[Moira]

Capturing loped lightly after Kai.

"Kai, where is we going...?" he asked quietly, awaiting a response, when he heard almost-silent footsteps heading away, picked up by his sharpened senses. Capturing turned, eyes narrowing in on Kodai, Kai's human, walking away. He gave Kai a sidelong glance, and scampered silently after her. A predator stalking, not wanting to be discovered.

As soon as he was out of vision-range of Kai, Capturing's mind began to twist and contort the shadows into angry nasties. It was always like this... Before he had met Kai...

Capturing sped up, closer to Kodai now. He felt less afraid, but the shadows in which he crept still shimmered and twisted, convulsed and contorted, so he sprang soundlessly into the air, gliding on silent wings, high above Kodai, no whisper betrayed him, and as she stopped, he circled back and landed, prowling over to a wall. He was concealed by a cloak of darkness, but when she began to sway, Capturing decided secrecy was over.

He shot out, new found muscles rippling, lengthened stride quickening his already lighting-fast speed. This is why cats were Hunters.

Capturing swung up next to Kodai, and she fell onto his side. He staggered, but remained firm, and gently lowered her to the ground. He nuzzled her limp form, and licked her face.

"Kodai is needing to wake up!"

Seeing no response, he glanced up at the tunnel warily. Whatever made her faint... She didn't need to be around any longer.

Gently, he picked her up by the scruff... In this case, the back of her sweatshirt, and began dragging her away.

[Kodai]

"Nnnggh..." Apparently, whatever had caused Kodai to collapse wasn't very potent, for it seemed that no sooner had she fallen that she began to awake again. "Nn... Nyss... Nyssldriel... Sa... Sa'ouna..." Strange words... perhaps it was best to bring her out of this place after all. An odd shape shimmered beside her just then, however, glistening a refreshing white in these dark caves. Longer and longer the shape stretched, and soon it had sprouted pale green hair. Light blue markings raced upon the form, and slowly but surely it grew into what looked to be... some sort of dragon? Where had that come from? It looked down upon the groggy form of Kodai and gave an understanding smile, then breathed lightly upon her. "Eh.... uh... wha...?" Kodai's eyes blinked open. "Ah... it's you!"

Harder he strained against the marble and dust, knowing that he was gaining ground. The grating noise was terrible, but this temporary discomfort was a small price to pay, especially if his action would help the Fallen to rest more easily... After what seemed an eternity, Kai finally managed to shove the husk of Iiylumiel to the foot of his throne, upon which he began to attempt to place the figure. Granted, it was hard enough to fit the long, serpentine body upon a throne designed to fit a humanoid, but the task was made even more difficult due to the weight of the stony armor... But the Hollowheart moved deftly about his work, nudging a part there, lifting here, until finally he paused to eye his work. The massive body was now coiled about the throne, the magnificent head plate staring out from its perch on the seat. Satisfied, Kai bowed low and proceeded to inspect the piles of rubble for a very particular patch of ash... Upon finding it, he called Iiylis to him and bade him help find a way to carry it. The Eyes of Iiylumiel was hesitant at first -- these were the ashes of the one whom had killed his creator, after all -- but after some thought finally suggested that perhaps if Kai transformed into a human again, he could use his clothes as a 'stretcher' of sorts. Nodding in agreement, the dragon once again focused and transformed back into his human form, the clothes once again reappearing on his body. Removing his shirt, Kai carefully and reverently swept the ashes of Nyssldriel onto it and, hugging the bundle close to him, proceeded to follow the path that Capturing had taken. Of course, Kai had not noticed him go, but something told him that this was the proper direction...

It is I... Sa'ouna... the pale dragon nodded to the stunned girl. We... You are back to your proper place now. Sensing footsteps, she lowered herself into a defensive position and waited, watching warily... It was Kai, Iiylis at his heels, carrying the bundle of Nyssldriel's ashes. Upon sighting the white dragon, he paused, gave a short bow, and then took a handful of ashes out of the bundle, sowing them upon the cavern floor as a farmer might sow seeds. This he repeated, walking up and down the tunnel until his shirt was free of ashes.

Iiylumiel... Nyssldriel... you is resting now...

[Moira]

(Not to much I can reply to... XD Well, at least soon!)

Capturing sat on his haunches, staring up at the pale dragon in awe. He licked Kodai's cheek reassuringly, as she still might be groggy. Then, he let her lean on him (if need be) as she spoke to the vague figure.

Watching the now human Kai sow the unidentified ashes along the temple, speaking names who clicked faintly in Capturing's brain. He stretched his jowls in a wide-eyed yawn. It'd been a long day, and the weakening affect of his transformation was catching up... The parasympathetic nervous system took over, and Capturing swayed.

[BaalsBaby]

Mechanoir stood outside the doorway of the Shrine, wings folded against the blistering cold, though he could not feel it for the outer layer of his skin was made of stone. He had felt bad for leaving the protagonists without a way home, for the Shrine was far off in the mountains and it would've been a long, difficult trek to get back to warmer regions on foot. And so he stood, waiting for the ones still left inside. When they so chose to come back out, he would gladly offer up his wings to carry them back home...

[Kodai]

Finally, his journey here had come to a close... He had accomplished what he had come out to Basantha Shrine for. However... a new journey was about to begin for him. One fraught with pain and anguish, self sacrifice and healing. And though he did not know what lay ahead, there was one thing that was certain in his mind: he must triumph. He must defeat the God's plan, at whatever personal cost... for he was willing to give anything of himself for this world. "...Cap, Kodai. The Eyes. It is being time... to be moving on from this place." With that, Kai strode forth from the caverns, leading the others out of the Halls of Purity and back to the main doors. He was slightly surprised to see Mechanoir still standing there, but was grateful, and, after helping Capturing, Kodai, and Iiylis upon the mighty dragon's back, stood silently, gazing back into the Shrine as if offering one final prayer. The form of Sa'ouna rose swiftly into the sky and towards the southern continent, where some force seemed to be calling her... Perhaps their paths would cross again some day. But for now, Kodai was advising Mechanoir that their next stop should be the hospital in order to treat Cap's and Kai's wounds. A final goodbye whispered on a breath... and they were off towards the next leg of their grand adventure.

~END BOOK I~