chaos 18 - training bei v2

"Why did you allow him to return to life?" Her words are careful and slow, contrived of nothing more than idle curiosity...For she had seen undeath as a blessing in comparison to the curse that many people might often think of it as. "You should have let him burn for an eternity." It is a sour thing- but even while rotting, she highly doubts that Taters has 'understood' the punishment that's come to him. Or maybe, this person that's speaking is no longer the 'merciful' woman that she once was...Either way, it doesn't help that the petty little scene between Nasargiel and the others had caused her to grow irate as well. But to digress..

 "He should've been made as an example to those that have betrayed us in the past. We should have ended his life.." But if Arthur doesn't do it, then she may. She cares little for the life of a flickering, waning flame when it has not just used theirpeople's resources...But has burned up holes within their land after being given so much 'trust'. Nevertheless, the woman waves a single hand...

 "-...It shouldn't matter. Even though he's weak and pathetic, I know I shouldn't care. But I think that I do. --I can't help it, because others seem to do what they desire." Even Nasargiel himself, toying around with the 'idea' of giving items back. She had half the mind to choke the little mercenary until he'd pass out.

 She had half the mind to kill him out of her own blind rage. "We don't have time for these things when we're on the cusp of war ourselves." Although reports of Huangzhou attacking their people within the caverns has grown limited...The body count within their jailcells continue to rise. Especially considering that they now possess Anzeti alongside Shezmu's wife. EIther way..

 "--I think that I'm ready for the next portion of my training."
(Bei Rowan)

"Because it's a twisted, sick joke."

There's an immediate pause after his first sentence, and while he's next to her, the gaze of Adjudicator seems to trail off somewhere else. There were few plans regarding Taters, and whether they would fail or succeed, it matters little to him- it's all a game to Arthur when it comes to weak and pathetic ones such as him, really.

"He said that Huangzhou are a lot more merciful to prisoners, and that they're a lot more tolerant than we are. As such, I decided to turn him into Undead... and I'll be sending him to Huangzhou soon."

"He will witness firsthand just how 'tolerant' they are, if they find out that he's Undead. If not? He'll be a spy. They seem to allow him to roam anyway - and he cannot betray me, now that we have this tie."

It's true that he could've been an example, but... who is that man, really? He's just a small fry, a tiny fish that nobody cares about. If anything, it's the important people that must die in order to make way for example for the rest of the people.

"I don't think that example of his death would be much."

"Executing Astaria, for instance? I'd make a great show out of that. Everybody knows her, and it would serve a good example. Taters, on the other hand? He's... a no one."

"Everything I do has a reason to it, Bei... I'm surprised you sometimes forget that."

Though, what she had a point about is that they do not have time for this, which is why he cracked down on Nasargiel immediately. If it weren't for the recent happenings, perhaps he would be a lot more keen to hear both sides and investigate, but now he just had neither time nor patience nor will for it.

"As for your next training--"

"Do you want it now?"
(Arthur Rowan)


 "..." She finds herself beginning to grow silent, her head tilting up towards the waning sky before she speaks. "You understand that they'll kill him the moment that they find out he's an undead." The smile upon her face brightens, if only slightly...But not for the reasons as to what he might think. She doesn't necessarily revel within the thought of a blazing death for Tater...But she most certainly does not believe that this sudden 'realization' is something that he deserves. If only briefly, a hearty chuckle would spill past her lips. "He won't understand any of that...And as much as he might be able to 'spy' for us...He won't do the trick. He's too stupid and useless." She believes in people. But she also believes that he'll be severely incapable.

 "However, if you want him alive for that purpose, then feel free. However.." Her hands that are tightened into fists unfurl. As she looks back down...She already imagines ending his life. "If I run into him...I don't think that I'll be able to hold myself back." Killing him is necessary. Killing him is something that's needed...But in the end, the woman just nods silently.

 "He may be a no one, but even someone with little-to-no discipline can create waves. That is how we get others like Gideon Ruger. That is how we get people like Astaria who believe that they can go against direct orders." It's necessary. In the end though, the woman would just shrug.

 "I've never said that you don't have a reason for the things that you do. I simply don't agree with this one." A lengthy pause is given afterwards before she nods.

 "And yes."
(Bei Rowan)

"You didn't think I cared that much, did you?"

"That's the whole trick. He will walk into Huangzhou, and if they discover that he's Undead, they will simply kill him. That's my lesson to him. That's my example as to what Huangzhou thinks of us - for every idiot out there who thinks that they're tolerant, reasonable people."

"And it'll be louder than simply executing him like that."

He imagines that she's grown a lot more impatient with what's been happening recently, and he cannot blame her for that. If anything, he feels like the recent events have been definitely taking a toll on how tolerant Dawn is becoming on its own- with each and every treachery or an idiot talking out of line, they're a lot more keen to just murder them on spot.

And that's good.

"I don't care if you kill him either. If you want to, feel free to. Otherwise--"

"We would better off moving somewhere a bit more open for this lesson."
(Arthur Rowan)

She would be more satisfied if she had done it herself. And perhaps, Taters knew that many others would be seeking to lift his head from his shoulders but then again...The whole entire situation was rather irksome, especially since it seemingly happened out of 'nowhere'. Most importantly though...She wonders how they even discovered things happening in that manner? Did Arthur set up spies within Huangzhou or was this simply the doing of their 'citizens' going incognito for their own reasons? Questions. So many questions flourish within her mind, but she doesn't seem to speak them..

 Probably because she's certain that it's a mixture of both anyways. But to digress..

 "Alright then, let's go to another place." She wouldn't be opposed to a more.. 'open' area. She's almost sure that this would be the fighting portion of their training.
(Bei Rowan)

Perhaps she'd expected a fight to occur between them, or perhaps she expected something akin to a challenge- but there's nothing like it, save for the challenge that he's going to provide both to her body and mind. The initial connection to the very root of Arcane was established, but a mere grasp of such root was hardly enough in many cases.

As such, it's time to let that root bloom.

"The practice with Telekinesis comes from smaller things."

"It comes from concentrating on... as blunt as it sounds, your will. It's the outrage, the cry out against all that is unfair in this world, all compressed in a blast of your inner will and strength. In a sense, it's the blast of you against someone else."

"I'll expose you to such energy. Do your best to cling to it no matter the cost, and then... then, we'll begin with trying to get you to use it."

Slowly and carefully, the Rowan sits down on the grass. His legs seem to position themselves in quite comfortable way, with exception of the fact that soon he begins to float just slightly above the ground- the energy she's often witnessed in the past begins to surround him, and something, just something suggests that it tries to slowly latch onto her.

Like a living organism, looking for a new host.

"Sit."
(Arthur Rowan)

"From the times that I've assisted you within your practices, I imagine that it would've not just came from your will...But from your own emotions too." She finds herself beginning to smile briefly at the thought. Those times, when he was capable of tearing reality asunder with his very voice....With his very anguish, she nearly thought that she had done something wrong. In the end, the corruption that lingered had pushed him to levels that she never believed that she'd ever be able to reach. And yet, now, there's this incessant greed within her being that wants her to push herself further. It's necessary...Extremely so. For now, the woman would've nodded..

 "I imagine that it'll be much different for me than it was for you." After all- being able to physically grasp reality or perhaps, tear it asunder with her bare hands would not just require an immense amount of forth, but a careful mixture of all of her magics within one swing. For now...The woman would have nodded as she took her seat- both hands folding into her lap...Eyes closing in preparation for what is to come.

"Don't hold back. I've taken worse pain that this."

 She's fought herself constantly. She's been beaten by her magics, by archons- assaulted by more than one person. This should be a walk in the park, right?...

Right?

 For some reason, she highly doubts it.
(Bei Rowan)

Like a creeping shadow, it lingers all around Bei, coiling like a serpent.

The energy that came from the Rowan never ceased to make the connection between the two. It was intended for her to perceive this world through new sights, through new vision that would allow her to not only understand the Chaos better, but what it is at the core.

"Do not fight back against it."

"It will not be easy, but yes, Chaos feeds from your own emotions. It feeds on your struggles, your doubts, your success and your failures... and it will try to feed on you too. That's where you must be able to stop it."

"Or it will consume you without hesitation."

It's a careful balance between something excessively parasitic, and a well established symbiote that would allow her to freely wield the Chaos magic while in ideal synergy with it- it's not that it would stop any influence that it provides, but rather align perfectly with the mindset of magi it possesses.

'Let us sing for you.'
'Let us speak for you.'
'Let us in.'

The gaze of Adjudicator was pointed upon his lover for all this time- there's almost a hint of reluctance in his eyes, not because he did not wish to share this power, but because he wasn't sure whether it's good for her. There's so much pain that it caused, so much doubt in his life...

And there was always more. This energy, this feeling that now tries to enter her - it was something more than just a simple magic.
(Arthur Rowan)

Don't fight against it. If there was one thing that she was learning from this situation - it is that no matter the anguish nor chaos that ensues...Those that are within the arcane magics must experience the one, effervescent emotion that drives them to do the things that they do. Joy. For the unruliness. Joy. For the recklessness. Joy. For a challenger that might approach within this realm...Even when all hell breaks loose- even at the thought of dying, they must remain as obese as the night sky. Gluttonous to the ruckus, starving for utter domination. At this moment, she merely nods...Relaxing as all things coil around her being, wrapping her within it's serpentine embrace.

 "--I'm ready."

 Death. She imagines that being consumed by this magic would result within her reckless behavior becoming much more than what others might not expect. Andyet...In this moment, she keeps herself silent, writhing slightly within her seat as the voices rise within her mind. "Mhn." Breathing increases, the heart fluttering as the power brushes more and more into the base of her mind...What seems to be a symbiote becoming much more painful than anything else that she would have experienced.

"A-aah.." It would be the first time that she had ever felt something occur. Like brimstone and fire being placed upon her back...Like her mind twisting, tousling. "A-Arthur.." She tenses, nails digging into the palm of her hand...The quickening breathes turning into pained cries. And although she does not resist...It is difficult to not submit wholely to the idea.

"More. Push more. I can handle it- I swear." Although she's trembling, she needed to make this connection. She needed to be in unison with her own chaos and thoughts.
(Bei Rowan)

When she thought this would be a physical challenge, it turns out to be the challenge of her spirit- the revelation of energy washes up the memories of early days, of how many times they've been defied, their efforts spat upon and all of the threats that could've led to their deaths. Their captivity by Ikkaku, their battles against Vampires, their scars from Gehennans - everything where they paid with their sweat and blood, it washes up on the surface in unstoppable flood.

It's like the world is against them. It's like the two of them stand together as guardians of their future, against every single obstacle there is, even their own allies- no matter how much they've done, there's always an imperfection. So, so terribly frustrating. And yet, the voice resonates.

'They don't know your wars.'
'Even though it's them who you're fighting for.'

Bitterness, resentment. Everything they've been denied for, every single instance when they were promised help and yet were abandoned, it itches on her mind like a poorly healed scar on the body.

'Blame the world no more.'
'Always give meaning to your effort.'

All of the blood spilled. Every single time one of the lovers have been on the verge of falling, they pushed through it. The surge of willpower comes with the flow of energy, and what feels like a painful anguish, also feels like a burning zeal.

'Those smiles, dreams of yours.'
'Every tear shed, every drop of blood shed.'

But with pain, comes fulfilment and passion. No matter it all, the selfishness, the desire to come through it all pushes her still, defying all of the odds that the life presents before them. It comes as realization that nothing comes without the pain or another price.

'Always aim for happiness.'
'Though our paths may diverge.'

Yet, the differences between them is also what gives a new perspective. A symbiosis that crawled into her very spirit, into her mind, it coaxes and lulls her into acceptance of such philosophy, into necessary change that would lead her on a different path - the path of happiness in her own life, no matter the cost. After all, that's what Chaos is about.

"Awaken."
"See the world through the eyes of passion."

The inner voice stirs, and the leylines of reality become exposed.
(Arthur Rowan)

You were made for this.

She was built for the sake of the long-haul. Built to not just weather the storms, but trudge through them no matter the lightning, rain, sleet, or now that might rain atop of her head. It is through her love and willpower that she pushes forth. It is through her confidence that she is capable of running into enemy attacks and withstanding them. It is through her confidence that she is capable of being broken time and time again and yet...Able to stand without crumpling against the ground like the others. So when she is faced with things such as this...The answer comes from within.

 Bones snap underneath pressure, the bruising of flesh and sinew appear upon her body as magic radiates through the very core of her being. While being in the midst of anguish - the primal instinct takes over and she soon shows her ancestry within the form of wings and horns, her own claws scraping against the grasses below....The bitterness, the resentment all seeping within the inner-depths of her mind. After all, what reason is there for her to feel such emotions when she should allow them to give each of her actions meaning? In times such as this...

 The spilled blood, the death of others, these dreams- she will no longer allow herself to place the demands of others before her own. Instead, she'll prioritize. And because of such, her own approach to such a reality is found within a guttural cry. The roar of a drakaness comes as the magical leylines of the realm are instantaneously shredded apart....Trees being sliced in half, leaves, grasses, and wood flecks sweeping within the vicinity, creating a clearing at the tops of the mountains...

Awaken.
See through the eyes of passion.

 No longer does she see this world as dark and twisted. Instead, she holds what she now knows close to her heart. Instead....She clings to the feelings that she knows best- the pain, the pleasure of creating and achieving her own wishes and much, much more. For now though, even as she trembles....Even as she grows weak physically, she understands what she must do in order to seal her training.

She must do everything that she wants. When she wants to.
(Bei Rowan)

Bei Rowan says, "I-...Haah-..I know what to do now. I know how to master it. I just need to hold onto it a little longer next time."

It comes as the outrage in the most primal manner.

He expected no less from her. All of this reminder of their woes, of their struggles and troubles along the way, it comes as bitterness that caused the two of them to grow terribly resentful of the others and what they do- especially now, after they've come such a long way, when others try to lay claim as to what Dawn is supposed to do.

No. They have no voice here.

The guttural cry, the roar of a Drakaness is met with naught but a smile. It's good that she understands this, that the power of Chaos comes from passion itself, combined with the will of one too. It cannot exist without either part, and only through combined effort it becomes possible - and the destructive power of such is unleashed.

"Good."

"For the next time, we will move on further with your training. For now, however... I simply allowed the root of Arcane to bloom within you."

By no means it was over. There are still steps to walk, and considering that Bei has decided to take the approach of primal rage to it, he adds.

"In carnage, it blooms... like a flower in the dawn."

"Do not abandon what you already have, and it will bloom even further."
(Arthur Rowan)