Destined VIP's, You know you like it...

Gabriel stared curiously at the black box that had been placed before him. He reached up and gently pulled the box towards him on the counter, gently running his fingers over the soft wood. The box felt warm, as if it were alive, or concealing a great source of energy. Gabriel's expression quickly changed from confusion to awe, and finally to annoyance.

"Understand the question?" Gabriel asked flatly, his half narrowed eyes staring up at Kendaric. "I'm sorry, friend, but I'm afraid it is YOU who do not understand." Gabriel's hands slipped off the box and back onto the counter as he leaned forward onto his left elbow. "First of all, I remember quite clearly how you decimated half of the royal guard that night. I remember the crest you bore on your armor. That's how I recognized the seal on the letter. That's why I knew I had to respond. I can't refuse a summon by someone who not only did my kingdom a great service, but could probably kill me in the blink of an eye."

Gabriel sighed deeply, narrowing his eyes even further as he paused. "Secondly, how do you know my family...?" Before Kendaric could respond, the lid of the box flew open. Gabriel was so startled that he forgot all about his last question to the elf, the sudden movement and the thump on the counter causing him to jump backwards in his stool. A look of concern spread across his face as he leaned forward to examine the contents of the small box. Within the red velvety walls of the box, a dim black and red glow emitting from whatever lay inside. A small feather lay at the bottom, but it was no ordinary feather; one side was white, the other - black.

"...A feather?"

Vadaria watched intently as Gabriel inspected the box. Just when she began to relax and withdrew her arm from Kendaric's, the top of the box flew off, causing her to stumble backwards into the wall, almost knocking off some of the alcohol stashed there. She now stared, wide-eyed at the box, not knowing what to expect, but hoping it wasn't something bad, and grabbed Kendaric's wrist with her hand to stablize herself. She let out a whisper, trying to make her voice sound normal, but a short gasp escaped along with the whisper.
"K-Ken...."

His hand caressed her cheek lovingly as she took hold of him. He could sense her thoughts well before she whispered his name. Indeed he sensed it too, this was not what he had expected to happen. "It would seem HE is not ready for its full potential. His heart is in to much turmoil. He wasn't ready, damn stubborn humans... but alas he has opened it and it will give to him what it can. Let us pray that he can at least keep its power neutral."

Kendaric lifted his finger and so too did the feather rise. "I warned you not to open it yet... and I was right you were not quite ready... this feather tells me that you still had some lose end to tie before opening this. But it is not my job to step into family affairs and as such... regardless of what this phenix would have me so YOU will be granted its gifts." He spoke in a strong, serious tone as his finger pointed to Gabriel's chest. The feather shot forth into his chest disappearing into him and knocking him back and into the air. "But heed these words if nothing else... It is up to you to sway this power not let it control you. It will not be easy so long as you still hold lose ends. But you must at the very least keep this power neutral." As he spoke Gabriel's armor split into to colors, one half white the other black.

"I do not think it is you who will find anything out of this power.... but i sense perhaps a distant relative might..." Kendaric smirked as he watch Gabriel fall. "Watch your actions from now on. For now it is you who shapes your own destiny. Even in death that bird will keep you alive, but i think that is all the power it will grant you at this point." Kendaric leaned back on the counter his arms falling around Vadaria's waist.

Every inch of Gabriel's body tingled with a burning sensation the moment he was lifted into the air by the feather that shot into his chest. He floated in mid air for only a moment before crashing down to the floor. He laid there, motionless, as the burning sensation turned quickly to a searing pain that seemed to devour him from the inside out - almost as if his soul were burning.

He twitched for several moments as the pain intensified, and just when he thought he could bear no more, the pain was gone. Gasping for breath, Gabriel slowly picked himself up, only to notice that his beloved armor had begun to change colors. His left side was a pearly white, while the right was an obsidian black.

"W-w-what have you done t-to me?! What sorcery is this?!" Gabriel half stuttered, half yelled from the sudden shock. He glared at Kendaric, who stood smugly behind the bar with his beloved Vadaria, and in the mirror behind Ken Gabriel saw himself. His left eye was completely white, glowing with a brilliant gold hue, while his right eye was completely black with purple and blue flames licking at his forehead.

"My God...WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Gabriel bellowed, outraged. As his anger rose, the white portion of his armor began to fade to black, and his left eye began to look more and more like his right eye.

"...what do you mean 'distant relative'?" Gabriel's mind began to race faster and faster as thoughts of what might happen to him and his future generations if whatever the elf had done could affect his children and soon to be grandchildren...

Kendaric chuckled to himself "What have I done? It was not I who insisted that the box be opened. No not I good sir, but you wanted the box open and so it is." Kendaric explained simply his right hand waving about casually as he spoke. "Ah now see that is a question worth asking. Yes future generations will be influenced by what you do in this new found armor of yours." He point to Gabriel's chest. "And so you must set the example..." he continued. "... you notice don't you? The change it causes depending on the emotional action you take?" Kendaric asked lightly his left hand now tracing circles in the counter top.

"My...actions?"

Gabriel was still having a difficult time comprehending what had happened, and Kendaric's coy words weren't helping. His mind wandered to his past: Of him training hard to become the best, the battles he fought to defend his country, learning the ways of the paladin to protect his kingdom - and most of all, his family.

Gabriel's eyes widened as his wife and son consumed his thoughts. His expression changed drastically from anger to shock, and he drew his sword and knelt before it, focusing only on the thoughts of his family.

"Forgive me..." Gabriel whispered as he bowed his head and closed his eyes. He could feel all of his anger melt away as his heart swelled from the mere thought of how old his son would be by now. It'd been so long since he had seen his family, yet remembering his little boy's face made him so proud.

Gabriel remained kneeling for several minutes, relaxing and clearing his mind of all questions, doubt, fear and anger - and for the first time in his life, Gabriel felt at peace. The blackened half of his armor slowly began to brighten, and like his inner turmoil, melted away and was replaced by the same pearly white armor that covered his left half. He opened his eyes at last, and both began to glow with a dim golden hue, almost as if he were an angel.

Gabriel rose to his feet and sheathed his sword, sighing in relief as he picked up the barstool he had knocked over. He sat back at the bar in front of the elves who stared at him, one shocked - the other amused. Gabriel could feel the purity of the light coarsing through his veins. It was an almost overwhelming sensation of power and tranquility, and he knew he had to supress it for now to allow his body a chance to recover from such a traumatic experience. He bowed his head and closed his eyes once more, inhaling deeply and focusing his mind to supress his newfound power.

"You seem to know quite a bit about what I'm going through right now, friend..." Gabriel said calmly as he opened his crystal blue eyes and exhaled slowly.

"Anything important I should be aware of?" Gabriel's eyes narrowed as he spoke, clearly annoyed with Kendaric.

Kendaric Clapped softly. "Well Done... even your Grandfather did not take control of the armor that fast. But now I wonder if you can hold it." He smiled warmly seeing the small boy before grow into a man, a warrior, and a friend. "You have grown much in all these years and your intentions still remain true to your cause, However, you are right there is something for you to know." Kendaric shifted his weight slightly as if uncomfortable. "Oh how I hate this part.... Your armor will kill you in time." His voice was low and ominous. "Much like it did your Grandfather who first claimed it. But perhaps you will out live him..."

Kendaric shifted once more this time moving his face closer to his friend. "I will not beat around the bush on this fact. That armor is as neutral as I, but there is more to its curse then most would see." he spoke calmly as he explained. "You see the reason this armor will kill you is not because it is curse but because it will make your best intentions so fierce that you will indeed kill yourself for your cause." He moved around the counter to openly engage in his conversation. "I said before that this armor will save you from death and that is true.... but self sacrifice is another story. So I will tell you what I told him all those years ago on the battle field... 'Pick your battles and more importantly your friends wisely for they will be your downfall.' I hope you come to understand these words." Kendaric bowed to his old friend as he finished.

Gabriel's piercing gaze remained fixed on Kendaric as he explained the burden that he now bore. The thought of death shook him only for a moment, only because now it was certain. This armor was the proof of his demise.

No, I must remain strong. No man is immortal, and I too will be laid to rest someday.

He thought it over for a moment or two before speaking, resigning himself to his fate. He would embrace it, and he would be grateful.

"A warrior's death. If it would be to protect those I care for, then I would gladly give my life..." He paused and nodded slightly as he finished speaking, drawing his breath slowly almost as if to convince himself. He had spent most of his life protecting others from the foul and wicked, and it was almost ironic that he had been handed the power to further such a cause, only to be ultimately slain by it in the end.

"Very well then, I accept your challenge old friend." Gabriel chuckled as he took up his his drink once more.

Kendaric nodded slightly "You are indeed a man worthy of this gifted curse. Let us hope that those who come after you are as willing." he said softly his eyes scanning the rest of his home. "It will be time for the both of us to move on soon I only hope the rest of them make it here in time." hes eyes coming to rest on the letter that had summoned his friend in the first place.

"Oh?" Gabriel stared at Kendaric and raised a brow, his goblet just inches from his lips. Taking a swig he placed the goblet back onto the bar with a light clink and sighed softly.

"Just how many more did you invite? Do they too have gifts awaiting them that would ensure their demise?" Gabriel snickered with a tiny smirk. "I daresay your invitation was quite alarming. After all these years I've had no word or visit, and out of the blue you send a summons. I can't imagine what could possibly pose so much a challenge to someone as powerful and resourceful as yourself. What's more, you've been avoiding the topic of the summons in the first place." Gabriel spoke firmly, almost as if he were commanding. The elf just stared at him with a soft smile and a look of great satisfaction, picking up a wine glass and twirling the contents slowly with his hand.

"Hmph. Very well then, keep your secrets." Gabriel grumbled, narrowing his eyes at the elf. They sat in silence for a short while before Gabriel became restless again, thinking of the cool breeze in the evening air outside.

"I believe some fresh air would do this old man good, especially after an event such as that," and with that Gabriel rose from his stool and gave a small bow to the elves, leaving them to their keep. Outside the sun had begun to set in the west, and the sky was filled with clouds lined with orange, pink and red. Through the trees the last bit of sunshine came through, casting long shadows upon Gabriel and the building. Gabriel breathed in slowly, filling his lungs to the fullest and releasing it just the same. Whatever Kendaric had in store would have to wait until his other guests arrived. If indeed they arrived at all.