Part 3

[CrystalPrison]

Sayuki laughed dryly, "He wasn't, not truly at the least. The final battle may have killed him, but we will never know because there was interference. I couldn't tell you why, but the Demon of the Underworld sealed him away inside his own wings. I've spoken to the rest of your group, and it appears she had gifted your friend Necrassi with those wings, and when he was consumed by grief, Nexus took control." He summarized.

"So there's no guarantee we can beat this guys," Sira commented. "It isn't going to stop us...but it's depressing..."

[Inkshade]

Yanaki slows down and stopps in some dense bushes. he crouches and watches as they move towards him. he digs his toes into the ground and feels the earth. In the forest he would be able to manipulate the earth and plants. perfect...now I just wait. he thinks, pointing one finger at the ground and moving it in circular motions. ...alright, come 'ere beautiful... he watches their path with a sly grin.

[CrystalPrison]

The wolves slowed to a stop near Yanaki, both looking towards the sound of his breathing and heartbeat and Akiki followed their gaze. Some part of her mind and instinct told her this was stupid, quite potentially suicidal, but they hadn't traveled for two days straight to run away; besides, they had a promise or three to keep. Jiro made a low, warning sound, remembering the fight with the demons and Akiki nodded. She folded her arms over her chest, focused on the bushes, waiting.

[Inkshade]

Yanaki smirks, he now knew she could see him at least slightly. he gazes back and chuckles, allowing the awkward silence of the moment to set in. he twitches his finger slightly and vines erupt from the eart and wrap around the wolves and Akiki, separating them. Yanaki stands, his arms folded and chuckling. "Akiki, it feels like its been a lifetime...."

[CrystalPrison]

Akiki frowned and it was as much at his red skin, fangs and complete change in appearance as it was she was being lifted off of Jiro by vines. Kenji and Jiro snarled in unison in warning and Akiki raised a brow at Yanaki, feigning calm. Her expression clearly asked if he'd lost enough sanity to expect a response to that, It has been a life time, the Yanaki I know is dead for the moment. She thought, while another part of her mind wondered if Greston would sense the vines' movement, despite the distance that separated them.

[The Legendary Ice Dragon]

"So wait, if we cut off his wings wouldn't that cause him to go back to the way he was?" Ice then asked

[Inkshade]

Yanaki steps towards them "What? this is..it? No, fighting back no...resistace?" he asks "Who are you and what have you done with Akiki?" he laughs, realizing the irony. "Never got your opinion on my new look." he says holding out his arms "Well? You like the red?" he chuckles and paces. "Uncle's mountain is dreadfully boring..." he continues, knowing she couldn't reply "everyone's so...uggg. You know? No one is worth my time." he looks at his nails "I don't connect with any of them." he looks up at her "Decided enough was enough, and have taken it into my own hands." he steps forward and leans in very close to her face "If you catch my drift." he cocks his head to the side and smirks.

[CrystalPrison]

"I doubt it will be that simple," Sira pointed out. "Nothing is ever that simple."

Sayuki laughed softly, "The wings would have taken control and taken over his body. Because of that, the odds of his consciousness being sealed only in his wings is an irrational hope."
---------------------------

Akiki had stayed still, glaring at him but otherwise not complaining in any way because well, what could she do? But when he'd stepped closer, she reacted, bringing one leg up to knee him in the groin.

[Isis]

"Good job, Kiri. Youre a fast learner," Greston commented as he glanced at a badly slashed tree that Kiri was standing near. She turned around and smidely widely at him. "Really? Oh thank you, Greston!!"

"Let's just hope Sayuki doesnt take my head off for using his trees as target practice...." he muttered under his breath. He snapped his head up and looked back in the direction they had just come. "What--?"

"Greston?" Kiri questioned, looking at him curiously. Greston pulled himself together. Akiki looks like she can handle anything, let alone with her wolves.....I shouldnt worry about her....I need to teach Kiri... "Alright, Kiri. Just a few more moves, okay?"

[CrystalPrison]

Magen looked to Kinjinu as they walked, "I suppose that while we're doing this, it would be best to prepare?" He asked. "The voidlings were hard enough to try to counter, and now with Nexus and Yanaki, and that Malazar guy beat Hekireki he'll only be stronger."

Kinjinu nodded slowly, "Yes, I'm sure they will have more allies as well." He conceded, touching the necklace he wore. "The first thing to learn, is that your spells are fueled by emotion and will, you must harness them."

[Noble 6]

A dark aura entered the area, and a black form appeared in the middle of the clearing.
"But now the girl comes with me." Nexus's voice shot out.
To Kiri, it was Nessii's voice. To Greston it was the voice of evil.
"Give her to me Greston. It would be much easier if you just give me her."

The smoke cleared, and Nexus stood in the clearing. his hood up, his right hand held a red rose. He smelled it and tossed it to the floor.
"Hand her over."

[Isis]

Kiri straighted up, stiff with fear. Who was this black figure? But the voice..."Nessii?" she ventured. She took a step forward, but Greston thrust his arm out to bar her way. "No, Kiri, don't. He isn't who you think," he whispered to her. To the figure, he said, "I don't think so. Youre not taking her anywhere, you hear me?" He stepped protectively in front of her, vines creeping over his hands. "Not if I can help it."

[Noble 6]

Nexus took a step forward.
"Greston, back away. I just want the woman. You can keep your life. I just want the woman....this is your last warning." he said glaring.

[Isis]

Greston's vines grew longer, and he gripped them as sharp inch-long thorns sprouted from them. "I don't care who you are, Nexus," he nearly snarled, and Kiri shrank behind him, all her recent training seeming to slip her mind. She was so confused; she could hear Nessii calling her, but..wasnt he swallowed in some darkness? And Greston was telling her not to move, but a part of her wanted to go to this figure in black...


"Get to the trees. Run, get to Akiki and her pack. Don't go to him, promise me," Greston told her tensely, not even looking away from Nexus. She began to run, and instantly the rose's stem wrapped around his hand, cutting deep into it. That's when Kiri realized he wasn't staring at Nexus, he was concentrating on the rose. She began to run, confused.

[Inkshade]

Yanaki catches Akiki's knee and laughs happily "That's my girl..." he circles around her "You know...I'm not really all that different. As a demon, I'm simply more outgoing. For example, as a God, I was timid, and lacked the courage to tell you how I felt...but now as a demon..." he stops in front of her "Come with me Akiki, of free will. I am the most powerful demon ever to exist...let me bless you and the boys. You can have anything you want." he circles behind her again and leans over her shoulder so his mouth was near her ear "I'll give you your voice back. You'll be able to speak, no more writing notes." he says quietly, and surprisingly gentlely. he looks up slightly, sensing Nexus Keep who ever you're dealing with away from my location. I'm busy. he says to him telepathically.