ENDLESS JOURNEYS (O/A)

[ChaliceKing]

Veran Krauss sighed. The boredom was growing again. Why couldn't those two have stayed instead of running off like they did? If anything he wished he could find some work kidnapping someone or hunting down a wealthy bounty. Anything was better than standing here bleeding.

The noise of voices once again drew his attention. Did he come across the two he had seen before..or were these some possible new victims? Maybe even...an employer. That would be fantastic! Now my hearts really beating. I better go see for myself. If it was those two from earlier, Veran swore to show them little leeway. He would go at them heavy from the start and show them what fear could truly do to someone. If it was someone else, varying on what they could offer, he might be persuaded to show them a little mercy.
He burst into a miniature run and headed towards the source of the voices.  

[PixelMuse]

Nova Blancke

"You are not of the Valkyrie. Remember that. The Goddess might be but you are not. Focus on your task ahead. Grieve when it's over." Nova stated as a matter of fact.

"Besides, nothing is truly gone if it's remembered."

"No need to tell me that. It's the Godesses' feelings that's overwhelming me, tell her." She focused on her breathing trying to reach a calmer state of mind. "Y'know i can't help but wonder why… why I never knew I was capable of magic until 3 years ago? I was always under the impression that if you were capable of magic you'd know from the start. It seemed like that for you that's for sure and just about every magic user I met." Her mind was beginning to clear a bit and getting her mind off of the dead Valkyrie race helped.  

[Nova Blancke]

"It is true that there are some people who simply cannot use magic despite gaining a Crest. I wish I had time to study that phenomenon. It is one of the things we have not quite figured out yet. But there are people who have always known they could. While the rest simply gets tested. Though there is little need for testing as almost everyone can."

"But I suppose in your case, it is because of the goddess. That reminds me....where did you gain your crest?"  

[PixelMuse]

"I-I don't know… I don't think I had a crest since birth… I'm sure I would have noticed or asked about it. Do these things remain invisible? I suppose it any first sign that there was a crest was when I started using magic. Could it be possible that it was given to me then? Could it be possible that I simply wasn't born with one but it appeared later?"

"One thing is for sure I didn't start using shadow manipulation was after that big fight with the Necromancer. Do you think he granted me the black crest to slow me down?" she rubbed her arm a little at the thought of the a Necromancer's gauntlet holding her, gave her goosebumps.  

[Nova Blancke]

"Yes and no to your questions. They are invisible unless you are using a great amount of mana. I do know that the Paladins have their own ways so perhaps something happened in your years training there? Perhaps some sort of initiative or ritual? Because Crests are not something that you are born with. It is something that you gain."

"There are two types of Crests. Light and Dark. Because the body is incapable of handling both types of Mana at the same time. So those Crests make sure you are only using one. If Alec were to use Fire, his flames would be darker than Kerana's. Because he has a Dark Crest. The Crest just defines your affinity. Healing with a Dark Crest is the same as Light. So your Crest does not define you as a person. The greatest killer of all times could have a Light Crest. Just as a saint could have a Dark Crest."

"The only difference is that you are unable to use the opposite Magic. Light can't use Dark Magic and Dark can't use Light Magic. Unless you are Tainted. If you are Tainted, your body has used both types of Mana. It will make you much stronger but it will also kill you eventually as the opposing forces will rip you apart." Nova explained." But it seems those rules do not apply to you completely."  

[PixelMuse]

"Yeah I suppose so. To think for the longest time I thought I wasn't anything special. Though, the paladins would feel relieved to know that there's more to this crest than meets the eyes. When they realized I was the chosen one the prophecy foretold and they saw the crest they became very worried. They pointed out it was because of it I was having trouble with holy. They recommended that I go to the temple and pray to Umbra for answers but no luck. Instead I was attacked by a demon. I'm not sure if it was sent by her but I put an end to it with the goddesses' glaive."

"Do you think praying to Umbra would have helped any?"  

[Nova Blancke]

"I do not see how praying would be of any help. If prayers did help, then this world would not be the way it is today." Nova replied." You shouldn't even be able to use Light or Holy magic because of your crest. Not without tainting it."  

[PixelMuse]

"I suppose, the only thing praying there brought me was an attacking demon."

Trinity shrugged her shoulder as he mentioned her crest shouldn't allow her to use light magic, "The paladins seemed puzzled about it as well. Plus my crest is not tainted right? That's what makes me the exception. I'm not sure why they chose me, but that's probably one of those questions that I will never get an answer to, huh?"  

[Nova Blancke]

"Yes, ironic for me to say but let us not dwell on the past. No your crest is not tainted. I think you got two. When you transformed another Crest emerged from within. If I had more time I'd love to get to the bottom of that. But for the meantime.....we are not alone here. You mind showing yourself? Hiding from me has little meaning." Nova said. He seemed calm but he was ready to strike. Another person in this place.....Now he at least knew for sure that the barrier Gollem was no longer functional.  

[ChaliceKing]

Nova Blancke

"we are not alone here. You mind showing yourself? Hiding from me has little meaning." Nova said. He seemed calm but he was ready to strike. Another person in this place.....Now he at least knew for sure that the barrier Gollem was no longer functional.

The red cloaked man emerged from the curbed road, slowing his pace as he came into view of the two people. "Well, people just keep popping out of the woodwork. I hope you're a little friendlier than the last bunch. Psycho wolf thing went and summoned a bunch of birds and then ran off." He scraped some of the dried blood from his torn clothes and then shrugged.

"So, what are your names? Mines Kitar...sorry if I disturbed you." He slid the fake name into the conversation so smoothly. He had practiced it over a thousand times, getting the tone, timing and volume of the name down pat. He figured he'd go with a little more subtle approach with these two.  

[Nova Blancke]

"You see, I would be inclined to believe you was it not for the fact that I happen to know that 'psycho wolf thing' and his partner. They are my students. He would not do anything as drastic as that if he wasn't threatened. The pup loves life and nature. For him to sent birds to their death just to get away from you means you threatened him or the girl." Nova explained calmly but his eye contact from the man never broke.

"So would you mind telling me what really happened? Your well being is at stake here."  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Kerana

Kerana was not going to say anything about how she felt. That changed when she saw the effect Alec's decision had. There are times when she could have sworn her guardian was reading her mind. At first she didn't know what to say, expressing her thoughts from earlier would only make him feel worse and there was no need to let him know that, that may have not been his best move. Instead she started off with something a bit more immediate.

"Alec! Are you okay?..." her eyes were filled with concern.

He shook his head desperately. "No...I'm not."

He leaned his head against the forearm that was supporting him against the tree. "The spirits of this forest wont let me forget about this for some time. This is the way a druid is punished for needlessly sacrificing fauna."

"I thought he would run away, or at the very least he would hurt maybe a few of the birds. I never would have expected him to kill them all."  

[ChaliceKing]

Nova Blancke

"So would you mind telling me what really happened? Your well being is at stake here."

Seems like today was both lucky and unlucky for him. He got to meet such interesting people and yet, it was seeming that his skills needed a little polishing. Either that or these people were just that damn good. "Honestly, I asked a few questions. Who are you..why are you here...the basics. Just wanted a little information, but your student growled and threatened me."

His hand rested on the hilt of his ice enchanted blade. Whoever this guy was, he reeked of trouble. So much more than those other two. He actually felt his body shake a little just being close to him. Whether that was from fear or excitement he couldn't tell yet.

"After that, I drew my blade, he summoned his birds and ran off. That's how my clothes came to be like this. So do I have you to blame for teaching such a heated student then? Maybe you'll be a little more open to conversation. Perhaps we'll go back to the beginning...with your name."  

[Nova Blancke]

"You are going to have to excuse the wolf for protecting the girl. It's his nature. And I am sure you know how territorial wolves can be." Nova replied with somewhat of a courteous nod.

"One can teach but not change a person. I simply...teach. Different personalities make things more interesting. Breeds new things with different perspectives." His hands still folded behind his back.

"Do I need to remind you that an open conversation is more easily attained without showing off your ability to rest your hand on your weapon? No matter how interesting the weapon is. Enchanted or infused?" Every word he said was calm but had a certain authoritative tone.