Valin and Ozzie 3

Valin pushes his way through the forest, growling slightly as a branch scratches his face. "Short cut, they said...hn." He steps over a large bramble bush and out onto a clearer path. He offers Ozzie a hand, "Coming?" Despite his ever-intimidating facade he appears very weak. The curse of the forest is having strong affects upon the mage.
Ozzie gives a weak nod, taking his hand and following in silence.
Valin releases Ozzie's hand after helping the younger boy over the bush. He wipes his brow, looking ahead for a moment.
Ozzie looks around, frowning and murmuring to himself. "I don't like this place......"
Valin frowns, "Nor do I...it makes me uneasy to say the least of it.." he starts walking again, the weight of his steps revealing his formerly hidden tire.
Ozzie gives a slight nod, following the other mage, every few moments turning to look over his shoulder.
Valin walks in silence for a long time, the shades doing little to ease the heat cast from over head.
Ozzie shudders as a chill passes through him. He yelps, barely catching himself as he stumbles.
Valin turns, catching Ozzie firmly by the shoulders. "What's the matter...?" his voice is low and his dark eyes observe the forest around them cautiously.
Ozzie swallows, quickly shaking his head and straightening himself. "Just nervous..."
Valin turns, sensing a strong energy within the cover of the green. He narrows his eyes, "There's something here...Do you feel its energy..." He shakes his head quickly, "Stand back." He chants a quiet spell, lifting his hand slightly, expecting fire to form there. Nothing. His eyes widen.
Ozzie takes a step back, starting as he notices the spell has failed. "...w-what.....?" He looks about quickly, his eyes darting back and forth.
Valin clenches his fists, standing between Ozzie and the energy he senses. "My magic...my magic doesn't work!"
Ozzie quickly shakes his head. "But...how??" He quickly murmurs a simple spell under his breath to test. That, too, results in nothing. He swallows. "...w-we're dead...we can't use magic....."
Valin growls, "Hush. Now."
Ozzie immediately silences himself, not a noise audible from him. He doesn't even move.
Valin watches the trees surrounding them, turning abruptly as a movement causes a noise among the treetops. He throws Ozzie to the dirt, "Get down you idiot!"
A blur rips out from the trees. Within an instant the creature is again hiding among the trees, leaving Valin knocked back into the dirt, blood running from the corner of his mouth.
Ozzie falls to the ground, his eyes wide."V-valin...." He watches the other mage, shuddering slightly.
Valin growls, pulling himself up from the dirt. "Stay down..." he hisses to Ozzie. His elegance has left him. The refinement of his features vanished, leaving along rough, human anger.
Ozzie nods slightly, watching with his eyes still widened.
Valin raises his hands, waiting. His now unkempt locks fall down in his eyes.
Once again, the black blur leaps from the trees. However, Valin steps back, catching part of the creature and falling to his back. He kicks it squarely in its chest, sending it past him and into a tree. The creature is now in clear view. A large, powerful black feline with dark eyes and unnatural, jagged claws and fangs.
Ozzie scoots back a bit, his eyes locked on Valin. '..I would have expected him to throw me in the way and run...'
Valin stands up again. He does not look back at Ozzie, "Get out of here...I'll catch up." The creature rises, growling and hissing, eyes alive with fire.
Ozzie slowly stands. "B-but....."
Valin shakes his head, "NOW!"
Ozzie swallows, giving a meek nod. "H-hai..." he quickly slips into the trees.
The demonic cat pounces at Valin, catching the mage off guard. It knocks him back into the sturdy stump of a tree, digging its claws into his chest.

~*~

Ozzie stands at the edge of the forest, his frame shaking visibly as he paces quickly back and forth. 'Where is he??"
Valin appears from the forest, his once opulent adornments torn and stained with blood. He's shivering, leaning heavily upon a branch ripped free of its tree and covered in crimson.
Ozzie stops, swallowing as he sees Valin. He can only manage to choke out one word..."Valin...."
Valin tries to smile, "I told you I'd....catch up..."
Ozzie shudders, looking down. "That was stupid, you know. I would have expected you just to run off and leave me there, since all I am is just some dumb little toy for you..."
Valin flinches, "..S...Shut up..." He touches his hand to a wound on his chest, the looks down at the blood that smears along his fingertips. He raises the hand to his mouth, carefully liking the fingers clean.
Ozzie looks up, blinking. "...what...are you doing...?"
Valin slumps back against a tree, sitting down in the dirt. "It's my blood...and I can do what I wish with it...."
Ozzie watching him silently for a long while. "...it'd be best if you got that wound dressed...."
Valin smiles blankly, "Hmph...It won't be there for long..." He looks at Ozzie after a moment, "Come here."
Ozzie walks forward without hesitation, his eyes locked on Valin, as though he were trying to figure something out.
Valin nods, "Sit."
Ozzie sits down silently.
Valin smiles, taking Ozzie's arm. He presses his lips to his wrist, sinking his teeth in.
Ozzie flinches, though continues to remains completely silent.
Valin raises his head, smiling, licking his lips of blood. "...Delicious..." He licks the blood from Ozzie's arm.
Ozzie shudders slightly, unsure of how to react to that.
Valin releases his arm, "...That's refreshing...thank you."
Ozzie grips his wrist tightly. "H-hai....but...why did you fight it......?"
Valin places a hand under Ozzie's chin, "They were trying to hurt you. I can't allow anyone to do that."
Ozzie gains a slight blush. "...but I don't understand why...you don't really seem to care..." he murmurs.
Valin frowns, "You're mine. And no one can hurt you."
Ozzie smiles ever so slightly, giving a small nod. "H-hai..."
Valin nods, "Do you understand?"
Ozzie nods quietly. "Yes...."
Valin stands slowly, "Now we must return home..."
Ozzie stands as well, watching Valin. "Alright...."

~Owari~

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