~Darkness Becomes~ STORY

[(Hexamin)]

@Vael
Zenith grew slightly impatient of Vael and his reluctance to unlock repressed memories.  The lord decided to instigate memories locked inside Vael.  He walked slowly over to Vael as to not alarm the nervous firemaster.  Firemaster, Zenith thought, hardly a master...  Nevertheless, Zenith was determined to, if nothing else, open Vael's mind to allow him to confront his past and possibly get past this idea that his power was wrong in any way.  Zenith saw power as a gift and couldn't understand why Vael thought otherwise.

As Zenith reached out and touched Vael's shoulder, the young man was suddenly overwhelmed with a near-hypnotic flashback, one that Zenith watched carefully.

Vael remembered the dream he had that night.  Red was all Vael could see.  It wasn't menacing in anyway, merely extremely powerful.  A deep voice filled the area surrounding Vael.  It was mistakenly terrifying and Vael was just that--terrified.  Vael desperately searched the vast Red he was consumed in, but to no avail.  He felt a burning sensation consume his entire body.  The deep voice tried comforting Vael, but Vael would not listen.  Instead he became overwhelmed by the burning sensation that he woke up to a house in flames.  He didn't notice at the time that he himself was consumed in flames.  Vael noticed the situation he was in and his own flames went out, and in that moment the fire around him began burning his skin.  He frantically escaped the burning building, not even realizing that he had left his parents inside to die.  It was too late to return to his home to try to rescue his parents, when he moved forward to attempt this, the house crumbled underneath the instability of the flames.

Vael suddenly came to and Zenith stepped back from the young man.  Zenith examined Vael and his reaction to the suppressed memory while he analyzed the memory of Vael's himself.  Zenith was fully aware of the Spectrum and the fact that it was the source of everyone's powers on this planet, and recognized the Red in Vael's dream to be the Red of the spectrum.  This Red would not do anything to harm life, and Zenith saw that Vael's powers were due to a deep connection with the Reds.  It was unfortunate that Vael did not see this connection.  Despite Zenith's questionable philosophies on life and death, there was a genuine interest in Vael and allowing the firemaster to actually master this power.  The decision was now up to Vael, however.

Zenith said a final word before awaiting Vael's response, "The power within you is in no way evil and can be contained.  I could help you in doing this, but I will no longer pursue you if you do not desire it."

@Pyrrhus and Kiba
The army started its march towards Darson.  The young Lieutenant Pyrrhus seemed too distant to introduce himself to the paladins he would be overseeing, and Kiba lost interest for the time being.

[Aqua]

Unlike most people, Seles noticed the disturbance in the water.  She knew it was not a natural occurrence, and yearned to find out the source.  Only problem was... how?

[Subsonic_Noise]

Vael sighed. He didn't like his power - or "gift", as Zenith called it, but is probably was better to learn to control it, he could then still choose not to use it, he could learn to surpress it. But still, it wasn't easy for him - he didn't even know what this power was, he seemed to become someone else when he used it...
"I guess I have no other choice."

[Trainer Zydragon]

Kiba

Kiba walked at the head of the group of Paladins, occasionally glancing behind to see how they fared. At one point, a small ferret ran in front of him and stopped, looking up at Kiba before running off. He paid it no mind... Until it shimmered.

His sight followed the ferret until it ran up onto the shoulders of a woman, who saw him watching and waved with a polite smile. Spirit companions Kiba thought, I should get myself one, maybe a nice dragon or something.

He smirked at the thought.

[(Hexamin)]

@Seles
Seles couldn't help but notice that there was some disturbance, and it seemed almost as if something was about to fall upon the town, just what, she could not determine, but the sensation of its imminence was powerful and dark.  She had a few options.  She could brave the waters and search for the cause of the surge the ocean displayed earlier.  She could sit and wait to see what was about to hit Fendmoore.  She could venture out from Fendmoore into a different part of the mainland.  Each choice would have it's own repercussions, and would end up shaping Seles into the woman she was to become.  A woman destined to affect the fate of the world.


@Vael
Zenith let out a sigh of relief when he read Vael's thoughts.  He had long ago gotten over the thought that mind reading was intrusive, it saved him the trouble of conversation which was usually dull and boring.  He had high hopes for Vael and desired to begin teach Vael control immediately, however, he left it up to Vael.

"When would you like to begin this training I offer?  I realize the potential stress you must of endured by experiencing your repressed memory, so I'll understand if you need some time to yourself."  Zenith awaited Vael's reply and allowed his concentration on Vael's thoughts to cease.  He was listening for Vael's words.


@Kiba
The woman continued looking at Kiba.  She found the young paladin interesting, and appreciated his noticing of her, even if it was initiated by her ferret.

"Do you like my companion," she inquired.  "He's one of many I've conjured, but by far the softest."  She pet the ferret as it snuggled into her shoulder.

[WhiteRose]

"Arrite, old man. Today's the day." Chris stood atop a roof, gazing out into the city. He had to be out there somewhere. Yesterday, she had checked all of the obvious locations. He had to be somewhere he thought she would never look.... But where?
The clock rang out; it was now 12 o'clock noon. 12 o'clock... clock.... the Clock Tower? It couldn't be so simply, could it? Chris swung down from the roof and practically ran to the clock tower. She jiggled the handle; locked, of course. But that wasn't going to stop her. Climbing a stack of boxes next to the building, she managed to get onto the roof. If she could get to the top, above the clock, she should be able to slide into one of the small windows leading to the room containing the bells. Finding a foot-hold, she began scaling the tower, but before she had gone more than a couple feet upwards, the brick cracked beneath her, tossing her back down onto the roof. She had a brief thought: if she was having trouble, certainly a man as old as Scott certainly couldn't have gotten in there. She dismissed it quickly. No time for that kind of thinking. Gritting her teeth, she made another attempt to scale the tower. Winded, she reached the window. With a final push of her legs, she clambered inside the tower. Inside, wooden scaffolding made her decent down to the floor quick and painless.
"Oi, Scott? Ya in here, mate?" she called out, not really expecting an answer.

[Trainer Zydragon]

Kiba

Kiba slowly stroked the ferret and gently smiled at the young woman. "How does one conjure a spirit companion? And what is your name, young miss?"

The ferret slowly faded and the woman held out her hand in a polite gesture.

[(Hexamin)]

@Chris
"Right behind you actually," the old man panted as he somehow climbed through the window.  It was like the space around him was bending to accommodate his size.  Chris looked bewildered.  "Oh don't think I got this far in life without having some tricks up my sleeves."  Scott brushed off some dust from his clothes then cleared his throat.  "I saw you read my note.  Lesson 2: Hiding is running I distinctly remember it saying.  I was on that roof that you begun on the whole time.  I didn't think you'd run off on a wild goose chase after I vanished and you read the note, but... I can't expect youth to have the wisdom of it's elders.  Anyway... congratulations!  It looks like you'll never need to hide seeing how you can effectively get yourself around virtually anywhere in town.  Here, by the way, I saw you struggling with the door to the clock tower and thought you might appreciate this."  The old man tossed Chris a lockpick set.  "Maybe you'll find it useful"

*Chris acquired a lockpick set*
*Chris gained experience*


@Kiba
"Oh it's really only an understanding of the Color you're aligned with."  The woman explained, "I'm a Blue and that ferret of mine happens to share the same Color alignment.  I learned of these conjurations from a book I read years ago, and have since then just expanded on my understanding.  I could try to teach you if you really wanted."

[Trainer Zydragon]

Kiba

"We have time before we reach Darson" stated Kiba. "I also follow the blue path, which creatures would I be able to summon?"

Kiba stepped back, looking uncomfortable. "And what will it cost me, I'm afraid I have nothing to give..."

[WhiteRose]

Chris sighed. Never before had she felt such a mix of respect and irritation towards anyone. Clearly, there was more to Scott than met the eye. "Thanks," she said, stuffing the kit into her bag after examining it briefly. "I'm sure it'll come in handy."

[(Hexamin)]

@Kiba
"Are you kidding me?  It'll pass the time wonderfully teaching you how to do this, no payment neccessary.  Granted... you do have to keep in mind that when I first summoned a spirit companion I only got the furry little ferret you saw earlier, it's not really up to you initially what you can and cannot summon.  However, with much practice, you'll be summoning other creatures in no time.  I personally can summon this ferret, a deer, and a phoenix.  Though their purpose is largely superficial, it's a great party trick!  Us Blues' spirit companions usually maintain a passive theme, creatures that are generally benevolent in nature.  Maybe I could help you achieve a more desirable companion on your first try, but I'm not sure if it'll work.  Shall we try the ritual?  It does take concentration, but we won't have to stop moving if you were worried about that."


@Chris
"Good," Scott said,  "Now then, we need to somehow get back to my house without being noticed by the Royal Guard patrolling the streets.  The census has begun and I'm afraid if we get caught outside, we might find ourselves in a bit of trouble."  He looked out the window then back at Chris.  "I'll follow your lead."

[Trainer Zydragon]

Kiba

"Sure, I'm a Paladin, we're concentrating every hour of the day" Kiba said with a grin, "Let's get started."

Kiba and the young woman, whom he forgot to ask her name, walked side by side as she taught him how to summon.

[Diokatsu]

Pyrrhus was bored out of his mind. Time slowed down and tick, tock of the illusory clock resounded like knell in his head. Four times strikes the hammer to the side, slowly sounding the song of death upon wakeful eyes. Beating softly like a lullaby, the resonance of a single note  lays to waste the time spent watching the surrounding men.

Pyrrhus was lonely. No man seemed to address him, no man of merits, meriting his meticulous attention. Winding and winding, the paths from his path and his path from the paths diverged until he awoke to find himself somewhere he had not known before. Getting lost in foreign lands was generally accepted as a remarkably not impressive idea.

So he walked, and walked, looking for something to do.

[(Hexamin)]

@Kiba
After several minutes of concentration Kiba and the woman summoned Kiba's first spirit companion: a rabbit.  Not quite what he was going for... Blue spirits seemed kind of dull to Kiba, and the woman noticed the disappointment on his face.  "Don't worry too much about it," the woman stated and closed her eyes briefly summoning a phoenix above her.  "See this Phoenix?  I mastered being able to summon it all on my own, and all I am is a medic for the army.  I'm sure a paladin like yourself will have this mastered in no time!"  With that, the woman walked off with her phoenix, disappearing into the crowd of soldiers mindlessly marching towards Darson.  The bunny hopped alongside Kiba, sweet and cuddly in contrast to the large paladin.  Kiba glared at the rabbit menacingly.

@Pyrrhus
The young captain in command of Pyrrhus and the paladins noticed the new lieutenant walking off on his own.  He snuck up behind Pyrrhus along with two soldiers and bashed the apathetic officer across the head with a club.  When Pyrhuss came to the marching had stopped.  He was surrounded by soldiers and paladins who were ready to watch a fight.  The young captain spoke up.  "I am your commander, Captain Hershing, and I will not tolerate your deliberate dereliction of duty.  We are solving this insubordination you are sporting like men... one of us beating the other to a bloody pulp."  The captain raised his fists ready to fight.  Pyrrhus looked around and realized he was without weapon and knew he would only have his fists as well.  "Well Lieutenant Pyrrhus, what are you made of?"

[WhiteRose]

Chris nodded. "Well, we certainly don't want to go out the front door; no doubt those goons are all over the streets. So..." She glanced back at the window. "Looks like we're going up." She grabbed onto the scaffolding on the walls. "Don't even think about lookin' up my skirt," she said, and started to climb. When she reached the window, she stopped. She took a deep breath, concentrating. Like a candle, her body flickered, and winked out, though a faint shadow remained. Clambering quickly down from the tower, she glanced back to make sure Scott was still following her. Once she had confirmed it, she slipped into the long afternoon shadows, and easily avoid the guards, slinking along the walls of building after building. She allowed herself a smirk; for Royal Guards, they certainly weren't very bright.

[Diokatsu]

Pyrrhus was more shocked than he was nervous. After all, he had never lost a fight and had always had a way to win. But, if anything, he was a bit mad at the Captain for attacking him unprovoked, even though he would have done the same thing himself.

"Quite a statement you've made there," he said, getting to his feet, "about fighting like men. I know a few women who could hit hard then you." His mind drifted a bit to some of the people he had once known, the stronger men and women who had forged him from molten potential  and demystified the disillusions of his youth.

Let's fight then, said Pyrrhus to himself, throwing a left hook, which the nimble Captain easily blocked. However, Pyrrhus's fist all, but glanced the blocking captains and continued further. With such momentum, he struck out with a leg sweep and kicked the captains nimble limbs from beneath him.

The Captain got up, brushing himself off, and said, "It seems like this would be an interesting fight." He stepped in and began his assault.

[Trainer Zydragon]

Kiba

Kiba forced his way through the crowd of soldiers to stand at the edge of an almost empty circle, and saw the sleeper facing off (lazily) with the 'commanding' officer, the young captain.

Kiba watched as one of the other soldiers threw a sword for the captain, and he brandished it in the direction of unfortunate Pyhrrus. Having no weapon at hand, save for Azrael (and he was not about to let go of that), Kiba commanded his furry little friend to run at the captain.

Kiba watched in amusement as the spirit rabbit darted towards the captain and jumped, clinging to his leg, before disappearing in a wisp of smoke. The captain was clearly unfamiliar with spirit companions, and stared at his leg with a look of slight terror for a few minutes... Just enough time for Pyhrrus to step in once again...

*queue pyhrrus *

[Diokatsu]

...And smash the Captains face in. Pyrrhus released a deadly jab that solidly smooshified the Captain's face. He grabbed the falling Captain and ripped him back up after he had fallen and again, punched him in the same manner. However, on his third attempt, Pyrrhus felt another movement from the Captain as the hook of the Captains right connected solidly with his cheek, hitting him towards the ground and leaving him sore and dazed. Before he let the Captain could react though, Pyrrhus took out his legs, dragged him close and wound up to punch the Captain once more, a hook to the left side of the jaw. It connected. Pyrrhus stood up, brushes himself off and was about to leave when the Captain twitched and lifted himself heavily off the ground. What would the Captain do?

[(Hexamin)]

@Chris
Upon arrival to Scott's home they shut the door and shortly after Scott had poured his tea, Royal Guards came knocking on the door.  "Census!"  They shouted through the door.  It looks like they'd come to take down Scott's information.

Scott set his fresh tea down and looked at Chris, "We should probably knock this out; it might be a pain always having to run from the guards from here on out.  Just say you live here so we can get these guards off our back."  With that, Chris and Scott proceeded to answer the guards questions, convincing the guards of their "loyalty" to Prince Wensil and the kingdom.  The guards gave the two their IDs and left them alone.

"Chris," Scott said picking his tea back up.  "I need to discuss something with you.  I've got a history with some people I should have never upset in the first place.  Because of this, I've constantly had to move often.  I've overstayed my welcome here in Unificus and I'm afraid I've been tracked by the Brotherhood of Blood.  Years ago I thought it would be a thrill to steal from them, and they've held a grudge this whole time.  The Thieves Guild and the Brotherhood have never gotten along, and that definitely did not help.  Anyway, an assassin is sure to be on his way, and my location is known.  I'm tired of running though, and with this new turmoil in the world between the factions, I'm afraid it would be difficult for an old man like me to keep up a life on the run."

Scott sipped his tea slowly, took a deep breath then cotninued.  "The Thieves Guild is real, but its secrecy must be kept.  They never recruit unless they lose a member due to extenuating circumstance.  I have a feeling an extenuating circumstance if about to take place.  I don't want my position going to any dumb kid out there, so I've been testing your skills.  I've decided to let you be the dumb kid my spot gets filled by.  What do you say to taking this old man's spot in the Guild after my death?"  Scott was strangely calm about a death he felt was inevitable.


@Pyrrhus
The Captain wasn't a force to easily be reckoned with.  Nearly unaffected by being knocked to the ground, he side stepped another attack from Pyrrhus and retaliated with a left hook that he knew would be blocked.  A quick recoil of his arm with a 1-2, right-left jab nearly caught Pyrrhus off guard, nicking the lower part of his jaw, although not directly due to Pyrrhus's quick movements and amazing instinct.  "Hmm... looks like neither of us will go down easily!"  Captain Hershing stated.

... *the storyteller resigns and allows Kiba and Pyrrhus continue after lawling slightly at the captains face being "smooshified"*

[Trainer Zydragon]

Kiba

Kiba watched the fight unfold. After the rabbit stunt, the captain stood no chance as Pyhrrus hammered into him. Pyhrrus now had his back turned, exiting the duelist's circle, as the young and very brash captain lay on his back, fumbling for the sword he had dropped moments earlier.

The captain lunged at Pyhrrus's open back, and Kiba, using the air to push himself, drew Azrael and blocked the thrust moments before it pierced the unknowing Pyhrrus. "Now that wasn't very sportsmanlike was it, captain" he said, a look of anger on his face.

The captain staggered back and redied himself, expecting a fight. "Only if you truly want to do this, captain." The last word Kiba had said with insulting tone. Kiba stood, Azrael in hand, waiting.