[Flashback] Better...Stronger...Faster...(Bob)

[Xalet]

For Xalet it was a good workout. Use of large muscle groups as well as stabilizer muscles in order to get a rather full exercise from something as simple as lifting a heavy object up and down the steps. Bob seemed to be getting the hang of it, sort of. Of course Xalet knew he had less body mass to work with than the akalak himself, so he helped Bob as he asked for it, attempting to keep things moving along as fast as possible.

Finally it seemed Bob had enough, stabbing the sack and allowing its innards to pour down upon the steps. With a slight sigh, Xalet watched Bob now able to heft the sack up and bring it down the stairs. If nothing else the large purple man now knew what type of strength capabilities he was dealing with. Stepping down after Bob he looked back at the sand from the sack, then turned toward the short man himself, "Want that water yet?" Xalet pulled out his waterskin and poured it out into his mouth, the stream of transparent fluids flowing downward.

Swallowing and wiping some of the sweat from his brow, "It's a sack, just leave it on the ground." he replied, it was like after the training was done he was attempting to make Bob look like the crazy one. "The first fifteen days of training are usually the worst. After that, you won't feel the pain quite so much. You'll push harder and you'll start to see the gains. Good thing you brought your weapon with you. Training after your muscles get fatigued is the best way to increase your skill with your weapon. It will show you your weaknesses, make you focus. Take a moment to catch your breath." Xalet mentioned, his own heavy body sitting down upon the second step from the bottom of the stairs. What was that you were saying the other day, about your legacy?"

[Bob Barton]

Earlier Bob affirmed that he did not need water, mainly because of pride. Better to say something like that instead of admitting that he forgot to bring his own waterskin. But after hours of intense sacking pride means nothing. Especially when when the workout makes a person thirsty. So Bob greedily took the water. Draining it until Xalet knew it was time to take it back unless he wanted all the water to finish before the next stage.

Who was the crazy one? "Fifteen DAYS?!?" Bob exclaimed at the number. It was not that much but fifteen days of...this? It was the intense and tiring workout that troubled Bob. He can hardly tolerate this one day of moving the sack and now there was more to look forward to. Bob was regretting the fact that he brought his sword when he should have brought the waterskin. His muscles were already aching and hurting from Sandy and now Xalet is going to give his own brand of punishment. Bob still remembered the chase from the day before. He was not looking forward to whatever Xalet had in mind.

"Real weapons, are you sure? I might end up hurting you again like yesterday." Well Bob hoped that the move he pulled yesterday hurt. If he was lucky Xalet might remember it and be less convinced to have any weapons practice. And maybe Bob could go home and rest for day two of the longest fifteen days of his life.

"My legacy? What about it?" Bob asked while puffing and panting to catch his breath. "I'll tell mine if you tell me yours. Why are you so far away from home and becoming a knight? Don't you Akalaks have better things to do?" Its alright to share secrets, but sharing means going both ways. Its also hard to say that Xalet's story won't be interesting. So Bob would try and get it out from him first although he was not really comfortable to tell someone something so personal. Especially when the person was just trying to kill him the day before.

[Xalet]

"If it makes you feel any better it won't be every day. There will be a day off every four days." Xalet replied, attempting to be reassuring, although he wasn't exactly sure just how inspiring that kind of rest to workout ratio was. Of course he did have to pull his waterskin away eventually, it was for Bob's own good. Consuming water like that was likely to give him deathly cramps after such an exercise.

"If you don't feel comfortable I can bring training weapons next time, like the one I carry. I try not to worry about injury too much. My Patron is quite the healer." he mentioned. It seemed she was never too selfish in her divine gifts to aid Xalet after a particularly hard day of laborious work, or whenever he sustained an injury during his training. On one side of the coin he was quite lucky to personally know one with healing capabilities, of course likewise this meant he had no excuses for days off.

"The future training sessions will be shorter. I needed to understand if you had the determination to be trained, so this day was a bit longer than normal." Slowly Xalet placed his hands upon his knees and heaved his body upward until he was standing tall. "This is my home. I know nothing of Riverfall, I've been in Syliras since I can remember. What I know of my people is that we search for purpose, and perfection. I suppose you could say the legend is that when an akalak finds the balance between the mind, the body, and the soul...that is the state of perfection. To become a Knight one day seemed natural, almost like breathing."

Of course that wasn't all there was to it, Xalet had to also remind Bob about the radiant Lady, "But I was never certain of this until I met Priskil. Sometimes I felt like I was becoming a Knight for only selfish reasons, but the Lady reinforced my belief in my choice. How I use my training is most important. I'm still far away, and there is much to do."

[Bob Barton]

Encouraging words. A day off every four days. If Bob was lucky then he might be able to survive the four days to enjoy the one day of rest. If not then he can rest forever. No problems, Bob was feeling a lot better now. Only because of the water anyway. Xalet's words were still scary and then...he took the water away...

Bob tried his best to hold on to the water to satisfy his thirst but could only do it for so long. Losing possession over the waterskin because Xalet was much bigger and stronger than he was. Just like back in the day when Bob always had to give up his stuff to bullies. Even now he was still at their mercy it seems. A good motivation for the physical training with Xalet so he can turn the tables on them all. "Hehehehe..." a creepy little laugh escaped Bob's mouth. Hopefully Xalet was no mindreader besides a giant mountain of hurt. Some of the thoughts accompanying it involved Xalet getting some rewards for the chase from the day before once Bob got more stronger.

Training or no, weapons still hurt. And Bob did not have some great patron healer to help him. But Xalet now has opened the opportunity for Bob to try and get to know what seems to be an important person here in Syliras. Maybe if he did things right he can get a chance to meet her through the akalak here. "Well Xalet, I don't have any healer patron to help me out like you do. Unless maybe you introduce us. I am sure there is a lot I can learn from her after seeing her work with you." Well, the only thing Bob knew about Xalet's patron is that she was some knight with ranking and possibly healing now as well. But that won't stop him from getting to know more important people.

After the lady knight was some uninteresting things about Xalet and akalak legends "Hmmm...hmmm...balance...perfection..." Maybe Bob would ask about the legend next time since he didn't know anything about it. Sadly Xalet started preaching about his great lady goddess as well. With a little sigh Bob just nodded to keep the akalak talking. While he does not like wasting time with people preaching about the divine. who probably don't exist to begin with, more preaching from Xalet means more rest for Bob.

"You keep talking about this Priskil, but I can't see why. Aren't gods the uppity and powerful divine beings who play around with weaklings like us?" Bob shook his heads and raised his arms in a mocking gesture "Maybe reinforcing your belief is just another game to her, unless...there is something more to it that I don't know." Simple enough. How can anyone believe in something as farfetched as gods when they haven't done anything completely significant besides all the tattoo things?

[Xalet]

"Hmm...you meet Sgt. Braklin? I suppose that would be possible. She's very personable, so long as you're not breaking the law." Xalet admitted. The Sergeant was known for and wide throughout Syliras to have a glib tongue, but she wasn't without her skill in the martial arts, most notably the gladius, crossbow, and the dagger-like weapon of her people. Xalet stretched his arms out a bit, flexing them across his chest, keeping his muscles warm for future use.

When Bob spoke of the Gods, Xalet couldn't wholly disagree. The Gods were just like anyone else, they had the potential to be less than perfect, vain, corruptible. "Some are. Some aren't. I thought that way once as well, but there are those that genuinely care for people. Not like a master cares for a pet, but the way a mother cares for a child. Priskil is just like you or I. In person she's unremarkable, there's no glowing aura or anything. She doesn't ask to be called any particular title. The world has it's troubles, and she just wishes to lessen them, I can think no more noble a cause." Xalet said with a bit of a shrug.

Walking a few steps away from Bob, Xalet slowly drew his training weapon from it's sheath, slashing it a few times lazily, just getting the blood moving up and around his sword arm. "I'd hope to change things even just a little bit myself before I'm gone. Make things better. It's a harsh world we're living in, there's much that could be accomplished by someone with enough motivation. There was much that befell us due to a man with motivation, as his motivation bent in the direction of corruption. Sagallius, the mortal wizard that took Aquiras' heart became a God himself. Aquiras was the God of doors and travel, it was his power that allowed our people to use the watchtowers to transport instantly from place to place."

Xalet shook his head, always he wondered what it would be like if the watchtowers still stood, moving people are caravans through it. Carrying news and technology from city to city in the blink of an eye. Keeping the lands connected, able to communicate without hindrance. "But if that motivation was put in the other direction, I feel the world we live in would be ever more magnificent. I'd like to think that the watchtowers could be reactivated again one day."

[Bob Barton]

Yes! Xalet said that it might be possible. Which just made Bob a lot more happier. "Don't worry, I respect the law. Given the chance and time I might learn a little about it too." Actually it was more like Bob had an interest in the law so he can learn how to break it without breaking it. Not that Xalet or Braklin needed to know that. "So its a deal then. Just tell me when, and I will follow you." To Bob Xalet agreed already. And if Xalet should "forget" he will just have to keep being reminded in the future.

Haha, the akalak keeps contradicting himself everytime he spoke of his goddess. This is why Bob did not like religion. It makes people a little funny in the head. These same people are the type that Bob could not help but to insult a little as well given the chance. "I don't understand you Xalet. The way you say it is like this Priskil wants to be...like us? Thats stupid. She has power so why does she want to waste her time on us? And as for no title...I notice you like to call her the Lady. A lot." Certainly the idea of a "normal" deity appealed to Bob. But the idea was too farfetched. There probably is no such thing.

Well he probably could suggest this one since its too good to be true. "Which is probably why I rather meet your sergeant than the Lady. Because I would me more comfortable meeting a down to earth mortal. If she was really so humble to befriend mortals, then maybe she is one of the exceptions of gods to look out for. But I highly doubt that. I am sure that when I see her, I will know its her. With all her bright glowy powers its impossible to miss. And thats not the kind of person I want to meet no matter how you want to describe her." Actually Bob was a little confused at what he was saying at this point. The way Xalet described this Priskil was like a goddess who was not a goddess. And the idea was just such a puzzle but he was just arguing for the sake or proving Xalet wrong now.

But do you know what Xalet said which got Bob's attention? You guessed it. "Sagallius?" It was quite a question since the idea of a mortal becoming a god was so bizzare. And impressive. "Yes the man sounds bad. Very bad." Bad enough to make Bob want to know more about him. Become something like him even. "So tell me...besides stealing another god's heart what did this creep do?" Eventhough Bob asked the question in a disgusted manner, his eyes were practically gleaming with admiration. Xalet might probably think that Bob was asking out of natural curiosity like how anyone else might ask for a criminal's crime. But Bob wanted to know more about this man. This legendary figure. Maybe even follow in his footsteps one day.

"What are watchtowers? And if this Sagallius person has Aquiras' power why can't he power those instead." Motivation is good. Its what made Bob become a wandering gambler. "Or if these watchtowers are so important, why can't people find other ways besides Aquiras?" Bob's was spinning. So many new gods and ideas, so little time. How the heck did this Akalak know so much? Then he drew his own weapon from the cane. If they were going to spar soon he better prepare himself too. Or better yet prepare to defend himself against the akalak in case he stuck a nerve with the Priskil comments. Yeah...this akalak was scary... Bob put his sword in between him and Xalet. Pretending to warm up by slashing and thrusting the sword at the air but still aimed at Xalet just in case he needed to change his target.

OOCHaha Bob will hold you to the knight thing. Prepare for bugging in subsequent threads
And thanks a lot for the Sagallius thing. Now at least there is more reason for Bob to get him to learn more about him and Cordas

[Xalet]

"Hmm?" he thought about what Bob had said a moment, he did call her 'the Lady', it was his way of differentiating her from other women. "I call many people sir, ma'am, Lord or Lady." he justified quickly. Certainly Priskil was a goddess, but there was more to her than that in Xalet's eyes. The things which he viewed as valuable in a person like focus, dedication, discipline, and compassion, she had them all. That made her special enough to deserve emphasis.

"Do? Taking the heart of a God isn't really your typical feat, that's the type of thing you dedicate your entire life toward. I don't know all of the details, but it seemed it was magic that made it possible. Not magic so typical as most know it, but enough of it to drive a person mad." Xalet shook his head, taking a moment to look down at his forearm, as well as the sword that was carried past it, "It's why I don't trust it. You can train a hundred years and make your body the strongest, but never lose your way. You can hone your swordsmanship for a lifetime and become the most deadly, but still retain every sliver of your mental acuity. Magic just seems different. Stories come and go, and they all seem to end with a mage taking his craft to far, and losing himself to it."

Xalet was somewhat surprised to find Bob asking so many questions about the history of the Gods and watchtowers. No matter how he looked at the short man, Bob struck the squire as something of a 'shady character'. Not so much evil or dastardly, but crafty and rather cynical. Often folks such as those didn't bother much with the divine due to the difficulty in achieving any success from it. "Sagallius didn't acquire Aquiras' power, but somehow the obtainment of his heart was enough to breach whatever gap there is between God and Man. It seems perhaps that, and this is just a theory, when one becomes a God it is their essence that determines their powers. Sagallius was conniving and thirsty for power as a man, ever seeking to further himself by magic, so his domain reflects that. Aquiras was peaceful and believed there was happiness in connecting with others even past great distances. Only someone with those values you possibly understand the power of the watchtowers."

Brandishing his training weapon, Xalet seemed to go straight from lecturing mode into a sparring mindset without much effort. Cutting his gladius to the side in an attempt to sweep Bob's cane sword away, only to follow up with a short prodding jab aimed at the midsection, Xalet was quick to add, "Don't become like that though. You always have to give something up to gain something. There's always a cost, and it shouldn't be your fellow man that pays that cost."

[Bob Barton]

If Bob was a lot more experienced he would have shrugged away Xalet's justification. Always when people had something to hide they will already have an excuse at the back of their mind. But Xalet's explaination was good enough for Bob. And he was a little bit happy that this Priskil was not being referred to with a title like the Supreme Goddess of Light or something like that. It will probably make Bob run away since the madly religious ones scared him a lot. Xalet was probably only a level or two below that.

Obviously taking a god's heart would be no typical feat. It would probably take someone with an immeasurable skill to do so. Which is why Bob is so impressed with this Sagallius. He felt that they might be the same. Sagallius was a mere mortal among gods but he was able to defeat one. Bob is just a midget in a world of big people. Maybe one day be will be skilled enough that all the others won't be so intimidating anymore. "Yes maybe you are right..." or maybe this was part of human nature. To downplay people who are able to make it in the world, or the normal insults towards those higher in the food chain.

But Bob will take Xalet's advice to heart. As a person who uses magic himself he knows its dangers and also how reckless others can be with it. Which is normally why he preferred to use it in combination with other skills he was better at. It was much better to complement his other skills with magic. Then he will shine not because of how powerful he was but how skilled he was. Like in gambling. "Aquiras sounds like one of the good gods then." if his main focus was bringing people together. But the problem with looking out for the happiness of others is that it was dangerous. You will lose sight yourself and the dangers around you. Which is why eventhough Bob liked to help people, he will only do that when he was sure there was no risk to him.

Now Bob had his own opinions of the Akalak just as Xalet had for him. Xalet was like...a paradox. He was strong sure, but he was pretty knowledgeable as well. At least when it came to the gods. He should be better suited working in a temple instead of a squire but whatever makes him happy with his life. Bob was in no place to judge him since other people also would raise their eyebrows when they found out his life's goal. The thought accidentally escaped his lips rather softly but Xalet might overhear it if he was paying attention enough. "How does violence and knowledge work together..."

The answer? Not so good. Suddenly Xalet hit Bob's sword away and had his sword right at Bob's chest. With a threat no less as Bob would have taken it. He had the right idea to have the sword defending himself but he was not aware of the danger enough to work on it. Forcing out a smile while some sweat trickled down his head "Of course my friend, I am not one to give up anything of my own unless I can't help it." Actually that might have been poorly worded but Bob's eyes were on the gladius. A weapon in front of him was very uncomfortable. So Bob swiped his sword at the gladius from the side to try and hit it out of the way. Following Xalet once the motion was done he would continue its movements, doubling the sword back until it was right at Xalet's chest. Maybe the heart since that was a subject they were talking about. The left side right?

[Xalet]

"Heh heh..." was that something of a chuckle? It almost seemed like Xalet laughed, although not quite as hearty or boisterous as a true laugh. No, perhaps it could have been considered a chortle. Violence and knowledge, the two things the akalak had been combining since they could remember. Something so deeply ingrained in their souls that even outside of the typical Riverfall culture Xalet still had a lust for both.

Xalet was genuinely impressed when Bob smacked his sword aside and thrust his cane sword forward, causing the squire to back-peddle a step. "Your technique isn't bad at all. Violence for the sake of violence is disgraceful. However when the debased allow no other option, it is the only sure answer. It is said that Priskil's champion wields a weapon and armor made of solid light that burns so hot it is more damaging than any blade imaginable, but only against the skin of the wicked. The ultimate tool of punishment against evil." Xalet explained, holding his own sword up for a moment, imagining just for an instant if it were a shaft of blinding light, able to cut through anything with a dark heart.

Priskil was kind to her friends, unbelievably so. Even such a considerate goddess had the capacity to destroy evil. No, not just the capacity, the raw power of holy vengeance. Literal holy vengeance. "You will give up the sweat of your body and the pain of your muscles, and your strength and speed shall grow. That is..."the cost". Xalet finished his preaching for now, drawing back into a lower position then Bob had seen him in previously. Flexing his offhand he prepared it, as without his shield in the way he could utilize the full knowledge of his unarmed technique. Swinging his sword back around his rear foot slid forward, bringing his offhand with it in a palm strike to disorient while he looked to follow up with a light secondary blunted jab from his training sword.

[Bob Barton]

That sudden chuckle that escaped Xalet was creepy. Did he think Bob was making a joke? Bob was pretty serious when he thinks of things like this so to dismiss this insult would be out of the question. "Whats so funny Xalet? Why don't you share with me this joke of yours?" Knowing what goes on in this Priskil fanatic's mind will help Bob a lot in the long run. Especially if he was forced to spend most of the season with him.

"I don't like violence, it hurts." Which was true. Always the bigger and stronger people like akalaks (though not Xalet since Bob thought that the akalak was nice even if he was a little naive) like to flaunt their power for whatever reason they could. Bob may have been on the receiving end of this on quite a few ocassions and so he was distrustful when it came to these individuals until they have proven themselves that they are something more. Like his friend here.

So Bob was rather happy when Xalet stepped back. Xalet was strong sure, but steel is harder than any muscle. And Bob still learning was unsure what the effects of his strike would be until it hit his opponent. Which was why he preferred to only use his weapons to defend himself from his enemies weapons while he ran. Unless he truly needed to fight and survive. His little philosophy of battle made the weapon of light very appealing to Bob. Light can't hurt anyone unless its very, very bright. Then Bob can run away when his enemies are blinded like he experienced from flashing lighting in the past. Part of his ever growing traumatic experiences. But Bob doubted he can ever get a weapon like that. Even he was unsure of himself whether he was evil, or just a mischievous prankster since when his activities get out of hand people can get hurt. Nope, better if he never, EVER had to meet this Priskil so he can forever live in ignorance.

Wait, what cost was Xalet talking about? Bob was watching as Xalet took his stance. Did he mean the physical training that they were going through? Instead of preparing himself for the oncoming strike, Bob brushed the sweat off his head. The motion of bringing his hand up reminded him of his aching arms of moving the sack around. Well, Xalet was right about the first two things but how will it help to grow Bob's speed and strength?

It was not a time for thinking, but Bob was not as experienced in combat as Xalet was. So it was not him to simply switch his focus from lecturing and sparring like the akalak could. When the palm came forward, Bob could only widen his eyes that he was caught totally unprepared. Instinctively he tried to step back, but in his haste he lost his balance when the palm hit him. Falling down on his back. At least he missed the sword strike while he was on the ground. If that was a real weapon Bob would be able to see that one lucky advantage.

But Bob didn't see it so he was a little unhappy with this sudden strike. On the ground he had to get himself up. Maybe he should try it gracefully just to impress Xalet and make him think that Bob was not without his talents. Bob folded his legs up like he had seen other buskers in the streets do. Then he threw his legs up while bringing them down with much weight and force towards the floor. On impact he settled his feet to bring his body up. But since he had only watched this before, his feet slipped and brought his back down on the ground again in an embarrassing manner.

"That was foul play. Don't you knights of light play by the rules?" Bob exclaimed on the ground tired. He tried to play on Xalet's sense of justice and duty, tired as he was to save his energy as he held his hand out. "So what are you waiting for? Help me out please?"