If Only{{Kina/Ardell Dark Mabinogi}}You Could Have Looked Like That Sooner

Kina gave an annoyed snarl. "Why the hell are they your business?! Do you honestly think any of them would stay if they were given the chance out?! Hell no!" She glared at her lover coarsely. "I'm sure as hell not leaving you here, Ardell. Not after all I went through-- not after how long I fought the thought that you were dead."

Ardell frowned. "Kina...I would be dead, if not for them." his expression was very solemn. "We all escaped together."

Kina gritted her teeth and shook her head- as if refusing to hear of it. "..." She hated being wrong- even more, she hated admitting it. So she remained totally quiet.

The elf opened his mouth to say something else, but hesitated a moment. "...Will you stay with me...?" he asked gently. He didn't know how he would be able to take her leaving right after seeing each other in so long.

"Yes." Kina answered- a knee-jerk response. She did NOT want to leave him again after she had just found him. "...Yes." She responded, steadily this time.

Ardell released a slow breath of relief. "Thank you." he gave a small smile.

~~~

The night had grown crisp and dark, and so very chilling. None could get comfortable in their animal pelts and tents, but most managed to fall asleep all the same through the warm company of others. The coldest of the camp had to be the guard, set on the edge of camp without any weapons of any sort. Enoch had been chosen for tonight...and while his seemingly absent eyes stared forward, he was fully conscious of his duty.

As well as the horrible signs that he was beginning to recognize.

"Attack! Attack! Attack!" Enoch began to yell, the forms of giants in the distance setting off a series of adrenaline trembles through his body.

The fighters of the camp began to emerge. Con came belting out of her tent, hair down and all astray, with wide eyes and her makeshift weapon in one hand. Ardell also began to emerge from his own tent.

Kina heard the screams and the other sounds of erratic motion and terror outside the tent, the woman jumping to her feet. She grabbed her two handed sword and burst from the door, holding it aloft and at the ready. She ran to Ardell's side.
"What do we do?" She inquired.

Ardell stared off in the distance at the approaching forms, trying to make out their numbers. This wasn't a small group. There were at least ten of them. He could hear yells -battle cries- mixed in with their extraordinarily loud footsteps. "We need to hold them-" Ardell's words were cut off in a small swear, the elf ducking back into his tent momentarily. He had forgotten his bow.

Con was giving out orders to the fellow refugees, many of them without weapons. They had moments before the giants reached them- it was a very desperate situation.

Inside the tent, Ardell scrambled for his bow. When had he taken it off? He couldn't even remember. Panic was beginning to set in when his fingertips finally brushed against smooth wood. But it wasn't his bow. The elf stared down at the found item, realizing that it was the one that Kina had brought with her. He hadn't thought about it before -and had very little time to now- but why did she have a bow? She wasn't an archer.

The elf snatched up the bow and headed out.

With his alarm given, Enoch stood to the side, eyes closed as his hands glowed with spell.

Kina took a step forward, readying her body. But even as she stood she could feel a cold hand of dread at her neck. She was still utterly exhausted- her body having barely regenerated the energy it needed to withstand such an attack for long. She wasn't sure how long she could make it.

Less than half the elves in the camp had their own bows to fight with- all of them fashioned through the rare tree on the path. The elves that had this rarity all came about immediately, the arrows whistling as they cut through the frigid air.

Ardell made to hurry to the front of the camp, to shoot as many as he could before they reached them. He paused a moment, however, as he glanced back at Kina. She had fainted yesterday. But as much as he loved her -and really, because of it- he knew that asking her to hold back would bring nothing but an argument. His eyes seemed to relay what he wanted to say, before he turned and continued to a place on the opposite side of Enoch. Hopefully...the giants wouldn't get far enough.


It took minutes for the giants to reach them, many of them bearing harsh arrow shafts from their flesh. Two or three had fallen on the path there, but the rest were quite fight worthy. Ardell attempt to keep stealthy during this fight, hoping to shatter their forces without them ever seeing him. This worked for a large part- three giants fell thanks to his arrows. The others, catching onto his skill with the bow, were quickly seeking him out.

Four elves could be seen on the ground, wounded or worse.

Kina rushed at the nearest giant that caught it's eyes on her. She sliced at the creature hatefully, rage driving her every move. After a few moments there was a cloud of smoke nearby, and a spectral shadow slid across the scene. The unicorn gored into the side of the giant, causing it to cry out in shock and pain.

The sound of a falcon's cry pierced through the chilled air's sky, the bird dive-bombing straight into a giant's face, its talon's scraping and scooping for the large man's eyes, sharp beak pecking at the skin.

The sound of a sharp whistling pierced the sky, an arrow with a hole in the actual tip of it came soaring through the air, the falcon darting back into the air and disappearing with a simple splash of white smoke. The whistler arrow struck through the back of the giant's head and out of the front, the large man stepping forward with blood pouring down his face before he fell forward.

Fast feet darted through the pack of giant soldiers, avoiding any weapons or large feet and fists as he passed by. The elf, his ears perked and listening around for noise (one of which, the right, was docked off at the tip, about halfway down the long ear), his left ear baring and earring which held the royal symbol melded into the little silver piece dangling from the thin, yet strong, string that threaded through it. The man dashed through the battlefield, jumping back with fast and quick deciding feet, the black and red arrow in his hand aimed perfectly as he shot arrows into giants getting too close to other refugee elves, trying to down them as best and quickly as he could.

His appearance, although barely recognizable over time, held somewhat of a familiarity to it all the same. His copper hair, tied back high, held two braids on either side of his head, bangs pulled back as well, minus a few stays ones that whipped against his face as he ran. Steel blue eyes, harsh and cold as always, pierced through his surroundings. If he passed an elf unarmed, he quickly handed them one of the seven bows he'd snatched from a hidden room in the Giant's building he'd infiltrated just a few hours before. By the time he'd run out of extra bows and arrows, he was left with his own, and searching through the unfamiliar faces for one in particular- even if he were going off of what he'd heard the other elf had looked like over the years they'd been apart. He hadn't seen him since the incident.

Fifteen more minutes of fighting- fifteen more minutes of searching for what he hoped would be a familiar face. Nobody seemed to recognize him, however, but he was fine with that-- if he could only just find him, and relay the message.

"ARDELL!!" The elf called out, holding his bow at his side as he called for the elf once more, steel blue eyes searching quickly, almost vigorously for the blonde-haired elf, for a familiar face.

Kina took a step back as the giant fell, shock apparent on her features. "....Wha-- who??" She exclaimed out loud- a knee-jerk reaction from the sudden attack. She looked to the side- eyes barely catching an end glimpse of the man as he continued through the fray. Kina only had a second to watch before she was under siege again.

Ardell was in a suitable enough position that he was able to see the other elf's entrance. He didn't recognize him, but greatly doubted the odds of a new elf worsening their situation. His attention quickly left the newcomer, and continued to aim itself upon a nearby giant's head.

"ARDELL!!"

The targeted giant had only just collapsed when Ardell heard his name called, the blond elf searching through the crowd for caller. He didn't recognize the voice. There was a swift analysis of the area before he stepped out of his hiding spot, bow still lifted and shooting anyone over ten feet. If someone was looking for him, they'd have to find him first.

Con and Enoch were giving their all against the invading forces. The magic user spilled lightning from his fingertips, and while the enemies were stunned, Con would launch herself at each one's head with her makeshift weapon. It was a highly effective maneuver. The two made a good team.

Exceptions would always come about, of course. One of the giants recovered from the shock too quickly for Con's attack, and managed a powerful strike right to the female elf's head. She was flung down to the ground, blood seeping through her chestnut hair.

"Con!" Enoch cried, sending a large ball of fire to the horrible giant. It was quickly sent backwards, singed and smouldering. The magic user sprinted to Con's side, hands glowing light blue as he attempted to save her life.

Another giant began to take advantage of Enoch's distraction. His footsteps shook the ground, but Enoch's staring eyes did not look from his fallen comrade. The giant lifted his maul, and began a heavy swing downward.

Arrows struck the giant's face before it could reach him. Elves, some equipped with the newly acquired bows, fired again and again until the giant collapsed. Enoch paid no attention to the act, continuing his healing.

By the time the elf's voice got closer to the other's form, he had touched shoulders with the blonde, as he'd been backed up by a giant. "Ardell-- Heaven forbid, is that really you?" The strong elf called passed all the noise and clashes of swords on earth, of arrows in flesh.

"It's Arivin!" He finally spoke, the head guard elf for the princess and her royal family. He had grown taller, and stronger, that was no doubt by the sizes of his arms (for an elf, at least). His face had hardened yet held that softness that all elves seemed to carry with them. And his hair, still copper in color, had only grown longer, and had been styled differently for more convenience over the years.

"I have--" He began, taking out the scimitar that had been at his hip and throwing it straight into a giant's chest before pulling back an arrow and striking it through his chest, another in his shoulder with the aide of another elf at a distance. The giant soon fell. "--Something to tell you!"

After a good bit more of fighting, the guard finally inhaled sharply at a blow to his side by a sword in a giant's grip (the giant fell back, but didn't die and wasn't severely wounded like Arivin now was). "The Princess-- She's alive!" He called back to the blonde elf.

The whistling of arrows and clanking of swords seemed to fade out into muted distance as Ardell heard Arivin's news. At first, it didn't seem register completely. But then his expression smoothed up with relief, a grin breaking through. While without words, the elf responded by sending two arrows straight at the giant that attacked Arivin. They pierced perfectly into the giant's left eye, right down to mid-shaft, the giant screaming as he fell backwards. He died within seconds.

He gave a single nod at the other elf, grinning still. It was such great news, knowing that not everything of the elven country had been destroyed. Ardell's bow aimed again at a giant, this one seeming to realize that many of his kind had already fallen. It was trying to flee. With a narrowed eye, Ardell's arrows soared vengefully to its neck. Blood spouted from the wound, and with a hand to his choked neck, the giant fell. It would probably bleed out shortly.

Other giants were beginning to realize that the fight was being lost. Some of their large forms could be seen at the edge of camp, undecided of fleeing or staying.

"Don't let them leave!" Ardell shouted, "They can't know where we are!" the elves responded quickly, arrows flying towards even those no longer fighting.

One giant recognized Ardell's order, and identified him as a leader. A large javelin was sent flying his way.

As a last resort sort of attack, the guard elf let out a battle cry and picked himself up off his knees, running up behind the blonde elf and passing him, his bow struck into the ground by the tip. As he got closer to the hurling weapon, and the weapon got closer to him, feathers began to sprout from the skin on his wrists, arms, and face. They held a copper-tint to them, and they held a rare hope in each feather.

Falcon Mode.
Something the elves hadn't seen in a long time. A very long time.

The guard elf sped forward, hopping up and latching his hands tightly around the body of the javelin, being sent backwards slightly, his feet dragging against the ground as the weapon's force drew him back. But eventually his strength prevailed, and the javelin aimed at Ardell was stopped in its tracks. Luckily, as Arivin was now standing only inches in front of the blonde elf, throwing the javelin aside to the ground before picking his bow up from being stuck into the ground by his hand. Sensing that Falcon would fail him soon (as he'd only replenished a little bit of his mana after sneaking a small potion before leaving to find the elf refugees earlier) he held his hand out in front of him, an arrow in its grip. A spark began to build up at the tip of the arrow, and spread about his hand as he held on, the magic building into the soon to be fired shot. A flame began to swirl around the shaft of the arrow, mixing into the lightning and bringing more power into the shot.

He then drew back the arrow, aimed very quickly but perfectly, and shot it. The sound of electricity crackled around the arrow as it sped through the air and then struck through the back of one of the retreating giants. The many others around him very electrocuted and stunned, left for the other elves to finish off.

Arivin, breathing heavy and clutching his bleeding side (the blood seeping into his copper colored feathers and the fabric around them), began to revert back out of Falcon Mode. The feathers fell from around his skin and littered the ground, disappearing with a light puff of smoke as they touched the unholy ground. He huffed and swayed in his stand for a moment, sticking his bow back into the ground to support him. It was when he felt an undying pain in his shoulder that he realized a giant had come up behind him. How hadn't he heard it!!?

The elf gave a hard groan and fell forward, unable to defend himself or attack the giant now rampaging from behind him, his large foot beating his weak body into the ground. He felt the blood seep around his clothes and into the ground around him, his shoulder broken, by the feels of it. He huffed with exhaustion, unable to stay awake (as he'd been awake for about a full day now). The bleeding didn't help. Every time the giant's foot came crashing down into Arivin's back he gasped out in pain, seeing the black veil start to creep in around his sight.

The giant continued to attack the elf on the ground, the foot's assaults seemingly having no end. But suddenly, there was a choking noise from the towering creature.
A large, long, teethed black blade was protruding from the stomach of the giant- the huge man's mouth open in a silent scream of agony. There was a soft laugh from behind the towering mass, followed by a chirpy exclamation:
"Whoops~!"

The blade suddenly retracted, the giant crumpling to the side. In his place now stood a much smaller man-- a human. His eyes were barely open- appearing to be slitted- and an almost ominous grin was slathered on his lips. His hair was long and onyx, held in a loose pony tail at the end and allowing thick bangs to fall in his fair face. The bloody black blade was now held against his shoulder-- and showed to be twice his size. A giant's weapon, easily. He gave a whistle as he neared the man on the ground, kneeling next to him and looking him over. "Hoo~! Look at you! You look a wreck." He held the blade out and used it to flip the man over, tongue clicking as he shook his head, "When did you become so easily weathered, hmm? Get up, stupid. You've nearly gotten both of us killed, you know." Though the grin didn't leave his face, throughout his words. "Come on now- you're better than this. Or do I have to carry you?"

"You... damn human.... You found me, after all these years...?" Arivin muttered, trying to get up on his own. He felt ribs, broken, scraping up against each other, and his shoulder splintering around in his back. He was lucky his spine hadn't cracked or given out at all during the assaults.

The elf groaned with pain, gritted his teeth, and then rolling over carefully, picking himself up onto his feet. For a moment the elf merely stared evenly at the human before his eyes drooped to the side and he began to sway and fall to the right.

"Wo-woah!" Kou exclaimed, darting forward and catching the man in one hand. He pulled the elf closer to allow him a balance. "That giant knocked you a good one, didn't he? Ah, well." He looked around. "We're going to need a place to put you- out of the way, preferably, before we get run over." But it was looking like a shot in the dark- as the tents wouldn't hold up should the giants come down on them. "Shit- where's a place I can put you?!"

Arivin huffed lightly and leaned against the man as he was pressed close to him. "Thanks..." He muttered, his voice tired as he staggered for a moment, trying to keep his knees locked and still. "... I owe you.... Again." The elf muttered almost distastefully. He didn't like being in debt to people, especially not to humans-- especially not to this human... not to Kou.

Kou smirked, "Ooo, is that a heart I hear? Dastardly!" He gave a soft laugh and continued in search of an enclave to hide his charge in. "Where...-- ah ha!" Near the edge of the camp was a fairly large, jutting rock with a crevice beneath. The man slid over to it, placing the young elf beneath. "Stay." He commanded simply. "And if I don't come back- ....well, you'll be dead, so it doesn't matter- Ta!"
The man ducked away from the area, now heading off towards the fray again. He gave a triumphant yell as he sliced through the midsection of an oncoming giant.

Arivin merely nodded and sat down against the wall, holding his hand tightly against his sliced through side. He was out of mana, he could feel it drained from him from using Falcon Mode.

The guard leaned his head back and panted heavily, steel blue eyes staring at the rocky wall as he tried to focus on staying conscious.

Ardell was stunned by the sudden act and appearance, but decided to settle all thank yous and greetings later. His arrows stung the air once more.

Due to many factors in favor of the elves, the giants were shortly defeated. Bodies -both large and small- scattered the ground. The snow, once pure white, was now a brilliant red. It was a depressing sight, no matter what team you were on.

Those that were still able bodied traveled around the camp, checking on the wounded and guaranteeing that the giants were not getting back up. At the end of this checking, it was discovered that the elves had suffered eight deaths. Many more were heavily wounded, and may be incapable of surviving for long.

Ardell was looking for one person in particular, to be assured of her safety. "Kina?" he called, brown eyes scanning the area urgently for the familiar face. He also wanted to check on the others- Con, Enoch, and Ari in particular- but Kina came first. He didn't know what he'd do if she was hurt during that fight.

Kina heard the call, and was staggering towards it. She bled from a busted lip and eye, having been slammed in the face a few good times, and walked with strong, swaying limp. She shuddered with most movements. "Ardell!" She called out, voice hoarse, "Ardell-- Ardell!!"