The Journey To Power (Started!)

Primo / A balcony overlooking the city

From the balcony overlooking the dark spires of my city, I watched the bustle, leaning on the banister, my robe whipping in all directions. The full moon cast a baleful light over the streets, the lamposts barely compensating. I breathed in deeply behind my mask, taking in the scents. Casually, I took a swig from my flask, the blood staining my lips ruby red. I spat. Stale... I'll have to replenish my stocks sometimes soon.
"You summoned me, brother?" I recongized the bored, slightly impatient voice instantly.
"Indeed," I replied, without turning. "The missing child, the one that can control the elements... he or she will be instrumental to our kingdom's victory. We must find the boy. You are the most powerful warrior in this kingdom. Nobody else matches your prowess in battle... you are the most ideally suited to find the child. For the good of our kingdom. What say you?"

Leo - At the gate of the Emerald Kingdom next to Alex

"Get out of here Leo!" my mom shouted. I turned to run just as the gun went off, killing her. She fell next to my dad, who was already dead. The killer looked at me, and something inside me snapped. A flow of power burned inside me.

I screamed. Blood exploded from my parents, forming a katana and a scythe. Gripping each in a hand, I attacked my parent's killers, in pure rage. The killer was shocked before I decapitated him. I turned and fled.

I looked at my friend Alex. We've known each other for years.

"Are you ready?" I ask.

Elethea Elders, Aquamarine Kingdom

I wrap up the last package of herbs and place it carefully in my pack. My quiver is filled with arrows perfectly fletched and my bow is well-oiled. Quaratha himself spent a day working on my dagger, which is now in a specially thickened sheath, so that the razor edge can not cut me.

I purse my lips as I add the gifts my friends gave me. Flash powder from Senn, coco-wafers from Hiera, a purifying water-flask from Tyran and several other objects, many of them weapons. They know what I am up against.

I have not met my partner before. I have only seen her once at the ceremony, and we did not speak. I am somewhat apprehensive. I shall be joining her soon, and we shall set out together on our quest.

Nuru Aquamarines

This was some kind of horrible joke. First I was choosen to search for the missing child and second my staff was stolen just moments before I was announced one the representatives to search for our fellow missing child. It wasn't like I didn't like being placed in such an honourable position. I did, but what if I messed up? I wasn't the best choice for this. Maybe my partner was smeone crazy strong with incredible abilities. How would I look compared to her?
I sighed trying to let go of those thought that rampaged in my mind. I sat on a hill that looked out towards the grassy plains. Behind me was my town. I was to set out with my partner if she arrived on time, if not we would meat somewhere along the way...at least thats what I think the king told us. I wasn't paying much attention as he gave us instructions during the ceremony. Hopefully my partner would come early and maybe she could tell me what he said.
I wondered how she would look like. I didn't see her at the ceremony, and if I did I didn't know it was her. It was getting late. Maybe I was at the wrong venue.

Alex~Emerald|City gates

I look around me taking in the new scenery. I had rarely been out of my section of the city. The walls surrounding the city are covered in mould and the ground beneath our feet is soggy and hard to walk on. I turn to face Leo.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say confidently. I don’t exactly know what we were going to face but this was an opportunity I would never miss out on. Leo takes a step forward and his boot sinks deeply into the mud. He groans and starts trudging slowly along. Each time he lifts his foot, a sucking sound comes from the ground and when he puts his foot down a squishing sound follows the action. This time I groan. This will take for ever to get where we’re going. I hoist my backpack into place on my back and place my long dagger into it’s sheath at my side. I take a step and my boot sinks too. I can tell this will be a long journey. At least I’m not stuck with a complete stranger. I get to travel with one of my best friends and that makes a world of difference.

Spoiler

So dumb, I posted right after Pixie! Why didn't it show up? *sniff*)

Firego Resai/ In front of palace

The king called my name, and I glanced up surprised. For just a second the shock registered on my face, then I shrugged and smiled. "What do ya know? I've been chosen! We'll find the missing child before you even know we left!" A wave cascaded back as the crowd turned to face me. I smiled and waved, then stalked through the opening they made for me. Everyone returned my smile, though I wondered whether some were simply smiling at the fact that I was leaving.

"Do you think we can do it?" Ange whispered as we stood before the king. I nodded, glancing at her. I didn't know her very well, but then again I didn't know most people very well. I didn't much like to get past superficial.

The King began talking, giving us advice and instructions. I wasn't sure what he was saying, but before long he handed each of us a sword and motioned to an elegant looking vessel near the dock. I gasped, amazed that he would let us take the pride of the City. Angel also stood surprised, but she recovered quickly and ended up leading me to the boat.

"We leave tomorrow morning?" She asked.
"We may as well leave today, if it's all the same to you? I just want to get some stuff together first."

Elyk / Balcony Overlooking the City

I silently step onto the balcony, finding Primo leaning against the banister. Sighing, I make my presence known.

"You summoned me, brother?" I ask, bored and impatient.

"Indeed," He replies without turning. "The missing child, the one that can control the elements... he or she will be instrumental to our kingdom's victory. We must find the boy. You are the most powerful warrior in this kingdom. Nobody else matches your prowess in battle... you are the most ideally suited to find the child. For the good of our kingdom. What say you?"

I think about it, walking to his side and glancing out into the city.

"I did not believe you thought so highly of me, brother," I focus on the spires, "But there is nothing better for me to do. Should I leave at once?"

Ange~Topaz|Beach
“We leave tomorrow morning?” I ask but immediately regret it. Firego looks at me oddly.
“We may as well leave today, if it's all the same to you? I just want to get some stuff together first.” I nod blushing. Of course he won’t want to wait. So much happened since this morning. I got up early and went to the castle with my friends to line up for the obligatory meeting we had to attend weekly. After our hands were stamped with our number we took our places in court. Only the older teens were obligated to attend the King’s address.
“After reviewing all of your profiles, histories, and abilities,” the King had said. “We have picked the two young persons who would best be able to go looking for the Missing Child and bring her back safely.” Every year we had to write a profile about ourselves for the court council. They needed it to be able to pick us for different missions, jobs, etc. Those of us in the combat sect were picked more often than those in the science sect for instance.
“Number 43 and number 78, you two are who the council has picked for this mission.” My head flew up and I checked the stamp on my hand. Number 43. I stood up and made my way to the front, glancing back at my friends quickly before striking a confident pose and taking my place kneeling before the King.
“Number 78? Um… Firego Resai, please present yourself,” said the King. I look around trying to find the person he said. I blonde guy shoots from his seat and walks briskly to kneel beside me. I looked at him trying to take in all I could. I think I had met him once before. After giving us his blessing, the King sent us out without so much as an extra set of clothes to face the unforeseen and dangerous future we would soon behold.
“Ange!” My head shoots up and I look Firego in the eye. “I spoke to you three times!” He sounds exasperated.
“Um sorry,” I say. “I was just thinking…”
“Yeah well let’s go. Go to your home and get whatever you need. We’ll meet back here in exactly one hour OK?”
“Sure,” I say turning and making my way to my village block. I meet up with two of my friends and give them a tender goodbye. Reaching my house I pick up my backpack and fill it with all the things I could possibly need. I put the book that I’m halfway through in but then take it out. It’s too heavy and bulky to take. I guess I won’t know for a while what happens to the protagonist… After giving a shaky goodbye to my neighbors, I head out to meet up with Firego. Who knows what we’ll encounter on our journey? At least I'm not leaving behind a family like he might be...

Primo / The same balcony as before


Elyk stepped up next to me, joining me in my contemplation of the city.
"Now, don't get too arrogant," I admonished, half-smiling. "But yes, you are indeed powerful. I recommend haste. The sooner we find the child, the better for our people. Head for the grasslands. Bring a platoon."
Elyk nodded and left, cape flapping in the breeze.
Hmm... my brother was indeed as powerful as I made him out to be, that was for sure. However, he lacked certain qualities that I possessed, namely finesse and subtlety, which I was sure would come in handy in the next few months. Time for the Bane of Sanctity to taste blood once again. And speaking of tasting blood...
I too left, hurrying down the spiral stairs, past portraits and antique suits of armor, gas lights guttering ominously. I really needed to replace those sometimes soon.
However, at the end of the hall, I halted under a huge portrait of my dad. It showed the demon he was slaughtering the innocent. The title was 'Darkness Rising'. It had always made me uncomfortable looking at it. To know your father was so hated yet so powerful... I shook my head. This was no time for idle thoughts... I was hungry.
Quickly, I walked forward, trailing my fingers along the hallway, until I reached the Grand Hall, where my 'date' was waiting. Katherine. She sat at one of the chairs by the mahogany dinner table, the chandeliers illuminating her alabaster dress and reflected in her aquamarine eyes. I had picked my next meal well... she was around my age, pretty, pale-skinned and blond, how I liked them, but had no family connections and a history as a whore. I was sure nobody would miss her.
I strode forward, smiling, and clasped her hand, kissing it lightly. I inhaled deeply. Oh yes. This was going to be tasty.
"You are more beautiful each time I see you," I said. Cheesy, I knew, but I had the voice to pull it off. Plus, with so much wealth glittering around her, I was confident she'd pay the least attention to what I said.
Katherine giggled flirtatiously. "Your mansion is amazing," she gushed, enthusiastically. My manservants had just given her a tour of the place. "I love your sauna."
I waved a hand airly. "We may be in the midst of troubled times, but nothing can deprive us of a few truly sophisticated amenities."
"How poetic," Katherine breathed. Staring into her aristocratic face, those ruby red lips, I could contain myself no longer.
"You shall have the great privilege of beholding me without my mask," I said, flipping back my hood.
"Oh yes," Katherine said, eagerly.
"Come closer."

From a corner in the room, a servant watched the girl collapse, a red stain blossoming from her chest and spreading rapidly. Impassive, he observed his master kneel, and almost solemnly cut away the top part of her dress. He cupped his hands in the gaping wound and drank greedily, refilling his flask. Yet another victim had fallen into Primo's clutches. The servant didn't mind. He was paid far more than what allowed him to protest.
Humming a funeral dirge, he moved away from the room.

Spoiler

Sorry for the longish post, and I apologize for the person shift all of a sudden. Is it okay if I occasionally do that, Pix? I thought it best if I didn't get too graphic.

Rayah~ Diamond | Mountains

Era and I set up a small yet comfortable camp on the side on one of the mountians. I gathered some wood from the mountain from a long time ago when the war was still going on. The wood might be wet but we could deal.

I threw it down on the stone ground and lit them on fire, hearing a sizzling sound from the meeting of the wet and hot. I made the wood dry and it made exellent for fires. Once that was dealt with, I slipped my jacket off and covered my bow and arrow with it.

"What are you doing?" Era asks, warming her hands.

I shrug, "If anyone comes, or if they get past your wall, then they might try to take our weapons. I want to hide them." I said, sliding my dagger underneath also.

She raises an eyebrow, "But they wont."

I flash a weak smile, "Just want to be careful."

I took and exess peice of wood from my side and started carving it into a spear with my knife for fun.

Firego

I reach the boat before Ange, and start setting up and seeing what all we have. The journey will most likely be long, so I want to be sure we aren't missing anything vital. I sigh, glancing at the mismatched haphazard houses that line the horizon. It was beautiful in its own way, though messy and splattered at the same time. Palm trees were stuck here and there, and down the coast the sand stretched out.

Ange appeared smiling, and I helped her lift up her bag. She climbed into the boat and took a deep breath. "Do you know a lot about boats?" I ask. She nods.
"Everyone here knows about boats."

"True. Ah, soon we'll be in the best place, with the endless ocean beneath us and the vast sky above us. Not to mention the salty air and the feeling of the wind. Even if we don't find the missing kid, I wouldn't mind living here forever.

"We will find him," Ange replies, and then we're off. I see the city grow further and further away and sit with my biggest smile pasted on my face.

Nuru: Just outside of her town
Sigh I knew it I was at the wrong place. It was already sunset and she didn't show up. My palm slaps my forehead,
" Dang! Why didn't I pay attention earlier?" I ask outload then blushed as I realized it was crazy for a person to talk to themselves. I go back into town and practically drag my feet around woundering what to do. Common Nuru think! I thought.
" Ugh! What am I going to do?" Again I asked out loud. I quickly clapped my hand on my mouth as heads turned my direction. I could have asked one of those men around me for help, but the way they looked at me screamed: " Get outta here girlie"
The sun had finally set and even less -friendlier faces crept out. It started to make me feel uncomfortable so I picked up my feet and began to briskly walk trying hard to ignore the killer glares turned my way. What was with these people? You'd think they never saw a girl walking out at night alone before.
Call me crazy, but it felt like I was being stalked. I was probably just being paranoid again. I was about to break out into a run when I saw it...at least I think I saw it. The top part of my staff, that was stolen from me earlier, stood out in a crowdy road. There must have been a bar there, it would explain the reason why there where some people passed out on the ground, another two looked like they took there fight outside and the rest were shouting incorrigible words. One drunk man came up to me,
"Wah you doin out here alone? Fine lady-Hick- like you?" at least thats what I think he said, it sounded more like,
" Wah ou doo her lone? fi lay -hick- lik ou." Then he reached out and put an arm around me. I pulled away and quickly walked into the bar to find that staff.
The place was a mad house, apparently someone lost a bet and the others were stripping him of all riches. I shook my head. The guy I was looking for dissapeared. Some guys kept coming up to me but I found it easier to lie to get them to back off,
" I'm happily married." I would say. Then the bartender offered me a drink and put it right infront of me insisting I drink.
"There you are!" A voice booms behind me and I feel someones arm on my shoulder. I turned around to see my partner. I smiled brightly until I reanalized the situation I was in,
" I didn't come here to-" I started.
" I can't beleive you would go to a bar at this time when we're suppose to be on our way! " I could have sworn that I saw steam jeting out from her ears like a kettle. She grapped my arm and dragged me out. I guess now I knew who was following me and I didn't imagine it.

Celes Typoon - On the Beach

As sunny and as comfortable as it was, I was getting bored out of my mind. I layed there coming from not to far down the road, I had stabbed Rebellion into the sands and left my guns in there hoster's. I was thinking of taking on a serphant until my thought's returned to my home, and how dearly I missed it despite the fact that mom and dad tried to trade me off to some other kingdom. I was bored and alone, no one else at my side, I see a boat out at sea and think it could provide some practice for my water power's. I curl my right hand into a fist and move it behind me then thrust-ed forward and attacked the boat with a mighty war shock wave. Water spikes up as it goes forward destroying the boat and hopefully killing whoever was on it. I grabbed Rebellion and rolled it up with a bread roll, and soon I was off in a random direction. I had no intent of going home or being captured, I have grown from royalty to a bounty hunter type look. I was happy for it don't get me wrong, it did help me get though the Emerald Swamp guards without any trouble. Maybe I could cause a war between the kingdom's it'd be tricky to do but possible.

Era ~ Diamond | Mountains

Me and Rayah take sleeping shifts throughout the night. Like I suspected, nothing tried to come through the wall. When the sun first peeked over the summits, we put camp up and started back on tracking.

"So where should we look first?" she says after a good half hour of silent walking.

I think for a minute.

"If the child was young when it ran away. It would go for the path of least resistance. So it would have gone down hill. Assuming that it has gotten smarter, it would have gone upward. But I guess it would be easier for us to start up here in the mountains and work our way down." I say.

"That sounds like a plan." Rayah says, flashing a smile.

Elethea Elders, Aquamarine Kingdom

"You're the Nuru girl, aren't you?" I spat, shifting my grip to her ear as we struggled to get through the crowd. "Look at the bloody mess you've made! Now we're late! Didn't you listen? I expected better from you!"

It felt strange to chastise an eighteen-year-old. She whimpered as I jerked her ear. "Look, I didn't mean to-- please let go of my ear, you're hurting me!"
I ignored her pleas. "You realise we'll be walking through the night, now? Why did I get you as a partner?" I finally released her and sent her stumbling in front of me.
"Now you stay right in front of me, understand?"

"One of those men back in the bar stole my staff! I have to get it back!"
"That is your problem, not mine, and I will not allow it to corrupt our mission!"
A large man blocked our way. "Late night out for you ladies," he leered.
I gave a winning smile and slid a hand up his chest and onto his shoulder. Before he could react, I stuck a long pin into his neck and gave it a vicious twist. I was in a bad mood tonight. The man's eyes crossed and he collapsed to the ground with a dull thud.

"Let's move," I hissed, grabbing Nuru's arm and leaping over the body. "We need to get out of here fast." I dragged Nuru onto a flat roof. "The Thieves' Road?" she exclaimed. But I was already running, streaking over the gaps between buildings, skirting chimney stacks. She followed and soon we reached the Wall. I leaped lightly onto it and dropped down to the ground, adding a few rolls and picking up my pack as I got up.