[IC] Ancients of Elan ~ Rise of The Chosen

[Xeiyenreisha]

"I'll answer your question if you can defeat me. I don't mean here." The figure paused as he threw him a flyer announcing the school was holding a martial arts tournament. The flyer said on it The Gaelan World Dark Martial Arts and Combat Tournament saying that each school would be enlisting entrants for it. "If you can make it all the way to the finals to fight me and actually defeat me then I'll answer your questions. Until then, I will leave you to think about what I meant by my words. That is if a chump like you is bold enough to enter a tournament that may cost you your life." The figure finished as a sudden black smoke surrounded him which made it hard to see. He eventually disappeared as the smoke began to dissipate. There was no sign of the individual other than the footprints left on the ground that they left.

"Oh by the way, I was also the one who killed your parents Nozdormu and Ysera, Netharion Alduin. Hahahah, it was fun to watch your mother desperately beg for your life before I killed her. You should have seen the rage on your father's face before I killed him too. All of them wanting me to spare your pathetic life. AHAHAHAHAH!!! Their blood was most enjoyable quenching my thirst." Even though he had disappeared he let Nathan hear those words in attempt to break or at least shake him up.

[Card Captor]

Nathan sighed after he caught the flyer "okay, I'll admit that I'm both impressed and concerned that you know who my parents are, and that you could tell who I am just by looking at me. However, you clearly didn't do enough research; I saw the faces of all of my parent's killers...and I killed them all. Even now I can still recall every feature of their faces. You though...I've never seen you before. It's clear that you're just trying to get me worked up, and it wasn't a bad attempt to be honest" he shrugged. "I do plan on taking you up on your offer though. That is, if I can convince Meira to let me. If I don't get her approval, and her aunt finds out...well...who knows what that demon woman will do to me. She already did more to me than I thought possible. So I need to make sure my ass is covered first. Anyway, see you in the ring...I hope." With all that said, Nathan turned around to head to head back to Meira and her sister.

[Xeiyenreisha]

When Nathan returned to inside the building, Reala stood up with a very fiery angry expression on her face marching over quickly toward where Nathan was. She then rose her hand up and slapped him very hard across the face, because using magic inside the school probably wasn't a good idea. "HOW DARE YOU!" She screamed off the top of her lungs as Meira could only watch as her sister was obviously very upset.

"Why? Why did you interfere? Stop helping me! I can take care of myself. I'm not some poor defenseless girl and I never asked you to help me in the first place! Just leave me alone, okay? I can take care of myself." Reala said as you could see her eyes had started to water from the facial expression she was giving Nathan. It was obvious by how she reacted that she was a very lonely person who did not appreciate the company of others when it came to her problems. Ever since she was a child, she had fended for herself and never relied on anyone else. But that had changed when two people helped her when she never wanted their help in the first place. She tried to walk away but fell to one knee as she held where she was wounded cringing in pain since once again she had aggravated her wound.

"Reala, don't you think that was a little harsh?" Meira questioned as she had immediate concern for her sister who had been wounded awhile ago. She knew Reala was pushing herself if the wound hadn't healed already. Her sister was very stubborn and didn't listen to anyone when it came to herself.

Meira then noticed someone at the desk was yelling for her name and saw the woman was getting impatient where she chuckled with her eyes closed, "I'll be right back... Heheheh."

[Card Captor]

Nathan wasn't phased by her slap at all. In fact, all it made him do was sigh. "You do realize that if I hadn't done anything, then your sister would have. Would you rather have had that happen? Would you rather your sister faced that man instead on you. Also, I'm not sure what you being a girl has to do with this. Male or female, a wound like yours is going to seriously handicap anyone." Nathan shook his head "he told me what he did to the both of you, so I can understand your need for revenge. However, that's no excuse to just lose it like that. If you really have to kill him, then fine. But don't let it be for revenge. The price of revenge is always too high, if you survive, then you'll just regret it. you should turn back now, while you still have a chance" he told her.

[Xeiyenreisha]

Reala could only look at Nathan as she listened to what he said while all the students retrieved their books and study guides for their classes and informed what district they would be in. While that was going on Reala could only think for a moment until they called her turn. She walked over and retrieved her materials then walked over to where Nathan was standing. She couldn't sit down otherwise it would be seen as fraternizing with the boys.

The thought of a teacher yelling at her didn't bother her where She stared down at the ground then swept her hand across her face to prevent tears from falling down her face. She could not let Nathan see that she was getting emotional. It she did, it would be a weakness her enemy could use against her. Staying strong she shook off the tremendous pressure from the pain she felt from her loneliness and trying to use it further to act like she wasn't even hurt. She then tilted her head with a fiery look of a serious nature filled her entire face. She could feel the strength of that feeling all over her body as it pulsed through her veins giving her a new refreshed confidence after all that was said. "Look, I understand what you're saying, but you cannot convince me to think otherwise. This is my problem so just stay out of it. You have no idea how I feel so don't even think you know! How could you? Unlike you, I had to fend for myself when my foster parents died. How could you possibly understand what it is like to have to go through what I've been through?" Reala paused for a moment as she saw memories she shared with her foster parents. Ones that she couldn't forget, especially the ones that kept them close together as one nicely knitted family.

"Reala, don't be like this! Everyone needs friends to rely on!" Meira tried to remind her, but Reala shook her head in disbelief as she turned her attention away from Meira. Meira knew Nathan only wanted to help her sister and she wanted to assist too, but Reala's do it herself ego stood in the way of trying to grow a closer relationship toward her.

When Meira said she would help Reala and held at her hand, Reala slapped it away in disgust. When Reala slapped Meira's hand away she looked at her with a hurt look on her face. "I was only trying to help, Reala. You don't have to be so damn stubborn. We are sisters after all? Doesn't that mean anything?"

Reala immediately turn her back on Meira and gave her a hmph expression crossing her arms. "You're a Princess, Meira. Unlike you I don't need anyone to protect me. Since you are a natural born leader you need everyone to protect you. Now just stop bothering me already!"

With that said Reala walked over back toward where the girls were supposed to be as she awaited the announcement there train was going to arrive soon. She didn't mind being in the same class as Meira, but she didn't want anything to do with Nathan. She saw him as an obstacle who could become a problem if she didn't keep an eye on him. She turned around and her words rang a very serious vibe when they pierced the air in the room, "Stop trying to think you understand me, Nathan. At least I can control my power unlike you who needs someone to hold your hand! Now you need my aunt to hold your hand. You're so pathetic! You can't do anything on your own. You're so dependent. Why don't you just shut up already!" She paused for a moment as she pointed her finger at him where she continued, "Get in my way, Nathan and I will kill you! If you don't think I'm serious then just try me. I will do what I feel needs to be done. I don't need you telling me who and who I can't fight. You aren't my father and you certainly aren't my damn brother!"

"REALA!!!" Meira yelled at her certainly offended by what her sister had just said about her friend. "Don't you think that was brutally harsh?"

"It's not my problem if he can't handle the truth." Reala shrugged as she continued to walk away where she returned to the wall she was leaning against. When she left, Meira could tell that Reala did not mean those words and she was just angry and frustrated. There was no way her sister would say such a thing even if she didn't want help from others.

[Card Captor]

"If I was anyone else...you might have a point" Nathan began. "When I was just 8 years old, I was forced to watch as a group of thugs slaughtered by parents. Normally, a bunch of bandits wouldn't have been able to so much as scratch them...but they had filled the air with some kind of poisonous smoke. I was small enough to stay under it...but my parents weren't. They were cut down like animals right in front of me. I managed to escape undetected...but I had nowhere else to go. You see, my family didn't live in any kind of settlement, it wouldn't be inaccurate to call us hermits. So that meant that I literally didn't know anyone else in the world. I was all alone." By this point, he had begun walking towards Reala "living was so painful, but one thing still kept me alive; revenge. To this day, I still remember the faces of each and everyone of my parents killers, and I was determined to kill them for what they did. Three years later...I found them and killed every last one of them...and you know what; I regret it. Sure I managed to avenge my parents, but the cost was far too high. In my rage, I ended up destroying most of the village where I found them, and who knows how many innocent lives. My the time my blood-lust had vanished, I was surrounded by the burning remains of the village. So I ran away, too horrified to face what I did. To this day, I'm still not sure if anyone even survived. So yes, I do understand you, far more then you realize. Which is why when I say that revenge isn't worth it, I know what I'm talking about!"

Nathan clenched his fists "and what's this about me not being able to control my powers? Who told you that lie? Because I can control my powers perfectly fine. Your aunt isn't helping me at all by doing this. Hell, what she's really done is cripple me! She's leashed me like some animal! I wouldn't be surprised if there was something in this seal to inflict massive amounts of pain on me if I ever misbehaved. Your aunt isn't holding my hand, she's holding my neck...really tightly. Which I why I don't trust that woman at all. In fact...I'm wondering if you already knew all of this. Someone had to tell you about this seal, why not the person who put it on me? You probably also know how to trigger it's behavioral correction function too, don't you?"

[Xeiyenreisha]

"Why do you continue to get in my face? You don't give a damn about me so just leave me alone, okay? You have my sister to take care of. Protect her and stop trying to get close to me. I don't need friends. All they do is weigh you down." Reala said as she turned around with fire burning in her eyes. The passion burning on Reala's face was strong which almost drove her toward attacking Nathan. He was really pissing her off and she was tired of listening to his excuses. "Don't give me an excuse to let you help me, because I don't want your help. I do not understand why you just do not get it!"

"I will not allow you to trash talk one of my own so..." Reala gave up a deep sigh as she placed her palm on Nathan's torso then concentrated her energy until it formed a glyph which shattered the one that was inside Nathan's body as it became shards of energy before dissipating. "I don't expect any thanks. There, I undone the seal for you? Happy now? Now leave me alone already!"

"Reala..." Meira called Reala's name as she was quite lost on what just happened. She thought to herself quietly as she tried to put together what she just did. She just broke a very powerful magic seal. I cannot believe my eyes at the moment.

[Card Captor]

Nathan didn't believe it, not for a second. Oh sure, he could feel the power of his other forms, ready to be called upon at a moments notice, but that wasn't enough for him. He didn't trust Reala, nor did he trust Ranathia. So there's no way that one of them would just free him like that. Taking into account his belief that the seal was meant to do more then just restrict his powers, and it wasn't surprising that he didn't believe her. "I'm not an idiot" he mumbled

"Anyway. That guy just challenged me to a fight in this" he said handing Meira the flyer. "He said he would answer all of my questions if I beat him in the finals. Now, I'm not sure how he intends to rig it so that, should we both win all of our matches, we'll fight in the finals. Nor do I really believe that he'll keep his word...but I think it's still worth a try. Hell, we could always capture him after I've beaten him to a mushy pulp."

[Xeiyenreisha]

Unfortunately for Nathan Reala didn't really care whether he believed her or not. She wasn't about to trust someone who got in her way since she was determined to fulfill her promise she made toward her mother. "Believe what you want." Reala paused as she walked by Nathan then turned around to continue, "I don't really care whether you trust me or not, because I will never trust you after you disgraced me in front of Meira. You can take your trust and put it where the sun doesn't shine. That's what I think of it. Why should I trust you? Just because you saved me? Hah, you just want me to look weak just like any other male who looks at women only for their looks. I am stronger than you and I am capable of more than you. I don't need you. I can do everything myself without your help." Reala concluded as she pushed Nathan into a wall away from her and decided to go someplace where he wouldn't disturb her. She was tired of listening to his excuses. She was tired of listening to how he didn't trust her or her aunt. Like she cared what he thought. What he thought wouldn't change the fact that man killed her mother in cold blood. It didn't change the fact her mother probably looked down on her for not seizing the opportunity. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Don't even help me for my sister's sake. You are worthless piece of trash I want nothing to do with. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to something I need to do. Do not follow me."

When she heard him talk about how he was going to fight the man in the martial arts tournament, she turned around and gave him a icy gaze before she just walked away. She decided she would just do what she about to do. Not allowing anyone to stop her nor was she about to listen to anyone for that reason.

"Why can't she understand that she's not alone? Why can't she understand that her well-being affects others? She's so damn stubborn when it comes to herself. When it comes to her motives, it's near next to impossible to sway her mind." Meira complained as she could only watch Reala walk away. She didn't understand why Reala refused to trust those who tried to help her. She wanted to remind Reala she wasn't alone and that she didn't need to face everything on her own. "Nathan, Reala didn't mean anything she said. I know it sounds like she did, but she's just angry and very frustrated. Frustrated that she didn't have the strength to overcome her own weaknesses. She sees being injured as a weakness and she is beating herself up over being too weak to overcome the pain she is served by her own recklessness. Please do not think badly of her, she's a good person by heart. It's just that she's very stubborn when it comes to her own health."

[Card Captor]

Nathan shrugged "meh, I really don't care what she thinks about me, or even what she says to me. Let's just say that my feelings got hurt badly enough, and frequently enough in my younger years to toughen me up against insults." Nathan gave his neck a quick crack, getting rid of a kink he felt in it. "But how can you be so sure she's such a good person? Didn't you meet her for the first time during that incident a month ago? Gah, never mind that, we need to talk about this" he held out the flyer to Meira again, as she had yet to so much as acknowledge it or what he had said about it

[Xeiyenreisha]

"I've known Reala since we were children, Nathan. She would always visit me so we could play despite refusing to live with anyone. Ranathia wanted to take her in as her own, but Reala refused saying she didn't want to burden anyone with her problems." Meira paused for a moment as she sighed trying to forget about everything that had happened. Though she wasn't about to forget about her sister who needed someone to be there for her. A person who would save her from the darkness within her loneliness. "You can have any opinion you want about her, but she's my sister and we've known each other since we were children. You will not change my view over my own sister so do not even try. I know her better than anyone and your view of her is completely off. She grew stronger on her own without anyone's help and she finds she would get weaker if she accepted anyone's help. That's why she feels she has to do everything herself. Because she felt she was too weak to defeat her mother's killer. So she now has to get stronger so that she can confront them again. Try as you must, Nathan but you will never understand Reala or my Aunt Ranathia." She paused for a moment as her eyes shifted into a more definite expressive position, "I won't allow you to badmouth them. Remember that, Nathan."

"What's that?" Meira questioned when Nathan showed her a flyer of some tournament that was going to enlist people from the schools to enter. She wasn't entirely sure why it was being held, but if it included the word "dark" it meant there were no rules other than the occassional ring out. Meaning people would fight until the death if necessary and the opponent could kill their target without consequence.

[Card Captor]

"Wait...what?" Nathan was confused "but you told me a month ago that you had just found out about her. Now you're saying that you two knew each other since you were little kids." Nathan shook his head 'did...did she lie to me? I mean, I can understand concealing information or just refusing to talk about something...but outright lying. I'm starting to see the family resemblance' Nathan thought bitterly. "Never mind that. Like I said before; that guy from before is going to be here. The way I see it; I can enter this and beat some answers out of him. I have some questions for him myself...like how he knew who I was right away."

[Xeiyenreisha]

Meira sighed as she noticed Nathan had picked up on the fact that she had deceived him about knowing about her sister. It wasn't like she did intentionally. She had her reasons for lying like that and one of them was she doesn't like talking about her sister. It always ended up in a two sided argument where she would defend her sister no matter what. "Sorry, I lied about Reala. Just don't like talking about my sister is all. Anyway, I just wish Reala would find some way to be happy. Ever since we were children, she has never smiled or laughed once. She carries around that doom and gloom look everyday. It's like she's empty and very lonely, but it's too dark for her to navigate herself out of her own loneliness. I just wish there were something I could do for. For once, I would like to see her happy. I would like to see her smile or just laugh at a funny joke. I'm tired of seeing those sad eyes she drags around for baggage. But she refuses to listen to anyone when it comes to herself. She go as far as talking really nasty so people will dislike or hate her so she doesn't have to worry about them getting in her way again. Why does she have to continue to punish herself like that?"

"Don't underestimate that man, Nathan. I sensed a very dangerous power from him. Exercise extreme caution when fighting him." Meira warned as she could judge by his character he did not play by the rules nor did he play nice for that matter. Knowing how strong that person was really bothered Meira. Even if he didn't try to slay Reala, still it disturbed her that he made it clear she was his target. She didn't know why he would target her and anytime she tried to recall the confrontation her mind just drew a blank.

[Card Captor]

'If you really didn't want to talk about her...you could have just said so' Nathan thought to himself. "I've spent more time then I probably should have fighting people with dangerous powers. Truthfully; it gives me an edge. He's less likely to take me seriously, and more likely to just toy with me. That means that whatever power he has, he's probably just going to show it off, confident that I can't beat him. Which is when I find a way around it and outsmart him. I'm not as dumb as I look." Sighing, he shook his head "It might be best for us to return to class; we're late enough as is." Nathan said as he started to make his way back.

[Xeiyenreisha]

"Class?" Meira questioned as she realized the train hadn't arrived yet. Also she saw that Reala was nowhere to be seen. She wasn't sure what Nathan was talking about being late to class? How could they be late if they haven't even arrived at the school yet. "Nathan, our train isn't even here. I don't know what you are talking about, but this is not a school building. They just use to keep track of how many people enlist into going to school in Windgrace." Meira sighed as she laughed softly at Nathan's blunder. She thought it was funny that Nathan automatically assumed they were at school. It was apparent to her that he had never been to a school in his entire life and the fact he was educated was a little hard to believe.

"Over this way." Meira said as she grabbed Nathan's hand and dragged him off to the train station which was downstairs underneath the main builiding. The station was crowded with not only students, but other people from Windgrace who were using them to travel to their destination. A row of benches were in front of them with columns off to the side and a few of the walls had vending machines and a very large bin which was for trash stood reside them. Meira let go of Nathan's hand as she walked over and took a seat awaiting for the train to arrive. "Now we just wait for the train to our school to arrive."

[Card Captor]

"Huh?" Nathan blinked "that...wasn't the classroom? But there were teachers there, and they were taking roll call." He scratched his head in confusion. 'And why do we even have to take a train? That just feels lazy to me.' Shaking his head, Nathan remained standing, but made sure he wasn't in anyone's way. 'It's already been awhile, does school really start so late in the day? I wonder if that means that it's much shorter then I thought, or ends a lot later then I thought. Oh well, I'm about to find out I guess' Since he didn't have anything else to do, he started to let his mind wander 'the Sentinel...just what is that? And how was he so sure that it's me?'

[Xeiyenreisha]

"Clueless as ever is he?" A familiar voice said as Meira turned around and noticed it was Reala. Meira jumped up in excitement to see her sister had gotten over what was bothering her earlier. Even though she had gotten over it, she still looked so empty and her eyes continued to show the same sadness they always showed. Meira wanted to find some way to make her sister smile, but all her attempts she had tried in the past ended in failure.

"Did you come back to apologize for how you acted earlier, Reala?" Meira asked where Reala closed her eyes nodding at her. Reala had come back to apologize for her actions toward her sister, but she despised Nathan which made flames ignite underneath her skin though she did her best to control her by remaining composed.

She grabbed Meira where she gave off a small smirk with a nod where she answered Meira's question, "You, yes." She paused as she gave a cold icy gaze at Nathan where she continued, "Him, no." But that was all she said. Meira anticipated she might try to insult Nathan after saying she wasn't going to apologize, but she was wrong. Reala just phrased those two words boldly before she went silent.

"I agree, Nathan doesn't know much about school or how the school systems work around her, but he's not that bad of a person. He's very kind even though he's pretty naive about how this world works." Meira said only to have Reala interrupted her sighing deeply, "Yeah Meira, but you have no room to talk either. You are pretty lost on how the world works too." Despite her hostility toward Nathan and saying a lot of nasty comments about him she still had the dignity inside her to actually defend him. Meira found it strange though she knew it is just like Reala to point out the oversight in people's insults.

[Card Captor]

"Eh" Nathan just shrugged off her insults again, although he was surprised to see Reala again so soon after what had just happened. However since he wasn't in the mood to argue with her again, he simply ignored her. Tuning out the sister's conversation, he let his mind wander again, as he found waiting around for the train to be extremely boring 'I wonder what ever happened to her; that girl who claimed to be my daughter from the future. It was a really crazy story she told me; to think that I would actually find a mate and reproduce. Maybe the only reason I believed her so easily is because I wanted it to be true.' Sparing a quick glance at Meira before turning away, his thoughts continued 'and she was supposed to be the mother of my offspring. It's just too surreal. I thought she was telling the truth, I really did...but now I'm not so sure' Nathan let out a sigh 'maybe it's for the best after all.'

[Alphakoka]

Once all the students were assigned to their class and school, they were all ushered to the trainyard where they wait for the train that would take them to their class. Alice had been among them, occasionally looking at the mark that appeared on the palm of her hand while chatting with her friends and waited. She also looked around for Nathan and Meira although she was unable to find them in the middle of the crowd. It looked like she had to wait until later before she could talk with them or even Stellvia without attracting attention.

"What's that on your hand?" one of her friend asked while leaning their head in.

"Oh, nothing!" Alice replied. "Just an ink blot, got stained when I signed the papers earlier."

[Xeiyenreisha]

"I overheard you two talking about the martial arts tournament that is being held on one of the colonies that revolves around Gaea very soon. I suppose I'll have to allow myself some rest and refreshment until the tournament comes otherwise I won't be in shape. Losing my life in that tournament is not something I want to happen." She paused for a moment as she turned her eyes over toward Nathan gazing at him with a look of determination, "And you, I will not be dissuaded by you not to enter so do not even try." She paused once again as she tilted her head back toward Meira where she continued even further. "I'll take it easy and relax for awhile. Hopefully that will take your mind off worrying about me, Meira. Also, sorry about what I said earlier. I guess I let killing that man go to my head."

Meira reached over and gave her sister a big hug excited that Reala was finally going to allow herself some time to recuperate before she went back to what she normally did. Though entering the tournament bothered Meira since she knew it had no rules other than ring outs where the opponent could use any force necessary to defeat their foe even if it meant killing them. "Thank you, Reala! So happy that you'll at least take care of yourself for awhile and not push yourself like you always do."

Reala looked over toward Nathan and remembered what one of her contacts told her about him. He mentioned to her that he overheard someone talking about Nathan being The Sentinel which Reala found hard to believe. She thought Nathan was too naive to ever be the one they call The Sentinel. How could he possibly protect the two if he wasn't so sure about himself? It made no sense and his fear about his race didn't help her think any more of him either. "I refuse to believe that you are the one meant to protect us. How can someone so naive about this world possibly have the power to protect my sister let alone someone as strong as me? This princess thinks that person who is passing around the rumor you're The Sentinel is senile. I could care less what your opinion about it is. Not that I'm trying to pick a fight with you, it's just that..." She paused for a moment noticing that her emotions were getting the best of her where she gritted her teeth as anger flashed again on her eyes, "Forget it! I'm going to just stop talking about it before I say something I don't want to say which gives you the wrong idea. I still do not like you."