Peering across the twisted haven of his, a tender hand perched out to the dark feather birds. His mind was content as was his body... but it usually was. Not much could ruffle his underbelly as everything was planned out and would not fail. Rubbing the little black feathers of the tiny eriil bird, Dragli enjoyed the little coos peeping out the white beak.

‘All is playing out very nicely.’ Dragli wrapped a hand around the frame of the new pet as it still beckoned for him, to scratch under its feathery neck. Keeping his white eyes on the animal, Dragli turned his protruding ears backwards.

Quick shuffling feet were beginning their way into his peace and quiet. ‘Seems I have some unexpected company; my little friend.’ Dragli thought slowly as his movements were a steady tail of fluttering turns. Sometimes it even amazed him-self, that he could retain such a sweet and calm composer... but the easiest way to gain trust of simple manipulated morons. The sweet nature he held so calmly in his face was the way... not through an iron fist.

“My lord...” Dragli held the bird still as he looked upon his large Jukin commander. “There have been some trouble spots showing.”

Dragli cocked his head some to the left. “Commander, please be as kind to explain what type of trouble has begun?” Dragli press softly. Rising off his knee, the commander stared coldly towards him as he wrapped his hands behind his back.

“Looks like we have some idiotic ‘heroes’ presenting themselves... they even managed to wound one of your mutant seplini beasts.” The commander shifted his eyes around the haven. “So far it looks like a female and two males—” his eyes closed. “— even one of your mind control captives.”

Dragli smirked towards the animal as he squashed the bird in his hand, just letting the slick red blood bleed through his white fingers. “Just a minor detail, Commander Jakarta... they will soon loose there way in the forest and will run into the beast again.” Dragli chuckled some. “Then they will be out of the way.” Dragli dropped the body upon the ground, just dragging his hand up to his mouth. Sliding his index finger across his tongue, Dragli savored the blood taste as Commander Jakarta stood waiting.

Keeping his hand by his mouth, Dragli fluttered his wings some, “But send a falic out to watch them... they could provide some entertainment for us.”

A vast grin spread across Jakarta face as he seemed to like the idea. “My lord, you are cunning... I shall tell the woman to let loose a falic.”

Before the commander could re-enter into the palace, Dragli sprang upwards towards the overlooking balcony. “Before you leave commander, make sure the bird gets some info about this woman... perhaps I want her to... work here among the others.”

Commander Jakarta grinned, devishly as he bowed before the master. “As you wish, my lord.”

_______

“What do you mean you two were attacked?” Grey snapped towards Crow as he explained about the beast. Sprinting forward a slender finger, Rye jabbed Grey back.

“Don’t get personal with each other now.” Rye held him back as an annoyed eye watched him very carefully. “Okay listen here Grey; Crow helped me with the stupid monster, which means, no touchy! And no killing.”

“Rye...”

“No!” Rye turned some towards Crow as she quickly lost her annoyance. “Anyways, the dark has set on us which means, traveling is out of the question.”

“A little dark never hurt... wait... never mind.” Crow’s mind went wild for a moment as he could faintly remember some destruction with an evil plaguing darkness. Rye peered over him carefully as she was obviously waiting for an explanation. Smiling some, Crow waved it off. “It was nothing.”

Rye shrugged her shoulders. “Alright, now boys do you two think you could be civil and stay here for a couple?” Rye shot a nasty look towards Grey as he shank back some. “We need food and wood, so I’ll tend to that.”

“Rye do you think that’s a wise idea?”

“Grey...” Rye’s finger came up again. “One more time you think of throwing your ideas of ‘it’s not safe out there’ I am going to make you cry for your mommy!” Rye cursed towards him as he found it rather amusing. “Now, sit down and shut up!” Hiding his smirk behind a casual hand, Rye trotted by him as slow curses slipped past her lips.

“Sore-head,” Grey commented as he ignored him.

“What should we do then?” Crow asked calmly as it was painfully obvious that Grey was not easily befriended and of course, he didn’t trust him. But the feeling was mutual... there was something about Grey’s demonic aura that he didn’t trust either.

His eyes peered over his shoulder in a strange blue tainted glow, as he narrowed the sights. “Just watch the area.” Blinking slowly, Crow caught the glint of the massive blade resting on his back. ‘How did I miss that?’ it was about as tall as he was... making him wonder how a weapon that vast could be very useful. The weight and height of it slowed down the speed of driving off enemies.

Crow studied the scenery some as the once healthy trees, were dying out and turning into old gnarled haunted images. Something killed these trees as he was getting the creepy feeling again that he was somehow involved with it.

“Crow...” Grey’s voice spooked him briefly as he turned his sights back to the blue glare of him. “You seem distraught.” He indicated towards the forest. “Do you know why the forest is dying?”

“No...” Crow felt like he was lying, but he wasn’t sure if he cause it or if he had just witnessed it. “Why would I know?”

Grey grinned a little, giving him the slight creeps. “You know something Crow... the way you studied the scenery so carefully and the way you tend to trend so carefully.” Crow swallowed hard. “You may have forgotten your recent past, but something here is bringing it back, isn’t it?”

“Would you get off my back?” Crow growled as he was in no mood for twenty questions. “I know nothing!”

Grey held that awful grin. “Don’t think that I can’t find out what is going through your mind Crow. Actually,” Grey chuckled some as Crow was really beginning to hate the talkative Grey. “You shouldn’t worry about me finding out what you have done.”

“I’m not worried about you Grey.” Crow warned.

“Wise choice Crow, because I am the least of your problems.” Grey’s movements became clear as he was hoping to worry him, into talking about something he had no clue about. “You had better hope you stay on the good side of Rye.”

“It seems easy enough... unless it’s in your case.” Crow shot. “She seems to be annoyed of a cocky demoil.” Crow seen he struck something as Grey narrowed his blue sights. “I may have only been here for the day, but it’s obvious that Rye doesn’t like you thinking you can protect her. You’re just acting like a guard, but I bet, when the going gets tough you are the one hiding while Rye is protecting you.” Grey wasn’t happy to hear the words coming from him as the once blue glare was a burning red now. ‘Uh oh... crap... I’m not a fighter!’ Crow pressed back some. This wasn’t the time for a fight, especially with a pissed off demoil.

“Listen up you little worm, Rye is a hell of a lot stronger than me, but don’t think when the rough times approach I am hiding. Everyone pulls their weight among the temple, and you had better watch who you’re talking too.” Grey snatched him up once again by the scruff of his collar. “I may only look like her side man, but I am far from that. If you know what is good for you Crow, you will learn to tame your tongue and be careful how you speak to a demoil lord.” Grey dropped him as he was just a little confused.

‘What are guardians and even more what is a demoil lord?’