Savage Dawn ((private thread))

[Joe]

Before long they reached the mountains that surrounded them on the island, before them a narrow passage opened. A cold wind blasted through the passage, howling viciously as Asher approached, placing his hands upon the rocks; smoothed so close by countless ages of the draft. He glanced over his shoulder at Amber, "Have you climbed before?" He lifted himself to the first rock, steadying himself as the wind threatened to throw him back.

[Jenny]

She shivered at the wind, putting her arms around herself automatically in response. Her eyes narrowed as the consistent blast of air brought tears to her eyes and she blinked them back. Amber grinned. "Of course I've climbed before, and as good as you I wager." She made ready to move after him, lifting her hands to brush them against the smooth surface to find crags so that she may pull herself up.

[Joe]

The passage wound up through the mountains, all the way maintaining its narrow meander. The wind continuously howled through, shaking the small dead trees and brush that had somehow found their way in. Asher nodded at her reply, gazing up through the pass as he gauged their journey ahead.

With a deep breath he began his ascent, gripping and hoisting himself along the ever so precarious path, every step distancing them farther from the ground and from safety. Along every gradation he checked on Amber, ensuring she was safe. He could fall and be crushed upon the rocks, but Amber would not rise again as he would. Since their rendezvous in the woods he had become increasingly worried for her life.

[Jenny]

She was slow in progress but it was steady. She bit her lip as she concentrated, her brow furrowing as the rock scratched at her fingernails, roughing them up. She refused to look down, instead watching Asher climb so that she would see the handholds that he chose. She smiled warmly at him as he glanced down at her, touched by his concern for her safety. She paused from time to time when the wind threatened to push her to the side in concentration, digging in her fingers so that she would remain as steady as possible before trying again.

[Joe]

As he pulled himself onto a large overhanging, the end of the chasm came into view - a narrow opening, the blue of the sea visible in the distance. Suddenly the wind ceased, the howling fading away and the only sound that of a few tumbling rocks as they fell into the void. Asher stopped in his tracks, gazing upward as an unnatural feeling came over him.

The canyon walls around them began to shake and rumble, so roughly that Asher nearly fell over. Then the rumbling ceased, Asher looked around frantically trying to spot some danger; then the rumbling started again and with it the gorge's walls began to slowly close in on them. Great boulders were shaken loose by the motion, crashing downward and smashing loose parts of the path around them. "Spirits help us.." He ran to where Amber was climbing and reached down, pulling her up onto the platform. Asher could simply fly out of this chasm if he willed it, but Amber could not, so helping her to climb faster was the only choice. He ran to the next step in their ascent and knelt down cupping his hands for her to use as a step. "Go, we must be quick."

[Jenny]

She thought the ceasing of the wind was strange, but gave it no more thought but a silent thank you to fate. That small relief turned to dread as the walls began to tremble and a metalic jolt of fear ran through her as her face paled.

"Asher?" Amber called up uncertainly. She paused, her eyes casting a downward glance and realized just how high they were, just how far it was to fall on the ground below. She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath, lifting her gaze again to Asher. She shivered and got a hold of herself and began to frantically climb, her fingers scraping against the rocks in desperation, losing a foothold, barely managing to hold on. She found her footing again and continued to climb, her breath catching in her throat as her heart beat wildly. She trembled as boulders crashed down on either side of her but kept her eyes on Asher, desperately willing herself to gain ground.

He could feel how violently she shook as he pulled her up. She clung to him a few moments as she caught her breath. Without a second thought, she allowed Asher to boost her up and navigated the rock again, her eyes on the sea. Hold on just a little longer, almost there...

[Joe]

Asher scrambled up the rocks behind Amber as they clamored their way towards the opening, always making sure she was ahead.

The walls of the chasm began to crash and grind together in the places where they were close, the top of the canyon sealing away the sunlight as it came together, showering them with smaller rocks. The only light now came in a beam from the narrow breach. The walls above crushed together, bringing the ceiling farther and farther down above them, so far now that they had to lower their stature. The door was before them as the walls came even closer; Asher practically grabbed Amber and threw her through the breach ahead of him as he dove through after her, the walls skimming his ankles as he narrow slipped through. He hit the dirt roughly, rolling to a stop, breathing heavily as the great canyon walls slammed shut shaking the whole hill on which they now rested.

"Pray the Gods put an end to this ceaseless strife.." He huffed through his panting.

[Jenny]

In her distress, Amber bit her lower lip so tightly that blood started to flow. But she did not notice the small pain nor did she allow herself to register the scratches beneath her fingernails that had begun to seep small rivulets of blood, marring the crumbling stone that shook loose from the chasm. She scrabbled upward as fast as she could, sweat beading on her brow. She pressed against the rock as best as she could as the walls crushed together. Amber yelped as Asher propelled her upward onto the shelf above and scuttled on her hands and knees to give her distance from the wall itself, as if it's jaws would pull her down.

She raised herself to her knees, placing a hand over her rapidly beating heart, looking back and finding relief that Asher was with her, just as breathless as she. What had just happened to them? Why had the wall moved as if a living thing under it's own will. Had it been some sort of deadly enchantment? Or had the gods once again disfavored them?

She turned her eyes back to the tranquil sea and found comfort there.

[Joe]

He lifted himself up, gazing at the cliff behind them. It seemed to gaze menacingly back at him, and now that they were outside its walls it felt as if a sinister presence had been lifted. He also felt his power returning, the connections will all the spirits around him rushing back. The dark things in this island's core had somehow suppressed him, but it was clear he had more connections to this place than he thought.

He turned around, spotting Amber as she stared out to sea. He walked to her, taking her shoulder and pulling her up gently, "Come.. I will not feel you safe until we are gone from this island altogether." He started his stride down the hill towards the water's edge.

[Jenny]

She allowed him to raise her to her feet and followed obediantly and in silence. She shivered still, but that too began to pass. She sighed softly as at last their feet reached the shore, and felt a great weight lifted from her. She would feel no regret from leaving the once promised sanctuary, all save one. Her father. But alas, he was lost within his new chosen brotherhood. She could not look upon her father again without pain, and would never glance upon his face for fear of that coldness in his eyes, and fear for the danger that he would impose upon her within the obediance of the dark god.

[Joe]

As they reached the shore Asher motioned to her, "Wait here.." He strode down the shore into the water, wading down calmly until he was completely submerged. After several minutes passed there was movement beneath the waves and Amber would see two great green orbs staring at her from the shallow waters on the beach. As they approached the form of the beast became visible, a sea serpent, a creature thought extinct by most tribes. Asher waded farther up to the shore, surfacing somewhat, exposing his scaled back and several long fins. The length of the creature was just short of fifteen feet, but it was enough room to carry one person. His eyes simply stared at her, willing her to trust him in this form.

[Jenny]

Amber nodded and waited as he had asked. Her brow furrowed as he disappeared into the water, wondering what he was up to. As Asher's sea serpent form emerged from the deeps, she took a few uncertain steps back, remembering the violent beast that had taken her kin days earlier. Was this Asher? She hesitantly stepped up to the water's edge, eyeing Asher for a few moments before stepping forward into the water so that she may approach him.

[Joe]

He sidled closer to her, lowering his head and brushing softly against her legs beneath the water. He attempted to project his thoughts to her, but to her untrained senses it would simply seem like a good vibe. As long as she was willing, he intended to carry her across the channel to the mainland, with his speed in this form the trip would be short. His vibrant green eyes continued to stare up at her, hoping she understood his intent.

[Jenny]

Having glanced across the sea, she had seen that there was no physical way to cross, and with Asher brushing beside her she realized that he meant to carry her. Carefully she slid upon his shoulders, putting gentle pressure on his body with her knees so as to not fall off.

[Joe]

As she climbed onto his back he turned and swiftly set out upon the waves, ensuring to not go so fast as to throw her off. The channel was mostly calm, only some waves washing up to her waist as they made their way through. As they neared the opposing shore, Asher began to wonder where they would turn. Amber's old village was all but lost, and the armies of the Eikem had no doubt made significant progress through the land; safe haven would be hard to come by.

He swam carefully up to the shore, carefully paddling into the shallow water, allowing Amber to dismount. As she did he quickly disappeared into the depths, his human form rising to the surface slowly after, gasping for air. He trudged up through the shallow water, looking weak, "I'm sorry if I frightened you, but I could think of no other way.."