A Paladin's Quest [Aria]

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Dante walked through the forest, trying his best to keep things silent. His armor hid itself from plain sight, using Dante's mind, and magic as a catalyst, the armor made it's visual appearance to that of regular cloth clothing. Of course if anyone was to touch it, they would feel the sleek strength of the steel plated armor Dante always carried with him. The magical armor was a staple of his arsenal, without it Dante wouldn't really be the same. His armor, to the touch would be very cold, however due to the amount of raw strength it took to simple walk in it, Dante was more than warm enough to stay out in the cold. Perhaps the outfit he visually displayed onto the armor wasn't good for the weather, but Dante preferred looking like a regular man. Dante however, was no regular man. Dante was a paladin, a paladin without a god. He learned quite early on his connections were indeed severed, and he could not regain it. Dante never knew magic, instead when casting a spell it was as if he asked for a little bit of magic from his god. The god simply answered that call and he was able to heal, smite, and protect with the magic he was bestowed. 

Without his connection many of his magical abilities were lost, and he himself felt confused, abandoned, and hopeless. He no longer had his band of women either, who else was to keep him company? He walked, the metal plates scraping together. Although not visible, the plates made audible sound. Each one scraped against one another almost sounding like knives running against one another. His eyes made contact with a water fall. "Pretty.." Dante looked up at the waterfall. Dante knew water wasn't kind to him, the armor weighed so much he would sink like a stone if ever was he to fall into something deep. "I wonder if their are any dwarves around here.." Dante had met many a strange dwarf, one specifically who enjoyed living under a waterfall. Maybe this was the same location? Perhaps instead of a new world, this was a new time. It was worth a look, Dante's quest for whatever lay behind the waterfall commenced. 

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”I’m no dwarf, but I find them delightfully around the same height as I.”

A small petite woman sat in a nearby tree, she could hear the man coming for quite some time now. When he came into view she had been surprised to see not the metal that she heard but cloth. ….Cloth that was curiously an illusion. Aria was also keen to hiding practical things in plain sight, the tattoos that often adorned her body were not what they seemed either. The red head sat looking down at the odd man, her hair was half braided up while the rest cascaded down her shoulder in soft waves. A small book was resting on her lap, dark brown wool pants were tucked into knee high brown boots. A warm dark green long sleeved wool tunic covering her upper half, the tunic itself was designed with a high collar, with dark green thread embroidering the hems and collar in decorative swirls. The tunic reached her mid calves, a thick brown belt wrapped at her waist. A black fur lined cloak draped loosely around her, the hood left resting at her back. Her hands were covered in black leather gloves, frankly she looked fairly comfortable despite the cold weather. The red head had a slight elven appearance to her, slightly pointed ears, and thin angular features. Her stunning blue green eyes framed by dark thick eyelashes, contrasting against smooth pale skin. A scar marred the young goddess’s features, blazing across the right side of her face. Starting from the bottom of her chin and arching up past her eyebrow.

Aria studied the man, her book that she had borrowed from the castle library closed for the time being. The man had elvin like features, and was fairly tall. He wasn’t bad on the eyes at least, he had dark hair and blue eyes…features she had always found attractive on Garrett. She did wonder why he was trekking around in snow in all that heavy armor. It had to be a pain.

”You have a further hike then the falls if you’re looking for dwarfs”

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Dante looked upward as the woman commented on her own height. "Why not come down here then? It would be a much more appropriate level to measure your height. However, from here I can say you certainly look dwarf like. At least the height part, the rest of you actually looks like quite lovely. Your not as thick as a dwarf, but from your voice you seem to have enough passion to push even the hardiest Dwarfs opinion aside for your own!" Dante's voice was strong, powerful. It was the voice that commanded armies, lead woman astray, and over powered King's themselves. Dante's voice echoed through the trees, it was one that couldn't help but pull your attention aside and say. "Look at me! I'm different! You like different!" His voice was charismatic and demanding in it's own rights, loud enough to be heard by all. 

"I assure you I mean no danger to you as long as you mean no danger to me." Of course, Dante had many things going on his mind. First of all, what was her body really like? Trivial thoughts, but whenever he met a woman this was the first thought. Of course his blatant look at their bodies wasn't meant to be disrespected, in fact for his time he treated woman far better than others. Of course, Dante was an expert at rubber necking by this point in his life, no fear of being caught at all, but for now Aria wasn't worth the look, she was too far away to catch a glimpse of the goods. Dante found his interest in the sound of her voice, alluring, calming, gentle. Her hair caught his attention, the bright color. He found himself intrigued to learn more about her, and couldn't wait for her to come down and talk. 
She may not be a candidate for bedspread fun quite yet, but the way she conducted herself made Dante more than interested to learn about her personally, and that was the first step to rising up on the totem pole to Dante's intrigue. 

'Further hike? I could swear there is one that lives under the falls." Dante reached behind his back, and to Aria it would appear as if he had put his hand under his cloth shirt. This of course was hiding something else. He reached his hand back out and pulled out a beautiful rose. The rose itself was in pristine condition, as if just picked recently. He raised it out, and the thorns seemed to push against his skin, but did not pierce. "Please come accept this rose, as red as your hair,  and as dangerous as your possibilities." Dante smiled with great confidence, a strong spirit that kept his heart higher than everything else. 

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Aria shifted on the branch the small book being placed in a satchel she carried, she shifted her weight so that she now laid on her belly across the branch. Her arms folded underneath her chin as she still kept her gaze on the odd man. He was fairly loud, for someone who looked like he had elf in him…most elves she met had a quieter, calmer tone to them. Perhaps maybe instead of elf he had some phioric in him maybe? They tended to be a bit pushier then there elfin cousins. Though then again making loud noises so close to the forest probably wasn’t something most phiorics would do. A mix then? She continued to watch his movements with a cat like gaze. He was flowery with his words…. Like a certain red headed flirt back home that she knew…the man further went to show that he had at least a head on her shoulders. It was good to assume things you met in these woods were dangerous, despite their appearances.

”You would not like what you find behind those falls. It would certainly be no dwarf, they make their mines up in heavens pass.”

A delicate eyebrow arched when a rose was suddenly pulled from the illusion armor, that had to be pokey back there….unless he was a plant mage and bloomed them from seeds like she usually did. A slight hint of amusement sparked in her eyes as she looked down at the red bloom.

”You just said it was dangerous, why on earth would I want to touch it?”

She continued to stay perched on her branch, considering the man had now twice tried to convince her to come on down.

”What brings you way out here in search of dwarfs? Did they take something shiny from you?”

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Dante glared at her with a flash of anger that seemed to dissipate quickly. "I was referring to the thorns," He pointed to the thorn with his finger. "Do I look like the sort of man that would change his mind at the first sight of danger?" Dante looked at his shanty clothing. "Well.... I suppose I do don't I? This is all but cloth.." Dante scowled at his clothing, perhaps he should've chose something a little more suitable to his tastes. Dante gazed through his invisible helmet. It was always on, but never visible, scratch that rarely visible. He looked at the tree she was seated upon. "In search of dwarves so they can tell me exactly what has changed in this land. What has happened to the goddesses that used to grant magic, what happened to the lands, why are they so different" Dante came to a realization. "Dwarves, elves, they both have extremely long lifespans. I suppose if you are elven you can tell me what has changed." Dante did not really give out his elven heritage, or he had hoped so. 

Perhaps this woman was elven? Or perhaps a vassel of Iomede. She did appear when his connection was seemingly lost? Dante was a blunt man of course so he asked what he thought. "You woman! Are you a vassel of Iomede?!" Was this no coincidence, when his connection was lost a woman came to his aid? No coincidence, Iomdede worked in mysterious ways right? Dante only had to be faithful and remain committed!

Dante stood strong and proud, as an almost holy blinding light shone from him. The cloth seemed to be destroyed by holy fire, and then replaces as armor, brighter than most, sleek, strong, and valiant appeared. The only piece that did not reveal itself was the helmet. He pulled his sword from his sheath, the sword swung, and he plunged it into the ground kneeling. 

Dante spoke in his world's angelic speech, but all that Aria would hear was god like choir singing coming from nothing but Dante's lungs. 

"You, vassel of Iomede I swear that my faith has not been lost. My sword still belongs to the Goddess of Justice, I swear by her ideals. Will you please relay this to my Goddess?" 

He then stood from his almost Iconic knight's stance, raising his blade into the air, and then bringing it back into it's resting place. His gauntlets clambering as he moved them with speed surprising to his size. 

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She was even more intrigued by this man now, his buttons seemed easy to push. She tilted her head in a curious manner as he went on about why he wanted to find dwarves. It would seem he was not from around here…. Did he not get transported into the same place as the other fated? Or had no one been around to explain things as Melania had been for her. He spoke of many strange things….goddess that granted magic? Caster had been long since locked away for that lovely stunt, as for the land…. The land had probably not been changed since the last activation of ….well that thing and that was IF the land was changed. She had only known of her father changing the land once in her time. Really her only explanation that would grant any logic to the situation was that he was Fated.

”Before I answer your questions, perhaps you can answer one of mine. Did you by any chance wake up in a new location without any clue on how you got to be there?”

She blinked….Iomede? Who was this Iomede and why did she have vassels. Suddenly the situation went from weird to just plain awkward. When he was done singing his odd song, she stood up on her branch and hopped down, landing gracefully beside the odd glowing man.

”Nice song, but no. This Iomede is not a being that exist here on Nova…at least that I know of…who is this Iomede”

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"You can not understand the holy language?" Dante sighed. "Then clearly this place is far different then I first realized." 
He pondered her question for a moment. The armor itself slowly began to lose it's radiance, appearing more and more like a regular set of armor, but more polished and pristine. "Yes, I'd say a little while I ago I fell a sleep in my castle, and then I woke up out of it. I've been lost ever since, " Dante didn't really see a reason as to hide his nobility. 

"Before I answer any more questions there is something I must do." 

Dante reached his hand out toward's Arias. His Gauntlets were more than twice the size of her forearm. "My name is Dante, I am a Paladin, A holy knight set out to stop the forces of Darkness. I am a legend, in fact you should have heard of me. Dante was not one to pronounce his fame, but this was becoming odd. "I have slain Dragons, Giants, Druids, almost anything you can name. I have saved the Country Calradia 3 times with my companions, while aiding other lesser known factions. You say, my name Dante Xelith, has never even once perched your ears?" 

After listening to her response Dante found himself a little upset. "Iomede is a Goddess. A Goddess whom I served. Each Paladin serves a God, or Goddess. Iomede, Goddess of Justice, and Love. That was my Goddess. However, it has been months since I have even received any spiritual connection. It's almost like I am Goddessless." Dante admitted. 

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”I have heard and I speak many tongues, however that song is not one of them.”

She listened to his explanation, her eyes softening to that of understanding. He was more than likely fated over, even more so as he continued to seek an answer in some way that she knew him….

”You are no legend here Dante.”

Blunt and to the point.

”There is no land of Calradia. You’re in a world called Teair, your goddess does not exist in this realm. You have been fated over by a god named fate, for what reasons unknown. You do not have your titles here, only what was brought over with you. So yes at the moment it would seem you are goddessless.”

She saw no point in sugar coating it.

”Anyways, my name is Aria Wurud, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

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"Goddessless? That does not fit a paladin of my caliber..." Dante groaned, "So, my connection is clearly severed. I have no use of magic?" Dante didn't like the sound of it at all. 

Dante smiled at her blunt responses. "You are not a legend here Dante" 

"Clearly that will have to change!" It was odd to see him so happy after realizing what has happened to him. "This world is clearly a new catalyst for my strength. This world has new Gods, and Goddesses. I may be set back in time, forced to re-claim old titles, old noble titles, new names, new castles. My name will be uttered through the houses of this land, I swear that as much!" Dante smiled quite content with a new chance to make new titles. 

"What are the Gods of this world? Are they benevolent? Kind? Sad? Happy? What are their virtues? What uses do they have of a Paladin? Do Paladin's exist here? Are their Crusades?" Dante had to learn of these things if he was ever to become something of this world. 

"I left my legacy in that land, which means I can be the only man to have a legacy in two worlds! That is certainly tempting.." He laughed happily. It was clear that Dante was not dwelling on the other world. 

"I am no longer Dante the Paladin of Iomede. I am Dante, The lonely Paladin.." He scratched his chin confused, however, it was clear that his hand did not actually touch his face. "I suppose that sounds a little sad, perhaps I could get a better title..." 

"Aria, will you help me reclaim my nobility? My name? I could certainly use the help in a new land, and I assume a dangerous land such as this one?" 

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Well….he was an upbeat fellow, she had been expecting a more depressed reaction considering his tone just moments before. At least he had the motivation….though the fact she could be considered numerous things that he mentioned that he had killed maybe it wasn’t such good news. She wasn’t sure if one could claim noble titles but she was intrigued to see if it was possible. Aria scratched her nose as another wave of questions came…is this how Garrett felt around her? She took the time to sort out each one. She backed up and leaned against the tree she had been sitting in.

”Well…There are six main seats in the pantheon. You have Mylee, the god of life, Ai the goddess of love, Zepon the god of death, Saden the god of knowledge and Vennessa the goddess of passion and Caster the goddess of chaos whom are both cast from their seats at the moment…you also have some lesser gods such as Helena the goddess of souls, Teslaka the goddess of the phiorics, and Fate the demi god of well fate. You also have some gods and goddess that have been transported over by fate, such as the god of wrath and the goddess of the lost. So who knows maybe yours will show up.”

One question down.

”As for their dispositions, it really depends on the day. Their virtues ….well those greatly vary depending on which one you’re talking about. We would be here for quite some time if I were to start listing them. They each value different things…I don’t know about crusades….but I wouldn’t put it past human nature to start up some.”

Aria raised an eyebrow when he asked her if she would help him reclaim nobility…… only ways she knew how that worked was one the king gave you a title, two you were born into it, or three married into it. She was not about to marry the dude….and wasn’t this quite a lot to ask of a stranger you just met? Plus for all he knew she was a commoner, she hadn’t given him her title.

”I will help you along, however I make no promises. You are currently in the kingdom of Nova’s territory ruled by Noku Noru. He has an army if you’re interested in joining that. Though the fated aren’t exactly welcome with open arms.”

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"Aria there are many things I have learner in this world, I have fought more times than a mage could count. I have stopped death itself. This world will not be my end, I will not stop at nobility. It is just a stepping stone, and I will receive the justice that is due for all my patience and hard work." Dante had worked through so much, and it has all been quite difficult. 

"Aria, would you like to hear a few clauses of my code?" "A paladin, when they make a pact with a code, they are given a strict code to adhere to. If they fail to adhere to these rules their god will punish them." Dante smiled with a confidence that could only be rivaled by a king. "I am never allowed to lie, bend the truth, stretch it, but I can not lie. Nor can I kill without reason, Nor can I refuse to help someone in need" He raised his hand to grasp the holy symbol of Iomede placed directly on his chest, visible for all to see. 

"You will be proud to know that I have never once violated my code with Iomede, and even now while I am cast from her side, I will still follow that code, because I have adopted it as my morals." He then pulled the holy symbol of Iomede from the chest piece, which seemed to be attached by magnets. He then took the christian like cross symbol and planted it into the ground. "This is my grave, the grave of Dante, the Paladin of Iomede. " 

"Aria, If you are true to your word and help me reclaim a title of nobility then I promise I will return the favor ten fold!" He stood tall, proud, and strong, his chest now lacking in holy imagery. "That's no lie I can guarantee you that!" Dante at this point may look like a perfect being, but sooner or later Aria would notice what this Holy man fell weak at the knees too. Dante's temptations were different, but they were still temptations he failed to ignore. 

"I realize this is all so sudden, but.." Dante looked into her eyes. "It is just as sudden as I was brought into this world, and I may not know you at all Aria, but you did not attack me, you did not try to loot me. If you wanted something from me then you would have taken it by now no? So, if their is anyone I wish to trust it is someone I know has a motive other than death and plundering. You fit that bill, so far." 


Dante looked at her red hair. "Plus, I quite enjoy read heads." He chuckled lightly. "So Aria, do you have any plans? Perhaps I should meet this King of yours? I tell you, any King would drool at the sight of a knight like myself. I have reversed death, saved countries, all in the name of my Goddesse, all in the name of pure Justice, I Dante, I am Loyalty, Defense, and protection. Not once have I failed at what I have chosen for myself." Dante's smile only grew wider and wider. 

"This is your world Aria, so what's the plan."

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This man without a doubt has suffered some head trama in his wanderings. He was certainly wordy as he ranted on….and his attitude that nobility was owed to a world he has done no deeds in was certainly annoying. Her face blanking as he continued on, she suddenly held up a hand to stop him when he went on about her getting his nobility back.

”Hold on there, I made no such promises. I made no promises of helping you get your title of nobility back. However I will make sure you don’t freeze to death out in these woods, but further then that I make no promises. The rest will be up to you to figure out. I have a place you are welcome to use about a day’s hike into the woods from here. Just leave my basilisk alone, he’s supposed to be there…. The city is in the opposite direction if you wish to go there. There is an inn who allows fated to at least stay the night. Worse comes to worse you can probably ask Calix the owner if you can work for a longer stay.”

…..this man really didn’t know her, especially when it came to plundering. Technically she probably could come back and grab that scrap of metal and hawk it off for some extra coin if she wanted. But really …a good thief stalked its victim out. A good different between a thief and a burglar was how long it took the victim to realize they were the victim. She ran a hand across her face when he went on to ask her if she could get him a meeting with Noku. As she watched him rant on and his smile keep growing bigger she sighed….how did she run into all the crazies again?....Best bring this one to Garrett…..he had history with dealing with crazies.

”Don’t brag about reversing death he’ll take that as a challenge….. I ain’t helping you with that one.”

She tapped her chin thinking.

”First off before you do anything lets introduce you to some other fated….so you can get a better idea of how things work here. Have you met anyone else since you’ve arrived…”

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Dante could tell something was off with Aria. After talking with her she seemed to lack something. She lacked something that Dante had an abundance, but he wasn't quite sure exactly what she lacked. It was scarce enough to make her seem so different then himself. "Aria, I realize that this is not my world. I just hope that one day I will be able to make a family in it. Then, It will be mine, just as much as yours. Isn't that right?" Dante felt that would make the two on equal ground,  but that was a part of his dream before coming to this land. 

"Aria, I realize that I am quite different, and I can't expect you to trust me. I'm sure you are quite curious as to why I am trusting you. The truth is even if I wanted to push you away, wanted to restrain myself from mingling with you, I almost have no choice of.. using you I suppose.."

Ultimately that was what Dante was doing, using this woman, regardless of whom she was. "So, if they is anything you can use me for, please don't hesitate to do so.." Dante groaned lightly not liking to admit something like that. 

"Aria, I really must thank you. I am quite vulnerable right now, without my god. Many of my abilities are rendered useless without her magic. You see technically I don't know magic at all, at least not in this world. However I used to know a lot in my own!" 

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Arias face blanked….did this man hear himself talking? Really he had to hear how …wrong… that just sounded. She rubbed the bridge of her nose; she couldn’t help but picture her patch eyed protector staring down the man making awkward suggestions.

”Please….stop…. or word things better”

She ran a hand through her bangs, and sighed. This man went from awkward to more awkward every passing second…Perhaps she should lead him to the city where there was at least witnesses if he did anything funny. Then again…if he tried Aria could always turn into a bear and make a crunchy burrito out of him.

”First off, you’re not the first person I’ve helped, and frankly I probably should be wondering that, but I wasn’t. This happens more often then it doesn’t for me…really I should probably look into the reasoning for that…. “

She motioned for him to fallow her and headed in the direction of the city. She would get him situated there first. Perhaps find Garrett on the way…. She had a feeling she’d need and adult with this one.

”I can’t help but think your goddess did you a disservice. You’ll regain some of your own abilities as time goes by, if you work on it here. You didn’t answer by question by the way. Have you met anyone else since being fated over?”

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"Yes Aria, I've met quite a bit of people here... Many have not been friendly, but the few that have were very kind."[/b] Dante didn't feel like saying any names unless it was necessary. "Aria, you sound unsettled. Is there something I have done to upset you?" Dante was dumbfound really at what she was talking about. He should watch what he says? Word things better? Dante was a knight. His words were not meant to be changed or edited.

"Aria, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself? What makes you, you? Where were you born, how old are you, what's your favorite treat? I really have all the time to waste in the world right now..." Dante's armor light a blaze again, being replaced by something more noble. Dante was of course wearing a golden fleece style nobleman's outfit. "I am glad to see that my armor is almost fully intact! Some of the magic seems to have faded however.. I can no longer tunnel through the ground, or warp it's physical form.." Dante hit his chest the metal clanging loudly as he did so. 


"But, this beautiful baby of mine has saved my life from many mages, witches, druid, dragons. It saves me from everything but succubi, and seductress'"[/b] Dante eyed Aria rather quickly. The only thought was. "Is she a seductress? Succubus?" But he kept those thoughts within his head. Dante wished he had the ability to detect this woman's evil, if any.