Heartless

[akiraa]

(wait, if Akira used a fire other than her white one, couldn't she help Ariana heal? Since Heartless run on the fire in their body? I'm sure Apollo could convince her to help, if it meant getting rid of Ariana.)

Akito huffed and quickly flew off after Solomon. How dare he completely ignore him anyway? He was the same rank as Ariana, he should be listened to. He quickly landed by Solomon and said "It's very rude not to listen when someone is peaking to you!"

[Frostmourne]

((Not unless Akira can generate dark fire.))
Solomon continued to act as if Akito didn't exist. The clanking grew louder and louder and louder as memories came rushing back to him. He watched the sun being choked by the unnatural darkness that clouded the sky, advancing like a storm threatening to break at any moment. He glanced over to Ariana who was talking nonstop to Apollo, looking like she was going to break into tears. A timid blond boy trailed after her uncertainly. She ushered him towards Apollo, who nodded sharply and started walking with the boy in tow. Solomon walked up to Ariana, who was leaning against a marble column with exhaustion. "Can I help you, my lady?" he said quietly. "No, Solomon. Leave with the others." she sighed, kneeling down a scooping up a sandy brown cat from the floor. Most of the castle had been evacuated already, the hallways and rooms strangely still. Solomon shook his head and started to tow Ariana towards the stables. She abruptly dropped Monster and wrapped her arms around Solomon. "Sorry." she muttered before whacking him in the back of the head as hard as she could. The world went black and he woke up later on a roan mare on the edge of the woods.

"Can I leave now?" Ariana snapped. Apollo shook his head and sighed. "You would bleed out if you traveled much." he replied. Ariana looked irritated, but sat back down on the bed.

[akiraa]

(I don't think she has ever tried XD She probably couldn't...)

Akito growled at Solomon still ignoring him. He huffed and quickly flew forward, trying to see from the air what was coming.

--

Akira finally extinguished her white fire that she was playing with in her hand. She sighed then rolled out of the tree, quickly flipping and landing on her feet. She looked back towards the castle, then trudged forward farther into the woods. Maybe she'd go visit her family why she was here.

(I am debating whether to give Akira a sister and make an app for her, or to leave it how it is right now XD)

[Frostmourne]

Rows and rows of orderly soldiers approached and Solomon turned his head slightly to look at them as well. He recognized the royal crest on their shields and realized that this must be what had remained of the army. He also recognized several of the king's elite personal guards. "Akito, we need to leave. Now. Ariana won't exactly be skipping with glee if half anyone attacks her father no matter how much she doesn't care for him." Solomon said sharply, his words coming out edgier than he had intended. He transformed quickly and pawed the ground impatiently.
Ariana twitched restlessly, not content to stay in bed any longer. Ariana started demanding to be let out, but Apollo bore through with her complaints with the patience of a saint. She finally grew quiet but it was more of a brooding silence than one of defeat.

((Short post. Sorry.))

[akiraa]

(MMM... I think I will make a little sis for Akira... tomorrow...)

Akito growled at Solomon then said "Fine, but I swear, if you EVER ignore me again, your dog food!" With that, Akito quickly turned away from the soldiers and flew in the opposite direction full speed.

[Frostmourne]

If I'm dog food, then you will be undoubtedly much worse off once Ariana gets her hands on you. Solomon did not voice the thought, but he started off at full gallop. The army advanced towards them, but the horses couldn't keep up with Solomon's unnatural pace. He slowed once they were a safe distance away and then scanned the skies for Akito. His gaze was drawn towards the woods again. He thought about the Fay he had encountered earlier and only the fact that it was anatomically impossible prevented him from smiling. She was so narrow-minded, but he was quite sure she would have been friendlier if he was a different species. He transformed back to his human form, not noticing the horse and rider moving faster than the others. He was only been walking for about two minutes before he was knocked to the ground. "Solomon? Is that you?" an incredulous voice asked. "Yes, your Majesty." he said quietly. He turned his bloody gaze to King Fidel. The old king seemed to have aged decades since he had last seen him. Instead of stabbing him with the sword he was pointing at his back, he looked worried. "My daughter...is Ariana...?" "She is with Apollo." The king looked briefly hopeful. Solomon shook his head, his blond locks catching the light as he did. "Against her will, but she should be fine." "Don't you dare let anything hurt her." the king said with a strange ferocity. There was an inhuman determination in his eyes. "I have always been loyal to the throne and to Ariana." Solomon said emotionlessly. Fidel lowered his sword and backed away warily.
"I want to go hoooomeee!" Ariana whined, sounding like a five year old. Apollo sighed, not remembering her ever being so childish. If the old Ariana met the new one, she probably would have been embarrassed with how she turned out. Before she had always been so...elegant. Or at least more dignified.

[akiraa]

Akito had landed on a large tree branch a distance away from Solomon and King Fidel, still in his wolf form. He was quite covered by leaves though. He chuckled quietly at the exchange, he then yawned and waited for the old king to actually take his leave. Akito didn't feel like transforming into his human form just to fall out of a tree, he would much prefer just to wait for the king to leave then glide down there.

(XD Well, I got the pictures for Akira's sis drawn and colored (I wanted to make them myself), I just got to get them uploaded then make an app XD)

[Frostmourne]

The king mounted the horse and then rode away quickly, glancing behind him occasionally. Solomon turned to look at Akito. "That was really rather rude of you. Wouldn't you be worried if it were your daughter?" he said with unusual sharpness. He was so restrained most of the time that such a comment was rare coming from him. Without another word, he started to walk back into the woods.
Ariana was quiet for such a long period that Apollo suspected she had fallen asleep. "Can I at least go out? I've never been here before." she asked tremulously. Apollo decided it couldn't hurt as long as he chaperoned her and scooped her up. He didn't want her to overexert herself when she should be resting. He carried her until they were in the palace gardens and then put her down on a marble bench. She immediately tried to get up to examine a plant, but Apollo pushed her back down. He picked up the plant and moved it over to her instead. She ignored it and started trying to get up again. "Ariana..." She paused and then placed one hand on his cheek. Darkness solidified around the other. Surprised by her touch, Apollo reacted too late to completely avoid the dagger that was about to slip between his ribs. There was a long but shallow wound on his shoulder. Ariana had already started to run through the garden, but before long she stumbled and careened into a rose bush. Her wound had started to bleed again. Apollo rose from the bench and went to check on how she was. Thorny vines were starting to form a tight noose around her neck when Apollo approached. They quickly fell away as he picked her up again, his cut stinging a little. "I suppose if you are so determined...I will take you." he sighed. Still carrying her, he started to leave the palace grounds.

[akiraa]

Akito huffed as he glided down and said "I don't really care about that, I was laughing at how he reacted to you. He seemed to think you might kill him at any second." Akito padded after Solomon, transforming into a human as he walked.

(Wow... I'm lazy XD *Hasn't felt like uploading pics*)

[Frostmourne]

"He's right. I would kill him if I could." Solomon said shortly, ducking under the branches of a golden leafed tree. He caught sight of Apollo transforming and leaping into the air with Ariana carefully held in his talons. He immediately shifted and started galloping after them, he he doubted anyone but Ariana could match the pace Apollo normally flew at. Even though Akito and Ariana were techinically the same rank, he had always suspected that Ariana was more adept at flying. Her form was a creature designed to fly and his was more like a land creature given wings. But he would never admit what he thought to anyone. Before long he was lagging behind, but he managed to keep Apollo in view.
Apollo landed in the desert, still holding Ariana as if she were made out of glass. A few Heartless peeked out, curious about the ruckus. One glance at his face was more than enough to scare them away. He smiled grimly, knowing he was the big bad wolf of their stories. He glanced down at the girl in his arms. "Are you alright?" he asked. "It stopped bleeding. I'll live." she said tiredly. "My shoulder is fine. Thanks for asking." he said with a touch of sarcasm. Ariana mumbled something incoherently.

[akiraa]

Akito chuckled, then noticed Apollo and shifted back to wolf form. He growled, then with a quick leap took to the air. Akito flew faster than Solomon, but Apollo still took the lead, which just infuriated Akito, he growled again and was at least able to keep Apollo in his sights and not TO far away.

[Frostmourne]

Solomon stopped just short of crashing into Apollo. "Your majesty." he said quietly. "Solomon! Wonderful. Allow me to escort our dear lady back to her chambers." Apollo replied pleasantly, completely ignoring the dagger that was stopped by a quick flash of light near him. He picked it up and twirled it in his fingers before hurling it back towards its sender. He intentionally missed, the blade burying itself in the sandstone. It was obvious it was taking all of Solomon's considerable restraint not to just snatch Ariana away from him. Solomon only nodded and went to yank the knife out of the stone. "Ariana did something with a striking resemblance to that just a while ago." he commented lightly. "Is that so? I'm not exactly flattered by the comparision." "Both of you. Shut up." Ariana snapped. Apollo and Solomon exchanged knowing smirks. "You'd think you two were related." Ariana grumbled. "Frankly m'dear, we have become comrades through suffering through you." Apollo said in a melodramatic voice. "What happened to all the formality?" Ariana complained. "I'm in a place where everyone wants to kill me and I've injured their lady. Honestly, I think I can afford a few jokes before being torn from limb to limb." "I would never let that happen." Apollo suddenly stopped smiling. "W-what did you say?" Ariana raised an eyebrow, as of questioning his intelligence. Apollo shook his head and gently set her down. He knew he shouldn't have felt so pleased by such a comment. It wasn't as if she had proclaimed her undying love for him or anything. She had said she wouldn't tear him apart. He laughed softly and led her into the cave. It wasn't obvious he was radiant in the bright sunlight, but in the gloom of the caves, it was as if a star had entered.

[akiraa]

Akito was about ready to dive-bomb Apollo from the air, when he heard Ariana's comment on not letting Apollo be torn up. Akito growled angrily and instead landed and shifted back into his human form. He then proceeded to follow Apollo and Ariana into the cave.

[Frostmourne]

The light coming off of Apollo was blinding in the gloom of that caves that had not seen light for all of its existence. "Tone it down a bit Mr.Holy Light." Ariana complained, her voice nearly drowned out by the unhuman shrieks of pain as the light hit unwary eyes. "Sorry. Are you sure you can walk?" Apollo replied. The light dimmed until it was only a soft, faint glow. "I am not a delicate flower." Ariana snapped, stumbling further and further into the maze of tunnels. Apollo ignored her complaints and picked her up once it became clear she was tiring. She gave up struggling and instead just told him where to turn. He pushed aside the marble doors to her room, acting as if the heavy stone weighed no more than a wooden door. Solomon, who had been following silently, paused outside the door. He knew she would throw a fit if she were disturbed. He hoped Akito would get he hint not to follow further. Apollo grimaced a little as he noticed some blood near a shallow indent in the floor. It was no doubt to let the blood drain away. "Unfortunate human?" "No, just a Heartless watching something they shouldn't have been." she said casually, plopping down on the silk covers of an enormous bed. "You did more than just pluck their eyes out this time. Why the monstrous bed anyway? Sleep is more of a luxury to you than a necessity." Ariana refused to respond, some hidden emotion flashing behind her eyes.

[akiraa]

Akito huffed as Ariana and Apollo entered Ariana's room. He leaned on the wall and said "Well this is great. Ariana's back, but Apollo's here as well!"

[Frostmourne]

Solomon didn't seem as worried about what Akito said as he was about the Heartless approaching the door. Usually they would know better than to disturb Ariana, but they had doubtlessly smelled the blood on her. Blood by itself wasn't surprising, but it was her blood they smelt. Furthermore, they never had a visitor that came out alive or one that would go in so cheerfully. A crowd was starting to gather outside the door. One Heartless moved forward and thee the door open.
Ariana could hear the clamor growing outside. "You should leave." Apollo seemed amused by her statement. "You aren't worried about me, are you?" he said with feigned surprise. Ariana's lips twitched, although she couldn't bring herself to smile. She gave Apollo a playful nudge towards the door. The marble doors slammed open a second later. All traces of a smile disappeared from Ariana's face. The Heartless who had opened the door paled slightly. "I-I'm s-so s-s-sorry m-" He never had the chance to finish his sentence. The room was plunged into darkness as the soft glow from the lanterns disappeared. There were a few screams and the sound of ripping flesh before Apollo relit the lanterns with a wave of his hand. Ariana stood near a wall, her skin slick with blood. The remains of the Heartless were all over the room, blue and white dyed scarlet red. She was staring at the ground, not seeming to notice her own blood dripping to the ground as well. It took Apollo a moment to hide his horror behind a more neutral expression. "Get out." Apollo recognized that tone of voice. The Ariana he had managed to coax out for a fraction of a second was gone. The crowd ha disappeared, reminded of why they should stay away. Solomon wasted no time rushing to Ariana's side. He suddenly halted as if realizing something and back off. It was better to let her tend to herself for he moment.

[akiraa]

Akito had also backed away from Ariana's door a bit after the crowd, then a murder of one of the smaller, stupider, heartless. He leaned against the wall, a look of nonchalance on his face. Really, the only thing that bugged him about this situation was the smell of Ariana's blood mixed with the other heartless's blood, and Apollo still being here.

[Frostmourne]

"Let be see the wound." Apollo said gently, still refusing to leave the room. Ariana turned her hollow gaze on Apollo, her eyes focusing on her next target. The room had darkest after to turn dark again, but the shadows dissolved before they came anywhere close to Apollo. A dagger flew towards his head but stopped dead in its path and clattered to the ground. Apollo barely noticed any of the projectiles but continued to head towards the figure leaning against the wall. Ariana transformed, but smaller than usual so she could still fit in the room. She screeched angrily, trying to get her talons on him. Even in his human form, Apollo could still pin down the madly struggling Ariana with one hand while he checked the bandages. He hummed while he changed them, his touch as light as butterfly wings. "You should stay in bed for at least another day. You would have been well much sooner if you hadn't insisted on tear the wound open again, you stubborn girl." he said. He doubted that she heard a word he said over her flailing and shrieking. A talon lashed out in the direction on his eye, but he caught it and pushed it away. He then ushered the black owl towards the bed, ignoring the flapping wings. He manage to get her into the bed, but was having trouble keeping her here without harming her. "You really are a terrible patient." he sighed. Thin golden threads wove from one side of the bed to the other about a dozen times and as muh as Ariana struggled, she couldn't get loose. He tucked the blanket over her and extinguished the torches. "Sweet dreams." He left the room and glanced over to Solomon. "You look surprised." he commented. "I've never seen anyone brush off Ariana like she was an unruly toddler who needed a nap. For that matter, I've never seen anyone hold her off so easily either." Solomon said dryly.

[akiraa]

Akito was just as surprised as Solomon, but that just added to his hate of Apollo. Being able to hold Ariana off so easily... damn this Fae. Akito started growling, even in his human form, his fingers digging into his own skin as he stared at Apollo with much hate.

[Frostmourne]

Apollo glanced at Akito, smiling at the fuming Heartless. "Solomon, sometimes I doubt you are a Heartless. You're nowhere near as aggressive as the rest of them." Apolli chuckled, letting a soft radiance bathe the tunnel. It lit up the way out, but Apollo didn't move an inch. "Well, I don't think they like the idea of someone who can break their ribs by accident while he is trying to be gentle." Solomon said seriously. Apollo rolled his eyes, still smiling. "You're never going to let me forget I hurt her by accident, are you?" he groaned. "I'd hate to see what you would do if you ever had the mind to do something to her on purpose. Stop fooling around." Solomon said, ignoring Apollo's theatrics. "This is the only place I can drop the formality. Let me enjoy it." Apollo replied defensively. "And I would never hurt Ariana on purpose." Solomon merely shook his head and refused to say anything else. Trying to end the lull in conversation, Apollo turned towards Akito again. "You're the same rank as Ariana, aren't you? Why are you so angry?" he asked brightly, the bright path to the exit disappearing and the glow around him strengthening.