The ring of gods and uncovered secrets

The child seemed to lead them. Skipping onward. Humming the tune of a song to himself. Arms swinging at his sides. Sean followed him for what seemed about five minutes. Which in fact they were. Sean made sure he counted himself. They kept walking donw the seemigly endless hallway. Till they reached a simple wooden door. Innocence turned to Sean. Still a big smile on his face. "You sure you wanna go on? Big sis is waitin through that door." Sean didn't need a second to think. "I'm sure." Was all he said as he twisted the copped knob. Door creraking open. As a scent came to his nose.

A large beach extended out in front of him. A warm sun beamed down on him. White sand stretched out as far as he could see. A sparkling blue ocean extending even farther. Like liquid sapphire. Not too far in front of Sean stood a lone girl. She looked about twenty one. Thing and pale. Hair flowing down her back. Black with lightning blonde highlights. Eyes a strange cloudy greyish color. Wearing tight black jeans with ripped up knees. A graphic tee with a rain design on the front. Tattered fingerless gloves on her hands. A lip ring in the right side of her lip, and a ring in her left eyebrow. Hands dug deep in her pockets. She looked at them with a neutral expression. "I've been waiting for you. Sean. Sul-fury. Thought you would never get here. " She sighed. "Come on Innocence i you know its rude to go on and bug them." The child frowned walking up to her. Clinging to her leg.

"Anyway i assume your here for the ring. Can't blame you though Sean." She held up her left hand. A strange ring onit. Intricate ivy designs on the silver band, and a large blue gem. "Afterall. It feels wonderful this power. I mean its intoxicating what i can do." She said it all with a neutral tone. "If you want the ring. All you have to do is beat me. if you can handle that Sean. Who knows if you and Sul succeed i might even give him." She pointed at Sul." A little gift as well. Since i'm sure what Hatred said is nagging away at your mind." With that Innocence ran into a cave that was in a rock formation. "We can get this started Sean. With that water from the ocean came to life. Shooting as spikes. With the highest density possible for them. About twenty times as much as Sean was capable of. So she knew even Sul's tough skin would be hurt. Though really it was just a test of the two. She had no intentions of killing them.

Their eventual destination led to a beach, which was odd considering that they were just previously in an ancient ruin. The boy led the way, and Sul followed enjoying the soft feeling of the sand beneath his feet. The next character, like the last two appeared unrelated. Sul had yet to make the connection, slightly clueless. She was mostly speaking to Sean, after all, he was the one here for the ring. However, she mentioned something regarding rewarding Sul-Fury as well. He hadn't really sought anything out of this adventure. He just wanted to make sure Sean got out of here alive. Up to now, he was the closest thing Sul had to a friend. Ever since Hurricane had destroyed his previous life, killing his childhood friends. He was a lone wolf until he met Sean, and now the two seemed to have their destinies entwined.

Their next task was to defeat the young girl who appeared to be about twenty-one years old. When she revealed the source of her power, Sul knew the two of them were going to have a hard time. She had the same ability as Sean which was the first glimpse of any connection for Sul. Water shot up into the air from the ocean and was ready to strike. Sul looked to Sean, the two of them had a chemistry for sure, but was it enough? They were about to find out. If anything, the two on one was the main advantage they had. She, of course, had the ring that Sean desired. The ring that could amplify his powers. Sul was slightly disadvantaged. He wasn't too fond of the beach setting, there wasn't too many places to duck for cover, no large objects to hurl. Just a large setting in which Sul could take as much of a beating as he could withstand.

Of course he had other tactics up his sleeve, but mostly he would be relying on Sean. The two of them had a few combo attacks they had been working on together but have yet to put it into practice. About 80% of them could be countered by Serenity's capability to control water and ice even better than Sean could. For now. They would get that ring. Sul just had to be determined, the way Pain was. Pain never quit, he had the goal set in his mind from the start. With that determination, his will became reality. He had to reflect that. Especially where he was needed the most. He clenched his fists in preparation.

The water came at Sean at high speeds. Seeming to whistle as it flew towards him. In a large sharp seeming mass. Sean tryed to stop it. Putting all his concentration into it. Only slowing it down. As i charged on forward. He knew he couldn't stop it. This would be the end for him. Then the water stopped only a foot infront of him. Only a small spike of water shooting by. Cutting his cheek slightly. "You didn't think i would kill you. Did you?" She rubbed the bridge of her nose. "That would be way too counter productive. No im just testing you. After all you can't just walk in and demand power. Its impractical." She was speaking impartially." Also make it duely noted that Sul can help you to. Its not a one on one fight. So you both can come at me with all you got. If you hit me. I'll give you the ring." She stuck her tounge out at him.

Sean frowned. it seemed she was mocking them. He didn't like that one bit. As if she was better than him. Though with the ring she was. Way more powerful. Annoyed he called all the water he could. Feeling it react as a large amount of water gathered into a cloud of water above him. "If all i have to do is hit you. Then this is gonna be easy." With that full powered spikes of ice shot from the cloud. Hundereds of them. All at Serenity. She smiled holding a hand out in the spikes directions. Causing them to stop. Then hissing as they turned to steam. Evaporating away. "When i say both of you. I do mean both. Not just Sean attacking me while Sul watches." She was unimpressed by Sean. Though her expectations were not high of him to begin with. Though now all she had to do was not get hit.

Sul was going to react when Serenity began to attack Sean, but it was over in moments. She claimed not to want to kill Sean, only test him. They would need to work as a team but Sean seemed like he wanted to test her abilities as well. She easily evaporated the water molecules which gave Sul an idea. If Sean could evaporate or freeze whatever she threw at Sul, he could have a clear shot at landing a hit in. She again reiterated her point that the two of them could come at her at once, and Sul wasted little time.

Though they had only a few fights under their belts as a team, Sul and Sean had a few 'combo' moves they were working on together. "Sean, evaporate whatever she throws at me if you can. When I get close, give me something to 'work' with." He put emphasis on what he was trying to make clear. The combo attack he was thinking of was where Sean turned Sul's fist into a wrecking ball and chain made completely of ice. Serenity could easily evaporate the ice weapon, which is why Sean had to wait for the right moment. If Sul-Fury was stopped by their opponent, he could get extra several feet of an attack if he threw a ball of ice at her.

Sul-Fury's body lurched forward and he took off into a sprint. His feet dug into the sand and kicked up several particles as he made his way towards Serenity at his peak speed.

Sul rushed her at his full speed. Serenity smiled. He was faster than she expected. Still it didn't matter. Even if she waasn't Sean. She had his memories at her disposal. Everything Sean knew. She knew as well. So she had good idea what the two were planning. Still she had to admit it took some guts to go up against an opponent you knew nothing about. Especially since it was like Sul was trying to fight Sean himself.

When Sean saw the oppurtunity he went into motion. Forming and condensing a balla nd chain of ice on Sul's fist. Made of the thickest ice possible for him to make. Gleaming in the mock sunlight. He knew that the ball and chain would do something. Hopefully anyway.

Serentiy knew what was happening before it happened. Well she had an idea anyway. Then the ball and chain formed. She knew what to do. In a moment the ball and chain began to ripple trying to turn back onto water, but it didn't. Silently she cursed. Sean was interfering with her ower. He was able to stop the ice from changing. How she wasn't sure. He was supposed to be too weak to stop it. Confused she rolled to the side. As part of the ball and chain ripped off a loose peice of her shirt fabric. Though it didn't hit her. It came damn well close. "Good. Almost got me there." She was breathing a bit heavier. Then she took a deep breath. As water seemed to appear out of nowhere. In large clusters. Blooping into existence. When in fact though she was just pulling it from the really moist air. Now she would see how they adapt to this. The water swirled into a violent torrent. Blasting full force at Sul-Fury. Knowing it would do some damage.

So close, she barely evaded the blow from the wrecking ball attached to his closed fist. The blunt ice weapon skidded across the sand as it skimmed a fragment of Serenity's clothing. Their opponent devised her next attack, seemingly pulling water merely out of the air. Sul was surprised, he hadn't seen Sean do anything like that before. The water particles form into a larger cluster of water. His invisible eyebrows raised as she manipulated the water into an attack.

Though she knew everything about Sean, she didn't know everything about Sul. If Sean had the ability to keep her from evaporating his ice wrecking ball, he had the power to resist her. Sul's gritted his teeth as the attack swirled towards him in a powerful blast. He ran towards it, throwing his fist behind his back. The ice ball and chain flung behind him. He swung the large object back over his head at the large body of water. "FREEZE IT!!" he yelled out.

If frozen, the strength behind the blow was more than significant to shatter almost any density of ice. Sul's strength had grown since their fight with Pain. He knew he was stronger than back then, but he still had a level of reliance on Sean. If the ice shattered it would consequently fling hundreds of ice particles back at Serenity. If Sean wouldn't be quick enough to react, the blow would land but be ineffective, as the water would swarm around the wrecking ball and blast Sul-Fury head on and knock him back several feet, kicking sand up into the air like a cloud of smoke.

Sul-fury decided to charge her once again. When did they learn? Sul wanted Sean to try and freeze her attack. Giving him some type of advantage. Smiling she raised a hand pointed at Sean. As water formed. Hardening into dense, sharp ice shards. Flying full force. No way he could help Sul and stop them at the same time. Sean was suprised. She had thought of a way to counter them. Cursing as he concentrated full force on hte ice shrads. Stopping them only inches from his face. Sighing as he allowed them to drop to the ground. Reaqlinzing it too late to stop the dense stream of water from slamming into Sul. He tryed to stop it. Putting all the concentration he could. Then a stab of pain coursed through his head. As the water slowed down a little. Putting all he had as the water slowly, but surely slowed down. Yet he didn't stop. As he felt as if shard of glass were stabing into his brain. A small drop of blood came from his nose.

He couldn't keep this up for much longer. Trying to stop this attack was too much for him. She was way too powerful. All due to that ring. If he could get that ring. She would lose. Blast of water lossing a little more momentum. As a spurt of blood erupted from his nose. She was so powerful. His limits were reached this easily. How was that possible. It had to be the ring. He only waqnted it more now. Falling to his knees. Holding his hand over his nose. A few droplets of blood getting through his fingers. Yet he had managed to soften the blow by at least a fourth. Still he knew that would do some damage. Considering it was still way more powerful than anything Sean could do. In fact it put him to shame.

Sul swung the ice weapon towards the blast of water, expecting Sean to freeze it. He didn't blame Sean, he knew the priorities. They both did. Sul could take a harder hit than Sean could. The water overwhelmed Sul and knocked him clear off his feet, throwing him far backwards. Sean tried to stop the blast from pushing Sul further back, but he wished he hadn't. He should have been more concentrated on landing a hit on Serenity. Sul tumbled across the sand as the water started to slow down. The sand had turned to mud, which gave him an idea. They didn't have to knock her brains out, they just had to 'hit' her. She didn't specify at what level, or how hard!

Sul hoped Sean was keeping her distracted as he quickly rolled over and got to his knees. he clasped both hands into the mud, compacting the mud into a very dense ball. Standing up and off his knees, he squinted his eyes, acquiring his target. Winding up the pitch, he put all of his strength behind the projectile, throwing it several hundred feet per second at Serenity's torso.

Sean was doing horribly. Serenity noticed that. It worried her for a second. Afterall she was him. Why wouldn't she be?Then something hit her square in the chest. Hard and fast. It hurt like hell. As she fell on her ass. Reeling from the pain. It hurt,but nothing was broken. She gasped for air. Considering the breath was knocked out of her. Then she realized something. "Ow you hit me in the boob!" It only made her realized it hurt worse. Still a deal was a deal. She pulled the ring off of her finger. " Hey Sean!" She called holding the ring.

Sean dizzily looked up to see Serenity holding the ring out for him. He stood up weakly. Approaching her expecting a random attack. Yet it didn't happen. As he reached for the ring in her outstretched hand. Carefully placing it on his left ring finger. Feeling the power flow through him the second it came onto his finger. Eyes glowing a strange blue for a moment. A large smile forming on his lips. This was the power he was looking for, and it felt wonderful. As if he could take on the world and win. Sighing Serenity stood up. "Considering you hit me. I'll give you a little prize as well Sul. Maybe an artifact of your own will work. If you don't mind that is. After all the way to the exit is through the artifact room. Also before we go i'll answer any four questions you have." She pointed at Sean. "About him. I know everything so you can ask anything and I will asnwer truthfully. Only at the end of this little tour of ours of course." Withthat a door appeared into the empty beach air. Opening to reveal a simple room. Filled with many expensive looking items. Rings, necklaces and all sorts of things. "Don't touch anything okay guys. Usually the artifacts choose its owner. So if you steal anything i can't garuntee your saftey." With that Innocence returned to Serenity's side as they and Sean walked through the door.

His strike made contact, knocking Serenity down. She hollered back at him claiming he hit her in the boob. His eyes enlarged, as that was not his intention. But the deal was a deal, she gave the gift to Sean. The relic they were looking for. Sul could see the level of satisfaction in his eyes, and it made Sul feel better too. Perhaps they wouldn't be here much longer, as Sul was feeling uncomfortable around the mystical place. Serenity next spoke to Sul regarding a reward, answering four questions regarding Sean. He recalled what the shadow of Sean called him, a killer, a murderer. Looking to Sean, he tried to read the expression in his face regarding the reward of answering any four questions.

She also spoke of a reward simply because he landed the hit. Again, Sul wasn't comfortable with magical items. But it was difficult to deny the tempting offer. The young boy ran back into the scene, joining up with the group. A random door opened, in which Serenity and Sean entered. Sul followed closely, not sure where this would take him.

When they exited the door they were in a lrage room. Excuisite. Filled with many pedestal whinh on them were items. Shelids, swords, robes, capes, rings necklaces, all kind of items. All of them in pristine condition. "This is the hall of relics. Well thats what i call it. Each of these items do different things. Some able to make a king out of a wretch. Anyway while we go through here. If you feel something drawing then don't resist. Please don't. Its most likely one of the relics calling you. Not many people get that honor." She guided them through the large room. Lit by a countless number of torches. As Serenity's offer of answers bothered Sean. What if she told Sul somthing he didn't want him know. Still he couldn't stop her. Afterall doing anything would seem suspicous to Sul. So he kept a happy expression on his face. Pretending he was fine. When in fact he wasn't. Memories rushing to him in a flash. Not knowing what would happen or what would be told. Still he followed them. As a large stone door came into veiw. He hoped it was the exit. Then he could get out of here. Back to his life. Maybe Sul wouldnt ask any serious questions, but thats just a childish hope.

Going through the room, Serenity explained a little further about how the relics call out to a user. He saw some pretty nifty stuff. He was interested in a golden spartan helmet, purely for the looks. He wondered what it would look like on him. He smiled at the thought, but it didn't seem right. These items all had a property on them that would 'call out' to a user. And this wasn't it. He strolled through the area, tempted to pick up several objects. None of which were standing out as different other than their normal appearances.

When Sul passed a jewelry stand, there were several pieces of rings, necklaces and earrings. Scanning them over with his eyes, they all seemed about the same. Suddenly, a golden ring began to let off a small puff of smoke. It was singeing the stand it was on, making a black ring mark around the base of the stand. The ring began to glow a bright hot ember color. Sul wasn't sure what it would look like if an object 'called out' to him, but this object sure did appear to react to him. It was remarkably too similar to his own powers to be considered coincidence. He leaned over to gaze at the relic.

Serenity noticed Sul looking over a ring. It was what she thought it was. Seemed fitting for him. " So this ones called you i take it. Lucky you. Its really powerful in the right hands. So i suggest if it did call you try and pick it up. If it chose you it won't burn you. If it didn't well i suppose thats self explanatory." She gestured for him too pick it up. As Sean looked at them from afar. They were only about 100 feet from the door. Which he was leaning against. Waiting for Sul and Serenity to finish what they were doing. Examining the ring on his hand. Its power still flowing through his body. It felt good. Good to be powerful. So Sean reveled in it. He got what he came here for, but apparently Sul was to get something of his own.

"Heres a little fact about that ring. It was forged about the same time as the once Sean wears. Though its secrets were never revealed. So noone knows what it does. You'll be the first person to find out."With that she stepped back. Just watching to see if the ring will reject Sul-Fury or accepted him. Curious of the outcome.

After Serenity gave the 'ok', Sul picked up the ring and placed it on his finger. The ring stopped burning and glowing as soon as it made contact with Sul. It was slightly strange, Sul didn't feel stronger, or that he had changed at all in any way. But he seemed ok, the ring wasn't harming him. He wondered if he was ready for it or not, or if it wasn't the right relic for him. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I guess that's that." he said with a smile. He gave a slight respective bow to Serenity and offered his thanks for the gift.

He made his way to Sean who was looking over his newly found power. Now that Sean had gotten what he was looking for, Sul was okay with leaving this place.

((OOC: sorry it so short ))

The huge stone door opened. Leading into a large room. It was outside. Smell of swamp water filling the air. In front of them was a stone platform etched with many symbols. Which Serenity and Innocence skippied over to. Sitting on. Serenity crossed he legs,letting Innocence sit on her lap. Looking Sean and Sul over. " Now Sul you can ask. Ask me any four questions you want about Sean. I will answer as truthfully as possible. No deception so ask freely. I don't care how rediculous." She was serious. He proved his ability to her. So he deserved an answer. Since Sean refused to tell him. A large mirror appeared out of thin air. Extremely reflective. "So ask and you shall know Sul-Fury." Then she waited for the flow of questions.

He had been pondering the topic in his mind ever since the reward was put on the table. To know any four questions about Sean. He had made up his mind what his response would be. "I believe that if Sean wishes to keep his past private, it is none of my concern. And that it's not up to me or you to force that history to be revealed. It will be up to Sean whether he wants to carry that burden alone, or open up and share it. But I believe I will pass on the offer. Sean is my friend, and I respect his privacy."