The Glyphs

Sunlight bathed the Valley of Fallgrim and it's people, the Litchen of the Great Tribe working, dancing and singing the day away as He and Ulsa passed them "Your companion, the Griff-Griff woman, she and Fiore, train with the Warriors in Karzkaja, the Few that are Mobile that is." Ulsa said with a coy smile, Nero shared Her smile, bidding Her farewell, The Chief granting him with another embrace, kissing him so fiercely that the other Litchen around them paused to watch, "Walk with the Sovereign, Warwolf." She whispered, pulling away to head towards Fallgrim's great Spire.

Feeling more than a little chipper, Nero began his brisk walk through the Valley's village, many Litchen bowing with great respect as He passed. "If Barry could see this... He'd lose his mind, I hope that I get to see him again someday. No. I will get home, after My work here is done. With these..." Nero lifted his arm, looking at the three Mysterian Symbols etched on his bicep, He smiled "...I'll rock this world." He thought with a resolute smile, feeling something that He had never really been able to nurture back on earth; a great golden flame inside of him, the Fire of Pride.

Descending the winding passages of Karzkaja, The Horned man's mind continued to wonder, for his curiosity was always greater than was good for him, and self-reflection was how he brain kept busy in quiet moments, and in the moments where the echo of his footsteps leapt from the stone walls, Nero's mind thought on nothing less than the shire volume of sexual interaction that He had managed to accumulate over the past days, encounters that He never could have ever dreamed of back home, maybe it was because these Litchen were primitive... no, it wasn't that.

It was a feeling, a knowing, more than just his Body had been moulded into something new. Being here, in this new world, it was doing something to his mind. The Passive, calm Nero Belona that lived under his aunt's thumb and in his Cousin's skirt, the Man that emerged into the Stone arena, watching a Woman in Silver patiently battle a Girl with a bladed rifle, that man was The Warwolf, Fierce and Lustful.

Griffin's helmet gleamed brightly in the sun, the long thin metal of her blade flashing as it clashed casually with Fiore's Spear, the Litchen girl's cries of rage echoing around them as she attacked with a graceless ferocity.

Griff seemed nonchalant, barely struggling to counter and deflect the spears blows as Nero moved towards them. His eyes were caught by a dark glittering just behind Griffin's cloak, Calipoe's black blade strapped safely on the back of Griffin's waist as she riposted suddenly, her sword whistling through the air as it knocked Fiore's rifle asunder.

"URG, Stupid Griff-Griff woman, too fast, too strong, knocking rifle out of my hands, Bloody Gojat!" Fiore cursed, Griff merely sheathed her long blade, crossing her arms calmly

"Angry little thing," Griffin whispered, her silver helmet turning to Nero as He walked next to her, the two watching Fiore scramble off in a huff to pick up her Rifle

"Enjoy the celebrations?" He asked as they watched Fiore dust off her weapon

"Of course, though I would have enjoyed it more if I could understand what they were singing about... not that any of them would sing with me anyway," Griffin said, Nero raised an eyebrow

"What do You mean by that, have they not been welcoming?" Nero frowned, Griff, took in a deep but patient breath as Fiore spotted him, a great big smile forming on her pretty face, instantly moving towards him with arms outstretched

"They seem to be being patient with me. But I am not their Saviour." Griffin whispered as Fiore collided with him, hugging him tightly and squealing with delight

"Nero! I am so happy to see You! I can't believe that You are actually Bloodkin now! oooooh, I'm so lucky to have such an amazing Mate!" She cried nestling into his chest.

Stroking her hair affectionately, Fiore scowled at Griffin "I tried to fight with the Griff-Griff woman, she doesn't understand me, but I got her here... she just keeps beating me!" She exclaimed quite passionately, Griffin cocked her head curiously as Nero spoke encouragingly to Fiore

"She keeps beating You now, but if You keep trying, I'm sure one day You'll get her, huh?" He smiled, Fiore flushed, nodding so fast that Nero thought she might hurt herself

"Of course, Of course, Train, I should train! well, I must go for a Hunt first, but then we can train. Wait, why don't You come hunting with us, there is no hunting in the Skylands, I could teach you?" Fiore proclaimed enthusiastically. He couldn't help but feel oddly uplifted by Her shire happiness, just seeing that girlish smile, it could melt the polar ice caps. Nero nodded to her, brushing away one of her silver hairs before kissing her cheek

"That sounds like an amazing idea. But I need to talk with Griff first alright? figure out what the game plan is." He whispered, Fiore cast her eyes a Griffin who was standing quietly beside them, before smiling at Nero again

"Okay, well, I'll go and make preparations for the hunt, then I'll come to get You!" she promised, pecking his lips before rushing off, kicking up dusk as Her featherweight form vanished into the Passage.

"A very spirited Girl, Loyal, and she fights well, keep ahold of that one." Griffin said, clapping a hand on Nero's shoulder "C'mon, I need a drink and we need to talk." She took his hand, pulling him along and leaving the Arena behind.

Nero had underestimated the influence He now had, asking for something to drink had afforded many bodies to rush around, fetching him Ricta fruit and sweet-smelling wine for the two of them, paired with the short walk to Chief's chamber, the two had a very pleasant little get together going "I don't think You understand just how useful this is for us, No one had ever even nearly gotten as close to the Litchen Hoard as You have, especially not a Male." Griffin poured them both a cup of wine, toasting before undoing the straps on her helmet

"What is it with this Male thing anyway, the way You ladies speak, and I say ladies because there are a lot of You, there are no men?" He asked, sipping at what tasted like Honey wine carefully. Griff huffed, reaching up to pull away Her helmet, Her horns reappearing in a flare of Orange light, Nero couldn't help but be blown away by her beauty every time that He saw her, those Ice blue eyes giving him chills beyond comprehension

"Well obviously." She said, tipping half the cup of wine past her lips before setting it down "The Litchen have quite a lot of men, considering."

"Considering... what, exactly?" He asked, suspicious of what He had already anticipated by the implications. Griff leaned in, brushing one of her black hairs from her face

"Considering that Males are the minority, Females are dominant here by number, 10/1... is this not, normal?" She asked, seeing the genuine shock on his face. Nero sat back, grasping the stone cup in his hands and taking a generous pull right down to its bottom.

"Shit." is all He said, letting it sink in, 10 to 1, He didn't know to feel about that but, it was what it was He supposed

"I'm going to take that as a No. Males are more common amoung some of the Lowborn but... other than that, they are kept for breeding, of course, men do not find prejudice for their sex, it's all about class You see. still, it must be strange for You?"

"Very." He said, happily allowing Griff to pour him another drink.

"There is more yet that will doubtless swallow your mind, but for now, We must speak of two. the First: the Brands on Your skin, the Second: our plan." She said, scooting forward, unusually close for a casual conversation, Nero nodded, however, trying to put his focus on the conversation.

"I need to know of this Mysteria, If I am what You say, then it must be more than important." He urged, fingers brushing along the intricate tattoos on his arm, Griffin nodded, finishing Her cup before pouring another.

"On Your world, on Gaia, do You have, thunderstorms?" She asked, almost innocently. Nero nodded simply, He loved the rain and the storm, the smell of water in the air, the way the black clouds felt like an overheated pot, begging to boil over "Thunderstorms are fabled here, Rain has not fallen for 3000 years, but as fabled as the Storms of water of old are, powerful, mystical, they are nothing compared to what a Mysteria can do. Imagine holding a Key to reality, wielding a power, or powers, an unreleting storm the in the palm of Your hand..." She said, taking and tracing the palm of his left hand with the tips of her fingers

"Eight Glyphs trace the skin..." She said, touching the spiralling tattoo that started in his palm, tracing up to his wrist "There is Creaturae, the Power of Creation." Griffin touched the Lightning bolt symbol, "Exitium, destruction and **** incarnate. Additio..." Her fingers traced the symbol of the cross surrounded by opulent waves "...A symbol of gifting and supplying, then Subtracta, The Power to steal and take."

"Like Chieftan Ulsa?" He asked, Griffin, smiled and nodded

"Like Chieftan Ulsa. very good." She said, continuing "Then there are the twins, Repellere and Attrahunt, Push and Pull, to **** away and to Draw inward. finally, we have Animo and Corpus. Of Mind and Of Body, You following?" She asked, Nero nodded, it seemed easy enough to understand, Creation, Destruction, Add, Subtract, push, pull, Mind and Body. Sure, He could get the hang of it... Griff didn't seem convinced "Here, how about a little test."

He watched as she unstrapped some of the armour on her left arm, talking as she did "Mysteria often keep the mark's covered, as I'm sure You guessed, the Light gives away which Glyph you are using, not ideal in a battle." She explained, taking off her coat so that only her waistcoat and shirt remained with the bodysuit underneath, though she quickly took that off two, undoing her shirt halfway and tapping over her shoulder "Can You get the buttons?" Griffin asked, her eyes a little serpentine now, her voice a little sultry, Nero gave her a patient look, taking in Her alluring stare before standing to unbutton her bodysuit for her.

She smiled, sliding the suit down slightly to expose her heavily marked left arm, the four symbols etched on her bicep just like his, though hers boasted many more spiralling patterns that covered all the skin of her arm, his eyes, however, were drawn to the slightest hint of her sideboob that she displayed, but she clicked at his face "Pay attention." She said

"To what, exactly?" He replied, more sharply and charmingly than He thought himself capable of, Griffin flushed, biting her lip like she was considering something, but shook her head lightly "Look at the Glyphs before I get too distracted." She whispered, taking his hand and placing his fingers on the first Glyph "Name it." She challenged gently.

Nero considered it, looking upon the tree-like symbol on her arm before peering at the matching one on his own, "The Mind one, Animo, right?" Griffin smiled at him as He spoke

"Excellent, now this one?" She asked, pulling his finger down to the next, that familiar strange cross with the opulent waves "Additio, the addition." He said certainly, Griffin nodded happily, pulling him to the next symbol, "Creation, the lightning bolt is definitely creation." He was feeling confident, Griffin nodded, pulling him to the forth and finally Glyph.

Nero didn't recognise this one, four circular arrows pointing inward towards the centre, after some guesswork, the Wine pulling a little on his common sense, He spoke: "Pull, Attra... something?"

"Attrahunt. Outstanding." She said with a Grin, but Nero pulled back, circling around to help her do up her buttons again as He thought allowed

"Well... what if I don't get it, the Creation, the Addition, the Mind glyphs, when I used them it was situational, instinctual, I don't even know if I can summon them freely I-"

"Come here, and Sit down." Griff commanded, pulling him around and into his seat, "I want You to do something for me." Griffin slid forward, placing herself on his lap again, her shapely ass rooting on his groin and Her hands touching his neck as she pulled their foreheads together "I want You to see Me, and I don't just mean looking at me, in fact, close Your eyes." She whispered, her breath brushing against his lips, He did so, taking in her flowery smell "Good, now. Imagine me, imagine that we are connected by a tether, two souls connected into One, that's it... reach inside, like reaching into a Jewelry box, what gem do Your fingers find?" He whispering command etched into his mind, Nero felt the two fuse, not in the same way that He and Ulsa had, this was real, intimate, two anchors intertwined only... He could sling his chain further, push into the heart of something deep within Her mind, grasping at a jewel that shone too brightly to refuse.

He blew upon the jewel, watching the Oxygen culminate in wafts of dark smoke that danced into frames like pictures in her mind. She was just a girl, a girl being groomed by servants that she pitied, a comb being drawn too firmly through long hair that she wished was short, she wished for her sister, missed her more than anything, she worried where she had gone, wondered why she had not visited, she never stayed away for this long and- God why did they have to dress her up like a fucking doll, she didn't hate the dresses, she quite liked the make-up and perfumes, but she wanted to do it on her terms, not that she could complain, it's not like these poor bastards had a choice... she wished Her sister would brush her hair for her, she wished that she would visit soon, she wished that she could let these poor slaves free.

Nero opened his eyes, looking right into the piercing blue orbs of the woman who's mind he had just looked into. Griffin was smiling widely than ever, Nero felt the Glyph searing against his skin, the Mind Glyph; Animo. "You just picked out an individual memory from My mind, without any difficulty, without a bad transfer, a smooth transition, My information = Your information, just like with the Litchen. That is supposed to be impossible for someone who has never used it before awakening, but You just did it, because You are the Son of War, You are exceptional." She said, still awfully close to him... and the way that she was pressed against him, how they had been so closely connected

"I think that I'm going to kiss You." He said, feeling her breath still brushing against his lips, Griffin licked her lips

"Is that so... I haven't kissed anyone in a long time, are You sure it's safe?" She asked, sounding supremely confident despite her word choice

"I'll take my chances." is all he said before pressing his lips into hers, her warm wet mouth welcoming him in as her tongue caressed against his, Griffin's arms tightening around his neck as they fell deeper into one another, Nero was lost with this woman, interlocked with her, feeling the hastening thumb of her heart beating on his chest as Her hips began to gyrate on him.

Though as the sound of coming footsteps suddenly echoed through the tunnels, Griff darted away so quickly a gracefully that Nero was left puckered for a moment, watching with confusion as she speedily and gracefully re-buttoned her shirt, refastened her waistcoat and slipped on her Tailcoat in seconds.

Fiore came in with two others, all three armed with spear-headed Rifles, clearly ready for a hunt "Time for a Hunt, Nero, ready to go?" Asked Fiore as she walked in, Her tribal sat on her head and her hair tied up in a neat tribal not. Griffin had put her helmet back on, standing up from Nero's lap and walking up to Fiore's little group.

The Girl's face fell a little as Griffin moved towards her, Nero wondered what it is she was doing, but all relaxed as Griff bowed elegantly to Fiore "Nero, Please, ask Lady Fiore if I may reside here until You return?" Griffin asked very formally

"Are You not coming?" Nero asked, tilting his head. Griffin shook her helmeted head

"I do not think that they would want me there. Also, I wouldn't want to interrupt Your time with Your little Mate, we can discuss the Plan when You return." Nero was confused, She sounded so cold all of a sudden, did He do something wrong? clearly now was not the time to press, so He asked if Griffin could reside in the chamber until his return, his request met with hasty and enthusiastic acceptance, though Fiore eyed Griffin suspiciously, even as Nero followed Her out of the Chamber.

He couldn't help but take one last look back at Griffin, she... felt so close to him, in such a short time, for reasons that He couldn't explain, but at the same time, she clearly contained this want for him, the way she touched him like He was something that she couldn't have, it was more than a little stressful "You're going to have to work hard for that one, Belona" He thought, smiling lightly as He, Fiore and the other hunters walked along the Tunnels, the Silver-haired Girl clutching his arm tightly.