====Part 1 of the [[FoundationoftheNine Foundation of the Nine]] - The Beginning====
**Date:** 11 November 659 CE
**Location:** The Sewers, [[TheScholarsGuild The Scholar's Guild]]
 
The [[Wraiths Wraith]] says, “Good, fresh meat”.  A large explosion is followed by the laughter of the Wraith.  “My turn” he cackles. The Wraith, his shadow extended, obviously facing a foe in front of him.  His back is flanked by two Hollows.  A woman with gray hair takes the one on the right, easily decapitating it and as it turns towards her, severing its sword hand.  A dark form attacks the second, sliding under the Hollows attack and cutting off its hands with his daggers.  Another explosion goes off under the second Hollow and the dark figure dodges out of the way as the blast sends the Hollow into the ceiling, and it falls to the ground, bones broken.

The Wraith hunkers down, its shadow curving out of its body and engaged in a lock with the foe in front of it.  A voice is heard from beyond the Wraith, “Never fought one so strong before” the voices says, gritting through his teeth, “Don’t know how long I can hold it”.

The woman with gray hair leaps forward and slashes across the back of the shadow, causing it to buckle just as an explosion goes off at the human neck of the Wraith, destroying its face and throwing her back into the sewer.  As the face starts to reform and the shadow recuperate, they hear footsteps from down the sewer from where she and the man in black had initially come.

“Too strong” the gritty voice says, “we have to get out of here”.

An explosion goes off in the air where the shadowy energies are mingling in the darkened hallway, the force of it shakes the chamber and blows the energies apart.  At the same moment two figures dart by the wraiths hulking human form, each ducking low in practiced coordination cutting the legs out from under the huge man. The wraith stumbles, even with its body instantly healing gravity still affects it.

“Go go get out! I will hold it here,” says the man holding a shadowing force against the Wraith's own shadow.

A man wearing an earth-toned cloak and carrying a staff backs out of the door. 

The gray-haired figure standing next to the man says, "There are more coming. We must go and I will not leaving you behind."  An explosion goes off, blowing the wraith backwards.  The man takes that opportunity to go though the door.  The other figure retreats though the door as well.

“Shut the door,” says the man in the earth-toned robe and he and the gray-haired figure ensure that the door gets closed.  The man surrounded by the halo of black energy lets his energy drop and for the first time they can see each other.

Standing next to the door is the man wearing an earth-tone robe.  He is 5'11 with thick jet black hair, olive skin, grey/green eyes, carrying a staff and wearing robes that are tightly wrapped and a hood that's down.  He appears to be about 30 years of age.  As the energy drops, a woman carrying a child, and dressed for snow, comes rushing into his arms.
 
Standing a bit off to the right is a man dressed in ragged clothes, that at one time were pure black.  There are blood stains covering the clothes, some old, some newer, but it doesn’t look like any of it is his own, his body is surprisingly uninjured. With a quick flash he slips two long bladed daggers into some folds of cloth making them basically vanish.  He regards the scene with cold black eyes nearly hidden behind his dark hair.

A tall, 5’ 7”, lean woman with eyes the color of liquid mercury and hair of the same shade coiled up and held with two chopsticks is standing slightly in front of him.  Her skin is light colored but there is something odd about it.  She looks as if she is in her early 20s.  She is wearing a long black coat, with black square colored silk shirt, black cloth belt, black worn leather slacks and well worn boots that lace up on the sides.   She is carrying a sword in her right hand, a staff with notches on both ends in her left.  There are hilts poking up from her belt, hints at other weapons scattered around her body and a quiver on her back.  She is also regarding the scene carefully and glances towards the shut door.

To the left of the man in the earth-toned robes is the man who was, up till moments ago, surrounded by a black halo of energy.  He is wearing black leather armor from head to toe, and a long purple cape blows in the stiff breeze.  His leather armor is covered with silver gilding that forms into stylized patterns. He has a long scabbard at his right hip.  As the woman runs into the robed mans arms, the halo man turns his attention away from the door and regards the scene.

They are standing on a mountainside, a cold wind blows though the air, causing the woman with child to shiver even with her winter clothes.  The door is freestanding and they are on a long flat area, about the size of two football fields. The stone structures appear to have been carved out of the mountainside itself, including stairs that head down the mountains face off to the right.  The area would be easily defensible, for miles an attacker would have to climb single file up steps to reach this flat area, all of which is overlooked by a tall castle face.  There are arrow slits cut directly into the mountain covering the face. It would be an easy thing to defend.  At the base of the castle there is a large gate which has swung open and 10 figures are rushing out of the now open gates.

The woman clutches onto the robed man's chest for warmth, the gilded armor man seems to feel the cold but ignores it, the robed man does as well.  The two others though appear untouched by the biting cold.  The robed man whispers into her ear and then turn slightly to the people coming, placing his body between the approaching men and the woman in the coat.	

The gray-haired woman remains tense and ready to pounce towards a threat.  She exchanges a quick glance with the dark clothed man she arrived with and positions herself against both the door and the on coming crowd from the castle.

The man in gilded armor says, "Thank you for the assistance back there...though I’m not sure we are out of the woods yet.  I am [[ZinRaishin Zin]]."
“[[Alaistar Rolo]],” says the man in the earth-toned robes.  “This is [[Alexi Tessa]],” motioning to woman in coat

The gray haired woman nods to [[ZinRaishin Zin]], "They call me, [[Miyen Mi-yen]]" the gray-haired woman says with a low voice.  Her stance shifts slightly, taking in the stairwell that descends on the right, her eyes casting about the scene alertly.	

The figures draw closer but they are still hard to identify in the nearly pitch black night.

[[Alaistar Rolo]] tilts his head towards [[ZinRaishin Zin]] and smirks.

Only the front two of the on coming crowd are identifiable. The lead is a serious looking man in an orange robe.  He is young, but he looks wise.  To his left is a young Chinese woman, an obvious albino, she is not dressed for the cold, only wearing a light nightgown.

“Should we expect a warm welcome?” asks [[Alaistar Rolo]] in Chinese, looking [[ZinRaishin Zin]].

[[ZinRaishin Zin]] says, "At this point, they have little choice."

[[Alaistar Rolo]] smiles broadly at the young woman heading towards them but quickly changes his expression to a serious one - looking a bit sheepish.
The figures draw up close, the man in orange stops when he gets close enough to see everyone more clearly.  He raises his hand and he manifests power.

[[Alaistar Rolo]] gently leans into [[Alexi Tessa]] and whispers again.

[[Miyen Mi-yen]] braces herself against a possible attack from this the man manifesting but remains defensive and holds her position. She frowns slightly and looks at the smiling man, in a manner as if to suggest "I don't want to kick your butt, but I will if I have to".

[[Alaistar Rolo]] does nothing.

The man in orange robes hand glows bright yellow casting everything in a bright white light.

[[Alaistar Rolo]] looks at him, in a manner as if to suggest "I have nothing to hide" Occasionally, he shoot glances at the young Chinese girl.

The man in the orange robes smiles.  "You have come to the [[TheScholarsGuild Scholars]] at a late hour...what..." He pauses as he examines you all more closely.  Standing behind the two is a line of 9 warriors in orange robes, each holding a single long spear.  They are just at the edge of the casted light coming from [[WuWong Wu’s]] hand "what..." he continues, "brings you all," he glances at [[ZinRaishin Zin]], and then turns to face [[Miyen Mi-yen]], "to the [[TheScholarsGuild Scholar’s Guild]]."

[[Alaistar Rolo]] looks at [[ZinRaishin Zin]] expectantly.

The albino girl turns to face [[Alaistar Rolo]] obvious recognition in her eyes and smiles.

"We come in peace, and with a warning" [[ZinRaishin Zin]] says, "where is your father?"

The man in orange says, "He is dead, I am the Zion of the [[TheScholarsGuild Scholar’s Guild]] now, [[ZinRaishin Zin]].  What is your warning?"	

[[ZinRaishin Zin]] sighs, "Death is coming your way young one, the wraiths have gathered their strength and are coming for you."  The man in orange appears taken aback, before he can speak [[ZinRaishin Zin]] speaks again.  "If you are not even going to invite us in, I have given my warning, and I have safer places that I can be."

[[Alaistar Rolo]] smirks and looks at the albino girl and lets out a small smile

The man in orange shoots [[ZinRaishin Zin]] a stubborn look, "My father didn’t trust you with good reason. Your brother..."  

[[ZinRaishin Zin]] cuts him off "My brother is dead, and standing out here in the cold we will join him."

At the mention of [[ZinRaishin Zin]]'s brother [[Alaistar Rolo]] scowls.

During the conversation [[Miyen Mi-yen]] moves to be able to look down the stairwell while still keeping close to the others.

The albino girl speaks softly to the man in orange, "[[WuWong Wu]], please...he is not [[PoratomoRaishin Po]]..."

[[Miyen Mi-yen]] frowns at the mention of [[PoratomoRaishin Po]].

The man in orange speaks, "But I am my father's son..."

[[ZinRaishin Zin]] mutters to himself, "I see that the fruit has not fallen far from the tree.” Then continues, "Fine, then make you own path, I care little for why the wraiths want to snuff out your existence, I felt I needed to warn you, not for your lives but for fear of what they might get their hands on if they breach your walls."

[[WuWong Wu’s]] face darkens. "The [[TheAlchemists Alchemists]] have brought this upon us." he says to no one in particular.

[[Miyen Mi-yen]] glances between the two men and their heated conversation, the frown still on her face, then turns back to watch the shadows.  After a few moments she backs away from her view on the stair well and comes back to the circle and looks more intently at the door, letting the conversation continue but also an eye on the top of the stairs and the guys with spears.

[[WuWong Wu]] looks down at the Albino girl, his face still dark, but when he catches her eyes he smiles. "Perhaps in this place of learning, we can be more accepting..." gaining resolve in his voice he says, "We need to reject the blindness of the past." 

Two robed figures emerge from the stairwell as he says this.  One shorter leaning on a staff, and a taller figure behind.

Once the new figures are within the light [[Miyen Mi-yen]] glances over at them to take in their details more fully.  The short one speaks in a tongue, that while you can understand it, translates directly to your brain instead of going though your ears first. "Wise words indeed."

[[Miyen Mi-yen]] focuses more intently on the man with the staff who spoke directly into their brains.  She looks a bit surprised.

The two new arrivals both pull their hoods open, the shorter [[Omi man]] is older, but not too old, his face hardened with age but still looking youthful and he has a wise and thoughtful glow to his eyes, he carries with him a thin staff made of bamboo. He leans a bit on the staff but it seems more for show, he seems spry enough.  Behind him the [[RenjiYoritomo man]] has a wry smile on his face as he takes in the scene coolly.  He looks calm but calm like a tiger ready to pounce, he has the bulge of two swords, both at his left hip.  Both of their clothes are heavy and simple, in a style never seen before.
[[Alaistar Rolo]] remains stoic. 

[[WuWong Wu]] looks taken aback, "M-m-master [[Omi]]..." he bows deeply, and does not rise, "The [[TheScholarsGuild Scholar’s Guild]] is honored to have you here."

The smaller man speaks, "Then honor me not with titles and bows, and no empty words.  Find your own path, and let us in out of the cold."
 
[[WuWong Wu]] retreats, "I only...I...my father...his..."

[[Omi]] smiles, and [[WuWong Wu]] smiles back, "You are right, we can debate this later....please come in."

He turns and gestures for all to follow him as he heads back towards the castle.

Before following [[Miyen Mi-yen]] looks at [[ZinRaishin Zin]] and says quietly with a glance at the door, "Can they come through?"
 
[[ZinRaishin Zin]] looks at her, his thoughts dark, "I’m not sure what their plan, but they could have come though at any time.  They instead hold the sewers...I do not think we can leave that way."  She nods gravely.

[[Winter]] follows [[WuWong Wu]] at his side, [[ZinRaishin Zin]] falls in step behind his face dark, alone in his own thoughts.

The soldier’s fan out around the group, watching the darkness.
 
[[Alaistar Rolo]] flanks [[ZinRaishin Zin]] with [[Alexi Tessa]] and child and follows and whispers to [[Alexi Tessa]].

[[Miyen Mi-yen]] follows but lagging behind as a rear guard.  Her eyes still taking in the surroundings and each person in the crowd.
 
[[Omi]] falls into step with [[Miyen Mi-yen]], "I expected to find many strangers here. But I did not think the [[Miyen Gray Lady]] would be here...why have you come?"  

[[RenjiYoritomo Omi’s]] taller companion falls into step a few paces behind the shorter man.
 
[[Miyen Mi-yen]] bows her head in a combination of nod and bow.  "There are Wraiths and Hollows heading here, and so I come to stop them."  A small smile flickers on to her lips. "And you?  It does not seem a pleasant place for an evening stroll."
 
"Hai, it is not. But I like you found the wraiths moving.  I could not stand by and let them complete their plans. You are brave." He smiles.  "I fear many will die in the next few days, I am here to prevent as much as I am able."

She nods in stoic agreement.  "They have been stopped before.  It can happen again".

[[Alaistar Rolo]] looks towards a hidden figure in the dark behind [[Miyen Mi-yen]].  Sensing his gaze, she moves to intercept his glance with a questioning stare.

[[Alaistar Rolo]] chuckles and her face flattens, leaving it entirely without amusement until he turns forward.

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