts? Or was it because their souls were intertwined did her wish of his armor to disappear happen? She had no answer, but it wasn't the time to question such things.

Slowly, she pulled herself against him, her gaze closing against the word, allowing senses of touch to intensify. She felt the water, hear the shifting of liquid as they hit their bodies...

Forever it seemed, her coming to tilt her face up to him, her lips brushing his jawline and chin. "There is no way we could stay here forever, is there? Just the two of us, away from Rhy'din. Allowing us to create our own world."

[Lord Ashram]

Shakes his head slightly at her words looking into her eyes. Despite that responce possibly being disappointing to her he still wore a smile. "Not here, this place can only stay this way for so long. There are other places we can go and live happily. Once I have completed the promise I had made to an old friend I will take you there." Slowly the moons began to slip away into the black sky. Again the place was changing on its own. Taking his wife up in his arms he started towards the shore where a small glowing fire awaited them on the sandy beach. Even with the changes he knew nothing was to happen here.

He would stop by the fire and set her down. After being by the fire a moment they both were dry. Slowly he sat down on the beach and looked up at her with calm eyes and a smile. His thoughts drifted a bit, the happenings in the realms passing through his mind. That demon was still out there searching. The demon would find nothing no matter how hard it looked. Again he cast aside the thoughts and focused back on his wife. He then realized he would need to get her out of these realms soon, something wasn't feeling right. He would press his luck and keep her here and enjoy this time alone with her.