Hmmm interesting...
And o so cruel!
@ShadowGhost & @Ghostie
The Grav Mistress, Mistress of Gravity
If you have nothing useful to say, you have two choices: Say something useless or stay quiet.
Cruel? Why cruel? :-)
The cliffhanger! THAT'S why cruel!!
I love it so far Aisla... Hurry up with part two or I'll... do something! 
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
That's not a cliffhanger! That's build-up. Honestly, you people think you've seen a cliffhanger? Maybe I should dig out the old Nevermore stories...
Excellent work, Aisla. It's always nice to see into Liz's head, since she's such a guarded character IC. And yay for more plot and background.
very nice build up, when is the next chapter coming ?
Time allowing, and RL allowing, tonight. :-)
((I decided to kick some more of Liz's background/plot off, and here, is part one of the story to introduce/accompany it. More will follow over the next few days. As alway, constructive criticism is always welcome. :-)))
The night felt particularly cold in the Midlands in the United Kingdom that morning, the weak sun about to push the darkness of the night away. It had been only minutes to Elizabeth, since she had left Paragon, where it had been midnight, and the protective embrace of her Sebastian. That thought, more then anything, now chilled her to the bone. She had made a promise, to all of them, to return to them soon, safely. Though she intended to keep that promise, she wished she could have told him, could have told all of them. Their disappointment, their worry for her, had been obvious, she had seen it in their eyes, and it had very nearly broken her. Minako and Sara, her sisters, had both offered her their assistance. Jared probably wouldnt even have let her go. Now, though, she used it as a focus, she had something to fight for again, something to live for, and she would damn well see to it she made it back to them, her family.
From her post atop a hill, overlooking the awakening countryside, Liz looked out at the faint light at the southern part of the sky, letting out a breath, which in the lingering darkness formed a stream of silvery mist leaving her lips. She remembered the last time she fought Him, which caused a shiver to run through her even more then the cold did. He had grown significantly stronger then the time before, and He had had more time to prepare this time, which made her wonder, doubt, fear.
Nearly two hundred years had passed since the last time she fought Him, and the last time, the fight had left her near death, it had also killed the man she loved, and some of their companions. This time, Scathach had made it clear to her that she wasnt allowed to inform her new-found family. The goddess had not want to discuss it, called them both her strength and her weakness. Lizs jaw set as she grit her teeth, her expression hardening with resolution.
The sound of a twig snapping on a leaf-littered floor made her turn sharply to the cluster of deciduous trees behind her. There were very little leaves still on the branches, and those that were still hanging on, had turned a deep red, verging on hazel-brown. In the shadows of dawn, though, they were all just shades of grey.
Two silver eyes looked at her from a semi-sheltered place in the shadows, about eight inches off the ground, its shape, though distorted by the surrounding shadows, appeared to be that of a fox. So you have returned It spoke softly, with an oddly humanoid voice, slightly crackling, which was probably due to lack of use. People generally do not react well to an animal that speaks in the human tongue.
A faint smile came to her lips as Liz knelt down on her right knee, leaning her heand on her bent left knee. Her long, black coat pooling around her, on the floor littered with dead vegetation. I have, Tobias, my friend Its good to see you again. Its been a while
Allowing the shadows to unmask him properly, Tobias the fox stepped forward, his eyes carefully watching the surroundings, sniffing the air as he approached. It has been one-hundred and ninety-eight years, ten months, two weeks, four days and a few hours. He halted a couple of steps and sat down before her. Your scent changed too. The fox tilted its head slightly to the left, looking at her almost questioningly. Where is your new family? He asked.
Elizabeths expression turned a little sour. -She- would not let them come along.
And I bet she let you do the explaining to them. There was a soft growl, followed by a yelp as the fox jumped to its feet as if stung by a bee, half-turning.
That wasnt a nice thing to say Tobias Johanson. Spoke a voice in a scolding manner from the shadows surrounding the pair.
Tobias growled softly, barely audible, before turning his attention back to Liz. What matters for me, my lady, is that you have a new family. I was worried for you when.... He fell silent, hanging his head a little.
Using her right hand, Liz reached out, stroking the foxs course fur on its head. Its alright, my old friend, its alright I have found some people, who knocked some sense into me. Arthur would not have wanted me to react like I did in the first place. I should have known better. I guess one is never too old to learn. She smiled at the irony of her own words as she sat back, placing her hand back on her knee. I am sorry if I have given you reason for concern.
The fox shook its head. You must follow your own path, Elizabeth, there is nothing those around you can do, but hope that you listen to good advise when given, and land on your feet. Im pleased to see you have yet again managed. Though next time, try not to take nearly two centuries. After a short pause, he added. Now that pleasantries have been taken care of, we both know our paths crossed for a reason. I wish the reason was as pleasant as seeing your face again, but alas, we both know it is not.
Liz nodded, getting to her feet. And I bet youve done your usual sniffing out?
At her words, the foxs eyes seem to narrow a little. Very funny, Elizabeth, very funny Actually, yes, I have, and it wasnt a nice task at all. He isnt far from here, in a cave. Id say about fifteen minutes away, for clumsy human feet. Tobias seemed to snigger, which for a fox, is quite an achievement. He has not yet reached full power.
Then we had best not be wasting time, any advantage we can get over him is better then none. Lead the way, my friend.
Tobias complied by turning back to the cluster of trees and set out, his nimble paws hardly causing any sound on the leaf-littered ground, nor as he began his decent on the other side of the hill, towards what looked like a small forest at the foot of the hill. The hillside was littered with small rocks and holes in the ground, making it difficult for Liz to keep up. Halfway down the slope she slipped and slid down a few feet, some of the sharper rocks tearing at her coat and jeans. As she passed a sapling whilst sliding, she managed to grab a hold of it with her left hand and established her balance and control, until she reached the edge of the forest, where the fox was sat, waiting for her with its back turned to her, keeping its eyes on the forest.
As she approached, carefully, he whispered. Can you feel His presence?
Yes. She whispered back. This was it, this was the place. She recognised the feel of death, destruction, hate and the unmistakable sense of evil looming in every corner, every shadow. Involuntarily, her mind went over the previous times she had come face to face with Him, from the first time, only days after she had finalised her powers, to the last time, when He had left her for dead, when He was responsible for Arthurs death. It had been Him, who had summoned the demon. Skilled in many areas of the occult, He had hoped that by breaking her, He would be able to destroy her. Instead, she had used the excuse that she had been declared dead as a cover to lay low and prepare. A few days after the incident, she had tracked Him down and put things right. Apparently, it was not right enough. Lets go. She said, and without awaiting Tobias reply, she set out into the forest towards the source.