So...I completely missed my deadline and I really screwed this one up and I feel terrible. I will try to have all these out in the next week while I also work on my anniversary chapter...again I'm sorry guys.

The Battle of Hook Coast

Three hours later, they had arrived in Hook Coast and were stepping off onto the cold ground. Warren took in a deep breath and sighed with relief smiling. "We're here!"

Amara had thrown on a fur coat to stay warm and it seemed most of the crew had done the same. Thomas had slipped on a pair of gloves and a scarf, buttoning up his jacket. Jon and Aaron had slipped on fur coats as well to keep out the cold. Only Warren seemed to be dressed the same, his bare chest welcoming the cold as Midnight danced around in the snow. "Well we're here," Madlyn said, "You can complete your business and we'll be waiting for you to return." Amara waved as they walked off following Warren. Warren however looked over his shoulder as he swore he saw a black robed man emerge from below deck. They walked for a while through the streets before Warren entered a store where the store owner was busy taking inventory.

"La ha'ol minashem!" Warren yelled excitedly.

The store owner wheeled around and his jaw dropped in surprise and joy, "Warutien Mest! Welcome, it has been many a year since you left for the Heroes Guild! I was afraid you had died when the Guild fell, but then I heard of a Hero who spoke to the wolves and had the powers of a Balverine and I knew that it must be none other than little Warutien all grown!" He ran forward with his arms stretched wide, a large grin across his face.

Warren embraced him and they both laughed chatting away in the language used by the denizens of Snowspire, before stopping and realizing no one else could keep up. "So what do you need my friend?"

"A trip home would be nice; I have to take my friends there to visit the Keep." He said with a grim face.

The man looked afraid, "Warutien, do you mean to show them the Vault? What dangers do we face for you to seek it out?"

"I do not know minashem," He said resting a hand on his friend's shoulder, "but an old Hero has embraced the power of the Void, and I believe he is training others to do so. He kidnapped one of my friends who is an expert on the workings of Will and the Old Kingdom, and I fear he has plans that could destroy Albion as we know it." He said.

"Oracle help us." The man said as he put his hands together as if in prayer, and waved them at the sky, "I shall take you to Snowspire Warutien, be safe; your mother prayed for you every day, and I would hate to tell her of your passing."

"Thank you minashem, I'll have a boat ready for you by the time you are done packing, may the Oracle bless you." He said bowing.

"And may your future remain bright as the stars you were born under Warutien." He smiled wide, as he waved his hand overhead to indicate the heavens.

As they left the store Amara asked him, "What does your name mean, Warutien?

"It means 'Wolf Fang.' I was born during the year of the Wolf, to the Hero Fang, my mother was a priestess and I have always had an affinity with wolves and other animals. It is my birth right and my gift." He said with a chuckle as he pet his lovable wolf companion.

"And minashem?" She asked, not remembering that word among his many Heroic memories.

"It means 'brother'; he was a servant in my father's house." He said with a fond smile, "We were close."

As they walked down to the dock, Madlyn and her crew stood at the pier with a strange man in a black and red robe. "Oh shit, you have got to be kidding me!" As Warren finished that statement Marcus began to walk down the deck with his helmet tucked under his arm. He had pale grey skin with small black horns and red eyes. Dark purple will lines traced over his face and made the whites of his eyes glow purple as well.

"Well so it seems that we are all gathered here. I see you have met Madlyn." He said motioning to his protégé who waved at them with her fingers, a roguish smile on her face.

Amara looked on in shock, "Madlyn, how, how could you?"

Madlyn shrugged nonchalantly, "What can I say, he offered me power and riches beyond my wildest dreams, who am I to argue?"

Django turned and looked at them, "It's not her fault, and the Master will not be denied."

Marcus put the spiked helm over his head and slid the face mask into place so that only his red eyes could be seen. "And now I shall end this pitiful resistance. It's a shame; I had high hopes for you Warren."

"I don't need your pity Marcus." Warren drew his sword, and the other's followed suit. Thomas readied his aim and kept Excalibur ready at his side. Jon rest his hammer on his shoulder, the augments making lightning, ice, and fire swirl around the head of the hammer. Aaron spun his two hatchets and began to crouch, ready to run into the fray. Amara pulled out her bow, and Warren's memories flashed through her head again. She saw the weak points of the pirates and was able to rapidly calculate the distance, strength, wind resistance, and elevation. The pirates drew their pistols and cutlasses and let out a roar.

Time seemed to slow down for Amara as she zeroed in on the pirates and their weak spots. "Separate!" Warren screamed as the other Heroes moved out of Amara's way as the arrows flew striking pirates in the legs, the chest, and the head with such speed and accuracy that the enemy Heroes barely had time to respond. But Madelyn was swift, and she had keen eyes. She had moved ahead of the pack so that when Warren and the others separated she had a clean shot down the middle. Amara readied another arrow, but Madlyn kicked her in the face. As she landed on the ground and her bow clattered away from her and she rose immediately to try and retrieve it. Madlyn saw her go for it and ran over to her and kicked her again.

"So this is what's precious to you huh?" She asked with a sneer as she placed her foot on it.

"That was my mother's, give it back!" She screamed as she ran forward, but Madlyn splintered it with a few swift kicks. The white wood and pink paint shattered and the world stopped for Amara. Her mother's gift to her, she had made it in anticipation of her birth and had given it to the Guild Master. The tears flowed and Amara's scream pierced the port as she fell to her knees, before looking at Madlyn with sheer wrath. She shot out a bolt of lightning that struck Madlyn and set her back towards Aaron.

Warren turned and ran back to her and shook her bringing her eyes to meet his, "Amara, I need you to channel that feeling, own it."

Amara built all her rage into one, focusing on the pirates around them who tried to keep them enclosed and gathered the blue crackling ball of electricity before unleashing it on all her foes. The pirates flew back, and the enemy Heroes stood in awe before making ready to take on Amara and her friends.

Thomas and Django engaged each other their Will powers clashing in flashes of white and black wisps Light and Shadow clashing like a battle of the divine and the damned. Aaron and Madlyn were engaged in a dance of death her cutlasses and his hatchets a rhythmic clang with the metal. The blood lust consumed Aaron's eyes, "Let's up the tempo!" He cried madly as his arms became a flurry and the blow's increased. Marcus and Jon clashed the mace and hammer striking and making a sound like a forge. Warren helped her rise and he looked deep into her eyes, "I need you to stay here for me and keep the pirates off my back. I need you to protect me." He turned his back to her and she saw the wolf on his jacket and he entered the battle. The heart of his blade glowed blue and pale azure flames danced across the black surface. "The Will of Fire, how many years has it been since I've seen it?" Marcus asked.

"At least 20, but I was only 10 at the time." He said bluntly looking down the man who was the root of his problems.

"True, but now we shall see if your flames are as pitiful as they were then." He said overconfidently.

"Don't count on it." Warren said as he jumped in and Jon stepped aside as the blade collided and a sea of blue flames washed over Marcus. A black sphere was summoned then dissipated by the flames.

"What is this?" Marcus cried in surprise.

"These flames are an extension of my Will. They are as strong as any spell I can throw at you, and get stronger the more driven I am." He said with a smile, "And right now all I want is your head on a spit!"

Madlyn and Django must have been distracted seeing their master take a hit like that, because Aaron and Thomas overpowered them in an instant. Django lay on his back facing the glittering golden blade pointed at his throat and the pistol aimed down at him for good measure. Aaron wrestled Madlyn to the ground and held her pinned, "So, come here often?" she said with a smirk. As the flames dissipated Marcus stood there unharmed but with deeply scorched armor. His mace a molten glob in his hands, "It seems you've done some growing up in the past 20 years. When I attacked you at the tower you were a washed up husk and I was honestly ashamed that Ruby had chosen you as her apprentice. I offered to let you join me, and what did you say?"

"Blow it out your ass." He replied with a smirk.

"Ah yes, but now it hasn't been but a month and you are already leaps and bounds ahead of where you were. What changed?" He asked trying to decipher the mystery.

"A stubborn little girl and a fancy rich man pulled me out of my pit and made me a Hero once more." He replied, "They gave me a purpose, and now that I have that my Will is stronger than ever."

"Indeed, it seems I can't underestimate you anymore." He said as he extended his palm and a purplish ooze came from his hands, "Django, Madlyn, we're leaving."

The three of them faded into shadows and all that was left were the corpses and the boat. They sat there panting and relishing their small victory. "Warutien, what happened here?"

Warren looked back at the shop keeper, "I told you I'd get you a boat!"