What the fuck was I supposed to do with this! As the rattling on the back gate began, someone threw me a cutlass. I'd never held a sword in my life and they expected me to use it? My heart raced and my right hand throbbed in unison. I almost burst out in tears when I felt the pain. I still felt like crying. If I were at home I would have done but I knew my tears would be a waste here, especially now. I stood, statue like at the bottom of the stairs, as far away from the rear gate as I could. Everyone who ran past had that fighting spirit in their eyes. That survival instinct, mine wanted me to run, but I'd only be able to run in circles.

I felt a flash of air by my head and just caught Maria leaping from off the wall, her athleticism was astounding. I felt even smaller breeze when Lapis followed her suit. She was the hero. Not me. I looked down to the floor, closed my eyes my body racked with emotions. I played scenarios in my head and either way it didn't look good. I looked back up to see Ben hurtling down the stairs with a frown and his rifle cocked. Even he had that fighting penance. He stopped when he saw me.

"Stay close to me." He said. I knew it would be bad when I'm not ordered to hide. I nodded feebly and shadowed him as he stood at the forefront of a defensive semi circle. Major Swift was to the left, Walter and Maria to the right.

It didn't take long for them to break down the gate, and when the did my scream was lost among their battle cries. The first wave was quickly disposed of by the Princess. Her shot was possibly just a spot on as the Captain's. But then as if in retaliation to her quick disposal twenty just appeared. The Princess, Walter and Major Swift all ran forward Cutlass's and Pistols at the ready. Skilfully and in quick succession they were taken down, but now that the Hollow Men had gained entry to the fort the began to appear in all corners of it.

"They're coming in the windows!" Hollered Ben, to everyone taking to the one closest to the stairs. I followed him, Cutlass in both hands. We were followed by maybe five other men, including Jammy. They all leapt forward, like fighting machines taking the Hollow men on two to one. I looked the Hollow Men in the face, and they looked at me back. I could feel the rage emanating from them.

You...girl... your demise is imminent...NO! HELP! I DON'T WANT THE PAIN!

It came from all around me. In every direction, in every raspy pitch and tone. My chest rattled and body shook.

You...incinerated my brethren...your death will be most painful..most excruciating...RUNNNN YOU FUCKING IDIOTTSSS RUNNNNN!

"C-captain! Captain! BEN!" I screamed especially shrilly. He turned around using the movement to decapitate the nearest Hollow man to him.

"WHAT? I'm a little busy here!" Another received a pistol shot through it's skull.

"Can't you here that?" I was hysterical. Those voices. I didn't want to die.

He stepped forward making his way to me, about turning momentarily to shoot two Hollow men directly through the skull as they tried to follow.

No one can save you girl...just face your death...PLEASE, JUST GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!

"Those voices, tell me you can hear!" I pleaded my hands still rattling.

He shook his head. "This is not the time to be going all insane on me. Now stay close." We heard a piercing scream. Someone had fallen. "JAMMY!" Ben called for his friend. The Jammiest Soldier in Albion's luck had finally come to it's end.

"I'm so sorry." I muttered, but my apology wasn't heard. "I'm sorry." My tears flowed, I didn't fucking care any more I was going to cry and without dignity.

"WATCH OUT!" I heard someone call and I turned around to see the Princess. She motioned behind me. I'd forgotten. A group of Hollow Men were close to me, and too far for the Princess to reach. Ben was too pre occupied to notice, he was avenging his friend.

Your death is coming...

I raised my Cutlass not knowing what the fuck to do.

We shall deliver it...

My heart was about to give way. There was too many.

Revenge will be ours...

Use your skills, Hero. You can save yourself.

"I can't!" I screamed and took a step back.

Your blood will spill...

YOU WILL. SAVE YOURSELF OR YOU WILL DIE.

"I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" I closed my eyes and dropped the Cutlass, but didn't hear it clink on the floor. I only opened them when a freezing breeze coursed across my feet. I looked up to see a frozen skeletal hand but an inch from heart. I jolted back and assessed what I saw in front of me. The group that had attempted to attack me were now frozen in a solid block of ice. It was a terrifying scene, swords and rifles were raised. The look on their hollowed faces made my heart palpitate. And their screeches were sending me insane. Wiping the frozen tears that stung my face, I gave myself a moment as the battle raged on around me.

A hand went to my shoulder and I flinched but immediately felt guilty when I saw that it was Maria who stood beside me. "Good work. Now if you'd take this and stand back." I did as I was told with a new sword in my hand and Lapis by my feet growling so hard he vibrated the Princess clicked her fingers together. It was such a simple movement but the consequence was dyer for the Hollow men. The water evaporated and just as they regained their movements I heard a creak and an crackle before the burst into the exact same flames that I succeed in doing a couple nights ago.

The Will Users...they burn our brothers...kill them both!

The moment of adrenaline and victory died. The Princess shook me. " Return to the Captain, he'll look after you, I'll take care of this." Her authority was impeccable, I'm defiant by nature, but I just couldn't say no to her. She almost hopped off, unsheathing her pistol. Taking out two's and three's at once. Rescuing Soldiers from ultimate demise. She returned to her place beside Walter whom was doing equally as well. Almost revelling in the action.

I picked out Ben and moved my way towards him. He was taking on a group by him self, the idiot. Almost reluctantly I walked towards him. I could feel a vibe from the Hollow Men, I picked up on their blood lust, for me. Three of which acted upon it, moved away from the Captain, and started towards me.

"I don't think so." He snarled, taking advantage of their lack of attention. His blade swept through all three, severing the spine and they all fell before taking another step. He looked at me apologetically as if saying sorry for taking his eyes of me. I shrugged and made another step towards him, this time a little more eager. I broke out into a run. He hadn't noticed the one slithering up behind him Cutlass raised.

Realising my panic he turned round, but his reaction was too late. He stumbled backwards, tripping over the Hollow men he'd just deposed off. Falling awkwardly on to his back. I could feel the confidence of this Hollow man.

This one will die... I will be a hero...

"I'm the FUCKING hero here!" I shouted, raising my own Sword. I looked really cool. I felt entirely stupid and in the deep end. It stopped it's sluggish movements and turned to me. When I got close enough I swung the sword with my entire body strength and with some kind of fluky luck it made contact with the Hollow man's neck. The head rolled and it's joined it's brothers on the floor. I looked down on it, my body shaking harder than it was before. But it wasn't fear that moved it. It was anger, pure and raw anger. How dare it. How fucking dare it.

"While that was your crowing moment. Do you think you could give me hand up. My tail bone is in agony." I gave Ben my hand, but winced as he grabbed my hand, a sharp pain shot up and down my arm. "Aw, shit, your bleeding. Can you manage?" He asked as he got to his feet.

A fresh bout of pain knocked me sick. I burbled, the pain was incredible. The shirt I was wearing the arm was covered in blood and the fibres were stuck in the wound. I looked down on the Hollow Man who'd left me this little present and raised my foot. Crushing the skull into dust.

"I'll have to. Won't I?" I sobbed. I'd actually been cut. It wasn't like that time which I cut myself on the corned beef tin. To which I cried for a good ten minutes and demanded sympathy of everyone in the house. Someone had intended to do it. It was probably not even a deep cut, but even so it really hurt. It was my right arm too. So not only was it burnt it was cut. Did someone just want to save me the trouble and hack it off?

"Atta' Girl." I felt something cool on my forehead and a ruffle of my hair. "Now this time, don't stray and don't distract me unless your saving my life." I touched my forehead. He'd actually kissed me. Idiot. That was getting a boot up the arse later. After that I didn't raise my sword again, although, I did manage to epically dodge shots meant for me before Ben retaliated ten fold. Now due the efforts of everyone the numbers dwindled and no more arrived, to mine and everyone's greatest relief. Once or twice the Princess checked in my direction and smiled when she saw I was okay. Lapis even managed to save my life by tearing the head off a Hollow Man who'd gotten second wind. He brought it over to me and left it at my feet like he would have done with a bird or mouse. I patted his head with my good hand before he returned to his mistress.

As the last remained, Maria sheathed her pistol and closed her eyes. The sky clouded over and strikes of lightning struck the remaining Hollow men. The shocks rattled there bones before three exploded and the rest set on fire the with sheer heat of the lightning bolts. Everyone slumped over, battered and tired. Even the princess had gained a few cuts and bruises. I actually laughed. I was still living. If only my Uncle could see me. I could even rival his skills as a Soldier. I got a congratulatory pat on the shoulder from some of the men and Ben. I looked at Major Swift who tipped his head at me, and even the great Walter seemed a little impressed at my actions

"VICTORY!" Cheered the Major. "All hail the Princess." And her dues were given. She stood proud, albeit a little embarrassed. "Now then, who wants a pint?" A pint. I will need a flagon of whiskey to make this night disappear.

The cheers quickly died down. The earth rumbled and everyone snapped their heads back and forth to source it. The ground broke around the graves and everyone inhaled.

We are not finished yet...we will have our victory...your blood will be ours.

My heart stopped and I grabbed Captain Finn by the sleeve as it emerged from the ground. Simmons...

"Lieutenant Simmons!" Screeched the Major. "I specifically order you to remain buried!" Like it would do any good.. He was holding the weapons he was buried with and gave a decaying smirk in my direction.

"Doesn't anyone listen to orders any more?" Pined Ben. I couldn't tell whether he was being serious or not.

I heard a raspy chuckle from Simmons. My knees buckled. It's not over.. user... your defeat is certain... our victory is assured. He sounded like he was chewing on the ground he'd been buried in and my courage gave way. This was just beyond creepy, this man was barely dead and he was about to attack us. There was something weird about him. The vibe he gave off told me he was stronger than the rest, which was beyond worrying, maybe we weren't going to live after all.

Lieutenant Simmons let out and almighty growl and I felt my conscious slipping. My vision was giving and the voices pounded my head. My immediate fear overruled my rationale and I did what any other human would do in times of despair I looked for comfort. I latched onto Captain Ben Finn's hand before hitting the deck and letting the darkness swallow me.


So... this is what death feels like. Pretty cushy wait till I tell the folks at home. I stood up, but seeing nothing but pure brilliant white light surrounding me. An eternity of this will surely bore me to tears.

A chuckle. You aren't dead hero. Just unconscious. A rather gravely voice, Vin Diesel?

I suppose that's promising. But The Captain is going to have my life when I wake up. Are you sure I'm not dead? My arm didn't hurt, my hand did tingle though, it wasn't half as bad as it was earlier. More like an incessant tickling. Listen as much as I love disembodied voices. Think you could show me your face? I'm not the shallow sort.

Another chuckle. I wasn't hiding, turn yourself, hero. Slowly, I did. I saw a man. With dark skin, dread locks and the weirdest fashion sense I've ever seen. My name is, Garth. I am your predecessor.

My pleasure? So how are you talking to me?

Will extends beyond controlling the elements. Besides, when the Guild Seal within you activated I just had to meet you. I was expecting something, more, from another world. His grammar was a little poor. Maybe Albionese wasn't his first language.

I'm sorry I didn't reach your expectations. You and your friend Theresa with experience much more disappointment the more you learn of me. Again he laughed. He was a right old chuckles, wasn't he? I crossed my arms impatiently.

Indeed I know of the Seer, yet I keep out her business as much as she keeps out of mine. Friendship is hardly the right word for it, hero.

I wish you'd stop calling me that.

It's what you are. Despite your thoughts. You've already begun to prove that.

Don't tell me you believe I can help these people too! Despair. Doesn't any one listen any more? That Princess, Maria. She is what you need. Me I'm just out of time and place. I should be at home on my laptop, insulting people I don't know. Complaining about history and life not trying to change it. I threw my arms up, exasperated. Yet he seemed all the more amused.

Indeed I do. Theresa wouldn't waste the power she has. She's wanted it for so long, so you must be useful to Albion. I will keep in contact with you, hero. I can now you have met the Princess. I will help you control you Will and call upon when you need it or want it. I will reach you in your dreams, however you may call upon me if you require my help.

Gee, thanks. Like an agony Uncle. Dear Garth, I've been shot at by the dead. What should I do? I suppose I should be grateful I have someone actually on my side. I do have one question for you though. He dismissed my sarcasm then looked genuinely interested when I divulged actual concern. This Theresa. Do you trust her?

I do...and I don't. She is a being of old. Very wise, and with that Spire, very powerful. I have no doubt her intentions are for the overall peace and prosperity of Albion and it's surrounding nations. However. Old beings are also very power hungry. I'm sure you'll know this yourself from your own world. If she can gain power out of a certain future I'm certain the Seer will push for that outcome. Any more questions? I believe the sun is rising.

Can she hear this conversation?

I wouldn't be the Hero of Will if she could. He gave me a small yet reassuring smirk. Light poured from behind him, bent around his body and filled my eyesight. I covered my eyes with my arms and then my world went black once more.


I actually wrote an action sequence... I'm quite proud of it. But no doubt I'll change it later like I do with everything else. I've also introduced Garth. Somehow despite Reaver's homicidal tendencies I can't quite see him finishing off the Hero of Will.