Shikenshi Training (Brianna/open)

[Cillian McWolfe]

"There are certain appearances one is expected to keep and maintain. Good for morale and all that. People need to know we are focused on protecting them, not wasting time playing tricks in the streets."

He shrugged.

"Probably one of the reasons I'm here. In hopes that I'll straighten up my act."


Qi use 14/24



(Shikenshi) Zap Dragon Blade: A sword with blue flame summoned from the palm of Cillian holds in it the power of the Zap Dragon. Costing one Qi use per post to summon it can then fire Blade Beams with each slash of electricity. These blade beams do Cillians Energy on damage. (Does not use a Qi use to fire a blade beam, as long as the sword is maintained it's power can be used.

[Brianna Valdyr]

"You can have more than a stalwart protector. People need hope and inspiration, too." She shrugged, refusing to let herself become one of the former. But it was Cillian's last comment that caught her attention.

"Seriously? You're you. From what I can tell, that's just fine. You're working right now to be better. What do they want?"

[Cillian McWolfe]

He laughed lightly and shook his head.

"A hero."

Qi use 15/24

(Shikenshi) Zap Dragon Blade: A sword with blue flame summoned from the palm of Cillian holds in it the power of the Zap Dragon. Costing one Qi use per post to summon it can then fire Blade Beams with each slash of electricity. These blade beams do Cillians Energy on damage. (Does not use a Qi use to fire a blade beam, as long as the sword is maintained it's power can be used.

[Brianna Valdyr]

Brianna stared, her mind working around the fact that this boy who was twice as strong with her also struggled to fill the role she knew was her destiny. There was comfort in that, and worry too. She shook her head with a chuckle.

"Then they need to wake up and realize the world is full of all kinds of heroes. WE can only get better, and stronger."

[Cillian McWolfe]

"Maybe, but it's not about how strong you are. I'm plenty strong already. And while there is always room for improvement. It's a mindset. A larger than life stalwart protector. With unwavering determination and morals. Something out of a storybook. That's what is expected of our heroes."

He'd slash with his blade, a small frown touching his lips.

"Better than trying to be a false God though. So there is that."

Qi use 16/24

(Shikenshi) Zap Dragon Blade: A sword with blue flame summoned from the palm of Cillian holds in it the power of the Zap Dragon. Costing one Qi use per post to summon it can then fire Blade Beams with each slash of electricity. These blade beams do Cillians Energy on damage. (Does not use a Qi use to fire a blade beam, as long as the sword is maintained it's power can be used.

[Brianna Valdyr]

"Well yeah, it's not just physical strength." They were on the same page but running in circles. "What about your inner strength? Your ability to endure? That counts for something too." She totally wanted to be the hero in a storybook. The stories existed for a reason, to inspire. To reach for. He wouldn't be able to do that if he was already determined he couldn't.

"Well yeah. What's the point of being a fake symbol for people?"

She doesn't get it.

[Cillian McWolfe]

"Well for that you'd have to ask their worshipers and them I suppose. If you can scale their mountain."

Qi use 17/24

(Shikenshi) Zap Dragon Blade: A sword with blue flame summoned from the palm of Cillian holds in it the power of the Zap Dragon. Costing one Qi use per post to summon it can then fire Blade Beams with each slash of electricity. These blade beams do Cillians Energy on damage. (Does not use a Qi use to fire a blade beam, as long as the sword is maintained it's power can be used.

[Brianna Valdyr]

Brianna blinked a couple of times, understanding dawning on her as it clicked that he meant the gods on Mount Olympus. The actual one and not the story of them.

"Nah, don't need them. They'd probably just kick me out, anyway. People need their own thing, you know? Walk their own path. Even if it's not a hero's journey." The Gods had their own views and paths, just like she had hers.

"Gods, Dragons, and what not, they're legends, but we can be more that that."

[Cillian McWolfe]

He nodded in agreement.

"I'm satisfied being a man, I don't think we need something greater or mythological to save us. We destroyed this world, it's up to us to rebuild it."

Qi use 18/24

(Shikenshi) Zap Dragon Blade: A sword with blue flame summoned from the palm of Cillian holds in it the power of the Zap Dragon. Costing one Qi use per post to summon it can then fire Blade Beams with each slash of electricity. These blade beams do Cillians Energy on damage. (Does not use a Qi use to fire a blade beam, as long as the sword is maintained it's power can be used.

[Brianna Valdyr]

"Exactly!" Her speech sped up a bit with her excitement, hands twitching as she barely held back her reaction with his sword out and about. Someone else who got it!

"The world's a mess, but it's our turn to shape it and remake it. Make it better."

[Cillian McWolfe]

"And it's never going to happen as long as people decide to give up their agency to those that believe themselves to be God. It's an abandonment of responsibility, both in the state of the world, and in the role of stewards of the future."

While she was excited, he was getting angry thinking about it. The sword flashing away and back rapidly in his hand.

Qi use 19/24

(Shikenshi) Zap Dragon Blade: A sword with blue flame summoned from the palm of Cillian holds in it the power of the Zap Dragon. Costing one Qi use per post to summon it can then fire Blade Beams with each slash of electricity. These blade beams do Cillians Energy on damage. (Does not use a Qi use to fire a blade beam, as long as the sword is maintained it's power can be used.

[Brianna Valdyr]

Wait, why was he angry? Were they not just talking about rebuilding the world? Boy he had a thing for the gods. The irritation in the air made her pause as the conversation circled back to the problem rather than the dream.

"So how would you change it?"

[Cillian McWolfe]

"I don't think I can. You can't change someone that doesn't want to change. And people that are crazy enough to believe they are literally Gods that are thousands of years old are beyond being reasoned with."

Qi use 20/24

(Shikenshi) Zap Dragon Blade: A sword with blue flame summoned from the palm of Cillian holds in it the power of the Zap Dragon. Costing one Qi use per post to summon it can then fire Blade Beams with each slash of electricity. These blade beams do Cillians Energy on damage. (Does not use a Qi use to fire a blade beam, as long as the sword is maintained it's power can be used.

[Brianna Valdyr]

Okay, good point! He could sense that there were things that you couldn't change, so she didn't have to worry about Cillian suddenly talking to a monster or imaginary friend or whatever else.

"Yeah, that probably won't happen." Not with that attitude, anyway. Brianna nodded. "So if you don't do that, I guess what matters is what you do plan to do to make the world better."

[Cillian McWolfe]

"Up in the air, I suppose. It's easy to get lost in grand designs. First I need to take care of home. Anything more I'll have to work from there."

He dug the blade into the ground, leaning on it.

"What about you? What do you plan to do?"

Qi use 21/24

(Shikenshi) Zap Dragon Blade: A sword with blue flame summoned from the palm of Cillian holds in it the power of the Zap Dragon. Costing one Qi use per post to summon it can then fire Blade Beams with each slash of electricity. These blade beams do Cillians Energy on damage. (Does not use a Qi use to fire a blade beam, as long as the sword is maintained it's power can be used.