Welcome to Gaia! ::

Just like the shifting leaves and changing winds Danika's life was forever changing. Even though the young mystic knew her duty and understood many of the responsibilities that came with it life still continued to toss curve balls her way. Now that she had learned to be more nurturing, to help heal and to bring new life into the world by tending to the blooms around the Great Mother the young woman was now pressing herself to learn a more vital thing - fighting. She had already trained in several weapons and finally had received her own pair of blades, but there was much that she lacked in comparison to other sisters. For one she had heavily relied upon magic to aid her and then in her training sessions it was always a heavy piece of wood or some other immobile object that taught her. The only times she actually sparred with another was when against an older mentor who was teaching her the moves or against a fellow apprentice who was far too nervous and shy about attacking their mystic.

But today was going to be different. That much Danika had decided as she strode into the clearing where others were training. Her mystic studies were vital to her life, but the young mystic had also been allotted more time for this training due to the recent appearance of the Dretch. Their threat to her people pressed Danika to fight more and more so that she too could become strong enough when the great battle began. Others had hoped that the Dretch would be a fading dream, but she had fears of the dark shadows. If they had returned then why would they simply vanish once more? No, her sisters would have to prepare for a great battle - that much Danika understood. Even if the elders and her mentor tried to deter her thoughts from that outcome the young Alkidike had her mind set. She was no fool, nor was she a child to believe in the words of the elders. She had witnessed that sister getting snatched and sensed the evil which reeked from the dark creature. Such evil would not simply vanish. No, it would be something that only a great force of light could conquer. Danika gripped her blades tightly in her hands as she moved forward. I will become that force if necessary. She would defend her sisters and protect their home. Why else would Aisha have given birth to another mystic so early on? The Great Mother knew, she always knew of the threat and had allowed Danika to receive great blessings so that she too could fight back this growing darkness.

Danika just hoped she would be ready when the time came. If anything she would hide her fears and hold her head high as she walked in the clearing with other blades near her age. She would show them that she was strong and would serve as their sign of hope for the future, "I'm ready." She called out as she brandished her weapons, "Let' us train now sisters."

While others seemed to shy away from her Danika felt her heart drop. How could she learn like this? I suppose I shouldn't have expected more since I did come here unannounced. Even those that did offer to train with her held back on their blows and Danika felt the inner turmoil bubbling up inside of her chest. It was like a tight knot that continued to strain at her heart, over and over until she felt like it was squeezed so tightly it would simply burst on the spot. Yet, when she felt like she should simply lower her blades and go back to the elders who were to train her the young mystic found someone calling her name.

Who?

"Ta-Taka!" Danika's surprise caused the young mystic's face to brighten with a giant smile mixed with pure relief and happiness, "You're here?" She strode forward before realizing that the other Alkidike had her blades at the ready, "Will you truly fight me, sister?" She questioned as she positioned her feet defensively, "I would love to see what this well-known red huntress can do with her blades." Oh she was so glad that Taka was here in this clearing with her today. With all of the disappearances Danika had worried so much for the few sisters she had gotten to know in her early apprentice years. It was a blessing to see that familiar face despite how cocky and threatening it currently seemed.

Of course Taka would say such a thing. Danika couldn't help the small smile that flickered across her features, proud and stubborn as always I see. She quipped silently to herself before bracing herself for the oncoming blow. It seemed that her sister was indeed going to take her seriously! Letting out a gasp of surprise at how hard the blow was Danika barely managed to raise her blades to block the blow from hitting her in the gut, "Please hit me with all you have, Taka!" She found herself gasping as she twisted to try and counter the attack with a short stab towards the back of the other blade's legs. If Taka was going to take her seriously then Danika was determined to put her all into this fight!

I won't simply sit on the sidelines anymore and let others fight for me alone! Her determination made her gaze all the more brilliant and the darkness of her pupils seemingly held lights like the night sky as she twisted and tried to sweep her blades beneath her opponent. She wouldn't go down without a fight and she just prayed that Aisha could give her the strength to fight on par with her fellow sister.

Perhaps Danika had a bit too much confidence in her abilities as a physical fighter. That was the realization which flickered through her mind as the world suddenly flipped around her with the sudden shove to her lower legs. Whereas Danika had tried to pull a sweeping blow against Taka the other Alkidike had actually successfully pulled of the attack against the novice mystic. Danika had never experienced someone shoving against her with their full force before. No matter how lithe she was or how sturdy she had believed her footing to be the Alkidike found herself moving backwards to meet the ground. The very muddy, dirty, harsh ground that bit into her back with its array of scattered stones and trodden down plants. So many Sisters had trained in this very clearing that the earth had given up on producing much life and instead sported remnants of what was along with stones scattered during the flurry of constant duels. For Danika it felt as if every single stone in the whole clearing had conjoined into one mess beneath her back to greet her as she fell.

Wincing, the mystic tried to hide the sudden pain that sent shivers up and down her spine. Instead she twisted along the ground to avoid any follow up attacks by Taka. Her momentum allowed her to roll towards the far left of their 'arena' but each twist and turn tempted her heavy breaths to turn into gasps and moans of pain. Eventually, what felt like an eternity for Danika but in reality was only a few short moments, the mystic made her way back to her feet and charged forward again. It was her best shot since Taka surely would have expected her to stay down. But Danika was not that weak, she was stronger than that and determined to do her best!

She had this. Danika's gaze narrowed in concentration as she tried her hardest to match every step of Taka's with her own. If Taka twisted to the left then Danika would twist to the right so that she could counter the next blow with one of her own. Their swords soon became the only sound in the clearing as they continued to chase each other around their battlefield. It was crazy how exhilarating fighting like this was. For once Danika felt truly, truly alive as her whole body was forced to feel the reality of its flesh. Every clash brought an ache to her muscles and sweat dripped from her brow with some even fresh on her lips leaving a salty taste in her mouth. Her antenna even felt strained as she tried to continuously keep pace with Taka's movement by feeling the air around her for vibrations. She suddenly wasn't an ethereal entity who barely stayed contained within a physical body but was finally like her sisters who constantly risked their bodies daily in the hunt and during battles. All of her skin was sensitive to the air around her and even after Taka finally downed her Danika found herself smiling.

So this was how it felt to truly fight, "Everything...hurts." She managed in between gasps of breath before looking to Taka with a grin, "It's exactly how it should be." She shook her head, her dreads bouncing behind her. Letting go of her blades the novice mystic leaned back so that the back of her skull touched the ground. Even if it was hard beneath her back Danika still felt relief in touching the ground. At this point her body felt as if it belonged to the ground since it was as heavy as a rock from all the strain of fighting. It was frustrating knowing that she was far weaker than Taka, but at the same time it was a blessing to be so enlightened about her own skill level. At least she had put up something of a fight which she was certain Taka hadn't even truly expected. It was enough to actually get a rise out of her. She observed with a sly smile as she glanced towards the red-haired alk once more.

Gripping Taka's hand Danika found herself lifted into the air, "Surely you jest." She glanced around as worry crossed her features. Even though Taka was teasing what if she did get in trouble for going all out against her? That was the last thing she had intended when she had asked her friend for a duel and if that should occur then the young mystic truly would be so upset and wouldn't' forgive herself for creating trouble for the blade.

"A walk?" Danika blinked as her worried thoughts were interrupted, "I suppose I should have time since I was supposed to be training for most of the afternoon." However after that one spar the young Alkidike felt as if her body would implode from any more strain. Any more fighting would probably rip her muscles in half and render her useless for the rest of the week, if not for a full moon. It was a teasing thought, but at the same time she was sincere. As much as she hated to admit it Danika understood how weak she was in comparison to more seasoned hunters and warriors like Taka. For someone who had spent so much time hunting already and traveling with her sisters seeing Danika who had studied for the majority of her childhood in the shelter of Aisha must be like comparing a harmless spitarog to a rampant radaku.

So she simply nodded her head as she gathered her blades and straightened her skirts, "Lead the way, Taka."

Danika could only laugh softly at her friend's confidence. It must be nice to never fear anything. How Taka managed to do it always baffled Danika, but so far she had yet to see anything ever make her friend hesitate or doubt herself. Their fight had also solidified the other Alk's pride as she never once pulled back from an attack and stuck through with it despite any potential danger. It was a level of bravery that even Danika doubted she could achieve since she constantly plotted out every move in her mind like some form of puzzle to be won with careful movements rather than reckless actions.

Her antenna tilted towards the strange creatures and for a second she nearly reached down to touch one before holding her hand back. Even if they were adorable and small she had heard stories about the beasts and had seen them in action with Taka once before. No matter how tame they acted with the red-haired Alkidike it didn't take away from the fact that they were also predators in this world and not fond of other earthlings or Alkidikes. Her gaze moved from the creatures to focus on Taka as the other Alk began to ask her questions, "They fare well, I suppose." She replied quietly, honesty pouring from her as they became isolated from the others and far more secluded than before. "I still doubt myself at times and since the Dretch appeared I have...fears more than usual." She smiled sadly towards Taka, "I worry constantly about my sisters and I wish to be of more use so I have taken up my blades with more vigor than before. I appreciate that you fought so against me as it serves to remind me of how much I have yet to learn."

As she followed Taka, Danika found a smooth stone jutting out of the ground to perch on. Her skirts flowing out around her ankles the young mystic settled down and sighed, "Even if it impresses you I am motivated by fear and I worry that it will weaken my studies. My mind is so clouded lately, Taka, and I'm thankful that you at least have returned to me. Tyiva....she still...." Danika swallowed against the sudden overwhelming emotions, "I have yet to see her...have you?"

Without thinking Danika reached her hand over towards Taka and found herself clutching her fingers on top of the other girl's hand, "You truly believe so?" She asked quietly, her antenna flicking towards her friend hopefully. If Taka believed so strongly in Tyiva then who was she to doubt? If anything Danika was supposed to be the one who was spreading hope and should be believing in her friend. Instead she was sitting here on the verge of tears acting as if the whole world was ending soon and that Tyiva was already lost to the Dretch. How could she do such a thing? It was a shameful feeling indeed.

"I'm sorry to have disappointed you so." She whispered quietly, "Ever since that day it's been so hard for me to believe that everything is going to be alright. I want to be strong, I have to get stronger that is so that I can feel confident again and do my best to protect everyone." She forced a small smile, "Surely I can do that, right?" Danika leaned back with a sigh, "If something happens to another sister because of me I'll never forgive myself. Even Tyiva has been gone from home for a while because of my selfish requests." Wanting to have 'eyes' out in the foreign countries had seemed like such a delightful idea at the time. Who knew that disaster was waiting for her people with the reappearance of the Dretch? Since Tyiva was not in Chibale and probably far away from Tendaji with that strange country of Belrea Danika could only pray that Aisha was blessing her friend and keeping her safe and sound.