Sword Of Mana Recap

The recaps of the Dimensional War plot go here.
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Sword Of Mana Recap

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Post by Oceanblaze »

Some things to know
The Mana Knights: Are an order of knights individually gifted in one of each element. On the surface there duty is to claim the mana orbs themselves as they believe they can protect the realm better than the mana spirits. They are lead by the mana knight of fire Rupert. Ruperts actual goal for unknown reasons is to raise the mana fortress.

The Mana Fortress: Is a massive base like floating castle that uses mana (life force) to power itself. Its strength is unrivaled and it laid waste to Gaia at some point in time during an ancient war. Those in the war literally decided to simply kill those using it rather than ever attempt to destory it right out. It is buried at midgar.

Thanatos: The mana liche as legends call him. He was once a sorcerer who befriended the spirits and upon gaining the mana orbs turned on them for his own personal gain. The war brought about by this mana ravaged the lands as well as the planes of mana themselves. Of which to this day thousands of years later have yet to fully recover from. He has been sealed below midgar the sword of mana being the seal point. His seal weakening is the reason the sword of mana called out to a new hero. The weakening of this seal has been caused by Midgar a city built over the seal. The use of Mako factories which sucked life energy from the area is the cause of the seals disruption.

The sword of mana: Is not a blade forged of man but an instrument created when the universe was born. It is a factor of alignment with all elements.

The mana orbs: The orbs are focal points of the planes of energy of any respective element. To understand this simply think that each element has a place in which all of its magical power is derived these 'dimensions' are the home to that power

And now......the story


Chapter 1: The Swords Call
Three years ago....
In the depths of what the dimensional warriors would later fight in the form of the massive base "Installation 15" a sword pulsated to life. Choosing from a large array of candidates it felt the presence of one close by. A then 11 year old Aziel Owens. When it called to him Aziel could not explain the urge it pulsed in his mind to come to it..he was completely entranced as it overtook his mind and soul even and even when attempting to sway the thoughts away they refused to go. This unknown force made him want to come it compelled every ounce of his being to walk forward. The dimensional warriors unsure of....what the team dubbed "Mother Syndrome" thought this might be a bad thing ..realizing he couldnt be left in such a state the group followed Aziel as he literally walked step for step at the swords will.

Eventually finding there way to the lower depths the journey led them on for hours eventually coming to a room where many 'slots' had been empty. A glimmering gold sword
stood before aziel. He approached it and drew it and was hit was a flash of visions to which he could not understand. No sooner than he drew the blade the sword became rusted and dull its power all but now faint. Unsure of ...what this was the group prepared to depart. But where met by......a mysterious holographic figure...

Chapter Two: The adventure begins, Winds of Thamasa
The hologram greeted the group announcing that he was a knight of a city called Thamasa and that this visit was to the call of the new Hero of mana. Upon looking at Aziel he then asked who really was the hero of mana in disbelief a pipsqueak such as him could be the new chosen wielder. He announced that the heroes should come to meet him and there cities magus where. When asked for directions he simply told Aziel to 'follow the wind'.

Several months had went by and the group came into no luck of finding Thamasa. While sitting in meditation Aziel felt the sword of mana pulsate. The sense of wind had become tangible at least to his senses. When he opened his eyes he could see it...the trail of something in the air. The group took several puddle jumpers and head off ..in following the trail...the group found themselves in thamasa. They are greeted briefly by the knight and the magus and told of the legend of the mana orbs and the swords purpose. Thamasa being the home of the wind orb in the debts below its dungeon. As the group prepared to head out to this venture however calamity struck.

Chapter Twob: Enter Myria the Mana Knight
An army of dragons attacked the the city laying it under seige. The Dimensional Warriors in the midst of the attack decide to lend there aid. In doing so they catch myria's eye and the mana knight swoops down atop the castle amoungst the fighting to challenge them personally. Her goal was the retrevial of the wind orb for the unknown group at the time known as the 'Mana Knights'. During the battle Aziel crosses blades with her and his empathy senses she isnt doing this for evil reasons or out of any anger. Her intents where noble...however she fled before he could inquire about them.

Chapter Twoc: Jinn & The Wind Dungeon
The warriors after cleaning up the mess with the cities nights and a bit more information from the magus entered the dungeons depts. After solving several puzzles and life threating traps. Along with the arrival of the enigmatic "Lady" the warriors found there way to the realm of wind. There they met a playful imp who told them about the guardian of the wind orb. And if a sacrifice was made to the imp he might give them a hint. Aziel...gave the creature a Churro and it was appeased with the offering.

Boss Battle: Golem of Wind
With the hint the group ventured to the mysterious temple where they fought a large golem. Using there best attacks at the time and there stongest blows they couldnt figure out how to defeat it. With some quick thinking the group realized that 4 wind channels where flowing into the room providing the golem its power. After these channels where closed off it ceased moving...and the true Jinn revealed itself.

It had been the imp all along! The very thing that had given them a tip on how to defeat itself moments prior was no other than the mana spirit/god of wind. Giving aziel its blessing and providing him with the knowledge on how to align the sword with a orb. The sword must first come into contact with the natrual element (wind for example simply swinging the sword in a breeze) and then magically or physically come into contact with the mana orb. At that point the sword will take in the elements power and grow stronger. The rusted sword transformed becoming a blade iron looking short sword. With the adventure behind them the warriors returned home.

Chapter 3: The earth orb
To the groups surprise they had the earth orb all along. During a conflict in the past the orb unknown to the group was held by Rikku who had gained t then. With no idea of its power it stayed dormant with the group the entire time. Once the wind orb was found the group recognized the earth of for what it was. And the blade was then aligned with it. Gnome joined the party of spirits!

Chapter 4: Time skips abound?
Due to the lack of knowledge about the situation. Things with the adventure went on hold while the group researched exactly what to do next. In the meantime various sword users Jameson of the first began to train a reluctant aziel in swordsman ship. The child ac hated swords and using one constantly put his own head in mortal danger of itself. The teachers would come and go between his 'brother' Riku ...the enigmatic Sephiroth and ultimately have his training end with Genesis.

A year had passed and Aziel had learned a bit more information by this time. The pathways to the mana orbs and there respective gods could be reached from points on the planet gaia where an area was rich an element and where humans had built a temple to praise that respective spirit. After doing some research from there Aziel/Sheena/Aerith where able to find several places that fit this on Gaia. (As dipected in research files. Link will be at the bottom of the page.)
A bit more time had passed and a mermaid joined the group named Mara. With tellings of her underwater world. Aziel believing this to be a good path to undine finally saw time to moveout after a new mana orb. Outfitting the team with aquatic gear they set out! For another adventure.

Chapter 5: The challenge of Knowledge, Undine's Ocean Palace
The group took puddle jumpers below the ocean's depths. Aziel now trained and somewhat adapt in using the mana sword to sense out mana energy followed the trail of mana imbued water to reach the temple. Upon surfacing inside the group found it was a massive air pocket and the group could walk around without worry. The very instant they stepped foot out of the craft they found themselves confronted by the Mana Knight of Water. Seibrant! A battle ensued with the group easily defeating the mana knight and his dragon counterpart.
Upon entering the temple the group found themselves with many trails of the mind. Strato would come ahead here and win the day easily solving many of them allowing the group to safely progress. A brief snag was met when an enchanted room forced the group to face off against a Dark Counter Part to Aziel. It was quickly toppled however Sheena would take a heavy tool for awhile from the encounter. Unknown to the group Seibrant had been watching them the opponent that fought earlier was nothing but a water clone.
In the final room of the water temple the group was confronted by the real Seibrant and Myria. This time both where adorned in battle garments the likes of which they had never been seen wearing before. And called both of there dragon partners to the battle.

Boss Battle : Seibrant & Myria
At the very start of the battle the two laid waist to the dimensional warriors leaving only Sheena and Aziel standing. With aziel and sheena on the defense thinking of a way to survive aziel did something he has never done before. Aziel myria made her approach to a downed body to kill that person for good. Aziel prayed.........he didnt know what he was praying to or even why. But that power responded and the entirety of the dimensional warriors appeared in a flash of light to help in the hour of need by an unknown force.

Even that however proved to almost not be enough. The team up attacks between Seibrant and Myria where obliterating the party left and right. A massive combination strike between the pair and there dragons looked to almost destroy the team but a lunch punch from Akera stopped the combination strike and allowed the warriors to turn the battle around.

With the fight in there favor and eventually won. Instead of destorying them Aziel finally was able to speak with Myria and ultimately sway her over to the dimensional warriors side of the effort to gain the mana orbs. With this Seibrant also came along wishing to see the resolve that changed his fellow knight. The group returned home after receiving Undine's blessing. Undine also joined the ranks of the spirits aligned on Aziel's side.

Sometime inbetween:
During the attack on installation 15 the mana knights actully came to aid the dimensional warriors due to the threat the installation posed for existence itself. Since that time any co existence has not been seen.

Chapter 6: The Mana Sanctum's
Due to the events that took place on gaia the group had been forced to leave gaia behind. Because of this the mana temples where unable to be reached. Aziel feared the journey was all but over. After conversing with the mana spirits Aziel learned that the temples on gaia where places built close to elements made by humans. However....places the spirits themselves had made...where they call home there inner sanctums could be reached via PLANETS close to there element. However these sanctums where even more challenging and more life threatening than any mana temple would ever be. Regardless...the mana orbs had to be aquired. And so...when the mana sanctum of fire was located on Vulcas be accident. Aziel set out to this new danger.."

Chapter 7: The Sanctum of Fire & The Mana Knights Truth
Upon arrival the group was greeted forcefully by the mana spirit of fire salamander taking his Fighting form as the spirit many knew as "Ifrit". The group upon entering the sanctum learned that it was very different from the temples. Mystic rules stopped them from using many of there powers and abilities. Flight , teleportation, some magics where inactive all for the sake of the spirit trails. There had been many illusions, pitfalls , and follys that on several occasions almost took the lives of several members of the team but threw team work they survived the trails. In the final trail room they found dragon bones and opened treasure boxes seared to ash...unsure of what that ment they rushed to the final area now open to meet with salamander. Myria had come on this journey despite her fear of fire....but the group would soon learn why that fear existed in the first place.

Entering the realm of closest to fire the group found Ifrit slamed into a wall defeated. And the champion of this victory was the leader of the mana knights himself. Rupert had claimed the orb of fire for himself. And its at that moment he revealed his true self. A power hungry tryant....imbued himself with the orb taking all the power that vulcas had. The group attempted to face him but the fire he was putting off was great. A fight with a fire attributed opponent holding the item in which all fire magic came from in the realm of fire did not bode well for the team. Aziel devised a quick plan to align the sword of mana with the fire orb as it was present and then the group retreated. During the course of the battle Myria was given significant burn damage to her body at the hands of her older brother Rupert. The group returned home....things where not what they seemed.


Chapter 8: Something wicked...this way..
The loss at the fire temple infuriated the young impath. Though salamander was safe and the sword was aligned with the fire orb. Aziel could not stand the loss to that man as well as the damage to someone he considered a friend. He began to investage ...between his talks with Myria and Seibrant a shocking truth was uttered from his lips. The mana knights had been formed by rupert at a young age ...he somehow knew how to find each of the elementally attributed gifted children ...he then destoryed there villages then appared to save them. In each of the children's eyes he was a hero...all save his own true sister Myria who always felt he had changed suddenly one day. With the pieces put together Aziel had the groups mage Maeve scry for Rupert and found him ....wondering about the legends of there true opponent Thanatos meave searched for him as well. The place where his seal rests existed....below a place known as Midgar. Many things where starting to add up...but exactly what was Rupert and what was his real goal? Protection of the mana orbs ..no longer seemed like the truth.

Chapter 9: Lumina's Holy Temple & Dryad
Another year has passed since the incident during that time more information about the last sanctums was found. Lumina's temple could only be reached by praying in a pure place. And it just so happen during the earlier part of an adventure the group had reached the 'spirit heart' of a world known as Quintis. Using this as the gate way the group arrived with little trouble. It is here they encountered the mana knights of light and darkness. Alina & Naomi. Naomi disguised herself as Alina however during the battle...of which they simply wished to test the groups true resolve. They to didnt agree with Rupert's plan ...which had apparently been to raise the mana fortress. The group has ventured there and is now attempting to reach lumina and her mana orb. They have sadly learned the spirit dryad whose temple had been found on the in the jungle area of the ship whose power had already been taken by rupert.

Chapter 10: Lumina's Holy Temple
The group returned to lumina's temple and traversed its rooms and its puzzles. Coming across Aline and Naomi once again in a pit. When approached they informed the group they had been trying to advance in the puzzles to clear the trails for the group but had been confronted by Rupert. Before they could exit a chess board esque fight ensued. The danger was high but the group was strong. Aziel not giving several pieces on the board time to act used the dangerous starlight breaker ending the battle.

The group recovered and cleared the trail room of the game master. And then moved back to the main area finding the other paths charred. Most like remnants of ruperts journies. Realizing lumina was in danger they rushed threw the final portal to her chambers. An unwitting trap awaited.

Chapter 11: Something wicked...
The group did not emerge in some realm of light. No land of holy radience no...no the group found itself on gaia ....and in the dangerous lands of the north crater they had fled many times before. Seeing the class of energy in the sky the group rushed to the summit of the mountain they had been put on. Not realizing the real danger had already began.

Upon arriving at the summit they confronted rupert who had lumina under his heal stabbed and wounded her mana orb beside her. Rupert goaded aziel into coming at him only to realize the trap...it was to late however. Jenova had awoken and aziel...was there to be fresh for the bending. His skin darkened black wing sprouted from his back. He turned to his friends....and so the final fight of the lumina temple would reveal itself to be Aziel...himself.

Relevent Recap Point: Aziel is infected with Jenova cells. While the cells belong to Genesis. Aziel has shown no signs of infection. This event marks the first time aziel can hear or had ever been willed by the her beckon call.

Final Boss of Lumina Temple: Aziel Owens (Jenova Infected)
A long battle of tug and pull with aziel and everyones motivations of damaging ultimately led went on for quite awhile. Several people where injured and corrine was mortally wounded. However genesis was able to halt aziel's jenova cell control over the youth long enough for him to break free. The cells still remain but aziel has returned to normal. Angered by the trick rupert had made aziel charged toward rupert with quiet fury the warriors following behind him.

Story Battle: Rupert
Rupert attacked the party with his powerful Fire based attacks and his powerful sword strikes decimating the group quickly. As his dragon familer arrived the group was greeted by jenova's emmisary. A sephiroth clone....

Creating what became a mexican stand off Ruperts mighty familer attacked sephiroth and was beheaded instantly in an act of accurate swordsmanship. He then turned to the party as rupert fled. Thanks to zon the dimensional warriors where able to escape threw a portal. But not before genesis was impaled by his original sword. A wound to the ego compliments of 'J-Sephiroth'.

Chapter 12: A truth told
A few weeks had gone by since the incident at the north crater. Aziel licked his wounds but had since developed a fear about the cells inside him rampaging out once more. A great deal of training and dedication would slowly put his mind at ease. During this time the group visited Drafalos, a great white dragon who the team had once helped and has long since been allied to since then. Before leaving his domain aziel asked the great dragon about the sword of mana. Which caused great dismay to the dragon who referred to the legendary blade as a cursed one. It had been known Drafalos was present during the battle with the dark star but the extent or his knowledge of its conclusion had ..been known. Wishing to know more drafalos wove a tell that shocked the party to it's core.

Chapter 13: A king and his country
The great dragon told the tale of the great king Thanatos and the country he ruled over. During his reign his lands prospered. But the king grew old ...out of worry for his people he sought to extend his life turning to sorcery and spirits. This path took him down to the user of the mana orbs , the mana spirits, and the great craftsmen Melchior. He ultimately suceeded in his quest of immortality but at the loss of his humanity. He became Thanatos the mana Liche. The sword of mana originally his weapon and the mana spirits his tools. When confronting the spirits about the truth it is revealed that the hero's of mana's duty was to maintain the balance of the seal holding thanatos at bay by restoring the magical balance to the planet ..which required the power to destory it. Being to much of a burden to bear Aziel choose the hardest of paths. Defeat thanatos and free the mana spirits from there long cycle of torment. He wouldnt have long to plan however.....Rupert was making his move.

Chapter 14: Coming of Age
Oceanblaze
Ninjassassin
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Joined: October 13th, 2008, 7:47 pm

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