Legends of Belariath

Rei-Kai

My Birth and My Curse

To you I tell, the past of two souls who have now been inextricably bound for eternity, to never live again. I shall begin by telling you of Reikimaru, a young and strong willed Torian boy. This is 'His' past. This is 'My' past.

The child of Guru, a mid-level Torian mage who studies healing magics, and Sierra, a beautiful Torian woman with tanned skin and beautiful blue wings and hair. Guru's wings were white and his eyes were gold, as were his wife's. Their son, Reikimaru however, had black wings and hair with emerald green eyes. Guru and Sierra were concerned about their son's future as they knew what criticisms he would receive due to his black wings. But, as Reikimaru was growing up, he was very happy and optimistic. He was also very aware of other peoples feeling towards him and he understood why. But that did not discourage him, no it drove him to become even happier. He spent his time trying to help anyone and everyone else that he could and that alone won the rest of the villagers hearts for him. His home village was far south of the present day location of the Lonely Inn across the Chiasses mountain range. He lived happily there, helping his family and friends while trying to learn magic from his father with exceptional skill. However, his times of joy were going to be halted abruptly soon after his twelfth birthday. Guru had gone off to explore some old ruins and said that he would return within three days. He was wished the best of luck from his wife and son before he set off. But Guru did not return for almost three months. About a week after he left, Sierra had gotten worried. After the first month she had thought he was killed and fell into deep sorrow along with Reikimaru. They could not get over Guru's disappearance but Reikimaru tried to be optimistic as usual and still tried to help others as best he could. Sierra tried to manage without Guru but did not go a night that she hadn't slept without fresh tears in her eyes. When Guru finally did return, the uproar of pure joy he caused was unbelievable. Everyone came to see him. Sierra and Reikimaru were overjoyed with his return and rushed to meet him as soon as they heard about his arrival. Unknown to them however, Guru had changed greatly and upon his return, four others came with him all cloaked in black their faces hidden beneath their hoods. Guru said that these people had saved his life and that they should be treated as guests. The villagers readily agreed, but Reikimaru could tell that something was amiss. That something terrible was soon to occur.

Oh how right he was. For on the next night, Sierra was brutally murdered by Guru and Reikimaru was kidnapped by the four strangers that arrived with his father. Reikimaru was knocked unconscious and taken deep into the forest to a large old log cabin. When Reikimaru regained consciousness, he was greeted with immense pain. Reikimaru was suspended in the air, four feet from the ground from chains attached to links across his wrists, ankles and neck. The pain was from the man- no, the dark elf using his tools and needles to create the markings which cover Reikimaru's body. That now cover 'My' body. Through pain filled eyes, Reikimaru could make out other figures in the room. One being his father, wearing dark robes with odd Runic symbols across it. Another figure seemed to be a female cat-person who was also wearing similar robes to that of Guru. The next person was a male High-Human. He too wore the same robes as Reikimaru's father. The last person, however, was shrouded in a veil of magic which prevented Reikimaru from seeing any distinguishing features. All he knew was that this person was the strongest in terms of magic. Reikimaru could feel it all the way down to his hollow bones. Once the dark elf had accomplished his task, it was time for the second stage of their plan. To break Reikimaru's spirit by way of showing him images of things not suited for the young minded. Reikimaru's chains shifted to give him more vertical position in order to force him to watch the scene that was about to come into play. When Reikimaru was in place, the female cat-person began to disrobe very slowly. A dark blush crept along Reikimaru's face a he tried to shut his eyes and turn his head away from this scene. “What are you doing, little runt!”said the dark elf who proceeded to hold Reikimaru's head in place and force his eyes open. “Don't turn away, you might miss something important!” The dark elf yelled out as he took his hand away from Reikimaru's eyes to land a punch in the young Torians abdomen. Reikimaru's eyes shot open from the sudden impact as he struggled for breath. The dark elf took this chance to make him watch the now beautiful naked form of the female cat-person. The male High-human, during this time had been disrobing as well and was armed with a full erection as he casually walked over to the prone form of the cat -lady. “Shall we begin Shayla?” the Human asked. His only answer was her purring and then having his erection lapped by her tongue. Reikimaru was forced to watch the scene before him as Shayla was fucked madly by both the Human and Guru. Reikimaru was physically and emotionally sick from these events. It was then that the true ceremony began. Reikimaru's restraints moved again and placed him directly above the magic circle that the dark elf had drawn earlier. Reikimaru was facing the ceiling but could still see everyone around him. “It's time” For the first time, the mysterious figure who seemed to be 'their' master, spoke. Reikimaru could hear them chanting strange spells in all different languages. However, it wasn't until Reikimaru felt a sharp pain in his chest that he realized what his father and the others were trying to do. They were performing a soul transfer ritual. Reikimaru was forced into his sub-consciousness where he saw, for the first time, the spirit that these people were calling to. “I am Kaireki.” it spoke. “And your soul is now MINE!!” Reikimaru could feel this dark spirit trying to force it's presence into 'his' body and began to fight back with all the strength of will he had. But, it wasn't a dark entity. No, Kaireki was the name of a Torian who, not long ago, had been banished from the clans for his uncontrollable urges to kill and destroy as the bringer of ruin. Reikimaru may have been a weak Torian child, but his will was stronger than anyone could have thought possible. Reikimaru struggled relentlessly as the evil Torian spirit, Kaireki, tried to overcome him. As Reikimaru and Kaireki fought in their spiritual battle, something happened. As Guru, the male dark elf, Shayla the cat-person and the human mage continued their spells and chanting, the mysterious leader added his/her power to the spell. This caused some form of reaction within Reikimaru's body. The summoning had failed! “What's happening!?” Guru yelled as loud as he was able. Fear, pure and indescribable fear coursed through him as he witnessed the changes within Reikimaru's spirit. The torches flared and the markings on Reikimaru's body seemed to pulsate. All looked on in fear. Except, for the leader. He/she was unaffected by the events that were transpiring at the moment. Reikimaru and Kaireki, their spirits were both being torn apart and reconstructed. The light of Reikimaru's soul and the Dark of Kaireki's, were becoming one. Their souls screamed and tried to pull apart, but it was too late. It was far too late. The great power within Kaireki was too much of a strain for Reikimaru's body to take. That power had to be......Expelled. Guru and the others looked on in horror as their leader abandoned them and watched as a large stream of dark energy burst forth from Reikimaru's young body. The expelled dark energy engulfed the entire room. Guru, the dark elf, the cat-person and the human all tried to protect themselves from this uncontrollable wave of dark power. Everything, just went black. And that is the end of Reikimaru's past. From that point on, his spirit no longer exists. Kaireki's spirit no longer exists as well. Only me. Only, Rei-Kai. I, the new soul, who now inhabits the tormented body of the Torian, Reikimaru, was set about into the world. But not for long. No, fate, destiny and other outside forces saw it fit that I suffer before I even begin to know the true meaning of what it meant to be alive.

When Guru had awoken, he noticed that he was in the remains of what seemed to be a burnt out log cabin. “What am I doing here?” he questioned himself only to be answered with pain. The explosion of power had injured him greatly. He surveyed the area and saw the bloody remains of what seemed to be a male drow, a male human and a female cat-person. Footsteps echoed behind him, Guru turned around sharply and gasped in disbelief. It was Reikimaru. No, not Reikimaru. Not anymore. “Re- Reikimaru? Is that...you?” I looked coldly at Guru, my eyes a deep sea of pure black with two blood colored rings shining in the darkness. Guru looked into these unnatural eyes with dawning horror. “Wh-who are you?” he stammered out. The sound of beating wings could be heard approaching from the distance as the Torians from the village saw a strange dark shadow loom over an old area of the forest. I just stared at him in disgust. “Don't you know?” I said. “I am your son. As well as theirs.” I then gestured towards the dead bodies of the dark elf, human and cat-person. “How can this be? Why do I not remember this!?” Guru was in both physical and mental pain. He could not understand what was happening. “Aren't you forgetting something? Hmph. You don't even remember slaughtering your own wife now do you?” Is what I said to him. Guru just looked at me, his face showing both shock, fear and unyielding sorrow. He broke out into cold sweat as his mind tried to register this new information. I looked at him with utter disgust. “You pathetic wretch. You allowed your mi nd to be taken over. You, one of the highest ranking mages of your clansmen and you were deceived and manipulated. Played skillfully by your master like a bard and his flute.” My words were like daggers and I spoke with venom to him. But, I was not without mercy. I would end his suffering soon enough. Although the creation of my spirit has actually weakened me and taken power and strength away from me instead of making me stronger. I could say that was because the spirit of Reikimaru and the spirit of Kaireki were two completely opposite forces that pretty much neutralized each others energy. Making the new spirit, me, weaker instead of stronger. It was then that I knew that my existence, was a cursed one. My hatred for those who made me was stronger than anyone would dare believe. “I hate you, Guru. I hate you for helping those fucking creatures make me. I hate you for sacrificing the lives of both your wife and your son to make me. In short, you fucking piece of worthless shit, I H-A-T-E you!” He looked at me again, tears of sadness, loss, betrayal and self pity rolled down his face like flowing rivers. He slammed his fists against the ground time and again in frustration as his hands bled from self injury. “I beg you.” he said. “I beg you to kill me. For all the horrors that I have committed. Oh gods please! In the name of Sazera and Maedel, kill me so that I may be forgiven!” He pleaded with me again and again. The sound of beating wings grew louder and the villagers were closing in on us. So I decided to end his suffering. “Very well,” I told him. “May you rest in peace knowing that your crimes against your own flesh and blood have been-“ at this moment I grabbed his short sword and plunged it into his heart. “Forgiven.” Guru felt his life slipping away as his life's blood drained out of his body through his wounds. His last words before the gods claimed his soul was, “Thank you, my son.” And with that his eyes went vacant and his body went limp. He was dead, and I had killed him. It was at that moment when I killed Guru that the villagers arrived. All stood in shock as I killed Guru with my own hands. And as a final parting to him, I pulled the sword from his chest and, before his body could hit the ground, I swung the blade lopped off his head in one clean stroke. The other Torians just stared at me. Some in horror. Others in fear. And yet others still, felt nothing but raw hatred for me. They all believed that I was possessed and that I must be destroyed. “You vile monster!” one of them called out to me. “How dare you kill your own father! You wretched bastard!!” I looked at him, my face showing no sign of emotion as I said to them all, in a deadly calm voice, deeper than what Reikimaru's normally was but not so deep as to be inhuman. “Guru, this once honored and noble Torian is dead yes. And he died with a deep pain in his heart. I did the only thing that could have been done to end his suffering. I killed him.” A long silence begun between the villagers and myself, until one of their number said, “You had no right. You had no right to kill one of us, regardless of what he may have done!” “Fool!” I yelled at him, “I had every right!” The villagers had had enough, they wanted to kill me but, they also wanted me to suffer for my crime. Four of their number came down upon me in anger. I didn't resist them as they beat my young body until I slipped into blissful unconsciousness. They could do nothing to me there, I a world where nothing exists except for your subconscious. But it was there, in my subconscious that I had just remembered something. There were five people who were performing the summoning ceremony and only four of them were dead. I would have to find their leader before my vengeance could be sated. Things would only be worse for me once I awakened, I assure you of that. I awoke the next day in the middle of the makeshift village of my 'former' clansmen. I was chained, hand and foot, to a large wooden post where I was brutally beaten on a regular basis. This went on for almost a week before an answer of how to rid themselves of me without killing me and without the threat of me returning. Then it came to them. The ruins. Yes, the same ruins in which Guru had gone to explore in before he disappeared. It was there that I was taken, along with the strongest mages the clan had. They dragged my beaten form inside the ancient ruin. I looked around in wonder. This place was old. Much older than what I dare think possible. Ignoring me for now, the Torian mages set about their work in creating a seal in which to place me into. They made an enormous magical circle on the farthest wall from the entrance. I was chained to the wall, at least several feat off the ground, dead in the center of the pentagram. This setup is all too convenient. Once I was locked into place they all poured th eir energies into one great work of mystical might. Individually, they weren't that strong. Together, they had the power to level an entire kingdom. I watched, mesmerized, as their power consumed me and whirled all around me. The bonds which held me turned gray, as did my body. “What are you doing to me!?” I screamed at them but they just continued with their chanting, not daring to break their concentration. I struggled to free myself, but all was in vain as my body went stiff and turned as gray as the stones within the ruins. Before I was completely enveloped one of them called out to me. “You will forever be bound here, monster! Never again will you walk this earth or taint the skies with your horrid presence! You will be bound here until the end of eternity!” And suddenly, darkness overtook me and their spell was complete. It was a frightening experience. I couldn't see, I couldn't breathe, couldn't hear, feel or move. I was rendered completely immobile. And then, my soul was dragged into the pits of darkness. This place is far more horrible than anyone would dare to imagine. It was there that my soul was tormented. Time no longer had any meaning as my soul was tortured in these fiery depths. Any form of torture known to the world was just a slap on the wrist next to what spiritual torments I had to endure. But that's all I could do was endure it, but not for long. I began to forget everything. Reikimaru's past, Kaireki's past and even the little bit that was my past was all forgotten as nothing but pain and misery filled the essence of my spirit. I began to become a hollow spirit, one that has forgotten his life in the realm of the living. An eternity past, and my torment continued until one day when everything changed. I do not know what occurred, but a gentle light shined upon me as my soul was being tormented. This warm, soothing light, beckoned for me to come to it. I didn't know what made me obey the calling of that light, but it didn't matter. As long as I was freed from my suffering, I didn't care. I obeyed the light and I was rendered unconscious. Sent back into blissful darkness. Something that I had missed for a long time. When I finally awoke, I did not recognize my surroundings. Ever so slowly did my memories return. But only in pieces. I remembered some form of ritual, a sacrifice and the deaths of several people. I remembered the death of a winged man and my own torment. And finally, I remembered other winged men carrying me to an old shrine. No, not a shrine. A ruin. Yes, that was it. An ancient ruin. A ruin where they imprisoned me. I took in everything that I could see. Several torches burned on the ground lying beside what seemed to be the dead bodies of several humans. They looked like thieves and grave robbers. And it looked like they died recently. Whatever happened to them must have caused the seal that bound me within the ruins to dissipate. I tried to move, but when I did I was greeted with pain. 'I was injured. How?' I asked myself this before I remembered that I had wings and that I one of a race of beings called Torians. Yes, I also remembered how badly I was beaten before the seal was placed upon me that kept the effects of time from touching me in anyway. 'Oh great,' I thought. “How good it must be to be alive.” I laughed slightly from my own sarcastic thoughts. I looked again at the bodies of the newly dead. “They must have something I can use.” I said aloud, knowing that no one else would be around here. I was still in pain, but I managed to rummage through their packs to see what they had. Clothes, some bread, a few flasks of water, some tools, a tent, a potion, a few lanterns, some- “Wait! A potion. Now that is useful.” Having some knowledge of the effects of drinking special potions, I knew that it was used to heal wounds and restore a persons strength. I grinned at my luck as I slowly opened the container that held the potion in it. I drank slowly as I reveled in how I could feel the power of the mixture coursing through me and healing my injuries almost instantly. “Too bad this fool didn't have more of these.” I said with a dark smile on my face. Now it was time to exit the ruin and see what changes had occurred while I was sealed away. Before I left I grabbed a few things from the dead thieves bodies that I believed I would need the most. Their food, water and set of clothes. Everything else was junk as far as I was concerned. It was time to head out. It was time, to find the one who controlled Guru's mind and brought me into existence. It was time for my revenge.

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