[IC] Cracking the Looking Glass

[DarkDissolver]

Alex just shrugged off the surprised expression. Some of the monkeys were still alive just badly wounded ad unable to stand up. He would have to perfect the attack. What if Elsa or Amber got attacked and killed just by a surprise attack... When she spoke he listened. Elsa probably couldn't get on his bad side if she tried. Alex had a tendency to stick to first impressions and even though she pokes a hole in his coat and threatened him she had still seemed kind to him, due to a single deed done for him. And the fact she was the first person he had seen in quite a while. He had some kind of bias to try and see the best in her for reasons he couldn't explain.
"...Telepathy? Perhaps. If so we should be more sneaky now. Any person with an ability to control minds can't just be taken head on. Alex says while kicking one of the squirming monkeys twice quickly and it stopped breathing. Alex felt no regret or guilt killing these monsters. They did not have the innocence of earth's animals. He then realized how much he was starving. Only able to use his ability so much at once he had forgotten to fill his stomach. "... Lets continue shall we?" He says weakly.

[ladyonyx04]

"That would be the best idea. Since we do not know what our enemy looks like or how far his or her abilities reach we will have to have a well thought of plan." Elsa agreed noticing how weak he looked and gave him a mint leaf. "Until I can cook you a full meal this will last at least five minutes." She said informatively. She had to live on those things for about a day when hunting had been scarce. She would have to plan what she would cook for him, never having had a vegetarian to worry about before. This would certainly be a new experience. She carefully walked around the spikes making sure not to touch them not certain what would happen if she did, the tiger doing its best to walk as well just as curious what would happen when he gave up by jumping onto her back and hanging there. She had been caught off guard by that but quickly regained her footing glaring at the tiger.
"Next time, please be curtious and warn me that your jumping on my back."
"Well let's hope that next time there won't be these spikes around that neither you or I know the consequence for touching them would be. Elsa couldn't argue that logic.

[DarkDissolver]

Alex took the leaf. New experiences are good right? Alex just placed it in his mouth. Trusting Elsa it wasn't poisonous or something. The thought of a meal had sorta brought part of him to life. .... Food? Alex then saw how she tried to dodge the spikes. With a slight tilt of the hand, even though it wasn't a necessary action, the spikes disappeared into thin air. ... If this is reality.... It is more tolerable then I expected. Alex thought. He proceeded to walk and then began to climb a tree using his gloves. Producing little noise. He would have to be stealthy.
My presence will never be detected here. But Elsa found you up in a tre- Shut up
Alex leaped to another tree swiftly. The sound of the feet still faint but something new fed the senses curiousity. Smoke began to fill the air.

[ladyonyx04]

Elsa smiles a bit as the spikes disappeared. It was a cool trick that Alex was able to do, and she tossed the tiger off her back smiling in amusement as he looked at her as if affronted as he landed in his feet. She followed Alex on the ground when she caught the faint smell of smoke. It had to be far away and downwind if she could tell what the scent was. She looked up. "Do you suppose its an enemy? I do not think it to be wise to go into another battle until we are fed." She said loud enough so he could hear her no matter what distance he was still walking forward.

[DarkDissolver]

Tempting. If she is as good at hunting and cleaning as she is cooking Alex would be more then impressed and he wouldn't have to survive off of a dark disgusting substance created by the atmosphere created by people's moods. And right now he felt how terrible it was. Actual Food would be great. Alex felt somewhat bad whenever he consumes anything though. He did not need it. It was better then any food he could create through his power but he still saw it as a luxury. He was taking what could've been used on someone who would appreciate it even more then he would. He feels like he is being a hyprocrite hating when people take excess of what is needed.
"... People could be dying right now... Best to put away such thoughts till later." He says up in the tree standing, tapping his foot. A bit paranoid. Nothing in particular sparked said paranoia he was always paranoid but getting shot at with an arrow may have slightly contributed to him not trusting trees as much for protection or hiding. "... We'll just have to deal with hunger." Alex has lasted months without consuming anything except willpower and emotion. Not pleasant but possible. Alex then sorta thought about it some more. He felt like he was being insensitive towards someone he wanted on his side but he ignored such thoughts placing other humans safety first. How ashamed his comrades back at his universe would be. But in this world, the humans are the weak. Alex jumped down from the tree landing next to Elsa. "... I am okay with any decision you would like to make." Alex says. Another stab to his currently dying other nature. They could fight better against the leader of the horde who would probably be very powerful if they had a meal. But in that time many could die.

[TheBlackLegend]

In the midst of all this chaos however, there was one boy who was, at the moment, oblivious to it all.

Luka Blackwell stared down at the paper he was working on, tapping his pencil on the table in thought as his purple eyes focused on the numbers before him. He'd honestly never been good at math, and the fact that he had a test coming up made his situation only worse. Although part of him wanted to just tear up the blasted page and throw it aside while saying "Forget it all", it was, unfortunately, a necessity for him to do. After all, if he failed the test, he could still use this practice sheet as a way to, somewhat, keep his grade up.
Sighing and still tapping his pencil, Luka glanced up at the clock. Almost three; he'd have to start getting ready for his part-time job soon. Grumbling and looking back at the paper, he set his pencil down and then moved both items aside, standing and running a hand through his pale ginger hair. "I'll just have to come back to it later, I suppose," he said, mostly just trying to find an excuse to not bother with it anymore. Turning to head for his bedroom, Luka attempted to get his mind off of school and into work mode before he had to leave.

[ladyonyx04]

Elsa thought about it carefully weighing the pros and cons of the decision she would make. Not really looking at anything as she stopped when Alex jumped in front of her allowing her to make the decision. "My forest brother only needs a part of the deer to keep going, and I do not need to eat as often as humans find they need to. Once I give something to the tiger we can at least check out what the smoke is to see if there is danger. If so, we help where we can and if we can. If the problem is too big I find no guilt in running to live another day. Then I make a proper meal. Is this acceptable?" She said getting the deer she had gotten some time as they wondered having forgotten it in the fight against the monsters and professionally cut a piece of the deer for the tiger to consume anyway to be prepared to give it. She might be good at this sort of thing but she couldn't skin an animal without losing needed meat or saving the skin for winter supplies, which was why she went to the butcher in the first place when she wanted to.

[DarkDissolver]

Alex nodded a bit then replied. "Yes it is..." Fact is though, even if the problem was too big Alex would attempt to stop whoever or whatever is causing the problem. Running away is to reasonably cowardly. Alex just observed his surroundings and when the tiger was being fed. He felt no hatred or any negative feelings toward animals consuming other animals. Alex sorta would like to dash for the enemy. Not because he did not agree with Elsa's decision but it tends to be harder to pinpoint someone then when they are moving. Alex felt somewhat tempted to try the meat but then impaled his own hand with the hooks inside of his gloves more powerfully then a graze with a small amount of blood staining his glove. A small reminder of the indecency and impurity... Alex's morals were a bit off compared to everyone else's but they kept him in line.
__________________

Along with what was inside of his room their was strangely an object out of place. It would become visible rather quickly like a crack in a mirror. When a place as sacred as your bedroom is violated in the littlest ways it tends to cause an overreaction of a sort. In the room, lying on his bed for whatever reason, was what appeared to be a mirror. Except it did not appear to be like a modern mirror. It flowed almost as if the glass was water moving inside of a container. But the water was black. The closest thing in resemblance being an obsidian mirror. But even then the beauty of this was far superior. But still out of place. It was about a 2 feet tall with a foot log width. The outside adorned with what appeared to be incredibly black wood carved to give the mirror a less rectangular appearance adding more curves and twists. It was on his bed facing the opposite side of the room with the bed to its back and being supported by its shorter one foot bottom. It was rather majestic.

[ladyonyx04]

Elsa nods and tossed the meat to the tiger who ate it, chewing and swallowing in little time. "Alright then let's go toward the smoke. And please do not do anything stupid like still fight if the trouble is big. It is not cowardice to make sure you live. It has certainly saved my skin the many times I've had to run." She said as she went forward, her long gait closing the distance between them and the smell of the smoke closer. She had no sense of pride. Just survival instincts that have led her to living this long in this dangerous forest. Once more she made very little sound as she moved not really putting much thought into where she placed her feet.

[DarkDissolver]

...
Alex couldn't do that. His pride was too large. He did not display much arrogance in many other aspects then fighting. Rather die then run. "... Of course." Alex looked like he was lying all the time with his strange clothing an appearance and the fact he always tapped his foot or shook a bit. But then he realized she asked him to sorta try and stay alive. He wasn't sure if it was for concern that see may need some assistance fighting or just because she didn't want him to die. Alex went for the one that made him feel like he had some form of purpose in this mysterious world. Alex reconsidered a few things. Choosing to wait and see the enemy.
Alex began to follow leaping and climbing a tree then trait by moving tree to tree.
A few of the creatures appeared trampled on the ground. Emitting a terrible stench. Alex ignored said smell and continued. Eventually a small village became visible, burning. The small black huts collapsing and becoming ash. People running around in the chaos, looking for family members or trying to escape alive. Many of which burnt, singed, and a few burning alive. The fire already spread across the village and smoke filled the air. Multiple beasts eating at the dead bodies. Especially the Helldwellers. One actually human appeared calm. In all the smoke not much could be seen of the person. But why would they react with such calmness?

[ladyonyx04]

Elsa became a bit worried for the two she called parents looking as the villagers scattered and ran this way and that trying to escape even those burning. She saw that there was one person who seemed too calm in the crowd becoming instantly suspicious of that person taking the bow in her hand wanting a weapon in her hands biting her lip. She wasn't too sure what to do. She wanted to attack the person responsible for this mess but her instincts said for her to wait for a few more seconds. For what she wasn't sure but trusted her instincts.

[DarkDissolver]

The creatures were no longer in an orderly fashion but basking in the chaos. Alex turned couldn't see Elsa in all the smoke. Either she moved or the smoke thickened. Or both. Alex couldn't do much for the burning villagers. The spikes had taken much out of him. But that wasn't the real problem. He could not think in all the smoke. And he was somewhat worried since he could not find Elsa. Alex just used his gloves to take out the creatures that would happen to pass by. He would no try to escort the villagers. Why? Because majority of them were on fire or dead. Plus he did not know any of them who is to say they wouldn't think about him as an enemy? What if this happened for a reason?
____
••••••
Within the smoke what appeared to bea calm person had became more visible as smoke in the area cleared a bit. The man was no ordinary man if he was even a person. It had worn beaten up rags for shoes. It sported what were probably supposed to light blue shorts but had been beaten up and covered in dirt and grime. They went past its kneecaps to around the middle of its shin. It had wore casual villager clothin of a brown best and cream colored shirt. It had appeared to be human in these aspects. Having a muscular build and talk stature. What had clearly not made it human was its head. Instead of a face it had been replaced by a black human skull. A strangely clean skull. No meat on it. Attached by a neck packing flesh in some areas. In its hands a blade. A black obsidian handle with a double edged silver blade. In its other hand a torch. It used both to kill a few of the remainder of the villagers.
•••
Alex had been in a small house that had not burned down. Looting. It may seem wrong, but the village should not be forgotten. He was planning for the future already believing the village was doomed.
•••
The humanoid had found a villager still alive only singed slightly and had placed a blade to his throat. Asking about an artifact of a sort. The villager pushed up against a fallen black tree. Strangely, majority of the sorry around was untouched.

[ladyonyx04]

Elsa during the time the smoke gathered around saw a bit of the man beyond it her eyes widening a bit in fear. This was an abnormal thing. She placed the bow carefully on her back.
"No matter what, stay. Away. From. That. Thing." Elsa told her tiger companion looking around trying to find the house her parents were in making a birds song with her hands that she used when calling out to her parents. If they were somewhere near...they would answer. If there was a way to know of Elsa's temper like an alarm, it'd be blazing hot right now and blaring alarms. Or if she had the ability like Amber had had of controlling flames, they'd be shooting out of her mouth to show just how angry she was getting. But the rule of not messing with whatever that was applied to her too and the tiger knew it. She also looked around for Alex coughing as some smoke entered her lungs and froze going to the floor and to a house that hadn't crumpled and was completely destroyed staying still, not even daring to breathe.

[DarkDissolver]

In a few last glances, the villager screamed as the black-skulled thing sliced the person throat. Clearly more intelligent then he ither creatures. Fightig with skill and knowledge rather than rage or raw power. It had more male features. He wiped his blade on his trousers and then continued to slay surviving villagers. He would get to Elsa eventually
•••
Alex was probably the most calm person in this situation. Fire poses little threat to him along with many other things, well at least in his mind. The smoke not posing much danger with him being capable of making incited incredibly crappy but usable oxygen in his lungs. It took away energy, him passing out would be his biggest problem with such over use of his power. Supporting his body through artificial things created by him, who has almost no knowledge on elements with biology being his best subject. He just kept throwing objects behind him until he found a coin. Around an inch wide and circular. Made of what was probably not but resembled gold. He put it in his pocket.

Alex turned and saw Elsa. "... Elsa... Find anything?" He was referring to loot, people, and the leader of the beasts.

[ladyonyx04]

"Shh!" Elsa hissed looking around making sure that whatever that was, wasn't around and sighs softly looking around the small area of house she was hiding behind moving a beam when something caught in the sun, shining a bit. She took out a small black piece of something. It seemed like glass, but nothing she's ever seen before. "I did see who was commanding these things. And I do not think it's wise to attack him." She said as she hit the wall, it crumbling under her force of the hit needing to take her anger out on something rubbing her eyes as tears fell with the hand not currently holding onto whatever it was she had. "He was frightening in visage. We should get out of here. NOW!" She said on the verge of running herself caught between worrying for Alex and wanting to get out of here. She had a very very bad feeling and she didn't want to stick around to know if it would come to pass or not. "I'll worry about what to do once we're as far away from here as possible. And even then I don't think I'll be sleeping at all tonight." She said shivering a bit at the fear she still felt.

[DarkDissolver]

Alex didnt really the reason why she was so cautious telling him to be quiet. Alex did shut up though. At mention of the leader he then proceeded to dust off his coat and adjust his hat, pulling his gloves downward on his wrist. When she punched the wall he simply expected such behavior. When she had cried he felt a bit awkward and in a way feared having to deal with such things. He did not understand the concept of crying. Emotions are understandable majority of the time but he never felt the need to cry in any situation ever. He did not understand it but it clearly wasnt a pleasant kind of experience.He didnt exactly know how to comfort her but he did the first thing that came to mind.
"... Whatever it is I'm going to materialize the image of being hanged, drawn, and quartered as something desirable." Threatening to torture the problem. He did not see his "frightening" appearance but he was confident in his belief that appearances did not mean much. "... We should not leave until the thing that caused this dies..." Alex was actually thinking more about Elsa's tears then the death of the many villagers. "... Do not worry...." He awkwardly placed a hand on her arm trying to calm her. Alex says with a smirk as he proceeded to try and walk outside of the house.

[ladyonyx04]

Elsa grabbed Alex's arm getting him to stop and look at her. "Don't. Please. I don't know what that thing is. And I highly doubt it can be killed." She wasn't used to crying herself. She hadn't had much reason to do it, beyond as a kid when she got really hurt. But even then, she hasn't cried much. She gave him a small smile barely there beyond her fear of whatever the heck that thing had been, thankful for his small show of comfort. He must have been as uneasy in giving it as she was still unused to getting it. "You might not have seen this thing, but I promise, there is something extremely unnatural about it. I don't know its strengths and that worries me. Not to mention I never in my entire existence saw that thing before in my travels in the forest. So can we please get out of here? I have a terrible feeling in my gut, and I always listen to my instincts as they never led me wrong." She pleads, only once having to plead for something before this in her life.

[DarkDissolver]

Alex automatically turned when grabbed. Alex did not fear much and something that cannot be killed is not one of his fears. The idea of leaving made him feel weak. Pride aside it would probably be best to run. Not for his sake but because Elsa wanted him to.
"... Lets go than... But how will we leave without being seen?" Alex asks.
The smoke in the air began to lessen. Things could be seen more clearly and breathing would be slightly easier. Also it would be easier to be seen. Alex still wanted to kill the beast. Killing it will be an even greater feat when it is unable to be killed. But he would put her wishes before his. That's too bad, only little minions were slain today.
Alex was hunk in of multiple things. The childish idea or even a joke of trying to dig downward and leave underground came to mind. Suicide, Running, Teleporting, and etc. Most of which were out of reach way to get out of there. He would leave he decision up to Elsa trusting her judgement. But attempting to run seemed best to him.

[ladyonyx04]

"Well a few moments ago I heard screaming which means it could be looking for survivors. It will take five minutes for it to get back here, let's get to the bit of forest. At least there, we can hide in holes or caves as long as the inhabitants do not mind." Elsa said sighing in relief. He had agreed her way of doing this was best. Even when they both knew that he detested doing so. She took the lead knowing this place well, and also knowing a short cut out of there. She went behind the particular house they were in. "Be prepared to run." She said and went to the beginnings of the forest her senses on the look out for any and everything.

[DarkDissolver]

Alex nodded. Hiding in a hole or cave wouldn't be unpleasant but bearable. He had given up before even seeing his adversary. Coward. Alex followed around the home moving behind then following Elsa, running gradually faster and then jumping into a tree. He wanted to ask her what t looked like but felt it may be too soon.
In the forest around them the trees were dark with beautifully matching dark violet leaves. Some of them reaching around 30 feet tall but majority less then 20 feet. A few caves were in the area. Most of which made from stone with a cold interior. The trees could be slept in. The holes were mainly incredibly small and for small animals. No other villages were close but the ocean was a mile or two away.
Alex felt the coin in his pocket for a second as he jumped from tree to tree. Least they won't be forgotten entirely. Unless he tries to buy something... Focusing again he continued waiting for Elsa to locate a habitable temporary resting place.