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Post by Arual on Apr 16, 2008 18:32:28 GMT -5
Now healthy again, the teenage ninja, Cecil practices his training in the Dry Ocean. Why, you may ask? Well, because its the most hottest place to be in the TMA world; and tolerance to temperature changes, training in the heat like that; well, it might just help him along the road until the day finally comes when.... Heh, let's not focus on that, hm? So, he trained his hardest, doing all he could to get back to the level he was at one time....and then surpass it by a long shot. That was his goal now. Nothing else.
It was midday, and the heat at its worst. Thank God for sunscreen, right? His black spiky hair blew as he worked on perfecting three new techniques, rebuild his endurance and stamina, as well as get a good few practice rounds in before heading inside the school again. "Almost there...." he said as his teeth gridded together trying to hold on to the powerful energy accumulated in the palm of his hand. The boy's crimson orbs weld up with the reflection of the energy in front of him. When it finally gave out- he rested his arm; putting it back to his side. He was working so hard to get back to his original strength....so very very hard. Was it paying off? Who knew.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Apr 16, 2008 18:44:21 GMT -5
Zet sat on a rock in a somewhat stiff manner, the warm air against his black face like he had just opened a furnace door, tickling his ears. He had little worry for the sun; he had not been underground in years. Even a drow's low sun exposure could be built with time. Despite that, the dark elf's eyes were bound by a red strip of cloth, because the sun was still an agony to him. He could still see through the cloth, the light was surely bright enough, and every now and then he glanced up at Cecil's training.
He was Cecil's teacher, after all, and such was proper. Zet was very much for the duties and stern proprieties of life, which could explain why he was wearing a foreign looking military jacket and long pants even in this weather.
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Post by Arual on Apr 16, 2008 18:51:08 GMT -5
Cecil was sweating from the heat, and took a seat on the ground before grabbing some water. Even if he had a very strict and nonstop work method- in this place...you needed to stop for a drink every so often.
A person clothed in all black flickered next to Zet; not one lick of skin showing at all. It was an odd clothing choice- but then again, they were uniforms. "Zet," it said in a hushed voice- so Cecil wouldn't hear, "I have bad news to give, but it must stay with you alone."
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Apr 16, 2008 18:55:56 GMT -5
Zet's head tilted to look at the man, though with the blindfold it was impossible to see where his eyes were looking. The visible part of his face was impassive, no emotion showing through, if he indeed had any at all.
"I hear," he said.
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Post by Arual on Apr 16, 2008 19:01:18 GMT -5
"About three months ago, we had gotten reports on some high end murders- some mass- others not. It was odd at first, but since there isn't a place you can really have no bloodshed anymore, we set it aside. But lately the sprees have been increased, and we looked into it more," the guard said, the voice a man's. "It's the work of Darishan Lar'athiyk, a formerly missing student.......and Dali Shan. I hope you can see the issues this information causes if exposed to Cecil; and I warn you that it will be a few months before they reach the school. However, they will be here within the next three months. Prepare the boy Zet, with anything and everything he may need when they do get here. They'll be looking for him." And then, he vanished in the blink of an eye- the voice still hushed in the desert winds.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Apr 16, 2008 19:21:19 GMT -5
Dali Shan... also a former student, though maybe the man did not know. Zet had been his teacher once, and now he had also been assigned to his brother. A Twilight Moon Academy teacher had many duties, but the most important one was to make sure their student did not go astray, and to correct them if they did. An innocent line on paper, but the true meaning was much uglier.
He had attempted to kill Dali Shan, to correct his lost student in the most final way when all others failed. Dali had resisted death, and almost delivered it unto him. The young man held only murder in his heart. Darishan had left recently, but the boy had great potential, even if he had somehow been unable to see it. Dangerous business, an ugly business. Cecil...
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Post by Arual on Apr 16, 2008 19:39:50 GMT -5
Cecil stood up again, and started charging up in an unusual way then normally done by this ninja. His crimson orbs lit brightly like he would for seeing in the dark and attacking-or just plain seeing. Suddenly, a burst of energy blew out in a orange tinge; and yet, there was something about that gigantic blow of power that was a total turn around for Cecil. It was a stronger wave of power then Dali had ever possessed in his TMA days even- or possibly....even now. Cecil didn't even need to work hard to produce it...but such a burst for the very first time was hard to control if at all. His ebony spikes blew back to the skull which made up his face, his right arm tightly clutching the left to keep his arm still. But, just as fast as it spurted- Cecil had gotten full control of it.
Could the boy really be more powerful then his older brother? Is it possible....after so many long years of killer training and hard work......that the man even his Master Teacher could not defeat is weaker then his younger sibling?
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Apr 16, 2008 20:02:32 GMT -5
The grainy wood of doorframe was slick under his pale fingers, bleeding a red stain that clung to his skin as he released it. Blood had a sweet smell that made one want to empty one's stomach, invigorating and noxious, live and corruption. The dead lay at the corner, a young woman and her brother, younger still. It was their blood that had splashed the walls and weeped across the floor in a steady drain. Darishan's barely colored eyes were almost as lifeless as they.
He wordlessly withdrew from the house and walked down the musty street, his staff vibrating with spiritual energy as he moved. He felt no sorrow for their deaths; in killing he was content. As far as the analysis went, it would not be overstating to say he might even find joy from it.
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Post by Arual on Apr 16, 2008 20:18:33 GMT -5
Dali Shan, much more experienced in this practice, had not a spec of blood on his clothes; besides the fact he had different ways then physical harm to kill as a ninja. The skilled young man was not far in the distance from Darishan, and there were more then just two dead around him....more like thirty plus. His dark black colored eyes with a seal of crimson overcoat shimmered in what was left of the sunlight in the form of a winter glazed sun you see beneath a filmy gray of winter clouds, only; this time it was the clouds and black smoke from the houses and some small fires. He looked quite calm, like Ronove at home with a book (well at one time at least); and his body stood still as the venomous winds whipped at them all- dead and alive. Redish black wetness thought to be a consistency of mixed blood ran everywhere. Dali turned his gaze when Darishan got closer and raised an eyebrow. "You seem to be enjoying this now, don't you?" he mused, making more of a statement then anything within his mind. "Let's return back if you're finished." he said to Darishan when he came close enough.
Cecil made a new discovery....and made the power return inside his body. When all settled again, he looked at Zet. "Zet, what was that person here for?" he asked curiously. He went into some more practice skills before anything terribly complicated.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on May 5, 2008 21:00:45 GMT -5
Darishan turned, addressing two bedraggled figures of the undead. Their mouths gaped to form apertures that no human could manage, and their skin seemed to be stretched over old bone. "Consume them," he commanded tonelessly, and the abominations needed no further urgings. Sickening sounds left the nearby house in sharp snaps and snarls. Dutifully the necromancer poked his fingers into his mouth and sucked the blood from them. It was simply for a connection with the dead, nothing more. The dry wind made no sound as he moved to join Dali; it only moved cold tendrils about him carelessly. He spared a scarce nod for Dali Shan, who had, admittedly, brought him into neutrality once again.
"A necromancer should be surrounded only by the dead."
Zet inclined his head to Cecil formally. "He delivered a message," the dark elf said. "Apparently your brother and Darishan may come this way in a few months. You should prepare for it, and I will assist you where I can in doing so." No, Zet was never one to beat around the bush.
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Post by Arual on May 6, 2008 14:47:19 GMT -5
Cecil stopped what he was doing and looked at the ground; an expression of anger, confusion and rage bubbled now, and it wasn't just from the news itself. Darishan had broken the one promise they had ever made.....but was Darishan lying their whole time together? If not, then he must of had a good reason, right? Yes, that must have been the reason. Dali could have brainwashed him or- no! Darishan would not be easily fooled or defeated. That's at least the what he would say about the old Darishan. The teen's fists clenched, his neck strained from the pull he was putting on it watching the sand blow around his feet in tiny waves. "It's too soon! I expected him to come- but, now?" he thought to himself deeply. When Cecil lifted his head again, he took a deep breath to keep his arenaline and anger supressed a good deal. "Thank you," he told his teacher in a voice that showed he was still trying to take all that information in and think of what he do when it DID come time to reface Darishan. "Whether it's by school orders...or whatever it may be....Thanks. I know I'm not your 'brightest' student as far as common sense goes.....but I know I can't do this alone." A pause set it. "But I'll do whatever it is you tell me...if it helps."
Dali Shan didn't even nod; but through his distant eyes you could see he cataloged it for a later time. He started walking through the dust and flames around the path he wiped clear of fire for them both to pass. Cecil. Hm....he wondered how that little brother of his was doing. Well, he'd find out very soon if anything.
((http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hPg5VPWpHQ&feature=related))
Suddenly in the desert next to them all, was a young woman of her young forties. She must of been sweltering in this weather- with that dress on. "Perhaps I may help in your teaching as well, young man." she said before bowing. She looked at Zet, not surprised at all after coming to this school for a short time, and then to Cecil again. After all, you do see many things here at TMA. "It may not be much, but perhaps- after what I had heard by a few people- you may be able to incorporate it into your self-defense." She had eyes a beautiful and unnamed shade of blue, her black hair pulled tightly away from her face and onto the back of her head. "My name is Manami," she added in her thick Japanese accent, though understandable to a point.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on May 11, 2008 22:43:34 GMT -5
"You are my brightest student in an uncommon sense, I think," the drow responded. Cecil was his brightest student in his heart, and, in a slight pun, color of skin. Most of Zet's students across his teaching history were drow, with the exceptions of Dali and Sirune. And all of them, except Cecil, had forsaken morals for something they considered more. By the time they learned that there was no secure station on the lofty pinnacles of power, Zet was no longer their teacher... if they ever even learned at all. The dark elf removed his dark crimson blindfold and set it down beside him; the world turned into a mosaic of light. The shine of the unrelenting, arid sun became rusted pikes that were driven deep into his head. His predatory yellow irises gave him a fierce, wild look despite his deadpan calm, but Cecil deserved to hear what he would say with no obstructions, a face to face talk. "Cecil, you know how to train and fight. The only thing I can give you now is advice, but what I'm going to tell you is not something easily learned. Betrayal is a common thing of this world. Perhaps did not know Darishan and Dali as well as you had thought, or maybe there are circumstances you still do not know that had affected them. Deception is an ever-growing darkness. Whatever the case, it is imperative that you enter that battle calm and sure of your intentions. Do not let any words they say goad you, and do not waver on past memories and events. There is a large difference between fighting to win and fighting to kill. If you do not fight to kill, to murder, in this struggle for life, you will perish. "Cecil, you are a passionate person, but passion kills in these fights. Many of my more honorable friends are now among the dead because they could not see that. For this at least, you must abandon your naivete and become as cold as they," the dark elf finished flatly, and his words all the more intense because of it. The truth stung sharper and delved deeper than any sword, but Zet was not one to withhold it. With a quiet dignity he retied his blindfold, wordlessly greeting the newcomer with a raised hand.
(Arg, I lost all of this the first time I tried to post it. Can you imagine having to try to remake all of this again? I think I got it pretty close though, if not quite as good as the first version. Life lesson: Always hit 'ctrl+a' and 'ctrl+c' before posting.)
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Post by Arual on May 12, 2008 14:58:43 GMT -5
Cecil took the words seriously, though his heart had made it seem like his lungs collapsed right then and there. They had indeed struck further than any sword or blade made by man- or by the God of the universe. His hand gripped at his heart tightly, slowly letting go of all of which he held close.....and let them all burn in the hellish pits inside his mind. Slowly.....slowly....slowly they went, then came in one last flash. The boy nodded a few times, assuring himself that it was done, over, finished. Cecil knew it was true, and he had told himself Zet's advice in so many ways so many times; but refused to believe it altoghter. "I'll do my best." he managed to get out in response. When the woman came, and her voice echoed, Cecil lifted his head from the sandy earth's observations. He knew that face! Where? Where was it from? "Do I know you, Ma'm?" he asked in that still half trembling and collected (heartless) tone. "I would not expect you to, young Cecil." she said in return, "You were nothing but a toddler since you last saw me.....I am your aunt; your father's sister, to be more precise." Those blue eyes were gentle behind this joyous mask. "M-My father's sister? I thought they were all dead...." he was confused. "Yes, but it was a lie. Sadly, my oldest brother had a cruel heart; and had much held against me. That kept me from knowing about what happened to you and your mother and brother. I would have come to care for you, but I was too far away to get the news." Manami told him simply, with a sadness in her tone. "But it is over- and here we both are. I see you are in very good hands, Cecil, and that relieves my mind. However, my support is yours to take, along with some assistance if you need any." Cecil looked at Zet with a 'Well, I tried, but this doesn't help me. It's adding fuel to the fire.' "I'm sorry about that too. It's all true what you say, I know that.....and I thank you for your words but....why are you here out of the blue?" "I finally saved enough money to come here from Japan. There was a long war, and money- like all else, was not much. I was hoping that even if you do not need my help, that we could spend some time getting reaquainted. I feel very guilty about it all." Manami's hands had been hidden under her sleeves and the flower behind her ear blew violently, but unmoved from its place as she stood with her nephew and his teacher. "It would be nice, though I am not so sure I'll have much time to spend, or when I can. But I would like it in any event." Cecil said nodded. Family again......lost and forgotten family.....So they were not all blaming him....they weren't all against him. There had been much more problems in between the ages since the horrific incodent. He looked at Zet once more. "Are we done for today?"
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on May 12, 2008 20:44:48 GMT -5
He inclined his head thoughtfully. "Learn what you can from her, but having family over is a rare occasion. I would savor it."
In all likelihood they would not be able to help Cecil-- the teachers, that was. He had no illusions of pride, but in the end it always seemed to fall onto an evenly matched battle. Perhaps Cecil would find a partner before it was too late.
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Post by Arual on May 12, 2008 21:02:13 GMT -5
"Darishan," Dali said with a eerie calm, ".....We have one more place to go; but you won't be reminiscing with your old friends when we get there...." He sat in a room with only two total windows and a door as far as the angle he was in could be shown. "We'll start our way to Twilight Moon tomorrow."
Cecil nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Zet." he said walking over to his aunt. There was silence between them for a while....but then Manami hugged her nephew, trying to make up for lost time. "I am so glad you are safe, Cecil. I was scared you were residing with your mother." She brought herself down to tears. "So how about you and I take a walk and you can tell me all about what happened.....I do not know every detail. I only heard that the village shunned you...no more." "Well...." he began as they walked away, to tell some of his story to Manami. Her arm around his back, and he did not mind it. He felt peace, actually.
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