The Beginning

[Swix]

On Ana (Camp):

Three short thumps made their way to Fades ears. The assassin had clearly been deep under at the time, for someone was banging a stick lightly on the wall of her dragonmade catacomb. "Now, I hope you haven't dozed off in there." said a voice that followed the noise. Her meditation session interrupted, the assassin opened one watery grey eye to see... nothing. There was of course noone there with her, the darkness devoid of any other lifeform. The session could wait, as the blue clad female had nothing better to do currently she decided to answer this mysterious voice "Indeed, I have not"

"Good.... Good. You see, I have a deal to make, and normally I would avoid the Assassin's who mark the door with their own proof of failure, but oddly enough, you seem to be the only one here." the voice spoke again., causing both Fades eyes to fly open and narrow slightly, despite the fact that it claimed to want to make a deal. "That is merely there so that the group which I find myself thrown together with know not to disturb me. If it was a failure, you would see nothing" she answered, first about the strip of bloody blue cloth currently adorning her doorway. "However your observation is correct, I am the only assassin here. What is this deal you wish to discuss?"

"Well, I might as well tell you upfront I only have maybe three or four yen...You professional killers take scrap metal right?" the voice of the mysterious possible client spoke, making Fade wonder... was the owner trying to goad her into something? Or just mock her 'for the sake of it'? Well, either way it still required an answer even if it was a foregone conclusion. "No, we do not. Nor do we accept deals where the payment is useless to us. Money means nothing here" In fact, not a lot of what she'd once held with high regard was useful. If she paid any attention to her feelings, she'd feel out of place. However, feelings were currently just as pointless as this conversation. "You will have to do better than that if you require my services"

"Mhm....That's the point ain't it?" One of her blue eyebrows would've shot up at this rather confusing statement-had she not been alone in the dark, thus making facial expressions a waste of energy. Luckily, she did not have to speak to get the voices owner to say the next part. "Nothing means anything here, Assassin." It added to it's statement, the words laced with what Fade recognised as resentment.. An emotion that she did not listen to, but one she had once been familiar with.

"That does appear to be the case" Fade answered after a short pause, her cold, calculating mind deciding that perhaps, just perhaps this was not a waste of time after all. Fade ever so slightly, unconsciously tilted her head, now this mysterious voice had finally gotten her attention. Or at least, her interest "Your point?"

"But, if you care to help out of the goodness of your big ol heart as you EC types are known to do, perhaps that can all change. You see, I plan on dealing with highly instable targets, which eventually means a higher payout for you, while I get to go "save the world" another day. Kind of a mutual win win situation thing." Once again the mysterious voice caused Fades eyes to narrow. But for two reasons: the owner was indeed mocking her, for 'goodness' was almost never heard in the same sentence when discussing The Evil Council. Secondly, how did it even know that anyway? She had not mentioned that particular piece of knowledge about herself to anyone."All part of my Five year plan". This statement had Fade confused, what exactly was she dealing with here? Some sort of salesman?

"I have not revealed to anyone here my true affiliations, however, that you know I am an EC member is irrelevant" Fade answered, as it was. Although she'd much appreciate the owner not spread that around "I do not understand people who follow their 'feelings', however, this higher payout that you mention and the mutual win win situation has my attention"

"Great! Buuuut... I should probably point out how likely we are to fail. But that's the fun of playing the odds eh? Not like you were doing anything else really..." There it went again, attempting to mock her, and failing completely. The jibe was entirely lost on someone that had forsaken their emotions.

"Indeed. I have no motives but survival. For the moment" Fade answered once more "Nor do I deal with 'fun', however I do have plans if things do not go well in this realm" It was true too. Her long journey pretending to be unconscious had given her a lot of time to think, so think she had

"Oooh, The Cave gonna fly down from the heavens and pick you u-" the mystery person continued in what the blue clad woman had come to think of as the mocking tone, before it paused to sigh, abruptly changing course "Look, I don't really have time for this. Now that I have given you a new "motive" is that a yes?" For once, Fade and the voices owner were in agreement.

"No. I was merely wondering when you were going to get to the point. Outline what you wish me to do, then I will give you my answer" the assassin told whomever it was that was having this strange conversation with her.

"Fair enough...." A shifting sound reached Fades ears, before a figure appeared at the entrance to the cave, obscured by the darkness. "But HollowEyes was so much more fun."
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A short while after, Fade reemerged from the catacomb, her expression rather clouded and thoughtful. The unexpected visitor had of course given her a lot to think about, this needed some time to fully consider. The blue clad woman walked towards the trees that surrounded the camp, clearly something was bothering her. It would seem that, whatever it was that had happened had even managed to shake her usual responsibilties, for a few or her throwing daggers hung carelessly from the blue belt around her waist.

This coupled with the deep thought meant that the assassin was not really watching where she was going in the unfamiliar environment, thus just missing Athenas sitting form with her legs, but perhaps not with her dangling daggers. Fade stopped just afterwards, realising what she had done, and looked down at the unwilling leader of the camp. "My apologies Athena" she said "I hope my blades did not harm you?"
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On Ana (Underground):

Furnace surfaced from the magma flow in the darkness, his bright red, slitted eyes glowing in a small cavern. Well, it was actually quite large to be able to fit the young mythical beasts bulk, but it wasn't yet roomy enough for him. There was really only one thing for it. So, Furnace opened his narrow maw, the inner fire glowing in his throat, briefly providing another source of light other than the orange red magma river that was flowing through. The serpentine reptilian aimed his throat at the walls and breathed his flames over it in a long, constant stream. Furnaces inner fire was hot enough to melt rock, and that it began to do, until the very walls were running with molten lava as he transormed the underground area which he found himself in.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kata (Cave):

Tala looked to the small blob creature that had asked whether or not the two humans in Katas much warmer underground were hostile or friendly, then the werewolf stuck her lupine head around the corner of the hole that Guardian had created, one pointed ear facing forwards whilst the other faced backwards in uncertainty. "Well" the werewolf in Were form said cheerily "there's only one way to find that out, isn't there?". With that, the powerful creature jumped through the hole, landing on one of the large mushrooms that Caesar and Vii were currently climbing up on all fours. She waited just enough for the fungi to stop bouncing under her weight, then stood up straight, facing them. "Hello" she said, in a voice that was entirely unsuited to her body "we're a small group up there, and we were wondering is it warmer down here? Oh and you people aren't gonna try to shoot us or anything, right?"

Meanwhile, Syllak had withdrawn her legs from the pool in order to begin reapplying her armour. This would not of course take anywhere near as long as tending to it, but it looked she would probably not be moving until after the two humans had at least demonstrated their intentions.

[Tav]

Ana (Camp):
Athena sat there, staring into the fire, when the woman in blue appeared, one of the daggers on her belt scratching Athena slightly. Odd; Fade didn't seem like the type of person to be so clumsy.

"My apologies Athena. I hope my blades did not harm you?"

"Just a scratch." She responded, making a mental note to to back and see what had happened to the assassin to make her less focused. "Something seems to be bothering you." She said, looking up at Fade. "Feel free to confide in me if you wish."

Kata (Cave):
Caesar lowered his weapon sheepishly, for he'd brought it straight up in a hurry. "Uhm. No?" He said, putting the gun back where it went. He tilted his head.
"We're not where we were. Different planet, maybe?" He asked the girl by his side. "Stranger things have happened. But I digress."

He smiled. "My name is Caesar, and this is Vaida. Inky's the octopus that keeps crawling around. We were just trying to find the way to the surface. Know where it would be?"

[rosebarks]

The girl looked up from her place near the fire where she had curled up hearing walking. "mmm... What's going on?" She asked in a rather sleepy tone, she was barely even awake as she rubbed her eyes and yawned.

[Swix]

On Ana (Camp):

Fade did not say a word for a short time, she just stared into the fire, watching the heat of the flames licking the air around it whilst underneath the wood was consumed, turned to ash by the forces of nature. She didn't even acknowledge that one of the other two had awoken, and was now asking them questions about what was going on.

"It is... nothing, Ell'ri" she finally said, though her cold gaze was still staring at the fire with some intensity, before she turned the same gaze towards Athena "May I have a word with you Athena? In private, if you don't mind. The matter is rather sensitive, I believe the dug out caverns would be better than here"

Fade asked, although she currently remained where she was. If and when Athena made her way over to the shelters, she'd follow behind her to discuss the issue that was causing her so much discomfort.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kata (Cavern):

Tala grinned lupinely at the man who'd held up a gun at her then put it back down in a hurry. She wasn't all that scared of it, after all there were only two ways to kill a werewolf, so unless he had silver bullets stashed in that thing she was pretty safe. "Well, Caesar and Vii, I'm Tala. As for the surface, the way towards it is where I came from, straight through the hole in the wall Guardian just punched in it" she pointed a clawed finger up to the way she'd come down "but I wouldn't go up there if I were you. It's freezing, there's snow everywhere, no signs of life, no sun, and the only warmth seems to be from the springs. Also Guardian's just sealed the entrance with an ice wall to keep the cold out. Oh, that reminds me"

She turned, cupped her hands over her mouth and yelled back up to the group through the gap "Hey, guys, it's ok! They won't shoot you if you come down here!" then she turned back to Caesar "So, what's it like down here anyway?"

[Jodie]

Ana

There was a flash of light and a small black dragon was flying in the Skys of Ana

"Um this isn't underground in my nest?" Shadow said in confusion as she looked around, her orenge eyes scanning her surroundings as she flaped her wings to keep flying

"I think I will get a closer look at this weird place" she said as she slowley lowerd herself to the ground untill she landed

"Ok trees, plants and more trees" she grumbled in an annoyed fashion as she walked around sniffing the air curiusley taking in all the new smells of her suroundings

At evrey sound she turned fast to see constantley trying to stay calm

"Dragons don't feel fear Shadow!" she hissed to herself as she walked she then smelt a very curius smell

"I wonder what is over there?" She said curiusley as she walked over hiding in the bushes, her pure black Scails will help her in her camoflarge in the darkness, Her Orange eyes glowed slightley as she saw What apperd to be a camp

An evil grin apperd on her face when she saw a Humonoid cat like creature in a tree and giggled as she was feeling a bit mischevius

("Hey You Kitty Thing Wake up!") Shadow sent Telopathicley to Mary

Mary opend her eyes in a confused fashion "Um hello who's there?" Mary asked in confusion

Shadow smiled as she saw the Confusion she was causing

("Oh just the Most feard creatiure in the world and if you don't wanna know what I am") Shadow Giggled slightley after she sent that message

Mary's fur puffed up as she Gulped and slowley climbed down the tree and ran towards the camp for saftey

Shadow had to hold her breath to try not to burst with Laughter

[rosebarks]

Eli'ri looked up seeing marry run in. "Is..something wrong Mary?" She asked concerned as she was starting to fully awaken now. Her eyes started to stare at the entire cave in confusion in case something was out there. she was worried for her new firiends...as she called them.

[Tav]

Kata (Cave):

"Well, it's really warm down here, and there are a bunch of glowing mushrooms around. Like, tree-sized ones. I think the word is Bio-luminescent." Caesar said, shouldering his rifle. "Cold and icy, huh. dammit."

Guardian shambled down, getting stuck in the large hole from the broadness of his shoulders. He backed up, then somehow sinuously slithered into the tunnel. "Much like home." He rumbled. "But more blue, less red." His scales turned slightly blue near the edges.

Ana (Outside):
Raising an eyebrow, Athena stood, touching the scratch with a finger. She walked into her cavern, in front of Fade. "I'm fairly sure we can speak privately, now." She said in a soft voice.

[Jodie]

Ana (Mary)

Mary Squeeked

"There is somthing out there, and it sounds Scary"

Mary looked back to look at the Bushes and shiverd

Ana (Shadow)

Shadow watched as the cat creature seemed to be talking to the other creature, Shadow thaught it would mostley be about her

"I think I will have a little fun" She said with a small giggle

Shadow closed her eyes so she would Camoflauge in the Darkness and walked off towards the camp

"This is going to be awsome" She whisperd under her breath as she snuck up to the Camp

She opend an eye to see if she was still going in the right direction and quickley closed it

Ana (Mary)

Mary saw an orange glow for a second and Gulped, Her fur raised even more

"It's over there" Mary squeeked pointing in Shadows Direction

Ana (Shadow)

Shadow opend an eye again to see Mary pointing at her

"uh oh" She Whisperd as she looked

Both her eyes where open now and she stook out because of her Orange slightley glowing eyes was stairng at Mary and Eli'ri

Shadow let out a small angrey Growl

Ana (Mary)

Shadow's Growl made Mary's fur fly up

[Swix]

On Ana (Camp)

Fade stopped in Athenas private underground cavern, the assassins stride strong and confident despite the inner turmoil that she had been showing outside. However, inside the cavern, as Fade turned towards Athena her watery grey eyes showed only coldness. "That is good, Athena" the assassin said, just as coldly as her current expression "I would not wish for others to overhear our current conversation"

The assassin stood now, her back to the entrance of the cave but far below enough that those outside could not overhear, Fade carefully detached the throwing daggers from her belt "I have poisoned you" Fade stated, not one for beating around the bush, or letting anyone down mildly "these daggers were dipped in poison, that scratch has allowed it to enter your bloodstream. You should be feeling the effects by now, lethargy sets in quite quickly"

Fade pocketed the poisoned weapons, withdrawing the Sapphire Dagger with her other hand, still holding Athena with her cold gaze "This will probably be useless, but I would advise you not try to escape or fight. The poison will cause you to become unconscious within the next fifteen minutes, dead within the next twenty five, and I have the only antidote" the assassin took one step towards the woman, though calm it wa nonetheless menacing "however, I believe that is not quite enough for our purposes" With this last sentence, Sapphire Dagger in hand, Fade lunged at Athena. She didn't make a stab with the Dagger though, she was wielding it for something else entirely. No she intended to catch hold of the woman with her free hand instead, what she would do after... was entirely up to speculation.

[Tav]

Ana (Camp):

Athena froze, allowing fade to do whatever she wanted.
"Why?"
The assassin had Athena dead to rights, and Athena couldn't do a thing about it.

[Swix]

Fade, in her own head, was a little surprised at Athenas reaction to her admittance of deliberately poisoning the woman. It was true, people faced death differently, but she hadn't been expecting Athena to just give up like that. Well, it would be a waste to squander such an opportunity, so Fade not so gently pushed Athena back against the wall. Holding up her Sapphire Dagger she carefully placed it against the other womans throat, in the perfect position to slice straight through it and hasten Athenas nearly inevitable death. Her weaponless arm was held in front of Athena, pinning her arms against the wall to prevent any heroics on her part.

"Why" Fade finally answered, now she was fairly certain Athena was secured "is simple. A clients request, although admittedly I did not expect to be contacted by one so soon. Now, call the Aeloci-or I hasten your demise"

[Tav]

Ana, Camp (Present):
"The Aeloci? Who the hell do you mean?" Athena started, holding one of her pinned hands down at the staff. "I know of no Aeloci. How is that even spelled?" If she could only reach the staff. . . Or even. . .

Athena made a mental note; One to come back here, if she lived. To go back, and make sure this hadn't happened.
She closed her eyes, memorizing the moment.

Ana, Camp (Five minutes in the past.):

_(2)~Athena_~(2) knelt in the bushes, watching Fade stride over to Athena. The knife should scratch her right. . .about. . . about. . .
She froze time, stepping out of phase. She took a simple, unpoisoned dagger, and scratched Athena's arm, covering the sapphire blade with a simple cloth. She leapt back in the bushes, making sure not to move a single leaf, and slipped a single second forward. Then went back, and removed the cover. Then _(2)~Athena_~(2) returned to her time, a day later. No wonder she hadn't died, when Fade had confronted her and the Aeloci didn't show; She hadn't been poisoned at all.

[Swix]

Ana (Camp):

The assassins cold, emotionless and entirely pitiless watery grey eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she regarded Athena and her claims that she didn't know what she was talking about. Why did people have to doubt her when she threatened something? When Fade threatened something, it was usually a good idea to take her seriously. But this hadn't been entirely unexpected on her part-if the one that could have been avoided.

"You lie" Fade said, her voice even icier than usual "You could have avoided this. You brought this on yourself". With that, Fade quickly drew the arm that was holding the Sapphire Dagger across Athenas throat to slice it deeply. Not a little cut, like you see in the movies, but a proper slash meant to sever main arteries as well as the windpipe.

[Tav]

Ana (Camp):
_(2)~Athena_~(2) knelt on the ground, slowly and slightly lifting the staff on the ground to Athena's hand.
Athena gasped as Fade started to slash the sapphire dagger, and tightened her grip on the ornate silver staff, and then vanished, slipping out of phase and ducking away.


Ana (Camp (Freezetime)):
"Hello." Athena said."Let's have a heart to heart, shall we?"
"Wha- You're me, aren't you." Athena responded.
"First of all, you're not poisoned." She said. "Thanks to you."
"Tell me exactly what you did." Athena responded. "So I can go back and fix it."
"Of course, I remember exactly what I was told when I was you." She said, handing over a piece of paper with a list of things written on it.
They both looked at the frozen form of Fade.
"We're going to have to hire her, kill her, or steal that stupid knife of hers."
"I reasoned the same thing. But I have to leave. Don't forget to copy that paper over to another piece when you get to be me." Then the future-athena vanished.

Athena walked over to the other side of the cave, before slipping back into phase, on the other side of the burrow than that with fade.


Ana (Camp):
"I do not know of these Aeloci. I'm just wondering what this 'client' paid you with. Because I'd be willing to pay more." Athena said, holding her staff out in front of her, ready to slip back out of phase. "Or I could just throw you into phase, freezetime, and then you'll die of age before a single second has passed."

She said this coldly and without emotion.

"And as for that poison. . " She grinned without humor. "I'm immune to such trivialities."

[Swix]

Ana (Camp):

Fade had been anticipating a gush of blood, of course, when one sliced the throat of a target there tended to be some mess that would require a cleanup. However, it never came, as the woman that had been pinned in front of her apparently impossibly vanished into thin air, and Fades Sapphie Blade succeeded only in scoring the wall in front oif her. However, as soon as Athena had disappeared she reappeared over on the other side of the cavern, the assassins oversensitive hearing picking this up immediately by Athenas very breathing and heartbeat, even before she began to speak.

Fade spun around to face Athena, her gemblade held defensively in front of her body even as she listened and thought. The staff had been on the floor, where the woman couldn't touch it, she had been sure of that. Yet there she was over the other side-no doubt the work of time trickery that the dragon had warned her about before. This particular ability had been used to avoid the deathblow Fade would have dealt... and now Athena wanted to know what the payment was, because she wanted to escalate it? How very cold and bold of her, perhaps there was hope for the ones slaves to their emotions after all.

However "I highly doubt you could possibly offer me anything more valuable, Athena" Fade answered, not seeing the point of Athenas humourless grin. It might work to unnerve the ones full of emotion, but it did nothing to her. So she's avoided Fades poison, that was nothing more than admirable to the assassin-although there was no need for Athena to lie again. Lying was a useful tool when you had something to gain from it, but right now, there was no point "Nor am I willing to tell you what. Nothing personal" Fade stated the last sentence, grimly, her calculating watery grey eyes watchful for Athenas next move.