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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2008 9:47:06 GMT -8
Born to a traditional aristocratic family, Dai's childhood was never a happy one. From the moment he was born, his family were dissatisfied with him. Born a month ahead of schedule and rather frail, he was considered sickly, as he was never very round, his elders saying he had a starved look to him. His years of infancy were with his parents, people who did not care for what their family thought. he grew slowly, and by the time he was 4, his sister was already taller than him by 3 inches, which made him constantly crane upward to speak to anyone. he played with his sister, and they enjoyed their games, until his 7th birthday, when he began education in diplomacy. his parents protested, saying that it was wasted effort to try to teach a young child to become a peacemaker, the occupation the males of the Gumai family had then. not bothering to listen, his grandparents taught him what they wanted Occasionally, his grandfather, a rather odd old man, took him out of their estate to view the country side, and show hims the natural beauty of the world.
It was 10 years of this teaching, with an occasional test thrown into it, that soon raised a knowledgeable youth, standing at 6' 2", skin as fair as any man's, and eyes with an almost peaceful gaze. Dai then began working as a diplomat for humans relating to magical species, where e learned even more. Orcs and goblins taught him to fight, and to craft sinister-looking weapons. Elves showed him to refine his ear, and listen to what nature told him, as well as to play music. Dwarfish ale brewing and steel crafting was taught to him by the dwarfs, who also thought him rather funny, as he often showed them the occasional joke or two of dressing as a woman, which he passed off rather well. by the time he was 24, Dai was now the pride of the Gumai family. However, when he said he wished to practice magic, his family, with the exception of his grandfather, mother and sister, discouraged him against it. Still, the things he had seen could not be shaken from his head, and he made to leave. He would have gotten away alone, had his sister not been waiting outside with her things. A year his senior, Yokumo Gumai was arranged to marry a man who owned hot spring inns, and she did not like the thought of marrying him, a rather obese and shout man with more girth than height. Consenting on the grounds that she obey and listen to him, the siblings fled.
It would be some years later, after bartering, gambling and on some cases sneaking, the two were lost in the mountains, the winters frost coming around, where, in a stroke of good fortune, they met with Richard Shadowrune. Like Dai, Richard was the promising heir, however it was to his clan's most powerful necromancers, and he took Dai and his sister in as adopted siblings. Dai and Richard, the same age as each other, were practically what was said of them. The two of them could not be separated, not during necromantic training, when they traveled, or when they became apprentice Guardians, the two were soon inducted to the Northern sect, Dai gaining the tile The Aurora Warrior, Richard claiming the Arctic Assailant. Constantly assisting each other, Dai and Richard were soon both eligible for the rank of Master Guardian. Fate intervened, when Richard announced that he was wed to Yokumo. Dai looked at him, asking how long since they had wed. when Richard answered 6 months, Dai grew furious. Yokumo reasoned with Dai, saying, it was better Richard than a stranger, but it seemed that Dai could not over look the betrayal he saw. one of the stipulations to her coming with him was to uphold the tradition that she tell him and ask for his blessing, which he told her. She yelled at Dai, saying that she was his elder sister, and that it was those stupid traditions she wanted to be free of. Dai, in a fit of anger, flashes a bright light into her eyes, temporarily blind his sister as he yelled to her "As far as I am concerned, Yokumo, you are not my sister." he then stomped off, to calm down
Since then, Richard would not speak with Dai, nor would Dai try to talk with Richard. Neither could seem to get over their pride, or forgive the other. Eventually, Dai and Richard butted heads, when Dai visited Daniel on his 6th birthday and gave the boy a present. It was a small image on stained glass of a black butterfly, and though the boy was too young to know it, it was an open taunt to Yokumo. Dai and Richard stood their ground in the valley where the Shadow Necromancers laid their dead to rest. The two friends fought each other as bitter enemies, Yokumo and Daniel watching as they swung and struck each other, parrying and block offensive strikes as though reading the others mind. After an hour of non-stop fighting, Dai knocked Richard's Broadsword away, then impaled him with the handle of his scythe, saying nothing as he murdered his friend. not turning back, Dai walked away, head anywhere from there.
Dai soon was given Master Guardian status, and no longer went to the field, but merely made diplomatic arrangements with feuding species, at the request of Fuku Chusui, the Grandmaster, who was also related to the eldest of vampires. One particular request, rather than order, the grandmaster made (she was often fond of Dai's conversations) was to look into making peace between lycan and vampiric warlords, hoping that her father would give his consent to her plan. Knowing nothing of his superior's plan, Dai left to try and see what he could do. Dai soon saw a Vampiress attacking four werewolves at once, and stepped in, snaring the wolves with vines as he asked the warrior where he might find the leader of the Vampires. The Vampiress stared at the human who had wounded her pride, and said that she would take him to her when he bled him out, and attacked him. Dai did not strike back, his chivalrous nature telling him not to attack, as he parried and blocked lazily, till the werewolves broke loose. Snapping alert, Dai stopped the Vampiress with a touch, freezing her as he swung his scythe, making it spin and collect the heads of the lycan warriors, the last one stopped from closing it's jaws on his frozen opponent's neck. Dai unfroze the vampiress, then asked "Will you take me to the leader of the Vampires now, Miss?" The vampiress stared, then said "very well, I will take you to him...I am Sylvia de Sang, daughter of Jean de Sang, King of the Vampires." Dai nodded, then said "I thank you, Sylvia...now if you will lead the way..." and soon, they were at Nocturne Castle, home of the aristocratic vampires. After meeting with Jean de Sang, , he began to speak his reason for coming. The vampire stopped him, saying "I know why you are here, To stop the war we have with the Werewolves and their Alpha, Nichelle. You are also here to get my approval for the grandmaster, are you not?" Dai raised a brow, as he said "I am master Guardian, for what approval will i need?" the audience looked in shock, as Jean said "Nevermind, the war is over...away with you, human, before I grow hungry..." Dai left, and Sylvia moved to Jean, stating how he had saved her, and Jean replied that she would then have the honor of killing him and redeeming her loss.
Dai knew what it was that made the vampire dismiss him. he had unwillingly insulted him by not knowing what it was that he was sent for, other than the clue "Prove your worth". he mulled it over in his mind, wondering if he was to prove his worth to the Grandmaster, or Jean. Eventually, after finding and explaining himself to the lycan queen, Dai returned to the inn he had set up lodgings in. he noted it was unusually empty this night, which made him nervous. conjuring his scythe, the master guardian stepped cautiously, knowing something as there. When he drew to the center of the room, the door closed, as bats began to fill the space, forming together at one point and showing Sylvia standing with several shortblades at her side and a pair in her hands. Staring at the Vampire's nose, he asked "What's wrong, did I upset your father again by ensuring the werewolves would not betray the truce?" Sylvia was impressed that the show of her power did not shake him, but simply said "Whatever his reason does not matter to me, you injured my pride when you intervened, so I'll have to make sure you die. " she lunged at him, and found herself surrounded. He had, simultaneously blocked the blades with his scythe, while replicating. one copy held its blade lazily by her neck, saying "I only did it to save your pretty face from being cut, so do not misinterpret my intentions wrong. my duty to Grandmaster Fuku is just to get the job done. The means are up to me, Lady de Sang." Sylvia laughed, saying "You don't even know how you insulted my father, so do you think I care if you kill me, you won't find out if you do." Dai laughed, as one duplicate removed her swords with a wave of its hand, as another said "My intentions are never death, unless you test my resolve." As Dai gathered the swords, he tied them together and placed them on a table, then asked "Shall we speak of this over drinks? or do you prefer not to enlighten me by going back to your father to tell him how quickly you were beat this time?" Sylvia growled, not revieling that the copies had faded away, and said "Taunt me no more, Gumai, you were sent their because my sister wanted Father to turn you, foolish human." Dai looked at her, shrugging as he took down a bottle of sake and a a small cup, pouring himself a drink as he said "And? Fuku is my superior, and that aside, she's my friend, nothing more in my eyes." Sylvia stared at the fool in front of her. This human was contradicting everything Jean told them of Human weakness. He was not weak, nor was he simple, or allured by their beauty or longevity. She took note of his face, the graying hair, the small outlining where his wrinkles would appear. Here was a human that was not afraid to die, yet was hesitant to look her in the eye or kill her. Dai then pulled out a bottle for bloodwyne for her, saying "reconsider the drink?" Sylvia stared, then shook her head, saying "So be it, Gumai, I'll share some time with you...it's all i have anyway."
A decade after their first drink, Dai was standing at Nocturne Castle, looking At Sylvia next to him and asking "Are you sure you want to tell him this way?" Sylvia smiled, as she said "I know I did not marry a coward, thought Fuku had her vengance with he gauntlets not too long before... I would be surprised if he did not know we were wed." Dai nodded, saying "I still leave no deal unfinished with her." The two walked quickly to the main hall, ignoring the stares and voices, till they saw Jean. He had not changed, and were it not for the change in clothing, Dai would swear he hadn't moved from that seat since his last visit. After finishing their story, Jean only nodded, as they left, the heard a howl of rage from the hall, his anger evident. Dai realized Jean held his tongue for a reason. It was saying nothing that kept him from lunging at Dai and draining the human dry. Dai looked at his wife, who was simply pale and quiet, though gently squeezing his arm to keep him assure all was well.
Dai soon continued to learn magical abilities and powers from his wife and occupation, and by his 1000th birthday, ran into the last of his long forgotten family. It was an elderly man, who was blind in one eye, who looked at him, and said "So, the abanding heir returns when all is settled....you are my cousin from my mother's father...Dai, i think..." Dai nodded, kneeling before the man and saying "what has become of our noble house, my cousin?" the man laughed, saying "We are noble no more, you and you sister disappearing left others to think we were interbreeding, and soon, our name meant less that anything.all that is left is the brand our families founder left, the family symbol there, to be branded to the back of the eye of the head...." the old man coughed hard, as Dai rushed to him. The old man said "take it....and restore our family...for the sake of your duty..." Dai sook his head, saying "my duty is not to them...they oppressed us before you were born, and so i left them, and am only family to those ghosts in name alone...however i will take the brand, not to keep but to use, and bury it after..." the old man smiled, saying "live well, Dai....you have always been the pride of our family...." and the old man past there, no longer breathing. Dai nodded, taking the brand and burying the old man in the woods, a prayer for his spirit spoken. Dai looked at Sylvia when he arrived home, a small cottage on a magiocal mountain. They had chosen the place to call their home for it was filled with people who gained longevity from the mountain's power, so they would be fine living there. Sylvia stared at the brand heating in the fire, asking "You aren't really going through with that, are you Dai?" Dai nodded, pulling out the brand as he said "yes, I am going to give myself the mark...but with a bit of magical mischief." he opened his hand, and the brand shrank, so that he was holding an item the sixe of a reed, with a circle the size of his own eye, but smaller by a fracion. looking as his wife, he asked her "Will you do me the honor of helping me brand this?" Sylvia sighed, saying "If we have any sons, they had best not ask me that question....because then I will hurt YOU for it" she braced herself, then applied it his eye, which had rolled back so its back could face her.
Six days after that, Dai began to work as master from his home, as he began to recieve a vistor, his nephew Daniel, who had been raised to revenge his father, as he explained to his uncle. his mother had made them drink from the waters of enterity, a natural spring which gave the drinker eternal life, so long as you drank from itevery decade. Daniel was 247 years old now, and wanted more than anything to try and unite his family. Dai nodded, and began to teach the boy magic, to the point that the boy became the next Northern Shadow Guardian. soon, he and Dai began to express interest in parting thespirit, but Dai told Daniel that he was not going to test it, due to the fact that a torn soul could possibly be dangerous to repair. Daniel, however, thought it was his uncle being afaid, and left, thinking the answer lay elsewhere. Looking at Sylvia, Dai only shrugged. he would not see the boy for another 300 years. When he did, Daniel was the shade he is, and challenged Dai, who simply declined. the boy was too unstable, and Dai was now completely grey hair, his face now slightly wrinkled, and he now saw the folley of his youth. He thought now that Danieel wanted the knowledge for his revenge for Richard. turnning to head home, Daniel attack, to be surprised by akick charged with light, knocking him up as Dai chanted incoherently. as Daniel plummeted towards his uncle, Dai spoke to him, saying "since you can't understand with your mind this scattered, my you live as two bodies to sort it out" he then pierce Daniel's chest, tearing away in to separate directions, and for the first time testing the move that wold split a person's soul. the two shades fled, one realizing the wrong he had done, and going to figure a way to undo it, the other becoming malicious and desiding revenge was in order.
After 50 years, Dai headed out from his home for the first time in almost half a milennia. he was now well aged, his back somewhat hunched by his shoulders. he was going to answer a call about a woman in need of a healer, and headed off. His eldest son had recently asked him if he could become a soldier, and Dai had refused, saying he lacked the disipline to be a warrior. Sylvia looked reproachfully at him, heself not at all different, save a small child by her, saying "You should let him go...he is more than capable..." he loved his wife, but he knew that she was also worried. Dai had seen singns of Sylvia's small problem in his sons, particularly his second son, and was worried that the eldest would have the lust for blood. sighing as he got to the house he was told needed help, he entered, to see a crone coughing as she held a marrionette close to her. Dai tended to her, and turned to leave, when his shadow grew and formed in front of him, Daniel appearing before him. he was asa tanned as his father, and it was almost like richard had been resurrected, with the exception of his face. Daniel had a thinner look to his face, and he noted this, as he said "well since my dear sister is well now, you should hurry home, you sons and wife are about to burn....and I'd run if I were you." Dai stared incredulously, and spared not second to rush, his body levitating with the wind as he flew, reaching the village intime to see his wife become completely black, the boys roped like animals as the rest of the villagers readied to burn them in a stone coffin. Yelling in fury,m Dai rushed down, his scythe in his hand and mask on his face, the villagers thought it the reaper to come and collect the souls of the boys, and could not be any more wrong, in hours, the village was in ruins, fires and bodies littering the view, as he looked at his sons and asked them how the village found out. the eldest stepped up, saying it was his fault. Dai nodded, then did to him what he did to daniel, the other boys scared of what had just happened. Dai then grew to realize in shock what he had just done. he fell to the ground, holding his torn son and began to cry, in sorrow for his loss and for the realization that this was revenge.
Looking at his boys the next Day, Dai picked up a small ruby, setting it into the mas as he explained to them that he had to erase their memorries. Alan, the now middle child, nodded, saying nothing. the youger two, Vincent and Fredric, wiped their tears. one was crying silently, the other, asking why. the oly ones who were not ther were the elder two in the back, sleeping in exaustion. Dai simply did with he had to, his heart breaking even more as the boys now believed that they had two elder brothers from the beginning, and went outside to play, as Dai went to the room where the two were sleeping and, after altering their memorries, spoke to them, not knowing if they could hear. "My dear son....I have wronged you, parting you like this....My fears were always for your safety, and my enemies have preyed on that, and used it against me, so i now have not only parted my eldest, but I must also part your name and myself..." He moved to the blue haired yoth, saying "I give you the name Shio, as it was the first name, and you must try to put others first...."he switched to the red haired boy "And you shall be Alexander, and I hope you try to think of what is best for others..." Dai then said "To attone and watch over you two, i will place a curse on myself...so long as This mask exists, I must haunt it until the day that you die, so that I can ensure you do what is right, and not make my mistakes..." Dai placed the mask on, and felt his soul slip into it, until the six eyes were his eyes, and his body lie in the chair, heart no longer beating, with sad eyes on his smiling face.
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