2nd Zi'da, 718
"You know, one day we'll have to stop meeting like this" Evianna grinned, the Ithecal standing tall as she looked out to the hulking man coming towards her. Varlum had started to grow a little tired of walking everywhere, admittedly, especially out to the Stormwastes so that Evianna could teach him lessons about magic. When she heard that the next trial he would be leaving on a long expedition she told him to meet that night immediately in their usual spot, out by the woods that they usually trained in. It was a fairly uncomfortable place in all honesty, Varlum thought. It had been where he was initiated in to Defiance, buried alive in the ground. While he had survived and come out with a new Spark to show for it, that wasn't a fond memory.
"Well, that day will come quicker when you stop demanding I go to the woods before I can even have dinner" Varlum growled playfully, fangs bared in a big smile. Even when she took up a lot of his time with training, Varlum couldn't help but enjoy Evianna's company. Since he'd stopped spending as much time with Auya and the two grew distant, Evianna had filled a gap for him. Despite the little time he'd spent with Auya there had been some level of care that he didn't see coming. All he could be grateful for was the company to help with that. Hell, maybe Auya had just been busy and would come back. But wishful thinking wasn't like Varlum. Chances were, what little time they had was the only time they would ever have again.
Evianna took a small step towards the man and offered out a hand. "So, what fancy magic trick are we learning today?" Varlum asked with a small sigh, taking her hand. Immediately, Evianna moved with immense speed, knocking Varlum down to the floor and pinning him with an unnatural strength. A small groan left him as he impacted the hard ground underneath him, reflexes too slow to soften it with his own Spark. Immediately the Ithecal snarled, lunging upwards to try and pull Evianna down with him, but there was no point. Whatever strength had taken over her meant that nothing he could do broke her grip. Eventually, she let go and smirked, Varlum pushing himself up to his feet with a low growl. "Now would be a good time to tell me what the fuck that was for."
Seeing his frustration made Evianna grin a little wider, standing right in front of him and resting a hand on his shoulder. "That is today's lesson, your new magic. Defiance allows you control of the Elements, Hone allows you better control of yourself" she explained, gripping his shoulder gently. Varlum paid full attention to her, eyes meeting hers as he let his body relax. Being thrown to the floor wasn't necessary, he thought, but at the very least she hadn't dragged it out for long. Varlum was impressed, however. Evianna had never been strong compared to him, not really. But that level of speed and strength was beyond her usually. Would Hone make him tougher than he already was? Admittedly, that would be beyond useful.
"Very well. You plan on burying me alive again or do I have to take a beat down this time?" he asked with a smirk, Evianna laughing in return. "Well, if you want to see take your shirt off. If not keep it on. But either way, all you do is stand there, look scary and endure it" she assured him. Something about that all sounded just a little too easy for Varlum's liking, compared to being buried alive. There was no doubt a twist. Either way, though, that kind of power was one that Varlum could definitely put to good use. Whatever it was that the initiation consisted of, it had to be survivable or Evianna wouldn't be here. Which meant he could do it.
Varlum removed his shirt, leaving his scarred torso on display. While his chest only possessed a few scars, some clearly more recent than others, it was his back that caught attention whenever he removed his shirt. Deep, vicious scars from fights in battle. Some had been training accidents, others attempts on his life. But for each scar Varlum had made one thing certain - he had come out better than them. With his shirt removed, Varlum glanced over to his mentor, towering figure made that much darker by the thick scales and old injuries. If there was one thing Evianna couldn't deny about the man it was his commitment and ferocity. Since the two had met, Varlum had never backed down from a fight, even going as far as standing up with a spear in his leg to topple a creature that he had no chance of beating. Not that he would ever admit that.
Evianna gave him a glance to ensure he was ready, before giving the next instructions. "Just stand still and relax. I'll place the Runes on you, six of them. It'll feel weird and painful, but when the last Rune is placed you need to just...embrace it. Let the Spark in" she said. It was almost tempting to roll his eyes, Varlum thought to himself. No matter how many initiations he did there was nothing that would ever help him understand what letting the Spark in meant, even when he had done it before. But it didn't sound too difficult all things considered. Then again, she did say it was painful with no indication as to how painful it would be. That was a warning sign.
After the nod from Varlum the first Rune was placed, a Rune of Resistance on the side of his chest. Slowly it had begun. The next two Runes were Runes of Endurance and Regeneration, Regen applying to the right arm and Endurance to the left. Three more. A Rune of Ethersight followed before the final two were Runes of speed on each leg, Varlum feeling the overbearing power already. Even as he stood still the Runes took hold, Ethersight flowing through him and showing the Ether that Evianna was releasing. It was, admittedly, an impressive sight to behold. There was no doubting how powerful she was. Varlum hadn't ever realised it, not really, or at least not thought about it. When it came to fights she always let him do it, always stood back. Yet in training she was powerful in ways he wasn't, be it with her axe or her magic.
"Ready?" she asked, looking to Varlum. Without hesitation he nodded, wanting to get it over with. Immediately, the Rune of Naming was drawn on to his chest, Varlum watching closely as Evianna made a single movement with her finger and a symbol appeared and formed on his chest. Immediately pain surged through him, Varlum letting out a loud snarl before it turned to a full roar, Varlum standing his ground as best he could while the Ether surged through his body. As it did, Evianna felt the Rune of Naming. Even though she knew the Ithecal well, Varlum never failed to surprise her. Everything about his personality was just that much nicer than she had predicted it would be - and she had high expectations.
For a few trills Varlum cried out with the pain, his roar monstrous. But gradually it died down, the Runes fading off of him and leaving one - a glowing blue Rune of Naming on his chest. Slowly he caught his breath, Evianna standing in front of him and placing her hands on his chest. "You alright big guy?" she asked, Varlum's eyes glancing down to her as his breathing was deep. "I'm alright" he whispered after a few trills of quiet, glancing up to her for a moment before letting out a breathless chuckle. "Just a little pain, you say?" he asked, playful as he finally regained what breath he could before moving to his full height.
"You'll need to learn to use each Rune as you can, writing them is a hard process. Until we meet again, don't try anything stupid, alright?" she ordered, worry clear in her voice. Varlum's smile faded a little and he placed a hand on her shoulder, eyes filled with a burning determination. "I won't do anything stupid - and I will come back. I've fought worse than a small Cult" he assured her. For a few moments silence fell over both, their eyes locked before Evianna braved what she had wanted to since Ivorian. Confidently she leaned forward before kissing Varlum, both letting the silence take over as they shared their moment. A strong wind blew through the air before their kiss finished, Varlum giving a small glance down.
After grabbing his shirt, Varlum glanced back to Evianna. "When I get back you owe me more training, alright? And maybe a dinner" he said with a reassuring look, sliding his shirt on over his head. The female Ithecal nodded and forced a small smile, pretending she wasn't worried. Both of them knew better of course, but it helped her to think she was being brave even if she wasn't. Truth was, worrying about Varlum had been her job up until now, which was when her job became to let him go and fight. That was why she was sent after all, to strengthen him and make him an unstoppable force. With a small wave she watched as he walked back to Rharne to collect his belongings and go.
Once he was out of sight, a sad sigh left her lips and she glanced back once more to where he had walked away. "See you later..."
"You know, one day we'll have to stop meeting like this" Evianna grinned, the Ithecal standing tall as she looked out to the hulking man coming towards her. Varlum had started to grow a little tired of walking everywhere, admittedly, especially out to the Stormwastes so that Evianna could teach him lessons about magic. When she heard that the next trial he would be leaving on a long expedition she told him to meet that night immediately in their usual spot, out by the woods that they usually trained in. It was a fairly uncomfortable place in all honesty, Varlum thought. It had been where he was initiated in to Defiance, buried alive in the ground. While he had survived and come out with a new Spark to show for it, that wasn't a fond memory.
"Well, that day will come quicker when you stop demanding I go to the woods before I can even have dinner" Varlum growled playfully, fangs bared in a big smile. Even when she took up a lot of his time with training, Varlum couldn't help but enjoy Evianna's company. Since he'd stopped spending as much time with Auya and the two grew distant, Evianna had filled a gap for him. Despite the little time he'd spent with Auya there had been some level of care that he didn't see coming. All he could be grateful for was the company to help with that. Hell, maybe Auya had just been busy and would come back. But wishful thinking wasn't like Varlum. Chances were, what little time they had was the only time they would ever have again.
Evianna took a small step towards the man and offered out a hand. "So, what fancy magic trick are we learning today?" Varlum asked with a small sigh, taking her hand. Immediately, Evianna moved with immense speed, knocking Varlum down to the floor and pinning him with an unnatural strength. A small groan left him as he impacted the hard ground underneath him, reflexes too slow to soften it with his own Spark. Immediately the Ithecal snarled, lunging upwards to try and pull Evianna down with him, but there was no point. Whatever strength had taken over her meant that nothing he could do broke her grip. Eventually, she let go and smirked, Varlum pushing himself up to his feet with a low growl. "Now would be a good time to tell me what the fuck that was for."
Seeing his frustration made Evianna grin a little wider, standing right in front of him and resting a hand on his shoulder. "That is today's lesson, your new magic. Defiance allows you control of the Elements, Hone allows you better control of yourself" she explained, gripping his shoulder gently. Varlum paid full attention to her, eyes meeting hers as he let his body relax. Being thrown to the floor wasn't necessary, he thought, but at the very least she hadn't dragged it out for long. Varlum was impressed, however. Evianna had never been strong compared to him, not really. But that level of speed and strength was beyond her usually. Would Hone make him tougher than he already was? Admittedly, that would be beyond useful.
"Very well. You plan on burying me alive again or do I have to take a beat down this time?" he asked with a smirk, Evianna laughing in return. "Well, if you want to see take your shirt off. If not keep it on. But either way, all you do is stand there, look scary and endure it" she assured him. Something about that all sounded just a little too easy for Varlum's liking, compared to being buried alive. There was no doubt a twist. Either way, though, that kind of power was one that Varlum could definitely put to good use. Whatever it was that the initiation consisted of, it had to be survivable or Evianna wouldn't be here. Which meant he could do it.
Varlum removed his shirt, leaving his scarred torso on display. While his chest only possessed a few scars, some clearly more recent than others, it was his back that caught attention whenever he removed his shirt. Deep, vicious scars from fights in battle. Some had been training accidents, others attempts on his life. But for each scar Varlum had made one thing certain - he had come out better than them. With his shirt removed, Varlum glanced over to his mentor, towering figure made that much darker by the thick scales and old injuries. If there was one thing Evianna couldn't deny about the man it was his commitment and ferocity. Since the two had met, Varlum had never backed down from a fight, even going as far as standing up with a spear in his leg to topple a creature that he had no chance of beating. Not that he would ever admit that.
Evianna gave him a glance to ensure he was ready, before giving the next instructions. "Just stand still and relax. I'll place the Runes on you, six of them. It'll feel weird and painful, but when the last Rune is placed you need to just...embrace it. Let the Spark in" she said. It was almost tempting to roll his eyes, Varlum thought to himself. No matter how many initiations he did there was nothing that would ever help him understand what letting the Spark in meant, even when he had done it before. But it didn't sound too difficult all things considered. Then again, she did say it was painful with no indication as to how painful it would be. That was a warning sign.
After the nod from Varlum the first Rune was placed, a Rune of Resistance on the side of his chest. Slowly it had begun. The next two Runes were Runes of Endurance and Regeneration, Regen applying to the right arm and Endurance to the left. Three more. A Rune of Ethersight followed before the final two were Runes of speed on each leg, Varlum feeling the overbearing power already. Even as he stood still the Runes took hold, Ethersight flowing through him and showing the Ether that Evianna was releasing. It was, admittedly, an impressive sight to behold. There was no doubting how powerful she was. Varlum hadn't ever realised it, not really, or at least not thought about it. When it came to fights she always let him do it, always stood back. Yet in training she was powerful in ways he wasn't, be it with her axe or her magic.
"Ready?" she asked, looking to Varlum. Without hesitation he nodded, wanting to get it over with. Immediately, the Rune of Naming was drawn on to his chest, Varlum watching closely as Evianna made a single movement with her finger and a symbol appeared and formed on his chest. Immediately pain surged through him, Varlum letting out a loud snarl before it turned to a full roar, Varlum standing his ground as best he could while the Ether surged through his body. As it did, Evianna felt the Rune of Naming. Even though she knew the Ithecal well, Varlum never failed to surprise her. Everything about his personality was just that much nicer than she had predicted it would be - and she had high expectations.
For a few trills Varlum cried out with the pain, his roar monstrous. But gradually it died down, the Runes fading off of him and leaving one - a glowing blue Rune of Naming on his chest. Slowly he caught his breath, Evianna standing in front of him and placing her hands on his chest. "You alright big guy?" she asked, Varlum's eyes glancing down to her as his breathing was deep. "I'm alright" he whispered after a few trills of quiet, glancing up to her for a moment before letting out a breathless chuckle. "Just a little pain, you say?" he asked, playful as he finally regained what breath he could before moving to his full height.
"You'll need to learn to use each Rune as you can, writing them is a hard process. Until we meet again, don't try anything stupid, alright?" she ordered, worry clear in her voice. Varlum's smile faded a little and he placed a hand on her shoulder, eyes filled with a burning determination. "I won't do anything stupid - and I will come back. I've fought worse than a small Cult" he assured her. For a few moments silence fell over both, their eyes locked before Evianna braved what she had wanted to since Ivorian. Confidently she leaned forward before kissing Varlum, both letting the silence take over as they shared their moment. A strong wind blew through the air before their kiss finished, Varlum giving a small glance down.
After grabbing his shirt, Varlum glanced back to Evianna. "When I get back you owe me more training, alright? And maybe a dinner" he said with a reassuring look, sliding his shirt on over his head. The female Ithecal nodded and forced a small smile, pretending she wasn't worried. Both of them knew better of course, but it helped her to think she was being brave even if she wasn't. Truth was, worrying about Varlum had been her job up until now, which was when her job became to let him go and fight. That was why she was sent after all, to strengthen him and make him an unstoppable force. With a small wave she watched as he walked back to Rharne to collect his belongings and go.
Once he was out of sight, a sad sigh left her lips and she glanced back once more to where he had walked away. "See you later..."
