Shikari's voice was soft and calm as he addressed the two warriors standing before him. "Why don't you both engage in a sparring match?" he suggested, his eyes moving from one warrior to the other. "I want to assess your abilities and identify your strengths and weaknesses. It will help me understand if you are ready for what lies ahead." With a gentle smile, he gestured towards the empty field nearby, inviting them to commence their sparring match.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the forest tranformed into a kingdom of shadows and mystery. Amidst the gathering darkness, Shikari stands with a commanding presence, his keen eyes observing the training ground with a watchful gaze. The sound of leaves rustling in the breeze is the only audible background noise as Ray and Ra, engage in a graceful yet dance of combat. The night creeps in slowly, casting elongated shadows across the deserted training ground.
"Strike with purpose, Ray, You hold back here and you will hold back when it matters" Shikari instructs, his voice cutting through the evening air. "Your movements are graceful, yes, but without force, they are but a breeze against the mountain."
Ray nods, his silver eyes catching the last rays of the setting sun, and lunges forward, this time with a newfound edge to his attack. Something inside him still kept him from unleashing fully.
Shikari's attention shifts to Ra, whose aggressive tactics are fueled by a tempest of emotion. "Control, Ra. Your passion is your power, but unleashed without thought, it is no more than a wild fire, consuming all, even you. Darkness is not an emotion its nature, use it do not allow it to use you."
Ra's eyes, a turbulent mix of resolve and uneasiness, narrow as he absorbs the wisdom, his next movements measured, a balance of fire and calculation. Yet, something inside him pushed him forward his mind more fuelled by his hate than the teachings.
The night falls, and the duo's sparring session is a symphony of whispers and whooshes, each strike and parry a note in the quiet of the evening sky peppered with stars.
"Remember, the night sees all," Shikari adds, a smile playing on his lips as he dodges a particularly swift strike from Ray. "Use the cloak of dusk to your advantage; let the shadows guide your hand."
As he stands there, observing intently, he can't help but be struck by how unique these two are compared to anyone he's ever encountered before. The moon and stars provide only a dim illumination Shikari crossed his arm and chuckled. Despite the darkness, he can clearly see the sweat glistening on their skin and the tense, focused expressions on their faces as they move through their intricate forms. It's a mesmerizing sight to behold, and he finds himself unable to look away.
Under the vast, star-studded sky, the group found solace beneath the expansive canopy of a grand, ancient tree. The night enveloped them in its serene embrace, the moon casting a soft, ethereal glow that illuminated their weary faces. Shikari, La'ru, Ray, and Ra, each lost in their own thoughts, settled into a comfortable silence, their earlier exertions under the fading sun now a memory.
The serene ambiance of the nocturnal forest was punctuated by a symphony of harmonious sounds that echoed through the air, serving as a gentle reminder of the world's unseen wonders. Shikari's violet eyes reflected the moon's soft glow, observed his companions with a thoughtful gaze, taking in every detail of the moment. Time seemed suspended, as if caught in a tranquil interlude before the promise of the unknown, offering a brief mment of res from the challenges and he knew would lay ahead.
Breaking the silence, Shikari's voice, calm yet carrying an undercurrent of solemnity, addressed the brothers. "Trust is the foundation upon which all true journeys begin," he began, his gaze piercing yet kind. "The path I've led you on is shrouded in mystery, yes, but it's time to reveal its purpose. Are you prepared to follow me into the unknown, to a place few have ever seen?"
Ray's eyes, which glimmered like silver pools in the moonlight, locked onto Shikari's gaze with a mix of anticipation and determination. The resolute tone in his voice was infused with a quiet but unmistakable excitement, as he spoke, "We've come this far. There's no turning back now. I have trust you, Shikari."
Ra, always tended to question things rather than blindly believing in them, was feeling a mix of conflicting emotions , a surge of optimism coupled with some lingering doubts. Despite his reservations, he nodded his head slowly, signaling his willingness to explore the possibility. "It's not just about putting our trust in someone," he said, his tone reflecting his unwavering determination. "It's about discovering the purpose of our existence and the direction we need to take. If this hidden place truly holds the answers we seek, then we're ready to embark on this journey."
La'ru had been quiet all this time, but suddenly, she appeared beside them. Her mere presence was comforting and reassuring. In a soft but firm voice, she spoke, "Remember, every step we take is a step towards our destiny. Let us brave the unknown together, and face whatever lies ahead with courage. I also think there is profit to be made" She let out a giggle with her last words.
The forest around them seemed to lean in, listening, as they prepared to venture forth, their hearts alight with the promise of discovery. The moon, a silent guardian, bathed them in its glow, a beacon in the darkness, guiding them towards their unseen future.
As the shadows of night stretch longer, Shikari, with a nod of determination, extends his hand to lift Ray and Ra from the ground. La'ru, her smile a beacon of warmth in the encroaching darkness, follows as they delve deeper into the forest's embrace. An eerie sense pervades the air, a whisper of presence that dances just beyond the edge of sight. Ray's instincts are on high alert, his senses tingling with the awareness of being watched. Flickers of movement, ghostly and swift, catch their eyes – shadows that move with purpose and intelligence.
Shikari, sensing their unease, breaks the silence with his calm, authoritative voice. "We are not alone," he confirms, his gaze scanning the periphery of their path. "They are known as Arigrovurus," he names the phantom pursuers, "canine creatures that roam these woods in packs, enveloped in the ancient energy of Alma." His explanation, matter-of-fact yet infused with a hint of reverence, is designed to inform rather than alarm. The knowledge that these beings, part of the forest's ancient lore and protectors of its mystical secrets, are shadowing their steps adds a layer of mystique to their journey that Ray was excited to discover.
Ray's mind races as he pieces together the stories he's heard of the Arigrovurus. Legends spoke of them as guardians, creatures of the night woven from the very essence of Alma, tasked with protecting the sacred spaces of the forest. The realization that these were the beings accompanying them, visible only through fleeting glimpses of their ethereal forms, fills him with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
Yet, under Shikari's steady lead, the group presses on, the mystery of their silent followers weaving a new thread into the tapestry of their minds. The presence of the Arigrovurus, both a warning and a testament to the path's significance, imbues their journey with a sense of destiny, La'ru thinks back on the words that Keron spoke, perhaps they are some prophesied brothers, she thinks. As they continue, Ray's newfound understanding of their ghostly companions transforms his fear into respect, recognizing that their path through the forest is intertwined with ancient powers and guardianship of the Arigrovurus.
Guided by Shikari, their walk through forest takes them toward a place Ray had only heard of in stories. As the night wraps its cloak tighter around them, a path lit by the natural luminescence of the moon beckons them forward. The air, charged with the potent energy of the earth, signals their approach to a clearing sacred not just in location but in purpose.
Within this clearing lies a small, tranquil pond, its surface a perfect mirror to the cosmos above. Surrounding this still water, the Arigrovurus stand sentinel, their forms a testament to the sanctity of the place. These ethereal wolves, aglow with the subtle light of Alma, acknowledge the group's arrival, their silent vigilance underscoring the pond's importance.
Shikari, stepping forward with due reverence, shares a crucial insight. "This pond reveals not just a reflection but the essence of one's Alma. It is here that one's elemental affinity, the specific aspect of Alma they can harness and manipulate, is made clear."
The brothers,drawn inevitably to the pond's edge, finds themselves peering into waters that do more than reflect their images. They reveal the core of their beings, the unique energies of Alma that pulse within each of them.La'ru stands back by Shikari watching the events unfolding infront of her. Shikari continues "For some, it might be the flickering flames of fire; for others, the steadfastness of earth, the fluidity of water, or the ever-changing currents of air. This moment of revelation is deeply personal, a communion with the forces that define their existence."
Shikari, ever the guardian of their journey, watches over this sacred communion, ensuring its sanctity. The Arigrovurus, too, embody their role as protectors of these sacred grounds, their presence a silent guarantee of the pond's purity.