360 replies to this topic

[Chukchi Husky]

Husky fell to the ground after Kitsune ran into her. They way Kitsune looked at Husky made her think that maybe her new body won't change how everyone thought of her. After getting back up she went inside to meet everyone else.

[SL the Pyro]

(Steel, when you used the "Dark Link" name on the last page; I use the name "Z" here. Unless you're refering to DL14's character, in which case I don't mind.)

Z had been listening in on the conversation from the doorway, especially the part about what the sensei was telling them about Laz. They were too caught up in the story to pay attention to him. He chuckled to himself.

"You say you know the cruelty Laz is capable of... pitiful fools. You have no idea just what lengths Laz would go to. I know those lengths first hand..."

[Nevermind]

OOC: Just hoping you guys know what you're getting into with the Laz storyline...

*foreboding music*

[Ransom]

ooc: maybe a bit more info would help

[Nevermind]

OOC: However powerful you thought the Society was, it is much, much more. Big plans are happening. That's all you need to know for now =P

Edited by Lazurukeel, 24 October 2006 - 06:56 AM.

[~Light Goddess~]

"I'll...I'll also follow along with training." Lena said quietly, tightly gripping her staff. She knew that it would be hard and rigorous, but she needed to learn the capabilities of this new weapon of hers. And she also knew that with the training that she could banish those who did not need redemption, and are too far into the blackness of night.

Flashback

When Lena was still living in her village, she had a group of friends who were roughly around the same age, and all had different goals in life. One of her friends, was a young man named Kael. Kael had been one of her closest friends during her years of growing up, but when she had turned 17, things had taken a worse turn.

As she was walking back from another class that day, she noticed a huge group huddled by the gates, one of them being Kael. She went by to see why he was over there, and he replied to her as if he didn't even know her. His "friends" also kept giving her shrude remarks, like, "Why is this little mouse training to be a preistess?" "You could really make some man happy if you wanted to." It got to a point where she couldn't stand it, smacked Kael in the face, and stormed out, shouting:

"I wish I had never met you!!"

When she got back from home, she found out that her parents, who were the Head of the village, wanted to have her married to Kael.

"He's a good man, Lena, he would make this job very fullfilling to him, and his parents do have money tucked away..."

"Father, why would you make marry someone like him? You know what I want to become!"

Her mother then came over and took her hands into hers. "But you could still marry and follow the wishes of the light, and not to mention have your children learning from you."

"NO!" She shouted. "I am not ready to keep my life secluded! There is still meaning for me in this world that I must accomplish, and I do not want to just be wed and only used for birthing heirs!" She then locked herself in her room and cried, because her father kept telling her why she should, and how wives are supposed to listen to their husbands. It felt as if he was breaking her, like a horse.

When it got very late, she had all of her things, leaving a note behind. She went to her training grounds, asking her teacher to give her the exam so she could become a true priestess. Once she had finished, she had recieved her small badge. She then left into the wilderness-Where she found Kael, bloody and lying stiff against a tree.

"Kael!!" She screamed, running over to him. "Are you alright? Who did this to you?"
"Huh..." Kael smiled, if not looking awkward. "You always were so protective of us, Lena..."
She guessed that Kael didn't really want her to know what happened, but she stayed with him to the very end. Kael's last gift to her was a small blade, to which she has kept with her ever since. She also realized that he had gone to deep, and that the group of men he was with before, had probably betrayed him.

She could never let anyone else suffer like Kael did.

(End of flashback, sorry if it was too long )

[Steel Samurai]

OOC: DL, sorry bout that. Laz . . . all I can say is that it sounds like it'll be flamin awesome.

The Sensei nodded slowly. "In accord are all of you, it seems. Yessss. Good this is. Begin soon you will . . . But" he yawned "Late it is getting. Begin training can . . . tommorrow." At this, the wizened figure shuffled out of the room, leaving the rest sitting on the floor.

* * *

Steel awoke early the next morning. For a moment he lay on the soft futon, thinking of the occurrences of the day previous, when a knock sounded on the door. The panel slid open and Quelas appeared. "The sensei has asked to speak with you." Steel followed Quelas out into the gardens which were the center of the buildings. The Sensei was walking down a corridor of cherry trees. He motioned for Quelas to leave them.
"Entrusted you with his dream of destroying Laz, did Faron. For his sake, Train you personally I will. Besides, away, our sword-master is."
Steel bowed. "I am honored. When do begin?"
"Now." Without warning, and without Steel feeling any impending intent to harm, the old man brought his outstretched palm across to Steel's stomach. Steel sensed it and grabbed at the old man's wrist, but it slipped out of his hands and drove into his solar plexus, taking the wind out of him. The Sensei shook his head.
"Much you have to learn."

OOC: From here, just go off on your own little training stints I guess. I kinda had in mind that you'd each have your own personal trainer who'd be like, perfectly suited to your abilities, but, y'know, whatever you guys want.

[Gabe Puratekuta]

[Heh, that's not a bad idea]


As Gabriel and Motoko left their quarters, a cloaked figure rushed at them with amazing speed. They barely dodged the assault and was pelted with a kick.
The figure removed their cloak, revealing a dainty Elvish woman. Her eyes shimmered a gold color and her hair was long and as silver as Gabriel's. "'Tis not your exercise, Cursed One." Her vioce was clear and high as a bell.
"You're going to train us?"
"Aye. But you are of no urgent concern." She then looked straight at Motoko. "Let us get started, shall we?"

[Chukchi Husky]

Husky didn't know what to do. Everyone was beginning training, but Husky wasn't sure if she was ready for training. Not knowing what to do, she went back outside.

[Gabe Puratekuta]

Gbriel could do nothing but watch as their trainer, Mina, focused on Motoko's abilities for the time being. She decided to go outside and get some fresh air and saw Husky.
"Well, old friend, it looks like we're without something to do for now." she said

[Chukchi Husky]

Husky looked at Gabriel, began to wag her tail and try to put on something like a smile. Her new body didn't change how Gabriel reacted to her. She asked Gabriel, "How long to you think they'll be?"

[Gabe Puratekuta]

"Who knows. A few hours, maybe." Gabrel wasn't sure what she should say about Husky's new appearance. Or how her friend would react. So she kept leaning against the wall, waiting for the time for her training to start here

[Chukchi Husky]

A few hours might be long enough to show Gabriel the cavern. "Do you want to see what I found?" Husky asked.

[Gabe Puratekuta]

"Sure."
Gabriel followed Husky out of the village and down the mountainside

[Chukchi Husky]

Husky went back to the door that led to the cavern, with Gabriel following her. "Here it is," she said, and opened the door.

[Gabe Puratekuta]

"Whooaaa......" Gabriel said as she tried to step inside, but an invisible force knocked her back

[Chukchi Husky]

Husky looked at Gabriel, and checked to see if she was alright. "What happened?" Husky asked.

[Gabe Puratekuta]

"I think only you can enter this place." she said and brushed dirt off her clothes. "Either that, or those with curses cannot."

[SL the Pyro]

Z sat outside, meditating. Training was something he didn't need in his opinion, unless there was a master of the dark arts here. He seriously doubted it. His ceased meditating for a moment as his mind drifted towards the others.

"They intend to take on Laz, as I thought... then I guess I should leave them alive. Oh well. The less opposition, the better." Z layed down on his back. "But I doubt they, or even the sensei for that matter, realize what they're getting into... and I should know. I have first-hand experience..." He sat up. looking at his hands. "They did make me who I was, after all." Z then chuckled to himself. "I'm not part of Laz anymore, not for five years, but I still wonder how they'd react if they found out how I came to be."

Z suddenly sensed a presence. A dark presence. He looked in front of him to see a man dressed in a black ninja suit in front of him. His eyes were closed, and he suddenly opened them. "Seth, is it?" he said.

Z was truly surprised. No one except Koran and his other friends knew his name. "You're a telepath... huh. First time I've met one."

The ninja was impressed. "At least you're not slow-witted like the majority of my students; they all wonder how I do that."

Z scoffed. "Students? You're here to train me..."

"Yes. Granted, you have been opposing Laz for five years, but there is still so much more you can learn. And I can teach you."

Z stood up. "Is that so? Can you really teach me something I don't already know? As far as I know, I'm one of the best masters of the dark arts there are."

The ninja laughed. "Trust me, you're not even close to that." He spread his arms out. "Attack me, and you'll see."

Now it was Z's turn to laugh. "As you wish!" Z charged at the ninja, ready to slam his Crush Claw into his stomach. The ninja closed his eyes and concentrated, until he was incased in a dark purple shield without warning. Z just bounced off of it. Now he was more surprised than before. "A darkness barrier...? Impossible..."

The ninja lowered his defensive barrier. "Quite possible."

"The magic has only been accomplished in legend... how did you do that?" Z asked, astonished.

The ninja chuckled. "It appears I do have some things to teach you after all, Seth. Or Z, whichever you prefer. My name is Shinji."

Z shook hands with Shinji. "Pleasure to meet you."

[Chukchi Husky]

"That's strange," Husky said to Gabriel, "Do you think this place is special?"

[Gabe Puratekuta]

"Probably. Bu--" Gabriel's stomach started to rumble. She then laughed nervously.

[Chukchi Husky]

The sound of Gabriel's stomach rumbling shocked Husky, and at first scared of the sound, but then she heard Gabriel laugh, so Husky hugged her with both her arms and front legs.

[Ken the Wandering Soul]

(OOC: Many apologies for the lengthliness)

Ken had been standing around, waiting. Quelas come by about half an hour ago, telling Ken that he was still looking for a teacher for him. The boy was still waiting though, wondering what could take so long. He wanted to go off and talk to someone, especially Kitsune. But he stayed put not wanting to shirk off the training.

Eventually, Quelas came back.

"Well, I know the one who is best suited for you. Are you ready?" he asked.

Ken nodded, and followed Quelas.

* * *

After following Quelas a small distance, the guide spoke up.

"Unfortunately, we do not have any masters who specialize in your type of weapon. Your going to be trained by... A former student."

"Well, as long as learn something, I do not mind." Ken said back.

"It is not quite that simple. This student is over two centuries old."

Ken halted in place.

"What?" he asked.

"If you still do not want to train, we can turn back now." the other responded.

"N-no. I said I would do this and I will." the boy said with finality.

"As you wish."

They had approached an open clearing, with a shrine in the center. Quelas stopped short of where the clearing started. Ken followed suite, stopping right behind him.

"Go to the center, and pray at the shrine. You will begin your training after that."

And with that, Quelas turned and left, leaving Ken. The boy watched him walk away before looking back at the shrine.

Ken timidly approached the shrine, feeling afraid of not knowing what spirit or god it was dedicated to. He got down on his knees, looking it over. Some of the symbols did look familier. He put his hands together and closed his eyes.

Spirits, please let me become stronger. Spirits, please help me understand what I must do.

"What are you doing here?" a deep, but familier voice spoke.

Ken looked up. It was him again--that 25-year-old man with yellow eyes, and red & black hair! The boy immediately rose to his feet, gripping the Wolfen's handle.

"You again?!" Ken exclaimed.

"Mm?" the other grunted, eying over the boy. His eyes rested on--"The Wolfen? And it has a fragment in it..." he wondered aloud. He glared at Ken, "Who the hell are you to have that sword?" he spoke, anger rumbling in his voice.

He pulled out a large sword, a sword similer in length and width to Ken's, but the edge was curved and sharped into a Katana-like style.

"It was my great-grandfather's!" Ken said, backing away, close to drawing it.

The man halted, his eyes wide.

"... Your what?" he questioned.

"... My great-grandfather." Ken repeated.

"... Your name, what is it?" the other continued to question.

"Ken. Ken Miyamasa." the boy answered.

"The exact same... You were named after him weren't you? Your great-grandfather." the man asked solomnly.

"Yes." Ken affirmed.

There was silence as the man continued to look Ken up and down.

"Call me Red." he said at last.

"Okay." the boy spoke back.

The man pressed a hand to face, and promptly lifted his hand, revealing markings on his face, just like Ken's. Ken's eyes widened. He knew one reason he was named after his great-grandfather, and this man had just revealed that he had that trait.

"I will teach you my final lessons. In exchange, you will join me with the other fragments. Do you understand?" Red spoke.

"Y-yes." Ken said.

"Then draw your sword, and the lesson shall begin."

Edited by Ken the Wandering Soul, 24 October 2006 - 07:27 PM.

[SL the Pyro]

Shinji inspected Z closely, wondering what he was capable of. He also scanned his mind, but chose to let Z answer his next question anyway. "What abilities do you already know?"

"Plenty. I can form energy, manipulate things with dark energy, and turn into a shadow." Z replied. He demonstrated these three abilities for Shinji. "Though there is still two abilities that eludes me."

"The ability to create solid objects with darkness, and darkness barriers." Shinji replied, smirking under his ninja mask.

"Stop reading my mind, please? That makes me feel rather uncomfortable."

"Alright... now, creating solid objects. Most dark sorcerers use this to escape from enemies, but most fail. It is because they fail to concentrate and put their spiritual energy into what the create. Simply, they can't work under pressure." Shinji looked around. "Bare that in mind as you create a birdge over that gap between the halls." he finished, pointing to a small crevice in the ground that separated two pathways. "Imagine the area in question, and concentrate on what you want to appear there."

"Got it." Z said. He clapped his hands together and closed his eyes. After a bunch of dark energy collected in the spot, a bridge formed. Z went to touch it in disbelief; it felt solid. Then it vanished in a puff of purple smoke.

"Yes, that was good!" Shinji applauded. "Remember this; the objects you create last as long as you concentrate on them. You don't need to close your eyes or pray, just remain focused on the spot. Let's see how you do under attack." Shinji finished, drawing a kunai. "Create another bridge from where you were, avoiding my attacks."

Z nodded. The first few attacks were simple ones, just to get Z warmed up; it was just throwing kunai. Z had no problem concentrating then. Shinji then took out what appeared to be a giant shuriken; it was four blades on a rolling mechanism. Z tried to keep focus on the bridge while studying his weapon, though he almost botched it. The blades rolled up into some kind of cross between a sword and a claw, and Shinji ran at him with it. This was taking longer than Z had hoped as he was putting more energy into the birdge, but so long as he did it. Z continued to avoid attacks, blocking them on occasion. The bridge was soon completed, and Z rushed across. Shinji bowed.

"Well done. It's not so hard. You can even create some objects to stall attacks, using your imagination to determine what they do. You can create anything from a bridge to a cannon."

Z was amused at the thought of creating a cannon out of darkness. He jumped back across. "Intriguing... at least now I have a way to restrain people without my Spike Chain."

"You can do much more than that, if haven't already gathered as much." Shinji said. "Now, the hard part. Darkness barriers."

Z perked up upon hearing this. If there was any ability he wanted to learn, it was the barrier.

Edited by Dark Link, 24 October 2006 - 06:23 PM.

[Steel Samurai]

Steel landed flat on his back. Again.
"Good your reflexes are, but better I can make them. And wise it is not to depend solely upon them, learn you must to read the enemy. This also I can teach you." The sensei said, standing over him. "Again."
Steel got up and got into the basic fighting stance of the Tao style. "Now. Focus. Concentrate upon what the enemy is doing. Read my actions as you would a book, word by word, not letter by letter. Even the best fighters cannot disguise their intent to feint or carry through with the attack. Learn you must to predict this movement and respond accordingly." The Sensei rushed him again. Focus. The sensei came at him, Steel moved to block the chop aimed for his neck but at the last moment the Sensei hooked his leg under Steel's and pushed.
*THUD* He was on his back.
"Again."
They returned to their former positions and the Sensei rushed Steel again. Focus. Concentrate. And then, he was there. That state of intense concentration known to fighters the world over. He sensed everything as if in slow motion, and smiled. There. The sensei brought his palm forward for a strike, but Steel sensed it was just a feint. The real danger would come from the legs. Steel grabbed the Sensei's wrist as he thrust at Steel's stomach, and then, as the Sensei's leg came up for a kick, Steel saw it. The Sensei's balance had shifted slightly to accomodate the kick. Steel shifted his body so that the kick narrowly missed him, and then kicked the back of the Sensei's knee. The knee buckled and they both fell. Suddenly, the Sensei smiled, broke Steel's grip on his wrist, and suddenly Steel found himself on his back again, the Sensei's fist just over his nose. The old man cackled "Good, gooood. Learned you have. Yessss. Predicted my movement you did. Now, you have learned the basics of prediction. Hone your reflexes practice much. Now show you I will the second level of the Tao style, Dokken.

[Gabe Puratekuta]

Motoko narrowly dodged Mina's attacks and blocked whenever she couldn't, but some still went through.
"Good. You've got exceptional natural fighting abilities, but you need to keep your mind clear of everything but your task at hand."
Mina then punched her in the stomach, then upside the head, knocking her down.
"You're too harsh!!"
"I know. For that, I apologize. But I'm not just training you, I'm fighting you in real combat. Now get up and prepare yourself."
Motoko did as she was told, but went straight into the offensive and attacked with several Umi-senken techniques, which were easily blocked.
"You're not focusing hard enough!!

[TheAvengerLever]

Button had strained his body to gain great lengths through the mountains. Well, it wasn't exactly his body, but that didn't matter. He was getting his own body soon enough.

\\\\Flashback////

The man who was called Button, the real Button, the evil being that was exacting it's slow revenge upon the man who killed him, had a great life. He was successful, handsome, and a very good guy...to everyone around him. Inside he was a churning pot of insanity. Each and every person he saw, he had a unique and unpleasant death in mind. Each and every one of his thoughts was totally original, like each and every death. He was mad. Mad with lunacy, and mad with greed. For half his life he had known about a secret hidden treasure...when he signed up to work as a spy for the high authorities in the "Tower of the gods" he was sent on a mission to seek this weapon for the good of the Alliance against the three who opposed the peace of Khuffie's reign. To get them under control was his main goal, but then it had changed. No doubt, thought the high authorities, that Button could use this weapon to their disadvantage and quickly take hold of everything around him. So, they hired secret clans to follow his every move and learn the location of the weapon before he could.
All this was the backdrop for a secret meeting between Button and a woman he loved. Her name was Katerina. She was the fairest woman he had ever laid eyes on. And she had pledged her heart to him. But his background, and his arrogance led him to kill her in anger. He then fled, seeing as hidden mercenaries were waiting for him at every turn.
In a port town, the man known as Button met his doom in the hands of a poor drunkard in a small bar. The man who killed him was never to be heard from again, but it was rumored that he took his name and his identity and fled.
////End Flashback\\\\

Who were you, then?

I was a man who saw the prize, and in running to claim it, I ruined my life.

What are you to do now?

Claim the prize...

Suppose you are ruined again?

I will have died chasing a dream...


They will shake in their armor. I will make them shake. Then I will make them bow. And then, I will make them suffer, thought the man who was Button, and the man who was now nothing...

[Ken the Wandering Soul]

* * *

Ken slammed his sword against Red's, resulting in a loud clash of metal. Red promptly spun around and smacked Ken in the back with the flat of his blade, sending the boy to the ground.

"Damn..." the boy muttered as he stood himself back up.

"You’re getting better. You are getting the feel of the stances, but you are still taking too long to recover from each swing." Red critiqued.

“Well I can’t exactly help that…” the boy responded.

“Yes you can.”

Ken stopped and thought about it.

“You mean, putting my spirit into the Wolfen?”

“Do it.”

Ken did so, focusing his spirit into the blade, causing it to glow with a blue aura.

“Attack me, now!” Red instructed.

Ken did so, delivering a rapid-fire series of swings, never slowing down. However, Red brought up his sword parried the Wolfen once, sending Ken’s spirit back. The boy now laid on the ground tired.

“How…?” he began to ask.

“You will learn that later, but only from your own experience. Now, I will tell you this;” Red said, holding out a hand to help Ken up. Ken accepted.

“You are, as the saying goes, Putting all your eggs into one basket.”

“What?”

“You pour almost the entirety of your spirit into the blade. This works if you want to finish off someone right away, but it won’t always guarantee to bring your opponent down. You need to moderate how much of your spirit you place into the Wolfen. Use a just little bit of your spiritual energy to lighten the Wolfen while recovering.”

Red then stepped back.

“Now, do as I have told you and attack again.”

[SL the Pyro]

Shinji demonstrated the darkness barrier to Z. Shinji didn't seem to be concentrating at all, just standing there and moving around like the barrier wasn't even there; it moved around with him. "I'm making it look easy. You create a darkness barrier the same way you create an object with dark energy, but its a little more tricky. It requires pure dark energy, drawn from the shadows around you, and a bit of your own magic and life energy."

Z was a little surprised. "Wait, what? I need to put my life energy into the barrier?" Shinji nodded. "Well, now I just feel like an idiot... I've been trying to avoid putting my life energy into the shield."

"Life energy, unfortunately, is what holds the barrier stable. A darkness or light barrier is more than just a collection of magical and dark energy; the more life you put into the barrier, the stronger it is." Shinji explained. "Collecting all the energy can bit a bit troublesome, but you don't have any problem with that judging from your bridge."

"I see... just how much life energy has to be put into the barrier?" Z asked.

"It never has to be much; just a little will make a very strong barrier. More life energy will make it stronger, but you'll risk your life that way if the barrier is broken." Shinji finished. "Now, try it."

Z nodded. He focused hard, trying to do the ability that he failed to master for five years. He collected dark energy from the shadows, a little life energy from his body, and magical energy from his soul. He began to become incased in a purple ball, which after forming, appeared exactly like Shinji's barrier.

"Now, hit your palms against either side of the shield to finish the barrier." Shinji ordered.

Z did so; the shield flashed for a moment, and became a barrier. It looked like a purple bubble. Shinji tested the shield by ramming it with a full-force kick; he just bounced off. Z smiled and Shinji clapped. "I finally did it..." Z said to himself, proud. He suddenly felt a little fatigued.

"Oops, your body is a little tired from releasing the life energy and sealing the barrier." Shinji explained. "Its no problem when you get used to it, though."

Z stood up again. "Okay, so how am I supposed to attack in this thing?"

"I'd prefer ranged attack myself; the barrier can allows things from the inside -- like your body -- to partially get out for close-range attacks, though. But beware, parts of your body outside of the barrier are vulnerable." Shinji finally finished. Z nodded and dispelled his barrier.

"So, what now?" Z wondered. He learned the two abilities that Shinji was sent here to teach him.

"A little spar, perhaps?" Shinji suggested. "I've heard many tales about your bounty hunting skills, and always have been wanting to test them out in battle."

Z smiled. "Fine with me."

Z and Shinji rushed at each other, punching and kicking and blocking. A few waves of dark energy were sent flying where their attacks made contact.

[Ransom]

Perseus woke up. It was the best sleep he had had in weeks. A nice soft bed, warm surroundings, a pleasant sunny morning, this mountain place was bliss.

He decided he would have a good look around the place, so he went out for a stroll. He leisurely traversed the long corridors and hallways of the Monastery, looking for maybe a few of his companions, or perhaps a bite to eat.

He stopped at a particular room, that had a purple door on it. None of the other doors had been graced with this sign so he knew it must mean something. Without fear of invading anyone’s privacy (Perseus wasn’t indoors much) he unlatched the door and slid it aside, stepping into a misty atmosphere.

A sauna? he thought… looking for some discernible objects around him.

Perseus heard the door click shut behind him, and he quickly flipped around. The door was no where to be found, and neither were any walls or any other sort of visible object. Perseus looked everywhere around him, confused.

Suddenly a voice boomed out of the mist.

“What seek you counter-feit angel, that you should invade my chambers?”