Disclaimer: I do not, repeat, DO NOT own Ragnarok Online. This is the
property of Master Lee-Myoung Jin and Gravity Corporation. pRO belongs to
its publisher Level Up! HOWEVER I do own anything within my sorry account,
which means my character, is seriously mine and the character names I will
use here are actually real people in the Philippine Odin Server. I'll have
to give credit to them later on and I might mention some guilds, which are
very much famous in our locale.
To machinegungirl: Thanks for the review! Yes, I certainly agree with you that it isn't the fault of hunters why they can be tagged as overpowered. The only reason is that hunters have their advantages over agility and dexterity. Yin and Yang of sorts...combine the two harmoniously and you end up with a lethal build. It's just that there are some hunters who really act like jerks, especially in the PvP rooms and WoE. Monks are NOT overpowered, owing to the SP penalty of their skills. They can be just as lousy as a cross between assassin and knight, but proper construction build is very much needed in planning a good character.
Bah, enough with the words and let's get on with the second story...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Chapter 2: Early Years of Training
"So, you are Tiger God Byakko..." Mother Matilda browsed over the silver- haired boy, as the other nervously stood still, suspicious that the cleric knows something about him.
"Ok then..." Mathilda said, letting a homing pigeon fly." I sent a message telling that you are accepted as an acolyte."
Byakko sighed at the news. /pif
"However..." Mathilda stared at her suspiciously. "I personally believe that you are not fit for the righteous path of holiness."
Byakko stared at her with amazement and curiosity. This was the first case a cleric would counter the decision of an applicant for priesthood.
"But why?" Byakko asked, fearing what she might have observed in him.
"You bear the aura of an evil monster, the blood that runs in you is inhuman, and you bear the pagan markings of corruption. Yet you choose to be an acolyte..." Mathilda gave out her observations.
"It is my choice, "Mother"... for me to want this job. I only want what my heart would tell me to do..." Byakko gave her an answer of sarcasm. "And you are right...so I bid you farewell. I trust we will meet again..." The old cleric smiled bidding a confused novice farewell.
Going back to the city of Morroc, Byakko didn't believe that this was a city at all. It looked more like a settlement, the buildings were rundown, tents arrayed the city streets, and people would have preferred camping out rather than staying in inns.
"Ei, Byakko!" Kuro called from the crowd. Byakko looked back to hear what the other boy wanted to say.
"How was your test?" Kuro asked him.
"It's finished. All I have to do is go back to the Sanctuary to accept my uniforms and receive training to use my skills."
"That's good...I still have to go below the Pyramids to take the test...but I'm damned to terrified to go down there..."
"And why is that?"
"They say there are certain bats that roam the first level of the area, mobbing unsuspecting people. And once in a while, a monster they call "Mimic" appears."
"Y'know. It wouldn't help if you stayed here rather than take your quest." Byakko started to walk away.
"Hey, where are you going?" Kuro called out.
"Home...I have to finish this quest today. I scheduled myself tomorrow to intensive training."
"Is this a goodbye?"
Byakko looked back at the pony-tailed kid as he saw sadness, even if it was little, in his eyes.
"No. It's a "see you again"." Byakko forced a weak grin, walking away as Kuro waved goodbye to him for the last time.
Another long walk across the desert.
Byakko had his fill of Condor wings, boiled Peco Peco eggs and Picky stew (he only ate the last dish when he was desperately hungry). Desert cuisine was not his style. He had to go back to civilization!
After asking a few knights and thieves he had passed his way (and a hefty bribe to boot), Byakko finally got his bearings back and reached Prontera in the afternoon.
First stop: The Flower Lady. She was the only "nice, polite character" (NPC he he...) that was really nice to him. Other characters would raise the prices of their wares when he would arrive and charge him low for the loot he is trying to sell, but she was the only npc that was fair and just to her.
"Good afternoon, ne-chan..." Byakko greeted the Flower Lady.
"Oh, it's you Byakko! Long time no see...how are you?" She greeted back.
"Just fine, just fine. I've got loots from Morroc you may want to buy..."
"You came from Morroc? That's good! I hope you have a stock of feathers, I really need them for my special float on the Flora festival..." She sneakily said, leering her eyes and bringing herself closer to the young boy.
"Uh...right...here. It's one hundred and twenty three Feather of Birds, ninety two Feathers, one hundred and fifty one jellopy..." Byakko checked the contents of his backpack where he kept all of his loot.
"Let's see...it all adds up to two thousand plus zennies...I'll give you three thousand for all of these..." She smiled warmly.
Byakko gave an /omg expression. First time he got three thousand for all of his loot.
"Ne-chan...won't you get banned for overcharging my loot? I'm no merchant you know..." Byakko said in dread upon the term "banned".
"Of course not silly! Unless you want to tell everyone else I did this..." She cackled, sorta like a Bathory would.
"No, I wont. Thanks ne-chan. I gotta go now, the cleric is waiting for me." Byakko said leaving for the church.
"Good luck, boy!" Flower Lady hollered back.
"I'll see you again..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"Byakko! Finally you've become an acolyte!" The cleric said congratulating the boy who was now sporting the robes of an apprentice-priest.
"Thank you Father..."Byakko nodded low.
"I suggest you wait in the main hall with the other newly recruited members, we will start our first lesson of the day in the night..." The cleric pointed to him in the direction outside the antechamber.
Byakko sullenly walked outside towards the other bustling newbie acolytes, who seemed excited about their first lesson. Byakko piffed at them and walked towards the nun intent on looking at the Chain, she was also entertaining other purchases.
"Sigh...twenty three thousand zennies..." Byakko looked at his measly nineteen thousand. He was still lacking at buying that Chain.
"Ei kid..." A merchant called him, hearing his piffing and sighing. "I'll sell you this 6 Chain for nineteen thousand..."
Byakko weakened at the coincidence. He might have been lucky that day, though his luck was really just 1. Inspecting and making sure that the Chain wasn't a scam or anything, he bought the 6 Chain and sported it at his waist.
Sitting down with the others, Byakko was intent on sleeping for a while. First mission completed: obtaining a suitable weapon for him. Now he wanted to rest for a while.
"Hey kid." A tough looking female acolyte got his attention. "What's your level?"
Byakko gave a short reply, attempting to end the sudden disturbance.
"24/1..."
The acolyte walked away, realizing that he can't bully this newbie. His measly level 17 was no match for Byakko's 24...
"Good evening to all of you!" A deafening voice boomed across the hall, the rowdy acolytes quieted down, and the others who slept woke up.
"Tonight, we will start training for your apprenticeship...In here, you will determine your strengths and your weaknesses in the field of support and exorcising."
"First skill is Heal. The trademark of any acolyte, Heal is the most essential spell for party support and undead exorcising. Heal is very much useful in keeping your party alive while also attacking the negative energy of the undead with positive energy. Your Heal capacity will go higher for every skill point you allocate in the spell, and the growth of your base level and Intelligence. The formula is: Intelligence Base Level / 8 (4Skill Level Of Heal 8)."
"The second is Increase Agility. It temporarily increases Agility of any one character, along with its moving and attack speed as well. It has its brother skill, Decrease Agility, which lowers enemy Agility. You need Level 3 Heal as a requirement to obtain this skill."
"The third is Blessing. It increases Strength, Intelligence and Dexterity of one person. It is a highly useful spell as it also cures curse. The SP points are what somewhat makes this skill a so-so when using it. You will need Level 5 Divine Protection."
The other acolytes were already jotting down notes on handy notepads that they brought with them. Byakko didn't mind them; he already had a build placed in his mind. It never hurt to do your homework...
"Divine Protection and Demon Bane are also brother skills; increasing your defense against the evil and raising your attack power against the evil as well. Angelus is a useful party spell that can raise defense of all your party members, while Signum Crucis will help in lowering the defense of evil enemies; specifically the Undead and Ghosts. Ruwach is very useful against enemies that hide, and is a prerequisite for Teleport and Warp Portal; both useful for transportation and escape. Pneuma is a powerful spell that nullifies range types of attacks however; you need Level 4 Warp Portal to obtain it. Cure is for recovery against status ailments and Aqua Benedicta is for creation of Holy Water, an item unique only for the Cleric class."
The cleric ended his lecture, looking at the acolytes who began comparing notes, telling one another that their build is better. A certain boy caught his attention, a certain silver-haired boy...
Bringing a large carton box in the pulpit, the cleric deliberately slammed it on the wood to wake anyone who wasn't paying attention. Inside were tiny pieces of paper with strange writings and symbols on it.
"These," He held out one of the pieces of paper. "Is an Amulet. It is a special relic from the monsters Munak and Bongun. It can summon undead monsters, but as our priests are still trying to use it to revive ourselves when we faint, we still do not know." The cleric threw the paper on the ground. In an instant, it faded to the floor and a rotting violet fiend replaced it. The cleric focused and casted Heal towards the walking corpse. In an instant, the monster burst and it's nails flew off, landing to the waiting hands of an acolyte.
"The Sanctuary's holy energy shall prevent any evil from moving inside. I want each of you to take one and demonstrate in front how to deal with undead using your field of expertise." The cleric motioned for each one to take a piece.
"By the way, the amulet will call any undead that will match the evilness of the person using it. It will be a good way of self-examination to see the degrees of wickedness inside a person." The cleric said, smiling to himself. They had seen that he was only able to summon a zombie, which means his evilness is very minimal.
An acolyte went forward and threw the paper on the ground. A similar corpse came out, except it was grayish all over, not violet. The cleric identified it as a Ghoul, and assisted the acolyte by Blessing her and the Ghoul at the same time, cursing it in the process. The Ghoul went down in ten turns with the acolyte alone.
"Very good. A Ghoul is somewhat strong and should not be tackled with unless you are 40 or higher. Bomfrey, you're next..." The cleric called upon the female acolyte who looked boyish for her size.
A Zombie Prisoner came out from hers, and although it was true that the monster was unable to move from his position, it was able to swing its ball and chain at the onlookers. The acolyte shrieked and others gasped as the cleric stepped in and casted Status Recovery on the undead.
"Everybody! Heal!" The cleric shouted as everyone focused his or her healing powers towards the center, even Byakko. The monster fell back as it was bombarded by numerous heal bombs from every person inside.
"That..."The cleric said, between breaths. " should never be tackled until you are 50 or higher. Unless you want to have broken bones all over, you best stay away from those types of monsters.
The bully went in gasps as she stayed back in the group, traumatized by the ordeal.
Heh, what a pathetic person...
"Byakko..." The cleric called from the registry scroll. Byakko stepped forward as he held the piece of paper on hand, shaking faintly. Throwing the amulet on the ground, he waited in abated breath as a peculiar corpse rose.
It was a zombie. Byakko knew that, but somehow it wasn't in the tint of violet. It was more of the blue. Looking back at the cleric for confirmation to attack it, Byakko charged at the zombie with his 6 Chain, finishing the fiend in four strikes. No loot came out. The cleric gasped for air when he realized that the zombie was no more than smoke, disappearing in the air as the ground shook and a fissure formed in the center. Strange pentagram like symbols appeared on the crack as a very large demon-undead rose from it. It looked like a rotting sorcerer with a large aura and floating in the air.
Dark Illusion.
Byakko had studied almost all the known monsters of Rune-Midgard; and he was most fascinated in the area of Necrology and Demon Physiology. He had known and identified any undead and demon, whether existing in his time or not.
Dark Illusion was no laughing matter. They were known servants of the Dark Lord, the undead MVP monster. And their spells are in almost comparison to their master.
Byakko realized it was just too late when the creature shrouded him with his ghostly cloak, shutting him from the view of others. It felt like he was falling and falling into an unknown dimension.
He landed with a thud on something like a transparent floor. There was no light around them, yet they saw each other; Dark Illusion and himself. The monster began his assault at the scared acolyte, realizing that he was no match for the demon. He snapped his head to his side and braced himself for the impending doom, as the undead neared its rotting hand at the crouched boy.
A small luster passed between them.
And the monster paused its assault at the young boy. Electricity seemed to pass through them as Byakko felt something different, not quite the slashes of a claw or the breaking of his bones as he was going to be torn apart
A gentle stroke...
The rotting hand slowly caressed the tiger markings on Byakko's face, its ebony luster responding to the evil energy that the creature emanated. Byakko gaped at him and was paralyzed with fear and wonder.
The creature's mouth opened to deliver a raspy sound, Byakko observed that he might not have spoken for a long time and was unable to do it properly now. A few attempts later and audible words started forming in the series of gasps and hoarse sentences.
"You..." Words finally came out.
"Why do you wear these markings that demons and evil know alone? "I...I am no human. Demi-human perhaps, but I know I am not human..." Byakko stuttered at the powerful being.
"It is true...then. Son of Sohee Mistress, you are...aren't you?" Dark Illusion pierced the blue eyes of Byakko.
"Yes...I was told by someone of the same name..."
"I owe her my existence...most of us do...yet she died on that fateful night..."
"..."
"No one came to her aid...all the demons were restrained inside the castle of Glastheim...all that was left was her scream that pierced through the air..."
Byakko fell to his knees, feeling cold as if he had heard the same shrieks of pain he thought he had when he was a baby.
"Mother..."
"You've grown Byakko, son of Sohee Mistress. We will be seeing each other some time around again...never doubt that."
"Wait!!! Can you tell me more about my mother? Please..."
"This hallowed place is sapping me of my strength. Receive this to prove my defeat in your hands this day. And this other item, keep it that I may know you again when we finally meet at the fated day..." Dark Illusion flung a skull and a torn piece of paper.
[Received Skull-1 ea]
[Received Half of Dark Illusion Card-1 ea]
"I will imbue your weapon as well, that it may help you in your training. My cohort shall appear in the strikes of your chain to weaken and halve all the statistics of the enemy...as well as lowering its defense by half..." Dark Illusion spun a thread of energy in the air as it entwined in the weapon strung at Byakko's side.
[Received 6 Damnation Chain-1 ea]
Byakko gazed at the demon as it slowly sucked into itself the void it has created. Slowly, light began to pierce the darkness and the demon retreated into the fissure he had created.
"Until next time...son of Sohee Mistress..." Dark Illusion whispered. "Yes...until next time..." Byakko fell on his knees, weakened from the encounter as he slid the torn card into his pockets. The skull he kept clutching in his other as he finally realized that he was back at the Sanctuary.
The people inside saw only a dark orb had encircled Byakko and the monster, and they were pretty sure that he would have been eaten by now, if not horribly dismembered in the most grueling way. The orb began to shrink and all that was left was a boy sprawled in the floor, his hands clutching a skull in his chest.
"Byakko!" The cleric rushed from the pulpit to the kneeling boy in the center. The others stood back, in fear that the monster will return. Stretching his hand out to grasp the weakening acolyte, the cleric snapped back as he was thrown to the floor, a strange pentagram variation appearing on the floor where the acolyte was sprawled. It was some sort of evil Kyrie Eleison barrier.
"Holy Light!" The cleric issued a blast of holy force as the barrier broke on it's own accord. The priest finally had reached the boy, casting Status Recovery, Cure and Sanctuary around them. Byakko writhed in pain as the healing energy pulsated in the floor, but later fell weak and limply molded himself in the priest's waiting arms. The skull fell from his grasp, bouncing once before finally halting in the crevice of the church floor.
Everyone gasped as they saw the drop that Byakko had. No way he could've defeated the Dark Illusion, but this just proves he has! Still, it would've been best if...
"Everyone...gather around..." The cleric called on his apprentices. "I want all of you to never speak of this matter outside the church. I will not hesitate to silence all of you if need be. There should be no circulating news about what had happened this day." The acolytes nodded, realizing that they would be denied priest hood if they had ever said word about it.
"Good." The cleric looked at everyone. "I assume all of you are very tired by now. Please, go back to your quarters and rest. We will resume training by tomorrow. That is all. "The cleric made final word.
After a short prayer, the hall cleared up of its residents, as the only persons left were the cleric and the resting acolyte in his arms. A priest came rushing forth from the doors of the Sanctuary, sweat lining his brows nit in stress and fear. His suspicions were well placed as he saw the silver-haired boy unconscious.
"Am I too late? How is the boy?" The just-arrived priest asked the other.
"He is well, he had an encounter..."
"From what?"
"It is best if we rest for now. I will tell all the details of what happened in the refectory, while we will have our breakfast. In the meantime, I suggest we keep an eye out for this boy. I feel he is somewhat special..." The cleric proceeded to carry the boy into his dormitory. The other priest followed suit.
"You do not have any idea what you have just said..." He murmured inaudibly, walking along the unlit corridors of the sanctuary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Dark Illusion was in front of the Evil Council...
"I have found the boy..." The undead bowed before them.
"Good..." A foxy female voice spoke; it was Moonlight Flower's.
"He has finally arrived then..." Another spoke, a more male and deeper voice boomed, it was Baphomet's.
Dark Lord rose from his seat as he noticed that the time for his respawning was nearing.
"We'll talk later of our plans for the boy. He is of value to us...and we will need him so. We are his only family now..." He lowered his tone and vanished into oblivion, his mob following him. The others nodded with his comment and spoke among themselves.
"The new MVP has arrived..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Peh, onto the next chapter...which would be a week from now. I must update my Zoids fic!
To machinegungirl: Thanks for the review! Yes, I certainly agree with you that it isn't the fault of hunters why they can be tagged as overpowered. The only reason is that hunters have their advantages over agility and dexterity. Yin and Yang of sorts...combine the two harmoniously and you end up with a lethal build. It's just that there are some hunters who really act like jerks, especially in the PvP rooms and WoE. Monks are NOT overpowered, owing to the SP penalty of their skills. They can be just as lousy as a cross between assassin and knight, but proper construction build is very much needed in planning a good character.
Bah, enough with the words and let's get on with the second story...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Chapter 2: Early Years of Training
"So, you are Tiger God Byakko..." Mother Matilda browsed over the silver- haired boy, as the other nervously stood still, suspicious that the cleric knows something about him.
"Ok then..." Mathilda said, letting a homing pigeon fly." I sent a message telling that you are accepted as an acolyte."
Byakko sighed at the news. /pif
"However..." Mathilda stared at her suspiciously. "I personally believe that you are not fit for the righteous path of holiness."
Byakko stared at her with amazement and curiosity. This was the first case a cleric would counter the decision of an applicant for priesthood.
"But why?" Byakko asked, fearing what she might have observed in him.
"You bear the aura of an evil monster, the blood that runs in you is inhuman, and you bear the pagan markings of corruption. Yet you choose to be an acolyte..." Mathilda gave out her observations.
"It is my choice, "Mother"... for me to want this job. I only want what my heart would tell me to do..." Byakko gave her an answer of sarcasm. "And you are right...so I bid you farewell. I trust we will meet again..." The old cleric smiled bidding a confused novice farewell.
Going back to the city of Morroc, Byakko didn't believe that this was a city at all. It looked more like a settlement, the buildings were rundown, tents arrayed the city streets, and people would have preferred camping out rather than staying in inns.
"Ei, Byakko!" Kuro called from the crowd. Byakko looked back to hear what the other boy wanted to say.
"How was your test?" Kuro asked him.
"It's finished. All I have to do is go back to the Sanctuary to accept my uniforms and receive training to use my skills."
"That's good...I still have to go below the Pyramids to take the test...but I'm damned to terrified to go down there..."
"And why is that?"
"They say there are certain bats that roam the first level of the area, mobbing unsuspecting people. And once in a while, a monster they call "Mimic" appears."
"Y'know. It wouldn't help if you stayed here rather than take your quest." Byakko started to walk away.
"Hey, where are you going?" Kuro called out.
"Home...I have to finish this quest today. I scheduled myself tomorrow to intensive training."
"Is this a goodbye?"
Byakko looked back at the pony-tailed kid as he saw sadness, even if it was little, in his eyes.
"No. It's a "see you again"." Byakko forced a weak grin, walking away as Kuro waved goodbye to him for the last time.
Another long walk across the desert.
Byakko had his fill of Condor wings, boiled Peco Peco eggs and Picky stew (he only ate the last dish when he was desperately hungry). Desert cuisine was not his style. He had to go back to civilization!
After asking a few knights and thieves he had passed his way (and a hefty bribe to boot), Byakko finally got his bearings back and reached Prontera in the afternoon.
First stop: The Flower Lady. She was the only "nice, polite character" (NPC he he...) that was really nice to him. Other characters would raise the prices of their wares when he would arrive and charge him low for the loot he is trying to sell, but she was the only npc that was fair and just to her.
"Good afternoon, ne-chan..." Byakko greeted the Flower Lady.
"Oh, it's you Byakko! Long time no see...how are you?" She greeted back.
"Just fine, just fine. I've got loots from Morroc you may want to buy..."
"You came from Morroc? That's good! I hope you have a stock of feathers, I really need them for my special float on the Flora festival..." She sneakily said, leering her eyes and bringing herself closer to the young boy.
"Uh...right...here. It's one hundred and twenty three Feather of Birds, ninety two Feathers, one hundred and fifty one jellopy..." Byakko checked the contents of his backpack where he kept all of his loot.
"Let's see...it all adds up to two thousand plus zennies...I'll give you three thousand for all of these..." She smiled warmly.
Byakko gave an /omg expression. First time he got three thousand for all of his loot.
"Ne-chan...won't you get banned for overcharging my loot? I'm no merchant you know..." Byakko said in dread upon the term "banned".
"Of course not silly! Unless you want to tell everyone else I did this..." She cackled, sorta like a Bathory would.
"No, I wont. Thanks ne-chan. I gotta go now, the cleric is waiting for me." Byakko said leaving for the church.
"Good luck, boy!" Flower Lady hollered back.
"I'll see you again..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"Byakko! Finally you've become an acolyte!" The cleric said congratulating the boy who was now sporting the robes of an apprentice-priest.
"Thank you Father..."Byakko nodded low.
"I suggest you wait in the main hall with the other newly recruited members, we will start our first lesson of the day in the night..." The cleric pointed to him in the direction outside the antechamber.
Byakko sullenly walked outside towards the other bustling newbie acolytes, who seemed excited about their first lesson. Byakko piffed at them and walked towards the nun intent on looking at the Chain, she was also entertaining other purchases.
"Sigh...twenty three thousand zennies..." Byakko looked at his measly nineteen thousand. He was still lacking at buying that Chain.
"Ei kid..." A merchant called him, hearing his piffing and sighing. "I'll sell you this 6 Chain for nineteen thousand..."
Byakko weakened at the coincidence. He might have been lucky that day, though his luck was really just 1. Inspecting and making sure that the Chain wasn't a scam or anything, he bought the 6 Chain and sported it at his waist.
Sitting down with the others, Byakko was intent on sleeping for a while. First mission completed: obtaining a suitable weapon for him. Now he wanted to rest for a while.
"Hey kid." A tough looking female acolyte got his attention. "What's your level?"
Byakko gave a short reply, attempting to end the sudden disturbance.
"24/1..."
The acolyte walked away, realizing that he can't bully this newbie. His measly level 17 was no match for Byakko's 24...
"Good evening to all of you!" A deafening voice boomed across the hall, the rowdy acolytes quieted down, and the others who slept woke up.
"Tonight, we will start training for your apprenticeship...In here, you will determine your strengths and your weaknesses in the field of support and exorcising."
"First skill is Heal. The trademark of any acolyte, Heal is the most essential spell for party support and undead exorcising. Heal is very much useful in keeping your party alive while also attacking the negative energy of the undead with positive energy. Your Heal capacity will go higher for every skill point you allocate in the spell, and the growth of your base level and Intelligence. The formula is: Intelligence Base Level / 8 (4Skill Level Of Heal 8)."
"The second is Increase Agility. It temporarily increases Agility of any one character, along with its moving and attack speed as well. It has its brother skill, Decrease Agility, which lowers enemy Agility. You need Level 3 Heal as a requirement to obtain this skill."
"The third is Blessing. It increases Strength, Intelligence and Dexterity of one person. It is a highly useful spell as it also cures curse. The SP points are what somewhat makes this skill a so-so when using it. You will need Level 5 Divine Protection."
The other acolytes were already jotting down notes on handy notepads that they brought with them. Byakko didn't mind them; he already had a build placed in his mind. It never hurt to do your homework...
"Divine Protection and Demon Bane are also brother skills; increasing your defense against the evil and raising your attack power against the evil as well. Angelus is a useful party spell that can raise defense of all your party members, while Signum Crucis will help in lowering the defense of evil enemies; specifically the Undead and Ghosts. Ruwach is very useful against enemies that hide, and is a prerequisite for Teleport and Warp Portal; both useful for transportation and escape. Pneuma is a powerful spell that nullifies range types of attacks however; you need Level 4 Warp Portal to obtain it. Cure is for recovery against status ailments and Aqua Benedicta is for creation of Holy Water, an item unique only for the Cleric class."
The cleric ended his lecture, looking at the acolytes who began comparing notes, telling one another that their build is better. A certain boy caught his attention, a certain silver-haired boy...
Bringing a large carton box in the pulpit, the cleric deliberately slammed it on the wood to wake anyone who wasn't paying attention. Inside were tiny pieces of paper with strange writings and symbols on it.
"These," He held out one of the pieces of paper. "Is an Amulet. It is a special relic from the monsters Munak and Bongun. It can summon undead monsters, but as our priests are still trying to use it to revive ourselves when we faint, we still do not know." The cleric threw the paper on the ground. In an instant, it faded to the floor and a rotting violet fiend replaced it. The cleric focused and casted Heal towards the walking corpse. In an instant, the monster burst and it's nails flew off, landing to the waiting hands of an acolyte.
"The Sanctuary's holy energy shall prevent any evil from moving inside. I want each of you to take one and demonstrate in front how to deal with undead using your field of expertise." The cleric motioned for each one to take a piece.
"By the way, the amulet will call any undead that will match the evilness of the person using it. It will be a good way of self-examination to see the degrees of wickedness inside a person." The cleric said, smiling to himself. They had seen that he was only able to summon a zombie, which means his evilness is very minimal.
An acolyte went forward and threw the paper on the ground. A similar corpse came out, except it was grayish all over, not violet. The cleric identified it as a Ghoul, and assisted the acolyte by Blessing her and the Ghoul at the same time, cursing it in the process. The Ghoul went down in ten turns with the acolyte alone.
"Very good. A Ghoul is somewhat strong and should not be tackled with unless you are 40 or higher. Bomfrey, you're next..." The cleric called upon the female acolyte who looked boyish for her size.
A Zombie Prisoner came out from hers, and although it was true that the monster was unable to move from his position, it was able to swing its ball and chain at the onlookers. The acolyte shrieked and others gasped as the cleric stepped in and casted Status Recovery on the undead.
"Everybody! Heal!" The cleric shouted as everyone focused his or her healing powers towards the center, even Byakko. The monster fell back as it was bombarded by numerous heal bombs from every person inside.
"That..."The cleric said, between breaths. " should never be tackled until you are 50 or higher. Unless you want to have broken bones all over, you best stay away from those types of monsters.
The bully went in gasps as she stayed back in the group, traumatized by the ordeal.
Heh, what a pathetic person...
"Byakko..." The cleric called from the registry scroll. Byakko stepped forward as he held the piece of paper on hand, shaking faintly. Throwing the amulet on the ground, he waited in abated breath as a peculiar corpse rose.
It was a zombie. Byakko knew that, but somehow it wasn't in the tint of violet. It was more of the blue. Looking back at the cleric for confirmation to attack it, Byakko charged at the zombie with his 6 Chain, finishing the fiend in four strikes. No loot came out. The cleric gasped for air when he realized that the zombie was no more than smoke, disappearing in the air as the ground shook and a fissure formed in the center. Strange pentagram like symbols appeared on the crack as a very large demon-undead rose from it. It looked like a rotting sorcerer with a large aura and floating in the air.
Dark Illusion.
Byakko had studied almost all the known monsters of Rune-Midgard; and he was most fascinated in the area of Necrology and Demon Physiology. He had known and identified any undead and demon, whether existing in his time or not.
Dark Illusion was no laughing matter. They were known servants of the Dark Lord, the undead MVP monster. And their spells are in almost comparison to their master.
Byakko realized it was just too late when the creature shrouded him with his ghostly cloak, shutting him from the view of others. It felt like he was falling and falling into an unknown dimension.
He landed with a thud on something like a transparent floor. There was no light around them, yet they saw each other; Dark Illusion and himself. The monster began his assault at the scared acolyte, realizing that he was no match for the demon. He snapped his head to his side and braced himself for the impending doom, as the undead neared its rotting hand at the crouched boy.
A small luster passed between them.
And the monster paused its assault at the young boy. Electricity seemed to pass through them as Byakko felt something different, not quite the slashes of a claw or the breaking of his bones as he was going to be torn apart
A gentle stroke...
The rotting hand slowly caressed the tiger markings on Byakko's face, its ebony luster responding to the evil energy that the creature emanated. Byakko gaped at him and was paralyzed with fear and wonder.
The creature's mouth opened to deliver a raspy sound, Byakko observed that he might not have spoken for a long time and was unable to do it properly now. A few attempts later and audible words started forming in the series of gasps and hoarse sentences.
"You..." Words finally came out.
"Why do you wear these markings that demons and evil know alone? "I...I am no human. Demi-human perhaps, but I know I am not human..." Byakko stuttered at the powerful being.
"It is true...then. Son of Sohee Mistress, you are...aren't you?" Dark Illusion pierced the blue eyes of Byakko.
"Yes...I was told by someone of the same name..."
"I owe her my existence...most of us do...yet she died on that fateful night..."
"..."
"No one came to her aid...all the demons were restrained inside the castle of Glastheim...all that was left was her scream that pierced through the air..."
Byakko fell to his knees, feeling cold as if he had heard the same shrieks of pain he thought he had when he was a baby.
"Mother..."
"You've grown Byakko, son of Sohee Mistress. We will be seeing each other some time around again...never doubt that."
"Wait!!! Can you tell me more about my mother? Please..."
"This hallowed place is sapping me of my strength. Receive this to prove my defeat in your hands this day. And this other item, keep it that I may know you again when we finally meet at the fated day..." Dark Illusion flung a skull and a torn piece of paper.
[Received Skull-1 ea]
[Received Half of Dark Illusion Card-1 ea]
"I will imbue your weapon as well, that it may help you in your training. My cohort shall appear in the strikes of your chain to weaken and halve all the statistics of the enemy...as well as lowering its defense by half..." Dark Illusion spun a thread of energy in the air as it entwined in the weapon strung at Byakko's side.
[Received 6 Damnation Chain-1 ea]
Byakko gazed at the demon as it slowly sucked into itself the void it has created. Slowly, light began to pierce the darkness and the demon retreated into the fissure he had created.
"Until next time...son of Sohee Mistress..." Dark Illusion whispered. "Yes...until next time..." Byakko fell on his knees, weakened from the encounter as he slid the torn card into his pockets. The skull he kept clutching in his other as he finally realized that he was back at the Sanctuary.
The people inside saw only a dark orb had encircled Byakko and the monster, and they were pretty sure that he would have been eaten by now, if not horribly dismembered in the most grueling way. The orb began to shrink and all that was left was a boy sprawled in the floor, his hands clutching a skull in his chest.
"Byakko!" The cleric rushed from the pulpit to the kneeling boy in the center. The others stood back, in fear that the monster will return. Stretching his hand out to grasp the weakening acolyte, the cleric snapped back as he was thrown to the floor, a strange pentagram variation appearing on the floor where the acolyte was sprawled. It was some sort of evil Kyrie Eleison barrier.
"Holy Light!" The cleric issued a blast of holy force as the barrier broke on it's own accord. The priest finally had reached the boy, casting Status Recovery, Cure and Sanctuary around them. Byakko writhed in pain as the healing energy pulsated in the floor, but later fell weak and limply molded himself in the priest's waiting arms. The skull fell from his grasp, bouncing once before finally halting in the crevice of the church floor.
Everyone gasped as they saw the drop that Byakko had. No way he could've defeated the Dark Illusion, but this just proves he has! Still, it would've been best if...
"Everyone...gather around..." The cleric called on his apprentices. "I want all of you to never speak of this matter outside the church. I will not hesitate to silence all of you if need be. There should be no circulating news about what had happened this day." The acolytes nodded, realizing that they would be denied priest hood if they had ever said word about it.
"Good." The cleric looked at everyone. "I assume all of you are very tired by now. Please, go back to your quarters and rest. We will resume training by tomorrow. That is all. "The cleric made final word.
After a short prayer, the hall cleared up of its residents, as the only persons left were the cleric and the resting acolyte in his arms. A priest came rushing forth from the doors of the Sanctuary, sweat lining his brows nit in stress and fear. His suspicions were well placed as he saw the silver-haired boy unconscious.
"Am I too late? How is the boy?" The just-arrived priest asked the other.
"He is well, he had an encounter..."
"From what?"
"It is best if we rest for now. I will tell all the details of what happened in the refectory, while we will have our breakfast. In the meantime, I suggest we keep an eye out for this boy. I feel he is somewhat special..." The cleric proceeded to carry the boy into his dormitory. The other priest followed suit.
"You do not have any idea what you have just said..." He murmured inaudibly, walking along the unlit corridors of the sanctuary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Dark Illusion was in front of the Evil Council...
"I have found the boy..." The undead bowed before them.
"Good..." A foxy female voice spoke; it was Moonlight Flower's.
"He has finally arrived then..." Another spoke, a more male and deeper voice boomed, it was Baphomet's.
Dark Lord rose from his seat as he noticed that the time for his respawning was nearing.
"We'll talk later of our plans for the boy. He is of value to us...and we will need him so. We are his only family now..." He lowered his tone and vanished into oblivion, his mob following him. The others nodded with his comment and spoke among themselves.
"The new MVP has arrived..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Peh, onto the next chapter...which would be a week from now. I must update my Zoids fic!