Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ferros had only begun to chat with Nicolai when a quick chill ran down his back. It was a feeling he had come accustomed to living here in the dark kingdom, and it could only mean one thing: The dark lord was near. Ferros quieted himself immediately and lost his leisurely pace. He turned around slowly and found the dark lord making his way towards him just as the loud cry of a three headed monster resounded over the houses.

Ferros straightened himself and calmed his nerves. "Your Highness, what brings you out here this time of night?"



Acario had been following close behind Nicolai, listening silently to the boring conversation between the two older boys. His mind wandered from thought to thought, never staying on any one thing. He was busy taking in his surroundings. This was definitely the richer side of town. The houses were quite lavish and even the streets seemed to be polished clean.

A familiar roar made Acario jump slightly and look to the sky in time to see the three headed beast fly over-head. Acario watched him fly off, not paying attention to the fact that Nicolai and Ferros has stopped walking. Acario walked right into Nicolai, jolting him back to reality. The fire user seemed to be quelled by the sight of some one. Acario turned to see whom it was, and a chill ran down his spine. There was no need to ask who this man approaching the trio was. The way he held himself, the clothes he wore, the evil shadows that crept around him; He was the ruler of this kingdom, the Dark Lord Adel.

"Now that you have cleared your head, hopefully, have a mental image in your mind of the water flowing around you. I want you to focus on this hard till you believe you can do it"
Xavier opened his eyes and looked over at her, with his head slightly tilted.
"I wonder if she can do it on the first try" He thought to himself as he watched her form. Walking up to her silently, not wanting to break her concentration, he reached down and grabbed a globe of water and held it to her hand level.
"When you feel as if you can attempt to harness the energy, I want you to reach out and hold this globe without letting a drop spill"
He was being a little tough on her, testing her abilities with an intermediate skill such as this but Xavier was curious as to what kind of natural abilities she possessed.

Seth's eyes grew wide as she came up the ladder. He kept quiet for the moment to hear what she had to talk about... she didn't seem to notice that he was standing there yet. He listened as Alaura welcomed her and then couldn't hold himself back any longer. He walked up in front of her and waited... staring into her eyes, the very same beautiful eyes that had comforted him months ago. She was here... standing before him now. "Vivian....," he let her name fall off his tongue like a kind of sweet nectar, "how I have longed to be at your side once more. I failed to return to you after I had left. I was on my way to the kingdom, when these people," He indicated towards Alaura and the others, "were attacked by Nicki and her beast Fear." He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her. "I should not have left you alone in that wretched place."

Adel slowed his pace as he came to the three. He first looked to Nicolai and then to who had just run into him. A small boy in earth kingdom garments. "Nicolai...care to elaborate on the situation for me?"

Nicolai looked down at Acario. "I've decided to train him. He shows great promise and has a natural talent for destruction. In fact, he held his own for a while even against me."

"I see..." Adel quickly looked then to Nicolai once more, "So, the operation was unsuccessful?"

"Not completely sire. We did manage to notice all of their abilities and can be better prepared for when we make our next attack."

Adel made a load sigh. "Next attack? You had your assignment, and you came back without the traitor...instead.... with one of his ex-friends." He shook his head. "No... instead I will be sending someone else for the next attempt... though I hope this time we manage to get it right. For now Nicolai, I will let the matter go as you have been extremely loyal to me. As for this new baggage you've decided to take on, if you believe him to be of use to us then go ahead and play your games, but if at any time you think that he has even an once of traitorous blood in him, you are to spill it out of him." He glared slightly at the child. He then turned to the Prince. "How would you like me to send a letter to your father describing the amazing heroism you displayed in his name after your triumph over our new resistance?" Adel then turned and began to walk back toward his castle. His question was not really meant to be answered... more.... obeyed. As he left he said back to the Prince, "Oh...and... don't disappoint me....." He was soon back at the castle entrance and through the main doors as they shut behind him.

He couldnt help but let out a laugh as he looked from her to himself as they were both soaked.
"It is ok Keyla, hardly anyone gets that in their first go, I didnt"
Xavier continued to smile at her while he pulled the water from their clothing as best he could. Bowing his head slightly in thought, he was trying to figure an easier way to teach her when he felt something in the water, a disturbance of some kind. It troubled him as he didnt know exactly what it was and for a split second he let the worry show on his face. Snapping out of it he looked back up at her.
"Well Im not sure what I can teach you at this time but, I can show you what you could one day obtain through proper training."
Stepping back a few paces, Xavier closed his eyes then opened his hands up, palm up. Slowly 3 spouts of water started to rise and began to take human shape though there were no faces, only blank spaces. Opening his eyes he looked at her with a slight smile then dropped suddenly to his knees, his water minions disipating as he did. Breathing heavily he placed one hand on his chest and the other on the ground to keep his balance.
"I...didnt realise..I had used so much energy."

Ferros bowed silently as Adel walked away and turned back to Nicolai briefly. "We will have to postpone our conversation until another time, Nicolai. You heard the king, I've got to get ready. Until next time then."

Without a second thought Ferros turned and headed briskly back the way he had come, leaving Nicolai and Acario in the street. His mind was busy contemplating his battle strategy. He didnt care what the dark lord sent to his father. Win or lose, Ferros would put that old flame out one day. He was much stronger than his father and they both knew it. Maybe that was why he was sent over to the dark kingdom in all reality. His father knew he would have to give up the throne sooner or later, and sending Ferros away only delayed the inevitable.

The dark lord had an aura of darkness around him that quelled most men, but Ferros was slowly building an immunity to it. The king was turning soft and everyone knew it. Ferros knew of many rumors to overthrow the weakening king, but so far none had actually taken action. But, this is a new age. The new generation is far smarter, and stronger than their predecessors. The nations trade sides daily. Take the young earth user for example. Anything is possible. Ferros knew it was time for a new king. And what better way is there to dissipate the shadows, if not by a brightly burning flame?

Nicolai nodded to the prince in agreement. They would talk another time. The prince left and Nicolai turned to Acario. "My house is not far now." They continued on their way and soon arrived at the residence. It was a fairly large building, seeing as Nicolai was considered to be a valuable asset to the Kingdom. He was not ill-treated by the citizens even though he had no dark blood in him. "As you can see by my house Acario, even those of us who were not born here, can become equals among the kingdom's people. You simply have to dedicate yourself to your goals. I always strive to sharpen my skills and better myself, so that I am of use to my ruler. Show great loyalty to him, and your life will be made easy." Nicolai opened the door and stepped inside. He waited for Acario to follow, and he proceeded down a hallway. "This room here," He indicated to his right as he stopped, "It is yours. Once you get your feet planted on the ground and get in good with the King, you will be able to get a place of your own. Meanwhile, you're welcome to stay here. Spare clothes are in the dresser, as your earth kingdom garments might be frowned upon, and the bathwater has already been made ready. The room has everything you should need. You are free to wander about the grounds if you like, and the city streets are open as well, considering that around here most people are awake at night. A bag of gold and silver coins is on the bed. They are for you to use for any shopping you might do. There are a ton of markets, just don't get lost. But be mindful of the time, as you should get some rest. If you should need more coins, or need anything else, you have but to ask. You can start your training in the morning after breakfast. With that said, I shall take my leave." Nicolai closed Acario's bedroom door and walked back down the hallway.

He turned back to her and looked at her for awhile, wondering if he should tell her or not. Eventually he figured it would be best not to worry her at this time.
"Its...nothing. Just thinking is a....."
He stopped as he felt a pulse from the river, it was enough to send chills down his spine. Xavier looked back at Keyla with fear in his eyes.
"I want you to run. Now! Dont question me, just run."
He took her hand quickly and started to sprint at full speed towards the encampment. Barely making it to the tree line, he pulled her behind a tree and covered her mouth with his hand as he looked around the tree. Leaning down a bit so he was level with her ear he began to speak in a hushed tone.
"Shhh, I want you to keep very quiet."
Gesturing with his head towards the far side of the opening, a small patrol dressed in black attire walked out of the woods.
"A scouting party, probably sent to look for food or supplies. We're going to sneak back to the camp but be as silent as possible."
Xavier's heart was beating so loud he was sure they would hear it, it took all the energy he could muster just to get off the tree and to take Keyla's hand.