Post by Fen on Jun 28, 2011 22:46:34 GMT -7
Original Idea: B. Bonser
Cassia (c) C.E.P. 2010
************
Author's Note: This is possibly a one off, but it is also an introduction of two characters who have known each other in a different world than the one they currently exist in. The worlds parallel each other, and rarely cross over. Only during times of great strife and change does the veil between worlds become thin enough for such meetings to occur.
************
The Present Darkness.
The cherry blossoms drifted down from the trees in a delicate shower of pink and white. The streets were dressed in them, as if covered by the gods in a blanket of petals, they softened the hard lines and swirled about in eddies of wind. Even dirty gutters were festooned with the heraldry of Spring.
The sky was the clearest of blues, and the sun shone upon the glazed tile roof tops. Cassia sat cross legged by herself in the temple pagoda sipping a hot cup of jasmine white tea. She watched the monks quietly work in the zen garden, the sound of their rakes moving the stones and creating swirling patterns soothed her. The rocks were symbols of the universe, yet even within she felt a swirling torment that all was not well outside the confines of the monastery.
She always knew something was different about her. At a young age, she was sent to the temple to learn the ways of the monks, but as she progressed, her skill became clear that her destiny was not to be of the order, but to become a paladin. A holy warrior, bound by the oath, and sworn to protect that which was good, just, and noble. As she trained, the elder, challenged her.
Her memory of the quest still lingers, as a distant dream of another world. A world similar yet alien. A world filled with light, sound, and wonders unknown to her. She saw another world within that world, a reflection again of her own, yet so very different. She saw herself, or versions of herself within the world in a world.
She was not alone.
Her guide was known as Arnoxx.
Arnoxx took many forms, but the one he felt the most comfortable was that of the mythical dragon. In one world, he was a blue dragon with mighty wings, in another, he was a small dragon charm, and in this world. He appeared as a great golden dragon that soared above her, spinning into the sun returning to her dreams every night with a new story and the wisdom of the universe.
Her elder knew of Arnoxx, he saw the mark of the dragon upon her, and found that her chi held a special strength giving power which caused others to gather around her. The monks showed a particular increase in their stamina and power when near her. Her blade also glowed with a golden chi that extended from her body, it seemed to glow brighter and hotter when she engaged in battle, but always simmered beneath her.
**************
Vispem was under siege. The darkness was held at bay by the spells of the monks in holy scribes and seals placed upon the monastery. Yet, Cassia knew they would only last for so long. The evil that prowled the streets preying upon those careless enough to travel through them at night or through the dark areas during the day found themselves face to face with a fate far worse than death.
She continued to sit, sipping her tea.
Then, without a word she stood up and disappeared into the night.
They had smelled him from a ways off. His elven blood was a dead give away, and they had followed him for some time, staying far enough away to not be detected, but still keeping him within their sights. They were shadows, that moved, wraiths that hunted him.
He was so far from home, and now he approached *their* city. They saw him as a threat to their Master, and he had to be disposed of! They crowded upon him, as a wave of darkness, attempting to destroy him by their sheer numbers alone.
They were not prepared for him.
He cast them off, as if they were dolls, sending them howling into the abyss. Their wiry arms outstretched calling for mercy from their Mistress, and receiving none. They fell to dust around him. His blade was true, and upon his shoulder was emblazoned the holy chalice. He was a powerful match, and with a shout his body filled with a radiant light that burned them and the darkness around him.
He did not know, the Juggernaut stood before him. It was a creature called forth by the Master of Darkness. Its black cloven feet burned the ground beneath it as its bestial head howled in the black abyssal tongue of the underworld. It bore in its great hands a mighty burning sword that hummed with demonic power. It raised the blade up and charged the stranger.
The chalice on the stranger's shoulder glowed slightly as the shield of light grew brighter. He closed his eyes and appeared to be praying, as his sword glowed even brighter.
The abyssal demon swung his massive sword down, the power sparking off the shield sending a fountain of magic flying about, illuminating it's skeletal face, and small glowing orbs of light that burned brighter in the empty, hollow sockets of the skull. It tried again, and the second time, caused the shield to waver. With another impatient roar the demon smote the shield, this time it's black miasma worked into the cracks.
She saw the attack, and calling forth Arnoxx, she attacked the demon from behind.
The ranks of undead burned before her, and with her sword she cast a holy binding spell upon the monster.
The demon drew its sword up to attack but found it was bound. Unable to move, it struggled against its bindings which burned away at its essence. The demon let out another black howl this time of frustration. It struggled harder, but in the confusion only saw the blade of the stranger strike true. It felt the burn of the holy magic burn through as a poison. It roared in agony.
Cassia drew her own blade and smote the demons head off with one swing.
The demon dissolved into a black miasma that burned into nothing before the light of both paladins. Afterward, Cassia offered her hand to the stranger, and a smile. It was not common to see his kind in this city, and far more rare to see a Paladin of the Chalice.
"Welcome friend." She said warmly to him. "I am afraid our city is not as it once was, there is a great evil that is spreading like a cancer among the good people, and until we can find the source, such engagements as that which we just met with, are becoming more commonplace."
He took her hand in return, clasping it in a friendly handshake. She noticed his ears were slightly pointed, his armor was Elven, and had the distinguishing craftsmanship of the illusive Sand Elves. His blade also bore the quality of elven craftsmanship, the hilt was of gold ornately designed to fit well in the hand. Some would say for the best blades, were custom made to the swordsman, each blade was crafted and blessed with special seals and spells that made that blade unique. She knew at first glance, he was no ordinary Paladin. He gave her a short bow, and with a flourish took her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it.
Indeed, he was certainly not from around these parts.
"M'lady, I believe I owe you a debt of gratitude." He said in a quiet, yet dignified tone.
Cassia withdrew her hand, with a nervous laugh.
"Please, I am only doing my duty, which is to protect and help those in need, there is no need for such a formality." She replied, arcing her brow at him.
"At least, let me introduce myself." He replied. "My name is Arynaga Hightallow of Jannah."
Cassia stepped back and gave him a bow.
"It is not a common thing to meet one from the sand, nor for them to speak so freely to one from the outside." She replied.
He placed his hand on her shoulder, tilting his head to the side with a smile.
"Rest assured, I am not partial to the old ways."
Cassia looked up again, this time with relief. She had heard tales about the Sand Elves, none of them painted a positive picture of that culture that still clung tightly to the past and lived by a code of rules long thought forgotten. Although they were renowned for their skills with the magical arts, their strict social structure and enslavement of the Ma'Veren left a bitter aftertaste in the sweet story of their civilization.
"Please, walk with me." She replied quietly. "I know your journey has been a long one, may I offer you rest at the temple?"
Aryn nodded and walked beside her.
"Please, tell me, why have you travelled so far from your home?" She asked as they walked through the winding street toward the great temple. She saw the shadows slink away from the corner of her eye, her aura would protect them for now. She noticed he kept his hand upon the hilt of his sword, his eyes glanced around nervously. She knew he sensed the evil as well. It was only when they crossed the great gate of the temple grounds that he visibly relaxed. His gait became easier, and he let go of his sword.
"I was banished." He replied quietly.
She saw his cheeks flush slightly.
"Oh." She replied. "So, you are wandering then."
"Yes."
Cassia did not press the issue, it was clear to her that he was uncomfortable talking about it. Instead, she slid open the screen to the pagoda and waited for him to enter. There, a meal was set out on a low table along with a kettle and a cup.
"Please, eat and rest, you are among friends here." She said with a customary bow.
Then, she turned and disappeared down the hall. She spent the evening cleansing her chi, and in mediation pondering all that had happened. It was Arnoxx who spoke to her then, he told her of Arynaga. He showed her Arynaga's other lives, in the worlds within worlds, and how their destinies were intertwined. It was part of the great order of things that she met with him in this world. Arnoxx revealed Arynaga was not an ordinary Sand Elf, but one who was born from love, and cursed for it. His blood was from two noble houses, one being human, the other elven. For that, he was cast out as a abomination to both kinds, yet despite that, he chose to follow the path of light instead of being consumed by darkness.
"His path is not an easy one dearest Cassia, but you will help him achieve that potential that lies within him. A great sacrifice will be made, but in all and through all, that which is broken will be mended. That which is rendered asunder will be brought together, and those who are lost, will be found. Have faith dear one, your light grows stronger in adversity."
Cassia (c) C.E.P. 2010
************
Author's Note: This is possibly a one off, but it is also an introduction of two characters who have known each other in a different world than the one they currently exist in. The worlds parallel each other, and rarely cross over. Only during times of great strife and change does the veil between worlds become thin enough for such meetings to occur.
************
The Present Darkness.
The cherry blossoms drifted down from the trees in a delicate shower of pink and white. The streets were dressed in them, as if covered by the gods in a blanket of petals, they softened the hard lines and swirled about in eddies of wind. Even dirty gutters were festooned with the heraldry of Spring.
The sky was the clearest of blues, and the sun shone upon the glazed tile roof tops. Cassia sat cross legged by herself in the temple pagoda sipping a hot cup of jasmine white tea. She watched the monks quietly work in the zen garden, the sound of their rakes moving the stones and creating swirling patterns soothed her. The rocks were symbols of the universe, yet even within she felt a swirling torment that all was not well outside the confines of the monastery.
She always knew something was different about her. At a young age, she was sent to the temple to learn the ways of the monks, but as she progressed, her skill became clear that her destiny was not to be of the order, but to become a paladin. A holy warrior, bound by the oath, and sworn to protect that which was good, just, and noble. As she trained, the elder, challenged her.
Her memory of the quest still lingers, as a distant dream of another world. A world similar yet alien. A world filled with light, sound, and wonders unknown to her. She saw another world within that world, a reflection again of her own, yet so very different. She saw herself, or versions of herself within the world in a world.
She was not alone.
Her guide was known as Arnoxx.
Arnoxx took many forms, but the one he felt the most comfortable was that of the mythical dragon. In one world, he was a blue dragon with mighty wings, in another, he was a small dragon charm, and in this world. He appeared as a great golden dragon that soared above her, spinning into the sun returning to her dreams every night with a new story and the wisdom of the universe.
Her elder knew of Arnoxx, he saw the mark of the dragon upon her, and found that her chi held a special strength giving power which caused others to gather around her. The monks showed a particular increase in their stamina and power when near her. Her blade also glowed with a golden chi that extended from her body, it seemed to glow brighter and hotter when she engaged in battle, but always simmered beneath her.
**************
Vispem was under siege. The darkness was held at bay by the spells of the monks in holy scribes and seals placed upon the monastery. Yet, Cassia knew they would only last for so long. The evil that prowled the streets preying upon those careless enough to travel through them at night or through the dark areas during the day found themselves face to face with a fate far worse than death.
She continued to sit, sipping her tea.
Then, without a word she stood up and disappeared into the night.
They had smelled him from a ways off. His elven blood was a dead give away, and they had followed him for some time, staying far enough away to not be detected, but still keeping him within their sights. They were shadows, that moved, wraiths that hunted him.
He was so far from home, and now he approached *their* city. They saw him as a threat to their Master, and he had to be disposed of! They crowded upon him, as a wave of darkness, attempting to destroy him by their sheer numbers alone.
They were not prepared for him.
He cast them off, as if they were dolls, sending them howling into the abyss. Their wiry arms outstretched calling for mercy from their Mistress, and receiving none. They fell to dust around him. His blade was true, and upon his shoulder was emblazoned the holy chalice. He was a powerful match, and with a shout his body filled with a radiant light that burned them and the darkness around him.
He did not know, the Juggernaut stood before him. It was a creature called forth by the Master of Darkness. Its black cloven feet burned the ground beneath it as its bestial head howled in the black abyssal tongue of the underworld. It bore in its great hands a mighty burning sword that hummed with demonic power. It raised the blade up and charged the stranger.
The chalice on the stranger's shoulder glowed slightly as the shield of light grew brighter. He closed his eyes and appeared to be praying, as his sword glowed even brighter.
The abyssal demon swung his massive sword down, the power sparking off the shield sending a fountain of magic flying about, illuminating it's skeletal face, and small glowing orbs of light that burned brighter in the empty, hollow sockets of the skull. It tried again, and the second time, caused the shield to waver. With another impatient roar the demon smote the shield, this time it's black miasma worked into the cracks.
She saw the attack, and calling forth Arnoxx, she attacked the demon from behind.
The ranks of undead burned before her, and with her sword she cast a holy binding spell upon the monster.
The demon drew its sword up to attack but found it was bound. Unable to move, it struggled against its bindings which burned away at its essence. The demon let out another black howl this time of frustration. It struggled harder, but in the confusion only saw the blade of the stranger strike true. It felt the burn of the holy magic burn through as a poison. It roared in agony.
Cassia drew her own blade and smote the demons head off with one swing.
The demon dissolved into a black miasma that burned into nothing before the light of both paladins. Afterward, Cassia offered her hand to the stranger, and a smile. It was not common to see his kind in this city, and far more rare to see a Paladin of the Chalice.
"Welcome friend." She said warmly to him. "I am afraid our city is not as it once was, there is a great evil that is spreading like a cancer among the good people, and until we can find the source, such engagements as that which we just met with, are becoming more commonplace."
He took her hand in return, clasping it in a friendly handshake. She noticed his ears were slightly pointed, his armor was Elven, and had the distinguishing craftsmanship of the illusive Sand Elves. His blade also bore the quality of elven craftsmanship, the hilt was of gold ornately designed to fit well in the hand. Some would say for the best blades, were custom made to the swordsman, each blade was crafted and blessed with special seals and spells that made that blade unique. She knew at first glance, he was no ordinary Paladin. He gave her a short bow, and with a flourish took her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it.
Indeed, he was certainly not from around these parts.
"M'lady, I believe I owe you a debt of gratitude." He said in a quiet, yet dignified tone.
Cassia withdrew her hand, with a nervous laugh.
"Please, I am only doing my duty, which is to protect and help those in need, there is no need for such a formality." She replied, arcing her brow at him.
"At least, let me introduce myself." He replied. "My name is Arynaga Hightallow of Jannah."
Cassia stepped back and gave him a bow.
"It is not a common thing to meet one from the sand, nor for them to speak so freely to one from the outside." She replied.
He placed his hand on her shoulder, tilting his head to the side with a smile.
"Rest assured, I am not partial to the old ways."
Cassia looked up again, this time with relief. She had heard tales about the Sand Elves, none of them painted a positive picture of that culture that still clung tightly to the past and lived by a code of rules long thought forgotten. Although they were renowned for their skills with the magical arts, their strict social structure and enslavement of the Ma'Veren left a bitter aftertaste in the sweet story of their civilization.
"Please, walk with me." She replied quietly. "I know your journey has been a long one, may I offer you rest at the temple?"
Aryn nodded and walked beside her.
"Please, tell me, why have you travelled so far from your home?" She asked as they walked through the winding street toward the great temple. She saw the shadows slink away from the corner of her eye, her aura would protect them for now. She noticed he kept his hand upon the hilt of his sword, his eyes glanced around nervously. She knew he sensed the evil as well. It was only when they crossed the great gate of the temple grounds that he visibly relaxed. His gait became easier, and he let go of his sword.
"I was banished." He replied quietly.
She saw his cheeks flush slightly.
"Oh." She replied. "So, you are wandering then."
"Yes."
Cassia did not press the issue, it was clear to her that he was uncomfortable talking about it. Instead, she slid open the screen to the pagoda and waited for him to enter. There, a meal was set out on a low table along with a kettle and a cup.
"Please, eat and rest, you are among friends here." She said with a customary bow.
Then, she turned and disappeared down the hall. She spent the evening cleansing her chi, and in mediation pondering all that had happened. It was Arnoxx who spoke to her then, he told her of Arynaga. He showed her Arynaga's other lives, in the worlds within worlds, and how their destinies were intertwined. It was part of the great order of things that she met with him in this world. Arnoxx revealed Arynaga was not an ordinary Sand Elf, but one who was born from love, and cursed for it. His blood was from two noble houses, one being human, the other elven. For that, he was cast out as a abomination to both kinds, yet despite that, he chose to follow the path of light instead of being consumed by darkness.
"His path is not an easy one dearest Cassia, but you will help him achieve that potential that lies within him. A great sacrifice will be made, but in all and through all, that which is broken will be mended. That which is rendered asunder will be brought together, and those who are lost, will be found. Have faith dear one, your light grows stronger in adversity."