Me: Alright got an epic story up! Hope that anyone who actually waited for this story after I teased it in the forums is finally happy XD!
Mario: So what's this story about?
Me: To be honest I actually thought up this story right after Red Stained, an Archangel who acts as a savior to save humanity from the demons.
Mario: So who's this Archangel?
Me: Raven.
Raven: WHAT?!
Me: Mhm. Raven's class is Veteran Commander. The other characters and their classes will slowly be introduced as the story progresses.
Crystal: It's not like you to use stock plots for chapter fanfics Fire.
Me: Well as usual I'm adding my own spin onto things. What that spin is in this story is entirely up to the readers to decipher. For now Chapter 1, START!
Chapter 1: An Archangel Descends
Above the lifeless black skies a paradise awaits. Some may call it Heaven. Others simply refer to it as the Afterlife. In the land of Elrios however, six El Masters the people worshiped as "Gods" rule above from a grand palace of clouds. The humble and passionate Fire God Rosso, the spiritual Earth God Gaia, the intelligent and logical Water God Denip, the open-minded Wind God Ventus, the warm and down-to-earth Sun God Solace, and the sweet and comforting Moon God Ibelen. Ever since the super continent known as Elrios was formed each of the six gods divided themselves among the two smaller continents within it: Rosso, Denip, and Ventus in the western side Rurensia and Gaia, Solace, and Ibelenin the eastern side Pluone. However their peace over Elrios didn't last long.
The two sides of Gods were in conflict with one another, too wrapped up in their petty arguments to notice a third party: the Demons and the Demon Invasion. Thanks to their incompetence the leader of the new species, the Swordsman of Darkness Ran, conquered all of Pluone and has most of Rurensia under his rule. Gallons of blood shed from the numerous village raids and slaughter of the citizens inside. Only a remote faction, Ruben, stayed free of any control of darkness thanks to the small fragment of pure El it holds.
Now the Eastern and Western Gods are forced to work together in spite once more to combat this threat. Rosso's student, a black-winged flightless Archangel, is sent in their place to the human world of Elrios. This young angel turns to page one of what will be a long and treacherous journey.
"Raven!" The Archangel's master called for him at his study room, nearly causing the young adult to knock over one of the many bookcases over the startled yell. He let out an exasperated groan from being torn away from his reading time and reluctantly entered the his teacher's quarters, flicking away the red highlights of his hair out of his eyes.
"Yes your Majesty?" The waist-length black-haired high-ranked angel sarcastically called as he entered inside, staring his master down with golden eyes. "What do you want from me Rosso?" Raven asked in his usual gruff voice and stretched out his Nasod Arm, a mechanical limb still present even after ascending from the human world of Elrios, and addressed his mentor casually.
"It seems the time has come for you to finally go down and save Elrios from the Demons." The Fire El Master decided for the young adult-looking angel, finally closing the book he was reading and stroked that long brown beard of his which slightly disturbed the young black-winged angel, who was clean-shaven.
"Tch, it's about damn time too!" This time Raven stretched his jet black wings, groomed carefully to look high and mighty despite being unable to fly. "I can't believe it actually took four years of training here to finally descend and quench those dark bastards! All of this because of a petty argument between you Gods, I mean what the hell were you chastising each other about anyway?"
"It's a thing from the past now Raven." The El Master stood from his desk and outside his chambers into the main hallway, beckoning his student to follow. "For now, we need to assess you one last time in order to determine whether or not you are strong enough to endure the dangers below."
The Archangel snorted audibly and paced alongside Rosso through this grand palace. He already knew the answer to his master's statement, that Raven is indeed strong enough to face the challenges. It was because he was formally a human of Elrios until the Invasion took the lives of both him and his lover Seris. Unlike her the former leader of the Crow Mercenaries, a group of warriors who fight for the good of the world, was given a second chance when his reincarnated form in the Heavens transformed into that of an angel of the highest rank, the Archangel. This came with a price however. That being because he was a human of mixed morals due to his last actions in his past life, Raven's wings were colored black and deemed incapable of flight.
Unlike his master Raven felt determined to purge the demons in Elrios to atone for what he did as a leader in Velder despite his cold aloof attitude. One word continuously raced across Raven's mind, describing the reason for his consent to tread Elrios once more as well as fulfill his mission given by the Gods of the super continent themselves. The black-winged angel glanced sideways to his mentor, quickly deducing through his solemn expression and mimicking heavy footsteps that he and Rosso shared the same thought. It's just as the old saying goes: Like teacher, like student. As they approach the entrance outside the palace, Raven opened the door with only a simple thought echoing in his head.
Redemption.
The other Guardians of the Rurensia side of Elrios, Denip and Ventus, awaited the two outside, a portal lying beyond them. Like Rosso, the respectively named Water and Wind El Masters both appear like aged sages in a robe symbolic of their chosen El Master element. Upon reaching them Raven summoned his steel black Gun Blade, which he uses as a regular blade for mercenary reasons, and rested it over his shoulder.
"Alright so what's my assessment?" Instead of wasting time the Archangel bluntly skipped straight to the point, not caring about how disrespectful that cold attitude of his affects the three Gods.
"It's simple, but it has three parts to it." The cool-headed Denip explained, handing Raven a stack of paper. "Your first task is to take this test and pass it.
"What." The black-winged angel couldn't comprehend this. The fact that to purge the demons in Elrios, he has to take a written test. "Why the hell would I need to do this?"
"While you resided here in the Palace above the Clouds, there came no time to test your tactical and intellectual skills in battle when only four of us live in this section on top of Rurensia. Based on previous battles spent against the Demons in Elrios, I've prepared this test to show whether or not you can be an effective tactician or even leader in battle."
Raven groaned, he hasn't taken a physical written exam since high school. Lord knows how long ago THAT was! Instead of complaining how this portion of the assessment is detrimental to saving Elrios, the Archangel grew a pair and started taking the test. W-Wait a minute? The subjects in this exam are similar to the books I read back at the Hall of Records! He realized, recalling to the studies he was reading before getting called over by "Sir El Master Rosso" as his teacher puts it. Utilizing his memory as a guide, the Archangel then swiftly wrote down the correct answers on the paper and handed it back to the Water El Master.
"Here, I hope it's satisfactory enough for you." Raven handed Denip the test back, watching the Water El Master flip through the pages swiftly as the latter's face grew grimmer and grimmer. Finally after reaching the end of the stack of papers Denip started to weep in sadness, prompting the Archangel to worriedly glance at the Rosso and Ventus, who merely stood solemn.
"Raven...you...you..." The black-haired angel turned his attention back at Denip, who according to his saddened voice is about to declare his failure.
"I what? WHAT?" Raven stared with pleading eyes, later changing to anguished red ones at the Water El Master's tongue sticking-out impression.
"YOU PASS!" Denip declared, with nods of agreement from the other two Gods Rosso and Ventus.
"O-Oh tch, yeah of course I would pass." The Archangel cleared his throat and curtly reassured his passing grade.
"That's another lesson you should know Raven. Not everyone may agree with your plan, but going through with it regardless may be more beneficial than they initially thought."
"Okay enough with the life lesson what's the second part?" He brushed away the red highlights of his black hair off his face and faced at Ventus, which the other two pointed at. "So Ventus, what's it gonna be this time?"
"Alright then, my test is a typical social conversation." The open-minded and more upbeat El Master explained. "You're definitely going to be traveling with others during your journey and you better be sure you can communicate with them properly. In a land ridden with darkness, you really want more friends than foes during your quest."
"Fine, fine." Raven was already well-versed with this, remembering the many exchanges he had over his years alive with his comrades in the Crow Mercenaries and especially his fiance Seris.
"Okay then." Ventus cleared his throat and started the conversation. "So you're the new guy in town huh? What the hell is up with those wings?" The Wind El Master assumed a stock rebellious teen boy voice.
Not only is he open-minded, but also an entity of a thousand voices as well? The Archangel thought, having practiced this routine often as well. He flattened his wings as to assume not meaning any harm. "They're for show, nothing more and nothing less." He mimicked the gruff attitude.
"Okay. But how do we know you're not one of the demons sent in as a human spy? Those cosmetics on your back are suspiciously jet black."
"Can those demons do THIS?!" Raven pretended dramatically coming into contact with the pure El, a blue crystal of light that repels any being that belongs to the darkness. "There I can touch the El unharmed, now do you believe me?"
"Tch I guess so, but we'll keep you under our careful watch rookie!" Ventus immediately changed his serious negotiator look back to his original happily content one. "You pass as well!"
"Once again that's pretty easy." Raven scratched parts of his waist-long hair that itched for the past few minutes and finally turned to his master, Rosso.
"As usual I will be your final opponent!" To the Archangel's facepalm, the passionate Fire El Master got too hung up on his words and dramatically pulled out his sword in slow motion. Raven on the other hand already has his Gun Blade and Nasod Arm equipped.
"Finally just what I needed to be assessed by: a good old fashioned battle!" Unlike the first two parts of the assessment, Raven felt exhilarated at fighting his master, who taught him how to incorporate his Nasod Arm and even his blade with destructive fire. The two assumed a fighting stance while the other two El Masters watched from afar like referees in a sports match.
"AND BEGIN!" Just like a true umpire Ventus declared the sparring match to begin. To make the fight fair, the Archangel refrained from using any of his skills as Rosso isn't as adept in the training regimens as the younger demigod.
The Archangel started by shooting a missile from his mechanical arm right at the Fire El Master and dashed towards him. Rosso countered by deflecting it right back at Raven, who did the same while spamming out three more Nasod missiles. This quickly turned into a test of reflexes as the two continuously parried the four projectiles as the black-winged angel rapidly closed the distance between them.
CLANG! SLASH! CLANG! SLASH! The metallic sounds of the dueling swords echoed repeatedly through the air as both teacher and student never let up a single step parrying with their swords, Raven performing some improvising and countered several shots with his mechanical arm. This would've been continued forever as both the Fire El Master and the Archangel showed no signs of stopping...until...
CLICK! BOOM! Raven clicked a button on his Nasod Arm prompting the quartet of missiles to explode in black smoke, surprising Rosso. Seizing the opportunity the Archangel dashed towards the dazed Fire El Master and spammed bursts of fire from the arm straight at the God, causing him to flinch in pain and fall backwards.
His victory declared, Raven stopped firing flames from the Nasod Arm and switched to a passive stance. "So is it finally time I can go save Elrios now?" His golden eyes gleamed in confidence.
"Yes, ahem." Rosso cleared his throat and stood up, wiping away the soot left behind on his flame-patterned robe from the fiery attack. With nods of agreement from Denip and Ventus, the trio of elemental El Masters led the Archangel to the portal he noticed earlier. "This will take you to the only safe faction in Elrios, Ruben." He explained briefly, content that his student can piece the rest of the puzzle by himself.
A remote city that contains the only pure El in existence as of now. I wonder why the demons just send their snipers to shoot the crystal and break it? Ruben must have some good security if those creatures of darkness never tried it. Raven thought to himself, gazing at the swirling blue portal. "Would I still be able to communicate with you three and the other Gods of Elrios once I enter back in the human realm?"
"No, however we will try our best to convince Gaia, Solace, and Ibelen to set aside our differences and aid humanity's stand against the Demons." The Archangel's Master confirmed as the other two nodded.
"Alrighty then," Raven smirked and jumped through the portal, "let's see what this new Elrios is like!" The Archangel disappeared in the portal to Elrios, starting his descent back in the human realm.
"Hey Rosso, are you content that you didn't tell your student the whole truth? It would've been logical to at least tell him what us Gods were arguing about before the Demons invaded." Denip chastised the leader of the three El Masters for keeping that secret from the Archangel.
"No need to burden him with the mistakes we made Denip. For now let's make due on our promise and pay a visit to the Earth, Sun, and Moon Gods of Elrios. Hopefully they put the past behind them as we did."
"I don't know...Gaia especially is not one to put things behind him." Ventus pointed out the Earth El Master's tendency to bring up the past quite often.
"Well we don't need that kind of habit when Rurensia and Pluone are both at stake from being consumed in the darkness, nor do we need to know how Raven would react if we told him why we were in conflict in the first place." Rosso dropped the conversation altogether. "Now come on, this will be a long journey for us too." He beckoned the Water and Wind El Masters to follow him on the long cloudy pathway to the Pluone Cloud Palace.
Okay great this portal just happened to drop me in the Ruben Forest. Raven noticed, irritably removing tree branches that got caught on his black wings. "Now...which way is Ruben?" The Archangel muttered to himself, flattening his wings in an effort to make them less noticeable. He stalks through the ground, humming a strange tune as he pretends to scratch his "stubble" when he notices a village up ahead.
That must be it! Still have to proceed with caution, who knows how trustworthy these new humans are. Raven remembered that unlike his previous human incarnation, the world of Elrios is predominantly tainted with darkness rather than peace and prosperity. He continued treading through the eerily silent forest until finally making his way to Ruben and taking in the sights.
The Archangel's never been to Ruben, but at least he knows that the normally happily content people of the small village didn't live in a deserted wasteland. Not a single soul stirred outside as the lone black-winged angel glanced around the broken down houses and trash littered on the ground. This is like the outskirts of Velder, the ones the royals called a "Ghetto". Raven compared the poor state of Ruben to another neighborhood he remembered from the past.
Suddenly the bushes near him rustled, prompting the Archangel to turn in that direction. Out of it spewed three kids no older than 11, all charging at him with wild looks on their eyes and wooden swords.
"DEMON! FOUND A DEMON!"
"THIS IS FOR MURDERING MY MOTHER!"
"PROTECT RUBEN! RAWWRR!"
The little boys and girl's tones were all serious as they bared their teeth at Raven. It saddened the black-winged angel that children at this age and time were forced to fend for themselves, rather than live happily content with the knowledge that their parents can protect them. "How far bleak has this world gotten that even Ruben isn't safe?" He muttered to himself as the kids failed to damage him.
CLUNK! CLUNK! Raven stood there while the kids whacked him with the wooden blades, oblivious that they were harmless to the battle-hardened Archangel. Instead he merely death glared at them to stay away and performed a light warning blow with the blunt of his Gun Blade at the two boys that weren't threatened.
"Tch, this guy's tougher than we thought! Boss we need you!" One of the boys called out for their supposed leader. Once again the bushes ruffled as someone approached the the four. Upon seeing him on sight, the Archangel compared him to the striking similarity he shared with one of his former Crow Mercenaries, Jackal.
The newcomer was indeed older than the three little kids but only by a few years as he was a teenager. This rebellious spiky crimson-haired teen glared at Raven, eying his jet-black wings, with his fiery red eyes with a scowl. He wielded two blades by his side with ease and wore red and black clothes: a tank top and pants with an array of swords surrounding his hips. His steel shoes stamped the ground with a metallic thud step by step until he finally regrouped with the three kids.
"T-That's the demon boss! Make him pay!" The other boy pointed at the Archangel while his friends nodded.
"Tch how low can you damn demons get?" The crimson teen scowled and bared his teeth more menacingly than the kids did at Raven. "Attacking little children?" He pointed one of his swords at the black-winged angel. "Scum like you should pay with blood!" His eyes widened like a wild animal, ready to kill and eat his prey.
"Hold on!" Raven challenged back, careful not to sound like an enemy. "I came here to purge the Demons from Elrios, not pick a fight with some kids and their teenaged boss! What's your name anyway?"
The teenager smirked and introduced himself. "My name is Elsword, also known as the Infinity Sword. Who the hell are you?"
Mario: Cliffhangers. Oh how they return.
Me: XD I know. So now we have a Veteran Commander and Infinity Sword. Bet you guys are wondering how the rest of the Elgang will fit into this. Well...that's up to me to decide :3! Until then leave your thoughts on this story on a review while I'm gonna have to be in some hotel for 3-5 days, so expect me back by like...Monday (DAMMIT AND WHEN DIMENSION WITCH IS OUT FOR A FEW DAYS TOO! GONNA HAVE TO GRIND GRIND GRIND TO GET HER!)