Forged Through the Darkness by Nu Akii Kuraii - Chapter 3

Forged Through the Darkness

by Nu Akii Kuraii

face=Arial> 

Chapter 3

face=Arial>            After riding for many days, the chill of the shallow stream refreshed the
boy's ankles. A canopy of trees shades the sea of ferns which blanket the
ground, broken by the thatch roof and hard bark huts that are scattered among
the bush. Several racks of weapons line the pathway between these makeshift
quarters. In the outermost racks two handed glaives, great swords, giant winter
battle axes and other various pole arms give a welcoming feel to the knight's
camp. Alongside are the smaller one handed swords, axes, from theFar East two handed winter katanas and their companion the mighty wakazashi, rounded bucklers and tower shields hung across the opposing side.  In the center racks are the assassin's tools:
Daggers, Kukri, knives -the seven inch blades and their throwing counterparts,
kunai and razor stars set just above the medley of potions and poisons locked
away tight in their boxes. Obviously he's being taken to the next phase of his
training.

face=Arial> 

face=Arial>            Shadows of men soar through the branches above, cloaked strangers with
dark faces shatter the tree trunks with their mithril arrowheads while knights
bearing the crest of Knight's Pride equip themselves in layers of chain, iron,
steel and mithril. Some are people of small stature and others of giant
proportions wielding weapons of colossal magnitude. Each knight is unique and
many with weapons unlike any he'd seen before. Armor, strong and golden as the
wheat fields back home, engraved with patterns of Aztec influence and pictures
of the fallen gods decorate one warrior's equipment. Gothic armor spiked with
cruel barbs as black and charred as the burnt pitch that remained after the
God's Fire of 6000years ago radiates a chill through his fingertips and toes as
he steps closer trying to see the detail.

face=Arial>            One particular knight catches his eye... Green eyes and warm blonde hair
with a brilliant robe flowing off her shoulders and to the ground, she is a
woman of power and greatness. Her name, Shantress. Noticing the rounded emblem
of a Lion on her shield, Nu steps forth with curiosity.

face=Arial>            "What does the lion represent?" The boy asks.

face=Arial>            "It is our symbol for Pride. After all, it was once said, 'Kingdoms shall
fall... Heroes will fail... Pride is forever.' That's what this lion represents
for all those within Knight's Pride." Shantress replies.

face=Arial>            "Wow... What a great power resides within those words." Nu
exclaims!

face=Arial>            Shantress pauses for a moment, thinking. "Remember them well... Your
father spoke of these words during the foundation of our wonderful guild. He was
a wise man, heart open to the world and always able to see the brighter side of
any dark night. He embraced us when we knew nothing of war... Nothing of what it
means to have honor or to protect something. Someone you hold dear. At his level
of skill he was untouchable. Undefeated!! Your father was supreme in power and
battled with those who should have easily destroyed him... But he an
understanding of the world - and understanding of what it means to treasure
peace and love war.

face=Arial>            He used abilities to mend his wounds and cure sickness through a focus of spirit - the power of the Light. He had an understanding alright. Your father was a Paladin. A warrior of the Light. Peacemaker and keeper of all things decent in these lands.  However.." Shantress takes a deep breath and her mood changes
drastically. "However, he had something else in him... Something dark. -Bit of
the Berserker in him at times. Never had I seen anything like it before. He'd
change. He's stand against warriors that far surpassed his skill and abilities
and he's deliver unto them such fierce hate and brute strength. He protected
that which is good and massacres those whom threatened this good. Paladins do
not excel in damage Nu. Your father though.. He was unique. 'The Damage Pally'
or 'Battle Paladin' they called him. He'd strafe to your blindside, constantly
foiling your strikes while he would strike with such a burst of damage amplified
by his seals -Divine techniques which gave the power of the Light to each of his
abilities.

face=Arial>            Your father showed me the courage to stand and fight. His teachings gave
me the strength to hold my own in battle."

face=Arial>            "Pride is forever." The boy states, looking towards the ground. "I want
to become a knight. Not just any knight.. I want you to show me the ways of the
Light. To hold a weapon with courage and never fear the darkness again! I have
pride. I have the legacy of my father to represent. I have to protect the world,
my world, from the darkness. I will not let it ruin anymore lives. I wish to be
trained to the limit of what is humanely possible and then alone. Alone I shall
break the limit, go beyond the edge and into the impossible. I will do this and
return to this world. My world. Reborn.

face=Arial>            My father knew of the darkness. It took his lover; my mother. He has
himself to the darkness when he knew he couldn't protect those closest to him.
That is where his brutality emerged when the world was threatened. Each time he
was consumed, the darkness commanded him and so he wielded his weapon in the
name of Retribution. His will was too great for the darkness though. Once he
discovered he could use the darkness, he changed. His eyes grew more lifeless
with every battle; the very darkness which plagued our lands ruined his body and
stole from me my father. He was a great man, never wavering from his beliefs. He
paid the ultimate price so that we may live."

face=Arial>            "I always assumed he had established some pact with the darkness. I had
never seen such vengeance from a man of the light. Nu, your father was a good
man. The darkness could never change that. He was the only one who could give to
the darkness without letting the darkness take root within his soul. You are his
son. If you wish, I can teach you what you want to know." Shantress holds her
palm out with the offer.

face=Arial>            "Teach me. I will take the name of my father and do as he did. Learn to wield, conquer and destroy the darkness. From now on. I wish to be known as Nu Akii Kuraii. Such a destiny has been given to me from birth. 'Nu' from the lost language of the Raki -it means reborn. 'Kuraii' is a derivative from the Far East Island, it means Darkness... Nu Akii
Kuraii, such a name is only fitting for such a destiny. " The boy grasps her
hand and accepts her offer.

face=Arial>            Nu's path into the future has been revealed. Christened with his new
identity and determination to understand the darkness - the power it holds
secret and the unimaginable dangers that come from such an evil, Nu Akii Kuraii
ventures on to advance his basic weapons skill under the careful supervision of
the mighty Shantress.