~Darkness Becomes~ STORY

[DoctorEW]

Bysir made it up the first set of foothills along a spur before he stopped to check if his menace had given chase, thankfully he had not. Now to find a place I can rest, and learn from my mistakes, the years have weakened you Bysir. I've felt some presence in these mountains before during meditation, but that was when I was much more in tune with my curse. Bysir set out to find a cave or glade to reflect on the days events, perhaps search for this presence.....

[(Hexamin)]

The mountains were full of mystery.  Traversing them was a great feat even setting aside all the dangerous creatures present.  The cliffs were treacherous and it was a time consuming process traveling over the great peaks.  The time the Dark Paladins spent in the mountains was slow to pass, as they did their best to simply survive and bear their curse.  Most of them avoided contact with any other intelligent race, goblin, yeti, even the extremely friendly elkfolk, as it would potentially lead to exile from the mountains as well.  If that happened, where else would the Dark Circle flee too?  Nevertheless, Bysir was familiar with the dangers of the mountains, and knew how to stay alive.  He was too tired to fight anything else that day so he had to remain diligently aware of his surroundings, as to avoid complications with the dangerous mountain wildlife.

[Subsonic_Noise]

As Vael opened his eyes, he didn't remember where he was. He was laying in a quite comfortable bed, in what seemed to be a room of an expensive inn. How did he get here? The last thing he remembered was Battling Herk, but didn't he knock Vael out? Still confused, he got up and noticed that his right arm was put in a bracer.

[DoctorEW]

Being mindful to stay far away from normal paths taken by the inhabitants of the mountains, Bysir made his way to a familiar ridge, where a small cave gave sanctuary for Bysir's metaphysical wanderings. Bysir started his session by burning the last of the sage he had saved for a spiritual walk of this magnitude. Bysir spent until mid-afternoon studying Theed's movements trying to better understand them in order to effectively counter them if another encounter took place. As Bysir meditated, his darkness aura stretched into the wilderness of the mountains, searching the surrounding area. Bysir felt it, it crawled up his back and grabbed him by the spine. There was something....more in this wilderness, something dark. Bysir waited until he had an approximate direction and distance on this presence, and then set out to investigate what chilled even his blood......

[(Hexamin)]

@Vael
Ryan noticed as soon as Vael awoke and signaled a guard to go get Zenith; the lord had been waiting for his young firemaster to awaken.  "Well, well, well," the head guard walked over to Vael, "I'm most impressed that you were able to sleep for so long, I mean, I do understand passing out after you took down Herk but-" with that Vael had a puzzled look on his face.  He hadn't realized that he had defeated the bear of a man.  Ryan took note of the expression and altered his sentence, "You don't remember even taking down Herk, do you?"


@Bysir
A cold chill befell the mountain where Bysir was located.  Just before exiting the cave, a loud clashing was heard outside, maybe 200 meters away.  A fight was taking place, and from the sounds of it, it was destroying much of the landscape around the combatants.  Bysir heard another sound, a tree falling, what kind of beast could create such havoc and contain so much power?

[DoctorEW]

Bysir did his best to stay in the shadows and moved closer to where the sounds of battle were taking place. He drew his only remaining sword, just for good measure.

[Trainer Zydragon]

Kiba

Kiba returned Brendt's friendly gesture and they both sat on the cold stone floor. Kiba noted the time and motioned his head towards the door. "We need to set off soon, they'll be expecting us."

Brendt stood up and rang the small glass bell on the large font at the end of the room, and the other Paladins rose from their meditation.

As the Paladins left the room in single file, kiba tried to recognise any that he knew. The order of Paladins was a large one, with several Order Houses situated in this city alone, and more in various other towns. Only a small few of the Paladins present were part of Kiba's order, the White Wolf House, and Kiba recalled their names and abilities.

Waver, a firemaster, had sparred with Kiba many times, and had even had joint training. Kiba's oxygen-based skill could make Waver's flame grow larger, or, in sparring, had starved his flames to a small flicker.

Iain was an earthmover, trained specifically in defence. He was able to create walls of earth and rock with a simple hand movement, and was even learning to bend and move iron and steel based objects.

Vauhan was a medic, trained in the healing powers of water, and, if touching the patient, able to cease the flow of blood and seal wounds in minutes. Due to the short-range capabilities however, he had no chance to test it in battle.

Lastly, Brendt. he was another proficient in the arts of earth control, and it was why he was so good to spar with. Earth and air are useless against each other, so each duel came down to tactics, and mostly weapon combat. Through these competitive duels, Brendt was fast learning how to hurl rock projectiles without much concentration, and Kiba was learning to use the oxygen in the wind to push himself, and even nudge weapons to stop an accurate swing.

As the last of the Paladins filed out towards the castle courtyard, Kiba checked that Azrael was fastened in and followed, quietly chatting about recent events.

[(Hexamin)]

@Bysir
Claws could be seen.  Then a tale.  Then a beak.  How was this possible?  There were only two figures there but already several beasts had been seen.  One thing was consistent.  There was a person fighting the beast.  Bysir looked closer.  The beast was continuously shifting forms, it became a birdlike creature to dodge attacks, a large beast with claws to attack, and a creature similar to a cat to pursue its foe.  In all its magnificence, the beast was not what Bysir felt, the dark presence was coming from the person.  Impressed by the movements of the shadowy figure, he noticed something... Bysir had moved like that before.

The person rolled out of the way of a huge claw aiming to rip open his chest.  As the beast turned around and began charging for a second attack, the man whose presence Bysir had felt during meditation began to emit darkness, similar to the way Bysir imagined it in his metaphysical journeys.  The darkness completely consumed the person and a mighty shadow sprung up in his place, with burning red eyes.  The beast could not slow down, moment was already built, but surprisingly, it showed no fear in the presence of this monstrosity.  It's bravery was in vain however, as it swiped at the shadow, it passed right through, but came out the other end in pieces.  The great beast laid slain, the shadow was easily victorious.

Bysir was awestruck at the scene, and to be honest, he hadn't experienced a feeling of terror in a long time, this though, was terrifying, even if Bysir would never admit it.  The eyes slowly turned towards Bysir and the Dark Paladin froze.  The shadow stared him for what felt like an eternity, only to dissipate into the air as it quickly flew into the sky.  Nothing was left of the scene except a bloody mess of the shape shifting beast and debris from uprooted trees and smashed rocks.


@Kiba
Gripping Azrael, he was overcome by a vision.  He was seeing through another's eyes.  He was fighting a great shape shifting beast, although he had no control over what he was doing.  Standing over the corpse of the beast he'd just slain, Kiba's vision turned and the Paladin met the eyes of a man with dark eyes, darker than any he'd ever seen.  Everything flashed white and when Kiba could see again, he was exactly where he was before, although now he was gripping Azrael a bit tighter.  Brendt looked at his friend, seeing the brief hesitation.  "Don't fret, friend.  You're going to love war!"  And with that, they made their way with the rest of the paladins, 25 total, to meet up with Prince Capsol's 1st Infantry Batallion.

[Subsonic_Noise]

Vael first wanted to lie, but then noticed that it would have no use anymore - The guard already knew it.
"I... don't. But I think the memory might come back again." Little did the guard know that Vael didn't have any memories of ever loosing control. He always just remembered everything around him suddenly being in flames, people fleeing in terror - never did he know what esactly he did, but he thought it would be better not to tell this Zenith, or he might think he'd be useless after all, and that might not be good for Vael, even if he decided not to join.
So Vael just walked along the guard, who seemed to be okay with his reply, and thought about what happened.

[DoctorEW]

Bysir fades back to reality, what had he just witnessed? Who was that...that.....thing? And what was that other.......thing? 300 years spent in these mountains and Bysir had never seen anything close to what had just occurred. Bysir decided to investigate the remains of the beast, if they can be called that.

[Trainer Zydragon]

Kiba

Kiba stood with the other Paladins, unsure as to what he had just seen. had it been a vision of some kind? of the future? or even of some time in the past? was it within the sword? Another plane of existance maybe?

He went through the scene in his mind, fighting that great beast. First a bird, then a large cat, then what Kiba could only describe as a deformed bear. And the sudden shift of stance. No, of height. Who or whatever he was seeing through had just grown. The beast had charged, and gone through him, yet didn't touch him. After that the beast had lay dead behind him, ripped to shreds, and those eyes through the woods... Strangely familiar eyes...

Kiba shuddered, and realised a young officer was speaking to him about the protocol of the day. "My apologies, please continue."

[(Hexamin)]

@Vael
I know already.  That thought resonated through Vael's mind, though it was not his own.  Thereafter the door to the bedchamber opened and Zenith walked in.

Hello again Vael.  Another thought that wasn't his own entered his mind.  Wait... was Zenith inside his head?

"Yes."  Zenith exclaimed, "I am in fact right up there with you.  Interesting condition you have... obvious great power with zero control over it!  You don't remember a thing from yesterdays slaughter!  Well... it wasn't quite a slaughter, for some reason you didn't finish your opponent, but don't worry, I took care of Herk's demise."  Vael wasn't sure what to say, so Zenith continued.

"I have a great proposition for you.  Seeing how you have a great power with no control over it, and I've spent my years perfecting control over my power, I think you might be able to learn a thing or two from me.  Why don't you become a pupil of mine?  Strive to become a Freeseeker?"


@Bysir
*Bysir picked up a Shapeshifter's Claw*

The claw was large and sharp, and seemingly the only thing that wasn't cracked or broken or ripped apart.  Bysir knew nothing of this claw, but knew of a place that just might have information he was looking for.  The town of Darson to the north was surrounded by a mystical forest on each side, containing a great variety rare creatures.  It also had a library put together from tales of adventurers who had come to the town and braved the creatures.  Maybe there a bestiary in the library that could identify this strange claw.


@Kiba
"You Paladins need to know your proper place in this military.  Yes I realize and acknowledge your supposed "elite" nature, but that matters not!  You fall under my command while Prince Capsol has you assigned to the 1st Infantry Batallion."  The young officer was surprisingly a captain, and indeed he was in charge of the Paladins, at least superficially for the time being.  He continued, "We are to make our way to the town of Darson, along the road, and defeat any resistance we find along the way.  Once at Darson we'll proceed to occupy the town and await further orders from higher."  He stood in front of Kiba specifically, "Any questions?"

[Trainer Zydragon]

kiba

Kiba's mind was filled with thoughts of the events of the day. Last night's strange dream, and now this vision.

Though his mind was full, his face showed nothing but serenity, and he answered the captain.

"Only one, what time do we march... Sir."

[(Hexamin)]

The young captain replied.  "We're still waiting on a new lieutenant, once he arrives we'll start out march."

[DoctorEW]

Bysir gets his bearings, and heads for Darson. Shishra will have to wait, there is something very odd about todays occurrences, and fate always plays on Bysir's side.

[Subsonic_Noise]

Vael didn't know what to do. He still ha no interest in becoming a freelancer, but  learning to control his power.. it was tempting... Suddenly, Vael shook his head. Controlling the power that killed his parents? The power that left him alone, trapped in the burning building? His light scars from 5 years ago began to burn as the memories came back again.
"I think you already know me answer."

[Diokatsu]

The young captain replied.  "We're still waiting on a new lieutenant, once he arrives we'll start out march."

Pyrrhus arrived at what he thought was just the time, recieved his new armor, and went to see the Captain.

[Trainer Zydragon]

Kiba

While the other 24 Paladins, including Brendt, sat in a corner of the courtyard to meditate or chat amongst themselves, Kiba was busy sifting through his mind. He remembered the dream, and how he had woken and went to Azrael. He unsheathed the sword from his back and lightly held the hilt in his right hand. A few people stared in awe at the sheer size of the blade, and the ease of movement of the bearer in comparison.

"Azrael."

The same sensation filled his body as just 8 hours before, and he felt the presence of every man in the courtyard for a split second. Other windwalkers shivered as if cold, but none looked towards Kiba as the cause. No amount of concentration could bring forth the vision again. It was clear that the moment had passed in whatever reality it took place in.

Now all Kiba had to do was wait. He sat with the other Paladins and plunged Azrael in the ground next to him. He sat in silent thought as the hours passed, opening his eyes only to watch the man who was sleeping at the temple waltz in casually.

[(Hexamin)]

@Vael
Zenith thought carefully about this predicament.  Vael had so much potential and all Zenith wanted to do was unlock it and allow Vael to fully control it.

"If you don't mind me asking... why are you so reluctant to stay away from this power?"  Zenith offered Vael the opportunity to speak his mind instead of the lord reading it.

@Pyrrhus & Kiba
"Well it looks as if we're all here.  Lieutenant Pyrrhus, I'll talk to you later about military discipline and making appointments set by your superiors.  For now, introduce yourself to these paladins.  You'll be seeing a lot of each other from here on out."  The young captain proceeded to round up the rest of the battalion while introductions were being made.  Pyrrhus couldn't help but notice the large blade on the ground next to a paladin lost in thought.

[Trainer Zydragon]

Kiba

Kiba snapped out of his trance and noticed a commotion towards the center of the courtyard, in the center of which was the sleeper. Assuming the march was close to ready, Kiba closed his eyes and collected his thoughts for a few minutes, then stood, scabbarded Azrael, and waited for the orders to be called.

*Enter Pyrrhus *

(looks like this day may be abit longer  haha)