Enshrined (Shadow)

[MKR]

Seemed the time inert had returned Zector's personality to the default exactly as she predicted, Davina thought to herself as the Divine Knight remained silent to her ears but then spoke. Regardless the bond was forged that meant that as far as she knew there was at most one Divine Knight left to awaken, though maybe one of her sisters of the Black Workshop had gotten to it already.

And at that point, once the world was ready the Rivalries could begin. Ah but there was one more thing that needed to be done, a proper change of equipment into weapons which would work for the rivalries, modern weapons were simply inadequate for dealing with Divine Knights and sure some of the fancier ones would work but a proper Zemurian Ore weapon meant an equal fight.

"A pleasure to have you back once more Zector, most of your siblings have already gotten a warm up in the past few years." There was some catching up to do for the Palatinate knight were it to have a shot at second place, but it simply being here was enough for now. Davina rose to her legs, "Now then Ryan, congratulations on becoming the Awakener of the Palatinate Knight. We keepers of the shrines, stewards of the fragments of the Great One, are at your disposal."
She gave a bow to accompany this message.

It was always fascinating who would become an awakener, who all had the potential within them to rise to that occasion and claim the power of the Divine Knights for themselves or their cause. Military men, mercenaries, terrorists and everyone in between as long as one could overcome the trials then the power within was theirs to claim and hold on to until they were defeated.

"If memory serves I recall you mentioning you wished to use this power to help others. But have you a specific cause in mind?"

 

[ShadowVigilante1]

Ryan would turn around to meet Davina’s gaze, a completely different look from before now adorns his face. Not of determination, but rather one with a sombre and cold mood. “Yes… while ultimately my goal is the protection of innocent lives.”

Ryan would look at his right hand, looking at the dirt that covered it due to the battles that occurred only a few moments before. “I have another goal that would help immensely with the first.” He would clench his fist and breathed deeply. “That would be, the destruction of the so-called greatest civilization that currently exists on Earth. Have you heard of it?”

The Great Britannian Empire?

There was a slight venomous undertone in his voice as he said that. “Those warmongers and slavers masquerading as deities on Earth? Them.”

It was clear he had quite the history with the Britannians, but for what reason was still unknown to Davina. “And I must hunt down a man responsible for propagating such acts. I’ll hunt him down and kill him with my bare hands if I have to!” He would sigh before putting his arm down. “I know it sounds impossible or laughable, but there are already a good number of people tired of tasting the oppressor’s boot. And with Zector beside me, that goal is closer to becoming a reality.”

His face would slowly begin to go back to normal, to his more determined look. “Is that not a good enough cause to chase?” He said slightly unsure of himself, possibly out of nervousness of shouting such passionate ideals to someone he pissed off earlier.

 

[MKR]

Who could have known such a noble goal had such venom contained within. Of course causes like that were easily twisted but she hadn't expected this. She looked as such baffled for a moment before catching herself.
"I think everyone is aware of Britannia, unless they've lived underneath a rock for the past two hundred years." She stepped forwards, off the steps to make herself level with Ryan. This man, she hadn't realized at the time but now. Now it was abundantly clear. He was a slave to vengeance.

"Come now." she spoke calmly "Nothing is truly impossible." a smile came on Davina's lips as she stepped besides him "I told you before, it is a noble cause. Nothing about that has changed but if you wish to take on the nation itself. You will need more than Zector." Her tone was reaffirming, and she nodded with it.
"As you can see I am not laughing, I think it is admirable however. Not many are willing to root out evil with their own hands, even less are willing to accept the reality that simply desiring a better tomorrow will not make it but that instead the things preventing its rise need to be eliminated."

"And thus, as a representative of the Hexen Clan speaking to an awakener. I will remind you that we are here as your stewards, our purpose is to help you. My purpose is to help you." Davina turned towards Zector for a moment afterwards.
"But just Zector will not be enough to realize your goal, a Divine Knight is powerful yes but cannot overturn a nation that big on its own, were you to win the Rivalries and become heir to the Great One however, then you could achieve your goal." She took a few steps back, as if taking in the bigger picture.

"But. As you are now the other Divine Knights would defeat you in this tournament." Her gaze went to assess Ryan "Hmmm." She contemplated to herself, pausing a moment as if deep in thought. "I would need to consult Grandmother, but maybe..."
She sighed, falling silent as she was still contemplating the options before her.

 

[ShadowVigilante1]

“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want the entire societal structure to just collapse. I simply wish to, to put in your words, root out evil. In other words removing the current Britannian royalty from the equation.” He would begin to calm down, his voice becoming level now.

“With that said, I doubt that there isn’t a group that would want to benefit from the overthrow of Britannia’s monarchs. I have a few candidates for targets and people who could feasibly take the throne to enact reforms as well. But as you have mentioned, now isn’t the prime opportunity for that given I only have Zector and an Arm Slave at my disposal. Can’t stand up to the entire Britannian military even with guerrilla tactics.”

“You would be correct, mine Awakener. However I am very much capable of feats of espionage should you so require them. The ability to cloak has long been mine main ability.“

Ryan would turn to face Zector with some interest. “Well, that’s handy to know. Glad I got something like you with me.” He would turn back to Davina, thinking a bit. “I don’t want to drag you into something like this if you don’t wish to. Besides, I have a feeling you don’t really wanna be around me after what I said earlier.” She was going to just so easily throw her own personal life away to better his? That didn’t seem right to him at all, it just reminded him of himself back then. Only serving a purpose not his own.

His ears would perk up as he heard mention of becoming the Great One. Was that even possible? “What exactly do you mean by becoming the Great One’s heir? I’ll… try not to make any side comments this time.” He said before awkwardly scratching his cheek.

 

[MKR]

The sighed, her contemplations pausing.
"Look, you said something in ignorance. If you're willing to learn and change in that then I can give you another chance." Her red eyes hung on him for a moment. "Am I pleased with your remarks, no. Of course not, but your conviction in turn makes up for that." She crossed her arms, exhaling "You became an Awakener, so it is only fair I give you a second chance. But- what did I tell you about those nerves when we met, you've shown you have dedication, passion. Present it."
Her eyes bore into him as she spoke before closing her eyes for a moment as she continued.

"So, as mentioned. The Rivalries are the process of deciding who of the Divine Knights is worthy to be the heir to the Great One. What that means is its the process of determining, by a series of duels, who will be the one to hold the infinite power of the fragmented Great One. It also, is as mentioned the one 'catch' for piloting a Divine Knight as its awakener, that when the time comes you are dutybound to participate as are the others."

"Victory would mean Zector would become the new Great One and as his Awakener it would be yours to use, or not use this strength as you wish. As you can imagine, the infinite power of Erebonia's guardian deity would be an impressive boon for your task if not outright enough to fulfill it. Issue being that defeat will mean death or merely losing everything if your foe is merciful."

Once again her eyes bore into him "Issue being that you're weak, as you said you only have Zector and a Arms Slave at your disposal and these will be duels between Divine Knights only. Against a foe like Argreion or El-Prado you currently stand no chance. Even if you take out the likes of Valimar and Ordine first to claim their strength those battles will be hard fought at best and still impossible at worst."

Her tone was harsh and the beatdown kept coming as she continued.
"But it is in that glimpse that you showed me when we arrived here and then just now, because of that I believe you're not hopeless. Simply unrefined, you're inexperienced, untrained and immature. So as the one who was there when you received your Divine Knight, the least I can do is fix that and give you a fighting chance." She stepped up to him, her gaze still trying to penetrate his hide as if to make him shrink away from her.

"If you're willing to show more of that man, the man with dedication and fire in his eyes. Then I can train you, refine you into having a fighting chance. Otherwise, if you want to call this blessing a curse again or remain ignorant about the responsibility you've received. Then I can simply offer you a weapon for Zector and let you go your way."

 

[ShadowVigilante1]

As Davina told him to act more determined, he immediately stood at attention. Listening to her every word as she stared and spoke daggers into him. If those metaphorical daggers were real, he’d be a Kessler Salad right about now. But her telling him he was weak was the kicker. It was like a death noise echoed in his brain followed by the repeated shouting of his name. He silently thought to himself: “Well… we’re definitely gonna get along nicely… Why am I stuck with someone beautiful like her, only for her to sound like an extreme Tsundere?“

At this point, Ryan was slowly tipping back a little as Davina moved forward a little. He would take a full step back as Davina finished. He would exhale to release the tension from his body and mind that built up over the long and brutally honest verbal beatdown he received. “Well first off… I can’t always just summon my passion like that on a whim. It’s not like that’s 100% of my entire being so please don’t expect me to always be so stoic or courageous.“ He would hold his head as he exhaled again to release more of the tension.

“Second, my specialty was always long range. But seeing how some things here need a blade to take down like with the Eorzeans, I think I’d appreciate the training and the help. Third, I think I quite like the sound of being at the helm of the Great One for use in my own purposes so you have me sold on that. And lastly…” Ryan would give a deep sigh as he attempted to summon up the courage to speak with Davina.

“Lastly, I have a question. It’s… uhh… if I do manage to summon the Great One, wha exactly will happen to you? Like, do you have anything else you wished to do aside from your duty? Meet an old friend? Go somewhere you’re never been? Get absolutely was-. Actually not the last one. *ahem* But really, all I’ve seen you doing is helping me. Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do to help you or do something for you?” He let the last question hang there. He really wanted to know her thoughts on that, because at this rate he’ll be indebted to her for a lot of things if he doesn’t speak up now.

 

[MKR]

As he winced away Davina's gaze only intensified. His retort met with the red eyes beaming down on him like twin spotlights in the shadow of Zector. With every step the two brought closer to the Palatinate Knight. This man was filled to the brim with excuses and justifications, ones that would collapse under enough pressure. The matter was simply one of finding the exact right pressure to put him under.

The last question caused her to pause.
"Yes, I have hobbies." She said in a tone of exhaustion, "I've been talking about my duty because the situation has called for it and it easily can be done aside from travels and what have you. The thought is appreciated and I'll consider it, for now we have more important matters to attend to. If the Great One is reformed be it by you or another, this duty will be completed." With that the momentary pause was ceased.
"In that case then, your training begins now. I don't want to hear any excused from you because if you want to stand a chance at claiming the power of the Great One let alone commanding it you will have to be refined."

She stepped forward once again.
"Physical training, mental training, Divine Knight training. All these and more start now and I don't want to hear a 'please don't', all I want to hear is a firm, confident Yes Ma'am. Because the first foe to overcome is your own doubt, If confidence is not 100% of your being you will have to train to make it seem like it is. Because if you want to root out the evil from an empire you need men and women who will do that with you, and for that you need to be a man worth following." She pointed up the steps and began to walk up, finally getting out of his face.
"Am I clear?"

"Afterwards, once we reach the outside we will have you call Zector to your location and subsequently use the spirit veins to travel to the village of my clan. There you will learn the ins and outs of every tool Zector has in his arsenal as well as meet with Grandmother to secure your place as one of the favored Divine Knights by gaining her favor." As she headed upstairs her eyes were still tracking Ryan with every step. "Am I understood?"

 

[ShadowVigilante1]

He would stand at attention once again, standing firmly like a soldier as if this was an old routine for him. “Yes ma’am!” He would take one last look however, still trying to look for any sign of the reconnaissance party they were supposed to find. He still needed the payment for his job. But he supposed that time has come and gone, after all the wind takes a mercenary wheresoever it pleases.

“Yes ma’am! I won’t let you down, ma’am!” He said before following her up the stairs, hoping not to trip in front of her this time. He was looking forward to his adventures here, after all it’s not every day you get to learn magic as well.

Meanwhile, Zector would go back towards the chamber where it was staying in to await its summoning.