Grey’s ears flickered about as there was a strong smell of fresh blood, hanging closely in the air. It was just enough to draw out some of the shadow demoils, but there was something strange... it seems to have a displeasing scent to it that kept the demoils at bay. Darting his eyes upwards to the slow rise of the sun, the orange glow traveled along the ground at a turtle, as there were small screams as the belly dragging monster crept swiftly to vanish from the light.

Using a swift hand, Grey shuffled the tainted air away from his face... it was beginning to give him a headache, and it wasn’t something he wanted to deal with at the moment. He didn’t want to deal with Rye or Crow either but those two, he had to face. Rye had really pushed a button with him last night... it was still bloody well annoying to hear that the Devil demoils were all evil and here he was, being accused along with them. He hadn’t ever hurt another person, nor would he want to. Sure he was threatening, but when it all came down, Grey was a soft hearted person. Grey peered over his hand as he began his travel back to the camp site.

“Once a hevanoic, innocent and pure...” Grey growled. “And now a demoil, evil and destructive.” Grey muttered low to himself. Shrinking his ears down, Grey clenched his fist closed as he figured he’d just better let this go. There was no real use of being angry with Rye... she didn’t really mean it.

“GREY!” Crow voice came urgent as he was thrashing about in the brush of bushes. “Damnit where are you!”

Snatching up the shoulder of the panic Crow, he looked a little relieved. “What are you so worked up about?” Darting a finger out, the colour drained from his face. “Crow just show me. I am in no mood for a stupid game.”

“This isn’t a game Grey.” Crow warned. “Rye is in serious trouble.” Grey briefly looked up as he nearly jumped out his own skin. The blood... it couldn’t be...

Grey was off in a dart, as the forest was nothing more that a smudge passing by. “Rye you better not be... Why now!” Grey sprang over a couple bushes as he began to curse himself. “If I never left!”

_______

Skidding to a rough halt, Grey had to cover his face from the heavy stench of blood. The mixture of Ryes blood and the monsters was a nauseating combination, and having a sensitive nose wasn’t helping. Crow arrived promptly after as had to cover his own face from the smell.

“Is that the beast that attacked you two before?” Grey asked.

“Yah but I thought the thing died before.”

Grey narrowed a sight as he realized what happened. Rye couldn’t really protect herself if she didn’t have her weapons with her. They were near the fire as she was across the far south side. “That’s a seplini beast... they don’t die so easily Crow.” Grey turned an eye over his shoulder. “Just get her weapons; I have a bad feeling that someone is watching us.” Grey snatched up Rye’s strew body. The blood covered down her torso as there was still, amazingly, a breath in her.

“How does she carry all this?” Grey smirked towards Crow. Lifting her sword, his tongue stuck out as if it was going to help him.

“You’d be surprised. Now come on, I don’t want to stick around any longer.” Grey darted towards the north as he figured the closest village would be Sidri. The lvines were a gentle race and usually helped many others, but he would have to be careful. They weren’t too keen on demoils.

“Crow try to keep up.” Grey called back. “You and I have to work as a team for the time being.” Crow was unusually able to keep up with his rapid pace, but he didn’t dare question it at the moment. It just meant he didn’t have to wait for him. ‘Rye just hold on for a while longer. I don’t want to call on that witch again!’ Grey growled at the thought as he sprang forward to increase his speed.

________

‘Witch! He says!’ she spat at the thought. ‘He knows not what he dares to call a witch.’ Swirling about, Variona cursed his name. “How dare him!” Licking at her ankles, the gentle swipes of the white strapless gown, acknowledged her pacing.

“Why that... that demoil!” Variona strangled her hands together. “I’ll show him... oh yes I’ll show him. No bloody over stuffed demoil leader is going to make fun of this goddess.”

“My queen, you mustn’t get all worked up.” Variona turned too peered murderously over her bare shoulder. Tracing cautious white eyes up to his mistress, the young forest monster, humbly, coward back. “Please forgive me, my queen. I meant nothing by it.”

A slender finger poked out as the graceful strides slowly turned the earth goddess. The skinny young tree sapling curled around her forearms as her knee length hair danced with her movements. Stroking her finger towards her, Variona placed a golden smile across her dark purple lips. “My sweet, dear little Willin, come to your queen.” She coaxed with the luscious little purr escaping through her throat.

Tracing the rough feet across the dirty ground, the moss tickled the soles of his heels. Hunching over some, Willin didn’t dare to cast an eye up to Variona. “Yes, my lady ship?” A hand clenched tight around his left ear as she yanked him from the ground.

“Do not ever tell me to forgive someone like Grey Walker.” With a toss of her hand, Variona turned back to the deep quick silver pool, as she watched the two males, skitter rapidly through the demise forest. Drifting her polished fingers across the surface of the liquid, Variona rang with evil thoughts. ‘My once gentle little Grey, you have come a long way from being the once innocent hevanoic. But now as you hit the age of demoil rebellion, you are going to jeopardize the lives of your beloved Ryden Hunter and the evil little hevanarchon... ever so trusted Destyn Kross.’

Variona dove her hand deep within the silver, ‘I’ll spare Ryden life now, but Grey...’ Variona spurted an awful grin. ‘Yes my Grey, you will suffer for this. No one calls the Goddess of Earth a witch and lives to talk about it!’

“My lady, what do you wish to happen to the Walker man?” Willin questioned softly.

“Let mommy take care of that Willin. I think a good old fashion blood curse would put the boy back in his place.” Variona began her descent into the quick silver, “You’re just as wretched as your father and brother, Grey... I thought you were the only one I wouldn’t have to curse... but you proved me wrong.” Her hot red eyes burned deep within her skull as she watched the boys still. ‘And Destyn, your fate will be decided soon enough, but I’ll let Zokin take care of you... lets see how you stand up to the God of Snow!’