Author's Note: This is a fanfic based on DragonFable. I do not own ANYTHING but Steelix.
Chapter 1: Artix's and Vayle's Secret
Artix brought his sword down onto another zombie's head. He felt weird feelings killing the zombie this time. Ever since he learned that Vayle was the Necromantress, he always felt strange killing the undead. "How?" Artix thought aloud, "How could such a sweet young girl follow a path of pure evil?" "BBBBRRRAAAIIINNSSS!" A zombie shouted trying to attack Artix from the back; he quickly brought his sword around and decapitated it. "Well," Artix said looking around, "Looks like that's all of them." While Artix was leaving the cemetery, a familiar face was watching through a crystal ball miles away. "Poor Artix," Vayle said sadly, "No matter how many monsters I summon for him to fight, he just never seems to have the same enthusiasm. I just want him to be happy." Back with Artix… Artix returned to his house on the outskirts of Falconreach. He recently moved there after the necromancers of the Necropolis were defeated. After all, one of his best friends, Steelix lived there too. "Well, home sweet home." Artix said entering a small log cabin. He lit the lamps and began to remove his armor. Under his armor he wore a simple leather shirt and cloth pants. He placed his sword beside his bed, blew out the lamps, got under the covers, but couldn't go to sleep. Hours pass… Artix was still awake. From the position of the moon, he estimated it was around midnight. His thoughts were still on Vayle. He couldn't deny it any longer; he was in love with her. But what could he do? He was a paladin, she was a necromancer. He was good, she was evil. He could become a death knight. No. That is exactly what the orb of darkness wanted him to do. But still, he loved her. With Vayle… Vayle was observing Artix the whole time, during the battle at the cemetery and on his way home. She'd watch him inside the house, but his holy magic canceled out her spying spell. This made his house, and guardian towers, the only place she couldn't watch him. She wondered, 'why do I feel this way?' The she realized it, she loved him. But what could she do? They were now as different as day and night. She couldn't even try to become good, the darkness orb was bound to her. She would never be accepted back into a regular society. But still, she loved him. The next day… Artix awoke after maybe one or two hours of sleep. Exhausted, Artix reattached his armor and went looking for the one person he could talk to about this matter, Steelix. Artix was able to find him right outside the inn. "Mourning Artix." Steelix said seeing the tired undead slayer "Is something wrong?" "Actually, there is," Artix responded, "Is their somewhere we can talk in private?" "Uh yeah, my house." Steelix answered, "I moved into where the barber shop was located, you know, next to the potion shop." "Good, let's go." Artix said. He and Steelix returned to Steelix's house and Artix began to explain the situation. After he was finished, Steelix was in a state of extreme shock. "So let me get this straight," Steelix said befuddled, "You have a crush on Vayle, the Necromantress?" "Yes." Artix answered. "But you're a paladin," Steelix said still confused, "Aren't you like sworn to destroy people who follow the dark?" "Yes, we paladins are supposed to fight, and destroy, all of those who follow the dark, but I can't just do it." Artix said. "If only there was some way to remove the darkness orb from her." "But won't that remove her control over the dead?" Steelix asked. "It might, and she might never forgive me for removing her only chance to bring her brother back, but to be with her, I would risk it." Artix answered. "But if it doesn't take away her necromantic abilities, she'll still be a necromancer and the opposite of what you stand for." Steelix said. "I know, but Steelix, I'm just tied up in knots over this." Artix said. "Well, since you told me something personal, I guess I can tell you something I've been having trouble with." Steelix began.