Bane of Degradation - Official Roleplay

SavvageSavvy_515 · 10 December 2024 16:26

Ianira felt her skin crawl as Dux passed by and summoned her. It wasn’t with disgust, though. Rather, the darkness within innately struggling against its bonds, desperately trying to consume any light or magical energy that it could find. Her hesitation was just her gaining control over her immediate functions once again - her thoughts, her mouth, and her actions - so as to not incite the rage of the Order. This was her first day on the job, and first time in a while where she was free, and not bound by chains in one way or another.

Truly, she had been trying to find a way out of the building that didn’t involve breaking windows, and had been intercepted by Dux before she could accomplish her task. Her gaze flicked all around, trying to memorize her surroundings and what she heard coming from different rooms so she could remember how to get back to this point if she ever needed or wanted to get out again. Her gaze rested on the Orc that Dux called out to. One of Ianira’s eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly as her gaze drifted up and down Aristomache’s body in a curiously studious manner, even as her gait didn’t falter or stop as she followed behind Dux. The focus of her gaze seemed to linger on the Orc’s muscles before Ian looked away with a slight smirk. Nyxia received the same gaze, though Ianira’s gaze rested longer on Nyxia’s hair than anything else. Ian thought it was beautiful, though she would never say it out loud. Silver hair wasn’t something that Sucanvital ever experienced in their life. The color hair they were born with was what they had for life and it was usually a common color ranging from black to blonde. Ian’s hair color was as rare as it came for the Sucanvital.

By the time they reached the destination that Dux had been leading them too, Ianira had already considered peeling away from the group to try escaping again at least five separate times, each when she saw a door wide open with light streaming in from what could only be the outside, however, ultimately she had chosen to stay with them. As much as she wanted to live freely her way, she did understand she needed help… and so far this organization is the only one that reached out a hand. They didn’t really give her a valid option, necessarily, but… this was better than rotting in a cage or cell and she wasn’t going to willingly perform any traditional death rituals just yet, so, here she was. Now, her gaze flicked back and forth as she took in the details of Dux’s office and listened to what he had to say.

Despair? Water spirits? While the idea of a village being relentlessly overwhelmed by despair was quite an amusing thought to Ian initially, she did understand that she needed to go into this with the understanding that she’d be actively HELPING people and trying to SOLVE a problem, not cause one. The idea of being a peacemaker rather than a creature of chaos made her scrunch her nose in displeased annoyance. When Dux got around to telling them where they’d be going and who they’d be meeting with, as well as who was being sent with them, Ianira caught Dux’s lingering gaze and returned it, accompanied by a closed-lip grin that dripped with an unnecessary amount of challenge and what seemed like pride. To be cause for extra supervision was a win, in her book. That was one of the stipulations for her being here, anyways. She had to behave herself in regard to her powers or she’d be taken back to the cell where Dux had found her.

Finally, he finished filling them in on the basics of the mission’s parameters, Ian pondering this Elias that had been mentioned. A good mentor?? Well, the part of Ianira that was truly still HER wanted to do what was best. The larger part of her that was tainted by the darkness implanted in and bound to her wanted nothing but chaos and disorder. To upheave, to infiltrate, destroy, to take and claim, and to disseminate. A shiver runs through Ianira’s body as she realizes she was lingering too intently on the chaos within her. She crosses her arms over her chest and takes up a defiant and confident pose as her gaze moves to glance between Aristomache and Nyxia. Trust wasn’t something that came easily to her anymore. Although, she didn’t think Aristomache or Nyxia were human, which would make that easier for Ian in the long run. Ianira clears her throat softly and sets her expression to one of open, willing cooperation. “I am Ianira,” she says to them with a polite dip of her head in greeting. “I do hope we can deal with this mission effectively and efficiently. I’ll do my best to keep myself in line and to carry my own weight.” She would take this time to glean what she could from the order and its members, and then she’d decide what fun she’d like to have.

@Meekepeek
@viiel.x
@LunaticLeviTheSecond

Meekepeek · 17 December 2024 16:26

The air was sharp with the morning chill, the sun barely cresting the horizon and casting the field in hues of muted gold. The training grounds stretched vast and empty, save for the tall, dark silhouette of Kaida standing alone near the center. Her posture was perfect, still as a statue, arms crossed as she surveyed the grounds with an expression carved from stone. She had arrived before the sun, as was her habit—punctuality was discipline. And discipline was everything.

Kaida’s sharp eyes flickered to movement on the far edge of the field. Kylyra approached, her steps hesitant and small. Her artificer’s glove, despite its craftsmanship and potential, seemed too heavy for her thin frame. Her head was bowed slightly, as if each step required thought and permission.

Kaida sighed under her breath but didn’t allow her impatience to show.

“Good. You’re here,” she said, her voice even and low. She uncrossed her arms, stepping forward so her shadow stretched across the dirt. Kaida took in the girl’s uncertainty—the way her hands fidgeted near her belt, the way her eyes darted toward the ground instead of looking her in the eye. It irritated her. Weakness always did. But Dux’s words rang in her mind. Give the girl a chance.

Kaida inhaled slowly, controlling her tone. She was supposed to start soft. “We’re going to focus on instincts today,” she began, her voice calm but authoritative. “Instincts are what will save your life in the field. Not theory. Not reputation. Just you and the moment.”

Kylyra’s head tilted slightly, as if absorbing the words but questioning her own ability to live up to them. Kaida tilted her chin down, her piercing gaze softening just slightly—just enough to not outright scare the girl off.

“You’re going to make mistakes today. That’s the point. I don’t want you overthinking.” The words were meant to reassure, but her voice still carried that unyielding edge. Kaida gestured to a set of training dummies lined up at irregular intervals across the field. Some were hidden behind cover—barrels, crates, and stacks of broken stone. Others were in plain sight.

“Here’s the first exercise: I want you to hit as many targets as possible. Don’t plan. Don’t hesitate. Just act.”

Kylyra opened her mouth slightly as if to ask something, but Kaida’s sharp look silenced her before a word left her lips. The girl’s gaze fell to her glove instead. Kaida’s brow furrowed faintly. The softness in her approach was starting to strain against her nature. She folded her arms once more, her voice dropping colder.

“You’re an artificer, Kylyra. That glove—your magic—means you have power. Power isn’t useful if you can’t trust yourself to wield it.” She stepped closer, her boots crunching the dewed grass underfoot. “Every second you doubt yourself is a second an enemy could use to end you. Or someone else.”

The slight tremble in Kylyra’s shoulders didn’t escape Kaida’s notice. She gritted her teeth. Soft words were wasted if the truth wasn’t getting through.

“Let me put it plainly.” Her voice was ice now, cutting through the fragile morning air. “You’re not here because of your family name. Out there, that name won’t matter. The enemy doesn’t care who your parents are or what your legacy says you should be. They care whether you hesitate. If you do, you die. If you freeze, others die.”

Kylyra’s head snapped up at that, her wide eyes meeting Kaida’s. It was enough of a startle to break through her shell for a moment, and Kaida seized it. She gestured once more to the field, where the dummies stood like silent sentinels.

“I don’t care how sloppy your hits are. I don’t care if you miss entirely. Just. Move. Trust yourself for once.” Kaida’s tone softened just enough to sound like an order rather than a reprimand. She held Kylyra’s gaze a moment longer, unwavering.

For a breath, silence stretched between them. The girl looked as though she might fold under the weight of her own thoughts. Kaida had seen it before, seen recruits swallow themselves whole before even taking their first real step. She refused to let that happen here.

“I’ll say this one last time: You’re not here to be perfect, Kylyra. You’re here to learn. So act like it.”

Kaida stepped back, crossing her arms again and motioning to the targets with a small tilt of her head. The dummies awaited. Kylyra’s test had begun.
And so had Kaida’s.

@SavvageSavvy_515 - Kylyra

SavvageSavvy_515 · 17 December 2024 19:45

Kylyra had slept surprisingly well despite her fear and uncertainty about how the day would go. She made sure her uniform was in tip top shape: all folds, buckles and buttons as they should be. It was still dark when she quietly made her way out of her designated sleeping area towards the training grounds she had been shown the day before where her training would start. She had grabbed a snack before getting outside and absently ate it as she walked, her mind wandering aimlessly. Her eyes rested on the glove that covered her arm from fingertips to just above her elbow. The runes, though inactive, still seemed to glow gently from within. With practiced ease, she channeled her internal magical power into the glove, just enough to cause the runes to light up simultaneously. A small smile curves her lips with joy at the sight. It was a comfort to her, and definitely her preferred weapon. Though her sword went with her everywhere as well, and it was most definitely a versatile weapon that she was proficient with, her glove was hefty and sturdy. There was a safety and security in its weight; a certainty about how it clung to her arm.

By the time she reached the training field, she had finished her light breakfast and was back to stressing about how practice would go. The sun was barely coming over the horizon and she could see the dimly lit form of her instructor waiting for her already. This caused her to quicken her pace slightly so as to not keep her waiting any longer than she already had. Kylyra wondered whether their personalities would mesh or rub the wrong way, and if her own insecurities would make things worse or more difficult for either of them… or both… As Kaida began to speak, Kylyra takes a slow, deep breath to center herself and focus on what is being said. Her eyes immediately widen noticeably as she continues to fidget with her belt and the inside seam of the fingertips of her glove. Her teeth nibble at the inside of her lower lip. Instincts were not her forte. The theory of battle was where she flourished, and now she was being told to throw it out the window for the time being. It freaked her out! However, she did trust her new instructors. She trusted the Royal Order to do what was right. If part of her training needed to be instinct in order for her to be of any use to the Order, then she would learn.

Ky swallows hard at the thought of making a mistake. Not because she wanted to avoid mistakes, necessarily; she knew they were valuable teaching tools, but because she knew that making a mistake with the powerful weapon on her arm could have some serious backlash and cause some serious issues. She didn’t want to be the person everyone remembered as the one who blew up the Order… or even just one instructor. Kylyra was perfectly okay with being lost in the background of all that the Order did and was responsible for, or at least that’s what she told herself. At the very least, that was what she was used to - being lost in the background… Her gaze drifts over the training dummies as her mindset and body language began to shift. She was counting how many enemies there were and where they were located, she also tried to guess how far away they were from her current location so she could better calibrate her glove’s long range and area of effect attacks. It wasn’t until she was given a subtle look by Kaida that she realized she was doing the very thing she had just been told to not worry about for right now, and her gaze falls to her glove.

Kaida’s words hit Ky deep. She knew they were true. It wasn’t just to make her feel a certain way or think certain things. It was nothing short of absolute truth. If Kylyra ever found herself in a situation where she needed to make a quick decision, with lives on the line… A shaky breath forces itself out of Kylyra’s mouth, and she swallows again, eyes glancing back and forth between Kaida and the training dummies that she could see immediately from her position as if waiting for one of them to jump at her and catch her by surprise. Kaida began driving the point home, and Kylyra had to force herself to keep quiet. Not because she wanted to argue but because her family name had actually been a big help in regard to her getting into the Order. Sure, she still had to go through training like everyone else, but it had been a big part of why she was even here. However, she kept her mouth shut because she understood the heart behind what Kaida was saying. “If I want to be of any use, I have to lay down my family name and its expectations and focus on just staying alive…” she thinks to herself as she locks eyes with Kaida. A subtle nod is given to Kaida to show that she was present, conscious, and listening! Ready to take on the task at hand.

Once Kaida had stepped away to give space for Kylyra to begin, Ky turned to face her enemies, muttering to herself softly. “Not here to be perfect. Don’t think. Just. Move…” She shakes her shoulders a few times and then lifts her right arm so it was parallel to the ground beneath her feet. With her hand in a fist, the runes began to glow a bright, ethereal blue. The outer circles of stone that wrapped around the glove began spin in opposite directions from each other. Then, right as Kylyra went to make her first move, all of the runes suddenly turned an angry, fiery red as she began to blast dinner plate sized fireballs from the end of the glove. She would keep blasting until she believed she had shot at every training dummy she could see. Her movements and shots were steady, well trained but not exact hits or best for a combat scenario. She’d win first place in a contest of “whose weapon etiquette was best” but if this had been a real battle, she would be sliced meat already.

When she had finished shooting, she slowly lowered her arm back down to her side and turned her head to look at Kaida. Kylyra knew that she had hit some of the targets, some she missed entirely but only by a little, and some areas of the field that had no training dummies anywhere nearby were completely ruined. Smoke gently rose from the areas that had been struck by the blasts of fire, and many things were on fire, but it was contained and magical fire. It wouldn’t necessarily spread out of control unless Kylyra wanted it to. She takes a deep breath and releases it slowly as she feels the effects of her mana draining from shooting off the same spell repeatedly like that. She remained steady on her feet though, having learned from a young age to regulate her mana use and the after effects of it being drained. “H-how… did I do?” she asks hesitantly.

@Meekepeek

Meekepeek · 17 December 2024 21:31

The morning sun pierced through the thick canopy at the edge of the Sylvana Kingdom’s forest. The faint aroma of magic-infused plants filled the air, mingling with the damp scent of earth after last night’s dew. Amissa stood at the edge of the path, her fingers curling around the hilt of her rapier as she listened to the debriefing from Dux, delivered over the enchanted communication thread. Kirara and Ivadriel stood nearby, readying their supplies, while Aevus adjusted her round glasses impatiently, already looking ahead toward the looming forest.

Dux’s voice crackled one final time, cutting off after offering his usual words of caution and encouragement. Silence followed—brief, but weighty.

Aevus turned to face the group, her ice-blue eyes sharp and cold.

“Now that the unnecessary pleasantries are over, perhaps we can finally make progress. We’re wasting time,” she said bluntly, brushing a stray lock of white hair behind her pointed ear. “The most efficient route is to cut directly through the forest. It will halve our travel time to Everdell.”

Amissa turned to Aevus, her calm expression firm as she lifted her hands to respond.
[Straying of the path might not be the best option. These forests are inhabited by a beast known to mess with people straying of the path.]

Aevus arched an eyebrow, unimpressed and waited for Ivadriel to translate.
“Are you warning me about stories? Tales told by nomads to keep their children from wandering off? How quaint.” She adjusted the strap of her satchel with clipped movements, her tone as cutting as her words. “My mentor always said the creature is harmless. Mischievous, yes, but hardly a threat.”

Amissa’s brows knit slightly, but she remained patient, signing again.
[And how did your mentor know that if he isn’t from Sikar?]

Aevus paused for a moment, her icy demeanor thawing only slightly into a look of faint irritation—as if she had been cornered into conversation she deemed unnecessary. She inhaled sharply before answering.

“Not that it concerns you, but he only lived in Virelia—the kingdom I’m from, across the East Sea, for a few years, but he was born here. He stayed there for several years and oversaw my studies before retiring once I graduated. The growing disturbances in the Withering Lands have rekindled his interest. When the kingdom’s best minds found themselves at wit’s end, they turned to me. Naturally.”

[It’s not about tales. This forest is unlike others. Even seasoned travelers avoid straying too far from the path.]

Aevus clicked her tongue, a subtle show of impatience.
“And yet I’m not ‘other travelers.’ If you wish to stumble through the scenic route, be my guest. oh wait, you are suppose to escort me, so you go where I go.”

The group fell silent for a moment. The sounds of rustling leaves and distant chirping filled the air, punctuated only by the faint hum of tension.

Finally, Amissa exhaled softly, as if resigning herself to the inevitable.
[Very well. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.]

Aevus strode forward without waiting for the others, disappearing into the dense green of the forest. Amissa lingered for a moment, her gaze following Aevus before she turned to the others and signed once more.
[Stay close. The forest has a way of separating people who aren’t careful.]

With that, Amissa stepped forward, her quiet, calm presence a stark contrast to the brash determination of Aevus.

@viiel.x - Ivadriel
@OhSumana - Kirara

LunaticLeviTheSecond · 17 December 2024 21:50

In the early morning dawn, Aristomache stood on the head of her ship where the bow sprit sprung out, watching the course while sipping her early morning cup of tea. It was actually more a compote she made since they’ve ran out of coffee and she had no tea leaves to spare for her cup to make actual tea, so she just boiled cubed apple slices to get a warm beverage, and the leftover slices would serve as her early breakfast. She was only there this early because she wanted to make sure her trip went smoothly since she didn’t trust the man at the wheel to keep course and be as fast as he needs to be. However, she had no reason to worry, since at the break of dawn they were approaching the harbour. The city and the boats were enwrapped in the orange light from the early morning sky that was in the lowest parts that reached the surpface orange, bood-red in the middle and still dark blue at the top.
Aristomache turned to the man on the wheel and shouted “Helmsman! You’re in charge until I’m back! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t and DON’T make any trades that aren’t in the book withouth my knowledge. I don’t care if it’s too good to pass up.” She took the small bag that was next to her in the head of the ship and jumped up on the bow sprit, walking up it until she reached the Jib Boom, knowing if she went any further she would be too heavy for her to be supported. The Jib Boom was hanging over stern ground while the rest of the ship was in water, so she jumped off it in a T position. Reaching the ground she made her way to Dux.

She arrived in the halls of the Order where she usually meets with Dux. “Aristomache, perfect timing.” She smugly responded “As always.” and he continued. “Come with me, we have some important matters to cover.” She nodded and followed him.

There were two other recruits following Dux to his office. She looked over one and although she didn’t think this one was an elf, she had the same elvish ears as Aristomache did. It made Aristomache wonder if she was also half elf, or at least part elf, or if it were the ears of a subspecies she didn’t hear about yet. She turned her gaze towards the recruit that was already there as she came, whose name she didn’t catch as she arrived too late to hear Dux say it. She looked human-like … Well, she looks exactly like a human, but Aristomache has a gut feeling there is more to it. Especially since no human withouth powers is good enough to be recruited by Dux, and even if she is capable of magic, that makes her different enough to humans, at least it does for Aristomache.

They sat down together in the office, and Aristomache awaited the report as soon as she entered his charming little office. He slapped the report on the table and Aristomache was all too quick to be the one to open it. Of course, she tilted it so all of them could read at the same time.

“You’ve probably heard rumors about the shores near Lakeshear. Mysterious, mournfull sounds echo across the lake after sunset—sounds that no one can explain. Fishermen have seen spectral figures that vanish the moment they approach, and the nearest village is being crushed under sudden waves of despair.” Dux filled them in.

"Waves of despair? Is that figurative or literal wording? Aristomache wanted to know if she was to deal with literal huge waves or something to do with powers and emotions and poison.

“The Order suspects these pehnomena are connected to an acient water spirit. Bound to the lake long ago by a forgotten summoning ritual, it seems that something—or someone—has stirred it awake.” Forgotten summoning ritual? Does that mean it was a water spirit that slumbered in the lake and was awoken by the summoning ritual, or that it was a water spirit that was summonned to the lake and remained there forever, forgotten about and fallen into a slumber until the spirit is released or awaken.
“Do you have any information on the ancient water spirit you mentioned? What is the name and is the spirit mentioned in history or in writing?” Aristo asked. Telling her the problem might be an ancient water spirit is nearly not enough information.
“You’ll be traveling to Aquaris to meet with Nerina. She’s the one who sent the request and likely knows more about what’s been happening near the lake. I’ve assigned Elias to this mission as well. He’s a veteran— reliable, experienced, and an excellent mentor.” Aristomache listened, knowing this person would never be a good enough mentor for her. She had the best two mentors in the world … Herself and Dux. And noboy could change that or be as good as those two mentors. Not yet.
“This mission is delicate. You’ll need to move carefully, understand the nature of the spirit and ensure no harm comes to the villagers—or yourselves. Trust in Elias’s guidance and trust in one another. Dismissed.” Aristomache liked how Dux told them every bit of information they needed. All in one go, just about long enough to have all the neccessary bits in, while never going off topic or straying in any way. Short and sweet. That must be why he leaned in his chair that way, looking proud of himself.
Aristomache turned around to face the other recruits and said. “I’m Elpis Aristomache, but please, call me Aristomache or Aristo.” She listened as the introduced themselves and said. “Nice too meet you both. Now that we’re all done with the pleasantries, let’s get ahead of the case.”

@Meekepeek - Dux
@SavvageSavvy_515 - Ianira
@viiel.x - Nyxia

Meekepeek · 17 December 2024 21:57

Kaida watched in silence as the fireballs erupted from Kylyra’s glove, each blast lighting up the field in a fiery spectacle. Smoke curled from the singed earth and half-destroyed dummies, the faint smell of scorched grass lingering in the cool air. Kylyra’s form was good, and her control was undeniable. That part, at least, Kaida expected.

But good form meant nothing when Kylyra’s shots still danced wide, when time dragged between each blast as if the battlefield would wait politely for her to finish. Her face remained unreadable as Kylyra turned to her, hesitant, almost afraid of Kaida’s judgment. The question hung in the air—fragile and small like the girl herself.

Kaida tilted her head slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing.

“How do you think you did?” she asked, her voice cutting through the smoke like a blade.

Kaida stepped closer, her boots crunching over charred grass and dirt, her expression unyielding. She stopped just a few feet away and gestured to the smoking ruins of the field—half the dummies mangled, others untouched, and a few targets reduced to ash.

“Your aim was sloppy. Your pace was slow. And if this were a real fight, you’d be dead before you hit your second shot.”

Her voice was cold, yes, but not cruel. Everything she said was fact, and sugarcoating the truth would do the girl no favors. Kaida inhaled, then exhaled slowly, crossing her arms again as she continued.

“Your form? Fine. Perfect, even. But perfection doesn’t matter when you’re standing in the middle of a fight and your teammates are depending on you. You think an enemy will stop attacking so you can line up the perfect shot? You’re stuck in your head again.”

She let the words hang for a moment, giving Kylyra time to absorb them before gesturing to the field once more. “This isn’t a shooting gallery, Kylyra. This is a battlefield. It’s messy. It’s chaotic. And if you don’t act at the right time, you’re useless.”

Kylyra looked like she might wilt under the weight of the words, and Kaida felt the familiar flicker of impatience rising within her. But then she remembered what Dux had said: Give her a chance.

Kaida’s gaze softened—only slightly—and she tilted her head toward Kylyra’s glove.

“Your weapon is powerful. That’s good. But it’s slow. Which means you have to be faster. Faster at reading the fight. Faster at trusting yourself to act. If you wait for the perfect shot, you’ll lose the only shot you have.”

She turned on her heel and began to move toward the far end of the training grounds. As she walked, she unhooked the silver chains wrapped around her wrists, the small rings on each finger catching the morning light as they shifted with her movements. Her pace was deliberate and calm, but her voice carried back to Kylyra with an undeniable authority.

“We’re going to fix this. You need to learn to act on instinct—no hesitation. No second-guessing. The second you think too much, you lose. So I’m going to make you fight while thinking on your feet.”

Kaida stopped at the edge of the dummies, her back to Kylyra. Slowly, she flexed her fingers, and the magical gem nestled in her palm flared to life. Bright cyan energy rippled from the stone, weaving through the silver chains until they extended like claws from each of her fingers. The glow cast her in an ethereal light as she turned back to face Kylyra.

“I’m going to activate the dummies. They’ll move, and they’ll fight back. I’ll move with them—in them. Between them. Around them. Your job is to hit them, not me.”

Kaida stepped forward again, her glowing claws flexing as if preparing for a fight. Her voice lowered, firm and measured.

“Don’t hold back because of me. If you hit me, it won’t matter. A little fire like that won’t do much to me anymore.” Her lips tugged into the faintest ghost of a smirk before her expression hardened again. “Out there, you won’t have the luxury of time. You won’t have teammates who can cover for your hesitation. If they’re in close combat, you need to be ready to act at the exact right moment. Hit your target, or they’ll pay the price for your failure.”

Kaida stepped forward without hesitation, the faint sound of her boots crunching over the charred earth the only warning. Her cyan claws flexed once, glowing brighter as if the energy within her demanded to be unleashed. With a single sharp motion of her hand, she traced a sigil in the air—fast and fluid, her precision born from years of practice. The air hummed as the magic snapped into place, and suddenly the training dummies lurched to life.

Wooden limbs creaked and groaned as they began to move, animated by Kaida’s spell. Their jerky, unnatural motions smoothed into something faster and sharper, like real opponents who knew how to strike. Each one held fake weapons—swords, spears, maces—that gleamed faintly with harmless enchantments, though the strikes would still sting enough to leave bruises if Kylyra faltered. Kaida had no intention of making this easy. “No thinking. No hesitation. Just move.”

Kaida watched closely, the cyan light reflecting in her sharp, unwavering eyes.

“Good. Keep that focus. But remember—this time, they hit back.”

The moment Kylyra released her magic, the field erupted into motion. The dummies jerked to life, their wooden limbs swinging and clattering as they advanced in unpredictable patterns. Some lurched toward Kylyra, weapons raised in crude imitation of combatants, while others moved laterally across the field.

And then there was Kaida.

She wove through the chaos like a shadow, her movements impossibly fast and fluid. Her glowing claws flashed as she feigned counterattacks against the dummies, darting between their swinging weapons. Every so often, she’d dart closer to Kylyra’s line of fire, daring the girl to act.

“Faster, Kylyra! Don’t wait for the perfect shot—take the shot!” she shouted as she moved, her voice sharp and commanding. She leapt over a dummy, landing in a crouch just to the left of Kylyra’s line of sight before disappearing into the fray again.

The dummies’ fake weapons swung toward Kaida, but she fought them off effortlessly, her clawed strikes flashing cyan light as she darted from target to target. She was everywhere at once—sometimes close to Kylyra, sometimes just out of range—forcing the girl to decide, forcing her to act.

“Trust yourself! Act or lose! The battlefield won’t wait for you!”

@SavvageSavvy_515 - Kylyra

SavvageSavvy_515 · 20 December 2024 14:03

Kylyra nibbled on the inside of her bottom lip upon hearing Kaida’s question. She turns her gaze to observe the training grounds and shakes her head subtly. “I think… I think I could have done better,” she replies honestly. She trained with her parents and siblings quite a bit but it was all very formal. Ky recognized that this was not the same situation and she would need to do far better than she did today before she’d be willing to call herself a proper member of the Order. Kylyra’s gaze shot back to Kaida when she heard footsteps drawing near, and Ky jumped to attention with her chin raised slightly and her arms still at her sides. She would nod slightly when Kaida pointed out that she was sloppy and slow, agreeing internally as her mind pictured a real battlefield. If it was Ky up against this many real enemies… Ky knew she’d be dead. Her eyes flicker shut briefly when Kaida mentions being stuck in her head. Another nod of agreement and understanding. This was something her parents had been trying to help her through as well.

Kylyra’s gaze drops, feeling like she was on the cusp of failure. She knew mistakes were learning experiences but how many learning experiences does it take to figure out if your pursuit is worth it or if you should find something new? There were plenty of jobs Kylyra could take as an artificer. It didn’t need to be the kind of work that the Order does to help keep everyone safe. At the same time, that was why Kylyra joined. To be a part of something bigger than herself like her family did during the war and the 100 years after. When Kaida mentions the artificer’s glove, Kylyra looks down at it and opens and closes her fist a few times, watching the runes shimmer in the stone. It was heavy, and slow. Then, suddenly, a realization hits Kylyra and her gaze shoots up to meet Kaida’s. “I need to be faster… my weapon is slow but I can be faster…” She mutters to herself as Kaida walks away, briefly getting lost in her head again as she mulls over the revelation and tries to figure out how to accomplish her new goals of speed and instinct. The tinkling of chain links draws Ky’s attention and she looks up to Kaida once again. Realizing what was about to occur, Ky drops into a more combat-ready stance, lifting her arm to prepare to fire. Because of the destructive nature of the fireballs, Kylyra decides to apply direction to the fire so it wouldn’t cause so much damage in general and would also have a lower chance of hitting Kaida.

Kylyra listened to all that Kaida had to say, taking it to heart. She appreciated Kaida explaining what was going to happen, although, it seemed like Kaida liked it a little bit more than Kylyra was comfortable with. Her eyes widen slightly as she watched the chains begin to move and glow. Then, the sigil is drawn in the air, followed by the dummies coming to life and slowly going from stumbling, jerky movements to smoothly traversing the training grounds like a veteran. Kylyra’s gaze leaps between the dummies and Kaida, having to wonder if the dummies would be fighting with her level of strength and experience or just straw creatures with enchanted sticks. She wouldn’t know until she got close enough to find out but she was going to try to take them all down before they were close enough to hit her.

Her first shot sent out what appeared to be a baseball sized glob of gelatinous mucus that was faintly on fire. When it struck something, the gelatinous glob splattered and then spread out to cover a wide area. The fire would spread to cover the area that the glob had already covered before rapidly burning hotter and hotter until the fire had consumed the accelerant in the glob. Then, it would slowly fizzle out and dissipate.

When the dummies began to move, Kylyra seemed to be shocked, still. She looks around rapidly, trying to pick a target, to gauge when would be the best time to strike. She realized as she dodged a couple dummies swinging swords that what Kaida had been saying really was true. It wasn’t about lining up the perfect shot. It wasn’t about proper form or having advantage. It really was just about instinct. Doing the thing and moving on to the next. It was in that moment that Kylyra realized just how much she still needed to learn and grow, and it was in the moment that she allowed her mind to drift from the field that she suddenly found herself flat on her back, having been bowled over by one of the dummies and smacked across the shoulder blades with its wooden sword. A groan of pain peels from Kylyra’s lips as she focuses on the battle again, and then she lifts her glove, aims at the dummy that pushed her, and shoots it in the head, letting it go about its way with a fireball as a head. Getting to her feet, Kylyra doesn’t bother getting into a defensive pose again, instead she stays light on her feet and draws her sword with her left hand. “Instinct… instinct… don’t think, just move…” she mutters softly as her gaze flicks between dummies and flashes of Kaida in between them. Kylyra would wince and groan whenever a dummy managed to hit her but she never allowed herself to get knocked down again. She used her sword to parry attacks and stab/push her enemies away from her as they moved about their paths, and her glove arm never stopped moving. It was like it was on a swivel. Wherever she saw Kaida, her glove would shoot in the opposite direction, though Kylyra herself would move towards Kaida, either from the instinct to stay near that which she was familiar with or because she felt the need to also try to protect Kaida from the enemies, not that Kaida needed help.

By the time that Kylyra believed she had hit all of the dummies, she was losing steam and focus. She was sweating, panting for breath, and beginning to stumble over her own feet. Her sword was still held at the ready but her gloved arm seemed to be weighing her down. Her back was hunched slightly and the glove hung by her side lifeless, except for the glowing runes along its surface. She looks around to make sure she had gotten all of the dummies before looking for Kaida to hear her assessment. “I think… I got them… all…” she says between inhales, chancing a relieved smile and a hope for some good feedback.

@Meekepeek Kaida

viiel.x · 20 December 2024 18:36

Location 𖥔 Andford

˖ 𖥔. ︎. ݁ ˖ — 𖥔 . ⊹ ₊ ˗ˏˋ ✧ ˎˊ˗ ₊ ⊹ . 𖥔 — ˖ ݁. ︎.𖥔 ˖

Their group had come to a rest for the night, setting up camp. Ivadriel got to know Amissa a bit more in their conversation under the stars, as Kirara wandered off for a short walk. Their mind kept drifting to the trip they’d take in the morning, their limbs already buzzing with anticipation. Having to rest for the night was such an inconvenience, especially since they’d done nothing for the whole day. Would the morning be just as relaxed and uneventful? Sure, he’d enjoyed the city sights, the sunset skies on a hill, the sound of the waves crashing against the dock. But what he came here for, was real action. To be underestimated and set as some bodyguard was almost insulting.

Still, Ivadriel knew the risks of proceeding without rest. He could feel the exhaustion weighing on him. He glanced at the food he’d left beside him, “for later” as he claimed. Yet he hadn’t taken a single bite since their departure. Hopefully his refusal wouldn’t affect his energy in the morning, and hopefully the others hadn’t noticed.

While their group was preparing to sleep, they sat with their legs crossed, the energy from the earth beneath them flowing inside their body. It entered their core, coursing through their limbs. And once they refueled, they waited until everyone was asleep so they could as well. Only then would they feel safe.

˖ 𖥔. ︎. ݁ ˖ — 𖥔 . ⊹ ₊ ˗ˏˋ ✧ ˎˊ˗ ₊ ⊹ . 𖥔 — ˖ ݁. ︎.𖥔 ˖

The sun’s morning rays filtered through the trees in the canopy, its warmth a contrast to the chilly air and dew-covered grass. Ivadriel spun their staff absently, watching as Kirara packed for the trip. The crystals rang like a soft windchime, breaking sunlight into specks of rainbow over their skin. A jittery feeling coursed through their body, buzzing with energy. It wouldn’t be long before they’d set off.

He then glanced to the other side, where Amissa and Dux spoke through the thread. He steadied his staff in the dirt, leaning against it. With a tilt of his head, he observed Amissa’s hand motions. While Dux spoke in reply, his words almost began to blend together into a hum. A long path ahead, the capital, some book on ongoing investigations — so many instructions for a simple mission. Was it truly so necessary? It was already explained before they’d taken off. In the end he would just rely on Amissa, surely she would remember. Dux continued, about the small town at the edge of withering lands. Shame, they only had to deliver the book. If only, by some chance, Ivadriel could get a peek inside. What lay written in those pages, regarded with such secrecy? He couldn’t help but wonder it hid from their eyes.

A brief silence followed the call’s end. Ivadriel looked around at the group. Aevus’ tone seemed impatient, and strangely enough he found himself agreeing with her. She suggested— rather—ordered they cut the trip in half through Everdell. But in fact, a shortcut was even better. Ivadriel was about to agree, when he noticed Amissa signing in response. As requested, he began to translate to Aevus with accuracy. And through his speech, his excitement threatened to spill through. Amissa disagreed, warning them of the dangers, but that only heightened his anticipation. Not only a shorter, but a more dangerous route? Finally some excitement. A chance to make use of his skill. Sure, Rhydal would kill him if he found out, but that didn’t matter now.

Amissa sighed in defeat, communicating her reluctant agreement. Ivadriel’s lips curved into a faint smile as he translated her final words.

“Well, we’re taking the shorter route, then!” Ivadriel beamed, not even waiting for Kirara’s input. “I don’t believe we should concern ourselves too much. We are trained for anything, a few distractions here and there wouldn’t hold us back!” Then, they leaned in towards Amissa, signing, [I know you are trying to keep us safe, but don’t stress with Aevus. It will be fine.]

Amissa gave them a final warning before departing, and Ivadriel nodded. [Should we… Warn Aevus?] he tilted his head towards her fading silhouette, watching her disappear behind the trees. [Not that she’d listen, either way,] he chuckled.

Ivadriel picked up his staff, spinning it around his palm. He joined his group with a wide grin, and a walk brimming with confidence.

˖ 𖥔. ︎. ݁ ˖ — 𖥔 . ⊹ ₊ ˗ˏˋ ✧ ˎˊ˗ ₊ ⊹ . 𖥔 — ˖ ݁. ︎.𖥔 ˖

@Meekepeek 𖥔 Amissa, Aevus, Dux (mentioned)
@OhSumana 𖥔 Kirara

Meekepeek · 27 December 2024 14:54

Kaida paced the training ground as she surveyed the aftermath of Kylyra’s effort, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. To her surprise, there wasn’t a single mark or scorch where her own movements had cut across the line of fire. The dummies bore the brunt of the destruction instead, some smoldering, others collapsed, and though Kylyra’s performance hadn’t been perfect, it was enough to earn a rare moment of acknowledgment from Kaida.

With a flick of her wrist, Kaida deactivated her claws, the cyan glow receding into the silver chains wrapped around her hands. She reached into a pouch on her belt and pulled out a red apple, her expression unreadable as she tossed it toward Kylyra.

“Catch.” The word was firm but not harsh, a brief shift in her tone that suggested she wasn’t entirely displeased.

Kylyra fumbled slightly but caught the apple, her wide-eyed surprise betraying how unexpected the gesture was. Kaida crossed her arms, tilting her head toward a shaded area near the edge of the training field.

“We’ll take a break. You earned it.”

Kaida walked over to the shaded spot and leaned against the trunk of a sturdy tree, the sunlight filtering through its leaves casting dappled patterns on the ground. She waited until Kylyra joined her before speaking again, her tone steady but slightly less sharp than usual.

“You didn’t hit me. Not once. That’s better than I expected.” A pause, then: “But you still hesitate. It’ll take time, but we’ll break that habit.”

She let the words hang in the air for a moment, giving Kylyra a chance to process before shifting the conversation. Kaida glanced at her, studying her expression before speaking again, her voice more neutral now.

“What specialty are you thinking of taking?” Kaida’s question came without preamble, straightforward and to the point. Her stern gaze softened slightly, showing that she was genuinely curious despite her usual guarded demeanor.

“After the first year, most members form groups. Veterans help new recruits figure out where they fit best. Investigation missions, artifact recovery, helping untrained mages control their magic…” She waved a hand dismissively, as if listing options she already knew by heart.

Kaida’s tone grew slightly more thoughtful as she added: “Some prefer the action—hunting down criminals, handling dangerous situations head-on. Others stick to quieter work. It all depends on what you’re good at, and what you’re willing to handle.”

She shifted her weight, leaning more comfortably against the tree trunk as her gaze turned toward the horizon, distant and contemplative.

“Your family’s legacy was forged in wartime. But we’re not in a war anymore.” Her tone became a fraction sharper as she turned her attention back to Kylyra. “You’re not here because of your family name. Whatever you decide, it has to be your choice. So…” Kaida gestured faintly, an invitation for Kylyra to speak. “What do you want to be good at? What do you want to do?”

She fell silent, watching Kylyra closely, her expression as stern as ever but her words leaving space for the girl to respond—an unspoken signal that, for now, Kaida was willing to listen.

@SavvageSavvy_515 - Kylyra

SavvageSavvy_515 · 15 March 2025 04:24

When Kaida’s claws deactivated and the cyan glow went away, Kylyra groaned with relief and allowed the upper half of her body to go limp for a moment before standing up straight and drawing in a deep breath. It wasn’t until she heard Kaida speak that she looked at her instructor again, just in time to catch a flicker of red and almost drop the apple that had been tossed her way. “O-Oh!” Kylyra exclaims with a gasp. When it registers in her mind what it was that had been thrown to her, she smiles brightly. “Thank you!”

Kylyra quickly followed Kaida to the tree she leaned against, happy to accept the break. She seats herself on a large root that had breached the surface of the ground and, with sword in one hand and apple in the other, drags the apple along the sharp edge of the blade to cut the apple in half. Then she takes a bite out of one of the halves and wipes the blade along her thigh to clean the juice off of it before replacing the sword in it’s scabbard.

She felt the familiar cold chill of failure tickle from the base of her skull down to her tailbone but instead of hanging her head, she steels herself and nods in response to Kaida’s assessment. Ky told herself in that moment that she would no longer let failure stop her progression. She would fight for herself and discipline herself so that she would no longer get in her own way. She would learn how to teach others so that they could overcome themselves as well.

With a sudden feeling of reinvigoration, Kylyra stands, taking another bite of her apple. Upon hearing Kaida’s question, Ky turns to face her briefly before slowly pacing back and forth as she pondered the question. “Before I answer the question, may I ask if there are any specialties already established within The Order where an artificer can be helpful and successful?” If she could use what she already knew, then she would be happy but she had the feeling that her skill and instinct with her glove and sword were not the only things that were going to be honed and built upon and disciplined in her during her time with The Order.

“I’ve always felt that I was never meant to be really good at just one thing. Like…” She pauses both movement and speech as she gathers her thoughts and takes another bite of her apple. “I think I’m meant to be a jack-of-all-trades kind of person. knowing just enough about a variety of things to be useful no matter who I’m with, where I am, or what the mission or task is.” Truthfully, this was the first time she had seriously taken the time to even consider what she wanted. So far, she had been so focused on meeting her parent’s and family’s expectations that she hadn’t bothered trying to get to know herself enough to figure this kind of thing out.

Upon mention of her family, she stops moving once again and looks at Kaida. “I want to overcome… and help others do the same… and I want to be good at it.” Kylyra gives a warm and sincere smile to Kaida before taking another bite of her apple and giggling softly as images of her potential future flashed through her mind.

@Meekepeek Kaida