To Stand When Others Won't (Open to one creative female.)

[Medevelin]

The man rose as the sun had and once he was up he began an odd training ritual of some sort, she watched him through mostly closed eyes still playing on that she was asleep. He must have had many different schools of knowledge incorporated into his fighting style. She was a formidable fighter but she couldn't touch him. What he knew that set him above her she wanted to find out. Finally Mishta rose into a partial sitting position.

"What is that called? That dance you are performing?" She asked, there were rituals of her own she normally would perform but she was not strong enough to stand let alone train. When she healed there would be time to re-train her body but for now she was stuck watching the man who dominated her in their duel.

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian hadn't been aware of Mishta watching him, but when she sat up and spoke, he turned that blue gaze to her once more.

"The dance itself is called a kata. Many different ones exist, and it's used primarily to prepare one's mind and body for combat and confrontation."

Lucian could have let it rest at that, but he spoke once more. "Some of the greatest warriors say that in the midst of combat everything should be in sync; mind, body, and weapon. The kata is used to create that synergy. It's different for warriors like myself though. I am a warblade. Instead of practicing different styles of fighting, like many, I chose the path of the sublime way. There are nine different schools within the sublime way, each with their own teachings." Lucian's eyes glazed over as he continued to speak. For many it was simply talk, but for him it was more. For him, his skill was his pride and power, from which every bit of his calm confidence stemmed. "Each warblade knows only so many maneuvers and stances, and each day they must perform a ritual like the one you just witnessed, to center their minds and decide which maneuvers they want ready in their minds of the day, much like wizards have spells."

Lucian reached into his backpack and pulled out a couple of trail rations. "It's not much, but it should last us for now..." He said as he offered one up to Mishta.

 

[Medevelin]

She listened in contemplative silence to what he said, it must have been this synergy which had made him superior to her in the fight. She felt however that he was not so untouchable and with watching him she would pick up on nuances in his actions that would allow her to advance on his style and as with what made amazons so strong, she would assimilate his combat skills into her own. Less the magic which only wisewomen of the tribes could perform.

She brought her hand up to reject the offering of a meal, food was not really on her mind at the moment. The deer meat from the night before would tide her over for awhile and she was used to eating only sparingly. The hunters were prohibited from eating until after they returned from the hunt with a bounty for the queen.

"I think we should not linger here much longer. The day is just as dangerous as the night." Mishta stated as she pulled herself shakily to her feet, something that took a lot of energy out of her and made her feel fatigued even after the rest. She was too stubborn to ask for help and so resolved to try the trek on her own jelly-like legs.

 

[LucianDevine]

A brief look of surprise came to Lucian's face as Mishta denied the breakfast he offered, but he just shrugged it off, put it away, and ate his own. "I think we should not linger here much longer. The day is just as dangerous as the night."

"I agree." Lucian said simply. He watched Mishta rise slowly, knowing how weak she was feeling. There was a lot of pride there, more pride than would allow her to ask for help. There was strength there too though, and he admired her for that.

Lucian quickly packed up the small camp and stored everything in his backpack, which he slung over his shoulder.

"You know the way Mishta, so please lead on, and I will be right behind you."

 

[Medevelin]

And led him she began, slow at first as she fought through the pain of each step using a long and sturdy stick as a staff to help her keep her balance. As they trekked back into the deep forest she knew the real danger began.

"This is Vaduan country, they are rivals of my people and equally as strong. There was a time we were great allies, but dispute over the favour of the almighty led to war and now there is no mercy to spare for one another. These are ancient lands with many stories." She uttered to him while moving as silently forward as she could.

"Tell me." She suddenly changed gears back to her fight with him, she had never been so thoroughly undone by another and she wanted to know what that warrior thought of her.

"How did I compare? You've fought many I am certain I wish to know how my peoples training stacks up against others you have faced. Were you concerned at all of danger to yourself?" She asked without looking back to him, she was concentrated only on making her next step without collapsing.

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian was lost in his mind as he walked. It wasn't so hard to keep up with Mistha, given her condition. Her words brought him back to the world though.

"This is Vaduan country, they are rivals of my people and equally as strong. There was a time we were great allies, but dispute over the favour of the almighty led to war and now there is no mercy to spare for one another. These are ancient lands with many stories."

Lucian lifted his head to stare at Mishta's back. "Not entirely uncommon I suppose. Gods and religion in general are often the cause of disputes among rival nations."

Moments before lapsing back into his own mind, Mishta spoke again, once more breaking his brief concentration.

"Tell me. How did I compare? You've fought many I am certain I wish to know how my peoples training stacks up against others you have faced. Were you concerned at all of danger to yourself?"

The boldness of the question, and it's content itself startled Lucian for a brief moment. When he snapped out of it though, he let his mind trace back to their fight as he considered her question.

"You did far better than most Mishta. The stance I used, the defensive one, it is called 'Pearl of Black Doubt. It was designed to capitalize on the doubts of the opponent. Most give up after a handful of misses. You kept coming though, showing more heart, strength, and pride than a dozen seasoned fighters."

Lucian hesitated before continuing, knowing that he could easily justify stopping there if he chose. Despite that though, he spoke again. "It was for that reason that I chose the maneuver that I did. I knew that as long as you stood you would attack. Even though I knew I would be defenseless afterward, I had to use it."

That blue gaze dipped to the ground as he continued. "As for your second question, did I see you as a threat? I would have been a fool not to. You are an amazon in a forest. You had two opportunities at which you could have killed me, yet you chose not to. Even now I know that you could kill me in my sleep at any time. I know not why you spared me, but I did know then, that I had to succeed. I am one of very few who know what that army of demons fear, and it was for that reason that I came here."

As an afterthought, Lucian spoke but one last time. "Oh, and if you're wondering why I spared you. It's because I didn't think that The Great Earth Mother would approve of one of her own daughters being killed by a man who'd also been raised among amazons, and allowed to go free." Lucian's mind lingered on that last bit of information. He'd not told anybody of that before, and he wondered why he'd said it, and how she'd react to it.

 

[Medevelin]

Mishta kept walking as he spoke his replies to her queries, he seemed to be very articulate about combat. She wanted to use his knowledge to strengthen herself, she would need it to survive in exile. Meanwhile their paths converged and were heading in the same direction, she would never admit that she felt safer with him as it would make her seem fearful but it preserved her life one night longer than she expected. For that she was grateful.

"As for your second question, did I see you as a threat? I would have been a fool not to. You are an amazon in a forest. You had two opportunities at which you could have killed me, yet you chose not to. Even now I know that you could kill me in my sleep at any time. I know not why you spared me, but I did know then, that I had to succeed. I am one of very few who know what that army of demons fear, and it was for that reason that I came here."


"I thought of it through the night." She stopped and turned suddenly, looking him straight in his eyes, honesty and bluntness portrayed as much by her no nonsense facial expressions as did her tone.

"Killing you would be easy when you are asleep. But it would be a petty victory and one of cowardice not honour. When I kill you there will be a blade in your hand." She was careful to use the word when to give him every indication that for his own sake he should never trust her. Trust was the first step to betrayal and betrayal was an eventuality of every friendship forged in the deep trenches of the amazon forests.

She continued on at the same careful pace, looking and listening to the direction of the birds and wind. They were in the middle of an enemy kingdom, one of which Mishta had slain many formidable opponents. It was hunting season however and these parts were more or less barren at the eastern ridge of their territory.




"Oh, and if you're wondering why I spared you. It's because I didn't think that The Great Earth Mother would approve of one of her own daughters being killed by a man who'd also been raised among amazons, and allowed to go free."

Her eyebrow cocked as he came out with this revelation. She looked at him in disbelief and not the sort of disbelief that came with shock, she didn't believe him and was ready to call him a liar. Taking in a deep breath she stood taller and passed breath through lips.

"And what tribe would allow a man to roam among them? You are in fine shape to have survived in any kingdom I've ever encountered."

 

[LucianDevine]

"I thought of it through the night." She stopped and turned suddenly, looking him straight in his eyes, honesty and bluntness portrayed as much by her no nonsense facial expressions as did her tone.

"Killing you would be easy when you are asleep. But it would be a petty victory and one of cowardice not honour. When I kill you there will be a blade in your hand."

It didn't pass Lucian's notice, at Mishta's use of the word 'when'. His own blue eyes locked with hers. "I would expect little else from an amazon warrior. I only hope that I am able to be a worthy challenge on that day." Lucian spoke his words confidently, but was far from cocky. In truth he was serious. If he was truly meant to meet his end at that hands of this amazon, he hoped it was a warrior's death.

"And what tribe would allow a man to roam among them? You are in fine shape to have survived in any kingdom I've ever encountered."

Lucian let a small smile come to his lips as he thought back on the earliest years of his life. "You'd be surprised actually. As for which tribe however, it's one from a forest far to the north. My mother fled into their forest, fleeing from an abusive husband while she was pregnant. The man caught up with her, but the amazons caught up with both of them before he could kill her. The stress of the flight forced her into labor, and the flight weakened her so much that she died shortly after I was born"

Lucian's voice got a little lower as he continued, obviously showing remorse for the circumstances of his birth. "It was my mothers' dying wish of the amazon's that I not be made a male slave to their tribe, like the rest of the men. I didn't learn of this fact until the day they asked me to leave. Before that though, they raised me as one of their own, teaching and showing me as though I were a daughter of their tribe, all but their most secret teachings anyway. On my fifteenth birthday they told me of my mother's with and told me to leave with the understanding that if I came back, I would be treated like any other man."

Silence followed those words from him, but after a minute of it, he spoke once more in closing. "I never doubted their words, so I never went back, but rather made my living as a soldier."

 

[Medevelin]

She pressed no further on the subject, as peculiar as it seemed she sensed no lie in him and men wreaked of the lies they wrapped themselves in. They walked in silence for some time at least an hour passed without a word between the two. She preferred it this way as she had never developed the skills to carry meaningful conversation with slaves. Men were good for reproducing and back-breaking labour and very little else. She didn't even want to give him the benefit of the doubt as a warrior even if he had easily bested her.

They came to a small valley, well-trodden and in the crevice between to massive hills spotted sparsely with trees but all and all a thin part of the forest making it much easier to see ahead and of course much easier for what lay ahead to see them. Her steps were careful but weren't careful enough as she heard a click of metal under her foot, she had little time to react when a sack came flying down from a tree above and gave her a good shot to the head. A simple short-range hunting trick, the sack was full of rocks and likely not meant for human quarry.

She stumbled to the ground but didn't give time for recovery as she pulled herself back to her feet and looked around. She couldn't see them but knew they would soon be surrounded.

"You need to hide, we're under attack. If they see you they will kill us both, I might have a chance if they do not know who I travel with." She demanded, unsure whether he would listen. Regardless she drew her sword and looked around.

"Hunting parties, there will be at least six of them, they work in pairs."

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian was glad that Mishta let the subject drop, even if he did speak the truth. It was the first time he'd told it, let alone to another amazon. The pair walked in silence, each seemingly more comfortable that way. It was easier than being on your guard against somebody you'd just met.

When they came to a valley, Lucian was slightly worried. He didn't like the thought of traveling out in the open. In lands like this, people seeing you before you could see them was never good.

Both Lucian and Mishta were looking around carefully, wary of any ambushes that might await them. At the same time, both heard the sound of metal click. Lucian looked around, but had absolutely no time to react as a sack came down from an overhanging tree and hit Mishta solidly on the head.

Lucian was instantly beside her, even though she had already risen shakily from her knees. "You need to hide, we're under attack. If they see you they will kill us both, I might have a chance if they do not know who I travel with. Hunting parties, there will be at least six of them, they work in pairs."

Lucian listened, but shook his head, his strong blue gaze looking straight into hers. "Damn your pride Mishta! You're in no condition to fight, let alone fight other amazons in their own territory." Lucian's hands didn't move to his katana just yet, for he wasn't worried about getting attacked before he had time to draw it, he'd spent years perfecting the art of drawing the weapon and attacking with the same motion. As one, they looked around, but they were more or less waiting for the other amazons to show themselves.

 

[Medevelin]

Mishta almost snarled at his comment on her condition but accepted it to be truth, she took in the scenery and projected the most plausible attack points, which were plenteous. They would strike first with arrows and follow in close quarters.

Sure enough the first arrow fired and zipped past her companion, another two shot wide of them as well. They weren't kill shots, no amazon would miss so badly. They were warnings. Over the ridge to their right came three warriors, two with spears one with a blade. On the other side of them another five presented themselves with likely more hiding their presence.

"You." One of them called out, the sword-bearing woman from the first group. She stepped forward, sheathing her blade and brushing her brown hair from her eyes.

"You are Mishta, princess and heir to the thrown of the Amudalin. Is that the extent of the prevailing callousness of your people? You come through our lands freely with a male companion. Your head returned to your sister would be a fitting return to your people." She spoke emotionless and cold.

"That manner of return would be as much a gift to them as a mark of pride for you." Mishta responded, turning and making her freshly burned skin visible to who was clearly the leader of the troupe.

"I have no quarrel with you and only wish to reach the temple." Mishta attempted diplomacy to which the other woman raised a brow.

"Exiled. A princess exiled? And you wish to go to the temple because what? You believe there will be guidance waiting?" The woman scoffed as the group closed in around them some more.

"Alright I will let you pass. The man dies. We would look foolish to allow him through our territory unharmed." With only a nod the five amazons who had approached from their flank closed in on Lucian, weapons brandished. They then attacked.

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian and Mishta didn't have to wait long for the predicted attack. Not a sound was made before an arrow whizzed right over his shoulder, and then two shots went wide to either side of them. Just as Mishta had done before, these were obviously warning shots, it simply remained to be seen how many were actually out there.

Lucian's steady blue gaze flitted from side to side, looking for their assailants. Again though, they didn't have to wait long. First, over the ridge to their right, three amazons walked confidently The one on either side of what was assumably the leader bore spears, and she herself held a blade. Then, to their left, five more amazons walked, each bearing a wickedly curved blade.

"You."

The single spoken word drew Lucian's gaze to the right. The woman in the middle stepped away from the other two and sheathed her sword. Her other hand brushed long brown hair from her in front of her eyes.

"You are Mishta, princess and heir to the thrown of the Amudalin. Is that the extent of the prevailing callousness of your people? You come through our lands freely with a male companion. Your head returned to your sister would be a fitting return to your people." The first word had been almost questioningly, but the rest were stated matter-of-factly. This woman was clearly like most amazons, cold and ruthless.

"That manner of return would be as much a gift to them as a mark of pride for you." Everybody watched then, as Mishta turned and revealed something he hadn't seen before. The mark looked at first like a brand to Lucian, but upon closer inspection, it was two brands, the second likely having been done to mar the flesh and hide the original. "I have no quarrel with you and only wish to reach the temple."


"Exiled. A princess exiled? And you wish to go to the temple because what? You believe there will be guidance waiting?" The leader of the group scoffed at Mishta, but Lucian's gaze was drawn to their left. The group of five amazons was closing in on them.

"Alright I will let you pass. The man dies. We would look foolish to allow him through our territory unharmed."

Lucian almost breathed a sigh of relief at hearing the first words, but his head bowed and shook at the last batch. He turned his head towards Mishta, even as the group of five rushed them. "Machiadies." Lucian spoke the single word softly, and as he looked into Mishta's eyes, his blue orbs turned a brilliant shade of violet as his hand dropped to his sword. Still looking at Mishta, though completely aware of the attacks incoming, Lucian spoke again. "Pouncing Charge...Raging Mongoose."

As he spoke, Lucian's other hand loosed the tie holding his cloak on, and shrugged his shoulders, shedding the cloak and revealing the bright green dragon scales beneath. Lucian hated having to reveal the second batch of maneuvers he knew to Mishta, knowing only that she intended to challenge him again at some point, but now was hardly the time to hold back.

In the blink of an eye, Lucian's blade was drawn, and he was moving. The quickness that he displayed gave him an opening, for the attack halted for just a second, more than long enough. His feet pounded at the ground as the blade swept up. At his best unaided, he could attack only four times before he had to recoil, but while under the effects of his more powerful mongoose maneuver, he could strike six times.

The first attack was defensive, as was the second. His blade came up, pushing the blade of the center amazon high, he turned and pivoted, bringing the flat of the mithril blade down hard upon the sword hand of the amazon beside her. Again he reversed his momentum, bringing the blade around to strike the center amazon, right in the temple, again with the flat of the blade. A turn back towards the now-disarmed amazon, and he struck each of her knees, and then finally her temple as well.

By that point the other amazons had recovered and were moving in, uncaring for the moment that two of their fellows were down. "Pearl of Black Doubt." Lucian spoke aloud, focusing his body on the defensive stance. Despite the stances effects though, the three amazons were perfect in their assault, each blade covering another's attacks, leaving no openings in their defense. Lucian had only one more maneuver ready for a group of people, and he used it, saying aloud. "Dancing Mongoose." It was a less powerful version of his raging mongoose, but it's aid allowed him five swings.

Lucian moved to his side, side-stepping he blow from the center of the three, his katana lifted in an arc to parry the blade in front of him, pushing it high as he'd done to start. He planted his right toes and pivoted on them, bringing his body around to the amazon's side. His katana swept down and in, striking hard behind both of her knees, as always, with the flat of the blade. The last two standing turned towards him, trying to bring their weapons to bear. Lucian's blade swept up then, wasting an attack as he prepared for a vertical strike. His fourth attack was just that, the blade glinting in the sun as it came down in a lethal arc. The amazons lifted their blades as one, crossing them in an attempt to halt the blade. It was a futile effort though, their weapons were made of stell, and his of mithril, with the curve of his own blade again lending him the advantage. The single blade met two, and they shattered beneath it's power. Lucian again planted a foot, and brought his body around, using a move many would consider unorthodox and crazy. He used a backhanded swing, catching the first amazon on the jaw with the flat, sending her to the ground. The force and momentum of the spin let the blade continue, catching the second in the same fashion, and ending with the same result.

As Lucian came out of that final spin, he turned to see the leader of the three holding a bow, with an arrow notched and ready. "One more move and you die." This woman was encouragable. Five of her warriors were down, but she was as cold and confident as ever. Lucian's head sagged as his fatigue caught up with him. So many maneuvers in such a short time took it's tole on the body. "One more," he whispered softly to himself, casting another look at Mishta. Though his head sagged, his gaze still glowed that brilliant violet color. "Quicksilver Motion." Lucian's body was a blur of motion. He covered the thirty feet between him and the lead amazon in half a second. A kick behind her legs dropped her to her knees, and his katana lifted to her throat. The two with spears rounded on him, spears at the ready.

The change in Lucian's condition was likely obvious to every amazon present, except the one on her knees. His breath was ragged, and sweat gleamed on his brow as his upper body sagged. His gaze was steady though, and so were his hands. One locked in the woman's hair, pulling her head back, the other holding the katana at her throat. "Call them off, and leave us be." Lucian didn't say what would happen if the woman didn't do as he said, it was obvious enough without being said.

 

[Medevelin]

(OOC sorry I got a bit intimidated after your last post and while trying to make one to compliment it I ran into some serious writer's block. Hope this post makes up for the long delay.)

It was like she’d seen before against the men, the amazons were helpless against him. Deep down she wanted to aide them, help take down the undefeatable but she was far too weak and she knew that there was no passage through these lands despite the word she was given. Sure they would let her go if they killed the man but they’d follow her and eventually strike knowing she was incapable of repelling them.

That however was not the problem for her new comrade. He unleashed a series of attacks for the most part hitting the women with the broad side of his blade incapacitating them but neglecting to finish them off. Mishta saw it as a weakness in him or an arrogance that these women were no match and maybe that was true but she also knew that taking them for granted would be folly.

She could only watch the event as he soon brought the leader to her knees. A situation similar to her own as the Amazon looked up at him with defiance, anger and guilt over her failure. Mishta truly felt sorry for her as her life was over. If she were allowed to live it would be a great shame and she would face either death or exile as Mishta had. Though the former was more likely, Mishta survived only due to her lineage. This woman wasn’t so lucky.

In an act of compassion she drew her weapon, knowing she was in no danger of being attacked immediately and took several steps towards the felled leader. Kneeling beside her she began to whisper in the native tongue both tribes shared.

“You fought brave and there is no shame in defeat. He is very powerful, you will be honoured by your people for your courage.” She let her hand linger on the woman’s shoulder for a moment longer before pulling away and with only a simple nod of recognition from the woman she thrust her blade into the amazon’s gut, twisting and withdrawing her sword. Life left the woman and she collapsed to the ground. Mishta then stood and looked at the rest. Again in their native tongue she addressed them.

“A brave warrior has died. You do her a great dishonour by continuing this fight as you will all die and her memory and final acts will be lost to the wind. Retreat back to your kingdom and honour her as she deserves.” There was clear defiance in their expressions as they neither attacked nor retreated, glances to each other let Mishta know they were heeding what she said. She wiped her blade clean of the blood and slid it back into it’s sheath before taking hold of a necklace the leader had adorned, tearing it from her lifeless chest and tying it to her own neck. It was her way of honouring the woman.

“It is over. They will not attack. They know what I say is true even if they wish to kill us.” She whispered to Lucian, he was clearly tired from the fight and she wondered how much he had left to give in battle if they were to persist. They didn’t, in fact they mostly disappeared into the forest around them save for two who gathered up their fallen and made their way back to the kingdom.

“That’s twice you’ve made that mistake. Next time kill them.” She snapped at him as she trudged forward once more.

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian watched as Mishta approached. His gaze followed hers, even as he was aware of the other two that were still standing. As his blue gaze watched, she knelt next to the woman and started to speak in a tongue he couldn't understand. The pair seemed to come to an understanding, and even hew was powerless to stop the scene that played out before him. With one swift stroke, Mishta dealt a fatal blow to the leader. She didn't seem to miss a beat though, as she turned towards the other two and spoke once more.

“It is over. They will not attack. They know what I say is true even if they wish to kill us.” With a simple nod, Lucian responded to Mishta and sheated the great katana once more, almost wishing one of the rest would deal him a fatal blow as well. He'd seen so much death that he wished it to just be oever, but he knew he couldn't do that. To give up or run now would be the exact same as those he hated. If he alone had the knowledge to stop them, then it was his responsibility to help them, not abandon them.

“That’s twice you’ve made that mistake. Next time kill them.”

Before Lucian had a chance to respond, Mishta had already turned from him, heading once more in the direction of the temple they sought. He retrieved his fallen cloak before hurrying after her. Though he followed dutifully enough, Lucian was deep in thought. It wasn't until they camped once more for the night that he spoke. "Are they going to follow us Mishta? I am a trespasser, and we've slain one of their own. Will they not come seeking revenge?"

Even though Lucian had grown up with amazons, he found himself just as clueless in the ways of these ones. He could walk as quietly as them, but their culture and ways were a mystery to him.

 

[Medevelin]

There was a comfortable silence between them as they traveled onward, each of them lost in their own thoughts. She could feel her strength beginning to return it had felt like ages since she had her strength even though it had only been a couple of days. She was grateful when they stopped for the night and even more grateful for a fire to warm up by. Her attire didn't exactly cover a lot which was fine for the day where the sun could scorch the earth on some days but the cool night offered a stark juxtapose.

"Yes they will. However, they know where we are heading and if it were me I would cut us off at our destination rather than pursue us directly. Though it may be possible that their kingdom needs all the warriors they have and to lose any more for revenge could be costly as the losses they suffered against us. Or they may just slit our throats as we sleep. Either way we must get where we are going and not allow our minds to create ghosts of doubt."

She played with an arrow from her quiver, inspecting it's tip, feathers and picking at the twine wrapped around it. Her thoughts had turned to her kingdom, her sisters and mother. Her two childhood friends and their first kills together. It was a hard adjustment to make. She only knew so much of the world as her duty had always been bound to within her own borders. Now she would have to make steps to learn a new way of life. She was anxious to learn of what the temple would provide her.

 

[LucianDevine]

Mishta's words brought renewed sorrow into Lucian's soul. He'd come here with the intention of saving the people, not killing them, yet he'd earned the ire of one tribe of amazons, and possibly another. Where was a man to turn when it seemed enemies lay waiting in every direction.

"I have no doubts about my mission Mishta, that much I promise you." Lucian's gaze lifted from the ground to meet her gaze. The fire light turned his blue gaze to almost violet, a burning determination shone in those eyes. "When I came into this forest, I did it for a reason, and though things haven't gone as planned, my mission remains the same. I gave my word when I donned these scales once more that I would see this through to the end, be it mine or theirs. Despite that though, I don't know the path to our destination, and for that I need you. You have knowledge of this land and it's peoples, knowledge that is invaluable. I don't know what you intend to do when we get there, but I hope you'll stick with me. Lord knows I could use allies right now."

Though Lucian's voice had softened, his gaze had remained the same, still burning with that raw determination. He left no doubt in that gaze, and he truly did hope that she would join him in his quest.

 

[Medevelin]

It had been a strange couple of days for the young amazon she had been faced with more difficult decisions than ever before, an odd alliance with a man to reach the temple would have seemed absurd only three sleeps past. There was a certain amount of shame that she had allowed herself to depend on him. It was strange however as most men were vulgar creatures. Born evil and abusive many would have used her incapacitation as an opportunity on her body, sex after all was the most basic of male thoughts.

Lucian however was much different, he hadn't once tried to transgress against her nor made any vocal advances. The man in the dragon scale armor was a great mystery, seemingly a man of his word and even a little tormented by the violence they witnessed.

"I will remain with you until we reach the temple where surely our paths will lead us in different directions. We should rest, by tomorrow night we will reach our destination and destiny." She stretched as she made herself comfortable, the wind blowing the leaves in the canopy above and hushing them as a mother did her infant child.

 

[LucianDevine]

"I will remain with you until we reach the temple where surely our paths will lead us in different directions. We should rest, by tomorrow night we will reach our destination and destiny."

Lucian offered up a resigned nod. He knew well enough that her words were likely true. The thought of an amazon traveling with a man laughable anyway. Still though, he'd rather grown accustomed to her presence, despite the eventual rematch that would likely take place.

"We each do as we must Mishta." He said softly, the firelight turning his blue gaze a flickering violet once more. As he watched, Mishta laid down upon the ground, wholly comfortable with their surroundings. He wasn't quite so comfortable however, not with the possibility of a night ambush by amazons. Soon enough though, he followed her lead, rolling up in his cloak as he forced his exhausted body to sleep. IF an ambush came in the night, he'd have no chance against the amazons in their own forest, not if they truly wished him dead. Circumstances had favored him twice now, but he doubted a third such occurrence would present himself. He be captured or killed, with little chance of resistance.

Despite it all however, Lucian's sleep was peaceful. Something about the forest around him seemed to calm him, especially with the first of his four destinations so near.

When the sun rose the following morning, Lucian was there to greet it once more, happily oblivious to everything as he prepared himself for the day with his morning kata.

 

[Medevelin]

The rest did much to help as Mishta woke with considerably more strength and feeling more energetic. She had gotten up before Lucian and had gone out looking for fruit for their morning meal. She had gathered an assortment of fruit, not much but enough to tide them over and for her it would surely help her return the rest of her strength.

She returned to see him up, training as usual. So focused, so determined. She watched him from the shadows for a few long moments before making herself known.

"I've brought fruit, will you join me for something to eat?" She queried as she moved towards him, finding a flat part of the ground to set the fruit down. She herself picked out some wild berries and began nibbling, debating whether they should conserve some of it for later in the day or take their chances, hoping to come across more. This forest was bountiful in those terms but finding unharvested trees was difficult this time of year.

Fresh fruit however was not forefront in her mind. What happened to them once they reached their destination, what lay in store for her and even some curiosity on his plight was all that really had her attention.

 

[LucianDevine]

Lucian's face changed when he heard Mishta speak. He lost the serious look and let a small smile come to his face as he turned to her. "Of course I'll join you." He said softly, sheathing his katana once again. Without hesitation, Lucian moved to sit beside the amazon, sharing the light meal that she had brought with her. It wasn't much, and they would likely need another to lend them strength before they reached their destination, but that didn't matter. What mattered to Lucian just then, was how much things had changed in the past few days. He'd gone from being pursued into an amazon forest, from fearing those amazons, to allying himself with one.

Lucian didn't put voice to these thoughts though, and once again the pair ate in a companionable silence.

When the light meal was concluded, the pair packed up their small camp once more, and headed out into the forest. This time though, Lucian didn't follow behind Mishta, he walked up beside her. Something about the amazon beside him made him feel comfortable, even in this forest that he knew nothing about, and even knowing that in one of the days ahead, they would fight once more. Mishta had a confidence about her, and it was that confidence that lent him strength. No matter how long the pair traveled together, Lucian felt that there was nothing the pair of them couldn't overcome, and he smiled at that.

 

[Medevelin]

As they walked in what had become the unspoken agreed upon silence. They barely spoke to one another but when they did there was importance, no wasted breath. It reminded her of a tribe of barbarians, brutish men who plagued the amazon kingdoms with guerilla assaults and ambushes. They had cut out their own tongues so that they would never speak, it made them fiercely loyal to one another and a very real threat to the survival of the amazons.

The war brought the three reigning amazon tribes together if only briefly. The wisewomen of each tribe predicted death simultaneously even though they never left their respective kingdoms. It was enough to hold a temporary alliance one which still barely survived the Barbarian Wars.

Four Years Previous

The moon was full and bright making the night almost as day. The eastern forest was made sparse by barbarian tree cutting, they made objects that floated on water much more reliably than the rafts of her people. Those crafts were not their concern. Large raiding parties destroyed entire villages, they would strike again the same night under the almighty’s watch. Tonight however the small village Okltu was filled with the best warriors. Mishta the head of the operation being it on her kingdom’s land.

Dozens of archers hidden in the trees, nearly sixty warriors at her call on the ground. They would be outnumbered but many of the barbarians would fall in the first minutes. She watched the tree line with intent as she awaited the return of her scout. As if her will brought forth the sight, her shadow came gliding from the forest. Emin, the most graceful of creatures burst back into the village and towards Mishta.

“One hundred and twelve.” Her voice quivered as the first words came from her lips, words that brought the same foreboding feeling to the pit of Mishta’s stomach as they clearly had in Emin’s. She could do a head count of a million man army accurately and Mishta trusted what she said. Nearly twice as many swords for their side, to take a village of this size with that many was unheard of. At their peaks the amazon kingdoms fought wars with hundreds of warriors but not to rape and kill and pillage a village of farmers. They still had the element of surprise however, they had a chance.

Mishta whispered orders to Emin who would lead the archers from the treetops and took her place at the makeshift wall hastily built in a day. If not for their heaving breath and clumsy footsteps it would almost be unbelievable that one hundred men were marching upon them. She whispered words of encouragement to the women around her. If this village fell tonight, any survivors would be compromised. Barbarians showed no mercy and neither would they.

Soon the men were clearly in view, no torches lit but the moon glinted off of their weapons and armor, faces hidden in shadow and adding to their menace. Through the see of grunts and formless moans one singular voice spoke in a foreign tongue. She did not know the words but knew what they meant as the barbarians began a charge toward the village. The first barrage of arrows caused more bellows within the ranks of men as a dozen fell, trampled by the unrelenting soldiers behind them.

The second flight of arrows brought down half of what the first did as the barbarians were spreading out, they were hitting the town in an all out sprint. Their presumed leader in Mishta’s eyes was front and center, an arrows shaft jutting out of his shoulder. He would need to fall first. The arrows no longer flew as one, each archer picking their shots but it wasn’t enough the men began to leap the wall and Mishta’s line clashed with them. Women began to scream in death and defeat as well as victory. Her own battle was set, the leader was given a wide berth by other barbarians providing ample dueling ground for her and him. His eyes locked on hers and with no words spoken everything was agreed upon. Each was a leader, one would die, no outside interference. The information preceded each taking a stance to prepare for battle.

He wielded a large hammer with a scimitar-like blade where the hilt normally would be the hammer alone was nearly the size of her torso and the man stood well above her in height and mass. Not unusual and she didn’t view it a disadvantage. She was faster she knew that much and would hope to prove more clever as well.

Mishta took the first swing and in his deflection she got a sense of his strength. In retaliation he let out a howl and slammed his hammer against the ground, Mishta retreated a few steps but it wasn’t enough to get her out of range as he spun with surprising speed and caught her blindside on the left with the broad side of the weapon. Not only was the blow devastating as it knocked her flying hard into and through the bamboo walls of a shack, but the hammer had a blue aura after he struck the ground and it felt like lightning struck her as well as cold stone.

She lay immobile on the ground, the pain of the strike receding as shock set in. She had no idea how badly she was hurt, her disorientation aided by blurred vision and a growing darkness. The latter however was caused by the large figure blocking out the light of the moon as he entered the shack.

She rolled onto her back and as he stood staring down at her, like the men when they first approached his face covered by shadow. She knew what he was thinking however. He set his weapon aside and dropped to his knees, parting hers and sliding on top of her. His hand holding her stubborn head still by the chin as he leaned in for a kiss while his other hand probed her side.

She struggled but he was solid, her eyes searched for a weapon of any sort not finding anything reachable. In the end it did not matter, as his hand made it’s way up her inner thigh she heard a wisp of wind and then he fell, dead on top of her. His face finally in view she saw the arrow shaft protruding from his left eye. She followed it’s line out the window which pointed to the tree tops. She thanked the almighty for the gift of Emin’s friendship and rolled the man off of her. How Emin made that shot was beyond her but to repay her she needed to return to battle. Stumbling to the doorway she noticed the man’s hammer. Clumsy and heavy were not usually associated with amazon weaponry but she knew the hammer held power that struck fear in the other men he had once led.

It hefted much easier than Mishta would have thought and was not nearly as heavy, although still formidable enough to give her some difficulty. The shock was wearing off and it seemed she had lucked out with only broken ribs, she could feel jabbing into her side every step she took. Stomaching the pain however she reemerged herself in the fight. The scattered barbarians dwindled and were frustrated by the nimble amazon forces unified attack and defense. Many archers had dropped their bows and joined the fray with whatever blades they could find and it was obvious they now outnumbered the barbarians. They had won and once the barbarian men realized this they began to flee. None would survive, archers awaited in all directions to cut them off. The last living barbarian men were those lying fatally wounded on the ground, now the effort turned to finding their own injured and getting them back to the kingdom for healing from the wisewoman. Mishta would need aid eventually but not until the last man was dead. She went about finishing off the all but dead men, she had missed much of the battle which had lasted only minutes but they prevailed.



Present Day

As much as she had enjoyed the silence she had felt more inclined to speak with him, the comfort had grown as foreign as that notion was to her. She had never met a man she liked and she wasn’t so sure she liked this one, yet he seemed noble and his words held an aura of trust and honesty. He was certainly strong and yet seemed humble in his harnessing of that power. He hadn’t so much as touched her when it was clear he could have unimpeded, whoever he was and whatever his ultimate fate was it was certainly a unique life he led.

“Are you afraid?” She queried, almost surprised that she had asked the question out loud as she had been thinking of it.

“Of what we will find at the temple? What do you believe we will find?” Her ignorance to his plight made her curious, what had she become involved in? Was it as serious as he claimed? Would they die or live? Succeed or fail? Or was success and life intertwined as failure and death? Or would it ultimately take death to succeed? They would find out tonight.

 

[LucianDevine]

The silence between the two was companionable at best, truly though, it was as good as anybody could expect between a man and an amazon. When the two felt the need to speak however, it was generally straight-forward and to the point. Both were warriors, and they each knew that they traveled a dangerous road, so they rarely wasted any time on small talk. It was for that reason that Lucian was surprised when Mishta spoke.

“Are you afraid? Of what we will find at the temple? What do you believe we will find?”

The question made Lucian smile, and he turned towards Mishta as he opened his mouth to respond. "Afraid? What have I to truly be afraid of Mista?" Lucian let his cloak part, once more revealing the shining green scales beneath. "These scales are as much a curse as they are a blessing, and I would be more than happy to be rid of them, one way or the other. The demons I seek to destroy are of little consequence at the moment, as theyre numbers are too small to make much of an impact as of yet, and their human minions are hardly a challenge." Lucian's face turned serious as he continued. "I do worry however, about the amazons, wondering when or if they are going to come after me. On an open battlefield I might be able to take some, but even I am not so foolish as to think I can truly defeat amazons in their own forest."

Lucian hesitated then, letting his bow as he considered her last question. He almost had to ask himself the same thing. What was it that he truly hoped to find within the temple? "Truly I know not what we will find, or even what I should expect, all I can do is hope. I hope that we will find some sort of clue as to where the other temples are. Mostly though, I hope to find something that will be of use against the demons, even if it's just a hint of where such power could come from. I know that the demons fear the power of the elements, and I can only hope that their fear is well-placed."

Another long silence followed as the pair continued to walk on. What a sight they must have made to any animals observing them. A longer and an amazon, mana and woman, walking through lands that were not their own, to a destination, they knew almost nothing about.

At long last, Lucian opened his mouth to speak again, but a gleam through the trees distracted him. In his heart he felt a surge as he hoped it was the temple, their destination at last. The pair hastened their pace, likely anxious to reach the 'safety' of the temple. When the pair broke through the llast few trees, they found themselve in a large clearing, almost impossibly so, considering their deepness within the forest. There, in front of them, lay their destination, the temple of earch. The temple seemed too small to truly be their destination, but one could do nothing but hope. As the pair started to head across their clearing, Lucian remembered what he wanted to say, and turned his head towards Mishta and spoke up.

"I can only imagine what was done to amazons by men that leads them to hate us so, and I don't expect you to like me Mishta. I just hope that when we leave this place, in one direction or another, that you feel you can trust me." If Lucian had anything else to say, he didn't reveal it right away, but rather turned his head towards the temple, and the open doors that were hopefully their destination.

 

[Medevelin]

What seemed as if it would never come, finally revealed itself to them. The great temple peeked over the horizon of the trees a glimmering eye at the center of the forest. Their pace quickened and Mishta silently lipped a prayer that the almighty would aid by giving them speed and the cooperation of the forest.

With no words spoken between the two they efficiently moved through the forest and at long last reached the clearing at the foot of the temple. Mishta dropped two her knees and began a whispered prayer of thanks to the almighty while asking for continued assistance. It was after she finished and stood once more that he spoke to her, she listened to his plea. He was wrong, there was none who could imagine the harm done by men to women that had driven them to this divide. The centuries old split reminded the amazons of the torment their ancestors were victim to at the hands of men. She at every moment was tempted to attack him in vengeance out of instinct. The notion of trust was hard to believe even after their long travels together. She did not respond to him nor look to his face, instead she began walking again.

"Come. We have no time to waste." She moved to the steps at the maw of the temple, her legs weakened out of fear and respect. There was no turning back now, they would face their destiny within this temples walls for better or worse it would take both of their efforts to survive this holy place. More than their destiny awaited within this place. Good things, evil things, ancient things not unsettled for centuries.

 

[LucianDevine]

As one, Lucian and Mishta walked towards the huge temple. Their pace was slow, out of sheer respect and awe for the ancient place. Even Lucian, who only believed so much about the power that it was said to hold, couldn't help but marvel at the huge stone temple.

Even as the pair reached the base of the large stone steps, seemingly untouched by time's wear, Lucian and Mishta walked slowly. He actually let her take the lead, knowing that this temple in the jungle was more akin to her than himself.

As Lucian entered the temple itself however, he felt a bit disappointed at what he saw. The interior was indeed massive, and impressively perfect, but it seemed terribly...normal. They entered into a huge antechamber, with four rows of long benches. Three aisles led up to the altar itself, and the large statue of the earth goddess. It was up one of these aisles, that Lucian and Mishta walked, not knowing what else to do.

All talking between the pair had ceased upon reaching the steps, and the aura of the temple's interior, almost seemed to frown upon speaking. Again, Lucian was confused on what he was supposed to do. There were only a couple of side chambers, none of which he thught would actually lead him to what he'd expected of this temple. So, with no better ideas in mind, he lowered himself to his knees before the altar. His hands came together as he bowed his head, still confused. He'd never prayed a day in his life, and he didn't even know how to begin.

Luckily however, something seemed to know who he was, and why he was there. Not a moment after his head bowed in prayer, a vision erupted within his closed eyes.

In his mind's eye, Lucian saw first one thing, then another, each vision seeming to erupt into another. First, he saw a huge mountain, a thin bit of black smoke erupting from the top. He knew at once that it was a volcano, and no sooner did that thought come to his mind, the vision surged forward. He saw an opening in the rock wall of the mountain. The opening led to a tunnel, and down it's long winding path, he found another temple much like the one they were in, massive and ancient.

Moments later, the vision changed. It was another mountain, but a very different one entirely. For starters, snow capped the it's peaks, and a blizzard swirled and ripped in the air. Again, just as before, Lucian's vision surged forward, and he found another opening that led into another path. This one however, led through the rock itself, to a valley nestled within it's center. There, within that valley was the temple they sought.

Once again, as the vision locked on the temple, it faded and was replaced by another. This time however, he found himself staring at the ocean, intimidating and endless. Again, the vision surged, this time over the water. Miles and miles later, they it settled upon an island upon which sat the fourth and last of the temples.

Lucian was about to open his eyes after he saw the last of the four temples, but another vision swirled into his mind. This time, he saw a great battlefield. The battle was being waged in the unfathomably enormous courtyard of a fortress. He was looking at it from a bird's view. Lucian couldn't tell anything about one side or the other, so he had no idea who was allied with who, or even who was fighting who. In fact, he couldn't distinguish a single thing until it surged forward once more, this time coming to a stop above a pair of combatants. It took only a moment to recognize himself asone of them. What was most alarming however, was when he noticed the second person. It was Mishta.

As suddenly as the visions had started, they stopped. Lucian's eyes snapped open, and he recolied, almost as though he had been struck. He sucked in a great breath, almost as if he hadn't breathed since the visions had begun. He then turned towards Mishta to see if she had noticed.

 

[Medevelin]

They both entered the temple with revering silence, the temple was powerful in it's stoicism. They moved down one of the aisles her a bit ahead of him, they came to the altar and without conveying in words their thoughts and questions Lucian came up with an idea. He knelt down and prayed to the altar, she followed his lead and brought her bare knees down onto the stone ground while clasping her hands together and bowing her head, her eyes closed.

She was struck with flashes, like paintings only live and not drawn. They came and went far too fast for her to comprehend. Words were spoken to her but so fast she couldn't tell if it was in her tongue or another. It all took mere seconds to pass through her and while her conscious mind couldn't put the pieces together, there was something in her subconscious that had gained knowledge. A blur of temples, mountains, oceans, snow... no blizzards and a battle. Only one vision was truly clear and it was Lucian's face. Something did not settle about it and she tried to open her eyes but found she couldn't not until a whisper passed her ear. Audible as if spoken by one next to her yet it could not be as only Lucian was with her and he did not have the voice of a woman which the whisper held.

"If opposites clash, the world will fall into darkness but if opposites unite the sun may shine again."

With the speaking of those words she snapped out of her trance but felt weak and collapsed forward. Her strength quickly returned and she pushed herself back to her knees, looking around confused and finding the same bewildered look on Lucian. One of the first times she'd seen him uncertain.

"If opposites unite." She muttered to herself wondering what it meant. It was then however that she no longer could take time to ponder as she heard a rumbling and soon the stone floor began to shake and crumble. She stood to run but her usually sure feet were hard-pressed to find solid ground to step on. Stumbling briefly as she lunged for the entrance she began a free fall as the ground had all but disappeared and she fell into darkness.

She landed painfully in that darkness, wondering how long and far she had fallen. It was certainly safe to say she hadn't fallen into the basement but much further and was surprised she wasn't killed by the landing. However it wasn't pleasant, the breath was taken from her and momentarily she wondered whether she would suffocate but soon she gathered enough breath to pull herself into a sitting position. Alone in the dark. Alone. Lucian.

"Lucian? Lucian? Where are you?" She called suddenly frantic, for reasons beyond her she was concerned for him. She didn't want to face this darkness alone.