Oh god yes, I'm going to torture you people with my fics again. Enjoy as you tear my fic to pieces with cutting remarks on how the grammar sucks. Sigh....I know...I'm pathetic. Now......I don't own Dragoon or Slayers yadda yadda yadda. N'joy.


))))))))))))))))))))))))))))Slayers Dragoon 1 - Romp through Hellena and beyond! Who is this Lina Inverse?!(((((((((((((((((((((((((((


"So cold....." Lina muttered, shivering. Still surrounded by the void, Lina felt her senses go haywire from the lack of being unable to tell which way was which.
"Help...." a pale feminine voice pleaded.
"....who's there?"
"Please...help me."
"Wait.....who are you!?" Lina demanded, silence followed.
"Oh geez, you'd think someone would leave an address when they ask for your help." Fumed the sorceress. "Now how do I get out of this place?!"
A pinpoint of light.
"Huh?" Looking at the direction of the light, Lina immediately willed herself towards it. The object grew brighter, if that were possible, in the void. Lina shielded her eyes before touching the light.....

*

"AGAIN!" The commander barked. Soldiers strung back their bows, arrows of fire ready to fly.
"RELEASE!"
PTANG! Went the arrows as they flew into the village, setting ablaze a multitude of houses. Villagers panicked as they fled the small hamlet. Clomping of beasts of burden echoed the village as the cavalry rode through town murdering anyone that stood in their way.
"We're gonna be rich boys!" A soldier cheered, the others following suit as they looted a nearby tavern, the owner nearby unable to stop the forces. But before the men could continue their laugh, a flash of light lit the sky a crimson red, a falling star exploding nearby in the forest.

*

"I don't like the looks of this." A woman commented. Her ebony hair whipped about her amethyst armor as she watched with an icy gaze at the forest where the star fell. No one could tell she was up here on the cliffs as long as she stood silent and watched the fall of the hamlet labeled Seles.
"Better investigate this." Jumping off the cliffs as if mastering the skill for years, the figure jumped into the forest effortlessly and silently.

*

"Find the source of the light." the commander ordered. The small group of scouts nodded as they marched off quickly to the forest.

*

"Ow....pain..suffering in lower back area." Lina moaned, standing up unsteadily. Shaking her head the red head looked around the forest with confusion.
"Now where am I?" She muttered. "......?"
Turning around, the echoing of foot steps and marching caught Lina's attention. The sorceress prepared herself as the scout troops entered, surrounding her immediately.
"State your business here!" One of the soldiers barked.
"Man, with that kind of attitude, I bet you don't get any, even with the guys huh?" Lina jeered.
"How dare you."
"Watch it bucko, don't get Lina Inverse mad." Lina smirked.
"Who?"
"......you don't know!?" Lina facefaulted.
"All I know is that if you don't start responding to our question, your gonna end up dead." The soldier grinned, pulling out his sword.
"Fine then, looks like I'm gonna have to instil some good old fashion respect for me onto ya." Lina grinned, chanting the familiar spell under her breath.
"What are you jabbering about?" Another soldier demanded.
Placing her arms in the manners of a bow, Lina let loose the spell. "FLARE ARROW!"
Nothing came. "......"
"Hahahaha, she's daft!" A soldier laughed.
'......uh oh.'
"Looks like someone needs to be taught a lesson." the first scout snickered, drawing closer to Lina.
"......Think Inverse.....what do you do?" Lina muttered, her talismans caught her attention as they glowed slightly, each in a rainbow of colorful hues. 'Why is it reacting now? Unless......worth a shot.'
"Ok boys, take a step closer, and your gonna regret it!" Lina warned, her talismans firing up.
"Ha, gonna do another 'FLARE ARROW' again missy?" A soldier commented.
"Yeah, I am.....FLARE ARROW!" The talismans immediately flashed red as fire laced Lina's finger before flying towards the small group exploding in a fireworks of flames and napalm. Screams echoed the forest before the scouts stayed silent, dead on the spot.
"Oh geez." Lina shuddered. "I overdid it."
Taking a quick glance once more, the sorceress ran off towards the village of Seles.

*

"What happened here?" the woman questioned, inspecting the charred bodies.
'Whatever it was......certainly wasn't a monster. None in this region capable of internal fire breathing.' Looking around once more, the woman left the area searching the region.

*

"FIREBALL!" Napalm doom engulfed the group of monsters as Lina rushed passed slightly faster than normal of fleeing to the town.
"I don't remember Sairaag having so many monsters before." Lina groaned, deftly jumping over hazardous tree stumps, roots, and monsters with acrobatic mastery that only years of practice could allow.
"Stop!" A guard demanded, Lina simply flicked off a flare arrow as she bursted through the front line of the invading military.
"Oh Great, now I just entered into the middle of a takeover.....Inverse....you certainly have timing and luck on your side." Lina grumbled stopping immediately. The guards reacted quite efficiently surrounding her before she could respond.
"What do we have here?" The lead commander asked, his hulking figure walking up to Lina slowly to induce some psychological fear. Lina stood stock still glaring at the figure.
"I don't give my names to rude men." Lina smirked.
"Ho, and she's fiery one too." The commander laughed.
"Look buddy, don't get me mad." Lina warned.
"And what are you going to do about it hmmm?"
"This, FLARE ARROW!" Nothing came, Lina looked at her talismans before a sharp pain took her mind.
"W-what?" Clutching her stomach the sorceress felt immediately exhaustion as she fell to the ground with a whimper.
"Looks like someone needs to take a nap." The commander snickered, with a silent order, one of the guards walked to Lina and locked her arms with chains. "I wonder he'll want to see you? You're a strange one, never seen clothes like this before."
"Great Commander, she came from the direction the star fell." A soldier reported.
"Really now? This is certainly interesting." The commander replied. ".....alright, tie her up, we'll take her to Hellena with us."
"Yes sir." The soldier nodded before running off to his other duties.
"Great commander!" Another soldier shouted, running to the man. "We found her!"
"Excellent."

*

"Hey, not so rough buddy!" Lina scowled, unable to break the chains binding her hands. "This sucks."
"Just keep walking." The soldier sneered.
"Fine, just quit poking me." Walking ahead Lina sighed as she followed another soldier. "Hi."
"...." the soldier grunted. Lina sighed as she walked along silently, trying to devise a plan in her mind.
"Here she is Great Commander." The soldier pointed, the small squad stopped as the commander knelt next to a girl unconscious.
"So....this is the girl." The commander whispered. Pulling out a small orb the commander pushed away the bangs on the girls forehead and placed the orb above her. The moonlight reflected the light, and then, wisps of light began to grow from the area the orb touched. A beam of light immediately left the girls head as it touched the orb, a link between the two formed.
"Take her. He'll be there." The great commander ordered. The soldiers nodded as Lina followed grumbling.

*

"This sucks." Lina stated again. The troops continued nonstop as they finalized the occupation of Seles towards Hellena Prison. No pit stops were done as they marched through the night into day, much to the dismay of Lina and the girl that called herself "Shana".
"So......you have no idea why they're after you?" Lina asked. Shana simply shook her head no as they continued marching.
"I don't know why they're after me." Shana continued.
"Hrmph....I'd bust us out of here, but we need the right time, and I need a chance to recover." Lina grinned, feeling her own personal moral rise from the list of things to do.
"I don't understand." Shana muttered, shaking her head to show her dilemma. "How did you managed to take on a small scout troop without aid?"
"Eh? Simple." Lina winked. "A flare arrow, fireball, and that was that."
"Flare arrow?" Shana asked.
"Uh....yeah......you know, some magic." Lina replied slowly and unsure of the questioning.
"Magic?" Shana blinked. "You mean magic tricks?"
"This is the kingdom of Lyzeille right?"
Shana only stared as she shook her head no.
"No....this is the region belonging to Prince Albert, ruler of Bale."
"Bale?" Lina pondered the response. '......this place certainly doesn't look like Lyzeille.......could it be......that gem sent me to this world?'
"Are you ok?" Shana asked with concern.
".....yeah.......I suppose." Lina sighed. 'If this is another world.....why am I allowed to cast my magic? Hell with that, why did casting a fireball and a few flare arrows take so much out of me?'

*

"No luck." the woman cursed, hopping across the rocks. The forest appeared almost a vast carpet as she watched from high above.
"Something is amiss...."
CRASH!
"!!" Turning too the forest, the woman stepped back as a massive green form appeared above the forest screeching.
"The green tusk dragon Feyrbrand?"
Said dragon howled again, lifting it's multiple arms before submerging into the forest again. The dark haired woman gave a steely gaze before jumping into the forestry.

*

"Hmmm. Possible chance of war." A youth with unflattering dark hair muttered, reading a letter in the forestry. Placing the paper down, the young man looked up with a sigh. Rumors of movements of the empire worried him as he looked up at the noon sun.
"I hope it's just rumors. ........hmm?"
Walking up the youth listened to the sound of galloping animals and clanking of armor. With an inquisitive look the man walked toe the source of the noise to find a road.
"Huh.....that's strange." Before turning back, the noise grew louder, and the cavalry ran by surprising the young man.
"YOU!" A soldier demanded, stopping off with his partner in front of the boy. "Who are you!?"
"Are a mercenary of Basil?" The second soldier asked.
"Well, answer!" The first one demanded. The youth stood back as he drew out his sword surprising the two.
"What are you doing!? Are you drawing a swords against us!?" Before the youth could give a reply, the earth shook slightly. Then silenced followed as a flock of bird quickly past the trio. Then shaking started again.
"W-What's going on?!" One of the soldiers managed to stutter. Before anyone could reply the dragon Feyrbrand immediately stomped in surprising the soldiers and youth. The youth stood still unsure what to do whilst the soldiers ran off as quickly as possible.
"Oh boy..." Before the boy could continue, Feyrbrand gave a small nudge sending him nearly flying.
"Huh!?" The dragon knocked the boy again before lunging. Taking the situation to run the boy did as Feyrbrand missed.
"......." the dark haired woman stated, watching from above in the canopy as she watched the entire situation. With a leap she was off, following the dragon.

*

"Oh geez." The boy huffed, jumping over multiple objects while still dodging the dragon. "I'm gonna get killed if this keeps up!"
Running to a cliff, the youth stopped, laboring his breath as Feyrbrand finally caught up, ready for the kill.
"Oh man....." Before the dragon could attack, the woman following immediately jumped down, grabbed the young man and hopped behind a boulder nearby.
"Who are you!?" The young man demanded.
"Shhh..." The woman replied. "If you don't want to die.."
Before she could continue, Feyrbrand stopped it's howling, turning around and stomping off.
".....Thanks." the man smiled. "My name is Dart, what's yours?"
"Rose, but it's none of your concern." the one named Rose replied coldly.
"What the heck was that about?!" Dart so eloquently asked.
"It's a dragon."
"Dragon!?"
"Yes." Rose said. "Strange though, they were capable of taking the entire village without the dragon, so what is it doing here?"
"The village?" Dart questioned. The epiphany struck as he gathered the evidence together in his mind. "Are you talking about Seles!? Then those soldiers.....!"
"There won't be anything left by now." Rose coldly continued.
"I don't care, Seles is my home!" Rose gave a look of confusion at Dart's reaction as he ran off. Turning around, a sharp pain caught her attention on her breast. Looking down, a dark sphere on her armor activated and lit brightly.
[Oh my god......] Rose gasped, her mind reeling at the unknown message the sphere gave. [He must be..... No......there's no way!]

*

"Where is everybody?" Dart whispered, climbing over a fence entering the city boundaries. What was once the rural hamlet Seles, was simply empty burnt buildings, and it's people, now missing, either hiding or dead. Hanging his head, a sadness hit Dart.
"Are they...all...."
CLANG!
Sharply turning towards the source of the noise, Dart crept silently, watching as two soldiers beat a villager whilst laughing.
"You didn't get enough for destroying our town?" The villager croaked hoarsely, his face already showing signs of multiple attacks earlier.
"It may be enough for me to kill you." The closest soldier snickered, unsheathing his sword.
"STOP!" Demanded Dart as he stepped into the fray, sword drawn.
"Oh?" The second guard snickered. "A mercenary? Isn't it a little late for you to show up?"
"SHUT UP! What are you doing here?!"
"Can't you tell boy? Daft in the head? Were occupying this area." The replier scowled.
"Occupy? .....Were you sent here by the imperial army?"
"Even if we were, it's none of your business!" The soldiers partner growled, leveling his sword as he attacked. Dart side stepped the swing as he struck the imperial soldier on the head with the flat side of the sword sending the aggressor flying into a garbage heap.
"Why you!" Stepping back, Dart blocked a strike from behind on the soldiers partner. Giving a shove the labeled mercenary gave a hard slash diagonally on the attackers neck. Rivers of blood flowed from the mans mouth and neck as he gasped and fell over.
"Time to finish this." Dart muttered, walking over and skewering the other soldier as he finally removed himself from the garbage, only a gag gave recognition that he felt the pain. The battle was over within seconds it started.
"D....Dart?" The villager asked.
"Hold on." walking over and kneeling, Dart smiled encouragingly at the dying man. "What happened?"
"They.....took Shana." The man gasped.
"What?"
"Hellena.....prison." The man gave another gasp before he passed away. Dropping his head, Dart closed the mans eyes as he laid him down.
"Shana..." standing up Dart looked southward to where Hellena stood.

*

"Hey!" Protested Lina as the guard shoved her and Shana into the cell. "Not so rough!"
"Feh, whatever." The guard replied, locking the door as he walked away.
"Rrrrrr, augh, I hate this place already, and when's dinner? I haven't eaten since last night!"
"I'm sure everything will be fine Lina." Shana comforted as she sat down on the floor.
"I need food Shana, how can I kick butt and eat jerky if I don't have sustenance to keep me going? And what's with this place? Where's this annoying perpetual fog of stink coming from too!?"
"I'm sure someone will save us Lina."
"Oh yeah right, what are the chances some knight in shining armor is going to rescue us?" Lina snorted.

*



*

"Uhm....damn. How am I gonna get in?" Dart cursed, kicking a stone away as he watched the hell pit tower that was Hellena stand on it's rock on the peninsula. Dramatic waves kicked about as soldiers stood in every corner to ensure none of their "criminals" escaped.
"Hmmm..."
"Outta my way kid." A merchant mumbled. Jumping back Dart watched the merchant wagon slowly creak by, an idea forming in his head as well.
"Hmmmm......"

*

"So, your bringing in the supplies then?" The guard asked. The merchant nodded as he waited for the inspector to finish.
"Yes, fresh fish and fruit, I had to almost run here before they went bad." The merchant rambled.
"Alright. Everything looks good. Drop the bridge!" Ordered the guard, a shout of a reply came back as the drawbridge fell. With a nod the merchant drove across and entered Hellena, Dart in the cart waiting for the ride to stop.

*

"Bored." Lina groaned as she continued to count the bricks making up the wall. "348."
"I have 298 over here." Shana added.
"Oh this is pathetic, I've tried again and again, and none of my magic works. I can't even feel the astral energy when I summon them." Stomping her foot the sorceress walked to the cell window.
"Astral energy?"
"Yeah, all magic comes from the astral plane where I come from, it's just different on how you shape it and summon for it." Lina pondered at the statement as her mind began thinking once more. "So....this place doesn't have an astral plane then.....well duh....."
"But you said you could use magic earlier." Shana noted.
"Yeah.....but why?" Lina muttered. "I mean....it's weird."
As the two pondered on, Lina's talismans turned dark red to a lighter shade as light began to shine from it. Shana gave a questioning stare at them.
"Uhm....Lina?" Shana asked.
"There has to be a source I'm drawing from....."
"Lina?"
"But if there's no astral plane, or magic in this world, what can I be drawing from?"
"Lina?"
"Maybe there is magic......but it's more secular and..."
"LINA!" By the time Lina's attention was caught and focused, the talismans were glowing quite bright red. Lina gave an Inverse grin as she looked at the door of their cell.

*

"Tell me......what is so important about that girl?" A massive and obese looking man asked. The cloaked man merely stared back.
"She is important for the future of this world." was the reply.
"You can tell me." Fruegel grinned. A sword met his face as a reply.
"I have no order to tell the likes of you. I warn you this, this is a direct order from Emperor Doel, do not harm the girl, or I will have to take care of you. And I want no harm to come across the other girl. She intrigues me." Fruegel gave a nod as the man hid the sword in his cloak and left. With a growl the warden of Hellena Prison tossed a guard into the canyon below as he stomped off.

*

"Please, don't hurt me." The merchant pleaded. Dart scratched his head out of confusion at the mans reaction as he stepped out of the cart.
"Relax." Dart shushed. "Look, where do they keep the prisoners?"
"At the prison tower." The merchant replied.
"Ok." Giving a thanks, Dart left the area entering a chamber holding multiple rooms and stairs. "They weren't kidding when they said Hellena was like a maze."
"Warden!" Fruegel boomed. Dart looked about before hiding behind several crates nearby.
"Sir." The warden saluted. Fruegel inspected the man before laughing, the warden shivered at it.
"Do you have her?" Fruegel questioned.
"Yes, she's with the other girl in the prison tower."
"Good, from what the commander said, I want extra guards about. She's a dangerous one."
"Yes sir!" The warden nodded.
"Good, now go!" The warden gave another nod before leaving, Fruegel looked about before leaving as well.
"So.....that's Fruegel." Dart whispered. A glow caught his attention in his sack. Looking down, Dart gave a gasp as his fathers memento glowed slightly red.
"What's it doing?" The glowing faded slightly before returning. Shaking his head, Dart snuck by several guards and climbed up some nearby stairs.

*

"Wow....this thing is starting to really shine." Lina grinned. The light was bright enough to ward the shadows away slightly, but not enough to catch the guards attention as the half dozen waited patiently for instructions.
"So, are you going to escape now?" Shana asked.
"Heck no. To many guards out there. I'll do it the moment enough leave or we get a distraction."
"What are you two talking about in there!?" A guard demanded, a slot in the door sliding away as his eyes looked in.
"Girl stuff, so beat it pops." Lina shooed. The guard gave a badly done attempt of intimidation before closing the slide. "Now the waiting game."
"But....what if no one comes?" Shana asked, fear hinting in her question.
"Then I kick butt without the diversion!" Lina grinned. Shana gave a smile along with the statement.

*

"Bastard...." The Hellena warden gurgled, falling into the pit as Dart removed his sword and sheathed it silently.
"Damn.....so much." Dart swore, hiding behind a pillar as another warden made his pass. "I'm already winded and it's only the third floor."
"Damn that bit**." A guard cursed, walking into the circular room of prison doors, Dart's ears perked as he edged slowly towards the source.
"You mean the red head?" Another guard asked.
"Yeah. She bit me while I was pushing her in. God, I can see why she took out over ten of our men in a few moments. That weird man Fruegel talks to seems to be real interested in her now."
"A witch, that's what she is. But no matter, are those dogs from Basil here yet?"
"Yeah, they should be here in a minute."
"Good. I'm sure the beast will like them." Laughed the guard.
["Beast?"] Dart pondered. The guards gave another check before leaving the tower. Taking this time to climb the floors, Dart raced to the door and found stairs before him heading up further.
"....it doesn't end." With a sigh, Dart slowly made his trek up, looking about to make sure his path was clear. Hiding in the shadows, the mercenary watched as sentry men below walked about in their marches. With deftness, and speed, he jumped out of the building, a wooden bridge ahead connection the split that breaks the massive prison.
"This is almost too easy." With a sprint, the youth crossed the bridge and stopped in front of another entrance into the tower. Rowdy voices caught his attention as he looked in slightly. Guards were patrolling about, several chatting as they relaxed. ["Ack."]
"Hold on, I think I heard something outside." A warden spoke. Several others nodded as he left the room heading for the door.
["Uh oh."] Looking around, a lift caught Dart's attention. Climbing on, the machine automatically started, lifting him as the warden exited the building to see nothing.
"Strange....I could of swore I saw something....."

*

"Close." Dart mumbled, climbing off the lift on the second story. Another bridge stood near him, however, marching could be heard, while the building next to him sounded silent. Opening the door, rank odor overcame him as he entered, another circular room of cell doors.
"Let go of me villain!" a voice barked.
"Huh?" running to the source, Dart watched several wardens and guards attempt to hold back two knights struggling.
"Dog of Basil, accept your fate!" A punch finalized the meaning from the guard as one of the knights gasped.
"Monster, you'll never win!" the other soldier proclaimed. The guard silenced him for the moment with a swift kick to the stomach.
"The beast will definitely get a treat out of you." One of the wardens chuckled.
"Beast!?" The first soldier of basil gasped. The two only struggled more valiantly, but the number of men only held them back.
"The beast will definitely enjoy you two." The guard smirked.
"Gotta help them." Dart cursed, preparing to jump in before a voice interrupted him and the brow beating.
"Not if I can help it!" scuffling echoed the halls as a guard flew by with a yelp of surprise. A man in silver armor with the Basil olive green shirts ran into the fray, spear ready. The blonde knight surprised Dart with his vicious attacks as he sent another guard flying, this time into the crevice.
"Go, warn the King!" The man ordered. The knights nodded as they ran past Dart, too late though as a nearby guard pushed them into the pit.
"NO!" The knight snarled as he skewered the guard, blood splattering the area. The other enemies stood back before attacking....

*

"Hurry, intruders are here!" a voice ushered. Lina stood stock still as she continued to listen, cupping her hands against the door. A smile on her face.
"Ok, looks like the Inverse genes were right, luck is shining on me today." she grinned.
"What's going on?" Shana asked.
"We're busting out! Stand back!" Standing back, Shana listened intently as Lina recited the familiar spell she learned back in training.
"BURST RONDO!" From the demon blood talismans, fire ember exploded from her hands, focusing on the lock, melting it to a slag within seconds as the door burst open. Stealing a bow and a short sword the two equipped themselves as they exited the room.
"Come on!" Grabbing Shana the two were off to freedom!

*

"What!?" Spat Fruegel. The guard's only last word was a scream as the leading warden tossed him off the bridge, the others standing upright in terror. "Tell me again!"
"The leading knight and the red warrior have started a fight in one of the towers. And–" Before the second guard could continue, explosion rocked the entire prison as debris fell everywhere.
"What was that!?" Fruegel demanded.
"The girl, she escaped and she's destroying everything in her path!"
"Bastard!" The second guard joined his partner into death as Fruegel loomed in front of the rest. "Find them, do not harm the girls or I'll behead you all!" The rest nodded as they ran out quickly.

*

"Look out!" A slash from Dart's sword sent the warden to his death down the pit, the knight holding back several more pushed them off again as he skewered another one rushing him.
"Thank you." he replied, Dart nodded as he held off another attack. The battled raged for only a minute as the guards and warden lay dead, the rest retreating to regroup.
"Hey.....I know it's bad, but what's your name?" Dart asked, standing ready.
"Lavitz, Slamberg, leading knight of the 1st knight to King Albert of Bale." Lavitz introduced. Dart nodded.
"Nice to meet you." Before the introduction could continue, a squadron of guard entered, armed to the teeth.
"Too many." Lavitz growled, both fighters slowly back against the wall as they fought off ongoing attackers, both feeling exhausted.
"Shana....." Dart sighed. And explosion from the doorway answered his question. The guards were bowled over immediately from a flare arrow as Lina smashed into the prison circle room smirking. Shana dusted herself as she entered as well.
"Shana!?"
"Dart?" A hug answered her calls as Dart tightened his grip. "It's good to see you."
"Same here." A lone tear fell from Dart's eyes as he felt relief. Lavitz smiled, as well as Lina before another group of guards came.
"Man, they don't know when to quit do they?" Lina sighed. Crimson flames gathered in her hand as she prepared to release the spell. "FIRE..."
"Wait." Lavitz asked. "What are you–"
"BALL!" The talismans on Lina immediately flashed nova red as well as Dart's memento, a larger explosion took down the upper regions of the tower in a blazing pillar of inferno. Lina and the others running out quickly to avoid danger. The small group stopped off the lift, catching their breaths.
"How did you do that!?" Lavitz demanded, obviously showing that he didn't need to catch his breath.
"Uh...." Lina stammered.
"Are you a wingly?" Lavitz asked.
"A what?"
"Why did my memento react with your.......talismans?" Dart added.
"Ahh......listen......questions later, time to run!" Lina ushered. The group gave a seldom nod before running across the bridge and into the stair ways, Lina in the lead.
["Oh great.....what now?"] Lina cursed. The halls remained empty as the evacuation of the tower became more important, half of it already collapsing from the sheer damage. The group stopped another momentary break as the entered the main intersection leading out to the drawbridge.
"They're going to raise the bridge if they see us running." Lavitz pointed, stopping the group from running.
"Ok......another plan then." Said Dart. A whinny from a horse caught his attention as he noticed a stable nearby. "Got one."
"And that is?" Lina asked.
"We'll take the horses!" Dart explained. The others looked at the idea before nodding. Before entering, Fruegel stepped forward from behind them, smiling.
"Where do you think your going?"
"None of your business." Lina snapped.
"Who's this joker." Dart asked.
"He's Fruegel, one of the worst people in existence, so frightening that even his home town is afraid of him." Lavitz scowled, his pike ready.
"So, regular cliche bad guy then." Lina smirked, her sword at hand. "No problem, he'll be an easy target."
"You really think so?" Fruegel laughed. "Then target this!" Slamming the floor, the ground quaked, knocking the group off their feet for a few moments, long enough for Fruegel to bat Dart and Lavitz across the room with a thump.
"Dart!" Shana gasped, Fruegel lifted her roughly and restricted her air until she blacked out.
"Shana!" Lina growled. "Crimson burning bright, gather forth in my hands a flaming torrent wind of the east! FLARE-"
"What?" Fruegel gaped, the arrow of fire immediately enlarged as Lina released it.
"ARROW!" The resulting explosion was smaller than the previous, exploding harmlessly off Fruegel, but bowling him over. Grabbing Shana, Lina dragged the girl across the room as Dart and Lavitz steadied themselves.
"Damn, I'm getting drained." Lina coughed, a small splatter of blood covered her gloves as fatigue took her over again. "Can't risk another spell."
"Take care of Shana." Dart asked, Lina coughed before nodding. The two men immediately blitzed Fruegel slashing at the warden while he was still attempting to stand.
"Infernal creatures!" Howled the man, giving a swipe, Dart dodged while Lavitz did a lower roundhouse sweeping Fruegel off his feet with a thump.
"Time to finish this." Dart growled, lifting his sword for the finishing blow. Before the downward thrust came, the entire Prison shook, parts of the wall collapsing inward encasing Fruegel in plaster. "Dammit."
"No time, we have to get the horses and leave." Lavitz pointed out. Giving a nod the two grabbed three and ran to Lina, loading Shana up. With a hiyah the three were off.

*

"Lift the bridge!" A voice commanded, the drawbridge guard nodded as he started the auto lift. Dart and Lina's beast of burden climbed the bridge and jumped.
"Lavitz!" Dart shouted, the knight appeared from the door and started to climb the bridge. When hope seemed lost, the knight jumped over, the trio plus one leaving immediately the area.

*

"AFTER THEM! Or I'll have you all beheaded!" Fruegel demanded, the guards nodded as they left immediately. Fruegel swore once more before leaving, failing to notice the man in the hood looking from above on a bridge.
"So....they followed the plan as I expected them too.....even with the unknown variable.....this Lina Inverse. Will she ruin everything? Time will show....."