Natural Warrior
Chapter 4: Partings

Disclaimer: I do not own .hack/ or any of the characters involved except for Guardian N. Nature

Nature led the siblings in their new armor toward the battlements. There they saw the small force of about fifty Nature Knights hurriedly working to prepare the castle for battle. They passed the trio the knights shooting off quick salutes at Nature when they were able. Nature led the twins up to the top of the battlements and pointed his finger toward a rising column of smoke.

"That's the enemy camp. They're preparing for the battle ahead." He said "Once they're ready they'll begin their march towards us."

"How long do we have?" Shugo asked, seriousness in his voice.

"From my scouts reports, they suggest about a half hour. That's why the knights are so busy running around." Nature said pointing below to the still scurrying forms of the knights.

Shugo looked down then at Nature "What can we do to help?" He asked

Nature thought for a moment. "Well… I believe you should go talk to Saymour about that. He's in charge of the castle's defenses."

"Saymour it is then." Rena stated, her voice echoing out of the metal helmet

"He'll be in the war room about now, the highest room in the tower, so that we he can see the battle and how many of the enemy is coming." Nature replied

Shugo nodded memorizing in the directions on how to get there as Nature explained the path. Nature bade them farewell before he jumped over the wall to go check on the enemy to see how much damage he could do. Shugo and Rena followed Nature's directions and eventually found Saymour in the war room. He was over-looking a map of the surrounding forest, putting little pieces on the board to test strategies and their defenses against them. He looked up after a few minutes and noticed Shugo and Rena

"Ah, the young lord and miss. What can I do for you?" He asked standing up straight

"We're looking for ways to help." Shugo explained

"Hm…" He thought about it for a moment, putting a hand to his chin. "Well, as far as I know we have a few men working on preparing the weapons. They could use some help there." He said

"I'm on it!" Rena shouted before rushing out the door.

"There's also the knights working on the automated defenses." Saymour

"Automated?" Shugo asked

"Yes. They're defenses that are set up by lord Nature himself. They trigger automatically when the enemy reaches a certain point around the castle."

The sound of men screaming in agony reached their ears.

"What was that?" Saymour asked walking to a window. He looked down and saw the crimson knights were scattering around the castle.

"They're here!" He shouted running down the stairs grabbing his pole-arm.

Shugo followed him and they reached the ground floor in time to see the drawbridge burst open. Crimson Knights began to pour in. The Nature Knights began to engage

"Where's Nature?" Rena asked as she ran up to Shugo and Saymour

"I don't know, but we need to get them out of the castle and re-fortify." Saymour said before charging forward to assist his fellow knights.

A Crimson Knight charged at Shugo and Rena his sword at the ready. Rena drew her heavy-blade and slashed the man down the chest cutting through his armor instantly. He turned gray then disappeared.

"Wow… that sword is really powerful." Shugo said watching as the Knight died.

"I know. I'll have to thank Nature later." Rena said before charging into the fray.

"Shugo!" Nature's voice sounded above him

Shugo looked up to see Nature on the battlements. He quickly turned and punched a Crimson Knight in the face. He pointed to Shugo's left. Shugo looked to his left and drew his knives in an instant. A Crimson Knight had tried to hit him while his back was turned. He slashed him with his knives killing him instantly. Nature dropped down next to him as a lone silhouette approached. A larger knight, with spikes on his helmet appeared.

"Who are you?" Nature asked

"I am the leader of these Knights." He replied as he drew a giant sword from his back

Shugo took a step forward but Nature stopped him. He glared at the knight before he stepped forward himself. He held his hands out and a chain appeared around his left hand. He clenched it in a fist, the chain continued to his right hand where he held it in an open palm. On the end was a huge steel ball with green X's on a buckle in the center. He hefted it above his head and began to swing it.

"My name is Guardian N. Nature, wielder of the Guardatite Mace. You have caused great evil among this world and now you must pay!"

"I'll pay? You will pay for hacking all of this into 'the world'. This castle, these knights, that weapon, your abilities. All of it will be deleted!" The knight charged forward ready with his sword.

He swung at Nature, but he countered by bringing the chain down in time to block. He swung the ball around and hit the man in the head sending him flying, the chain wrapped around the blade and snapped it in half as the leader tried to take the sword with him. He slammed into the wall, a broken hilt in his right hand. The steel blade fell to the ground with a metallic clang. Nature walked up to him slowly and, spinning the ball. He swung it above his head then brought it down on the man's stomach shattering his ribs. The leader fell limp against the wall, his hilt dropping. Nature turned and swung his mace out knocking over a whole battalion of Crimson Knights. Soon the battle ended as Nature and the low morale of the Crimson Knights caused them to flee or die. Shugo and Rena approached Nature with reports of victory. Nature smiled at them as he began to fade.

"Nature! What's happening?" Rena asked

"Time for me to go. Just wait three months like I told you to." Nature said with a smile. "Oh, and don't use my armor or weapons, then the knight's really be after you."

They nodded and smiled as he faded away. They returned the armor and weapons to their boxes and put back on their old equipment, bade farewell to Saymour and the Nature Knights before returning to the city and logging out.

Nature appeared in the small room with the rest of the Guardians who'd completed their tasks.

"Finally! The Heavy Guy appears!" Fire shouted grinning

"Hello Fire, Earth." Nature said with a nod to them

"Water." He bowed to her "Death, Time." He bowed low to them both.

"Lightning." He grasped the yellow Guardian's forearm as Lightning did the same. They both tried to hit the other with their respective powers. Nature's vines shrunk back as Lightning's static fizzled out. He let go and approached Gatescholar.

"Rena and Shugo?" He asked without looking up from his book

"Mission accomplished sir. They've agreed to help." Nature replied with a bow.

"Good." Gatescholar told him