The Mystics. *Private Arani and QOPR*

[AdAstrα]

Ayira shuddered. She could tell that the rogue was struggling to stay alive, that his soul was fading quickly. Still, there was no sign of the real Hofu anywhere. What if he didn't show up in time? What would happen then?

His death rattle seemed to echo through her head. Again, again, and again. Then it stopped, and all that remained was silence.

[Arani]

Hatari looked at Ayria, then carefully walked up to Hofu's body. 'Is he dead?' She thought to herself, nudging his body. He seemed to have passed, but some kind of flicker of life still remained. "He's still alive in there... somewhere." She said quietly. "I guess all we do now is wait until he wakes up. He'll either still be evil Hofu or the real Hofu."

[AdAstrα]

Ayira nodded, sitting down next to Hatari. They waited for what seemed like ages, surrounded by an eerie silence that sent shivers down her spine. The rogue still did not stir.
"Come on." Ayira whispered, nudging his body cautiously, half expecting him to let out a roar of fury and lunge at her once again. At first, she felt nothing but stiff coldness, but suddenly, there was something else. A movement, followed by one, steady heartbeat.

[Arani]

Hatari felt that steady heartbeat. Which was followed by aother. And another. And another. His body stirred ever so slightly. "Hofu? You in there?" She whispered, nudging his head to get him to wake up. His eye's opened slightly. It was him. It was Hofu.

[AdAstrα]

Ayira let out a great sigh of relief. The real Hofu was back! It had worked! She could hardly believe it. Just a few days ago, she had been certain that all hope was lost. And now..everything was going to be all right.
"Hofu." she said softly, smiling at him. "Thank goodness you're back! How are you feeling?"

Hofu made an attempt to sit up, but had to lie down again as his head started to spin. "Fine..I think." he said, closing his eyes for a few moments, "I...I think I just...need s-some rest."

[Arani]

Hatari give him a short but gental nuzzle. "What happened? How were you possed by that... what ever it was?" She wanted to know everything, but realizing that he was probably extremely tired, she quickly said, "Unless you're to tired, you can tell us later if you need to." She was very concerned about him, and hoped that nothing bad would happen while the real Hofu was so weak.

[AdAstrα]

Hofu shook his head.
"I..I'm not even sure what happened. I don't remember much, and what I do remember is like a dream. Or a dream of a dream.." he sighed, looking down. "He made me do such terrible things." he said, his large brown eyes filling up with tears, "I..I hope nobody thinks it was all me, I swear, I could never do anything like that! It was him, o-only h-him.."
"Nobody thinks it's your fault, Hofu." Ayira quickly said, noticing how upset he was, "None of this was your fault." She gave him a quick nuzzle and as her nose touched his forehead, she couldn't help but shudder a little; he was still extremely cold.
"We need to get you somewhere safe where you can rest." She added, worried about him being so weak.

[Arani]

"We're not strong enough to carry him by ourselves." Hatari said. "I'll go get Tahi and Huru. They're strong enough." Without waiting for a reply, she turned and ran into the trees at a full sprint.

[AdAstrα]

Ayira waited as the distance between them and Hatari grew larger. Hofu was breathing heavily and for a split second she thought he may have passed out, in which case she would have found it hard to remain calm while she waited for the queen to return. But only moments later, he spoke again.
"Thanks...thanks for saving me. I don't even know your name, but..I'm grateful. Very grateful." His large, soft paw touched hers and an instant surge of something warm - and quite pleasant - struck her body like lightning. "It's...it was nothing, really." she said, blushing slightly, "I'm a mystic, like Hatari. I couldn't have done it without her, anyway. We sort of worked together, like a team. And if it weren't for Rafiki we probably wouldn't have been able to help you in time. So..I technically didn't do that much.." she finished, clearing her throat loudly.

[Arani]

Hatari had quickly reached Tahi and Huru. They listened to all that had happened with great concentration. Hatari didn't stop talking until she finally started to turn blue, gasping for air. "He's alright now, but he's extremely weak. We need to get him back to Pride Rock as soon as we can, but Ayira and I aren't strong enough to lift him." Tahi and Huru took a second to think it over.
"You're absolutely sure he's back to normal and isn't faking it?" Tahi asked her.
"Positive." Hatari replied. "We made the thing that was controlling him to tired to keep his control, and then Hofu got back into control. I don't think anything bad's gonna happen anymore, at least for a little while. Now come on!" She said, starting to run in Hofu and Ayira's direction. Tahi and Huru followed without question that time.