Dragon Nest Family
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The Future
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"Shiro! Shiro! Don't you leave me like this! Shiro!"
The Guardian could feel something shaking him but what, he couldn't quite fathom. Squinting his eyes through the turret of rain, the bluriness cleared enough to recognize blonde hair with a single streak of blue.
"Nab-Nabiha?" he choked.
"Thank Goodness, you regained conciousness," he heard his brother release a sigh of relief, "Hey! Anyone out there!? We need medical assistance!"
When no one answered, Nabiha cursed as he turned his blue eyes towards the injured Guardian whom attempted took in a deep breath, only to get himself into a coughing fit.
"Hang in there Shiro, someone has to be out there, alive," The Moon Lord's eyes scanned their surrounding, "there has to be someone alive."
Watching his brother scream for help, the last few seconds blurred through his memory.
Fighting. Blood. Calling out Nabiha's name. Pain
Collecting in the small amount of information that he can recall, Aoshiro's eyes widen as he abruptly snapped his hand towards his chest, only to recognize the familiar opening of a wound.
"Don't move!" he heard Nabiha warn, "you lost too much blood! Keep still so that...Damn it!"
Aoshiro could tell that Nabiha was in a full on panic, from the way his breathing became rapid and how the Moon Lord was up upon his feet, frantically searching for anything that can help his brother.
"Your mace!" Aoshiro heard his brother exclaim before he heard shuffling of feet and then something being placed within his hand, "Heal Shiro! It may not be much but at least it can help you last longer for assistance!"
The edges of his vision blurry, Aoshiro felt his arm being lifted above his head, only to recognize his mace, bloodied from all the kills he had done, in his hand.
Taking in a deep breath, Aoshiro attempted the spell, "H-Hea-"
He felt his throat clog up, causing him to stop mid-way, struggling to get in air as he lost his grip on his weapon, hearing it clang to the hearth beside him.
"No!"
Aoshiro once again felt hands on top of him, realizing that Nabiha was placing pressure upon his wound, perhaps in hopes of stopping the bleeding.
"Damn it!" He heard Nabiha curse once again, "If only I hadn't been so careless! If I only had I see that Hob-Goblin behind me, you wouldn't be like this now!"
Once his brother finished speaking, that's when Aoshiro fully recalls what had happened.
The two of them had led an army against Vestinel's, in hopes that their last ditch efforts can at least give time for the survivors to find a way to defeat the jealous goddess. However, though they knew it was a futile attempt, things didn't go as well as they hoped.
The instant the battle started, many of their numbers had fallen until finally, only Nabiha and Aoshiro were the last ones amongst their small army. They were able to keep it up for long, after all, they weren't called heroes for nothing. But even heroes have their limits.
The Moon Lord and Guardian thought that they had won after Nabiha had struck down what he had thought to be the last number of Vestinel's army. That is until the Guardian spotted a Hob-Goblin pushing itself up onto its feet, approaching the Moon Lord whose back was turned, somehow unable to sense the danger from behind. Without thinking, Aoshiro had ran in and placed himself between Nabiha and the attack intended for the Moon Lord, sustaining the damage instead of his brother. In a rage, Nabiha had slain the last Hob-Goblin while Aoshiro fell to the ground, losing conciousness seconds later.
The white haired Guardian weakly placed a comforting hand onto the Moon Lord's shoulder, releasing a small smile as he did so.
"Do not blame yourself for what has happened...Nabiha," he rasped, "after all, we are in the time of war."
The Moon Lord lifted his gaze from the ground, his blue eyes brimming with tears, "But...But you're the only one left Shiro. You're the only one that I have left."
Sadness glazed over the Guardian's eyes as he absorbed his brother's words. Even today, the two of them silently mourn the deaths of their brother and sister, both of whom didn't even make it through the first year when Vestinel's influence took over.
Since then, changes have occured to both brothers, both physically and mentally.
Nabiha had dyed his hair blonde, the only remaining evidence of his true hair color was a single blue streak found in his bangs, his shoulder length spiky hair pulled back into a low ponytail. And instead of the out-going, goofy Swordsman that he once was, he had suddenly turned reserved, only expressing what he feels if the situation calls for it.
Aoshiro had started covering his right eye, most likely out of penitence and memory of their younger brother, Hilal. His hair had grown to his lower back which was pulled into a low ponytail, giving him a stature of someone with experience. He was still the same concerned brother he was but now, he made sure Nabiha never left his sight, fearing for the worst.
"Do not worry," The Guardian reassured, releasing his grip from his brother's shoulders and placing it gently upon his own chest, "this wound...it's...it's nothing."
Nabiha wasn't convinced. Aoshiro always had been a horrible liar.
"Get up," Nabiha growled, "get up so that we can get you help brother."
Though Aoshiro couldn't see them, he could feel the tears fall onto his bare face, though how was beyond him as the rain fell harder than ever.
"Are you crying Nabiha?" Aoshiro smiled, attempting to lift his head to get a better look at the Moon Lord however, felt the world spin as he did so.
"N-N-No," The Moon Lord quickly replied followed by a small sniff, "just something in my eye."
If the Guardian could laugh, he would, but he felt his energy fade and Aoshiro felt tired, exhausted to the point where he just...wanted to...close his eyes and...
"Shiro! Don't you dare close your eyes!" Nabiha roared, startling the Guardian from his attempted slumber.
Why not? He was so tired. Tired of fighting. Tired of not knowing when the monsters will attack. Tired of not knowing if your comrades will come back alive or not. And tired of the goddess never responding to his prayers for help.
But then again...
"Don't worry Nabiha, I'm here," Aoshiro whispered deliriously as he felt his eyelids grow heavier, watching as his vision started to turn blurry to dark.
"Help! Anyone! Help us!"
The Guardian chuckled softly as Nabiha continued to scream for help. A futile attempt, Aoshiro knows that for sure. All the survivors were living underground and the only ones that were on the surface were the monsters that served Vestinel and the occassional 'Traitors' that Nabiha calls. No one was going to come to their aid.
"Damn it!"
Aoshiro felt hands grabbing onto his shoulders, forcing the Guardian upright. Feeling numbness erupt into his body, the Guardian didn't feel his arm being wrapped around his brother's shoulder and an arm wrapped around his waist.
"Hang in there Shiro!" Nabiha yelled through the roaring rain, "We'll make it! I promise!"
He then felt themselves moving. How? Aoshiro wasn't sure but the Guardian lifted his tired gaze towards the battlefield, scanning the mound of corpses that the two brothers were trudging through.
Mix of limbs and bodies of both Vestinel and Aoshiro's army could clearly be seen in his fading vision, the rain washing away the blood that had pooled around them down the hillside and into the polluted water of the river below.
Seconds of examining the corpses caused Aoshiro to laugh mentally.
How much longer are they going to survive like this? There's no way they can keep this up much longer.
Feeling Nabiha shift his weight so that his grip on his brother was firm, Aoshiro turned his gaze upon the Moon Lord, squinting through the darkness of his vision.
Then again, Nabiha was a stubborn type so maybe he can make it longer...much longer than I, the Guardian thought as he tilted his head to one side, feeling the numbness of his body fade.
The Guardian can now feel the wound throb clearly but he had felt worse surely...right?
Fog filled Aoshiro's mind as the seconds passed, causing the Guardian to look back at his brother. What was his name again?
Mabim? Dorina? Nabin?
He can't quite put his finger one it but Aoshiro was quite sure it started with an N...right?
Lifting his head upwards so that the rain pelted his face, Aoshiro squinted through the the turret of water, attempting to get a better look at the sky.
It was always cloudy. Always have been since Vestinel had been released. Aoshiro can never recall a time when the sun peeked through the clouds. He missed the sun. A lot. Mainly because the sun was a sign of peace. The time of peace when they use to be a family.
A small smile appeared on Aoshiro's lips as he recalled the four of them together, being the family that they always been.
Nabiha glomping their younger brother only to get a punch to the face as a response. Khayru laughing on the sidelines while Hilal complained to Aoshiro about Nabiha's actions. The Paladin himself would just smile and attempt to reassure the youngest.
Such happy times.
"Help! Anybody! Aoshiro needs of medical assistance!"
Almost immediately, the Guardian felt multple arms pull him away from the grasp of the Moon Lord. Aoshiro frowned. Heck no, they weren't going to take him away from his only family. In response, Aoshiro's hand launched forward and grabbed his brother's arm, catching the blonde off guard.
"Shiro, let go so that they can help you."
The cleric felt someone try to loosen his grip on Nabiha's arm however, the Guardian refused to relent, causing the Moon Lord to give in and follow the Medical group to the Medical ward where there, they placed Aoshiro on one of the vacant beds before they went to work on him.
It was only then when Aoshiro's grip relented from his brother's arms, mainly because he felt the lull of sleep with the help of exhaustion and the medicine that they had pumped into his veins.
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Nabiha watched as the doctors started peeling off the armor from his brother's body. How the Guardian was able to move let alone fight with all that metal on was beyond Nabiha's understanding. Heck, all the Moon Lord wore was a helm, shin and arm guards, and chest armor. Civilians may say that Nabiha's armor was heavy but if one looks at Aoshiro's armor of two layers, the warrior's was nothing in comparison.
Heaving out a sigh, Nabiha combed his fingers through his wet hair before turning around and headed towards the exit.
"Where are you going Sir Nabiha?"
The Moon Lord turned, his lips turning to a frown as his blue eyes met a gaze of a Medical Assitant.
"What do you think?" he replied, "going to go back outside to get my brother's weapons back."
The Medical Assistant blinked back, completely startled, "Surely you must be joking. You're not going to risk your life just to-"
"Yes I can," Nabiha snapped, his eyes narrowing into a glare, finishing the conversation.
With a small, 'Tsch', he turned and exited the ward, heading towards the entrance that would lead him back outside.
Many would call him insane just to go back outside infested with monsters and Traitors just for a shield and a mace. But those weapons held an importance to the Guardian, one that only he shared to his brother.
"Remember the day when Hilal claimed that he had forgotten my Birthday?" Nabiha recalled Aoshiro asking several years after the Acrobat and Priest's deaths, the Swordsman quickly nodding, remembering the event quite clearly.
It was the year when Aoshiro had turned 20, the rest of the group not even reaching the age of 18. In celebration, Nabiha, Khayru, and Hilal made the decision to create a party for the Paladin back then, ensuring that it was just the four of them. Soon, the gifts were handed to Aoshiro. First up was Nabiha, who had given him an Epic Defense plate, the highest grade they had then. Next was Khayru, who had given him a stack of X99 health potions (how she got the money for it was beyond the knowledge of the boys). Finally, it was Hilal's turn but when Nabiha asked what he had gotten for the Paladin, the Priest's face turned red and murmured that he didn't get him anything before slipping out of his brother's grasp and running off before anyone can stop him.
"Yeah, what about it?" Nabiha had asked.
To his surprise, Aoshiro smiled, "Well Hilal had lied then. Two weeks later, he gave me a mace and shield, quite epensive ones mind you and ones he crafted himself. The reason he lied was because he feared that I wouldn't like them." The Paladin laughed, "I had to hide them because Hilal had requested me not to tell you guys and the only other way to keep it a secret was to hide them."
Nabiha recalled blinking several times in surprise before he asked, "So...the shield and mace you're using now...is it..."
A sad smile creeped over Aoshiro's face, "Yeah. That's why I always repair them after every battle because you know..." He held up his shield and mace to his face, watching them glimmer underneath the dim light, "it's the only momento we have of him."
Watching his brother react like that was still engraved into the Moon Lord's mind as he walked out into the heavy rain. He completely understood why his brother kept the shield and mace close. It was not only because they were a family but it was because the two clerics were the closest out of the four of them. Nabiha didn't mind as much, since he was closest to Khayru. After all, Hilal and Aoshiro had known each other before they met him and Khayru and him and Khayru had known each other before they even met Hilal and Aoshiro.
Absentmindly, Nabiha fingered the ring hanging around his neck on a black cord, remembering Khayru's face as he recalled giving her the ring as a gift. Or in Khayru's opinion, a confession of his love to her.
"Of course I'll marry you Nabiha," he remembered the Acrobat saying, smiling mentally as he recalled his face flushed to the color of crimson red, stuttering madly in a way to defend himself.
In the end, Khayru had made it quite clear that they were now engaged, mainly by giving Nabiha a kiss on the cheek.
A week later, she was overwhelmed by Vestinel's army and was killed in an attempt to give the others enough time to evacuate Saint's Haven. Aoshiro was the only one able to return to the body and retrieve not only Khayru but the ring as well, which now hangs around Nabiha's neck.
Sadness clearly seen in his eyes, Nabiha brushed some of his bangs from his vision, finally spotting the mace and shield a ways off. Dashing towards the two weapons, the Moon Lord slid to his knees as he quickly snatched them up off the ground before turning around and making a mad dash back to home base.
Seconds later, he found himself back at the entrance and madly opened the door, rushed in, and slamming it shut behind him, feeling the stares he recieved in response. Brushing away some of his loose hairs from his face, Nabiha glared at the onlookers.
"What?"
In response, everybody snapped their gaze away from him and continued on their merry little way, in which Nabiha responded with a single nod of approval. From there, he made his way towards the Medical ward and swung the doors open, his blue eyes searching amongst the beds. When he spotted the familiar form of his older brother, Nabiha sped walk towards Aoshiro, ignoring the calls of the Doctors and Assistants before coming to a slow stop, his gaze watching his brother sleep.
It was relieving really, watching his older brother with his eyes closed peacefully, his chest rising up and down with his slow breathing. After all, it's been a while since he was able to sleep comfortably like this.
With a small smile forming onto his lips, Nabiha shook his brother's weapons dry, getting rid of the rest of the rain water by wiping them against the bed sheets on the side of the bed. Then after several seconds staring at Aoshiro's shield and mace, Nabiha slowly sheathed his brother's shield onto his left arm and sheathed the mace onto his left side. Soon after he had finished sheathing the weapons, Aoshiro turned to his side, a soft smile appearing onto his features as his free hand brushed against the metal of the shield.
Watching his brother sleep for several more minutes, Nabiha reluctantly turned and headed towards the exit of the ward. True, he wants to keep an eye on his older brother longer however, after watching his brother sleep like that, it just makes him realize how much more exhausted he was as well. So with that, Nabiha made his way towards his quarters, in hopes that he too would get the same peaceful sleep as his brother.
Uh...dark fic, I know 0-0
How this came to be was I was thinking about the Six Heroes of the future and realized that the main ones are the Paladin, The Mystic, the Swordsman, and the Sharpshooter. But if they're the Six Heroes, then what would happen to Hilal and Khayru, the Priest and Acrobat?
Then this came to be...
Uh...yeah...
The Moon Lord and Guardian Class hasn't come out in the Dragon Nest America but those are the classes I'm choosing for Nabiha and Aoshiro once they do.
And also, expect more of the 'Future' Fics
Enjoy...
~123arcalas