#sentinal elf

Cyella could tell something was definitely wrong ere the Warrior of Darkness managed to reach her and ask a word in private.  The Paladin had not looked this wain since she had the Light raging through her aether.

Swiftly the elf finished her rounds with the customers and met the Elezen as she requested at her quarters in the Pendants.

She knocked on the door and shortly after Sallee opened it her leaf green eyes bright with what was overtly a fever.

As the door closed behind Cyella the other woman asked softly, "How long after a bite does it take for an elf to become a warg?"

Cyella's pale blue eyes widened and she asked sharply," When did it happen?"

"This morning when Alphi, Ali and I were exploring Laxen Loft for the guard.  It got a tooth through the underpinning of my vambrace.  Ever since I've been feeling worse."

The elf nodded, "To be expected and since Elves and Elezen are so alike it seems to be affecting the same…" swiftly she did some mental calculations then swore, "It will happen tonight, there's a full moon."

Shivering from the fever Sallee asked,"So what do I need to do?" 

"We need to get somewhere isolated with no one around.  I believe I can guide you through the transformation to retain your mind since well I myself was able to but…I don't know if I will have the ability to restrain you should there be a need…I was not exaggerating when I said I no longer had the strength to wield my blade and armor…"

"You might not but G'raha…sorry the Exarch, would.  He has a spell that can stop a person in their tracks…"

Cyella was filled with anxiety at that suggestion; she well knew how violent the transformation could make someone  But, she couldn't think of another recourse.  “Very well let us go to him that is if you can manage,”

Sallee nodded, “I can,”  She then took a breath and did her best not to look as worn and ill as she was.  Cyella prayed silently that no one thought to waylay them.  Elezen and Elves seemed to be similar enough that the change shouldn’t take her before the moonrise but the elf couldn’t be certain.

Together they made their way to the Dossal Gate and Sallee informed the guard they had urgent business with the Exarch.  The man let them through with nary a word overtly curious as to what the pair would need but trained enough not to ask.  They made their way swiftly up to the Oculus and found the Exarch waiting for them.

“What is wrong,” he asked, concern etched across his face and together the pair explained the situation.

His crimson eyes widened and he asked, “Are you sure this will affect Elezen the same?” turning toward Cyelle.

The Elf nodded, “So far all the signs are the same.  And with the moon rising full this evening, the shift will be upon her then.”

The Exarch nodded in understanding, “Here then, I think, would be best I can seal the Tower and no one would dare challenge that much less get through it.  That way it would be just you and I in any sort of danger.”

Sallee nodded and then fell to her knees choking back a cry.  Instantly the Miqo’te was at her side and she pushed herself up taking several breaths and trying to give him a reassuring smile, then it faded and her eyes widened, “Raha, this may be more complicated than normal for an Elf.”

The Miqo’te cocked his head confused and asked, “Why?”

“Recall I am Ishgardain born…”

Jerking in response to that he exclaimed, "By Thaliak! Do you think that…"

Sallee nodded grimly," From what I've heard a similar sort of change…" she then turned to Cyella, "You used your blood as a catalyst for the first ones…yes?

The elf nodded confused, "Aye..what does that have to do with anything?"

G'raha's crimson eyes filled with sorrow as he explained, "A thousand years ago on the Source, at least by its reckoning Thordain and his knights twelve, the then leaders of Ishgard betrayed, murdered and then consumed the eyes of a dragon of the First Brood Ratoskr.  The short of it is any Ishgardian that takes so much as a sip of dragon's blood can transform into a dragon."

Cyella's eyes widened in shock, her own people's history echoing in her mind as a similar tale but with wolves instead of dragons.  "More similar than you think.  On the Thirteenth shard I could tale you a similar tale of betrayal by Elves and an intelligent race of wolves…your concerned both could happen."

The Elezen nodded then looked at G'raha, "Be ready you of all people here know how to deal with a dragon considering Allags history with them."

The Miqo’te nodded stating, "it shouldn't change how the spell works but I will be prepared."

With that he went into the hallway and informed the guard there to send Lyna to him.  Within moments the Viis appeared and he stated, “Have the guard and any of the citizens within the Crystarium evacuate the Crystal Tower.  I will need to seal it this evening for something and I do not wish for any to be caught within.”

“Is aught amiss my lord?” the Viis asked sharply looking between the trio where they stood her keen eyes overtly not missing the condition Sallee was in.

“Naught that is not easily handled by what I have within Lyna, worry not.  Tis simply a precaution to deal with a situation that the Tower environs themselves are best suited to.”

Giving him a dubious look she simply saluted and stated, “As you will my lord, we will have the Tower clear shortly.”

With that she turned heel and made her way out of the Oculus calling to the guards outside as she went.  True to her word, within less than a few candle marks the entirety of the tower was cleared.  As soon as G’raha verified that the trio was indeed alone  He went into the Umbilicus and activated the terminal.  Within moments there was a brief rumbling and Sallee knew that meant the tower doors were closing.

After that they made their way to one of the large platforms of the tower there G’raha swiftly gathered a few things to make a makeshift bed for it was clear to him that Sallee was reaching the end of being able to be on her feet as the pain wracked her body.

Once the bed was made he had her lay down to wait. They tried to have light conversations  in an attempt to distract the Elezen from her pain when she was actually awake.  The times she wasn’t Cyella reassured the Miqo’te that this was normal for the progression of the shift.

Several uneasy hours passed and finally as the sun began to set Cyella shook awake the Elezen.

The other woman snarled in rage at her but the elf caught her gaze stating firmly, "The main thing you need to do is focus, Sallee keep foremost in your mind who you are what you care about or you will turn into a ravenous beast." 

The Elezen took several breaths and nodded painfully, moving to a more open spot.  A few more hours passed then Sallee who had been sitting trying to stay calm tensed and let out a blood curdling shriek.

“It's happening,” Cyella said, her body tense with worry and she repeated from earlier, “Remember hold on to who you are Sallee.  That is the best thing I can do for you at the moment is remind you of that.”

The other woman nodded grimly before curling over herself crying out again in pain. Shadows seemed to envelope her and both Cyella and G’raha could hear the sickening pops and snaps of bones altering their form.

When the shadows cleared neither G’raha or Cyella were prepared for the form before them.  Its head was wolf-like with scales covering the top of the snout from nose tip to mid forehead.  A pair of graceful horns swept back between the wolf-like ears.  Ceylla had expected a bipedal wolf but instead of forearms the Elezen had a pair of leather wings that she was flapping, sending violent bursts of air toward both the Elf and the Exarch. The rest of the body was very wolf-like with a thick tail that like the snout had scales from base to tip across the top.

A blend of a howl and roar rang out from the newly shifted Elezen and suddenly G’raha’s voice rang out, “Break”

Suddenly swirls of pale colors surrounded the Elezen’s feet and she whirled towards him growling.  He stood his ground stating, “Come back to us Sallee I know you're in there!  Please dear friend,”

A full actual roar rang from her throat and she strained against the restraint he had placed around her.  Alarms sounded within  the Tower and she growled, laying her ears flat and looking  for the source.

“He's right Sallee, remember who you are, or the beast is all you will be!” Cyella snapped.

G’raha then began speaking again, talking about the woman reminding her of all the things she had done and stood for.  Cyella was amazed and listened with  interest as he spoke to the woman of her deeds.  What she had told him was her wants, desires.  

Still annoyed at the restraints and alarms she did not heed him at first and began straining his spell.  Worry etched his features and he said, “This won’t hold much longer…”

No sooner stated and the spell shattered causing the Miqo’te to fall to his knees from the rebound of it.  The changed Elezen began charging straight for him and Cyella shouted, “No!”

Suddenly shadows surrounded her and she felt a surge of her old powers grabbing onto that she used the shadows to reach out and ensnare the other woman preventing her from continuing her charge.

Shock filled the Elf for she had thought this power long lost to her since her defeat at Ardbert’s hands.  But it seemed some of the man’s influence and insistence to do the right thing always rubbed off on her.

At first the warped Elezen roared and strained at the shadows.  G'raha, seeing she would not be able to finish her lunge, once again spoke to her reminding her of who she was.  Slowly the restrained beast stopped struggling and began to listen to the Miqo’te’s words.  After a few moments her eyes went from feral rage to what seemed like an intelligence behind them and a gravelly version of the Elezen’s voice came from the beast's maw.

“Thank you, both of you…Cyella I think I am good now.  Sorry for losing control at first.”  it stated

The Elf nodded and slowly called the shadows back, watching closely in case it was a trick but the warped elezen simply dropped forward onto the “hands” of the wings and looked toward her.

Satisfied that the woman would not lunge again she stated, “To be honest I wasn’t expecting to be of much use had you lost control….”

Sallee dropped the jaw in amusement, “I knew you had it in you.  Even if you were intending to use them you were still friends with Ardbert and the others despite your best intentions.  You were a hero of the Thirteenth before its fall.  Such things are not easily lost.”

Cyella turned away annoyed.  They may have been different people but this woman was all but the spitting image of Ardbert in attitude and it was slightly infuriating even if it was also endearing.  

The Exarch gave a smile at that then sobered asking, “Will she be able to return to her Elezen form?  I think even with the moniker of Warrior of Darkness or Light people might struggle to accept her as their hero like uh this…”

Cyella nodded, grateful that the Miqo’te chose to change the subject, “Aye once the sun rises since she has her senses she can choose to return to her Elezen form.”

Looking at the woman she stated, “All you will have to do is think about what you looked like and the shift will revert.  Now understand this until you master it. strong emotions can cause the change to occur.”

The Elezen nodded settling down and stating, “Then please share with me how to control it,”