Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ryugi took a sip of the icy fresh water from the mug and chuckled.

No thanks are necessary. Its just what friends do.

He'd look to Max and grin. Ryugi was pleased Max was beginning to learn to use Ankokuko's powers more creatively. Who knew what amazing things he'd think of next? Either way, Ryugi didn't think Max owed him anything. Max was his friend, and as his friend, Ryugi would gladly assist him in his time of need, even if it wasn't on a trip through his homeland.

Besides... You'd do the same for me.

I would.

Max said. He looked down at the bread in his hands, at the cup beside him on the rock, but more importantly at the sword across his lap. The snake like ribbon stopped, like a curious animal and peeked up at him from his boots.

For some reason a hint of cheer dropped from his face. He remembered Ryudo's words. His warning. He thought of what it would be like if this beauty, this perfect came crashing down.

If this gift, this perfect present had to be turned on a friend. For a second, as darker corner of his mind found light shed on it, he saw a flash of red staining the word. Blood. Dragons blood.

And he immediate snapped his head up, toppling over his glass only to have it caught by the ribbon and spiraled up this grasp where he grabbed it.

I really would.

And sipped it. Putting the cup, and gloomy thoughts down, darkness slipping away.

Ryudo's merged form with Lethe held many benefits. One of these was the outer black covering that covered him from from head to toe. This covering was made of layers upon layers of compressed shadow energy. It was much like the shadow skin of the Shadow Spawn, but far, far more durable. This shadowy armor was so tightly compressed that it could actually protect against a bullet, and was actually given weight despite it being made from just energy.

The Death Knight's sudden attack had left Ryudo in a very poor predicament. His speed and spin had caused him to move into an attacking position that was unstable, and thus, it was far easier for him to get hit than he'd anticipated...

With a crash the two forces collided. The Death Knight's punch slammed into Ryudo's form, but not before his spinning form and the durable outer shell did their job. The spinning motion served to cause the fist to roll across the outside of the armor, spreading out the damage it would have done across the durable surface area rather than a single point. The only visible damage to the outer covering would be a few cracks where the fist had impacted, but these would soon be repaired by the shadow energy coming from the merged draconic form. Death Knight wasn't the only one out here with regenerative armor. This form was MADE for close range combat, much like Ryudo alone had been MADE for combat with his abilities. What good would a form like that be if it couldn't take a few hits?

The force would send Ryudo's form into the air where he'd stop his spin, his arm would glow, and in the blink of an eye he would speed to the ground below at terrible speed, his clawed hand aiming to cleave the Death Knight with terrible force as dust was kicked up from the landing...

[4/7]

Excellent, I like this plan. I'm glad to be a part of it.

He said, hopping off the rock to his feet. Emptied, both mug swirled away into a abyss nothingness or wherever these type of things go. Same with the sweet bread, although that less "swirled" and more "was chomped" the end result being the same.

On his feet, he tugged the strap of his bag, adjusted Ankokuko's sheath and walked up beside Ryugi. It was a universal way of saying "shall we?". And presumably they were off.

It'd be a few minutes into the trip, that Maximos would turn to Ryugi and say.

I once heard of a dragon that could use five different elements. I think it had several heads or something of the sort.

An odd way to start a conversation, but a way none the less.

It just reminds me, I dont think I've ever seen you use an element other than fire.

Maximos stopped.

Which is to say he continued walking but was not talking, no it looked instead as if he was thinking very intently. His arms were cross his chest, his hand rubbed his chin. And his eyes, they moved up and down sizing up Ryugi as they walked.

All for show of course. For Nocturne's sake, Ryugi dressed in all white and gold. Not red. No. GOLD. Maximos knew the answer right off, but he did the rest for fun, and the triumphantly lifted his index finger high and announced it.

Darkness. Clearly.

And he looked completely serious too. He might even be able to fool a monk or two with that face. But it of course melted a moment or two later, with a chuckle as he said.

Light. Or maybe Wind because well...

But he just let that fade off.

Whats my element?

It was rhetortical.Max cracked a smile. It was one of those smiles that said, trouble was afoot. And trouble was indeed a foot. The Shadow held out his right hand and said.

I know Light. I fear your selling yourself short.

His right hand clenched, then opened and at the base of his palm was a small glowing violet ball. It shone rather bright, and the brightness grew as the ball lifted from his palm and hovered a bit a good 6inches over his hand.

Light, right? Opposite of dark?

It was warm, it certainly glowed. But in its presence Ankokuko didnt seem effect. Granted the sword was sheathed. But incidentally the shadows of the two travelers didnt seem to budge under this " Light". But Max would give Ryugi a moment to scan it over.

Max smiled.

Good. But you see, I have no light powers. I know Light, but I cant wield it, light and dark are too far opposite, you move toward one you inexorably move away from the other.

He tossed the ball back and forth between hands.

Only on rare occasions do the two meet. Dusk. Dawn. But not this, this definitely has a side.

He held up the glowing violet ball as it landed in one hand and spun it on his fingertip. It was about the size of a softball, and quite bright and sparkly. He'd give it a second more, and then Max tossed in the punchline.

This is darkness, not light.

He said with a wide grin as he presented in his right hand what should have been, the impossible. Ryugi might need a moment, might not. Either way, he'd give him one.