Beyond the treetops and the low hills, Danalof could easily see the city. It had been apparent for many days, and especially nights, as it glowed with many, many lights. Before getting too close to the city, Danalof examined the people from afar, and as they seemed to be peaceful and well-civilised, decided to approach them. Before doing so, he asked his mouse companion Kcirph to hide in his hat and to remain silent, as he did not want to scare the people too much with a talking mouse. However, he decided to keep the fire-elemental in plain view, so as to keep any annoying people (bandits, pickpockets, door-to-door salesmen) thinking twice before approaching.
As the sage wanders into the vicinity of the city, he can see people staring at him curiously. Well, they seem less interested in the old man himself, than in his fire-elemental. Though eyes follow him everywhere, none of them actually approache him, except for a group of 9. They seem to be some sort of guards, but wear no weapons. The person who appears to be their leader has long, blond hair and is wearing a pink-redish jacket. On his belt, like a sword, hangs something that appears to be a flute.
"I welcome you, wanderer through the leave ocean, with all warmth due to you," starts the leader. " They call me by the name Uchiwakameru. By my humble request I must inquire, can I assist you in your cause ?"
"Greetings," replies Danalof, "I am just a wandering explorer and sage, who saw some strange lights comming from here and felt like investigating"
"Curiosity killed the cat, but in this case, the cat found cat-topia. Welcome to the City of Teiichi, where just as the stars and the moon shine at night, we shine as well to greet them," says Uchiwakameru, bowing an exagerated and awkward bow.
"I see I found some civilized people in this seemingly uncivilized and wild land. I didnt expect that."
"The wild beauty of the lands is what makes this city more civilized than the barbarians that pillage the lands. Balance is a thing easily upset, and it is most rewarding to preserve it"
The 8 other people who approached the sage look embarassed to interrupt the conversation. "Friends, speak if you wish to," says Danalof to them, but they turn around and pretend to not have heard. One mumbles, "Oh don't mind us, we don't really belong to him, in fact, we have no idea who he is..."
Danalof, continuing the conversation with Uchiwakamaru, "I have walked a long way to find some peace from agitated lands. I do not wish to impose on you, but could you please tell me of some peaceful place were I could spend some time?"
"Come with me, my friend!", exclaims Uchiwakamaru, "We shall wander the lands and frolick in the wilds. We shall sleep under the stars and listen to the songs of the trees and the wind!"
Danalof is completely surprised by that weird sudden outburst, and the 8 others start laughing at how awkward the situation is.
"I thank you for that offer," politely replies Danalof, "but, what I had in mind was more of an Inn, a place to sleep in confort for ounce."
"You disappoint me, wanderer in the mist," says Uchiwakamaru before flapping his wings and disappearing amongst the giant trees, shouting "Yohoho!"
After a few moments of stunned silence, Danalof turns to the remaining 8 and asks, "What was that about?!"
A reltively small woman, who has a rather gigantic fan on her back as decoration turns to him. "Please excuse Uchiwaka's ...uniqueness. I ensure you, once you get used to it, it gets easier to deal with him."
"Yes, I'm sure I'll get used to that. So my lady, may I inquire of your name?"
"I am Kazoku Sora, the heir of the local school of incense. Pleased to meet youuu...who was it ?"
"Danalof, also known as the wadnering sage by some."
"You said you were lured here by a beam of light ?"
"Yes, one that pierced the heavens"
"That must have been some youngsters, training for the Hitaikai, who lost controle over his Justu. You see that often when they take part in it for the first time and lack experience"
"Hmm... So might I inquire, this Jutsu you speak of, what exactly is it? Some kind of magic?"
Kazoku unfastens and opens her fan. From it's tips, bursts of light spring forth, winding like snakes through the air. The snakes unite and form a glob of light, that then grows into a vaguely humanoid shape. "Hijutsu is the art of light-forming. The Hitaikai is a tournament, at which a fight is simulated, to determine whose Hijutsu is the most creative and of course, the strongest. It is a sight of extraordinary beauty. You came at the right time, as it is going to start in just 2 months from now."
"What luck. But would I be allowed to see this contest, or even stay in your city? I do not want to impose myself on anyone..."
A very big, if not to say, FAT man from the 8 speaks up, "Ever since my youngest daughter moved out, I have a spare room. I would be glad to provide for ya, if ya help out mom with the household a bit. Oh, I forgot to introcude ma'self, I am Kouta, a mason."
"Thank you, that would be very appreciated. Well met, Kouta. Beleive me, I can be very helpful around the household, and I'll be sure to pay for my stay somehow too."
As the group prepares to go on their way and Danalof makes to follow his host, he seems to remember something and exclaims, "One more thing, friends. I would like to know a bit more of your light-forming magic. You see, I'm a dabbler in arcane arts myself..."
Danalof opens his arms wide on either side of himself. From the tip of each finger, a thin strand of light springs, and the strings interwine around each hand. The sage claps his hands together, and a strong flash of light appears from them. He then seperates them from each other again, and a butterfly made of many shifting colors of light flutters out, to dissapear a few moments later. The group looks partly confused, partialy shocked. One of them looks downright suspicious of the sage, and Kouta takes a close look at his hands.
"Where did it come from?" asks Kouta.
"Without a vessel..." says Kazoku.
"Ahh," muses Danalof, "that is a slightly different technique than the one you used. That is why I wanted to know more about your magic, as it is not much like the one I know."
"The library is open to you, should you want to inquire about the Jutsu," says Kazoku.
Kazoku points into the direction of the library, but Kouta interrupts the sage by giving him a pat on the back that almost breaks his ribs. "You can go there later. Now, lets go, lemme introduce you to mom."
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Topic: Battle of the Gods IV (Read 70247 times)