Chapter 1. The Bridge
56 years after the fall of Apolyon, the war between the three factions continues to rage on as the Vikings have lead a fierce campaign along the Ashlfield coastline, in doing so the fierce Viking: Ivar Bloodletter has destroyed four of the seven strongholds dotting the coast. the Warden Commander Denaugery and his forces has held up after a one of the largest forts and manged to stop the vikings during a fierce 49 hour siege against the Valkenhiem invaders. hold up in the keep the Warden has left the few survivors still alive to die against the horde at the gates.
William looked over the edge of the Ramparts and past the bridge, they had managed to repel the last three attacks from the Vikings, but with the damage to the keep and the amount of men they lost they wouldn't survive a fourth attack. His helm was hot and damaged leaving him little choice other than to take it off dropping it to the ground. Looking at the black steel Elner helm on the floor he grabbed matching pauldrons and tugged at them making sure they would still be good for a fight and doubled checked his chest piece looking down at the standards they also seemed to be on pieces, each on had a wolf engrained on them with the background set into four pieces colored with yellow and black, and from what he could tell the back seemed to be alright as well with the horizontal chevrons facing downward in a black and yellow combination and the engraving of a wolf. William felt the pat of a gauntlet on his shoulder as he looked to his right and saw a Lawbringer wielding a huge bloody Halberd.
"Gregor, any word from Denaugeray?" he looked over to the semi huge man as he took his helm off as well to reveal a man with short dirty blonde hair and a matching colored goatee.
"Our great warlord has held himself in his keep and refuses to come out, what should we do?" William took a deep breath and felt the wet metal of his gauntlet on his head as he rubbed his forehead.
"If he refuses to fight we should consider the options, either A. we hold the fort to the last man"
"There's more than one option?"
"Option B. there's a secret pass out of the keep, we make a mass retreat, break it and someone holds them at the bridge till everyone gets out" Gregor set his axe down and sat down on the ramparts leaving William looking out to the forest. He took a deep breath and looked at the wolf pommel on his longsword before he grabbed it and started to walk, Gregor saw this and stood up grabbing his effects and followed.
"you have a plan?" Gregor said as he put his Helm back on. William didn't look back but kept walking as he went to armory and set his sword down as he grabbed a new helm. William took a deep breath as he picked up a black steel Loran helm with a paint design that matched his colors, with one side of it black and the other, yellow. Gregor looked at his silent friend and waited till he left the armory before he spoke again.
"what would happen to the Warlord?"
"Fuck him, he won't come out and he refuses to give orders so now we have to think of a new plan" Gregor grabbed William by the Paulrdon and made him back up facing him.
"and what is that plan William?"
"Ivar won't give up till this keeps his, and that includes us all dead inside. At least we can give him one of those, find Emily and anyone who still breathes and follow her, she knows the way out"
"and you?" William smiled and gripped his Longsword again.
"I'm going to give you some time" William walked away and to the main gate as Gregor stood for a minute before he nodded and walked back the way he came to find Emily.
William walked past the rubble and noticed a shield shining bright, giving a reflection. He looked into the mirror and looked at the man inside it. The blow on his helm from some lucky Valkyrie didn't take the whole blow It seemed at Blood still trickled from the left side of his head, it matted some of his jet black shoulder length hair and made some of it stick to his head, he pulled it back and took some loose string from his standards and tied it behind his head as he scratched the full beard on his cheek, covering the bottom of a scar on his left that led from his jawline to his ear, and the only thing he thought was if he should shave causing him to chuckle. The sound of boots caught his attention as he turned to see another Warden running towards him till she took her light blue and white helm and threw it him, William dodged it as it hit the wall next to him but didn't get the blow to his left side jaw that followed.
"you bastard!" William checked his lip but rolled his eyes as he noticed it bleeding.
"I guess Gregor found you" the blonde warden stood in front of him only giving him a furious stare of fear and anger.
"and you didn't think to come find me" William shook his head before she landed another blow but then embraced him closely, even in the middle of a battle Emily still managed to keep herself smelling like someone who hasn't been in a 48 hour siege.
"this is isn't up for discussion" William said as he put his helmet on and turned around. Emily spun him around and made him look at her.
"why not, why does it have to be you?" William took her hand in his and squeezed as he noticed tears start to form.
"no one else can give you enough time to escape" Emily placed her head on his chest as he stroked her hair with the gauntlet not caked in blood. She looked up at him again and reached for the helm when he stopped her. Emily clenches her fists and moved them to her sides as she slowly picked up her helm. William gripped his longsword and turned around to go the courtyard as Emily walked away the opposite direction. he looked at the ramparts as he walked into the large courtyard and looked at the men manning the wall "open the gate"
"on who's orders?" William took off his helmet and exposed his face to the sun.
"Sir William of Bru" William said as he quickly shielded his face with the metal again. The men nodded and proceeded to move the chains when another voice made them halt.
"On the orders of Denaugeray you will leave that gate shut!" the men stopped and looked as a warden in gold armor clad with yellow griffins on a checkered purple and black background on his standards came onto the ramparts looking down at William. The warden grabbed the wings on his merope helm and revealed a man with a huge brown mustache with a shaven head. "wolf, what are you doing?!" William looked up at his warlord and shifted his shoulder before moving to look at the warlord.
"Doing what you refuse to do and giving the others time to escape the keep"
"you'll do no such thing Wolf, get back to your post!" William shook his head and stood his ground.
"you refuse to fight, and you hide like a coward while those who follow you die in droves, I'm ending this now" the men proceeded to open the gate before the warden shoved one of them aside and stopped the gate any further.
"are you refusing my orders wolf?"
"what would you do about it? You've shown you have no spine in the face of danger"
"how dare you?! You call yourself an honorable man William?" William slammed the tip of his sword into the ground and placed his helmet onto of the hilt and walked to a ladder leading up to the switch. Denaugeray took a step back as William climbed the ladder and walked straight up to the man and the winch.
"Honor? What do you know of Honor Denaugeray?" the warden took a step back as William continued to walk towards him. "you who has not even come close to facing true fear" the warden tried to halt William before he was again forced backwards as he advanced even more.
"y-you face a warrior Wolf, and I won't be talked to like this, William grabbed Denaugeray by the chest piece and punched him in the face causing him to fall back and land with his back onto a stone curtain.
"you call yourself a warrior but know this, before you step onto that thin red path, where no misstep is aloud. A path that only end when your legs have failed to support you and your heart stops beating" Denaugeray tried to lunge forward but only failed as his fist was caught by William and thrown back into the stone curtain. "a path where sadness goes along with pain and where glory is the color of blood." William grabbed the shaking warden by the pauldron and forced him to sit down on the wooden floor of the battlement. "this narrow path only goes one way. a way covered with enemies and brothers alike" William pointed his finger to the left side to the remnants of a fight as bodies of both Vikings and knights were sprawled on the ground, leaning on the wall or simply just cut in half or missing huge chunks of their bodies.
Denaugeray looked at William who still had the same face of anger. William crouched down and looked him in the eye.
"and the path will take you without any shame, into the hands of death simply for the name you are given, and for your descendants all in the name of honor" William rose and walked over to the winch and started to pull it as the gate slowly opened all the way. William looked at Denaugeray as he walked to the stairs. "learn what honor is, before you pretend and call yourself a warrior Denaugeray" William slid down the ladder back to his effects and reached for his sword and slid his helm back on as he walked out onto the bridge and waited.
The sounds of laughter and shouts grew louder as they drew closer. William noticed as a horde of raiders, Valkyrie, and warlords and normal footmen seemed to bleed from the forest as they came closer to the bridge leading to the small island fortress. The laughter stopped as the horde noticed William on the bridge alone.
"this the last chance for you to turn away, there is no reason why you should die here today" a raider emerged and laughed as he walked closer to William. William took his sword in his hand and kept his hand on the blade instead of the handle as the Raider seemed to speak or mocking him.
"here we go" William waited till the Raider charged him. William moved to the right and sliced at the raider landing somewhat of gash on his back, the raider turned around and brought the axe he held down just time for William to block and let the axe slide to the side before he struck raider on the head with his pommel, staggering the raider took a step as William came at him from the left with a light attack before he came again from the right with a heavy landing making another large gash before William brought the sword down from the top slicing into the raiders shoulder. Rodrick took the blade out in a quick pace as he swept the head of the raider clean off in quick motion. The others watched as the body fell causing a Warlord and another raider to attack as a horde tried to get past William.
The warlord lunged at William bringing his sword down but missing as William moved to the right grabbing the raider and throwing him into the warlord attacking him, William swung again but this time at the horde moving past him cutting down anyone who would've passed. He looked up as he saw the pommel of the raiders axe come down making him dizzy and hazy but only long enough for him to realize there was an axe and sword coming at him from the top and his right side. the metal clanged as he grabbed the sword from the top and slid it down his own landing into the shoulder of the raider forcing him to scream in pain. The warlord tried to yank his sword out but stopped as Rodrick shoved his own through his chest before he threw him to the side and grabbing the raider by his harness, the raider spun around as Rodrick threw him to the side of the bridge kicking him into the wall before he kicked again causing him to go over the edge.
The force of Vikings stopped as they looked at the warden huffing underneath his helmet as they seemed to part for three Valkyries to emerge, the one on the right seemed to giggling as she walked up as the other two started in silence as they ran up to William. Each swung there spears in a different direction catching William at least once as he tried to get the other two at any time, he was able to stop the 1st and 2nd but every time he would be ready to stop the third one she would either come early or late till he finally noticed the pattern they were coming in. he caught the 1st and the 2nd but just before the delay came from the third spear, William grabbed the 2nd spear and threw her to the right causing her to clash with the third one giving him and advantage to grab the free Valkyrie and throw her to the side forcing her to hit the wall and watch as William bring his sword down into her shoulder and side, he dropped her and came back at the other two as they regained there composure but not long enough for them to stop he attacks, he seemed to come from everyway and every time they attacked he would catch it and use it himself, the spear would come down, he would stop it, throw them back and attack the other one till he brought his sword down from the top landing a blow on another one, he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her closer as he picked her up with his sword and then drop her just as the life left her eyes. The final Valkyrie's eyes filled with rage and instead of the giggle from earlier it seemed more like a battle cry as she screamed at lunged forward catching William in the left shoulder, William felt the Spear enter but stop just before it went to deep, seeing this as an advantage he grabbed the spear with his right hand and brought his left arm down breaking it off and throwing the Valkyrie off guard long enough for him to run forward and drive his sword into her gut, William pulled the sword out as she took a step back and fell to her knee's, William grabbed the tip of his sword and raise the handle clean into the air and in one swift motion bring the hand guard down into her shoulder bringing her down for good.
William watched as the Vikings seemed to take a step back as they parted again to the sight of a man wearing a leather jerkin over a long sleeved shirt with a red and black plaid kilt almost reaching Williams size and his sword exceeding his own, the man walked out smiling as he set the tip down and into the stone bridge and left it to the side.
"do you have a name? or should I just call you Warden?" William took a step back as he set his sword down as well but also taking his helmet off exposing his face to the hot ashfield sun again.
"I am William … of Bru" he said while taking another deep breath, the Highlander smiled as he stepped forward and extended his hand out
"I have no tricks William of Bru, I only wish to shake the hand of a another great warrior" William stepped forward as he extended his own hand which the warrior took and locked wrists with him. after a few minutes they parted and took several steps back.
"do you have a name sir?" the Highlander nodded as William and him both made their way to their weapons.
"I am called Higur, of flea I suppose if that what wanted to know, my name and town I guess" William nodded in respect at the man as they both knew what came next.
"well Higur, I'm sure Ivar sent you?"
"aye, he did he's too busy dealing with a fortress held by the samurai a little way down the coast"
"than why attack if he's busy with them?"
"he see's you as an obstacle and he would prefer your out of the way now and deal with you once and for all now then later" William nodded as he placed his helmet on his head and picked up the longsword as the Highlander picked his own up as well.
"if you make it out of this alive Higur… I wish you luck on the wars to come"
"as do I lad, and the same to you, you fought well, now die with your honor" William pressed his sword to his left shoulder before he assumed stance as Higur pounded his chest with a smile on his face. William didn't even realize how fast the Higur came at him till he felt the grip of his hand on Williams neck.
Higur threw William to the floor and came down with his sword from the top as William just barely managed to stop it with his own, he felt the steel coming closer as he looked around and saw the rest of the Viking horde running and making there way to the fortress past him. the steel was too much as the tip of his sword came closer inch by inch till it was at his chest when the sound of a war horn made Higur look up and look down at William.
"I'm afraid its all for not William of Bru. We have the keep" Higur stopped for a moment as he grabbed the spear head and lifted William up by it. William screamed out in pain as the spear drove deeper into his shoulder when another familiar war horn sounded. Higur looked over to the tower in the keep dropping William. Regaining himself William stood up as he looked over to the same tower and noticed the familiar gold wings atop a helm. Denaugeray stood atop the tower with a ballista aimed for the bridge. William looked at him as he picked up a green flag and waved it proud, to give a sign. William remembered the sign he and Gregor made for each other to tell them that their plan worked, or they were safe, and it was to wave a green flag with a griffon on it, a symbol of the iron legion, a symbol of hope. William smiled underneath his helmet when he heard the gristled voice of Denaugeray.
"FOR HONOR!" the Warden dropped the flag as he readied the Ballista next to him. William realized what Denaugeray was doing and immediately grabbed his sword ran to the other direction of the keep as Higur ran into it. The Ballista launched a bolt aimed for the leg of the bridge closer to the keep again and again till the stone could be heard clear from the other side of the bridge, it crumbled and shook as William managed to outrun the bolts and the bridge collapsing as the entire thing fell into the canyon and sea underneath. William looked at the tower as Denaugeray waved the flag again, it was harder to make out but William took off his helmet and looked on as it seemed the warden still trapped inside disappeared.
William nodded in the direction of the keep before he turned around and walked into the forest and walked along the cliff till he made his way halfway around the fortress and headed into the forest. He looked around hoping to find any trace where the others went to, he must've spent hours looking around, he even circled around to the back of the fortress looking for footprints, but they soon disappeared into the grass and into the tree's. William followed them as far as he could before he stopped and felt a little dizzy, he looked down and realized the spear tip was not only still in his shoulder, but it was still bleeding and from the looks of it, it was bleeding for quite a while.
William slowly walked over to a tree and slid down before he dropped his sword next to him and took off his helm, he took a deep breath and slowly took off his chest piece and pauldrons setting them off to the side leaving the piece of Spear still lodged in his shoulder. William took a knife out and tore a piece of the standards from his back long enough to wrap around his torso, he then took some more cloth from the standards from his hip and readied himself.
William padded himself down for a canteen but soon gave up as he left it inside the keep and looked around for a source of water, he stood up and grabbed his gear before he walked off more into the forest trying to look for a pond or stream. He must've walked for hours before he set his armor and sword down again at the edge of a fairly large stream running through the forest, he smiled as he dunked his head in the stream down into as much water as he could, rising from the water William pulled the cloth out and in one swift motion he grabbed the spear tip and yanked it out freeing it from his shoulder, but letting the blood to flow more than it was.
Screaming from the pain, William grabbed his helm and scooped up some water water and dumped it on himself feeling the cold sting and seeing the blood and water run down his shirt. Thinking it was clean enough William folded the smaller cloth enough to place it on the wound and gently pressed it into the wound and making sure it would stay and prevent himself to bleed anymore at least till he found the others he wrapped the larger strand around his torso a few times and tied it keeping it nice and tight. William took another deep breath as he smiled and put each piece of armor back on till he was ready for another fight. Tightening his left pauldron, William shuffled around when he heard footsteps and shouting, he grabbed his helmet sword and spear tip and moved over to the nearest tree, he slid his helmet on and gripped his sword in his right hand and the spear tip in the other before he sat down with his back on the tree trunk. He made himself go limp making himself look like the spear tip took his life. He waited as he watched a patrol of samurai came running through the forest.
"The knights came through this way, if they managed to escape Ivar's horde we'll find them and finish the job" William tried his best to stop himself from rising his chest as a Kensei wearing Black and purple colored armor with the engraving of a butterfly on each piece walked closer to him and kicked his boot. He remained lifeless as the Kensei walked away. An orochi ran up to the group and bowed to the Kensei before he spoke.
"we still haven't found any of the knights and still no luck on finding Sayori"
"we need to find her, that traitor will pay" the Kensei said before he broke off into a run, the two Orochi and Nobushi took off with him.
William waited five minutes before he dropped the spear tip and stood up. the spear didn't seem to do as much damage as he thought when he heard twigs and leaves crunch, he turned around and saw nothing, but his gut was telling him otherwise, he headed back and found the boot tracks and headed off if the direction they disappeared to and hoped to regroup with the survivors.
The trail was more clear now, he didn't know if this was since he wasn't losing as much blood as before or he got lucky but he knew if he wasn't quiet his luck wouldn't last. Another twig broke behind William as he turned around and spotted the branch that broke. Slowly he gripped his sword.
"DIE YOU DOG!" Sword clashed with sword as an Orochi in Orange and Black painted armor came from behind the trees, William barley had anytime to stop the blows with his own sword when the Orochi's hilt slammed into his head causing a metal pang and William to become dazed and confused, waiting for the feeling of steel on his throat, William heard the sounds of fighting as steel fought steel before blood smacked into the tree in front of him. regaining his senses, William tried to grip his longsword as a blood soaked blade touched the tip of the chainmail around his throat. Looking up William was face to face with the pure white mask of a Nobushi underneath a folded straw hat. In numerous battles with the samurai, William had figured out some different types of the garb they wore into battle she had little armor on her arms knowing the type William figured at the most it could've been plated arms known from the kasuga template and jacket she wore was very reminiscent of a hazuki template yet from the angle he was able to see it was dyed to look like flames danced as the Jerkin moved slightly, yet the colors she wore made him curious, the Orochi wearing all hagane armor had a dusk orange and black while she was wearing a white and very light blue, almost like a spring rain.
William dropped the sword in his hand as he noticed the blood trailing down her arm. She raised the blade forcing him to rise as well before she dropped the blade.
"if you're not going to kill me, what do you want" the Nobushi slung her spear on her back as she pointed to her arm and in a very sweet yet demanding voice.
"Help me"
Feel free to leave any comments or anything like that and I hope you enjoyed, I'm testing the waters a little so again feel free to leave a comment, it's helpful in the long run. And all the armors I said when describing them are types in the game so feel free to look at them if your curious about what anybody looks like.