(Forest) Unknown Defeat

[Neku]

Neku was still inside the cave with Gobien, awaiting any news that may concern Leigh and the young girl, Miss Rivers. She pawed the ground nervously, wondering how this could turn out. The caves entrance was well concealed, she knew nobody could find it unless they already knew it was there. She just hoped Leigh would remember where it was.

As time passed, she grew more and more anxious. She knew the dangers that surrounded the forest and knew, probably better than anyone, the other things that lurked inside this dark place. It had become even less friendly that what it used to be.

The hours passed with little event, and Neku knew the sun would be rising soon. Her blonde hair falling over her shoulders as she stood at the caves entrance. She hadnt expected them to be this long. Where were they?

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh had walked through mud and dirt to try and remember where the cave was, the area he was in seemed similiar enough that he changed his form and smelt the surrounding areas. He stepped quietly, looked over his shoulder to see if Kim was keeping up, she was. He had to be impressed with her, she was much better than he thought.

Soon on a slight breeze he caught a wiff of his own scent, sweaty, musky and smelling like he was in need of several baths. He growled in repulsion and walked forward, changing back to his human form to finally reach where he knew the entrance to the cave. It seemed to change before his eyes, the entrance shifting and transforming before his own eyes. The wonders of the cave seemed limitless.

He looked over his shoulder and saw Kim and smiled. 'Inside we go.' He said, stepping into the cave and seeing Neku standing right before him, his eyes meeting hers. He smiled embarrassed and looked over at Gobien and shrugged.

'I found her, told her and she agreed. She's here, you can talk to her.' Leigh said, walking past Neku and finding himself a place to sit against a wall, fearing that he would pass out soon.

[Jake Gobien]

Knowing he was perfectly safe within the confines of the cave Gobien relaxed quite completely; far more than he had been able to in a long time. He'd decided to trust his two companions, both the centaur and the ex-professor; without trust they wouldn't get far at all.

Murmuring an apology about his rudeness Gobien settled against the cool rock of the cave, finding a marginally comfortable nook to squirm into. Falling into an untroubled but still light sleep Gobien was awakened on hearing Addis' voice once more. Yawning loudly he arose from his perch, stretched and grinned at the newcomer, "pleasure to meet you Rivers."

Flexing his shoulders that had fallen numb given lack of use over a number of hours, Goiben clapped a hand upon Leigh's shoulder, "nice work Addis, though I doubt she needed much persuading. You look terrible perhaps you should catch a few winks? After we've discussed certain issues of course." Smiling at his companions he wondered quite when the time for talking would finish, he yearned for action, but they desperately needed solid dependable plans before acting rashly.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh grimaced under the slap on the shoulder, that one being tender after falling in the dark a few nights ago. He rubbed it slowly trying to let it get some feeling back into it before he stood, the slap actually having woken him. He stared at the others before him and nodded, sighing soon after.

'Talking about issues is good. I have one, can't we rest?' He said, crossing his arms and cracking his neck to try and rid himself of some cramping that was coming in.

[Kim Rivers]

Okay, so the night wasnt going how Kim had planned. She had come out with the intention of just wandering around the forest, not to be dragged into something. What was she dragged into anyway, she wasnt even sure.

Kim and Leigh had trudged through the forest, they had reached a cave. She followed Leigh inside and was slightly taken aback. She hadnt expected to find a Centaur there. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the creature, one thing she didnt trust was creatures of the forest.

She looked at the man who spoke to her and folded her arms across her chest, "Right, whatever" she muttered as she slumped against the wall. She looked between the two she didnt know. Though instead of saying anything else, she just listened.

[Jake Gobien]

Chuckling as Addis requested rest rather than talk, he knew how he felt, though Gobien had caught a few sound hours sleep, it still wasn't sufficient to reccuperate his lack of energy. A dozen good meals and a thorough wash would go someway to helping, but really they needed untroubled sleep, something none of them seemed capable of having.

"Course you can, you've been a busy beaver, and it's about time we could simply rest...but unfortunately there is no rest for the wicked." Turning to the teenage girl Gobien smirked, "nice attitude you've got there, it'll come in handy," he spoke sarcastically his eyes alighting upon her rather slumped and uncaring poise.

"Are you sure you want to join us? There's no turning back if you change your mind." Gobien said this only for reassurance, he hoped she would simply stay, and he guessed she knew what she was getting herself into; a pile of trouble.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'Why does no rest for the wicked always bring about bad luck?' Leigh said reluctantly, before sighing and unfolding his arms and placing his hands into his pockets. He felt his wand there, rippling with power. A small smile crossed his face as he knew he didn't need his wand to perform any spells.

'If she turned back she'd have to go through all of us, but most likely Neku, she knows where this place is now.' Leigh said, looking at Kim from the corner of his eye. He knew Kim despised him, but even enemies could work together for a common goal, but would she help them? 'Then again, we could simply rid us of her and let her go back to a useless life of wandering through life with nothing going for her, though she has a chance now to do something.'

[Neku]

Neku had walked away from the caves entrance as Leigh and the young girl had walked in. A sigh indicating she was relived to finally see them both after god knows how long of waiting. She looked towards the girl who seemed to have quite an attitude, she was definatly one that Neku had thought would be perfect. But now thinking on this she wasnt so sure. Though she was sure time would tell if Neku's decision was the right one.

After listening to the two men for a while, Neku too took up a space on the caves floor near the three of them. "Indeed, we have pressing matters and unfortunatly... Rest will have to wait until later. Neku nodded a little at Leigh, indicating she thought he was right. "She can not turn back now, it is too late she knows the whereabouts of the cave and could easily show someone else to its location. Unfortunatly for her, she is now in it long haul."

She looked towards the girl, Neku's own silver eyes looking directly into the cold harsh icy blue of the younger girls eyes. Her attention now firmly fixed upon the girl, ther was something about her cold cruel stance that Neku liked. She was certainly one that seemed she wouldnt be pulled in by the Ministry or crumble under their pressure. "Kimberly Rivers is it?" Neku asked as she outstretched her hand, "I am Neku. Though that will do for the introductions" she turned her attention back to everyone, "Does anybody have even an incling of what the weapon might be?"

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh looked over towards Neku and saw her face, the way she looked. He felt someone twinge inside of him and wondered what it could be. He sighed and walked towards the wall once more, leant against and sank to the floor, the dirt cold underneath him and the stone highly uncomfortable.

He heard her question about the powerful item that the Ministry was after and he looked up and frowned, trying to think what it was.

'It could be anything... A ring with a gem containing the soul of a powerful dark wizard, an enchanted sword from before we humans learned we could use magic, a scepture of animalistic design, a statue containing the essence of a god... Who knows.' Leigh said, throwing off some random ideas he quickly formed, though they were the stereotypical rare and powerful items from muggle cinematic movies. 'Whatever it is, it comes from a time and place not even you centaurs can trace.'