RPG Citius Altius Fortius [M-VSL]

[Lazarus]

Lazarus paused outside the library, his book stowed safely. He leaned his head against the stone wall.

[i]"Why do I have to be that way? I hate to see Alex so subdued and quiet. He's like I was when I was younger. No one else deserves to be cast aside like that. I suppose I try to get him to be more active the only way I know how."[/i]

Lazarus laughed to himself, the sound echoing down the empty hall.

"I must be going crazy. Mox is going to drive me to insanity one of these days."

Lazarus trudged back to his quarters, determined to get some sleep. Tonight was another lesson with the taskmaster of a professor. Lazarus would be paying close attention. Mox liked to gloat, and if he could accquire any more insight, perhaps it would come in handy for the others, or himself.

And maybe they would accept him.

Lazarus charged the door to his room with his curse, then fell onto his bed, allowing his tired mind to rest.

[Kitty]

[size=1][indent]Ayame worried that her leaving the library to find Alex would give the others, including Kyosuke, the impression that she liked him. While she thought, her ever-present smile faded slightly as Lazarus entered her thoughts. She often seemed angry about what he did, especially his latest episode with Alex, but she was actually afraid of him more than any student on campus. Not because he was studying black magic or because he seemed so downright mean towards everyone, but because for a couple years, she had a large crush on him.

She didn't know why herself, as he had been blatently rude towards her on several occassions when she had just run into him, but it didn't stop her. It was only at the beginning of this year did her attention shift onto anyone else, but she still felt extremely embarrassed that she had liked him for so long. She also thought he had indirectly shot down her advances, though in truth, she hadn't advanced towards him at all and he barely said anything to her about that kind of thing.

[b]"Now where did Alex run off to?"[/b] Ayame sighed, not wanting to dwell on the thought any longer. Out of nowhere, Daiya floated into her at a rather high speed, knocking her over and sending her books all over the hallway. [b]"Daiya?! Where have you been?"[/b]

[i]"At the cafe,"[/i] he explained, licking his lips. [i]"Do you know how good their ice cream is?"[/i] He floated dazily into her arms, obviously exhausted after treating himself to the food in the cafe's freezer. And then, she remembered that she had promised Alex some ice cream.

[b]"Daiya, head back to the dorm. I'll meet up with you tonight, 'kay?"[/b] She watched as her furry friend floated away before kneeling down to pick up her things. Gathering all her things back into her bag, she got up to head towards the cafe, but instead ran into somebody.

[b]"Oh, sorry! I was just picking some things up and-- Alex!"[/b] She interrupted her own ramblings when she saw who it was she had bumped into. He didn't say anything, and turned to leave, but she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the cafe. He wasn't sure where they were going, but he didn't mind that she was paying attention to him.

[b]"One mint chocolate chip for me and a, um..."[/b] she paused, glancing over at Alex. He shrugged and mumbled 'peanut butter'. [b]"And a peanut butter for him."[/b] The woman handed over two cones and Ayame quickly took a bite out of hers, holding out the other for him. He accepted it and took a small bite, but remained silent.

[b]"C'mon. Lets go to the gardens,"[/b] Ayame smiled, looping her arm with his and walking off. When they arrived in the garden, the two had almost finished their cones. They had walked in silence, aside from Ayame's giggles when he took small bites of his ice cream. She gave him back his arm and sat on the bench, patting the spot beside her, but he chose to lean against the stone fence.

[b]"You know... You shouldn't pay any mind to what guys like Lazarus say,"[/b] Ayame began. He must have expected a talk, but he refused to look at her. [b]"Lazarus is just... just... Gah, just ignore him. He just wants to psyche you out and make you worry!"[/b]

[b]"Yeah, but... He's right--"[/b]

[b]"No, he isn't! You can't believe what he says or else you [i]will[/i] get killed during the last exams. Besides, one person's opinion does not define who you are."[/b]

[b]"But it's not just one persons opinion!"[/b] Alex protested. [b]"Everyone at the school must think that of me.."[/b]

[b]"Well, I don't. And I bet you Kyosuke and the others don't think that either. You aren't a coward, Alex. You're just shy, and there's nothing wrong with that,"[/b] she smiled. He was finally looking at her, but he stayed quiet. Ayame, who had finished her ice cream, got off the bench and gave him a hug, something that caught him off guard.

[b]"You're my friend Alex. Don't forget that, okay?"[/b]

[b]"Um.. Ayame?"[/b] he asked, his face rather pink out of embarrassment.

[b]"Yeah?"[/b] she asked, finally letting go.

[b]"... Thanks."[/b]

[b]"No problem! So... [i]Now[/i] can I get a ride?"[/b] she giggled, pulling him away from the stone fence and jumping on his back like she had earlier. [b]"C'mon! Move! We aren't going to get anywhere if you just stand there,"[/b] she teased.

[b]"You want me to move? Alright. But I'd hold on if I were you,"[/b] he added with a grin. Finishing his ice cream in two big bites, he burst out into a sprint. He was running extremely fast for someone carrying another person. One arm around his neck and the other up in the air, Ayame cheered loudly as the two crossed the large garden.[/indent]

---
OOC: Hope this was okay. Wow, Ayame's a big flirt, huh? xD I don't know if the school has a garden or not, but I thought it made a nice setting. I'm assuming its huge, though, based on the size of the academy, lol.
EDIT: I wanna make it clear that Ayame doesn't like Alex. Does [i]not[/i], despite the impression some of my posts may give. Just pointing it out. ^_^;[/size]

[Doublehex]

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

Exhausted, Alex fell onto his bed. He had been wandering the school grounds for the past couple of hours, ignoring the pain in his legs. After his encounter with Lazarus, Alex felt he was just gonna die. He felt weak, like a wimp. He was so sure that his entire life at the Academy had been for naught, that for all of his best efforts, he still was a weak idiot who couldn?t do anything right. But then came Ayame came running along. Before their spar, the hyperactive girl just annoyed him. But now, after she tugged him along to get some ice cream, and told him that he wasn?t weak, just a little bit shy, that in the inside he really was brave, Alex knew that he had a good friend for the whole year, and he never even knew it. He wanted respect, to be loved, and he was searching for it for so long that he didn?t even recognize it when he found it. Ayame did care for him, although not in the way most people his age would think. It was more of a brother-sister relationship than anything.

After pondering on these thoughts for a few moments, Alex realized that he had spent the whole day with Ayame, talking at his favorite spot. He didn?t do any investigating on the Trial.

Suddenly, an idea popped into his head. He remembered Lazarus saying something about Mox being not only an evil bastard, but someone who was over arrogant, and more importantly, he knew what the truth behind the Trial.

Rushing into his cabinet, Alex searched franticly for the support magis he needed. Finding them at last, he smiled at its unique value: shadow stealth. Even though you?re true image shimmers if you move too much, it one was to stand still, it would be like searching for a light blue coral in the sea.

Using this, he was going to see what Mox and the Academy had in mind.

[center]*[/center]

Sneaking quietly through the halls, Alex finally made it to Ayame?s apartment. He would get in more trouble than he could ever imagine if one of the Instructors caught him, but he wanted to include the hyperactive girl in his plan. Ayame had told him where she stayed; so that he could see her if anything was up. And boy was something up.

He knocked lightly on the door. Ayame answered it, and Alex was not surprised one bit to see her in pink bunny PJs. ?Alex!? she half yawned. ?What are you doing here? When I said you could come anytime, I didn?t mean at eleven at night!?

Alex showed her the two white crystals. ?What would you say if I knew of a way to get Mox to tell us what?s in store for the Trials??

Ayame said she was very interested indeed.

[TheResplendent]

[COLOR=Navy][size=1]Kyosuke began to walk out of the library after voicing his method of getting Alex in the right state of mind for the trial. Sakura chased after him though before he could get to the door. She grabbed his arm and spun him around.

[b]"Wait! Kyo, are you sure? I'm sure there's another way"[/b] she suggested, obviously protesting his idea. Kyo turned to her and stared down.

[b]"I said it before that Alex has the determination, but it's dormant. Unfortunatley he has very little of anything else. The most proficient way of going about this would be to emphasize his strengths and hide the weaknesses, but when it comes to someone like Alex who has many weaknesses...it's often a good idea to take another path,"[/b] Kyo explained.

Ayame ran up beside Sakura put her hands on her hips. [b]"Hey, Kyo! I'm sure Alex has plenty of other strengths..."[/b] she tried to add to the debate. Kyo turned his focus to her for a split second, then addressed everyone in the group.

[b]"Alex has been injured too many times during sparring sessions because of his lack of focus, he has failed written test after written test because of his lack of knowledge, he has been sucessfully depleted of any remaining pride or drive thanks to lazarus's self-absorbed words, because of his lack of self-esteem. His strength dosen't show because he has no supporting pillars for it, or to put it in different terms it would be like a lion going into a fight with 100 hyenas who have taken over his jungle. The lion has lost his advantage due to numbers, territory loss, and inability to recognize his plight. These aspects are equivalent in nature to what Alex lacks, and the lion's foolhardy courage is equivalent to Alex's dormant determination...both are great to have but when the odds are stacked against them it does little good."[/b]

Everyone just stared at Kyo, either impressed or bewildered by his explanation. Kyosuke had a talent for breaking things down and explaining them to reflect the most amount of truth possible, regardless of how it was perceived in terms of harshness. Sakura knew that Kyo was usually right in his character judgement, but still wished he had held back a little. Ayame just slumped her head down, willing to listen. Rinoa stepped up however and addressed Kyosuke.

[b]"You may be right, i have to admit i've seen plenty of the negatives in Alex in just the few times we've spoken. But we're all in this together aren't we? Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses but there's always a way improve ones self."[/b]

[b]"That's precisely it. Rather then act in futility we create supporting pillars to allow him to awaken his strength himself. If he can't do it for himself then it won't be worth anything. People need to realize their own potential through any means that open their eyes to it. Any of us can only be helped so much by one another, but in the end the true nature of our resolve and power can only be discovered by us as individuals."[/b] Kyosuke explained. Kyo reflected quickly back on the words he just spoke and sensed an all too familiar presence in his words. He closed his eyes and reached his hand to his chest where he clutched a gothic style cross with inscriptions within it. He couldn't help but feel like...his father was trying to tell him the very same. Unable to make any sense out of the strange feeling he had, he merely shook his head and returned his focus to the present.

[b]"I suppose you never cease to amaze me with your analysis of things. But i assume you've already thought of how your suggestion is going to help build a supporting pillar?"[/b] Sakura asked, open to hearing more of an explanation.

[b]"If i get serious, I kill him. I've seen him fight and he has a ways to go, It can't be helped. I'll make sure that he gets something out of it though. That much I can promise"[/b] Kyosuke answered in a confident tone.

He walked off with a wave, apologizing for being so up front but assuring Ayame, Sakura, and Rinoa that he knew what he was talking about. Ayame looked up at Sakura who watched him leave, with her arms crossed. Ayame tapped Sakura on her shoulder.

[b]"Sakura, is Kyosuke really that strong? Do you really think he wants to...well...kill Alex?"[/b] she asked with a doubtful tone in her voice.

[b]"You don't have to worry Ayame. I have a feeling Kyosuke knows what he's doing. He would never bring himself to kill a fellow student however. It's...well...difficult to understand someone like Kyosuke fully when your just meeting him...every now and then though i give him a kick in the ass to get him off his pedestal"[/b] Sakura explained with an assuring smile on her face.

Sakura knew that Kyosuke was strong, but the words he spoke was the familiar condecending tone he used with a lot of people. Kyosuke often believed he knew what was best for everyone, and often asserted himself. It was never his wish to offend, just simply to tell the truth. Sakura however was one of the very few people that realized that Kyosuke always has good intentions.

It was at the point where Ayame could never think badly about Kyosuke, she had already seen the side of him that she enjoyed being with...and when Ayame saw the good in people that was her deciding factor in how she felt about people. She liked that he was smart and felt like she could learn a lot from him. It's the same way when she saw Alex's smile, she saw the him behind everything else that was like sunlight through the darkness. Ayame was fairly good at bringing the good out of people, though when she did...she often became attached to that side. Ayame gave the other two girls a big smile and ran off on her way.**

Rinoa still didn't know Kyosuke well enough to make a final judgement but she didn't perceive Kyosuke's explanation as negative, she was more than willing to help actually. She just knew that Kyo was smart and attractive and she too had seen his courteous side.

People like Kyosuke were always hard to understand, being one way then being another at different times. His state of mind always allowed him various points of view when analyzing things, which is probably a big contributing factor as to why his way of thinking was so complicated.

On his way out the door he saw a female student standing infront of him, leaning against the wall with a smile on her face.

[b]"Hey Orias, going around acting all high and mighty again huh? Daddy's kid sure has a mouth on him,"[/b] the student said. Kyosuke recognized her red hair, and her demeanor right away. Carrot Burnheart was one of the students in the academy that couldn't stand Kyosuke and usually contributed it to his family. Kyosuke and Carrot had such conflicting personalities it was like an overfilled hot air balloon everytime they were in the same room together.

[b]"Asking you to have some class and dicipline is an act in futility isn't it? Step aside, i have no desire to be held up by you"[/b] Kyosuke said walking by her. Carrot laughed subtly to herself and shrugged.

[b]"Have it your way, you just better stay out of my way when the trials start. I don't need any help from some son whose desperate to get out of his dad's shadow"[/b] Carrot said, with intentions to agitate. Kyosuke stopped for a second but composed himself quickly, telling himself inside his head that it wasn't worth his time.

[/COLOR][/size]

---------------------------------

** = goes into where Kitty's last post starts.

[Lazarus]

Midnight found Lazarus seated in his normal spot in the courtyard. The tome he'd been paging through earlier was sitting in his lap. He'd gone through it, and had a good understanding of just what was going to be taking place tonight.

"I see you've been doing the requisite reading."

Lazarus scowled. "Not by choice. I know what you're planning, personally, and I don't think it's fair. You and I both know the extent of Aggamemmnon's powers. Without flawless control, he'll drag his opponent back into the pit with him. Somehow, I don't think the headmaster would like that."

Mox gave a simple 'Hrm' of dismissal. "Come. We will finish our preparations tonight."

Lazarus sighed and stood. "I know you're not the only person preparing a trial Professor. What's everyone else got planned?"

"You think I'm going to tell you?" Mox asked, scoffing.

Lazarus shrugged as they approached the interior door leading down into the basement. "It was worth a try."

"Honestly boy, I was beginning to think you might just have some sense in your head. Then you go and ask a stupid question like that." Mox taunted.

"There are no stupid questions..." Lazarus responded, leaving the insult unspoken. Mox chuckled as he waved his hand to open the door into the basement. Again the sickly sweet smell of rotting flesh rolled from beyond the gaping portal.

Lazarus steeled himself and stepped into the room ahead of the Professor. Without waiting, he stepped up to one of the many bodies that had been placed on the stone slabs here, and began working. The summoning impliments and bindings were grizzly things. An eight sided pentacle made of bone, bound with brain matter. Candles made from human skin, and a host of other necromantic objects.

Preparations were well underway for the summoning. Lazarus stood and wiped sweat from his brow after positioning the last candle, and inscribing the petagram it sat in with the requisite runes.

"We've finished." He noted.

Mox smirked. "Nonsense boy. This will be your preliminary trial." He tossed Lazarus a pack of matches.

"Summon Aggamemmnon."

[Sandy]

[SIZE=1][B]OoC: [/B] Returning to the events of the day for a bit more.[/SIZE]

[COLOR=DarkRed][CENTER]~~~~~[/CENTER]

As Carrot left the infirmary in a fit of irritation, she barely even noticed that she had slammed the door at someone.

She marched straight to her room in the dormitory, which she had shared with a girl named Lora Castane, who had dropped out of Argo Arx Arcanum a few years back after a serious incident involving a silencing spell. Many fingers had pointed at Carrot during that time, but there was no proof for it. Carrot was just happy to have the room all for herself.

[B]"You crazy bitch!"[/B] she swore, meaning part Ayame, part herself.

She sat on her bed and lay down. She stared at the ceiling for quite a while, collecting her thoughts. Then she made her decision.

[B]"Boys aside, I'm gonna have to find out what this freaking "panacean" means. Maybe Rinoa knows, she should be in the library at this time of the day..."[/B]

Rinoa Ryuzaki was a new face in the school, so she wasn't around when Kyosuke Orias and some other boys bullied Carrot for her name way back when they were all still immature kids. Carrot had formed a friendly rivalry with Rinoa, without any larger animosities between them.

Carrot squeezed her copy of "Elements of Life" tightly against her chest as she walked towards the library.

Suddenly she walked into the last person she wanted to see.

[B]"Hey Orias, going around acting all high and mighty again huh? Daddy's kid sure has a mouth on him,"[/B] Carrot remarked in the most irritating tone she could.

[B]"Asking you to have some class and discipline is an act in futility isn't it? Step aside, i have no desire to be held up by you." [/B]

Carrot just laughed.

[B]"Have it your way, you just better stay out of my way when the trials start. I don't need any help from some son whose desperate to get out of his dad's shadow."[/B]

Then she walked on, leaving the annoyed Orias behind her. When she finally reached the library, she found Rinoa there with Sakura Clyne. Carrot didn't know Sakura very well, but she was a friend of Kyosuke Orias, and that was enough.

[B]"Rinoa, hey!"[/B] she hollered as she approached the two girls. She smiled at Rinoa, but avoided to give Sakura even a glance.[B] "Could you help me with our homework? I've been reading the chapters Instructor Shandala gave me, but I'm kind of stuck."[/B]

[B]"Sure, what is it?"[/B] Rinoa asked politely.

[B]"It's this term, [I]panacean[/I]... I don't have the slightest idea of what it means, and I tried to ask Nurse Mallon about it, but..."[/B]

[B]"Did you check the References?"[/B] Rinoa asked, making Sakura giggle.

[B]"What? Ref..."[/B] Carrot was abashed. Her face went pale white, and then turned to screaming red. How could've she been so stupid not to check the References at the end of the book, where they usually explain all the difficult terms?!

[B]"Well, my copy doesn't have any! They... Somebody tore them off! [I]So there![/I]"[/B] she almost yelled at the two girls, who just stared at her in confusion.

Carrot had no other option but to retreat before she embarrased herself any further.

[CENTER]~~~~~[/CENTER][/COLOR]
[SIZE=1]
[B]OoC:[/B] Gawd I love highschool drama! XD I just love how Orias and Carrot act in the vicinity of each others.
[/SIZE]

[Tekkaman]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron quietly snuck himself out of Stephen's room, a habit that Stephen was used to throughout the years they've spent together. As Aaron snuck out of his room, pushing his platinum hair back from his eyes, he shut the door quietly behind him. [b][i]Class was beginning anyway.[/i][/b][/size][/font]

[center][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkred][b][i]~+~[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font][/center]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]As Arron made it to his next class: [b][i][color=navy]Blue Magic[/color][/i][/b], Aaron sighed heavily. [i][color=darkgreen]*Late again.*[/color][/i] Aaron thought to himself. [color=darkgreen][i]*Mr. Andrews is gonna have my head!*[/i][/color] Aaron snuck to his usual seat in the rear, counting the 3 students that he didn't know. The classroom that they sat in was built for 50 students. Aaron sighed again, relieved that the teacher didn't notice him.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=sienna]"Morning, Mr. Covias."[/color][/i][/b] Mr. Andrews; the [b][i][color=navy]Blue Magic[/color][/i][/b] teacher bellowed.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron jumped from semi-fright, blushing from his cheeks from being noticed. Aaron half-hid under his bookbag, hoping it would shield him from the other 3 students penetrating stares.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]The teacher removed his glasses, perturbed at the usual tardies that Aaron had under his belt. [b][i][color=sienna]"Were you practicing support magic with Mr. Jonuvar again?"[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron nodded quickly, his ears becoming red from embarrassment now.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=sienna]"[/color][/i][/b] [b][i][color=sienna]I thought so.[/color][/i][/b] [i]* sighs aloud *[/i] [b][i][color=sienna]Mr. Covias, while I admit that you have maintained an above-average grade in this class, you and Mr. Jonuvar are some of the top-ranking students [u]in the support field[/u]."[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"Um..."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron wasn't sure what to say. [b][i][color=darkgreen]"Than-"[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Mr. Andrews cut him off mid statement, continuing his own. [i][color=sienna][b]"If you want to be top-tier in Blue Magic as well, you'll have to find another '[/b]Mr. Jonuvar'[b] in here."[/b][/color][/i] The teacher smiled at his little punishment set up for the boy.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][b][i]"You...you mean another friend in this class? You want me to make a friend in here?"[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=sienna][b][i]"[u]Correct[/u]."[/i][/b][/color] Mr. Andrews stated. [b][i][color=sienna]"By doing so, you could be a threat in both fields of study, becoming great in any mission you were assigned to."[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]A small smile penetrated Aaron's lips. The teacher noticed the smile, looking through the rosters of students. [b][i][color=sienna]"Ahh. I've found just the person for you to learn from in terms of [color=navy]Blue Magic[/color], Mr. Covias."[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

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

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]The classsoom doors swung open, another student walking inside. The student was known by all as [b][i]"The Ass", [/i][/b]though they never got to know him personally. By his attitude alone, students didn't want to be next to him; scowling as he walked past them. However, he had [b]OWN[/b]ed [b][color=navy][i]Blue Magic Class[/i][/color][/b], producing an [u]A+[/u] for all of his assignments, with the exception of team assignments: [i]No other student wanted to work with him.[/i] It was clear that this student was going to be Aaron's mentor. He shook his head quietly while the teacher produced Blue and Earth magic together, the arriving student watching semi-thoroughly.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"No,"[/color][/i][/b] Aaron said, believing that he was in a dream. [b][i][color=darkgreen]"Not [u]Blaize Harbinger[/u]. Anyone but him."[/color][/i][/b][/size][/font]

[center][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkred][b][i]~+~[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font][/center]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]As Blaize walked out of the classroom from irritation, Aaron followed as directed by the teacher. Cautiously, Aaron kept 20 ft. from the student at all times, watching his every move in case he was to turn around; noticing whoever was following him. As Aaron followed the student, Blaize stopped suddenly; [u]scaring the shit out of the stalker[/u].[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][color=darkgreen]*Damn! did he notice me?*[/color][/i] Aaron thought from fear and adrenaline.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Blaize began to look at several students in a garden before going over to talk to them. As he was introducing himself to the others, Aaron sighed heavily before turning around and walking off, noticed by no one.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"Too many students over there for me to talk to in one day."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron said quietly to himself, chuckling. [b][i][color=darkgreen]"Maybe if I pretend I talked to him, then the tea-"[/color][/i][/b] He suddenly remembered what the teacher said to him before he left the classroom to chase Blaize.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][color=sienna]*Remember, if you can't show me one new thing that you learned from Mr. Harbinger in three days, your grade will drop a letter.*[/color][/i] Aaron recalled the teacher saying.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"...Shit."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron unconsiously cursed. [b][i][color=darkgreen]"I guess I can talk to him whenever time presents itself."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron walked until he came to [b][i][u]Blaize's dorm room[/u][/i][/b] which was locked, obviously; [b][i][u]leaving a note taped to the door[/u][/i][/b]. The note hung securely as Aaron then walked to his own dorm room, 3 minutes away. [i]The note blew from a gentle breeze[/i].[/size][/font]


[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][QUOTE] [color=navy][b][i]Blaize,[/i][/b] [/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=navy]I have an assignment that I need to complete concering your [b][i]Blue Magic[/i][/b] skills. [b][i][u]Meet me at room #249[/u][/i][/b] whenever you have time. I [b][i][u]cannot [/u][/i][/b]complete my work without your help. Thanks.[/color][/size][/font]

[right][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=navy][b][i]Aaron Covais[/i][/b] ~[/color][/size][/font][/right]
[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][/QUOTE] [/size][/font]

[Kitty]

[SIZE=1]OOC: We're moving fast, aren't we? xD I'm not used to posting this much in the same thread in only two days, lol. Also, I've noticed some of us are posting about different times. Hopefully we can tie that up soon. >.>;;
---

[indent]Ayame reemerged from her room, clad in her favorite orange hat and shirt, and brown shorts. Daiya was resting on her shoulder when Alex asked if he was coming along.

[i]"It's potentially dangerous. Of course I'm coming,"[/i] Daiya spoke up. Alex was startled, having not heard Daiya speak before.

[b]"He can talk?"[/b] Alex blinked.

[b]"In a sense,"[/b] Ayame replied, [b]"But that's not important. So how do you plan on getting Mox to explain everything to us? A truth spell or something? Not sure one of those exists, but..."[/b] Alex rolled his eyes as she trailed off into thought. It was typical of her to continue talking about something when she had made her point or asked her question already.

[b]"We aren't going to make him tell us anything,"[/b] he interrupted her ramblings.

[b]"What?! That makes no sense!"[/b] she cried, not understanding it at all.

[b]"I'll explain on the way. C'mon. We've got to find Lazarus before he heads down to the basement."[/b]

[b]"But I thought we were trying to get the info out of Mox, Alex. ... Alex?"[/b] While she had been shutting her dorm room door behind her and asking the question, Alex had already started walking and turned a corner. She called for him to wait up, getting a bit flustered at the lack of explanations coming from him.

[center][Courtyard - Midnight][/center]

[b]"We've been here for almost an hour, Alex. How much longer do we have to hide back here and wait?"[/b] Ayame whispered impatiently, stroking Daiya who was napping quietly in her lap. Alex, as he had said, explained to her what the plan was on their way to find Lazarus. But what Ayame didn't get was why they didn't just use the magi now. As she stared out from behind the foliage to the other side of the courtyard, he tried to explain.

[b]"We don't know how much time we'll need, so it's best to save them for when Mox shows up."[/b]

[b]"Then it's time to use them now, 'cause here he is,"[/b] Ayame pointed. And sure enough, there he was, talking with Lazarus. When the two had gotten up, Alex grabbed Ayame's wrist and dragged her after them. [b]"Uh... B-But..."[/b] Ayame stuttered upon seeing the open door to the basement.

[b]"What? Don't tell me you're having second thoughts [i]now[/i],"[/b] Alex sighed.

[b]"N-no, it's just... corpses are really creepy... But! I've gotta do this!"[/b] she began saying to herself. Alex stared at her as she seemed to be boosting her own spirits; a new and strange sight to see. A moment or two later, she was back to her perky, silly self. [b]"Thanks Daiya,"[/b] she added. Alex was about to ask who she was talking to when he remembered her cat was still with them. Then the last few moments made more sense to him.

[b]"Alright, you ready? Remember. So long as you stay still, you?re invisible."[/b]

[b]"Got it,"[/b] she nodded.[/indent][/SIZE]

[Lazarus]

OOC: Feel free to jump around in terms of time. This is my final "night course" with Mox anyway, so I'll be a lot more "active" during the day with the rest of you. :D

---

Lazarus sucked in a heavy breath like he'd been punched in the gut.

[i]"Summon Aggamemmnon..."[/i]

Well, really, why not? Lazarus was certain he knew all the steps, all the proper words of power and binding. All the proper points at which to offer a sacrifice of the small horde of zombies stacked against the wall.

"I'll need a blade." Lazarus pointed out.

Mox laughed, a cold dark sound. "My boy, you always carry one with you, do you not?"

Lazarus's blood ran alternatingly cold and hot. The bastard. The only keepsake, the only memento of his lineage, of his family, and he would be forced to soil it in this profane ritual. Lazarus's hand tightened about the handle of the onyx sword at his hip, and he drew it smoothly. While it's edges were dull, the point was quite sharp.

Lazarus took in a deep breath. He knew what the summoning would mean. Having summoned Aggamemmnon would be his true trial. The one he would face later would be a show, a performance. It was the way with the Black Mages. A snap of the fingers, and the eight candles were lit. Eight matches vanished from the pack. It was the way of the pentacle. Should the summoner move, the pentancle would be broken, the summoned creature free. It was will and continuity that held a summoned creature such as this in place until a suitable agreement could be hewn out. Those agreements were binding.

Lazarus began his incantation, words of dark power rolling past his lips. The zombies against the wall shifted and tried escape. They always reacted in such ways. Lazarus's curse burned hotly in his throat, and he used it to pronounce the summoning without the normal taxing drain of spirit and energy it would have taken.

The smell of rotted flesh vanished, replaced by the reek of brimstone and sulphur. Within the pentacle, a pool of darkness grew. The Darkness took on an ovid shape, and a large red claw reached from it, grapsing at it's edge. The shadow trembled like a sucking wound, it's edges ragged then folded in upon itself.

And Aggamemmnon stood in it's place. Lazarus turned to Mox. "Leave us. You know it is not your place to be present during the contracting."

A summoner of dark powers never enjoyed the rapport that someone who summoned the mystical beasts did. A summoner of evil had to strike a contract with the entity he or she had summoned, and no other summoners were allowed to be present during such negotiations. Such times could be taxing on the summoner indeed. Many demons had simply stonewalled their summoners until they collapsed from exhaustion, and then devoured them.

But Lazarus had his curse to sustain him. It's power to draw on.

"You know what must be done." Mox said, then left the chamber, heading upstairs.

Lazarus smiled. "Indeed I do."

Lazarus turned his head to his right, looking as far over his shoulder as he could.

"Please come in, Alex, Ayame."

[Sakura]

[B]OOC:[/B] Kitty's right. I went to sleep, then to school, and there's more than a whole new page. =/ And what time [I]is[/I] it in this thing? Night? Day? Anyone else confused as hell? Whatever it is, my post is during the day. Not great, short of inspiration.

[COLOR=Navy]Sakura raised her eyebrows, not very surprised as Carrot only addressed Rinoa, even though she was standing right beside her. Sakura was watching her eyes, noticing that she was purposefully avoiding eye contact with her. She shrugged, she knew that she had a thing against Kyosuke, and since Sakura was his friend... She couldn't hold back the giggle as Rinoa pointed out there was a Reference section in the back.

Carrot stormed off furiously, Sakura frowned, she found it quite silly that people had a dislike for someone just because they were friends with someone they didn't like. She sighed and checked out the time, it was almost time for her next class which was Elemental Magic. She said goodbye to Rinoa and strolled to the building, arriving with more time to spare.

This was the class where her assignment was due, about Air properties and what had to be taken into consideration when casting Air spells. She'd been asked to do it because she had missed doing an assignment similar to it a while back when she had made herself sick with a anger burst.

Sakura sat at her desk and listened as she lectured the class on precedings, constantly asking them questions on all aspects of casting spells. She found herself daydreaming before someone at her side nudged her lightly.

[B]"Sakura, the question's addressed to you."[/B] the girl whispered.

She shot her head up, looking into the Instructor's eyes. [B]"I'm sorry, what was that?"[/B]

[B]"You should pay more attention. I asked you to demonstrate the right things you must do to cast a spell."[/B] she said.

Sakura nodded, rising from her seat and walking to the front of the class. She took a deep breath and concentrated, swirling her right index finger as she pulled her magi from her. The motion of twirling wasn't necessary but it helped her mind concentrate on the shape she wanted the wind to follow. Spinning her magi a small tornado started to appear in front of her, getting larger slowly. The harsh winds in the room tugged at everyone's paper, clothes and hair. The Instructor called her to stop it, and Sakura slowly lessened it, swirling slower until it was small, where she flicked at it with her fingers and it turned into a puff of air, sending a cool breeze through the room.

[B]"Thankyou, Sakura."[/B]

She nodded and went back to her desk, fixing her hair and clothes as the Instructor continued to lecture them.[/COLOR]

[Riku]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]OoC: Yeah... time is a struggle in these posts so far. Mine's going to be following Sakura's, which is in the day, so... yah. :D And by the way, I know Carrot has fire ablities too.. but she doesn't have Elemental Fire as a class so... I'm just putting it as me and Havock.

[CENTER]~*~[/CENTER]

[B]"Well, that was rather fun and embarassing at the same time,"[/B] Rinoa sighed, remembering meeting new people, the falling incident she had with Kyo, seeing Havok again, apparently making Carrot embarrased and the few things that she was involved in. She lightly closed the book that she and everyone else had been looking at, put it back on the correct shelf and looked up at the clock.... almost 4. But before she walked out of the Library, she picked up the book that Alex was studying and some others to help her pass her exams, then walking over to the counter which the Librarian was ready to help her check out any books she needed with a smile.

As soon as her books were checked out, she walked out of the Library door until she bumped into another boy. ....Oops... not again. She'd had enough of her fill bumping into people on accident, especially running into guys. [B]"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry[/B]," she replied, bowing low to the teen... but then also dropping all her books and papers onto the tile floor once again. She slightly sighed and lightly slapped her forehead, kneeling down and picking up whatever had dropped. She then heard a small snicker coming from the teen she had just said sorry to.

[B]"You know... maybe if you weren't so polite, you wouldn't drop your books so much."[/B]

This person's voice sounded familiar... Rinoa tilted her head up to see a smiling yet laughing Havock slightly waving at her and then kneeling down, helping her pick up the fallen items. She smiled a little and continued to pick up her things, also looking at Havok's features: dark brown raven hair with his long bangs covering his eyes and also his scar that was still a little dark but tainted with time. She sighed yet again, remembering that she had seen him in her class and also having a huge crush on him... but she decided that she had no chance anyway... he was popular, just like almost all the other guys in the school like Kyosuke, but... she was just an average new girl, what chance could she have with any guy?

Her thoughts dissapeared when she heard Havock talking to her. [B]"Here you go and sorry for just standing there,"[/B] he stood up and handsomely smiled, helping Rinoa up also, [B]"...I guess you could say I was... uhm... waiting for you... you know, since we have next class together and all."[/B] He coughed a little bit, trying to hide his red face from her.

Rinoa slightly gasped and smiled kindly at him, thanking him for helping her and walking together to their next class, talking about their exams and other things.

[CENTER]~*~[/CENTER]

[B]"Miss Ryuzaki, could you please explain to the class why fire magi is so important?"[/B]

[URL=http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/3209/insructoratsufq3.png]Instructor Atsu[/URL] had asked her out of the two students that were in his class: Rinoa and Havock.. and apparently he just had to pick Rinoa to answer the question.

[B]"Well.... um," [/B] she stuttered, always shy when being asked questions in fron of the class, [B]"Fire magi is just like any other elemental magi... except it's represented as the light of life and it helps with many problems."[/B]

[B]"Very good, Miss Ryuzaki,"[/B] Atsu nodded, telling her to sit down. He then walked over to his desk and opened his right palm, creating a small flame of fire and creating the flame into the shape of a rose. [B]"Now you will learn how to control your fire magic by creating it into any shape you would like,"[/B] he continued, [B]"this teaches you how to control your magic to do what you want at will."[/B]

Both Rinoa and Havock stood up and walked into the huge area in the empty class. Instructor Atsu had asked Havock to go first, so he slowly raised his right hand and opened his palm, also summoning a small amount of flame magi. His face then turned a little serious as he was concentrating on the image he wanted in his mind.... then, the flame lightly flickered and then turned into the shape of a Horse, whinning and running in his palm. Rinoa gasped excitedly and lightly clapped her hands, causing Havok to slightly tinge of red and scratch the back of his head.

Atsu lightly applaused and smilied, nodding at Havok's well- done achievement. [B]"Well done, Mr. Vermilion... although I must say that I'm sure you were doing that for someone here..."[/B] he raised his eyebrow and lightly chuckled at Havock's embarressed expression. He then looked over at Rinoa and nodded, [B]"Very well, Miss Ryuzaki.... it is now your turn."[/B]

Rinoa gulped loudly and nodded back, ready to try to do this correctly. She slowly raised her right hand and opened her palm. It took her awhile to summon her flame, but it finally came, flickering brightly in her hand. She concentrated on her shape she wanted the flame to turn into. [B]"Come on... a heart, a heart..."[/B] she thought hard to herself... until suddenly her flame slowly sparked into a heart. Rinoa smiled, excited by what she just did while the Instructor and Havock both smiled and clapped.... until the heart suddenly broke into two and made a small explosion, causing her face to be covered by black ash.

Havock was the first to gasp and walked over to her with a tissue in his hand. She lightly took the tissue and wiped her face with it. [B]"Why... why can't I do anything right?!"[/B] she thought to herself, bringing tears to her blue eyes. Suddenly, she bowed low to Instructor Atsu, [B]"I'm sorry I can't do anything right, Instructor!"[/B] she exclamied, then turning around and running out the door, her right arm covering her face and making sounds of crying.

[B]"Wait, Miss Ryuzaki!"[/B] Atsu yelled, trying to stop her. He then sighed and put his hand over his face, slightly shaking his head. [B]"She doubts herself too much... it's not that easy to perform for some people,"[/B] he said, [B]"well, best let her be for awhile and continue class, Mr. Vermil.."[/B] He looked around, just noticing that Havock was gone. He then lightly laughed and returned to his seat, thinking about his younger days at this school.

Havock ran down the hall which Rinoa went, trying to find her all over the place. [B]"Aw man,"[/B] he said, breathing hard as he was trying to look for her, [B]"she didn't know that I had practiced this before... the same thing happened to me my first time, too." [/B] He then continued to search for her, almost giving up until he heard small sniffles coming form his left.

He looked down over the balcony and saw her... Rinoa sitting in the garden on a small rock and crying to herself. He then walked down the hall and headed for the garden, going to cheer her up.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Sandy]

[SIZE=1][B]OoC:[/B] I for one am ready to move on to the nightly happenings.[/SIZE]

[COLOR=DarkRed][CENTER]~~~~~[/CENTER]

Carrot tossed and turned in her sleep. She dreamed about men and women dressed in all white, and about Dad who was holding a pulsating red crystal. Suddenly she saw him and the other people being devoured by a fiery inferno. She felt like she was in the middle of the events, causing all the fire and destruction instead of being just a bywatcher.

She woke up all sweaty and hot. The room temperature had risen and the windows were steamed up. Through the steam Carrot saw that it was still night-time. A glance at the cat-faced clock on the wall revealed that it was just past midnight. She had only slept for a couple of hours.

Carrot felt some strange sensation going through her body. It was like somebody was playing with powerful magic somewhere inside the school. Carrot decided it was best not to interfere - it was probably some teacher doing dangerous experimentations.

Carrot had been an unsure magic-user when she first started studying spells, but five years had taught her much, and she had grown much more accustomed to them. Other students had told her that magic was commonplace in the outside world - the [I]magi[/I] were used both in daily chores and in warfare. Carrot knew nothing about that life, she had been brought up by Dad and other scientists inside the MENRA Labs facility. She hadn't ever even walked the streets of her birthtown, Valgrad.

Sure she was bitter, and sometimes even mad to Dad about not having a similar childhood as others, but on the other side Dad had said numerous times that it was Carrot's destiny to become something much greater.

Now she was studying to become a Risk Breaker, a member of the elite force raised within academies across the world - the best ones coming from Argo Arx Arcanum, or so they say. She only needed to pass the final exam, and she could go explore the outside world, to find her destiny.

She wasn't going to let [I]anything[/I] stand in her way.[/color]

[TheResplendent]

[size=1]ooc: I just assumed we've already done 2 days worth, but i think we should start regulating the time of day too. I'll start picking up from slightly passed when the classes for the current day end, so around evening time i guess.[/size]

[color=navy][size=1]Kyosuke was on his way out of his Ice Elemental class, in his mind however he was actually beggining to question whether he should go through with what he had in mind when he saw Alex. More thoughts flooded his head, including before in class when he demonstrated how to shape and contain frost mist strong enough to freeze any form of matter in less than 5 seconds. It was an advanced yet general skill normally taught to students since the majority of creating solid forms of ice started with the frost emitted from the power of the magi. Kyosuke also couldn't help but notice that a certain fellow ice user wasn't present in class today, and not to his suprise either...since it was Lazarus McCloud.

Kyo just flowed through the halls on auto-pilot since he knew them so well for being at the academy for almost 11 years now. That ran through his head too, whenever Kyosuke had too much time to think...he often did just that, the only off switch he ever really had was Sakura smacking him in the head with a textbook or pinching him when he wouldn't be listening to her. Or the occaisonal oppurtunities Kyosuke would accidently see up her skirt when she would go to pick something up or if she was also lost in thought while seated with her legs not crossed. Though that part he's never mentioned to her.

Kyo once again reached up and grabbed the cross he usually wore around his neck and thought lastly about his father, the well known wizard Vidale Orias. His father was the man who gave him the cross the year he entered the academy. It was similar to the one his father wore, except he could only read 3 of the 7 engraved symbols on it. The symbols for Luna, Ice, and Wisdom, the others he couldn't make out even with all the research he had done thoughout his life. One of Kyosuke's secret goals in seeing the world with the missions given to the academy members was to find a way to decipher the other 4 symbols on his cross. Still deep in thought Kyo made a right turn and stopped short, seeing another student walking towards him at the last second.

[b]"Huh? Oh...Sakura, um...what happened to your hair?"[/b] He asked, seeing that the student ahead of him was Sakura with her books handing down from her hand, clearly a tired look in her eyes.

[b]"Huh?"[/b] she grabbed a few strands of her hair and brought it in front of her to look at it. [b]"Oh...hehe, big whirlwind...must have frizzed it"[/b] she continued to say with a slight goofy looking grin on her face. Kyo knew she had come from her Air Elemental class, most of the different elemental classes occured around the same time as on another. Kyo slipped his glasses back up with his middle and ring fingers.

[b]"Have you seen Alex?"[/b] Kyosuke asked her. Sakura shook her head though.

[b]"No...but before i got into class i think i overheard another student say that they saw..."[/b]

[b]"Wait..."[/b] Kyo said putting his finger up to Sakura's lips, cutting her off. Kyo narrowed his eyes more and looked out of the corner of his eyes. [b]"Do you feel that?"[/b] he asked. Sakura couldn't have been more confused. She looked around too but didn't know what he meant.

[b]"What do you mean, Kyosuke?"[/b] she asked. Kyo put his hand up to his head and held it like he had suddenly got a slight headache. He shook his head and returned his focus.

[b]"Ugh...it's nothing...guess i'm just tired..."[/b] he said, not being able to make out the feeling he had just gotten.

[b]"Well i'm tired too...classes are over for the day we should both head back to the dorms..."[/b] Sakura said after a slight yawn.

[b]"But..."[/b] Kyo started to say.

[b]"It can wait...Kyo, we still have time before the trials. You don't know, maybe Alex will come to his senses before then. Besides, we need our rest...how is it gonna look if either of us do badly on the trial or the final exam. Not to mention with what you had in mind i'm sure you need more energy than what you have now."[/b] Sakura explained, convincing Kyosuke.

[b]"Very well i guess..."[/b] Kyo said, as they both started to walk back toward the dorms. Half way there however another student came into view, walking quickly toward Kyo and Sakura. The two recognized him from around the halls but didn't have many classes with him. He noticed the two and stopped short as if he just found a way out of a desert. He panted a bit and addressed them both.

[b]"Hey! You guys haven't seen Blaize Harbinger around anywhere...have you?"[/b] he asked. Kyo tried to remember who Blaize was and recalled a few run ins with him but never really spoke with him or knew him. The student asking them was none other than Aaron Corvais, who was currently forced to depend on Blaize's expertise to get him a passing grade in Blue Magic class.

[b]"I'm sorry, I don't know where he is,"[/b] Kyosuke stated. Sakura nodded in agreement offering her apologies as well.

[b]"This is just great...i'm gonna fail...I can't believe the instructor expects me to work with this guy...*sigh*...thank you anyway, i have to be going"[/b] Aaron said, as he took off again in the same direction he was going.

Sakura decided to strike up some small talk on the way back to the dorms about how her day went. She kind of laughed to herself knowing how what she was about to bring up was gonna make Kyosuke react.

[b]"Soooo...I ran into a good friend of yours today in the library...Carrot Burnheart."[/b] she said looking up at Kyosuke.

[b]"Ugh...don't get me started!"[/b] he said in a low yet annoyed voice.

Sakura giggled a bit and she changed the subject, as they continued to walk back.[/color][/size]

[Doublehex]

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

The two would be spies were surprised by Lazarus' keen senses. '[i]How the hell did we know we were here...?[/i]' Alex questioned himself. He slowly turned to Ayame - even though he couldn't see her, he felt her assuring presence as something patted his shoulder lightly. Alex tapped lightly on the magi crystal, and his soon quickly became visible. Ayame did the same, and they approached.

Lazarus was apparentley as ourtraged as he was relived to see the two, which became apparant when he grabbed Alex by his neck collar.

"Hey!" Ayame protested.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

?To find out what Mox knows!?

?Clever, but have you even thought of the consequences if you got caught.?

?N-no?? Ayame answered truthfully.

?The dungeons haven?t been used in a few years?? he suggested.

?No way!? Alex couldn?t believe that any instructor, even one that focused on the black magics, would be so fanatical as to torture children.

?Yes. All the more reason for you to put that sword of yours in his gut.?

?A-are you out of you?re mind? Killing an instructor? That?s insane!?

?So is summoning a minor price of the Pit, but that isn?t stopping him.?

Lazarus lowered Alex to his feet. ?What do you want??

?We convince Aggamemmnon that killing Mox is more fun than the whole Academy,? he snickered.

?I don?t like this?? Ayame whined.

?Unless you?d rather fight a rampaging demon, you?d better do as I say.?

They agreed.

[Sakura]

[COLOR=Navy]Sakura walked with Kyosuke to the dorms, they talked easily about things, mainly she asked him about his plans for Alex, he told her some things, but said that she'd discover the rest in due time. It didn't take long before they had arrived, and Sakura said her goodbyes to Kyo as they parted ways.

She twirled a some hair with her finger as she walked, feeling bored and tired after the day even though it hadn't been that tasking. She yawned as she opened the door to her dorm, setting her bag on the floor next to her bed and resting her gunblade on the table there, flicking the switch on on her lamp there which shone over the bed.

Sakura kicked off her shoes and fell onto the bed, closing her eyes briefly as tiredness washed over her body. She groaned as she got up, slowly getting out of her uniform and dressing in casual night clothes before putting her uniform on a hanger.

She brushed her long hair tenderly, flicking it over her shoulder when she was done. With a soft groan she bent down, pulling her thick Elemental Magic text book, stifling a yawn as she flipped to the chapters they had been assigned to read, her eyelids drooping as they scanned the pages. Sakura played with the silver band on her right ring finger, twisting it; she used it for magic at times if she needed a boost, or summoning, though she didn't often use it for that either since she had a close relationship with Sideria.

Sakura finished up the chapters quickly, sliding the thick tome onto the table, and reached behind her to grasp her new novel, putting that on the tome too. She normally would have started it, but she was really tired today for some unknown reason. She slipped under the blankets and turned off the light, falling asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.[/COLOR]

[Tekkaman]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=indigo]OOC#1[/color][/i][/b]: Thanks [b][i][u]BK[/u][/i][/b] for interacting with my character. I haven't had much quality time with Aaron since i've been spending time with my wife instead. I'll try to make a decent post.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=indigo]OOC#2[/color][/i][/b]: Following up on [b][i][u]BK[/u][/i][/b]'s post [u]about the confusion in time[/u] concerning this RP, [i][u]why not just post the time before you write about your character[/u]?[/i] For example...[/size][/font]

[center][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=indigo][b][i][u]=========================[/u][/i][/b][/color][/size][/font][/center]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=indigo][b][i][u]10:07pm[/u][/i][/b][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][color=darkgreen]* "You guys haven't seen [b]Blaize Harbinger[/b] around anywhere... have you?" *[/color][/i] Aaron said, gasping.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=orange][i]* "I'm sorry, I don't know where he is." *[/i][/color] [b][i]Kyosuke[/i][/b] stated. [b][i]Sakura[/i][/b] nodded in agreement offering her apologies as well.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][i]* "This is just great...i'm gonna fail...I can't believe the instructor expects me to work with this guy...[b][color=black]*sigh*[/color][/b]...thank you anyway, i have to be going." *[/i][/color] Aaron said, as he continued his march towards his dorm.[/size][/font]

[center][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=indigo][b][i]~+~[/i][/b][/color][/size][/font][/center]

[center][font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=darkgreen][i]*sigh*[/i][/color][/size][/font][/center]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron was in his dorm room, thinking over and over about the two students whom he had met. [b][i]Kyosuke and Sakura[/i][/b]. Aaron had known those two and most every other student from the time he arrived in school. But Aaron, not wanting to be judged, kept his distance from [u]everyone[/u] - focusing more on his grades.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"It would be nice to have more than one friend."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron said in the lone dorm room, thinking about [color=navy][i]Stephen Jonuvar[/i][/color]. [/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]He had first met him [u]in the Academy[/u], during his primary support class, casting an incredible heal. Aaron sat in his assigned seat - [b][i]next to Stephen[/i][/b] - and casted a heal to the same level as the student. Stephen, not wanting to be outdone in front of all of his numerous friends, conjured all of his focusing power into the magi crystal; [u]unconciously[/u] upgrading his support magi to [b][i][color=darkgreen]Healra[/color][/i][/b]. However, the toll that it took upon his mind from strain kept him in his room for [b][i]weeks[/i][/b]; leaving Aaron to deliver his homework to him. As Aaron made more frequent trips to his dorm throughout the weeks, however, they became friends; For Aaron, [i]Stephen being his first friend in the Academy[/i].[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][color=darkgreen]* That was about 5 years ago. *[/color][/i] Aaron thought smiling. [i][color=darkgreen]* I miss those days. *[/color][/i] Aaron laid on his bed, thinking about Stephen more. [i][color=darkgreen]* Now he's so caught up with studies and girls and his [u]other[/u] friends, he has no time for me. He hardly spends time in his dorm anymore and he knows I used to come over there daily. *[/color][/i] Aaron sighed. [i][color=darkgreen]* And to add insult to injury, I have to team up with one of the biggest jackasses in [b][color=navy]Blue Magic[/color][/b] class. *[/color][/i][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron grabbed a pouch that was connected to his belt on the [u]left side[/u]. He opened the pouch latch, pulling out his purple [i][b][u][color=darkgreen][url="http://healingcrystals.net/000a1photoproducts/ame1.gif"]Support Magi[/url][/color][/u][/b][/i] crystal.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]He stared at the crystal while unconsiously casting Healra at the ceiling, admiring how his powers had advanced with Stephen's so well and so fast. Soon, given the proper training with his pal, he would be ready to advance to [b][i][u][color=darkgreen]Curaga[/color][/u][/i][/b], the [u]most powerful[/u] support magic. [u]His support teacher[/u], [color=black][i][b]Mr. Phoenix[/b][/i][/color], however, had told Stephen and Aaron that even though they were top-tier in terms of support in the classroom, [u]the magi crystals were linked to the wielder[/u], learning new powers as the spiritual link saw fit. Aaron looked at his support crystal again, eyes squinted. [i][color=darkgreen]* I might not learn the same support powers as Stephen? But why not? *[/color][/i] Aaron put the crystal away, reaching towards his neck. He then unclasped his necklace and looked at the jewel attached to it - the [b][i][color=navy][u][url="http://www.mandarava.com/a1grph/Ngph/N_graphics/NCK055.jpg"]Blue Magi[/url][/u][/color][/i][/b] crystal.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][color=navy][i]* Blue Magi is an awesome power, son. It's capabilities are endless and your use with it is infinite.*[/i][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"That was Mr, Andrews voice."[/color][/i][/b] Aaron remembered. Aaron shook away the thought with a simple shake of his head. [b][i][color=darkgreen]"Useless."[/color][/i][/b] he spoke aloud.[b][i][color=darkgreen] "So far, this jewel's only use is to get women to look at me."[/color][/i][/b] He looked at the blue jewel more thouroughly. [i][color=darkgreen]* But why am I attracted to power? And what makes this little jewel I possess the best of all? *[/color][/i] [/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3]Aaron shrugged off the thoughts, looking at his clock. [i][color=darkgreen]* 11:00pm?! *[/color][/i] Aaron's eyes widened. [color=darkgreen][i]* How long was I thinking to myself? *[/i][/color] Aaron soon took off his clothes, sleeping in his bed naked, as he has always done. He placed his necklace back on and layed his black belt next to him on his bed, the jewel pouch hanging off the left side of the belt.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][b][i][color=darkgreen]"Goodnite guys."[/color][/i][/b] He said to his two jewels, kissing the blue magi jewel with his lips before hitting the pillow with his head for the last time of the day. His brain thought of the Academy and of Stephen while he began to drift away. Finally, his mind snapped to [b][i][color=navy]Blue Magic[/color][/i][/b] and the note that Aaron left on Blaize's dorm room. Aaron scowled on the pillow before going to sleep.[/size][/font]

[font=Palatino Linotype][size=3][i][color=darkgreen]* Blaize, I need to see you as soon as possible, damnitt. [u]Where are you?[/u] *[/color][/i] He thought.[/size][/font]

[Orcus]

[SIZE=1]He approached her slowly, smiling and thinking of how exactly to go about cheering her up. Seeing her burst into tears had made his heart sink, and he wanted nothing more than to see her smile again. He felt responsible for her outburst. He had been so intent on impressing her, and he had practiced that for quite a while now, hoping to show her. He should have explained that that move took a while of practice, instead of just showing off. The heart she had created, though... He dearly hoped it was meant for him. He walked to her and put his hands over her eyes.

[B]"Guess who."[/B] She gasped slightly and then giggled. She would have played along, but she was still slightly distraught, and Havok understood perfectly fine. He took his hands down and sat next to her, pretending to be interested in the view as she wiped away her tears. Deciding that it was fine to talk again, Havok engaged her in conversation.

[B]"That heart you made was amazing. My first time preforming that move, the flames just danced in my hands, burned me, and then blew up. Took me forever to finally get my fire magi to stop exploding."[/B] Laughing again. Havok couldn't help but smile broadly. Rinoa was amazingly dazzling, and she smiled like an angel. Rinoa noticed the large smile on his face and blushed, causing Havok to blush too. He scratched the back of his head and looked away for a moment.

[B]"Y..you know... If you're interested... me and you could get together sometime and work on your fire magic. I could show you how to do that move in no time... If you want of course. I wouldn't want to take up any of your time--"[/B] Rinoa interuppted him quickly.

[B]"No! I mean, of course I'd love to. It'd be no problem."[/B] Havok's smile grew larger, and his face grew redder. He brushed his nose with his thumb and stood up offering Rinoa his hand.

[B]"Ready to go back to class, Rinoa? If not, I'm fine with staying out here with you for a while..."[/B] Rinoa would have loved to stay there with Havok, but she knew they really should go to class. She nodded and took Havok's hand, standing up. The two stood there together for a second, before realizing they were still holding hands. Havok and Rinoa let their hands drop quickly and Havok opened the door nearest to them for her to walk through.

[B]"Ummm...I...uh... guess we should back now."[/B] Rinoa nodded quickly and rushed through the door. The two walked back to class silently, though they did stand closely together. Havok noticed their classroom coming up when all of a sudden a though passed through his mind. The horse hadn't been the only shape he had practiced. His mind urged him forward. Show her, show her! Havok thought quickly and then lightly grabbed Rinoa's arm. She stopped quickly and looked at him.

[B]"Yes?"[/B] Havok blushed slightly and then held her hands, rasing them up to chest level. He attempted to speak levely.

[B]"I think a quick lesson might be in order. Focus on our hands, focus on the fire magi flowing through us, connecting the two of us."[/B] Rinoa closed her eyes, concentrating. Havok nodded.

[B]"Now... concentrate on a rose shape. Think you're holding a rose."[/B] She did so, and all of a sudden sparks started between them, burst, and became a rose. Rinoa smiled broadly and happily.

[B]"I did it! And no explosion!"[/B] Havok laughed happily and took his hands from her, still holding the firey rose. He concentrated harder, and the rose exploded with life, becoming a bouqet of flowers. Havok handed them to Rinoa.

[B]"For you."[/B] Rinoa blushed deeply, and then the flowers burst into a display of lights, stars, and hearts, before dissapearing. Havok smiled, hoping she liked the display. He had practiced it for ages on Blaize, who simply detested being Havok's test dummy. Rinoa closed her eyes and smiled widely at Havok, causing his heart to skip a beat. He started to open his mouth but no words came out, he was so flustered. All he could do was open the classroom door for her. She walked into the room, sitll smiling sweetly.

Instructor Atsu smiled at the the two of them, simply telling them to take their seats. Havok took his across from Rinoa and sank happily into it. This class continued to be his favorite one of the day. His heart still racing, he opened his book to the page he was supposed to be reading and pretended to read, but his thoughts continued to wander to her.

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

[B]OOC:[/B] My apologies, but I'm quite the fan of romance. Hope all this is fine with you KW, and I hope I did an appropriate job of portraying Rinoa.[/SIZE]

[ArgentEagle]

James? summoning class had just ended when his teacher called him over. James had long forgotten the teacher?s name, if he ever knew it in the first place.

?I?ve called you over here James to talk about your grade in this class. It?s well below what you normally do!?

?I know it?s just that I can?t get it right. I don?t know what?s wrong with it, but when ever I try to summon a clay golem it always breaks. I can get the body made with no problem; it?s just when I summon the spirit to enter the body I can never get it in! It?s like trying to cram all of your junk into your closet door, but the door won?t close.?

?Well I suggest you go to the library, and read up on it some more.?

?Nah, I?ll get by somehow no problem! He said with a confident grin.?

?This is not about weither or not you can get ?get by somehow?. This is about you putting some effort into something for once. I don?t get it! You have all this chances in the world to do something and you squander it!? the teacher took a moment to collect himself. ?Honestly, the respect I had for you is dwindling done to nil. Now I want to respect you, just like I want you to respect me, so show me some of it, and do me this favor. Okay??

James sighed and looked down to his feet, he hated it when someone lost respect for him. That?s why; he decided that he?d do this favor. As he walked out the door he turned, ?I?ll do it just this once. After all I have the image of a slacker to keep.? Waving goodbye to his teacher, he walked to the library.

As he sat down at an emptied table and opened up the book titled ?Spirits and You: A guide to summoning? He began to sweat. He couldn?t understand any of the words they were using. Running up to the librarian with the book he yelled.

?I can?t understand! It?s all Greek to me!?

The librarian replied with a stone cold face. ?That?s because it is you bumbling moron. It is Greek. Most of the books in here are in dead languages. Really, why can?t you be more like that young Kyosuke.?

A smile broke out upon James? face, and a deviant glint shone in his eyes. He did share a class with the young master Kyosuke. A plan formed in his mind. ?Thank you!? he yelled as he began to run out to the library. ?NO RUNNING IN THE HALLS!? came the reply.

Running faster than he ever had in his entire life James can upon Kyousuke alone in the halls; most likely kyo was on his way to his dorm. Loosing his balance James ended on his back looking up to an annoyed Kyosuke.

?I NEED YOUR HELP!? He screamed while picking himself up.

?James right? What is it, I?m busy?

?I need your help.?

?This late at night??

?Well, yeah. I just got out of summoning class.?

?Sorry, too busy.? Kyosuke said as he began to walk past James.

Quickly stepping in front of him James tried to reason with him. ?Oh come on. You?re always trying to show how good you are. What better chance then helping me out!?

?You?re a slacker; I don?t have time to help someone who won?t help himself.?

James shrugged, ?Oh well, guess even you don?t know everything?

?Oh please such a childish attempt to bait me would never work.?

?Okay! I was just asking for some help from someone how know a lot, guess you?re just full of hot air, and don?t know anything of use. Simple as that, huh?? He hoped big time that this would bait him, either that or Kyosuke would take pity on him and tell him why the spirit he summoned would never go into the body he made.

OoC: I'm not sure if I portrayed him kyosuke right, most likely I didn't. And if that is the case please tell me how I can fix it.

[TheResplendent]

[center][color=darkred][size=2]The clock read close to midnight, as Kyosuke denounces James's pleas for help[/size][/color][/center]


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


[color=navy][size=1]Kyosuke sighed with fatigue, wondering why of all times he had to be bothered by somebody, it had to be late at night when he just wanted to relax. Kyo looked over at James who had his side turned and arms crossed after his last comment.

[b]"My knowledge and what i can do isn't for show, this is an academy to train us to be Risk Breakers, not a circus. You would do well to remember that and maybe you could enhance your own studies,"[/b] Kyosuke responded in a smug tone.

[b]"Hey! I know that...look, if your so smart couldn't you atleast watch me try to summon something and tell me what i'm doing wrong?"[/b] James asked, considering it to be his last chance. Kyosuke just continued walking though, halfway down he raised his hand and addressed James.

[b]"It's as i already said, i'm busy and i have no time to simply stop and watch a clay shell shatter into pieces."[/b] Kyo said. He made the next left turn and approached his dorm room.

James smacked his forehead in a frustrated motion and let out a groan. [b]"Man...this is getting really troublesome. This guy's head is harder than a rock and bigger than a hot air balloon. If he's so full of himself he should share some of that knowledge with his fellow students!"[/b] James said shaking his fist at where Kyosuke used to be. Realizing is was futile, he started to walk back...when he got an idea that may just work in his favor.

[b]"Hey...If i get a personal request from Ms. Gillium, she'll understand a fellow summoning student's plight and even tell Mr. Gantz how determined I am to improve my skills! Then i can just get that know-it-all to tell me what i'm doing wrong and i'll be fine for the trials! Haha, well i guess we'll just wait until tomorrow," [/b] James said to himself as he strolled down the hallways.

Meawhile, Kyosuke unlocked the door to his dorm and walked in. Kyo threw his bag onto his bed and looked around to notice that his roommate was still out. He started to walk toward the mini-refrigerator to get a bottle of water out but was interuppted by a thud that came from the door. Kyo turned around quickly...but saw nothing. Just the door still hadn't closed yet but was open just a crack. Perplexed, Kyosuke walked toward it and just pushed it closed.

[b][i]'Odd...'[/b][/i] he thought to himself. Kyosuke opened the bottle of water and started walking to his bed, but tripped over something and fell face first onto the ground, spilling water all over his head. Kyo sat up as quickly as he could and turned around to see what he tripped over, but again saw nothing. He shook his head and went to pick his glasses up from the floor. [b]'What the hell is wrong with me tonight...'[/b] he thought to himself. He placed his glasses back on his face and looked up, only this time something was there in front of him. The image of a small two tailed cat like creature stood there with his paw up in the air as if to say "Hiya!".

[b]"Wha...what the hell!?!?"[/b] Kyosuke said, backing up into the wall while still in a seated position. He looked like he had just seen a ghost. The cat like creature before him was Ayame's pet, Daiya...though Kyosuke had never met him.

[b][i]'Geez...this guy summons spirits as his major but he's scared of a little thing like me?'[/b][/i] Daiya thought to himself as he shook his head. He walked up to Kyo and seated himself to speak to him.

[b]"This is just great, i'm not going to be able to sleep tonight am I?"[/b] Kyosuke said, looking down to the ground with a fatigued look. Daiya hopped on his shoulder out of nowhere, almost freaking him out again.

[b][i]"Your Kyosuke, correct? I belong to Ayame, when you heard her in the library yesterday it was me she was talking to. My name is Daiya. I'm awfully sorry to do this but I came to ask for your help,"[/b][/i] Daiya said to Kyosuke. Kyo stared blankly at the cat on his shoulder for a few seconds and recalled what he was talking about. Kyosuke sighed, being thankful that he wasn't going crazy.

[b]"I see...you must communicate telepathically then, am I right?"[/b] Kyosuke asked, putting two and two together.

[b][i]"You are correct...I'm afraid Ayame is in a bit of a tight spot however. She needs your help."[/b][/i]

[b]"My help? What's wrong? Where is she?"[/b]

[b][i]"With Alex and Lazarus, I don't have much more time to explain, follow me and i'll take you to them."[/b][/i]

Kyosuke narrowed his eyes, wondering what she was doing with Lazarus. Thoughts for the worst went through his head, fueled by his dislike for Lazarus. He also now knew where Alex was too.

[b]"Very well, Daiya was it? Lead the way"[/b] Kyosuke said pushing his glasses up.

Kyosuke grabbed his Ice and Summoning magi and placed them in his inside jacket pocket, and fixed his Chakram to his back. Daiya scurried out of the door, followed by Kyosuke at a fast jogging pace.

[/color][/size]

- - - - - - - - - - - -

[size=1]ooc1: It was perfect Argent, congrats on getting your char in :cool:
ooc2: NP acheron, i wanna be sure to get in some kind of connection/interaction with all the students before the trials come.
ooc3: This is Kyosuke's night time section, i'm ready to move on to the next day when all the major happenings of the night gets resolved, Kyo's not going to get any sleep for the night.[/size]

[Riku]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]Okay... NOW it's night time for me and Abel.. gawd you all are annoying. XD ... I kid.

[CENTER]~*~[/CENTER]

Rinoa was in her dorm room, her roomate still asleep while she was sitting on the stone window pane... watching the vauge moonlight through the clear window. Many amazing things had happened today... things she never thought would ever happen to a regular girl like her. [B]"I still can't believe Havok... made me flowers," [/B] she whispered, lightly blushing and putting her right hand over her heart... she'd never had anyone be so... romantic to her in her whole life, yet this person had always made her smile these past few hours. She then looked back up at the sky, wondering what he was doing what now... was he sleeping? Was he awake like her and thinking what had happened today? She didn't know, but what she did was that her crush on Havok was coming back again... and she hoped that he would like her too.

Then, she thought of something to do before she went to bed. She slowly got out of bed and picked up a book that she had checked out of the Library... "Simple Knowledge of Magi." Rinoa then flipped through the book a little until she stopped at a page, pointing her index finger at a certian sentence and reading it intently. After a few minutes of looking through it, she gently placed the book down on her bed and cupped her hands together, raising it inches from her face. She then summoned a small yet bright flame, lighting up her face in the dark. After the flame flickered a little bit more, she slightly waved her right hand over it and gently moved her fingers... after she was done, Rinoa gently raised the flame to her mouth and lightly blew on it, causing the flame to wither greatly and dissapear.

She lightly nodded and smiled, hoping that it would do exactly what she wanted. After looking at the sky one last time, she tucked herself into bed and closed her eyes, slowly falling asleep and thinking of him again. But, even though her heart felt as if it was in her throat, she couldn't forget her studies... after all, the exam was a few days away, she needed to study some more with her friends and train. [B]"Maybe,"[/B] she said before she fell asleep, [B]"... he'll help me train for the exam."[/B] After thinking this, she fell fast asleep.. hoping to see him in the morning tomorrow.

[CENTER]~*~[/CENTER]

Already midnight.

Havok was laying down in his bed, his arms crossed behind his head and still awake, thinking of Rinoa's smile and kind actions. He'd always been popular through his days in this school... and many girls liked him, but he's felt as if they were just faking their emotions... and he didn't want to be around girls like that. Rinoa was the first girl he'd ever seen that was so kind, sincere... and maybe even a little clumsy. He chuckled at the thought of when she'd bowed to him and dropped all her books on the floor... but then again, it was something that he liked in her. [B]"I wonder,"[/B] he quietly thought to himself, [B]"why do I always act like a fool when I talk to her?"[/B] Havock then lightly patted his forehead and sighed, already knowing that love would make you do stupid things.

Before he turned over in his bed, he saw a small flame coming from under his door. He sat up in his bed and looked at it intently, as if he was calling it. With the serious look in his eye, the flame slowly flickered form under the door and came floating to him, floating gracefully by his bed. He looked around to see if anyone was awake, and cupped his hands so that the flame floated into them. [B]"Where'd you come from, little fella?"[/B] he whispered to the flame as if it was alive.

Then, the flame flickered lightly and changed into a heart, then suddenly into a rose. He smiled... already knowing that it was from her. The rose then flickered brightly, causing him to gasp as it had turned into a real rose... a blue rose. Havock gently held it in his hands, still amazed yet flattered at the little present Rinoa had given him.

He raised the flower slowly to his nose and smelled it as he closed his eyes. As he pulled the rose away from his face, his eyelids began to feel heavy. Before he could think about what was happening, he slowly fell backwards onto his bed and fell asleep, dreaming happily... still holding onto the flower and lightly smiling.

[CENTER]~*~[/CENTER]

OoC: Daawww.... I so love romance too, Abel. I loved your last post too... it made me giggle. XD

You pictured her perfectly... and Havock is so sweet too. >w<[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Lazarus]

Lazraus was unable to move from his position completing the circle. The summoned Aggamemmnon waited, growling and pacing back and forth within the small area. Lazarus waved his free hand, the one that had been holding Alex up, and one of the zombies shuffled over. Lazarus spoke the words to allow it to cross into the circle, then directed it inward. Aggamemmnon casually gathered the shuffling corpse up and stuffed it into a mouth that appeared many sizes smaller than it was.

Lazraus turned to Aggamemmnon. "The souls imprisoned over there are yours, for a simple task. You will be bound to the will of a man named Mox shortly. I hereby bind you to my commands, and instruct you to follow his orders as long as they cause myself, or my companions, nor any of the other residents here harm in any way or form. Do you agree?"

The demon prince nodded abruptly, eyeing the small army of zombies against the wall with an obvious hunger.

"I know of your curse, Aggamemmnon. The bodies there, and the souls they contain are yours to devour as you see fit, should you agree to my terms. Swear it upon the Courts of Chaos."

Aggamemmnon growled, perhaps it was simply a clearing of the throat, but the sound reverberated within the bodies of the three students. "So agreed, provided you name the terms for my release."

"Mox must die. He will die at my sufferance, at a time and place of my choosing, by your hand. Once this is accomplished, you are to immediatley take his soul and leave this plane."

Again, the unearthly baritone. "Agreed. I bind myself to your will, young mage."

Lazarus smirked. "Then you are released. Expect to have no contact with me until it is time for your final task."

A gruff nod, and Aggamemmnon vanished in a burst of unnaturally crimson flame, the bodies against the wall becoming immolated as they were taken along with the demon prince.

Lazarus immediatley slumped down, stumbling backwards, out of the circle. He ended up sitting on the ground, eyes closed as he marshalled the last of his strength.

"That....was taxing." He announced after a time. He opened his eyes and looked up at the other two. "But I [i]think[/i] we have our ace in the hole."

[Kitty]

[size=1][indent]Alex helped Lazarus up off the floor, but tension once again flared up between the two. Ayame had fallen to her knees a few feet away, breathing quietly.

[b]"When do you plan on calling him?"[/b] Alex asked.

[b]"When the time is right."[/b]

[b]"You'll let us in on it, won't you?"[/b]

[b]"I don't need help, if that's what you're asking,"[/b] Lazarus replied blatantly. He was referring to the actual process of calling the demon, but Alex thought he was belittling him again. He glared back at Lazarus, but before he could say another word, Ayame stood in between the two.

[b]"Don't. I want to get out of here,"[/b] she said in an unusually chilling tone. The two boys noticed, and Alex let out a sigh, though his eyes did not waver from Lazarus.

[b]"Fine,"[/b] he said, ruffling his hair. But before either could move, the sound of footsteps made all three students freeze. [b]"Mox!"[/b] Alex whispered anxiously. Lazarus motioned to a spot where anyone entering would not be able to see unless they turned around and looked to the right. Alex and Ayame rushed over and pulled themselves as close to the wall as possible. Ayame was still shaken by the sight of the demon, and was close to panicking. If she didn't get some fresh air soon, she was going to pass out.

[b]"What is it Professor?"[/b] Lazarus began, though the source of the footsteps was still in shadow.

[b]"Professor? I know I'm smart, but I don't think I have the patience to teach brats,"[/b] the figure replied.

[b]"Kyosuke?"[/b] Ayame muttered, recognizing the voice, but Alex did not and proceeded to clamp a hand over her mouth, putting a finger over his own.

[b]"Is that you Ayame? Where are you?"[/b]

Lazarus groaned when Kyosuke came into the light, receiving a not-so-friendly look in return. But he was not interested in Lazarus and looked around the large room instead. When he finally spotted Alex and Ayame against the wall, he walked over calmly.

[i]"Ayame! Are you alright?"[/i] Daiya asked, leaping out of Kyosuke's arms and onto her shoulder, a worried expression on his face. He was too worried to bother preventing the others from hearing him, leaving a confused Lazarus to wonder who had spoken.

[b]"Who was that?"[/b] he wondered aloud, but nobody said anything. After a few moments of silence, he shouted angrily. [b]"Would [i]somebody[/i] answer me?"[/b] Both Alex and Kyosuke turned away from the quivering Ayame to face him, neither one with a pleasant expression.

While the three concentrated on one another, Ayame leapt up and rushed out towards the door, no longer able to stand the environment. Kyosuke called for her to wait before they all heard her scream. Suddenly, she was thrown forward, landing at Alex's feet. She got up on her knees, rubbing her bruised shoulder.

[b]"Now what have we here?"[/b] Mox laughed, walking closer.[/indent]

---
OOC: Hope you don't mind guys. :3 PM/IM me if anything needs changing.[/size]

[TheResplendent]

[color=navy][size=1]Mox walked in and surveyed the area. Kyosuke looked back at Ayame to check on her. She sat up and rubbed her shoulder, Daiya tending to her and standing infront of her in a somewhat protective stance. Lazarus stood with an unsure look on his face, wondering how he would explain everything to Mox. Alex knelt down and asked Ayame if she was alright.

Kyosuke stared across at Mox and narrowed his eyes. [b]"You...you are a professor of the academy? Who are you, and what right do you have tossing students about like that? Answer me!"[/b] Kyosuke demanded, with his hand rested on the side of the jacket he placed his magi stones.

[b]"Lazarus...please do tell me, what is the meaning of all this?"[/b] Mox asked, ignoring Kyosuke's question. Kyosuke turned to Lazarus, as the focus had now been placed on him. Mox walked further but Kyosuke quickly changed his focus again on Mox and raised his right hand forward.

[b]"I won't ask you again! Do not ignore me,"[/b] Kyosuke warned.

[b]"Wait! Kyosuke, stop,"[/b] Lazarus pleaded. Lazarus then turned his attention to Mox, [b]"Professor forgive me, i had finished up and i was going to invite them to study for the trials together"[/b] Lazarus said, hoping he could convince the professor.

[b]"My dear boy, do not insult me by lying so blatantly to my face"[/b] Mox responded, thrusting his hand out toward Lazarus causing him to fly backwards passed Alex and Ayame.

[b]"Lazarus!"[/b] Alex screamed as he watched him fly back. Ayame wore a concerned look on her face as well, despite her own injury. Kyosuke couldn't have been more confused, as he was sure Lazarus had something to do with the entire ordeal. But if he had, why did Professor Mox attack him? All he knew was Mox had attacked two students already unprovoked. He glanced quickly over at Ayame and Daiya and he grew enraged, granted he could have cared less about Lazarus but the fact of the matter was Mox was out of line and that angered Kyosuke.

[b]"Now, what do I do with all of..."[/b]

Suddenly Mox was cut off by a chilling change in the atmosphere. A concentrated decrease in temperature was aimed around the area Mox was in, and blue and white specks of frost began to become visible throughout the room. Alex gripped his arms and tried to keep warm. Ayame was hugging her legs close to her body as Daiya tried to wrap himself around her head to help keep her warm. Lazarus stared up at Kyosuke, who with his arm outstretched toward Mox.

[b]"Wha...what is he...such an advanced ice elemental technique!"[/b] Lazarus managed to say as he too felt the change in atmosphere, but was more tolerant to it because of his ice inclination as well.

The clothing Mox wore began to freeze over, and his facial hair adorned solid pieces of ice. Kyosuke controlled himself and made sure he didn't completely freeze over the entire room. He stared angrily toward Mox and wanted nothing more then to impale him with spikes of ice.

Ayame peeked our from her knees at Kyosuke. [b][i]'Wow...is that Kyosuke doing this?'[/b][/i] she thought to herself. Alex glanced upwards as far as he could as well, and began to realize why Kyosuke had been called a prodigy so often. Mox looked at himself and then toward Kyosuke. He wore a suprised look at first, but then dulled it down to a confident look of laughter.

[b]"My my! So THIS is the power of the son of Orias. You are indeed a prodigy, quite impressive. If you were to take the trials and the final exam you'd ace them both with flying colors...but it's regrettable you won't have the chance to prove that"[/b] Mox said as he slowly raised his left arm, trying to fight off the frost's hold on his movement. Once he reached a 90 degree angle with his arm from his body, he grinned.

[b]"What the hell are you smiling about!? I suggest you turn yourself in to the Headmaster or else i'll be forced to..."[/b]

Before Kyosuke could fininsh, several threads of some kind of black material shot up from the ground underneathe Kyosuke and wrapped themselves around him, inhibiting his movement and forcing his concentration to break. The atmosphere slowly began to return to normal, as Mox walked up to him.

[b]"Kyosuke! What did you do to him!?"[/b] Ayame screamed at Mox.

[b]"Dammit, a immobility curse!"[/b] Lazarus said to himself, as he pulled himself to his feet.

[b]"What...is this..."[/b] Kyosuke struggled to say. Mox just shrugged and placed his hand on Kyosuke's shoulder. Kyosuke struggled to move but to no avail. He tried again but began to feel a sharp pain in his shoulder, before watching it become impaled by another black thread from the professor's hand. Kyosuke gritted his teeth and tried to refrain from screaming, but the pain in his shoulder was great.

Mox raised his other hand but was quickly cut off by a manifested bolt of lightning. Mox jumped back, breaking his concentration on the spell as Kyosuke fell to the floor. Mox looked up at Alex who was gripping his magi stone, aiming it toward Mox.

[b]"Lazarus...it's now or never it looks like. I'll hold him off while you summon Agamemmnon!"[/b] Alex said, concentrating more into his magi.

[b]"Summon Agamemmnon? You dare to summon such a beast to devour me!?"[/b] Mox yelled. Daiya scurried over to Kyosuke's fallen body and jumped on his back. In a few seconds Daiya had teleported Kyosuke's body over toward Ayame to make sure he didn't get hurt any more. Alex and Lazarus nodded at each other, knowing that they had no choice but to do the deed now.

[/color][/size]
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[size=1]ooc: Hope i didn't mess up too much, i was kinda anxious to finally start using some magic even if it was just a little. I leave the rest to you DH. [/size]

[Doublehex]

OOC: One of the links is a song that I thought was fitting for the fight. I will be doing this more often, so you know. I hosted it on my own, so when you click on it, just do Open, so that it will stream it for you.

[b][center][url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?p=741603#post741603][-Alex-][/b][/center][/url]

Mox drew his [url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/Doublehex/RP/CiAlFo/misc/1133443654_fullres.jpg][b]sword[/b][/url], a massive weapon inscribed with runes of a darker nature, but it did not exactly glow of evil incarnate. Its master however was not so lucky, although Alex had little doubt that the insane instructor did not feel a bad consiounce about his nature. ?So, the young fool dares to actually fight? I have seen your skills in Cavalier?s sparing sessions, Mister Glesen, and you are more on par with a pup than an actual risk breaker!?

?Shut up! Shut up!?

?I?m afraid whimpering will not do you any good tonight. But trully, you should be thanking me.?

?What??

?You see, my dieing now, you will be saved a humiliating defeat against the Lion Spirit! After all, your whole life would have had been just a waste. Twelve years of constant practice, of studying the tomes of the Academy, of bleeding sweat and tears! All of it was a waste; even if you never came tonight, your sorrow would of have had consumed you. You would of died a coward, but tonight, you die a warrior in battle!?

?A warrior? Coward??

?Yes,? Mox assured him.

?No Alex!? Ayame pleaded. ?Don?t listen to him!?

?Quiet!? Mox commanded. He raised his pentagram-scarred hand towards her, and a black wave overwhelmed her. Daiya was thrown off of his summoner, and Ayame slammed into a wall. Her body didn?t move ? if she was alive or dead Alex couldn?t tell.

?Ayame!? Alex cried out.

?Don?t you see? Its hopeless! Your sorrow will consume you. Let it be your courage that does it for you! Draw your sword, would be risk breaker.?

?You son of a bitch!?

Mox chuckled. ?Well, at least we agree on something.? With that, he [url=http://www.datafilehost.com/download.php?file=33ad4310][u]charged[/url][/u], a series of angry shadow spirits wrapping themselves around the crimson blade. Alex summoned what remained of his courage, and charged at the elder instructor, and their blades clashed in a dance of chaos and lightning.

Mox flipped back, sending a series of shadow bolts Alex?s way. The student made a mad dash for cover behind some pillars, being nearly hit by the missiles. He was not safe yet, however, as some great force grabbed a hold of him. He was dangling in the air, staring at an upside down Mox. Or perhaps it was because Alex was the one that was upside down.

?I told you it was hopeless.? With that, Alex was sent smashing into the ceiling. He was just as quickly thrown to a wall, and to the floor. This repeated several times over, with each consecutive hit Alex was brought closer to death. He had no way to counter it! He could not move! It was hopeless.

Odd enough, there was a time when Mox stopped hurling him in every direction. Half dead, Alex landed on his feet, although it was not by his intervention. Mox licked his lips, and charged.

?I just need to?move?? Alex moaned as he fell to his feet.

[i][center]Lo, there do I see my father.
Lo, there do I see my mother,
and my sisters, and my brothers.
Lo, there do I see the line of my people,
Back to the beginning!

Lo, they do call to me.
They bid me take my place among them,
In the halls of Valhalla!
Where the brave may live forever![/i][/center]

Alex had no idea where the poem came from, nor the image of great wooden hall that complimented it in his mind. All he knew was that at one time he was all flesh, the next he was as fast as lightning in the literal sense. His flesh and bone became sparks and electricity, and he smashed through the charging Mox.

The dark instructor was sent hurling towards the wall, but he landed on his feet and leaped towards him. Their blades clashed.

?I understand it now perfectly.?

By now, Alex was flesh and bone again. He had no idea what had happened. ?What??

?You won?t live to find out!? Mox swiped his blade at Alex, but he dodged the attack. He swung his blade upward, and Mox was sent flying into the air. Alex leaped after him, and slashed at him repeatedly until he tackled the pale instructor and sent them both into the ground.

Alex rose from the small crater, thinking was Mox dead for good. He thought wrong, and was blasted by a series of shadow missiles. Alex attempted to rise, but he felt the sharp end of Mox?s sword scrapping his neck.

?Its over,? Mox decided.

??Not exactly, you mother fucking son of a whore!? Mox turned to see a bloody Lazarus standing behind him, with a certain minor prince of the pit towering over him. Lazarus crossed his arm in a proud manner. ?Bon appetite, Agamemmnon? The crimson demon snarled as it extended its hand. Mox was instantly trapped within a cage of barb wire that slowly snarled itself under its skin, like a needle. Screaming in pain, his pitiful life ended when the demon devoured him whole, leaving a pile of blood beside Alex. ?You can go now,? he assured the demon.

?A pity, it ended so quickly.? With that, a crimson vortex appeared behind the demon, and it left the mortal plane to return to its hell.

Lazarus ran to Alex, obviously concerned. ?Alex! Alex!? He supported his weary head under his arm.

?I-I-won?did I? Did I win??

Lazarus nodded. ?You sure did, you son of a bitch.?

Alex chuckled. ?T-that?s nice, I guess?? With that, the darkness consumed him. All he remembered was Ayame?s cry for help.

[Lazarus]

Lazarus knelt under Alex, having caught the boy as he'd fallen. He'd known Aggamemmnon would have tried something, but litterally taking a bite out of him was something he was unprepared for. Although the wound wasn't shallow it was long, it bled a lot, and more importantly, it would be incredibly prone to infection, being inflicted by a creature of the Pit. It also sapped strength at an alarming rate.

"Ayame, please be quiet." Lazarus instructed. He had no more energy left for his usual gruff attitude. He checked Alex's carotid. "He's alive. His pulse is quick, but stable. He's just drained. Kyosuke, will you carry him? We've got to get to the nurse's office, before this wound ends me, and I'm certain Alex could benefit from a liberal application of smelling salts before we go see the Headmaster."

Kyosuke hefted Alex up, and Ayame noticed the profuse ammount of blood seeping onto the floor and down one of the convenient drains. "You're hurt!"

Lazarus looked at her slowly, as though he were chasting her for such a simple statement. In truth, it took him a moment to piece her exclamation together. "Yes, yes I am." He stood anyway, swaying to his feet. One hand hung limply at his side, the arm possibly broken, the other pressed tightly against his wound. He grit his teeth and strode for the door. The long winding stairway up to the surface level mocked him as he stood at it's base. His mind raced, and he felt as though he couldn't possibly make it up the steps. But he put one foot in front of the other, and began to climb. The others followed behind, careful not to slip in the trail of blood Lazarus left in his wake.

Several times, he stumbled, catching himself against the outer wall. He was no longer aware of the others behind him. His entire world became the act of placing one foot in front of the other. The simplest, barest locomotion was all his awareness was limited to. It took several moments for him to realize that he'd reached the top of the stairs, and was heading down the hallway. The nurse's offce was nearby here. Lazarus collapsed against the wall and slumped down it. He could hear the others talking, but couldn't make out any words, any tone.

All he wanted to do was sleep...