[FIN] When I Found You (Riot & Nikita)

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

As Nikita dug her teeth more into Riot's heart, A breath huffed though his closed maw.

He said nothing and let his hind legs touch at the ground under his hunches.

So now he was her 'nightmare'? He said nothing about she being 'her own nightmare', just that the walls she was scare of coming between them, was only erected by herself.

He, wasn't able to see past himself? How was the possibleable, when she was his compleat focus? When did this turn to be about him? This what never about him!

The thunder her words caused to race the heart in his chest. Still, he wasn't mad at her....insulted, and admittly a bit hurt. Though, he wasn't going to leave her. No. What kind of Tahtll would he be to leave her, when it seemed she need something the most?

Even if it wasn't him.....

Riot's own ears remained angled to The sky as just as she. He knew Cain was even closer. Eyes remained poised on Nikita. His large brown tail was the only to move in his sit, and it twisted and shot back behind him.

At this point any anger he had, was focused in the movement of a set of vines that hung from the branches of the tree and where whipped up toward where he felt Cain struggled with the wind. It was like a swat at a fly stuggling with the wind. Honestly he didn't care if he hit the pest or if he missed.

Rain contained to fall and even dampen Riots massive coat of fur. His more bulky body, was a harsh contrast to Nikita thinner and leaner form.

"I am the earth..." He finelly spoke, and he felt it was going to be the only thing he was going to tell her...for at least a long time. If he was truly her nightmare, he wouldn't trouble her anymore.

"you may scorch me, Fire." Riot answered. "You can distorty the green life that grows from me, but I will still gladly bring forth your flame."

Was it not the oxygen that the trees from the earth created, is what fire desired to consume? If flame had nothing to consume or feed on, it was nothing....

If his distraction meant her life, he would gladly pay it ten times, without a second thought.

However, he was earth and massive as well as vast. It would be quite a chore to distorty something like he.

GunSniper

 

[GunSniper]

Nikita listened to the whirl of the vines as they suddenly launched against the pouring rain and toward where Cain might possibly be. She remained still a moment and silently hoped that there would be some indication that the target had been hit. That would certainly make things a lot easier.

Damn...

However, when no sound came Nikita drew in s sharp breath. The rain was cold, especially for one who thrived in heat, but Nikita ignored how cold and drenched her own fur was. That problem was not even comparable to the one she faced now. Her slender frame was completely overshadowed by the behemoth sitting before her, that too was ignored as she focused on his eyes. With each deep breath she drew her ribs seemed to peek out from behind her sides.

"Than stop snuffing the flame out!" Nikita retorted aggressively, none too amused with analogies at the moment. "Even that which gives life can easily choke it! Enough of this. He is here now waiting, that saves the hunt! "

Nikita thought about running, especially now that Riot was sitting back on his haunches. It wouldn't be hard to dart to one side or the other and end this hunt on her own. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to spring one way or the other. Her glare would not be removed from Riot's.

"One of us-" Nikita gestured to where Cain may have been hovering with a flick of her tail. "-goes before the morning. I will not continue on like this another day! I am tired of walls, I am tired of feeling like a ghost, I am tired of butting heads with you!"

Her claws unsheathed and dug into the muddy ground. Her muscles tensed. By all means it appeared as if she were ready to sprint away at the drip of a pin. She stood still though and waited. Though, if there be another analogy from his maw she would also be ready to smack him upside the head. At least the thought had crossed her agitated mind.

Cain watched as the vine flew up and than fell back to the ground. Thankfully there was an upside to the rain this time. The vine had nearly touched his paw. There had to have been some immense force behind the throw for it to come up even this high with how hard the rain was coming down.

The two of them were still down there, unmoved. He wasn't the target. Merely a nuisance that happened to show up during an argument. Not quite the affect he had hoped to have by coming close.

He drew in a slow breath as he moved away again. The air stiffened again. Cain shut his eyes tight to another flash of light. That one was close. Being in the air much longer would be foolish. To be hit with light like that, Cain could only imagine how it would cost him his life... the power it must had considering the earth shaking noise it made.

Cain spread his wings wide as soon as he could see where he was going again. He glided forward and away from the quarreling b'alam. Hopefully they would break soon. He couldn't go after Nikita with Riot there... And he had to figure out how to attack Riot from a safe distance. He remembered all too well the powers that one contained and he was not sure the limits of them.

Perhaps...

He grinned to the thought. If they did not move, perhaps this would work. Just have to find a good spot....

[ Radical Dreamer ]

 

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

Riot's ear twisted and turn, as it seemed his attempt to hit Cain failed. A breath released from the Tahtll.

It was worth a try.

Ears turned back as Nikita once more raised her voice at him. Riot's maw clinched. Really he wouldn't have taken any of this it it had been anyone else. His tail shifted behind him, as his eyes remained focused on Nikita.

It looked like she was calling all the shots. Paws gripped at the earth under him. Claws dug in to the earth, as it felt like everything he was doing since meeting her, was only pushing her away....

Maybe....it was just suppose to be that way. His paws released the ground under him.

Fine.

Nodding slowly, Riot let his gaze drop slightly, he didn't have any more words for her. Riot knew who would be remaining in the morning, he was there to make sure it was Nikita. But perhaps he would leave when that time comes as well. Call him a lier to say, he didn't at least think about it, with that dropped gaze. She-as much as he hated to think and contrary to his post-but it didn't seem she needed him.

He wouldn't snuff her out any longer.  

[GunSniper]

The look in Riot's eyes almost seemed defeating, or perhaps it was just understanding? Still, Nikita waited for a counter or more analogies, but when none came she released a soft breath. Unknowingly she had held it in while she waited for him to respond to her harsh words. She knew they were quite harsh, but in the heat of the moment she just wanted him to understand. No one would have dared speak to him in such a manner, but Nikita knew he would not maul her for her sharp tongue. She would likely have been the one to lash out at anyone speaking to him so sharply.

All of this build up while she had been with him had lead to the death of another. A soul she removed from this world who did not deserve to loose everything. What if they had someone who care for them as much as Riot cared for her? Who trusted her to go out hunting only to find she would never come back?

It was an action Nikita knew she could not take back. But, perhaps if she could end her nightmare of Cain and her time with Morning Star there would not be another build up.

Either way, this could not continue again. No matter what they had planned out this morning, it was different now. The blood on her claws only helped her realize this. Claws that were no longer worthy to touch that precious gem Riot had given her when they found each other. Which, at this point was likely lost in any case...

Not once did she allow her gaze to drop or pull away. Even as his head lowered.

Without another word she begun to walk past Riot, her eyes focused forward.
"That promise still holds true... even when we can't see each other."

She noted as she passed him. Once her frame was clear of his she begun to sprint forward. Each step she took was more determined than the last. As if whatever was built up inside her chest was about to be released.

Alright Cain... let's find out who won't see the next day.

Cain circled around where the clearing meet with more trees, high above the last branches. He could just barely make out the ghostly frame of Nikita moving. Her presence was more known the Riot's was. She was getting closer.

Perhaps he wouldn't have to attempt an assault from a distance after all? Riot did not seem to be accompanying her on this. Perhaps they split? What fortune that would be. One less problem to worry about.

Cain opened his wings and stretched them to their fullest so he could remain in one spot. He needed a clear swooping shot at her. That's all it should take. She was more bone the bulk, it would be simple to snap her in half. Still, he knew to be cautious. One should not become so cocky in a time like this. Nikita was still a force to be reckoned with, especially when she was in a rage...  

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

Understanding....

Was there an understanding? Perhaps, if there was at all it was surely one sided.

Riot didn't say anything to Nikita as she walked past him.

She was right, her eyes where no longer on him...

Riots body only rose as she passed and with a turn he followed after her. Even as she sprinted off, he wasn't far behind her. His legs and heavy paws, where surprisingly light as his large mass followed after her. Running, after her...he knew the path well.

It seemed it was all that he was ever to be destined to do.  

[GunSniper]

Nikita could hear Riot following behind her, it was kind of hard not to miss it when he moved. As long as he was not going to try and pounce her, he was free to do whatever else. Nikita had a feeling he was merely being a safety net in case things turned out wrong. Insuring that she was going to see the next day, which was fine. This was just something that needed to be done.

Nikita lept over the lump on the ground that was former b'alam (courtesy of Nikita) and proceeded to dart forward. She could feel Cain was close by. He had to have been waiting for her to separate from Riot. It would be the perfect opportunity for him to gain some advantage. Even in the rain.

He was close... very close he was-

Suddenly, as if a gust of wind sprung up and kicked her in the side, Nikita found herself knocked to the side. She took a swipe blindly to the side, catching some black fur in her claw before she tumbled into a muddy puddle. The rain seemed to lighten up a little allowing Nikita to catch a glimpse of Cain pulling back up into the air while she tumbled.

Coward...

Quickly she attempted to return to her feet, all her claws were out and ready to attack again. Next pass he would surely meet with her thick skull!

Cain set his focus on Nikita. She was running just a head of Riot. Damn, of course he would follow her... Still. At least he was giving her some room. Perhaps this would work out. But he had to make every move count.

His wings folded to his sides as he angled his nose toward Nikita's path. He had to aim just ahead of where she was now. Her pace was a quick one, so he had to think ahead. There should also not be any lingering low for too long. No telling of the large fat-headed one was going to chime into the fight as well. Hopefully he would stay away.

On his pass be managed to shove Nikita over, but not without receiving a slight scratch on his hind leg.

Cain unfolded his wings as he passed over and angled them upward, hoping to manage to pull up and back into the sky fast enough to avoid the large one. Thankfully the rain seemed to lighten a little. Now he could hear a little better as well, past the droplets of rain pounding into the world below.  

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

Riot pace was tactfully behind Nikita, that wasn't to say he couldn't keep up with her, but rather he kept his distance purposely. As Cain made his strike at Nikita, Riot felt his maw twitch and bare in anger. Even more so as he started to lunched himself back into the sky.

In a hop, Riot left front paw swept the air, and the vines that dangled from the branches seemed to once more take a life of their own. like severely paws reaching out and tried to grab out at him. In his landing, his body seemed heavier then before, and a pant left his maw...

It was a little help, after all-his flight was an unfair advantage. That, and his time in the dark tribe, he was told about a huge weakness, the dark one's had.

She may not have wanted it, but he was going to help...
 

[GunSniper]

( Must be over 10 to avoid the Vines. 19, Cain Skills )

Cain maneuvered past the vines that seemed to suddenly shoot out from the trees toward him. Not one of them managed to even touch the wind left in his wake as he returned to the sky. Despite the supernatural occurrence, Cain managed to focus forward and keep his ears aimed on the enemy.

His wings could not carry him as fast as that of a wind tribe, but they could still maneuver well even in this storm. Thankfully that proved true today. Those vines would have snared him and brought him to the ground.

He had no doubt that the vines were Riots doing. Cain had not thought Riot could control the trees to his bidding. This might pose a problem...

Cain circled around above and readied for his next dive. If anything he could ware them down and finish them off when they are exhausted from the onslaught.

Nikita grabbed at the ground as he rolled over just in time to watch the vines fly from the trees. Her shoulder's hunched and her head lowered, ready to strike at Cain when those vines brought him to the ground. This would even things out a little. Dark Tribesman could not simply jump to the sky and as long as she could keep him from launching off a tree, they would be on even grounds.

A short growl left her clenched fangs when the black mass skillfully avoided all the vines that were thrown at him. Damn.

Nikita held her gaze on him and she braced herself for another dive. Perhaps she could grab him out of the sky... Or Riot would. An ear flicked back toward Riot when she heard the heavy panting coming from him. She remained aware of it, but kept her focus on Cain who seemed to be coming around for another quick dive.  

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

seeing Nikita's ear shift to him, Riot closed his maw, his tail flicked behind him. He couldn't be a distraction to her. Any wear he had he could save till the end...

However they needed to get Cain out of the sky. Nikita was fast enough to grab him, but that might suffer some repercussion....

Cain needed to be grounded...

It was wet sloppy earth all around him, and the vines where limited by their reach. Sand would only turn to mush. However, a sizable rock caught the corner of his gaze, and in a instant it would be launched at Cain should he dive.  

[GunSniper]

(Above 15 to dodge the rock. 15, just barely a hit )

Cain dove toward Nikita, however as he made his way he could see an incoming grey mass coming his way. He shifted his frame to the side and arched his wings with his body to try and roll past the incoming stone. However, it was not enough. He felt a sharp pain in his side as the rock managed to scrape his flank.

He clenched his teeth before the land was flooded with another bolt of lightning. In the sudden blinding light Cain could smell his own blood drawn from the rock wound. Than, suddenly, it was as if the world itself had reached up and grabbed him.

He could feel sharp needles tear into his front forearm before he was brought to the ground. As his frame crashed into the mud the rain lightened once more to a mere trickle. The winds remained calm.

Cain rolled over just in time to see the white ghost charging toward him with her head lowered. He growled and prepared to counter the incoming blow.

Nikita moved even before the rock was confirmed to hit. Her muscles tensed like a spring while she readied to leap toward Cain to bring him down. She wasn't heavy, but she didn't need him to be grounded before she could start tearing into his flesh.

She could hear the sound of the rock strike at Cain's flesh, soon followed by the familiar scent of blood. Riot managed to at least hit him. And that was enough of a distraction for Nikita to get a good strike in at his arm. In fact it was the only reason she managed to get a good hit at him.

As soon as her paws landed on the ground she flipped around and begun to charge their prey even before he crashed. The flash of light did not bother her, in fact it seemed to motivate her to move faster. Even the rain becoming a mere trickle was a strange motivation for Nikita.  

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

As the rock managed to hit Cain, Riot's focus darted to Nikita. He knew she would be ready. As she ripped Cain from the sky, Riot approached closer. He didn't interfere, but he was there to make sure...yes, unfairly that Cain wouldn't get the best of the fight. it was just deserts, however as Nikita was unfairly taken from her home.

His teeth bared at the other Tahtll, as he moved in a trot to keep tabs on Cain's movement and a watchful eye on the violent exchange. Nikita's charge, his preparation for retaliation. How easily he could lung at the other male, and would if he dared to try and take Nikita's blood once more in front of him.

But for now, he played sentient.  

[GunSniper]

( below 10 - Cain, Above 10 - Nikita, 10 - neutral )

Despite Cain's readiness to counter Nikita's blow it seemed once again as if nature was against him. A blinding flash of light caused him to shut his eyes just before he felt the hard impact of a fire tribe's skull-bash ion his shoulder. He could feel his left wing sting suddenly before the light cleared and he was able to see again. Nikita was already atop him and clawing away at his flesh.

Cain swiped upward and caught Nikita across her right eye. However, neither of them would satisfy the other with a painful yelp. The air was full of growls and snarls.

The two were suddenly entangled in a black and white muddy mass viciously tearing into each other's flesh wildly.

Despite trying to be strategic about his moves, Cain was unable to predict Nikita's savagely wild movements. She had gone berserk. He himself had started to go into what seemed a rage trying to counter and strike back against her sharp attacks.

Than it seemed as if he would have an upper-hand. He could finally feel Nikita's neck in his maw. He could taste her sweet blood on her tongue. Cain glanced at Riot challengingly, he would tear her throat out if he should-

Suddenly his maw felt as if it were going to burn off. The sudden burst of heat spread throughout his entire frame before a blinding light forced him to shut his eyes again. It was than he noticed... it stopped raining completely.

Nikita rammed Cain with full force. More so than she had used to scar Riot's forehead back when they had fought in the sand. She did not allow the satisfaction of a hit to slow her down. As soon as she felt his wing's bone crunch beneath her skull she lashed out with her claws and proceeded to tear into Cain's flesh.

He stuck back with his own claws and Nikita could smell her own blood mingle with the smell of his. She was not immune to his blows, but they could not slow her down. From the corner of her eye she saw Riot close by, allowing her to have this hunt, but ready to catch her should things go wrong. It wasn't infuriating or a sign he didn't trust her, she now understood that.

He was there to make sure that she could see the next morning and achieve her goal, not to cub-sit. This came as a relief. Their goals were the same, to keep each other safe and to never break that promise. A true understanding. They were one and the same.

Suddenly she felt her throat snared in his toothy maw. She could feel him beginning to suck the blood from her body, which would only strengthen himself. But, she wasn't frightened. It was as if everything was clear. Everything. Fears seemed to burn away as a strong sense of understanding filled her mind.

A bright fire engulfed her entire frame. She could hear someone comforting her assuring her that her past actions, though cruel, were not beyond being forgiven. She did not have to have that weight she carried before. It was as if something comforting had embraced her. Her heart released its rage to fully embrace this new feeling. And Riot, suddenly if felt as if she were more connected with his mind. Or perhaps that was a side effect of this clear understanding? She felt as if the two, though separate entities were now truly one.

Nikita drew in a deep breath, drawing the fire that had engulfed her frame into her nostrils. When the fire cleared her frame was standing slightly taller, her horns were longer, more elegant, and with more prongs on them. Her white fur was now completely dry. That fire that had engulfed her body now seemed to manifest itself in her eyes.

Once again she drew in a deep breath, reaching deep down on the inhale. Both paws pressed against Cain's chest, holding him in place. The heat had singed his underside badly and the light had left him in a slight state of shock. Than, on one great exhale, Nikita opened her mouth wide and unleashed a stream of bright fire toward Cain's face. Her horns released a hiss of steam as she let loose the attack. He managed to turn his head and allow the left side of his face to take the full force of the inferno.

It felt as if the energy was pulled from her frame in the assault, her legs begun to tremble. However, she refused to topple over. She continued to hold firm while she held her prey beneath her paws.  

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

Watching the fight carefully, Riot's azure eyes skillfully followed the white and black whip around on each other. His gaze darted back and forth to track the fight. He was careful to make sure to have the upper paw if he needed to.

Rain continued to fall and fill the mountain's fur. The pink tuff of fur on the top of his head, even looked to have flatten in the storm.

As Cain gripped Nikita's neck, Riot's pace stopped as his own blue eyes glared back to his pink orbs. His maw parted, and he was about to lung on the male. Yet, like a random twitch he stopped himself. It was like the Weaver stretched out his paw and stopped him. Reassured him.

There she was....

In that moment Riot's eyes widened, and a sly smirk slipped across his maw at Cain.

It was going to happen too fast for him. Cain's life would be forfit in a second, and he wouldn't know it. If Nikita saw it fit...

A chuckle left Riot, and his posture relaxed. Letting his hunch fold under him, his tail shifted to move around him and his front paws. He relaxed and he decided to watch the magnificent event before him. He took it in, it would be something no one would be able to witness again. Her whole body had transformed, just like his did....

Ears bounded up and his eyes widened as Nikita created a flame from her maw and breathed it viciously upon Cain.

And the Earth watched, proud of the Fire.

GunSniper

 

[GunSniper]

At that moment Cain knew how truly he had lost this battle. In a moment he was return to the weaver just like he had done to others. It was more painful than Cain could possibly describe with more than a grunt. Words had escaped him, sound had left him no more than a pathetic grunt. Still, he refused to cry out. His arms twitched in what might have been a fetal attempt to fight back, but at this point it was over.

Nikita was larger, still slender, but able to hold him down. Even when her paws begun to tremble and her body cooled a bit she was able to hold him.

Cain could no longer feel his paws, his face, his entire frame was slipping from him. His vision begun to blur than vanish completely on one side. Each breath hew drew was shaken and choppy.

What had happened was beyond him. The burning sensation on his entire frame, in his maw, seemed to ravage his body without stopping. The smell of his flesh penetrated the air.

Nikita's frame begun to shake as she felt the warmth leave her body. A small lick of flame shot from her mouth on her next breath. Smoke continued to vent from her horns. A moment ago she would have welcomed this new power and ended his life without question. Now, all she could do is look at Cain with a sense of pity. Not sympathy, she was still not inclined to like the monster under her slender paws.

"...I have nothing more to say to you." Nikita finally spoke after a moment of glaring at Cain. "You have taken me from my family, twisted my thoughts, and threatened my Yoliliztli. In harming me you have done so to him as well. I have taken my pound of flesh, but you have only taken half punishment."

Nikita pressed down on Cain before removing him from the pin. She watched as Cain tried to roll over and crawl back to his feet. The charred mass of dark b'alam, most of his fur gone, the bone on his face exposed, his left eye and ear gone, still had the energy to try and move. It was pretty amusing. One would have thought he would have been out by now. At least he heard her small speech...

"Ry..." Nikita called back proudly to her other half without turning her head away from the gruesome spectacle that was a former Nightmare. Her voice, though bold, was slightly shaken by her subtle shivering. She did back away a few steps to give Riot some room. "...It is your shot now."

[ Radical Dreamer ]

 

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

Riot watched the withered and charred mess carefully. He could sense his spirit on the edge of it's thread, like as if it's self was negotiating with the weaver. Pleading for existence.

As Nikita called for him, Riot's mass pulled it's self from it's relaxed sat in the earth. Heavy steps carried his large mass, closer to the mess of a b'alam. Turning his head, Riot looked to his Nahlil and her magus glory. Nodding his head to her looked back to Cain, his tail teased at passing at her maw as he stepped by.

His head turned slightly, as his ear banked a hard left as if something unseen called for him, or rather said something.

A heavy breath left his maw, as he looked back to Cain. His shriveled mass was coming in and out of consciousness. So, words would best not be wasted on him.

Riot, had permanently maimed others for less, then what Cain had done...

Yet, It seemed the Weaver had other plans...

"As much as I think it right to return you and your sad existence to the Weaver" Left Riot in a growl as he narrowed his blue eyes on Cain. His tail flicked stubbornly behind him, as he pace around the crippled mess. His steps took a angry swagger, like as if he could not touch his pray.

He really didn't understand the maker's plans sometimes. However it wasn't his job to understand.

" It seems there is something more for you to do here." Riot stopped facing Cain and his maw. His chin raised and a breath escaped him.

"My 'pound of flesh' is the heavy burden of life-" Eyes narrowed on the black mass, slowly his hunches lowered on the earth once more. His tail swept behind him, and slowly curled around his lower mass. vines collectively slithered though the grass as if guided by a unseen paw.

"However."

"I will take something from you, for my selfish sake." Riot's maw twisted in a smirk. In a instance vines shot out and quickly bound themselves tightly around Cain's paws. With the right amount of pressure each front paw's nail became exposed. Like little snakes, smaller reeds wrapped themselves tightly around each one of Cain's claws.

Riot's brow scrunched and with the apply concentration, all the reeds roughly pulled. In a instant Ripping each one of Cain's front claw's mercilessly from their claw beds.