The Mana-Verse

[Blue Valkyrie]

((Well merging with the source of creation is kind of a typical RPG trope in my defense! Also the Cheval will return!  ))

"R-right." She nodded looking heartbroken for many reasons at once.

[Phi]

Pema shook her head loosely, "No... we lost. There's no way we can beat someone that powerful, right? I mean, how can we..."

Salem floated from her grip, "That's enough. I know you're hurt and distraught, but you can't think like this. What happened to the Pema who always looked on the bright side?"

She stayed silent, glancing at her hands.

[Sakura Leic]

"Yeah....we're not running away.....not by a long shot." Sakura nodded. "There's still things we can do."

"Those fiends.....someday my hammer will be soaked in their blood." Riagan said as he gripped his hammer.

"What about your Axes?" Sakura asked.

"So too shall they." Riagan replied.

"Good answer." Sakura nodded.

Calien approach Fxeni as he stared at the vehicle in curiousity.

"Fxeni forgive my complete ignorance of such things but where in the world did you learn how to pilot such a thing?" Calien asked.

Pema shook her head loosely, "No... we lost. There's no way we can beat someone that powerful, right? I mean, how can we..."

Salem floated from her grip, "That's enough. I know you're hurt and distraught, but you can't think like this. What happened to the Pema who always looked on the bright side?"

She stayed silent, glancing at her hands.

"Pema....we haven't lost....there's a way we can beat them." Sakura told her.

[Blue Valkyrie]

Meanwhile back on the tower Mar opens his palm as if to attack the airship but stops.

"M-Master whats wrong?" Mask Master says stepping forward slightly.

"We will let them go for now--they will seek the omni-gem shards, for if they don't this world will sink into chaos. And when they have restored it I will kill the last guardian and take my place as the new god of my Arcadia." Mar turns to face Albertus.

"Master this is Albertus, I would not have freed you so soon if not for his assistance." Mask Master says calmly.

"I see--you wish to join us? You wish to see my new world?" Mar crosses his arms awaiting a response.

[Fxeni]

"Most magitech vehicles follow the same basic design theories, although there's always some variations," Fxeni replied to Calian. "Although I've already flown one of these once before... about 5 years ago."

With that statement, his gaze drifts off to the side. Giant plumes of smoke arose out of the city from the fires that were lit by the Flare spell. He sighs disappointingly as his gaze turns forward anew.

[Sakura Leic]

"I see....." Calien nodded "I assume....that my assumption that Skull Cove was your home was correct?"

(Yeah he was guessing the same thing Sakura was.)

[Blue Valkyrie]

((Wait Phi didn't Xehenort just want the knowledge in Kingdom Hearts, and to see what the true light was? Mar just wants to become a god. ))

[Fxeni]

"Yes... Aldia was my home. I had hoped to free it, but now it lies in ruins," Fxeni said a bit grimly. He shuffled in place a bit as he piloted. "It stopped being my home though, once I escaped. Being back there didn't rekindle any good memories, only the bad ones. Maybe some day it'll go back to the way it was... but for now, we have more pressing matters."

[Blue Valkyrie]

((A lot of people likely died but the town is still there thankfully))

[Phi]

"Do you really think so?" Pema sighed, leaning against the wall of the airship, "I'll try then... I'll try to have faith."

Salem went stagnant, not accustomed to seeing her in this state.

"... I need to get stronger. The training at my hometown isn't enough," She stated suddenly.

"Yeah, you may be right," He agreed, "The Runemasters, while very powerful, have a singular focus in regards to their fighting methods. They're not one to break from tradition, that much is certain. You may need to think "outside of the box", so to speak. Versatility of the mind and body. Undergo training with fighting styles foreign from the one you've grown into."

A spark flashed through Pema's eyes; the first burst of energy she's felt since her injury, "Yeah, a new trainer... but who could help me?"

((Wait Phi didn't Xehenort just want the knowledge in Kingdom Hearts, and to see what the true light was? Mar just wants to become a god. ))

(Nope, he wants to gather 7 of light and 13 of darkness; 7 Keyblade wielders and 13 Xehanorts. By doing this, he hopes to summon Kingdom Hearts to merge with it.

... Yes, the story can get confusing, more often than not. )

[Sakura Leic]

"Indeed." Calien nodded as he could understand his pain "We need to come up with a plan of action.  I won't.....won't let the worst outcome possible happen.....I just can't......"

"<We can't let this world become like the Dark World......or Lorule......>" Calien thought.

((A lot of people likely died but the town is still there thankfully))

(Guess some didn't run for the hills......)

"Do you really think so?" Pema sighed, leaning against the wall of the airship, "I'll try then... I'll try to have faith."

Salem went stagnant, not accustomed to seeing her in this state.

"... I need to get stronger. The training at my hometown isn't enough," She stated suddenly.

"Yeah, you may be right," He agreed, "The Runemasters, while very powerful, have a singular focus in regards to their fighting methods. They're not one to break from tradition, that much is certain. You may need to think "outside of the box", so to speak. Versatility of the mind and body. Undergo training with fighting styles foreign from the one you've grown into."

A spark flashed through Pema's eyes; the first burst of energy she's felt since her injury, "Yeah, a new trainer... but who could help me?"

(Nope, he wants to gather 7 of light and 13 of darkness; 7 Keyblade wielders and 13 Xehanorts. By doing this, he hopes to summon Kingdom Hearts to merge with it.

... Yes, the story can get confusing, more often than not. )

"That's the Pema I know." Sakura smiled "But a new teacher....hmmmm what exactly are Runemasters in the first place though.....I just realized I never asked."

[Blue Valkyrie]

((Guess that was in Dream Drop Distance? Haven't beaten that yet, I only know his plan from Birth By Sleep so I'm innocent!   ))

Aya silently slips away and finds a room and sits on the bed hiding her head between her arms she is no longer able to be strong, but was unwilling to show weakness to the others. Her thoughts on her failed duty and brother.

"I-I failed---again."

[Fxeni]

"I'm sure we can learn from each other Pema. I've been told that my fighting style with spells is a bit... unique... compared to the usual ways to handle magick" Fxeni offered, tilting his head slightly as he spoke.

[Quickman]

The Professor finally took the opportunity to calm down.  With the party settled and the air clear, he looked absolutely terrible.  His robe was torn and spotted with blood, his face was still bruised, his neck was bruised from strangulation, and his hands were blackened and bloody.  He smelled strongly of blood, charred flesh, and the stinging powders that he used.

Heaving a sigh, he retired to below-decks and went on a search for supplies.  As he limped the hall, he heard Aya's voice in one of the berths and slowly opened the hatch. "Aya?  Are you all right?"

[Sakura Leic]

"My fighting style is actually quite unique for my people's standard.....hell it's unique for my home's standards." Calien stated "My people typically are similar to what you call Ninjas from a weapons stand point while everyone else used spears, bows and arrows, the occasionally hammer and a whole mess of magical items and spells.

I'm the only person I know in my homeland who uses an Axe for fighting." Calien stated as he looked at his Chain Sickle "Though....I think I need to change something myself....I don't think I can use this effectively against my foes."

(Not including monsters as far as I remember.)

[Blue Valkyrie]

Aya sniffs "P-please I want to be alone--" She says weakly.

[Quickman]

The Professor didn't go in, but he didn't leave, either.  Instead, he slid to a seat on the floor outside the room, with his back against the bulkhead.  "Sometimes... sometimes one shouldn't keep things bottled inside...  I'll, I'll respect your wishes, but, but, but... if you need to talk... I'll be here."

[Blue Valkyrie]

Aya is quiet for a good while before she opens the curtain to speak to him face to face. "I remember everything Professor." She says with sad eyes.

[Quickman]

The Professor stood. "It's not your fault.  Alberta violated you.  Violated your m-mind.  You were a prisoner, a prisoner in your own mind."

He followed Aya into the berth which afforded them more privacy, rather than standing awkwardly out in the hall.

[Phi]

"That's the Pema I know." Sakura smiled "But a new teacher....hmmmm what exactly are Runemasters in the first place though.....I just realized I never asked."

Pema tapped a finger against her cheek, "Well, I don't know a great deal about them, but I know enough. There's a guild in my town called "Runemasters." They're divided into three classes: Exploration, Knight and Head. The Head Runemasters are mostly old people, though, and sometimes they smell kinda funny. They're super strict, too!

Exploration deals with escort assignments, which are reeeeally boring. But it can get exciting, too. We hunt down animals and gather food for our town, and harvest tasty fruits and veggies. Sometimes, there's monsters where we go, so they train us real well to defend ourselves.

Knights are sort of like, umm... well, they're like really cool warrior bodyguards, and handle the super dangerous assignments like exploring a cave or mountain to kill enormous beasts.

According to Daddy, Runemasters have been around for thousands of years, and their traditions have barely changed. But Mommy is actually the person who wanted me to become a Runemaster, while Dad wasn't very comfortable with that idea. She saw how much energy I had and wanted me to put it to good use. To help others. Daddy said that I was too young to become a Runemaster, but she never changed her mind. Mom inspired me and I agreed to use this power to help protect my people."

Pema idly fiddled with the ear flaps on her hat, "The Runemasters used to be all men, and it wasn't until recently that they allowed females to join. So, I guess that's one part of their tradition that changed over the years."

(BTW I was kinda waiting for Fxeni to chime in on training Pema, since he wanted to.)

[Blue Valkyrie]

Aya bites her lip. "I remember everything before I was put to sleep by Reva I mean." Aya says clearly trying to avoid dwelling on that ordeal.

[Fxeni]

(I did chime in Phi! But just to add on:)

"Ah, Runemasters... I've heard about them, but that's about it. I'm guessing you were part of the Exploration class?" Fxeni asked Pema.

[Phi]

(Didn't see that. Everyone ninja'd me to death.)

"I'm sure we can learn from each other Pema. I've been told that my fighting style with spells is a bit... unique... compared to the usual ways to handle magick" Fxeni offered, tilting his head slightly as he spoke.

Pema smiled, "Really? Then yeah, I'd love to be with you- I mean train! T-Train with you!" She scratched her head, her face turned away from him, "I look forward to it, Mr. Fxeni!"

(I did chime in Phi! But just to add on:)

"Ah, Runemasters... I've heard about them, but that's about it. I'm guessing you were part of the Exploration class?" Fxeni asked Pema.

"Mm-hm! Though, one of the Head Runemasters said that he saw "unique potential" in me, and I could become one of the youngest Knights if I trained harder," She explained.

[Quickman]

Aya bites her lip. "I remember everything before I was put to sleep by Reva I mean." Aya says clearly trying to avoid dwelling on that ordeal.

The Professor nodded again.  "What... what happened?  Why were you put to sleep?"

He found a chair and sat, unshouldering his bag and setting it on the floor.  His legs hurt and he wanted to get off his feet for a while.  At some point, he surmised that he should treat his wounds, particularly the burns, but they didn't hurt, so he ignored them.

[Sakura Leic]

"Interesting." Sakura nodded "I don't think my Father's race is as strict as these Runemasters but they do sound similar in some ways.

Most of them have similar jobs, being body guards to important people and soldiers that fight in the Shadows. 

However they are also renouned historians and keepers of lores, inventors and researchers of strange things, and also very good care takers."

"Also most of the more important members of our Race are Women believe it or not.  Though they never discriminate others based on that though, I never really felt I was being belitted or anything from others of my race whenever I ran into them....once in a blue moon I have to add since I rarely ran into others outside my family." Calien continued.

"Yeah....my father's race is really spread thin to be honest, very rare and people aparently keep getting surprised that we're still around." Sakura titled her head.

"You have no idea how annoying it is to keep hearing people act surprised when they find out we're still around......." Calein sighed "Though it is an unusual advantage since we act in the Shadows."