Welcome to Gaia! ::

Not Eon's.

Maximos said with a slight smile, moving his free hand to scratch the back of his head. Ryudo made him sound so formal and official. Like something older and more powerful than he actually was, or ever would be. The dragon before him was in his thousands, once he entered them Maximos would never leave his hundreds.

I was just both fortunate and unfortunate in my life to be gifted. And cursed. In a great many things.

He adjusted his finger, so that the sweat of the enclosed pages would not ruin the paper or smudge the ink. One of a kind copies and such. The perks of a having someone close to your heart, be close the book industry.

Maximos lingered for a few moments.

His eyes on the flame, the flame in the now not two seconds from now. It really was quite beautiful in its own right. Mesmerizing even. He thought of quiet evenings at Feimurgan, of Lucind. A calm smile slipped onto his features.

Then Ryudo spoke. Again, Maximos listened. His finger slipped from the book as he closed it completely and gave the conversation his full focus. Ryudo had touched on a topic, Maximos had infact been thinking about recently. He could not see the future, and in his mind it belonged to no man but...he had seen the tide, he had seen its patterns and he had his thoughts.

Maximos tone turned solemn. Much quieter, just an octave or two above a whisper. His eyes scanned the floor, taking in all the details, the wood, the rug, the number of specs, dust...but finding no answers.

I see darkness.

He brought his gaze back up the fire.

Your brother is a light, in a world growing blacker by the day. He's done well to keep his light lit for so long...

Maximos shook his head, trying to jingle free the dark thoughts clinging to the back of his skull, hiding from light. Hiding from the possibility of being true.

...but there are those that act to darken this world and I see your brothers light becoming a beacon for the darkness to him...and those he cares for.

He was quiet for a moment. Just a moment, as if letting it all digest.

...Barton was only a taste. And he barely survived, thanks to you.

Mismatched eyes finally shifted to the dragon, from the flame.

...Your bother has a rare kind, warm, pure heart, he will survive. But I know not what he will be. Or at what price.

He adjusted the book again, its pages ruffling slightly. The solemn proclamation at an end. With Ryudo's question answered, Maximos changed his tone a bit, and the subject.

No matter how clear a sign Ryudo, no one forces us to stay on the road. Your brother has hope...but you are no lost cause...unless you wish to be.

Maximos listened in silence.

Not only was it polite, but it was proper. Ryudo was several centuries older than Maximos and very clearly spent the majority of his time in thought. What foreshadowing and insights he gave were more valuable than the desire speak at the moment.

It was clear to see that this dark dragon cared very much for his brother. The solemn overture of his speech when he mentioned his brothers near death experience was proof of that.

He saw Ryugi's weakness.

Maximos wondered if perhaps he didnt believe Maximos could help protect him from it. No infact it seemed by his tone alone that the dragon was convinced Maximos may just play pivot part in deciding where Ryugi falls from the knifes edge he would find himself upon. Would it be back into the comforting graces of the light, or be forever swallowed by black and lost.

Either way, Ryudo's words had weight. And one could see them balancing on Maximos' shoulders, he looked serious though not angry. And looked forward meeting Ryudo's before sliding down to the ground before him. To save a life? Or let it fall? That was his life nowadays, letting people fall. Had he the heart to be a hero again? It took him a moment of silence to think. In social situations like this there is usually an unspoken albeit felt time in which a response may be delivered before the pause becomes awkward. Maximos seemed to push the silence that very boundary, and spoke just short of it.

I fear...that should your brother feel such darkness...truly, honestly...he shall never be as bright again, but rather stained grey by the truth of this world. No one can stop that.

His head lifted slowly, and spoke honestly.

As for myself...I...I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more, is none.

"Your words are as deep as your eye, Mr. Maximos. You're incredibly wise for your age. I'm not positive how old you really are, but you're wise beyond your years, whatever they may be."

A compliment most gracious. Maximos wasnt entirely sure he deserved it. If anything Maximos considered himself well read.

Thank you, you are entirely too kind Mr.Kazamaru.

He said with the same kindness Ryudo showed him. In the solemn nature of the talk, a brigh Ryudo was deep in thought, very deep he could tell. The mans aura, how mannerisms all smacked of the same emotional conflict Maximos himself endured day in and out.

Was he a monster? Was he beyond redemption? Beyond the light? Everyday when he sat before the sink he wondered if he could ever clean the blood from his face and hands. Some days, lost in memory he scrubbed for hours. Was that cold emotionless face he wore the true Maximos? Had he worn a mask so long he forgot what was within, or back what was without?

No, he needed to magic eye to understand the turmoil that had eaten at Ryudo. Nor did he want one. Maximos could not see thoughts, though at a time he searched for a means to. He had even found a teacher, but stopped himself short, wondering that if he was so shocked by the dark things he saw in the souls of those that seemed most pure, would the secrets of the mind not be that much worse?

The shadow dragon was bathed in black and red, circling around a spec of white. A drop of purity drowning and yet floating in a sea of guilt, and darkness. What he, what Maximos, would likely give to just be able to return...white was untouchable but maybe grey. Maybe a stained, mussy, middle ground. But they did what they must, didnt they? Thats what let Maximos sleep some nights, and what kept him up all through others.

Good intentions truly do pave the road to hell. And both men had been engulfed by their inner demons. And yet, there was hope. Maximos had found it in his family, and clung to them. Perhaps Ryudo would find his light somewhere as well. Perhaps he already had?

"I can see why my brother respects and admires you, Mr. Maximos. He may see you as a teacher of sorts, but perhaps you may learn something from him as well..."

Maximos smirked. It said, "I have" silently. And he had, every time he saw Ryugi he was reminded of a past he had begun to forget. A memory of a way he once was, a purity the world was mostly without. Maximos regarded Ryugi in the way one might regard a star. A bright beautiful thing cast against a night sky. It gives light, in a naive sort of way it gives hope, but...no matter how high he reach his arm he would never actually be a star, or even touch anything but that eternal night. Still it was comforting to know someone had.

Such depressing imagery, he could really use some...

"More tea?"

Yes please!

He returned, lifting his cup with both hands and presented it to Ryudo and the teapot with a bright, ear to ear smile.

It was most definitely a quiet moment. Maximos leaned back in his seat letting the weight of the warning and words shared pour over him as he calmly sipped at his tea.

He needed to digest this. He needed to ask him who and what he was and would be when the time came. How much value did he put on Ryugi? No, how much value did he put on any of his friends? On anyone close to him?

It was all very heavy, and it was a weight he silently carried, as the warm liquid trickled through him.

The dragon before him no awkwardness any long, no uncomfortability. In a dark way they were like a kin, an unspoken, wordless tie both likely felt. No more words were spoken, but many things were said, an understanding was reached. A connection of sorts was made. Both had seen the absolute bottom, both had seen the light. Both felt its presence, and its distance and both warred with kept them from reaching it daily. Was it that misery loves company? Or was it that knowing one is not alone in there struggle eased the misery of it all? Maximos smiled gently. His posture as a whole seemed to relax a great deal. Ryudo held many secrets now, and yet at the same time none.

He'd gained a new friend. He'd gained a new understanding of what is and was to come.

This quest was proving more fruitful than he could have imagined it ever would have. Then came they all to familiar march of boots in snow. Max, cocked and eyebrow, almost right off he could tell something was wrong with the rhythm. Crunch, crunch, instead of crunch crunch, crunch crunch. It meant there was only one. His eyes and concerned face were already on the door as it opened, though without any glow.

It would seem that Ryugi will not be joining us until tomorrow. His errand has turned out to be more complicated than he originally thought.

He let Mr. Saint speak, before concern showed on his face. Ryugi was a fighter, a heroic type of individual. If he was caught in some conflict and needed a sword by his side...

He let out a deep breath in a catch between a sigh of relief, and a resistant huff. He wanted to to do something to help, but if there was danger he knew Mr. Saint wouldnt have left Ryugi alone.

Thank you Mr. Saint. I hope everything is well.

Maximos said, nodding graciously and taking another sip from his mug. He was a creature of the night, a shadow, going to be early from him had all the displeasure someone might have knowing they'd overslept and half the day was gone. No, he would stay up a bit longer until the night wasnt quite so young, until his mind had time to digest. Or more directly, until he finished this cup.

At which point, he would stand, hoisting his bag over his shoulder.

Mr. Ryudo Kazamaru...

He would said, formally extending his right hand.

...It was an honor, and a pleasure.

What more really need be said? For Maximos formality was not strict or distant, it was the most direct and pure method of expressing a sentiment. He'd hold the handshake long enough to meet the dragons eyes for the first time since there meet, then he would bow and be off toward his room.

There were two, so he assumed they were nearly identical. He chose the one with the best view of the snowfall and the town. He'd shut the door, lay his bag beside his bed, change into a his sleeping attire, and lay in bed for one last chapter before morning.

Maximos dreamed of sugar pops and marshmellows. Yes, literally. He was dancing in his silk pajama's through a field with candy bar bricks, plants with flower heads, sugar pops on the side of the road, and marshmallows in the sky. And a peaceful "La, la" song filling the area.

And then it began to rain.

The sky blackened. Worms crawled from the candy bars, the rain revealed itself to be blood, ruining the sugar pops forever. And "La, la" became "Aaah! Aaah!!". He saw creatures slip from people shadows overtaking them, and attacking them. He saw monsters tear the field. And in the distance he saw a single dark figure playing in the shadows, his laughter booming in the distance.

He knew its name. He was about to say it when he was awoke...



Nocturne!

He shouted. Reality and dream still fused by the early morning haze. He hadnt time to get dressed something snazzy or classy, instead he scooted a handful of small stones off the table. Then bolted out the door, a snap filling the air as his jet black longsword was summoned, and he nearly fell into the opposite room, and rushed down the stairs. He had a baggy pair silk pants, and a matching shirt, both were pinstriped with navy blue lines. His hair was spiked, though in several different directions, and in the grogginess, his right eye hadnt even activated giving him extremely poor depth perception. The eye flickered, like a broken truck stop sign.

R-ryugi?! Where are you!?

He would in Cruxis' living room. But given a moment or two he would start following the direction of that pulse. Even if it meant running outside.

That was all the call to arms he needed!

He kneeled low, bracing himself, held his sword with both hands in front of him and flew! Four feet forward...Feeling really dumb, because his boots were inside, beside the bed.

And so he ran!

And all the while cursed his islander blood.

He was no slouch on his feet after all. Even if he couldnt feel his toes, he ran directly at the very mussed up Ryugi. His jet black sword carved a line in the snow beside him, and as he passed the dragon. His pants from the knee down now soaked and tapered to his legs. His fingers were already starting to feel a bit numb. But he immediately brought his sword diagonally up, aiming to slash the shadowy thing directly across the midsection!

Ahh the first moments of combat! Clashing swords, steel protest, metal meeting metal, and all sorts of other beautiful analogies that were entirely lost to the half frozen, half asleep shadow.

Right now, despite half opened eyes he heard the resounding clash of blades, and cocked an eyebrow. This immediately followed by the warbling pull of shadow essence. His eyes opened wide. It was just enough time for him to say...



And be the immediate victim to a vicious impact across the chest area. His teeth gritted, his face cringed, but he kept his two feet solid to the ground. A feat far easier to perform with numb feet, and while skidding back along something as smooth and forgiving as snow.

Maximos came to a stop just a foot or so ahead of Ryugi, his body lurched forward with both hands clutching the hilt of his sword, just in case the thing decided to advance. His eyes were open wide now, and he was more than awake enough to shout back.

What the heck is THAT?!