dethsgirl
02-24-2009, 10:31 PM
Alright, so it's not really two heroes, just two every day people. I hope you'll enjoy what I have written so far, if so, I will write more. Feel free to comment. :3
~1~
Shaken, she ran, far away, as swiftly as her weary legs would carry her. She fought tears, but they came anyway, against her volition. In the deepest recesses of her mind echoed the taunting words, cutting more deeply than any physical weapon. Some tongues were evil, oh yes they were, she decided as her pace slowed on the now steady incline of a hill.
One day she would prove she was worthy of respect, that she was powerful, despite her less than extraordinary defences, that she could make up for it with her innate strength. She vowed this to herself. But for now, she was not yet ready, she still had much to learn.
She stopped as she reached a gate, taking a deep, steadying breath. With a trembling hand she forced stray locks behind her left ear, and absently tried to wipe away her tears with the other, before proceeding through.
Through the gate was a near mirror image of the hill she has just ascended. Deliberately, she meandered down this hill, her steady, slow pace forced. She still wanted to run, run away from everything, but she knew she couldn’t run forever, even if her heart wanted to.
A breeze stirred, toying with her hair, tousling the long tendrils that had escaped her ponytail. She found herself stop at the bottom of the hill, and her gaze rose from the marked path to study her surroundings, the deep blue horizon and it’s violet pierced beauty. Even now, even with her heart aching in her chest, the scene was beautiful enough to make her breath catch. The vast expanse did nothing to ease her sense of loneliness, but the vibrant colours and musical sounds of water and wildlife were enough distraction to ease her pain, even if only a little.
She allowed herself to stray into the waters here, in this Forest of Slumber. She did not go in very deep, only until the cool waters rose to her knees. She waded through them, carefully making her way, until she was back on the path, having made herself a shortcut by doing this.
Continuing on the path, she met another hill, and scaled it, reaching the crest and stopping here, to sit in the grass at the side, hidden from the view of any who would pass by. Part of her wanted to hide from the world, part of her wanted to be found. What outweighed all at this moment, was the desire for solitude, however. She didn’t want a single soul to witness her as she was now, feeling shattered from within.
“I’m not a failure.” She told herself sternly. “I’m not!”
That pang of misery on her heart rose again, arguing with the words her mouth spoke. She did feel like a failure. The bullying and taunting she had endured only an hour previous seared in her memory, seeming to justify the argument of her heart versus her head.
“Who am I kidding.” She murmured, “I will never do my best work alone.” It was true, she had always performed her best when she was helping others.
With a wistful sigh she collapsed against the ground, the tall grasses tickling her as the wind blew softly through the blades.
“Teva, give me a purpose.” She prayed to the Goddess.
~2~
“Ksunamun?”
She moved almost imperceptibly, certain that she‘d imagined her name being called.
“Ksunamun?” There it was again, more clearly this time. The voice was male, familiar. She forced her eyes to open enough to see what was directly before her eyes.
She gasped. “Chao!” For a moment she lapsed, forgetting where she was, what had happened. That kind face before her eyes kept her from fully panicking as she attempted to get her bearings.
It all came tumbling back in a rush, the bullying, her fleeing, hiding here, she realized she’d fallen asleep right here, in the grass by the path. She wondered for how long. Then as he took her hand it all melted away and she didn’t care about any of it.
“Are you alright?” He asked with marked concern. His free hand went to her back to help ease her into sitting up. “Why on Isya would you be sleeping out here?”
“I came here to hide,” she answered, “It looks like I failed.”
“Not exactly,” was his reply, “I was until now looking for you.”
She raised one of her finely shaped brows, “What?”
“I saw you run off, leaving Uruga, and followed you as fast as I could. Your little feet move you faster than I can travel while carrying this blasted axe, though.” he paused, “I fell behind. I lost you half way through the Ancient Elven Woods, and ended up searching there, high and low, before trying here. Luckily I decided to check along the path first.”
A heat settled upon her cheeks as she absorbed what he was saying. He’d gone through so much effort to find here, it was surprising. “Why?” She asked softly.
“I could tell you were upset, Ksun. No one runs like that because they’re bored they do so with reason. What I want to know is who or what you were running from.”
Her eyes met his tentatively. He was still posed as he was when she first opened her eyes, on his knees. His Bellow axe gleamed from where it rested at his side, it’s deadly blades pressing upon the grass with it’s weight.
The silence grew. He decided he needed to break it. “Did someone hurt you?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Very well.” He sighed, “But I can’t help you unless you tell me.”
A sideways glance from her. “How would you help me?”
He grinned. “By helping you train, of course. Then when you are stronger, you can show them what you’re capable of. Only one thing…I’d be there with you.”
“With me?”
“Yes, you know, taking the hits for you like a good tank.”
She considered this. It sounded too good to be true. “You’d do that for me?”
“Of course Ksun.”
“All this time, you’ve kept yourself distant from most people. You go off alone and train…why help me?”
“Because I want to.” He said simply. “Please let me.”
~3~
For many days the two of them, Chao and Ksunamun, travelled between the city of Uruga and the Burning Rock, training their skills by the slaying of countless creatures of many sorts. At the same time, they carried out tasks set to them by the merchants and officials of the city, doing their bidding in return for coin, fame, and other rewards.
It was one day, when both were close to reaching the apex of power allowed by the Goddess Teva, that Chao cornered Ksunamun again about that day.
“What happened, Ksun?” He asked as they were walking through the Forest Perimeter, about to make one of their journeys into the Abyss.
“What day?” She wondered innocently.
“The day you ran from Uruga like you did, remember, you ended up in the Forest of Slumber?”
She nodded slowly, her eyes trained at her feet as she stepped with care. “Some uncivilized brutes decided to bully me. They kept attacking me, ganging up on me so that I was on the ground many times before I was able to escape. It was upsetting to me because it made me feel weak.”
“Why didn’t you ask for help?” Chao inquired.
She shrugged. “I really don’t want to drag other people into my problems.”
Chao stopped. “Drag others into your problems? Friends don’t mind helping other friends, and helping a friend hardly constitutes being ‘dragged into’ something.”
“I’d still feel bad about it.” She said with finality.
Chao resumed walking, catching up to Ksun then matching her pace. “Promise me that if this happens again you’ll ask for help.”
“Well,” She smiled slightly, “If you’re with me, I won’t need to ask, will I?”
“True enough.” He agreed as they headed through the gate, and to the Abyss.
Once inside, they made their way through the caverns, killing the creatures that came against them as they did. Their aim was to reach one of the large chamber like sections, where there were many monsters to be slain, monsters that could be looted for materials and other things which could be used or sold.
“Do you know the names of any of the people who bothered you that day?” Chao gently prodded.
“I can’t remember, Chao. I cannot even remember their faces now, only their weapons.”
A silence ensued until they reached their goal. Once there, Chao went ahead, running around the chamber, stirring the creatures within, luring them so that they all chased him. Once he had worked his way back to where Ksunamun stood, he stopped, and mocked the beasts, to ensure that he was their focus, as Ksunamun summoned her post powerful spells, Frost Nova, and Inferno, in between which she performed Magic Burst, all of the spells coalescing in a way that devastated the creatures, and combined with Chao’s efforts with his axe, killed them all swiftly.
Once all were dead, the two picked loot from the corpses, being rewarded with leather, meat, and more useful materials. And thus was started the process they would repeat again and again for several hours.
***
As they left the Abyss, tired, and weighted down with the loot from their hunting, Ksunamun felt her thoughts wandering. She was humming to herself, without even realizing it. She didn’t notice the strange looks that others in the Forest Perimeter were giving this humming Mage, she just continued ahead, Chao following behind.
As they entered Uruga, Ksunamun adjusted her wand in her hand, before heading for the shops. Something stopped her though, a voice calling her name. She stopped. That voice, she knew it. She’d taken orders from it before.
She moved closer to Adrian, the Town’s Chief, and Chao stayed close by. “How may I help you, Adrian?” Ksunamun posed.
“You have done many great deeds, you and your companion both, and are nearing the pinnacle of power achievable by mortals on this plane. But you are not yet prepared.” Adrian said slowly. “You both must part ways and endure separate trials to prove to Teva that you are prepared to wield ultimate power, for it is a blessing from her, not given lightly.”
“Trials..?” The word died on Ksunamun’s lips.
“Aye, trials. I will send Chao on his task first, and then you on yours, Ksunamun. You have both come to feel you must be working with someone in order to achieve any aim. But you must also remember that independently you both have impressive strengths. These unique strengths have been somewhat neglected by both of you. Use these trials as a way to relearn your abilities to perform alone, for the best warriors, mages, the best of any class, should be practiced and prepared for any situation.”
“Very well.” Chao nodded solemnly, but it was obvious he wasn’t too pleased about facing any kind of trials at present. He was exhausted from the escapade in the Abyss and had wanted to relax.
“This also means,” Adrian continued, “You should be sure through the trials that you are a master of every weapon at your disposal. For Ksunamun, this is simple, the staff and the wand are not very different, and she has shown strengths with both. For you Chao, you have used the axe for a long time now, but must resume study of the two hand sword, and of sword and shield. You are an exceptional warrior, for you this should only be a matter of regaining the feel for each type of weapon.” Adrian paused, rummaging in a rucksack for a moment before withdrawing two packages. She handed one to Ksunamun, and one to Chao. “Inside these are scrolls and potions, use these wisely.”
Both nodded and quietly put the packages into their own bags, awaiting further instruction.
“Chao,” Adrian resumed, “I said I would send you to your trials first. Your journey will begin back at your birthplace, in Roumen. Meet Vietree in the marketplace. She will give you your next task. However, she will expect you to give her something. That something is a piece from every variety of creature in the places you will go through from here on your way there. The piece is not important, so long as she can identify with ease the creature it came from. Once you present her with this, you’ll receive your next instructions.” Adrian waited for Chao to not in understanding before resuming. “Go now, be on your way, and may Teva be your guide and inspiration.”
Chao reluctantly mounted his raccoon and rode through Uruga, en route towards the Scaffold Execution Ground.
***
“Ksunamun.” Adrian addressed the mage. “Your trials will also begin in Roumen. Unlike Chao, it is not your birthplace, I know, but it is still where you first arrived when you came to Isya. You are to meet the Ancient Templar there, Maria. I want you to reflect on your coming to Isya on your way there. Also, you must use your intellect to seek an object hidden in Elderine. Your clue is on here.” Adrian handed Ksunamun a tiny scroll, tied with a silken ribbon. “Open this when you reach Elderine. Once you find the object, make haste to Roumen and deliver it to Maria. She will then give you your next task. May Teva be your guide, Ksunamun, and good luck.”
Ksunamun tucked the tiny scroll into a secret pocket in her dress, and mounted her Pegasus, flying the dark creature through Uruga, deciding to take the scenic route, and go through the Dark Passage.
~1~
Shaken, she ran, far away, as swiftly as her weary legs would carry her. She fought tears, but they came anyway, against her volition. In the deepest recesses of her mind echoed the taunting words, cutting more deeply than any physical weapon. Some tongues were evil, oh yes they were, she decided as her pace slowed on the now steady incline of a hill.
One day she would prove she was worthy of respect, that she was powerful, despite her less than extraordinary defences, that she could make up for it with her innate strength. She vowed this to herself. But for now, she was not yet ready, she still had much to learn.
She stopped as she reached a gate, taking a deep, steadying breath. With a trembling hand she forced stray locks behind her left ear, and absently tried to wipe away her tears with the other, before proceeding through.
Through the gate was a near mirror image of the hill she has just ascended. Deliberately, she meandered down this hill, her steady, slow pace forced. She still wanted to run, run away from everything, but she knew she couldn’t run forever, even if her heart wanted to.
A breeze stirred, toying with her hair, tousling the long tendrils that had escaped her ponytail. She found herself stop at the bottom of the hill, and her gaze rose from the marked path to study her surroundings, the deep blue horizon and it’s violet pierced beauty. Even now, even with her heart aching in her chest, the scene was beautiful enough to make her breath catch. The vast expanse did nothing to ease her sense of loneliness, but the vibrant colours and musical sounds of water and wildlife were enough distraction to ease her pain, even if only a little.
She allowed herself to stray into the waters here, in this Forest of Slumber. She did not go in very deep, only until the cool waters rose to her knees. She waded through them, carefully making her way, until she was back on the path, having made herself a shortcut by doing this.
Continuing on the path, she met another hill, and scaled it, reaching the crest and stopping here, to sit in the grass at the side, hidden from the view of any who would pass by. Part of her wanted to hide from the world, part of her wanted to be found. What outweighed all at this moment, was the desire for solitude, however. She didn’t want a single soul to witness her as she was now, feeling shattered from within.
“I’m not a failure.” She told herself sternly. “I’m not!”
That pang of misery on her heart rose again, arguing with the words her mouth spoke. She did feel like a failure. The bullying and taunting she had endured only an hour previous seared in her memory, seeming to justify the argument of her heart versus her head.
“Who am I kidding.” She murmured, “I will never do my best work alone.” It was true, she had always performed her best when she was helping others.
With a wistful sigh she collapsed against the ground, the tall grasses tickling her as the wind blew softly through the blades.
“Teva, give me a purpose.” She prayed to the Goddess.
~2~
“Ksunamun?”
She moved almost imperceptibly, certain that she‘d imagined her name being called.
“Ksunamun?” There it was again, more clearly this time. The voice was male, familiar. She forced her eyes to open enough to see what was directly before her eyes.
She gasped. “Chao!” For a moment she lapsed, forgetting where she was, what had happened. That kind face before her eyes kept her from fully panicking as she attempted to get her bearings.
It all came tumbling back in a rush, the bullying, her fleeing, hiding here, she realized she’d fallen asleep right here, in the grass by the path. She wondered for how long. Then as he took her hand it all melted away and she didn’t care about any of it.
“Are you alright?” He asked with marked concern. His free hand went to her back to help ease her into sitting up. “Why on Isya would you be sleeping out here?”
“I came here to hide,” she answered, “It looks like I failed.”
“Not exactly,” was his reply, “I was until now looking for you.”
She raised one of her finely shaped brows, “What?”
“I saw you run off, leaving Uruga, and followed you as fast as I could. Your little feet move you faster than I can travel while carrying this blasted axe, though.” he paused, “I fell behind. I lost you half way through the Ancient Elven Woods, and ended up searching there, high and low, before trying here. Luckily I decided to check along the path first.”
A heat settled upon her cheeks as she absorbed what he was saying. He’d gone through so much effort to find here, it was surprising. “Why?” She asked softly.
“I could tell you were upset, Ksun. No one runs like that because they’re bored they do so with reason. What I want to know is who or what you were running from.”
Her eyes met his tentatively. He was still posed as he was when she first opened her eyes, on his knees. His Bellow axe gleamed from where it rested at his side, it’s deadly blades pressing upon the grass with it’s weight.
The silence grew. He decided he needed to break it. “Did someone hurt you?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Very well.” He sighed, “But I can’t help you unless you tell me.”
A sideways glance from her. “How would you help me?”
He grinned. “By helping you train, of course. Then when you are stronger, you can show them what you’re capable of. Only one thing…I’d be there with you.”
“With me?”
“Yes, you know, taking the hits for you like a good tank.”
She considered this. It sounded too good to be true. “You’d do that for me?”
“Of course Ksun.”
“All this time, you’ve kept yourself distant from most people. You go off alone and train…why help me?”
“Because I want to.” He said simply. “Please let me.”
~3~
For many days the two of them, Chao and Ksunamun, travelled between the city of Uruga and the Burning Rock, training their skills by the slaying of countless creatures of many sorts. At the same time, they carried out tasks set to them by the merchants and officials of the city, doing their bidding in return for coin, fame, and other rewards.
It was one day, when both were close to reaching the apex of power allowed by the Goddess Teva, that Chao cornered Ksunamun again about that day.
“What happened, Ksun?” He asked as they were walking through the Forest Perimeter, about to make one of their journeys into the Abyss.
“What day?” She wondered innocently.
“The day you ran from Uruga like you did, remember, you ended up in the Forest of Slumber?”
She nodded slowly, her eyes trained at her feet as she stepped with care. “Some uncivilized brutes decided to bully me. They kept attacking me, ganging up on me so that I was on the ground many times before I was able to escape. It was upsetting to me because it made me feel weak.”
“Why didn’t you ask for help?” Chao inquired.
She shrugged. “I really don’t want to drag other people into my problems.”
Chao stopped. “Drag others into your problems? Friends don’t mind helping other friends, and helping a friend hardly constitutes being ‘dragged into’ something.”
“I’d still feel bad about it.” She said with finality.
Chao resumed walking, catching up to Ksun then matching her pace. “Promise me that if this happens again you’ll ask for help.”
“Well,” She smiled slightly, “If you’re with me, I won’t need to ask, will I?”
“True enough.” He agreed as they headed through the gate, and to the Abyss.
Once inside, they made their way through the caverns, killing the creatures that came against them as they did. Their aim was to reach one of the large chamber like sections, where there were many monsters to be slain, monsters that could be looted for materials and other things which could be used or sold.
“Do you know the names of any of the people who bothered you that day?” Chao gently prodded.
“I can’t remember, Chao. I cannot even remember their faces now, only their weapons.”
A silence ensued until they reached their goal. Once there, Chao went ahead, running around the chamber, stirring the creatures within, luring them so that they all chased him. Once he had worked his way back to where Ksunamun stood, he stopped, and mocked the beasts, to ensure that he was their focus, as Ksunamun summoned her post powerful spells, Frost Nova, and Inferno, in between which she performed Magic Burst, all of the spells coalescing in a way that devastated the creatures, and combined with Chao’s efforts with his axe, killed them all swiftly.
Once all were dead, the two picked loot from the corpses, being rewarded with leather, meat, and more useful materials. And thus was started the process they would repeat again and again for several hours.
***
As they left the Abyss, tired, and weighted down with the loot from their hunting, Ksunamun felt her thoughts wandering. She was humming to herself, without even realizing it. She didn’t notice the strange looks that others in the Forest Perimeter were giving this humming Mage, she just continued ahead, Chao following behind.
As they entered Uruga, Ksunamun adjusted her wand in her hand, before heading for the shops. Something stopped her though, a voice calling her name. She stopped. That voice, she knew it. She’d taken orders from it before.
She moved closer to Adrian, the Town’s Chief, and Chao stayed close by. “How may I help you, Adrian?” Ksunamun posed.
“You have done many great deeds, you and your companion both, and are nearing the pinnacle of power achievable by mortals on this plane. But you are not yet prepared.” Adrian said slowly. “You both must part ways and endure separate trials to prove to Teva that you are prepared to wield ultimate power, for it is a blessing from her, not given lightly.”
“Trials..?” The word died on Ksunamun’s lips.
“Aye, trials. I will send Chao on his task first, and then you on yours, Ksunamun. You have both come to feel you must be working with someone in order to achieve any aim. But you must also remember that independently you both have impressive strengths. These unique strengths have been somewhat neglected by both of you. Use these trials as a way to relearn your abilities to perform alone, for the best warriors, mages, the best of any class, should be practiced and prepared for any situation.”
“Very well.” Chao nodded solemnly, but it was obvious he wasn’t too pleased about facing any kind of trials at present. He was exhausted from the escapade in the Abyss and had wanted to relax.
“This also means,” Adrian continued, “You should be sure through the trials that you are a master of every weapon at your disposal. For Ksunamun, this is simple, the staff and the wand are not very different, and she has shown strengths with both. For you Chao, you have used the axe for a long time now, but must resume study of the two hand sword, and of sword and shield. You are an exceptional warrior, for you this should only be a matter of regaining the feel for each type of weapon.” Adrian paused, rummaging in a rucksack for a moment before withdrawing two packages. She handed one to Ksunamun, and one to Chao. “Inside these are scrolls and potions, use these wisely.”
Both nodded and quietly put the packages into their own bags, awaiting further instruction.
“Chao,” Adrian resumed, “I said I would send you to your trials first. Your journey will begin back at your birthplace, in Roumen. Meet Vietree in the marketplace. She will give you your next task. However, she will expect you to give her something. That something is a piece from every variety of creature in the places you will go through from here on your way there. The piece is not important, so long as she can identify with ease the creature it came from. Once you present her with this, you’ll receive your next instructions.” Adrian waited for Chao to not in understanding before resuming. “Go now, be on your way, and may Teva be your guide and inspiration.”
Chao reluctantly mounted his raccoon and rode through Uruga, en route towards the Scaffold Execution Ground.
***
“Ksunamun.” Adrian addressed the mage. “Your trials will also begin in Roumen. Unlike Chao, it is not your birthplace, I know, but it is still where you first arrived when you came to Isya. You are to meet the Ancient Templar there, Maria. I want you to reflect on your coming to Isya on your way there. Also, you must use your intellect to seek an object hidden in Elderine. Your clue is on here.” Adrian handed Ksunamun a tiny scroll, tied with a silken ribbon. “Open this when you reach Elderine. Once you find the object, make haste to Roumen and deliver it to Maria. She will then give you your next task. May Teva be your guide, Ksunamun, and good luck.”
Ksunamun tucked the tiny scroll into a secret pocket in her dress, and mounted her Pegasus, flying the dark creature through Uruga, deciding to take the scenic route, and go through the Dark Passage.