#xzai

Ronin was sat in the heart of his father's 'garden'. The place where his other father's sword was planted into the ground. It was...unsettling how real this all felt. Far beyond the realms of an illusion. As he reached out and plucked a strawberry from a bush he took a moment to analyze it. The feel, the smell, the shape. Hesitant for a moment before he took a bite. It was uncanny how much it tasted just like the berries from the garden back home. It was unmistakable. And there was something violating about that fact. Ronin never shared such details with Silas. For him to be able to relay it with such accuracy showed their gods had access to more than Ronin thought he allowed. Blind devotion and loyalty was one thing. But such memories were sacred. Not so freely given and now shared with strangers.

And yet he didn't feel the same sting of betrayal when Zainab walked through the halls of his home. Speak of the devil... "You know I can usually tell when you're there...watching me." Turning to look over his shoulder. "Not sure when but I just feel when your eyes are on me." He stood and brushed himself off. Still in black sweats and a loose black, sleeveless tshirt this early in the morning. Barefooted was a habit in his home and even his father's garden. "I would've mentioned it to you sooner but I know how easily your pride can be wounded at times. I assume you wanted to remain unnoticed." It sounded like a kindness even if his words still held their natural bite.

Ronin gathered the blades that rested beside him and stood to approach Zai. Such an armed approached might come off as a threat but in this moment it was the complete opposite. Ronin held the blades out to Zai. "A gift...or maybe a peace offering." With his resolve solidified he needed to get this out before his pride got the best of him. "Listen, I know you and I have had a complicated run. And I just want you to know that I'm not here to sabotage this mission. I wish for its success and take no joy in derailing what we were sent here to do." He hoped Zai would trust the gift that was offered. Weapons weren't really Ronin's thing these days. No reason for them to go to waste.

"I can't say that I won't still point out obvious flaws and room for improvement...but I can try and lessen the venom of my bite." Ok he softened the path for the landing, he we go. "I say that as I tell you that I got in a fight with Celeste last night. Yes, one of the honored three hosting this little festival."

He took Lil Draco, later renaming Draconus soon after the elven threat was buried, to the camp housing those who dared take aim at his God. The pair of them faced the elves head on and left them buried in a wake of rock, blood and ash. When it came to an end Ronin stood over the female elf that led them. Still drawing her last breaths as she watched the difference in power between their gods. But before she left this earth Ronin whispered words stolen from locked tomes of Acoma. When they used to pass the souls of guardians into stone golem to watch over the hatchlings of the island. A practice long abandoned as it robbed the souls of peace in the afterlife. Ronin found such a fate fitting that she would not be reunited with her people or her departed twin. Made to serve at his side and will until the release the bind around her soul and she faded into nothing. Forgotten dust in the wind. Ronin claimed her and her general that day and forged a path ahead to the throne that awaited him.

As he grew in power he further distanced himself from the other Acolytes. Feeling no need for bonds with those he would one day rise above. And it seemed fair to say his feats had earned him much attention from the Inner Circle. So much so they gave no fuse to him taking the life of another Acolyte who tried to challenge him. Taken the golden child of Hera into his dark sands to add to his ranks. But alas as much as he distanced himself and pushed the rift wider between he and the file beast of shadow waters fate would once again decide a different path for him.

He was training against Igris, her helmet and sword laid to the side as they exchanged hand to hand blows. Since taking more of warlock role he did not engage in direct combat unless dire. Still he would not let his skill dull if a foe thought his distance gave them an opening to attack him face to face. They would fall in their misstep like all others. The pair had come to a break when a door appeared in the middle of the training grounds. The notable gateway to his King when he was being summoned to serve. Without a look Ronin dismissed Igris, her helmet and sword melting into the ground along with her. Returned to the well of power that resonated within Ronin once again. As he approached the door with no handle, it opened without a knock or push for him to enter. Arriving at the private Alter of their King, their highest of gods, Silas Knight. An audience only given to those deemed worthy of his company or wrath. Ronin took a couple steps before he came down to one knee and bowed without giving much attention to anything else. "How may I be of service my Lord?" A slight raise of his chin once the proper respect was paid would reveal Silas was not the only God there...and Ronin was not the only Acolyte. His distraction...the shadow that stood on the other side of the rift....Zainab. He too stood only a few feet away as if the distance Ronin had fought for over the last year had been erased against his will.

It has been about a month since that shameful night. Ronin was losing himself into a corruption he wasn't sure he needed...even if part of him wanted it. A part of him that distracted him from the very goal of being an Acolyte. That made the pain of his brand pointless if he could be so easily swayed by a snake...no a crocodile in the grass. He needed space, a place to center himself. With his King's permission Ronin returned home, his true home. No matter his devotion to the crown his heart would always remain with Acoma. And so he took a break from his duties to journey home without much word to anyone besides Silas, the only one he felt deserved notification of his day to day.

It felt good being among his people again, even if he had evolved far beyond the powerless boy he once was to them. Time spent with his parents graves, sleeping in his own bed, it did manage to set him on the right course again. But part of him feared he would lose sight when he returned to New Olympia. And so he called in another favor to his King. A grand favor that would drain whatever currency he had won in honor to the crown thus far. Well worth it given it would not be long before he won Silas' favor again returned ten fold. His return to New Olympia was made with the same silence of his exit. Although whispers of his return were sure to echo through the catacombs after a glance or two of him from the servants.

He could be found out at the private beach known only to the Acolytes and staff, glamoured from the sights of mere mortals. Ronin sat with his back laid against a mount of what appeared to be sand and dirt. As if he'd gathered was was needed for the most epic of sandcastles but fell short of constructing the notable shapes of such a landmark. Body still wet from a swim and covered only in his speedo. It appeared he felt more comfortable swimming here instead of the grotto, for obvious reasons. Alas it did not seem he would be safe here either as the very face he was avoiding appeared in the distance. Ronin said nothing to greet him but once Zai was close enough he would learn that was no mere mound of sand.

The earth shock for a moment before a head rose from the sand pile that was actually the body of the large creature. Head elevated it peered down at the approaching visitor with a snarl and huff air from his nostrils that sent a mini sandstorm in Zai's direction. A warning before a show of sharp teeth were exposed. "Calm down, Lil Draco. He's a frei...." No. "...he's not a threa..." No. Ronin sighed. "...just don't eat him." That felt the most he could offer to settle the hatchling that was no mere hatchling any more. Lil Draco had grown to a med sized dragon that still toward above most. The name just stuck and Ronin's father never changed it even as he became his dragonrider over the years. After his parents passed Lil Draco would let none but Ronin care for him. So it was a little disheartening when he had to leave the last part of his family behind when joining the Acolytes. But Silas trusted he could keep the beast tamed when needed.

Lil Draco huffed but kept his eyes on Zai before resting his head on the ground again. Only this time he shifted his tail to block the path between Ronin and Zai. Once settled Ronin stroked Lil Draco's side where he rested while keeping his eyes on his new company. "Is there something you need, Zainab?"

Ronin laid in bed restless. So much had occurred over the course of the festival's end that had him wired, excited and unsure where to put all that energy. He was riled up prior to the chase and the battle that followed. Fist itching to break the fingers of that knife ear that dared attack his King. Even if her efforts failed the offense needed to be answered. And they didn’t get her brother’s blood as mercy favored him. This should have settled things but Ronin continues to toss in his shits as sleep evaded him.

In his frustration he threw the covers off of him and went to grab his robe. Ignoring the stares he could feel from Charli lurking in the shadows as he exited his room and head down the hall. Knowing where his path was headed and hating himself for it already. He didn’t knock, just turned the knob hoping it was locked but knowing there was no turning back as the door opened for him. He looked to Zai saying nothing. Closing the door behind him he stepped instead and let his robe fall to the floor, leaving him in nothing but his snug black jockey underwear. “Say one word and I’m leaving.” He didn’t need the taunts or the easily pushed buttons. Anything that would make him regret this could wait till later. For now he just wanted a release of all that was pent up in him.

Ronin stepped to the waters of the grotto cautiously. There should be no safer place for him within the Catacombs among his allies. Sure they were all fighting for a spot to fill the seat of the Dark Rook and were rivals at the same time but he didn't expect a knife in his back. Or at least he hoped. Glad to open a grave for whoever was foolish enough to test their luck. No, it was the element he sought that was the most concern for him. Water was a weakness to one whose weapon was sand.

And as much as he was in need of the cooling waters of the grotto spring to sooth his aches he made sure he was alone. After watching for all corners he finally stepped into the water and sank down before rising up to find a corner to rest against. Seated on the soft rock edge while the overflow of water poured down on him from above. With sigh he relaxed, "I should really invest in a knife..." Priding himself on being his own weapon he might need one for a swim.