Whispers of Celestial Dragons

[LadyElvenarcher]

OoC: Mwahahaha!! I'm on top of things this round. Good luck to my opponents. May the best person win.

Thanks go to Wielder and "Addressing Stars" from the Baten Kaitos soundtrack for helping the CJ flow necessary for this post.

IC:

Stars glimmered faintly overhead, dotting the ebony night sky like diamonds set within folds of black velvet. The pearlescent moon, a rotund gleam of soft, pure light, was almost halfway to its zenith. Dancing in gentle swirls, the fresh night breezes played through the thick foliage of an ancient forest. The trees were wondrously huge, standing firm as the guardians of the earth for centuries untold. Life was abundant there, but for now, in the embrace of twilight, the vast majority of that life was in the throes of the dream world. Few of the forest’s myriad inhabitants noticed or cared about the lone Elven summoner slipping stealthily through the trees.

You are close now, Small One. We can all sense it. The pulse of heavily concentrated power…

Never once ceasing in her forward direction, Sileya opened her conscious a little further to the presences of the Ancient Dragons. Lithiuan, the Dragon of Light, had been the one to speak.

And you’re certain I’m still heading in the right direction?

There was hardly a pause. Most certain. You should reach the nexus of power any moment now. What form or shape it will take, however, we do not know.

The warrior-summoner nodded to herself as she maintained her steady stride. I’ll keep that in mind, then.

Soon after this brief exchange had finished, the terrain began to noticeably slope upward at about a forty-five degree angle. The forest itself also started to thin considerably, allowing Sileya to dart much faster up the incline. She could feel it herself, now. There was definitely something of incredible magical strength at the summit. Breaking into a full-out run, the Elf covered the last several yards to the top in a matter of mere moments. The sight that met her eyes upon reaching her destination nearly took her breath away.

Sprawled out across the hilltop was a temple, pristine and perfectly white in the pale glow of the moon. It looked as if it had just been built yesterday. Not a stone was out of place, not a scratch visible upon the granite and marble surfaces. Giant, Corinthian-style columns lined the entire front of the main temple building, which vaguely resembled something out of ancient Greek or Roman culture, though Sileya wouldn’t have been able to identify it as such. But the most prominent aspect of this hidden temple was the dragon theme that ran rampant over it. Statues of dragons in all sizes, forms, and colors dotted the hilltop, silent guardians of their sacred home. The outside walls of the clustered buildings depicted more dragons in brilliant frescos, their powerful, sinuous forms almost seeming to fly or leap off the stones. The entire scene was one of awe-inspiring beauty, especially to the Favored of the Ancient Dragons.

“It’s…breath-taking…” Sileya whispered.

Yes, indeed. The energy is concentrated here. Inside the main temple, more specifically. We still can’t determine just what it is, though.

“Mm…I understand. I suppose I’ll just have to go inside and see for myself, eh?”

Trailing a hand behind her to the hilt of Drageziel, Sileya eased the magnificent broadsword gently in its sheath. There was no telling what sorts of things she could encounter inside that ancient structure. No sooner had she taken three steps toward the dragon statue-guarded entrance than the sound of a twig snapping underfoot came from behind her. In one smooth motion, the Elven warrior-summoner bared Drageziel’s gleaming blade and whirled around to search her surroundings for signs of what had caused the noise. She sighed inwardly.

I just wanted to take a look inside a temple. Is it too much to ask to be able to do that without some sort of interruption?

[fireball]

OOC: As always here is my character entry. Good luck to my foes.

INC: Shrapnel shifted unsteadily in the tree she had scurried up after snapping the twig. At leas this time the people currently controlling her life had actually sent her an opponent. At least she managed to pick up that CD with the song that had been stuck in her head a week. But here she was once again stuck in some other reality strand. Severely out matched in power, she begun to wonder why so many reality strands were based on magic and not science or religion. Although she had seen reality strands with all three present and they where pretty much interchangeable in those. Broad sword seemed to be the elf’s primary weapon. The design on the hilt looked vaguely dragonish at this distance. Shrapnel just shrugged her shoulders; she had managed to survive a real dragon once she doubted a sword could have the same kind of power. The sword did however play to her strengths though. Hopefully it wielder is not skilled in its use. Shrapnel knew just how to find out. She removed three fifty cent pieces from her coin belt. She hurled one with all her might at the warrior but quickly leapt into a nearby tree and then to the next ready to throw her second piece.

“Come out coward!” Called Sileya as she blocked the flying coin with her sword.

Shrapnel sighed; she threw another coin and moved back the way she came. Going past her original position by a few trees, Shrapnel hurled her remaining piece of coinage as she moved. Sileya easily side stepped the second coin and the third she cleaved in twain. The two pieces dropped to the ground. The coat of arms depicted on the coin split down the centre.

“Come out so I can run you through,” Sileya yelled at the trees. “Then I can get back to something vital.”

Shrapnel dropped down from the trees surrounding the temple. She was still hidden in their shade.
A flair for the dramatic seemed to be a personality attribute of her opponent. And seen as the elf girl could block all of her fifty cent pieces at their maximum velocity it was time to see what else there was to exploit.

“Okay I am coming out great and noble warrior,” Shrapnel said.

She walked out of the forest into the clearing. Moving slowly towards the temple entrance Shrapnel held her hands tightly behind her back. Sileya looked Shrapnel up and down.

“Why do you throw coins at me?”

“Because they are my weapons and here I must fight you.”

"Who are you then?" Sileya questioned

"My humble name is Shrapnel o' great Elven princess warrior. May I ak yours so I know who shall best me?"

“It is Sileya and indeed I shall best you. Why are you after the energy within the temple?”

“What temple?”

Sileya’s expression changed from on of annoyance to one of shear disbelief. She had a look at the temple and then looked back towards Shrapnel.

“That one right there…ummm, knave,” Sileya replied to the question trying to regain her composure.

Shrapnel made a show of leaning to the right a little.

“Oohhh that temple, no not interested in it what so ever, seen one seen them all.” She elaborated further. “Best to leave well alone, video games have taught me it is usually some kind of demon power trying to get out, if it is giving off energy.”

“Lithiuan bade me to find out what it is exactly,” Sileya said steadily. “Now off with you least I sully my broad sword with your blood.”

Shrapnel stood her ground. She wanted to go to the end of this adventure and find out who was paving the road before her. What did the message say in her pocket when she woke up in this world? Three there shall be, including you.
“I don’t want to wait,” Shrapnel exclaimed.

She flung both her hands forward. Five cents pieces pouring from her special gauntlets and flew towards Sileya. The elf began to swat them out of the air moving her broad sword more rapidly the Shrapnel thought possible.

“Aw hell,” Shrapnel swore as she closed her gauntlets and began running away toward the tree line as Sileya parried away the last of the small coins. Shrapnel was just about to climb up a tree as a third presence entered the clearing. Sileya turned sword at the ready and Shrapnel let go of the tree and went and stood behind the elf.

“Who the heck are you,” Shrapnel asked as she prepared to take advantage of Sileya’s momentary distraction. If only she could remember if the vulcan never picnh would work in this reality and if only she actually knew how to do it.

[Ranarath]

OoC: Alrighty, I'm here. I'll use Summer and Metanth for this tourney.

BiC:

“Isn’t the Moon pretty tonight?” Summer asked no one in particular even though she wasn’t alone. The celestial body hung in the sky like an eternal nightlight while stars glowed around it making the darkness inviting instead of foreboding. The creatures of the forest were also quiet, only a few rummaging sounds were heard during the entire trip.

You should really being paying attention to where you’re going, Metanth cautioned, At the rate you’re daydreaming, you’re probably going to walk right into the middle of a fight and get your head chopped off. He was resting with his body curled around the drawynn’s chest. Though, even in a semi-asleep state, he was more alert to his surroundings than her.

“Day-dreaming?” she asked with a smile, “But it’s nighttime. You can’t day-dream at night.” Her specificness caused the miniature dragon to sigh. He always did that whenever she didn’t take something serious. So, it happened a lot. But the mage just grinned at Metanth and continued up the slope where, thankfully, the forest began to thin out. A gentle zephyr came up suddenly, having been blocked by the thick foliage, and graced through her the girl’s hair.

Can you feel it? the dragonlit queried, tightening around his partner while raising his scaled head. There is a large amount of magical power sealed up. Is this really where we are suppose to have a battle?

Summer shrugged, “The letter-note thing said it was near a temple near this forest. Maybe that magic is it.” Taking note of the enormous mystical strength, I may be carefree but not that stupid, thank you, she reached out with her own magical powers. The earth, wind, and dark element were abundant here which pretty much denoted which spells she’d end up relying on. After a small trek up the slope, a beautiful temple, flanked by pillars, came into view. The place looked brand-spanking-new though Summer didn’t think building like this one were built anymore. I suppose it could be old but it just looks too... new, she decided, putting her hands on her hips.

“Who the heck are you?” someone called out to her. The mage blinked in surprise and looked in the middle of area. Two people looked back.

Why does Metanth have to right so often? the drawynn asked for she had nearly walked into the middle of a battle. In response to the question, she raised her hand a smiled, “Hi, I’m Summer.” The metal dragon groaned at her straightforwardness. Ignoring him, the mage looked at her two opponents. The one that had questioned her appeared to be around her age and even from her world. The only out of place thing about her was the gauntlets she wore on both arms. The other woman, however, was definitely a sight. Right away, Summer knew her to be an elf by the customary pointed ears. The elf wielded a large broadsword with draconic designs. Oh crud, I never do well against physically-oriented people, the drawynn slightly grimaced. However, she did notice that the elven warrior was studying her intently. Or, rather, the creature guarding her chest.

“Why are you here?” the graceful elf finally asked.

“Hm? Oh, I was invited to a battle here. But,” she eyed the two, “It looks like you started without me. So, I’ll just... um, stay out of the way.” She smiled nervously with her last statement. Honestly, three people wasn’t exactly the best amount of fighters.

Stop being so timid, Metanth scolded, If you keep trying not to get involved, you’ll only get picked off faster. He unfurled himself and perched upon her shoulder. His leg muscles tensed up, meaning the dragonlit was preparing to spring.

Hold on, the mage rebuked, We could also let them pick of each other. Besides, I’m not interested in having two people come after me. That could happen since, technically, we’re two and they’re two. Though, I really, really, hope that doesn’t happen. Just incase it did, though, the mage gathered up a medium amount of earth element to counter any attack that came her way.

[LadyElvenarcher]

Sileya blinked at the audacious girl standing before her. Interesting…she uses coins as weapons. They hadn’t been extremely effective in the least bit, but that could also have been the girl, she’d said her name was Shrapnel, merely trying to size up what she was dealing with in Sileya. Either way, the Elf decided she wouldn’t pass further judgment for fear of underestimating her opponent and paying for it later.

Now, as for the other…

The warrior-summoner’s striking emerald eyes trailed over to the newest addition, another young girl. But this one had a feeling of power radiating from her. Sileya ran her eyes appraisingly over Summer, halting her probing gaze on the creature wrapped guardedly around her chest. A dragon… Or at least, it has the shape inherent to one. She met the small, metallic dragon’s eyes and nearly caught herself widening her own eyes in surprise. The hot pink irises of the dragon exactly matched those of its companion.

They have a connection, the wise, calming voice of Areina assessed. Were they drawn here by the power cascading in waves down this sacred hill?

It must be so. Power is attracted to power. The presence of Slezyn slid almost seductively against her conscious, as if reminding Sileya of the power he himself possessed.

It matters not. All that matters is what waits inside the temple’s inner sanctum. That is your primary goal, Small One. Anything else is secondary. Lithiuan, as always, managed to bring Sileya’s focus back to the germane matter at hand. This ground is sacred to and full of potential for dragons. Use it to your advantage.

Nodding to herself, Sileya bought time to strategize by inquiring information of the intriguing dragon-bonded girl. “Might I inquire as to the name of your companion, Summer?” She said this with a small, disarming smile. After all, it was not her wish to make an enemy of this girl.

Only if you tell her your name first.

Sileya could not disguise the surprise in her countenance this time, for the little dragon had spoken directly into her mind just as the Ancient Dragons always did. She thought she could detect a hint of a growl from Pyria at the intrusion. Her mind was considered near-hallowed territory to be reserved for the Dragons only.

Sileya chuckled audibly. “Of course, little one. My name is Sileya.”

Little?! I am most certainly not little!

The Elf imagined Pyria rolling her great eyes. Obviously, we have an over-confident child on our hands who needs to be taught some manners.

Oh, hush, Pyria, Sileya replied, careful to keep the conversation between her and the Fire Dragon private. I don’t plan on having to resort to summoning unless the situation becomes dire. Besides, I think I’m rather fond of the little guy. She finished with a tiny smile in the metallic dragon’s direction, which of course, he had nothing to base off of, since he’d heard no word of the exchange.

What? he asked. What are you smiling at?

“You,” Sileya answered with a playful grin. “I’ve told you my name. Now, didn’t you promise to tell me yours?”

“His name is Metanth.” Summer offered the information rather than Metanth himself, and this seemed to irritate the small dragon just a bit. His friend merely grinned at him. “Oh, come on. What’s the big deal about her knowing your name?”

Sileya chuckled softly, but ceased paying attention to their conversation. Her eyes began to wander across the hilltop, seeking anything she could use to her advantage should combat become necessary. Oh, surely it was inevitable, but there was no guarantee the situation would become dire. Her gaze settled on a nearby statue of a majestic dragon, poised in mid-flight and obviously in the middle of releasing whatever its particular breath-weapon happened to be. Running her eyes over the marble statue, taking a moment to admire the superb craftsmanship, Sileya wondered just what sort of dragon it would be were it flesh and blood rather than cold, lifeless stone.

Why don’t you find out, Small One? Lithiuan suggested gently.

Sileya raised an eyebrow. What are you implying?

That is no ordinary stone statue. Reach out and feel, Sileya. There is a spark that resides within.

Sure enough, when the Ancient Dragon’s Favored probed the dragon with her empowered conscious, she could faintly sense the pulsating traces of a spirit.

Awaken it, Small One. I imagine it will appreciate the gesture. Sileya could sense the knowing smile of Lithiuan’s spirit.

Weaving together an equally-balanced combination of Light and Shadow, Sileya settled her inconspicuous net of elemental power around the statue, securely wrapping it in energy to call awake that near-dormant spirit inside. With a deafening roar, the stone suddenly burst apart, as though it were only a shell meant to contain the real dragon within.

It was absolutely beautiful in form, slender, yet sleekly muscled. Deep violet scales covered the majority of its body, with the exception of the dark green, deadly-looking spines running the length of its back and its pure black claws. It turned its triangular head upon Sileya to fix piercing black eyes upon her before bending down, almost as if it were genuflecting toward her in gratitude. Sileya smiled and reached out a hand to affectionately stroke the side of its head, feeling the perfect smoothness of its scales beneath her palm.

“Yes, my friend. You’re free now.”

She did not request or try to enlist the liberated dragon’s help. That would have been a fatal mistake. Instead, she allowed the dragon to make its own decision concerning what to do with its newly-acquired freedom. As if it could sense her need, the dragon blinked knowingly and beat its great leathery wings to attain a few feet in height as it hovered over the ground. Turning its attention upon the other two sentient beings present on the hilltop, it opened its awesome jaws and spewed forth its signature breath-weapon—steaming, black acid.

[fireball]

As Summer used her prepared earth element as a shield Shrapnel leapt to a nearby tree and scrambled up it. The black acid struck the earth shield and was turned back. The violet dragon realizing that for now Summer was unable to be affected turned its deadly breath towards Shrapnel’s tree. As it struck the trunk the wood began to dissolve in a bubbling quagmire. The tree began to fall inward to the clearing. Shrapnel leapt off the branch she was holding onto. She landing on the Dragon’s back. She grabbed onto one of the dragons spines with her left hand and removed tow twenty cent pieces with her right. The dragon was furiously trying to shake off Shrapnel. But the unconventional fighter held tight.

She took aim at Summer, who had lowered her defenses. With a mighty swing shrapnel released on of the twenty cent pieces. It was off target because of the dragon’s movements. Instead of hitting Summer in the forehead as Shrapnel had intended it struck Metanth in the face. It took the small dragon by surprise and he feel from his perch around Summer’s chest. Summer made to pick the creature up but this time Shrapnel’s aim was better as the she had timed the throw perfectly. The twenty cent pieces struck the drawynn’s hand, causing such a stinging sensation that she had to rub it with the other. Shrapnel could see that while the violet dragon kept her busy that Sileya was examining the entrance to the temple confident that the dragon would keep her foes occupied.
Shrapnel wasn’t going to let her off. She let go of the dragon’s spine and slide down its back. As she bumped over the creatures scaled skin she rapidly pulled out some fifty cent pieces and placed them between her fingers. Clenching her hands into fists she now had make shift brass knuckles.

“Hey elf girl,” Shrapnel called.


Sileya turned only to be punched in the stomach. As the elf doubled over Shrapnel grabbed the warriors silver hair. She dropped three of her coins in the process but she still retained the ones in her other hair. Shrapnel twisted Sileya hair around her hair until she was able to treat here like the classic paddle and ball children’s toy. Shrapnel began to slap the back of Sileya’s head repeatedly, the elf tried to escape but kept bounce back towards the hand that was so tightly grasping her hair and slapping her.

“One, two, three, four,” Shrapnel began. “I hope I can break my record of fifty-seven.”

“Ow, Ow, Ow,” Sileya groaned each time she was slapped in the back of the head.

There was a slight rumbling it that began to steadily intensify. The temple’s foundations shook and it entrance crumbled revealing a darkened corridor within. Summer had used the violets dragon’s lack of attention; it was trying to figure out how to help the person who had released it with out harming her, to call forth more earth element. Grand spears of ground rose out of the earth. The violet Dragon was imprisoned in a cage of rock. Its prison was too small for it to use its wings to escape. Summers Dargonlit companion regained his perch and they began walking towards Shrapnel and Sileya.

“Twenty, twenty-one,” Shrapnel continued counting each slap.

Please allow me; I did not deserve such indignities as this coin warrior has put upon me. Metanth would have his small revenge. He breathed his flame. Shrapnel responded by throwing the remaining fifty cent pieces in her free hands towards Summer. The coins melted in the flame the hot globs of molten metal falling to the earth. Shrapnel fell back wards trying to avoid the blast; some still caught her one of her gauntlets. Luckily it only charred.

“Great there goes my record!” Shrapnel said.

Sileya had her Broad sword ready to run Shrapnel through. She would be able to find the energy source once the minor distraction was dealt with. She was standing over Shrapnel poised dramatically to plunge the blade into ground or flesh depending.

“Do you yield?”

“Too Dramatic you should be standing to the side then I couldn’t do this,” Shrapnel said.

The young woman kicked the elf’s ankles and then aimed straight up. Sure it worked better on guys but it was still going to hurt her. Sileya jumped back and avoid the kick. Shrapnel just used its momentum to roll back onto her feet. She tuned and ran into the unknown interior of the temple that Summer had allowed access to. Sileya ran after her. Shrapnel could not be allowed to find the energy source despite professing no interest. Metanth suggested Summer go inside as well. The violet dragon continued to struggle against the pillars of its new prison. Its head stuck out side to mighty rocks he coud not dissolve the earth with his breath least he harm himself. Summer finally follwed Sileya and Shrapnel into the temple.

[Ranarath]

Summer ran after the two other fighters inside the draconic temple. Well, this is turning into... a real mess, she thought, rubbing the back of her head where the coin hit, I’m probably going to have a bruise there. Oh well, I’ve had worse. ...I think.

Stop going off into lala-land and concentrate, the dragonlit demanded. The drawynn only giggled quietly. What now? he growled at her lack of seriousness.

You said lala-land, she smiled which cause the metal dragon to groan rather loudly. The mage only smiled, it was so much fun to embarrass Metanth in a battle. However, her smile did slightly vanish as she took a look at the temple the battle had entered. The temple opened right into the main sanctum which was composed of dark blue rock and extremely smooth. Dragon edifices were carved into the walls with runes circling them, obviously telling some kind of story. At the back, however, was a large altar. Atop it sat four dragon statues that had their heads pointed to the sky and a large bowl sat on top of their snouts. Inside the bowl was a gigantic flame that, every few minutes, change it’s shade of color. It bathed the inner temple with a technicolor light. Another large dragon statue stood behind the flare with its mouth open as though it had breathed the rainbow flame into the saucer.

However, the main attraction came in the forms of the Sileya and Shrapnel. The younger girl was tossing coins like crazy at the elf who was effectively knocking them aside with her broadsword. Though the elven warrior could probably charge right into the midst of the flying metal and be just fine, it could still leave some ugly welts if the coins hit the right place. Okay, let’s see if we can’t do anything, Summer thought with a returned smile and held out her right hand. A small orb of fire form above the tip of each finger, bobbing up and down but not harming her if they touched. “Hey Coiny!” she shouted to get Shrapel’s attention. Then the mage tossed the five fire bombs at the girl. In response, the human also threw five coins to intercept the balls. Just like the drawynn had hoped. Her aim true, Shrapel’s coins hit the small bombs and caused them to explode, filling the chamber with a brighter light. Then, Metanth leaped off Summer’s shoulder and zoomed straight towards the coin thrower, his attack hidden by the explosion.

The dragonlit grinned as he rammed his head right into Shrapnel’s stomach, knocking both the wind out of her and backwards. That was for the coin in the head, Metanth snorted and started to fly away when a guantlet reached out and grabbed his tail.

“Let’s see you deal with this,” the human smirked and started spinning the dragonlit around and finally released him. Thankfully, his wings managed to stop him before he collided with a wall. He could say that much for the coin that knocked him in the head... again.

Why you... Metanth growled ferociously and charged back at the girl.

Jeez, calm down, the mage suggested, You don’t have to go ape on her.

She’ll pay for hitting me with all those coins! he yelled back.

Summer sighed and absentmindedly scratched the back of her head where the coin had hit, Oh boy, there’s just no talking to him when he gets like this. Remember that there was someone else in the battle, she turned to look at the elven swordswoman. That opponent seemed to be focused on the little skirmish between Shrapnel and the mage’s partner. Taking a cue, Summer called another Fire Bomb, with one slightly larger than the other five, and threw it at the elf. Sileya simply moved to one side and allowed the orb to hit the wall.

“You didn’t think the same trick would work twice, even if it was on a different person,” the elf stated with a smile.

Summer shrugged, “Well, it’s always worth a shot.” So, the mage tried another spell and summoned icicles around her and threw those at the elf. Those Sileya managed to easily knock away with her broadsword and started running towards the mage. Oh crud, did I not mention I’m no good at close range combat? she thought with some irony. In defense, she gathered up some of the lightning element, It’s probably not enough to hurt her but maybe I can shock her just long enough to but some space between us. Hopefully Metanth will be done by that time, too.