Gathering the equipment

Monience headed out of the town gates fully supplied with a cart and a proper grave marker in the cart covered by a cloth. She had finally found the time to head out and collect the items marking her father's grave. If she was lucky she could restore the armor and have it refit to her size. 'Maybe Val would like it? No...he's not a warrior anyways. He wouldn't use it.' She thought trying to figure out what to do with all the equipment. For now she decided to get it home and place the gravestone in the equipment's spot. But she had a long ways to go. 'Hope I don't run into those things again. Though this time I can protect myself.'

Xeii stood on a hill on the far outskirts of Camp Ophison, looking out to the wilderness before him. Though it wasn't the safest place to be, he enjoyed the peace, and being able to look out over the wide stretch of land before him. It was somewhere in the distance his eyes met with a small moving figure that seemed to be pushing something. He couldn't make out age, gender or size from his place. He ignored it, then gave the land another scan. It was what he saw next that caught his attention. What seemed to be out of their range of sight, but their directly in her path, was a group of beasts. Clearly, they knew the other was there. Xeii wondered if the figure knew of them, and if they were a high enough rank to take care of the monsters. He stood still, knowing it wasn't his place to protect someone if they were perfectly capable. But if the situation proved otherwise, he'd take action.

Monience was getting close to her father's grave when she spotted the creatures. "So....you guys again. I don't suppose you'll let me pass unimpeded?" She stepped away from her cart as one swung at her. "Didn't think so." She pulled out her newly acquired sword and her old wooden sword. Suddenly they all pounced at her, quickly jumping out of the way she fell into the stance Xen taught her. "Wow you must be hungry." One recovered and closed the distance between them and swung at her. Monience tried to block with her wooden sword but it just deflected the blow harming her as the sword shattered. Rolling backwards as the creature followed through Monience pulled out her shield and managed to block the attack. She ended up pinned in a hole with her shield covering it. She started to stab out around the shield trying to catch something and injure it. but from where she was she couldn't tell if it was doing any good as the creatures pounded and scratched on the shield trying to get to her.

Xeii watched the chaos unfold. When the girl fell into the hole, he couldn't make out what had happened - if it as too late or if they were taking cover. Either way, he knew the person was clearly outnumbered. He began to run swiftly towards the pack of brutal creatures, feeling as the light as the wind in the open space. In just a few short moments, he made it. In a quick movement, he yanked the staff from it's sheath on his hip and held it above his head, extending it so it was roughly six feet tall. He took one jump, then brought it down on the head of the beast scratching at the shield. There was a crack, and the monster began to bleed violently. It took a step towards Xeii before collapsing. When the other beasts looked towards the man, he merely spun his staff over his head and walked towards them nonchalantly. He hit one across the side and it let out of scream of agony, before he shoved the staff through it's head and lifted it back out quickly, killing a second monster. He slammed the bottom of his staff in the ground and grabbed the center, using it to get him off the ground. He spun around and kicked an approaching beast in the side, knocking the wind out of it. A couple of the smaller monsters began to leave, clearly having the brains, or at least instinct, to not want to get involved in the carnage.

Only two remained now. The largest one was still trying to catch it's breath, so Xeii turned to the other, slamming a fist down on it's nasty snarling jaw. In one quick movement, he used the staff to jump onto it's back, and he struggled to get it into a headlock, attempting to break it's neck. The other, however, got up and slunk sneakily over to the shield and lifted it with it's nose, snarling at the girl before raising it's beastly paw to hit her.

Xeii dropped his staff while wrestling the one monster, then things turned around - the beast he was on top of threw itself backwards and crushed him, then got off and grabbed the mans foot with it's tail, lifting him up before slamming him to the ground. Flinching, he reached for his staff, which was just out of his reach. He noticed the other monster readying to attack something, "FIGHT!" he snarled.

Monience heard the shout and something in her brain snapped. She wasn't sure what it was but suddenly her fears drained out of her. She moved her self over quickly so her feet was under her and with all her strength pushed herself out of the hole. The creature trying to attack her was forced back still pushing on her. She brought her shield back stepping to the left letting the creature fall foward. She then spun around bringing her sword along it's side while spinning going along the length of it's body till she was facing it again.

Xeii managed to touch the pole with a fingertip and bring it towards him. He turned around, pushing down on a trigger that shortened his staff so he cold use it better in such a close range. Besides, it was heavier this way. He was still on the ground, having yet to regain his breath. The creature was lurching forward to bite him, but instead, it chomped down vertically on the pole and couldn't close nor open it's mouth. It began to struggle and snarl. Xeii used this distraction to his advantage, and kicked the monster full force across the head. He paced over to it while it was down, picking up his weapon and bringing it down through the monsters chest cavity, smashing it's heart.

He looked over the carnage briefly, then shifted his gaze to the last beast standing. He quietly stepped up behind it, then slammed the pole across it's flank and then twisted it quickly and hit the brute in it's leg, shattering the bones. The monster turned towards him, growling angrily. Xeii backed up slowly and calmly. He looked to the girl, motioning his head in a 'finish it' gesture. The monster moved slowly, dragging it's hind leg. He twisted his pole again and smashed one of the monsters fore legs in a blink. The monster roared and collapsed, but still threatened to harm either person in a flash.

Monience didn't waste any time. While the creature was incapacitated, she walked over to it and brought her sword down through it's head. It let out a moan as it died. Monience looked around, a distant look in her eyes before confirming that the area was clear. Grabbing her head she looked around again "Wha...wait....what happened?" She asked no one with out even noticing the man that was standing before her.

Xeii looked own at his staff. He hated when it was covered in filth. He tucked it away in it's sheath and looked down at the bewildered girl. "It's probably not wise to wander out here without an escort of some sort." he muttered under his breath. "You're easy prey. No matter..." he sighed, looking down at the girl, "You're alright." he stated, seeing no physical injuries on the girl. He had no intent of leaving now, even though it was probably safe. It wouldn't be the best idea to give the smaller beasts a chance at a snack.

Monience jumped a little. "Oh...Thank you. I don't have too much farther to go. I'm heading to my father's grave just beyond that hill over there." She pointed off in the direction she was heading. "I'm Monience by the way." She smiled introducing herself going back to the cart and pulling it along again after making sure it took no damage.

Xeii folded his arms over his chest and nodded to her, expression blank. "Xeii." he whispered, his words hardly audible. He paced beside the girl, his footsteps eerily silent, even with the heavy boots he wore. "You should be more aware of your surroundings, sense what's going on around you." he said, glancing down at her through the corner of his eye. But he figured he'd ease up on the lecturing, the girl was just about killed.

Monience nodded. "Yeah. I should. But I was thinking so much I kinda lost track." She pulled up next to a 2handed sword sticking out of the ground with armor sitting on it and around it. The pieces of equipment looked old and cracked. It didn't look like they'd last very long in battle. Never the less Monience got to work removing the stuff from the ground and placing it into her cart. She then started to drag the grave stone out from the cart but stopped. "Can you help me please? It's kinda heavy and I don't want to destroy it before I set it in place." She asked Xeii.

Xeii gave a short nod, easily lifting the gravestone out of the cart and placing it where he assumed she wanted it - where the sword had been before she pulled it out of the ground. "Is that alright...?" he asked, cocking a single brow up and looking at her. He looked back to the gravestone and crouched down, reading it. "Hm." turning to Monience he stood, and put a hand on her head. "I'm sure he was a great warrior and an even better man," he paused, searching for words, "Just... remember, follow your heart, you'll do him proud no matter which path you choose." he took his hand off her head and let it fall limp by his side.

Monience nodded. "Thank you Xeii." She giggled. "You remind me a lot of Val. You're kinda like him except less uptight and more willing to talk if talked to." She smiled. She then turned and patted the grave once before making her way back to the cart to cover the equipment and make sure nothing would break on the way back to town.

Xeii was amazed there was someone actually quieter then he was. Then again, he was also more talkative around younger children. If this was someone older, he probably would have only spoken but a few words. The cart looked like a pain to push and pull, but it was probably perfect training for her, otherwise he'd offer to push the load. "Do you have anyone who can follow you when you come here?" he asked, looking down to the girl and standing by her side.

Monience shook her head. "Everyone I know is either busy or doesn't care about me. Though now that I got this equipment removed from the site I shouldn't have to make as many trips anymore to make sure no one's taken off with it." In truth the cart didn't bother Monience as much as it should have. Her training with Xen really paid off and the cart felt light to her. Looking back she made sure the lightness wasn't because of missing items. Once she was satisfied she kept going. "Not many people know where that grave is and usually don't want to wander out this far. With the increasing attacks and gathering of creatures I can't blame them. O need to get stronger though. As I am now I don't stand much of a chance against them." Monience continued the conversation.



ADMIN EDIT!!!!
Not true!! D8 what about Xen????? She's rarely busy AND she cares XD

"Clearly." he said bluntly, not be rude, but emphasizing the obvious. He walked slowly so he could keep an even pace with the young girl. "Is getting into danger a daily thing for you?" he asked, joking slightly. Though it was hard to tell with his monotone, quiet voice. He looked off, seeing the town in the distance. He took a ring off of one of his fingers, rolling it and feeling it in his hand.

Monience giggled. "In a way. If it's not creatures, someone's always challenging me to a fight to prove they're stronger but ends up in a draw. Not that I mind it. Since it gives me something to do. Pulls me out of a funk when I need it the most." She grinned over at Xeii to hide the fact she was usually lonely. "It also helps me train." She disliked being alone and wished the journey was longer so she could talk to Xeii a little longer, but she knew Xeii would go off back to his duties once she was safely in town. None the less she kept the same pace with the cart not wanting to upset her new found friend.

He listened to her, looking forward, his eyes looked to be off in the distance like he was deep in thought. "I see." he spoke after a short moment.

He remained silent the rest of the walk, until they got to the town gates. He crouched down a took her hand, setting a ring into her palm. It had a silver band with black words inscribed on it. They weren't in the English tongue but Latin. There was a gray stone in the middle. The prongs around it looked like four little claws, holding the stone tightly. When he put it into her palm, it shifted quickly to fit either her index, ring or middle finger and the color turned red - the shade of her eyes. "If you wear this and think one simple word... 'venio', I will come." he said, closing her hands around it. His necklace was enchanted to the ring, and both pieces were made to match his aura - his soul. So when one piece cried for the other, he would feel it. "Would you like that?" he asked quietly.

Monience looked at the ring and put it on carefully before embracing Xeii in a big hug. "Thank you!" She was clearly happy for the new friend. "I would like it." She was visibly bouncing like a child that had gotten a new doll. She released him finally and looked at the ring on her right index finger enjoying it's look. "it's so pretty too."

The corners of Xeii's lip twitched into a slight smile and he stood. "As you may have guessed, I have to go now, before my mentors get upset. We'll see each other again." he said in a promising tone. "Sayonara." he turned, waving a hand in the air for a second and then letting it drop, walking off slowly. The girls was very thankful, so he was glad he did it, she seemed to need the company.