The_Ninjin

Ninjin had been the Meditation Fields when Master Riliak had come to visit him. He had been trying to release the frustration that continued to fester in him as his brother's status began to grow even more with his recent accumulation with the Light Assassin's power. It was never that he had wanted to be the one to defeat him, it was solely that he wanted his brother to recognize him as an equal. Although Darqlocke was not seeing the two of them in different lights, Ninjin was not understanding that because of the the rest of the clan. He felt as if all they saw was Darqlocke and the shadow that existed behind him had been himself.

Master Riliak had known of the silent fury growing inside of the younger brother for quite some time. He had had every intention of talking with him, but with the recent information of an impending attack he had concentrated his efforts on protecting the Nocturnal Scrolls.

"You have something to say to me Master Riliak," Ninjin asked, assuming that this was just another clan member attempting to keep him from his goal as an assassin.

"Ninjin, your presence awareness has been honed into a tool formidable of any warrior, " Riliak said pleased.

"But I gather you are not here to speak of my abilities," Ninjin stood up, gathering his robe off the ground and brushing the grass off of it, "So why are you here Master Riliak?"

"Ninjin there was an attack on the tribe."

Ninjin suddenly became alert to his surroundings as Master Riliak spoke and scanned the area for any threat, "What? Where?"

"Darqlocke took care of the menace. It was some sort of Light Assassin. He came for the scrolls and your brother... absorbed his power."

"He... he what?"

"Your shock is just as expected as mine was when he accomplished the feat."

Riliak walked along the Meditation field, frowning his brows as if tryong to think of an explanation, "He has grown to be quite a your warrior, but I fear that he may become too much for himself."

A light smirk grew on Ninjin's face, "So what? You want me to do something about it? Darqlocke was a creation of greed, power, and self-respect. Self-gratification comes at your own hand, not at the hand of my brother."

Enlightened by this accusation Master Riliak harshens his tone, speaking down to Ninjin, "Is that what you think this is? You think we made him? You think that in some way, shape, or form we have denied ourselves the respect of this clan by giving it the one honor higher than any other?"

He silenced himself, studying Ninjin's vacant reaction to his words. He softened his expression and fold his hands within his robes, "You have a lot to learn Young Ninjin."

Ninjin didn't have to think about what Riliak was saying as he had tuned out any of his responses, knowing that they were of indignant nature. He continued to meet his Master’s stare head on as if a battle had ensued in their minds and the only movement between them was the wind that briskly swayed their robes.

Ninjin broke the silence, “Master Riliak, never has there been a conflict of interest when obtaining the Nocturnal Scrolls. Never has there been any further hostility toward the opposing clans once the Orxalm was complete. Never, of course, until in this year. The year we obtain the scrolls.”

Ninjin came within inches of the Master, without permission. This was an extreme sign of disrespect and disregard of anything held sacred on behalf of the Shidao Creed. Riliak was taken aback by his remarks and infidelity. Although, this was considered punishable by torture, Riliak did nothing. He stood his ground as Ninjin brought a fierce gaze, glowing a dark purple flame aura around him with each breath he took. Ninjin knew that he had not the power to destroy the Master, but it did not stp him from letting him know that he wanted to. His brother meant more to him than any training or principle or creed and they would know that soon enough.

“So tell me Master... why is that?”

Riliak caused a small ripple in the grass, making it wave in a domino effect as he raised himself off the ground floating effortlessly above Ninjin.

“You know nothing!”

His eyes blazed a purple and black spark as he clapped his hands together sending an elliptic blast toward the young one, causing him to double back into a defensive position. When Ninjin had come to face his attacker, there was nothing to be seen except the remnants of dark blast, vaporizing into the air.

“It starts.”

Chapter II - Brother's Keeper

In a large, circular field surrounded by torches and stone monuments of warriors of the past lay a training ground for all desiring to be an elite shadow assassin. Becoming so was an incredible honor as you were looked upon as one of the finest and bravest warriors within the tribe.

Beyond this training ground, if one was accepted beyond that point was the Cave of Shadows, a place where those worthy of the true Shidao power schooled and were taught the Principles of the Night and the balance-induced art of Shadowstepping.

All of this was usually a hereditary obligation, given opportunity only to those who were of royal Shidao blood. However, with the heightened threat of the Circle of Thorn and Banished Pantheon, the Masters felt that there was more than enough potential within the clan to be harnessed and used for the good of their people.

It was then that Ninjin made the concious decision to no longer live in the shadow of his brother and step out to make a claim of his own. It was on that training ground that he convinced the Masters that they made no mistake in allowing anyone not of the royal family to know the Shidao secrets. Ninjin excelled in all areas of his craft, exhibiting true fighting form and obtaining the balance of Shadowstepping far quicker than any one had ever seen.

But this had never been his intention. Ninjin had never had plans to train, to fight, or to harness dark powers. He and his brother, at a young age, were inseperable. They conducted all of their schooling together and wherever you saw one, the other was not far behind. Even when Darqlocke decided to join others, trying their hand and sealing their fates at the hands of the Masters at the training ground, Ninjin was readily available to support his brother.

Darqlocke showed promise. He showed an inner power that no one else had seen within the Shidao clan in many a year. He was a prodigy and everything that he did came as a natural tact to him. He had no fear when it came to facing anyone in battle and could recite the Principles better and faster than any Master ever could (although he or they would never admit it). It was at this point that Ninjin became Darqlocke's little brother. If there was ever a question as to Darqlocke's whereabouts, it was Ninjin that was asked. The whole clan knew of his brother and and he became something of an association.

So Ninjin went to the training grounds, filled with it's history and rich, cultural background to become a power of his own. To make his name known and to show everyone that the unique abilities that his brother possessed, Ninjin was also prodigal of that bounty.

****

Darqlocke walked along the outer ring of the training grounds as Ninjin practiced his stealth movement inside the circle. He was preparing himself for a tournament that was being held in honor of the yearly celebration held in honor of the Masters, called Festivus Nocturne. This was Ninjin's first involvement in the the Festivus Nocturne as a warrior and also as an individual.

Darqlocke looked over his brother's movments with extreme interest as he carefully connected each of the Shadow arts into one allowing the principles to flow freely through his actions, "You are progressing well, brother."

Ninjin continued his practice, acknowleding his brother's presence, but choosing not to break the concentration he had already gained.

Darqlocke cocked his head slightly at Ninjin's behavior towards him, feeling a sense of shock and disappointment at such a disrespectful nature, "Your attitude reeks of self-righteous anger."

Without breaking stride, Ninjin glances over at his brother as he watched him like father watching his son, "My attitude reeks of indignation."

This caught Darqlocke's attention as he felt he had finally hit a nerve within Ninjin, "And what might have been the unjust cause?"

Ninjin came to the final movements of his form, bringing forth a dark wind that encircled him and emanated from his being. As the swirls came closer to his body he gradually became a visual blur, becoming a presence as thin as the air itself.

Ninjin completed his exit step disappearing into the night and the only thing remaining were words that seemed to float in the wind, "Being your brother."

Nice, quick, enjoyable read.

Good job

Hmm, can't speak much for myself as far as mean things. I have done small insignificant things to sometimes annoy because of what someone has done or said. Kinda stopped tho.

However, I have a brother who will invite someone he doesn't like to his team and sidekick them. He will then teleport them to the AV in mission, unsk, and then kick them off the team, leaving them there to die. He finds it hysterical as do the rest of his teammates. But it always happens after an arguement or some issue and the person still joins his team...can't give him all the credit for their stupidity; lack of common sense

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http://www.gamespy.com/articles/552/...html?fromint=1

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Funny, because when you go to this ling and click on City of Villains, it links you somewhere else and states a release date of August 14, 2005. This is near what I have been hearing lately at gaming stores....