M A G N O L I A [open]

A calm zephyr blew through the mountain pass gently rocking the petals from an overgrowth of magnolia. Today the heat had calmed if only just a bit, the rays of sunshine kissed the air gently bringing a blessing to the life in the dynasty. There was something more to it though, the flow of rukh was ecstatic unpredictable and chilling.

The golden ether of fate lurked and swooned through the valley. It was as if they were waiting for something, it was enchanting to witness. A ray of light would break through the brush of magnolia and cherry blossom casting itself upon an oriental carriage. The Carriage was a large rectangular prison, ornamental as it would seem on the outside the inside was quite different.

Outside of the carriage lay men dressed in black all bearing the same symbol. They would seem almost peaceful if it were not for the blood staining their clothing and the lacerations that scattered them messily. Cold as stone besides the vibrant touch of the sun they had to have been dead for at least a day. Some would know them as the men of Typhon, but not many. Even less would know their story today.

They were noble in their love and faith for their leader, having taken care of him as they waited for him to wake from his two year slumber. With good news that there was a magician in Kou who could remedy the mind of their young lord they took the mission of transporting him upon themselves. It was a dangerous time to be moving through Kou, and rather it was raiders or citizens who massacred the men would never be certain.

Oddly the sound of fluttering chorused through the air as a flock of song birds descended upon the graveyard. They would land on the exterior of the carriage and the rukh scattered in excitement, vortexing throughout the air before descending back down.

diana corvus

A vulture circled overhead, it’s feathers were a similar color of the embers that trailed off of them. It soared down to land upon one of the stiff corpses that were at peace beside an ornate carriage. She began to gorge herself on the decomposing flesh of the victims. A grisly sight for her handler but it was one she saw too often. The predator turned her head as if to acknowledge the mix of footsteps approaching her before returning to her meal. “Dead, huh? One of these days they’ll just be sleeping.” A woman approached the scene. Her hair was a shimmering blonde, almost white in appearance. The gentle breeze carried its length behind her. Her eyes were a deep crimson with a pink hue to them that hinted at her lineage. “Bellona. That’s enough. Don’t I feed you better than that?” She held her arm out to receive the vulture who immediately began grooming herself upon arrival. The sight of the pair was comical. The woman was of a short stature and her avian companion was barely able to sit comfortably upon her arm. However, she had no issues holding her up.

Diana moved closer to the bodies to inspect their status. She was brief so she wouldn’t further cause any disrespect. They were in generally good health. However, the wounds on their bodies told a different story. “Scout the area for anyone suspicious. They haven’t been dead long. I’d rather we find who did this then let them roam around.” Bellona released herself from the grip on her master, flying out into the sky. Diana curiously gazed towards the carriage. If there were people inside, they may be still alive. Her gut sank at the thought of the grim end that could have befallen them.

She wrapped her hands around the knobs of doors but before she could pull on them, they gently gave, swinging open to reveal an intriguing sight. A man was laid out amongst various pillows and blankets. Thick, thorny vines wrapped tightly around his body. Upon his head was a crown which suggested he was a royal of some type. She checked his vitals to ensure he was still alive. A feeling of relief ran through her body. Diana tried to pull on the vine after barely getting her fingers around it but to no avail. Not even her abnormal strength could release him from the bindings. Diana bit her lip, unsure what to do next. She was unfamiliar with any kind of magic that could help the man.

Beasts:

Weapons:

The calm breeze blew towards the walking magician, combing her dark colored hair gently with the invisible fingers. For once, it was peaceful, quiet and the golden eyed girl thought it would be a good chance to get a peaceful rest and meditate for a bit. The war had been really harsh, despairs everywhere, rage, sadness, and some rukh reacted to those feelings before their color changed into a pitch black. There was nothing that Noir could do although she could see the dark rukh, she couldn’t heal the negative feelings inside the people’s heart and it would be a waste of time even if she tried. As long as the war was still ongoing, these people wouldn’t be able to live in peace…

The black haired girl wondered why a simple mountain could give such a quiet vibe, as if it offered the weary ones a place to rest and enjoyed the peace for a while. It was not a weary that she was feeling at the moment, it was more like the quietness that she seek while she gather some resources from there. However she might not be able to start gathering mushrooms and herbs for now since there was something else that caught her attention. A carriage in the middle of the area with…corpses there… It was strange because she didn’t remember seeing it several days ago, so probably it had been here for not too long. With a whistle, she called Haku who was running around the mountain to enjoy the nature and waited until he returned to her.

Before she decided to approach and examine the carriage, she saw someone familiar approached it first and began to examine it. Noir could see the rukh floating around the area, but the rukh around the carriage was pretty strange compared to the others. Curious about what it was, Noir decided to walk towards the carriage too, wanting to see it closer. Suddenly, the platinum haired woman’s beast suddenly flew to the sky, leaving her master alone to examine the carriage further. “Good day.” Noir said with a flat tone, hoping she didn’t surprise the woman as she walked beside her. The scene in front of her eyes was unusual, a carriage with dead bodies surrounding it… turns out had been carrying someone inside. This man might not be an ordinary one because the rukh’s strange behavior must be because of him…although she was pretty grateful that he was not another corpse. “What is it with this vines…?” Noir asked Diana as she touched the thorny vines, wondering how it could cover this man’s body.

The magician noticed the crown on the top of the man’s head and she could feel a surge of power from it. She would then touch the crown and assumed that this crown was a metal vessel...if she was right that this thorn might be something that this man’s djinn did to protect him. It was an interesting breakthrough for Noir though as it was her first time seeing something like this could happen. She thought that maybe she could try to wake this man up from his comatose condition with life magic, wondering if the thorns will be gone when the man woke up… She held out her hand and poured her magoi into the healing bracelet, making the man covered with a purple light with healing abilities. If the man wouldn’t wake up…. Then Noir would need to find out how to deal with the thorns…

Item used:

Jahan's body lay rested atop the fine ornate clothes and tapestries, his chest rocked gently up and down with his shallow breathe. So much had changed with him in the passing years. The boys body had grown much thinner, and his skin lacked quite the same amount of radiance. He had been tucked tightly in a bed of thorns. The thorns of the vine did not beak his skin. His status looked enchanting, like a black rose.


As the women began to gather, the golden rukh began behaving frantically, swirling about in the air in unpredictable patterns.

“What is it with this vines…?”

The woman touched the thorns and a pulse of magoi gently faded from them. The vines loosened considerably allowing room for the mans body to freely move if only it could. The magician began to use her life magic and as she did a pulse of powerful magoi shot through mans nerves.

Jahan's crown began to shake rapidly atop his head. His clothing began to shake violently due to Gremorie's magic. Suddenly even the air from the carriage shot from the inner chambers before it naturally filled again.

And then Jahanghir's eyes opened for the first time in 2 years. His upper body shot up and he clutched a hand to his face.

"U-uhhh" He slurred as he wiped his eyes. The small rays of light had become unbearable and tormenting source of torture as the boys eyes struggled to adjust against the natural light. His body ached, it ached as if his bones had began to rust. Every joint and muscle in Jahan's body felt sore and weak. Jahan's vision was still blurred but he began to stretch, pulling his arms above his head trying to relieve the tension in his shoulders. Suddenly his diaphragm quaked.

"UUUUUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH", he yawned shaking  powerfully.  He rolled his neck, and opened his eyes once more exposing rare heliotrope and phlox portals. With his vision returning Jahan was surprised to see two women.

He was even more so confused. Who were these ladies? Where was he? What was going on? Several questions shot through the mans mind but suddenly his heart sank and his adrenaline skyrocketed as he threw his hands to his head. He exhaled a breath of relief when his palms met the black gold surface of his crown.

There was nothing more coveted in the world for the man. The crown was his symbol of kingship, his honor and pride in the face of any man. It was also the essence of his power the very extension of his will.

He crawled to the edge of the carriage and he was not quite sure what to do. He remembered a period of darkness, for a long long time. Then this feeling shot through him, an intense feeling of power as if his body were trying to jump start itself. His vision returned with a feeling like being hit with a concussive grenade.

He couldn't seem to remember anything, he knew himself just about right. To a fault he knew he was Jahanghir Nikator, a halfling orphan boy, raised by soldiers. Leader of Typhon and a Dungeon Captor:King Candidate. He filed through his mind but the last thing that he could remember was falling asleep after drinking.

His horror was that he remembered the vast infinity of this slumber. Jahan knew the slumber so well it was with him even in the memories he lost of it. It was fierce, overcoming, the shadow of death.

"Well..." Jahan said, his voice deeper than usual from the long rest he had. "Am I in the afterlife?"

Jahan's face paled at the thought. He had done many, many bad things in his life. Some just for the last laugh. Not to mention he had killed or fatally injured men. His capricious and amusing nature may have gotten the best of him.

'Have I played too many tricks' he thought to himself.

'Or maybe its all of the women Ive been with'

He remembered days as a boy when he abused and exploited his good lucks and charm.  "Well that cant be right either!" he thought with frustration. He looked the two in their eyes with a serious expression.



"Am I in heaven?" he asked the girls earnestly as his face flashed with sincerity.

'You're not bad to look at, if this was hell you'd be a lot uglier....Or at least they'd have horns' he thought.

Without warning Jahan calmly placed a palm on each of their foreheads and ran his fingers through their hair.

"No not quite any horns" He said while searching their temples urgently. He would get visibly frustrated with the process and snap out to them.

"Where am I?"

diana corvus

Diana heard a voice from behind her and froze in place. It surprised her and she hadn’t yet registered the tone. However, despite her heart pounding out of her chest, she tried to play it cool. “Hey,” she said, turning her head to see a familiar face. Despite the briefness of their interactions, Diana was confident that this woman was harmless to her. After letting down her guard, she also released the vines that she was gripping onto. Her fingers purple from circulation loss slowly returned to their normal hue. “I have no idea. But they won’t come off.” She let out a frustrated breath, stepping back and crossing her arms. The vines seemed to begin to loosen considerably. At least, enough to allow them to remove him from their grasp. “I… guess I loosened them..?” Diana was confused yet slightly proud of herself. Another woman approached them but Diana paid her little attention. It seemed she was familiar with the magician so there was no need for being alert. Without a word, the woman used a bracelet to cast magic onto the man.

Everything started to shake and rumble within the carriage. Bursts of air and pressure bursted out from where they were. Diana started to wonder what Noir had even done to the man with her magic. It went away just as fast as it came. Once the pressure faded, Diana curiously leaned over the man. As his eyes began to open, she furrowed her brows. The man stretched and yawned as if he had only been sleeping for a few hours. She stepped back as he began to make his way to the edge of the carriage. Diana placed her hand on his chest to ensure he did not fall. It was clear that he was weak. Maybe, he was sick. Diana couldn’t tell in this instance. As the light hit his eyes, he seemed dazed. After a few moments, he spoke with a deep voice that made Diana chuckle. “No. You’re very much alive.”

The man seemed to suddenly be lost in his thoughts. Diana took that moment to assess their situation. It was like something out of a fairy tale. Though, she was happy she didn’t have to kiss a frog or a dead girl. He gazed straight into their eyes and placed his hands on their foreheads. Diana jumped at his touch, startled by his sudden actions. His fingers entwined themselves through her hair which made her feel a tad uncomfortable. However, it didn’t last long. Diana would gently take his arm by his wrist and bring it down onto hers, giving it a light pat. “A bit… touchy, aren’t you?” She smiled yet her expression showed her confusion. She felt bad for the man but she was also cautious. Something this mysterious was never good. At least in her experience. He questioned where they were but Diana was not quite certain. She would stay silent and hope that Noir or the other woman may have the answer.

The magician could feel the metal vessel that was wrapping around her right arm vibrated a little bit, there was some kind of heat from the metal vessel. The best guess that the magician had was because this man was also a dungeon conqueror, so far it was the third time this resonance happened to Noir. Her healing magic worked on the man and she stayed still as the man regained his consciousness only to surprise the magician by his loud yawning. However, she noticed someone was calling her name and when she tilted her head, she could see the redhead that she met at the ring. “Good day, Miss Jingyi.” She said, bowed her head a little bit to the woman as Diana helped the man so he wouldn’t fall.

The man thought he was in the afterlife, something that amused the magician because it was her first time that someone thought he was in the afterlife just after he woke up. She could only wish that Diana’s answer was enough for the man to notice that he had not reached eternal sleep any time soon. The black haired girl tilt her head slightly, wondering what it was about this heaven and hell that the man had been talking about. She knew the description of both place based on the book that she read some time ago, but she never met any believer before so this man just increased the amusement level in Noir’s head.

When the man suddenly placed his hand on Noir’s head, Haku suddenly growled, was not happy that a stranger touched his master. He was trying to find if there was any horns on their head apparently and Noir would motion her hand to Haku, as if signaling him that it was okay. If the man had intended to harm her, the borg would have reacted to his touch and until now it has not been activated yet which mean this man didn’t mean to harm them. “You are in Kou, in the Jade Dragon Mountain.”

Equipment:

“ I, Aseroth De Lucas II… Has been lost in the mountains for two months. During that period of two months, I’ve survived countless encounter with a large amphibious snake. I’ve attempted at wounding it, but I haven’t required enough basic knowledge to tame the beast. My companions who enter the wilderness with me have since long left. Diana, and Nahvi Corvus. Two of the few people I’ve met in my journey. Sadly I must either slay this beast, or capture to tame it. I must return as the war continue and offer my help in the long run to my emperor.   “ Aseroth, wrote in a wooden journal. Speaking to himself deep within the forest alone. His appearance has undergone a few changes since he has been in the mountains wilderness. Aseroth, hair has grown in length, his eyes have gotten sharper. For other features, his skin seem to look more pale than before, and he’s donned the blood from the snake he damage on his cheeks.

His kimono he wore for two months has become tattered. Running, hiding, camping, and fighting has wore it away. Each thread showing his experience and strive to survive. Stumbling across the depths of the mountain pass after running away so long ago, Aseroth lost his own sense of path. He actually couldn’t trace his way back to the main roads path. Which has caused him to be stranded for this long. How has his family been during the war? His brother? The housemaids? Aseroth, thought of all this to himself. Made him shed a single tear. Only one as he couldn’t cry for long as he needed to keep moving. He needed to make his comeback gallant, and noticeable. Find Diana! Spend time alone to hone his swordsman skills. Two task in which he needed to have happened.

Moving along in the backwoods. Not by choice as you know by now. He happened to stumble across a hot spring. It looked to be running off natural resources coming from stream heading north. It had been at least a week since he had last been able to relax and bathe himself properly. Placing Daiguren on the side. Aseroth took his clothing off, and took a few steps into the spring. “ [color:887d=00ffff] A turkey leg would go fantastic right now. A properly served meal, and comfortable bedding! I can’t wait to find my way home. For now I must survive!! “ Aseorth, standing up raising his fist into the air. A small trail of smoke coming up to cover his lower region as it hung down. For a big bodied fanalis, he sure didn’t care much to fully think things through. Shouting raising his fist, had alerted something nearby. That something nearby slithered, and hissed. It was long and pushed tree out the way easily.

Aseroth had been dipping his head into the water, his ears getting covered. Making the hissing that approached hard to ear. Small bubbles appeared from where his mouth was as he played in the hot spring. Childish behavior in the least, but he was alone and could do such. Aseroth, closed his eyes and sunk further into the spring. Letting the water soak further around his body, going into places he couldn’t reach. Running his hand around his body himself, Aseroth would thoroughly clean himself. As he cleaned himself, the hissing only seemed to get louder and louder as if something was coming. Noting again that he didn’t hear the animal slithering his way. Opening his eyes finally, water dripping in between his eyes, his vision kind of blurry as he pulled his hands up. Wiping away the water, than shaking his head, Aseroth shook his head to the side to bump the water out his ears. By then the slithering had stopped. Feeling refreshed, he reached down for his equipment. First of all he pulled up his trouser, and pants. He had gotten rid of the top of his kimono, leaving only the bottoms he had. It was heavily damage from a month's period of time in the mountains.

Spoiler:

His hands tucked in trying to adjust his trouser beneath, the hissing caught him by surprise. A whipping tail shoot from behind two trees. The steam rising from the hot spring barely making it visible as came quickly. If it wasn’t for, Aseroth being a fanalis he wouldn’t of had the great reflexes he has now. Jumping off to the side cartwheeling over his katana. Picking it up in the progress, Aseroth knew he couldn’t fight a enemy he couldn’t see let alone while trying to get dressed. That animal that attacked was relentless. Swinging Daiguren around his side securing his only weaponry for the moment, Aseroth tried to stop himself in front of the truck of the tree. “ Present yourself! Beast or Human, I won’t spare you. Wait, nevermind I may spare you!! “ Aseroth, was indecisive at this point. It could’ve been a human enemy, or the beast that has been chasing him since before. Until he’ve seen the enemy he couldn’t be sure. Right now he’s barely dressed, not fully equipped to fight, probably about to get his rusty butt handed to him. All he could do was wait for the next attack which came from behind the tree he was standing in front of. Smacking Aseroth off to the side was from a slimey, purpled scaled tail. “ Cheap shot.. “ He said, hitting another tree off in the distance. Hissing loudly presented itself this time, Aseroth heard it. Now he knew what he was facing and knew he needed to dash off. “ No.. No.. No… No… “ Saying that as he took off, starting in a sprint. The hissing trailed behind him, Aseroth was bare footed, with only his sword and pants. Darting through the forest in attempt to escape this beast he can’t defeat alone at the moment. The snake that has been chasing him down for 2 months has finally found its prey that has been struggling so hard to capture him. The shade from the trees made it hard to see which way he was running, but he was charging straight for what looked to be light, and it was incoming fast. However the snake was faster, and Aseroth couldn’t defend his back. It flicked its tail forward and smacked Aseroth in the back like a whip. Voices beyond the light could be heard, maybe there was a path there. But Aseroth knew he was going to crash into the point of interest he headed bring along a friend.

Spoiler:

“ Over Yonder, I bring some Wonder~!!! Aghhhhh! “ Aseroth, said. His pants ripping along tree branches, and his back having a large red whip across it. He flew out from the entrance of the forest, or point of entrance. His white hair glistening in the light, and his crimson red eyes sharp as ever at this point in time broke through with the sunshine. He flew out incredible fast and slammed into the bottom of the carriage. Hitting the dirt road, or path beneath. Aseroth, rubbed his head and butt, looking around to notice Diana, two other women, and one male.

“ Miss Corvus… Her Companions? How do you do? Hahaha… “

Word Count: 1,248

Diana would pat Jahan's hand after removing it and Noir signaled to Haku to yield. Jahan nodded slightly taking his hand from Noir's head content with his findings.

"I am Jahanghir Nikator, the wandering Emperor" Jahan proclaimed his self anointed title proudly. He still had the conviction within him that he was the king of legends, chosen by Gremory to lead this world. He was aware there were others like him, but he was convinced he was ultimately "the one".

"K-kou?!" Jahan exclaimed as his face became panicked and confused. The last thing that he remembered was training after having conquered his dungeon. However he was definitely across the world in Reim. Then the red  headed woman would let him know his precise coordinates which was helpful but did nothing to ease his mind.

"How could i have gotten here? When have I gotten here?"  he was anxious and had lost his patience and began hurrying to the edge of the carriage. He swung his legs down yet as his feet would make contact with the ground they would give in, causing him to collapse on the ground.

"owww-" Jahan groaned and opened his eyes, coming eye to eye with a familiar face.

"Oh noo!" his heart fell, swallowed by the abyss. He recognized that face, "Knife." he whispered. Jahan crawled himself over the womans body. He placed her head in his lap, and he began to weep quietly.

His body shook he was weak and vulnerable, emotions began crashing down on him. Though he was still a soldier, he would wipe his face and lay the woman down shutting her eyes. He had completely disregarded the presence of the women at this point. It was his adopted family, Cleo aka "Knife".

They were only but so many years apart but she treated Jahan almost like a father. He was their boss, who had freed them from slavery and given them his name. He clothed them, fed them and taught them how to move and navigate in this world, and they returned his kindness with loyalty.

'Oh what things must have gone on...' Jahan thought to himself now sick to the stomache. He was fine allowing his family to run around the streets of Reim, using his name as they pleased. He was even fine with the "Nikator Clan" antics the young ones had been endorsing. It was wise of them to use his name while he was growing to be a powerful force in Reim, it kept them out of a lot of trouble.

People wouldn't be so fast to pick on his underlings. Especially those orphans who had nobody but him and themselves. He became worried now, and was unable to properly think.  He  removed the  girls bandana which bore his emblem and tied it around his wrist. Knife was beautiful, even with her body having been made cold to the touch. She was never one too flaunt her beauty, the rare richness to her skin; nor the sunkissed highlights of her cheek. The silver orbs which peered into her soul were never appreciated for what they were, and her ice-y hair was always cut and covered.

"I wish I would have told you..." Jahan was at a lost for words, he had never lost someone so close to him. He couldn't find the perfect words.

"You were always hiding yourself. Hiding your nature." Jahan whispered.

"I wish i could have told you to love yourself, and be free. You are so very beautiful, in a way no man could touch." Jahan went silent for a moment, he needed a moment of silence to honor his underboss. He needed another moment to regain composure.

Jahan was still left with a sour taste in his mouth and a burning hate in his belly.

"Whoever did this will burn" he gritted his teeth. He turned his head back to the woman. His face flashed with conviction.

"I have to bury them..."

“ Over Yonder, I bring some Wonder~!!! Aghhhhh! “ Jahan heard this and snapped his head towards the man who came barreling at them. Jahan was not in the mood and wished more than ever his legs would start working.

"Big toe. Big toe." Jahan thought to himself violently as he began humbly wiggling his toe. He had no time to waste anymore, he needed to get a handle on his situation, seek revenge for his allies and return to Reim where he could learn the situation on his organization and even more so the people he had beneath him.

diana corvus

The man introduced himself as some sort of emperor. There was little to doubt his royalty aside from the fact that she was not familiar with his name. “My name is Diana Corvus.” Her introduction was short before he began to panic about his whereabouts. Before she could react, Jahan scurried out of the carriage and his weakened body caused him to collapse. Diana turned to him as he crawled towards one of the slain corpses. A woman. She chose to stay back and allow him to mourn over his companion. Diana gazed into the skies for any sign of Bellona but to no avail. She was most likely still scouting the area. However, the reality that these killers are far gone was setting into her mind. As he turned his head back to them, she could feel his hatred for whomever did this. It was one she was familiar with.

She closed her eyes and crossed her arms, letting out a deep breath. “I will assist you if you would like. Though, I am unfamiliar with the culture of your people. Back home, we simply build pyres and rest coins on the eyes.” A sudden noise attracted her attention to the woodlands as a man practically flew out of them. His face was awfully familiar and it seemed he recognized her. His voice brought together her memories and she became instantly disgusted. Unable to bear looking at the man no longer, she turned to Jahan, resting her hand upon his back. Her tone of voice was low and filled with certainty. “I will not search the bodies of your companions but if you can find anything suspicious, we can locate the ones who did this and you may deal with them.”

Diana turned her attention to an ominous presence in the trees. She jumped towards the beast and unsheathed her sword to slash into it's flesh in an attempt to end it swiftly. “You’re a disgrace to not be able to handle such a foe!” Diana scolded Aseroth as she did this but it was half-hearted. Perhaps it was her own fault for leaving him with someone equally as incompetent.

Noir stepped back after Jahan stopped patting her head, wanting to give the man some space of whatever he wanted to do, although she seemed surprised that his companions were dead, especially the girl named Knife. The rukh began to sway in a different way and the color almost had a slight change, perhaps nobody could see it but she could and the magician only let a sigh escaped her peach colored lips. Her expression didnt change as it only showed an expressionless facade. Perhaps she should leave, she didn’t have any business there anymore and there was no reason for her to stay there. Another showed up from behind though and he was speaking in a weird way, but Noir decided to just leave at the moment. She would pet her beast before climbing on Haku, “I’ll take my leave... Good day.” She said to the others before she talked to her beast, “Let’s go, Haku.”

[EXIT]

Aseroth rubbed his neck. Kissing his teeth, and grinning. Not one for all smiles in the group of people that stood around the knocked over carriage. “ [color:212b=00ffff] Seems like I’ve come at the wrong time… pardon me. “ Taking a closer look nothing seemed out of the blue. Aseroth shrugged at the site of the dead bodies, he not really understanding why they were around. Even going forgetting about the snake that has been stalking him for the two month period of his ‘training’. Diana seemed disappointed, maybe he didn’t meet her expectations. Who’s to blame, Nahvi? Most likely… or even Diana, herself. Aseroth wasn’t too much of keeping his book smarts, but he could assert his situations when it came to ‘fighting’ not ‘taming’. Getting side tracked with this simple elongated rant of words, Aseroth stood to notice Diana moving overhead, and with a swift slash from her sword, a snake came tumbling beneath her. It rolled with its head served and blood staining the dirt and the hill side he came from.

“ A disgrace? That’s really funny, Diana. Considering being left with Nahvi… I don’t even know where she is. “ Aseroth said as he’d awkwardly chuckle rubbing his head still. Looking over to the man in sorrow, than to the woman next to a goat? “ Uh… Diana, who’s your friends, Cry baby? And Goat Woman? No offence. Just first impressions in my mind.  “ Aseroth, said. Wondering how’d they replied to how he spoke them.

Jahan sucked his teeth at Aseroth. He was not in the mood, nothing had made any real sense to him in the last few minutes. Sine he regain his consciousness he was questioning everything. He didn't even know if he was in the mortal world not long ago. Then his family had died, and he didn't even know the situation. He was surrounded by strangers and some idiots come crashing out of the blue making jokes. Jahan being in a vulnerable mind set began to act more instinctively.

Jahans body tensed and his magoi revved like an engine. An ominous high pitch ring began to resonate, and the air pressure started to build up rapidly. Creating a breeze able to sway trees. He was charging his technique, "Black Heaven and Earth:Gathering of the Heavenly Gods". His sheer pride and conviction taking control of his instincts.

"You Dare disgrace my ears? Dishonor my dead?"

Jahan had stopped really thinking, he was aggravated and he needed to let off some steam, he felt a bit anxious from not being very aware of situation and surroundings. However some things would never change, and he fell back on those feelings.

"Take my emotions lightly again, and will weigh my wrath in one blow." Jahan raised his fist the ringing sound reaching a peak. Jahan was ready to prove his dominance and position. For him, what king would allow the mourning of his soldiers be trivialized? "I will take him in one go" Jahan thought to himself ready to maime him. Jahan couldn't see the immaturity in his behavior with it being so radical and sudden, and if he could he wouldnt care either. In this instance only time and Jahanghir's energy mattered.

diana corvus

The snake fell quickly with a subtle taste of her blade. She slashed her sword through the air to free it from the blood that clung to the tempered metal. Diana dug her slender fingers into the flesh of the fallen beast, using her sword to cut a large portion off of it and tossing it to the side. She shook her blade again before setting it back into her sheathe. “There is food right here. Snake is a good enough for him. A delicacy if prepared correctly.” Her mind trailed off into thoughts about what herbs were located in the area. There was nothing that she could see from a quick glance but perhaps the girl would know. Her gaze wandered over towards Aseroth. “Do not blame me on the failure of others.”

Just as she stepped forwards toward him, she felt a sudden pressure begin to fill the air. Her eyes scanned her surroundings for the source; only to see Jahangir with a different face than the one he had before. His demeanor completely changed from the kind, frail emperor he was before. There was a faint ringing that raised even higher as he lifted his hand. Irritated by the nuisance flowing through her ears, she stormed over to him. She lifted his head up so she could get a better look at his face. Her eyes gazed into his own and she made a connection with him for a moment. She wanted to sift through his soul and see into his heart.

There was something about him that connected with her like few others had before. It was rare to find one of her kind here. Despite her red locks and crimson eyes, the other woman was not of her own. She saw something else within his eyes. A strength that was dulled by his slumber yet still resided in his body. “There is no need to waste your time on those weaker than you. If you are truly the emperor you claim to be, it would be wise to save your strength for more worthy opponents than he who grovels before snakes.” She gently released his face, gliding her fingers off of his chin and turning back to forest.

“I will prepare something for us to eat. Then, we may begin the funeral and hunt for the killers of your comrades.” Diana looked up into the sky to tell the time. It was still high, roughly around noon. “Jingyi, was it? Do you know if there are any edible herbs around?” Diana began finding small, dead trees and snapping them into firewood. “If you could, gather some of that and some kindling, if you will.” Just in time, Bellona had come back. Her talons grasped gently around Diana’s shoulder. The large bird looked quite silly on top of her handlers shoulder but she ceased to budge. “Nothing, huh?” Diana grimaced at the lack of response from her companion. “Unfortunately, the emperor will eat like a peasant tonight.” Diana mumbled this to herself, chuckling under her breath. The vulture cooed as if to laugh herself.

Aseroth, connected his eyes to with Jahan for a brief moment. ‘ Should I have really called him a cry baby? ‘ Trying to look around and adjust to the situation, but his small comments probably didn’t help him. Small comments from his mentor was something he brushed off. Aseroth, had his own right to blame someone and as of right now he thought of Diana or Nahvi to be in the right to blame for leaving him with a half empty pot of information. Let alone, Nahvi couldn’t do much by herself it seemed. ‘ Tsk.. If only they would’ve finish teaching me how to tame animals I’ve had gotten that snake as a pet… ‘ Aseroth, also thought to himself. He knew he could’ve easily killed the beast. One punch was all it took, but he didn’t because he wanted it. However he couldn’t have it as he knew naught how to properly tame it so running along in the mountains became his everyday things.

As of right now a ringing entered his ears as he was slightly getting annoyed. Aside from the pain in his back, and ribs. Words alone stung him. The ringing didn’t even come through his mind anymore unlike him repeating what Diana said. ‘ There is no need to waste your time on those weaker than you. If you are truly the emperor you claim to be, it would be wise to save your strength for more worthy opponents than he who grovels before snakes. ‘ Kept playing back through his ears above the ringing.

Not going to say much on it, and not going to act upon it. He would actually want to show he hadn’t become weaker. It’s useless to be out in the mountains and not obtain anything from being there in the first place. Folding his arms in thought, and dropping to his bottom on the ground, Aseroth watched as Diana called out orders.

“ So, cry baby… what’s your actual name, I’d like to formally address you. Could you by the way stop this frickin’ ringing, unless it isn't you? “ Both his eyes closed for the moment as he sat, but on instinct he opened his left eye to see what the man by Diana said.

Jahan held his stance firm, unyielding at the fist he was convinced he should smite the boy in defense of his honor. However his body tensed at the presence of Diana approaching him in his peripheal. The woman embraced the Emperor’s face, peering into his soul; she stunned him for a silver second. Jahans rare heliotrope portals reflected back to Diana, and as if he resonated with her energy he had calmed.

Jahans adrenaline settled, his muscles relaxed, and he exhaled. She had brought grace to the Emperor.  Jahan shook his head dropping his arm and stance, “Black Heaven & Earth” dissapated into particles as he cancelled the technique out.

“I have considered it” Jahan replied to Diana. He had been won over by the woman but still he would be agitated at Aseroths griping. The boy simply was not well with words, at least not in Jahan’s perspective.

“Shut. Up.” Jahan commanded slyly, he could sense Aseroth probing at his patience. Though he was well used to people over his life time, and he would simply jest back.

“You aren’t that bright huh?” Jahan asked applying a hint of sincerity in his tone.

“Oh!” Jahan mockingly exclaimed

“Forgive me. Plebeians aren’t always in the luxury of an education. You see there is a way to address a lord boy” Jahan jabbed at Aseroth’s intelligence with a mask of sincerity.  He quickly scanned the boys figure, taking in any information he could.

“I am Jahanghir Nikator the once slumbering emperor. You may call me your Grace, or Majesty. Or better his Eminence."

“Though I see great potential in you. “ Jahan complimented, “ You could possibly clean after my horses.”

Jahan got up and Began gathering his comrades bodies, stripping them of gold and belongings they would no longer be needing. He placed them within his carriage, and upon each of their eyes he left a golden coin. Jahan stared the carriage down for a moment, with memories of his comrade flashing through his mind. He was wondering what had happened to everyone. Jahan gathered his emotions, and he set fire to the carriage. Jahan was not a very religious man but he felt that he needed prayer for them. IF anything just in case. With that he closed his eyes for a moment  allowing the carriages flames to plume, sending trails of smoke and spirits to the Rukh.