Hey, guys! I'm happy to see that last chapter was better received! Shout outs:
SorasApprenticeNumberOne: Thanks! Well, I've made some changes to the Archdemon to make it more formidable, but it is a very cool villain! Xaldin was supposed to make Marek find new strengths, something Eclipse wants. Yeah, he can't use it very often. Think of it like a Drive form.
Legionary Prime: Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! I do agree with you about the last battle in DA2, but I'd like to see Hawke return for Inquisition, at least as a cameo.
Lucenthia: Thanks, and yeah, there is a reason behind the powers he's getting, it's not just to make him even more of a badass. Just remember that Eclipse wants him to get more powerful, too.
The Unknowing Herald: I'm glad, then! There is, and I'll reveal it a little further into the story. Haha, don't worry, I have no intention of doing that!
Celeron96: Thanks, and the wings are demonic. Think of them almost like Genesis' or Sephiroth's wing, except he has one on each shoulder. They have visors there, just not necessarily one like his.
Shadowdragon1317: Thank ya! Haha, so true! Well, it's one of my trademarks, isn't it!
TWI1IGHTMAST3R: Ha, what'd Xaldin do to you? Not unlimited, and not necessarily like a bird, but that's the gist of it! Thanks!
Well, I don't own Kingdom Hearts, yada yada. You know what I own, hopefully. Enjoy the Battle of Denerim!
Chapter 25: Unexpected Allies
(Attack on Denerim, Dragon Age Origins)
"The gates won't hold much longer!" they heard someone yell as they raced toward the army amassed in front of the city's entrance. Aedan drew his sword off his back as he met up with Alistair, who was leading the defense.
"We make our stand here, men of Fereldan!" he yelled. His soldiers yelled in reply and readied themselves for battle as Aedan, Leliana, Sten, Shale, Marek, and Riordan gathered around Alistair.
"The Archdemon will no doubt be commanding its army from the front lines. We must be ready to defeat it. I will pave a way toward the top of Fort Drakon. Hopefully, we can trap the beast there and destroy it. Remember our duty, Aedan." Riordan announced. Leliana looked at her lover questioningly, but Aedan silently nodded without looking at her.
"I am ready." he replied. Riordan nodded quickly.
"Then I suggest taking Marek and no more than three others into the city with you. Those who stay behind can aid in the defense here." he told him. Aedan nodded and turned to them as Riordan set off into the city.
"They can't win this fight." Marek said quietly, loud enough for only Sten to hear him.
"I once agreed with your thoughts, but the Warden has since convinced me otherwise. He will defeat the Archdemon. He is strong enough, I know that now." the Qunari replied as he glanced at him and readied his sword. Shale narrowed her eyes as she looked past the army and at the gates. She then felt something splat onto her shoulder, and did not even have to look at what it was.
"YOU DAMNED FEATHERED FIENDS!" she roared, picking up a decent sized rock and hurling it up at the bird. The pigeon easily dodged it, but the rock fell over the other side of the city wall and crushed two Darkspawn. Marek sighed and rubbed his forehead as Aedan tried to decide who to take into the city with him.
"I should have known you would be at the middle of all the chaos, Uncle." a voice calmly called out. Marek raised an eyebrow as he looked up and saw three armored figures descending toward them on Keyblade riders.
"What are you doing here?" he asked back as he turned away. Rayne reached the ground a second before Lea and Kairi did, the former dismissing his helmet with a loud exhale.
"Hello to you too, oh great one." he muttered as he and Kairi dismounted. Rayne stepped toward her uncle, not truly knowing whether to trust him or not.
"Jason sent us to search for Corruption, and we found a huge reading of corrupted energy here, so we came to check things out. Why are you here?" she countered. He turned and looked at her, staring into her hazel eyes, which indeed seemed more green than anything else. He didn't say anything at first, so she spoke. "Eclipse?" she guessed. Without replying, he walked over to Aedan.
"Figured out who you're taking yet?" he asked. The Warden looked at him and smiled slightly.
"Alistair needs to remain here, being the king and all. I don't want to send Leliana into battle against the Archdemon, it's too dangerous for her. But Sten has the most experience of leading troops, so he's the best suited to command the army here. That leaves you, me, and…" he began.
"And the stone creature that's afraid of birds." Marek finished with a groan. Aedan laughed slightly before being interrupted by Rayne.
"I'm not entirely sure what we're trying to do here, but I'll join you. My mission is to find out what Corruption intends to do with this world, and I'm pretty sure he's using that dragon for his own ends." she put in. Aedan stared at her for a moment, and looked at Marek questioningly, who shrugged his shoulders.
"I'd trust her before I trust most of the others in her organization." he replied. The Warden nodded and turned to her.
"Then thank you. Your help is welcome." he told her as he turned to his group. "Sten, you will remain here to lead the army against the Darkspawn. Lead them well." he announced. Sten nodded confidently. "Leliana, you will support him." Aedan then said.
"No way. I love you too much to let you go in there alone." she immediately said, expecting the decision. He shook his head.
"And I love you too much to let you go in there with me. My decision is final." he told her firmly. She narrowed her eyes, but knew where he was coming from. She turned away without another word and walked over by Sten. "Shale, you'll be accompanying Marek, Rayne, and I into the city." he finished.
"Appropriate. Without me, it would have to carry its inventory on its own, no doubt!" the golem replied as she marched over to where they were standing.
"Are you ready for this, Aedan?" Marek asked him, almost….caringly. Aedan smiled and glanced at him.
"Since when have you cared?" he asked. The Rikkison sighed and looked back at the road they were about to take.
"I guess, out of all the people I've met, you're the closest thing I've come to think of…..as a friend. Regardless, I hope Riordan takes that thing down before you have to." he replied. Aedan looked down, sincerely touched.
"Now I'm getting sentimental, Marek. I never knew you cared." he said, causing a snigger from the other man.
"Don't spread it around. I do have a reputation, you know. I may have to break someone's arm on the way to Fort Drakon just to keep it up." Marek muttered. With that, they nodded to each other and ran into the city, followed by Shale and Rayne. Meanwhile, Lea, Kairi, Leliana, Alistair, and Sten prepared to hold the gate as long as they could.
Unbeknownst to both parties, many of the Darkspawn had already breached the city from other sections of the wall, and were pouring into the several different parts of Denerim. (end Battle of Denerim)
MEANWHILE, OUTSIDE THE CITY…
Darkspawn stretched as far as the eye could see, or in this case, his visor. Eclipse avidly studied the corrupted creatures that obediently followed the dragon's commands. "This is the power of Corruption." he muttered to the hooded figure behind him. The figure lowered his hood and let his blue hair fall down past his shoulders. He calmly looked out at the city, preparing himself for the battle they were about to commence.
"Corruption has always been the lesser of the Divine Beings, has it not?" he questioned his master. Eclipse glanced at him.
"At one time, perhaps, but no more, Saix. Darkness is defeated, and spends his days trying to piece himself back together. Light has fled before the power of Jack and the LE, and so only Corruption retains the strength to challenge the Keybearers. Corruption's influence over his subjects is similar to that of you and your fellow Silhouettes. When I first released you, you could barely form words. The Silhouette of Marluxia, which was thoroughly defeated by Jack's brat, could barely speak his own name. But now, look at how much you have all come. True, we lost the dark wanderer, but with the Replica and all of the others, I have an army strong enough to strike fear into the heart of Jason. That old fool has been promoted well past his limit, and he doesn't have a clue about how to defeat me. Perhaps Corruption can finally draw the strongest among them out. Without Jack and Sora, they stand no chance against my master and I. But enough chitchat." he elaborated before staring down at the battle. He glanced down at the Archdemon, which he was standing on top of. "Attack!" he roared. The dragon let out a screeching roar, and the Darkspawn began the invasion while Eclipse, Saix, and the dragon took to the skies.
RADIANT GARDEN, ANSEM'S LIBRARY….
Ansem was calmly sorting his newest books when a visitor entered the room. A man he had not seen in quite a while, although his agents regularly patrolled the world. "Jason. Is there anything you are looking for?" he greeted. Jason smiled slightly as he walked up to him and nodded.
"I've searched through Yen Sid's old library, but I've found nothing more than a single sentence on what I am looking for. I was hoping you could help me." he explained. Ansem nodded as he walked through the various bookshelves.
"Of course, of course. What are you looking for?" he asked. When Jason said nothing, he turned and looked at him. The Keyblade master looked around, as if making sure nobody was listening, and walked toward him so he could speak softly.
"The Anvil of Keys. I need to see everything you have on it." he told him. The leader of Radiant Garden stared at him for several moments.
"I have honestly never heard of such a thing. But, perhaps there is something in here with the information you seek. Give me a moment." he replied. Jason nodded and followed him throughout the library, his silver cloak trailing behind him.
Ansem spent the next hour searching for anything that he thought may have any information about Jason's 'Anvil of Keys.' But, after not finding anything for that long, he gave up the search. "I am sorry, Jason. I cannot find anything in here that discusses what you are looking for. I am afraid I cannot help you." he told him. Jason nodded slowly and turned for the door.
"Then allow me to be of some assistance." a voice echoed through the room. Jason turned back in time to see Dawnomar's form appear.
"The last time we spoke, you informed me of terrible events that occurred because of the Divine Beings. Why are you offering your help now?" he questioned. Ansem stared in shock at Dawnomar's appearance, but the Ancient did not even look at him as he replied to Jason.
"The device that you seek is an ancient artifact. It holds power beyond measure, and for that reason, my people keep a constant watch on the world where it is kept. I am coming to you with this information now because our leader has called for a meeting of the Council at my behest. For this short amount of time, we shall all be in one place, our gaze turned from the Anvil. This will be the only time that you are able to look for it and possibly obtain it." he explained. Jason listened to his words, cautiously trusting the man.
"And why would you want me to take it?" he asked. Dawnomar sighed.
"So many damned questions, and you wonder why my kind does not like yours." he muttered. Without another word, he turned around and looked up at the ceiling, disappearing a moment later. Where he had just been standing, a book was sitting on the floor. Jason walked over to it and picked it up, opening it to a marked page in the book.
He looked up at Ansem. "What do you know of a world called Kamirran?" he asked him. Ansem's eyes darkened for a moment.
"Nothing of good report. Kamirran was a world of tyranny long ago, but now it is a dead world. Only horrid things reside there. Few who have set out for it have ever returned." he said. Jason nodded slowly.
"Well, that's where I'm heading. Something tells me this Anvil needs to be found. If it really does have the kind of power that Dawnomar said it does, then it could change the tide of this war against Corruption, or any war for that matter." he decided. Ansem shook his head.
"If you are bent on going, you should not do so alone." he told him.
"All of my agents are out on missions, and they're scattered across the universe. Dawnomar said we only have one chance to get to the anvil unseen by the Council. I can't afford to wait." Jason told him.
His mind bent on retrieving this powerful artifact, he left Radiant Garden and set in the coordinates the book had given him, Kamirran.
UNKNOWN WORLD….
"Are you sure this is it?" Aqua asked as they flew in to what looked like the remains of a massive base. Jack nodded, flying onto what looked like a landing platform and dismissing his rider. Terra landed next to him and looked around. The base was set in the middle of an empty black abyss. The creator of this base had placed it inside a pocket dimension in order to hide its existence. It was smart, but it made the scenery pretty dank.
"Eclipse was definitely a happy camper." he muttered as he and Aqua followed Jack inside. (Eclipse's Theme{Be True to Your Honor, Epic Score})
It didn't take long for them to see that a massacre had occurred among the self-titled Deathmakers. Hundreds of bodies littered the floor, both men and women. Each of them bore the same armor adorned by their insignia, the crescent moon eclipsing a shining sun. In a way, the insignia told Jack that these mercenaries were no more than tools of Eclipse. In all honesty, he wasn't that far off, either.
Aqua and Terra silently stared at their surroundings, disgusted by the sight before them. But, Jack didn't leave. He headed farther in. "I have to know." they heard him mutter. They followed him into the great hall, where even more bodies lay. He cautiously stepped over them and made his way toward the stairs that led up to what he assumed was the command center.
Reaching the room, he found the sliding door was jammed and that there was no power. He placed his hands on the small crevice where it was open and pushed as hard as he could. The door budged, not nearly enough for even Aqua to squeeze through. He sighed and turned to Aqua. She smiled slightly, and held up her hand.
A moment later, a blast of fire connected to it and sent it flying into the room, where it crushed a table. They stepped inside and looked around. "Look for some kind of power panel." Jack told them. They nodded and began looking around, holding balls of fire in their hands for light.
After a few minutes of searching, Terra felt something along the back wall. "Jack, over here." he said softly. Jack walked over and ran his hands along where Terra had motioned. Sure enough, there was something there. He pulled on the sides, and a section of the wall came out, revealing the power generator. He turned the lever and restored the power.
"I'm not sure how long that generator is gonna stay on." Aqua commented as she moved over to look out the window. Jack nodded as he moved over to camera station and began watching old footage.
"It'll work long enough." he replied simply. Terra meanwhile walked out the other door and found himself in an armory. He looked toward the wall at the other end and saw three sections. One had the name 'Aaron Drennan' over it. The second simply said "Kalanna." The last was the one that surprised him, for it said "Marek Rikkison."
"Hey, Jack…." he called out. Said man and Aqua walked into the room and looked at where he was pointing. Jack nodded, having watched the security footage he was looking for.
"Marek was a Deathmaker, and according the records I found, he was one of the three Overseers, the others being those two." he explained, pointing at the named locker-type areas.
"Who is Aaron Drennan?" Aqua asked him. Jack was silent for a moment as he walked out of the room and looked down at the bodies covering the great hall.
"Aaron Drennan, the footage says, is the greatest mercenary in the universe. He possesses immense supernatural powers, and went by the title of Eclipse." he answered. Aqua's eyes widened as she and Terra walked out to join him.
"Then who is Kalanna?" Terra asked him. Jack turned to him and shrugged his shoulders.
"Good question, but I think the only ones alive that know who she is are Eclipse and Marek. Those two used to be great friends, but something tore them apart. Something caused them to hate each other. But, I think if we can find Kalanna and ask her what happened, then we can figure out how to stop them from killing each other." he explained. (end Eclipse's Theme)
"Eclipse, where does he get his powers from? I mean, the Keyblade has made us a lot stronger than normal people, but there aren't any who have powers like he does." Aqua commented. Jack thought about that as they made their way to the exit.
"Dawnomar gave me the mission to track down my brother and Eclipse. He has to know something about him. I'm gonna go meet with Dawnomar. In the meantime, I want you two to search for Kalanna. She could be anywhere." he told them. They nodded, shuddering as they walked past the bodies again and reached the landing platform.
MEANWHILE, KINGDOM HEARTS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS….
"Dawnomar has brought to my attention the fact that Eclipse poses a far greater threat than we originally expected. The one who hired the bounty hunter has unleashed something very unpredictable. Aaron Drennan is a being with half of our genetics, along with the unpredictable strengths of humanity. I bring this before all of you now, so that we can determine our next course of action. Shall we stop Eclipse and whoever he is working for ourselves, or shall we let the humans save their own?" Maechil announced calmly, his contempt for humanity's idleness easily traceable in his voice.
Saenatar was the first to speak. "The humans have grown fat and lazy in our absence. They have forgotten us, and think they can handle their own affairs. Forget the mercenary, I say we remind humanity that we rule them, and not the other way around!" he yelled out, his rage getting the better of him. Maechil nodded to him, but held his hand up.
"Thank you for your input, but please, peace, Saenatar. We have not gathered to discuss humanity, but our role in its preservation." he told him. The angry man struggled to control his temper, but sat down at his superior's instruction. The calmest among them, the weather-regulating Maynaimar, spoke next.
"We do need the humans. They are the ones that require our energy to sustain their realm. I say let them save themselves and be reminded of just how much they depend on us." he calmly stated. Maechil nodded.
"So, Saenatar and Maynaimar have voted not to aid humanity. What of the rest of you?" he asked the room. Dawnomar slowly stood up, and many of his fellows visibly rolled their eyes at him.
"We should aid the humans. You all sit here and complain that they have forgotten us and our grandeur, but consider this: were we to save the humans, then we would remind them how much they need us, and they would know that we chose to save them." he told them. Anetar, the black haired man sitting next to him and his only trusted ally on the Council, stood up with him.
"I stand by Dawnomar. We should aid the humans, not let them be destroyed." he announced. Maechil nodded to them and looked at the remaining three: Adenar, Kunomar, and Tsunetar. All three simultaneously stood and faced Saenatar and Maynaimar, silently voting with them. Dawnomar knew this was the course they would take, and this reinforced his feelings of trusting no one on the Council.
"Then, this meeting is adjourned." Maechil announced.
Well, there was originally going to be more to this chapter, but I decided to split it in two! Hope you enjoyed it, and I have two announcements!
One, Celeron has posted a nicely done drawing of Eclipse on his DA account. The link is on both is profile and my own, so please check it out!
Two, due to several reasons, I had my cousin record as Jack(since he is the voice that I consider to be Jack) and I posted it on Youtube, so if you want to hear what I think Jack sounds like, check it out! The link is on my profile!
Anyway, hope you enjoyed it! Next chapter will be action-y, so be ready for it! Later!