Microsoft Zone Archive/Player Chronicles/Dawnsong

Original Link (now dead) - http://zone.msn.com/asheronscall/ASHEdawnsong.asp

Dawnsong

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By Eaglewerks

I, Ichi jin-rai, a Sho Blademaster, had heard rumors of pending disaster.

Travelers I had passed on the roadways mentioned that they had heard of shrines that suddenly materialized near many towns and villages. Apparently when one prayed before them, the prayer caused a mysterious, malevolent creature to appear and convert the once-blessed inhabitant into a person who not only could be killed but also could themselves kill other persons who had similarly offered prayer.

I investigated and found such rumors to be based upon fact. Knowing that my Sho heritage and training were true and pure, I feared not as I knelt before such a shrine, on a distant mountaintop. The dark angel did appear, and he did remove the protection of Asheron from my body and soul. I however did not become drunk with this new freedom as many I saw had.

I immediately ran back to my home village, the village of my birth, the village of Yanshi. On my run back to Yanshi I had time to think and recollect that it was in Yanshi that I had first become schooled in the Sho ways, and the ways of the Blademaster. It was in Yanshi and the surrounding swamps and fields that I had learned the use of my trusted Tachi, the use of my swift hand or kick, and the use of stealth. I learned to walk the fields and mountains before I ran them. I discovered many artifacts from a time long ago, and many treasures, all hidden from the runner.

As I approached Yanshi, I saw my favorite site, the large rock in the middle of the town square. From this rock I have always seemed to gain inner strength; it was upon this rock that the fabled Ben Ten stood and fought the Tumerok captain. It was upon this rock that I had played as a youth. I climbed this rock and decided that I would seek the advice of my gods. One called Ashtest answered, and confirmed that the mysterious shrines were but a portent of things to come -- they would be a calamity for some, a relief for others, and possibly a resurrection for all. He envisioned that this "wipe," as he called it, would come at dawn, and that others were gathering in far-off places with great fires burning and great slaughter taking place.

I decided that I would stand upon my favorite rock, the rock of Ben Ten. I removed the garments, the jewelry, the rare pieces of armor, and my trusted Tachi, all of which I had gathered or earned from my many exploits. I decided to stand, a Sho, a Blademaster, without fear, and to watch the sun rise in the east once more over Yanshi, and to await the call of the gods.

Respectfully,

Ichi jin-rai

Sho Blademaster

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