[ooc] dream
He was filthy. Dirt and mud smeared his small arms and legs, and he could feel his stomach growling. He looked around to see other small, dirty faces, and somehow the discomfort was eased, just a little. Other boys, and a girl. Family. They faded, even as he watched.
He was larger now, cleaned and presentable, in a student's uniform--but he could still feel the itch of dirt over his skin, especially whenever he caught the sidelong glances and half-hidden smirks of the other students. There were a few he liked and trusted; two boys, one blond, one with black hair, and a young girl, small, with brown pigtails. They made him feel less out of place.
She was here, too, the only other of their family to have survived. Hey, he called, reaching out. Ru--
His hand landed on her shoulder, but instead of bringing her closer, as he could feel he wanted to, he gave her a small, careful push towards a man with dark hair and cool blue eyes. The anguish in her face was matched by his own.
With one last, sad glance at him, she turned away, soon hidden by the folds of the man's white robe as they both faded into the distance.
She's better off. Now I just gotta catch up.
A baboon appeared in front of him; even on all fours, the massive creature came up to his shoulder. I will help you, it said, its voice rough and rumbling.
Together, no one will stand before us. A snake formed the baboon's tail, hissing in pride and challenge as it spoke. He nodded, determination steeling him.
With a growl, the nue became an enormous sword, sectioned and serrated. The hilt settled into his palm as if it were a part of him, and he drew back his arm, snapping it forward. As the sword arced into the air, it morphed into an enormous skeletal snake, its head raised proudly to the sky with a roar.
Grind, the snake hissed.
Smash, the baboon grunted.
He threw back his head, a howl echoing in his ears as the snake's head sheared through a rock face. He didn't know which of the three made the noise; in this, he was as much animal as either of them.
The skeletal head turned to face him; red-tinged white light began to travel up the bone segments of its body, building and gaining force until it reached its mouth.
This is our power. This is what you worked to gain. Do not forget. Do not let it stay lost.
He stood firm, even as everything around him was swallowed in a wash of red and white.