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Post by Zilfer Of Shadows... on Feb 19, 2010 13:45:27 GMT -5
Story: Luster/Zilfer Of Shadows (The light of shadows?)
List of characters: Tigaro “Imperial Kaddennah” Zilfer “of Shadows” (Carashi) Niru “the cursed” (daemon driven) Emperor Cain Nigaru “leader of rebels” Niight “of the lost” Bermfad “the magic abnegate” (prisoner of the empire) Cadseem “servant of rebels/thief” Yuri “zilfer’s enemy” Xia “village ninja/woman” Yusho “the shadow follower” Flenoss “crystal rose/jewel” (Chinine) Yukiro “violet flower” Sano “Tigaro’s Nephew” Lyzer “Daughter of emperor/the mislead” Linue “Crafty noblemen” Lial “Restine fencer” Scar “Unsure Assassin” Tinar “Apartment owner/Inside city agent of the Rebellion” Ren “?” Tessfen “Restine Warrior/Lial’s Sister”
List of “Gods/Ascendants”: Jarken “The path of Sky“ (Lightning Kar) Guild’ness “The path of Stone“ (Earth/Stone Kar) Rikyu “The path of Air“ (Wind Kar) Nime “The path of Flame“ (Fire Kar) Yuna “The path of Sea“ (Water Kar) Sark “The path of Wraith“ (Shadow Kar) Zilfer “The path of Spirit“ (Light Kar)
The seven main Paths(Kar): Garen (Light) J‘nass (Shadow) Lynth (Fire) Mura (Water) Nart (Earth) Waiss (Wind) Enzil (Lightning) Clans: Kaddennah: the Kaddennah where once in low numbers a small sub clan of Mitsune and when the empire came into existence Cain forced people of the clan to be embedded with the magic gene’s of the Kaddennah, and be taught in the way’s of Kaddennah. The Kaddennah before the empire was a order of people dedicated to learning higher control of magic, with their genetically modified gene’s. They have a legend of a monster that would neutralize the very power of magic, which in the eyes of the Kaddennah is an abomination of the natural order of the world which they believe is magic. They believe that the magic actually controls the order of the world and want wish to destroy the foretold man. The highest of the Kaddennah is Tigaro leader of the Kaddennah and right hand man of the empire’s military. Luster: A clan that was almost whipped out when the cleansing of the 5 houses took places nearly killing all of the clan members. Before this event they where one of the strongest clans. They had longer life then the other clans, seemed stronger in both the physical and magical aspects. They where lead by one leader, Karin wielder of the 3 legendary blades, Blade of Zilfer, Blade of Sark, and Blade of balance. There is believed to be less than 5 members of the luster’s clan left, one of the most remembered is Zilfer of shadows for his treachery against the empire and for killing the emperor’s wife. Restine: The Restine where one of the 5 original houses before the cleansing of the 5 houses. The Restine was one of the most peaceful of them all, and tried to learn about the other clans most, they where received well in all of the clans, but the Mitsune. The Restine are known for their sword prowess that is only dwarfed by the lusters, however the magic of the Restine is not to great, and finding a master in Restine is quite rare, not many claim to be a match for masters of the other clans. The Restine clan are for the most part noble, they where very reluctant to go to war against the lusters in the cleansing of the 5 houses. Shi’kar: The Shi’kar are one of the races that have lived in the mountains and are tough warriors, and are strongest in earth related magic having worked in mines for precious material to sell to the other clans before. The Shi’kar don’t have to much laws, just general guide lines. Their guide lines are as follows, “Don’t sleep with another man’s woman, don’t start a fight without requesting a duel, don’t steal things that aren’t yours, and finally never trust a merchant from the other clans.” If there is a dispute, it’s almost always settled in a duel. The victory being always right. The Shi’kar have a respect for the lusters, because of their prowess as warriors not to be trifled with, some of the Shi’kar however are greedy and strong. The Shi’kar have a leader, that can be challenged at anytime for his position, the challenge can always be to the death if it is so wished, and the leader is forced to except or yield his position to the challenger. Mitsune: The Mistune are a greedy clan that thinks they are better then all the other clans and will occasionally start a war with other clans. Mitsune is also the largest clan in numbers but not always the brightest when it comes to tactics. However the Mitsune’s are a proud clan, and will take any challenge to prove themselves better. Whether this be good or bad is questionable. The main land of the empire used to belong to this clan before it officially became the empire. Yurik: The Yurik used to be a clan of shadow workers, of tricksters. There fighting style was unique and you could almost never trust your eyes when fighting these people, the object of their fighting style was to make you lose the match before you even knew that you had lost it in the first place. In Recent times they have stayed in seclusion away from the empire, and secretly they actually took in the children of some Lusters. They do not like the empire but they do obey it, they are not willing to go to war like the rebels which have formed recently. Their magic is almost always very adept.
Blades of Power:
Blade of Zilfer: This is a blade said to have been blessed by the luster clan’s god of light. Named after the god itself this blade is white in appearance, and seems to glow with a light from within. This increases the bearer’s magic flow, making it easier to manipulate the flow of life, and magic. This blade casts rainbow effects on the battlefield. The current wielder of this blade is Zilfer of shadows who was named after this blade. Blade of Sark: this is basically the opposing opposite of the Blade of Zilfer, It is pure black, in appearance and also it will bleed blood in battle. This blade is named after the luster god of darkness, Sark. This also increases the power to manipulate powerful magic. This blade is said to slowly drive its owner to the point of madness, and is only trusted with a few luster’s throughout history. The current wielder of this blade is Yuri. Blade of Takai/balance: This blade was said to be lost ever since Karin was killed. No one really knows who killed Karin and where his most legendary blade disappeared to. When Karin’s body was found he had none of his 3 blades on him, Zilfer and Yuri were said to have been able to recover the blade of light and darkness.
15-25 years after the cleansing of the 5 houses……
Profiles: Flenoss: Known as the crystal jewel by some, is the wife to Zilfer the last leader of the Lusters, Propaganda throughout the empire however has unlinked her connection to Zilfer. She rests entombed within crystal untouched by time, or decay. Niight: A commander of the rebel’s named Shimo after the Luster’s only elite unit which was named the Shimofuri Kishi. Little is known about him, besides that his ears are more angular then most and he appears to confer with Nigaru. He seems to have vast knowledge of past event’s and he bears the Luster’s insignia upon his left shoulder. Nigaru: Commander and leader of the rebels who has gathered forces and hindered the empire for the last 15 years. In recent years open attacks have declined as the use of Imperial Kaddennah on the battle field increased. Now hiding among the lands of the Luster Clan he tries to find something that will turn the tide of battle around, the one man who he had seen slay a battalion. He knew salvation rested upon finding this evasive shadow. Niru: Dressed in a grey robe, and with silver hair and a blindfold around his eyes, Niru is quite a sight to be hold. He is easily mistake for an unfortunate beggar however closer examination of this fellow will reveal there is much more then meets the eyes. Having been raised in a temple, that he eventually left his past is shrouded in mystery. He travels with a body guard though his skills hint that he does not need one. Yukiro: This girl is an old time friend of Niru. She travel’s generally with Niru and Carashi however they had gotten separated in a most recent skirmish where the rebel’s and the empire had clashed in a small scale battle. Reigning from the Yurik region she wields a rather odd weapon(Katar). Carashi: This man is quite ill tempered, and fast to react, it seems he does not trust anyone except the one he guards. Traveling with Niru he guards him at all times, listening to Niru’s command’s however if he sees fit he’ll go beyond whatever bond’s bind him to Niru. Most of the time Carashi is withdrawn. His past seems to be a troubled one, and one that Niru knows all too well. Tigaro: This man is rumored to be a god chosen. He is the leader of the Kaddennah who helped win the war against the Luster’s and there the main threat besides numbers against the Lusters. This man seems to believe his is of a divine nature, and that all sentients serve a god’s will. He wields a blade called Soul, which is not sharp but it shimmer’s lightly when drawn. Being a Kaddennah Tigaro is enhanced with unnatural abilities, along in terms of speed, power and Karqen. Bermfad: A prisoner of the empire, he is there because the Kaddennah fear him. While the Kaddennah plea for him to be destroyed upon the gallows Cain keeps him alive in a dungeon below. Having Green eyes, and a bold head he stands very tall among others. His is very well built so much so that it has been noted he could move large boulders with just his strength alone. The most peculiar thing about this man however is the tattoo’s that cover his whole body, and that Kar has cannot be accessed around him. He is known by scholar’s as the magic abnegate. Sano: A monk among the Kaddennah, and a traveling Lech, who has most recently found his way to the land of Restine his birth place. It seems as though he has a one track mind, however there is something else boiling under the surface. Cadseem: This relatively young man with a dangerous profession of acquiring item’s that don’t belong to him. As he prefers to put it, “I am just doing a service to the community by taking noble’s trinkets that they never wear any more, and give them to someone with a bit more flair.” He is from the Empire capital of Hiner and was contacted by the rebel’s to help break out Bermfad. He is still unsure as to weather to get involved with the war. Linue: A short, and plump man who carries nothing in the way of weapons except his wit. He is part of Cadseem’s little squad of friends he keeps in contact with. Much to Linue’s delight, Cadseem has been able to pull off every job that he’s been set up with so far, and brought in quite a good amount of money. Lial: Coming from a long line of swordsmen, Lial and his Restine upbringing was filled with training of many different types of swords, and tournaments all through out his youth. Lial by far was not the best swordsmen, but when compared to many other men from the other clans he is quite efficient in a fight, and has found himself another member of Cadseem’s contact and many times accomplice to Cadseem’s antics. How Lial came to the Mitsune capital he won’t tell anyone however he had told Cadseem, that if his sister would ever see him again, he would face the wrath of a swordsmen of even greater caliber then his own. Ren: Of Cadseem’s group, only he and Ren are the ones who were born in the city. This is the oldest of Cadseem’s group. They had known each other when they had chosen to steal the same object. They had fought over the object only to get caught. She had quickly brandished her shackles, and seeing Cadseem who was defiant to ask for help, freed him of his own shackles. Escaping she would run into him a few more times before they finally became accomplices in the same business. Ren has of late disappeared from Cadseem’s group for an unknown reason. Her fondness of Lial has presented itself with recent years.
Scar: As his past is rumored, he took a large Scar along the mandible of his face to the lower part of his ear, from his families debtors when they came to ‘Collect’. He was left without a house and home. He went wandering the street’s hungry until he came upon a group of hooded figure’s and seeing the boys inner potential for rage took him. They where the servants of Sark, and for many over a hundred years he was trained and sent on assassination missions. It wasn’t until a faithful run in with a man named Carashi had he broken free from the rage held within him. During the encounter, Carashi and his companion Niru had fended off him, and another of Sark’s servitude. During the battle Carashi had drawn a sword that shown like the sun, wiping out an array of colors so intense it was as if Karqen had become visible for the eye to see. During the confusion of battle his companion had retreated assuming him dead, as Carashi’s blade hit him with it’s bright light and he was able to see the corrupted thing he had become. Lost without a purpose he had soon found a need of his skills, a guild that kept the city in check. Anyone who though the politics of the noblemen ran the city, or the emperor was mistaken. Scar currently is part of Cadseem’s group, and with his assassination skills is their guild informant. Xia: Her past has made this woman hard and rash. She is gentle at times, however will not hold back reprimand someone of their stupidity or anything of which she might find lacking. She hates the empire with a passion and has a secret ambition linked with the empire, and the emperor. She see’s it as a vendetta and won’t stop on her path of personal bloodshed. Yusho: Is a village kid living in the Yurik region. He is not actually Yurik though he has been told other wise he knows he is not Yurik. He wonders what his parents where, and unknown to him, his mother was a Shi’kar, and his father was a Restine who fought against the empire as rebel’s at the beginning however died. His mother after child birth, and his father soon after in a surprise attack by the empire. Near his 18th birthday he met a man named Carashi, who dueled him and utterly defeated him with little effort. Intrigued by him and his companion, Niru he wished to train under them, and they seemed to except him for a reason unknown to him. He has never been introduced to Karqen. Lyzer: All her life she has grown up watched by her father Cain. She was kept out of most affair’s but she looks forward to the day her father will allow her into his circle so she may do more to help the empire. She’s been trained by the best trainers by Cain’s wishes, and her own. She seeks to prove that she is helpful to her father. She had been told since birth that Zilfer of Shadows was the killer of her mother. Emperor Cain: The title he goes by in the empire. Unknown to all but the higher ups, is that the Emperor is actually a Luster. More specifically he is the brother of Zilfer who forged a war against his brother and the Luster’s through hate and jealousy. He has a daughter named Lyzer who he has brought up with no mother claiming that Zilfer had killed her mother. Zilfer’s disappearance in the last battle of the war has left him wondering if his brother yet lives. He is engrossed with finding proof of Zilfer’s death that may never come. After 15 years his focus has narrowed down to the rebel’s believing that the Luster’s once again defy him and lead the rebels. Unknown to him his suspicions are correct, about it being lead by a Luster. Cain has warped the Kaddennah into thinking that he is the closest to god, even more then them. Their power seems to weaken in his very presence and they cannot access their own Kar. Tigaro wishes to achieve this level of power, and has become Cain’s right hand man, much to Cain’s amusement the reason for his effects upon the Kaddennah needn’t be searched for. His sword is made of a material that seems to nullify Karqen in the area. Yuri: A born luster and wielder of the blade of Sark. The corruption form the blade of Sark has diluted his mind so much that his past to him has become a living lie. Once a powerful luster commander serving under Zilfer as his best friend and ally, he fell when Zilfer bestowed upon him a sword of great power. Believing he could handle it’s dark pulls he thought nothing of it however during the war with Zilfer’s younger brother tensions grew high and the dark blade of Sark taking advantage of this twisted Yuri’s mind into killing his own family and in the aftermath corrupted his mind with hallucinations and illusions depicting Zilfer as his families killer. It the day before Zilfer engaged Cain’s armies at the luster’s capital, when Yuri driven by madness attacked Zilfer. He was defeated however Zilfer could not kill his friend and drove him off ripping forth a great rift of Karqen and sending him flying into it. Yuri searches the world with but one purpose, to find the barer of Light, and kill him. His friend Zilfer, had become his mortal enemy. As time goes on, Yuri’s mind becomes more and more unstable sometimes being prone to hallucinations….. Zilfer: This is the legendary man of the Lusters. He was the last leader of the Luster’s and only according to the imperial records he died at Chinine. This legendary figure hasn’t been seen since Chinine and was rumored to be the strongest person alive. He was named after the Luster Goddess of light.
Scenes to be included: "I am the Lord of Shadows and dust, Nigaru. I command the loyalty of no one." said Zilfer turning his back to Nigaru, whose gaze did not leave Zilfer's back. "Fitting that your name should be Zilfer Of Shadows among the empire." said Nigaru bitterly to the man he had always admired. It seemed that since Chinine things had only gotten worse for Zilfer’s confidence. Here stood a man with so much power, that if he wished it, he could probably have the world. All that he lacked was the will to use his power. Nigaru couldn’t blame him however. Losing a loved one had torn him so much that day that the earth had trembled with his rage. “This is not true, You know as well as I the Shimofuri Kishi live to this day hidden. Most await the call of their Lord. Their true Lord, not me. I have tried before to call our Luster brethren from the holes of society they have fallen to.” “Shimofuri Kishi is no more…… I disband them a long time ago… The Luster clan is doomed to be washed away in the history of this land. There is no great come back for us, we are but the end of the chains. The chains of our forefathers will not hold much longer I think.” said Zilfer finally turning back around, his eyes a majestic gold, seemingly like that of a golden bird perched on a branch eyeing those curious travelers who might wander across it. They reminded Nigaru of that at least. “When you stood before us on that battlefield. You told each of us, that we were free of our bonds which held us to the Luster clan, and that each of us may flee without fear of recompense. Did you not see that none of us left your side? You are wrong Zilfer, those are the ties that bind us. I may have been young then to not fully understand the situation, but I’ve had plenty of time to think about this.” Said Nigaru meeting Zilfer’s icy gaze with his own passionate gaze. He would rattle Zilfer’s frail cage to cut some deeper wounds open. He needed to know if Zilfer was truly lost to his cause. “As for the history of our clan, I’m sure we’ll be written into history. Even you Zilfer will be included. My only question to you is how you would like to be remembered? Do you wish to be known as the cowardly Luster clan leader who let his clan fall to ruin? Or do you have enough backbone to face your fears, and fight the empire.” Zilfer’s eyes flashed a vibrant violet, like evening sky at dusk. The light before the descent into the darkness of night. Nigaru could only think of a viper about to strike as he continued his barrage of words. In truth the words hurt him inside, but this had to be said, if not for himself and the people that he led, then for Zilfer. A smack to the face would be the only thing to get Zilfer’s attention it seemed. “As long as Tigaro remains on the battlefields my resistance has little hope of crushing the Kaddennah or the imperial army. Cain does nothing to inspire fear like that holy man Tigaro. His battle prowess is said to be the reason the Luster’s fell. Some are beginning to call him the bane of Luster. Pity he wasn’t there at Chinine.” said Nigaru choosing his words very carefully as Zilfer’s eyes only seemed to grow more intense. “You assume to much, Nigaru. It is not fear that binds me, oh no. You cannot comprehend the suffering I have sheltered from others unto myself. Don’t you dare bring up Flenoss again or I’ll be sure this rebellion of yours never sees the fruits of it’s labors.” spoke Zilfer in such a way that Nigaru mentally recoiled as if hit by a backlash. Zilfer’s eyes now glinted with crimson sparkles seemingly from the low dim firelight that lit the room, until at last encompassing his eye in a deep red, that reminded Nigaru only of demons. “You, and half this god forsaken realm is alive because of me. I have paid the toll of life, brought myself before the gates of death and been rejected. Do not think to tell me of what to do, when your just as ignorant as the man who sits upon the throne. Tell me, Nigaru. Do you know why Karin died so suddenly?” Nigaru was taken aback by the questioned posed to him. Was there some trick behind the question? What did Zilfer’s father had anything to do with this. It seemed that Zilfer had pulled a wild card upon Nigaru, and he would have to see were this lead. “You told me, just like everyone else that he caught ill and died.” said Nigaru remembering well the days that had gripped the Luster’s in grief. A shade of deep blue rippled across Zilfer’s eyes for a moment, before they turned a most stoic grey. Nigaru caught the momentary flicker for a second, seeing the blue as the deepest blue he had ever seen. He could have sworn at that moment Zilfer’s eyes had contained the tears of a thousand. If Nigaru had been able to capture that moment, he felt he would have been able to read into the soul of Zilfer. “You are mistaken Nigaru…. What killed Karin wasn’t illness. It was his own flesh and blood.” spoke Zilfer pausing for the briefest moment to let the meaning of the words click into Nigaru’s brain. “Impossible.” “It is I who killed Karin. He wished that the truth of his end be kept a secret from all. He asked me…… he asked me….. To… Kill him.” said Zilfer who seemed to stumble forward, his feet giving way slightly as Nigaru himself turned pale at the implications. “My father asked me to help him end his life. He made me swear to keep it a secret, and to right his wrongs. He believed…. That he had failed….” Nigaru gripped the side arm of the chair tightly, giving his knuckles a white tint as he waited for more. Nothing more came, and just as he was about to speak Zilfer looked up at him. Their eyes met for a long moment before Zilfer spoke again. “I’m sorry Nigaru, but for reasons of my own. I cannot, and will not join your rebellion. You just….. Wouldn’t understand.” said Zilfer turning and leaving the hut. Nigaru was stunned, the events of history couldn’t have been more twisted for him then this moment. The man he respected had killed his own father, lost his lover, destroyed his clan, and thrown himself into the pit of despair from which there was no escape. “Fate has not been kind to you my friend….” whispered Nigaru before slipping into a mild case of despair.
Scene 2: As the rain pounded the ground raining into puddles that would eventually flow over the edges of Chinine, making that vast plateau seem like a vast waterfall as the water rushed down the sides towards the base forming a mini lake upon the base of the imposing structure of nature. Zilfer’s drenched robes clung to his body chilling his body as he kneeled in a puddle and stared as if he had returned home from a long journey. In the distance through the haze of falling rain a white structure rose up appearing grey in the distance from the distortion of the rain. He could hear someone approaching, however he still did not move knowing who it was already. “It is as I told you before Zilfer Of Shadows, your path is that of destruction. Where ever you go your friends die and fall to ill fortune, But you have an Oath to fulfill. I know you’ve not forgotten it in your travels.” said a dark voice that seemed to reverberated behind him. He closed his eyes for a moment before standing up slowly pulling his hood back, his black hair clinging hanging down slightly in front of his face. His eyes iris was as black as night as he gazed at the source of the voice. His traveling companion Niru was currently possessed by the dark god Sark once more, and there would be no suppressing him this time. “I told you before, that I would see to it that you would leave my friend Niru, and you’d regret coming to this realm.” said Zilfer his voice like that of cold venom, as he looked over Niru’s body seeing his claw like hands, darkened skin, the morphed angular face of his friend, and the slight hunch he gained from this possession all as grotesque deformities. “You’ve taken my life from me bit by bit.” “The gods toy with many souls, do not take it personally, but I’m curious as to how you can do anything to me while I remain trapped within your friend’s body.” said Sark’s voice as it seemed to seep out from every direction instead of Niru’s mouth. “You cannot stop me Zilfer, and your petty attempts to glorify your resistance of me only delay the inevitable.” Zilfer seemed to ignore what Sark had said, and instead spoke in a list of sins that had surrounded his entire life and shaped him into the being he was. “My father stopped you, but at a price so high that he believed he could only repent by the death of himself. You drove my best friend into madness with your cursed blade, he met with the same fate as my father. My beloved Flenoss was stolen from me by your hand at this very spot…” Zilfer’s voice seemed to fade in and out until he fell very silent as laughter echoed through the empty plain of mud and puddles. “Your life is nothing compared to the will of gods, you mortals are nothing but toys, Tools for us to manipulate. You are nothing but infesting fleas living upon the face of a world where our powers coincide. You siphon our power like that of scavengers that seek the scraps of a meal long past. Do not try and use frivolous events to condemn me. I can see through the lies of men, and I am certainly beyond the understanding of you, selfish prick.” thundered the voice once again as the rain started to distort into shades of blackness. Soon the droplets seems to be made of that of melted obsidian, their reflective surfaces shining between both Sark and Zilfer. “Worst of all…. You’ve become a parasite to a body in which holds one of the kindest people I know. Fate is cruel to leave one such as you into Niru. Now Sark, god of Darkness, King of Wraiths and Shadows. I will command you to leave this realm, and in the name of all those who have come before me, I will take upon the burden which has held my friend’s shoulders down for many years. Prepare yourself Sark…. Your comfortable quarters within the mind of a gentle soul is about at an end, and you will soon find a much darker place to live.” spoke Zilfer some of his hair falling in front of his face as his iris turned a florescent white, and ripples soon began to flow outwards along the ground towards the edge of the plateau. The body of Niru threw its head back laughing, as it thundered through the persistent rain. His teeth, sharp and sinister were as white daggers waiting obediently in a master’s hand for the moment to strike. The claws seemed lax for the moment, however they twitched with anticipation of slicing through the flesh of the man before him. “You don’t seem to understand, your precious blade will not save you. Your precious god of Light has deserted you. She taunts you with the cathedral holding your beloved locked in time for all to see your greatest failure! Come now, Zilfer. You can’t really believe you can command me, let alone defeat me. Don’t be delusional. Even if you could will me into your body, and mind they would both break before my power. I drove your friend to madness with just my blades presence. What makes you any different than him?” asked Sark through Niru as his movements casual to the eye. It reminded Zilfer of an actor that had practiced a movement so long, that it became second nature and seemed to flow smoothly from one direction into another. “I’ve had enough of your games Zilfer. You owe me for the pact we made. I left your precious Niru in tact, and now I demand the prize of your victory over Yuri. Don‘t make this hard on yourself, this is your one chance to back down. Don‘t make me break you.” Dark tendrils began to physically manifest in Zilfer’s eyes as he saw Sark drawing upon a massive amount of J’nass Kar. His own response was to slowly reach up and over his shoulder to the sword now strapped to his back. “You’ve no idea the pain I’ve suffered, this world has created a demon which cannot lose. Ascended or not, you shall not be here much longer. Your dark meddlings are over.” said Zilfer as the blade exited the sheath slowly behind him as he carefully watched for sudden movement from Niru. “It’s a pity I’ll kill the person who could have become my best servant within this realm. You could have been powerful Zilfer, but your selfishness knows no bounds. Make peace with your sins Zilfer, for I’ll send you to your family when I take that blade.” came Sark’s low hiss, as the tendrils seem to surge quickly forward. “When I pass through your gates it shall only be for my beloved’s soul.” said Zilfer before preparing himself with a quick twirl of his sword. “You want the blade? Come and get it.”
* * * Niru found himself on the wet ground, his body sore like it had been drained of energy. His eyes were closed but he could feel the light rain trickling against his skin. Opening his eyes he found himself gazing at the temple on Chinine with a figure before him standing with a dark sword drawn, and after shifting his head to get a better view he noticed it was Zilfer turned around. “Zilfer…?” came Niru’s hesitant voice as there appeared to be something different about him at this moment. Somehow his presence was giving off a familiar dark aura. So familiar in fact that he almost immediately recognized it as Sark’s aura. “So your awake in the end…” said Zilfer who trailed off for a moment as he lifted a hand cutting the air with the sword of darkness, that Niru had seen Yuri wield so many times, and even controlled him on one occasion with. As it came down, a rift in the flow of Karqen split open and with a scream it began suck air into the rift. Zilfer grabbed his chest for a moment seeming to hold something within. Niru slowly sat up into a kneeling position as he watched Zilfer standing before the rift. “What’s happening? What are you doing Zilfer, you can’t play with the paths of Karqen like this. It could ruin the natural flow of Kar.” said Niru feeling a slight headache, which caused him to place a hand upon his brow. Zilfer dropped his hand from his chest, and Niru saw his hand was deformed into that of a darkened claw, as he slowly turned around. Niru’s eyes met Zilfer’s who’s eyes had become a black orbs reflecting the luster of the light around him. “You are free from Sark’s possession… Live the rest of your life well. You are one of the last of the Luster clan, Niru.” Zilfer began to fade backwards as he stepped backwards into the rift, and it began to close. “What do you mean, I am not a luster!” yelled Niru to Zilfer. His head was ringing, and he couldn’t focus enough to think, and his friends sudden departure was sending his mind racing so fast he couldn’t even keep up with what he was thinking. The rift slowly closed in reverse of the way it had been opened, slowly crawling upwards towards Zilfer’s face as he uttered the last thing he would say. “Farewell…. My son.” The portal to the realm of J’nass Karqen and the dark domain of Sark. Niru sat there staring at the place where Zilfer had been seconds before. His mind racing to catch up, until finally the sunlight broke through the clouds illuminating the cathedral in the distance were Niru focus was. His body began to tremble as the realization, as an unwillful spasms came over him. Falling forward and hitting his hands into the mud he cursed silently to himself. “Why… Why must I be the cause of so much of your pain? You’ve sacrificed enough for me. Why did you do this! It wasn’t your responsibility…. You should have left me to my fate so long ago! Damn the jester of fate. Zilfer deserved so much more for the life he’s lived, and in the end I could not lessen your pain….” said Niru as he pulled his fingers inwards scrapping dirt into balls upon the ground and clutching them until his knuckles turned white. “I’m sorry for the trouble and pain I’ve caused you…. Friend…. Carashi…. My father….. Zilfer.” He sat there unmoving as a figure dressed in purple approached his side kneeling and put a hand upon Niru’s shoulder. “Niru…. What happened? Where is Zilfer? I thought you said you were going to see him.” “He’s…. gone.” Yukiro looked up to the cathedral ahead as she looked back to Niru as he seemed to be trembling against her touch. She withdrew her hand as Niru looked to her with shining tears falling down his face. It hurt her to see him this way, but she understood that he had just lost a friend he had known most of his life. “He was my father, Yukiro…. And I never knew.” said Niru seeing the brief surprise in Yukiro’s face and then a second later her caring tenderness, and understanding. He felt that she was the only one in the world he knew and could trust now. He had loved her for the longest time but with Sark dwelling within him he did not allow himself to let that attachment grow, however his feelings overflowed in this moment, seeking for a source of comfort. “I’m sorry… I know he was important to you. Perhaps the most important person you knew…” said Yukiro as he touched her hand to Niru staring into his beautiful blue eyes for the first time in her life, it was safe to look into Niru’s eyes. “No, you’re wrong. You are the most important person to me, Yukiro.” said Niru looking back into her eyes. She came forward hugging him tightly before he learned how sweet the affection of a kiss could be. Niru stood up with Yukiro still in his hands as he looked up towards the clearing sky for a moment, and slowly began to lead Yukiro to go see the crystal tomb of Flenoss. He wondered what would become of Zilfer, but then remembered that whatever Zilfer faced, no one was more prepared then Zilfer. I’ll always treasure you as my greatest friend…. I’ll make sure this world never forgets the name…. Zilfer Of Shadows… Possible Scene: Looking down upon the item Niru had thrust into his hands he saw it was the necklace Niru always wore upon his neck. A familiar memory came back to him from the sight of the shining item within his palm that was shaped like a Z with a slash through the middle of it. He could still remember a day long ago. Zilfer had stared out upon a balcony into the sunny garden that held many flowers, and was well maintained. He could see Flenoss out in the garden with their child. She happily danced with their young one, to a tune she made with her beautiful voice. The child laughed and was blissful as she swung him in circles around herself. Zilfer’s necklace he had gifted to Flenoss swung with them barely gleaming in the distance. It was a symbol he had carried with him for many years, and having been made by his mother for him. Flenoss cherished it as a symbol of him opening up. He grinned softly as he watched them from afar. Now that necklace seemed to burn like the hot iron of a forge. His hand enwrapped around it as his body felt a surge of Kar fueled emotion. He had no were to direct this gathering of energy as it was wild and uncontrolled taking similar shapes to that of his barrage of emotions. Finally, he unleashed it all upon a wall of rocks creating a loud crash as rocks shattered flying in every direction…..
ADDITIONAL NOTES
GARJIN = Large Cat like creature.
Mark of Nime = A symbol in the shape of a Garjin that symbolizes the person being a child of the Mitsune god of Fire, Nime. They are often only able to wield Karqen Lynth.
Ras = The Mitsune who invented the procedure of ‘The Mark of Nime.’ Forshiku = A mysterious recessive gene found in rare individuals allowing them to have heightened senses of Karqen. Through smell, touch, and the other senses however it is mostly know for the ability to actually see the force of Karqen. Another thing noted about the people who have Forshiku is their eyes change color at will, mood, or what type of Karqen they use.
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Post by Zilfer Of Shadows... on Feb 19, 2010 13:46:49 GMT -5
Prologue: Lightning flashed in the air lighting up the armor of many that had lined up near a plateau and facing out into the haze of rain that was drenching them with the storm’s fury. A young man breathed out heavily. He was nervous and could see his breath in the cold weather. A soldier near him put a hand on the young man’s shoulder to try and calm him. “Don’t worry, it’s for Zilfer.” Said the soldier behind him, but the young man didn’t respond his eyes where fixed on the horizon as another group of men finally emerged from the haze stopping before them, their numbers where many times greater than theirs, and the young man knew this wasn’t going to end well. From their group one man stepped forward wearing his hood up, and he was cloaked in all back and no armor, he drew a sword that shown through the darkness as if the sun had just risen. It gave the rain a rainbow cast and then that figure put up a hand and the young man could feel a massive gathering of energy which was unleashed another second later……
CHAPTER 1: The Rogues Nigaru woke up suddenly his green eyes took in the site of his private tent, and he was sweating. He sat up from his bed and gazed at the entrance of the tent where sunlight was gently poring through. “It was that dream again….” Said Nigaru quietly to himself. He had been having the dream a lot lately, he remembered that day enough without being reminded in his sleep. Nigaru stood up looking in the mirror he had hung nearby his bed against a post that held up the tent. He saw a sleepy man with brown hair, bright green eyes, and a heavy expression looking back at him. He turned his attention away from the mirror when a man entered his tent. This man wore light leather from head to toe, and his features where very angular. With a bow slung around his back and a dagger hanging from his side he looked like a hunter. “Sorry to disturb you so early, Nigaru.” Said the man already apologizing “ but we have reports that the imperial army is moving in on our target. If we don’t make a move soon he could fall into the empire’s hand and we will lose a valuable asset. One of the only one’s who would be able to find Karin’s blade.” “So what are you suggesting Niight?” Asked Nigaru curiously. “I’m suggesting that we send a party to go extract him.” Started Niight, “This group has to be twenty of our best, just in case the Imperial Kaddennah show up. Also in case the target doesn’t come willingly.” “Alright assemble such a team, and I will accompany them.” Said Nigaru as he moved to a counter where his sword lay. He picked up the sword and attached it to his side and then looked at Niight who hadn’t said anything. He knew what Niight was thinking at this moment, he was the leader of the resistance, he shouldn’t take such a risk. “This man I need to meet personally Niight, you wouldn’t understand…… I need to know that it all wasn’t for nothing back then.” “I understand.” Said Niight turning to leave. As Niight exited the tent the flaps fluttered as he lightly brushed through them and Nigaru looked down at his blade and grabbed the hilt tightly, remembering the dark figure that had emerged drawing a crystalline sword that shown like the morning sun. “This can’t all be for nothing…. Too many lives have been lost to the empire and that monster Cain for us to fail.” Said Nigaru firmly….. * * * Two cloaked figures wondered through a forest heading for a village deep in the territory of Yurik people. One of the men stopped forcing the second man to stop as well. “Someone approaches.” Said the man, “should we avoid them, or see what they want, Carashi?” This man who had spoken wore a silverish blindfold over his eyes, and his voice was soft and calm. He appeared to hold a calm about his presence, as his hair was a light shade of grey. His cloak was dark as it lightly flapped in a slight breeze as did his rough silver hair, which was flung every which direction. The second man, apparently named Carashi spoke in response. “It’s up to you Niru, at least there not imperials.” Carashi spoke the last word as if it where something foul coming off his tongue. He wore a similar cloak with two blade sheath’s sticking out the back of the cloak. His long straight black hair hovered just about his face revealing a small portion of it through his cloaked head. Grey eyes stared out through them at the group approaching. His face seemed tired and grim. Niru and Carashi waited on the road as a group approached them and stopped before them. Each of the men who had showed up wielded a sword at their side and wore light armor. Both Niru and Carashi seemed unbothered with this, probably due to the fact that Niru wielded a sword of his own, and Carashi wielded 2 at his sides. A brief silence ensued as each group examined the other. Finally one of the men who had come with the group spoke. “What are you doing here in our forest?” asked the man. “Your forest? I didn’t know forests could be owned by a group of wandering idiots.” Spat Carashi back at them for their rudeness. “Your friend here better be careful how he talks to people, he might piss off the wrong people one day.” Said the man to Niru who he thought was more willing to listen to reason. “Forgive my friend here, but he doesn’t take kindly to strangers. He is my body guard, and goes where I go.” Said Niru trying to neutralize the situation as Carashi grinned underneath his cloak. “I am heading towards a nearby village to resupply on food, and maybe a little rest, could you direct us to where it is?” The man looked back into the forest and pointed in a general direction. “If you keep heading that way you’ll come to the village you’re looking for, be careful. The leader of that village doesn’t stand for tomfoolery, or rudeness.” “I’ll remember that,” said Carashi with a hint of sarcasm as he started to walk forward past the men. “Come on Niru.” Niru followed Carashi thanking the man who had shown them the direction as he passed by. Niru said nothing to Carashi about his rash behavior back there but he kept silent, he knew that their bond wasn’t that strong, and he was more of a burden to Carashi, then a friend. Soon after about 2 hours of walking they came to a village and Niru went off to buy food with what little money they had, and Carashi went to find them a place to rest. Carashi past a training ground and decided to watch some of the people training. Most he didn’t take notice of except for a young man, who had to be no more than 17 years of age. Carashi watched this one with interest as he fought 3 of what appeared to be fully trained men. The young man had very good skill with a blade compared to the others, and easily disarmed each man one by one and signaled a finishing blow to each of them before bowing to all three of them when he had won. As the young man went over to grab a towel to dry off the sweat from his face, he noticed Carashi looking at him and came over to Carashi. He had vibrant green eyes as well as messy brown hair. His figure appeared slim however it had muscle behind it, that could not be mistaken for anything else then swords play muscles. “You’re an outsider huh?” The young man said, before grinning “impressed by my skill?” “Not really, your wrist movements where mediocre but you fight like a baby tiger.” Said Carashi. The young man didn’t take this too well, his face was easy to read, and Carashi guessed it was always this easy to influence this man’s mood. “I bet I could take you easily as I took those three.” Said the young man confidently. “What’s your name kid?” Asked Carashi suddenly, this surprised the kid who was not expecting the question. “My name is Yusho, and if our too scared to fight me then don’t me ashamed… after all not just anyone can beat me.” Said Yusho who grinned his wide childish grin yet again. Carashi noticed the kid’s green eyes seemed to sparkle brightly like someone from his past, and the kid had short brown hair, wearing only light clothing probably to help him keep his speed in a fight. Carashi jumped the fence staring almost stoically at the kid. “I’m not afraid of a kid playing with a toy.” said Carashi “if anything you might learn something.” “Hmpf…. Whatever you say stranger, you’re going down, with your cocky attitude.” Said Yusho, who then started walking off to a clear area where he could knock some sense into this stranger. Carashi followed the boy named Yusho, and Niru then happened to be passing by and saw the look in Carashi’s eyes and the boy getting into a stance. “You don’t want to do this kid.” shouted Niru from the fence. “That your friend, stranger?” Said Yusho “Heh, too bad, I’m not going to take it easy on you even with your friend here.” “Are you going to talk me to death, or are you going to fight me?” said Carashi drawing the bottom sword of his. “I’ll only need one sword to beat you.” “Whatever, your funeral.” said Yusho confidently. Both of them stared each other down waiting, and suddenly Yusho rushed forward slashing downwards at Carashi, who dodged the blow easily, and Yusho followed up with a side slash trying to caught Carashi by surprise but Carashi’s blade was already up to block it. The clash of the 2 blades made a clang, and Carashi hopped back as Yusho tried to slash again. To Carashi, Yusho’s slashes where wild and untrained, they lacked focus and intent. His style shouted “kill me.” because it left him defenseless to any quick counter attack. Carashi seemed to disappear behind Yusho’s next slash a if he had vanished into thin air, but a second later a sword was placed at Yusho’s neck. “Nice try kid, but your too slow, and have no power behind your blows.” said Carashi. “You just got lucky!” Shouted Yusho who then spun around batting Carashi’s blade from his neck, and then impaled forward at Carashi’s chest. Carashi’s response was quick and decisive this time, he wasn’t playing around anymore. Yusho found himself without a sword because Carashi had batted it aside with a simple flick of his wrist and placed the tip of his sword against Yusho’s neck before he had a clue what had happened. “Don’t test me boy, you are nowhere near my skill.” said Carashi “I have never lost in my life.” “What’s your name stranger….?” asked Yusho curiously. “Z---Carashi,” Said Carashi, he had almost slipped with his real name, he hadn’t done that in a long time. If anyone knew his real name, everyone able to fight would be on him like moths to flame. His name had a bad reputation after all. Carashi turned and jumped the fence meeting Niru on the other side. “Did you get our supplies?” “Everything we need for our trip to Chinine.” said Niru quietly. “And wherever our journey takes us from there…..” “I’m not so sure that my journey continues after that.” Said Carashi solemnly. “You in some kind of trouble?” Asked Yusho who had snuck up on the conversation, and was eavesdropping. Carashi turned around looking at Yusho again, and Niru looked to face the boy who had approached them. Carashi finally put his sword back in it’s sheath with a sliding click locking the blade in place. “Do you have a death wish? I seem to remember beating you a few seconds ago…” said Carashi curious as to what the boy was thinking about eavesdropping on their conversation. “Excuse him, he’s not the most friendly when it comes to strangers. Especially when talking about…. “sensitive matters.”” Said Niru. “However, it is not polite to eavesdrop on strangers conversations. “Sorry for eavesdropping but you’re the first one to come into town and defeat me in a long time.” Started to explain Yusho “And you have even more power than that, I wouldn’t be surprised if you could use magic.” “And when did magery become rare?” asked Carashi curiously. “This village doesn’t teach those without a high adept in magic, and thus I know slim to none…” said Yusho regrettably. “And what of it?” asked Carashi. The Young boy Yusho hesitated thinking over his response before speaking again. Carashi’s mood hadn’t been a pleasant one the whole time he had met Yusho so he was unsure if he really wanted to ask his next question. Yusho took a deep breath before responding. “Can you train me to be as strong as you?” asked Yusho who was already expecting a backlash from Carashi. Niru looked at Carashi who seemed to be thinking for a moment with a difficult decision. This surprised Niru, was he actually considering taking the boy with them? Yusho noticed Niru’s glance and wondered why he wore the blind fold if he could see…. Or maybe he was blind but didn’t like to show it, he had heard of many tales of sages that had gone blind and surpassed their eyes with their other senses, sometimes having a better sense of things then any person with eyes. Carashi suddenly motioned for Niru to follow him for a moment. Niru followed Carashi a little ways away from the boy, as if he could see Carashi motioning him over. “Are you really thinking of taking him with us Carashi?” asked Niru who was wondering what his friend could be thinking. “I mean the boys got potential, I’m not denying that.” “Zitch.” Said Carashi enacting the spell of no hearing, this made sure that Yusho couldn’t hear them. It involved controlling the vibrations of the air and the word ‘Zitch‘ was to test the vibrations of the air. “If we travel with the boy, we will be less conspicuous.” “So…… you’re going to use him?” Asked Niru gaining a slight understanding of what his guardian was thinking. “In a sense, he wanted training did he not?” Asked Carashi curiously, “It would be the only way we could train him anyways.” “You do have a point…… but….” Trailed off Niru. “Good, then we take the boy with us.” Stated Carashi. “Alright, he reminds me of what a younger you might be… except, less cold.” Said Niru to Carashi. Carashi didn’t respond directly to Niru, as he repeated the enchantment he had thrown up around the area, and then turned looking back at Yusho who had a bit of a worried look on his face. He had watched their body language and feared the worst, but then again, what was the worst that could happen? Them not training him? Was that such a bad thing? “We’ll train you, but you have to travel with us while you train.” Said Carashi cutting into the thoughts of Yusho, who snapped out of it quickly as if he was used to being interrupted in mid-thought. “Understood, I need to gather some things, but I’ll meet you at the other end of the village.” Said Yusho starting to rush off towards his hut. “Wait, if anything happens, you are to go to the village exit, and wait for me and Niru there. If you don’t make it there before us, then we are leaving you behind.” Said Carashi, he was used to being in the game of “Cat and mouse”. Yusho waved back signaling that he had heard Carashi, as he ran off quickly disappearing behind the turns of the huts lined out everywhere among the village. “Why do I get the feeling we’ve picked up a hopeless…..” Muttered Carashi. “Well at least he’ll brighten up the trip.” Said Niru, with a hint of glee. Carashi resisted the temptation to turn around and look at Niru weirdly. He only commented once more on the subject before dropping it. “That’s only if he doesn’t get killed by the empire first.” Carashi, and Niru headed out to find the rest of their supplies, in the middle of this Niru heard the clanking of footsteps. Even from the distance of 100 yards he could hear them clearly and over the travel of normal folks. “Carashi… your right, about 200 paces behind us. Imperials…..” Said Niru in a low voice to Carashi. “Keep your head down and stay low. Let’s hope they pass this town right by.” Replied Carashi who was pretending to be looking at additional goods, as the soldier’s came by and headed straight for what Carashi would assume was the main hut of the village. From out of the hut came 10 warriors, and a woman dressed in dark blue clothing from head to toe, and she held out a hand stopping the rest of the warriors proceeding. “What does the empire want here,” Asked the woman who directed the questions at the front line of soldiers. A soldier stepped forward, that was different from the grimy steel armor of the imperial army’s convert soldiers. This was polished silver, shining brightly in the light of the sun, almost giving his armor a glow of pure white. “We come to speak to the chief of this village, we are offering the people of Yurik, to come out of the forests of their homeland and prosper within the empire.” Spoke the soldier who was obviously the missionary of this group of imperials. “Great… they aren’t satisfied with the other clans, the empire’s reach is growing.” Carashi muttered underneath his breath. “And what would we do in this empire of yours…. knight of the emperor?” Asked the woman curiously, but when Carashi looked at the scene before him, he saw there was no curiosity in her eyes, but spite that the offer had even been made. “People of this Yurik village would enjoy all of the pleasures that our citizens enjoy. Your sons would help protect the empire, and serve our good emperor,” declared the messenger. The woman spat on the ground in front of the messenger, before speaking. Carashi grinned a bit, whoever she was Carashi liked her for standing up to the empire, though it might get dangerous in just a moment. “The Yurik people do not want to be part of the empire, you can take that straight back to the emperor for all I care, and our leader doesn’t wish to speak with scum as low as you!” Said the woman with fury in her eyes. “She’s a fiery one isn’t she….?” Said Niru “But this might turn out bad, looks like your insight is paying off…. As always…..” He was of course referring to that fact he had told Yusho to hurry and gather his things. “Where ever we go the Empire is usually right behind us.” Muttered Carashi trying not to seem too obvious that he was watching the scene unfolding before them. The messenger was clearly holding back his anger as he took a few moments to gather himself. “Surely you do not openly defy the emperor..” Started the messenger “As such would be an act of war.” This threat didn’t seem to faze the woman at all; she continued her cold stare that seemed to boar into the messenger’s skull. “We respectfully decline your offer.” said the woman in the very flat tone of voice. “That is…. Regrettable.” said the messenger “I had hoped to end this quickly without violence.” As the messenger finished his sentence he ducked as the front line of his soldiers shouted a word in union unleashing a pure wave of magma that shot out to the woman and her warriors. “Misleading bastard!” Whispered Carashi under his breath as he quickly shifted his hand to the hilt of his lower sword. Carashi began to draw his sword but a hand met his stopping him from drawing a sword here. The only thing that surprised Carashi more than the hand stopping him was the source of the hand. Niru had stopped Carashi from drawing his sword which with just a few inches showing, glowed with a faint light. “No need to reveal ourselves to the empire yet.” Said Niru whispering lowly as he gazed forward at the scene in front of them. Carashi looked back and saw that a shield had risen up to protect the warriors and the main hut. A man from the large hut emerged slowly with a bronze staff that was glowing yellow like the color of the shield in front of him. The magma seemed to cling to the shield slowly sliding down the barrier, until it hit the ground scorching it and disappearing. “I suggest you leave messenger of Cain.” said the old man in a steady and commanding voice while he swung his staff in a small arc lowering the shield. The warriors and the woman moved off to the side to make way for the old man to pass. “I was worried you weren’t going to show…” said the messenger putting his hands behind his back and under his breath muttered a simple word without appearing to move his lips. “this will be much easier, just taking you out!” A spark suddenly leap from the messengers hands and then he unleashed a concentrated fray of lightning at the old man. For a split second it appeared the old man would do nothing and take the hit full force, however the old man’s body became fuzzy and seemed to multiply upon itself showing 3 intertwined images of the old man as the lightning soared through him and instead hit a support beam splintering the wood up and down the beam. As this happened the man seemed to disappear only to reappear seconds later next to the messenger swinging his staff low knocking the messenger off his feet and then slammed him down to the ground, using the end of his staff. “Leave now.” Stated the elderly man simply in a non commanding voice, that seemed peaceful enough, yet somehow it held the presence of authority. The elderly man pulled his staff from the messenger’s chest, putting it off to his side as the messenger rose brushing himself off and looking at the old man that had bested him. Carashi watched as the old man’s golden gaze was placid like a lion about to pounce on his prey. He had no doubt that the man could do such a thing. There was an aura about the man which made the imperial messenger a bit skittish, and both Niru and Carashi could feel the power emanating from him subtly. Grinning at the man’s feeble attempts to intimidate the elderly man. “The emperor commands that you yield to his laws.” said the messenger as he placed a hand upon his gold hilt which was sheathed down his side to a rather large sword. Carashi himself would have acted violently to such a display of arrogance, but thankfully the old man handled the matter with more finesse. “My village is outside the boundaries of your empire.” came the man’s reply as the light seemed to flash in his eyes, which reminded Carashi of the eyes of a young youth long ago that he had taught. “I believe you have to send an ultimatum from an envoy.” If it hadn’t been for the old man speaking once again, his memories would have over thrown his mind and sent him into a shadow of his past. Niru picked up a small fruit as if examining it before setting it down and turned to Carashi whispering. “It seems this old man knows how to play the empire’s games.” The messenger was stunned for a moment as his mouth drooped open slightly, and the woman from before quickly flashed in her own answer before the man could formulate a reply. His men remained motionless behind the messenger for they knew a slaughter could erupt at any moment. “Your previous actions as guests in our village could be considered acts of war… perhaps we should consult Shimo?” asked the woman who had apparently gathered herself from her earlier temper. Anger showed clearly upon the messenger’s face as she finished her sentence. He looked like he had just taken a personal slap to the face from her as he held up a clenched fist towards her. “You only delay the inevitable….” came the reply that in Carashi’s eyes was a sad attempt of a man who had been bested at his own game. There came no challenge to his words, and with no utterance left to challenge his small authority, he was forced to retreat. As they faded into the distance Carashi whispered to Niru once more. “We should get moving, things will probably get ugly here quick.” said Carashi as he began to turn around only to find the guards previously guarding the old man surrounding them. ‘Blast my mouth…..’ thought Carashi as he prepared to battle. Niru almost upon second nature spoke to Carashi. “Don’t, we don’t need you know who to rear his ugly head.” said Niru as he let his hands drop to his side and saw Carashi follow suit. His friend was tense and knew that Carashi could act rashly at times, but it was always in the best interests of himself. “And just who are you two? Imperial spies left behind to slit our throats when our defenses are down? Think again, I personally know everyone within this village.” said the woman turning her attention away from the fleeting soldiers, who were over now hundreds of yards away. Both men got a good look at her semi long blond hair, and blue eyes that seem to pierce with the fury of a lioness. Her suit was made of light cloth and only held slight armor on the shoulders as well as leg and arm bracers. “I suggest you surrender your arms personally so we can question you.” Carashi let out a sharp and quick scoff that sounded someone like a hollow wood stick hitting something hard before speaking himself. “Try and take my weapons and you’ll find yourself in a mess you won’t be able to dig yourself out of.” said Carashi lashing back with his sharp tongue. Besides him, Niru sighed for a moment, it was hard to keep Carashi from causing trouble were ever they went however it seemed he was becoming bitter the closer they got to their destination. Niru knew the reason for Carashi’s anxiety, as they drew closer to Chinine. It was the first time he had been back there in fifteen years. It appeared as if the woman had a rebuttal for Carashi however she was cut off by the elderly man who had warded off the others. “Don’t be so hasty to cast blame and doubt Xia, these two are not with them.” said the old man. The woman, Xia seemed to change faces in an instant. “Forgive me father.” she said as she turned an apologetic look towards the two. “It’s been hard recently, I’m not quite on my best manners today.” A smile flowed from her mouth giving off the impression that they had just been having a pleasant conversation, that she had found amusing. “Please sir, we are just wanderers who drift here and there.” said Niru saying the usual story that he had repeated so many times he was almost beginning to believe it. The old man stared for a moment, but not at Niru. His gaze remained locked upon Carashi, and Carashi’s gaze was locked upon the old man as well. Had he missed something? Was there some silent signal that had started what appeared to be a private conversation played out with their eyes instead of their mouths. “Xia, please go fetch some food for our guests, we have much to discuss over some well deserved food.” said the old man, and Carashi dropped his hood, at this. His black hair falling loosely at his sides. “It would be an honor to dine with that of Garn.” The old man nodded; with a smile. He motioned with his hands for the guards to stop surrounding the two men and let them pass. This perked Niru’s interests, just what was going on here, and how did Carashi know this man? Had they met before? If so, then where they friends or should he be worried. ‘There’s only one way to find out.’ Thought Niru as he followed Carashi into the main hut made of a grand assortment of wood and dropped his hood.
* * * Yusho had rushed home to his hut, and gathered his supplies that he would need in training, which was his sword from the practice ring, and from underneath his bed he pulled up an item wrapped in cloth. Slowly unfolding it, he revealed a sleek sheath made of a vibrant blood, red material. Upon the golden hilt was an insignia of some sort of animal that resembled a large cat. As always, Yusho took a moment to absorb in the blade’s beauty. He had gotten this blade on his fourteenth birthday from the village leader’s daughter Xia. She was a nice lady, but her temper was something you never wanted to see. Yusho was glad to have someone watch out for him, she was the one who had originally gotten him interest in swords play, however no matter how much he begged he could not get her to reveal the secrets of Kar, or as some common folk would call it, Magic. Xia had gifted this blade to him, because it had belonged to his father before him. Whenever he looked at it, he felt some connection to his parents knowing that someday he would make his parents proud wherever they may have gone after death. Wrapping up the sword he put it on his back, underneath a pack where he had packed food supplies to last him a few weeks. He now stood at the doorway looking at his room as if prolonging his goodbye. This place had been his home, and as much as he wouldn’t like to admit it, he had grown attached to this place. “Goodbye old life.” muttered Yusho under his breath as he turned his back and walked out the door. As he looked up he saw the sky was starting to become dark. ‘Seems I took longer than I thought I would,’ thought Yusho to himself as he began to move through the village. ‘They better not have left without me.’ Yusho came upon a group of imperials who were waltzing through the village, with their blades drawn. Yusho’s mood turned grim as he watched them push an elderly woman aside, onto her feet and continued on like they had only brushed against a slight breeze. As they approached him, he spoke up while stepping out in front of their way. “Hey, there’s no need for that.” said Yusho to the man leading the troop, however words weren’t exchanged. Yusho was surprised as the man grasped his shirt and flung him into a barrel as he signaled for the soldier’s behind him to move out. Yusho estimated at least ten rows of eight people, before they split up through the village at the man’s command. “We’ve received orders from Tigaro to destroy all opposition.” said the commander, whose voice resounded through metal armor, making his voice sound a bit hollow. “Burn this village to the ground.” It was after this that Yusho felt a sudden heaviness in the air as it became hard to breath for a moment, and the man unleashed a stream of fire upon a house. An attack on his village was just beginning. Yusho stood up ready to engage the man in armor however he hesitated for a moment, remembering that Carashi, had told him if there was trouble to meet on the edge of town, but could he really just leave his village to this fate? The answer was no, he would fight to defend his village. Stepping forward once again he drew his father’s sword from the sheath, it’s blade glowing in the firelight. “You don’t seem to hear too well, I said there’s no need for any of that.” The commander halted for a moment turning to regard Yusho for a moment, before giving off a slight chuckle. “Come now kid, if you don’t want to die, I suggest you put down your little toy.” said the commander who reached behind him grabbing a hilt and pulled out a broadsword, before pointing it at Yusho. “Your big sword doesn’t scare me, and neither does your fire tricks.” said Yusho smirking for a moment as he twirled his blade stepping forward in a lunge, before pulling back in his feint as the commander went to block high. Yusho saw his opening and went for it lunging again low, only to meet the metal of the commander’s sword a moment later. “Fire tricks huh? I have more than tricks to show you, you little prick.” said the man throwing Yusho’s blade back with sheer strength and knocking Yusho off balance. Yusho was able to recover only just in time to catch the man’s counter attack as it swept from the side. The slash from the side, even though it was blocked forced Yusho to the side as the vibrations reverberated up his arm beginning to numb it. Yusho quickly retreated back a few steps to put distance between him and his opponent, so he could formulate a plan. The commander put the sword upon his shoulder confidently. “This is your last warning squirt; I won’t be giving you anymore second chances.” His voice was barely auditable over the sound in the background as an eruption of sound burst forth. Swords began to clash in the distance, and houses began to fall over, burst apart. Screams and yells of the wounded began to fill the air, which sent a wave of fear into Yusho. The commander noticed the tint in Yusho’s eyes, having seen it many times on the battlefield were a soldier’s mind would just begin to comprehend what was going on. He took no time in asserting his advantage, heaving his mighty blade above his head he slashed downwards at Yusho. “Your end will be quick.” As he saw the blow coming towards him, Yusho couldn’t help but stare in wonder for a moment, not quite processing the threat until the last minute. He drew up his blade with a sudden burst of strength and sparks flew as the blades collided. “It seems your just full of surprises, can you manipulate Karqen? Or is this just a fluke? Either way your blade is definitely worthy of a famous smith.” said the commander as he withdrew from Yusho’s blade that was now enflamed. Yusho wasn’t quite sure what the man meant by Karqen but he could feel his body begin to tire as he stood there. The blade before him was enflamed, and Yusho knew that somehow he had subconsciously dwelled into magic, but there was no time to guess at how he had done it, and he charged forward at the man slashing his sword. Debris blasted between them, as a hut was torn into small pieces as a fiery explosion erupted. Yusho yelled as he slashed his blade at the man who lifted his blade only to have his blade melt upon contact as Yusho’s sword continue down and slash through the man’s armor melting it open and wounding the man. “Curses, that blade is too powerful for a novice like you.” said the man backing up as he held his chest, for a moment. Yusho wasn’t sure how deep the wound was because the man’s hand was in the way, however there was no blood form the wound. He was confident now that the man could not block his attacks however. “Don’t blame the blade if you can’t beat me.” said Yusho mockingly as he twirled his blade to the side. “Now, it’s time for me to teach YOU a lesson about when to give up.” Rushing forward he slashed horizontally at the man, however he met nothing but air as his opponent dropped faster then he would expect a wounded man to move, just underneath his blade. In the next moment he found himself traveling through the air, as his jaw stung from a metal gauntlet connecting with his chin. He landed flat on his back sending a short spasms of pain through his body before he looked up. “One thing about fire my friend, is it cauterizes the wounds.” said the man in armor as he threw off his helmet revealing a face with many scars across his cheeks and brow. His eyes were green, and his hair short and brown, as he looked at Yusho. “Too bad no one ever taught you a thing or to about how real men fight.” The man gathered his hands together, and an orb of fire began to form around his hands. The air began to become thick once again, and Yusho could swear he almost felt the air itself burning. “I’ll show you a technique not to many people get to see. Dragon’s Roar.” came the commanders voice as from the red orb burst the shape of a fiery dragon that sailed straight for Yusho. He braced himself for excruciating pain, but instead only heard a loud sound of sizzling. Daring a look he saw a wall of water had formed in front of him out of no were, along with a woman. “It’s time for you to back off Yusho, let the village guards handle this like we were trained to do. You did a pretty good job keeping this one busy.” said Xia as she swished her hand in two arcing movements to bring the water wrapping around her like a serpent. Yusho was amazed at this, as he looked to the side were his blade had fallen. The sword was now extinguished, from the previous fires that had danced upon it’s edges. “What are you doing you foolish boy? Get out of here, this is no place for children.” said Xia as the commander now turned his attention to Xia. Yusho hesitated for another moment, giving thought to help Xia however he realized he would just be a hindrance in a magical battle, and he retreated heading for the meeting place, the mysterious man Carashi had told him. He ran through the streets’ avoiding people, and dodging those running the other direction. By the time he had arrived at the location he saw no one there, and despaired for a moment. Perhaps they had already left without him, and not waited. “Dam nit, where the hell are they?!?” exclaimed Yusho. A hand dropped onto Yusho’s shoulder for a moment, with a familiar voice accompanying it. “If you had taken any longer Carashi was going to leave you.” said the voice as he turned to see Carashi’s traveling companion and Carashi himself standing with his arms folded. “Perhaps, now that he’s here we can be getting ourselves out of this mess before trouble comes.” said Carashi critically unfolding his arms and beginning to walk out of the village into the forest. A large roar erupted from the center of the village as a monster of no less than twenty feet arose in a fury. Yusho looked as it began to destroy his village and then desperately at the two leaving the village. Surely these two could help defend the village. “Your just going to leave my village like this? Are you both so heartless that you would let innocents die?” asked Yusho desperate for their help. “You can’t really expect me to leave now.” Carashi’s cool complexion turned to face Yusho. “I’m not going to fight in battles I cannot win.” he said simply, in a stoic voice as if Yusho should obviously know the answer to his own question. Carashi seemed rather annoyed with Yusho’s behavior at the moment, and it inferiorities Yusho. “Surely, the skill you showed in the match against you could save many lives and save this village!” cried Yusho aloud as Carashi resumed his pace. “How can you turn a blind eye to his situation?” “Save the village? I cannot save this village…. It is doomed. They defied the Empire and thus they will be destroyed, or brought to heel. If I were to help this village by warding off these invaders I would only be signing the village up for a death, for the empire will only send in more troops, and heavens forbid if they send a Kaddennah unit.” Said Carashi turning to Yusho once again. This was the first time Yusho noticed the fire from the village behind him, burning within Carashi’s eyes, giving them a crimson red hue. “If you want to live you will come with us…… today is the day that the village of the great Sage Sarn will fall.” Yusho was dumbstruck; they had had problems with the empire before, but nothing like war. It would be impossible to win against something so vast, and he turned to look at his village helplessly for a moment before turning back to the two who stood before him. “The reinforcements are almost here Carashi… we need to move.” said Niru as he turned to look at Yusho seemingly through his blindfold. “Come with us, Yusho. You will find nothing back there but suffering.” “And if its revenge you want, then you’ll need the training we can offer.” added Carashi, waiting for Yusho’s response. He seemed to stay there thinking. ‘Today has been hell…’ thought Yusho as he looked up to Carashi and Niru with fierce determination. “I will make them pay.” Carashi smirked for a moment, and they headed into the forest fleeing from the fires that began to smoke into the sky as the chaos of battle continued to rage on…
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Post by Zilfer Of Shadows... on Feb 19, 2010 13:47:25 GMT -5
Chapter 2: The Mark of Nime
Yusho looked back for what must have been the hundredth time since he had left the village two nights ago. The smoking in the distance had finally faded an there was no more signs that his village had been attacked, however he couldn’t help but feel the burning sensation to turn back and find out what had happened. During the two days, they had traveled in silence for the most part, neither of his traveling companions being very talkative. This had give himself the unfortunate opportunity to look over his decision to leave in the heat of battle. Xia had told him to stay out of this affair and let them handle it however he still felt some responsibility to fight and protect. He had no family there, but the villagers had treated him nicely enough, even though he wasn’t widely liked, most people showed him kindness in some way. Yusho’s thoughts came to an end as he abruptly ran into the backside of Carashi, how had stopped in walking suddenly. He almost fell over for he wasn’t expecting to run into something as solid as Carashi. “This place is good.” said Carashi, looking around a small meadow encompassed by tree’s with semi tall grass growing where ever the sun touched. Carashi threw a small pack down walking out into the grass seemingly observing the ground for a moment before turning to Yusho as if he was expecting something. “Good for what?” asked Yusho wondering why they had stopped all of a sudden to rest. Traveling the first few days he realized they didn’t take very many breaks. Carashi even insisted upon eating while they walked, which Yusho’s feet didn’t agree with Carashi’s schedule at the end of the day. “Why did we stop?” Niru seemed to have a bemused look on his face as he put a hand on Yusho’s shoulder as he passed. “It seems Carashi’s finally in the mood to complete his end of the bargain.” said Niru heading over to a nearby tree just on the edge of the shade to relax. “Bargain? What…” started Yusho who was slightly caught off guard, his brain having been on other matters prior. Then all at once the memory came flooding back to him, that he had wanted to learn magic. A rush of excitement came over Yusho as he let out a breath. “Oh…. I remember now.” Heading out into the grass he threw his pack to a nearby tree carelessly making a loud thump that disturbed a few birds into taking flight nearby. Yusho stood before Carashi about four paces from him as Carashi’s grey eyes gazed into Yusho, but there seemed to be a twinkle of blue within adding a spark of life to Carashi’s eyes that surprised Yusho. Silence ensued between Yusho and Carashi who uttered not one word since Yusho had stepped into the grass. ‘What am I supposed to do…. Read his mind?’ thought Yusho starting to get impatient. Why was he delaying teaching him magic? Was there some ritual of some sort he needed to go through before being able to call upon mystic wonders, that could summon monsters, float items, and destroy enemies with a single flick of the wrist? Impatience finally, getting the better of Yusho he opened his mouth to speak but was immediately silenced by a hand of Carashi’s coming up in front of him. “Shh…. Do not speak, this is the first part. It was taught to me a long time ago and it will help you if you can ever remember. You have an inner part of you below the surface that can remain placid in moments of need.” said Carashi slowly talking so that Yusho could absorb all the knowledge being passed to him. “Before I teach you magic, I want you to be able to master this control. I want you to close your eyes, and clear your mind.” “So like meditation?” asked Yusho who received a swift kick to the back of the legs forcing him to kneel down. “Clear your mind.” stated Carashi simply as he walked around Yusho observing him. Carashi saw that Yusho was a bit annoyed at first, and definitely got over the fact that he had been kicked less than a minute. His face relaxed and Carashi allowed him to drift for a moment and then another swift kick landed upon the side of Yusho’s arm. Yusho hadn’t been expecting it and leaned to the side catching himself with one hand and turned to Carashi with a look that clearly showed he hadn’t cleared his mind for long. “What was that for!?” yelled Yusho, only to receive a smack to the head from a twig Carashi had picked up while stalking around him. “Clear your mind. I don’t want ANYTHING, to pull you out of this state of mind. You should be able to hold this up in battle. You are less likely to make mistakes, and in this state of mind you will be able to make the correct decision.” said Carashi, as he resumed walking around Yusho. “Now try again.” Yusho sighed, trying to shrug off the pain of the blow. He began to feel relaxed once again, and the pain was starting to fade. A twig poked him sharply in the back pushing him forward, but he allowed himself to bob back as he tried to ignore Carashi’s torments. Soon a kick to the chest sent him backwards slightly and he gritted his teeth from the pain as he forced himself back up in a kneeling position. His expression faded. Yusho began to get used to the barrage of attacks and not reacting to them. It was annoying, however his determination to learn magic was stronger than his frustration. Just when he thought he had won he felt a burning sensation on his hand and it grew too hot to ignore. He jumped yelping as he withdrew his hand from the source. Carashi had caught his hand aflame and was dangling it below Yusho’s hand, burning it. “Ouch, that hurt. You did that on purpose! I was calm.” accused Yusho as he crossed his arms while bringing his burn hand’s fingers up to his mouth to suck on slightly to momentarily null the pain. “Good, you can deal with pain well enough without reacting with anger. That is something even some of the most skilled swordsmen and warriors cannot claim.” said Carashi as his hand slowly fluttered out of fire, as if put out by some invisible wind. “When you find yourself in a touch situation, remember to find your center.” “Yeah…” muttered Yusho bitterly, knowing that Carashi didn’t have to do burn his hand to get that point across. He saw that Niru was in the corner smirking slightly. Apparently this was both humorous to them. ‘Well fine, let them have their humor for now. I’ll become greater then either of them, you watch.’ “You did very well Yusho, not even I was able to withstand so much abuse without reacting. I must commend you on your effort.” said Niru who seemed sincere in his words. Yusho felt guilty now having questioned these two’s intentions. They had agreed to teach him magic, not play around with him, these two men wouldn’t be the kind to just toy with a young man’s spirit. “So when do I get to learn actual magic?” asked Yusho his curiosity renewed, and his attentiveness turned back to Carashi who was gazing off into the sky as a cloud passed over the sun. He looked at Yusho, and it was the first time Yusho truly noticed that Carashi’s eyes did not stay the same color like most people. Now Carashi’s eyes held a bright yellow, like the leaves of autumn just before the leaves start to fall and liter the ground with an uncountable amount of leaves. “First of all your going to learn it’s true name. Don’t ever call it Magic again. It’s true name is Karqen. In an ancient language spoken long ago, this meant ‘The Path’ which is more fitting then some frivolous term such as magic. Whoever came up with such a word should have their heart pierced with an arrow and then hung at the gallows.” “Karqen?” “Or Kar for short, as it is often called. Karqen or Kar, flows all around us but is not visible to the normal eye. It whips past your hair, past the tree’s, and into your lung even now. Knowing this however is useless if you cannot manipulate it to do what you want.” “Just what IS Kar then?” asked Yusho wondering what the source of Kar was. It was Niru who spoke this time. “There are many theories about what Kar is. Some say it’s an energy force used to bend the rules of reality to the shaper’s will. Some say it’s a gift from the gods, to be used by those worthy. I believe however, the same as other strong Kar users that Kar flows from different planes of existence. Kar happens to transcend into both realms at the same time linking us like pathways, and that is how many scholars believe that gods can interfere with mortal affairs. It is through these ‘pathways’ that the God’s can enter our plain of existence, if but for a short time.” “Gods? Do you mean to tell me they are real and not some made up story just to tell little ones before they go to bed at night?” came Yusho’s immediate reply. “They are far more real then you can imagine, Yusho.” said Carashi who glanced over at Niru, and they shared a prolonged glance. Yusho suspected these strangers knew more than they were letting in on, however more answers would come in time, Yusho guessed. “So what does this have to do with me?” asked Yusho as he returned his attention back to Carashi so that they could move on. The wait and prolonged knowledge was killing him with anticipation. “Whether the power comes from gods, the mind, different plains of existence won’t change how I use it.” “True, but it is something to think carefully about. Now it’s time to figure out what Kar flows through you.” said Carashi walking forward and outstretching a hand partially covered by a fingerless glove onto Yusho’s forehead. “What you mean ‘Which Kar flows through me?’ I thought you said you believed Kar flowed between this place and another realm. Doesn’t that mean all Kar is the same?” came Yusho’s mind as he tried to grasp an understanding of what was being said to him. “You have too many questions, just shut up and let me concentrate.” uttered Carashi who seemed to stare into Yusho’s forehead. This awkward moment continued on for a time, leaving Yusho in yet another uncomfortable silence. He gazed into Carashi’s eyes wondering what he was looking for, and if this was some kind of joke. ‘Could he really read my forehead? Nonsense!’ was his first thought yet here he stood unmoving and silent. Yusho noticed the phenomenon he had seen earlier with Carashi’s eyes. They seemed to change colors, shift from one to another and fade in and out so frequent he thought it almost had a rhythmic pattern to it. The eyes weren’t natural, and Yusho’s initial instinct was to pull away however, Carashi’s hand kept him firmly in place. “Please don’t move, I’m watching the Kar’s reaction to you.” said Carashi his grip tightening and then as if nothing had happened he let go, and his eyes faded back to a dull grey. Carashi looked disappointed for some reason. ‘Had he seen something wrong? Can I not use Kar?’ thought Yusho as his mind raced with worries. “It seems you can learn only three types of Kar. Lynth, Mura, and Nart are your Kars.” said Carashi sighing for a moment before continuing. “I understand now why they did not wish to teach you, Kar….” Carashi walked over to a tree and put a hand to it before looking back at Yusho whose face was hardened. Carashi knew, that the boy was expecting rejection, he had gotten it probably all his life in one form after another. He would have to tell the boy, a little of his heritage before Yusho would really understand his situation. “You’re not really from the village you live in are you… for that matter you’re not even a true Yurik.” said Carashi stating the truth as if he had read into the soul of the universe, strangled it by the throat and then spilled forth the bowels of truth. The only reply Carashi needed was Yusho’s eyes widening for a moment and then hardening. Carashi understood that it was shameful to claim to be another clan if your origins stated otherwise. “I will not condemn you, Yusho. Fear not judgment from me for in this I am similar to you. I assume you may know of your origins and what clan you really are however, just in case I will impart this knowledge upon you.” “You are most definitely from the clan Mitsune, and your homeland would be the deepest reaches of the empire. The Mitsune is probably the most greedy of the four clans. Many years ago a Mitsune found a way to force you to have a certain type of Kar. He believed that he could turn all the Mitsune into followers of Nime, their god of flame. His name was Ras, and he got the permission of the council that was in power at that time before the empire rose, and set off taking volunteers to become messengers of Mitsune. There was a problem however, when the men and women began to be able to use the Kar named Lynth there were horrible side effects. They became weaker, and they felt a constant burning sensation all over their body. This alone drove most of them mad, and some to the point of suicide. The victim‘s almost always said that they could feel the wrath of Nime.” Yusho swallowed for a moment, as Carashi’s eyes slowly turned a faded gold that seemed to hold the sorrow of victim’s past. He dared not utter a word until Carashi was finished, if he was from this clan he wished to know that it is this clan was known for. “Things had turned out bad, instead of turning his prized warriors into Lynth weavers, he found himself a new way to torture a human soul. Ras theorized that the change in their flow of Kar was too abrupt for their age, causing the insanity. His second theory was that this change kept a constant stream of Kar flowing into them, causing people to use their old Kar to fight off the constant stream of Lynth Kar. This would explain why they were weakened. In order to test this he used children to see if at birth they could adapt to this change. He tested it on ten children and each one of them survived. The babies seemed irritated for the first month, but eventually they began to become numb to the effects of these tests, and within ten years it was clear that the tests had shown results. They could forcefully create Lynth Warriors, who could wield the power of fire no matter what fate had predetermined for their set Karqen. They marked every child that received this treatment with a Garjin, the symbol of a large cat like creature. You have a mark similar to this upon your back do you not?” “I have a mark such as this, but I thought it was a mark of honor, that my father had thought to bestow upon his son.” said Yusho gripping his hands together tightly, as the blood slowly drained from his knuckles. Carashi shook his head for a moment, looking down upon the ground. Some things should never be done, and a strand of guilt entered Carashi’s mind as a single tear dropped from his duct to the ground. His grip was firm upon the tree, however Yusho didn’t notice either of these. “I do not know your parents and I cannot claim to know their intentions, Yusho. I am sure they meant well for you, they may have been a bit misguided.” said Niru who had been watching the scene in silence until now. Carashi walked away into the trees and Yusho looked after him as he disappeared into the forest. “Teach him Niru, I need… time to think.” muttered Carashi in a low voice as he passed Niru. It was hardly louder than a whisper but he knew his companion Niru had heard him. No one’s hearing was more adept then Niru’s. Niru stood up walking over to Yusho who threw him a questioning look. “With Carashi there are certain subjects that are more… sensitive than others. Try not to worry about him to much, he‘ll sort through it himself.” said Niru wiping away Yusho’s questions but leaving a worried look. “I will begin your training so do not worry, we will start with Lynth Karqen. Also known as the Path of Flame. This will be a bit tricky at first, but if you focus you should be able to manipulate it by nightfall.” Niru walked over into the field kneeling down close to the ground, and put his hand over the blades of grass, that was about the height of Niru’s waist. “So access almost any Kar you must be able to feel your surroundings. I dislike Lynth Kar and I do not use it for its destructive purposes, however I can show you how I use my own Kar.” said Niru watching as Yusho’s face became really focused upon the hand held above the grass. ‘Ah, how the youth are so eager when they first come in contact with the mysteries of life.’ Relaxing his hand Niru felt an ebb of power flow through his body and wind began to sweep past him flowing down to his arm and began to swirl the grass in a small circle. A smirk crawled across Niru’s face as he heard the slight intake of breath from Yusho. “It’s a hard thing to fully describe, I’m not sure someone can ever really teach one to wield Kar. It is mostly learned through instinct. I’m sure you may have already accidentally felt Kar before without realizing it. I want you to think back into the past and try and think of anything weird that may have been linked to fire.” spoke Niru trying to think of the best way to go about this. It was often best if the student could find their own way to access Kar. Yusho searched his past trying to remember anything that had to do with fire, but he couldn’t remember anything for a good few seconds and then the sudden realization that he may have already accessed Kar when he was defending the village dawned upon him in that moment. Fire had erupted from his sword in that moment. ‘What had I felt in that moment? Fear? Yes, I had felt fear, but it wasn’t what I was feeling when I manipulated Kar.’ thought Yusho as he lived the experience from what he could remember. He remembered now the large blade descending and how the fear had been erased, along with his thoughts in a moment of clarity. ‘I felt…… Determination.’ Niru half grinned as the light came upon Yusho’s face. Niru watched as Yusho took a few steps back and then drew his sword. Half expecting his student to attack him, Niru shifted his weight into a ready position. It wasn’t unheard of for beginners to have to put themselves into a battle situation to access their Kar. It was how most unfound adepts were discovered. To Niru’s surprise however Yusho closed his eyes. Silence ensued as Niru waited to see if Yusho had found his own answer. ‘Calm…. Focus… Carashi wanted me to be able to center myself. All I need to do is find my…’ thought Yusho as he let thoughts come and go slowly bringing his mind to a state near meditation. Yusho now saw his village under attack by the imperial soldiers, and the flames extending into the air. The images gave him an overwhelming feeling as he opened his eyes. ‘Determination!’ Yusho’s hilt gave off flames that slowly crawled up the length of the blade engulfing it to the pointed tip. “I feel it.” Said Yusho to Niru quite pleased with himself at the moment. “Let’s see those imperial bastards show up now, eh?” “Don’t get ahead of yourself, you may be able to feel and manipulate your Kar a bit now, but you’ve still a long way to go.” said Niru standing up into an upright position. “It seems you can channel the Kar to your sword, something solid, but can you do it to the moving air? The key to projectiles is being able to hold the Kar together when it hits.” “I don’t know, I haven’t tried before. Let’s see.” said Yusho as he held onto the feeling of Kar and lifted his hand expecting a Fireball type effect from his experimentation. He soon felt a power converging before his hand and soon flame leapt into existence before him. For a split second it appeared as if he had been able to create a ball of fire, however the flames soon whipped out in random directions as Yusho tried to hold it in place. Panicking did not serve Yusho well as his mind went out of focus and the fire began to expand even more rapidly threatening to engulf Yusho. Niru’s reaction was swift once he saw that Yusho had lost control of his Kar, and with his own meddling a vast windswept around the fires and with about ten quick air whipping noises the fire was systematically put out. Niru was glad Yusho was still a novice at using his Kar otherwise the Lynth Kar would have been harder to put out. “That, is an example of what not to do.” said Niru as Yusho looked to him. “Your flames will be easy for anyone to dispatch like that while you learn and experiment. Your Lynth Kar right now creates flames, and fuels the fire’s energy source, however it does not supply the oxygen supply it needs to stay alive. Remember this until you can finally manipulate your Kar well enough to no longer need oxygen.” “So what happens if I’m up against someone like you? Who can use the wind?” asked Yusho realizing now with his flames extinguished so easily that someone who could manipulate the wind like Niru had could easily counter any move Yusho created. “Pray that you don’t. The Kar Lynth gets its name from the old word that meant ‘Breathless.’ A breathless fire is the goal of all Lynth users and this is why the fire created by this Kar is called Lynth.” said Niru as heard the approach of footsteps. Soft against the dirt, careful without effort, and the sound off behind him. It was definitely Carashi finally coming back. “We can’t stay here, we need to move. We are almost on their door step, it’d be best not to make it too easy to spot us.” said Carashi as he looked at Yusho who’s blade was still flaming. Yusho thought he saw a quick change in the tint of Carashi’s eyes, but while he was in the tree’s shadows it was hard to tell. “Wait, who’s door step are we almost on, and why don’t we want them to find us?” asked Yusho as he let the flames around his sword extinguish itself. Carashi flipped his hood up and shrugged like he didn’t know what Yusho was talking about, before turning and walking into the woods once more. “Seems we’ll have to cut this short. Listen, if you want to get better, you should practice accessing your Kar until you don’t need to take thirty seconds to access it. The more you practice the quicker it will come to you. Start small, and if you have any questions about something ask. I can’t tell you how many people have died from trying something with Kar that they have never done before.” said Niru as he motioned for Yusho to follow him. Yusho nodded to Niru and sheathed his sword before looking at the burnt grass below him. He could access this mysterious force called Lynth. He had a feeling that this is the beginning of his quest to become strong. He had always gotten complimented for his dedication to training and the self improvement he strived for. He could only hope persistence would help him advance quickly with his ability to manipulate Lynth. As they caught up to Carashi they began walking a brisk pace. Yusho didn’t complain this time, as he looked at the back of Niru’s head seeing the tie that his blindfold was in. He couldn’t help but pose the question of Niru’s appearance. “Why do you wear a blindfold? Are you some monk sworn to never look at the world? Like a monk sworn to silence? How do you even see with that thing over your eyes?” asked Yusho, unloading his questions like a ton of bricks through the silence. “And for that matter, what about your eyes…. I’ve noticed they change color like that of the changing winds.” “More questions.” said Carashi shaking his head sighing for the moment, as he resumed his silence. It seemed that Yusho would get nothing from Carashi at the moment. He was about to give up but apparently Niru felt like sharing. “Me and Carashi here are similar that we both have some gifts. Mine, is dangerous that it takes the Karqen from anything it sees. In the case of people, if you look into my eyes directly should my blindfold ever fall off then you would surely die.” said Niru who’s gaze passed back to Yusho who flinched for a moment. “No worries as long as I wear my blindfold.” Yusho was quite for the next few moments, but since at least one of them seemed like in a sharing move he figured he’d push his luck as far as it went and who knew. The more he knew about them the better he’d be able to gauge their moods in the future. Carashi almost seemed impossible to read with his unpredictability. “So I bet your childhood was fun… have you never seen anyone? Living that is…?” “I didn’t always have these eyes. I was guarded by monks in the mountains. The Shi’kar monks guarded me since I was little. It was a nice life while it lasted, but their fears came to life one night when I got the eyes. I did not figure out what was wrong until it was too late.” said Niru as if he had come to terms with the night. Yusho wondered how he could appear so calm on the surface. If people had raised him and then he turned around and killed them he would have been crushed. Yusho gained a new respect for Niru, and he soon turned his gaze to Carashi. “So what’s globe light’s story?” “Carashi? Well unlike me, he was actually born with those eyes. The Forshiku eyes are determined by a gene. Carashi just happened to have lucky genes.” said Niru which got a reaction from Carashi up ahead as he jumped up onto a fallen trunk. “Luck? Ha! Story of my life.” “I’ve never heard of the Forshiku eyes…. Just what exactly are they?” asked Yusho who know realized that the two mysterious men he had change encountered in his village had quite interesting lives to say the least. While he didn’t like Carashi’s personality sometimes, he sure held a great deal of power for a wanderer. “They have the ability to see things normal eyes wouldn’t, as well as other senses. Any scholar would be able to tell you about the legend of Forshiku eyes, however most of them wouldn’t know that their heightened senses go beyond that of seeing. They can literally see, smell, and even taste Karqen.” said Niru as Carashi disappeared as he jumped down behind the fallen tree. Dark was approaching by the time Yusho had stopped thinking about the Forshiku eyes, and how Carashi must see the world. It would be amazing to be able to see Karqen flowing around, smell it, and that set his mind ablaze with how the different types of Karqen must smell. He felt that Lynth must smell spicy, and hot like fire, but he decided he would ask Carashi later on when he seemed to be in a better mood. Carashi had disappeared as the sun was setting, so he quickly find a place to sleep. Carashi seemed strained, as if he was expecting a wild animal to ambush him at any moment, and it put an edginess to Yusho. Examining Niru’s features however was like trying to examine a puddle untouched by the disturbances of life. His face seemed to remain calm and placid at all time. Carashi emerged from the thick brush they had run into not twenty minutes later. “There’s a ridge up ahead, covered almost all in shrubs, but it clears at the top. We’ll be able to see if anyone’s sneaking up on us from there. By the time we get there it will be dark, I suggest we hurry.” said Carashi to Niru, who nodded stepping forward as Carashi lead the way. Yusho coming up the rear looked back towards where the sun had disappeared not to long ago. The tree’s blocked the sun set, and the forest was seeming to be taking on a much different appearance at night. At a rustling of the bushes he quickly turned around and started following Niru and Carashi at a brisk pace. By the time they had reached the ridge the light had already shrunk to a very dull grey, and it was beginning hard to see beyond forty yards. “Seems quite tonight. I’ll have watch.” said Carashi as he set down his pack walking to the edge of the ridge looking down upon a valley. Niru set his rather small pack and unrolled a mat over the ground and took out a small blanket. Yusho followed suit and quickly gathered branches laid about the area putting them in a pile together, he thought to try out his Kar once more to start a fire, however as he was gathering up the will to do so Carashi’s sharp voice range out piercing the night like an owl’s gaze. “Do not start a fire… We are not safe in this part of the woods.” said Carashi who continued to look out in the distance, his back still facing Yusho who could only guess that the Forshiku eyes had something to do with how Carashi had known what he was about to do. “A fire will keep the animals away, we wouldn’t want to have any furry friends happen across a find set of three well set meals.” said Yusho to Carashi knowing that the woods where very dangerous around here. Even large villages could get attacked by animals, and it was partly why all Yurik were trained in some form of weapons so they could assist in repel a hunting herd of Lians, which were dark panther like beasts much like a Garjin but without the magical qualities of a Garjin. Lians seemed to always come at the worst times, seeming to have some intelligence when to strike. They most often came after small bands of human’s or when a village’s population was sick. Yusho had met his first Lian at ten years old. It had been the Elder’s daughter Xia who had saved him from becoming a meal. “Would you prefer a predator wielding knives and daggers to come across a well lit circle with morsels fresh for the picking for some obscene purpose? I suggest you lay down and go to sleep. Leave things to me, there’s no need to worry your little head about the dangers of a jungle.” said Carashi in retort to Yusho’s logic and reasoning. Perhaps it was because of how Carashi constantly seemed to prove him wrong, that Yusho got a general feeling of dislike of Carashi. It seemed no matter what he did was wrong in Carashi’s eyes, he sighed for a moment before trying at one more lingering thought in his mind. “Predators with knives and daggers…? I don’t suppose you mean thieves.” said Yusho as he placed the rest of his pack at the head of his blankets as use as a makeshift pillow. Carashi slowly turned to Yusho with a slight smirk upon his face. Whatever slight humor he had sparked within Carashi’s twisted humor seemed at this moment menacing. “The less you know the better. At your age you don’t need to be jumping at the shadows of the night.” said Carashi leaving a lingering mystery in the air. Yusho quickly shot a glance to Niru who only returned a glance before slowly setting himself back. They don’t trust me fully….. I’m going to have to change that….
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Post by Zilfer Of Shadows... on Feb 19, 2010 13:47:49 GMT -5
Chapter 3: Thieves, Monks, and Slaves
Cadseem woke up with a jolt as a loud rapping came upon the door to his room. His motion was fluid as he came to his feet unsheathing a small dagger from the back of his pants, almost as soon as his feet had touched the ground. He felt the initial sensation of cold against his bare chest and back as it seemed to tingle while he crept forward wearily. His short blonde hair seemed to glow brightly in the light of the open window. It was clear from looking at him that he had a good amount of strength with the muscles that currently showed. His stern face was locked upon the door as if half expecting the door to burst inwards upon itself. The loud knocking came once more as Cadseem slowly placed his dagger behind his back as his other hand reached out towards the knob of the door and opened it an inch to reveal an elder man with deep lines upon his face, a stubby nose, and wild grey hair frayed off in every direction. Relief swept over Cadseem as he recognized the man as Tinar the man who owned the two story building that he rented out to numerous customers. “You ever think about telling me, it’s you when you knock Tinar? You almost gave me a heart attack. Picture that, an old man gives a young man a heart attack? Sounds like it could be a great play should anyone get the idea.” said Cadseem in his casual tone as he slipped his six inch dagger back into its sheath behind him and opened the door more. “I don’t ask where you get the money to pay for this place week after week, and I respect your privacy as much as the next person, but I suspect that if you’d stop doing whatever it is that you do to get the amount of money you flaunt around to me you’d stop having heart attacks.” said Tinar as the old man crossed his hands. His hands seemed scarred from years of work, as far as Cadseem could gather, Tinar had not always been a business man. He had asked on a few occasions before giving up on finding out Tinar’s secrets. “Your rent is due again.” “Figures, you never come to visit me old man. If I had half a brain I’d feel insulted, but I’m sure you’d knock some sense out of me if that were to happen.” said Cadseem smirking at the old man before disappearing and opening a dresser with an assortment of coins strewed across the bottom of the drawer. Gathering up the amount of his rent he plopped them into Tinar’s hands and then looked down the hallway. “Tell me, friend. What news have you of late? I am interested in the gossip spreading nowadays.” “You shouldn’t worry yourself with the gossip of nobles or peasants. Most of it is rabble, however if you must know, they saw most recently an army was dispatched to nab some rebellious Yurik village. If my sources are valuable in the least bit, they should arrive by nightfall.” said Tinar before turning on his heel and heading towards the next door which he proceeded to knock on the same way he had done to Cadseem’s own door. Sighing for a moment Cadseem retreated back into his room for the moment. “Midnight huh? Heh, I know of no better time in this city. I guess I should bide my time until then. We’ll see what my friends have been doing in the mean time. Besides, it’s about time for me to clean their pockets once again.” said Cadseem allowed while smirking. Poker seemed to be their worst game, and Cadseem always seemed to get the right cards….
* * * Sitting at a table in the back of “Nin’s Tavern”, surrounded by his drinking buddies and contacts, Cadseem leaned back in his chair laying down three of a kind. The man next to him muttered a curse throwing down his hand of two pair, before muttering something about Cadseem being related to the hellish ascendant Sark. “I would swear your loading the deck every time we play had we not stopped letting you touch the cards.” said Linue, a short and plump looking man, with short brown hair, and lively hazel eyes, who wore the garbs of a noblemen. Quite a rare sight in this part of the town. Hiner, Capitol of the Empire. Of the group, Linue attended balls, banquets, parties, filed business with the nobles and most importantly listened to the politics of the higher ups. He set up quite a few jobs for Cadseem to use his peculiar skills and make a bountiful profit. The others that sat around the table was a decent sized man no more than two inches taller than Cadseem who had short black hair that seemed to spike out in all directions from his unkempt hair. Despite his appearance he was a fierce some warrior when it came to his rapier. His name was Lial, and the last man to his right was the biggest of the group, who had dark skin as was common in the sub clans of the Restine clan. His long black hair was tied back firmly revealing a face with a long scar running from just below the edge of his mouth to the edge of his ear. Cadseem, had heard the story of how he had gotten that scar. When he was little his family had been in dept, and when they could not pay they took the lives of his parents, trashed his property, and left the him with a scar he would never forget. Some say that is how he got his name, ‘Scar.’ Scar’s past was much of a mystery, he had killing skills beyond Cadseems, and he was the only one of the group he wouldn’t particularly like to get into a fight with. He preferred to have Scar on his side if a bar fight broke out. As Cadseem gathered up the coins upon the table he noticed Scar’s slight eye movement towards the door as someone entered, and then straight towards Cadseem. A shiver shot down his spine. He had known Scar for about twenty years now, and he had never gotten used to his seriousness. Scar’s little quirks seemed to always put him on the edge of paranoia. “If you guys would stop flashing me your cards, then maybe you’d have a better chance at this game. Besides, this is only pocket change.” said Cadseem sweeping his winnings into his purse which was quite fat now. He looked back over to Scar who was watching the people within the tavern with a cool and scanning gaze. “So tell me Scar, you up for a little nightly recon?” “I’d advise against, going out at night for the next few nights. The guild seems to be losing more members as of late. We’ve been ordered to stay put and watch for anything suspicious.” said Scar as his attention returned to the table. “Now that’s odd, I’ve never heard the guild showing its bright panties to run away from a fight.” said Cadseem smirking a bit. Lial also grinned adding in his own comment. “I’m sure the guild master being a female wouldn’t have anything to do with you and talking about panties Cadseem.” “Must you both be so repulsive in public? Not that this band of thieves and rabble would know anything about manners.” said Linue as he seemed to gaze down at his now smaller purse. “Fear not my friend! The emperor could no more change our habits then could the women we bed.” said Lial as he looked to Scar. “I’m sure even Scar needs a little time dedicated to ‘spiritual healing.’ Or so that’s what I heard it’s called, recently from the nobles mutterings.” Linue scoffed at that and took a drink of the local brew which was quite a bit stronger then that of the wines he usually dined upon at the frequent parties he attended. Needless to say he could handle his alcohol quite well. “Linue, I understand your dilemma…” said Cadseem catching Linue by surprise, as his head shot to see if a wide grin was growing across Cadseem’s face. Cadseem held an unyielding face for but a few seconds before the grin grew wider then Linue would have thought possible. “With such fine women, I’m sure it’s hard to choose between which ones to seduce so we can acquire a few of their fine jewels.” “Well, I think I’ve had my fill for tonight, the day is almost up and I’ve certainly had enough company from you for one night, Gentlemen.” said Linue as he stood up as threw a hood over his head. He felt a tap from the side as Lial patted the side of his cloak. “Cheer up, we’ll do dice next time, Linue.” “I distaste dice, almost as much as cards. I think of the money I give to you fools more as charity then anything.” said Linue as he turned and left. Cadseem smirked shaking his head for a moment. When Linue was gone, Lial’s face turned serious as he looked to the two others and to the empty seat to his left. “Has anyone seen Ren as of late? This is the fourth time in a row she hasn’t shown up…” said Lial who Cadseem knew had become close to Ren. Cadseem had known Ren the longest, their past being something of humor, rival thieves that eventually became partners before this small band of misfits had come together. “Last I saw her, she said she had business and would be a couple days, but your right there is something odd about her disappearance.” said Cadseem sitting forward in his chair that creaked with a bit of old age. “But come now, who knows what Ren is up to? I hardly know what you guys do on your free time.” “Yeah…. I’m sure it’s nothing.” said Lial looking off to the door as if he expected Ren to walk through the door any second. Finally Lial turned back looking straight at Cadseem with a smirk. “You have any jobs lined up?” “Interesting you’d ask that…. I’ve heard an interesting rumor that I’d like to see if it’s true.” whispered Cadseem to his companions under the growing noise of the tavern. Some man was beginning to raise his voice near the bar, it would be a wonder if a bar fight didn’t break out soon. Even Scar seemed interested to hear what Cadseem had to say. “It seems there was a village in the Yurik Clan that defied the Empire, and they are being brought here. I’ve been thinking about pulling a job on the imperial bastards.” “God Cadseem, what are you now? One of the stinking rebels? We know the rebels have their tail between their legs. If you do this the city patrols might increase and be bad for business.” said Lial, who knew this would be a bad idea if he let his friend attempt something of this caliber. It was treason. “Hah, you worry to much Lial, hell they won’t even be expecting us. Look, there’s no rebels for over a hundred leagues of this place, why would they think they are going to get ambushed in their own city?” asked Cadseem explaining why he knew it would work. “They may have things they’ve brought from their village as well, if not… then I’m sure the satisfaction of knocking a few of the imperial soldiers around would be a nice compensation. So what do you say?” “You’ve gone mad, or you got knocked upside the head this morning. I’m not sure which I’d prefer.” said Lial who a second later was surprised at his other companion’s response. “I’ll do it.” Came Scar’s reply as his eyes seemed to be focused in on Cadseem who leaned back in triumph. “Well one companion’s better than none. Poor Lial’s sick to his boots about a few little soldiers, he can go run back to his mommy for tonight.” said Cadseem taunting his companion across the table who seemed a bit withdrawn now. “Don’t take me for an idiot….” said Lial and Cadseem inwardly sighed for it seemed it would be only him and Scar. “But don’t think me for a Coward either. I’m in.” “Good, now that’s the Lial I remember, besides? Who’s better with a sword then you? Ha, ha!” said Cadseem standing up from his chair. “Come on, I’d better tell you the plan before night falls. In the distance the arguing about something had escalated and Cadseem made his way to the bar and nodded to the bartender for a moment before tapping the man’s shoulder. It appeared he was arguing whether the local brew was worth as much as he had paid for. “What is it now?!?” he spoke as he came around, and he met with the fist of Cadseem’s sending him hard straight to the floor knocking him out. “Sorry about the mess, chief, but I’m sure he wasn’t worth the effort. We’ll see you tomorrow.” said Cadseem as he headed out the door. He rubbed his fist outside the door, finally realizing that the punch to the face had hurt him more than he had felt initially. Scar and Lial soon came out after him and waited for Cadseem to lead the way. “Been awhile since we’ve done anything together. Be sure to watch each other’s backs tonight. The air smell’s stale like a god’s breath is upon the city tonight….” * * * Xia watched them pulled along in a large wooden crate that was pulled by horses towards a large city. They had been fed, sparing throughout the whole trip most likely to keep them weakened. A lot of the village had been killed and only maybe twenty prisoners were taken. As she thought of the night once again she felt sick once again. Her father had died the night after the two strangers had left. She didn’t know who they were but she couldn’t help but think they were in some part to blame. What was peculiar about the trip was that she had been unable to access her Karqen at any time, it was as if the very existence of Kar had fallen from the face of the world. There was also man who wore pants and a bandana around his forehead. He had been inside the large create before any of them, and every time she looked back at him, she received a shiver. The man had tattoo’s all over his body extending even onto his face, all the way down to his bare feet. He had not spoken the whole time during the trip, but only starred off in vague silence. Some people had tried to rouse him but nothing had succeeded. Xia knew they were in great danger of being executed at the capitol ahead, and she kneeled down to grab a knife she had concealed for a time like this. She would rather try to defeat the imperial soldiers in a skirmish with her unarmed brothers then be executed along side them without a fight. As he got ready to cut through part of the cage when she thought no one was looking a low voice made her freeze in place and tense up. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You are a good fighter but without your Karqen you won’t last long.” said the tattooed man. Turning around she saw that his eyes were focused upon her. His gaze seemingly intense like a tiger’s eyes ready to strike at any moment. He seemed dangerous even though his body showed no sign of tension. “Well I don’t know about you but the thought of dying here and execution isn’t the best of thoughts. I’d rather have a chance here.” said Xia as she turned away from the lion’s gaze. A chuckle came from behind her and she spun around furious that she would be laughed at. “They won’t kill you in the capitol…. You see the emperor doesn’t like to kill all his enemies. He’d rather convert the ones he can then kill.” said the man whose eyes were still fixed upon her. “Your lack of Karqen I must admit is because of me.” Lack of Karqen because of him? How was that even possible? Xia had never heard of anything of the sort. A person who could stop a person from using Karqen could be a deadly enemy. If he was stopping their Karqen why would he be inside the box with them where they could kill him? There had to be more to the story. “So if your with them, why are you in here?” asked Xia casually putting her back against the wooden poles. She crossed her arms before her chest as she waited to see if the man would respond. He definitely knew too much for a simple captive. “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like any of them out there either but with two Kaddennah escorts, and as many men surrounding us, I don’t figure my chances of escaping are high. The emperor values my life over everyone’s lives in this little brigade.” said the man as he looked over to two men riding upon horses next to each other. Xia guessed they were the Kaddennah and they were keeping their distance from the cage. She had heard stories of the Kaddennah, supernatural fighters with unbelievable speed, and power. Their Karqen had no equal it was said, but then again if they couldn’t use their Karqen they would be hindered greatly. The emperor must have some fear for the Kaddennah then, or he uses this man as a weapon against any of them that act out. Thought Xia. “And just who are you…?” she asked as the city was approaching, they weren’t one hundred yards off from the gate. The man smirked for a moment before standing up onto his feet, and his golden eyes seemed amused by something Xia could not quite guess at. “What I am, is hard to say. Sometimes even I don’t quite know, but to the Kaddennah I’m known as the abnegate, and the abomination.” said the man who’s unkempt hair fell down around his eyes now that he had stood up. “They call me Bermfad, and I wish you the best of luck once we are in the capitol, I surely hope they don’t have fun with you like the last women to come through here with spirit.” Before she could ask a question the gates began to open making a loud moaning sounds as they struggled to open and then one of the two Kaddennah came up knocking on the door. “You know the drill Bermfad, it’s time for you to go back to your cell.” came his voice. “Yes…. Whatever the emperor wants of me.” said Bermfad. Xia could almost hear the deadness of his voice. He disliked his situation so much but he had given into it. Something she would not do if it came down to it. Soon everyone else was ordered to file out and then chained to another person. As she came out however two men pulled her aside from the others until they were done. Xia remained quiet for the moment, as she waited. Other higher ups in the village that were among the living where pulled aside as well. It was now that Xia could see her village member’s fear, or determination. It was moments like this the brought out the true emotions of people. Xia herself kept an air of confidence as best she could so to not give the Imperials something to be smug about while hopefully inspiring some courage within the others of her village. The leaders of the village were then cut one by one, and Xia took a deep breath as they came at last to her, the blood spilt upon the ground slowly flowing out from her companions wasn’t inspiring in the least bit. Their bodies were left upon the ground as if filth upon the earth. The man who had slit the throats of the others before her came up with the dagger of crimson red liquid and stopped. He examined her for a moment and then looked to the two guards next to her. “We’ll leave this one alive, take her.” said the man whose eyes gazed into Xia’s eyes. She was surprised at how emotionally removed this man was from his job. Take a man’s schedule and make killing a routine and it becomes nothing more than an afterthought. Xia was pushed and shoved away from the main group down corridor after corridor and when they finally came to an ally way they were joined by two more men, and then a third who was told to keep watch down the alleyway for anyone coming. He obeyed as they turned to Xia. “Marl doesn’t let us have fun like this too often, he should relax more. He’s always so serious. Heh, he’d probably could use a woman like this to himself.” said one of them men looking at the others with his arms crossed. They had released Xia’s arms for the moment, and she couldn’t really see a way past without rushing the four men who could right now over power her. She guessed the mysterious man in the cage’s effect had not worn off of her yet. “Marl follows orders, he only does this to keep the loyalty of some men like us.” said another as the first man came in and reached for Xia’s bosom, only to receive a punch to the face. He stumbled back a bit, his lip was bleeding but it soon turned into a smirk. “It seems we’ve got a bit of fire in this one… That’s good. She’ll be all the more fun.” Some of the other men laughed at that, and the man wiped his chin to remove the blood, before speaking again. “Take off your cloths now.” came the man’s order. Xia knew what was about to come, and there was no way to stop it, if she fought they’d only make things worse. Her anger flared, as she defiantly took her clothes off until she was fully unclothed. Filthy imperial bastards…. You’d better hope I don’t regain my Karqen back in the next few minutes… As the two of the men came forward to restrain her arms, a sword in the form of a rapier struck out and sliced through one of the men behind, and then quickly withdrew slashing upon the man’s back. They turned to see the fifth imperial guard they had set to watch the corner twirled a rapier in one hand. “You self righteous bastard, I knew I didn’t recognize you.” said one of the men as he drew his own sword ready to strike. “Scum like you give the people of Hiner a bad reputation. Perhaps you’d like to be taught a lesson from my sword. Don’t be surprised when you lose your jewels.” said the fifth guard as he feinted a low stab to distract the guard who instinctive fell for it, and soon felt pain in his right shoulder. The other two came forward drawing swords as the fifth guard dropped back parrying both blades to the side and with a swift kick knocked one back. Just who is this guy? Thought Xia as he held of three people at once with just a rapier, he clearly knew what he was doing as he did not go in for the kill, and only sought to wear them down for now. She was startled when a dark clocked figure dropped unsheathing two daggers and impaling them into the back of two guard’s necks. The last guard fell over dead as he sprouted a knife from above straight to the forehead. The Cloaked man turned around to Xia and she blushed for a moment remembering her cloths where currently upon the ground. The man grabbed her hand and kissed it for a moment. “Never fear! Your rescuers are here.” said the man in the cloak and the fifth guard came up next to him, shaking his head as he quickly adjusted the guard helm he was wearing. He waved up to the rooftops as if signaling someone and as Xia looked she saw cloth disappearing beyond the roof, as someone scurried away. “Now Cadseem, let’s try not to seduce every naked woman we run into tonight.” said the guard as he turned to the bodies kicking one slightly to make sure he was dead. “Now let’s dispose of these bodies.” Cadseem pulled his hood down and looking at Xia’s eyes. “It’s hard to when there’s one this beautiful.” said Cadseem wearing a smile for a moment and then it turned more serious. “You should dress quickly, I don’t expect we have much time.” said Cadseem as he turned pulling his daggers fiercely from the bodies of the dead guards and then sheathing them he bent down to the bodies. Xia quickly dressed and turned back to the men who had rescued her from an indecent experience. She saw the bodies had turned into nothing but ash, as Cadseem stood up he looked to his companion. “There, no one will know the difference, eh Lial?” asked Cadseem as he started walking to the end of the alleyway to look around. Lial looked at the dust which had become the bodies and he seemed transfixed for a moment as he muttered under his breath. “Remind me never to piss you off Cadseem….” Lial turned to Xia and motioned for her to come. “Sorry to rush you, but we aren’t in the safest parts of town.” said the Lial as he rushed after Cadseem with Xia followed close behind. She knew she had nothing to lose with going with these men that she wouldn’t risk by staying and waiting to be picked up by more guards. “Just who are you guys?” asked Xia finally able to speak she had been prepared to die a minute ago, and even after that she had expected she wouldn’t get out scotch free. I’m not away from danger just yet either. “The frightened flower speaks, but I’m glad you asked…. We are…. Well I’ll get to that later, we need to mov---” Cadseem stopped short as something caught his attention. A red flare shot into the air from the rooftops, and Cadseem and Lial seemed to tense up. “That’s Scar’s signal…” said Cadseem looking around. “Looks like the rooftops are no longer safe, we’ll go to plan B. We’ve freed all that we can, we’ll have to retreat for the night.” Cadseem lead the way through the alleyways, and in about ten minutes they came to an alleyway with a man who appeared to be sleeping against the stone wall. He seemed to be out of it as his short messy brown hair hung down over his eyes, and he appeared to be in monk robes, however form the state he was in it didn’t seem like he had been a monk in a very long time. Xia gave him a glance while Cadseem, and Lial gave him little notice as they past. Another figure came from around the corner his skin dark, and Xia could tell that he had been running for a good while but he controlled his breathing very well. “What are you guys doing here?” asked Scar as he looked behind him, guards where pouring into the alleyway behind and when he looked at the other end more were coming down that way. “Well we were TRYING to get to our escape route.” said Cadseem sarcastically. “Looks like we’re in more than a pickle then I thought.” said Lial before nudging Cadseem in the side. “I told you this was a bad idea. They were ready for something like this.” “Yeah, but the question is why, there’s no rebels anywhere. Why would there be so much resistance?” asked Cadseem as he drew his daggers. “Looks like we’ll just have to hope we can take them all.” “Easy for you to say.” said Lial, as he tossed Xia a knife. “I hope you know how to use one, otherwise you’re going to need to learn quickly.” Taking a side against the backs of the recently met men she got ready to fight it seemed she was back to square one. “I’m more than adequate.” she said “We finally caught you pesky thieves, and rebel sympathizers.” said a heavily armed captain who emerged in the front of the guards that had surrounded them. Cadseem grinned shrugging for a moment as he took a step forward away from his companions. “Rebel sympathizers? Heh, now here I thought I was on this nice little walk when I came across this pretty lady. It seemed she didn’t want any company so I did her a favor.” said Cadseem making the events seemingly obscure. “Don’t toy with me, you three freed the prisoners, stole from our armory, and are not going to get away.” said the captain as he unsheathed a blade that glowed blue in the moonlight of the night. Prisoners? Thought Xia as she looked at the group. Was it possible they had already freed the others that hadn’t been killed yet? Cadseem squinted for a moment his face turning hard once more before uttering something else. “Scar if things get out of hand, you know what to do….” Scar nodded as he stood glaring at the people before him, his eyes where the eyes of a killer and the men in front of him seemed to see it. The makings of an Assassin, and a deadly one at that. Silence seemed to be the current conversation as both sides seemed to be at a standoff, each side knew that some of them would probably die within this skirmish because of the thin alleyway forcing them to come at them only two at a time. Something unexpected happened however to break the silence as the man who had been sleeping before stumbled along out into the open and over one of the guards; he looked around with a jug before taking another drink. “Don’t you think it’s a bit late to be having a party?” said the man who hiccupped at the end of his sentence, he seemed to wonder about meanderingly, with no sense of direction. The man he had stumbled into turned and threw a punch at the man as a quick retaliation for the misgiving of tripping over him. The man ducked low as if he had spotted something on the ground and picked up a small piece of rock from the ground and looked at it. The man’s punch consequently hit nothing but air. Stumbling around more he was spoken too by another imperial. “You’d best leave now, before you get yourself into even more trouble.” came the voice from the captain of the guards. “Leave…? But I just got to this shindig…. Not much of a party though with only one fema--” he hiccupped yet again as his weight fell against the wall. Cadseem mentally shook his head, that man was in more trouble than he could currently contemplate. “Forget him and take the others, kill them if necessary.” said the captain and there was a surge forward. Cadseem and the others prepared their weapons lifting them up in the air. Someone tried to grab the homeless man, but their arm was soon off to the side as the man slammed his fist into the armor denting it inwards as he flew back into his fellow soldiers creating a small domino effect. “Don….. Touch me.” the drunk said as he turned to the wall as if seeing some invisible gate way and started to feel the wall. Meanwhile Scar and Lial had fended off the other side easily while Lial locked their blades, it enabled Scar to place his many sharp projectile weapons into their foreheads or necks. “Great, just our luck. We find the alleyway to get surrounded in with a looney.” muttered Cadseem. The imperials started to stand up but the man seemed to pay them no heeds as he walked over to Cadseem for a moment, and stopped right before his face. “I’m not crazy.” he said shoved Cadseem with both hands which only ended up falling backwards. As his head hit the ground upon the floor there was a loud crack and a rush of air, as if his skull had been lightning and unleashed a torrent of thunder. Xia was surprised as she smelt the thickness of the Kar building up around them. Had that man’s fall caused this stir? Or was this the side effects of that mysterious man who stopped Karqen? Even the imperials, or at least some of them had halted for a moment and some of them seemed to have a knowledge of understanding in their eyes that Xia couldn’t quite pick up. Lial and Scar both looked back to see Cadseem over the drunk checking his pulse to see if he was still alive and suddenly the man sprung to life once again. Cadseem was thrown up against the wall with the force of the man getting up and he turned to the wall his aura glowing a faint violet. Low thunder in the background seemed to be coming from the distance as the air rushed through the alley. Cadseem could barely hear the utterance of a sentence. “Kaddennah possession…” came one of the voices of the guards from behind him. His body shivered at the word Kaddennah. Anyone with a brain knew that anything involving a Kaddennah couldn’t end well. Cadseem however wouldn’t have to worry about that as the man no longer seemed to hold a stupor. The guards backed off as he looked their way, and then he lifted his hand and slammed it into the ground causing a similar crack to that of before except this time much louder and they found themselves in a different place. His eyes rung being the closest to the crack, and it had left him unaware of what had happened. He could feel two hands helping him stand up, and the distance voices of Scar and Lial. “By the gods….” came Lial’s voice as even Scar seemed shocked by whatever it was they were seeing. Cadseem reasoned that it wasn’t going to be a good thing. Finally opening his eyes he saw it was the girl they had rescued who he helped him to his feet, but she wasn’t paying attention to him. Instead she was looking at something off in the distance of the alleyway. No, not the alleyway. They were in a vast and barren field. “Where the hell are we?” asked Cadseem brushing himself off as he stared around seeing dark clouds that reminded him of fall storms that filled the streets with mini rivers, and lightning that had ripped through the sky as if trying to split the heavens themselves. He wasn’t surprised when Lial and Scar didn’t reply. “We definitely aren’t in Hiner anymore…” muttered Cadseem as he looked to Xia, who they had caught up in this mess. It was apparent by both their faces neither of them had had something like this happen before. Finally the forgotten man came into view looking around. “It seems we’re in Enzil, the house of Jarken.” said the man as he sat down with his jug turning it upside down. “Hmm… its empty…. I don’t suppose you would have some?” The man didn’t seem too hopeful about it however as he tossed the jug backwards, and began to draw into the dirt. “What the hell is Enzil and a Jarken?” asked Lial as he sheathed his rapier, and crossed his hands. The landscape looked like some twisted form of hell. He knew there was a reason for the bad feeling he had about coming with Cadseem. He sighed for a moment as he looked back to the unknown man. “They are names… Enzil is the path of the Sky. A type of Karqen, the other…. Jarken is an Ascendant.” said Xia answering Lial’s question as the strange man continued to draw in the dirt. “Great… your saying were in the domain of an Ascendant? Well how the hell do we get out, I want nothing to do with their kind.” said Cadseem crossing his arms for a moment curiously looking down at the runes that the man was drawing in the dirt. “Someone with a brains… and no less a woman! That’s a rare find. Hold onto her tight lad for you may see someone take her away from you.” said the man before standing up and he started to dance in a rhythmic way around the runes and then stopped in a pose with all his limbs flopped out in random directions save for one leg. Nothing happened. Cadseem stared at him awe struck at how to take this man. Was he seriously this crazy? Or was it still the alcohol in his system. It was hard to say at this point. Scar himself looked over to Lial and the motioned to Xia, and Lial perked up. “Looks like we’ve gotten you into a mess you didn’t bargain for miss, for that I apologize for all from all of us. You’ve had a worse fate had we not shown up this night.” said Lial to Xia who brushed it off quickly. “It is no big deal. I’ve no regrets about coming with you three. I know what the empire does to its prisoners…. I’m just disappointed I couldn’t slit the throats of some of them myself.” said Xia back to Lial who flinched not used to a woman being so hard, it seemed she didn’t need comforting after all. He shrugged walking back off towards Cadseem who had his arms crossed watching the man. Suddenly the man yelled out loud as he stopped his foot down to the ground and bent backwards with his spine, before straightening up once more. “YAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!” He bellowed again before silence gripped the landscape again. Cadseem threw his arms up in the air as he spoke to Lial. “The man’s crazy… he’s writing childish drawing on the ground and yelling to the sky. I think that bump to the head must have fried his brains….” muttered Cadseem. “Funny…. It worked last time…. Maybe it was two spins and then the hip shake…. God if only I had some more rum….” said the man putting a hand to his chin. “We’ve got company…” yelled Scar as he backed up towards the group, and they all turned, to see winged creatures coming this way. Cadseem’s eye twitched for a moment seeing a swarm of them seemingly to fly in union. “Let me guess…. These are the servants of Jarken….” said Cadseem as he looked at them coming this way. The man turned around and looked at them. “Vinars…. If you see them taking a deep breath cover your ears….” said the man as he walked forward towards them. “Stay back!” said Lial as he tried to grab the man and pull him; however a sharp scream pierced the air causing them all to cover their ears for a moment. A shrieking voice then sounded from one of the birdlike creatures in front of them. They had no beaks but rather fanged mouths, and smooth violet skin, flowing all over their body. Their small eyes seemed to be almost alien for they appeared bigger than most birds by about two fold. “We smell the spice of Enzil upon you stranger; it’s been awhile since one of Jarken’s children has visited. You come bearing sacrificial gifts as well, even better.” came the piercing voice that seemed to shatter your hearing with every word. The man glanced back at them for a moment and he held a dumb smirk upon his face before turning back to them. “These guys? No, they are new recruits for Tigaro, I’m just heading to the imperial spire.” said the man as he swirled his hands that they could only guess at the meaning. “Ah a pity… I’ve not eaten in some time.” said the Vinar looking over at Cadseem and the others. “Perhaps the shortest male… he looks tasty, I’m sure Tigaro wouldn’t mind missing one….” “Hey, I’ll not be some dinner for a flying rat.” said Cadseem reaching for his dagger but was stopped by the drunk man’s word. “Sorry, but orders are orders.” said the man before turning around and this time touched the runes on the ground and swung his arm in three swift arcs and a crack sounded. “Come on, we wouldn’t want to keep the Imperial Kaddennah waiting…” Scar was the first one through, followed by Lial, and then Xia. Cadseem looked hesitantly back at the winged creatures who smiled back at him as if plotting eating him with their eyes. Shivering for a moment he went through the rift the man had opened. “Give Tigaro my regards…” said the man before going through himself. As he felt the swirl of Karqen flow around himself as he drew through a tear in reality. His senses were a blur with color, smells, and finally solid ground beneath his feet. Just before he got a concept of where they were he was slammed against the wall hard. “Who the hell are you? How do you know the most dangerous man in this city!?!” asked Cadseem who now had slammed the man to the wall and drawn a dagger to his throat. “Are you one of those bastard Kaddennah?” “Hey, let him go, he just saved your life twice.” said Xia putting a hand on Cadseem’s arm. He looked at her for a moment and shook his head. “Sorry, but this one’s not leaving here alive without answering my questions. He knows the emperor’s right hand man.” Xia’s eyes widened for a moment as if caught off guard and for a moment Cadseem could swear he saw genuine hatred in her eyes. He couldn’t figure out why she would be made at him but he left that thought behind as he returned to the man. “Who are you!” Lial got up from the cold hard ground finding himself in a familiar store, he had come here to buy rapiers. He had landed knocking things off the shelves and was lucky nothing had stabbed him. It wasn’t far from the bar they always met at. He was helped up by Scar as he felt shaky. “I hate magic….” he muttered to himself as Scar just looked on at the scene unfolding before him. “My name is Sano, and yes I was a Kaddennah.” said the man stating it calmly before with speed and power grabbing Cadseem’s wrist twisting it and shoving him into the opposing wall, pinning him. Scar’s reaction was quick as well as Lial’s as they came forward with blades pointed at the back of the man named Sano. “You choose your friends well my friend…” said Sano as he let go of Cadseem’s arm. “But I am not your enemy. You’ve bigger things to worry about now then a lonesome Kaddennah. The empire’s going to be looking for you four.” “Hmpf… we can take care of ourselves.” said Cadseem as he rubbed his wrist walking towards the door. “Stay away from me… I don’t want your kind around me ever again.” Xia looked at Sano for a moment and then to the others who were following Cadseem towards the door. “You’ve shown your bravery for one night…. Typical. Balls enough to defy the empire, but dick enough to never except the help of those you don’t understand.” said Sano dusting himself off. “I don’t know who all of you are, but you’re squabbling like children. Your grown men for love of gods.” said Xia finally putting in her two cents. Both Cadseem and Sano fell quite for now and then Sano was the first to speak. “Your place is no longer safe, I’ll take you all some place safe…. Just remember, I didn’t have to save you.” said Sano.
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Post by Zilfer Of Shadows... on Feb 19, 2010 13:48:44 GMT -5
Chapter 4: The Violet Flower
The night had gone rather uneventful for Carashi’s insistence to take watch. Of the time he had spent with them, everything they did seemed to be calculated on avoiding some unseen presence. A thick fog had set in the area of the forest they were traveling. It unsecured almost everything Yusho tried to see. The noise of the forest was silence. Swearing that his footsteps could be heard for miles, Yusho tried to take his mind off the current environment by remembering back to the previous few days. It was still hard to believe he was no longer in his village and that it had been attacked. Should I have left it like that? Carashi and Niru, seemed up to leave like something had lit a fire under them. It’s too late to worry now…. I’ll have to reflect on this later when I return. After I become stronger. His eyes came up to the back of Niru’s robes as he calmly walked onwards. The mist continued to get thicker, and he could hardly see Carashi ahead past Niru. Carashi stopped suddenly and bent low as if observing the ground. “What is it?” asked Niru his supernatural way of knowing the opposition of his companions still struck Yusho as odd. Yusho approached Carashi curious as to what he was looking at as well. Prints. “I recognize those kinds of tracks… a Lian.” “Wrong, it’s not a Lian…. But someone wants us to think that.” responded Carashi to Yusho’s observation. Squinting at the tracts he examined it closer for something that might give it away as false however he could find none. He looked to Carashi’s eyes which were a fluorescent white. A ghastly gaze when accompanied by the fog. “They look exactly like Lian paws to me….” said Yusho only to receive a smirk from Carashi yet again. “Not to me they don’t.” said Carashi his eyes glimmering like an opal, before he took his eyes away from the tracks. “The tracks are littered with Karqen. They are closer than I thought…” “I should be fine Carashi. Stop worrying yourself.” said Niru who was slightly biting the side of his lip. Rising from his kneeling position Carashi turned around to both of them. The surrounding mist grew heavier as Yusho was barely able to see two feet away from himself. “What is it Carashi?” “Yusho, I want you to stay close to Niru. When it happens, it will happen fast. I thought he’d be able to sneak past them but it seems they’ve found us,” said Carashi as he slowly reached for one of his katanas. “Who is--” “No time for questions,” muttered Niru for once saving Carashi the effort. Yusho looked over to Niru who had taken two quick steps towards Yusho. “Stay close, and if we split up. Do not stop running.” “You’d best not turn back this time Niru… They won’t be prone to make the same mistake twice.” Said Carashi with a smirk obscured by the fog. The air seemed to scream suddenly as the mist wisped away in a sudden burst of air. Yusho’s heart skipped a beat at the very sound of it. It was as if some large animal was being devoured alive. “Go, now!” yelled Carashi turning around and drawing a blade that shined brightly as if the sun had finally emerged from the clouds above. Yusho stumbled forward awkwardly as he was shoved forward by Niru. He didn’t have time to think, and was driven by the instinct that something was wrong. Nothing natural could have made that noise. Darting through the tree’s he looked back to where Carashi was for a moment upon a fallen tree before seeing Niru high tailing it behind him. What Yusho saw was a blur, as three large shades descended upon Carashi before rebounding in a violent spray of colors. “What the…” started Yusho before Niru passed him only slowing to spout his last warning. “Do not look back, trust me. Carashi can handle himself.” It was with those words that Yusho took off with Niru into the fog that was beginning to slowly creep between the trees threatening to once more engulf his vision. ‘Damn, I don’t know what’s going on!’ * * * Carashi stood amongst the three robed figures each of them circling him as he held his blade in a slanted position in front of him. “I thought I smelled something foul on the wind.” Said Carashi to the figures as his stance switched back to a standing posture. “We underestimated your potential last time, and we shall not do so twice.” Said the figure now directly in front of Carashi. He looked over to the left for a moment. “Yukiro, follow the anchor.” “What of the other…?” asked the woman named Yukiro. “If he interferes… kill him.” “I think your forgetting one thing here.” Said Carashi confidently raising his hand to the man in front of him. “You don’t know who I am.” Suddenly the air was filled with a thick feeling of pressure, as if the air had turned to water and every movement was contested against this force. Carashi’s reaction was swift as Yukiro headed off in the direction of Niru and Yusho. Blades clashed as the third cloaked figure who hadn’t spoken blocked the sudden lunge from Carashi. A smirk grinned back at him as she made her way off into the fog. “You’ve just made a mistake sending her off. You were going to need her,” spoke Carashi one last time before breaking out of the sword lock. He came to a halt three paces away as rocks formed up from the ground around him encompassing on all sides. “That’s what you think,” said the first figure as he clasped his hands together. His Karqen following suit crushed together condensing into a small ball of rock intended to squash Carashi… * * * Yusho finally stopped running, his lungs heaving as he looked around. Dead trees surrounded him everywhere. He had lost track of Niru in his fleeing panic. “Niru?” came Yusho’s voice which echoed into the fog to receive no response. ‘What do I do now? Keep running? I don’t even know where I am…. Or which direction I came from… Did they already catch up to Niru? I don’t hear battle anymore are they both gone? They could be coming for me.’ Footsteps came from behind him. Yusho swallowed hard the froth feeling in his throat as he turned drawing his blade from its sheath. “Well then, it can’t be avoided.” Muttered Yusho to himself as the figure emerged from the fog. The figure stopped before Yusho, as they were about to speak Yusho cut them off. “I don’t want to hear any excuses, I know you’re the enemies of my friends and that’s all I need to know.” Said Yusho as he had been trying to access his Kar. His blade came to life in a fiery blaze. “Don’t take me lightly for I will not give up.” Yusho charged forward slashing down vertically at the figure who moved low and left raising their arm in a move Yusho thought would sever their own arm. To his surprise his flaming blade met with metal shooting out of the figure’s sleeve in a designed weapon he had never before seen. Before the surprise could fully register the figure was behind him holding a duplicate of the same weapon at his neck. “This Katar is lined with a deadly poison mean to kill with just a scratch.” Said the woman from behind him. “Now that I have your attention, release your hold on your Karqen. I am not your enemy.” “Yeah, that’s likely,” said Yusho not even attempting to hide his skepticism. “I’m young but I’m not that stupid.” Yusho turned slashing sideways sending a wave of fire out from his blade. Both blade and flames found nothing but air. Yusho gave his surroundings a confused glance around looking for his opponent. ‘Did I imagine the whole thing…? No that’s impossible.’ “I am not going to hurt you, all I need to know is where your friend Niru is.” Said the voice seemingly coming from all directions. Yusho kept glancing around in all directions trying to find the source of the voice. “It is very important that I find him quickly, and I’m afraid you don’t quite understand the situation.” Yusho noticed the voices echo where coming from everywhere except one direction. He relaxed his body. “If I knew that I wouldn’t be here. As I told you before I won’t give up that easily.” Yusho’s sword snaked out in the direction he thought her to be and he found his mark slashing into the woman. “Clever, but I’m afraid you’re out of your league.” Said the voice once again. Yusho watched as the form of the woman slowly disappeared as the wind blew her apart like leaves in the autumn season. ‘My senses are being tricked. How can I fight what I can’t understand?’ “Stop playing with him Yukiro!” came another voice as Yusho turned once again trying to find the source. A hand grabbed his face slamming him straight back into a tree. Yusho felt a tremor through his whole body as his brain hurt like he had cracked it open. Blood was slowly flowing down the back of his head. Images began to flash through his head of his life. Xia first teaching him how to hold a sword and practicing with him. A mini tournament he had won through hard work. Carashi coming into the village as he practiced his swordplay for the millionth time in his life. His village holding a surprise party for his birthday. Fire… the memory of someone carrying him from the fire… from danger. Yusho realized the man was going through his memories relentlessly as he felt a pressure building up seeming to rip through his consciousness. There was no tenderness or care to the search as the man continued his search for the information he sought. “Get out!” said Yusho as the pressure mounted. He couldn’t think of anything else to say other than that. Surprisingly the pressure lifted and he began to see out of his eyes again and the figure before him had a blade through his chest. Gasping the man fell to the floor and off the blade. Looking up the he saw Yukiro standing there with a bloodied blade. Her companion managed to mutter one word that Yusho was currently asking himself. “Why…?” “I’m sorry Gavin, but I haven’t been loyal to the covenant this whole time. I want to find a way to end the man’s suffering.” Said Yukiro kneeling down to dying man named Gavin. “Traitor… You’ve no right to take my…. Life.” “And we’ve no right to take his.” Yukiro stood up turning her attention back to Yusho who took a step back. “Who the hell are you?” “I’m afraid this is no time for questions,” said Yukiro wiping her blade upon Gavin’s dark robes and threw off her dark robe revealing vibrant violet clothing beneath. She wore dark purple boots going up to just before her knees revealing skin above at the hips. Most of which was concealed by the cloth hanging down from a slightly decorative top with many different shades of violet. The vest parted at the mid chest in a sharp V shape up to her neck. Her eyes were light blue as they looked out from beneath her silver hair. “You sound just like—“ “Sound like who? Carashi?” asked Yukiro interrupting him and looking around. “Carashi should have taken care of Gavin… something happened after I left.” Niru shifted out of the fog coming forward. “Sorry Yusho, I lost you for a moment. It wasn’t until you yelled was I able to hear where you were and I came running. A mistake I will not let happen again.” Said Niru apologizing. “It’s ok, she saved me… I guess.” Said Yusho still not sure whether or not to trust the newcomer. “He put up a fight, quite bravely if I do say so myself.” Complemented Yukiro. Yusho turned around hiding his flushing face and tried to cover it up with another question. Niru smirked over at Yukiro exchanging a private grin. “Where is Carashi? You don’t think that other guy got him do you?” asked Yusho who pulled his sword off the ground but did not sheath it quite yet. “I do not know what happened to him, however Carashi was fighting both Gavin and Innel before left… things are not looking good and you are too close to the covenant’s home. We’ll have to leave Carashi behind Niru,” said Yukiro who seemed to be pushing the subject of leaving. “Just what is the covenant and why do they want to kill Niru and Carashi? Aren’t you a part of them?” asked Yusho yearning to want to know what the hell had just happened. “You didn’t tell him did you,” said Yukiro turning to Niru whose expression had turned stern. “Carashi thought it best to keep him uninformed,” said Niru turning his attention to Yusho. “I’m not sure of Carashi’s intentions of bring him along he knows it’s too dangerous for one so young. I had have my doubts about Carashi’s methods of teachings as well, but you know Carashi.” “I’m afraid you’re the only one who knows him the best, at least now.” Yusho was trying to make sense of what was being said but they were still keeping him out of the loop using vague sentences that always hinted at a deeper meaning and layer after layer of secrets. It was quite infuriating to have two people talk in front of him without acknowledging his questions. “Now hold it right there. Don’t talk to me like I’m a ghost or a little kid who doesn’t understand. I understand a slap in the face when I see one. As for Carashi’s training methods, I can handle whatever he throws at me.” Said Yusho with somewhat of a scowl on his face. There was a soft thud behind Yusho as Carashi landed with a dead body setting it down. “Good to hear it, we’ll speed up your training then shall we? Every night you’re going to fight me.” Said Carashi standing up. Yusho turned to look at Carashi who had blood dripping from his right arm and it looked mangled hanging off to the side like some forgotten tool. Silence gripped the group as Carashi bent low searching the man’s clothing. “You won’t find what you’re looking for on him.” Stated Yukiro who was watching Carashi searching the body. “Shut up.” Said Carashi harshly slamming his good fist into the man’s chest. To Yusho’s amazement it caved in as if a rock had caved the man’s chest in. “I don’t want to hear from you of all people. I tolerate your presence because of Niru. Do not push it. Your family ties have enough dark deeds to answer for.” Carashi stood up wiping the some of the blood upon his forehead as he rubbed his arm across it. Yukiro did not speak again, needless to say neither did any of the others. “I suggest you report back before suspicions are raised as to where you are.” Said Carashi. “I’m staying,” said Yukiro in response. “For good this time. Before you argue there’s been too many times you have escaped killing my companions and leaving me alive. They were suspicious before… now there will be no place to return to.” Carashi stared at Yukiro pondering for a moment. His eyes a dark green before slowly fading back to their usual grey tone. “So be it. We are headed for Chinine. I am beckoned once more.” Said Carashi before starting off, into the distance. The fog was finally beginning to clear. Yusho looked at Yukiro and Niru who where exchanging glances before Niru started after Carashi. “Come on, Yusho. I’ll explain some things to you tonight. For now we need to move…” said Yukiro solemnly. Yusho saw a drawn tight expression on her face as he headed off after the others. Yusho glanced down at the dead bodies, he wasn’t a stranger to death but this wasn’t death like he had seen in his younger days from an accident. It was deliberate harm, and it sent a chill through Yusho as he turned putting his back to the bodies and forcing himself to stride onwards. Maybe that’s why Carashi is so harsh…. Is that what it takes to survive in this world? If so I swear I’ll be different.
*** They had traveled through a good amount of the day, and the forest had become more uneven as they continued outwards. Carashi didn’t bother calling everyone to take a rest throughout the whole day, and Yusho guessed that whatever the covenant was it wouldn’t be happy about losing three of its members. Trees began to become more spread out and brush ceased to be in sight by midday. Mountains soaring up into the sky higher then Yusho could have imagined rose before them. The sun was setting behind them as they reached the very edge of the forest, and from there was a vast field of swamp, before the base of the mountains some leagues distant. “Giant’s bog,” muttered Niru for a moment, before looking at Carashi who had stopped for the moment looking out through the land as if scanning for something of importance. Carashi bit his lip for a moment and then let his small pack hit the ground. “We stop here for tonight. Yusho come with me while the other two set up camp,” Said Carashi walking off towards the bog lands. After looking at the others for a moment he headed off after Carashi. They came to a stop one hundred yards away from the camp. “I hope you’ve been practicing your Kar.” “I’ve gotten better, I can draw upon it even quicker now,” said Yusho quite happy with himself. Carashi frowned drawing one of his two swords that hung from his side. “We’ll see. Show me what you got.” Yusho smirked as he drew his own blade from the red sheath. He reached out feeling for his Karqen as his sword lit aflame. Carashi chuckled for a moment dropping into a stance with his blade pointed forward, while his eyes turned a dark shade of grey. He would wait for Yusho’s attack. Yusho formed his Kar making a ball of flame shoot from his sword as he slashed through the air at Carashi. “Primitive and simple,” muttered Carashi as his speed was blinding. He side stepped the fireball slashing his blade through it which seemed to put it out and came forward slashing at Yusho. As Carashi’s blade would have cut Yusho it shifted at the last second to the side of the blade slamming into Yusho’s wide open chest, knocking the breath out of him and sending him sliding back a foot or two. He fell to the ground gasping for air, and it was a good thirty seconds before he was able to choke together a sentence. “Did you have to…. Hit that hard… I think you may have cracked my ribs,” said Yusho in pain holding his chest with his free hand. “I’m not going to take it easy on you, do you think they will be any different?” asked Carashi as he circled Yusho his tone unforgiving. “Welcome to the real world Yusho, where the strong are on top and the weak in shambles. Every night you’re going to fight a superior fighter and learn how to fight against someone better then you.” Yusho let out a small roar as he slashed out at Carashi. Metal flashed as sparks flew from Yusho’s sword upon clashing with Carashi’s. The response was a quick and decisive punch into Yusho’s chest accompanied by a rush of air propelling him backwards. “Good, Anger can make you forget about pain, even dull your senses to it,” said Carashi as he waited for Yusho to get up yet again. “You should however not let it blind you. Anger is a double edged sword…. Use it at your own risk. Further, in order to become a truly effective fighter you’re going to have to learn to use your Kar to coincide with your fighting.” Yusho slowly pushed himself up using his sword to steady himself. Damn, he’s good even with one arm. That’s when Yusho noticed that he was using his right arm. It looked perfectly fine all of a sudden, he was sure it had taken a severe gash to it. How did his wound heal so quickly? That should have taken weeks! “Oh really? Well then let’s try this.” Said Yusho after taking a moment to center himself again. He then charged forward running his sword along the ground. “Direct again? Foolish.” As Yusho drew near Carashi noticed a flux in the pattern of Yusho’s Karqen. It was gathering around his fist as well as a good amount of Lynth gathering around the sword. So you noticed that did you? And now you’re going to try and use it back on me… heh, you’ve got spirit but I’m afraid that’s not always what decides battles. Yusho slashed his blade upwards towards his opponent and even as it clashed with Carashi’s blade it unleashed a torrent of flame into a splashing wave heading straight towards Carashi followed by Yusho throwing his own punch towards where Carashi’s head had been. His hand stopped suddenly as it was gripped and Ice began to form over his arm, and the fire splash was snuffed out by a fierce wind swirling around Carashi. The pressure against his sword disappeared and was swatted aside out to the side of Yusho, he looked up seeing Carashi’s eyes turn a deep yellow and a smirk appear on his face. Reversing his blade so the hilt side came first sparking with electricity, he slammed it once more into Yusho sending him toppling over into the water of the bog. Carashi dragged Yusho out before he drowned from the paralyzing blow, and set him over his shoulder as he began walking back towards the camp. He sheathed his sword as he came to the camp, Yukiro had just started the fire. “Was that really necessary?” asked Yukiro when Carashi set Yusho down. Something in those words triggered a memory; he stood in the middle of a circle of five different men. He was young, wielding two swords, bloody scarred, and exhausted. His training had been one of extremes. He fought ever stronger opponents and was continually forced to keep fighting even when he didn’t think he had any energy left. Mercy was never given to him, as he was trained to be the best. Was that really necessary? I don’t know…. I don’t even know my feelings anymore… “He’ll be cold when he wakes up, best build up a large fire, it should be safe…” said Carashi choosing to ignore the question and he headed off into the forest. Niru sat there by a trail gazing his blindfolded eyes into the fire that had started to crackle. He stood up to help build up the fire, his hands carefully placing the logs as they both remained silent as the world began to darken. Niru looked up to Yukiro after a while and saw her focus was upon Yusho lying knocked out. He would most likely wake up in a few hours or not at all tonight. “He’ll be ok. Regardless of what Carashi said, he held back with a tight reign. He won’t kill the boy,” said Niru trying to reassure her, but even he had doubts. Carashi could be unpredictable. Yukiro surprised him however with a different question. “Do you think she was kind….?” Asked Yukiro turning her gaze from Yusho and shivering for a moment before standing a little closer to Niru. “She must have been… to so calm him even in death. I have a feeling if his life had been better he could have been someone great.” Niru didn’t reply he didn’t know the answer to her question, or how to respond to her train of thought. He looked over his shoulder out into the wilderness. Carashi was no doubt meditating somewhere out there centering himself as if he was as fragile as glass. No, not glass but obsidian. For when I look at him I do not see into his soul, but merely the reflection of myself. Carashi my old, old friend… I know some of your burdens but you will not let me shoulder them with you… I would know your soul so we could suffer together…
*** Pain, that’s all Yusho could feel as he sat up. He couldn’t remember where he was for a good moment and then he saw that night had fallen and Yukiro sat across the fire with Niru nearby. It looked like they had just finished some conversation. Made him slightly disappointed at waking up. If they didn’t keep so many damn, secrets then they wouldn’t have to shut up every time I’m near them, thought Yusho as he stretched before clenching in pain. He pretended not to have noticed them yet for he wasn’t in the best of moods to talk. Yukiro sighed however from across the fire. Yusho wasn’t sure if it was of pity for him or something else but right now he didn’t fancy thinking about it much. She stood up and sat down near him. “You said you wanted some answers?” “That’d be much appreciated, but you sure pick a hell of a time to tell me it,” said Yusho as massaged his shoulder slowly in a circular movement he had been taught of in his village. “but I guess I process information better with a splitting headache.” “Carashi…. Really doesn’t know how to take it easy.” Said Yukiro in a somewhat apologetic tone, as a slight frown formed. “So what was it that you wanted to know?” “I want to know about all of you, every single one of you. What you’re doing, and anything else I might be getting myself into,” Said Yusho stopping to think for a moment. “Yeah, that should about cover it.” “Well then I guess we should start with my tale then,” said Niru standing up and walking towards the edge of the camp. “You already know about my eyes, but you don’t know why I have them. I’m afraid I can’t tell you what gives me the power, but I can tell you a bit.” “Better than nothing,” muttered Yusho. “Alright then bear with me, I’m going to show you.” Said Niru as he turned and it seemed the landscape turned with him as the night was thrust away, and the dull light of a tomb replaced it. Yusho found himself in a large square room decorated with carpets, candles, a bed, pillows, wall hangings, runes written all over the wall, among many other things. Before him was a small kid about the age of ten. He was young, and had short silver hair that was wild. He wore silks that made him look like a royal king, which was a bit weird for someone so small. As the child spun around Yusho would see that the kid had blue eyes which gazed past him as if he wasn’t even there. Noise came soon from behind him and people wearing brown clothing entered the room. They looked like monks, to Yusho. “How are your studies Master Niru?” asked one of the men off to the side. Niru just turned back to something in front of him. Yusho noticing no one currently was noticing him moved off to the side and saw Niru was drawing something on a piece of paper, it wasn’t very good whatever it was. “I’m trying to draw something from the outside. A Jakar. I read about it in some of the books,” said Niru as the one of the monks came forward looking at the sheet of paper. He seemed to examine it for a brief moment before handing it back to Niru. “That is very well done Master Niru,” replied the man with a slight smirk and then walked over to sit upon the bed. “It is about time to sleep.” “Hold on, I’m almost done,” The child form of Niru began to scribble faster all of a sudden and within a few minutes he stopped looking at it. “Long and limber, yet fluffy with its thick blue hair,” said Niru observing his drawing and then he crawled hastily into his bed. “Goodnight Niru.” “Night Marn.” The scene lingered for but a moment and then it shifted now two monks where down at the end of the stairs facing Niru who was standing up facing their direction. The scene gave off a more aggressive tone just by the initial body language of the two monks who where tense. The childish form of Niru held his fist clamped to each side of him. “I want to see the outside. Why do you get to see the outside! I want to see like you,” spoke Niru with a fierceness Yusho had never heard from a small kid. There was a hint of edge in his voice, something slightly different about it. “Master Niru, the outside is too dangerous for you. There are things outside that are evil and would wish to influence you. You don’t understand, you are the safest in here,” said what sounded like the one Niru had called Marn. “Then help me understand! You’re keeping me in the darkness down here, while I see the light above when you leave. I don’t want to be safe if I can’t go anywhere,” said Niru in a sharp return. Yusho stepped back for a moment, even though he didn’t think they could see him, it seemed that this conversation was heating up. The monk’s looked at one another for a second as if contemplating telling him. “Niru…. We cannot allow you to the surface. It just can’t be done. I’m sorry.” “Your sorry… you don’t know what it’s like. I have no one, no one!” Niru’s voice dropped low on the last part of his sentence; it was on the verge of not sounding human. A dark essence was gathering behind him that from the monk’s angles they could not see, but Yusho gasped as a black claw looking hand wrapped around Niru. It wasn’t much longer before the monk’s began to look sickly. Color was fading from them and they both fell down their bodies turning grey. Niru went off into one of the corners of the room and stood there. Yusho carefully approached the bodies. They where ghastly as if they had been dead for days in the rain, their mouth’s where open, as if in shock, black veins appeared to be at the surface of their skin near the eyes making them seem bloodshot. Small amounts of blood leaked down their face from the corners of the eyes. Yusho found the sight surreal, impossible. No little boy could do that without so much as touching someone, why would any small child have the power to kill like this. His attention then turned to Niru in the corner who had just begun to sob and cry. Yusho walked forward carefully until he was about five feet from Niru and then crouched down. Niru stopped his sobbing for a moment as if he sensed Yusho’s presence. Tensions ran high as Yusho half expected Niru to speak. Instead he slowly turned to look over his shoulder ever so slowly, and for a split second he saw that Niru’s eyes where no longer light blue, but black as night. Bam, his headache hit him again as he found himself back at the campfire, Niru across from him and Yukiro off to his side. He held his head thinking for a moment making sure that he just hadn’t had a nightmare and just woke up. As far as he could remember he had been awake thus far. “What was that all about… that was you?” asked Yusho still picturing the small kid in the corner. That sent an involuntary shiver down his spine. “Ever since I was little I had known only that room. For a long time I believed that was the whole entire world. As I began to read books I began to understand more and more that there was a world out there with many things I’d never seen before. My anger towards my watchers only grew with the passing days as I was refused the chance to see the surface even for a little while. As you can see it didn’t turn out well for them, and my hidden curse manifested itself out of my hatred. From that time on I was forced to wear a blind fold in order to not kill whatever I looked upon,” explained Niru finally turning back to face them, Yukiro did not stir. Yusho however felt another chill as he remembered a similar image of him turning around, the only difference this time he had a blind fold. “I no longer wished to see the outside world fearing it hated me for what I had done. The other monks protecting me were more cautious from now on. They treated me with an air of paranoia every time they had to come down. I knew they were scared, scared of what I had done, of what I had become. The only time I would take off my blind fold now was to read books or practice swordsmen ship which I became fascinated by in the books that I had read.” “And why and how did you leave?” asked Yusho. Niru smirked for the first time during this conversation. “Carashi’s right. You do ask too many questions.” Yusho himself stared at Niru resisting the urge to roll his eyes. He knew out of Niru and Carashi, that Niru was more likely to tell him anything at all. “Well over the next few years, things continued like that until about age thirteen. Around this time, a small little girl snuck into my room that fateful day escaping the monks above. I had been practicing blind folded for once to see if it could do it. The footsteps I heard coming my way I can still remember. Tap tap-tap tap. Nothing like the slow moving monks I had known all my life. She must have thought I couldn’t see her or something of the sort for a long time she didn’t move after seeing me. I was curious but decided to wait until she chose to reveal that she was here. I finished practicing and then sat down and turned to face the direction I heard her from. She was surprised and I eventually got me to tell me the story of why she was here. She left not long afterwards, and I thought I’d never see her again for she wasn’t supposed to be there,” said Niru stopping as if in remembrance. Yusho noticed Yukiro was listening just as intently as him. “The girl would return many times and I enjoyed her visits for she was the only friend I had. I shared secrets of myself with her, where I would go when I read books, what I had learned, and my questions about my parents. She would in turn share stories about the outside. One day however, she brought a flower to me and told me she could never come back. Things on the outside prevented her from ever seeing me again. She left the flower with me… I can still remember what it looks like.” Niru received an unexpected flash back. Seeing darkness, nothing but black and feeling something soft within his hand. He gently pulled back his blind fold and opened his eyes to see one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen in his life. He was captivated for the split second that he could see the flower before it started to wither and fade beneath his deathly gaze. It was the first thing of the outside world he would see besides monks and the girl. “Needless to say I felt the urgency to leave. I wanted to help with what was going on in the outside world that would keep my friend away. The monks tried to stop me, but it wasn’t long before my anger surfaced yet again,” said Niru trailing off for but a moment. Clearly it had not ended very well and Yusho knew that despite the monstrous power Niru held within him he wasn’t a monster. “Needless to say they are now dead and I found myself aimlessly wondering through a new and confusing world.” “What happened to the girl?” asked Yusho noticing how Niru failed to mention anything else about her. His question was answered with a simple shrug, which he wasn’t quite sure how to take. “And what about you? Your past must be interesting if Carashi has a problem with your family.” Yukiro sighed for a moment at the mention at that and then looked up to Yusho with a look he couldn’t quite pin down. The look seemed to be somewhere between exhaustion and disappointment. “The reason why Carashi does not like my family or trust me is a bit more complicated. My family you see has had a legend that has been told and past down from generation to generation of a man of absolute power, a man who could reshape Karqen, and would bring about the creation of yet another Ascendant. It is said that this person would be born of the shadows, and permanently having his heart in a perpetual darkness. The thing is the legend goes that if you kill the chosen person before he Ascends to his own realm you take on his destiny,” said Yukiro and then looked over to Niru who had listened as if he had heard this all before. “My family and the group they work with believe Niru to be this man. They believe he is destined to gain Ascendancy. Those people I was with are just a small part of the group that is tracking Niru and Carashi’s movements so they can capture or kill Niru.” “So you’re a wanted man for nothing Niru…” said Yusho slightly feeling sorry for Niru who’s life seemed to have been nothing but hell. “Good thing you’re not alone.” As Yusho smiled so did Niru and Yukiro which gave a brief lapse away from the gloom truth. Yukiro soon after yawned and Niru stood up heading over to his sleeping mat. “Much to their distaste, Carashi has stopped their attempts every time,” was Yukiro’s delayed reply to Yusho’s statement. Niru lay down upon his mat as yet another question popped into Yusho’s head. “And what about Carashi?” A voice from behind him, that he had not heard sneaking up on him sounded almost directly behind him. “You ask too many questions.”
And the beginning of Chapter 5 of which I am unsure of where the hell I am going to go with it!
Chapter 5: The Resistance They found themselves in the sewers below the city. From the sounds above, Cadseem guessed that they had raised hell for the imperials above. One of the higher ups was no doubt driving an iron fist into the backsides of the poor suckers who had managed to let them escape. Sano seemed to know his way around quite well as he lead the group through twists and turns. They had eventually come to a door which he knocked on a few times before someone finally opened it. The man looked curious at everyone besides Sano who just shrugged when the gaze finally came back to him. “Hey, so I know how to party,” said Sano before turning back to the others. “They aren’t friends of the Empire, I can tell you that much. The girl is from the Yurik region, I think she was from that village…” “She’s from Garn’s village?” he asked hesitantly sizing her up for a moment. Xia herself perked up. “Yes, I am from that village. I’m his daughter, why?” asked Xia, but the man didn’t say anything more as he gave a waving motion to enter. He backed up from away the door and Sano walked in first followed shortly by Xia. Cadseem, Lial, and Scar looked at each other for a moment, and written on each of their faces was a clear look that none of them knew the full extent of what was implied by this odd situation. Sano’s head popped back out of the door almost a second later. “You, three coming in? Or would you like to sleep out here with the Rats?” Asked Sano looking at each one of them in turn.
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