[Flashback] Fanning the Flames (Shakaar)

[Gossamer]

Timestamp: TBA by Player Meeting Place: The Sea of Grass Reason: Personal Development - Plotnotes Status: Closed He was a fool. His fathers called them both that - both souls that were housed in one body. Children didn't go off to hunt glassbeaks. Often at fifteen they went in groups to hunt them together, but never solo. Shakaar didn't listen though... not one bit. He set out on the sea of grass without his father's permission - still a baby really - and started his search. He packed everything he needed inside a small backpack and had his usual weapons and armor - things he'd trained with from birth. His lighter half wondered at the wisdom his fathers had claimed he didn't have - maybe they should have stayed home. His darker half laughed, full of confidence that anything could and would fall to their blade and fist. He was a typical young boy, thinking he was more than he was, and setting off for a Manhood Rite that was fifteen full years ahead of schedule. So he left without permission, not even telling his father where he was going, when he was supposed to be honing his fighting skills and studying his philosophy. Lator, both tutors casually would mention his nonattendance to classes - but by then he'd be miles away and it would be too late to carefully track him due to the rain that almost constantly fell. Yes, the weather was miserable. It was almost as if the very sky was in mourning for what was about to occur. The grass was short this time of year, eaten down by passing ungulates and harsh weather. There was no game in sight - not on the first day, not on the forth day - but five days out, he came across a herd of four deer grazing quietly albeit nervously and started to follow them. All Akalak knew the way of the Glassbeaks. They were pack hunters and sooner or later a pack would find this herd and feast. Life was harsh on the sea of grass, nothing lived long that didn't live smart, and this deer heard was coastal, migrating inland to find more food. It would be the death of them. After two more days of following, Shakaar saw what he was looking for. Had the grass been taller, he'd have not seen them at all. Glassbeaks. Generally they weren't out in the open, but this pack was, trailing the deer herd that seemed oblivious to what was going to happen to them. Six large adults, one smaller half-grown sub adult. There were too many of them for the herd to survive - even if Shakaar didn't yet understand that. The attack came swiftly, almost on the eve of the glassbeaks discovering the herd, and death reigned. All four went down quickly, victims of the swift honed hunting skills of the Glassbeaks. But there wasn't enough meat to go around. While the six adults feasted, the immature glassbeak, a fine green creature that had sharp intelligent eyes, was left on the outskirts of the ring of blood left from the battle that never happened. It cried harshly, stalked the exterior of the circle, and would have normally waited until the adults finished feeding to move in and clean up the scraps. Only, it was hungry, and it spotted Shakaar. Seeing an opportunity and no real opponent at all, the Glassbeak advanced on his position - its translucent beak open, hissing, its fierce talons ready to render Akalak flesh from bone and have itself its own meal.

[Shakaar]

Shakaar Shakaar was angry, he was angry and he was wet. Which is never a good combination. His fathers had mocked him for his insistence to take the trial alone. Telling him both that they were merely children, both ignorant and foolish. These comments burned in the mind of both Ahajii and Shakaar. The former in apprehension, the latter in anger. Promising himselves to never again be mocked for foolishness, Shakaar relentlessly trailed the herd of deer. He would find and then kill a glassbeak. No he would kill an entire herd of them. That would show his fathers. Shakaar refused to be thought of as a child. He would prove his metal, and come home a victorious warrior. Revered by the elders, and even the gods. Yes, that was his destiny. Proudly raising his head Shakaar vowed to have no other. He was a giant of a man, or at least he was in his head. While thoughts of greatness drifted through the mind of Shakaar. Ahajii was beginning to wish he had trusted himself, and had pushed to listen to the advice of their fathers. A feeling of dread lay heavily upon his mind. It grew steadily with the weather, as a dark cloud surrounded his mind. He could think of nothing but impending doom. He was shaken from his musing by Shakaar, as he let loose a quiet but triumphant shout. He had finally seen a herd of glassbeak's. There was several of the powerful birds, and they were busy demolishing the herd of deer they had been trailing. Shakaar was chomping at the bit so to speak. He wanted to rush into the fray, and be done with this hunt. Which to tell the truth hadn't been nearly as exciting as he had hoped. "You musn't charge them, wait for a moment that will benefit us and not the birds." reasoned his lighter twin. "Why? Do you think I am as much a coward as yourself? I need not shrink from combat with a bird! I am of the proud race of the Akalak. You should remember to act as though you are as well" Shakaar retorted hotly. Ahajii looked about in a last attempt to reason with his brother soul. Sighing in relief as he saw what appeared to be a young specimen approaching them. "Look there, one has come to challenge you. Fight him if you must fight any." Without responding to Ahajii, Shakaar drew his sword and approached the beast. When he got withing twenty feet he stopped suddenly. He was cowed by the aggressive look of the bird. Which looked much more intimidating from up close. But unwilling to go back on his statements of courage and Akalak spirit. Shakaar was forced to advance. Suddenly realizing that he had no idea how to kill a glassbeak. Shakaar decided to attempt to hack off it's head. Obviously it needs it's head to live, and therefor it can't live without it's head! So he charged and let loose what he thought resembled the battle-cry of a mighty warrior. Brandishing his sword high above his head, he ran straight at the the bird, hacking and slashing as he went.

[Gossamer]

The juvenile was slightly confused by the Akalak's approach. Being young, he was used to everyone fleeing his approach. Predators ran and he chased them down and ate them. The youth was looking forward to doing this with a meal that seemingly materialized just for him out of thin air. He wasn't used to food turning around and attacking him with what appeared to be gleaming lengths of talon. It stopped the glassbeak short, not really because he was frightened, but because he was a little startled. As Shakaar swung his sword, wildly above his head, the glassbeak neatly ducked under the blade, lashed out with a clawed hind talon and cut a swath of flesh open on Shakaar's thigh. The pain was immediate and intense, almost bringing the Akalak youth to his knees. The glassbeak trilled a warning cry, which they often did before they fed, and whirled on the young man. Regardless of the sword, which did little in terms of damage since the Akalak was not relying on technique at all, the young bird was able to not only slam into the Akalak, but knock him off his feet. It retreated a few feet away, scrapping and posturing at the ground before it fluffed up its wings, turned its gleaming eyes on the Akalak and began to slowly advance. Shakaar got the distinct impression it was amused and almost toying with its prey rather than considering eating it right away.

[Shakaar]

Shakaar "Well that was brilliant" mocked Ahajii, as his brother lay on the ground dazed and bleeding. His thigh burnt with pain and his diaphragm ached from the glassbeak ramming into him. Shakaar refused to answer his brother, but sat up to face the bird. It seemed as if it was attempting to mock him. That was too much for the youth's pride. He was not going to accept mockery from a petching bird. So he picked up his sword and leveled it towards the glassbeaks head. This time he walked forward slowly, his aching leg helping him to keep track of a slow speed. His arms shaking slightly from the strain of the sword. This time would be different, he would go home to honor and glory. He would kill this bird and return it to his father. Yes, this was his destiny. He was an Akalak, no bird would mock him without penalty. With this thought he made a sudden leap towards the tall bird. Keeping his sword aimed level at it's chest, he attempted to ram it from the tip to the hilt into his opponent. But in the middle of his attack he met the first hitch in his plan. His torn thigh crumpled, unable to hold his weight while striking. This caused Shakaar to fall to the ground. In the time it took him to fall Shakaar had several plans of action barrel through his mind. But the one that stuck was a ploy his grandfather had taught him. He took his sword and pointed it at angle from his body. This would take the entire force of the attacking bird. He then he hit the ground, waiting for the glassbeaks stike.