Welcome to Gaia! ::

This is a thread for those who want to RP out events that cannot be done in RP. For example, if you wanted to do a scene from a character's memory, or something that is mentioned briefly by another character but not fully explained...this is the place to do it.

This is all related to the Lunar Hope's RP, but is not limited to that. I'm placing it in this guild because the people who are in this guild are the intended users for this.

Going back through my files, I looked up the conversations between Xerxses and Krystic during their time in the Realm of Dreams, before Krystic summoned Xerxses into the Mortal Realm. Enjoy!
These are the same dreams that were periodically noted from Krystic's point of view, in her journal.

Xerxses:
*he keeps watch over her through the night as he thinks*

Krystic:
~the next morning, she wakes up sneezing...Xerxses' feathers tickled her nose~

"Oh, sorry. Um, I think I feel better now, heheh."
*he smiles and holds out his hand to help her up*

~she rubs her eyes as she takes his hand~
"Oh...um....here. Let me see how the cuts are doing"
~she unwraps one of his wings~

*he sits patiently as she looks over them*
"Ok...."

~her eyes grow wide~
"You never cease to surprise me. With a little air and stretching, you're wings should be back to full use by the end of the day..."
~she unwraps the other wing~
"Though, I’d like to clean them a bit...before the sap from the leaves sticks permanently to them"

*nods*
"Ok, thanks."
*he rises to his feet and steps outside looking out at the brisk morning*

~she stretches some more, and gazes out the door at him...glad to see him feeling better~

*he looks around and waves Twin over, pointing north east. Twin runs at the direction and flies off*

~she quietly goes to the stream, to wet some moss, to clean his wings with, keeping an eye out for her safety~

*Xerxses sits on a boulder outside the hu,t watching her leave*

~she gathers her moisten moss, slightly entranced by the jewels sparkling upon her neck, reflected in the stream. She snaps out of it in time to keep herself from falling in the water again~
*Now I see why treasures are a curse*
~she chuckles to herself, and returns to the hut, ready to clean Xerxses' wings~

*he rises as he sees her come, and bows his head politely*

~she smiles and chuckles at him~
"Enough with the bowing, silly. I'm of no noble status, so please, don't. Sit down, and let me clean your wings."
~and she carefully cleans each individual feather, taking great care with the hard to clean sap~

"Sorry.....just in my eyes you are so. I am being polite."
*he sits down and turns his back to her, keeping his wings held up, not moving for her*

~she smiles at him~
"You're too kind."
~when she finishes grooming his feathers, she pets them gently, before discarding the moss~
"All finished...they're as good as new!"

*he ruffles his wings a little, drying them. He turns around to face her*

"How do they feel?"
~she smiles as she dries her hands on her shirt~
"You shouldn't over work them today, but stretch them every so often, and you should be able to fly tomorrow, maybe?"

"They feel great...thank you....for everything. Being with me, staying with me even when I was defiant.....I really owe you a lot."
*he looks into her eyes sincerely*

~gazing up into his eyes she whispers~
"You owe me nothing. You brought me here, showed me wonders I've only heard tales of around our camp fires. You've saved me at the cost of your own health, as foolish that may be, I owe you more than you can ever imagine. You have truly changed how this Traveler dreams."

*he quietly stares into the sparkles of her eyes, more beautiful then any treasure he has crossed*

~she sighs nervously from the awkward silence, and bows her head, blushing~
"So...what are your plans...on taking care...of your tribe...did..you really look like them?"
~she claps her hands over her mouth~
"I'm sorry...I don't know what I was thinking!"

*moves her hand from her mouth*
"No, it’s ok. I feel safe telling you.....yes I kinda look like them, as I said; I was a halfling of the yuan-ti. They are snake like and practice mostly in stealth and range for attacks. I was banished from the tribe for, as you know, defending Twin.....I have the choice to look like them kinda, but instead just snake with arms, I’m more tall, thin, and I’d also have legs.....but I tend to keep normal, so I don’t get reminded of the stupidity of my people....."
*he looks at her feeling that this is fine to tell, but not knowing how she will take to him after she hears*

~she nods~
"It would make it all the easier for them to banish you...for not being pure blood alone, I assume. Defending TwinTurbo possibly gave them a better incentive to have you killed...perhaps...I've found that many bestial tribes are superstitious about impurities to their blood and family..."

*he smiles, trying to hope that was true*
"Think of these people more like feudal Japanese, with honor and bloodline in the family. That’s why......that’s why my family was killed. They were disgraced by having me."

~shakes her head~
"We Travelers welcome the variety in everyone. While towns, kingdoms, and tribes banish their unwanted children, we Travelers take them in, care and raise them as our own...and usually, they become better than the people who left them."

"That’s kind of you then....and I thank you for all who you have brought in......but I find myself already better then my people, knowing that the slaughter of innocent creatures is wrong. I should not have to kill them all for them to notice that."

"I pray, for their survival, that you are right."

*he looks down in pain and guilt*

~she lifts his head up~
"Do not burden your spirit now. Now is time for rest and relaxation, before the quest we will embark on in the following days. Burdening your spirit will only weigh your skills down."

"I’m already burdened with the thought that I might lose you....."

"Fear not for my safety. What happens was meant to be, but know that I will never leave your spirit alone."
~she leans up to kiss his cheek, then turns to go back in the hut~

*he watches her go in and looks around outside a little. He gets up, stretching his wings repeatedly*

~she eats some of the food left over from the night before, before straightening out the bed, and cleaning up the mess from wrappings~

*Xerxses sees TwinTurbo returning, something shining in his claws. As the griffon drops it, Xerxses grabs it, and sheathes it in his scabbard on his waist. It’s the sword he’d lost saving Krystic. He waves to the griffon and walks into the hut*

~she finishes cleaning up, and discards the moss and leaves outside. Any fallen feathers, she stores in the bed, so not to attract any unwanted guests~

*he walks around helping her clean. He smiles and says*
"You can use the bed, ok...."

~she nods~
"Thank you."

"No problem."
*he sits down next to the bed, looking at her*

~she sits on the bed...and gazes down at her necklace...seemingly lost in its cool glow~

*he smiles and looks out a small window at the horizon, where the sun is going down with the luminous sky coming over the lands*

~she snaps out of daze~
"This thing will capture my spirit someday..."
~she chuckles to herself, and looks up at Xerxses~
"You're awfully quiet."

"Or it will remind you of the beautiful spirit you have."
*he says finally*
"I was dazzled by your beauty that matches the horizons."

"You speak too sweetly. You're hiding something."

*blushes slightly*
"No I’m not....."
*he sucks at lying and he knows it*

~she chuckles at him~
"Very well, kind sir. If you do not wish to speak, then so be it. But you will have to at some point, if I am to know how to help you in the future."

*he tries to hide the blush with the base of his wings*
"Maybe in time you’ll find out....."

~she nods and smiles~
"If you say so."
~then slides down the bed and closes her eyes, head resting up on her arms~

*he covers her with a wing, bringing out a small book, and begins to write in it nicely*

~she doesn't rise until morning, once again sneezing from a feather tickling her nose...she looks over at Xerxses, wondering, and hoping that he slept as well...~

*hears the sneeze and opens his eyes*
"Oh, sorry. I should have moved my wing down. I apologize."
*he looks to her from where he’s sitting*

~she rubs her nose~
"It's ok...though, I'm beginning to think I'm allergic to you."
~she chuckles, and stretches~
"How are your wings feeling? 100% better, I hope?"

*smiles*
"Yes, they are. Thank you."

"Wonderful! Oh! I'm so glad! I hoped it would work! I truly did!"
~her eyes sparkle excitedly, relieved that for once, she was able to help~

*he looks at her and leans up to her, kissing her cheek. He smiles, then stands up holding out his hand to her*

~she takes his hand, and accepts his help standing up~

*he smiles to her as she rises*
"So, what to do today....TwinTurbo’s looking for the tribe. They must of hid.....cowards.....but we can do anything you wish to do today."

~she thinks for a while~
"What else to see around here?"

"There’s um....swimming, hiking. It seems pretty dry, um.....there’s gathering, or we can go be lazy and stuff."

"Are there underwater caverns? I've dreamt of them once...it's strange...breathing underwater...in your dreams..."

"There might actually. I never looked for them, I never swim unless it’s for training....do you want to go look? Down by the cliffs is the most likely spot."

~she smiles~
"Alright, let's go then. Lead the way, kind Xerxses.”

*he takes her hand and walks down a path leading to a beach, to the south side of the island, where cliffs are set at the side, like leftovers from the isle. He looks at them*
'I haven’t been to this side in a while...."

"Is it safe?"

"Yes, I think so...."
*he walks over to the cliff, putting his ear to it. He listens to the crashing of waves*
"It’s safe, no worries!"
*he walks back to her*

~she takes her boots off~
"Alrighty then, let's have look then."
~she smiles, and looks down the cliff. She removes her outer shirt, and dives off the cliff, into the icy waters below~

*Xerxses removes his clothing, leavening his pants on. He dives, spreading his wings. He holds onto her, letting them descend slowly, then folds his wings as they hit the water. They dart into it*

~she opens her eyes, forcing them to adjust to the water, and gets a good look around before she has to come up for air~

*he follows her to the surface and smiles when they reach it*

~she takes a large gulp of air, and points in the direction of the cliffs~
"Did you see? They're further down...but it's worth a shot...if you can hold your breath long enough."

*he smiles*
"That I did....here climb on my back, ok."
*he turns to the direction of the cliff waiting for her to get on*

~she climbs on his back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, and takes a deep breath~

*he takes a breath and goes under. He spreads his wings and pushes hard as he gains speed. They approach the holes in the cliff. He fly/swims into one of them, searching the path, he spots the top and begin to rise*

~she watches all they pass, amazed at the formations, and amazed by the strength she's pressed up against. She watches her breath, after nearly inhaling water~

*they break the surface and find them selves in a large opening, with more openings leading into the isle, like ant holes*
"Cool!"
*he says taking in a breath of almost pure air. Some methane in the air*
"You okay, Krystic?"

~she coughs a little~
"Yes..yes, I'm fine. Let's go to that ridge over there...and get a good look around."

*he swims to the ridge and lets her get off first*
"Ok..."

~she climbs up on the ridge, squeezes the water out of her hair and clothes, and looks around...the walls of the cavern are dotted with various caves and various levels. Some seem to highlighted with encrusted jewels sparkling with their own natural light, while others looks dark and gloomy with veils of mist.~

"Feels like home to me...heheh."
*he looks around, examining the jewels and gems, overly cautious of them. He dries his wings by flapping them a bit*

"Really? I've seen anything like it..."
~she wanders around, looking into the lower caverns, the misty caverns smell foul, which makes her face cringe, while two or three of the lighted caves cause her to shield her eyes~

*he follows her keeping a wing over her to shade her eyes, shielded from the brighter lights*

~she looks up at some of the higher placed caverns. One with a green ambient light catches her eye~
"Let's try that one..."
~she says, fingering one of his feathers~

*he nods and follows her, keeping quiet*

~she starts climbing up a path, which ends about half way up the side. She then starts climbing up and into the cavern~

*he climbs underneath her, keeping an eye on where she climbs. He’s ready to catch her if she falls*

~the walls glow radiantly with an eerie green light, reflected by the dim stream of light coming from above. Further down, a dim orange light fights to gain dominancy over the green, but fails at this distance.~

*he watches the green light overcome them as they rise. He follows her lead and curiosity of exploration*

~Krystic looks at one of the rocks...cautiously, she passes them, without touching them...heading toward the orange light...which grows stronger as they get closer. Upon reaching its source, they find the light surrounding a dark chest, made of cold iron, engraved with cryptic symbols and hieroglyphs. Her eyes widen, and she looks back at Xerxses. It isn't until then that the green glow actually is more than scatter rocks in the wall of the cave, but they actually make similar markings, on a larger scale~

*he reaches the top, keeping in front of her. He steps close to the chest and examines it.....*
"Wadjit, is my guess. Ancient, older kind of my tribe, from Egypt originally.....think we should open it?"

"Do you think it would be safe....do you understand any of these markings?"
~she traces one with her finger, fascinated by it's smoothness in the iron~

*he looks over them*
"A few I do. Their similar to my old tribes, like these on the right. It’s a riddle that will take some time to decipher, and on the lids it say:
'That treasures of life in a box of darkness....'"
*he thinks*
"Doesn’t sound pleasant...."
*he looks at the rest*
“But I don’t know about these...."
*he checks the wall for more markings*

~she continues tracing the markings, seemingly lost in a trance. Two or three of the markings glimmer at her touch, others burn her fingers...it isn't until she's burned for the fifth time does she stop....her knees give way, and she crumples to the ground, eyes wide open, but seemingly lifeless. She stays there, motionless, until strange markings, consistent with those of being stabbed, appear on her back, and she silently screams in pain~

*he runs up to her, watching in horror as marks appear on her. He looks at them, not knowing what they are. He lifts her shirt on her back to see the markings appearing. He places his hand on her, trying to ease her pain as he absorbs some, cringing, but keeps taking it in. As marks appears only stinging her now, but feel like he’s being whipped*
"What’s happening to her? I’m not losing her.....not to this place.....not to the creations of my kind."
*he embraces her, keeping the pain sealant to her, taking as much as he can*

~as he takes in her pain, an image of a temple appears in his head, lit as if a great fire were consuming it. Echoes of millions scream in his head, loud at first, seem to die away in the distant regions of his mind. Soon, the flame light dims to the deathly chill of moon light, and the temple remains empty...later engulfed in complete blackness. It isn't until then that Krystic's body goes limp, and the stab marks, now joined with burned imprints from his hands, turn into fresh scars, forever red compared to her pale skin.~

*he breaks out of the images and holds her body in his hands. He tries to rouse her to keep her wake and breathing. He looks over her body and thinks carefully. Tearing strips from his clothing he creates a seat like thing on his back. He covers her with his wing and jumps down the length they climbed, slowing slightly flapping his wing to keep them steady. He lands hard on the rock and feels there is no time to waste. He jumps into the water, turning her; he takes in much air and kisses her, passing the air into her body. He takes in one more breath and dives, swimming out wards of the cave*

~she stirs awake, just before he resurfaces in the main waters again. Disoriented, she breaths in some water, chokes, and panics~

*he feels her move and struggle. He breaks the surface and flies upwards to the higher air, giving her pure oxygen to flush the water*

~water and blood pours out of her mouth before she's finally starts breathing calmly again. She's startled by the fact no solid ground beneath her, and clings to Xerxses, coughing from panic and confusion~

*he closes his wings as they dart faster and faster to the ground. He reopens them and they yank to a hard stop. Landing, he removes her and lays her down on the sand, looking over her body*
"Talk, please, talk.....”
*he looks down into her eyes, his own filled with tears*

~she sits up, and hoarsely asks~
"What happened...where....why..why all the screaming..."
~she holds her head~
"There was so much hate and fear!"
~she leans forward, trying to control the dizziness in her head~

*he holds her still*
"Rest, ok. We need to figure out what happened. Rest....."
*he places her back in the make shift seat on his back, not before cleaning the blood from her mouth. He rises and begins to stride towards the hut*

~she leans her head against the back of his shoulder and closes her eyes. Her head swims back and forth between flame and darkness, hate and fear, death...and death...~
*What happened...what was in that chest...why did they have to die for it?*
~echoed in her head. She looked back toward the cliffs, almost promising herself that she would find the answers~

*he steps into the safety area of where the hut is and begins to walk*

*Amo, looking at them*
"What is it, my druidic friend......?"

*he turns his head his eyes filled with hate and rage*
"The Wadjit!"
~he looks down to the sickles and smart disk on his waist*
"Take her to the hut, Amo. When she rouse, explain to her where I have went. You know where I’m going."

*Amo takes the girl and nods as Xerxses stretches his slightly bloodied wings and takes flight. Amo carries her the rest of the way to the hut*

~she watches Xerxses leave...but waits until they reach the hut before she starts asking questions...~
"Why did he leave...where is he going? What happened...what happened in the caverns?! What were those visions I saw...who were screaming?"
~she looks disheartened at Amo, her eyes hallowed by confusion and sadness~

*Amo looks at her and sits next to her, and is the same height as her when he sits*
"He’s gone to get the tribe elder. He knows what the markings can do, and he knows that the tribe elder knows how to clear them....he’s going to get the elder here, or torment the elder till he tells him how to help you.....he’s mad, something he’s never been. He’s madder then any of us bears could be....”

"Markings? What markings...the ones on the chest or the cave? I don't understand...help me? What happened to me? I just had a vision from the chest...that's all...that's all, right?"
~and before the dire bear can answer, her eyes widen with fear~
"He's going to get himself killed!"
~she mutters under her breath just before she leaps up and races out of the hut, heading in the direction she thought she saw him leave~

*the bear grabs her*
"Stay. We are waiting for my father Akaro. He’s the largest bear around. He will take you to Xerxses, ok....just wait. The vision was from ancient times, when Xerxses's ancestors were the leaders of the Wadjit tribe. He is now all that’s left of them. He looks for a girl, some one he saw in his dream those many years ago. His allegiance, his love, and his life is sworn to that girl.....here he comes."

*Theres a large thunder of crashing out side*

~she falls into Ako, startled by the noise outside. His warm fur reminds her of the rest of her clothes that she left by the cliff~
"Can..we go back to the cliffs..please...we..we left our clothes there..."
~the rest of what the dire bear said hit her hard...and it even took her a while to manage the words that left her lips. She feels more lost than she's ever felt before...even more than when her caravan left her behind~

*Amo nods and carries her to his father, placing her on the 18 foot high bear*
"Father Akaro, take her to the cliff to retrieve her clothes, then go assist the druid. We owe him our allegiance, please...."

*the largest bear nods and begins to ramble to the cliff*

~she gently clings onto Akaro's fur, astonished by the size of the beast. Leaning as close to his ear as she can, she thanks him, and puts her clothes back on as soon as she retrieves them, tying Xerxses' clothing to her back. She climbs back onto the giant bear's back, and asks him politely to hurry~
"Please...I won't stand to let him hurt himself over me again!"

"My young cub, he has been for many years while searching for you. He suffered the hate of his own people.....he now suffers the curse his people made for just him. But you were given some of it when you touched the chest. He now bears a burden of love that can only be the answer to your lives being saved....."
*the bear jogs, dodging tree and growling the words to her*

"A burden of love....how can love be a burden...and how can a burden save lives? That doesn't make any sense! Love is meant to be rejoiced, if ever found! It should never cause sorrow or pain!"
~she shakes her head and screams~
"HOW CAN PEOPLE BE SO STUPID! What are they thinking, letting something like love burden and torment them!? Have people learned nothing about how to cherish the joys of life!?"
~her hands clench harder, once again cutting into her palms~

"Calm yourself! And yes, for him love is a burden. He carries it willingly, in hopes of finding it. Not just as something slowing him, but something helping him at his side, as you have been."

"Love shouldn't even be considered a burden, whether not he searches for it, or has it."
~as they pass another tree, Krystic jumps off of it, grabbing onto a branch, and climbs high amongst the top branches. By now, her head sounds like a NYC street, busy and swarmed now with the pain, fear, hate, and death from the chest, but also with words shared between her and Xerxses, and the advice given from his companion and allies. It all intermingles and distorts the truths she thought she once knew. She screams again, letting out all the hate, confusion, and blame she feels toward people and their misunderstandings of life and love~
*was this why they left me?*
~she breaths heavily...and leans back against the tree...and stares out at the sky..hearing nothing..not even the noise in her head~

*the bear stops and watches in awe*
"I could knock down the tree, but that might hurt her....so I’ll wait."
*thump-the bear sits heavily*

*side steps a slash from a yuan-ti warrior and stabs his sickle into the neck of it, then spins, hitting a dart into a tree. He ducks again, another dart, throwing a sickle into a yuan-ti darters head. He draws his scimitar*
"Where are you Elder!!!"
*he screams, feeling hate for all of the colonized yuan-ti. He wants to kill them all, but must let one live to save the girl he loves so much, life....he wont let her go, not after he’s discovered that he has found her*

~she sighs...~
*he'll slaughter an entire race...or get himself killed trying...someone's got to stop him*
~she climbs and falls down to a low branch near Akaro, and stares into his eyes~
"I'm sorry. I'm afraid there's so much I haven't learned to deal with yet."
~she smiles weakly before hopping onto his back, and pets his fur gently, only now realizing the cuts on her hands. She pulls her sleeves over them, and holds tightly~

*the large bear nods and charges forward at his top most speed*
"I will help you find the druid....."

*he finds him self in front of a large tent -the elder's tent. His arm is bleeding; his disks are spent, his sickles gone. What he has left is his scimitar. He looks to it*
"I’m going to save her, if I die, I am going to!"
*he struts toward the tent, holding the weapon at his side*

~she prays for speed and agility, she prays for power and reason, she prays to make it there before he commits another foolish act again. Her eyes are determined, now more than ever before.
*Is this why they left me...did they foresee my destiny, entwine with his...was I meant to stop him from himself...am I to save his soul before he destroys it?*

*Xerxses head fills with love for her, destroying that hate for them. He knows he must get the elder. How many more must die for that to happen.....he goes over their guard works and walks through the entrance, stabbing first right, hitting something with flesh, then to the diagonal left, with a sweep kick knocking out a yuan-ti*
"Not many more now.....this arm hurts, damn.....I have to save her."
*he walks forward, stopping at the entrance to the second room, feeling the ground make thunder sounds*

~when she sees the camp, she bows her head at the yuan-tis' lifeless bodies, and sighs, and prays that he hasn't done too much damage~

*he turns seeing her in the air on Akaro, the Bear tribes leader. He takes a knee bowing to her, then the bear*
"You're hurt. Why are you here?"

~she slides down from Akaro's back, walks slowly to him~
"I'm fine. It is you who are hurt, and who is acting irrationally."

*he keeps low on his knee*
"I....I cant lose you....and it was my kind’s creation that hurt you.....you were right, my race, my tribe, they are no more dim witted and chaotic as humans. I am ashamed to be of the yuan-ti."

~she shakes her had, her eyes saddened. She kneels down in front of him, taking his face in her bloodied hands~
"Whatever has been done is done. There is nothing you or I can do to change that. The vision I saw, I was told, was the past. Let it stay there...in the past. Why...why can't you be happy for what we have now...the present. Can you not see, I'm fine. I'm not hurt. Don't torture yourself with what happened long ago, or what could possibly happen. Why can't you just live in the now, and rejoice the fact that I'm here, with you, now, by your side. What will annihilating an entire species prove?”

*he looks into her eyes, his own beginning to water. He looks to the bloodshed he has caused and stand dropping his sword*
".....I wish for you to be at my side as a equal.....I wish that we can live, rejoice, and be happy as you say together, but I want to know if you will except me for what I am, one of these....creatures.....would you have one in your life, by your side?"
*he looks over the dead or hurt yuan-ti, some that he once knew as friends, some as his greatest enemies. But his greatest lies through a entrance beside him, and then there is the entrance to a life he has not known for many years. He tries to choose between them.....*

"Why would I not? For the wisdom you learned, you have proven yourself far superior to the Yaun-ti, in mind and body. Please...prove yourself better in spirit as well."
~she takes his hand, leaving prints upon his face~
"Release whatever other burdens you may carry, and be free...like you were meant to be."

*looks back into her eyes*
"No, I don’t want to release you. You are a burden of lightness, something like a feather on my wings. And if I had the choice of any of the burdens to keep, it would just be what I feel for you....."
*he says releasing his rage from his body, and becoming calm and completely in thought of what to do*

*he stops over to them and sits in front of the entrance to the tent, blocking the druid's way in, and the rest of the yuan-ti's way out*

"Then why are you calling me a burden? Why can't you see, love, or the ones you love, should never be called a burden, or even thought of as a burden. It's something that should be rejoiced and treasured."
~she bows her head, her eyes saddened even more~
"Why can't you see that...why can't anyone understand that?"

*he leans up to her and kisses her*

*closes his eyes, giving them privacy. He prods the ground with a claw, causing meter deep holes in it*

~tears swell in her eyes as she holds him close~

*he holds her back tightly, his wings going limp at his side. His eyes becoming more teary*
"I choose no burden, but I choose freedom, and I wish to spend it with you......"

~she looks up at him, and smiles happily~
"You do see!"

"I can....yes, it was you that gave me the sight to do so...."

~she stands up, pulling him up with her~
"Let's go, then...leave the Yaun-ti be..and just go someplace safe and quiet...please?"

*he takes up his sword, looking at it he stabs it into the dirt*
"Never again will a soul wonder these plains by my actions..."
*he climbs onto the bear looking over the slightly ruined village*
"Chaos.....that’s what I caused to my own people....I’m sorry......but I follow her and no other person. She is the light that emanates inside me. She is the reason I will live on.....she is the person I will love...."
*he whispers these words as a vow to his ancestors*

"TwinTurbo is at the hut my friends....do you wish to join him and Amo there?"
*he begins to strut towards the direction of the hut*

~she looks down at Xerxses and smiles~
"If that is what you wish. It'll be a good place to rest and rejoice in good company."

*he nods, patting Akaro and putting his arms round her waist*
"We will rest there and tomorrow we will go....to where ever you want to go in the world. In the real world, not on a isle unknown to humanity. We will leave it as it is now and be happy."

~she smiles and chuckles~
"It sounds wonderful already."
~she looks back into his eyes~
"Thank you...for finding me, when no one else was looking."

*he kisses her cheek*
"I would have come, even if gods themselves told me to not look for you."

~she smiles again...patting Arako...and then remembers the cuts on her hands. Looking back, she sees her hand prints on Xerxses' face. She covers her mouth and starts to laugh and blush~
"I'm so foolish...my mind can be so set on a task, that I completely forget about my own injuries...oh! How is your arm?"

"It’s not deep, thank you....lemme see your hands when we get there, ok...."
*he says, the huts area coming into view*

~she nods~

*Akaro goes low and Xerxses jumps off, holding his hand out to Krystic*

~before leaving Akaro's back, she gives him a large hug, and thanks him for his help, gently kissing the top of his head. Then she takes Xerxses' hand, and slides off the great bear's back, into Xerxses' arms, smiling happily, her eyes gleaming brightly in the sunlight~

*when she lands in his arms, he looks into her eyes and leans his face close to hers*

*he grabs his cub, leaving the two to their privacy and carries his son away to their tribe, to share the good/bad news*

~she playfully butts his head, chuckling to herself~
"I'm lost for words..."

*he smiles rubbing his head*
"Well I could say many words, but I wouldn’t change my feelings for you......"

~she smiles, and steps into the hut~
"Come on...let's look at that arm of yours"

*he follows her in. Seeing TwinTurbo, he gestures for him to leave. Then Xerxses sits down on the floor in front of the bed*

TwinTurbo:
*Twin watches as the two walk in, and seeing Xerxses's gesture, he rises and nuzzles Krystic's hand before leaving. He takes flight to the skies and they are left alone*

~she waves to TwinTurbo as he leaves, then kneels in front of Xerxses, presenting her hands to him~
"As soon as you fix these, I'll see what I can do about your arm, ok?"

*he nods looking over the wounds. He rises and walks outside, gathering nearby herbals and some water*

~waits patiently, looking at her hands~
*Perhaps I should trim my nails..*
~she contemplates the events of the day...pondering the chest and it's vision...wondering what it held inside...~
*perhaps the evil that caused the destruction....*
~but she pushes her curiosity aside when Xerxses returns~

*he slips some water to wet the wounds and begins to clean them. With care, he takes some of the herbs and chews them*

~she watches him; making mental notes of the herbs he uses...she watches the skills of his hands, how gently he holds her own, causing her to smile softly. She then thinks of one of her elders, skilled in the art of hand readings...and glad she never learned that art of fortune telling..saddened if she saw that their Fates were torn apart~

*he places her hands on his lap palms up and takes the chewed herb from his mouth. He blows on them lightly, they turn to power. He sets it in between the cuts on her hands, then takes a small liquid he found and puts it in his mouth. He takes another herb, folding it*

~her eyes close from a slight stinging, but she keeps her hands still...and a question came to mind...~
"What happened...in the cavern. What made you think I was hurt? After the vision, all I remember is being out on the cliffs again...."

"You were burning, and I tried taking some of the pain, and I got lots of it. I didn’t know how much there was, but if it held up, it could have killed any normal man...."
*he takes the liquid from his mouth and pours a little onto the folded herb*
"This is a poison. It’ll kill the pain, but if I leave it on, it could paralyze you for a day....ok so are you ready?"

~she nods and smiles~
"I guess it's a good thing I'm not a man."
~she chuckles to herself and keeps her hands still~

*he smiles a little then places the poison on her cuts. After Half a minute, he puts his lips on the cuts, taking the poison back into his mouth. He spits it onto a leaf he grabbed from out side*

~she feels a little dizzy...but dismisses it with a shake of her head~

"You ok....?"
*he asks, wrapping her hands carefully*

~She nods~
"Just a little dizzy, that's all."

*he stands up, and lifts her by her waist, and lays her on the bed*
"Just rest, ok....."

~she nods, and closes her eyes, drifting into to sleep for several hours~

*as she sleeps, he gathers her some food and then cleans his arm in the stream*

~she wakes up in a cold sweat, for reasons she cannot figure out...she sits up and stretches her stiff arms...~
*at least I'm not sneezing again*
~chuckles to herself~

*he looks at his arm as its scales shine in the sun. He lets it turn normal into flesh*

~she scratches an odd itch in her back, and then sits up, looking around. She gets up and looks outside for him~

*his arm just finishes as he turns and sees her*
"How was your sleep?"

"Cold...but I'm fine. How is your arm?"

*stands up and hugs her, then takes a blanket out from the hut and wraps it around her, the fur on the inside*
"My arm is okay. It was just a really long scratch."

~she nods~
"I'm glad..oh..I'm not cold now. I just was when I woke up."
~she slips the blanket off and folds it up~
"What have you been doing while I was asleep....do you sleep?"

*smiles*
"Yes, I sleep. Just, I think it safer if I didn’t. I cleaned up my arm and, oh, here’s some food."
*he holds it out to her*

~she takes the food, and thanks him before eating it~
"Where shall we go next?"

*shudders a little*
"I...I don’t know. Every where on this isle has some sort of danger to it. I don’t want to see you get hurt again."

~she nods and smiles~
"You worry too much. Look. I'm fine now, right? We Travelers are more resilient than you may think we are. But if you wish, we may leave the island, if you feel it will be safer."

*he nods to her, then steps very close to her looking deeply into her eyes as his wings ruffle with the slight breeze among them. He calms his wings, continues to watch her gem like eyes*

~she meekly smiles, blushes lightly and looks away~
"Where have you gone before? I've only been able to travel by land with the caravans...it's hard to explore the mountains and seas for us Travelers...we're truly tied to the land."

*he touches her cheek lightly*
"I have only been to places of pain and sorrow. Places that have tied me to those pains and sorrows, and that’s all I can feel for people who live to die. I wish to feel needed, or needing, and I feel that now. I feel that I need you."

~she bows her head and chuckles to herself~
"Then where shall we go? Is there any place you've never journeyed?"

*he crouches to look into her eyes again*
"Yes, many places I have not been. It is my philosophy that the world is beyond our full grasp, no matter how hard we push, there is an unbreakable wall."

~she smiles~
"Will you at least explore with me? I do not ask to see the whole world, but I wouldn't mind seeing something new."

*he rises and kisses her cheek, then lets his head float next to hers*
"I will always want to travel with you, in this world or the real one....just call me from your dreams and I will become whole, and I will spend my life at your side.”

~she looks up at him, speechless...~

*he moves back a little and sighs. Uncertain of what had just over come him, and he didn’t know if it was good or bad*
"I’m.....I’m sorry Krystic.....I didn’t want to offend you. If I did, I’m sorry."
*he looks away from her, guilt flowing over him now, thinking he did something bad*

"I..no..you did nothing wrong."
~she bows her head~
"I've..just never met anyone who could travel to specific places...from the Dream Realm...to the Mortal Realm...it..I..I'm not sure how to react..."
~she thinks for a while~
"I felt..that this was more than just a dream...when I found the gem by my side..when I awoke....I feel so lost..."
~she turns away from him and holds herself, unsure of what she said~

*he steps to her side, thinking, then speaks*
"I was hoping it would come to you, and I hope you keep it....but it was to see that if you needed me, I could be by your side. If you called me to it, if you want me to be around you, just call for me as I do Twin, and I will be there for as long as I live. I am willing to lose all of this for you, if it is what it comes to."
*his hands floats through the air, pointing around the isle to show he means what he says*

~she thinks for a while~
"Where are you in the Mortal Realm...or are you purely from the Dream Realm...or do you manipulate the dreams...to guide me?"

*he looks into her eyes*
"I am from the ancient mortal realms, but I was here to guide you. In the past, when I....I fell in love with you....which was considered a sin among my people, and I was banished to your dreams, only to be called back by the one I loved those times ago.....and for that time I have waited to find you, and be with you, either in your dreams, if that’s where you wish me to be, or at your side physically, you control my life......I am in your hands, as I have longed to be for many years."

~she looks away and thinks some more~
"Who was I...in the past...how do you know I’m the reincarnation...of the one you love?"
~she looks so confused~

"Her soul resides with you, and I feel that you are her. It is very complicated. I once had dreams like this, and you would too come to me, telling me to search you out from the many, and I feel I have found you....”
*he goes silent as he looks around, uncertain of who maybe listening*

~she sits down on the bed...still rather confused~
"I..I don't understand..I can't decide...if I don't understand how this came to be..."
~she watches him, knowing that he might not be able to explain anything, until he felt secure...~

*he relaxes a little. Feeling awkward, he sits on the floor next to her, and thinks of what to say to her*

~she lies down on her side, gazing at him...wondering who..or what he truly was...wondering the mysteries of the dream realm...and what other secrets it held...she wondered what was in that dark chest they found.~

"A long time ago, I was a royal prince of the yuan-ti, and a girl, you, came to the palace in search of your followers we captured. I felt a feeling of love for you, and it grew. I freed your followers and told you to go. I tried to get back to the palace, but was caught and killed by my kind. After saving Twin from hunters of the yuan-ti and my family’s honor was replaced by disgrace, and they were massacred, and now the only reason I thrive to exist is to find you, and live a life I never had....one that can only be made real by the acceptance of you allowing me to be real...."
*he says this hoping, she will decipher what he means from his words*

"But...how can you be certain..that it's me? That I hold her spirit within me...and...what happens, if she reawakens...what happens to me? Am I really me? I don't understand...I have no memory of your past..or hers..other than what the dark chest showed me...and that...that was cryptic in itself."
~she thinks to herself~
"Do you think the chest holds her memories in it?"

"I....I don’t know. She came to me as my dreams led me to you, and you are you. You choose if you want her with you, if you don’t drop her like a used toy. She is you, but with out the memories......you have the control, so don’t be worried of hurting me......I am willing to lose you forever, if it’s what you want.....and the chest, I don’t know what it has, but....it was very disturbing to me..."

"I..I don't see...how I could drop her...I don't even know how or if she is within me, other than you saying so..”
~she pauses and thinks~
“..I feel you are my guardian...I feel that I've found something more than just a friend...the past...I do not understand...I have no memory of what you say...”
~pauses again~
”...but..I trust you will protect me..and guide me..if I ever lose my way again...”
~she pauses even longer this time...looking down~
"I feel that I need you...but I cannot say where...either in the Realms of Dreams or Mortal...or both..."
~she curls up into a ball...gazing into space...trying to figure out what to do...how to decide...~

*nods*
"I will protect you, if it costs my life. And it’s hard for me as well, but let us rest, and tomorrow our paths and minds shall be clearer for a journey that you can choose."
*he rests his back against a wall, and begins to meditate in his tense position*

~she nods...and closes her eyes...slowly..so slowly drifting into sleep~

*he opens his eyes and speaks to Twin*
"I think it is time to rest finally, my friend. We have been through much, and I thank you and congratulate you for staying with her. It means much to me to at least know she is safe. Mow rest, my dear friend."
*he pats the griffon as it goes into a slumber and he lies on the floor, falling into a sleep of beautiful dreams of Krystic and their adventures*

~Krystic wakes with a start, from a burning sensation from her back...she reaches back to feel it...tracing the scars left up it...the outline of Xerxses' hand prints...~
*he was stabbed to death...*
~she thinks to herself. She looks over to him, sleeping peacefully...~
*will he be safer...in the Mortal Realm....away from the ones that tormented him...but what protection do I need there? Besides that one guy...no one has ever brought any real harm to the inn...*
~she gazes upon his face...so peaceful in rest...pale and pure in the morning light...~
*will he be able to adapt?*
~...she doesn't know what to do...she doesn't understand, keeping him here, or bringing him there...would it be selfish...or not? Never had she ever felt so certain for someone, but so confused about the differences between realms...is it safe to combine the two?~

*Xerxses rests in silence among a dream of the past life. A book rests upon his waist, for a journal it is, but the secrets are unread. He shifts as he sees all of the yuan-ti people he massacred, trying to save Krystic from the past visions. Why does she have to suffer, it’s not what he wants. He wants her to be safe and happy in her home and realm, as he will be by her side *

~quietly...she crawls out of the bed...just as quietly, she slips out the door...she feels so lost..she feels so confused...at this point, she feels that he can not guide her, for there is no right answer. But she wants to see what he does...she wants to understand his past better...she wants to see who she once was in his eyes...in the eyes of the past...for once...it concerns her. She runs out to the cliffs, seeing the deep waters below...she dives in, swimming deep into the caves where she feels will answer all her doubts~

*Xerxses is awakened by Twin, who heard her leave, but didn’t see her. Xerxses gets up and wanders through the trees looking for her silently, because of heavy thoughts that cloud his mind*

~she surfaces amongst the cluster of caverns...climbing onto the ledge, and making her way up to the cave with the dark chest. She whispers to herself as she looks at the chest, how it stands magically locked, with it's strange markings she once traced...she grabs a hold of the chest's lid, staring straight at it, whispering~
"Show my your secrets."

*he spots footprints in the ground and follows them to the cliff, where they lead off. He jumps off, folding his wings for a deep dive. He hits the water and swims top-speed to the cavern*

~the vision returns, but she refuses to let go of the box...she searches for faces..she follows the voices, in hopes to find something familiar. The scars reopen on her back...the box slowly opens~

*the scars left on him begin to seer with pain, and he climbs up the cliff, trying to ignore the pain*

~an eerie blue light pours out of the box, the visions stop, and Krystic is blinded by the light from within...she drops the lid of the box, causing it to slam shot, making a loud boom echo thru the caverns~

*Xerxses pulls him self up and watches her, wondering what she just did*
"Krystic, no....no, are you ok? Please, Krystic?"
*he slides to her side and looks at her body uneasily*

~she looks up at him...slowly regaining her sight...blood trickles from her ear. She whispers to herself, uncertain if she is talking or not, looking into his eyes, wondering what he sees...what he hears...~
"I could not find her...not even in the visions...not even her voice...among the screaming..."
~the scars bleed, coating the burned prints, causing them to sizzle and bubble~

*he cleans her with his shirt*
"You silly girl, why would you come back.....why.......this chest is the cause of my families death, Not the life of her. Just let her go. Become you, and I will stay with you for as long as you want me too. Just drop her, please......I beg of it, let her go. I cannot stand to see you in pain any longer."
*tears trickle from his eyes as he cleans the wounds, and uses his power to heal some of the less serious ones*

~she reaches up to dry his tears and smiles~
"Curiosity keeps the Traveler moving...it does not prevent our demise...but we always learn something new."
~she leans in close to him, resting her head on his chest~
"I had to least try to find her...to see who she really was...not from your eyes...but from her own."
~she smiles...~
"Worry not for me...I will be fine...and by your side, I will be safe...in the Realm of Dreams, and the Realm of Mortals..."

*he runs his hand through her hair and finishes healing her wounds*
"I just want to be with you, so I know you’re always safe.....but please, just let her go, ok. She should reside in the spirit realm, not your body......just, I want you to be you, and not think you’re not because....because I love you....."
*he says this and says it confidently*

~she leans up and kisses him gently upon his lips~
"She was never in me...I would be able to hear her if she was...she was never here..."

"Hmmm I guess she is gone then, and she is lost. But there is still you, and I have found you, and I fell in love once more. That is all that I have dreamt of."
*he kisses her back. Longing her lips, he holds the long kiss*

And that’s where it ends. It is to be assumed this is where she has woken up from the dream, and later summons him to aid her in rescuing Kaye from the Realm of Nightmares.

*Bushimaru can feel the divinity of the voice, so he decides not to argue.*



((Guess what kids? Now we can listen to Bushimaru's thoughts. For all of you who thought that Bushimaru had no personality, that is a mistake. He chooses to hide most of his emotions....but he does have some. xd ))


*Bushimaru thinks to himself:

Virtuous "Calm" Spirit, you have defeated me. That truly was an excellent battle. I did not expect you to go to such an extreme though. Rest in peace now. As for me, I have fulfilled my duty, and surely Grenzenlos-sama's dreams to resurrect the Daigo clan will be fulfilled. As long as the Daigo clan lives, then my purpose in life as a Kusunoki is complete.*



*Bushimaru looks at his sword, then ponders:

Masahige. The very sword of which my ancestor, Masahige Kusunoki, used to defend Emperor Daigo of his time....I hold in my hands. This weapon is the physical embodiment of the honor and grace of my clan. With this sword, millions have been slain to preserve the Daigo clan. Does it remain with me because I have no descendants? Does the pride of the Kusunoki clan end with me? Or perhaps fate is mocking me.

Fate. Yes....Anahata should never have had to deal with such bloodshead. But at the very least, your final moments were with someone whose heart was as pure as your own. Kyla Ewens...thank you.*





*he gazes at the circling clouds, then speaks for the first time since he got here*

Voice. I shall not object to whatever judgement you declare upon me. Just answer me one quesiton: was Anahata Jivatman chosen to live in Heaven?




*the voice speaks again*

Yes. That boy has a pure heart and soul. He has been given the privilege of living in paradise.



I see, that's enough for me. I know you are going to damn me to Hell, so proceed.



We have made our decision. You are correct: you are hereby damned to Hell where you shall struggle and fight for all eternity. Begone.





*almost instantly, the floor vanishes from underneath Bushimaru and he begins to fall. Bushimaru does not struggle, but instead accepts his fate. As he plunges to the depths of the Netherworld, Bushimaru passes the Living Realm and briefly catches a glimpse of a tremendously powerful spirit awakening from within Zain: the Trinity Thorn*

*Bushimaru stares with horror at this monstrous spirit. It appears to be incubating within the massive sword*


*as he continues to fall, the very fabric of space begins to warp. The entire dimension seems to change, and suddenly Bushimaru feels warm*



*Bushimaru lands hard onto solid ground, and is bleeding from the head

Ugh...huh? Blood? What does this mean?*


*he looks around and notices that the environment is both spiritual and physical at the same time. Experiencing a taste of both the Living Realm and the Spirital Realm, Bushimaru knows that this can only mean one thing:*

This isn't Hell...this is...the Forbidden Realm....

*Bushimaru is falling into a pitch-black void. There is no end in sight, as well as no beginning.*



Nothingness...very well then.


*Bushimaru is stoic, no fear of the abyss nor Hell itself. Death is something expected of a samurai at any given moment, and Bushimaru is a man who has no fear of something as trivial as death and damnation. He lived his life upholding the Kusunoki family's role of being a samurai of the Daigo family. He accepts this fate with honor and grace*


*Bushimaru simply lets himself fall and waits patiently for what happens next*

Yes. Such things happen in an instant. I didn't think you would greet every soul who is damned.

*Bushimaru isn't afraid of Cerberus, but instead simply curious to see why the Guardian of Hell has come to greet him in person. Bushimaru looks at Cerberus unflinchingly*

*Ararikku instantly comes to Bushimaru's mind.

I'm considered a strong soul? Does that mean that most souls in Hell besides the Servants are weak? If so, that's disappointing...*


I see. I thank you for the greeting. I am ready for what happens next.

*Bushimaru lands on his feet and takes a look at his surroundings.




Well at the very least, this part of Hell isn't unexpected. I have all of eternity now. Now then, to find a strong opponent*

*Bushimaru grins with excitement. All of the strongest fighters who are evil live here. He begins to walk forward*



- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



*a few hours later after killing dozens of weak devils, Bushimaru stops for a moment.



What's this? I sense a powerful chi. What is it? *



*he dashes forward for about a kilometer to find an enormous behemoth-like devil devouring a weak soul. The devil turns around and glares at Bushimaru. It stands on its hind legs with its claws dug into the rock-ground beneath it. It has a raven-black colored fur on its underbelly. Its face is lion-like...but instead of fur on it's face it's a gray scales. The rest of its body consists of pure white scales with razor-sharp feathers sticking out of the crevasses between them. It glares at Bushimaru with its pitch black eyes with ivory white pupils*


Oh? How generous of you to deliver yourself to me as my next meal. And that spiritual energy....how delicious. *it licks its lips with a snake-like tongue*




*Bushimaru senses a unique and powerful chi within this devil, and becoms intruiged*

White Devil. Allow me to make a wager with you. If you defeat me, I shall offer you all of my spiritual power and my soul for your nourishment. However, if I defeat you....you shall offer your soul to me so that I can control your power. Are you interested?


*the devil laughs hysterically* How amusing! You must be new here and not know who I am. Very well then, if you want to be devoured by me that badly...then I accept your foolish wager.

the devil rushes towards Bushimaru and slashes at him with his massive claws*



*Bushimaru calmly holds up his left forearm and stops the claws dead in their tracks. What's more, he is not damaged at all. In fact, the white devil's hand is bleeding. This is possible because Bushimaru has complete control over his chi, his life and spirit energy. He condensed it and focused it to his forearm, creating an armor stronger than steel. Anahata used a similar technique called "Chield".*



*needless to say, the white devil is absolutely dumbfounded by this*

Impossible! How is a mere mortal soul able to stop my claws so easily?! Why is my hand bleeding?!



I'll show you why. *Bushimaru releases an extremely intense and powerful indigo colored aura around him, proving that he is much more powerful than he initially let on. Bushimaru stares unflinchingly at Byakuya with a slight grin.*



*the devil steps back a few steps, then stops. He was clearly terrified of Bushimaru, but is extremely embarrassed by that fact...and becomes enraged*

I don't know who you think you are....BUT NO HUMAN IS GOING TO MAKE A MOCKERY OUT OF ME!! ME!! THE GREAT BYAKUYA!! A DEVIL OF NOBLE DESCENT!!!


*Byakuya forms a powerful aura of his own and focuses it into an energy ball. This ball is distorting the space is occupies...something not ordinary, even for a devil. Clearly Byakuya is a very powerful devil after all. He fires the strange energy orb at Bushimaru*


*Bushimaru observes the orb carefully, and realizes that it's like nothing he had ever seen. He doesn't take any chances. He claps his hands together and focuses his chi*



Shogunate.

*Bushimaru bites his thumb and causes it to bleed a single drop of blood. He uses this to create a Blood Clone. While this may seem ordinary, the result is far more advanced than a normal replication technique. Normally, a clone only has a low percentage of the original's power (example: 10%), and/or the clone borrows power from the original, splitting their power in half (or thirds if there are 3 bodies, fourths for 4 bodies, etc.). However, it has the full power of the original Bushimaru....and Bushimaru doesn't divide his power by making the clone. The only cost was sacrificing a bit of blood concentrated with a slight amount spiritual energy. The spiritual energy causes the blood to multiply and take a human form, and Bushimaru controls it with his mind. An extremely advanced replication technique*

*the clone gets hit by the aura orb, and something very strange happens. The clone implodes and the orb explodes after doing so*



Impressive. I can already tell that your power is something to be admired. If it were a weaker opponent, you may have an advantage. However...

*He draws his sword then instantly appears behind Byakuya. After wiping blood off the blade, he sheathes his sword.*



When did he.....?!


*before Byakuya can turn around, a cut forms down his face....his head already cut in half. As the head slices fall to the ground, cuts form all over the rest of his body...and Byakuya's body is sliced into pieces. Bushimaru moved at super speed and cut Byakuya into pieces before his body and mind could perceive it*




I have defeated you, Byakuya. I will compliment you on your impressive power and resolve...but now you must hold up your end of the bargain. Or does honor in devil nobility mean nothing?



*Byakuya's soul emerges from the mess that was his body*

I shall fulfill my vow. You are indeed worthy to harness my power. I shall join you. I'm interested to see what you're going to do with that power of yours, and how you'll use mine. Take my soul, you have my blessing.


*Byakuya's soul transforms into a white katana. The hilt is pure white with gray thread wrapped around it. The very end of the hilt is one of Byakuya's eyes...the white pupil looks around while the black eyeball moves. The handguard, and scabbard are also purist of white.*

*Bushimaru accepts his new "sword" and holds it in his left hand for the time being*