The dawn begets another day. Whirling weapons, grunting and bravery are tested as the cascade of magical incantations abound. Kerelia is curious to who's fighting but cannot leave her room. For the strange, protective orb slowly fades away as the day progresses.
The darkened, magical chamber is eerily quiet as the seal continues it revolutionary journey. Kerelia stretches as she looks around the room: flickering of expiring magic, an odd dusty sword with an unknown inscription juts from its base as if posing to strike, a burgundy-flesh colored armor plate, a stale loaf of days old bread, a small stream along a narrowing path just outside her window, a small tattered shield, a straw-woven basket filled with magical potions, a large mirror which is covered in dust from years of neglect, an Ederian-weapon, a creaking door that tends to lean in as if it would fall at any moment and a badly-fades map with the words "Dedelan" written on it. It has a blue seal around it middle and an list of instructions in some otherworldly language. Intrigued with her surroundings, she slowly clasps her arm as the faint glow illuminates her chamber. The crest, seemingly embrued with similar energy as the seal above her, reacts to her touch. She can see a small puff of magic bubbles emerge; perhaps to give her some history of its origins. Just before the image becomes clearer, a strange clicking sound can be heard in the distance.
"Cliccccck! Cliccccck!"
A strange device noisily echoes.
"What is with the hierarchy? Can't they just ring a bell or something??"
A local townsman grumbles. The sound precludes the guardsmens' return.
The two fade in.
"You ready, creature? Time waits for no one, ya know?"
Deigus stands before Kerelia as she turns to face them.
"Rise! Prepare to show us your might, warrior!"
The orb is gone. The magic before her seemed to have been timed.
Kerelia, still tired from a worrisome night, tries to get her bearings. It's all too much as she adjusts her worn clothing. The idea of fighting terrifies her but she keeps her calm. Noticing some hesitation,
Deigus grabs her arm and walks through the portal left by Tredot.
They arrive at the Circle of Reckoning. Other beings are fighting for a chance to win their freedom for the crimes they committed. The tasks before her is simple enough: beat the guardsmen.
There are 10 guardsmen but 7 wins will grant her freedom.
As they draw near the circle, a member of the hierarchy arrives. "Stop there! You two, who is this creature?!" The hierarchy points to the guardsmen and their captive.
"This is our opponent, Kerelia. She's a humanistic. She has been brought before the hierarchy for several trials for her freedom!"
The crowd cheers in anticipation of a great match.
The hierarchy looks about her with disdain.
"Her crimes...?" One bellows before the crowd.
"Possible treason, bribery, collusion with our enemies, forbidden magic and hoxting, sir!"
Tredot shows her transgressions on a magical scroll that opens and recites as such. The scroll flashes for a moment and binds once more. Curious, the panel examines the energy building around their new toy.
"And…have you scouted her abilities?" The hierarchy member asks.
"Our devices weren't fully capable to investigate her. However, we have some data we can analyze, sir."
Deigus hands the hierarchy member a small orb. The orb vibrates softly as it is placed into the member's grasp. The member studies the findings as the orb reflects images of her using her abilities in previous fights. "Also, he pauses, she seems to harness interpreter abilities." The the group murmur amongst themselves with a sense of intrigue. "Perhaps from the Tahchinah tribes to the south?"
The orb flickers a bit more as more displays appear. This time it highlights her genetics.
"She holds…several secrets. These devices, though somewhat primitive, discovered a few."
Tredot explains.
Aggravated at this brief report, the being turns and asks.
"Like?"
"Well, we noticed her aura spiked several times around certain members."
Tredot looks in the direction of her brother.
"Her body has a strong energy signature that resides below her bosom. The power may be a crest of some sort. The spell that binds her room seem to be of the same ilk. Perhaps we can harness it, sir?"
The members of the hierarchy take their places amongst the circle.
"Harness it? One would need to know its strengths and weaknesses before contemplating such a thing. You there..." He points to Kerelia. "What have you to say before you face these trials? What is your lineage?"
Stunned by the presence of such an odd being, Kerelia stands as boldly as she dares and declares her identity.
"I am Kerelia, an interpreter from the Tahchinah tribe. My people are peaceful but our memories are scattered." She looks at the beings gathered before the great table. Noticing an odd shift in energy she points to one of the members. "Do YOU wield this power?" The crowd gasps at her bluntness. Her anger grows and she continues to point to her inquirer. No one speaks to these beings that way...
The hierarchy, slightly annoyed, has to keep her "under control".
The displeased band, stands and take a step back from their seats. The one she addresses teleports and snatch her up by her head.
"You'll mind your TONGUE around here, creature! You answer ONLY when I ask! You SPEAK only when I command it! You DIE only when I will it!"
The being gnashes its teeth and it snarls with extreme angst and prejudice.
Sensing the crowd's reaction, the hierarchy signals for the being to end its display of power.
Acknowledging the signal, he slams her mercilessly to the ground.
"We'll see what you've got soon enough. How about a warmup? Hmm?"
The deviant being smirks devilishly as the "toy" lets out moans of despair and pain.
With the crack of its neck it jumps back as the arena floor glows.
The being opens its cloak to reveal a hideous body. It oozes of slime and many eyes. A strange clicking sound arises from its body. With each click, an eye rotates as it raises its elongated arms to cast several wicked spells.
"Credus! Phini! Vetis! Mardei!"
The being links its body to the ground as dust swirls about it. Flashes of light and energy flow throughout the particles. He is changing his shape into that of a robust stone and lightning warrior. Its eyes glow a white hot as it stands before her.
"Let us start with a round…of agility." He boars his blades into the glowing earth as he issues the objective. "Simply avoid getting struck. Ready?"
Before she can lift her head, strange crackling noises echo from his horrendous body. Signaling the assault to come.
The being asks again, as it cocks its' head as if to await an answer.
Its' voice is now that of rolling thunder as it grows angry from her refusal to speak.
Kerelia, battered but ready, braces herself and broadens her stance.
"Annnnnnd, go!"
The hierarchy expels a plume of toxic neuro-inhibiting gas. Kerelia backs away quickly. The gas rises and showers the ground below with acidic rain. The beings scatter as it comes down on them. Killing several along the way, Kerelia is mindful of how deadly the droplets are. Kerelia backflips and cries out.
"NIGHTEYES!"
Just before landing, she throws her arms out to balance herself. Her eyes cancel out all ultraviolet light allowing her to "see" the movements of the droplets. She somersaults and spins around the acidic rain with ease.
The hierarchy is most impressed.
"Hmmmm? Not bad. Now try THIS! DEVIL DANCE!!!"
The member prances around the grounds in a flowing movement. He doubles his size and releases several dangerous toxins that causes the sky to disrupt in strong, electrical charges.
Each time she dodges, he quickly tries to impede her movements. His eyes grow dark as he circles and mock her. His cruel grin salivates as he watches her avoid his attacks.
"Yes! YESSSS! Now: KRADEN'S PASS!!!!"
A large crevice opens below and a huge beast with eyes to match watches her movements. Intrigued, the beast anticipates where she'll land as it opens its mouth. The screams of the damned in its jaws continue their hopeless song of despair as the creature positions itself. Its' body is wide and gelatinous with a head that is more teeth than face.
The crazed antagonist gnashes his teeth in excitement.
The guardsmen look on. They are anxious to see how she'll avoid peril. After all, this is a member of the hierarchy...one of the strongest beings they know.
Deigus wants to jump in but Tredot stops him.
"Patience, my friend. It's just some fun before the main event."
"And if she's killed?"
"Well.." Tredot shrugs.
"We could always offer her body to the dark merchants."
"Hmmm, and our mission?"
He turns and looks around to see if anyone is watching them. He leans in and speaks softly.
"We can blame it on the hierarchy for going too far..."
Kerelia is growing tired. She can't see a way to stop the attacks so she dodges, for now.
"I can't keep this up. I got to find an opening." She realizes this strategy can't be sustained much longer.
"Wait..there...above his eyes!" She analyzes.
Kerelia spots a small glowing orb whenever he moves. It seems to be invisible with the naked eye but can be seen clearly with her Nighteyes spell.
"I got to time this… perfectly!"
Kerelia makes her way towards him as she dances around the obstacles lain before her.
The spell for the summoned beast is waning. The massive creature starts to dissipate...descending slowly into the crevice until only a faint glimmer of its eyes are seen.
As it disappears, the orb flickers. Just before he can summon another beast...
"SSHINNNNK!" Her crystallized-blade slices the fiendish foe just above its' eyes.
The being stumbles back a bit.
"What the-"
"Click cl-"
One of the eyes about its grotesque torso stops moving. The oversized-eye slowly rolls away and bounces as it strikes the ground.
"Ahhhrggggh!" The creature screams as he winces.
"Youuuuuu sneakyyy littleeeeee..."
Poof!!! The once pompous member disappears.
A slow applause fills the air with cheers and excitement.
The being reappears in one of several golden thrones amongst the circle.
"Hmmphf...She'll do." The crytic critic says with a bit of snark and a smirk to match.
Kerelia, feeling the match is won, clasps her hands together to disperse the excess energy she built up. Her crest was now full. The "warmup" heightened her awareness as she clutches her chest. She widens her stance and awaits the next challenge.
She glances at the ground and can see no signs of her movements. There's no disturbed earth anywhere. It's as if they fought in the heavens.
"Hmmm? Hoxting, is it?" The hierarchy inquires as it whispers to the guardsmen.
"Yes, but if that's true then why didn't she use crest magic?" Deigus wondered.
"Maybe we're wrong about her?" Tredot pondered.
"No, Tredot. I believe that magic in the room and she are one."