"Well simply to keep my men and I's skills sharp…with the bonus of killing those pesky little Haven members…So many problems of your worlds would be solved if you just let me help…death would be gone, pollution, animal poaching, in great need…over population could be solved with just a thought…if my gift was given to all." He let out a polite smile, trying to not let his aggressive nature show
“To put it shortly, I’m intrigued. While I’m not all about this whole ‘hunting people for sport’ thing, I think you have some solid ideas. And I want to be a part of whatever you have going on, mainly because I don’t want to live in fear until I die permanently,” Dare said, put at least slightly at ease by his smile. “So, what can I do?”
"You're new friend…he's dangerous and a threat to what…I'll allow my gift to bond with you if you promise to put an end to him then I'll even let you go…go back to your home with my gift." He offered, bending down to her level offering his hand
Dare took a few moments to consider it, but eventually nodded her head. “We have a deal,” Dare said forcefully. “Just let me get home alive.” She took his hand, her slim fingers dwarfed by his grip.
"Trust me dear…you will…to show I'm serious…" he passed his other hand over hers and the mark on her hand vanished
Dare slowly took a deep breath as her brand disappeared from her skin. “Okay, but if it’s gone, won’t Tempest suspect me? I’ll need the element of surprise to get the jump on him.” A pang of sorrow tore at her at the thought of hurting her new friend, but it was her only choice to get home.
"It'll still be there physically be my barrier will let you pass and once outside the barrier I'll take you back home…he trusts you. Remember what good you'll be doing…Dare" he accidentally let out a wicked needle toothed smile "You can wake up whenever you want sweetie."
Dare could only nod. “I understand,” she murmured. She sat up rapidly, coughing out streams of the black liquid, her whole body shaking. “Tempest…” she choked out. “What happened?”
Tempest hugged Dare to his chest, his eyes were bloodshot red as he had been crying, thinking the infection had taken her life "Oh my God Dare! Are you okay? You passed out and started to twitch…your heart stopped for a while."
(I'm just reading this and I am intrigued… I don't know if I should wait for @Aesthetic-FREAKz to respond, or if we should continue with the rustling in the bush.)
(You can continue if you'd like…there are online right now)
Holding the bat forward, Erika poked the bush where the rustling was, indicating that there was someone–or something–in there. "Okay, I've seen real wings and slimy cages and magic, I'm pretty sure I can get over whatever the h— you are, so get out here and show us your face!"
"Are you quite sure?" the voice "Do you really want to see what's after you? a dark colored spear flies out at Erika's chest. Ember knocks it out of the air with a well placed arrow "If you insist." There was a woman in an aviator jacket, and a pair of white pants and just as a pleasant face as the rest of shadow soldiers, her grey colored face gaunt and starved looking
Yumi started to panic, rushing beside the two. “Are you hurt? Is there any cuts? Any wounds? I can tend to them…”
Yumi gets closer to the two, then backs away shyly. She couldn’t possibly interrupt anything. “Um… I… uh….”
Yumi cuffs her hands together, her voice getting more raspy. “I hope… everything’s ok…. I…”
Erika flinched before regaining her composure. "So, who are you? Seeing as you fit the 'monster' stereotype, I'm inclined to believe that you're here to injure–if not, kill us, no? Mind you, you're up against two magic-users and a gal with a bat who isn't afraid to aim for your head, so choose your words wisely."
Tempest gave Yumi a concerned look "You didn't get hurt too did you?" he asked, wiping his tears away
"How frightening" the shadow woman responded, her spear flew back into her hand "I don't think You will be an issue" she teased, almost daring Erika to attack
“I think I’m okay—wait, I died?!” Dare exclaimed, hugging Tempest back. “Well, thank goodness it didn’t stick.” She let out a series of coughs that shook her whole body and smiled weakly. “See? I’m fine,” she croaked, disguising the guilt that was twisting through her gut.
"Look, I don't know who you are or where I am, but I can assure you that you're underestimating me and my prowess. In what, you may never know," Erika shrugged, twirling her bat idly. Either she was unaware of the situation, or she was playing smart, Erika wasn't frightened.
"You're sick…" Tempest felt her forehead with the back of his hand "you're really cold though…we gotta get you warm." he helped Dare to her feet "You're gonna be okay…you're gonna get to go home…I'll do my best to make that happen you hear?" he gently promised her
“Yeah, I do. Thanks, Tempest,” she said, leaning on him for support. Dare wrapped her arms around herself to protect from the cold, shivering so much that her teeth were chattering. “I know I can count on you, and I’ll do my best to be there for you too,” she said softly.
Tempest quickly got them back close to the river where he started to put medium to large rocks in large circle after clearing the snow in the circle
Dare sat down on one of the stones and tried to clear her head, taking deep, slow breaths. She had made the deal, and it was done. Now, she had to figure out how to keep her end of the bargain and get home alive. Dare wondered when she would begin feeling the effects of Zerack’s ‘gift’, whatever it was. She was so entranced by his charms, she didn’t even think to ask what getting his gift meant.
As she took the breaths, her body seemed to settle in the infection…the cold wasn't as intense and she cuts close. It was healing her at a rapid pace. Tempest on the other hand had managed to start a small fire with pinestraw twigs and a spark of electricity from Tempest's fingertip. He held out a hand to her "Come on you need to warm up
“Thank you,” she said, moving closer to the fire. She felt the wound on her ankle begin to knit together and she let out a little gasp. It felt… amazing. Dare felt like she was buzzing with energy, but did her best to conceal it.
Tempest had other thoughts, like feeling like he wan't going to be enough to protect his friends, and that Maybe if he found his sister then they could overcome any soldiers that came after them since Ember was the better fighter of the two by far "I hope Ember's okay…I think she's fine…heck she's the one that keeps me out of trouble." Tempest muttered with a little smile, trying to keep himself from slipping into self pity for there was no time for that