The Sky and the Storm

Griff led us deep into the desert, where the sands were carried by the icy wind, a vista of dark blues and tame crimson; at Twilight.

These nights were intoxicating, walking beneath the twin moons, with nothing but a beautiful gal by my side, as the winds promised enigma on their trails.

Deeper into this vast plain we followed, across dips and dives of scarlet sands; We followed, until the streak that was Griffin of Blades settled on a small hill, rising high dotted with a wealth of crimson leafed trees.

A Hoard of thick orange stones spread across the bank, thick and round like fat pebbles, glimering in starlight.

Fiore and I paused, as Griff stood atop this great hill of dust and peered up at the moons, her blue eyes, wrought with reverence.

"It's dangerous out here at night, Griff -Griff..." Fioremika whispered loudly, but there was nothing to fear, not tonight.

"Come on." I took one of her hands and led her above to meet with our Scarlet guide.

Griff seemed enamoured by the stars, I understood this, those glittering eyes that dotted the Black sky was a breathtaking sight, My eyes felt every twinkle, each an ever infinite possibility, if this is what Life would feel like from now on, something new and beautiful in every corner, looking upon the world with a childish wonder... I didn't think I ever wanted it to end.

"There is a story, whispered by Slaves when they hide from the storms." Griff's voice was gentle and sombre "Our terror lies here, in this red abyss, but our hearts grace the stars, where we're forever in Bliss. We tell our tale of the Mystery ones, the nameless shades that haunt our songs. A Scarlet hell we live within, ruled by hatred in crimson skin. But the shades feel nought of **** or pain, untouched by danger, and free from chains. Become eyeless, forget your sight, if you see a shadow that moves in the night, a fluttering sound, a rooftop disturbed, do not even whisper, say nought a' word. Don't fear the storm or the Red Abyss. Fear the Mysteria, who bare stars' silent Kiss."

"Fiore doesn't like this story, it sounds scary."

Griff fixed the Huntress with a strange gaze.

"It's supposed to be." I realised, rubbing my chin "They fear us?"

"They fear me. You are not one of us... Yet." There was a Wickedness in her stride, a wonder in her movement as if in deep contemplation. "I'd wondered if this was the right thing when my time came, Marte isn't nine nations divided... we are meant to be one people, and if a little fear means that nobody gets in the way, then I'd happily swear to the sky and the storm 1000 times. Mysteria are loyal to no one but themselves, we swear an oath to the world that we will learn and grow for any means to be forever free, whether you spread that freedom to those around you, or for your own purpose. That is the way of your soon-to-be skin, to be free as Stars above or wrathful as the storm below. It's Your choice."

Fiore folded her arms "Great sovereigns eyes are watching, the Storm his blood which flows forever through the land... Fiore doesn't believe silly Mystery things. But She will do as the Warwolf does, S-She is his."

My eyes settled on the huntress, her hair as white a snow. She looked back, Griff matching her expectant look. All eyes on me.

The Tribe of Litchen came to mind first, I'd tasted their freedom and enjoyed its sweet ichor on my tongue. I didn't have much of an idea on how bad things in the city really were then, but if my hands could mould this place into a new Eden, where I held it all in the palm of my hand, a nothing, made everything, well... I'd call that an Ace in the Hole.

"Freedom. I choose freedom." As if there was any question about it.

Griffin bobbed her dark head as Her smile deepened "Excellent. Now strip."

"What?" Fiore blinked her black eyes.

"Are Litchen born clothed?"

The Huntress may have been a fish out of water, but this wasn't exactly rocket science, it was a ritual. "We are born unclothed and are reborn unclothed. Undress." She certainly wasn't taking no for an answer.

Fiore went first, flushing a little under Griffin's keen eyes. The Huntress untied her fur bra, releasing her pert breasts, her panties swinging down her smooth legs to reveal her bald lips, My mouth was damn near watering.

Fiore's dark eyes settled on me, pushing an ivory hair behind her small ears. Guess I was up. Casting off my dark cloak of manticore hide right off my shoulders, my tunic and furs next, undergarments were last.

Of course, their eyes locked in only one of my... advantages.

"Very well..." Griff sniffed, dragging her sapphire eyes away "Come above and gaze over the cliffside.

We stepped, our bare feet burying in the soft sands, up and up we climbed to peer at the vantage point, and when we stood at the summit, our shyness was fucked off by the wide-open vista.

A red storm crawled across the red dunes, the twin moons cast a pale light on the land, and deep in the distance, was a Black silhouette, a shambling city far in the distance.

"Above is the brilliant sky." Griff's finger pointed to the stary abyss. "And below is the Furious storm. Together they preach the will of the stars, Science made fate. Our Mysterian connection to our powers is a brotherhood, and as an oath, You both must choose a path.

The Sky above is a symbol of fate and peace, if you choose this path, then you choose it for the good of others, forever, you will be a servant in the night, protecting the freedom of your people: all people.

But the Storm below, is a dark mysterious thing, shredding the skin of all who walk in it unprepared. We respect and fear the storm, its freedom is unhindered by any, but at what cost? If you choose this path, then You will be as the storm, fierce and independent, but ever free to pursue whatever pleases you.

These are the paths set before you, only You may choose where your feet might tread." Her whisper was that of the World, a great and haunting thing.

"The Sky. Fioremika chooses the Sky!" Her left arms reached out, smiling at the azure picture above, her love and her god.

"You choose so hastily, are you sure that this is the path You wish to take?" Griff asked. The Wind was howling,

Fioremika, Head of the Okku, turned her eyes to Griff, resolution was all she could see. "Fiore will be a servant of the free, of the sovereign!"

"Very admiring, pretty lady." I let slip a whisper, making the Huntress fiddle with her fingers and flush wildly.

Griff's eyes rested on me so softly, patiently awaiting my response "Hurry up and choose one." on second hand, maybe not. But my eyes flickered from the perfect sky to the wild storm, to work for others, or to work for myself.

Fiore lent in, her subtle breasts shining in the low light, topped with each a perfect nipple "So, Sweet wolf, what do you choose?"

And then. I Chose.