humanpleas In reply to phlegmist [2018-12-22 16:35:15 +0000 UTC]

i. ( he was crouched in the street by the time anyone got there, the stolen virtue and weapons of the fallen in a neat circle around his feet. the town was in shambles but he didn't care. all that mattered to heikko right now was his treasure: the souls he'd managed to take during the fight. surely, surely one of these had to be what he needed, the missing pieces that would make him whole again. it wasn't smart to try here, no, but he couldn't risk getting his back to his makeshift home with this many - the other vices would sniff him out and take them easily, and he wouldn't be able to deal with that )
ii. (  he should have expected the raid would attract the attention of the saints, though, especially when more vices had shown up and extended the damage. still, he didn't think they'd get through the others and find him so quickly - but as he looked up and saw an ornately armoured figure, he knew he wouldn't get away with everything he'd scavenged. he didn't fear for his life, though - sure, he'd seen these people slay other vices, but they were savage and unthinking. if he was clever he'd be fine, he thinks. perhaps this arrogance had led to his initial defeat in life as well )
iii. (  despite his boasts of sapience he wasn't thinking too clearly right now, the rush of emotion from the fighting he'd done and the possibility of being close to becoming human again made up his entire being right now. he's going to kill this guy, he decides as he raises himself to his feet, and take his soul too. just in case )

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phlegmist In reply to humanpleas [2018-12-22 17:52:10 +0000 UTC]

i. the sight of fallen soldiers & the crumbling town was devoid to aryn’s eyes– but it didn’t mean he could feel the destruction unravelling itself bit by bit, & he could hear the fear elicit itself from the mouths of citizens. the saints were, in no time wasted, dispatched to the scene although the chaos was already unfolding as the raid slowly became rampant. he could feel the heavy aura of the vices sprawled off in the vicinity, & even though he could not see them– he still knew exactly where they were.
ii. aryn had slain a good amount of the savage vices just not too far back– trying his best to protect whoever was surviving & leading them to a safer place. he could feel every loss weigh down upon his back. his hand gripped firmly onto his sword, as he could feel the harrowing presence of another vice just close by. he never seemed to like the idea that souls had to be ripped out in the attempt to satiate the need of a vice, & even then it wouldn’t work out– leading to even more of them growing; that was how history had been for so long, though.
iii. he had a few minor scrapes here & there. and all that he could see was darkness, with some little light in some places, but no vivid image of anything. nonetheless, he remained steadfast in this struggle. hearing the sounds of what he knew well was a vice raising themselves up from the ground, aryn stood his ground & assumed his position, drawing out his sword as a single breath escaped his lips. his face was obscured by the mask that hid his only somewhat deformed eyes, but from within, it still radiated the young champion’s unperturbed gaze. 

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humanpleas In reply to phlegmist [2018-12-22 19:26:19 +0000 UTC]

i. ( something about this fighter perturbs him; it's a fleeting feeling, one he dismisses as baseless apprehension. he had no business being scared, not at this point. yellow eyes inspect the other: not enough hair to grab but he had a cape, ripping out that earring might give him a chance for some extra blows... he couldn't see his face through that silly mask he was wearing, but he was probably a little scared too )
ii. ( the moment the champion raises his sword heikko launches his attack, swinging an arm as the little magic his body held lifts a few of the abandoned swords from the ground around them. they followed the path his hand mimed, swinging at his opponent. he doesn't stop to block any counter attacks, stepping closer to continue his attack in spite of the danger, the same way he'd done it since he could remember )
iii. ( he doesn't know what the other is capable of, but he can't hit him if he's too busy shielding, heikko figures. so he keeps pressing forward, attempting blow after patterned blow, heaving as he traces paths for the blades to follow )" go ! away ! "

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phlegmist In reply to humanpleas [2018-12-22 19:56:26 +0000 UTC]

i. { aryn was still rather young for his age– people he knew sometimes being wary about his nature as a champion of the kingdom. such concerns even growing after a horrible attack lead to his eyes being twisted & his sight lost forever. it was still a wonder how such a being like him was able to still mentally recover from something horrifying to witness... & still somewhat remain with that graceful air; and on the battle field, still remain the strong, adroit fighter that the saints knew well of. }
ii. { his senses were keen: the sounds of the fallen blades lifting themselves from the ground under the control of the vice’s magic was sensitive to his ear, as if he could pinpoint which directions they were to come at him from. his composure did not stir, & upon moment of attack– aryn swung forth, his blade dancing almost seamlessly through the flurry of blades striking at him. he countered them, each & every one.
iii. { aryn figures that these attacks could serve as only a base move– eventually while he could be busy countering the blades, something could happen. he’s almost taken back by a larger blow, parrying the attack with his sword. however, his strength prevailed, as the blind warrior managed to overpower the strength of the blade & slash back– sending the said blade flying back into the opposite direction. his gaze held stoic, until he heard the vice speak. }" –?! "iv. { it couldn’t be– aryn knew that voice too well... all too well. all those years ago, & he could still remember the last time he saw the old comrade of his, before he was robbed of his ability to see; before he lost him, & held that weight of guilt.. " ... jeshua? "

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humanpleas In reply to phlegmist [2018-12-22 20:41:54 +0000 UTC]

i. ( he knew his attacks weren't the most difficult to block - all his swords followed the same path, each striking at the same spot until the person was either knocked back by the force or lowered their guard a moment too soon. it usually didn't take this long, but this opponent was steady, unflinching. still, he didn't have time to get worried about this, he just wanted the other gone, out the battle as quickly as he could manage so he could leave with what he had )
ii. ( the boy was strong, though and soon he found himself struggling to hold onto the swords so securely in his magic's grip a few moments ago. one snaps free, the metal ringing loudly as it hits the cobblestone beneath them. a frustrated groan erupts from him as the other pauses )
iii. ( but yellow eyes spot the opportunity a moment later; he thrusts his arms forward, sending the swords flying in the champion's direction. as he opens his mouth to speak however, they halt, suspending themselves a few inches from where they would have hit. heikko tries to press them forward but they refuse to move - he was still controlling them, wasn't he? he had thought he was )
iv. ( what had he said ? perhaps that's what was causing this - it must've been a spell or something. that made sense to him; some weird kind of magic that made the swords freeze and his hands shake and his chest hurt. he inhales a shaky breath, slowly pulling the swords away from his still opponent )" g- .. go away ! "

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phlegmist In reply to humanpleas [2018-12-30 01:26:56 +0000 UTC]

i. { that was his voice- it had to be. no other sound was familiar, but those very tones- although evidently agitated, still had that same, significant ring that sent waves to aryn's chest; making him feel heavier than usual. }
ii. { he's parrying the remaining swords that are targetting him, but they eventually cease their fire after he uttered the name. from beneath the mask, his almost pearl-esqye eyes were filling with some emotion in its colors. the way that the vice had responded almost certainly confirmed to the champion that this... this was the person he knew it to be. there were echoes in his mind, wanting to draw himself & approach the other. jeshua-- he lost him so long ago, an event that left a timeless gap in aryn's life.
iii. { but a part of himself remained, but it walked instead as a vice... the manifestations of his darker emotions. aryn hadn't faced his vice before, & his only chance now was taken only after his ability to see was robbed away. he wouldn't get to see that face, even if it was currently only the one succumbed by darkness. but at least he heard him. }
iv. { fighting the vice already sent those memories afloat of times when the two sparred when they were younger. he could remember his cockiness, & his love for competition... things that one wouldn't dare to forbear except for someone like aryn, whose patience was one of his known things. hearing the sounds of the swords vibrating, aryn drew out his sword, bracing himself for what was then the coming impact of the blades flying their way over- }
v. { until they stopped, aryn hearing the faint ring as he could understand that the blades were hovering, just mere inches away from his own visage. his lips were slightly agape, yet his figure did not waver, & while there was sound elsewhere, he felt the stillness of the air in this exact moment. jeshua's vice sounded as if he was struggling to push forward with his attack." ah... "vi. { aryn had to catch himself a little. his stance was not disturbed, but he steeled himself- not wanting to move forth knowing that his very presence was already alarming to him. that all he probably had in mind was to vanquish him & take his soul (and perhaps... if he did, he would laugh a little knowing it had be taken by someone he knew well) }" so it is your voice, jeshua. i finally get to hear it again, do i? "
" but it's a little unfortunate... that we meet again, standing on opposite sides. "vii. { aryn was certain that the vice could snap back any given moment to attack. the only disadvantage of the champion was that he did not fight with any magic on hand, only his natural abilities... but at this moment, & as so in any usual ordeal such as this- if he had to take a cut, then he was more than glad to do so & receive it. sighing, he let his last few, bittersweet words roll under his breath, with a vague smile, " i surely hope you haven't thought differently of me... "

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humanpleas In reply to phlegmist [2018-12-30 04:38:31 +0000 UTC]

i. ( frustration at the loss of control of the magic he was so proud of fills him- how dare this stranger do .. whatever he had. try as he might, though, the weapons he controlled refused to budge even an inch closer to his opponent, like there was some unseen shield surrounding him )
ii. ( the anger lasts until he begins to talk to him again, replaced by a tugging feeling. he ached, mind straining like he was supposed to be doing something different. like this wasn't supposed to happen )
iii. ( he can't fathom what's happening right now, not truly. why they both have stopped fighting, the meaning of the words the other's spoken, the weird feeling in his chest; he didn't understand at all. his swords return to his side, circling him idly as yellow eyes inspect the man before him, searching for something, anything  .. he just felt different  )
iv. (  not the usual bad either; he was a being of negative energy, he always felt bad. this was different: an odd, lonely emptiness square in the center of his chest, where it seemed like something else should be. he'd learned quickly being a vice that true happiness wasn't much of a capability - he was never satisfied, constantly hungering for the missing pieces of his soul. right now, though, despite the confusion, there was a sort of calm he 'd never experienced )
v. ( he doesn't know what to make of it - brow furrows as the other talks to him, calls him by a name he doesn't recognize, voice laced in an emotion he can't place. heikko draws closer, just a bit, mouth opening in an unasked question before he stops, breathing out something akin to a laugh, but its devoid of the emotion )" meet .. again? "vi. ( it made sense - the odd name, the odd longing .. he hadn't been able to put the pieces together before. what a shame, he thinks, that he had to see him like this. it's hurtful, he thinks, to be so close to something from the very humanity he was striving for, but somehow it gives him something like hope. another step towards him, another question as the other mumbles )" who are you ? "
"  why can't i .. "

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phlegmist In reply to humanpleas [2018-12-30 10:17:26 +0000 UTC]

i. { the saint catches himself lowering his own blade, the feeling the world's weight lifting itself off from his back. he finds it amusing a little, that he & jeshua's vice stopped fighting all of a sudden. any vice would have craved to tear away at him, hungry & relentless for his soul– but this situation was different. }
ii. { he lets his arm fall to his side, as the stillness of the atmosphere only around them continued to circle freely. he can only picture in his head the memories of those days before. he would find himself being greeted by jeshua's voice, accompanied with a pat on his back. other times he would joke around & have fun with him, maybe do some sparring. }
iii. { he felt so fondly towards the other during those days. time had passed & aryn had been certain about his own feelings for jeshua, but– alas, the fellow former champion's death caused a heavy rift. even it took aryn a great deal of time to regain himself from the upbringing. }
iv. { the vice was repeating his words, evidently not seeming to fully understand what was happening. aryn heard the faint, yet voided laugh. the saint remains to keep still, but he can feel his heart tugging against him. he lets out a chuckle, soft & with a tinge of some remorse. }" i kept so many things to myself before this all happened. i should have told you sooner... "v. { everything was a dark blur, but he wanted to perhaps... try to see a bit of him. with his free hand, aryn brings it up to his mask, fingers grasping both ends before he pulls it away from his closed eyes. when they open, his orbs were almost colorless– & had minor scarring in some places near the area of his eyes }
vi. { it's still blurry, but at least there was light & some visuals. there was something distorted of dark shape in front of him that he could make as a figure. jeshua's only figure. the sight was nearly emotional at this point, but aryn withdrew any of those signs & remained composed; he stepped forward once, however– into his direction }" oh, right. you probably don't remember me, but that's no bother, "
" it'll just be like the first time we met, "vii. { he only offered his usual, earnest smile in response; patience gracing his expressions. }" my name is aryn, and i know, it's been quite of a while. "
" & sorry about my eyes... i can't really see much. "

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humanpleas In reply to phlegmist [2018-12-30 18:01:41 +0000 UTC]

" aryn .. "i. he repeats it, as if testing the name. it's not particularly special in the way it sounds, but for some reason it feels fitting. something that'd been missing." .. "ii. he's hesitant to introduce himself, almost embarrassed. his voice alone gave the other a false hope, tricked him into feeling something for the vice that used the face of his dead friend. he doesn't know if it's pity, or if aryn thinks they could start where'd they'd left off - they must have been close. close enough that aryn'd try to make peace with him. how sad. " i'm not him, you know. "iii. he interrupts. there's something like disappointment in his voice - the swords tuck themselves behind him as he approaches the saint, stepping closer and closer still until they're only an arm's length away. face to face, almost. his gaze traces the scars across aryn's eyes and his expression twists in concern. compassion was one of the few things he'd managed to retain; it pooled in his chest like a flood as the other removed his mask - whoever he had been must have had a lot for this person.
iv. but he's not jeshua. jeshua died. the other knew this, surely, but still he tried to talk with him on even ground. like they were the same. it made him sick." i'm not your friend, aryn. i'm just a piece."
" and probably not one you'll like, either."v. he can't help but think this calm might be a sign of something else: the other's soul might hold the pieces he needed. the notion lingers in his mind like a dark blot, ruining the near-peace he'd basked in. i could be human again, he thinks, if i can just take it. he reaches towards the other suddenly, hand hovering inches from aryn's chest before they stop. frustration crashes over him like a wave; he could be whole, he was so close, all he had to do was move forward.
vi. but he doesn't- he can't . his arm falls back to his side, the other raising to wipe his eyes. here he is with a perfect opportunity, he didn't even know this person, and yet .. he couldn't make himself do it. a sad laugh escapes him, lips upturning in a wry smile. of course. how pathetic." you must've been .. important .. to him. "
" .. "
" .. i call myself heikko. "vii. a mashup of sounds he knew, or perhaps a word he'd forgotten the meaning of. all he knew was that he needed to call himself something, and heikko seemed to fit. head cants to the side in childish curiosity,
leaning closer to get a good look at his eyes. " you blocked my attacks so easily .. without seeing ? "

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sveItes In reply to phlegmist [2018-12-22 06:02:35 +0000 UTC]

i. securing his hair with a tie, shia prepared himself for a training match with himself
ii. he had been slacking off quite a bit and felt it was time to exercise self discipline.
iii. just as he was about to begin his practice, his gaze fell upon a fellow saint who had been walking their way.
iv. waiting until they had come closer enough to hear him, he shouted out towards the other.
" ah, aryn -"
" i'm getting ready to train, so i would advise you to stay clear of this area."

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phlegmist In reply to sveItes [2018-12-22 06:33:56 +0000 UTC]

i. the young champion had been tracing shapes aimlessly with his sword, having been in some contemplation over the situation of the multiplying vices
ii. he tried not to dwell so much further back, either-- remembering the whole event that caused him to lose his eyesight would sometimes make him feel uneasy.
iii. sighing, he turned around, using his sword as sort of makeshift cane to navigate his way around his surroundings. he heard some sounds of someone moving not too far ahead." ! "iv. his name was called out by an all-too familiar voice, belonging to that of the mage, shia. his composure warming up to the knowledge of his presence, the blind warrior simply smiled." oh, greetings, shia. "
" my apologies for straying into your path. "v. lifting up his mask, his eyes opened to reveal light blue orbs; devoid of its eyesight, but nonetheless still the same color of the sky.
vi. he quietly approached the other, using only the knowledge of where the other’s came from; pulling his robes over his shoulder a tad as his sword dragged itself idly against the dirt." hm, perhaps i could train with you too? that is, if it's not so much of a bother. "

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