RPG Citius Altius Fortius [M-VSL]

[Lazarus]

Alex was taking his trial. Lazarus had turned from the door as soon as he entered. He'd stuck around long enough to push the boy into the test. All it had taken was a single word.

"Come, Mister McCloud. It is your time."

Lazarus followed the magister wordlessly to another chamber. "The others are occupied?"

The magister nodded.

The door stood, an unassuming white portal that led to a room that was without definition. The contents of the room truly lay within the student, without the academy, everywhere but where the room stood. This was the secret of the Trials. The students would be empowered, their weaknesses burned away, their strengths hardened and cast in the crucible of these rooms.

Lazarus vanished within, to a place that was timeless.

The door swung shut of it's own accord.

[center]---[i]Within the Trial Chamber[/i]---[/center]

An empty, formless blackness. In the distance, a light, soft, quiet, unassuming. This light had burned for years, and would burn for many more. Lazarus understood the symbolism. The flame was the representation of himself, of his life.

Standing over the flame, warming his hands, was Arreleis Mox.

Lazarus shook his head. "I knew I'd never be rid of you."

Mox smiled, a wan, tired thing. "Of course. Let your trial begin."

"It already has." Lazarus pointed out. Each of his friends sat around the flame, warming their hands. One by one, they turned and smiled, greeting Lazarus before turning back to their own conversations. Lazarus stepped up to Alex and calmly slashed his throat with a razored card. The boy crumpled like a ragdoll, his eyes and lips still smiling as blood poured from the sucking gash in his trachea. His voice became an unintelligible gurgle.

[i]Ayame...Kyosuke...Rinoa...Blaize...Carrot...[/i] Each name crossed his mind, and their faces looked to him expectantly as he knelt in front of them.

He did not disappoint.

One by one, Lazarus disposed of those he would call his friends. When he was done, he stood by the flame in the center, and took a moment to warm his hands.

Then he leaned forward and drank deeply of the liquid fire.

When he withdrew, the flame was gone. Lazarus' body burned brightly, illuminated from within. The blackness about seemed stronger, more cloying somehow. He turned to Mox.

"Fulfill your final task, Arreleis."

The specter nodded, and stepped forward, passing into the glowing teenager, and becoming absorbed into him. Lazarus was shrouded in darkness.

All was still.

The darkness pulsed, then burst, revealing Lazarus standing garbed in a midnight cloak and hood. His features were obscured. He stepped towards the basin that had held the brilliant flame of his life, and exhaled slowly, breathing outward from deep within. A formless [i]something[/i] slithered across the distance between him and the basin, somehow darker than the blackness around, and slid noiselessly into the basin.

An ebony blaze sprung into being.

It's fel light failed to piece the hood of shadows that veiled the young sorcerer. It did however illuminate two crimson eyes, slanted just so as to give off a feeling of penultimate evil.

Lazarus turned and walked from the room.

His boots crunched on eleven sets of bones as he did so.

[ArgentEagle]

James and Bob strolled into their arena with confidence. Well? It was James walking with his knees shaking, and sweat poring down his head, with Bob riding comfortably on his shoulder. The first thing that James noticed was that the room was almost pitch black with only the light from the door that he had entered from. James sighed he knew what was coming up next, it was so cliché. As he thought the door that he had entered close right before him. Effectively taking out all the remaining light in the room.

?Know what will happen next Bob??

?Want to make a bet??

?I bet that a pair of glowing eyes, will appear and the battle shall start.?

?Damn, I wanted to say that. Well I bet it has terrible breath, drool hanging from it?s mouth, and a lot of sharp claws that can cause us lots, and lots of pain??

?Yep.?

Just as the duo had predicted a pair of red glowing eyes appeared some where above them. With a crash it landed. Suddenly the room was filled with light. Drool hanging from it?s fangs. It charged.

?DAMN! IT?S A UGLY ONE!? James shouted as the creature used it?s right claw to make a horizontal sweep at him. James was thrown to the side, but was relatively unhurt due to the use of the lance as a blocker.

?Bob! What should we do!? Looking around frantically for his little friend he looked toward the approaching beast. Nice ugly dragon thingy he said as he held the lance in his ready to strike position. Something was moving on it?s head. A sickening realization hit James full force when he realized what had happened. Bob had jumped onto the monster when it attacked them.

The little golem was hanging on to the monster?s head. He wouldn?t, no he couldn?t loose his grip. Jumping down upon the monster?s snout the little golem shoved his fist into the monster?s eye. James blanched at what his little buddy had just done, but was a little proud. That was until the saw the monster swipe the little golem away. He watched as the body of his newfound buddy was slammed into a wall. A new found source of determination washed over the boy. Picking up his lance he charged forward. The spear broke through the dragon?s tough hide and a stream of blue blood squirted over James? face. It swiped at James, once again throwing the poor boy into another wall, making him dry cough. Shaking his head clear he screamed in pain as the dragon slammed his foot into James? chest. James could only look on as the monster ripped out the lance and broke it in to two. Then letting out a roar it bit down on his left shoulder. It was shaking it?s head as if it were trying to rip a hunk out of him, which it probably was. Reaching out it?s hand for something it came to the lance?s broken spear head. Taking it into his hand he rammed it into the creature?s skull effectively killing it out right.

He picked himself up as he headed over to where his golem lay, motionless. Nudging it with his foot, he told him to get up, which even though it took him a minute he did. Bob expressed concern at his master?s bloody shoulder, and even though he was dizzy from blood loss he picked Bob up and placed him onto his uninjured shoulder. Hearing door open he looked and saw his teacher, the same one who taught him summoning.

?Looks like you passed James.? He said with relief visible on his face.

James staggered over to him, and with a smile he said, ?Good, cause you?re paying to get my lance fixed, it?s kinda pointless to fight with a broken one. Get it pointless, broken spear.? And with a final laugh he passed out onto the floor with a smile on his face. Looks like he wasn?t worthless after all, but damn, it hurt like hell to find out this way.

OoC: [URL=http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/SleepyNin/dragon.jpg]Monster/Dragon thingy[/URL] Yeah, that's what it looks like. It was a simple fight, cause well... Stab almost anything in the head and it'll go down.

[Doublehex]

[b][center][url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=741603&postcount=11][-Alex-][/url][/center][/b]

?I?m?not?done?yet?? Alex noted confidently between pants of bloody breaths. Whenever he talked, a trail of blood and spit would trail from his mouth. Sweat dripped down his cheeks, and dark blood stained his clothes. Even though it felt like his spine was being ripped apart, Alex refused to slouch even an inch. He was not going to show any sign of weakness, not even in a mere test. He was going to prove to himself that he could succeed at something, even if it killed him! And at the way things were going, that seemed like a very likely possibility.

?Your resolve is admirable, Alex.? Marthrim bowed slightly. ?But is death worth the price? To lose your one spark of life??

Alex chuckled. ?I want to be?a somebody?I want to be a something?.right now, I am a nothing, a weak minded idiot who can?t do anything! I?have to do this?even if I die now! I have to win! There?s no other choice! I?ll probably die, but I have to win?I can?t fail again??

Marthrim drew one of his hand blades. ?Death before dishonor! One final charge, Risk Breaker. One last attempt at valor.? With that, the two charged right towards each other, and they swiped into their targets at the same time.

For a few, sacred moments, time froze.

Then, Marthrim coughed up some blood. ?You did well. Not even the Lionhearts predicted such ferocity from you?sephirothum. Keep your honor?but keep your lineage even closer.? With that, Marthrim, and the whole of the Proud Lands, vanished like dust into the wind. Alex once again found himself in the Academy. His wounds were healed ? they were just a fragment of his imagination.

?Well done, Alexander Glesen?, came a Seeker?s voice over the intercom.

Alex muttered only one thing: sephirothum.

[TheResplendent]

[center][color=darkred]Kyosuke's Trial: The prodigy faced with a decision[/color]
- - - - - - - -[/center]

[color=navy][size=1]Kyosuke walked into the main room which contained the giant double doors that would lead to his trial. Kyosuke focused on everything he trained in the past 4 years specifically in preparation for there trials as well as the final exam. He wondered what would await him inside, not a fan of being hesitant Kyosuke walked up to the doors, and pushed them open.

A bright light consumed him as he walked in, but as the doors closed behind him the room went completely dark. Kyosuke looked around him but saw only black. He took a few steps forward and still staring straight was like staring into a starless night sky. Kyosuke became doubtful that he was to be truely challenged, but kept his hands on his chakram so he would not be taken by surprise.

Kyosuke spent minutes just wandering with nothing happening, he was very patient, but grew bored easily. Finally, from the darkness came a voice that addressed him.

[b]"So, you've made it."[/b] the voice said. Kyosuke stopped in his tracks and pulled his chakram off of his back. He looked around for some signs of light or anything that may help figure out where the voice came from.

[b]"This is your will...is it not? Once you pass this trial, surely you intend to pass the final exam...then you will become a risk breaker. Is this...how you wish to create your own legacy?"[/b] the voice said again. Kyosuke narrowed his eyes, and felt a faintly familiar tone to the voice. Faintly familiar began to evolve into familiar.

[b]"Theres no way..."[/b] Kyosuke said to himself, still looking around him.

[b]"Is this your way of upholding the Orias family name? Or is this simply your narcissistic way of fortifying a perfect balance?"[/b] the voice continued.

[b]"Perfect balance...what are you talking about? Where are you?"[/b] Kyosuke said again, not able to shake off the feeling that he knows the voice well by it's sound.

[b]"You are so self-absorbed. Eversince you joined the academy you looked down on everyone else secretly, and outwardly to many others. Is it their fault they lack your natural inclinations? You were smart enough to realize what it took to mature the balance...even the shadow that reflects the opposition your self. Your mind has an incredible capacity Kyosuke...but what is your purpose here!?"[/b]

Kyosuke grew slightly annoyed as he pulled his summoning magi out and called out his faithful spirit.

[b]"Fenghuang! Come forth!"[/b] Kyosuke yelled, as the massive spirit of his Fenghuang bird eminated from the magi and took form before his eyes. It's wingspan was nearly triple that of a normal Fenghuang, as it served for adequate travel it also served well for what Kyosuke had called him out for.

[b]"Fenghuang, illuminate this room with your blue fire!"[/b] Kyosuke commanded, as the Spirit of Fenghuang obliged. The room lightened only in the general vicinty of the bird, still nothing could be seen as if the room were actually empty.

[b]"You still refuse to answer me? Are you that confident? More like it, are you that egocentric!? You believe you are prepared for this step? The balance in your mind of being able to Think and Feel, or for Sensation and Intuition...or the solidified image you have of your self...you consider yourself special because of it? You believe yourself to have transcended what it means to have a generic human mentality. Is this where you draw your motivation and power from? Is this why you think your good enough to become a risk breaker!?"[/b] the voice said again, becoming more aggresive now.

[b]"Transcended!? You know nothing of me...how dare you claim me to be that ignorant."[/b] Kyosuke said now getting even more annoyed. [b]"I will become a risk breaker to fulfill my own legacy, this is true! But it isn't because of delusion nor is it because of my unsatisfactory sense of distinction or even a misplaced sense supremacy! It's because it's what i've worked so hard for years to be, I will not only engrave the name of Orias into the pages of history, but the name of KYOSUKE Orias."[/b]

[b]"Then you feel you are ready...based on your physical and magical capabilities do you think yourself to be capable?"[/b] the voice asked.

[b]"Of course. I have mastered what needed to be mastered and I have become quite proficient at all of it! But contrary to what you may think, it will not be my cane of dependence."[/b] Kyosuke answered with a stern and confident tone.

[b]"Then, you are also ready mentally and emotionally? You truly know what it means to be a risk breaker!?"[/b]

[b]"Yes. Now cease this unproductive game and show yourself if you are to be my opponent!"[/b] Kyosuke demanded.

[b]"Hmph, very well...show me the truth and value of your resolution, prodigy!"[/b]

At that, the lights in the room came on, temporarily blinding Kyosuke who had gotten used to the darkness for the past 10 minutes. He looked around and saw what seemed to be a fusion of a library and a courtyard. The outdoor nature seemed amazing real, though Kyosuke couldn't understand how it could be. Wasn't he still inside? Is it all just an illusion? He looked again and saw a desk on a balcony hanging off the library shelves. He saw a figure standing there, as he closed a book and turned his glance downward toward Kyosuke. Kyosuke's eyes broadened as the figure came into focus for him, he stood speechless realizing now that his suspicions were true...but...It couldn't really be him, could it?

[b]"Kyosuke...your failure here will end in your death! You have made your decision, now prove that you deserve to have your name in the pages of history!"[/b] the figure said to him.

[b]"F...father? This...this must be another illusion...why would you be here? Such childish tricks, i wonder how many of the other's have been faced with such unimpressive illusions!"[/b] Kyosuke yelled up, doubting the image of his father before him.

Before he could say anything else though, he heard the clanging of chains and the shuffling of two people coming from behind him. He turned his head to notice Sakura and Ayame chained and muzzled to 2 platforms on an island only about 3 feet or so away from the main landmass Kyosuke was standing on. He looked at them both and felt a tension, but got a hold of himself and turned to the image of his father.

[b]"M...more illusions! Do you think you can fool me with those? You don't know who I am do you?"[/b] Kyosuke yelled, feeling insulted. He took one step forward, but the man who appeared to be Vidale Orias tosses forward two things landing infront of Kyosuke. He looked down at both of them and felt a strong sinking feeling in his stomach.

[b]"You....but....this is a trial...this is MY trial? It can't....be them, can it?"[/b] Kyosuke said to himself as he picked up the silver [URL=http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/2889/heartpendantuo6.jpg]heart pendant[/URL] that Sakura always held on herself. It was her secret keepsake that she hardly let anybody see. The other object was Ayame's bracelet that was also the instrument for summoning Daiya. He held them in his hand, they were real...they couldn't be illusions...but if they weren't illusions...did that mean that the Sakura and Ayame tied up were also not illusions?

[b]"Kyosuke...listen to me. Yes, this is your trial...but you have to realize something. Argo Arx Arcanum is only interested in the absolute best. Kyosuke everything i said about you is true, you are special, you are a prodigy, you will be a great addition to this academy's Risk Breakers. These two before you are weak and insignificant to the academy."[/b]

[b]"Thats not true!"[/b] Kyosuke yelled.

[b]"My son! You knew this when you enrolled...you knew that you were of great interest to the academy...you will make a fine addition to the Orias family name by becoming a risk breaker...i merely had to hear it from your mouth my son."[/b]

[b]"Is this what the academy is really about? Discarding people THEY feel aren't worth anything!? In exchange for the services of those like myself, or according to YOU atleast!? You can't possibly expect me to kill them do you?"[/b]

[b]"No, of course not Kyosuke. Your true trial begins here...If you wish for all of this to end, save your friends and become a risk breaker you must do as I say. Your cross...take it in your hand."[/b]

Kyosuke looked at his cross, he now knew what all the inscriptions were...but was he to find out the purpose now? He took the cross, as his father extended his hand and channeled his energy into it.

[b]"What...what are you doing!?"[/b] Kyosuke yelled as the cross began to glow. The cross broke away from his neck and shone a light brighter than the one that first shone when he entered the room. Soon, before him a massive monster had taken form...no...not just any monster. Kyosuke recognized it...his father had done so much research on it...it was a chimerageist! Kyosuke's eyed broadened again at the amazing sight of a real Chimerageist.

[b]"Kyosuke! This is your trial! Kill this chimerageist and you will pass, but on the other hand if you do, Your friends there will die. If you wish to free your friends rather then fight, you will fail this trial!"[/b] his father said, pointing toward the island. Kyosuke turned and saw that the platforms were only supported by a single chain. His father motioned that he would shatter the chain with his magic.

[b]"What!? How could you make me do this!? I can't...What kind of decision is that!?"[/b] Kyosuke yelled.

[b]"Risk Breakers accomplish their task no matter what! I told you! You are the academy's choice! Do NOT disgrace our name now Kyosuke! Make me proud and begin your own legacy like you've always dreamed!"[/b]

Kyosuke looked up at the Chimerageist...he couldn't believe what he was being forced to do. Was this really his trial? What must he decide...could he kill his friends? Of course not...but could he stand to fail now...what would everyone think of him or the Orias name if he was the only one not to become a risk breaker? Kyosuke's mind sunk into itself as he thought deeply a way out of this.

[/color][/size]

[Sakura]

[CENTER][B]Sakura's Trial[/B][/CENTER]

[COLOR=Navy][SIZE=1]Sakura breathed deeply as she stood centimetres from the heavy iron doors that held her fate. She nervously reached up to her neck, feeling comfort at the coolness she felt as she touched the silver pendant there. She glanced to Instructor Cavalier who looked as neutral as he always did.

Sakura closed her eyes, focussing her thoughts on steeling herself for whatever it was she would see. The chambers picked up on their greatest fears and weaknesses, trying to use them against the participants. She knew she had to pass this, because she knew Kyosuke would, and she had promised him that she'd make it, she always kept her promises to people, especially Kyo.

[B]"I'm ready."[/B] she whispered, hoping deep inside that she truly [I]was[/I] ready.

Her instructor nodded and she placed a hand on the cold iron, it sent a chill through her body because it was radiating power. She took one last deep breath before shoving her weight against the door, once it got going, the door swung easily, admitting her entrance. Sakura walked into the darkness, only noticing that the door had gradually closed behind her when she fell into utter darkness.

There was silence in the room for what felt like forever as Sakura clenched and unclenched her fists. Darkness didn't scare her at all, but it was the thought that something was lurking and at any time could strike out and kill her without her being able to defend herself. Trying to calm her nerves, Sakura drew her gunblade and held it in front of her, slowly turning herself, keeping her ears open for any type of sound. She heard several breathing sounds that weren't hers.

[B]"Who's there?"[/B] she shouted into the darkness.

Cold laughter was her only reply, and the sound alone chilled her to the bone, she knew who that was...

Suddenly the room flooded with light, and she wasn't indoors anymore so it seemed. Her surrounding was now an open field, there was nothing in sight, green surrounded her. Sakura swallowed as she saw the source of laughter in front of her, a cruel grin on her face. A vision of beauty she was, with long purlish hair like Sakura's and violet eyes. She wore a crimson dress that billowed freely with the wind.

[B]"Mother..."[/B] she frowned, she hated her with the greatest of passions.

[B]"Ah, I'm so glad you haven't forgotten me."[/B] she smiled.

[B]"I wish I could, more than anything."[/B]

[B]"Tsk, now now, don't be like that."[/B] her mother pouted.

Sakura's grip on her gunblade tightened, her knuckles going white.

[B]"Mm, so, you're wondering why it is I'm here. Well, I thought I'd be so kind as to let you see your father, one last time."[/B]

Her eyes widened considerably as she noticed her father lying on the ground, gagged and tied up.

[B]"Father! Don't touch him!"[/B] she yelled, charging forward, bringing her gunblade up and taking aim quickly to release a quick bullet.

[B]"Sakura, no!"[/B] she heard her father call.

Kari picked up her husband and dodged the bullet, pulling out a dagger from her dress and watching Sakura as she slit his throat deeply.

Sakura felt the hot stinging pain of tears as she watched her father gurgle and fall lifelessly to the ground, dying the emerald blades beneath him crimson. Her eyes narrowed as she watched her mother cackle loudly, bringing the tainted dagger up and licking the blade.

[B]"I hate you."[/B]

[B]"I'm sorry dear but you really must speak louder."[/B]

[B]"I HATE YOU!"[/B] Sakura roared, swinging her gunblade powerfully as she sped forward, all sense had evaded her, all she cared about now was killing her mother.

[B]"Good. Release your anger, Sakura."[/B] Kari sneered, dodging the attacks easily, she clicked her fingers and a katana formed in her hands as she spun it around.

Sakura felt tears escape and roll down her cheeks as she attacked furiously, she didn't even think about the possibility that the whole thing was an illusion, it was too real, especially the searing hot pain in her right bicep where Kari had just sliced her.

She didn't worry about the hand motions as she forcefully created a gale force tornado, not caring as it tugged at her hair and clothes. She shouted as she released it, guiding it with her mind as it headed toward Kari. The spiral ripped through the ground powerfully, it was a direct representation of Sakura's feelings of anger and fury.

Her mother smiled with glinting teeth as she didn't fight the tornado, allowing it to pick her up, getting sucked in and spinning up through the spout, ejected from the top with cuts all over herself. Kari let out a shrill whistle and a serpent type dragon appeared, different to Sakura's. But Sakura did know who it was, it was Dryoga, her mother's summon.

Dryoga reared his head, throwing it forward to release a torrent of ice breath. Sakura rolled out of the way swiftly, taking shots at Kari, but Dryoga was good, flying swiftly in all types of fancy movements, with Kari having no problems of holding on.

[B]"Sideria!"[/B] Sakura called, summoning her dragon that appeared immediately, flying by and wrapping his tail around her, lifting her to his back.

Sideria didn't ask her anything, just took off after Dryoga rapidly, energy building in his jaws, ready to release at any moment. He saw the chance and fired several white hot fireballs at Dryoga's back, aiming for Kari. He started to spiral himself so the fireballs hit him instead of his rider, though it did dislodge Kari, making her plummet to the ground.

Sakura leaped from Sideria unexpectedly, fire burning in her eyes as she landed in a soft crouch, no damage done to herself. Sakura used her magic to make her faster and tackled Kari, pinning her to the ground and holding her gunblade to her throat.

[B]"Hahaha, very good Sakura. But if you kill me, you'll never see this one again."[/B] she clicked her fingers again, the vile smile still plastered on her face.

Sakura kept the pressure on Kari's throat but turned to look as a figure in a black cloak appeared dragging someone who had a black bag over their head, chained well. The cloaked person pulled off the bag to reveal Kyo, a gag wedged between his teeth.

[B]"It's an illusion!"[/B] Sakura yelled.

The cloaked figure removed his cross from around his neck and threw it so Sakura could reach it. She picked up the heirloom, running her fingers over it. It was real, so very real.

[B]"How did you get him?! He's in a trial!"[/B] Sakura yelled.

[B]"He finished, and my companion was waiting for him."[/B]

[B]"That's crazy! They don't just let anyone watch you liar!"[/B] Sakura thought she had won, then she wouldn't have to worry.

[B]"Ah, but she's not just anyone."[/B] she smirked.

The cloaked figure lifted a hand and pulled off the hood that concealed their identity, a sinister smile on their face.

[B]"You! Why?"[/B] Sakura asked in shock as Kari easily pushed her over, getting up.

Sakura's eyes were wide as she watched Kari walk to the newly revealed person, congratulating them on a job well done. She gripped Kyo's cross tightly, trembling as she kept her eyes on the traitor.

[B]"Ayame....why?"[/B] she whispered.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Lazarus]

When Alex concluded his trial and walked from the door, Lazarus was watching. He stood, concealed in shadow across from the doorway.

"Congratulations, Alex." Lazarus said. The words sounded deep and resonant, yet somehow empty, bereft of any passion.

Alex's head snapped up and he squinted into the shadows. Lazarus opened his eyes and stepped forward into the light, allowing his outline to become clear. "Who are you?" He asked.

Lazarus laughed, a dark and evil sound. "I'm Lazarus, Alex. Don't tell me your trial has put you that out of sorts."

"Lazarus?" Alex asked quietly. He reached up to touch the other man in reflex, and Lazarus stepped back out of his reach. "Do not." Was his only instruction.

Alex squinted, trying to pierce the veil of shadows that hid Lazarus's face. "What happened to you?"

"I passed my trial. What happened to you?" Lazarus asked. "You had something of a conversation with yourself for a moment there before I was whisked away. Seemed very heated. Something to do with a certain redhead maybe?" Lazarus asked. He would have felt awful about this normally, but not having come to grips with his transformation, he certainly didn't want to have to explain it to anyone else.

Alex flushed and stammered something unintelligible.

Lazarus nodded. "We both have our secrets it seems." Lazarus held out a gloved hand. "Shall we go see how the others fare?"

[Orcus]

[SIZE=1][CENTER]5 Minutes Before Trial

[B]+++++[/B][/CENTER]

Havok held his cheek as Rinoa walked off to her trial. He wanted to run after her, to go with her, to be there to protect her, but he knew that now it was her fight, and that he had nothing to worry about. He put her bracelet on and watched as she entered. Rinoa was one of the best warriors and students he had ever met, and he knew she would come out of her trial and pass on to becoe Risk Breaker. His thoughts were interruped by Blaize's swagger.

The two spoke for a while, and Havok's thoughts once again ensued. Blaize, Blaize and him had been friends since he made it to the academy. He had never understood their friendship, as they were two polar opposites, but they always managed to be there for each other. Havok knew he would be passing his test as well. His friend, and his friend's shotgun, were enough to take down any enemy. Havok grasped his friends hand before he began to walk off.

[B]"Well, I'm off to do my test. See you and everyone else after it's over."[/B] Blaize and Havok nodded at each other and walked off in opposite directions. Havok stopped in front of his door and surveyed it. Would he pass today as well? His friends, they would all move on. He knew them front and back, and he knew that they were all great warriors, with their own strengths, even if they didn't believe in themselves. He intended on joining them, but was he strong enough?

Though things had been getting better for him lately [great friends, wonderful girlfriend] he had always been known to have bad luck. What if he couldn't pass? He'd be a failure, a disgrace. Everything he worked towards would be finished, gone, destroyed, he would lose everyhing that made him who he was. Would his friends still stand by him if he wasn't strong enough? Would Rinoa still love him? Would he be able to face himself? Regardless, of what may happen, he would never know until he tried. He walked into the room, blades drawn.

[B][CENTER][COLOR=DarkRed]Trial of the Tragic Hero [Face-off against Inner Despair]

+++++[/COLOR][/CENTER][/B]

The room was pitch black, Havok could barely see an inch in front of his face. He kept his blades at the ready, alert for anything that may prove a threat. A light shone down dead center in front him, and in the light was Rinoa. Throwing all caution to the wind, Havok sheathed his blae and caught Rinoa as he body begoan to collapse. He held her and looked into her eyes.

[B]"Are you okay? Rinoa!"[/B] Rinoa nodded and looked at him. She grinned and nodded at him. She laughed happily.

[B]"I passed no problem. It's sad I can't say the same for you."[/B] Her laughter continued, leaving Havok confused. What did she mean? She honestly couldn't be saying she didn't think he would pass, could she? She looked at him and sighed, getting up from his arms and walking away from him. She spoke coldly.

[B]"How could you even think you would pass, hmm? I know you Havok, and I looked up to your mastery of Fire Magi... But you're a coward. You'll always be a coward, never facing your problems."[/B] Havok looked at her, hurt and dumbfounded. She laughed heartlessly at his confusion.

[B]"You honestly don't know what I'm talking about? You ran away from home! How could you do that to your family? How do I know you won't do that to me? To your friends? Run away from everything because it gets to hard? You've already shown your lack of courage, lack of faith in yourself...You're so overprotective of me. Why?"[/B] Havok answered shakily, broken by her comments.

[B]"Because I love you. I would never want anything to happen to you."[/B] Kyo walked out from the darkness and laughed at Havok as well.

[B]"You know that's only partly true. You're so overprotective, because you know you could never protect her if something did happen to her. You're not strong enough." [/B] Havok felt tears in his eyes as Kyo said that. Was it true? No, no it wasn't. Havok would protect her with all the he is. But would that be enough? Another voice answered the question in his head.

[B]"You wouldn't be. You'd try, maybe. If you did, you'd lose horridly, and know in your soul you were the reason she was hurt. Or maybe you'd just run? Then you'd never have to know what became of her. And it wouldn't be your responsibility, would it? You weren't there, so what could you have done? You coward."[/B] More laughter, and more of his friends appeared. Carrot, Alex, Sakura, Ayame, more of the people he cared for appeared around him, mocking his weakness relentlessly.

Havok fell to his knees, so distraught that his mind started to forget that he had come to take his final. Did his friends really see him in that light? Did they all think of him like? It didn't matter. He thought of himself that way. And they all knew it. They all did because he did as well. They hated him because he hated himself. All his bad luck had been broughten about by himself. All his suffering was his own doing.

He didn't deserve them. He didn't deserve to be a Risk Breaker. He didn't deserve to be with Rinoa. He had thought those thoughts so many times. Did this mean they were all true? Was he really just illusioning himself with the love of his comrades? With Rinoa's love? His head throbbed as tears flowed down his face. Another voice reached his ear, causing him to gasp.

[B]"Crying? You're crying? You were supposed to be a great warrior! I fought your mother everynight so that you could reach your full potential, and here you are now, crying? All the pain I caused your mother for this? You're an even worst dissapoint then I could have imagined all these years."[/B] Havok's father spoke in a harsh tone, shaking his head in disgust. Havok's mother walked from the darkness as well, crying sadly.

[B]"Your father and I fought for years for you. I wanted the best for you, and you ran. You ran from your family. You left us. I never thought my boy... wouldn't be strong enough to face life..."[/B] She burst into tears once more and leaned onto Havok's father. He spat at his son.

[B]"You're mother's crying again! And it's all your fault!"[/B] Havok reached out, barely able to talk.

[B]"M..mm...mom...I didn't...Da..dad..."[/B] They looked at him, thoroughly disgusted and walked past him. Havok looked up to his friends, who started walking past him as well, Rinoa the last of them. They stood lined behind him, and they all spoke in unison.

[B]"You're nothing but a failure, a weakling, a coward, a spineless worm. You don't deserve any of the things you have. And now it's time for your true fate. One of misery."[/B] The figures began to glow, their magi apparent in all of them. Havok held his head down as they merged into one being, one enitity, a massive Dragon, each finger on it's right hand a manifestation of their weapons, and on the left, their magi. Havok looked at his hands as the tears fell. One tear shone brightly on his wrist, catching his attention.

It had fallen on Rinoa's bracelet. He stared at it, remembering the warm kiss she had given him. He remembered the feeling of joy he recieved knowing they were finally together, knowing he could be with her. Quickly he looked at Rinoa before she became a part of the massive Dragon. No necklace around her neck. He couldn't even sense the necklace. He stood up and faced the creature, needing to make sure it really wasn't the people he loved. He spoke shakily, yet with more confidence.

[B]"Rinoa! If it's over between us...If you truly no longer care for me, if you think me a coward... Why not take back your gift?"[/B] The creature turned it's head inquisitively, unsure of what Havok meant. That proved it for him. He grasped his blades and drew them, going at the creature. Almost immediately the Dragon attacked back, with Blaize's shotgun. Havok dodged the scatter fire swiftly, striking at the dragon's leg.

It roared with pain and looked down at him, rearing it's head back and unleashing a tornado like blast atop Havok. Havok's body was tossed violently, before he regained control. He snapped his fingers on both hands and caused a massive explosion in the Dragon's mouth. It roared again, and a green light appeared around it. It was healing itself! Havok frowned and was taken aback as the Dragon spoke in Rinoa's voice.

[B]"Still a weakling!"[/B] A massive claw struck the ground, havok barely dodging it. He ran out of the way swiftly as the Dragon reared it's head back and unleashed flames upon the ground. Havok fell over panting. Blaize and Kyo spoke in unison now, as the Earth shook and sharp icicles shot at him.

[B]"Still running!"[/B] A chakram flew at him quickly, hitting him violently in the face. Havok fell over and was then struck forcefully in the back with a mace. On his back now, he watched as the Dragon raised it's foot to finish him. He looked at it helplessly. He could move, he could get up, hell, he could fight... But was it worth it? Could he win? The Dragon's foot plummeted down, but was stopped by a bright light, and a voice.

[B]"You can! We know you can!"[/B] Havok's bracelet glowed, unleashing a flaming barrier. He could feel the warmth of his friends, the warmth of Rinoa, the love of his parents flowing through his body. He could think clearly all of a sudden. He knew the truth. He friends were always behind him. The only one who felt the way those fakes described was himself. Even though his friends did know his thoughts, they always had faith in him. They always knew he could do anything.

Suddenly the light enhgulfed his mind, and he was standing outside of the school again, 12 years old, holding a letter. Tears were streaming down his face, but they were tears of joy. He had recieved a letter from his mother and father. They had heard he was taken there, and that his progress was remarkable, and they couldn't be prouder of him. How could he have forgotten this memory? Rinoa appeared in front of him, and suddenly Havok was older again.

[B]"You forgot because of your guilt. You left, and they still loved you, never held it against you, still wanted to see you. You thought you didn't deserve that. Every year they sent a message, saying how proud they were, how they wanted to see you after Finals. You always buried the memories, though. Never responded. You thought you couldn't face them."[/B] Havok nodded, remembering all the times now. His parents appeared before him next.

[B]"We're still waiting for you son. But we want to see you. We love you. Don't ever doubt that. You weren't running away from your problems all those years ago. You were running to face them. But you wanted to do it alone."[/B] Blaize and Kyo appeared next to him, leaning on him.

[B]"You know you don't have to do it alone. We're here, and we'll always be here. All of us."[/B] Havok's friends began to reappear, one by words, uttering words of reassurance, of kindness. Finally Havok saw everything clearly. He knew not these, nor the Dragon were the actual people, but the way he percieved them. The Dragon was his doubts, the lies, the insecurities. These people, these were the truth. And it came to aid him, to give him strength. He smiled down at his bracelet, clenched his fist and looked up at them.

[B]"I won't let you all down! I'll see you after the final, one and all. Even you, mum and dad."[/B] He closed his eyes and raised his hand up, then opened his eyes again. The flame shield was in front of him again, the Dragon applying more force with it's foot. Havok concentrated, and coverted the shielding energy into explosive energy and blasted the Dragon backwards. It shot another blast with it's shotgun, but it merely pierced the air. Havok was gone. The Dragon looked around for it's opponent, before recieving kick to the face. It toppled over, giving Havok enough time to focus his magi into his fingertips and place a hex on the Dragon's head.

The Dragon wasn't down for long however, and quickly swiped Havok away. The Dragon unleashed another plume of flame, but halfway through, swayed woosily. Havok grinned. His heating hex was going into effect. With the amount of energy the Dragon was putting into the fight, it would pass out from exhaustion in no time. He just had to get it that point. And he knew exactly how.

The Dragon raised it's tail up and struck the ground with ferocity, but it staggered once again from exhaustion. Havok could see steam rising from it. As the Dragon tried to regain balance, Havok concentrated all of his magi into his fingertips and his right hand. Red electricity sparked around them, and his whole body turned red. He concentrated all of his positive thoughts, all the warm moments, and the feeling he had into his attack. Flames leapt from the energy encircling him as he unleashed his strength.

[B]"Vermilion Phoenix Snap!"[/B] A giant fire phoenix sprung from his fingers and went at the Dragon, attacking every spot it could. The Dragon twisted it's head round in circles, unleashing attack after attack on the fire manifestation while healing itself, unaware that the "creature" it tried to take down could not truly die. The Dragon began swaying again as it's stamina depleted. Havok nodded and jumped high into the air, summoning the phoenix fire back to him. He concentrated the fire into his weapons, and spun like a top as he descended to the Dragon.

[B]"Time to end this!"[/B] Still spinning, he struck at the Dragon countless times, until finally, the Dragon burned out, and unleashed one last attack on him. Rearing it's head back, it unleashed a massive plume of hellfire atop Havok, who spun straight into it's mouth with all of his strength, and then, everyhting went white, and all he could hear was a voice. His own. He was standing in fron of himself in the light. His reflection extended it's hand.

[B]"You did it. You bested your fears, your doubts, your insecurites. You passed. I always knew you could."[/B] Havok smiled and took his reflection's hand.

[B]"So did I."[/B] The figure dissapeared and the darkness flooded out of the room. Havok laughed happily and limped towards the doorway smiling.

[B][CENTER][COLOR=Blue]Rinoa [Slightly After Her Trial]

+++++[/COLOR][/CENTER][/B]
Rinoa stood outside in the hallways now, watining for the others to finish. So far Lazarus, Alex, James, Blaize, and Carrot had, and she had gone and greeted them happily, even Blaize, glad to know her friends had made it along as well. But still, Havok wasn't out. Was he okay? Had something happened to him? She stared at his door intently, holding the cross he had given her around her neck. Finally, Havok's doors opened. The others came to see as well, and were amazed by the sight.

Havok's clothes were severely burned, his skin was cut, and he had bruises all over. He walked towards them, looking down and holding his stomach. Rinoa felt her eyes water and quickly ran over to help him. He had passed, but look at his condition. He needed help, and he needed it very, very soon. She couldn't wait for the nurse, however, as Havok collapsed into her arms. She quickly lowered herself and him to the ground, and, holding her hands over his chest, spoke shakily, crying with pride at his performance and with sorrow for his wounds.

[B]"Tsubasa no Ai."[/B] A green light surronded Havok, and his eyes flickered open. Rinoa gasped slightly with joy and hugged him tightly. Havok held her close, resting his head against her contently. She smiled at him.

[B]"I was so worried... But you're okay. I'm so proud of you."[/B] Havok grinned and lifted himself up slighlty, looking into her eyes.

[B]"And look at you! You passed before me. The student shows up the teacher, eh? I knew you'd do it."[/B] He leaned closer to her and kissed her lightly on the lips. Rinoa blushed as he pulled lightly away from her. He winked and opened his hands, revealign her bracelet in them, completely shielded from the flames, and perfect in condition. He looked at her lovingly.

[B]"I promised I'd bring it back. I always promise to come back to you."[/B] He ran his hand through her hair, staring intently into her eyes, and they slowly came together again, kissing passionately.

[CENTER]------[/CENTER]

[B]OOC:[/B] I hope that's fine, I couldn't help but add in the romantic part at the end. ^.^ And yes, Havok and Rinoa are official. Yay![/SIZE]

[Kitty]

[size=1][indent][center]The Trials: Rescue and Forget[/center]

Instructors Iraki and Gillium struggled to stand, battered and bruised, before a large, black snake that took up most of the trial room, Ayame now sitting silently on top of its head. Iraki had grabbed her warhammer before she had reclaimed it, but it did him little good. Gillium tried summoning several different spirits, but none could match the power of the snake.

[b]"What the fuck are we supposed to do?"[/b] she cursed in frustration. Iraki?s skills with water hadn?t done much to help either, but he had managed to hit the snake?s cheek with a water whip. After that, no other attack got close to it.

Suddenly, the spirit?s tail struck the right wall, sending cracks throughout it until it collapsed. Part of the ceiling came down with it, but the other three walls kept most of it up. The two Instructors watched helplessly as it lifted its tail to bring down the other wall, thus crushing everyone in the room, aside from itself and Ayame, whom it would protect, and allowing it room so it could escape.

[b]"What do we do Solomon?"[/b] Gillium cried. His head whipped around frantically, searching for [i]something[/i] that could stop the snake and save their lives. Seeing nothing, he dropped to his knees and sighed, watching the black tail sharpen as it shot towards the opposite wall. But when it did not get impaled, and the ceiling did not crumble and fall on top of him, he looked around, wondering what had happened.

[i]"Save Ayame!"[/i] came the shriek in his head. A small cat floated in front of the two Instructors in a strange stance, its paws held out like a human using magi. The Instructors recognized the animal as the, surprisingly, powerful summon Ayame seemed to have around her at all times. The beast?s body shook as it was forced to stay in place, held back by Daiya?s invisible restraint.

Iraki lifted himself up on a small fountain of water to be on the same level as the snake?s eyes. It was a truly frightening sight to behold, and he gulped aloud before jumping onto the beast?s head. He picked up Ayame who was, by this point, only the motionless connection of the snake to the physical world. He held her tightly as his fountain brought them back down to the floor. But their telepathic link still remained, and the beast was slowly regaining its ability to move. The Instructors ran out of the room through the large hole that used to be the right wall, carrying the semi-conscious Ayame with them.

[b]"Wait! What about the cat?"[/b] Iraki shouted, watching as the small spirit slowly floated towards the floor.

[i]"I?ll be fine,"[/i] came Daiya?s seemingly omnipresent voice. The Instructors nodded, watching as the two-tailed cat?s powers wore off and the snake sent its tail straight through the wall, as it had originally intended. As they had predicted, the wall cracked from the point of impact until it crumbled, bringing the ceiling and the rest of the walls down with it. A few moments later, the snake rose from the remains, dust covered and even angrier than before. It wanted Ayame back, and it was going to get her.

As it charged, mouth open, ready to erase the people around her, a cloaked figure jumped in front of the creature?s targets and held out a hand. The snake did not stop, obviously not intimidated by simply another feeble human. The black beam that it had erased the flames with before once again shot out of its mouth, wide enough to engulf all of them. But it suddenly contorted and shrunk, being pulled into the shadowed person?s outstretched hand. A gust of wind followed, blowing his hood down and whipping his long hair around behind him. His face remained hidden from the three behind him, though Ayame would not be able to see it anyway.

The serpent still did not hesitate, and slithered full-force towards the boy like a scaly locomotive. But when it reached him, it too was twisted until it was small enough to be absorbed into his hand. In moments, there was nothing of the black serpent left, and the boy replaced his hood on his head. Turning around, he snapped his fingers and Ayame blinked several times, the pupil and color of her eyes returning before they shut tightly as she fell asleep from exhaustion. They heard a small rustling of rocks and saw Daiya push a few rocks off of himself before falling flat on his back.

Iraki and Gillium looked at each other and grinned before turning to thank the boy they had recognized as Lazarus McCloud by his hair and height, but realized he had disappeared. It was just as well, they figured, knowing full well that he must have passed his trial, and that he might not care too much for being treated like a savior. He most likely came only to aid himself, rather than rescue the others. Gillium raced over to pick up the small cat and Iraki carried Ayame towards the infirmary.

[center]---[/center]

[i]Dream, Ayame. Dream of things that make you happy. Make you calm. Leave the bad memories behind. They will be hidden for you. Just forget.[/i]

[b]"I won?t be scared? Let them stay. I want to remember."[/b]

[i]You aren?t ready, Ayame. That was proved today. You can?t handle remembering it all yet. Forget.[/i]

[b]"Then leave just a little?"[/b]

[i]None of it is pleasant. Please do not try Ayame. Forget.[/i]

[b]"When was Kyosuke in the Trial Room?"[/b]

[i]No, Ayame. Not that memory. That is a bad one. Let it go. Forget.[/i]

[b]"I hurt him, didn?t I?"[/b]

[i]No, you didn?t. The Beast did. And that is not the real Kyosuke. Forget, Ayame. Forget.[/i]

[b]"I hurt him bad. And Professor Iraki, too. And Daiya? Daiya. I hurt him the worst, didn?t I?"[/b]

[i]You should have forgotten it all Ayame. But you have attached yourself to those images. The rest shall be Forgotten for now.[/i]

All was black. Ayame floated helplessly in the sea of darkness, the images that had recently resurfaced suddenly sinking beneath her. Soon, only a few faces remained. And then, a voice. She cried out, asking for them to help her. Help her remember.

[b]"? and I think she?s waking up now."[/b]

Ayame blinked her eyes open a few times. She had been dreaming. She tried to remember it, but her memory was vague and spotty. She shook her head of the thought, too impatient to try and remember the dream that had so quickly escaped her. Her vision sharpened as she awoke, and she realized a concerned Nurse Mallon and Instructor Iraki were hovering above her.

[b]"D? Daiya,"[/b] she whispered in a raspy voice. She must have been yelling really loud, she thought, but she had no idea why. Nurse Mallon scurried over to a small basket and pulled out the curled up spirit, proceeding to bring him back over to her and resting him next to her.

[b]"You passed, Ayame. You did it. The ordeal is over now,"[/b] Iraki smiled. But Ayame only nodded with a blank face before breaking down into tears. The two adults tried to console her but it was no use. She dug her face into Daiya?s warm, furry back, crying loudly as she remembered what she did to who she thought was Kyosuke. She mumbled an apology over and over again, despite the fact that no one could understand what she was saying through all her sobs.[/indent]

---
OOC: Done, [i]finally[/i]. xD[/size]

[TheResplendent]

[center][color=darkred]Kyosuke's Trial Part 2: Father and Son[/color]

- - - - - - - - [/center]

[color=navy][size=1]The towering Chimerageist...it was his father's prized and most powerful summon. He spent years researching it, and it seemed to have been sealed away within the cross Kyosuke wore. But would that be information that anyone would know? Would his father divulge such secrets? Did this mean that...no, it had to be an illusion...why would his father be here? Why would his father put Kyosuke's friends in such danger just to prove how good Kyosuke is?

[b]"It's very simple actually Kyosuke! I've marked the Chimerageist's chest with an alchemic circle, strike it there hard enough and you will defeat it. Saving your friends would be a much harder task, and for no reward at all since it will mean your failure."[/b] His father explained. Kyosuke was still having trouble accepting the situation, he could have sworn that it would all have just been an illusion...but why did everything feel so real? What about Ayame and Sakura's posessions he held in his hands.

Kyosuke stood with a pained look on his face as he materialized a giant icicle on his hand in a matter of seconds. He looked toward the Chimerageist and narrowed his eyes.

[b]"You think you're making a decision? Perhaps you still don't believe how real this is...allow me to show you."[/b] Vidale Orias said as he materialized his own Icicle and threw it toward Ayame as it sliced threw the skin on her arm. From the wound blood began to flow, kyosuke saw this and became extremely concerned.

[b]"N...no...it can't be real..."[/b] Kyosuke told himself again.

[b]"By all means, if you still do not believe they are real...why not go over to them and touch them. See how real they are, but be careful not to fail your trial."[/b]

Kyosuke figured it was worth a shot, since technically the conditions were he would only lose if he freed them. Kyosuke reacted quickly and threw the icicle he formed at the Chimerageist's head, but it was quickly incincerated by a stream of fire from it's left head. Kyosuke took advantage of the oppurtunity and ran as fast as he could toward the island. Kyosuke made it to the edge and leaped over but was quickly batted backwards by the Chimerageist's large paw. Kyosuke tumbled on the ground rolling right into a tree.

[b]"Arg!...how fast is that thing?!"[/b] Kyosuke said, gripping his left side. Kyosuke looked up and saw the beast running toward him again. Kyosuke struggled to move out of the way. The Chimerageist rammed hard into the tree, breaking it in half as Kyosuke barely managed to roll out of the way.

[b]"Not going to make it easy for me eh? Well that's fine. I can mess this thing up fine without killing it. Fenghuang!"[/b] Kyosuke said, motioning for Fenghuang to missle himself into the Chimerageist. The menifested spirit of Fenghuang engulfed himself in blue flames and barreled toward the beast's heads. Kyosuke again took the oppurtunity to run toward the island, but the Fenghuang as promptly whipped out of the air by one of the snake tails. Fenghuang recovered himself and managed to graze a leg burning it slightly. The Chimerageist stumbled slightly but formed a ball of ice in his right hand and flung it toward Kyosuke's legs.

[b]"Looks like i'll make it this time..."[/b] Kyosuke said as he reached the edge again, only to have his leg taken out by the ball of ice. Kyo fell backwards and rolled a bit while gripping his left knee. He tried to refrain from expressing his pain outwardly, he couldn't believe the extent his supposed father was going through just to simply keep him away from the island where his friends were being held. Kyosuke tried to stand but his leg gave out and he fell, his face caressing the wet ground. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed what the liquid was they he was laying in. He placed his finger in it and lifted it up to see his own blood.

[b][i]'This...is....an illusion?...No...they can't be...'[/b][/i] he thought to himself as he noticed the wound on his left side from being tossed into the tree. He began to breathe heavier as he realized that this entire trial was more then just a simple illusion.

Kyosuke slowly brought himself to his feet, wondering what he should do. Was the academy really this cold-hearted? Is what his father told him true? What if his purpose really was to become a risk breaker at the expense of his friends...if that were true he couldn't possibly let Sakura or Ayame die.

Kyosuke's train of thought was interuppted by the Chimerageist breathe steaming down his neck from behind him. Kyosuke froze up not knowing what to do, he reached his hand back as quick as he could and grabbed hold of his chakram but was swatted away again. Kyosuke stabbed his chakram into the ground to try and slow himself down, he detached them and threw the one not being used for an anchor toward the Chimerageist's head. Kyosuke stood up but saw the bottom middle head create a giant gust of wind, blowing the chakram back toward his way. Kyosuke pulled the other one out of the ground in time to deflect it away. He looked down to see he was still bleeding profusely from his side.

[b][i]'Why would they do this? This dosn't make any sense...we all trained to hard for years for this...what is the point of turning half of us into sacraficial lambs! If this is what it means to be a Risk Breaker...do I really want to become one?...no...i can't just simply give up either! I have to do this for my own legacy...I have to prove that I can do something useful with all that i've worked hard to achieve!...UGH....'[/b][/i] Kyosuke thought to himself, as the pain began to set in.

[b]"Kyosuke, do you not see how simple your task is!? What kind of risk breaker will you make if you cannot even defeat this beast. Why insist on saving these two?"[/b]

[b]"This....this isn't right! How can you force me to choose between my friends and passing this trial!?"[/b]

[b]"That question alone is proof enough that you are not ready to be a risk breaker! You must look at both of them as hindrances and not allies!"[/b]

[b]"They aren't just allies to me! They are my friends! They are both important to me! As are the others...I would never sacrafice any of them for my own sake!"[/b]

[b]"Hahaha, how mature of you! But unnceccesary i'm afraid, I know you feel much more strongly for these two...that is why they are here. If you can overcome your foolish need for them your legacy will be within your grasp...don't you understand?"[/b]

[b]"I won't do it...you won't force me to..."[/b]

Kyosuke tried to regain his composure as he once again began to start manipulating the particles of air around him.

[b]"I'll show you what MY solution to this is!"[/b] Kyosuke yelled as he fought off the pain he felt for the sake of his concentration.

[/size][/color]

- - - - - - - -

[size=1]ooc: Trial will be resolved in the next post.[/size]

[Sakura]

[CENTER][B]Sakura's Trial[/B][/CENTER]

[color=navy][size=1]Sakura was on her hands and knees, staring in horror as Ayame delivered a brutal kick to Kyo's chest as he tried to push himself off the ground. He groaned and fell back to the dirt, and she knew that he now had broken ribs. Ayame grabbed his hair and lifted him up painfully, a sinister smile made her usual lovely face, evil.

[B]"What do you want me to do with him?"[/B] Ayame questioned, shaking Kyo, her grip on his hair tight, making him wince.

[B]"Let go."[/B] Ayame obeyed Kari and Sakura's mother snapped her fingers, making Kyo disappear, before re-appearing a far way down the field on a large contraption. He was tied by his arms to a large wooden cross, not too different from the one in Sakura's hand, and piled up around the base was fuel covered wood, with an olden day torch hovering over Kyo.

[B]"What are you going to do to him?"[/B] Sakura climbed to her feet.

[B]"You have 20 minutes to defeat the both of us."[/B] Kari smirked. [B]"As soon as 20 minutes ticks by...if we're not dead, say goodbye to him."[/B]

[B]"Why'd you take Kyo? I don't like him that much."[/B] she lied.

Kari cackled, [B]"Don't try to lie to me, daughter. I can read your mind like an open book."[/B]

[B]"Get out of my head!"[/B] she cried as her mother pulled out memories, flashing them before her eyes.

Sakura stared as she watched the hug she had shared with Kyo when he had apologised after getting wounded. She swallowed thickly, looking at Ayame who snickered as Kari brought up the scene of Kyo leaving to go get Ayame to get to the assembly.

[B]"Stop it! Stop it!"[/B] she gripped her head as more memories were brought forward.

[B]"Go, Ayame!"[/B] Kari called, flourishing a sharp crimson nail at Sakura.

Ayame dashed immediately forward, wielding her warhammer over her shoulder. Sakura composed herself, looping the cross around her neck and lifting her gunblade swiftly, parrying a powerful down swing. She backflipped fluidly, kicking Ayame in the chin as she lifted her legs, sending her stumbling. Sakura quickly turned on the timer on her clock, watching the seconds begin to tick. She took on an offensive position, running up to Ayame and doing a butterfly cut across her front before bringing it up in the opposite direction, making a mirror image of her first, leaving deep wounds on her front, but at the same time, Ayame had brought up her hammer and brought it down with all her muscles, hitting Sakura on her left shoulder as she finished her second cut. Sakura bit her lip, grunting in pain, taking deep breaths as she evaded a couple more attacks. She now had no feeling in her left shoulder and it was rendered useless.

She found herself on the defensive as Ayame swung wildly at her, she could tell she was aiming for her vital spots, taking a couple of shots at her ribs, collarbone and head. Sakura struggled to keep up with the attacks, getting a couple more blows on her shoulder, seriously injuring it. She jumped over a low swing, landing on the hammer and holding it beneath her feet as she slashed a cross into the front of her chest viciously, hating her for what she had done to Kyo. Sakura lunged in for a stab but Ayame rolled to the side, seemingly unphased by the injuries on her body.

[B]"Serpent!"[/B] Ayame called, a large serpent appeared, hissing dangerously in front of her.

Sakura tensed, she knew that it was quick from having seen it in Summoning class, it was very dangerous, and venomous. Sakura let out a sharp whistle and prayed that Sideria would arrive before the serpent decided to strike. The dragon swooped from the clouds where he had been dueling with Dryoga, sweeping past again to rescue her from the reach of the snake. Sakura sighed with relief as Sideria released a barrage of fireballs on the serpent, making it disappear.

Sakura asked to be let down, Sideria questioned her but respected her decision, setting her back down on the ground to continue her face-off against Ayame. She tried to move her left arm but winced at the pain, the sinews were heavily bruised and a purple bloom was forming on the skin of her shoulder.

Sakura had to finish this, there wasn't much time left before Kyo was killed painfully. She had trouble with making a tornado with one arm useless and decided to use her silver ring for help, concentrating an amount of magi into her ring, and using pushing out that concentrated energy into a powerful tornado. Sakura guided it straight toward Ayame, she tried to get out of the way but it was futile, the tornado caught her and trapped her by holding her in the eerily calm eye. Ayame looked for an easy exit, but found none. In the mean time, Sakura made the spiral thinner, leaving no room for movement. She rushed up close, moving swiftly and half allowing herself to be pulled in. She got right next to it and twirled her gunblade, stabbing it through the centre, having memorised Ayame's height and approximating where her throat was. The tornado died out revealing Ayame standing there, eyes wide with Sakura's gunblade plunged into her throat, the girl gurgled blood coming from her mouth. Sakura narrowed her eyes, lifting her left foot and propping next to Ayame's torso and pushed, tugging her blade out at the same time. The other girl dropped to the ground, becoming the second corpse on the field, dripping blood onto the grass. Sakura wiped sweat from her forehead with her arm, glaring at where Kari stood, clapping her hands, chortling with laughter.

[B]"Well done, but time is running out for your friend."[/B] Kari laughed.

Sakura glanced across the field to Kyo, the torch had lowered from where it had originally been hovering. She had to hurry, the time really was running out rapidly, it had taken her 10 minutes to dispose of Ayame. She flicked up her gunblade, annoyed at the arm that waved loosely at her side. Sakura watched Kari carefully, she was playing with her katana but didn't look like she'd be making the first move, after all, she wasn't the one that had something to lose. Sakura growled and kneeled, setting her gunblade on the ground and tearing a strip of cloth from her uniform and quickly making a sling so her arm didn't just flay wildly. It would do, and Kari had just watched the entire time, not moving a single step.

Sakura picked up her weapon, getting up quickly. She glanced at the corpse behind her one last time, and ran forward, roaring as she charged Kari. Her mother smiled, her lips had been coloured a blood red and the lips parted, revealing white teeth with sharp canines. Sakura narrowed her eyes, frantically slicing. She couldn't lose, losing wasn't an option, especially when Kyo's life was at stake.

[B]"I'll kill you. I'll kill you for everything you did to us!!!"[/B] Sakura cried.

[B]"Good, re-live the past."[/B] Kari grinned, pulling up more memories, from her childhood this time, times when she was forced to watch her mother attack her father, times when she herself was abused, and was forced to miss weeks of school because of the wounds.

[B]"I HATE YOU!"[/B] she roared, falling into the anger and hatred that she thought she had gotten rid of. Her feelings from her childhood were resurfacing, and she couldn't control them.

Sakura fell to all fours, gasping for air as memories and feelings whirled through her head. Who was she? Was she the calm, smart, popular girl that everyone at the Argo Arx Arcanum Academy saw? Or was she a weak, pathetic, abused child that was hiding behind a facade? Tears rolled down her cheeks as she trembled, having a mental breakdown.

Kari hovered over her, tapping her katana against her right shoulder. Sakura's chest heaved with broken sobs, her gunblade was centimetres away from her fingers as her right hand formed a fist, pounding the ground periodically.

[B]"Yes, that's the way...Come into the darkness. Forget this thing about being a risk breaker. Come with me...use your anger and hatred to fuel you."[/B]

Sakura closed her eyes, the bad memories continually repeated themselves in her head, including the latest additions like the death of her father and killing Ayame, throwing in a future picture of Kyo being scorched alive.

[B]"N-no."[/B] she whispered, reaching out to take a hold of her gunblade.

[B]"What was that? I couldn't hear you?"[/B] Kari smiled, coming right up close.

[B]"NO!"[/B] Sakura rocked up onto her knees and drove her gunblade into Kari's chest. The woman looked at Sakura, not very surprised.

[B]"How? I thought I had you."[/B] she rasped, lungs starting to shut down.

[B]"I thought of the good memories. There's been plenty since I came to Argo Arx Arcanum. Like having fun with Kyo, especially memories with Kyo."[/B] she explained, memories like her birthday flowed through her mind, and days that the two had shared together, training, or just lounging around and talking.

Kari smiled before her eyes closed as her body shut down. Sakura twisted the blade before pulling it out, satisfied at the squelch as it came free. She heard the beat of wings and looked up in time to see Dryoga crash to the ground, burn marks and scratches all over it. It twitched a little before disappearing, it and its mistress had been defeated. Sideria came down through the clouds too, landing, he had frost marks on himself and plenty of scratches and bite marks. His breathing was heavier than normal.

[B]"Are you ok, Sideria?"[/B] she questioned her old friend.

[I][B]"I'm fine, let's get you to Kyo."[/B][/I]

Sakura nodded and the dragon flew them over to the cross. Kyo was groaning in pain, his arms aching and the weight of his body stretching the rib wounds. Sakura sliced the cross apart, catching Kyo as best as she could, looping his cross back over his neck. She noticed the dead torch lying beside the wood.

[B]"It's over Kyo..."[/B] she whispered, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

[B]"Congratulations Sakura Clyne. You have passed your Trial."[/B]

Sakura gasped as, Kyo disappeared and the brightness of the field was absorbed by the darkness, returning to the form of a plain chamber. The door was open, allowing light in. Sideria congratulated her and faded away as she weakly got up, walking out into the light. Sakura stumbled out, Instructor Cavalier was standing in front of her with a smile on his face, which was very rarely seen.

[B]"Congratulations Sakura, it's over."[/B] he said, warmly shaking her good hand. [B]"Now let's get you to Nurse Mallon to fix that arm."[/B]

[B]"No...I have to be there when Kyo emerges."[/B] Sakura walked past him, swaying as she walked into the hall, leaning against the hall walls as she stumbled toward Kyosuke's chamber. An arm wrapped around her waist and a hand lifted her good arm to rest on broad shoulders.

[B]"I know how close you and Orias are. I'm guessing there was something to do with him. Anyway, can't have you hurting yourself more than you need to."[/B] Instructor Cavalier told her as she looked at him with confusion on her face.

Sakura smiled and thanked him as they made their way to where Kyosuke was having his Trial.[/color]

[B]OOC:[/B] Done! Hope that's ok and stuff ^^[/size]

[Sandy]

[COLOR=DarkRed]After the trials, Carrot lingered in the hallway to see how others had fared. Most of them came out victorious, some without even a bruise but terrifyingly many with some sort of injuries. One of the most badly wounded was Ayame. Some Instructors had to carry her out of the Trial Chamber - even the Instructors looked like they had been involved in a battle - towards the infirmary.

Just hree months ago Carrot would've laughed at how pathetic "that crazy chick" was. Not anymore. Now as she had gotten to know Ayame better, she felt sorry for her. She wished she would be at the infirmary to give her the best care she could.

But Carrot had something else to do now.

[B]"Gotta go"[/B], she suddenly said to the other students who were waiting for their friends to emerge from the Trials. She saw a momentarily flash of disappointment in Alex's face, but soon enough he turned his eyes on his feet again.

[B][I]That silly boy[/I][/B], Carrot thought.[B] [I]It's so obvious that he's got a crush on me, but as long as he keeps it to himself, I'm not going to do anything about it. Spirits know that he might be just another wanker wanting a piece of me![/I][/B]

[I][B]He is cute, though,[/B][/I] she added as an afterthought.

She couldn't help smiling as she approached her room.

After getting in she immediately went to her Communicator, a holographic device she used to contact Dad. Not many students could afford one, so they had to rely on letters or that sort of old-fashioned ways if they wanted to be in touch with their folks at home. Not that many did, as Carrot had found out while talking to her new-found friends. Well, [I]comrades[/I], at least.

Carrot dialed Dad's number, and soon enough a holographic video feed was projected above the Communicator. Dad had a big, anxious grin in his youthful face.

[B]"Hello, Carrot! How did you do? You've got to tell me immediately!"[/B]

[B]"Hi, Dad. I passed! Well, it wasn't nearly as difficult as I had anticipated"[/B], she bragged. [B]"However, there were injuries in other Trials. How could that be, Dad? I thought we were all just against illusions?"[/B]

Or at least she thought that after her Trial was over. Before it, she hadn't had a clue what she would face.

[B]"It's unfortunate, but accidents in Trials aren't that uncommon. When there's magic involved, [I]anything[/I] can happen. A spell can reflect back on the caster, a summon spirit may go hayward...[/B]" Professor Burnheart looked uneasy. [B]"I've heard rumors here that a few years back one girl accidentally transformed herself into pure air. She didn't know how to reverse the spell, and the Instructors couldn't find her anymore. Magic is not to be trifled with, my Carrot."[/B]

[B]"That's [I]terrible[/I]!"[/B] Carrot gasped. Now that she thought back, that Inner Flame of hers could've burned her body into ashes! [B]"Dad, I've got to ask you... During my Trial I got trapped into ice, and I somehow managed to heat up my body and the ice melted instantly. How was that possible? I didn't even have that kind of [I]magi[/I]![/B]"

If the professor had looked uneasy before, he know looked downright awkward. [B]"Carrot... It's a long story, and not one to be talked over a Communicator. This is an official MENRA line. All I can say is that it has everything to do with your mother."[/B]

[B]"My mother? Who... [I]what[/I] was she? Dad, tell me! I've got to know!"[/B]

[B]"Not now, my Carrot. You'll find out soon enough."[/B] Professor Burnheart's blue eyes reflected deep sadness. Carrot was utterly confused.

[B]"Goodbye now, dear. And congratulations on passing the Trial. You'll surely become a top Risk Breaker."[/B]

[B]"Thanks, Dad. Bye."[/B]

Carrot shut the connection. For a long time, she couldn't do anything but look at the Communicator and ponder Dad's words.

Who was her mother?[/COLOR]

[ArgentEagle]

After James' Trial

James and Bob were sitting in a hallway of sorts, James having been bandaged up proceed to fuss over the stupidity Bob had shown.

?I mean really, I can be healed, I doubt that they would let even the worse students die, but you. What if he had crushed you. You might think you?re flesh and bone Bob, but you?re not. You?re only clay? Do you understand how easy it is to break someone like you??

?Yes?? he mumbled. ?But if I didn?t take out his eye imangine how much harder It would have been for you!?

With a small smile James agreed with his friend. ?That is true, but look at you. Your arm is barely there.?

?It doesn?t matter. You can fix me! You always take good care of me!? Bob commented with a smile and something that if someone had been looking could have be adoration.

?That is true, so let?s get your shirt off. I need to see the damage.?

?B-b-but there are ladies present in the hallway. I can?t in good mind strip in front of them. It would me perverse!? The little golem said with a blush.

One of James? known deviant smiles grew. Bob knew something was up. ?I don?t like that look!?

?Awww?. Is the wittle golem shy? Is he scared of what the women might think! WELL TOO BAD!? With that said a struggle of sorts begain. In the end, with James the victor. Bob tried to hide his face from the women while thinking ?Oh the shame.?

While he was sorely tempted to wait out his friends embarrassment he got to work. Taking out some dirt he began to remold Bob?s arm. It wasn?t too damaged, but still, he deserved this. James could only smile when he thought of what the little golem did for him. "There you go. All fixed!" Putting a bandaid on Bob?s left shoulder he pronounced, ?There just like me.? He pointed out the bandaged arm on himself and watched as the little creature bristled with pride. ?And now that we are battle scarred we can pick up chicks!?

?WHA!? No!" But it was too late.

?I?VE GOT A WONDERFULL GOLEM LOOKING FOR A LITTLE LOVING! WHOSE INTRESTED? HE?S A NICE GUY!? and with that the golems humiliation was complete.

OoC: Yeah, this had nothing to do with anything, but I just love making up little scenes between these two. If it gets to be a problem, just tell me and I'll stop it.

[TheResplendent]

[center][color=darkred]Kyosuke's Trial: The Conclusion[/color]

- - - - - - - - [/center]

[color=navy][size=1]The area directly around Kyosuke began to grow very cold in temperature. Vidale Orias looked on as he witnessed his son's incredible technique with elemental control. Kyosuke screamed out and created a small ice barrier infront of him, as well as spreading the frost in the air all throughout the room. Vidale nodded toward the Chimerageist, and he took action. Kyosuke motioned with two fingers in a waving position while concealed behind the barrier, he then looked forward expecting the Chimerageist to try to burn through the barrier.

[b][i]'It ends now...i'll have it both ways whether you like it or not...father.'[/i][/b] Kyosuke thought to himself, as he began to concentrate the frost closer to the ground now. The Chimerageist charged forward, stopped short and lunged a giant fireball from his left hand at the ice shield, shattering and melting it at the same time. The barrier was now gone, but...Kyosuke was nowhere to be found. The chimerageist looked around him but was unable to locate him. Vidale just smiled to himself, [b][i]'you've become quite fast as well as smart, my son...but your decision still must be made!'[/b][/i].

The chimerageist let out a roar and tried to move his feet, but was unable to. It looked down and saw his feet up to ankles completely encased in ice. Kyosuke had concentrated the frost toward the ground in order to root the beast in it's place. Still surrounded by frosted particles in the air, it charged up it's hand again to melt his way out before the atmosphere would render it impossible. It raised it's hand to begin the flame but it was promptly wrapped in a shackle of ice by Kyosuke who sped by using the frost as his smoke screen. Kyosuke attached the other end of the ice shackle encasing the beast's whole fist to the library shelve, now rendering his
fire making arm as well as his legs useless. Kyosuke stopped moving and just stood there staring at the beast as it was rooted in place.

[b]"It won't be long now...even your body must not be able to withstand this kind of temperature for too long...i think i'll leave you there for the time being."[/b] Kyosuke said in a cocky tone, realizing he had cut off the Chimerageist's major mobility and slowed the heads down with the heavy concentration of frost. The beast shook and cracked enough ice around his middle head to reveal that it could speak.

[b]"Vidale! Release me from this prison if you wish me to eliminate this child!"[/b] it screamed up to it's summoner.

Vidale merely stood there and did nothing. The Chimerageist grew angry and went to speak again, but Kyosuke beat him to the punch.

[b]"Father! Are you watching? This...is my decision."[/b] Kyosuke said, as he concentrated the frost heavy on the chains of the captive Ayame and Sakura, diverting it from the area of the Chimerageist. Vidale watched in suprise, wondering what his son was trying to accomplish. Kyosuke then extended his hand out toward the beast his father had summoned on him and created up to 3 ice portals to surround it. Kyo's father's eyes grew large as he realized that Kyosuke was indeed making his choice. He grinned, and soon anticipated his son impaling the summoned creature with his Barrage of Icy Death spell.

[b]"Boy...have you got the stomach to make this decision?"[/b] the Chimerageist taunted.

[b]"If killing this beast to become a risk breaker is choice A, and saving my friends and failing is choice B....then i choose choice C."[/b] Kyosuke said, as he squeezed his hand and the chains holding up his captive friends shattered thanks to the ice's encasement. The platforms with Ayame and Sakura fell backwards off the island, as they plummeted to the death that would have been theirs at the hands of Kyosuke's father.

Vidale wore a confused look, thinking to himself [b][i]'What? I never expected to him take his friend's death into his own hand...what are you trying to do here Kyosuke?'[/b][/i]

Kyosuke looked up at his father and spoke again.

[b]"Now you lack the control over their lives....father...and i will still defeat this monster and become a risk breaker!"[/b] he shouted.

[b]"Haha, you must not realize what you've done...your friends are already dead! It matters not if I have control over their lives now. Now finish the task."[/b] his father shouted back.

[b]"Gladly."[/b] Kyosuke said, as he stretched out his left arm toward the Chimerageist, and motioned with his right hand with his fingers waving upwards. On the right hand's signal, Kyosuke's Fenghuang rose up from the cliff with Ayame and Sakura riding safely on top of it. Vidale and the summoned beast both gasped, but it was too late as Kyosuke's left hand initiated the spell, as the three portals shot out razor sharp icicles impaling the Chimerageist in nearly every part of his body, including the circle on it's chest. The beast fell from his icy shackled, looking like a pin cushion.

Kyosuke looked up at his father, who wore an unprepared look for what had just happened.

[b]"Both deeds have been done. You failed to specify whether or not i could accomplish both, but since both the beasts's life and my friend's lives are in my hands now...I'd say i'm calling the shots. A Risk Breaker does his job without any distractions, this is true. But a Risk Breaker as talented and skilled as I am, finishes the task and protects his allies as well. The code of the Risk Breaker says [i][u][b]Strength, Loyalty, and Death before Dishonor. Accomplish thy task, honor thy ally, Risk Breakers fear not adversity. [/i][/u][/b]I have done what is needed of me."[/b]

[b]"Hehehehe...excellent work. You really have taken control with your own hands my son...do tell me how you managed this plan of yours?"[/b]

[b]"The ice barrier simply acted as a distraction so i could set Fenghuang up in position"[/b] Kyosuke stated to say, referring to the motion he made with his fingers right after putting the barrier up.

[b]"The next part was easy, i simply hid by hanging off of an icicle i made off the edge of the cliff until the Chimerageist was fully rooted. I then neutralized his fire casting arm and slowed all other movements with the frosted air. I set him up for the kill shot as i put Ayame and Sakura in safe hands where my summon was waiting."[/b]

Vidale melted the remaining ice with his outstretched hand and returned the Chimerageist to the cross around Kyo's neck. He smiled as the illusion dissapeared, leaving only himself and Sakura and Ayame.

[b]"Very good. It's not official coming from me, Kyosuke but you've passed your trial"[/b] his father said, smiling down at his son.

The door opened up on the other side as Instructor Uzume walked in.

[b]"It's official now, that was quite exhilirating to watch Kyosuke...you've passed."[/b] Instructor Uzume said.

[b]"Wait...what's going on here...the illusion is gone. What are my father, Ayame, and Sakura still doing here?"[/b] Kyosuke asked in confusion.

[b]"Hehe, we called in a special favor for your trial Kyosuke."[/b] Instructor Uzume answered.

[b]"Wha...what? So...he's really..."[/b]

[b]"Kyosuke, who else would know how to extract the power of that cross other then myself?"[/b] Vidale said, putting a grin on his face. Kyosuke's eyes got wider with shock. He hadn't seen his father or even spoken to his father in almost 8 years. He couldn't believe that he was standing right before him.

[b]"I must apologize for all that i've said during the trial...it was to test you thoroughly. I had faith the whole time, but i have to admit you had me scared there with your injury. The conditions were very real, had things not gone so well...it was possible for you to die in there."[/b]

Kyosuke quickly looked down at his side and noticed the injury that was still there. It had stopped hurting momentarily because of the intense cold from his tactic, but it didn't change the fact that it was a very deep gash that still had not completely stopped bleeding.

[b]"I completely...forgot..."[/b] Kyosuke began to say as the realization almost acted as an activation for the injury's long term effect. Kyosuke uncontrollably fell to his knees, but caught himself with his hands.

[b]"Speaking of which! We should get that healed right away..."[/b] Instructor Uzume said as she motioned for the infirmary's staff to enter.

[b]"Wait! I'm not going anywhere yet...Ayame...and Sakura....they didn't..."[/b]

[b]"Again, my apologies Kyosuke. I replicated the ingredients that make up most of the human blood...afterall you don't need to be a savvy alchemist to get a hold of water."[/b]

[b][i]"Smart ass..."[/i][/b] Kyosuke thought to himself.

[b]"I made it seem as if these dummies were as human like as possible, complete with blood and everything. The only things that were illusions was the terrain. But even in effect they are as tangible as humans are. You know that already Kyosuke."[/b] Vidale continued.

[b]"Then...the pendant...and the bracelet...?"[/b] Kyosuke asked, pulling them out of his inside jacket pocket.

[b]"Replicas...again...transforming metals is probably the easiest task for someone like me."[/b] Kyosuke's father explained again. It seemed like it was a solid plan from day 1. Kyo knew that his father was good friends with Headmaster Enteri, but he never expected him to take such a large role in his trial. Kyosuke felt relief, even still figuring the whole time that they weren't real...it was nice to have it confirmed. Kyo's thoughts began to fade as the blood loss was seriously getting to him.

[b]"Hurry!"[/b] Instructor Uzume yelled as the infirmary staff now began to load a 80% unconscious Kyosuke onto a stretcher.

[b][i]"I was able...to...showcase my skills infront of my father...I wonder if...he's proud..."[/b][/i] were Kyosuke's last thoughts before fading out completley.

[/size][/color]

[size=1]"ooc: Trial complete, didn't come out as well as i had hoped but i don't think it's too bad :P."[/size]

[Tekkaman]

[center][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][u]Aaron's Trial: [color=darkgreen]Revelation[/color][/u][/i][/b][/size][/font][/center]


[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"I knew you flicked your neck [u]like a girl[/u]."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron said, grasping the ground with his right hand. He looked at Stephen... no, [i]whoever that girl was[/i] that he had met in lunch so many months ago, her beautiful features completely devoid from taking the appearance of his friend. He couldn't help but think about the heavenly body of the girl while he.. -[i] I mean she[/i] - stared at him intently - glad that he had figured out the truth [u]at last[/u].[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=navy]"Took you long enough."[/color][/i][/b] The fake Stephen said to Aaron as he pulled out the Black crystal out once again. She looked at it longingly before staring at her greatest opponent - [i]though broken, stabbed and beaten[/i] - Aaron Covais.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"Another Necromancy spell?"[/color][/i][/b] Aaron said, the pain from the previous Necromancy spell ebbing away. The original Necromancy spell casted against him had vanished minutes after Aaron had figured out that Stephen... wasn't Stephen, though the spell ending was unbeknownst to him.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=navy]"No."[/color][/i][/b] The girl stated. She lifted her magi crystal high into the air, letting the dark magic shine down upon her like a giant shadow. [b][i][color=navy]"Transform."[/color][/i][/b] She muttered, letting the original image of Stephen disappear - [i]starting from her head down to her feet, the image floating away as if by digital degeneration[/i]. Soon, the girl that Aaron remembered stood before him once again, her lovely light skin and hazel eyes combining well with her long black hair and gorgeous body.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i]She was in a pink dress with white sandals, her fingernails and toenails painted pink as well. She had her hair pulled back into a single ponytail with two clips parting the hair from obstructing her ears - dressed nicely with beautiful pink crystals, making even her ears seem like royalty. She reached into her white purse with pink lettering in the initials A.S., pulling out her cherry lip gloss and once again, re-applying it to her pink lips.[/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]She soon stared blankly at Aaron, who looked as if he was dead on the floor. She gasped aloud, knowing that she wasn't allowed to go that far as to kill him. As she ran towards him, he opened his eyes with a blank look on his face, a smile lightly forming.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"Am I dead?"[/color][/i][/b] Aaron said, trying to stand. The girl kicked him back down, [i]playfully more than forcefully[/i] this time, glad that he wasn't.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"Why do you ask?"[/color][/i][/b] The girl said aloud, her voice matching the body. [b][i][color=magenta]"Do you give up this fight?"[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron shook his head meaning no to the giving up before speaking again. [b][i][color=darkgreen]"You're so beautiful; I just thought I was dead."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron smiled, glad that the girl had walked into his pick-up line.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]The ebony beauty, turning different shades of dark pink -[i] a beautiful color on her for her clothing[/i] - smiled from the compliment. The smile and blushing alone sent a surge of newfound power into Aaron's veins, despite the loss of blood from her attack.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"Th-thank you."[/color][/i][/b] She stammered, not knowing what to say for a minute, her composure quickly coming back to her. [b][i][color=magenta]"But don't think for a minute that I?ll spare your life just because of a compliment."[/color][/i][/b] Her scowl returned, Katana coming back to her aid. She placed the Magi crystal into her purse. [b][i][color=magenta]"So shall we continue, Mr. Covais?"[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron struggled to his feet, his legs becoming numb from the reverse Healra and the loss of blood from the girl's katana strike. As he made it on both legs, he looked at his opponent, legs becoming weak again - but this time, not from blood loss. [/size][/font]
[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"Yes, we can."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron's words put a smile onto the girl's face. [b][i][color=darkgreen]"But..."[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"What?"[/color][/i][/b] She stated, tired of him dragging this along. [i][b][color=magenta]"What's your [u]last[/u] request?"[/color][/b][/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][b][i]"Can I please... get your name [u]before[/u] we kill each other?"[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]The girl paused, her face frozen in the blood-stained white room. [i]He sounded so sincere[/i]. Her face, nor her body expressions had not changed, her brain the only thing of hers moving.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=magenta][b][i]"..." "...Ariyanna Scott."[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron smiled. [b][i][color=darkgreen]"It's a beautiful name for an even more beautiful woman."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron was really laying it on thick, Ariyanna not knowing why. He flashed the weakest of smiles making Ariyanna blush again. But before she could respond to the white-skinned platinum-haired boy, Aaron had ran to her bare-handed, all of his strength manifested into his fists and his feet.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"...Finally."[/color][/i][/b] Ariyanna grinned. [b][i][color=magenta]"Let's end this before I derive [u]feelings[/u] for you or something!"[/color][/i][/b] She ran to Aaron, her full strength manifested as well.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]As the two met, they danced with their weapons - [i]The beautiful Ariyanna with her katana and the emotionally-deprived Aaron with his bare hands and bloody shoes.[/i] For what seemed like eternity, they fought, neither of them giving in. Ariyanna was fast, strong, and amazingly willed to defeat the boy; but Aaron was determined to pass the Trials and see his friends once again. They were all important to him, though he didn't know them as well as Stephen.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][i]* Alex, Carrot, Sakura, Lazarus, Kyosuke, Blaize, Ayame, James, Havok, Rinoa. I'll come to you guys. [u]Promise[/u]. *[/i][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron gasped then, becoming enveloped in a white light as he thought about each of his friends - [i]one by one[/i]. [i]He finally learned to trust more than [u]one[/u] person in life.[/i] He smiled: though he fought this seemingly unreal woman - [i]strong and beautiful [/i]- he knew that he would be okay and emerge victorious. He spoke to Ariyanna from adrenaline, determination, and the white light that radiated throughout him.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][b][i]"I must win."[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"Like [u]hell[/u] you will."[/color][/i][/b] Ariyanna scowled. She let forth a horizontal swing with her katana at her foe, Aaron grabbing it with his right hand. His hand bled from grabbing the weapon but it was apparent that the white light definitely increased his defense.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"How'd you do that?"[/color][/i][/b] Ariyanna said - [i]more from curiosity than shock[/i]. Aaron looked down at her, ignoring her question. He wasn't mad, nor was he afraid at this weird power wielded from only thinking of his friends. He simply attacked the girl with all of his might.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Lightning fast punches and kicks in the gut made her lose breath and stamina. Aaron smirked as he looked at her during his final attack, finishing with a roundhouse kick to Ariyanna's stomach - [i]the attack sending her in the air[/i]. She regained her senses, landing on her feet gracefully as she fell back to the ground. She unzipped her purse and pulled out her black crystal, looking unphazed by the attacks.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"Necromancy."[/color][/i][/b] she said aloud with a grin, once again preventing Aaron from healing himself. The darkness was beginning to come about to envelope Aaron again. He felt his strength wane from his body due to his severe wound, though the light still shone from his body. [i]He was dying and he didn't know if he could perform another burst of power as he just did.[/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][b]However, Aaron heard a voice inside of his head. A familiar voice, though not one of his friends. Another...[/b][/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=navy][i]* You're stronger than this. Accept the power she's giving to you. Become one with the Magi powers... *[/i][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron looked down, reached into his tattered white robe - now covered with red blood and pulled out his necklace. His Blue magi crystal. [i]The crystal...[/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][b][i]"Wha?"[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron's necklace glowed brightly, [i]swallowing the black cloud engulfing Aaron[/i], the necklace glowing with a radiant blue light. Aaron felt the newfound surge of energy and ripped his necklace off from his neck. He pointed it at Ariyanna - [i]now afraid of the radiating blue light.[/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][i][b]"Time to end this nonsense once and for all." [/b][/i][/color][/size][/font][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron scolded, limping to Ariyanna with the last of his strength - [i]simultaneously pulling out his support magi together with his blue magi[/i]. Ariyanna closed her eyes, preparing for the worst of whatever he was going to do. Aaron, however, surprised her by kissing her [i]on the lips[/i], bending down to do so. It was a short peck, followed by a blushing and confused young woman. Aaron fell to the ground afterwards, his strength expended. He looked at the beautiful woman with a light smile and coughed. [i]She had beat the shit out of him.[/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][b][color=darkgreen]"I couldn't kill you even if I wanted to."[/color][/b][/i] [/size][/font][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron said on the ground, looking upwards towards the woman. [i][b][color=darkgreen]"My... responsibility as a Supporter comes before... anything else. Plus..."[/color][/b][/i] Aaron chuckled weakly. [i][b][color=darkgreen]"You're way too... pretty to kill."[/color][/b][/i] Ariyanna chuckled from the explanation, [i]his charm taking effect on her.[/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][color=darkorange]"That's just what I wanted to hear Mr. Covais..."[/color][/i] Mr. Phoenix said from an intercom. He had apparently been listening and probably watching the whole battle. His words, however, were lost in the air - [i]Ariyanna focused on Aaron and vice versa[/i].[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"Minus the blood all over... you're not too bad looking yourself."[/color][/i][/b] Ariyanna said. Aaron smiled at the compliment, his head resting on the white floor. [/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][color=darkorange]"Congratulations..."[/color][/i] [i]Mr. Phoenix said, walking from the door Ariyanna had first entered through.[/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"Thank you."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron said to Ariyanna, his smile sticking to his lips. Blood caked his face in erratic spots, though Ariyanna didn't care.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"For what?"[/color][/i][/b] Ariyanna said, her face flushed.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][color=darkorange]"...You have passed your trial."[/color][/i] [i]Mr. Phoenix finished, right before looking at the damage Ariyanna had caused Aaron Covais. Blood was splattered everywhere. [color=darkorange]"Oh my G..."[/color][/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"The battle that I fought... Fought in my heart."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron looked in Ariyanna's eyes - [i]Mr. Phoenix's voice falling on deaf ears.[/i] [b][i][color=darkgreen]"You. My friends... hah. In a strange way, I?m truly happy."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron wasn't making much sense but Ariyanna understood, in a way, how he felt.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Before Ariyanna could say anything else, Aaron closed his eyes as Mr. Phoenix rushed to his aid. She began to tear up, knowing that she had went to far and put her determination to win first. As Mr. Phoenix slid on the blood-stained ground from rushing, pulling out his Magi crystal, he casted Healaga on his student. He cursed at all the blood spilled and looked to Ariyanna who looked back at the teacher in an abundance of fear.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkorange][b][i]"My... God! How badly did you have to beat on him?!"[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=magenta][b][i]"I'm sorry sir! I used all my strength and it wasn't enough to defeat him... he kept... getting back up. It was unreal..."[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkorange]"J-Jesus! Because he was determined to win damnitt!"[/color][/i][/b] Mr. Phoenix had clearly lost his cool, afraid he would lose one of his students. As he looked at the woman who nearly killed him in rage, Ariyanna squealed in fear, afraid he would strike her for carelessness. Aaron coughed though from the heal he had received, showing that he was alive [i][u]and[/u] stopping Mr. Phoenix's yelling.[/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"Dont... yell at her. ...Wasn't her fault..."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron said weakly. His voice almost inaudible. [b][i][color=darkgreen]"She's an awesome woman, and... an amazing fighter." [/color][/i][/b]Aaron cringed from all of the pain that Ariyanna had put him through, despite Mr. Phoenix's [u][color=darkgreen]Healaga[/color][/u].[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"Shh."[/color][/i][/b] Ariyanna put her index finger over his mouth. She had fell for[color=black]his charm, Aaron at near death.[/color] [b][i][color=magenta]"Save your strength."[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][b][i]"Don't worry... about it."[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=magenta][b][i]"I'm so sorry. I didn't mea-"[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][b][i]"...Did your best. Don't worry."[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkorange]"..." "Come"[/color][/i][/b] Mr. Phoenix stated, looking at the light injuries over his body and the massive wound on his left shoulder. [b][i][color=darkorange]"Let's get you to a doctor before you up and die on me."[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]As Mr. Phoenix picked Aaron up with both his arms, Ariyanna looked at Aaron with her transparent hazel eyes. She wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words. Aaron, however, knew what he wanted to say - [i]not wasting any time.[/i][/size][/font]
[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][b][i]"Can... I take you on a date when I get better?"[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=magenta]"Are you... serious?"[/color][/i][/b] Ariyanna said, gasping more air than usual from the question. Mr. Phoenix smiled as he rushed to the door he had recently come through, preparing to give Aaron to Nurse Mallon and to his friends on the other side. He didn't want to interfere with what was transpiring right before his eyes - [i]Aaron shedding his loner personality.[/i] [b][i][color=magenta]"I almost killed you and you want to [u]date me[/u]?"[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][b][i]"I had nothing to lose, so I took a shot. Can you... blame me?" [/i][/b][color=black]Aaron was beginning to feel bad for asking in the first place but Ariyanna fixed up the tone of her question with a follow-up statement. She [/color][/color][/size][/font][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]shook her head, smile returning. [b][i][color=magenta]"I- I guess not. I'd have done the same with you."[/color][/i][/b] She turned away for a second, [i]concealing her blush.[/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"Just think about it."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron said as Mr. Phoenix was about to open the doors, getting his voice ready to summon the nurse.[/size][/font]

[right][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i]End~[/i][/b][/size][/font][/right]



[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=navy][b][i][QUOTE] [/b][/i][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=navy][b][i]Blue Magic - Necromancy:[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]
[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][color=black]This Blue Magi is casted [u]on an opponent[/u], not the caster. This spell cannot be casted [u]on multiple opponents[/u]. Necromancy increases the opponent's attack power but harshly decreases the opponent's speed. Also, any positive support magi used in conjunction with Necromancy (i.e. Healing Magi) will only hurt the opponent instead.[/color][/i][/size][/font][b][i][/QUOTE] [/i][/b]

[right][/color][/size][/font][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i]OOC:[/i][/b] Thank Gawd, I?m done!!! And I?m going to be dating a beautiful [b][i]NPC[/i][/b]. Oh yeah! Oh yeah![/size][/font][/right]


[right][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i]OOC2:[/i][/b] Jesus, I had to do some [b][i][u]major[/u][/i][/b] editing on this post. [b][i]Microsoft Word[/i][/b] is evil to me concerning[/size][/right][/font]

[FONT=Century Gothic][COLOR=DarkGreen][CENTER]Sorry but I had to remove your last line of text, it was distorting the whole page. Also sorry for messing up your HTML-codes, you'll have to clean the post up yourself. Perhaps using less text formatting might save you the time and the effort... *hint hint*
[I]- Sandy the Mod[/I][/CENTER][/COLOR][/FONT]

[Ellerby]

[CENTER][B]Playboy's Trial[/B]
[size=1][i]Rated [b]M[/b] for Graphic Detail[/i][/size][/CENTER]
[FONT=Tahoma][color=#555555]Stephen entered the Trial door, not knowing exactly what to expect. Before completely entering, he gathered his thoughts of his friends, belongings and joyous occasions, looking back on all of the memories. He then took those thoughts and stored them away in the back of his mind. There would be no room for laughter during this trial.

He closed the door behind him and wandered into an empty white room. Suddenly, gunfire echoed through the air. Simply by reflex, Stephen ducked down and closed his eyes tight. He re-opened them to find himself in a swampy jungle area, with guns and explosions sounding off in every direction.

Taking note of his surroundings, he wondered where he could be. Obviously a war, but which one? And why? Stephen wasn't afraid of guns or battles. He didn't [i]like[/i] them, obviously. But they weren't scary.

That's when a shout made it's way to his ears from behind.

"Medic!" a man yelped. Stephen jumped to his feet and dived over a sandbag barricade. Just on the horizon he could make out a small bunker, most likely where the man was shouting from. Stephen ducked to the ground and crawled through the jugle grass, making his way to the bunker.

When he got there, he figured out why the Trial had brought him here. Blood. And lots of it. Stephen hated blood... well, in real life. Fake blood didn't make him queezy at all, it was just when there was a lot of it, and near him. That's when it got to him (and that's why he choice Support Magic).

A man lay on the floor, gripping his wounded leg. It seemed as though he had fallen from a large height, possibly a tree, and broken his leg. His main bone was piercing his skin, portruding 4-5 inches. Stephen swallowed the vomit in his mouth and prepared his strongest healing spell.

But there was none. There was no magic in his entire body. He would have to fix this the old fashioned way. It was lucky for him that his Support Magic teacher had spent two classes teaching about what a Support Magi would do in the case of no magic left. They would use materials from the enviornment and do they best they could.

Stephen anxiously glanced around the inside of the bunker and quickly spotted a first aid kit. He grabbed the small case and unlatched the hinge, looking inside.

[i]Perfect,[/i] he thought, almost smiling. He spoke to the man calmly.

"Your bone is portruding from your leg. If it stays like this any longer, you'll die of blood loss. I'm going to need to press it back into your leg. This will hurt," Stephen said, sticking a small stick in the man's mouth to bite on. "Chew on this."

He wrapped his hands in first aid cloth, as not to infect the wound any further with dirt, and grabbed the man's ankle with his left hand. With his right hand, he pushed down on the bone sticking out as hard as he could. After a few seconds, the bone slid back into the leg, and Stephen glanced at the now crying man. Although Stephen didn't realize he was crying aswell.

He grabbed a splint from the first aid kit and put it together, wrapping bandages around it on the leg. He gave the man a good pat on the arm and smiled comfortingly. The man grinned and then winced, as two of his comrades picked him up and carried him away to the actual medical bunker. It seemed as though Stephen had just played the role of a field medic.

Suddenly, right through the window of his bunker, an enemy trooper slid in, kicking the only other person in Stephen's bunker in the face. Reacting as quickly as possible, Stephen body checked the enemy soldier to the ground and turned him onto his back to punch him in the face. Just as he was about to lay one hard in the kisser, he noticed the man -- or boy -- was Aaron. His best friend.

"[i]Bullshit.[/i]" muttered Stephen, continuing with his punch. He cranked the fake Aaron's neck to the side, killing him. That's when what everything that had just happened hit him. Stephen slid into the corner of the bunker, knees pulled against his body. He rocked back and forth.

[i]Oh my god. I just killed my best friend. What if it was actually him?! Oh~,[/i] Stephen thought. He gripped his stomach and threw up on the dirt patch beside him.

[i]Did I do the procedure correctly with the injured soldier?! What if I turn out to be the death of him! Ungh...[/i] Stephen latched onto his stomach again and vomited the last few spews of orange juice he had drunk earlier. When he stared into his puke, expecting to barf again, he realized something. That all of this was fake.

He got to his knees and slammed his fists into the ground, yelling for all the world to hear.

"God damn you! Throw anything you have at me! I don't give a shit." he roared, half-crying. He slumped over and balled his eyes out, until he heard a familiar voice.

"Stephen?" the feminine voice rang. Stephen quickly looked up and wiped his tears. He was in the Cafeteria and all of the pretty ladies were staring at him, odd looks on their faces. Stephen blushed and slammed his head against the table in embarassment. He knew the girls were fake, but damnit he hated to disapoint a pretty face.

"Yeah..?" he muttered, face still against the table.

"I want to get married."

[CENTER]...

...[/CENTER]

"What?" Stephen looked up to the girl and was surprised to see it wasn't a girl at all. It was [i]him[/i].

"Oh haha." he said to the Trial. "I guess this represents my goal to attain a real comitment? Or it means that I'll only ever be married to my own looks, and I'm always too good for a girl? Is that it? Very original." he mocked, putting his face back down on the table and twiddling his thumbs.

Suddenly, his leg fell off. No. It didn't fall off, actually. It... disappeared. He instantly cried out and grabbed his leg stump that was pouring with blood.

"Oh my [i]god[/i]!" he shouted. Quickly, he searched for his magic and was happy to find it. He started casting Battle Cure. However even the instant cast spell was interupted by his own pain. He was in too much pain to even think about magic let alone concentrate on it.

He glanced around the now empty cafeteria for something to help. There was nothing there that could help resolve the current issue. So he did what teenagers did best. He panicked.

Staying seated in his chair, he grinded his teeth together and threw the table in front of him onto the floor. That's when he noticed something. On the underside of the table was a picture. It was a picture of his flute.

"Shit!" he yelled. "I left my flute at the first bunker." he remembered. A support magi is never to be without a weapon. They are what help channel energy. And Stephen needed his flute to concentrate. He decided to go with Plan B.

He hopped over to the kitched and grabbed a handful of paper towels. He wrapped them around his leg stump and then casted Battle Cure on the bloody leg. This stopped the bleeding and closed the wound. He slumped to the ground and let out a sigh of relief. That's about when his leg re-appeared, and his enviornment turned white again.

The only thing in the room this time was a door. He stood up on both legs and walked over to the giant metal door. He pushed it open and found himself in the school halls. At last.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[b][center]Trial Finish.[/center][/b]

[Sakura]

[COLOR=Navy]Sakura was approaching the area where Kyo's chamber was when she heard the shuffling of feet on cobblestones and looked up to see medics carrying Kyo away on a stretcher, from what she could tell he was unconscious.

[B]"Wait! ...Kyo~...."[/B] she cried softly, eyelids drooping.

Instructor Cavalier made a quick decision and scooped Sakura into his arms, hurrying after the stretcher, making sure her arm wasn't being bumped.

[B]"I-Instructor?"[/B] she asked weakly.

[B]"Don't argue, I'm just taking you to the Infirmary."[/B] he answered.

She smiled slightly, whispering, [B]"Thankyou..."[/B]

The man nodded, quickly catching up to the medics with Kyo. He fell into step beside them, letting Sakura look at the damaged Kyo. She bit her lip at how fragile he looked, she wondered what it was he had had to go through during his trial.

They entered into the Infirmary and Kyo was set onto one of the beds, Sakura put down beside him. The healers got to work on Kyo's wounds while Nurse Mallon came to Sakura, checking her for wounds. Her main one was her shoulder, so magic was cast and then Nurse Mallon bandaged it to stop it from moving, and Sakura was instructed not to use it if she wanted it to heal quickly.

When she was done, she watched Kyosuke's bed as healing was caused. Sakura hoped that he would be alright. She couldn't help it as the thought of Ayame causing the damage jumped into her head, just like what she had done during her Trial. She didn't know if she'd be able to look at Ayame properly anymore.

Sakura lay back on the bed, sighing, before she knew it she had fallen into a light sleep. Even though her mind was resting, her ears were alert for any sounds that would tell her that Kyo had awoken.[/COLOR]

[Doublehex]

[b][center][url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=741603&postcount=11][-Alex-][/url][/center][/b]
[center]A meeting, in song
---[/center]

Alex wandered the empty halls of the dance room. A wide and circular domain, its roof was constructed of glass, allowing the light from the stars and the sun to beam onto the occupants. Pillars acted as the support for the room, as well as acting as another addition to a variety of decoration.

The young soldier stared up into the night sky, quickly finding himself lost in its majesty. So many times, he would look up and wonder of the other worlds that were out there. Sometimes, he would pray that he would be taken to these new worlds, away from the pains of the Academy, to a place that was truly paradise.

He never would get that wish.

Alex sighed, and with his hand in his pockets, he prepared to leave. But something stopped him: a beautiful melody, grander than any other that he had heard before; a masterpiece amongst masterpieces.

It was the [url=http://www.lvbeethoven.com/_Sons/_HymneEuropeen/Hymne%20Europeen.mid][u]Ode to Joy[/u][/url].

Allowing his ears to guide him towards the source, he found the pianist behind one of the pianos, his fingers pressing the keys with great precision. For a moment, Alex refused to speak, not wanting to disturb the tranquility of the melody.

But then the player spoke.

?The grandest piece, don?t you agree? Ode to Joy?the wonder of it just captivates me every time I play it. Always a grander experience than the last.? He paused for a moment. ?Don?t you agree, Alex-kun??

?How do you know my name?? He didn?t mean it as an insult. The player just chuckled softly.

?There is not a soul here who does not know your name, Alex-kun. The killer of the Black Mage Mox; the first Last Years of the Academy to encounter System ID; the boy who nearly killed himself fighting his Lion Spirit to pass the trial. It would require a miracle for anyone to not know your name.?

?You have me at a disadvantage. I don?t know yours.?

?I suppose you are right, Alex-kun. They call me [url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/Doublehex/RP/CiAlFo/kaworu-z04.jpg][u]Zane[/u][/url].?

?Well, I suppose I?ll see you later Zane.?

?Sooner than you would think, Alex-kun.?

[center]***

The Next Day, Revelation
---[/center]

Alex twiddled his thumbs as he waited in his dorm, alone. It appeared that his other two room mates did not pass their trial, and so, instead of giving it another try, both just left the school. Alex thought it was the most foolish thing that anyone could ever have done.

Then again, Alex was somewhat jealous of them. Now, they wouldn?t be a tool of the academy.

Despite this, his thoughts raced. In a few short moments, those who passed their Trial would be told who they would be assigned with in the Final Exam. The result could very well determine if they would become Risk Breakers or not.

Suddenly, a message was heard over the intercom. It was that of Headmaster Enteri. He started off as he always would, congratulating those who passed their Trial, and wishing those good luck who hadn?t. This positive beginning ended quickly, and he soon got to the point of the matter.

For what seemed like hours, the Headmaster rambled off names that Alex really did not give a damn for. Soon enough, he heard the assignments of three teams that was of great interest to him.

[quote][b][center]Team E-6[/b]

Aaron Covais
Lazarus McCloud
Kyosuke Orias
Blaize Haribringer[/center][/quote]

[quote][b][center]Team J-2[/b]
Alex Glesen
Stephen Jonuvar
Ayame
James Weldon Taylor[/center][/quote]

[quote][center][b]Team O-9[/b]

Rinoa Ryuzaki
Sakura Clyne
Carrot Burnheart
Havok Vermillion[/center][/quote]

And as they say, that was that. The teams were assigned, and nothing would change them.

Let the games begin.

[Ellerby]

[center][b]Stephen's Dorm Room - Five Minutes after the announcement[/b][/center]

[color=#555555][FONT=Tahoma]Stephen paced back and forth in his room, waiting for his friend to show. Ever since the announcement that had told the school of the teams, he had been worried about Aaron. His best friend didn't have many other friends and being seperated from Stephen may have done some damage. Finally the door swung open and Aaron walked in, not as sad as Stephen suspected.

"Sucks don't it?" Stephen said, sitting beside his friend on the bed. Aaron got up and faced Stephen.

"It does," he trailed off. "But maybe it's good for me, you know?" Stephen was shocked at his friend's reply and scratched his head.

"But dude... you aren't a real chatty person." he said, almost trying to convince Aaron it was a bad thing that they were seperated. But Aaron replied positively again.

"Being stuck in these teams will be great for my social skills... don't you think?" he asked. Stephen slowly nodded while Aaron walked towards the way out.

"Well, I'm going to go see someone. I'll see you later, though."

"Yeah... see you." Stephen murmured. It seemed as though Stephen Jonuvar was the one depressed about them not being on the same team, not Aaron. But Stephen wiped away his calm look and put a grin on his face.

"Later." commented the cheerful Aaron, walking out of his friend's dorm room. Stephen was left alone, on his bed with Ode to Joy repeating in his head for some reason. He got up and opened the bottom drawer of his dresser.

Taking out his flute, he began to play [url=http://www4.osk.3web.ne.jp/~kasumitu/folies6.mid]Les Folies d'Espagne[/url] by Marin Marais, not realizing his dorm room door was wide open. This was going to be bad for him, since he never liked playing the flute in front of anyone, especially not girls.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Kitty]

[size=1][indent][center]Shortly after the trials, Infirmary[/center]

Ayame?s sobbing had eventually slowed to small sniffs and the occasional tear, but she was far from calm. Though the image of [i]her[/i] warhammer in [i]his[/i] head was all she could see, she could not wrap her head around it. She never would hurt Kyosuke, or any of her friends for that matter, let alone kill them. Yet she had done it, flinching for only a second.

But Ayame?s memories had once again disappeared. Something inside her refused to let her remember the things that would hurt her, including the fire from her childhood, and everything about the snake from her trial. She had no idea that she had summoned the creature. Her memory of the trial was fuzzy, at best, and there seemed to be nothing between the door closing on Daiya, ?killing? Kyosuke, and finally waking up in the arms of Professor Iraki as he was carrying her towards the infirmary. It was as if, had she been forced to remember them now, she would fall apart, and that something knew this, and went to great lengths to prevent it.

She stood up from her bed, Daiya curled up in her arms still asleep. Had Nurse Mallon been there, she would have suggested she remain in bed, but not because she was that hurt. Ayame had been placed in a separate room, away from the rest of the beds and people put in the infirmary, that was usually reserved for extreme cases in need of silence or quarantine. She approached her door and noticed it was slightly open. She moved to open it further, but heard voices, and hesitated.

[b]"Why did you tell her she passed, Solomon?"[/b] came the angry tone of an instructor that Ayame did not recognize.

[b]"I was trying to comfort her. She?s been through a lot, and she?s been crying ever since she woke up. Besides, we can?t fail her. She beat the shape shifter, so she should pass,"[/b] Iraki protested.

[b]"Yes, but she brought down an entire trial room. You know how gigantic those things are. Imagine the damage she can do if she graduates!"[/b] argued a third voice. By now, Ayame was peeking through the small gap between the door and the wall, and could see several adults standing in the hallway. She recognized a few of the men and women as Instructors Iraki, Uzume, Cavalier, and Reyes. The others? faces were obscured from her view, but she figured she probably didn?t know them anyway.

[b]"Enough."[/b] Ayame was startled by this voice, it having not come from any of the instructors out in the hallway. She saw them turn around to face a figure she could not, but she recognized the voice. It was the Headmaster.

[b]"Headmaster!"[/b] several of them gasped quietly, but they all became quiet quickly.

[b]"Miss Ayame has passed her trial, [i]despite[/i] the damage,?[/b] he added, seeing the reaction of a few faces. [b]"We were unaware that the shape shifter would trigger the reaction that it did, but Nurse Mallon confirms that whatever she remembered has been forgotten, along with most of the events of her trial. All she seems to be able to remember is her defeat of the shape shifter in the form of Kyosuke Orias. Though she may be dangerous, we have little to fear. We are now prepared to take care of her if events like today repeat themselves."[/b]

Ayame, and the instructors in the hallway, were silent. She was confused more than anything, but she understood that she had passed, and that the Kyosuke she killed was a fake. She sighed in relief, and hugged the sleeping Daiya tight. Her tears finally stopped flowing as she pulled open the door, much to the surprise of those in the hallway. They were silent as they glanced around, not knowing what to say, and wondering how much of their conversation she had heard. But she ignored them and turned towards the Headmaster and bowed. He nodded, and she asked him if she could see Kyosuke.

[b]"Surely. This way, Miss Ayame,"[/b] he smiled, placing a hand on her back as he walked her towards the larger part of the infirmary. She felt very small as she walked beside him. Not just short, as she was shorter than just about everyone in the academy already, but young and weak. She did not like that particular feeling, but he also reminded her of Kyosuke, so she felt very safe around him.

Finally, the two walked through a door into a room much lighter than the hallway, and she saw two unconscious bodies, one she immediately recognized as Kyosuke. She rushed over to the side of his bed and stared at him, still in disbelief that he was alive. Of course, he wasn?t particularly healthy looking, but he wasn?t dead, and that?s what counted. She stared in silence, not noticing the Headmaster leaving or Sakura slowly sitting up on the bed behind her. She placed Daiya, who was still resting, on her shoulder, knowing he would stay there.

Suddenly, Kyosuke?s eyes blinked open, and he glanced up at Ayame before smiling. He sat up slowly, and brushed away one of her tears.

[b]"I?m glad? you?re all right? Kyo,"[/b] she smiled, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, before she hugged him tightly around the stomach. He was startled, and it hurt him a bit, but he appreciated the feel of the real Ayame, having practically died trying to save a fake one.

[b]"You?ve never called me Kyo before,"[/b] he chuckled. She looked up at him, blushing slightly. Suddenly, Sakura jumped up, having realized who it was hugging Kyosuke.

[b]"Get away from him!"[/b] Sakura shouted, pushing her away. Ayame, extremely startled, tried to ask her what it was she had done, but the words refused to form. She was too confused to even try and respond. [b]"I won?t let you hurt him!"[/b]

[b]"But I didn?t hurt him! It was a shape shifter!"[/b] she answered finally, completely unaware that Sakura was referring to what she had experienced in her own trial. [b]"I would never hurt him! I just couldn?t? You believe me, right?"[/b] Both girls looked to him, and he sat in surprised silence.[/indent]

OOC: Sorry, BKStyles. xD It?s up to you to solve this one. :P And I know the teams have already been announced. I?m just? slow. >.<;;[/size]

[TheResplendent]

[color=darkres][center]Infirmary post-trial: Caught in the middle[/color]

- - - - - - - -[/center]

[color=navy][size=1]Kyosuke lied in his bed, staring in shock at Sakura and Ayame. He couldn't understand what had gotten into both of them, but he figured the trials must have had something to do with it. After all, his trial was intended to torture him emotionally, he figured the others must have faced similar challenges.

[b]"Kyosuke! I feel so terrible! I...i don't know how it happened..."[/b] Ayame pleaded, feeling as if she needed to regain his trust.

[b]"The both of you need to stop this..."[/b] Kyosuke said in the loudest voice he could manage in his condition. [b]"I don't know what happened with either of your trials...but none of it has any effect on any of the 12 of us unless it was our own personal trial. I saw you both there in mine as well...my fath...i mean...they were nothing but fakes..."[/b]

[b]"I know...it just seemed so real...I saw her try to kill you!"[/b] Sakura said, pointing at Ayame.

[b]"I...tried to k...kill Kyosuke in YOUR trial? But why? I could never..."[/b]

[b]"I know it wasn't you! But...did you say you killed him in YOUR trial?"[/b] Sakura asked, interuppting Ayame.

[b]"N..no! I mean...yes...but i don't remember anything about it..."[/b] Ayame said, as she sunk to her knees with tears in her eyes. She had never felt so scared and insecure before. She really didn't remember anything before smashing the shape shifter's head in with her sledgehammer as he wore Kyosuke's face. What scared her the most is knowing that she would never do anything to hurt Kyosuke...yet despite that something drove her to do what she did.

[b]"Ayame..."[/b]

[b]"I'm sorry!"[/b] Ayame yelled, cutting Kyosuke off as she took off running as far as her strength could take her. On the way out of the main door of the infirmary she tripped and landed at the feet of another student. She looked up to see Carrot looking down at her. Carrot saw the tears in Ayame's eyes and was taken a bit by suprise at first...she knew Ayame had injured though and her role as a support magic user began to take over.

[b]"Ayame! What are you doing? You can't be running around like that in your condition..."[/b] Carrot said, helping her up off the ground.

[b]"I...I just need to be alone right now..."[/b] Ayame said, trying to wipe her tears away.

[b]"I'm sorry, but you can have your time alone as long as it's in the infirmary's bed. Come on...Ayame."[/b] Carrot said, feeling a bit sorry for her but making sure she layed down the law at the same time. Ayame lied back down in her bed where Daiya had just woken up. The spirit cat looked over at Ayame and was about to speak before he noticed how bloodshot her eyes were, and the frightful look she had on her face. He simply waked over to her and cuddled up to her face in an attempt to comfort her.

Back with Kyosuke and Sakura, Nurse Mallon had overheard what happened and walked through their curtains.

[b]"My, what's with all the rukus? The both of you are way too hurt to be making such noise."[/b]

[b]"Sorry Nurse Mallon, we were just...trying to talk things out..."[/b] Sakura said, trying to convince her. Nurse Mallon gave them both serious looks as if to say "Pipe down and get better".

Kyosuke tried to sit himself up, but was shot back down by the pain from his injured side. Sakura looked over with a worrysome look on her face.

[b]"Kyo...just relax. You have to heal up...I couldn't believe the injury you sustained when i watched them pull you out of the chamber..."[/b] Sakura said in a soft tone.

[b]"You...were there?"[/b] Kyosuke asked, not remembering a thing since he was passed out shortly after his father revealed the workings of his trial.

[b]"Yes...i came straight from my trial...I'm so glad you're alright."[/b] Sakura said, as she adjusted herself in her bed. Kyosuke looked over at her and it just hit him that there must have been a reason Sakura was laying next to him in an infirmary bed herself. He noticed her arm up in a sling and all wrapped up.

[b]"Sakura! Your arm...what happened?"[/b] Kyosuke asked suprised to see her injured.

[b]"Oh this? Heh...I guess you could say Ayame did this to me. In my trial...i was fighting her trying to save your life...it was her...and my mother..."[/b] Sakura tried to explain, but found it difficult to want to recall.

[b]"These illusions...the academy is more than proficient in those arts. They were all so life like..."[/b] Kyosuke said as he went to push his glasses up, but noticed that they weren't on him. He looked around but couldn't find them...he figured it made sense that Nurse Mallon was keeping them for safe keeping while he rested.

[b]"Kyo...Can i ask you something?"[/b] Sakura asked rhetorically. [b]"During your trial...did you ever question whether...it was worth it? I mean...half of the students who took these trials ended up in here with injuries. Even you and I...not only that but everyone must have gone through some sort of mental torture. What...are they trying to do to us?"[/b]

Kyosuke wasn't surprised that Sakura felt that way as well. He felt that way quite a few times, especially when his father told him that his friend's only purpose was to die for his success.

[b]"This is what we have to endure...we can't say we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into when we enrolled to become risk breakers. But i understand what you mean...it is a little disheartning."[/b] Kyosuke said. Suddenly both students looked up as two more people walked past their curtain, they recognized them both. It was Havok and Rinoa, they had come to visit.

[b]"Oh man...Nurse Mallon wasn't kidding, are you two alright?"[/b] Havok said, noticing the serious injured Kyosuke and Sakura had sustained.

[b]"Heh...this is nothing...i'll be on my feet in no time"[/b] Kyosuke said again trying to sit up, and again was forced back down with a painful expression on his face. Rinoa wore a very concerned look on her face, but Sakura made eye contact with her, as if trying to ease her worries. Rinoa ran over to Sakura's bed and she hugged her as tight as she could without hurting her. Havok walked beside Kyosuke's bed and knelt down.

[b]"Havok...did you and Rinoa pass?"[/b] Kyosuke asked.

[b]"Yeah, we did alright. I also heard that Carrot, Alex, and Lazarus passed. I havn't seen anyone else yet."[/b] Havok responded.

[b]"By the way, when we came in we saw Carrot helping Ayame to a bed, she looked really upset about something...is she ok?"[/b] Rinoa asked, breaking from her private conversating with Sakura.

[b]"Ayame...i should go check on her..."[/b] Kyosuke said, trying to move for the third time. This time he was pushed back down by Havok.

[b]"Didn't work the first time, don't think it's going to the second."[/b] he said, as Kyosuke was too weak to fight back.

Sakura looked over at Kyosuke after hearing him voice his worry about Ayame. She couldn't believe that she still felt jealous at the mention of her name...she thought back to the short verbal squabble they had moments ago...she couldn't believe it happened. It was so uncharacteristic for her, but after what she experienced she chalked it up to the uncertainty that she felt. She didn't want Kyosuke to check on her, she felt horrible for feeling that way too knowing how unfair it was...but she also felt that she wanted so much more time to talk with him about everything that had gone on.

Rinoa stood up and walked over to the curtain, and turned to them. [b]"I'll go and check up on her...Havok will stay here with you guys and make sure you behave"[/b] she said with a giggle, trying to lighten up the mood.

The room got quiet for a few seconds, before Kyosuke and Sakura came to common realization.

[b]"Hey! Do you still have your cross!?"[/b]
[b]"Hey! Do you still have your pendant!?"[/b]

they said at the same time. Havok had a confused look on his face, as he backed away a bit from the harmonizing of their voices. He peered at both of their necks and answered for them.

[b]"You both have your...jewelery...what was with that weird scene?"[/b] he asked in confusion.

[b]"Ahh...nothing..."[/b] was the common reply again.

[b]"Oook...by the way, what you guys think of the squads?"[/b] Havok said, changing the subject.

[b]"Squads? You mean for the final exam? I didn't know they were announced."[/b] Kyosuke said.

[b]"You were still out...they split us into groups of 3..."[/b] Sakura said.

[b]"Your with Lazarus, Blaize, and Aaron....Sakura is with Rinoa, Carrot and myself."[/b] Havok explained.

[b]"Lazarus...that figures. Aaron...he's the supporter right?"[/b] Kyosuke asked.

[b]"Yes...one of the best in the academy. It's good that he's on your squad."[/b] Havok answered,

[b]"...and Blaize...i believe i've heard his name before. I'm not familiar with him though."[/b] Kyosuke continued.

[b]"Ehh...you may not be too excited about working with him...but hey you gotta do what you gotta do."[/b] Havok said with a shrug.

Kyosuke contemplated his team, wondering how it was decided. He looked forward to working with Aaron Corvais...but wasn't as excited of his other two teammates...even despite not completely knowing who Blaize was.


[/size][/color]

[size=1]ooc: trying to slowly get everyone back into communication again before the actual exams commence.[/size]

[Sandy]

[COLOR=DarkRed][I]At the infirmary...[/I]

Carrot wasn't exactly pleased. She was among those lucky ones who had passed the Trials without injuries, but she had ended up at the infirmary any way. Nurse Mallon and her aides had their hands full, so of course Carrot was ordered to help.

[B]"They were like [I]my[/I] Trial had been a piece of cake just because I didn't come out carrying my head!"[/B] Carrot explained to Ayame as she was helping her back into her sickbed. She was awarded by an amused chuckle.

[B]"You must be exhausted, then?"[/B] Ayame asked kindly.

[B]"That's the worst part: I'm really not! I wish I wasn't always so damn responsible..."[/B] Carrot murmured.

[B]"It's funny, really"[/B] Ayame said softly, staring at the ceiling. [B]"You seem to have two Carrots in you: there's the easily inflammable grumpy Carrot, and then there's the caring nurse Carrot. I think I like the latter one better."[/B]

[B]"Sorry, but there's only one Carrot - you can't have one side without the other"[/B], Carrot said faking seriousness and shaking her index finger, causing Ayame giggle again.

[B]"I'm glad to be in your caring hands"[/B], the normally so bubbly girl said suddenly as she closed her eyes. Of which Carrot was thankful, because that prevented Ayame from seeing her deep blush. All those times she had talked dirt behind Ayame's back, hating her cheery naïvety and overly social behaviour... and Ayame was [I]glad[/I]?!

Was she making her very first real friend now? Against all the odds...[/COLOR]

[Lazarus]

Lazarus stood in the doorway of the infirmary, watching the interplay between Carrot and Ayame. He'd heard about the teams for the Final already.

Technically, his interference could have cost Ayame her victory in the trial, but her effort was very clear-cut, and there was no doubt that without help she would have died. The Trial was always about finalizing strengths. Ayame's strength was her friends.

Deep within Lazarus, a brilliant white flame flickered and grew stronger.

Lazarus's eyes drifted over Kyosuke. He walked over to him where he lay on a bed. "Come find me later. Bring the others on our team. It's necessary that we work on our teamwork for the Final. Failure will mean our deaths. And I did not do what I did to die here. I'm certain none of us did."

Before Kyo could reply, Lazarus moved away, stopping at Ayame's bedside. "Are you alright? I appologize for my interference earlier. It could easily have gotten you disqualified. I was ... not quite myself."

Carrot just stared as Ayame nodded. "I'm fine. Thanks for your help."

Lazarus nodded, content. "Take care of yourself."

With that, Lazarus left the infirmary.

---

The Library was always his favorite place to be. He sat with a book in front of him, staring at the pages and not seeing a single thing. He just couldn't concentrate.

[i]This is no good. I need to work off some steam. And it'd be nice to know exactly what I'm capable of. There's all this power inside me, but I'm worried that if I draw on it, I won't be able to stop.[/i]

Lazarus stood, pushing his chair back with a soft scrape on the carpeted floor. He moved to the door, and exited, leaving the book on the table. His shadow stalked along the wall next to him, and he paused, thinking.

[i]Something simple then.[/i]

Lazarus turned to face the wall, his shadow shifting to reflect it's owners pose.

[b]*Go find Alex Glessen, and return to me with directions when you've found him.*[/b] The words were spoken with a dark power behind them. A crimson glow flashed in the shadow's face in a mockery of it's owners eyes, and then disappeared. The shadow melted into the stone it had been cast on, like slime running down a suddenly opened drain.

Lazarus moved onward, no longer casting a shadow.

[Doublehex]

[b][center][url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=741603&postcount=11][-Alex-][/url][/center][/b]
[center]An Hour after the announcement
---[/center]

?I?m bored?, Alex characteristically declared to the empty room. After tipping and tapping his fingers against the wooden frame of his bed, listening to the moving gears of the hands of his clock, and yawning for the past hour, it was quite evident that Alex had nothing to do.

He was indeed bored, in every sense of the word. After Headmaster Enteri?s announcement on the Final Exam assignments, it would be frank to say that nothing interesting occurred. And because of it, Alex had nothing to do. He would be doing studying, but there were no longer any written tests to take. He would train, but the Training Ground was closed due to too many students hurt in their Trials.

Once he thought of the wounded, an idea came to him. He hadn?t seen any of his comrades since his Trial. It seemed likely that they were probably wounded somehow. With that, Alex slipped on his shoes and headed for the door.

OOC: Sorry for the small post, but inspiration left me.

[TheResplendent]

[color=navy][size=1]Lazarus walked away toward Ayame's bedside, Kyosuke watched with disdain as he was unable to muster the strength to say anything after Lazarus's request of him. Sakura looked over as Kyosuke clearly had an annoyed look on his face.

[b]"What nerve! He speaks as if he knows what is best, simply because he walked out of his trial uninjured. If he wishes to pass the final then he better start learning how to listen to me."[/b] Kyosuke said, fighting through the pain enough to finally adjust himself so he could see over the main desk.

[b]"Kyosuke, don't let that kind of stuff bother you now. It may be unfortunate for you, but you have to work together."[/b] Sakura said.

Havok nodded in agreement. [b]"She's right. First worry about healing up, then you can worry about the rest of your team."[/b]

[b]"Hm, that's easy for you to say. You don't have to worry about any of your squad members..."[/b] Kyosuke answered back.

[b]"Well, I guess so...but I will probably have to put up with Carrot's attitude!"[/b] Havok said in a joking way. Havok stopped laughing and looked down at Sakura and Kyosuke who look like they've been pointing behind him for some time now. Havok put two and two together and realized what had just happened.

[b]"Boy! You are LUCKY you aren't injured! But I can change that if you really want!"[/b] Carrot said in a slightly angry tone as she grabbed Havok by his ear and dragged him out of Kyosuke and Sakura's room.

Sakura giggled a bit, but then looked over at Kyosuke who still had a determined and upset look on his face.

[b]"Kyo...I..."[/b]

[b]"Don't worry about me... Sakura. We promised each other we would become Risk Breakers...I won't do anything to void that."[/b] Kyosuke said, cutting Sakura off. He knew she was worried that he would do something irrational, but he was determined to make the best out of the conditions. Kyosuke whipped off his blanket and forced his body to turn so his legs were hanging off the bed. Sakura saw this and tried to move but she hurt herself by attempting to pull her arm away from the sling.

[b]"Kyosuke! What are you doing? You shouldn't get up..."[/b] Sakura said, feeling helpless because she herself could not get up yet.

[b]"I'm going to go speak with Aaron. That is all...i'll be back."[/b] Kyosuke said, as he stood on his feet, but quickly stumbled over. He caught himself on Sakura's bedside, his hand crushing across her arm and her hand gripping onto his. Kyosuke looked up at Sakura who was already gazing into Kyo's eyes. She hadn't seen them without his glasses on in a while. Kyo brought his hand brushing down sakura's arm as the feeling sent chills up her spine, Kyosuke as well noticed how soft her skin was. It felt good against his own, but he tried his best to catch his balance so he could stand on his own. Sakura wanted to move so badly but even the good parts of her body froze up. Kyosuke stood straight and with gritted teeth and closed fists he forced himself to fight through the pain and move.

[b]"Um...just...tell Nurse Mallon that I went to the bathroom, will ya?"[/b] Kyosuke said to Sakura, suddenly realizing that Nurse Mallon would probably beat him senseless if she found out Kyosuke was walking around against her will.

[/color][/size]


[size=1]ooc: attack of the short lengthed posts! Acheron feel free to take off from here if you want, lets get Kyosuke and Aaron some interaction so they can get ready to conquer the final.[/size]

[Sakura]

[COLOR=Navy]Sakura was still tingling from Kyo's touch as he left. She groaned, determined to sit up she leaned on her good elbow and pushed up, ignoring the pain from her left arm as it moved. She shifted herself so she was sitting up in her bed, back resting against the pillows. She closed her eyes and thought about the tension that had just been between herself and Kyo, but she tried to supress her feelings since she knew that he liked Ayame. Sakura hated herself for feeling such jealousy, but she was still feeling hostile toward the other girl because of what had happened during the trial. Rinoa walked into the door to see Sakura leaning back against the pillows, eyes closed with a shimmer of moisture visible from beneath her eyelids.

[B]"Sakura?"[/B] she asked softly.

She snapped to awareness immediately, wiping the tears that had been forming. She put on a smile, looking at Rinoa, beckoning her in. Rinoa moved forward and propped on the edge of the bed, reaching out to take one of her hands. Sakura just looked at her silently.

[B]"You okay, Sakura?"[/B]

[B]"Yeah, I'm fine."[/B] she sounded like her normal self but Rinoa could tell something was bothering her. [B]"So, we're on the same team. Should be interesting."[/B]

[B]"Yeah, I really can't wait, though I should be feeling a little scared because we don't know what the mission will be like. But I love adventure!"[/B]

Sakura smiled brightly, Rinoa was so happy and cheerful that it was contagious. She was about to say something when Nurse Mallon entered the room, frowning at Sakura that she had moved, not noticing Kyo's absence until she turned to check on him.

[B]"Where is Kyosuke Orias?"[/B] she demanded firmly.

Rinoa was silent, she had seen Kyo leave the Infirmary earlier.

[B]"He's gone to the bathroom."[/B] Sakura lied.

The nurse frowned but accepted it, walking to Sakura's bed instead. Rinoa quickly got up and moved out of the way. Nurse Mallon got Sakura to sit on the side of the bed with her legs hanging off. She checked Sakura's shoulder carefully, running her hands along Sakura's arms, making her remember the episode with Kyo earlier. She shook it out of her head as she realised that she was being spoken to.

[B]"I'm sorry, what did you ask?"[/B]

[B]"How is your arm feeling?"[/B]

[B]"Oh, it's still painful, but a lot better."[/B]

[B]"Alright, we'll take it out of the sling and unbandage it then."[/B] she said, undoing the cloth that held her bandaged arm in place.

Sakura slowly lowered it from the position it had been in, wincing a little as the sore muscles stretched. The nurse undid the clip of the bandage on her arm, slowly unwinding it until Nurse Mallon held the long length in her hands.

[B]"Rest that arm, or it will take longer to heal, if you treat it well the arm should be ok in a week or two. Though you should know that even once the muscles feel better it won't be fully healed, your shoulder was seriously injured, I don't know if there'll be any permanent damage."[/B] she told her warily. [B]"If you see Orias coming from the toilet, make sure you tell him to get back to his bed."[/B] it was evident that the nurse knew he had left the infirmary.

Sakura nodded in understanding, thanking her, feeling nervous that the nurse had seen through her lie. She felt great she was finally allowed to leave the Infirmary, it was so sterile, totally not to her liking. She got out of the bed, brushing off her uniform that was dirty, torn and wrinkled from the Trial and lying in bed and grabbed her gunblade that was beside the bed. She looked to Rinoa with a grin, the two walked out of the room, and Rinoa half dragged Sakura into Ayame's room. Carrot and Havok were both in there, they seemed to have stopped arguing.

Rinoa went to Havok, leaning herself against his side. Carrot looked at Sakura, an undecided look on her face.

[B]"So, we're going to have to work together."[/B] she said.

Sakura nodded. [B]"Yup, that's how it's gonna go."[/B]

[B]"I don't have that much of a problem with you. I'd be friendlier to you if you didn't hang out with idiots like Orias and him."[/B] she said, jerking her thumb at Havok.

[B]"They're my friends. As are you. I don't have a problem with you Carrot, I just wish you wouldn't avoid me because I'm close to Kyo."[/B] Sakura sighed. She glanced at Ayame on the bed who stared at her. [B]"Anyways, I'm going. I'll see you all later."[/B] Sakura shouldered her gunblade and exited the room, leaving the infirmary, deciding to search for Kyo in case he hurt himself, he really was too injured to be wandering around campus.[/COLOR]