*⚘.❀ Apprentice Solo 3 - Quiet time with Mother ❀.⚘*
Danika spends time just reflecting about the past with Aisha. History is constantly on her mind and she wonders about what certain events may mean for the future.
The light shimmered through the great branches of Aisha as Danika approached. Ever so slowly the young Alkidike found herself gliding over familiar roots and bumps. The path was one that the girl could do blindfolded by this point. Every step, every turn, and even every dodge of the lower branches was ingrained into her very being. This was her home after all. This was her mother and here she was at peace and one with the world. It was a strange feeling, but one that she had started accepting. The more her lessons continued, the more she learned from Eshe and the elders the more that Danika was starting to feel as if she truly belonged here by Aisha.
Her mother.
Smiling at the thought Danika reached out a bold hand to rest it against the tree, “Good morning, mother.” She stated quietly as she rested her head against the tree next as if to listen to its heartbeat. If she closed her eyes tightly it was almost as if she could feel something thriving, something living inside of the thick bark. It was a comforting feeling, one that Danika always enjoyed whenever she felt lost or even slightly down. It truly was a serene moment for the young Alkidike as she simply rested there. At least it seemed quiet today. Glancing around Danika shyly scooted down around the trunk of the great tree since it seemed empty. The Elders must be off in a meeting today. And Eshe was with them. Hence why Danika was doing self-studies at the moment. Or rather was supposed to be doing self study. Instead she had found herself wandering towards Aisha.
Even though it had been years since her youngling days the young woman still felt the urge to move at times. She was not the best at sitting still and would speed through lessons just so she could go and stretch her legs out and around Chibale. But when she was beyond simple wanderings the young mystic would go to her most calming place – right next to Aisha. She needed something to ground her, someone that could settle her and make her feel at peace with the world. So to the great tree she went.
After Tyiva’s visit the young mystic had a lot on her mind and really when she could she enjoyed just thinking about things around the mother. As she settled in Danika crossed her legs and leaned back against the bark so that she could sit for a while. “More earthlings, mother.” She found herself saying quietly, “Earthlings that came flying from across great waters and through the skies.” The Alkidike laughed with amazement, “It truly makes me wonder about what all can be out there in our world. If there’s more of us just waiting around like our new cousins.” She pursed her lips thoughtfully, “Not that you may be happy about them. I’m curious though could they learn to live like us? Just because their mothers were extremists does not mean that they should all become that way.” Danika sighed quietly, “Or perhaps I could be completely wrong and here I am wondering about what kindness blood thirsty monsters would have.”
She shook her head, “Still they in a sense came from you as well, mother. Surely there is some hope for them yet.” The young mystic laid her head back against the great tree and tried to peer through the heavy leaves towards the skies above, “We all have the same roots, but where our feet take us in this place is a different story. We may not be able to choose our birth or our family, but we choose our lives and our futures.” She smiled in faint amusement, “Now look at me sounding way too old for my years.”
And she never got to choose, did she?
The statement then for Danika was like a mystery. Could one truly decide their own fate without concern for anything else? Could they carve their own path, pick their own weapons, their own loves, their own quests? Or was it all a part of some great pattern? Something that Aisha had deemed from the start and was just waiting for her children to discover on their own? “I suppose my path wasn’t that hard to find out. Does that make me lucky?” Danika quipped lightly as she held out her arms and stared at her faint markings, “Magic and always connected to you, mother. It’s a blessing, but a strange one.” She smiled and her antenna flicked upwards thoughtfully as if waiting for a reply from the great tree.
She should be thankful, correct?
Of course, she was. But it was frustrating at the same time. She was jealous of those who could pick their own path. Even if it was predestined at least they had the feeling that they chose. A façade that made one feel as if their wills truly were freely theirs. Yet surely there had to be some freedom in their choices. Even a weapon was a choice in itself. And how could the extremists have existed without free choice? Surely the mother would have never planned out such heartbreak for her children. Danika was thankful that she had been too young for those blood wars, but the heartbreak in the families split those years past still lingered in Chibale.
Even the Alkdike who had come with her wind earthling seemed upset by the battles long past. Her family, after all, would have nothing to do with the boy child that she had bloomed under Aisha’s very branches. Another with a shifter had also lost a sister to across the seas. Even if they were to meet again there would be no reunion, only blades against blades as the thirst for blood continued. They had exiled their own and the extremists would not forget that. Danika found herself sneering at the thought. Hatred is such a disgusting and powerful thing. She shook her head against the bitter feelings. As a mystic she served Aisha to bring life and wisdom to her sisters. Just thinking of a sister killing another sister made her sick in her very stomach. It made her want to bend over and hurl. Could she have even handled the blood wars that everyone spoke of? She was thankful that Aisha had waited to give birth to her because if she had to do such a thing then perhaps she would never have been the mystic that she was becoming today. It would have twisted the purity inside of her and made her view blood differently. Just a fearful thought, but a sincere one. What if she had even aligned with the extremists back in those days? Surely not! She would never fall to such temptations and kill another so willingly like that!
Some enjoyed the killing. Danika closed her eyes tightly against the thought. There was absolutely no way that she would believe such exaggerations! Surely even the extremists would have had some pain at killing their own blood! Their own sisters. What was the point of winning more land or proving dominance if you killed those who you wished to share the world with? It was twisted, utterly twisted. Danika would never be able to kill her own for something so selfish. If she could have even stood against them on that day. She could only imagine the pain that Eshe must have felt. Her poor, dear mentor had witnessed and led her sisters in that battle against the extremists. Another mystic and other elders had even joined in with them…those that had survived were across the ocean on Yael as well now.
Would they sneer at her? Did these extremists and their new children have a mystic? One that thought she was better than an Alkidike one? Or even would want to eradicate Danika since she would believe only she could be a mystic? Or would they have a lot in common instead? There were many possibilities. All she knew was that somewhere across the sea another mystic could be living and interacting with these strange new sisters. The thought made Danika frown. Could it be? Vaguely a haunting dream flashed through her mind before the girl shook her head. It was all from stories. Stories from those who had heard from the Yaeli and even the very few who had braved the island. So many stories that she was even beginning to overthink things and dream about them when she should be more focused on her work here with Aisha. Still, the Elaria were a thing and Danika was curious about how they too fit into the grand plan of things. Only time would tell though. If she was even alive to see how their existence would intermingle with the Alkidikes back in Chibale and with the rest of Tendaji. ”I suppose I need to keep practicing my patience, correct?” Danika sighed quietly as she stood and patted the bark in farewell, “I’ll be back again mother. Thank you for allowing me this rest.”
(1519)
Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 8:37 pm
*⚘.❀ Apprentice Solo 3 - Taking up the Blades ❀.⚘*
Realizing that she is indeed eager to become a mystic Danika has to face one last decision for her future - what weapon to yield.
“Which would you want to use?” The elder, Myva, pursed her lips as she watched the young mystic pacing about the small clearing, “Danika?” She tilted her head as she called out once more to the younger Alkidike, “Are you listening?”
Pausing in her pacing, Danika held out a hand. She was listening, but that was the problem! Sighing, the young Alkidike just rolled her head on her shoulders before glancing towards the elder, “Can I just use all three weapons? I find that it would be easier than having to make a decision like this.” It was rare for Danika to seem so childish but really she couldn’t decide. She had spent months training with all three after all and felt silly that she had to choose just one to master now!
“No warrior can truly advance unless they are dedicated to their one fighting style.” The elder sighed, “You have already wasted precious time by insisting upon learning all three. It is truly time for you to decide now. Haven’t you gotten a feel for any of these weapons? Surely one must stand out for you.”
Easy enough for you to say. Danika quipped silently in her head. The elder was so intent upon Danika learning the spear since it seemed like such an intimidating weapon. Wouldn’t it be ideal for a mystic then to lead her people with such a demanding object in hand? Then again there was obvious bias since Myva was a spear wielder herself. If Danika chose the spear, then Myva would be her key instructor whereas other experts for the bow and the dual blades waited. But Danika wasn’t one who would want to stand tall over her sisters. She already was apart from them so the last thing she wanted to do was to try and reinforce her special role over others. Plus, out of all three weapons Danika did feel the most awkward with the spear.
While it was great to go walking through Chibale with one in hand she doubted that she was the best at using it in battle. Nor could she imagine having to carry one with her all day, every day. The thought alone made her purse her lips in protest before she turned away to continue her search.
The dual blades. Danika found herself approach the familiar pair. Tyiva had trained a bit with her before leaving and then also she had met Taka through these weapons as well. Wouldn’t it be ironic if I chose the same as them? She smiled faintly as she held the pair in her hands. They did fit snugly into her hands and she did enjoy the rush of adrenaline that came with attacking. You could rush forward and just slash towards your enemy. It was a very personal weapon, one that would let her be in the heat of battle with the others.
I doubt Taka or Tyiva would want to know I’m in the battle with them. Not that her sisters doubted her. Danika just worried that their concern for keeping her safe would distract them from their own battles. She would just become a hindrance then correct? But the idea of being in the hunt, the images that Tyiva and Taka had both portrayed to the mystic made her pause. Above all else she just wanted to be a healer, someone who could help her people. Being a mystic was after all her calling – she knew the moment she had touched a bloom.
That moment when the baby had emerged from the fallen petals had been Danika’s life changing day. When she had held that baby Alkidike in her arms the young woman had realized then and there that despite not having her own choice in the matter she was happy being a mystic. Helping to raise sisters and to give them Aisha’s wisdom was a blessing. She was thankful that she had been born the way that she was.
But now that she looked over weapons Danika found her heart aching. “Surely the bow, right?” She whispered softly under her breath. Dropping the blades the Alkidike reached out for a wooden bow. It fit perfectly in her hands and as she notched an arrow and let loose she watched as her aim was true. This was the ideal weapon that even Eshe wanted for her.
You can stay back and defend your sisters without them worrying over you. Taking a deep breath Danika nodded at the thought. This then should be her answer. It was the wise decision, the safe choice when it came to battles. Battles that the future mystic hoped would never occur. But as a warrior race one was to always be prepared. Taking a deep breath Danika held the bow out towards Myva, “There.”
“Are you certain?”
Danika slowly nodded. It was the safe choice, the good decision. The one that Eshe wanted her to make, the one that others would appreciate. It would keep her safe and allow her to cast her attacks from a distance rather than up close and personal. It would let her do that. Still her gaze slipped towards the other choices once more. Was this…truly it? She was someone who wanted to focus on the healing arts, who wanted to bloom more children rather than go out and cause war. So why did the safe weapon make her feel so empty?
Perhaps Eshe noticed that uncertainty because despite Danika claiming the bow the elders sent her out for the rest of the evening to practice with it. Why practice? In the same clearing as where the other weapons where? Danika sighed under her breath before heading back out through Chibale. They wanted her to practice one weapon alone and to master it but when she finally decided they kept her from going to the next level? It was such a confusing day!
But as she found herself sending out arrow after arrow the young mystic sighed. She already could land a shot from many yards away so why was it even worth continuing this? I need to be taught more techniques and to actually begin using the power I have as a mystic. She was slightly excited for that at least. Just leaving the bow back on the training stand the young woman looked at her finger tips. Any moment if she just concentrated enough then perhaps she could bring back that same glow of healing she had when she tried to help the baby bloom!
It was when she was concentrating that noises broke through to her. Gasping, Danika found herself surrounded by a pair of gleaming eyes. A wild radaku here on Chibale? And it wasn’t alone! As the radaku and its partner snarled towards her the Alkidike found her legs moving faster than ever before. She had to get something to defend herself! Oh! Why had she put down the bow to start fiddling with something else?! Praying to Aisha that she would be quick enough Danika darted forward towards where the training weapons had been resting.
Surprisingly though her hands did not reach for the bow. Instead they reached for the dual blades and as the handles fit snug into her own hands the young mystic twisted so that she could brandish them against the radaku, “Stay back!” She hissed as she bent her body in preparations for a fight. In each hand gleamed the metal from her blades. She remembered the dance that Tyiva had briefly showed her and if necessary she would do the same right now!
But as Danika prepared to strike the young mystic found herself completely lost as a whistle pierced through the air. Suddenly both radaku seemed far less hostile as they slowly backed away and ran up to an approaching figure, “Myva?” Danika blinked in confusion as the elder came towards her.
“Ah, yes.” Myva smiled as she reached down to rub each radaku’s head affectionately, “It seems that I gave you a scare with Tua and Toi.” The elder nodded her head, “I apologize, but we all agreed to this. Your enthusiasm was lacking earlier and I didn’t want to risk you making a mistake because of others pressuring you.”
“You mean… you did this on purpose?” Danika sighed as she sat on the ground in disbelief. She had been played! Why in the world would a pair of wild radaku randomly attack her after all? Of course they were familiars! It was all too obvious now, “You didn’t think I wanted the bow so you wanted to see how desperation affected my decision.”
Myva nodded, “I was still rooting for the spear, but Eshe had a feeling. But none of us wanted you to pick something that you could not truly bond with. It seems that in your time of need that the dual blades are what fit into your hand best, young mystic.”
“So I see.” Danika let out a sigh before finally laughter left her lips, “I guess then that’s that.” She managed finally. After worrying so much about how others would feel about her weapon choice it had been others that had helped her to realize the truth. She would go into battle by her sisters without fear! She wouldn’t be one to hide behind others and she would brandish the blades with a burning passion.
She would wield the blades and learn to be the best mystic yet.
(1580)
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Online
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Online
Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 9:17 pm
*⚘.❀ Apprentice Growth Quest - Maturing in the face of danger ❀.⚘*
[In this quest Danika is maturing. Before this encounter with the menzuri the young mystic had always lived inside a protective bubble. Almost losing someone before her and even almost losing her own life will teach her that even on Chibale there are dangers. So, she will make certain to sharpen her blades and be even more prepared for the future. She won’t’ take a peaceful life for granted and will learn that even in comfortable places dangers can lurk. No more time for child's play - it is time to truly focus on becoming a mystic and a warrior.]
Danika stuck a tongue out towards her fellow apprentice, “Oh, stop. It’ll be some good fun, Kyi.” Ever since the young mystic had picked up the dual blades she had been partnered with other blades in training. Kyi had quickly become her friend and despite the other’s shyness Danika always teased her and spent more time than necessary training with the other girl. She was admittedly a bit slower than most of the apprentices that Danika knew when it came to learning how to handle the blades, but it made her even more adorable to the mystic in training.
“But Danika they said that we shouldn’t hunt in that area.” Kyi bit her bottom lip thoughtfully, “My mothers would maul me.”
Sighing, the young mystic shook her head. “What harm could there be? We’re still on Chibale. Are you afraid some Nizdas will suddenly come after us?” Danika pursed her lips in protest, “Surely we can go out and prove that you can do this hunt. Do you want the others to be right in their teasing?”
“No…I suppose not. Do you truly think it’ll be okay?”
“Of course! I’m wanting to help you. If we come back with something then you can take all the credit and they’ll have to stop teasing you about not having a successful hunt yet.” It had good intentions so surely what could go wrong? Danika just wanted to help her friend out and have a bit of fun. It was Chibale and nothing could go wrong even if they were getting closer to the borders. So after a bit more encouraging words Danika led Kyi around the forest until they began to find a prey to track.
But the sumudu was a smart creature. Soon enough it had Danika and Kyi running into areas not even familiar with the young mystic. Splashing through waters Danika reached out a hand to slow Kyi down, “Shh. I think we’re getting closer to it.” Her antenna flicked as if sensing for anything in the air. She had just seen it. It had to be here!
“Danika, I don’t think this area is the same as before…”
Danika shook her head, “You’re just imagining things, Kyi.” They were so close after all. Why would they back down now? Even if it did mean sticking their feet in the waters and crossing over into a different area. It was a training mission anyways. What type of warriors would they be if they didn’t come back with a simple Sumudu? She was tired of Kyi being teased and secretly she was also feeling bold. She wanted to prove that she could do things without others holding her hand or standing watch over her. Mystic in training or not she still was an Alkidike and had a warrior’s blood. So surely she could join in on the hunt as well on occasion! Even though this was just a sumudu it still was something. At least she could let Kyri show the others that she was a good tracker with this.
The sumudu scurried as if in response. Grinning, Danika waved Kyi on and the two Alkidikes continued chasing after their prey. Until finally at Danika’s urging the girl managed to capture the sumudu. It was surprisingly the biggest that Danika had ever seen and as Kyi stuck it into the bag the young mystic chuckled, “May not be a radaku, but they’ll have to be impressed that you managed to track something like this.”
“I suppose so.” Kyi smiled back shyly at the young mystic, “Thank you again for helping me, Danika. I guess you were right – nothing too scary about this place.”
But her words trailed off as both girls noticed how eerily quiet it was in the area. “Kyi, we should go.” Danika whispered as she reached out for the other Alkidike’s hand. But then came the scuttling. They had walked into a nest of menzuri. No wonder! Danika had only heard about the creatures from others who had the misfortune of walking into their nest. Glancing down the young Alkidike pulled her feet back from a sticky substance. Webbing. No wonder the sumudu had been so eager to go to them. It would be much easier to be captured by some Alkidikes than fall prey to the menzuri.
They were such strange looking creatures and as they came closer Danika swore that the area got darker, “Kyi. You run.” She found herself speaking, “I’ll use my blades to draw them towards the left and you run far to the right. Don’t stop either.”
“Danika!” A gasp of disbelief left the other girl’s mouth, “I can’t.”
“You will.” Danika smiled as she dragged out her blades, “Alright then.”
With that she moved forward. But despite her dodges and best attempts at fighting the creatures the young mystic felt a bit woozy. Had she already started to hallucinate? What she hadn’t told Kyi was that she had already gotten venom into her system. It made the young Alkidike sweat as she attempted to bat away the menzuri.
But then to her horror she saw Kyi darting in front her. “No!” Danika pulled through the fog and felt as if it took an eternity to reach the girl who had taken a swipe for her. More than a swipe several menzuri had taken the chance to leap on the one who was down already. The one who should have been Danika not Kyi. Flailing with her blades the young mystic continued to try and bat off the creatures, “Get away! Get off of her!”
She was so enraged that power built up until it was enough to shudder the ground she was standing on. As the menzuri scattered the young mystic reached out for her friend and attempted to drag her back towards home. But her energy was limited and her vision blurring quickly. Thankfully their tracks had not been so hard to find and others had already been scouting for the two apprentices….
When she woke up the next morning Danika asked about Kyi and was relieved to hear that the other Alkidike was going to be alive. However, there was something wrong and hearing that Kyi may have lost her ability to truly fight broke Danika’s heart. Her friend had lost full mobility of an arm because of the poison and damage from the menzuri. Danika was fortunate that she was not in the same predicament.
Bowing her head, Danika could only pray to Aisha as she stood over Kyi. Even if Kyi forgave her and told her that maybe a path of a blacksmith would be best for her in the end it did not matter. Danika was still upset over it all. But she had learned her lesson. Even if Eshe chose not to lecture her about her carelessness in this case Danika knew better now. Not even Chibale was completely safe from dangers. Nor could she act as if everything was a game. She had almost lost another life and her own out there by playing chase with a sumudu. I suppose I understand why they always want warriors with me now. Danika grit her teeth in frustration. She would have to put down her pride and bear it. Kyi had taught her that much. If even Kyi was determined to risk her life for Danika’s own life then it meant that the young mystic should appreciate that and take more caution. The last thing she would ever want was for anyone to die for her. Just the thought alone made her sick. So for now she would be careful and make certain that every action was better planned out.
She would prove herself as a warrior in her own right, but it was true – she was still far from ready. There was a lot of training to be done and now she was more determined than ever before.
[1325]
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 7:06 am
*⚘.❀ Novice Mystic Solo 1 - Thoughtful Mornings ❀.⚘*
The morning mists of the isles was like magic. Danika always adored how the tendrils of fog simply swirled in from the ocean’s depths. If one was to tell a story then it would be ideal to start with how the spirits of past warriors reached out from the great beyond to greet the dawn. Figures dancing on the waves, happily reunited with friends and family after finally meeting their great mother in spirit. It was intriguing to see how one could shape images from the fog and even if the elders cautioned against it Danika was always bold in the fact that she would step out from the shore and let the cool waters brush over her toes as she held out a hand to welcome the morning mists. Her fingers would stretch out as far as they could while her steps were slow and cautious as the young mystic continued into the cool waters. However, despite how much she reached and believed that something was out there the tendrils of mist were simply moist air in the end. All the mist did was swirl around her before dissipating up into the air or into the trees of the forest.
Still it was refreshing to greet the new day like this. Danika enjoyed how mystical and private the whole ordeal felt. Here she could meditate and pretend that there was something reaching out to her from beyond the shores. It connected her with nature and helped to clear her thoughts for the day, something truly important with how constantly she was caught up in the studies of the other mystics and the teachings of the elders. She would be their leader one day and only she could connect with Aisha, she would be the one to let her sisters know what the Great Mother planned for them. If that’s the case then you best be writing out a nice and elegant game plan for me, Mother. Danika smiled in faint amusement as she bent down to cup water in her hands. As she raised the cool waters to her lips the Alkidike smiled. Surely it would all become clearer in due time. She simply had to be patient and let her path unfold. Both Eshe and Aisha, along with the elders (despite how prickly and old fashioned they could be at times) served to guide her and to assist her in this growing phase.
Growing phase. Danika’s antenna flicked backwards and she closed her eyes with a sigh. Was that what this was? Her emotions were like a tightly woven net that continued to close in around her, even now her chest felt tight and her stomach was full of butterflies. Every step made her nervous and she felt as if she were playing a strategy game. Now that she was truly beginning mystic training the young Alkidike was extremely aware of everything and everyone - how they looked up to her, how the elders had great expectations for her, and how sensitive she was to things that others couldn’t notice easily.
How many sisters could do this after all? Danika felt the water swirling around her and droplets came from the flowing waters to spin around her as she held out her arms. If she concentrated enough she could feel the water moving around her, pulsing with its own energy. All I simply have to do is ask. And nature would respond, the whoosh of the wind and the rise of the water attested to that. A small sigh escaped Danika’s lips as she lowered her arms and allowed the water to rest once more around her feet, “I just hope I don’t disappoint them.” Her biggest fear was to fall...without her what hope did the sisters have? As a mystic she served as a symbol of hope and belief in the future. It would be a dark time indeed if she fell. Danika shook her head. Enough! She had moped so much about this! What was the point of worrying? She just had to make certain that such a demise would never happen. She would live to a nice old age and become the same as those prickly elders one day. Her lips pursed in determination as she turned away from the swirling mists. The sun was rising higher and now that the mists were thinning that meant that it was time for others to stir and for her training to resume. Only waking up before the full rise of the sun could allot her such luxuries to visit the water alone. She had spent so much time lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t even managed to get in a swim this morning. Danika’s antenna flicked upwards in frustration. What a waste. Perhaps tomorrow she could try again and actually manage to swim in the pool for a bit instead of practicing her powers.
As she waded back towards the shore Danika scooped up the outer layers of her clothing and began to dress herself. As she latched her belt around her slender hips the mystic paused to study her dual blades for a moment. They were a basic pair given to her on the day that the elder Mya had tricked her into fighting a pair of radaku. What Danika had believed to be a wild pair attacking her had actually been Mya’s familiars. The elder along with several warriors had planned out the attack to encourage Danika to finally decide on her weapon choice. Where Danika had been forcing herself to wield the bow, the blades had instead fit perfectly into her hands in that moment.
Placing you into a moment of dire need will always reveal the truth about your desires.
Danika shook her head at the memory. To think she had been fooled by that group. Still she was thankful. If not for them then she would have never chosen the weapon that was meant for her. She just hoped that she could be strong enough and wise enough to use them properly. She didn’t wish to simply be defended by her sisters in times of need after all - she wanted to be the one to protect and lead her sisters. Never again would she let a sister sacrifice themselves for her well being. Just the thought and the memory of that menzuri nest made Danika’s steps slow as she walked through the forest. Kyi. How was her friend doing? If she would even consider her a friend anymore. Swallowing against the deep emotions of guilt and sadness Danika turned on the path and went towards the familiar clearing where Eshe would be waiting for her.
“Good morning, Mystic.” Danika twisted her hands in a formal greeting and bowed her head before Eshe simply patted the girl’s shoulders.
“Come, Danika. We have blooms to attend to.”
Perhaps after this training session she could move forward and pay a visit to where the other apprentice now worked. I’ll just need to work up the courage first. Danika’s eyelashes fluttered down against her cheeks as she lowered her gaze to focus on the lotus bloom before her. She could feel the pulse steadily growing inside of the delicate flowers and in the moment it brought a sense of calm to the young mystic. Here around Aisha she felt as if she was disconnected from the world. Even with her mentor at her side Danika felt herself drifting away as she was surrounded by the blooming lives around her. A few buds, some special due to their strange parentage and others still beautiful despite their normalcy, No matter where they came from or how they appeared Danika loved them all dearly. Light magic swirled around her fingertips as she gently stroked a petal of one of the pink buds, “You’ll be blooming soon and your mother will be so happy to have you.” It still baffled others how Danika could pick up on the aura of a bloom and who it was connected to, but for the young mystic it was a natural sense. Even as a youngling she had easily pointed mothers to their children. It was like a thread of glowing light that connected the sisters to the fruits of their love. Even if the sense was fainter for hybrid blooms Danika could have led couples to their blossoms with a blindfold on. She needed no unique coloring or fragrance from the flowers to tell her which spirits called to the child growing inside of the petals.
It was an inspiring feeling to know that the small blooms coming from their Great Mother’s roots were actually their future. Small lives lived inside of those blossoms and depended upon the mystics to care and nurture them into this new life. Danika just prayed that the fates awaiting each of the blooms was a happy one and that none would know any deep sorrows. An impossible wish she realized, but still something that she prayed for each child before they bloomed. Should happiness not be an attainable feat for all? If only the love she felt for each bloom could transfer into a guarantee of a brighter future...
She wanted to become a warrior to protect this. This ability to sit here in a peaceful environment and help nurture new sisters into being. Danika wanted them to be able to greet the dawn with a smile on their faces and with peaceful hearts. She didn’t want to see them covered in blood because even with the glory of battle there was always the price of loss. Loss of sisters as the blood on their leathers would not simply be that of their enemy, but also of their comrades. The thought made her expression darken before she found herself reaching to a bloom for comfort once more. No, I won’t let that happen. I’ll fight so that you can all grow into a world of peace and prosperity. May the hunt be the thrill that they receive rather than the heartache of war.
Danika was determined. She would grow stronger for this new generation so that they could face whatever came next together. Her fingertips brushed over all the blooms as she inspected them one last time before finally heading towards the trunk of the Great Mother. Aisha give me strength to fulfil my destiny and to keep my promise to these little ones. She prayed as she pressed her forehead lovingly against the tree bark which felt alive and warm beneath her skin. It was a comforting feeling to know that the tree seemingly responded to her request as a wind whistled through the branches like a blessing over her.
She could do this, she was going to grow as a mystic and make everyone proud of her.
(1819)
Summary: A quiet morning allows Danika to reflect upon her desires as a mystic, something that becomes even more apparent to the young Alkidike as she tends to young buds.
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Online
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Online
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 7:07 am
*⚘.❀ Novice Mystic Solo 2 - A Gift ❀.⚘*
They didn’t know why or how, but sisters were beginning to disappear. None of the news that Danika caught snippets of had any clues of what could be behind such disappearances. Even when she tried to sneak into the Elders’ discussions about such matters the young mystic was ushered away to go train with Eshe or tend to the blooms under Aisha. She was far too young in their opinions to get involved in such worries. Nor did they believe that she could offer any advice due to her youth and innocence of the world. Such things truly frustrated Danika, but what could she do?
I will do what I can in the meantime. And so she picked up the blades. Stretching out a leg she pointed her toes towards the ground and for a moment paused like that with her body tensed and prepared for action. As soon as that foot touched the ground Danika moved the rest of her body forward and allowed the blades in her hands to spin in a twirling motion as she twisted her upper body along with her steps. Just like the winding river and then another twist and a kick to propel her towards the invisible opponent. Danika’s blades sliced through the air as she mimicked the dance that her mentor had showed her once before.
She just had to master the grace and the speed that the others had when they did the petal dance. She could recall how quickly and elegantly Tyiva handled the blades when she did the dance. It was like magic how the blade just disappeared like the wind and reappeared with only falling petals to show that she had in fact simply moved at insanely high speeds rather than becoming ethereal through the dance’s magic. Though Danika had heard some sacred hearts who truly mastered the dance of the blades could indeed become as the wind she knew that neither her or Tyiva were anywhere near that level of skills.
And Tyiva was far ahead of Danika when it came to battling. The young mystic pursed her lips as she thought about it and then missed her next step which resulted in a slight tumble to the ground. Ouch. Wincing she rubbed her ankle and flicked at the mud coated along her leg from the other falls she had experienced since beginning her training session with the blades. While the idea of becoming strong was nice it was a hassle to get accustomed to the physical aspects of battle. Picking up the blades required not only a lot of focus but a lot of training to get her body lithe enough to conquer the moves required by the dances taught to those who wielded the blades. She had to become like Tyiva who could easily dance without thinking about it. Her body simply moved on its own as if the blades possessed her and she became the dance itself. Danika’s antenna twitched at the thought. Could she ever master such skills to the level that it was as natural as breathing for her?
And magic - that was another level of training she had to master along with the normal patterns of the blades. Danika closed her eyes as she focused on that growing ball of power that was burning in her chest. Water and earth she connected with, but the other elements still attempted to elude her. Wind was simply too whimsical and playful, while she could summon it in bursts the results always varied while fire...well fire was something different altogether. It was a beast not wishing to be tamed, something that always bucked and fought against her. Even when one of the Sacred Hearts had demonstrated how to channel magic into the weapons Danika still faltered. It was a strange concept and one she would have to slowly adapt towards. I suppose no one became an expert overnight. Danika brushed off some more dirt before taking the stance back up. She had to continue training for when Tyiva came back home, Taka as well would be interested in seeing how much she had grown.
Danika’s brow furrowed in concentration as she began all over again. She simply had to keep pushing her body, no matter how much sweat or how much her muscles shook after the training sessions ended she was determined to keep going at it. What had happened those few moons ago still haunted her and she had made a promise to herself that no one would ever get harmed again before of her. Should the day come that she was needed to fight then Danika would boldly step up and fight alongside her sisters instead of hiding behind them.
“You seem to be doing well.”
The familiar voice had Danika spinning in surprise and the young mystic found herself landing on her butt in the dirt, “You…” She blinked as she dropped her blades and hastily stood to greet her guest, “Kyi, you’re here.” Her mouth curved into a smile, but her heart felt like it was being stabbed a few times. Her friend was dressed with armguards to both protect her arms and to also hide the scars that had weakened her left arm permanently. Many warriors would showcase their scars, but Kyi needed the aid of the guard while she was was still working towards recovery. At least that was Danika’s hope for her friend.
“I wanted to visit to see...how you were doing.” Kyi offered as she took a few steps forward, “I’m glad to see that you’re training hard, Danika.” The young mystic couldn’t help studying her friend. Since they had last seen each other two moons ago Kyi had gained some weight along her hips and had broadened in her shoulders. Using the hammer instead of running along with others for the hunt had altered her growth it seemed as both her arms and legs looked sturdy - something necessary when one stood over a forge for many hours. Her antenna seemed to have some forgotten soot on them and her expression was much more somber, yet far more confident than the innocent childlike expressions she had often shown before. Even her voice seemed huskier - was that a result of being over the flames constantly?
“Ah, yes.” Danika found herself saying quietly, “I realized that it’s best if I push myself as hard as possible so that I can grow quickly.” Because she didn’t want to screw up ever again like she had with Kyi. Honestly Danika was still surprised because the last time she had tried to visit the other girl it had felt like a great canyon was between them. No longer did she sense friendship from the other Alkidike, but rather apprehension and regret. Or had that simply been her own feelings that made the visit so brief? She had stayed long enough to check in on Kyi and to bless her before fleeing once more into training. She had trained and trained and trained until she nearly passed out from fatigue - that was how badly she had wished to erase her guilt and the memories from that day.
“Are you doing it because of me?” The abrupt question made Danika’s gaze widen in surprise as she simply stared at the other Alkidike, “You know I never was much of one for the hunt. Even without my injury I constantly made noise in the jungle and always seemed to aim towards the left rather than straight on target.” Kyi teased lightly before her expression sobered, “I know you. Last time you came to check on me you acted as if I would set you on fire at any moment, but in all honesty I am glad. Not that I would go back to fight a menzuri, oh please no.”
“Kyi…”
“Shh. You always beat yourself up worrying about others, but you must realize we worry about you as well. Not just because you’re the mystic, but you’re also a good friend to me Danika.” Kyi moved forward so that she could reach a hand out to touch the young mystic’s arm, “A blade came to me because she saw how hard you were pushing yourself lately and they hoped that I could talk some sense into you.”
“I’m simply training - is there any fault to that?” Danika replied though her voice was gentle as she lowered her gaze towards the ground, “I don’t understand why they constantly act as if I’ll wilt at any moment.”
“Well you did apparently faint the other day-”
“That was a one time thing, I simply forgot to eat that morning because I was meditating instead.”
“And you probably hadn’t eaten the day before, correct?”
A light flush decorated Danika’s cheeks, “I suppose that assumption could be true.”
“Mmmhmm.” Kyi sighed before she stood side by side with the young mystic, “Please believe me when I say that I am glad to be where I am at, Danika. I’m alive and being of use to my sisters. I actually enjoy crafting weapons, to create something for sisters to wield makes me happy. It’s like when I create a weapon I am giving a part of myself to become their strength and it brings me joy to know that I am aiding them.”
“Kyi…” Danika’s antenna flicked as the other Alkidike touched her cheek.
“It was the same feeling I got when I protected you that day. We both were children in a sense still and now it’s been moons. We’re older and wiser, right?” Kyi smiled as she lowered her hand now that Danika was actually staring at her, “So let’s move on from that and take care of ourselves. Continue to get stronger my mystic, but don’t kill yourself in the process.” She smiled teasingly, “Would be hard to protect us as a spirit, correct?”
“Yes, I suppose you are right.” Danika found a faint smile crossing her features, “But Kyi can you truly say that you don’t hold any regret?”
“Mmhmm.” Kyi nodded, “At first I was bitter that I felt so useless, but then as time passed I realized that I do enjoy my new life.” She shrugged her shoulders, “Who is to say that if not the menzuri then perhaps something else would have occurred to place me on my path? At least I got injured doing something of value to me - protecting you.”
Danika’s cheeks flushed, “I - I don’t know what to say save for thank you, Kyi. I won’t lie as I did press myself out of guilt, but now that time has passed I too have matured in a sense. I wish to grow stronger to protect everyone and for myself as well.”
“Hmm, well if you are so determined to run yourself ragged then who am I to stop you? I simply can only offer you my assistance in your quest.”
Danika blinked in surprise as she glanced at her friend, “How so?”
“By giving you these.” Kyi moved so that she could place a wood box in Danika’s hands, “I came here not to just check on you, but to also show you how I’ve progressed in my trade with a gift.”
“Kyi, you-”
“Shh, don’t say anything until after you’ve seen them.”
Nodding her head Danika moved the lid of the box and immediately gasped, “Kyi! They’re beautiful!”
“Thank you.” Kyi grinned, “I know that you have a pair of blades already, but I figured I could give you something that is personally for you. My affections are poured into these blades and I pray that Aisha allows them to protect you and for them to give you the strength to protect us as well.”
“Kyi, you’re amazing.” Danika placed the blades in her belt before moving to embrace the other Alkidike, “I’m so glad that you came to see me today and I’m so sorry for being such a fool.”
“Oh I know you - always with the dramatics. You prefer to mope and make a big deal out of something when a simple apology like that will do.” Kyi tightened her arms around the mystic in a tight hug before stepping backwards, “Unfortunately my time is short, but if you have a spare moment I could let you walk with me to my new home. Have you seen a forge before?”
“No - no I haven’t.” Danika’s cheeks flushed as she reached down to touch her new blades one more time. They were perfect, absolutely perfect. She was so excited to use them in her next training session. Perhaps they were what she needed to perfect her own dance of the blades. Danika smiled warmly at the thought, “I suppose though my training can be cut short today and you could show me where you work now. But we must be quick before the Elders realize I’m missing.” She teased quietly as she glanced around.
“Understood.” Kyi reached out a hand for the mystic, “This way, quickly.”
Giggling both Alkidikes ran through the clearing and into the forest. In that short moment Danika felt like a young apprentice again who played without a care in the world. Of course that was not the case any longer, but still her heart was lighter as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Despite her reservations about others guarding her and her own worries about not being strong enough as a mystic it was still nice to know that she was so loved by others.
That feeling would give her the strength to continue pushing herself to become the best that she could for her people who she cherished so dearly.
(2290)
Summary: Danika's friend Kyi visits her and helps to wash away the guilt and fears that Danika has held onto for the past few moons. She also brings a gift with her and Danika finally has her own unique set of blades to fight with.
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 7:09 am
*⚘.❀ Novice Mystic Solo 3 - Flower in the Rains ❀.⚘*
Danika stretched her arms out towards the skies. Please, please rain. She silently pleaded as she twisted her toes against the dry earth that cracked and groaned against the sudden pressure. Not that she blamed it for such behavior – the whole area was dry and even her own skin felt as if it would flake away with the warm winds that berated it. Had she not been a native to the area the young mystic would be inclined to believe that this area was part of the Oban desert that she heard so much about. With everything else going on Danika couldn’t believe that a rare dry spell was threatening to troubling the region. Sighing the young mystic flicked her wrists as she moved her hands in swaying motions and slowly lowered her arms to her sides. For a second it looked as if she were about to perform some strange ritual and was praying to the heavens to have mercy on her people. In all honestly, however, the mystic was simply venting her frustrations through silent movements that helped her to burn off the extra energy that coursed through her blood at the realization that she was once more totally useless.
Even if others saw her as someone valuable, the great mystical leader of the Alkidike race Danika was still struggling. She knew that helping new life to bloom into the world and taking care of Aisha was important, but at the same time she couldn’t get those screams out of her head. The screams of those that she had witnessed being taken by the Dretch. Just the thought of the dark bug mages sent a violent shudder through her spine. How was she some great and powerful leader if she couldn’t even move to defend them? No, instead her mentor had jumped in front of her to protect her like she was some youngling. Danika’s jaw clenched as her frustration built. What was the point in even picking up the blades if she wasn’t allowed to fight? She wanted to help protect her sisters and sitting back while they got plucked off one by one was not helping at all! It was even worse knowing that some would willfully and gladly throw themselves in the way to protect her. Fools. Can’t you see that your lives are just as valuable to me as mine is to you? Danika’s eyes closed as she sunk towards the ground.
As she sat there the Alkidike reached out both hands so that she could run her fingers over the coarse earth. “You want to do a lot too, right?” She asked a small bud as her fingers connected to it. Ever so gently the girl rubbed a finger along the dense petals, “You wish to bloom quickly as do I. If we don’t bloom then who will make this place beautiful again?” The faintest of smiles decorated her lips as she bent down towards the bloom, “But the world is making it hard to grow since the rains don’t want to come and these outer leaves won’t let you face the harsh reality so easily.”
Her antenna hovered just above the ground as she bent close enough so that she could breathe on the bud, “Sometimes though even if the world seems scary and impossible we just have to bloom. It’s the only way that we can face the world else you accept to stay sheltered and just wither away in your outer shell without even giving life a chance.” Her breath whooshed around the dark green bud, but as it continuously swirled something began to change. Slowly, ever so slowly, the dark green leaves started to unfurl to reveal the delicate violet flower that was inside. As it bloomed the flower petals stretched out along the ground and curled at the tips to reveal a deep golden edge that made the violet seem to glimmer in the spots of sunlight.
Wait…only spots of sunlight? Danika’s gaze was distracted from the blooming flower as the first fat drop of rain came from the skies above. Her mouth moving into an ‘o’ shape the mystic pushed herself up from the ground and held out both hands so that she could catch the fat drops as they began to start pouring onto the ground. Her expression immediately brightened up as the rains poured over the beaches and into the forests, “Seems you bloomed at a good time!” Teased Danika to the flower as she shook her now wet and glistening dreads. Perhaps that was it. The thought made her halt in her movements. Perhaps the bud simply had to brave enough to face the world and bloom before things changed…maybe it just took one bloom to make all the difference.
Wouldn’t that be nice? Danika’s heart felt heavy as her stomach knotted. It would be too easy wouldn’t it? Even she was no fool – it was far too dangerous to go out and be with the other warriors, right? Even if she did ‘bloom’ then what would she do? The young mystic bit her bottom lip thoughtfully before yells caught her attention.
“Mystic!” One of the blades that had been assigned to stay near her came through the trees, “There you are! We should get out of this rain and to shelter!”
Sighing under her breath at the reminder of her newly appointed guards the young mystic could only force a small smile as she nodded her head and started back away from the beach and the newly bloomed flower and back into the island’s forest where the great mother awaited.
(936)
Summary: Danika reflects on some of her inner turmoil
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Online
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Online
Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 10:53 pm
*⚘.❀ Novice Mystic Solo 4 - WE - Honoring the Dead ❀.⚘*
-Danika watches the ceremony of an Elder who once mentored her and realizes that death is not completely final since the memories remain-
Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:03 pm
*⚘.❀ Novice Mystic Growth Solo - Accepting Weakness and Growing From It ❀.⚘*
[Danika has to face the reality that the appearance of the Dretch has indeed scared her to the point that she’s doing anything to keep her mind occupied - training through the early hours of the morning, studying all afternoon, working herself to death learning the duties for a mystic, and even roaming about in the evenings with Sisters so that she doesn’t have to stop and rest. While she has constantly tried to appear brave the young mystic has to face her fears to understand herself better and to also brace herself for a future meeting, something that may change things for everyone.It’s a plot point by making her accept that she can have flaws, that fear is going to happen but that to be truly brave you must face it. If she is going to become a mystic, a leader for her people she must first take the time to understand herself and mature so that fear will no longer drive her actions.]
Another day, another early morning.
Sweat glistened across Danika’s brow as she continued to slash at the wooden dummy standing in the middle of the clearing. Already the wood was frayed on the creature and many scratches and cuts from her practice blades showed her hours and hours of work in this clearing. Yet even though her body ached and her breath was heavy Danika didn’t stop her attacks. She had to grow and continue to grow without pause as time was pressing. Who knew when danger would strike near her or if a great battle was going to be upon them all? All of those folk stories, stories of the Dretch coming to take bad children and doing so many evils things - things that she once thought so fictitious- were coming true. It frustrated Danika to no end that those creatures existed and even worse had come into a great meeting with so many Sisters without any hesitation and gotten away with stealing one of their own!
And so many more were still missing.
Danika let out a soft curse as she realized that she had accidentally slashed too hard through the wooden dummy and now splinters of wood had caught her hand. I suppose it’s only fair that the dummy can attack back. She quipped silently as she stared at the blood that slowly seeped down the side of her hand. Even if that hadn’t been enough to force her to stop the calls of Sisters were.
“Mystic Danika! The Elders are waiting for your lessons.”
“Oh! Are you alright? You’re bleeding!”
Danika forced a small smile, “I’m fine.” The Sisters who had kept a close eye on her since the appearance of the Dretch rushed to her side and one pressed a bandage on the wound as they ushered her away from the training area towards the Great Mother where Danika would spend the next few hours studying the languages of the trees and other necessities for a young mystic. Many things she had already learned as a youngling and developed as an apprentice but now it was more preparation. Preparation for her to lead and to one day teach another young mystic when she bloomed. Danika could only pray that the world would return to being peaceful so that the appearance of another mystic wouldn’t be until she was far into her own prime. It still worried her that she herself had been born so early - was it because Aisha knew that the Dretch would reappear? Perhaps the Great Mother knew that a mystic would be sacrificed for this?
No! Stop thinking such things!
Danika had to lean against a tree for support. Oh mother help her what was she supposed to do? Frustrations kept welling up inside of her chest, tangling her guts until mixed emotions stirred an uncomfortable warmth that kept her from resting. Instead she would pick up her blades and dance her frustrations out in training. Things would be okay, they had to be okay, she would make them okay. Even if she wore herself down to the ground Danika would find a way to make things right. She just had to keep working, keeping training until she was so strong that nothing could harm her or her people!
“Danika. Earth to Danika?” A voice called out and the young mystic blinked in surprise to see Kyi, a blacksmith in training and her friend who had been harmed as an apprentice protecting Danika. “By Aisha they weren’t lying - you’re starting to fade away.” The stout Alkidike placed her hands on her hips as she studied Danika.
Slowly lowering her weapons to rest her arms at her side Danika tilted her head in confusion, “What do you mean?” She didn’t feel like she was fading at all, she was simply training and training and...training some more?
“How long have you been at this?”
“Since I left my studies.”
“How long ago?”
“A few moves of the sun?” Danika bit the inside of her cheek sheepishly, “What’s wrong with that?” She raised a brow, “Is it wrong for me to want to train so that I’m am prepared in case of danger?”
“Destroying yourself to become a legendary warrior in one moon’s time doesn’t seem like the best way to be prepared.”
“Excuse me?” Danika crossed her arms, “May I ask why you’re suddenly here to chastise me about my decisions, Kyi?” Friends or not Danika was feeling rather defensive about this and she found that warm feeling flooding her senses again. There was nothing wrong with wanting to be strong! Everyone trained so why was it a problem if she trained more than normal? Or if she studied a lot more lately? If things changed, if the Dretch attacked then she wanted to be ready!
“Is it the Dretch?”
Had Kyi read her thoughts? Danika’s gaze widened ever so slightly before she glanced away, “As a mystic it is my duty to serve my people to the best of my ability. If I slack now in their time of need then how am I serving them? You saw that monster grab our Sister, Kyi. You saw it!”
“Is it really serving your people by working yourself to death?” Kyi walked around Danika so that she could meet her gaze, “I know you care deeply about your Sisters, but is that truly why you’re pushing yourself so hard? Danika, you know that you can’t keep avoiding it. I think you’re terrified on the inside and acting recklessly because of it. You took such a beating in lessons the other day for no reason and haven’t even been sleeping, have you? Nor have you taken much at meals since you opt instead to come here and beat at the dummy. Just look at it!” The blacksmith raised a hammer as she pointed to the wooden creature, “It’s barely standing and I just prepared that for you a few days ago!”
“So?” Danika snapped at her friend, “You don’t understand! You haven’t seen...you haven’t felt...you just….there’s so much.” Her antenna flicked forward as if reflecting the pain in her heart, “You don’t know how badly it’s shaken everyone! There’s even a….” Her voice caught in her throat. She wasn’t going to admit to Kyi the other thing that was constantly haunting her mind. She would be going to meet with others soon those who did not agree with their beliefs at all yet were meeting with them because of how dreadful the Dretch were! It was so bad that they were being forced to reunite and despite all of her younger days dreaming of Sisters coming together again the young mystic would have never wanted it like this. It wasn’t true unification to have to set aside differences to fight, to try and struggle against something far worse than anything that had ever existed in this world.
She couldn’t waste time. That had been her excuse for the last few days. She couldn’t waste time by sitting around not when so many lives were at stake! She didn’t want to lose Eshe, she had almost lost Kyi, and she didn’t know how many Sisters were already being grabbed. What if someone got grabbed right now? What if they just split the air before her open and reached a hand for her just as she had dreamed? Or Kyi? Or Tyiva? Or Taka? Or Eshe? Or anyone?
She couldn’t stop them, they would just keep coming if she didn’t get stronger...that tangle of emotions flooded Danika again and she found herself shaking her head, “No!” The gasp left her lips as she turned away from Kyi and fled from the clearing.
“Danika! Danika!”
But pleas wouldn’t stop her as Danika ran and continued to run through the forest, dashing over roots and around twists that would guarantee her escape. Escape - what a funny word. Danika found herself collapsing on the great roots of the Mother in a secluded spot that she often meditated in. What had she just done? Had she really just run away from Kyi, from everything? Her breath hitched as she tried to calm her nerves but the images of the Dretch continued to haunt her thoughts. She was so full of fears, of apprehension about the recent news given to her by the Elders in secret, and so full of self-loathing and frustration. If she were to be a mystic how could she lead her people if she couldn’t even give them an answer to this?
“Oh Aisha help me.” Danika curled her legs up against her chest and simply rested her head upon her knees. Perhaps Kyi was right in her accusations - else why would Danika have ran away? She had been too reckless lately. All of the training, all of the pushing herself over the edge had a negative effect on her own health. What was the point in all of this? Because she couldn’t get the Dretch out of her thoughts?
“I’m such a fool.” Danika traced a finger in the loose dirt, “But as a mystic I’m supposed to be a leader, a blessed Sister who you chose Mother. Oh why did you choose me?” Weren’t mystics supposed to be fearless and strong? Danika wanted to be like that but it seemed that rather than being brave she was only reckless. She wasn’t taking care of herself properly and had acted out in fear just now by running away from Kyi. This whole time all of the training from the past few weeks and all of the constant working with Eshe and the Elders had only been to keep her mind busy, to protect herself from the fact that she was indeed terrified of the Dretch.
She didn’t know how to deal with fear. She had always thought that a mystic should never fear, should never have flaws but her friend’s words had hit a chord with her. She was indeed afraid, very much so. She was terrified to the point that she was crying right now while huddling beneath her Mother’s branches. So what was she to do? Please help me mother. Bowing her head Danika tried to clear her mind and for the first time in weeks rested there in the silence.
“It’s okay to be weak.”
Danika blinked and glanced around as she broke from her meditation. Had she just imagined things? Was that her own dream? Sighing the young mystic shook her head. But she didn’t want to be weak! It was scary to be that way! But hadn’t she almost risked Kyi’s life against the Menzuri by not accepting the fact that she was still young and weak? Did that mean that she was also susceptible to fears?
“Running away from my fears has only made me weaker.” She confessed quietly as she tightened her arms around her legs, “I was so afraid to be afraid that I kept pushing myself more and more until I was useless in a battle and even snappy at a friend.” How was she supposed to lead her people if she let fear instil anger in her? She wasn’t like that, she never raised her voice to another like that ever. Danika hated doing that, she didn’t feel right afterwards. She was so confused about what to do though now. It wasn’t like she could keep running away from her fears, but at the same time to be afraid scared her. She had so much pressure to be a leader, to be a light for her people but how could she do that if she felt fear? And if she was going to be making a journey soon then she had to brace herself or was she going to run away from that as well?
It was mighty tempting to just curl up forever and stay far away from everything. She could protest to the upcoming meeting and just let them go without her. She could stay safe here and not worry about meeting those who could harm her and she would never have to be afraid of being weaker since she could just hide away from all conflicts.
Couldn’t she just become a youngling again?
“Stop being so afraid of yourself.” Danika could almost imagine Kyi staring her down or even Taka smacking at her again for worrying so much about others that she forgot herself. Hadn’t Tyiva also mentioned that to be brave one must also be afraid? How could you face your fears unless you had them first?
Danika let out a weak laugh, “How is it that they seem to be the leaders, my teachers while I am the mystic?” But they were right, she had to simply accept it. Her terror had kept her running for so long now, but now that Kyi had called her out on her faults the young mystic was responding. She wouldn’t run away anymore she would become brave as Tyiva had once said and face her fears. She would do this meeting, she would take up her blades, and learn at a reasonable pace while taking the time to become afraid so that she could learn how to harness courage and protect her people. But first she had to also learn to care for herself because despite everything she was also a living being and despite her blessings she had faults - she simply had to learn to accept them first instead of ignoring them until they consumed her.
Never again would she let fear make her decisions for her. She wouldn’t work herself to the bone in order to run away from a problem, but would approach it in a reasonable way. Nor would she react in a false anger to hide anything like fear. Danika took a deep calming breath before pushing free from the ground, “It’ll be hard but I believe it is possible.” But first things first she had to go find Kyi apologize and confess that yes she was indeed afraid.She would make her confession and then work on staring that fear in the face instead of running away from it so that she could grow, mature and learn from it instead.
Then and only then would she be better prepared for the long and dangerous road ahead.
[2560 WC]
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Online
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Online
Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 1:21 pm
*⚘.❀ Adept Mystic Solo 1 - Memories and Nightmares ❀.⚘*
Winter had kissed Chibale.
Nestling closer into her furs, Danika glanced out over the area from beneath the great branches of Aisha. Frost caressed the great branches gathering white along the deep chocolate color of the roughened bark. Now that the heaviest of the snows had ended the frost and the clumps of snow glistened in the sunlight. If it wasn’t such an abnormal occurrence in the isles Danika would consider it a picturesque moment. Aisha looked lovely in the early amber rays of sunlight, the morning sunrise reflecting prisms of lights and colors from the frozen limbs of the great tree. If Danika could paint as some of those artists from Jahaur did then she would take the time to sketch every moment of this morning into history. She simply settled to instead save the image in her memory and took a few sweet moments to study the tree. A hand tentatively reached out and as the tips of her fingers grazed over the familiar bark Danika closed her eyes in prayer.
Please watch over us all, Mother. May the cold vanish as a bad dream. Lift the mist that haunts our jungles and rid us of the evil within.
She knew in her heart that the evil would be vanquished. They were a strong race blessed with so many qualities that could aid them in their feud against the Dretch. Chibale, Tendaji itself, was their land and they had opted to share it with earthlings who also settled there. What there wasn’t room enough for was those Dretch. They only poisoned the land with their presence by taking whatever they wanted regardless of who or what they destroyed in the process. Mindless, evil creatures who could snatch even the soul from your body with their cursed objects and spiraling gazes. The thought sent a shiver down Danika’s spine and she could not blame the cold snows for that reaction, a thought which had her heart twisting on the inside. Even now that she was supposedly more capable as a leader - her actions at the meeting a testament to such a compliment - Danika still felt insignificant. Certainly the mother had touched her and certainly she could cast magic, see visions, bloom children, and even sometimes see a shimmer of auras about others....a skill which had assisted her several times before in matching a bloom to its parents.
But none of that could save them against the Dretch.
She had already faltered so much in her recent sparring matches. Her aim was weak, her motions shabby in comparison to how she had been only a year or so ago. Her heart wasn’t in it they said, her mind was too consumed by worries of the future to focus on the present and Danika was finally starting to see that they were correct. Even when she had believed herself free of the worries that bound her abilities it was not the case. She still lacked in her powers as a mystic. She had stopped running, stopped training herself to the bone because of the terror she felt with the Dretch but perhaps now she had allowed herself to become too weak? Or rather she was slowly inching towards her physical peak but the magical senses, what made her so powerful as a mystic still seemed hidden away.
How could she fix it? Fix herself? Danika stared at the tips of her fingers, a thoughtful frown creasing her forehead. How did she approach this? Should she talk to Eshe? Speak to Aisha and pray for a vision? She could go drink of the violet tinged waters that helped with sleep and visions but those were always so foggy and honestly despite the Elders best intentions Danika did not know if such a drink truly brought her closer to Aisha. It greatly lowered her guard but it was nothing compared to the dreams she had when younger.
Of the forest on the strange lands and the others….she reached forward as if brushing away the fog of the vision. Shaking her head in surprise Danika almost stumbled forward from the branch before catching herself. No! Shaking her head once more the beads in her dreads chiming with the motion, the young Mystic shoved away her realization. If that were true then they would be connected in a sense and the two trees….the other young mystic her age….they would be like two sides of a whole. But we are so different. She had felt little compasion during the meeting from their ‘cousins’ and had only sensed hatred and there was so much anger, so much tension that edged them all towards a fight. The only solution had been to allow them to go along their way while opening up the camps for the rest who stayed.
And that was that. So why couldn’t Danika shake the feeling that something was wrong? They had met to bridge the space between them but instead had left each other in anger once more. Earthlings had caused this rift or rather their divided feelings over the crystal ones had created the rift. They allowed themselves to forget their sisterly bonds to instead compete, to even kill one another, over the presence of these earthlings. Yet Danika could not feel disdain towards them but rather confusion? If Aisha hadn’t wished for earthlings to be in this land with them then why allow hybrids to be born? Why not destroy any earthling who dared to touch the grounds upon which she thrived? Some even got close enough to touch her, to ask for a bloom with one of her Daughters! If such blasphemy was actually a sin to the Mother wouldn’t she have stopped these couplings? Why give blooms instead of death to those who dared to break traditional bonds of Sisterhood to sleep instead with an earthling?
Such thoughts made Danika believed strongly in Aisha’s plan. That perhaps their future was not one for just Alkidikes but a future for all to be together. To thrive with one another and nourish their world while keeping things like the Dretch at bay. Perhaps that was what had happened? They had fought one another so much that while their backs were turned and their blades stained with the blood of allies that the Dretch managed to come back? Our guards were down, the doors were open for evil…
And now because of that they were losing even more Sisters than before. They could not burn the body as tradition had it as there were no bodies to burn. The Dretch left behind nothing but the sorrowful memories of those who had loved and now mourned those gone. Everyone knew at this point that those taken were lost. Whatever the Dretch did to their captives it would leave nothing but a shell if there was even a body left for them to find. At this point their main mission was to prepare to eliminate the Dretch so that there would be no more kidnappings and that the next generation could sleep peacefully at night. If we can have a next generation at this rate. Mourned Danika quietly to herself as she thought of all those already lost to the Dretch.
Even nature seemed to be warning them. Certainly things had slowed down and it seemed that the kidnappings were trickling to only a handful of Alkidikes here and there, if even that, but the Dretch still lived. Danika was fearful that this was only the quiet before the storm and because of that she wanted to be ready. She would go to Aisha, sleep in her roots and pray for a vision - for any hint of hope for their people.
When she did finally leave her perch the mystic found her feet taking her to a more silent area of Aisha and it was there that she nestled down with her furs. As she tucked them around her body Danika closed her eyes and allowed her antenna to drift down in slumber. She would sleep here and hope that something would come through. All she saw so far though was the memories of the last passing ceremony that she had witnessed during the summer for an Elder….
It was a hazy memory but as she stepped forward Danika swore that she could taste the salt of the waters on her tongue and that the crisp air could actually fill her lungs. The earthy smell of damp dirt lingered beneath her feet and wisps of smoke would occasionally brush past. Smoke? She thought before glancing over and realizing that this was indeed a moment of mourning. Many were gathered, some faces blank and others far too detailed for her to mistake as anyone else, and there in the waters floated a raft with a bandaged body of a Sister. Flowers, the pale green and pink lotus especially, decorated the raft and her favorite weapons were nestled in her clasped hands.
Danika always felt that it was strangely bittersweet to watch the ritual for a Sister’s passing. There was something beautiful and glorifying about the way the stars seemingly welcomed the body as it drifted across the Ocean into eternity yet sombering in the realization that the Alkidike resting upon that pyre would never be returning to her sisters in this lifetime. Danika had always watched the ceremonies from beneath the shadows of the trees as a youngling and as an apprentice had drifted closer and closer to her mentor and the Elders until she too was standing before the group of Sisters who saw off the dead. Now that she was a mystic she actually helped to lead the ceremonies and this memory was of her first passing ritual. She had been the one to light that first arrow and Danika saw herself as she was, decorated with the silks of the mystic, the beads of teal and amber, with the oils of lotus flowers and the painted markings of the tree.
As she sent the Elder off into the ocean and as her body was purified by fire and the ashes taken by the wind to meet the heavens Danika prayed. She prayed for the spirit to return to the mother and that the soul would take its greatest journeys before coming back home to guard over their family and that perhaps one day if the soul was so blessed that the spirit would return as a new bloom to once again live with her Sisters.
“Elder Ylva was truly loved and will be greatly missed.” She commented softly beneath her breath, a gentle breeze in comparison to the wisps of winds and smoke that raced each other through the forest. The Sister’s family, her daughters and her daughters with their younglings stood at the front of those bidding farewell to the beloved Elder. While others wished to die bravely defending their home, in the heat of battle doing what they loved, Danika felt that living like this was not so bad. To grow old and gray and to even lose the ability to see the light of the trees was not always a curse. In this way she got to see her blooms grow and flourish and her spirit could soar knowing that she had planted her roots well and that her memory would continue on into the new generations of her family.
She had even told her mentor a similar thing once before, “Living long enough to see your blooms bloom their own life is a reward that extends beyond the glories of dying in battle. While others may still adhere to the battlefield being the warrior’s true grave I doubt that the Elder complied with such ideals.”
Why did that particular memory come forward in her dreams? Before she could truly reflect upon it Danika found herself whisked away as the haze of sleep erased the memory and in her confusion she found herself landing in a strange place. Glancing around she felt as if it should be familiar yet the landscape was so alien. It was gray and dark unlike the violet and crystal green and blue hues of Jahaur. Had she seen this once before? The forest from her very first vision as a child? It had simply been a dream she had thought. Yet now that she walked across the hard ground and reached out to touch one of the dark gray trees the Alkidike had to wonder. Was she supposed to have a connection here? Was this place connected to recent events?
But her thoughts quickly halted as smoke once more touched her senses. This smoke, however, was not the calming smoke of incense that had risen from the funeral pyre. It was vulgar and made Danika’s chest tighten with the need for fresh air. Never before had she smelled something so awful! It was filling her lungs and choking her! She had to run! As she turned to run, sweat pouring down her back from the heat of the approaching flames and soot already tinting her bare feet and hands black, Danika found herself up against a wall. A wall of mirrors that reflected the scene behind her. Homes and shadows of fighters in battle….was this what awaited them all? Screams of agony and the wails of a mother separated from her child. A silhouette of a Dretch as it ripped something apart and dragged another away...
NO!
She couldn’t make sense of the chaos and all Danika knew was that she needed to run. She had to get away from here before they got her! Already so many Sisters...so many….and the tree..but Aisha wasn’t here? What was this nightmare place? Hands grabbed at her body, bruising her with their roughness and tearing her dress of ashes, and for a moment Danika felt like she would simply fall down to the ground and let them have her because of how exhausted and heart broken she was. This was it, this was the end of it all. Wouldn’t it be so easy to just let them take her now? She could be theirs and there wouldn’t be any need to fight any longer. They would do as they pleased and her battle would be over...the darkness was so tempting, it lured her with promises of oblivion and no more of the pain and fears that constantly haunted her.
Then before the final breath left her body a brilliant light broke through the shadows and she found herself reaching out for it.
Don’t you want to save everyone? Or do you wish for the world to fall into ashes by their hands instead?
No, no she did not want to let the darkness win!
Then reach forward and fill yourself with the light and powers bestowed upon you.
Please! She needed her powers, she had to become stronger! She knew that she still had much to learn and that she was still so very weak but she was willing to learn! She wanted to grow, wanted to defend those she loved and preserve their lands for the future generation! For the younglings who had been in her memories, for their hopeful gazes as they watched the previous generation disappear. They all disappeared in the end after all but the memories...their lands did not. She wanted to make certain to protect her people so that they could continue to flourish long after she was gone!
Crying Danika reached out to what may have been a glowing hand before letting out a scream as a burning white light filled her. It shattered the ties of the nightmare and as the scenes shattered like glass about her Danika could only watch as everything, everyone fell away. Still as she woke the misery of what she saw did not leave her and Danika found herself gasping awake with tears in her eyes. Clutching at the furs before her the young mystic shook her head as if to clear it of the hellish nightmare. Had her fears haunted her sleep? Was she that tormented by recent events?
Forcing her trembling body to move Danika slipped out of the damp furs and found herself gliding over the snow kissed grounds. One blessing from her slumber was that the snows had broken again and now she could see the sun as it shined in the skies above. Perhaps winter was finally over in Chibale and they could live again as they did before. But no, they couldn’t do that truly not with the Dretch about. The lingering feelings from the nightmare made her clutch at her stomach and the smell of burning flesh, the soulless eyes of the Dretch as they slaughtered in her dreams made Danika lose whatever was in her stomach. As she tried to calm herself Danika dipped her hands in freezing water and raised it to her mouth so that she could swish it around and clear out the vile taste there. Spitting she placed a leaf of a strong tasting plant on her tongue so that she could chew on it while clearing her senses.
She needed to think. She had to get out of this funk and try to make sense of her dreams. Of the horrors that she had seen and of the warnings embedded within them. Visions or nightmares it did not matter to her. It was a reminder that she had to prepare herself and that would mean a journey to unlock the spiritual powers residing inside of her soul. She would approach Eshe and ask for her blessing to make the journey. Despite the danger of the times, despite how much they did not wish for her to be alone with the threat of the Dretch the young Alkidike was determined. It was time for her to truly awaken as a mystic.
(3004)
Summary: Haunted by recent events Danika decides to reflect upon things and falls into a slumber where memories and nightmares await.
Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 5:52 pm
*⚘.❀ Adept Mystic Growth Solo - The Trials of Aisha ❀.⚘*
Growth solo summary: Danika feels that it is time to take the trials of a mystic, a sacred ceremony reserved for usually older mystics who wish to gain full access to the blessings of Aisha. As Eshe gives her permission for Danika to cross over the sea to the sacred island the younger mystic finds herself tempted by darkness.
Freedom, the decision to fight for all whether Alkidike or earthling, and the allure of power are some of the major decisions that Danika must make before proving herself. In this solo she does some self discovery before swearing her life to Aisha, to serve as a light and protector for all.
Staying true to herself and breaking free from the temptation of darkness will prove that Danika is truly ready to grow as a mystic and take the final step towards embracing the powers of Aisha.
Sheer white lace was draped around Danika’s body. Other than the sheer material which was wrapped around her body Danika also sported traditional markings which were painted on her skin in hues of teal and green. Swirling designs made up the majority of the markings while some held sharper edges as if telling the story of clashing spirits. Towards the very end of the tale the markings combined together as if in a dance as the mystic and her warrior roots found peace within one another. The healer, the fighter, the leader and the follower. All so different yet connected together as one in the body that had been bestowed with powers by Aisha’s grace.
At least that was how the Elder who painted the markings on Danika explained them, “Even as Sisters we all are different but we find harmony in the hunt so that we may thrive together and build our futures in this world. The spirits who watch over us are like the faintest of the swirls, a wisp of wind to guide us as Aisha does.” The older Alkidike frowned quietly as she glanced towards Danika, “Mystic Eshe gave you her blessing to partake in this but are you not frightened?” Ancient lines of age decorated her face and crinkled at her eyes as she studied Danika, “I remember when you were welcomed here as a bloom, so tiny you were that day. Now you have come back to cross the waters to your greatest challenge yet.”
Danika smiled in appreciation at the Elder, “Even if I were to be frightened what does it matter? Does not bravery come in the face of fear?” She reached out for the Elder’s hands and rubbed her thumbs across the leathered skin, “Just pray that Aisha accepts me fully and that I can lead us all to brighter days.” Even if she had sacrificed her childhood what could she do about that? It wasn’t as if she had been a bloom of any normal Sister and taken from her. Instead Aisha had given birth to her so she did not even have any family to mourn as her family was the Great Mother and all the Sisters who roamed these lands. She existed to serve them and serve she would by going across the waters to the lone island where the crystal cave awaited her.
Nodding the Elder blessed her before sending her to the rest who waited to see her. Every Elder clasped a bead into her dreads in blessing, hand carved with a symbol of the trees for something to aid her whether it be strength or wisdom or cunning or speed or even love and other such sentiments, and Danika thanked them all in turn. Some added feathers to their blessings or claws from prized hunts but the wooden beads with those carvings meant the most to Danika. They were full of the warmth of those who cared about her and all held blessings for her success in this spiritual journey. Despite her nervousness the young mystic’s lips curved upwards into a smile as she truly was touched by their love and concern. As she descended from the path and ventured towards the beach the rest started to fade into the background until only Eshe remained.
It was a sight to behold. Her mentor, dressed in creams and browns while wearing similar markings to Danika’s own, stood in contrast to the glowing white sands of the beach. Behind her the crystal blue waters gently rolled, their kiss leaving foam against the sand while also rocking the small raft which was to carry Danika over, “Eshe.” Danika spoke softly as the wind caressed them both, tossing their dreads and swirling the silks and lace about their bodies.
“Danika, my student and now fellow mystic.” Replied the older Alkidike quietly as she slowly approached and held up a string of beads tied together with the leaves and flowers of Chibale, “While I did not wish to send you towards your awakening so early I am blessed that I did indeed live to see this day. You are like the daughter I always wanted, Danika, and I thank Aisha for giving you to us. You have brightened many lives and I pray you will cross this waters and return a stronger Mystic than before. May the light of Aisha that you find today shine forth and brighten our lives and lead us into the future.”
Hiding the tears that threatened to spill Danika lowered her head so that Eshe could place the necklace around her neck. Unlike the others this held the ancient language and it told the story of Eshe’s feelings and hopes for the newest mystic. Danika’s fingers lightly danced across the carved wood before she reached out to hold Eshe’s hands, “Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” Eshe smiled, a motion full of warmth yet tinged with some bittersweet sorrow, “Out of all my students, the younger mystics, you are the first in many years to touch these shores. Before you bloomed I worried what I did wrong, how I failed Aisha, when so many of my students fell astray or perished in battles.” She swallowed, “But then I was blessed with you and today I can once again experience the pride that my own mentor felt when I crossed over.”
“Are you not worried I will fail?” At first Danika had only meant it as a tease but the memory of those who had fallen already, of the one who had betrayed the rest to leave Aisha and go to Yael with the extremists to only disappear, and of those who simply faded away made Danika wary. Was she truly ready for this? Yet after her conversation with Eshe and their original dispute over this decision Eshe had later come back after receiving a vision from Aisha that it was indeed time for Danika to cross over.
“I have no fear in my mind that you will succeed..” Eshe pulled the younger mystic forward in a hug, “Just take care, Danika. I’m worried that evil can reach anywhere including Chibale now.” Her arms tightened around Danika before she slightly pulled away so that she could look over the younger mystic, “I give you my blessing and will pray that Aisha guides and protects you.” She smiled, the faint lines of years finally showing across her features, “You should go now before the sun rises any higher in the sky.”
Nodding Danika forced herself to move despite how naked and vulnerable she felt after those arms left her side. No more words needed to be spoken here as Eshe had given her the blessing and the young mystic had decided to move forward. Only the whispers of the wind and the sighs of the water as it touched the shore filled the air as she silently climbed onto the raft and Eshe cut the cords loose. Danika did not even have her daggers, this was a spiritual journey and she would not be taking any weapons into such a sacred place.
As the shore disappeared and the waves carried her further away from the isles than ever before Danika had to sink down on the raft and distract herself with the changing waters. No more did they seem so clear with the ocean sands beneath as they were getting deeper and deeper. No more sparkling light turquoise greeted her but now it was dark, a deep emerald tinged with sapphires that glittered in the sunlight. Please Aisha let me pass through. She prayed quietly as the next few moments seemingly dragged along. It gave her time to reflect, however, to draw her motivation into herself whereas others may have seen this as a time to be tempted to flee, to see what was over the horizon instead of going towards the island that awaited her.
Wouldn’t it be something to just turn the raft towards the right and see how far she could go? Maybe beyond the horizons there wouldn’t be any Dretch? No more regulations and rules to bind her to the ground and she could simply go wherever she pleased as the sea breeze blowing about her did. Danika tilted her head back and allowed the sun to bathe her barely clothed body. That did sound glorious and as a youngling she had often tried to run away so that she could feel such freedom. She never did enjoy feeling tied down to one place - what had changed her mind?
My mind had been changed, yes? Or had she hidden such desires that it was only now she remembered them so clearly? Danika grasped at the wooden stick in her hand, the one that she used to direct the raft, “I can leave this place and these worries.” Why was it now when the island was in sight and the breeze tickled her nose with scents of strange flowers from its shores that Danika felt such temptations? She didn’t have to sit around a tree forever to the point that she too turned into a root of Aisha. Why was she the one born a servant? Wasn’t she the one who was supposed to have powers so why did she feel so restricted by her own people and her duties? Her eyes had told her so much about the foreign lands and Danika longed to see them for herself. Even visiting Jahaur was a struggle! Once more the temptation had her glancing towards the horizon and her body shifted as if she would turn the raft towards the left and away from the island she was approaching.
And oh how tired she felt. Something about the aroma of the flowers made her simply want to dive into the waters and leave all her cares behind. She could cleanse herself of her title here and just float to whatever awaited her behind the horizon. Adventures and the full freedom to live with no responsibilities to stifle her life any longer.
“But...then who would bloom the future generations and help guide the Sisters?” She found the whisper leaving her throat, a treacherous thought in the face of freedom, and Danika tugged back on the raft so that it went towards the island instead of the horizon. A tear slipped from her gaze, a hint of sorrow from the glimpse of freedom that she had once more given away, but honor and loyalty pushed her forward as she held onto the rope of the raft and splashed into the shallow waters. Here the waters seemingly shimmered with a green hue instead of the azul of her home. It was strange and even more strange how the haze she felt from the floral scent a moment again had passed to leave her with some clarity.
Was that a test? To get to the island one must remain focus rather than allowing the perfume of the flowers to fog the mind and lull them to sleep or to a different path? A protection for the island and a test for herself. I seem to have passed the first of the trials. Danika smiled faintly before tying the rope to a tree dotting the island. Even if she had already passed one test she could not lower her guard. Who knew if that was simply an entrance trial into the main event? Already she had been tempted to dive overboard and to let the lull of freedom take her away. The thought reminded her of the nightmare, of how she had almost allowed the darkness to claim her and Danika found herself tensing. No, I won’t be so weak again. She thought before forcing her legs to move her forward.
The smaller island was almost like a paradise but at the same time it had the strangest of auras. From the tempting perfumes of the flowers along its shores, to the odd glimmer of the sand and the colorful glass shards that lingered there long smoothed down by the rolling waves, the whole island felt rather magical. Such a realization had Danika on guard because the most magical and alluring of places could in fact be the most deadly. To enter into her full powers as a mystic she had to pass these trials and go through the island. In this magical paradise there was an ideal place for the trials, a cavern that you could enter towards the center which trailed through the heart of the island, and it was there that Danika headed.
She would go through the tunnels and drink the crystal waters before allowing herself to be filled with the powers of a mystic. Many told tales of the various experiences and not all made their way to these trials. In times of peace there was plenty of time to unlock themselves, to give their powers time to naturally surface but now? Danika had to push herself and to prove that she was ready despite her young age. And so as she approached the opening of the caverns and stared at the ancient pillars which rose from the ground with their strange stone and flickering designs Danika braced herself.
Silence.
The inside of the underground system was completely silent. Only flickering reflections of light from the softly glowing crystals inside lit her path now. No more sunlight, no more hint of outside air brushed past. It was completely still. Feeling awed by her surroundings Danika could only stare for a moment before going forward ever so slowly. Her hands brushed against the strange walls, a hint of something sparking at her fingertips before disappearing once more, and in surprise she pulled back her hands to instead circle her arms about her waist.
Shadows tinted the sides of her vision and despite her best efforts Danika found her pace steadily increasing. This was a sacred place, there was no way that the Dretch would have invaded here, right? She repeated some prayers under her breath as she hurried down the tunnels. Surely it was just a tease of her imagination was all. Still it did not stop the fear from pushing her forward.
Eventually a great stone archway greeted her and the young mystic slowed her steps. This was the place, the spiritual aura that created a haze about her attested to it. Up ahead she could hear the trickling of water as it cascaded from the ceiling, from another underground shaft, and into a shallow pool below. It was this pool which held various crystals of color that glowed faintly throughout the chamber. Here more flowers bloomed, unlike their colorful counterparts only pale white petals almost translucent decorated the stems that soaked in the light of the crystals and the nourishment from the underground spring. The walls and the ceiling above gleamed with dots of condensation as droplets from the air and the waterfall itself clung to the smooth stone.
It was hauntingly beautiful.
Danika felt drawn to the flowers and while she knew that she was to go into the pool of water to cleanse herself for the trials she could not resist touching those delicate petals. The aroma of the flowers was simply too powerful to resist and enticed by their charm the young mystic trailed a finger lightly across the delicate petals. Whatever musk that the others along the shore had did not disappear when the flowers bloomed beneath the surface but rather evolved and grew in power. It was intoxicating to breathe in and she found herself in a haze again as she went towards the waters. She had to take the trials now. However, she seemingly found that she had one of the flowers in her hands now and in bewilderment Danika raised the bell shaped flower towards her lips. A rich nectar, sweeter than any honey, glistened on the petals and as she tilted her head back the pale, lavender liquid dripped from the flower and down her throat.
Immediately she was grasped by invisible hands which tugged her backwards into the pool of water and with a splash Danika sank into the crystal waters. Swallowing the waters her vision went blurry and then she found herself falling, the sensation similar to how she sometimes dreamt and believed herself to have a vision.
As she landed on solid ground Danika glanced around in surprise. Was she not in the cavern anymore? Where was this place? Jahaur? Chibale? In her confusion she walked forward until the forest grew denser about her. It was so dense and darkness seemingly draped itself over everything! In the distance she heard the clashing sounds of metal against metal - a great battle was raging before the forest. Heart racing in her ears the Alkidike rushed forward until she reached the treeline. There she paused before slowly reaching up a hand to brush away the weeping vines of a tree, “What….is this?” She whispered in surprise as she surveyed the scene before her.
Bodies laid scattered throughout the valley, earthling and Alkidike alike. Were those the Extremists fighting with her Sisters? Was this the Great War? Her lips parting in surprise Danika watched in horror. Why did her Sisters have to fight? Was it truly worth it to kill one another over the earthlings?
“Are you happy? Sisters are killing each other because you do not relent in your hatred!”
Danika turned as ghostly figures passed and she watched as they interacted, “Are the earthlings so worth your protection? We have tainted our blood with their kind and look at this! We should have never allowed them to touch our lands! We must take back what belongs to us.”
“Why can’t we share the lands in peace? Our own Sister loved one of them! You killed her child!”
“He was a monster, a disgusting mix of blood!” Hissed the other Alkidike before drawing her blade against her Sister, “To support them is to accept poison against our glorious race! We are slowly poisoning ourselves by letting them taint our lands and dilute our bloodlines with their pathetic genes!”
She watched in horror as their blows grew in power and they continued fighting down the hill. How many Sisters had to kill one another because of this disagreement? Are earthlings worth such a feud? And then a hybrid boy, wonderful and golden like the one she had met the other day, was fighting and moved so that he could take a spear in the heart for the Sister fighting next to him.
Gasping Danika rushed forward so that she could try to help him. In anguish she could only watch as he faded from her arms, a sacrifice for the love that an earthling and an Alkidike held. He did not chose his birth parents, he did not ask to be bloomed….agony wrenched her gut as she imagined how strong a love must be for a pair to ask for a child in this world. A Sister protected an earthling and in turn the earthling protected her….so many images swirled through her mind and Danika found her own heart racing as if she were fighting with them. But the death of the hybrid boy had already broken her heart and she turned away.
Perhaps it wasn’t right for a mystic to be soft-hearted towards earthlings and hybrids but that scene rang true with her soul. She had seen hybrids in the meeting with the Elarians and they had stood with her unlike some of the Sisters. There were still those who were not with the Extremist that held bias and anger against the earthlings and hybrids.
I have seen enough of this.
Walking back towards the forest Danika lowered her gaze, “I suppose fighting is necessary for that which you truly cherish.” If one found a love so great why not fight for it? If they had kept themselves locked up from the rest of the world and had exiled those who dared to love the earthlings would life be better? But then they wouldn’t have anyone like those hybrids who dedicated their lives to Aisha as well. He had died for a Sister. She could have scorned him the day before but he still chose to die for her.
Would you fight for them or leave them to quell the anger of those who want domination?
So many had died during that feud to be true to themselves. Whether hatred or love there was still something precious that spurned them forward. It broke her heart but after seeing those deaths in battle Danika realized that she couldn’t lie. To honor those who were fallen, to honor those that risked so much on that day she would be true to herself. Yes, it was terrifying to think of how Sisters may scorn her but Danika simply clenched her jaw against such frustrations, “I will not exist to destroy those that mean my people no harm!” She called out to the forest, to the voice that had echoed the question within her own mind, “I want to bring harmony to our world, not separate those who mean so much to one another. Earthling or Sister if love is pure then….then I will accept it as my Great Mother does. If she blesses them with children then who am I to judge who can and cannot approach her?”
She did not want to feed such anger. All it did was destroy bonds and separate families. She would work hard to keep any similar flames from being fed. There surely had to be a way to bridge the races together, no matter how impossible or hard it may seem at the moment she would pray to Aisha to keep her optimism shining as a light for those who wished to see peace for all.
I will take the burden so that they can love freely. No matter how some may view me. So please give me the power to protect everyone and to defeat the true enemy!
Danika’s fingers tightly laced together at the thought before she continued into the darkness of the forest. As the shadows lingered about her she saw a gleam of something in the trees. Turning towards it Danika found herself going until she found that the scenery had changed once more to that of the cavern. Before her was a crystal wall, so polished that it acted as a mirror. Her reflection shimmered in the crystals and Danika found herself reaching a hand out to touch the reflection. Something seemed strange about it...almost sinister now that she looked closely. Did she have black veins and had her markings become crimson rather than a tranquil blue?
As her fingers brushed against the cold crystal fingers from the reflection laced with her own. The demonic image of Danika grinned before pulling Danika forward into the crystal. Tumbling forward she found herself intoxicated by the familiar aroma of the flowers. If I had powers would it feel like this? Wisps of smoke trailed over her skin and the mystic’s back arched at the wonderful feeling of the darkness wrapping around her, oh how sensitive she was to the world around her now! It was shattering to experience what it would feel like to be powerful like this. No more worrying about losing to the Dretch, no more having to feel weary by the scorn of Sisters and those Elarians, no more pain and sorrow, just pure ecstasy as power coursed through her veins. She was foolish for being tempted to run away earlier. If she just accepted this power then she could return and do as she pleased.
I could punish whoever displeased me and we would rule over these lands.
The foreign thought startled her but at the same time she felt her lips curving up in enjoyment. Yes, that sounded fun. They could burn whoever displeased them and there would be no more restrictions on them since all the lands would belong to them. Only a fool would disobey them and none would touch the Great Mother. The Dretch could serve her as her warriors! She could take their souls and bind them to her so that they would call her queen. A cruel laugh left her lips, an unnatural sound for the young mystic.
Is this what you want power for?
Her gaze narrowed at the sudden thought and she stomped against the ground in frustration, the movement shattering something beneath her foot. Glancing down she scoffed and kicked at the tacky object….a skull. Seeing such a thing stirred something in the depths of her heart and Danika suddenly found herself running towards the crystal wall again. Skeletons, dust - no ashes from destruction - and silence surrounded her. She would kill so many to gain her throne! Terror would rule them, not simply her power! The realization had her shaking and she gasped when she saw the reflection in the crystal wall.
Dressed in darkness, red tinged eyes, crimson markings, bloodstained hands, a cruel smirk on black lips….was this her? Would she fall for the seduction of darkness and power to turn into this? Was it so bad? She could feel powerful and the ecstasy of it all could fulfil her. No more being a scared child. What did a few lives matter? Wasn’t her satisfaction and happiness far more important? The darkness could give her that. She could marry it, become one with it as long as she granted it to the power that Aisha blessed her with. It would be all so simple. Kill those who stood in her way, take over with those loyal to her and bend the rest to her will…
Then in the darkest of moments she remembered the small child who played in the rivers and promised to protect all of her Sisters. To protect everyone, earthlings and hybrids included, and to keep the light of Aisha shining. I will become a great mystic and protect everyone! To accept the darkness, to abuse her powers would only protect herself. In fact, it would kill many of those she wished to protect. The realization had her sobbing at the sight of the dark reflection. “No...no please. This isn’t me! I would rather die than become this!” She screamed in agony shattering the crystal wall and once more Danika was tumbling forward.
When she came to she found herself choking on water and with a flurry of kicks the young mystic emerged from the pool. Gasping as she swallowed the fresh cavern air Danika dragged herself from the water and looked at her shaking hands. Oh thank, Aisha. No more crimson decorated her skin, only the pale blue markings and traditional green tint of her Sisters. She was back and more so than before. Blinking Danika realized that her markings were glowing. A warmth was spreading through her limbs and a wind brushed through the cavern as magic swelled up inside of her. To defeat the darkness, to shatter the crystal wall that threatened to keep her there she had summoned light.
Before Danika had experienced a little bit of her magic as a mystic but she had always felt so lacking. Now as darkness swirled before her in the cavern the Alkidike smiled, a pure grin of happiness with none of the cruelty of before, “I am Danika, blessed by Aisha, and I live to protect my people and to establish peace in the land!” She called out boldly against the shadow of her reflection, “I promise to you Mother that I will continue to serve as your light and guard your children!”
Even as the darkness tried to choke her once more Danika opened her mouth and sang a song of the trees, an ancient hymn taught to her by Eshe, and light magic burned from her open hands. With a shriek the darkness dissipated until only Danika remained. Falling to her knees the young mystic found herself crying as she sat there for a long time and embraced the light which had been her power all along.
Later when she emerged from the cavern she made certain to close and hide away the opening of the cavern with vines, to preserve it for the next mystic when her time came, and to protect any trespasser from the alluring flowers nestled below. Whether or not those visions were visions or dreams or some sort of result of the intoxication of the flowers Danika knew one thing - she was awake now and stronger than ever before. She was truly a mystic now, blessed by Aisha’s power after conquering her trials, and she was prepared to fight the Dretch and to guide her people. A smile full of relief and warmth crossed her features as she strode across the glimmering beach and jumped on the raft awaiting her. There was no need to use any stick to guide her back, she had little time to let the waves drift her home. Rather she would ask the waters to help her back to Chibale with the magic that now fully stirred within her veins. At the thought Danika took one last look towards the flowers, thinking about their strange perfume before shaking her head and glancing out across the sea.
It was time to return home.
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Summary: Danika has fully embraced her powers as a mystic after conquering her fears of the darkness.
