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Post by Decius Vedrix on Sept 9, 2006 12:14:45 GMT -5
Japanese by nature, Chinese by culture And so he begins the path of the righteous one, where men line and fall in the arms of their opponents, but for he himself, he was but a singular man, with the equal ability to destroy anything, and for those he served, praised be for them, whom took on such a powerful foe, and tamed them for their own ambitions. - Page 3, Verse 2 from the book of Rites, written by Fan Xi Liang Xu Tuo watched as the signal grew before him, stuttering to stop, he winced at the share pain that sprung into action, like a great Wyrm eating away at the energy left inside him. He could feel the breeze of old, and although he tried to keep himself fit, and warm, this chill would never go away, and he knew it. For it was the chill of age. The letter was handed down, and he scoped the lettering for traditional prints, but to his annoyance he noted its trimmings, indicating it was a simple copy, maybe it had been given down to many people, but still he received it today, and that’s all that mattered. He used his elbow to keep his stature, and undid the wrapping before pulling open the wooden planks of the message, it read the following.
This monster has threatened our civilisation for centuries, I am thankful of your valour and might, I here by ask that you will join my forces, your skill is just what Wo needs, and it would be both an honour and priviledge to see your skills at work on the battlefield along side me, if my illness subsides soon. In fact I shall not take no as an answer, you are here by an honourary member of Wo, I hope you accept my offer, and I hope to see you in action soon.
~Ma Teng, Wo Grand Ruler.~
"It speaks of me to join." His words were shuddered rather then pressed, and his eyes remained firm on Ma Yui, "I am half Japanese and half Chinese, and although these are foreign lands to me, I guess it'd be rude of me to turn down such a proposal." He stepped back, and knelt on his injured foot, it sprung in agony and for a split second he reached for the floor, his teeth gritting and his body shaking with the share pain that surged throughout him. "Ma Yui." His voice was harsh and blunt, yet he kept his honour and remained knelt, "I have longed to retire from the ages of the world, and I remain in service for reasons I cannot explain or even understand, so I ask that my time end with you Ma Yui, to adopt the final Warden Knight of the ages, and to have him slain once you've conquered the world if no one else can, I want to die for the saviour of an empire, not live through the ages war have wrought upon me, so I ask this simply of you…once my task is full-filled, be I survive, then have me an honourable, traditional warden knights death."
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Post by Adam on Sept 9, 2006 14:11:49 GMT -5
The Qiang horsemen crashed into Ma Teng's army, devouring those who stood in their way. Ma Yui shot forward, shooting his spear into one man's chest, causing him to slump to the floor in a lifeless heap. Ma Yui looked on with awe as he saw the mounted horde attack like Mongols. Ma Yui gulped down, it was his first battle and already he was worn out slightly from the constant defending, parrying and attacking he had to do.
The Captain yelled out at a rain of fire arrows came down onto Ma Yui's vanguard line. Yui caught sight of a single arrow, and instantly brought up his shield in a spectacular move which saved his life, the hawk like eyes once more saving his life.
The Main camp was on fire as Ma Teng's forces were being forced to either surrender of die, the war was lost, and Qiang was still under the leadership of there enemy. Ma Yui couldn't believe he was still alive, at the age of 12 he had taken on people twice his age, who were stronger, faster and smarter than he, but it was pure luck and chance he had survived, his father learnt his lesson once seeing his injured son, and made sure he would not fight until he was at least 15.
* * * * *
Ma Yui shot out of his flash back and looked at the old man where he just about caught onto what he was saying. He was taken back that his father who was ill was still recruiting great men, that is if this man was great, from what he could see he was simply a weak and feeble old man, a waste of resources and good supplys, but his father was the Ruler, and he simply nodded, he would not go against the leaders bidding.
"It is a pleasure meeting you, and I am sure you will do just perfectly here. I can promise you the death you deserve, may I ask, what skills do you bring to Wo? I mean I am not trying to be smart, or arrogant, but I know that old age can some what lower ones abilities from what they once was, but I also know of people who have not been affected and are still great men. So how do you fair? Are you a warrior, strategist, minister or diplomat?"
Ma Yui looked at the man trying to figure him out, he was not sure, he seemed like he was once skilled, and possibly still, but the age made him wonder.
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Post by Decius Vedrix on Sept 9, 2006 15:06:13 GMT -5
Mockery over Prodigy
And so he sits, all small and feeble, wishing thy luck upon the able. Xu Tuo be thy god or peasant, with his attitude none came to see him present, the man was a scourge, he held it proud, but in his age it wrought him sigh, and on the banks of the river harn, he gave his life to wisdoms charm. - Verse 13 from the Book of Xu Tuo, written by Cyrus Embient
Xu Tuo grunted whilst rising, Ma Yui seemed Potent enough, but little did he know of his mental capabilities, "Does thy judge in times of need, or does thy accept with the greatness of breed, a man doesn't rise an empire within a day, nor do they understand the complications of war within a week, to prosper you must have both the young and the old."
He pushed himself back, his foot still aching slightly as he pulled up the hood from his robe, "Consumed by darkness, a man can await the inevitable, consumed by lightness and that man can see nothing but what the sun reflects, you Ma Yui, you are inable compared to that of the other rulers, in time i hope you'll progress, and do not intimidate the old, i have lived twice your life span, i have fought bigger looking animals and still i live, be me injured or not, i could look after myself from any spawn you hold in your deck."
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Post by Adam on Sept 9, 2006 16:57:04 GMT -5
Ma Yui nodded to the man, admoring his up front attitude to it. Ma Yui smirks slightly, surely making the elder curious on the nature of his new expression. "Perfect, you have just what I want in an officer, up front, to the point and with great experience, we shall get on just fine my friend, now is there anything else you need?"
Ma Yui looks at the man wondering if he would want more, and readying himself incase he does so need more...
[[Short, and to the point, sorry about length though Steve, I am tired, wasted last energy tonight on DF]]
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Post by Decius Vedrix on Sept 10, 2006 7:00:51 GMT -5
Instability before Originality
So Xu was accepted upon the banks of the Japanese river, with an injured ankle and a roused temper, tell me, is thy opponent an enemy of yourself, or your master, and tell me, is thy loyal to your master or yourself. Choices are made for every man whom walks the earth, but for Xu Tuo, he is loyal nothing more but to a servant of a greater good. - Chapter 34 from the Book of Camil, written by Dan Zigong
Xu Tuo dipped his head, his temper being as easily subdued as it was roused, "I'm no puppy, we Warden Knights aren't tools for you to use."
At that he spun on his heel, and addressed the opening in-between himself and the gateway ahead, "Oh, and by all the gods, do preserve whatever humour that still rings within you, a ruler must be firm when others are not, be you a friendly ruler or not, show authority amongst your generals, and your bowmen lack sufficient training, I passed the range line, just to see if you was well preserved, my instincts were unfortunately right."
Then he smiled, his back showing nothing away to his new lord and made his way out of the palace.
Cyrus greeted him, the casual happy grim plastered across his pale face, "Anything you want me to do master?"
"Nothing but to continue your pathetic whining." He greeted back, the sullen frown stretched over his wrinkled face. Cyrus was a good general, Cyrus Embient was his name, and he was of foreign origin.
He wore a ginger white robe, with a black trimming that coated its fray, his hair was blonde and it spluttered over his face, swept back into mini spikes with the thick grease that he applied almost religiously to it each morning.
"Go back inside, and ask that Ma Yui what we can do, I have no time for the youth of today."
Cyrus nodded, consuming his face with a hand as he giggled, then he nodded the approval and returned the gaze his master set on him before doing as asked, or commanded.
Entering the room, he walked straight to the ruler and laughed, "The old man wants to know what we should do?"
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Post by Elmokins on Sept 10, 2006 7:30:15 GMT -5
The foreigner looked at the captain, now shouting at him angriliy, in a dull tone. He had only just left the ship, a ragged piece of balsawood that had barely carried him on this leg of his quest. His hooded robe was bound tightly over his face, bumping at irregular intervals where his armor expanded. On the weak wooden platform stood two strange associates of the hooded one, the first was almost 7 feet tall and wore rag-tag clothing made of pelts of exotic beasts and animal hide. The other was strange, his skin was a pearly white and his searing red eyes spoke to the soul, across his waist was a, what seemed to be, a handle of half a spear, with a strange button in the centre. Again the hooded one gave a strange look to the ship captain, his dark eyes the only human thing in that nest of darkness. For a flittering instant the captain faltered, those strange eyes making him take a step back and when he again begun shouting he refused to stare the stranger in the eyes. "Listen you damn idiot, you promised a fortune for that trip. We lost three, Juinich and the Chian twins. We want extra for that.""I said that I would pay Captain. However I require another day.""Well we ain't damn well got that. I swear I'll kill ya for the trouble you've caused us."The shadowy eyes became daggers, the deep voice became as cold as the night in the badland. "Oh, will you?"The simple sinister tone made the captain gulp, his adam's apple bobbed erratically and, as if to reassure himsell, he rested his weathered hands on his cutlass. That was enough for the stranger, there was a metalic noise as a blade was torn from a sheath. The stranger's cloak fell around him to reveal light plated armor, golden adorments stained the edge of the helm and the breastplate. The weapon it held were a pair of katana's, not dissimilar to the native blades of Japan, but far more curved. The weapon didn't even move but the captain fell, clutching as steel lacerated a line across his throat. In that instant alot happened, as the captain fell the dark stranger produced another sword, the same as the first, with warping words knitted up the blade, the crew all reached for weapons. Chaos broke out. The stranger with white skin pressed the button on his strange rod, from each end silver blades emerged serrated edges like the teeth of some infernal monster. The pelt wearer drew a bow and fired, one of the crew was struck in the eye before being flung into the sea around the boat. A brief battle erupted and within seconds the three men were cleaning weapons or recovering arrows from leaden bodies. The dark skinned man, his face with a trimmed beard sheathed his weapon calmly before turning and walking away. "Nobody threatens a Son of the War God."~~~~~~~~ That was several days ago, the trio had reached Shikoku. They walked in perfect harmony, their formation a arrow head. At the front strode the dark-skinned warrior, riding a white horse that seemed to move with his thoughts, not actions. The dark warrior's armor was hanging from his steed's harness but he still wore his katana's. The twin blades were slung across a belt that bound expensive clothing to his form. The other two each rode black steeds and were dressed as they had been a week ago. "Why are we here Prince? Would it not better serve your father to continue searching?"The albino spoke first, his sing-song voice questioning. "Your name has grown on his journey, Scion. But your goal has become more distant. Have you truly abandoned your gods quest.""No, however the whole of Gaia must learn of our people and our holy quest. The Old one's legacy will be found in due time, perhaps it is in this land. Do you question the heir of the sun lord?""Of course not lord. ""Then follow and do not question, Osiris."The hunter simply nodded and patted his horses head, the huge charger neighed quietly. As they approached the palace the Prince placed on his armor, furthering his image. "Await my return.......""Should we not walk with you Prince? Allow us to guard you.""Sithari, perhaps they will think you a Daemon again. I will go alone."The albino warrior nodded to his liege and stopped his horse, just in view of the towering construct. The dark warrior rode his steed to the palace, slowly he removed his blades and rested them in a holder on his horse. Without a word he was escorted though the palace, he gazed in awe at this strange land, he watched the patrols of guards, how tired they were and constructed a mental image of this area. He may need it sometime. The powerful prince placed his hands on empty sheaths and looked at this lord. Perhaps a equal, perhaps inferior. Only time could tell Cyrus of this. Yes, his name was Cyrus, few had used it in years. Not since his journey began, maybe his father had already fell, then that made him the heaven spawn did it not? He did not feel the divine touch the priests and magi spoke of. Cyrus looked at this youth. There was some stranger talking to him, the powerful Prince elected silence. If ignored he would know this ruler could not see the touch of the holy ones upon him. (Longish.....could be better....okay though.)
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Post by Adam on Sept 10, 2006 8:07:31 GMT -5
Ma Yui looked at the squire who now entered the palace, he had not seen the man but upon hearing his words was able to realise it was his servant of sorts, and so replied. "There is much you can do, you could do some tasks about the capital, work on our facilities or merely get aquanted with your new country. Either way I looked forward to seeing your progress."
Ma Yui then returned to working on a few bits of paper work, signing a few before a new warrior entered the palace, he seemed strong, someone Wo needed in this time of chaos. He nodded approvingly, waiting for him to be stood still out of the range of the archers who guarded the lord.
"Warrior, I have heard tales of your power and bravery, and would be honoured if you would join my forces, so what say you... friend of foe?" Ma Yui waited for an answer whilst sipping some fine wine, imported from Europe from his Roman friends.
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Post by Decius Vedrix on Sept 10, 2006 8:23:04 GMT -5
Destiny lies to those whom wait for it
And so the jounrye began, about a man and his squire, a team of Warden Knights on their final mission before the worlds inevitiable toil kicks in and rolls away the energy from their exsistence, the world is forever changing, with technology and of knowledge, praise be to Xu Tuo upon those ifne hours, for knowing what was right.
Cyrus smiled, "I'll be sure to help out." he paused to look at the new comer, a prince maybe, or a god of some out-dated fossil known to some as an empire but is truthfully the ruins of an out of date kigndom, "Just don't be to sure on my master, he has his weird ways, even i do not understand him, and i have been with thee for nearly 7 years now."
He nodded his head, his eyes flicking over to that of the new comer, he seemed potent enough, strong and versile. But something missed from his presence, as if a butterfly had not yet adjusted its wings to fly, the man could be a demon and yet remained a pawn, "Greetings friend." he muttered, bowing his head in the Wardenly fashion.
It was by all means simular to that of any other bow, all that differed was the foot work and body co-ordination, apart from just dipping the head, he left leg bent and his right hand smothered that of his left, which then was smacked against his robed chest, it hurt long ago, when he young and weak. But over the vicious years he had grown to out spear any opponent and beat any animal, creature or being.
"The day is old, and i have many preperations to go attend with, so if you'll excuse me." he nodded again to Ma Yui, and spun on his heel, just as his master had instructed.
Then he left without another sound.
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Post by Elmokins on Sept 10, 2006 8:34:10 GMT -5
And so this lord saw the mark of the Holy Dragon upon Cyrus. He was trusting and spoke of joining his army. The Dragon knight knew little of this land and less of the man, few words had his brethren managed to gather. However it seemed the ruler had heard tales of the dark warrior, many had, myths mostly. A foreign lord destroyed here and there, always with it the tale of a dark-skinned warrior who spoke of his divine power.Again Cyrus felt naked, without his blades he felt defenseless and weak to the foreigners.
"We perhaps know one another foreigner. However we share no knowledge of names. I am known by many by many names, I think Cyrus will suffice."
They had no need to know his titles, the Dragon Knight, Scion of Arkkadian Empire. Prince of the Lower Heaven, Cyrus would be enough. At home men would have been slain to call him that, it was a crime for a mortal to refer to a Holy Ancestor by a mortal name. Had time passed so much he no longer followed his home's law. His father had passed on the quest to him, as all sons of the War-God had passed on to their sons, however no longer did he lust to complete his long journey.
The Dragon-Born stared at this other, he was one of them and yet less, a Celestial and a Mortal. A strange combination, for a brief flicker the two stared at one another, neither fully comprehending the other but still having a primal understanding.
However there was little to talk over at the moment, rather than return the Half-Divine's bow he simply nodded. It was not fitting for a Dragon-Born to bow. Again he turned to the ruler, his stance making him look taller than his above-average height. His deep eyes and proud brow held a majestic power and then his dark voice spread around the room.
"I am a ally, foreigner. For now, as we do not know of the future, only the Dragon and Gaia know of our fates. However I sense they will linger together, for a while at least."
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