Chapter Two
"That was some serious foot work there kid." The figure says to the boy who lays panting on the floor "next time though less talking and more attacking words can only get you so far in life before you find yourself at the jaws of a beast or the blade of an enemy."
"Strike first and you've taken down the enemy, strike second and you know who that enemy is. The latter can and most likely will cost your life so sink your fangs in before they have the chance to know what hit them."
-Daliex-
"How's that spell going Gem?" I ask as I bear crawl down the road "gem?" She it? Well it sounds female so she asked.
"Yeah don't know your name or if you had one so I'm just gonna call you that." I hum she sighs "You could just ask me it."
"Oh, right." I say stopping in my tracks "Its Ecli." She says "alright Ecli names-" "Daliex Yolan I know." Ecli states cutting me off.
"Right of course! Anyways about that spell?" She sighs "If it only took me two hours to figure it out with my limited amount of power than I would have by the way hows the knew body treating you?"
It was my turn to sigh "it's like trying to ride a bike to be honest I've fallen over to many times to count less now but it's still weird and I keep getting the urge to pick things up or stand on two legs."
Shaking my head I laugh "and I still have no idea what I am my only hope this body can do some of the things my old one could."
"When you first started training with your master you relied on speed to do any damage with your attacks did you not?"
I nod "yeah I did though how do you know that?" I ask she laughs "you think you're the first person I talked to your master use to rattle on and on about you and their other students."
"Right that make sense anyways let me try some of my old tricks." I say trying to bolt forward-ground!? Yep! This is pain.
I groan pulling myself off the floor I had tried running like normal that didn't really work with this body.
"How about you practice for a bit over in the woods over there and I'll focus on that spell okay? Okay!" Ecli says going back to focusing.
'She's right though I do need to try and gain back my momentum since I can't invigorate to begin with and now I can wield my...wait a second!' I summon my curved sword biting the hilt.
'This could work but maybe I should practice with a non-leathel object.' I think to myself returning my blade back to where ever it goes when I put it in the 'Overdrive'.
Biting down on a stick that was laying near these trees I look at them nodding 'this is kind of like how I practice when I was human and young well you know what they say you learn fast or you die fast nothing like Consumed or the locals to really get a jump in your step, good times.'
I look at the trees it kind of seem darkish? Huh...just like home! I fires towards the first tree trying to fix my body mid air but I slam into the tree instead dropping the stick along the way.
"Ouch, alright maybe practice my movements then try with the stick and work up from there." I say nodding to myself as I get ready to try again.
-?-
The cloaked figure stands in the center of a dark room suddenly many different screens light up going one through Fifteen.
"You told me everything was going to plan what happened Sixteen?" Number three asked. With a sigh Sixteen replies "as planned the fail safe for rampaging Knights activated and they shocked the Knights it would seem though that someone burnt out that fail safe making it useless halfway through the attack."
"So the doctor betrayed us!" Four growled slamming their hand on something "I don't believe so like I said someone burnt it out but that someone could've been anyone even on the enemies side."
"The Paladin!?" Six says in surprise Sixteen nods "indeed I believe the Paladin with her remaining forces somehow manage to burn it out she works right under the usurped king it would be no surprise she'd know about it."
"Ah the old lord he was lost during the flash was he not with his daughter?" Seven asked Sixteen nods "yes it would seem so none of the Consumed under my control could find them and the remaining Knights vanished as well."
"We can assume they've found each other then." Five mutters with a sigh as Eight suddenly started talking " but with their numbers destroyed in our attack and most of the Knights on our side the path has been cleared has it not?"
"If you mean for our master rise then yes but it has been delayed sadly the curse of the Fallen Crescent can no longer be used to aid them." Sixteen says.
Four pipes up again "it was lost?!" Sixteen nods "one of the last knights standing manage to get up after the fail safe went through its burn out and pushed the sacrifice out of the way as the curse was about to be placed on her."
"We'll have to deal with that knight then if they have the curse of the Fallen Crescent then we have to either bring to our side or destroy them I don't care which but if it's the latter we'll have to wait for our masters return while dealing with those idiotic Knights." Three says.
"That would be fine but the young knight vanished halfway through the curse when they caused the bright light.
"Damn we'll have to send Screechers or some of our knights to deal with them." Five says biting their thumb.
"No send a Harlot if we hide her well enough we can unleash hell on them." Four suggest. "Survey the situation once we find them we'll make contact it's the best option." Six says.
One raises their hand and the others go silent. "We do nothing for the time being with or without our hand the Consumed have a way to find their prey. If they have the Fallen Crescent and if it only half of what it should be I see no problem. For the pressing matter the thing we must worry about is these." One snaps and images suddenly appear on screen.
"Durendal, Crocea Mors, Excalibur, Dyrnwyn, Fragarach and Hrunting" One says calmly "These blades were dealt with and either destroyed or locked away deep underground all the blades that weren't destroyed were there but the Star has sense the energy of the blades you will look into this during your man hunt is that clear?"
"Yes One." The group says "Good then this meeting is done an over with we will continue this conversation in the future when some progress has been made and Sixteen make sure your pets stay in line." One says calmly Sixteen nods "Of course One."
With that each of the screens turn off one by one till the room was pitch black the sound of Sixteen foot steps are the only thing left in that room.
-Daliex-
'Yes!' I fire off one tree then the next one and the next one till!? I roll pass the tree flipping myself to skid to a stop. "Right, no stick" I sigh bear crawling back over to the stick picking it once again with my mouth.
I fire forward slamming my feet? hooves? Hooves work hooves into the tree pushing off I fire towards the neck tree bounding off the branch toward the the next tree twisting my body mid air then spinning back into place hearing the branch snap behind me.
I look seeing the tree now with a large slash in it. Though the stick was broken so much for training with something that's not lethal it'll just keep breaking...well my mother never told me not to play with large Consumed killing weapons in my mouth so...
-?-
"Hey Darius you know you can stop they're gone." The girl wearing a blue tank top chain mail underneath and a white skirt says. Her blue eyes looking down at him her white hair tied up in a neat bun.
"...I know Claire...and I respect why she went but..." He pulls something out of the junk pile he was searching falling backwards as he lets out a sigh. "I just...never knew rejection could hurt like this."
Raising his hand to the sky he whispers "if I forgot you would this pain vanish or would it linger behind like a scar on my body?"
Claire sighs looking to her right she pulls a small oddly shaped knife from her belt and aims it at the person watching.
"Who's there?!" She yells "just someone who need someone...hunted down." The mysterious voice says calmly "you're a client?" She asks confused looking down at Darius who sat up rubbing his eyes.
"What's the job?" He ask calmly "I need you to hunt down a certain man a Crescent Knight if you'd believe it." Darius eyes narrow walking forward slowly "you know what I like in a client someone who doesn't bother me with the little stuff someone who tells me what I need to know but you know what I don't like?" They ask as they get close.
Before they could ask a pistol falls from Darius sleeve shoving it against the mysterious voices head "someone who thinks my services are a joke." He states coldly "so you got a name Knight Contract?"
They chuckle "please call me ten it's my title." Darius stares at Ten before putting the gun away "fine Ten I'll hunt down your Crescent Knight but I want half the payment now and the other half later in case you try to bail out of our deal."
Ten smiles "I wouldn't dare but I'll have half of your payment sent to you now if we could discuss numbers I'm sure we can finish this without any." They snap a group of cloak figures appearing around the small area.
"Bloodshed right?" Darius stares at the group grinning "don't worry about bloodshed unless it's in the contract ." He says putting away his pistol. "I'm glad to here."
-Daliex-
"Looking good and all but don't you think you're kind of pushing it weren't you going to find the locals?" Ecli ask as I skid to a stop looking at the slash marks I've been leaving they were still way to light if I got into a real battle against a Consumed I'd be dead.
"Daliex did you hear me?" I snap out of my thoughts shaking my head returning my sword. "Oh sorry about that Ecli I just want to be able to protect us in case anything comes up where...ever we are."
She laughs "Protect me are we forgetting who saved who back there?" I sigh "you're right guess magic is real I mean look at me I'm this thing and we're...some random brightly colored well not anymore now we're...huh?"
I give a confused look "did you wander into the forest?" Ecli asks as I bear crawl across a log "I got caught up in training...haven't said that in forever." I say chuckling as I continued down these dark paths.
"While I'm bear crawling why don't we-" Ecli suddenly laughs "what?" I asked confused "Bear crawling?" She asked me "yeah what else would you call what I've been doing?
"Walking?" She asked "but I'm on fours." I say in a matter of fact sounding voice she sighs "what would you call it if you were running or jogging then?" I think about it for a moment before answering.
"Bear run? Crab walk?" She burst into more laughter "Since you don't know what you are you've been calling what you do different things just do it like normal not like anyone will care besides you're a talking...whatever you are it should be the least of there worries."
I sigh "guess you're right." I say to her coming to a stop when I hear something odd..."What is it?" Ecli ask as I move towards some bushes getting down. "If I knew I wouldn't be acting so cautious." I mutter I can't summon my blade yet it might alert it of my presence or worse prompt it to strike me down.
A shadow appears out in the open where I just was I keep my eye on it for a moment it seems to be looking around for something. It didn't have my shape it seemed to also be covered in a cloak it growls suddenly before taking off.
"What was that?" Ecli asked as I come out of the bush I shake my head "no idea but sticking around here won't do us any good." I say moving further into the woods or at least I think I was at some point.
I feel breath on my neck running forward I turn around seeing something flash towards the trees I go to run after them but I feel a sudden pain on the back of my head rolling forward I manage to catch a glimpse of something similar firing off as well.
Sitting up I summon my blade I get a good grip on it and walk forward slowly "This isn't good we need to run." Ecli mumbles in my head. I nod going to run but I see a small chick sitting there chirping madly 'did they knock it out of its nest?'
I look up to see one of them holding one of the chicks opening its mouth and eating it. I growl 'change of plans Ecli we're protecting this little guy!' I think to myself.
I kneel down next to it somehow I manage to get it to jump on my back I can feel it crawl into my hair as I watch these things bound from tree to tree staring down at me. 'Live long. Die strong.'
-?-
Daliex turns around quickly slashing at the figure that jumps back firing back towards the trees another bounds towards him jumping backwards he manages to dodge its claws.
Firing towards it Daliex goes to slice it but another one fires from the trees ramming into him and sending him off course. Slamming into a tree he drops his blade.
Looking behind him he hears the chick still chirping so he sighs with relief it wasn't hurt. picking up his sword quickly he fires off the tree he was next to bounding off another one slashing at the one still on the ground catching it barely it screeches flying into the bushes.
Daliex looks up as he lands to see the trees full of similarly colored eyes staring down at him he growls returning his blade and bolting.
The sound of the creatures behind him as constant reminder not to stop. One jumps in front of him jumping into the air he uses the creature as a spring board flinging himself over the trees for a moment seeing the edge of the forest in the distance.
"I'll get you out of here little guy!" He roars "that's a knights promise dam-ow!" He groans as the constant reminder that swearing wasn't allowed he begins getting close to the ground he see them underneath him.
Landing on one of them he slams into the ground it underneath him cushioning the landing not giving them time to lunge on him he fires forward seeing the light coming from outside the forest.
"Daliex use your armor!" Ecli yells "no can do Ecli the chick might get crushed if I do." Daliex says he was surprised how well the chick was hanging on he could hear chirping still so he was good to run a bit faster.
As he reached the edge everything went quiet he spun himself around as he came out summoning his blade here they couldn't get the drop on him.
Standing there for five, ten till twenty minutes later nothing came out he sighs with relief falling to the ground panting.
"Dumb ass you shouldn't have stayed to protect some bird that fell out a tree." Ecli growls Daliex chuckles "a knights job is to protect their king their country and their people if I couldn't do one of these things then I wouldn't be able to call myself a Crescent Knight."
"Yes but a chick isn't a citizen." He chuckles "well I'm not human right now consider myself a part of the animal kingdom." He says she sighs "fine of the Circle of Life why don't you stand up and take a drink in front of that cottage."
-Daliex-
"Cottage" I asked confused only now seeing the cottage that kind of looked like a tree kind of look like a giant bush.
I walk over "alright Chirp come on out we're getting a drink." I say calmly the small chick coming out on call.
"You named it?" Ecli asked I laugh "course I did I mean it's not like I'm bringing it back to that forest after what I just saw and dealt with."
"Hm?" I look down at Chirp who is looking at the other birds flying in the sky "did I ever tell you I was a good at whistling?" I ask.
"No it's been a few hours remember?" I laugh "yeah sorry we had to learn bird calls in case we had to use the in combat to tell enemy from ally and then there was the carrier birds ranging from a bunch of different species." I say I look at the birds whistling a small tone waiting a moment I hear a few of them respond.
"Wow that's an interesting trick." Ecli says as I continue finally two or three come down landing next to me.
"Yeah I may have been the weakest knight but because of it I got to spend more time in classes like this." I say summoning a bit of bird feed.
"Back at base Red would go on and on how she was jealous on how well off I get with animals she even made me carry around certain foods depending on what animal she was trying to get to like her that week."
"Were you two close?" Ecli asked I hummed over it as I gave them the bird feed it was weird how holding it kind of felt the same even in these hands of mine well no hands but you know what I mean.
"Not at first she had become my bunk mate a bit before my first time trying the Culling she was supportive and tried to give tips but so did Felix who had been at the time one of my closest friends...things just change sometimes." I mumble.
I take a drink of the water sighing with relief "that's good. Even if its out of a stream." I say laughing. I look at the birds and now a few lizards a cat some others I didn't know the name of and a rabbit who seem to be waiting for me to do something.
"You guys like my whistling?" I ask with a smile "you're talking to animals you're losing it." Ecli says to me. Ignoring her I continue to whistle noticing that they seem to be swaying their heads to it.
'I've heard of smart animals but this was interesting.' I thought to myself as I continued swaying with them now. 'this reminds me of the days with the boys back at the Raid and when I was teaching Felix and Red how to sing or when master got drunk and...'
Before my thoughts go any deeper I notice the birds had begun chirping with my whistling even Chirp was trying to as well I almost break into a grin not wanting to ruin the beat we had going I continued to whistle.
Tapping my oh right hooves to match a beat.
-Song time-
(Song time hate it or not you can skip if you like but here how it works the word is extended when you see this '...' example 'bye...' that would be byyyeee obviously this ',' is a stop for a moment while anything ending a sentence is a bit longer. For now that's all!)
Daliex hops up grinning as the birds continue to chirp with the beat had been going with as he continued to tap his hooves on the ground leaning down next to Chirp.
"Well hello there little chick, it nice day outside, fly right up, I'm a knight in disguise. Listen to the tone comin from my mouth, just your average chick savior sitting right on by!"
With that Chirp seems to cheer jumping onto his head as Daliex sat up grinning as he moved next to the stream swaying to the beat the animals following him.
"Well I'm just new and confused to this place, just a knight in armor coming around to this state. A chase like that has left me tired and drained, so why don't you all come around and dance with this state..."
The other animals sway with him as he continued down the path the birds landing on him next to Chirp still chirping with the beat he was keeping.
"Coming through from a forest escape, saving Chirp from a dinner date. You be doing me a favor if you kept him for me cause those monsters after him are just bad as can be..."
Singing that line two of the birds fly around his head whistling a bit of a different tune that went with the beat a figure seem to be watching from the distance.
"Go down to a leader please, need someone to listen to my plea, ain't got a cot to sleep or stay. If they ain't usin one, why not let me..."
Jumping up on a rock Daliex notices how many animals were now listening and one of the birds seems to have flown off somewhere listening to what he had said.
"Wait, Wait! I won't lie...it's a bit redundant to let you try! Sure they might listen a plea but they won't give it a thought if it ain't comin from me..."
That stops the animals who were leaving slowly coming back over to continue the song and the beat.
"Hey, Hey! It's okay...it's not a matter of who would go today! But if at first you think it's strange you won't think twice when I fix everything..."
Daliex hops down stomping with a nod for the other animals to try which he got them to do with the beat grinning he continues.
"Went down to one strange place, one misfortune I just couldn't stop, ripped from a story I knew to well, but even now I'm thinking of trying again...!"
"Wait, Wait! I won't lie...it's a bit redundant to let you try! Sure they might listen a plea but they won't give it a thought if it ain't comin from me..."
"Hey, Hey! It's okay...it's not a matter of who would go today! But if at first you think it's strange you won't think twice when I fix everything..."
Back next to the stream Daliex uses his 'overdrive' to change into another one of his uniforms since the other was ripped up a bit.
"Now rest up guys, it's time to rest! A song like this is sung for the best. Bring it down to the very end and I promise we'll be friends."
He says moving towards the animals with a grin on his face Ecli was for one thing shocked he had broken out into song like this but stayed quite for the most part humming the beat as well.
"Wait, Wait! I won't lie...it's a bit redundant to let you try! Sure they might listen a plea but they won't give it a thought if it ain't comin from me..."
"Hey, Hey! It's okay...it's not a matter of who would go today! But if at first you think it's strange you won't think twice when I fix everything..."
"See ya around...I'm going to town...I'll see you around...AHAHAHAHA..." He finishes with that as he moves towards the road leading into town. The animals waving goodbye as he continued on his way.
As he gets further off the one hiding comes out "who was that pony?" A meek voice asked turning to the animals that were watching him go.
-Daliex-
"Man that felt good haven't sang in ever!" I said as I walked "You don't think it's weird you just busted into song?" She asked he grins "I heard you huming along.
"Ah! I never I mean it's not that it was bad just that-" I laugh "come on lighten up you're the reason I can even sing like that ya know?"
"Huh?" I sigh "you're the one with the time travel spell." I mutter "Right! That's what you meant of course." She laughs weakly and goes quiet.
"So you just made that up as you went along?" Ecli asked "I've been known for my sudden burst of passion before I became a knight and...some of the younger kids at Masters place enjoyed it when me and Jade use to sing to them."
I sigh "not many good bed times stories when the world is covered in monsters a good lullaby is something me and her could whip up in a flash that and the stories along with them."
"So you were like an older brother to them?" Ecli says "More like a dad for a few they I want to think looked up to me they knew about my dream to become a Crescent Knight when I became one they were crying for me it was...something I could never forget."
I chuckle "look at us talking all buddy buddy about the past like this makes it seem like we've known each other forever."
"In a sense we did your master like I said before talked about her pupils to me you happened to be one of the few they seemed keen on sharing many details about..." Ecli says with a sigh.
"Well you are my lucky charm so lets get to know each other Live Long." I cheer She sighs "Die...Strong." She seems reluctant to say it.
"That's right." I say laughing "lets get along well Ecli." I say stopping as we get in front of a town.
"No talking in public alright?" I say calmly. "Oh and a talking whatever you are is..." She stops I look around to see what she sees laying my eyes on it.
No cars no broken buildings and no people only...these multi-colored creatures. "I'm not sure what kind of place I teleported you to but we should keep our heads low being quiet...now!"
I nod "alright low profile time to dig up some information on this place." I mutter walking forward 'I'll change the future...for their sake."
Chapter End
And that is it the song thing was fun it's why the chapter is a bit shorter I focused a bit on the lyrics and I based it off a song I know. Muffin to the first one who can guess that. Anyways I know it ain't the best song but it was fun to write and make up and expect something like that in the future. Till then have a great day!
