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Post by Archer Zero on Mar 17, 2014 15:18:26 GMT -5
The world of Pylaeis. It was a beautiful world, filled with lush meadows and forests, majestic mountains and hills, vasts oceans and lakes. Populated by peace-loving humans in the past, the place could easily be mistaken for a realm of heaven. The people cared more about trade and cooperation than they ever did with war, and with the routes and infrastructure set up, it was the perfect place for the Empire's capital. It was a 'mortal' world, as Heaven and Hell called it. Kenji had chosen this world as a compromise between the two, to make sure he didn't show any favoritism. Not to mention, the existing infrastructure and economy there made things very efficient.
The capital of the Empire itself was not on the ground, however. Far above in the skies, on gigantic chunks of rock uplifted by magic, was the capital. It was a glorious place. The gigantic outer walls were made of black, unmarked stone that gleamed in the sun, with vast towers enchanted with ancient magics to strike down any invaders. Within the walls was a bustling city, filled not only with angels and demons, but various humans and other races of all types, trading, conducting military exercises, and simply living their lives the best they could. It was large, prosperous, and magnificent.
At the heart of it all stood Kenji's palace. A magnificent place, its tall white towers almost seemingly glowed in the sun, domineering even the grandest of buildings within the city. Advisers, traders, nobles, and warriors came in and out about their business, while soldiers patrolled the keep walls, maintaining its security. Inside, everything felt royal and a bit austere. Although richly decorated, nothing felt that extravagant or obtuse, and it had an air of a fortress as much as it did a palace, built as much for pleasure as it was for military and ruling purposes. It was the perfect home for an emperor who ruled both heaven and hell and myriad realms besides.
So was it any surprise Kenji hated living here?
Truth be told, Kenji hated being in this palace. It was too much for him, far too much. It had so many unnecessary things, unnecessary luxuries he could do without, unnecessary people that honestly he didn't want to deal with. Kenji at heart was a simple young man. He preferred a much smaller, modest home. Somewhere where he could pursue his studies and interests, as well as train. Somewhere quiet so he wouldn't have to deal with all this bustle. Somewhere where he could simply be with his wife and children. Basically, somewhere where he could simply just be a scholar, a father, a husband, a martial artists. Somewhere where he didn't have to be an emperor.
The medical room the cracked man was transferred to was large - in fact, it felt like a small hospital. He was given his own separate room with a window overlooking the city. The doctors and white mages were attending to him, using their instruments, artifacts and spells and doing what they could to keep his soul intact, trying to restore his body and prolong his life. They were doing a better job at it than the medics, as they had their tools here and could perform more complex spells and magics, but regardless. The healers in Kenji's palace were, as expected, some of the best in the empire, and perhaps the whole universe.
As for the other keyblade wielder, he was shown to the guest room by the Paladin. Although it wasn't anything out of the ordinary, it was amazingly comfortable, with a small couch, a very comfortable bed, spacious bathroom, windows, and even amenities for modern technology like wall sockets for electricity. It was very luxurious, and in no way did it feel like he would be a prisoner. This was where he would be staying for now. Extravagant? Maybe. But Kenji had his reasons.
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Post by Raphael on Mar 17, 2014 16:28:20 GMT -5
Arin didn't have much time to respond when the paladin teleported them from the outskirts of Hollow Bastion, to a small room that looked a bit too regal for his taste. till, at least he had a place that he could sit and reflect on what happened today. Walking over to the bed, he sat on the edge and leaned forward, arms resting on his knees and staring blankly at the ground "…I guess I wasn't worthy of the keyblade after all…"
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Post by Prythian on Mar 17, 2014 20:42:38 GMT -5
Prythian sighed as he lay in his small bed. It was comfortable enough, he supposed, but the spells weren't working. He could feel them sinking in and failing to grasp whatever it was they needed. He figured he knew why, too. It wasn't everyday you worked on someone whose soul and heart were made up of pieces stolen from other people as they had died. He was going to have to tell them that eventually, but... Everytime he started, something kept him quiet. He hadn't seen the slightest glimpse of the one who had him brought here since arriving at this hospital, either.
Without his Keyblade... without even the sword that had served as a focus for his soul before gaining the Keyblade... his life had but a brief span of time left. Prythian didn't even know if he would exist in any sort of afterlife once he died.
After all, if your personality was a conglomeration of traits from other souls... did it exist when you take those souls away? Or would it simply fade, never having really been its own even once? It didn't bear to think about, but without any more stimulation than the constant attention of healers, he could think of nothing else.
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Post by Illusion on Mar 18, 2014 10:54:19 GMT -5
Grace Memoria Swallowtail was not a 'guest' in the huge palace that was Kenji's home...she was another of its long-term occupants. To be more specific, she was Kenji's wife. When she first met him, she could never have even thought that she would end up living somewhere so vast and luxurious. Yet now, here she was, the wife of an emperor, and as familiar with the corridors and rooms of the palace as he was. She was also quite familiar with the various paladins whom came here each day, and had come to memorise most of the routines and such that went on.
Today was different, however; walking down a corridor today, she noticed their seemed to be a lot more activity about the place, and people seemed to be either hurrying to get somewhere (a lot of them seemed to be heading in the vicinity of the medical room, some carrying various healing elixirs or the components needed to make them, etc), or talking under their voices of two more arrivals into the palace today. This quite surprised Grace; she hadn't been told they would be seeing visitors today. She guessed it wasn't something that had been planned much in advance, or at least, that's the impression she got from the heightened levels of activity around the place.
Grace decided it best to ask Kenji what was going on. It didn't take too long to locate him; she hoped she wouldn't be interfering with anything by coming to him at a time like this. "Everyone seems rather busy this morning...is something wrong?"
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Post by Archer Zero on Mar 18, 2014 15:01:39 GMT -5
That was the thing about being an emperor. He always had too much to do.
As soon as Kenji got back, he was issuing orders and answering questions. He had the magic division start researching methods on how to counteract a Stopja spell as well as increasing the strength of any anti-magic devices or spells they had. He checked to see if there were any reports or signs of the older man (they had a trace on his magic signature and were currently sensing through the universe for it). Then he had to answer questions to his other Paladins and Black Knights as well as advisers, nobles, and others about who the two were. All the while he kept quiet about the weapon the older man carried. Those with less loyalty than assumed might use that fact to their advantage.
Already, he was exhausted. Trying to deal with this new possible threat, housing these two keyblade wielders who were currently dead in spirit, and on top of that his normal emperor duties, which included not just government, but logistics, diplomacy, and military matters... it was enough to give him a huge headache. Kenji had already summoned on his normal wear when he was working - his armor, which was black and white, trimmed with gold. Kenji made sure to trim all the useless things for his armor, so as a result, it was strong but sleek and light, perfect for Kenji's speed. The only things that felt extraneous was his slightly flared pauldrons and the cloak he had, which was white as snow on the outside while black as midnight on the inside. He had just finished talking to a trio of nobles when he noticed his wife coming.
Everyone seems rather busy this morning...is something wrong?
Kenji sighed. "It's just been a chaotic past couple minutes," he said tiredly. After ensuring no one could hear him, he told her, "I just faced against a man who wielded not only considerable magics, but had a weapon that could break apart keyblades, something I have never seen before. There are two wielders of the keyblade here who had their weapons broken. One nearly had his soul ruptured completely. I had them brought here so they could recuperate. Not sure if they can, but I have to try." So many things to do. However, he managed to smile at Grace. "Just head back to our vacation home," he said, trying to sound calmer than he felt. "I'll catch up with you when I'm done here."
With that, he turned to walk away. Although normally, he loved to spend time with his wife, he had too many pressing matters at hand. One white mage had come up from the medical room to inform Kenji that so far, their efforts have proven fruitless and they're not sure why. "His soul simply refuses to stay together, which goes against all we know about souls," she had told him. Kenji simply told her to at least make the one there comfortable and do what they can.
Next, he went up to the guest bedrooms where the other one had been escorted. He might as well properly introduce himself. He knocked and came into the room just as he heard him say,
… I guess I wasn't worthy of the keyblade after all…
"That's something for you to decide," Kenji said shortly. His expression had become guarded again, his emerald-green eyes showing nothing. That was how he normally is. Only his wife saw what he was truly like, but with anyone else, he was cold as ice. "But we can move through that later. I don't believe I caught your name." Might as well start with introductions. It would make things less awkward before he could question what the hell happened within the barrier.
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Post by Raphael on Mar 18, 2014 16:28:41 GMT -5
"That something for you to decide."
Arin looked up when the stranger from before walked in, wearing completely new attire than before. His eyes were still dulled, no big surprise for someone who lost part of who they were. When asked for his name, he didn't bother with too much of a formal introduction "…Arin…" He brought his right hand up to his left bicep, where the pauldron that activated his keyblade once rested proudly. Typical, he lost his keyblade, so of course he would lose his armor as well. As soon as he got his new host's name, his hand clenched tighter to his arm, looking down "Why did you bother bringing me here? I'm not dying or anything…You have no obligation to help me, I wouldn't have been surprised if you just left me in that town…" It was clear from the looks of things, that Arin's keyblade wasn't the only thing that was broken back in Hollow Bastion
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Post by Illusion on Mar 20, 2014 2:02:08 GMT -5
Grace listened in a mixture of surprise and concern. The concern itself, in fact, was for a few reasons; for the stress it put Kenji under, for sake of the newcomers in their home, and upon hearing about someone whom could break Keyblades. The latter part in particular bothered Grace the most; Keyblades were no ordinary weapon, they held deep levels of magic within them, and as far as she knew were extremely tough. How was it possible that someone, one whom Kenji mentioned as also having considerable skills with magic, could break them? To be absolutely honest, she hoped she would not encounter this mysterious person herself. The very thought frightened her to some degree... Not that she let it show. Right at that instance her face only showed the feeling of concern for what Kenji was saying.
Then she heard him suggest she return to their vacation home while he finish with things here. She blinked. She watched him head out of the room in silence. Just head away from here? While there were people in their home that were in need of care? Not likely. Grace was a motherly person, caring, kind and helpful by nature; she felt she should at least try to be of some help. Pausing for a moment she quietly left the room and started to walk toward the medical unit. She hoped she could be of some help. She wasn't entirely sure, but she had to try.
Besides she had something that (she assumed) those in the medical unit did not have...a live, fully-functioning and quite intact Keyblade.
Grace wondered if the use of it somehow would help to some degree. It had chosen her back on her home world before it was destroyed...the Four-Winged Wonder, it had been christened by others back then. It was quite lightweight, suiting Grace's combat style of focusing on speed, and proved an excellent tool for channelling magic. She pondered how it could help, maybe, as she advanced through toward the medical unit.
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Post by Prythian on Mar 20, 2014 18:32:43 GMT -5
Prythian sighed as he settled deeper into his bed. He found himself thinking about the old mage's soul... the old man hadn't understood the crucible option. Prythian thought he understood it when he stepped into that golden-white flame... it had been meant to melt down all of the fragments inside him and fuse them into a single new alloy. No trace of the old... but it hadn't worked. Instead, as far as he could tell, it had simply held the soul fragments even tighter together than they had been before. And with the loss of his Keyblade, there was no more focus.
Prythian supposed it wasn't surprising that the attempt to make the soul into a single piece had failed. It had been fueled by the light and goodness of the souls inside him, and any way you looked at it, anything less than the concentrated effort of every single fragment wouldn't have the power to fully transform his soul. That's when the realization hit him.
Prythian sat up suddenly, eyes opening wide. He was made of all of those fragments. Anything he chose to do himself was the effort of every piece of his soul. If he found a way to start putting his soul and heart back together... then it would work, as long as he put all of his strength into it. As quickly as he'd sat up, though, he winced in pain and fell back into the pillow, clutching himself tightly. The cracks all over his body suddenly spouted forth light.
As the painful spasm subsided, Prythian's face drew up into a wry grimace. Even with his new realization, it was too late to do anything about it. He didn't know exactly where to start... and he certainly didn't have the strength to leave.
And he couldn't do anything in a hospital.
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Post by Archer Zero on Mar 21, 2014 12:57:18 GMT -5
…Arin…
Kenji nodded, memorizing his name. That tone of voice as well as his expression and eyes... there was no doubt about it. His spirit was utterly broken. If this kept up, he would never recover as a warrior... or as a human being. Kenji knew precisely how that felt. He needed to fix him, to make him remember what he fought for, why he fought. It would have to be gradual, and he had to be careful about it. He just hoped he could do it - he was never much of a talker or an adviser before.
Why did you bother bringing me here? I'm not dying or anything… You have no obligation to help me, I wouldn't have been surprised if you just left me in that town…
"I beg to differ," Kenji replied, his voice cool and calm as usual. "You are dying. Not of physical wounds - those would be easy to see, easy to heal. Their pain is not nearly as bad as what has happened to you. No, it's your spirit right now that's mortally wounded. Your keyblade - the personification of your heart - was shattered, and that damage cannot be easily repaired. Indeed, I can't repair it. I can only guide you so that in the end, you may mend it." Kenji went over the window and looked outside it for a moment, considering carefully what he said next.
"Of course, I can't guide you if I don't know the whole story," he said, turning back to him. "Tell me, what transpired in that barrier with the older man?"
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Post by Raphael on Mar 21, 2014 14:19:36 GMT -5
Arin reached into his right pocket and pulled out his light sword handle, actually having to put a lot of effort into summoning forth the blade this time. Perhaps this stranger was right, his will to fight was gone. "…That old man's sword is unbeatable by anything but a keyblade made from someone truly strong at heart…He spoke about the burdens that the keyblade brings, and how many of us are unworthy of owning one…" He let the sword drop to the ground, the blade vanishing in a flash of light as it fell from his hand "My ability to wield a keyblade was by mere accident, to protect myself from Heartless when I was 'recompleted'. And my actions of self preservation resulted in me creating a new darkness that seeks me out constantly, and will destroy anything in his path to find me…So explain to me again, why would I be worthy of holding a keyblade?"
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Post by Archer Zero on Apr 4, 2014 15:37:34 GMT -5
OOC: Sorry about that, muse died on me. Also, Illusion has decided to step out of the thread.
IC:
… That old man's sword is unbeatable by anything but a keyblade made from someone truly strong at heart… He spoke about the burdens that the keyblade brings, and how many of us are unworthy of owning one…
Kenji silently listened, understanding what was going on. For a warrior, to have any hesitation in the battlefield was the equivalent of death, and nothing caused more hesitation than a heart that was wavering. He had seen it before in many warriors, even veterans - those who lost their way, their reason to fight. They could still be effective soldiers, but they were left a shadow of who they once were in terms of fighting skills. He also understood that having a keyblade was not an honor, it was a privilege. Such a power came with it a heavy duty and responsibility. There were many who did not understand that, and used the power as they wished.
My ability to wield a keyblade was by mere accident, to protect myself from Heartless when I was 'recompleted'. And my actions of self preservation resulted in me creating a new darkness that seeks me out constantly, and will destroy anything in his path to find me… So explain to me again, why would I be worthy of holding a keyblade?
Here, Kenji shrugged. "Who knows?" he asked rhetorically. "Keyblades are given to certain people. Perhaps it is to save them, perhaps it is to give them a new purpose. However, in the end, a keyblade is naught but a weapon and a tool - it had chosen you, yes, but you direct it as you would. If what the man says is true, then it merely reflects your own heart." Kenji continued pondering as he stared out the window. "I have seen warriors - both young and old, novices and veterans - come across this problem: They no longer know what they are fighting for. It's a problem I cannot give you an answer to, for it must come from you and you alone. Take time to reflect on that, and consider the past, present and future. Maybe you'll find something."
With that, Kenji turned to leave. Before he went out the door, he looked back at Arin. "If you don't find a reason, though, it's best to hang up the ways of the warrior. For if you don't have a reason, then why do you even fight?"
Meanwhile, in the medical section, a young woman had come in. She wore plate armor, and strapped to her side was a rapier. She had steel-gray eyes and platinum blonde hair, and had all the bearings of an old soldier. She looked at the records of Prythian, trying to find some sort of weakness in the traces of magic the old man had left behind, perhaps get a glimpse of the style he used. As she did so, she glanced at Prythian. His vessel was cracked, and she had no doubt it was the same with his mind and soul. "You seem to be a bit worse for wear," she commented dryly as she continued looking through the report.
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Post by Prythian on Apr 4, 2014 17:49:38 GMT -5
"I'm fairly certain I'm dying. I think worse for the wear is putting it mildly." Prythian said. His voice was no longer leaving him at points, but it had degenerated into a rough whisper. "Given your armor, I'm going to assume you're not just another healer here to poke and prod at the anomaly, and try to figure out why my soul refuses to heal." He let out a sigh. "Any particular reason for the visit?" If he could just find a way to get her to help him leave... maybe, just maybe, he'd have a chance. But first he had to find out why she was here in the first place.
Either way, he was glad no one had figured out why his soul wouldn't come back together. The irony of it was that people with the ability to heal souls would (rightly) be horrified at the circumstances that had resulted in his creation.
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Post by Raphael on Apr 4, 2014 19:24:43 GMT -5
As Kenji left the room, Arin's mind was reeling with questions that he didn't have the answer to, and obviously Kenji wasn't the one to give them to him. But maybe he could help him in another way. Before Kenji made his way out of the room, Arin stopped him before he could open the door "Hang on a second Kenji…There's some things I want to ask you before you leave."
Now that he had the warrior's attention, he needed to know a few things that were bugging him that Kenji may have the answer to "You spoke about a reason to fight…If I may ask, what's your reason?"
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Post by Archer Zero on Apr 5, 2014 19:40:54 GMT -5
Hang on a second Kenji… There's some things I want to ask you before you leave.
Kenji paused, then turned to look back at Arin. He figured as much. After what he said, he knew Arin would have quite a bit to ask him. So therefore, he simply waited for his questions. He would help how he could, but in the end, Arin had to find his own answer. Arin seemed to be strong enough to do that, but if he was wrong and he wasn't.... well, he would never recover as a warrior. Perhaps that was a good thing - he would only end up dead if he kept fighting with a wavering heart.
You spoke about a reason to fight…If I may ask, what's your reason?
Well, he'd be lying if he didn't expect this question. The first thing someone would want to know to answer that question is to see what other solution a person had arrived at. Kenji was about to say for the sake of justice when he stopped himself. Although true, that answer didn't feel... complete enough. After taking a bit of time to compose his thoughts, figuring all he had learned, met, loved, he came with his answer. "I fight for justice. I fight to protect the innocents and the weak from darkness and oppression. I fight to bring peace to the world however I can... even if my methods could be considered a bit harsh." He lowered his voice slightly. "I fight so that when my children are born, they never have to know the pain of loss, bloodshed, and despair their parents faced."
Meanwhile, in the medical bay, the Paladin was still searching the reports while Prythian answered her.
I'm fairly certain I'm dying. I think worse for the wear is putting it mildly.
She realized that. She used a rather dry tone to comment on his condition for a reason. She already heard from the medics earlier that although somewhat stabilized, the damage was far too great to be sustainable, and they couldn't repair his soul. He was essentially a dead man walking.
Given your armor, I'm going to assume you're not just another healer here to poke and prod at the anomaly, and try to figure out why my soul refuses to heal. Any particular reason for the visit?
The Paladin shrugged as she looked through his report. "Information on how to defeat that man," she replied bluntly. "He was extremely powerful and could one day either pose as a major ally or a major threat. Until we figure that out, I have to assume he would be hostile to us and my lord, and so we need information. That way, we can develop a possible counter. Maybe more than one." A minute later and she scowled. "Not like your medical report is telling me anything I want to know," she growled, putting it down.
She sat down in a chair nearby. "Well, since this is my top priority and you're not going anywhere anytime soon, might as well start here," she said crisply. "So, tell me of your encounter with that man, and what had happened. As much detail as possible, please."
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Post by Prythian on Apr 5, 2014 20:33:25 GMT -5
Prythian closed his eyes as he went back. He'd had time to dwell on what had happened, that was for sure. So... to start from the beginning. "He came into the middle of the city and threw out a challenge to all Keyblade wielders within. I'd seen people give these sorts of challenges before, and feared what might happen should none step forward or should someone accept it unconditionally. So I went and ensured that we would fight in an uninhabited area by accepting his challenge."
Prythian's lips quirked up a bit. "He approved, so we moved, and then the fight began. He was fast... incredibly so. I... had a magic that allowed me to fly and aided my speed and reflexes a bit, but even so I could not keep up with him. His physical strength must've been great as well. But the real power of his was that sword. It cut through everything solid I threw at him. My golem lost its entire arm in a single blow. NNGH!" This last bit was said as the light inside the cracks on Prythian's body flared up. His muscles tensed, and he shifted in silent pain for the brief duration of the flash.
When it faded, he slumped down again and continued. "I charged as much power as I could into my Keyblade and struck... and for a moment I thought I'd beaten his sword. But then mine broke... as did everything else about me." Some of the soul fragments inside of him had been tacticians and strategists before their death, and part of that helped him now. "His blade can only cut through that which is solid. I used fire and he merely stayed outside of the attack until it was done. That's one possible weakness in his powers."
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Post by Raphael on Apr 5, 2014 22:45:07 GMT -5
Arin hung on every word Kenji said, listening to his explanation of why he fought, and almost finding it ironic "Well…Everyone I knew and cared about was lost to darkness a long time ago…So I don't have anything personal to protect other than my own life…But I think what you said reminded me of why I once fought in the past…to prevent what happened to me from ever happening to anyone else ever again."
He then reached into his pocket and drew out his light sword handle, thinking hard on why he truly needed to fight, and his sword, once needing to be forced to draw its blade, erupted from the handle in a flash of light. Reaching for his other sword handle and summoning the blade in a mass of dark matter, he realized that he still had a lot to learn about his polar opposite auras, and how to fully control them "…When I was fighting in that dome, I learned that the old man's sword is one powered by will, similar to my own…But the difference in strength between us was beyond my comprehension, his will overshadowed mine like a dwarf star staring into a giant black hole…"
He let the blades retract and closed his eyes "I also realized that I still have a lot to learn about my own power…and how to maintain balance between the darkness and light within my heart…Until now, I've taught myself how to control my power, but that isn't enough anymore…I need someone to show me how to do it better…"
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Post by Archer Zero on Apr 6, 2014 12:45:03 GMT -5
Well… Everyone I knew and cared about was lost to darkness a long time ago… So I don't have anything personal to protect other than my own life…But I think what you said reminded me of why I once fought in the past… to prevent what happened to me from ever happening to anyone else ever again.
Kenji nodded, perfectly understanding. He went through the same thing not long ago, actually. Before he had met his wife, he was on the border of throwing out his heart, cutting of all his emotions and dedicating himself solely to justice. He would no longer be a human or a warrior, but a force. One that would have no mercy and would conquer everything while imposing his ideals, whether they liked it or not. He had lost everything - his family, his home, all that he cared for and loved. And he lost them to something he couldn't stop or prevent. The only reason why he was still somewhat human now was because he had his wife to temper him.
…When I was fighting in that dome, I learned that the old man's sword is one powered by will, similar to my own… But the difference in strength between us was beyond my comprehension, his will overshadowed mine like a dwarf star staring into a giant black hole…
Ah, yes, that feeling. To know that he was outmatched was not a bad thing. It was good - overconfident ones were normally the first ones to be killed. That being said, though, it seemed to have utterly destroyed Arin's confidence, and Kenji couldn't blame him. Their battle sounded like a near-literal battle of hearts, and Arin's heart wasn't as strong as his. It didn't mean that he had a weak heart - Kenji knew that was far from the case - it just meant the other warrior had one that was more solid, unified, no longer wavering. Well, admittedly, a warrior like Arin needed something like this. It was a lot more abrupt than the usual process, true, but it was needed.
I also realized that I still have a lot to learn about my own power… and how to maintain balance between the darkness and light within my heart… Until now, I've taught myself how to control my power, but that isn't enough anymore… I need someone to show me how to do it better…
Kenji nodded. He lifted both his hands, and each one began radiating with magic - one with a warm, golden glow, the other a darkness that even the strongest eyes could not penetrate. "Then be thankful you came across me," Kenji replied. "For using both the light and darkness is my specialty." He lowered his hands. "Knowing how to control them is not easy, but compared to the task of knowing why you fight, it's practically child's play. I can show you how to control both light and darkness better, but again, you need your reason. Take your time to find your answer, but if you don't, then there shall be no reason to train you any further... or indeed, to have you continue as a warrior."
The Paladin listened, her face unchanging and stoic. So, they had first changed locations so that innocents wouldn't be harmed. It seemed the veteran seemed more of a calculating sort, and perhaps was still humane and honorable. Although the warrior in her admired that, the soldier in her told her that could be something that could be exploited. Her lord wouldn't approve, most likely, but even he understood the necessity of dirty tactics. And against such a powerful foe, they would indeed try anything and everything.
She listened. The older one was very fast and very strong. A bad combination for them to go against. That meant in terms of physical combat, he would be a very tough foe. And she had witnessed firsthand the man's mastery of magic. All in all, he seemed strong in all areas, with barely a crack in his defenses they could exploit. She noted the fact that he couldn't cut fire. So, more intangible things like fire he couldn't cut. Perhaps light and darkness, as well as air, might work. Might. At any rate, they still had other defenses to research.
"Do you have any guess as to how he managed to break your keyblade?" she asked. "Did you feel or sense anything? Perhaps a sort of power or enchantment that came into play at that moment?"
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Post by Prythian on Apr 6, 2014 17:13:52 GMT -5
"It was..." Prythian shook his head. "Almost like hitting another Keyblade, but not quite. It wasn't like any power I had encountered before. I remember feeling almost... like it was ignoring my power. Like it didn't exist. Then everything I knew broke." He briefly raised his arms, as if to indicate the cracked surface. "The reason this happened to me... no. I can't say. Even if I wanted to, I find myself unable." His arms fell back down onto the bed. "At least you people can rest assured it isn't your fault that your magic fails."
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Post by Raphael on Apr 6, 2014 22:27:37 GMT -5
Arin lowered his head, thinking about what Kenji said. The fact that he had found someone who had a power almost identical to his own was a godsend. But when was power without direction anything more than a blind force. To prevent darkness from destroying other people's lives, was that the only real reason he needed to fight? While he didn't seem to be a key bearer himself, the old man had his reasons to fight echoing clear in his heads But Arin's reason was a mere whisper right now, he needed to rediscover why he fought "…I know I have a better reason for why I fight…But the best I can give you for an answer right now is what I've already told you; to prevent darkness from ruining lives, like it did to mine…"
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Post by Archer Zero on Apr 12, 2014 17:11:57 GMT -5
OOC: Sorry for the delay. Work and lack of muse have been working against me.
IC:
…I know I have a better reason for why I fight… But the best I can give you for an answer right now is what I've already told you; to prevent darkness from ruining lives, like it did to mine…
Kenji nodded, very understanding. "A very noble reason," he replied. "But evidently, it wasn't your final answer. There is more to your answer for fighting than even you yourself know. I can start training you tomorrow, but you've had a long day. For now, you need time to rest and to ponder. Good luck to you, Arin." With that, Kenji walked out. He would guide Arin as much as he could, but so much of it was on him and him alone. In the end, it was a journey Arin would have to finish by himself. Whether he could or not was not easy to answer...
It was... Almost like hitting another Keyblade, but not quite. It wasn't like any power I had encountered before. I remember feeling almost... like it was ignoring my power. Like it didn't exist. Then everything I knew broke.
The Paladin pondered about the weapon. From what he described, it sounded like something that was made with either the same materials or methods as a keyblade, but it had strong anti-magic abilities. Although the anti-magic was strong, it seemed to be less targeted for magic in general and more specifically for keyblades. That would make it something of an anti-keyblade. There were a number of keyblade wielders in the army. They'd have to analyze their keyblades more and figure out a counter, and more importantly, how one would go about breaking it.
The reason this happened to me... no. I can't say. Even if I wanted to, I find myself unable. At least you people can rest assured it isn't your fault that your magic fails.
She looked over at Prythian and raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's good to know," she said dryly. "Doesn't help us solve your problem of dying, however." She looked over Prythian as if trying to read him. "You know, that other boy that was brought here had his keyblade broken, yet his soul was perfectly fine. Yours, however, not only started breaking apart, but your body too. Mind, body, and soul are all interconnected, from what I've learned. If your mind is strong enough, you should be able to start mending pieces of your soul. And you seem strong enough for that." She looked directly at Prythian's eye.
"So why don't you?"
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