Dropped Stitch

Camisado

[<3 <3< <>]

Roxy stared in horror at the treeant. Then, wiping at the tears sliding down her face, she hefted her cane and charged.

She jumped onto the giant fist he swung at her and ran up his arm. Just as he raised his arms to shake her off, she jumped. As she came down, she raised her cane and brought it down again with a high whistling noise. It hit the treeant square on the head, but the creature just roared in anger and grabbed her leg.

Black threads gathered around her, and her leg slipped free. Roxy dodged and weaved, barely avoiding the tree's attacks, but she knew that she couldn't keep it up forever. Already, her strength was fading away, and Tyanpa would soon be absorbed.

She needed to use something stronger than Doom and Luck. This creature would only be bested with elemental magics.

Breathing deeply, Roxy ran farther into the forest, using her Luck to ensure the creature didn't see her. She closed her eyes, trying to forget the numbness that spread from her toes and fingers and the sounds of the rampaging monster. Taking deep breaths, she steadied her frantic heart and concentrated.

She'd never summoned Air to her aid in battle before. She hadn't been able to. But this was different. She needed it this time.

Roxy felt the currents of hair swirling around her. They whispered in her ear, but she ignored them. They wouldn't be the ones giving commands this time. She was taking control.

The air surrounding her was lazy and stagnant, and didn't want to move. It whispered, why don't you just take a nap? Right here. I'll protect you, and it will be so comfy down there amongst the roots. Your hair will grow long and become your blanket. Your nails will grow. I wouldn't let you die, even though you would be sleeping. You would have pleasent dreams forever....

Roxy, who was almost asleep, gave herself a shake. None of that, now, she told it, and spun her finger around, counterclockwise. The air around her was petulant.

I don't want to.

I don't care, Roxy replied. Move.

Reluctantly, it agreed, stirring up until it was a small, slow cyclone.

Faster, Roxy commanded, her eyes open now. She stumbled to her feet, and held herself up by gripping the nearest tree. Using it as a cane, she watched as the cyclone gained speed.

Faster. Leaves whirled around in the air, now, coloring the cyclone with bits of green and brown and yellow.

FASTER. The whislwind whippped at her short brown hair, hissing at having to break its lethargic streak.

The treeant heard the commotion and stepped into the clearing. It stared stupidly at the whirlwind. Roxy could see through drooping eyelids that only Tyanpa's head remained. She had enough energy to give her creation one last push.

Kill.

Roxy fell to the forest floor as the cyclone attacked the giant tree.

[@2D3D4D]

 The bird slipped in through the porthole as Benny stumbled back, ending up sitting down near the wall. "Who are you?" He asked, recovering a bit of his dignity. He reached for a knife, but his trusty harness wasn't there. "Tengu nose."

The girl cocked her head to the side. "Whose nose?"

Benny looked at her cautiously. "A tengu," he said, observing that she didn't seem to have any weapons except a large wooden staff, strapped across her back. "It's a Japanese demon."

"What is Japanese?" The girl asked.

Benny sighed. "A country."

"What is country?"

"A place where a bunch of people live."

"Oh." The girl paused. "Is Croix a country?"

"What's Croix? The planet?"

"Yes."

"Hmmm. Well, is there a large governing body for all of it?"

"Yes."

"Then, yeah. It's a country." Benny answered. "But seriously, who are you?"

"Niteria Ravenkind," she said with a bow. "I have come because the stench of death permeates the air."

"Someone has died?"

"No. Your stench," Niteria replied. "Death follows you about like a young pup."

Benny's mouth dropped open. Of course, he thought. Ravens and crows are thought of as death omens all over the world. "So, you can sense death," he said casually. "How?"

"He stands behind you," She said, pointing. Benny whirled around, but there was no one there. "You can't see him yet," she added. When Benny turned back to her, she was smirking.

"What do you mean, yet?" He asked.

But the featherhead had already sat down on his cot, picking up his phone curiously. He sighed. Like always, he would get the answers later.  

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Hiii! It's Cirra. I'm guarding the computer tonight, and I raelly don't have much to do, so I'd just kind of like to talk to you.

It's lonely at night. Lily sleeps with the light on, so it's not too dark, but there's just something about the night that seems oppressive. I wonder if that's why it's always portrayed as evil. But {Chordis} always worked during hours the humans (and the NPCs) considered good. It's a bit confusing.

Oh, wait. {She} worked/works at night, too. Stupid of me...

I'm rambling, aren't I? Sorry. I'm not used to this, you see, and I don't know how to get it write.* I shall try to be better in future chapters, though I can't exactly make any promises, and I don't know if I shall keep those promises. Lily says that she was taught writing. Perhaps I can get one of her tutors to teach me, and I shall write glorious bonus chapters full of wild tales... well. I can try. Wish me luck!~

*Sorry.  I just couldn't rescript it. Oh, dear. I hope it isn't catching. Lily will have a spasm.