Shaman

“ I am the Representative of Sacred Dragon. ” These women are in small numbers, but they can be seen all over the world. They are selfless and affable, but they don't like to talk about their pasts. It is said that the Shamans are—or were—members of the Order of Remidia, or have something to do with it, and that claim is backed by the remarkable healing power that they have revealed time and again. That's not, however, what makes them who they are. It's the Shamans. These Shamans are similar to the revelations of the Order, but while the revelations are based on the believers' faith, the Shamans are more dependent on the soothsayers. One must meet special qualifications to receive these Shamans, and these qualifications vary, depending on the god who gives them. These Shamans worship the Sacred Dragon and there aren't many things known about this particular god. Based on the words of those who witnessed their rituals, I suspect he's one of the famous deities and mythical creatures of Suju. All the witnesses claimed that watching the rituals cleared their heads and cured mild illnesses. Such a phenomenon is popular among the worshippers of the Suju deities. If you want a first-hand experience of their power, then look for famous accident sites and battlefields around you. The Shamans spend most of their time helping out the poor and needy or those who are haunted by evil, but they also involve themselves in big incidents and battles, should their Shamans dictate them. They prefer using amulets and rosary beads to localize their damage, to avoid hurting innocent bystanders, but if they decide that immediate action is required to minimize damage in the long run, then they can unleash their power as the messenger of the Sacred Dragon and destroy everything around them in the blink of an eye. Armed with the ability to foresee the future, amulets to effectively subdue enemies, and the power of exorcism, the Shamans are better than anyone else at solving the mysterious phenomena that have been plaguing the continent. Even the conservative Order of Priests reluctantly has admitted its collaboration with the Shamans. Awakening as an Oracle: Who's the Shaman in this portrait? The elegant and comely Oracle in the portrait is staring at me with her big, innocent eyes. Her oval face is void of fat, probably a result of her rigorous training but not haggard. Most portraits, no matter how realistic they are, are flattering in some way to show respect to their subject. But not this portrait. It's raw and bare, without an ounce of pretentiousness. The Shaman in it is one of many priestesses whom I see on the streets every day, but there's one thing that sets her portrait apart from the others: the vivid illustration of a big blue dragon behind her. Summoning the Sacred Dragon into the human realm requires a lot of faith and energy. Even an army of Shamans could barely summon a blurry image of the Sacred Dragon that is only as tall as a man. In other words, it's impossible for a Shaman to accompany such a big Scared Dragon, which makes this portrait the most unrealistic depiction I've ever seen. Legend says Suju once was infested by monsters, and it was always dark, no matter the time. It was a no man's land. Then, a traveling Shaman arrived at the darkest place in Suju. She chanted in an unknown language as if it was the most natural thing to do. After some time, a gigantic Sacred Dragon descended from the sky, circling around her body and then a storm and thunder ensued. The blue light released from her body eradicated monsters it touched. When the storm passed, there was no trace of monsters left on earth. The people of Suju who witnessed this miracle called her the Oracle, and one of them painted her picture to remember her. If this legend holds true, the woman in this portrait is not just a regular Shaman—she's the Oracle, the greatest of all Shamans. Some say the Oracles are not made, but chosen by the Sacred Dragon himself. I don't care, either way. Legends are always full of many interesting—and conflicting—stories. Awakening as a Divineress: It was the early autumn. The full moon was a few days ago. A waning moon rose slowly over the Great Mountain, pushing away the ancient darkness that resided in the mountain and illuminating the spirits of autumn that sit on the windowsills, telling each other the stories of old. Maybe it was the balmy weather of that night that made me hope for an oracle even though I know oracles can't be wanted —they can only be given if the Sacred Dragon decides so. When have I become so selfish? Why is my mind so restless? Some time ago, I realized that I could sense upcoming oracles before they arrived. That realization made me happy. I'd gotten closer to the Sacred Dragon. I was no longer just a vessel for his oracles. I was the reader of his mind. It was the greatest blessing for anyone who served him. It was also the source of my selfishness and arrogance. My mind is a swirling miasma of emotions and depressing thoughts when his mystical oracle came through the small opening between the windows in my mind. It wasn't as obscure and cryptic as his usual messages. It was shards of his thoughts and emotions and they flew in through the windows in my mind, piercing it where they hit. Then they melted into an endless wave of energy and combined into one firm will. The Sacred Dragon was enraged by the corruption of the world, the loss of pure spirits, the plaguing evil, and chaos. Dear Scared Dragon, the object of my worship, the guide of my spirit and the symbol of my faith, Use me to unleash your wrath. Punish your enemies and the unholy with the power of your rainbow light. Awakening as Neo: Shaman: With the long sleeve fluttering like petals in the wind, the woman’s feets slid across the rock floor. Gentle movements like that of a butterfly, but her forehead soon bore droplets of sweat. ‘It’s too dangerous!’ She remembered the voice of the senior shaman that warned her. ‘If you take in any more energy of the Sacred Dragon you’ll be assimilated with him completely!’ But even at her desperate plea she answered indifferently. ‘If that is the will of the heavens then I shall accept it.’ At her resolute voice the senior shaman could no longer speak. Instead a man who had been leaning on a wall and watching them spoke like it was too much hassle. At his shoulder sat a small beast that breathed flames. ‘You should already know. Once you become assimilated with the Sacred Dragon you’d no longer be human.’ The woman stared into his eyes without backing down. ‘That’s fine.’ Despite his uncaring attitude his eyes were straightforward and fierce. ‘If it goes wrong your existence could vanish and only the Sacred Dragon would be left.’ ‘...’ A brief moment of hesitation, but she turns her gaze back up with determination. ‘If I can control the power of the heavens… if I can save many with it… then it’s fine.’ The man let out a sigh as he shook his hand, as if he had given up. ‘Do whatever you want then. You can be eaten by him or become the Sacred Dragon.’ From his look as he scratched his head and left the temple with Suzaku she could tell that he was quite worried about her. Even so her heart was resolute. This was her last duty she’d chosen as a messenger. As her breath got heavier the fluttering sleeve moved faster And from the ashen thunderclouds stroke thunder and lightning to her dance. Her garments, drenched from the rain, weighted heavily on her body. But her dance did not stop. With every strike of the blinding lightning she seemed to disappear for an instant. With the thunder that tore the air it was as though silence that stopped the time and space had arrived as well. Taking all those with her body she lifted the heavens with her hand and held out the earth with her feet, raising her divine powers to the limit. And when another lightning stroke and the world seemed to turn white, Amongst the clouds were deep blue eyes looking down on her. The sensation of suffocation and the mind turning blank. But it was less of fear and more of reverence.. The being seemed to have been waiting for her as well. No, with her skin she could feel that that was certainly what it was. Without any message nor words like normal the great Sacred Dragon pierced through the clouds and flew into her. And at the very moment when his great presence would pulverize her, As if he had become one with her, the Sacred Dragon vanished into her body. Feeling a great energy like her soul itself was swelling she released heavy breathes like she had been holding her breath in water. And she closed her eyes, carefully covering her chest shining with golden light with both hands. The storm and lightning just a moment ago had vanished, and a radiant sky of golden light unfolded itself on her head.