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 Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:13 am
Vann gave a small smile to Kai's direction "You have the look of uncertainty, Young Flameweaver. You are thinking of how a mere Water Guildmaster like myself could teach you all the art of Water if only two of you, the Water Wizard and the Frost Master, both of having at least some connection to my kingdom's element. You need not to think of just a mere barrier. You will all learn how to counteract with Water, Being calm, with a clear mind and inner peace, you will all learn to be one with your element and be able to control them at will.."
Diana boredly remarked "In order words, a stupid Yoga lesson. Oh the suspense is killing me..." and she earned a nudge from Miki who gave her a scolding look.
Vann laughed "We better hurry before anything else happens. With the Shadow Lord trying to capture more kingdoms, time is precious". And with that, Vann folded his robes and went upstairs of the stairway.
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:38 pm
Kai was about to retort, but thought better of it, seeing as Guildmaster Vann had already started up the stairs. Diana's summation of the exercise struck him as pretty close to the reality - that it would be like a yoga lesson. Still, there was no harm in going along with whatever it was the blond had planned. What was there to lose?
"A yoga lesson?!] Daichi blurted, looking rather put out. It wasn't difficult to see why the thought of meditation and other related exercises was hard for him to comprehend, as he was 'naturally kinesthetic' - simply put, he had to move.
Another dark look from the half-elvin, but she steadied herself. "A simple meditation exercise, Earth Warden. You should be able to handle it, as your element is among the more peaceful and static.
"Now go, follow Master Vann upstairs and do what he asks. I will wait here."
Kyouju nodded in assent, taking his glasses off and cleaning them. "I'll wait here, too. I want to examine the engravings on the wall over there." He gestured to a pale blue wall at the far end of the hall.
--------------------
...what could they be doing now? Keiko wondered, impatient, as she surveyed what she could see of Dunzuren from her window. Neither Joumyaku nor Doumyaku had reported in with any news, and the amethyst-eyed young woman was growing restless, though she kept telling herself to wait a while longer, to plan a new approach.
Her sparring session with D'Arr had been called to a halt quite early, for the latter was needed to oversee his current troop's training yet again. The anima understood the importance of this - and also, no one had yet disobeyed the Shadowed One and lived.
True, it was disconcerting, knowing this - Keiko herself had administered quite a few of the sentences on rebels herself - but she was used to it. Immune, one might say, to the apparent cruelties of her leader. She did not see them as 'cruelties', however; they were a matter of course here, among the Daemn.
She was also used to fulfilling all her missions. The succession of failures, then, worried her, though she tried not to show it. Truth be told, having lost her father, she'd begun to look upon the Shadowed One as a father-figure in his absence. And what child would not want their parent's approval?
And so it was that she rared to go out once again, prove herself as useful as before, if nothing else. Second-in-command of the Daemn, yet in less than a week I have failed as none other have. What honor is there in this...?
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:38 am
The flight of stairs was long, compared to the silence. The guildmaster continued going through the hall of rooms, all with closed doors. The doors were magnicifiently sea foam green color. But with training to be done, there was no time for admiring the majesty of the temple. Finally stopping, Vann opened a door and it lead to a room full of scrolls, beautiful draperies, some closets and what it seems to be like a musical instrument. But what was amazing was the largeness of the balcony, which allowed the sun to shine and give the room a lively glow.
Vann turned to the group, smiled and pointed to the cushions on the floor "Please have a seat. We will begin shortly." He proceeded to rummage through some scrolls, went to some trunks, rummaging to find a particular scroll until he finally took out one and took a quick skimming and proceeded to tuck it inside his robes. "Now, to begin with. I must ask for your first encounter with your element. Any form of power is fine. Then we can work with trying to control them". Looking at the nearest, which was Takao, he asked "Now Wind Bringer, you may start".
Diana never liked to listen to lectures. She certainly wouldn't listen now. But this could teach her how to control her own element then so be it. It wasn't like she had this kind of training before.
If Diana was right of this being a yoga exercise, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. He technically liked the serenity of the atmosphere. He pities the little monkey though. He never seems to last a minute without moving even his eye
Miki continued examining the room. It was indeed pretty. This would really distract her from the lesson.
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:50 am
At the invitation to sit, Daichi immediately chose a cushion next to the door. He still had no idea what the exercise was on, but he wanted to be the first one out once they'd finished, nonetheless.
Takao had the urge to follow suit; he'd gone through similar exercises in relaxation and meditation himself, due to his kendo training with his grandfather. This did little to eliminate completely his slight dislike for inactivity. However, he chose a spot somewhere in the middle, quite near to where Vann himself was standing - or where it looked like he'd be standing when he found what he was looking for.
Kai, indifferent to where he sat, found himself quite far from the rest of the group. Briefly he wondered if he'd have to move later, then shrugged inwardly. It didn't matter all that much, really, now he thought about it. In any case, there were no objections on the Guildmaster's part, as he simply tucked the scroll he'd chosen into his robes and addressed the group, then Takao in particular. Something about their first encounter with their element, and then they'd work on controlling it.
He still wasn't clear on how they'd go about doing that, but for now, the slate-haired teen decided he'd hold his peace and see how things went.
When Vann first called his attention, Takao was bewildered at first, but he recovered quickly.
"First encounter..." he began slowly, unsure of whether what he was about to share counted as such, then decided to do so; the blond near him would be the judge, it seemed. "Well, there was this activity in school, and some guys were taunting me, sayin' how I ran like a kid. Then there was this crazy wind that knocked down pretty much everythin', even the coach. I could still run, though, and I was runnin' faster than I was before that breeze came along."
It was the simplest narration - and the most abstact - that Kai had heard so far, never mind that it was the first. In any case, there it was, the 'reason' for that strange, strong wind they'd experienced when they first encountered some hint of their now-nemeses, and also when they first met Aelian.
--------------------
Yuriko, sighing for what seemed the umpteenth time since she entered Umilnae, looked around at the buildings she passed. The architecture was simple, with outward designs flowing into one another. The color palette was a pleasing one, to be sure, as well as relaxing.
The hazel-eyed girl found her thoughts straying to her companions. She wondered how they fared, and if she would meet up with them any time soon. For now, however, as she saw no point in going to where they were - wherever that was - she resigned herself to playing the part of inobtrusive tourist.
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:13 pm
(Long story short? I dunno if we can just make one by one of them reply. Besides. The rest should know what happened already. If it's fine)
Vann gave a small smile and then the sharing went on.
Diana, sitting cross-legged, had a small vein popping out of the side of her head. She was getting impatient. With a capital "I". Include a capital "M, P, A, T, I, E, N, T" for that matter. She hated hearing stories. Even though it was kind of interesting. But she wanted action too. Sneaking a peak at Daichi, she knew he was getting restless.
Tala almost could feel his patience running low. Good thing there was an "almost". He could feel the tranquility of the fountain outside the garden view.
Her turn."Nothing much. I defended my friend who was in danger from a floating pile of mud" Diana boredly answered. Her sarcasm was the result of her boredom.
"My class suddenly went really cold and I was the only one who didn't felt it"
"Uhm..nothing much really. I got my stone last and i only took it out of my pocket" Miki felt embarassed about her answer. Many had encounters with them at least but her.
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:17 pm
For once, Daichi was at a loss on what to say. He had not had an encounter with his element - knowingly, anyway. But what of -
"There was a cloud of dust that kinda hid me an' Chief from this...thing that was attacking our schoolmates," he said at last, but added as an afterthought, "...although that coulda been the elfin chick making her appearance." He wasn't entirely sure on the matter, in any case. But it seemed better than just saying 'pass' or something similar.
And it was his turn, more or less. "A bush near us burst into flame, with no obvious cause," the crimson-eyed Chosen said, with a slight shrug of his shoulders. He wanted to know what this would do in helping them harness their powers - he'd already had a bit of practice creating the fires in the forest earlier, anyway - but said nothing more.
--------------------
"Find anything of interest, Scroll Mage?"
The sudden break in silence, not to mention the proximity of Aelian's voice to where he was, almost made Kyouju jump right out of his skin - or into the slightly domed ceiling, at any rate. He gave a small squeal of surprise and turned around, adjusting his glasses, now askew. "M-Ms. Aelian!"
The half-elfin laughed, a pleasing, musical sound when compared to the businesslike stiffness of her voice when she spoke. "Engrossed in your work, I see." A small smile, and she knelt to the diminutive teen's height, glancing sidelong at him as he stood there, partially at a loss on how to respond.
"Well... the symbols aren't entirely symbols, I think," he began slowly, as though unsure of his own observations. "There are some that make up pieces of a picture -"
"Correct," Aelian cut in, fingers of one hand caressing the beveled surface. "This wall tells the story of Arkanna, its beginnings, the peace and harmony that once reigned, and then advent of the Shadow and the subsequent destruction it caused." Her voice grew soft, but bitter towards the end, her mouth a thin hard line. "Each kingdom has a...sanctuary like this one, and a similar wall, by which those tasked to guard the kingdom know what is happening. Look here," she broke off, trailing her hand right, and then left at a lower level.
Kyouju leaned in for a closer look, then drew back in surprise. "That's... that's us!" It wasn't so apparent at first, but upon closer inspection, one could tell that the small group depicted in one 'picture', standing among what were undoubtedly trees that had been set ablaze, was none other than he and his companions. There was Rei helping Yuriko up, and Kai touching one tree that was apparently the source of the flame. There were no distinguishing features on them - no denotions on who was male or female, no hint at hairstyles and such - only the corresponding symbol of the Chosen. Kyouju's own was something of a cross between an ankh and the stylized fish of Christianity, perhaps old Arkannian for 'scroll'. Aelian's was a six-rayed sun-like glyph, with a dot in the center.
"Wait a minute..." he said suddenly, once more leaning closer to the inscription. He pointed towards the figure that was obviously Yuriko's, where a symbol representing the infinity sign was engraved.
A slight frown distorted the Guide's features, as she, too, turned her attention to this new development. "It can't be..." she murmured.
--------------------
"...another audience with him, you say?" Keiko asked, trying her best to conceal her bewilderment and anxiety from the lackey before her. It hasn't even been two hours since our last audience; what could he want of me now?
"Yessss..." the dark-skinned snake anima replied, head still bowed. "He of Shadows requestsss that you make hassste. It isss an urgent matter, I gather..."
The Black Rose shut her eyes for a moment, as though steeling herself. "Very well. I shall be in his chambers soon. With that, the lackey was off, perhaps glad to be soon out of her sight - her status as second-in-command was that unnerving on some, it seemed.
The dark-haired young woman made her way down the stone hall in the opposite direction of that taken by the Daemn earlier. When Keiko heard the words 'urgent matter', there was only one place the Shadowed One would meet with whomever it was he'd summoned - the lackey that had spoken to her knew the code, apparently - and that was not in his chambers.
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:15 am
'I was drinking water when it suddenly shot out like a gyser or something"
"We suddenly had a power outage. Then my pen started to emit some static energy"
Vann quietly listened until everyone was finished. Giving a gentle smile, he spoke "Very well. Please stand up and show me your abilities. It can be a small thing. Just concentrate on something happening related to your element and we shall work on that"
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:18 pm
For some reason, Master Vann's way of speaking - and smiling, to some extent - irked the slate-haired teen, and for a while he though it would be amusing if his robes caught fire. He wiped the thought quickly from his mind; Miki would know he'd done it, and that girl was too gentle and forgiving to see it as a joke. At the moment, Kai didn't feel like a lecture from his "little sister" - it never failed to call his attention at how close they were, despite being unrelated - nor did he feel like explaining himself if he were to concentrate on the guildmaster's flaming robes.
Instead, he thought of setting only a 'spare' cushion aflame - one that wasn't currently occupied by anyone. He didn't think a small thing would be such a loss; it was, after all, easily replaced, it seemed.
True enough, a moment after he chose his target - the cushion next to him - and thought of it burning, the material caught fire, little tongues of flame leaping into the air, as though dancing with delight at having been set free from whatever confine they were previously. It took all of Kai's restraint not to smirk and leave the room at that point; starting fires, he knew, was only the starting point of his abilities. He still had to learn how to control a blaze bigger than a campfire - or in this case, a pillow fire.
Something...happening related to their element? The only thing Daichi could think of was an earthquake or the like. He frowned slightly, trying to imagine a tremor suddenly shaking the room. It seemed to take too long, and he was on the verge of giving up. The redhead's frown deepened, his seeming ineptitude at his element exacerbated by the thought of being the only one among the group to produce results.
--------------------
Quite suddenly, Yuriko found herself at the lakeside, taking in the cerulean of the calm waters. The hazel-eyed teen slowly dipped a hand in, careful not to startle the transluscent fish darting about near the water's edge, humming to herself while she did so.
Suddenly, an image appeared in the water - the young woman who called herself the Black Rose, a malicious grin marring her eerily beautiful features. The image quickly faded, then turned to one of her friends, wounded or unconscious, and Aelian doing her best to hold off a towering shadowed figure. The hazel-eyed teen gasped, withdrawing her hand as she backed a little away from the water's edge, slightly horrified yet taken aback at what she'd just seen. The fish started, iridescent bodies glimmering under the surface, surprised at the girl's sudden movements.
Long moments passed before Yuriko approached that part of the shore again, searching the water warily for any sign of that...vision. There was none, the mirrored surface of the lake calm and clear once more. "What the hell..." she breathed, worry creasing her brow, indigo-black bangs hanging in her face as she stared into nothingness, thoughtful and all the more mindful of her companions. She hoped that the images presented her were just projections of her mind, scenes conjured up by her worries and misgivings concerning her friends' roles as the Chosen.
--------------------
Keiko frowned, hardly daring to believe. "Is...is this for certain, my lord?" she asked. Of course she'd read the Chronicles, knew of the supposed Bright One, Rune Bearer - a being who was a boon to whichever side they had chosen, amplifying the group's power. The Rune Bearer was also supposed to be adept at healing and at times clairvoyant.
"Is that disbelief I hear in your tone, dear Keiko?" As was customary, the chamber Keiko and the Shadow Lord stood in was dim, lit only by a single five-armed candelabrum, the light from the tapers barely illuminating their faces. Still, the way the Shadowed One spoke suggested a slight grin - amused or tinged with malice, it was difficult to tell. "I am not all hopeful so as to believe in it myself, as our astrologer Margulus told me about moments before I sent for you."
"And yet you would have me travel to Umilnae and...find this Rune Bearer." Part question, part pure statement. There was no doubt that it was what was required of her now - another chance to redeem herself in the eyes of her liege. The real question was actually locating this person.
A chuckle, and then the rustle of the Shadowed One's cloak. "Certainly. I'm sure your...lackeys, Joumyaku and Doumyaku, would know of a way to bypass the security of the Water Kingdom. As for finding the Rune Bearer, Margulus tells me of an aura surrounding her. It is invisible to most and does not show itself unless they use their abilities - or have recently used them. It is, so I was told, grey in color, as opposed to those of the Chosen and the magically-inclined Elders of the eight kingdoms.
"I see." Quiet acquiescene, acceptance of the task. "I suppose it is time I called those two to me; they have been 'scouting' far too long..."
--------------------
"You...you can't be serious!" Kyouju's eyes widened, although this was made invisible because of his unruly, floppy, dark brown bangs. "Y'mean Yuriko is, in all likelihood, the-"
"Hush," Aelian commanded gently, holding up a hand. "Do not speak of it aloud. But yes, it is possible. Every so often, the elements would choose someone to personify both their neutrality in various matters and the unpredictability of the so-called 'balance of power'. This person was called the Rune Bearer in the Chronicles - so named for the Rune Staff that was said to have been bestowed on him or her - but I have no idea what such a role would be called now, as the Rune Staff was destroyed long before the Shadow Uprising."
The half-elfin looked once more at the pictures etched in the stone wall, the figure that was undoubtedly Yuriko's. The one bestowed with the Rune Bearer's symbol. "That would explain her having entered Arkanna in the first place," the Guide mused. She then directed her gaze at the staircase up which the group had gone earlier. "We will tell your friends as soon as possible. Where your other companion goes is not our choice to make; we can only hope to persuade her to choose the option that would be for the betterment of all, given Arkanna's situation..."
The bespectacled teen didn't like this one bit. From what Aelian had told him, the Rune Bearer did not often know of their abilities, and it had happened in the past that the previous Rune Bearer - a male - had chosen wrongly, for the kingdom he'd been born into, at any rate. This had led, in part, to the Uprising and the subsequent destruction of Krield. Could a similar thing occur, then, the way thing swere going?
((Gah. Super long. ^^; And I have read Dragon Knights one time too many...))
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