Temple of The Watcher

ooc Annelise was talking about the guidance helping her, rather than the priestess!

ic She refused to let a scowl or a frown cross her face, as she would've before she had been captured by the Dhampir; to be a child was to play with your own life. Although it didn't appear it, Annelise was inherently wary at all times, aware her situation could go unpleasant incredibly swiftly.

"I am aware. What would you like me to do?" She knew from this point that every set of training would be individual.

OOC Whoops! Read that wrong ^.^;

IC

"First a question. I know not the combat techniques used by your people. Can you demonstrate them to me?" Aloncra inquired, sitting herself down to observe her. "It'll help me know what you are accustomed to, to properly instruct you."

She nodded, trying not to let the colour drain from her face as she decided what combat technique to use. But it only took her a moment to settle on Fierre's assassination training; after all, Dhampirs specialised in all things mental and magical.

"Of course. The shapeshifters of my city taught me a means of channeling the energy of your soul into a precise strike. It's what I would use if my mental ability faltered." 

Annelise scanned the room, pointing at what was going to be her target. She choose a large boulder, marking a small 'x' on it with some chalk she had picked up before she left.

As if the Priestess wasn't watching, her feet shuffled backwards slightly as she settled herself. She clasped her hands together, exhaling slowly. 
Then her movements seemed to speed up, a tremor generating from her hands. The air around them blurred, morphing to her sheer will and intent. To a human eye, it would've appeared that her hands had completely disappeared.

She surged towards the target. Gritting her teeth, when she collided it with it she thrust her fingertips forwards, the sheer power pouring from her fingertips and carving the stone. The boulder itself seemed to be melting, her hands pushing into it like it was simply water. Annelise hurriedly carved a deeper 'X', right into the core of the boulder, before darting back out.

Apart from the garish symbol now oozing, the rest of the target was completely unscathed. A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek, chest heaving slightly with the exertion.

Aloncra nodded, quite impressed with the demonstration, "Precise combined with power." He walked forward, placing her hand on the wall as if trying to feel the material. Tiny electrical surges coursed through her arm, telling her how much magic went into the strike. What she felt she only felt one other time with her former betrothed.

She walked away from her to gaze upon a red stain glassed window with three animals on it, each in a circle. "We have three paths here. The salamander, which focuses on speed." She pointed to the creature on the window and did this for the rest of her dissertation. "The Ifrit, which focuses on raw power. And the Ra which focuses on cunning."

"I know the path that is best for you. But I wish to hear your assessment of yourself." She was caught between Salamander and Ra, and how correct she answered her question would be the deciding point. "What path do you believe is right for you?"

Hesitating, she expressed her thoughts aloud. "I cannot take the Ifrit's path; the pursuit of power will ultimately consume me, as I was once told. My own power resides from the torture my soul endured, channeled into a tangible energy. It is one that cannot be expanded at will."

Admitting the weakness in her power was hard, but she knew it was necessary for herself.
"I feel drawn to the Salamander, because agility is a versatile weapon. Although cunning is just as beneficial, its not my nature. My nature is to reach into the minds of creatures and subdue them, rather than manipulate them."

She looked at the image of the Salamander. "Besides, creatures can see your Ill intent, even humans can. I would not want to be swayed."

Satisfied, Aloncra continued, "Very good. Salamander was my path as well."

She placed a hand on her shoulder as a show of respect, "I welcome you fully into our order, Annelise."

Her smile lit up her otherwise peaceful expression, resisting the urge to clap her hands together in joy.

"Brilliant! ...I'm guessing it only gets tougher from here, but I'm happy to be accepted into the same order as you."

However, the acceptance seemed to come with bitter ties, for there was an unmistakable frown that creased her forehead for a second. How long had it been since she'd felt... normal? It would've been when her adopted father found her, and Annelise tried to ignore the stab at her gut.

"Sorry." she then said aloud. "Acceptance is not a trait I am used to being on the receiving end of."

"Be not too comfortable." Aloncra warned sternly. "You're accepted in these walls without reservation, but the same might not hold true in the village. Granted most here care little for the business of others but the strongest always pull ahead here. "

"Should someone, say, one of the scorned acolytes from earlier hold resentment and they prove more powerful than you, they may be allowed a second chance at the trials while you wind up at our healer. I'd advise caution from you." Aloncra never withheld a truth, no matter how harsh it was. Besides, with challenge came growth. 

She felt this new acolyte had proved her strength if even just half of her past was to be believed, but a proper demonstration might put to rest the worries of the other priests and villagers. After all, not many outsiders even saw inside Diarmids gates let alone their sacred temple. This was all very new territory for all involved. 

But Aloncra had very high hopes for Annelise even if it didn't come across and wanted her as prepared as possible. "But you already have allies in myself and Degar. And once you're properly honed, the watcher will be your ally as well..."

"I am used to being an outcast." Annelise spoke proudly of her past. "My adopted father was viewed as a hideous creature because of his wings. They called him " the Raven", and being the Raven's daughter meant people could never understand me, especially as a human in a shapeshifter's care."

She didn't offer a shrug, but she wouldve. "I would be happy for any acolyte passing the test now. We are supposed to be co-operative for the common good of serving the Watcher, and it does not impede me to see another acolyte pass."

Annelise nodded at Aloncra's last statement. "Yes, I imagine that to be true. I thank you for being on my side. I'm certain I won't let you down."

OOC Before I continue, should Aloncra know who the Raven is? Was he famous in any way that would induce recognition?

ooc its in the bio im currently writing for Annelise, but he's a shapeshifter so disfigured/noticeably different from the others that he inspires terror into people. His mutation is so strong that he practically has the appearance of a raven but with a human body structure. Even for shapeshifters, he's an outcast. (imagine huge wings, talons, crow's feet etc.) 

He could be notorious but since Kastanika is a sheltered city, he'd be regarded as more of an urban myth to describe the "monsters within the walls" to outlanders. Almost mythological.

"The Raven?" Aloncra paused at the name. 

"My former betrothed travelled the world many times and had only heard that name as a legend. Is this not truth?"

"He is more than just an urban myth." she spoke calmly and with ease, masking the twinge of pain at hearing his name. "People used to think the council had created the legend to scare any potential invaders, but most of the tales are simply exaggerated truths." 

She shrugged. "But he was my father, and the one who took me under his wing." 

(ooc couldn't resist the awful wing pun)

Aloncra took a seat, deeply intrigued by her tale, "Great Watcher..." He whispered gently. 

"If you were raised by one of such honor, respect for you here is sure to come." She assured her. Often the glory of a family member transcended that relative's lifetime. Even Degar's ancestor's accomplishments were as celebrated now as then. 

"I'd advise you use that as an honorary title, Annelise of the Raven." In a society where honor was valued more than any of the earth's treasures, this name could provide her with the honor she needed to be accepted outside the temple. After all, the priestess only wanted what was best for her most fascinating pupil.

The title brought a sad smile to her face, a dry chuckle escaping her lips. "I was called the Ravensworn, back in Kastanika. I bound myself to my father's side, and had refused to leave it until people saw his true nature. It turned out he wasn't the one who needed protecting."

"Many did not see him as honourable, simply an abomination of mankind. But for the shapeshifters in the city, he was a bastion for their cause. He liberated them, not through fear but through sheer resilience." Annelise wasn't sure if she was comfortable with using his name for reputation.

"I vowed I would follow his legacy."

"Ravensworn. That is a powerful name." Aloncra noted.

"I am certain The Raven made it to Alagor with his mouth open to receive the Watcher's Blue Magma. Any man with such honors and deeds are welcomed into the Watcher's dominion."

 The priestess assured her pupil, "I see a strong spirit in you. One I am sure will become a great warrior or priestess once properly honed."

"On that note we must begin. Tell me what you regard as your greatest weakness, and you shall overcome it. Your greatest strength shall be tested to evaluate it's merit. And your greatest fear so you know what to face when it's time."

"Only then can you take the pilgrimage..."

She smiled at the thought. Annelise held her father in high regard, relieved that others saw what she did for once.

"My greatest fear would be waking back in my torture chamber and realising I never escaped; that this just the longest hallucination I've ever had." She admitted. Knowing her progress had been would completely crush her mighty spirit.

"But my strength stems from my courage of mind. My spirit is hard to break, and I can tap into it." Annelise had not honed her power yet, but to the extent where she displayed her excellent empathy with animals. 

"My weakness?" She paused at this one, wondering which flaw was more lethal than the other, or more deeply ingrained. "I can be gullible; making a misguided decision in the belief that I am helping myself or others."

'Torture and stagnation, unbreakable spirit, and gullibility....' Quite the combination. Aloncra felt she'd be hard pressed to come up with a suitable series of trials for this particular student. But that was her holy duty, to ensure others came to their own. 

"Thank you for your candor. You may go explore the village for find your room at your leisure for the rest of today. I must consult the other priests and priestesses about my newest pupil." He sighed, "Personally I don't care for meetings but it is decreed by the High Priest."

Annelise's lips pressed into a thin line, confused.
"I never expected there to be such fuss about me." She admitted. "I am only notorious for my father in Kastanika. My lack of allegiance granted anonymity." But she knew she was following the path of the watcher now.

"It is a customary routine." Aloncra explained dryly, "Every time a new group of acolytes come to train, Sir Polidus likes to hear about them..."

"Oh." Annelise laughed. "Excuse me, then." The girl shuffled away, feeling thoroughly embarrassed.

Aloncra let her leave, having her own preparations to make.

Outside, the pounding of massive war drums reverberated through the walls, as well as a clamor of acolytes and priest making their way outside the temple.

Included in this lot were the ones who failed. But they let their fellows pass undisturbed. They were only interested in one person today...

The noise did not preturb her. No, nothing disturbed her right now. These people - this lynch mob - did not morph her calm features before. The dhampirs had sent the blood addicts after her, and theyd been far more ruthless and volatile than the failures stood in front of her.

But then there were people who had passed the test beside them, wondering if racism had become so inherent in this society. If it had, then she would despair, for the follies of being human never seemed to escape her, even when she had left Kastanika.

That's if the experiment had left her human.

"What do you want?" The girl felt a slight twinge of panic in her girl, curling one hand around her amulet and communicating with the animals around her. None responded to her influence yet.

One of the failed acolytes approached her along with the rest of his fellows from the group.

"Sir polidus is almost back home. And before he gets here I want to remove the stench of outsiders!" He growled at her as the other three circled her like vicious animals.

"Our power runs deeper than yours. We are the true essence of Diarmid, not inferiors like you."

"Once we defeat you, Aloncra will have no choice but to accept us. Rule of the strongest after all." The three drew their swords, clearly no strangers to the weapon.

"Fight for your life 'acolyte'." The ring leader mocked as he lunged for the attack as the surrounding crowd watched. Part of them watched eagerly while others looked with shame upon their fellows.

Ooc this is where it gets interesting.

Ic STOP!

As the attack came towards her, she darted backwards, to the corner of the ring. The ripple of her mental panic would stir the fauna of the land, causing them to keel to her anguished cry. Her locket seared into her chest, but she doesn't feel the pain.

"Fine. Try and kill me, you desperate fools."

Her spirit soared to her command, her fingers started to shift and shimmer with their rapid movements. Her mind was ready.

The Raven was with her.