Topic: Dao of Kiray [Story]
Author: [RPA]HunterX
There once was a boy with wild eyes. Behind those pupils was an energetic spirit, akin to flame dancing atop a wick. Never would it falter in its chaotic steps. That is, until an abrupt breath would extinguish his play.
"I hit you! You can't use your arm now it's chopped off!"
The boy and his brother were playing with plastic ninja swords they had won at a "guess your weight, age, or height" circus game months earlier. By now, the cord wraps had been lost and the gold paint on the pommels had been rubbed away. The boy's blade had a sizable dent towards the hilt, causing his sword to bend whenever flailed or struck. Despite the condition of their toys, they found endless fun pretending to be the heroes from video games they so adored.
"You're just saying that you didn't actually hit me." his brother replied mockingly.
"You're lying I hit you in the arm! You always cheat Tony!" the boy yelled
"Stop crying Patrick!"
"I'm not crying and don't call me Patrick or I'll call you Anthony!" whisk. Smack. The boy's hand immediately shot up to his cheek as tears began to surface in his eyes.
"There, now you can cry. You little crybaby." The brother threw down the sword and walked off.
Will there ever be justice?
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Kiray's eyes lazily slid open from his slumber. Back propped up against a well sized oak, his gaze stretched out across the grassy plains he had been traveling. There was a moderate breeze that swept through the open land, it pushed through tall grass in rolling waves and brought a breath of life to the land. He smiled and closed his eyes again. Leaning his head back against the oak, Kiray yawned and stretched his arms up along the trunk. Upon opening his eyes again, he noticed the sun was beginning to creep out from behind a large cloud encompassing most of the sky.
"That's it, come back to me. No reason to hide, my darling. How I've missed your bright face." He reached his hand up and caressed the suns edge gently with his fingertips. His eyes closed again, as a slight smile slid onto his face. In his thoughts he saw her. The radiant Goddess smiled back at him and waved briefly, before disappearing. "I spose it's that time then." Kiray reached over to his boots and pulled out a slender necklace. Suspended on the chain was a small iron octagon with tiny metal balls at each point. He locked it around his neck before sliding his boots on. Standing up, Kiray dusted his backside off, pulled his robe here and there, added in a few jiggles for comfort, and began walking.
Hours later as the sun began waning, Kiray noticed a pack of boofas grazing near the horizon. He came upon them unnoticed, though not by stealthy means. Walking up to one, Kiray hands began to trace a simple sigil in the air. As it became completed, the outline came to life. Blue lines of light pulsed momentarily and caught flame. "To Urrem'tier's embrace all things go, may you return." he muttered. When he touched the boofa on the neck, it's muscles relaxed and it slumped down to the ground. The other boofas began moving away, while still unable to sense his presence they felt something amiss. Kiray pulled a carving knife out of his boot and began cutting meat from the fallen boofa. Once finished, he held the meat in one hand and traced a sigil with the other. There were sizzles now as the meat began to cook, small vapors of smoke drifted into the air. He ate quickly, but not rushing. While the town he was headed to was still far away, taking the time to chew thoroughly wouldn't change his arrival in the night.
***
Each step he took through the warren was paved in simmering air. Setting his foot down, overgrown brush, wildflowers, and thigh high grass sank into the dirt, crushed. Picking up his other foot to step forward, the footprint left behind sizzled and the air seemed to steam upwards as if escaping boiling earth below. Where destroyed wildlife rested moments before, the haze brought breath into the greenery, lifting them into their rightful place, untouched. It was small, a simple manipulation. The force dissipated after mending the greenery.
He could sense them catching up, they weren't far behind now. From comparing their distance between pulses he could tell they were speeding up. (The dogs must have caught my scent by now.) His soft dry voiced echoed shortly in his head, taunting himself as they crept closer. There was only one of them his mind could locate. But this one had Talent and he didn't bother hiding it. Through a few minor weaves, the Gerudo felt how far it could expand, (Not very far.), and in that expansion were four other men on horses accompanied by a hound each. This wasn't the first time the Gerudo had encountered trouble with this tier of nobility. Most times the scenario ended in disaster, but not for him. Continuing his fluid motion, the Gerudo came to a halt, turned around and waited.
At what he felt was a hundred paces beyond the brush he had just traversed, the beasts began barking. Abruptly the sound of hooves reached him. He withdrew his focus completely, leaving his mind empty. The gallop slowed to a trot as dogs burst through the bushes to surround and circle him. Their saliva dripping teeth shook as growls escaped their throats. He ignored them completely, never meeting their eye.
The horses stepped into view, bearing five riders total, three dressed in bright orange silk under thickly padded leather armor, they carried bows made from oak that matched their scabbards. The Talanted wore a white cloak, his hood drawn up, over a dull grey robe. The folds in his robe sagged over one another on top his horses saddle, creating a small surface in his lap. His hands focused upon an orb no wider than the length of his palm. Sitting in front, outshining his companions effortlessly, was a man clad in spangling chain from shoulder to toe. A bright crimson cape draped over his shoulders bore a crest over the left breast. The Talented blinked and the dogs ceased their growls. He then spoke.