Exalted

[Nigawatts]

At the dawn of the First Age, the gods gave power to men that they might slay the gods' Primordial enemies. Anointed by the gods, these beings were thereafter known as the Exalted. The greatest of the Exalted were the Solars, the Chosen of the Unconquered Sun, the mightiest of the gods. So great was their power that, when a Solar died, his power was quickly made manifest in a new individual - a reincarnation of sorts, but into a mature adult rather than a newborn. The Exalted triumphed over the enemies of the gods, and in reward, the gods gave the Exalted dominion over the Earth. For a timeless age, the Exalted ruled justly over Creation, and their kingdom was invincible.

But the enemies of the gods had pronounced a terrible curse against the Exalted. This dark magic ate away at the hearts of the Chosen. The benevolence of the Solars turned to tyranny, and peace turned to civil war. It was prophesied that the madness of the Solars would bring about the destruction of the world. Seeing no other alternative, the lowliest of Exalted, the Dragon-Blooded, murdered the decadent Solar Exalted and locked their souls away.

And so, a Second Age descended upon Creation...

The greatest of the gods' servants no longer walked the earth, and the Realm of the Dragon-Blooded was but a shadow of the lost old Realm. Solar Exalted whose power escaped to be reborn were slain by Dragon-Blooded inquisitors known as the Wyld Hunt, and the Realm claimed dominion over Creation. For more than a thousand years the Solar Exalted remained imprisoned and defeated - until now.

The Scarlet Empress, the Dragon-Blooded ruler of the Realm and controller of the Wyld Hunt, vanished five years ago. Without her might to enforce order in the Realm, the Great Houses of her Scarlet Dynasty have fallen to squabbling over the reins of power. And in this time of crisis, the Solar Exalted have returned...

CHAPTER ONE
Legends in Exile

Wherein Last Legs is destroyed,
The gaze of Winter turns toward the Sun,
And a Friendship from the First Age is renewed.

"You shouldn't move around too much. All things considered you shouldn't be up at all. Lucky you are still young, so you had the strength to fight it this long." Lou said as the young man before him rose out of bed and stretched a bit. The man, Nagi, had been ill with a fever for the last 2 weeks.

A strange sickness at the end of Spring, Lou had expected it to be allergy related, only to find the man was stricken with what could only be Tetanus. His face and muscles were so stiff and the man could barely move. Stranger still was the fact that there were no wounds anywhere on his body, and when asked had he come into contact with any rusted metal, the reply had been an honest no.

"Thank you Physician, if you hadn't arrived this morning I'm afraid what could have happened."

"No need to thank me. I was not expecting a patient when I came to your village this morning, but I was happy to be able to do some good work before departing." Lou said as he gathered his backpack and began to move toward the door. He and his companion had arrived in Last Leg's that morning. Hoping to barter some food from the Farming Village, they had been surprised to hear one of the farmhands had come down with such a drastic illness.

Fearing the plague, the ignorant villagers had quarantined him to a small hut outside the village. A 2 mile hike in the surprisingly hot late spring weather had caused Lou's guide to sweat profusely on the way here.

"You're him aren't you? The traveling doctor with that scary looking warrior? Even in our tiny village we've heard some stories about the Accomplished Perfect Physician." Nagi said as they both walked outside and into the humid heat of the midday.

The rolling fields around the Gray River were beautiful and tranquil this time of year. Animals were beginning to reappear, and the roar of the river could be heard even if it wasn't seen. Lou breathed in the scent of mild grass and recently tilled dirt. The sun rose to it's Zenith and not a single cloud in the sky marred it's glory.

The name "Accomplished Perfect Physician" was beginning to burn at him as much as the heat of the air. He had made sure not to give out his name anymore in fear that the Guild would discover his location. However simply being known as Physician, had begun to have drawbacks. As stories of his healing powers began to spread, everyone in every village began to hope that the traveling magical Physician would pay them a visit. When Lou answered their hopes and prayers, the stories got bigger, bolder, and he was beginning to worry that the Physician would be worth more trouble than Lou Feng had ever been.

"Just remember to take it easy these next few days. The stiffness may be gone, but you are still weak. I'll tell the Village Elder to send you some more supplies, and hopefully convince him that you are not contagious." Lou said after contemplating whether or not to deny being the Physician of Nagi's tales. With a formal bow, Lou began the journey back to the Village. He wondered how bored his friend was waiting for him.

While only having known each other for a few months, the stories of the Physician were already including a Warrior companion who was not only a master of arms, but also of magic. He smiled as he thought of the misunderstanding that had lead to a slowly budding friendship. As the only other person Lou had met like himself (although their were stories of more), the Physician had thought it more like destiny than fate that the two met up. Not wanting to take the Lonesome Road, Lou had asked the man to join him on his journeys. While still not close enough to divulge is true name to the man, he found that traveling together was far more enjoyable than going it alone.

The Physician looked to the East. Last Legs was actually surprisingly close to the place they had first met. A Manse that his friend was attuned to. It's location secret from all except the two of them, they had used it as a base of operations for the last few months. It was on a return trip from the Jungles of Chaya that the two had stopped at the small village of Last Legs. Nestled next to the Gray River, Lou was surprised at how established it was for never hearing of it before. The Elder revealed that it was only a few years old, as most of the farmers were refugees moving further away from the shadow of Thorns.

As Lou continued back toward the Village, he couldn't help but notice a cool tinge of air blow from the west. While the gust was a relief in the warm weather, Lou felt a shiver run through his body, as the scent of death prickled at his nose.

******

"Please! Take whatever you wa-!" The man's voice was cut short as his windpipe filled with blood. A surprised expression, mixed with terror and revulsion, appeared on his face as he looked down to see the rider's Yari jammed into his chest. Letting out a curdling scream that came out as a burst of choking blood, the man looked back up into the white pale eyes of the man who killed him. With the same cold expression he had held throughout the entire meeting, the Rider pulled his Yari from the man's chest. The force sent more blood into the air landing on the rider and the sinewy flesh of his skinless horse. The man fell to the ground, dead before hitting it in a sickening thud. The Rider turned his reigns and gathered with his group, who were similarly executing the people of this caravan.

They were minor tradesmen, profiteering in nothing but spices and fabrics. They had been on their way to Last Legs in hopes of bartering some good for food, knowing that the small village might not be wealthy in silver, but defiantly had some meat and dairy to trade.

Unfortunately for them, they were in the paths of these undead riders, who quickly encircled the wagon and killed the horses. The man who had just been stabbed in the chest had been the only one to make it that far away from the wagon when the group began to run. He had only made it a few dozen feet before the rider had cornered and murdered him.

The riders, who numbered a little more than a dozen had been riding for days on end, having been sent by their master to find the location of a powerful object that was rightfully in "his domain".

After gathering together once more, the riders lined up behind another figure. Her cloak was blood red, but underneath her outfit was a mixture between black fabric and metal. On her back was a hefty Soul Steel daiklaive that possessed the visage of wailing faces on it's flat edge. Unlike the other riders her horse was not skinless, and revealing sticky musculature and white bone. It was black and ethereal, it's red eyes burning with a seeming intelligence.

Ghost Fox Killer reared her horse forward, and without a word the undead riders followed her. Together they thundered toward the small village their master said was one of the closest things to the object. Another days travel at most, and they would be upon their prey.

Intro Theme
Last Legs Theme
Ghost Fox Killer

OOC Thread

[Hymusia]

It was only a cross over point, but it was beautiful none the less, the weather of course was helping. Spring was a beautiful time of year, it's light rains, gentle sun, but the unseasonable warmth was all the more welcoming for her. She adored the sun, and the way it played over the scene took her breath away. The dew on the blades of grass and the Grey river itself were turned to jewels that glinted and sparkled in the sunlight, every little flower buried in the lush green grass was open, a carpet of colours running as far as her eyes could see. Dotting the river bank were areas of scrub grass and river weeds and beyond that, up a slight incline was a picturesque little hamlet. Behind her were trees fully in blossom, the gentle breeze picking off the petals to cascade down and around like pink snow.

It was due to the serenity of this scene she had decided to take a break in her travel, having stopped for little more than the utmost necessary while working she was now free of restraints and could make the time up later no doubt. By the rivers edge she removed her clothing, hiding them amongst the reeds, before climbing into the water. It was cold but refreshing, and the warmth of the sun made for a pleasant contrast, she had of course left her head scarf on, wary, despite the solitude of this place, of being seen. Fragments of memories danced before her like the fish that shone like precious metals did in the river itself. She'd been here before, a long time before, but the hamlet hadn't been here and the tree's had been much smaller then. There had been something else as well, but she couldn't remember what that was, before these fragmented memories that came and went as they pleased would drive her to frustration, but she'd long since learned how to cope with these fleeting glimpses into the past.

Bathing herself in the cool river, with a warm sun and a sprinkling of pink and white petals, there surely was no better way to spend a spring day, she was certain of that. However, all good things came to an end and the smell of death came on the breeze, for a moment she froze, processing what this could mean. Beneath it's coverings her ears twitched, desperate to find sounds and answers to the questions she had, though with a little mental effort they stilled once again. It was time to leave. It took little time for her to redress on the river bank, forgoing the need to dry and dealing with the wetness the clothing then absorbed. Glancing briefly to either side of the river, trying to ascertain where the blood seemed to be coming from, she turned and bolted in the opposite direction.

[Arthera]

Anya rolled over slowly, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her fur, listening to the soothing sound of happily chirping birds, the faint breeze in the leaves, the type of quiet one can only experience away from people. She usually avoided the beaten paths, the roads the city dwellers used, too crowded, too noisy and also lacking in food. People had no sense, they had driven out all the game, turned the land unnaturally flat and made a mess out of it all, and now Anya had to range out rather far just to have her next meal. Not that she disliked the thrill of the hunt, but the slight inconvenience of having to go out of her way to do it at all, compared to back home where anywhere was prime hunting grounds...

She turned again, briefly swishing her tail irritably, dismissing her complaints to the back of her mind. Nap time, sunlight, quiet, Anya wanted to enjoy the moment. She was slightly tired, she had flown for a good amount of time today already and despite the good weather, a break was in order, she was in no hurry in any case. She had no real destination in mind, but she unknowingly made for this seemingly deserted place. It had... a feeling to it, Anya wasn't exactly sure what, but it felt somewhat familiar, akin to the clearing all those years ago. No alarms rang in her mind and she did not sense anything amiss with the whole place, it actually felt somewhat inviting on the contrary. In any case, this place was as good as any, although there seemed to be people coming by here infrequently, if the tracks left not too far were any indication. On the other hand, so far from towns and cities, the people likely won't bother her overly much even if they did happen to see what she truly was. She did not care they did, nor did she mind showing it off either, but getting hunted down for it was slightly over the top and Anya preferred to avoid the crowded and noisy places. At least isolated houses and small villages did not have any guardians that wanted her dead, and they were properly respectful when you helped them, no matter what you were or how you presented yourself to them.

Although she did get odd looks from her normal garments on the other hand, but had yet to see people actually dislike them either. Oh well, problems to deal with as they arose, not during cat nap time. And out here, away from everything, this stone step was just the best, remaining warm from the sunlight and making napping just that much better. She stretched her paws out lazily with a barely suppressed yawn, arcing her back to get rid of the kinks and curled up once again on her improvised bed. This little gray cat was not going anywhere fast, decidedly intent on lazing the day away before moving on for...somewhere.

[Informatix]

Being his usual patient self, Crane had picked a small, solitary maple tree on the outskirts of the village to wait while the Physician was practicing his craft. It had not escaped him that the common folk in the small hamlets they visited were often scared of seeing a solitary fighter like him, a reaction he was not surprised about. Men and women of the sword weren't well-liked in peaceful times, and he reasoned that his presence in the vincity detered them from asking too much of the Physician.

Occasionally, Crane would also ask the villagers if anything dangerous had been seen in the surrounding lands, but today, the hot, sunny weather had made him concentrate on securing a large enough water supply for them while Physician was negotiating with the farmers for food. He wondered what might happen when they ventured into less forgiving lands - it would be quite ironic for the two of them to die of thirst, would it not? Allowing his thoughts drift for a while, Crane closed his eyes, facing the noonday sun.

In the dark behind his eyelids, flashes of last nights memories appeared. Again, he saw the sun at noon, shining down at him .. them, him and his companions, for he was not alone. They were on a mission, a journey .. a long and ardous one, and nearly beaten by the climate alone. But he felt confidence, however puzzling that might seem.. his vision shifted, and he saw a man with a gleaming solar disk on his brow - then the vision faded, and Crane opened his eyes again, only to see the healer returning from the small hut.

A mild smile crossed his mouth as he thought about the wandering healer and late travel companion, who bore the same mark on his brow. He was a helpful soul, no doubt - and certainly not more naive for it, a very potent combination. At times, Crane wondered what had caused Physician to pick up a wandering lifestyle like this - was it merely the necessity of being Anathema? Being a traveling healer of all ills seemed like a natural lifestyle for him - he could hardly tell him apart from a fellow mercenary, for whom living on the roads was the most common thing in the world. With the difference, of course, that he had yet to see the Physician fight to kill.

"How did it go?" He asked with a smile that made clear he already knew the answer, and stood up from the tree he had been leaning against. The question was merely out of courtesy - for clearly, it was unheard of for the healer give up on a patient who was not already cold. Now that Crane had to step out of the tree's shadow, he felt the sun's heat even more heavily, and Physician was sweating, too - and the healer did not carry weapons and armor. They were great weapons and armor, but he had to find some way of easily storing them soon. Until then, there was but one thing he could to against the heat.
"You wouldn't mind riding a storm back to the pagoda, would you? I'm almost crying for a fresh breeze." He admitted with a self-ironic smirk, and brushed some sweat from his eyebrows.

[Nigawatts]

"Doctor...I can't feel my legs. Is that normal?"

"Yes...it's just the numbing effect the medicine has, it'll go away, now you should get some rest, you've been through a lot."

"I can't remember what happened, I was at the tavern having a drink...I think I must have passed out. I remember getting real sleepy."

"You're friends brought you in here, they say you fell down and hit your head."

"I...I don't have any friends, at least not in this city."

"You should rest. The medicine should start working soon..."

******

"I can't do this anymore..."

"Lou you have to, the Guild won't let you stop now."

"That last one they had me do was just a kid. I couldn't have been much older when I first came to Nexus."

"Look you can't think of them like that. The Guild only goes after people who screw with their money. These guys all knew this was coming."

"Yeah, but what does it say about me if I'm the one who does it to them?"

"You let them go gently, most of these people should be lucky that it's you the Guild sends them to."

"Lucky isn't the word I would use..."

******

"You should have done what was asked of you."

"Yep."

"All you had to do was put a few losers into the ground. You even had the luxury of not being held accountable for it either."

"Oh, there was accountability for it."

"Huh?"

"You see after ten years of being an assassin for the Guild, I realized that I was always accountable for what I've done."

"Is that right?"

"That's right."

"Well then tell me how that works out for you."

"I doubt I'll live long enough to reap the benefits."

******

"People say you are Anathema now."

"I would say those people are right...for the wrong reason."

"Actually, most people say you are a hero. Do you know what they've been calling you?"

"Ugh, don't say it. I stopped using my real name over a year ago. I'm just the Physician now."

"Accomplished Perfect Physician?"

"I told you not to say it."

"I'm surprised you even came to the outskirts. A thug still comes once in awhile to the clinic."

"It's still running?"

"I'm trying to keep it going, it's harder yes, but I use what you taught me, and I've saved a few people."

"You aren't..."

"No. The Guild never even came to me with the same offer. Guess they realized it wasn't worth the trouble."

"Of course they did."

"Where are you going now?"

"Back south. I was told I'd find something from my past life there."

"An old relic?"

"No...an old friend."

******

It was evening when they finally arrived at the marker they had created several months before. Diamond Crane had been smart enough to remember exactly where it was, while Lou was surprised they had found it so quickly. "You know you make me feel like an old bastard when you do stuff like that?" He said jokingly as the two got off their horses. He patted his friend on the shoulder before saying cheerfully "Home sweet home!"

As the two began their journey down the path they knew would lead to their destination, Lou started small talk. They hadn't had much chance to talk as their horses had thundered across the plains, and after reaching the forest Lou didn't want to disturb Crane's concentration as they searched for the marker. Now however, he began chirping in his usual glibness about the events.

"And of course the Elder couldn't wait to pay me for my services. You would think I was part of the Immaculate Order or something. I mean I gotta eat too." As always, he asked for a small payment for his services. Most villages were rather generous, especially when he performed feats that even the most powerful healers said impossible. However the Physician had a steady rate of only 5 yen, or equal worth.

"Luckily we have that Manse of yours to cook this food. If I had to live one more day off that gamey jerky, I would let the Yozis take me into their realm and grill me. Honestly I would probably taste better." It was par for the course between them. A little small talk, a few jabs at the commoners they helped and the people they met.

When they finally came up to the clearing of the Manse, Lou was already surprised to see how better maintained it looked than the first time they had seen it. Most of the growth had been shed, and the golden tiles that lined the walls now gleamed in the evening sunlight.

"Ah we can finally eat my friend." Lou said, while smiling at Crane. However, Crane was not smiling, and his youthful face was tightened into a scowl as he looked intently at the Wood Pagoda. Lou followed his gaze, and it landed directly on a small cat that had decided to lounge out in front of the Manse.

"Well that's odd."

The Wood Pagoda Theme

[Hymusia]

Running was wonderful, she loved to run, and she'd made good time to her meeting spot due to her swiftness. Now though it was evening and she was passing through a jungle, dense with foliage and green, it was early evening and the sun still filtered through the leaves, like shattered diamond light against the leafy floor. The canopy was alive with birds and beasts which sang and called as she passed beneath them. Surely it would have been easier for her to change right there and traverse the canopy with the beasts, however that would lend more problems at the other side, such as nudity and the lack of her pack and things.

So she walked, her least preferred method of transport; other than flying, navigating the sticky thorn patches and the patches of bog. Following her instinct and the pull of something unknown as she made her way towards her destination. Her eyes caught sight of a multi-coloured butterfly, flitting in the last sunbeams of day and she opted with all the wistfulness of a cat to follow it, though without the vicious intent to pluck it's wings and leave it broken upon the ground. When it took flight through and beyond vicious thorns and tangle vines she left it be and instead followed a path that looked less used than the one she previously had trodden.

She was hungry, though it had yet to become a nuisance it was certainly no way to travel, the faint smell of food wafted on the breeze, a teasing scent she was uncertain if it was imagination or erst wise. Still she followed it with feet as quiet as falling snow, forsaking the leafy ground to instead find purchase in the tree limbs, slipping between them as a monkey mighteth and quiet she was narry stirring leaf nor branch from it's original place. The scent grew thicker as did her hunger and following became easier, her fleet feet making short work of branches and twigs until through twinned orbs of multi hue she spotted the roof of a structure hidden from sight by the thick green of Gaia.

It seemed familiar, like a friend from childhood long since lost, it seemed to call her by all her senses, and yet it did nothing just the same. As if it called forth with all the harmony of spirits or ghosts to tug at her soul in the most confusing of manners. To there it was the smell so came and to there it was she planned to go. Slipping from branch and tree limb until she was level with the kissed red roof of tiles and slate and dropped so quietly to the roof of the manse. Levelling her eyes then upon the ground she froze in spot like a deer in the lights of a hunter. Crouched down low like a tiger waiting to pounce, icy green and snowy blue focused on two different points that lay dead before her.

Quiet she was, silent, as she beheld the people below, one dressed in garb of a warrior, the other dressed no more richly than a merchant, there too was a grey cat too but it wasp aid no heed for it held no sway of interest when in comparison to the two human beings. Back lit by the burning orange glow of the sun as Dusk poured it's beauteous colours into the sky, marring all but the clouds of delicate white, but lighting them with their own golden halo's. She waited, uncertain as to whether she'd been spied or missed and risking neither.

[Arthera]

The first sign of the visitors she had was the sound of their approach, hooves resounding against hard ground and the faint exchange of voices, oblivious to approaching silently. This was either the group that frequented this place or travelers having found the trail and deciding to see where it led, bandits would be more wary of being heard and local tribes would likely be better at traveling forests and be on foot. Waiting patiently on her stone step, Anya remained sprawled until they came into view and she got her first look. Two men, close to middle-aged by the looks, skin similar to that of other people living in the area, riding relatively unpacked mounts, which discounts traders or travelers that came from very far. One was laden with armor and weapon, likely the brawler of the two. The other looked older and did not display any obvious weaponry or armor, possibly a villager or aid of some kind.

They clearly seemed to be coming for this place, meaning they could be part of those that actually lived here, or visited at the very least. They were unhurried and spoke calmly about food before they noticed her and went silent. It was her cue to act like the cat she was formed as. As anyone that ever saw a cat could attest, the first thing one does when seeing strangers was...run for it. Anya bounded up and ran a short distance away towards the nearest tree before turning to look at the men cautiously. They did not initially appear hostile, and there was no harm done in playing a bit, so she would keep the act up until she grew tired of it or something warranted a change. She let out a loud "Meow" and took a few wary steps towards the men, giving her more time to size them up should they turn out to be hostile or somehow lacking in manners. Striking out at animals for no reason would indeed draw Anya's ire.

It was as she moved forward in halting steps that she got a better look at the armed man's obvious protection and implement of battle. The look of his arsenal was nothing like anything she had ever seen, for it looked like a blazing sun in color and the size of the blade was much larger than anything she had seen fighting men carry. It must be one of those hefty and awkward two-handed things, cutting men in two in a single swipe. Anya knew the concept, she had her own weapon which could look rather impressive compared to her own size. Perhaps the color was simply to make it look more...what was the term..."rich"? Or was it "noble"...Anya still had trouble getting the idea around in her mind, these city people had strange ideas on self-worth and the image they wanted others to see. All this hoarding of bits of shiny metal to feel more secure was a ridiculous concept Anya did not like.

Another loud "meow", this time of the hungry kind, was heard as she inched to a few feet of their mounts, which at least looked well treated and were now paying attention to Anya as well. Perhaps she could chat them up when the men were not around, they likely had a better knowledge of how their human riders acted and treated them, that Anya could use. Well, that was entirely dependent on what the men did next, for all she knew she might need to get rid of them...

[Informatix]

"Cheer up, old man, you are not half as old as you look." Crane joked amiably, and with obvious relief in his voice as they entered the forest and switched to a slow trot. Even though he had been doing it for years, riding was certainly one of his least favorite modes of travel, and beginning to wear him down - even as a mercenary, he had much preferred walking or going by carriage. Horses seemed far to dangerous: To armored men, even a small fall could prove disastrous, and the strain they put on a rider made the idea of having another creature do most of the work ridiculous, to say the least. Luckily, Physician hadn't been so talkative while they went faster - this always called for the Dawn's full and slightly panicked attention, just to make sure he didn't fall down or lose any important equipment.

"Well, most folk aren't quite sure what you - or we - are. They could be mistaking you for a spirit that lives of kindliness, and I wouldn't question their line of argument." He responded, having often wondered how such a skillful doctor would not request a higher fee - still well within the limits of good manners and even charity, mind you. Just where did he gain his knowledge - which was clearly most advanced - without the sense of accomplishment and pride that would demand a higher payment and accredition?

Well, Crane mused silently, while Physician was able to refuse too large prizes, he could hardly refuse the grand stories that were told in his name. In fact, what he did not gain in physical wealth seemed to transform in an ephemeral gain to his fame - it had yet to be seen if it was a wise decision to split it that way. Luckily, the land was quite peaceful - the few bandits and highwaymen they had seen or been asked to take care of were quickly scared off with a minor show of force, mostly on his part - while Physician could take care of himself, he reasoned that it was wiser not to have too many stories circulating about only one of them. That way, people could still think of them as dragon-blooded, or errant children of the gods, instead of something entirely different. Meanwhile, they would have enough to eat.

"I have no idea how it knows the recipes. Might be an invisible demon doing the cooking, in fact - the denizens of Malfeas are known for their exquisite cuisine. I suppose meat roasts rather well in the fires of the green sun." Crane explained jokingly and took the opportunity to reveal his own expertise with the occult - he was quite sure that there weren't any demons left in the little pagoda, but it made for fun pasttime with less knowledgeable folks.

He was just about to crack a joke on Physicians low tolerance for fasting as he saw the exterior of the pagoda - a braod, beautiful stairway of grey-green stone, guarded by golden draconic figurines, led to the front gate of the pagoda. It was currently occupied by a small cat - a housecat, no less, right here in the middle of the forest.

"Now, this is unusual." Crane said with sudden gravity, and watched the cat flee back and examine them from a distance. "What would a cat like that do in the middle of a forest? It would probably starve or be eaten within days." Wondering, he turned to Physician. "Do you think it might have been abandoned by a traveler? Wouldn't surprise me .."
Curious, but with a degree of sympathy at the cat's plight, he watched it draw closer again. It did seem very much like a common housecat, left here for whatever reason.
"We could go in and leave some food outside." He suggested finally. "That would probably attract her as soon as the smell gets to her."

[Nigawatts]

The food was delicious. A feast for the ages Lou had cried as his nose was filled with the savory smell of grilled meat. The rice was fresh and polished, not that farm grown stuff you usually got when dealing with these rural folk. The fish was fresh, and succulent, and his mouth watered as he took a piece of sashimi into his mouth and bit down softly...

Only for his mouth to be filled with the bland taste of his blanket. "Pfwtlsl!" He cried out as his tongue forced the cloth from his mouth. Rolling over, he quickly realized that the feast in front of him had been a dream. Ashamed of his own fantasies, he quickly looked around to make sure Crane was not around. Sighing in relief that he was not, the Physician rose to his feet.

The meal the two had shared from the supplies bought at Last Leg's had been humble at best. Some meat and a bit of rice was really all they could manage to barter from the village who was at the start of spring and low on supplies after winter themselves. They had promised to have more in a few days as the first crops began to ripen, and Lou was determined to return later to get more. For now however the two had made due with their meal, and the tea Lou had made himself. Besides Crane leaving some food out for their feline guest nothing else had happened and Lou had quickly dozed off into sleep only to wake up now.

It was night, and the cool air of the Manse was making Lou wish he had more bedding. He knew it would be an easy task to have Crane change the climate in the room, but he did not want to bother his friend. Actually, he was surprised the warrior was not around.

"Maybe he went to go check on that Cat. Or perhaps he too had a strange dream. Or maybe he didn't want to be around when I started talking to myself..."

Lou rubbed the back of his neck and walked toward the back of the Manse. He was shirtless, but the cool air of the Manse was not uncomfortable. The Physician had grew up in the North, and while he preferred warm heat while he slept, he also could tolerate a lot more cold air than these Eastern types.

He felt restless, something he hadn't felt in a long time. While these odd-jobs had been panning out fairly well these last few months, Lou could not help but feel a sense of urgency rise in his chest. There was something more to do. Helping the sick was not all he could do for Creation, he knew that. However that problem felt so tangible, so attainable, while others felt more elusive. He had not understood what he was when he first Exalted. The Unconquered Sun had not deemed it necessary to provide him with a vision. Hell such a vision might have got his head chopped off, for the assassin's of the Guild were not amateurs and any hesitation on Lou's part would have meant certain death, Solar powers or not. Afterwards however, he had felt nothing. In fact the only reason he knew what he was beyond a Sun Child, was because of the words of a wandering traveler who had given advice to him. The man had been fairly remarkable from what Lou could remember, but incredibly his memory of the man's features or even name dulled as time went on. Before Lou had been able to ask anymore questions the Wanderer had put him on the road back South, first to Nexus, then to here where he met Diamond Crane for the first time.

With a light push, Lou made his way outside through the Manse's backdoor. Immediately he sensed something in the darkness beyond the forest, but it was not hostile. A shiver went down his back as cool air from the Southwest washed over the back courtyard of the Wood Pagoda.

It was here that Crane had allowed the Manse to create a training environment so that they could test their abilities without causing too much damage to the living space. The two had quickly come to realize just how powerful they could be if they focused and channeled their Essence. The concept was new, but also very familiar, and Crane had been the first to help Lou realize it's full potential, through the Solar Hero Form. While the young warrior was not adept in it, he understood combat enough to help Lou understand why some of the techniques were performed in such a way. What had at first been the natural reflex of an open palm, had transformed into the predetermined might of a closed fist.

Knowing he would not get to sleep in his current state, the Physician began to stretch. As if understanding what he wanted, the Manse began to light up the Training Grounds with Magical Light. It was gentle and did not carry for much distance so as not to reveal the location of the Manse, but it did give enough glow to illuminate Lou and the training dummies that began to rise up from the ground.

They were made of wood, and held almost cartoonish faces. They were well built, and seemed to be in limitless supply, seeing as how both Lou and Crane had torn through dozens of them. Some could move to provide a harder target, but Lou's favorite game with them involved a sort of whack-a-mole feature that kept the targets coming up at random. Each enemy to get a solid strike before disappearing into the ground counted as a point, and the game got faster with numerous targets as time went on. Lou's personal best had been over a hundred the last time they had been here, but he was not playing to win, only to let off a little steam.

With a solid punch to the face of one of the dummies, the game began. Like clockwork the initial wave of dummies collapsed to the ground, and a few seconds later a single target rose from across the training ground. With a quick charge, Lou made his move and delivered a solid flying kick to it's chest. Another second later and another dummy popped up, this time a lot closer. With fluid motion gained by practice and memory, Lou landed a hard shop to the dummies mid-section, the wood cracking under the force of the blow and sending splinters hurling in the air.

It was at that time Lou realized how tense he was, and that he had instinctively added a bit of Essence into that strike. He did not have time to contemplate this as a duo of dummies arose behind him. Without even switching stances he pushed both his elbows behind him and into the chests of the wood trainers.

It went on like that for awhile, and many more wooden frames were cracked and splinters would fall. After awhile the game increased in speed and numbers. A dozen dummies rose to face him, and Lou would send them falling back down, narrowly catching the last one before it fell to the ground without taking a hit. He was using his Essence heavily now to keep up, and as the power spilled into his Anima, the dull glow of magical light was replaced by the brilliant golden aura surrounding Lou.

At last it came down to a tricky round. The Manse had placed two dummies on opposite sides. While Lou was quicker than any Mortal, he did not possess the super speed of a fully trained Solar Hero. Having always failed this type of setup in the past, Lou let out a controlled yell, and gave what he knew would be his last target the full power of his Solar enhanced fist.

The blow was incredible, audible across the forest for miles in what sounded like a tree snapping in two. His hand, crackling with golden energy, had gone straight though the wooden man's chest. On the other side, Lou's hand was bleeding and covered in spiky wooden fragments. A stray sliver must have shot at his face, for he felt blood also spill down the side of his cheek.

"Well maybe I over did it a little." Lou whispered solemnly to the smiling wooden dummy. With a quick churning of gears, the Manse pulled the dummy back into the ground and in the process ripped the wood man from Lou's forearm.

The wounds on his hand were painful, but with a quick application of essence the splinters began to fall out and the cuts began to close. Lou had been able to do that since he Exalted, having healed his own wounds after the dangerous encounter with the Guild assassin. Rubbing his face with both hands, he was able to heal the cut on his cheek, as well as a few other minor wounds that he must have also gotten from stray splinters spraying his body.

With a deep exhalation his Anima began to dissipate, and the middle aged Physician reclined against the short staircase that lead out into the woods of the Wood Pagoda's back entrance. With an almost mischievous face, another Wood Dummy rose up next to him, but this one carried a towel to wipe the sweat from his body. With the towel hung around his neck the Physician looked out into the wilderness.

Again he felt the eyes of someone watching, but he could not place it. It wasn't the cat that was for sure. This one was a lot stealthier and a lot more cautious. Tired of being spied on, Lou called out to the forest.

"You know real animals don't watch that long!" He yelled out rather boisterously before adding with a sly grin. "And even so...it's rude to stare."

Training Theme (Solar vs. Lunar)

[Hymusia]

Hadn't stuck around, the dense trio had not noticed her atop the pagoda, despite the shadow she likely had cast upon the ground, or the fact the trio would have had to face her direction to get into the manse. However that worked out well for her, she was there long enough to spy they had no real food of note, and certainly none that she'd be able to steal or barter for. Even their house cat seemed to have only scraps to eat. While the place itself was both familiar and enticing to her senses she knew better than to always follow their whim, and now with evening setting in and people inside the building she had little choice but to leave in search of her own meal.

As the moon rose and the stars came out she had gathered the ripened fruit and berries and even found a coconut to drink from to get her through the night. She'd also found herself a tree that served as safety for multiple species of animals, the most busy being the canopy, just above where she'd found herself seated. For the most part the animals did not mind her presence, she was quiet and far from intrusive and so she was treated to the far quieter sounds of the jungle at night. The soft calling of one monkey family to another, a concert of bugs singing for their lovers and the gentle song of the night birds. It was serene here with little chance of running into the predators that stalked the forest floor and wended their way across the lowest of branches. The call of cats, the baying of the hounds, it was all some ways off and didn't disturb the tree dwelling creatures.

She was finishing her own meal when there was a delicate scamper against the branches of the tree, a subtle shake of the leaves on it, enough sound to cause those tall pale ears; which since the coming of the dark had been freed of the head scarf -no human would look to the canopy for exalted after all, and to look that high up would gain little result on their behalf in the darkness of night-, to twitch and flicker, honing in on the sound to spy the bright white face and big yellow eyes of an aye aye. When it looked into her dual hued eyes it froze, it's tail looping about the branch and it's long skeletal fingers growing still. To her though it was obvious why the little furred beast was there, and so she pried some berries from her haul and found a flattened knot near her to place them on.

Returning to her ignorance so as not to scare off the small creature and taking a drink of the coconut milk from the shell she'd carefully removed the husk from. Gradually she saw in her peripheral the little creature scamper closer, pausing in the way that all animals did when certain they were being watched, before drawing closer still and repeating the process. To humans it probably appeared to be a strange and frightening animal, but she found it rather cute in all actuality, and perfectly formed for the life it lead up here in the tree's. Finally the little creature had reached the berries, and snatched one with speed that would make her look slow, stuffing it into it's mouth and readying to scamper away. However upon realising Yoshiko had no intention of grabbing it it paused, and filled it's mouth full of berries like a hamster packing it's cheeks. When she still didn't pay it any mind it spat out most of the berries and settled itself on the branch to enjoy its meal.

While she still watched the aye aye curiously, she was in fact focused mostly on other things, mostly on her journey the following day. She had a lot to do and little time to do it all in, while she puzzled out what exactly she needed to get done she felt a tug at her clothes, a quiet chitter bought her back to her senses to spy that the aye aye was now playing with the ties of her clothes, seemingly bold and brave, but freezing once it felt the Lunar's eyes upon it again. “You.” She uttered quietly to the lemur, who flinched as if shot at and scampered away up the branch, only to return moments later, “Are a little thief aren't you.” She purred in a delicate whisper, the marsupial not flinching half as much as it had moments before.