[Game Thread] Prologue: MasterArson

[Ralos theUnspoken]

No signal comes, and the cloaked figure simply stands where it is.

[MasterArson]

Hello, why am I here?

[Ralos theUnspoken]

A muffled voice emerges from the figure, who does not turn to face you.

Same reason everyone comes. To find number one.

[MasterArson]

Who is number one?

[Ralos theUnspoken]

The figure spins around in your direction and whips the cloak off, sending it sailing a dozen paces away. The tattered old garment gone, a startling realization hits you; this mysterious person is, to all appearances, you! Every scar, every piece of clothing, every subtle motion is identical. Well, except for one detail, that is. He wears an arrogant smile that grates against something deep inside you.

I am Number One!

[MasterArson]

Well, I found you. What is the point in this?

[Ralos theUnspoken]

Have you now?

With that, he cracks and shatters like glass, spraying shards all around. They stop in mid-air, then rush in to combine into ten mirror images of you scattered across the room. As you look amongst them, you can see that each of them has a different quirk that separates them from you; this copy on the verge of tears, the next brooding on the outside edge of the group, yet another with tightly clenched fists quaking with the rage that fills him.

They all speak, more or less in unison:
But then, which one is the true One?

[MasterArson]

You can never define a man as just one action or another. A man is the summation of all his acts.

[Ralos theUnspoken]

One of the many turns and strides towards you. As he moves, a wave of color bleeds through his robes, until the entire outfit has become a rich, dark green. A floating ring of small, rune covered stones fades into view circling diagonally around his torso.

Perhaps, but only by understanding the pieces may one come to know the whole.

[MasterArson]

I never did look good in green, makes me look haughty and looks like I have an ego the size of an ogre

[Ralos theUnspoken]

The other you shakes his head.

Perhaps when you are ready, you'll seek us out on your own. Until you're willing to see beyond yourself, however, there are more productive ways to spend our time.

He holds out to you a hand mirror, the frame completely devoid of glass. As he does a column of light appears at your back.

This key will allow you to travel back and forth. Here's hoping we see you sooner rather than later.

[MasterArson]

Asop takes the hand mirror and tries to go back.

[Ralos theUnspoken]

The light grows in intensity until you are forced to close your eyes momentarily. When the light fades, you find yourself standing in a white marble gazebo in the midst of a never-ending field of tall grass that sways in the breeze. The man who took you to the strange "mirror world" sits on the edge, cloak traded in for a curious outfit unlike any you've seen before [anachronism; dark blue jeans/sweatjacket, white shirt]. He looks up when you appear, mild surprise worn on his expressions.

So you decided not to go for it after all... I suppose you really can't fight fate.

He stands up and gestures around him.

Welcome to the plane of Xilana, my heavenly domain. I am Rixis, the God of Light. And I have a job offer for you. It is a simple task in name, though not as much in execution: destroy the Tyrant, Ralos Argoth. To this end I will supply you with the means and tools to unlock your true potential. What you later choose to do with said potential is your own concern. I realize that this is sudden, but we are on something of a strict timetable. All the same, if you have any questions as to the situation or the terms of your "contract", feel free to ask them.

[MasterArson]

as the film over his eyes goes away

So, what timetable are we talking about

[Ralos theUnspoken]

Due to circumstances, this next week the team has off, but once we resume, your training will be finished in the space of another week.