I was only supposed to collect supplies, he thought to himself.  The trip that was meant to be relaxing had turned into a full out fight that was putting many lives at risk.  The manifested hare was more powerful than what Cole would have expected.  Something was fueling it beyond its own capabilities.  Whatever may be the source or reason, there was no time to think upon it at the moment.  Moving the apparition away from the city and the citizens was the first priority.  The demon hunter could hear the pounding of the rabbit's paws upon the ground behind him.  As they continued to move further from the city, he began to relax a little to the point where he took a split moment to glance over his shoulder.  There was a radiating energy from the hare that was extremely similar to his usual targets of demons.  Something had corrupted this creature to an unavoidable turn.  Cole felt a slight pang of pity for the beast, but not enough where he would not continue to defend himself or others from it.

With a quick application of his toe, Cole halted his progress and twisted around to face the rabbit.  Daggers flicked out to the side as he felt the earth beneath him slide as he finally came to a stop.  Dust flew up behind him as he pushed off to now head towards the creature.  A swipe of a large paw came down that was not difficult to dodge with the hunter's agility.  As he ducked to the low right, both arms lifted high to dig his daggers through the armpit of the rabbit to make it fall to the ground.  Just as quickly as Cole had arrived in the animals vicinity he had pulled away to get distance once again.  Quick movements were key when fighting an opponent that was larger and had the potential for more power than you.  

Little time had passed since the rabbit had been downed that  a loud announcement rang out.  There was no magic that Cole could contribute to the rabbit that would a positive direction.  He stood there still at the ready, not wanting to let anything get him by chance.  A giant blast pushed forth that spread across the field and threw all out of its path.  Cole did his best to stay on his feet, but they were knocked out from under him.  Clenching his eyes to the dust, the demon hunter quickly sheathed his daggers.  Knocked over he grabbed for the ground with his hands and push to get his balance once more.  His ears were ringing from the blast, but at least Cole had managed to get back to his feet.  "Is everyone all right?" he called out.

Akira lay there, tapping her heels and humming to the rabbit. Neera had perched on her head, red feathers strikingly vibrant against the white hair. She stood as it was scooped by someone she had never met before. He was tall, with lightly tanned skin, steely gray eyes, and black hair with elvish features. The child only knew this because of her relations with Celeste. As the man took the rabbit away, Akira looked around and witnessed the damage dealt by the rabbit.

While it filled her with pride of her accurate assumptions, there was still so much that has happened. Buildings were crumbling, people could still be heard wailing or moaning somewhere within the city. Trees were also in bad shape, some of them had fallen from the force of the explosion. But one detail was allowing fear to take root within the child. Where was Celeste?

”Reika! Celeste?” the child called out, glancing about with wildly upset eyes. How hard could it be to find a white tiger? Alarmed, Akira ran to the red robed, white haired man. She grasped his clothing, about to open her mouth to ask something, only to spy the tiger. ”Reika!” Akira released the man and darted over to the large feline. Underneath a fallen tree, one could see Celeste’s unconscious face. ”Mama?”

Once more, the puca attempted to change her form. Fortunately, it got the form it wanted, that of a dragon. Unfortunately, it was a miniature dragon. ”I’m sorry, Akira, I can’t…” Reika was trying desperately to move the tree with no success. So the child did the only thing she could do. Taking a deep breath, the child screamed at the top of her lungs. ”SOMEONE HELP!”

Cole turned his gaze around to take in the damage that had been done.  There was much that would need to be repaired and that would cost coin.  More so, the demon hunter was not sure if the elves would see this as a point of their pride being damaged as they had been victims of such an attack.  Even with their skills the magic had been been brought back into control due to them.  He could not help but smirk a little at the thought of their pride being hurt a little.  Served them right.  Cole turned his head to see the same little girl from earlier beginning to run towards him.  Instinctively he checked to make sure that his blades were properly put in their sheathes.  

Kneeling down he listened to the child and attempted to soothe her with a gentle pat on her back.  She pulled at his clothing in desperation.  He had heard the names that she had cried out and they were those that had been called out prior.  Celeste seemed to be a mother figure to the child, and she needed to be reunited.  "Easy child,"  he said with as much of a soothing tone as he could muster.  Children were not his forte in the least.  He watched as she left in a frantic sprint towards one of the downed trees.  Cole stood up and brushed the dirt from his knees.

Continued yelling came forth from the little girl that prompted the hunter to run over at a quick sprint.  As he neared he saw what the problem was.  The woman from earlier was unconscious and trapped beneath the large tree.  "I am going to need you to calm down.  I can help her."  Cole lightly pushed the girl aside from the tree towards the white tiger in order to get a better look at the situation.  He once again  went to the ground and checked the woman's vitals to make sure it would not be anything in vain.   A small sigh of relief came forth as she was still breathing.  

Cole stood back up and took in a deep breath.  Slow foreign words began to mutter from under his breath.  Hands clenched underneath the tree trunk, and dark fog began to emanate from the man.  Little by little the tree began to lift off of the woman, but he made no sign of stopping.  The fog continued to grow around him as the power grew.  It was not often that he called on his fusion, but it was the only way he could save the woman.  In one final push, the tree was thrown off Celeste.  Cole knelt down and checked on the woman again.  "You alright? 

The child sniffled as she allowed the white haired man move her aside. She worriedly fidgeted her hand together. Reika pressed against the child, taking in the scene. One wrong move, and she would strike at the man. Akira gasped as fog seemed to pour from the man as he began to move the tree. It both scared her, and fascinated her. As the tree rose, Akira stood higher and higher upon her toes, chin lifting as if she was trying to crane her neck to have a better view of the woman below.

For just a moment, time stood still to Akira. Cole stood strong and tall, the tree suspended in midair. Her breath froze in her chest, everything seemed fit to burst. Then, the tree fell, the ground shook, and Akira was already on the opposite side of Cole, on her knees. She knew better than to touch the woman, still her hands hovered over her, unsure of what to do. ”Mama?” While Celeste’s chest rose from an intake of air, her eyes did not open, nor did her lips part to utter a sound.

”Mama? CELESTE!” But the woman didn’t budge. Instead, from underneath Celeste, a white betta mermaid with rainbow fins emerged. It was an incorporeal being, moving through the air as if it was water. She moved gracefully over the elf’s body, one hand reaching out and submerging just inside of the woman’s body. After but a moment, the mermaid swam in circles around the slowly rising and falling chest. An unnatural seriousness befell the child at this point, fear visible in her eyes, yet she looked confident.

Akira looked sternly at Cole. ”Shhh. Akira concentrate now.” The water skin at the woman’s hip burst open as the water flowed forth, curling around the child’s hands. It began to glow softly, a pale icy color as Akira lowered her hands to Celeste’s chest. Closing her eyes, the child sat very still, barely breathing. She frowned as time began to pass. Eventually, the water bubble burst, soaking the elf’s clothing, as Akira collapsed, breathing heavily. The mermaid disappeared back into the dark hair as the elf’s eyes began to flutter open. ”Ung. What happened?”

Celeste attempted to sit up. With her success came a wince as something inside complained. ”Akira?” The child in question smiled weakly up at Celeste, waving tiredly. ”Tell me you’re just tired.” Worry was evident in her voice, and the elf sighed with relief as the child nodded. After standing, and scooping the child up with a bit of effort, Celeste looked at Cole. ”Looks like you keep your life today. Thank you.”

The elf woman was not moving besides the shallow rise and fall of her chest in every effort of breath.  Cole was no healer except for his own kind or himself.  Demon hunters were made up in an extremely different way that could not use traditional healing.  The woman held on, but it would not be long with her injuries if there was not an interference from an expert.  He glanced over at the city and wondered if he would be able to make there and back in enough time.  There was doubt that any healer would make their way out of the city as the damage had been down to the city itself.  

Magic began to take its place in the healing of the elf.  Cole could sense the magic as well as watched closely for if it was about to get out of control.  He could tell early on that the child held powers beyond her years, but there was was no telling what sort of control was maintained.  Gray eyes watched closely while the mermaid ethereal being floated through the air giving her aid as well.  The demon hunter did not feel wholly comfortable with another summoned creature being in the vicinity considering what they had just handled recently.  He kept his mouth closed, though his hands were rested upon his dagger hilts to be on the safe side.

 Cole stood silently even as Akira looked at him with a stern expression.  Why was it that these two were in constant disapproval of him?  The white haired hunter moved only slightly as the child collapsed.  Though the child had collapsed from over exhaustion, Cole was quiet while Celeste attempted to piece together the situation while she had been out.  He watched as the mother lifted the young girl and he could only lift a brow and tilt his chin as he was thanked and threatened all in the same breath.  "You, as well as your little, have an odd way to express your gratitude.  Do not over do it," he responded.  The distance was closed between them and he hoovered a hand over the pair of them.  "Obviously, both of you are exhausted.  Let me aid you to the city to get some rest and additional healing."

The elf raised an eyebrow, studying the man for a long moment, Reika rubbing against her leg with a loud purr. A sigh escaped her as she relinquished the child into Cole’s arms. ”Something tells me that she would have been all over you the moment things calmed down.” Celeste was the one to set the pace as they began the slow return to the city. Internally, she struggled with how much she should share to explain things. Slowly, she began, voice soft and almost defeated.

”Akira… is a special girl. Been on her own all of her life until my wife and I adopted her. But, we can’t keep her to stay in one place. Despite the fact we yearn to protect her for ourselves, it was discovered the is the child of a god. She is so innocent, so sweet… I fear for her, and I fear the wrath of Xunatar.” Silence descended as the elf questioned why she was automatically harsh against this stranger.

With her being recently revived, a child in her wife’s belly, not to mention her years of entrapment, she has been quick to judge, and slow to adjust. ”I apologize… For my coldness. I’m Celeste Nash. And… Thank you.”

He waited patiently; as patiently as he could with the level of agitation he had acquired with his shopping of supplies being interrupted. Gray eyes slowly shifted to the now pleasant beast that rubbed against the woman’s leg. It was quite pleased that its master was now safe and going to live. Cole bowed his head in a slight nod while taking the young child into his arms. He was careful in his grasp as he shifted. She was a light creature that held more power than would have been initially assumed upon first look. Extra care was taken while positioning her small head against his arm and chest. Her breath was calm and steady. Cole was pleased to be able to feel that in the very least.

“She is quite the strong little personality. There is little fear in the child when it comes to needing to aid others.” He caught sight of the guards that watched their approach while taking the pace that Celeste set. It was better that they followed what she was capable of instead of the long strides that the demon hunter was more accustomed to. The young child and the mother needed to get rest and healing.

With the reveal of truth, Cole’s brows knit together. The power that he had felt from the child made more sense now. Being the offspring of a deity was not a common occurrence, especially ones that were outside the protective scope of the parent. It was surprising that there were not more around that wished to use a spare child of Xunatar as leverage. There was the possibility that there were. “Does Xunatar know of Akira’s existence? Or is she one of the lost children?”

They crossed into the city’s perimeter and it was then that the woman apologized. He was slightly surprised, but he kept his face the same. “I accept, Celeste Nash. With children you can never be too cautious. It makes more sense now.” He turned down one of the streets towards one of the quieter healers he had been to. They did good work and would give lodging. “I am Cole Cocidius.”

The tired elf nodded. ”She doesn’t know fear like we do. Fear of loss, fear of aggression, yes. Fear of strangers? Almost nonexistent. Alone and in Vilpamolan most of her life, and she still has a bright view on life.” She had not answered his question just yet. No, she still mulled it over. Information was a dangerous weapon, and while Cole now had a dagger of it, should she allow it to grow?

The hunter human led her to a healer who marveled at the work already done to Celeste. However, the elf remained silent. Some sun, some rest, and she would be fine soon enough. Fortunately, Akira was just exhausted from overexerting herself. ”Would you like to sit and talk awhile? I can conjure some wine, a meal perhaps?” The healer that they had been taken to did provide lodging for them, for which Celeste was thankful.

She did as promised and summoned a meal for them, accompanied by a bottle of spiced wine. ”Akira was a lost child, but he knows now. When people look at her, they don’t see the god of darkness within her at all. She acts too bright and bubbly for them to see it. So, the knowledge of her heritage is safe until she opens her mouth. Of course, there’s no telling how many people she has told already, and impossible to guess how many will be told.” Together, they ate and drank until Celeste yawned and curled up around Akira. Cole chose to take his leave, leaving the huntress with the god offspring to rest.