So to be honest I randomly jump into things like this all the time not this series but sudden spurs to write something about random shows books or things I've seen.
Ha spurs...Anyways! I just wanted to say this is new to me I mean when I was younger a family member of mine was into it and showed me a part of it to show me it.
And if you would've asked me what audience I thought this show was aiming for after sitting down and binge watching it to write this.
I'd have to say I have no fucking idea it cracked me up at times and others I kind of remembered what I was watching and wanted to stop but it kept me going for awhile.
Mostly out of boredom and the fact that the characters besides a few were very unique which I wasn't really expecting I get why this show gets a lot of flag but to that I say to each their own.
Am I a brony? Nope couldn't say I am not sure what it takes to be one either. Did I watch it to write this? Yes I did. Did I enjoy it? I'd be lying if I said no.
So hey hopefully you enjoy this tale I'm about to spin maybe it'll be unique maybe it'll be generic I sure as hell haven't read many fanfics on it.
I mean to be honest one of the writers on here who I respect and deeply enjoyed their work made me want to write on here, wrote one and I thought why the hell couldn't I? I was a bit worried to start writing one but I realized I didn't give a flying fuck so here it is.
Chapter one
"Man I'm glad they're harvesting the crops tonight I wonder if they always do it on a harvest moon or they just felt like it." I mutter to myself as I turn off the shower heading out.
I am a human being age eighteen height I would love to say 6'0 ft but it's probably closer to 5'10 to 5'8 so 5'9...probably. My hair is shaggy and black with a red streak in it I cut it but it just grows back weird right?
My skin is, and I'm being generous; here a fair white color and the close I'm wearing at this moment after getting out of the shower is a white long sleeved button up and a black pair of pants with a pair of black boots.
Eyes? They're blue a milky kind of blue but blue. My name? Daliex Yolan, that was the name I was given when I joined the Crescent Knights which is a boring name in my opinion.
*Knock* *Knock*
The knock on my door stirs me from my thoughts as I hear it open and a blonde man enter a bit older than me with a refine looking face and a muscular body which outline his white suit.
Well suit isn't right since it's the knights formal wear if you become a captain or vanguard. The suit had a white vest and underneath it was a white button up similar to my own.
They had a white top coat though and a pair of white gloves which were tucked underneath the sleeves a bit.
The white pants were pressed and the white dress shoes to boot though for some reason they wore long black socks. Of course he had his sword to his side a rapier I've seen used to many times in battle to know he has earned his rank as vanguard.
His hair was slicked back revealing his green eyes which seem ever alert. He had one hand on the hilt of his weapon and the other at his side as he smiled at me.
"I was expecting to find you in bed sleeping but you're getting ready looks like you're finally getting use to this life style Daliex."
Noding I smile back at him "I have you and my master to thank for that." I say he waves off my thanks shaking his head "nonsense the moment I met you I knew you had a fire in your eyes that was just ready to burst out."
"Lexus Patrick was that an actual compliment you just gave me?" I ask standing up having been sitting on the bed the entire time.
"Me? No never to much work but you want to know what I am good at?" He ask buttoning up the top two buttons of my shirt as I stare at him in confusion. "What is that?"
He smiles "telling the truth." I start laughing as he moves back nodding his head "though when all this formal stuff ends you'll be put through the final test."
I sigh walking towards my bed the room had no carpet and was mostly gray but the bed and bedside desk made it seem like someone was living there along with my closet filled with my outfits then my work outfits.
You see while I may have join the Crescent Knights I haven't really been apart of them there's a trial period after training where you're basically the shadow of an existing knight.
They can be scouts to medics to the Paladin herself but I was to shadow Lexus here who is of course a vanguard.
It wasn't an easy job to be honest but training with my master and the training with the Crescent Knights seems to have made this body of mine stupidly durable.
"You're my shadow tills then but afterwards I'll be happy to call you one of my brothers in arms when you're a vanguard you usually don't get a shadow since we tend to be always running into battle or on the move."
He looks at me "you did make things complicated if you weren't such a trouble maker you'd have been done with all this two years ago."
I laugh shaking my head "nah you're thinking about it to much I mean the things I did got us both an ear full so I'm sure I wouldn't have been around long back then."
Giving me a quizzical look he replies "so it's different now?" I look at him with a deadpan expression "oh no its the same I'm just used to the back lash of my actions now."
Lexus chuckles "well when you're train by a person like your master you'd figure a few screws would come loose." I take out the black coat pulling it and buttoning it up.
"You'd think you'd put on some muscle with everything you do but you still got that slim build of yours." He sighs I growl at him "hey I tried building some muscle its there just not physically damn it!"
He gives me a confused look "if its not there physically how the hell would it be there?" I point at him smiling "in spirit I can lift as much as any buff up individual can...probably lets not test it."
"Vanguard Patrick we need to get moving." A woman says behind Lexus who sighs "of course lets get moving my shadow oh and bring the girls along who know if you'll need them." He says waving as he walked out.
I sigh looking at the straight sword and short curved sword leaning against the corner of the room sitting in their holster picking it up and putting it on both weapons on my right sides I'm make sure its on tight before heading out to follow Lexus.
"Shadow Yolan do you have a moment." I look to my right "Shadow Red what is it?" I ask like me they wore a white button up and a black except their bottom was a black skirt the rest being the same though.
Shadow Red or Sylvia Red was one of the people who I worked with since she was shadowing the captain Lexus shadowed she had short red hair that covered one of her eyes and pale skin speaking of her eyes though she had brown eyes that seem very bright.
"It's nothing much it's just I'm worried about the Culling." She says in a frantic yet hushed voice as we walked.
'Ah the Culling or the final test Lexus was referring to. It changes every year but it's never really fair since the higher up Crescent Knights have a tradition to sabotage Shadows to weed out the weak.' I thought to myself.
"What about it?" I ask "I'm just worried about what they'll do this year since Sword Valentine is one of the people who seems to be apart of the you know what." Sylvia says still whispering.
I sigh "right Sword Valentine smug, cocky and seems to think only people related to past Crescent Knights and pure bloods are allowed to become one."
We stop in front of a floating car opening the doors for our respective Shadows and entering the vehicle after them sitting next to each other as Lexus and Dorian chatted.
Right I didn't mention the hierarchy of things have I? Well we have the royal family of course the ones we serve as Crescent Knights and the one who wield incredible power or so they say. Then there is of course the nobility and the pure bloods.
Nobility are those with power and riches alike there is Nobility in the Crescent Knights of course.
They're treated a bit differently and they act a bit different as well they value their own lives more than their comrades and it sometimes seems the royal family which we're named after.
Pure Bloods however put their pride in their country first they're the non-tainted in their words. To be honest from what my master told me and what I know from serving as a Crescent Knight I realize Pure bloods seem to have powers like magic.
It's weird but they seem super human to everyone else and have the pride of one. The Pure Bloods and Nobility seem to always be in a power struggle trying to gain the favor of the Crescent family.
After them though we have us the Crescent Knights of course the Paladin has a higher standing then any of us and many Pure Bloods and Nobility alike what serving directly under the king himself.
Of course you have the nine captains the two Vanguards their Swords their Shields the Knight the Archers the Lancers and the Shadows which is us.
After that there is the middle class they make up most of the countries population which is a good thing. Lastly is the bottom the tainted. You see the Crescent Knights exist as an elite group to deal with the Consumed.
A Consumed is a disturbing monster which can come in many different shapes and sizes the tainted is someone who is likely to be and turned into a Consumed.
Not much is known about the Consumed how they came to be or why they exist we just know we have to deal with them for the most part any of the Consumed or C.D. that have shown up groups or just alone have been taken care of without many casualties.
Except for one battle the battle of Dead Rock thousands of Consumed had poured into a local city seemingly out of nowhere the king father that king at the time and his army had stormed the burning city and began to purge the Consumed.
After the battle seem to be coming to an end something appeared a Consumed nicknamed Executioner had appeared it was massive the size of a skyscraper.
Thanks to someone who made a deal with the king though they manage to subdue the Executioner sealing them underground wounded and asleep.
That individual became the first Paladin and the Crescent Knights were born from the ashes of the battle all those who were willing to fight the consumed the rest remained as the army that serves to protect the civilians from any other danger.
"Sword Valentine won't cause much of a stir, well; no more of a stir then he usually does I wouldn't worry to much about it Shadow Red whatever the Culling is this year I'm sure you'll pass it with flying colors!"
She sighed "hearing you say that is reassuring I'm not sure how you're so calm you know being ranked the lowest Crescent Knight in history." I grin "why thank you for touching on my title."
Red snaps up realizing what she had just said waving her hands in front of her with a red face she starts stammering out something but I raise my hand smiling "I'm only kidding Red come on."
"Sorry Shadow Yolan I got caught up in the moment." I shake my head "its fine though that ranking system seems a bit...a tad... incorrect." I say my thoughts going back to how I gained that title.
'I mean come on if I would've know that would drop my score that low I wouldn't have done it then against that's what we call a grudge people!' I chuckle to myself looking at Red who seems to have calmed down as we exit the vehicle and head inside.
"Formalities remember them Shadow Yolan." Dorian says he wore a black eye patch which barely hid the scar that travel up and down the left side of his face.
He was a lot more muscular than Lexus and had short brown hair with a small trimmed bear to tie together his gruff look.
I nod bowing "of course Captain Ventus." I reply he nods "I'll see you inside then my shadow we're off." He says Red bows before looking at me and Lexus and bowing. "Live long Vanguard Patrick Shadow Yolan."
I bow but we both reply "die strong Shadow Red." With that she goes off to follow her shadow her spear coming into view as she turns around.
"Guess its time we move as well my shadow it would seem our lord wishes to speak to us we shouldn't keep them waiting." Lexus says I nod "of course Vanguard Patrick."
We head through the crowd of knights who're all finding their seats as we make our way to the staircase a woman in a red dress walks up to us her skin a tanned from the sun and her eyes purple and sharp her hair was white and was tied up in a pony tail.
To be honest she was a bit breath taking then again. We both bow "Live long Paladin Trinity." She nods "die strong Vanguard Patrick Shadow Yolan its a pleasure to see you both."
A long blade was at her side so long it dared to touch the floor. "Our Lord Julius wishes to speak to you I am to escort the two of you to him if you'd follow me."
We nod and follow her the rest of the way to the kings throne room. An older man in his fourty to late thirties sat on the throne wearing a red cloak and suit. His hair was pink and his eyes green a large grown made a home on his head.
"Vanguard Lexus its been sometime my friend." Julius says smiling at Lexus who like me is on one knee with an arm to his chest bowing.
"It's an honor to see you as well my Lord in good health I hope?" Lexus says looking Julius laughs "as well as the day we first met my friend and um this is?" He ask directing his attention to me.
"This my Lord is my shadow, Shadow Yolan to be exact." Julius nods his eyes narrowing "I've heard a bit about young Yolan not much is good but you show promise especially if you've been assigned to Lexus as his shadow."
Leaning forward "tell me young man have you decided on who in my lineage you wish to serve under or are you planning to dedicate yourself to one of the nobility?"
Right the second thing about the Crescent Knights is after the Culling you'll be taken in by one of the royal family members or the nobility.
Some get a choice in the matter if more than one person is interested but if only one is interested then you end up with no choice since you'll fail otherwise.
"If I was given the choice sir I would not know myself but I would give my life to serve anyone from the royal family." Julius nods "well put Shadow Yolan."
"Could you excuse us for a bit Shadow Yolan I'd like to have this chat alone with Vanguard Lexus." Julius says with a smile I bow "of course my Lord serve and die." I say exiting the room.
"That was rather professional for the weakest of the Crescent Knights." I look to my left sighing "Lancer Fredrick Sword Valentine to which do I owe the pleasure?"
"Trying your best not to have to do this a third time since well you know the rules on the Culling now right?" I freeze nodding. 'This is my last try otherwise I'm exiled from the Crescent Knights.'
Snapping out of it I answer "yeah this time I won't be egged on into a situation like that so if you'll excuse me." I try to go pass them but Fredrick moves in front of me.
"The only reason you or any other failure out there gets another chance at the Culling is because of our princesses good nature." Fredrick says.
His tanned face hidden by the cloaks hood the Archers Lancers and Swords had to wear each with their own color Lancer Red, Sword Blue, Archers Green.
"Then again someone like you even with the princesses grace shouldn't have been allowed to even to take the test being a tainted-"
He suddenly stops looking at me as I was glaring at him "Lancer Fredrick I don't know who you think I am or what you think I am but let me make one thing clear I am not tainted understand?"
Before he can answer Valentine moves in front of him his gray eyes glaring at me as his blue hair peaks out from under his own hood.
"What if he doesn't understand tainted?" I bite my lip suppressing the amount of anger I had for him sighing I look at him "we'll find out during the Cullining won't we?" I ask.
He chuckles "well once we get to the Culling we'll have finally manage to get you out of our lives and you can go back to being in the gutter tainted." Valentine sneers as he pats me on my shoulder walking by with Fredrick.
I stand there for a moment before saying "Live long Lancer Fredrick Sword Valentine." I say but all I get back is the sound of their footsteps getting further and further away and the shutting of doors.
"That went well Sir Yolan." I around smiling "Princess Ira I wasn't expecting your presence here tonight." I say going to give the same respect as I did for her father but she stops me half way.
"Sir Yolan you know me better than that please if you would my escort for the night seems to have wandered off and its been forever since we talked before you joined the Crescent Knights correct?" She asks her pink hair was short now so she took my advice.
I smile walking up to her she'd grown to be pretty beautiful besides not everyday you get to have a princess on your arm. "It would be my pleasure Princess." I say as she loops her arm around mine.
Her purple eyes seem to glisten a bit as well like the gem on her necklace and seeing as this was a strapless dress I couldn't help but notice she had filled in a bit in all the right places.
"So how have you been?" She asked as we walked back towards the ball? I guess you could call it that Lexus didn't tell me the name of the event and since this is my first time doing this. The other tries I was out on a mission with Lexus I didn't know much about it.
"I've been great even better now that I got to see you." I say with a smile she laughs "flattery will get you everywhere Sir Yolan but I know what you mean its good to see an old friend."
"Yeah it is so how many you up to now?" I ask she gives me a confused look before I grin letting out "oh Princess please honor me with your presence this day!" In an overly dramatic tone getting one more laugh out of her.
"Of course the courting it never seems to end since my eldest sister went off with that one noble because of my father deceleration I've been swamped with how many seem to have gain an interest in me."
Ira looks at me "do you know of my fathers deceleration?" She ask me I shake my head "being the shadow of a vanguard makes it hard to keep up on the local news." I say smiling "I figured you were getting courted more because the rose has begun to bloom." I mutter.
"Hm maybe so but please refrain from empty words Sir Yolan." Ira says I laugh "of course Princess now your fathers deceleration what was it?"
She sighs looking me in the eyes "it seems whoever marries me inherits the throne before it was my sister but now it seems he's placed this burden on my shoulders."
"I see no wonder you're getting so many I've heard some of the shadows I work with and even some of the highers up talking about trying it after a battle bringing back a head and things like it some kind of trophy."
She hums looking at me "I don't suppose you have a trophy to give me Sir Yolan." I chuckle "it may not be a trophy but I've been meaning to give this to you ever since then." I say pulling out a small heart shaped locket.
When Ira saw it she came to a halt in awe by the item she takes it from my hands looking at it before finally opening it.
"When you said you lost it and you were looking for it I took it upon myself to find it I knew it was important to you but I wanted you to enjoy your time out there."
I walked a bit towards the end of the hall looking over the railing which was now next to me down at everyone and sighed. "This kind of life it can be suffocating and I could tell you didn't want to bother anyone with your problem but..."
Turning back towards her I smile "I figured giving a helping hand wouldn't be so bad though at the beginning I did think you were just a runaway girl from the capital." I chuckle looking at her smile.
"Figured that be better than trophy praised me later princess I'm sure this event will begin soon or end maybe not sure but after this I need to do the Culling so I can become a true Crescent Knight." I say she pulls something out 'a white cloth?'
Giving it a puzzled look I take it "um...thanks I think?" She begins laughing "I guess even with your practice Sir Yolan you still don't know everything about our rituals have you never seen someone tie something to their weapon before?"
I nod "yeah figure it was so they didn't get blood on their hands though what does it have some symbolic meaning I'm not getting?" I ask.
"This is like a promise I guess that you'll keep my honor safe." Ira says her face now red I laugh "if I needed to start protecting your honor Ira then the world is going to all kinds of hell."
She sighs a thin smile on her face she begins reaching out for it "I guess you're-" I pull my hand back "but...I'd prefer not having no contact with a friend of mine for over two years so how's this I'll protect your honor if you promise to have some tea with me or maybe go to the 'Raid' again?"
A surprised look comes on her face before she starts laughing "as always you're a crafty one Sir Yolan you have my hands tied very well keep my honor safe in the Culling and I'll make sure we can spend time together just like old times...Daliex." She says walking past me.
"A woman after my own heart knows how to hit home." I say grinning before leaning over the railing. Ira and I met when I was younger before I met master when becoming a Crescent Knight was just a pipe dream I wore like some badge.
She had run off from her escort kind of like now. Yeah I know what she said now but knowing her she just took off without them. Anyways she had lost her mother pendant the one I just gave her.
A week she spent a week with me and my group it was fun it was nice and for awhile there I thought I fell in love with her god knows I dug around for that pendant for what felt like a year.
In fact...I depended on giving her that pendent back awhile ago it's what drove me and helped me push towards this pipe dream but now...
"Shadow it seems we'll be cutting our time here short we'll need to head out it seems a Consumed in our sector has come out of hiding." Lexus says as he walks up to me.
I stand their for a moment nodding. "Do I have the time to change out?" I ask he shakes his head "no we're to use the new 'Overdrive' device they develope don't worry I made sure yours were set to the correct setting should be your regular armor if it works."
Looking at the bracelet I sigh "that makes sense with the new tech. coming out recently I'm not surprise they came up with something like this how does it work?"
He sighs "to be honest they just gave me it and a rush explanation from what I know my shadow it seems to be connected to a small space which can be opened up by clicking the item you want and then summoning it supposedly the king used some of his power to help create this."
I stare at it "that sounds a bit far fetch but with everything I've seen it's not like I can't believe it." I pull up my sleeve and place it on my right wrist it locks in and turns on.
"Perfect now that its set up lets get a move on Dorian already know we're heading out and our ride will be here in a few minutes so lets get outside and see what toys they're letting us play with today." Lexus says waving for me to follow him.
-A few minutes later-
On the carrier me and Lexus were greeted by squad of three knights one shield and a Archer typical formation though they all are in their gear right now.
"Oh we're the only ones who're testing this out my shadow." Lexus says with a smile "they said right before the battle try to activate it because it has a long charge."
I nod looking at the device "do you know if anyone else is testing these?" I ask he thinks about it "most of the other Vanguards from what I know and the Paladin is as well I even heard they'll be giving Captain Dorian one as well."
"Did all of the shadows get one?" I ask he nods "I would assume so and from what I know a few of the mid ranking knights or Sword, Lancers and Archers maybe a few Shields as well."
"I guess they don't have one because we'll need back up if our gear doesn't arrive." I say he nods "yeah though as long as I have my Soul at my side and my shadow I should be fine."
Right when you get to a certain rank in the Crescent Knights you're given a Soul or a special weapon the Paladin has the strongest Soul besides the Kings.
Then it goes down from their knights from what I know do not have Souls and most Swords, Lancers, Archers and Shields don't either.
The reason why people get it earlier is the trust that is given to them by a member of the royal family so in theory even someone below a shadow a trainee could gain a Soul.
I don't think I'll ever have a soul since 'that's' still with me it might be messy to mix things like that.
Looking at my wrist I wondered if what my master gave me would teleport over. Or? However this thing works.
"We've reached the drop zone Red Formation has permission to move out do you read Vanguard Patrick." The pilot says over the intercom the knights sitting down hand us both an earpiece so we'd be able to talk to each other and the pilot.
"I hear you Phoenix One we're moving out..." He raises his hand two fingers pointed up everyone stands grabbing the poles next to our seats as the back slowly opens up.
"Now!" He yells pointing forward running ahead the rest of us following as we lunge out of the carrier.
I go into a roll looking back to see the ship flying up into the air a bit everyone else was on the ground dusting themselves off.
"at least they change altitude for us otherwise this would've been a bit of a mess." Lexus says "Phoenix One we've landed Red Formation proceeding to the extermination point."
"Roger that Vanguard Patrick heading into the eye in the sky position." With that said the carrier vanished into the clouds.
It was gray out here because of the clouds and now that it was night it was even worse the city was in shambles buildings collapsing on itself no power the roads were destroyed and the snow that covered up the land only help to add onto the destroyed look of the city.
Though if you're from where I'm from this is actually pretty normal you were either an idiot or insane to live this close to one of the cities probably both.
"Those who have it give us some thermal we'll divide into three groups Knight Van and Shield Rei with me we'll search the most recent sighting Archer Fey and Knight Kai will take some high ground and try to find it through those means and lastly my shadow and Knight Winter will try the only area it hasn't been sighted in the extermination zone."
He stand their for a moment taking a deep breath "we've got two hours to find this thing before the barrier drops and the extermination zone is gone once that happens it will most likely run hide or call for help we do not want it calling for help do you understand me?"
"Yes! Vanguard Patrick!" We respond "good then move out do not engage unless you have to though signal the group we'll move on you and take it down Live long my brothers and sisters."
"Die Strong my Brother." We respond splitting up. "Shadow Yolan why are you and Vanguard Patrick not in you're battle gear?" She asked me as we moved through the snow.
"From what I understand Knight Winter they want us to do a field test for their new toys back in the lab." I say showing the weird device on my wist which looked like a metal band with buttons on it and a small screen.
I went to go fiddle with it but remembered Lexus and his words how to only doing it before engaging the C.D.
"I see sorry I see nothing on the thermal should we move to the next area?" She ask Winter was in a standard middle class armor set painted black it was a skin tight suit underneath many pads of armor which covered up the body the metal was flexible allowing the user to move easier in mid air and ground combat.
The suit also uses Faint energy which is a kind of energy we can harness from crystals that are in the nest of the Consumed.
it gives us superhuman abilities making our bodies more durable so we can drop from large height or take hits from the consumed its actually one of the reasons we don't use guns like the actual army of our nation.
You see our weapons are special not like souls but each have been tempered with Faint so that they could kill the Consumed only archer use guns created to wield that ammo which can explode inside the gun. They're armor is made to deal with that.
The military does have some of our guns so that they can deal with rouge Knights or aid with Consumed but if a Faint explodes on you it can taint you causing you to become Consumed.
So being an Archer is one of the safer and more dangerous jobs. The Faint in our suits are purified so that it can be used without worry but if we were to do that with our weapons it takes away most if not all the power behind them.
My blades don't actually use Faint energy my Master and a 'friend' of theirs created my blades with something else which is why I can't have them tempered or get a soul.
Right Knight winters appearance well she's wearing her helmet at the moment black like the rest of her armor but her blue pony tail stuck out through a hole in the helmet.
The front of her helmet had a red Visor and she was dragging her axe along. "Contact! We've got Contact!" Knight Van roars over the earpiece.
Snapping me and Winter out of our conversation "Knight Van where are you?" I ask "Shadow Yolan thank god the singal got through it was jammed for some-"
"Location now Knight Van!" I yell pulling out the map "We've engaged the Consumed two clicks west from the drop zone."
"Understood here that Archer Fey Knight Kai head there now we're on our way." I say turning towards Winter who nods as we bolt towards where they should be.
"Its only what a mile and a half right?" I ask as we're running "for them yes for us about two and a half." She says as we run.
"Well no time like the present." I yell turning on my device. The sudden surge of pain that shot through me made me trip screaming out in pain as I tried to move.
"Shadow Yolan! Shadow Yolan whats wrong?!" Winter yells kneeling down next to me I can't speak everything hurts.
"Can you...Can you..." Shit its going dark...stay awake...stay awake...sta...y...awake... "Can you hear me?!"
I snap up looking around confused I was in a building now I look at my wrist it was bloody but the screen was now green.
"Good you're up thought you went into shock there for a moment." Winter says smiling at me her helmet was off now she was sitting next to a fire I sit up winching in pain.
"What happened where are the others?" I ask shaking my head "Archer Fey and Knight Kai never responded we're across the street from the encounter Knight Van and Shield Rei they're signals went out they're dead."
I freeze "they were with me at the beginning...I never thought they'd actually." She starts turning away from me "I'm sorry Knight Winter what about Vanguard Patrick?" I ask she looks at me sighing "he...wasn't there in that heap of flesh and his signal still up but he isn't responding."
She shakes her head "fuck I figured having a Vanguard and his shadow on the team would make extermination easier but look now!" Winter yells.
"Knight Winter I know it hurts but calm down we need...to report that...the extermination was a failure and about this." I raise my hand showing the bloody wrist.
"We can't the last thing I heard over the radio is that a Consumed had been spotted somewhere close to the Culling grounds during the test."
I shake my head "no listen this is a big problem if what...shit...if what Vanguard Patrick said was true then that means our guys are in danger they're wearing these!"
"You think these things are what caused you to freeze up like that?" She ask I nod "was Vanguard Patrick wearing one?" She ask I stare at her for a moment "I already told you they asked us to test out their new toys."
She slams her fist into the ground "those bastards! If they didn't give him that if they didn't you that we could've save them!" She bites her lip standing up.
"We're not letting a massacre happen we need to move." She says "Phoenix One this is Shadow Yolan me and Knight Winter...we're requesting evact now."
"I already tried that Shadow Yolan no one picked up." She says I sit their for a moment before standing up ignoring the pain I head for the front door. "What do you think you're doing." Winter ask.
I stare at her for a moment "we need to get to the Cullining grounds now so I'm getting us there." She stares at me for a moment before nodding grabbing her helmet and weapon and following me out.
The screens on now so does that mean. I want to test it but I don't know if I'll be shocked like that again don't think I can go through something like that again.
"How long do you think you can last out here outside your armor Shadow Yolan?" Winter asks I look up at the sky it felt so cold but I could feel a bit of warmth on my skin I sigh I wasn't shivering yet but I expected this mission to take and hour or so.
"I've got awhile in me don't worry about it Knight Winter while we're moving keep and eye out for any of our missing Red Formation members."
She nods putting back on her helmet "and not only that but...it knows that we're here now that it's trapped we might run into it if it managed to ki-"
I stop shaking my head "sorry Knight Winter lets just move." I say to her heading back towards the drop zone.
"How much of the area have you checked?" I ask she shakes her head only the vicinity around the fight couldn't really leave you by yourself could I?"
"No, I guess you couldn't how long was I out?" I ask "an hour maybe less I can't remember when you blacked out."
"Red...read...Red...read me..." The two of us stop in our tracks "Phoenix One is that you?" I ask "Shadow Yolan...signal...terrible...drop...now..." Phoenix One states "shit Phoenix One do you read me we need extraction now." I growl.
Static "shit looks like the drop zone is a good choice after all lets move we don't know how long Phoenix One will be waiting." I say trying to run but winching in pain again.
"Don't push yourself Shadow Yolan the fact you're walking is amazing right now." I shake my head "no if I stood back up when I fell that would've been amazing this is just being a Crescent Knight." I say to her smiling.
"Weather I like it or not its my fault that we didn't make it in time to save them if I hadn't rushed using this 'Overdrive' then you could've helped them."
I say starting a slow jog ignoring the surge of pain the best I could "Live long Knight Winter!" I yell speeding up she jogs up next to me nodding "Die Strong Shadow Yolan!"
When we get there the place is a bloody mess I look to my right to see "Knight!" I bolt over to him kneeling down next to them.
"There was suppose to be one..." Kai manages to whisper grabbing my arm and pulling me closer "why the hell was there more than one?!" he screams at me.
"Keep it together Knight Kai where is Archer Fey?" His eyes go wide his helmet laid broken next to him along with... "she protected me lead them away, fuck!" He screams throwing the helmet "she was right there! But I fucked up and now she's dead because I couldn't handle-"
I pull out of his grip grabbing his shoulders and smacking him "calm the fuck down! I refuse to lose anyone else today you! You're going to get your revenge right?! Or are you going to sit here and mope?" I growl
He glares at me "they broke my god damn arm and threw me like a rag doll!" I nod "that's right and they killed my mentor but you know what I'm going to do about it?" I ask leaning in close "I'm going to slaughter them, each and everyone of them." I whisper in his ear.
Staring at me he starts to laugh tears falling from his eyes "your nuts!" He yells lifting his head as he cried covering his face with his hand.
"Nuts is good when you're doing stupid shit like this Live long Knight Kai!" I yell standing up and staring at him I extend my hand "I said Live Long! Knight Kai!" I yell once more.
He looks at me glaring "Die Strong Shadow Yolan and kill all those bastard when you're going down!" I grin "you're god damn right!"
"Red...See you...Coming down..." I look up seeing the carrier slowly coming down it looked beaten up like it just got out of a dog fight.
"You good in there don't want to get in a plane with you if you've been flying drunk." I say as we board.
"no but you owe me a drink or two after this some unmarked ships have been trying to take me out of the sky I could barley stay in the area and when communications went down I just had to pray you all finished quickly from the cam...I can tell it didn't go well."
"...We lost everyone except for us Vanguard Patrick is still missing but he would prioritize the Crescent Knights and the nation over himself so lets stop this thing before it becomes a massacre!"
That was the last thing we said to each other since Winter focused on treating Kai who was black and had no hair his eyes were blue and filled with anger now after we talked.
'Anger is better than self loath' I think to myself as a sudden amount of turbalance makes me lose my balance a bit "Shit! Red Formation we're nearing the Cullining zone I can't bring us down those bastards are back there's no time to talk about this so jump!"
The door starts opening "you two can make that jump right?" I ask as the bridge leading to the burning stadium came into view the two nod "are you alright without your suit though?"
"Jump damn it!" They scream once again "no time!" I yell lunging out of the carrier trying to use the device once again suddenly a flash of light hits me and I'm hurled into the bridge.
"Shadow Yolan are you okay? We landed on the bridge but you went hurling through it." Winters voice says to me over my earpiece which by the way if I got fried how is it working?
Good earpiece I guess but this. I look at my hand my armor wasn't white so who does this armor belong to.
I jump out of the river landing on the bridge I pull of the helmet looking at it confused this was top tier armor the black screen at the front and the design like a spear head for the helmet was amazing I put it back on flexing a few times.
'It fits and it didn't fry me so why did it do it the first time?' I think to myself "We're heading across the bridge respond if you can hear us Shadow Yolan!" Winters yells over the earpiece.
" I read you Knight Winters wasn't use to this armor seems someone gave me an upgrade." I say 'a suit like this could run for a life time without refueling on Faint why the hell do I have it?' I think to myself.
As I run the sudden speed I hit made me go flying pass where I was intending to run to passing by Winter and Kai.
I slam my feet into the ground breaking the stone flooring and coming to a slow stop I turn around trying a slow jog. "Sorry about that like I said upgrade." I say waving my hand as I get close.
"That suit!" Winter says surprised "what is it I have no idea could you!"
*BANG!*
We turn to the sky seeing Phoenix One flying pass on fire towards a building "Phoenix one eject!" I yell into the earpiece no response "Phoenix one e-"
*BOOM!*
The carrier explodes as it slams into a building "shit!" I growl shaking my head "we need to move no more wasting time!" Kai says his great sword resting on his shoulder loosely gripped in his good hand.
"I'll avenge you I promise!" I scream as we run towards the stadium. Breaching the doors the three of us fire forward.
"Stay together we're not losing anyone else today!" I yell the two nod I draw my blade as Consume come into view. 'Screechers of course.' I think to myself seeing the small red creatures with blades for arms cutting apart two people I fire forward before they can call for others slashing through them.
"Breakers to our right!" Kai yells I look seeing the giant black creature its arms fused together to make one giant hammer they bring it down but Kai pivots to the right bringing around his blade and igniting it a blue glow coming from it as the blade burst forward cutting through the Breakers head.
*SREEECH!*
I turn forward seeing more Screechers followed by Dancers a blue being with one giant eye two long twig like arms and leg which formed a deadly blade.
Before I can launch forward Winter lunges over me her axe raised over her head already having ignited her weapon she slams it into the ground fire bursting from the ground ripping apart the Dancers of course the Screechers being resilient to fire didn't help as they fire forward.
I moved in front of her slashing through one with my curved sword and kicking the next back into the others sending them flying back.
"If they're all here that means a Harlot is as well." Kai says "we need to find the Harlot so more can't get in or find the survivors and get out!" Winter says.
"On the way we keep moving!" I yell as the rest of the Breakers finally reach our side of the hall we cut our way through the Screechers avoiding fighting the Breakers and continued towards the main area of the stadium.
"Witcher!" Kai yells stopping us in our tracks. We stare at the white creature it was almost as big as the hall we were going through and had one long scythe arm and one arm that look like a crossbow unlike the others it had a glow to it meaning it take more than a good place swing to take it out.
"Stay out of its line of sight and we'll take it on all at once." I say the two nod taking either connecting hallway I stood their waiting for it to move close enough to see me.
I back up a bit putting my curved blade in my left hand facing back toward me and the other facing towards the Witcher who was now at the connecting halls trying to swing its scythe arm.
I roll out of the way firing forward slashing upwards knocking its scythe arm back with it the Witcher begins tripping backwards only for Kai to swing for its legs in a horizontal slash and Winter bring her axe down igniting it she slams it on its chest I jump slamming my foot into the axe forcing it to crack the glow.
"Move!" Kai roars his sword suddenly bursting red and blue. I jump back and so does Winter as he brings down his sword causing an explosion.
"If it wasn't for this broken arm I could slash through a dozen of these bastards alone but, having back up is nice every once in awhile." He says nodding for us to continue down the path.
As we look out the window we see it "no...that! How the hell did it get so close?!" Kai yells the Executioner I've seen pictures but the thing is there moving towards the Cullining stadium slowly thousands of dot flying around it every so often a bright lights can be seen.
"Crescent Knights!" Winter says "if they're out there that means they might not know about what's happening in here." I say "lets destroy the Harlot it can only be in the main area it's the only place big enough for it to fit."
The two nod and we race towards it fighting along the way we found a few shadows who were instructed to hide with the wounded in the basement.
Kai wouldn't budge so Winter stayed with them to protect them in case of any dangers. Me and Kai bust through the double doors weapons still drawn panting as we surveyed the area.
It didn't take a genius to see the giant beast it was as big as the field we fought in half the size of a football field it was yellow with hands growing everywhere eyes on every palm.
The lower half was like a centipede while the top was that of a woman who hummed quietly calling these bastards in here and showing them the way.
"You know about me right?" I ask walking down the stairs towards the field "I know and it doesn't matter you saw he was turning that's all that matters if it wasn't for that bastard that wouldn't have gone to shit like that."
I nod as run forward "Live Long!" I scream "Die Strong!" I hear Kai roar as we begin our assault on the Harlot.
She screeches the hands on her side fire towards us spikes shooting from the eyes 'just like they taught me!' I think to myself dodging pass them I see Kai slashing his way through lunging towards the Harlot his blade glowing again as he causes another explosion making the Harlot screech in pain.
I take the chance to jump into the air jumping from arm to arm till I could see its face I fire of the hand slashing at its face getting its eyes they let out another screech swatting at me.
-?-
Daliex not able to dodge mid air is smashed into the stadium seats hands firing towards him stabbing into his armor he lets out a scream in pain Kai stops his assault for a moment before lunging up slashing the arms attacking Daliex.
Once cut from the Harlot they vanish with another violent screech she uses her large hands to fire a barrage of punches at Kai who dodges them sending an invoke slash into the ground causing a cloud of smoke to appear.
She stops her assault for a moment as she hears something to her right Daliex back up no armor on now slashes at its next fire past it he flips mid air so his feet aimed at the roof kick off as he make decent contact with it firing towards it again turning back on his armor to deliver an axe kick to the Harlots head.
The glow she was emitting began to focus more to her upper body noticing this Kai fires out of the cloud of fading smoke and stabs his sword deeper her side running up her side doing his best to avoid the hands.
Not giving up on his assault Daliex brings both his blade down over her head causing cracks to form in her glow.
"Out of the way!" Kai roars Daliex looks down smiling jumping backwards out of her arms reach towards the ground he watches Kai firing up to her glow ripping his sword up his Faint energy exploding from the sword.
"Get over here and give me a hand!" he yells Daliex nods firing back upwards sending a kick to the sword giving it the final push through the glow. Ripping through her top half like butter.
The two land on the ground as she slowly began to vanish "that should keep the others from getting-!?" Kai stops looking down in confusion by the blade stuck in their chest.
"Who...the...shit..."Kai groans falling over Daliex goes to run over but the blade is suddenly pointed at him "...Lexus why?!" Daliex yells suddenly hearing something approaching him.
He jumps to the side skidding back barely avoiding the axe from Winter. "It would seem our game is coming to an end."
Daliex looks up to see a cloaked figure standing in front of the kings seat for the stadium "Who the hell are you?! What did you do to everyone?!" Daliex yells pointing at them.
The figure sighs lifting their hand "I who provoke the will of the moon and the darkness of its light I am the Judicator the one who judges your fate."
"That doesn't explain what's going on!" Daliex yells as more cloaked figures begin filling the room some suddenly the shocking sensation comes back and his armor vanishes he hits the ground in pain "bring in their king!" The Judicator roars.
At those words the two family members present for the event came in and were tossed onto the ground center field. "You who claims to have power who acts to be at the top have been judge guilty and have been crushed by our power!"
'Stay awake!' Daliex brain scream at him as he forced himself to his hands and knees 'stay awake!'
"Your rebellion against us has come to an end your nobility has betrayed you your pure bloods cut apart and only a few of your knights still remain loyal to you and those who are among them are either dead will soon be converted."
'Get up, damn it I said get up!' It screams at Daliex who pushes off his left knee getting to his foot panting.
"You no longer have any allies and your nation shall be ripped from your hands choose now will you die or serve under us and give your daughter as an offering?"
Daliex snaps up finally pushing off the ground the surge of electricity finally vanishing the king bows his head Ira looks at him mortified.
"Then with the eclipse as our eyes and the will of the one master of this land in our minds I Fallen Crescent!" As the light fires down from the roof Daliex fires forward ramming Ira as the lights about to hit getting caught in it.
"ARAAHAAAAAAHAAAAAGHH!" The scream he lets out in pain as chains rip from the ground pulling him towards it, suddenly the crystal around his neck begins to glow a hand suddenly coming out snapping a bright light fills the area and everything seems to vanish.
-Daliex-
"What...what happened?" I ask quietly looking around in confusion "Wait Ira?! Lexus?!" I yell looking around confused I go to stand up but for some reason I stumble rolling down a green hill.
I groan sitting up I walk crawl over to the pond that was now next to me. "Let me just wake up washing off my face should...wake...me...what the fu-" I try to say fu-!? But suddenly my head hurts when I do.
That doesn't matter right now what does it that thing that was staring at me in the water. I thought it was some Consumed I had gone for my weapon at my side but I fell forward when I did.
Looking at my hand...hooves? "No...no...no no no...no! No! No! NO!NO!NO!" I scream looking at the white thing in the water I realized they had shaggy black hair? With a red streak in it and blue...milky.
"OH!MY!GO-" I winch again in pain "what the he-" I winch again "fuc-" I winch again "son of a-" again "da-" again! "Alright no cussing or talking about you know who I got it!" I yell shaking my head.
"Did that curse do this to me or am I dreaming?" I ask myself confused. "And what the...h e double hockey sti-" I winch "really?!" I yell.
Sighing I try this "what the tree am I?" I say I think to myself "some kind of goat?" I ponder as I walked...crawled bear crawl! Yeah that works bear crawled back up hill.
I had still had the 'overdrive' on my wrist so I could technically summon my stuff would it work in this form? I pondered this as I noticed two blades on the ground on the hill...yep they're mine I try turning on the 'overdrive' but I can't seem to...
"I don't have fingers!" I scream falling to the ground rolling around "what kind of he-" I scream again when the pain stabs into me I begin rolling around fast till suddenly I hear a chime and I notice it turned itself on and the two blades suddenly vanished.
"I accidentally turned it on?" I say calmly standing? Standing their for a moment before jumping into the air grinning screaming "I'm a genius!"
"At least you're not some Consumed." A female voice says I look down seeing that I was still wearing my good luck charm "you can talk?" I ask confused.
"That's right I woke up after being asleep for god knows how long." They say laughing I groan "you can say that but not me?" They laugh again "Guess so I thought I traveled back in time but it seems I teleported you that curse of yours messed up my magic."
I freeze "wait you mean you were gonna go back in time to help me?" I ask "Yep! I just collected enough energy and tried using it to help you out instead of taking on my physical form but whatever they did to you that caused this...yeah it seems it forced me to send you here."
"Wait so it changed your time travel spell to a teleportation spell?" I ask confused "yeah! Looks like I can't collect much energy while you're in this form though if you were in your human form it take maybe a year in this form I don't know but I can tell its coming in a lot slower now."
"So what you're saying is I'm stuck in this form till you can gain enough energy to teleport us back or are you saying that you can get us back and I'll still be in this form?" I ask.
"Well it seems the curse only took half of its effect this seems like a side effect to be honest but since it's only half of its effect give me some time I might be able to make it so you can revert back to your human form for a little time. So I'm going to sleep try to stay out of trouble."
I sigh "of course still not sure what I am but I'm gonna try figuring out where the locals are maybe they can tell me where I am." I say bear crawling towards a road looking around. Everything seem so lively and colorful.
"For some reason I feel kind of sick about how nice this all looks." I say sighing "as a knight I'll get through this Live Long and Die Strong!" I yell happy it didn't cut me off at die.
"Wait a moment!" I run? Back to the pond looking down at myself I was wearing what looked like some whatever I am version of my formal wear as a Shadow.
"Why do I? Did the curse do that?" I sigh "well at least I'm not naked even got pants with a hole in the oh my go-" I winch "I have a tail." I have the sudden urge to start chasing it but I resist the urge to do so.
"Yay for not being naked thought I'd have to find some clothes but if all of its like that then I should be fine."
Bear Crawling back to the road I begin heading towards what I think could be civilization hoping for the best.
Chapter END!
So that ends that! Yeah...this is a first for me sorry if it's bad if you have anything you'd like to say...say it! I don't mind I'll make sure to respond to everything at the end of the next chapter.