Omni5876

Broken Skies

Arn winced as if in pain when he noticed her expression at the notice that he had somehow invaded the private sanctity of her thoughts. He cursed under his breath at his way of being. So unused was he to interaction that he figured other people would have been more tactful. However, he was glad the secret was out. He figured and worried that she would want to let go of his hand. The though saddened him a little but he could not blame her. Yet, in the event this was not the case and to prevent Eilis from drawing the wrong conclusion, he kept the same pressure on her soft smaller hands.



The battle mage was not sure if it had been his confession of the infraction or what but he definitely noticed her firm cold voice. Yet when she had finished he shook his head apologetically. When she squeezed his hand and begged him to promise to take her life, he frowned. He straightened up and looked down at her and her Dark Sight plagued eyes. His own voice had a harder tone to it but it was not threatening but rather it was very reassuring.



“Miss Eilis. I cannot make that promise.” He took a slow calculated breath. “However, I promise you this at the risk of my soul. Should any, Belisian or Viemese, ever dare to bring harm to you in any way, that will be their last. I promise you will never be taken or made to do something you do not wish. Your life is much too precious to end it in such a manner. However, the lives of any who would dare to bring such pain to you deserve to be extinguished.”



A sudden flare up of his hands caused them to glow and while still tolerable, they became really warm. Had any been looking at him in that moment, they would have seen his usually dark eyes glow with a hatred for people he did not yet know. Somehow, Eilis held an equally important place in Arn’s psyche much like his mother had. Perhaps, the boy who had failed to protect one woman, now saw in the one besides him, the same need for protection. His words had the full weight of truth behind them. He was not bound by national loyalty or some other moral code. He did what he wanted. He had merely been a battle mage as a way to direct his gift and not let his mother died in vain.



Perhaps it was destiny, for if he had not been in that ship, at this moment in time, he would not have met the lovely refugee. His desire to protect her went beyond that of a male and female. He saw her as a sort of embodiment of innocence which had been assailed by cruelty and evil. These were things he could not stand for. The Shooting Stars had enabled him to somehow practice a sort of justice against pirates, thieves, and other criminals. Now, he had an actual chance to protect and he would burn the world to see her safe.



He squeezed her hands back. The sudden flare up returning to a comforting warmth. “My apologies, I hope that I did not cause you discomfort or alarm”

To Claim a Starting World

Arn kept his bow string taunt enough that the arrow was secured as he walked around the cut in the earth. His eyes stayed on the wolf thing but would scan the are without turning his head. His arrow tip stayed towards the ground but at an angle so that he could easily bring it to aim should he need to. His breath was even and controlled. The hunter had done this many times before. He had tracked both prey and predator a like yet nothing like what was before him.

For the first time in a very long time, Arn felt a small pang of fear. All his instincts told him that the being that was before him was not natural. The forest seemed to agree with him as all sound was gone. Either that, or his senses were heightened. He could hear his own slow breathing but sounded like gusts of wind in his ears. He just hoped that being this careful would not attract the attention of the …thing.

As if to answer his inner thoughts, the head jerked upward. Arn almost stumbled at the view before him. The hunter’s mind tried to make sense of what he saw. At first it seemed as if the thing was human with only wolf pelts on not unlike what Arn himself would look to the villagers. Yet as he watched, the bear man saw the ears on what should be a hood perk backwards just as an animals would. The actions of the thing were very feral like.

Arn would have still been enthralled in studying the creature when it fell and cried out in pain very much like a human would. This made up the hunter’s mind. He slowly lowered his bow and arrow and slowly lowered himself to the ground until his knees almost touched. He would stay like this for a minute or two just studying the creature and letting it study him.

The hunter was slowing his breathing trying to project calm. Once he felt enough time had passed he said in a loud enough voice to be heard but not to scare the creature.

“I mean you no harm. You are hurt. I can help” his voice carried the 12 feet or so that separated them. The hunter lowered his bow further as sign that he meant what he said.

“I can help” he said again, his head would nod as a dog’s would when trying to communicate. His mannerisms slowly turned to those of a canine. Looking at the creature thought the top of his eyes, keeping his mouth lowered to not show his teeth.

Broken Skies

Arn listened to the young lady. He even closed his eyes and took in the sound and the knowledge. There was nothing that he enjoyed more than knowledge and being delivered by the voice of the lovely Eilis seemed to be calming. It was more than what normal people would call magnetism. It felt like the two of them shared something that went beyond the material. Arn had always wondered if mages shared some sort of familiarity. He seemed to feel when other mages where close. He often forgot the feeling because as part of a mage battalion, he was always surrounded by them. However, the stronger the affinity, the stronger the pull. Could this be because of the belief that a mage is a living part of Gia.

His mind processed and analyzed the information that the young lady was telling him. An insider’s look and experience at the inner working of the Viemese empire would be invaluable. But those old fools at the Academy would try to exploit her knowledge rather than directing it. No, he could not let her fall into their hands.

As if to cement his musings into protecting the girl, her candor in the recounting of their plight brought a fervent claim, or was it a plea?

"I refuse to die for rich bastards who simply crush those lesser than them beneath their boot."

The battle mage took her hand and squeezed. He gasped as his mind was filled with images inside Eilis. He onslaught was as if being plunged into a freezing cold lake. His insides tightened as his mind almost burned with pain. He almost felt h is own finger being snapped. The images were so vivid.

When the connection was broken he took a deep breath. Arn was more or less used to pain. Indeed, his body was a tapestry of scars that meant the mage was a far cry from the delicate royal mages. True they wielded great power and that meant the they could destroy whole squads of soldiers with merely a word, but eventually even their bodies would be subject to the rigors of Magicka Shock. Yet, even he had been caught unaware by the potency of the mind meld.

In all his research he had read of this before but there had been no record of it in the modern age. This sort of “mind meld” could only be accomplished by someone whose affinity was at an incredible level. A question stabbed at his mind. Where the Viemese perhaps trying to find those with vast affinity? The implications of that were catastrophic.

He cleared his throat trying to regain composure. “Miss Eilis. I am not sure if you were aware but for a second just now, I saw a memory of yours.” He said his words slowly, wondering how they could be taken. He hated that he was so matter of factly. He wished that he could just have enjoyed his time with her. Letting her tell him of all her readings but he knew that the mutter must be addressed.

“From what you have told me, and what I have seen and heard. Your affinity for magic is quite strong. I don’t believe the Viemese were targeting the refugee vessels by chance. If I was them, and a person as valuable as you was trying to flee to my enemy’s hands, I would be concerned” he sighed and instinctively place another hand on hers comforting and protectively. “I fear that Belasio May act rashly in having such an asset be found in their midst.” He gave her hand a pat.

“We must not reveal your true identity to many. Though I fear we may not have much success seeing as you single handedly saved a whole ship of refugees but we should try to keep your abilities as secret as possible.”

His mind was already formulating his list of possible allies. At the top were a certain silvere haired Knight Captain and a battle crazy Spider.

Tobi had been waiting outside their room as a sort of self appointed guard. He had been cleaning Arn’s armor. The junior mage would probably receive grief from his senior but he did not care. Tobi knew that Arn just tried to act like that to keep people at bay. The senior battle mage took every Shooting Star loss personally. That is why he was often the first in the fray. Sometimes clearing a whole deck by himself. Odds were if you survived first contact, or were not picked off as you jumped in, then your chances of survival were better.

Tobi had been recruited from one of the many orphanages in the slums of the city when his magic aptititude was discovered. He had been taken to the Cauldron and began his training. It was there that he had heard the stories of the Hell Spawn. Tobi had all but revered this person who had risen so high. He even respected Arn’s decision to turn down a position as a royal mage.

That infatuation only grew when he actually met the man and followed him into combat. He had inspired Tobi to be the best he could be. The junior mage was gifted with the manipulation of radiation. He was able to glow brightly and even disable electronics. He could also, to a small extent, charge batteries. As a last resort he was able to glow hot the same as a nuke.

Tobi was toiling with a particularly blood encrusted area of Arn’s armor when he looked up and saw a knight clad in his armor. His eyes went wide. Just because the young mage though of Arn as an inspiration, there was no boy alive who did not dream of becoming a knight. The mage’s velvet and multi colored robes were not match against the knights in their gleaming armor in parade. It was hard to play fight as a mage when it was easier to build make shift swords and shields.

Also, everybody knew that knights always got the ladies.

Broken Skies

Ill try to post soon. I was wondering if @TheMerlin wanted me to try and bring Leo into the narrative. I mean, don't get me wrong I am very much enjoying the parley with @deia876lat but I dont want it to seem like we are not at a stopping or interrupting point.

Rise of the Shield Hero - From Another World

posted, not my best but it should work i hope.

Rise of the Shield Hero - From Another World

Fer kept his peace as the veiled emissary spoke with Cole. The young hero frowned at her deeply political view of their actions. However, the young man knew that in some way or another, their exploits would be used politically. The King had intended for their fame to spread. It would not be crazy to believe that he had some stake in that.

Fer did not like the implications of that, but he figured that his feelings would have no sway in the events that were to come. He had been a fool think that his role in this world was merely as a soldier. He scowled at the idea of being a tool or a toy for those in higher power.

Their actions were being tracked and recorded. Even the Bow and the Spear were closely monitored. To what end? Perhaps the powers that be wanted to see which one would be best suited to be the figure head?

Fer turned to Cole. The young man was a good pick. He was trustworthy, honorable and seriously wanted to help. He would be the proverbial boy next door that the population could identify with and claim as one of their own. The Spear hero seemed too secretive, too happy with just being on the sidelines. The Bow it seemed too unstable to count on but the young hero knew that the skill was probably worth the trouble.

He was brought out of his musings by Auriel announcing her departure and confirming she would do what she could to try and find some answers for him. The young hero watcher her go. The sway of her wings brought a smile to his face. Fer would probably never get over the fact that she was real. He hoped that she would find something of use. Though from what he had gathered from both emissaries who came and contacted them, records about the shield may not be as abundant as records for the other weapons. Why did some resent the Shield so?

He unconsciously moved his hand to the bracer that housed his shield while it was not being used. The green gem glinted as if it understood his feelings. Fer looked at it a bit. The he turned to Cole. “I guess we must try to find Marcino or figure out how to best get him to come in our little adventure. Like the emissary said, with him along the task will be a sure success.”

Broken Skies

ok, so I feel I have to bring up the question. What is the ration of those born with magical aptitute to normal citizens in either Belasio or Viem. The reason I am asking is because the whole premise of the Shooting starst is that low born mages are basically expendable. However, if the number of those born with magic is very low then such a practice might be too expensive and detract from the over all military might. Also, as @deia876lat state in his Eilise post, what are the advantages in either country? finally, is there actual "healing" magic?

Rise of the Shield Hero - From Another World

@Whoami lol yeah sorry. I am still travelling but I will post as soon as I can. sorry

Broken Skies

Arn knew that she meant the interchange as a playful sort of banter, but he could not help but frown. He shook his head slightly and in a soft but firm voice replied to her. “I would never allow you to be a scapegoat miss. I will take whatever punishment is reserved for me or for you. I am not of gentle birth, but it would infringe on my honor to do otherwise.” He replied in friendlier tone. “However, I appreciate the gesture and as stated before, I am not so much caught up in the complexities of societal customs that I will turn down an offer of help.”

"Whilst I am no expert, I can tell you're very skilled with it. Your warmth was like...like molten amber, warm and comforting. Like a stove on a cold winter's day. Your hands felt a bit rough, weathered, they reminded me of my father's they had been weathered too." She let out a soft chuckle. "If I could be selfish and make demands, I would have demanded that you'd hold my hands again, but I cannot act like a small child and I know you have your own healing to do. If I had more magic I could have aided you with that, but I feel so drained I fear I barely will be able to light a candle. So it is good to know I have someone capable near me to defend us should something occur."

He listened to her. The mention of a father figure brought both sadness and anger. He had never met his father. He had hoped it was not one of the many who frequented his mother’s bed. She was much too beautiful for her own good and her handler had made more than his fair share of her.

He cleared his throat as he extend his hand close enough for her to feel it on the back side of her hand. “It would be to my honor if you would hold my hand still. It is not shellfish as I have already established and I have willingly offered any help, in any form.” He said it stoically but in truth he longed for that connection. That is what he had meant about what had been lost. Perhaps he should explain it to her seeing as how her reaction had caused her a bit of apprehension. But she had started talking again.

He listened attentively. If it had been any other person, he would have received the dissertation with much doubt. However, the way she spoke was full of conviction and knowledge nor reserved to the emotional or fanatical. Instead, it piqued his interested as a schoolar. He had heard the names before and had been able to read a few works of the famed Ferezanthe. But as Eilis had manetioned, both Beliso and Viem utilized their lilterature to forward their causes and propaganda. To people like Arn who read only for the sake of knowledge he would be willing to read works on either side of the war.

The battle mage mused at her explanation. He had often wondered if the affinity for one type of magic or the other was a result of or an influencer of the attittues and personality of the mage. Indeed even the users of Chi seemed to have many things in common. Was there perhaps someone if the Veimese empire who had managed to finally find the link? If that was the case, where they trying to find someone who might have the same affinity to a magnitude that equalled the Sorceror King?

The ramminfications of that had too many convoluted paths to navigate. Something that was better left for another time. Eilis had a grasp of magical fundmentals and historical analysis which made her that much more of a mystery that Arn wanted to uncover. He drank in her every word. Nodding in agreement at her off the cuff observations. Many scholars would be able to write thesis on the items that she was explaining as whimsical observations.

“Miss Eilis, you must have read extensively. It would be my most profund delight to exchange ideas and theories. You are indeed a mystery.” He settled down, feeling the bleeding on his side seeming to stop. He exhaled in relief both from the pain in his side and the sheer image of his luck at finding a person such as the young lady.

However, his thoughts turned dark. She was a refugee. Obviously running from something or someone. Her reactions betrayed a past much more complex. Her abilities, both those he had inferred from the description of the other refugee and the strong magnetic pull which meant that she was extremely well versed in the magical arts.

Who was this young, seemingly frail lady? He looked down at her. The small frame and lovely visage an easy desception to the power withing. Was this power something to welcome or something to be wary of? The mage shook his head trying to clear it. No, he had offered his aid and protection and she would have it. No matter what.

Broken Skies

good posting. I will try to post soon. also, if Merlin is ready to post he can. After all, I am sure that Arn and Eilis will have other times to talk lol.