As the party continued to follow Erk's light, it was obvious that they needed to get out of the catacombs before they started to get a bit too tired of them. They were now a rather large group, and as soon as they were out of the tunnel, Shinu was going to take the time to learn everyone's name because he hadn't done that yet and it was really important to him in order to give the proper respect that he would like to give when he addressed everyone. There was still that man that half saved his life that he wanted to learn more about. Their combined efforts against the hordes of bees was actually quite impressive in that their timing would show that they'd practiced it.

Then Shinu looked down at Kairi who was looking up at him as he marched ahead. He tried his best to give her a smile but he was indeed starting to fatigue some. Of course he wasn't willing to show any signs of this. He was a very phenomenal athlete and he wasn't exactly in a position to let her want to get out of his arms. It was actually the first time he'd ever held someone in his arms besides his mother, and he was actually enjoying himself aside from the fatigue and pungent smell filling the air. It was a shame that he couldn't actually take the time to get to know anyone, he never did that before, ever.

He averted his attention from Kairi for a moment because he felt a bit of a draft. He knew that a draft meant quick movement, but what could have caused it. He knew that nothing would happen without Erk knowing though, so he waited to see if he was thinking the same thing. Shinu was quite on guard though, and ready to protect himself if it was to happen again.

Once again, Erk stopped to scan the blackness... but suddenly he jerked. Slowly, his head lifted, and he was looking at the ceiling...

They heard a muffled thump. Dust and small pieces of dislodged stone showered down on them. Silently, Erk began backing towards the pillars to their right and gestured for the others to get behind him.

Another, louder this time, and it sounded nearer... Erk extinguished his torch with a wave of his hand, and placed it silently on the ground...

A crash this time, so loud that they could almost feel the vibrations from it in the stonework.

And then... silence.

Then it struck. In a shower of rubble and stone, a huge, flaming form hurtled down at them from the blackness above. Erk shouted out unintelligible words, and threw his hands out in the air. A bright flash of light erupted, and the thing swooped back up into the foul air, screeching in pain.

Now that they could see it clearly, they could see that it was some manner of bird. It's wings and plumage were black, but it's entire form was wreathed in flame. Slime and ooze dripped from it's whicked-looking, serrated talons. It opened it's beak, and let out a great cry, and fire belched out, lighting the chamber for a lightning's instant.

she screamed and burried her face into shinu wrapping her arms around his neck

"shinu!!" she yelped and held onto him "what is that thing?" she asked holding onto him for dear life as the ceiling fell around them

Though Mikael could not see in the dark, he could still feel the presence of something following them. It wasn’t his choice to follow this group of strange people, but it was the only way to escape in one piece. He placed his hands on his daggers, but did not draw them yet.

As the old man stopped yet once again, that was when Mikael felt the ground shake. He slowly drew his daggers, while listening to he surroundings, in case if it was an ambush. The old man up ahead signalled for everyone to get behind him, as he moved towards the pillar. Mikael knew now that he wasn’t the only one who thought they were being followed.

As the tremors got more violent, it became more apparent that this thing wasn’t with them, but above them. Mikael lifted his hood off his head, so he could get as much vision as he could. As he did, the place went dead silent. Mikael looked around surveying the area as best as he could in such darkness, there was no sign of movement as everyone else stood still. Then, with a thunderous crash, a flaming monster came falling from above. Mikael steadied himself and got into his fighting stance. He watched as the old man made the first move. Mikael didn’t quite see what he did, but it made the thing fly back up towards the roof. Mikael gave out a small grudging sound as he found out it was a ferocious type of fire bird.

Mikael didn’t quite know what to do, since the thing was up high, and the surrounding area didn’t have any footholds or supporting beams high enough or close enough to the bird for a quick attack. His only chance of fighting it would be if it came closer to them. This was risky as it was, since only a limited area was lit by it’s intense flames and not all of the surrounding was revealed to Mikael.

kai looked p and saw it

"the bird demon of hell?" she said and smiled

"im sorry for acting happy but i have always wanted to see this" she said and smiled

"but we are going to have to kill it" she said and jumped down from shinu and pulled out her sword as though she had done it a million times

"im ready" she said and smiled

Lins felt the tremors, and heard the screams, and saw the monster that had now challenged him. He had fought many a tall beast, some where easy to take down, some not so easy, but this one was completely different. For one it was a flyer, and secondly if anyone got close to it they had a high chance of dieing from severe burns. Lins prepared himself for battle and held Nuraki tight in his right hand, while withdrawing one of his spears off his back. Shinu keep Kai safe, we need her alive. She might be the only one in our group with healing powers.

Lins moved forward ready to make his attack when the mighty beast came back down onto the ground. Lins hoped that the warriors standing by his side knew how to deal some damage to this thing. Lins for one didn't know much about this foe. All he could think of was taking of its wings and disabling its ability to fly.

"huh? oh i didnt thinmk of that" she said lowering her sword and then screamed as a giant rock landed in from of her almost crushing her

she put hte sword away and back away only for a rock to fall behind her

((dang I wrote a good post and lost it. I'm quite frustrated, but here's a quickie.))

As another rock came down again, this time Shinu let it hit his armored back as he turned into Kairi and put his arms around her. As more continued to fall, he grabbed the katana from her back and snatched it out while slicing through more rocks. He was remaining quite hesitant and didn't want to be the first to strike the bird.

Stay close to my body, don't take a step away and you'll be fine. The others will have to handle this one.

kai nodded "ok i will" she said and stood as close to him as she could

"that bird has pressure points if im not mistaken" she whispered to him

"one under each wing, and one on the head" she said looking at the screaching monster

"just thought you should know, just in case" she said satying by him

"First Dogs, then Bees and now a flaming BIRD!" Talia shouted pulling out her sword swearing under her breath. "Some one must really have it out for our group." She laughed trying t look for any way to get up t the bird. 'He has to make a move...that's the only way...'