Hubris Bound

[Atma-Noah]

Flinn sat up in his bed looking out at the moon. Excitement, fear and nervousness all showed on his face. The reason was simple tomorrow he would be undertaking the trial. If he succeeded he would become a blue mage. If he failed he would become just another ordinary fisherman or merchant.

His attention was drawn away from the moon when his door opened. His mother walked in and sat by him. "Nervous are you? So was your father when he took the trial." She said softly. Her voice comforting him ever so slightly.

"Mom why do you talk of the dead? You've got someone else that loves you as much as my father if not more. I understand your trying to comfort me but honestly talking about my father isn't going to make things any better. Whoever he was or however famous he was isn't going to change the fact he left me a bastard...." "Don't you dare talk about your father like that Flinn. He was a good man, he loved me and I will always love him. He was Lonar one of the best blue mages out there. Your following in his footsteps and you never forget that understood." His mom hushed him tears welling in her eyes. Disappointingly she turned and walked out. Leaving Flinn to what little sleep he would attain.

Flinn awoke to the voice of his older sister and younger brother. "Wake up Flinn you've got to get ready. I put your clothes on your dresser. You better hurry up." "Come on already Flinn. Dad's going have a fit if your late. He'll be worse than the trial." "Hush up Sven and come with me." "Oh c'mon sis I was jus' playin'." Sven pleaded as his older sister grabbed him by the arm and carried him off leaving Flinn alone.

Flinn got up and looked at the clothes on the dresser. A brown shirt with sliver lining and blue pants with two yellow lines coming down each of the pant legs. "So these were my fathers? Hope they fit." He said aloud as he put them on, surprisingly it was a perfect fit. Once dressed Flinn made his was through the house and said his farewells and headed off to the town square.

The square was crowded. Really crowded. In the center stood some other students that wore almost the same attire. Flinn knew them all pretty well too. He greeted a few then looked at the elder. The elder was the embodiment of what a blue mage was. He wore a blue robe and a blue turban. His long white hair and beard came past his knees. Flinn knew of legends that the elder was one of the blue mages who founded Lys.

"Silence everyone I shall begin the ceremony. This tradition has withstood through the centuries and today it still stands and we shall honor it. So let us begin. Last night I was granted a vision which showed me what beasts are the closest connected to each of these young man. We all know that our ancestors once dictated that the first beast a blue mage encounters is the beast that represents the blue mage's spirit. So without anymore delay I shall now tell each of these men what beast he shall fight."

As the elder began to go down the line Flinn thought. So here it comes. What beasts I have to fight and learn from. What's it going to be? Flinn quickly ran through the habitats of some beasts. There was many to choose from. Strangely many monsters and beasts made there way to Ainiv on a regular basis. Finally the elder had come to Flinn. The aged eyes looked into Flinns and softly spoke "Adamantoise" and moved on. Flinn quickly ran for the beach.

An Adamantoise? I can't draw the connection. This isn't going to be easy. Adamantiose's shell are made up of Adamantite. Although their actual skin is quite soft. They're about nine feet long and eight feet high. Blue mages usually learn the classic defense move mighty guard from them even though the Adamantiose is know to use a skill called power glove as well. Their jaws are said to crush weapons into nothingness blah blah blah. It's not going to be easy but I think I can do it. The thoughts cycled through Flinn's mind as he neared the beach.

He could hear people behind him who were going to watch. "A good sized crowd. I'll give them a show." He said as he came to the beach. The sand stretched out east and westward as far as the eye could see. The smell of salt water rushed into Flinn's nostrils as he listened to the seagulls. Then he heard it a low rumble which began to rise in volume. It was coming. The crowd must've drawn it's attention. Well it's now or never Flinn! He thought as he readied himself for the battle that would ensue.

The beast was much more intimidation in real life. It charged at Flinn as soon as it noticed him. For such a creature of its weight and size it could move fast. Not nearly as fast as Flinn though. He easily dodged the Adamantiose's consistent bite. Each dodge followed with a quick jab or snap kick to the creature's face. The crowd roared and hollered cheering.

Flinn chuckled as he dodged another bite and jabbed the monster in the face. The Adamantoise shook terrible and backed off finally returning into it's shell. 'Mighty guard." Flinn said looking at the shell trying to learn it but came to little success. Then words of the elder came to him. During any battle with a creature you cannot force your self to learn the magic. You'll feel it when you learn the magic. Flinn didn't feel any different yet that was the Adamantiose's magic.

Perplexed Flinn walked towards the Adamantoise slowly. As he drew near he could see the gleam of it's eyes within the shell. It watching ever move with such detail. Flinn was only a few feet away from the Adamantiose when it happened.

The attack seemed to come so slowly towards Flinn. He watched as the head of the Adamantiose shot out towards him it's mouth wide open. It's powerful jaw clamped down on Flinn's right arm. The scream he heard was horrid even more so when he realized it was himself who was screaming. The pain shot quickly through Flinn's body and the blood rushed down his arm. He stepped closer in unable to control himself as the monster tried to tear his arm off. With what strength in his right arm he had he tried to pull it towards himself. His mind raced. He had to think of something quick. A way to escape the deadly grip.

Then it hit him almost as hard as the Adamantiose did. Straighting all his fingers in his left hand he stabbed at the eye that was beside him. He felt the contact instantly. The gel-like substance oozing from the socket. The admantiose let go of Flinn's arm and reared backward. Shrieking at the lost of one of it's eyes. It kept backing up creating a good distance between them both. Flinn fell on his knees struggling to take off his father's shirt and wrap it around his arm trying to subdue the constant blood loss.

Finally when he got it tied on he arose. Looking at the beast who was shaking it's head violently. His left arm holding his right he became calm. A strange feeling overtook him and he looked almost peaceful.

The mighty guard was not as much about the defense it was about the counter. The admantiose had focused so much power as it had concentrated on watching my every move. It drew me in with patience an then let it all out.

With the new revelation Flinn let out a sigh of relief. The admantiose's other senses must have took over because it stopped shaking its head and turned it's head to the right. It's left eye looking right at Flinn. Wasting no time the admantiose charged towards him. Flinn began to concentrate and focus. His eyes focused and he could see every movement of the adamantiose, every breath, every detail.

As the beast lunged it's head forth for an attack Flinn side stepped to the right. All the built up energy which had gone to his left hand expelled as it made contact with the skull of the admantiose. The beast and Flinn fell simultaneously. One's skull crushed and the other exhausted and overtaken by pain.

Flinn awoke in his bedroom. His arm healed and himself rejuvenated he looked at his dresser. A small knapsack with a note on it rested on top. Flinn got up a read the note. It said

Flinn my son. I figured now that your a blue mage you would want to travel the world learning the blue magics like your father did. I took the liberty of packing you a few things. Always remember that this is your home and your welcome here at anytime. There's a ticket for the ferry in the knapsack. I expect you to come say good-bye though. Your mother

Flinn folded the letter and picked up his knapsack. Walking towards the door he meet his mother, older sister, and younger brother. After being told he'd been out for a few days and some heartfelt farewells Flinn made his was to the harbour.

At the harbour the elder was awaiting all the blue mages who would be leaving the island. After another farewell Flinn got on the boat that would be heading towards the main land.

[2ndPower]

Wonderful. More people were coming aboard than Neosyne had expected. Yet another inconvenience in a long line of inconveniences that never should have happened. It made it much more difficult for Neosyne to hide and remain aboard unnoticed. He'd have to be very careful, or he'd be found and have to make a few people... dissappear, which would cause people to ask questions, which would result in a more thorough search. He was confident in his abilities, but a vessel of this size offered limited space to hide. Oh well, at least the hard part was over. He had fulfilled his objective in coming to this small village, as the people would realize within the next few days, or weeks, if Neosyne was lucky. It didn't really matter, the length of time. They would find out, and he'd be long gone by that time.

Neosyne peeked out from his hiding place to get a view of his... shipmates. They appeared to be mainly a group of youths. That could be a mixed blessing. Youths lacked experience, and were generally overconfident, but made up for it with speed and a great ability to learn. Neosyne would have to be careful, they've probably not yet been taught to be wary of their surroundings, but they'd probably explore anyways. He would have to leave his hiding place. But to where? He looked down, and saw a few men loading up the cargo bay. A little cliched, but it would do. He'd just have to wait for a break in the line... there! He leaped down, landing silently behind a man who had just turned around, then rolled into the cargo bay. He searched for a hiding spot, but the boxes were packed tight. He heard footsteps behind him, no time! He leaped into a corner, and using magic, pulled the shadows around himself. As long as nobody shined a light at him, he'd be fine.

The rest of the loading process went without incident, and the doors to the cargo bay closed. He took a quick stock of his situation. There was a door leading to the rest of the ship, but he heard voices behind it, he couldn't currently go through there without being discovered. Eventually, though, they'd have to leave to sleep or attend to other ship business. The cargo did not seem to be worth a lot, so Neosyne doubted they'd leave a guard, and if they did, the guard simply wouldn't live long. He estimated that the voyage would take a couple of days. He'd need food in about a day, and there was none in here, so he'd definitely need to go abovedecks. He couldn't pass for a passenger, even if he wasn't wearing his wraps, not with his physical appearance, so that meant that daylight was out. He'd need to head up at night. He was still pondering this when the ship took off.

[Atma-Noah]

Wow! This ship is huge. I remember the merchant ships and fishing boats but they were nothing compared to this. I wonder how long it would take to make one of these. What am I saying? The mainland is suppose to be very advanced compared to Lys even compared to Ainiv. I think the closest to being as advanced as the mainland would have be Kiau'Tuk to the north but their hostile. So they probably have even bigger boats over there. Heh....I'm still thinking about home instead of everything that is waiting for me on the mainland. Once the ship takes port in Chagrin I'll see if I can join up with some party of adventurers like everyone else. Hmmm I'm surprised to see that almost all of us are heading for Chagrin. Flinn thought as he sat in the waiting room. He could hear the others talking about their trials. He didn't really care that much though. As far as he was concerned they were all competition. They'd all be trying to learn the blue magics just like him.

I've got a couple of days aboard this ship so why don't I check everything out? Seeing that so many had come aboard at Lys, the rooms were all taken up. Me and a couple of others have to sleep out here. With that Flinn got up and went to the upper deck. He looked out over the ship at the water being split apart by the ship, he listened to the whistling of the wind, and just enjoyed the fact that he was now a blue mage.

The other decks weren't as interesting. They were all the same lined with rooms and such. Flinn ended up back in the waiting room dozing off until night came. It seemed that dozing off had interrupted his sleeping habits and couldn't get to sleep. He sat there watching the moon through the windows. "I guess I've been doing a lot of this lately. It's funny the moon seems to change ever so slightly every night. It gets darker...." Flinn said letting his mind wander off.

[2ndPower]

It was time. Neosyne, hearing no noises nearby, opened the door and looked around. Nothing. Either the men here were confident in their current safety, incompetant, or were simply not carrying anything of value. It didn't matter. He leaped out onto the ship proper, and listened some more. No one within the general viscinity. He crept around, staying aware of everything around him. He had no idea where the kitchen was, so he'd have to look around. He hated not knowing things. It'd probably be towards the back. They'd have put all their food away by this point, so he wouldn't be able to smell his way there, even if he had the capacity to do so. He crept towards the back, hoping for some sort of sign as to where he needed to go. He found none. He'd have to go looking in doors, possibly giving himself away. Still, he'd need to eat at some point. He crept towards the first door silently, and opened it slightly. The person inside was asleep. So was the person in the next. The third person was awake, but Neosyne closed the door before he could be noticed. If someone did see him, he hoped that they'd find him as merely a dream. After all, in what reality do you see people wrapped in black leather with glowing eyes? He couldn't kill anyone yet, that'd surely be noticed. The fourth person was still asleep. This was obviously a residential section. He lept to the other side. Grabbing a door, he opened it slowly, hoping it'd be the one to the kitchen.

[Atma-Noah]

Flinn's mind came back with a jolt. "I forgot to eat earlier. How could I forget that?" He whispered to the moon which was still high in the cloudy night sky. Quietly he got up and tiptoed passed the others in the waiting room who were fast asleep. He made his way down one of the halls towards the kitchen.

The door was opened so he walked right in and searched for some food. He managed to find some fruit that the chefs had got from Lys so he took a couple pears and sat down. Munching away he thought more on what he'd do once he got to Chagrin. He had heard many stories of the mainland as a whole but never really any about the cities in general.

I remember merchants saying that Chagrin supposedly houses many of the best white mages in all the world. They also said that Chagrin are pretty proud of it. I'll have to check around and find out the lay of the land once I get there or meet up with a group of adventurers that already know. I wonder how many adventuring parties actually go to Chagrin after the trails to recruit blue mages? I guess I'll find out when I get there.

His eyes quickly fixed themselves on one of the other entrances to the kitchen. The door had begun to open. Another who couldn't sleep eh? I suppose company wouldn't be all that bad. Flinn thought waiting for whoever was opening the door to enter.

[2ndPower]

Great. I've been spotted. Neosyne thought. Oh well, he'd just have to take it. If he ran, that'd look suspicious. If he killed him, that'd be suspicious. At least this one didn't appear to look frightened. That was admirable. Made him easier to lie to, as well. He wouldn't be double guessing anything Neosyne said as much if he was calm.

"Where's the food?" He grunted, keeping his eyes as shielded as possible so they wouldn't cast light. The person here pointed towards a corner. Neosyne walked over there, taking stock of the situation. He'd have to be at least a bit social, if he said he was too busy to talk, it'd be an obvious lie. Nothing was going on around the ship right now. He grabbed some of the food, and thought of a story. At least he got some fruit, that was good. Fruit released its energy into the body slowly, and lasted a while. It'd be perfect for a trip like this. He quickly shoved an apple down the wrappings covering his mouth, and swallowed it whole. He sat down across from the person. He had his story now, and it wasn't even too far from the truth. He'd say he was an adventurer, taking up a quest on his own. He had bartered passage onto this ship. As to why he kept his face hidden and why his eyes glowed, he had a magical disease. That should cover most of the bases.

He looked up to the person. "Name's Neosyne, what's yours?"

The person got off "Flinn" before the ship shook suddenly, the tremor covering up whatever else Flinn had to say. A high pitched screech sounded. Neosyne's head shot up. He recognized that sound. A shadow serpent. Lives in the seas, strikes at night when the moon is directly overhead, normally a good 45 feet long when fully grown. If they didn't do anything the ship would sink, and he wouldn't be making it to the mainland. Everybody else would be just getting out of bed, unaware, inefficient. It was up to them. He looked at Flinns clothes.

"Mage, right? Come on, we've got work to do." Walking out the door to the kitchen, he extended his wrist blades from their resting places on his forearms, prepared for battle.

[Kyreaan]

Deep in a swamp in the middle of nowhere, a hermit walked around his boat. His boat was raggedy, but it worked. It wasn't large, but a big enough keel boat to hold all of his stuff and to house him. The hermit lit up a grill he fixed up on the deck and started cooking small lizards on sticks. The swamp was mostly calm with the occasional swarm of fireflies and sounds from the darkness.

"Hmm...humm hmm...this is going to be nice" he muttered to himself.

He was wearing a large brim hat that matched his dark long coat, and when he would look up his eyes would appear they were made for the darkness. The hermit continued to hum to himself as the water near his boat started to splash around. He let the liz-kebabs sizzle on their own while he went to grab his staff. After finding the knotted up root staff, he walked over to the side of his boat to look down at the splashing. It was a couple of gators. One of them saw the man and started jumping and snapping. The hermit started to slap the side of the boat and at its nose with his staff.

"Hey! Stop that! Don't you know who I am?" he started yelling at the gators. "I'm Ispyn! Ispyn Bloodstone! I'll blow you up!!"

The gators kept snapping, obviously very hungry or something got them riled. "Oh, OK..." Ispyn said. He walked towards the cabin muttering, "I'm going to make you my next meal, yes, maybe even a pair of boots once I'm done with you...now where's that crossbow?"

Ispyn started looking for that crossbow of his, considering if he did 'blow up' the gators he'd probably blow a hole in the side of his boat. It was at that time he caught the moon in the corner of his eye. It looked murky but large in the sky. "Hmpf."

[MkBwazaa]

Saiko gazed wistfully out into the night, alone and content on the deck. He took a long, slow, drag on the smoke he himself had rolled, savoring it until he breathed back out. He had gotten the tobacco in Lys; "Sea tobacco" they called it. Though he'd picked up smoking in Adak (a western country in the mainland), he much preferred sea tobacco to that of the western variety. Tobacco from Lys was almost sweet. It was stronger too, less apt to muddle his brains than a drink, and calming enough to soothe him.

However, it had not been his smoking habit that had drug him all the way out to Lys. Saiko had heard rumor that the son of Lonar (Flinn?) was soon to compete in his trial to become a blue mage. Since Lonar, and perhaps Flinn, were directly related to his cause, he thought it worthy of investigation. He arrived nearly a month early. Mostly he had layed low, playing the part of Laeylon Shinku. Laeylon had a grand old time on this little 'vacation'. He drank, smoked a lot of sea tobacco, and payed a few tavern wenches for several nights of pleasure. Being around for a month, he didn't arouse any suspicion when he stopped by the trial.

The boy had not performed as well as expected. Saiko thought he could have done better. Then again, there were few rookies who weren't lured in by the Adamantoise's Mighty Guard. He had made a good comeback, but Saiko still felt that he let himself sustain too great an injury. Then again, it might be a good thing. If he had been as good as his father, Saiko would have had to kill him.

After that, Saiko boarded the ship, still playing his role as Laeylon. No one ever saw through this lie anymore. Saiko had been perfecting the act for more than a decade. Sometimes he himself believed, and lost himself to his alias. That was why he smoked. It calmed him, and kept his mind clear. Saiko was behind the thoughts, but his alter ego Laeylon was undoubtedly behind the action. Saiko drew in another breath of the smoke and looked down at the deck. It was covered with a thin layer of sea mist. He pondered life, love, and smoking, restless and dreaming. He allowed himself to be lost in wandering thoughts. A double life is hard on a mind, after all.

Then a tremor rocked the boat violently, and Saiko heard an ominous shriek. Saiko looked up instantly, to confirm the suspicion. The moon stared back at him, merry and winking and directly overhead.

Shadow serpent.

Saiko was a man of many predjudices, but a shadow serpent definitely fell in the top ten. Shadow serpents were down right mean, and were some of the most vicious creatures of the night. He grabbed his spear and shook the weapon at the monster angrily.

"You crazy bastard!" Laeylon yelled. A gleam of orange from eyes that were almost jewel-like appeared beneath the water, and he caught a glimpse of shimmer that was probably the onyx like scales. The serpent responded to this seemingly insane name-calling, causing the boat to shake once more.

"Slimy SOB. Get yer ass up here then!" Laeylon taunted, undeterred. Laeylon was always overconfident. The serpent raised his head above the waters, revealing how big he truly was. Laeylon had nearly forgotten. If it had been Saiko, the cigarette would have fallen out of his mouth. Laeylon threw it at him, thus preventing a slip in the masquerade. He did not however, stopped the comment that escaped his lips, because for once, him and Saiko were of one mind.

"SHIT."

((Sorry for the whole multiple personality thing I've got goin' on. I'm sure the more I play the character, the smoother it'll get.))

[2ndPower]

Neosyne crouched to retain his balance as the boat shook some more. Seems some idiot was trying to piss the thing off, shouting at it, throwing things at it. Oh well, at least it kept its attention off Neosyne for the moment. He took the opportunity to clasp his hands together, and start chanting.

"Komalis tumar cenquo venesu karliss Thundara!!!"

He raised his left hand to the serpent, electricity crackling in between his fingers. A thick bolt of lightening flashed from his hand into the serpent, coursing all around it. The serpent let out another screech, and started thraching around, almost tipping the boat over. Neosyne evaded the thrashes with an impressive display of agility, tumbling over its tail, handspringing off its head, diving around the folds of its body. However, in a surprisingly swift move, considering its size, the serpent wrapped itself around Neosyne, attempting to crush him. His hands were free though, and he swung at the snake with his wristblades. However, with the angle he was at, he couldn't apply enough force to penetrate the scales.

"Time to see if what I stole from the island was worth all the fuss." He thought. He pulled a tiny ring from his pocket, too small for even a child to wear. He pressed it against his right wristblade, where it stuck. Then, he started casting another spell, focusing on the ring this time.

"Ponari dumall kilaran Bio!"

The ring captured the spell, and wrapped it around his wristblade. "Finally," he thought, "I've gotten the real one!" Poison floating in the air around his blade, he swung it up, and plunged it into the body of the snake. Akward angle though it was, the acid melted away the snakes scales, leaving it very vulnerable in that area. The snake screeched once again form the pain, then threw Neosyne into one of the walls on the ship. The shadow serpent, in what appeared to be a protective measure, shrunk into the water a little ways. Neosyne got up, and took a running leap onto the back of the serpent. Luckily it was still within reach. It apparantly really wanted to kill this ship. Neosyne started climbing, until he reached near the head of the snake. The snake started whipping around in reaction, so Neosyne reached down, grabbed a handhold, and rode the shadow serpent, waiting for his chance to strike.