Ryosho First Place in Character Story Contest- March 15th 2003 How the story began... I am Ryosho Kinatis, Half-Elf, born of human father and elven mother. In the silent and dark alleyways of Lasler I hunt, seeking for revenge. As I crouch in the shadows, my thoughts return to a night nearly 10 years ago... I was 9 years old then, sitting in my room, situated high up in the Kinatis Castle. The sound of hoofs on stone caught my attention. I peered out of my window. Through the haze of darkness, I could barely discern who the cloaked elf was. As Gillen Tanj, Special Advisor to the Elf King, dismounted from his horse, my father, Sorcan Kinatis stepped up to greet him. I had seen Gillen a few times before, mostly at important functions hosted by my father. My mind put to ease, I looked away from the window just as my mother entered the room. Velayla Kinatis was reputed to be the most beautiful elf in all of Alyria, and that precipitated the horrors of that night. As my mother went to the bookshelf to pick a book for my bedtime story, she froze as she glanced out of the window. Alarmed by the look on her face, I ran to the window and saw a scene that will be forever etched in the deepest recesses of my mind. Gillen Tanj was holding a sword stained with blood, looking directly up at my mother in triumph. Suddenly he shouted in a great voice, "The interloper is dead!!". On cue, a sudden horde of at least twenty elves rushed into the castle compound, engaging the token guard force. My mother finally snapped out of her shock, and stirred to action. She picked me up and started to run from the room. As she wrenched open the door, she came face to face with Gillen, no doubt using a spell of summoning. His lips curled into a sneer and said, "It's over, Velayla. I have wrested the gem of the Elvish Kingdom back from the hands of humans. You finally belong to me, as you once did." "Never! I liked you once, Gillen, but that was before I met Sorcan. There will never be another one that I love." The tears rolled down my mother's face as she looked at Gillen defiantly. I do not know how I knew my mother's next move, but I should have guessed. The love between my parents was too great to be torn apart by anyone. Going by the surprised look on his face, it seemed as if Gillen could notunderstand that as my mother turned around and threw herself out of the window. The scream of unrequited longing nearly shattered my eardrums. All this while, I sat at the side of my bed, not making a sound, lest attention was drawn to me. When Gillen ran out of my room, down the staircase leading down to the courtyard, I realised this was my only chance of escape before Gillen's henchmen started to look for me. Running out of my door, I paused only to snatch a small roll of bread that was leftover from dinner. I went straight to the kitchen where a backdoor led to the woods behind the castle. Sprinting through the woods, I could just make out the sobbing form of Gillen hunched over the body of my mother. I broke out of my reverie as a horse- drawn carriage pulled up to the inn that I was watching. Weeks of patience had finally paid off as I watched my nemesis step of the carriage, arms thrown around a pair of stunningly beautiful elves. I smiled to myself as my quarry entered the inn. The carriage driver settled down for a quick nap. In another hour, my burning passion will finally be quenched by the blood of my mortal enemy. I could feel the blood roaring in my veins as I helplessly let my thoughts drift to that dreadful night. I stayed in the woods for about ten minutes, before daring to venture out. As I skirted around the castle towards to main gate, I heard screams coming from the courtyard. I immediately dropped to my stomach and crawled towards a suitable vantage point at the edge of the road. I looked into the main gate, and saw all the human workers in the castle being beheaded, one after another. I turned away retching. My father and mother were the two strongest proponents for a unified Alyria where elves and humans could walk side by side. However, centuries of racial hatred have deep roots, and cannot be totally erased. Gillen Tanj had been a friend of my father, and never displayed any antagonism towards him. Now it is clear that the friendship with my father was just a scheme to get my father to lower his guard, whereby leading to a point where a sudden attack would rob humankind of one of its greatest leaders and the man who snatched away his love, MY mother.As the terrible scene unfolded before me, I swore to the darknessthat I would seek revenge one day. Once my fit of vengeance was over, a feeling of despair took over. But luck was with me, making my way through the woods, I came upon a small village that my father held in fief. My father had been a fair and just landlord, and that tipped the scales in my favour. After I presented myself to the mayor, he looked at me thinking, no doubt about the elves who were sure to be searching for me in the morning. In the end, justice prevailed. He sent for one of his trusted couriers, and tasked him to send me to my uncle... in the small town of Lasler. Dawn was breaking when I reached my uncle's home. The guards at the door sent someone to inform my uncle when they saw the Kinatis signet ring on my finger. Soon the massive bulk of Tagir Kinatis, came rushing to the door. My dishevelled appearance and haggard look told him that something was wrong. Realising that discretion might be in order, he ordered the guards to clean me up and brought to his study without delay. Wearing a new set of clothes, I walked into my uncle's study, escorted by a guard. "Leave us both alone," he commanded the guard. Saluting before turning and leaving, the guard closed the door, and took up his post. My uncle looked at me expectantly, and taking up the cue, I related the events of the previous night to him. His face turned from chubby-red to ashen-gray, and then white hot anger, as I told him about all the atrocities committed. Dawn was breaking when I reached my uncle's home. The guards at the door sent someone to inform my uncle when they saw the Kinatis signet ring on my finger. Soon the massive bulk of Tagir Kinatis, came rushing to the door. My dishevelled appearance and haggard look told him that something was wrong. Realising that discretion might be in order, he ordered the guards to clean me up and brought to his study without delay. Wearing a new set of clothes, I walked into my uncle's study, escorted by a guard. "Leave us both alone," he commanded the guard. Saluting before turning and leaving, the guard closed the door, and took up his post. My uncle looked at me expectantly, and taking up the cue, I related the events of the previous night to him. His face turned from chubby-red to ashen-gray, and then white hot anger, as I told him about all the atrocities committed. "The elves have gone too far this time," he burst out at the end of my story. Suddenly his face softened, and he spoke in a kindly voice to me, "I'm forgetting my manners. Your ordeal must have tired you beyond comprehension, Ryosho. Get some rest and we shall continue this discussion some other time." Even as he spoke, I felt my eyelids drooping, the adrenalin having drained out of my body. In a haze, I could feel a guard carrying me to a small room adjoining my uncle's study, and then I blissfully fell into a slumber.... Hearing the sound of heavy footsteps on a wooden stair, I glanced into the inn and saw Gillen walking down the stairs unsteadily, obviously having drank a lot of liquor. Most importantly, he was alone. I had to act now before his carriage driver woke up. I unbuckled the crossbow and lifted it to my eye level, looking through the sights at the stumbling Gillen. Nothing in the world could stop me from having my vengeance. The trigger seemed to move of its own will as my finger slowly but surely added the pressure that would loose the barbed crossbow bolt through Gillen's head. The twang of the crossbow could barely be heard, but it seemed to me as if it were the loudest and most triumphant fanfare. The hollow thud as the bolt struck home provided a fitting finale to the fanfare. As Gillen sank to the ground, I turned around and melted back into the shadows of the dark alleyway silently. The driver never so much as moved a muscle. With luck, I could get back to my uncle's home before the body was discovered. I slowly made my escape through the alleyways. Moving fast always draws unwanted attention, so I went slow, trusting any onlookers not to show any interest in just another pedestrian. I felt a small surge of satisfaction. It was not everyday a ranking member of the elvish court was murdered. But I do not consider it a murder, to me it's a debt that had to be collected. Do not mistake that for as if I am asking for justification for my actions. I never regret what I do, and I act according to my own needs. Justification is for common rabble that continuously seek to place themselves in a good light. As I expected, my uncle was in his study, waiting for news of my mission. His face lighted up on seeing me returning unharmed. "Well done my boy. I never expected you to fail." That was my uncle, he never minced his words. "Now it is time to move on and think about your future." I smiled to myself. I had already chosen the path I would follow. The ways of stealth would now be discarded for the heroics of the class of Cavalier. Often compared to knights, Cavaliers are actually in a class of their own, the most elite of all knights. I had long ago been knighted, and my desire to excel in all things compelled me to further my training. It is also my wish to be counted as the best in the land, a giant among mere mortals. "Uncle, I have already thought of that. I have decided to become a Cavalier." "That is a good choice, my boy. Nothing would please me better than to see you among the ranks of so elite a cadre." After discussing the successful mission with my uncle, I retired to my room. As I lay on my bed, I fell asleep with a free heart. Something that I had not been able to enjoy in a very long time.... Journey Thru Darkness... The next morning dawned bright and clear, with a hint of red in the rapidly receding night sky. It was on such a beautiful morning that I packed my luggage and prepared to proceed into town to start my training. After a fond farewell with my uncle, I made my way to the classrooms where would-be Cavaliers learnt the trade.My trainer was a mountain of a man, his muscles bulged out of his tight fitting tunic, and a wicked- looking scar ran down the side of his handsome face. Surely not a man to be trifled with. As I approached him, I saw that a tag on his tunic read, "Rufus". He saw me coming and checked with a register in front of him. “Ah Master Kinatis, I have been expecting you. Your fearsome reputation has preceded you. I hope I shall be able to impart my meagre knowledge to you.” “Brother Rufus, it would be an honour to train under your tutelage.” After the customary complimentaries had been exchanged, we got down to business. Soon, I was drenched in sweat as Brother Rufus ran me through a regimen so tough that it taxed me beyond my limits, opening up reserves of energies that I never knew existed. Having endured about two hours of rigorous training, I left the training area and made my way around in the town of Lasler. I lived with my uncle in Lasler for the last ten years, yet I was closeted behind the safety of his house walls most of the time. Now, I was free to explore the town at my own leisure. Walking towards what looked like a weapons shop, a rabid dog suddenly jumped out in front of me. Without hesitation, I pulled my sword out of my scabbard, and faced the dog. Suddenly not so sure of itself, the mongrel circled me twice before lunging at my throat. Prepared for this move, I sidestepped it, and dealt it a crushing blow on its spine. The dog crashed onto the ground, and twitched in its death throes. Making my way through Lasler, I chanced upon many other hostile creatures. After putting my sword through the heart of a footpad trainee, I felt a sudden increase in my powers. I hurriedly made my way back to Brother Rufus. “Well done Ryosho, you have made excellent progress. Now let me teach you more,” before I could say a word to him, he already knew what had happened. I spent some more time with Brother Rufus, absorbing all that he had to teach me. “Alright. That is all that I can teach you at the moment. Come back to me when you are worthy,” with a perfunctory gesture, Brother Rufus dismissed me. I proceeded along the streets of Lasler, fighting aggressive animals and townsfolk, slowly gaining the experience that I required for increasing my powers. Under Brother Rufus’s guidance, I quickly became more and more powerful, and in no time I was brimming with confidence in my own abilities. When Brother Rufus perceived that I had almost mastered all there was to learn from him, he said to me in a sombre voice that somehow seemed also full of warmth at the same time, “I am proud of you Ryosho. Your training has proceeded far faster than I had expected. You are truly a gem among men. However, Lasler is too small for you to operate in. The real world is beckoning to you, Ryosho. You have to go out and experience for yourself all the joys and sorrows of Alyria, the huge world we live in. There will come a time when you have to move on to the outer regions where a whole new world awaits you. The path out will not be an easy one. For the power to leave Lasler, you have to look within yourself.” Taking leave of my trainer, I walked about Lasler, savouring its sights and sounds. Soon I came to my uncle’s home. I must have been subconsciously intending to stop by to say goodbye. His eyes were brimming as he bade me farewell. It was one of the hardest things to do. For most of my life, my uncle had been a bastion of support, always there for me in my darkest times. With a heavy heart, I took my leave of him, full of sorrow and uncertainty. A Cavalier is supposed to embody all that is good and just. However the incident that happened years ago left me a hollow man. What is the point of fighting for good if I all the change I can make would be like a trickle of water going against a raging river? I have made the end of the omnipresent rivalry between elves and humans my first priority. Can’t those stubborn old fools see that the difference between two races is just purely cosmetic? I believe that my destiny is to change the course of history. My half-elven heritage is a double-edged sword in my quest. On one hand I am born of both races, letting me act as an intermediary. But on the other hand, as history has time and again shown, elven conservatives are highly hostile against such ‘bastards’. My other priority is to get rid of such thinking, even if it means another crossbow bolt sticking into another head. I see myself as the first in a new world order where there are no human or elves. The blood of everyone will be so intermingled between the two races, that an entirely new race will arise. This half-elven, half-human race is inevitable, since I am going to be the one that resolves this centuries-old conflict. Why do I fight for such a cause? You can attribute that to the pointless murder of my parents. The emptiness that overtook me after their deaths can never be eradicated. Not even after I achieved my vengeance. I feel the darkness slowly taking over me. Unable to resist it, I embrace it. Without the petty restrictions of being good to encumber me, I will be able to achieve so much more for the greater good of conciliation between elves and humans. History will most probably remember me not as the one who brought peace to the two races, but as the one who left a sea of blood in his wake. Yes, if I have to kill off every single being in Alyria that objected to inter-racial peace, so be it. With dark thoughts still empowering me, I walked to the outer edges of Lasler. There I found a small thicket of trees which seemed to be a good place for a rest. I started to meditate, seeking a way out of Lasler to the outer world. The entire town of Lasler including its outer areas was enclosed in a protective force field that permitted nothing to get in or out. Hung Mun told me that the energy required would come from within me. But all I could find inside of myself was an infinite cover of darkness. Suddenly the realisation struck home. The darkness would be the strength I needed to pass through the barrier. Going into an even deeper trance, I could dimly see my spirit on the astral plane. Then from the darkness came movement, a shape was forming from the veil of darkness. A strong astral wind was tearing across the plane, and with each passing moment, I felt myself being sucked into a maelstrom of darkness that threatened to engulf me. The shape of darkness begun to coalesce into a humanoid shape. It slowly became solid, and I realised that it was a mirror image of myself. The image floated towards my spirit, and grabbed it. Pain exploded in every fibre of my being. My body seemed to be burning, but yet I could not feel any heat. I spent every last ounce of my energy to remain conscious, but I was slowly losing the battle. Then without warning the darkness completely overcame me and I willingly fell into its painless embrace. Floating in the darkness, my mind devoid of all thought, I suddenly felt an intrusion. Some entity seemed to be shouting at me, though all I could hear was a faraway voice. Then I felt someone touching my cheek, speaking to me in words that I could not make out. This sensation passed as my consciousness retreated into my inner sanctum where no stray thought could intrude. In the end it was the light that woke me up from my coma. Slowly opening my eyes, I perceived that I was staring up directly at the midday sun. Closing my eyes in pain, I turned around before opening my eyes one more time. I could see that I was lying on my back. I slowly got up and stretched my muscles. Looking around, I could tell that I was not in Lasler anymore. The surrounding land made Lasler look like Paradise. I had awaked on a small, rocky plateau that looked inhospitable. To my west I could make out the summits of a multitude of towers. A city! I surveyed the terrain, and started to make my way towards the city full of tall towers. The moment I took my first step was the instant when I realised something profound within me had changed. For starters, the power inside of my body seemed to have grown by leaps and bounds. The other important change was that I felt some sort of pressure in my head. It was light as a feather, but noticeable. Shrugging it off as an after effect of crossing the barrier, I continued on my journey. During the walk to the city, I looked at my new surroundings. The countryside did not seem all that different from that of Lasler’s. However I noticed a few subtle differences. The vegetation was slightly more lush, no doubt to support a more complex ecosystem. The few animals that I saw also seemed to be bigger. Satisfied that this new world held its fare share of challenges, I walked on in high spirits. Before one hour had passed, I was walking on a road paved with stones, beneath the enormous gates of Tellerium. I saw the name of the city engraved in letters that must have been ten times the height of an average man on the walls of the city. Making my way through a crowd of people, I looked for an inn where I could spend the night and get some news. It was nearly dusk when I found a suitable inn. The wooden sign dangling loosely above the door read : “Dreary Pilgrim Inn”. Walking in, I spied a group of people huddled together in a corner, whispering among themselves. After getting a room and dinner, I struck up a conversation with the innkeeper. Through the course of our conversation, I managed to glean from him some useful information. The group of people belonged to a clan that they had joined for the benefits that it provided. That gave me an inkling of a plan. Late into the night, just as the group of people were about leave, I boldly went up to them. “My name is Ryosho Kinatis. I am a half-elven that desires to join your group.” A tall man, most probably their leader, looked me up and down, as if apprising a herd of cattle. Somehow that deflated my ego a bit. “From the looks of you I would say that you are a cavalier fresh out of Lasler.” “Yes. You are quite perceptive. I hope that you can let me into the folds of your group, for I need the protection that comes with it.” I was surprised by how thoroughly he had seen through me, but did not show any outward sign of it. He looked at me for a few more moments before turning towards the rest of his group, conferring with them. After a few minutes, I sensed the talking dying down. The decision had been made. “Welcome, Ryosho Kinatis.” The following weeks passed into a blur of activity as I strove to learn all that I could about the new world I had stepped into. I was increasing my powers at a furious pace, and soon I was on par with many of the inhabitants of Tellerium. However I was not to be satisfied so easily. The darkness within me pushed me on to the edge of my limits, and when I thought I had no more strength left in me, it lent its energy to me, allowing me to accomplish more than any ordinary mortal could. What an ally the darkness was for me! Soon I would be powerful enough to embark on the ultimate quest. A quest to bring everlasting peace between elves and humans. But for the moment, I had to be content with quests given to me by the lords of the land. At that period of time, unrest among the peasants was high, as taxes weighed them down. The poor harvest did nothing to improve the situation either. One morning, I spied a large group of people clustered around a herald. I recognised the livery of the herald as that of Lord Telleri, master of the city of Tellerium. Pushing through the crowd, I went as close as possible. “Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Lord Telleri is offering 1000 gold pieces to anyone who manages to quell the restless serfs on his lands!” The loud cry of the herald reached everybody nearby. It was too good an opportunity to pass up, 1000 gold pieces nearly equalled several months worth of work. All just for a few days of running rough shod over a group of feeble peasants. I immediately made my way to Lord Telleri’s office. A throng had already gathered outside, mostly made up of adventurers like myself. But I could see that most of the applicants seemed only fresh out of Lasler. Eager for experience, they had signed up for the first quest that came along. Each applicant had to go through a series of trials involving usage of weapons and a test of mental ability and strength. Lord Telleri was not leaving anything to chance. He was only selecting those who were skilled in fighting, yet were intelligent, but most importantly, cool in the face of a tense situation. The list of successful applicants came out the next morning. My name figured prominently on the list since it was the only one on it. I smiled to myself; it was the best form of propaganda for me. I went to the Tellerium armoury, and carefully chose my equipment. Lightly armed and poorly trained, the peasants would scatter when they saw me, brimming with confidence, and ready to cause major damage. I set off at noon, towards the south, where Lord Telleri’s extensive estates lay. After riding for nearly an hour, I was greeted by the far off sight of a village on fire. The smoke from the burning buildings was starting to obscure the sky when I galloped into the hamlet. Without wasting a moment, I spurred my horse, and galloped straight into the crowd. The peasants scattered left and right when they saw me, mounted on my black stallion. Braking in the midst of the crowd, I looked at them, and picked out one who seemed to be the leader. He had an arrogant sneer, and I relished the prospect of wiping it off his face. But by the way the rest were gathered around him, he was most likely the ringleader. I got off my horse and went up to him. I looked him straight in the eyes. You can learn a lot about a person just by studying his eyes. I saw a petty man who was perpetually unsatisfied with his lot in life, always dreaming of riches, yet unwilling to work hard to achieve it. “State your name,” I said in the most imperious voice I could muster. “What if I do not feel like telling you?” He shot back. “Then I will just have to behead you for disturbing the peace.” Saying so, I unsheathed my sword. It was just a bluff, but it had the desired effect. The sneer slid off his face, replaced by pure terror, and he started blabbering. “I was just joking, my lord. My name is Rabal. I am just a simple peasant overseer. I was just following the rest. We did not mean much harm. The constable started beating some of our people. That is why we fought back.” I had become quite sick of this Rabal, so I ordered the peasants to disperse, and proceeded on my patrol. I chose not to take any action against the villagers, because it would only serve to set opinion against me, and if I had executed Rabal, he would have been instantly transformed into a martyr. It was late afternoon when I set out on the last leg of my patrol. After restocking onprovisions and checking my equipment, I was on my way again. The prospect of a tidy sum for an easy campaign was on my mind as I neared the last point on the patrol route. It was at such a moment when the rebels launched their attack. A gang of rebels, about ten strong, loosed arrows on me from their concealed positions in the forest surrounding the road. I immediately spurred my stallion towards the forest, where the thick trees would render arrows ineffective. Seeing that their bows of no use, the rebels came down from their hiding places and ran away. I wanted to give chase, but that would only serve no purpose as they were many and the forest was a perfect hiding place. I reined in my stallion and continued. The rest of the journey was uneventful, and I even managed to take some time to view the magnificent scenery of the countryside. However when I crested the hill, I saw about twenty men manning a blockade across the road. They were well-armed, and had been obviously waiting for me. I saw their leader, and muttered an oath. It was none other than Rabal himself. Stunned into silence, I rebuked myself for falling for Rabal’s façade. The arrogant sneer and the consequent snivelling were all for the benefit of leading me to let down my guard. And to think I had fallen for the deception. I looked down the hill I was on, at the rebel troop blocking the road at the foot of the hill. The peasant overseers had obviously undergone some sort of training, as they were holding their weapons with ease. This would not be an easy battle, I thought to myself. I hurriedly outlined my strategy mentally. I would wait for them to swarm up the hill, then try to charge them using my stallion. After an hour, the rebels still had not moved, so I decided to try and lure the enemy out. I made a show of getting off my horse and taking out some iron rations from a saddlebag. Taking the bait, the rebels charged up the hill. A great surprise greeted me when the rebels reached my position. From their midst suddenly emerged long poles tipped with hooks. Once again I was outsmarted. Even heavy cavalry would have been hard pressed to deal with such implements, not to mention me alone. I then wisely decided to fight on foot. Rabal himself wielded a great broadsword, and came forward. I was outnumbered twenty to one, and the odds seemed hopeless. As I looked at him, weariness nearly overcame me. What seemed like a routine mission had become a battle with the certainty of death. I gripped my sword tight, and prepared to fight to the last. Feeling despair wash over me, I offered up a prayer to the darkness. “O, darkness why have you forsaken me! In my greatest moment of need, I am all alone. Imbue me with your power, so that I may mete out justice this day. Bring me into your embrace." The surge of strength that burst through me after I uttered my prayer was testimony to the effectiveness of my plea. I strode towards Rabal, sword held high. He also strode forward, and swung his huge sword at my head. I parried his stroke with an upward swing of my sword and dodged his second attack. My sword sheared through his, and without pausing a beat, I reversed the direction of my stroke, and lopped off his head. The rest of the rebels then charged at me. But the cold fire that the darkness fuelled inside of me protected me, guiding my sword hand, and orchestrating my movements. After killing a dozen of the rebels, the rest got the hint and bolted. At the sight of the rebels retreating, the cold fire went out, and I sank to the ground in weariness. I cannot remember how I subsequently managed to pick myself up and get back to Tellerium, but somehow I did so. After a lengthy rest, I recounted all of the events to Lord Telleri. He complimented me on a job well done, and tripled my pay as a bonus. I could scarcely believe my fortune. It seemed as if Lady Luck herself was smiling at me. All in all, it was a good life. The End of A Beginning... However, it seems that all good things must come to an end, and I was no exception. The pressure in my head that I first felt on my arrival to this world had grown from a feather light touch to a sledgehammer pounding in my head. It had progressed to the point where it was affecting my ability to think coherently. The darkness that had lent me strength must have corrupted my mind, slowly dooming me to a life of insanity. Just as I felt strong enough to start my ultimate quest, the darkness sapped all my strength, replacing it with pain, condemning me to wander the streets as a raving lunatic with no kin or kith to depend on. Slowly, I could feel the pain inside my head growing stronger. I relish the day where the pain would be unbearable, and at last I would pass away in peace. The greatest regret would be that I could not fulfil my dream of peace. The haze of pain was suddenly cut into two when a blaze of blindingly white-hot energy tore through the confines of my mind. Through my eyes, I could make out a healer bending towards me. I smiled to myself cynically. No healer would be able to lift the veil of darkness and pain within me. It was part of my being. To destroy it would be to destroy me as well, for I am bound to the darkness. A sudden weave of energy from the healer pushed my spirit into the inner sanctum where I hadonce resided. The relieve from the pain was like a man stranded in the desert for days finally finding water. The ecstasy was indescribable. My joy was short- lived when I suddenly felt the fire born of darkness engulf me once more. As pain thundered through my body, I grasped for the thread of consciousness, but each time it eluded me. Then all was black. Once again, the faraway voice and a gentle touch on my cheek woke me up from my coma. However the voice seemed much louder and forceful. In fact, the singular voice seemed to have been replaced by a chorus of voices, each speaking at the same time. The cacophony become too much to bear when an invisible shield suddenly cut it out. I looked at the source of the shield. He was sitting at a chair beside my bed. "You are a strong one, Ryosho Kinatis. Not many people go through a telekinetic attack and remain unscathed." His vibrant voice reverberated inside my mind, yet his lips did not move a single bit. "I am using telekinetic forces to communicate with you. Do not worry, all will be explained to you in due time." Listening to the calming voice in my mind, I voluntarily fell into a deep slumber. The voice in my mind woke me up once more. "Ryosho, wake up." The person beside my bed looked at me pointedly, as if expecting me to make the next move. At least the pain had cleared up. Yet there was a spot in my mind that I could feel was unfamiliar. "My name is Arianus. What you now feel is your Nexus. It's the centre where all your mental energies emanate from. You are now in the city of Sigil. Have no fear, for while you stay here, no harm will come to you." "Who are you? How did I get here? What is this Nexus you are talking about?" The questions seemed to pour out of me. "Like I told you before, all will be explained in due time." With that, he strode out of the room. The unmistakable sound of a latch could be heard as she closed the door. A prisoner! Looking around my room, I could see no possible means of escape. The walls were all made of stone, and a single window showed that I was high up some kind of tower. A few hours passed before Arianus came back. "Why are you keeping me locked up like a common criminal?" I burst out in rage before he could say anything. "The path of escape can come only from yourself. I brought you your meal." He placed the tray on a wooden table, and started to walk out. My opportunity to escape had come! I rushed towards his unprotected back, with only a small wooden stake that I had managed to fashion out of a chair leg. Although not much of a weapon, it would certainly serve against the frail-looking Arianus. Do not get me wrong, I never underestimate my opponents. No matter how they look, I always fully measure my enemies before making a move. In addition to looking frail, Arianus was also slightly flabby. A sure sign of a person untrained in the fighting arts, and so I made my move. But as I lunged towards him, nothing could prepare me for what she countered with. I crashed into a solid wall of air. Not content with knocking the breath out of me, the air formed itself into needles that pricked my entire body. As I screamed in pain and agony, Arianus's voice came into my mind again. "This is to teach you a lesson. Your foolish act has earned you a minor punishment this time. Next time it will be much worse." As I watched his back recede, and heard the door close with the customary click of the latch, a howl of rage and despair escaped from me. I will surely find a way to escape. Yet I was troubled. The form of magic used was strange. The weak magic that I encountered in Lasler was nothing compared to this. My rudimentary knowledge of magic allowed me to get by. However Arianus's magical attack was like no other form of magic that I knew. The pain from the attack had subsided to a dull ache, but I was exhausted. I went to the cot at the corner of the room for some rest. When I woke, breakfast was already laid on the table. That was strange. I sleep very lightly, and any entry and movement into the room would surely have woken me up. Shrugging it off as another demonstration of the strange magic, I attacked the breakfast before me with earnest. Bacon, eggs, sausages, white bread and fresh wine. Their handling of prisoners may be a bit rough, but they sure do feed them well! It was one of the best I had eaten in years. After breakfast, I sat down and pondered for a way out. He had said the way out would come from me. Another riddle. I hate riddles, especially cryptic ones like the one I was facing now. Then I suddenly recalled something Arianus had said : a focal point for mental energies. It was as good a clue as any, I guess. Probing this Nexus within me, I immediately recognised the potential of what it could become. By drawing upon these mental energies, I could focus it into a stream of pure energy that I could control only with the greatest effort. Using my new found mental powers, I could smash a vase just by focusing a telekinetic punch upon it. Trying to levitate my weapon produced nothing more than a slight shake. Lunch came through under the door. Finishing lunch quickly, I went back to exploring the limits of my powers. Repeated practice made me more proficient, and by nightfall, I could levitate my sword a few inches of the ground for about one minute. After dinner, my tiredness finally got the better of me, and I lay on my bed trying to get some sleep. Before my head touched the pillow, a sudden thought flashed into my mind. If I could lift my weapon, would I be able to lift myself? If I used my powers to lift me up through the window and set myself on the ground far below, I would be free. It was a foolhardy idea, and if my strength gave out on the way down, it would be a certain death. But yet what did I have to lose? Leaping out of bed, I went to the window. Climbing onto the window ledge, I looked down. No doubt about it, death would be certain if my concentration wavered one bit. At least it would be swift and painless. Taking a deep breath, I focused my mental energies, using them to lift my body. So far so good, the strain has not started to appear. I threw myself out into nothingness... It took every ounce of my will power to keep myself focused. The fact that about a hundred feet separated me from the ground did not help my concentration. As I slowly used my powers to lower myself to the ground, a groan of agony escaped my clenched teeth. In all of my life, this ordeal was by far the worst. Even that dreadful night I spent hiding in the woods could not compare to this. Every part of me screamed out in protest. The descent seemed to take forever. Every second that passed only increased the load. I was near to the point of losing control. Gritting my teeth even harder and squeezing my eyes shut, I fought to control the tenuous hold I had. Bit by bit, I could sense my control slipping from my grasp. Drawing upon all the mental energies that I could summon, I came up with… absolutely nothing. I braced myself for the fall and the subsequent impact with the cold, hard earth. I felt the fall, and the almost instantaneous impact. I opened my eyes. I was on the ground, still alive! I did it! My powers gave out inches from the ground. I almost let out a whoop of joy when a familiar voice intrude upon my mind once again. "I knew I did not judge you wrong Ryosho Kinatis. You are truly a fast learner. Your feat here tonight will confirm your place as one of the finest 2nd class psionics." I barely managed to croak out a reply, "What are you talking about?" "I belong to a group of people dedicated to searching out those with exceptional psionic gifts and training them. What you have been experiencing since you came to Sigil is but an initiation test to force you to utilise the psionic powers within you. You managed to pass the test two days after you arrived." I saw the form of Arianus emerging from the shadow of a pillar. "You have proved to be a most precocious trainee, Ryosho. Now you are truly part of Sigil, for I will take you as my apprentice, and train you in the class of psionic." He spoke to me in a steady and calm voice. I got up and staggered towards him, and a look of concern crossed his face. "You have overextended yourself, but fear not, Sigil's healers are more than up to the task." I felt the light touch of Arianus' psionic command, and immediately fell asleep. I woke in a room that was much larger than the one I was in during my imprisonment. A young healer was by my side. "I am glad to see you are awake. You have been unconscious for a day an a half." He said when he saw me wake. "Where is Arianus?" "Do not fret, he will be here soon." The opening of the door announced Arianus' arrival. "Great to see you are finally awake, Ryosho. As soon as you are strong enough, I will start your training." He said. The training I went through was different from that of a Cavalier. I learnt to use my mental powers to all that my limbs could. I also learnt to use my powers to blind or mesmerise my opponents. After learning the basics, I was told to proceed to the area surrounding Sigil to practise my new skills in real-life situations. I encountered a goblin mercenary in a thicket near to Sigil's walls, and immediately put my psionic powers to the test. I cast a blinding spell on the goblin, and watched it stagger around in confusion as its world went dark. I then went in for the killing move, continuously bashing my shield on its head. Before long, the bear lay a crumpled heap. This success opened up my mind on the usefulness of psionics. I proceeded, alternating between blinding and mesmerising any monster I came across. The following weeks saw me furthering my training in the class of psionics. Learning the subtleties and nuances of being a psionic was different from training to be a cavalier. Much focus was put on training the mental aspect, and the physical was largely ignored. However I kept myself in shape through a rigorous exercise regimen. I had learnt all there was to learn from Arianus, and I took my leave from Sigil, with Arianus' blessing. The world was still out there for me to explore, and I still had my personal quest to fulfil. On the road leading out from Sigil, I came to a market of sorts. I decided a rest might be in order, since I had been travelling for quite a long while. Sitting at under a tree at the edge of the market, I took out my rations and stated to prepare my meal. A wave of uneasiness suddenly came over me, and I looked up to see a nondescript man walking towards my direction. "You must be Ryosho Kinatis. I have heard so much about your progress." I relaxed a bit. So he was another one of my admirers. The without warning, I stagger suddenly as my vision is clouded by his mind control. My whole world went black "Hah! The great Ryosho lets down his guard, and is caught like a fly in a trap. Your much-vaunted abilities do not seem to be of much use." "Who are you? Why are you doing this?" I tried to glean some clue to his motive. I was truly trapped, my sight taken away by a blinding spell. That meant a fellow psionic. But why was he doing this? "Too long have I been living in other peoples' shadows.. I would remove you as a threat! " I smiled to myself. He did not do himself any favours when he used the blinding spell, for now I was immersed in darkness. I felt the darkness within me expand until it seemed to stretch from horizon to horizon, and suddenly I was aware of every move the man made. He raised his shield to smash my head, but my mind power lashes around, taking the form of a blue lightning. The electricity spins and arcs, slamming so hard that he dropped his shield. "You seek to bring me down and elevate yourself? Then it is your own doom that you seek, for I can never be overcome by such dishonour." I used such force to cast mesmerize, that I felt my opponent's mind starting to creak under the strain, unable to move. The darkness surged into my mental nodes, and I unleashed a telekinetic storm of blue lightning that burnt him into cinders. With his death, the blindness lifted from my eyes, and I could see again. At that moment, I felt on top of the world. Ryosho Kinatis stood eminent in the ranks of 2nd classers. It was time to move on to other areas. With darkness as my ally, I shall complete my dream of an everlasting peace, and my name shall shake the very earth itself, as my glorious deeds ring out triumphantly through all corners of the world.