The Grasp of Arcane

Just as he mentioned to her before, this wasn't going to be the usual training, not by a long shot.

Instead of the practice with Storms, or any common magic that could be found among the masses, it was the time for Arthur to grasp something far more mysterious, something far more dangerous than she got used to- and of course, he would need her help for it. She was the source of many things that he felt, of many things that made his heart flutter, and despite all that--

-- at times, she was still a reminder of his nation's pain. Whether he'd be able to get over it? That's another question.

There was a book that he unveiled, one that was branded to be 'The White Testament' - luckily, it was in public access in the places like Gaiar Aetherius, and Arthur was no stranger to the place. Considering his wealth, and relative ability to get around obstacles in life, it gave him no trouble to obtain the book.

Even though he prepared himself both mentally and physically, a part of him felt that Bei Bei might not be ready for it, just as much as he is. She deserved to be warned, and she deserved to be told what she should expect- the scarlet hues turned to her, if only to speak.

"--Bei Bei."

"This will be unusual... session. I need you to follow my commands strictly, and even if the said commands result in me being hurt, you still must carry them through."

"Even if it looks like I'm suffering, do not stop. Is that clear?"
(Arthur Rowan)


"Is this something that you really want?" Her words are carefully crafted, her whispers carrying upon the radiant, ivory winds that sweep across the mountain tops. Within this area, she often felt as if she needed to be a little more quite than the normal. As if what would happen between the two should remain an on-going secret...In which, even she would not be able to truly fathom. Regardless of such notions though, what more could she possibly say or do? Hands move idly, gripping carefully upon the jacket of the Rowan as she speaks..

"If it's something that you really need me to do, then I'll follow through." There was no denying that she would do anything that she could for the Rowan. And in some type of way, it could also lead to the danger that she might possess. Somewhere, in this strange and fragile little heart...There is a budding glow. A glimmer in which she could not even contain. However...There is also silence.

 If only briefly, does she find herself beginning to turn- noticing a foreign body upon the edge of the cliff. "There's-...There's someone here already." Her words are soft, but the gaze that she gives makes matters a little more complicated.

 Hm.
(Bei Bei)


Bei Bei says, "Name and affiliation, please."

Bei Bei says, "Name and affiliation, please."

Shanka Ukitake says, "Shanka, I'm not affiliated with any factions currently."

Bei Bei asks, "<*glances towards Arthur. If only briefly, does she dig her heels into the ground.*> Would you mind being brought in for questioning then?"

Shanka Ukitake says, "<*nods*> I'd rather be left alone."

Bei Bei says, "Hm, well.."

Arthur Rowan asks, "--Right, then. If that's the case, would you mind leaving the area?"
Bei nods.
(Bei Bei)


Shanka Ukitake says, "I do not, I'll be on my way then."

Arthur Rowan says, "Farewell."

Bei Bei says, "Of course, of course."
Now that such trouble was out of the way, they could actually focus on the Art that Arthur was trying to desperately to grasp- to actually delve into studies of Chaos. Unironically, it would be a much harsher event to experience tonight than any possible fight that would occur.

A sigh.

He sat down, already with a premise to go into meditative stance, to focus and concentrate- before him was 'The White Testament', flipped out on the pages that were exposing all of the contents that he really needed. The first step was already heavily studied, and he reflected on it not even once, but many, many times.

Ambition.

It's that driving force that would make him perform the crazy stunts that he'd done almost everyday in order to push himself for power, and he knew that this was the way for something even greater. A single glance was thrown towards Bei Bei, if only to mutter.

"Yes. I'm certain of it."

"And thank you for your help. It's greatly appreciated. Now-- I'll need a bit of silence."

His eyes closed, and with a sharp inhale, he began to focus. For just this moment, Bei was left as a spectator.

Even then, that's not gonna last long.
(Arthur Rowan)

Suspicion.

 Do they just allow people with no affiliation to slip from their grasps-....In this day and age, does something like that truly exist when she believes that there is much, much more to the story than what she might already imagine? Hands move carefully- fingertips lightly threading into one another as her mind wanders briefly. When he gets within his meditative stance- she finds herself beginning to drift over towards the ledge to watch those that had pass by recently...Her gaze fluttering in mild thought- hands tucking behind her back.

 "There's no need to thank me."

 She says softly- a gentle sigh beginning to escape her lips as she allows the gentle breeze of the wind to cool her fiery soul. In any event...Just being up here reminds her of Joy in the strangest way. The two of them were the complete opposite...But, it's amazing as to how well they worked together. In essence, it was almosta similar function between herself and the Rowan...

 Despite being a spectator of sorts- she knew that this was something that she might possibly need to learn for the sake of their people. Or better yet...Maybe, she should simply stick to what she knew best. Physicality..

 "Take your time, I'll be waiting for you to tell me what to do.."Just how far was he willing to go though, to learn this impossible magic?
(Bei Bei)

And it begins.

Knowing just how much he would need to actually focus on everything he's learned, on everything that he felt, on everything that he's ever experienced- it was one great potential to establish connection to Arcane like this. And although he's never had a direct teacher, he never had anyone actually educate him on something such as Telekinesis, he was still certain that he was able to perform it, if he was determined enough and had the resolve the matched it--

-- after all, he witnessed Inoa using Chaos magic, and already knew what he should be aspiring for.

Ambition.

It could be a vague goal, but he wished for Valmasia to rise, for it to prosper again, for them to retake their lands- and even one day, to become its Adjudicator and rise to rule it. The current leaders? They're not eternal. Sooner or later, the youth would need to step up - and that's where Arthur saw his role.

"--Bei Bei."

"I need for you to begin distracting me through violent means. Burn fire against me, throw rocks, poke me with your weapon - anything goes."

An odd request, even sudden. Already he interrupts her from being just a spectator?

But nonetheless, this was just the preparation, the setup for something greater. In his mind, the ambition to become something better was constantly shining, and now there was the next step he needed to delve into.

Emotion.
(Arthur Rowan)

That is strange.

 This was the third person that had went within the direction that they had headed...And within the worst way, her own curiosity had wanted her to also head within that direction- especially, since the thirteen year old boy had suddenly popped up in existence as well. But to digress- her hands lightly frame her features if briefly- her head shaking slightly, although, none of this is directed towards the Rowan at all.

 Regardless, she slowly begins to turn upon her heel, nodding. "If that's something that you want, then fine." she says. Steadily, would she make her way within his direction- a single hand lightly pressing upon his shoulder...

 Around the two, an amethyst ring would steadily appear- melting and nipping at the edges of snow that had formed upon the cliff itself... "I've got it." For now, she'd start off with a heat that would make him mildly uncomfortable, capable of causing the area to become muggy from humidity, difficult for a regular human to breathe.
(Bei Bei)

Now, to reflect on the emotion.

Everything that he's ever suffered through- the rift between two brothers, the moments that moved his heart, and the moments that broke it. The days of youthful happiness, only to be mix-matched with tears and pain, the events such as rejection from his brother, it's--

-- it's something that stung at his heart.

Even if he already got over these events, he could already feel the flow of Arcane fuelling him, exaggerating events to a much higher degree of impact than they really were. Despite knowing that something is influencing him, despite knowing that this was just a part of the session when it comes to connecting to Arcane, it was a harsh lesson he's had a struggle coping with.

His fists clenched. Feeling the heat coming from Bei Bei, he took a sharp inhale- while it was obstructing him, he clung on the connection within his mind, absolutely refusing to let go. A single mutter aimed towards her.

"Burn me..."

And at same time, the flooding memories of the heartbreak he's experienced in the times with her, the memories of shameful defeat, the memories of enacting his vengeance against the murderous Gehennan whom admitted to have killed Valmasians in Avalon.

It was pain, and it was all his to live through.
(Arthur Rowan)

She doesn't know if she could possibly ever do the things that the rest of them do. Her thoughts on surrounding herself within pain was not...Is not something that she is capable of. And because of such a thing, she almost feels as if she is not fit to stand beside someone who can endure such pain. Regardless of the notion though- she would seat herself behind the Rowan- the heat that billows around their form becoming slightly more intense---The draconic claws of the girl beginning to radiate the same amount of corruption...

 Hands would move carefully towards his back...And the twin, claw marks of the Drakaness would soon be made. Twin, vermillion lines would be made upon his back-- the heat given, only mild as of yet...Despite the traces of blood that cling to her nails..

"I'm sorry."

 She should not apologize but...She felt the need to do such a thing. To bring him this amount of pain- to bring about this amount of irritation was never intended truly, but...He asked for it. Once again, would he find her raking within the same place...The impossible heat growing slightly in intensity.
(Bei Bei)

From within, and from outside.

With the emotion wracking at his soul, and the fiery claws wracking at his body, the proper meditation is what was needed now- they say that pain is something that cleanses our body and soul, for it to be open for something entirely new, and there was no mistake in Arthur about that either. For once, he'd known that something began seeping into his very soul, the otherworldly energy that he felt coming from Inoa.

The Trance.

It was the leylines of the world itself that were tracing into him, gracing the tortured mind and body of a young Valmasian- his teeth gritting, his fists clenched, and yet he persists to remain uninterrupted. The impossible heat began to burn against his back, to actively rupture his flesh and cause burns to it--

-- he'd scream by now, if he could.

But something held him back on that. Perhaps it was the power of Corruption that sought to twist his mind and body like that, the magic of Chaos Arcane that filled his body with pain- but did not weaken it- and it's something that he clung on so desperately.

Even so, tears began running down his cheeks from closed eyes. The pain was unbearable.

"S-st--"

He almost wanted to mutter to stop for her, to immediately stop this training, but no. Caught up in this, and almost forced against his conscious will, it was in fact his subconsciousness reaching out for this power.

"STRONGER! BURN STRONGER! PIERCE MY HANDS WITH YOUR CLAWS!"

Despite the obvious suffering he felt, his body moved and spoke on its own- it had no choice but to do so, because despite Arthur willing to stop it already, his heart truly desired to actually grasp this power.

And his mind? He was in for that ride, even if against his will.
(Arthur Rowan)

She remembers.

 The moments where the two had fought intensely for the sake of him grasping control of the storm. She remembers. How it felt like to be tossed by the whipping winds and waters, how to be forced into submission through hemomancy...But worst of all, the sudden trance that had came about with her unconsciousness. It was as if muscles had a mind of their own- as if her ravenous instinct had promised him death despite being unable to continue on. It...Must have been frightening then. TO hear her scream. To watch her lash out, if only briefly...Only to falter.

 In essence, the fear that he might have possessed back then, soon ebbs and flows through the entirety of her being. She's frightened-...Because hurting him in this manner. Because hearing him in this way...Had caused a reaction that even she was uncertain if she could. The heart ache is an odd thing...But the will is another. And steadily, does she find herself beginning to work through his cries...

He asks for the burns to be stronger...And so she gives him those very burns.

 Claws do not pierce the flesh of his hand - but they rake down the same twin paths upon his back. Following behind them are waves of amethyst flames. When he screams- she continues, allowing the occultism to set within her mind. Allowing this fright to be consumed by an everlasting, sadistic fire that comes with each swing of her two palms.

Once, twice thrice.

 All blood is conscumed. And the wounds that might occur are instantly seared shut again..And again..And again. Providing an excruciating, riveting experience.
(Bei Bei)

The Trance was proving to be quite the feat to go through- perhaps, this entire time he had to think less, and feel more when it comes to grasping Chaos Magic like this. Closer to the end, there was nothing else on his mind - only pain he felt, and the destruction he shall unleash.

As for the words spoken by him? Merely a projection of his will.

The wounds of a young Valmasian have been horrible at this point; no matter the result of this training, for the rest of his life he is to carry the scars of his back being constantly cut up like that, if only to be burnt and seared shut again. It's the maddening pain that caused the Trance to break, for the next phase to occur.

Destruction.

A horrifying sight was uncovered. His eyes, as last open, were weeping blood- the bloodshot whites of his eyes, and the intense, glowing scarlet of his irises almost made him look like something from another world. His hands raised forward, the bloody paths trailing along them as Arthur was bathed in his own crimson--

-- for new wounds to appear on his hands, the corruption of Chaos setting in.

Along with his blood, his life essence, the charged blast was unleashed- but unlike a condensed explosion, it unravelled the world itself, ripping through Lifestream and sending the echoing screams across the environment. Much as if it defied reality itself, the damage was apparent as the whole area felt different, much as if an actual Chaos Mage tore through reality in here.

It was a terrifying presence of the unknown power, one that she was a witness to.
(Arthur Rowan)

There's so much blood.

 She thought that she would be capable of handling such a thing. She thought that if she cushioned the blow- if she silenced the screams within her ears, that it might possibly work. But nothing would but fright would come from marking up the Rowan's back in such a manner. Nothing, but heart ache would appear within her being - even as he bathes himself within blood and destruction and ire.

If this is what it means to be chaotic then she most certainly does not believe that she would be able to do such a thing. She finds that her own heart is too difficult. She finds...that her own heart bids for her to be something else. But regardless of such a thing, there is support...Even as she witnesses the power...

 The only thought that remains is a single question.

"But is this cost worth it?"

 The emotional toil, the heart ache, the bodily pain...All of this. Was it something that he would be able to live with for the rest of his life? Was it something that he could cope with...?- It all was too hard. All too difficult.

 And eventually, even though he's still bloodied and exhausted, she holds herself terribly, terribly close. "I-...Arthur?- Arthur..Are you okay?" Between heaving breathes, she finds herself being terribly, terribly worried.

"Let's go back home- I'll take you..You should rest." But she does not complain infront of him. No, she'd prefer to express herself in different ways. In order to protect him, perhaps...It is best to pursue what Joy intends.
(Bei Bei)

He felt entirely different.

But now, with the corrupt Arcane energies swirling in his body, he felt... bad, wrong, at the very least. The blood from his wounds began to slow down, eventually stopping the bleeding entirely, if only for the weakness to set in.

Was it because Chaos was weakening him? Not at all. It's the aftermath of using such power, and the alien energy persisting in his body. It's something he'd need to get used to.

He collapses. Perhaps in her embrace, and perhaps she was to get him out of here, but the cost was apparent - all of the turmoil, all of the suffering and pain was too much. Perhaps, once he grasps it, it would be all worth?

That remains to be seen.

"I... I can't feel... my body..."

A series of sharp exhales leaving his mouth, and he was barely moving. The bloodshot eyes were staring up at her visage, almost frozen in place- a silent whisper is all that he could muster at this point.

"Y-yeah... take me... take me somewhere... somewhere nice..."

There was no strength left in him. His eyes, rolling to the back of his head, eventually closed down, and he laid moveless in Bei's arms. It was up to her to get him to safety.
(Arthur Rowan)