Solo Desire for Strength

[Relic Brone]

56th of Summer, 513 AV Desire for Strength It’s dark, and the sound of leaves rustling in the wind made me realize that I was in the woods. There’s a light off in the distance. With nowhere else to go, I began to walk towards the eerie light. As I walked, the crunch of branches beneath my feet echoed throughout the still woods. The sound of a much louder crunch behind me was disturbing; I stopped and listen for the sound again. Once more I heard the loud crunch that sounded like a tree trunk being snapped. I was terrified by the noise. A drum was pounding in my chest; I was running as fast as I could now, weaving in and out of the trees. I came to an opening with a campfire burning the night sky. Behind the fire, my father and mother were kneeling murmuring something. I walked around to face my parents. They both were completely unaware that I was stand right in front of them. I moved forward to heard what they were murmuring. “What’s wrong Mom and Dad?” I asked as I reach out to them. They quickly stood up before I touched them revealing their blood covered bodies. I fell back in shock as I stared at them in terror. “Why didn’t you save us Relic? Why?” they both spoke in complete unison. “I wanted to save you. I didn’t want you two to die,” I pleaded, as tears fell down my face. “But you didn’t, because you are weak!” they began to scream, “You will never be as strong as your ancestor that had his strength bestowed upon him from Yahal!” Their bodies began to drift farther and farther away. I began to run after, but I fell as a great gust of wind pushed me forward. I quickly got up and turned around. My eyes glazed up at the giant figure that was standing before me. “Who are you?!” I yelled up to the giant figure with my trembling voice. As it looked down at me, it responded in a mighty voice, “You know who I am Relic,” He reached his massive hand down, and opened it. He was holding my hilt that father gave me. I grabbed the hilt and looked at it. This giant man was my ancestor, the great priest of Yahal, from father’s story. “Relic you must make up for your father’s impurities, by becoming pure and faithful towards Yahal. Only then will you be strong enough to protect others,” I felt myself burning from hatred at his words, I clenched my hands. I looked at my ancestor’s eyes, and yelled, “I will never allow myself to become one of those gods’ playthings, and I will become strong enough to protect people from becoming just another one their toys!” He shook his head in disappointment, and responded, “Then you will perish, just like your parents!” He threw his giant fist down upon me... I woke up in my room surrounded by a puddle of sweat, as I try to catch my breath. I turn and set on the edge of my bed, and place my head in my hands. “It was only a dream,” I reassured myself. After I recomposed myself a little I got dress, and decided to go for a walk.

[Relic Brone]

Turn after turn, the never static streets of this city makes me dizzy, as it continuously shuffles its builds. The streets are glazed with patches of flames that illuminates the dark builds, and gives off a comforting campfire warm. I have no fear of the flames that surround me; I know they are just illusions that only makes one feel as if they are burning, but if you concentrate on the fire not actually being there then it won’t burn. I walk over to one of the flames, and place my hand above it just outside of its reach. I felt the heat radiating off the fire. I close my eyes, and begin to inhale and exhale slowly. I lower my hand into the flame. I cringe as my hand felt like it was being scorched. I try to relax as much as possible, and concentrate on the street being empty, and the chilling night breeze blowing against my neck. The feeling of my hand being cooked lessen to the feeling of grabbing a freshly baked cookie out of an oven. The smell of burnt flesh had dissipated, and the natural musky smell of the street replaced it. I open my eyes to see my hand still engulfed by flames, but was no longer burning. I couldn't help, but smile as I waved my hand throughout the flame. My smile quickly disappeared as my successful attempt to keep my mind off my dream, and my parents’ deaths faded away. “Ouch!“ I yell out in pain, as I retracted my hand. My concentration had wavered as I went back to thinking about the thoughts that I had managed to elude for a few moments.

[Relic Brone]

I went back to wandering the streets of Alvadas; this time I decided to just avoid the patches of flames. Now my mind was focused on the matter at hand. I need to get stronger, and I don’t think curls and push ups are going to be enough. The sun has come up by now, and people has began to flood the streets. The sound of laughter can be heard coming from children running about and playing. I just realized that I was standing outside of the Bizarre, which all of these people were entering and exiting from. The Bizarre has always been my favorite place in Alvadas. Just walking around looking at the unless amount of different wares. As a money-less child, when I came to Alvadas I often found odd jobs to do for people, and when I was hungry enough it was pretty easy to snatch some food from someone without them noticing. I looked at the greatly deceiving building, and decided to walk in.

[Relic Brone]

After I entered the Bizarre, I stopped and just took in the beauty of seemingly endless marketplace. There are roads throughout the place that appear to be more elegant than the roads in the city. The roars of haggling can be heard from every direction. I gladly look past the fact that everything I’m seeing, hearing, and smelling aren't as they seem, as with the rest of this city. I walk through the Bizarre looking at the various wares. I ignore the merchants that attempt to reel me in with, “Hello good sir. Would you like...” or, “You my friend would look great in...” Those kind of merchants that I use to steal from the most. They get easily distracted with their customers, so I was almost always able to sneak in take a few things and hide myself among the crowd before they notice. I spot a tent that is peculiar. Most of the Bizarre is filled with stalls, and there appears to be no one that seems to be interested in it. There is nobody outside trying to attract customers, nor is there a sign that reveals what might be inside. The tent’s bright pink and purple made it stick out more than I do in the Wolf’s Cave, but no one seems to even notice it. There’s a strange dark blue light leaking out of the small entrance. Approaching the tent my heart began to race, and my body started to tingle. This feeling was strange and hard to explain. It isn't just plain fear or anticipation. It is like standing on the edge of a cliff peering down, and feeling like something is pushing you over the edge even though you know that nothing is behind you. I swallowed any feelings that I had, and decided to hurl myself of the edge.

[Relic Brone]

The inside of the tent was of a completely different tone than the outside. The inside is maroon, and there is a single candle in the middle that somehow manages to bathe everything in its strange dark blue light. The stuff inside this place was the oddest collection of stuff I have ever seen. There’s some rather luxurious clothes next to cage with a two-headed snake, a variety of pans, a veil marked blood of Tsana, and... is that a human ear? I reach down to touch it. “Look, but don’t touch,” a raspy voice warned. Alarmed, I looked around for the person that voice belonged to, but there’s only a desk with no one behind it besides an owl perched on a stand. I initially didn't question if there was a merchant here, because I’m still not sure if this place is an illusion. “Who said that?” I questioned as I continued to look around. “I did you idiot. I’m behind the desk,” I looked at the owl in bewilderment. Did that owl just talk? I walked over to the desk looking very intently at the owl. “No dimwit, down here,” I look down behind the desk and there’s a small little man there no bigger than a child setting in a tiny chair read a large book. His bald head shined with the blue light, as his grey beard glazes the floor, and his round glasses were clearly too big for his face. He closes his book as I look at him, and climbs up a stool that puts him at chest level with me. “So, what are you looking for son?” he asked as he scratched his beard. “I’m not looking to buy anything. I’m just browsing,” I responded honestly. “I didn't ask you what you wanted to buy. I asked you what you were looking for,” I look at him not sure what to say. What am I looking for. I started to think about my dream again. I want strength. I want to protect people. “I’m looking for strength to protect others,” I asked the small man with confidences. He just nods, and climbs off his stool. He walks over to a bookcase and begins to run his finger along the various books; until he found the one he’s looking for. After pulling the book out, he walked back over to his stool, and once again climbed it. He blows the dust off the book into my face. I cough, and brush the dust off my face. The book was leather bound and old; it seems to have been beaten up quite a bit. “This should help you start out,” he said, as he handed me the book. “Um, how much is it?” I asked, as I ran my hand across it. “10 gold,” he replied. I reach into my pocket and hand him the 10 gold. He place the coins on the desk and begins to count it, as he motions for me to leave. I nod and headed back to the Wolf’s Cave.

[Fallacy]

XP Award! Name: XP Award: Observation 1 Lore: Desire for Strength Heritage of Yahal Illusionary Fire Shopping at the Bizarre Notes: Reimancy Journal- A small poorly written journal that accounts the journey of a fledgling mage’s experience in Reimancy. Includes an entry on his master, his initiation, and the training required to learn to create Res and transmute an element. The writer could Reify earth, while his master could transmute both fire and water. Note Remove 10 gm from ledger Any questions or concerns about the rewards gained please send a PM