Chaos Quest a Ranma Everquest Crossover/Fusion by Chikiko (Chikiko@blastcomm.com) Disclaimer: Ranma ½ and its characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. Everquest, its world, and characters belong to sony online entertainment and/or verant. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To those cursed by the mystical waters of Jusenkyou who wish to overcome it, or to those who are familiar with one of its victims. Your audience is requested this Sunday at exactly 2:45 P.M. at the Tendo Dojo. These were the mysterious words written on the letters addressed to Shampoo, Cologne, Moose, Ukyou, and Tatewaki Kuno. No one knew what to make of the letter. Was its claim real? Could a cure for Jusenkyou have been found as the letter seemed to imply? None of them where sure, especially Kuno, who was not quite sure what Jusenkyou was, but guessed it had something to do with the curse that Ranma Saotome had placed on the pig-tailed girl. But they were all sure they knew the person who did know what the letter was about. Nabiki Tendo. They were all quite surprised when said Tendo had no idea what the letter was about or who could have sent the letter. In fact she only found out about it when Ukyou called wanting to know what it was about. After asking the other members of the family, Nabiki still had no idea what the whole thing was about. Which was surprising since both Ranma and Genma, were cursed at Jusenkyou. Yet neither they nor anyone else in the Tendo household received the mysterious letter. One person suggested Ryouga as the possible source of the letter, being the only other Jusenkyou victim not to receive a letter. The idea was quickly discarded for several reasons, including the exact time, place, and nature of the letter. While a cure for Jusenkyou or his misdirection might be possible, the thought of both being cured was too much for anyone to believe. It was soon decided that nothing would come from discussing the situation. They decided to let the matter rest until Sunday, when hopefully whoever sent the letter would present themselves. It turned out to be easier said than done. The days seemed to crawl slowly, which only raised the groups anxiety level. Even those normally good at keeping their feeling to themselves such as Nabiki and Cologne, were unusually fidgety and jumpy. The Tendo Dojo residents were roused from the restless sleep Sunday morning by the yell of an indignant Ryouga. "Where the hell am I now?" After rescuing him from the closet, they began to ask him questions on the mysterious letter. Unfortunately, he knew just as much as they did having received the letter two weeks ago. As expected, he spent the intervening time trying to find the Dojo. This did nothing to lessen the atmosphere that permeated the Dojo. Whoever had set this up had purposely sent the letter to Ryouga 2 weeks earlier then everyone else, apparently knowing that it would take him that much longer to arrive. It was obvious the person who sent the letter wanted them together. The real question was who and why. Kuno was the first to arrive just after Ryouga's coming had been announced, eager to 'save the pig-tailed girl from the clutches of the vile sorcerer Saotome. Ukyou and the Amazons came about two after closing their restaurants early. Everyone in the house was uneasy and on edge. Those cursed by Jusenkyou were excited at the possibility of being cured. Yet others were skeptical due to the vagueness and secrecy of the whole situation. When a knock was suddenly heard on the door, all noise immediately stopped as everyone turned their eyes to the wall clock to confirm that it was 2:45. Kasumi slowly stood up and happily said "I guess our guest is here, I'll go let him in." As she left, almost everyone followed behind her. Only Cologne and Nabiki stayed behind with Ryouga who got lost and ended up back in the living room with them. When Kasumi opened the door, she found a tall dark woman wearing an exquisite red robe. She wasted no time to state her purpose. "Is everyone here? The time we have is short and cannot spend it dilly dallying about." "Oh my! Yes, I think everyone's here. Please come in we've been expecting you." She quickly scanned those behind Kasumi and said. "I see only four Jusenkyou victims. Where is the fifth, the boy who always manages to get lost?" "Pig boy was just here a minute ago, he can't have gone that far." Ranma said glancing around. "He's in here Son-In-Law." Answered Cologne. "Good then let us get him and proceed." As they entered the living room Nabiki, who was impatiently sitting by the table waiting for them, asked. "Exactly who are you, and what do you plan to proceed in doing?" "My name is Siland. I am a powerful wizardess and I am offering these five Jusenkyou cursed a chance to overcome their curses." "I see, and exactly why does a powerful wizardess want to help THEM? What exactly do YOU get out of it?" "Nothing much I simply get to return home." "Right, you want to explain why you have to cure them and don't just go home by yourself?" Siland sighed. "If you must insist on wasting the little time we have on questions, I'll try to explain it all to your satisfaction. As I said, I am Siland. I was doing research on teleportation in an effort to help my husband in his studies. That was when I noticed an irregularity in the magic. It wasn't until some time later that I noticed it again. I realized what I sensed was another possible portal. Not just any portal, but one that connected to one of the alternate planes of existence." "So I sought to study this new irregularity and see what I could learn of it. Over the next several years I would record every detail I could think when I found the burst of irregular magic. I realized that the doorway to the plane only seemed to appear every three and one third weeks, and that the door way would only stay open for exactly 23 minutes. So on the time the doorway appeared, I attempted to go through it. Unfortunately I seemed to lack the power to connect with it and was shunted off to some random location on the planet." "So I began to experiment with material components. I had tried a large array of gems and other items of magical nature to no avail. That is until the day I accidentally used a fire opal I had imbued instead of a normal one. The moment I cast the spell I felt the magic I had imbued into the gem escape toward the portal converting it back into an ordinary fire opal. Unfortunately it wasn't enough. I knew I was on the right track, so I started to try other imbued or summoned items that stored magic. Finally with an imbued fire opal, an imbued black opal and vial of viscous mana I was able to bridge the connection and teleport myself to this world. Where I have been stuck for the last several years." "Surely you could have found the things you needed here?" ask Cologne. "Not really. While I could find the black and fire opals, I cannot imbue the black opals or create the vile of mana. My studies of magic do not lead me in those directions and I need the assistance of others to create those for me. Besides those are ineffective in this world as this world is too weak in magic. With so little magic on this world I could not hope to create the gate needed to transport me back to my world." "So then what exactly are you hoping to accomplish by curing them of their Jusenkyou curses?" "I am sorry I should clarify what I just said. While most of this world is extremely weak magically there is one place where there is an abundance of magical power similar to my world." "Jusenkyou." Cologne said beginning to understand. "Yes exactly. Jusenkyou is probably the largest bank of magical energy I have ever seen, even on my world. I attempted to cast the spell from there many times but the magic was too powerful and would not allow itself to be harnessed. So I plan to use the power imbued in the five of you just as I did the gems." "So that it'll cure us of our curses?" Ranma asked sounding extremely excited and hopeful. "No, I don't think it will. Jusenkyou's magic is incredibly strong, but it will weaken it significantly. As a way to express my appreciation for helping me back to my world, I offer you the chance to come to my world, where magic is strong. If you could not find a cure there to your then weakened curses, I am sure there are many who could with time and study. But there is no time to waste. Time is short. We have already wasted too much time explaining. If we miss this chance it'll be another two and a half years before we can try again." "Two years!!! I thought you said it was only three weeks?" "Yes three weeks and one third weeks in my world where magic is the norm. Here the doorway only appears every two and one half years. That should be an indication of how lacking this world of yours is magically." "So why invite those of us who weren't cursed by Jusenkyou sugar?" "I am a patient woman, I have tarried on this world now for approximately seven and a half years, away from my husband, my art and all that are dear to me. But I will not wait another two and a half years because one of you, decides they cannot leave without first saying good bye to one of their friends or loved ones. All must be here to do the spell. Also the five of you must decide if you shall all come or stay. I cannot promise how long it will take to cure you. With the collective might of some of the most powerful spell casters on the planet, It could take as little as a few months to a year or two. If you do choose to stay here, your curses will not be as powerful. You would still change when splashed with water, but perhaps the temperature needed to change you would be lowered or perhaps you might cease being water seeking. I cannot say exactly, but to say that it will be lessened." "Can some of us come with if we want?" Akane asked. Siland shook her head. "I am sorry I can only take these five." "Oh." Akane said glumly. "What if we decided to go but want to come back?" asked Ranma. "If you do decide to come, you may return anytime. From my world I could easily return you to this world at any time you please, just be aware that once you do return it might be impossible to return. Now what do you say? Will the five of you stay or go? Considering that it will be more advantageous to you to help get me home, I would hope that you will at least not turn down that offer." Shampoo, Moose, Ryouga and Ranma turned quickly glanced to Cologne and Nabiki to see their opinion of it. Cologne nodded. "Yes, I would agree. There seems to be no reason to turn down your offer to help you return home. As for whether or not to follow to you're world, with the possible exception of the panda, these are the probably best young martial artists I've seen in many years. I'm sure they could fend for themselves until you could find a way to cure them of their curses. Who knows, they may pick up something useful from your world." "If great-grandmother say is ok Shampoo will go, but what of Nekohanten Grandmother?" "Don't worry about me, I'm sure I'll find a way to get by until you come back." "If Shampoo goes then I will of course go also!" exclaimed Mousse. "Get off me boy, I'm not Shampoo!" said an indignant Genma still upset from Cologne's words about him. "You can count me too! What about you pig boy?" Ranma said taking a chance to tease Ryouga. "Shut up Ranma!" Ryouga said angrily. Akane had been confused about something throughout the entire conversation. But no one spoke up to correct her about that. It made no sense to her, why they wouldn't say anything about it. She finally couldn't take the confusion anymore and said "Um I think you may have made a mistake Mrs. Siland. Ranma, Shampoo, Mousse and Mr. Saotome all have a curse but Ryouga doesn't have one. So you can't use him." Ryouga paled. "Ya Ryouga why dontcha get your little piggy wiggies wet and show her your curse?" "Ranma!!! SHUT UP!" Ryouga yelled glaring at Ranma. "Calm down. In fact the boy is right. I will need for all of you to change into your cursed forms. Jusenkyou's magic is stronger when you are in your cursed forms and we'll need all the strength we can get to cast this spell. Now hurry up we don't have time to waste we have only about 10 minutes left and creating a portal will be hard enough without having to try to rush it so we can make it on time. So say your goodbyes and get changed." Ryouga sighed. What other choice did he have now? She already knew he was cursed it would only be a matter of time, before she figured it out anyway. It was best if she knew. "Um Akane can I, uh talk to you about it?" "Uh, sure Ryouga. What do you want to talk about?" Siland saw Ranma was about to do something and decided to stop this fight before it began. She quickly cast a spell and suddenly Ranma found himself unable to move. "We don't have time for this!" Kasumi came out of the kitchen with five glasses of water. "Here you go. I got you each a glass of cold water." "Thank you child. You may have, in all likely hood, saved me another two years on this world." Then turning to address the five she said. "Here take these and splash yourself when I tell you to." "So what were you gonna tell me Ryouga?" Ryouga looked at Akane, and at Siland. "Uh, I just, um wanted to say sorry for not telling you earlier and that I, uh didn't mean anything by it." "It's ok, Ryouga. I understand. It must be embarrassing for you to be cursed and you didn't want anyone to know. I don't mind really. "Thank you Akane." He said. "Now if we can continue, I'll begin to cast the spell. Just near the end when I tell you now, is when you will have to splash yourselves. Do you understand? Seeing them nod their heads, she began to cast the spell. Siland along with the five cursed at Jusenkyou began to feel the familiar feel of magic. For those with Jusenkyou curses it didn't feel all that different except it seemed as if they were changing in extreme slow motion. To Siland, the magic felt as it normally felt. After seven years of feeling weak and crippled by the world's lack of magic it felt great to her. So great did the feel of being able to wield true magic again that she didn't notice the incredible difference, until she gave the signal to splash themselves. The moment the five splashed themselves the powerful chaotic magic imbued in the five erupted. The magic flared uncontrollably engulfing everyone in the room. Siland, the cursed five, and those there to watch them off. All were encased by both the arcane and chaotic magic. Before any of them could react, a shimmering portal appeared before them and engulfed them all. High in the sky three large flares of light could be seen all throughout the world. They each seemed to head a different direction, but those with magically enhanced vision could in fact see far more than just three, most of which headed in their own directions. One of the flares made up by three smaller tendrils landed on the northwestern part of the world. Two landed somewhat close by while the third veered to the south. Another flare landed on the eastern coast of the same continent as the first flare. Each of the smaller tendrils that made this flare landed separately one far to the southeast. The other landed near the eastern coast while the third landed somewhat northwest of the second. Finally the third and largest of the tendrils landed on the eastern continent. There all four fragments of the flare headed there own directions. Each landing in a different corner of the continent. On the far western continent of Odus, Siland wife of the greatest wizard currently alive on the world of Norrath and a great wizardess on her own accord, was awoken from her sleep. From her window over looking the ocean toward Antonica Siland felt as if something of great importance had just occurred. She watched the flares disappear. Around what she presumed to be Halas and Qeynos. Whatever the significance of the flares she knew that for good or ill something wrong had occurred and it would somehow directly involve her. When the signal was given, Ranma splashed himself, transforming into a girl. But then things started to go crazy. He felt himself change back and forth between his different forms. If felt as if his body was fighting a battle. Every time he became a boy he felt the curse trying to change him back, but it seemed to be getting harder as the magic pulsed through his body. He had completely lost track of the others due to the constant shifting of his forms. It was one of the few times in his life he was thankful for his curse. When he changed forms it was a comparatively minor thing since he only shrunk a few inches, unlike Moose or Ryouga, who shrunk several feet. He could only imagine how dazed they must have felt. Oddly, he felt another strange sensation envelope him. Every time he changed forms, it would feel different than it normally felt. Something besides a simple change in sex was happening to him, but he didn't know what or how. He was starting to feel tired though. Extremely tired who would have known changing sex could be so tiring so..... tiring........ As his body slowly lowered to the ground he fell fast asleep. His body still changed form every so often, but with each transformation his body gradually started shrinking. So much that by the time he finally stopped shifting forms, he had shrunk over four feet in his male form. His girl form also changed, she had lost nearly 3 feet from her height. But unlike his male form, there were much more pronounced changes to his girl form. Which amongst other things were tall pointed ears. Ranma laid there in the grass for nearly an hour before he was discovered. As he approached, Ranma slowly opened her eyes, due to the sudden stench that suddenly flooded her small nose. She looked up to see an ugly, green skinned tusked creature approaching her. Besides the fact that it smelled like a month old garbage dump, it didn't look very nice. Doing the first things that came to mind, she let out a high pitched scream and ran away from it as fast as her tiny little legs would carry her screaming the entire way. Varlon had been on his way back to Freeport from visiting a former student of the Ashen Order. He left to open a small inn just outside of Freeport in the western provinces known as the common lands. When he suddenly heard the shout of a little girl nearby followed by the guttural shout of an orc. He quickly took off running. He had heard rumors from both the militia and some of the common land residents about the orc setting up a new settlement close to Freeport led by some orc lord named Shin Ra. This news had greatly upset the citizens of Freeport. Freeport was the world's largest city-state, the trade center of all Norrath, the last thing anyone wanted was the constant attacks typical of Qeynos or the Elven and Dwarven city-states on Faydwer. The scream got louder as he caught site of the girl. The orc had her trapped against the mountains. Varlon became angry with himself. He was to far away to save the girl. She was a cute little Elven girl too. He cursed the orcs. He watched with morbid fascination as the young orc lifted his ax above his head and down toward the girl, only for the girl to dodge to the side. Something suddenly seemed to happen as the girl's hair began to darken, as she started to grow a bit taller and took on a more human appearance. In fact he thought she seemed to look like a human boy now. The orc gave a confused grunt and swung his axe again. Just like before, the boy dodged the ax, and as the ax hit the ground he sent a kick to the orc's shin. The orc roared in pain and fury as it raised its ax again. the little boy moved to dodge again, only to trip over a branch falling right in front of the orc. This time Varlon reached the orc in time. With one swift kick and the orc was left without his weapon. It turned angrily to look at Varlon. But Varlon was also angry. Angry at what the orc was going to do. He viscously attacked the small orc, just as he had planned to do to the little..... child. The orc hit the ground with a sickening thud. Seeing the orc fall the boy ran to Varlon and grabbed hold of his leg tightly. He felt the boy shift ever so slightly and looked down. He saw little Elven ears sticking out of a small messy mat of red hair tied back into a pig tail. The girl looked up to him, her small almond shaped sapphire eyes wet with tears. He picked the now girl up and wiped the tears from her eyes. Not knowing if she would even understand him, he said. "Shhh, there now, there no reason to cry, its gone. That mean orc won't hurt you. You're safe now." he said with a smile. Seeing Varlon's smile, she smiled back. Her blue eyes shining brightly, she hugged him tightly around his neck. "You're a cute little kid, you know that? So know the question is who and what exactly are you?" The girl just rest her head between his head and shoulders, sighing contentily. He chuckled to himself. "Well elf or not we can't leave you here by yourself in these woods." Together they started towards back towards Freeport. It wasn't long before he felt a shift on his shoulder. He carefully tilted his head to look at the child he was holding and just as he expected he was now holding a little human boy. He mentally shook his head. Who ever or what ever this child was, the child was spectacular. He thought perhaps the child to be an enchanter, for they would often cast spells on themselves to make other perceive them as other races. But that was just an illusion, he'd felt the child literally grow in his arms. And the child's bravery! To stand up against an orc at the child's age was incredible. Sure it was only an orc pawn, the equivalent of young orc teen. But for a child that young it must have seemed a great monstrous beast. he thought. Still to not only to fight back, but to actually hit hard enough to hurt the orc through its thick hide said a lot about this child. This child was extremely special. The first thing he would do is bring this child to the elders of the order. After reaching the guild House of the Ashen Order. He tucked the child into bed and quickly ran to academy of arcane science. It took him a while to find the section for those who trained to be enchanters. After finding it he quickly found the headmaster of that department. "Headmaster if I may have a moment of your time. I have a few questions I need to ask you." "Why yes of course, what may I do for you brother..." "Varlon" he answered quickly. "My name is Varlon. I was just had a few questions on magical illusions. How exactly do they work?" "Ah now that is a familiar question, although usually from my students not from a monk. Its somewhat hard to explain unless your versed with the use of magic." "No, no. I'm sorry I mean to say one cast a spell of illusion on themselves, is it real? Does the person actually change his form and body?" "Why no of course not, as you said its just an illusion. Yes we gets some of the abilities granted of a person like an elf's vision, but we are still the same person despite what others perceive." "So if I were to hold someone in my arms as they cast a spell of illusions I wouldn't feel a change as their body took a new form?" "Yes that is correct. That would be impossible since one does not really change form." "How difficult is it to cast these illusions spells?" "Some aren't very difficult at all. After a few years of training as an enchanter most usually learn their one or two illusions spells. While others are extremely hard to do, and must take years of study." "So no child should ever be able to cast one then?" "Of course not! Even the most simple of spells require years of training and large degree of intelligence." "I see, thank you headmaster. You have help shed a great deal of light into a situation I've recently encountered." Varlon returned to his room. The monk he had left to watch the child said he hadn't woken yet. Dismissing the monk, he began to prepare food. He was almost done making food, when he felt a pair of small arms wrap around his legs. He looked down to the curious eyes of the little elf girl. "Ah your awake! you hungry?" She nodded her head as her stomach grumbled loudly. Varlon laughed. "I guess that's a yes! Well have a seat I'll be done in a minute." He finished the food and sat down at the table. "Here you go dinner's ready." He was surprised to see her eyes light up just before she began to dig into her food with gusto. "You sure like doing that a lot don't you?" The girl continued happily eating at her food. "So what's your name?" The girl looked up "I dun know, the food was yummy can I have more please?" Varlon smiled "yes of course, here have some more." he poured her some more food, before asking her. "Why were you in the forest alone?" "I dun know. I just woke up and that icky yucky smelly ugly thing was there and then you came and rescued me!" "What about your parents?" The girl shrugged again. "I dun remember anything" "Well, how would you like a place to stay? If you want you can stay here with me." "Can I? "Of course, but you're going to need a name." "Hmm....." he said visibly trying to think. "What about Aeril?" Varlon suggested. She nodded approvingly and held out her plate again. "Can I have more?" Varlon laughed aloud. "Sure you can. You one hungry little one aren't you? You can have as much as you'd like. This is your home now. " ***** From that day on, Varlon took care of him raising him like his own child. He called for headmaster Tolan to see if he could explain Aeril's strange change. But after witnessing it a few times he could no sooner explain it than Varlon. The only thing he did notice is that the change usually happened during emotional times. Varlon noticed that Aeril would change into a girl during times of extreme emotion especially happiness or sadness. When he started training Aeril in the ways of being a monk, he found the boy a natural. He took to the art like a fish to the sea. Varlon also noticed that he would usually take his male form while training. He was extremely skilled and was always the best of his class which was usually with students much older than him. But whenever some started to prove to much for him, he would usually switch over to his female side which was much more agile. He was so good that Varlon took began to take him outside the gate. Many of the young ones would come out here to hunt the large animals that would bother many of the travelers. Aeril got bored of fighting those animals and looked for something harder to fight. His answer was the small skeletons that would often appear. It was suspected they came from the cursed Nekultos forest, home of the insidious Dark Elves. It was a well known fact that due to the dark magics of that forest, many undead roamed tt forest. So much that now even the Dark elves themselves would hunt them. Often some of those skeletons would wander away from the forest into the commanlands and into Freeport. Many of the young would be adventures would often take the mantle of protecting there home from the undead. Aeril also took to the hunting of undead. He hoped to one day get good enough to try to earn his white training sash, which would make him an official member of the ashen order. One early spring day when he and Varlon were returning to the city from fighting off some of the large animals, they noticed a large commotion near the west gates. When they got there they found several guards arguing with a large ogre. To Aeril he was the largest person he'd ever seen. Heedless to the danger Aeril ran up to the ogre to take a closer look. "Look Varlon what is it?" The ogre turned to look at the small boy. "Stay away from him Aeril, that's an ogre. Ogre's are very mean and like doing bad things to children. Let the guards take care of him." The excitement was too much for him and he turned into a girl. "But he's so big! He's even taller than you." The ogre's eye's went wide when he saw the change. "Is you boy?" he said to her. The girls eye's brightened. The tall ogre thing was talking with her "Hi! I'm Aeril! And this is my pappa, Varlon. What's your name?" The ogre was going to say something, but noticed the looks the other were giving him especially Varlon. "Me is Bomba the Big! Me uh wants to uh live here. No like living in Oggok, is smelly and food is bad! Me want sell to eat good food." "We know the kinds of food, you'd like to eat ogre. You're not welcome here. You and your kind have ruined your own lands, you'll not ruin ours!" "Please Mr. Let Bomba stay! He's a nice ogre! He won't hurt anyone watch!" Aeril ran and jumped on the ogre, grabbing onto his legs. "Aeril! No don't!" Varlon yelled out, but it was to late. The ogre quickly picked him up. He was about ready to attack the stupid beast, scared of what it might to do to his child. But instead of the many things he had thought, the ogre put the child behind is head, as if he were going to give her a piggy back ride. "Wow! I can see so far from up here! Can we keep him?" wrapping her little arms around his neck, giving him a big hug. Varlon looked at the ogre for a second. When she hugged him, his face changed for a second. Now he had fought ogre's many time. In his opinion the lot of them were stupid beasts. He had seen many emotions show on an ogre's face. From anger, hate, and rage. But his face held none of that. It was a soft look one similar to look one has when they remember a fond memory. He saw both happiness and sadness in the ogre's face. The ogre noticed Varlon looking at him and he quickly picked the child up and placed him back on the ground. "Bomba stay here, and eat good food." "Please! Please! He's a nice ogre!" Aeril pleaded to Varlon he said "Please! Pretty please!" Varlon sighed. "I'm sorry, but it not my decision! The guards are the one who have to decide." "Absolutely not! We can't have your kind around here!" Aeril got mad and became a boy again. he ran to the guard and kicked him in the shin. "Aeril! That was uncalled for!" Varlon said scolding him. "But its not fair! All he wants is food and a nice place to stay. What happened to all that talk of peace and love! He's a nice ogre! If he wanted to be mean he woulda done something mean. But he walked up to the gate and asked permission. Why must you be so mean to him? What has he done to be treated so mean?" Tears came to his eyes switching him to a girl as she became sad. "Why can't you give him a chance? Please let him stay? Please? He's a nice ogre!" The guards looked at each other. They had all come to love Aeril. The sometimes boy sometimes girl was full of passion. He would often bring the guards lunch or some small trinket. Malin, the guard he kicked earlier, could remember the day Aeril came to the gate dragging a great sword. The sword itself taller than the boy, but he pulled it by himself refusing anyone's help. It took the boy a great deal of time, but when he finally reached the gate he proudly presented the sword to him as a gift to help protect the city. Malin felt touched. The sword was old and thoroughly rusted, but how could he refuse the boy. He had dragged it all the way to the gate, just to give it to him. Just like before he found it hard to deny the boy turned girl. Most people thought of the city militia as corrupted and evil. He saw the way many of the city's clerics and paladins would glare at him as they past. He could not help that militia leaders were corrupted, he joined the militia to help protect the city. Could the boy have been right? Could this be a rare ogre? "Please" the girl continued "I'll bring him food if you want. I'll even feed him everyday! Pretty please!" Malin looked at the ogre. "If you are what you say ogre, you may sell your wares at the city gate to who ever, might buy from you, where we can keep an eye on you. Do anything even slightly questionable and I'll personally have kick your large hide from here all the way back to Oggok." "Thank you so much Malin! I'm sorry for kicking you!" She said somewhat she Then looking at Aeril who was once again climbing the ogre he said. "Come Aeril, let the ogre set up his shop. We still have more training to do." "Ok Varlon. Bye Boomba I'll bring you some food later!" As they walked away Boomba looked after the child and plopped down heavily on the ground just outside the city gate and set up camp. And made a small booth so he could sell his few wares. Time went by and Boomba sat outside the gate feeling miserable. He had yet to sell a single thing. But true to his word Aeril, brought him food everyday. Boomba watched him as he fought. He saw the boy fight the skeletons everyday, and admired his skill as a fighter. While the rest of the children fought rats and snakes, this child fought skeletons. He was proud of the boy, and quite fond of him. Not only did he feed him everyday, since no one else would even so much as talk with him, but all the boy gave him all the loot he received from killing the skeletons. Within a few months Boomba already had a large collection of rusty weapons and several sets of tattered clothing. But for all his wares he still hadn't had a single customer. That all changed after a late day in the fall. He was preparing to pack his wares when he saw a young boy out chasing after a skeleton. At first he thought it might have been Aeril, but the boys hair wasn't in the familiar pigtail Aeril had. He was about to ignore the boy and put his stuff away when he noticed a large orc sneaking up on the boy. The large ogre took off running toward the boy. One of the guards seeing the ogre running toward the boy, thought he was running out to hurt him. He called for reinforcements and ran after the ogre. With his sword in hand he swung at the ogre leaving a gash in his massive arm. The ogre screamed in pain and swung at the guard. The blow caught him directly in the gut, driving the wind out of him. A scream caught both of there attention. They both looked up to see the large orc beating on the boy. He attempted to run but the orc knocked him down. Boomba began to run toward the boy. His large muscled legs got him to the boy in no time. The orc was to busy beating on the child to notice the large ogre, so when the first blow came he was completely taken by surprise. One kick from the ogres large foot pushed the orc back ten feet landing roughly on his butt. Not giving him a chance to stand the ogre slammed his large fist into him again and again. Finally satisfied the orc would do no one any harm again he turned back to the boy. In the time it took him to kill the ogre he noticed several guards surrounding the boy. Guard Malin was there, looking extremely worried. Seeing the large ogre they parted. The ogre knelt down next to the boy and began chanting and suddenly the boy was covered in a blue aura. One of the guards was about to stop him when Malin stopped him. "Stop it damn you. Don't you see he's healing him. He's my son, let him heal him." Boomba stood after a few minutes. "He good now. Need sleep. He tough warrior, he live and fight tomorrow. Boomba go sleep now." The next day when Aeril came to bring Boomba food he was surprised to see a few people gathered around his booth buying and selling things. Seeing Aeril Boomba said "Boomba close now food here!" Aeril was naturally curious about why he suddenly had so much business. So Boomba told him what happened with Malin's son. "See, I knew you're a nice ogre!" "Why you always nice to Boomba?" "Because you're a big and fluffy like a teddy bear!" A strange look crossed the ogre's face and he stood up. "Boomba go sell now. Thank you for food. Me is happy boy like Boomba." Aeril stared at where Boomba had sat trying to understand why he had left. Had he insulted him? He hoped not, he liked the ogre and he didn't want to hurt his feelings. Unfortunately he didn't have much time to think about it long. For not for from where the two had sat, he saw a girl that looked similar to him when he was a girl, by the far edge of the city walls. She looked a bit older than him. He wouldn't have thought much about her, expect for the strange blue coloring of her skin. He called out to her, but when she noticed him, she took off running. He looked around worried that an orc may be around, but saw nothing. When he turned back to her, he saw her suddenly disappear near one of the walls. He ran to the section of the wall where she disappeared, but couldn't see any hole or anything unusual. In fact he checked several times, but could not find the girl at all. Seeing as how his day was ruined he glumly walked back home, turning into a girl on the way. Varlon saw her enter and asked what was wrong. "I saw a girl by the wall today but she disappeared. I looked for her all over three times, but I couldn't find her at all." Varlon laughed. "She was probably a magic user. They know many spells including spells to make them invisible." "Ah! I was hoping to talk to her. She looked just like me. With long pointy ears and beautiful dark blue skin. She was really pretty." This caught Varlon's attention "Did you say Blue Skin and pointy ears?" "Uh huh." Aeril responded. "She looked just like me except with blue skin." "Aeril, be thankful you didn't get closer to her, she was a Dark Elf. She probably made it through one of the tunnels that lead beneath the city. Who knows what she may have been up to. You must be careful with those, especially if they're spell casters." "Why is that?" "You've heard the rumors of the militia being corrupt I assume?" Aeril nodded her head. "Well they're not just rumors. It is quite true. Captain Hazran of the militia is in league with both the treacherous Dark Elf's and many of the illegal activities that go on here in Freeport." "But if its so well known, why doesn't anyone stop them?" "Because not all those involved in the militia are corrupted. Malin for an example is a good man, who's only desire is to protect the city. Many others share this belief, but the corruption is so wide and deep it is hard to tell one's allegiance. already many good and faithful militia men have been incorrectly imprisoned or killed. That is one reason the order has not taken an active hand in weeding out the militia." "Can't anything be done?" "Of course but it'll take time. We know the key leaders who are involved, but are powerless to act. We have no hard concrete proof, no witnesses willing to testify. We must also take care, less we incite a war with the Dark Elves. For there is in fact a sizable Dark Elf minority in Freeport. They often work to undermine many of our attempts to rid the corruption." "I'm actually quite surprised you have never seen a Dark Elf walking the streets. I've read reports that there are quite a number of them that live in Freeport, especially in the East Freeport, near the docks. The problem is the militia men that work that side usually pay a blind eye to them. While many citizens don't particularly like the fact that there are Dark Elves in the city, they also pay them a blind eye. "But why are Dark Elves so bad? Everyone said the same thing about Boomba, but just yesterday he saved the Malin's son's life." "There is a large difference between Dark Elves and Ogres. Most Ogres can only barely be labeled intelligent, making them similar to a dumb beast that kills to eat. They kill for food, but they also for dominance and pleasure. A Dark Elf is different. They enjoy the act of killing. They kill other people for sport, and raise them up as fowl undead. They care not for others, to them everyone else is a tool to use and be discarded when no longer necessary." "But surely not all Dark Elves are like that!" "One would think. But their culture is one of hate. They are thought to hate from birth. Innorouk the prince of hate is their chief god. Even those that choose to worship other gods have part of that evil. They've grown used to it so much, that its become their nature. There are few Dark Elves who can truly overcome their own culture." "I won't believe that. Everyone chooses what to make of their lives. Whether one is good or evil is up to each person. You have raised me to good and honorable, but I could always choose to be evil. So can someone who being raised in an evil society, Choose not to be evil." Varlon couldn't even begin to imagine his son to be anything but good. The fact that he had not only stood up for an Ogre and now for Dark Elves was proof enough to the goodness in his son's heart. Such innocence he thought, he hoped and prayed that the time would never come that he would lose that innocense. "Perhaps your right. After all you were right about the Ogre. Perhaps it is unfair to prejudge each individual Dark Elf solely based on their reputation. I can assure you though, that it would be not only foolish but reckless, not to pay the caution that their reputation deserves." "I just ask you that you be cautious. Always be alert, for Dark Elves are known for their treacherous and elaborate traps. " Aeril sighed. "Ok I promise I'll be careful." "That's all I ask. Now for the good news. Brother Braka, told me he thinks you are ready to try to earn your white training sash. Do you think you are up to it?" Aeril eyes grew wide. "Really Braka really thinks so? But I'm so young! Most of the other trainees are at least two years older than me!" "Nonsense! You're skill is unsurpassed. You show more potential for learning than anyone I know. You're skill is so great, that one day I predict I will have to go to you for training. Besides, no one knows your true age. For all you we know you could be much older. You are an elf when your female after all." "You really think I can do it?" "Of course!" He said enthusiastically. "Then I'll do it! What do I have to do?" "Braka said he wants you to slay three Orcs, and a skeleton. Just bring him back proof of your actions and you'll be given you will have earned your white sash!" "That's it? I can do that! I woulda thought I would have to do something much more difficult!" "You do realize that most of the others given the same task showed more trepidation. Still you surprise me yet again. You show such concern for Ogres and Dark Elves, yet beings asked to kill to orcs doesn't seem to bother you." "Simply put, the Orcs are at war against us. I don't think all Orcs are bad, but you can't deny that they do attack us. As monks we're supposed to try to keep the peace, but the Orcs are constantly trying to attack us. While the majority of Dark Elves may be evil, we peace treaty with them. And from what you said, its because of that treaty that humans and Dark Elves are able to live peacefully in the same city. Maybe one day instead of having human cities, Dark Elf cities, and Orc tribes, we'll just have cities where everyone can live." Varlon nodded amazed at Aeril's wisdom. "I take back what I said about someday learning from you someday. You have taught me so much, since the day I found you. I am proud to have had the chance to have you as my child." "I am glad to have been your son and daughter. I won't fail you. I'll earn my white sash and become an official member of the order." He left Varlon, eager to begin the task to earn the sash that would mark him as a member of the Ashen Order. The skeletons as usual proved to be no problem to him at all. The Orcs on the other hand were not so easy. He could take one on with a bit of effort, but Orcs didn't like to fight alone. Even when he did happen to find one by itself, more would appear making it hard for him to fight them by himself. He finally managed to kill his third Orc, when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning to see what it was he saw the Dark Elf that he saw earlier that morning. She was a tall, just a few inches taller than his girl form. She had short dark hair, indigo skin, and a long red robe similar to what young magic users in Freeport wore. Her long blue ears twitched for a second and she turned to face him. Her almond brown eyes met his for a moment. Neither moved. Both were transfixed staring at each other, until a loud cry of "Someone get the guards! There's a Dark Elf over here!" was heard snapping them both out of their stupor. She hissed something under her breath and took off running. The Orc body forgotten, he got up and chased after her. "Wait! Don't run!" he called after her. She turned her head back to look at him for a second before stopping. He noticed her making strange motions and saying something, but he couldn't quite make out what she was saying. Suddenly he saw a light surround him. He suddenly felt like he got the wind kicked out of him. He tried to breath but it was like there was something constricting him, not allowing him to breath as deeply as he would normally. He tried to say something to her, but he was to short winded to speak. He looked up at her. She looked at him for a moment, before looking to where the voice of others running their way could be heard. She scowled and took off running away from the city into the commonland lands. A group of about three youths just a few years older than him reached him just as he was starting to breath normally again. "Are you ok Aeril?" asked the girl in the lead. "Ya I'm fine Kairel, I just lost my breath that's all." He'd known Kairel for a long time. They were actually somewhat good friends. They'd met long ago just a few months after Varlon had adopted him. "Lost your breath?" a boy next to her asked. "Ya I was trying to catch up to her, when she stopped and tried to say something. I couldn't quite understand what she was saying, but I suddenly saw this weird light and I started having trouble breathing. "You half breed ninny, she cast a spell on you!" "Kairel kicked the other boy. "Shut up Tohic. My brother married an elf. I won't stand for any talk like that, especially to or about Aeril." Tohic rolled his eyes and shook his head, but wisely stayed quite. Aeril had known Tohic also for quite some time, but unlike Kairel, Tohic was usually quite mean. The other boy who he didn't know spoke up. "He's right. Err at least on the part of her attacking him." "Why would she attack me?" "Talk about dense! She's a Dark Elf, what other reason does she need? You're lucky she's weak, or you would have been dead long before we found you." "Tohic what are you talking about, and how would you know if she was weak or not?" The other boy said. "Easy Yetin. The fact that she couldn't kill a little kid like Aeril is proof she's weak. If she was stronger she would have killed him before running away." "Tohic I'm warning you!" Kairel said in an angry voice. "Aeril may be young, but he could still beat you up with both hands tied behind his back blindfolded." "I doubt it, even if he does turn into an elf wench." he was about to say more except, he was now feeling a shortness of breath due to his cousins metal plated knee implanting itself into his stomach. "I warned you Tohic" Kairel stated angrily. "Aeril is my friend. Next time you say something like that about him again, or I promise to aim a bit lower." "That's ok Kairel, I you don't have to try to protect me from Tohic." "Oh how novel! He actually knows how to act like a man. I didn't think you knew how, seeing as how your always acting like a girl. Its because of your girlish tantrums that there's a potentially dangerous Ogre living within our walls. What an Ogre wasn't good enough for you? Do you want to bring Dark Elves into our city too?" Kairel was about to keep her promise when Aeril stopped her. "Don't waist your time Kai, Tohic's just jealous cuz they won't let him take the test for the white sash yet." "You're only being allowed to take it cuz your daddy is a trainer and you're daddy's little Girl." He said adding venom to his voice. "Is there a point you're trying to make Tohic? I already know I've had not only more, but better training than you. That my father pushes me to be the best I can be, shows that he loves me. Unlike someone else, who's father left him before he was even born." Tohic became so angry he lashed out, but each and every attack was dodged. "Were you trying to swat a fly or hit me? Cuz the way your swinging, I'm not really sure if you can do either!" Tohic got even angrier and started attacking wildly. Deciding to have a little fun, Aeril decided to show him all his open spots by poking him lightly. "Hey watch over here you're leaving yourself open. No, no! Now you left this open. Guard up! Are you sure you learned to fight from the Ashen Order? Cuz it looks more like you picked up your fighting by watching young girls play with dolls." With a howl of rage Tohic charged him leaving himself completely open. Aeril took advantage of that easily dodging the blow and knocking his opponent down on his back. He then followed with a lethal blow straight to Tohic's throat stopping just a hair short of actually connecting. The others watching gasped thinking he was going to actually do it. But Aeril smiled at Tohic turning into a girl in the process. "Like I said if you ain't careful your gonna get yourself killed!" With a final smile, she stood up and took a few steps away from him. Tohic stood up scowling at Aeril. "I'm leaving Kairel, are you coming?" She shook her head. "No thanks, I'll let you go sulk by yourself. Yetin and I will stay here with Aeril." Tohic angrily turned and stomped away. The three of them could only laugh. "I'm sorry Aeril." Kai said apologetically. "I'm sorry to say he's my cousin." "Its okay Kai, it's not your fault. Varlon's his trainer, he says he's always like this. So anyway who's the new friend?" "I'm sorry, I didn't have the chance to introduce myself earlier I'm Yetin." "Yetin this is my friend aeril. I've known him since his Varlon, his adopted father, found him. They live close to my house, three houses down in fact. Aeril this is Yetin. He's a mage from the Academy of Arcane Science. He's my partner for a quest I've been assigned to." "Oh wow a quest? What kind?" Aeril asked excitedly. "Well you know Garlan right? I'm sure you do, after all he's the monk's master tailor. Well he's in need of some Greater Lightstones to make some Wu armor. When I went to sign up Yetin was there also so we decided to go together." "Where do you get them?" Aeril asked. Yetin answered and said. "From willowisps, its the part that produces their glow. Unfortunately most lightstones lose most or all of their brilliance when the wisp dies. Which means caution must be taken in killing them, or you can damage the lightstone. But considering the wisps are not even a foot tall, its very hard to damage the lightstone." "My dear cousin hoped I would pledge to give him one. I don't know how he expects us to bring him one, when getting our own is going to be hard enough." "So where are you going to find these willowisps?" Aeril asked. "They're supposed to be fairly common in the Commonlands, especially in the province of West Commons near Kithicore." Responded Yetin. "So what are you doing?" asked Kai. "Oh I'm just trying to finish off my test for the white sash. In fact I just completed it when I killed that ... oh no I forgot all about the Orc I killed. I'm supposed to kill three Orcs and bring back proof, but when the Dark Elf showed up I forgot all about it. Now I'm going to have to kill another one." "We can help you if you'd like. There's still some time before Yetin and I have to leave. We'd be glad to help you." "Thanks for the offer, but id rather just do this by myself." "Alright well good luck, I'm sorry I won't be there to see your induction." "Its ok Kai, you two be safe and good luck to you!" Aeril said as he waved bye to them. It didn't take Aeril long to find and defeat another Orc. On the same day as the quest was given to him, he had successfully finished it. A spectacular first considering the quest given to him was more difficult than the ones given to the other recruits. It was quite an event, many from all around Freeport came to witness it. Even the Ogre Boomba had come to see it, although in the back carefully monitored by the guards. From that day on, Aeril could be seen daily outside the Ashen Order guild hall practicing daily, or patrolling the roads leading to the western provinces of the Commonlands and the Southern provinces Ro. So common was it, that Varlon found it somewhat strange not to find his son on his way back to Freeport. Upon reaching the gate, he was going to ask Malin, when he heard Aeril's voice coming from above him. Varlon looked up, and to his amazement Aeril was high on the city wall inching toward a small white cat with little ribbons. As he reached for the scared cat it scratched his hand, momentarily filling him with fear and panic. He felt himself starting to lose his balance, and lunged for the cat. Everyone who was watching gasped as the boy dove, grabbing the cat only to fall from the top of the 30 foot wall. Varlon was about to run to save his child, when he felt a large hand on his shoulder. He glanced behind him and saw the large Ogre shake his head. He quickly looked back to his son who to everyone's great amazement, began twisting in the air doing a beautiful double backtuck and landing perfectly on his feet. He walked toward a small girl in the crowd and handed her the unharmed, but slightly dizzy cat. "Here you go Ulia. Make sure she doesn't do that again, I might not be around to save her." Ulia nodded weakly still amazed at what she saw, before running of towards her home. He laughed and looked up to see his Varlon, who seeing his son rushed to him. "Aeril are you alright?" "Ya Ulia said her cat got lost and I found it on the wall. Don't know how it got there. I had to get Boomba to help me get up there." "What cat do?" Boomba asked. "Nothing actually, it barely scratched me." "Then what happened. What made you lose your balance then?" "To tell you the truth, it was kinda weird. I just suddenly got really scared of the cat. I can't really explain it, it was almost like a memory actually." "Boy try be catlord? Same happen to many Ogre Beast Lords. Ogre's throw in pit with many bear. Till learn to control bear or die. Many come out scared. To Ogre fear like death. Trainer kill." "I don't think that happened to me. Definately not since Varlon became my father. I don't know anything before that, but either way it doesn't really matter. I don't really care what happened before then." "You no want know real parents?" "Varlon is my father." He said resolutely. "But Aeril, don't you want to know who your real parents are? The ones who gave birth to you. Don't you want to know your real name, or why you change race and sex?" "No! I don't want to know. I don't care, and even if my parents were Antonius Bayle and Firiona Vie I still wouldn't care. I am Aeril, child of Varlon, member of the Ashen Order of Freeport. I don't care about the people who gave birth to me and then abandoned me!" Both Varlon and Boomba were speechless. In all the time that Varlon knew Aeril, he had never seen him so upset. For eight years Aeril had been a source of happiness to all who knew him, for nothing ever truly angered him or made him overly upset. In fact the angriest he ever remembered him was when the guards didn't want to let Boomba stay in the city. Feeling unsure of what to do, he just stared as his son turned and ran from them into the city. He felt a large hand on his shoulder. He turned to look at the Ogre. "Boomba had son. Strong fighter. Come. Drink and Boomba tell story." Seeing Varlon hesitant to go anywhere except after his son Boomba said. "Come. Boy need think. He come back. Come drink with Boomba." Varlon sighed. He felt so unsure of what to do. Aeril had never given him even the smallest problems in the seven years he had raised him. Should he leave him be or goto him. Varlon looked into the city. He had no idea where to find him. Freeport was a large city. He decided the Ogre was probably right, and after much deliberation took him up on his offer. Unseen to everyone a figure in a dark brown travelers robe watched with interest. It followed when Aeril left, carefully keeping up with the him. Aeril ran to top of the theater close to guild hall of the Ashen Order. He was sitting there thinking when, he heard a noise behind him. He turned his head and saw the hooded figure. He could easily tell she was female, even though she kept the hood low over her head. "I saw what you did for that little girl, it was... quite impressive." His head shot towards her. The voice seemed extremely familiar, but yet he couldn't recognize it. "Do I know you?" "I seriously doubt it, this is my first time here in Freeport. I come from the west. I was about to enter the city when I saw the crowd gathering and decided to see what had gotten their attention. You must really like that little girl to risk your life for her." "Oh you mean Ulia? I actually don't know her very well. She doesn't live to far away from me. But I was walking the streets and I saw her crying by the gates so I asked her what was wrong and she told me. So I decided to help." "So why are you here? Aren't you a hero? Yet ran away. Why?" "I had a fight with my father." "Ahh I see. What did you fight about?" "Nothing." "Ahh yes, I should have known. I always run away from my parents to sulk about nothing. I feel so silly. I almost thought it had something to do with you not wanting to see the people who abandoned you, like you shouted." Aeril narrowed his eyes. "Who are you? And why should you care?" She slowly reached up and removed her hood. Elven ears peaked out beneath her short reddish brown hair. "Because my birth parents left me to die about eight years ago too. So I know some of what you feel. I know what its like to have been abandoned. He stared at her for a moment. He noted her ears while elven were smaller then his own as an elf. Her young face while elven had a rugged human quality to it. She was also much taller than his elf form, being more head taller. It amazed him how different the Half Elf looked compared to the way he looked like as an Elf. Sadly he said "I'm sorry to hear that. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. My name is Aeril." He looked at her curiously for a minute, before realization came to her. "Oh I'm sorry. My name is Krynalia, but call me Kryn." "Come over and sit down Kryn. You have an excellent view of the floating Academy of Arcane Science from here. It's the second best view in all of Freeport. Only thing better is the temple of Marr in the North Freeport. Isn't it beautiful?" Indeed it was. The marble structure floated nearly 25 feet in the air, under it a lake the size of its base. Nearly everyone in the West Freeport could see it. She nodded her head in agreement. "I haven't seen much of it yet, but this seems like a good city." "Oh it is. It's the best city in Norrath!" "My aren't we boastful?!" "Wana tour? I can prove it?" She smiled at him "Certainly I'd love a tour." They began walking around the city. Aeril played the part of tour guide perfectly. Pointing out all the area's of interest in Freeport, which was quite a lot. "So tell me a little about Freeport." "Well uh, its got more people than any other city in the world. Its so big they divided it into three parts. North Freeport, East Freeport, and West Freeport, where we are right now. I think Qeynos has more land than us, but we still got a lot of territory. Everything from West Commons down to the Oasis of Marr is owned by Freeport." Kryn nodded her head looking slightly impressed. "I see that is pretty big. And they say the human empire fell long ago! Between Freeport and Qeynos, humans control nearly all of Antonica." Aeril shrugged. "I guess. So, uh where did you come from? Only thing I know to the west is Rivervale and High Hold Keep." "I'm actually from the forest that separates them." "You're from Kithicor?" He said in shock. "Varlon's told me of Kithicor. He said powerful undead roam the forest like people roam the streets of Freeport during the festival of Marr!" Now Kryn had never even heard of this festival of Marr. But knowing that the Marr twins were the principle deities worshiped in Freeport and with the size of the already crowded streets, she guessed quite correctly that it must be an Incredible number of people roaming the streets then. "Well maybe not that many, but the undead indeed make it very dangerous to travel at night in that part of the forest." "Weren't you scared?" "I was as a child, but there are many who hunt the undead and the other creatures that invade the forest.. They kept us safe. Then again my mother is a powerful wizardess, what child would need to fear anything when their mother could destroy anything foolish enough to want to do harm to her family with just a few words and gestures?" "Ya that's true. I felt the same way after Varlon rescued me from that Orc when I was younger. I was probably no more than a child, but at seven even the smallest Orcs look huge and monstrous. When he picked me up, it was like I suddenly wasn't scared anymore. He's taken care of me since, taught me all I know, despite all the problems I've made for him." "Its sounds like you love him very much." "I do! He's my father!" "Then why run from him?" "Because.... they were talking about finding my real parents. They deserted me. Why should I care about them." "Is that what's really bothering you?" "What do you mean?" From personal experience, I think having your adopted parents talking about finding your birth parents is making you scared. "Why would that make me scared?" "Because it makes you start asking questions yourself questions you didn't want to ask. Like why did they leave me? Do they even remember me? Did they ever care? Or questions like do I have any siblings? If so, How many? Are they older? younger? Both? Why then did they abandon me and not them? Or maybe they didn't mean to abandon me. What if I was taken from them? Or maybe something or someone forced us apart. All those and more. And then there's the question that scares you the most. "Will my adopted parent still want you after they find your birth parents?" Aeril looked at her in shock. "How... how did you ...?" Kryn laughed. "Don't tell me you already forgot I said I was adopted too. I've been through this all years ago. My parents began to wonder about my birth parents too. I was scared they didn't want me anymore either. Scared they too wanted to abandon me. They didn't of course. They were just trying to do what they thought was the best for me. I'm sure that's why your father wants to also. So that you can find the answer to those questions instead of letting them haunt you." Aeril sighed. "Ya I guess your right." "Of course I'm right. They took us in to their homes . Unwanted children, left in the forest to die at the hands at the hands of the undead or the savage Orcs who roam it. They took upon them the burden of having to raise someone else unwanted child. No one forced them to do it, they did it because they wanted to." "I.. Your right! Thank you! I think I should probably go find Varlon and apologize. Will you come with me? You can stay for dinner." "No, no I must go. Its getting late. I must meet my mother, If I'm late she won't be happy. But I thank you for the tour of the city, Aeril. Perhaps we'll meet again. Until then." "Good bye Kryn. Come over anytime. My house is close to the theater we were at. I go there quite often. Stop by anytime ok." "I will. Now I must hurry if I'm to meet my mother. Good day to you Aeril." Waving goodbye one final time, Aeril ran to his home to apologize to Varlon. But when he arrived, he was surprised to see Varlon wasn't there. He waited several hours, but Varlon never returned. He was about to go look for him, when he heard a knock on the door. He rushed to open the door. He was surprised to see his trainer Braka. "Master Braka! Hello! Please come in." "Why thank you Aeril. I heard of what you did today." Thinking of the fight with Varlon, he bowed his head. "I'm sorry sir." "Sorry?! Sorry about what? I'm the one who should apologize. I've underestimated you because of your age. I tried to go easy on you, but your performance today has opened my eyes. I've been in fact slowing you down instead of helping you." Aeril was confused "huh? What do you mean?" "The way you broke your fall after you saved that girls cat. Let me tell you, I couldn't have done a better job in my younger days. And I grew up in the mountains of High Hold Keep. As of right now, we are starting your training to earn the yellow sash." "Sir?" he said his eyes going wide. "You heard, get dressed and meet me outside the guild hall. We'll be training every day and night from now until your ready to begin to take the test." "Yes sir! I'll get ready right away." "I'll meet you there." Aeril got ready quickly and ran to the guild hall. It was a long and tiring training. He pushed his body to its limits, yet he felt he could continue on longer. When Braka was ready to finish, Aeril asked for them to continue. Braka could hardly tell the boy no, so they continued to train. It was late at night when Braka was finally to tired to continue. Aeril returned home. Noting that Varlon still had not returned. That night he slept alone for the first time in seven years." Aeril awoke the next morning when the front door opened. Varlon walked in somewhat unsteadily. "Varlon are you ok?" "That depends on your definition of being ok. I should have known better than to trust that Ogre! What was I thinking going drinking with an Ogre! Not very strong he says. HA! That was the strongest alcohol I've ever had. Pardon me Aeril, I'm going to sleep right now." Aeril was extremely confused. Varlon had gone drinking with Boomba? He never even knew his father drank alcohol. He quietly got dressed and left for the west gate, where Boomba would normally be. He was actually quite surprised. Boomba was there, but several guards like Malin weren't there. Seeing Boomba wasn't very busy he went up him to find out what happened. "Hey Boomba!" "Hello boy! Is Varlon good?" "I'm not sure, he came in this morning rambling about alcohol or something like that. He said he was with you. What happened?" "He drink real beer! He, Boomba, Malin and other guard drink real beer last night." "Why were you drinking? I've never even seen him drink any alcohol before." "After fight, Varlon come with Boomba. Boomba talk about past. When Boomba had son. We talk long, then we see Malin and he come too. We all talk and we drink. Both no Ogre, so drink too much. Boomba make bed, so no feel bad when wake. Both good drinker for humans! Hahahaha. Boy want drink too?" "No thanks! I'm going to see if I can find Kryn. I'll bring you some food later Boomba. Bye!" He ran back to the theater. Seeing her not there he walked around some of the places they walked the day before. After an hour he gave up, and went back to his duties along the trade routes. He walking towards the south gate in East Freeport, when movement fast movement caught his eye. There he saw four figures running quickly towards the outer city walls. He recognized one of them as a Dark Elf, so he ran there way. He made it to the place where they suddenly disappeared. Looking around he saw no door. He touched the wall in front of him and was shocked when it went through it. He stepped through the wall, and into a large dark cave. It was hard to see, but he continued. After a few steps his body reacted to the darkness and shifted forms. As a girl she could see much better in the dark. Not far she reached an intersection. She was about to left when she heard a voice from the right. She followed the right wall figuring that to be the safest way to remember how to get back. Just as she reached another intersection a she made out a figure coming from the right. She was tall, long pointy ears, and was looking at the ground talking to herself. "You shouldn't walk with your head to the ground, you might end up getting hurt." Her head shot up at her. He recognized her immediately, even if it was a bit dark. It was the Dark Elf she had seen a while back. Aeril took a step toward her, when she hissed at her and stepped back. The Dark Elf quickly began to cast a spell. Aeril didn't have much of a chance to say much more, as she was suddenly starting to choke. "Stop *cough* I *cough*" was all she managed to say. She felt a tingly feeling run up and down her spine, and on instincts moved out of the way of the path of a sword. She looked at the sword that just swung at her and to her surprise there was no one holding it. The sword and a shield were floating there in midair. She didn't have much more time to examine it as it suddenly swung at her again. She felt a pinching feeling from her lungs. It was getting hard to breath. She looked at the girl, and it appeared like she was casting another spell. A green light glowed eerily around Aeril, making her feel very weak. She realized that if she didn't defend herself, she would most likely die in the city sewers. The animated sword and shied attempted another strike. She began to dodge, but another fit of coughing cost her as the sword hit grazed her shoulder. Aeril got angry. The Dark Elf didn't even wait for her to talk and explain, she just attacked. Aeril angrily turned back to her male form, eliciting a started gasp from his attacker. He still felt weakened from the all the spells she cast on him, but in his male form he was stronger. But the gain in strength cost him, as now it was nearly pitch black. He wouldn't have been able to see a thing if the Dark Elf wasn't radiating some kind of light. He looked at the attacking sword and shield but couldn't find a good way to fight something incorporeal. So giving up on the distraction, he focused on the source of it. She started to run away, deeper into the tunnels. He ran after her. His body turned female so she could see better, but she didn't stay that way for a long time as they soon made it outside. After becoming adjusted to the light, his body became male again. He followed quickly after her, while the animated sword and shield followed after him. He chased her past the walls of Freeport until they were in the Commonlands. He could tell by the direction she was running, that she was trying to make it the Nektulos Forest. They ran for quite some time, before Aeril caught her just outside Nektulos Forest. He grabbed her tightly. He winced as his hand was burned, but held on. "Why did you attack me." "What was I supposed to do, stand there and let you kill me." "Why would I have killed you?" "You were an elf and you chased the others into the tunnels. Then you sneak up on me making a comment that I should have watched where I was going so I wouldn't get hurt." "What does that have to do with anything? I was simply giving you some advice." "You must be stupid! If someone sneaks up to you in a dark tunnel what do you think they're intentions are?" "Ok I guess I wasn't thinking. Look I'm sorry. I just saw you and I was curious. I wanted to talk to you the first time we met, but you ran away. Now when I try again, you attack me and run away again. Must I burn my hand every time I wish to speak with you?" "Let go of me and you won't have to burn your hand." "But if I do that you might run away again." "What do you intend to do with me?" "I just want to talk. Is there something so wrong about that?" "Let go of me then!" She snapped in at him before quickly calming herself down. In much calmer voice she said. "Let go, and then perhaps we'll talk." Having taken enough pain, he let go of her. His arm felt like it he had just placed his hand in an oven. "Now will you talk?" "Fine, if you are so insistent on talking talk." she said exasperated. "Well, uhm well why where you in Freeport?" "That's none of your business!" She said angrily. "Well, umm how about we start of simple. My name is Aeril. What's yours?" He said smiling at her and extending his hand to her. "Again none of your business." She said ignoring his hands. "What's wrong with you? I'm just trying to nice and talk a little. If it talking to me bothers you so much fine just go. Forget I even bothered trying. Maybe I shoulda just listen to what everyone else said. Good bye." She watched as he angrily turned away and started walking back to Freeport. She started to walk into the forest but stopped. She stood there for a moment before turning around yet again. Sighing deeply she said. "Stop! I'll tell you my name. Its Maji." He was quite shocked. He hadn't expected her to do that. Smiling he turned around to talk to her, but she was in the midst of casting a spell. He didn't have much time to say anything, because she suddenly disappeared. Staring at his blistered hand he sadly walked back to Freeport lost in his thoughts. It was late when he returned. The pain in his hand had gone away a long time ago, but to him it still felt fresh. It did no real physical damage other than a few blisters, still it stung with a pain he had never felt before. His musing were interrupted by a loud shout. "Boy! Is you!" Hearing the familiar sound of the Ogre, he remembered his promise of bringing him food. he thought. "I'm over here Boomba! Sorry for not bringing you lunch. I got majorly distracted. Boomba looked at him before asking in what sound like a worried voice. "Boy ok? Boomba see boy chase Dark Elf. Boomba try to help, but Boomba see flying sword and shield case boy. Boomba stop flying sword, but boy far. Boomba no can catch." "Ya I'm ok. That stupid sword nicked my shoulder, and my hand stings but I'm ok." "let me see shoulder." Aeril ripped the already torn cloth around his left shoulder. The cut wasn't deep, and was mostly healed already. But Boomba put his hand on his shoulder. He said a few words magical words and his hand turned blue. It was only after his shoulder was healed, that he realized how much it actually hurt. "Thank you Boomba. That feels sooooo much better." "Varlon looking for boy. No tell about fight with Elf, but Varlon still worried." "Oh no! Thanks Boomba. I'll bring you dinner tonight promise!" It didn't take Aeril long to make it to his house. Varlon was pacing nervously about. He turned to the door when he heard it open. "Aeril!" He cried out. Running to the door and embracing his son. "I've been so worried. Are you ok? I heard there was some commotion by the gates today." "Ya I'm ok. I found a bunch of Dark Elves sneaking into the city and ran after them." "Dark Elves! Aeril you said you would be careful. Chasing after a bunch of Dark Elves is not being careful." "I know, I'm sorry." He said apologetically. "Well that ok. I'm sorry too. About yesterday that is. Its just there's so many questions. I never knew how strongly you felt. I had so many questions, I thought you would too." "Its ok. I shouldn't of run off like that. It was rude and disrespectful. I do have lots of questions. but after talking with Kryn, I realized I was scared too. Scared that if you found my birth parents, that you would leave me with them." "That's the last thing I'd ever want to do. It might be a good idea for to spend some time with them, but only as long as your comfortable. You've only been my son seven years, but if feels like I've raised you your entire life." "I remember when I first found you, I could hardly get you to talk. Now your all grown up and I can hardly get you to be quiet! Haha! You've grown so much, but who's this Kryn you spoke of?" "Oh I met her yesterday, after I ran off. She's really nice, she just moved here from Kithicor." Varlon's eyes widened. "Wow, what a place to live. It's a wonder she's alive." "Ya, that's what I thought so too. But she's nice. Tall for a Half Elf. She's almost as tall as me as a guy. I gave her a small tour of the city." "A tour? Was there any other reason for touring her around Freeport other than to show her around?" He laughed seeing his son's confused look. "Never mind, you'll understand when your older." "What do you mean older? I'm not a kid anymore!" "Yes, I know that. Its just that in some things you seem to different than most kids your age. I think it might be due to your Elven side. Half Elves are known to mature a bit slower than most humans, and while your not exactly a 'Half Elf' your still technically at least half Elf." "So you think my Elf side is causing me to be different?" "No no. You make it sound like a disease. Being Elven is part of who and what you are. Just like being human is part of what both you and I are. If you take away your Elven traits, you wouldn't be the same person." "What are these Elven traits in me?" "Well for example, the way you broke your fall yesterday, or your extreme dedication to your beliefs and your duties. Most humans your age, are not nearly as dedicated and focused as you. And other things like your seeming carefree attitude. You jump on the backs of Ogre's and chase Dark Elves all day. Not to mention your skill. Every one knows that Elves live longer than humans, perhaps you had already learned that before. While I imagine you to be 14, you could be 140, which for an Elf would still make you a child." "140!!! a child?!?" "Yes Elves lives hundreds of years. A thousand year old Elf isn't that grand a thing. Didn't you know that?" Aeril shook his head. "I just thought Elves were short, pointy eared, more agile and with red vision." "Red vision?" "Ya, its weird. Things start becoming red, when it gets dark. It easier to see things that way though. I never thought much about it until today. When I was in the tunnels. My body just kinda switched for me so I could see better." "Oh I see. I've heard of that before. Elves and some of the other races have much better vision that we do. Aeril, may I make a suggestion of you?" "Sure! What is it?" "Well, how would you like to take a vacation?" "A vacation? Wow really? That would be great." "I was thinking that perhaps we could make a trip to Faydwer. I think you might benefit from having an Elven teacher. Someone who can teach you the basics of being an Elf, or at least a part Elf." "Faydwer!!! That's a long trip! What about my training? Braka said he wants to train with me day and night until I'm ready to take the test for the yellow sash." "Really! I'm impressed. He hadn't wanted to rush you, what brought about this sudden change?" "The gate thing I guess. We were practicing till late last night. He gave me today off, though I think it was more for him to recover than me." "Well I see, hmm that does put a damper in my plans. Well you've gone this long, I'm sure you can go a bit longer with out knowing. What do you say about leaving after you've completed the test for the yellow sash? That gives us some time still to prepare for such a long journey. Besides don't forget I too am a trainer. You can bet your training will not suffer while we go on this trip." "Well, alright since you think, its for the best. I mean I guess there are some things I should probably know. 1000 years! I can't even begin to imagine living a 1000 years!!! Anyway how about I make dinner? I promised Boomba I'd bring him lunch and I forgot so, why not make both of you food. Is there anything special you want to eat?" "No not really." "Alright I'll just whip something up." He ran to the Brownloe bakery which was just a few houses down from his own. Joshua was helping his mother bake when he arrived. "Hi Mrs. Brownloe." "Why hello Aeril, would you like some muffins? We just finished baking them?" "Thank you Mrs. Brownloe, but I was just about to prepare dinner for me and Varlon. I just came to pick up some spices and some bread." "Why sure. Let me get them for you I have them in the back. I'll be just a minute." Joshua Brownloe finished with the oven and came to the counter. "Hey Aeril what are you doing?" "Oh hey Joshua. Not much I'm just making dinner for me, Varlon , and Boomba." "The Ogre? Why are you gonna waste good food on an ogre?" "Because he's my friend. "I still don't get why you want to be friends with an Ogre. No offense, but I know your not normal due to the way change, but can't you at least try to act like a normal human being. Its just strange, humans don't go making friends with Ogres." He was about to respond to his supposed friend when Mrs Brownloe came from the back with the supplies he needed. "Here you go Aeril. Do you want to pay for it now, or later?" "I'll have to do it later, I forgot to ask Varlon for some money before I left." "Alright, I'll just add it to your debt. Have a nice day! And tell Varlon hello for me." "I will Mrs. Brownloe." Taking his supplies, he started to walk back, angry and hurt. He knew Joshua since he first started to live with Varlon. They were the same age and would often play together when they were younger. But like so many of the people he met, he had a predetermined concept of what everything is supposed to be like. He like many others had a hard time accepting things that seemed not to fit in there little bubble. This more than anything really hurt him. When he was younger the way people treated him made him feel strange and unwelcome. Because of that, he was often felt lonely, and he began to hate his dual nature. It wasn't until Varlon started teaching him the art that he began to truly feel good about himself again. The sorrow he had felt left. Instead of thinking of himself strange when he changed, he considered others strange for not being able to change. The more he studied the art, the more he realized what a blessing being able to change was for him. When he needed strength and stamina his body would provide it by becoming male, if he needed speed and agility his body would become female and Elf. Even now people still only mostly accepted him. Sure they were nice and to the casual observer, they would detect no difference between the way they treated him and any other person in Freeport. That is until he wasn't a him anymore. That's when those who before treated him so warmly and kindly, began to show there apprehensiveness to him. It seemed to him they were almost afraid that if they talked to him for a long time they too would start changing shapes. Only a handful of people in Freeport readily accepted him as both male and female. Those were Varlon his father, his trainers in the monk guild, his friend Kai, and Boomba. He wasn't actually fully sure if Boomba accepted him as both boy and girl, or just didn't really understand, since Boomba almost always called him 'boy'. But at the least it didn't seem to bother him or make him treat him any different, and that was all Aeril cared about. He had learned his lesson long ago about prejudging others. Treating others because they were different was wrong. Why should it matter if a person half male, half Elf, or full Ogre? All that matters is the person themselves. Sure he's fought and killed Orcs many times, but if the Orcs suddenly decided to stop the war and make peace, he wouldn't have the slightest objection. Isn't that what love, peace, and justice were all about? Yet how did could the people of Freeport so easily forget the three main religious ideals their city was based on?" He sighed. Taking a quick glance at the theater as he was about to walk home, when he noticed someone on top of the theater. He looked at the figure and sure enough the figure was dressed in a brown traveler's robe. He smiled to himself realizing it was Kryn. He ran to the theater and up the stairs. The girl hearing the running steps turned to the steps in alarm. Aeril saw the scared look on her face. "Oops sorry Kryn didn't mean to scare you its just me." Taking a breath to keep regain her composure she said. "You nearly scared me half to death! I thought I had done something to make the guards upset with me. Is it alright for me to be here?" "Ya sure no problem. Its only off limits if there's a play or something going on. But other than that, its ok. They won't even say anything if your up here while rehersal going on, as long as you don't get in the way or make a nuisance of yourself. So whatcha doin up here?" "Nothing I guess. I just wanted to get away and think. I made a big mess of things today. So I came here to think, its really the only place I know in Freeport." "That's what I do too. I especially like to come here when I'm having a bad day, like today. I guess where both having bad days. So why are you having a bad day?" "Amongst other things I had a fight with my father, about some personal things. It was mostly my fault, she was mostly right. But I was just so mad at the time. My mother is going to be really upset when she finds out." "I'm sorry. My bad day started this morning when I saw a few Dark Elves trying to sneak into the city. I decided to follow them and see how they got in. They apparently go in through a pair of underground tunnels. It was actually kinda cool, but it was it was super dark. You can't go very far into those tunnels without being able to even see the hand in front of your face. Luckily I changed and I was able to see better." "Changed? How were you able to see better." Aeril got a little nervous. He wasn't sure how'd she react it. It was only the second time he'd met her, but he had begun to like her quite a lot. He didn't want to his friendship with her diminished because he changed forms. But he wasn't going to lie to her, if she couldn't accept him for who he was, then so be it. "I changed forms. I became an Elf." He said looking directly into her green eyes. He couldn't read the look on her face at all. "How? Are you an enchanter or do you have some kinda of magical item." He looked at her curiously. "You believe me?" "Of course. Why wouldn't I? I could turn into a human, a Dark Elf, an Ogre, or even an Iksar if I were so inclined and had the correct magical ways of doing it. Its just a matter of how. If you're an enchanter you could easily cast a spell to change your form. Though I doubt that, since you neither wear its insignia nor do you seem the type based on yesterday's observation. So I imagine you used some kind of magical item to do it. Although I must admit I'm not aware of any item that can change its user into an Elf. But with all the magic and magic users in this world, I imagine anything that can be cast, can most likely be made into an item for later use." Aeril nodded. "Ya I suppose your right, but no I didn't use any magical item, and you were right about me not being an enchanter. I did it naturally. Its part of who I am." Now she sounded extremely skeptical. "Naturally? Now that, I find a bit hard to believe. Would you mind giving me a small demonstration for me?" "Sure I don't mind, but I'm sorry I can't." "Can't? You said you can do it naturally, why can't you?" "Because it just kinda happens. One minute Ima guy next minute ima Elf girl. I don't know how it happens, it just does. Master Tolan of the Enchanters School of Arcane Magic, thinks the trigger is based on my emotions. Which is seems to be true, but I think its more to that. Its almost like my body adapts to each situation as needed." "What do you mean adapts?" "Well like when I got to far in the tunnels that I couldn't see anymore I change and I could see better. Or if I'm fighting and I need more strength I'll become a guy. I can swim longer as a guy but faster as a girl. It just depends on what I need to do." Kryn frowned. "So you can turn into both a male, female, human and Elf?" "Not really I can only turn into a guy human and a girl Elf." "I still find it hard to believe, but for some reason I find it hard not to believe you." "You do?" "I suppose I do. I would feel more confident in my belief if I had visual proof, but yes for some reason I do believe you." "Wow! No ones ever believed me the first time I told them!" His rising enthusiasm triggered his transformation, changing him directly in view of the girl. An array of emotions flooded the girl. Shock, disbelief, anger, excitement, sadness, and most of all curiousness. "Seeing the girls expression, Aeril asked "What's wrong Kryn?" "You..... changed." Aeril looked down at herself and confirmed that she really had changed. "Oh hey, I did! Wouldn't you know it!" "You mean you didn't even realize it happened." Aeril shook her head. "Nope not anymore." "How can you not? You nearly a foot shorter! Just perspective alone should make you realize something different." "Well ya, but of course I was sitting this time. But I get what you mean. How do I explain. Its not so much as that I can't tell I've changed, its more of I'm used to the sudden change in perspective that I react automatically without thinking about doing it. Like if we were standing up, I would normally be looking slightly down, then if I suddenly changed, I would without realizing it anymore look up. It just usually takes me a bit to realize." Kryn started laughing. Aeril narrowed her eyes at her. "What's so funny?" "You are! You change both size, race AND sex, yet you don't notice. I mean everything about you changes from size, body composition, voice, hair. I'm sure I would notice. I know several enchanters who would be green with envy right now. You are indeed an intriguing person Aeril. I'm glad I decided to follow you." "You mean- you mean you don't think its weird or nothing?" "Well of course its weird. Normal people don't spontaneously change body's at the whims of their emotions. But then again weird is good. It makes you the most special person I know. Everyone has something that sets them apart from everyone else. Mine is maturity, while your's is being dual natured." "Maturity?" "Yes I'm very mature for my age. How old would you take me for?" "About 14 or 15." "Ok that's a pretty good guess. But now remember, I'm part Elven. We mature slower than humans. Most full elves don't mature to adulthood till they are in their early hundreds. Now Half Elves are different. They have human blood which makes them age much quicker than normal elves. So while a human reaches maturity about there teens most Half Elves won't reach the same maturity level till about their 20's or so. Me being about 15 am way to young to be fully considered an adult. Yet I am, both physically and mentally." Aeril was amazed. He never realized there were that many differences between Humans and Elves. "Are Elves really still kids until they're over hundred?" "Why yes of course. You mean you didn't know?" "Well sorta, Varlon mentioned it earlier, but it just seems so long!" "Yes Elves live long lives. Full Elves can naturally live anywhere between 900-1200 years old. Now that's not including magical life extension or death due to illness, accidental causes or assisted death such as murder or warfare." Aeril mouth the number 1200 several times. "Wow, will I live that long?" "I'm not sure. It all depends really." "Depends on what?" "Well answer me this. what are you really a male Human or a female Elf?" She answered in his traditional way. He shrugged his shoulders and with a laughing voice said. "Both I guess. Why do you ask? Does it matter?" "Of course it matters silly. Humans obviously live a lot shorter lives than Elves. While women live a tad bit longer than men do. For a human that difference might me about 7-10 years. For an Elf that could be anywhere between 80 - 100 years longer." "So what does that mean for me." "To tell you the truth I haven't the foggiest idea. There are too many unknown factors to calculate. It could be anywhere from 70 - 1200 for all I can tell. Anyway enough of all this boring talk, continue with your story." Aeril look confused. "What story." "You dolt!" She said laughing "The story about chasing the Dark Elves into the tunnels." "OH ya! Ok so I chased them into the tunnels, but they were far ahead of me so I lost them. But I was curious so I just started walking around, when I found this Dark Elf girl. Now this wasn't just any Dark Elf girl, I had met her before." "You knew this Dark Elf girl?" "Well I saw her twice. We didn't see her long the first time, but the second time I had a pretty good look. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to talk to her cuz we were interrupted and she ran away. So anyway, there she is walking towards me. But she wasn't paying attention where she was going so I was like 'You should watch where your going, else you may get hurt.' Well she gets all made at me and starts attacking me." "Well I'm not surprised!" "But I was just trying to be nice. Why would she attack me?" Aeril asked with a confused look on her face. "First she's a Dark Elf. Sec-" Aeril quickly interrupted her. "So what if she's a Dark Elf. Why should she attack me just because she's a Dark Elf?" "Ok quick tutorial on Dark Elf society. Dark Elves primary god is Innoruuk, the god of hate. That means most dark Elves aren't going to be the most kind or loving people you meet. Their very god puts them up against each other. Dark Elves are not given the luxury of trust. To do so could result in a well place dagger in the back. Even those who do not follow Innoruuk are forced to a degree to live as he would want them. Then again I'm sure you are somewhat familiar with this considering there is a temple to Innoruuk here in Freeport." "There is?!" Kryn sighed. "Yes, unfortunately there is. My mother teleports many people places. Some of which are humans eager to worship in the underground temple of Innoruuk. Well as I was saying, this cultural upbringing make Dark Elves edgy and suspicious." "Given what you said," she continued. "She probably thought you were going to try to kill her. Especially since you were an Elf at the time. You see all the other kind of Elves hate Dark Elves. To them Dark Elves are an abomination, the black sheep of the Elf family. My mother tells me that a band of Elves have recently teleported into Nektulos Forest. This would no doubt make the Dark Elves very edgy." "Wow! How do you know so much?" Kryn smiled. "My mother is a member of the League of Norrathian Teleporters, also known as the LNT. She spends all day teleporting people from one place to the other. So she picks up a lot of gossip which in turn pick up from her. Also in case you've forgotten Kithicor Forest is almost directly connected to Nektulos Forest. Both Halflings and Dark Elves consider it to be one forest and are in hot dispute over who has control over it. As such Halflings have invaded Nektulos and Dark Elves have invaded Kithicor. So I've met a few Dark Elves, and like I said they're very hard to win over. But I guess some people have an easier time than others." "Do you mind if I ask you a question?" "Sure go ahead. I'm feeling talkative today for some strange reason." Kryn said smiling. "What's that pin on your collar?" Kryn's hand reflexively went to her collar. Her hand stumbled about trying to find the pin she spoke of, before finally resting on it. "Oh this. It's the hand of power. The pin worn by all wizards on Norrath." "Your a wizard?" Aeril asked eyes wide in amazement. "No, this is my mothers pin. She gave it to me, as a memento of her. It was her first pin, so its very special to me." "What's it for? Is it supposed to help you cast better or something?" "Oh no, its actually an old tradition dating back to the combine empire. During those days, all the major classes had an insignia so that others could tell from a distance what they practiced. So for example. I'm a wizard, and you're a monk. Now if we're traveling in town and we're hungry all we'd do is search for the house with the bakers insignia on it. Or if we needed healing, all you'd have to do is find the person wearing a censor insignia. Its an old tradition, but in fact many still practice it." Aeril was about to ask her a question when she heard Varlon's voice calling her "Oh my its getting late, that's my father. I almost forgot I was suppose to cook." she said dangling the supplies he bought from the Brownloe bakery for her to see. "Please come eat with us. I can easily cook for one more." Kryn looked unsure. "I'd love to, but I really must go. My throat is sore, from all that talking." "That's more reason to come, please. Come have a meal drink some water and relax before leaving. Besides Varlon want to meet you, we can all have supper together. It'll be fun! come on." "I'm sorry Aeril I really can't I must meet my mother tonight. I may need my voice in case we get into a disagreement. Perhpas some other time?" Hearing Varlon calling for her again she frowned. "I'm over here, at the theater. I'll be down in a minute." She shouted towards Varlon waving so he could see her. Aeril then turned to Kryn again. "Well at least come down and meet Varlon, please!" "Ok, I'll meet him. But I can't stay long." Aeril smiled widely. "Good! Now hold on tight and don't get scared." She said as she grabbed the taller girl in one quick swoop and jumped from the top of the theater. After landing she calmly placed her down. Both Varlon and Kryn stared at him disbelievingly. While the top of the theater wasn't nearly as tall as the top of the outer city wall, for someone who wasn't expecting it, was quite a shock. Yet she strangely she didn't feel as afraid as she would have thought she would have felt. And as much as she wanted to she couldn't force herself to be even slightly annoyed at the girl who even now was smiling blissfully at her. All she could do was shake her head at the grinning girl and try to fight the growing smile on her own face. Seeing the taller girl wasn't going to say anything, she turned to Varlon and said proudly. "Varlon, Kryn I'd like you to meet each other. This is my father Varlon, and this is my newest friend Kryn." "Now I see why you were late coming back with the food supplies. I'm happy to meet you Kryn. My son was told me much about you today." "Thank you sir, it's a pleasure meeting you also. Aeril has told me much about you these last few days. I can tell you both care for each other very much." "Yes I do. Aeril means more to me than life itself. Anyway I just came to remind you that its getting late. So I'll leave you to alone now. Once again it was nice meeting you Kryn. I'll see you around hopefully." He said with a large smile on his face. Kryn shook her head. "I swear some people have no tact." "Huh? What do you mean?" He was... never mind. Anyway I want to thank you for cheering me up. I can't remember the last time I felt this happy in a long time. Bye. Hopefully we'll get to see each other more often." After waving good bye Aeril ran back to prepare dinner. Kryn stayed for a few more minutes starring at the theater, before walking home with a smile on her face. Aeril stood facing his teacher Braka. Each was in fighting stance staring at the other. "Are you ready Aeril?" "Yes sir." He said. Braka charged him, attacking with two quick punches. Aeril dodged both punches, before lashing out with a quick punch and kick. Braka dodged the punch and blocked the kick. Braka countered with two more punches and a roundhouse kick. Aeril managed to avoid the punches but wasn't quick enough to avoid the roundhouse. He took the took directly on the chest knocking him onto his back. The boy jumped right back up and ran back to his teacher delivering two more punches. The older man wasn't expecting Aeril to stand back up so quickly from the kick and was hit by both punches. But he attacked back with a punch that Aeril avoided. Aeril pressed his attack. Two more punches a kick followed by a punch, a kick, a punch, and finally a roundhouse of his own. The older man was surprised from the attack. He barely managed to block of his punches and kicks. But was once again helpless to do much as Aeril had begun yet another volley of attacks at him. With patience he blocked the boys attacks until he saw the boy attempt a roundhouse on him. If he tried to block the boy would easily be able to hit him with a punch. Yet if he dodged he would be safe from another hit, but the boy would just continue to press his attack. So he took the blow but then lashed out with a quick open handed palm strike to the base of his neck. This broke Aeril's rhythm as he staggered from the blow. Braka took this to his advantage lashing out with the punches. The first connected sending him back making him miss the second shot. Aeril got his bearing and glanced towards Braka to see the older man advancing at him almost ready to him. His body shifted forms and he narrowly avoided the hit. Braka had put him into a defensive position. While quicker and more agile, his female form made it harder for her to attack. Since she was smaller, she had to get closer if she wanted to hit her opponents. This of course would hinder her ability to dodge attacks, making it more likely to be hit herself. All in all a bad for her offense, making her rely heavily on her defense. Of course Aeril didn't complain too much since her female body was incredibly skilled defensively. Not only was she smaller, but her inborn Elven grace made her even harder to hit. Many who fought her easily became annoyed at her incredible flexibility. Which allowed her to bend and twist out of the way of just about any attack. This turned out to be her best offensive tactic. The more she dodged her opponents attacks, the angrier they would become. This of course made get sloppier, leaving many gaps in their defenses. She could then use her incredible agility to get in closer, land her hits, and move back without getting hit herself. Braka knew this and had to force himself from falling into that trap. As Aeril's trainer, he knew her weakness. All he needed to do was be patient. Aeril had great agility but she paid for it in her endurance. So while she could easily dodge blows coming at her, in a prolonged fight she would wear herself out. Braka saw Aeril displaying the first few signs of fatigue. He knew she would want to try to end this soon, so he faked an opening in his defenses. As expected seeing the opening started getting into position to take advantage of it. Braka was impressed. If not for the fact that he knew Aeril so well, he was sure he wouldn't have even realized the trap he was being led into. Aeril bent backwards under one of Braka's kicks, and leaned to the left to avoid the following punch. Each time making small movements putting himself closer to Braka. After avoiding one more punch she was as close as she dared get, and made an attempt for the fake opening Braka at his midsection. Braka smiled inwardly as she took the bait. Braka quickly turned to the side and made a quick open palm strike at Aeril's back. The smile disappeared as Aeril pivoted on her left foot towards his strike, bending low to avoid the strike. Then nearly seamlessly brought her right foot around for a powerful roundhouse. The kick connected against the back of Braka's head, but not before Braka swung his arm around catching Aeril right in the stomach. "Five points Braka. Braka wins." Said of their fellow monks who was acting as score keeper. Braka who was slightly dazed said. "Ok now exactly what just happened there?" Aeril smiled. "That's easy sir. After I went for the fake opening you made, I twisted around and tried to get you. But you were a bit to fast and got me about a second before I got you." Braka looked confused. "You knew I was setting you up?" "Of course!" She said with laughter in her voice. "Why do you think I was pretending to get tired." Braka looked at the redheaded Elven girl with shock written on his face. "You... you set me up?" Aeril couldn't help but laugh out loud seeing the confused face on her trainer. "You know me better than just about anyone except Varlon. That means you should know that dodging attacks like that tire me out quicker as a girl. You're also too smart to just rush. So I knew you were just waiting for me to get tired before starting your real attack. So I gave you what you were looking for, and you gave me what I was looking for, a trap. So I just turned your trap against yourself. Only I was the one who fell in their own trap." Braka looked immensely impressed. Aeril ability seemed to have nearly infinite growth potential. Already he was in a class of his own. Most of the other children his age were just getting ready to begin testing for the white sash. Aeril on the other hand, began training for his yellow sash within months of getting his white. Even those who were two years older with at least two more years experience where no where near the skill Aeril displayed. He was about to congratulate him on his achievement when he noticed his attention was currently else where. He smiled when he realized what had managed to divert Aeril's attention away from his art, a Half Elven girl. He momentarily thought of calling on him for not paying attention while they were training, but he remembered the strength a girls charm could have on some one as young as Aeril. Besides Aeril had a dedication to the art like no other student he had ever met before, he decided he would let it slide this time. Braka coughed getting Aeril's attention back to him. "That was very good. You caught me by surprise, your growing adaptability is nothing short of amazing. I think we're ready to step up our training a bit. Go ahead and take the next couple of days off. We need to start preparing to fight against magic users. Now as I see your girlfriend is here, so you may go. I'll see you in three days, as I need to arrange things with the academy." "Yes sir, but she's not my girlfriend, we're just friends." Aeril said. Braka smiled as he noticed the faint blush from the half Elf. "If you say so." He said as he walked away smiling. Aeril just shook her head and ran towards Kryn. "Hey Kryn!" Kryn smiled back to Aeril. "Nice match there. I thought you were going to win there for a min. I thought you had hit him first." "I almost did. But Braka holds back a lot when he fights with me. I mean he could probably kill me with one hit." "Still even that doesn't mean you couldn't win. Its not a real fight. Its like a tournament. You're not out there to really kill each other just be the first to hit the other 5 times." "Ya I guess your right. So what's up? I thought we were supposed to meet by the gate?" "Oh ya, your Ogre friend wanted to see you for some reason." Aeril looked confused. "I wonder what Boomba wants? Varlon should have brought him some food. I doubt he's hungry already." Kryn shrugged. "No idea, he just told me if I saw you to tell you he was looking for you." "Ok well lets ask him then." As they walked the streets of Freeport towards the west gate, many of the people who knew him couldn't help but smile at the site of them together. Those who had seen him grow up, were happy to see the Aeril so happy. When Boomba saw them he waived at them to come closer. "Boobma have good news for boy. Boy friend kai back with friend. She tell Boomba to tell boy." "Aeril became really excited. "Kai's back already?" Boomba nodded yes. Kryn on the other hand looked confused. "Who's Kai?" She asked. "Kai has been one my best friend ever since Varlon adopted me. She left on a quest a little bit before you came." "And now I've returned!" Came a new voice. Aeril turned to the new voice. "Kai! Your back!" "Sure am! How have you been while I've been gone? Your father tells me that you're already preparing to take the test for the yellow sash. I'm proud of you kid. Keep up that pace you may end up traveling with Yetin and me." "Nah Varlon must be exaggerating. I'm still training for it." "That may be, but you weren't even done with your test for your white sash when I left. Now I come back months later and here you are training for your yellow sash and with a girlfriend to boot! You're growing up fast. So are you going to introduce me to your girl?" "What? Oh you mean Kryn. Kryn's just my best friend. Kai this is Kryn, Kryn this is Kai." "Its nice to meet you! Any friend of Aeril's is a friend of mine." Kai said warmly. "Likewise" said Kryn in a neutral yet sincere tone. "You two might actually have a little in common. Kai was born in High Hold, before she moved out here about 10 years ago. And Kryn was born and raise in Kithicor." Kai's eyes shot up. "Really? What part of Kithicor? I admit I'm not too familiar with it, but my family used to make a few trade runs into Rivervale." "My family lived in the north, no where near Rivervale or High Hold I'm afraid." "Impressive. Your family must not have any fear. Living in the north would put you close to the Dark Elf forest of Nektulos, not to mention the numerous undead invade the forest at night. Why did your parents choose to live there?" "My father is a tradesmen of sorts. And my mother is a member of the League of Norrathian Teleporters. So my family travels quite a bit and that just were they decided to live I guess." "So tell me all about your trip." Asked an eager Aeril. "Well Yetin and I started hunting the wisp's in West Commons. But a lot of the light stones we found were burnt out and not very good. That was when someone told us about Kerra Ridge. Its an island west of Qeynos in Erud's Crossing, were many wisp can be found. So we decided to travel westward to Qeynos. Luckily we found a druid who said he would take us to Qeynos. We took the boot from Qeynos to Kerra Ridge where a strange catman race live called the Kerrans." Aeril shivered involuntarily for a second. "Cat people?" "Yes the Kerrans they were an indigenous race that lived on Odus until Erud and his followers settled there and banished them. Most now live in Kerra isle on a small island west of Odus. Later a small group known as the Laahr left for Antonica, but the humans in Qeynos wanted nothing to do with them. So they settled on Kerra Ridge, which they call Talysra's Paw. The island itself was named after their new cat godess Talysra, whom they left Kerra isle to serve." Kryn explained. "I felt so sorry for them. They said the Erudites had all but killed all of them off." Kai said saddly. "That was the common belief until just recently. A group of adventures found a hidden mountain village of cat people in the Stoneburnt mountains. But even with these kejekans as they call themselves there is still a big discrepancy between the known size of the Kerran race and what there should have been. Many believe over a third of the Kerrans were destroyed when the Erudites had there civil war and created 'The Hole,' while others believe many more escaped to the barren coast." "How could they have only just recently found an entire village of people?" Aeril asked. "Well its on Odus. Erudites are big isolationist, so they don't like strangers poking around in there lands. Besides no ones really cared that much about Kerrans. To many they were just a barbaric cat race that worshiped spirits instead of gods. So there please for help were ignored. Even now most people have all but forgotten them." "That's very good Kryn. That a good account of what happened to the Kerrans. How did you learn about it?" Said Varlon, surprising the group of kids. "A lady I knew once told it to me. She used to be a scribe, but now she keeps a bar near where I used to live. She gave me a book when I was younger about the erudite civil war. But in all honesty I can't remember her name. I just remember I used to go to her bar because it had a great view of the lake." "You may have to let me borrow that book sometime, it sounds very interesting. Anyway Kai, your father is looking for you, he wants to go over some idea's he has about the wedding." "WEDDING? What wedding?" Aeril said taken completely by surprised. "Oh I'm sorry I was getting to that. Yetin proposed to me on the way back from Qeynos. "And you accepted? But your only twenty and you hardly know each other?" "Only twenty. Do you realize most people in Freeport get married at fifteen or sixteen if not younger? Besides when its just the two of you adventuring out there, you start getting to know your partner. You have to depend on each other, and you have to trust each other. So you tend to get close and learn more of each other." "Well congratulations Kai. I can't wait to see the wedding." "Thanks Aeril. I'll see you around bye. Bye Kryn it was nice meeting you." "It was nice meeting you too." After she left Kai left with Varlon, Kryn turned Aeril. "Um, I'm afraid we'll have to post pone lunch for a couple a days. Its time for me to go, there's someone my mom want me to meet. So I'll be gone for a couple day maybe a week. So I'll see you when I get back ok?" Aeril looked sad for a minute. "Sure no prob. You know where to find me. I'll probably be just doing guard duty for the next couple of days anyway." "I'll see you soon." She waved and took off towards her home. Aeril stood there watching her leave. After she lost sight of her she turned to Boomba. "Hey Boomba. Seems like its just you and me." She said somewhat sadly. Hearing the small girls tone, Boomba put a hand on the girls head to try to comfort her. Boomba was surprised when the little girl looked up to him smiling. Her smile suddenly got even bigger as a very mischievous look suddenly appeared on her face. "I guess that means there's more food for us then!" The large Ogre near fell over. That was the last thing he was expecting her to say. He gave a small laugh before sitting down next to the girl. "Good. Boomba hungry." Aeril laughed. "Your always hungry Boomba." They ate and laughed for a while, before Aeril, who had changed to a male excused himself for patrol duty. Aeril headed towards the south gate in East Freeport that led to the Northern Desert of Ro, commonly known as North Ro. Not long after he had started his patrol, he noticed someone heading towards the underground tunnel entrance. He couldn't` tell much about the person, he was half tempted to run after the person to see if it was Maji. He thought about it for a minute, but decided not to after remembering what happened the last time he did that. He had a surprisingly calm day. There had been no attacks of any kind on any of the travelers. He was on his last rounds for the day when he saw Maji running out of the tunnels. He called out to her, but she only turned to look at him and kept running. He was happy to note that she didn't scowl at him when she saw him, then again she didn't seem too happy either. After finishing his patrol he returned to his home. He was happy to note Varlon was back from visiting his former studand and had already made food. He was reading a book when Aeril entered, he looked up when Aeril entered and asked. "So how was your day?" "It was great! Did I tell you? I almost scored five points on master Braka the other day." "I know! He told me. Strangely enough he sounded just about as excited as you do about it. He's very proud to have you as a student." "This whole week has been going good so far. I almost scored 5 on Braka, Then I find out that Kai is back. Then I find out Kai's getting married. Then me and Boomba have fun for a while before I start patrolling. And then to top all that off, I was bored during my patrol." "How is being bored a good thing?" He said sounding very confused. "People get bored when they don't have anything to do right? Well if I was patrolling and I didn't have anything to do, that must mean we actually had a peaceful day. Which is a very good things. I didn't even see one Orc or one skelly or anything. All the travelers made it to or from Freeport safely and without incident." "I see. I can also see you've been spending a lot of time with Kryn." Seeing the confused look on his sons face he said. "That was a very Krynish answer you gave me on why being bored is good. She a very intelligent girl and tends to give elaborate answers. You two should spend even more time together, maybe she'll help get out of speaking in slang." "Hey my speech ain't that bad!" Varlon just laughed. "So where is the wizardess now?" "You mean Kryn? She went somewhere with her mom. Not exactly sure where she's going, she just said she was gonna meet someone. She said she won't be around for a couple of days or so. And by the way, Kryn isn't a wizard." "Huh? But she wears a wizard pin." Varlon asked confused, since he had seen the pin she wore many times. "Its her mothers. Her mother gave it to her as a gift. Its very special to her, since it was her mothers first pin. Hey Varlon. Can I ask you a question?" "Sure of course. What is it?" "Why don't we wear pins? Kryn told me that the combine created pins for all classes and professions. So we monks should have one too right?" "Yes in deed we do, anyone can buy an insignia from a blacksmith. I just never picked one up. I never thought it was worth it, after all its such an old tradition. Why do you ask? Do you want one?" "Well I was just wondering. How much do they cost? I think they're kinda cool, but if they're to expensive then it's ok." "No they're not very expensive just a gold coin or two for the pins. If you want I'll pick one up for you tomorrow. Now lets eat I'm starved. ******* After lunch Varlon accompanied Aeril to the city arena where the scheduled practice was going to be held. Upon arriving they saw Braka in the center of the arena waiting. In the seats was about a dozen people, mostly commoners who hung around the arena to see the daily fights that took place there. But near the front he noticed nicely dressed magic users. Shrugging he walked into the ring. "Ahh Varlon good to see you here today. Today is going to be an exciting practice. Seeing how good Aeril has been at his training so far, I'm sure he'll do well at this too." Braka said proudly. "I'm glad to be here. I'm excited to finally be able to watch the two of you practice." "Well I'm sure it'll be quite a show, even if it is the first day of aerial combat. I'm quite confident Aeril can pick it up quickly. Are you ready?" "I sure am!" Aeril said excitedly. "Well I'll go take a seat then. Good luck Aeril. Score 5 for me!" Aeril laughed. "Sure thing! So what do we do?" Braka threw him a small ring. He looked at it for a moment. On the ring was a small red gem of some kind. "What is it?" "I decided to start simple, by using a magic item first. This is a ring of levitation. As the name implies when activated, it will make you fly. When I tell you to activate it , just touch the gem and say 'fly.' The rest is magic." "We're gonna fly?" Aeril said with rising excitement. "Yes, we are. It may seem more fun than training, but this training session is extremely important. As such, we will continue training until you have mastered it." "What makes it so important?" Aeril asked curiously. "When fighting on land you must be aware of everything infront, behind, and from either side. When you can fly you must then also be aware of what is above you, and what is below you. Not to mention that it makes you feel very dizzy. Not only that but movement different, since now you can move up or down with every step you take. Go ahead and activate the ring so you can see what I mean." Aeril activated the ring. He was completely unprepared for the sudden falling, especially since he felt himself falling upwards. He flailed about trying to get his balance for a few minutes before finally being able stand up straight for longer than three seconds. Braka laughed. "See what I mean? Now that you seem to have gotten used to standing try walking." Aeril nodded his head and slowly took a step and fell flat on his face 5 feet above the ground. He tried getting back up, but fall back down almost immediately. "Try not looking down. Look straight ahead when you walk. If you look down you tend to think your going to fall, which will make you fall." "Ok. So as long as I don't look down I should be ok right?" Not waiting for answer he got up, making sure to look straight ahead the entire time. "Wow! It worked! So walking should be the same principle right? He said taking a few steps. "I should be able to keep walking straight ahead as long as I don't look down." "Yes, but don't let your self get limited like that or you'll never be able to move up. Focus your mind on where you are, and where you want to go. You shouldn't have to look down to descend or look straight to continue walking straight. Try moving different directions, especially up and down." Aeril began slowly. He slowly broke the habit of having to look down to descend, thanks to Braka's consent reminders. After a bit of practice Braka said. "Ok that's pretty good. Why don't you try running around the arena and slowly run up and then back down. Start slowly but pick up the speed after every lap." Braka watched as he ran. He was quite impressed with the level of talent the boy showed. He was already better than most of the people he had trained. Stopping him he said. "Ok now try this. Keep doing what your doing, but this time drop down quickly and slowly climb back up. Aeril didn't have to much of a problem with that, as was expected. Most people could easily do that, what got them was what came next. "Ok that was simple enough. Now why don't we inverse that. Aeril nodded and began doing as instructed. Braka nodded his head. As expected his motions were awkward and he could tell the boy had to concentrate heavily to move vertically, still he seemed to be doing a bit better than most of his other students. Braka let him go for a few more times before calling him back. "Ok that was a good warm up. You feel up to sparring a bit?" "Sure, why not!" He said cheerfully. "Ok then, reactivate the floating spell. It'll be wearing out soon and you don't want it leaving you when your 50 feet in the air. We'll start the match at about 30 feet up so we have plenty of maneuvering space." Reactivating the ring Braka floated up to about 30 ft and waited for Aeril, who quickly joined him. The two stood 10 about feet apart. Raising his hand Braka said. "Lets go a bit easier on you until you can get accustomed to midair combat." Aeril nodded his head, and Braka dropped his hand signaling the beginning of the fight. Not wasting any time he came at Aeril with a punch he would easily be able to dodge, but the being 30 feet in the air was enough of a distraction to make it a near miss. Braka pressed his advantage and followed up immediately by a few kicks. Aeril stumbled back narrowly avoiding the kicks. He inwardly berating himself for letting himself get distracted. Seeing the boy recovered, Braka came at him with a kick and a punch. Aeril blocked the kick and then pivoted towards the punch. He grabbed Braka's outstretched arm and tossed him down to the arena floor. Braka smiled as he fell. He adjusted himself in midair and pushed off air sending him back towards a surprised Aeril. Braka quickly reached Aeril. Seeing the stunned look on his face, he acted quickly grabbing the boy and throwing him back to the arena. Aeril landed 5 feet from the arena floor on his back, giving Braka the first point. He got up a bit awkwardly and let out a sigh of frustration. He should have seen been able to avoid the throw. Shaking his head to help to shake out the distractions, he noticed a somewhat overweight bald man sitting in the audience. Suddenly he heard a voice calling him. The voice was frustrated and quite a bit angry. He heard the voice say "Stop thinking about what your doing so much. Your paying to much attention to the fact that your in the air and not enough on your opponent. You must ignore it. A true martial artist cares not for where they fight. On land, in the air, or underwater its all the same. Watch, adapt and react. Don't let yourself be controlled by your environment, use it to YOUR advantage. Watch, adapt and react! Once you can do that, there is almost nothing you can't do. Now get up and lets try it again." Aeril shook head once more. He looked up and mentally repeated the words the imaginary voice told him. Watch, adapt and react. Shrugging his shoulders, he looked up at Braka and with a strong leap joined his teacher. Braka was about to go down and check on him, when Aeril leaped towards him. With concern in his voice he asked. "Are you ok?" "Ya I'm fine, just needed to get my bearings. I'm fine." Seeing he was fine, Braka took a ready stance. Seeing Aeril take a similar stance, Braka began with an attack. He started off with a quick jab, which Aeril blocked. He pressed his attack with a kick, two more punches and a palm strike. Braka was surprised when Aeril only blocked his attacks. thought Braka before starting another fray of punches and kicks at a slightly slower rate than before, once again Aeril simply blocked each attack. Braka was confused at Aeril's sudden switch in tactics. He was using a strategy typical of him when he was female. He was confused, but noticing the grin that was finding its way to Aeril's face, he decided to play it out and see what he would do. Braka lead with a kick. Aeril blocked the kick and countered with two punches. Braka was slightly surprised but easily blocked both punches. He made a few punches of his own each blocked by Aeril. The two continued to trade blows that were blocked or dodged by the other. Neither felt the increase in the tempo of their attacks, until Braka did something to catch Aeril by surprise. Braka suddenly dropped about a foot and a half catching Aeril by surprise and landing a punch directly to his mid section. Aeril was knocked back a few s