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Post by Rayl Torien on Dec 28, 2009 20:55:36 GMT -6
OOC: As Wyatt offered to jump on as Barigan for this...
IC: Slowly rising to his knees, using his trusted lance as support, Rayl soon hoisted himself up and onto his feet, shaking his head. Meanwhile, Elibe was doing just about the same thing, and almost immediately they noticed something was different. They were no longer in a the dusty old Temple of Barigan in which they had just arrived at, but a well decorated temple, well lit by torches and not a speck of dust to be seen. As Horse and Rider looked about the hall, they once again noticed something: They weren't alone.
Spin around, lance at the ready to whoever was behind, Rayl faced the stranger, only to drop his weapon and fall to one knee as a sign of respect: the armor...the steed...the legendary lance Malte. This was no ordinary man: this was The Great Holy Knight Barigan Himself!
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Post by Barigan on Dec 28, 2009 21:26:30 GMT -6
The Holy Knight spoke to Rayl, his voice strong and resounding.
"Rise noble knight. One can ill serve the people on thy knees."
He seemed to look down at Rayl, as if passing judgment on him. "Thy hast betrayed allies, turned innocence to the slaughter and failed in the mission thy hast set for thyself. Why then dost thou persist? Why dost thou still cling to the code of knighthood? Surely thou found no solace in it when thy perverted it with cowardice."
Though the words were harsh, it did not seem to be condemning, merely asking.
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Post by Rayl Torien on Dec 28, 2009 21:50:32 GMT -6
"I know that I have brought shame to myself...I know that I have brought misery and suffering to others...I know that I tainted myself with alcohol, and that it was also one of the causes of these crimes..." he paused from this little speech, slowly rising to his feet," I have done much wrong with my life, and I am hardly worthy to be in your presence...I am not worthy to be a protector of the people."
But his hands clenched to fists as he gripped tightly to his lance," But the people STILL need to be protected! I have spent the past five years, as you are aware of my lord, seeking out those who I have wronged, and doing what I can to make it up to them...I have taught the next order of knights the code you wrote with care, praying that they will not forsake it the way I had..."
You could see fires of determination and faith in the eyes of the knight as his voice got louder. Elibe stood at it's master's side, as if to lend Rayl it's strength, "But the reason I still follow your order is to give me strength...the strength to continue protecting those who need it! You know what had happened in the past: of Hargus and his resurrecting of yourself and the other heroes. I have seen the flames of war that resulted, and I fought to end it...but it is not over: the people still live in terror. A man known as Kraft spoke to the resurrected St. Elimine, tainted by Hargus' treachery. He now rules over Etruria with an iron fist, killing all those he sees unfit! He takes innocent lives for no reason! I have learned my purpose, Lord Barigan: I have to finish what was started: I have to rid the rest of this evil from the land."
He raised his lance above his head, not in an act of violence or defiance, but as a formal salute," I am hardly worthy to follow your code, but it is what keeps me going: knowing that I can bring peace to the lives of others..." Rayl slowly lowered his weapon," It helps me bring peace to mine...I hope that the world will return to the peace it once enjoyed."
Had he hurt his head when he fell? It felt like this was some sort of dream and he felt sort of groggy and felt as if he was rambling: but it all seemed so real. This was how he felt...
He was not some great warrior. He was a Knight of Elibe. A servant of the people. He began to recite the Knight's Oath again, although not too sure why. Barigan knew fully well the code he had written...It just felt right to speak out loud now.
"A Knight is Sworn to Valor... His Heart Knows only Virtue... His Blade Defends the Helpless... His Might Upholds the Weak. His word speaks only Truth! His Wrath Undoes the Wicked!"
His word speaks only truth...
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Post by Barigan on Dec 29, 2009 19:12:23 GMT -6
Barigan stood there stone faced as Rayl explained his actions, he was unflinching. "Intentions as they are, thy has shamed theyself and broken the code thy spoke. And no outside force is to blame for your failure, Rayl of Lycia. You, like all mortal men, are weak, fallible and finite in judgment and ability. You desired to serve a Holy Knight, and did not think twice about betraying comrades to him, when his intentions were obviously far less then noble."
He paused. "A knight who cannot follow orders is a dog. But a knight that cannot disobey orders to fulfill his code, to protect those who cannot protect themselves. To protect children, whatever their lineage, they are worse then the dogs."
"To be a knight is not to always be correct, to always follow orders, or even to always win. To be a true knight is to never allow unnecessary harm to the people. Be they friend or foe, male or female, human or dragon. It matters not, a knight must find another way."
He paused for a moment fixing Rayl with a gaze. "Though we train to fight, to protect. A knight should always strive to protect as many people as possible, even if that means protecting them from themselves."
Silence for an agonizing moment.
"Tell me Rayl of Lycia. Why do you desire this strength you pursue so? The strength to strike down a mortal man who calls himself an agent of divinity? Striking him down will solve nothing. Things have been placed in motion that will shake the very foundations of the world. It will not be a strong arm, but a strong will that is needed to fend off the foe. Did Hargus' death solve anything? Indeed a war that may be even worse is brewing, and a calamity will soon befall the land. All this was made possible by him, and his death was the catalyst of it. No power, no strength of arms will be able to avail you. You must gaze into the darkness of the underworld unflinching, you must become a beacon of light in these dark times."
And he took a step towards Rayl, his mount staying in place. "Are you worthy to take up the true mantle of a Holy Knight?"
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Post by Rayl Torien on Dec 29, 2009 23:57:18 GMT -6
"....A Holy Knight? Me...?"
Rayl let the words pierce his mind like a spear tip through flesh. The cold reality washed over him like the blizzards of Ilia that still whirled outside.
Barigan was right, killing Kraft would do nothing but be just another kill...he did not kill without reason. And even then, his reasons were put to the extreme. He had fought to subdue dragons who could have so easily slaughtered their whole race...even when the humans had been at fault for The Scouring...
...he had to find another way to solve this, he had to resort to death only at the most extreme of times...he looked back up into the eyes of the man before him:
" Five or six years ago that would have made me truly happy, and yet...No...I...am not worthy to follow such a path, and you know it, sir. To be a holy knight...I could not stand up the expectations of yourself and those looking to me for guidance..." Elibe turned to face it's master, shacking it's head in confusion, "However, this does not mean I will not do all that I can to resolve this conflict in the ways in which you have laid before me. I shall become a rallying point for others, a checkpoint to those who have lost their way, strength for when they need it most, a light to follow in these darkest of times, a shield against others and themselves..." he wasn't sure why he was starting to talk differently, probably because he was in the presence of Sir Barigan. He felt a chill from outside as the wind began to blow out some of the candles.
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Post by Barigan on Dec 30, 2009 19:02:48 GMT -6
"Indeed, you have learned the first lesson of a true knight. Humility. You have learned to accept your shortcomings, and work to better yourself. You are correct, you do not yet deserve to wear the mark of a Holy Knight, but you have returned to the correct path, and it lies open before you. Press on, and become that which will give light to the darkness."
He drew out the mighty spear Malte, and gestured to Rayl. "Rayl of Lycia, I entrust thee with the task of weathering the coming storm. I place upon you the name Paladin." A bolt of lightning flew from Malte, striking Rayl in the chest. As it struck, the Knight's Crest he held shattered to dust, as a light glowed about him. As the light faded, Rayl would find himself alone with Elibe in the temple as words echoed in his mind.
"Go forth. And claim the destiny that is yours alone. Guide the misguided and help the helpless. Become a true Holy Knight in your own right."
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