The Hero of Remnant

by Raging Archon

An ancient evil was ready to descend on Remnant. A terror from a bygone age ready to destroy Remnant and all that may resist it. They are hopeless to stop it, their only chance is to unite against it. Yet to do that, they need one who can inspire and unite them...they need a Hero... Rated M for violence and language.

13. In Sheep's Clothing

Another day, another chapter. Let's get right down to review responses shall we? Guest; have to agree with you there on the whole damsel in distress thing, and no kidding but part of the original story was to do a reverse with the Hero being imprisoned and Yang saving his ass but I decided against it in the end. As for the Crucible, I hid another reference you seemed to miss. The commentators Allen Murray and Mad Dog are the same names used by the commentators in Fable 2. OutlastTheDark; pretty sure if that was the case, some bitch would complain against it being a breach of their human rights. When in doubt about Will Powers, just ask Yang. Pretty sure if a Guard did see them hitting each other, he/she would probably think they need to stop drinking. Now, on with the show!

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Chapter 13- In Sheep's Clothing

"Yang, this idea is crazy." the Hero stated as he began to take the plating of his Armour off as Yang watched on.

"Trust me, it'll work." Yang retorted, rolling her eyes as the Hero continued looking at her incredulously. "I saw it in a film once, we'll be fine."

"You saw it in a film?" the Hero asked incredulously, his head cocked to the side as Yang nodded in response. He had no idea what a 'film' was, maybe related to a Theatrical Play in some way? "Well now I have even less faith in your plan..."

"Well I don't see you thinking of anything better." Yang scoffed, raising an eyebrow as the Hero took off the remainder of the Plate Armour, leaving only the undergarments of the Armour covering his body.

"Believe me Yang, I've tried this before and it will only end in tears." the Hero explained, hoping to reach Yang's more logical side. "Are you certain you have no other-"

"Oh for God's sake, just put the damn thing on already!" Yang interrupted, chucking a black body suit to the Hero, who clumsily caught it.

"Fine." the Hero sighed, readjusting the fabric of the suit as he prepared to step into it. "But if this doesn't work, it's on you."

In response, Yang once again rolled her eyes as she watched the Hero fit into the body suit. With all these guys now running around looking for them, stealth was pretty much out of the question. They could maybe last a while but sooner or later they would end up being found and no doubt imprisoned again, this time with a tighter security too. That was when Yang got the idea to have the Hero pose as a Soldier 'escorting' her to a cell. It probably would've have been simpler for them both to pose as Soldier's but that way they could get embroiled in the search. Besides, there was no way she was going to fit all her hair into one of those buckets.

"Yang, I have a question about this plan." the Hero suddenly spoke up as he finished applying the last of the leg Armour and was now busy fitting his discarded Armour into a back-pack.

"Sure, go ahead." Yang stated, turning away as she peered out of the window. They hadn't reached this level yet, but if they didn't hurry the place would be swarming with them.

"How certain are you this will work?" the Hero asked as he finished placing the Armour and his Rifle into the back-pack and attached it to the chest piece which he then proceeded to equip.

"Pretty certain." Yang replied, turning to watch as the Hero applied the Armour to his arms. "I saw it in a film and they got away with it...sort of."

"Wait, what do you mean 'sort of'?" the Hero suddenly stuttered, his arms held out either side of him.

"Look at it this way," Yang stated, cocking her hips to the side as she leaned against the wall with crossed arms. "60 percent of the time, it works all the time."

"60 percent-" the Hero stammered, shaking his head in disbelief. "Yang, that doesn't even make any sense!"

"Yeah well...you know." Yang shrugged, a neutral expression on her face. "Just hurry it up will you, they'll be here soon."

The Hero sighed as he shook his head, quickly grabbing the helmet and equipping it with an audible hiss. At first his vision was black until seconds later the space in front of his face lit up with multiple targeting systems and information including armour strength and carrying capacity amongst other things. The Hero flexed his fists as he attempted to get used to the new gear, Yang waiting patiently for him.

"So, how do you feel?" Yang asked, tilting her head slightly.

"A little tight around the joints honestly..." the Hero muttered, wincing slightly as he rolled his shoulders forward. "Lets get this over with already..."

"Whoa, now hold on a minute!" Yang suddenly stated, holding her hands up in mock surrender before pointing to the Sword and Supply Satchel strapped to his belt. "You're gonna have to hide them pal."

"They won't fit in the back-pack!" the Hero defended, nodding to the item strapped to his back. "I barely got my Armour and Rifle in there!"

"Fine, but try your best to not draw attention to them." Yang sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She was starting to see the holes in her plan, but it was there only one they had.

"What about you?" the Hero asked, gazing around at the shelves stacked with Armour and weaponry of all types. "There's got to be armour here your size..."

"Right...about that..." Yang sheepishly stated, warily lifting an unlocked set of handcuffs. The Hero looked back and forth between the handcuffs and Yang before staring blankly at the Brawler.

"I didn't realise you were into that..." the Hero joked, raising an eyebrow at the brawler who suddenly became rigid.

"What? No!" Yang shouted, her face turning red slightly as the blood rushed to her face. "You DO know what I mean? Right?"

"I was just teasing..." the Hero laughed, chuckling slightly as Yang lightly punched him the arm in response. "You sure you're okay with this? You did say you weren't some 'Damsel in Distress'."

"It's the only option. One of those helmets and my hair? No way pal." Yang responded, shaking her head as she spoke. "Besides, it's not like I'm actually a hostage or anything. Just pretending to be one."

"Whatever you say." the Hero mumbled, quickly clipping one of the cuffs onto her wrist. "I'll leave this one off so you're not completely incapacitated."

"Fair enough." Yang shrugged, letting the other cuff rest peacefully on her wrist as she then grabbed a Rifle off the shelf and chucked it to the Hero. "Just so the disguise looks more feasible."

"All right..." the Hero murmured, analysing the Rifle as he aimed down the sides of the barrel. Once he was content with his weapon, he nodded at the door behind Yang. "After you."

Yang nodded as she approached the door, clicking a number of buttons as the door then opened. Yang and the Hero peered out of the door to ensure that no one else was present. Content they were alone, the two briskly walked out, Yang leading the pair as the Hero stood behind her in an escort fashion.

"You know," Yang mumbled, a sly grin on her face as she glanced at the Hero. "I do like a guy in uniform."

"Yang, I'm nervous enough as it is." the Hero stated. "You teasing me isn't helping!"

"Hey, who said I was teasing?" Yang replied, giving the Hero a sly wink as she continued to lead the pair.

In response, the Hero nervously coughed as he tugged slightly at the fabric covering his neck. The sooner this was over the better.

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"How?!" the Master seethed as the Overseer and his Inner Circle delivered the news that the Hero had escaped. "How did you let this happen?!"

"Forgive me my Master, it will not happen again." the Overseer rapidly replied, his head low. "I swear it."

"You have still not answered my question!" the Master hissed, the artefact he was tethered to trembling as red energy began to dance around it. "How did he escape?!"

"It was the girl we intended to use for the vessel, Yang Xiao Long." the Knight calmly replied, earning a glare from the Overseer in response.

"We HAVE a vessel already on board!" the Master seethed as he directed his attention to the Knight. "Why was the girl kept alive?!"

"I do not know, the Overseer kept that to himself." the Knight stated, glancing at the Overseer who simply growled in response.

"Have you been holding out on me?" the Master asked the Overseer, his voice dangerously low.

"No Master," the Overseer rapidly replied, looking up at the artefact. "I swear, I only wished to make him suffer as you would-"

The Overseer suddenly began to choke on his words as he began to grasp at his throat, slowly rising until his body was levitating off the ground, his legs thrashing wildly as they attempted to find purchase. The Knight and Queen slowly began to back away as the Overseer was then dragged rapidly towards the artefact, his masked face mere inches from it.

"I told you when I first contacted you that the Hero was mine to torture and torment..." the Master hissed as the Overseer continued to thrash around in the air. "And do you remember what I said I'd do if you harmed even a single hair on their body?"

"Please Master!" the Overseer gasped, his legs slowing down as it became harder for him to breath. "Have mercy!"

"Mercy?" the Master laughed, his voice becoming soft as the Overseer felt the unseen hand tighten its grip around his neck. "Have you forgotten who I am? Have you forgotten what I can do?"

The Overseer said nothing in response, his vision blurring as his movements became more sluggish and his attempts to breath becoming more sporadic. Then just as quickly as it had started, the Master released his grip on the Overseer, who fell to the floor in a crumpled heap as he took sharp intakes of air.

"You will find that next time I will be less forgiving..." the Master stated as the Overseer backed away rapidly. "Remember, I rose you up from that decrepit pit you called home, and I can just as easily cast you down again."

"Thank you Master!" the Overseer panted, his head low as he continued to take quick intakes of air. "I will not fail you again, I swear on my life!"

"And I will hold you to your oath." the Master replied, turning his attention to the Knight and Queen. "Go, find the Hero. Bring him alive if possible, but it is imperative I have his blood! Even a single drop will be enough to restore my form."

"At once my Lord." the Knight and Queen said in unison, holding a clenched fist to their chest as they bowed softly.

"Kill the girl."

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Yang continued leading the Hero through the corridors of the Dreadnought, still putting on the façade of Soldier and Prisoner. They had fortunately encountered no other Soldier's so far, though they both knew their luck wouldn't hold out forever. Already they'd had to increase their pace as patrol groups began to funnel into the area, both nearly being spotted a number of times. So far they'd also had little luck finding a lift to use. They didn't dare use any of the main lift's in case any of the actual Soldier's ended up using them.

"Do you actually know where we're going?" the Hero whispered, leaning slightly towards Yang as he spoke.

"Not really, first time here you know..." Yang murmured back in response, earning a grunt of acknowledgement from the Hero. "Does your helmet have anything that can help maybe? Like a navigation system or something?"

"I can barely make sense of all the stuff in front of me." the Hero replied, his eyes darting across his visor. "Let's just focus on the task ahead and-"

"Halt!"

"Ah crap..." Yang and the Hero mumbled as they froze on the spot, quickly turning to face the source of the voice.

Stood before the pair were three Soldier's, the centre one adorned with a symbol that seemed to indicate he was a higher rank. The Hero and Yang slowly walked forward as the high ranking Soldier approached, the two Soldier's flanking him following his steps.

"Just remain calm...deep breaths..." the Hero mumbled quietly as he walked forward.

"I AM calm." Yang whispered back through gritted teeth, to hide the fact they were speaking.

"I was talking to myself." the Hero responded, causing Yang to narrow her eyes slightly.

"What are you doing with the girl?" the high ranking Soldier asked, crossing his arms as he analysed the pair.

"The Boss wanted to see her, sir." the Hero responded surprisingly confidently, causing Yang to glance up at him in shock. So much for being nervous.

"Didn't you hear the orders kid?" the high ranked Soldier asked, tapping the side of his helmet. "The Overseer said we only need the Hero alive now, girl is dead meat."

"And she will be executed, sir." the Hero stated, his voice stern and almost cold.

"Well then," the high ranked Soldier stated, quickly drawing the pistol attached to his waist and aiming it at Yang's forehead. "I'll save you the trouble."

Yang's fist tightened as she prepared to fight back. No way was she going to let these guys just shoot her! That was when the Hero quickly grasped her shoulder and pushed her back gently, indicating he wasn't finished just yet.

"The Overseer wants to do it himself." the Hero stated softly, stepping forward slightly. "And I'm sure you wouldn't want to defy him, would you?"

The high ranked Soldier looked back and forth between Yang and the Hero, before quickly holstering the pistol and backing away.

"Then you best get moving, best not to keep the Overseer waiting." the high ranked Soldier stated, nodding to the Soldier's flanking him before the three of them moved on. Yang and the Hero backed away from the trio until they were out of sight, sighing loudly as they turned around to continue down the corridor.

"Man that was too close." Yang stated, letting out a quick sigh as she looked up at the Hero. "Didn't know you could do the whole 'evil dude' routine."

"Neither did I." the Hero whispered back, looking around as the pair approached an out of the way lift. "Well, at least things can't get much worse."

"Damn right." Yang murmured back, quickly signalling for the lift to ascend. As the doors opened, the pair froze upon seeing two strangely garbed individuals in front of them.

"Bollocks." the Hero whispered as the two rapidly backed away from the advancing pair.

One was male and also very large, larger then the Hero even. Their size was made even more imposing by their armour, designed very much like that of a Knight's armour, a large serrated Sword strapped to their back. The other was female and wore armour like the one that had assaulted the Keep, save it was more regal in design whilst a bladed staff was strapped to their back. The pair stopped a few feet in front of Yang and the Hero, looking them up and down as they analysed the pair.

"What are you doing with the girl, Soldier?" the Knight asked, stepping forward slightly as he spoke.

"The Overseer wanted to see her sir." the Hero replied, though he seemed far less confident then he had been before.

"Really?" the Queen asked, stepping forward as well. "And why would he want to see her?"

"Can't say ma'am." the Hero stated, turning to face the Queen. "Just said he wanted to see her."

"I don't know why he would want to see her." the Knight stated, his voice cold and condescending. "Let's go ask him, shall we?"

"To hell with this." Yang murmured, quickly flicking her wrists.

Seconds later, Ember Celica formed around her forearms, shattering the handcuffs as the weapons slid into place. As all three surrounding her stepped back in shock, Yang quickly drew her fist back and punched the ground, letting out a kinetic blast of energy that knocked all three off of their feet with a chorus of surprised and pained grunts.

"Come on, let's go!" Yang shouted as she helped the Hero up, who quickly followed the Blonde Brawler as the Knight and Queen slowly stood.

"Get the girl!" the Knight hissed, rubbing his head as he began to rise. "I've got the traitor!"

The Hero and Yang continued to run as alarms began to blare around them, the hallway glowing with flashing red lights. The pair could hear heavy footsteps behind them as the Knight and Queen began to gain on them.

"Do you have any idea where we're going?!" Yang asked, glancing behind her shoulder as the pair continued to sprint.

"Not really, no!" the Hero responded, nodding in front of him. "Right now we should focus on losing these guys and-"

The Hero was interrupted as he felt something latch onto his ankles and pull him to the ground, causing him to drop the Rifle in his hands as he began to claw at the floor as the force dragged him along. Yang skidded to a halt as she watched the Hero get dragged across the floor by an ethereal red tendril that had wrapped around his ankles. Her eyes followed the tendril, where she saw it connect to the Knight's palm which was outstretched in a grasping motion.

"Sparrow!" Yang shouted, her hand stretched outwards as she raced for the Hero, only to jump back in surprise as a knife flew in front of her. When Yang looked up, she saw the Queen aiming the end of her staff at her, where a new blade slowly slid out.

"Just go Yang!" the Hero shouted as the tendril uncoiled around his ankles. "I'll catch up with you."

Yang nodded at the Hero as he began to rise before she continued down the corridor. The Queen laughed sadistically to herself as she twirled the staff in her hands before following Yang. The Hero backed away from the Knight as he rapidly approached the Hero. The Hero quickly unsheathed his Sword, twirling the weapon in his hand as the Knight stopped in his tracks as he grunted in amusement.

"Nice Sword." the Knight grunted, before he drew his own Sword. "Shame it won't last long."

The Knight and Hero circled one another slowly, both twirling their blades effortlessly. The Hero didn't even know how he could spin the insanely large Sword with so little effort. Whatever the case, he had to be careful. The Knight struck first, swinging forward in a large forward arc, the serrated side of his weapon slicing against the Hero's Sword. As the Hero moved in to make a strike, he was forced to back away as the Knight then delivered a counter swing.

As the Hero backed away, he was caught off guard when the Knight then drew his fist back and delivered a punch to his face, sending him flying backwards. As he flew backwards, the Knight extended his palm, the red tendril shooting out and grasping the Hero by the waist and smashing him against the walls before flinging him against the floor. The Hero groaned loudly as he slowly rose up from the floor, his visor cracked and distorted. Unable to see, the Hero pulled the now useless helmet off and threw it to the ground.

"I don't recognise you at all." the Knight mumbled, cocking his head to the side as the Hero rose up from the floor. "No matter, it changes nothing."

Both charged one another again as both swung their respective blades at one another, the two weapons clashing and locking onto one another. The Knight blinked in surprise as his helmed head craned back, surprised that the Sword did not only remain intact, but the strength behind it was powerful enough to keep him at bay.

"How is this possible?!" the Knight hissed, attempting to push the Hero back, yet achieving nothing.

The Hero then delivered a kick to the Knight's gut, staggering the warrior back a distance. The Hero then leapt forward, swinging his Sword overhead as the Knight began to rise. The Knight leaned back as the Sword slid past his armour, the Hero rolling forward as he spun around to meet the Knight. The Hero then lunged forward in an erratic attempt to damage his opponent, yet the Knight quickly spun around the Hero, the serrated edge of his weapon slicing against the Hero's thigh.

The Hero screamed in pain as he tumbled to the floor, blood gushing from the now open wound. The Knight stepped forward to finish the Hero, but faltered as he noticed the blood that now stained both his weapon and the floor. At first it looked normal, yet the more he stared at it, the more unnatural it looked. It was then he noticed it appeared to glow with a soft amber aura that glinted across his blade.

"It can't be..." the Knight murmured as he glanced at the downed Hero, who still clutched his leg. "Hero..."

The Hero then thrust his right hand forward, a bolt of Shock energy arcing out and hitting the Knight in the chest. The Knight began to spasm as the electricity arced across his form, forcing him to kneel. The Hero groaned in pain as he clutched the open wound, quickly fumbling around in his supply satchel for a Healing Potion. Upon grasping one, he quickly gulped down the crimson liquid, his strength returning as the wound began to close. As he threw the vial away, he sent another blast of Shock energy at the Knight, stunning him yet again. The Hero then quickly rose and turned to run, he knew there was no way he'd be able to finish this one before more forces arrived. Right now, he had to make sure Yang was safe.

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Yang continued to run, turning around as she fired a number of explosive rounds at her pursuer. The Queen effortlessly dodged all the shots that came her way, firing more blades from her staff with each flip. Yang let out a yelp as she quickly jumped onto her back, the lethal projectiles flying over her head. As she landed, the Queen jumped into the air, the bladed tip of her weapon ready to thrust down onto her stomach. Yang fired another blast at the Queen, who was sent flying by the explosive whilst also managing to propel Yang a short distance.

Jumping up again, Yang snickered as she gave a mock salute to the Queen, her armour smoking as she slowly rose. The Queen then fired more projectiles at Yang, the Blonde Brawler managing to parry all of them as she held her hands to her face, the Queen delivering a kick that sent her skidding backwards. The Queen then continued with her assault, spinning her staff wildly as she pressed forward, Yang being forced to simply parry whenever she could.

The Queen then sent her staff twirling forward, managing to hit Yang who let out yelps of pain as the staff repeatedly hit her, sending her to the ground seconds later. Clenching her fists, Yang let out a barrage of blasts from Ember Celica, forcing the Queen back whilst also allowing her a chance to escape. Sparrow had wanted her to escape, and whilst she would've preferred to stay, she wasn't going to deny him this.

As she continued forward, an ear splitting shriek suddenly echoed across the corridor, causing Yang to collapse as she clutched her ears, screaming in pain. She looked up to see the Queen hunched over, seemingly being the origin of the screech as she slowly stalked forward. Yang continued to writhe on the floor as the screeching continued, her own pained screams adding to the cacophony of noise.

Finally the screaming stopped, though Yang still clutched her ears, not having entirely recovered from the onslaught of noise. The Queen chuckled as she hit Yang with the butt of her weapon, knocking her onto her back before planting a boot on her chest, pinning her to the ground. She then aimed the tip of the bladed end at her throat, lightly stroking her throat with the blade.

"Such a sweet, foolish girl." the Queen chuckled, quickly raising the weapon over her head to deliver a finishing blow.

A blast of fire then struck her in the back, causing the Queen to let out a surprised yelp as she staggered forward, spinning around to look at her attacker. Yang looked up to see the Hero stood there, his left hand smouldering as fresh embers danced around his fingers.

"What?" the Queen murmured, shaking her head in disbelief. "Impossible!"

Yang then jumped up and delivered a punch with Ember Celica at the Queen's face, sending the warrior flying backwards where she became embedded in a wall. The Queen let out a growl as she clambered out, only to spasm and shriek in pain as the Hero fired a bolt of Shock energy at her trapped form.

"Yang, are you all right?" the Hero asked, his hands grasping onto her shoulders.

In response, Yang quickly hugged the Hero, wrapping her arms around his frame. The Hero looked at her, surprised by the quick embrace if his face was anything to go by. It didn't take long however for the Hero to return the hug, pausing only to fling another bolt of Shock energy at the Queen.

"Thanks." Yang whispered, relinquishing her grip and letting her arms fall to her side. "For...saving my ass back there."

"Any time." the Hero whispered back, once again pausing to fling another bolt of energy at the Queen, who growled more in annoyance then in pain at the repetitive shocks.

"Come on, before more show up." Yang finally said, nodding down the corridor as she and the Hero continued on their escape attempt.

Finally, the Queen managed to free herself from her temporary prison, tugging her form free with a venomous hiss. Readying her staff, she charged forward...only for the Knight to grasp her shoulder and pull her back.

"What are you doing you oaf?!" the Queen spat at the Knight, who turned to face her slowly. "That fool you let escape was the Hero! We catch Him, and the Master will reward us!"

"You heard His orders, the blood is the main priority." the Knight calmly responded, lifting his Sword up, which was still stained with the blood of the Hero. "And we have that already..."

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Well shit, things aren't looking good. Soon the hand directing the Cult will be revealed, but we still have another chapter to go through. Liked it? Leave a review and constructive criticism is welcomed. Any questions? Either leave in your review and I'll answer next chapter or PM me and I'll answer when possible.

Raging Archon out.