A Past Life

[yerica]

She didn't understand, they'd known everything, everything, of her plans. Which was impossible, only she knew the breadth and width of the coup. No one else had been trusted with the entire picture, and she had told no one at all. So how? How had it all gone so wrong?

But when she saw Exuro, saw the look in his dark eyes, she knew how. Dargan, Dargan must have told her old mentor. No one else could have known, except for the gods. Why had he told? She had been sure that he would look at the coup as a test to see if their Electins were powerful enough. So sure, and yet. Here she was, standing before Exuro in Creed, trying not to quail before the pure, vicious anger in his eyes. She'd been given to him to be punished, but surely, surely he wouldn't do anything too drastic. Surely...

"Exuro, ple-," she started, her voice thick and soothing as honey. It was the tone she used when she wished to wriggle out of punishment, it the tone she used to manipulate. But Exuro was not going to listen this time. "Silence!" he roared at her, fire wreathing his golden fur, blazing across his dark orange Sequs markings. "Be quiet you foolish, arrogant, two-faced vixen." he continued, his eyes seeing right through her, making her crouch to the ground, but she couldn't seem to look away, "There will be no more lies, no more deception from you." her paced around her, and she turned to follow him, still unable to look away from his hate filled eyes.

"You've spent your life using pretty words to get your way Audrey. You've always been loved, respected, and praised. But that ends now. You aren't getting away, nothing you say will change what I do. And it is far too late for anything you do to change what will happen." he stopped pacing around her for a moment, and she saw a flash of sadness pace across his face, but then it was replaced once more with anger.

Before he could speak again, she quickly interjected. "What can you possibly do that is worse than what has already happened to me."

[/b][/color] Her voice had lost its sweetness gaining instead a harsh, cutting quality. But still, it was arrogant, and full of self pity. "My life is in shambles, my hopes of power are dead an buried. All who respected me either blame me for their misfortune, or curse me for my ambition. What could [/i]you possibly do."[/b][/color]

Exuro pinned back his ears, hackles raised, and teeth bared. But he heard her out. And when she finished his face had turned into a hard mask, when he spoke, it was a hiss, "This." And then the fire that wreathed him shot towards her, so fast she didn't have time to react.

Pain, excruciating, mind-numbing pain flared across her coat. But not everywhere. Under her eyes, her throat, her back was where it scorched her. It took her what seemed like an eternity to realize that it was only where her Sequs markings were. She threw herself to the ground, rolling in a vain attempt to put out the flame as the smell of burned fur reached her nose. She opened her mouth the scream, and no sound came out, the pain didn't lessen, it only grew greater and greater as time passed. So slowly, giving her forever to experience the agony. And then, after what she thought was an eon, but had in truth been only a few minutes, it disappeared. Leaving her limp on the ground.

When Exuro walked towards her she roused somewhat, snarling with her teeth bared, eyes filled with hate and pain. But she couldn't lift her head. He looked down at her, his face still expressionless, "In the name of Dargan and Seina, I say this. Never again will you be named Audrey Ignis." he told her, and his voice held a weight of power that was not altogether mortal. She tried to speak, to tell him that she would be called whatever she wished, but something held her jaws closed with an iron grip. And some instinct warned her that she would never be able to say those two words ever again. "I name you Aud,." he continued, eyes locked with hers, I sentence you to live out your life a Vagabond, wearing your charred Sequs markings as a warning to any who might try to call you friend. To show that any contact with you is to invite the disfavor of the gods." he leaned in close, "I brand you, liar, traitor, and enemy of the Riuna pack. I strip you of your rank, your home, and your family." He was almost touching her now, "Your Kitsune tails mean that you shall out live me, and all who live in the pack now. Nothing will change that. But still, I strip you of[/i] them as well."[/b][/color] Before she could even try to muster the strength to move, a blade of fire had streaked across her tails, severing them effortlessly. She was too tired to scream, but she did squeeze her eyes shut in a vain attempt to stop the tears the leaked from her eyes. "Never set foot on Riuna territory ever again, you scum. And may I never see you again." he whispered.

He didn't say anything else. He just turned, and walked away, leaving Audrey on her side, her Sequs markings burned black and her tails severed, unable to move. Weak, alone, and broken. That was how she parted with the last Riuna wolf she'd ever seen.[/i]

Aud jolted awake, blinking away tears from that old, old memory. No doubt she'd had that dream because she was in Creed once more. She usually avoided this place, but every once and awhile she came here, never to the spot where she'd last seen Exuro though. That was too painful. But, maybe once a year she'd come, perhaps to remember her dead mentor, or dead pack mates. The hatred she had felt towards them had dimmed over the years, and even more with their deaths. Exuro had perished only two years later, along with the Electin that she had once tried to over throw.

It was hard to hate the dead. At least now. And more and more she had found herself reminiscing about her days as a pup, before ambition and greed had taken over her life. When Niika, Aei, and Roland had been her closest friends. It made her look in the direction of Riuna again and again as the years passed. She knew that they were dead now. Too many years had passed for them not to be. And it had saddened her in a detached way.

Because, like the fires of hatred and vengeance had long been extinguished, her feelings of attachment to those who'd been family for that short period of her life had become just as dimmed with time. She was a lost soul, alive only because she held unto the hope that she might find a way out of all this.

"Its been nine years, hasn't it." she murmured to herself, and if she was very very lucky (or perhaps very unlucky) she could expect another nine. "Though, I'm sure I'll have starved to death long before that." she said with false cheeriness. She sighed and got up, stretching to work out the kinks in her muscles. Her coat once vivid as a flame, was well muted by dirt, mud, and dust. If it was clean like she'd once kept it, there was no way she'd ever had aught any game. The only thing that stood out on it were her pure black black fire Sequs markings, a badge to mark her as someone to avoid.

But she wasn't concerned about that now, she was looking of Riuna. The thought of her family had sparked other, uncomfortable thoughts in her head. What if her siblings had had children of their own? What if her parents had had more litters? Even if only one of had found a mate, because no doubt it would have been hard with the fact that they were related to a traitor, she could have family, living family in Riuna. The thought was far from a happy one. She could only hope that they didn't, because somehow she did not want any of her line to still be alive.

After all, what if one turned out like her?
[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote][/center]

[Dargan]

The male was tired and wary from today's events. He just recently called a pack meeting and announced who would take the throne of Riuna to the whole pack. A soft sight left his tired muzzle, as he dimmed his natural flame pelt to look smokey gray. He did not want anyone knowing who he was at the moment, as he had something he needed to do. Something he needed to fix.

Long ago, he had turned a mentor on his apprentice for the greater good, but now he needed hrt. He did nothing to stop what had happened to her, as he had ordered it himself. Now it was ironic that the wolf he had banished, was the one he needed to bring back. She was the only living wolf that knew the ways of a true fire Sequs. What do I say to her? Do I beg or do I drag her back? Dargan pondered different ways of getting her back and each one was pushed aside. The time that has passed since he last saw her was like the blink of an eye to him, but he knew it must have felt like forever to a mortal.

His smokey gray fur tugged in the slight wind as Dargan walked through Creed. He was sure Aud would know it was him, but he was not trying to hide from her. He would rather their meeting say quiet as long as it could. After all many wolves would want to ask him why he chose that wolf and not them for the position of Electin earlier. Dargan snorted at the thought as he drew closer to were Aud was known to be.

He could hear her breathing as he drew closer and his ear twitched. Dargan heard most things, but it was still hard to ignore the annoying little noises of the mortal animals. Slowly she came into view and Dargan was disgusted at what he saw. He saw a wolf who was dirt and did not take pride in her pelt color. Dargan could not believe Aud of all wolves would let her pelt get to this state.

Dargan eyed the female as he looked at her memories came back to him. He remember telling how to turn her marking a different color and how to successfully use fire like a knife. If anything could make Dargan sad, this was it. Dargan did feel a little pity for the female, but he knew she earned what she got. The beautiful markings that showed his favor were forever blackened by fire. Hello, my dear. It has been a while since I last saw you. Dargan's eyes rose to look at Aud's face. His ember eyes glowed with strength as he appeared to her for what truly was the first time. You have not been taking care of your pelt. Do you not longer care for the color? I thought the color was breath taking when you were born. Dargan's eyes glowed as he spoke with what was truth. After all, how could he hate a pelt that looked like his?

[yerica]

Of all the beings that she would have expected to meet this day, if she'd had the presence of mind to think about it. The Fire God would most definitely have been among the last, above the Riuna wolves Aud knew to be dead. So, it wasn't exactly strange that she stared at him like a frightened deer as he spoke. Why was he here of all places. Was he planning to punish her for coming near Riuna, but no, if he was he wouldn't make small talk with her like he was doing now.

And the fact that he was doing so snapped her out of her stunned state and caused her to bite back a laugh. He, the fire god was speaking to her after all these years. Her, made traitor and outcast by his decree. What did he want of her? Because that was the only reason he would be here. Dargan was not one to really care all that much about mortals. He needed something, or else he would not be speaking to her. She could try to leave, or act as if her hatred of him had not become a thing of the past, but no. She'd play his game, whatever it was.

"Na' really Dargan." she said, her voice had changed over the years, but she could still make it similar to that which she'd had as a young wolf, sweet and fiery. Full of life, "Fer me maybe, but never fer you." His other comment made her smile a little. He was trying to compliment her she could tell, but as per his nature all he could manage was a left-handed one. "Wha' you might think is'a blessing is'a curse when yer on yer own. If I didn' go ta pains, ta mute it's color, my prey wou' be able ta see me miles off, and I'dve starved long ago." for a moment, her voice was a little sarcastic, "And we wouldn' want tha'ta happen, after all, aren' I supposed ta live as long as I kin' as an exile?" After those words, it was hard to stop herself from just bluntly asking him why he was here. Not yet, she didn't want to end the dance of words before him. Not after all these years.

[Dargan]

Of all the unexpected things Aud always found a way to to put the icing on the cake. He was waiting for her to run, scream at him, spit at his or something to repay him the favor for her banishment. He never thought she would try to play him at his own game. But did she even know why he was here in the first place? That was something Dargan had to keep to himself for a while or things could get ugly.

The question was, did Aud know that dancing with Dargan did not always end well? Dargan had become snappy over the last five years and unpredictable on many levels.

Dargan smiled at Aud, but even though he meant the smile to be friendly it was not. His tail flickered as he listened to her with keen ears. She did not sound exactly the same, but most wolves at her age could not speak at all. Still the idea of Aud's voice changing amused Dargan on a small level. He knew his comment on her pelt was terrible, but he was not use to talking sweet to anyone. He hardly talked sweet to Seina, let alone a mortal.

Dargan frowned at her words about her pelt. My true colors have never stopped me from doing anything. Maybe you should learn to hunt with your true pelt or let the hunters hunt for you. Dargan could not help but to smile as she played his game. Most hated his games and just went straight to the point, but Dargan liked to tease too much for straight talk. Tell me Aud, have to see the pack lately? Dargan keep his tone off hand, but deep down he knew he was slowly getting towards the meaning of this meeting.

[yerica]

Aud knew he was trying to sweet talk her even though he was terrible at it (After all, she was a master at such things when she was a youngster, so she knew an amateur when she saw one). But although she didn't know all that much about the god, she knew enough to realize that he was doing an admirable job, by his standards anyway. The smile was actually a bit disturbing, since it was so foreign on his expressionless face. Still, she flicked her ears dismissively at his reply before speaking, not letting on any discomfort about his presence. "That, is cuz yer a god." she said, the first word slurred by a chuckle. After all, was he trying to compare himself to her? Insanity, it must be. "Anyways I'druther hun' like this, if it's all the same ta you. With no powers at my... disposal, I much prefer camouflage ta announcin' my presence ta anything that passes."

His next words though, were like a blow to the stomach, and she felt as if she'd had the wind knocked out of her. And for a moment she found herself once more in that long ago memory, Exuro's words as clear and fresh in her memory as if she'd just heard it. "Never set foot on Riuna territory ever again, you scum. And may I never see you again." She strangled a snarl as she snapped her head to look at Dargan, eyes over-bright and full of fury, was he here only to mock her? "No." she said, her voice still half strangled so that it might not come out in a snarl. She took a breath before continuing, she needed to keep her wits about her, they were all she had. So when she spoke again, she was able to talk almost normally, although her voice was still tight, "No, no I have not Dargan. You banished me from there, 'member? On pain of death? Or rather Exuro did on yer orders."

She sighed, and rubbed her head against the inside of one foreleg, suddenly tired of this game. She'd expected it to go on longer, but not after that. "What do you want Dargan? Ta poke fun at me? Cause... it's a bit too late fer that. I don't care anymore, ya see. So, if yer here ta kill me, just do it already."

[Dargan]

Dargan knew he never had to eat or drink for that matter, so he could not really understand the hunting problem. If Dargan did try to hunt, he would just burn the prey to death and leave it for the birds to eat. He did not really care for the life of prey, as he never had to worry about food shortages in his entire life. The only thing that would even make Dargan concerned about the food of mortals was when the whole pack was almost dead. So what if I am a god? I don't have to eat or drink but I can hunt if I have to. Dargan's ears flicked as he heard her next words. Was she trying to get back at him for not giving her powers or something? He was not sure, but he knew losing he cool now was not a good thing. I know you have no powers that can be used in the heat of battle. I was the one who denied you them, but what if you could get a power now? Dargan smiled as he dropped his first hint to her.

The brute narrowed his eyes at Aud as he heard the hints of a snarl. She was smart to hold it back, but she should not have even began to snarl in the first place. He could see the fury in her eyes at what he said to her. She seemed to still be touchy over the matter of the pack, but Dargan was here to fix that. I am aware of that, but no rumors of you spread through Riuna anymore. I use to hear stories of a lone female from them, but soon that stopped. The reason the rumors stopped is the fact that the pack is weak. The pack finally got a new electin today, but the pack is still chaotic.

Aud was really disappointing Dargan today, but what did he really expect from her? He had not really seen her in what was sometimes the life-time of a wolf and he excepted her to be the same. Still Dargan was most disappointed that she did not want to continue his game. No I did not come to poke fun at you nor am I here to take your life. I am here on Riuna's behalf. All the Sequs died in the war and now the pack suffers. Aud, your birth pack needs you, I need you. I want you to be my Sequs and carry on the legacy that was given to each fire Sequs before you, but yours will be different. Dargan eyes glowed and he stepped forward towards Aud without thought.

[yerica]

She burst out into laughter at his words. She couldn't help it, he was still trying to compare himself to her! Was he insane? She was so amused that she spoke her mind, after all he was probably going to kill her, so why not make the most of it and spit in his eye first? "Don' compare yerself ta me. Ya can't know mah struggles. After all, tha' struggles o' mortals are beneath you." her voice was full of amusement, amusement that was replaced by incredulity at his next words. "I don' want yer powers anymore. If I gave ya the impression I did then yer mistaken. Doub'ly so if ya think I care 'bout wha the pack thinks o' me now an' if they're weak."

But, again she was amused, in a sardonic way by what he said. He really didn't know how she'd changed over the years, did he. "I'm not tha fool power grabber I was nine years ago. Ya seem ta be under tha impression I am, which confuses me. If I don' care 'bout the pack, which cast me out, why would I care about you who refused all those years ago ta give me power when I act'shully wanted it? What makes ya think I wan' ta be a Sequs, or teach others the way a' the Sequs." her voice deepened with anger, growing rough and dark, "'m past carin' 'bout them. An' I'm past tha' stage where promises a' power will make me wanna help 'em. I might not hate Riuna, bu' I'm not gonna help 'em either." Ya arrogant ass.
she added mentally.

[Dargan]

He was through playing games with Aud and entertaining her. He tried to play nice, but it had gotten him no where. He could have given her power, a new marking and even given her her tails back. Well not her real tails but he could make fire come off her numbs and make the shape of a tail. Even if the tails burned her skin and fur off, it was the thought that counted right?

Dargan gave her a chilling smile, as all playfulness was lost. He was not going to give her the satisfaction of winning this game. He would have her as his Sequs or she would die. "You know, you are not the only one fit to be my Sequs. I have someone else in mind, but you won't know them. Their name is Relim Venesine. He is your great-nephew. I have always like your bloodlines, you know. Dargan spoke with out emotion, like if he could careless if Aud heard him or not. He did not want her to think he was still trying to get her just yet.

Dargan's fur slowly began to become more flame colored, as his true powers came forth. He was not trying to hide from anyone anymore. He started to pace back and forth in front of Aud, as if he was deep in thought. I could always made Relim Venesine a Sequs, but there are risks. If I made him my Sequs so young, he might hurt himself. After all, it only takes one wrong emotion and a fire could start. It would be wrong to make him live in fear of hurting people, but I need someone to watch over the pack with the heat of the earth. He seemed to be speaking to himself as he paced, but in truth it was towards Aud. If he started to burn down the forest, I could stop him. If he got out of hand and tried to over power me... he would unfortunately have to have a little accident in the woods. His eyes glowed as the possibilities stretched before him.

[Arria]

She snarled at him, literally. Her lips peeled back and she let out a guttural, primal sound of rage at the god's words. Of course, this had been his angle all along. Only branch of her family tree remained, and he wanted to snap it. The bastard! She continued snarling at him, eyes darkening with each moment as her rage mounted.

And then it stopped, as if it had been a tiny flicker of flame put out by a single drop of water, instead of a raging inferno. This is what the- what he wanted. So, instead of yelling at him, she turned her snarl into a rolling, malicious laugh. "As if anybody related ta me wu' follow you. An' even if they didn' hate you a-least a lil', tha pack wu'ent want them tah be Sequs. An' that act'lly matters. In tha long run." she told him. And added, her voice growing angry "You wu'ent arrange an accident in tha woods Dargan, you'd jus' kill 'em right in front a' everyone. That's how yah operate, no?"

[Dargan]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true]

[bg=020205] Dargan's smile widened as she dared to snarl at him. He knew he had her cornered now. He was not even sure if she knew about Relim, until now. But what did that matter? All that truly mattered was to get his prize he had come for. His eyes looked over Aud and he smirked at her. Oh how he wished to read her thoughts right now and see what she was thinking of his latest news. Still Dargan could not help but to be angered by her malicious laugh. She dares to laugh at Me? How foolish this mortal be. His hackles rose as he glared at Aud. Her words seemed to trying to throw Dargan off his game, but he was not going to let her win. Audrey Ignis, Dargan smiled as he used her name that was no longer even whispered, do you truly believe I can not make him my Sequs? I really do not have to ask his permission to give him the gift of fire, you know. I could force it upon him, but the other gods like to ask first. When a god touches you with a gift, you are forever changed and the other three find it wrong to take away part of their freedom without asking. I could care less if they wanted the power or not. Dargan's claws dug into the soft ground and his front paws glowed like his eyes. It is true, I would normally kill him in front of the pack, but why do that when I can kill him near Adair? It would help the pack to become one and attack the other pack, whom took the life of a poor innocent child. Dargan laughed as he spoke of an 'innocent child'. Relim was far from innocent in his book. Speaking thoughts