Legend of Mana: Odyssey of Shadows
Chapter 6: The Fall of Geo
Ocean looked over the 3 new arrivals. The first one, Ihrie, was a human girl, probably in her late teens early twenties, with blond hair that flowed half way down her back and eyes of shining emerald. A white cotton shirt stuck out slightly above and below a breastplate of vizel gold armour that was dulled and dented with age. She also wore a pair of brown shorts, gold armoured greeves, and red leather gloves, her skin was smooth and lightly tanned but youthful. She was sitting on one of the chairs with a spear leaning on the wall behind her. She pulled out a handkerchief and started cleaning her face.
The second individual, Larc, was a male dragoon warrior. Kind of like a human with a dog's face and a dragon's tail, his skin was a light brown shade and what little hair that could be seen was an artificial black tone. He was mostly encased in a rust red suit of heavy armour with two spikes on each armoured shoulder pad, with a leather belt around his waist that held two small, newly sharpened, axes. He sat in the chair with his arms crossed, and deep in thought. He looked as dangerous as Predator was scary and secretly found himself wanting to see what would happen if he and Predator fought.
Finally that brought Ocean to the last individual, Sierra. She was also a Dragoon warrior but she had a unicorn horn protruding from the middle of her forehead. Her skin was a bright white shade and her hair was a light blue shade. If she wore armour or wielded weapons they were hidden under a bright multicolored jacket and skirt. As soon as Ocean entered the room she was the first to stand and offer her hand to him. He graciously accepted her hand and shook it vigorously.
"Greetings Ocean," Sierra started in a tense mood, "I've heard much of your travels across Fa'Diel. Especially your last excursion into the White Forest. Ocean's eyes widened slightly at Sierra's comment.
"How do you know about that?" He asked with a level tone. At this point both Ihrie and Larc, apparently having sensed Sierra's tense mood, rose from their seats and flanked Sierra. She then broke her hand contact with Ocean and in tone both harsh and authoritative, she announced for all in the room to hear, "I will be taking command of the assembled army of Geo, immediately. Sierra's two companions didn't flinch at her announcement in fact it looked as if they expected it.
"What the hell!" Ocean said aloud, "What is going on here?!"
The sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, it cast a beautiful artwork of reds, oranges and yellows, same as always and as before many all over the land cast their gaze at the timeless display. However, it would probably also be the last sunset that many in Geo would ever see. But this didn't bother Predator as she gave a loud-mouthed yawn while stretching her arms wide and completely forgetting why she came to this city in the first place. She was irritated beyond hell and her patience had all but worn out. She had spent the last day and a half sitting up here on top of the Geo Castle's topmost tower. The Castle was a beautiful and clean palace where, interestingly enough, the King and Queen had ruled many hundreds of years ago when there had been a unifying kingdom that controlled all of Fa'Diel. Nowadays it's owned by some art collecting hobbyist who used the place as her own personal art museum. However the only picture that would interest Predator would be her own.
Such a picture would be of a young teenage girl wearing black all over, her shirt, pants, and shoes all black. Even her hair, hanging down in dreadlocks, and the lipstick she employed was black with pale skin showing where the blackness didn't cover. With a dagger holstered, one on each hip, and spike covered armoured bracers on her arms extending from her wrists up to just below her elbows, she looked very gothic and even slightly dead.
"Diese Stadt ist echt Scheisse!!" Predator shouted in a foreign tongue which translated to 'This City Sucks!" She wanted to vomit when ever she saw or heard the cries of the wounded and the pathetic creatures that lived below her. The only reason why she stayed in the city cause she wanted a piece of the action. But, if the rumors where true than this invading army heading from Lumina was the biggest army that Fa'Diel had seen in over 400 years. Predator wanted to fight this army purly for the excitement and challenge. Never had she even heard of such a large militia of troops ever being assembled. It was the kind of stuff she dreamed of.
Despite her excitement she was almost bored to tears. "Damn I'm bored of waiting!" Ironically right after she said it, did she spy a cloud of dust rise above the horizon as the first line of enemy troops emerged.
"Zu das Fledermaushohle!" Predator cried in excitement as she descended the tower stairway, crossed over the north wall and then ascended the bell tower stairs. She was breathing heavily as she reached the top of the bell tower. Eagerly she picked up a sledgehammer and struck, with all her might, the bell three times, alerting the city of the enemy's approach. While everyone rushed to their positions Predator drew her daggers and awaited the enemy to breach the gates so she could descend from the tower onto the unsuspecting enemy.
"She did it, I can't believe she really did it." Ihrie though to herself. "Sierra had said she would but even when hearing it from her, I couldn't believe it." Ihrie shook her head in disbelief. Ihrie didn't know where Sierra knew this Ocean guy from, but Sierra obviously didn't like him. It was also equally obvious that he didn't like Sierra as well and her previous announcement had brought forth his immediate disapproval. The two had spent the last hour arguing at each other while Larc kept watch on the two. It was a meaningless argument over who was better suited to take command. Ihrie had no interest on who took command but she wanted to know more about where Sierra knew Ocean from, why she was so pissed at him, and what he had been doing in the White Forest. Alas, neither of the three topics had risen to the surface of the shout-fest. Which is why Ihrie had quickly gotten tired of the fight and had decided to sit back in her chair, her thoughts wandering on what had become of the Ranger that had escorted her to Geo. If it hadn't been for the clang, clang, clang, of the castle bell she would've fallen asleep where she sat. Even after the bell rang the two combatants both continued to be at odds with each other, broken only when Ocean turned to leave the room.
"Do what you please," he said as he left, "this city is doomed anyway." It was strange but somehow Ihrie knew he was right and instantly felt a pit of dread form in her stomach. She kneeled down onto the ground and said a short prayer before leaving the room with Larc as they headed to the nearest scout tower to appraise the coming army's strength.
Captain Aga looked upon the object of his quest. Even now he still thought about the battle at Lumina, it had been such an easy battle, he hadn't lost a single man yet. He expected, if his intelligence was correct, to suffer, Aga chuckled, heavier losses. His air scouts reported sighting of 6 individuals identified as great fighters.
"But 6 men do not an army make." Captain Aga noted to himself as he turned to his soldiers, no, his followers. "Company Halt," he commanded. Several other officers repeated the same order across the battalion of troops so that everyone heard the order. "First wave advance! Artillery destroy the gate but leave the interior intact!" He shouted his command and it was heard.
Near the rear of the army, there were 5 teams of 2 horses pulling large and hallow, metal cylinder cannon like objects, that were big enough to hold a human in it's hallow and all over the outside where runes carved on the outside. The metal artillery cylinders were attached to two giant wooden wheels that made it easier to transport. When the order to fire was given, a single mage stepped forth. The mage was dressed in purple robes with the hood up to hide his face. The mage pulled out a flute specially carved with runes, similar to the ones on the cannon, all over it's exterior. He started playing a slow paced, mellow sounding musical tune. The runes on the cannon and the flute came alive with flowing blue energy and the connection was made. The longer the mage played the more energy that was collected inside of the cannon, it took 10 minutes of continual playing before he was finished.
"FIRE!" At the execution of the command all of the soldiers, including the first wave, dove to the ground and covered their ears, before the cannon erupted in swirling blue energy and directed the destructive force power towards the gate of the city. At first there was no sound then a great crash of thunder shook the ground and echoed all over the land. The blast was so powerful it even collapsed some of the houses inside the city. Any hope of a organized defense force inside Geo was shattered as the inexperienced protectors were sent in a panicked frenzy.
The trail of energy stuck the wall with the forces of a thousand charging bulls. The wall was literally vaporized instantaneously, it was only due to the fact that the gate was magically re-enforced that saved the interior of the city from total annihilation. Even so, the remaining energy crackled, like violent lightning spikes, after it's initial impact and struck buildings and people inside the city. A large number of individuals in the Geo defense force was exterminated and half the city exploded in fire and debris.
"Continue your advance!" Captain Aga pushed his troops forward. The first wave of soldiers rose back to their feet and began sprinting towards the destroyed gate and wall. While the mage retreated back stepping away from the newly formed puddle of molten metal and burnt wood that stood where the cannon had previously been. Only 4 of the magical cannons remained now.
One of the lighting bolts had impacted the base of the tower causing it to collapse. Predator jumped from the bell tower as it buckled and collapsed. Ocean ducked behind a half destroyed building to vomit, from the bloody mess left from the unfortunate ones who had gotten hit. Ihrie and Larc followed Sierra to the magic academy where the most educated and advanced students where being prepared for a counter-attack. The city was in ruins, the initial attack had taken out the network of catapults that had been constructed along the outer city limits and eliminated the first and second lines of defense. The only thing left was the small main force however it consisted of less than 50 students. The only bright point was that all of the wounded and non-combatants had been evacuated the day before.
"Listen to me everyone." Sierra said trying to calm the terrified students. "We must leave Geo. We have a plan for an escape route, but we need all of you to calm down and co-operate!"
"We can't abandon Geo! Where would we go!" One of the students asked tears flowing freely from her eyes.
"We can't escape!"
"We're all doomed!"
"We should surrender before we're all killed!" The students shouted at Sierra and each other. They had all given up the fight and fallen to despair. Ihrie suddenly felt the need to leave the room. Larc followed her since he too couldn't stand the sight either.
"Sierra go evacuate the students while we hold the soldiers at bay." Larc said matter-of-factly as he left the room and joined Ihrie as they both marched to battle.
Ocean emerged from behind the building, he looked slightly pale, but recovered from his sickness. He emerged just as the first wave of soldiers crossed the rubble that had been the front gate. Not seeing anyone else, the soldiers charge Ocean since he was the only one there. Ocean wasn't sure but he estimated the enemy forces consisted of over 300 soldiers. The soldiers were dressed in brown leather jackets that had chain mail covering them, and brown pants with iron greeves and bracers protecting their legs and arms respectively. Each one wielded a simple but functional long- swords and they all had them drawn.
Ocean stood and drew his katana blade from its sheath. He had to stop them from reaching the academy, but he didn't know how effective he would be against such a large number of troops.
"I can't do this!" He said as he stood a few steps backward, preparing to retreat.
"I can't let you hog all the fun!" Predator answered Ocean's prepared retreat.
"Predator? Where have you been?" Ocean answered while keeping his eyes on the advancing line of soldiers.
"Around," Was her reply as she drew her daggers and prepared to fight. Ocean stopped his retreat and moved up beside her.
"Your not doing this to protect the students are you?" Ocean asked hopefully, yet he knew the answer.
"Biss mich! Ocean " she replied as the first soldiers raised their weapons to strike. "Deine Seele ist Meine!" She taunted the soldiers as she charged them.
End Chapter 6
Chapter 6: The Fall of Geo
Ocean looked over the 3 new arrivals. The first one, Ihrie, was a human girl, probably in her late teens early twenties, with blond hair that flowed half way down her back and eyes of shining emerald. A white cotton shirt stuck out slightly above and below a breastplate of vizel gold armour that was dulled and dented with age. She also wore a pair of brown shorts, gold armoured greeves, and red leather gloves, her skin was smooth and lightly tanned but youthful. She was sitting on one of the chairs with a spear leaning on the wall behind her. She pulled out a handkerchief and started cleaning her face.
The second individual, Larc, was a male dragoon warrior. Kind of like a human with a dog's face and a dragon's tail, his skin was a light brown shade and what little hair that could be seen was an artificial black tone. He was mostly encased in a rust red suit of heavy armour with two spikes on each armoured shoulder pad, with a leather belt around his waist that held two small, newly sharpened, axes. He sat in the chair with his arms crossed, and deep in thought. He looked as dangerous as Predator was scary and secretly found himself wanting to see what would happen if he and Predator fought.
Finally that brought Ocean to the last individual, Sierra. She was also a Dragoon warrior but she had a unicorn horn protruding from the middle of her forehead. Her skin was a bright white shade and her hair was a light blue shade. If she wore armour or wielded weapons they were hidden under a bright multicolored jacket and skirt. As soon as Ocean entered the room she was the first to stand and offer her hand to him. He graciously accepted her hand and shook it vigorously.
"Greetings Ocean," Sierra started in a tense mood, "I've heard much of your travels across Fa'Diel. Especially your last excursion into the White Forest. Ocean's eyes widened slightly at Sierra's comment.
"How do you know about that?" He asked with a level tone. At this point both Ihrie and Larc, apparently having sensed Sierra's tense mood, rose from their seats and flanked Sierra. She then broke her hand contact with Ocean and in tone both harsh and authoritative, she announced for all in the room to hear, "I will be taking command of the assembled army of Geo, immediately. Sierra's two companions didn't flinch at her announcement in fact it looked as if they expected it.
"What the hell!" Ocean said aloud, "What is going on here?!"
The sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, it cast a beautiful artwork of reds, oranges and yellows, same as always and as before many all over the land cast their gaze at the timeless display. However, it would probably also be the last sunset that many in Geo would ever see. But this didn't bother Predator as she gave a loud-mouthed yawn while stretching her arms wide and completely forgetting why she came to this city in the first place. She was irritated beyond hell and her patience had all but worn out. She had spent the last day and a half sitting up here on top of the Geo Castle's topmost tower. The Castle was a beautiful and clean palace where, interestingly enough, the King and Queen had ruled many hundreds of years ago when there had been a unifying kingdom that controlled all of Fa'Diel. Nowadays it's owned by some art collecting hobbyist who used the place as her own personal art museum. However the only picture that would interest Predator would be her own.
Such a picture would be of a young teenage girl wearing black all over, her shirt, pants, and shoes all black. Even her hair, hanging down in dreadlocks, and the lipstick she employed was black with pale skin showing where the blackness didn't cover. With a dagger holstered, one on each hip, and spike covered armoured bracers on her arms extending from her wrists up to just below her elbows, she looked very gothic and even slightly dead.
"Diese Stadt ist echt Scheisse!!" Predator shouted in a foreign tongue which translated to 'This City Sucks!" She wanted to vomit when ever she saw or heard the cries of the wounded and the pathetic creatures that lived below her. The only reason why she stayed in the city cause she wanted a piece of the action. But, if the rumors where true than this invading army heading from Lumina was the biggest army that Fa'Diel had seen in over 400 years. Predator wanted to fight this army purly for the excitement and challenge. Never had she even heard of such a large militia of troops ever being assembled. It was the kind of stuff she dreamed of.
Despite her excitement she was almost bored to tears. "Damn I'm bored of waiting!" Ironically right after she said it, did she spy a cloud of dust rise above the horizon as the first line of enemy troops emerged.
"Zu das Fledermaushohle!" Predator cried in excitement as she descended the tower stairway, crossed over the north wall and then ascended the bell tower stairs. She was breathing heavily as she reached the top of the bell tower. Eagerly she picked up a sledgehammer and struck, with all her might, the bell three times, alerting the city of the enemy's approach. While everyone rushed to their positions Predator drew her daggers and awaited the enemy to breach the gates so she could descend from the tower onto the unsuspecting enemy.
"She did it, I can't believe she really did it." Ihrie though to herself. "Sierra had said she would but even when hearing it from her, I couldn't believe it." Ihrie shook her head in disbelief. Ihrie didn't know where Sierra knew this Ocean guy from, but Sierra obviously didn't like him. It was also equally obvious that he didn't like Sierra as well and her previous announcement had brought forth his immediate disapproval. The two had spent the last hour arguing at each other while Larc kept watch on the two. It was a meaningless argument over who was better suited to take command. Ihrie had no interest on who took command but she wanted to know more about where Sierra knew Ocean from, why she was so pissed at him, and what he had been doing in the White Forest. Alas, neither of the three topics had risen to the surface of the shout-fest. Which is why Ihrie had quickly gotten tired of the fight and had decided to sit back in her chair, her thoughts wandering on what had become of the Ranger that had escorted her to Geo. If it hadn't been for the clang, clang, clang, of the castle bell she would've fallen asleep where she sat. Even after the bell rang the two combatants both continued to be at odds with each other, broken only when Ocean turned to leave the room.
"Do what you please," he said as he left, "this city is doomed anyway." It was strange but somehow Ihrie knew he was right and instantly felt a pit of dread form in her stomach. She kneeled down onto the ground and said a short prayer before leaving the room with Larc as they headed to the nearest scout tower to appraise the coming army's strength.
Captain Aga looked upon the object of his quest. Even now he still thought about the battle at Lumina, it had been such an easy battle, he hadn't lost a single man yet. He expected, if his intelligence was correct, to suffer, Aga chuckled, heavier losses. His air scouts reported sighting of 6 individuals identified as great fighters.
"But 6 men do not an army make." Captain Aga noted to himself as he turned to his soldiers, no, his followers. "Company Halt," he commanded. Several other officers repeated the same order across the battalion of troops so that everyone heard the order. "First wave advance! Artillery destroy the gate but leave the interior intact!" He shouted his command and it was heard.
Near the rear of the army, there were 5 teams of 2 horses pulling large and hallow, metal cylinder cannon like objects, that were big enough to hold a human in it's hallow and all over the outside where runes carved on the outside. The metal artillery cylinders were attached to two giant wooden wheels that made it easier to transport. When the order to fire was given, a single mage stepped forth. The mage was dressed in purple robes with the hood up to hide his face. The mage pulled out a flute specially carved with runes, similar to the ones on the cannon, all over it's exterior. He started playing a slow paced, mellow sounding musical tune. The runes on the cannon and the flute came alive with flowing blue energy and the connection was made. The longer the mage played the more energy that was collected inside of the cannon, it took 10 minutes of continual playing before he was finished.
"FIRE!" At the execution of the command all of the soldiers, including the first wave, dove to the ground and covered their ears, before the cannon erupted in swirling blue energy and directed the destructive force power towards the gate of the city. At first there was no sound then a great crash of thunder shook the ground and echoed all over the land. The blast was so powerful it even collapsed some of the houses inside the city. Any hope of a organized defense force inside Geo was shattered as the inexperienced protectors were sent in a panicked frenzy.
The trail of energy stuck the wall with the forces of a thousand charging bulls. The wall was literally vaporized instantaneously, it was only due to the fact that the gate was magically re-enforced that saved the interior of the city from total annihilation. Even so, the remaining energy crackled, like violent lightning spikes, after it's initial impact and struck buildings and people inside the city. A large number of individuals in the Geo defense force was exterminated and half the city exploded in fire and debris.
"Continue your advance!" Captain Aga pushed his troops forward. The first wave of soldiers rose back to their feet and began sprinting towards the destroyed gate and wall. While the mage retreated back stepping away from the newly formed puddle of molten metal and burnt wood that stood where the cannon had previously been. Only 4 of the magical cannons remained now.
One of the lighting bolts had impacted the base of the tower causing it to collapse. Predator jumped from the bell tower as it buckled and collapsed. Ocean ducked behind a half destroyed building to vomit, from the bloody mess left from the unfortunate ones who had gotten hit. Ihrie and Larc followed Sierra to the magic academy where the most educated and advanced students where being prepared for a counter-attack. The city was in ruins, the initial attack had taken out the network of catapults that had been constructed along the outer city limits and eliminated the first and second lines of defense. The only thing left was the small main force however it consisted of less than 50 students. The only bright point was that all of the wounded and non-combatants had been evacuated the day before.
"Listen to me everyone." Sierra said trying to calm the terrified students. "We must leave Geo. We have a plan for an escape route, but we need all of you to calm down and co-operate!"
"We can't abandon Geo! Where would we go!" One of the students asked tears flowing freely from her eyes.
"We can't escape!"
"We're all doomed!"
"We should surrender before we're all killed!" The students shouted at Sierra and each other. They had all given up the fight and fallen to despair. Ihrie suddenly felt the need to leave the room. Larc followed her since he too couldn't stand the sight either.
"Sierra go evacuate the students while we hold the soldiers at bay." Larc said matter-of-factly as he left the room and joined Ihrie as they both marched to battle.
Ocean emerged from behind the building, he looked slightly pale, but recovered from his sickness. He emerged just as the first wave of soldiers crossed the rubble that had been the front gate. Not seeing anyone else, the soldiers charge Ocean since he was the only one there. Ocean wasn't sure but he estimated the enemy forces consisted of over 300 soldiers. The soldiers were dressed in brown leather jackets that had chain mail covering them, and brown pants with iron greeves and bracers protecting their legs and arms respectively. Each one wielded a simple but functional long- swords and they all had them drawn.
Ocean stood and drew his katana blade from its sheath. He had to stop them from reaching the academy, but he didn't know how effective he would be against such a large number of troops.
"I can't do this!" He said as he stood a few steps backward, preparing to retreat.
"I can't let you hog all the fun!" Predator answered Ocean's prepared retreat.
"Predator? Where have you been?" Ocean answered while keeping his eyes on the advancing line of soldiers.
"Around," Was her reply as she drew her daggers and prepared to fight. Ocean stopped his retreat and moved up beside her.
"Your not doing this to protect the students are you?" Ocean asked hopefully, yet he knew the answer.
"Biss mich! Ocean " she replied as the first soldiers raised their weapons to strike. "Deine Seele ist Meine!" She taunted the soldiers as she charged them.
End Chapter 6
