The Kin of the Forest

[The Other]

(After the events of Not So Saintly)
(Those of you who are to join, you know who you are.)

Dusk had settled in over the sun-touched treetops of Alberisato's forests. Despite the turbulent times surrounding the world of man, peace held fast to the rustic lands untouched by their design. Yet off in the far distance of the peaceful acreage, a terrible rumbling could be heard. Like the footsteps of giants it caused the trees to shake and the animals to flee. Yet it was not the noise that caused them to flee, it was the laugh, a sound of depraved glee that echoed over the tree-line before being replaced by another thunderous BOOM.

The source of this disturbance was none other than the Other, bounding across Alberisato's landscape, all the while laughing over the predicament he'd left his former party members in.

Stupid mortals, I can just imagine their faces as they faced those little tree riding people. 'Oh no, they're going to kill us. Don't kill them, that'd be so wrong.' I can just imagine them whining the whole time. Serves them- "Ooomph!" His thoughts fell apart as his body came to a halt in mid air as something hit him. Crashing through branches before slamming to the ground he groaned, though more in annoyance than in pain.

"What? Who dares halt the mighty Lord Other?" Show yourself!" He called out, only to find silence the only answer. Grumbling quietly he dusted himself off. "Cowards, fine! Stay out of my sight and keep your pitiful life." Squatting down he once more took off, only to rebound off seemingly nothing as a hollow 'thud' could be heard. Once more the Other fell like a black meteor to the ground.

"Rrrrrrraaaagh! You dare! I shall not be trifled with!" Springing to his feet he raged against the trees all around him, splitting the massive stumps with his bare hands.

[Aras]

"What are you doing in this land beast? Duo has no claim on this land, so why are you so far from your master's ilk?" A calm and almost curious voice called out from behind the Other, though the source of it's voice could not be seen. Whether safely behind the massive trees that blocked his sight, or from the wiles of magic Aras stood, watching the strange interloper from safety.

[The Other]

"Hmm?" The sound of another in his presence caused the Other to do a 180°, halting his tantrum as he twisted his neck around to search for the one who spoke. Scanning the dusky area around him proved easy, as light was something he'd long since outgrown the need for. Yet despite his advantage he growled in disapproval.

"You would do well to hold your tongue. I call no one master. I, am Lord Other, king of Ariadelvento and soon to be king of all of Allorum. Now who are you?"

[Aras]

The mistress told me nothing of one's like this. Could this thing be telling the truth? Aras held back, looking at the destruction the creature had so easily wrought on the land around him. Suddenly with a twist Aras looked up, holding still as only her head moved slowly from left to right. He is? Really? We should what? I mean...yes, I'm sorry.

As if being drawn out from a ripple in a pond's reflection, Aras seemed to step through from nowhere, coming into plain view from just beyond where the Other had been halted. Adorned in simple baggy clothing, Aras looked unimposing, yet with the clothing and mask hiding much of their body's movements it was hard to tell if the being under such garbs was even human.

"I am Aras, and this land is mine to guard. I was unaware they let beings like yourself rule the world. I suppose you can't be any worse than the kinds they let be king anywhere else..." The mask flicked up and down, giving the Other a thorough look over.

"So, what does a king want in Alberisato? If you aren't with Duo then I'd suspect you'd be busy defending your people."