One Step At a Time

Valen sat within his office, the door locked as if he had gone home for the evening. It was true enough, he usually did go home a little earlier than this. Although sometimes he liked to stay late to work on some paperwork without interruptions or simply to contemplate plans. For the moment though the man was reading a book. Which to many might seem odd, but in reality would be much more in line with his normal way of thinking if they understood what the book was. The book in question was the 'Book of Gelel' and it detailed the usages of the stones he had gained from the Crimson State Isle. One such stone, in all it's blue/green splendor sat prominently upon the desk.

He had been reading the book in full for quite some time and slowly, carefully, he closed the last page and set it aside before red eyes fell upon the stone. Reaching a hand out he took it before opening his desk and withdrawing a knife from it's confines. Carefully, he took the knife to his chest, cutting a shallow gash down the middle of his chest. Then he wedged the stone within. He winced in pain as the blue/green sphere seemed to swirl deeper and glow brightly. He felt it 'take hold' as it were. He felt his pain being relieved and the stone closing the skin around it tightly. It did not recede deeper into the skin. Instead it simply sealed the skin around it like a socket.

Valen took a deep breath and nodded to himself before closing his eyes and focusing on the stone. The book said it would do everything it had done so far. Now it was time to test the next step. Focusing on the stone he felt it grow warmer as it began to work. Theoretically it was drawing in this 'Gelel Energy' he had read about in the book and it would take a bit for it to charge fully. So long as he sat still. That was simply enough and he closed his eyes and began to let his meditation take hold as the stone began to fill.

[72 Hours till the stone is full]

His eyes snapped upon after a time. The moon had actually moved further across the horizon since he had begun his task. However now that he had succeeded he could feel the strange new energy coursing through his body. Like a thrumming string on a guitar. He felt it run through him and after a few moments he felt an intense pain upon his back and wrist. He fell out of his chair and onto his knees, supporting himself with his elbows as he fought back the urge to cry out in agony. Had he done something wrong? He had followed the books instructions perfectly. He felt the agony searing across him and he looked at his wrist at the brand mark that was there.

And watched in disbelief as it seemingly dissolved in a movement of flesh. The sensation was agonizing and he shuddered for a time as just as quickly as it began it all went away and he looked at his wrist again in shock. The brand upon it was gone...It had been a brand that was placed upon him by the last ship captain to own him as a slave. Previous ones had branded his back. However his last one had found that he had no room upon his back and decided that it was time to start up the arms. If that one was gone though..then the others must be too. He stood up again, taking his cloak off and feeling around on his back. He felt nothing but smooth, well muscled skin where once he had been covered in long since scarred over brands. The shock of it caused him to stumble for a moment and he caught himself on his desk.

In a mild amount of shock he retrieved and put back on his cloak. Then sat down, what had happened made sense given what he had learned from the book regarding the stone. It had also told him of other incredible capabilities that he would have to unlock with time and effort. Eventually he would also need to travel back to the Crimson State Island in order to go to the Vein so that he could harmonize the stone to it. For now though, he had to figure out what he could. Wide awake and excited about something for the first time in a long time the Jounin Commander began to work on how to unlock the stones potential.

[Exit]

72 hours had elapsed and I'm claiming full Gelel Reserves.