Super stoked with how this re-edit came out.
A lot of plot details from the Anondye Arc of Ymarkteg are explained here.
Mainly everything that happened in the Apothecary's Keep.
The picture, the strange lab and a lot about this apothecary herself
Chapter Forty Two
Ebony Median, Golsaehr: Part Two
"Sir!" Istequil turned to see one of the guards, the Braver followed the man through the combat back towards the main gate "Krey, what news do you bring?"
"Reinforcements from the Citadel will not be coming…"
Istequil shook his head "What? Surely King Althropos knows that we-"
"There are hordes of Midnight scaling the walls around the Citadel…they need all their bodies to protect the Citadel and our King."
Istequil spat "Shit…I didn't think they'd attack the city and the Citadel…if the Midnight doesn't stop warping in soon we'll be fighting a losing battle with no reinforcements."
"I'm sorry sir…"
"No need to apologize Krey, rejoin Gill and Dawson and help us protect the city…to the last man if necessary."
Krey nodded "Yes sir!"
Uhnie slit a man's throat and leapt away as an axe embedded itself where she stood. Turning she noticed a woman casually walking through the battlefield with a heavily armored man wielding a massive axe behind her. Every time someone approached the man behind her would rip them to shreds and occasionally she would burn the men to a crisp.
Uhnie spun her blade "Hey bitch!"
Versha stopped "I know you aren't talking to me…"
"Who are you…and who's your friend?"
"My name is Asai Versha of the Midnight's Pozem Division and this is Midnight 3…you must be one of Soren and Mia's irritating little friends."
"Soren and Mia? I'll be doing them a favor if I-"
The assassin quickly leapt aside as Midnight 3's axe crashed into the ground. The warrior pursued the assassin as she continued to evade his strikes.
Versha smiled "I'm sorry…were you saying something?"
Orkra leapt aside as a heavily armored soldier attacked her "I am Midnight 4…you will die here."
"Midnight 4? How many of you are there?"
As Midnight 4 raised his clawed hand Orkra brought her shield up and stopped his attack. Zihark leapt over and brought his blades down on Midnight 4's claw. The warrior easily swung his arm back and tossed Zihark across the field.
Orkra rolled away as the massive claw buried into the ground.
She turned and saw a man in a large black cloak approaching her "Orkra…didn't expect to see you still alive."
"Who are you?"
"Dalton Pesh…former Archduke of Myillheim now high ranking commander of The Midnight…Golsaehr will fall…you can't stop us."
Without drawing a weapon Pesh charged Orkra, she swung her axe which he easily avoided before grabbing Orkra's arm, swinging her around and slamming her into the ground. Tearing the axe away from her he took a few steps aside and threw it into one of Numengate's cavaliers. As the man fell dead Pesh turned to Orkra as she stood and pulled out her blade. Pesh cracked his knuckles as she charged him again.
With a mighty spin, Leah's blade dug deep into a Reaver. As the man dropped his axe and fell dead, a spear shot past him and into another man. With her large shield Helena deflected several attacks and retrieved her spear, swinging around she struck a man across the face with her shield before burying her spear in him.
Leah whistled "Impressive." Helena turned to him and smiled, the pair shot past each other killing one man each before facing each other again.
"Someone was behind you." Helena stated to which Leah nodded "Likewise."
"You!" Leah turned and brought his blade up in time to stop an enemy sword. The blade was golden; the man wielding it had a mask covering the area below his nose and tall dark blue hair. His dark green cloak flowed behind him and his visible bright red eye focused on Leah "You are the strongest man here…so I'll do you the honor of being killed by me."
Zijo Oit pushed him away and swung his blade "Who the hell are you?" Leah demanded as he spun his own blade.
"My name is Zijo Oit, Midnight commander serving under Norad Jyuugo."
"Zijo Oit? Wait…where did you hear that name?" Zijo Oit shot at Leah and their blades flashed as they collided repeatedly. Nearby Tyse Erent came to a stop and sighed as he watched Zijo Oit and Leah fight.
He turned as a man charged him and stopped the blade with his lance. With his free hand he took out a tome calling down a bolt of thunder. As his foe was struck and began screaming, Tyse Erent ran him through.
An Altar Assassin bowed before Mistress "The Midnight have launched a full scale attack against Golsaehr and the Citadel Citadel…their army is warping in from at least 20 points all around the citadel in groups of 10 every thirty seconds. That's reinforcements of 2000 Midnight Soldiers…every five minutes!"
At this Mistress sighed "Looks like we're going to have to move…Peltzm'Jakq get Kino…and tell all hands that we are going to war."
The Trueblade bowed "Mistress." He turned and left the chambers.
Kino appeared and started walking alongside him "Did you make that last stop?"
"Yes…are we all set?"
"Just about…"
Peltzm'Jakq stopped walking and turned to Kino "Ready to show me everything you've learned?"
"I'm ready to sever more heads then you."
Peltzm'Jakq laughed and continued walking "Very well."
"Yes…I am...to an extent the man known as The Vanguard…"
"But…but you…"
"What?"
"You're a…woman?"
The Apothecary crossed her arms and nodded "Your point?"
"How can you be the man I met known as the Apothecary and the man of Ymarkteg legend known as the Vanguard if you're a woman?"
She smiled "Because I can use True Elder Magic…and I'm also smudging the truth slightly."
"Oh really?"
"Obviously! The man in the photo can't be me, I never said that was me…that man however is an important friend of mine…this one is The Vanguard that people knew…they needed to see a man to believe…I just hid in the background."
"Why?"
"Obviously because this way, no one knows of my existence…everyone believes that the man they know as The Vanguard is dead…which isn't completely untrue…but the deeds were mostly me."
Soren nodded slowly then looked at the photo again "So this…Nias, posed as The Vanguard…and you did most of what the Vanguard was credited for? But that would make you hundreds of years old!" She smiled "Well duh, Dark Days of War and all that…"
"Who is this Nias exactly?"
The woman turned to the photo "As I said, he is a dear friend of mine. In a time when True Elder Magic was only wielded by those of dark intentions he and his allies found me and determined that I was capable of using it, they believed that I could be the key to peace in a war torn era. I didn't believe myself capable of that but upon my escape and seeing what Nias, Ushnae, Ulmeihn and the Hermit who we knew as Mazear would sacrifice for the world…I changed everything I believed in."
Soren remained wary as the woman looked back to the photo before gesturing for Soren to take a seat.
Soren: So…you and those four men all lived during the Dark Days of War? How exactly are you all still alive then?
The Apothecary: What do you mean? Ushnae, Ulmeihn and Nias died a long time ago…Mazear is an entirely different matter.
Soren: That's impossible, Ulmeihn was the Clock Keeper of Malsean, killed by Murawk in the Euto Research Center several months ago and Ushnae attacked the Amaryllis Hearing Chamber recently.
The woman looked at the photo then back at Soren "I attended their funerals…"
"Then…they were also brought back from the dead by the Midnight…but why?"
"If you don't mind I'd like to hear the whole story."
Kay'Shera entered the room "Sorry I…Soren, who is this?"
"I'll explain it later…actually…we've got to get to the Citadel soon, I can't stay here relaying the whole story again."
The woman nodded "I understand, but I can use my magic to warp you over to the Citadel whenever you want…it'll be easier then forcing the Roc to fly all the way over there again."
"Oh could you? That would be a great relief!" Kay'Shera stated with a smile."
"No problem…alright Soren…I'll start…"
"King Althropos, the first line of defenders has successfully been deployed along the Citadel's walls. They fight off the horde of invaders but reinforcements are still coming down from the sky in the form of black lightning…the wall will be overrun within the hour."
The King nodded to General Quaid before looking over to his Advisor "How many men do we have in the Citadel."
"We have around 15,000 active soldiers including the ones already on the wall…6,000 inactive soldiers and about 2,000 men who wield weapons as a hobby."
"That gives us almost 25,000 soldiers…we are going to need all of them to defend the Citadel. Captain Helena, Istequil and Commander Vargas are already engaged outside of Golsaehr, correct?"
Mehr nodded "Yes sir…Lieutenant Nexin is rallying the forces in the Citadel as we speak, he'll join us soon."
King Althropos nodded "Very well...Quaid, see to the wall and the defense, report back anything vital we need to know…Mehr go meet with the armorers and see our best weapons are going into the hands of our best defenders…I'll see if I can send out a bird requesting aid."
"I should do that for you my King…" Mehr stated to which Althropos shook his head "There is too much to be done for you to waste time on a letter, go!"
Mehr and Quaid nodded, leaving the chamber as Althropos took out a parchment and pen.
"Get out of my face!" Helena screamed as she struck a man across the face with her shield, snapping his head back and leaving him open to be stabbed by her lance.
"Hey! Nice work…" She turned to see what looked like an enemy commander; he had an eye patch over one eye and a spear as well. He was a Sentinel like her but lacked a shield.
"Who are you?" She asked as he spun his lance and charged her, holding her shield at a slant his weapon slid across it and she pushed away with her shield causing him to stumble. She then swung out her lance with he avoided and spun around before coming to a stop. "My name is Tyse Erent, Midnight Sentinel."
As men of Numengate and The Midnight died around them the pair began circling each other. Even without a shield Helena could tell she was not to take it easy with this man.
Leah and Zijo Oit continued to strike; sparks flew as the pair did battle. Occasionally soldiers of Numengate or The Midnight would force their way into the conflict. Leah and Zijo Oit would break away from each other and kill the opposing troops before their blades struck again.
Holding still and using all their might to hold the blades against each other Zijo Oit smirked and reached for a book hanging at his side. Opening it he spoke briefly and a surge of fire shot out and burned Leah, as the Trueblade stumbled away Zijo Oit cut through his side before leaping away from Leah's frantic counterattacks.
Wiping his eyes Leah focused again on Zijo Oit as the man spun his blade "Swords and sorcery…what can you do, my friend?"
Leah spat "I can kill you just with my blade…"
"Then try it!" Zijo Oit screamed.
Orkra tried to catch her breath as she moved away from Dalton Pesh. He kicked her in the stomach after taking her blade and tossing it aside as well. He paced back and forth a few feet from her waiting for the Hero to respond.
Orkra took her headband and threw it off; Pesh tilted his head as he looked at her eye. Orkra charged the former Archduke who went to grab her leading arm again only for her to slide under him, kicking his legs out. Rolling in the air Pesh skidded on his knees before standing and turning to take an elbow to the face. Followed by Orkra striking him with her shield before leaping away to retrieve her blade.
Pesh shook himself and smiled "I see…insight…advanced sight…what do you call it?"
"I call it a gift." Spinning her blade she prepared herself as Pesh began moving towards her.
Zihark leapt aside as Midnight 4's giant claw ripped through another horse and its rider. The Midnight's eyes began to glow before it shot at Zihark. He tried to stop its claw with his blade but the monstrous arm easily snapped his blade in three places and cut across Zihark's face, chest and torso.
Zihark landed on his back with the hilt in his hand that only had a small piece of torn blade on it. "Shit…this is…well I never thought it would be easy but damn."
Midnight 4 charged him again but was hit by wind magic from Vargas and hurled away. It roared, a truly inhuman sound as it slammed against the outside wall of Golsaehr.
Zihark stood and took his spare blade out "Thanks Vargas." As the trueblade pursued Midnight 4, Vargas followed him, killing any other Midnight soldiers that approached him.
"During the Dark Days of War, The Fell Lord's Disciples Gashuuka, Telray, Drake, Meltraitis and Seino waged endless war…True Elder Magic was just known as Dark Magic in those days and it regularly blighted out the sky overhead. Several free thinkers in all the nations knew war could never end with the Warlords in control of Ymarkteg and so they needed to find a way to kill the Warlords…all direct approaches, be it assassins or rebellions were easily silenced. Nias, Ulmeihn, Ushnae and Mazear each came from different nations…Mazear was from Sarhara, Ushnae was of Regalshin, Ulmeihn was of Anondye and Nias was of Pozem…
They each studied the weapon of the Warlord from their respective nations in great detail trying to find a weakness. They eventually caught onto one another and met in Numengate to research together…I was of Numengate…Nias knew of Seino bringing slaves to Numengate, specifically magically prominent slaves to take away their power from Drake of Pozem, the Necromancer who wielded Goetia and fed on magic and mages.
He and Ushnae were skilled with swords and Ulmeihn with magic; they said I was a mute girl who frightened the soldiers of Numengate's prison camps. Apparently anyone who tried to harm me was burned to death; I was to be killed for my uncontrollable power. The three convinced several slaves to help to stop the war…they believed in them…what choice did they have? Try for something unlikely or continue as slaves till they dropped dead?
Saving me took the lives of all the slaves who helped…Ulmeihn was flashed by a blast of magic…magic was much more crude and powerful in the old days…he lost his eyesight. Ushnae lost one of his arms and Nias lost an eye but they got me away from Seino's slavers.
Mazear could tap into the magic abilities of any person he met; he said my abilities were bottomless. They taught me to speak and all the normal arts while the world continued to burn. They told me I could do whatever I wanted with my powers…so I did the first thing that would come to most lonely child's minds…I resurrected my parents…"
Soren nodded slowly "You were the originator of the power…the power that threatens Ymarkteg now."
"Yes…when you brought your story to me in the beginning…I refused to believe it...who could learn an art that I created because I just thought about it?"
"Before we continue…do you have a name?"
The woman sighed "I don't know…I take names because I never knew mine…my parents might've told me after I revived them but I can't remember them at all as hard as I try...a side effect or my mind protecting itself I'll never know. I'm only certain that I brought them back but I can't remember anything about them…"
"Would you mind if I called you Eien…for convenience sake?"
She looked at Soren and nodded "Very well…Eien it is…for now."
"Die you son of a bitch!" Istequil cried out as he buried his axe into a man's head before tearing a few arrows out of his shoulder. Turning he tossed the axe, it stuck into a marksman's head and fell the man instantly. Spinning his blade Istequil looked over to the horde in front of him, countless banners and Numengatian cavalry began falling, the horses were thinning out as they were overwhelmed. The advanced ground forces were also hard to pick out from the mass of black cloaks. Istequil swung his blade and severed a man's head from the nose up before spinning and stopping an axe. An arrow from Shinon tore through the Reaver's head and Istequil easily tossed the man aside.
"Istequil! Are there any troops of Numengate at the far end?"
Istequil looked up to the marksman "No…any who got over there are most likely dead…"
"That is a somewhat good thing…I'm being optimistic here, just watch." Shinon took out an arrow and leapt high into the air before pulling back on Gore Eye. He fired the shot and it stuck into a man's head far in the back of the approaching Midnight forces.
Istequil sighed "I know you are a good shot Shinon but-"
The arrow flashed and exploded, taking not only that man but a large group surrounding him, Shinon shot off another that also exploded after a short beat. Istequil couldn't help but smile and raised his blade "Reserve forces! Help your brothers!"
Swinging his blade the remaining ground forces poured out of the main gate, archers took up arms along the ruined main wall and began their assault anew.
Uhnie jumped away from Midnight 3, pulling out her Killing Edge she struck several of Versha's knives. The weapons fell on the ground harmlessly as Versha approached. Midnight 3 roared and raised Helswath high above before slamming it into the ground, blood exploded from the earth that Midnight 3 struck. Droplets shot out at extreme speeds and hit random soldiers both Midnight and Numengate before exploding. Uhnie leapt aside, avoided them as Versha charged her, tossing the Killing Edge high into the air Uhnie prepared her knives and began playing a very dangerous game between her and Versha's knives. The assassin felt the small blades cut her left arm twice and her right arm three times but she couldn't seem to rip into Versha as hard as she tried.
Finally Versha spun her knives knocking the other two out of Uhnie's hands, at that moment the assassin leapt into the air, over Versha, grabbing her Killing Edge in midair and spinning around to face Versha's back before cutting across it.
Versha stumbled and leapt away with a grin "You are all…truly the biggest nuisances I've ever met."
Shinon narrowed his eyes, looking far behind the rear Midnight soldiers. "Use me." Shinon sighed "I know that!" Bringing Gore Eye up he could see people approaching, he instantly recognized the woman in the lead.
"Istequil! Reinforcements have arrived!"
At the back, the Midnight soldiers turned as Ein'Tosen ripped through one "Let's go everyone!" Mia called out as the rest of the Troop charged past her and began stabbing as many members of The Midnight as they could in the back, inflicting a deep cut into the enemy as they made their way for the gates of Golsaehr.
Clearing her throat, Eien continued her story:
"Ushnae, Ulmeihn, Nias and Mazear trained me to use my power at will, to control whatever I wanted to control…they told me about the war…I knew about the fighting but I never knew what it was about, why the Warlords fought so much. They said that there was no reason…I couldn't believe it but it seemed true…no matter how many victories one nation got they continued fighting…I hated the loss of life…especially when I saw orphaned children like myself. The training spanned for years…my friends grew old…they told me they would die soon…I didn't allow it…I restored their youth…"
"You kept them around longer? How did you know you could do that?" Soren asked.
"I didn't…I just remembered that they said I could do anything with my magic…they were my only friends, I didn't want them to die."
"So after you restored their youth…what happened?"
"They began to rally people…they demonstrated my powers…they wanted me to show everyone that someone had more power than the Warlords and that I could bring peace with their aid…I could make people invincible…eventually we formed a large army in Numengate and actually defeated one of Gashuuka's armies…once that happened…the Dark Days ended…"
"The Warring Ages began…" Soren whispered.
"Yes…Ymarkteg went from five warring nations and a terrified populace to five warlords trying to strike down the rebellions within their own nations…the Warring Ages was a fight I created…a fight I gave a purpose to…it was the fight for everlasting peace…the fight for a golden age…"
"Don't even think about it!" Quaid called out as he took the head of a Midnight soldier that made it to the top of the wall. Countless javelins have begun soaring over the wall, several impaling archers, killing them and giving the Midnight opportunities to toss their hooks up and continue scaling the wall.
"General Quaid! The rear wall has been surmounted! Midnight are rushing through the keeps, killing the archers, we've finally got the catapults up but two in the back have been destroyed already!"
Quaid nodded to the soldier "Very well, prepare our first unit, have them climb the stairs and ladders in the rear, we need more people on the wall, get some small aid units to the east and west and start firing those damned catapults!"
The soldier bowed and ran off calling "Yes sir!"
Althropos sat in his chambers recalling a strange meeting he had several days back.
"King Numengate…or is it Numengate King?" Althropos looked up from his desk to see an old man standing in his chambers. No one opened the doors, the guards wouldn't allow it.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?"
"I am just a hermit…I travel the world looking for the corrupt and slitting their throats…literally and figuratively."
"Figuratively?"
The hermit shrugged "You see…the King of Sarhara was guilty of crimes in his youth…crimes ignored by his father the previous King…this happens all over the world…pardons given to high born because they can't make mistakes. Your father and grandfather raised armies in the time of peace with the intention of invading the other nations…"
Althropos shook his head "No…we knew the peace would end so we raised the largest army in all of Ymarkteg in case wars ever came back. We wanted to be ready and we are!"
"No…don't lie to me…the invasion was scheduled by your father but with his death it fell apart…you saw fit to place a good number of your forces as inactive…but you still desire to continue the last two generations of work…"
Althropos neared the old man who smiled "You want to kill me? Perfect…you'll kill me…an anonymous man and continue your rule over Numengate. You will prove my point…a murder no one will ever know of…a murder no one will be able to find proof about and if they ever did…then you'd kill them too."
"Who are you?"
"Oh! Right…they protected you from the truth…see, I was one of the orchestrators of Gra'Tisk's execution or at least, attempted execution in Myillheim. He escaped with the help of foreign worms…one city in the center of Ymarkteg was attacked and the incident was shielded from its King. Surprising considering they have no arms in Numengate…or maybe…they do."
"What is this nonsense? I will call the guards to imprison you for trespassing and threatening the King of Numengate!"
The hermit smiled "Myillheim wasn't big enough…but this castle…the Black Fort is a small noble house compared to it…"
With that the hermit turned and walked through the door.
Althropos sighed, he reinstated the training program and began rousing more troops after that. Now he wished he never stopped it, war came and he wasn't prepared.
"Brave Bolt!" Wyre fired off his four shots while Wayu, Mikel and Leena defended him on all sides from approaching Midnight soldiers. The women easily handled themselves against approaching swordsmen and lance wielders while Mikel tossed his axe into the un-armored mages.
Tyazaer rode through the enemy troops, using the hook end of her lance to tear off sections of armor and rip into throats. Janie rode with her, firing off her elder magic, striking down the men with poor resistance to her powers. Generals, Marshalls and Reavers easily fell to the black magic while the Marksmen, Trueblades and mages were easy prey for Tyazaer's lance.
Mia leapt into a group of Midnight and stabbed her blade into the ground; a stream of purple flames shot out all around her and cloaked her blade as she swung it, ripping through enemies easily.
An arrow landed in front of one of her feet and she followed the trajectory to a man on the main gate. "Shinon!"
With massive leaps and bounds, Mia found herself near Shinon very quickly, the marksman quickly called to her.
"Great to see you! How many follow you?"
"Not counting me there are 11 other members in the troop!"
"Alright…Zihark and Orkra are fighting along the West Wall while Leah is with Captain Helena of Numengate on the East Wall. Can you send 4 troop members to each side?"
Mia nodded "No problem!"
"Is Soren here?"
"No, but he'll be back soon!" With that Mia returned to the Troop as quickly as she could, though she noticed the large Midnight and Asai Versha as well as Uhnie. Mia whispered to herself to hurry and return to aid her friend.
"So you were at the forefront…when did The Vanguard come in?"
Eien blinked a few times and smiled "When I was killed."
"Killed?"
Eien nodded "You see…the people who united to bring peace to their nations and Ymarkteg weren't the only targets of the Warlords, they knew about me…the woman who was bringing everyone together and causing rebellions within the Warlords' armies in the middle of a battle. They sent assassins to seek me out…they figured if they could end my life the rebellion would fall apart. Nias, Ulmeihn, Ushnae and Mazear did a brilliant job of protecting me…but there were times when the Warlords' assassins got close and they were almost killed trying to get me out of a castle that was destroyed by meteors…"
"The enemy rained down meteors on an entire castle they believed you were in?"
Eien shook her head at Soren "They rained down meteors on the entire city…in the aftermath Nias came up with the idea…that I should die…they would report my death to the rebellion…"
"Why?" Kay'Shera asked, Soren turned to her and the roc knight apologized. The sage couldn't help but chuckle "No one said you had to stay silent…but my guess as to why is because they wanted to make you a martyr…a more powerful symbol than any living man or woman. The way people live and their actions are strong…but their deaths and their legacies are eternal."
Eien nodded "Yes…that is how Nias saw it…Ulmeihn supported it but Ushnae didn't like the idea…Mazear went with Nias and Ulmeihn eventually and the information was sent to all corners of Ymarkteg. My friends spoke of me as a person and a symbol and rallied the armies again…would they throw everything away they worked for with my death? Or would they rise up and press on?"
Soren smiled "They continued…and the Vanguard?"
"The Vanguard was the proud warrior who appeared shortly after, devastating battlefields with his power and forcing the Warlords' armies to retreat. The Vanguard was my friend Nias with blessed armor and weapons of my crafting…like the Fell Lord's Balmung, Helswath, Gungnir, Yewfelle and Goetia, my weapons gave him the power to not only rip through the enemy but also do battle with the Fell Lord's disciples."
"Soren…that sounds a lot like Ragnell and Alondite from your home country…" The sage nodded at Kay'Shera as Eien continued.
"The Anondye Massacre was the largest battle in the nation's history…Gashuuka rallied every last man loyal to him and killed as many people as he could…his army didn't retreat, they continued to die and kill…the battle only ended when the last man fell and the Vanguard's blade pierced Gashuuka's black heart."
"We all good? Then let's do this!" Lyle called out as he charged at a Reaver, his blades ripping through the man. Wayu leapt over him and brought her lance into another man. Three Midnight soldiers saw them coming and charged, Wyre stepped forward and grabbed all three of them, holding them in place with a static charge as Lyle and Wayu ran at them and killed them.
Mia left the three and landed in front of Uhnie with Ein'Tosen at her back stopping Helswath. Mia swung her blade, releasing a purple blast that knocked Midnight 3 on his back. Asai Versha smiled as Mia turned to face her "Sorry it took so long Uhnie…you alright?"
Uhnie nodded and wiped blood from her lip "Good to see you Mia."
Versha sighed "Of course you lot would get here at the most inopportune time…oh well…the city will fall no matter how many you strike down…look at all the bodies littered around here…there will be mountains by the time the night is through."
Mia looked at the moon high above then at Versha "Yours will be among them." With that Mia charged at Versha who leapt away, Helswath slammed into the ground and stopped Ein'Tosen. Uhnie leapt over Midnight 3, sinking her blade into the shoulder before kicking of its back.
"Helswath! Again?" Mia moved away as Midnight 3's fist crashed into the ground near her.
A powerful slicing gale cut through several men's necks. Blood shot out and they fell dead as Vargas walked past them and pulled out a recover staff. He healed Zihark who was holding his spare blade, now destroyed like his first one "This isn't easy." He then noticed Orkra fighting what looked to be a black cloaked commander. The man was barehanded trying to tackle the Hero but she was countering his moves and trying to strike him with her blade.
"Orkra!" The Hero leapt aside and as Pesh pursued her an arrow caught in his back. He turned and dove aside as Mikel's axe slammed into the ground. Leena charged in and began frantically swinging, Pesh dodged her countless strikes until To'Eltz shot past her and buried his blade into Pesh's gut. Pesh whistled and Midnight 4 charged over, one mighty swing of its hand threw To'Eltz, Leena and Mikel aside.
Another woman landed near Orkra and gave her an elixir before pulling out her knives. Zihark got up and quickly ran over to Orkra, picking up a discarded blade.
"Glad to see all of you again…" he looked over at the woman next to him and swallowed.
"You can look, but don't touch."
"I apologize in advance…who are you exactly?"
"My name is Zey'Yu, you must be Zihark."
The Trueblade nodded "Any ally of Soren and Mia's is a friend of mine…let's do this.
Orkra smiled and spun her blade "It truly takes all six of us to take down one man and this…thing?"
Zey'Yu nodded "The Midnights get more advanced with each version and even more so when exposed to frequent combat."
Zihark tilted his head "How do you know this?"
Zey'Yu smiled "Mostly experience…but the Altar was learning as much as they could about the Midnight's…Midnights…we didn't get much but they aren't to be trifled with."
Orkra smirked "Then let's not trifle."
Leena, Mikel and To'Eltz charged Pesh with Mikel calling out "This is for all that shit back in Pozem, Pesh! You die here!"
"Look out!" Leah tackled Helena to the floor as Tyse Erent fired a powerful stream of electricity that fried the man it hit instead. Leah helped the woman up and apologized as Zijo Oit charged him. Helena pushed Leah aside and raised her shield, stopping Zijo Oit's blade. As he prepared his tome, Leah leapt over Helena and brought his blade down. While Zijo Oit moved away quickly, Leah still cut through the arm holding the tome.
As the pair faced him, Helena glanced over at Leah "You don't need to watch out for me."
"Sorry, Helena, force of habit…"
The Sentinel chuckled "Captain Helena."
As Leah nodded Tyse Erent spun his lance and charged only for a large stone to strike him in the side and knock him over. Janie leapt off Tyazaer's horse and landed near Leah and Helena raising her arms she yelled and the earth below Zijo Oit and Tyse Erent exploded, throwing the pair several feet into the air.
Rhogam feathered Tyse Erent with several shots from his bow while Tyazaer ran back around and tossed her spear into the air. Zijo Oit struck the weapon aside easily before landing on his feet followed by Tyse Erent.
The Sentinel turned and moved away a little too slow as Orgoth's lance cut through him.
Leah smiled "Tyazaer, Rhogam, Orgoth, Janie…great to see you guys…"
The Troop members nodded as they surrounded Zijo Oit and Tyse Erent.
"You two are fakes!" Leah called out "We've killed the real Zijo Oit and the real Tyse Erent is miles above you, throw down your weapons or die here…"
Zijo Oit smiled "We are just bodies for fighting and dying…do your worst!"
Soren, Kay'Shera and Eien sat in the Apothecary's Keep, still reflecting on the story. Eien chuckled "Ancient history…I've been alive so long…I have no true understanding of the passage of time anymore…"
"I have a feeling that in some decades I'll understand that as well." Soren muttered.
"Anyway…with Anondye freed of Gashuuka the rebels began to use the nation as their base, most of the forces gathered there and the fighting came to a stop. Drake, Telray, Meltraitis and Seino couldn't believe Gashuuka was dead and they pulled all their offensives back to plan on what to do with The Vanguard…wielding my weapons was taking its toll on Nias…his arm became black and he spoke of the weapon's voice…I thought I only had pure intentions when crafting the weapons…but I soon realized my desire to kill all of the enemies of peace was anything but pure. Nias told me without The Vanguard the rebellion would fall apart again…and as powerful as the army became…no man with standard weapons could kill the rest of the Warlords…as much as I hated it, I had to allow Nias to continue…Ushnae demanded that he have a chance to wield the weapons, whether it was for the glory that he wanted or out of concern for Nias…or maybe both, I'll never know. Nias did not allow it, he didn't want to risk Ushnae's life."
"Ushnae…Eien, what you said about Nias…his arm became black? Did you give names to the weapons you created?" Soren asked, Kay'Shera noticed the sage wasn't too comfortable.
"Yes…I created a sword, lance, bow and a tome…Nias wielded the blade primarily though he would occasionally bring the lance the bear while Ulmeihn aided him from afar with the tome. Ushnae had a strong desire to help but with one arm he couldn't wield the bow so Nias kept it as well. Ushnae asked me multiple times to try to restore the arm he lost but I feared what I may do. I did not want to bargain my friends' lives."
Eien remained silent for a bit before turning to Soren "The sword's name remains engraved in my head forever…it took my best friend away from me…"
She cleared her throat and met Soren's eyes "The blade was called Dyeshein."
"Lieutenant Nexin…General Quaid just reported to me the terrible situation along the rear wall…"
Nexin bowed before Althropos "The men are prepared to defend the Citadel, several squads are stationed on our tallest towers and the rest are barring all entrances from bottom floor to the doors into this very chamber…"
Althropos nodded "I sent out requests for aid to Sarhara, Pozem and Regalshin…I received a message from Anondye requesting permission to deploy into Numengate several hours ago. They outlined the conflict we now experience…I was doubtful as were most of my aids but I've since responded. As soon as they receive the letter an army from Anondye will be arriving to reinforce us."
Quaid nodded "Excellent news…I pray to the Gods they don't arrive here to late…"
A massive crash caused them men to stand. Mehr stormed into the room "My King! A man has destroyed the West Wall…the siege of the Citadel has begun!"
"Dyeshein…" Eien kept watch on Soren and Kay'Shera's reaction, clearly they knew of the weapon.
Before she could ask Soren spoke "When we fought in the Zatuo Rebellion, the man leading the Benkanan Empire, a vile soul named Zijo Oit wielded Dyeshein. His generals the Demon Triad were corrupted souls wielding Gore Eye, Ijhalma and Singularity."
Eien shook her head "Then…my actions…meant nothing..."
Soren watched Eien before continuing "As for the Fell Lord's Arms, Murawk was wielding Helswath…according to a nomad of Treige, Einseek was wielding Balmung, I saw Goetia in combat and Gungnir was stolen from us…safe to assume that Yewfelle is still out there and as I've said, we fought demonic men wielding the weapons you crafted."
Eien stood "Then my hypothesis is correct…the weapons that the Fell Lord and I created had immortal souls…"
With that the woman took off upstairs followed shortly after by Soren and Kay'Shera.
"What do you mean? What are you doing?" Soren asked as he stepped on the roof of the Apothecary's Keep with Kay'Shera. Eien was looking over the horizon; she slowly closed her eyes as the wind died around them the only sound coming from their breathing.
After a few minutes Eien opened her eyes "War…war has returned…"
Soren cursed "I've been gone far longer than I intended…we have to go back."
Eien nodded "Those demons you call The Midnight are attacking Golsaehr and the Numengate Citadel…an army reinforcing the Numengatian armies is drawing close…very close"
"Anondye?" Kay'Shera asked quickly.
Eien shook her head "Sarharans…"
Soren looked at Kay'Shera then back to Eien "Sarharans? What are they doing here? Who's leading them?"
Eien shook her head "I'm not sure…but we need to go…now."
"We? You're coming?"
"I must…for many reasons but mainly…I have to atone for my actions. I had limitless power and in pursuit of a noble goal I recklessly used it in my youth. I have far too much that I need to fix, I can't remain here."
Soren nodded "Very well…but what did you mean about a hypothesis?"
Eien gestured for the pair to follow and the three re-entered the Keep.
Eien led them to a room filled with strange equipment, Soren came to the instant conclusion that Eien was experimenting on something, most likely her own powers.
"I performed a lot of my magic here and tried to figure out exactly what I was doing and what I couldn't do. I learned that I can create weapons and imbue them with soul...Dyeshein and it's brothers were imbued with an angry violent soul...my angry and violent soul."
Soren nodded "This means what exactly?"
"They could not be destroyed...at least not truly...I'll explain more in Numengate, if he is still there, hopefully."
Giving an affirmation Soren turned to Kay'Shera "Get Michalis to the roof, we're going."
The roc knight nodded and left the room, soon followed by Soren and Eien.
"My Queen." Talia turned as Vassaan entered her chambers and bowed "I apologize for the abruptness…"
"I've already been told, the army marches immediately, we are sending the bulk that is already prepared across the border as we speak."
"Yes, but an army has already arrived in Numengate."
Talia took a step towards Vassaan "What army?"
Arrows from Shinon struck Midnight 3 directly and landed near him before exploding. The Midnight stumbled and roared as Mia and Uhnie dealt with Versha.
Occasional Rexbolts were called down to wipe out squads of Midnight but the Troop noticed the cavalry was gone and the foot soldiers were down to half their starting numbers.
As Lyle and Wayu struck down a few more they called Wyre and any other Numengate troops to gather with Istequil at the main gate, in other words, retreat.
Istequil wearily stumbled back and pulled another arrow from his chest plate. A bishop approached and began healing him as the Braver watched his remaining troops gather around him. "We fight to the last man…for our nation…for Ymarkteg's peace!"
Lyle came to a stop when he saw Mia and Uhnie engaged with Versha. His vision became red "Versha!" Screaming the swordmaster charged her, the woman saw him coming and quickly dove aside as his blade crashed into the ground.
Mia noticed that Lyle was beyond angry "Lyle! You can't fight her! You won't be able to control yourself!"
Lyle charged Versha who produced her knives, she clashed with him easily but after a short while a strike from Lyle's sword shattered her knives and cut across her torso.
She leapt away and covered her wound as Lyle pursued her Versha screeched, black waves shot forth from her mouth and struck Lyle, picking him up and tossing him clean through the ruins of a keep before he continued rolling across the streets of Golsaehr.
Mia brought her blade up and turned to Versha who clenched her teeth as she gripped her wound. The Trueblade noticed it close up and rage build in Versha's face.
"Midnight 3! Kill them all!" Versha called, the large Midnight raised his weapon.
Wyre and Wayu stood with Istequil as the Midnight approached, a call went out and once again the enemy was struck from behind. "What the hell?"
Istequil looked up to Shinon "Who is out there?"
"It looks like…an army from…Sarhara?"
Sure enough, behind the Midnight soldiers of Sarhara were attacking fiercely.
"That makes no sense…" Istequil whispered.
Wyre nodded "If Sarhara was reinforcing us…they'd be coming from the West…why are they coming from the southeast?"
Opstun opened his eyes; he felt a black surge in the middle of Golsaehr. He looked at the chest containing Balmung and grabbed it before exiting to the streets of the city.
He looked around until he saw a black ball in an alley, it vanished and three people and a large roc landed.
"We're here…what now?" Kay'Shera asked to which Soren turned "We join the rest of the troop at the gates…we have to deal with the Midnight now or we'll never be rid of them."
Eien noticed Opstun and the chest in his tight grip "Opstun…"
Opstun took off and Eien charged ahead "Wait!"
Soren looked at Kay'Shera "Go to the battle, I'll deal with this."
Kay'Shera nodded and leapt on Michalis who screeched before taking off.
From the gaping entrance at the West Wall, Midnight slaughtered the injured Numengate soldiers and began storming the Citadel. As they approached doors, massive fire blasts tore out of them, killing the Midnight in front before other soldiers charged out in the cover of the smoke.
Kanahana floated high above with a smirk. The third member that came with him and Norad Jyuugo was none other than the Master of Midnight himself. The man stood in the clearing, he was the one who destroyed the wall. Next to him was Norad Jyuugo and his two Midnights who, at the Master's command, charged towards the Citadel.
"This! This is life…" Kanahana whispered before licking his lips and descending on a man. The soldier couldn't believe his eyes and had little time to contemplate before his throat was ripped out.
Ushnae stood watching the intense combat in the fields around Golsaehr and now on the balconies and exterior court areas around the Citadel. He looked up and turned back to Golsaehr.
"I feel…someone…familiar but…" Shaking his head he tried to dismiss it but couldn't. Finally he turned and started heading towards Golsaehr.
Ymarkteg OCs 22 includes Eien the Apothecary's friends from the Dark Days of War (Ulmeihn, Ushnae, Nias and Mazear) as well as the Massive Midnight #3 wielding Helswath.
