Valley of the Damned
Nestled here among the towering gray mountains is the site of one of the fiercist gryphon battles of their civil war. This place will live forever in infamy. The valley is quiet and calm - only the smallest of trees have finally started to grow in this ancient place, with grass poking up here and there. Scattered among the stones are obvious bone fragments - pieces of rib cage, skulls with empty eye sockets staring. Thousands must have fallen here, and for so much to be preserved after so long. Sections of the mountainside and rocks are twisted and melted, huge spaces of earth scarred as though seared with an unimaginable flame.
In one of the less-ruined areas of this immense area the land seems a little greener, a little more healed. Partially hidden within a thick tangle of brush and greening trees is a black stone couch, of the old old style... seemingly grown up out of the very bedrock itself. Pitted by the ages and the elements, it seems as though some gryphon took it's last rest here - only the bones remain, seeming almost fused into the couch itself. And yet, as if to belie how long ago this seems to have happened, a few jet-black feathers are scattered about the area.
Off the east end of the valley, you can see a small ill used trail leading further up into the mountains. To the west is sylvan forest, underbrush thin enough that you can push through without too much difficulty.
Teras glides lightly in the air as he approaches the valley, heading to a place he's not been before. He's heard very little about the place beyond some cautions not to go, which has only inflamed his curiosity, Besides, there's very little to do back at the aerie. Slowly he approahces the ground for a landing.
Lightfeather is resting at the base of the odd stone couch, not moving. A few stray leaves from nearby bushes cover her. She doesn't even open an eye at the sound of an approaching gryphon. It's as if she's stone herself, it's hard to tell.
Teras comes to a somewhat clumsy landing, a bit distracted by the sights of the valley itself, his head turning to and fro asn he peeks about. Slowly he walks towards where you lay once he spots you, wondering if it's just a statue..it certinally couldn't be someone living here, could it?"
Lightfeather doesn't appear to be breathing like a real gryphon does. Or is she? A leaf slides down her side, but no wind blew past. She has to be breathing....right?
Teras pauses a short distance away, still puzzled "Hey, you okay?" he calls out, figuring a real (and alive) gryphon would awaken at the sound of him.
Lightfeather opens no eyes, yet her beak moves just enough to answer softly, "I'm sleeping, so I guess I'm okay." There is no malice in her voice, yet no pleasentness either. She simply....is.
Teras starts just a little bit, not expecting a response after all but still getting one. "Isn't this a bad place to sleep? I mean, not just because it's outdoors, I'm sure that part is fine, but in this valley?"
Lightfeather hurfs softly, the dust and leaves in front of her beak lifting barely in the air from her breath. She slowly responds in the same voice, "It is only bad to those who do not know what lies here. This place is not for normal gryphons such as yourself."
Teras cocks an eyeridge, noting your...unusual coloration "And I'm to assume you're not normal then?" he says, not looking very concerned "And I'd like to say it dosen't seem so dangerous here.."
Lightfeather sighs, lifting up her head slowly. A light layer of dust and leaves fall from her neck and head. She had to have been laying that way for a long time, out here in the open. She turns to you, opening her eyes for the first time. Bright pink orbs seem to flash for the briefest of seconds before settling upon you. I think it's safe to say she's an albino at this point. She answers, "The danger has been abated much. The ghosts don't roam as much now that some things have been...set right." She looks back at the couch sadly as she says the last part.
Teras blinks, noting the dust "Well, either you're a deep sleeper, or you're not a normal hen, no offence." he says as watches you a little more warily. "So what's this about ghosts..and things set right?"
Lightfeather turns to look back at you with a soft chuckle, deep in her throat. "Yes, I slept deeply. I honestly don't know how long I have slept to tell the truth. But this valley was not always a valley. It was rolling grasslands and the site of a terrible battle. The ghosts roamed the resulting valley for centuries until a mage with special magics gave her life to set the ghosts to rest." Her voice is sad, her pink eyes show the sadness easily. "But it still not a safe place for young ones to be at. Tell me, why are you here? Did your elders tell you not to come, did they tell you of the bad things here?"
Teras wingshrugs "I'm not that young.." he says, trying to conceal a bit of annoyance "And I ws told to avoid this place, yes..but not much else..and to be honest I'm my own drake, I don't need to be told what to do." he says as he casts another glance around the place
A cool wind slowly picks up, stirring the leaves and bits of dust here and there.
Lightfeather doesn't even blink as she asks as cooly as the blowing wind, "Oh really? Can you fend for yourself? Can you hunt and provide shelter of your own? Did you stop to ask your elders why you must avoid this place?"
Teras shakes his head "In reverse order, no, and yes. I can take care of myself quite fine, thank you...and if I can't, well I'll find out soon enough." he says "I don't worry about myself all that much."
Lightfeather chuckles again, this time arching her front end up in a stretch that knocks off more dust and what few leaves are left on her before standing the rest of herself up. After shaking the rest of the dust off herself, the white gryphon spreads her impressively short wingspan with a few flexes to be sure they are not too stiff. She turns to the drake before her, eyes narrowing dangerously, her beak almost curling into a smile under her bright eyes. Her tone of voice changes from one of nothingness to an almost predatorial one. She growls with barely restrained laughter, "You should worry, child. They warned you about this place, but you never found out why." Her forend crouches down as if she's getting ready to pounce. "*I'm* the one they tried to warn you about. You'd better run while you can, child."
Teras tenses up a little bit, eyes narrowing as the wind feels that much chillier about him. His tail flicks with agitation as he watches you rouse yourself before him "Sorry, but I'm not the running type.." he says simply "Guess I'll just have to take my licks..."
Lightfeather Lifts one foreclaw up, curling the knuckles, letting them slowly crack down each joint. After setting it back down, she repeats this process with her other foreclaw. "I must applaud you. Then again, you do not know me or what I am capable of. Those who do know fear me and justly so. I am not a real gryphon anymore. I was bread and altered to be a fighting machine. I was created to kill other gryphons." She takes a single step towards you asking softly, "Does this frighten you?"
Teras shakes his head "Maybe it should, I don't know.." he says, holding his ground as you step forward "I fight a lot myself, but..it must be pretty sad if that's your whole purpose.." he says "Why have a gryphon that kills other gryphons?"
Lightfeather points a claw at the bleak end of the valley. "I told you earlier, there was a terrible war here. Gryphon killed gryphon by the hundreds. I was only created to help my "side" win." Her back end crouches down now, ready to pounce. Her wings uncurl from her sides just enough to give her body room to move, yet not impede her speed on the ground too much. It also makes her ready to take wing if need be. "I tried to be normal once. It didn't work. I was feared and shunned. I was used and then ignored and tossed out. But I still know how to fight. Prepare yourself child, let's see how you fight."
Teras crouches as well "I'm sorry it had to come to this.." he says simply "I'd say I'll try not to hurt you, but I doubt you'll extend the same courtesy to me.." he murmurs, tailtip flicking a bit as he prepares for the initial pounce.
Lightfeather hmms softly to herself, "On the contrary, I only wish to test your skills. I can kill you at any time but what will that accomplish?" With a surge, she lunges towards you. Her lean body stays low to the ground, her wings spreading a little further, as if to parallel the ground almost. A slightly insane giggle comes from her as she charges your much larger form.
Teras braces himself as you make the lunge, ready to take the initial impact. He's not a small drake by any menas, and like those who posess such an advantage, he's ready to use it. He readies himself to grab you once you hit, not expecting much of an impact from your smaller frame.
Lightfeather giggles even more insanely as she sees you brace yourself. She pushes herself even faster, yet just as she's about to impact you her eyes open wide, the pink replaced in a flash by softly glowing red. It's not just her pupils, both eyes are solid glowing red now. Her body flashes just as sharply and the white seems to melt away as it turns to a solid silver. She ducks her head, snapping her wings backwards for the extra momentum boost before finishing the tuck. She intends to fully slam into you.
Teras looks a little uncertain as he sees this change come across you, not expecting this. He still holds his ground, relising at this oint it's way too late to back down, fleeing would only expose his back to you, so he remains where he is.
Lightfeather slams into your braced chest, knocking you back a few steps and knocking your breath out for a second. She's heavier than she looks. Before you can realize she's moved, she's already uncurled herself and jumps up, using your shoulder as a springboard. Silvery wings snap out to propel her momentum up enough for her jump to a glide. Heading towards the stone couch, she lands on top of it as easily as a bird lands on a tree limb. She turns to face you, uneartly eyes staring. Her voice is unusual now. It's not like a machine's, but it has a metallic sound to it. "Do you still wish to fight now child?"
Teras oofs, feeling the breath knocked from him, even braced, caught off gaurd by your unexpected increase in weight as you hit him. He staggers a bit, regaining his composure a little as you hop away back onto the stone. "I didn't want to fight in the first place..I didn't want to run either, that's all."
Lightfeather stares in your direction with those eerie red eyes. She nods, "True enough. You have done well so far. Now let's see how well you *dodge*." As she says that last word her foreclaw jumps up as if she's grabbing something only to slam back down just as fast. As if pushing it from the ground with that slam a large, sharply pointed spire of rock springs from the ground just inches from your side.
Teras lets out a cry, rolling to his side clumsily, apperntly not dodging all too well, his size working against him in this case. He remains tenses as he tries to get to his feet, ready for another attack from you.
Before you can finish your roll, another slam heralds another rocky spire just at the edge of your feet. Better move fast before she skewers you on one of those things. The silver gryphon just stands on her rock, the slightly insane giggling starting again. Is this a game to her?
Teras stumbles, feeling disoriented as he continues to try and avoid the spires coming from beneath him. He pants, already tiring from his efforts, wondering what your ultimate goal is.
Slam! Another spire causes you to jump again. It's hard to see if she's grinning, you're too busy watching for the next spire. It's not long before one gets a little too close, taking with it a couple edge feathers from your left wing. It's not punctured at least, just scratched a little. With that, the spires stop. The silvery gryphon hops down from her perch saying simply, "That is enough for now." She starts to walk towards you as the silver covering her melts away, as if being reasborbed back into her body. Her eyes are still glowing though.
Teras pants heavily, trying to catch his breath when the attacks stop, barely able to register the close call. He finally peeks at the wing, noting no real damage, then turns back to face you, looking quite worn out. He dosen't reply to your comment though, still wary of a possible surprise attack.
Lightfeather walks softly up to you, almost within arms' reach before stopping. Large, glowing red eyes just stare at you before her head tilts to the side, the red flashing away as easily as it first started. Her pink eyes look at you curiously. Her beak parts in a gryphonic grin. "I like you. Brave, strong, determined....and either too stupid or too stubborn to run away from what you don't know." Despite the number of stone spires still sticking from the ground, the white gryphon sits her feline back half down casually as if nothing had just happened. She says casually, "You still need some practice, but I think you will be able to survive for a while on your own."
Teras is happy that it's gone back to just talking, although he still wonders if you're just wiating for round two. Nevertheless he allows himself to relax, figuring he might not get another chance to rest "Probably stupid, although stubborn gets a strong vote too.." he says wryly. He sits once you do, still breathing a bit fast "I'll take that as a compliment.." he adds to your last comment.
Lightfeather asks as calmly and casually as before. "Tell me young one, which aerie were you raised in? Or did you come to this place by other means?"
Teras umms "I'm from Windhaven..born there, rather..I'mnot a new one, although my parents are." he replies, finding himself a bit puzzled at how quickly your attitude has changed.
Lightfeather nods slowly, "That would explain why you are not afraid of magic as much as the other aeries." Her head tilts in curiosity as she thinks of something. "If you are from Windhaven, did they not teach you about the Great Wars centuries ago?"
Teras wingshrugs "Probably because I got bored with it and wandered off.." he says bluntly "Or caused other trouble.." he admits "But to be perfectly honest, even if I had learned about it, I still would have come.."
Lightfeather groans softly, reaching up to place her foreclaw across her beak and eyes. Shaking her head side to side she mutters softly, "No wonder you're clueless about me and this place." Putting her claws back down gently she sighs deeply. "Let me give you this piece of advice, young one. Knowledge is power. If you know even a little of what you are getting into, the better prepared for it you can be. If you know things, you start to fight smart. Fighting smart tends to keep your tail attached and death to a minimum. If you had listened and read the books, you might have had a better picture of what to expect from this place and from me." Her voice trails off as she mutters to herself, "...although maybe not of me, I'm not quite in those particular books..."
Teras cocks his head "I know all of that..to be honest, I didn't care. I'm not directing that towards you, just..well, I wanted to take a risk, and that's all there is to it. Plus I waned to see for myself what is really in this place, rather then hearing it from someone else." he settles in a bit more, not quite as on edge as he was.
Lightfeather continues muttering to herself, seems she didn't hear you. "...knowledge is power, but not all knowledge is good. When I found out, it was bad... I found to adjust to my new self, but then it got bad again... the more I learned, the worse it got. Knowledge is power, but not all power is good, they really should teach that in those fancy classes, you know?" Now she just rambles on and on to herself...
Teras blinks a few times, not following you, wondering if somthign is wrong...you certinally didn't seem like the most stable of gryphons "Are you alright?" he asks carefully, not sure if this is leading somewhere bad.
Lightfeather continues to ramble and mutter to herself. Without warning, mid ramble, she stops talking as she raises and slams her foreclaw into the ground as before. This time, however, the spire is directly underneath your body, lifting you up a few feet into the air. Once the shock of sudden movement is gone, you realize you are not skewered on a spike, but on a flat rocky outcropping. Lightfeather blinks and looks up at you as if wondering what just happened. "You're still here? What're you doing up there, I'm not going to hurt you..."
Teras yelps out in shock as he's lifted by the spire, fully expecting the shock of pain to wash over him. When it dosen't, he takes quick stock and relises that he's just been lifted, not comfortable but not really damaging either. "I hope not.." he says as he starts to get down 'Um, would you like me to leave?" he finally asks, starting to think he's pushed his luck a bit too much.
Lightfeather wingshrugs as she pads back over to the side of the stone couch. As she settles herself back into the resting position she was in when you first arrived, she comments, "It's dangerous out here. Many bad things still rest here. This place is not for normal gryphons such as yourself." Wait, isn't that what she first said earlier? This is an odd creature for sure.
Teras nods a bit "You're right..it is probably dangerous for normal gryphons like myself..I'll just take my leve, if that's alright with you.." he remarks, starting to edge away.
Lightfeather lays her head back down, eyes slowly closing. As you take your leave, you can almost hear her whisper, "...safe winds, young one..."