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Relief gushes over her like a tidal wave as the reciprocal embrace signals his swift return ~ He's back! ~ Yet he seems to stiffen as he peers over her shoulder...
Reluctantly, she turns to gaze at the pup wolf. Chaos is whimpering and - could she be imagining it - slightly shivering? ~ "Chaos... what is it?" ~ She whispers, crouching beside him, trying to scratch him behind the ears but finding him deliberately evasive ~ What is it now...
The elder ghost.. ~ Iris' mother! ~ ...facing that other adult... the one who had flitted by... ~ Cyrus Nightblade! This must be his wife, then... and Iris... their daughter... along with Spree... ~ She gasps at a sudden discovery ~ They're alive!
"Grandfather! Grandmother!" ~ The young male elf pipes, his aquamarine eyes reflecting the rays of the morning sun ~ "That's a good boy." ~ Cyrus' wife chuckles softly, stroking his fine hair ~ "I can tell you're going to be a real heartbreaker... just like your father." ~ And she turns to face her son-in-law ~ "Thank you... for bringing him here. No present could be more welcome..." ~
"Come here, my boy." ~ Cyrus' calm demeanour is nevertheless betrayed by the streak of pride flashing across his eyes, and the scythe on his collarbone glows in a blood red ~ "Aye... yet another addition to the Nightblade clan..." ~ Turning to Deiter, he raises his brows speculatively ~ You wouldn't mind that remark now, would you?"
"He's half a Leafblade, too." ~ Spree's face clouds for a moment, as the defensive words come swift ~ "But he's our child... and that's all that matters." ~ Glancing at Deiter, she winks at him. He wouldn't mind... he's so good-natured... life is perfect.
"That's a fine nephew I've got." ~ The elf with the scar above his right eye finally speaks, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. ~ "You'll have a protege from now on, Arrakis. Or perhaps, a challenger." ~ A smirk forms on Spree's lips.
"Hey! Don't you start ignoring my presence now!" ~ The gutsy Iris makes a mock pout ~ "I'm alive, remember?" ~ The air rings with merriment, love and pride. The youngster begins to dart around their feet, eluding their attempts to fondle him, alternating between scowling and smirking. ~ "Well, Illuna, I see that he takes after me... in dexterity." ~ "Yes, Cyrus." ~ The tone of indulgence is obvious to all. More laughter resonating into the woods...
Suddenly, the massacre commences without warning. One by one, they fall..Cyrus Nightblade... Illuna... Spree... Deiter... Arrakis... Iris... who?!...
The youngster begins to tremble, his teeth biting his lips determinedly. A film forms over the aquamarine eyes and he rushes towards his parents. Resistance is futile; the tears roll down his pale and taut cheeks ~ "Father... Mother..." ~ he whispers, ignoring the approaching figure. Gazes at his slaughtered relatives, his face crumpling before contorting in a Herculean effort to harden himself.
Finally, he stares at the assassin, his eyes flashing with venom and hatred...
~ END OF VISION ~
Cold perspiration clings to her entire body, her face gone quite ashen ~ "No..." ~ A single moan escapes her dry lips, as her clammy hands attempt to steady herself from collapsing onto the ground.
[ 01-05-2002: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]
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