Just a little disclaimer on something I felt like talking about
I did NOT put a gay character in my story to be 'edgy' or 'interesting' or 'unique'
Believe it or not, I've never written one before now so I simply wanted to try my hand at it, seriously that is the only reason
Anyway, sorry about not putting this up yesterday, stuff happened and I had a 10 hour Xenoblade / Awakening session today (think Drake & Josh 'Switchin to handheld!' I actually did that)
Chapter Twenty Three
The Hijtam Front: Part One
Refreshed and prepared, Soren and Mia's troop was set to depart from Yinshire two days after their first meeting with Rhogam and Tyazaer. Leah left for the Ymtar Snowfield the day before, wishing them luck and Mikel and Leena turned up that same day meeting Rhogam and Tyazaer for the first time as the group gathered around their hut.
Lyle and Soren glanced at Tyazaer's steed with Soren turning to her "I'm amazed that horses can stand the conditions up here."
Tyazaer nodded "Every nation has situations that animals adapt to, the Sarharan horses are more used to hot temperatures than those from Anondye or Numengate and the Regalshin horses have no worries for the cold, in my opinion, these are the strongest and most durable steeds in all of Ymarkteg, Pozem's rock climbing horses may be a close second but no way tougher than the snow treading, mountain climbing beasts we have up here."
Hearing another neigh, Soren turned his head in question to another horse standing near the hut which Rhogam was taking care of as Kay'Shera tended to Michalis next to her.
"Why do you have two horses?"
Tyazaer followed his glance to the other mount and shook her head "He isn't mine, he bolted here, no idea from where and I decided to take care of him…he came here with a ruined saddle and all that…I imagine some creep tried to force him to bend to his will or maybe his rider was lost, either way, he seems content here."
Soren nodded slowly and turned away as Lyle sighed and walked towards the approaching merchants who swapped the Numengate horses they received after the Myillheim incident for the larger and fit Regalshin steeds.
"Bringing two more people along, should we have stocked up on more supplies?" Lune asked.
Rhogam approached and shook his head "Tyazaer and I carry all our stuff on our backs, we've been doing it for as long as we've been questing so it's no problem."
"That is why we are known as The Questers, we live and breathe adventure, and it's made us very adaptable."
Mikel grinned "I can see why Leah directed us to you; this trip is going to rock!"
Leena shook her head "Don't get too excited right now, we're scaling mountains taller than the Ymtar Range this time."
To'Eltz watched as Kay'Shera and Tyazaer mounted their beasts and moved alongside the carts, Kay'Shera taking off into the air "We're all set?" Nodding to To'Eltz, Soren signaled the rest of the group and they left Yinshire behind, heading into the Hijtam Front.
Out in the cold Norad Jyuugo came to a stop as shadows flashed across the white snow and a powerful breeze blew past him.
"Hm…it's not Kanahana, Dalton or Asai…who is this?"
Turning as a man materialized from a shadow on the ground surrounded by two kneeling assassins, he smiled at Jyuugo but the evil man was able to tell that this stranger had no positive feelings.
"Cut the crap…who are you and what do you want?"
"Oh? You don't know who we are? I must say, that is very disappointing…for once I thought we had some competition."
Jyuugo laughed "We know we have no competition, we don't bother to look into all the scums running around in the unknown underground of this continent…a few minutes of research and we'll know who you are, doubt the info will help us in any way."
"I'm not here to fight you…not yet…you are of The Midnight, correct?"
Jyuugo nodded with a vile smirk as the stranger continued "We've learned that someone who…was…a member of our…group has been traveling with your targets…"
Jyuugo crossed his arms "So you want him?"
"I'd like your promise to stay out of our conflict until it's resolved…or else…"
Narrowing his eyes, they began to glow "Don't threaten me, Sarharan…"
The two guards shot at Norad Jyuugo, who reached behind him bringing out a massive axe with one hand and a shining blade with the other. Killing both assassins instantly, both weapons crashed into the snow, Jyuugo shot towards the stranger, bringing a tome out from his cloak and stopping with a black bolt of electricity forming in his hand against the other man's forehead.
"Whoever you are…let your superiors know that
The Sarharan sighed "Very well then…"
Vanishing, Norad Jyuugo retrieved his weapons and walked off into the cold
Crossing over a large snow hill, Rhogam stopped at the top and took a deep breath as the rest of the group continued "I love it out here! Though right now I feel really damn good, more so than usual!"
Orgoth passed by him "You must be anticipating reaching the Negative Wastes."
The Quester nodded and continued "It has been a long time…though we first have to pass over a snow bridge with the icy cold Cerulean River passing beneath it heading to the northern bay."
Orgoth nodded "And then there is the Hijtam Shield right?"
As they followed the rest of the group, Rhogam sighed "Regalshin's capital has one of the most ideal placements of all the capitals of Ymarkteg…Amaryllis is in the open, defending itself with massive catapults and ballistae while Shuize is surrounded by hot scorching deserts."
Soren slowed his pace and fell into step next to Orgoth and Rhogam "And the Numengate capital…doesn't each city have huge forts of their own?"
Rhogam nodded "Numengate was a bitch to invade during the warring ages; the garrisoned troops within the forts had supplies to last them much longer than the attacking forces could hope to hold out their assault and the supply lines were well defended…"
Orgoth turned, facing past the horizon towards Numengate as Rhogam continued.
"Regalshin is lucky to have a large mountain range to the west of its capital, slowing any assaults from Sarhara and Numengate, with nothing but ocean to the back they only need to watch their southern and eastern ends against some angry Numengate armies or bold Pozem forces…of course this was during the warring ages."
Soren looked ahead as the group continued alongside the merchant carts, Tellius was a lot like Ymarkteg in the past as well, embroiled in constant war between Beorc and Laguz and even the species themselves. Both managed to overcome their troubles and now live in peace, however the things that have begun to emerge in Ymarkteg including the modern enemies in the Archduke Dalton, the Sarharan Brothers and Sir Ervill. True threats hid in the massive continent at peace with itself and that worried Soren, not knowing where or when The Midnight might decide to show themselves.
As they neared the snow bridge Wyre turned to Mikel "Where did you go anyway? While we were meeting with Rhogam and Tyazaer you were nowhere to be seen…even on the second relaxation day."
Mikel laughed "Nothing to worry about Wyre, I was just…uh, just taking time out to have some fun."
"Fun? That could mean anything."
"Yeah…" Staring at Mikel, Wyre shook his head "Regardless, I suppose it wasn't too bad of a thing…just make sure in serious situations you are close by."
Saluting to Wyre, Mikel nodded "No worries, when it comes to combat and being serious, I am one of the most dependable!"
As Wyre turned his attention elsewhere, Mikel glanced back to Leena having a conversation with Wayu and To'Eltz; the mercenary caught his look and gave a small smile before returning to the matter at hand.
Ahead of them, Michalis flew low so that Kay'Shera could speak with Tyazaer on horseback "You name a lot of the locations you come across?"
The paladin nodded "Nothing special, we just give it the Quester Brand such as the Quester Pillars that surround the snow bridge and the Quester Pit, an area of snow cliffs that spiral deep down, those are further south along this front."
Mia turned back to the rushing water "How cold is that water? Do you use it?"
"Honestly, I'd rather not, it is deathly cold even for me, but during long quests I resort to it for baths and that sort of thing, of course my steed has no problem with me using it to clean him."
Kay'Shera flew higher a bit before coming back down, "There is a small patch of snow in the middle of a small lake created by the Cerulean River, what is that?"
"Quester Island, a small area we use to camp, since the rushing cold water is on all sides, it protects us from any would be bandits. It allows us to get an uninterrupted and comfortable sleep compared to the Glacial Cave or the peaks of the Hijtam Shield."
Lyle glanced around as the three continued talking, Mia looked over at him and left the conversation "You alright, Lyle?"
He looked over at the trueblade and smiled "Of course…don't worry about me."
"You did tell me about the times you felt sick in the past…is that happening again?"
Lyle shook his head "I promise that is not the case…I'm just…observing."
As the group continued the Hijtam Shield drew closer, the high peaks and mountain trails becoming clearer and more daunting when they realized that the Umbarra Heights where even taller, the highest elevation in all of Ymarkteg.
"Hope you were all being honest about your tenacity and endurance…merchants!" Rhogam called out as the troop continued marching. Fistivus and Lune turned to face him as he approached "Careful with your carts, I'd say trust your steeds but the path we are taking to get through quickest can be a little treacherous. If we keep this pace, by sunset we'll have the Fortress City of Pyrnaz in sight! So let's move!"
With the merchant's confirmation that they'd be careful the group moved even closer to the frosty peaks.
Elsewhere, Kanahana landed softly near a small cave "Norad Jyuugo!"
The man in question emerged to face the vampire "Thank you for showing the proper respect for once, Kanahana…what do you want?"
"Did you recently have a run in with-"
"No need to ask what you know the answer to…I'm certain whoever they were, they're smart enough to realize my threat was sound…if they emerge within my borders again, I'll wipe them out."
The vampire nodded "What of Murawk and Meloi?"
"You operate beneath him, though I was responsible for getting you that position…how did you lose sight of those two?"
"I didn't think it necessary to watch them after we severed ties but as it turns out, he desires their every move be monitored."
Jyuugo laughed and returned to his cave "So you weren't interested in the men I met with, you just want me to save your hide again…you don't show a lot of respect for the man who brought you back to life you know."
Kanahana spat and turned away "I don't need to hear this; I'm just as important a member of The Midnight as you…don't forget that!" Flying away, Jyuugo exited and stared after him with a few sheets of paper in his hand. "I never said I wouldn't aid you…" shaking his head he returned to his temporary keep once again.
Ascending the Hijtam Shield, Fistivus and Lune followed by Rhogam, Tyazaer, Mia, Lyle and Wyre with Kay'Shera hovering overhead. Behind the carts Soren led Wayu, Mikel, To'Eltz, Leena and Orgoth, all prepared should anything go awry, specifically running into any Polar Herions or more likely, the Hijtam Oron that live in the Glacial Cavern further south, several travel through these peaks as well.
Wayu glanced over to To'Eltz and Orgoth "Do you think we'll come across the Korgans or Dune Guard up here?"
Orgoth shook his head "We haven't seen them since Myillheim, after Murawk's threat in Sarhara Palace he vanished as well, and with the exception of Mia, the last time any of us saw Meloi was when he attacked us in the Craw Desert."
To'Eltz nodded "It actually saddens me that I have to wait longer before I kill Meloi and take back what is rightfully mine…"
Wayu looked at the trickster nervously, ever since he joined he has been against sharing anything of his past and that made her uncomfortable with putting trust in him. Mia and Soren believe him to be an excellent ally in that he is a great fighter for the situations but as a person, she isn't too sure.
Orgoth spoke her mind and asked To'Eltz "What did he steal? What was your true mission in the desert back there?"
Hearing this, Soren fell into step within the group "You guys are lagging behind, Mikel and Leena are far ahead already, we have no time to discuss this and especially no time to start distrusting each other."
As To'Eltz moved on ahead, Soren turned to Orgoth "Though I appreciate your attention to detail."
Orgoth nodded and Wayu sighed, Soren glanced at her and smiled "It's alright Wayu; there is nothing for you to worry about when it comes to To'Eltz.
Wayu smiled at this; while she held no trust for To'Eltz she trusted Soren, Mia and Wyre with her life.
Mikel and Leena walked together behind the caravan, Leena constantly pushing Mikel's arms away "They're right behind us you…gorilla!"
Mikel laughed at that "C'mon Leena, you definitely aren't one to be shy, I would know."
"Maybe so, but I am one to be pissed off and you are on a right path heading there, you're like a young boy with only one thought in your head!"
"So you are going back to being abrasive and insulting? That's cool with me, I like this game!"
As Mikel continued laughing, Leena rolled her eyes now aware the rest of the rear group has caught up.
As they continued up the mountain Rhogam pointed out several creatures hiding from the group or otherwise staring at them with curiosity.
Lyle noticed a bunch of lizards skittering across the frosty surface to which Tyazaer stated "The Hijtam Salems are very fast and hard to catch creatures, people consider them a delicacy though in my opinion the struggle to catch them isn't worth it."
"Are you mad!? Those things are delicious!" Rhogam called out to which Tyazaer shook her head "Most men say the same thing, maybe it's just a female thing."
Above Kay'Shera called "We had some of those sent to the roc barracks in the past, I think they're great!"
"You aren't helping!" The paladin called back up, to which Kay'Shera shrugged.
As Mia laughed, Lyle turned to stare further up the mountain then turned around completely, facing the horses pulling Fistivus' cart. Wyre placed a hand on his shoulder as they continued to talk "Are you sure you're alright Lyle? You are unbelievably jumpy."
Lyle shrugged off Wyre's hand "Don't talk to me."
As Lyle walked away, Wyre stared after him, narrowing his eyes as the group rounded a turn.
As they proceeded, Soren and Mia glanced up higher, hearing a pebble skip across the mountain side before breaking on the floor near the group.
Looking up again, Soren's pupils shifted and he noticed strange movement among the snow "Are those…"
Before he could finish there was a rumble, the entire group came to a stop with Rhogam turning to Tyazaer and the pair began speaking quickly.
The Froghul cursed as Tyazaer reared her horse "Faster all! Avalanche!"
As the rumbling started again, more icy stones slid down the mountain, the group began moving quicker as heavy snow fell down the side of the mountain around them.
Soren glanced above quickly seeing Kay'Shera take off as a huge wall of snow descended on them.
With a mighty leap he created a large whirlwind around them to counter the snow that threatened to knock them over the edge, as he continued to hold on, Kay'Shera screamed at them. Looking up Soren noticed the strange things he saw earlier where silhouettes of men, transparent silhouettes.
Weaving through the whirl wind a man landed near Soren and shot towards him, blade in hand, Leena easily countered the attack, holding him in place as Mikel fired an arrow into his shoulder.
The man vanished again though the arrow remained in his shoulder floating around. "The hell!? He is invisible!"
Soren finally stopped the spell as the snow stopped crashing, he noticed the merchant carts and Mia's group was gone "Shit, the avalanche split us up! Quick! We need to get to the other side!"
Two figures shot at him, Orgoth stopped one but the other breezed past Soren, not harming him at all "What?"
Turning he saw the assassin clashing blades with To'Eltz.
"We've found you at last…The Altar demands you to come back to us…don't force our hand!"
"Hm? You must work for that bastard Quo'Eltis…only he trained such disrespectful followers."
As the assassin tried to push against To'Eltz, Wayu leapt nearby and ran him through, weakening his stance, To'Eltz flipped around and sliced into the man's throat as the assassin Orgoth stopped broke away and was joined by five more including the one Mikel wounded.
"We are The Altar and our desire is To'Eltz in out custody…hand him over and no more blood needs to be spilled!" one of the assassins called out.
Standing together, Soren, Orgoth, Leena, Mikel, Wayu and To'Eltz armed themselves as the six assassins took their poses as well with the supposed leader sighing.
"Very well, today we end six lives!"
On the other side of the heavy snow, Mia's group was cut off and trying to put together what happened.
Tyazaer shook her head "That was not a natural avalanche; we wouldn't bring you up this way if it was."
"Then what was the whole 'riskiest' part about this?"
"Obviously the narrow paths! We have two merchant carts for crying out loud! Shit, what do we do now Tyazaer?"
The woman glanced about, she noticed Kay'Shera still airborne "Kay'Shera! Take one of us to find out what is going on with Soren! The rest of us, follow me, there will be a roundabout route!"
Volunteering himself, Kay'Shera grabbed Lyle and took off as the team charged ahead with the merchants close behind.
Soren dove aside from another brutal sword slash and countered with a quick Elwind which the assassin dodged just as easily before dashing and flipping in the air, impaling his sword into the ground as Soren sidestepped and drew out his own blade. With a quick spin the assassin kicked Soren's sword away before pulling his out of the rock. Soren leapt away but the blade still managed to cut across his chest. Sliding to a halt with the assassin barreling down on him, Soren released a powerful Arcwind that caught the assassin in the middle of his charge and threw him away.
Orgoth spun away from the rapid strikes, occasionally colliding with his armor. "You can't hope to harm me like this!" Dashing forward, Orgoth shot his spear head out which the assassin leapt away from. "Maybe not, but you are not fast enough to gouge me!"
Spinning at Orgoth, the assassin cut deep into his armor, before flipping around, ducking below a lance strike and stabbing Orgoth in his unprotected side. With a grin, Orgoth pushed forward, knocking the man back, the assassin realized the blade was still in Orgoth; he quickly dodged another lance strike, and fished out his bow and arrows before opening fire on the knight who used his massive upper body armor to deflect the arrows.
Leena and the assassin continued to clash their weapons; occasionally she raised the small shield on her right arm to deflect a sword strike before following up with a small cut into the shifty assassin. "You are very tricky, unfortunately that is all you have going for you!"
The assassin laughed "Not at all!" Leena raised an eyebrow as the man continued to attack her, not noticing Mikel was watching the fight as well.
"Hey!" Turning he took a few slashes across his armor and one down his left arm. Stumbling back and swinging with his right, his axe slammed into the ground, the assassin flipping over and landing easily, spinning his blade.
"You aren't even paying attention to this fight!" As the assassin continued to pile on the pressure, Mikel spun and threw his axe at the man who easily rolled out of the way, he stood only to take an arrow to the chest as Mikel ducked behind a rock.
"Again!?" The assassin tore the arrow out and lunged towards Mikel.
Shield on her left arm, Wayu blocked many of the assassin's attacks just like Leena. However, she didn't have enough time to strike back with her weighty spear as the man darted around her. "What's the matter?" The man dove in from behind; she spun around knocking the attack away with her lance before slamming her shield into his face, breaking his nose.
Fair to say the assassin didn't see that coming or the second hit as the shield smacked him along the side of his head.
To'Eltz and the apparent leader of the small group stood across from each other "What is your name? Who did that coward see fit to place in command of this unit?"
"Ejim'Wot…"
"Ejim'Wot!" The assassin smiled at To'Eltz face until the trickster continued "Never heard of you."
Angry the man charged at him, blade being countered by short sword and the unbridled rage made Ejim'Wot's moves sloppy. Seizing every chance, To'Eltz stabbed the man in his sides and legs.
As they continued an assassin called out "Roc!" they noticed Kay'Shera overhead, one attempted to shoot her, but the arrow was slashed in midair by Lyle as he leapt off her roc and landed on the battlefield. Seeing what was going on, Kay'Shera returned to Mia's group.
With his foe facing the other direction, Mikel smacked him with the flat of his axe, forcing him to the ground. Stepping on his back, Mikel raised his weapon high and buried it into the back of the man's head.
Turning he noticed Leena cry out as her assassin struck at her shield hard, she felt it up and down her arm. Falling useless to her side she countered his blade again, the two were breathing hard from the constant attacks "You…sure look like….you…are wearing…yourself out…assassin…"
Breaking the clash, Leena charged forward cutting his arm, causing him to yell and drop his blade. Mikel fist bumped and charged over, Leena heard him yell and turned, he slid to a stop behind her, knocking away an arrow from another assassin that disengaged from Wayu.
"Thanks, Mikel…"
Wayu continued to pursue her opponent with her lance as he moved away shooting at her repeatedly. Suddenly, Lyle shot by and slid across the ground, knocking the assassin's feet from below him. With a leap and a few spins, Wayu landed on the man, spear deep in his chest forcing blood to explode out of his mouth before he died.
Turning to thank Lyle, the swordmaster had already taken off.
Soren evaded another strike and attempted to blast the man away but he continued to dodge the blows, cursing, Soren rolled over and grabbed his blade. Preparing to take a hit to finish the job as the assassin flew in; Lyle landed in front of Soren and caught the blade with one weapon while stabbing the man in the stomach with the other. Following up Soren moved around Lyle and finished the man off.
As the assassin fell dead, Soren looked to a higher cliff where Mia's group stood and acknowledged them.
As Orgoth felt another attack bounce off his back he spun and missed again "This is highly irritating!"
"I can't hurt you, you can't hit me…actually…I already got you, the blood loss will kill you, sooner or later!"
As Orgoth turned to stick his spear in the ground, the assassin narrowly dodged it, Orgoth noticed To'Eltz engaged with the group leader and spinning his lance fired the spear head towards them. The knight's foe came to a stop "Ejim'Wot! Look out!"
With a smirk, Orgoth spun, pulling on the spear head, causing it to shoot back in an arc and into the assassin's chest. Unable to breathe, the man stared at the weapon in his body in utter shock before falling over.
As Leena and the other assassin continued to clash, Leena noticed that the assassin wasn't as effective with his other arm, with a quick spin, he stumbled, missing a strike, she seized the opportunity and spun back around, sinking her blade into his arm. Screaming as the blade cut into his bone she kicked him to the ground before flipping over and killing him with one last blow.
"Is your arm alright?" Mikel asked examining her shield arm.
She stood, taking deep breaths and nodded "No, hurts like a bitch but you look to be worse for wear…how many hits did you take?"
Shrugging, Mikel laughed and stated that he didn't know but Leena continued to look at the gashes, unsure of what to say.
Seeing all his men fall, Ejim'Wot broke away from To'Eltz; despite his injuries he fled quickly "This isn't over To'Eltz! The Altar will have you and your friends' heads!"
Vanishing as Mia's group arrived, Soren and Wyre tended to the wounded as To'Eltz looked in the direction that Ejim'Wot ran before returning to the others.
Lyle approached the trickster "What the hell was that all about?"
To'Eltz walked right past him and up to Soren who turned to face him, the Sarharan kept his eyes on Soren as if making a decision, before he spoke, Soren cut in.
"I've never asked you to tell us anything, despite my own reservations because we need someone like you…is this important?"
To'Eltz turned away and thought to himself "I've only been using these people to avenge Jyim'Son by killing Meloi…and protect myself from the Altar…I never imagined they would come after me with everything going on…"
The trickster sighed harshly, unable to come to a decision before looking around him to the rest of the group before landing on Soren again. Nodding he spoke "I'll tell you what is necessary to know…no more, no less."
Norad Jyuugo is a Dread Fighter! I don't have one in Awakening, don't have the DLC, but some day...some day...
Anyway, part two is comin your way in like...soon
