The Final Trial (Complete)

Ares had lived among the northern barbarian tribe for quite some time, the called themselves the 'Kelts'. Many of them were savage fighters who entered combat without much in the way of clothing, or weaponry for that matter. They were excellent fighters, by human standards. The young kai could feel the strongest among the bunch was their elder, Chief Rengar Sothbrook. The man might have been getting older, but his power level was still in the 70s. Most fighters of other world would scoff at such a number, but raw strength was not everything. In many situations, a warrior's tactics and cunning determined victory. While his physical strength was incapable of growing around mere humans, the kai's fighting style had greatly improved. The warriors had managed to improve Ares' stance, movements, and basic battle strategy. In many ways, this training was better than physical challenges.

Six months had passed since Ares had arrived on earth, and he had yet to encounter a fighter with a power level similar to his own. While he was grateful how accepting his tribe was, his end goal was to become a stronger fighter. He needed proper opponents to test his metal against, some one would could take punishment, and dish it out. In order to find an opponent of that caliber, he would need to leave the tribe for a time. Besides, one day he wouldn't be there to watch over them all. He knew what he had to do, speak to Rengar about his upcoming journey. He didn't need anyone's permission to leave, but would heed the old man's warning one way or another. Besides, it would be unfair of him to leave in the night without warning...

Leaving his out small hut one morning, Ares would finally approach Rengar and explain the situation. "Good to see you awake old friend, unfortunately however, we have matters to discuss..." The old man was dressed in his simple tribal attire as usual, and gave a simple nod. Stretching his arms above his head the old man would begin walking to a chair in front of another hut. "I think I have an idea what this is all about..." Ares would give a stern look to his old friend, "Yes. I'm afraid the time has finally come for me to venture out. The men of your tribe are strong in spirit, but I need a worthy opponent. If I am to become the--" The man would raise his arm in response, "Yes, yes, the 'Kai of War' you said it all before... We knew this day would come sooner or later."

Scratching his beard the man would begin to ponder about the future. He had no choice but to let Ares leave. Perhaps he could arrange one last request for old times sake however... "Very well. You may set out on your journey... There is a slight condition however..." Ares would raise an eye brow, "Condition huh? I suppose that's fair... What must I do?" The man would point towards a mountain in the distance. "There dwells a massive creature, some of the young hunters saw it prowling around the mountains... There's no telling exactly what it was, but by most accounts, it was reptilian..." A look of surprise would form on Ares' face "Wait, are you saying... A dragon? Nearby?" The old man would cough, "What else would I be saying?" The young shinjin nodded, "Very well. I shall slay this beast before I set off... If this creature is as powerful as your stories tell, then perhaps this will be a challenge in of itself..."

Ares would pack his bags in preparation of his hunt, he now had a target a dragon at that. If he could defeat the beast, he would be able to leave knowing his people were safe from all immediate threats. He didn't have many worldly possessions, aside from his clothing, the young Kai finished packing in a short amount of time, and was soon ready to set out. If the old man's instructions were correct, he would need to make his way through the forest and towards the distant mountain range. While he could simply fly towards the mountains, Ares saw little entertainment in that. Instead, he would go on foot, maybe he'd encounter something interesting along the way. "alright, I'm off. Try not to let everything burn to the ground while I'm away." The young shinjin would smirk to himself.

With the tribe behind him the the forest ahead, Ares' final trial would begin. By the accounts he had heard, the beast seemed unlike other dragons of legend. This one had appendages and wings, something uncommon in the stories of old. It was midday, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, that meant there was nowhere for the beast to hide. At least, this was his thought process. Before long, the forest would begin to grow dark, as more trees appeared. Venturing out further, a strange aura would begin to radiate about the place. Strange whispers would be heard, "Turn back shinjin..." "The beast will be slain, but not by you..." "Retreat fool." Ares shook his head as the voices were clearly getting to him. "Strange phenomenon..."

Ares' vision would become distorted, and the whole world seemed to spin. Before his eyes, a ghostly demon would appear, rushing towards the warrior with an extended fist. The spectral horror would crash into the shinjin's chest, sending him flying across the first floor and into a tree. Ares coughed up blood in response, and would quickly train his eyes on the spirit. "Insistent on me turning around spirit? Is there something I should know?" The devilish ghost would shake its head before introducing itself. "I am the lord of these woods. You've walked into my haunting grounds. Leave, or stay and be slayed, like so many before you..." Ares would narrow his eyes at the creature, this was a challenge. "Then I stall stay."

Ares would enter a defensive fighting stance, both feet planted firmly on the ground and a single fist extended towards his opponent. The ghostly creature would snicker, "Stubborn one eh? I don't need to sense energy to know how weak you are!" Bringing forth both hands, the fiend would release a ghostly energy blast towards the shinjin. It was a significantly powerful attack, but not one he was incapable of avoiding. Focusing his energy, the warrior would disappear from sight, and then reappear behind his foe. The blast had obviously gone off target, and manage to cut a path through the tree line. It was fortunate he had dodged it. "Impressive. I bet you have the earthlings quaking in their boots... I am no earthling."

Ares would quickly strike the back of the demon with a punch, a loud crunching sound echoing as it impacted. The creature would wince in pain, but quickly spin around, slashing across Ares' chest. It was formidable speed, but nothing he hadn't seen before. "A quick fighter... Not too uncommon." The young shinjin rose a single hand, firing a wave of destructive energy. The bolt would meet it's mark, evaporating the demon. For the time being anyhow. The creature had likely just returned to other world. "A decent fight, but no dragon yet..."

Ares would continue his hike, and nightfall was coming quickly. The cave of the reported dragon was directly in front of him, and he could feel the beast's presence. It possessed a significant energy signature, one that rivaled his own. If he were to fight it, he would need his full power. Though most of his kind lacked a proper transformation, he had put in the time and effort to develop his own. The warrior would spread his stance wide and clench both fists, his energy levels would begin to slowly rise. As the ground beneath him would shake, Ares muscles grew as well as his hair. "Warpath!" would be shouted in an explosion of inner power. He had morphed into his most powerful state, his warpath. Seeing no reason to stop there, he would announce his presence. "Come! Face me beast! I'll avenge those you've slain!"

Two massive purple glowing eyes would open from the inside of the cave. The dragon looked directly at him, without revealing it's full body. "Those I've slain?" the creature would answer in a gravely and confused voice. Ares' face would look at the shrouded creature with anger, "Beg all you want beast, but I won't allow you to harm my home." The dragon would loudly sigh, so much so a gust of air would be propelled forward. "I am not interested in conflict." the creature would reply. That was odd to say the least, most dragon in the stories were bloodthirsty and vicious. This one seemed calm, tame almost. Nonetheless, it could be a trick, and he had a promise to keep with his people. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice..."

Ares grew tired of all the secrecy, and would launch a blast of golden ki from his palm towards the cave. The dragon had been struck, and roared with pain "Gaaahhh... Fowl human. You will face my retribution!" The creature's mouth opened and a purple wave of flames blew towards the shinjin. The warrior had been engulfed, and felt fairly injured. It was a significant attack, but nothing he was incapable of shaking off. Narrowing his eyes at the creature, he would rear back an arm and create a small axe in his palm. Giving his foe no time to react, he would toss it forward, crashing into the creature's mouth. The dragon would roar yet again, but leap from it's cave. It bared black scales and massive wings, a being of evil by the young kai's account. It was quite fortunate his attack had landed.

In defense, the creature would begin to flap it's wings launching a powerful wind towards the man. Feeling the wall of force, Ares would be pushed back. His foe was quite clever to use that tactic, but they did say the creature's were intelligent. "My, a beast indeed." he'd snark. The dragon would shake it's head, "I am no beast... I did not ask for this... I was born this way." Ares' look of anger would begin to lighten at the creature's explanation. It had been strangely passive for a dragon, something was indeed off. A single tear would fall from the creature's eye. It seemed to be truly sad. "So many have assumed my kind to be evil. I have the ability to appear human, it's something I rarely do..." 

Ares would leave his fighting stance, seeing this creature was no threat after all. "Then perhaps I was quick to judge..." The dragon would give a nod in response, and a veil of purple light energy would surround it. The creature's form would begin to shrink, it wings retracting and body transforming. Before his eyes, the dragon had turned into a woman! "I told you I can appear as your kind. We're not a craven people." Ares would give a befuddled look, "uh, perhaps that's true, but the others don't exactly feel comfortable with you around... Maybe you could just move?" The woman would shoot him a look that made him sorry he suggested that. "If I were to leave here, I would have no where to go. Not that There's much attachment for me here..." Ares would think for a moment, and decided this could make his journey a little bit more interesting.

"Very well fair dragon, then I shall make you an offer. I am not human, but a Kai. I am on a journey to prove myself, and become a most powerful warrior. I have a great ambition. I wish to become the Kai of war. I'd like to give you to opportunity to join me in this quest." The man folded his arms waiting for her response. The dragon would look him up and down, suddenly realizing his ears were slightly pointed. This was no mortal, but a Kai. "You are shinjin indeed, very interesting. Your kind have been generous to mine in the past, and I suppose your goals are noble enough...I'll travel the world with you, provided you do something for me in exchange..." Ares would fold his arms and smirk. "Name your price." With a stern look, the woman would explain "I know many dangerous people in this world, some of which include family. I cannot certify your safety. I will act as a tour guide and companion, not a bodyguard." The young Kai would nod, "If that's what you wish, then so be it. Do you have a name my friend?"

She would grin, and remark "Faeth..."    

WC: 2,131