Chapter 1: "The Hunt Commences"
Players: Neutral 12, Guntai 7, Guntai 3, Neutral 6, Guntai Teacher 1, Neutral 3, Guntai 1, Neutral 7, Neutral 13, the Meshi Apprentice, and the Meshi Leader
Started: November 24, 2002
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Laveda raced down the hallways, nearly slamming into other Guntai students as she ran. Being late to Ms. Lunetta's class wouldn't be wise... and what if there was a test?!?? Lavey ran faster, sliding into the classroom and into her seat in record time, as the bell signaling for all classes to begin rang. She breathed a silent sigh of relief, as she sat at attention, ready for the day to begin.
Vashti walked off the boat that had carried her and Sharene over from Okami to Mure. Another modeling shoot... this time they wanted a homey fell, like Vashti was part of the schools on Mure.
"Sharene.. I'm sorry.. but this isn't going to work."
"You never know, girl, might be the best thing you've done. Besides, the exotic look for a background is out, trendy, modern crap is in."
"...Sometimes.. your knowledge utterly frightens me.." Vashti said quietly, as Sharene chuckled. Both headed off to the limo waiting for them, as it hovered a few feet off the ground. Time to check into where they were staying, then begin the photoshoots.
Akiko entered the school she was attending on Mure, waving to some girls from her art class that ran past. If people weren't blabbing about the Guntai school and what all they were doing, it was about people coming to Mure. Today's target, Vashti.
Ko rolled her eyes when thinking about the gossip probably going about the school, walking to her locker and typing in the combo. It popped open, as she dug through it and got what she needed. Closing it, she then turned and headed to her first class.
Kalaya sat in the serene darkness of her quarters in her underworld on Tejina. Her eyes were focused on the glass she held her hand, swirling the red wine it held. Memories played back in her mind, over and over, as she continued to swirl the crimson in her hand. Kaos took a light sip of the wine, then tossed the glass aside as it smashed soundly against a black wall. The Serelis.. She licked her lips at the thought, a slight smile coming to them. She desired that spirit... vengeance.. so many beautiful things.. hers.. yes....
Orron pulled her sunglasses away from her eyes to peer at her students and placed them on the top of her head. As soon as the bell rang, she stood up from her desk and walked to the front of her class.
"I hope you all read the assignment last night because you are about to take a quiz on it. I want you to explain Donahue's experiments on light energy and how we now use that knowledge to supply an endless amount of energy in ten minutes. Your time begins now," she said as she saw the students immediately pull out their consoles and begin to type furiously on them. Orron turned and sat back at her desk as she began to grade some hand Calculus papers from her next class when a student approached her desk. "What can I do for you, Brad?" she asked without looking up.
"Well... Ms. Lunetta, I didn't read the assignment last night," the boy admitted guiltily and softly. Now she did stop and look at the boy, "And why not?"
"W-well... you see, Mr. Kouki's history test is today... and I really need a good grade and.." he stammered as he blushed in a mixture of shame and embarrassment. Orron simply observed him for a moment before leaning back in her chair.
"Write me a two page paper of Donahue by Friday and I'll substitute it for your quiz grade. This is your only break though, Brad," she said. The boy nodded quickly as he thanked her and went back to his seat.
Outside the window, in the forests nearby, a young man with striking yellow eyes saw the entire exchange. His lips pursed in thought, Hai Shen let out a low whistle as he thought to himself. "Hmm...she might prove to be the first person who is kind as well as strict. Not like the others, always too yielding or just too power hungry. Now, if only I could somehow meet her in private..." He shook his head when he heard a rustling in the undergrowth behind him. It was time to be going. He waved his hand once, and the jewel on his forehead began to glow as the air around him began to thicken with mist. He disappeared from sight, the only evidence of his ever being there being the yellow glow left behind where his eyes were. Inside the classroom, the students and the teacher continued their work, oblivious to the outside world.
Forest walked into the room, blinking at the breaking glass. "Mother," she said, more to make herself known than anything else. "Why can't we just wipe the Guntai out and then search for the Serelis?"
Damien stood outside of the Guntai school, watching as the other kids entered the school. "Why should any one of these kids deserve to be here more than me. I mean, no one was as dedicating to fighting as I was, even though I do have a bit of an attitude." He said to himself as he watched his peers enter the school. He knew that they thought they were better than him, but he would prove them all wrong. He would prove them wrong and get admitted back into the Guntai and be the best.
"Not fair? What's not fair?" Damien's preoccupation had prevented him from noticing a fog around him. As Hai stepped out of the fog, he said to the upset man, "You must be patient with the world around you. In time, recognition will come to you. Think on it. There must be some reason why they are in there and you're not." By now the fog had thickened and the two teenagers were hidden from the rest of the world.
"Yeah! The reason is these goof balls have fun and don't face the real world. So the school system will have children with power but are too afraid to use it to its full potential. That way the government has little to fear about uprises. It is outcasts like myself that hold the true power. If only I could learn to train it and to become more skillful." Damien explained with a bit of resent at Hai's philosophy.
Hai clucked his tongue at Damien's answer, obviously displeased and quite exasperated. "You seek to be able to join those who 'fear their power' yet you do not realize that it is because of this mindset that you will lose in the face of evil. Do you not realize what happened as a result of this 'true power' you speak of? Do you not see that it takes time and training to fully comprehend and control your guardian's power? Your arrogance has blinded you. Yes, you may have the better control and strength when it comes to fighting, but in the end, it is the one who is pure of heart and mind who will win. With a heart filled with pride, arrogance, and vengeance, you cannot hope to achieve the true strength you dream of. Do not fill your mind with useless thoughts of just using your Guardian as a tool. Become one with him, understand him, BE him. It is then, that you will learn how to defeat your foes. Though I have no guardian, I can easily say without shame that in a battle between you and me..." Hai let the challenge trail off, unfinished, allowing his words to sink into the resentful teenager's mind.
Medea yawned as she slow walked to her next class. She was in no mood to get to History class. She waved slightly to a couple of friends that walked by. She entered the class and took her regular sit in the back. She laid her head on her arms as she looked out the window and started feeling sleepy. She looked up aware seeing two figures standing outside.