Willa:
I awoke with a start, but kept my eyes calmly shut. I didn't hear any footsteps, nor any arguments in a foreign language. So ... I don't seem to be a hostage. I inwardly frowned. What was going on? My hands were not bound, nor my feet, and my mouth was not gagged. I slowly began to clench and unclench each of my muscles, making sure there was no aching, soreness, paralysis, or possibly forming bruises. When none of the previously mentioned ailments presented themselves, I slowly began to open my eyes, preparing to squeeze them shut again if I needed to.
I was met with dune-colored walls, and a high vaulted ceiling. There were no windows or light fixtures that I could see, and yet the room was well-lit and open. I rose to a crouch, my left foot resting straight out in front of me in case I had to make a quick run for it - though I didn't know where I would go, there were no doors. Then how did I get here? My face scrunched up in confusion as my eyes roamed the rest of the room. Nope, no doors, but ... what are those? My eyes had landed on low tables of light wood that were each covered in a beige cloth. Three were empty, but the other four seemed to hold displays of some sort. What the heck is this?
"Choose." It was a male voice - a somewhat cold and formal male voice at that.
"One of the tables?" I asked, hoping for clarification. When I didn't get an answer, I shrugged and pushed myself up to a standing position. I was honestly not too comfortable conceding to a voice that seemed to come from thin air, but there were really no other options, and I was truly curious.
Looking over both shoulders, I cautiously stepped up behind one of the tables, refusing to stride into the center of the circle - it's what he wants. The tabletop held a random assortment of ninja tools - two Sai, a Jutte, and a Ninja-To if I wasn't mistaken. The Ninja-To was enclosed in a simple sheath of peach, as was the Jutte, though the Sai lay bare against the brown cloth. I rolled my shoulders and moved on - close quartered combat wasn't my thing.
Across the circle stood a katana, and even from across the room I could tell it was well crafted and well balanced. Next to it sat a wakizashi of equal quality, and I found myself nodding slightly. All trained in the art of the katana were smart enough to know never go anywhere without a wakizashi.
"Choose." The man said again, and I huffed out a breath without thinking.
"I'm getting there." I answered forcefully. Not smart to be rude, Willa. I told myself. He can just elongate your stay in this lovely windowless, door-less, prison. I didn't say anything more though. Instead, I turned to see a double-bladed ax on the next table. It was recently polished, and its edges freshly sharpened. All in all it was a beautiful work of art.
The final stand held a strange weapon, one with its hilt wrapped in lavender leather - obviously dyed - that looked like a sword mounted on a spear pole. Ah. A Korean Crescent Sword. The blade was worked so that swirls danced naturally across the metal. It was stunning enough that I silently wondered if it really was created by humankind.
I looked up, trying to find a good place to converse with the man. I ended up just looking at one of the walls with my arms crossed for a few minutes without speaking. But finally I gave up and said:
"I know you told me to choose, but I would really appreciate it if you understood that I do not like to hurt innocents. If that is what this is all about, I suggest you find another mercenary. I will not comply." For that's the only reason I am here, right? I kept my arms crossed and widened my stance, hoping to look firm and unmovable in my choice.
"You won't be hurting innocents. You'll be protecting them." The man tried to assure me, but I frowned deeply in response. What he said must be untrue, the only reason people would come to me for something like this is to be a mercenary, and I won't stand for people who cannot protect themselves to be slaughtered!
"You lie." I responded simply, coldly. "No matter how many times you tell me to choose, I will not. Not if innocent people are in danger!"
"You won't be hurting innocents, I already told you that!" He answered angrily.
"But you are making me take a weapon for some reason, are you not? I don't want to hurt people.
"FINE!" He exploded, which surprised me the slightest bit. "JUST TAKE THE AX THEN! YOU WON'T ACTUALLY BE KILLING PEOPLE WITH IT!"
"The ax?" I looked at it, and slowly began walking towards it, curious. "What does the ax have to do with anything?"
The voice sighed, defeated. "The ax causes immense pain without actually killing. So even if you don't believe me about what you would be doing, take the ax and you cannot kill even if you wanted to. Not with that thing at least."
Pain without actually killing, there's a thought. Did such a thing really exist? I wanted to ask but was slightly unnerved by the thought that the voice might blow up at me again. I looked at the ax a second time. Could I really take the ax and not kill a soul? None at all?
"Have you made your choice?" The voice was really starting to get on my nerves although I didn't let that show.
"What do I call it?" I wondered aloud, picking up the heavy weapon and weighing it in my hands.
"Ono. It's ax in its language of origin. Ono is a simple weapon and he wants nothing more than to save innocent lives, just as you do. Will you choose him?"
"Alright, if I must, I choose the ax. You better not have been lying about what it does." As soon as I uttered the phrase, the room exploded into pitch darkness, and I lost consciousness.
Rose:
Why is it so dark? That was my first thought. My second thought was - it smells funny in here, what'd they do? Dump a gallon of old-lady-flower scent from the ceiling? This was followed closely by: Where on earth am I?
It was at that point I decided it might be best if I opened my eyes. And as soon as I did, sunlight streamed into my vision, making me blink rapidly and sit up. I had been lying on a light colored wooden floor, and had been staring at the previously questioned ceiling - which was made completely out of glass. Finally done blinking my eyes, my vision wandered about the room. I watched as lavender walls rose up out my foggy sight, as well as a circle of pedestals.
I stood up, curious, and began to walk over towards the pedestals. Each was covered with a light purple felt that matched the color of the room. Felt, I thought, now that's an odd material to make tablecloths out of ... Ah well.
I counted them ... 7. Four were empty, and this made me shake my head and squint my eyes in slight confusion. Why would they leave four empty pedestals in the middle of a room for no apparent reason? The other three showcased ... weapons? What in the world would I need a thing like those for? Especially ones that belong more in a place like Ancient Korea than in the modern world.
One said pedestal held an assortment of what seemed could be ninja weapons - but ninjas were Japanese, not Korean ... - and atop a second was a thin samurai-looking sword-thing. Lastly was a most definitely Korean weapon - a Crescent Sword - one I recognized, though I couldn't remember why.
"Choose." A voice intoned, and it sounded like it had come from the ceiling. No, I thought, it seems to be coming from all around, like there are a bunch of invisible speakers projecting the voice.
"Choose what? A weapon? 'Cause I don't really need one of those right now. I don't really plan on serving in an army at time soon - or really at any point in time at all. So," I paused, "thanks, but no thanks."
"Choose." The voice said again, and I wondered if it - he? - could actually hear me or if it was just a recording or something. Hmm... Well, if I have to choose one of these, the ninja looking stuff is out. I don't know that those things are even supposed to do ... I looked back at the pedestals. That left the two swords. One was a more normal-looking-everyday-martial-arts-kind-of-sword, and the other was curved slightly. Which one should I choose? Hmm ... I choose ... I guess ...
Carefully I stepped up to the podium holding the glittering crescent blade. As I got closer, I saw that the actual blade part was made of a material that was not metal - it didn't have the silvery sheen of metal. Instead, it glittered like mother of pearl. Rainbows caught in the sunlight - so bright it made me blink furiously until a cloud covered the sunlight again. I brushed my fingertips along its leather-wrapped handle, and as soon as my skin made contact with the actual blade, voices began to whisper in a language I was unfamiliar with.
"What's with the whispering?" I wondered aloud. Are they friends with this other guy?
"It seems," intoned the original voice gravely, "that Shiseina Kino has chosen you."
"Wha ...?" My mouth was agape in confusion for a few seconds before I could form the question I wanted to ask. "I thought that I had to choose ... What's with the rule changing? Don't you think that's kind of unfair?"
"There hasn't been a wielder of Sacred Hope since the Battle Eien when it was lost." The voice rambled on, seemingly oblivious to my statement. "We had thought that there would never be one who could revive the ancient Language of Magic. The legends say it is made of Moonstone - the only blade of its kind. You must be very gifted for a weapon of this magnitude to have chosen you."
I picked up the sword, balancing it gently in my hands. As I did, it began to hum and a scent of lavender rose to my nostrils. A smile spread across my face, and I pirouetted slightly, the moonstone weapon still clasped in my hands. A giggle rose in my throat and out my mouth, echoing throughout the chamber. But then the laugh seemed to take an actual form, as waves of black began to appear before my eyes. That's strange ... was the last thing I remember thinking before everything was enveloped in the blackness.
Sabrina:
You know that feeling you sometimes get when you first wake up and you don't know where you are? That's what I felt when I woke up on a cement floor. But that time, my senses didn't return, and after several minutes, I still couldn't figure out where I was or how I had gotten there.
I cracked my eyes open into tiny slits, waiting to open them further until they adjusted to the light. The room was of a medium size, and the walls and ceiling were painted peach with pretty aquamarine swirls scattered across them. There were no windows, but lamps were lit all around, giving the room a homey feel. Nothing looked out of the ordinary - except for the no window thing, I mean who does that? - until I saw a circle of seven mats on the floor. Only two seemed to be occupied by something.
Curious, I rose to my feet and crept over, hoping that nothing would jump out and eat me. On the first was an assortment what looked like random weapons that could be easily hidden in sleeves, and under shirts, and in boots, and the like. There was a longish sword, two three-pronged daggers, and a shorter broader sword - maybe it's a knife ...? On the second was a wicked-looking long sword as clear as new diamonds.
"Choose." Boomed a male-sounding voice, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. It had come from somewhere out of my field of vision, and I was too terrified to really check and see if a random door had appeared on one of the walls. I supposed he meant one of the weapon mats, and my eyes focused back on those.
Without turning around, I spoke up hesitantly - "sure thing Luv, which one?"
"What do mean 'which one'? You have to choose." The voice sounded kinda annoyed, but I still didn't turn around to check.
"Well then, which one would be better?" Both choices looked really cool. What if I choose wrong?
"You must decide that for yourself. Hurry up." The voice obviously didn't know me very well. I chewed on my bottom lip absentmindedly.
"I will choose, don't you worry. But first, could you tell me a little bit about both? It would make the choice easier."
"The assortment of weapons on your right are the weapons of the Lynx - an ancient race of people that silently protect all the citizens of the different Kingdoms. The longest blade is called the Ninja-To - it is the primary weapon of the Race, and the most valued in their line of work. Its particular name is Karuma or Karma in common tongue. The two daggers are called Sai and this particular pair are named the Silent Ones or Sairento Mono. These blades are particularly good at parrying larger weapons. The last is called a Jutte and it is its job to protect you against weapons like the one on the opposite side of the room. If you use this weapon correctly, you could break a sword of that magnitude. This one is named Rakku or Luck." I hear him take in a deep breath, and I turned to the bigger sword and saw that there was a second, smaller blade sheathed next to it.
"What are these two?" I asked pointing.
"Those are the blades crafted by the Ice Nymphs of the Yami Mountains. The longer one is a katana, and named Shimo or the Frost. The smaller is a wakizashi and named Tsurara or Icicle. They conduct and focus the gifts of the Ice Nymphs for their powers are rowdy and hard to control." He sighed heavily. "Now will you choose?"
How am I going to make such an important decision? What if I choose the bigger sword and it turned out that I am a horrible Ice Nymph or whatever? I obviously still didn't know which one to choose. While the descriptions were meant to help me, it felt as if they had made the decision all the harder.
"The sword. No, the other stuff... No. Oh I don't know! I could really use your input, wherever you are." I turned around to see that there was no one there. Weird. "What's your suggestion?"
A large sigh resounded across the room. "Shut your eyes, I will choose for you."
I smiled up at the ceiling - hoping that the guy could see me. "Thank you Luv." I then shut my eyes tight and held my breath, waiting.
I felt a shove and almost tripped over the mat holding the assortment of random-looking weapons. My eyes flew open and my arms pin-wheeled.
"Well, I guess I'm getting those." I mused, stooping to pick them up.
"Finally." The voice gasped, and everything went black.
Lara:
When I woke up, I was lying curled up on my side on a cold floor, and I remembered feeling déjà vu without knowing why. It was the creepiest sensation. I really didn't want to open my eyes - not if there was a slight possibility that this particular déjà vu would become real life. Who am I kidding? I sighed internally. I just don't want to open my eyes. But I still cowered slightly at the thought of opening my eyes to a scene I didn't want to repeat. Except that my mind wouldn't let me recall the memory. It was if my body and senses were scared of something my mind wasn't clued in for. No, that's exactly what it was - no 'ifs' about it.
So when I opened my eyes, my muscles were tense and ready to spring into action - though I had no idea what I would do or where I would go. The room was white - so much so that it was blinding, and I shut my eyes tight for a few more minutes.
While my eyes were closed, I listened. I listened to absolutely nothing. No air conditioning, no breathing. No nothing. I couldn't decide if this was creepier than the no memory-ness, or what. Inwardly shaking myself, I cracked my eyes open again, still squinting against the brightness of the paint. What the heck is it with people and bright paint? Couldn't they have picked a cream - not a frost white? Grumbling to myself, I opened my eyes all the way.
I have to admit, it was a pretty room. Once I got passed the blinding paint, I saw that an ornate crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. On closer inspection, it almost looked as if frost coated its surface, though from that far away I couldn't really be sure.
"Choose." Drawled a bored voice, and I turned in a slow circle, searching for the source.
"Choose what?" I countered, just as bored. My eyes fell on a ring of glass cases – all of which were empty except for the far one. My curiosity peaked, and I cautiously walked over into the center of the ring.
The cases themselves were beautiful – even if they were empty. They must have held splendid items... I turned to face the final case, and my breath was blown away. In it sat a beautiful sword in a sheath of starlight. Without really realizing what I was doing, I picked it up and unsheathed it. The blade was made of a material like glass – so clear I could see the floor under my feet. It was a Katana, I realized, and its partner – the Wakizashi – lay in the case.
"Choose." The voice ordered again, and irritation began to rise slightly in my mind. I shoved it down deep into the recesses of my core and looked up.
"A weapon?" I asked coolly, keeping my face an indifferent mask.
"Yes."
"There is only one to choose from." I commented blandly.
"Then do you choose it?"
"If I must."
"Then say that you choose Shimo and his partner, Tsurara, and this will all be over." The voice sounded irritated, and the urge to smirk pulled at my face – but it remained neutral.
"I choose these blades – whatever they are called." I replied. In that instant, I felt I piercing cold wind whip my face and everything went from a brilliant white to a pitch black.
