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"Connection" (Minaina, Harmonia) Once upon a time, there was a priest's son, young though he was, who had taken the position of High Priest. A boy, though innocent, had taken the reigns of control. His goal, like many others before him, was to bring peace and prosperity to the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia. At least that was what Emanu had been told by his elders. However, despite the High Priest's still-youthful appearance, Emanu could not help but wonder if Sasalai had deviated from his ideals. Perhaps the country had been ready for as young of a leader as he was, but still... something unspoken of existed in the boy's aura. He was not just a boy, but a symbol... and not just a symbol... but something... else? He realized something just then; Sasalai was staring at him! Was he not supposed to be here, in the chamber of the Beast Rune? Sasalai's haughty, slightly annoyed glare told him so. Was he angry too? That much he could not read. As he backed out of the room slowly, his bent-over posture apologizing for his deed, he sensed the bond between boy and rune. There was something more than he could see about Sasalai and the rune, and he aimed to find out what it was. For another night, though. Emanu walked to the priests' quarters, leaving the young priest alone with his thoughts, and the rune.
Sasalai watched suspiciously as that fool, Emanu, left the room. He would never understand the power, would he? He would grovel in fear for the rest of his life, unsure of what lied around the corner. But Sasalai knew. He saw the Beast, and he had conquered It. He looked at the palm of his right hand, then at the double-headed Beast Rune before him, on top of a marble platform. Both bore the same shape perfectly to-scale. The same aged voice who told him about the High Priest told him about the Beast Rune, and the words replayed through his mind. "The Beast Rune, child, is one of the Twenty-Seven True Runes. It is the symbol of Harmonia's ever-lasting rule, but it is never to be used in vain. It contains an astonishing power which can only be contained by the world's greatest magicians. The Beast Rune used to be in L'Renouille after Highland broke away from Harmonia; do you remember this lesson, boy? However, just last year, we reclaimed it as our own..." Our own, our own, our own... our own? Had the Beast Rune ever belonged to Harmonia? Truly? Sasalai wondered how many of her people knew of its existance. He remembered his first day of High Priesthood, when he finally was able to see the Beast Rune with his own eyes. On that day, something strange had happened; the Beast Rune began to develop a small mass on its surface, which formed another, but much smaller part; it then imbedded itself into his hand. Few knew of the Lesser Beast Rune, and the Greater Beast Rune, being a national symbol... well, that answered his question, didn't it? Sasalai smacked his forehead in disbelief. Maybe I should get some sleep... Who needs sleep? What was that? the young High Priest thought. When the Highlander arrives, you know what to do, right? "Who are you?" You know very well who I am. Sasalai looked about the room. Nothing. "Who are you?" Child, look at your right hand. Sasalai stared at the palm of his right hand, which glowed dimly with the power of the Lesser Beast Rune. "So you are-" No need to talk, child. I do not want... we do not want plans to be given away to a careless ear, do we? No... He found his words silenced by the voice reigning in his mind. It is customary to give a gift to Highland royalty whilst visiting. I suggest that you return the larger half to them. But... Ruka... he'll misuse... They think you young and therefore gullible. Their own thoughts of superiority blind them. The users of the Power become its victims. And you shall stand at the top after the blood has been shed. Sasalai nodded absently like a child obeying a parent. He didn't have a choice in the matter. Or was this what he really wanted? He suddenly felt that way; he agreed with the rune. Present them with the other half as a part of diplomacy. Then, when they least expect it... You know what to do, child. Be well and prepared. The glow in his hand suddenly diminished and faded into nothingness. Be well and prepared. Be well and prepared. Be well and prepared. Be well and prepared. These words became a mantra to him; his power could focus; the Power could focus. He knew that he could do anything. Only the sky limited him.
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