Across the Sky - Arc I, The Story Begins Options

[Omnial]

Krepus let out a sigh, I give up, Lets just enjoy the time with the hooded stranger who talks about stars., he shrugged, and slowly slipped himself off from the wall, landing rather ungracefully on his feet, and quickly tumbling onto his his stomach. He looked up to the sky, straining his neck, Didn't I just see that happen too? before she got here... The image of a world being engulfed in darkness quickly flooded Krepus' mind, "...thats...horrible..." He muttered softly. Krepus stopped looking skyward and let his face rest on the grass as he tried to erase that thought from his mind, which wasn't hard once his guest mentioned how his world was beautiful. He picked himself up, rubbing his sore neck and spoke enthusiasticly, "The scenary near the river is a lot more spectacular if you ask me." He smiled, "Want to come see it?" He walked closer to her and held out his hand.

[Kratour]

Kai

As he walked away, the girl shook her head, "Kai, I didn't want to tell you this- I didn't want to... Well, that doesn't matter." Slowly, she turned around and pulled her hood off once more, "Here's the thing, by being here, you may be bringing more danger to this world than any sort of war... The light in you- it scares..." she shuddered slightly, "Whatever it is that's in the darkness. It knows that you could stop it, and so that's going to spur it on, to make it hunt you down." There was a bit of an awkward silence that followed, but then she spoke up again, "The only reason you're still here, is that I've been following you for... Well, the point is that I've been here for a long time, protecting you so you'd have enough time to grow... Listen, I can't stay here any longer. It's time that I returned to Solus. When I leave, there won't be anything stopping the darkness. It'll come for you, and you won't be able to stop it. There's only one way to fight it- come with me, and you'll learn. And then, if you still feel this way, you can come back. At least then you'll have a chance..."

Krepus

The girl gave a soft laugh, then stood and nodded, slipping her own hand into his. "Krepus, I have something I need to tell you," she said as they walked, "something that you'll have a hard time believing, but I want you to try and keep an open mind." She took a deep breath, "The story, about the stars being worlds, the light coming from people's hearts. It's true. And the stars going out..." a shudder seemed to pass through her voice, "That's true as well. But a balance must be maintained between the light and the darkness, and for that to happen, light comes to dwell in the hearts of some, special people..." She fell silent, letting that bit soak in and hoping he'd be able to put the pieces together with what she'd told him already.

[Ryuga]

"What are you talking about?!" answer Kai, turning around to face Veil. "I can't take any chances with my people! How would you feel if..."
At that moment, Kai could not briing himself to speak. The distance seperating him from Veil grew larger, until Veil was only a spec in the distance.
"Wha-what's going on?" he stammered, frantically looking around.
He then noticed the shadows on the ground looking more ominous than usual. It was even more shocking when the shadows began creeping towards him,
"No! Stay away!" screamed Kai, but it was too late. The darkness coiled around his leg and continued up his body. He could feel it's cold touch seeping his strength. The shadow closed it's grip around Kai's neck, and everything went black.
---
Kai's eyes shot open. He was huddled on the pavement, sweet pouring down his face. He wandered exactly when he passed out. Slowly, he attempted to pick hiimself up, but his body was shacking too violently to support him.

This post has been edited by Ryuga: Feb 28 2011, 04:27 PM

[Kratour]

Kai

"Sh, it's okay." Veil's voice came out as more of a comforting coo than anything as she grabbed Kai's hand and helped him to his feet. Slowly, she circled around him, letting the shaken-up boy use her arm for support. Once senses had managed to extend all the way outward, though, he took note of the protective way the girl was standing- and a moment later, he took note of the strange weapon she held. It didn't seem to have any blade on it- and on the end that was supposedly used for hitting, a large, clear orb sat looking as solid as glass. Even more curious than the seemingly useless weapon, however, was the way that the orb glowed, a soft white light pouring out and coating the area around them. "Are you alright, Kai?" Veil asked without looking at him, "Because it's time we left. It's not safe here. Not for you."

[Omnial]

A hard time believing? A strange, hooded girl appears, tells me somethings I feel to be true, and now she leads me on to assume I'm special...hmm... They finally reached the river after a short while of walking, before speaking Krepus removed his boots, and sat down on the river bed. The river's current was quite slow where they were, but the water was quite high. Krepus put his bare feet in. "Okay. I believe you." He leaned back a bit, slightly kicking his feet in the water, "All your words just solidify my feeling that I'm being called to." He continued to blissfully kick his feat about in the river, "So, what can I do to help?" He turned to her with a big smile on his face.

[Ryuga]

"What happened?" muttered Kai as he rested his head in his other free hand. He could feel his sweat soaking the skin. It ashamed him to be rattled up to this point. He finally managed to get his bearings together before asking, this time in a more demanding tone, "Is that what's going to happen to me if I stay here!?"
Silence. That was all Kai needed to understand.
Kai sighed, finally giving in. "I see."
He paused for a the longest time, thinking about what he should do before embarking on this quest he somehow got involved in. He knew he couldn't face the Guild knowing he was letting them all down. Besides, they weren't going to let him waltz out anyway, regardless of what he had to say. Perhaps it would be better to just leave without a word.
"Wait for me guys," he wispered to the world. "I'll be back to set things straight. I promise."

[Naridar]

"I have", Ethan said, "Just like everyone in Etrosia. The entire gendarmerie uses weapons like this. Although, they're a bit different, they can't be summoned from thin air, nor do they have a keychain. Is there anyhting special about keyblades? And what do they have to do with this 'light' you're taking about?"

[se7en]

Kibou jumped up out of his bed and stared at the window this his mouth gaping. There was no way anyone could do that, it was impossible. . . "Erh, okay then how are we getting there, do you have a flying car or something, cause' that wouldn't surprise me after all of this." he said, his mouth still gaping in awe.

[Firefly]

Alaster gasped, and fell to his knees, he had felt the weirdest sensation, being everywhere and nowhere all at once, Alaster was a bit shaken up. Alaster's eyes took a second to adjust after just being blinded by light. Alaster felt a weird sensation on his hands, spikey green stuff was poking his palms. "The heck is this?" Alaster noticed the fountains, "Rock people are the source of water on this world?" Alaster stood up, then reality hit him like a sack of bricks, "Oh my... we... we're... we actually... ah... holy mother of..." Alaster started to do a full 360, taking in the environment, feeling both excited and rather panicked at the same time, he started to tug on his hair, then turned to Zack, "O... okay, so either what you were saying was true... or the Vulpes got me while I was asleep and my brain is just melting into random..." Alaster stood up, his knees almost buckling. "Okay, Zack. Start. Explaining. Now. Please?"

[Kratour]

Krepus

"What can you do to help..?" The girl echoed Krepus' question, slowly. And then, without any warning, she laughed. And only after she'd gone on laughing for a fair while did she manage to get a hold of herself. "I'm sorry-" she said, a gleeful smile evident even through the shadows covering her face, "It's just... This is the first time I've tried to tell anyone about this, and I was pretty nervous. I mean, I'd thought it would be a lot harder to convince you, and you're..." her voice trailed off a bit at the end, then she just shook her head, "Well never mind it. Thank you for believing me. And as for your question... You could help by coming with me. We can go to Solus, and there the masters can teach you how to fight against the darkness. Then, when you're ready, you could protect everyone..."

Kai

There was a moment of silent apprehension, and then Veil gave a nod, "Alright, let's go then." A moment passed in silence, and nothing seemed to happen. A breeze rolled by, the wind whistling through cracks in the bricks in walls surrounding them. And then, suddenly, everything stopped. Sight, hearing, both were cut off as the world faded to white. Weightlessness overtook Kai, and the only thing he could feel was Veil clutching his hand tightly. Then after a time that felt much longer than it really was, their feet touched the ground. Warm sunlight fell down on the pair, warming them, and the sound of flowing water and songbirds now filled the air. They'd touched down before a grand castle made of pearly white stone, and all around them was a courtyard of green grass, scattered trees, and exquisitely crafted fountains. Veil's voice came out softly, "We're here Kai..."

Ethan

A gloved hand reached up to push unseen glasses back into place. "Yes, keyblades are very special. They are not made of steel, not forged by the hands of man. No, a keyblade is born by and to the light that fills the hearts of people everywhere. It is a weapon, not for fighting against your enemies, not for slaying those who you find unworthy- but for defending the light of each world from the darkness that threatens to overtake them." Slowly, he lifted his free arm and held his hand out towards the younger man, "Ethan," he said, voice serious, yet smooth as silk, "take my hand. You wish to protect this world, do you not? A threat sits on the edge of this place- on the edge of every world there is. And you will not be able to face it without help, and proper training. I offer you both."

Kibou

A hearty laugh rang out from Des. "Nah, nah," he said, grinning widely, "No flying cars. In fact, it's pretty simple." He turned himself, holding a hand out towards Kibou. "All you have to do," he said, his voice dropping a bit, showing how serious he was, "is take my hand." A moment later, as the edge of his lip quirked up a bit, he added, almost as an afterthought, "Just make sure you don't let go and we'll be there before you know it."

Alaster

It had been a long time since Zack had been home. Or, rather, since he'd returned to Solus. It may not have been where he'd come from originally, but it was where his friends were, and that was good enough to put him in a good mood. ... Well, to put him in a better mood than usual. "Explain? Well, we just went through the crossroads. They're kind of like... a set of gates that lead from one world to the other. And this," he held a hand out, waving his arm in a wide motion to indicate everything around them, "is Solus. It's where I live and train- same for you, now, I guess. But you know, that-" Before his explanation could be finished however, wave of light rolled out a dozen feet to the side- a curious rippling effect pulling through the air. Slowly the light receded to reveal another pair. A young woman with wavy brown hair and a young man, well dressed and looking as confused as Alaster.

[Ryuga]

Kai fell back, taken by suprise at the sudden change of scenery. The famiular nightime scenery of the dull old city was quite the contrast to the daytime view of this world.
"It's definetly one thing to believe it, but to have it demonstrated is quite another thing entirely," Kai remarked as he picked himself up.
The warmth of the sun was nothing like Kai was acustom to. It felt gentle, benevolt, unlike the city where it was indifferent. He took a few moments to take everything in. The warm sun, the gentle breeze, the scenery. "It's too perfect." he thought before noticing the duo standing a distance away from him.
"Friends of yours?" he asked turning to Veil.

[Kratour]

Kai and Alaster

Veil gave a warm smile, "Welcome to Solus Kai- my home." She turned, looking over to where Zack and his new friend were, "And yes- or well, no. I mean, that's Zack, the one in the robes. I don't know the other person with him, though. If I had to guess, I'd say they just arrived, like you. Only..." the girl's smile faltered for a moment, "hopefully under nicer circumstances." A moment of silence followed, then Zack waved the pair of over, "Veil, come on- I've gotta tell you about this desert!" "Just a second!" The girl looked over at Kai, a curious look in her eyes, "Are you alright Kai- I mean, really..?"

This post has been edited by Kratour: Feb 7 2011, 11:37 AM

[se7en]

Kibou hesitated for a few seconds then sighed and took a step toward Des, and grasped his hand.

[Ryuga]

"Better circumstances huh?" remarked Kai as he let out as sigh.
He listened to Veil exchange words with her friend, before she turned her attention to him again.
"Are you alright Kai- I mean, really..?"
"Hm? Fine? Ya... of course..." Kai thoughtlessly replied before walking up to the two gentleman. Fine wasn't even close to how he was feeling right now. But his feelings on the matter was irrelevant, so why bother sharing?
He took note of appearance once as he met the two. One a tanned male with the grey duster, likely from a world of hot temperatures. The other another hooded individual with red hair. Who knows where this one originally came from?
"My name is Kai Falzer," he greeted, extending his hand to the two. "I suppose I'll be working with the two of you from now on. Pleased to make your aquiantance."

[Omnial]

"Protect everyone..." Krepus spoke softly, then looked to the sky, "Sounds like something..." He stopped, Mom would do. He shook his head, "Sorry, got a little lost in thought." He poped his feet out of the water and got up, There is no future for me here anyways, not right now at least. he looked over to the distance, to some flickering lights coming from his village. The thought of leaving had been on his mind for a long time, but now that the opportinuty was actaully present to him, it tore at his heart. But what if my brother turns up and I'm no longer here? But what am I to do If I stay? "Did you give up anything...when you left your home?"

This post has been edited by Omnial: Feb 7 2011, 07:38 PM

[Dirus]

Karida thought for a moment. She was giving up so much if she left now. What would happen to her squad? Would it fall apart and be reconstructed for a different leader...? Probably. Hell, they might think she had been assassinated or ran off or something. The only person she knew who would miss her significantly was Abel and she hadn't seen him in weeks. Kari sighed and looked up at Vorin. "Fine, I'll go with you, but only on two conditions." She said. "The first, you promise to explain to me the light I have within myself and the darkness that threatens other's lights in a greater depth and second..." She blushed a little, "You let me change into something a little more....presentable before we leave."

[Firefly]

Alaster let Zack's information sink in... despite the fact that he still didn't understand what had just happened. He pulled his coat tighter around him, it was chillier than he expected. "Okay, Zack. Maybe you can give me a more detailed explanation later, it also wouldn't hurt to cover what makes me so special." Alaster took in the scenery, ignoring most of Zack's shouting, when a laughably dressed boy walked up to him and introduced himself. "Huh?" Alaster said as he saw the extended hand, Alaster didn't shake it "Nice to meet you, Kai. I'm Alaster Angelo. This is Zack... something, he never told me his last name."

[Naridar]

Ethan's doubts about the stranger haven't completely disappeared, but the man's words started to make a lot of sense: many people in Etrosia have felt an eerie and unnaturally sinister aura. Healthy people dropped dead on the street, with no sign of any injury or illness - it was as if their heart just stopped beating.

"If you promise you'll help me keep Elise and the others safe, I'll go.", Ethan said, "And one more thing: if any harm were to befall Elise, I'll return to protect her - and if anyone stands in the way, I won't hesitate forcing my way. If that's good with you, I'm in."

[Kratour]

Krepus

The girl didn't answer immediately. No, she instead looked up at the sky, a slight, thoughtful hum coming from her as she considered the questions. "Well," she said finally, an almost whimsical air about her, "to gain anything, something must be given up. So yea I suppose I did give up a few things to be where I am..." A moment passed, and it was unclear rather she'd actually say what had happened. Then, however, she turned back to Krepus and gave an unseen smile, "My family." She said it so lightly, so easily, that even she noted how cold that must have made her seem. "Well," she hastened to correct herself, "I left my family back home. They were nice and everything- and my little sister was on the way... But to be honest, I never really felt right there. Now though, out here in the stars..." The girl let her voice drop off quite suddenly. "Well, it's nice... I'm happy here." Slowly, she lifted a hand towards Krepus, extending an invitation to follow the same path as she had. "Would you like to come with me then, Krepus?"

Karida

For a moment Vorin simply gave the girl a look bordering on quizzical- then, finally, he took note of her meaning. "Oh- oh, right. Of course you can have a moment to dress yourself." That said, he turned on his heel and moved to lean into the window frame turning his eyes towards the night sky. "And as for your other question..." a short silence followed that as he thought about how he could best describe it- then he just managed a shrug. “It’s difficult to explain- but I’d be more than willing to tell you about the light in greater detail once we’re in Solus.”

Ethan

The robed man was silent for a moment. Finally, though, he gave a wide grin, “Very well then Ethan. If you desire to protect those dear to you, none will stop you from doing so.” He took a step back, lowering his Keyblade and tapping one end to the ground. Slowly, a glowing circle flared to life on the wooden floor below him, encircling the robed man. That done, he released his weapon, allowing it to disappear with a slight burst of light, returning to that which brought it about to begin with. He held a hand up towards Ethan, extended outwards, palm down. “Take my hand, friend. And we shall be on our way.”

Everyone Else

A burst of light filled the castle grounds once more, leading those around to wonder just how many more times this would happen. As a matter of fact, off in the kitchens, it made for a wonderful drinking game- take a shot everytime someone light-bursts their way into the castle. … Unfortunately, all the players were already unconscious and slowly dieing of alcohol poisoning, so perhaps the word ‘good’ shouldn’t be used so lightly. … Anyways though…

Kibou rather suddenly found himself staring at a wide open garden. A layer of soft, green grass rolled out over the ground in all directions, and trees and fountains were scattered easily about. Off to one side stood the main section of what seemed to be a fairytale castle, with more, albeit less impressive, buildings standing all around. To the other side, however, stood a group of people which, based on their clothing, were probably in the same position as Kibou himself. “Zack, Veil, hey!” Des’ voice rung out, booming and cheerful as always. The girl, Veil, lifted a hand, though she didn’t bother to say anything. Zack, on the other hand, made up for her silence. “Des, man, hey! Long time no see- so you got your guy huh? Good goin’!”

That said, Zack turned his attention back the conversation at hand. “Wait, what? … Uh, right. Well, as for my name, Zack’s fine, ya’ know?” He gave a bit a laugh and reached up to scratch at the back of his head, “But yea, good to meet you Kai, and welcome to Solus, and uh..." "Zack?" Veil cut him off with a smile. "Huh- uh... Yea Veil?" "You were starting to ramble." Zack was silent for a moment- then laughed, "Right, right, my bad."

This post has been edited by Kratour: Feb 28 2011, 10:57 PM

[Ryuga]

Kai retracted his hand after getting the message that neither of these two gentlemen were willing to shake it. Perhaps possibly due to different cultural norms.
Suddenly another flash of light and two more people appeared. Des, or at least that was what the Zack fellow had called him, had the same cheerful attitude that seemed to be shared by everyone in these black robes.
"What a suprise..."
He turned back to Veil, done with his conversation with Alaster and Zack, or rather, the lack of one. "So how many more are expected to show up?" he asked.