A Hero in the Making

[Amber Eyes]

Kyla lazily stretched her arms as the sun shone on her bare mid-drift. Now that the castle building was in motion she was free to spend her days lazily lying about. She sat her book down and looked at her sister. "I thought we were supposed to be sunbathing? Why on earth did you have them lug that huge thing down here?"

Kyla squinted at the stones which held the prophecy of the Ixian Knights. Since finding out she'd been mistaken in reading them Anita seemed unable to focus on anything else. "Please," Kyla begged, rising to go to her sisters side. She grabbed her hand and tried to drag the girl away, "Come talk to me! I'm bored out of my freakin mind over here. I'll even let you talk about how cute Taka's rear end is, just indulge me a little bit." Anita grinned and playfully swiped at her sister. She grabbed her own towel and wrung it up tightly before aiming it directly at Kyla.

"Don't....You....Dare...." Kyla squirmed away from her sister and ran through the yard, re-arranging her swimsuit as she did. Anita finally cornered her near the side entrance to the tomb and popped Kyla hard on the leg. "OW!" Kyla screamed, "You better run little sister."

Kyla chased after Anita who ran quickly around the tablet. Kyla tried to dart at her, swiping the side of the tablet as she did so. In one moment the stone made a sickening crack against the ground. "Oh My Thaynes!" Kyla screamed, "Sei is going to kill me." The girl looked at her sister with wide eyes. Anita seemed to be tearing up as she checked the stone for any breaks.

"I'm sorry Anita, I swear I didn't mean it. I was just playing around. It's just a stone."

"It's not just a stone!" Anita rounded on the girl, "You don't get it do you! You spend all your time flouncing around here! Shopping and flirting with the guys! This is my one chance to help. Papa has put so much effort into this and if I can't assemble these men we have no chance. Just go goof off somewhere else."

Kyla looked at her sister and opened her mouth to retort, but the hurt in Anita's eyes stopped her. She picked up her towel and wordlessly raced to her room.

[Silence Sei]

Definition of RAGE

a : violent and uncontrolled anger

b : a fit of violent wrath

c: archaic : insanity

d: The feelings of Anita Orlouge at this very moment.

As if it had not been bad enough that her 'sister' kept wanting to distract her from her work, now she had ruined a piece of the prophecy! This prophecy, which had brought so many people to Sei's Tomb in the hopes of stopping a massive invading army. This prophecy, which was all that stood between every other nation in the world and Corone. This prophecy, which had been Anita Orlouge's obsession for almost half a year now.

And it was JUST A STONE?!

Anita's hands trembled with anger towards Kyla. How could she have said such a thing, knowing that Anita was so passionate about it? Who the hell did she think she was to be so presumptuous about such a thing?! Lives were in the balance!

Anita gained a slightly calmer demeanor once Sei walked out, still gazing behind him as if something were wrong. Looking towards Anita, Sei lifted an eyebrow at the girl. "I had heard that you and Kyla got into a little disagreement, so I came to check it out."

"Is there anywhere you -don't- have ears planted, Papa?" Anita snidely remarked, not meaning to take her anger out on her father. The mute, expecting such a comment, merely smiled and patted the teen on her head. The gesture seemed to soothe Anita even further, prompting her to explain the situation to Sei. As she did, her eyes darted back and forth from the prophecy stone. Finally, when she could take it no more, Anita asked.

"Papa, what would you do if the prophecy actually foretold of a warrior you didn't approve of going into battle with you?"

[Amber Eyes]

Kyla had settled in for a nap after a quick visit to the hospital ward to check on Janine. "No changes." Aislinn said grimly for the twelfth time that week. Kyla went to the injured girls side and gripped her hand. Janie had aimed a gun at the young mystic months prior. Guilt sat deep in the girl's stomach as she remembered stabbing the human at the urging of a glove she'd found moments before. Sei had explained that the glove was a Zodiac Weapon, and that it had chosen Kyla. It was the first time Kyla had ever injured another person purposely though and she couldn't shake it. Janie was eventually brought back to Sei's tomb to be under the best medical care available. She had never woken though, and Kyla had spent hours holding the girls cold fingers and begging the Thaynes to forgive her.

Minutes later Kyla drifted off to sleep, Janie on her mind.

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Kyla blinked hard as the medical ward came into focus. She had seen the room mere minutes before, and yet now there were hundreds of patients. Each one slept deeply just as Janie did. Aislinn made her rounds, checking each one in turn before noticing the mystic. "Is someone being released?" She asked eagerly.

The comment threw the mystic, "How would I know? Your the doctor."

"Very funny Kyla, if your not going to release someone then I really must get back to work." With that Aislinn walked away and continued her duties.

Kyla looked around very confused as a hundred voices seemed to whisper in the background, she looked down at her left hand and noticed that she was wearing the glove.

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Kyla woke with a start. Confusion filled her mind as she dug through the chest where the glove lay. There it was, the pink emblem of a lion on its back. Kyla grabbed the glove and took off in search of Sei. Something was wrong and sure Sei would be able to get to the bottom of it.

[Silence Sei]

"What do you mean, dear? Sei asked his daughter with a concerned look on his face. It seemed from Anita's expression that the girl was truly upset with what she had found. Though the general prophecy remained the same, there were misinterpretations on Anita's part every now and then. The girl was the only one who could translate the large stone tablet, however, so it was okay for there to be a few mistakes.

But this, this was different. This was not the expression a child made when they spilled ink on important papers. This was a look of true fear coming from Anita Orlouge. Something that was making her tremble, even if she tried to cover it up by masking it as anger. Sei leaned into his daughter and wrapped an arm around her, hugging her close.

"Anita, sometimes there are situations that may not be the best for somebody. Someone might not seem like the best fit for an operation, but once put to the test, they could be outstanding. I mean, look at Taka. His entire culture has shunned him away because of what happened to him, but he's finding redemption with us, the same as Cassandra. Nobody trusts these people anymore, and so we're giving them new hope. Understand?"

Anita looked to her father with both a smile and a nod. He had managed to find the right words to comfort her in this time of need.

"Papa, about the prophecy, one of the Nine warriors is..."

Before Anita could finish, Sei's head turned to the sound of Kyla calling him. The mute released the younger Orlouge girl from his embrace to try and take care of the new situation, whatever it may have been. This just left Anita alone, finishing her statement to the wind.

"....is Kyla."

[Amber Eyes]

"It's strange Sei, it's like the thing speaks to me. It used to be in my mind, like when you speak. I guess once that didn't work it invaded my dreams. Am I crazy? Do Zodiac weapons do that?" Kyla furrowed her brow as she looked at her 'father'.

"Not that I've ever known, Kyla. This is odd. You said there were bodies everywhere and Aislinn spoke of releasing them?" The mystic paced the room as her rubbed his chin. A look of worry mixed with a childlike curiosity overtook his face.

"Yes, and it was strange. She seemed to only be checking their vitals. Not one of them seemed to have any real injuries. Each one looked just like Janie."

Both mystics looked at the ground as they attempted to figure out what was going on. In one moment they both looked at each other and whispered in unison. "Janie!"

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Kyla entered the medical ward, with Sei on her heels.

"There's no change Kyla, I just told you that." Aislinn sighed, worry for Kyla showing on her face. "I promise I'll let you know the moment something changes.

Kyla simply waved Aislinn off with her hand, focusing instead on Janie. Out of pure instinct Kyla placed the glove on her hand, the first time since the day she'd attacked Janie so many months ago.

Release her! The glove seemed to shout.

"I...I don't know how!" Kyla argued, causing Sei to put his hand on her shoulder. Kyla looked at Janie's lifeless body and walked over to the bed. "I'm sorry Janie, I don't know how!" Kyla's eyes filled with tears. "I just don't know what to do. Please forgive me." The young mystic reached down with her gloved hand and squeezed Janie's tiny fist.

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"Stupid prophecy, why did it have to be her!?!" Anita screamed at the lifeless stone. "You could have picked anyone and it had to be my sister!"

Jensen Ambrose just happened to be walking by, it had nothing at all to do with the fact that the entire army knew this particular area was where Kyla and Anita had agreed to sunbathe today. Upon hearing Anita's cries, Jensen quickly turned to face her. "Kyla's a general? Have you told them yet?"

"No," Anita admitted, "Why do you.....wait!"

Jensen had already disappeared into the building, Anita rushed to catch up. "You asshole!"

She caught up to him breathless just outside the infirmary. At that very moment he screamed, "Hey Sei, Anita has something to tell you. Orlouge family self destructs in five, four, three, two, and....."

"Kyla's the next General." Anita blurted at the exact moment Janie sat up.

[Silence Sei]

Jensne had fought with Anita over the revelation that Kyla was one of his Nine. Janie awoke from a slumber that many had thought she would never recover from. Everything seemed to be happening so fast, the mute just wished he could slow things down and take everything one step at a time. The first and foremost issue was what had went on with Kyla.

The mute looked to the girl, noticing the dim golden glow emenating from her opera glove. Something was going on with Kyla's newest toy, and Sei had already suspected that the item was a Zodiac Weapon. Whatever it did, however, seemed to have something to do with Janie and her newfound consciousness. Sei's eyes shifted over to the younger Mystic girl with a smile, not exactl;y knowing the words he should be saying to her if any right now.

Giving up on that endeavor, the mute turnedto Anita. He raised an eyebrow towards his daughter, who simply nodded. She seemed to be one hundred percent sure that her 'sister' was one of the Nine Generals of the prophecy. The mute returned the nod with a heavy gulp. How could his beloved Kyla be one of the people who would put their very life on the line in order to save Corone? The girl had never even gotten into many fights until she had encountered the orange haired Mystic. Yet, this prophecy was saying she was always destined to be a warrior?

Once again, Sei was at a loss for words. Kyla and Anita were both unsure of how to reply to either twist of events as well. It seemed as though even Jensen Ambrose had finally found something that kept him shut up, if only temporarily. Luckily, the awkward deafness of the room was finally stopped by the coughing of the infirmary's patient.

"Excuse me," Janie said politely, a southern drawl reaching the ears of all the rooms occupants, "but who the hell are all yall?"

[Amber Eyes]

Kyla turned around and looked Janie deep in the eye. "You don't remember me at all?" The young girl shook her head slowly, confusion evident in her face.

"Oh thank Thaynes!" Kyla squeeled. "Let's just say it's been a rough couple months, you were hurt and now you are better." Kyla smiled at Sei, glad to have avoided that awkward conversation.

"But...How did I get hurt?" Janie seemed frightened as she asked the question.

Kyla's joy deflated. "Look Janie, I promise I'll tell you everything. Right now though...." Kyla searched to room and saw Aislinn on her way over, "Aislinn here, she's a doctor, well she needs to make sure you're good as new." Kyla leaned in close to Aislinn, "Make sure she's okay, then take her to her friends, let them explain everything. Maybe they can even explain that she shouldn't try to kill me."

Aislinn nodded and Kyla walked out of the room. She bumped into Anita roughly as she did and the younger sister squealed her complaints, "What was that for?"

"Being a bitch." Kyla stormed off and Jensen chased her down.

"Kyla, I don't think she's screwing with you." The immortal grabbed Kyla's shoulder to stop her.

"I'm not you know," Anita stood a few feet behind, looking at Kyla expectantly. "This isn't a joke."

"Whatever Anita, I can't even fight. I'm not a frikkin General. You are either screwing with me or your getting worse at reading that stupid rock."

"IT"S NOT STUPID" Anita bellowed.

"Save it girls! You have ten minutes to be in the meeting room. We all need to talk."

[Silence Sei]

It was the longest ten minutes the three Orlouges ever shared together. Anita tried to convince Kyla that she was part of Sei's elite nine, and Kyla would hear none of it. Meanwhile, Sei pondered what this meant for the rest of the Ixian Knights? Did Kyla's presence mean that there were to be non-combatant roles in the upcomig wars? His forces were bulked up with chaplains and nurses and whatnot, so perhaps it would be Kyla, and not Adolph or Aislinn to lead that group? so many possibilities swirled aroundthe head of the telepath.

When the three of them reunited in the meeting room, Sei looked to Anita' The girl took a hard gulp as she looked at the stern eyes of her father. "Now tell me, Anita, what exactly does the prophecy say that makes you so sure that it is indeed Kyla?"

"The Ninth is family. She will be of three families before her journey brings her to whom she truly is. Though reluctant to fight at first, she will find things worth fighting for in her journey." Anita said, almost as if she had rehearsed it for this very moment. Sei and Kyla looked to one another, a look of shock oin both of their faces. The description seemed to match, but what kind of things would the girl have that would be worth fighting for?

Kyla rested her hand upon her opera glove, Sei taking notice that the thing was faintly glowing a golden color once more.

"Well, then Kyla, welcome to the team," Sei said, not really knowing what else to say, given the situation, "Now there's just the matter of Janie... Kyla, I think its time you name that new weapon of yours..."

[Amber Eyes]

Kyla sat at the table and pinched herself hard. This is absolutely impossible.

"That description could mean several people. You for one," Kyla pointed at Anita accusingly.

"I've only ever had two families Kyla, you have three." Anita said as though Kyla was crazy not to believe yet.

"You've been wrong before Anita, and if ever there were something you said that should be questioned, this is it." Kyla stared at the ground before she noticed a golden glow surrounding her glove. "And what the heck am I supposed to name this stupid thing."

"Well Kylana, think about what you want to fight for. I think the glove can hold souls, though we need to test it a bit to be sure. I just think something that powerful requires a name." Sei's voice was soothing, paternal.

Kyla scrunched her nose as she thought it over, a small headache developing in the back of her head. I've never fought for anything, except maybe... "Sophia!" Kyla said out loud.

"You're naming it Sophia? It's not a doll Kyla, it's a zodiac weapon." Anita snorted.

"Sophia's the only person I've ever stood up for, she was the girl Zander's men killed on the night I left the bandits. I started this whole new life because of her. Yes, it's going to be Sophia's Mane."

Sei smiled at his daughter's choice before he realized where her thoughts were headed. "Kyla, you do not have the power to resurrect souls already passed. You will not be able to save her."

Kyla looked deep into the mystic's eyes, guilt darkening her features. "For the first time Sei, I feel like I may have a fighting chance."

[Silence Sei]

Sei looked to Kyla, the girl already seeming to have a strong resolve about who she now was. She had gone from being a scared teen arguing with her sister this morning, to a woman who had confidence in herself to the point of naming her weapon after the one person she wanted to avenge more than anything. Sei focused back on the claw, thinking of its capabilities.

He remembered an old proverb that stated 'stare into the lion's open mouth long enough, and you shall see it from the inside out.' He oculdn't remember the author of the proverb, just that the saying seemed to apply to the abilities of Sophia's Mane. The weapon seemed to be able to store souls within it (so long as the glove made physical contact, Sei assumed), and could release said souls according to Kyla's will.

Sei thought of the implications to this new found discovery. On one hand, it would provide a way to bring people out of comatose states, as Kyla had just proven with Jamie. Yet, trusting one person to be able to take as many souls as they liked, without anybody to check and balance that person out? It seemed quite dangerous.

Looking over Anita and Kyla, Sei smiled as they argued over how effective the newly named weapon could be. Sei would find a use for Kyla's weapon, he was sure of it. He'd also find Kyla's place in the army, her purpose. Foir while many people could not be trusted with the power that Kyla Orlouge now had, Sei was confident that the souls acquired from Sophia's Mane were in no better hands.

[MetalDrago]

Story (5/10):

Continuity (6/10):

Setting (4/10):

Creativity (6/10):

Character (7/10):

Interaction (6/10):

Strategy (5/10):

Mechanics (6/10):

Clarity (6/10):

Wildcard (4/10):

Overall Score: 55/100

Amber Eyes Receives 500 EXP and 175 GP
Silence Sei receives 750 EXP and 175 GP