Day Three: Early Morning

[Yamu]

The group found a clearing where two hills met and made short ravine, that while shallow, limited the directions the party could be attacked from.

Yamu sauntered out into the shadows as Jeice and Paragus broke open their food reserves. It panged the pair to share what was supposed to last them for two more days, but they also wanted whoever was to their left and right to have the strength to stay there.

The Arlian Guardian did not have to stray far before he found a low rise devoid of vegetation where he took a kneeling position, laying his treasured weapon in front of him, the handle facing him. The Shared memories of the Cloud People he had gained from the human shaman on Arlia gave him detailed instructions on how to perform this ritual. As he delved into the past, looking through the eyes of a countless number of mystics, experiencing the ritual over and over again as if he himself was celebrating it, he began the Totem Blessing.

The veiny titan raised his hands to star strewn sky, and spoke in a way that to one might seem monotone but to the very next sound like an ancient chant. ?I am far from the lands of Home and danger surrounds me at every turn. Your Brother beckons you to hear his plea and come to his aide.? He dropped his hands, clutching them into fists and resting them on his chest. ?Battle is upon me and my Brothers cannot be by my side to achieve glory together, and triumph as one.? He dropped his hands, resting his palms one on top of the other on the smooth wood grain of his bat. ?May the Spirit of the People reach my totem and fill her with the limitless power of the Cloud Spirits. Kari fights for the hope and trust of Arlia, she represents my sin and repentance, she is my symbol of conquest and rebirth. May the Spirit of the People guide my hand, for my fight is just and my danger great.? He now hefted the weapon, choking up until his hand was just below the nails that now decorated the head of the club. The hairless human steeled his jaw and jerked a row of the impromptu spikes across the back of his other hand. He fought a wince as he continued, ?I go to battle knowing the pain my opponents will feel. I will strike only where victory is necessity, for I know the damage which I inflict and will not hurt another for pleasure or for sport.? The blood from the four identical slashes was already trickling past his fingertips, faster then he had expected. He sprinkled his own blood onto the ground, then flung a spume into the air. ?May the Earth and Air bless their Brother and honor the commitment he has made.? He raised the weapon into the air with a flourish. In his mind he gave Kari her Totem.

Atonement.

He knew the tenements of the ritual did not accurately apply to Dante?s Abyss word for word, but a man could hope some good might come of it. He picked up Kari and ran a hand along her smooth and deadly curve, she was now officially his totem, and he refused to fall short of her ideals.

As he reentered the camp, no one seemed to be too concerned, pouring over the hot meals instead. Yamu sat between Jeice and Paragus Jeice offered him a plate, which he waved away. ?Not right now, can I borrow your shard though??

The white haired warrior talked around a mouthful as he handed the shiv to him, ?Sure, why do you need it?? The Arlian Guardian cut a length off his cloak to make a bandage for the shallow wound on his left hand, letting his actions speak for him.

Paragus leaned over, ?I didn?t know what you needed to do was to mutilate yourself??

?Don?t worry about me, Old Man,? Yamu said with a smile as he tied the bandage off with his teeth. ?Worry about your own ass tomorrow.? The older Saiya-Jin grumbled about fools rushing in as he plunged another mouthful down. ?I?ll take that can now, Jeice??