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Solace
Jul 1, 2009 20:42:30 GMT -5
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Jul 1, 2009 20:42:30 GMT -5
D'rorah listened quietly as Niobe began thinking aloud. There was no missing the younger student's frustration with the situation as she tried to think her way around it. Indeed, D'rorah herself hadn't noted anything about Niobe that drew her own attention. If the magic in question wasn't so strong, she would have simply dismissed it as something possibly related to a family matter or other personal matter.
D'rorah was searching her own mind for possibilities even as Niobe spoke. There wasn't much to go on other than the dream itself. And, though D'rorah had been able to watch it more or less in its entirety, even that information didn't tell her anything more than Niobe could see on her own through having forced her mind to recall what someone else was blocking.
"Is there some way to test for something like that?" she asked after deliberating over it long enough "If it's nothing that I am aware of, we'd have to use another means of figuring it out. Do you have any ideas?"
D'rorah thought for several long moments about the questions. She had her ideas... she had curiosities that she would like to search out and this could very well provide an opening for doing so. But then, she couldn't just out and tell the girl she was a telepath and ask for access to her mind. She knew the persecution telepaths faced once discovered... and she knew that more than one had been secreted away never to be heard from again by magical authorities around the world. It was never for any particular crime... no, these were disappearances in the middle of the night. And, while D'rorah was fairly confident she could escape from any such attempted capture, it would mean having to leave Hogwarts or having to find some way to remain there only in secret. It would mean that leading the Lightfighters would be that much more difficult.
Her eyes searched the Ravenclaw before her for a moment before she opened her lips to speak. Her mind had already scanned the room, ensuring that no one else was about who might be listening to their conversation. [blue]"I have a certain..."[/blue] she paused slightly, considering her words carefully, [blue]"...talent for legilimensy."[/blue] It wasn't really the whole truth. It wasn't technically legilimensy at all... legilimensy was a magical spell while telepathy was more of an innate ability. She knew how to use legilimensy, but it was so primitive compared to what her own mind could do that she rarely bothered with it... except now as a cover. [blue]"If I might be permitted to look more closely at what exactly is happening in your mind, I might be able to give you some clearer idea of what is causing it... and of why you might be so susceptible to so dark a magic. Or, indeed, if it is even as dark a magic as we are presuming at all."[/blue] That was enough said... she would wait for a response from Niobe now and hope it would be something other than horror at the idea of D'rorah poking about in her head. Just as telepaths were mistrusted and feared, those who were skilled with legilimensy occasionally faced similar objections and persecution, though to a lesser degree. Naturally, people feared for the things others might find within the recesses of their own minds.
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Niobe Blakes
Ravenclaw
[blue]Fourth Year Ravenclaw[/blue] Shadow Warrior of Earth
Posts: 88
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Solace
Jul 2, 2009 9:40:34 GMT -5
Post by Niobe Blakes on Jul 2, 2009 9:40:34 GMT -5
Niobe felt quite nervous as the silence went on and the two of them thought of different issues. As a fourth year student, Niobe's knowledge of various magics were limited, even as well read as she was. Oh, she knew and understood basic concepts of things well, but as for practical application or more advanced situations, her skills were not that broad except in a few areas.
She was eager to see what D'rorah would come up with, so when the older girl looked at her and began to speak, she had to admit that the solution seemed...different.
It wasn't the fact that she wanted to poke around in her head that bothered her, or that she was bothered at all. Indeed, what she felt was a bit of amazement. Legilimensy wasn't exactly for beginniners, Niobe found herself struck impressed.
"If you think it will help," she began "Then please, do what you feel is necessary." the concept of D'rorah finding something she didn't want her to had never crossed her mind. As far as she knew, she held no skeletons in her closet, so to speak. She had always been the sort of individual that was true and honest, to others and to herself. Concepts such as deception and manipulation were foreign to her.
So, instead of being afraid, she was excited. If D'rorah could figure out what was going on, a better solution could be acquired. That was all that mattered to Niobe.
"Well, it won't hurt will it?" she asked "I mean, I'm sure it can't be as painful as when I first tried to remember the dream, but I'm also sure I wouldn't enjoy a headache for a week." she flashed the older Ravenclaw a smile, to show that she was joking. "Well, what do I need to do for us to get started?"
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Solace
Jul 3, 2009 0:18:58 GMT -5
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Jul 3, 2009 0:18:58 GMT -5
D'rorah found herself surprised that Niobe so readily agreed to her suggestion. Apparently the younger student trusted her. Of course, it was helpful that she trusted her, especially considering that D'rorah genuinely was trying to help her at the moment. But it was odd to D'rorah, who herself had such a difficult time trusting others. Of course, she hadn't always been quite so closed off in that regard, but neither had she ever been particularly quick to trust. The need for care and secrecy had been subtly imbued in her by her parents from a very young age. And then, with the deaths of her parents, she had become that much more withdrawn from the world.
[blue]"No, it will not hurt,"[/blue] she replied, mirroring the smile she received as an indication that she had gotten the joke. [blue]"I believe a closer look will allow me a better view of exactly what sort of magic we are against here."[/blue]
She leaned forward in her chair, reaching out a hand. [blue]"All I need you to do is relax your mind and keep it open. I can do the rest."[/blue] She hesitated as she reached a hand toward Niobe's temple, realizing that her chilled fingers would likely be very noticable and perhaps even uncomfortable to her. But she needed touch... without it, it made things clearer, it enabled her to move around more subtly, and it would make establishing the connection much easier on Niobe, who she was certain had never been through this sort of thing before.
Would Niobe thing to question the chill? It was possible, likely, even. But this would be the best way to help, and she wouldn't back away from that now. [blue]"May I?"[/blue] she asked, holding her hand out and ready to establish her connection. [blue]"Hopefully this will provide at least some satisfactory answers... and a place to begin searching out further answers,"[/blue]
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Niobe Blakes
Ravenclaw
[blue]Fourth Year Ravenclaw[/blue] Shadow Warrior of Earth
Posts: 88
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Solace
Jul 7, 2009 20:45:13 GMT -5
Post by Niobe Blakes on Jul 7, 2009 20:45:13 GMT -5
Niobe closed her eyes as D'rorah's fingers touched her scalp. It was cold but not uncomfortable. She tried to do as instructed and open her mind...
Everything went black.
In the depths of Niobe's mind, D'rorah found a young man standing in the darkness. His clothing was very old and Chinese in origin. He was handsome, around his early twenties at best. He wasn't tall, although for his time and his race, he was average. His hair was long and pulled back into a braid, leaving black strands of hair to drift over his facial features.
He smiled at D'rorah as she delved deeper into Niobe's mind.
"Nihao, pale skin." he greeted. His eyes were a dark brown, however, there seemed to hold something sinister behind them. "What brings you into the mind of what is mine?"
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Solace
Jul 7, 2009 22:28:19 GMT -5
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Jul 7, 2009 22:28:19 GMT -5
D'rorah's fingers connected with Niobe's temple and she immediately set to work easing her mind into the younger girl's mind. She found little resistance to push through and was soon enough making her way in, looking for the nightmare she sought. She was startled, however, when she found someone else there. Certainly, she was not expecting so blatant an intrusion in the other student's mind. And yet, here before her, stood a man.
She assessed his appearance, noting the old style of clothing and unmistakably Chinese styling. [blue]"Nihao,"[/blue] she replied, nodding her head slightly. [blue]"I must say, I believe you are mistaken. This mind belongs to a young girl... and she belongs to no one but herself. Are you the one who is causing her nightmares? That, in fact, is why I am here now."[/blue]
She watched the man warily, not trusting what she saw behind his eyes. Clearly, he was able to use very strong magic. As confident as D'rorah was in her own abilities, she was never one to underestimate the abilities of any potential opponent. [blue]"So then, I suppose my question is why you are here."[/blue]
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Niobe Blakes
Ravenclaw
[blue]Fourth Year Ravenclaw[/blue] Shadow Warrior of Earth
Posts: 88
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Solace
Jul 8, 2009 3:02:31 GMT -5
Post by Niobe Blakes on Jul 8, 2009 3:02:31 GMT -5
The man merely nodded and began pacing. He looked a bit on the frustrated side, however, his movements were fluid, smooth. He had the walk of a trained warrior and even though he was not looking at D'rorah, it was obvious that he was well aware of where she was and would be aware of any movements she would make.
"Her mind?" he glanced at D'rorah and turned back to his pacing, waving her off with a hand "Yes yes, the mind is hers, that's not what I'm talking about."
Stopping in his pacing, he looked at D'rorah as one would a small child incapable of understanding simple concepts. "Nightmares? Well, it'd make more sense to her if she'd quit protecting herself." he shrugged. He had been trying to figure it out, why her mind rejected his visions, but all he had been able to sense was that she was using some sort of powerful protection charm.
"As for why I am here, shouldn't you know that already? You're psychic are you not? You have the answer, you just refuse to believe it." He paused and tilted his head, as if listening for something.
"The Earth calls her."
There. He'd give her that much. Let her try to figure out who he really was and why he was truly there. It mattered not in the end, Niobe was the one, and whether she liked it or not, she was his.
With a quick bow, he sent D'rorah a rather sinister smile and disappeared, leaving no trace of where he had come from besides a sensation of darkness, of shadow.
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Solace
Jul 8, 2009 4:13:23 GMT -5
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Jul 8, 2009 4:13:23 GMT -5
D'rorah watched as the man paced before her, noting the grace with which he moved, despite his irritation. This was someone who could be dangerous if he chose to be. And from what he said as he continued on, she was fairly certain he wouldn't pause to attack anything he perceived as a threat to what he wanted wholeheartedly.
She listened carefully as he spoke, not wanting to do anything which might cause him to give less information or interrupt him. The way he looked at her was annoying, but she allowed no sign of her annoyance to show on her face. She knew Niobe wasn't consciously protecting herself. Until she'd spoken to D'rorah, she hadn't even been able to pinpoint what was causing her sleepless nights.
It was what he said next, however, that caught her attention. She didn't like the term "psychic", feeling it typically was used to mean those who purported to see the future. She was a telepath, but how would this person know that? Likely, he had been watching her as she watched over Niobe's dreams the past few nights.
She considered the entire exchange carefully. The moment he said the Earth called Niobe, the idea of her being a Shadow Warrior sprung to mind. And the sensation of darkness left behind as he disappeared felt like a confirmation. He was right... she had briefly considered the possibility, but hadn't wanted to give it too much creedence. Niobe was a 5th year... but then, so were many of the other Lightfighters. D'rorah was the oldest among them all. She hated the idea of another girl being drawn into the role of Shadow Warrior... but then, she hated this whole war. If Niobe was the Shadow Warrior of Earth, that would explain why she would be susceptible to dark magic.
Unwilling to allow him to simply end the conversation, she shed the physical manifestation of her form that she had taken on in Niobe's mind, knowing it was only her own mental construct. She didn't plan on leaving so quickly. She had come here to find answers for Niobe... and though she might have had some, she still wasn't satisfied. She wanted to see what this nightmare was more closely. And now that she'd found this other presence, she intended to do what she could to find out who he was and why he wanted her new Shadow Warrior of Earth.
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Niobe Blakes
Ravenclaw
[blue]Fourth Year Ravenclaw[/blue] Shadow Warrior of Earth
Posts: 88
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Solace
Jul 8, 2009 4:52:09 GMT -5
Post by Niobe Blakes on Jul 8, 2009 4:52:09 GMT -5
The first thing that was registered was screaming.
The next was an estate. It wasn't very large as far as wizarding estates go, but it was simple and looked clean. There was a 'zen' feeling to the place, the gardens were definitely Asian in design in origin, from the bonzai trees to the koi pond in the back.
The screaming came from inside.
Upon entering, one was swept up by unbearable heat. The faint moans of a man in the background could be heard, but not seen. Tapestries, old and priceless, were quickly burning from the flames. Walls of bookshelves were strategically placed around the home, along with rather strange statues and works that seemed to obviously had been gathered from an archelogical dig.
More voices. Another scream, this time one of denial.
"I have denounced the family! You have no quarrel with us!" the voice was female. Sharp, commanding. Carpeted steps, many aflame, led up to series of halls and doors. Continuing on a straight path, it seemed that the flames had not reached this area, odd as everything else was a blazing inferno.
The door to the study room was left open. Inside was a man, the man from earlier, and a tall stern woman who was obviously Chinese. She wore the robes of a witch, her face was pale and she held rather strong facial features, almost boyish in nature. Tall and lithe, she looked intidimating, formidable. She was most certainly taller than the man, who looked much older than the image he had presented himself to D'rorah earlier. However, the paleness of the woman was not natural, she seemed as if she was normally tanner than what was being shown. If one looked closely, a large dark spot had formed in her robes and a small pool of dark liquid was growing slowly around her feet.
"I don't think you understand my dear. Your daughter is the one."
The woman's eyes narrowed instead of widening in surprise. Her wand, clenched in her right hand and had been somewhat hidden, could now be seen.
"If you are talking of the shadow that lies within her, it's within all of us, all of the Shao descendents." the woman snapped. "She won't succumb, she's far too intelligent for the likes of darkness."
To her surprise, he laughed. Shaking his head, he raised his wand slowly, a soft smile on his face.
"No," he said "She's the one."
It took the woman all of a second to realize what he truly meant before he killed her.
It took Niobe a moment to realize that she was screaming, and crying.
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Solace
Jul 8, 2009 19:57:36 GMT -5
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Jul 8, 2009 19:57:36 GMT -5
D'rorah watched the scene before her as it changed. She winced slightly at the screaming that seemed to come from everywhere at once and then watched as an estate came into view. It was then that she was able to pinpoint that the screaming came from within. Everything was in flames, the whole house was burning except for the stage where her current two actors were, swath where the flames touched nothing. She noted the woman's pale appearance and connected her with the voice that had been screaming. It took only a few moments to see the blood that grew slowly around her feet. D'rorah quashed her instincts to intervene, knowing that this was merely a construct of Niobe's mind. She wouldn't be able to do anything to help here... at least, not without taking control of her mind. And certainly, she had no intention of doing that without permission. She listened silently to the exhange, her eyes flicking from the man she had seen before to a woman she could only assume was Niobe's mother. It was when he said that Niobe was "the one" that D'rorah knew for certain that she had located her newest Shadow Warrior of Earth. Still, she would have to figure out why he was so interested in having control of a Shadow Warrior. And she and D'rorah would have to figure out a way to keep him from getting what he wanted. And then, the woman was dead... and Niobe's screams reverberated all around D'rorah, shaking the very mettle of the place she was. [blue]"Peace,"[/blue] she thought instantly, forcing out a wave of calming emotion and soothing the nerves that had prompted the younger student to begin screaming and crying. A mind in turmoil could be a dangerous place to be. Not to mention the fact that if anyone happened to walk into the common room to find Niobe screaming and crying while D'rorah had her hand pressed to her head, she would face endless enquiries from the Headmistress. She looked about for any other sign of the man, but she'd gotten quite a lot of information already... at least enough to know that they couldn't continue any conversation of this sort here in the common room. Gingerly, she slipped out of Niobe's mind and withdrew her hand from her head, rising from her seat almost immediately. She looked around, thankful that it seemed no one was listening or watching. [blue]"Follow me, Miss Blakes. We have much to discuss,"[/blue] she directed, entreating Niobe to rise from her seat and follow her as she lead the way to the Room of Requirement. As she traveled through the corridor, D'rorah looked around to make sure no one was watching before casting a disillusionment charm over both of them so they might travel in secret. (ooc: I'm assuming Niobe wouldn't resist, but if I'm assuming incorrectly, please let me know and I'll mod!
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Niobe Blakes
Ravenclaw
[blue]Fourth Year Ravenclaw[/blue] Shadow Warrior of Earth
Posts: 88
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Solace
Jul 13, 2009 7:23:20 GMT -5
Post by Niobe Blakes on Jul 13, 2009 7:23:20 GMT -5
D'rorah's voice was foggy in comparison to the deep waves of emotional agony she was facing.
Fire. Mother. Father. The two people she treasured most in this world were dead. Dead dead dead.
No, she thought to herself. They're not dead. It was part of the illusion, part of the dream he had planted. They're not dead, they're not. Ground yourself, calm down, listen to D'rorah's voice and the command she's giving you.
She wasn't sure how she knew that D'rorah was doing something to make her feel calm, she just knew. Perhaps it was because she was so deep inside herself mentally that she could feel the sensation.
When she realized that she was awake, she found her chest and throat hurt. She had been breathing heavily and had been screaming. Visibly, she was shaking. It had felt so real, all of it had felt...
Mother and Father are not dead. she told herself. Get it together Niobe, you're letting this freak you out.
Eventually she calmed herself, although it was difficult. Dream as it may be, it had still had an effect on her.
And who was that man? She didn't recgonize him at all. What had he been talking about?
She was brought out of her train of thought when D'rorah bade her to follow. Confused, but nodding, she got up and followed D'rorah as they walked down unfamiliar halls.
"...W...where are we going?" she asked gingerly as the charm went over them. Wherever it was, it was somewhere that D'rorah didn't want anyone to know about. What could that possibly mean? D'rorah was hiding something, which meant that she knew more than she was letting on about her at this point.
But perhaps that was why they were going to this room, for D'rorah to explain things. Still feeling a bit uneasy and shaken up, she asked and said little else as they continued their trek.
(Should we continue this in the RoR?)
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Solace
Jul 13, 2009 22:48:00 GMT -5
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Jul 13, 2009 22:48:00 GMT -5
[blue]"We are going somewhere we can talk freely so that I might try to explain,"[/blue] she replied to Niobe's ginger question. She knew it had to seem odd that the older student was disillusioning the younger and leading her out of the common room and up to the sixth floor, but she hoped she would be able to clarify things shortly. [blue]"I apologize for the subterfuge, but it is quite necessary,"[/blue] she added quietly. She didn't speak further as they made their way up to the sixth floor. A disillusionment charm would do them little good against being seen if someone heard them talking as they walked down the hallway.
When they reached the sixth floor, D'rorah quickly checked to make sure no one else was about and made the requisite three passes before the door to the Room of Requirement, leading the younger student inside as soon as it appeared on the stone wall. Once they were inside, she closed the door carefully and dropped the charm so that she and Niobe both came into view once again.
[blue]"I know all of this is very confusing... so I have to find somewhere to begin. I am not certain the beginning is the proper place, so I shall begin instead at the moment you enter the story,"[/blue] she explained, knowing her preamble wouldn't make much sense, but feeling it necessary anyway. [blue]"Perhaps it would be easiest to begin with a question... have you ever heard of a Shadow Warrior? Or the Elemental Powers of Light?"[/blue] Though it was unlikely, if Niobe had at least heard the legends, it would make explaining slightly easier... though it would likely also mean having to dispel certain myths and misunderstandings about the legends themselves. They were old and hazy... and for good reason. The Order was meant to be kept a secret. If people thought it merely a myth, they tended to dismiss it, rather than pursue it looking for details.
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Niobe Blakes
Ravenclaw
[blue]Fourth Year Ravenclaw[/blue] Shadow Warrior of Earth
Posts: 88
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Solace
Jul 14, 2009 20:51:44 GMT -5
Post by Niobe Blakes on Jul 14, 2009 20:51:44 GMT -5
A sense of wonder filled her as they moved through Hogwarts, going into areas she had never been to before. Even though she was still a little shaken up from before, she couldn't help but look around.
There had been a rumor going around that there were secret chambers hidden in Hogwarts, but she never thought she'd end up involved in such a thing or finding one. Intrigued but still a bit wary, she followed the enigmatic woman into a strange room.
Curiousity winning over, she looked around with no small sense of wonder, only been drawn away when D'rorah spoke to her.
"Shadow Warriors?" she repeated. "Elemental Powers of Light?"
The legends didn't seem that familiar to her, although the term Shadow Warrior was.
"I'm...not sure. I guess I've heard of it before. My mother has always warned me about the darkness and that our family was suspecticable to it." she wanted to ask why, but knew that D'rorah would say in just a moment.
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Solace
Jul 16, 2009 20:50:46 GMT -5
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Jul 16, 2009 20:50:46 GMT -5
D'rorah listened to Niobe's answer and nodded slightly. It didn't sound like something the younger Ravenclaw was deeply familiar with. But then, she had expected that. Once again, she was faced with the prospect of explaining to a new Lightfighter just what this war was... there was mythology, history... and then, as always, the job of explaining how the newcomer fit into the tedious and intricate chronology she had suddenly found herself thrust into.
She led the way through the room to a large stone table, pulling back a chair carved with the Chinese symbol for Wind and taking a seat in it, offering Niobe an adjacent seat carved with the symbol for Earth. [blue]"The story begins many centuries ago, with two opposing forces within the world... and two beings in control of each of those forces. Our world, all worlds really, require a balance of Light and Dark in order to survive. Yin, the power of Light, works to ensure this balance. Yang, the power of Dark, chooses to take control of realms. He began interfering in the world, working to tip the balance toward Darkness. He and Yin were both banished from the realm... in order to protect it. Yang, however, was not satisfied with losing control. He sought out a champion for Darkness... a Shadow Mage, who would have complete control of creatures of darkness... Dementors, Shadows, Wraiths, Reapers,"[/blue] she added, naming a few. D'rorah knew that dementors would be familiar. Shadows and the other, more powerful, beings had been dismissed by the Ministry as myths. [blue]"This Mage sought to bring Yang back into our realm. And so, Yin was forced to call forth his own Champions for Light. While Yang placed all of the powers of Darkness with just one guardian, Yin split the powers of Light between five elements. Each Element was appointed two guardians. One, an Elemental Master who has the ability to wield full power with his Element. The other, guardian for that Master... a Warrior who would possess a certain darkness within herself but would use it for good in order to protect her Master. A Shadow Warrior,"[/blue] she finished, pausing for a moment in the story to allow space and time for questions.
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Niobe Blakes
Ravenclaw
[blue]Fourth Year Ravenclaw[/blue] Shadow Warrior of Earth
Posts: 88
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Solace
Jul 20, 2009 4:39:07 GMT -5
Post by Niobe Blakes on Jul 20, 2009 4:39:07 GMT -5
Niobe listened to D'rorah, never interrupting, although clouds of confusion crossed her expression from time to time.
It wasn't the story of Yin and Yang that had her confused. In fact, when D'rorah mentioned it, it actually struck her memory. She had heard of it, a very long time ago.
"My mother is full Chinese and she's a Pureblood, so she knows more about the legend than I do," she responded "But yes, I have actually heard of it. It wasn't until you mentioned Yin and Yang that I did remember. My mother has always believed in balance, she's told me about that legend once or twice when I was a child."
A small pause "My mother says our family holds a darkness within us, and that I was to be especially careful of the darkness because of our family history. I took it seriously, but I was naive. I didn't think it'd actually happen to me. I mean, there are billions of people out there in the world, how could someone like me be special?"
Her gaze shifted from D'rorah as she looked around the room. Her expression was grave, solemn, but firm.
"You brought me here because you think I'm a Shadow Warrior, don't you?" she turned to D'rorah "Only females can be Shadow Warriors according to the legend, and that man said...my mother says I have darkness within me, so it's only logical that you're telling me this. So, does that mean you are also a Shadow Warrior? Am I obligated to do this or do I have a choice, because if I already have this darkness within me, that means that becoming a Shadow Warrior will further taint me, won't it?"
Niobe was not angry or suspicious, but she wanted to know exactly what this would all mean for her. If it was true, if she was to be a Shadow Warrior, she could never tell her mother. She also had a feeling that D'rorah would confirm her suspicions that a Shadow Warrior faced tainting. It only made sense. To become part of the darkness a part of you disappeared within it...didn't it? She wasn't completely sure, but her brain was already working, already coming up with more questions and more hypothesis.
Niobe continued to look around, standing even, to notice the symbol that she sat beneath. Earth. She knew the symbol although her ability to read Chinese was rather limited.
"So, is that the element you think I've come to possess?" she asked absently "Or am I going completely crazy?"
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Solace
Jul 20, 2009 11:32:33 GMT -5
Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Jul 20, 2009 11:32:33 GMT -5
D'rorah waited until all the questions had come out before she resumed speaking. She didn't want to trip over the girl's words or interrupt, in case she built up to what was really concerning her.
[blue]"Your mental faculties are perfectly intact, Miss Blakes. I do believe that you are the newest Shadow Warrior of Earth,"[/blue] she replied finally. [blue]"And there is certainly a choice. In fact, the previous Shadow Warrior of Earth gave up her abilities, and that is how they have come to pass to you. You have the same choice that she had... though, you must make the decision before Shadows have had an opportunity to corrupt you, or you would not survive the transfer of powers intact."[/blue] She took a slow breath, wanting a short moment of silence before continuing. [blue]"If it is discovered by the Shadow Mage that you are a Shadow Warrior... and I believe she must know this already through the individual who has been meddling with your dreams, she will likely send people to attack you in an attempt to corrupt you. It will be difficult to do so here, however, because I already know who your Elemental Master is. And he would be able to stave off any emotional separation if such an attempt were made. However, in the event you do experience any degree of separation, you will find it necessary to retain the link with your Elemental Master in order to maintain your mind. And so, you would, at that point, have no choice but to retain your abilities for at least that sake."[/blue]
[blue]"Becoming a Shadow Warrior will not taint you. However, you will be more susceptible to becoming tainted. When destroying Shadows and other creatures from the Shadow Realm, you will find it necessary to separate from your emotions. If they are not retrieved fully or properly afterward, you will begin to feel the taint you fear. If you allow yourself to lose your emotions, you will corrupt and become trapped in Shadow form, a slave to the Mage herself. However, it is possible to fight these attempts and overcome them. I am the Shadow Warrior of Wind... and I can attest to the possibility of fighting against corruption against dire odds. I have lost three Elemental Masters since joining with my first..."[/blue] She trailed off for a moment, her jaw tensing slightly as she recalled the memory and pain of those losses. [blue]"However, I had little difficulty with corruption until times when I was forced to fight with and Elemental Master to retrieve my emotions. With training, you may develop the capacity to pull your emotions back alone, but it is nearly impossible to do so with the fullness that your anchor can. Connection to family and friends during such times is essential to preserving your hold against corruption,"[blue] she added, recalling that Dylan's presence had been the only thing which had helped her retain her humanity after Mallan had died, before she had found Bryan... or rather, before he had found her.
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