Infinite Realms: War of the Black God

[IslaKariese]

Kestral hissed as she tried once more to flex her burnt hands. This was not good. Battles were continuing all around her, but she could not do anything to contribute as long as she couldn't hold Celoivera. Most of her animal forms were vulnerable as well, leaving her with no option but to stay out of sight and for the pain to be manageable. For now, she was helpless and useless.

It was a wretched feeling.

Suddenly, arms wrapped themselves around her from behind out of nowhere, and Kestral made every move to attack and defend herself before a familiar, unexpected voice met her ears, saying, "Allow me."

Large hands wrapped around hers, and she felt a deep warmth soothing her burns. This sensation was also familiar, and Kestral's heart skipped a beat at the very idea that this was who she thought it was. Within seconds, the burns were gone and she had full use of her hands again. The hands holding hers withdrew and Kestral flexed them twice, stalling for time even as part of her wanted desperately to turn around. "Thank you," she said softly, and she heard a chuckle in response.

"You're welcome," came the voice. "Will you not turn around and greet me properly?"

Kestral didn't move. "No, I won't," she said softly. "If you're not who you seem to be, then I just might break."

Silence. Then, a deep sigh. "I cannot assuage your fears, Kes," he said, and Kestral shuddered. "I am not the shape I take. I only have his personality and his skills."

"And let me guess. I am to fight you?"

"You don't have to, no." Kestral snorted, and she could hear the wry smile in his next reply. "Indeed, your options are to fight me or be killed. I do not have the option to not attack you."

Kestral breathed in deeply before turning around, taking in the visage of a tall man wearing pale and deep blues and silvers, with short moon-white hair and eyes that matched her one glasz eye. She took a quick glance at the familiar sword that should have been secured to his back but was instead held loosely in one hand. She tried not to cry when she locked gazes with her mentor and friend.

Her brother.

"I am sorry," he said, easing gracefully into a battle stance. Kestral did the same, slipping Celoivera from her back and holding it in a white-knuckled grip.

"Wren..." she started, but didn't allow herself to finish as she darted forward quickly with a war cry and a swing of her bow.

Wren dodged perfectly, not letting her recover her momentum as he swung his sword in retaliation. The blade only met a magical shield as Kestral twisted and turned a swinging fist into a claw as she became a tiger, glancing a blow off the armor on his arm. He backed off with a growl of pain and stood in place, watching the prowling tiger warily.

The tiger growled and charged, changing in mid-pounce into a snake, avoiding the swing by curling around Wren's arm and biting his uncovered hand before leaping upward to reach his throat. She was unfortunately intercepted by his other hand, and he made to toss her away when the slender body in his hands thickened rapidly and within moments he had a horse above his head instead of a snake. Only his speed kept him from being trampled and flattened in the next instant.

Wren turned around to plan his next attack, but he was then face-to-face with a rather livid-looking dragon. In a blink, the dragon had spewed a blast of fire point-blank. She held it for several long seconds before releasing it, expecting to see a charred body, or at least one with a shield in front. But instead she found nothing.

Her confusion didn't last long. Pain erupted across her chest, and with a shriek she reverted back to human form and fell, clawing at her chest where her Core was rather mercilessly slashed. The pain was nearly paralyzing, and she looked up to see the false figure of Wren, holding up his sword and preparing to use it once more.

Suddenly, he froze. He was trapped in place, unable to move anything except his face. "What... what is...?"

"P-Poison," Kestral stuttered, and he blinked down at her. "I bit you, remember? I was a poisonous snake. A mix of magic and intent, and you would be paralyzed in moments. It was only my carelessness that led to you doing this to me."

Wren blinked again, and then he chuckled. "I see. You have learned, little sister."

Not nearly enough, she thought, though she didn't say it. She merely devoted the next few moments to standing upright. When she'd succeeded, she reached for a dagger attached to her hip. Without looking at his expression, which was filled with understanding and love, she slit his throat. The body collapsed, the magic of the poison no longer having a live subject to manipulate, before Kestral collapsed immediately after, the pain and sorrow too much to handle.