I was early morning, almost the break of dawn to be exact. A figure came out of the woods supporting a black scythe on its shoulder. It wore a green cloak with a hood. A guard noticed the figure approach the fortress. "Halt suspicious figure! State your business." The guard said. The figure put down its hood revealing a female head with long hair in an odd purplish hue. "Do you greet all wanderers like that?" The woman asked.

The guard bowed and said: "Forgive me. But please state your business. Standard procedure." The woman sighed: "I am Jyana Lightbringer, entertainer, herbalist and master of the ancient arcane arts." The guards eyes widened. He remembered a woman of that name visit his village when he was a wee boy. "But how can it be? You hadn't aged!" The guard exclaimed. Jyana smiled: "I am many years old my son. Many people from old to young remember me. I have been to many villages and towns. Many enchanted by my trade. Now may I pass."

The guard nodded and allowed the woman to pass through the gate. First when she had passed had he realized that she didn't explain WHY she hadn't aged. Meanwhile Jyana sat down at a fountain and set her things to the side. "Hear ye! I shall entertain you with my skills!" She shouted and waved her hands. An illuminated illusion appeared of many birds flying, far more real and clear than modern illusion magic. An illusion of flowers grew around where Jyana sat. Immediately people gathered at the plaza where the fountain was, amazed by the magic she used.

The air in the woods had grown thick in the last few hours.

As the morning sun was rising over the mountains in the distance, the remainder from last nights rain fall has become a thick mist over the grass. As Dumah made his way over the rolling ground, trotting stone and grass along his personal path. His travel from the woods being spurred in the last few days of extended stay among the wilds, leaving with little in tow, save for some furs and herbs.

A small bird sat on his shoulder, one of the myriad of life forms that still clung to him from the living being that was nature. Several geckos clung to the side of his boot and other insects used the crevices of his clothes for shelter. Such was everyday for him; being who and what he was, the life of the forest tends to keep close to him. For comfort or protection however, he did not know.

With any day that he took to travel through the woods, he followed his senses towards civilization.

It was easy after so long among the beast in the furthest green and his attraction to his destination was pulling him closer. The smell of bread being cooked and left to cool, as well as the smell of industry within the upcoming hold. The smell of burning coal and smelting steel left a pang of mercury along the edge of his nose.

While drifting on the thought of visiting another populace he broke the threshold between forest and the holds outlying area. His cadre of guest took this as a sign to leave his person and all creatures evacuated his person, save for the small bird on his shoulder that took its time before departing.

The next image to grace his sight was a rather stern face as he made the last few step toward the gates of the large walls outside the hold. It was a guard and it struck Dumah rather strange that there was only one standing his term there at all, though it could be how rural the place was to begin with. The man held his hand up to stop him, but a slight look of worry came over him when his hand only came up to the bottom of Dumah's chest.

"State your business." He said with a slight shake in the back of his throat.

Dumah's raised his nose for a moment to smell the air, something had come this way and it was a wonder to him. It had been sometime since he sensed such magic in the air. It wafted over his path like a deep perfume and he gave a large draw to take it in before speaking. "I have wares for trade and I also seek rations as well."

The guard tentatively points towards his side, in suggestion to something on Dumah's person.
"Alright, but I can't have a stranger like you walking around the town carrying something like that." He was of course referring to the axe Dumah's kept on his back, under his cloak. The handle was jutting out to the side it was drawing attention. He nodded and pulled the weapon out leisurely before setting it down for the guard to take, though it was somewhat of a chore for the smaller man. In response the guard nodded back and allowed Dumah to pass, taking the last steps in leaving the wilds after so long.

Once a crowd amassed around her, Jyana began to tell a tale guided by a magical illusion that visualized the story. "Long ago, there were many watchers and far many more humans than today. The watcher Ilea had become bored of the humans and intended to destroy them. The story varies by belief. The followers of Ilea believe that she wanted to cleanse the world of evil and start anew. However many watchers opposed the decision of Ilea but the watchers who opposed her fell one by one in their fight against her. Only those who weren't of any danger to her or who were indifferent were spared. Then the catacalysm came. Ilea let fire rain down and sucked the life out of those who sought shelter. Only few with strong enough magic such as the ancients could shield themselves against the catacalysm." The visualization showed a shadowy figure in the sky as fire rained down and a female ancient surrounded by a small group of people protecting them with a magical barrier.

"Those who survived were healed by Ayna. However those who doubted Ayna took the side of Arsan. Both the followers of Ayna and Arsan believe that Ilea acted out of evil intent. However the followers of Arsan also believe that Ayna wasn't innocent and actually supported the decision of Ilea in nearly destroying humanity only to rise in recognition in the new world." Jyana explained. The guardian of the fortress stood in the crowd clearly angered by the story, feeling that Jyana was supporting heresy.

"I will not listen to this heresy any further! I will put an end to you!" The old wizard said in anger. However there was something about Jyana that made a chill run down his spine and make him back away in fear. He recognized her aura of ancient magic. "What is the matter my son?" Jyana said. Why did she speak to him as if she was his senior? Why did he feel she was mocking him? The wizard decided to attack anyways and unleashed a flurry of fire on her. The fire however disappeared in front of her.

"Sorry but I cannot allow to be seriously injured as I must continue my journey and insure that people know that another catacalysm is likely to occur unless the watcher Ilea is calmed." Jyana said. "I am also disappointed in your abilities as I have seen humans with far greater abilities. You should focus on becoming stronger to be a worthy guardian and not constantly bicker about who is a heretic and who not." She then turned to the crowd: "Maybe later I will tell you more tales."

The air of this small batch of civilization was confounding for a moment, so many smells and taste in the air that could pull Dumah's attention off from his current path. After moving through the gate, the event playing out in front of him was a reason for why he sensed such magic.

Though such shows of illusion were common among the northern tribes, though he had to admit this woman's flair for the show was rather impressive. She told the story so well and with an eye for detail in all of her activities. He moves on however right as the cataclysm began to rain down on the world. He knew the stories all too well from living among his people and more so for its other variants as well. He just walked on until he found a stall not far from the corner, a trader with light brown eyes and several years in the fields on his face. Shown by the lines made from the sun as it graced his skin every day.

Dumah would look much the same were it not for his heritage, then again it could just be the way his body is permeated by such rejuvenating energies. It was something that he never really gave serious thought about.
He traded for several minutes with the older man, wares changing hands and items along with them. Dumah was able to acquire some loafs of bread for his satchel, something that was not easy to come about with in the wilds. He also got his hands on a small laminated wooden pipe, something that he had gone without for some time seeing as he broke his last one.

Those find their way into his bag, along with a few silver pieces for the herbs that he collected. Then again he could be out with it and speak of how someone like him, could come by such nice specimens.

As the last of the silver struck down the hair on the back of Dumah's neck bristled. He could feel an intense wave of magic in the air, being pulled towards the center of the square from where he walked and turned, breaking into a long strides. He comes around the corner just in time to see flames course through the air, only for the flickering flames to peter out in mid flight as they closed in on their target.

Many of the gathered crowed gasped in response as if at a loss for all words, but Dumah only stared on at the attacker. A man of advanced years who still bore small flickers of ember light on his fingers. His garish robes of dark red silk and silver brimming made him a deep contrast to the dirt of the small city.

To his knowledge, this man must be one of the Guardians that he has heard of in the past few years. Though places where he hails from have no real need for such individuals, for a community is its own defense.

He places a hand on the mans shoulder, a small tremble could be felt coursing through him as he looked up to Dumah. He was speechless for some reason but Dumah still felt the need to inform him with a point of his finger. That the woman he intended to immolate was still surrounded by innocent woman and children. The man is somewhat dumbstruck with that realization, though a look of anger is still running across his face.

He shrugs off the hand and steps away, disappearing from view in a huff.
The crowd begins to disperse as well seeing as what just happened, many not wanting to get caught in the uproar of what has just transpired.

Dumah approaches the woman, who was the source of his ire, stopping at only a few feet away.

"Quite a site to see if I do say so myself, though he could have been more cautious of the people... Did I hear the word heresy?" He asked with a lean to his head, evident of the question.

As the crowd reduced in size, a man stepped forward to Jyana. "Quite a sight to see if I do say so myself, though he could have been more cautious of the people...Did I hear the word "heresy"?" The man asked. Jyana gave the man a warm smile. "Humans are commonly opposed to that what doesn't fit into their worldview. They wish to silence those who speak of other beliefs or views, even by means of violence. The guardian of this fortress is a strong believer of Ilea. It is only natural for him to react like that. However the older humans get, the more they hold on to their own knowledge and feel of experience which could get the better of them. Now if he messed with a battlemage of the ancients, he would have been turned to dust already. However even with my knowledge of the ancient arts, I do not intend to harm anybody. It is not my profession to combat. I am only a mere wanderer who shares tales, myths and experiences while also providing healing services." Jyana explained.

"Come sit. How about I tell you a tale about the ancients and their demise? The ancients felt they were born from the earth mother. She was seen as something eternal as the lands seemed to be timeless. At their beginning the ancients lived in tribes but were able to quickly adapt. The first skill the ancients learned was magic, a gift no other being had. As the ancients developed, they learned to write. From then on they developed quickly. However the ancients weren't many in number. Villages were sparse and there was only one known city. The ancients were a people who mostly cared for themselves, yet weren't violent enough to kill for their advantage. They soon found the humans, a primitive folk. They used the humans as servants, but as their knowledge grew humans strived for more independence. The humans also populated much quicker than the ancients. One day, the humans had enough of servitude. The humans rebelled and many ancients fell. Then the watchers came, the watchers seemed to side with the humans and valued their freedom. But as the humans were, they viewed the watchers as gods. Soon the human realm was riddled with wars and violence while the ancients retreated to their own lands. After that comes the story of Ilea and the catacalysm. I don't tell this to many as it may offend the views of a human and it is a mere myth. It's truth is uncertain. However I fear that the catacalysm wasn't the last." She continued.

Jyana stood up and stretched out her hand. She then introduced herself: "I am sorry. I drifted away. I even forgot a proper introduction. The name is Jyana Lightbringer. I live a rather nomadic life and have been travelling for ages. Everywhere I go I normally am provided food and shelter for a night in turn for entertainment and healing."

Dumah shined a small smile as he listened on, though the woman was young in appearance and strong with her magic he could tell off from the moment he spoke too her that she was nearly as unnatural as the settlement around them. Though through that she may be more natural then him and the world as he knew, either was a possibility. She was much older then she appeared and weather or not she was in fact human was a question that he could not answer.

Then again she had the air of energy about her that made the impression she belonged in the world.

As she held out her hand, he lent his out as well and took it. A light grasp and the introduction was made whole by the two as he spoke. "My name is Dumah, of the northern lands." He sat his hand down on the table between them. "I too am a healer.. of sorts, for the land is as much a being as any and the faults of man put it in as much harm as themselves." As if by cue a small sparrow came to land on his shoulder, it nestles in his hair as if looking for something. Only to snatch up a small spur and fly off as it retrieved its prize.

Dumah pays no real mind to he creatures actions, as it barely seemed to have registered on his person.

He sighs though as he leans forward slightly and returns "Unfortunately I can understand your reasoning on the part of their treatment. Many of the people I come across in my travels are weary of me for my appearance and when the see what I do, it tends to get worse. The use of the elemental forces here are questioned highly if.. if your not one of the privileged at least."

"I am not one to judge anyone by their appearance or heritage. I enjoy the presence of any being that wishes no harm to me. Many however trying to know me but aren't able but guess my origins. That is why many seem to show caution near me as people generally don't seem to come to something they don't know with open arms. But I must warn you, a watcher is near, one of bad intent. The day before I crossed a village not far from here. Burning homes, people with life sucked out of them, survivors cowering in fear. The watcher may have gone a different direction but anytime this dwelling may be the next." Jyana said.

She then sighed: "For your benefit, I offer you to learn some simple defense in the ancient arts. It could assist you and save lives. The only downside is that the magic of the ancients takes a toll on human bodies. It must be used wisely and you must learn your limits, otherwise it will consume the power of your soul and you could lose consciousness or even die."

The air gets tense as Dumah concentrates on their conversation at hand and straightens his posture. "I see and you believe that the watcher is possibly on their way to this location." He glances from the sides and views the people around them. Her offer of the strength to fight is something that also catches his attention, but it does cause a purse in his lips.

"That is quite the offer and were I younger, I would accept readily. However such power always carries a price and I am more then willing to at least try my hand before such a choice is made." He rubs a hand up the length of his forearm for a moment causing sharp bristling hair to sprout up shortly and then disappear back from where it appeared.
"Being so close to the winds of nature, I am capable myself. Though the thought of a watcher is something of a wonder to me, seeing as they have removed themselves from the world for so long."

He stands and hefts his satchel back over his shoulder.
"I think it would be prudent to prepare, wouldn't you agree?"

"Preparation is always a good choice. I have encountered a watcher before and they are a force to be reckoned with. They can wipe out entire battalions of soldiers with just a few moments." Jyana said. "But why don't we move to somewhere where we have more room to practice. You should learn as soon as possible because who knows if the watcher would arrive within the next hour or within the following week." Jyana was ready to aid the people of this fortress but she wasn't ready to give closer information about herself or about what she may be or why she tends to help people although being rejected quite often.

(OOC: Sorry, short post. Very tired right now.)

Dumah runs a hand over the front of his chin, stroking his beard with a small glimmer of attachment.
"I am certain there are some local farms that are no longer in use with the changing of the seasons on the rise. Maybe there is one close by that would facilitate such needs?" The arch of the suns light burns across his shoulders as it finally reaches its morning apex.

He leans out beckoning her on with his hand, as if to offer her the way first in finding a suitable spot to wait.

"It would be sad however" He adds.
"If such a lovely place would meet its end at the hands of one sworn to protect it after so long. The thought does cause a moment of grimace to race across his face. Such a lose would be dear indeed for him, as all life is precious under the guise of the fold of nature and he would not suffer such an act in all honesty.

Jyana then decided to go on after Dumah had signalled to go. She walked through the woods and not long until they arrived at an old abandoned farm with plenty of space. The bushes were however making their way further into the field as they had not been trimmed in quite a while.

"Now I will show you how to summon two kinds of barriers that may help against the attack of a watcher or another powerful ancient. Caution this might hurt a bit." Jyana said as she touched each of Dumah's temples with each of her hands. It would surely hurt a bit but that was a way to give the abilities to a human since otherwise it could take a human years to just get the basics of ancient magic.

"I gave you the abilities to use a simple barrier that can block an enormous amount of damage and how to do a reflecting barrier that will reflect some of the damage back to the attacking caster. Now prepare yourself. All you need to do is think the barrier while holding your hands out. Your hands make sure that the barrier becomes larger and more stable." Jyana said and then took distance. In the distance a fireball formed in her hand. "If you get hurt, I will make sure you do not die and regain health quickly." Jyana said then casting the fireball towards Dumah.

Despite being somewhat weary of this woman's teachings Dumah conceded to allow her teachings. In truth; it was much of a interest for him, to be learning magic from such a source altogether. Though he did worry that such power would move him further away from the natural circle in which he had been a dweller of for so long now.

But as her hands touched his skin most of those reservations left him as easily as the wind could blow and he bore witness to the multitude of images passing by his mind. It did seem so unnervingly natural though, for him to learn in such a way that could facilitate the passage of time more closely.

She was right however; before her teachings were done he could feel a small pang of pressure on his mind and even so a small trickle of blood left his nose. So small in fact that he barely caught notice of anything that could be amiss.

Jyana stepped away and placed herself at a good distance between each other, only for her to wind up a rather vicious looking spell and send it hurling it his way. He had barely finished wiping his face for a small moment before thrusting his left palm out and heeding her instructions, causing a film of amber haze to unfold in front of him. The fireball made shortly after and dissipated against the shell of energy.

Though it seemed to be a quick act of mastery, it was all because Dumah was in no way new when it came to the arts of magic. What little of the fireball that edged around the sides of the shield sent flames in across the ground, setting small patches of dried grass alight. However like all magic he could feel that there was a certain draw happening on his body at that very moment. The act of channeling the shell of energy into existence was tugging on his mortal coil, using the energy of his person to conjure it.

"A rather potent spell, if I should say so myself." He says as he releases the spell, allowing the shield to vanish back from where it came.

"It is powerful. However you might have noticed the energy it requires. The ancients could use this without problems because their life force replenishes hence their long liveability. Though even ancients lose energy and die. Most of them become no older than 2500 years and watcher are expected to live nearly 6000 years. However there are only two individuals who I am aware of who have surpassed the life span of even a watcher. I however have lost track of time and am probably past my prime myself." Jyana said.

Suddenly there was a rumble in the distance. "This is not good. She has come earlier than expected." Jyana said. She then tackled Dumah and they vanished midair. Suddenly they were back at the fortress. There was a gaping hole in the wall. In front of the fortress was a woman with long silver hair. She appeared young however.

"What is the meaning of this?" Said the guardian of the outpost. The watcher then said: "I have heard much about you. A man with his beliefs strong in Ilea but his thought is as blind as a mole. Too bad Ilea wont save you. Rather the opposite. Like me she wants to thin out the numbers of the humans and bring back a golden age of the watchers." "I will not hear such heresy!" The old man said and cast a seemingly powerful spell against the woman. But the woman just blocked it as if it were a punch. She then decided to cast her own spell with intent to incinerate the old man of the spot. Jyana rushed forward and pushed the man aside as the spell of black fire rushed towards him. She reflected the fire in another direction.

"You? Stop interfering! You shouldn't be protecting that filth!" The woman said. Jyana then said: "I am normally an observer for the sake of my occupation. However I cannot sit idly as people intend to massacre those who are by far weaker than them." Suddenly the last two words appeared from behind the woman. Jyana smacked the woman on the back of the head. "Like always." Jyana said. The woman then said: "You annoy me! Why do you torture me with your presence and mock me? You always defend and aide but never fight back. You could be one of us!" "Silence! You know nothing! These people looked up to the watchers as protectors and they were betrayed. Why should I join a band of overpowered ancients that terrorize weaker beings? People believe you possess superior knowledge, yet do you know who I am?"

"Else than a wandering storyteller that everyone can seemingly remember from their youth that defends those who need it? I do not know your name or origin. You might just be a human sorceress who has exceeded her normal life span but I could rather imagine that you are aeons old. Judging by the lucidity of your stories, you might have even witness the myths of the ancients." The woman said. Jyana then answered: "The name is Jyana Lightbringer, storyteller of old and teacher in the name of the earth mother. But I know who you are." Jyana then could be seen whispering in her ear as the womans eyes widened.

Then woman then took and offensive stance and said: "None the less, I will destroy you and those who you protect! Now die!" She then unleashed from each hand a dark beam. One was directed at Jyana and another was directed at the fortress. Jyana however appeared behind Dumah again and said: "Now is your change to prove what you have learned. If it takes too much from your life force, I will replenish what I can of it."

The ensuing destruction was slightly offsetting for Dumah, the two woman were somehow familiar with one another whiteout even each other by title or name.This woman Jyana was more instep with the other, this fallen Watchers of some sort and they bantered while trying to trade blows. He was not new to combat with anyone who could wield the ethereal powers like these woman, though it was a unsure thought that he had seen anyone this powerful in a long time.

He perks up though when the word filth comes out in the description of the human race.
"Filth is not the right word I would choose for such a young race.. irresponsible maybe but not filth." He tenses up as he steps himself closer to the action when she seems to have lost her patience with Jyana and fires off an attack with a rather slow strike, but what seems to be a rather destructive result in the making.

Jyana then appears behind Dumah as she did before and tells him this is his chance, apparently she is looking for him to prove his worth in some way. Balling his fist he sees that its his choice to ultimately step in and do what needs to be done, though he does not lack the courage. The course of better judgement still hands on the side of his mind as he leaps forward, holding his arms outstretched and concentrating once again to bring the shield into existence.

His first act was to stop the beam against the holds residents and uses his arm to plot the course for the shield, barring beam as it approached the threshold of the fortress wall. The mass of the shield is wide and does its job to block the flow of energy, causing it to peter out before crossing the shields edge.

He folds the other arm up and across his face, making the field warp in front of him. It amber light twisting to the size of a tortoise shell and deflecting the incoming beam before it strikes him. Its mass impacting and being redirected off the side of the barrier, narrowly evading his upper arm and face.

The focus of the beam drags on for only a few seconds after the impact and soon it to ends. Dumah is forced to drop to one knee as he can feel a small wave of exhaustion overtake him, but as the shield drops and the assault ends. His constitution retakes him and soon he takes to his feet once again.

With a slight draw on his breath he looks at the woman across the way from him and speaks.
"Looking at the circumstances, filth is a word that you should be more in common with then the humans now."

"Big words for such a low being." The woman mocked. She made a stance that seemed all too familiar to Jyana. "Stand back!" Jyana said to Dumah. "What she is planning will be beyond you. A shield would be counterproductive now." Suddenly a mist approached and something started to drag the strength away from the people. It was a spell to suck the life out of the opponent. Jyana made a stance that looked similar to that of the womans, however the amount of energy could take ones breath away. It was an aura that could be felt very clearly. "No! It can't be!" The woman said as she struggled to back away. The strength regained in the humans. Jyana made a downward movement with her hand and the woman fell to her knees. "I cannot move." The woman groaned.

It seemed as if Jyana manipulated gravity itself to pin down the woman. The ground sunk down into a small crater as Jyana increased the intensity. However she felt that the more intense she made it, the more of a toll the aura started to take on the surrounding humans. It was a pressure like feeling as if the air was becoming as thick as molasses. At a point Jyana stopped. The woman was on the ground and very exhausted from the spell that Jyana had casted. "I am sorry it had come to this. But you gave me no other choice. Next time you might not walk away. Now go and tell your mistress Ilea that she better not think of crossing me. I may hate to kill, however if the reason is strong enough then I must interfere." Jyana warned.

Jyana then turned to Dumah. "I will teach you more over time. However you have felt what learning two spells can do to your mind. If you learned all at once, you might not survive to be able to try them. Now how about I take you to my sanctuary where you could learn more? There are plenty of scriptures of old that may be useful for your purposes."

However she ignored the fact that she had caused fear due to the power of her demonstration. "What is she?" One merchant asked another. Another then asked: "Is she one of them?" Jyana turned to them and they tensed up. She rather gave them a warm smile. The old guardian then approached: "You matched a watcher and even show her not to be an issue. Are you a watcher? Why should Ilea turn on us?" Jyana however just gave a kind giggle and said: "A watcher? I must disappoint you but I am just a simple wandering storyteller. Ilea's intentions might soon come to light." The old man was slightly annoyed that she still said that she was a simple wanderer which at this point was hard for him to believe. To him, she was something of disturbing power. Suddenly Jyana touched the old man's forehead.

An image of the past came. There were children playing. One of them seemed to be the old man in his youth. Suddenly a female figure appeared with odd hair color. When the face became visible, it was Jyana. She told the children stories and amazed them with illusions.

Back out of the image, the old man was taken aback. "You?" He exclaimed. Jyana then replied: "Freed of the blind ignorance and stubborness you had demonstrated just moments before and showing courage to brave a watcher however to no avail. Would you accept an offer to get a second chance at life to gain more strength and fight for those you hold dear?" "I...it is my duty to protect the weak. But what do you mean?" The old man asked in confusion. Jyana took a hold of his shoulders and a light came from each of her hands. "Then you may be rewarded with a second chance." When the light dimmed, there was no old man anymore but rather early middle-aged. "Cherish your gift of a longer life and train well. We might see each other soon and I hope that you can prove yourself once more without assistance." Jyana said.

She then took Dumahs hand: "Shall we go now?"

Dumah looked on as this woman showed the watcher just who was more superior in the course of things and he was thankful for that. The watcher had the power to level the hold if she wished, but she was unfocused and unable to see her true target until the end.

As she went on rewriting the wrongs set upon the hold by the watcher though, Dumah could feel a tinge of disgust in his throat. She was doing this to give him a second chance and that unsettled him. Even was he stood in the presence of the the act, the feeling of being in an unease with nature around them. Especially since the feeling was coming from what it was that she was doing.

Those who pass were meant to pass and not person should have to make that choice.

She approached him and the afterthought of what she was doing had started finishing its course across his mind. Most likely playing across his face as well for just that same reason.

Only when she touched his hand did he snap back to what reality was and slowly turned himself down to face her.

He baited on with a smile as he knew that she meant truly well, but the act could always bee in suspect.

"Lead on." He said as his smile slowly balanced out.

Jyana led the way. "To my old home it isn't far since the fortress is rather outlying. I haven't been there in a very long time and I had forgotten why I had even left. We may be able to see it from here." Jyana said as she walked. Beyond the trees, a massive stone structure was visible in the distance. The closer they got, the more unsettling the aura became. Jyana slowly got the feeling that there was a good reason why she had left that place and hadn't been there for so long.

The closer they got, the more wilted the flora had become. They had come to a part where vegetation became sparse enough that the stone structure could be clearly seen. It was larger than many human temples and looked of archaic origin. On a hilltop near it was a white tower decorated with skulls. Things started to flash before Jyana's eyes. Terrible things occured in the images that Jyana saw. It seemed perilous, however no soul could be sensed, not even the undead. Jyana managed to snap out of it, however what she had experienced exhausted her. "I just felt something. But it must have been my imagination." She said to Dumah.

Jyana stretched her arm out towards the structure and crystal torches slowly lit up. "The torches react to a magical impulse. They were commonly used in the ancient era." She explained. As the light became brighter, the true appearance of the structure became clear. The walls were splashed in red color and bones littered the grounds before the structure. Jyana stepped back in fear, breathing heavily. She couldn't remember what had happened but this feeling terrified her. For a split second, the sight changed before her showing corpses everywhere. They were brutally killed. The quick flash made Jyana stumble backwards against a dead tree and she slid down with her back to the tree until she came into a sitting position. "I don't understand. I had different memories of this place. There were friendly ancients here. They had smiled and talking among each other." Jyana said. Then there was a whisper. One that seemed to be a memory. "Have you heard? A village was destroyed. It must have been her." "Who?" "She bears the mark of death." "Who? Who bears the mark of death!" Jyana screamed. It was as if she was losing her sanity.

Then a flashback occured. There was someone shrouded in shadows. The figure killed them with ease, even mages barely stood a change against the figure. The flashback skipped forward. Jyana found herself surrounded by corpses. There was blood on her hands, unknown however if it was her own or that of another. The shadowy figure was gone. Jyana had fallen to her knees and cried.

The flashback was so vivid that she had unwillingly projected it for Dumah to see. Jyana still sat against the tree, sobbing. She might have had been suppressing the memories this whole time. Who the shadowy figure was still remained a mystery, however obviously that figure hadn't shown up after. "I don't know if I could enter that place." Jyana said. "But I must! There is knowledge in there that could be useful against the watchers! But what if I remember more? Nevertheless he must be able to protect his own kind." It seemed strange but Jyana was arguing with herself, finally broken to an extent. Had she not come back, this wouldn't have happened.

"What is the matter?" A male voice said from behind Jyana. Jyana looked up and towards the direction of the voice. It was an older looking man in a robe who smelled of wine. "You must have known about then." The man said. "I remember that a few had survived that day, but most of them had hidden in the catacombs. I was young back then. After everything was over, we had left the forsaken place to the capital." The man bowed and said: "I forgot my manners. The name is Arsan." "I had the feeling I knew who you were. I thought watchers wouldn't reveal their identities to commoners." Jyana said better than before but still a bit whiny. "I dislike watchers. They play humans for fools for their own benefit." Jyana said as she grabbed the man's leg. "It is those like you who bring this kind of destruction." "What are you doing? Why do you intend on hurting me?" The man said in distress finally kicking Jyana in the head, knocking her unconscious.

A red imprint on the man's leg was visible. The man sat down in pain and looked up to Dumah. "I am sorry you had to see that, but did you see what she did?" Out of the imprint came a droplet of blood. "Human, you should stay away from her. She is dangerous. Looking at her, she is the wandering storyteller that people talk about. Just watching from afar, I noticed that it isn't that simple. Her person is a mystery to me. How can you trust someone you don't know or even someone that is even a mystery to a watcher? It might have been a time before the catacalysm but it is unknown if what has done this is still around. That woman might know more however. Will you help me bring her inside? She needs to remember, no matter how painful the memory is. Her vision tells me that she may know who the shadowy figure was."

(OOC: Go ahead and add some lore if you like. I just felt like making Jyana lose her mind for a bit before having her knocked out.)

Dumah knelt and put a hand lightly around Jyana, he lifted her slightly and held her aloft in front of the older man.
"We are all dangerous, no matter the case or time and you must understand that it is not my place to take such liberties with someones life like that. If she needs to remember such things, then it will be of her own accord."

He holds her away from the man, as if keeping her at a distance from his actions. Every step back he looked on and realized that the man may be powerful in his own right, but Dumah had given himself to the ideal that Jyana needs him for something and a companion is not to be mistreated.

He was back peddling on a treading of grass that by now had turned in his passing, the sparse land of nature that carried their journey was now somewhat changed by his passing. The path they took was now covered in more verdant green shades of grass and small flowers had begun to bloom over a wide birth.

Dumah looked down at Jyana in his arms and back towards the older man.
"I know much of the stories that transpired in history, the teachers were always keen to make us remember." He thought back to the days in the village by the sea and remembered that as a young man it was still a humble, but hard life and his mind drifted back to Jyana's present state.

"I will bring her in, but she must make the choice to regain her memories.
He said as he hefted her up slightly and retook his stance towards the older man Arsan.

"Hmpf. You seem to trust her even though you don't know her. Don't you feel that power from her? It is an unstable flow of magic just screaming to come out and destroy! I would assume that if she was every to turn on you, that you would be easy play for her like a brute tearing a sheet of pergament. I do not even know how powerful she might be and if I could handle it. Back then when Ilea destroyed things, it was already bad enough. This woman could be just as bad or worse." Arsan said.

In an unconscious state, Jyana got part of the conversation. However her mind was more focused on the past. Images playing over and over again. Death. Blood on her hands. An evil smile. She crying. It somehow didn't seem to make a whole lot of sense, however it was so familar. Then she saw herself with children, a large number of them. They were probably twenty. Each calling "mama". When grown, she wiped their memories of her. They didn't know their origin anymore. The land then full of dragons roaming peacefully. No city in sight, only a couple stone homes and a small village. The land was covered in a more lush green than before. Then the evil smile again and a scream, a woman crying "mama".

Meanwhile Arsan led the way to a large crystal filled library. He took Jyana out of Dumah's arms and set her on a stone chair. Crystals were still afloat in the library even after being abandoned so long ago. "Unbelieveable isn't it? Whoever maintain the library before the massacre must have had enough power to keep the crystals glowing and afloat for thousands of years. Too bad the humans didn't venture out this way, otherwise they could have discovered a gigantuan stash of lost knowledge." Arsan explained.

Jyana suddenly snapped out of her seemingly peaceful state, panting. "I left them behind and now they are angry and insane!" Jyana said. She looked around and noticed the two men. "I am sorry. I don't know what had gotten into me. I remembered my children and what I had done to them. They must have thought they had no origin after I made them forget me. I had duties and couldn't let my grown children get in the way." She then noticed the library. "This place? This is not where I wanted to take him! He needed to see the training grounds, where he could unleash all his power. This place is the last place I wanted to see in my lifetime! It was like my home, keeping records in order with an unsatisfiable obsession. Don't you hear them calling?"

"Who's calling? There is no one else than us here!" Arsan said. Jyana scolded him: "You do not know anything. A watcher who may have power like the others but the knowledge of a human. It is not who, it is what. The old records call, they haven't been read in over a thousand years! They want to be read! They want attention!" Jyana touched a large crystal ball in the middle. It lit up upon her touch and a interface appeared in the room. "Do you see this? Thousands of records! No millions of them! Everything of Aer to 'Zanith!" An enthusiasm told hold in Jyana as she frantically looked for something specific. Then a record dating over 20000 years in the past appeared. "The Origins of Magic by the historian Gadeh. It explains how the ancestors of the ancients lived in a state without magic until one day a young child showed an unknown ability. It was magic! The villagers feared the ability and exiled the child and it's family. When the child became an adult, it returned to the village. However this person was attacked but stopped the attackers. Over time, the villagers opened up and learned the ability themselves. They soon viewed the first magic user as the bastard daughter of the Earth Maiden. What fascinates me of this document is that it is the earliest mention of my line, the Lightbringers named for bringing the light into a time of darkness. However there was a downside. Over time the Lightbringers showed violent behavior bringing the murderers, warlocks and lichs of history. I may be the only one who remains and due to the past, I avoid to use truly offensive magic. I would teach it to those who have intentions to use it to protect others. However I shouldn't use it or I might be the next one to going on a rampage."

She then turned to Dumah. "If you desire, I will teach you the ancient script so you could read these records." "Go on a rampage huh? You attacked me. How do I know that you wouldn't instantly try to turn me into ash within the next few minutes." Arsan said. Jyana snickered: "If I had that intent, why haven't I done it already. Four and a half thousand years old and you haven't used that time to educate yourself much. I know you well Arsan as well as your sisters. Just because you are watchers doesn't mean you are all knowing, because you obviously do not know me nor can understand many things that have been already known. Here learn some and maybe I can reveal some things you might not have understood in the past. There are even moving images with sound in this library, some of which are almost ten thousand years old. Dumah, if you seek the knowledge to read that of the old. Seek me out in the gardens. And if you have questions then go ahead and ask them then. If you just want to talk then I have all the time in the world." She then grabbed a crystalline tablet and gave it to Arsan. "Just pull what you want to read onto here and you can sit down and read."

Jyana made her way to the now barren gardens. She focused her energy and plants started to grow. A sealed spring started to bubble again and the sun shone onto the garden. Jyana sat down on a rock and began to meditate.

Dumah sat back and listened to the tale being unfolded in front of him, idly going about fetching a pipe from his pack and lighting it for a few quick breaths of smoke. Though one would think, in a tower full of lit candles that one would be somewhat adverse to the smell of smoke at some point.

He only removes it from his lips as Jyana asked him if he would like to learn from the ancient text and he replied. "Were I younger and more unset in my ways yes, but my place is as I am now and I do not fear what shall come of things." He answered.

He gives his arm a slow rub as he can begin to remember the feeling of what it was like to use that shield to block that attack from earlier. He runs the motions over again several times in his head before returning to reality and blinking with a slight smile. "Besides I am more willing to let you discover yourself all over again. One should never fear their own power or abilities.. in time, one will learn and become acclimated to such impulses."

He returns the pipe to his lips and raises his head as Jyana leaves to head outside and once again he feels that unnatural pull as she twist and bides nature. There is something too her power that does not belong in the natural world, be it the fact that hers is the origional offshoot of the source, or that she is so substantive of her powers that it is twisting itself on a base level.

Walking out after her he stands on a small patch of freshly grown grass and lifts his head too the sky, giving a hearty draw of his nostrils. "The rains will be coming soon.." He says and like a token sign, there comes a crack of reserved thunder in the distance.

"Indeed. However it give us at least a little time to practice a little. You have learned two spells of ancient magic which serves as a basis for others. From there on it is less difficult to learn. Now all I need to you do is to try to make a flame. Just focus on your surroundings and light one in your hand." Jyana said.

Until Dumah came she had a little time to calm down over her memories. Though painful, the past was the past and she couldn't change anything about it. She was lucky however to find a companion to accompany her against the evils of the land, since these were perilous times with power hungry watchers on the loose killing innocent humans in their wake.

Meanwhile Jyana demonstrated the flame for Dumah herself and said: "Just a flame like this. Nothing big." The flame in her hand flickered as it began to drizzle on the training grounds.

Dumah knew much of what Jyana meant in teaching him magic, though he was always willing to learn such power and in truth in his past he learned much of magic in general. The creation of a flame was not lost on him, though it was not the form of magic for which he trained.

However he new that she would be counting on him and despite his reservations about how she was changing him and his fundamental thoughts. He knew that he must at least participate to ease her conscious hopes.

It had been years since the last time he even attempted to create fire, though any magician was easily capable of the feat.

He nodded too her and then held out his left hand, supporting it with his other, out in front of his chest. His eyes focus on the space of his palm and as he does, he concentrates the focus of power in that space. Slowly starting to increase the pressure and persuading the energy to swirl faster in his grasp. Until finally a singular flame irks into being, dancing at the brim of his fingers and holding to the place above his palm.

"Quite a fanciful sight, if I should say so myself." He says as he looks over the edges of his fingers.

"This is the power that so many take for granted and it sits so easily in the palm of ones hand.. easily destroying much in the end."

Jyana was quite satisfied with Dumah's try. She then listened to what he said and then replied: "I am aware of that. But see this as some flexing to get your body used to this kind of magic to develop somewhat of a resistance and to be able to use ancient magic more efficiently. Just imagine what kind of healing and defense magic you could use once you have gotten used to it. Once you can used elemental ancient magic somewhat well, then you can learn to control the deflection of attacks. How about we go back inside and you can practice whenever you want." She gave him a warm smile and went inside.

Jyana's words began to sink in for Dumah. He had trained in magic for so long now and the thought of doing more just to prepare was a somewhat troubling prospect for him. In the course of this, he began to worry how much of himself would be left when this whole ordeal was going to be at an end.

As she left him standing there in the wind, a small flame still lightly dancing in his palm. He looked out from the large hillside and breathed a deep sigh as the wind began to pick up more and the feeling of water starting to trickle on his head foreshadowed the oncoming rain.

The tell tale sizzle of water striking his open flame and evaporating into nothingness.

His eyes looked down to see that while he stood in that place, a small patch of juvenile flowers were nuzzled up against his legs. A part of him would miss such a close relationship to nature, but another part of him would revel in the strength he would gain from such endeavors.

He left the final decision to be done later, for now.
For now he just followed his new friend inside and hope for a good nights rest at the end of things to come.