Hidden Fun Stuff
02-08-09, 04:31
Frick it all. Biographies are apparently dull and boring, so instead I'll put up stories. Note that none of these are complete, and the first two or so are nigh-permanently on hold, due to blockage or otherwise "story boredom." I will not post any of my stories that haven't reached ten pages of text yet, because that's just lame. They'll be here rather rapidly for the most part, though C+P is rather easy to begin with. I just hope it doesn't mess too badly with formatting. If it does, I apologize, but I'm NOT going to dredge through 100 typewritten pages of story to fix every un-done formatting change.
Also, note: They'll be the same characters several times- please, if you comment on a character, comment on them WHILE MENTIONING the story you're speaking of.
Anyway... Spoiler'd for potential unsafeness and SIZE, holy mother of earth, SIZE... Please avoid unless older than fifteen, more for convenience rather than specifics, as I haven't looked at this story in a year. This is Clan Elemental. Also, expect five/six chapters a post, depending on how massively texty they are... This is an early one, though, so only a few chapters (Mostly battles or long speeches) are really long.
Chapter One: The Feint
Briiiiiing! The area outside Terria High began filling up with students rapidly escaping the boring trap known as school. Being the last day of scholarly activity before a vacation, everybody was anxious to leave, including the teachers. In just fifteen minutes, only two students remained, and, of course, the janitorial staff.
These two students were Jay Vioga and Seth Ryoza, and they were mutual “best buddies.” In reality, there was little truth in that statement. They were brothers in every sense of the word except for genetics. They were standing in the senior locker hallway, chatting away in the near-total silence. Seth was leaning against a locker, one leg on the ground and another against the locker. Jay was leaning on the wall opposite Seth.
“So, have you seen the advertisement? About that Clan Elemental? It sounded like they needed people with your talents.”
“Yeah, Seth, I’ve seen it. You shoved it into my binder just so I could see it. I just don’t think it seems too… Well, it sounds like some cult.”
“Cult? Nah, it’s more like a union of warriors, I heard! You get to go around and help people, and beat other people up! At least, that’s what the ad said”
“Yeah, it sounds cool enough, but then I couldn’t hang out with you! You don’t have a gift like I do, you know”
“I know Jay, I know… If only I had an elemental power… But I’m still going to go to the recruiting! They might need a secretary or something, you never know. Then we could still be around each other.”
“Well, if you’re going… Then I might as well.”
“See? I knew you’d do it!”
“Only because you’re so pushy, Seth.”
“Thanks, Jay.” With that, the pair exited the school and left for home.
Chapter 2: The Story Begins!
“The ad said it was at 521 Elemental Drive… They really love the word ‘Elemental,’ huh? Ah, this must be it. I guess the big banner kinda gives it away… Although, why didn’t Seth come with me? Or at least, offer me a ride… Perhaps he didn’t want to be embarrassed.”
The building in question was a typical office building, but it had a massive multi-colored banner, which stated “CLAN ELEMENTAL RECRUITING TODAY!” in ridiculously bold letters. Jay entered with a bit of apprehension.
“Hello, there, cutie! You here to be recruited into Clan Elemental?”
Jay jumped in surprise, looking for the source of the voice. It turned out to be an attractive woman in her thirties, sitting behind a counter like a typical receptionist.
“Um, uh, yeah. I am.”
“Well, then, come on over and grab yourself one of these application forms.”
As Jay walked towards the counter, he noticed a large number of friends (and enemies) from school, but he did not find Seth.
“Why wouldn’t he be here? He said he would… It’s not like him… He never breaks a promise, whether he calls it a promise or not…”
“Here you go, honey. I hope you get in. Gods know we need some eye candy in the clan.” The woman finished her comment with a wink.
Jay hurried to an empty seat and filled out the form, mildly shocked at the woman’s forwardness. He received another wink when he went to turn the form in. He sat and fidgeted a bit, still worrying about Seth’s absence.
The woman suddenly received a transmission through her earpiece.
“Rosalina, send in Jay Vioga, please.”
“Sir, how did you…?”
“Just send him in, will you?”
“C-certainly sir.” She then addressed the waiting area. “We will now begin the interviews. Jay Vioga, you’re up first. Enter the door with the fancy symbol on it.”
Chapter 3: The Shock
Knock. Knock. Jay hesitated, unsure whether he should open the ornate gold door or not.
A voice called from within.
“Come on in, Jay. I’ve been…expecting you.”
Jay entered the room, still wondering about what was about to happen. As he entered, a high-backed chair of black leather began to swivel around. Slowly, a man in his twenties was revealed behind the smooth mahogany desk. Jay immediately noticed that this man had an unnerving resemblance to Seth.
“You, uh… Kinda look like my best friend.”
“Hmm, really? That’s quite a coincidence. What would the name of this friend be?”
“His name is… Seth, sir.”
“There’s no need of formality, you know. In fact…”
Jay stepped back in shock, as the mysterious leader of Clan Elemental began to glow in a cocoon of red-hued light. As the light faded, it revealed Seth Ryoza at age eighteen.
“What?! Seth?! Y-you’re the… It… I-it can’t…!”
“It can. I’ll explain this later, but first I must admit…”
“But wait… You said-“
“Ahem. I must admit, I have only lied to you twice. One was big, the other was really big. This is the really big lie.”
“So, you can actually…?”
“Yes, Jay. I can use elemental powers just like you. I control the element of Fire, like I always ‘wished’ I could.”
“So all that encouragement and training…”
“Was really… Me stealthily training you to be able to join my clan.”
“Hold it, though! What’s the ‘big’ lie? You never told me!”
“Hold your tongue for just a moment! I must explain what all of this means! Otherwise, the ethics committees will be all over my ass for disallowing you informed consent.”
“I don’t need to be informed. I want to join.”
“It means that you will be unable to see your friends, and will be locked into a power struggle that has continued for over eighty years. You will be fighting, training, and doing missions. You will be toiling harder than you’ve ever felt. Both mind and body shall be tested. And you will be bound to others in a cloth woven tighter than blood. Do you, Jay Vioga, thus take the vow to forever bind yourself to Clan Elemental?”
“…Wow… It’s all… A bit more than I thought…”
“Do you, Jay Vioga, thus take the vow to forever bind yourself to Clan Elemental?”
“I, Jay Vioga, thus bind myself to your service, Seth Ryoza. I am at your command.”
Chapter 4: Jay Versus Seth! Electric Firestorm!
“Didn’t I tell you to skip the formalities? Ah, well. I guess it can’t be helped. Anyway, I must now test the extent of your ability.”
“Test? Like... A multiple choice test?”
Seth hit an intercom button without addressing Jay’s question. Like a true commander, he barked his order to whatever “poor sap” was on the other end.
“Rosalina! Exam Room One! Now!”
“Certainly, sir, coming right up!”
The reality around Jay melted as he was wrapped in a blue light. The light dissipated, and slowly Jay realized he wasn’t in Seth’s office anymore. The entire area was completely nondescript flatness. They were basically standing in a white box. Dotting this almost empty landscape were black and yellow circular targets, typical of any marksmanship contest. They were at various ranges, covering the gamut from ten yards to approximately a mile.
“Jay Vioga, this is your first test. You must use your bow to strike each of these targets. The center is preferred, although just a hit will suffice.”
“Wait… I, uh, don’t have a bow…”
“Then I shall give you one.”
Red energy flared from Seth’s hands and shaped itself into what appeared to be bullhorns. The energy flew away, leaving an immaculate bow of intricate design.
“This is the bow that was used by Artemis herself. I suppose it would not displease you to use it?”
“…No. How could it ‘displease’ me?”
Seth smirked, giving a strangely creepy all-knowing smile. “I do not know myself. But I do know that someone DID turn down the use of this bow once.”
“Oh… Well… I guess I should, uh, start then?”
“Yes. You should.” Seth continued radiating his all-knowing smile while he handed Jay the bow and a quiver packed with arrows.
Then, the fun began. Jay’s arms moved like lightning as he fired arrows like a machine-gun. One after another, the targets were struck dead center. Within a minute, only five targets remained, each at a ridiculous distance. Jay pulled out five arrows, and drew back the bow as far as he could reach. Tilting the bow upward, he released the quintuple shot. Every arrow hit perfectly. Jay dropped the bow and quiver in minor exhaustion. He quickly noticed two things. One: Ouch. Two: There weren’t any extra arrows! Eeesh. The not so quick third thought: Shizam! Forty deadeye shots in only a minute and a half! I’ll bet Seth’s gonna drop his jaw!
“Excellent work, Jay. You have passed, and far beyond my expectations. Now rest, for the second, as well as final, and lastly, harshest test is much more difficult. Rosalina! Exam Room Two, if you please!”
“Of course sir.”
The feeling of weightlessness and the blue light once again surrounded Jay and Seth. When it faded once more, they were standing in the middle of a huge field of grass boxed in by mountains. The grass extended at least a mile in any direction. Jay quickly noticed that Seth was about twenty yards away, and that he was holding a silver rapier and a flaming saber.
“Catch!”
Before his brain could process anything, Seth chucked the rapier at Jay. Jay deftly caught it about a tenth of a second before it would have pierced his knee. He waved it around experimentally, and noticed that electricity crackled throughout the air as it was swung.
“That sword is the Raijin, a mystical blade of lightning. Fitting, no?”
“Then… Your sword is...?”
“This? It is the Ryojin, the Raijin’s flame-imbued counterpart. Both are weapons as legendary as your bow. Perfect for an epic clash, eh?”
“Clash? That’s the second test? A fight?”
“Exactly. A battle. Fight me as though your life depended on it!”
With this, Seth charged forward, holding his saber at the ready for a helm-splitting slash. Jay backed up a bit, bringing Raijin up to block the attack. Electricity surged through the air as the weapons collided. Suddenly, a burst of flame knocked Jay off his feet, after which he landed sprawling on the ground about ten yards away.
“You’ve got to use your elemental power, Jay! Otherwise you stand no chance!”
“You know, he’s right. I’ve got to use my power…”
Jay stood back up, ready to battle, and to win. Seth charged forward once again, this time preparing for a gutting slice. Something was different though… Seth drew a rune in the air with his free hand.
“Blazing Slicing Wave!”
Ryojin glowed brightly as flaming energy surrounded the blade. The sword’s path traced itself through the air, and a smell of vaporized grass billowed behind Seth’s charge. Jay pulled out Artemis’s bow, and pulled back an arrow as he sent electrical energy into the shaft.
“Halberd Thunder!”
Seth swung at the exact moment that Jay released his attack. A massive curving blade of flame erupted from Ryojin as Jay’s arrow became a beam of electricity. The techniques collided with a furious explosion and a fierce shockwave. Both Jay and Seth flew backwards, Seth receiving the brunt of the force. Jay immediately stood back on his feet, and prepared his “signature” technique. Yellow energies surged through the arrow he pulled onto his bowstring.
“Gyro… Arrow!”
The shot was loosed into the upper atmosphere, where the energies began to absorb the other energies in the atmosphere. A focused storm formed where the shot had gone.
“…Release!”
“Damn it.”
From the storm cloud poured twenty-three bolts of searing thunder, each aimed directly at Seth. The lightning bolts blasted a forty-yard radius around Seth completely clear of… everything. After the smoke faded away, Seth slowly stood up.
“This battle… it is… done. You… Jay Vioga, you pass.”
“Are you alright, Seth?”
“I’m fine… I’m a bit more powerful than you think. A couple of thunderbolts won’t hurt me too much. Rosalina, back to my office, please.”
“Sure thing, Seth.”
The blue light once again surrounded the pair, this time dropping them off at Seth’s office. For the first time, Jay noticed Seth’s extremely formal robe of red hemmed in gold. It also had an extended scarf of sorts at its front, upon which was embroidered a strange runic symbol.
“I, uh, just noticed… What’s with the robe?”
“Official High Council gear. I have to wear it when recruiting or on official business. They forgot to protect my actual robe with the proper spells, though… I ended up burning a massive hole in it. While they replace it at their own leisure, I have to use this itchy spare. It’s almost identical, though. It’d take a trained eye to figure that out. That, or just… observing my uncomfortable twitches. Anyway, that ‘big lie’ will be revealed as soon as you enter the back room. You’ll also get the proof of your membership. I hope you want a tattoo.”
“…Wha-“
Seth quickly pushed Jay through the door, realizing just how long this process was going to take.
“Wow. It’s a good thing the Exam Rooms have an altered temporal flow. Those tests took a good hour. As it is, that only took about four minutes, so at least I still have the element of surprise. Ten minutes is a reasonable amount of time for an interview, no?”
“It’s about perfect, sir. Shall I send in the next person?”
“Yes. Please do.”
Chapter 5: The Recluse
“Alida D’Violenue, you are next. Please enter the door with the symbol on it.”
“…Alright… Thank you…”
Alida disappeared behind the crest-emblazoned door, looking only at the floor.
“Wow. Seth, she isn’t much of a talker, just so you know…”
“I know, Rosalina. I know.”
Alida had adopted a different persona as she entered Seth’s office, walking with confidence, at least, until she saw Clan Elemental’s leader.
“Seth?! You’re the leader?! Oh, cripes.”
“Yes, I’m the leader of Clan Elemental. Now, how about sitting down and relaxing a bit? Would you like a glass of water, or soda maybe?”
“Do you have any Goffarion?”
“That ancient stuff? Yeah, plenty of it.” Seth handed Alida a blue can of soda, which she popped open and began to drink with the skill of an expert. She paused for a moment, noticing that it wasn’t quite the same flavor she was used to.
“Hey! It’s… different.”
“Yeah, it should be. I combined the three flavors together into one soda. I call it Strawgrapalicious Cherry Bomber.”
“Uhh… No comment.”
“Anyway, I should probably start the interview.”
Alida’s eyes crossed the room, searching for a wastebasket. When she found one, she arced the empty can straight in.
“So… I, uh… didn’t prepare… so… I’ll just wing it. What element or elements can you utilize?”
“I’m not sure what to call it, but I can do all sorts of stuff with light.”
“Alright… Have you ever created any weapons with your energy?”
“Yes. I’ve made…”
“Ah, now seeing is believing. If you can, make some of your more impressive pieces of art for me right now.”
“Uh… O-ok.” Alida held her hand as if she was grasping a sword’s hilt. A shining flare of white energy almost blinded Seth for a few seconds. After his eyes stopped throbbing, Seth noticed that Alida was now holding an ornate golden sword inscribed with runes. The blade sparkled with holy energies that continuously pulsed from within.
“Alida… I said impressive artwork, not a legendary sword made to banish evil!”
“S-sorry!”
“It’s not a bad thing, not at all! I just didn’t expect THIS from an untrained Spirit Forger!”
“Spirit Forger…?”
“Yeah, that’s what that art is called.” Seth held out his hand, and a small burst of red energy emanated from his hand. It dissipated to reveal a pair of brass knuckles.
“See? Spirit Forging… Oh, crap! I totally forgot…!”
Also, note: They'll be the same characters several times- please, if you comment on a character, comment on them WHILE MENTIONING the story you're speaking of.
Anyway... Spoiler'd for potential unsafeness and SIZE, holy mother of earth, SIZE... Please avoid unless older than fifteen, more for convenience rather than specifics, as I haven't looked at this story in a year. This is Clan Elemental. Also, expect five/six chapters a post, depending on how massively texty they are... This is an early one, though, so only a few chapters (Mostly battles or long speeches) are really long.
Chapter One: The Feint
Briiiiiing! The area outside Terria High began filling up with students rapidly escaping the boring trap known as school. Being the last day of scholarly activity before a vacation, everybody was anxious to leave, including the teachers. In just fifteen minutes, only two students remained, and, of course, the janitorial staff.
These two students were Jay Vioga and Seth Ryoza, and they were mutual “best buddies.” In reality, there was little truth in that statement. They were brothers in every sense of the word except for genetics. They were standing in the senior locker hallway, chatting away in the near-total silence. Seth was leaning against a locker, one leg on the ground and another against the locker. Jay was leaning on the wall opposite Seth.
“So, have you seen the advertisement? About that Clan Elemental? It sounded like they needed people with your talents.”
“Yeah, Seth, I’ve seen it. You shoved it into my binder just so I could see it. I just don’t think it seems too… Well, it sounds like some cult.”
“Cult? Nah, it’s more like a union of warriors, I heard! You get to go around and help people, and beat other people up! At least, that’s what the ad said”
“Yeah, it sounds cool enough, but then I couldn’t hang out with you! You don’t have a gift like I do, you know”
“I know Jay, I know… If only I had an elemental power… But I’m still going to go to the recruiting! They might need a secretary or something, you never know. Then we could still be around each other.”
“Well, if you’re going… Then I might as well.”
“See? I knew you’d do it!”
“Only because you’re so pushy, Seth.”
“Thanks, Jay.” With that, the pair exited the school and left for home.
Chapter 2: The Story Begins!
“The ad said it was at 521 Elemental Drive… They really love the word ‘Elemental,’ huh? Ah, this must be it. I guess the big banner kinda gives it away… Although, why didn’t Seth come with me? Or at least, offer me a ride… Perhaps he didn’t want to be embarrassed.”
The building in question was a typical office building, but it had a massive multi-colored banner, which stated “CLAN ELEMENTAL RECRUITING TODAY!” in ridiculously bold letters. Jay entered with a bit of apprehension.
“Hello, there, cutie! You here to be recruited into Clan Elemental?”
Jay jumped in surprise, looking for the source of the voice. It turned out to be an attractive woman in her thirties, sitting behind a counter like a typical receptionist.
“Um, uh, yeah. I am.”
“Well, then, come on over and grab yourself one of these application forms.”
As Jay walked towards the counter, he noticed a large number of friends (and enemies) from school, but he did not find Seth.
“Why wouldn’t he be here? He said he would… It’s not like him… He never breaks a promise, whether he calls it a promise or not…”
“Here you go, honey. I hope you get in. Gods know we need some eye candy in the clan.” The woman finished her comment with a wink.
Jay hurried to an empty seat and filled out the form, mildly shocked at the woman’s forwardness. He received another wink when he went to turn the form in. He sat and fidgeted a bit, still worrying about Seth’s absence.
The woman suddenly received a transmission through her earpiece.
“Rosalina, send in Jay Vioga, please.”
“Sir, how did you…?”
“Just send him in, will you?”
“C-certainly sir.” She then addressed the waiting area. “We will now begin the interviews. Jay Vioga, you’re up first. Enter the door with the fancy symbol on it.”
Chapter 3: The Shock
Knock. Knock. Jay hesitated, unsure whether he should open the ornate gold door or not.
A voice called from within.
“Come on in, Jay. I’ve been…expecting you.”
Jay entered the room, still wondering about what was about to happen. As he entered, a high-backed chair of black leather began to swivel around. Slowly, a man in his twenties was revealed behind the smooth mahogany desk. Jay immediately noticed that this man had an unnerving resemblance to Seth.
“You, uh… Kinda look like my best friend.”
“Hmm, really? That’s quite a coincidence. What would the name of this friend be?”
“His name is… Seth, sir.”
“There’s no need of formality, you know. In fact…”
Jay stepped back in shock, as the mysterious leader of Clan Elemental began to glow in a cocoon of red-hued light. As the light faded, it revealed Seth Ryoza at age eighteen.
“What?! Seth?! Y-you’re the… It… I-it can’t…!”
“It can. I’ll explain this later, but first I must admit…”
“But wait… You said-“
“Ahem. I must admit, I have only lied to you twice. One was big, the other was really big. This is the really big lie.”
“So, you can actually…?”
“Yes, Jay. I can use elemental powers just like you. I control the element of Fire, like I always ‘wished’ I could.”
“So all that encouragement and training…”
“Was really… Me stealthily training you to be able to join my clan.”
“Hold it, though! What’s the ‘big’ lie? You never told me!”
“Hold your tongue for just a moment! I must explain what all of this means! Otherwise, the ethics committees will be all over my ass for disallowing you informed consent.”
“I don’t need to be informed. I want to join.”
“It means that you will be unable to see your friends, and will be locked into a power struggle that has continued for over eighty years. You will be fighting, training, and doing missions. You will be toiling harder than you’ve ever felt. Both mind and body shall be tested. And you will be bound to others in a cloth woven tighter than blood. Do you, Jay Vioga, thus take the vow to forever bind yourself to Clan Elemental?”
“…Wow… It’s all… A bit more than I thought…”
“Do you, Jay Vioga, thus take the vow to forever bind yourself to Clan Elemental?”
“I, Jay Vioga, thus bind myself to your service, Seth Ryoza. I am at your command.”
Chapter 4: Jay Versus Seth! Electric Firestorm!
“Didn’t I tell you to skip the formalities? Ah, well. I guess it can’t be helped. Anyway, I must now test the extent of your ability.”
“Test? Like... A multiple choice test?”
Seth hit an intercom button without addressing Jay’s question. Like a true commander, he barked his order to whatever “poor sap” was on the other end.
“Rosalina! Exam Room One! Now!”
“Certainly, sir, coming right up!”
The reality around Jay melted as he was wrapped in a blue light. The light dissipated, and slowly Jay realized he wasn’t in Seth’s office anymore. The entire area was completely nondescript flatness. They were basically standing in a white box. Dotting this almost empty landscape were black and yellow circular targets, typical of any marksmanship contest. They were at various ranges, covering the gamut from ten yards to approximately a mile.
“Jay Vioga, this is your first test. You must use your bow to strike each of these targets. The center is preferred, although just a hit will suffice.”
“Wait… I, uh, don’t have a bow…”
“Then I shall give you one.”
Red energy flared from Seth’s hands and shaped itself into what appeared to be bullhorns. The energy flew away, leaving an immaculate bow of intricate design.
“This is the bow that was used by Artemis herself. I suppose it would not displease you to use it?”
“…No. How could it ‘displease’ me?”
Seth smirked, giving a strangely creepy all-knowing smile. “I do not know myself. But I do know that someone DID turn down the use of this bow once.”
“Oh… Well… I guess I should, uh, start then?”
“Yes. You should.” Seth continued radiating his all-knowing smile while he handed Jay the bow and a quiver packed with arrows.
Then, the fun began. Jay’s arms moved like lightning as he fired arrows like a machine-gun. One after another, the targets were struck dead center. Within a minute, only five targets remained, each at a ridiculous distance. Jay pulled out five arrows, and drew back the bow as far as he could reach. Tilting the bow upward, he released the quintuple shot. Every arrow hit perfectly. Jay dropped the bow and quiver in minor exhaustion. He quickly noticed two things. One: Ouch. Two: There weren’t any extra arrows! Eeesh. The not so quick third thought: Shizam! Forty deadeye shots in only a minute and a half! I’ll bet Seth’s gonna drop his jaw!
“Excellent work, Jay. You have passed, and far beyond my expectations. Now rest, for the second, as well as final, and lastly, harshest test is much more difficult. Rosalina! Exam Room Two, if you please!”
“Of course sir.”
The feeling of weightlessness and the blue light once again surrounded Jay and Seth. When it faded once more, they were standing in the middle of a huge field of grass boxed in by mountains. The grass extended at least a mile in any direction. Jay quickly noticed that Seth was about twenty yards away, and that he was holding a silver rapier and a flaming saber.
“Catch!”
Before his brain could process anything, Seth chucked the rapier at Jay. Jay deftly caught it about a tenth of a second before it would have pierced his knee. He waved it around experimentally, and noticed that electricity crackled throughout the air as it was swung.
“That sword is the Raijin, a mystical blade of lightning. Fitting, no?”
“Then… Your sword is...?”
“This? It is the Ryojin, the Raijin’s flame-imbued counterpart. Both are weapons as legendary as your bow. Perfect for an epic clash, eh?”
“Clash? That’s the second test? A fight?”
“Exactly. A battle. Fight me as though your life depended on it!”
With this, Seth charged forward, holding his saber at the ready for a helm-splitting slash. Jay backed up a bit, bringing Raijin up to block the attack. Electricity surged through the air as the weapons collided. Suddenly, a burst of flame knocked Jay off his feet, after which he landed sprawling on the ground about ten yards away.
“You’ve got to use your elemental power, Jay! Otherwise you stand no chance!”
“You know, he’s right. I’ve got to use my power…”
Jay stood back up, ready to battle, and to win. Seth charged forward once again, this time preparing for a gutting slice. Something was different though… Seth drew a rune in the air with his free hand.
“Blazing Slicing Wave!”
Ryojin glowed brightly as flaming energy surrounded the blade. The sword’s path traced itself through the air, and a smell of vaporized grass billowed behind Seth’s charge. Jay pulled out Artemis’s bow, and pulled back an arrow as he sent electrical energy into the shaft.
“Halberd Thunder!”
Seth swung at the exact moment that Jay released his attack. A massive curving blade of flame erupted from Ryojin as Jay’s arrow became a beam of electricity. The techniques collided with a furious explosion and a fierce shockwave. Both Jay and Seth flew backwards, Seth receiving the brunt of the force. Jay immediately stood back on his feet, and prepared his “signature” technique. Yellow energies surged through the arrow he pulled onto his bowstring.
“Gyro… Arrow!”
The shot was loosed into the upper atmosphere, where the energies began to absorb the other energies in the atmosphere. A focused storm formed where the shot had gone.
“…Release!”
“Damn it.”
From the storm cloud poured twenty-three bolts of searing thunder, each aimed directly at Seth. The lightning bolts blasted a forty-yard radius around Seth completely clear of… everything. After the smoke faded away, Seth slowly stood up.
“This battle… it is… done. You… Jay Vioga, you pass.”
“Are you alright, Seth?”
“I’m fine… I’m a bit more powerful than you think. A couple of thunderbolts won’t hurt me too much. Rosalina, back to my office, please.”
“Sure thing, Seth.”
The blue light once again surrounded the pair, this time dropping them off at Seth’s office. For the first time, Jay noticed Seth’s extremely formal robe of red hemmed in gold. It also had an extended scarf of sorts at its front, upon which was embroidered a strange runic symbol.
“I, uh, just noticed… What’s with the robe?”
“Official High Council gear. I have to wear it when recruiting or on official business. They forgot to protect my actual robe with the proper spells, though… I ended up burning a massive hole in it. While they replace it at their own leisure, I have to use this itchy spare. It’s almost identical, though. It’d take a trained eye to figure that out. That, or just… observing my uncomfortable twitches. Anyway, that ‘big lie’ will be revealed as soon as you enter the back room. You’ll also get the proof of your membership. I hope you want a tattoo.”
“…Wha-“
Seth quickly pushed Jay through the door, realizing just how long this process was going to take.
“Wow. It’s a good thing the Exam Rooms have an altered temporal flow. Those tests took a good hour. As it is, that only took about four minutes, so at least I still have the element of surprise. Ten minutes is a reasonable amount of time for an interview, no?”
“It’s about perfect, sir. Shall I send in the next person?”
“Yes. Please do.”
Chapter 5: The Recluse
“Alida D’Violenue, you are next. Please enter the door with the symbol on it.”
“…Alright… Thank you…”
Alida disappeared behind the crest-emblazoned door, looking only at the floor.
“Wow. Seth, she isn’t much of a talker, just so you know…”
“I know, Rosalina. I know.”
Alida had adopted a different persona as she entered Seth’s office, walking with confidence, at least, until she saw Clan Elemental’s leader.
“Seth?! You’re the leader?! Oh, cripes.”
“Yes, I’m the leader of Clan Elemental. Now, how about sitting down and relaxing a bit? Would you like a glass of water, or soda maybe?”
“Do you have any Goffarion?”
“That ancient stuff? Yeah, plenty of it.” Seth handed Alida a blue can of soda, which she popped open and began to drink with the skill of an expert. She paused for a moment, noticing that it wasn’t quite the same flavor she was used to.
“Hey! It’s… different.”
“Yeah, it should be. I combined the three flavors together into one soda. I call it Strawgrapalicious Cherry Bomber.”
“Uhh… No comment.”
“Anyway, I should probably start the interview.”
Alida’s eyes crossed the room, searching for a wastebasket. When she found one, she arced the empty can straight in.
“So… I, uh… didn’t prepare… so… I’ll just wing it. What element or elements can you utilize?”
“I’m not sure what to call it, but I can do all sorts of stuff with light.”
“Alright… Have you ever created any weapons with your energy?”
“Yes. I’ve made…”
“Ah, now seeing is believing. If you can, make some of your more impressive pieces of art for me right now.”
“Uh… O-ok.” Alida held her hand as if she was grasping a sword’s hilt. A shining flare of white energy almost blinded Seth for a few seconds. After his eyes stopped throbbing, Seth noticed that Alida was now holding an ornate golden sword inscribed with runes. The blade sparkled with holy energies that continuously pulsed from within.
“Alida… I said impressive artwork, not a legendary sword made to banish evil!”
“S-sorry!”
“It’s not a bad thing, not at all! I just didn’t expect THIS from an untrained Spirit Forger!”
“Spirit Forger…?”
“Yeah, that’s what that art is called.” Seth held out his hand, and a small burst of red energy emanated from his hand. It dissipated to reveal a pair of brass knuckles.
“See? Spirit Forging… Oh, crap! I totally forgot…!”