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.
Whew! Day after day, I get messages from Seth to update or else!Well, here it is! /pif
SethRyne: Ok, now you can strangle me! I finally uploaded the fic! Pass it on to your minions!
Jaucifer: Unfortunately, I haven't placed the test here yet. But please read on!
Nightraven rue:Gee thnks! Shucks, I hope you do a better job of drawing pretty tiger boy than I did shudderspeh,I dont check my emails always,but I can give you my cel no.! Ehm, never mind! I can't seem to reply to my messages either!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Chapter 5: Repossession
Rain...
The wet drops of heaven had fallen back into the ground. It had made everything it had met, wet. The trees drooped slightly, somehow relieved of the water that quenched their thirst from the parching earth.
"The thing with rain is...it somehow makes me feel sad..."
Byakko awoke with the soft patters of rain in his face. He was soaking wet outside the back of the Sanctuary. Somehow, he felt like his memory was torn to pieces, but seeing the tattered pieces of clothing that he wore, everything came back to him.
He brought his hands to his face, amazed to see a difference in himself. The change he had undergone was awesome. But, he had no time to admire his new self. He was somehow grasping something in his mind.
While he was inside the dark cocoon, he had seen things that were meant to be forgotten. Things that would have been lost. Things that were never meant to be revealed again...
Things that were dangerous to someone like him...
He had seen his mother's death. It was Sohee Mistress' memories before her death.
Gods, she was the most beautiful mother Byakko could have ever had.
Byakko felt that he somehow entered his mother's thoughts. It was a nightmare he didn't want to feel again, yet also wanted to.
Because it was the only thing he could feel that was his mother's whether it would be pain...
Or misery...
Through her eyes, he saw the group of adventurers who laid their eyes upon her. Byakko had felt the course of emotions flowing inside his mother's.
Tension...doubt...anticipation...anger...
And the worry that her son wasn't safe.
Byakko felt the rush of battle as Sohee Mistress tried her very best to defend the place from the trespassers. One by one, her Sohee minions disappeared; some died, others committed suicide.
She was the only one left, but her enemies were unharmed.
Bolts of lightning flew towards her from the Wizards, arrows of wind whistled from the Hunters, finding their target well. Sohee Mistress did her best in retaliating by casting her own spells, but they were all blocked by the enchanted armors of the Knights. All the other attacks, however, tore at her and scorched her. Byakko felt the same pain, literally. It was what he had felt and what had marred his suit when he was still inside the cocoon, and it was what had fueled his misery deeply.
Sohee Mistress clutched at her second dagger; one she kept hidden in case she would be outnumbered. She would use it to commit suicide so that no one will take advantage of her, so that no drop will be taken from her.
"Mother!" Byakko shouted amidst his pain, trying in vain to call at her. To stop her from doing so.
Byakko felt hesitation flow from one part of her heart.
"No...this is for my son." Byakko heard her thoughts clearly.
She lightened her grasp on the dagger as spinning circles of Magnus Exorcismus started forming underneath her. The party grinned maliciously at the sprawled MVP on the floor.
Byakko heard one last thought in his mother's mind before the holy energies burned through her.
"Byakko, my son...may you find my relics that I will leave so that you may remember me by..."
With this, she let go of her life and Death had taken her soul. Byakko had seen what she had left behind in her death.
The victors greedily took her wish, which looked like a white jewel cracked with ebony veins, and her card, which portrayed her sad countenance on the front. It was all that he remembered as his view was suddenly brought away from his mother's and back to his own.
And now he was awake.
Byakko slowly stood up from his position on the ground, and limply walked back to his quarters. He was still confused at what to do, but he would do something about it later.
Reaching his room, he stripped down and took a long shower. He was really surprised at the change that took place in him. He admired his taut chest and strong shoulders; his well-developed muscles and even the form of his body. But there was something in his eyes...they were not the ones Byakko wore everyday: that happy, cheerful kind of eyes. These looked more like of one who was ready to kill...piercing, cold and steely eyes was what were seen in him.
After drying himself with a towel, he opened his closet to reveal his last suit (he hadn't done any laundering since coming back from Morroc); it was his acolyte robes that he had dyed black.
Wearing the black robes, he looked more like a priest, not that he cared at all or anything, but it was to note it just the same. He had groomed himself and prepared to go down to the altar.
Byakko tread lightly across the hallways as he proceeded to the altar of the Sanctuary. He saw a priest sitting nearby, and was just about to bid his superior to excuse himself, when he heard the priest talking to himself.
"Sigh...I remember the days..." The priest talked to something he held up. "You gave us quite a time, but you fell down. He he he..."
Byakko conspicuously made walking noises to make his presence be known. For the first time in years, he felt very apathetic, very uninterested in others. But he didn't want trouble just yet...
The priest looked back to see the acolyte who had just arrived.
"My boy, forgive me for making such a fuss inside." The priest excused himself from the noise he seemed to have created.
Byakko would have answered an I-don't-care-if-you-dropped-dead-right-now reply but he contented himself with an "There is nothing to excuse about, father."
The priest continued on talking to his plaything as Byakko walked by him to say his prayers. The fool was too sentimental for his age.
After Byakko said his prayers, he prepared to retreat to his quarters, when his eyes fell on the "plaything" the priest was fondling on.
It was a necklace. But what the pendant was caught his attention and surprise.
It was white, cracked with ebony veins. One that seemed familiar.
Byakko's seemingly calm eyes became bloodshot at what he had seen. His nails lengthened and his tiger markings seemed to have burned into him even more. His right hand instinctively clutched at the chain on his side.
In a voice that contrasted his rage, Byakko asked the priest in the meekest manner...
"Father...what is that jewel?"
"This? It is a special relic from an MVP known as Sohee Mistress. I got this from..."
His answer did it. Quick as a flash, Byakko swung his Chain at the priest, who taken off-guard, made a lucky dodge and landed on his feet; a book blazing with fire on his hand, ready. The Chain destroyed the bench where the priest formerly sat.
"Who are you?!?! Delinquent acolyte! How dare you attack a superior?!?!" The priest was all in rage, as he started casting support spells upon himself.
Byakko made no audible answer. All that could be heard from him was his wheezing and panting. But there was something growing inside of him...
The priest saw it; an evil aura was slowly enveloping the acolyte. Byakko raised his Chain in a battle stance as his eyes settled into the priest.
"I...will...have...what...is...ours..."
The priest made no hesitation and started to cast Holy Light into the charging acolyte. The energy sent Byakko skidding back, marking the floor with burnt leather from his shoe; however, just as quick, he rebounded back and pierced through to hit the priest.
The priest countered the Chain with his buckler on hand, and used the book on Byakko's side. The book made an explosion on impact that sent the acolyte reeling across the side of the hall, knocking the benches into different directions.
As Byakko slowly stood up from the debris of the benches, the priest had just casted Kyrie Eleison on himself. This time, Byakko replaced the Chain with his bare hands, brandishing his nails that had grown longer and sharper.
This time, it was the priest's turn to assault the acolyte. Byakko felt lighter this time, dodging the path of the book's arc. His hands formed a stance of gripping the priest's nape, and Byakko would have almost succeeded if the barrier hadn't been initiated, blocking the unsuspecting priest from the attack.
His hands bounced off, singed from the resistance the barrier has placed. Yet, he found himself...sneering.
This time, he assaulted straightforward to grasp the priest's neck in front. The barrier held up again, Byakko's hand was cuffed by symbols of power. The priest began to counter using the book again, aiming to hit the acolyte's torso this time.
Big mistake.
Byakko used his free hand to block the book; the explosion occurred halfway, destroying the Kyrie Eleison barrier. This had also sent the priest flying across to the wall, hitting hard on his back.
From out of the smoke, Byakko lunged forward and aimed for the priest's heart. The priest snapped his head to the side, anticipating the deadly blow, only to find the clawed hand settle on his chest.
"Who...are...you...?" The priest weakly said.
Byakko looked up to the older man, his hand was tensing on the priest's chest. He was simpering, almost maniacally, as the hand that settled on the priest was slowly being filled with power.
Clutching the necklace on the priest's neck, Byakko looked up to the panic- stricken man.
"Be DESTROYED!"
Byakko gritted his fangs as energy swept through his arm and into the priest. A pentagram symbol appeared on the priest's chest, almost above it. Then an implosion occurred, filling the air with a silent rumble. The priest screamed at the impact of the invisible implosion that first sucked him inward, then sent him flying through the church walls, landing across the cemetery outside, while Byakko himself felt the aftershock of the blast; his robe still flying towards the course of the implosion. All that was left in Byakko's hands was the torn necklace from the priest and smoke from the skill he never knew what it was.
Byakko ran back to his quarters and began packing his things now. He knew the Church would never tolerate an attack against any of its members. Much less, using arcane techniques that had demonic origins.
Byakko noticed that the army had arrived in the scene. The court Sages must have felt the energy anomaly from the castle nearby, and called the army to investigate what had happened.
Walking outside, backpack in tow, Byakko avoided the army, somehow taunted by their intimidating appearance. He was more so cautious knowing he might be asked questions later on, which would put him in grave danger.
Byakko left the city that day. Outside the gates, Byakko looked back one more time at the city that he had grown up on. It might be the last time he would see it. There were fond memories of it in there.
Sadly, the painful ones outweighed the things he enjoyed about it in that city.
The acolyte heaved a sigh and walked away, not knowing where to go. But he didn't mind. He had a mission now.
He must find his mother's relics. He had her wish; all that was left was her card.
A few days had gone by, and Byakko never noticed that all his wandering had brought him to the magic city of Geffen. He reluctantly entered the city and decided to stay there for a while, until the troubles cleared up.
[Geffen]
Byakko enjoyed his stay at Geffen. Although the people were too kind for his taste, or that magic users mostly populated it, some arrogant ones, some modest, Byakko found his stay worthwhile in the city.
It conveniently even had a dungeon inside the city, where he could practice for the meantime. The Poison Spores provided him loots and experience, especially when they were mobbing him, and the Dustiness was just as plentiful as well. The swordies and thieves just gaped at him as he used his bare hands (or claws, whatever rolls around) when he fought. But he didn't mind them, what was there to look about anyway?
"Uh, hey man." A swordie meekly tried to get Byakko's attention. Byakko looked back at the boy and assessed him. No doubt in base level 35.
"Can we party..."
Byakko rolled his eyes. "If we can't even share, then I won't. SP is a precious thing around here, and I wouldn't want to waste it on a novice who couldn't even support himself upon going down to a dungeon." He retorted, pouring his sentiments on a Poison Spore that he clutched on his hand. He tore the Poison Spore's cap from its body, and crushed its slim form.
"I...well...I..."The swordie ran away, almost in tears. Byakko would have cared less to the Poison Spore on his hand than to that crybaby swordsman.
"Oi! You are such a rude acolyte!" A swordswoman called out from behind. She was a blonde haired woman, apparently cropped on the shoulders. She wore a distinctively antique Smiley Mask and a headgear that looks like an artificial apple with an arrow shot through it. Level 51 perhaps, Byakko assessed her too. Apparently, she had seen everything that had occurred.
"Listen, grandma!" Byakko called out as well, still busy harvesting the Poison Spores that endlessly mobbed him. His support skills were doing well in keeping him alive. "I just said what needed to be said. And I'm not the pampering type, either. It's either live as the strong, or die as the weak."
"Jeez, you're a temperamental acolyte are you?" The swordswoman apparently didn't mind Byakko's comment. She stepped forward and struck Magnum Break on the ground, deflating all the spores that were once the battle acolyte's.
"Oi! No kill-stealing!" Byakko gave a /an expression as he calmly picked up the spores that had dropped, and placed them in the Deviruchi hide bag.
The swordswoman stuck out a tongue at the battle acolyte. "Well, well, well. Look who came unprepared? Its just Dungeon rules dearie. There is no term as "kill-stealing" in a highly mobbed area." She giggled at Byakko's expense.
Byakko just sweatdropped at her. "You're good, lady. Never thought I'd see a swordie that was THAT intelligent." He sneered at his side, as he cut the wings of a Dustiness he was attacking.
The swordswoman looked at the acolyte, partly annoyed. She also stuck out a /an expression. "Hey! Who asked you to be the judge of that?!?!"
"The truth hurts, ain't it?" Byakko felt satisfied at annoying the swordswoman.
Much to his annoyance, the swordswoman just smiled. "You're an aggressive one. I like that in a fighter. The name's Myashka, battle acolyte." She offered a hand.
Byakko accepted it. "The name's Tiger God Byakko, but you can just refer to me as Byakko." He clutched at the hand with his claw, which was truthfully sticky from all the spores and insect fluids that had passed through it.
"Right..." Myashka flinched at her hand that was now dripping with monster innards. "So, you fight dirty like this everyday?" She proceeded to wipe her hand from the yucky stuff. Byakko grinned halfheartedly.
"Not really." He started counting the spores, wings and insect feelers he had collected in his bag. "I just like fighting naturally."
"Naturally?" Myashka piffed as she was fending off a large group of Poison Spores that had started to mob her.
Byakko walked past her and settled into the middle of the mob. "Yep, naturally..."
The swordswoman was startled as Byakko created an explosion that sent the Poison Spores flying in all directions; more powerful than any Magnum Break she had ever seen, possibly not even Magnum Break. The cave walls were littered with the deflated forms of the mushroom monsters.
"Ei! That was good! How did you..." Myashka stopped as she found a torn piece of butterfly wing in the place where Byakko was.
[Outside Geffen]
After asking the locals where the Tool Dealer was, Byakko proceeded to her to sell his loots. He got a considerable sum for the spores and insect parts, and decided to retire the day by the famous Geffen bridges.
After washing his claws (or hands, again, whatever that rolls around.) Byakko laid his tired form across the river. The Porings kept looting at his hand; apparently the scent of the spores and wings didn't go away. But he didn't mind the pink globs; it felt like a good massage for him. The Willows and Fabres crawled around; not minding him otherwise. Byakko looked at the happy Poring that was looting on him...
"Hey, little guy. Want this Unripe Apple?" The platinum-haired kid offered a sour, green apple at the Poring.
The Poring accepted the apple, giving out a /thx expression. After feeling somewhat full, the Poring hardened on the outside, until it sorta shriveled into a blue egg.
Byakko placed the egg into his bag, and continued to lay in the riverbank. It was the most peaceful experience he ever had...
"Nyao..." A swordswoman, who wore a cat-like expression on her face, popped up above Byakko's resting form.
"Whaaa! Myashka!!!" The Battle Acolyte clutched at his heart, which began beating rapidly at the surprise. "Stop doing that!"
"He he he... how come you left me inside the dungeon?" The swordie asked the acolyte.
"It was boring me inside...nothing else to do."
Myashka grew a vein on her head, and knocked Byakko straight on his head.
"Baka! Aho! Bakatora! After you left, a flood of Poison Spores mobbed me! I spent 10 minutes gaining 1% in that area, and I lost it because I fainted!"
Byakko rubbed the painful area on his head." Itai, itai, itai...Hey listen lady!"
"Myashka..."
"Yeah, whatever. You were never my responsibility in the first place; so don't go trailing on me like it was my fault! It was your own incompetence that caused you to faint. So don't go placing blames on people like it was their fault..."
Byakko looked at her, who apparently was busy fondling the Poring on its chin (wherever that would be). "Eh, you were saying something?"
"AAAGH! You are impossible, Myashka!" Byakko fell back, clutching his face with his hands. Myashka just giggled as she ran back to the city.
"Tee hee hee. It was fun annoying you, Byakko! See you tomorrow!" The swordswoman waved at him, as she retreated to the city. Byakko just continued on with his catnap, wanting to rest even more.
Geffen...maybe I could start new here...
And Byakko slept peacefully for the first time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"Ooooh! Tell me the story again, Dark Illusion!" Moonlight was on the edge of her seat. "How did Byakko injure that priest? That was exciting on the third time."
"Intriguing. So, Byakko did manage to hurt supposedly "one-of-his-kind"." Baphomet stroked his goatee.
"No..." Dark Illusion intervened." He realized that he never was human. Now he looks at human kind like some sport. I can feel it inside him. His deepest and darkest feelings. His greatest desire..." "Which is?" Dark Lord continued.
"To kill humans. The greatest hunt he realized. There is a growing hunger inside him that wants his hands to be tainted with human blood." Dark Illusion finished.
Dark Lord forced a grin as he stood up from his seat, and looked out from the castle window across to the fields of Geffen.
Moonlight, Dark Illusion and Baphomet looked on at the undead MVP.
"It's settled then. Hmm, Dark Lord?" Moonlight smiled at the MVP.
"I will have no regrets over that boy..." Baphomet walked away to attend to his respawning period, leaving with a trail of juniors behind.
"True..." Dark Lord replied at both of them. "I will have to see something about it myself..."
"But...welcome, Byakko...welcome to our circle..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
So there, I kinda liked it though!
You can see me with ShadowEyes on pyramids right now, hunting for cards and loots. But other than that, life seems kinda boring.
Please read and review! Gosh! It makes me happy seeing your comments, whether good or bad.
Next update...uhm, 3 DAYS?