Rite of Passage

[18:41] {NARRATION} Kofe was on the cusp of manhood. Not the physical sort, but the recognition of being one, by his clan and his family. There was only one obstacle left for the Rhoynish Lorespeaker - and that was the tradition of reaching adulthood himself, by ensuring his armband, cracked as it was, wasn't stolen.

A long journey awaited him, and around every single corner would be issues and opponents. Could he withstand such a thing, haggard as he was after just fighting against a gigantic Krab? It was uncertain.

Yet regardless of all of that, Kofe found himself in the midst of that very tradition of manhood. A rite of passage that stretched out behind him through the ages; now only time would tell.... Would he fail, or would he succeed?
[18:45] It was a long trek between Osrona and the area where it was meant to happen. He had plenty time to dry off from the wet bubbles the beast had unleashed upon him, though the wounds it left and the overbearing scent of sea that followed him was noticeable.

His mind wasn't stuck on that, however. This was a dream every Rhoynish kid would dream of. For seven years long— from the moment they picked up that silver arm ring to this very day it would be on their mind. Even Basil had a sense of panic when he realized his own date was coming in the next year over.

He couldn't fail. Failure meant that he would have to take it again. Failure meant that more time would have to pass before he would be able to do what he intended to do with that scuffed, cracked up silver band of his. He had great plans, and a trial was not only going to make them come true, but also propel him forward in that endeavor.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:53] {NARRATION} Thusly, he arrived. Several boys were already there, preparing their own gear. After all, it was thirty whole days to make sure one's armring wasn't taken. Much like Kofe, they were all nervous. Worried.

But he fortunately didn't have to wait long.

Despite smelling of the sea, no one seemed to overly notice or care. Soon enough, a whistle sounded -- and the Rhoynish boys attending...? They ran through the woods as quick as could be. It was time.

What would Kofe do?
[18:56] The sharp sound of a whistle echoed throughout the air, indicating the begining of this task of his, of this trial. He wasn't as... prepared as most would be. Though he did have enough food to feed an army for a long, long while. His feet guided him towards the east. Instinct telling him that this was the way of success, the place where he would find himself able to perform best.

Why else would his heart guide him that way?

He could've sworn he hadn't seen anyone he recognized there, but then again old rivalries could always come by. People he had passed by in the streets of Ilburg could be there, too.

Who knows what this eastern direction towards the wood would bring him?

A clearing is what he'd look for first, to set up camp, to prepare for a long time of survival.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:17] {NARRATION} The clearing was peaceful enough. A patch of dirt, indicating perhaps a past of others having camped out in that same spot. No birds chirped, and no critters scurried past; it was as if nature itself understood what was happening.

How important this was.

Or perhaps they had simply all been picked off by hunters at this point? It was unknown.

Some time passed, enabling Kofe to set up his own camp with relative safety before a twig, somewhere out within the forest itself snapped. Was it an enemy, or simply an animal?
[19:32] A camp had been set up rather properly. With enough time and peace before the storm it was obvious that the young Rhoynish would take all the time he was offered to properly situate himself. He wasn't going to starve and die— that'd be embarassing.

From the silence came a break, and a crack. Kofe's gaze shifted towards the location of sound and drew in a breath. It was time to try and use his own means of survival. Seated upon some tree stump he pulled around his lute and... gently began picking at the strings, informing whatever was nearby of his presence, almost... challenging them to come if they dared. The melody that escaped his plucking was a dreadful, terrifying one.

It pulled from that loss of control when Nebula dared to tarnish the act of making food. That inner fire that burned within. That wrath that he had seen displayed by Ophelia. A threatening tune, coaxing any who would dare come to be ready for what would follow.Be it life or death.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:12] {NARRATION} From the brush emerged someone, a boy, around Kofe's age who also held a silver arm ring. There were no words exchanged from the male, and he didn't expect any from Kofe himself.

A knife was withdrawn, and the boy himself appeared to be nimble. He circled the campsight, pale eyes staring harshly towards him.
[20:17] Kofe hadn't expected anyone to move forward after he made his presence known. It was a bold enough move that most would avoid approach. Either this boy was an idiot or incredibly strong. Kofe's lips parted, yellow eyes following the boy's own.

"You don't have to do this. The goal is to survive. You're only making your chances of that lower by fighting. Even if you win, you might lose in the end."

He paused, frowning. If verbal warfare was not enough, then he was ready. Ready to earn his golden ring through blood and sweat.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:33] {NARRATION} Perhaps the boy was strong, or perhaps he was an idiot. Or perhaps both. Regardless he actually responded to Kofe, grinning ear to ear.

"Nah, I won't. You see, if I take people out, that's less a chance of anyone taking ME out!" She declared.

That was when he ran straight at him.
[20:37] "Your loss. Don't regret it." Kofe said, not taking much more time to unleash forth a torrent of notes at his opponent, aiming to overwhelm them in battle!

The question came to his mind before the battle was even over; should he allow him to keep his arm ring or take it? It was... difficult. Stealing one's honor didn't feel quite right. Though he had a whole battle to figure it all out.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[20:45] {Won Restrained RPB against Milly DM}
[20:58] It wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. Whether it was due to his heart being in turmoil over his own possession or his hesitant steps when it came to taking away what wasn't rightfully his, Kofe couldn't quite... focus. Energy beams scattered apart before large waves of sound, only for the bard to feel a knife piercing right behind his back, sending him tumbling forward.

He wasn't fighting with his heart out as usual. There was more than a lack of confidence in his steps; they were mired by guilt from both past and present. His lips parted in the middle of it all.

"You could run if you wanted to! You'd make it through!"

Alas, such words wouldn't reach his opponent's ears. He knew they wouldn't, from the moment he first spoke them. Why? Why was he unable to move forward and do what he had to do? What brought such... hesitation in his heart?

Was it the fact his own honor had been damaged? Was it the fact he had grown to be kinder to people? This one was ready to kill him, yet... nothing had come out? Nothing at all?

Where was that rage he so feared? Where was that wrath he repressed? He was under the impression he may come out of this trial a raving savage when he first entered, fearing that no one would care for him after that.

Was the trial playing on his mind or had he lost his touch?

Ripping winds were sent forth to seek and cut up his opponent, hoping to wound him enough so that he'd leave. So that Kofe could have a moment to... think.

He wouldn't chase. He wouldn't even look towards him. He didn't need his armband; it would never replace the one he meant to turn into a proper gift for Alice — a ring for his proposal. For she made him into the man he was today and was a part of it all, as much as he was a part of her life.

Kofe's heart was in the right place, right?

.. right?
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:07] {NARRATION} The fight was intense; a true battle between two fierce warriors. One with hesitation in his heart and one with pride and determination. The victor was soon found out, as the unnamed boy tumbled backwrds from those ripping winds. Blood spilled across the grass and he stared at Kofe as if he was a wild, yet tamed animal.

An animal which knew when to strike, just right. Not at everyone and anyone much akin to his sister. His rage and power were a tempered sword, pointed in the right direction. His moral compass? Just. Unwavering.

Even if he held hesitation in his heart, it was still there underneath everything.

The boy fled.

Now, things were silent once more.
[21:15] The silence that remained left Kofe thinking. He was in his lonesome again and that tugging feeling in his heart wasn't one he could easily ignore. His lips parted to draw in a breath, and release it soon after. He slowly made his want to his makeshift tent, held together with sticks and a few leaves. When he tried to crawl inside of it it merely... collapsed.

He sighed out. He was never quite good at those; living in the desert didn't prepare him for something like that as much as he'd like.

Whatever. The skies would be his blanket. He set aside his lute, brought a pile of wood together, and took far, far more time than most unexperienced people would expect to start a fire. He laid down on his back and stared skywards. His eyes drawn to a blue star in particular as the sun set and the night drew in.

"Yeah... I know you're looking at me. You always do. You're probably looking at everyone all around the world at once. I wouldn't be surprised."

Who was he speaking to?

".. You're a real bitch at times, Iberl. You pretended like I'd never bond with you while I was calling out to you back then, and you just... don't care much for prayers, do you?

.. Nah. That's not it. I just never look up and think I'd pray to you. I like handling things on my own, even if I know you're there. I felt it back then. With Ophelia? Against that crab? I could tell that you were there, giving me... something. It wasn't much, but... You were just pleased, weren't you?

Happy that I was giving you a show great enough, or something..."

He didn't expect any response. Who would? If things kept being as silent, Kofe would soon be drifting asleep. This would be a long, long month.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:21] {NARRATION} There was no response from that great blue star within the dark sky. After all, who would expect otherwise? It twinkled and shined, as it so often did.

The days went by relatively peaceful; no one else attempted to strike at Kofe from that first day. Animals of all sorts began their prowls, birds flew through the sky as if the presence of the Rhoynish didn't bother tham in the slightest.

Foxes, skunks, squirrels all ran through his camp and by the camp.

It was peaceful. If nothing else, the days began to blur together, the sameness dulling senses and thoughts alike. Kofe was alone out there, on his own, with only his star watching from high above.

It was only during a particularly foggy and cold night did something come lurking. It was not another Rhoynish, seeking to knock out the competition. It was an animal, large and scruffy that padded towards his camp. It radiated malice. It radiated hate.

It radiated ferocity.

A lone wolf. Without it's pack.
Much like Kofe.
[21:30] The blending of days made them all seem like his time here would never end. Had he even kept track of time? Hardly. He believed someone would actually... make themselves known, or a whistle would ring out when it was all over. He didn't worry too much about that. Was it the sixth day or the twentieth? He knew not.

It didn't matter. His mind had been keeping itself busy at work, his short bedtime talks with Iberl yielding nothing but a quiet twinkle and his days being filled with killing time, hunting for food, and ensuring that he had enough wood for the coming nights. No threats. Nothing.

That is until the days shifted. A thick fog came about. A nightmarish situation where the Rhoynish was certain he'd heard a growl coming from the darkness. Whether his heart was the one that caught the ferocity or not didn't matter. His senses caught on rapidly enough, and before he knew it?

He saw a beast. A lone wolf.
Someone away fromtheir comfort zone, from the padded room that were Osronan embraces, from the familiarity of Ilburg's warm, dry days.

Kofe was alone.

He breathed in, and his eyes sat upon its own. His heart wasn't hesitant in this case, no. It knew what it wanted. It knew what it would do if it didn't get what it wanted. It knew how to act before a beast.

His brows furrowed as he further opened up his heart for the wolf to see, showing weakness and strength alike: Honesty. A melody began playing in the beast's mind despite no instrument being in Kofe's grasp. A... soothing, almost welcoming song that attempted to do calm the beast. For the Rhoynish transmitted this melody with his own feelings.

He didn't want to be alone. He didn't want to have to take another's honor. Monsters had no heart, but this one may have been able to hear his plea; his offer of a friendship that crossed reality and would bring them both something Kofe, himself, lacked:

A friend in these trying times.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:39] {NARRATION} The wolf was indeed alone, and as Kofe realized what it was, and what it had come for, the Rhoynish did a most unexpected thing. He did not try to reason with a wolf - for who in their right mind would? However spending days alone in the forest this long may force people to do the strangest things.

But Kofe's reaction was unforeseen, even by Iberl, that great blue star in the sky.

At first, there was a snarl as that soothing melody was forced out from the Rhoynish boy using his own feelings on the matter. What sort of person would attempt to befriend a lone wolf, who was clearly hungry. Who had clearly come for an easy meal. It's stance shifted, legs drawing further apart as it seemed upon the cusp of attack.

But it hesitated.

Was the melody working? Would Kofe be able to bond with an animal of all things, and get a friend during this dark time? The wolf approached, padding ever closer now though the fur upon it's neck was still bristled and willing to attack.

Yet no longer did it seek to attack out of hunger. It sought to attack to test Kofe's merit.

To test his courage. To test his mettle. With a slobbering snarl, it lunged.
[21:45] There were things that couldn't be spoken through words alone. Some battles were fought with one's gaze, some others with one's convictions. Most came with fists. But this? This leap was something Kofe recognized, something that this... fire within him knew all too well. This was no monster, but a beast. As all men could be.

His heart sung in unison with the wolf's own, his lips parted to draw in a breath, and to unleash a primal roar right after. His mind was set on doing more than merely impress Iberl with feats of strengths and accomplishments; he was living his life the way he sought to. He was being himself and showing the world that he could be someone.

Even without his parents.
Even without his sister.
Even without their approval.

This performance of his wasn't one out of spite, but rather one of life. The orchestra of his thoughts manifested through body and heart, unleashing vibrations to pluck at the heartstrings of another lonely being. A being that did not have the luxury of being able to befriend anyone in the world.

Where his courage was tested by the beast, Kofe tested the beast for its ability to perform, to be incredible, to be... more than a monster.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:51] {Won Restrained RPB against Milly DM}
[22:05] There was something tragic about the way that this beast fought. It was like a bad... memory. Like a nightmare that he felt was pulling at something deeper than his heart. Was it the flame of his inner fear being manifested before his eyes or merely the mantle of nightmare that a certain woman had taken for years after years in his life, still haunting him to this day— discretely affecting his thoughts without him truly realizing it.

To see the beast as naught but a nightmare would be quite poetic; a young warrior forced to face his own fears and rather than fighting them or running from them would make an attempt to befriend them. To welcome those fears, those horrors that lived in the depths of his heart. Accepting that they were part of him and braving them.

Braving those fears in an attempt to perform the greatest symphony Iberl had heard in years. A nightmarish soundtracks. Both of its players affected by the lies of one another, yet seeing the truth beyond it all. Be it through sheer guts or through a song that echoed within one's mind.

The truth was out there for them both to see. Betwixt raging winds and fiery embraces. Every battle was born with a loser in mind. This did not mean the loser wouldn't gain anything from that defeat. This... thought that defeat was bad was ingrained in Essharians left and right, yet Njorun's teachings taught the opposite.

Learn from it. Grow from it. And if you die from it? Your progeny shall learn.

Amidst a cacophonous explosion of mana would one man stand; bleeding, burnt, yet courageous would he reach out towards the wolf. The sound in the area was only getting more and more unbearable while the melody in its mind would feel more soothing. Any onlookers may be confused as to what would happen next, but the wolf?

It would know.
It had known this entire time.

Kofe's hand lifted itself up.
.. and came down upon the beast's head, patting it, fingertips burrowing itself into its mane as the cacophony completely died out for it whilst running off birds and foxes alike.

A grin sat on his lips as he spoke to the beast, with words at last. He put in those words what Iberl may not have realized, though it would be a shame if the star who took the mantle of observation could not read one's mind. It had read Kofe's before, hadn't it?

"I don't know if you're real or not, but... how about we hunt together?

I've lost track of my previous hunting companion."
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:12] {NARRATION} The wolf was patted as it stood there, at the conclusion of their battle. No words left it, after all, it was just an animal. A beast. But the song that Kofe had utilized against it had touched something within it.

Kofe's hands most definitely touched real thick and coarse black fur. The Wolf was every bit as real as any other wolf. It held a refined heat that emanated from it, and even burned as he was, it didn't lunge to make a quick meal of Kofe's trusting.

It eventually turned, looking over it's shoulders to gaze at Kofe as if beckoning him to follow, before it'd break out into a run into the forest.

He wanted a hunt? He'd get one. With a wolf at his side. Where was the wolf leading him? Only time would tell.
[22:16] An amicable scratch followed what Kofe wasn't even sure was real or not. Perhaps his mind was playing tricks on him, or maybe he really had tamed a beast. How long had he been in the woods for? How long ago did he enter? The young Rhoynish wasn't sure of anything anymore, but he wouldn't protest. His steps brought him to follow his new friend.

For a hunt was something to share with others. Even if a fight was one man's business.

Kofe's exhausted, messy form charged forth towards the unknown.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:34] {NARRATION} The wolf continued to run through the foreset easily, leaping over fallen trees and logs, and ducking under low branches with the ease of a hunter. Could Kofe keep up?

If he didn't, he would quickly lose the black wolf amongst the tangles of the forest and the fog and the darkness.

But if he kept up with it, the wolf would lead him to a small clearing... And within it, would be dozens of bodies. Of his people. They were all missing armbands, but the culprit wasn't what he'd expect. It was no Rhoynish that had taken out the competition one by one. It wasn't an animal.

It was a great, hulking beast. It looked like a mutant, multiple eyes spanning it's head, and multiple appendages spanning from it's back. Upon each of those appendages were the arm rings of the boys he had defeated. The wolf launched out a howl that pierced into the night and only alerted the beast to their presence.

But it didn't turn upon Kofe. No, it had led him here for a purpose. His purpose. His true, ultimate test.
[22:41] A run through the forests, a quick sprint towards the unknown in hopes of finding some treasure or some food. Or at least that's where his mind just went. It was nostalgic to chase behind something so swift, active, and into the idea of finding whatever it would find first. Ironic for one to bind himself to the house of firsts to be following behind her in that memory.

A bittersweet smile graced his lips as he jumped over fallen logs, ducked under branches, and followed the beast amidst the fog.

Corpses. Defeat. Dishonor. They all had found their lives and their might taken from them in due time. Kofe would be no different unless he was greater than the lot of them, would he? His heartbeat sped up, his yellow eyes narrowed upon the many-armed monster that stared right back at him with more eyes than he could count.

A howl. A battle cry from his companion, only to be followed by one of Kofe's own.

This hesitation, thissadness, these confusing thoughts that had plagued him during this whole trial were all being erased and cleansed by a smile. A roar. A howl.

A friend.

It's with a grin on his face that the Rhoynish allowed his heritage to show, that he ran headfirst into battle. Without words.

A performance for the stars to witness. A saga that found solution in his problems and finally met its tail-end. A trilogy's last antagonist.

And for once, Kofe was the protagonist in his own mind.

Watch this, Iberl.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:56] {Won Restrained RPB against Milly DM}
[23:09] It may have been a battle of his own with the wolf watching at his side, but Kofe felt like he wasn't alone. Like this symphony within the dark brought more than a quiet blue glow. His heart was there with every motion he made. Every shot of his rifle landed clean, every strum of his lute was strong and deliberate.

All of those fears were erased, all of that hesitation vanished when Kofe found himself with someone else on his side, with someone to... look at him, to appreciate what he could be like. His circuits found themselves being granted more and more mana as it went on. It was as if his pain mattered not, as if his wounds were irrelevant.

Kofe was conducting a great song of victory over that monster, leaping over blood tendrils, landing and rolling on the ground to unleash a powerful cascade of harmonious might, all played within key of that first howl that sounded the battle.

He wasn't backing off. His offensive was ruthless, his phantasmal copyblocking the monster's way and cutting one of its tentacles clean with a swing of its own rifle. An armband fell. And another one. And then another.

Piece by piece the stolen honor found its way back to the ground, clanking against one another like unpredictable notes on a score written by his ancestors.

No longer was this a trial to Kofe; this was what he excelled at, what he knew he could enjoy, what he pursued and advanced upon with reckless force:

Life.

His clone propped itself behind the overwhelmed beast, every sound, every illusion, every bit of falsety and reality blended together into this orchestra of life. A solid grasp from the non-existant was made before the very real Kofe stepped forth, cocking back his fist and finally unleashing it all at once, in one primal scream!

"FORTISSIMO!"

A clenched fist advanced, creating a pressure that forced shut the thousands of eyes as his song reverberated loud and clear. A punch carrying a heavenly performance behind itself struck the beast dead-on, unleashing an incredible burst of sound that echoed all the way up to the stars, drawing right from the house of firsts; Iberl itself finding its bond tugged upon not out fear or curiosity, but to participate in this incredible perfomance that called upon an otherworldly crowd.

Kofe drew from the cosmos, at last, and offered it to join him in this dance of his.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:49] {NARRATION} Kofe's song of victory over the beast was heard, even as blood and fire rained down upon him, sinking into his skin. The Rhoynish's offense was indeed ruthless, blood thirsty even.

So long had he denied what he was; hidden the truth that was wrapped within his heart so tightly that it threatened to burst at times. The beast, despite it's dozens of eyes and it's many appendages, was pushed back by the ferocity that Kofe showcased.

As that clenched fist advanced upon the beast, it was temporarily blinded before that punch connected. Iberl seemed to twinkle in that moment much brighter than before, as if it was granting Kofe that power and that bond more readily almost.

He'd feel that power course through him, and with the beckoning power of that symphony he played with his feelings, his thoughts, and his actions as well as whatever power Iberl granted him? The beast was felled, unmoving.

It was then, if Kofe was paying attention, the Wolf had disappeared. Had it been real, or had it simply been in Kofe's mind? A desire for friendship; for a hunter to run alongside him.... Or for him to finally embrace that hunter that had been inside of him all along.

There was a whistle, that rung out through the forest.

It was over.
[23:58] An abrupt end to this incredible song and dance. Under Iberl's shinning twinkle and joint effort in this performance that traced its way in the heavens. It shook the ground, the trees, and Kofe's inner world.

The wolf waiting for him dissipated in thin mist, or perhaps it had merely fled. His focus was upon the beast that dropped to the ground, the honor reclaimed and left where it belonged: Where its owners laid. Njorun would surely welcome them.

Kofe, out of breath, slowly looked up towards the skies. The stars were as quiet as they always had been, but... he could've sworn that he saw something. That he felt it— Iberl's presence, stronger than ever before. Was it real or not? He couldn't tell.

All he knew was that he felt a... surge of power. Of strength. Of mana welling deep within, granting his performance a much greater effect to the beast enticed by it.

The young Rhoynish rose up his left arm to the skies, the damaged silver arm ring near his wrist clanking against his skin, fist clenched.

Victory.

He held the pose for a bit longer, for some... blue-faced bitch's pleasure before he began heading towards the direction of that whistle. Towards the new life that awaited him.
(Kofe)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:12] {NARRATION} Why was he holding that pose for so long? Had he contracted brain damage? Regardless, the whistle had sounded and soon enough, as Kofe began his path to where they had initially gathered in order to move on with his life. His travel through the woods went without interruption, or issues.

It was as if nature itself understood the vast victory Kofe had delivered. The understanding and the growth Kofe had overcome. He was no longer a boy - but a man.

When he entered the clearing where the others were gathered, Kofe would no doubt realize several others had made it through; thankfully that great beast did not take all of his kin. The golden armbands were passed out, to all who had come back with an armring intact; including Kofe.

His golden armring was elegant, engraved with the traditional symbol of his clan. And it was his.
He had earned it.
[00:13] {Item} You picked up Golden Armring. Dropped by Milly DM. .
[00:18] This was the moment any Rhoynish boy dreamed of their entire life. When he felt that gold being put in his hands it almost seemed like the one that was damaged, scuffed, scratched loosened up. Like the silver band of his past was finally... ready to let go. He didn't take long before swapping them out.

He had earned it.
He was man, even without it. This was merely proof of this reality.

A nod and a smile was given to the elders before he made his way back home. To Ilburg.

His journey was... not quite done.
(Kofe)