Dian the Just

Disclaimer: I don't own Majesty or some of the hero's names.

Dian tried to follow Gusto Swiftstaff as best as she could, but the Adept was far faster. He turned and ran north. Dian tried to run faster but found that she couldn't go any faster. She soon however had passed Kira and was getting farther away from her. Soon, only flashing brown robes told her where Gusto was, as he was to far away to distinguish.

Then, Dian felt energy gather in her. Her muscles felt extremely light and unused, so she used them. She felt her armor like wearing feathers. She was the lightest thing in the world, and she was fast! She ran, and soon Gusto was right in front of her. He was running his staff in hand, ready to use. Dian drew her sword.

Gusto turned around and shock was painted on his face. His stride grew a bit longer, and his run turned to a sprint. His robes swished and cracked in the breeze, as his fast moving feet kicked up dust.

Dian took off. She began to catch up to Gusto again. He didn't have the Winged Feet enchantment, and she did. She pushed herself farther and soon, Gusto would be behind her. Then Gusto gave an unnatural burst of speed. He tore around an inn, nearly knocking a surprised Elf of his feet. Dian missed him, barely. She traveled north, following Gusto.

Finally, she arrived at North Village. Except for the ruins of the Temple to Lunord, everything seemed back in order, the markets repaired, the Bungalow wasn't swarming with Elves. Dian didn't look at this too long, however. She turned her run into a sprint. Gusto wasn't about to give up. He pushed himself, stretching his legs as he ran, to cover more distance. Dian was slowly catching up. Any minute now…

Gusto grabbed a tree, and bark shot off as he used it to turn. He flew headlong towards the inn. Doing a somersault, he landed in front of the inn. Dian wasn't so lucky. She continued on. She was going to hit the outpost. She turned and tried to run the other direction, but she had too much momentum. Silently, she cursed Gusto, again. She turned and planted her feet. She skidded and stopped, her face nearly touching the outpost. She turned and ran back towards the inn, which was mainly uphill. After the exhausting climb to the top, she took a rest. Kira came up. She had the Winged Feet enchantment, but she had moderated her speed. Dian turned and walked into the entrance of the inn. She was at least faster than Kira.

"Never challenge an Adept," Gusto said.

"Leave her alone, Gusty," Kira said.

Sir Willem was in a chair. His wounds looked tended, although poorly. His helm was missing and his shield was shattered, leaving a jagged piece of metal. His sword had several notches in it. His face was pale. His hair was sodden with sweat, making it look darker than it truly was. His mouth opened in a smile.

"Kira," he said. "…And Dian."

Kira smiled, tears running down her cheeks. She rushed forward. "You are safe at last!"

Gusto shook his head. "Hey, this is nice and all, but those Rock Golems looked really nasty, and I think they didn't stop here to play." He winced at the glare Kira gave him.

Dian unsheathed her sword. "If I must fight alongside you, Gusto Swiftstaff, then I shall."

"It's Gusty," Gusto said, running out the entrance.

"I'll catch up, sister," Kira said.

Dian smiled and ran out the door.

Already, the Rangers and Elves were assembled. Sylves said, "Keeps getting' more interesting doesn't it?"

He nocked an arrow and drew it back to his cheek, the white feathers on the shaft shining in the light. The other Rangers mimicked him, all drawing. When the Elves saw this, they too nocked and drew.

Dian put her blade in the earth. There was no need to carry the sword yet. Gusto was twirling his staff, switching his hands. Then he stopped. Dian pulled out her sword. The ground was rumbling, as every so often a Golem's step shook the earth. All the archers held their bows steadily. Two Paladins Dian didn't recognize came up. Adepts were gathering around Gusto.

The first Golem leapt over a small hill. It's colossal body shaking the earth so much, Dian went to a kneel. "Fire!" Sylves yelled. Arrows flew like a swarm into the Rock Golem. The Golem stared in interest at these, then let out a bellow. The two other Paladins, "Energies of Light!" mimicked Dian's cry. Blue beams shot up in a cerulean spiral reaching towards the sky.

The Golem rushed forward, eagerness to kill in its beady eyes. Dian ran forward. Stepping on her left foot, she spun around and used the momentum to cut into the Golem. It looked down. It swung its massive fists, crashing into the earth next to Dian. Another flight of arrows whistled through the arrow. The two other Paladins rushed forward, both using the same spiral cut. In her training, Paladins were taught to use a spiral cut in an encounter with a Rock Golem.

The Golem bellowed and swung a huge fist down. It crashed into Dian and knocked her backwards. She fell in the dirt, the wind knocked out of her. She stood up, gasping for air. She picked up her sword. "Energies of Light!" she yelled, charging again. The Golem knocked away the next Paladin. Dian leapt into the air, still using a spiral cut. The sword sliced through the Golem's middle. The sword glowed a blue as it cut through. When it came out, Dian dropped, landing in a kneeling position. The Golem collapsed, falling towards Dian. Dian tried to stand up, but she was too weak.

Then, arms grabbed her and pulled her out. "Now you owe me one," Gusto said.

Dian was too tired to do anything. She just smiled.

The earth shook again.

"More comin'," a Ranger said. He lobbed a healing potion at Dian.

Dian already had some potions; she had bought them yesterday. She drank the potion down anyway. She stood up, grabbing her sword. One side was noticeably duller than the other side. Tearra had arrived, but instead of her broadsword, she carried that massive Minotaur axe. It had to be taller than she herself was.

Tearra came over. "Sister, put both hands on the hilt."

Dian placed her left hand on the blade, too nervous to say anything.

"Nauriatis! (If this is incorrect, feel free to correct me)" Adepts began to teleport onto the field of battle. All their staffs were held over their left shoulder. Gusto rushed to join them.

The two Paladins Dian didn't know came up.

"Hello," Terra said, stiffly.

"How's it goin' Tara?" one of them asked, leaning on her sword.

"It is Tearra," Tearra said.

"So this is the new recruit," said the other.

"My name is Dian, Dian the Just," Dian said, her eyes narrowing.

"Dian, you shouldn't associate with these South District Paladins. They don't follow Dauros, the way he was meant to," Tearra said.

"Your just too uptight. Name's Tymara of South District," said the first Paladin.

"I'm Jellara the Vindicator," said the second. Her helm was missing, probably crushed by the Rock Golem. Her hair was blonde and shoulder length. She idly twirled a lock of hair. She drew her sword. "Well the Golems aren't goin' to stop for idle chit-chat. Best get ready."

Tearra scowled. She marched up to the front line. Two Golems leapt over the hill. Both let out guttural roars. Their moss-covered bodies were extremely large. Their short, broad heads were placed somewhat below their shoulders, giving them a hunchback effect. Their fists were much larger than their heads. Their legs were short and stocky, made to support all that weight. Both of them charged the Adepts.

All the Adepts held up their staffs crying, "Nauriatis!" The all teleported behind the Golems and began to attack, the staffs hardly affecting the Golems rock hard body.

Dian charged forward, yelling, "Energies of Light!" She saw the blue glow as she spiraled into the Golem. Her sword cut through its foot, right below the shin. Then the sword stopped. It wasn't coming free! Dian tugged as hard as she could. Her sword moved slightly, scraping against rock. The Golem leaned forward, opening its massive jaws. It was going to eat her! Dian stepped backward only to find a large, stone hand blocking behind her. The Golem bent forward, its mouth coming nearer and nearer to Dian. Its back was bending in an awkward fashion, allowing it to go below its waist. Its mouth began to close, when an arrow struck it in the eye. A red-feathered shaft poked outside of the Golem's eye. It roared and thrashed.

Sylves came up. "Hope you liked my fancy shootin'"

"Thank you, Sylves," Dian said.

Then three more Golems came over the hill. The second Golem hadn't been killed, and the first one was staggering around with an arrow in its eye. They were now facing five Golems. They were doomed.