Here is ch 47 of spectral regalia :) i know some of you have pmed me regarding the artwork begging for pieces of info. but before that Id like to thank Draconis who pred this ch and made this possible please take the time to give him some rep for his efforts :) as for the artwork il add it at the end as treatment for the cliffhanger :)
Please Rate/Follow/Favourite/Enjoy reading ch 47 :)
----------------
Avrin gazed at Asura as he kept thinking. Asura was in a sort of hunched position as a lion would be but it looked somewhat weird considering his body shape was that of a hulking humanoid. Avrin then spoke “Asura, for now you are to remain here. Do not bother attacking the creatures that are dominant here as well as the orcs.
If you need to eat then kill and eat. Do not do it for fun. I am tending to something and I think it better if you do not appear for now”
Asura gave a soft growl as he spoke “But I like hunting and fighting… Why must I remain quiet..This is my territory now.” Avrin frowned “Do not delude yourself creature. When I return, me and you will be leaving this demented swamp. I also refuse to allow a Spectral creature to live in such conditions.”
Asura was somewhat confused. He felt Avrin was denying him lands but also felt Avrin had something bigger in store for him so he nodded. “Ok master..I will go to my lair and rest..How will I find you again?”
Avrin began to think to himself. “Good question. We will meet in this area in 2 days. Just emit your energy and I will surely discover you. We are attuned to each other now”
Asura frowned slightly as he began to walk off. The swamp had gotten quiet. The birds that were chirping as well as the other creatures and insects turned and looked “Master, why must I go now? You promised me. I hope you keep your word”
Avrin chuckled softly “Don’t feel rushed. It isnt the time yet and there are people who would be afraid of you. Like the orcs”
Asura began to think as he nodded and walked off while talking to himself “Orcs... Oh yeah, they tasted funny“ His voice began to drift as he continued to talk to himself before his figure vanished into the tree line.
Avrin continued to gaze in that direction before dissipating his augmented eye “That creature is going to give me a lot of problems in the future. I can feel it…Nothing heavy discipline won't fix.
Besides I should get ba-” Before he finished he felt the presence of a figure behind him. He turned to see it make its way out. “Hmph...There you are..” The feminine voice spoke out. It was none other than Syrana.
Avrin began to walk past her. “If I remember correctly, I could have sworn I said I would return tomorrow. Were you hoping to catch another glimpse of me bathing? Sorry to say but I wouldn't bathe in these waters even if they were the last liquid on Seleria.“ He joked but this made Syrana turn red with embarrassment and clench her hands.
“I..Idiot. I came to let you know that I discussed things with the orcs. It seemed that the creatures of this area have been unsettled and I came to warn you about it.” Avrin blinked and then gave a sly grin as he stopped and looked at her.
“You were worried about me then...Well don't I feel honored.“ He gave a soft chuckle to which syrana huffed and folded her arms under her breasts, causing them to lift slightly. Any normal man would be drooling by now.
“I was being cautious...Besides, I have better things to do then save you so I took the easier way of warning you.” Avrin turned around and began walking off in the direction they had both come from. Syrana also following. Avrin spoke “No need. I've already handled the matter anyway.”
This made Syrana tilt her head curiously as she spoke “What do you mean? You met the creature responsible?” Avrin nodded before speaking “More or less. What would you say if I just happened to meet the leophat from the forest”
Syrana stopped. Her footsteps were somewhat noticeable before, but Avrin felt them quiet down. He also stopped and turned to look at her. He was surprised at what stance she had taken, Eclipse had already been drawn.
“Give me its direction Avrin… A creature like that shouldn't exist...It's an abomination..” Avrin glared at her. “By saying that you are also stating that I'm also an abomination...That creature now has the only affinity with me. Besides, I've already discussed things with it.”
Syrana continued to glare at him before turning around, making her way to where Avrin was before. Avrin had felt she had finally reached a point in becoming too overly aggressive but Syrana spoke “That may be so, but if left alone, who knows what damage it can do to these lands..It can put the natural balance off” Avrin didn’t intend to fight with her.
He knew she was most likely stronger than him so he decided to try a different approach. As disgusting as it was for him. He approached her and as he got in within range, Syrana turned around, feeling something wasn't right. Avrin slipped his arms around her and embraced her as he held her against his chest tightly. His lips softly brushing against her cheek before her head was cradled against his shoulder.
“Syrana, please realise...That being, the only one of my kind, can be lonely….This creature now has a relation to me...I will take full responsibility, so please for now just back down…” Inside his mind and heart Avrin was throbbing with weirdness and a mix of emotions. He had to allow his body to somewhat release some emotion to make it feel more dramatic.He hadn't felt such emotions in a long time. It had possibly done better than he hoped for.
Syrana was quiet for a moment and as Avrin moved his head back, he saw that she seemed to be gazing at him, her face as red as a cherry as she began to stutter. “I...U...Uh...W...I….W..Wha….I….” Avrin, for the first time, smiled, as he felt she was indeed somewhat cute this time.
He spoke again. “May we please head back. In 2 days when we return...The creature and I will leave these lands and I will tend to it..Ok?” Syrana began to nod quickly before pushing herself back after regaining her composure. She was quiet for a bit longer before sighing and clearing her throat.
“V..Very well...It’s your duty to..look after it...When we return it leaves with us…” Avrin nodded. He was starting to feel that using words was often better than combat.
As the two of them left they returned to the orc village. Avrin had moved his hood back on to cover his appearance and was met by curious orc eyes. His stomach somewhat churned with disgust. “It seems the orcs really have taken a liking to you..” He spoke softly as their gazes indeed showed respect towards her.
“It’s a good thing. Doing positive things with power can lead to this, Avrin” Avrin gave a quiet chuckle “You're starting to sound like Myra convincing me to do good”
Syrana blinked “Oh? She tried convincing you. Hah… All I know is if your powers are used for evil, I, as well as others, will hunt you down Avrin..Remember that I have seen what you're capable of. Regardless of your story, I'm still cautious…”
Avrin felt she was telling the truth. It seems that telling her a part of how he came only seemed to affect their relation to the point of her not being as aggressive. She was still a Sylph with responsibilities who has lived for centuries. She was honed. The only thing she had no experience with was romance, judging by her reactions.
Avrin just wanted to retrieve the sky metal and leave this nasty place. As they approached a home like hut that seemed better than most but still kind of run down, Ayame was outside with some female orc warriors sparing with them. It seemed she was giving them a run for their money.
An orc wielding a sword slashed towards Ayame’s back while Ayame was facing another orc only to have Ayame back flip onto the head of the orc who slashed towards her and then go down kicking the creature in front of where it was facing. It let a sort of pig growl sound.
Another orc closed in from the side with a large spear. Ayame saw this from the corner of her eye and did a quick side step before cutting downwards across the shaft of it with her kunai. Like butter, the wooden spear was cut in half. It seemed Ayame enjoyed showing off, although it didn't seem like she was taking this seriously.
Her movements were done in a somewhat relaxed fashion. These orcs, although warriors for many years, had no concept of martial arts or swordsmanship. They just made weapons and randomly attacked until something died.
“You guys are too sloppy with your movements. You’re just attacking and hoping for the best. You need to keep an eye out and find a weakness. Don't just rush in take advantage of your opponent” Syrana grinned as Avrin and her watched from the side. Ayame, although preaching, was indeed not practicing it as she hadn't noticed the two watching her.
As a smaller chubby female orc wielding a shield charged towards Ayame who seemed ready to counter, Syrana spoke up. “Ayame why are you picking on helpless orcs?..” Ayame blinked turning her head before she felt a large force push her. And moments later she was face first in a nearby pile of mud where pigs were kept. One of these pigs came up to her and started to sniff curiously.
Ayame groaned as she moved her head up as her outfit as well as her face was covered in mud. The orc that shield rushed her was dancing proudly as well as the other orcs cheering at her, the one who felled the tyrant. Ayame growled a bit before gazing at Syrana.
“Teacher! not fair!! You did that on purpose!!” Syrana was laughing while Avrin gazed at Ayame from the side. “Ayame, I never knew you liked mud baths.” He spoke as if to rub it in.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Ayame clenched her fists as she stood up and stomped off to find the bathing area. While cursing at them both under her breath. Avrin then began to make his way towards the building and spoke. “I’m going to go meditate for a bit then rest...Let me know if anything happens or when we are going to leave. Other than that, I don't want to be disturbed…”
He spoke firmly. After giving Asura knowledge, it seemed absorbing mana only helped as a short time solution. It was truly a risky move to pull at his current level. It was not an ability one could do wide spread. He needed to refocus his mind to make sure everything was in order and then rest.
Syrana, gazing at him, had saw his attitude go from embracing to solitary quickly. She wondered if something was wrong with him and what he and that creature discussed. She had no idea he was exhausted mentally.
She brushed it aside as she decided she would go speak to the magi again. She felt it was necessary to state intentions. This may even lead them to supporting them somehow. Ayame went off to bathe and Syrana went to see the magi. Avrin, in the last room, in the makeshift home, which was not very tall but somewhat long, and was leaning against the wall for support.
As he entered a Pulsing Dragon meditative state his mind blocking everything out. But something was different. His aura had been violent and through countless years of meditation it began to slowly concentrate into a sort of stable flame.
An average shinobi would take 20 years of training to reach a stable state where there aura emits like a flickering flame. A genius possibly 10-8 years to reach this state. Shimaru himself had taken 13 years. But Avrin had reached it in 2 years. Something unimaginably impressive.
Shimaru hadn't told him this but he was deeply impressed and saw more value in Avrin. But Shimaru was also a master. He knew giving Avrin a big head would not help his training, so he just observed to see which path he would go down. Giving Avrin the manual was as far as the spur of the moment Shimaru had gone.
In the case of Avrin being a genius, he wanted to see the results and what would happen. He had observed Avrin during the years of his training and knew Avrin seemed to not use any mana. In fact, Shimaru couldn't really feel a mana like aura from Avrin even though energy was visible. He couldn't detect it other then with his eyes. It was strange.
Avrin’s visible energy was a dark color. Almost menacing. Like evil in appearance but it had no feeling whatsoever. It was silent. Almost enigmatic. It scared Shimaru. It was like he was looking into a new sort of abyss.
Avrin’s Pulsing Dragon meditation had reached a turning point. Something had triggered it to evolve and advance. The possibility being his ability used on Asura as well as his intense mental fatigue, his aura had all but nearly vanished. A coating around his body of this energy was all that remained as he began to give a black/purplish glow. But after a few seconds, opinions would change.
A pulse emitted from Avrin’s body as it spread silently in the room in a spherical shape. Engulfing the entire room before stopping. This pulse was not forceful nor destructive, which is why it didn't pass the solid objects. Instead it also coated them in this energy.
In the room, the objects were usually makeshift charms and tools as well as spare equipment and dusty relics, the home being reserved for VIPs was used as a storage since no one had used it for years.
These objects now coated in this matter aura began to float as if gravity no longer applied to them. As if they were no longer bound to the laws of this world. As if this entire room had become Avrin’s personal playground.
Several hours passed as the room was silent with nothing but the glow from Avrin’s Pulsing Dragon and the objects floating motionlessly in the air. Avrin’s mind was starting to recover and he was starting to feel rested. And this continued on for 3 more hours until Avrin had begun to slowly break out of his meditation.
His eyes opening before widening slightly as the objects had lost the coating of dark matter and fell to the ground making large clanging sounds. Avrin tilted his head before standing up. “So I wasn’t imagining it. I knew something was different. I’ve reached the next stage of the Pulsing Dragon... The 3rd level…But it’s strange that I cannot determine it properly.
My path has been different since the second stage, but it seems like my path has proven more effective than previously thought.”
He spoke to himself as if summarizing things. He stood up and stretched as he felt his mind was more at ease. He also felt he didn’t need to rest, but he was somewhat hungry and had an urge to eat. He placed the sack at his waist onto the ground as well as the enchanted sack and began to get rations out and eat.
As he ate he began to ponder some thoughts. He hadn’t had time to think about. After he meets Lang and retrieves the sky metal he planned to take Asura with him. He would go back to Shimaru to finish off his training and from there he wanted to try his luck at an academy for Weaponry.
As far as the White Dragon clan was concerned they focused only on assasin like weapons such as kunais and shurikens as well as other tools. At most they had only one weapon which was sword like and it was a curved blade. Almost like a scimitar, which didn't appeal to Avrin. He was disappointed considering he expected such a clan to have katanas.
But he figured the method for developing tamahagane was not known, which benefited him. He didn’t know how to forge it but he could hopefully one day find out how.
Avrin was indeed mostly interested in the sky metal, something that not even the gods seemed to know how to smelt, and was incredibly rare. Scattered around the world. What would Avrin do with it. What would it be like? Judging from Syrana and Myra’s secret conversation, he would also have to keep his guard up, as that metal seemed to have a will of its own.
It only meant forging something from it would only make it more powerful as well as valuable. He wanted to know the sky metal origins, and as much as he could about it this way. It may help him understand how to control it better as well as find more. It would prove useful to him. Defensively as well as offensively, to forge equipment from it.
Avrin continued pondering these things as well as his future down the line as well as bringing up information he had from the books he absorbed as if to confirm that the knowledge was still around. He had no idea if it was temporary, for a duration of years, or was permanent. It didn’t hurt to double check or even triple check.
While having time for himself, things outside seemed to become a bit more loud. As if festivities were going on. It was also close to midnight. He figured the only one of the 3 other than him up at this time would be Syrana as Ayame always liked to sleep before midnight unless training for something.
But that would prove wrong tonight. He heard a knock on the door and a sweet nervous voice but also a familiar one. “Avrin..May I please borrow a bit of your time?” It was none other than Ayame. And for some reason she seemed awfully kinder today.
He was even quiet for a moment, wondering if it was some imposter, but he figured she had reasons. He spoke. “Come in..” The crude door handle as well as the door that seemed to barely fit its frame began to open….
----------------
IMPORTANT because i was so eager to get these to you guys they still have the Watermark on them. as i havent recieved the cleared copys. but who really cares for minor details like that ;p il have the final copys placed in the artwork Thread so enjoy ^_~
Spoiler :
Shimaru
http%3a%2f%2fi618.photobucket.com%2falbums%2ftt267...52eu6f.jpg [http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt267/vilereaver41/Shimaru0003_zpseh52eu6f.jpg]
Ayame
http%3a%2f%2fi618.photobucket.com%2falbums%2ftt267...2ik7ej.jpg [http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt267/vilereaver41/Ayame0003_zpsho2ik7ej.jpg]
Avrin - This is avrins current appearance complexion hair color and all in spectral regalia. this is his final look. other then him wearing different outfits/armor etc/augmentation. this one i hope you enjoy :D
http%3a%2f%2fi618.photobucket.com%2falbums%2ftt267...ulqm1b.jpg [http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt267/vilereaver41/Avrin0003_zpsznulqm1b.jpg]
--------------
Previous ChapterNext chapter