Naveen

I smiled and gave a bow to the both of them. I froze however as I felt a burst of power radiate from the woods. I looked towards it and I felt another burst that was more familiar to me. The second was Talon's. I took off running immediately.

Rina:

“Wait, where are you going?” I called after him, my birds buzzing around me.

"Talon is in trouble." I called over my shoulder before running faster. I sprinted into the woods, my thoughts only on protecting my lord. When I got into the forest I followed the sounds of fighting.

Rina:

I saw Maleen start to pull up her skirts so she could run after him. I put my hand on her shoulder. “Just stay here. I’ll be back.” I told her then made my way after him cautiously.

Talon:

I parried another blow, only being saved by the magic that strengthened me. I whipped my sword around in an attack that would hit my opponent in the shoulder, but it was parried and a counter attack immediately followed. I had been taken by surprise by this entire thing, and I had a gash on the side of my head that started just above my right eyebrow that stretched to below my ear. I had another wound going down my left arm, from shoulder to wrist. Anyone lesser of a fighter might already have been killed. As it was, I was hard pressed just to keep up the attacks.

Rina:

I sent Aero flying at the back of Talons current attacker, but I stayed back. I wasn’t going to risk my safety for him.

Talon:

I caught sight of Aero flying towards the back of my opponent. I parried and lunged using the momentum of my attack to take the hit from Aero into my shoulder. I gasped in pain and barely managed to avoid getting a sword through the ribs. "Its..." I started to shout before I cursed and had to fight hard to defend myself. I sighed inwardly and I whispered softly, "I'm sorry Wren...please forgive me..."

Calan:

I watched from beside Rina, itching to join the fight but knowing it was better if I stayed here. The attack was the same size as Talon, but I frowned and looked closer. They were floating...and it was then that with a burst radiant wings of light appeared on the assailents back. I couldn't tell who they were as bright plate armor covered them from head to toe. But the wings made me freeze. Talon was fighting an angel. Had it come to take Wren away? But a grimness settled on me as Talon seemed to slow down and he hopped back and drew a second sword. He crossed them in front of him and it was only because I had enhanced eyes that I could see him switch to the attack. An experienced fighter would be able to watch as well I supposed and I turned to Rina. "Watch well, for something like this is why Talon is our lord, and why he is an acclaimed fighter. I know of no one better that could match the angels themselves in combat."

Rina:

“Is that Wren?” I asked in disbelief watching the two fight.

Calan:

I turned to watch the fight. "It has to be. If you look, Talon is pulling the blows, hitting when he must with the flat of the blades...that isn't something I think he would do unless it was someone close to him." I frowned as he moved both swords in a complicated maneuver that gained him some hits on Wren. "But he needs to finish this fast...he took one of your birds to the shoulder didn't he?"

Rina:

I nodded in concern. “Aero. His blood will boil if he keeps this up for any time. I’m shocked he’s still moving.” I said. I had Iris in hand, ready to reverse the damage.

Calan:

"You do realize that if it takes it. Talon will give his life to stop Wren without killing her." I said quietly, my eyes flicking from the fight to her.

Rina:

I watched for another moment before making up my mind. “Wren!” I shouted, using all the authority in my voice that I could muster. “Stop this now!”

Calan:

I could only watch in horror as Both Talon's and Wren's head snapped to look at Rina. A flash of light blinded me, and after it all I could hear was panting right before us, and what sounded like something thick dripping onto the ground. As my vision cleared I saw Talon standing before Rina, his back to her. And out of the center of his chest, the tip of a gleaming sword scant inches from her body. All was silent for a time before Talon's soft voice came. "I'm going to end this...Calan, Wren is still using magic. A different type, but I have finally been able to focus on it."

Rina:

I drew in a sharp breath and stepped back away from him. I snatched my Aero from his shoulder and let the bird go. Whatever was going on, I wanted nothing to do with it. I couldn’t understand how Talon was even breathing still, much less standing and speaking.

The lines along what little skin was visible began to glow. I drew in a slow breath then grasped the sword in my chest. I yanked it out and began to advance towards the plate wearing figure who stood across the clearing.

Calan:

"There is a legend you know. That the first time this was done to a person, it was to fight and kill specific people. We gained the strength of many men. The speed of the same. The drive and skill to kill was trained and learned from a young age. But the original goal and purpose of the creation of these soldiers wasn't to hunt normal targets." I said softly as a wind began to whip up in the clearing. It seemed to center around Talon as he advanced across the clearing, a sword in both hands. One still dripped blood but the blood was untouched by the wind. "Rina, our people were experimented on. What we were given for the pain and suffering that happened. Was what you see before us. No place else on the planet will you find anyone who can do what we do. We have become mage hunters. Anyone with magic in the blood we can kill. Once we can get the pulse and timing of that magic, it won't harm us anymore. Who ever made us his way vanished after it was complete. And it was Talon's father who took care of us as leader. He and his twin brother lived in a time of war and strife as we fought for everything we own."

Rina:

I frowned at him, wondering why he was telling me this. It dawned on me then. “No, he’s not going to kill her is her?” I demanded suddenly.

"I doubt it." I had to cover my face as the wind blew harder. When I uncovered my face and the sounds of swords had stopped. Talon was carrying a limp girl in his arms. No injuries appeared to be any where on him. Even the hole in the middle of his chest plate had any sign of wounds beyond. "Taking magic strengthens us." I stated simply. I moved over to Wren and put my hands on her stomach. "She lives, she is just drained."

Rina:

I frowned at him and thrust my arms out. “Give her to me.” I demanded of Talon.

Talon:

I passed her along wordlessly. I reached over my shoulder and offered out a gleaming sword that dimmed as I held it. "This is hers." I said quietly. The sword itself instead of a metal blade seemed to be made entirely of crystal. I passed it to Calan as Rina's hands were full. "I'm sorry." I murmured to Rina then I turned and started walking away.

Wren:

I made a soft noise and I opened my eyes. "Rina? What..." I touched my head and gave a soft sound. I looked around and saw Talon walking away. "W-wait...Talon!..." My voice was too weak to reach him, and he didn't stop. "Rina make him come back." I begged her.

Rina:

I groaned inwardly. “Wait!” I called after him. “Talon come back!” It pained me to say those words. Especially now while I was mad at him.

Wren:

I closed my eyes and opened them when a shadow crossed me. I tilted my head up to Talon and I smiled. "Thank you. I got so mad at the man for hurting Maleen....I became an archangel to kill him...you stopped me from hurting him or anyone who might have been in the way. Thank you." He smiled softly at me and nodded, "When ever you get mad like that, come to me alright?" I was told gently, "Now go rest up alright?" I nodded and yawned.

Rina:

I watched Wren while she spoke to him, but then I looked up to his face. He had saved me, didn’t I owe him at least a bit of gratitude? The words were stuck in my throat, I couldn’t bring myself to say even a simple ‘thank you’.

Talon:

I gave a polite nod to Wren once she drifted off to sleep. My eyes lifted to Rina's for a moment before I told her softly, "I'm sorry for the trouble I caused. If you need anything please talk to Calan. He can get you anything from my soldiers and can help in lots of ways." I gave her a respectful nod before turning and starting to walk off again.

Rina:

I looked back down to Wrens young face. It was hard to think that she wound have killed him if he had been any less competent of a fighter. I took her back to camp and laid her down on a blanket in the shade to rest.

Maleen:

I was too busy watching the man who had tried to kill me, to notice when Rina brought Wren back. I sat several yards away, just watching him.

Calan:

I followed Rina back, my hands still holding the sword.