Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Leaving the small village of Pirroko, the Warriors decided to head north to seek out this �place� that pilgrims traveled to. The road was long and the Warriors had more time to converse amongst themselves.
Vin_Da_DM: Reaching a cave in the mountainside, they continued on into a massive ice cavern where an elaborate temple was built. The monks greeted the group and asked if they sought an audience with Mateus, the leader of the temple.
Vin_Da_DM: Gaining their audience with Mateus, the Warriors discovered he was a creature imbedded in a block of ice. Telling them that they must change to prepare themselves for what was to come Mateus began the first step of their challenges.
Vin_Da_DM: �You shall face these challenges alone, Warriors. But do not mistake this for some mere puzzle, what you must deal with shall be as real as this moment.� Mateus waves his hands to the sides as the glyphs spread out, numbering one for each Warrior present.
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Vin_Da_DM: �Touch your rune when you are ready for your test�� Mateus returns to his calm sitting position inside the ice-block.
Tabris: �Great...the giant Popsicle wants us to touch the floating glowy things,� Tabris perks a brow, �Anybody going to go first?�
Luna_Faline studies Mateus as the glyphs change.
Kat|e swallows hard.
Vin_Da_DM: �A test�� Eclipse looks over at Luna then at the rune in front of him.
Clarice shakes her head, �Why is it we always have to prove ourselves?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Might as well get this over with!� Syne reaches out and grabs the rune, disappearing in a flash.
Claron looks at Tabris before she moves closer to her rune.
Luna_Faline turns and looks at Eclipse, taking his hand I give it a squeeze. I move closer to him.
Tabris looks at Claron with a nod, �If you�re going to do it...good luck.�
Vin_Da_DM: Guardian crosses his arms and waits by his rune watching the others.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder eyes the glowing rune in front of him cautiously, quietly thinking to him ~I think I know what I�ll be tested on...~
Claron nods her head back at Tabris, �I wish you the same.� As she gets ready to touch the rune, she turns her head once more to look at Tabris, then places her hand on the rune.
Vin_Da_DM: To the others, Claron disappears in a quick flash similar to Syne. To Claron, the room fades away from around her leaving her standing on a stone platform overlooking a fog-filled field.
Vin_Da_DM: �Your test begins�� Mateus� voice echoes around Claron before fading. As it fades, the fog clears on the field and Claron notices it is littered with bodies and with people still fighting.
Claron realizes she is alone on some stone platform, moving closer to the edge she looks down into the fog filled field.
Claron gasps as she sees all the bodies, then notices there is still fighting going on.
Vin_Da_DM: In between the sounds of battle Claron hears several familiar voices shouting.
Vin_Da_DM: Back in the temple Eclipse squeezes Luna�s hand in return, �I hope Claron will all right.�
Kat|e stares at the spot where Claron disappeared, saying a prayer.
Claron startles as she hears familiar voices, then begins to move down the sloped hill.
Vin_Da_DM: �Claron! Come on! It�s getting away!� Claron notices Alexei motion her to follow him as he follows a group of figures further into the fog.
Luna_Faline puts my arms around Eclipse resting my head against his chest. I pray to Selenia silently for her protection and guidance for us all in our challenges.
Claron moves quickly towards Alexei. �What is getting away?�
Clarice begins to pace back and forth, �Please, don�t let me lose my sister.�
Vin_Da_DM: �You saw it! We�ve got to stop it before it breaches and gets past the barricade!� Alexei runs ahead of Claron through the fog.
Claron: �I saw it?� Questioningly to herself, then runs after Alexei into the fog.
Vin_Da_DM: After what seems like miles, the fog clears and Claron finds herself at the edge of the grass field looking ahead at a 12 foot tall hulking beast being attacked by her fellow Warriors. In a single swing it sends Alexei flying, crashing his limp body into the dirt next to her.
Claron tries to focus on images that she sees as she moves through the fog.
Claron�s eyes widen as she makes out the most horrendous looking creature she has ever seen.
Vin_Da_DM: As the others continue to fight against the beast, their attacks seem to do little to thwart it. In a few more massive swings from the creature Tewyn, Lilly and the Guardian are downed.
Claron gasps as she sees Tewyn, Lilly and the Guardian downed by this creature, then begins to concentrate on the gravity of this creature, �Wonder if I can rearrange your molecules into something more appealing to look at.�
Vin_Da_DM: �We�ve got to stop it!� Claron notices Tabris shouting to the others as he tries to attack it from behind. �Tewyn!� Clarice rushes to Tewyn�s lifeless body shaking it with grief, only to get swatted aside like a fly by the creature�s clawed hand.
Claron jerks her head towards the sound of Tabris� voice, her eyes catch Clarice darting off. As she turns to look at the creature again she screams out , �Watch out!!� Then watches the creature swat Clarice like she was a fly.
Vin_Da_DM: The creature belts out a thunderous roar and eyes Claron. Her powers begin to gather in front of the beast in a sphere-like pulse. With a grimace the beast grabs the pulse and throws it into Luna and Eclipse, causing the gravity to rip them apart.
Claron can�t believe what she is seeing , �NO!....NO!... This can�t be happening!�
Vin_Da_DM: Roaring again the beast turns to Katie. Shinta dashes in front of her, but it does little good as a massive claw tears him open and the beast�s second hand grabs Katie crushing her like a piece of paper.
Vin_Da_DM: Tabris and Stryder move across the field and take up positions in front of Claron, �This does not look good��
Claron: �My own gravity manipulation is defenseless against him. There has to be a weakness in him somewhere.�
Claron moves back a few steps and picks up a sword laying next to a lifeless body.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder and Tabris both look at Claron, then turn as the creature turns towards them and charges. Tabris pushes Claron out of the way as the creature backhands him into the ground with several resounding bone cracks.
Vin_Da_DM: �Dad! Damn you!� Stryder shouts as he shimmers onto the creatures back stabbing at the back of it�s head. The creature stumbles about as it grabs for him.
Claron screams, �NOOOOOO!� as she hears the sounds of bones cracking and Stryder�s shout. Sword in hand, she rushes at the creature swinging and slicing the sword like a mad woman.
Vin_Da_DM: The sword does little more than scratch the creature as it growls trying to block her and grab Stryder. Stryder manages to sink his blade into the creatures head, �Mom! Concentrate on my dagger!� Stryder shouts as the creature grabs him then looks at her.
Claron concentrates on Stryder�s dagger.
Vin_Da_DM: Claron notices another sphere-like pulse that surrounds the entire creature, including Stryder as he struggles with the creatures grip.
Claron concentrates with all her might, �Let him go�you mother fucker!�
Vin_Da_DM: The creature turns towards Claron with a fierce growl. Stryder manages to slip free of the grip for all but his leg. The field begins to intensify with Claron�s concentration, clearly going to obliterate both it and her son.
Claron sees the orb encasing both her son and the creature, �OH, FUCK!�No!�No! Let him GO! He�s just a child!�
Vin_Da_DM: �Do it, Mom! It�s the only way!� Stryder shouts as he struggles with his leg some more.
Claron feels so torn, �I can�t lose you, too!�
Vin_Da_DM: The beast roars and strikes at the field with it�s free hand, Claron notices the field weakening slightly with each strike. �Mom! You�ve got to stop this thing now! Do it!�
Claron looking tearfully at Stryder, �I love you, son! God forgive me for what I am about to do�� as she increases her concentration on the creature.
Vin_Da_DM: The field thickens and in a blinding burst of light Stryder and the creature are crushed into atoms. The light fades and leaves Claron alone in the field.
Claron screams like a banshee as she drops to her knees, �What have I done?�
Vin_Da_DM: A lone soldier approaches Claron, �You defeated it! But the battle isn�t over yet.�
Claron looks at the soldier, �There is no joy in having defeated it. The price I have paid is far too great�� as she eyes the sword in her hand.
Vin_Da_DM: �But you know how to defeat them now. You must help the others by telling them how,� the soldier looks at Claron curiously.
Claron returning her gaze to the soldier, �Why? Who�s to say life is better than death�� Rising from her knees she moves over towards Tabris� body... �You would want me to continue on�� utters through her tears.
Claron says a silent prayer then turns back towards the soldier... �You are right, I must help the others...Lead the way.�
Vin_Da_DM: The soldier nods, then everything around Claron stops. Mateus� voice rings in from the silence. �You have passed your test, Claron, daughter of Brianna. To lose everything and still possess the will to continue, this strength will serve you well.�
Tabris: Claron�s empty rune flashes bright as she is re-deposited back into the temple room. Tabris smiles, �I knew you could it!�
Luna_Faline opens my eyes and sighs with relief, �Thank the Goddess, she�s okay.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Mom, you�re all right.� Stryder manages a smile as he looks at her.
Claron rushes towards Tabris and Stryder engulfing them both in her arms, �Was the worst thing I have ever had to do�or�face.�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne pops into reality with his own flash. Rubbing his head he grumbles, �Well, that�s a fine how do you do��
Claron glances at Syne, �You obviously passed the test, also.�
Vin_Da_DM: �If you call that a test. Maybe some sunshine and it�d be a walk in the park.� Syne smirks then looks at the others. �So, who�s next?�
Luna_Faline reaches up and pulls Eclipse�s face down for a swift kiss, �I�ll be back� Releasing him quickly I turn and put a paw on my rune stone, �Blessed be,� as I vanish.
Vin_Da_DM: The room fades around Luna and she finds herself in the throne room of Selenia�s castle.
Claron nods her head, �I hope I never have to do anything like that again.�
Luna_Faline takes a deep slow breath as I look around anxiously.
Vin_Da_DM: The throne room is unusually quiet, Selenia sits on her throne glancing ahead at Luna, �Approach Avatar and tell me of your journey.�
Clarice smiles as she watches her sister with her family, �She is one lucky woman,� whispers softly to herself.
Luna_Faline sniffs the air around me as I move to the throne, �What do you wish to know, Mistress?�
Vin_Da_DM: A sweet scent hangs in the air, apparently coming from Selenia as she watches Luna. �Your journey was long, tell me whatever you wish about it.�
Luna_Faline pushes my hood back from my head as I kneel in front of her. �It was long, with many difficulties and hard choices.�
Luna_Faline holds back from the Goddess because the sweet smell doesn�t feel right. Ears twitching, �Why is it you�re so quiet, Mistress?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Do you truly recall all of your hard choices, Luna?� Selenia stands and moves over to the wall-high windows looking over the gardens. �Your choice at Shattrath City, for example.�
Luna_Faline pushes my cloak open and rests my paws on the tops of my thighs, feeling very uneasy in her presence. �No, Mistress, I don�t recall them all. Life has a way of pushing the past farther into the blackness of time.�
Claron whispers to Tabris and Stryder, �When you face your challenges, I pray that you don�t have to face what I was forced to see and do.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Perhaps these choices have been pushed into the blackness simply because you cannot face what you did,� Selenia turns to Luna, �So caught up in mortal emotions that you did not consider the consequences.�
Vin_Da_DM: Selenia waves her hand and a cloudy window opens in the air in front of Luna showing her a city in ruins, overrun with demons. The view drifts closer revealing a dark robed figure wielding Luna�s sai in hand. �You let emotions cloud your judgment, giving a great power to evil.�
Vin_Da_DM: Back in the temple Eclipse paces giving continual stares to the rune Luna used.
Luna_Faline watches the scene, �My emotions may cloud my judgment, true enough. You made me with a mortal body. I am what you made me to be.� Standing up with a growl, �But I have never given this sai to anyone other than my Shield.�
Claron: �Pacing will not return her to you any faster, Eclipse.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Anger. Even here you are controlled by their emotions,� Selenia moves to the side of the cloud-window as it moves in closer. The figure throws back his hood and Luna notices it is Eclipse, several demons drag a young girl in front of him. Raising the sai he stabs her causing her vanish in a surge of white light.
Vin_Da_DM: �And you proclaimed to love this man. You trusted him so deeply with that love, that you did not even see the betrayal and destruction he could cause.� Selenia looks at Luna.
Luna_Faline pauses a moment watching it unfold. Calmly I turn to her, �Yes, I love him. You are the one who said it was destined.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Destined love and you did not question my words. Destiny changes with every choice, every moment. Love did not save him from falling back into darkness. And it is that same love that allowed him to survive and shift the balance of power.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Tell me, Luna. Such chaos caused by your love of him...tell me if you will, why you should continue to be my Avatar if such evil can be left on course?� Selenia causes the cloud-window to fade as she moves back to her throne.
Luna_Faline begins to prowl restlessly. �You speak in the past tense of events that have not yet taken place.� Turning to face her once again, �I do not question my Goddess� words. I do as I am instructed by my Goddess.�
Luna_Faline growls lowly, �You are not my Goddess.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Or perhaps events have come to pass and this is your judgment,� As Selenia sits on the throne she transforms into Eclipse with an evil grin on his face. Outside the gardens change to be being withered, the sky red with flames and smoke. �My dear sweet lover. You followed her beck and call like a good little girl.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Never once questioning that even she, a god, could be wrong.� Eclipse stands and brandishes Luna�s sai. �To think such a simple thing as this allowed me to bring everything to it�s knees.�
Luna_Faline hisses, �Why don�t you show yourself for what you really are?� placing my paw on the sai strapped to my thigh.
Vin_Da_DM: �What�s the matter? Can�t believe that your destined love would destroy everything you hold dear?� Eclipse stands and raises his hand, the sai at Luna�s side flies to him. �You hide behind such a small piece of metal. Now, let us see how you fair without it.�
Luna_Faline doesn�t hesitate, but launches at him full force. Knocking him back into the throne, �Your right, it is just a small piece of metal,� as my claws dig into his wrists.
Vin_Da_DM: �Rage, anger, hatred. Yes! Kill me. Remove the one love from your life,� Eclipse continues to grin at her, �And what then? After you have destroyed me, what will you tell your unborn child. Will you tell him how you killed the man you loved. Or how you believed a god infallible?�
Luna_Faline: �Your mistaken,� I hiss, �There is no rage, or hatred or anger. There have been other loves, and yet I remain.� Digs my claws in so far they snap the tendons.
Vin_Da_DM: �So, this is how it will be? You would give up on love, merely to destroy me? Clinging to the belief that your god can do no wrong?�
Luna_Faline: �I will not give up on love. For there is a love far greater than what I share with Eclipse.� I grab the sai with my teeth and yank it from his hand. I jump away from him as I let go. Landing on my feet a few yards away, I take the sai in my paw, �The love for the greater good of mankind is stronger than what two people can share.�
Claron glances around at the others in the room. Inwardly feeling a great sense of relief that the very real challenge she had endured did not in fact take away her friends and loved ones.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse stands, �Then perhaps there is hope for the future.� Bowing he looks at Luna, �You have passed your test, Luna, Avatar of Selenia, to put the greater good above any relationship. But do not underestimate the bond between two souls.� Luna reappears in the temple chamber in a bright flash.
Luna_Faline lands at Eclipse�s feet hugging my stomach and crying silent tears.
Claron: �Oh, thank God. It is good to see you passed your test, Luna_Faline.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Luna, you�re back,� Eclipse looks at Luna with curiosity.
Clarice watches Luna_Faline somewhat surprised to see her clutching her stomach and not exhibiting the tower of strength that she normally does.
Vin_Da_DM: �It�s okay�� Eclipse crouches down and hugs her.
Luna_Faline hugs Eclipse hard as I look up at Mateus sealed in the ice wondering if anything he said was true.
Kat|e raises a trembling hand to her rune, takes a deep breath, and places her hand on it, disappearing.
Claron watches as Kat|e disappears from the room.
Vin_Da_DM: In turn, the room fades away from around Katie depositing her in a off-gray circular room. A man with long silver hair stands with his back slightly turned to Katie holding a old photograph in his hand.
Kat|e straightens her spine, looking straight ahead, keeping her mind clear.
Vin_Da_DM: The man turns his head noticing Katie. With a heavy sigh he looks back to the photo, �I knew you would return. It was only a matter of time.�
Kat|e gives a barely perceptible nod.
Kat|e: She clasps her hands behind her back, like a child waiting for chastisement.
Vin_Da_DM: �Speak your mind. I am sure you have questions,� the man turns to face her, a kind face hidden among the silver locks of hair.
Kat|e peers at the photo.
Vin_Da_DM: Oddly enough the photo is blank, the man notices her looking and hands the photo to her.
Kat|e takes the photo and looks at it oddly.
Vin_Da_DM: �The photograph, what do you see when you look at it?� The man asks Katie, as he brushes some loose hairs away from his face.
Kat|e: �My�my family.� Tears well.
Kat|e: �Before Mum and Da were�were killed. And Marc went off to fight.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Why do you think it is that you see them?� The man takes a few paces to the side.
Kat|e chews her lip, �Because I�because they were the beginning of my losses.�
Kat|e: �Because I haven�t come to terms with losing them, or anyone else.�
Kat|e takes a breath.
Vin_Da_DM: �Your losses. You see an image of those gone from your life,� the man turns and ponders for a moment, �And yet, when you took the picture you did not think of those around you. Friends still with you. Why?�
Kat|e swallows. �I�m haunted,� she says in a small voice, sounding like a scared little girl.
Vin_Da_DM: Back in the temple the Guardian finally decides to touch his rune, whisked away in another flash of light.
Kat|e: �I think about those I�ve lost every day. I wonder if I could have changed things� kept them from leaving me.� Her eyes pool.
Vin_Da_DM: �Haunted by their memories,� pacing again the man looks over at Katie, �So, tell me. If you could be whisked back in time and you could change the past, would you?�
Kat|e: �I don�t know,� she whispers.
Vin_Da_DM: �But you think about it every day. Surely you would have an idea by now of what you would do to save them,� the man moves to Katie�s side, �Who would you save first?�
Kat|e: �First?� Her eyes widen.
Kat|e: Her mind flits over the faces of her loved ones.
Kat|e: Thomas� face hovers in the back of her mind.
Kat|e: Then Kyo�s.
Kat|e: �How would I choose?� she murmurs.
Vin_Da_DM: �Yes, from so many lost, which would you choose to save first? You have thought about saving them, what of events that would be changed by the very act of saving the first? Then the second?�
Kat|e takes a breath and grimaces.
Kat|e: �It�s true. If my parents hadn�t died, I would probably still be a spoiled little princess. I would never have joined the military. I wouldn�t have saved the lives I did.�
Kat|e: �But if every time I get close to someone, I lose them�how can I ever be close to anyone?�
Vin_Da_DM: �You speak as though losing them is your fault. Why do you believe that you will lose whomever you are close to?� The man looks at her again, studiously.
Kat|e: �Because that�s what happens! If I love someone, they die! My parents! Marc! John! Thomas! Kyoshiro!� she screams, tears pouring down her cheeks.
Kat|e: �If I keep them at a distance, maybe they will make it to see another day!�
Kat|e: Sobs wrack her frame.
Vin_Da_DM: �And so you keep them away. Each lost love treated as if death itself follows your every step, waiting to take them away if you care for them. Have you ever considered that you are not responsible?�
Kat|e: �I would like to believe it.� She crosses her arms. �I don�t want to keep hiding from intimacy. But�it�s such a risk.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Then you are afraid of risks? Afraid to put the past behind you and believe that what has gone before has led you to this moment,� the man walks out in front of her and nods, �If you wish to experience those feelings you must take that risk.�
Kat|e nods, her face still wet.
Vin_Da_DM: �So, I ask again, who do you see in that photograph?�
Kat|e looks again and sees Claron, Shinta, Tab, with their arms around her, smiling at the camera.
Kat|e smiles, �My future.�
Vin_Da_DM: �And are you ready to face that future and anything that it may bring? Or do you still fear the reaper hanging over your shoulder?� The man looks Katie directly in the eyes.
Kat|e: �I�m afraid of losing friends, or loved ones. Fear is a natural emotion. But I can�t let it dog my every step.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Then you are prepared to take the risk and allow those who care for you to get close.�
Kat|e: �I will accept what is to come. And I will face it with the knowledge that I cannot change my past, nor can I hide from my pain. I will allow affection back in my life.� She looks determined.
Kat|e smiles down at the photo again.
Vin_Da_DM: �Good. You have passed your test, Katie, now return to those you see in the photograph.� The man nods as Katie disappears and reappears in the temple in the same flash as the others.
Kat|e looks around, her eyes shimmering, her lip quivering, �Have I ever told you guys how glad I am to have you at my back?�
Claron smiles happily as she sees Kat|e has returned back, �Good to see you, my friend.�
Kat|e walks up and hugs Claron tightly.
Kat|e: �I�m glad to be back.�
Clarice: �The same can be said of you, McKinnon.�
Tabris: �Well, looks like somebody had a cheery experience.� Tabris smirks at Katie, �No scary monsters or super powered can openers then I take it?�
Kat|e smiles brightly, her shoulders higher than they�ve been in years.
Kat|e: �Oh, it was a pretty big monster.� She smiles secretly to herself.
Claron returns Kat|e�s embrace, �Hope yours went smoothly��
Kat|e: �Besides.� She winks. �Can openers don�t scare me.�
Claron looks at Tabris, the face of the monster flashing in front of her mind, shivers run along her spine.
Tabris: Tabris looks at Katie, Luna and Claron then back at the rune glowing at him. �Guess it�s my turn next��
Kat|e: �Good luck, Tab,� she whispers.
Claron turns to face Tabris, �Good luck, and know I will always love you.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I think I will get mine done as well,� Eclipse nods to the others then looks back at Luna, �I�ll be back shortly, I promise.�
Luna_Faline pulls away from Eclipse and wipes my eyes. �Be careful.�
Claron leans in and kisses Tabris before he flashes out.
Vin_Da_DM: With several of the Warriors having successfully passed tests still more remain. Eclipse and Tabris both approach their runes, extending their hands to the glowing surfaces as they both disappear, whisked off to face whatever challenges lay in wait for them...Meanwhile, those who passed their tests begin to feel as though something about them has changed...
Vin_Da_DM: $ End