Twisted Ties

Greetings again amigos and amigas! Back with the next chappie. Introducing three more characters, who shall be reoccuring people in the following chapters.

Tobias Wolfsbane belongs to me where as Harper Radai and Toria Tray belong to greyjay. To view their profiles, feel free to view the following links.

Harper Radai
http://wiki.realmroleplayers.com/Harper
Toria Tray
http://wiki.realmroleplayers.com/Toria
Tobias Wolfsbane
http://cobrastrife.deviantart.com/art/Tobias-Wolfsbane-105746595

Velacia is getting herself in quite the predicament hmm? I wonder if she’ll be able to find some answers... and good ones at that heh. No lemon in this chap folks but there will be some soon to come...

Enjoy ^^


* * *

Once again Velacia was back within her ancestral grounds, the place looking the same as when she had left it after her bonding with Kaine, if with a bit of battle damage from their previous fight and the faint smell of the purple haired man, having not dispersed yet during her treks.

It had been a few days since the last encounter from the demon she made a deal with. That in itself had left her mind buzzing with problems. She felt she was putting herself in more harms way then she should and the outcomes would not bode well. When stuck in a place with two supernatural beings, neither being none too friendly or having good intentions for the person in the middle could very well lead to an early grave, something the hydra was not too keen on accomplishing.

She leisurely made her way to the large hydra skeleton, her head slightly bowed as her bangs covered her eyes. Upon reaching the platform before the great extinct ancestor, she sunk lightly to her knees and waited.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the earth rumbled and the glowing gold, silver and red orbs appeared in the designated three hydra heads again. They all stared down at her with a piercing manner, any air flow that was about her having stilled.

"Ah... so you have survived" the voice rang out. "I am pleased, yet it seems you are not".

"I've put myself in far too much danger" she replied evenly. She didn't want to say anymore, in fear of her being watched by either Kaine or the new demon. It didn't matter, for it seemed the hydra skeleton got the underlying meaning. Their long necks craned down slightly to view her a bit more closely.

"Yes, indeed you have. You must tread carefully" it responded, though there was no scorn in its voice this time around. Velacia however felt that perhaps they should have as her fists clenched and she slammed one into the ground, a hole appearing in the earth as her body trembled, but not from the aftermath of the action.

"I am such an idiot!" she yelled, furious at herself and her past choices. "Why, why can't I keep in the mind frame of what I was?! Why must I feel like... like a human does?"

The name of the species was spat angrily from her mouth, her fangs were bared as she felt rather restless. At times it would of been so much better if she was born as her three headed form. With the knowledge that was now within her, she knew that the hydras were not originally like her. They were more so like that of her ancestor but some time along the grand time line her ancestor saw fit to integrate human DNA into their biology. Why, that she did not know, nor felt the urge to delve deep into the recesses of information to find an answer she may not like.

"From what I have sensed, you are the only other hydra, other then myself, who felt more then a beast should, at least when it came to those outside of our kind. It goes hand in hand Velacia. Sometimes one needs to be the animal and other times needs to feel as that of another mortal, or in this case as a human would. The rest of our kind did not realize this and perhaps that is the only reason why you are still alive".

Velacia wasn’t sure how she wanted to take that. Her parents cared for one another deeply, that she knew, as did any hydra with their chosen mates, but they were not as wish-washy as those blasted humans. Did her ancestor really feel that being an undecided, stammering idiot was a way of survival? Was that really the reason why she was here... and the rest of her kind all laid dead?

"Maybe so, but it does not help me if I feel like this when it only gets me into more trouble..."

"Why do you think you're a hybrid? If you were to be only a beast, then you would have been born in your hydra form... but you were not. There is benefits to both sides... and consequences as well".

Velacia sighed, taking the words as it came, knowing there was some truths to it, even if part of her was still in stubborn denial. For now she would leave the matter, moving on to another topic.

"... there is another..." she started.

"I know".

"Please forgive me" she said quietly.

"It is done. There was nothing else that you could of done to prevent it, I am sure. You are doubting yourself, your abilities. You think you can not face this one and why is that? Because he who impregnated you is tampering with it as we speak? He can make it as potent as he wishes... but the more he tampers, the more impure its hydra side becomes, something that you are full of inside. There are only things that pure of blood can do over those of half can't".

She did not raise her head as he said this, knowing what he meant. There were things that during the battle even Kaine had not seen and perhaps if certain circumstances were different... he may not still be standing to this day right now.

"You held back my child. Why did you?"

"I blame the other side of me".

"You always hold back, in one way or another. That can be your downfall down the road".

"I know" she whispered.

"Yet still you do".

"It doesn't matter whether I did or didn't, he would of won either way".

"Don't be so sure. There are always two forms of wins and defeats... depends on which one is accepted".

"I hate him..." she whispered angrily, feeling her body tense and then just as easily relaxes. "And yet... I don't".

"There is nothing wrong with that. Some who we meet down the road will always invoke those reactions within us. Do not think he always has the upper hand over you. There are benefits to being mortal over those who are from above or down below".

"They lead such complicated lives... I don't get it..."

"Just as I'm sure they may not get why we live so simple of lives. Different lifestyles. The animal is content by having the basics, but those more powerful then they need things to amuse themselves and keep their minds busy. Tactics and yes, deceit and betrayal always goes hand in hand in their thoughts. Sometimes they envy us, even as we do to them. That is why they treat those below them so, or at least a good deal of them, the way that they do. It goes hand in hand, remember that".

"I will" she replied evenly, once again those words making sense to her. They always did, but perhaps she just needed them to be reiterated again.

"So what will you do now?" he then asked and she knew what he was referring to. Velacia sighed, her clawed hands gently pressing into the soil, the lethal digits pushing through the surface.

"Whether I go or stay will not leave much choice in the end. I may indeed have to go, if my hand is forced. I'm in a situation now that I can't get out of".

"Any situation one can get out of... one just needs to be ready to accept the costs".

"I don't want to see the outcome of it and yet something tells me I have no choice".

"You always have a choice, even if something is inked into paper stating otherwise. You need to be strong and believe in your own abilities..."

"Believing is fine till one gets treated as a toy repeatedly" she spat out venomously, remembering how both Kaine and the demon treated her, loathing the feel.

"There are benefits for being a toy. Remember... in a relationship that is dominative and submissive, it is actually the submissive that holds more power over those who are over them" the great skeleton said in a bemused tone, causing Velacia to look up at it curiously.

"But... how?"

"You think being powerful, bending time, transforming into whatever you wish and everything those angels and demons have claim to be the ultimate power? It’s powerful, yes... but in the end... is nothing compared to what someone weaker then them can do. You may not understand this now but you will sooner or later. Even being a fool has its perks" the ancient beast finished and before Velacia could ask anymore questions, the glowing eyes faded into nothing, leaving the old hydra in a slumber again and the younger one lost in her thoughts.

* * *

Harper had been on the road for some time. It had been a relatively uneventful travel, but it was time to find a town to stay at for the night, seeing as it was supposed to be a rather stormy night. The town he came across seemed rather quiet, a farming town like so many others. He made his way into it and walked the streets, looking for the nearest inn where he might be able to stay the night.

It didn't take him long to find the old weathered sign for an inn and tavern and he made his way into it quietly, not meeting anyone's gaze. He stepped to the bar inside the dimly lit tavern and asked to rent a room for the night, as well as order a hot meal. Not once did he even look the barkeeper in the eye. He then found himself a seat and sat down to wait for his meal, studying the wood grain in the table before him in silence.

Meanwhile, back in the clouding dark sky, Velacia was hunting again, but this time, it was for information, and no longer could she retrieve it from the woods. Now it was to tread into more human lands.

As a storm was slowly rolling over, she stalked regally into a quiet farming town, ignoring the looks some of the villagers gave her near nude form. She knew she was still being hunted but felt no need to hide it. Perhaps some would see this as stupid, but she found it dishonourable. She would never hide what she was, even if she was the last, still ever so ignoring what Kaine was trying to do.

Looking around, ignoring the gasps from some women and men, her eyes landed on the inn and tavern. She remembered humans discussing how that was the best way to retrieve information, especially from those who are too inebriated to stop themselves from going into too much detail. Leisurely she walked in, once again not minding how quiet it was around her as she made her presence known. She tasted the air, debating on who had the best scent to approach, when a familiar one entered her senses and a loud voice came after that.

"Vel! DARLING! Its been aggeeesss" came a loud drunken voice.

Velacia's eyes widened considerably as she turned her attention to the voice, surprised. She could not believe it.

There, standing in a slowly dazed state, was a male wolf hybrid. He was adorned in a simple travelers clothing with black combat boots. The rest of his outfit compromised of tight blue silk pants along with a slightly opened white shirt with various stains on it. A black vest went over that and a simple broad sword laid strapped to his side. With sharp blue wolf ears and a long bushy tail adorned the wolf hybrid's body. His eyes were gold and his hair messy and jet black. Velacia could almost smile. It was nice to meet a familiar face, even a drunken one at that.

And at least he was mortal.

He sauntered over to her, a bottle of half drunken ale in his hand as he reached her, moving to slip an arm around her waist, pulling her in close, the putrid stench of alcohol washing over her face.

"You’ve been away for sooo long and now you come baaack to me...." he purred, moving down to kiss her.

A resounding slap went through the air, causing the wolf hybrid to stagger back slightly, rubbing his cheek and having sloshed some beer down his front and side.

"Yes, charming to see you again Tobias" Velacia mused, chuckling slightly. "Haven't changed a bit".

"And you're still sexy as ever... if a bit violent..." he replied, baring his fangs at her, but in a friendly manner.

Harper couldn't help but notice the boisterous wolf man, and his rather uncalled for advances. He had been about to get up and say something when the female reptilian creature slapped him and started speaking in a friendly manner. It was at that moment his meal arrived, not looking too appealing but he quietly picked at it anyway. His sharp senses attuned to the goings on in the tavern.

"So, how has the grand voyages of the near extinct hydra been?" Tobias asked loudly, causing some people in the tavern to turn their heads, even causing a few to leave.

"Last hydra actually Tobias... and for godsakes... by all means bring me more trouble" she hissed slightly but otherwise ignored the statement.

"Wow... erm... sorry to hear that" Tobias said, taking another swig, wiping his lips on the back of his sleeve and then looking at her again. "So, did you succeed in your mission?"

"Both of them actually. Found my ancestral grounds... and I am pregnant" she said, though the last part was less enthusiastic.

"PREGNANT?!" Tobias yelped out, almost doing a dramatized stagger. "Its mine isn't it?! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!" Velacia growled in annoyance.

"No Tobias, it isn't yours. We never copulated".

"...but I was so sure I swayed you with my wolfish charms..." he mused, scratching his chin, causing the female hybrid to roll her eyes.

"Sure... no, we didn't. Its not yours".

"Then who is the lucky man? I gotta meet this guy and get some pointers for bedding you!" Another slap resounded, causing the wolf hybrid to let out a slight howl.

"JESUS woman! Save it for the bedroom!" he hollered as Velacia glared at him darkly before continuing.

"I wouldn't say he's a man, well not a normal one at least. His name is Kaine if you must know. Some devil or demon..." she replied, her voice monotonous.

"What the hell?! You won't do mortals but you'll do DEMONS?!" Tobias demanded, seeming outraged.

"It wasn't in my intention to do so!" she snapped back angrily. "Believe me I wouldn't have if things... didn't happen the way they were... and I almost wish it didn't because I am in more trouble then you could ever believe" she growled, her tail twitching in annoyance as she yanked haphazardly on the chain necklace slightly, pretending it would be the man's neck she was thinking of strangling.

Harper's pointy ears twitched slightly at the mention of Kaine's name. It wasn't a name he was fond of in the least, however, he could tell that it was indeed the same Kaine he knew. He wasn't sure how he knows that, but he did.

He kept his calm brown eyes directed to the food before him as he picked at it, musing to himself. If Kaine was causing trouble in this part of the land then it was probably why he somehow found his way to this area. He just remained quiet, listening to the conversation with his acute elfin hearing.

"Oh really? What, he messing with your life or something?" Tobias asked, cocking his head to the side.

"You might say that... and now I am in a contract with another demon to find his goddamn name" she growled, gritting her fangs slightly.

"His name?" Tobias blinked. "But... you know his name... right?"

"True Name. Its complicated... those higher ups feel the need to have two names..." she replied wearily. "Either way I am hunting for information".

"Ahhh... so that's why you came to find me-"

"Finding you was by accident. No... it was more along the lines I know taverns hold plenty of information".

"For a price though Vel" Tobias warned, letting out a hiccup as he finished his beer.

"A price that none of these humans can hold over me" she said lowly.

"Well, if you need any... hang on a sec" he said and started to sniff the air, his ears twitching slightly. His expression had turned a bit serious, something Velacia took seriously as well. During her recent encounter with the wolf hybrid, who was jovial most of the time, if ever he got even the slightest bit mellow it meant something important was happening, something one shouldn’t brush off too quickly.

"What?" she asked.

"Someone is listening".

"Well its not like we're doing a job of keeping our voices down" Velacia said in an annoyed manner.

"No... but someone really is- hey you! Elf boy! Hear something you like?" Tobias demanded, though not in a harsh way, as he turned his attention to the long brown haired elf eating his meal. How the male hybrid knew when someone was really listening was beyond the hydra’s means of inquiring, but Velacia turned her attention also, smiting Tobias in the head as she did.

"For godsakes Tobias, don't start a bar fight" she muttered as she strode over to the elf, smiling slightly at him. "I apologize for my friend. He's a tad drunk... always".

Harper nodded slightly but didn't meet Velacia's gaze, or Tobias' for that matter. His eyes remained on his food though his attention was now more focused on the other two.

"I apologize for eavesdropping. It was rude of me. Something you mentioned caught my attention. I didn't mean to disturb your conversation".

"Ah its ok... happens always at bars. Everyone eavesdrops" Tobias said as he went to the bar to order another beverage. Velacia shook her head at the wolf hybrid before turning her attention back towards the elf.

"May I ask what was it that caught your attention?" she asked politely, wondering why the elf would never look her in the eyes. Harper's voice was very soft spoken as he explained while at this point he had abandoned his partly finished meal, finding the current conversation a bit more appetizing, if not in the pleasant sense however.

"A name you mentioned. Kaine. Might I trouble you for a description? I'm curious as to if it is the being I am familiar with".

"A tall man, taller then myself, with bright purple hair that stands on end, even if wet and has cold... very cold blue eyes. He’s adorned usually in black and silver and lives in his home he calls Dark Hatred. A frightening place. His father's name I believe is... Daemokus..." she informed the elf, her eyes giving off a faraway look as she spoke.

The corner of Harper's lips tug downward microscopically as he hears Velacia's words.

"Thank you miss. I appreciate the information. Again, I am sorry to have bothered you". This was odd, why would he, of all people, be messing around with beings in these parts. From what Harper understood he had bigger fish to fry.

Velacia blinked slightly, confused as to why he just left it there. There was something more then this elf was letting on... as if he knew Kaine personally.

However at that moment her attention was turned as the door to the tavern was knocked open, a group of ten men entering, all holding weapons. One who seemed to be the leader was holding some weird blue orb that was pulsating dimly within his hand. Their attention all settled on Velacia and they smirked darkly.

"Ah... so it is true that the beast is here. There has been word that you are the last little wench and the bounty on your head is quite high..." one said as Velacia slowly turned her full attention to them. "If you come with us quietly then you shall not be harmed... much".

Velacia slowly moved towards them, though was eyeing the orb apprehensively. She tasted the air and immediately retracted her tongue. It was cold. Too cold. She had to be careful. Like most reptilian creatures, the cold never did well for them and a hydra was no exception. She stopped a bit before them, her eyes narrowed.

"And what makes you think I'll come at all?"

"Ah... a feisty one eh? All the more better..." the same man purred, his features narrowing more as their eyes raked up and down the woman's near nude form. Meanwhile Harper stood quietly and turned toward the group of men calmly.

"I'm sorry gentlemen, is there anything we might do for you?" he asked as his dark brown eyes gazed upon them without a hint of aggression. Although his weapons are plainly visible, one sword on his back, the other at his left hip, he keeps his hands at his sides in a relaxed manner.

"You elf? No, none at all, unless you're planning to cause trouble" one of the men said as some of the others moved slightly closer to Velacia. "We're just here to bring in an endangered species. We can't let them run amok anymore".

"And when has my kind ever run amok?" Velacia demanded, glaring at them. "Whatever have we done to you?"

"You killed some of us in the past" came the plain, blunt reply.

"Because you humans trespassed into my kind's territory. We do not wantonly hunt your kind, or any kind for that matter" she hissed.

"It doesn't matter. We never liked your kind and this will be one last species we don't need to worry about..." one of the men grinned darkly as he moved to press the blue orb to her, Velacia shrinking back slightly from the cold emanating from it. If that were to touch her... well she'd be lucky if she could move at all after.

"Now now boys. I suggest you leave the lil lady alone" Tobias said, appearing to the side of some of the men, a fresh bottle of beer in his hand and a dark look on his eyes. He may not seemed very intimidating, being drunk, but there was a tone to his slurred words. A tone that could not be mistaken, if perhaps not taken seriously with his given condition. Harper moved to place himself between the mob, Velacia and Tobias.

"I'm sorry but I can not allow any of you to harm this young miss. I will politely ask you to turn around and leave. We do not want to cause any trouble". His tone never wavered nor did his expression.

Velacia's eyes widened slightly at the elf's efforts to help her. Why did he? Besides the brief conversation, he really owed her nothing. Perhaps it was in his kind's nature? She heard most elves were pacifists on some kind of level. Though it didn't seem to be working well with how irritated the men were becoming towards the elf. Velacia glowered at their expressions. Humans were all the same, ignorant bastards who never took the time to use their brains to think reasonably.

"Back off elf. You may not want to cause trouble... but that animal will if left alone for too long" one growled. Another managed to brush by from behind to sneak up on Velacia, but upon nearing the woman, Tobias clamped his hand down hard on the man's arm.

"Didn't you hear? We don't want any trouble" he growled, his golden eyes piercing into the human's gaze, seeming to keep him in a trance as he whimpered slightly from the clenching grip on his arm.

Taking that as a sign of aggression, the other nine men readied their weapons, the other patrons of the inn getting very scared and keeping as far away as possible from the group by the door. The one holding the blue orb chucked it right at Velacia, the hybrid stiffening as it came speeding towards her, already the aura around the orb seeming to keep her locked in place.

Harper hooked his foot in the legs of a nearby chair and kicked it up into the air in the path of the orb, it shattering into a million pieces from the impact, flying everywhere, as he shifted to carry out a quick leg sweep at three of the men, not so much as touching his blades yet.

"I really do not wish to harm any of you. Please just turn around and leave" he continued to speak calmly, even as he tripped the three.

Apparently not deterred by his voice, two of the men charged at the elf, weapons at the ready. However their weapons did not meet flesh. Instead they locked with Tobias' broadsword, which was drawn and pushing back against the other two humans quite easily. It seemed apparent that being drunk did not hinder his fighting ability one bit... more along the lines of accelerating it.

"How rude... he's being so nice and yet you attack? You humans know nothing" he growled and with a thrust forward, sent them flying through the door, landing on another of their comrades, his tail swaying slightly as he watched.

Velacia, now seeming to get over her reverie from the cold, crouched, baring her fangs slightly as only three remained standing at the moment, though they were debating on their attack now, not sure if they want to take on three beings who in all means surpassed them. Harper gazed at the remaining attackers.

"Please. Turn around and leave before you get hurt inadvertently" he said softly as he slowly started to walk toward the men with that air of calm confidence. "This miss is under my protection now".

Velacia blinked slightly, though remained in her crouched stance. Perhaps with her encounter with Kaine, she forgot how kind some people could be... and genuinely, despite what the leather clad man had warned her of those who may seem good but would induce more harm. She could feel no such thing from the elf.

"Why do you protect her?! She's a menace!" one of the men hissed, refusing to step back though his two comrades did slightly, as if sensing something their bold friend did not.

"I protect her because it is the right thing to do. Now be gone before I am forced to more drastic action". His body was relaxed but it was clear that he was ready for action. Though the other nine men backed off quite readily, the one bold man did not, holding a simple metal club out before him.

"You are not going to keep me from my prize!" he yelled, bringing his weapon down on the elf. Velacia growled, moving to dart forward but Tobias' arm held her back and he shook his head.

"Just watch, it'll be fun" he growled out, a weird twinkle in his wolfish eyes as he had already sheathed his sword and was now drinking his booze, again.

Harper slides to the side and spins, grabbing the man's weapon between the opponent's hands and spins further, pulling the weapon up over his head till he is facing the man again, but the man's arm is twisted back on himself and he is forced to the ground, a slight tug forcing him to drop the club.

"I asked you nicely not to attack us".

The human coughed slightly, seeming to swear and mutter under his breath and it seemed to slowly sink into his feeble brain that perhaps taking this elf on was not a wise idea. His eyes flickered to Velacia, his gaze dark and brooding.

"Fine...fine... but there are other ways, and mark my words wench, you will die" he hissed out to Velacia, causing the woman to growl angrily.

"I'd like to see you try. If you ever better your skills" she hissed.

"I think you all should run home now" Tobias said casually as Harper carefully released the man from the pin and stood straight.

"Now please. Be on your way". He turned his back to the attackers and started back toward Tobias and Velacia calmly. "I'm sorry for having had to do that."

Velacia eyed the men carefully, feeling ready to attack dare they try to strike the elf in the back, but no, it seemed they were smart for now and left. She finally turned her attention and smiled to the elf sincerely.

"Please, there's no need. I... thank you for helping me. There are not many who would do that" she said, a slight nod of her head out of respect. Tobias chuckled, clapping a hand a bit roughly, but in a friendly manner, to the elf's shoulder.

"Pretty sly mate, I wouldn't want to get on your bad side" he snickered, drinking again, a slight gargle from his lips.

"Perhaps a formal introduction is in order?" the hydra mused, smiling. "I'm Velacia Serpanthos".

"And I'm Tobias Wolfsbane" the black haired youkai replied. Harper bowed formally to the two.

"Harper Radai, at your service. It is a pleasure to meet you both. If there is anything else I can be of service with, please don't hesitate to ask". It was obvious he was a shy, timid type of man, introverted to the extreme, yet kind hearted to a fault.

Tobias grinned at the elf, liking the attitude and the manners. He let out a soft laugh and then glanced at Velacia, nudging her in the ribs.

"Say Vel, seeing as he was eavesdropping in on us-" he started and then was smitten in the head by her tail he yelped, rubbing it slightly before continuing. "Sorry, sorry. Sheesh. Perhaps he can help". Velacia paused at this, turning towards Harper and thinking slightly before speaking.

"What is it that you know of Kaine? Either that or True Names?"

"Myself and my master are both under the service of his family. I know nothing of True Names however. What is your relation with Lord Kaine?" Something in his voice sounded like concern.

Velacia sighed, feeling perhaps explaining what she went through might help, if maybe not the outcome, at least the need to let it out. It was amusing to a point that she felt a need to want to speak with others, being a solitary creature by nature, but sometimes when one is cornered too deeply, being alone seemed to be the worse thing to do. She gave a slight glare to Tobias, as a warning to keep any sneaky comments to himself and he held his hands up in protest. Finally she spoke.

"Upon my travels to my ancestral grounds, I happened upon a destroyed village and that was where I first met him. I thought the encounter would be brief but it turned out to more. He goaded me and I am usually a controlled person, but with him, perhaps not so. He lured me with his blood and mannerisms and it led to us copulating. I thought that would be the last but again we met, him asking of my missions and then when I told him I was pregnant with his child, he took it a certain way. He then gave me this" she said, tugging at the necklace. "As a form of protection he said, though I can never remove the thing. We met again, and this was when he followed me to my ancestral grounds. Upon receiving my birthright, we sparred and I lost. I was distraught then, and he kept me... in his trance. Upon our last encounter I found out he stole some of my blood and has made a duplicate, if not male and... darker. He will not show it to me at all, and then brought me to his home once again, having swayed me into thinking that he will show me things. He keeps toying with my mind. I believe I am his toy perhaps? I don't know what he wants with me, though with a duplicate of me and the way he acts about the children inside... I... do not feel any good things about it" she finished, her eyes downcast slightly, her fingers clenching at her sides.

"Wow. That's screwed up Vel..." Tobias murmured, his tail brushing her side sympathetically, the hydra too mellowed at the moment to think of clawing it away from her. Harper frowned faintly, his expression apologetic.

"I'm sorry to hear of your troubles with Lord Kaine. I'm afraid I am incapable of acting against him on your behalf however". He kept his gaze averted and his expression thoughtful, as though trying to use logic to find a way for Velacia to get out of her predicament as she sighed and nodded.

"No, its alright, I understand. If you do serve his family, well no, it wouldn't be fair for me even to ask for you to go against him" she said. A thought then popped into her mind and she looked at him fervently as she spoke.

"After our sparring, Kaine mentioned someone along the lines who had a similar ability as my own who could transform into a beast. A friend of his mother's I believe... do you know such a person?"

"I would be incapable of acting against any member of the family" the elf stated again, confirming Velacia's words. "As for the woman you speak of... there are many that fit that description. Do you perhaps have a little more detail you might give me?"

"I'm afraid he kept it very vague. My final form is that of a three headed hydra and can use the element of lightning. I'm not sure if one of his mother's friends is perhaps similar to that" she said, running a hand through her long locks. "He would not give me a name. It makes me wonder if he is not on good terms with this being".

"Sounds similar to Miss Toria if I recall properly. She is a shape shifter with the ability to take the form of a two headed dragon". Harper furrowed his smooth brow, as if making sure he had his information correct.

"Really?" Velacia said, quirking an eyebrow. "Perhaps she is the one he means. Though he said I could call his name any time, I prefer to keep this quiet from him for now. Do you know where I could find her?" she asked, observing Tobias for a moment as he was hitting on the passing barmaid slightly. Harper paused and thought a moment.

"Are you familiar with a city by the name of Arimithor by any chance?" Velacia cocked her head to the side slightly, trying to remember.

"Vaguely. That name did come up a lot during my travels". Harper nods slightly.

"There is a large glade to the west of that city. It is most likely that you would find her there. She protects the forest in that area so it may be best to approach with caution".

Velacia nods, a slight spark igniting in her. Perhaps not all is lost after all, and if she could find an answer...

"Thank you very much. I shall take precaution" she said.

"Vel... what if Kaine finds out?" Tobias asked, having seemed to have succeeded in swaying the barmaid in a night with him in the next bit and had returned to the table, the chosen woman having a bright flush on her cheeks as she returned to her work.

"Well he did put the suggestion out" Velacia pointed out.

" I guess, but what about that contract you're in?"

"I owe that demon nothing until I find Kaine's real name".

"Did you read the contract?" Tobias asked worriedly. Velacia shook her head slowly.

"No... I thought-"

"Demons and devils are sly. I wouldn't be surprised if that contract states you belong to him till you find the name".

"Wonderful. Just wonderful. I'm the toy of two devils... just makes my day" Velacia sighed, shaking her head slightly before turning back to Harper.

"Still I thank you. Your help is most appreciated. Could there be something I could do for you in return?"

At this Harper frowns a little more, but to that of the first statement.

"You have a contract with a devil to help against Kaine?" His tone was uncertain as he actually lifted his soft brown eyes to meet hers as she sighed sadly.

"Upon my return to this realm, another devil confronted me, swaying me to help him find Kaine's True Name. Apparently if I were to find it, I could control him. However, on the flipside, the minute I do find it, I have to tell the devil what is, whether I want to willingly or not...".

"You're not too bright these days with devils are you?" Tobias asked and then shrunk back, expecting to get hit. But he didn't. Velacia just gave him a weary gaze and a weak laugh as she turned her gaze back to Harper's.

"I guess I haven't been too bright with these underworlders". Harper closed his eyes and nodded.

"I can sympathize. I am under contract with Kaine's father. Sometimes it seems as though everyone is effected by that family in one way or another".

"I'm sorry to hear that as well. I hope your burden is... not too much" Velacia said carefully, her ire towards Kaine at the moment growing. Why couldn't that family leave others alone? Why on earth did they need mortals as their slaves? If they were so powerful, what was the point? Were they all just mere playthings?

"Is there anything else you can suggest? Or as before, anything I could do for you?" At this he shakes his head easily.

"No thank you miss. I appreciate the thought, but there is nothing you can do for me. You should find Toria, perhaps she can be of more assistance then I have been".

"Still, if ever we cross paths again and you require assistance, I shall help you to the best of my abilities" Velacia said kindly, grinning at the elf. "Thank you again. And yes, I shall make my way to Toria" she said, and, as a weird afterthought, pecked the elf lightly on the cheek. She chided herself slightly after she drew back. She was getting a bit soft with the recent events and a bit reckless, though kissing an elf who helped her wasn't as bad as sleeping with a devil who now has her in his control.

"HEY! Where's mine?" Tobias asked and Velacia smirked at him, lightly smiting him in the head with her tail as she walked by, another yelp emitting from his lips.

"It was nice seeing you again Tobias. Try not to drive that woman crazy... and tone down on your drinking" she stated before heading back outside, the storm finally having begun. Tobias smirked as he rubbed his head slightly, calling after her.

"NEVER! Drinking will always be my first love!"

Harper lowered his gaze and his cheeks reddened, but he said nothing, moving back toward his abandoned meal quietly. He however had no intention of sticking around. He would follow the woman hiddenly and keep an eye on her. He wasn't convinced that the hunters had learned their lesson.

Tobias sighed, shaking his head slightly after Velacia's departure. What a woman... but he admired her and hoped she would do well on her travels. Grinning slightly, he bid a slight wave to Harper before slicking his hair back and headed upstairs in the inn where a sweet little barmaid awaited his grand entrance.

Harper waited for a bit of time before he left to trail after Velacia, his elfin abilities to track coming in handy, as he didn't want to get close enough to be detected by the hydra woman's keen senses.

* * *

It was well into the middle of the night as Velacia trekked towards Arimithor, knowing it would be a fair ways journey. But still, it was her only hope to find some answers about Kaine... and perhaps some to get out of her own predicament.

The rain was coming out at a decent rate, the hydra’s hair matted down against her face, the liquid a nice cool temperature. Above her lightning was flashing sporadically, the white beams arching through various points in the sky and hitting upon parts of the ground too far to see from her hidden view in the forest..

But things seemed quiet. Too quiet. Even during weather that may not be in the best of conditions, there was always some movement within the wild, but she couldn’t even sense the rustle of a bird’s feathers. There was a stench in the air as she traveled, like she was being followed. Flickering her tongue out she sensed humans. A faint scent, but there all the same. She moved forward cautiously till the sound of crunching branches could be heard around her.

Just then, the ten men from before emerged, circling her quickly, accompanied by another ten accomplices. They all had weapons and seemed a lot more bolder then the last time. A thought that bemused the hydra considerably.

"Back again so soon? And I thought you had learned your lesson" she tsked, growling at them though there was a devious smile on her lips.

"You had help woman, but now you're all alone. All the more easier to deal with" one of them snickered.

"Cowardly dishonourable fools. Try as you might I will not hesitate to defend myself... though you'll prove no challenge whatsoever" she hissed out in warning, getting into a battle stance.

"Actually darling, it'll be you who'll prove no challenge... NOW!" one of them yelled.

A slight whistle sound went through the air and before Velacia could react, a collar locked around her neck. Whirling around, she saw who attacked, one of the men with a launcher of some short. The collar, metal in its design, was locked snugly around her. A long thin glowing chain was attached to it and was attached to a blue orb in the man's hands. The same blue orb that gave off the cold feeling before from back at the inn. Velacia tensed, trying to get the collar off, but it would not budge, as if sealed by some magic.

Hidden up in the bows of a tree, Harper had been hoping that the men would have decided to back off after their first encounter in the tavern, but it seemed anything but. He watched as twenty men emerged from the woods around the serpent like woman. He decided to wait, perhaps the woman would be upset if he interfered again. However when the collar like object attached to her, it seemed evident that he would need to take some sort of action.

Crouched up in his tree, he silently walked along the branch out overhead of the conflict and slowly drew his holy blade. It was quite possible that all he would need to do was sever the chain and the woman would be able to handle the rest herself. He jumped, landing lightly on the ground near Vel and bringing his blade down on the chain connecting her to the strange orb, destroying the link between the two just as the blue orb’s magic was beginning to run down its length.

Velacia's eyes were wide upon seeing Harper appear from above and bringing his sword down upon her chain, freeing her before the orb’s magic began to nullify her abilities. The men were surprised as well, their moods switching from anger towards the elf and now worry of what she was going to do.

Grinning sadistically she darted forward, slamming her body against some of the men, knocking their weapons from their hands as she clawed at their bodies, both screams of pain and their blood flowing out beautifully and in sync. Oddly enough, she wasn't in the mood to kill, but to damage them enough.

Some started to fall back, but others were locked between fighting her off and then taking their rage out on the elf. As a few made there way towards Harper, Velacia changed her tactics and pounced on one that was about to attack the elf from behind, pinning him face first to the ground, his arms flailing madly at his sides as he tried to get free. As she held the human down, she hissed out at the elf.

"You should get out of here". Harper merely turned his calm passive gaze toward Velacia.

"That would hardly be polite of me" he spoke as he brought his sword up to block an incoming attack as he shifted to kick the weapon from another's hand. "You may wish to look to your left". He ducked under another swing nimbly as a hulking man came at Velacia from her left with a large mace.

Velacia did so, jumping off the man as the larger one tried to swing his mace at her. She dodged and slammed her tail into the being, knocking him over and flinging his weapon into the air, to which she caught. Smirking she cracked the weapon in half, flinging the pieces aside as she pounced on said man, drawing her claws down his chest, reveling in the look of horror he was giving her as well as his whimpers of pain.

"Are you sure you still want to catch me?" she purred.

Most of the men had fled the scene now and the only ones that still remained were those who were wounded and the one she was on.

Whatever sense of self that wasn't there before seemed to worm its way back into their feeble minds and many of them begged to be let go. Velacia smirked slightly, hopping off of the big man.

"Well you better run along back home before I change my mind and make you my next supper" she hissed, watching as the one she was on before got up and hobbled off while the others did so eventually. She kept her eyes on them till they were well out of sight and she let out a sigh, lapping the blood off her fingers, turning her attention to Harper, bowing her head slightly.

"I am in your debt, again. I am surprised you followed me though".

"There is no debt to be paid, miss. I'm just pleased you were not injured" was the response as he slides the gleaming white katana into the sheath at his left hip. "Do you believe they will leave you be now?"

Velacia sighed at the question, scratching her head slightly, her hands now clean from the blood. The taste of human blood only went so far and she had enough of it during her long life to only tolerate it for short intervals.

"I hope so. These humans may, but there are others, always others that will hunt me. And if they have heard that I am the last, then I'm sure word has gotten to other bounty hunters. But it something that I must endure, being endangered" she said, letting out another sigh as she began fiddling with the metal collar around her neck to remove it. At this, the elf takes notice of the collar and takes a step forward.

"May I take a look at it miss?" he asked, his voice quiet and soft spoken. "I may be able to remove it for you". She smiled at him kindly and nodded, turning around and moving her hair to the side to give him access.

"Please. These human contraptions keep on changing every time I see them. Gets annoying after a while" she said, waiting for him. "So, besides following me, where are you heading to?"

Harper took a step back from her and drew his sword, cutting once upward and once downward, a three inch chunk of the collar falling to the ground, enabling Velacia to remove it. Before she can even turn around the sword is back in its scabbard.

"My master asked me to seek something out" he replies, his gaze remaining on the ground for the most part. "I do believe your friend is over in those bushes as well".

Velacia's eyes widened slightly as she removed the collar, turning towards the bushes behind her, tasting the air. Harper was right... it was-

"Ah damn it elf boy, you ruined my element of surprise!" Tobias said, bursting out from the bushes with a bottle of rum in his hand and an average size sack on his back. "But I must say, you two handed those mangy humans nicely!"

"For god sakes Tobias, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with that human girl?" Velacia groaned as the youkai approached her and Harper, taking a large swig from his beverage before replying.

"Eh, she came pretty fast and was tuckered out, so I got bored and decided to see how you were doing. Had an inkling you were being followed but guess you didn't need my awesome help after all" he replied, flashing a grin. Velacia sighed, shaking her head. Tobias getting bored after doing a woman seemed a bit fishy. Come to think of it, she wasn’t that surprised he followed her, well to a point. The wolf hybrid always had a thing for a hydra, in the more obvious of ways.

"Augh... drunks. Still, I thank both of you for your concern, it is appreciated. I should probably be off" she said, rubbing her neck absentmindedly.

"Ah babe, you don't want any company? Sheesh. Talk about cold shoulder".

"Tobias" she said in a firm tone, glaring at him. "I have important matters to attend to and I don't need you boggling it up. Besides, Kaine is very sporadic in popping up so the last thing I need is getting you involved in this mess or Harper for that matter, seeing as he is working for the family" she berated slightly, ignoring the puppy look Tobias was giving her. Did he really think looking cute would get her to anything? She never really had an affiliation to the whole cute thing unlike some women. She was more animal then... human, or any other female mortal that had a softer image.

"Although it is true I would rather avoid any contact with Lord Kaine, I do believe it is prudent for me to follow you to your destination. I will remain out of sight". He then directed his calm gaze to Velacia. "Thank you kindly for not killing any of those men. I do appreciate it". He had no love for the attackers, but he believed no one had the right to decide the life or death of another living being.

Velacia blinked slightly at the comment, realizing once again that this elf was not a fan of combat, preferring to take the peaceful way out. Normally she would kill those who harmed her, but once again recent events have changed her moods. As long as the life of her unborn children weren't in too much harm, it would be fine.

"Not at all. Still, be careful. I don't want you to get in trouble because you're with me" she said. Turning to glance at Tobias, who was still giving the puppy look, she sighed annoyingly. Ok, so the cute look did have an effect on her, just more on the irritating side.

"FINE Tobias. You can come along. But the minute I'm in Arimithor you clear off. Also, don't blame me if Kaine offs you if you randomly piss him off" she warned as she began to walk off. The wolf hybrid did a cheer, winking at the elf as he darted after her, his tail swishing from side to side happily.

"Ah come on babe, no one can off me with my charms" he grinned, chugging more of his beer, slapping her lightly on the ass, which resulted in him getting belted hard with her tail, emitting a light howl from him as he nearly crashed into and through a tree.

"Such a lech" she sighed wearily.

"I will follow at a distance if you don't mind. It is safer that way" Harper confirmed after them and sat down on the damp ground and closed his eyes as if meditating. "I'll catch up."

He wanted to make sure that these people made it safely to their destination, he wasn't sure why he felt so compelled, but he wasn't going to argue against it.

"Thank you again. I appreciate it" Velacia said modestly over her shoulder as she moved along, Tobias still lagging behind her.

"Very nice elf eh? I wonder if he has ulterior motives though" the wolf mused, earning him another hit from Velacia. "GODDAMNIT WOMAN! I said save it for the BEDROOM!"

"Tobias please. I doubt he is anything like that" Velacia warned, her tongue flickering out as she made her way towards the destination. "There are some genuine people out there". She paused after stating that, amused that she would even be saying such a thing.

"You know, I am surprised that you, Miss Ice Queen, who doesn't like Ice, would think that" Tobias mused, finishing his bottle, tossing it into his sack and pulling out a fresh one.

"Things do change when your eyes are opened to a larger world" Velacia murmured, her thoughts slipping through the past few months after her encounter with Kaine, her whole world having been turned upside down.

"That or that Kaine fellow must be banging you so good that he shattered your shell- OWWW!!!"

* * *

With how briskly both hybrids were walking, it didn't take too long for the two to arrive in an area of forest that seemed relatively untouched by anything. As the storm had now passed and the light from the rising sun were filtering through the foliage, both wolf and hydra gazed at their surroundings. The trees were ancient and huge; hard to believe that it was so close to an actual town. However, here and there signs of a struggle could be seen, old signs.

Velacia walked up to one of the trees, drawing her hand along the bark and the damage, feeling the indentations in the wood. Sighing she pulled her hand away, turning to Tobias.

"I believe we are close to our destination" she said as she continued to move along, Tobias following her closely.

"And that Toria person is suppose to live around here?" he asked, currently on his third bottle of alcohol, his ears twitching slightly as he surveyed the ground.

"According to Harper, yes. Now remember, please don't do anything stupid if we run into her Tobias. I need this" she said quietly.

"Jeez.. I'm not a slut twenty four seven you know" Tobias groaned, but made no follow up. Velacia had changed, at least from the woman he use to know. He felt sorry for her and wanted her to find whatever it was she needed. He was kind like that, and even if the hybrid wasn't fond of him, he was of her, as a friend... and ok, perhaps more then that, though he doubted he’d have any real chance of banging her any time soon.

Through the dense foliage it was obvious that they were drawing close to a large clearing or meadow. As they grew closer fireflies grew abundant and they danced around like tiny little lanterns. When they reached the edge of the treeline the clearing became clearly visible. In the center of this clearing there was an almost perfectly circular glass looking pond with a tiny island in the middle which was taken up by a massive twisted oak, a narrow path leading across the water to said island. In the water, what looked like fiery blossoms floated on the mirror like surface as feather like seeds float through the air, mingling with the little lights of the fireflies.

The oak itself was huge and seemed to have a large opening that could be considered a cave, its depths shrouded in darkness.

Velacia observed her surroundings, inhaling the scent of the area, glancing absentmindedly at the fireflies around them. She tentatively approached the large pond, gazing across the passage to the vast oak upon the island, judging the entrance cautiously. She turned to Tobias, who seemed to be caught up in the sight around them.

"Tobias I believe this is the place. I am going to scout up to the oak. Perhaps someone may be in there. I would like to ask for you to remain out here" she said quietly, shifting from her bipedal stance to down onto all fours, her tail swishing slowly. Tobias turned to her and grinned as he took a swig from his beer.

"Heh, sure thing babe. Enjoying the outdoors anyway and I don't want to be in any stuffy old tree. I'll keep guard... like a guard dog heh. Dontcha worry about me" he reassured her. Velacia blinked slightly at his compliant behaviour, almost as if expecting him to make a big fuss but said nothing as she made her way across the path gingerly, glancing at the blossoms in the pond as she made her way across. Upon reaching the entrance of the oak, she gazed at it warily, remembering Harper's warning of treading carefully.

Taking a deep breath, she treaded inside of the oak tree, keeping her body crouched low to the ground, giving off the air of submission as she moved slowly inside. Once further within the tree, only one thing was to be seen. An ornately carved wooden chest lay in the center of the ‘cave’ .

Meanwhile outside, the wind seems to pick up a little, sending more little feathery seeds aloft and whirling around the clearing. A steady whoosh whoosh whoosh noise could be heard growing louder as a shadow is cast over the entire clearing. A massive two headed dragon started to circle in for a landing. It notices Tobias and lets out a fierce roar that shook the wildlife about them. Its long whip like tail lashing back and forth and literally cracking like a whip as the massive beast swoops in angrily.

Velacia gazed upon the chest in the center of the oak tree, approaching it carefully as she took in the detail. Her hand was about to reach for it tentatively until she heard a loud roar echoing from outside. Eyes widening, she whirled around and started to dash outside, her black eyes locking onto Tobias' form.

The wolf hybrid nearly dropped his bottle of booze in surprise, his jaw hanging open as he observed the dragon hurtling toward him.

"Ah damn. Angry lady at dawn!" he muttered, starting to back up slightly, holding both his hands up in a form of peace, hoping to ward the two headed dragon off. "I bring ye no harm!" he yelled to her, wondering if his words would reach inside the beast's skull.

The massive beast landed solidly on the thin passage between the tree and the shore, the fire lilies flaring and the calm water rippling. The sharply featured head, adorn with horns and spikes turns to regard Tobias with solid red eyes, completely lacking any sort of pupil. The more aquiline head turns toward Velacia and a throaty rumble curled from its throat as the tail cracked back and forth. The dragon spoke, in an eerie two tone voice which seemed to echo around the clearing.

"State your business trespassers, or suffer the consequences".

In the light of the fire lilies, her black scales sparkled with a radiance only diamonds could achieve. Her wings arched up over her back, poised to lift her into the air as the creature narrowed a pair of blank white eyes at Velacia.

The hydra shot Tobias a quick look, conveying that she would deal with the talking. The youkai took the message well and merely sat down on the grass, conveying the beast with still awed interest. Velacia then bowed her head, pressing her form lower to the ground, a sign of respect as she spoke.

"Please forgive me Lady Toria. I am here because I was told I could find you here. I was hoping you could help me with some information about Kaine, a being I currently am having some problems with. I apologize if our entrance was very rude. Please, do not punish my companion. He only wished to accompany me”.

Her tail swayed slowly behind her as she kept her eyes on the ground while Tobias only staring wide eyed at how humble the hydra was being, but she did need this so it was really not that big of a surprise.

"Kaine...the son of my best friend. A nuisance of the highest regard. What do you need to know of him?"
The aquiline head lowered toward Velacia and delicately picked her up in its massive jaws and set her next to Tobias as the hulking form settled on the thread of land connecting the island with the shore.

The hydra kept her body slack as the aquiline head picked her up, feeling relieved that she did not crush her. She did not look at Tobias as she was deposited next to him and she kept her submissive stance.

"To be honest, I am not sure where to begin. Anything that you know of him would prove aid to me. I am pregnant with his children and I am worried for what he may do. He has stolen my blood and made a copy of myself, for I am the last of my kind. I do not know what he plans with me and I won't deny that I am... afraid. As well a devil coerced me into a contract with him to find Kaine's True Name and even that I have no idea where to look. What kind of person is he truly?"

There was a flash of light and the huge beast vanished, replaced by a tall toned woman with a dark tan and long dark brown hair, her bi colored eyes lending an air of exotic to her, her left an icy blue colour where as her right was a hue of red and purple, as did the tattoos that adorn her form. She held a staff in one hand, ornately carved. Her attire looked hand made, of a rough woven cloth. Some basic armour covered part of her form as well.

"Pregnant? I find that hard to believe. Either someone was very careless or someone was very sneaky" she commented, her tone was calm and cool as she started toward the two along the thin bridge of land.

Tobias could only gawk at how gorgeous the woman looked before him that his tail wagged slightly and drool almost formed upon his mouth. He shut his lips quickly upon being lightly prodded by Velacia's tail, noticing that the hydra herself still refused to look at the woman, almost taking one of Harper's polite techniques to a near extreme.

"I assure you that I am not lying that I am pregnant. I am due under a month now. But when you mention sneaky, do you believe this was planned by Kaine? Or someone else?" Toria’s one pale ice blue eye and the other reddish purple one gazed at the two calmly as she stopped a bit before them.

"The Ny'Tshaides are known for drinking a potion that prevents them from ending up with thousands of children. He is not the type to want children".

Velacia's gaze hardened slightly. He did seem somewhat surprised when she confessed that she was pregnant. Perhaps there were some truth to those words.

"I know he values not how my kind raises our offspring. He tells me he will claim them upon birth. I am worried for what he will do to them. Do you have any idea?" she asked, her hand unconsciously tightening around the pendant Kaine had given her, tugging at it tightly again, an agitated habit of hers now.

"Knowing that little punk, he may dissect them, or experiment on them. He has never before expressed interest in raising children, or having them" she stated again, her tone was regretful, but remained rather monotonous.

Tobias' jaw dropped and he immediately looked at Velacia, but could not see her expression as she continued to keep her form bowed, her face still covered by her long bangs.

Deep down, Velacia was horrified. She could not believe it. She couldn't and damnit... he was the only gene her body could process... had processed. It was too late within the birthing process to alter the genes now and even if she could, she was not old enough to tamper with it when things were so delicate now.

"Is there no way to stop him from taking them?"

Though any efforts she had tried already against him proved futile. He knew how to make her tick, both inside and out. If she couldn’t stop him in her final form, what hope could she have of stopping him now?

"That I am unsure of. I do my best to avoid that child. He takes after his father in far too many ways, and take after his mother in only the most negative ways". She watched the two with a critical gaze, probably trying to read their expressions as best she can while maintaining her own stoic exterior.

"I don't think I can avoid him. He shows up sporadically, and I won't deny that I haven't been boding too well in warding him off" Velacia said quietly, clenching her eyes shut as she tugged at the necklace again, wishing she could rip it off.

"I don't like this feeling. I hate being used. I hate being a toy. I hate being left in the dark. Not sure what he is doing with my duplicate or his plans for my children, and even for myself. When he'll kill me even... and yet... and yet..." she trailed off, gritting her teeth, not wanting to let out how her other side feels. How she likes the sort of attention Kaine gives her when he isn't being an ass but those times were rare... and even then, when it happened, it made her feel very different inside. Even if it was all just a lie, something that part of her was pointing out was the case, it still warmed her to the bone.

"What about True Names?" Tobias piped up, getting a notion on how Velacia was feeling at the moment. "Do you have any idea where Kaine, or someone like him, would hide such a thing?"

"The True Name isn't something that they hand out. In fact they try to make it so they are the only ones that know it. My friend somehow learned the True Name of her husband and she can limit his powers and even command him to do things. I'm not sure how she learned it, but it is a rarity for anyone to learn the True Name of a devil or demon".

"So there is no hope for Vel basically?" Tobias asked worriedly, glancing at his friend again, becoming concerned with how stoic and unresponsive she was being.

Velacia processed Toria's words, bowing her head further. It shouldn't be much of a surprise, given the circumstances. How could that devil think she, of all people, could find the name? She doubted Kaine would just give it to her, he was too careful. And as far as she could see, with how she faired in battle against him, wherever he kept that name she would have just the same amount of luck trying to break through the wards.

She didn't want to lose hope. She didn't want to feel hopeless. Her ancestor stated sometimes being the weaker could prove beneficial, but how? How on earth could she go against someone like Kaine?

"I'm sorry I can't be of more help. I always told my friend that she should limit the boy's powers. I even asked his father to do it, but they didn't seem interested in keeping him under rein. I can't say their parenting is very good".

"No kidding. That kid sounds like a downright menace" Tobias muttered, eyeing Velacia as her clawed hands dug into the earth more. Velacia raised her head slightly, finally looking Toria in the eyes, her face neutral.

"Would there be any way I could get him to trust me? Perhaps not to give me the name, but to lower his harms against me? Is there anything I could do to make him not do these things to me as much?" she asked softly.

"I don't know him that well I'm afraid. I avoid the child, as I have mentioned. Perhaps if you behaved similarly to him, but then I would have to stop your actions. Slaughtering the innocent is something I do not tolerate".

"Its something that I do not tolerate as well. Unfortunately I can't avoid him" she said softly, and she tugged unconsciously at the chained necklace, smiling wryly. She then bowed humbly again, her breathing coming out softly, an odd peacefulness seeming to be within the hydra now.

"I thank you for the information. I appreciate it greatly. Because you have helped me so kindly, is there anything I can do in return?" At this Toria shook her head slowly.

"No, I have no need of anything. All I need is here". She watched the two calmly with those strange heterochromic eyes. "Do you have any other questions?" Velacia shook her head in turn, smiling softly.

"No, those are all the question I have. Once again I thank you for your help, and your hospitality for allowing us onto your lands. I assure you we shall not trespass again" she said respectfully, raising her head to look at her again as she slowly rose to her feet.

Tobias, who was still in a sort of semi stupor, soon snapped out of it and followed suit, standing beside Velacia as he smiled at Toria kindly.

"Yeah, thank you miss. Your help is greatly appreciated".

The tanned woman nods in a strangely regal manner as she turns and starts to walk back across to the island. Then in another flash the woman is gone, a large black panther in her place which slides down in the mouth of the cave. Velacia turned and walked away from the clearing, back into the depths of the forest, Tobias tagging along behind her worriedly.

"Vel. Vel. VEL! For god sakes, I don't like this quiet demeanor of yours. Look, its going to be ok. It will! I'll help you find a way out of this" he said, seeming to jabber on in a concerned fashion as he followed the hydra woman, Toria's domain laying further and further behind them as they walked. The female hybrid merely only shook her head as she walked, still remaining calm for some reason.

"Tobias, as I said before, I don't want you involved. Its... alright. I'll be alright".

"Don't lie to me Vel. No one could just sit and take news like that. Look I'll be there when you give birth and fight that bast-" he started till he was whipped in the head by Velacia's tail, though the gesture was soft compared to her last few strikes.

"For godsakes Tobias, seeing you act like this is ridiculous. And besides, I know you're a pervert when you want to see something like that. Don't worry, I have a plan".

"You do?" Tobias asked incredulously, rubbing his head. "What is it?"

"I can't tell you. For the matter I can't tell anyone. Its for your own safety. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm not going to go down so easily. Now stop being so inquisitive and drink your booze. Look, lets just find Harper and let him know things went well so he can go off to do his business and you too" she added, glaring at her friend with a playful manner before walking off again, trying to pick up the elf's scent, Tobias following her with a wide eyed look as he cautiously took out another bottle of booze, eyeing the liquid for a moment as if debating that perhaps his large intake of alcohol was the reason he was witnessing Velacia in a different light.