Flashback Lost Identity

[Jackalope]

8, Spring, 498 There he was laying in the soft green grass. The sun had not come up yet, but the air was still warm. He lay awake staring up into the star lit sky thinking about the possible turn of events that may occur the following day. Duce sat up quietly to see if any of the other young Akalak were awake and to his dismay there were none. Duce couldn't hold his excitement any longer he had to do something. Going into his backpack, Duce pulled out his father's Lakan. It glistened in the night as the moonlight bounced off the shined steel and made a beam of light which spread over the grassy plain showing the new fallen morning dew. He loved this Lakan like it was his own. Quietly he got up and stepped over the others, moving like his father taught him to when trying to get away quietly. He moved swiftly jumping from foot to foot landing on his toes and using the momentum to launch back off before the rest of his foot hit the ground. He was a pro at this but with the Lakan weighing him down a little it was more difficult. Finally crossing the sea of sleeping youth, Duce found an open space not to far from the group and held the Lakan up into his fighting stance. He'd practiced on his own time with his fathers Lakan before, more before he died. "Practicing with a "REAL" Lakan will help you progress more." his father used to always say. To be honest he liked the wooden ones better. They were lighter, better to manuver with, and you didn't have to worry about losing a foot when you dropped it. Duce stopped his mind wandering and became serious again. In his stance, he started his favorite move that his father taught him. Loosening himself up he began the attack on the air. He rushed forward fast and low to make the enemy think that he was going for the legs. Then he came up high up on his toes 1. To intimidate the enemy, and 2. Trick them again into thinking that you switched to an over head attack. That way they have to finish and then come out of their lower defense and try to get another defense set up quickly. This will throw most people off" Duce could hear his father saying as he initiated the next important and his favorite move, he came down to his normal height and spread his arms while shifting the Lakan to his opposite hand while pivoting around the invisible enemy. Bringing the Lakan around like he was slicing through an enemies abdomen, he quickly shifted the weapon again and flipped himself over the enemy and finishing them off with a stab through the neck slicing through the esophagus and letting them bleed out. Duce stood there pretending to see his opponent laying on the ground in cold blood. After going through the same move many different times, only changing the finishing move, Duce head back to bed. That's what he liked about the attack. You didn't have to finish the same way each time. After flipping over the enemy you could pin them on the ground and they were helpless, you could lit their throat, break their neck, stab them in the back. What a person could do was almost endless. Sneaking back into his spot, Duce put away the weapon and laid to rest for he knew tomorrow something amazing was going to happen. Duce was up bright and early for what was about to happen. The group had found a glassbeak nest not to far from where they were the night before and went to go find its owner. He was ready with his hand at the ready to grab the Lakan. The sun was hot that day and seemed to be getting hotter. Most of the weaker ones where dragging behind the stronger one's who were talking about how they were going to kill the giant bird. Coming to a halt the entire group came to a unified halt. Not to far ahead there it was. A female Glassbeak quietly napping in the feild of grass. Slowly moving through the grass, the young warriors tried forming a circle around the slumbering beast without awakening it."Quiet and settle." Duce thought in his mind looking at his companions as they had the same expression on their violet and blue faces. In synchronization they all moved into their positions. Duce was stationed in from of the beast with his Lakan at the ready. His excitement faded and was replace by nervousness as he looked at his victim. The bird towered over him as his face came up to the tip of the beasts colorfull beak. To try and calm himself down, he looked at his brethren who were almost at the ready when he saw it. As if time had slowed, he saw one of the other Akalak fumble getting his weapon out and it fall not downward but over towards the weapon of the Akalak next to him resulting in a loud sound of metal rubbing against each other. Everybody froze and all eyes focused on the stirring bird, and then to Duce who stood only in arms length away. Everything was quiet now. The wind was blowing a cool breeze east against the birds face causing it to stir even more. He could hear his heart beating in his ears. His entire body froze like a statue in its place. All the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. His heart dropped when the bird opened its small beady eyes and locked in on him. Once again everyone was at a stand still with the enormous creature standing in front of Duce. He knew that the creature would not sit for long and that he would have to react fast if he wanted to get out of this situation alive. Slowly lifting the Lakan, he felt everyones eyes on him as he kept his eye held with the bird. He rushed forward and twisted his body dodging the birds beak as it tried to ram it at his chest. Now on the side of the bird, Duce jumped planting himself on the back of the angry beast. Just as fast as he was on, he was flipped off and onto the ground. Flipping up, he dodged the clawed feet of the now predator. Duce turned his head and got a quick glance of his group hiding and cowering behind a nearby hill. "Those cowards!" He thought to himself now angry. "Look Out! a voice inside his head spoke as he turned to see the massive beak rushing toward him. Rolling out of its path, Duce was furious at his so called partners, and at himself for going to fight with a group. Enraged he threw the Lakan at the birds thin neck. Knowing the sacrifice of that attack, he glared at his so called brethren in hatred and shame as the large glass beak swung back faster than he knew he could react and spat on the green grass as it struck him in the head knocking him unconscious.

[Uopa]

As far as Uopa was concerned, morning had come too soon. She wanted...no, she craved more time with her Drykas lover, but it just was not to be. As it was, she had remained several more bells than was previously agreed upon by her guardian, her Aunt Nimi. Okay. It was actually many, many more bells later, but once she had gone past a certain point, it really didn't matter if she was a handful of bells or two handfuls late. She was in trouble either way. So why shouldn't she just make the most of it? After all, she was most likely going to be homebound for the rest of her natural life, especially if her more-than-likely-outraged guardian had any say in the matter. "Run away with me," Kanto halfheartedly instructed the Inarta now as they lay entwined within the confines of his tent, his fingers dancing upon her bare shoulder and upper arm. "Come away...and be my wife. We can spend the rest of our years upon the Sea of Grass, making our own tribe, living the life we want, not the one others wish us to have. Come away with me, Uopa," he more firmly demanded now as he drew her naked body closer still, nuzzling his face in her flowing mane of flame-colored hair. "You know I can't do that," she sighed as she aligned the curves of her back with the swell of his chest and the dip of his abs. "My aunt would hire a team of hunters...if she hasn't done so already." "I know, I know," he muttered into her neck, his breath hot against her skin. "Did you not sense the hesitation in my voice? I know she's a force to be reckoned with. I'm no fool. Well, perhaps a fool in love, but not when it comes to relatives who hold the keys to a kingdom I most certainly wish to enter." "Kanto, darling, that particular door is always open to you, regardless of what my...what's wrong?" she suddenly questioned as she felt his body tense up. "Shhh...," he snapped as he abruptly sat up from his prone position, nearly knocking her over along the way. "Something...something's wrong," he added as he stood and made his way toward the flimsy flap that had somehow managed to keep the rest of the realm at bay. Well, it had, until he cast it back and slipped outside. "Kanto! Your pants!" Uopa called as she scrambled to her feet, grabbing his, as well as her own, along the way toward the flap that was now carelessly bucking in the wind. Coming up behind him, she nearly took a blow to the face as he whirled around with fists blazing, clearly on edge, as well as more than a little startled by her sudden arrival. "Shyke!" he barked as he yanked a garment from her hand. "Didn't you hear me telling you to stay inside?" he continued to bark as he struggled to work the pants on with one hand as he motioned with his other. "Uh...those are mine," she informed him with a slight smirk. "Oh for the love of...," he lamented as he rolled them back off and exchanged them for the other pair that she was now offering him. "Get dressed. We have some scouting to do," he informed her as his hands once again flew through the air. "We?" she questioned as she began to dress in haste. "You don't think for one chime I'm leaving you out her all alone," he informed her as he gathered up the rest of his gear. "We'll go by foot. It will give us the element of surprise, that is, if we need it," he remarked as his hands danced upon the wind, regardless of the fact that he was speaking to her in the common tongue and not his native language of Pavi. Maybe I won't have to worry about Aunt Nimi killing me when I get home, she thought as her eyes went to the horizon. This unexpected little jaunt may do us both the favor long before then.

[Duce Hazimari]

Duce was floating in a vat of nothingness. He was surrounded by nothing....Like he was swimming in air. He looked around and saw nothing but a mirror in the distance. Floating felt like forever. It felt as if days had passed and he was floating in the same direction. Finally reaching his destination, he stared into the mirror and looked at himself. His reflection looked nothing like he did. Yes it had the same body features, but it looked more ruthless and unforgivable. Duce lifted his hand and went to touch the mirror. "Don't" The reflection said when Duces' hand got inches from its face. Duce was startled and amazed at what just happened. It was unbelievable to him."Did..did you just..speak? Duce said stammering over his words. "Yes I did." the reflection said. "Who are you?...Are you me?" "No I'm Duse." he said in a deep and monotone voice as if mocking Duce. Duce was confused How could this not be me if its me? he thought to himself. It was then when he remembered the stories of Cerulean and how they take control when the dominate personality looses their control."Are you here to take control?" Duce asked realizing that he sounded weak and pitiful."What are you talking about?" Duse asked now looking as confused as Duce was. Duse right? am I..am I dead? the last thing I can remember is throwing the Lakan at the... Duce realized that he was missing his fathers Lakan. In a frantic, he looked around in the empty space as if he was back in the..he couldn't remember. He tried thinking about where he last had the weapon, but nothing came to mind. "Look there!" Duse said as Duce was going frantic about losing the Lakan and not being able to remember. It was a light. A bright light. The two looked at the light in awe as it seemed to have appeared in from nowhere. As if having the same thought the two floated toward it as if it were calling toward them like flies to a decayed animal. Getting closer they felt a cool breeze travel through followed by warm sun and the sound of two distant voices. "Well its a start." Duse said looking at Duse as the two floated through the light squinching their eyes in the brightness.

[Uopa]

"Kanto, I...I think he's waking up," Uopa called to her companion who was now standing a little ways off, surveying the area, trying to figure out what brought the young Akalak down. "Step back," the Drykas ordered the Inarta as he came sprinting over. "He's going to be confused and he could do something stupid." "I'm a grown woman," Uopa blandly replied as she stood, having been crouched next to the downed Akalak. "I can take care of myself." "If I remember correctly, you're still considered a guest in your new home of Riverfall, which means you have little to no combat skill. So, do as I say, and back up." "Yes, sir. Whatever you say, sir," she mocked as she stepped a few feet back. "I'll just stand over here and be a weak little woman." "That's not what I meant and you know it," Kanto replied as he now stood over the prone form that was beginning to stir. "We're dealing with too many unknowns here. I'm not going to be the one to inform your aunt that you ended up dead on my watch. Got it?" "Got it." "It looks like there was a hunt going on here or, more than likely, some Akalak right of passage. I'm guessing this one got a little caught up in the situation. Thankfully, he wasn't seriously harmed in the fight. I don't see any visible signs of bleeding." "You men and your rituals. Always trying to prove something. Seriously, if you put the same amount of time and energy into just being a good husband or father or citizen...whatever...the realm would be a far better place." "You left out lover. I wouldn't mind putting more effort into that particular role," Kanto mused as he took a step closer to her. "Not now," she informed him as she pointed to where the Akalak lay, seeing that he was certainly coming around. He was mumbling a bit more and his eyes were beginning to flutter. "We have company."

[Duce Hazimari]

Duce came to as he stared into the face of a man that he didn't recognize. There was a women to, and though he couldn't make out the words, they were arguing. "Who are these peopel?" Duce said in his mind and was startled to hear "O don't know" from the other Akalak he met not to long ago. The other voice made him jump. As he looked around him searching for Duse only to see the other two beings, and the surrounding grass. Thats when he noticed the other two. A muscular man and a small women. By the looks of it they were a couple and were wondering out in the grass. The first thing to come to his mind was to defend himself. He didn't know where he was nor who they were and he just wanted to be safe. The man was talking to the woman and didn't know that he had got up. He slowly reached for his fathers "No!" Duce screamed in his head as he once again realized that his fathers Lakan was missing. He scanned the grass for it hoping that it was just laying around but was disappointed. He was mad at the world and didn't even know the reason why. He once again tried to remember what happened but couldn't hold a thought with the beam of light flashing off the mans waist. Duce looked up and was even more outraged when he saw the Lakan hanging from the belt of the man. His eyes dimmed and everything got dark. It felt like he was moving and everything around him was melting. A feeling that he had never felt before washed over him and he was dizzy. Duse looked up and noticed that he was no longer in the suspended world. He didn't know what happened but he did know that the man had the Lakan and he wanted it back. He quietly made his way up behind the man sneaking as he talked with the women. ""What just happened?!" He heard Duce yell inside his ear. He fell to the ground startled from the unexpected voice. "I don't know but be quiet" Duse told him and froze when he turned around to see the man and women looking upon him with eyes of amazement and confusion.

[Uopa]

I'm so...very sorry for the long wait. I'm usually much better than this, but between work and other obligations on here, my time has not been my own. I will certainly try my best to reply faster in the future, even if it's with a quick hit. Uopa watched as the Akalak rose to his feet. She didn't like the look on his face one bit, but she was willing to give him a chime or two to come about. Kanto was nearby and armed, plus, it was two against one, which, to a dazed warrior were not good odds. If he attacked one of them, the other could counterattack or, in her case, take off for help. She was a pretty good runner. However, the situation quickly went from slightly precarious to downright unstable as the Akalak lunged toward Kanto and then fell to his knees in anguish. Clearly, something was going on with the youth, something internal, and it was bringing about a mixture of confusion and pain. She could see it in his face and, obviously, his body language. "Kanto," she called out in alarm as she took a few steps toward the Drykas herself. "I...I think he was going to attack you!" she continued as she reached for him, only to find her hand coming up empty as he whirled away from her, his dagger drawn in the motion. "Get back!" he barked at her in a tone she had not heard before. It chilled her. Doing as she was told, she took more than a few steps back. Kanto was in battle mode now, ready to pounce, as needed. She watched him as he slowly approached the anguished Akalak. She flinched when he barked at the warrior. "Get up!" the Drykas barked in rough Tukant. "Get to your feet...NOW!" he continued to shout as he brandished his weapon before him. Uopa reasoned that this was the honorable thing to do, to wait for the warrior to get to his feet. Attacking him while he was in pain - self inflicted pain, nonetheless - was barbaric and wrong. She wouldn't stand for it and, as far as she knew, Kanto wouldn't either. That wasn't the man she loved. Not at all. He was kind, even when cruelty was probably the more logical route to take.

[Duce Hazimari]

He was more lost and confused than he had ever been in his life. Why could he not move? Why was he in so much pain? Why is this man yelling at him? Duce floated around in the suspended space that he was once again confined to. "There has to be a way out of here." he thought to himself looking around for anything to help him understand what was going on. Duse was in agonizing pain as he was shot back into the suspended space."What is going on here" he asked himself as he to looked around for an answer when he saw Duce not to far away. "Hey!" he called out to the identical Akalak as he floated closer toward him. When in arms reach, Duce lashed out and tackled Duse causing them both to float our of control. "This is your doing!" Duce yelled at the other as he once again attempted to hit the other Akalak. "How could this possibly be my fault?" Duse asked letting himself float as the throbbing pain exited his body. "I don't know but you did it." Duce yelled out again but had no one to yell at due to the fact that he was now back in the sea of grass on his knees with the same male yelling at him agian to get up and had his weapon pointed at him. There agian he saw it in the belt of the rather repulsive brute of a man barking about who knows what, his fathers Lakan glimmering in the light. He wasn't about to mess it up this time around. With one quick hand movement, he grabbed the lakan and snatched it out of the mans belt sumersaulting backwards to move out of the way of any strike that may have followed. He stood at the ready for him or his female companion to strike.

[Uopa]

Kanto's intention was never to harm the Akalak, unless he had no other choice. Even Uopa could tell this from the way he stood and the way he spoke. His stance was rigid, but not entirely combative. His voice was deep and commanding, but not cruel, per say. So when the youth went for his weapon, the Drykas allowed it. He understood, even as the Inarta did, that the item held great importance to his people. To keep it, would mean to insight a true battle, which nobody really wanted. Well, at least the Drykas and Inarta had no plans of fighting. Taking a step closer, Uopa muttered in the common tongue, "Try to find out his name and why he's here. He seems confused. Maybe we can help him get back on the right path." Doing just that, Kanto questioned the youth in Tukant, "What is your name? Why are you here?" He would leave it at those two questions for now. If the youth was confused, he wouldn't want to burden him with much more. Stating one's name and purpose for being in a place should be easy enough to reason out, even in a slightly confused state. Unless his trauma was more severe, more internal. Then, well, then they could have a greater problem on their hands, but time would be the true teller of that. "What is your name?" Kanto repeated a bit more slowly. "At least tell us that...if you can." "Maybe you're saying it wrong," Uopa remarked in common. "Your Tukant sounds a bit rusty," she boldly added. "Would you like to give it a whirl?" the Drykas replied with a wave of his weapon. "By all means. Be my guest." "You know my Tukant isn't very good. I can't even tell if you're saying the right thing, and it sounds pretty basic, but I'm just throwing it out there that you could be saying it wrong." "Well, then, right or wrong, I'll be the one to handle this. Okay?" "Fine," Uopa remarked as she lifted her hands in a gesture of surrender and took a few steps back.

[Duce Hazimari]

Duce watched in confusion as the male and women went back and forth in a language he didn't understand. First the male would ask for his name and then point his weapon at him and screamed in another language at the female. "Analyze the situation." Duce heard the words of his father echo in his head. Holding the lankan in both hands, he dug his name into the dirt at the best of his ability and stood back at the ready. "Great. Now how to get their attention?" He thought to himself. He tried his hardest to listen to what they were saying. To try and pick up on a word to call them on. "Whirl" he called out a word that he heard the male say before the conversation ended. Whirl!...whirl? he tried again in different tones to see what reaction he would get. "Be prepared. he heard Duse call out to which he repiled a polite "shut up." Look. If we are going to be...what or who ever we are, we need to at least try and stay alive long enough to figure out what's happening here. "I got this." "Do you? Ha if it were me he would be dead right now.". "Oh really? Then why didn't you do it when you were in front of him?" "Maybe because you wouldn't shut up." Duse snapped back angrily floating in the around in who knew what direction."Maybe I would be able to do it if you shut up!"Duce yelled out loud and had a confident smirk on his face when he got no reply that gradually faded when he realize that the couple had stopped their conversation and was watching him in confusion.