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last online Apr 26, 2022 9:06:28 GMT -5
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Dec 8, 2017 0:30:35 GMT -5
Post by Anna Leigh Williams on Dec 8, 2017 0:30:35 GMT -5
Deep within a large temple in Rome, stood seven cloaked figures circled around a beautiful blue light. They spoke in a language no one knew, except for the holy light that danced around them. Among them was a tall, pale men. His long black hair was slicked back, and his white cloaks flowed with the light as it surrounded him. He peered into it, seeking the face of the one he loved many moons ago. He would lay on his back in the center, feeling the light of Sirius enlighten and show him what he so very needed to know. His beloved Salvi was gone, the light only showed the face of a man far away. He couldn't understand. "James..." He whispered to himself. Defeated, he sat up, and walked out of the temple as the fellow archers continued to pray. He walked into the large atrium, looking up at the stars. The way he would enter this man's dreams was even beyond Claudio's understanding. Why? Even if this man was his Salvi, the man didn't know that. How could he? "Xinglong!" He called out in a familiar tone. The way his old master, Giorgia, would call out to him. And Claudio Serafino would go to her seeking knowledge and enlightenment. Her death, along with Salvi's, weighed on the Archer's heart. But he rested well know the demon that killed them was banished....
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last online Apr 23, 2023 23:59:16 GMT -5
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Dec 8, 2017 0:40:33 GMT -5
Post by Lei Wulong on Dec 8, 2017 0:40:33 GMT -5
The young man stood at attention as his master had called his name. His grandfather had requested to train him. He makes his way over to Claudio and bowed down. "Yes, sir!" He says in a Mandarin accent. Xinglong was a little confused here in Italy, but anything to protect his family legacy as warriors bred for battle. He learned a few basic martial arts moves, but Claudio was going to teach the rest. He wished that his Uncle would teach him, but it is what it is. The grass is always greener on the other side, and perhaps he should learn how to channel his energy into destroying evil spirits and demons that threaten to possess the staff.
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last online Apr 26, 2022 9:06:28 GMT -5
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Dec 8, 2017 1:09:58 GMT -5
Post by Anna Leigh Williams on Dec 8, 2017 1:09:58 GMT -5
The corners of Claudio's lips formed a grin when his newest apprentice bowed out of respect. He motioned his hand upwards, telling him to rise. "I feel it's time for you to understand your purpose in all of this..." He said to the young man. "Follow me.." He said. Going down the stairs of the cathedral, Claudio's steps were smooth, and fluid. Almost as if he were floating. He showed him to a hallway leading to the basement of the cathedral. On the wall was a portrait of a woman.
"This woman... she was my master, our former leader..." He said. "Her name was Giorgia Rossi, and she was magnificent.." He turned to Xing. "But as magnificent as she was, she was still killed by a demon." He said. "It is important for you to understand that you are not just placed to watch a staff... you must not only protect it... You must protect yourself. The light of Sirius will help you in that quest."
He looked back at the painting. "She was the best, but she was still bested..." He said, his words rung with sorrow. "You must understand that." He sighed. "For as long as you are alive... the staff shall remain safe from the demon that took the lives of two of our own, and so many others..." He said. "That is the lesson for today. Stay alive."
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last online Apr 23, 2023 23:59:16 GMT -5
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Dec 8, 2017 11:20:58 GMT -5
Post by Lei Wulong on Dec 8, 2017 11:20:58 GMT -5
Xinglong nodded as he did as told, following Claudio down in the basement. It was about time that they told him the truth. He was getting very curious. As he followed his master, he saw the portrait of a woman. She looked very elegant and well-mannered. She had almost an air of royalty.
"This woman... she was my master, our former leader... Her name was Giorgia Rossi, and she was magnificent.."
"I can tell. She looks like a magnificent woman."
"But as magnificent as she was, she was still killed by a demon. It is important for you to understand that you are not just placed to watch a staff... you must not only protect it... You must protect yourself. The light of Sirius will help you in that quest."
"Yes, indeed. I know a few basic moves, but of course, not enough to protect me in a life-or-death situation."
"She was the best, but she was still bested... You must understand that."
"Even the mighty falls. As did the Roman Empire."
"For as long as you are alive... the staff shall remain safe from the demon that took the lives of two of our own, and so many others... That is the lesson for today. Stay alive."
"I'll do my best, sir Claudio."
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last online Apr 26, 2022 9:06:28 GMT -5
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Dec 8, 2017 12:43:31 GMT -5
Post by Anna Leigh Williams on Dec 8, 2017 12:43:31 GMT -5
"Follow me..." He said. Claudio took Xing to the training room, where he took his his white robes. He threw them to the ground. "You must learn to survive. A demon will attack at any time..." His left eye turned white, as his hands glowed a bright blue. He sent an arrow made of blue light towards Xing.
"Survive...! Live..!" He sent another arrow Xing's way.
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last online Apr 23, 2023 23:59:16 GMT -5
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Dec 8, 2017 12:57:42 GMT -5
Post by Lei Wulong on Dec 8, 2017 12:57:42 GMT -5
Xinglong followed Claudio into the training room. This is it. He was very nervous as he wasn't sure how good he would do.
"You must learn to survive. A demon will attack at any time..."
Xinglong immediately panicked and nearly locked up before instinctively ducking as he quickly got up and clapped that he was alive. It was cut short as Claudio sent in another arrow, and he ducked once more.
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last online Apr 26, 2022 9:06:28 GMT -5
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Dec 10, 2017 13:32:49 GMT -5
Post by Anna Leigh Williams on Dec 10, 2017 13:32:49 GMT -5
Claudio darted towards Xing sending a hit to his stomach, spinning around. He then jumped, sending a kick to Xing's chin, as he spun, landing on his feet. "This is no place for amateurs!" He shouted out. He took a deep breath, watching Xing. He was so flimsy, and soft. Like clay. And Claudio could mold him to be a strong, fine Archer.
"Come Xing... Show me what you can do!"
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last online Apr 23, 2023 23:59:16 GMT -5
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Dec 10, 2017 13:38:02 GMT -5
Post by Lei Wulong on Dec 10, 2017 13:38:02 GMT -5
Xinglong closed his eyes, covering his face as Claudio attacked him. Claudio got his stomach and immediately came for his chin. Xinglong fell over, landing on his back as he recovered. He held his fists up as though he were getting into a fighting stance. He's never really been in a real fight before and didn't know what to expect.
"Come Xing... Show me what you can do!"
Nervously, he throws a fast punch that was a straight. It was similar to a punch that would be thrown during boxing. He then sends in a clumsy middle kick. He wasn't experienced in martial arts as his sister was.
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last online Apr 26, 2022 9:06:28 GMT -5
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Dec 10, 2017 21:02:11 GMT -5
Post by Anna Leigh Williams on Dec 10, 2017 21:02:11 GMT -5
Claudio laughed, as he dodged the punch. "You have to do better than that against a demon, boy!" He said. When Xing sent a weak kick Claudio's way, he gripped his leg, send him flying the opposite direction. Claudio sighed, shaking his head. "You're scared... I can tell you're scared. Demons will tell that you're scared. And if you let fear take you over, you will die." He said.
He stood back, getting into his stance. "Again." He instructed.
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last online Apr 23, 2023 23:59:16 GMT -5
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Dec 10, 2017 21:27:32 GMT -5
Post by Lei Wulong on Dec 10, 2017 21:27:32 GMT -5
Xing was once again taken out. He wasn't sure what to do. He thought he'd start at the basics, not in the middle or the end. After all, how is he going to do this? Claudio is right, how can he protect the Kali Yuga if he can't even hold his fists up? Why couldn't his father do this? Why couldn't Uncle Wulong do this? He's a tough fighter, right? Or his sister? She's pretty strong? Why did it have to be him? All he ever wanted was to be a lawyer.
"You're scared... I can tell you're scared. Demons will tell that you're scared. And if you let fear take you over, you will die."
Xing got back up, wobbling a little in his stance. "Shouldn't we start at the basics?"
"Again."
"Okay... I will do my best."
Xing repeated the same attack that he did. As this was kind of one of the only attacks that he knows.
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last online Apr 26, 2022 9:06:28 GMT -5
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Dec 10, 2017 23:54:24 GMT -5
Post by Anna Leigh Williams on Dec 10, 2017 23:54:24 GMT -5
Claudio blocked his attacks with ease, once more. He sighed. "These are the basics..." He said, irritated. He wondered what this child could be capable of. He took Xing to the center of the room. "Look into the window..." He began. "See the light..?" He sat down, Indian style. "Sit.." Claudio closed to his eyes. He held out his hands, light emitting from them.
"Put your hands on mine." He instructed.
"Feel the light of Sirius... Become familiar with it. In time, you will be able to use it to defend yourself and other from evil." He said. "Become one with it, and feel it empower and strengthen you.."
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last online Apr 23, 2023 23:59:16 GMT -5
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Dec 11, 2017 0:12:38 GMT -5
Post by Lei Wulong on Dec 11, 2017 0:12:38 GMT -5
Xing was confused but didn't really question his master. He knew where to start. Maybe starting in a fight is the way to go, maybe he could learn to be alert and train to get better.
Claudio then instructed the boy to sit down and look at the light. He sat down as told, holding Claudio's hand.
"Feel the light of Sirius... Become familiar with it. In time, you will be able to use it to defend yourself and other from evil. Become one with it, and feel it empower and strengthen you.."
He nodded as he meditated in the light. He closed his eyes, focusing on his Chi, letting the energy of his life-force overwhelm him.
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last online Apr 26, 2022 9:06:28 GMT -5
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Dec 11, 2017 22:46:07 GMT -5
Post by Anna Leigh Williams on Dec 11, 2017 22:46:07 GMT -5
As Xing meditated, Claudio slowly pulled his hands away from him. He opened his eyes, as the light remained on Xing's hands, circling around him. This kid could get centered, and focus. He just needed to learn how to hone and focus that energy into defense. Claudio silently stood, walking to his cloak. He picked it up, and put it on. He looked out of the window, letting the moonlight bathe him. He closed his eyes, feeling it's power.
Time went by, and he turned back around to face Xing.
"You are more gifted than you realize..." He said.
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last online Apr 23, 2023 23:59:16 GMT -5
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Dec 11, 2017 23:03:20 GMT -5
Post by Lei Wulong on Dec 11, 2017 23:03:20 GMT -5
Xing remained focused as his energy remained centered around him. It swirled and faded as the boy focused himself. When Claudio spoke, the energy faded, breaking his concentration.
"You really think so?"
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last online Apr 26, 2022 9:06:28 GMT -5
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Dec 14, 2017 11:13:49 GMT -5
Post by Anna Leigh Williams on Dec 14, 2017 11:13:49 GMT -5
He smiled, "I really do." His head turned when he heard a commotion. "What the...?" His eyes narrowed. He turned to Xing. "Stay here.." He instructed, when he went to see who was stomping in this cathedral...
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