In With The New

There were forces of nature at hand that even she would not be able to truly fathom. Where she often feels inept and weak, even she understands that some things cannot be helped. That this power that blossoms at the core of her being is not only present for the her own sake...But for the helping of others. And it is using this strange, untapped thing that forces her to act when she doesn't. That makes her move, even when her mind tells her that everything is impossible. But in the end, what more could possibly be said.

 "It looks like things are winding down now...There aren't as many students that were here as before. I think that it's...actually kind of good. And peaceful." Although the Gehennans may have vanished 'for-the-most-part'....She's almost certain that things like this will occur more later on. That is...Depending on how the rest of this world goes.

 "Do you think it'll stay this way though?" she questions. At times, she often feels as if tension rises and then at other times- like this...When the world is silent and the sun threatens to 'peek' above the watery horizon, it makes a slight difference.
(Bei Bei)

It's true enough, things were winding down at this point.

But was it a bad thing? Unlikely. A lot of the students around Academy either had malicious intent, or weren't really intending to actually properly study- or in fact, made it their mission to keep others from studying properly. More than likely it was a good thing, instead.

The scarlet hues turned towards Bei after seeing her approach. There was a small smile drawn at her presence, and while he mostly greeted her as usual, and seemed to be just like any other day that she met him--

-- there was something different about Arthur. Something strong. Something confident.

"There aren't, true."

"I also think it would stay this way, for a while at least. A lot of people came here to be... beggars, to simply move along with their life, but never with any real purpose or goal in their mind."

"A good riddance, really."
(Arthur Rowan)


 She finds herself beginning to clasp her hands together in what seemed to be idle thought. Never, did she really think that things would become this quiet...But the expanding of their city brings about an impossible feeling to the young Drakaness. Why is it that they continue to build things while the bodies are moving in and out of their realm? Is it because they are expecting more? Is it because they believe that Valmasia might turn it's neck back towards them again? Or...Is there something that she simply does not know?

 In her many efforts, does she find herself struggling to come up with a solid answer. But alas, it just joins one of the many things that cannot be helped. "I don't know if what you say is true, though. I find that there are a lot of people who aspire to be spiritmancers and necromancers, just like you. I wouldn't be so fast to say 'good riddance' when there's so much at stake still..." she adds, a slight murmur spilling from her lips.

 "You already heard what's happening...You already know how people are starting to give chance to 'Order' now." she adds. "So, I'm believing that this...That this'll be the time when we'll need as many people as possible." A nod.

 "In any case, C'mon. If we're going to be talking things like this, then you may as well be beating me up while we do it." Besides, he said he was going to help her in some way, right?
(Bei Bei)

Whether these people were really useful or not was a subject for another time.

But indeed, he could be wrong. Did he immediately accept that position though? Of course not. A large majority of the people that studied here were still quite... worthless in their premise, and because of that, there was a little belief that they would actually be useful for Valmasia's cause.

"I don't know."

"There's a lot of people that have no real defined goal, nothing in their mind to actually keep them aligned to one side. Even those Gehennans that we speak of - they come here often, to the lands of Morninglord, to someone that their people naturally despise, and yet they listen."

"But even though they listen, do they learn? Do they actually want to become a part of us, or do they simply bide their time, growing, learning of us instead?"

"Such trust should not be given for granted. I still stand by the point that they should be monitored, but alas."

He gave that a shrug. She wanted to practice it seems? He wouldn't mind. Besides, while he did grasp Storm, there was necessary mastery of it that came with even far more powerful spells to play around with.

"And sure."

"We could get going."
(Arthur Rowan)

"You know..."

 She says, her gaze beginning to lift towards the night sky as she walks. "I was thinking about a lot of things since we haven't really been around one another for so long. And there's a lot of truth to what you say." She adds, nodding slightly. "I didn't want to believe that I have to sacrifice things to become stronger but...I know that it's true, because sometimes, we have to experience pain in order to grow. And if that means that sacrificing bits and pieces of ourselves to grow stronger means such then...Maybe it's worth it."

 Bei speaks of an impossible, impeccable change that will sweep over the lot of them when they're children. "I think that the older we get, the more we realize that this isn't something that's gonna stay around for too long. With our numbers sorta...Going down, I wonder when we'll stop looking at people as our friends and starttreating them as our enemies.."

 Regardless of such a thing, she would place the sharpened tip of her spear into the ground. One leg raises steadily, arching- while the uses the momentum to hoist herself upon the very tip of her toes. A single hand enwreathed with flames extends slightly- draconic claws bursting into reality.

 "I think that I want to experience that now. I don't want any type of spar or anything like that.." she says, her smile beginning to widen. "I want to know what it's like to truly go through the hard stuff. I want to feel what its like to be in war so-...Can you do that for me?" she murmurs.

 "Can you fight me?"

 There is a sudden spark...And just as she finishes speaking, darkened flames soon swallow her lithe frame whole before condensing around her hands and feet, preparing for quite the battle. "I won't fall so easily like I did last time."
(Bei Bei)

So she began to understand.

It was the harsh reality that must be accepted, that something would need to be sacrificed in order to achieve the greatness- the power that all of them craved for, the power that was actually able to move the worlds, to actually change the continent and the people that live in it.

The power that would enable them to become something more than just another mortal.

"That's the truth... unfortunately."

"In time, we would need to revise who exactly are our friends, and who are our enemies. The people you fight against today can become your friends tomorrow, and it's true about the reverse. People whom you befriend and teach today may turn against you tomorrow."

"And you can only hope they won't stab you too painfully."

It's a dark, maybe even twisted mindset, but the trust was not easy to come by these days. It was a value that was at times far more rare than that of Arcanium, than that of Spires even, and yet... yet people misused it so often. A pity.

But enough of that. Much as if at her request, the embodiment of element, of Storm's fury was summoned- at Arthur's command, the winds immediately swarmed him, and the lighting crossed his body in arcs of electricity that were far more palpable than before.

Has he grasped Storm at last? It seems so.

"I will give you the challenge that you want."

Immediately, the thunder roared above them, and the soil was becoming wet from the rain; the scarlet eyes, with a glow of electricity to them, were staring against the embodiment of fire, a Drakaness infront of him.

Fiery flames against soothing water.

Beckoned at his will, the Storm was as potent as never before, almost crashing down on her head... almost, but not quite. She'd have to pay caution, obviously.

"Prepare yourself."
(Arthur Rowan)

The battle was strenuous.

Perhaps he didn't realize that this was getting easier on him, but there was certainly a distinction between his performance prior to grasping the Storm like this and now; her attacks were avoided at much higher efficiency, and his own attacks? They would sting like no other.

It didn't help that the literal weathery hell was raining down upon her, striking with thunder at every pool of water she dares to step into.

"Do you feel it now, Bei? Do you feel the change in me?"

A smug smirk of the redhaired Valmasian as the lightning was shot one after another. The raging winds tore at her flesh and skin, much like he'd promised- this was no simple spar, but a challenge that she asked for, and thus, she was given it. With the gale picking up its pace, the Drakaness was inevitably caught in it, if only to be knocked over--

-- and with another lightning charge striking her down where she laid.

The scarlet eyes of Valmasian traced along her body, pondering. Would she still stand up, or that was her limit?

"Are you able to continue?"
(Arthur Rowan)

She has learned that these winds and waters and light are things that she has faced within the past. Between Arthur, Rea, and Ian- each of them share magics so similar that it's almost as if she's fighting a slightly different version of them each and every time. Sometimes, she is capable of pulling victories through the churning storms and other times, she gets swept within the chaos of the torrential assault. Lost within time, swept up somewhere between lightning and winds....When all is said and done, her body could be seen hitting the ground once more.

Haah...hah...hah.

 It was bad, but it could most certainly be worse. "N-nnnh…-Change...? The change in you?" Lightning strikes and raging winds dig into her fallen from, berating her once more...But despite the pain that radiates from her body, a gentle laugh rolls forth from her lips.

"A-Aha...Ahaha.." Rage blossoms through a series of coughs and hacks as she steadily moves to a wobbling stand. And eventually, one would see that this time...She would attempt to become much, much more fierce within her assault. Occultism runs heavy within her vein...And once more, do the fires burn...Brighter, more intense.

"I don't see anything- if you think a new trick is going to make me think otherwise, then think again. You've got a long way to go before you can surprise me." Robust and angry...Eventually, she takes a step forward.

"You see I'm still standing...! Don't underestimate me..!"

"COME!"

 And once more, does she prepare herself for the sudden flash of lightning and thunder.
(Bei Bei)

As expected, the Storms have carried him to victory.

As furious and fierce the flames were from Bei Bei, the grasp of the Storm that Arthur had was more than just powerful, ensuring that he would stand as the victorious one; the powerful strikes of lightning, of wind, even that of water were overwhelming her, and of course, there was one last Art that he was in possession of, amidst his most terrifying weapons--

-- the Hemomancy.

Unsurprisingly, the combination of Storm and Blood was able to topple her with quite the efficiency. Covered in crimson mess from head to toe, mostly coming from Arthur's own body as portion of his own blood, the Storm was directed against her much like a lightning rod- it was a grotesque, yet effective combination of the humidity and electricity.

And of course, drawn by it, the lightning from the skies has struck her down repeatedly, wearing her down over time with no mercy. The rage, the anger, the boiling blood of a Drakanite that she's had in her veins- all of it diminished, turned over and discarded under powerful pressure of his magic.

Floating in the air amidst the stormy weather, riding upon the winds, his scarlet hues directed upon her once more. He knew that she'd still try to stand up- and as cruel as it was, yet another torrent of lightning was directed at her, seeking to disable her muscle to the best of its efficiency.

Perhaps, she still had strength in her left? Unlikely.

"I stand victorious, Bei."

"That is the change I was speaking about. That is the control over Storm I mentioned."

"At last, I grasped it."
(Arthur Rowan)

He is someone that she will always be weak to- no matter in what possible iteration. Perhaps, it is because of the light that he possesses inside himself. Or maybe, she just finds that she is too predictable when it comes to displaying her own finesse and capabilities. Regardless of usch a thing- the art within his possession was more than just any physical weapon that she may hold. And the strikes of blood, water, and lightning are most certainly things that she wouldn't be able to amount to-...Atleast, not as of yet. Regardless of the outcome though, even she knew that there had to be more involved.

Tch.

 She drags herself across the lands- flames spiraling out of control, legs running within his direction. And as it often does, the static brings a foreboding since of dread...And instinctively, does she find herself attempting to block against the multitudes of flashing lights and whips...The impossible rage, the swinging of limb and steel faltering, growing sloppy as she is chipped away at with every turn until the final end..

Ba-thump, ba-thump, ba-thump.

 And she falls.

Ba-thump, ba-thump, ba-thump.

 And struggles until the last torrent of lightning is shot. Her body buckling- writhing upon the ground until she no longer struggled against the weight of his magic. Disabled. Broken. Eventually, she would turn herself over- gasping for what little air that she could.

"You-...How..? Haah-haah. How did you learn it all so fast..?" She was taken aback and worst of all, the imagery that she sees of him through her tunneled vision only brings about thoughts upon the future. With blood and rain washing down...She is uncertain as to whether or not the crown of red is truly his hair or the blood of his enemies raining down upon the lands.

Regardless, she would soon accept defeat...Simply, awaiting to recover. "How...How do you do it? Tell me-.." To break through these ceilings and reach impossible power. How?
(Bei Bei)

From the viewpoint below, from the gaze upon the skies and the red mane of Arthur, under the fall of rain he could almost seem as approaching Doom that was coming closer to her, with whips and crackling electricity circling around him, almost threatening to end the life of any that comes across his way, and yet--

-- when looking at her, those scarlet eyes hid no pain, no hatred, no malice.

He looked at her, defeated on the ground, laid in the mud and wet grass created by the flow of rain into soil. Those scarlet hues that hid so much, and yet so little in them maintained their gaze on her for a while, and a tiny smile was drawn- oh, the smile of that handsome Devil that stared down at her at this moment, amused at what he was seeing.

But he spoke no words just yet. His eyes looked up in the skies, and with a raised hand, the rain stopped pouring, and lightning was gone- only occasional thunder was reminder of the hellish power that he was able to unleash upon the land, even if still in imperfect form. Soon enough, it would be his.

Just as many other things he wants to claim.

"I sacrificed something."

A pause, and his eyes averted back upon Bei Bei. His hand reached out, no longer surrounded by the deadly arcs of lightning, clearly to help her to stand up. Even if she refused his help? He was assertive enough to simply pick her up- for as much as she was a fierce fighter, something told him that inside of that fiery Drakaness there was still a girl that simply wanted to be held.

And he fulfilled that wish.

"I was ready to sacrifice my days, my nights, all to practice without any end to it. I sacrificed my body, my mind and my soul to such devotion, and despite the daily pain that I hid behind my smile, I continued to keep going."

"Despite the every arc of electricity that pains me so badly, I still perfected my Art. It's such determination, such strong passion and desire that made me who I am today, and granted me success."

"It's how I made it. There's no other way."
(Arthur Rowan)