6th Combo

[redcladidealist]

Who: Lloyd Irving and anyone
Where: Island beach
When: Morning
Style: Either
Status: Open

[There aren't very many good places in Vatheon to get away from everyone. Not that Lloyd is trying to avoid anyone, but it's usually a good idea to go someplace out of the way when training with new mana techniques - and that's exactly what he's doing today. He'd found a good stretch of beach that was, for the moment, unoccupied - probably because of the chill in the morning air discouraging casual beachgoers. There might be more people in the afternoon, but he'd no doubt have called it quits long before then.

So, while he still has the beach to himself, time to get to work! Drawing both his swords, the teen in red runs through a basic warm-up before settling into a familiar routine. Without calling on his own inner mana, he goes through the motions of the techs he thinks are closest to what he's trying to achieve. Demon Fang, Tempest, Beast, they all involve molding mana around his blades. If he can just keep it there, instead of unleashing it...

Anyone passing by this particular stretch of beach will either see a teenage swordsman hard at work training himself - or they'll pass by just in time to get blasted by mana and sand from one of Lloyd's failed technique attempts.]

Comments

[grandhealer]

[ Raine was currently walking along the beach with a notebook and some papers in her arms as well as a pen. During the morning she would typically stay inside and do some morning studying. However, this morning she had decided that she would take a walk inside. The notebook she was holding had notes of others that she had met here in Vatheon just in case she was to find someone interesting to speak to.

She continued to walk along the beach with the notebook open and reading some of the notes she had taken on others as well as various things such as the Lamufao. Soon enough she heard a familiar voice in the distance.

Closing the notebook she proceeded towards the noise. Soon enough she notices the distinct red clothing signifying to her that it was her student that was on the beach practicing his sword skills. Allowing him to work on his skills Raine stood to the side and watches quietly. Feel free to notice her whenever you'd like Lloyd. ]

[redcladidealist]

[It won't be more than a minute before Lloyd notices his teacher standing off to the side. He drops out of his stance, straightening up, and wipes the sweat from his brow. Then he smiles and lifts a hand, still holding a sword.]

Hey, Professor! What're you doing here?

[grandhealer]

[ Raine nods in acknowledgment before taking a few steps over to her student. ]

Hello Lloyd. I'm currently taking a walk on the beach while reading a few notes I have taken. And you are here practicing your sword techniques?

[redcladidealist]

Yeah!

[Lloyd grins. He likes when she takes an interest in things he likes, and this is no exception.]

Someone told me there might be a way to use my mana to make my swords stronger. Well, he called it ki, but I figure it's the same thing. I'm trying to make a new technique to do that.

[grandhealer]

[ And she likes it when Lloyd can actually provide her information. It makes him not all that hopeless! ]

Interesting. Can you tell me more about ki and why you thought that he was the same thing as mana?

[spiria]

[ Guess who just got blasted with mana and sand? This girl.

She recovers fairly quickly, though; it wasn't a very strong burst, at least, though it was enough to knock her over with a bit of pain. She stands up, whipping Elrond out just in case she needed it, and looked around ...

... only to realize that there's a pain in her eyes. Yep. Sand in the eyes. Kohaku's now setting to work at rubbing her eyes and trying to get the sand out of there. ]

Owwww ...

[redcladidealist]

[Ack! He hadn't meant to hit someone with that attack! He hadn't even seen she was there! Lloyd hastily sheathes his swords and rushes over to the girl's side.]

Oh man, I'm so sorry! Are you all right?!

[spiria]

Y-Yeah, mostly! Just got sand in my eyes ...

[ She's not sure if this guy is the one who caused the sand to be in her eyes to begin with, but she's plenty grateful for the concern. ]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd knows from experience what it's like to get sand in your eyes. He winces, both in guilt and sympathy, then reaches down to his belt to unhook his water skin, which he promptly offers to her.]

Here, rinse your eyes out. I have an apple gel, too, if you want.

[Worry, worry, worry. He doesn't know how hard he hit her.]

[spiria]

[ She's able to open her eyes enough to get a fuzzy view of the water skin before it hurts again and she feels around for it. She takes it into her hand and starts to try and rinse her eyes out. ]

Thanks ... It doesn't hurt that much. My eyes are the biggest problem right now.

[ And she's got healing artes, but she didn't mention that. ]

Hey hey, who's up for an RP menage a trois~

[relinquishing]

[It had taken most of the previous evening to convince Luke to leave the apartment. The redhead had been drowning in an almost depressive state ever since he'd arrived, and it was more than a little uncomfortable for Guy. Luke didn't need to be moping - yes, things were... rough. But he needed to get his mind on something else. He needed to snap out of it, just for a little - to talk.

The suggestion to go visit the island wasn't originally taken with much enthusiasm. But Guy had pried and teased, just enough to get Luke to cave. Yeah, maybe he was a little grumpy about it. But getting him out of the claustrophobic environment of this city might help him feel a little calmer.

Guy can't help be chipper this morning as they step out of the elevator and being to explore. It was his first time up here, too, anyways... and hey, feeling sunlight and breathing in that fresh sea air for the first time in months? It was kind of amazing.

Their wanderings had led them out towards the endless stretch of sand - one could see the line of water only a short walk away. But at the same time, the sounds of exertion and training could easily be heard. And hey, that voice was... oddly familiar.

He slows his walk, the line of conversation suddenly halting as he looks in the direction of the sound with a flare of curiosity.

Huh...]

I am, I am!

[fabrecation]

[For lack of a better word, Luke had felt... lost, this whole time. Back on Auldrant, he had something to focus on. St. Binah was falling, and Luke had to save it. That alone made him not think too long about the downward spiral of thoughts, knowing that he had to keep going, that he couldn't let St. Binah become another Akzeriuth.

But now... that's been yanked away from him. There's no goal here. He's aimless, and all he can do is think of everything he'd been trying to steer away from. Who is he, really? How can he change if he isn't sure who it is he's changing? Why is he alive? Why was he created? What can he do? What is he? How is he supposed to keep living?

Who is he?

Even though Guy's prodding to get him outside weren't met with enthusiasm, the teasing managed to pull him out of his rut just enough to get him to smile, tease back and follow him to the elevator. Soon enough, they're on the sand, and Luke can't help staring at the shoreline in wonder as he walks side by side with Guy and holds his boots and socks in one arm. He's seen the ocean several times, but he's never had the time to just... walk and enjoy it. The sights, the sounds, the taste of the air and the smells, and the feel of the sand beneath his feet. It was calming, in a sense. Calming and intimidating, knowing how huge it is and how small he is... especially knowing what he is.

His question to Guy, something about the ocean, is only half answered, and Luke glances at him before following his line of sight to the sounds of training. He'd noticed it much earlier, but pushed it aside in favor of watching the ocean. Now, though...

"Demon Fang!" He hears come from the unfamiliar teen, and a shockwave that looks very familiar to one of his own moves flies across the sand.

He can't help letting his eyes widen and his mouth open slightly.]

Hey... [How does he know that?]

Me three! RP threesome is go! /o/

[redcladidealist]

[Not yet noticing his audience, Lloyd watches his mana race across the beach, sending the sand around it flying. He makes a noise of dissatisfaction. That wasn't what he'd been going for.

Maybe Tempest is better to work with.

After all, it held his mana around himself and his blades longer, long enough to lift and keep him in the air, guiding him while he spun. If he can capture that feeling and concentrate on it...

The thought has barely formed before he's launching himself into the air, a whirlwind of mana and blades going higher and higher. Focus on how he's keeping that mana close...]

Tempest!

[When he lands, the impact and his mana kick up a cloud of sand.]

ooh protagonists ohh~

[relinquishing]

[Getting a little closer reveals that he did indeed recognize the voice -- Lloyd, if he was remembering correctly. He hadn't seen much of the brunette since the happenings with Zelos. To see him out here training in earnest, something other than sorrow and stress on his face... it was pretty satisfying.

Hearing the call of the familiar Demon Fang was enough to make Guy's brow furrow. He's tempted to just pass it up as mishearing something... but no, the flow of the energy, the way Lloyd drew his arm to the side...

That was the same attack.

And then Lloyd repositions himself, launching through the air in a tight spin, blades sparking with energy--

Guy bristles.

Tempest.

He has to be hearing things.

He knew Lloyd was from a different world - they seemed to have nothing in common, other than their familiar types of medicine.

But Tempest was a Sigmund-style art - there were very, very few who knew it, especially in his age range or younger.

So how the hell did Lloyd learn something like that--?]

let's do it

[fabrecation]

[And Demon Fist was something that Luke learned from his Master's books, the ones that taught more of the Albert style. That was a little more public than Guy's apparent style, so it doesn't quite surprise him that Lloyd knows something similar. But something that he thought only he, Asch and Master Van knew?

Then Lloyd does another move, Tempest, one that makes Guy draw up straight beside him. Luke spares him a glance before he stares again, watching the teen land in the sand.

Luke had only seen Guy learn that in secret, using it in battle when he didn't expect it. It had to be one of those artes that was learned only through a select few people - it had annoyed Luke at first, and still does in a sense. But now he's learned to respect it and let Guy be... even if his curiosity over it kills him sometimes.

Since Guy isn't taking initiative, Luke feels like he ought to. In the past, he wouldn't have a problem calling the teen out and demanding where he learned those moves. Now, though, he's more hesitant, more nervous, but it only causes a few seconds of hesitation before he steps forward and calls out.]

Uh - Hey! Excuse me!

[It still feels strange to hear that come out of his mouth.]

SO SORRY it took me so long to get around to this...

[martelapproves]

[ Mithos would seemingly... pop out of nowhere. Surely Lloyd had looked over that spot several times, and nobody was there. And now... Mithos was. His face looked glum, actually somewhat listless, as if he had been struggling with this idea for a while.

He hadn't. Well, he welcomed the chance to show Lloyd just how powerful he really was - after all, he had thoroughly curb-stomped Lloyd twice now, he just didn't know it. But, any power Mithos had was manifested either by his extreme magical power, and a good amount of that came from his Cruxis Crystal. There was no way to hide that.

Mithos had decided it was just time to tell Lloyd the truth. Or rather... show Lloyd the truth. ]

... Lloyd.

[ Mithos said, straightening up his posture a bit. ]

I'm curious about something... what has Kratos told you about me, so far?

Don't worry, it's fine! o/

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd jumped, startled by Mithos's sudden appearance, but it was only a moment before he relaxed and smiled. Yeah, he just must not have looked there, or been paying attention when the half-elf boy approached. That was probably exactly it.]

Mithos!

[He lifted an arm to rub away a light sheen of sweat on his forehead, a little awkwardly because he was still holding both his swords. That smile remained in place, though, a foreshadowing of Lloyd's answer to his question.]

Huh? Kratos? I didn't even know he knew you. Why?

[No one had said anything about Mithos, actually, for who knew how many reasons, so as far as Lloyd knew, the blond was just a fourteen year old boy he'd found injured in Ozette, another victim of Cruxis. A boy who Lloyd viewed as one of his friends - and who apparently knew how to fight after all.

Lloyd tilted his head, looking over Mithos again. He'd been training, and now here was Mithos, who he wanted to spar against. The other boy didn't seem to be obviously armed, but...]

Say, you didn't bring your sword with you, did you?

[martelapproves]

I didn't need it. Not before, not now.

[ Yep... Mithos figured everyone kept Lloyd in the dark. But it couldn't continue like this. Colette, Zelos, Raine, they all knew the truth about him. Even Dhaos did. And it was only a matter of time before Lloyd would notice Mithos ordering Kratos around. The truth needed to come out now, and it might as well be from him. ]

Because four thousand years ago, Kratos was one of my companions.

[ Mithos gave Lloyd a moment to let that sink in. ]

Together, we, along with Yuan Ka-Fei, and my sister, fought to end the Kharlan War, between Sylvarant and Tethe'alla. Their use of magitechnology was killing the world, along with everyone on it. But four of us against two armies was never going to work, so I forged pacts with every single Summon Spirit, and then ordered Origin to forge the Eternal Sword, which I then used to split the world in two, permanently ending the war. I then turned the Tree of Mana into a seed, because they had damaged it beyond repair with their use of magitechnology, to the point where I would need to plant it all over again. The humans thanked me by killing my sister.

[ Mithos was sounding a lot more serious all of a sudden. He sighed, and closed his eyes. ]

Her name was Martel. And our last name...

[ Suddenly, a bright light started glowing underneath Mithos's shirt, and two massive glowing, translucent wings shot out from his back; they were at least twice the wingspan of Colette's, extended all the way down his arms, and consisted of a myriad of different colors. Mithos began hovering, power crackling off of him. When he spoke again, his voice was deeper, older-sounding; and it should be very familiar to Lloyd. ]

... was Yggdrasill.

[redcladidealist]

[Sink in. Something like that sinking in. It feels like Lloyd's head was just hit with a brick, or like someone just punched him in the gut. It's hard to think, hard to breathe.

Mithos... Yggdrasill?

His mind balks every time he tries to put those two names together. Mithos, his friend? The hesitant kid who'd worried about being accepted by Lloyd and his friends just because he was a half-elf? The boy who'd seemed so genuinely pleased to be with them, who'd wanted to follow them in their quest rather than be left behind? Yggdrasill, the leader of Cruxis, who'd wanted to kill all of them? Who'd done everything he could to create a world filled with oppression and sacrifice?

The same person?

He takes a step back, feeling like his lungs have frozen in his chest. He stares, wide eyed, when Mithos's wings manifest. When he speaks.]

N-no. No, you can't be. I don't understand! You're not-

[Denial, denial, denial!]

You're my friend! You can't be Yggdrasill!

[martelapproves]

So now that you know who I am, you don't even want to be friends anymore.

[ Mithos scoffs, and turns his head away from Lloyd. His wings flutter a bit, in time with his own thoughts. ]

You humans really are all the same. It's not like it matters, anyway. I know what happens in our future, and what you humans will do the minute the worlds are reunited. I was vindicated even after I failed.

[ His fists clench, and his teeth grit for a moment. He hates to admit it, but at the same time, he feels justified. Maybe no longer in the Journey of Regeneration, but certainly in splitting the worlds. The fact that Sylvarant and Tethe'alla started fighting all over again just proves, to him, that he was right all along about splitting it. ]

thaaaaaaat's me for you, going 'I WANNA TAG' and then...not.

[fighting4afuture]

[The beach in the morning is pretty awesome, even if half the time Trunks isn't up there to just enjoy it like he is today. Or at least, that was his intention, despite the chill.

When he comes across Lloyd practicing, he can't help but watch. His father and Gohan might not understand why he liked fighting with the sword, but he did--and he could always learn something new from watching.

Of course, he's not out of range of a sand blast. Luckily, ki shielding is something he can do, so he doesn't get too badly pelted.]

Haha, it happens. XD

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd had been particularly focused on that attack, paying close attention to his mana and what he was doing with it, but when it fails he doesn't just stop paying attention to it. And so he sees exactly where all that sand goes. Too late to do anything, even shout out a warning.]

Whoa! Hey, are you all right?!

[He can't see Trunks clearly past the cloud of sand, but he's already rushing forward just in case!]

derpderpderp |D

[fighting4afuture]

[Nope, he's fine! See how fine he is once the sand settles?

He just has to shake a little sand out of his jacket sleeves, but he's cool. :|b]

Oh yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about it.

[Hey, he knows you. Kinda. Didn't he talk to you once?]

What're you working on?

I'm totally okay with all the derp~ [/plays Lloyd Irving, after all]

[redcladidealist]

[Yeah, hey, Trunks looks familiar, too. Lloyd doesn't know that many people with purple hair, but it has been a while since they talked.

Still, he's relieved that Trunks is all right, and his smile definitely shows it.]

Good. I'm glad you're okay.

[He glances at the many divots he's made in the beach, then shrugs sheepishly.]

Well, two things, I guess. I'm training and I'm trying to make a new technique, something to keep my swords from breaking when I'm fighting someone really strong. So far it's not really working. My mana doesn't want to stay wrapped around my swords.

[fighting4afuture]

[Yeah, pretty long indeed.]

Oh, I might be able to help you with that. That's actually something I had to figure out too.