Trials of a Planeswalker Ch. 01: Rising

"Huh. Okay then." Blayne raised his hands.

His time Blayne lunged at Nishok, rushing forward for a palm strike. Nishok met him and grabbed his arm. But instead of stopping him, he pulled Blayne forward. His hand held tight to Blayne's arm and slammed his other fist into Blayne's shoulder. Pain erupted through his body and he yelled in pain. He wildly hurled his other arm at Nishok, swinging at his head. He was easily blocked and Blayne screamed again.

Mana exploded from him, blowing the sand away and knocking Nishok back on the ground. The magic faded and Blayne slumped to the ground, collapsing sideways. He passed out as Nishok looked up.

"Blayne? Blayne!" Nishok called, jumping to his feet.

Monks were gathering around to find out what happened.

"What happened?" The elder monk asked.

"We were sparring and I struck a blow on his shoulder. He got angry and I think... I'm not sure. He's out cold." Nishok said, kneeling beside Blayne.

"Take him inside." The elder said, "Lay him in his bed and let him rest."

He picked him up and carried him inside, laying him gently on his bed. Nishok sat at Blayne's side, meditating on the floor of their room, for the rest of the day. He awoke as the sun was setting and Nishok quickly got up.

"Ohhh sonuvbitch my head hurts..." Blayne groaned angrily.

"You need to control your anger. I struck you when we were sparring and you exploded with rage." Nishok said.

"Told you I knew how to use magic." Blayne said as he sat up.

"Your anger caused your energy to explode out of you. That can be deadly Blayne. It's very destructive if you're not careful." Nishok said.

"It's not the first time I've done that, but usually it doesn't have this kind of an affect." Blayne said, "Nishok, I haven't told you the whole truth."

"What do you mean?" Nishok asked.

"I'm not from this world Nishok. I'm from another world. I'm what is called a Planeswalker. My magic let's me leave a world and walk through the vast expanse between. I've seen amazing things and grand worlds. I was in a fight with another Planeswalker when I leapt into the AEthers. I didn't know they were a Planeswalker and they chased me. My friend, Varia, and I fell into this world while we were fighting him. That's why I fell from the sky." Blayne said, "No doubt that Planeswalker is searching this world now for me and Varia."

"Another world? Blayne, I think you hurt..." Nishok stopped as he looked into Blayne's eyes.

"I'm from another world Nishok. I just find it easier not to tell people, but I feel you deserve to know because of what you've done for me." Blayne said, "Now, do you have any idea how I can get my magic back? Because I've been trying while we sat here and I still can't call my magic."

"We must continue your training. You must regain control over your body in order to regain control of your energy." Nishok said.

"Alright. Let's get to it then." Blayne groaned, getting up.

"No, no. Let us have dinner. We can work tomorrow." Nishok said.

"I'm not hungry." Blayne said, walking out of the room.

He walked through the stone halls and out the front of the monastery, into the starry night. It was interesting to Blayne. Until now he had never thought to look at the stars. They were completely and radically different from his own world. Here the band of stars was shockingly bright and tinted in emerald green. It spread from east to west in a grand swirl overhead.

Walking down the hill, he leapt up on the stone wall and took a fighting stance. He began to move through forms, striking and lashing at imaginary enemies.

There was a thump on the wall behind him and he turned.

"It doesn't do any good to fight yourself." Nishok said, "If your burst of power this afternoon has taught me anything, it's that you're determined. You're close to reaching what you want Blayne, let me help you get there."

Nishok lunged forward.

*******

CHAPTER 14 - VARIA

Varia fell towards the planet below her. Lucius was near her and they were struggling as they fell. Blayne was nowhere in sight. Apparently they had entered the world in a different place. Lucius fought to get his hands around her throat and Varia grabbed at his hands. Her sword was nowhere to be had and all she had at her disposal was her black magic.

She couldn't hear what Lucius was yelling as they fell, but it didn't matter to her. They were out of the AEthers and her power was returned to her. A cold, life-stealing power wrapped around her hand and she started to siphon out his very life. A white pale spread across his face and she poured more magic into it. He was helpless now that he had her hands on him. All the mana in the world wouldn't help him as his heart stopped beating and his organs began to suffer necrosis. His skin turned to parchment and his face went gaunt. His eyes bulged from his head and his flesh started to melt off his bones. Blood showered about them as his entire body tore itself apart from the winds.

When she was satisfied and he was nothing more than tatters, she turned her attention to the matter at hand. The ground was approaching quickly and she had naught but seconds.

A huge surge of black mana summoned a spirit from the nether realm and it curled around her body. She began to slow and it pulled up on her, depositing her gently on the grass below before it departed. Blood rained around her and the remnants of Lucius' body slammed into the dirt twenty feet away. A cursory glance informed her that it was all grassy hills around her. There were few trees and it all seemed to be faceless plains.

"Blayne, where are you." Varia called, "Blayne!!"

Her voice echoed across the plains and a bird flew out of a distant tree. Varia hung her head and sighed.

"Jerk. Leaving me all alone." Varia huffed, "I killed this ass and you repay me by leaving me all alone. Blayne you jerk!!"

She started to walk towards the only landmark she could see, a mountain in the distance.

"I lost my sword too you ass!!" Varia yelled in anger.

*******

After two whole days of walking and she still hadn't reached that mountain in the distance. It must be huge for how long she had been walking and how far away it still was. Her legs were weak and her stomach rumbled loudly. She had managed to drink some water out of a few nearby streams, but there had been no food. For that matter she had barely seen any creatures except the occasional bird.

"Anyone? Someone! Ohhh damn it I'm hungry..." Varia mumbled, her eyes drooping as she stumbled along.

The sun had fallen and risen again since she came to this world.

She topped the next hill and gave a strangled cry. A farmhouse and a barn sat in the crook of a hill beneath her. She could see the chickens pecking around the front of the barn and a cow grazed nearby. She hurried forward, half-running half-stumbling as fast as her weak legs would carry her. She reached the front door of the farmhouse and banged on it loudly.

"Hello?!" Varia cried, "Please, someone!"

Nobody answered and she tried the knob. It was unlocked and she lunged inside. The house was empty and she quickly raided the larder. Her teeth dug hungrily into an apple and she moaned joyously. It was absolutely the most delicious apple she had ever eaten. As she devoured it, her eyes fell on the stone fireplace. Set on a metal hook was a large pot and she could smell something delicious cooking in it.

Finishing the apple's she grabbed a bowl and spoon off the table and knelt by the pot. Inside, a creamy chicken stew was bubbling away. She stirred it and tasted it. It wasn't entirely ready yet, but it was done enough and she filled her bowl. As she sat down to eat the bowl, it never occurred to her that someone might come back. She spooned the hot, delicious stew into her mouth as fast as she could, savoring the amazing flavors all the while.

"Well well, what's this?" A man asked as he walked in the front door.

Varia jerked upright, her senses returning to her. She leapt out of the chair and turned to face the man.

"No don't stop your meal on my account." The man chuckled.

He was a farmer, dirty from head to toe and wearing worn old brown clothes. He looked like an older man and gray hair stuck out from under his hat.

"Sorry, I just haven't eaten in so long, I just..." Varia said quickly.

"I meant it, continue your meal. You can tell me your story. Just let me get a bowl too." The man smiled, "It's been a while since I had any guests."

Varia slowly sat down as the man retrieved another bowl and spoon from the cupboard and he poured himself a bowl of soup. He sat down across on Varia and started to eat. She nervously resumed her own eating, trying not to feverishly devour it like she had been.

"You know you really should come ask though before you dig into someone else's supper." The man chuckled.

"I've just been walking for days and I can't remember the last thing I've eaten." Varia sighed, scraping her bowl clean.

"Well have some more. There's plenty there and I can't eat it all. My old brain forgets I'm the only one still here." The man said with another bite.

"My name is Varia. Thank you for the food." Varia said as she quickly loaded her bowl again.

"I'm James." The farmer smiled.

"So why are you here all alone?" Varia asked before taking a huge bite full of chicken and carrots.

"My children moved on years ago and my old lady passed away last winter. It's been different all alone." James said, "My old bones are having a time keeping up with this place."

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to..." Varia started.

"Don't worry about it. I know I'll be with Maria after another few good years. She'll be waiting for me." James said with a shrug.

They finished their meal in relative silence and James stood up.

"Well I imagine a well-traveled young gal like yourself could use a bath and a night sleep. Just through that door is a bath tub. We'll heat a pot of water over the stove here to warm it up." James said.

"I dunno. I probably should go. I've got a friend that I'm looking for." Varia said, scratching her head.

"You look dead on your feet. You should at the very least get a night sleep." James suggested.

She kooked out the window at the falling sun and gave a sigh. Blayne would be fine. Lucius was dead and this world seemed pretty harmless. There was mana here and the weather was good. She could take a little delay and get herself clean.

"Not to mention whatever you've been through as left you looking a little terrifying." James chuckled, pointing at her arms.

Dried blood was splattered on her arms and her dress was dirty.

"I'll lend you some of the old lady's clothes so that you can get that washed." James smiled.

*******

Varia sighed with happiness as she sank into the steaming hot bath. It was little more than a large wooden tub, but that didn't matter. Her every fiber seemed to relax as the hot, soothing sensation washed over her. She couldn't remember the last time she actually had a bath. Back on Innistrad, she had been in middle of a conflict that had been raging for weeks. She was intensely glad to be away from there. The endless war between the humans and vampires and werewolves were driving her mad.

As she relaxed, her thoughts turned to Blayne. She blushed at the thoughts of him. It was the first time since she was a little girl that she had actually found herself enamoured with a man. She hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest and her head was spinning. She thought frantically to try and figure out why she was so mad for Blayne. He was powerful. He was showing her new worlds. Most of all, he was handsome and dashing in his red and blue leather.

A tingling sensation was crawling up the insides of her legs and swirling around her pelvis. She blushed anew at the very sensual sensation and wild thoughts filled her head. Her mind couldn't control itself as she started to think about what Blayne was like in bed. What was his body like naked?

How big was he down there?

She slipped her hand between her legs and started to touch her pussy. Pleasure sparked through her and she pushed her finger into her virgin pussy. This was also something she had very little experience with. Few times on Innistrad did she ever actually have time to take interest in her own sexual needs. She couldn't deny that there were a lot of times where she could've used such stress relief.

A moan escaped her lips and she laid her head against the back of the tub. Her legs spread wide and sank under the hot water as her fingers moved in and out.

"Ohhh Blayne..." Varia breathed.

The hot water felt good as it moved up inside her. She gave another moan and her legs twitched. It felt so alien. She hadn't felt this kind of sensation in such a long time. Her back arched and her mouth stretched wide. She grasped one of her breasts and put her foot against the rim of the tub. Her finger pushed deeper and she touched parts of her that she didn't even know existed.

"Blayne, yes!" She called a little too loudly.

A surge of ecstasy traced her every nerve, making her gasp loudly. Her hand move faster and her other started to touch her clitoris. A shock of pleasure burst from the touch and she squeaked loudly. She breathed feverishly, panting and gasping as it grew better and better. Her body shuddered and convulsed, splashing water out of the tub. An orgasm exploded like fireworks in her mind, her tongue lolling out of her mouth and her eyes slowly rolling back.

She collapsed in the tub with a loud splash, gasping heavily in the orgasmic afterglow.

James knocked on the door, "Are you okay?"

"F... fine! I'll be out... in a minute." Varia called, her face burning in embarrassment.

She stood up on shaky legs and grabbed the edge of the tub. Her leg slowly eased over the side and she slipped, falling out of the tub with a loud crash.

"Are you sure?" Jame asked.

"I just fell! I'm fine!" Varia yelled.

She silently berated herself for letting her emotions get to her. What was her problem anyway? Blayne wasn't worth doing these kind of things over. He was just a jerk who had left her alone and hungry.

Drying her body quickly, she hung the towels out the window and dressed herself in the old blue nightgown that James had given her to wear. She shook out her hair and walked out the door as if nothing had happened.

"I remember the passion of youth. I take it Blayne is a young man you have your heart set on?" James said from his rocking chair on the other side of the room.

He was scrubbing his boots with a brush, enjoying the sight of the beautiful setting sun.

"What?! I... I wasn't doing anything! I don't know what you're talking about! Blayne's just a jerk who left me by myself!" Varia huffed, crossing her arms.

"It'll be better for both of you if you just let your emotions out. Tell him how you really feel." James chuckled, "Because it sounds like you haven't told him yet."

"What do you know? You're just an old man!" Varia cried, her face burning as she turned and stomped into the spare bedroom he was letting her stay in.

She slammed the door loudly and James smiled.

"Ahh youth. They never learn." He sighed.

In the room, Varia slumped down on the bed. She covered her face and groaned in further embarrassment. She couldn't deny it. She was in love with him. Why in the hell was she in love with him? What in the hell was wrong with her? She wanted him to hug her, to kiss her, to do a lot more than just that. She desperately wanted to find him so she could be at his side again. Her head swam with regret over leaving him back at the mage rings. How could she be so cruel as to leave him alone with that evil man. He had hurt Blayne, had shackled him up and was going to do evil things to him and Varia let him because she had left his side.

With a sudden gasp, she realized that tears had wet her cheeks. Her eyes were blurry and she sniffed. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and stood up.

"Blayne, where are you?" Varia said to herself as she looked out the window.

After another sigh, she closed the shutters and climbed into bed. It was a soft hay mattress and it felt great to be curling up under warm blankets. As she pulled them up to her neck, she began to think what it would be like to curl up in bed with Blayne. Her face blushed as she imagined laying in his warm embrace, smelling his scent and hearing his breathing all night long. It made her ever more eager to find Blayne.

*******

A rooster cried out and Varia jerked upright. She looked around and suddenly remembered where she was. She climbed out of bed and was surprised to find her boots, dress and leather armor sitting on the floor next to the bed. It was clean and even the hole in her leather had been repaired. She stripped off the blue nightgown and quickly pulled on her normal clothes. They felt soft and clean after being laundered.

James knocked on the door as she was pulling on a boot.

"Come in." She said.

"I thought you might like some breakfast before you go." James said, holding a plate out to her.

"I'm sorry about last night. I'm not going to be leaving so soon." Varia sighed.

"But don't you want to find your friend?" James asked.

"I do. But I need to repay you for your kindness. You said you're having trouble keeping up with everything around here. What do you need done?" Varia asked as she slipped on her other boot.

"Well come on and join me at the table then." James said, waving to her.

They sat down and he put the plate before her. It had a buttered biscuit, two eggs and some kind of meat.

"It's simple. Breakfast of a farmer. Anyway, if you would like to help, I need some would chopped for the winter. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do enough in the next month or so before it turns cold. If you can, I have a tree I just dragged here with my oxen." James said, "Get that done and we'll be even."

"Sounds good. Speaking of wood, where did you get it? I saw so few trees walking here." Varia asked.

"About two hour's walk towards the mountain and you'll come upon a forest that spreads all the way to the foot of the mountain." James said, "I walk there with my oxen, chop down a tree and they drag it back for me."

"Oh. Well that's good I suppose." Varia nodded.

"I'm going to go get another tree today while you work on chopping that tree up. As soon as you're done eating I'll show you where the tools are." James said.

Varia nodded, taking a bite of eggs. She found it to taste quite good and she quickly ate the entire plate. When the last scrap of biscuit was gone, James stood and led her out the door. He showed her where the axe and saw was in the barn and directed her to a fifty foot pine tree lying nearby.

"I'm no stranger to this. Back where I live we had to keep the watch fires burning or we would get attacked. I've chopped wood a lot before." Varia nodded.

"Thank you for this help Varia." James said, patting her arm.

He walked back to the barn and left with his oxen. Varia raised the axe and started to cut off the tree's branches. The wind rippled over the planes and made Varia's clothes flutter about her. She raised the axe and slammed it down on the tree, cracking off a branch.

She quickly lost herself in the work. Sometime around midday, her leather came off and she tossed it on the ground. She used a strap from it to tie back her hair and keep her eyes clear. Sweat dripped off her brow and she just hacked away at the tree. It was hard work chopping off all the branches and sawing it into rounds.

She worked through the day, cutting, chopping and splitting until the wood shed on the side of the house was considerably fuller. The sun was on it's descent through the sky and it was an hour or two until supper. She was finishing up her work by cleaning up all the chopped branches and dumping them in a pile when James returned.