Legend of Parocaav II: Against the Darkness (rough draft)

Chapter XLIII: The Art of Water Magic

Early in the morning, just as the sun rises over the horizon, Roku is sitting near the water's edge. She is deep in concentration as she focuses on the raging river. The whispers of those whom once lived here echo in her mind, although she cannot understand them. These voices almost seem tranquil and help make her more relaxed for her meditation. Just as Roku takes a deep breath, her vision goes white.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Roku finds herself standing on a large wooden platform out in the middle of the ocean. Water, as far as the eye can see in all directions. On the other end of it, is Merii. She has a crooked smile on her face. Roku starts to walk over to her with an uneasiness in her stomach. This whole situation is uncomfortable for her. Not just because of the bad history with her sister, but what she said about Drayk still bothers her.

"Hello sister!" Merii calls out to her, "I see you're back, almost kinda surprising really. What brings you here Riinah?"

Roku takes a deep breath before responding, "I came to ask for your assistance actually. I would like to learn Water Magic."

"Really? Sounds like a good bonding experience.... sure, I'll help you."

"I'm surprised you're so willing. You have such a hatred for me."

"I do, but you are my sister nevertheless. Now that I am no longer of the living, I see no point in holding a grudge any further."

"There's gotta be more to it than that Merii."

"I know it might be hard to believe dear sister, but my intentions are pure. I want to help you put an end to the darkness. If teaching you Water Magic will help, then I'm willing to teach you the basics. Besides, now that I'm dead, there are no more Water Mages left. Not even the Ragnarok Mages know the craft."

"Alright. If we are in agreement, than I am willing to set aside my feelings towards you."

"You won't regret it Riinah! Now then, let's get this started!"

Merii starts to walk towards the very edge of the wooden platform so Roku follows her. Merii raises her arms up and makes the still water ripple. She gestures her arms and the waves mimic her. As Roku watches her sister, she realizes there is more of a harmony between the caster and the element.

"The first thing you should know is that Water Magic is unlike any of the other elements. After my brief experience with the elements, it was confirmed even more so," Merii explains, "Just as water flows, you must feel the power flowing in you. You connect with Water Magic in a more intimate way, it becomes part of you. It's very similar to the way you must feel the rage of fire to wield it."

Meanwhile ~

Drayk lets out a yawn as he awakens. He sits up to look around and spots Roku meditating down near the river's edge. A smile spreads across his face while lying back down. The sun feels warm on his face and across his body. This is a nice change, there's not always much time for such trivial things. Although, this feeling of tranquility he feels now is one of the reasons he has been fighting so hard. He wants the world to know this feeling.

It's not long before Tao walks over to him and sits down. He sighs rather heavily then takes a sip from a golden flask. His eyes catch Drayk looking at the flask so he offers him a drink. Drayk sits up before taking a swig. A chill runs down his spine, this is the most disgusting alcohol he's ever had. He hands the flask back to Tao with a disgusted look on his face.

"I know right! Terrible stuff," Tao jokes as he takes another sip, "That's why you gotta sip it. Takes longer to drink, but it's not so brutal on the throat."

"Yeah, that stuff is.... brutal is actually a good word for it," Drayk agrees, "She looks so, entranced."

"She basically is. What she is experiencing is.... unique to say the least. The Water Mages held this river very dear back in the olden days."

"What was the war like?"

"The Ragnarok Wars was a real mess. The entire world, plunged into war against the Ragnarok Mages. All that chaos, all that death, all to cover up Lady Parocaav's true motives back then."

"Motives?"

"Uh, let's save that for another day. You'll need to go to the River of Souls as well. There's something important you need to find out here, as did Roku. Whenever you're ready, proceed to the water's edge."

After letting out a light sigh, Drayk heads down to the river. He sits down several feet away from Roku while staring out into the water. At first, he finds it difficult to focus on the water. It's not until he allows the sound of the river to relax him that he starts to hear whispers. Nothing that's being said can be understood by him, just muffled whispering. Then, his vision starts to fade to white.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Drayk finds himself in a small village with very simple looking cottages made of wood and straw. He looks around and soon realizes this is the first village he trained in. A familiar chuckle sends a chill down his spine as he whips around. His eyes lock with that if his father as soon as he's turned around.

"Hello Drayk," Lance says with a crooked smile on his face.

"F-father?" Drayk says not believing his eyes.

"I am not an illusion boy. I really am here. The River of Souls had always fascinated me. I knew one day I'd be able to talk to you after I was gone from this world, and here we are."

"Don't act like you can just casually exchange pleasantries! You betrayed the Resistance! You betrayed mother, Sammi and I!"

"I cannot deny what I've done, but nevertheless, I do have something to tell you: Sammi is not completely lost to the darkness. She can be reached, but only within the Labyrinth of Time."

"Why would you tell me that?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Suddenly, Drayk awakens along the river's edge. He stands up while dusting himself off before heading back to Tao and their camp. Drayk sits down next to him, all he can do is think about what just happened. His father, a traitor, out of nowhere tells him there's hope for his kid sister. How can he possibly arrange to see her within the Labyrinth of Time?

"You look troubled Drayk," Tao says finally breaking the silence, "You doing alright?"

"I saw my father, it was very brief though," Drayk sighs, "He told me there's a way to save my sister from the darkness. It's a long shot to say the least, if it's even true."

"Anything is worth trying."

Meanwhile ~

Sporadically sized waves crash against the wooden platform as Roku drops to her knees, panting. She watches the waves slowly calm back to still water. The sound of Merii's giggling is coming from behind her. Roku stands up and turns to face her.

"Not so easy, is it?" Merii teases.

"No, it really isn't," Roku admits, "Water Magic really isn't anything like I have ever tried to control."

"It would take years to master it's power, but I can tell already that you'll get the basics down fairly quickly though."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, for starters, you're already further along than any Water Mage apprentice when they first get started. Besides that, I can feel it in you, the urge to keep Drayk alive that is. You want to master the craft so bad to help him that it's actually helping you. Don't be too disappointed if your Water Magic won't be enough. It won't be your fault he dies."

"Enough Merii! Just stop it! No more talk about that nonsense! I will protect him! Drayk will not die!"

The rage within Roku builds and builds until she cannot handle it any longer. She moves her body majestically as she focuses on the surrounding water. A giant wave lifts up and shoots past her, right at Merii. The sudden strike catches her off guard and she is shot out into the water, several yards away from the platform. Once she climbs back onto it, Merii starts laughing out. It then occurs to Roku, Merii knew that anger is the key to wielding her own powers.

"We're done for today Riinah," Merii laughs, "That was really good! I didn't even see that coming! Very nice form."

"Thank you, Merii," Roku reluctantly says with a smile, "I'll be back after I sleep."

"Goodnight, sister."