Solo [Gideon's Glory] Flux and Flow

Strength training both magical and mundane.

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Built into the cliffs overlooking the Suvan Sea, Riverfall resides on the edge of grasslands of Cyphrus where the Bluevein River plunges off the plain and cascades down to the inland sea below. Home of the Akalak, Riverfall is a self-supporting city populated by devoted warriors. [Riverfall Codex]

[Gideon's Glory] Flux and Flow

Postby Aoren on May 25th, 2015, 11:41 pm

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33rd of Spring, 515 AV
Early Morning

Aoren stretched his legs quietly as he stood on the track surrounding Gideon’s Glory. As was his habit of late he had risen early in the morning that he might work on the strength of his body further. He was glad that he had been able to find the tools available at the gymnasium. He was preparing himself for a morning run in order to warm up his muscles. Today would be different however. In addition to the strength training he intended to pursue, there was another training that was to be part of the day’s regiment of activities. Taking a deep breath, Aoren bounced up and down on the balls of his feet shaking loose his muscles as best he could. Focusing he leaned forward and broke out into a dead sprint down that particular stretch of track. He pushed himself as fast as his muscles would tolerate at that moment. He counted the seconds as he raced down that side of the track.

Twenty ticks.

As he slowed himself down the Drykas caught his breath. He wasn’t winded but his breathing was elevated. His heart was beating faster. He had the time of his first run down. Now it was a matter of putting that number to the test against his newfound abilities. He still did not have a full grasp on how the maneuver the pathways that existed within his own body. He doubted he would have any meaningful knowhow when it came to traversing them any time soon. Nevertheless, he was ready to put the Flux to use in a controlled fashion. Walking along the outer edge of the track he came to the opposite stretch of where he’d began. As he breathed, he tapped into the lingering awareness that drifted on the edge of his consciousness. A complete openness to himself wherein he could feel the very energy that pulsed through him.

It was random for the most part. A simple conscious acknowledgement of the fact that he was now able to feel, to move, certain parts of that vast river coursing through his body. The grasp on it was unrefined and thus Aoren was limited in his ability to wade through those waters and redirect the current. Still, like a rock placed in the way of a stream, he could cause some change. To that end, Aoren focused on redirecting a portion of that current to his legs. He found the effort immediately draining upon his djed.

The mental force of pushing against the natural flow of his energy was met with great resistance. Pulling more of himself into the focus of adjusting that current, Aoren brought up his hands with the palms facing upwards. He rotated his palms pushing downward visualizing that with that single motion the river of his energy was flowing into his legs. He felt the effects take place more than he saw them. It was slow but it was working bit by bit.
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[Gideon's Glory] Flux and Flow

Postby Aoren on May 25th, 2015, 11:43 pm

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Like the wind.

Breathing evenly, Aoren stared down the stretch of track as he kept hold of the energy within his legs. Not wasting a moment as he felt the resistance against his hold growing, Aoren leaned forward breaking out into another dead sprint. As he ran he felt the difference. His legs felt lighter. His feet pushed against the ground a touch more rapidly than before. He counted the seconds as they went by before he reached the end of that stretch of track.

Fifteen ticks.

Immediately, Aoren released the hold he exerted upon the energy in his legs. The drain upon him was instantly noticeable. He felt much more weary than he would have normally if he had just been doing sprint exercises. In that moment he felt as if he’d done several full laps around the track as opposed to just two short sprints. The muscles in his thighs felt sore as if he’d been working them heavier than normal for nearly a bell. The difference in speed between his first run and that one was not large by any stretch of the imagination. Aoren easily could have pushed that difference in speed out on his own without the assistance of the magic now within his ability to control. Still, it was a step in the right direction.

“Can I shave the time in half?”

It was a reasonable question given what he knew the Flux was capable of. While it was a rudimentary knowledge, he was fully aware of the fact that the Flux was capable of increase his speed, his strength and his reflexes if directed properly. It was simply a matter of pushing his limits to see how that could be achieved to the fullest and safest extent. Aoren liked to believe that he was not reckless with his magic but as he grew to become more proficient with multiple disciplines, he’d begun to notice that there was a need to keep track of the essence of each.

He could recall his first lessons in magic. He had discussed the theories of djed being everything and everywhere with Leoshan. He had spent two whole years under the man’s tutelage before he’d even been initiated into Reimancy. The struggle he’d faced with mastery over the discipline of the elements had been a slow one. As it stood he was becoming much more bold in his pursuit of mastery over the other powers at his command ever since attaining mastery of his first ever magic. With that realization came a realization that he needed to be cautious in his pursuit of power.

The truth was, Aoren enjoyed having that power.

He enjoyed having it for what he considered more benevolent reasons than most. He wanted to protect the family that he had made for himself. He wanted to ensure the Caelum, Lillis, Kavala, her children and all of those in their charge remained safe. It had not been too long ago that Aoren had met one quite capable of outstripping him in strength rather easily. That was not a position he wanted to be in again if he could help it. To that end the only way he was going to get around that was to train. By honing his senses, his strengths, finding his weaknesses and improving upon them, he could perhaps better deflect the dangers that seemed to be invited into the lives of those closest to him.
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[Gideon's Glory] Flux and Flow

Postby Aoren on May 25th, 2015, 11:45 pm

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Stepping off of the track, Aoren made his way into the actual gym to make use of the equipment that was available there. He was not alone in his early morning training but he didn’t mind. The Akalak were a people that prized strength and discipline, it was a way of life that he could appreciate. They had their flaws most definitely, every society did. Aoren found more to agree with among the Akalak however than he found reason to be appalled by them.

Coming to stand in front of the weighted bench press, Aoren waited his turn before moving to utilize the equipment. He recalled the weight that he had placed upon the bar when he’d first been given the basics in the gym. Adding that same weight to the bar he situated himself on the bench breathing evenly as he prepared to go into his repetitions. Placing his hands upon the bar roughly shoulder width apart Aoren lifted it off of its stand and began his set.

Down. Up.

One.

Down. Up.

Two.

Down. Up.

Three.

He repeated the slow continuous motion seven more times before he began to feel the weight of it affect his form. The basics of his first ventures into bodybuilding reminded him that sacrificing form simply to push out more weight was not an effective way to train. It was also unsafe. He finished his last repetition bringing the bar to rest upon its stand again. Rising from the bench, the next athlete gave him a nod, a broad shouldered and powerfully built Akalak, as he stepped up and began adding more weight to the bar.

Aoren moved off to the side observing the Akalak as he went through his exercise. While he was almost certain that he couldn’t match the dark skinned warrior in outright strength, he could move himself toward that. Aoren looked down at his hands. He flexed them curiously before stepping back up to the bench once the Akalak completed his set. Aoren removed some of the added weight from the bar but not all. He lay his back upon the bench situating himself once more. Positioning his hands he tested the weight of the bar. Instantly he knew that he would not be able to match the same amount of repetitions as he had with his initial set. Still, he could push added strength into the muscles in his arms in a way that others couldn’t. He tapped into the consciousness that lingered on the edge of his awareness diving into the river of Flux.
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[Gideon's Glory] Flux and Flow

Postby Aoren on May 25th, 2015, 11:47 pm

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Pulling the energy along the flow of his muscles from different areas and willing it to move into his arms, Aoren lifted the bar off of its stand. He let his arms remain fully extended for a few moments. He concentrated on consummate strength, iron resolve and unwavering stability focused on the muscles in his arms. With a steady breath, Aoren brought the bar down to his chest. The weight was easier to handle than when he’d lifted it initially from the stand but he knew he wouldn’t be able to keep up the tight hold on the energy within his arms for too long. He performed another rep with the bar exhaling sharply with a focused grunt. The energy in his arms had begun to push back at the hold he kept over it.

One more.

Aoren lowered the bar once more. As he pushed it up, he released his hold on the energy within his arms just as soon as he tipped the bar up into its place on the stand. Sweat was beading on his forehead. His heart was pounding in his ears. His chest was rising and falling more rapidly than if he had simply kept up the exercise using the natural strength of his body. Rising from the bench he held onto the stand for added support as he got to his feet. Aoren stood there for a moment catching his breath and recovering his strength.

Flux was taxing.

It was easy to forget how taxing the first few steps into a new magic could be. Aoren had been working with disciplines that he was greatly familiar with for such a long time that the difficulties of being an Initiate had all but faded from his mind. He stood up straight removing the weights from the bar placing them back in their proper place. Aoren then went to the corner well within the gym. He began drinking water both to cool his warm body and to take a reprieve from his exertions. There were some who might have viewed his augmenting of his strength with magic as cheating, as deviating from being a true athlete. That was not the purpose for why Aoren had entered the gym that day. He was there to test the strength of something other than just his physical body. He was there to test how he could reinforce the strength he already possessed.

Running a hand through his hair, Aoren made his way across the gym toward the climbing rope. There was no line so he took his time as he chalked his hands that he might protect himself against rope burn. Taking hold of the rope, Aoren looked up to the ceiling gauging how long it might take him to get from the floor to the top of the ceiling. As with his test on the running track he wanted to see if he could augment the strength in his arms that he might pull himself up faster.

He would do a test climb first. Gripping the rope, Aoren began pulling himself up the rope. It was slow going as he worked to get his body up off of the ground.
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[Gideon's Glory] Flux and Flow

Postby Aoren on May 25th, 2015, 11:48 pm

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Remember to breathe.

It might have seemed silly advice to tell himself but it helped him maintain his focus as he made his way up the rope. Inch by inch he climbed his way upwards until he made it to the halfway point. He was already at fifteen ticks. Aoren continued to push forward feeling the strain in the muscles of his arms and in his chest as he used nothing but his own body to heave himself up. Hand over hand he continued his climb until the ceiling of the gymnasium was within reach. As soon as he reached it, Aoren began his descent back down to the earth. When his feet touched the floor he counted a full chime and a half from start to finish.

Well, it’s a start.

Going back to the well in the corner of the gym, Aoren drank his fill. He wasted no time in returning to the rope ready to put both his muscles and his abilities to the test. Diving into the depths of his own being, Aoren opened himself back up to the flow of power that pulsed within his body. He furrowed his brow as he worked on redirecting that flow into the muscles within his arms. It was slow going. Aoren was forced to tune out the world. He concentrated the whole of his focus on pulling the energy within his body away from its natural current to redirect a portion of it into the strength of his arms. Gritting his teeth slightly, Aoren grasped the rope looking up to the ceiling once more. With a breath he began his ascent.

The beginning was much easier than when he’d started using only his mundane strength. The weight of his own body pulling against the strength of the muscles in his arms was not quite so demanding. It was only a marginal improvement however. By the time Aoren reached the halfway point, the concentration of keeping the energy flow directed at the strength of his arms was beginning to weigh down on him. He paused breathing carefully as he closed his eyes releasing the hold on the Flux that he maintained. The energy dissipated falling back into place and Aoren felt exhausted. He opened his eyes looking from the ground to the ceiling. He felt the weariness that seeped its way into his muscles. The drain of pushing his djed away from its normal flow and into the different sections of his body, it had been demanding. It had been demanding on both his concentration and his body.

Aoren grunted moving a hand over the other determined to at least finish his climb of his own strength if not to be aided by magical. It was a very taxing climb, the rest of the way. When he reached the ceiling, sweat was rolling down his forehead and down his back. The muscles in his jaw flexed as he maintained his focus and determination. As with his climb, Aoren moved hand over hand for his descent. He was breathing more heavily by the halfway point. When he was dangling just above the ground, Aoren’s hand slipped. He fell backward landing on the floor of the gym, his back impacting the floor with a thud. The air was rushed out his lungs and he simply lay there for the moment. With a mild groan, Aoren pulled himself to his feet. He waved off a concerned looking Akalak who had moved to come to his aid, giving the man a grateful nod.

Moving over to the water well, Aoren took a few drinks slowly. His stomach was in knots. He felt lightheaded. Taking a few deep breaths he wiped his brow.

No more magic for today.

He felt that a wise decision as he exited Gideon’s Glory. Whatever tasks he had for the remainder of the day, he would do carefully. He resolved that it would be best not to push himself too heavily too often until such time as he was more comfortable with the Flux. The last thing he wanted was to hurt himself in his attempt to get stronger.
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[Gideon's Glory] Flux and Flow

Postby Caelum on July 21st, 2015, 8:16 pm

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Thread Award




Aoren


Skills
Bodybuilding +3
Climbing +2
Deduction +1
Endurance +3
Flux +4
Running +2

Lores
Riverfall Location: Gideon’s Glory
Flux: Directing Djed
Flux: Dividends of Speed & Strength



Notes

He’s the new magelete. Hehehe. Ahem. Well done as usual. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns and don’t forget to edit your grade request to reflect completion.
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