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Post by milicia on May 27, 2009 1:20:40 GMT -5
It was time. At last, the preperations had been coming for months now, the days spent toiling in the library. She had even had to speak to Esmir, in exchange for some time off his sentence of course but the day had come where all of Millicia's work had paid off.
The night's full moon lit the sanctum with a pale light, its dull glow revealing only small sections of the ceremonial robes Milicia wore for the ritual. The robes followed the typical style of Crepusculum's royal garbs, as thin wisps of blacks and whites coiled and entwined amoungst each other. As she knelt before a complex rune she had earlier marked on the sanctum's floor, she read out a strange language's mystic words, perfectly practised from a spell book found deep in the royal archives.
As the words slipped past her tongue, thick in the magics she charged them with, the symbol shone. At first barely a glow, then slowly more and more vibrant. As the last syllables were formed, the light was almost blinding. With a final motion of her arms as they stretched towards the ceiling, the light left instantly leaving only total darkness.
Did it fail? I was sure everything was done perfectly. Perhaps the Call of the Chosen spell was faulty? The queen let out a deep and sorrowful sigh, sure that the spell had failed. At least that is, till a voice broke the silence, and the despair in Milicia's heart.
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Post by Musashi on May 27, 2009 1:35:07 GMT -5
A coughing came from the surrounding darkness, and as the billowing clouds of black began to dissapate, a young boy sat on the floor swiping swiping his hand in front of his face, trying to swat away the choking mist.
"Whoa man, talk about your deja-vu," the youth said, still giving the occasional cough.
"Guess fate has it in for me once again. At least I'm not unconscious in some forest this time, that really blew."
Standing up and brushing the dust off his pants, the boy turned around and met eyes with the beautiful visage of a fair-faced woman in elaborate, ceremonial robes.
"Greetings your Majesty, or at least that's what I presume anyway," the youth said giving a small bow.
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Post by milicia on May 27, 2009 1:43:00 GMT -5
Queen Milicia stood up in surprise and excitement at the young man's voice. Her eyes still unadjusted to the pitch black quickly lit a few nearby candles. The vibrant flicker of the flame revealed a muscular youth, dressed in strange clothes and a couple of sheathed weapons on his body. The young man had a quirky grin about him, something that said, "I'm ready to go." As if he knew what had just happened? Perposterous.
Milicia spoke in a calm and regal tone, not to let her voice betray her delight at the spell's success. "State your name young warrior. You are indeed before a Queen, and she has need of your blade."
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Post by Musashi on May 27, 2009 1:47:58 GMT -5
Musashi did indeed know what was going on, as this had all happened once before in his life time. Having been called on once to take down a tyrannical organization, he was curious as to what his blade was needed for this time.
"Name's Musashi, Miyamoto Musashi the Legendary Samurai, or at least that what I'd like to be called someday. Anyway, what is it that I can do for ya, your highness?"
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Post by milicia on May 27, 2009 1:59:37 GMT -5
Again with the boy's simple and straight-forward response. Was this old hat to him? Were there other places, in other times that had called on him? Or was he simply so laid back that even being summoned to a strange room by a strange woman didn't faze him at all?
The queen cleared her throat once before coming within the light of the candles, letting Musashi see her in full view. Despite herself, she tried her best to appear friendly and approachful to the warrior. This really would have been something my day self would be much better at. "My country, and indeed the world needs you Musashi. A collection of other kings and queens, allied under a single powerful man threatens this world with destruction. I have brought you here to my land for a single purpose; kill the man who leads this organization. Kill Trucido Damnedblood, and any who would stay your blade from his neck." As she went into details concerning the history of the situation and the more elaborate details her voice became filled more and more with the merciless and vengeful tone she felt such comfort in. At first she tried to conceal it somewhat, but by the end she could not hold in her distain for the Sumata or their goals.
"...he is the most demented of fools, and time has only blackened his heart Musashi. Do you see as I see? Will your blade be mine to command against this dark tyrant? Can I trust you to crush the Sumata?" Her eyes searched the samurai as she awaited his response.
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Post by Musashi on May 27, 2009 2:15:52 GMT -5
The queen seemed rather regal and well mannered at first, but her benevolent visage seemed to fade and a gaze of hate and malice seemed to fill her once peaceful eyes. Musashi was a strong advocate of justice, but he was moderately put off by the queens shift of mood.
"I can see your point, your Highness, but your vengful tone makes me question your role in this story. Can someone who advocates justice kill under the idea of revenge and still have it be justice? I don't mean to seem uncool with the whole idea, but it seems to me that your want to press him beneath your heels makes your goals fueled by the same vicious intent as this Damnedblood dude. I'm gonna have to think this over."
A tyrant who seeks world destruction and a queen who seeks his destruction. Man, i wish this was as simple as with Mycella and Gandrake, but I guess I can't expect everything to be so black and white. Looking at Milicia's robes, he realized the subtle irony of his thought.
"My big problem with this is that in order to take out the Big Kahuna, we are probably gonna have to go through these Sumata people, but the problem here is that they are, in tern, the ruler of the other parts of this world, and killing them makes you the ruler of everything. I guess my biggest doubt is that what you say is the truth and not just an attempt to claim this land through my blind acceptance of what you say... with all respect, you Majesty."
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Post by milicia on May 27, 2009 2:32:29 GMT -5
The youth's defiance had put the queen off somewhat. The spell had not said he would obey her without question, but she had assumed he stood for all that was good and just. Had the spell failed? Or were her own goals less than befitting for the spell's intent? She couldn't help but sigh at the expected result of her explaination. As I thought, this is the worst way to start. My other self would explain this in a way that sounds so much better.
"Allow me to clarify young hero. Many of the Sumata are men and women were lured by the power Trucido promises. Some joined for selfish reasons, while some for other stakes. I can't say, yet in the end they are not all my enemy, nor is conquest my desire. You need only know that Trucido is my enemy, and thus yours. Kill him, and if others stand in your way deal with them how you will."
"Understand Musashi, the world needs you and your weapon, not your questions of morals. You have my word that the other kingdoms will retain their sovereignty. Is that enough?"
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Post by Musashi on May 27, 2009 2:42:00 GMT -5
Musashi's naïvety had faded a substantial amount over the years, but he was still prone to believing in what people say so long as he could glean even the smallest bit of good intent, and Musashi thought that maybe he should trust the queen and hope that her words would not lead him astray.
"I'll help you, but I'm saying up front that I am not some sword to be swung around. I'm a person, and that entitles me the right to follow my heart regardless of anyone orders. My morals are what swing these blades, so you better expect all or nothin' with me. I'm a package deal, you dig...um, your Highness?"
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Post by milicia on May 27, 2009 2:50:00 GMT -5
Her hands clenched tightly in anger against Musashi's flippant attitude, yet she knew better than to lash out against her only hope. The boy was arrogant, yet the fact that she had summoned him was enough for him to know who needed who in this relationship, something Milicia was displeased to have thrown in her face.
"Fair enough Musashi, if those are your terms than I shall respect your wishes. However, remember your place, boy. This is fair warning that disrespect to me, especially in front of my subjects will not be tolerated. I may need you, but I'm still queen of this land, and you are my knight till your task is complete. Agreed?" She stood firm against the boy, her tone strong with stubborn pride.
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Post by Musashi on May 27, 2009 3:12:25 GMT -5
Queen or not, Musashi was starting to buckle under the pressure of his head strong temperament and his temper.
"My place! You want to know where my place was? It was somewhere where people respected me, and I served their queen out of respect rather than some mumbo-jumbo decree. I saved those people in hopes that I could go back to my original home, but came to love the feeling of belonging somewhere peaceful, where I could mingle with the queen as an equal and not some peasant under her thumb. I'm not your knight, or sword or whatever the hell you want to call me, I'm Miyamoto Musashi, and I am a warrior of honor, not yours, or your Kingdoms, or your worlds. So if you want a warrior that will obey you like some slobbering mutt, then I suggest you look elsewhere!"
Musashi stood strong in his resolve. He was not going to bend for some random Queen just because she ordered him to, he needed to believe in someone before he would throw himself into the fray and fight for their ideals. Detaching his gaze from Milicia's, Musashi started to make his way to the large doors that he hoped would allow him to exit this place.
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Post by milicia on May 27, 2009 3:30:36 GMT -5
Milicia's face twisted in anger at the boy's haughty behaviour. "You! You... arrogant!" Her throat choked up with rage, letting no more words escape. She turned around and began to storm off.
Rotten brat! Little snob, I don't need someone like that I can find another way. Surely there's another way. After all Yeligar said... Her thoughts trailed off, and she stopped dead in her tracks only a few steps from the door to the main halls. It had been months since Yeligar had come with the promise that heroes would arrive and rally under her. Yet time had passed, and not a soul had been to see her. Maybe it was merely impatience, but the nagging feeling couldn't be ignored. She hated it, more than anything she could think of. She needed the boy if she ever wanted to be certain that something concrete was being done against Trucido. At least until another hero would come to her, but for the moment Musashi was all she had.
Relaxing herself some, she turned around to face Musashi once more, this time her expression and tone more somber and reserved. "I have a room prepared for you Musashi. You may stay the night regardless of your decision, but I ask you come see me in the throne room once the sun has risen. All will be made clear to you then. Follow me." She opened the doors with a single gesture and slowly began to walk down the lit hallway, not bothering to look behind to see if Musashi followed.
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Post by Musashi on May 27, 2009 3:40:16 GMT -5
"I'll stay, but I won't be sleeping. Just point me to your training area and I'll spend the night there."
Musashi was moderately tired, but his want to train and his suspicion of the Queen made him believe that being awake was a much better and safer idea. He would have rather just left the castle, but he knew it was foolhardy to travel a foreign land in the night time.
Musashi doubted that the Queen would be able to sway his choice unless she had some sudden change of heart, but that seemed to farfetched for him to believe. He looked at the back of Milicia's head, hoping she would answer him, as he didn't not want to wonder the castle in search of the grounds himself.
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Post by milicia on May 29, 2009 3:57:49 GMT -5
Milicia called out to a nearby guard stationed in the hall and gave him orders to guide Musashi to the training grounds. The man looked bewildered by the random and wild looking boy, but nodded and obeyed. Milicia went immediately to her study in order to think and try and determine the best way to coerce Musashi to her side. She tried to relax and ponder the problem, yet the sheer defiance and disrespect he displayed caused her blood to boil everytime she thought on it. In the end she surrendered to the fact that only her day self would have the necessary tolerance and calmness to guide Musashi in the proper way.
Twilight came hours later, and the trance set in, letting Milicia speak to her other self. In the short time they had together, they understood what needed to be done and as the sun broke through the horizon, Milicia awoke confident she knew what to do.
___________________________*_________________*____________________________
The day had flown by as Milicia had spent her first hours of daybreak plotting with the army advisors on strike tactics against Trucido. She dreaded the meetings, yet they seemed more and more necessary as the random attacks by the Sumata had become more frequent in the last couple months. She had finally had a chance to relax, and made her way into the throne room when the guards came to her, eyes full of alarm.
"Your majesty, this strange warrior is in your throne room, just sitting there and refuses to leave. We found a couple of guards knocked out by the entrance, and when we came to remove him he just said 'The queen told me to meet her here, and those guys wouldn't let me in. I ain't leaving till she gets here.' What should we do your Highness?" But Milicia only shooed them away and entered the room to find Musashi waiting in a meditative state.
"Sorry to disturb you Musashi, but I do hope you'll be willing to take a walk with me." Her voice was calm and warm towards him. She made no mention of the guards, or his entering the room, but only waited for his response.
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Post by Musashi on May 31, 2009 23:16:37 GMT -5
Musashi opened one of his eyes and glanced at Milicia before he arose from his meditative position. He was still fairly annoyed at his encounter with the Queen last night, but he had cooled off some as one could guess if they examined the training room. In fact, Musashi was moderately ashamed at the state he left the training grounds in, as it would take a bit of time to repair it fully and to a point where it could be used again.
"Straight up, sorry about the training grounds. You may just want to tell your guys to repair it rather then going and looking at it; it may hurt your seemingly pleasant mood," he said starting sincere but ending with a bit of a bite to his words.
He regretted that he was still prone to his hot-headed moments as it showed just how little control he had gained over himself and some of his childish habits, but growth was all part of his journey and training.
Musashi agreed to the walk with Milicia, mostly out of curiosity rather than the idea of the pleasantries that one would assume to follow.
"So what's it your planning on ordering me to do now, your Majesty," he inquired with a bitter and sarcastic tone.
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Post by milicia on Jun 1, 2009 1:02:31 GMT -5
Milicia only kept smiling as Musashi, despite the news they'd be needing to relocate the soldiers' training to another location for some time. Despite the biting remarks, she saw the embarrassment in the way he held himself, and decided the best course was to merely let it pass. Queen Lunestise had made the mistake of trying to force Musashi to trust her, when it was she who needed o gain his trust.
"No orders Musashi, just a request. I'm afraid I did not handle last night as well as it should have been done, but I'd like another chance to show you how badly this kingdom, no, this world needs you. Will you accompany me for a brief moment?" She walked forward and extended a hand towards him. Seeing that he was still a touch hesitant, she continued, "Come Musashi, its a whole new world out there, surely you'd like to explore it a bit?"
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