Dark Age Legends

[Xorlak]

Chapter 18

- Rivertown -

"Sir counselor! Stand back; we can handle this!"

Ven's two bodyguards, lanky knights with emblems of Tjed and drawn swords rushed to either of the silver knight's sides.

"I'm not quite retired from battle yet," Ven retorted, griping his white glowing blade with both hands.

Draven seemed unamused as he rolled his eyes.  With an outstretched hand, a ball of brilliant flame materialized before him.  "Knights are so passé..."

Ven's eyes widened.  Before he could react, the burning sphere slammed into his chest and he was sent hurdling in reverse.  "Gaaahhh!!!!"  The orb exploded in fiery fury as the sliver knight slammed into the nearest building, the hollowed remains collapsing upon him.

"Sir counselor!"  The two knights abandoned the battle and rushed to his aid. lifting heavy stones from the pile.

Ven crawled from the wreckage, his head spinning.  Suddenly he remembered why he rarely fought anymore... "Yeah... make that retired..."

[Dude Man]

- Rivertown -

"Alright." Marshall had his MagiPistols drawn. He had them both loaded with blue gems. "It's been a long time Draven. How have you been?" He asked rhetorically.

"I'd recommend that you to leave. The High General here is very strict on criminals. And I'm sure he'd be especially strict on you." Marshall warned.

---

- Klawvorn -

Duilin had his group all round up. He let his wife Bell know he'll be okay. However he was still puzzled where Marshall and Ein where. Perhaps they were still at Rivertown, he heard they had been drinking at the pub a little too much once they got back.

"Let's just go. I'm sick and tired of waiting!" Valos snarled, waiting in the carriage.

"Yeah, yeah. Calm down. We were just gonna go anyways. I'm sure they're at Rivertown anyways, which is where our ship is."

Valos sighed. "Finally. Who were we waiting for anyways."

"Marshall, and his friends. You remember him, don't you?"

"Marshall...oh yeah that blond guy in the robe. He looked silly in that thing."

"Yeah, he doesn't wear robes anymore. He's got some 'bad-ass' look going on now."

"Does he pull it off?"

"He looks good. But he still talks like a pompous jerk, it's actually hilarious."

The two exchanged a laugh, showing they somewhat were getting along. The rest of the team got loaded up in the carriage and then headed off to Rivertown.

[Xorlak]

- Rivertown -

Draven raised a brow.  "Criminal?  You think I'm some two-bit hooligan who read a spellbook, huh?"  He clenched his fist.  Some of the approaching ships upon the horizon opened fire on a trio of fishing vessels in the way, obliterating them.  "Well then, we'll just have to adjust your attitude..."  With that, he pointed two fingers at the rather bad-dude-looking man, sending tiny plumes of flame directly towards the barrels of his weapons.

(Ah... zero effort, no planning, insult-trading posts typed directly into the reply box... how I've missed thee!)

[Dude Man]

- Rivertown -

"Well maybe you shouldn't be acting like a two-bit hooligan then." Marshall retorted. He didn't seem that scared, which was surprising for him, considering whom he was confronting.

He fired his magipistols right before the fireballs hit the barrels of his guns, shooting two ice blasts which cancelled out the plumes. He grinned, and then held down the triggers to his guns, and they produced a sort of humming sound. Once he released the triggers he fired two large magic hyrdo blasts (like the attack in DA2) which gushed towards the crimson emperor.

[D. Ein]

- Rivertown -

Ein looked quizzically at Draven. Crimson emperor? So that's him? He readied his arbalest, but took no action - he decided to wait and see what Marshall does before taking any action of his own.



- Gros Morne Fortress, unknown location -

"...and forth shall spill the rotted minions of Kronos, spreading his wicked will onward to the rest of the world, for all to serve! Feared shall his name be once again, the very mention of which will make the weak cringe and the children cry! As the god of time he had taken his name from, forever shall his reign keep Gaian in its cold grasp!

The quill seemed to have a life of its own in my hand, writing what I presume to be a prayer to my glorious self... or maybe an anthem? The Sovereign's Will... quite profound, that. Few kingdoms have an anthem written by their own ruler, if any. Will do miracles for morale, methinks.

Just as I was beginning the final paragraph, the portal opposite of my throne shimmered, belching out my annoying sister.

-"Ah, yes, Gwen." My voice took on a venomous tone, without my noticing it. "How nice of you to interrupt my writings. I trust you have a good reason for doing so?"

-"Would I come here without a reason, Sovereign?"

-"I suppose not. Now, out with it. I have an anthem to write."

-"Yes, of course." Unlike mine, her tone was consistently ... hmm, lacking... "There are increased reports of demonic forces entering this realm, likely from Hell."

-"I see." I returned to my papers, only paying half attention to Gwen now. "Tell me, this concerns me... how? I keep you here for a simple reason - to do the things I don't feel like doing. If you come to me every time for advice, what is the point?"

Without looking up, I heard her knuckles crack a little bit. Must've struck a nerve. Oh, well - that woman needs to learn her place. We've been over this, I'm not going to go easy on her because she's my sister. I didn't want her near me back then, and I don't want her near me now. The only thing that blind bat is good for is her skill with blade, as well as tactical ability - and I am not so sure about the latter. Flora Goethe seems to be an aspiring contestant for the title of best tactician.

-"Believe it or not, Sovereign, I do not make a habit of lying right to your face when you ask me a direct question." Now I noticed a hint of strain in her voice... good, that's going to do a good job of melting that cold, calculating heart of hers. "I did not come here without a reason."

I paused for her to continue.

-"Our best summoners have also noticed a slight difference in demons as of late. The differences are subtle, but definitely there. While this was believed to be an isolated incident, the phenomenon appears to be occurring in every type of demonic summons attempted. It is, therefore, believed that there is a new devil residing on the throne of Hell.

"As you may or may not know, the previous lord of Hell, Iban, was somewhat less than cooperative in our attempts to recruit an additional demonic army for our disposal. We have yet to try it with this one."

Attempts to recruit...? And here I was thinking she did not take initiative. This, however, is stepping over the line... just a little bit...

-"Gwen," I began, with an overly exaggerated tone of feigned sincerity. "I understand that sometimes, there is need for overkill. However, please do take caution of consulting me before undertaking a task which involves summoning a mass of otherworldly creatures with the potential of overpowering the entire Sovereignty."

-"That is what I am doing now. So shall we proceed?"

-"Do it."

[Dude Man]

- Regiment 7 Fortress -

Nex was standing on top of the building in the centre of the fortress, where he could see all over the fortress and into the horizon beyond. The wind fluttered his robes and he stood there in silence.

He could sense that his plans were beginning the unravel, but he still had some personal matters to attend to. Duilin was still out there, and he wanted him dead. Abodahon's youngest child had caused him much grief and he was looking forward to causing him pain, much pain.

And Valos, Abodahon's eldest song was also out there, whom is a filthy traitor and must be punished. If it wasn't for Retan he likely would have killed him when he had the chance, but after the Sovereign's Hammer was fired, it's been impossible for him to use his long range sensing abilities to find him.

[D. Ein]

"That's it, you die
Your corpse is mine.
Your flesh, your soul
In my control.

Those who think that poetry is for the weak should be flayed and have their skin used for a poetry book cover. There is nothing better to build one's inner vein of power than by composing poetry. I picked up the piece of paper, inspecting the words written on it. Unfortunately, the paper had to share the same fate as the discarded Sovereign's Will. It just doesn't seem to come out right, I think.

But in either case, what Gwen told me was quite interesting. A new lord of Hell? And, quite possibly, a cooperative one? Perhaps... perhaps there is someone who might know more. I remembered that in the KAF, I possess a captain of the demonic kin. Being closer to the demons of hell, he could offer me some insight.

I quickly wrote down a few words on a piece of paper, rolled it up into a scroll, and sealed it with my signet ring. The throne room servant immediately realized what was expected of him, and came to pick up the scroll. I simply said:

-"Nex, captain of the Seventh Regiment."



- Regiment 7 Fortress -

-"Captain Nex! Captain Nex! I have an urgent message from the Sovereign himself!"

The carrier was clearly out of breath. He had several scrolls sticking out of his belt pouch, one of which was made of thicker, higher quality paper, and had the immediately recognizable seal of the Sovereign.

-"Here you go."

The carrier handed Nex the scroll.

Slave!
I require your presence in my throne chamber. Make your way up there as soon as possible, or else you shall know pain beyond pain! Hmm, then again, you'd like that. Or else you shall not know pain beyond pain!
I await.

[Dude Man]

- Regiment 7 Fortress -

Nex turned his head as the carrier made it towards him.

"How'd you get up on the roof?"

"Climbed sir."

"Quite a determined one, aren't you?" He said as he took the note from the carrier.

"It's what I'm paid for sir. Have a good day Captain Nex." He said, he held his hat on his head as he jumped off the building.

Nex ignoring the plebeian's stunt proceeded to read the note.

"Ooo..." Nex rolled up the note and tossed it aside. "This should be good..." He then jumped off the building and flew off towards Gros Morne...

[Xorlak]

- Rivertown -

Draven's form blurred and he rocketed forward.  He weaved a figure-8 around the two blasts of hydrocity, spiraling up into the air before plummeting towards Marshall with a burning fist.  He punched the ground, tearing apart the cobblestone street as the earth quaked, a burning shockwave blasting apart the windows of the surrounding buildings.

[Dude Man]

- Rivertown -

Marshall attempted to fully avoid the attack but as the mage's fist smashed into the ground he was pushed back and crashed on the ground and tumbled on the ground.

Dang, he couldn't take this guy on his own and he didn't have enough time to summon a useful monster to help him fight. He'd have to hope Ein or Ven would help him out.

Marshall slowly got back up and fired two more hydro blast shots at Draven.

[D. Ein]

- Gros Morne Fortress, undisclosed location -

"Whenever I paint, it seems, I go into a bit of a trance - it's not explainable by normal terms, but I completely phase out from what I am thinking, and the resulting work often scares me. Such is this time: a strange apparition sat on the easel before me, reminiscent of a yellow pine cone with a large green tree on top, appearing on a table with some sort of an interior in the background. I took off the slanted hat residing on my head - a trophy from a distant kingdom, I believe - a beret, it is called. I wiped the sweat off my forehead with it, and put away the palette.

Just in time, the portal behind me disturbed itself again. I looked over, seeing nought but a dark cloud of mist, and some sort of a towel? rushing out of it. The word came to my mind almost immediately: Nex.

-"Hello there, Captain of the Seventh. I trust you had an uneventful trip?"

-"Quite."

We stared at each other blankly for a few moments.

-"So I don't see any of the whips..." Nex was the first to break silence.

-"No. No, you don't."

Another pause. I eyed Nex for a few more awkward moments, then finally uttered:

-"You are a demon, are you not?"

-"Indeedee-doo."

-"Good. You know of the new ruler in Hell, am I not correct?"

-"Yes........?"

I sighed, and, for a few short moments, said nothing again. Then I continued:

-"Is it possible to make contact with him?"

-"It would require me opening a Hellgate, although after the Sovereign's Hammer was fired, it is no longer that simple."

I did not want this type of opportunity to slip away, no matter the cost.

-"I see. Start the preparations, then."
//checked this over with DM\



- Rivertown -
Ein had to admit to himself that things did not seem to be going right down there at all. He took aim at Draven's blurred form, stabilized his weapon, and shot a spear right at the Emperor's torso.

Immediately afterward, he dashed behind the inn he was near. If he was smart, Draven would be able to tell where Ein was anyway, judging by the angle of impact of the spear. If Ein was lucky, however, Draven would not be in condition to judge at all. Deciding to take no chances, he took out another spear, and with it, started charting sigils in the sand by his feet. The symbol characteristically flashed, imbuing Ein's next spear with a small, but concentrated barrier spell. Even if this one hit anywhere close to Draven, whatever of him would be caught in the resulting barrier would be trapped for as long as the barrier was active.

[Xorlak]

- Rivertown -

Draven saw an object rush towards him out of the corner of his eye just as he lifted his fist from the ground.  He spun and snatched the spear by its shaft as flames from his explosion fizzled all around, a burning aura remaining around him.  A quick glance determined the object to have come from one of the surrounding buildings, but he had no time to find the perpetrator as he was once again under attack.  Continuing the spin, two more blasts of water weaved dangerously past him.  He felt the blasts pierce his aura of flame on either side, not striking him but leaving momentary holes in his defense before they dissipated into steam and the aura grew back.  He looked up at Marshall and sneered.

"Squirt guns, huh?  Nice...."

With that he heaved his arm back and threw the spear forward like a javelin.  Once it left his hand, the weapon ignited in a brilliant crimson glow, the radiant white tip surging at Marshall's heart.  The attack certainly had enough force to pierce him completely, then enter the building behind him and come out the other end a few times over...

At that moment, one of the landing boats from the dark ships upon the horizon crashed into the pier.  "Charge!"

[D. Ein]

- Rivertown -

Ein peeked back down, seeing Draven unharmed by the spear. For a human, this guy was tough - being able to catch an object moving at enough speed to pierce metal, but that is what has been said about him. Though often false, rumours often carry at least a grain of truth within them.

Or perhaps Ein's aim was off.

He pulled himself up on top of the small inn, and laid low on the other side of the roof, priming his weapon and loading it with the enchanted spear. Using the mounted scope on the arbalest, Ein aimed at the Emperor's feet this time, and pulled the trigger, while almost simultaneously pulling out another spear from behind his back with his free right hand. Considering the projectile's speed, it should reach the ground below Draven fairly quickly, trapping him in the barrier field. Again, considering the Crimson Emperor's famed power, it will likely hold him for less than three seconds - just enough time for Ein to fire off another spear, this time without fail.

Meanwhile, the spear that Draven hurled at Marshall underwent a strange transformation. Its tip, made of lead, was not designed for temperatures any higher than normal ones encountered during high-speed flight through the air. The sharp arrowhead-shaped point suddenly turned into a withering blob of murky silver liquid, chunks of it dripping off in flight. The tip was no more by the time the spear was halfway to Marshall. However, it also turned out that the tip was not solidly melted to the shaft, but more of a diamond-shaped inset. Unable to withstand the immense pressure from Draven's throw, the shaft ripped into four rods, blooming like a flower right in Marshall's face //think hollow-point bullet\. Continuing their curved flight path, two of the rods struck the ground right in front of Marshall, while the other two flew high up into the air. If this had happened a millisecond later, Marshall would have been ripped into four distinct pieces himself...



- Gros Morne Citadel -

"Leaving Nex to his own devices, hopefully in preparation for the demonic communion, I approached the chamber portal opposite of my throne. Quickly whispering the destination into the shimmering mirror, I took a step forward.

A cool breeze immediately filled my lungs, a welcome change from the heavy, stuffy air of the unventilated Citadel. I looked at the horizon, which was shining golden colours at me. Before I could begin to enjoy the natural spectacle, the beams of the distant sun became marred with the dark dots of undead wyverns heeding my call all too quickly. The creatures circled around the looming Citadel for a minute before landing in front of me, their riders quick to dismount the rotting things.

Normally, I would never come up to greet a generic patrol unit, but this time was different. The previous watch reported sightings of black ships around Helternia. Most curious, and perhaps dangerous, too - the Dark Emperor has an affinity with showing up whenever one assumes him to be feeding maggots six feet under. Naturally, I'd like to be informed about such happenings.

-"So," I decided to start off the conversation with the approaching captain. "Did you find anything, Vasburg?"

-"No, Sovereign. The ships hadnst landed when we arrived. I believe thems to be on the shore now." She was about to stop, but I guess she saw my evil glare. "...but you told us to come back as soon as we saw the ships."

-"Do I need to spell it out for you, Eris? Get back on the damn wyvern and bring me some solid intelligence. Feel free to stay as long as you need, but know that if you arrive with no information, I will... ah... drown you in blood."

-"Yes, Sovereign."

When the well of originality starts running dry, I get some really weird ideas for death threats."

[Dude Man]

- Helternia, Rivertown -

"Whoa..."

Marshall stood there in awe, it wasn't the first near-death experience but it was more than enough to give him a rush through his body after shaking it off.

"Al right, now let's get this started!" Marshall shouted.

Simultaneously he changed the settings on each of his guns by crossing his hands and still holding each gun. He then fired a projectile of freezing energy from one of his guns at his foe and then made a roll to his left and fired a second shot as he was near the ground, angled towards Draven's lower body.

// Aspye style! (attacking twice in one post)\

--- ---

- Helternia, Outside Rivertown -

Duilin and his group began to make their way closer towards Rivertown. Valos looking rather bored decided to start a conversation with Duilin.

"So, Duilin. I see you are still good friends with that little imp of yours, Rink, right?"

"Heheh, yeah. He's a great guy, best friend I ever had." Duilin replied.

"What about the other flyboy, Zeros'?"

"Him...well, he kinda disappeared. I was never sure what happened to him, but I'm sure he knew I could handle things now. I guess he kind of passed the torch to me or something."

"Oh, so he's out of the picture now?"

"Yes, sadly. I mean, I know I only spent a few days in total with him, but he was a great mentor towards him. He made me a great fighter and really motivated me."

"Yeah, so it seems." Valos rolled his eyes, regretting he ever started this conversation.

"But hey, I've got more loved ones now." Duilin continued.

Valos seemed mildly interested. "Oh, really? Perhaps one of the female variety?" He asked.

"Remember that servant girl, Bell who used to work in the Crimson Capital?"

"Yes, yes I do. What about her?"

"I married her."

"Haha!" Valos laughed. "We'll, I'll be damned, the ole' pretty boy finally settled down with somebody?"

"Yeah, yeah." Duilin had a boyish smirk on his face. "But yeah, I love her. She's just great. She means the world to me."

"The whole damn world eh?"

"You bet." Duilin continued smiling as they kept moving.

Valos nodded. "Well...that's...um...very sweet."

The carriage began to arrive at the outside of Rivertown. Duilin could hear sounds coming from inside the town.

"Something's not right." Duilin said.

"Oh great, more commotion." Valos groaned. "What do you suppose it is?"

"I don't know..." Duilin said, trying to hear what was going on deep inside the town. "Pull up the pace!" He called towards the carriage driver.

[Mikado]

~~ Helternia, Outside Rivertown ~~

Repins was sitting in one of the carriages. He was preparing his old fashioned fire weapon, a slim looking sniper. It was black and seemed pretty old having some scratches here and there, but Repins shared some "nice" memories with it. Two more already prepared guns war hanging on his back. This wasn't all that he had, thick knives were hidden under his coat. These were maybe even closer to short swords, but short swords don't exist, there are only long daggers. These knives however were special since were made of a metal that moved upon minimal temperature change and it would give an effect close to a miniature chain saw. It wasn't even close to it in reality, but it was the best description that he could think off.

He hid his third gun on his back and wondered about this mission. He was sent with Duilin as a support soldier, but he felt special. He was one of the strongest soldiers in the military, always top scores and ratings. But he was just a human and had no special powers unlike the people above him. Repins was told that Duilin was planning on killing Nex. Nex... that sounded familiar. Yes! It was that demonish grim reaper. Repins never saw him, but did hear stories about him. He was rumored to be very strong and even more malice. Maybe Repins should try to take him? He wasn't any weakling after all...
What! What was he thinking? He was only a human unlike Duilin or some other people that were around him. He wouldn't be able to even make a scratch! Well maybe he would make a scratch, but he'd die afterwards.

Repins sighed. But he had to be of some use... maybe he could be supporting Duilin from a distance? He probably even didn't want his help.

The carriage halted. Someone yelled something. Repins jumped out quickly, prepared for any sort of conflict.

- "What happened?"