The True Path: Destiny Revealed
Apr 17, 2005 4:35:09 GMT
Post by Musashi on Apr 17, 2005 4:35:09 GMT
Musashi's soul raced to it's eternal home. He could feel the call, his family there waiting for him. At last, he would be reunited with those he'd lost. The swordsman felt a glimmer of sadness, knowing he would receive the reward for his service, yet he would miss those he had left behind. Senses were far behind him now, psychical being left behind as he raced toward heaven, towards the light and warmth that one can only feel as they come home. Time lost all it's meaning as the fighter felt an eternity of peace before him.
Then, astoundingly, the gates slammed shut! Like a tape on rewind, Musashi felt himself being dragged backwards, away from the wonderful light, away from that plane. Sensation arrived again like impacting a wall as the swordsman felt his spirit being crammed back into his body, only now it felt too small. Having been given a taste of eternity, he didn't want to go back the the hollow shell that was the physical universe.
[glow=blue,8,400]”Wake up, Musashi, there is still work for you to do!”[/glow]
The swordsman's eyes awareness kicked in, like waking from a dream. He found himself lying on the ground, on a brick floor, tiles in beautiful patterns. He extended his hands and realized he was hole, his wounds had been sealed, and not a mark remained from the bloody combat he'd just been through. In fact, the saiyan felt as if he was totally refreshed, all effects of the fighting gone. His energy supplies were full.
Having taken stock of his internal situation, he opened his senses and noticed all that was around him. Nothing registered properly in his life senses, contacts where there, but not 'correct'. He looked around and found himself staring into the face of a man, glowing with such a power it was like electricity to his senses. The swordsman's mind whirled back to the time of his early arrival, the battle against Qua-jin. Of course! [glow=green,8,400]”Keiji,”[/glow] he said, standing up. Musashi was not an exceptionally tall warrior, but even he towered above the Kaio assigned to Eden's galaxy. Still, the man's short stature only served to make the magnitude of his power even greater.
[glow=blue,8,400]”Ah, so you do remember,”[/glow] the diminutive warrior said, [glow=blue,8,400]”Karius's training was not a total waste I see. I hope it was enough. You've been chosen to be given a great honor, power beyond anything you've experienced, but like all power, there is a price.”[/glow]
[glow=blue,8,400]”Come, I”ll explain as we walk,”[/glow]He gestured broadly to the saiyan, who noticed the stream of souls coming in what seemed a never ending line to a set of gates, where two men sat with a registry book, checking them through.[glow=blue,8,400]”That is the check in station for the heaven and hell of eden, where your admission to the true heaven and true hell are determined. There is a greater purpose for you here in the otherworld than this.”[/glow]
Keiji walked past the two gatekeepers with a wave, bypassing the entire stream of people. All of them, especially the warriors, pointed at the kaio, knowing the importance of his position. Certainly whoever traveled with him must be important as well. Keiji led the saiyan through the demi-city sprung up within the gates, before the division between Heaven and Hell. Strangely, he walked directly between the two paths, stepping onto the air. Musashi followed, unsure how the feet was accomplished as it felt as solid as stone.
[glow=blue,8,400]This story begins Ages ago, to the very limits of the kaio system,[/glow] Keiji began, [glow=blue,8,400]Like every realm, the physical realm is dualistic, divided into good and evil. Normally there is a balance between the two, constant struggle but no clear winners. Cosmically speaking, the struggle is on such a low scale that there is no danger to the equilibrium of the system, no side can gain enough power to do damage beyond their realm.”[/glow] he paused to let the warrior absorb this, then went on. [glow=blue,8,400]”Once, in that long past area, there grew a nexus, a focal point for this struggle. On one world, so many powerful warriors gathered that all other battles between the two sides became insignificant. There was only one prize. For a while, it seemed perfect, only one trouble spot to monitor, one thing for the kaios to observe. Unfortunately, even in their wisdom they found the true nature of this situation almost too late to do anything about it.[/glow]
He continued to walk, eyes clouding over as if he was actually observing the events from long ago, [glow=blue,8,400]”You see, so much power was concentrated in this one place, that it began to spillover into other realms, casting a shadow, a loophole in space and time itself. For an instant, this one world determined the fate of the entire reality and it nearly destroyed everything.”[/glow] The words seemed like lead weights, but he continued on, [glow=blue,8,400]”The Kaios were wise enough to react to the situation, but to do so they had to break their rules governing neutrality. A warrior was chosen, a man by the name of Elamatius. The Kaios decided that to prevent the destruction of their works they would would not directly interfere but they would supply a force for good, to check the unbalanced and constant increase of evil.”[/glow]
Somehow, the walk did not tire the saiyan, nor did he hunger or thirst, though the journey was growing long. [glow=blue,8,400]”This man, chosen from the dead, was granted his life back, mostly. Part of him remained dead so he constantly touched the otherworld, not an easy thing to bear for all but the strongest spirits. They gave him weapons and powerful training, enough to combat the threat on that planet and he, in return, swore a binding oath to serve as the Kaio's weapon in the physical realm, their knight.”[/glow]
Keiji continued, although, he knew that Musashi had probably already guessed where this conversation was leading, [glow=blue,8,400]”Eventually, Elamatius triumphed, banishing all evil from the physical realm. He was granted his release, and he chose to be retired to death as his family was already gone.”[/glow] he paused again, and continued, [glow=blue,8,400]”As you know, evil can never be truly banished. There were thousands of years of peace, where it began to grow again...”[/glow]
Keiji stopped, turned and stared into the warriors face, [glow=blue,8,400]”You know where this all leads, don't you? It 's happening again, Eden is drawing so many powerful fighters that it is the new focus point. Soon, the situation will spiral beyond control,and the Kaios learned from their mistakes, they will be preventative this time. Being the Knight of the Kaios is a terrible burden, so great, in fact, that it is in the oath that one may only serve once, so Elamatius is unreachable in the true heaven.”[/glow]
The man gave a dry laugh and continued, [glow=blue,8,400]”Your death is... convenient . I will admit that I hoped for Karius to be the one to be here, but time is short and we need someone with experience on Eden as it is now, to stop threats before they materialize. ”[/glow]
Suddenly before them appeared an enormous mansion, a glowing contrast between black and white. Keiji spoke once more, [glow=blue,8,400]”Inside, you will be offered the position of Knight of the Kaios. It is a great honor, but you would do well to give serious thought before you answer, it is not a commitment to accept lightly. There will be intensive training, that will make Karius seem like a light warm up. Just remember, if you reject the task, or fail in the training, you will be no more dead than you were before you were offered this position, that is my only advice to you.”[/glow]
With a POP Keiji disappeared, leaving Musashi alone to absorb this enormous amount of information. The saiyan walked forward toward the front of the mansion, knowing already what his choice would be...
Then, astoundingly, the gates slammed shut! Like a tape on rewind, Musashi felt himself being dragged backwards, away from the wonderful light, away from that plane. Sensation arrived again like impacting a wall as the swordsman felt his spirit being crammed back into his body, only now it felt too small. Having been given a taste of eternity, he didn't want to go back the the hollow shell that was the physical universe.
[glow=blue,8,400]”Wake up, Musashi, there is still work for you to do!”[/glow]
The swordsman's eyes awareness kicked in, like waking from a dream. He found himself lying on the ground, on a brick floor, tiles in beautiful patterns. He extended his hands and realized he was hole, his wounds had been sealed, and not a mark remained from the bloody combat he'd just been through. In fact, the saiyan felt as if he was totally refreshed, all effects of the fighting gone. His energy supplies were full.
Having taken stock of his internal situation, he opened his senses and noticed all that was around him. Nothing registered properly in his life senses, contacts where there, but not 'correct'. He looked around and found himself staring into the face of a man, glowing with such a power it was like electricity to his senses. The swordsman's mind whirled back to the time of his early arrival, the battle against Qua-jin. Of course! [glow=green,8,400]”Keiji,”[/glow] he said, standing up. Musashi was not an exceptionally tall warrior, but even he towered above the Kaio assigned to Eden's galaxy. Still, the man's short stature only served to make the magnitude of his power even greater.
[glow=blue,8,400]”Ah, so you do remember,”[/glow] the diminutive warrior said, [glow=blue,8,400]”Karius's training was not a total waste I see. I hope it was enough. You've been chosen to be given a great honor, power beyond anything you've experienced, but like all power, there is a price.”[/glow]
[glow=blue,8,400]”Come, I”ll explain as we walk,”[/glow]He gestured broadly to the saiyan, who noticed the stream of souls coming in what seemed a never ending line to a set of gates, where two men sat with a registry book, checking them through.[glow=blue,8,400]”That is the check in station for the heaven and hell of eden, where your admission to the true heaven and true hell are determined. There is a greater purpose for you here in the otherworld than this.”[/glow]
Keiji walked past the two gatekeepers with a wave, bypassing the entire stream of people. All of them, especially the warriors, pointed at the kaio, knowing the importance of his position. Certainly whoever traveled with him must be important as well. Keiji led the saiyan through the demi-city sprung up within the gates, before the division between Heaven and Hell. Strangely, he walked directly between the two paths, stepping onto the air. Musashi followed, unsure how the feet was accomplished as it felt as solid as stone.
[glow=blue,8,400]This story begins Ages ago, to the very limits of the kaio system,[/glow] Keiji began, [glow=blue,8,400]Like every realm, the physical realm is dualistic, divided into good and evil. Normally there is a balance between the two, constant struggle but no clear winners. Cosmically speaking, the struggle is on such a low scale that there is no danger to the equilibrium of the system, no side can gain enough power to do damage beyond their realm.”[/glow] he paused to let the warrior absorb this, then went on. [glow=blue,8,400]”Once, in that long past area, there grew a nexus, a focal point for this struggle. On one world, so many powerful warriors gathered that all other battles between the two sides became insignificant. There was only one prize. For a while, it seemed perfect, only one trouble spot to monitor, one thing for the kaios to observe. Unfortunately, even in their wisdom they found the true nature of this situation almost too late to do anything about it.[/glow]
He continued to walk, eyes clouding over as if he was actually observing the events from long ago, [glow=blue,8,400]”You see, so much power was concentrated in this one place, that it began to spillover into other realms, casting a shadow, a loophole in space and time itself. For an instant, this one world determined the fate of the entire reality and it nearly destroyed everything.”[/glow] The words seemed like lead weights, but he continued on, [glow=blue,8,400]”The Kaios were wise enough to react to the situation, but to do so they had to break their rules governing neutrality. A warrior was chosen, a man by the name of Elamatius. The Kaios decided that to prevent the destruction of their works they would would not directly interfere but they would supply a force for good, to check the unbalanced and constant increase of evil.”[/glow]
Somehow, the walk did not tire the saiyan, nor did he hunger or thirst, though the journey was growing long. [glow=blue,8,400]”This man, chosen from the dead, was granted his life back, mostly. Part of him remained dead so he constantly touched the otherworld, not an easy thing to bear for all but the strongest spirits. They gave him weapons and powerful training, enough to combat the threat on that planet and he, in return, swore a binding oath to serve as the Kaio's weapon in the physical realm, their knight.”[/glow]
Keiji continued, although, he knew that Musashi had probably already guessed where this conversation was leading, [glow=blue,8,400]”Eventually, Elamatius triumphed, banishing all evil from the physical realm. He was granted his release, and he chose to be retired to death as his family was already gone.”[/glow] he paused again, and continued, [glow=blue,8,400]”As you know, evil can never be truly banished. There were thousands of years of peace, where it began to grow again...”[/glow]
Keiji stopped, turned and stared into the warriors face, [glow=blue,8,400]”You know where this all leads, don't you? It 's happening again, Eden is drawing so many powerful fighters that it is the new focus point. Soon, the situation will spiral beyond control,and the Kaios learned from their mistakes, they will be preventative this time. Being the Knight of the Kaios is a terrible burden, so great, in fact, that it is in the oath that one may only serve once, so Elamatius is unreachable in the true heaven.”[/glow]
The man gave a dry laugh and continued, [glow=blue,8,400]”Your death is... convenient . I will admit that I hoped for Karius to be the one to be here, but time is short and we need someone with experience on Eden as it is now, to stop threats before they materialize. ”[/glow]
Suddenly before them appeared an enormous mansion, a glowing contrast between black and white. Keiji spoke once more, [glow=blue,8,400]”Inside, you will be offered the position of Knight of the Kaios. It is a great honor, but you would do well to give serious thought before you answer, it is not a commitment to accept lightly. There will be intensive training, that will make Karius seem like a light warm up. Just remember, if you reject the task, or fail in the training, you will be no more dead than you were before you were offered this position, that is my only advice to you.”[/glow]
With a POP Keiji disappeared, leaving Musashi alone to absorb this enormous amount of information. The saiyan walked forward toward the front of the mansion, knowing already what his choice would be...