Shadows and secrets (Danawi Plot)

[Signit Sonata]

A quiet figure watched all of this...and chuckled.

Ark Shindo stayed hidden in the shadows as he watched the entire plot unfold. "Nicely Done Adia" he whispered, watching the trapped Potions Master. Suddenly, he sensed someone. Whirling around, he spotted Aylen and some girl coming. Ah, more fun he thought, before slipping over to the Potions Master as Aylen tried to free him.

"Ah Ace. Seems that you were beaten by a mere student. And your a Professor? Bah!" he mocked, smirking as Aylen grabbed the vines. "Ouch." he winced sympathetically and then he quickly stepped in the way of the fires and casted an Extinguishing Spell, putting out the fires. "I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to free the Professor. You see, Adia has wanted this revenge for a long long time." he said to Aylen with a smirk.

[Aylen Hawkins]

Aylen’s green eyes widened in disbelief, then narrowed at the student. “Hello, Ark,” he said. One could almost hear the dark undertones that struggled to break free from his voice. The redhead unconsciously moved protectively in front of the two girls and Ace. He had once been friends with this student, but they had been at odds almost ever since he “died”.

“If you don’t move right now, I’ll move you instead,” he said, the threat growling in his throat. “Who is Adia to you anyway? You don’t owe her anything. Step aside.” Aylen may not have been trained in the elemental arts like Aidana, but he could handle his own.

[Rezna Lardale]

The Hufflepuff's grip on her wand tightened as she heard the sounds of footfalls behind her. Whirling around on the ground her green eyes fell on Ondrea. Before she could respond, she felt herself being thrown backward by Aylen as he sent his spell flying towards the Professor.

For a split moment the girl was ready to counter it, not sure what the boy was playing at. But seeing the scorch marks around Ace, she picked up quickly on Aylen's logic. She had just risen to her feet when she heard,

"I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to free the Professor. You see, Adia has wanted this revenge for a long long time." The cold voice came from the figure of a boy who had come into the scene without her knowing.

She watched the exchange in silence, while ever so slowly moving around Aylen to get a clear shot at the suffering Professor. The haughtiness in the boy's speech and actions fed her enough anger to cast yet another spell. "Evanesco," she spat out in the exact moment Aylen spoke to the boy named Ark.

With efficiency the spell hit the vines vanishing their deadly thorns upon contact. Moving from one dilemma to the next; she turned her green eyes malevolently onto the boy. She wasn't going to let Aylen fight this battle alone and neither was she going to let the Profesor suffer on the ground before her feet. Her green eyes as cold as death, she decided to give Ark one chance to move aside, to leave the clearing as outnumbered as he was before allowing her patience to run out.

[Ondrea]

Ondrea backed-up, as Aylen shot his spell at the vines, her wand out, ready to blast the flames after they had eaten through the vines, with water. Just as the spell was about to hit the vines, another boy stepped out, and stopped the spell. Ondrea looked at him in shock, "What the hell are you doing?" she asked in a loud voice, as she glanced down at the professor.

Aylen seemed to know this lunatic of a boy. Ondrea stepped out beside Aylen, gripping her knife in her hand, her wand in the other. Even though Ondrea was angry, and confused as to why people were so stupid as to join Danawi, or were in need of real power, instead of the ones that every person had, a smile managed to creep onto her lips, as Rezna got rid of the thorns, "One thing off our list." she muttered.

"Get out of the way." Ondrea said sternly, letting the boy have a glance of her knife, "Please, just go."

[Signit Sonata]

Ark laughed. It was a chilling, bitter laugh. "I wouldn't even if I could. You see, I don't care if you stab me, slash me, blast me, or kill me. For at least one of you will die." he said. "Aylen, I must do this. This Professor will get in my way of my ultimate goal. I didn't want him to die...But I will fight you all to the death if I MUST!!!!" he shouted, whipping his hands in the direction of the two girls, jet black vines springing from them and wrapping them tightly around the trees. Turning to Aylen, a single tear fell from his face, before he wiped it away. "Aylen, you and me. One on One. Do you agree?" he asked. "Oh and Ace," he said, turning to the Potions Master, "Adia is joining the others. If you leave now, you may be able to find them and finally end all of this madness. But I beg of you. Leave Danawi to me."

[Ondrea]

OOC: o my. by saying, "You see, I don't care if you stab me, slash me, blast me, or kill me." are you giving us permission to kill you???

Hmm.... shall I give you permission to kill my Ondrea? It would be quite interesting...

BIC: Ondrea was taken by surprise when she was thrown into a tree, and then bound to it by vines, her head hitting the tree very hard, and her neck making a snapping sound, luckily it had just been strained. Luckily it wasn't like the vines Ace had, and they were loose enough, that she could move slightly. "Ow." Ondrea said, she wanted to rub her head, but didn't really have access to her head, her hands not being able to move too much. She felt something dribble down from her ear, it was blood. Damn... she thought to herself. Then the pain of her neck kicked in, and she started to get dizzy, but she couldn't give-up now.

As the boy spoke to Aylen, Ondrea quietly, and UN NOTICEABLY (ooc: had to do that, sometimes people don't notice things like that... or choose not to) turned around, to the other side of the tree, where the boy couldn't see her. 'shh' she mouthed to Rezna, they couldn't have any attention brought to them now, if they wanted to escape.

Ondrea looked down at her hand that was holding the knife, she slowly and quietly started to saw at the vine, eventually cutting through, after her wrists had started to bleed after rubbing on the rough surface, she was able to move her hand enough to do a proper swish and flick method. Still clutching her wand, Ondrea whispered, "Accio Back-Pack." quietly enough so that only her and Rezna could hear her.

As soon as she had said the words, her back-pack was in her hand. As she held the back-pack, she un-zipped the zipper slowly, with her mouth, so that no one could hear it. Then holding the back-pack with her teeth, with her one hand that could just move around, she grabbed a piece of parchment, that had one of her songs scrawled upon it, but oh well, this was a life and death issue. Spotting her pen, she took it out. Quietly letting the bag drop to the ground, Ondrea held the paper, and scribbled with great difficulty:

Star!
HELP! We are in the forest, and getting attacked by a Danawi follower! Ace is dying! Bring your knife Nadea gave you at the burial, and take that invisibility spell. Sneak-up on Rezna and I, and get us free. Hurry, we might be dead by the time you come.
Ondrea.

Once done the letter, Ondrea dropped her pen from her mouth, and took a deep breath, and hoped to God that this would work. Pursing her lips, she let out an odd whistle, one that Star had taught her before. Ondrea searched the skies for an owl, nothing was coming. "Sh*t." Ondrea muttered, this was going to get them caught, but maybe the boy hadn't heard her whistle.

To Ondreas' relief, she could see Stars owl, Maple, had landed on her shoulder, about to let out a hoot. However, Ondrea shook her head, her eyes wide, giving the owl the sign to keep quiet. Handing it the letter, she nodded, "Quick, go to Star!" she whispered frantically. Ondrea let out a quiet sigh, she was happy, they'd probably not be caught.

Kicking her things into a near by bush, (not including the things in her hands) so that no one could see the evidence or know what she had done. Then slowly and quietly she turned back to the two boys, hoping that Ark wouldn't hurt Aylen, at least before Star got there. (Hopefully not even when she came... she didn't want anyone hurt)

Trying to lengthen the time of talk, and no action, Ondrea spoke, "Too afraid to loose to a girl? That's why you got Rezna and I bound up on these trees, eh?" Ondrea said, glaring at the boy, "May I ask you why the hell did you join Danawi?"

[Starlit Night]

Starlit was leaning back on her bed in the Ravenclaw common room. She was staring out the window, looking outside. Something that looked like a black dot flew up into the sky and began to draw nearer, soon wings could be seen on the black shape, it was quiet certainly a bird of some sort. Jumping off the sill she ran to the window, her owl Maple flew in through the window carrying a piece of parchment in his beak.

The barn owl gave a shrill hoot, hurting Stars ears. "Alright, alright," she spoke impatiently to her companion the sound still ringing in her head. Flattening out the paper her dark midnight blue eyes widened. "Oh s***!" frantically she snatched her silver pocket knife off her desk, it hadn't been used since Tony's Funeral where she received it. Grasping also her wand she slid it into her back pocket.

Racing out of the castle at top speed she sprinted across the grounds, blond hair flying behind her. As she reached the outskirts of the forest, she wouldn't usually enter such a place, not after her first, and most previous voyage into the trees, but this was serious, her friend could already be dead.

"Occaeco," she tapped her wand to her ivory toned forehead and disappeared, Obviously this spell is useful for more things then sneaking around just the castle. She passed into the trees, leaping over the rotting logs and dodging branches as she went silently as a shadow through the darkness.

In front of her she could see something was going on. Something about Danawi could be heard. She didn't know much about Danawi and had not been very involved in the war, she knew one thing though he was evil and that was enough.

She saw it then, Ondrea bound to a tree beside a blond girl who she had never met, but assumed was the Rezna spoken of in the letter. Facing a person who spoke in such a cold voice it sent shivers down Starlits spine was a red-headed boy with his wand drawn. In the very center of it all she saw Professor Aecus, bound by black vines.

What in the world have I gotten myself into, she thought and crept, un-noticed behind the tree. Drawing the compact tool from her dark jeans pocket she pulled out the blade. The sharp metal was smooth and sharp as it was not in the least bit worn.

She began to saw at the vine, getting closer and closer to breaking through it, her hand grew damp as she grew more tense, finally she had cut through vine number one, just a few more to go.

With odd force she broke through the next vine faster then the last, then the next, and it went on until the last vine snapped under the edge of the handy knife, Star didn't unveil her invisibility yet. She muffled her heavy breathing and reached around the tree with her free hand tapping the now freed Ondrea on the shoulder before pulling it back. Now what, she looked around, trying to spot something they could use to their advantage.

Spotting nothing she decided to create a distraction, maybe it would take the attention away from the two captives, if only for a second. She crept through through the bushes and jumped out of them on the opposite side of the space. Igniting her wand she called out the spell, "Incendio," at an overhanging branch. As stupid as it was, for she could have set the forest to fire if she had aimed wrong. The burning branch fell to the ground. here was nothing for it now, her posistion had been reveiled. "Appareo," the girl faded into visibilty and stood there burning branch lying in front of her, the remains of the dying flames dancing in her cool eyes.

[Ondrea]

Ondrea stood there, breathing heavier and heavier, her heart beating so fast, and she had begun to shake, she was so worried, mainly about Aylen, Rezna, and Ace, in truth she did not care if she died, she would actually like that. (OOC: by saying this, I am not giving anyone permission to kill Ondrea... yet) Suddenly she felt one of the vines loosen by a large amount, she wasn't sure if somehow, the vines were loosing its strength, but soon realized that another one had loosened- or it had been broken.

"Star?" she whispered ever so quietly, but didn't need to say that, because as she did, she felt a tap on her shoulder, "When I count to three, stupefy him." Ondrea whispered so quietly, making sure that no one else could hear.

As Ondrea saw a flaming branch drop, she knew this was her chance, running over to Rezna, she cut forcefully through the vines, telling her, "On the count of three, stupefy him."

Once Rezna was set free, Ondrea faced the boy, her knife still in hand, and her still holding her wand, "One, two, three!"

With that, she hoped that her friends would do the same as her, "Stupefy!"

A spark went sailing towards the boy, narrowly missing Aylen, Ondrea couldn't help a smile, that had by far been her best stupefy she had performed, and she had already mastered the spell, from previous fights.

Glancing at both of the girls, she hoped they had done the same thing, surely this would take him down.

Not wasting another moment, Ondrea shot the same spell that Aylen had attempted to free Ace with. She was ready to extinguish it before it touched his skin.

[Ace]

The fire had loosened the vines enough for Ace to move. While the irritating appearance of the boy called Ark was a problem, he seemed to be distracted enough with the congregation of very brave (or very stupid) students - distracted enough for Ace to wriggle out of the bind he had been caught in, ignoring the scraping of the vine-leaves as he pushed them down his body. He was free.

He did not stand up - he watched his students defending his life, a life that was in all honesty not worth saving, not in comparison to theirs. As they were whipped and bound against trees by the same vines that had held him, Ark turned to him, giving him permission to leave... as long as he persued Adia and the other followers, leaving the Forest - and Danawi - untouched. For a moment, Ace considered this. In all truth, he knew he could not stand up against an army of Danawi's followers; but even less likely was he going to survive against the dark being himself. He was, after all, a mere Vampire, with no exceptional ability other than that of potion-making, and right now it wouldn't help him one jot.

As the students were freed by the untimely arrival of another student Ace recognised from his Potions classes, Star, he stood up, on the outside of the battlefield. Where he had been lying, a pool of thick red blood matted the leafy ground.

"I will leave you here to commence your battle," said Ace finally, his green eyes flashing. He considered Ark with a calculated gaze. "Adia will be most disappointed if I die before she herself does the honours, I'm sure you agree, and if you slaughtered me, she would more than likely kill you. Adia does not have loyalties to anyone, no matter what she may have pledged to your master."

His eyes flicked towards the students attacking Ark. "And I advise you to leave as soon as possible. You are doing a brave thing, but Claire would rather her students were kept safe than die for her sake. Ark will not attack if you walk away - unless I'm mistaken, his orders are simply to protect the Dark Master that probaby lies somewhere close by. But do not let my words intruct you - as a teacher and an ally, I am here only to give advice, but not to guide you. Your path can only ever be your choice."

He started to back away from the scene, knowing he would have to hurry if he was to catch Adia before she and the followers destroyed the entire school and everyone inside it. "Whatever you choose - be safe. I want to be able to thank you in the morning."

With that, the Vampire turned and fled for the castle.

[Rezna Lardale]

Rezna did not remember flying through the air and crashing into the tree. She also did not remember the pain that spread down her neck as her head whipped backwards against the thick trunk. It was only once Ondrea freed her from her trap that her mind registered what was happening; although, she did not know how she managed that.

Looking at Ark and Aylen, her breath caught in her throat for she could only imagine what would happen. Glancing to their left, she watched, and listened, to their Professor as he left them hurrying to the castle.

For a while, Rezna felt betrayed, for he was leaving them in danger, where any other Professor would have stayed to defend their students. Still with the mention of Danawi, all the events fell into place. The attack was going to happen, and they were needed. That was what he meant by more danger.

Turning her head, she watched as his figure traced the path back to the castle. Turning to Ondrea, she noticed yet another girl had joined their group. "You better go, head back to the castle. If you want to help, help there," Rezna said in a cold voice as she made her way to Aylen.

Her wand was pointed at Ark's feet, not exactly threatening him, but in no way was it a friendly gesture.

"Aylen, do what you feel is right, but not stupid," Rezna told him in a whisper from three feet away. She wasn't leaving without him. Glancing around the girl tried to pick out any sign of Danawi's followers, or Danawi himself.

Seeing only Ark, she bore her eyes into his, "I did not threaten you; I never said I planned to interfere with your attempted duel. Still, should you exercise your powers like that toward my friends or myself again, I will do both."

With that, she stepped off to the side but not entirely leaving Aylen's side. Glancing behind, she watched Ondrea and her friend, waiting for them to leave to safety.

[Aylen Hawkins]

"Aylen, you and me. One on One. Do you agree?" Aylen watched his two companions out of the corner of his eye. They were slowly getting free. He had to direct Ark's attention away from them, at least for a little while. However, that area seemed to already be well covered as a flaming branch came crashing down beside him. The boy turned around in irritation. Another student? Obviously Ondrea had summoned her help. He frowned. It was dangerous enough for three students without dragging in a fourth, why hadn't she thought of that? He gritted his teeth. There was no help for it, she was already here. They would all just have to deal.

Ark's challenge was still unanswered. Aylen opened his mouth to reply, but at the same time, a voice called out a stunning spell. "Protego!" he snapped, sending a shield around Ark, deflecting the Stupefy. "This is between me and Ark," he said, his emerald eyes flashing. "I don't want anyone to interfere."

"Aylen, do what you feel is right, but not stupid," Rezna told him. The redhead grinned, his normal cheeriness back for one moment. "Since when do I do anything stupid?" He took a deep breath and faced Danawi's follower.

"We were friends, Ark. I don't know how it came to this, but it seems it's in the same place you met my sister." He shook his head, clearing his mind of the memories. "I accept your challenge, Ark Shindo. Are you ready?"

[Ondrea]

Ondrea was very surprised that Ace had gone and left. However, when Rezna told her and Star to get to safety, Ondrea stayed put, "Danawi is near by, you might need help." she said, not sure if they wanted her there.

At first when Aylen had stopped her stupefy spell, she raised one eye-brow, thinking why would he want to protect a Danawi follower? This was very confusing.

Ondrea looked at Aylen, "Sorry for interfering, I just don't want anyone to get hurt." she said, and then decided she'd shut-up, she probably had already been troublesome; plus Aylen probably knew what he was doing, otherwise it would be pretty stupid.

Ondrea just stayed in the same spot, she didn't know what to do now. Her eyes falling in the direction of Star, she smiled, thankfully. Ondrea usually wouldn't endanger someone elses life, but they way she saw it, they were all in danger, Ace was like dying, and then Rezna and herself were bound to trees, with the same vines that were killing Ace; and Aylen was going to face a fight with a Danawi follower, that would be very dangerous.

"Star, you can go if you want." Ondrea said, "Thanks, for coming." Ondrea whispered so that she would not distract Aylen from his battle he was about to face.

Eying the other boy suspiciously, Ondrea could not trust someone who followed Danawi, this would probably not be a very fair fight... a dangerous one at that.

[Starlit Night]

Starlit heard the countdown, but didn't fire off a spell, the two people facing each other seemed to know one another, this was their fight. The stupefy was blocked and her thoughts were confirmed. She stepped carefully over the branch, her distraction, whether it had helped or not.

She heard Ace's advice, and considered it to be true. To leave is the smart choice, but which is morally correct?

Star spoke to Ondrea in a half whisper, "I don't like leaving the battle any more then you do." The logic that lingered in her mind was at work and cross sectioning with stubbornness, "I am not sure of what is right to do, if anybody was hurt then they could be left here to die in the forest, but if we stay our lives are at stake and we are interfering with something that has nothing to do with us whatsoever."

Despising the situation more and more she stood and waited for a reply. Rezna seemed to be tied as well. There has to be a different option. Something in between, come on Starlit you read don't you there has got to be something in between there always has been.

But there wasn't, she would just have to see what wuld happen, the challenge had been excepted, there was nothing left to do, just watch as the duel began.


ooc- Sorry about this post, but I am in a rush.

[Ondrea]

Ondrea listened to every word Star had said, "Exactly. I would hate myself if I found out that we left, and they died. However, I don't want to be bothering them, or get in the way... And I know one thing forsure just the two of them alone wouldn't be able to fight Danawi, or his followers even, without surviving." Ondrea said, very unsure of what to do, "And Danawi could be close by, so I think the best choice is to stay." Ondrea whispered.

Looking around, she felt very awkward, and was even starting to regret coming. Standing in the same spot, she waited for the duel to begin, and hoped that Aylen wasn't going to get hurt by this Ark... and that Danawi wasn't near by, so that they all would be safe, and out sooner then later.

Ondrea decided the only help she could be, would be if she was on the look out for anyone else. So she backed a few steps away from Aylen, and then scanned the forest, for any sign of movement, or sound.

[Ondrea]

ooc: Yeah, thats what I was thinking too, but I kind of already did my last post, and didn't want to delete it.