plots

Message 342:

Date:     Fri Nov 17 16:34:55 2000 CST
From:     Maxis (#5782)
To:       *plots (#1506)
Subject:  Maxis just sat there, amazed.  He was sitting with the elder and Khylel, it seemed they
 had been talking for hours.  They knew of the Acolytes and of Zel, whom turned out to be Khylel's
 brother.  Zel left, looking for a bandit who had come through the village.  Turns out the bandit
 kidnapped several children, looking for a strong one for his master, Zane.  Khylel went with Zel,
 but returned once their efforts seemed to fail.  Which is where the story had just reached...


..a few years after I returned..." continued Khylel, "...we got a message from Zel.  He had settled
 down with the rest of the search party in a mountain village.  He decided to train Acolytes there,
 since he was the strongest of all of us, it only seemed proper for him to start the Circle."  The
 elder nodded, "The bandit was never found, but we believe he was killed in another village, one
 that was near that of Zels... now, we suspect the children that were kidnapped were adopted..."
 Maxis inturrepted, "Wait... if you were involved in all of this... the both of you would have to
 be over 150 years old..."  They both nodded, "We are." said the elder. "The last two remaining
 Acolytes...  we never reached the level Zel did... he would probably last much longer then us...
 if the two of us stay near this village, we will age more slowly, but Zel could travel great
 distances, and still not age as quickly, in any sense, Zel was the strongest of us."  Maxis rubbed
 his forehead, "I don't understand... What does any of this have to do with me?"  The elder
 grinned, "We believe you to be the one the bandit was searching for, and found.  But he didn't
 realize it until he was already close to dying.  Zane musthave figured out though... which is
 where your end of the story comes into play.  You were choosen to begin the training, but before
 you could fully finish it, Zane cursed you..."  Maxis slowly nodded, "It does fit..."  Khylel
 frowned, "Now, we know your here to grow stronger... in order to stand a chance against what
 plagues Peleg... we can help.  I'd go and fight myself... but if we leave this place, we will die
 within a few days, so I cannot.  But, I can train you, get you ready."  The elder nodded, "Wherest
 Khylel is a master of the fighting aspect, I am a master of the mental and energy concentration. 
 I will help you in that area. H ear this though, no man has ever mastered both, except Zel... we
 hope you may be the second..."  Maxis looked up, "You think I can?"  They both nodded, "We begin
 tommorrow, I advise you get some rest, your going to need it...

The next day began Maxis' quest to become an Acolyte.  What he started so long ago, was being
 started once again..... 

After the first few days, Maxis was exhausted... half the day with Kyhlel, have with the elder, but
 still he pressed on.  He opted to train by himself once night fell, barely getting a few hours of
 sleep.  Khylel and the elder fo course knew this, deciding to watch him one night. "Hes like a
 god... he keeps going..." said Khylel. "I know Khylel, I know... He could very well be the one
 we've been waiting for... he did kill Zane... Only time will tell..."  

Time passed, more quickly then Maxis could imagine... and still he trained....