Post by Zorayda on Nov 5, 2012 15:06:37 GMT
Synopsis of "The War for Surra":
PART ONE: ON THE BRINK
Once upon a time, there existed a magical land called Surra, in a world very different from our own. Magical creatures, possessing many different arcane talents, lived a peaceful, human-free life for thousands of years. But peace did not reign forever...Near the Gulf of Claw, a pride called the Mwani was struggling to survive. A famine had struck, and it was the worst they'd seen in years. The Mwani, native to this land, became angry when a new pride came to live nearby. With so little prey, the land could not support two prides...The nomadic pride, known as the Belbel, hunted as they pleased... and soon disharmony blossomed between the two prides.
The Mwani leader, Moto, wonders what to do about their predicament... While Belbel's leader, Sumai, plans for a full-scale invasion of the Mwani's home.
Each leader sent out a messenger at the same time. Zorayda and Ghedi, the two messengers, misunderstood each other and went back to their respective prides to report that a war is to begin. Zorayda goes back to her pride, where Moto (leader) and several pridemates have decided that Zorayda and Talha are to be sentries to watch for the Belbel's arrival while others, including Satoba, a healer, take the very young and elderly away to safety. Others are going to be the protectors and fighters of their own land. Ghedi goes back to his pride to inform Sumai (leader) of the upcoming war, to which Sumai immediately responds and gathers the Belbel to make a speech and announce their attack on the resident pride.
The Belbel has marched to the Mwani territory, with two groups flanking the sides. Haraka the rogue is following them for unknown reasons. One of the flanking groups is being led by Zito, a tiglon with a fierce soldier's nature. Zorayda has noticed the Belbel coming in from the front and has warned the Mwani pride, but nobody has yet noticed the flanking troops. The elderly and the young have been hidden away by some of the Mwani pride. Meusi, a confused rogue, has run past the Belbel and caused a bit of confusion, and has been approached by Wynna of the Mwani.
The battle starts! Kirsui and Zorayda shoot off some ranged attacks from the Mwani side, and one of Kirsui's ice-fire balls has hit Rey, who has fallen unconscious under the care of Haraka. Moto has summoned huge fiery elephants, which has been negated by Sumai's intense wall of fire. The two flanking Belbel groups, led by Zito and Edai of the Belbel, are still waiting for the official signal from their leader to attack and close in the Belbel. Meusi the rogue has joined in the battle to defend himself, confused as to what is going on and unsure who he should attack.
Zorayda either seriously injures or kills Jehan, an NPC on the Belbel side, and goes in to attack Anapa. Anapa responds with a projectile instantly, which nicks Zorayda. Zor comes back around to shoot a projectile in turn. Moto confronts Sumai, though they are interrupted by Meusi, who keeps attacking lions at random. Talha tackles him and a scuffle ensues; Mlezi is keeping a close watch on the rogue and Moto, ready to protect Sumai from any attack. Kirsui is continuously throwing her fireballs long-range. Zito and the other ambush group are still awaiting their leader's signal for a flank attack. Meanwhile, Rey and Haraka are away from the battle; Haraka removed Rey's left foreleg that had been badly damaged by Kirsui's ice fire and is watching over her.
Moto and Sumai are locked in battle while Mlezi rushes forward to attack Kirsui. Zorayda is trapped in rock-sand while Anapa flees, allowing others to rush in after the winged lioness. Talha is struggling to keep up with the battle and trying to get to her feet, weakened. Sumai finally calls the signal and the two flanking groups rush in, Zito immediately targeting Talha as a weak opponent. Meusi attacks and kills Jehan, the tiger Zorayda had weakened and injured earlier, and charges Anapa.
Lorien, a Mwani member, travels back from a brief absence to see the battle going on and is horrified by the destruction. She joins Kirsui's side. Moto is stricken down and knocked out cold by Sumai. Anapa and Meusi have a quick scuffle while Zorayda struggles and gets free of Anapa's trap. Zor plunges the land into darkness using her powers, confusing the Belbel enemies. Mwani members, knowing what Zor's powers are, know what is going on and attempt to make their way through the ranks of Belbel and escape. The situation is bad for the Mwani, but Lorien, who has just come back to the Mwani den to see the battle going on, thinks of a plan to use her powers and help everyone escape.
Zito slashes blindly in the dark, feeling blood on his claws but not knowing who he has attacked... it turns out, he had struck Talha true, right in the vulnerable jugular arteries. She dies of blood loss, apologizing to Satoba as she falls. Sumai uses his flames to repel the darkness surrounding himself, though Zor's powers stifle the light a bit. He calls the Belbel to him and orders them all to take the Mwani den... tonight. Mlezi and Zito do so with great joy, tearing into the Mwani ranks as they do as their leader has ordered. Anapa and the other Belbel follow closely behind. Zor flies overhead and calls out to the Mwani to follow her, while Kirsui tells Lorien to use her phasing powers to help the others as best she can.
Both Kirsui and Wynna stay behind, risking their own lives to protect their pride and allow them a safe retreat with Lorien. Wynna, determined to save Kirsui's young life, sacrifices her own to the jaws of Mlezi, who faces Kirsui herself, taunting the young lioness into battle. Lorien and the rest of the surviving Mwani pride make it to the forest where Zorayda has led them. Na'hina, a healer and spirit-speaker, approaches Zorayda as the winged lioness crash-lands and breaks a wing. She tells Na'hina of Moto's supposed death, though it is unknown whether or not the former leader is actually dead or is simply in a comatose state.
Away from the carnage of battle, Haraka wakes from a brief nap to find Rey missing. He discovers that she has gone to the seaside cliffs by the Gulf of Claw. He knows what she is intending and races to find her before she is lost to despair, but too late... the young wolf throws herself from the cliff and her body breaks on the jagged rocks, killing her instantly. Bone and Ghedi work together in battle until they come upon the Mwani Den, just behind Sumai. Sumai climbs atop the Mwani Den and claims it as their conquered property, looking upon the land with something between pride and sadness from loss of life.
Meusi interferes in Mlezi's and Kirsui's battle by blindsiding Mlezi, clawing at her face. He is quickly knocked away and faces Sumai and Ghedi, who are eager to subdue him. Zito claws at Kirsui, startling her, but Mlezi shoos him away to have her one-on-one battle again with Kirsui, launching herself in for an attack. Lorien manages to lead the remaining pride members back to the forest while Na'hina and her crow partner check for casualties. Enzi, a Mwani member, has come back from his travels to find many dead on the battlefield. He goes to the forest to find his pride and comes across one of them, panicking and causing upset. Zorayda calms him with a shout.
Zorayda gains confidence out of anger and a feeling of revenge for her beloved pride and makes a speech, telling the Mwani that they will have the night to grieve, but come the next day, their training will begin to get revenge on the Belbel. Satoba, rattled by Zorayda's sudden change of character, heals most of the pride and goes off alone to deal with his grief, away from Zorayda and her speech. Zorayda claims leadership of the Mwani pride. Meanwhile, Haraka comes to some sort of decision to make those responsible for Rey's death pay for what they've done. However, his thoughts are interrupted by a rogue, winged lioness named Akinai, who tries to escape his attention but fails. He asks to go with her down the cliff, unwilling to let someone else see Rey's remains without him.
Enzi and Kaya both return to the Mwani pride from other travels to the chaos and carnage of the aftermath of battle. Enzi is distraught and confused, and goes off on his own. He flies off a ways but plummets to the ground in grief, falling asleep in an unknown location. Kaya finds the pride and waits for answers, which Zorayda comes forth and attempts to give her. Meusi and Sumai are locked in battle, Meusi taunting the general and dodging attacks. Sumai, in a rage, summons more power and launches himself at Meusi. Ghedi tries to attack Meusi but is kicked aside and rescued by Bone, who he affectionately refers to as "Bonnie". Zito allows Mlezi to lay her claim on Kirsui and stops attempting to attack, instead going off to the side and watching. Mlezi and Kirsui are also battling--Mlezi lands a heavy hit on Kirsui, but realizes that Kirsui's ice-fire is numbing and freezing her too much for close contact. Mlezi attempts to capture Kirsui.
Kaya, a Mwani member, returns to the pride which is in shambles. Zor takes her aside and welcomes her home somberly, and Kaya vows to become stronger and help her pride. Anapa, Zito, and a few others watch on as Mlezi fights Kirsui, who challenges Mlezi with her strong ice powers. Some ice escapes the confining prison of Mlezi's shields when the latter's concentration breaks due to Enzi suddenly diving in and trying to cause trouble for the overwhelming number of Belbel. Zito catches some of Kirsui's ice on his face and he screams in agony, possibly critically injured. Mlezi redoubles her efforts and encapsulates Kirsui before rapidly shaking her back and forth, rattling her against the hard shields until she is knocked unconscious.
Haraka and Akinai form an uneasy acquaintanceship. Akinai allows Haraka to come with her and visit the little den she's been staying in after introducing themselves. Anapa fights Enzi, and it looks bleak for the winged lion. He is greatly outnumbered and outclassed by the jackal who is familiar with flying enemies, thanks to the earlier battle with Zorayda. Enzi is defeated and taken prisoner as per Sumai's instructions. Sumai commands that the bodies on the field to be gathered for proper disposal to honor the fallen on both sides.
PART TWO: WRATH OF RETRIBUTION
To be continued...
I didn't understand that it was Anapa that Meusi attacked until I read what you said here.
We all make mistakes every now and then, especially when in a hurry. XD
Also added Christmassy snow and banner :3
I'm currently getting some uni work done before heading to the post office. What's up with you?