Welcome to Gaia! ::

Aiko stared at her new surroundings. This was nothing like the church illusion she had grown so confortable with. This was all stone, strong, beautiful, and brimming with power. She followed the younger looking man silently, her shadow cat weaving in and out of her legs. I wonder who this guy is. Is he really important or something. Aiko looked over the man once again, admiring his silky blond hair to his strangly sexy walk. Aiko quickly shook her head free of such thoughts. If it turns out he's the preist of this area, I'll be so screwed!! Aiko turned her attention to the surrounding area once more, taking note of the paintings and carvings.

Once the man reached a gate One of the four gates she noted, and seemed to be quite stuck on a quote she saw on the gate, the only marking on it. "From nothing... came something..." she wispered to herself. What significance could that have? Is it a spell? Incantation or important fact? Does it deal with everyday life, or is it strictly religious. Aiko continued to turn question after question around in her head before she realized the man had asked something of them. s**t! What did I miss? Hopefully nothing too important..

Aiko closed her eyes and thought long and hard, hoping to rewind her mind so she could hear the question. Are you ready, my child, to learn and embrace life anew? Are you willing to follow my teachings for a better understanding of all? Aiko opened her eyes and smiled brightly. She knew that voice, and was willing to do anything to hear it again. "Yes. I am ready. I will follow you and obey you well." Her smile faltered breifly, slightly terrified that she gave too awkward a response to the man's question.

Itami looked at the map curiously. Its been nearly a week since he began his journey to the water/ice empire. It should have taken no more then 4 days. He couldn't accept it, but deep down he knew he was lost. With a sigh, he looked around for someone to ask for directions. Unfortunately, he just so happened to be in a forest. An isolated forest. But it was strange, for he felt a few magical signatures around the area. Itami raised an eye brow and thought of his next move. If this was private territory, then he may be killed despite his power level. If he didn't go, it would take him considerable time to find his way out the forest and on to the main road.

So he shrugged and followed the magical energys. What he found minutes later left him speechless. The church of Fede stood before him with such beauty and size it made Itami feel small and weak. With much concentration and effort, Itami forced his mind awake and surfaced his magic. Slowly and cautiously, he walked towards the church and opened the doors. Fortunately his guard was up so he wasn't stunned by the overwhelming beauty. Somewhere inside the church, Itami felt a magical force he recognized. He walked towards it with dozens of questions in his thoughts.

Memories flooded Itamis thoughts. "Kat...Katya?" He slowly and cautiously approached her, as if weary of a surprise attack. When nothing happened by the time he reached her, he smiled at embraced her like he did as a child. Its been years since they parted, and she changed from a young girl to a beautiful young lady. Itami gaped at her and quickly stepped back. It was rare when he was so happy, so he didn't know how to correctly react. He chose his next words carefully. "Katya, how have you been? The years have been kind to you, as you looking stunning. I've never would have thought to see you here...."

"I've been.....fine.....umm, i just so happened to wander in this forest. When I felt another familiar magic aura, I went to check it out. Its incredibly ironic to find you here...What are you doing here? He looked into her eyes and smiled. This is ironic indeed. My...only family here. Hmm, the water ice empire can wait. Time to catch up with Katya. Feels like its been yesterday since we were running around the house and swimming in the ocean. Those days had no worries except impressing father. They had no suffering, or death.... He reflected back on his happy days for a few seconds, but quickly found focus and listened to what Katya had to say. She always did hate it when he reminisced randomly during conversation.

"Ironic, as in i would have never guessed to see you...ever again." He attempted a smile and lead her to some of the churchs seats in order to sit down and get comfortable. "How about we catch up? Hahaha, its been many years. Tell me, whatcha been up to?" Itami was eager to spend time with Katya. The world seemed so distant now that Katya was here. The only connection to his childhood, and the only person he truly cared about that was still alive. The world corrupted his mind, made him cautious and weary of people. It sickened him to always have his guard up, even to those he called his friends. Maybe it was a little to early to trust her, but he couldn't help himself. Why isn't she in the water empire..., was the question that repeatedly surfaced in his mind. It was as if his instincts was trying to warn him or something. He concentrated to blank his mind and waited for Katya to speak.

Itami tried to swallow the lump forming in his throat. She left the empire... as a soldier, its my duty to report her to kira... His eyes went dull as he thought of the possibilities. "He...hurt...you?" Itami tried to keep his voice from shaking with anger. His magic intensified and his body grew tense. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and handle his emotions. It seemed his emotions got the best of him nine times out of ten. After taking a few deep breathes, his body relaxed and his eyes grew to their normal color.

He cleared his throat and smiled. "I'm very grateful to the earth king for his kindness towards you. It saddens me my lord would act so foolish and corrupt towards his own subjects, but that will be the end of it. I'll bring the matter up with him the next time he and I speak. And Katya...didn't I say this already? You needn't say sorry to me, not now...not ever. Its good that your still alive."

He smiled and embraced her once again. "As for me, I've been undergoing training. Actually, before I came here, a powerful magic user spent a few days teaching me a few things. I'd like to say ive grown into a reasonably strong mage. But im far from powerful. Over the years, i have been getting stronger so I can enforce my own views and principles on the world. I'm a battle mage for the water/ice empire...and it would be against the law for me to not report you right now. But of course, you are far more important then the empire." He couldn't help himself smiling once again from the overwhelming happiness of seeing his sister.

Itami nodded and pulled up a serious face. "Alright. I wont tell him anything. I'm going to be honest with you Kat, the years haven't been kind to me. My whole family was massacred by a gang of demons while I was absent on a quest. I was 12 at that time. I've been alone ever since, training restlessly to avenge them. But, im starting to lose focus... its in the demons nature to kill humans. I shouldn't blame them. And besides... its hard to say, but whats the point of avenging cruel people anyway? I didn't even love them..." He turned away. Both Katya and Itami both knew the Asui family was harsh to all people, including their own. If you didn't obey or do something perfect, you'd get beat. Simple as that. He turned to her and raised an eye brow. "You're more tuned eh? Come, lets go outside." He led her out the doors of the church and grinned excitingly. "Show me whatcha got." He stretched and smiled before going in a defensive pose. He wouldn't use magic in the spar, so he figured she'd be safe. In fact, he might very well be in danger himself.

Itami smiled, pleased with Katyas reaction. When Katyas lips buzzed with electricity, Itami raised an eye brow. She wasn't kidding about the powers eh? All the while looking like a goddess in the process. He chuckled and kissed her forehead and stroked her hair as he whispered, "I missed you Katya..." The mage let his mind wander for a few moments, before looking into Katyas eyes and feeling her warmth on his skin. "You're eyes are bluer then the deep abyss of the ocean. And that bow you have there....matches with them perfectly."