Zack/S1Lude15

It has been a day since Soran and Five Pillars lit up the skies near the campsite with their sparring match, and thankfully no Wyld Hunt has descended upon the area like vultures. Soran is a bit away from the camp, his grand daiklaive in hand as he goes through a few practice swipes and slashes, stretching out before the day fully sets in.

Number Ten Camel approaches, keeping clear of the great golden arcs, though. "Soran?"

He halts the blade, taking a moment to catch his breath before he turns to face Camel, spinning the blade around and driving it into the ground as he leans against it. "Yes, Camel?"

<Number Ten Camel> First, how do you wield that thing? It's massive!

He blinks before grinning. "It is all in the wrist, Camel." He grins before he straightens, yanking it out of the ground. "Actually, I have to attune it with some of my own power before I'm able to swing it around like that."

<Number Ten Camel> Ah. That makes more sense. But, seriously. I'd like a talk. About what we are to do now, and about.. what we are.

He nods as the massive blade disappears from his hand. "Alright then." He plops down on the ground, gesturing for you to take a seat as well.

Number Ten Camel sits slowly, looking out to the horizon with it's coming glow. "What happens now? I want to help you, but what are your goals, now?"

Soran considers for a few moments. "For now, we head back to Gem. I need to sort out a few personal things, and as long as Dendra is in The Lap it'll be far more difficult to free it. Especially since she knows I'm still around."

<Number Ten Camel> Is that still your plan than? Is there anything you need me to do in the meantime?

He manages a faint grin. "You are free to do as you want, Camel. Once things settle down in The Lap some, I'll gladly welcome you back into the fold if you wish."

Number Ten Camel sags slightly. "I was sort of hoping you could provide some direction, to be honest."

He grins slightly. "When we arrive in Gem, I'll see if there has been any new news concerning your parents. If I can pin down a rough location of where they are, I can let you and the others know so you can move to free them."

Number Ten Camel looks suprised. "You think we're capable of that, as we are now? To be honest, I have no real way of judging my strength at the moment"

He shakes his head. "Not yet, no. There is still plenty of time before we reach Gem, however, and more before I manage to discover their location finally." He tilts his head slightly at Camel, hming. "You caught Laria's interest. That speaks pretty highly of your abilities as it is. And with time, you'll only improve, Camel."

Number Ten Camel looks nonplussed by this acclaim. "Oh joy. Who is she, anyway?"

Soran closes his eyes. "She used to be my... companion, centuries ago. She was killed during the Wyld Hunt that involved the sealing of most of our powers. I thought she had just passed on, but apparently the Mask of Winters decided to make her into one of his deathknights not soon after."

<Number Ten Camel> Pretty agile for a dead lady.

"Thank the Deathlord for that."

<Number Ten Camel> The what?

Soran blinks. "It is what the Mask of Winters and his kin are. The thirteen Deathlords, who run things in the Underworld and in some parts of this world."

<Number Ten Camel> I see. What's with this sealing and unsealing then?

Soran nods. "It was the only way the Wyld Hunt had a shot at getting me and Laria, really. They placed six seals on both me and her, which almost completely wiped out our power. Then they split us up, to have an even easier time. I managed to slip away, Laria didn't." He sighs. "AS far as unsealing goes, I'm unsure, but during the fight in The Lap two of the seals tied to the gems Diamond and Scarab have broke."

<Number Ten Camel> So. If you get hold of those, you should grow more powerful?

He shakes his head. "More than getting ahold of them, I know that much. I'm still not quite sure how I broke the first two seals, beyond becoming enraged at what had happened."

<Number Ten Camel> I see. Well, we will see what turns up in Gem then. I had a couple of other questions though..

Soran nods. "Ask, then."

<Number Ten Camel> Ever since.. I.. changed.. I keep seeing things, and they are unfamiliar, or I know them by the wrong names..

Soran tilts his head. "...And you wish to know why this is, correct?"

<Number Ten Camel> It's unsettling.

Soran nods. "I suspect it is. If I had to guess, it is the essence shard that decided to bless you with its powers. More specifically, the memories of such of his or her life."

<Number Ten Camel> So, this power is someone else?

Soran considers. "In a sense, yes. For example, if I was to die, a shard of me would continue on and eventually reincarnate with someone else."

<Number Ten Camel> But, what happens.. to the person the shard posesses?

He hrms, considering for a few moments. "That is a difficult question... When the person dies, the shard continues on while the original person's soul moves on to the next life. During life, however, I suppose the two would eventually mesh at least somewhat. You become infused with the powers of the shard, and you get glimpses of their past life."

<Number Ten Camel> But they can't... take control. Can they?

Number Ten Camel shivvers slightly, face tense and nervous.

Soran blinks before reaching out to put a reassuring hand on Camel's shoulder. "As far as I know, no. Some might give you more visions and such than others, but a shard taking complete control against one's will isn't something I've heard happen before."

Number Ten Camel sighs. "Good. I.. was worried. I can't remember my dreams but.. I wake afraid, or revolted.."

Soran nods, closing his eyes. "The First Age was a time of greatness in the beginning, but in the end things turned dark. THe Unsurpation was at least somewhat justified, looking back on the events before it."

<Number Ten Camel> It just seems, alien to me. To have memories that aren't mine, to do.. magic.

He smiles slightly. "It isn't what normal people are capable of, no. You have been granted powers beyond what most people ever dream of being able to do."

<Number Ten Camel> Why?

He shrugs slightly. "That, I cannot say. The shard might have just decided you were the most suitable, or perhaps it was already ordained in the stars. Either way, you had the potential for greatness within you."

<Number Ten Camel> No turning back, I suppose?

He nods. "Once you Exalt, your powers will remain with you until you die."

Number Ten Camel hrmms. "I see. I guess I knew all along, but.. hoped it wasn't so.."

<Number Ten Camel> No simple life for me, then.

He shrugs slightly. "You can maintain a simple life, if you wish. You have been given the power. It is up to you however to decide how to use it."

<Number Ten Camel> Why are you dong what you are doing?

He raises an eyebrow. "Why am I living my life as I am, or why did I gather you all?"

<Number Ten Camel> Either, both, as you like. I just.. seem to have lost track of what is happening, and why.

He smiles slightly. "Since the Unsurpation I've been fighting, running, and hiding to survive. I am fighting against the Realm, however, because it has come not unlike what the Dragon Blooded overthrew, during those dark times. I gathered you all because I was in need of your help at the time, and you all were relatively new to the game."

Number Ten Camel nods. "That seems.. wait. Since the Usurpation? How old are you?"

He grins. "I'm starting to near the end of my lifespan. I have been alive since the First Age, however."

Number Ten Camel just sits there, stunned

Soran continues grinning as he watches your reaction.

Number Ten Camel recovers, slowly. "So. Well. That fits, I guess."

He chuckles. "As I said. You can choose the simple life. It'll be really long simple life, of course."

<Number Ten Camel> If nothing else, I have to grow strong enough to save my parents.

He nods. "A noble goal, and one you will attain soon enough, at the rate you are going."

<Number Ten Camel> I hope so. Any tips? On how to grow.. stronger?

He nods. "Experience, plain and simple. The more you learn about the abilities and the more you master them, the more fearsome you will be for your foes."

Number Ten Camel laughs softly. "No shortcuts then? Very well."

He grins. "Sadly, no."

Number Ten Camel pushes himself to his feet.. "I guess that's all my questions for now.. unless you have any?"

He smiles faintly. "I am vaguely curious to what your plans are once your parents are freed."

<Number Ten Camel> I don't know. If your plans are back in motion by then, I'll throw my lot in with you.

He nods slightly. "Thank you, Camel."

Number Ten Camel bows stiffly. "I trust you. For what it matters."

He nods. "That is good to hear, after my recent failures..."

<Number Ten Camel> I'll warn you if I find a better path to walk.

Number Ten Camel turns away with a smile

He nods, smiling as he watches Camel go. "There will be no ill will at all if you do." He gets to his feet, as his blade reappears in his hands before he begins his routine again.