Post mass destruction- Service and politics

[RayanStiger]

[This is supposed to be a thread explaining what happened after the Mass Destruction thread. I role played as Renia a little bit, but that's what she gets for not replying... If you (Renia) want me to make some changes to what your character says, pm me and I'll make the corrections.]

Rayan dashed like mad across the streets of Puralgatha towards the edge of the city. In his bleeding arms he held the last of the live mines set here by Kruck and his allies…Rayan had no time to try to diffuse the mine, unless he wished to die an agonizing and painful death by the hands of his old enemy, reborn…

Rayan’s eyes glanced behind him. Renia was still pursuing him. At this rate, she would catch up to him and tear him to shreds in her blinding fury. On top of that, he only had thirty seconds left until the mine would go off…

Rayan’s breathing was heavy. Renia was powerful…he had faced off against Renim before, but that was when he had his friends Mattus Darkstryder and Kami Anya there to help him. Plus, he also didn’t have to deal with a live explosive powerful enough to blast a quarter of the city to bits then…

Rayan suddenly jerked to a halt when he reached the city’s edge. Below him was the long drop to Atlum Field. Behind him was his current worst nightmare…

“It’s too late, Rayan” the dark elf snickered. “Now I shall take revenge upon Renim’s enemy…”

Yes…make him feel pain…that would be amusing. Skia told Renia. Make his suffering quick but delightful…

Rayan gritted his teeth in desperation. Renia’s hand had turned a grayish-brown as she formed an earth attack that would surely be the end of him. He glanced down to the sky below, and made his decision.

“Sorry to leave so soon, but I’m really not in the mood for getting ground into powder. Some other time, perhaps.”

With that said, Rayan dove off the side of the city, pummeling towards the surface below…

“NO!!” Renia cried, enraged that she hadn’t gotten to smash Rayan with her earth powers. She snarled in rage. She had wanted to experience the pleasure of dragging the life out of Rayan.

Well done, Renia. That fool has perished off the side of the cliff…he is dead, just as if you had been the one to kill him. It really is too bad you were unable to finish him yourself…

Renia looked down off of the side of the floating city’s cliff where Rayan had jumped off. She smirked to herself, enjoying the moment of Rayan’s doom. She would savor it eternally…

Suddenly, a deafening boom resounded from below the city. Transparent energy ripped through the air, as the explosion from the mine spread like a ripple in a pond. Large chunks of rock tore off from the city’s foundation, and rose skyward, dragged against gravity by the power of the blast. The citizens of Puralgatha took notice of the blast and looked down towards the surface where the explosion had come from. A few of them thought they saw what looked like an airship below the clouds, lurching away from the ripples of the explosion…

Well, Renia, shall we leave now? I would think that there is nothing else for me here…

Renia stepped back from the ledge and began to pull at the air in front of her. Through her own sweat and blood she managed to open up another portal. Renia walked through it to her next destination, though no one knew where…

=======================================

Rayan’s eyes fluttered open at last. His head was pounding, and his left arm was completely numb…though when Rayan turned his head and looked over at it, he saw it was wrapped in bandages. Putting his hand to his pounding head, Rayan found out that it, too, was bandaged. The room he was in was pearly white; Rayan found himself lying on a cushioned, white bed, and several other pieces of furniture decorated the plain room.

Ugg…did I…make it? Rayan thought as he glanced at his surroundings. He slowly sat up; though he had been injured in his last battle, Rayan was able to cope with the pain. At that moment, a man dressed in a formal white suit walked in.

“Ah, so you are well. Come, Master Stiger…the Puralgatha Council awaits your presence.”

Rayan twitched as he felt his head ripple with an odd numbness. He swung himself out of bed and walked over to the government worker. The man bowed half way and led Rayan through the many massive halls of the People’s House- the main governmental building of Zetfa. It was here that all of the country’s big decisions were made. Zetfa was run by a group of about twenty council members which had been elected to their positions by the free vote of the people of Zetfa. On one of the walls Rayan passed by as he walked down the hall had a sign on it, which read, "To the Service of the People.”

Well, I must still be alive if I’m being called to stand before the Council… Rayan thought as he walked down the halls of the governmental building. I’m glad I installed the auto-pilot on my airship…

The government official led Rayan through the great doors of the Council’s Chamber, where all the council members awaited him.

Rayan’s eyes were filled with bewilderment and wonder as he looked around him. In front of him sat the most prestigious men in the country…perhaps even the entirety of Fyia. Rayan studied them closely. He noticed that they all wore their black and grey robes of Majesty, except for the few council members that wore mono-colored robes, signifying an honorific event that had taken place on their behalf. They sat around Rayan in a large semi-circle, towering above him several feet, in their customary seats of honor. Roughly half of them looked like they had never left their office. Their faces drooped, and they looked as stiff as rust. Most of the others looked like the traditional political figure: a straight face, emotionless eyes, tight fists, firm bodies, big, bald foreheads, and a stiff lower lip. Only about two of all the council members looked like they might possibly possess even a hint of friendliness in them.

The Chief of the Council stood up. His place was in the exact center of the semi-circle. He stood behind the podium and brought the council to order with the “People’s Hammer”, and then proceeded to address the council’s guest.

“Master Rayan Stiger, you have been brought before the Grand Council of Zetfa and the City of Puralgatha to discuss your great deed of service to the People of our blessed country” the chief said in a powerful, booming voice. “We have heard that you have helped to prevent the destruction of our great city from the saboteurs. For your service to the People, on their behalf, we thank you.”

Rayan smiled in an embarrassed and well-pleased manner. I’m glad that I at least get some thanks for having to go through hell…

(there's more coming later...)

[Kruck]

Kruck awoke, dazed. His no longer throbbed with intense pain such as before, but there still was a dull thunping in it. But at least now he could think.

He looked next to him, there was Gen. And they were in the airspace above Purelgetha, looking down on the beutiful city.

Wait a second....

Kruck sat up quickly, suddenly curios and furious. "What the hell?!" He exclaimed. The city was still there! Every single building still up: it looked just like any other day.

"Why is it still there? My plan was flawles....flawless...."

Kruck trailed off, shocked and dismayed. He had failed. Purelgetha was still whole, and much better for it, too. He looked over at Gen. "Gen....what happened?" he asked disparingly, glancing once more at the beutiful city, cringing at the site of it.

[RayanStiger]

“Master Stiger, the chief of Zetfa’s Council would request of you to explain in detail your worthy achievement in the service of the People.” The Chief of Puralgatha’s Council stood stiffly, in a strong and somewhat demanding manner. The rest of the council sat waiting for Rayan to tell them about what he had done, with varying degrees of interest. A few were actually held in rapt attention. However, most simply looked on with a dull expression.

Rayan was drawn out into explaining every possible detail of his account on the sabotage of Puralgatha. He explained to them what he had seen in the city during the immense confusion. The council members were shocked by Rayan’s descriptions of the great warriors battling to the death by the power of DNA manipulation and shadow. His account of the carnage and destruction stunned them, though some still showed little interest. Rayan told them everything he could remember- the mines, the saboteurs, and most of all, the dark elf, Renia.

The Chief of the Council forced Rayan to spill every single detail of the story, so much so that Rayan was forced to remain in the presence of the council for several hours. Rayan was getting weary of retelling his story to the council three times, and was almost made to tell it a FOURTH time, when one of the council members, who was quite finished learning what he could from Rayan, graciously asked the Chief Council member to let it pass. He reluctantly agreed, but he stood back up at his podium to address Rayan before he would let him leave.

“Well, Master Stiger, I am grateful to you, both for giving us the details of your account of the sabotaging of our city of Puralgatha, and for the part you played in it” the Chief declared in the most formal fashion. Rayan, who had lost most of his patience two hours ago, was forcing himself to show no signs of discomfort or inhospitality towards his ‘host’. He was tapping his left foot continuously, like the pattern of falling rain. His arms were crossed, and his forehead was wrinkled with frustration.

“Yes, you told me that before, thank you…” Rayan interjected. “Now may I please be on my way? I do believe that you have kept me here quite long enough. I’m afraid that I’m going to turn to stone and then be used to decorate this fine capitol house of yours.”

The Chief of the Council looked harshly at Rayan with a piercing gaze. He spoke again in a deep voice, almost a bellow, filling the court room with a ferocious racket. “Master Stiger, I understand your desire to leave. But I am afraid that I cannot allow you to leave just yet. You see, the People of Zetfa are our top priority, and your comforts are later down the list. We live to serve the People, for it is by the People that our country is blessed. We have decided that you should be given the opportunity to serve the People of Puralgatha further.”

“I am afraid that is of no interest to me” Rayan said stoutly. “I am not a citizen of your grand country. Thus, I am afraid that I cannot be of service to you, for I am a foreigner from a distant planet. I suggest that you ask another to help you in this regard.”

“Master Stiger, I do not believe that you fully understand the importance of the People’s safety. We have all agreed that you have proven yourself capable of continuing your service to the People. Your actions today have shown that thoroughly. We have reason to believe that it is Urgidon that was behind the attack today, and that they have plans to bring Zetfa into another war with them as they did twenty years ago. Urgidon poses a threat to the People of our country, and as the Head of Zetfa’s Council, I must do what I can to protect our country, for the sake of the People. Thus, the Council has decreed that you, Rayan Stiger, shall indeed serve our country militarily as we have seen fit.”

Rayan’s eyebrows furled as he clenched his teeth in concealed fury at what the Chief of Zetfa’s Council had said. “I tell you, I do not belong to your country!” Rayan said defiantly. “You have no such right as to force me to serve your meaningless desires!”

“On the contrary” replied the Chief, “We hold all power over this land. We have been given, by the consent of the People, to do whatever we must do for the sake of protecting the People, and we have declared that you will serve us as we desire you to do so. Or does the prospect of being publicly executed for refusing to partake in the service of the People sound attractive to you? And do not think that you can escape from your duty. Were you to attempt to flee to another country, we could simply have their government hunt you down and turn you in on the threat of declaration of war. And as for attempting to escape from us by leaving Fyia, Zetfa possesses the most advanced anti-orbit gun batteries on this side of the galaxy. So, I must ask you, have you decided to change your mind about your decision, Master Stiger?”

“GAAAAAAAAAR!!!” Rayan snarled in rage, “CURSE YOU, YOU OLD FOOL!!! I don’t have much choice, now do I?!” Rayan’s anger overflowed, to the point where his head was ablaze in wrath, and his hands were clenched so tightly that his palms bled. A torrent of profanity crossed his mind, and he only prevented himself from uttering it by a miniscule margin.

The Chief of Puralgatha’s Council remained firm and calm as he continued to address the ‘hero’ that had assisted in saving the city. “Excellent. I see that you have come to appreciate our value of the People. For your willing service to Zetfa and the People, I shall grant you to serve in Zetfa’s army, or by your own means, however you see fit for yourself.”

“If I am to serve ‘the People’, then I shall do so by forming my own freelance clan, which you then can hire to fight for their sake” Rayan replied, his face still red from the heat of his fury. He was enraged that this man had the power to force him into a conflict which, as he saw it, did not concern him. It urked him beyond belief that he had no rights that he could use to defend himself, and that he either had to obey the wishes of the council, or be labeled a traitor and have his life cut short.

“Very well then. You may fight for Zetfa with the freelance clan that you shall found. See to it that your clan is created in time to see the upcoming battles” the chief said firmly. “You may go.”

Rayan stormed out of the court with an intense hatred forming in his mind for the Chief of Puralgatha’s Council. On his way out, Rayan looked up and saw the sign again that read, “To the service of the People.”

The service of the people, my aching butt! Rayan thought furiously. That accursed Council Chief cares nothing for the protection of his ‘People’, only for demonstrating his power and influence over people like me, and forcing me to do his bidding. Blast that accursed norsemoler!

Before Rayan made it completely out of the capitol building, one of the more cheerful-looking of the council members ran out to address him. His hair was red and bright, and his clothes slightly less formal than the suits and dress shoes of the other council members.

“Greetings, Master Stiger!” he said in a joyful tone. “I’m sorry that you have to go through all this. You see, our Chief enjoys influencing people such as yourself into doing his bidding. I regret that there really isn’t anything I can do to help you in your situation. But I do wish you luck, and wish to let you know that I am behind your cause.”

“………..”

Rayan wasn’t in the mood to talk at the moment. He simply let the council member yammer on at him while he stared blankly up towards the setting sun.

“Well, I suppose that’s it” the council member said. “If I can ever serve you in any way, you can find me here. Good luck.”

Rayan didn’t turn around to see him leave. He was too busy burning his anger towards the chief in his mind.

I swear…someday, he is going to pay for this…I don’t care how much I have to go through in service to Zetfa. I will see to it that this man regrets this greatly.

[Kruck]

(Dub-a-dee-dee-do now we have to wait for the baka Gen.)

[JKrew]

(((Wow! Huge posts DP! You rule! You too Zak.)))

[RayanStiger]

[...I know...I am...the best...dun DUN!!! build me a shrine! I demand a shrine for the nerd emporor!!! AND GIVE ME CANDY CANES!!! ]

[Kruck]

((Would a pine shrine be fine? Or maybe a post by Gen! Earth to gen? Hello? Anybody home? Knock-knock who's there? P-O-S-T right now! Before I slay you or even worse.....hey it's Phil, the master of insufficient light!

Phil: "I darn you to heck!" heh heh heh....))

[RayanStiger]

Rayan walked throughout the grand city for awhile to cool his seeping anger. He kept his hands in his pockets and a slight scowl on his face, reflecting the deep bitterness he held inside.

Gar, I can’t take it anymore! Rayan thought as he trudged through the golden streets. I can’t take it! Being forced to fight in a war that I don’t give crap about…not only that, but I don’t have a single member of my new ‘clan’… I suppose I could just curl up here and die to save myself the trouble later…

Rayan glared furiously at the ground as he continued on at a drudging pace. His thoughts were unpleasant ones, and his heart had hardened. Rayan felt the power of his rage seep out of him with every step, poisoning the ground which he treaded upon. He looked like an infuriated anime character, and one that seemed desirous to unleash his anger upon something to appease himself.

Rayan felt a hand placed gently upon his shoulder. He whipped around with an irritated look on his face.

“My pardons, sir…I did not mean to disturb you” said the man that had touched Rayan’s shoulder. A gentle smile graced his face as he spoke. Rayan could not help looking the man over, intrigued by his appearance.

This stranger’s physical appearance was completely different from that of the common citizen of Puralgatha. His tall form was bent over slightly, and he seemed to possess a great inner power residing quietly inside of him. Though his very presence resonated the very feeling of majesty and power, his complexion was soft and gentle. His eyes were tainted light purple, and flashed like the moon. He was garbed with a bright red mage’s robe with long, wide sleeves. The bright red color transformed slowly into a blazing yellow flame at the hem of the robe. His blue hair split at the center and folded to the sides of his head like gentle bedsheets. On top of his head sat a mage’s hat that was the same color as his robe. It was shaped like a half moon, curving back as it ascended.

After studying the man’s looks for a moment, Rayan shook his head and snapped back to reality. “Who are you, and what do you want?” he said in a demanding fashion.

“I am sorry to disturb you, Master Stiger…but I heard that you were founding a freelance clan sometime in the near future?”

Rayan froze for a moment, and then looked at the stranger with a curious and surprised look. “How do you know my name, and how did you find out about that? I only left the People’s House an hour ago!”

The man laughed to himself for a moment and said, “Yes, well, I suppose you could say that the word gets around quickly here in Puralgatha. I suppose you are wondering what I want to do with you. May I ask a request of you?”

Rayan eyed the stranger warily. He knew that the man was hiding something, and wasn’t about to trust him blindly.

“Possibly. But I definitely won’t comply unless you tell me your name.”

The mage nodded his head politely and then stood completely straight. “I am Adriel the Mage. I wish to engage you in a training battle.”

Rayan stared at him awkwardly as if he didn’t believe what he had just heard Adriel say. After a few moments of silence, Rayan said, “Are you crazy? Can’t you see my arm? Hel-loooooooooooooo! I’m injured!” Rayan waved his left arm at Adriel, which was in a sling. Even as he waved, Rayan’s arm ached painfully. “Seriously man, that’s just stupid. I’m all ready weakened. I mean, you could have no skill at all and you could still thrash me in my current state…what are you thinking?” Rayan brushed him off and began to turn the other direction.

“I know that you are all ready injured. That is precisely why I wish to engage you in combat. A clan leader must be strong enough to be able to defeat his foe no matter what, even when wounded. Is that not true, Mr. Clan Leader?”

Rayan stood still in his tracks as he heard Adriel’s words. His blood began to boil in rage, and he clenched his fist. Rayan knew that Adriel was right. He couldn’t just back out of this. If he did, how could he call himself a clan leader? Clans were, in truth, given birth and made to flourish under the guidance of a powerful leader that has proven himself in battle. Ignoring Adriel would mean forsaking the very role he had endeavored to take up.

“FINE! You had better be good to be asking me to go through this training exercise with you! If you don’t live up to my expectations, then don’t expect any kindness from me!”

Rayan snarled as tore off the bandage he wore on his forehead. His eyes blazed as he focused in on only one object- Adriel. Rayan slowly brought his hand to his left side, touching the hilt of his sword just slightly. Adriel stepped back and pulled a cane that was just slightly shorter than four feet from out of his robe. It was thicker and wider at one end, and graced by a small blue jewel at the top of the larger end. He spun it around and brought it down in front of him and stood in a fighting stance. Adriel looked at Rayan with a confident gleam in his bright eyes, and a subtle smile on his face. The two of them stared each other down for several seconds before Adriel broke the silence.

“I am honored to be the one to see if you are truly worthy of becoming a clan leader, Rayan. Be sure not to choke.”

“Don’t you worry about me. Like you said, a great clan leader must be able to hold his own, no matter what the odds. I’m ready for you.”

A soft wind blew swept across the city. Adriel’s robe flowed majestically in the breeze as the two warriors stood ready for battle. All the citizens of the city had fled from the scene; they had seen the destruction done to their city just hours previous, and they most certainly did not plan on being anywhere near these two who seemed to be locked in a feud of their own. All was deathly still.

[RayanStiger]

Rayan slid his blade out of its sheath. He knew that this was more of a test of his own skills than Adriel’s, and that he would have to press the offensive to prove himself; thus, he rushed at Adriel. Rayan struck at Adriel with a rising slash from the ground up. Adriel spun his staff at blinding speeds and blocked the sword. Before Rayan could react, he spun 360 degrees, holding his staff above him.

WHAM! Rayan got leveled to the ground by the tremendous blow to his head. He lay there wincing painfully; Adriel smiled down at him. Rayan clenched his teeth to help endure the pounding in his head and lashed with his blade furiously. He beheld in disbelief as Adriel leapt into the air and front flipped over his prostrate body. Rayan forced himself to his feet by pushing himself up with his sword. Looking over his shoulder, Rayan saw Adriel standing confidently with a bright gleam in his soft eyes. Rayan stood, slightly bent over, breathing heavily and clutching his sword tightly. Sweat drenched him like the morning dew, and fury clouded his focus.

Rayan looked at his opponent hard, reflecting upon how the fight was unfolding. It angered him that Adriel was beating him with a short staff, even though he was fighting with a sword, one that he had forged himself. Rayan had yet to catch Adriel off guard, and was still smarting from the pounding he had taken from Adriel’s staff.

No matter how quickly I slash at him, he deflects or blocks my attack. I can’t beat him! I didn’t know mages could be so good at weapon combat as well as magic. How was I to know? …C’mon Rayan, think! There still a way to turn this fight around. Just because regular sword attacks aren’t working, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t some other way to win. But what can I do?

Before Rayan could finish his train of thought, Adriel closed his eyes and surged magic power into his staff. It was soaked in bright, reddish fire.“Foie!” Adriel yelled, extending his staff towards Rayan. A large, blazing ball of flame shot forth from the end of his staff and hurled towards him.

Rayan knew it was coming. He took a step forward and swung his sword diagonally at the flaming sphere and shut his eyes tight. Rayan could feel the heat from the flames torment him. He felt fire and ash lick at his face and chest as he stood gripping his blade with an unbreakable hold. Slowly, Rayan opened his eyes again, and looked down at his sword.

It was glowing with bright fire from the tip to the bottom of the blade. Rayan breathed out heavily. He had absorbed most of the fire into his sword, and had taken damage from very little of the intended attack. Rayan looked up, and saw Adriel smile in a friendly manner at him, standing still and peacefully.

“Very impressive, I must say, Master Stiger” he said, congratulating his opponent sincerely. “It takes a keen mind to improvise in battle the way you do.”

Why… is he encouraging me? Perhaps Adriel is powerful AND kind…there must be something he’s not telling me Rayan thought, intrigued by Adriel’s manner. The two stared each other down; neither was considering giving so much as an inch of ground.

Rayan glanced back at his sword. The flames were dying down, but still coated the top of his blade. At that moment, an idea snapped into his head: If normal sword moves aren’t working and he can use magic…then my only choice is to try out the sword/energy fusion attacks I learned!

Rayan shut his eyes and breathed deeply. He concentrated all of his strength throughout his entire body into his hands, and then from his hands to his sword. Rayan’s blade glowed a translucent bluish-purple, and Rayan changed color with it. Once he could store no more energy in his sword, Rayan dashed at Adriel with his sword poised to strike.

Adriel slid back just as he brought the blade down. It cut through the air in suspended animation. The blue energy surrounding it made it appear to move towards Adriel in frames; old movie film shots strung loosely together. The resulting illusion was several swords attacking, one after another. Rayan’s sword struck the ground and ripped up the street’s pavement from the impact, missing Adriel by mere inches.

Blast! How could a mage be so quick on his feet? Rayan thought, glaring at the evasive Adriel. Adriel smiled at him gently and said, “That was an unexpected move indeed. You might have beaten me there. However, I am quite learned in regards to magic forms, including that one.”

Rayan clenched his teeth in desperate determination. He knew that Adriel easily evaded that last attack, and Rayan didn’t have many other energy/sword moves to begin with. His mind paced as he considered his options. The only sword energy I know is blue, green, and purple. How am I supposed to beat him with such a small arsenal?

Rayan saw Adriel’s staff glow a bright yellow at the tip. Crackling electric bolts emitted from the staff. Adriel spun it around and cast it to the air. “Zonde!” A bright yellow lightning bolt shot out of the sky above and blasted into Rayan’s body. He arced back painfully, clenching his eyes and teeth from the intensity of the shock. Rayan collapsed to the ground, wincing as electricity coursed through his body. His head pounded like a drum playing to the tune ‘Wipeout,’ and his arm felt so painfully numb that Rayan thought that he knew how Luke felt when Darth Vader cut his hand off. Rayan slowly forced himself to his feet, staggering as his opponent approached him.

“I suppose that you aren’t too fond of the elements now, are you?” Adriel asked him, walking slowly closer in an abnormally casual fashion. “Ah, yes, I suppose you are marveling at my power in the realm of magic. I am known as a Force Mage. I come from a far off planet, where I learned how to control the elements of fire, electricity, and ice. But I can do far more than that! Observe…[glow=white,2,300]Solara![/glow] "

Adriel stepped back and brought his arms close to his chest. His mage cloak began to flow majestically by some supernatural power. He closed his eyes as his hands began to glow a bright, golden color. Adriel held the bright balls of light in his tight fists, and beams of light began to seep through his hand. Soon the balls of light had grown to large spheres, engulfing both of Adriel’s hands entirely. Finally, he extended his arms towards the sun. A golden arc of light shot towards where the sun sat in the sky; once the beam reached the part of the sky where the sun shone, the arcing beams came down straight at Rayan, now merged into one beam four times as thick as the initial beams. Rayan’s gaze froze upon the oncoming light blast.

[RayanStiger]

If it worked before, it better work again! Rayan thought as he saw the inescapable attack hailing down at him. He stepped back and thrust his blade straight at the beam. The sword was engulfed by the light, and Rayan shut his eyes as the magical light beam crashed down on him. When he opened them, he saw that his blade glowed golden. Rayan noted that he, too, pulsed gold every two seconds. Epinephrine surged through him. He turned to Adriel with a vengeful eye.

Rayan charged at Adriel with furious speed. Adriel brought down his staff the same moment Rayan slashed upwards with his sword. Bright sparks shot up as their weapons clashed. The golden surge of power flowing through Rayan and his sword sent the staff flying from Adriel’s hands. It spun intensely through the air and landed over thirty feet behind him. Rayan thrust his blade at Adriel, keeping the tip of is sword only an inch away from his throat.

Adriel slowly put up his hands and smiled his beaming grin. “Take it easy, Master Stiger…I do believe that you have beaten me.”

Rayan stood tense for several moments, keeping his sword pointed at Adriel’s jugular. Slowly, he calmed down and returned his sword to its sheath. As the adrenaline in his body wore off, Rayan put his hand to his pounding forehead. He collapsed flat to the ground. He lay there half-conscious, utterly exhausted from his training battle. Rayan could hardly do anything but lie there and breathe wearily.

Adriel recollected his staff and looked over Rayan compassionately. “That fight must have taken a lot out of you, injured as you were. Here, allow me to administer some healing magic.” His staff began to glow a bright white. Then a white sphere about the size of a melon formed at the tip of the staff and floated into Rayan’s body. His entire body instantly felt relaxed. Rayan smiled faintly as he absorbed the healing magic in. After a few moments, he was able to slowly stand. Rayan looked at his arm, speechless.

“It’s…healed.”

“Of course it is! That’s what healing magic is for, you know. No need to thank me. You really needed the treatment before our battle, really.”

Rayan looked at Adriel strangely. “I thought you were challenging my ability to become a clan leader…why are you acting all nice all of a sudden?”

Adriel beamed. “I wanted you to fight an unfair battle to test you- to see if you were capable of leading a clan or not. I mean, no one wants a weakling for a leader, right? I certainly don’t.”

“I…guess so…wait, did you say that you wanted to join?”

Adriel bowed politely. “I offer you my services. I have been wandering about in search of someone who could hire me for warfare purposes, to no avail. Then, when I heard that someone named Rayan Stiger was forming a freelance clan to fight against Urgidon…I decided I would be the first to join.”

Rayan smiled gratefully. “Well, there’s nothing I’m going to do to keep you from joining! You are hereby the first member of…uh…”

“Haven’t named your clan yet, have you?” Adriel pried.

Rayan blushed slightly with embarrassment. “No… I haven’t. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Hmm…Well, one must consider what character traits his clan will represent to think of a proper name. What do you value? Valiance? Power? Virtue? You must take these things into account.”

“I suppose so. But what can I name it after? …Wait! I got it!” Rayan looked down at the hilt of his sword sticking out of its sheath. He slowly drew it out, closely examining the blackish-grey metal it was made of.

“By the looks of it, I would say that your sword is made of Thyconium” Adriel commented.

“Yes…I forged it myself about a year ago. Thyconium…one of the strongest metals known to date, possibly THE strongest. …That’s it! Clan Thyconis, named after this metal. It is strong, unbending, and filled with determination.”

“That is a wonderful idea, Master Stiger. Well met.”

Rayan sheathed his sword and looked over at Adriel again. “You don’t have to keep calling me ‘Master Stiger.’ You’re a friend now. Just call me Rayan.”

“As you say…so, where is the clan to be formed? It needs a place that can act as the center of operations- where clan members can eat, drink, sleep, train, and live.”

Rayan tapped his foot thoughtfully. “Well, I certainly don’t want to set it up HERE…I’m not too fond of the Zetfan government right now. I know…Dathomir. It’s the most neutral country in Fyia, it’s far enough away from Zetfa, and it’s cheaper to rent land there than anywhere else.”

“That sounds like a noble plan. When shall we depart?”

“Well, I’m tired of sticking around this apocalyptic dump. Let’s leave now.”

“Very well, then. I would advise you to begin advertising your clan as soon as possible, if you wish to amass a strong group quickly” Adriel suggested.

“That’s precisely what I mean to do. Anyway, my airship is parked in the loading bay. Let’s go, Adriel.”

[Kruck]

(Dang it all. Dp, I can't post till Gen does. Sry my man. )