Post by Rune Dancer on Aug 1, 2020 17:00:50 GMT -5
Return from Hell
A dazzling move from statue has Rune Dancer on the immediate defensive. He could not believe such movement was possible for a being made of stone. His opponent held back, giving forth another laugh.
‘I hope I get as much sport from you as I expect from a Kai Lord. After all was it not your master, Lone Wolf, who infiltrated this Plane and defeated several of my peers before finding his way into the very bastion of Naar? You cannot begin to imagine the horrors that were unleashed at my master’s defeat.’ He began another series of blinding moves which left Rune Dancer more on his heals that on his toes. The Kai had scored hits on his opponent, but his blades glanced off the stony body with no effect.
‘This is no sport! Let me even the odds for you.’ His opponent spun away, landing 30 feet distant. After some eldritch words, the stony surface began to transform, rippling from head to toe, until there was a softer layer. ‘There, that should do it.’ With another laugh, battle was rejoined.
The mistake Rune Dancer was looking for, too many times had evil powers been known to be overconfident. The Master would not let this opportunity get away. After a few minutes of intense swordplay, the combatants split to find that Rune Dancer had scored a hit that was telling. Ebony blood was oozing from a wound.
Spurred on by this, Rune Dancer renewed his attack. His blows rained down with almost inhuman speed and strength as if his very soul depended on it, which it did. The Kai Master had heard about the afterlife offered to those defeated by the minions of Naar, Lone Wolf, himself, had seen the ghosts of Lords Paido and Nathor in the realm of Avarvae.
More blood began to flow from wounds on both sides. A pool was forming, and where the two met there came into being the familiar swirling vortex of a shadow gate! The distraction almost cost him his life, a rapid attack sliced across his chest, had Rune Dancer’s reflexes been any less he would have been skewered on the weapon of his foe.
Suddenly, there was a disturbance in the gate that had both combatants moving out of the way. A form came through, unexpected by both, in the shape of a human, whose blue robes were distinctly familiar to the Kai Master. The newcomer let magic do his talking and rushed the dark lord, who struck swiftly and decisively into the heart of Jaden Candor.
With his dying breath, the father yells to his son to escape through the gate. Duty barely overpowers the anguish at losing his father in such a way, and Rune Dancer staggers over and falls into the gate.
‘Nooooooooooooo,’ it is a scream reminiscent of a child being separated from its favourite toy, for the Kai has escaped its grasp. There can be no pursuit as the dark lord is tied to his domain on the Plane of Darkness.
Rune Dancer exited the gate, falling to the floor. He was vaguely aware of chanting which immediately stopped, shutting the portal to the Plane of Darkness. Several Brothers came to the assistance of the Kai, helping him to his feet then taking him to the side to rest on a bench.
‘The Guildmaster wishes to see you.’ With these words, a nimbus of energy surrounded Rune Dancer, and he was teleported onto a skyship. He noted the crest of the Brotherhood flying at half mast. A wizard approached, the bearing of this newcomer meant that it could only be Nahuris, the Guildmaster of the Brotherhood. Realising that he was still encased in the field of energy, the Kai Master began to wonder if he was indeed back on Magnamund. His fears were assuaged, though, for Nahuris informed him that he would be returning the Kai, if that was indeed what had come through the Dazhiarn Portal after Jaden had gone through.
During the journey home, he was visited by a beautiful mage who introduced herself as Nightraven. She spoke to Rune Dancer about his father, with whom she had worked for the last year, developing an improvements to the spells that were used to enable skyships to fly. The young Kai Master almost broke into tears from her recollections. Almost, but not quite, his training and discipline would not allow him to do so, certainly not in company.
It didn’t take long to get to the Monastery, soon Rune Dancer stood before Supreme Master Ghost Bear in a private chamber, still held within the confines of the Guildmaster’s barrier. Ghost Bear wore a frown, he was obviously distressed to think that one of the Kai may have been trapped on the Plane of Darkness and that a doppelganger may have been sent in his place. The Kai Lieutenant introduced the others in the chamber, including several Brothers of the Crystal Star, including Guildmaster Nahuris and Nightraven; and an Elder Magi contingent headed by Lord Grolam.
‘It is their duty to ascertain the truth of you,’ explained Ghost Bear. He looks at the assembled mages. ‘You may begin.’
Bolts of agony ripped through Rune Dancer but he endured these as necessary in order to prove himself, besides they were nothing compared to the torture he had endured not too long ago in the fortress of Kaag. After an hour, the barrage ceased and he was proclaimed to be the true Rune Dancer, returned from the Plane of Darkness.
As an extra measure of comfort for Ghost Bear, he ordered that the Sunstone be brought to the chamber. Normally this is used in the Trials of a Kai Lord after their first year of training. It would show the goodness that was in Rune Dancer.
As at his trials, the Sunstone shone brilliantly, threatening to blind those present.
‘I think that is all I need.’ Ghost Bear stood up and moved forward to embrace the younger Kai. ‘Welcome home, Rune Dancer, your journey has brought you back to the Monastery, and with good timing, for I also sense that you may be ready for the lessons of a Grand Master. Enough of that for now, you need your rest.’
Rune Dancer headed off to his bed, and released himself to the oblivion of slumber. A nightmare of his father being tormented on the plain surrounding Dazganon crept into his dreams, and woke the Kai Master instantly. He was back to sleep soon, though, for he knew that his father had done the only thing possible to keep him alive.
Two days passed, and Rune Dancer was summoned to the quarters of Ghost Bear. Upon arriving, he was informed that his skill in the Magnakai disciplines would be tested for his suitability to enter the halls of the Grand Masters. The displays of his ability left no doubt in the mind of the Kai Lieutenant of the need for Rune Dancer to be advanced to the ranks of the Grand Masters. There was only one problem: some members of the Grand Masters’ Council were away from the Monastery.
A solution to the problem was sought, and luckily quickly found. Lord Grolam suggested the idea that the crystal sphere, given to Lone Wolf by Lord Rimoah before his quest to the frozen wastes of Ixia, could be used for communication, the council should be able to talk with their distant colleagues by using the power of the sphere to magnify their telepathic abilities.
Rune Dancer was sent out of the chamber, as he was not privy to the workings of the Grand Masters’ Council. He was met outside by some of his fellow Kai, he quickly identified Masters Sabretooth and Wild Horse, with whom he had spent time developing the disciplines of the mind, they encircled Rune Dancer and, out of habit, slipped into some games intended to practice their skills.
Ikar-tas-Kai was, once again, sitting in the library, poring over the amassed knowledge contained therein. A commotion at the arched doorway interrupted his studies, and, finding it hard to concentrate with the ruckus, he decided to investigate. Apparently the Council was in session, deliberating the future of Archmaster Rune Dancer. Figuring that this was not a common occurrence, he followed the others into the training yard, where two score Kai Lords, ranging from Novices to Archmasters, were gathered about the obviously nervous Rune Dancer.
One of the youngest there, Cun Lynx was watching Rune Dancer with unabashed awe. The Archmaster had travelled far and wide in the short space of time since he had met the young Doan with Eternal Valor. Not only had he been to the Darklands, which was danger enough – thought Cun Lynx, but he had, by all accounts, recently returned from the Plane of Darkness itself. He absent-mindedly patted the head of the ever-present Katthias, imagining the wonders and horrors that Rune Dancer must have come across during his absence from the Monastery.
On noticing the attention from the junior Lords, Rune Dancer was reminded of the times he had spent in his early training with Shadow Wolf. He wondered what had befallen this fallen Brother since he had last seen him on the road back from Toran, now seeming so long ago. His heart was filled with sorrow that Shadow Wolf, and indeed all of the dark ones, had turned away from the light of Kai and could not be present to celebrate this occasion with him.
He was brought out of his thoughts by his discipline of huntmastery, which screamed that something was flying at him. He managed to catch the object in mid-air, a long, wooden object: it was one of the practise poles they all used when first training in the skill of weapons. He looked around, noticing the glee in the face of Wild Horse. He realised he was taking things too seriously, sending the pole right back at his spirited friend.
With Rune Dancer out of the chamber, Ghost Bear convened the meeting of the Grand Masters’ Council. It was decided that those present would cast their votes first, making sure that they would not be swayed by the votes of those who would be contacted through the crystal sphere. Silver Fox stood up immediately.
‘What further proof do we need, to see that Rune Dancer is worthy of joining our ranks? Ghost Bear has tested his knowledge and skill, which he apparently displayed without fault. We also hear that the Sunstone has, once again, proved him beyond reproach, unless I hear falsely…’ at this Silver Fox looks to the Kai Lieutenant.
‘You are correct, Silver Fox, the Sunstone indeed shone as brightly, if not more than, as when he took up his vows.’ With this Ghost Bear stands and clears his throat. ‘The time has come, my fellow members of the Council. Cast your vote: do we admit Master Rune Dancer into the ranks of the Grand Masters?’
First to be contacted was Shadow Crow, whose features filled the crystal sphere, framed in the desert of Vassagonia. After his vote was cast, he gave a quick report of his unsuccessful attempts at finding information on the plague.
Second to be contacted, Grey Wolf cast his vote. He apologised for the need to get back to his mission, but, he said, it was of utmost importance to the entire Order.
Hawkeye was contacted next, luckily for the Supreme Master, who was about to go on a mission into barbarian territory in the frozen wastelands of Kalte. The Council could make out the frost lining Hawkeye’s noble features, and the obvious effect that the icy winds were having. Luckily the noise of the gales did not come through to the chamber.
Shadow Fox, on the trail of the Nad-Adez-Konkor, was found to be near the fortress of Kaag. There were signs of recent battle on the features of the Grand Master. After ascertaining that Shadow Fox was indeed in good health, the Council was told that Storm Shield was with him and also well, considering the trials of the Darklands. Shadow Fox was surprised to learn that Rune Dancer had been somewhat near his location and not too long ago, he was also surprised to learn that this Kai, who had only recently entered the Order when Shadow Fox had departed on his mission, was now in a position to enter the ranks of the Grand Masters. He cast his vote.
Lastly, the council tried to contact Black Cat, who was on a mission to Klarnos. But the sphere darkened and there was no answer to the psychic summons. With the previous communications, the Council could feel some of the life force of those contacted, but there was no such feeling this time. It was as if there was no Grand Master of the Order.
Ghost Bear looked up from the orb, worry clearly etched on his face.
‘We must investigate this as soon as possible. Something has happened to our leader, something we must identify. But, for now, we have decided on the fate of Rune Dancer, and it is only fair that he be informed of our decision…’
A dazzling move from statue has Rune Dancer on the immediate defensive. He could not believe such movement was possible for a being made of stone. His opponent held back, giving forth another laugh.
‘I hope I get as much sport from you as I expect from a Kai Lord. After all was it not your master, Lone Wolf, who infiltrated this Plane and defeated several of my peers before finding his way into the very bastion of Naar? You cannot begin to imagine the horrors that were unleashed at my master’s defeat.’ He began another series of blinding moves which left Rune Dancer more on his heals that on his toes. The Kai had scored hits on his opponent, but his blades glanced off the stony body with no effect.
‘This is no sport! Let me even the odds for you.’ His opponent spun away, landing 30 feet distant. After some eldritch words, the stony surface began to transform, rippling from head to toe, until there was a softer layer. ‘There, that should do it.’ With another laugh, battle was rejoined.
The mistake Rune Dancer was looking for, too many times had evil powers been known to be overconfident. The Master would not let this opportunity get away. After a few minutes of intense swordplay, the combatants split to find that Rune Dancer had scored a hit that was telling. Ebony blood was oozing from a wound.
Spurred on by this, Rune Dancer renewed his attack. His blows rained down with almost inhuman speed and strength as if his very soul depended on it, which it did. The Kai Master had heard about the afterlife offered to those defeated by the minions of Naar, Lone Wolf, himself, had seen the ghosts of Lords Paido and Nathor in the realm of Avarvae.
More blood began to flow from wounds on both sides. A pool was forming, and where the two met there came into being the familiar swirling vortex of a shadow gate! The distraction almost cost him his life, a rapid attack sliced across his chest, had Rune Dancer’s reflexes been any less he would have been skewered on the weapon of his foe.
Suddenly, there was a disturbance in the gate that had both combatants moving out of the way. A form came through, unexpected by both, in the shape of a human, whose blue robes were distinctly familiar to the Kai Master. The newcomer let magic do his talking and rushed the dark lord, who struck swiftly and decisively into the heart of Jaden Candor.
With his dying breath, the father yells to his son to escape through the gate. Duty barely overpowers the anguish at losing his father in such a way, and Rune Dancer staggers over and falls into the gate.
‘Nooooooooooooo,’ it is a scream reminiscent of a child being separated from its favourite toy, for the Kai has escaped its grasp. There can be no pursuit as the dark lord is tied to his domain on the Plane of Darkness.
Rune Dancer exited the gate, falling to the floor. He was vaguely aware of chanting which immediately stopped, shutting the portal to the Plane of Darkness. Several Brothers came to the assistance of the Kai, helping him to his feet then taking him to the side to rest on a bench.
‘The Guildmaster wishes to see you.’ With these words, a nimbus of energy surrounded Rune Dancer, and he was teleported onto a skyship. He noted the crest of the Brotherhood flying at half mast. A wizard approached, the bearing of this newcomer meant that it could only be Nahuris, the Guildmaster of the Brotherhood. Realising that he was still encased in the field of energy, the Kai Master began to wonder if he was indeed back on Magnamund. His fears were assuaged, though, for Nahuris informed him that he would be returning the Kai, if that was indeed what had come through the Dazhiarn Portal after Jaden had gone through.
During the journey home, he was visited by a beautiful mage who introduced herself as Nightraven. She spoke to Rune Dancer about his father, with whom she had worked for the last year, developing an improvements to the spells that were used to enable skyships to fly. The young Kai Master almost broke into tears from her recollections. Almost, but not quite, his training and discipline would not allow him to do so, certainly not in company.
It didn’t take long to get to the Monastery, soon Rune Dancer stood before Supreme Master Ghost Bear in a private chamber, still held within the confines of the Guildmaster’s barrier. Ghost Bear wore a frown, he was obviously distressed to think that one of the Kai may have been trapped on the Plane of Darkness and that a doppelganger may have been sent in his place. The Kai Lieutenant introduced the others in the chamber, including several Brothers of the Crystal Star, including Guildmaster Nahuris and Nightraven; and an Elder Magi contingent headed by Lord Grolam.
‘It is their duty to ascertain the truth of you,’ explained Ghost Bear. He looks at the assembled mages. ‘You may begin.’
Bolts of agony ripped through Rune Dancer but he endured these as necessary in order to prove himself, besides they were nothing compared to the torture he had endured not too long ago in the fortress of Kaag. After an hour, the barrage ceased and he was proclaimed to be the true Rune Dancer, returned from the Plane of Darkness.
As an extra measure of comfort for Ghost Bear, he ordered that the Sunstone be brought to the chamber. Normally this is used in the Trials of a Kai Lord after their first year of training. It would show the goodness that was in Rune Dancer.
As at his trials, the Sunstone shone brilliantly, threatening to blind those present.
‘I think that is all I need.’ Ghost Bear stood up and moved forward to embrace the younger Kai. ‘Welcome home, Rune Dancer, your journey has brought you back to the Monastery, and with good timing, for I also sense that you may be ready for the lessons of a Grand Master. Enough of that for now, you need your rest.’
Rune Dancer headed off to his bed, and released himself to the oblivion of slumber. A nightmare of his father being tormented on the plain surrounding Dazganon crept into his dreams, and woke the Kai Master instantly. He was back to sleep soon, though, for he knew that his father had done the only thing possible to keep him alive.
Two days passed, and Rune Dancer was summoned to the quarters of Ghost Bear. Upon arriving, he was informed that his skill in the Magnakai disciplines would be tested for his suitability to enter the halls of the Grand Masters. The displays of his ability left no doubt in the mind of the Kai Lieutenant of the need for Rune Dancer to be advanced to the ranks of the Grand Masters. There was only one problem: some members of the Grand Masters’ Council were away from the Monastery.
A solution to the problem was sought, and luckily quickly found. Lord Grolam suggested the idea that the crystal sphere, given to Lone Wolf by Lord Rimoah before his quest to the frozen wastes of Ixia, could be used for communication, the council should be able to talk with their distant colleagues by using the power of the sphere to magnify their telepathic abilities.
Rune Dancer was sent out of the chamber, as he was not privy to the workings of the Grand Masters’ Council. He was met outside by some of his fellow Kai, he quickly identified Masters Sabretooth and Wild Horse, with whom he had spent time developing the disciplines of the mind, they encircled Rune Dancer and, out of habit, slipped into some games intended to practice their skills.
Ikar-tas-Kai was, once again, sitting in the library, poring over the amassed knowledge contained therein. A commotion at the arched doorway interrupted his studies, and, finding it hard to concentrate with the ruckus, he decided to investigate. Apparently the Council was in session, deliberating the future of Archmaster Rune Dancer. Figuring that this was not a common occurrence, he followed the others into the training yard, where two score Kai Lords, ranging from Novices to Archmasters, were gathered about the obviously nervous Rune Dancer.
One of the youngest there, Cun Lynx was watching Rune Dancer with unabashed awe. The Archmaster had travelled far and wide in the short space of time since he had met the young Doan with Eternal Valor. Not only had he been to the Darklands, which was danger enough – thought Cun Lynx, but he had, by all accounts, recently returned from the Plane of Darkness itself. He absent-mindedly patted the head of the ever-present Katthias, imagining the wonders and horrors that Rune Dancer must have come across during his absence from the Monastery.
On noticing the attention from the junior Lords, Rune Dancer was reminded of the times he had spent in his early training with Shadow Wolf. He wondered what had befallen this fallen Brother since he had last seen him on the road back from Toran, now seeming so long ago. His heart was filled with sorrow that Shadow Wolf, and indeed all of the dark ones, had turned away from the light of Kai and could not be present to celebrate this occasion with him.
He was brought out of his thoughts by his discipline of huntmastery, which screamed that something was flying at him. He managed to catch the object in mid-air, a long, wooden object: it was one of the practise poles they all used when first training in the skill of weapons. He looked around, noticing the glee in the face of Wild Horse. He realised he was taking things too seriously, sending the pole right back at his spirited friend.
With Rune Dancer out of the chamber, Ghost Bear convened the meeting of the Grand Masters’ Council. It was decided that those present would cast their votes first, making sure that they would not be swayed by the votes of those who would be contacted through the crystal sphere. Silver Fox stood up immediately.
‘What further proof do we need, to see that Rune Dancer is worthy of joining our ranks? Ghost Bear has tested his knowledge and skill, which he apparently displayed without fault. We also hear that the Sunstone has, once again, proved him beyond reproach, unless I hear falsely…’ at this Silver Fox looks to the Kai Lieutenant.
‘You are correct, Silver Fox, the Sunstone indeed shone as brightly, if not more than, as when he took up his vows.’ With this Ghost Bear stands and clears his throat. ‘The time has come, my fellow members of the Council. Cast your vote: do we admit Master Rune Dancer into the ranks of the Grand Masters?’
First to be contacted was Shadow Crow, whose features filled the crystal sphere, framed in the desert of Vassagonia. After his vote was cast, he gave a quick report of his unsuccessful attempts at finding information on the plague.
Second to be contacted, Grey Wolf cast his vote. He apologised for the need to get back to his mission, but, he said, it was of utmost importance to the entire Order.
Hawkeye was contacted next, luckily for the Supreme Master, who was about to go on a mission into barbarian territory in the frozen wastelands of Kalte. The Council could make out the frost lining Hawkeye’s noble features, and the obvious effect that the icy winds were having. Luckily the noise of the gales did not come through to the chamber.
Shadow Fox, on the trail of the Nad-Adez-Konkor, was found to be near the fortress of Kaag. There were signs of recent battle on the features of the Grand Master. After ascertaining that Shadow Fox was indeed in good health, the Council was told that Storm Shield was with him and also well, considering the trials of the Darklands. Shadow Fox was surprised to learn that Rune Dancer had been somewhat near his location and not too long ago, he was also surprised to learn that this Kai, who had only recently entered the Order when Shadow Fox had departed on his mission, was now in a position to enter the ranks of the Grand Masters. He cast his vote.
Lastly, the council tried to contact Black Cat, who was on a mission to Klarnos. But the sphere darkened and there was no answer to the psychic summons. With the previous communications, the Council could feel some of the life force of those contacted, but there was no such feeling this time. It was as if there was no Grand Master of the Order.
Ghost Bear looked up from the orb, worry clearly etched on his face.
‘We must investigate this as soon as possible. Something has happened to our leader, something we must identify. But, for now, we have decided on the fate of Rune Dancer, and it is only fair that he be informed of our decision…’