Raigan's Army: Leonhardt, Ellis, Renee, Borgnine, Fyuria, Luana, Zerva, Vira-Lorr, Yuri, Neptune, Noire, Vert, Kanonno, Prinny, Kirito, Takashi, Rei, Saeko, Saya, Kohta, Shizuku, Alice M., Alice D., Lili, Mai, Dizzy, Junko, Jean, Jak and Daxter, IF, Kat, Lloyd, Colette.
Characters to join: Winfield
Chapter 14: The Dark Knight
The gang exited the Cave of Origin, their mission was a success.
"Whew! Once again, Orange Lightning has saved the day! Ladies, a kiss will be my reward." Daxter winked at the girls, most of them rolled their eyes.
"Yeah right. We didn't see you on the front lines. You were busy cowering in fear on Jak's shoulder!" Noire growled as she rubbed her temples.
Daxter began to sweat and stammered "Uh... I was there with you in spirit."
"Right..." The tsundere rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Now we can report back to King Gunther about our success. I will send a carrier pigeon to tell him the good news." Luana closed her eyes and smiled as the dancer used some bird whistle to call a pigeon and after writing a note, she sends it off.
"Now we can get Rigulus' help to end the war!" Ellis pumped her fist in the air triumphal.
Suddenly, Renee felt a pain around her arm where her bracelet is. She kneed down in pain.
"Renee?! What's wrong?" Leo gasped as he bent down to check up on her.
The wolf girl panted heavily for about a minute till she stuttered "Something... evil and powerful is from the southeast of this location... I don't know why, but I felt it when we were at that fortress to stop Fyuria's brother..."
Zerva was silent as he looked away, he doesn't want to be reminded of that sucidial charge against Gridamas.
Ellis looked at Renee in worry for about 20 seconds till she said seriously "Then whatever is bothering Renee must be there. We need to find out what it is!"
Luana crossed her arms, closed her eyes and pondered this. "If I recall correctly, that's Rome Valley. The source will be most likely there..."
"Alright. Don't worry, Renee. We'll find out what's bothering you." Leo reassured her as he got up.
"T-Thanks... and sorry I worried you." Renee's face showed a hint of crimson. The party followed the path to Rome Valley.
At Rome Valley...
The man who was with Zerva was holding his own against someone. But this someone wasn't exactly human...
This unknown attacker has armor as black as onyx with demonic eyes on the torso, a black cape, and his helmet completely covers his or her's face. He (For the most part) has a red sword as red as blood.
The man fired his gun at the attacker, but the attacker dodged it with superhuman speed.
The man gritted his teeth as he said "No, I cannot die here!" The attacker said nothing as he pointed his sword at the man.
The gang arrived just in time. Zerva immediately recognized the man.
"Hmm... That's...!" Zerva's eyes widen in shock as he sees the man who was fighting with him back at the fortress.
Fyuria turned to her brother with a concerned look and asked "Brother?!"
The party rushed towards the man and attacker. Leo and his friends recognized the man from before.
"Hey... It's that guy from before back at Zelzagun Fortress!" Kirito gasped, but he also felt a dark power from the attacker, it was so evil and strong, it was unlike anything he has ever felt before...
The man recognized Leo and gasped "Golden Leo?! What devilry is this?" Then he shook his head and asked "Never mind! Explanations can wait! Would you be so kind to assist me?"
Zerva was doubtful about this for about 15 seconds till he replied "...Very well." As soon as the party got their weapons ready, Leo froze in shock and a little bit of terror.
Leo stammered as the attacker looked at Leo and Renee, then the attacker pointed his sword at Renee.
Renee noticed Leo's feelings and asked "What's wrong? This man is about to..." Suddenly, she remember something about how Leo died before he was revived by Dyshana. He told her and the otherwolders about he fell in battle against a evil being with armor as dark as onyx and unimaginable strength... Could this attacker be the one who took Leo's life before?!
"Wait... Leo, is this the guy who killed you when you tried to save Ellis?" Renee demanded, now realizing what is making Leo worry about that.
The swordsman nodded slowly and said calmly "Yes... It is known as the Dark Knight..."
The man turned to Leo and the gang and said calmly "I don't wish to presume, seeing as you did save my life, but I cast my lot with Golden Leo. Name's Winfield."
Leo nodded before turning to his friends and ordered "Take care! If you see an opening to escape, take it!"
"Eat this!" Alice D. shouted as she used her guns to fire, but to everyone's shock, the Dark Knight dodged them with tremendous speed.
"W-What the hell is that thing?!" Junko stammered as the blue haired ninja charged at the Dark Knight, but the dark warrior knew she was going to attack and blocked her every slash and slashed her five times with his sword.
"What power... Jin was nothing like this monster!" Lili gritted her teeth as she charged at the Dark Knight, like with Junko, he blocked every punch with his sword. Rei and Saeko were next as they leaped up into the air, attempting to strike the Dark Knight down, but he warped out of the way, leaving them confused and shock.
He reappeared behind Mai which made her jump in fright as she threw shuriken at him, but he caught them with amazing speed that he simply crushed them without trying. Mai gulped as she sweated nervously.
"Alright pal, you asked for it! Transform!" Neptune was angry that her friends are losing badly so she and Noire transformed and both of them charged at the Dark Knight, but he emitted a powerful dark barrier that knocked them to the ground, forcing them to revert back to normal.
"Nep?! Noire?!" IF's eyes widen in fear as Vert as next to attack, but the Dark Knight quickly grabbed her by the throat and threw her down like a ragged doll. Vert quickly recovered.
Kirito and Yuri were next as they charged at this powerful evil warrior. "Azure Wolf Strike!" Yuri used one of his artes with Kirito adding in the damage, but it did little effect and they were forced to dodge a slash from the Dark Knight.
"This is bad..." Winfield muttered through gritted teeth.
Ed and Lloyd tried a sneak attack, but the Dark Knight noticed them and used a wind attack to knock them back.
"Lloyd! Ed!" Collete shouted in panic.
"This guy is tough!" Kat gritted her teeth as she tried a kick, but the evil warrior grabbed her leg and threw her across the battle field. She quickly landed on her feet. Fyuria tried to attack, but the Dark Knight blew her across the field, forcing her to land on her feet next to Leo.
Borgnine charged at the Dark Knight, and both were locked in a power struggle.
"What is it? A ghost?!" Fyuria stammered as she sees the Dark Knight overpowering Borgnine.
"Borgnine! Are you alright?!" Ellis yelled out in worry.
Vira-Lorr frowned as she elaborated "I sense an ill omen. This thing... It feels as though it is made of darkness itself."
Luana looked at her friends worriedly and suggested "I think perhaps now is the time for a swift tactical retreat."
Leo saw Zerva trying to strike the Dark Knight down, but the swordsman shouted "Run! Zerva!"
Zerva heeded his advise and shouted "I am!" But not before launching a fire spell at the Dark Knight, giving the party enough time to escape with Winfield in tow.
The Dark Knight glared at Dyshana who glared back before she escaped with her companions.
The gang made it to some plains, hoping their pursuer won't follow them here. It was there Winfield turned to the gang with a smile and said gratefully "A thousand thanks for your help! I fear I would be dead now, if not for you."
"Why were you being chased?" Takashi glared at Winfield, his arms crossed and he demanded an answer from him now.
Winfield chuckled nervously and said "I confess. I was hoping perhaps you would know the answer to that question."
Winfield noticed the glare at Dyshana as she was eying the bracelet he has on. The mysterious woman asked stolicly "Where did you get that bracelet?"
Winfield looked at his bracelet and grinned sheepishly and replying "This? Merely a memento of my mother? Why? Is there a problem, my stunning vision of beauty?"
'Just what we need... a ladies' man...' Saya rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Dyshana turned to Leo with a calm and emotionless look. She said to him "Leonhardt, he holds the Bracelet of the Covenant."
"WHAT?!" The rest of the party members recoiled in shock. Winfield has the item they were looking for? The item that they're trying to prevent from falling into the wrong hands?!
Winfield waved his arms up and down frantically and saying "Just a moment, milady! I told you, this is merely a memento of my mother!"
Dyshana was unconvinced and she replied coldly "Be that as it may, that bracelet is why you were attacked."
Winfield was caught off guard by this. He asked "What? Please, my darling, explain."
Dyshana nodded and began her explanation. "The Bracelet of the Covenant was the most powerful of all Dark Lord Summerill's possessions. He owned many magical trinkets including the ones Renee and the otherworlders are wearing right now, but even together they could not approach the power of the Bracelet. The power of that bracelet gave Summerill the power of the gods. But much of his power is bound in it, and without the Bracelet, he is not at full strength. Summerill seeks the Bracelet of the Covenant and his lost trinkets, above all else."
Winfield was silent as he looked at the Bracelet of the Covenant in sorrow.
"So, those trinkets we found when we first arrived in this world were the Dark Lord's after all... Figures." Yuri sighed as he looked at the ring he can't get off.
Fyuria was worried and asked "Then... was the beast Summerill?"
Dyshana shook her head no and replied "Even without the Bracelet of the Covenant, Summerill is very powerful. That creature was powerful, but it was nothing next to Summerill."
Luana nodded and stated seriously "Well, one thing is certain. That bracelet is quite dangerous."
Ellis glared at Winfield angrily and ordered "Give it back."
Winfield chuckled nervously as he rubbed the back of his head nervously and responded "That... that is the problem. It won't come off..."
Ellis was doubtful and she said sourly "What kind of fools do you take us for? Borgnine, help him take it off."
Borgnine nodded slowly as he began trying to pull the Bracelet off.
Winfield begin to panic by saying "Wh-What are you doing?! I'm telling the truth!" Borgnine didn't listen as he tried pulling it once more. Winfield screamed in pain and yelled out "That h-h-hurts! S-Stop it! Please!"
Borgnine dropped him to the ground and turned to Ellis and said calmly "Master, he tells the truth. The Bracelet cannot be removed."
Ellis thought about this and muttered "Now that I think about it, I do remember Grandpa saying something about this cave... ...About how it held a great treasure, that would curse anyone who tried to take it..."
Dyshana nodded and turned to Ellis and told her "Then it would seem you have heard of it. It appears that the Bracelet itself was intended to protect the bearer from curses... But Summerill cursed it, so that once worn, it cannot be removed."
"To keep it from being sealed away from him again." Vira-Lorr added.
Dyshana nodded and said "It seems the seal has been sufficient to keep it from being found until now."
Vira-Lorr figured it out. "That must mean that the elves..., no, the high elves created a very powerful seal."
"Indeed they did, but it can only hide the Bracelet from the forces of darkness." Dyshana agreed.
"Then all we have to do is seal the idiot and the Bracelet away. Problem solved." IF frowned as she crossed her arms.
Winfield begin to reason by saying "Just a moment there, young lady! I am not some sort of human sacrifice!"
IF sneered "It's your fault you took the Bracelet. You dug your own grave and now you must sleep in it."
Winfield chuckled nervously and said "Ah... well, you see... You must understand... I have an excellent reason... I was going to return it once I was finished. I swear!"
Luana looked at the cursed wielder of the Bracelet and asked "You wouldn't happen to be from the Frontier, would you? Did you come here looking for the power to fight Gridamas?"
Winfield was silent as he nodded slowly.
"No point in debating. What is done. So there is no known way to get the Bracelet and the rest of Summerill's cursed trinkets off of us?" Renee asked Dyshana. Most of the ones including Winfield were worried that they may not get them off of their bodies.
"If it has been cursed by Summerill, your choices are few. We can either destroy the Bracelet and trinkets, or seal away Summerill's power." Dyshana stated stolicly.
"Either way, we still need to kill Summerill for what he did to our world." Takashi frowned as he crossed his arms in anger.
Dyshana smirked eerily and said emotionlessly "There is, of course, a much simpler way of dealing with this problem of attachments."
"That's great and all, but it still won't solve all our problems." Lloyd looked down in sorrow. Winfield was silent as he too looked down, looking depressed.
Leo cleared his throat and began speaking. "Now that we know the Bracelet is here, and that the seal isn't absolute, we cannot hid it from the eyes of Summerill."
"If only we can simply destroy it and the trinkets." Fyuria crossed her arms in thought while looking up at the sky.
"If only it was that easy..." Saeko sighed and shook her head.
"You speak the truth." Leo nodded, then he continued "In any event, this is a discussion left for another time We must return to Rigulus. We should keep as far from the road as possible. I would like to lose the monster, but I am more concerned that he does not harm civilians." Leo tighten his fist, he want to settle the score with the Dark Knight, but he has to wait for another time.
"So what's our next route?" Kirito asked the former general.
"We will go along the Kaystros Mountains. It is a short detour, but I think they will provide the best route."
Luana nodded in agreement and replied "That area's difficult terrain will be to our advantage in losing our pursuers."
"I apologize, lords and ladies for the trouble I've caused you." Winfield bowed his head lightly in apology. Then he added "It is little, I know, but I promise I will fight with you against Gridamas when the time comes."
"We'll be keeping an eye on you for now on to see if you don't try anything funny." Jak glared at Winfield.
Winfield grinned as he pointed a thumb as his chest and saying "You can count on me!"
To be continued...
Next chapter: The Demon Fatale's Last Stand