Part 4
*Setting: The mortal world carried on with its daily routine, with the mortals themselves going about their boring, unexciting lives. All passed by the small shack of a trinket shop without so much as batting an eyelid or giving it a second glance. The main reason for this being that the shop was protected by a spell designed to mask it from the eyes of all who did not seek it. Shelves on either side of the store were lined with dusty books, their pages yellow and their spines cracked and fragile. The middle of the store had large tables pushed together and on the tables were metallic charms and bracelets, some rusting, some looking as if they'd just been bought. The back of the store was were the owner sat, behind a large desk, with a large black and silver chest situated just to the right of it. The owner of the store was a tall, and rather menacing looking, Katterwol. It's fur a deep shade of bluey-purple and its tail long and healthy looking. The beings small, yellow eyes blinking from beneath a clump of fur hanging over them. Large boots protected its feet from splinters from the wooden floor and the clothing that it did wear, a dirty, grey t-shirt and blue, raggy jeans, seemed to be better suited to someone homeless. Sat upon a small, rickety, wooden chair the being flicked through a small book, resting its head upon its hand as it did so and yawning every couple of pages, looking up as if expecting to see a customer, but knowing full well it would never get one on this continant or world for that matter. It knew this because the majority of the inhabitants were mortals who had no desire to delve into the strange world of magick and sorcery. And thus to them, this store was pretty none existant. Infact, the few creatures that were interested in such magickal things hardly ventured towards the store either, since it didn't even cater for many of their needs. The shop, as small and insignificant as it looked, only sold one thing - Summoners. Cat-like beasts with the ability to summon certain, powerful Demons. Summoners were created for the sole purpose of summoning Demons and serving powerful, magickal-orientated beings. Usually coming in pairs, one Summoner would be the Soul giver if, in a particular situation, the Demon desired needed a Soul as payment. Obviously the Demon doesn't take the whole Soul, but just a bit, leaving enough to regenerate slowly and keep the creature alive. The other Summoner would be the one that actually did the majority of the summoning. Both creatures being needed for the act of bringing forth, certain Demons, to work. Because of their role in the world of magick, the Elders who had created them, gave them untold power, only to be used when their owners allowed them to do so. To guarantee this, the Elders embedded a small, red jewel in the center of their foreheads, this jewel stopped the beings from being capable of using their powers without their owners permission. And to ensure that the Summoners didn't run away, the Elders decreed that all sold Summoners be forced to wear cuffs which stopped the creatures from running away or parting from each other. If the beings tried to do so, the cuffs would glow, cause the Summoner pain and force them back to their owners vicinity. Finally, for extra security, the Elders made sure that if the Summoners owner [or seller] ever died, that when the Soul passed into another body, it informed the Claimers, who then reclaimed the Summoners and placed them back in the ownership of a Summoner seller. The sellers themselves could keep the small, fragile beings were they liked, but due to the growing distrust between sellers and Summoners, many decided to cause the Summoners to go in their particle form and then keep them in confined spaces...much like large chests.*
Seller: "Book."
He finally closed the book he was reading and held up his right hand towards the overflowing bookshelf, saying the word loudly and firmly. Instantly one lone book in the middle of the shelf began to jitter around, before finally flying off and quickly spinning into his hand, which grasped the spine firmly. Snorting upon opening the book as a thick pile of dust bellowed outwards, he then began to skim through the first page, looking more bored than ever.
*Thump-Thump*
Looking up quickly and with vague excitement of the sound of a potential customers footsteps, the Katterwol was met with the sight of nobody. Slowly he stood, his large ears twitching, trying to pick up the slightest sound. Moving around to the front of the desk, the Katterwol gave a wary glance over at the large chest and then back to the store, were he sniffed the air readily.
Seller: "Who's there?"
Slowly he walked over to the trinkets, looking to see if anything was missing and then, as if by instinct, shot up his right to block a ball of blue energy being sent at him from his right. Turning as he did so, he caught a glimpse of a small, Cat-like being. A Summoner. Jolas. The ball of energy immediatly deflected off his hand and was sent towards the book shelves, which, upon being hit, shook violently and sent a few books flying forwards, smoking heavily. Before the Katterwol could take up the offensive however, Jolas had disappeared in a mass of bright yellow particles. Realising that the Summoner could use its powers, the store owner was sure that this being wasn't one of his, and so was in two minds whether to fight it or inform the Claimers. He knew, however, that Summoners were powerful beasts, more powerful than some Demons even, but as he dived away from another ball of energy which was coming at him from behind, he realised that the only choice he had was to fight it, as it would certainly not allow him to get in touch with the Claimers. Rolling on the ground, the Katterwol studied what he could of the small being before it disappeared once more in a bright flash of yellow particles.
Seller: "How did you escape, Summoner? Hmmm?"
Slowly the Katterwol got to his feet, electricity darting up and down his right arm as he listened out for any give away signs of attack. Turning around quickly, he sent a strand of electricity hurtling towards, were he believed, the Summoner to be, only to hit a pile of books and set them alight.
Seller: "Dammit, OUT!"
He waved his left hand at the books and the flames immediatly changed into smoke, which softly drifted upto the ceiling.
Jolas: "Why do you want to know...?"
The Katterwol span around, charging up some more electricity to unleash upon the smaller being, but once he was facing the direction where the voice had been, he saw nothing.
Owner: "Curiosity, i s'pose."
He slowly walked upto the table of trinkets again, waving his left hand over it he then muttered some foreign incantation, the table immediatly disappeared in whisps of dust and red smoke, giving him more room to move around. Pacing around the area were the table once stood, he looked around the room, trying to spot any sign that the Summoner was still there, then the small, bright flash of light of a Summoner appearing from another area appeared infront of him, he didn't give the beast time to react, and immediatly sent three strands of electricity soaring towards the creature... Towards Radcleff. In seconds of teleporting to the area where he could sense Jolas, he was hit by the burning volts of electric. Throwing up his paws infront of his face, Radcleff staggered backwards, whimpering as the pain grew with every second.
Jolas: "NOOOOO!!"
Leaping up onto the desk from behind it, Jolas sent a blast of red energy hurtling towards the Katterwol, who quickly dived out the way and sent three balls of electricity towards him. Radcleff staggered around woozily, knocking into a shelf and causing a few books to fall.
Jolas: "RAD!! RAD ARE YOU OKAY?!"
He shouted frantically, looking from the owner of the store to his bestfriend, all the while throwing energy balls at the Katterwol, who was reflecting them all around the room.
Radcleff: "Y-Yes, you-you said you were only going to be a few minutes. I got wo..."
Whilst reflecting the balls of energy with his right hand, the owner of the store formed a ball of his own with his left, and flung the spinning white sphere straight towards Radcleff, who, although moved out of the way seconds in time, still got the brunt force of the energy as it exploded to the side of him. This sent him flailing forwards briefly before hitting the ground.
Seller: "Doesn't look well, does he? Heheh."
Jolas continued throwing energy balls towards the Katterwol, now aware of his left hand and purposely trying to make him use both hands so he didn't try the same trick again.
Jolas: "RAD! RAD GET UP!! GET OUTTA HERE, NOW!!"
Looking down at the Summoner as it slowly pushed itself up, the Katterwol quickly dived to the side and sent an uncharged pulse of energy towards Jolas, this hit him in the chest and sent him staggering backwards and off the desk. Now free, for a few seconds at least, of the Summoner causing him the most problems, the Katterwol quickly gets to his feet, walks over to Radcleff whilst smirking and places his heavy boot upon the weakened creatures back, pushing him to the floor.
Owner: "VIAL!"
Raising his right hand like previous, he watched as a small glass vial filled with glowing blue liquid span towards him from behind a stack of books. Grasping it in his hand, the owner then pulled off the corked top with his teeth, spat it out, and prepared to tip the vial of dispelling potion onto the back of Radcleffs head. However, as the hand slowly tipped, a ball of blue energy hit the bottom of his wrist and caused the vial to fly from his grasp, sail through the air behind him and smash upon the wooden floor - making a thick, glowing blue puddle. The Katterwol growled lowly at Jolas, who was standing beside the desk, and sent a flurry of energy balls soaring towards him, Jolas however dispersed from his current position and reappeared infront of the Katterwol, were he then lunged up at him, claws outstretched. Roaring with anger as the Summoner quickly clambered up his body and to his face, where he then proceeded to swipe viciously at his cheeks, the owner staggered backwards, trying to prise the creature off of him. Radcleff, however, now free of the foot that was pushed down upon his back, staggered to his feet, looking in worry as his bestfriend duelled with the Katterwol who was atleast four times his size.
Radcleff: "JOLAS!! NOOO!!"
Though still woozy, the arms of the small creature began to course with red electricity. He stepped forwards, wanting to act but too fearful of hurting his friend. He watched as the Katterwol grasped Jolas under the arms, tug him off his chest and then throw him to the ground. With a loud thump and small splash Jolas hit the puddle of dispelling potion and immediatly felt as if the skin wettened by it was on fire. This feeling crept right across his body, until his eyes were aglow and with a loud, room shaking, 'whoosh' a bright ring-wave of light had expelled from his body. His powers had gone.
Seller: "Gotcha."
He smirked maliciously at the Summoner that had caused him the most problems, watching as Jolas tried to stand but was too weak to do so. He then slowly turned around to face Radcleff, who was now shaking with fear and struggling with speech.
Radcleff: "L-L-Let us go..."
He raised his paws, pointing them at the chest of the Katterwol, the creature smirked.
Seller: "Fine...just get past me, first."
Edging slowly over to the limp body of Jolas, Radcleff whimpered. His bestfriend raised his head slightly, mouthing for him to go, for him to leave, but once the Katterwol had noticed this he gave him a swift kick to the stomach and sent him skirting across the floor and into a book shelf.
Seller: "VIAL!"
He raised his right hand and caught another vial of glowing blue liquid before Radcleff had chance to react, this vial though had come from a different place in the room.
Radcleff: "D-DROP IT!!"
He shouted these words before he even knew what he was saying, and it was obvious by the tone that they were shouted in desperation more than anything. The Katterwol knew this and felt confident because of it. Smirking nastily he nodded.
Seller: "Okay..."
Crouching down slowly, the vial still gripped tightly in his hand, he lowered himself on his knees. He then slowly stretched out his arm to the ground and slowly placed the bottom of the vial on the wooden surface, his fingers still gripping the top of it. Then, as he studied the creatures worried face, he flicked his wrist, flinging the vial of potion towards Radcleff, who, in a kneejerk reaction blasted a mass force of red electricity towards the Katterwol, who looked at the oncoming mass in sheer horror, watching as the glass vial was oblitorated before his eyes and then feeling the intense heat and pain the blast caused as it impacted with his chest and sent him rocketing towards the wall, which he hit with such force that dust floated down from the ceiling. The red electricity darted around his body, causing him to twitch every so often as it gently continued to cook his organs. Shocked by what he had just done, Radcleff slowly moved closer to Jolas, his eyes and paws still concentrating on the Katterwol, who's head was lolloping to one side. Blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Radcleff: "J-Jolas?! Jolas!? Come on!!"
He nudged his friend with his foot, who moved slightly, still conscious but in too much pain to move. And although the dispelling potion is only temporary - when used on a Summoner it can cause much pain and distress, since their powers are part of them and not some acquired ability like mortal magick users.
Jolas: "Rad...you have...have to take his Soul!"
He rolled on his back and looked Radcleff deep in the eyes, knowing that if the Katterwol died, and its Soul escaped their reach, the Claimers would be all over the place.
Radcleff: "But i...But...no...i-i don't know how, Jolas! W-What if i do it wrong! You should do it, you did our...master."
He sighed as he said the last word, thinking back to his old master and how everything would've been okay if only Jolas hadn't done what he had done.
Jolas: "I can't, Rad! L-Look at me! My...powers are gone...i'm weak...please, Rad, if you...don't, they'll come for...us!!"
Looking fearfully at the body of the Katterwol, which already looked dead, but wasn't due to the fact they hadn't seen the Soul leave the body, he slowly took a tentative step towards it.
Radcleff: "B-But what do i d-do?"
Jolas: "P-Put your mouth...over his...and just...suck."
Radcleff turned, casting Jolas a worried glance, and gulped. Placing each foot down softly on the floor, he slowly but surely made his way closer to the owner of the store. With each small twitch made by the unconscious beast, Radcleff jumped, fearful that the creature may suddenly jump up and grab him. Tilting his head slightly on one side, so he could look at the face of the being easier, since its head was resting on its shoulder, the Summoner slowly stepped closer, making his way steadily for its mouth.
Jolas: "H-Hurry...!"
He gasped this word as he manouvered his body so he could watch Radcleff and encourage him if needs be. But as he watched and saw Radcleff lower his head to the Katterwols mouth, he noticed the right hand of the creature which was out of Radcleffs sight, twitch. The fingers rose slightly and small particles of white energy began floating around them, slowly making their way to the palm of the hand were they then began gathering together. Jolas opened his mouth to shout, to call out to Radcleff and warn him, but before he could, the left hand of the Katterwol had quickly rose up and grasped the back of his head, gripping the skin tightly as Radcleff let out a panicked scream and struggled backwards.
Seller: "You...Ba..."
Knowing that he couldn't kill the Katterwol without risking losing its Soul, Radcleff decided to lunge forwards and placed his lips on the Katterwols. Within seconds he took a great breath inwards, small blue and white particles travelling out of the creatures mouth and into his own. Now, instead of trying to hold the Summoner closer, the Katterwol was trying to pull him off, keeping the steadily forming ball of energy in his right hand as his left struggled with the beast as it now grasped the sides of his face to stay attached. Another sharp, intake of breath sucked more tiny particles of Soul out of the mouth of the Katterwol. Then another, with each intake of breath and with each particle of Soul, no matter how small, Radcleff took, the small energy ball forming in the mortals hand dispersed more and more. Another intake of breath. Then another. Now the ball was nothing more than a single particle and the Katterwol knew he had to get the beast off him, gripping the creatures long ears he tugged at them, Radcleff pushed his head forwards however, determined to do this one thing for Jolas who had already done so much for him over the past centuries they had known each other. Gradually the steady stream of particles became a river, with more and more pouring out of the mortals mouth. The eyes of the Katterwol began to glow - he could feel himself slowly being dragged out of his body, could see the darkness closing in on him. He was cold. He was weakening. Radcleff was sucking harder than ever, each morsel of Soul steadily leading to the whole thing.
Jolas: "YOU'RE...YOU'RE NEARLY THERE!! KE-KEEP GOING, RAD!!"
Radcleff could feel his eyes burning, could taste the warm glow of each small particle dancing in his throat. Could feel the warmth from inside the Katterwols mouth steadily grow stronger. The Katterwols arms were doing nothing more than twitching now, barely enough strength in him to move his fingers. Then finally he inhaled one last time, a mass lump of sparkling bluey-white partiles flew down his throat, his lips parted from the Katterwols and, although the world around him was now a bright blur, he could see its limp body, lifeless and dead. Staggering backwards he coughed, the taste was foul and it seemed to fight inside of him, wanting to escape. He could feel something in his throat, feel a pulsating. Falling backwards he coughed and choked, trying hard to close his mouth which, under no circumstances it seemed, was going to shut. Turning his head, he looked at Jolas, who had concern written all over him. Slowly, Jolas tried to move towards his struggling friend, but was too weak to even do that.
Jolas: "SWALLOW!! S-SWALLOW!!"
He cried out these words, knowing that the sooner he did so the sooner the uncomfortableness would end. But all Radcleff could hear was a blurred muffle. He was watching what looked to be a film, it was in fast forward however and was going at such a speed that he only had time to make out what certain images were. The room seemed to be varying in temperature also, going from warmth, to cold, to boiling hot with every couple of seconds.
*Gulp*
The room seemed to spin gently, his eyes still burning as they glowed softly, along with his mouth. Then as the seconds past everything returned to normal. He was weak. He was tired. He was confused. But he was alive. Tilting his head upwards to look towards the desk, he spotted the large black and silver chest and sighed, closing his eyes, knowing that he now had to open that.
Jolas: "T-That can...wait. You...rest...you, you deserve it."
(OOC: Longevity!! Crapness!! Poopilly!! Dammit!! Comments? Critisms? Thanks for the ones thus far!!)
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America: So soaked in Religion its seething with Sin.
"In Heaven all the interesting people are missing" - Friedrich Nietzsche
"America is the most grandiose experiment the world has seen, but, I am afraid, it is not going to be a success." - Sigmund Freud
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