Counting Crows (Open)

[Rene Tiranul]

Oh, man. Rene thought nervously as he looked up at the swirling crows. More symbolism. He backed off ever so slightly.

[Silas Tiranul]

They swirled together suddenly, blending into a single black shape, before dropping from the sky. What stood up from where they landed was a woman many would consider inconceivably beautiful with deathly white skin, clad in what seemed to be only a black feather cape. "By what right do you call me?"
"Right of birth. I am Silas Tiranul, current Emperor of the Fangire. I ask for your assistance in future battles." Silas replied.
"This is a high request indeed. There will be a price."

[Rene Tiranul]

Well, there was no other way to say it. This mythical creature made of ravens was pretty hot. Rene stayed back, keeping the attention away from himself.

[Silas Tiranul]

"I am willing to submit to a test. I nominate myself champion of a trial by battle." Silas shrugged his cape off and gripped Headsman.
Her expression didn't change. "You are brave indeed to willingly enter battle with Macha, Goddess of War." She shrugged off her cape, revealing a sleek black set of armor and a pair of curved swords. "Best make sure you have no help." She threw her head back and let out a screech, a sound that echoed throughout the wood. The forest came alive around them, the trees literally beginning to attack Alistair and Rene.
"Fair enough. Shall we?" Silas asked.

[Rene Tiranul]

Rene struggled against the attacking trees. "I would have stayed back willingly!" he exclaimed as he found himself bound up by several branches.

[Silas Tiranul]

Alistair hefted his weapons, cutting Rene free before blocking another branch's attack with his shield.
"And let us begin." Macha charged Silas, attacking with her swords. Silas opposed her valiantly, blocking her attacks and giving as good as he got.

[Rene Tiranul]

Rene dropped to the ground, coughing. "Thanks." he gasped, standing shakily.

[Silas Tiranul]

"Fight, Sir Rene! I aided you, now aid me!" Alistair was being quickly overwhelmed by the branches attacking from all sides.
Inside the stone ring, Silas's fight continued. It seemed like he was losing ground for a moment, but he quickly regained it with a whirlwind offensive.

[Rene Tiranul]

"It's just Rene, Alistair!" Rene felt the heat of battle building up inside him, and it forced him to transform. He savagely attacked the branches as the Spider Fangire. It was just unfortunate that he couldn't consume the trees.

[Silas Tiranul]

Alistair ignored the comment, glad he'd gotten into the fight finally.
"Your companions fared better than I thought." Macha commented while their weapons were locked. Silas chose not to respond, kicking Macha in the knee and flying back onto the offensive.

[Rene Tiranul]

Rene continued to rip and tear at the trees, dismembering many of the branches with little thought to anything else.

[Silas Tiranul]

A strike to the face with the ax haft, and Macha was flat on her back. Silas planted a foot on her chest and raised Headsman high. "Trial over."
Macha chuckled. "Trial over indeed. Master." The trees stopped, and returned to their original positions, as Silas helped Macha back to her feet.
Alistair put his weaponry away. "That's done, at least."

[Rene Tiranul]

Rene stopped himself as the tree returned to normal. He silently willed himself back to a human form.

[Silas Tiranul]

"We can formalize this back at Torchkeep. For now, we're done here." Silas said. "Alistair, Rene, we're going back." Macha followed him wordlessly. Alistair did the same, keeping his distance from her.