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He wants to have a lesson in the finer points of elemental manipulation, and how one might achieve the ability to manipulate them.

Ryugi grinned. Hopefully, that was indeed what his friend had wanted. After all, thats what he had seemed to be so curious in before. The monk nodded in understanding. It seemed that Maximos wanted a "crash course" in how one might manipulate the elements, without the crashing, obviously.

Hmm... What you ask, then, Mr. Maximos, is not something that often comes easily. However, though it seems your body lacks the exact catalyst to allow for using our methods, your weapon...

Yes...

Your weapon, Mr. Maximos, is the key...

Yes, Mr. Maximos. "Ankokuko" is the key to your wish.

The monk came into the room and sat cross-legged on the floor. He then motioned for Maximos and Ryugi to do the same in front of him. Ryugi blinked, shrugged, and sat down as well.

How is it that you tell your arm to move, Mr. Maximos?

It seemed to be a simple question, but was it really?

Very good, Mr. Maximos. You will your arm to move, and your brain carries signals to your limb. Muscles flex in different amounts to combine into whatever movement you desire. This is the basis, and beauty, of the brain...

The monks was silent a moment to let his point sink in before continuing.

In this way, elemental manipulation is not unlike moving an arm. It becomes natural. So much so that we can hardly explain how, exactly, it is that we do it. Your physiology may prevent direct manipulation, but your sword, Mr. Maximos, will be your conduit.

Now you begin to understand...

The monk's tone became more serious. The first point of the lesson had been made, and now, it was time to expand upon what Maximos had just learned. Granted, he hadn't learned the half of how he'd do it, but that was what the monk was about to try and explain to him.

Your sword already calls out to the chaos that is the shadow realm. Surely you can hear their voices as they sing in unison when you fight in battle. The sword calls the shadows to it, and you wield the sword.

Therefore, by extension, you wield the shadows, Mr. Maximos.

The monk would pause again, letting the facts slip into Maximos' mind, and allowing him to digest them. Once he'd waited a time, he'd speak once more.

The sword, then, becomes not only your partner in battle, but the baton with which you shall conduct the orchestra of shadows. Command, and they will follow. Will them to come forth, and they will rise.

Feel them, and they will feel you...

So Ankokuko is already connected?

He neednt tear open a hole, or open a proverbial door. Maximos smiled.

Your saying...the key is already inserted, the door is open, I need only reach inside?

His hand slid to Ankokuko's hilt, he lifted the sword laying it across his lap, his eyes scanning over it as if seeing it for the first time again, but in a new light. It seemed a simple enough task, yet most of such tasks are not at all simple. Maximos took a deep, quiet breath, and held it tried to do precisely what the monk taught. He reached out, he felt the shadows around him.

Behind himself, behind Ryugi and the monk, under the bed, in the corners of the room. Behind the lodgings they found themselves in...beside a thousand blades of grass.

He could reach farther, he reached to them entirely curious at to what would reach back.

Ryudo's red right eye twitched as he saw his energy negated by the chaos energy, and it twitched again as he saw the tainted wyrm return to its master's side. Ryudo visibly bristled. Something was beginning to overcome his usually calm exterior. Deep within that powerful mind, locked up so tight and kept under powerful control were Ryudo's more drastic emotions. Hatred, anger, rage, his violent impulses, the impulses of a predator that was not overcoming its prey. All the shadow energy he'd tossed towards the Death Knight had done little more than be negated. Ryudo's logical mind was quick to figure out that normal shadow attacks simply were not going to be enough to damage this foe. And it got under his skin...



It seemed to flow away from Ryudo in all directions. Dust blew away from him as his fists snapped closed. Then, a form rose from his body, almost like a black demon rising from his shadow, a devilish form with white flaming eyes. Its head was pointed, it had no mouth, and yet there were two horn-like protrusions on its head. Its elbows were spiked, its shoulders were slightly spiked, and its fingers looked like black ethereal claws as violet energy seemed to bleed from the form. Two on two was fair...wasn't it?



Then, it happened as suddenly as the shifting of the wind. Ryudo's eyes snapped open, but something was wrong. These were not the silent red eyes of a powerful being, these were the crazed blood red eyes of a beast intent on destroying every "living thing" that stood in its path. They glowed red with anger, hatred, rage, and thunderous amounts of energy that suddenly sparked as if from nowhere. The pupils dilated, and the eyes locked onto the soulless gaze of the Death Knight.



Energy erupted from Ryudo as the form behind him let out a silent roar in unison with its master's defiance, mirroring his motions exactly. Black energy, blacker than the blackest night, shot towards the Death Knight like a runaway freight train. Then, it split into thousands of spiky segments that would attempt to envelop both the tainted mount and the Death Knight in a rain of black death from all directions. It would seem that the pool of energy was larger than the Death Knight would have expected... Perhaps more energy would get through that blasted negating barrier?

Indeed we do.

Ryugi stretched a bit and began to work out his legs and arms. They had a long walk ahead of them if they were to head into the Suhalla Desert. It certainly wasn't the most pleasant of areas, and they'd probably want to fill up on supplies before heading out. It was a long walk down the mountain to get to Suhalla, and then heading out into the desert to the Cave of Glass, which Ryugi had never seen before.

I suggest we pack up and get moving. We'll have to get supplies in Suhalla before heading out into the desert. I may be a dragon, but the lack of water is always a factor, even for me.

Ryugi would chuckle and head over to his bunk after he'd stretched enough for his liking, and then he'd begin to pack up his things.