鉄 Tsukihara Forest || Steel Sanctuary Hunting Grounds

[Azeiel The Risen]

The hunting grounds for the Citadel rests one half of a kilometer outside of the actual city to the northwest within the Tsukihara forest itself. Within the forest you can find all kinds of hunt-able game, various herds of deer, rabbits, and the occasional bear. Though there are some things that hunt back within the forest, so solo hunting parties are ill advised.  

[Solarius flare]

Mood: Somber | Status: ok | Action: Reflecting

Water is nothing if not ingemination—


It's interesting how some individuals came to the depths of the forest looking for peace and quiet. In the depths of his mind, Ayura remembered times when his sister would pray for some alone time. Desperately seeking the tranquil embrace of the forest to soothe her agitated nerves. Yet as Ayura set in his new linen clothes, armor on, and worn bow behind his back he couldn't help but feel the beating pulse of life resonate throughout the land. Every shrill screech of a sparrow darting overhead, the gentle patter of leaves and snow tumbling to the ground, and if he strained hard enough then maybe he could believe he heard the gentle padding of a bear as it crunched footfall by footfall through the snow. The forest was not peaceful or quiet. It was very much alive and he knew that. They all knew that.

In the time that had passed, it wasn't always clear if the weather had gotten warmer or worse. It was evident though that every chilled breath came easier to the boy. Months spent sawing down trees, hauling lumber, hunting residents of the forest, and the constant vigilance for trouble had let Ayura undergo a growth both emotionally and physically. Surviving was like that, one grew or they were consumed. However, the fear was still there. It resonated in every fiber of his being, but there was a point where it would either control him or he'd control it. He had worked hard at that, yet the harder he worked the stronger it grew. At some point in the last month, Ayura lie paralyzed in the night as the whispers that occasionally trickled into his conscious developed into a bloodcurdling scream only for his ears and nobody else.

Fear, panic, longing. Why was it always fear that drove him? At that point it didn't matter, he just wanted the cries to cease. Nothing seemed to work except for one source of respite: the journal. The code he still had been unable to completely crack teased him, but the one page he had solved pulsated in his vision. It was his only remedy so Ayura followed it completely. That was the night Ayura summoned his first Fury. A being of such rage and hate that it dissipated almost as quickly as it had been summoned. The image of its twisted face still left itself carved into his memory, and as much as Ayura wanted to flee he found himself drawn ever closer to the burning flame of this entity; dangerous but warm, bright yet blinding, useful however destructive.

For now though, the boy sought to drive the thoughts from his mind. Seeking solace in the happy times he and the others had had. The moments they had built together and would continue to develop. Just like his family had, just like his sister had. It was slow, but there was a happiness budding that he hadn't felt in a long time.


an encore to the tenacity of life.

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Chakra:-
Stamina:-

Im the Girl one

 

[Im the Girl one]

Narrator

The forest has not changed much even with mankind growing deep within it belly. The forest continues to provide shelter, protection, and substance to the resident. No matter how kind the forest seem during the day, one would never lower their guard down at night. When bigger and dangerous predators stalk the ground. In his local proximity, he would be able to find a bush of wild berries, a strange looking ivy struggling to grow beneath the snow and three different set of footprint trackable in the snows. They look like some sort of hooves.

Solarius flare

 

[Solarius flare]

Mood: Worried | Status: ok | Action: Hunting

Water is nothing if not ingemination—


When Ayura first saw it, he thought he was surely mistaken. Cloven prints in the snow? Yet as he trodded from his resting place to bear witness to the tracks, he saw that it was just that. Closer inspection revealed more hidden secrets though. As Ayura bent down, squatting on his toes he examined the outline of each print. Gently tracing a finger along the shape as already it began to be hidden among the snow. Could this be a wild herd of horses? The thought echoed in his mind as a spring of glee began to flow within his chest. Horses would make everything so much easier. Travel that took all day could instead take a number of hours, heavy tasks requiring numerous men could be done with only a handful, and farming pace could be increased tenfold.

Of course, that was assuming that these creatures were in fact horses. If Ayura knew this forest at all, he knew that it was dangerous if not deadly. Pulling out his bow, a smile began tugging at the corners of his mouth. Time for a hunt. Just like old times sis. Ayura kept low and began following the snowladen trail, working to identify the creature while still remain hidden. Before he could move far however his eyes fell on a vine. Interested in it's properties, he cut a section loose with his skinning knife before stuffing it into his bag. If anything he could play with that later.

an encore to the tenacity of life.

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Chakra:
Stamina:

Im the Girl one

 

[Im the Girl one]

Narrator

As soon as the strange ivy was cut, purple spot travel up the leaves and the stem turn a darker shade. Following the tracks led deeper into the forest, while Ayura was stealthy, the mystery creature was just as stealthy. It wasn't for several moments before Ayura would hear the babbling of a stream. The track stopping at the water before appearing on the other side. Drinking from the stream was a familiar furry face. A sleek white fox with icy blue eyes. Ayura would recognize the creature as, Kumiho, Mi-jin vulpine companion. It ears tilted back then up as if listening for any signs as it drinking from the stream and stare at the track on the other side.

Solarius flare

 

[Solarius flare]

Mood: relaxed | Status: ok | Action: On the look out

Water is nothing if not ingemination—


Kumiho. Why did it have to be Mi-jin's fox? Ayura felt a wave of disappointment roll through his body as he slowly stood up from his stealthed position. Walking over towards the stream, Ayura gave a wave before kneeling down to also partake in a drink. "Hey buddy." A gentle smiled was on his face as he watched the fox. "Did you also come out here to escape from everything?" As he spoke with the dox he gradually began to relax back in the snow, his eyes calmly scanning the surrounding trees for signs of Mi-Jin's presence.

an encore to the tenacity of life.

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Chakra:
Stamina:

Im the Girl one

 

[Im the Girl one]

Narrator

The fox, whether unaware or ignored Ayura disappointed as it went back to drinking the water. Its ears still alerted, but its body posture was relaxed. Ayura would find it difficult if Kumiho was paying attention. After a moment, the fox sat on its hind legs and gave Ayura a small portion of its attention. Kumiho didn’t respond, because who would actually expect a fox to speak or give their opinion? Only a crazy person would believe that.

However, its body stood rigid as it sensitive ears pick up something across the river bank. It fur didn’t bristle nor did kumiho make a sound. Instead, the brilliant blue hue of its eyes turns a serious glow. The fox looked to Ayura as if just recognizing the other man and tilted its head imposingly high as it leaped across on a rock path. Diving over a brush and deeper into the woods.

Solarius flare

 

[Solarius flare]

Mood: worred | Status: ok | Action: Preparing for what is to come

Water is nothing if not ingemination—


As kumiho's posture grew rigid and it's eyes began to glow, Ayura felt the goosebumps crawl up his arm. Something's here. HIs mind instantly began sorting through al the options he had, every weapon at his disposal, every trick he knew, each ara he could run to, and all of it led back to a basic human instinct. Was it time to fight or was it time to run away? Unfortunately, Ayura knew that this moment may not be the best time to fight against a creature he couldn't see.

Vaulting to his feet, Ayura charged for the stream before making a running leap across the channel.
As his feet impacted the other bank, he felt the crunch of snow before tumbling onto his side.
Already his breathing had begun to quicken, he needed to escape and come up with a plan. with a mighty grunt Ayura pushed himself to his feet before beginning his sprint back into the woods.
Unfortunately for him, he began to feel his mind slipping. The location he had come from was lost in the sea of worry that was now engulfing him. Yet if he couldn't find his way and couldn't wait then soon would definitely be the time to fight./size]

an encore to the tenacity of life.

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Chakra:
Stamina:

Im the Girl one

 

[Im the Girl one]

Narrator

It was during this sprint of the woods, ayura was unaware if he was running toward or away from danger. The sun was still up, casting shadow into every bush. The woods was always a dangerous place as the rapid footstep led ayura on a familiar path. This path was human made and lead to a spot where deer was often found grazing for winter roots. The path split off into two, deeper into the woods to hunt for deer or back into sanctuary.

The path leading to the woods, crouch down into the snow was kumiho. white fur camflouge into the snow as it crawl closer to what it heard. Blue eyes staring at the two humanoid figured with their back turn to the path.

Solarius flare

 

[Solarius flare]

Mood: worried | Status: ok | Action: Discovering

Water is nothing if not ingemination—


Junctions. If there wasn't anything more symbolic in his life, Ayura stood looking at another crossroads. For him though, it was if he should continue to the sanctuary or deeper into the woods. While he may have longed for safety, an instinctive drive urged him to the forest path. If he was to get stronger then he needed to find what this creature was....running away would be futile at this point. Crouching down into the snow and waiting for his breathing to slow, Ayura began stealthing along the path ahead.

an encore to the tenacity of life.

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Chakra:
Stamina:

Im the Girl one

 

[Im the Girl one]

Narrator

The fox and ayura stealth closer and the two humaniod figured was too deep within their conversation to have notice the two eavedropper.

Closer inspection, both would see the impossibly thin humanoid translucent body. Their skin were many different shades of blue and reflected the light like crystal. Two long thin arms and legs with an extra long torso and head. They dress in warm traditional close and was hairless with no facial features. Strap to their back was a lute and a harp. They were looking at each other intently. They looked like two statues standing in the snow, but the subtle movement of their shoulders was a sign that they were breathing.

Kumiho ears pick up, but she couldn't hear anything. Instead, she stares at the two from her position buried into the snow. Shaking more snow on top of her as she began to blend out of sight.

Solarius flare

 

[Solarius flare]

Mood: cautious| Status: ok | Action: eavesdropping

Water is nothing if not ingemination—


Who are they?!{/i] As Ayura knelt he had no idea what he was looking at. What he knew though was that these beings were not human. That left him with a few options.
He could engage in combat, listen to what they were saying, or just introduce himself and have a conversation. The motion of Kumiho however led him to believe that combat and talking were probably out of the question. Sinking deep in the snow, Ayura let the powdery substance begin to gradually pile on top of his body. Then with tentative movements, he inched closer to the figures in an attempt to hear what they were discussing.

an encore to the tenacity of life.

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Chakra:
Stamina:

Im the Girl one

 

[Im the Girl one]

Narrator

Strange as they were, they haven't moved an inch. Only steady breathing as Ayura can only guess that they were looking at each other. It would be hard to tell where they were looking with their deform body and lack of a face or hair. Closer, the two could see more of their unique body glimmering in the light and as the wind hit their body it was like wind chimes drifting in the wind and with those notes, the two could hear what sound like voices.

"How much longer?"
"Until we find it."

Solarius flare

 

[Solarius flare]

What were they? The question echoed around in Ayura's mind as the nightmare fuel of their pale, featureless races haunted him. Creatures like that he had only witnessed in the depths of his dreams... And in the time he had summoned a fury. Yet as their sing-sing voices resounded outwards with the intent of finding some object, Ayura found himself enraptured. Whatever these creatures were, they had arrived for as purpose and an objective. Party of him wanted to run away, warm the village and get help, yet he was almost too terrified to move so he continued to pay there within the snow, desperately trying to grasp every word they said.  

[Im the Girl one]

Narrator

Kumiho stays still, her ears tilted upward. She hasn't moved, but her eyes haven't left the two figured.

One of the strange alien-like creature reached behind them to pull the harp freed from its harness. Too long fingers began to play and the string chord resonance in the open field. Bouncing off trees and the wind, the area was filled with the melody of these musical notes.

The finger paused for a moment then resume to play, but these note carried a different message. This time more direct and obviously sent to kumiho and Ayura. It wasn't spoken out loud but more in the mind.

"Is this one of them? Those things? Human?"
"It seems to be observing us. This is not our first contact with them."

The tone of the voice of one of them seems passive and aloof while the other was more concern and full of suspicion.

Solarius flare