Welcome to Gaia! ::

Rian'Ka rode the crystal elevator deep into the heart of the plateau beneath the Palace. She stepped off once it reached it's destination, walking gracefully to a pair of iron doors. She walked into a massive, round chamber. The room was pitch black save for the light from a glowing blue crystal pillar in the center, a droning resonation persisted int he room. She walked, almost gliding, over to a man standing before the crystal. The man was easily a head taller than her, with long black hair bound into a long braid behind him, secured at the bottom with a crystal ring. He wore deep violet robes with a breastplate of shining silver over the robe. His eyes were the similar yellow irises of all Shadelanders, Ra'Sha excluded. A black face mask covered his mouth and nose. "I am glad you could come, Rian'Ka. I have very grave news.", Noxx'Zus said, his voice was smooth and sounded almost british. Rian'Ka walked up next to him, her smile ever prevalent on her lips. "I know, Noxx'Zus. Ran'Ku refuses to pass on, and Arkon is battling my brother for control of his abyssal body.", she said, her tone light and melodic. Noxx'Zus shook his head, "It's worse. Arkon's prison is weakening by the day, regardless of how much Ran'Ke exerts himself. It won't be long before Arkon's will takes control of his body, possibly forcing Ran'Ke, even against Dark Guardian's will, to bend to his whim.", Noxx'Zus said dourly. Rian'Ka's smile wavered some but remained, "Oh dear, so he's gaining power. But how?", she asked, placing her hands on her lithe hips. Noxx'Zus looked down at the young seeress , "I think it has something to do with his feelings for this Queen. While she is a prophecy born and Ran'Ke's tie to himself, I believe that Arkon is playing on Ran'Ke's love for her. Using the opportunity to allow Ran'Ke's will to weaken before he fully injects his own fury in one fell blow. She is his greatest strength, but ultimately his greatest weakness.", Noxx'Zus said before turning to face the crystal pillar. Rian'Ka bit her bottom lip, in thought. "What do you suggest?", she asked. Noxx'Zus sighed, "The only way I can see this working out is to recreate Ran'Ke's original body, allow his Lightbringer's heritage to shine to it's fullest. That abyssal body is hindering his inner light, even though he can surely feel it's presence. We must tansfer his soul into his original body and either imprison or destroy the abyssal shell before Arkon can seize control.", he said, peering into the crystal. Rian'Ka cocked her head to the side, slightly confused. "But how can we recreate his old form?", she asked. Noxx'Zus sighed deeply, "That is something I do not know, yet. We must hope that his willpower can resist until a solution appears to us.", he said. The two stood next to each other, peering into the crystal, an image of Ra'Sha appearing within.

Noxx'Zus removed his hand from his head, helping Rian'Ka to her feet. "I believe it is time, he must be brought here so we can work on separating his mind from Arkon.", Noxx'Zus said. Rian'Ka nodded as she was helped up, "I agree, but what of the Queen of Fire?", she said, feeling the pain disperse. Noxx'Zus turned and walked a few steps away from the pillar, "I will travel to Hiroshima and see them, a consensus will be formed through deliberation.", he said as he placed his hands together in front of him, index and middle fingers extended. He closed his eyes and faded from sight in a cloud of shadows. Rian'Ka turned back to the crystal pillar, the image changing to reflect the rock area where Ra'Sha and Kasumi sit.

As Ra'Sha and Kasumi entered into the main hall of the palace, a familiar voice echoed down the court. "Ran'Ke!", his sister called as she ran and hugged her brother, nearly tackling him over. "So good to have you home!", Rian'Ka said, her voice filled with glee. Ra'Sha hugged his sister then pried himself from her vice grip hug, "Good to be here.", he said, catching his breath after having it squeezed from him. Rian'Ka stepped back and smiled to him and Kasumi. "My my...", Rian'Ka said, looking to Kasumi with a small blush in her cheeks, "Even more beautiful in person. But you are soaking wet, we can't have that. Come, come.", she sang, pulling on Kasumi's arm as she led her away. Ra'Sha went to say something but was interrupted by Vas'Kaa. "Now that you are home, my lord. The nobles wish to inform you about the details of the coronation ceremony. Please, come with me, allow Rian'Ka to entertain miss Kasumi.", Vas'Kaa said, gesturing into another room. Ra'Sha looked back as Rian'Ka pulled Kasumi down a seperate hallway, "That's what I'm afraid of, but if you insist.", Ra'Sha said, following Vas'Kaa into a meeting room.

Rian'Ka pulls Kasumi into her chamber. The room is decorated in all white, white walls, white sheets, white furniture. "Please, make yourself at home while I dig up something for you to put on.", Rian'Ka said, smiling warmly as she opened up a nearby closet door and walked in. She walked through the walk in closet, looking through dresses and various other outfits. "Hmm, no...maybe this, umm no. Hmm, how about...no", she sings aloud as she looks through her clothes. Back in the meeting room, Ra'Sha enters to a round table, several nobles dressed in black and red garments of all kinds sit around the table. He sits at the head of the table as Vas'Kaa stands beside him. "Greeting, Lord Ran'Ke. Now then, for your coronation...", the nobles started, tossing out ideas and suggestions. Ra'Sha felt so out of place even in his own home as the nobles tossed ideas back and forth for his coronation.

Rian'Ka pushed through rack after rack of dresses until she came to a low cut, floor length black dress with violet lace. "Perfect!", she squeals, grabbing it and dancing out to Kasumi. She holds the dress up against her, gauging if the size is right. "This should be a perfect fit, and accentuate your already perfect body.", Rian'Ka said, blushing. She walks back into the closet and grabs a white towel from next to the door before walking out and closing the door. "And here is a little something to dry off, wouldn't want you catching a cold.", she said, handing her the towel with a smile.

Rian'Ka blushed heavily when she removed her robe, turning to give a bit of privacy. "That dress belonged to our mother, and it was passed to me. I would like to give it to you, as a gift from me and her.", Rian'Ka said, trying not to sound so excited. Ra'Sha, bored senseless, nods at the nobles ideas until an agreement is reached. "Very well, we will hold Lord Ran'Ke's coronation tomorrow, followed by a banquet for him and Queen Kyuketsuki.", one noble said, the others nodding in agreement. Vas'Kaa leaned next to Ra'Sha, "Sir, we will begin the rituals for you and miss Kasumi as Noxx'Zus had planned after the coronation banquet.", he whispered to Ra'Sha as the nobles spoke among themselves about the coronation. Ra'Sha nodded silently, almost forgetting that's the reason why he came.

Rian'Ka turned back around, the blushing growing deeper as she saw Kasumi in her mother's dress. "Oh my...", she said, feeling light headed. She opened the door to the hall, "P..Perhaps, Ran'Ke's meeting is over, a..and it's getting close to dinner time.", she said, nervousness welling up as she smiled shyly. Ra'Sha walked out of the meeting room back into the court, "That...was...excruciating.", he said to Vas'Kaa. The guard captain laughed as he walked up next to Ra'Sha, "I know, but it had to be done. Royal protocols and all that noise. Anyway, it's time for dinner, my lord. Rian'Ka should be bringing Kasumi to the dining hall shortly.", he said to Ra'Sha. "I suppose, hopefully Rian'Ka hasn't bothered Kasumi too much.", he said to Vas'Kaa, remembering how his sister is.