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 Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:50 am
Still grinning, albeit a little sheepish now, Takao let go of Max. He wasn't insensitive; he knew he'd disturbed his blond friend from something. So he thought it would be prudent if he let the teen alone for the time being.
Raising his head slightly, he spotted Aelian and called out to her. "Hey! If we're supposed to get to Umilnae, where's the gate?"
Yuriko blinked at the steel blue-eyed teen's question, thinking the answer obvious. Before replying - even though it was the auburn-haired woman Takao had asked - she turned her attention back to the wall they knew surrounded the Water Kingdom. True enough, it was all smooth, flat, slate gray stone; no sign of a gate - or any kind of entrance - anywhere.
The sea green-eyed elfin saw the confused look on Takao's and Yuriko's faces, and shook her head goodnaturedly. "Do you think Fioraln and Umilnae will bare the entrances so easily, being this close to Dunzuren?
"Water Wizard," she went on, looking at Max. "You sensed when we were nearing Umilnae. Perhaps you can sense where the entrance in the western wall is." If she saw what had happened when Tala picked the flower bud, she gave no indication. If she hadn't seen it...
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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:05 am
Max blinked his eyes confusingly but just obeyed. Closing his eyes, he started to imagine the sound of the sea. Water splashing, tides rippling, leaves rustling, seagulls squawking, and the salty taste of the air. He didn't realize that he was already walking slowly, step by step. He went around clockwise. Then before he finished the entire rotation, he stopped at 12'o clock and going at 1. Then he went counter-clockwise directing to 11'o clock. Going on a full circle, he stopped and finally looked down at the spot his feet landed. It was faint but he could have sworn to see that there was a small spot in the slate stone. Looking back at his friends, he noticed how he was far away from them. Very far.
Rei blinked "Wow, he walked quite a distance", seeing how far Max walked with his eyes closed. He was rather studying the pattern. It looked like a swirl of some kind. Wait...could it be?
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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:42 am
Interesting... Kai thought, observing the pattern made briefly in the field by Max's passage. Yet another thing to wonder at - were the entrances to all the kingdoms hidden in the symbols of their elements? The maroon-eyed teen kept in mind, however, that their Guide had said the entrances were hidden because of Fioraln and Umilnae were closest to Dunzuren, the Shadow Realm. Perhaps the symbols still played a part in entering the other kingdoms further away, but in a different way.
They'd find out in time, he knew, but that didn't stop the slate-haired teen from wondering.
"What's he doing?" Takao whispered, frowning slightly. He was having a bit of trouble tracking his friend's movements, much less imagine viewing it from above.
Yuriko shrugged, having failed to recognize the pattern. "Beats me," she whispered back. "But it looks like he's found something." The blond was just standing there, at the place he'd come to a stop, looking at something within the grass. A brief flicker, a mere glance in their direction, but it was clear - for Yuriko - that Max was uncertain of what to do next.
Aelian had seen the pattern, too, wondering briefly is something would happen were she to not follow this in approaching the blond Chosen and seeing what he'd found. Perhaps not.
The speed training she'd garnered in her days as an apprentice Tracker came in handy here; the elfin covered the distance Max had gone in just a few breaths; she was hardly tired when at last she reached his side. Following his bright blue gaze, Aelian spotted a slate stone with a faded symbol carved in one side. It was safe to assume the symbol was that of Umilnae, given where they were, and she bent down slightly to touch it.
"Wait!"
Daichi blinked, surprised at Kyouju's sudden outburst. "Chief?" he asked, tapping his friend on the shoulder. "You okay?"
The shouted precaution stopped Aelian in her tracks, her finger centimeters from the carved symbol. She straightened up. "What's wrong, Scroll Mage?"
"Don't... don't touch the stone, Ms. Aelian," Kyouju replied loudly. He didn't know why, but he got the feeling that something would have happened if he hadn't stopped the elfin.
Takao was puzzled, and he searched the field for signs of a stone. There were none, not from his vantage point. If he couldn't see anything, however... how could Kyouju have? They were standing in practically the same place.
That was the same thing Aelian was thinking at that point, but she didn't wonder why. Kyouju was the Scroll Mage, gifted with Understanding. Something had told him there was a stone there, and that it wasn't to be touched. But that raised the question: how were they to entre Umilnae, if not by touching the symbol carved into the stone?
--------------------
"I expected more from you, Keiko.
Inwardly, the brunette winced, but kept her head down and showed no sign at the slight reprimand. "I know, Shadowed One, and I regret my failures." She did, truly. The amethyst-eyed young woman had not had to report so many failures in so little time since her pledge of fealty to the Shadow Lord. No target had gone so long without falling prey to her fatal blade or her magic. Until today.
"I know you do," the voice from the shadows once more; one could almost hear the smirk in his statement. "But you know what happens to those who fail." It was not a question, even with the slight lift - meant as an interrogative - at the end. The Shadow Lord knew his most capable subordinate knew the penalties well. Some of them, she'd helped devise as a youngling of 16. Surprising, really, what that young mind had contained.
Keiko nodded once, curtly. "Three hours' beating courtesy of the armorers of Dunzuren. No chance for defense," she recited, as though from a rulebook. That was one of the more lighter physical reprimands, as there were some that involved being 'wheeled' - the limbs broken and then woven through the spokes of a great wooden wheel - or something more exruciating.
The dark-haired half-anima waited tensely for the snap of a finger that would signal guards to take her to a lower chamber. Long minutes passed, and yet nothing happened. She took a chance and glanced up, stifling a cry of surprise to find the Shadow Lord standing not three feet in front of her, dark green cloak with tattered ends trailing. "M'lord?"
"Yes, that is the punishment," he drawled, standing still as a statue. "Despite your... inconveniencing failure, however, I'll rescind the order, just now. You've seen what happens to those who go for only an hour with the armorers; who knows what happens when you go three?"
Keiko shook her head slowly. "I...I don't know, sir."
"While you could find out, personally-" again, the hint of the smile on his face, from dint and tone of his voice - "I'd rather not lose an important operative such as you. What was it they called you - the 'Scourge of Dunzuren'?" Another nod in reply. "Yes, I thought so. Better to have you still able to carry out other assignments, my Black Rose, than convalescing in your chambers while those of lower stature fumble about."
"You are dismissed. I shall send for you should I need you again." A tone of finality. The discussion was over.
Keiko stood up, gave a short bow - "M'lord." she muttered, the agreed-upon parting - and then walked out of the hall.
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Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:04 am
Max knelt to further examine the faint symbol. He felt some small scratches around the shape of his stone. Tracing the oval lines, the scratches seem to be some sort of writing. "Uhm, Ms? What does this say?"
-------------------------------
"We got a trace" the pale-haired woman muttered. A lone raven sat on her shoulder as she and her brother balanced on a branch. Her standing up as Joumyaku was kneeling on one knee.
Joumyaku snorted "Sister, why do we have to wait until they moved on to another kingdom to follow them?". He sure wished he could get some action done.
"Because Joumyaku, we need to get some information for the Mistress. Also for the Lord. If we can get inside information on how to get to the gate of Umilnae, they will surely give us praise"
Joumyaku grinned. No wonder he loved his sister this much. She was so full of ideas. And she always rewarded him by giving him the first wave in ambush.
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Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:48 am
Frowning slightly, the green-clad half-elfin peered closely at the stone - she didn't want to risk her charges if she were to touch it. Sea green eyes moved over the symbols, Aelian trying to sight-translate.
"It's...in the old tongue," she said slowly, still frowning. "I've studied it, but this is the first time I've seen such a configuration of symbols..."
By this time, Yuriko had followed the blond and the elfin to the spot where they stood, just out of curiosity. "So...can you translate it?" she asked, bending down slightly.
"I can try; its been a while since I'd had to deal with the old tongue..." Aelian replied a bit absently, concentrated on the message engraved in the stone.
Kyouju, too, had followed, and he now crouched next to the Guide, trying to make out the symbols. Suddenly, he knew not how, but he knew what the message was. A warning, and then a clue on how to open the hidden gate to Umilnae.
"'Touch not this symbol, or become as the stone thou hast found...'" the bespectacled teen read slowly. "'Perchance thou art He who holdeth the symbol or its brethren, recite ye the chant, and thou shall gain entry.'"
"Chant?" Takao blinked, confused - partly because his friend had translated something he had not previously been familiar with. "So what's the chant then, Chief?"
Kyouju shook his head, standing up. "I don't know, Takao... that was the last part of the message here..."
"Guys! I found something!" Daichi's excited voice cut through the short silence. The redhead stood a bit too near the stone wall - a good ten meters away, so it was a bit of surprise that his voice was as loud as it was, given the distance.
"What is it, Earth Warden?"
"Some weird symbols," The green-eyed teen replied, his head tilted a bit to the left as he looked at them. "Some of them look like the symbols on our stones, but..."
"That could be it!" The dark brown-haired Mage exclaimed. He'd been thinking about what Aelian had told him about his supposed ability, granted upon entry to Arkanna. Was his translating the "old tongue" a part of that? If it were, he would be able to decipher this message, too.
Inwardly, Kai shook his head, seeing how excited the two younger members of the group were. It was as though they were on a field trip. In a way, the slate-haired teen reflected, they were. A sight-seeing tour, really - and a potentially dangerous one.
((OOC://Di, the ball's in your court; you decide what the chant'll say, since Max is the one more connected to Umilnae and all that.))
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 11:17 am
Max looked at the symbols more closely. Narrowing his blue eyes, he continued trying to read them but it was all just gibberish writing. But there was a feeling that was coming to his head. He doesn't really know but he knows the words. His eyes became half-lidded as he started a mutter a chant.
"Fire that burns beneath the ground
Earth that moves without a sound
Air that breathes, refreshes all
Hear me, Chosen, heed my call...
Lightning, strength of joy and woe
Light and Darkness, friend and foe
Ice that freezes, melts, returns to the sea
Water Kingdom, hear, and open to me"
A rumbling of the earth made him almost lose his balance. A few of the others as well, but before him rose an oval shaped column. Blue light emitted from the letters...or symbols...and a door slid open and revealed a flight of stairs leading downwards. Max felt rather hesitant about going. But a breeze gave him reassurance and he stepped inside.
Tala felt he was obliged to follow. Knowing his element and Max's were tied to one another, he looked at the rest and followed suit.
Diana, nevertheless, trusted both and nodded at Miki to follow and entered into the blackness.
Miki was rather afraid. She always was afraid of the dark. She needed to hold someone's hand and she looked to see which one she was comfortable of holding while climbing down.
Rei, being behind from everyone noticed Miki's fidgety motions and gave a small smile. He went ahead but not before giving a small glance to Kai as he walked past him and went to descend down the stairs.
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Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:22 am
Kai didn't really need any urging from anyone, but he let Rei give him that look - whatever it was - before making his way to Miki side, taking her hand in his. Stairs stretching out into an underground tunnel, dark - the maroon-eyed teen didn't wonder why Miki was hesitant to enter.
He looked at the girl who could have been his twin yet was not, and gave a small smile of assurance before descending the stairs, certain that Miki would follow.
Aelian, too, did not wonder, although about a different thing altogether. Max had deciphered the symbols carved into the wall, without having studied the old tongue. It was to be expected, although the chances of it actually happening were pretty slim; they were practically in Umilnae now. Surely water magic was flowing strongly through the blond teen, even though he didn't know it.
Takao watched as Max, Rei, Tala, Diana, Kai and Miki enter the door - no, tunnel that opened up as soon as Max had recited the chant. He wasn't the cautious type, usually, but after the incident in the forest earlier where he'd been attacked, the steel blue-eyed teen wasn't about to take any chances, not in a place they barely knew.
Yuriko noticed her friend's hesitation, rested a hand lightly on his shoulder. "Hey, Takao, something wrong?" she asked, a small though concerned smile crossing her features.
The dark blue-haired Chosen shook his head, returning the smile. "Nothin', Yuriko, 'cept that...I dunno. We're in another place we're unfamiliar with, and Tala 'n the others are just going in there without a second thought. Who knows what's in that tunnel." He looked at the entrance, then back at the hazel-eyed teen... and grinned.
"Ah, what the heck. Everyone's goin' in, anyway. Race ya down!"
"If you trip and fall to the end, it doesn't count," Yuriko replied, sticking her tongue out playfully. Both started out then, heading for the hidden tunnel entrance.
Kyouju peered down the steps. He could not make out how far along they stretched, or what awaited them at the bottom. Still, his companions were making their way down, so he followed suit. It wouldn't do to be caught standing outside alone, should their assailant from earlier track them down.
Daichi, too, followed soon after Kyouju did, one hand on the cool stone wall acting as a guide, should there be a turn in the staircase he didn't see in time. It was one of the rare times the redhead was quiet, really, something that did not go unnoticed - perhaps - by his friends.
Everyone was inside the tunnel now, Aelian saw; she was the last of the party to enter. She did so only after making certain they had not been followed - to her knowledge, they hadn't been. Otherwise, she would have sensed whoever it was that was tailing them.
She hadn't gone more than a few steps down when the 'door' closed, shutting them in utter darkness. It was only for a few moments, however, as slowly but surely, torches along the walls flared to life, glowing with a pale blue fire - a water-aura spell, to be sure.
Now to see where in Umilnae this underground tunnel led.
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Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:39 am
Miki caught the smile of assurance Kai gave her and felt better at instant. But there still was a small doubt of fear. Before everyone goes in, she quickly ran down inside to follow
Max felt like climbing down the stairs would take forever. But as soon as he finally landed on the last step, his blue eyes widen. It was like an oasis with buildings. All in varying colors of blue. The same flowers were scattered around. He could see some people working on some objects he didn't know. Some kids playing and chasing each other. What was more amazing, was that there was a vast lake with clear, sparkling waters. It was paradise.
-----------------------------------------------
Doumyaku and her brother Joumyaku were jumping on branch to branch to the direction where her precious gopteran leech flies led her. The Chosen were already in the fields of Umilnae. Word to her ear was that they were trying to find the mysterious entrance of it's West gates. If the Water Wizard was there. Surely, he could crack the code and easily locate it's whereabouts. They must hurry if they will know what was the key. It was handy to do that agility potion earlier.
"What is this sister?" asked a curious Joumyaku. It was an thick, orange substance that smelled rather...distasteful. Doumyaku was busy cutting the peels of a sinentru fruit. "Shut up and just drink it. It is a special agility potion. It lasts for mostly 10 days." It was rather difficult to convince the older man to drink such a disgusting concoction. But he trusted his sister. She never made a mistake in her potions. So, with a hesitant look, he drank the potion. After, he vomitted.
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:50 am
Yuriko blinked, rendered speechless by what she and her friends beheld. There was a city above, they were pretty sure of that. But it seemed there was another city below ground, along with a pristine-looking crystal lake.
Everywhere she looked, shades of calming, peaceful blue winked back at her. "Wow..." she said, her voice so low as to be a mere whisper.
"You can say that again..." Takao said in reply, also a bit mesmerized by the sight. For the moment, it seemed both teens had forgotten their earlier race; it mattered little who'd arrived at the bottom first, and most likely neither had cared to take note.
Silent once more, Kai, too, surveyed this... underground city. Interesting that there should be two of them - one above, one below. Perhaps it was a reference to the nature of water, that it could be found above ground and underground as well.
Still, it was... strange to see people actually living there. There was no discernible sunlight - the slate-haired teen thought it safe to assume that there was none, really - and it would have felt quite oppressive living in such conditions at one point, no matter how comfortable the inhabitants were.
If any questions entered Aelian's head the moment she saw 'lower Umilnae' - she had no idea if it was really called that - the first question would have been "Why?" The High Priestess-Oracle had not told her of any attacks on this coastal kingdom, thanks to the barrier that protected it from such. The wave-pattern configuration of buildings she'd told the Chosen of earlier was a precautionary measure undertaken by the inhabitants themselves. None of the Chronicles she'd read during her Learning had told of an underground city of any sort.
So what was this? And why was it here?
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:48 am
Max couldn't resist the urge to scout around. He took a few steps down until a whirl of different shades of blue stopped him in his tracks. A young man with long, blond hair and flowing navy blue tunic and white robes came out. He had the most lightest sky blue eyes. He had a friendly smile and was carrying a staff with a crest of his stone's symbol. Kneeling, he bowed his head and said "Greetings, Chosen ones. My name is Vann. Forever in service to the Water Wizard".
Tala blinked at how the lower country. It was rather unexpected of how a civilization could have lived underground. More importantly, an underground lake? What's next to surprise him. A guy in robes suddenly kneeling in front of him and then saying "Frost Master, guardian of Fioraln. And honor to meet you as well
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Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:31 am
Aelian stepped forward, a small smile on her face. She knew this man, had seen him a few times at the House of Learning. Guildmaster Vann rarely left Umilnae, so seeing him in the Room of Water Magick - where she'd trained a while before focusing on Wind and Earth - those few times had been a surprise, and an honor. Her right hand in a fist over her chest, she gave a slight bow.
"Master Vann, it's good to see you are well. As is Umilnae." the half-elvin said. "I'm afraid, though, that this isn't a courtesy call."
At once, the blond guildmaster's face became a bit more serious. "Priestess Yumeru told me this day would come." He turned to Max, his face kindly but serious. "So young, yet faced with so heavy a task. No matter. If this is what has been proclaimed, then so be it." He beckoned with one hand, just a slight gesture. "Please, follow me. There are things that need to be explained."
No kidding... Kai thought, falling in step behind Max and Tala. So far, all they knew was that, somehow, they had to turn this "Shadow" back and keep whoever was behind the 'uprising' from taking over Arkanna. That wasn't much to go on.
"Some things.... or a lot?" Takao muttered. He'd been waiting for something of this sort to happen. "Some Guide we have. She doesn't even know what we're supposed to do..."
"Well, Ms. Aelian did say that the information wasn't entrusted to her," bespectacled Kyouju interjected. "She's helped immensely; we'd probably be dead - or lost - by now if Ms. Aelian wasn't here with us."
Personally, the mousy-haired teen believed this to be true. Whatever abilities he was supposed to have had as the group's Scroll Mage hadn't taken effect, save for that one instance a few minutes earlier. And so he was grateful of the auburn-haired young woman's assistance.
Yuriko hung back, watching as her companions followed the young blond whom Aelian had called 'Master Vann'. "...I'll stay here," she called, looking uncertain. So far, she had no role. To her way of thinking, she didn't need to hang around, although she could help. How she could help, however, she had no idea as yet.
Vann paused and glanced back, then smiled comfortingly. "As you wish. There is an inn just down the road to your right. You can wait there for your companions to return, if you want."
"Thank you," the hazel-eyed teen replied, a small smile on her face now. "I think I will," With that, she made off in the direction given her. Anything was better than standing around in what was probably the city square, looking like a fool being all alone, and in her school uniform, too.
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 6:11 am
The guild master gave a small nod and continued walking on. The journey was silent until they reached a gigantic Aqua temple. The design was marble, swirls of different shades of blue emitted on the pillars and floors and steps. Vann continued on, his staff making small clinking sounds on each step of the stairway and opened the door containing the symbol of Water. Inside were a grand stair way, and a hall of rooms. There was a fountain on the middle. The blue flowers on the fields silently floated along the still waters, circling the ripples. Vann turned to the chosen and smiled "Welcome, to the Sacred Hall of Peace. You are all welcomed to stay here for the meantime. I need to go and gather the Elders the news of your arrival. Please, Make yourselves comfortable".
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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:43 am
"...'Sacred Hall of Peace', huh?" Kai muttered, crimson gaze flitting around at the stylized wall carvings, all designs based on water and flowing. No surprise there, as they were in the Water Kingdom. He wouldn't admit it to anyone just yet, but his interest had been piqued. Only a few people knew of his interests, and among those were myths and legends.
Right now, it was twice as interesting, since he himself were, apparently, a part of such a legend - albeit of a world different than his, but a legend, nonetheless.
Aelian, too, looked at their surroundings. It seemed that the Room of Water Magick had been patterned after this particular hall, so she felt a certain comfort standing there, for some reason.
"Hey, Aelian," Takao walked over, looking a bit puzzled. "Why does that Vann guy need to gather the... elders? I mean, is there a ceremony or somethin'?"
Having watched a few similarly-themed fantasy movies and television series, the blue-haired teen had thought perhaps this would essentially be the same. The only difference was that he had a role in it - he wasn't just part of the audience - and it was actually happening.
"Not quite, Wind-bringer. Each kingdom has one Guildmaster, also known as the Elder of that kingdom. Each one knows part of your task as Chosen - and probably the task of any companion who inadvertently accompanies you." That last was an allusion to the surprising - and as yet unexplained - inclusion of Yuriko in the group.
"Just a part of it?" Daichi added. He'd gone and joined Takao in the 'questioning', curious as well about all that had happened in the past ten minutes or so.
The half-elf nodded. "Yes. Each Elder carries that knowledge with him or her, until they need to pass it down to their chosen successor. We were told that only when the Chosen gathered in one place - in any one kingdom - would the Elders also come together, or at least send a valet in their place - in order to lay forth the tasks that await fulfillment.
"It's an allusion, isn't it?" Kai suddenly broke in, causing both Takao Daichi to look at him. It was rare that he spoke without being prompted, so whenever he did, it was something of a surprise for those present.
"Pardon?" Aelian interjected. She stared at the slate-haired Flameweaver for a few seconds, than averted her gaze.
Kai didn't look up from viewing the flowers floating in the fountain pool. "The way each Elder knows only part of what we're supposed to do," he said almost absently, "isn't that how we're going to defeat this... Shadow Lord in the end? By using what we know and working together?"
"You know, Kai... now that you mention it, you could be right." Kyouju added. "But there's also the possibility that it isn't just one task you all have to do, but eight different tasks."
"Eight tasks... because there are eight kingdoms, right?" Daichi asked, looking thoughtful - a rare sight for this redhead.
The auburn-haired elvin nodded curtly. "Those two are possible," she returned, acknowledging both teens' ventures. "However, as Master Vann has said, we can do nothing but wait until he and the other Elders return.
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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:24 am
Max wondered and felt peace get through his body. "I really feel at peace in this" he muttered to himself silently. Water was a symbol of peace, so it was no wonder to him that he felt so calm and at home.
Diana was still looking towards the hall until at the corner of her eye, she saw her feline male friend looking at the marbled floor. Or rather into space...Diana looked at him and muttered silenty "You ok there Rei?"
Rei looked crestfallen until a certain dark-haired tall female shot him back to reality. "Oh...well...I was thinking about Yurko. I mean..she could have just come with us"
Diana felt silent and then went back "I am not exactly sure why Blondie told her to go to the cabin but i guess since we are have these stones and all. Don't worry too much for her. She can take care of herself." Diana muttered to herself "Although i dunno with all these crazy magick stuff"
The blonde guild master came back "I have alerted the others of your presence. I am sorry to say but you may need to journey further to visit the other kingdoms. It seems the other elders wouldn't believe my words. Especially in the Fire kingdom. The guild master would not give his full trust if your abilities are still in meager level. But not to worry, I will help you all in controlling your powers with ease. After that, you will need to go to other kingdoms to further have more knowledge about their specific element and etc. In addition, you may have the to learn our cultures here."
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:50 am
Yuriko shut the door to the room she'd rented - on credit. The proprietor seemed to understand when she mentioned "Chosen Ones" - did he know that they were from another dimension, as it were? Either way, the room struck her immediately as cozy and comfortable. She didn't mind waiting for her friends here.
The indigo-haired girl lay back on the bed, eyes roaming the wooden beams painted a soothing pale blue - so pale it was almost white. She could get used to this sort of thing - seeing a blue color scheme almost everywhere - and probably just as well. She had a feeling she and the others would be staying in Umilnae for quite a while.
--------------------
Takao listened as Vann told them what had happened after he told the other Elders of their arrival. He felt somewhat hurt that they were skeptical, but another voice in his head told him that it was to be expected - especially given that their abilities pretty much came and went, depending on their emotions.
"And... how long will this training take, Vann?"
The half-elfin woman looked sharply in his direction, and then back at the blond guildmaster. "I see. Thank you, Master Vann. We have much to do, then, from what you've just told us."
"No kidding," Kai muttered, turning away partially. It was something of an understatement, really, given the group's current power levels and skills. But now that raised another question, though he did not broach the subject: How could Vann train all of them in the use of their magick, as they were not all connected to water?
--------------------
"Graaaah!" Keiko let out something between a growl and a cry, charging at D'Arr, her chosen sparring partner for the day. Apart from not having had the chance to exercise her full force in combat - both times doing battle with the half-elfin Zurea - the Black Rose was annoyed and disappointed with herself for having failed so often in so short a time. The mixture of these led to a kind of restlessness that could only be taken care of through self-punishment or vigorous combat training - at least, in Keiko's case.
Of course, D'Arr had no need to learn any of this. He seemed to find it a tad amusing, however.
"You seem quite feisty, little Rose," he said, blocking a jump-kick to his chest and lashing out with a bladed whip - his weapon of choice. The blue-black haired anima leapt backwards, flipped and tossed several black fireballs at the brown-haired veypr - one of the few in that race who hadn't remained neutral since the advent of the Shadow.
"I've been raring for combat lately, D'Arr," she replied, performing a handstand-turn to get out of range of the deadly whip. "So far, though, no luck."
"Well, it doesn't seem to be your lucky day, whichever way you look at it,"
Keiko stopped short, having heard D'Arr's voice behind her. Instinct told her to duck, but she fought instinct and stayed where she was, planting one foot firmly and whirling to strike with her elbow. Her opposite hand, though, was ready with another fireball, just in case he was not behind her, as she'd first surmised.
This was why she liked sparring with her former commander - he was unpredictable in combat, having never used the same tactic twice. And that was enough to keep the amethyst-eyed young woman on her toes during training. Zurea, too, had proved so far to be as unpredictable; perhaps fighting two people similar in that vein would be helpful - the second person being D'Arr, of course.
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