"Here is Izlude, just follow me and I'll lead you to the airport," Charles said leading everyone.
Well that was a nice stroll through the forest, it took us a whole ten minutes to get here; I thought at the rear of the pack. I turned to my left and I could see the city walls of Prontera in the distance, I hope this won't be the last time I see those walls. Still mulling over various thoughts I was completely oblivious when I walked into Helen.
"Oh apologies, I didn't see you," my attention now in the present, I looked before me to see Izlude right on the other side of a long bridge.
But that wasn't why Helen and everyone else stopped moving, they were all silently staring at something I couldn't see. Until I looked up and saw the thick dark plumes of smoke which was rising from multiple parts of the city. Where there is smoke there is fire, I looked over to Charles and saw the glint in his eye.
"Well since we are present-" a black blur followed by a gray blur shot past me.
I turned to look and caught a glimpse of the moving creatures. Missy effortlessly flew down the bridge carrying Angela, Kikyo and Beth. But the gray creature that Helen rode looked like a Vagabond Wolf with an eye patch.
"Did you know Helen had a pet WOLF?" I asked Charles as we took off after them.
"I helped her catch it," he said with the pride in his words, "but everything else, she did on her own."
I turned to the disappearing gray blur full of pride. So proud of you Helen, now I know that's one less thing I have to worry about, I thought turning to my right. Sure enough, Aeris was there and before I said anything bestowed Charles and I with more speed as she glided along. Not quite fast enough to catch up with the girls, but quick enough to get there shortly after.
Now at the cusp of the city, we could see the monsters attacking the townsfolk and some combatants pushing them back. Helen, Angela and the twins rushed to their aide. As Charles and I were about to follow them we heard two all too familiar sounds: beating wings and piercing cries. We both looked up in unison and we saw the source of the sound: Valkyries.
"Wandering assassin?" Charles nodded and gleefully scaled the closest building.
Since Kasai is linked to Charles this should work, Kasai appeared beside me instantly.
"Chikyu and Aeris are with the ladies, but I know not where Lympha is… and that worries me," Kasai said with difficulty.
"If I know Lympha, which I should, then you have nothing to fear," I turned my attention to the building Charles was on, "seeing as how you too are linked, switch to passive mode and combine his senses to mine."
Kasai nodded but instead of turning into his element like Lympha, he created a ball of fire in his hands. It grew large enough to envelope my whole body and he threw it at me. Not knowing how to react to this apparent betrayal, I subconsciously was about to cast an Ice Wall but I let it fly. Instead of being burnt to ashes I could see, hear, smell, taste and feel everything that Charles was experiencing. There flying above the building was a group of Valkyries that at a glance resemble women with wings. Under closer inspection, the similarities stop there as they are always clad in azure/purple coloured armor. A red cape reaching to their feet with jagged edges from which their muddy brown wings protrude from. The visor upon their head has a soft little wing over their right ear and a crystallized purple/gray one over their left that exudes a gaseous substance. The most distinctive difference on a Valkyrie are its arms, their left arm is entirely composed of the same gaseous leak from their helmet with an armored gloves over their 'fingers'. Their right arm isn't an arm at all; it's a spear that is a long as their body also composed of the same gaseous substance that leaks as if it were fire.
"Hello there Valkyries," Charles proclaimed getting their attention as he released his katars, "I came to bathe my blades in bloody feathers again."
A Valkyrie left the group and dive-bombed Charles and with his vision I easily could've defeated it. Before my casting started, Charles jumped to meet his foe when he was close enough. The Valkyrie had a brief second of surprise and the next second the air rang with the clash of their blades, but Charles met it's blade with only one of his. He used his free blade to sever its right wing from which a grayish flame erupted. The loss of its wing made the Valkyrie lose its balance and start a deadly descent. Watching him in action from his perspective makes the world seem slow, as Charles laid a viscous beating as they both fell then grabbed the Valkyrie and plummeted to the building roof. Intrigued over their fallen comrade, two more Valkyries dived to meet Charles.
"You will feel my wrath wherever you try to fly knaves," at which Charles crossed his arms as he charged up a Soul Destroyer but just looked up at the approaching Valkyries.
And now it's my turn, I started casting my Psychic Wave spell as the Valkyries drew near. I could feel the amount of faith Charles had in me and due to our shared history it was mutual. The Valkyries were close enough to ready their weapons for one fatal strike. Charles continued to stare at them and fired his Soul Destroyer between them just as my spell finished. Great timing as usual even with my new spell, I fired my Psychic Wave just as his Soul Destroyer passed the Valkyries. Our two attacks overlapped and exploded outward hitting them both, stunning them. The impact somehow set both their courses into each other and when they were a foot above Charles, he coiled his body. Time for the finishing touch, Charles used his Rolling Cutter cutting them to shreds causing them to disappear into the ether almost instantly.
"Who else dares to taste my wrath?" Charles called up provoking more Valkyries then whispered, "Changing up the spells I see Ace."
Yea just wait for my grand finale, I thought as Charles readied for the oncoming assault. This time five Valkyries descended upon Charles blinded by fury and grief. Charles lowered his guard, closed his eyes, took a deep breath and walked to the center of the roof. I guess this one is his, I just simply leaned onto the wall and started to cast a spell, well mostly. I didn't have to wait long to see what Charles would do, he activated his Hallucination Walk skill just as the first attack was in motion. What I saw next took me completely by surprise due to how unexpected it was. Once he activated his skill, everything in the world seemed to slow to half its speed. Charles blocked the first attack, broke the Valkyrie's lance and followed with a series of deadly precise attacks. The second and third Valkyrie didn't have time to react before Charles started up another Rolling Cutter then ended the m both with a stab. By the time the fourth one attacked Charles' speed was slowly going back to normal, but not fast enough. Charles side stepped the attack, and circled the Valkyrie starting with a simple slash. With each step after that he cut the Valkyrie in several different places. He ended the Valkyrie with a thrust through its midsection, withdrew his katar from out of it and threw a Cross Ripper Slasher at the fifth one. At that time his Hallucination Walk ended but it still managed to clip the Valkyrie who started to recast a spell. The sky overhead darkened and my Varetyr Spear dropped with such speed and force the Valkyrie took a second to realize it was just pierced. It looked down at my spear inside it before it exploded in a flash of lightning and they both disappeared.
I may have slightly overcharged that spell but it looks like it was needed, and I instantly felt a sense of fatigue. The price for using Hallucination Walk was seeping even through our mental connection. The connection to me lessened everything from him, but the side effect was so strong it still affected me physically. Charles was physically drained and slowed by the side effect of the skill. A double-edged sword this skill seems, I thought as Charles mustered all his strength to simply stand and glare menacingly at the remaining Valkyries, enter the bravado façade and my cue to take over if need be. But the remaining Valkyries seemed to be talking amongst themselves deep in conversation.
"DO YOU WORTHLESS CREATURES KNOW WHO YOU BARE YOUR FANGS AT?" Charles roared his challenge as his vitality replenished slowly.
But rising to the challenge a Valkyrie slowly descended from the rank and landed on the far end of the roof. This particular Valkyrie was different from the others as she was covered from the neck down in unique armor. She wore armor that looked like a blend of metal and metal-like pieces that dazzled in the light and turned to darkness in the shadows. Although like the others her entire right arm was a gaseous mix resembling a lance it was a deep ocean blue instead of the normal gray.
"I know who you are. I heard tales of your battle prowess and unbelievable feats for a mere assassin. Which you are clearly not with the skills you just showed," the Valkyrie said sounding like a normal human with a bit of a higher pitch, "I was hoping I could find you to avenge the deaths of my fallen sisters. Now I, Astraea the Valkyrie Rangdris, will end the legend of the 'wandering assassin'."
I could feel the pressure from Astraea's mere presence on the ground below. I could also feel the anticipation of a worthy battle building in Charles as he was halfway recovered from his skill. Now I think I'll let Charles deal with this on his own, if he can handle it, I thought then severed our connection and turned to find the girls, he and I have been in tough situations.
I casually walked down the streets with Kasai following a trail of battle. Although the monsters were back to the ether, the carnage left in t heir wake was apparent. As were the few arrows from Helen's quiver for her few misses and impacts on the ground from Kikyo's and Angela's skills. I see Helen has improved on her aim drastically, I thought retrieving each arrow, and judging from the magical residue Kikyo attained a new level of power… they're growing up so fast. Lost in my thought I didn't even notice the Acidus fly in my path from a side street. Kasai did, and he went slightly berserk on it and he seemed to have a lot of pent up aggression that needed to be released. The Acidus didn't stand a chance as it was quickly gone from my sight as fast as it entered it.
Now with my mind back on the present, I sensed the ladies were close and sped up my pace. I turned a few corners and went down a few streets until I saw them all in the midst of battle. A three-headed dragon-like creature stood before Angela, Missy and Kikyo. Beth was behind them casting support magic while Helen was readying more arrows and her wolf was keeping guard over her. A Hydra… what is a Hydra doing here? Those creatures are hardly ordinary monsters, I thought starting to cast a spell; hopefully Angela doesn't cut off any of its heads. No sooner had I thought that had Angela cut off all three heads with one swing of her spear.
"Angela… you do know that is a Hydra right?" I said emerging from the shadows straining to hold my spell as faces lit up with recognition.
"I knew that," Angela said after a pause, "back up a step girl."
Missy flapped her wings once and Kikyo kicked off the ground with a graceful back flip keeping stride with Missy. A thought hit me, other than the obvious one that Helen taught Kikyo that maneuver and I used Cast Cancel to reserve my magical power. I noticed Chikyu and Aeris were both on the ready for the Hydra's resuscitation, but I called them over to me breaking their attention. Chikyu, Aeris, I'm forcing you both into waiting mode by my Spirit Control, they both looked surprised but had no choice but to oblige; let the ladies handle this.
The body of the Hydra leaped back onto its feet and used its tail to keep it balanced as its upper body seemed to bubble. Wait, something isn't right here, I used my Monster Sense to check on the Hydra to confirm my suspicions, this isn't an ordinary Hydra. An arm sprouted from each side of the Hydra and six new heads sprung from just above its chest. All of the Hydra's heads roared in unison and the screech of Valkyries from a distance joined in its cry. I instantly thought of Charles and Astraea but assured myself that he'd be fine just a bit damaged as usual. Six streams of fire descended upon Angela, Missy and Kikyo with my first instinct to cast an Ice Wall or more to protect them. But instead I crossed my arms then ground my fingers into them fighting the urge to protect and forcing myself to watch. Angela dived of Missy to shelter Kikyo and Missy wrapped her body around them both as the flames washed over her. Beth already summoned a Sanctuary field underneath the three under fire to continuously heal them as long as they were in it. Helen fired off an Arrow Rain and multiple arrows hit each of the six heads and their necks causing the Hydra enough pain to stop its fiery breath.
Now free of the flame Missy unwrapped herself from around Angela and charged into the Hydra. Angela quickly checked to see if Kikyo was alright before picking back up her spear and they both charged the Hydra. The Hydra's sheer bulk and new arms proved too much for Missy as it held her down then repeatedly bit her. Angela roared a battle cry at the pain of Missy and narrowly avoided cutting off another head by aiming for a straight thrust to its chest. Kikyo saw an opening and came into the Hydra with a straight left that seemed to do nothing. A moment later a huge imprint of her fist appeared on the Hydra's chest and it was pushed back a few feet. This display of strength seemed to shock everyone but Kikyo's twin Beth who seemed to anticipate her sisters' next move. Beth cast her Suffragium skill on Kikyo as she instantly summoned five spirit spheres around her and absorbed them all into her. Oh Rhisis… did she master the chain? Show me how far you've grown Kikyo, once the spheres were inside her, Kikyo radiated with a yellow aura and little bolts of lightning continuously went around her. Beth then cast Kyrie Eleison on Kikyo and a magical barrier formed around her as she again summoned five more spirit spheres with her Zen skill.
Kikyo, full of battle spirit, charged the Hydra and Beth cast Increase Agility on her sister. Kikyo weaved, dodged and avoided all the Hydras attacks when it reared its head back. Helen noticed the motion for its attack and fired off the two arrows in her hand for a quick Double Strafe shot. Angela also noticed this motion and swung her spear in a wide arc sending a Wind Cutter at the Hydra. Four of the Hydra's six heads didn't have time to spew flames as the attacks collided with them, but two of them did. The flames crashed right into the barrier of the Kyrie Eleison and cracked it as soon as Kikyo's first fist connected with its body. The barrier shattered just as one of Kikyo's passive skills activated, her Raging Trifecta Blow. The stream of fire weakened from her three rapid strikes but still continued until Kikyo activated her Raging Quadruple Blow. The four hits stopped the Hydra's flames, but Kikyo wasn't done yet. She then moved onto her Raging Thrust with a two fisted straight punch to its midsection stunning it. Beth cast a quick Heal on her sister to ease her irritated skin and Kikyo moved on to perform a Glacier Fist with her left fist. Once the fist connected, the Hydra seemed to freeze in place as if it was frozen but Kikyo still wasn't done yet. She then activated her Chain Crush Combo and unleashed a series of viscous blows with each hit making the Hydra flinch. Then Kikyo paused as a black aura enveloped her and the characters for her final move appeared above her head slowly. Beth cast a Lex Aeterna and three holy swords fell from the sky and pierced the Hydra seemingly doing nothing. Once the final character appeared over Kikyo's head, I knew that she had done it. She had completed the Champion's most devastating combo ending with the final move that we were about to see: the Guillotine Fist. Kikyo launched in the air above the Hydra looking like the embodiment of death itself, and rocketed into the Hydra with her right fist in front of her.
When her fist connected with the Hydra, even the air itself seemed to stop moving for a split second. The second was so miniscule it seemed to pass so quickly as a wave of blackness covered in lightning erupted from where Kikyo's fist was. The wave of darkness rushed up to us and enveloped everyone, inside this darkness it was as if all my senses died altogether. This must be what it feels like for a monster to return back to the ether, and slowly the darkness was pierced by the sun and light entered my vision. When I could see clearly again, I saw everyone, Angela, Helen, Missy and Beth looking at one other in complete surprise while Beth radiated pride for her sister. Kikyo, you've surpassed my every expectation for you, I thought breathing again not noticing I was holding it in anticipation, it should be over now. We all looked over and saw Kikyo lying on the stomach of the Hydra from clear exhaustion, but that's what bothered me. Before I could say one word all six heads of the Hydra rose and it looked as if it were about to eat Kikyo when I heard a loud ring. The six heads of the Hydra all collided into a shield held by someone with his back to us and along flowing blue cape. He pushed back the heads of the Hydra and drew his sword but cut his shield hand in the process.
"Filthy creature, I will Sacrifice my life to banish you from this realm," he raised his sword up high as the Hydra readied to breathe more fire, "Penance Thrust."
He thrust his sword with tremendous force into the midsection of the Hydra. The ground around us quaked causing everyone around to start stumbling as a crater instantly formed under the Hydra. Such power… when did the Sacrifice skill attain such power, I thought then summoned an Extreme Vacuum underneath us to raise us off the ground. The Hydra disappeared into the ether with the shaking of the port city coming to a stop. With the Hydra gone, the now unconscious Kikyo started falling to the ground but Missy intervened with her draconic speed. Had she still been a Peco-Peco that would've ended with more bodily harm, I thought as she brought Kikyo back over and I cancelled my Extreme Vacuum skill. It was at this moment when I noticed that my spirits were pushed back to their realm by Kikyo's Guillotine Fist. While Beth and Angela oversaw the caring of Kikyo, Helen and I walked up to the newcomer. He turned around as we approached and that was when I noticed what was so different about him. At a quick glance he would pass for a Paladin, but under closer inspection he seemed at a level above a Paladin but not a Royal Guard. His sword, shield and armor seemed to give him the air of a battle hardened elite warrior, more than anyone I have ever met. His armor and shield, while not glamorous, was littered with scratches here or kinks. This armor technique seems ancient, extremely ancient but amazingly superior to some high level blacksmiths, I looked over to Helen and she noticed it as well, this is why I love you Helen.
"It is over, the creature is no more," the man said sheathing his sword and turning to walk over to us but tripped over his two feet.
Helen raised her eyebrows so high while trying not to laugh but slightly snickering. While I lowered my face and raised my left hand to meet it shaking my head, after such a display of power he does that. He stumbled to his feet in a motion that looked practiced, like a swordsman would swing a sword. I guess this happens often to him, I thought as Helen hid her face behind me trying to mask her snickering.
"Your aide in felling the Hydra is appreciated stranger; you really saved our Kikyo," I said getting the strangers attention, "I'm Acaelus and the one behind me is Helen. Might I know with whom I speak with?"
"Greetings Acaelus and Helen, I am known as Lucius of the long forgotten Honour Guard," he said with pride, "as you can probably tell, I am only useful in battle."
"Well, as long as you bring us no harm there should be no… quarrels," I responded casually.
"Indeed, now I must go to another battle field and aide the townsfolk. These monsters are blight on Rune-Midgart," Lucius said as he turned and stalked off.
"Never a drab moment whenever we leave town hm?" I laughed at Helen's remark and followed her to the others.
When we reached the rest of the group they were in the middle of a discussion with a Kafra employee. In her hand was a dagger that was oddly familiar and it surprised me the employees carried weapons. Maybe she knows who summoned the creatures to this town, I thought coming up beside her.
"Are you Acaelus?" I nodded slowly, "I found this dagger with a note on it telling me to give it only to you."
She handed me the dagger with a note wrapped around the handle. I unraveled the note from around the dagger with an uneasy feeling. Acaelus if you're reading this then I won't return for a while, but worry not I'm fine. I'll return to you all at the Tower, Godspeed.
"What does it say? Where's Charles?" Angela asked with a hint of annoyance as soon as I stopped reading.
"Did you see or hear the Valkyries we were fighting?" she paused a moment then nodded, "Well Charles wanted to keep going after them but he'll meet us at the Tower if we keep on track. No he did not just simply leave for a walk this time."
Angela nodded and Kikyo slowly rose to a sitting position. Beth tackled her sister bringing her back to the ground excited and laughing as tears flowed. While the rest of us were watching, the Kafra employee cleared her throat loudly getting our attention.
"I came here on other business. Sorry to disrupt you but I'm on a tight schedule," she said motioning to the town around us, "as a small reward for defending this town, I am allowed all defenders of the city a free teleport. Only to certain areas and locations, as per usual, but this includes places you would normally have to fly to."
"Well then, that is a fortuitous turn of events now isn't?" Helen simply elbowed my back but I could still sense her small smile, "We came to this town just for that reason. Yuno, we'd like to go there."
"Excellent, now if you will all step back please," we did as told while she started to rifle through her trolley.
She pulled out a variety of gemstones looking from them, to us and back. Seemingly satisfied with her amount, she tossed the m all into the air. Where instead of falling back down upon reaching their climax, the gems all hovered, slightly bobbing. Then the employee started talking to an invisible person as the gems shone and all melded into one white gemstone. A soft but sharp glow rose up from the stone and a golden portal appeared underneath it. The employee then beckoned us to step into the portal and with Angela in the lead, we did. I was the last one through, taking one last look at the city and nodded to the employee as I stepped into the portal.
On the other side I saw Kasai taking lead and I learned he was taking us to a tavern. To meet with someone, was the response I received from him. After a short walk we appeared before a tavern and Kasai told us to wait as he got someone. While we waited I noticed how late it was, with twilight on us and the cascade of soft colors in the sky. Kasai came back out of the tavern with who appeared to be a waitress with short green hair. I heard him say the name Daora and that she sent us here for rooms. The waitress' eyebrow perked up upon hearing her name and welcomed us into the tavern. As we followed her in I turned to look at Kasai; so how did you know to say that name Kasai? You think Charles became a Guillotine Cross on his own? Chikyu and I helped him and followed him every step of the way, Kasai responded proudly, but before I burn the place down I should take my leave. As Kasai disappeared into a wisp of smoke we followed the waitress to a hidden room in the building. When we entered, the candles around the room instantly lit, illuminating the room. Inside there were racks of various armors, weapons, materials and items for the usual Assassin needs. I also noticed new things that I haven't seen before; probably for the Guillotines only.
"The rooms are further back behind all this…" the waitress said indicating the small armory, "There aren't separate rooms to change though, mostly because we all risk our lives for each other daily. Also, we do know each other quite well… maybe too much at times, but there are clean beds! Oh and I'll be right back with some food."
"One moment milady, but I forgot to introduce myself," I said taking her hand and kissing it, "I am called Acaelus, the bane of Charles whom you have met."
"Oh my, you're nothing like what he made you seem. Quite the gentlemen aren't you?" I inclined my head to her with a small smile, "my name is Madelle, but I am mostly known only as M around here. Acaelus, don't be a stranger around here… we don't get many gentlemen in these parts."
She winked as she left the room and I could literally feel every ounce of my being warning me of danger. Smooth move there Acaelus… even I know that was just asking for trouble, I could hear Kasai gleefully in my mind. I suppose it is time to take my leave, I made a hasty retreat out of the tavern and scanned the town for a place to think. I spotted a high cliff and with the help of a disgruntled Aeris made it to the top in mere moments. Godspeed, the one word stood out in my mind from Charles' message, a word meaning good luck and our code word for serious trouble. I never should've left him with that Valkyrie; it's my fault for what has happened to him, I thought letting out a long sigh as I gazed into the setting sun.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything about Ragnarok Online 1 or 2.
A/N: Yes I know you don't have to tell me. THIS WAS ONE SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW update... took me until about New Years to get an idea that worked with me. Don't shoot me I'm fragile(ish) and have extremely low self-esteem (pfft, hardly). All jokes aside, I plan on getting back to bothof my stories, next chapter for my pokermon one is in the making now. I just simply had no idea what I was going to do or where I was planning to go with it, until now. Thanks for the ideas Laura you were a big help to my pokermon. Don't worry, Thanatos will be updating fairly soon because most of the ending I had figured out, just not anything before it LoLz.