originally posted in:The New Dojo
[b][i][u]Regret, forget.[/u][/i][/b]
[b]The sun shined upon the dojo, and it's inhabitants as they trained, ate, talked or the likes.
A gentle breeze moved through the Mountains, causing the leaves of the trees to sway in the wind.
And then a sudden darkness filled the air, feelings of sorrow, regret, hate.
A man was on the path towards the Dojo, an odd Musketeer like hat on his head.
Some would recognize, others not.
He approached, and his armor or rather, clothes seemed baggy and were completely black along with his hat.
He looked up, a blond mustache obscuring most of his besides his blue eyes.
He sighed to himself, continuing towards the Dojo as he drew a sword, then a second.
The first was a crimson read, the second a sickening green.
He slammed them into the ground and drew a third, fiddling with the blade.
It seemed rather normal, and he pointed it at a figure that was on the path. [/b]
"Move."
[i]"Slayer of Aldrich. Keeper of Pontiff's soul. Bearer of the Firekeeper. Lord of Cinder. My lord, Kross."[/i]
[b]The second figure dropped to one knee and the man apparently called Kross sighed deeply.
He sheathed his three swords, walking over to the man[/b]
"Who are you?"
[i]"Hawkwood-"[/i]
"The Deserter. The Dragonborne. The Dragon. I knew you looked familiar."
[b]Hawkwood rose, extending a hand towards Kross, who shakes it.
Kross walks past Hawkwood, continuing towards the Dojo as Hawkwood trails behind.
The two approach, and the gates open, recognizing both as members.
They entered the courtyard, and Kross looked around. [/b]
"Missed this place."
[spoiler]Open![/spoiler]
English
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"...Kross?" [i]A slightly older voice spoke up to Kross's right, the voice seeming ever so familiar. It belonged to a 5'7 foot tall knightess, clad in a suit of Elite Knight Armor descended from the once royal country of Astora. A steel visor hid away her face, concealing her head and protecting it from damage. A crest shield and three foot long straight sword hung at her side, while a ring rested upon her gloved right finger, a demonic deep green eye within it. This person..she knew Kross, hell, considered him more than a friend. Not in a romance way, but...Kross was still amazing to her. This person was Anri. The Lord of Hollows.[/i] "It's...It's actually you."
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[b]He turned to face her, and immediately ran over embracing her in a hug[/b] "Anri!" [i]"Milady."[/i] [b]Hawkwood stays back, heading into the dojo [/b] "It's so good seeing you again."
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"Kross...It's actually you!" [i]Ignoring Hawkwood almost entirely, Anri practically tackled Kross in her own hug, her armored hands wrapping around the body of the man that had saved her long ago.[/i]
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"Of course it's me! Why wouldn't it be."
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"It's been so long.. Y'know, it's been...what, thirteen years? Jeez.."
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"Thirteen years... I'm 142 now. Dear me."
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"35 here. Jeez. So what's going on with you recently? Recently being the past thirteen years."
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[b]He suddenly seems much more serious and less cheery. [/b] "It's been a long time.."
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[i]Anri noticed the not-so-cheerfulness of Kross at the moment, and broke away from the embracing to stare at him. If one peered into the visor of her helmet, they would see two dull grey eyes - those that belonged to a Hollow.[/i] "Kross..what happened? Is everything alright?"
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"Yeah of course." [b]He looked at the ground, ignoring her staring, or what he thought was staring. [/b] "Just that, with all that's happened, I don't know Anri."
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"...I get that feeling sometimes." [i]Anri sighed a little, clearly disturbed. Both by how Kross was acting, and...her current condition. She didn't know how she was going to tell him that she was a Hollow. But she would have to, in due time.[/i]
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[spoiler]Are you not gonna reply to the Yuria one cause its a one line?[/spoiler] "What do you mean by that?" [b]He looked up, clearly trying to change the subject and stray away from his own story. And what happened... [/b]
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[spoiler]I gotcha, lol.[/spoiler] "I... I don't think I should talk about it now." [i]Anri seemed quite nervous - Kross had figured out that there was something wrong with her, and suggesting by the tone of her voice, there clearly was.[/i]
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"Oh. So we're both keeping something from the other. Real spy movie here." [b]Sensing her discomfort, he tried to ease the tension by making a joke and changing the subject entirely [/b]
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"Heh. Yeah, I guess. Is this the part where we trade information with each other? If so, I...I hope you don't freak out." [i]Anri did sound quite worried. But she also sounded quite willing to remove her helmet, and reveal her...state.[/i]
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"Hey. I'll start." [b]He let out a sigh [/b] "As you know, I held on to Pontiff's soul. Problem is, it consumed me. Fully. I became one with Pontiff and returned to Anor Lando and those lands. I murdered a Firekeeper in cold blood and took their soul. I put out a fire.... A bright beautiful fire. " [b]He sighs [/b] "I was able to hide away, take control for a while. When Royal found me. We got rid of Pontiff but now I have a Firekeeper Soul. That's it."
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"I...Oh. Oh.. Guess it's...my turn. P-Promise to...To not scream. Okay? And Hawkwood?" [i]Anri turned towards Hawkwood, a saddened tone to her voice.[/i] "...Do not blame Yuria for my condition. I do not condemn her for my actions.."
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[b]Hawkwood looked down, upset.[/b] "Well come on. Out with it."
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[i]Anri nodded towards Kross, before sliding off her knightess helm.[/i] [i]Anri's face was...disturbing, to say the least. Replacing her once smooth, pale skin was old, withered and dry skin, her eyes a dark green, in contrast to her previously light green ones. She was Hollowed.[/i] "...I...I became the Lord of Hollows.."
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[b]Kross immediately fell silent, donning a much more serious expression. [/b] "How do I help you?"
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"Kross, it's..its fine. I can handle being a...a Hollow. Just need to make sure that I don't get myself killed, and I'm good.."
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"How. Do. I. Help. You." [b]He spoke seriously and strongly, showing how much he meant it [/b]
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"I told you, [i]I'm fine[/i]. Kross, I promise...it's fine. The worst that's happened is just a couple of people freaking out.."
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"You can't Anri. This isn't right. I made you come here. I tried helping you forget Horace. But I abandoned you. This is all my fault."
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"Damnit Kross, it's not your fault. It's mine for being an idiot. It's mine for killing so many, for their very humanity.. I was a monster, Kross. I knew what I was doing. And I deserve this."