Private - Burn Them All [P]

Within the dense forests of Brisshal, full of coniferous skyscrapers flush with budding cones and fragrant needles, Cain currently found himself standing on a branch a few feet up. Yes, standing. Not hanging, not sitting, not clinging, not cowering, but standing, resolute against the slavering beasts that snarled and spat beneath. Starved lupine monstrosities circled the tree, occasionally lunging upwards, paws scraping against the tough bark, always out of range of the long-haired man who towered safely above them. Was he disturbed, perhaps, by the slowly increasing pack of wolves gathered beneath? Was he scared, perhaps, of the possibility of those blight-ridden jaws clamping onto his limbs, immobilizing him before they tore apart his pitiful beginner’s gear and chiselled abs? Was he daunted, perhaps, at the face of an enemy that grew only greater?

No, Cain Darlite stood above with nothing but a grand, shit-eating grin on his face, balancing precariously on a branch that bent beneath his weight. Oh, the physics was definitely there. The aggro mechanics were definitely in place. And the hunger! In each of their beady, primal eyes, he felt that delicious chill racing up his spine, the fear that sparked adrenaline. They saw him as nothing more than prey, just a pest that kicked their den and ran off, but they were in for a hell of a fucking surprise, weren’t they? These bitches in wolf’s clothing had presented themselves gladly to him, lured by the promise of easy meat, but, BUT!

“It is not I who is the prey, but you!” A bombastic declaration shook the tree, silencing those mongrels with bravado alone as Cain’s body shift, slanting as his right hand covered his left eye. A foreboding wind blew through the forest, silken strands of midnight purple heralding the grand magic that was to take place. “Cower, fiends of the treasured forest! Your age of terror upon the kindly herbivores are no more! From now until eternity, be cast unto oblivion!”

His Energy pulsated within his electronic veins, synapses firing rapidly as virtual reality interpreted meaning and manifested it upon reality. This was but the first step. Just a new start for a glorious individual’s legendary legend! Like an acclaimed conductor, his hands swept outwards, orchestrating a quartet that existed only in his mind.

“The first peal of Genesis resounds!​

Of Hope, of Life, of Spirit!​

My Dream shall be realized!​

My Oath shall become power!​

I declareth myself Cain, the Flagbearer of Miracles!​

GRAND MAGIC EVOCATION!”​

A kaleidoscope of colors spun in his hand, held like a lightning bolt by a Greek God.

“ARC BUSTER!”

With a soundless roar, the rainbow beam smashed into the ground, before bursting into a hot flash of white. The trees trembled. The shrubbery shook. The birds scattered. At the awe-inspiring force that his Arcanamancy displayed, no doubt those black beasts would be nothing but d-

Oh. They were still up, some more wounded than the others, but none actually dead.

Hm.

Cain had expected to have become a legend with that one heroic blow, but instead, his Energy reserves were shot, his skill was cooling down, and his enemies only turned from ‘hungry’ to ‘pissed’.

Maybe he should think up a better incantation for next time.

Below, the wolves continued to snarl and leap and otherwise be a nuisance, unable to reach the moon despite their bestest efforts. Gravity was truly the greatest bitch of all.

 

The lush forest of Brisshal, the starting point for all brave adventurers delving into the vast world of Terrasphere. Eldhi was no exception, she still remembered herself stumbling here and there without a clear goal until she met another player, one more experienced than her, the swordswoman Solaria. Right now, Eldhi found herself returning to the region to spend some time with the mount she just bought. "Haaa..." However, so far, it wasn't going well.

"Hey, hey, Merlin, come on now..." Eldhi sighed, trying her best to at least assert some control of her new steed, an unruly chestnut stallion with flaxen mane. Affectionately named after the Court Wizard of King Arthur by his owner, nevertheless the only thing he had shown so far was his miraculously stubborn nature. While not wild and hostile, the proud stallion seemed to refuse to see Eldhi as his rightful master, it barely tolerated the girl riding him. She heard that Mounts were sentient in the game so Merlin should be able to understand her, which made the whole ordeal all the more frustrating! "What am I going to do with you...?"

The steed merely answered with a grumbling neigh, saying along the line that if he wanted his service, she should properly compensate him. The nerve of this horse! She was the knight and he was the steed! "Ku..." Hissing through her teeth, Eldhi hung her head in defeat, "Alright, what do you want?" Another neigh and through the bond they had, he made his offer, "Apples?" A confirmed huff was her answer and not just any apples, but prepared apples, sweet ones, sliced into bite sizes without stem or seed.

"..." Wonderful, she had just bought a brat prince equivalent of a steed. "Urgh... whatever you wish, 'Milord'." Eldhi groaned and 'Lord' Merlin replied with an insufferable head tilt, tossing his mane elegantly."Alright, let's get you some app-..."

"GRAND MAGIC EVOCATION!" Suddenly, a booming voice echoed throughout the forest, scaring birds away from their nest, "ARC BUSTER!" followed by a thunderous roar, the very air shook under the force.

"....." Both rider and horse turned their heads to the general direction where the commotion came from, curiosity took over them. With a silent agreement, Eldhi grabbed the reins and steady her armored feet into the stirrup as Merlin galloped forward, passing through trees and bushes, crunching fallen leaves under his hooves.

---

Moments later, they arrived at a peculiar scene, a pack of gray wolves was gathered around a rather tall tree, growling and barking up. It only took Eldhi a head tilt to see the conspicuous figure of a tall fit man with long purplish raven locks. Was he the one responsible for the boisterous cry earlier? Considering the wolves looked angry, it wasn't a farfetched assumption. This didn't need much explanation, the man was defending himself from the wolves and now, he was in trouble! Then, it was her solemn duty as a Knight to protect him! Ravenous beasts, thou shan't have him!

"Merlin! Chaaaaaaaaarge!" Brandishing her longsword, "Divine Edge!" The blade shone with a golden glow as the power of Illumancy flowed from her into the weapon. Her steed's gallops announced the arrival of the Knight wielding a shining blade as she made a wide swing to her right the moment her steed passed one of the wolves, slicing the wounded beast clean, slaying it. Not willing to let Eldhi hog all the glory, Merlin trampled over another wolf shortly after, neighing loudly.

"For Tyyyyyyyyyl!!" While the element of surprise was still fresh, Eldhi jumped down from the steed, landing... rather awkwardly, damn she really ought to work on her mobility, but recovered soon enough. Both hands gripped her weapon as the remaining wolves turned to her, barking and snarling like the animals they were. "Face me!" With a confident grin in return, Eldhi's left hand shone as she stretched her arm out, palm open. "Blinding Light!" A simple, yet effective, Illumancy spell, Eldhi stunned the simple animals with a bright flash then immediately charged in.

Her form danced with the wolves, a one-sided fatal waltz as the metal sliced, cleaved, and stabbed through the pack. Dauntless, chivalric, the white-haired Paladin combined martial and arcane might to make short work of the carnivores. While she wasn't exactly a veteran player, her level was enough to breeze through the simple wolves. It didn't take long before she stood in the middle of a lupin massacre, the pack lay slain, a testament to her glory.

"Hey there!" Eldhi looked up at the taller figure, made even more exaggerated and obvious due to his position in the tree, "I've taken care of them! Mhmm!" She nodded proudly, "Are you alright? You can come down now."

Behind her, Merlin gave a low neigh. Eldhi swore she could feel him rolling his eyes. Oh shut up, horse, just because you didn't fancy being a knight doesn't mean everyone else can't play the role.

 

Partway through his tactical snack break whilst assailed by beastly ruffians, a war cry not his own broke through the clearing once more. Like a streak of white lightning, the Immaculate Paladin of…Tyyyyyyyyyyl, Bearer of the Flame and Smiter of Devil-Mammals, came to his aid, on top of a great stallion, flanks rippling with muscle. Rider and rided fused together in the symphony of combat, the two danced around the clearing, a radiant blade and steelshod hooves sowing chaos within the lupine horde. Though even a long sword wasn’t all that practical against four-legged beasts that kept low and snapped their jaws at the hindlegs of her steed, somehow, Tyyyyyyyl’s Paladin managed it. With low sweeps of the resplendent saber and intelligent application of her divine power, the hungering horde was soon reduced to mere rust upon her blade, her shining armor untouched by gore and viscera of her fallen foes.

It was clear, truly, that beneath that veneer of chivalrous valor, there lay a strong foundation, built up through years of prayer and training. It was also clear that, for all her bravery and effort, in a different game, she would be nothing but a killing stealing shit stain, using a flimsy excuse such as roleplaying so that she could deprive beginners of much needed EXP. If he was another person at another time, perhaps, her kindness would have been reciprocated with vehemence.

But Cain was the Flagbearer of Miracles, not a mere ‘player’ who slavered over EXP and loot like a goblin in the heat, and he would never stoop so low as to spit in the eye of his savior. It was a great show she put on anyways, and with a sage nod, he declared, “Then from this fortress, I shall descend.”

With a great bound, elegant man in beginner-level clothing fell through the air, one hand on his hat as a midnight-blue mane streamed behind him. No twirls, no sparkles, nothing as classless as that. Just a quick, simple descent, two feet thumping against the ground. Momentum made his knees bend, almost made him pitch into a recovery roll, but the blood soaked ground all around, filled with the corpses of wolves, dissuaded him from that. So he took his pain and dealt with it, rising up to his full height eloquently, his expression not betraying a shred of the pain that burst into his bones.

Oh, revered ancestors, he was not going to do that again.

“Thank you for your aid, Paladin of the Ashen Blade. May Tyl find righteousness in your actions upon this day, and judge you kindly when you find yourself standing within his court,” Cain spoke, dipping his head lowly as his hat swept to the side, “Twas only my foolhardy pride that was wounded in this encounter, Lady Knight, but I remain in your debt nevertheless. Ask of me one thing, and I shall answer.”

 

"Then from this fortress, I shall descend."

Even from those very first words flowing out of his vocal cords, Eldhi's gut was telling her that she'd go along swimmingly with the tall fellow. If he was a fellow player, then he was someone like her, someone who fully immersed himself in the virtual world, not (explicitly) treating Terrasphere as just some other game and that monsters were walking experience points. Nay, he was a true roleplayer.

"And I shall welcome you, o spirited one." Eldhi tried to match his gusto as best as she could. Watching the man jumped, no, cascaded down from his arboreal throne was a sight to see, his midnight locks, as fabulous as Merlin's, trailing behind him. His feet made a thump as he finally arrived, like a lord ready to be escorted out of his castle and she was his knight. Fortunately for their little roleplay, he was just that good at hiding his blunder of not distributing the fall's force through a roll.

"You are very welcome. It is only in my duty to defend the people I have sworn to protect, be it from demons, undead, or rabid beasts." Eldhi crossed one arm diagonally on her chest, giving a chivalrous bow. Damn, he was hitting her ego at the right places, "No compensation is needed, Sir, however, if you insist, then I shall ask for your companionship. I wish to acquaint myself with you. I am Eldhi Arc, Paladin and Faithful of Tyl. How may I call you?" She took a brief glance at her surroundings, "However, this remnant of a battlefield isn't a fitting place to do so, let us journey to the nearby river, Sir." She smiled, turning around, expecting him to follow her.

As Eldhi approached Merlin, the steed gave her an unamused look as if calling her to cut the hyperbolic crap. The white-haired girl merely gave a nonchalant smirk in response. Think whatever you wish, grumpy Merlin, you were the one who couldn't enjoy life, you'd die a virgin steed, alone and sad. Still, she did promise him something, "We'll get your apples when we return." in her honor as a knight, she'd fulfill the steed's request.

The armored girl mounted the horse and offered Cain to sit behind her. Whether he'd take up on the offer or not, she'd steer Merlin towards the flowing river barely a mile away.

 

Companionship? Well, befriending a veteran Paladin had no demerits at all, either from a roleplaying point of view or a practical view. After all, the Ashen Blade Knight’s steed was quite a majestic and animated beast, while the individual herself also had a rather striking coloration for an albino individual. While it wasn’t all that unlikely that Cain would find himself faced with blue-skinned slugheads one day within this fantasy land, for now, Eldhi was the most unique individual he had the pleasure of meeting.

Which also meant nothing, seeing how she’s the first, but that warranted some degree of special attention anyways, right?

“Well met, Eldhi Arc,” the grandiose man spoke, dipping his head in return, “My name is Cain Darlite, Flagbearer of Miracles, Emissary of Evocations, Champion of Idna and Iedi, Dual Goddesses of the Mind and the Body. And yes, this graveyard of beasts is no place to idly spend time, lest their expelled foulness seep into our own souls.”

With a silent prayer that these beasts find themselves reborn as kinder guardians of the forest, Cain smoothly took the Paladin’s offered hand, pulling himself up behind her. With a flick of her wrist, the knight, the muse, and the stallion trotted off into the depths of the forest. Though prolonged company with the flanks of the mighty steed most definitely wasn’t kind on his thighs, and his own height wasn’t particularly pleasant when combined with the many low-hanging branches that had to be ducked or weaved around, but the trip was fairly short, unveiling a tranquil river.

A shore of rounded rocks indicated that the river must have at least doubled in size during the spring melt, while the clearness of it was quite astounding. Even from the distance, he could see clearly into the bottom, where more of the same eroded pebbles persisted. Giving Eldhi the opportunity to help him down, Cain eyed the area, soaking in the unmarred nature with glittering eyes. Ah, what he’d give to have his camera with him now! Flitting shadows promised fish, and if they camped out here long enough, maybe there would even be deer who gathered around this crystal stream.

But no. Gotta play it cool and majestic still. Back straightening, Cain ignored the pins and needles bursting in the bottom of his feet as he turned to address his companion. “Paladin Eldhi Arc, this truly is a serendipitous resting spot. Pray tell, does this river have a name?”

 

"Aye, Sir Cain Darlite, Flagbearer of Miracles, Emissary of Evocations, Champion of Idna and Iedi, it's an honor to be of your service." Eldhi nodded, acknowledging his name and the long string of titles. They were actually nice, just give the 'oomph!' to his presence. Coupled with his height and aura, she hoped he would climb enough level to properly justify them. Just like her and her devotion to Tyl. Sooner or later, the God of Justice and Righteousness would notice her.

---

The gallant knight dutifully escorted her lord on her elegant steed until they arrived at the nearby river, flowing water so clean, one could see clearly what lay below the surface. The spring season accentuated the lush beauty of Brisshal as birds chirped and insects buzzed around them. At some distance away, a drinking doe curiously looked up at them, stared for a moment, before skittishly prancing away.

"Here we are, Milord." Eldhi disembarked from her steed, landing on the grassy floor with a thump of her armored boots then graciously helped him down even though Cain didn't actually need it. One could see how positively glowing Eldhi was, having the time of her life, to be a proper adventuring Knight, a feat denied to her in real life due to her genetic condition. If the sun could be less harsh on her skin, it'd be nice... but alas, Terrasphere would do.

After the two glory-hounds got off his back, Merlin took the initiative to relax beside the river, dipping his equine head down to drink from the fresh water.

Meanwhile, Eldhi was still enamored by her new friend, to be called a Paladin by someone else other than herself, ah, the feeling was beyond compare. "Indeed it is, there are many such rivers in this tranquil forest, Sir Cain. Hmmm... I am afraid I am not as knowledgeable as the Rangers who guard these lands so I can't answer your question, apologies." A light dip of her head then she looked back up at him.

"If I may ask, Sir Cain, was it you who announced such defiant call into the very air earlier? Was it you whose voice shook the forest? What manner of power did you possess to be able to accomplish such feat?" Her questions came in droves, red eyes glimmering with gleeful curiosity.

 

Oh, there was a doe after all! As the deer pranced away into the shrubbery, Cain’s eyes glimmered with a more effeminate glee at how adorable the forest critter was. It really was too cute for words, and this forest itself was much too wonderful for someone like himself. Sitting down by the riverbank, the muse stretched out his long legs with a sigh while Eldhi basked in the warmth of sunlight and recognition. She must really be enjoying this back and forth, huh? Were other players more serious about their hero-ing business? Well, if they were, Cain decided that they were definitely missing out.

It didn’t do anyone any good to have their eyes affixed onto material wealth or the very peak of a summit, after all. To take time to look around and enjoy the scenery was also a part of life. It was short and cheap, but achieving one’s goals without making any memories along the way was too cruel, even for a life as insignificant as this. Ah, would be nice to have something to eat too. A picnic, perhaps?

“It’s not a problem, Paladin Eldhi,” the man said, leaning back with hands cradling his head, “Knowing such beauty exists is enough for me. Anything else is mere curiosity. And as for the origin of that voice…”

Cain grinned, hopping up onto his feet once more. Though his Arc Buster hadn’t actually done anything significant, it totally was a badass move in the end, the sort of radiant explosion of colors that one would expect coming from the screenshot of an AAA game running on the highest specs. With a confident grin, he replied, one hand against his chest, “Of course it was, my dear friend. Who else but I could unleash such a devastating shout, enough that even the most savage of beasts would be silenced in the presence of? Though others may capable of calling forth the fury of the elements with a gesture or a word, our powers are gifts granted upon us by the gods, are they not?”

A calculated shrug.

“My powers may be inadequate, but even then, it only makes sense for one to properly offer a song to the Elysid in order to attain heights unimaginable. My songs are my oaths. As both a Muse and an Arcanamancer, it only makes sense to fuse these two branches of magic together, no?”

 

Oh, so they were friends now, absolutely! She'd gladly call Sir Cain to be her friend, her comrade, someone who would stand by her side in honorable quests to rid the land of evil! While he looked new, judging from his gear, she believed he was on the right steps leading to greatness! There, up above the skies, shining like the stars, would be their place. However, all great journeys had numerous obstacles along the way, they'd face them bravely and resolutely in due time.

"Hmmm..." While he wasn't the first person to work magic with the power of voices, Surrechis the Faerin Bard she quested together a while back also had the power. He was the first to announce the spell so boldly and possessing actual physical force, judging by the blown leaves and wounded wolves earlier. "Ah yes, the divine power of the Elysid, truly nothing compares! I can see that Idna and Iedi bless your cords with the power to shake the world." Just as she honored Tyl with the light on her sword, Cain did it through his voice.

"Truly an interesting ability." Eldhi pondered, so Surrechis likely had the power of 'muse' as well but her other expertise lay in the foul dark arts unlike Cain, the fabulous man possessed the power of Arcanamancy! She didn't know the details but it wasn't named 'Malefimancy' or something of that sort so it'd be something Tyl would approve, yes. "Tell me more about Muse and Arcanamancy, Sir Cain. The former lies with manipulating the arcane with your voice, correct? What of the latter? I have never heard of such school before, I must possess more knowledge of such a powerful magic."

 

Oh, interested was she? But was this her way of asking for the gameplay mechanics behind the skill, or shall he regale her with yet another grand tale that may or may not be in line with in-game lore? Stroking his smooth chin, the midnight-haired man considered it for a moment, before deciding to plunge head-long into the latter. He wasn’t a writer, and he was really just running off the pretentious fumes of an adolescence that hadn’t yet faded, but really, anyone could make up a fun enough story with a quick mind, right? And creativity was essential regardless of what artistic profession one took! With all those non-reasons in mind, Cain readjusted his hat and grinned.

“As you appear to already be familiar with the power of song, allow me to elaborate upon the power of the arcane, Paladin of the Ashen Blade,” he began, raising his right hand out, palm up. Concentrating on a certain ability, Cain felt another momentary dizziness as more Energy was committed, before a small orb of white light floated within his hands. Within that whiteness, a shimmering radiance could be seen, twinges of other colors. Blues, reds, yellows, even flickers of blackness were found within that base magic, as Cain began to spoke. “What you see before you is the origin of every other branch of magic, the spiritual energy of all beings translated into energy, granted upon them by Idna, the Gatekeeper of the Arcane Planes.”

A pause, to consider the rest of his story.

“Whereas other magics transform, or in some cases, pervert this origin to suit their needs, turning Idna’s gift into a more material curse or blessing, others, such as myself, instead opt to maintain the purity of her divine might. After all, we are merely those who have been granted her boons, no?” A shrug, before he launched the orb into the air, a purple flash bursting into the air after the small orb of light almost disappeared from sight. “Arcanamancy is the root of magic, the origin of the spirit and mind, the art closest to the Pale Goddess. Though all understand it, only a few truly dedicate themselves to mastering this power, for if one were to trace the ancient spells of the Elysid themselves, that’d require a mortal to output the same amount of power as one, yes?”

A tired, but refreshed smile.

“This is why I have chosen song as my medium, to use arias of power in order to lessen the burden of these spells,” Cain said, dipping his head. “Does this explanation suffice, Paladin Eldhi Arc?”

 

Indeed, what a peculiar brand of magic, or specifically put, the origin in which all other arcane schools originated from. There was a reason on why it was called 'Arcanamancy' as it involved spells and techniques to manipulate the very essence of magic itself, the purest form without any conversion into other primal elements. "Hmm..." Not moving her attention away from Cain, she focused on the prismatic sphere of light floating just above his hand. The color of Fire, Wind, Earth, Water, Light, and Dark all contained there.

"The power of Idna..." She was Ys' oldest daughter, the wisest of the Elysids, the Goddess of Knowledge, Magic, Past, Present, and Future. To wield such power was truly a boon, perhaps Eldhi should look more into it in the short future. However, if it was such a powerful magic, why didn't everybody pick the school? Why there were still Pyromancers, Hydromancers, and other elemental mages out there? There must be a catch.

By wielding the purest essence, Arcanamancy lacked the specialized functions of other elements. It couldn't light up a campfire, it couldn't provide drinks to the thirsty, it couldn't turn a dry land into fertile soil, and it couldn't delicately direct the course of the winds. Just as wood had more specialized functions when shaped chair compared to logs. She understood now, in the end, each element had their role in shaping the world. Arcamancy served as the foundation in which they were all derived, it represented the core essence.

"Yes, you wish to sing your devotion and praises to Idna through songs and melodies, the arias to properly honor the Goddess of Magic." The white-haired girl nodded, crossing her arms over her chest, still in deep thoughts, "This certainly has been an enlightening talk, Sir Cain. While I may possess the light, I still lacked understanding about why the elements exist, you have opened my eyes."

---

A neigh came from their side and Eldhi turned to see Merlin, the brat prince of a steed, being this close to throwing a tantrum. He must get his sustenance of apples, now. Oh, fine, fine, she promised him those anyway."Alas, this is where we must part ways, at least temporarily." Eldhi smiled as she stood up, "I have noted you in my ledger and surely, our paths shall cross in the future. Until then, The Blessing of Tyl, Idna, and Iedi be upon you." The Paladin mounted her steed then trotted away to the direction of a nearby town, giving a final wave at the midnight-haired Muse.

@Cain Darlite