Welcome to Gaia! ::

Novvus got out of bed reluctantly as he remembered what was awaiting him beyond the door of his dormitory. The boy reached over to his roght, instinctively tugging at a small chain that turned on the bedside lamp. The bright light revealed a small, lightly furnished room with two doors. There was a small table with a chair pushed in at the center of the room. A book shelf filled with history volumes, gardening pamphlets, and combat manuals hugged the wall to Novvus's left. A few feet away from the book shelf was the first door, which was slightly ajar.

Scratching his head and yawning the boy walked over to the door and pushed it open, revealing a small bathroom. Novvus flicked a switch on the wall, but was rewarded with a faint pop and an instantaneous flash of light followed by semi-darkness.
"Really?!" he said sucking his teeth, "This is the third bulb this month! Where do these people get their supplies!?" Guided by the light of the main room, Novvus walked over to the toilet picked up the seat, and relieved himself. After flushing, he proceeded to wash his hands and face, drying both with a towel that hung from a railing. Novvus then began to check examine himself in the mirror. A dark-skinned boy with soft, yet piercing blue eyes and black spiky hair stared back. His dark skin had caused confusion in many people, including himself. Novvus was the only person in his family with a skin tone that brown. His parents had died before he had a chance to know them so his grandfather raised him. When Novvus was six years old, the two moved from the desert of Wind Country to the Mist Village in Water Country. Shortly after arriving to the country, Novvus' grandfather vanished. Since he was a high ranking official in the Hidden Mist, Mishima, the head of the Junior Black Ops known as DEW recruited Novvus to keep an eye on him. Ever since then the boy had been living a secret double life.

[wind country academy]

Oasis looked at the gate thinking about Hatsuma's answer, why was it dangerous? She thought about it for awhile, curious as to why it was dangerous. She knew it felt creepy there, and she didn't much care for it. Then Hatsuma walked up the wall. She tipped her head to the side, she could do that. However, it would use chakra, she could instead use her natural athleticism to go over the wall. She nodded her head, that would be a more fun way to do it. So she stepped a few steps back and then took a run at the wall, and ran a few steps up the wall before grabbing an edge of something decorative on the door and pulling against it propelling herself upward from it where she launched herself high enough to grab ahold of a low edge of the wall and she kicked off the door giving heave to her motion allowing her to pull herself up from the hand hold and climb up onto the wall. It was perhaps a bit longer of an action than walking up but it was quieter and used less energy. "Its neat up here." she states with a smirk before she flipped herself over the edge of the wall and with a few motions grabbed old of some piping on the door and slid her way to the ground. "Okay, how are we supposed to do this exercise?" she questions curiously before walking a few steps away from the door. While the sunlight was still great and warm somehow it felt as if somehow she was walking into some cold place. "How far is the gorge from the wall?" she questions curiously, she had not walked to the gorge from the wall before. She rather preferred to avoid the area so it wasn't too surprising that she didn't know its distance from there. She tipped from one foot onto the other and awaited Hatsuma.

With a sigh, Novvus began to undo the bandages on his left arm and leg. As the white fabric fell away, it revealed recent first degree burns that covered everything up to his elbow an knee. Next he removed his night clothes and turned on the shower with a twist of a ridged knob. Since the day he began living in the facility, Novvus had never gotten used to the cold spray. The countless drops felt like hundreds of senbon needles burrowing through the top layer of his skin, but the feeling was not as intense as it was eleven years ago. Novvus washed while thinking back to one of the stories his grandfather had told him about water nymphs. After a few minutes, he stopped the flow of water with another twist of the knob and stepped out of the shower, creating a small puddle as the water ran off his body. There was a small bottle of healing ointment along with fresh bandages on the medicine rack on the wall. Novvus took the bottle, opened the stopper, and applied the soothingly cool liquid onto his injured flesh. He thought of how he got the burns, shuddering at the fact that he would be fighting the one who had caused them.

During his eleven years training under the DEW regimen, Novvus had to fight with its other members in an elimination style ranking system. During this course of time, the dark-skinned boy had slowly risen to Rank 3. Four days ago was supposed to be the final bout in a three-way fight between the three top-ranked fighters. Some time during the battle, Rank 2 - Seiya got caught in Rank 1 - Riik's jutsu. The effect area was so wide that Novvus barely had time get away and his left limbs got caught in the blast. Seiya was eliminated because his injuries were too severe to let him continue, so Novvus was bumped up to Rank 2 in his place. Today was the match to decide who would undertake a lifetime mission, the details of which would only be revealed to the winner.

Novvus finished with the ointment and put it back on the rack. He now brought his hands together in prayer position and focused, closing his eyes. At first nothing happened. Then the drops of water all over his body began to permeate into his skin and disappear. The puddle at his feet started to grow smaller as the water was being absorbed. Novvus sighed, dropping his arms to his sides. The technique he had used was one that his grandfather had taught him while living in the desert. Since water was constantly low, the two had to survive on what little moisture they could get from the desert air. Novvus now used it to speed up the healing of his arm and leg, drawing the medicine deeper into his skin. Now that he was dry, the dark-skinned boy began to re-bandage himself. Once done, he walked over to the sink and brushed his teeth. Novvus left the bathroom and walked over to his dresser, where he produced a pair of fresh boxers, a yellow sash, green silk pants, and a green sleeveless zip-up combat shirt. He put on the boxers, followed by the pants, which had three hoops at the waistline and had sleeves that only reached the knees. Novvus then strung one end of the sash through the hoops, tying it so that a long section hung down his left side. Next he put on the shirt, hiding the muscles developing on his torso.

"Report to the Battleground in ten minutes." crackled a voice on the intercom. It had a slight wheeze to it that always creeped Novvus out. The voice belonged to director Mishima, who was always present during the fights, silently watching the combatants with unreadable gray eyes. Novvus sighed as he walked over to the table, where a small bowl of shelled peanuts rested. He grabbed a handful and tossed them into his mouth on his way to the main door. An animal mask hung from a hook on the door. It was fashioned in the shape of a pine marten. The dark-skinned boy fitted it over his face and pulled the elastic back over his head, covering his ears. With a resolute nod Novvus headed to his battle.

Aizen laughed slightly as he shrugged to the answer he got, ”Melons are nice but I can find other ones.” He couldn’t help but laugh again as he caught the paper ball and placing it inside of his pocket. ”Oh yeah man, Medical all the way. you know intelligence trumps that of brutes any day! besides the chicks dig guys with magic fingers!” he looked forward noticing a hallway door coming up soon that lead out to the training grounds. For a moment he sighed and continued his conversation. ”Just be careful no sense in killing yourself if your opponent is stronger, I understand the mentality of not letting your enemy beat you, but understand there’s always tomorrow and even the week after to succeed. What I’m trying to say is, don’t throw your life into harms way just because you feel the need to, sometimes it’s not always the right Idea to do even though it may seem like it at the time. Aizen Pushed the door open as the sun shined through the cracks of mist and fog, he smirked as he looked towards Koji. If it’s how I think it’ll be, you’ll get a test of strength and I’ll get a test of Intelligence! Haha!” Pushing past the dual doors Aizen rushed out onto the field noticing a older male figure dressed in what looked to be jounin wear. Was this Sato? their graduate instructor. ”Sato-Senpai! I hope we’re not too late for your liking, we were just getting to know one another. So what’s this test going to be about?” Sato looked to the two young men and smirked before he spoke. “Eager to Succeed I see... none the less, come closer and I shall tell you. Your Objectives will be simple, Aizen you are to Revive three animals, A fish, A Dog, and Last but not least A Fox. As for you Koji, your task is a bit more complex, you must successfully use a technique that of a higher level than an academy student. your tasks begin now!”

The door opened to reveal a long, dimly torch-lit hallway that stretched to the left and right. Novvus headed right, pulling the door to his room shut as he went. The torches alternated every ten feet, causing the dark-skinned boy's shadow to do an undulating sideways jig. Another hallway crossed the one that Novvus was currently traveling on, creating a three-way fork. He turned left. The hallway soon began to expand and become more spacious until it opened up into the domed cavern known as the Battleground.

It was carved out from beneath the Mist Village a long time ago. The dome was supported by fifteen massive pillars; five surrounding the battle platform and supporting the vault, and ten surrounding the outer edges. Sunlight streamed down from holes in the central pillars, giving the Battleground a surreal vibe. Congregated around the periphery of the platform were the members of DEW. Novvus noticed a group of them surrounding a heavily bandaged Seiya. The two made brief eye contact where Seiya nodded and mouthed 'Kick his a**'. Novvus smiled and nodded, but a knot was slowly forming in his stomach.

"Oi, Novice! How are those burns healing up?" called a voice from the platform. The dark-skinned boy forced a smile, looked at the speaker and replied in a casual tone.
"They are way better than they were four days ago, Riik. By the way, how's your face feeling?" The remark caused the boy on the platform to run his fingertips over the area below his left eye.
"I don't like the fact that you branded me with your religion's insignia, but i like the way it turned out." Riik wore a red mohawk that trailed down to become a ponytail. He had malevolent red eyes that were made even more menacing with his serpent mask's slanted eye sockets. Riik wore clothes similar to Novvus', but in red. "Were you trying to convert me?" he asked. Novvus had arrived on the platform and was facing his adversary.
"Not really. I just believed you needed someone to look to for spiritual guidance." Riik was going to reply when another masked individual joined them on the platform. The man regarded them both with pride and intrigue.
"It is good to see that you are both in good health." wheezed Mishima, placing a hand on boys' shoulders. "Remember that this is a no holds barred match. The victor will inherit the lifetime mission, to which the details of which i will reveal.You two are the strongest DEW has produced this generation." That statement struck a nerve in Novvus.
I am the third strongest! Seiya got screwed out of the runnings. He should be here, not me!
"Now shake hands." Riik and Novvus did as they were told. After they released each other's hands, Mishima walked between them. Once he was off the platform the two distanced themselves from each other, and without looking back he started the match. "Begin!!"

Riik moved first, clapping his hands and driving his palms into the ground. A black ring with archaic designs surrounded his hands.
"Sorry Novice, but i'll have to end this fast! Rune Style: Flare Pillar!" A second circle, this one larger but identical to the first, appeared beneath Novvus. The dark-skinned boy looked down, eyes wide in surprise, as the circle began to glow red. A blast of fire suddenly erupted from the ground and engulfed him. When nothing moved from within the blaze, Riik dusted off his hands and turned to leave but felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Overconfidence is an ignorance. Didn't you learn to never turn your back on an opponent?" Riik lashed out backwards, but Novvus ducked beneath the attack. "Godanzuki!!" cried the dark-skinned boy as he delivered a straight uppercut to Riik's chin, which sent the latter a foot into the air. Riik caught himself and rolled a safe distance away.
"How did you survive that?!" he asked bewildered. From what he could see, Novvus' clothes were scorched but his flesh escaped any damage. Riik started tasting blood in his mouth. That punch was harder than any he had received from Novvus before.
"I have my methods." the dark-skinned boy replied. He down crouched into a horse stance and prepared for Riik's counter-attack.

"If you say so..." The red-haired boy dashed forward at a speed that startled Novvus. For an instant he was lost to sight, then he reappeared directly in front of him with his hands entwined in the dragon seal. "Rune Style: Glyph of Warding!" A black ring formed in the air around Novvus, the characters on it different than the ones used before. The dark-skinned boy began to feel numb and found it difficult to move. Riik grinned behind his mask. "This technique takes a lot of chakra, but now that i've got you trapped you're finished!" Riik lowered his arms, which caused the ring to shrink and effectively bind Novvus. The dark-skinned boy watched his adversary weave another set of seals. Due to the fact that Riik was fumbling a lot with, Novvus took advantage of the extra time he had and tried to break lose by trying to force his arms apart. No matter what, his efforts failed miserably, the black ring wouldn't budge. Novvus was tired out by the time Riik was done weaving his seals. The red-haired boy jumped up, landing in a low stance with his arms stretched to either side with his fingers pointing upward. A jelly-like substance secreted from the tips of his fingers, collecting into spheres above his hands. "I'm sorry Novice, but this is the end for you." said Riik coldly, "Abandon all hope!"

The balls of jelly spontaneously ignited, casting a hell red light over the area. Novvus closed his eyes in resignation.
Is this it? Is this my destiny? thought the dark-skinned boy. Unable to move or focus his chakra due to the glyph binding him, he sank to his knees in resignation. Novvus' thoughts shifted back to the first lesson his grandfather taught him.
"In order to defend yourself effectively, you must possess a will stronger than diamond and an unbendable spirit. Without either you are nothing, Novvussor." A strange warmth enveloped the dark-skinned boy, giving him the energy to stand on his feet. "Remember why you are here. Remember what it is you are fighting for!" Novvus opened his eyes and looked at where Seiya was.
That's right! he thought, i'm here to fight for myself, as well as those who didn't make it! The warmth intensified, renewing Novvus' vigor. A smile began to form on his lips.
"You have a great power sleeping within you. In order to unleash it, you must understand your roots." The warmth had intensified into pure energy that was coursing through his body.
"I can do this!" gasped Novvus, beginning to struggle against the bind again.

"What are you mumbling about?" asked Riik, who had finished preparing his jutsu. The burning spheres of jelly flared angrily, causing Novvus to squint. "Forget this! You're finished!!" The red-haired boy brought his arms back, then swung them forward in a mighty arc. "Rune Style: Napalm Beat!!" Like fluid comets, the fireballs sailed toward the dark-skinned boy.
"Great forefathers, lend me your strength!!" cried Novvus. A shroud of mist descended rapidly from the openings in the ceiling and swirled around the dark-skinned boy, hiding him from view. The napalm spheres zeroed in on the mist column, but instead of passing through it, they collided with some hidden obstacle and exploded. The blast cleared away the mist, revealing a dome composed of many diamond-shaped slabs of ice.

At first nothing happened, then one by one the slabs began to drift apart until they revealed Novvus, who had his arms stretched out in front of him. There were two gashes, one on each arm where the glyph had once been, bleeding slowly. Riik fell to his hands and knees, drained of all chakra.
"Heh, who knew you had an ability like that this whole time." he said, trying to get back up. Novvus walked over to him, the mirrors sublimating out of existence.
"I didn't. I learned it just as your technique was going to hit. Oh, and guess what?" he asked.
"What?" said Riik. Unexpectedly Novvus pivoted on his left foot and brought his right heel crashing into the red-haired boy's jaw, knocking him out.
"You just got owned by a Novice."

Kaji was skipping class to get outside and feel the wind in his hair. His mane rustled quietly in the wind and he could smell the whole village from where he was sitting. "Hey Kurosai you think we'll ever see any action in this boring place?" He asked the black wolf lying underneath the tree. The wolf barked once and Kaji gave a loud sigh. "I agree with you there. This place is way too stuffy for me. I miss hunting in the wild." He complained as he jumped down out of the tree.

"Come on Kurosai let's go back inside." Kaji said as he looked into the classroom and saw the teacher glare at him. When he got back inside he knew that he was going to be punished with some sort of test or something because the teacher was furious. "KAJI!" He shouted. "Do you not understand that you need to be in class to pass?!" The teacher scolded. Kaji just raised his hands and shrugged. "There's really not a whole lot in this place to learn is there? All of it is books and theory. There's no practical aspect at all." He said as he sat down in his chair and threw his feet up on the desk.

"And you really shouldn't yell, Kurosai might not take it kindly." He added as Kurosai growled at the teacher. The black wolf's fangs were bared and it's red eyes burnt with anger. Kurosai's fur bristled as his muscles tensed, and he began to bark at the teacher. "Woah there Kurosai. Ease up buddy. It's cool." Kaji said nonchalantly. Kurosai relaxed and collapsed at Kaji's feet with a sigh. "I know, I'm getting fed up with all the book work too." Kaji said as he stroked Kurosai behind the ear.

"That dog is leaving my classroom right now." the teacher growled. Kaji's eyes immediately narrowed and he shot up out of his desk. When he did so Kurosai jumped to his feet as well and tensed up ready to attack. "He's a wolf not a dog, and you're not laying a single filthy finger on him." Kaji growled as he rose to his intimidating full stature. His muscles tensed and he bared his retractable fangs, and popped his claws.

The teacher was taken aback by Kaji's violent reaction. "Kaji if you strike me you'll be expelled from the academy." He said authoritatively. Kaji growled loudly and glared at the teacher for a moment before answering. "Not before I gut you in front of the other students." He said menacingly. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way, but you touch Kurosai and you'll lose more than your fingers." Kaji growled. Kurosai barked in agreement and snarled at the teacher.

The teacher paused for a moment and then looked from Kaji to Kurosai. "Fine take your seat but if that beast acts up again you're both going to be forcefully removed from the academy, permanently." The teacher said as he turned back to his desk. The other students looked up at Kaji and shivered. He was really quite intimidating when he was angry. His claws and fangs retracted and he took his seat. "It's over Kurosai, just let it go." He said as he stroked the wolf's shaggy black fur. The wolf slowly calmed down and fell asleep by his side.