forum At War // OxO // Closed

Started November 11, 2019 by @ElderGod-Icefire

tune

Eclipse paused when he saw those hands, wishing he still had Nikolas, safe and sound. He took another bite of his sandwhich, then approached them, his bare feet nearly silent on the grassy forest floor.

Ryker was tall and darker than the others, obviously not a native of Kevra. There was a scar on the left side of his cheek. He turned and looked over at Eclipse, and nodded to him, hand still linked with Errol's.

Eclipse acknowledged him with another nod, not bothering to stop chewing, giving Errol another grateful smile as he swallowed, and took another bite, wanting to know what they were planning.

Aron waved him over. "Eclipse. The plan, so far, is you'll stay here for a few days to help look for Nik. If we can't find him, you'll head home, and me, Errol, and Ryker will keep looking, while Lieze heads back to the capital of Kevra. If you choose to send people, it's best if she's…not here."
"I don't know if I could keep myself from killing anybody if I was surrounded by Tesh. Sorry." Lieze replied with a shrug.

Eclipse nodded, swallowing his second bite. "I know this can't help with what my people did to you, but I do want to apologize.." he said softly. "Quite honestly, I wouldn't blame you."
He hummed, "After that, I'm just really hoping everything I know about tracking pays off."

Lieze gave a sharp nod. "Yup. Doesn't help. Sorry. But thanks for the apology." She said. Her mouth twitched in a smirk. "You know what would? Gold."
Aron hit her in the shoulder. "Lieze, be quiet." He sniped, but he was laughing. He shook his head a little, and looked at Eclipse, going serious. "Yeah. Thanks for your help." He said.

Eclipse couldn't help but smile at her attitude. "I can see why Nik likes you lot." he said softly, "And I'm honored you're even allowing me to help… I would've expected more hostility from all of you thanks to the war."

Lieze wrinkled her nose. "If it had been completely up to me…yeah you would have been out on your ass." She replied with a shrug. "But you're Nick's soulmate and our best chance at finding him, plus you seem halfway decent."
Aron rolled his eyes. "What Lieze is trying to say is that we mostly trust you so far because of Nik, though youare earning our trust. Plus, we try not to judge people's backgrounds too much. We all have our dark spots."

Eclipse nodded, "I appreciate the honesty." he said softly, before finishing the last of his sandwhich, and gulping down some water, "But in any case, I should start searching for Nik…" he hummed, setting the canteen down, "No one freak, 'kay?" he said, before shifting into his wolf form and padding for the trees.

Aron blinked. "Did uh…did anyone know he does that?" He asked, watching Eclipse for a long moment.
"Huh. So that's why the healing felt strange." Errol commented with a shrug. "Well, some of you warriors better go with him. Let me know when you need me."
Aron and Ryker headed out after Eclipse, Lieze and Errol remaining behind.

Eclipse padded quickly, letting himself meld into the forest environment. It had been so long since he'd hunted last, and this was the most important hunt of his life.
He lifted his nose to the air, scenting for anything that could lead him back, eventually picking a direction and going, scenting every few meters.

Aron and Ryker followed him quietly, looking around for any clues.

(I won't be on very often this weekend. Am at my grandparents house for Thanksgiving)

(Cool, I may or may not be on, depending on what I'm doing.)
Eclipse eventually paused, scenting something. letting out a bark to call the others, he picked up the pace, following the scent.

(alrighty)

Aron and Ryker followed after him quickly, Aron half-drawing his sword, just in case.

Eclipse kept going, his pace speeding up as things became familiar, though they still took about an hour before he stopped again, sniffing once more, before shifting back. "The camp is out that way." he said, pointing into the trees, "But I don't know what their watch system is like."

Aron nodded, drawing out his sword. "Ryker." He said softly. Ryker sighed, and spread his arms. With a flicker, he vanished from sight, and walked away.

Eclipse raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, shifting back and leading on cautiously.

Ryker reappeared a few minutes later. "There was a camp there, that's for sure. There's ash from fires and holes from tent pegs, but nothing left. They must have packed up and left after they lost Eclipse." He said to Aron.
Aron sighed, and slammed a hand into a nearby tree. "Damn it." He swore.

Eclipse growled softly, his ears flattening in frustration. He shifted back, cursing. "Damn it1 We may never find them now.." he said sadly.

"We'll find them." Aron replied. "We'll find them." He raked a hand through his hair.
Ryker nodded silently.

Eclipse simply sighed, frustrated. Feeling guilty for leaving him. Why did he have to leave him? Why?

"Do you have any idea where they could have gone?" Aron asked Eclipse, raising his eyebrows. "Any idea?"
Ryker paced a little, investigating.

Eclipse sighed, "No, I don't…" he said softly, "Seren didn't tell us much about his plan, though I believe he wants to take over both kingdoms, and use Nik as a weapon, but after that… I got nothing.."

Aron frowned a little. "He could only use Nik as a weapon if…if he could make some sort of deal with the monster." he replied slowly. "And I don't know how well that would work."

Eclipse hummed, "That creature is already with the idea.." he said softly, "It likes the idea of being allowed free range to kill."

Aron groaned. "Damn it." he muttered. "Then the only thing keeping that from happening is Nik himself. He's strong, but…even he can't last forever." his hands balled into fists.

"If it helps, the creature itself is semi-reasonable, in a twisted sort of way.." said Eclipse softly, but you're probably right on that one."

"I've spoken to the thing, Eclipse." Aron replied tiredly. "I'm the one that's wrapped Nik in chains almost every night for the past few years." he shook his head a little.

"I've spoken to it too.." he said softly, his tone serious "I'd be dead if it weren't for the soulmate bond." he sighed, "If only I had stayed and fought… maybe we could've gotten out.. both of us…"

"Eclipse. Don't start blaming what happened on yourself." Aron said firmly. "You got out of there, and now we have an idea on what to do."