The following morning saw the three women sleep in to late in the morning, but after the night's activities that only made sense. The morning had proved favourably warm and comfortable with just a little overcast so that it wasn't too blinding outside. After a little while of the three of them just laying naked together in that morning sunlight they had finally gotten up and dressed. After that it was a matter of tearing down their little camp site and making sure they had everything before starting the trek North back towards home.

From the Ruins their journey would be almost straight North back to the city of Sularia to the couple's home. Larka had a smile on her, one that hadn't vanished since they woke up, as she walked close enough to Celeste to hold her wife's hand. Larka smiled to Celeste and squeezed lightly, it had been over two years since they had spent a night like that together and it had done them both a world of good. Add in Lirin, Celeste's twin sister, and the night had been that much more special, especially for Celeste and her mental state. ”There's a night I'll never forget.” Larka laughed lightly and leaned in to give Celeste a quick peck on the cheek.

They travelled over the next day to the Southern edge of the rainforest, stopping there for a while. ”Akira and Rowan shouldn't be much longer.” Larka spoke as she got a small fire going for them to cook supper on. The plan had been for the three women to meet Rowan and Akira in this area om this day. That gave Larka, Celeste and Lirin their time together and allowed Rowan, his daughter and Akira to travel South to meet up with them. Akira would then tag up with her mommies and Aunt Lirin, while Rowan would keep making his way South.

It would allow the four of them to travel together over a greater distance than before, and, in Larka's mind, allow Akira to get to know Lirin as a friend. Larka wasn't sure what Akira may think of Lirin, with her acute senses and given that Lirin was a vampire, Larka was afraid that Akira would be scared of her aunt. Of course these fears Larka kept to herself, there was no need to voice them as she was sure that once around the vampire for a little while the child would come to think of her as family as well.

In the mean time Larka made the fire a little larger to help Akira find her way to them a little easier.

Excitement shot through the child as the sun rose, waking her from slumber. Today was the last day she would travel with her companions, and she would meet up with her mothers. It felt like ages had passed since she had seen them. All of that was going to change at some point. Breakfast was essential, then continued on their way. Unable to contain her giddiness, Akira kept running past them, running back and in circles.

Even as night began to descend upon the world, the foxling remained a ball of energy. Ahead, a glow signifying a fire was in the distance. ”Mommies!” She ran, abandoning her temporary guardians. At full speed, Akira tackle hugged what she thought was Celeste. Being held by this woman felt odd, in so many ways. First, was the awkward hold Celeste had upon her, as if she was unaccustomed to Akira’s friendliness. Second was the coolness of her skin, and the difference of her scent.

Pulling back, confused, she looked up at someone who looked very much like Celeste. ”You not Celeste.” It was a statement, a fact not many could make between the pair so easily. ”No child. I am Lirin, Celeste’s sister. And you must be Akira. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Releasing the woman, Akira darted around and half hid behind Larka, peering out at Lirin. ”Mama Larka? Why she look almost same?” At that point, Celeste pulled Akira into a hug.

”Oh Akira, I missed you!” She was squeezed tight with a laugh escaping her. ”So, what do you think of my sister?” Akira wrinkled her nose, pressing her forehead into Celeste’s own, much like Larka does. ”Not you.”

[OOC: She's so cute ^.^]

Larka just barely heard Akira's little footsteps as the child ran up to Lirin and tackled her in a big getting Larka to laugh lightly at Lirin's reaction, and then Akira's. Akira was confused, who was this woman that looked like her mommy Celeste so closely? The fact that Akira was able to almost instantly tell them apart, now that she had a moment to do so instead of running blindly at one of them, made Larka a little proud. Akira was insightful in a way a child her age usually wasn't for a while longer. It had to be her life experience being on her own for so long and so often.

Larka smiled when Akira ran over and hid behind her legs and stared at Lirin, so a little scared maybe. An instinct at Lirin being a vampire maybe? Or just the fact she ran into a stranger thinking it was her mother? Hard to tell at the moment. Larka was about to answer Akira's question but Celeste pulled Akira into a hug and Larka giggled at Akira's reaction and awed inwardly as Akira placed her forehead to Celeste's, an action of affection that Larka was fond of.

Larka dropped down to a knee and took her turn to hug Akira close, foreheads together for a moment as well, which was how Akira had likely picked up the practice. Larka smiled. ”Akira, Lirin is Celeste's twin sister, meaning they were born at almost the same time from their mommy. It's why they look so much alike.” Larka explained. ”So, that makes Lirin your Aunt.” Larka emphasized the “aw” in aunt to help Akira know it was a different word than ant. ”If either Celeste or I had a bother he would be your Uncle, and their kids would be your cousins. It can be confusing, but for now you can call Lirin your Aunt Lirin or whatever she's comfortable with. She's still family so you don't have any reason to be scared of her, okay?” Larka smiled and glanced to the vampire for a moment to see if she had anything to add.

Larka looked to Akira's companions when they caught and smiled and with a nod to them. ”Thank you for bringing her with you, it is much appreciated.”

Twins, born at the same time from the same mommy? Uncles and cousins were brought up, and Akira's head began to swam already. "Do you have brothers?" she asked, caught up on the concept for some reason. Still, she nodded in confirmation to Larka's words. "Yes, Larka." Before anything with Lirin could be worked out, the companions approached. With a huge smile, Akira waved to them ecstatically. "Bye!"

Lirin stood awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot. She wasn't sure how to take the child, but she knew that it was an adoptive relationship. Would the child be beneficial for Celeste in the long run? The happiness on her face was clear as day, even in the light of the fire, but was she ready? Akira surprised her when she was suddenly tugging gently on Lirin's clothing. "Akira call you Lirin, okay?" The vampiress knelt before the child, a warm smile on her features. "You may call me whatever you wish, Akira. How do you like Celeste and Larka as your mommies?" "They bestest!"

She ran back to her mothers and pulled them to the sitting log. "Akira want hear everything! Oh, what for dinner?" Celeste couldn't help but giggle as she sat down, wanting to snuggle up to the child. "Well, we have dried meats and fruits currently. Lirin and I didn't go hunting today. Would that suffice?" Lirin and Celeste both perked up, alert and on the ready as they heard something in the distance. The child heard it too, grasping onto Larka. "Twig break, puddle splash, leaves rustle." she whispered. If it was coming from the direct her previous companions had went, she wouldn't have been so fearful. The twins looked at each other, and with a nod, Lirin dispersed into the wind to go scouting.

”I don't have any siblings, it was just me and my parents.” Larka replied with a grin to Akira's question, allowing Celeste to answer it herself. Akira's travelling companions caught up, Larka thanked them and Akira said her good byes before they took their leave and continued on. Larka grinned slightly at Lirin's expense at the vampire's apparent awkwardness around the child. She watched Akira go over and tug on Lirin's clothes to get her attention. Larka smiled fondly as the two spoke, and felt her pride swell when Akira called her and Celeste the 'bestest' mommies after Lirin asked her.

But the child ran back to her mommies and pulled them over to sit down, wanting to hear everything, which of course she was certainly not going to hear, and asking what was for dinner, which was a question they could answer. Larka giggled in reply to Celeste's giggle as she said what they were having. But then Larka noticed the reactions of the twins as they perked up, Larka looked between them and then looked down to Akira when she felt the child grasping onto her. Something wasn't right and the three of them were sensing it, it was times like this that made Larka feel a little useless since she was, despite her powers, still only human. Akira spoke in a whisper and Larka stood now, allowing Akira to stay close. ”Stay close, Akira.” Larka spoke as Lirin went off to scout.

She wasn't gone before she was back and now there was rustling around them as some of the local tribesmen started to come out of the forest. Larka swore under her breath, why had they thought this was a good place to bring Akira?! ”Akira, stay behind that log by the fire.” Larka instructed as she drew her blade from its sheath on her left hip.

Larka's heart rate spiked, no, this could not be worse! She wondered if Lirin was able to hear her heart beat from that distance, and sweat formed on the Reaver's face. She dared a glance back, they were surrounded, by how many Larka couldn't know, but she knew their intent. She didn't want this kind of violence around Akira, she was too young for this!

The tribesmen opinion of the women was low it seemed as only one younger man attacked Larka suddenly with a battle cry and a raised crude steel sword with a bone handle. Larka replied with her own battle cry as her blade connected with his and stopped his attack and she showed her strength by pushing him back a few inches. His eyes were wide as the one armed female was not only matching but surpassing his male strength and keeping him locked in place.

Larka's heart thundered in her chest as she shifted her weight putting him off balance and she kicked at his leg. His surprised state allowed her to catch him and make him drop to a knee before he fell fully but that was enough to allow Larka to run her blade through his chest, much to his surprise and his fellows watching. He fell to the ground after Larka removed her blade and settled into her proper ready stance, she still had tricks up her sleeve, her blade was likely unlike anything they had seen before. ”Come on, you fucks.” Larka growled her voice dropping an octave.

Anger boiled up in Larka, and anger she hadn't felt in a long time, but one that was familiar and almost warming to her. Like an old friend you haven't seen in years but when you run into each other by chance it's like you never parted ways for so long. Her eyes took on a slight shade of yellow, which wasn't usual, as her Reaver skills made her eyes red and she wasn't wounded yet either.

~Not again, keep them safe.~

Was the only thought running through Larka's mind as more of the tribesmen came out to attack.

Larka stood, and Akira shifted to remain glued against her leg, clinging to the fearsome woman for protection. Slowly, Celeste stood, drawing her bow, notching an arrow, and stood at the ready, watching her wife's back. She appeared calm, dangerous, and primed to defend her family. Soon enough, Lirin joined them, a chakra and sword in hand, almost throwing Celeste off. Those were new. "Completely surrounded." Both of the twins shared a thought about the vampire taking Akira away from the battle as she scrambled to listen to directions, trying to make herself as small and unnoticeable as possible. However, they both loathed the idea of leaving her anywhere unattended as they both knew Lirin would return.

Rumors had been heard that the people here prey on travelers, looking for brides and slaves. Some just liked banitry. They finally showed themselves, one of the men making their first move. With an arrow aimed at one person, Lirin could be heard cursing. "Fenehdis! Why did it have to be bears?" Sure enough, two great bears came lumbering into the clearing behind the men. "Your not afraid of them, are you?" she asked jokingly. "Not now, Celeste!" For the first time in about half of their lives, the twins were fighting side by side again.

As Larka slayed one of them, others attacked. The arrow was loosed, chakara thrown. Both found their mark, heart and severing the neck of another, two men fell dead. Akira whimpered, eyes wide with horror, a quivering little mound she made. It was the first time she seen so much blood, witnessed death, heard the screams of battle. Time in Vilpamolan may have been rife with violence, but she had always steered clear of such outbreaks the moment the first punch was thrown.

With the desire to instill fear through their ranks, Celeste yanked on the blood of the already fallen men, forcing it to her will. Swift as lightning, sharp as a blade, the blood cut an entire bear in half. Yet, their opposition was beginning to close in, pressing into them, forcing ranged fighters to rely on close quarter weapons. The chakra spun through several more enemies, blood spraying everywhere as it effortlessly flew back to Lirin's hand. The married elf drew her sword and notched another arrow, loosing it. Whistling, it flew past Larka's ear, impaling itself into one of the men attacking her.

Her whip sword allowed Larka to keep them at a distance that she was comfortable with, but with Akira behind her, or at least close by, on her back swings Larka made sure to keep the elongated blade higher than Akira was tall. Larka had little idea what Celeste and Lirin were doing as worried as she was about them she had to trust that Lirin would help Celeste if she needed it, for now with Akira closest to her Larka's focus on protecting her daughter. ”Close your eyes, Akira.” Larka spoke when she saw her daughter cowering and the quivering she was doing, Larka didn't want to expose her to such violence, but that could not be helped anymore.

As Larka fought her eyes became more yellow, yet were still tinged with some red as she got nicked or scraped from lucky strikes. When the arrow from her wife whizzed passed her ears and put the man down in front of Larka that gave the Reaver enough time to turn as she heard the bear coming towards her and Akira. Larka inhaled and let a bellow that erupted around her, pushing the men from their feet and possibly hurting Akira's ears. ”Leave her alone!” Larka spoke as she let out her bellow, directed at the bear, and something in her triggered and caught the bear's attention. It stopped and stared at the Reaver, it wasn't stupid, it had seen the other bear go down and knew a momma bear when it saw one. It gave a huffed and took one step forward but Larka let out a inhuman roar that wasn't usual, even for her, and the bear cowered back before turning and running back into the trees over those that controlled it.

With that threat gone Larka glanced to Celeste, yellow eyes vivid, before she went back on the attack again. Her blade came apart into its segments against and she lashed it around, knocking the sword of a man's hand while taking the hand of another off. A power was emanating off Larka that wasn't her usual kind, but she seemed unaware of it at the moment.

”Accept me.” A voice spoke suddenly in her mind.

Larka snarled at the distraction, thinking it had come from someone close by and turned, cut a horizontal path where she thought the voice had been and turned back again. There had been no one there, but her blood was up and the fight was one. One man charged at her and Larka used her height to moved forward fast enough to bring her right leg up high. Between her size and his charge there was a sickening crunch when her boot met his face. She kept the motion going and as his head hit the ground her boot was still there and she brought her weight down on his skull, shattering it.

Larka growled and looked up in time to see a blur of an arrow fly at her and impact into her right shoulder area. The Reaver howled, but not in pain, but anger, and her eyes went more red as a result of the injury. With that Larka jumped at one man and impaled him with her blade now back in normal state, before she was forced to jump away from him and draw the rapier at her hip, she always carried two swords. ”Come on!” Larka roared in challenge.

She didn't just close her eyes, she covered them, white tail wrapping around herself. Yet, she couldn't help but slide her fingers apart, and peering through with just a single eye. While the concept of the fights were terrifying, the screams of death horrific, and the gore was nightmare-inducing, watching her mothers in action was nothing short of amazing. They were fierce, indomitable. Combat seemed like an art, a deadly dance. Feet moved just so, weapons moved in conjunction with their arms, everything in perfect sync in the chaos.

Larka bellowed, a sound that not even Celeste had heard from the Reaver before. Risking a glance at the bear, she saw it turn tail and ran, vision turning briefly upon her wife. Shock barely registered as she noted the yellow eyes, they were new. Blood continued to roll and splash, dancing around the enemies. It gagged, choked, and sliced through them as paper, coating anything and everything. Lirin's chakram spun through the air, arcing to and from the vampire with an elegance that surpasses even Celeste's grace. The twins managed to keep a fair distance between them and two thirds of the advancing pillagers.

For Akira, it was worse than they realized. For every person they killed, a ghost would stand in their place, glaring at the women. None of the adults could see them. One was advancing on Larka, and Akira suddenly leapt to her feet, throwing a rock into nothingness. "Leave her alone!" It got the attention of all the ghosts, however, and they began advancing on the foxling. With a yelp, Akira turned tail and ran but could not be seen by anyone while naught but ghosts gave chase. Noticing this, Celeste turned her attention to look for the child. "Akira!" One step, two step, and then everything went still as her body arched against the momentum.

Idly, two thoughts went through Celeste's mind. 'Can't end here.. So this is how getting pierced by an arrow feels.' "CELSI!" In an instant, Lirin had her arms around Celeste, guiding her as they both collapsed to the ground. One hand supporting Celeste's shoulders, the other hovered over the protruding from the chest. "Celsi, hang in there…" she sobbed. Her breathing was already labored as she gazed up at her sister. "I'm glad I found you, Lirie." The vampire gently shushed her, tears spilling from her eyes. "Everything's going to be okay, we can get a healer.."

"No time… Larka won't take this well… Look after ma vhenan… Tell her…" Lirin shook her head. "Tell her yourself! You're not dying on me today, Celsi. You can't." One twin already perished, saved from death's door by a vampire. A strong wind began to blow around the three women, keeping the men and projectiles away, allowing time… for the inevitable. "Celsi…" "Protect… 'Kira… Lirie."

Larka had heard Akira's yelp but before she could turn to see what was going on Larka heard Celeste's voice speak their daughter's name. Okay, Celeste had seen what was going on she could handle it with Lirin's help, Larka could keep fighting. She backed stepped a few times and that gave her a chance to look behind her to check on the other three, and what she saw brought Larka's heart to a near stand still; Celeste on the ground, an arrow through her chest with Lirin over her sobbing. The Reaver stared for a moment before rushing over and dropping to her knees as the winds picked up in a protective barrier around them. ”Celeste! Celeste!” Larka wailed, but as she leaned down, she saw that was it was too late; Celeste was gone.

She reached down and embraced Celeste as tears formed in her own eyes, no, not again! She looked around suddenly. ”Akira!” She set Celeste down gently and jumped to her feet, no sign of the foxling. ”Akira!” Larka screamed, voice cracking, at the moment she was ignoring Lirin and anything the vampire might be doing. ”No no no, not again, not again, not like this. NOT AGAIN!” Larka screamed, referring to her past family, one that she had lost in a fight similar to this. Her mind was cracking under the stress and emotions and loss of yet another wife, and, what she believed to be, a second daughter. Lirin knew not of this, there had yet to be a time to tell her, and now, well, Larka wasn't in the mind set for that.

A sudden pain flashed through Larka's mind and she dropped her blade and grabbed her head. ”Ahhh!” She yelled as the pain became worse, but yet she felt something else within her; the purest of rage! Seething deep within her it was bubbling up to the surface.

”Accept me!” The voice spoke again, rumbling deep in her own mind so only she could hear it.

”Who are you?!” Larka questioned out loud, her eyes now more yellow than red as the rage grew.

I am thou, has thou forgot me? It has been so long since we last met.” It replied.

Larka was quiet for a moment but the headache was still there, her only safety was the wind Lirin was using, the attacks were just outside of it watching, waiting. If only they knew what they had done. ”Ah, I see. How is this possible?”

”The blood thou drank, the first time, its power combined with thou owns to create something new, a seed, within thou. Buried it with alcohol, but now unleashed with new rage! Does thou understand and accept?” He laughed manically within her mind.

Larka had the same laugh as she spoke. ”I accept, give me what I have buried for too long!” With that her snapped and she screamed in pain as a force of power rushed from within her, a magic heretofore she had not known was there to tap into. Oh but that power rush was amazing! She started to laugh, loudly and madly as she stood, headache fading as the ground under her started to move and shift. It started to rise up towards the stub of her left arm and attach itself, growing longer and longer until it split off into smaller points. After only a minute Larka now stood with a left arm made of dirt and rocks that had been on the ground, she flexed it, it worked just like an arm of flesh.

The winds died down from Lirin's control but the attacks didn't move right away, that shift in Larka, the power, he had them rattled. The manic look in her eyes shifted around until she saw a young man with a bow in his hands, him! She howled and charged him, he went wide eyed and then tried to run but the roots under his legs suddenly sprang up and caught his ankles trapping him there. Larka skidding to a halt as a few men moved into her path to protect the younger man. But she only stopped for a moment going over the new magic that was within her before she charged forward again. As she closed in a wall of stone erupted from the ground in her path and she collided with her, left shoulder fist and pushed it forward pushing the men back in their surprise.

But that momentum was slowed down as they collected themselves and pushed back, only to have Larka vault the wall. She now held her dagger in her hand, a special blade that could rise in temperature according to her will, and right now it was awfully hot. She rammed it down into the skull of one man and pulled it back and got another before they realized that she was even in their midst. But with Larka's powers brimming to their limits that Reaver aura of fear she gave out was at its strongest. So despite them surrounding her they were starting cower from her as she continued her assault.

One managed to get a knife out and stab her, but she brought her left arm up and took the blade on the earthen arm, rending the strike useless. She turned that blade aside from his hand and then took the hand off at the wrist with her own blade, hissing as it cooked the skin around the wound from the heat of the blade, and evaporating the blood. But he didn't have long to experience the pain before Larka's blade was during to the hilt in his throat.

With the attacks on the backfoot they started to retreat, Larka cut down any that came too close, but eventually they were gone. All but the one that had shot the arrow into Celeste that had taken her life. Out of other targets Larka turned to him, ignoring anything Lirin may say and shoving her aside if needed, her eyes showing nothing but that Berserker rage she had so long ago given up. But now it was back, combining with her Reaver powers. Larka's heart was racing as she was sweating like crazy, as she reached down and grabbed the sobbing fool by collar and lifting part way off his back with her new left arm. ”You killed my wife!” Larka screamed into his ear. ”Where is my daughter?!” She asked, but he only shook his head, and pissed himself. ”Where is your clan going? ANSWER ME!”

He didn't answer fast enough for Larka who screamed again. She brought her right arm up and back, and the bone under her skin grew outward, creating something akin to a knuckle duster, and blood dripped down. She punched him across the face, once, twice three times, yelling as she continued to rain strikes on him until blood spurted with each strike. He was dead, or at least unconscious, but Larka kept raining blows down until his neck snapped and his drooped, but she kept going, and going.

When she finally stopped she howled and swung the almost headless body around and flung it away from her. She collapsed to her knees, exhausted. ”They'll die, all of them. I'll keep going, kill them all, until there are none left.” Larka babbled, her mind had shattered, she was frothing at the mouth as she stood up and got her swords again back into their sheaths. She went back to Celeste's body again and pulled it close for a tight hug for a moment before laying her down carefully.

Standing Larka said nothing as she grabbed a bottle from her bag, uncorked and started to down it while turning and starting to follow the natives back into the forest.

Nothing to lose.

Nothing to gain either.

If only they had known what they had unleashed they may have thought twice of attacking the women and child in the first place.

A madwoman was on the loose, her mind only on one thing; Death.

It was strange how still everything felt, with the knowledge that there was no coming back from this. Calm settled over the dying elf, and instead of her life flashing before her, it was worry for her wife, and child. Having lost children and a wife before, this would be too similar to that, and would break Larka. Even with her breathing labored around the wound, she tried to get her last words out to her sister. Celeste wanted so badly to say so much to Larka, but there wasn't time. As she took her last breath, a brief flash of regret sparked through her. Regret for not being able to part before speaking with Larka once more.

As Lirin allowed Larka time with her wife's corpse, the vampire buried her face in her hands, wailing and sobbing into them. They had just been reunited again! Life was so cruel to gift her with agelessness and steal her sister away after brief teases of happiness. She was so caught up in her own grief, the vampire did not pay much attention to the Reaver's frantic screaming. With the overwhelming scent of blood saturating the air, the child's scent was buried and untraceable. Tears rolled down her face as she finally paid Larka attention.

She was talking apparently to herself, and Lirin knew better than to try and talk to her. It would appear something was communicating to her via telepathy. Larka accepted something, a power it would seem. Reflexively, the vampire gathered her sister's body and tried to scoot away from the Reaver as the earth shifted, forming an elemental arm. The vampire watched with a slightly horrified surprise at the woman's ferocity, her merciless rampage through the ranks. Finally, she began to question one of the attackers. So scared he was that he pissed himself.

Abandoning Celeste for the moment, Lirin flew to Larka's side, attempting to grab at her arms but was easily shrugged off. "Larka! That's enough! You'll kill him!" But it was too late, the boy was already dead, and the woman kept going until she ran out of some steam. Lirin attempted to put reassuring hands on Larka's shoulders. "We can find Akira, I know how you feel. This isn't the answer." She only knew a small portion of it. While it was true she had lost Celeste several times, this was the first time it was permanent. The vampire had not lost a child before, nor a mate.

It was all she could do to watch Larka gather her weapons, hug Celeste, drink something from her bag, and marched into the forest with fierce determination. A promise to a dead woman and rage was all that was leading the Reaver. With a sigh, a sniffle, and fresh tears, the vampire stood and slowly approached her sister's body. "Ir abelas, lethallin. I could not protect you." Gathering her up, Lirin sat there for a long time mourning. She had no idea how long she spent there, hours or minutes. Time stood still.

A small rustle slightly pulled at Lirin's attention. Let them come, let them try. Readying her defenses, she was quite surprised to smell who was coming. It was Akira! Alive and well for the most part, cradling an arm and was scratched up pretty good, including on her face. The child approached slowly, tears beginning to well up in her eyes as she realized what had happened. "Come Akira. Let's take your mommy home. We'll wash her body, and prepare her for a proper goodbye." The words unleashed a throat closing lump in her throat, breaking her words, and releasing more tears. Carefully, in a princess style, the vampire lifted the body effortlessly. "Just… Stay close." But without a word, the child ran, and the vampire made no move to stop her. Even a child needs their own time to mourn.